Recording material processing device and image formation system

Abstract

To stabilize binding processing to a recording material bundle compared with a case where a guide part for guiding an interlock part interlocked with a tooth is not provided.SOLUTION: A hole part 93 extending along a linear path 4Y is provided on an interlock part 600 side interlocked with a second binding tooth 72. Further, a rod-like member 640 inserted into the hole part 93 and extending along the linear path 4Y is provided on a lower support member 700 side. The rod-like member 640 is fixed to the lower support member 700. An outer peripheral surface of the rod-like member 640 serves as a guide part 90, and the interlock part 600 is guided by using the outer peripheral surface. A to-be-guided part is constituted by an inner surface of the hole part 93 extending along a movement direction of the interlock part 600. The guide part is constituted by the rod-like member 640 extending along the movement direction of the interlock part 600 and brought into contact with the inner surface of the hole part 93.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording material processing apparatus and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet processing apparatus including a fixing means for fixing a second tooth type that has moved to a position meshing with a first tooth type to a second support means. Patent Document 2 discloses a paper binding apparatus having a first link member with one end rotatably connected to a movable pressure contact member and a second link member with one end rotatably connected to a fixing member fixed to an apparatus main body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the binding process for a bundle of recording materials, for example, teeth may be advanced into the bundle of recording materials and pressed against the bundle, and the binding process of the bundle of recording materials may be performed. Here, if the behavior of the teeth is unstable when the teeth move toward the bundle of recording materials, problems such as a decrease in the certainty of binding are likely to occur. An object of the present invention is to achieve stabilization of the binding process for a bundle of recording materials as compared with the case where a guiding portion for guiding an interlocking portion interlocking with the teeth is not provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The invention according to claim 1 includes a first tooth used for binding a bundle of recording materials, a second tooth that moves toward the first tooth and presses the bundle of recording materials positioned between the first tooth and the second tooth, a guide portion that guides the movement of an interlocking portion interlocked with the second tooth, and a guided portion provided on the interlocking portion and guided by the guide portion. The guided portion is constituted by a hole, and the guide portion is constituted by a rod-shaped portion that contacts the inner surface of the hole when the interlocking portion moves. When the bundle of recording materials is pressed by the first tooth and the second tooth, the guided portion is a recording material processing apparatus that restricts relative movement in the direction in which the convex portions of the first tooth and the second tooth of the guide portion are aligned. In the invention according to claim 2, in the first tooth and the second tooth, the convex portions are arranged side by side in one direction, and in a direction intersecting the one direction, there is a gap between the hole and the rod-shaped portion, and the size of the gap allows the rod-shaped portion and the hole to relatively move between non-contact and contact. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1. In the invention according to claim 3, in the first tooth and the second tooth, the convex portions are arranged side by side in one direction, a gap is provided between the hole and the rod-shaped portion, and the size of the gap in the one direction is smaller than the thickness of the thickest bundle of recording materials that can be bound by the recording material processing apparatus. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1. In the invention according to claim 4, in the first tooth and the second tooth, the convex portions are arranged side by side in one direction, and when the bundle of recording materials is pressed by the first tooth and the second tooth, the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the hole in a direction intersecting the one direction. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1. In the invention according to claim 5, in the first tooth and the second tooth, the convex portions are arranged side by side in one direction. When a load is applied to the load receiving portion of the interlocking portion, the second tooth moves toward the first tooth, and the installation position of the load receiving portion in a direction intersecting the one direction, which is the arrangement direction of the convex portions, is different from the installation positions of the first tooth and the second tooth in the intersecting direction. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1. The invention according to claim 6 is the recording material processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the portion of the inner surface of the hole facing the intersecting direction is provided with a surface having a curvature. The invention according to claim 7 is the recording material processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the surface having a curvature is a surface that bulges in a direction away from the axis of the hole, and at least a part of the portion of the outer surface of the rod-shaped portion facing the intersecting direction and facing the bulging surface is provided with a surface having a curvature and bulging in a direction away from the axis of the rod-shaped portion. The invention according to claim 8 is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, and a recording material processing apparatus that performs a binding process on a bundle of recording materials formed with images by the image forming apparatus, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is configured by the recording material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the inventions of claim 1 and claim 4, compared with a configuration that does not restrict the movement of the guide portion with respect to the inside of the case in the direction in which the convex portions of the first tooth and the second tooth are arranged, the movement of the second tooth in the direction in which the convex portions of the first tooth and the second tooth are arranged can be restricted. According to the invention of claim 2, the movement of the second tooth can be restricted while suppressing an increase in the sliding resistance between the inside of the case and the guide portion. According to the invention of claim 3, when a situation occurs in which the recording material bundle breaks during the binding process of the recording material bundle and the second tooth moves greatly and approaches the first tooth, the movement of the second tooth can be restricted. According to the invention of claim 5, the contact pressure between the inner surface of the hole and the outer surface of the rod-shaped portion can be increased as compared with the case where the installation positions of the load receiving portions in the intersecting direction and the installation positions of the first tooth and the second tooth in the intersecting direction are aligned. According to the invention of claim 6, the movement of the second tooth in the arrangement direction of the convex portions provided on the first tooth and the second tooth can be restricted as compared with the case where a flat surface is provided without a surface having a curvature. According to the invention of claim 7, compared with the case where a flat surface is provided without a surface that bulges in a direction away from the axis of the rod-shaped portion, the movement of the second tooth in the arrangement direction of the convex portions provided on the first tooth and the second tooth can be restricted. According to the invention of claim 8, compared with the case where a guiding portion for guiding an interlocking portion interlocking with the teeth is not provided, stabilization of the binding process for the recording material bundle can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing the overall configuration of the image forming system 1. The image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 that forms an image on a sheet P as an example of a recording material, and a sheet processing apparatus 3 that performs a predetermined process on the sheet P on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2. Here, the image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on the sheet P using an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

[0009] The sheet processing apparatus 3 as an example of a recording material processing apparatus is provided with a conveying device 10 that conveys the sheet P output from the image forming apparatus 2 to the downstream side, and a sheet supply device 20 that supplies sheets such as thick paper and windowed sheets P to the sheet P conveyed by the conveying device 10. In addition, the sheet processing apparatus 3 is provided with a folding device 30 that performs folding processing such as inner three-fold (C-fold) or outer three-fold (Z-fold) on the sheet P conveyed from the conveying device 10.

[0010] In addition, the sheet processing apparatus 3 is provided with a first post-processing device 40 that is provided on the downstream side of the folding device 30 and performs punching, edge binding, middle binding, etc. on the sheet P. Incidentally, the downstream side of the folding device 30 is provided with a first post-processing device 40 that processes a bundle of sheets P (an example of a recording material bundle) formed by a plurality of sheets P on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 2, or processes each sheet P for each sheet P.

[0011] In addition, the sheet processing apparatus 3 is provided with a second post-processing device 590 that is provided on the downstream side of the first post-processing device 40 and further processes the folded or middle-bound bundle of sheets. In addition, the sheet processing apparatus 3 is provided with a control unit 100 that is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program and controls the entire sheet processing apparatus 3.

[0012] The first post-processing device 40 is provided with a punching unit 41 that punches (pans) the sheet P, and an edge stapling unit 42 that binds the ends of the sheet bundle. In addition, a first stacking unit 43 on which the sheet P that has passed through the edge stapling unit 42 is stacked, and a second stacking unit 45 on which the sheet P that has not been processed in the first post-processing device 40 or the sheet P that has been only punched is stacked are provided. Furthermore, the first post-processing device 40 is provided with a saddle-stitching unit 44 that creates an unfolded booklet by performing half-folding / half-stitching on a stack of sheets.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the first post-processing device 40. The first post-processing device 40 is provided with a receiving port 49 for receiving the sheet P conveyed from the folding device 30. Immediately after the receiving port 49, a punching unit 41 is provided. The punching unit 41 performs punching (punching) such as two-hole or four-hole punching on the sheet P conveyed to the first post-processing device 40.

[0014] Also, a first sheet conveyance path R11 is provided from the receiving port 49 to the edge-stapling unit 42 and is used for conveying the sheet P received at the receiving port 49 to the edge-stapling unit 42. Furthermore, at the first branch portion B1, a second sheet conveyance path R12 is provided that branches from the first sheet conveyance path R11 and is used for conveying the sheet P to the second stacking unit 45.

[0015] Also, at the second branch portion B2, a third sheet conveyance path R13 is provided that branches from the first sheet conveyance path R11 and is used for conveying the sheet P to the saddle-stitching unit 44. Also, a switching gate 70 is provided for switching (setting) the conveyance destination of the sheet P to any one of the first sheet conveyance path R11 to the third sheet conveyance path R13.

[0016] The edge-stapling unit 42 is provided with a sheet stacking unit 60 that stacks a required number of sheets P to generate a stack of sheets. The sheet stacking unit 60 is provided with a support plate 67 that is disposed inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and supports the conveyed sheet P from below. In the present embodiment, a stack of sheets is generated on this support plate 67.

[0017] Furthermore, the edge stapling stapler unit 42 is provided with a stapling processing device 50 that performs stapling (edge stapling) on the end of the stack of sheets generated in the sheet stacking unit 60. In this embodiment, as will be described later, two stapling processing devices 50 are provided: a first stapling processing device 51 that performs stapling using staple pins, and a second stapling processing device 52 that performs stapling without using staple pins.

[0018] Also, the edge stapling stapler unit 42 is provided with a conveying roll 61 that rotates and feeds out the stack of sheets generated in the sheet stacking unit 60 to the first loading unit 43. Furthermore, a movable roll 62 is provided that can move to a position retracted from the conveying roll 61 and a position in pressure contact with the conveying roll 61.

[0019] Here, when the processing by the edge stapling stapler unit 42 is performed, first, the conveyed sheet P is received at the receiving port 49. After that, this sheet P is conveyed along the first sheet conveying path R11 and reaches the edge stapling stapler unit 42. Then, after this sheet P is conveyed above the support plate 67, it drops onto the support plate 67. Also, this sheet P is supported from below by the support plate 67 and slides on the support plate 67 due to the inclination given to the support plate 67 and the rotating member 63.

[0020] After that, this sheet P hits the end guide 64 attached to the end of the support plate 67. Incidentally, in this embodiment, an end guide 64 that extends upward in the drawing is provided at the end of the support plate 67, and the sheet P that has moved on the support plate 67 hits this end guide 64. Thereby, in this embodiment, the movement of the sheet P is stopped. Thereafter, this operation is performed each time the sheet P is conveyed from the upstream side, and a stack of sheets with the sheets P aligned is generated on the support plate 67.

[0021] In addition, in the present embodiment, a paper width position aligning member 65 for aligning the positions in the width direction of the paper bundle is further provided. In the present embodiment, each time a sheet of paper P is supplied onto the support plate 67, the end portion (side portion) in the width direction of the sheet of paper P is pressed by the paper width position aligning member 65, and the positions in the width direction of the sheet of paper P (paper bundle) are also aligned.

[0022] When a predetermined number of sheets of paper P are stacked on the support plate 67, binding of the end portion of the paper bundle is performed by the first binding processing device 51 or the second binding processing device 52. Note that the first binding processing device 51 drives a staple (U-shaped pin) made of metal into the paper bundle to perform binding. The second binding processing device 52 sandwiches the paper bundle with two binding teeth and crimps the sheets of paper constituting the paper bundle to perform binding.

[0023] Thereafter, in the present embodiment, the movable roll 62 advances toward the conveyance roll 61, and the paper bundle is sandwiched between the movable roll 62 and the conveyance roll 61. Thereafter, the conveyance roll 61 is rotationally driven, and the paper bundle is conveyed to the first stacking unit 43. Note that the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 are provided so as to be movable toward the back side and the front side of the paper surface in the drawing, and in the present embodiment, binding processing on the sheet of paper P can be performed at a plurality of locations.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3 (a view when the paper stacking unit 60 is viewed from above), and further explaining, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 are provided. The first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 are arranged such that their positions in the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40 are different from each other.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 move along the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40, which is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet of paper P (paper bundle). Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 move along one common path. In the present embodiment, the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 are movable, and binding processing can be performed on a plurality of locations of the stack of sheets.

[0026] Here, each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 stops at two points (position (A) and position (B) in FIG. 3) that are different from each other in the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40, for example, and performs binding processing (two-point edge binding processing) at these two points. In addition, each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 stops at one end of the stack of sheets (one corner of the stack of sheets) (position (D) in FIG. 3), for example, and performs binding processing (one-point edge binding) at this stop position.

[0027] In addition, each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 stops at the other end of the stack of sheets (the other corner of the stack of sheets) (position (C) in FIG. 3), for example, and performs binding processing (one-point edge binding) at this stop position. Here, in the present embodiment, between the position (A) and the position (B), each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 moves linearly, but between the position (A) and the position (C), and between the position (B) and the position (D), each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 moves while, for example, rotating by 45°.

[0028] Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of end guides 64 are provided. These end guides 64 are arranged at different locations in the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40 (a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet P). In addition, each of the end guides 64 has a restricting portion 641 and an opposing piece 642, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0029] The regulating part 641 is arranged in a perpendicular relationship with respect to the support plate 67. In this embodiment, the end of the sheet P abuts against the regulating part 641, and the movement of the sheet P is regulated. The opposing piece 642 is connected to the regulating part 641 and is arranged so as to oppose the support plate 67. In this embodiment, when the sheet P is placed on the support plate 67, the end of the sheet P enters between the opposing piece 642 and the support plate 67. Further, the end of the sheet P abuts against the regulating part 641. Thereby, the sheet P is aligned.

[0030] When the binding process is performed at the position (A) in FIG. 3, the binding process is performed through the gap formed between the opposing piece 642 located at the center (center in the vertical direction) in the drawing in FIG. 3 and the opposing piece 642 located below in the drawing. When the binding process is performed at the position (B) in FIG. 3, the binding process is performed through the gap formed between the opposing piece 642 located above in the drawing and the opposing piece 642 located at the center in the drawing in FIG. 3.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a view of the second binding processing device 52 when viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a view of the second binding processing device 52 when viewed from the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 4. Additionally, FIG. 5 is a view of the second binding processing device 52 when viewed from the front. In FIG. 4, the direction indicated by the arrow 4A is hereinafter referred to as the width direction of the second binding processing device 52, and the direction indicated by the arrow 4B is referred to as the depth direction of the second binding processing device 52. Also, the direction indicated by the arrow 4C is referred to as the height direction of the second binding processing device 52. In this specification, the direction indicated by the arrow 4R in the drawing is referred to as the rear direction or the rear side, and the direction indicated by the arrow 4F in the drawing is referred to as the front direction or the front side.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the second binding processing device 52 is provided with a first binding tooth 71 used for the binding process of a sheet bundle T (see FIG. 5), which is an example of a bundle of recording materials. Also, above this first binding tooth 71, a second binding tooth 72 is provided. Each of the first stapling tooth 71 as an example of the first tooth and the second stapling tooth 72 as an example of the second tooth is provided with a concavo-convex portion.

[0033] On the surface of the first stapling tooth 71 located on the side of the second stapling tooth 72 and on the surface of the second stapling tooth 72 located on the side of the first stapling tooth 71, there are provided concavo-convex portions in which convex portions and concave portions are arranged alternately in the direction indicated by the arrow 4X in the figure. In other words, on the surface of the first stapling tooth 71 located on the side of the second stapling tooth 72 and on the surface of the second stapling tooth 72 located on the side of the first stapling tooth 71, there are provided concavo-convex portions in which convex portions and concave portions are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72.

[0034] When the stapling process is performed by the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72, in this embodiment, the second stapling tooth 72 advances toward the first stapling tooth 71. More specifically, in this embodiment, when the stapling process is performed, the second stapling tooth 72 descends along a linear path (hereinafter referred to as the "linear path 4Y") indicated by the arrow 4Y in the figure and moves toward the first stapling tooth 71.

[0035] And in this embodiment, the stack of sheets T located between the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72 is sandwiched and pressed by the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72. At this time, in this embodiment, the convex portion provided on the first stapling tooth 71 and the concave portion provided on the second stapling tooth 72 face each other. Also, at this time, the concave portion provided on the first stapling tooth 71 and the convex portion provided on the second stapling tooth 72 face each other. Also, the convex portion provided on the other stapling tooth enters the concave portion provided on one stapling tooth. Thereby, the sheets P constituting the stack of sheets T are crimped to each other, and the stapling process of the sheets P is performed. Then, in this embodiment, the second stapling tooth 72 moves upward and retracts from the first stapling tooth 71.

[0036] In addition, in the present embodiment, a case where convex portions and concave portions are arranged alternately in each of the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72 has been described as an example. However, the convex portions and the concave portions may be arranged in other arrangements. Further, for example, when the paper bundle T is pressed by the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72, a part of the paper bundle T may be cut to form strip-shaped pieces, a through hole may be formed in the paper bundle T, and the strip-shaped pieces may be passed through the through hole for stapling. The method of the stapling process by the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72 is not particularly limited.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the second stapling device 52 is provided with a moving mechanism 500 as an example of a moving means for moving the second stapling teeth 72 toward the first stapling teeth 71. The moving mechanism 500 includes a rod-shaped screw member 510 extending along the vertical direction in the drawing. The screw member 510 is rotated in the circumferential direction to move the second stapling teeth 72 toward the first stapling teeth 71.

[0038] The screw member 510 is made of metal. Further, the screw member 510 is formed in a straight shape. In addition, a spiral convex portion and a groove portion are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the screw member 510. In other words, a male screw in which convex portions and groove portions are arranged at a predetermined constant interval in the axial direction of the screw member 510 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the screw member 510. In the axial direction of the screw member 510, the convex portions and the groove portions are arranged alternately. In addition, the screw member 510 of the present embodiment is a screw conforming to the JIS standard. In addition, the type of the screw member 510 is not particularly limited. For example, a trapezoidal screw is used. Further, the screw member 510 is not limited to being provided alone as a screw, and may be integrated with a member having other functions.

[0039] In addition, the screw member 510 is arranged along a linear path 4Y along which the second stapling teeth 72 move. Also, in the present embodiment, a multi-start screw is used as the screw member 510. More specifically, in the present embodiment, a double-start screw is used as the screw member 510. In the present embodiment, the "multi-start screw" refers to a screw having two or more threads within one pitch.

[0040] Also, in the present embodiment, an interlocking portion 600 that moves in conjunction with the second fastening tooth 72 is provided. Further, the screw member 510 meshes with the interlocking portion 600. In other words, the screw member 510 is connected to the interlocking portion 600. More specifically, a female screw portion 610 is provided in the interlocking portion 600, and the screw member 510, which is a male screw, meshes with the portion of the interlocking portion 600 where the female screw portion 610 is provided.

[0041] The moving mechanism 500 rotates the screw member 510 that meshes with the female screw portion 610 in the circumferential direction to move the second fastening tooth 72 toward the first fastening tooth 71. More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the drive motor M described later rotates forward, the screw member 510 rotates in the circumferential direction and in one direction. As a result, the interlocking portion 600 and the second fastening tooth 72 descend, and the second fastening tooth 72 moves toward the first fastening tooth 71. Thereby, the fastening process is performed. In the present embodiment, when the screw member 510 rotates in the circumferential direction, the interlocking portion 600 and the second fastening tooth 72 move along the axial direction of the screw member 510.

[0042] Also, in the present embodiment, when the fastening process is completed, the drive motor M rotates in reverse, and the screw member 510 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, the interlocking portion 600 and the second fastening tooth 72 rise. When the second fastening tooth 72 rises, the second fastening tooth 72 retracts from the first fastening tooth 71.

[0043] In addition to the screw member 510, the moving mechanism 500 is provided with a drive motor M as an example of a drive source as shown in FIG. 5. In addition, in the present embodiment, a pinion gear (not shown) that is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor M and arranged coaxially with this output shaft is provided below the drive motor M. Further, a rotating gear (not shown) that meshes with and rotates with this pinion gear is provided. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a large-diameter gear 520 that meshes with this rotating gear and receives a driving force from this rotating gear is provided.

[0044] The large-diameter gear 520, which is an example of a rotating body, is arranged coaxially with the screw member 510. In addition, in the present embodiment, the lower end portion of the screw member 510 is fixed to this large-diameter gear 520. Further, in the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the large-diameter gear 520 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw member 510. In the present embodiment, the large-diameter gear 520 is rotated by the drive motor M, and accordingly, the screw member 510 rotates in the circumferential direction.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the large-diameter gear 520 receives the driving force transmitted to the screw member 510. And the driving force is transmitted from this large-diameter gear 520 to the screw member 510. Thereby, the screw member 510 rotates about the axis. When the screw member 510 rotates about the axis, the second binding tooth 72 advances and retreats with respect to the first binding tooth 71.

[0046] The mechanism for moving the second binding tooth 72 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a cam mechanism and a jack mechanism. Here, when the screw member 510 is used as in the present embodiment, miniaturization of the second binding processing device 52 can be achieved. When using a cam mechanism or a jack mechanism, for example, a mode of providing a cam mechanism or a jack mechanism at the position indicated by the reference numeral 4Z in FIG. 4 (above the second binding processing device 52) can be considered. In this mode, the cam mechanism or the jack mechanism presses the interlocking portion 600 from above to move the second binding tooth 72.

[0047] By the way, in this case, while suppressing the increase in size of the second stapling device 52, it becomes difficult to increase the separation amount between the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72. In the present embodiment, the space between the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72 serves as a receiving portion for receiving the stack of sheets T. However, when using a cam mechanism or a jack mechanism, it is difficult to increase the size of this receiving portion while suppressing the increase in size of the second stapling device 52.

[0048] When using a cam mechanism or a jack mechanism, if the size of this cam mechanism or jack mechanism is increased, the amount of advancement and retraction of the second stapling teeth 72 increases, and thus it becomes possible to increase the size of the receiving portion. However, in this case, the size of the second stapling device 52 increases. Also, if the size of the receiving portion is reduced, the increase in size of the second stapling device 52 can be suppressed. However, in this case, the maximum number of sheets P for which stapling processing can be performed decreases.

[0049] On the other hand, when using the screw member 510 as in the present embodiment, the increase in size of the second stapling device 52 is suppressed, and furthermore, the receiving portion becomes larger. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a configuration in which a part of the moving mechanism 500, such as the drive motor M and the screw member 510, is provided on the side of the linear path 4Y along which the second stapling teeth 72 move. In this case, while reducing the dimension in the height direction of the second stapling device 52, it becomes easier to secure the size of the receiving portion.

[0050] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the large-diameter gear 520 is arranged so as to extend in a direction intersecting the linear path 4Y along which the second stapling teeth 72 move. By this also, the dimension in the height direction of the second stapling device 52 becomes smaller. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the linear path 4Y extends and the radial direction of the large-diameter gear 520 intersect (are orthogonal). In this case, compared with the case where the large-diameter gear 520 is installed along the direction in which the linear path 4Y extends, the dimension in the height direction of the second stapling device 52 becomes smaller.

[0051] In addition, in the present embodiment, the end guide 64 shown in FIG. 3 is configured to allow the second binding processing device 52 to pass through. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the maximum separation amount between the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 is larger than the height dimension of the end guide 64, and the end guide 64 passes through the above-described receiving portion. Thereby, the second binding processing device 52 passes through the end guide 64.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, a load receiving member 620 is provided in the interlocking portion 600. In the present embodiment, a female screw portion 610 is provided on the load receiving member 620. The load receiving member 620 as an example of the load receiving portion contacts the screw member 510 and receives a load from the screw member 510. In addition, an upper support member 630 that supports the load receiving member 620 and the second binding teeth 72 is provided in the interlocking portion 600.

[0053] In addition, two rod-shaped members 640 that are attached to the upper support member 630 and extend downward are provided in the interlocking portion 600. In addition, fixing members 650 for fixing each of the rod-shaped members 640 to the upper support member 630 are provided in the interlocking portion 600. In the present embodiment, a left rod-shaped member 640L located on the left side in the drawing and a right rod-shaped member 640R located on the right side in the drawing are provided as the rod-shaped members 640. Each of the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R is arranged to extend along the linear path 4Y.

[0054] The rod-shaped member 640 is used for guiding the interlocking portion 600. The rod-shaped member 640 is also used for guiding the second binding teeth 72. In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the rod-shaped member 640 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw member 510. More specifically, the outer diameter of each of the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R is larger than the outer diameter of the screw member 510.

[0055] In addition, in the present embodiment, the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640 are separate components, and the rod-shaped member 640 is attached to the upper support member 630. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640 may be integrated, and the upper support member 630 may be provided with the function of the rod-shaped member 640.

[0056] The fixing member 650 is composed of a nut 652. A bolt portion 651 is provided at the tip portion of the rod-shaped member 640 located above in the drawing, and the nut 652 is fixed to this bolt portion 651. In addition, in the present embodiment, a columnar rod-shaped member main body 648 is provided in a portion of the rod-shaped member 640 that is located below the upper support member 630.

[0057] In addition, in the present embodiment, a through hole 633 (see FIG. 5), which is an example of a hole portion, is formed in the upper support member 630. In the present embodiment, the rod-shaped member 640 is passed through this through hole 633. In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the bolt portion 651 of the rod-shaped member 640 protrudes above the upper support member 630.

[0058] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the nut 652 is attached to this bolt portion 651 that protrudes above the upper support member 630. In addition, in the present embodiment, the upper support member 630 is sandwiched between the nut 652 attached to the bolt portion 651 and the rod-shaped member main body 648 of the rod-shaped member 640. Thereby, the rod-shaped member 640 is fixed to the upper support member 630.

[0059] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the second fastening tooth 72 is fixed to the upper support member 630. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the second fastening tooth 72 is fixed to one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630 that is located on the front side in the drawing. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the second binding tooth 72 is fixed to the upper support member 630 by press-fitting. Note that the fixing of the second binding tooth 72 is not limited to press-fitting, and may be performed by other methods such as adhesion, welding, and fastening.

[0060] Furthermore, a lower support member 700 that supports the first binding tooth 71 is provided below the interlocking portion 600. In other words, a lower support member 700 that supports the first binding tooth 71 is provided below the upper support member 630. In the present embodiment, the first binding tooth 71 is fixed to the lower support member 700 by press-fitting. Note that, as described above, the fixing of the first binding tooth 71 is not limited to press-fitting, and may be performed by other methods such as adhesion, welding, and fastening.

[0061] The lower support member 700 is provided with a tooth support portion 710 that extends in the width direction of the second binding processing device 52 and supports the first binding tooth 71 from below. Furthermore, the lower support member 700 is provided with connection portions 720 that are connected to respective ends of the tooth support portion 710 and extend from these ends toward the rear side of the second binding processing device 52. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the lower support member 700 is formed of a metal block, and the tooth support portion 710 and the connection portions 720 are integral.

[0062] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a guide portion 90 for guiding the second binding tooth 72 is provided. This guide portion 90 is provided on the lower support member 700. Further, this guide portion 90 is arranged along a linear path 4Y along which the second binding tooth 72 moves. In the present embodiment, as described above, the rod-shaped member 640 is provided, and the guide portion 90 guides this rod-shaped member 640 to guide the second binding tooth 72.

[0063] More specifically, in the present embodiment, a hole portion 91 that extends along the linear path 4Y is provided in the lower support member 700. The guide part 90 of this embodiment is constituted by the inner peripheral surface 91A of this hole part 91. In this embodiment, this inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole part 91 is used to guide the rod-shaped member 640 as an example of the guided part.

[0064] In this embodiment, a cylindrical member 198 (see FIG. 13) is inserted inside each of the hole parts 91, and the inner peripheral surface 91A (see FIG. 5) of the hole part 91 guides the rod-shaped member 640 via this cylindrical member 198. Note that, without being limited to this, the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole part 91 may be in direct contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped member 640 without installing the cylindrical member 198. "The inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole part 91 guides the rod-shaped member 640" includes not only the mode in which the inner peripheral surface 91A directly contacts the rod-shaped member 640 to guide the rod-shaped member 640, but also the mode in which the inner peripheral surface 91A guides the rod-shaped member 640 via other members such as the above-mentioned cylindrical member 198.

[0065] In this embodiment, a plurality of each of the guide part 90 and the rod-shaped member 640 which is the guided part are provided. Specifically, in this embodiment, two each of the guide part 90 and the rod-shaped member 640 are provided. In this embodiment, as described above, two each of the guided part and the guide part are provided, but the number of installations of the guided part and the guide part is not limited to this, and may be one or three or more.

[0066] The hole part 91 is formed with a circular cross-section. Also, in this embodiment, the rod-shaped member 640 is constituted by, for example, a columnar member with a diameter of 10 mm or more. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the hole part 91 and the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped member 640 are not limited to circular, and may be other shapes such as elliptical or polygonal. In this embodiment, a columnar rod-shaped member 640 that constitutes a part of the interlocking part 600 (see FIG. 4) enters the hole part 91, and the rod-shaped member 640 is guided by the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole part 91.

[0067] In this embodiment, the guide portion 90 is constituted by a hole portion 91 which is an example of a hole provided in the lower support member 700. More specifically, the guide portion 90 is constituted by the inner surface of the hole portion 91 provided in the lower support member 700. The guide portion 90 uses the inner surface of the hole portion 91 to guide the outer surface of the rod-shaped member 640.

[0068] The guided portion, the rod-shaped member 640 (see FIG. 4) as an example of the rod-shaped portion, extends along the vertical direction which is the moving direction of the interlocking portion 600. In other words, the rod-shaped member 640 extends along the moving path of the interlocking portion 600. Further, when starting from the connection point with the upper support member 630, the rod-shaped member 640 extends toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the interlocking portion 600. Also, in this embodiment, the hole portion 91 (see FIG. 5) provided in the lower support member 700 and functioning as a guide portion also extends along the moving direction of the interlocking portion 600.

[0069] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide portion is constituted by the inner surface of the hole, and the guided portion is constituted by a rod-shaped portion that contacts the inner surface of this hole. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As will be described later, the guided portion may be constituted by the inner surface of the hole, and the guide portion may be constituted by a rod-shaped portion that contacts the inner surface of this hole. Also, the hole portion 91 (see FIG. 5) provided in the lower support member 700 may be provided in a state of penetrating the lower support member 700. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and a hole portion 91 having a bottom without penetrating the lower support member 700 may be provided.

[0070] In this embodiment, as the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the first binding tooth 71, the contact area between the guide portion 90 (see FIG. 5) and the rod-shaped member 640 which is the guided portion increases. More specifically, in this embodiment, as the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the first binding tooth 71, the amount of entry of the rod-shaped member 640 into the hole portion 91 increases, and the contact area between the guide portion 90 and the rod-shaped member 640 increases. In other words, in the present embodiment, as the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the first binding tooth 71, the area of the region where the guide portion 90 and the rod-shaped member 640 overlap increases.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the second binding processing device 52. FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the guided portion is constituted by the inner surface of a hole and the guide portion is constituted by a rod-shaped portion that contacts the inner surface of this hole. In this configuration example, a hole portion 93 extending along the linear path 4Y is provided on the side of the interlocking portion 600 interlocked with the second binding tooth 72. Also, in this configuration example, a rod-shaped member 640 that enters the hole portion 93 and extends along the linear path 4Y is provided on the side of the lower support member 700. The rod-shaped member 640 is fixed to the lower support member 700.

[0072] In this configuration example, the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped member 640 serves as the guide portion 90, and the outer peripheral surface is used to guide the interlocking portion 600. In this configuration example, the guided portion is constituted by the inner surface of the hole portion 93 that extends along the moving direction of the interlocking portion 600. Also, in this configuration example, the guide portion is constituted by a rod-shaped member 640 that extends along the moving direction of the interlocking portion 600 and contacts the inner surface of the hole portion 93.

[0073] Further, in the present embodiment (in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), the movement of the screw member 510 with respect to the interlocking portion 600 enables the screw member 510 to move in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) to the direction in which the screw member 510 extends. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the movement of the screw member 510 with respect to the interlocking portion 600 enables the screw member 510 to move in the direction indicated by the arrow 4A in FIG. 4. In other words, the screw member 510 can move in the width direction of the second binding processing device 52.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the load receiving member 620 can move in the direction indicated by the arrow 4A. More specifically, in the present embodiment, a configuration is provided that enables relative movement of the load receiving member 620 with respect to the upper support member 630. As a result, the load receiving member 620 can move in the width direction of the second binding processing device 52. In other words, in the present embodiment, the load receiving member 620 can move with respect to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640, which form part of the interlocking portion 600.

[0075] In this way, when the load receiving member 620 can move with respect to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640, the screw member 510 can move with respect to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640. More specifically, the screw member 510 can move in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the direction in which the screw member 510 extends with respect to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640. In other words, the screw member 510 can move in the radial direction of the screw member 510.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the second binding processing device 52 taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4, showing an upper portion of the second binding processing device 52. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a through hole 620A is formed in the load receiving member 620, and a fixing screw 95 used for fixing the load receiving member 620 to the upper support member 630 is passed through the through hole 620A. A gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 620A and the fixing screw 95. Further, no thread is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the fixing screw 95 located within the through hole 620A.

[0077] Also, the thickness of the load receiving member 620 is smaller than the separation distance between the head 95A of the fixing screw 95 and the upper surface 630E of the upper support member 630. As a result, in the present embodiment, the load receiving member 620 can move with respect to the upper support member 630 in the direction indicated by arrow 7A in the figure. And in this case, the screw member 510 (not shown in FIG. 7) can move with respect to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640. In other words, the movement of the screw member 510 with respect to the interlocking portion 600 (see FIG. 4), specifically, the movement of the screw member 510 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the screw member 510 extends becomes possible.

[0078] Here, for example, assume a configuration in which the screw member 510 cannot move with respect to the interlocking portion 600, and, for example, the screw member 510 is inclined with respect to the linear path 4Y (see FIG. 4). In this case, when the second fastening tooth 72 advances to the first fastening tooth 71, the second fastening tooth 72 moves toward a position different from its original position. In this case, the position of the second fastening tooth 72 with respect to the first fastening tooth 71 deviates from the originally planned position. On the other hand, when the screw member 510 is movable as in the present embodiment, the inclination of the screw member 510 with respect to the linear path 4Y becomes smaller, and the deviation of the second fastening tooth 72 with respect to the first fastening tooth 71 becomes smaller.

[0079] Moreover, if the configuration is such that the screw member 510 cannot move with respect to the interlocking portion 600 and the screw member 510 is inclined with respect to the linear path 4Y, a situation may occur where the second fastening tooth 72 stops while moving toward the first fastening tooth 71, and fastening cannot be performed. On the contrary, when the screw member 510 is movable as in the present embodiment, the inclination of the screw member 510 with respect to the linear path 4Y becomes smaller, and problems such as the second fastening tooth 72 stopping midway are less likely to occur.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the portion indicated by reference numeral 7F in FIG. 7 is a guided portion guided by a guide 90 (see FIG. 5), and in the present embodiment, the load receiving member 620 can move with respect to this guided portion. More specifically, the load receiving member 620 can move with respect to the guided portion in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the axial direction of the screw member 510 (not shown in FIG. 7).

[0081] The interlocking part 600 includes a load receiving member 620 as an example of a load receiving part that contacts the screw member 510 and receives the load from the screw member 510, and a rod-shaped member 640 as an example of a guided part guided by the guide part 90. In the present embodiment, the load receiving member 620, which is an example of a load receiving part, can move with respect to the rod-shaped member 640. As in the present embodiment, if the load receiving member 620 can move with respect to the rod-shaped member 640, as described above, the deviation of the second binding tooth 72 with respect to the first binding tooth 71 becomes smaller, and problems such as the second binding tooth 72 stopping halfway are less likely to occur.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 7, the load receiving member 620 has a T-shaped cross-sectional shape. More specifically, the load receiving member 620 includes a disk-shaped large-diameter portion 621 located above in the drawing and a small-diameter portion 622 located below the large-diameter portion 621. The large-diameter portion 621 and the small-diameter portion 622 are coaxially arranged. Also, the lower end portion of the large-diameter portion 621 and the upper end portion of the small-diameter portion 622 are connected.

[0083] A female screw portion 610 is provided on the central axis of the load receiving member 620. The female screw portion 610 is cylindrical. In the present embodiment, a rod-shaped screw member 510 (see FIG. 4) is passed through the female screw portion 610. In other words, in the present embodiment, the female screw portion 610 and the screw member 510 mesh with each other and are connected to each other. Also, in the present embodiment, the length L1 (see FIG. 5) of the second binding tooth 72 in the longitudinal direction is smaller than the outer diameter D1 (see FIG. 7) of the large-diameter portion 621.

[0084] Also, in the present embodiment, when comparing the positions in the radial direction of the large-diameter portion 621, the second binding tooth 72 (see FIG. 5) is located on the other end 621B side rather than the one end 621A (see FIG. 7) of the large-diameter portion 621. Also, the second binding teeth 72 are located on the one end 621A side of the large-diameter portion 621 rather than on the other end 621B side. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the second binding processing device 52 is viewed from the front (when the second binding processing device 52 is viewed from the side where the receiving portion is provided), the second binding teeth 72 are located between the one end 621A and the other end 621B of the large-diameter portion 621.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the load receiving member 620 is pulled downward by the screw member 510. Along with this, among the upper support members 630, the portion indicated by the reference numeral 7X in FIG. 7 is uniformly pressed upward by the load receiving member 620. In this case, regarding the portion of the upper support member 630 that is uniformly pressed, while generally maintaining a shape extending horizontally and linearly, it moves downward. On the other hand, regarding the side portions (the portions indicated by the reference numeral 7Y in FIG. 7) located on both sides of this pressed portion of the upper support member 630, as indicated by the reference numeral 7Z, they are likely to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0086] In this case, for example, if the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the second binding teeth 72 is large and a part of the second binding teeth 72 reaches the above side portion (the portion indicated by the reference numeral 7Y), the second binding teeth 72 are likely to be distorted. On the contrary, as in the present embodiment, when the second binding teeth 72 do not reach the side portion and the second binding teeth 72 are accommodated between the one end 621A and the other end 621B of the large-diameter portion 621, the distortion of the second binding teeth 72 is less likely to occur.

[0087] Also, in the present embodiment, regarding the movement of the second binding teeth 72 with respect to the guide portion 90 (see FIG. 5), the second binding teeth 72 can move in a direction intersecting the direction in which the guide portion 90 extends. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 can move in a direction intersecting the direction indicated by the arrow 5X (see FIG. 5), which is the direction in which the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 extends. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 can move in a direction intersecting the advancing and retreating direction of the second binding teeth 72.

[0088] In addition, in the present embodiment, the upper support member 630 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 5Y in FIG. 5. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the upper support member 630 can be moved relative to the rod-shaped member 640, and the upper support member 630 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 5Y. In other words, in the present embodiment, the upper support member 630 can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the second fastening tooth 72.

[0089] In the present embodiment, by moving the upper support member 630 relative to the rod-shaped member 640, the second fastening tooth 72 moves in the longitudinal direction. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, when the upper support member 630 is moved relative to the rod-shaped member 640, the second fastening tooth 72 moves in a direction intersecting the direction in which the guide portion 90 extends (the direction indicated by the arrow 5X in the figure).

[0090] More specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a bolt portion 651 is provided at the upper end portion of the rod-shaped member 640. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a through hole 633 through which the bolt portion 651 passes is formed in the upper support member 630. This through hole 633 is a so-called long hole and is formed so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second fastening tooth 72.

[0091] Thereby, in the present embodiment, the upper support member 630 can be moved relative to the rod-shaped member 640, and the second fastening tooth 72 can be moved in a direction intersecting the direction in which the rod-shaped member 640 extends. In other words, the second fastening tooth 72 can be moved in a direction intersecting the direction in which the guide portion 90 extends. More specifically, the second fastening tooth 72 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 5Y in FIG. 5.

[0092] In the present embodiment, after releasing the fixing of the rod-shaped member 640 to the upper support member 630 by the bolt portion 651 and the nut 652, the upper support member 630 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the second fastening tooth 72. As a result, the positional relationship between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is changed. In other words, the relative position of the second binding tooth 72 with respect to the first binding tooth 71 is adjusted. In addition, in the present embodiment, when the adjustment of the position of the second binding tooth 72 is completed, the nut 652 is tightened against the bolt portion 651, and the rod-shaped member 640 is fixed to the upper support member 630.

[0093] In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the upper support member 630 moves along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper support member 630 may be configured to move in both the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 and the direction orthogonal to this longitudinal direction. In order to enable the upper support member 630 to move in both the longitudinal direction and the orthogonal direction, for example, the above-described through hole 633 formed in the upper support member 630 is formed by a round hole having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the bolt portion 651. As a result, the upper support member 630 moves in both the longitudinal direction and the orthogonal direction.

[0094] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5 in the present embodiment, the drive motor M is accommodated between one end 511 and the other end 512 in the axial direction of the screw member 510. In other words, in the present embodiment, the drive motor M is located on the side of the screw member 510. As a result, in the present embodiment, the size of the second binding processing device 52 in the direction in which the screw member 510 extends, in other words, the advancing and retreating direction of the second binding tooth 72, becomes smaller.

[0095] Here, if the drive motor M is, for example, at a location indicated by reference numeral 5S in FIG. 5, etc., the second binding processing device 52 is likely to be enlarged. On the other hand, when the drive motor M is located on the side of the screw member 510 as in the present embodiment, the enlargement of the second binding processing device 52 is suppressed.

[0096] In the present embodiment, all or most of the drive motor M is accommodated between one end 511 and the other end 512 in the axial direction of the screw member 510. In addition, not limited to this, at least a part of the drive motor M may be located on the other end 512 side rather than the one end 511 in the axial direction of the screw member 510 and also located on the one end 511 side rather than the other end 512. In this case, compared with a configuration in which the drive motor M is not located at all between the one end 511 and the other end 512, the size reduction of the second binding processing device 52 can be achieved.

[0097] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a cross section of the second binding processing device 52 taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5. The moving mechanism 500 (see FIG. 4) of the present embodiment applies a load to a specific location of the interlocking portion 600 to move the second binding tooth 72 toward the first binding tooth 71. More specifically, the moving mechanism 500 applies a load to a specific location (hereinafter referred to as "load application location 8A") indicated by reference numeral 8A (see FIG. 8) in the interlocking portion 600 to move the second binding tooth 72 toward the first binding tooth 71.

[0098] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the load application location 8A is a location where the female screw portion 610 is provided. In the present embodiment, a load is applied to the location where the female screw portion 610 is provided to move the interlocking portion 600 and move the second binding tooth 72 toward the first binding tooth 71. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 90 (the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91) is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the load application location 8A. Note that being located on the closer side does not mean that all parts of the guide portion 90 are located on the closer side to the second binding tooth 72 than the load application location 8A.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the rear side portion 90B of the guide portion 90, which is located on the most rear side, is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the rear side portion 8X of the load application location 8A, which is located on the most rear side. Thus, when comparing the parts located on the rearmost side, if the rear part 90B of the guide portion 90 is positioned closer to the second stapling tooth 72 than the rear part 8X of the load application portion 8A, it can be said that the guide portion 90 is positioned closer to the second stapling tooth 72 than the load application portion 8A.

[0100] The guide portion 90 guides the portion of the interlocking portion 600 that interlocks with the second stapling tooth 72 and is positioned closer to the second stapling tooth 72 than the load application portion 8A, thereby guiding the second stapling tooth 72. More specifically, the guide portion 90 guides the rod-shaped member 640 that is positioned closer to the second stapling tooth 72 than the load application portion 8A, thereby guiding the second stapling tooth 72.

[0101] Further, in the present embodiment, when assuming a virtual plane H1 passing through the load application portion 8A and the second stapling tooth 72 and along a linear path 4Y (see FIG. 5), guide portions 90 are provided in each of two regions R1 and R2 facing each other across this plane H1. More specifically, in the present embodiment, when assuming a virtual plane H1 passing through the central portion C1 of the load application portion 8A and the central portion C2 in the longitudinal direction of the second stapling tooth 72 and along the linear path 4Y, guide portions 90 are provided in each of two regions R1 and R2 facing each other across this plane H1.

[0102] In other words, in the present embodiment, when assuming a virtual plane H1 passing through the axial center 510R of the screw member 510 and the central portion C2 in the longitudinal direction of the second stapling tooth 72 and along the linear path 4Y, guide portions 90 are provided in each of two regions R1 and R2 facing each other across this plane H1. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each guide portion 90 provided in each of these two regions R1 and R2 is arranged closer to the second stapling tooth 72 than the load application portion 8A.

[0103] In the present embodiment, when the second stapling tooth 72 is pressed against the paper bundle T, due to the reaction force, the second stapling tooth 72 is pressed upward, and the end portion 631 side of the upper support member 630 moves upward. In this case, when each of the guide portions 90 is located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 than the load application portion 8A as in the present embodiment, upward movement of one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630 is less likely to occur.

[0104] Further, in the present embodiment, when assuming a virtual line LX that passes through the axial center 610R of the female screw portion 610 and extends along the longitudinal direction of the second stitching teeth 72, the guide portion 90 is located at a position deviated from this virtual line LX. More specifically, the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 than the virtual line LX. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view when the second stitching processing device 52 is viewed from above. In the state when the second stitching processing device 52 is viewed from above, the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 than the virtual line LX.

[0105] The statement that "the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 than the virtual line LX" means a state in which the central portion 90C of the guide portion 90, when the guide portion 90 is projected onto the plane H8, is located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 side than the virtual line LX when the virtual line LX is projected onto the plane H8. Here, the plane H8 is a plane having a relationship orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the second stitching teeth 72. In the present embodiment, when the guide portion 90 and the virtual line LX are projected onto the plane H8 (when projected in a direction orthogonal to the plane H8), the central portion 90C of the guide portion 90 (the central portion in the direction in which the plane H8 extends) is located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 side than the virtual line LX.

[0106] The statement that the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 than the virtual line LX is not limited to a state in which all portions of the guide portion 90 are located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 than the virtual line LX. As described above, if the central portion 9 OC of the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 side than the virtual line LX, it can be said that the guide portion 90 is in a state of being located closer to the second stitching teeth 72 than the virtual line LX.

[0107] In this case, compared with the case where the guide portion 90 is located on the virtual line LX, the upward movement of one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630 is less likely to occur. In other words, compared with the case where the position of the virtual line LX and the position of the central portion 90C of the guide portion 90 are aligned, the upward movement of one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630 is less likely to occur. And in this case, when the binding process is performed, the second binding tooth 72 is less likely to escape upward, and a greater load acts on the paper bundle T.

[0108] Also, in the present embodiment, the guide portions 90 provided in each of the two regions R1 and R2 are arranged on a common straight line LK extending along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72. Additionally, the guide portions 90 provided in each of the two regions R1 and R2 are arranged on a straight line LK that extends along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 and passes through a location other than the axial center 610R of the female screw portion 610.

[0109] "The guide portion 90 is arranged on the straight line LK" means that when the guide portion 90 and the straight line LK are projected onto the plane H8 (when projected in a direction orthogonal to the plane H8), the position of the central portion 90C (the central portion in the direction in which the plane H8 extends) of this guide portion 90 and the position of the straight line LK are in a state of coincidence.

[0110] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the distance L11 between the guide portion 90 provided in one region R1 of the two regions R1 and R2 and the plane H1 is equal to the distance L21 between the guide portion 90 provided in the other region R2 and the plane H1. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the distance L11 between one guide portion 90 of the two guide portions 90 arranged on the common straight line LK and the plane H1 is equal to the distance L21 between the other guide portion 90 and the plane H1.

[0111] More specifically, assume the case where the plane H1, one guide portion 90, and the other guide portion 90 are projected onto a plane H15 extending along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 (when projected in a direction orthogonal to the plane H15). In this case, in the present embodiment, the distance L11 between the central portion C11 of one guide portion 90 (the central portion in the direction in which the plane H15 extends) and the plane H1 is equal to the distance L21 between the central portion C21 of the other guide portion 90 (the central portion in the direction in which the plane H15 extends) and the plane H1.

[0112] Further, in the present embodiment, the female screw portion 610, which is a contact portion that contacts the screw member 510 among the interlocking portions 600, is located closer to the right-side rod-shaped member 640R on the right side in the drawing, which is an example of the second guided portion, than the left-side rod-shaped member 640L on the left side in the drawing, which is an example of the first guided portion. Further, this female screw portion 610 is located closer to the left-side rod-shaped member 640L on the left side in the drawing than the right-side rod-shaped member 640R on the right side in the drawing.

[0113] In the present embodiment, the left-side rod-shaped member 640L and the right-side rod-shaped member 640R guided by the guide portion 90 are provided on the interlocking portion 600. And, in the present embodiment, the female screw portion 610, which is an example of the contact portion, is located closer to the right-side rod-shaped member 640R than the left-side rod-shaped member 640L and closer to the left-side rod-shaped member 640L than the right-side rod-shaped member 640R. In the present embodiment, the female screw portion 610 can be regarded as a load-receiving portion that receives the load from the screw member 510. In the present embodiment, this load-receiving portion is located closer to the right-side rod-shaped member 640R than the left-side rod-shaped member 640L and closer to the left-side rod-shaped member 640L than the right-side rod-shaped member 640R.

[0114] More specifically, assume a case where the left-side rod-shaped member 640L, the right-side rod-shaped member 640R, and the female screw portion 610 are projected onto the plane H15. In this case, on this plane H15, the female screw portion 610 is located closer to the right-side rod-shaped member 640R than the left-side rod-shaped member 640L and closer to the left-side rod-shaped member 640L than the right-side rod-shaped member 640R.

[0115] The statement that "the female screw portion 610 is located on the right side of the right rod-shaped member 640R with respect to the left rod-shaped member 640L and on the left side of the left rod-shaped member 640L with respect to the right rod-shaped member 640R" is not limited to the state where the female screw portion 610 is located in the region sandwiched between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. As shown in FIG. 9 described later, a form in which the female screw portion 610 is located at a position outside the region sandwiched between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R can also be considered. Even in this form shown in FIG. 9, it can be said that the female screw portion 610 is located on the right side of the right rod-shaped member 640R with respect to the left rod-shaped member 640L and on the left side of the left rod-shaped member 640L with respect to the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0116] In the present embodiment, when a load is applied to the load receiving member 620 of the interlocking portion 600 (see FIG. 8), the second fastening tooth 72 moves toward the first fastening tooth 71. More specifically, when a load is applied to the female screw portion 610 provided on the load receiving member 620, the second fastening tooth 72 moves toward the first fastening tooth 71. In the present embodiment, it can also be said that the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72 are located on the right side of the right rod-shaped member 640R with respect to the left rod-shaped member 640L and on the left side of the left rod-shaped member 640L with respect to the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0117] Similar to the above, the statement that "the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72 are located on the right side of the right rod-shaped member 640R with respect to the left rod-shaped member 640L and on the left side of the left rod-shaped member 640L with respect to the right rod-shaped member 640R" is not limited to the state where the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72 are located in the region sandwiched between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. As shown in FIG. 8, even when the first fastening tooth 71 (not shown in FIG. 8) and the second fastening tooth 72 are located at positions outside the region sandwiched between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R, it can be said that the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72 are located on the right side of the right rod-shaped member 640R with respect to the left rod-shaped member 640L and on the left side of the left rod-shaped member 640L with respect to the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0118] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the second binding device 52. In this configuration example, as in the above, a plurality of guide portions 90 are provided. Furthermore, in this configuration example, a second binding tooth 72 is positioned between one guide portion 90 (hereinafter referred to as "guide portion 90E") included in the plurality of guide portions 90 and another guide portion 90 (hereinafter referred to as "guide portion 90F").

[0119] FIG. 9 shows a state when the plurality of guide portions 90 and the second binding tooth 72 are viewed from the upstream side or the downstream side in the moving direction of the second binding tooth 72. In FIG. 9, a second binding tooth 72 is positioned between one guide portion 90E included in the plurality of guide portions 90 and another guide portion 90F.

[0120] Here, "positioned between" means that when one guide portion 90E, the other guide portion 90F, and the second binding tooth 72 are projected onto a plane 9A having a relationship orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 (when projected in a direction orthogonal to the plane 9A), there is a state where the three of one guide portion 90E, the other guide portion 90F, and the second binding tooth 72 overlap.

[0121] Also, in this configuration example shown in FIG. 9, as in the above, when a virtual plane H1 passing through the load application portion 8A and the second binding tooth 72 and along the linear path 4Y is assumed, guide portions 90 are provided in each of two regions R1 and R2 facing each other across this plane H1. Furthermore, in this configuration example, the distance L31 between one guide portion 90E provided in one region R1 and the plane H1 is equal to the distance L32 between the other guide portion 90F provided in the other region R2 and the plane H1. Furthermore, in this configuration example, as described above, a configuration is adopted in which the second binding tooth 72 is positioned between one guide portion 90E and the other guide portion 90F.

[0122] In a configuration where the second stapling tooth 72 is positioned between one guide portion 90E and the other guide portion 90F as in this configuration example, a larger load can be applied to the paper stack T. More specifically, in this configuration example, when the second stapling tooth 72 is positioned at a location deviated from between one guide portion 90E and the other guide portion 90F, the second stapling tooth 72 is less likely to escape upward compared to the case where it is positioned there, and a larger load can be applied to the paper stack T.

[0123] Here, when performing the stapling process at the stapling positions shown in FIGS. 3(A) and (B), it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which no rod-shaped member 640 and guide portion 90 are provided on both sides of the second stapling tooth 72, as in the configuration example shown in FIG. 8. More specifically, in order to avoid interference between the rod-shaped member 640 and the paper stack T, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which no rod-shaped member 640 and guide portion 90 are provided on both sides of the second stapling tooth 72. On the other hand, for example, in the second stapling device 52 that staples only the corner portions of the paper stack T, as shown in FIG. 9, even in a configuration where the second stapling tooth 72 is positioned between one guide portion 90E and the other guide portion 90F, the paper stack T can be stapled.

[0124] In addition, the guide portion 90 may be provided on the side opposite to the side where the second stapling tooth 72 is positioned, sandwiching the load application portion 8A (see FIG. 8). In the present embodiment, as described above, the second stapling tooth 72 receives a reaction force from the paper stack T, and one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630 moves upward. In this case, the other end portion 634 (see FIG. 8) side of the upper support member 630 moves downward.

[0125] If the guide portion 90 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the second stapling tooth 72 is positioned, sandwiching the load application portion 8A, the downward movement of the other end portion 634 of the upper support member 630 is restricted. As a result, also in this case, the upward movement of one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630 is restricted. And also in this case, the second stapling tooth 72 is less likely to escape upward, and a larger load can be applied to the paper stack T.

[0126] FIG. 10 is another configuration example of the second binding processing device 52, and is a view when the interlocking portion 600 and the like are viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 5. Here, in FIG. 10, the interlocking portion 600, the screw member 510, etc. are shown, and the illustration of other members is omitted. In this configuration example shown in FIG. 10, a restricting portion 900 for restricting the movement of the interlocking portion 600 is provided. This restricting portion 900 restricts the movement of a portion of the interlocking portion 600 that is located on the side opposite to the side where the second binding teeth 72 are located with the load applying portion 8A interposed therebetween.

[0127] More specifically, the restricting portion 900 contacts the other end portion 634 of the upper support member 630 that is located on the side opposite to one end portion 631 that is the end portion on the side where the second binding teeth 72 are provided, and restricts the downward movement of this other end portion 634. Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, the second binding teeth 72 receive a reaction force from the paper bundle T, and accordingly, the other end portion 634 of the upper support member 630 moves downward. The restricting portion 900 restricts the downward movement of this other end portion 634.

[0128] As a result, also in this case, it becomes difficult for the second binding teeth 72 to escape upward, and a larger load can be applied to the paper bundle T. Here, the restricting portion 900 of the present embodiment is constituted by a rotating body, and while allowing the downward movement of the other end portion 634, restricts the downward movement of this other end portion 634. Note that the restricting portion 900 is not limited to this, and for example, it may be formed so as to extend in the vertical direction and provided with an inclined surface that approaches the other end portion 634 side as it goes downward, and the movement of the other end portion 634 may be restricted by this inclined surface.

[0129] FIG. 11 is a view showing another configuration example of the second binding processing device 52. Here, in FIG. 11, a part of the second binding processing device 52 is shown when the second binding processing device 52 is viewed from the direction of the arrow XI in FIG. 4. Additionally, FIG. 11 shows the state when a part of the second binding processing device 52 is viewed from the rear side of the second binding processing device 52. In this configuration example shown in FIG. 11, a rotating member 950 that rotates by a drive source such as a motor is provided behind the second binding processing device 52. Furthermore, in this configuration example, a protrusion 951 protruding toward the rotating member 950 is provided at the other end portion 634 of the upper support member 630.

[0130] In the rotating member 950, a groove 653 that accommodates the protrusion 951 provided on the upper support member 630 and guides the protrusion 951 is formed. In this configuration example, the protrusion 951 is guided by the inner surface of the groove 653, so that the upper support member 630 moves up and down, and accordingly, the second binding teeth 72 move up and down. Note that, also in this configuration example, similar to the above, a rod-shaped member 640 is provided, and a guide portion 90 that guides the rod-shaped member 640 is provided. Also in this configuration example, the second binding teeth 72 move up and down along the linear path 4Y.

[0131] FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the screw member 510. In the present embodiment, a regulating member that regulates the movement of the interlocking portion 600 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the screw member 510. Specifically, an attachment portion 510B is provided at one end portion 510A of the screw member 510. The regulating member can be attached to the attachment portion 510B. Specifically, on the end surface located at one end portion 510A of the screw member 510, a recess 510C having a circular cross section and recessed toward the inner side of the screw member 510 is provided. A female screw is formed on the inner surface of the recess 510C. In the present embodiment, a regulating member 980 (see FIG. 4) having a male screw is attached to this female screw portion.

[0132] In the present embodiment, when the screw member 510 rotates more than necessary and the interlocking portion 600 reaches one end portion 510A (see FIG. 12) of the screw member 510, the interlocking portion 600 abuts against the regulating member 980, and the movement of the interlocking portion 600 is regulated. Thereby, the separation of the interlocking portion 600 from the screw member 510 is suppressed. In addition, in the present embodiment, a groove 510D extending along the circumferential direction of the screw member 510 is formed on one end portion 510A and the outer peripheral surface of the screw member 510. In the present embodiment, for example, a retaining member (not shown) having an E-shaped or C-shaped cross section can be attached to the groove 510D. In the present embodiment, the movement of the interlocking portion 600 can also be restricted by this retaining member.

[0133] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another configuration example of the second binding processing device 52. Note that the main components of the second binding processing device 52 shown in FIG. 13 are the same as those of the second binding processing device 52 described above. In this configuration example shown in FIG. 12, the positional relationship among the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the screw member 510, and the female screw portion 610 is different from the above. Specifically, in this configuration example shown in FIG. 13, a screw member 510 and a female screw portion 610, which is an example of a load receiving portion, are provided between the left rod-shaped member 640L, which is the first object to be covered, and the right rod-shaped member 640R, which is the second object to be covered.

[0134] More specifically, in this configuration example, when the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the screw member 510, and the female screw portion 610 are projected toward the upstream side or the downstream side in the moving direction of the second binding tooth 72, the screw member 510 and the female screw portion 610 are positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. More specifically, assume a case where the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the screw member 510, and the female screw portion 610 are projected toward the upstream side or the downstream side in the moving direction of the second binding tooth 72 and toward a virtual plane H13 having a relationship orthogonal to the moving direction of the second binding tooth 72.

[0135] In this case, on this virtual plane H13, the screw member 510 and the female screw portion 610 are positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. Here, the statement "the threaded member 510 and the female threaded portion 610 are located between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R" does not limit to the state where all parts of the female threaded portion 610 and all parts of the threaded member 510 are located between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R, but also includes the state where a part of the female threaded portion 610 and a part of the threaded member 510 are located. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which all parts of the threaded member 510 and all parts of the female threaded portion 610 are located between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0136] Also, in this configuration example, when the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first stapling tooth 71, and the second stapling tooth 72 are projected toward the upstream side or the downstream side in the moving direction of the second stapling tooth 72, the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72 are located at a position deviated from between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. In this embodiment, two objects to be covered, namely the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R, are provided as the objects to be covered. However, in this configuration example, the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72 are located at a position deviated from between these two objects to be covered.

[0137] More specifically, assume a case where the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first stapling tooth 71, and the second stapling tooth 72 are projected toward the upstream side or the downstream side in the moving direction of the second stapling tooth 72 and toward the above-mentioned virtual plane H13 having a relationship perpendicular to the moving direction of the second stapling tooth 72. In this case, on this virtual plane H13, the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72 are located at a position deviated from between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0138] Furthermore, assume a case where the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first stapling tooth 71, and the second stapling tooth 72 are projected toward the upstream side or the downstream side in the moving direction of the second stapling tooth 72. In this case, the first clamping tooth 71 and the second clamping tooth 72 are located on the right side of the left rod-shaped member 640L with respect to the right rod-shaped member 640R and on the left side of the right rod-shaped member 640R with respect to the left rod-shaped member 640L. In other words, on the virtual plane H13 described above, the first clamping tooth 71 and the second clamping tooth 72 are located on the right side of the left rod-shaped member 640L with respect to the right rod-shaped member 640R and on the left side of the right rod-shaped member 640R with respect to the left rod-shaped member 640L.

[0139] Also, assume a case where the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first clamping tooth 71, the second clamping tooth 72, and the female screw portion 610 are projected toward the upstream side or the downstream side in the moving direction of the second clamping tooth 72. In this case, in the present embodiment, the female screw portion 610 is located on the side where the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R are provided, rather than the first clamping tooth 71 and the second clamping tooth 72. In other words, on the virtual plane H13, the female screw portion 610 is located on the side where the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R are provided, rather than the first clamping tooth 71 and the second clamping tooth 72.

[0140] Also, assume a case where the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the screw member 510, and the female screw portion 610 are projected toward the upstream side or the downstream side in the moving direction of the second clamping tooth 72. In this case, in the present embodiment, the screw member 510 and the female screw portion 610, which is an example of the load receiving portion, are located between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. In other words, on the virtual plane H13, the screw member 510 and the female screw portion 610 are located between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. In other words, on the virtual plane H13, the screw member 510 and the female screw portion 610 are located within a region sandwiched between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0141] Also, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 13, a first elastic member 391 for separating the stack of sheets T (not shown in FIG. 13) after the binding process from the first binding teeth 71 is attached to the lower support member 700. Further, in the present embodiment, a second elastic member 392 for separating the stack of sheets T after the binding process from the second binding teeth 72 is attached to the upper support member 630.

[0142] In the present embodiment, when binding is performed on the stack of sheets T, the first elastic member 391 and the second elastic member 392 are sandwiched and compressed by the upper support member 630 and the lower support member 700. Also, in the present embodiment, when the binding of the stack of sheets T is completed and the second binding teeth 72 retract from the first binding teeth 71, the compressed first elastic member 391 and second elastic member 392 are restored. As a result, the stack of sheets T is pressed by the first elastic member 391 and the second elastic member 392, and the stack of sheets T is separated from the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72. Although not described above, the first elastic member 391 and the second elastic member 392 are similarly provided also in the second binding processing device 52 shown in FIGS. 4 to 11.

[0143] FIGS. 14(A) and (B) are perspective views of the upper support member 630 provided in the second binding processing device 52 shown in FIG. 13. Note that FIG. 14(A) is a perspective view when the upper support member 630 is viewed from above, and FIG. 14(B) is a perspective view when the upper support member 630 is viewed from below. The upper support member 630 supports the second binding teeth 72 (not shown in FIG. 14), which is an example of the second teeth as described above. In the present embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 are fixed by press-fitting to the portion indicated by reference numeral 14A in FIG. 14(B) of the upper support member 630.

[0144] The upper support member 630 is constituted by a metal block (hereinafter referred to as "second metal block 862"). Note that the upper support member 630 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 11 described above is also constituted by a metal block. The second metal block 862 is composed of a sintered body of metal, and the hardness of the second metal block 862 is high. In addition, the second metal block 862 may be formed by casting or forging. When the second metal block 862 is composed of a sintered body of metal or formed by casting or forging, the hardness of the second metal block 862 increases.

[0145] The interlocking portion 600 (see FIG. 13) is composed of a combination of a plurality of members. In the present embodiment, the member to which the second locking tooth 72 among the interlocking portions 600 is attached is composed of the second metal block 862. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a hole 862A for a moving member is provided in the second metal block 862. In the present embodiment, the above-described screw member 510, which is an example of a moving member, is passed through the hole 862A for a moving member. In other words, in the present embodiment, the above-described screw member 510, which is an example of a moving member used to move the second metal block 862 toward the first metal block 861 (described later), is passed through the hole 862A for a moving member.

[0146] Also, as shown in FIG. 14, two through holes 633 are formed in the second metal block 862. Here, the through hole 633 is an example of a guiding hole. In the present embodiment, the above-described rod-shaped member 640, which is an example of a guiding member used for guiding the second metal block 862 moving toward the first metal block 861, is inserted into the through hole 633. In this configuration example, a hole 862A for a moving member is provided between the two through holes 633.

[0147] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the lower support member 700. The lower support member 700 supports the first locking tooth 71 (not shown in FIG. 15), which is an example of the first tooth. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first locking tooth 71 is fixed by press-fitting to the portion indicated by reference numeral 15A. The lower support member 700 is also composed of a metal block (hereinafter referred to as "the first metal block 861"). Note that the lower support member 700 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 11 above is also composed of a metal block.

[0148] The first metal block 861 is composed of a sintered metal body, and the hardness of the first metal block 861 is high. In addition, the first metal block 861 may be formed by casting or forging. When the first metal block 861 is composed of a sintered metal body or formed by casting or forging, the hardness of the first metal block 861 increases. In this specification, the "metal block" does not refer to sheet metal or bent sheet metal, but refers to a mass of metal formed by any one of casting, forging, and sintering.

[0149] This lower support member 700 as an example of the support member has one surface 700A and the other surface 700B. In other words, the first metal block 861 has one surface 700A and the other surface 700B. The first binding tooth 71 is attached to the side of this one surface 700A of the lower support member 700.

[0150] In addition, the lower support member 700 is provided with a through hole 700C that extends from the other surface 700B toward the one surface 700A. The screw member 510 (see FIG. 13) is passed through this through hole 700C. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a cylindrical bearing 970 is disposed in the through hole 700C. In this embodiment, the portion of the screw member 510 that is located within the through hole 700C is supported by this bearing 970.

[0151] The through hole 700C (see FIG. 15) can also be regarded as a hole for the moving member, and the lower support member 700 is also provided with a hole for the moving member through which the screw member 510, which is an example of the moving member, is passed. Further, the lower support member 700 is provided with two guide holes 700D into which the above-described rod-shaped member 640, which is a guide member used for guiding the second metal block 862 that moves toward the first metal block 861, is inserted. In the present embodiment, the hole portion 91 shown in FIG. 5 is realized by this guide hole 700D. In the present embodiment, a through hole 700C, which is an example of a hole for a moving member, is provided between the two guide holes 700D.

[0152] The interlocking portion 600 shown in FIG. 13 is provided on one surface 700A side of the lower support member 700 shown in FIG. 15. In the present embodiment, when the screw member 510 (FIG. 13) rotates in the circumferential direction, the interlocking portion 600 approaches one surface 700A (see FIG. 15) of the lower support member 700. As a result, the second binding tooth 72 attached to the interlocking portion 600 approaches the first binding tooth 71 attached to this one surface 700A side.

[0153] Also, in this configuration example shown in FIG. 13, similarly to the above, a large-diameter gear 520 that is connected to the screw member 510 and receives the driving force transmitted to the screw member 510 is provided. This large-diameter gear 520 is provided on the side opposite to the installation side of the interlocking portion 600 with the lower support member 700 interposed therebetween.

[0154] FIG. 16 is a perspective view when the second binding processing device 52 is viewed from below, and shows the state of the second binding processing device 52 with the large-diameter gear 520 removed. In the present embodiment, a bearing BR is provided between the lower support member 700 and the large-diameter gear 520 (see FIG. 13). More specifically, in the present embodiment, as the bearing BR, a thrust bearing in which columnar rotating bodies are arranged radially is provided.

[0155] In this embodiment, when the second stapling tooth 72 is pressed against the stack of sheets T, the large-diameter gear 520 is pressed against the other surface 700B of the lower support member 700, making it difficult for the large-diameter gear 520 to rotate. On the other hand, when the bearing BR is provided as in this embodiment, the large-diameter gear 520 rotates more easily than when the bearing BR is not provided.

[0156] In this embodiment, the hardness of the second metal block 862 (see FIG. 14) that constitutes the upper support member 630 is different from the hardness of the first metal block 861 (see FIG. 15) that constitutes the lower support member 700. In this embodiment, the hardness of the second metal block 862 is greater than the hardness of the first metal block 861.

[0157] In other words, in this embodiment, among the interlocking portions 600, the hardness of the second metal block 862, which is the member to which the second stapling tooth 72 is attached, is greater than the hardness of the first metal block 861, which is the member to which the first stapling tooth 71 is attached. More specifically, in this embodiment, the second metal block 862 is quenched, while the first metal block 861 is not quenched, and the hardness of the second metal block 862 is greater than the hardness of the first metal block 861.

[0158] In this embodiment, the first metal block 861 and the second metal block 862 are formed of SUS-based metal. Note that the first metal block 861 and the second metal block 862 may be formed of other metals other than SUS-based metal. Also, in this embodiment, the hardness of the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72 is the greatest. Next, the hardness of the second metal block 862 is large, and then the hardness of the first metal block 861 is large.

[0159] Also, in this embodiment, the volume of the first metal block 861 is different from the volume of the second metal block 862. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the volume of the second metal block 862 is smaller than the volume of the first metal block 861. In other words, in the present embodiment, the volume of the first metal block 861, which is the member to which the first locking tooth 71 is attached, is larger than the volume of the second metal block 862, which is the member to which the second locking tooth 72 is attached, among the interlocking portions 600.

[0160] In the present embodiment, when the second locking tooth 72 moves toward the first locking tooth 71, the first locking tooth 71 is in a stationary state without moving. In the present embodiment, the stationary first locking tooth 71 and the first metal block 861 that supports the first locking tooth 71 receive the load from the second locking tooth 72. In the present embodiment, the volume of the first metal block 861, which is the metal block that receives this load, is larger than the volume of the second metal block 862 that moves.

[0161] Also, in the present embodiment, when comparing the thicknesses in the axial direction of the screw member 510, as shown in FIG. 13, the thickness T1 of the first metal block 861 is larger than the thickness T2 of the second metal block 862. In the present embodiment, as described above, the first locking tooth 71 is arranged in a stationary state without moving, and the first locking tooth 71 and the first metal block 861 receive the load from the second locking tooth 72. In the present embodiment, the thickness T1 of the first metal block 861, which is the metal block that receives this load, is larger than the thickness T2 of the second metal block 862 that moves.

[0162] In the present embodiment, a rod-shaped member 640 guided by the first metal block 861 is attached to the second metal block 862 shown in FIG. 14. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the rod-shaped member 640, which is an example of the guided member, is fixed to the second metal block 862 in a state of being inserted into a through hole 633, which is an example of a hole provided in the second metal block 862. Further, in the present embodiment, the rod-shaped member 640 is guided by the inner surface of a guiding hole 700D which is an example of a hole provided in the first metal block 861 (see FIG. 15).

[0163] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the movement of the second metal block 862 with respect to the rod-shaped member 640 (see FIG. 13) enables the second metal block 862 to move in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the second locking tooth 72. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the direction indicated by the arrow 13X in FIG. 13 is the moving direction of the second locking tooth 72, and the second metal block 862 can move in the direction indicated by the arrow 13B which is a direction intersecting this moving direction. Specifically, as described above and as shown in FIG. 14, in the present embodiment, a through-hole 633 which is an example of a hole provided in the upper support member 630 is an elongated hole. Thereby, the second metal block 862 can move in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the second locking tooth 72.

[0164] FIG. 17 is a view when looking at the through-hole 633 and the rod-shaped member 640 inserted into this through-hole 633 from the direction indicated by the arrow XVII in FIG. 14. In the present embodiment, a flat surface 640H is provided on the portion of the rod-shaped member 640 facing the second metal block 862. Specifically, the flat surface 640H is provided on the portion of the rod-shaped member 640 facing the inner surface of the through-hole 633.

[0165] Also, in the present embodiment, a flat surface 862H along this flat surface 640H is provided on the portion of the second metal block 862 facing the above flat surface 640H. More specifically, in the present embodiment, a flat surface 862H facing the flat surface 640H provided on the rod-shaped member 640 is provided on the inner surface of the through-hole 633 formed as an elongated hole. In this embodiment, the plane 640H provided on the rod-shaped member 640 and the plane 862H provided on the second metal block 862 are along a direction intersecting (orthogonal) to the direction from one end portion 631 (see FIG. 14(A)) to the other end portion 634 of the second metal block 862.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 14(A), the second metal block 862 has one end portion 631 and the other end portion 634 whose positions in the depth direction of the second binding device 52 are different from each other. In this embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 (see FIG. 13) are attached to this one end portion 631 of the second metal block 862. And in this embodiment, the plane 640H provided on the rod-shaped member 640 and the plane 862H provided on the second metal block 862 are along a direction intersecting the direction from this one end portion 631 to the other end portion 634.

[0167] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17. In this embodiment, when the second binding teeth 72 provided on the second metal block 862 are pressed against the paper bundle T, a reaction force acts on the second binding teeth 72, and one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630 is pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow 18A. In this case, when the planes 640H and 862H extending along the above-described intersecting direction face each other as in this embodiment, these planes come into contact with each other. Thereby, the deformation of the upper support member 630 is suppressed by the rod-shaped member 640. In this case, compared with a configuration in which no plane is provided and the upper support member 630 is likely to be deformed, the load acting on the paper bundle T from the second binding teeth 72 becomes larger.

[0168] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the second binding device 52. Note that FIG. 19 shows a state when the second binding device 52 is viewed from above. In this configuration example, as in the above, two rod-shaped members 640, i.e., a left rod-shaped member 640L and a right rod-shaped member 640R, are provided as the guided portions provided on the interlocking portion 600.

[0169] Also, in this configuration example, when the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first binding tooth 71, and the second binding tooth 72 are projected toward the upstream side or the downstream side in the moving direction of the second binding tooth 72, the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. More specifically, assume a case where the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first binding tooth 71, and the second binding tooth 72 are projected onto the above virtual plane H13 (see FIG. 13). In this case, on this virtual plane H13, the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0170] Also, in this configuration example shown in FIG. 19, the screw member 510 and the female screw portion 610 are located at positions outside the space between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. Assume a case where the screw member 510, the female screw portion 610, the left rod-shaped member 640L, and the right rod-shaped member 640R are projected onto the above virtual plane H13. In this case, on this virtual plane H13, the screw member 510 and the female screw portion 610 are located at positions outside the space between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0171] As in this configuration example shown in FIG. 19, the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 may be positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. When the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R, binding cannot be performed at the binding positions in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B). Specifically, the paper bundle T interferes with the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R, and binding cannot be performed. However, even in this configuration example shown in FIG. 19, at the binding positions in FIGS. 3(C) and 3(D), this interference can be avoided, and binding to the paper bundle T can be performed.

[0172] In addition, in the present embodiment, the separation distance between the second stapling teeth 72 and the screw member 510, which is an example of the connecting member, is equal to or less than the size of the margin at the corner of the sheet P that constitutes the stack of sheets T to be stapled. Here, the screw member 510 of the present embodiment is connected to the interlocking portion 600 and also functions as a connecting member that applies a load for moving the second stapling teeth 72 to the interlocking portion 600. In the present embodiment, the separation distance between the second stapling teeth 72 and this screw member 510, which is an example of the connecting member, is equal to or less than the size of the margin at the corner of the sheet P.

[0173] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 20(A) (a view when looking at the second stapling device 52 etc. from above), in the present embodiment, when assuming a perpendicular bisector SL with respect to a line segment SB connecting one end 72A and the other end 72B of the second stapling teeth 72 along the longitudinal direction of the second stapling teeth 72, the screw member 510, which is an example of the connecting member, is located on this perpendicular bisector SL. In the present embodiment, the separation distance L51 between the second stapling teeth 72 and the screw member 510 on this perpendicular bisector SL is equal to or less than the size of the margin YH at the corner CP1 of the sheet P that constitutes the stack of sheets T.

[0174] The margin YH at the corner CP1 of the sheet P that constitutes the stack of sheets T refers to the portion located between the corner CP2 of the rectangular image forming region GR (the region inside the broken line 20A) where the image is formed on the sheet P and the corner CP1 of the sheet P. Also, the size of the margin YH at the corner CP1 of the sheet P that constitutes the stack of sheets T refers to the separation distance L52 between the corner CP2 of the rectangular image forming region GR and the corner CP1 of the sheet P. In the present embodiment, the separation distance L51 between the second stapling teeth 72 and the screw member 510 on the perpendicular bisector SL is equal to or less than the separation distance L52 between the corner CP2 of the image forming region GR and the corner CP1 of the sheet P.

[0175] Here, as shown in FIG. 20(B), assume a case where the separation distance L51 between the second binding teeth 72 and the screw member 510 is larger than the separation distance L52 between the corner CP2 of the image formation region GR and the corner CP1 of the sheet P. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20(B), the screw member 510 moves away from the corner CP1 of the sheet P, and accordingly, the entire second binding processing device 52 moves away from the sheet P. In this case, the larger the second binding processing device 52 moves away from the sheet P, the larger the size of the first post-processing device 40 (see FIG. 1) becomes. On the other hand, when the separation distance L51 between the second binding teeth 72 and the screw member 510 is equal to or less than the separation distance L52 between the corner CP2 of the image formation region GR and the corner CP1 of the sheet P, the second binding processing device 52 is arranged closer to the sheet P. In this case, the increase in the size of the first post-processing device 40 is suppressed.

[0176] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the second binding processing device 52. In the above description, the case where the second binding teeth 72 move along a linear movement path has been described, but the second binding teeth 72 may move along a movement path R21 having a curvature. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 21, the upper support member 630 is configured to rotate about the rotation center R. Further, in this configuration example, the screw member 510 is connected to the other end portion 634 of the upper support member 630, and the second binding teeth 72 are attached to one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630.

[0177] More specifically, in this configuration example, a load receiving member 620 is provided at the other end portion 634 of the upper support member 630, and the second binding teeth 72 are attached to one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630. The load receiving member 620 is provided with a female screw portion 610 in the same manner as described above. Further, the load receiving member 620 is rotatable with respect to the upper support member 630. Specifically, the load receiving member 620 is rotatable about a rotation axis 21R extending in a direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 21. Further, an elongated hole NH is provided in the upper support member 630. The rotation axis 21R, which is the center of rotation of the load receiving member 620, is inserted into this elongated hole NH and is capable of moving along this elongated hole NH. In other words, the load receiving member 620 is capable of moving along the elongated hole NH.

[0178] In this configuration example, when the screw member 510 rotates in the circumferential direction, the other end portion 634 of the upper support member 630 moves in the extending direction of the screw member 510, and accordingly, the second fastening tooth 72 moves forward and backward with respect to the first fastening tooth 71. Thus, also in this configuration example, fastening can be performed using the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72. Even when a straight screw member 510 is used, the second fastening tooth 72 may move along a moving path R21 having a curvature as shown in FIG. 21 instead of moving along a linear moving path.

[0179] Also, in this configuration example shown in FIG. 21, a guiding portion for guiding the interlocking portion 600 interlocking with the second fastening tooth 72 is provided. Also, in this configuration example, a guided portion provided on the interlocking portion 600 and guided by the guiding portion is provided. Specifically, also in this configuration example, a hole portion 91 is provided as the guiding portion. Also, as the guided portion, a rod-shaped member 640 extending along the moving direction (moving path) of the interlocking portion 600 and contacting the inner surface of the hole portion 91 is provided.

[0180] In this configuration example, the rod-shaped member 640 is provided on the second fastening tooth 72 side and the hole portion 91 is provided on the first fastening tooth 71 side. However, similar to the above, a configuration may be adopted in which the hole portion 91 is provided on the second fastening tooth 72 side and the rod-shaped member 640 is provided on the first fastening tooth 71 side. Also, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 21, similar to the above, the upper support member 630 is formed of the second metal block 862, and the lower support member 700 is formed of the first metal block 861.

[0181] Another configuration example will be further described. In the above description, an example was given of a configuration in which the screw member 510 is connected to the second fastening tooth 72 side and the second fastening tooth 72 moves. However, the screw member 510 may be connected to the first fastening tooth 71 side and the first fastening tooth 71 may move. Also, a screw member 510 may be provided corresponding to each of the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72, and the fastening process may be performed by moving both the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72.

[0182] Also, when moving both the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72, a common single screw member 510 may be connected to the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72. In this case, this single screw member 510 is rotated to bring the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72 closer and farther apart. When using a single screw member 510, a first screw portion with a screw groove facing in the clockwise direction and a second screw portion with a screw groove facing in the counterclockwise direction are provided on this single screw member 510. And in this case, for example, the first fastening tooth 71 is moved using the first screw portion, and the second fastening tooth 72 is moved using the second screw portion.

[0183] FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second fastening device 52 at the installation location of the rod-shaped member 640 (left rod-shaped member 640L), and is a longitudinal sectional view in a state where a stack of sheets T (not shown) is being pressed by the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72. In the present embodiment, on each of the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72, the convex portions are arranged side by side in one direction (see FIGS. 4 and 5). In FIG. 22, this one direction is a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 22, and on each of the first fastening tooth 71 and the second fastening tooth 72, the convex portions are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 22.

[0184] In the following description, a crossing direction that is a direction crossing this one direction, which is the arrangement direction of the convex portions, is assumed. In this embodiment, the installation position of the load receiving portion in this intersecting direction is different from the installation positions of the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72 in this intersecting direction. In this embodiment, the load receiving portion refers to a portion that receives a load for the movement of the second stapling teeth 72 among the portions interlocked with the second stapling teeth 72. More specifically, in this embodiment, a load receiving member 620 (see FIG. 4), which is an example of the load receiving portion, is provided, and the installation position of this load receiving member 620 is different from the installation positions of the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72.

[0185] When the installation position of the load receiving portion is different from the installation positions of the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72, when the paper bundle T is being pressed by the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72, the second stapling teeth 72 receive a reaction force from the paper bundle T (not shown in FIG. 22), and as shown by the arrow 22A in FIG. 22, the upper support member 630 tends to rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Also, in this case, the rod-shaped member 640 also tends to rotate in the counterclockwise direction about the rotation center 640X.

[0186] In this embodiment, when the rod-shaped member 640 tends to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, accordingly, at the locations indicated by reference numerals 22E and 22F in FIG. 22, an outer peripheral surface 640G, which is an example of the outer surface of the rod-shaped member 640, is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91. Note that in this embodiment, for the hole portion 91, the rod-shaped member 640, the first stapling teeth 71, and the second stapling teeth 72 as well, the installation position of the hole portion 91 and the rod-shaped member 640 in the intersecting direction is different from the installation positions of the first stapling teeth 71 and the second stapling teeth 72 in the intersecting direction.

[0187] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the second stapling device 52 taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22. In other words, FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the second stapling device 52 at the location where the outer peripheral surface 640G of the rod-shaped member 640 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91. Also, FIG. 23 shows the state of the second stapling device 52 in a virtual plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the rod-shaped member 640. Note that in FIG. 23, the first binding tooth 71, the second binding tooth 72, and the screw member 510 are also shown together.

[0188] In this embodiment, a hole portion 91 is provided, and a rod-shaped member 640 is inserted into the hole portion 91. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 640G of the rod-shaped member 640 is guided by the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the rod-shaped member 640 is smaller than the inner diameter of the hole portion 91, and a gap GX exists between the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 and the outer peripheral surface 640G of the rod-shaped member 640.

[0189] In this embodiment, as described above, when the paper bundle T is pressed by the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, the outer peripheral surface 640G of the rod-shaped member 640 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 as shown by the arrow 23A in FIG. 23. In this case, even if the rod-shaped member 640 attempts to move in the direction indicated by the arrow 23X in the figure, this movement is restricted. In other words, in this case, even if the rod-shaped member 640 attempts to move in the above-mentioned one direction, which is the arrangement direction of the convex portions 79 provided on the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, this movement is restricted.

[0190] In this embodiment, the rod-shaped member 640 is pressed against the groove portion V1 formed by the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91, and the movement in the above-mentioned one direction is restricted. In this embodiment, even if the rod-shaped member 640 attempts to move in the above-mentioned one direction, the inner peripheral surface 91A is located on the downstream side in this one direction, and this movement is restricted. In other words, in this embodiment, the movement of the rod-shaped member 640 in the longitudinal direction of the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is restricted. Thereby, in this embodiment, the movement of the second binding tooth 72 in the longitudinal direction of the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is restricted, and thereby, it becomes difficult for defects such as poor binding of the paper bundle T to occur.

[0191] In this embodiment, when the stack of sheets T is pressed by the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72, as shown in FIG. 24 (a view of a part of the first stapling tooth 71 and a part of the second stapling tooth 72 as seen from the front), breakage may occur in the stack of sheets T. In this case, the reaction force acting on the second stapling tooth 72 decreases, and the second stapling tooth 72 may move toward the side where this breakage has occurred. In this case, when the configuration is such that the movement of the second stapling tooth 72 is restricted as in this embodiment, the movement of the second stapling tooth 72 due to this breakage in the stack of sheets T is restricted. In this case, a decrease in the quality of stapling due to the movement of the second stapling tooth 72 can be suppressed.

[0192] In FIG. 23, the direction indicated by the arrow 23X is one direction that is the arrangement direction of the convex portions 79 provided on each of the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72. Also, the direction indicated by the arrow 23Y is an intersecting direction that intersects this one direction. In this embodiment, a portion 91J facing this intersecting direction exists on a part of the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91. In this embodiment, a surface 91K having a curvature and bulging in a direction away from the axis 91M of the hole portion 91 is provided on the portion 91J facing this intersecting direction.

[0193] This bulging surface 91K may be provided not only over the entire region of the portion 91J facing the intersecting direction but also in part. In other words, this bulging surface 91K may be provided not only over the entire axial direction of the hole portion 91 but also in part of the axial direction of this hole portion 91. More specifically, for example, as in the portions indicated by reference numerals 22E and 22F in FIG. 22, it may be provided only at the location where the outer peripheral surface 640G of the rod-shaped member 640 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91.

[0194] Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, a portion 640J facing the intersecting direction also exists on the outer peripheral surface 640G of the rod-shaped member 640. In this embodiment, on the portion 640J of the rod-shaped member 640 facing the intersection direction, which faces the bulging surface 91K described above, a surface 640K having a curvature and bulging in a direction away from the axis 640M of the rod-shaped member 640 is provided.

[0195] Similar to the above, this bulging surface 640K may be provided not only over the entire portion 640J facing the intersection direction but also partially. In other words, this bulging surface 640K may be provided not only over the entire axial direction of the rod-shaped member 640 but also partially in the axial direction of the rod-shaped member 640. More specifically, the bulging surface 640K may be provided only at the portion of the rod-shaped member 640 that is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91, such as the portions indicated by reference numerals 22E and 22F in FIG. 22.

[0196] In this embodiment, when the paper bundle T is sandwiched between the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72, the two provided bulging surfaces 91K and 640K face each other. Further, the bulging surface 640K provided on the rod-shaped member 640 enters the valley portion V1 formed by the bulging surface 91K provided as a part of the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91. Thereby, in this embodiment, as described above, the movement of the rod-shaped member 640 and the second binding teeth 72 is restricted, and a decrease in the quality of binding of the paper bundle T is suppressed. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the rod-shaped member 640 is smaller than the inner diameter of the hole portion 91, and the curvature of the bulging surface 640K provided on the rod-shaped member 640 is larger than the curvature of the bulging surface 91K provided on the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91.

[0197] Here, the restriction of the movement of the second binding teeth 72 can also be achieved, for example, by making the gap GX between the rod-shaped member 640 and the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 smaller. By the way, in this case, there is a possibility that it is necessary to further improve the dimensional accuracy of each part, or problems such as an increase in the sliding resistance between the rod-shaped member 640 and the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 may occur. In contrast, in the configuration of the present embodiment, while increasing the gap GX between the rod-shaped member 640 and the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole 91, when the paper bundle T is pressed by the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72, the movement of the second binding teeth 72 is restricted. In this case, it is possible to restrict the movement of the second binding teeth 72 while suppressing an increase in the sliding resistance or the like.

[0198] In restricting the movement of the second binding teeth 72, it is preferable to increase the pressing force of the rod-shaped member 640 against the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole 91. To increase this pressing force, it is preferable to adopt the forms shown in FIGS. 13 and 22 rather than the form shown in FIG. 6. That is, it is preferable to adopt a form in which the rod-shaped member 640 interlocks with the moving second binding teeth 72 rather than a form in which the rod-shaped member 640 does not interlock with the moving second binding teeth 72.

[0199] In the case of a form in which the rod-shaped member 640 interlocks with the moving second binding teeth 72, as shown in FIG. 22, a portion located at a position far from the rotation center 640X of the rod-shaped member 640 among the rod-shaped member 640, indicated by reference numeral 22F, is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole 91. In other words, in this case, the separation distance between the portion of the rod-shaped member 640 that is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 91A and the rotation center 640X of the rod-shaped member 640 can be made larger. In this case, compared with the case where this separation distance is small, the pressing force when the rod-shaped member 640 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 91A can be increased. As shown in FIG. 6, in a configuration where the rod-shaped member 640 does not interlock with the moving second binding teeth 72 and the rod-shaped member 640 guides the interlocking portion 600, it becomes difficult to adopt a configuration that increases the separation distance.

[0200] In the form shown in FIG. 23, the case where the cross-sectional shape of the hole 91 and the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped member 640 are circular is described as an example, but it is not limited to circular, and may be non-circular such as elliptical. Moreover, it is not essential that all portions of the hole portion 91 and the entire axial direction of the rod-shaped member 640 be circular or elliptical. As described above, only the portions where the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 and the outer peripheral surface 640G of the rod-shaped member 640 come into contact with each other and are pressed against each other may be circular or elliptical. In other words, it is not essential to provide the bulging surfaces 91K and 640K for the entire axial direction of the hole portion 91 and the rod-shaped member 640. Instead, the bulging surfaces 91K and 640K may be provided only for the portions where the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 and the outer peripheral surface 640G of the rod-shaped member 640 come into contact with each other and are pressed against each other.

[0201] In this embodiment, as described above and as shown in FIG. 23, a cylindrical member 198 is provided. In FIG. 23, the hole portion 91 is the space inside the cylindrical member 198. Also, the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 is the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 198. In this embodiment, grease is not applied to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 198. If the configuration is such that grease is applied, when the grease solidifies, the solidified grease may adhere to the groove portion V1, preventing the rod-shaped member 640 from entering the groove portion V1.

[0202] With a configuration where grease is not adhered as in this embodiment, the adhesion of solidified grease to the groove portion V1 is suppressed, and the rod-shaped member 640 can enter the groove portion V1 more reliably. Also, if the configuration is such that grease is applied, when the grease solidifies, the rod-shaped member 640 may be inclined under the influence of the solidified grease. If the rod-shaped member 640 is inclined, the positional relationship between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 may change, possibly leading to a decrease in the binding process performance. On the other hand, with a configuration where grease is not adhered, an unintended inclination of the rod-shaped member 640 is less likely to occur, suppressing a decrease in the binding process performance.

[0203] Further, in the present embodiment, at least the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 198 is subjected to Teflon (registered trademark) processing. In the present embodiment, due to this Teflon processing, the sliding between the cylindrical member 198 and the rod-shaped member 640 is likely to occur. In other words, in the present embodiment, a surface coating using polytetrafluoroethylene is performed on at least the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 198, and due to this surface coating, the sliding between the cylindrical member 198 and the rod-shaped member 640 is likely to occur. As described above, instead of installing the cylindrical member 198, the hole portion 91 may be directly provided in the lower support member 700. Further, Teflon processing may be performed on the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 directly provided in the lower support member 700 (see FIG. 15).

[0204] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the size of the gap GX in the above-described one direction (the arrangement direction of the convex portions 79 provided on the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72) is smaller than the thickness of the recording material bundle T having the maximum number of sheets that can be bound by the second binding processing device 52. Here, the "maximum number of sheets" does not refer to the maximum number of sheets that can actually be processed by the second binding processing device 52, but refers to the rated value described in the manual or manual. In addition, the "size of the gap GX in one direction" refers to the size of the gap GX between the outer peripheral surface 640G of the rod-shaped member 640 and the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91 when the rod-shaped member 640 is arranged in a state where the axis 640M of the rod-shaped member 640 and the axis 91M of the hole portion 91 coincide, as shown in FIG. 25 (cross-sectional view of the second binding processing device 52).

[0205] More specifically, the "size of the gap GX in one direction" refers to the size of the gap GX on the straight line L passing through the axis 640M of the rod-shaped member 640 and extending along the above-described one direction. More specifically, the "size of the gap GX in one direction" refers to the size of the gap GX when the sizes of the gaps GX generated on both sides of the rod-shaped member 640 are added together. In the present embodiment, the size of the gap GX when the axis 640M of the rod-shaped member 640 coincides with the axis 91M of the hole 91, and the size of the gap GX when the sizes of the gaps GX generated on both sides of the rod-shaped member 640 on the straight line L are added together is smaller than the thickness of the recording material bundle T of the maximum number of sheets.

[0206] In the present embodiment, in the recording material bundle T of the maximum number of sheets, as shown in FIG. 24, when the paper bundle T breaks, the second binding tooth 72 is likely to move greatly. In this case, as in the present embodiment, if the size of the gap GX in one direction is smaller than the thickness of the recording material bundle T of the maximum number of sheets, even if the second binding tooth 72 tries to move due to the breakage of the paper bundle T, this movement of the second binding tooth 72 is likely to be restricted. In this case, for example, the situation where the second binding tooth 72 comes into contact with the first binding tooth 71 is less likely to occur, and a significant decrease in the quality of binding is suppressed.

[0207] An example of a preferred form regarding the dimensions of each part, etc. is as follows. When the arrangement interval (pitch) of the convex portions 79 of the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is "1.0 to 3.0 mm", · Outer diameter of the rod-shaped member 640: 10 to 20 mm · Inner diameter of the hole 91: 10.03 to 20.2 mm · "Size of the gap GX in one direction (size of the gap GX when the sizes of the gaps GX generated on both sides of the rod-shaped member 640 on the straight line L are added together)": 0.03 to 0.2 m

[0208] Also, each configuration described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and can be changed without departing from the gist. In other words, it is understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the gist and scope of the claims. For example, a part of each configuration described above may be omitted, or other functions may be added to each configuration described above. In addition, although a plurality of embodiments have been described above, the configurations included in one embodiment may be interchanged with those included in another embodiment, or the configurations included in one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

Explanation of Signs

[0209] 1... Image forming system, 2... Image forming apparatus, 3... Paper processing apparatus, 71... First stapling tooth, 72... Second stapling tooth, 72A... One end, 72B... The other end, 90... Guide portion, 91... Hole portion, 510... Screw member, 520... Large-diameter gear, 620... Load receiving member, 631... One end portion, 633... Through hole, 634... The other end portion, 640... Rod-shaped member, 640H... Plane, 640L... Left rod-shaped member, 640R... Right rod-shaped member, 700... Lower support member, 700C... Through hole, 700D... Guide hole, 861... First metal block, 862... Second metal block, 862A... Hole for moving member, 862H... Plane, 980... Regulation member, BR... Bearing, P... Paper, SL... Vertical bisector, T... Paper bundle

Claims

1. a first tooth used for binding a bundle of recording materials, a second tooth that moves toward the first tooth and presses the bundle of recording materials positioned between the first tooth and the second tooth, a guide portion that guides the movement of an interlocking portion interlocked with the second tooth, a guided portion provided on the interlocking portion and guided by the guide portion, characterized by comprising: the guided portion is constituted by a hole, and the guide portion is constituted by a rod-shaped portion that contacts the inner surface of the hole when the interlocking portion moves, a recording material processing apparatus configured to restrict relative movement of the guided portion in a direction in which the convex portions of the first tooth and the second tooth of the guide portion are aligned when the bundle of recording materials is pressed by the first tooth and the second tooth.

2. In the first tooth and the second tooth, the convex portions are arranged side by side in one direction, The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a direction intersecting the one direction, there is a gap between the hole and the rod-shaped portion, and the size of the gap allows the rod-shaped portion and the hole to relatively move between non-contact and contact.

3. In the first tooth and the second tooth, the convex portions are arranged side by side in one direction, a gap is provided between the hole and the rod-shaped portion, The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the gap in the one direction is smaller than the thickness of the thickest bundle of recording materials that can be bound by the recording material processing apparatus.

4. In the first tooth and the second tooth, the convex portions are arranged side by side in one direction, The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the bundle of recording materials is pressed by the first tooth and the second tooth, the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the hole in a direction intersecting the one direction.

5. In the first tooth and the second tooth, the convex portions are arranged side by side in one direction, when a load is applied to a load receiving portion of the interlocking portion, the second tooth moves toward the first tooth, The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the installation position of the load receiving portion in a direction intersecting the one direction, which is the direction in which the convex portions are arranged, is different from the installation positions of the first tooth and the second tooth in the intersecting direction.

6. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the portion of the inner surface of the hole facing the intersecting direction is provided with a surface having a curvature.

7. The surface having a curvature is a surface that bulges in a direction away from the axis of the hole. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least a part of the outer surface of the rod-shaped portion facing the intersection direction and facing the bulging surface is provided with a surface having a curvature and bulging in a direction away from the axis of the rod-shaped portion.

8. An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, and a recording material processing apparatus that performs a binding process on a bundle of recording materials formed by a plurality of recording materials on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is configured by the recording material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images