Post-processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To make it easy to turn over sheets constituting a sheet bundle one by one after manual insertion and binding processing.SOLUTION: A post-processing device is provided with: a manual insertion processing part 41 into which a sheet bundle PT obtained by overlapping a plurality of sheets P is manually inserted; and a binding device 30 which performs binding processing on a tip end part downstream in a manual insertion direction of the sheet bundle PT in a state of being manually inserted into the manual insertion processing part 41. The manual insertion processing part 41 is provided with a guide member 44 having a bending guide part 44b that bends a part upstream in the manual insertion direction of the tip end part into bending parts PTs while guiding the sheet bundle PT when the sheet bundle PT is manually inserted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a sheet, and an image forming system including the post-processing device and an image forming device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming system (image forming device), there has been known a post-processing device that performs binding processing (post-processing) on a stack of sheets inserted by hand (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, the post-processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is installed on the exterior of the image forming device and is configured to be able to perform binding processing on the corners of a stack of sheets inserted by the user by hand.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In the conventional post-processing device, even when the user tries to roll up each sheet of the stack of sheets that has been inserted by hand and bound, it is difficult to roll up.

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a post-processing device and an image forming system in which each sheet constituting a stack of sheets inserted by hand and bound can be easily rolled up.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The post-processing device according to the present invention includes a manual processing unit into which a stack of sheets formed by stacking a plurality of sheets is manually inserted, and a binding device that performs binding processing on the tip portion on the downstream side in the manual insertion direction in the stack of sheets in the state of being manually inserted into the manual processing unit. The manual processing unit is provided with a guide member including a bending guide portion that bends a portion upstream of the tip portion in the manual insertion direction as a bending portion while guiding the stack of sheets when the stack of sheets is manually inserted.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a post-processing device and an image forming system that can easily roll up each sheet constituting a sheet bundle after being inserted by hand and subjected to a binding process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the redundant description thereof will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0009] In FIG. 1, the image forming system 300 in the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming system 300 according to the present embodiment, a post-processing device 1 (sheet processing device) having a binding function is detachably installed in the body internal space W (a space provided between the document reading device 102 and the image forming unit 115) of the image forming apparatus 100. The body internal space W is a space capable of discharging the sheet P (the sheet P after printing) discharged from the image forming apparatus 100, and is also a space where the discharged sheet P can be taken out. That is, in a state where the post-processing device 1 is not installed, the body internal space W functions as a space (discharge unit) where the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 is stacked. In the image forming system 300, the image forming apparatus 100 is a part other than the post-processing device 1, and mainly includes an image forming unit 115, a main body feeding tray 112, a fixing unit 120, a document conveying device 110, a document reading device 102, and the like. An operation display panel 149 (operation display unit) for displaying various information in the image forming system 300 and inputting various commands is installed on the exterior of the image forming apparatus 100 (image forming system 300). Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the post-processing device 1 is installed with a stitching device 30 with needles, an internal tray 20, a pair of discharge rollers 15, a discharge tray 13, a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers 11 to 13, a stitching device 40 without needles, and the like. Here, the post-processing device 1 is arranged on the downstream side in the conveying direction (the conveying direction of the sheet P) with respect to the image forming apparatus 100. The post-processing device 1 is a device for performing a binding process (stitching process with needles or stitching process without needles) on a plurality of printed sheets P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100, or performing a binding process (stitching process with needles) on a sheet bundle PT set by hand. This will be described in detail later.

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, the image forming operation (printing operation) in the image forming apparatus 100 of the image forming system 300 will be described. In the image forming apparatus 100, first, the original document D is conveyed (fed) from the original document table in the direction of the arrow in the figure by the conveying roller of the original document conveying apparatus 110 and passes over the original document reading apparatus 102. At this time, in the original document reading apparatus 102, the image information of the original document D passing above is optically read. Then, the optical image information read by the original document reading apparatus 102 is converted into an electric signal and then transmitted to the writing apparatus 103. Then, from the writing apparatus 103, laser light based on the image information of the electric signal is emitted toward each of the photosensitive drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K for each color, and an exposure process is performed. Then, a charging process, an exposure process, and a developing process are performed on the photosensitive drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K of the respective image forming units 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K, and desired images are respectively formed on the photosensitive drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K. After that, the images respectively formed on the photosensitive drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 178 as a color image. Further, the color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 178 is transferred to the sheet P fed and conveyed by the feed roller 197 from the main body feed tray 112 (second feeding unit) at the opposing position with the secondary transfer roller 189. After that, the sheet P onto which the color image is transferred is conveyed to the position of the fixing unit 120. Then, the color image transferred onto the surface is fixed on the sheet P.

[0011] After that, based on the selection regarding the user's printing mode, the sheet P will be discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 by the first discharge roller pair 131 and fed into the post-processing apparatus 1, or discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 by the second discharge roller pair 132 and stacked on the discharge tray 135.

[0012] Here, in the present embodiment, the post-processing device 1 is connected (installed) to the interior space W of the image forming apparatus 1. Based on the user's selection, the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 is conveyed to the post-processing device 1, and post-processing is performed on the conveyed sheet P. By installing the post-processing device 1 in the interior space W of the image forming apparatus 1, the interior space W can be effectively utilized, and the image forming system 300 can be miniaturized.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 2, the post-processing device 1 (automatic processing unit 39) in the present embodiment conveys the sheet P fed from the image forming apparatus 100 to a conveyance path (a conveyance path indicated by a broken line in the figure, where three conveyance roller pairs 11 to 13 are installed), and is configured to perform post-processing such as binding processing or discharge it as it is without performing post-processing. Specifically, when the mode without performing post-processing is selected, the sheet P conveyed by the first to third conveyance roller pairs 11 to 13 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 15 and placed on the discharge tray 13.

[0014] When the "sorting mode (sorting processing mode)" is selected, the sheet P is conveyed while being shifted by a predetermined amount in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2) for each sheet P by the discharge roller pair 15 configured to be movable in the width direction, and is sequentially stacked on the discharge tray 13.

[0015] When the "stitching process mode (staple mode)" is selected, the sheets P conveyed by the first to third conveying roller pairs 11 to 13 are sequentially stacked on the internal tray 20 without being discharged by the discharge roller pair 15. At this time, each time a sheet P is placed on the internal tray 20, the tapping roller 14 and the return roller 16 arranged above it move from the standby position to a position where they contact the sheet P (the uppermost sheet P in the sheet bundle PT). By driving the tapping roller 14 and the return roller 16 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 2 respectively, the sheet P is conveyed (moved) toward the end fence 21. As a result, the rear ends (the rear ends in the conveying direction) of the plurality of sheets P (sheet bundle PT) abut against the end fence 21, and the positions of the plurality of sheets P in the conveying direction are aligned.

[0016] At this time, referring to FIG. 3, the jogger fences 22 (side fences) installed at both ends in the width direction of the internal tray 20 move in the width direction so as to sandwich the sheet P (sheet bundle PT) each time a sheet P is placed on the internal tray 20 (or after a desired number of sheets P are stacked), and the positions of the sheet P (sheet bundle PT) in the width direction are aligned. Then, the stitching process is performed on the rear end of the sheet P (sheet bundle PT) whose conveying direction and width direction are aligned by the stapling device with needles 30 (or the stapling device without needles 40). Thereafter, the sheet P (sheet bundle PT) on which the stitching process has been performed moves obliquely upward along the tray surface of the internal tray 20 by the reverse rotation of the return roller 16 (the clockwise rotation in FIG. 2) and is discharged onto the discharge tray 13 by the conveyance by the discharge roller pair 15.

[0017] Note that the post-processing device 1 in the present embodiment is provided with two stitching devices (the stapling device with needles 30 and the stapling device without needles 40), and the user can select either stitching process. The stapling device with needles 30 as a stitching device is configured to perform a stitching process (stitching process with needles) on the sheet bundle PT using needles (metal needles), and a known one can be used. In the present embodiment, the stitching device 30 with needles is configured to be movable in the width direction along a guide rail 31 extending in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2 and the vertical direction of FIG. 3) by a moving mechanism (not shown). As a result, it becomes possible to perform a stitching process on the sheet bundle PT placed on the internal tray 20 at a desired position in the width direction. In particular, the stitching device 30 with needles is configured to be movable to the position of the hand-operated processing unit 41 described later, thereby enabling the stitching process at the hand-operated processing unit 41.

[0018] On the other hand, the stitching device 40 without needles is configured to perform a stitching process without using needles (metal needles) by a stitching tool 400. Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the stitching device 40 without needles is provided with a stitching tool 400 composed of two members 400a and 400b having tooth-shaped uneven portions 400a1 and 400b1. Then, with respect to the corner portion PTx (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of the sheet bundle PT inserted into the hand-operated processing unit 41, the stitching tool 400 forms unevenness in the thickness direction on the sheet bundle PT by pressing the tooth-shaped uneven portions 400a1 and 400b1, meshes the sheets P with each other, and performs a stitching operation. In the stitching tool 400, the first member 400a and the second member 400b are arranged substantially in the vertical direction. On the upper surface of the first member 400a, a tooth-shaped uneven portion 400a1 is formed. On the lower surface of the second member 400b, a tooth-shaped uneven portion 400b1 that meshes with the tooth-shaped uneven portion 400a1 of the first member 400a is formed, and it is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the first member 400a so as to sandwich the sheet bundle PT therebetween. Then, the stitching operation is performed in a state where the sheet bundle PT is sandwiched between the first member 400a and the second member 400b. In the present embodiment, the stitching device 40 without needles is configured to be movable in the width direction between a standby position (the position shown in FIG. 3) and a processing position (the position of the corner portion of the sheet bundle PT placed on the internal tray 20) by a moving mechanism (not shown). As a result, it becomes possible to perform a stitching process on the corner portion of the sheet bundle PT placed on the internal tray 20.

[0019] Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration and operation of the post-processing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described in detail. As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, etc., the post-processing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment stacks a plurality of sheets P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 and fed into the post-processing apparatus 1 to form a sheet bundle PT, and then performs a binding process (a binding process with needles or a binding process without needles) on the sheet bundle PT. An automatic processing unit 39 is provided. Here, in the post-processing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment, a manual processing unit 41 for performing a binding process on a sheet bundle PT manually (by hand) set by the user is provided separately from such an automatic processing unit 39. That is, the manual processing unit 41 is a portion where a sheet bundle PT formed by stacking a plurality of sheets P is inserted by hand. Specifically, in the post-processing apparatus 1 installed in the inner space W of the body of the image forming system 300, the manual processing unit 41 inserts a sheet bundle PT from the front side (the side facing the operation display panel 149) and performs a binding process on the binding process unit M (see FIG. 7) at the corner of the sheet bundle PT.

[0020] Thus, the stitching device 30 with needles as a binding device performs a binding process on the tip portion on the downstream side in the insertion direction (the right end portions in FIGS. 5 and 6) of the sheet bundle PT in the state of being inserted into the manual processing unit 41. Note that when the binding process in the manual processing unit 41 is executed (when the sheet bundle PT is detected by the sheet bundle detection sensor 80 shown in FIG. 5(B)), the stitching device 30 with needles in the present embodiment moves along the guide rail 31 to the position of the manual processing unit 41 (the position shown in FIG. 3) as described above with reference to FIG. 3. Further, this position will be detected by the staple home position sensor 78 (see FIGS. 3 and 8).

[0021] Here, referring to FIGS. 5, 6, etc., in the present embodiment, the manual insertion processing unit 41 is provided with a guide member 44 for guiding the sheet bundle PT when the sheet bundle PT is manually inserted. And, on the guide member 44, there is formed a bending guide portion 44b that bends a portion on the upstream side in the insertion direction rather than the tip portion (the portion where the binding processing portion M is formed) while guiding the sheet bundle PT when the sheet bundle PT is manually inserted.

[0022] Specifically, a part of the manual insertion processing unit 41 is formed in a box shape, and the guide member 44 is provided inside thereof. The guide member 44 is formed so as to sandwich the sheet bundle PT inserted from the insertion port 44x (slit) from the front side and the back side. That is, in the present embodiment, it can be said that the guide member 44 is a space formed inside the box shape and is configured as a part of the box-shaped member. And, the bending guide portion 44b is a portion where the ends of the two planar guide portions are connected at a predetermined angle (bending angle θ). That is, as shown in FIGS. 5(A), 6, etc., the guide member 44 is not formed linearly when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction, but is formed so as to bend at the bending guide portion 44b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5(B), when the sheet bundle PT is inserted from the insertion port 44x by the user, it bends at the position of the bending guide portion 44b while being guided by the guide member 44, and is positioned at a position where its tip portion abuts against the abutting portion 44a.

[0023] At this time, referring to FIG. 6, a bent portion PTs is formed in the sheet bundle PT at the position of the bending guide portion 44b, and the lower sheet P2 is displaced upstream by a distance Z with respect to the upper sheet P1, and binding processing is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 7(A), the sheet bundle PT after binding processing is on the upstream side in the insertion direction indicated by the arrow (below in FIG. 7(A), the side where the binding processing portion M is not formed), and the plurality of stacked sheets P1, P2, P3 are displaced downstream more for the upper ones. Therefore, for the sheet bundle PT after being inserted by hand and stapled, it becomes easier to roll up the sheets P1 to P3 one by one on the side where the stapling portion M is not formed (the lower side in Fig. 7(A)).

[0024] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, taking the bending radius of the bent portion PTs of the sheet bundle PT bent by the bending guide portion 44b as r, the bending angle (incident angle) in the bending guide portion 44b as θ, and the thickness of the sheets P1 and P2 constituting the sheet bundle PT as t, the displacement amount Z between the sheets P1 and P2 caused by the perimeter difference at the bent portion PTs is Z = 2πr×(θ / 360) - 2π(r - t)×(θ / 360) = 2πt×(θ / 360) That is. If, for example, a plain paper with a total weight of 90 kg is used as the sheet P, the thickness of one sheet is 0.12 mm, and the bending angle θ of the guide member 44 is 30°, the displacement amount Z of the overlapping sheets is about 0.06 mm (for 20 - sheet stapling, the displacement amount between the first sheet and the 20th sheet is about 1.2 mm). With such a displacement amount Z, when the user rolls only the top - most sheet P of the sheet bundle PT with a finger, it can be felt that it is much easier to roll compared to the case where the displacement amount Z is 0. When rolling only the top - most sheet P of the sheet bundle PT, the larger the displacement amount Z, the easier it is to roll. However, to increase the displacement amount Z, it is necessary to increase the bending angle θ of the guide member 44. If the bending angle θ is too large, it will be difficult for the user to insert the sheet bundle PT into the insertion port 44x, and a large pushing force will be required when passing the sheet bundle PT through the bending guide portion 44b. Furthermore, if the displacement amount Z is increased too much, as the number of stapled sheets of the sheet bundle PT increases, the overall displacement amount Z will increase, resulting in a poor appearance and balance of the sheet bundle PT, or the stapling portion M (staple position) overlapping the portion where the image is formed. From these facts, it is preferable to set the deviation amount Z to the minimum that can feel ease of winding (about 20° to 40°).

[0025] Here, referring to FIG. 3, the guide member 44 is formed with a first guide wall surface 42 as a guide wall surface with which the end surface of the sheet bundle PT can be in sliding contact with the longitudinal direction of the sheet bundle PT as the insertion direction. That is, when the user inserts the held sheet bundle PT into the guide member 44 of the insertion processing unit 41, with the end surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheet bundle PT abutted against the first guide wall surface 42, the sheet bundle PT is slid along the first guide wall surface 42 extending in the insertion direction (the left - right direction in FIG. 3). Then, the sheet bundle PT inserted by the user is bent by the bending guide portion 44b, its tip abuts against the abutting portion 44a, and with the end surface extending in the short - hand direction abutting against the second guide wall surface 43, the position in the insertion processing unit 41 (guide member 44) is determined. And in that state, the stitching process is performed on the corner of the sheet bundle PT by the stitching device 30 with needles. And the sheet bundle PT guided by the guide member 44 along the first guide wall surface 42 with the longitudinal direction as the insertion direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 7(A)) and stitched is in a state where the upper ones among the plurality of overlapping sheets P1, P2, P3 are shifted more downstream as shown in FIG. 7(A).

[0026] Here, referring to FIG. 5, a sheet bundle detection sensor 80 as a detection means for determining whether the sheet bundle PT is guided by the guide member 44 is installed near the bending guide portion 44b of the guide member 44. And when the sheet bundle PT is detected by the sheet bundle detection sensor 80 (detection means), preparations such as the movement of the stitching device 30 with needles to the insertion processing unit 41 and the necessary display on the operation display panel 149 as a display unit are started, assuming that the insertion process by the user is to be performed. Note that, as the sheet bundle detection sensor 80, a reflection type photosensor that optically detects the presence or absence of the sheet bundle PT at that position can be used.

[0027] The post-processing device 1 configured as described above is controlled by the control unit 200 illustrated in FIG. 8 (and FIGS. 1, 5, etc.). Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 200 of the post-processing device 1 is connected to the control unit 350 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the interface 70. Further, the control unit 350 of the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the operation display panel 149, each drive member of the image forming apparatus 100, each sensor, etc. via the interface 360. Further, the control unit 200 of the post-processing device 1 is connected to a conveyance motor 73 that rotationally drives the conveyance roller pairs 11 to 13, the tapping roller 14, the return roller 16, etc., a discharge motor 74 that rotationally drives the discharge roller pair 15, a staple drive motor 75 that drives the stapling devices 30 and 40, a conveyance sensor 76 installed in the conveyance path, a discharge sensor 77 installed at the discharge port, a staple HP sensor 78 that detects the reference position of the stapling device 30, a manual staple button 5, etc. via the interface 72. Then, various operations in the image forming system 300 described so far are executed by the overall control system of the image forming system 300 configured as described above.

[0028] <Modification Example 1> As shown in FIG. 9, in the post-processing device 1 in Modification Example 1, the bent guide portion 44b in the guide member 44 is not a portion where the ends of the two planar guide portions are connected at a predetermined angle as in FIG. 5(A), but a curved portion. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the guide member 44 is not formed linearly when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction, but is formed to be curved at the bent guide portion 44b. Therefore, when the sheet bundle PT is inserted from the insertion port 44x by the user, it is curved (bent) along the curved shape of the bending guide portion 44b while being guided by the guide member 44, and is positioned at a position where its tip abuts against the abutting portion 44a. Even when the guide member 44 is formed in this way, since the tip of the sheet bundle PT is bound in a state where it is displaced in the hand-insertion direction, the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle PT after the binding process can be easily wound one by one on the side where the binding process portion M is not formed.

[0029] <Modification 2> As shown in FIG. 10, in the post-processing apparatus 1 in Modification 2, in addition to the guide member 44 (first guide member) described with reference to FIGS. 5(A) and the like, a planar second guide member 45 is provided. And the sheet bundle PT guided by either the guide member 44 (first guide member) or the second guide member 45 can be bound by the needle binding device 30 (binding device). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the second guide member 45 is formed linearly when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction. And the second guide member 45 linearly advances in the hand-insertion direction from the insertion port 45x (which is a different insertion port from the insertion port 44x of the first guide member 44), and even after merging with the bending guide portion 44b of the first guide member 44, it is formed to linearly advance toward the abutting portion 44a as it is. Therefore, the sheet bundle PT guided by the second guide member 45 is bound without forming a bent portion and without any displacement at the tip. And when the user attaches importance to the curling property of the sheets of the sheet bundle PT (in the finally finished state) after the binding process, the user inserts the sheet bundle PT into the insertion port 44x of the first guide member 44 and performs the binding process. On the other hand, when the user does not attach importance to such curling property of the sheets, the user inserts the sheet bundle PT into the insertion port 45x of the second guide member 45 and performs the binding process. By configuring in this way, the options for the user's binding process will be expanded.

[0030] <Modification Example 3> As shown in FIG. 11, in the post-processing device 1 in Modification Example 2, the guide member 44 is configured to be able to adjust the degree of bending (bending angle) in the bent guide portion 44b. Specifically, the guide member 44 of the hand-insertion processing unit 41 has a width in the lateral direction of the insertion port 44x formed wide in the vertical direction, and from the insertion port 44x to the bent guide portion 44b, the vertical interval becomes narrower from the upstream side to the downstream side in the hand-insertion direction, and is formed such that the vertical interval from the bent guide portion 44b to the abutting portion 44a becomes equal. And in the path from the insertion port 44x to the bent guide portion 44b, an adjustment guide 46 capable of adjusting the inclination from the insertion port 44x to the bent guide portion 44b (that is, the degree of bending in the bent guide portion 44b) is provided. This adjustment guide 46 is installed with a vertical interval (substantially equal to the vertical interval in the path from the bent guide portion 44b to the abutting portion 44a) so as to sandwich the inserted sheet bundle PT in the path from the insertion port 44x to the bent guide portion 44b. And the upper and lower adjustment guides 46 are configured to move up and down in pairs by manually operating the adjustment lever 46a, so that the bending angle of the bent guide portion 44b changes. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11(A), when the adjustment guide 46 moves upward, the bending angle θ of the bent guide portion 44b increases, and as shown in FIG. 11(B), when the adjustment guide 46 moves downward, the bending angle θ of the bent guide portion 44b decreases (approaches a straight line). By configuring in this way, since the curling property of the sheets of the sheet bundle PT after the binding process (the finally finished state) can be adjusted, the options for the user's binding process will be expanded.

[0031] <Modification Example 4> As shown in Fig. 12, in addition to the guide member 44 (first guide member) described with reference to Fig. 5(A) and the like, the post-treatment device 1 in Modification 4 is provided with a guide member 47 (second guide member) having a different degree of bending (bending angle θ) in the bent guide portion. That is, a plurality of guide members having different degrees of bending in the bent guide portion (in this embodiment, two guide members 44 and 47) are provided. And, for the sheet bundle PT guided by any of the plurality of guide members 44 and 47, it is configured to be stitchable by a needle-stitching device 30 (stitching device). Specifically, the second guide member 47 is formed such that the bending angle θ of the bent guide portion is smaller (closer to a straight line) than that of the first guide member 44. Therefore, when the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the second guide member 47 for stitching, the displacement amount Z of the sheets of the sheet bundle PT after stitching (the finally finished state) is smaller than when the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the first guide member 44 for stitching, and the curling property of the sheet P is reduced. And, when the user values the curling property of the sheets of the sheet bundle PT after stitching (the finally finished state), the user inserts the sheet bundle PT into the insertion port 44x of the first guide member 44 and performs the stitching process. On the other hand, when the user values the appearance more than such curling property of the sheets, the user inserts the sheet bundle PT into the insertion port 47x of the second guide member 47 and performs the stitching process. By configuring in this way, the options for the user's stitching process are expanded.

[0032] <Modification 5> As shown in Fig. 13, in addition to the guide member 44 (first guide member) described with reference to Fig. 5(A) and the like, the post-treatment device 1 in Modification 5 is provided with a guide member 48 (second guide member) having a different bending direction in the bent guide portion. That is, a plurality of guide members (in this embodiment, two guide members 44 and 48) having different bending directions in the bending guide portion are provided. And, the sewing device 30 (sewing device) is configured to be able to perform sewing processing on the sheet bundle PT guided by any of the plurality of guide members 44 and 48. Specifically, the second guide member 48 is formed with respect to the first guide member 44 such that the bending direction of the bending guide portion 48a is opposite (the path from the insertion port 48x to the bending guide portion 48a is inclined upward from below along the hand-insertion direction). Therefore, when the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the second guide member 48 and the sewing process is performed, the deviation direction of the sheets of the sheet bundle PT (in the finally finished state) after the sewing process is opposite to that when the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the first guide member 44 and the sewing process is performed. Specifically, when the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the first guide member 44 and the sewing process is performed, the finished sheet bundle PT is as shown in FIG. 7(A). On the other hand, when the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the second guide member 48 and the sewing process is performed, the finished sheet bundle PT is as shown in FIG. 7(D). That is, when the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the second guide member 48 and the sewing process is performed, the finished sheet bundle PT is on the downstream side (above in FIG. 7(D) and on the side where the sewing processing portion M is formed) in the hand-insertion direction indicated by the arrow, and the plurality of stacked sheets P1, P2, P3 are shifted upstream as the upper ones. And even in such a case, the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle PT after the sewing process can be easily wound one by one on the side where the sewing processing portion M is not formed (below in FIG. 7(D)). And when the user wants to make the state of the sheet bundle PT after the binding process as shown in Fig. 7(A), the user inserts the sheet bundle PT into the insertion port 44x of the first guide member 44 to perform the binding process. On the other hand, when the user wants to make the state of the sheet bundle PT after the binding process as shown in Fig. 7(D), the user inserts the sheet bundle PT into the insertion port 48x of the second guide member 48 to perform the binding process. By configuring in this way, the options for the user's binding process will be expanded.

[0033] Here, as shown in Fig. 13, in Modification 5, a first sheet bundle detection sensor 80 as detection means for determining whether the sheet bundle PT has been guided by the first guide member 44 is installed in the first guide member 44. Further, a second sheet bundle detection sensor 81 as detection means for determining whether the sheet bundle PT has been guided by the second guide member 48 is installed in the second guide member 48. And the operation display panel 149 installed in the image forming apparatus 100 functions as a display unit that performs, before the binding process, a display (see Fig. 14) capable of imaging the finished state of the sheet bundle PT when the binding process by the needle binding device 30 (binding device) is completed, based on the detection results of the sheet bundle detection sensors 80 and 81 (detection means). Specifically, when the state where the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the first guide member 44 is detected by the first sheet bundle detection sensor 80, the operation display panel 149 displays that the finished state of the sheet bundle PT will be as shown in Fig. 7(A). On the other hand, when the state where the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the second guide member 48 is detected by the second sheet bundle detection sensor 81, the operation display panel 149 displays that the finished state of the sheet bundle PT will be as shown in Fig. 7(D). More specifically, as shown in the control flow of FIG. 15, first, it is determined whether the signal of the first sheet bundle detection sensor 80 of the first guide member 44 located at the upper part is on (step S1). If it is on, a display indicating that the finished state of the sheet bundle PT will be as shown in FIG. 7(A) is made on the operation display panel 149 (step S2). On the other hand, if the signal of the first sheet bundle detection sensor 80 is off in step S1, it is determined whether the signal of the second sheet bundle detection sensor 81 of the second guide member 48 located at the lower part is on (step S3). If it is on, a display indicating that the finished state of the sheet bundle PT will be as shown in FIG. 7(D) is made on the operation display panel 149 (step S4). By performing such control, the usability for the user's binding process will be improved.

[0034] <Modification Example 6> As shown in FIG. 16(A), in the post-processing device 1 in Modification Example 6, the guide member 44 is formed with a guide wall surface 43 (the second guide wall surface 43 shown in FIG. 3 extended in the vertical direction of FIG. 3) with which the end surface (the short-side end surface PTa) of the sheet bundle PT can be in sliding contact with the short-side direction of the sheet bundle PT as the insertion direction. That is, when the user inserts the grasped sheet bundle PT into the guide member 44 of the insertion processing unit 41, with the short-side end surface PTa extending in the short-side direction of the sheet bundle PT abutted against the second guide wall surface 43, the sheet bundle PT is slid along the second guide wall surface 43 extending in the insertion direction (the vertical direction of FIG. 3). Then, the sheet bundle PT inserted by the user is bent by the bending guide portion 44b, and its tip abuts against the abutting portion 44a, and with the end surface extending in the longitudinal direction abutting against the first guide wall surface 42, the position in the insertion processing unit 41 (guide member 44) is determined. And in that state, the binding process is performed on the corner of the sheet bundle PT by the sewing device 30 with needles. Then, with the short side direction being the insertion direction (the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7(B)), the sheet bundle PT guided by the guide member 44 along the second guide wall surface 43 and being stitched is, as shown in Fig. 7(B), in a state where a plurality of overlapping sheets P1, P2, P3 are shifted downstream as the upper ones. In addition, when the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the second guide member 48 described with reference to Fig. 13 with the short side direction of the sheet bundle PT being the insertion direction and bent by the bending guide portion 48a, the sheet bundle PT after the stitching process is, as shown in Fig. 7(E), in a state where a plurality of overlapping sheets P1, P2, P3 are shifted upstream as the upper ones. In any case, since the leading end portion of the sheet bundle PT is stitched in a state of being shifted in the insertion direction, the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle PT after the stitching process can be easily wound one by one on the side where the stitching process portion M is not formed.

[0035] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 16(B), the guide member 44 can be formed with a first guide wall surface 42 on which the end surface (longitudinal side end surface PTb) of the sheet bundle PT can slide in contact with the longitudinal direction of the sheet bundle PT being the insertion direction, and a second guide wall surface 43 on which the end surface (short side end surface PTa) of the sheet bundle PT can slide in contact with the short side direction of the sheet bundle PT being the insertion direction. That is, when the user inserts the gripped sheet bundle PT into the guide member 44 of the insertion processing portion 41, the longitudinal side end surface PTb extending in the longitudinal direction of the sheet bundle PT is abutted against the first guide wall surface 42, and the short side end surface PTa extending in the short side direction of the sheet bundle PT is abutted against the second guide wall surface 43, and the sheet bundle PT is slid along the first and second guide wall surfaces 42, 43. Then, the sheet bundle PT inserted by the user is bent by the bending guide portion 44b, its leading end portion abuts against the abutting portion 44a, and with each end surface PTa, PTb abutting against the first and second guide wall surfaces 42, 43, the position in the insertion processing portion 41 (guide member 44) is determined. And in that state, the stitching process is performed on the corner portion of the sheet bundle PT by the needle stitching device 30. Then, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the sheet bundle PT, which is thus guided by the guide member 44 along the first and second guide wall surfaces 42 and 43 with the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction as the insertion direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7(B)), is bound. As shown in FIG. 7(C), the plurality of overlapping sheets P1, P2, and P3 are displaced in the downstream direction (downstream diagonal direction) by two directions such that the upper sheets are more downstream. In addition, when the sheet bundle PT is inserted into the second guide member 48 described with reference to FIG. 13 and bent by the bending guide portion 48a with the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the sheet bundle PT as the insertion direction, the sheet bundle PT after the binding process is in a state where the plurality of overlapping sheets P1, P2, and P3 are displaced in the upstream direction (upstream diagonal direction) by two directions such that the upper sheets are more upstream, as shown in FIG. 7(F). In any case, since the leading end portion of the sheet bundle PT is bound in a state of being displaced in the insertion direction, the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle PT after the binding process can be easily wound one by one on the side where the binding process portion M is not formed.

[0036] <Modification Example 7> As shown in FIG. 17, the post-processing apparatus 1 in Modification Example 7 is configured such that the stitchless binding apparatus 40 as a binding apparatus is used in both the binding process performed by the automatic processing unit 39 and the binding process performed by the manual processing unit 41. Further, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18(A), the post-processing apparatus 1 in Modification Example 7 is provided with a liquid injection unit 50 as liquid impregnation means for impregnating a liquid such as water into the leading end portion (the portion where the binding process portion M is formed) of the sheet bundle PT before performing the binding process on the sheet bundle PT by the stitchless binding apparatus 40 (binding apparatus). The liquid injection unit 50 (liquid impregnation means) is composed of a liquid storage tank 51, a liquid injection nozzle 52, a liquid injection motor 53, etc. The liquid storage tank 51 stores a liquid such as water. The liquid injection nozzle 52 is connected to the liquid storage tank 51 via a tube. Then, when the liquid injection motor 53 is driven, the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 51 is injected from the liquid injection nozzle 52, and the liquid is supplied from above to the tip of the sheet bundle PT, and the tip is impregnated with the liquid. The process of impregnating the tip of the sheet bundle PT with the liquid is performed before the stitchless binding process by the stitchless binding device 40. By performing this process, the entanglement of the unevenness between the sheets P increases, and the binding processability by the stitchless binding device 40 is improved. In particular, as described above with reference to FIG. 13, when the sheet bundle PT is inserted obliquely upward from the insertion port 48x as the second guide member 48 as the guide member in the manual processing unit 41 to form the sheet bundle PT as shown in FIG. 7(D), as shown in FIG. 18(B), the upper sheet P is displaced to the upstream side (the left side in FIG. 18(B)) at the tip of the sheet bundle PT. Therefore, the liquid is directly injected from the liquid injection nozzle 52 to the tip of each sheet P from the upper side to the lower side, the impregnation property of the entire sheet bundle PT increases, and the binding processability is further improved.

[0037] And, as shown in FIG. 17, in the post-processing device 1 in the seventh modification, the stitchless binding device 40 (binding device) and the liquid injection unit (liquid impregnation means) are each configured to be separately movable between the manual processing unit 41 and the automatic processing unit 39. Specifically, the stitcher 40 without a needle and the liquid injection unit 50 are each moved from the reference positions shown in FIG. 17 (detected by the detection sensors 85 and 86) along the guide rail 31 by a moving mechanism (not shown) to the processing position A in the automatic processing unit 39 (detected by the detection sensor 79) during the automatic stitching process and to the processing position B in the manual stitching unit 41 (detected by the detection sensor 79) during the manual stitching process. And at each of the processing positions A and B, while adjusting the moving timing so that the stitcher 40 without a needle and the liquid injection unit 50 do not interfere with each other, after the liquid injection by the liquid injection unit 50 is performed on the sheet bundle PT, the stitching process by the stitcher 40 without a needle will be performed. And also in Modification Example 7, since the bending guide portion 44b is provided in the guide member 44 in the manual stitching unit 41, the stitching process is performed in a state where the leading end portion of the sheet bundle PT is displaced in the manual stitching direction, and the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle PT after the stitching process can be easily wound one by one on the side where the stitching processing portion M is not formed. In Modification Example 7, the liquid injection unit 50 (liquid impregnation means) can also be configured to be detachable from the post-processing device 1. And in such a case, by detachably installing the stitcher 30 with a needle (see FIG. 3 etc.) instead of the liquid injection unit 50, the options for the stitching process for the user can be expanded.

[0038] <Modification Example 8> As shown in FIG. 19, in the post-processing device 1 in Modification Example 8, a roller member 89 (or a roller member) that promotes the movement of the sheet bundle PT in the bending guide portion 44b is installed in the guide member 44. Specifically, the roller member 89 is provided below the bending guide portion 44b so as to be capable of contacting the sheet bundle PT. The reason for providing the roller member 89 in this way is that when the sheet bundle PT inserted into the guide member 44 reaches the bending guide portion 44b, the sliding resistance becomes the largest. That is, when the sheet bundle PT inserted into the guide member 44 reaches the bending guide portion 44b, the sliding resistance between the bending guide portion 44b and the roller member 89 that rotates along the insertion direction is reduced by the roller member 89, and it will move smoothly toward the abutting portion 44a. And also in Modification 8, since the tip of the sheet bundle PT is bound in a state where it is displaced in the insertion direction, the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle PT after the binding process can be easily wound one by one on the side where the binding process portion M is not formed.

[0039] <Modification 9> As shown in FIG. 20, in the post-processing apparatus 1 in Modification 9, the abutting portion 44a of the guide member 44 is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the stacking direction of the sheet bundle PT. Specifically, the abutting portion 44a is not formed so as to stand upright perpendicular to the insertion direction, but stands upright inclined along the displacement (inclination) generated in the sheets P that overlap at the tip of the sheet bundle PT. By configuring in this way, the binding process will be stably performed in a state where the posture of the tip of the sheet bundle PT (the tip in a state where the displacement amount Z has occurred) is further determined. Therefore, also in Modification 9, the tip of the sheet bundle PT is bound in a state where it is displaced in the insertion direction, and the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle PT after the binding process can be easily wound one by one on the side where the binding process portion M is not formed.

[0040] <Modification 10> As shown in FIG. 21, the post-processing apparatus 1 in Modification 10 is provided with a liftable pressing member 58 that presses the sheet bundle PT on which the binding process by the binding apparatus 30 is performed in the stacking direction (the direction in which the sheets P are stacked) on the insertion processing portion 41. Specifically, the pressing member 58 is driven by the lifting motor 59 (lifting mechanism) to move from the standby position shown by the dashed line to a position where it presses downward on the upper surface of the vicinity of the tip of the sheet bundle PT (a position upstream of the portion where the binding processing unit M is formed) that abuts against the abutting portion 44a in the guide member 44. Then, with the sheet bundle PT being pressed by the pressing member 58 that has descended in this manner so as not to float upward, the binding process by the binding device 30 is performed. Therefore, during the binding process by the binding device 30, problems such as the sheet bundle PT shifting and the accuracy of the binding process deteriorating are reduced. In particular, the sheet bundle PT inserted into the guide member 44 of the manual processing unit 41 has a bent portion PTs formed, and due to the repulsion of that portion, the sheet P is likely to float upward. Therefore, the configuration in Modification 10 is useful. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the control performed by the post-processing device 1 in Modification 10. First, when the user sets the sheet bundle PT in the manual processing unit 41 and presses the manual staple button 5 (step S10), the lifting motor 59 starts driving so that the pressing member 58 descends from the standby position (step S11). Then, when the load of the lifting motor 59 (detected by the motor current value etc.) reaches a predetermined value R, the driving of the lifting motor 59 is stopped, and the descent of the pressing member 58 is stopped (steps S12, S13). This predetermined value R is a value determined by the magnitude of the reaction force received by the pressing member 58 when the pressing member 58 presses the sheet bundle PT with an optimal force. And with the sheet bundle PT being pressed by the pressing member 58 with an optimal force in this way, the binding process by the binding device 30 is executed (step S14).

[0041] <Modification 11> As shown in FIG. 23, the image forming system 300 in Modification 11 is the inner body space W in the image forming apparatus 100, and a punching device 90 as a second post-processing device (optional device) is installed upstream (upstream in the sheet conveyance direction) of the post-processing device 1 (first post-processing device). This punching device 90 has a punch unit 91 installed inside, and when the punching mode is selected by the user, it performs a punching process (punching) on the sheet P inserted from the image forming apparatus 100. This punching device 90 is configured to convey the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 toward the post-processing device 1 regardless of whether the punching process is performed. And also in the modified example 11, the post-processing device 1 is configured and operates in the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 and the like. Also in the image forming system 300 configured in this way, the post-processing device 1 will be relatively downsized and cost-reduced. In the modified example 11, a punching device 90 capable of performing a punching process is installed as the second post-processing device. However, as the second post-processing device, another device capable of performing a different process (for example, a process by the liquid injection unit 50 (liquid impregnation means) described in the modified example 7, etc.) can also be installed. Also in the modified example 11, the second post-processing device 90 is arranged upstream of the first post-processing device 1, but the second post-processing device 90 can also be arranged downstream of the first post-processing device 1.

[0042] As described above, the post-processing device 1 in the present embodiment includes a hand-insertion processing unit 41 into which a sheet bundle PT formed by stacking a plurality of sheets P is hand-inserted, and a binding device 30 that performs a binding process on the leading end portion on the downstream side in the hand-insertion direction in the sheet bundle PT in the state of being hand-inserted into the hand-insertion processing unit 41. And the hand-insertion processing unit 41 is provided with a guide member 44 having a bending guide portion 44b that bends a portion upstream of the leading end portion in the hand-insertion direction as a bent portion PTs while guiding the sheet bundle PT when the sheet bundle PT is hand-inserted. Thereby, it is possible to easily roll up each sheet P constituting the sheet bundle PT after hand-inserting and binding.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the image forming system 300 in which the color image forming apparatus 100 is installed. However, the present invention can be naturally applied to an image forming system in which a monochrome image forming apparatus is installed. Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the post-processing apparatus 1 connected to the image forming apparatus 100. However, the present invention can also be applied to a stand-alone post-processing apparatus not connected to the image forming apparatus. Also, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the post-processing apparatus 1 connected to the image forming apparatus 100. However, the present invention can also be applied to a stand-alone post-processing apparatus not connected to the image forming apparatus. Further, in the present embodiment, the binding apparatus 30 is configured to be movable so that the binding apparatus 30 can be shared by the automatic processing unit 39 and the manual processing unit 41. However, dedicated binding apparatuses can be installed in the automatic processing unit and the manual processing unit, respectively. And even in such cases, the same effects as those of the present embodiment can be obtained.

[0044] Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is obvious that the present embodiment can be appropriately changed in addition to what is suggested in the present embodiment within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, the number, position, shape, etc. of the above-described constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be set to appropriate numbers, positions, shapes, etc. suitable for implementing the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 1 Post-processing apparatus (sheet processing apparatus), 5 Manual staple button (manual staple start button), 30 Binding apparatus with needles (binding apparatus), 39 Automatic processing unit, 40 Binding apparatus without needles, 41 Manual processing unit, 42 First guide wall surface, 43 Second guide wall surface, 44 Guide member (slit part, guide part), 44a Contact part, 44b Bending guide part, 44x Insertion port (slit), 45 Second guide member, 46 Adjustment guide (adjustment means), 50 Liquid injection unit (liquid impregnation means) 51 Liquid storage tank, 52 Liquid injection nozzle, 58 Pressing member, 80, 81 Sheet bundle detection sensors (detection means), 89 Roller member, 90 Punching device (second post-processing device), 100 Image forming apparatus, 149 Operation display panel (display part), 300 Image forming system, 400 Fastener, P, P1, P2, P3 Sheets, PT Sheet bundle, PTs Bending part, PTa Short-side end face, PTb Long-side end face, M Binding processing part, W Inner body space.

[0046] Note that the aspects in the present invention can also be, for example, combinations of the following Supplementary Notes 1 to 20. (Supplementary Note 1) A manual insertion processing part where a sheet bundle formed by stacking a plurality of sheets is manually inserted, A binding device that performs a binding process on the tip of the sheet bundle on the downstream side in the manual insertion direction in the state where the sheet bundle is manually inserted into the manual insertion processing part, Comprising, The manual insertion processing part is provided with a guide member having a bending guide part that bends a part on the upstream side in the manual insertion direction from the tip while guiding the sheet bundle when the sheet bundle is manually inserted, as a bending part. A post-processing device characterized by this. (Supplementary Note 2) The post-treatment device according to appended note 1, wherein the guide member is formed so as to sandwich the sheet bundle from the front side and the back side. (Appended note 3) The post-treatment device according to appended note 1 or appended note 2, wherein the bent guide portion is a portion where the ends of two planar guide portions are connected at a predetermined angle, or a curved portion. (Appended note 4) The post-treatment device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 3, wherein the guide member is configured to be able to adjust the degree of bending in the bent guide portion. (Appended note 5) A plurality of the guide members are provided, wherein the degree or direction of bending in the bent guide portion is different, The post-treatment device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 4, wherein the binding device is configured to be able to perform a binding process on a sheet bundle guided by any of the plurality of guide members. (Appended note 6) It includes a planar second guide member, The post-treatment device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 5, wherein the binding device is configured to be able to perform a binding process on a sheet bundle guided by any of the guide member and the second guide member. (Appended note 7) The post-treatment device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 6, wherein the guide member includes a roller member or a roller member that promotes the movement of the sheet bundle in the bent guide portion. (Appended note 8) The guide member includes an abutting portion against which the tip of the sheet bundle abuts, The post-treatment device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 7, wherein the abutting portion is formed to be inclined with respect to the stacking direction of the sheet bundle. (Appended note 9) The post-treatment device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 8, further comprising a liftable pressing member that presses the sheet bundle on which the binding process is performed by the binding device in the stacking direction. (Appended note 10) The post-treatment device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 9, characterized in that the guide member is formed with a guide wall surface on which an end surface of the sheet bundle can be in sliding contact with the longitudinal direction or the short-side direction of the sheet bundle as the insertion direction. (Appendix 11) The post-treatment device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 9, characterized in that the guide member is formed with a first guide wall surface on which an end surface of the sheet bundle can be in sliding contact with the longitudinal direction of the sheet bundle as the insertion direction, and a second guide wall surface on which an end surface of the sheet bundle can be in sliding contact with the short-side direction of the sheet bundle as the insertion direction. (Appendix 12) The post-treatment device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 11, characterized by comprising detection means capable of determining whether the sheet bundle has been guided by the guide member. (Appendix 13) The post-treatment device according to Appendix 12, characterized by comprising a display unit that performs a display capable of imaging a finished state of the sheet bundle when the binding process by the binding device is completed, based on a detection result of the detection means, before the binding process. (Appendix 14) The post-treatment device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 13, characterized in that the binding device performs a binding process on the sheet bundle using needles. (Appendix 15) The post-treatment device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 13, characterized in that the binding device performs a binding process on the sheet bundle without using needles by means of a fastener. (Appendix 16) The post-treatment device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 15, characterized by comprising liquid impregnation means for impregnating a liquid into a tip portion of the sheet bundle before performing a binding process on the sheet bundle by the binding device. (Appendix 17) Comprising an automatic processing unit that stacks a plurality of sheets fed into the post-treatment device to form a sheet bundle and then performs a binding process on the sheet bundle. The post-treatment device according to Appendix 16, characterized in that the binding device and the liquid impregnation means are each configured to be movable separately between the manual processing unit and the automatic processing unit. (Appendix 18) The post-treatment device according to Appendix 16 or Appendix 17, wherein the liquid impregnation means is configured to be detachable. (Appendix 19) An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a sheet, The post-treatment device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 18, An image forming system characterized by comprising the same. (Appendix 20) The image forming apparatus is capable of discharging a sheet on which an image is formed, and a space inside the body for taking out the discharged sheet is formed, The image forming system according to Appendix 17, wherein the post-treatment device is installed in the space inside the body of the image forming apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0047]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A manual insertion processing unit for manually inserting a stack of sheets formed by stacking a plurality of sheets, A binding device that performs a binding process on the tip portion on the downstream side in the manual insertion direction in the stack of sheets in the state of being manually inserted into the manual insertion processing unit, Comprising, The manual insertion processing unit is provided with a guide member having a bending guide portion that bends a portion upstream of the tip portion in the manual insertion direction while guiding the stack of sheets when the stack of sheets is manually inserted, characterized in that it is a post-processing device.

2. The post-processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide member is formed so as to sandwich the stack of sheets from the front side and the back side.

3. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the bending guide portion is a portion where the ends of two planar guide portions are connected at a predetermined angle, or a curved portion.

4. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the guide member is configured to be able to adjust the degree of bending in the bending guide portion.

5. A plurality of the guide members having different degrees or directions of bending in the bending guide portion are provided, The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the binding device can perform a binding process on the stack of sheets guided by any of the plurality of guide members.

6. Comprising a planar second guide member, The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the binding device can perform a binding process on the stack of sheets guided by any of the guide member and the second guide member.

7. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the guide member includes a roller member or a roller member that promotes the movement of the stack of sheets in the bending guide portion.

8. The guide member includes an abutting portion against which the tip portion of the stack of sheets abuts, The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the abutting portion is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the stacking direction of the stack of sheets.

9. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it includes a liftable pressing member that presses the stack of sheets on which the binding process by the binding device is performed in the stacking direction.

10. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the guide member is formed with a guide wall surface on which an end surface of the sheet bundle can be in sliding contact with the longitudinal direction or the short-side direction of the sheet bundle as the insertion direction.

11. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the guide member is formed with a first guide wall surface on which an end surface of the sheet bundle can be in sliding contact with the longitudinal direction of the sheet bundle as the insertion direction, and a second guide wall surface on which an end surface of the sheet bundle can be in sliding contact with the short-side direction of the sheet bundle as the insertion direction.

12. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising detection means capable of determining whether a sheet bundle is guided by the guide member.

13. The post-processing device according to claim 12, further comprising a display unit configured to perform a display capable of imaging a finished state of the sheet bundle when binding processing by the binding device is completed, based on a detection result of the detection means, before the binding processing.

14. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the binding device performs binding processing on a sheet bundle using needles.

15. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the binding device performs binding processing on a sheet bundle without using needles by a binding tool.

16. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising liquid impregnation means for impregnating a liquid into a leading end portion of the sheet bundle before performing binding processing on the sheet bundle by the binding device.

17. An automatic processing unit that stacks a plurality of sheets fed into the post-processing device to form a sheet bundle and then performs binding processing on the sheet bundle, The post-processing device according to claim 16, wherein the binding device and the liquid impregnation means are each configured to be movable separately between the manual processing unit and the automatic processing unit.

18. The post-processing device according to claim 16, wherein the liquid impregnation means is configured to be detachable.

19. An image forming device capable of forming an image on a sheet, The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, An image forming system characterized by comprising the same.

20. The image forming device is capable of discharging a sheet on which an image is formed, and a space inside the body is formed such that the discharged sheet can be taken out. The image forming system according to claim 17, wherein the post-processing device is installed in the interior space of the body of the image forming apparatus.

Images