Saddle-stitched binding apparatus and control method for saddle-stitched binding apparatus

Abstract

To properly bind a center position in a width direction of a sheet bundle.SOLUTION: A saddle binding mechanism 10 includes: a transport section 11; a stitcher 12 that staples a sheet bundle B at a predetermined binding position Pb in a transport direction TD; a pair of guide members 13 that regulate a position of the sheet bundle B in a width direction WD; and a guide moving section 13A that moves the pair of guide members 13 in the width direction WD. The transport section 11 is arranged in a region PA2 in the width direction WD where the sheet bundle B transported from a collator is arranged. The control unit controls the guide moving section 13A so that the stitcher 12 is arranged in a middle position of the width direction WD of the pair of guide members 13. The stitcher 12 is arranged in the middle position, and in a state where the stitcher 12 is arranged at a position different from a predetermined area PA1 where the transport section 11 is arranged, a saddle binding apparatus is provided that controls the stitcher 12 to staple the sheet bundle B at the predetermined binding position Pb.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle stitching and folding device and a control method for the saddle stitching and folding device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a saddle stitching and folding device is known that uses a stitcher to wire stitch the center of a sheet bundle conveyed from a collating machine in the conveying direction, and then folds the center of the wire-stitched stitcher in half to create a booklet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses that the sheet bundle conveyed from the collating machine is conveyed by a conveyor belt, and the sheet bundle is stopped at a predetermined position and wire-stitched by a stitcher. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-279799 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order for a saddle stitching and folding device to properly transport and saddle stitch various sizes of paper bundles delivered from a collating machine, it is preferable to position the conveyor belt so that it can transport the smallest acceptable size of paper bundle in the width direction perpendicular to the paper bundle transport direction. For example, if various sizes of paper bundles are delivered from the collating machine so that their center positions coincide with a predetermined position in the width direction, it is preferable to position the conveyor belt at a predetermined position in the width direction. In this case, the position where the conveyor belt is positioned coincides with the center position of the paper bundle in the width direction.

[0005] On the other hand, in a saddle stitching device, it is sometimes desired to stitch the spine of a booklet created by folding a stack of sheets with wire at one location in the center or at multiple locations (e.g., three locations) including the center. In this case, the saddle stitching device needs to stitch the center position of the width direction of the stack of sheets using a stitcher. However, if the position where the conveyor belt is positioned is to coincide with the center position of the width direction of the stack of sheets, the presence of the conveyor belt makes it impossible to stitch the center position of the width direction of the stack of sheets using the stitcher.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a saddle stitching and folding device and a control method for a saddle stitching and folding device that can transport paper stacks of various sizes while properly binding the center position in the width direction of the paper stack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A saddle stitching and folding device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a saddle stitching mechanism that stitches a sheet bundle transported from an upstream device along a transport direction at a predetermined stitching position in the transport direction, a folding mechanism that folds the sheet bundle that has been stitched at the predetermined stitching position by the saddle stitching mechanism at the predetermined stitching position, and a control unit that controls the saddle stitching and folding device, wherein the saddle stitching mechanism is formed to extend along the transport direction and is arranged in a predetermined region in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and includes a transport unit that transports the sheet bundle transported from the upstream side in the transport direction in the transport direction, a stitcher that stitches the sheet bundle at the predetermined stitching position in the transport direction, and a controller that is arranged at an interval in the width direction to sandwich the transport unit. The apparatus has a pair of guide members that regulate the widthwise position of the stack of paper sheets placed in the conveying section, and a guide moving section that moves the pair of guide members in the widthwise direction relative to the conveying section and the stitcher, and the conveying section is placed in the widthwise area where the stack of paper sheets transported from the upstream device is placed, and the control section controls the guide moving section so that the stitcher is placed at a midpoint in the widthwise direction between the pair of guide members, and controls the stitcher to staple the stack of paper sheets at the predetermined staple position when the stitcher is placed at the midpoint and at a position different from the predetermined area where the conveying section is placed.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a saddle stitching and folding device can create a booklet by binding a stack of sheets of paper transported from an upstream device along the transport direction at a predetermined binding position using a saddle stitching mechanism and folding the stack at a predetermined binding position using a folding mechanism. Furthermore, because the widthwise area in which the stack of sheets of paper transported from the upstream device is arranged includes the predetermined area in which the transport unit is arranged, it is possible to transport stacks of paper of various sizes.

[0009] Furthermore, the stitcher is arranged at a widthwise intermediate position of the pair of guide members, and the stitcher is arranged at a position different from the predetermined area where the conveying unit that conveys the paper stack is arranged, and the paper stack is stapled by the stitcher at a predetermined stapling position. Therefore, the center position in the widthwise direction of the paper stack can be properly stapled while preventing the stitcher from being arranged in the predetermined area where the conveying unit is arranged.

[0010] In one embodiment of the saddle-stitching folding device of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to control the guide movement unit so that the stitcher is positioned at the intermediate position when the stack of sheets is positioned between a pair of the guide members, and to control the stitcher so that the stack of sheets is stapled at the predetermined staple position when the stitcher is positioned at the intermediate position.

[0011] With this configuration of center-stitching and folding device, the stack of sheets transported from the upstream device is received between a pair of guide members, and then the pair of guide members are moved so that the stitcher is positioned at the midpoint between the pair of guide members, thereby allowing the stack of sheets to be properly stapled at the center position in the width direction.

[0012] The saddle-stitching and folding device having the above-described configuration may be provided with a movement mechanism that moves the saddle-stitching mechanism along the width direction, and the control unit may control the movement mechanism so that the center position in the width direction of the stack of paper sheets transported from the upstream device is positioned in the specified area.

[0013] According to this type of saddle stitching and folding device, the entire saddle stitching mechanism, including the conveying section, stitcher, and pair of guide members, can be moved widthwise by a moving mechanism, so that the center position in the widthwise direction of the stack of paper sheets conveyed from the upstream device can be positioned in a predetermined area.

[0014] In one aspect of the saddle stitching and folding device of the present invention, a moving mechanism is provided that moves the saddle stitching mechanism along the width direction, and the control unit controls the moving mechanism so that the stitcher is positioned at the center position in the width direction of the stack of paper sheets transported from the upstream device, and controls the stitcher so that the stack of paper sheets is stapled at the predetermined staple position while the stitcher is positioned at the intermediate position.

[0015] According to the center stitching and folding device having the above-described configuration, before the stack of sheets of paper transported from the upstream device is received between the pair of guide members, the pair of guide members are moved so that the stitcher is positioned at the midpoint between the pair of guide members, thereby making it possible to properly stitch the center position in the width direction of the stack of sheets of paper received between the pair of guide members.

[0016] In the saddle-stitching folding device having the above configuration, the control unit may control the guide movement unit so that the center position in the width direction of the stack of sheets of paper that has been stitched at the predetermined stitching position by the stitcher is included in the predetermined area, and may control the transport unit so that the stack of sheets of paper, with the center position positioned so that it is included in the predetermined area, is transported toward the folding mechanism.

[0017] According to this type of saddle stitching and folding device, the stack of sheets of paper that has been moved widthwise to be stapled by the stitcher can be returned to the widthwise position when it was brought in from the upstream device and then transported toward the folding mechanism.

[0018] In one embodiment of the saddle-stitching folding device of the present invention, the saddle-stitching mechanism may have a stitcher moving unit that moves the stitcher in the width direction relative to the conveying unit, and the control unit may be configured to control the stitcher moving unit so that the stitcher is positioned at a position different from the specified area where the conveying unit is positioned.

[0019] According to the center-stitching folding device having the above-described configuration, the stitcher can be positioned at a position different from the designated area where the conveying unit is located by the stitcher moving unit, thereby appropriately preventing the stitcher from being positioned in the designated area where the conveying unit is located.

[0020] In a method for controlling a saddle stitching and folding device according to one aspect of the present invention, the saddle stitching and folding device includes a saddle stitching mechanism that binds a sheet bundle transported from an upstream device along a transport direction at a predetermined binding position in the transport direction, and a folding mechanism that folds the sheet bundle that has been bound at the predetermined binding position by the saddle stitching mechanism at the predetermined binding position, wherein the saddle stitching mechanism is formed to extend along the transport direction and is arranged in a predetermined region in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and includes a transport unit that transports the sheet bundle transported from the upstream side in the transport direction in the transport direction, a stitcher that stitches the sheet bundle at the predetermined binding position in the transport direction, and two folding mechanisms that are arranged at intervals in the width direction to sandwich the transport unit. the sheet stack transported from the upstream device is disposed at a central position between the pair of guide members in the width direction; and a guide movement unit that moves the pair of guide members in the width direction relative to the transport unit and the stitcher. The sheet stack transported from the upstream device is disposed at a central position between the pair of guide members in the width direction, and the stitcher is controlled by a first control step; and a second control step that controls the stitcher to staple the sheet stack at the predetermined stapling position while the stitcher is disposed at the central position and at a position different from the predetermined area where the transport unit is disposed.

[0021] According to a method for controlling a saddle stitching and folding device according to one aspect of the present invention, a booklet can be created by binding a stack of sheets of paper transported from an upstream device along the transport direction at a predetermined binding position using a saddle stitching mechanism and folding the stack of sheets of paper at a predetermined binding position using a folding mechanism. Furthermore, since the widthwise area in which the stack of sheets of paper transported from the upstream device is arranged includes the predetermined area in which the transport unit is arranged, stacks of sheets of various sizes can be transported.

[0022] Furthermore, the stitcher is arranged at a widthwise intermediate position of the pair of guide members, and the stitcher is arranged at a position different from the predetermined area where the conveying unit that conveys the paper stack is arranged, and the paper stack is stapled by the stitcher at a predetermined stapling position. Therefore, the center position in the widthwise direction of the paper stack can be properly stapled while preventing the stitcher from being arranged in the predetermined area where the conveying unit is arranged. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a saddle stitching and folding device and a control method for a saddle stitching and folding device that can properly bind the center position in the width direction of the paper stack while enabling the transport of paper stacks of various sizes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view showing a bookbinding system in which a collating machine, a saddle stitching and folding device, and a cutting machine are connected. [Figure 2] 1 is an internal structural view showing a schematic configuration of a saddle-stitching and folding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a saddle stitching mechanism of the saddle stitching and folding device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the saddle-stitching folding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 4 is a plan view of the saddle stitching mechanism shown in FIG. 3 as seen from above. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a saddle-stitched sheet bundle created by a saddle-stitching and folding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the saddle-stitching folding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a plan view of the saddle stitching mechanism seen from above, showing a state in which the leading edge of a stack of sheets being conveyed from the collating machine abuts against a stopper. [Figure 9] 10 is a plan view of the saddle stitching mechanism seen from above, showing a state in which the stitcher is disposed at the center position in the width direction of the paper stack. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling a saddle-stitching and folding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a plan view of a saddle stitching mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, seen from above, showing a state in which the leading edge of a stack of sheets being conveyed from a collating machine abuts against a stopper. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a plan view of a saddle stitching mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, seen from above, showing a state in which the center position in the width direction of a stack of paper sheets is included in a predetermined area where a conveyor belt is disposed. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] [First embodiment] A saddle-stitching and folding device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing a bookbinding system 1 in which a collating machine 2, a saddle-stitching and folding device 100, and a cutting machine 3 are connected. FIG. 2 is an internal structural diagram showing a schematic configuration of the saddle-stitching and folding device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the saddle-stitching mechanism 10 of the saddle-stitching and folding device 100. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the saddle-stitching and folding device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the saddle-stitching mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 3, viewed from above.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the bookbinding system 1 includes a plurality of collating machines 2, a saddle stitching and folding device 100, and a cutting machine 3. The collating machine 2 collates sheets fed from a plurality of paper feed trays (not shown) in page order to form a sheet stack B, and transports the sheet stack B to the saddle stitching and folding device 100. The saddle stitching and folding device 100 staples the sheet stack B with wire, folds it in half to create a sheet stack B, and transports it to the cutting machine 3. The cutting machine 3 trims the edge of the sheet stack B transported from the saddle stitching and folding device 100 to create a booklet. As shown in FIG. 2, the saddle stitching and folding device 100 includes a saddle stitching mechanism 10, a folding mechanism 20, a movement mechanism 30, and a control unit 40.

[0027] The saddle stitching mechanism 10 is a device that binds a sheet stack B, which is transported in the transport direction TD from the collating machine (upstream device) 2, at a predetermined binding position Pb in the transport direction TD. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the saddle stitching mechanism 10 has a transport section 11, a stitcher 12, a stitcher moving section 12A, a pair of guide members 13, a guide moving section 13A, a stopper 14, and a stopper moving section 14A.

[0028] The conveying unit 11 is a device that conveys the sheet stack B conveyed from the collator 2, which is located upstream in the conveying direction TD, in the conveying direction TD by rotating a conveying belt 11a formed to extend along the conveying direction TD using a drive roller 11b. As shown in Fig. 5, the conveying belt 11a is located in a predetermined area PA1 in the width direction WD perpendicular to the conveying direction TD. In Fig. 5, an axis X is an axis parallel to the conveying direction TD, and an axis Y is an axis parallel to the width direction WD perpendicular to the conveying direction TD.

[0029] The stitcher 12 is a device that uses wire to stitch the stack of sheets B at a predetermined stitching position Pb in the conveying direction TD. As shown in Fig. 5, the stitcher moving unit 12A moves the stitcher 12 along the width direction WD so that the stitch area 12a where the stitcher 12 stitches the wire is located at a desired position in the width direction WD.

[0030] The pair of guide members 13 are formed to extend along the transport direction TD and are members for regulating the position in the width direction WD of the sheet stack B transported by the transport unit 11. As shown in Fig. 5, the pair of guide members 13 are arranged with a gap W1 in the width direction WD so as to sandwich the transport belt 11a therebetween.

[0031] The guide moving unit 13A can adjust the distance W1 in accordance with the length of the width direction WD of the paper stack B by moving the pair of guide members 13 in a direction toward or away from each other along the width direction WD. Furthermore, the guide moving unit 13A can move the pair of guide members 13 to any position in the width direction WD relative to the conveyor belt 11a and the stitcher 12 while maintaining the distance W1 between the pair of guide members 13.

[0032] The stopper 14 is a member for stopping the leading edge of the sheet stack B, which is being conveyed by the conveying unit 11 along the conveying direction TD, at a desired position in the conveying direction TD. The stopper 14 is a plate-shaped member formed along the width direction WD. The stopper moving unit 14A moves the stopper 14 to a desired position in the conveying direction TD depending on the length in the conveying direction TD of the sheet stack B being fed into the saddle stitching mechanism 10.

[0033] The folding mechanism 20 is a mechanism that folds the sheet stack B, which has been bound at a predetermined binding position Pb by the saddle stitching mechanism 10, in two at the predetermined binding position Pb.

[0034] The movement mechanism 30 is a mechanism that moves the saddle stitching mechanism 10 and the folding mechanism 20 to desired positions along the width direction WD perpendicular to the conveyance direction TD of the sheet bundle B.

[0035] The control unit 40 is a device that controls the saddle stitching and folding device 100. The control unit 40 controls the saddle stitching mechanism 10 so as to bind the sheet stack B conveyed from the collating machine 2 at a predetermined binding position Pb in the conveying direction TD. The control unit 40 also controls the folding mechanism 20 so as to fold the sheet stack B, which has been bound at the predetermined binding position Pb, at the predetermined binding position Pb.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 40 has a conveying control unit 41 that controls the conveying unit 11, a stitcher control unit 42 that controls the stitcher 12 and the stitcher moving unit 12A, a guide control unit 43 that controls the guide moving unit 13A, a stopper control unit 44 that controls the stopper moving unit 14A, a moving mechanism control unit 45 that controls the moving mechanism 30, and a folding mechanism control unit 46 that controls the folding mechanism 20.

[0037] Here, the sheet stack B created by the saddle stitching folding device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a saddle stitched sheet stack created by the saddle stitching folding device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6, the sheet stack B created by the saddle stitching folding device 100 has the spine stapled at the center in the height direction HD by a wire Bs. When a single stitcher 12 shown by the solid line in Fig. 3 is used, the spine of the sheet stack B created by the saddle stitching folding device 100 is stapled at only one location by the wire Bs.

[0038] Furthermore, the sheet stack B created by the saddle stitching and folding device 100 may be bound with wire Bs at the center of the spine in the height direction HD and at two positions equally spaced from the center. In this case, it is desirable to use two stitchers 12 shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3 in addition to the stitcher 12 shown by solid lines in Fig. 3. In this case, the spine of the sheet stack B created by the saddle stitching and folding device 100 will be bound with wire Bs at three positions.

[0039] Next, a control method for the saddle-stitching and folding device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a control method for the saddle-stitching and folding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Each process shown in Fig. 7 is executed by a control program of the control unit 40.

[0040] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the saddle stitching mechanism 10 seen from above, showing the state in which the leading edge of the paper stack B being conveyed from the collating machine 2 abuts against the stopper 14. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the saddle stitching mechanism 10 seen from above, showing the state in which the stitcher 12 is positioned at the center position Pc of the paper stack B in the width direction WD.

[0041] In step S101, the stitcher control unit 42 controls the stitcher movement unit 12A so that the stitcher 12 is disposed at a position different from the predetermined area PA1 in the width direction WD where the conveyor belt 11a is disposed. As shown in Fig. 8, the stitcher control unit 42 controls the stitcher movement unit 12A so that the stitcher 12 is disposed at a position adjacent to the predetermined area PA1 in the width direction WD where the conveyor belt 11a is disposed.

[0042] In step S102, the movement mechanism control unit 45 controls the movement mechanism 30 so that the predetermined area PA1 where the conveyor belt 11a is placed is included in the area PA2 in the width direction WD where the sheet stack B conveyed from the collating machine 2 is placed. Specifically, the movement mechanism control unit 45 controls the movement mechanism 30 so that the center position Pc in the width direction WD of the sheet stack B conveyed from the collating machine 2 is placed in the predetermined area PA1.

[0043] In step S103, the conveyance control unit 41 controls the conveyance unit 11 to start driving the conveyance belt 11a. The conveyance belt 11a conveys the sheet stack B conveyed from the collating machine 2 along the conveyance direction TD toward the stopper 14. The position of the stopper 14 in the conveyance direction TD is adjusted in advance by the stopper control unit 44 according to the size of the sheet stack B in the conveyance direction TD.

[0044] In step S104, the control unit 40 determines whether the leading edge of the paper stack B has reached the stopper 14 based on the output from the sensor (not shown), and if YES, proceeds to step S105, and if NO, repeats the processing of step S104.

[0045] In step S105, the conveyance control unit 41 controls the conveyance unit 11 to stop driving the conveyance belt 11a. When the driving of the conveyance belt 11a stops, the leading edge of the sheet stack B abuts against the stopper 14, as shown in FIG.

[0046] In step S106, the guide control unit 43 controls the guide movement unit 13A so that the stitcher 12 is positioned at the center position Pc of the pair of guide members 13 in the width direction WD, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[0047] In step S107, the stitcher control unit 42 controls the stitcher 12 to bind the paper stack B at a predetermined binding position Pb while the stitcher 12 is positioned at the center position Pc of the paper stack B and at a position different from the predetermined area PA1 where the conveying belt 11a is positioned.

[0048] In step S108, the guide control unit 43 controls the guide movement unit 13A so that the center position Pc of the sheet stack B stapled at the predetermined staple position Pb by the stitcher 12 is included in the predetermined area PA1. The guide movement unit 13A moves the pair of guide members 13 along the width direction WD to return them to the state shown in FIG.

[0049] In step S109, the conveyance control unit 41 operates the conveyor belt 11a to discharge the sheet stack B toward the folding mechanism 20. Here, the stopper control unit 44 moves the stopper 14 to a retracted position where the sheet stack B does not come into contact with the stopper 14 so that the sheet stack B can be discharged toward the folding mechanism 20.

[0050] In step S110, the control unit 40 checks whether or not there is a next stack of paper B to be transported from the collating machine 2, and if there is no next stack of paper B to be transported from the collating machine 2, it determines to end the processing of this flowchart and ends the processing of this flowchart. If there is a next stack of paper B to be transported from the collating machine 2, the control unit 40 executes the processing of steps S101 to S109 again.

[0051] The operation and effects of the saddle stitching and folding device 100 of the present embodiment described above will be described. According to the saddle stitching and folding device 100 of this embodiment, a booklet can be created by binding the sheet stack B transported from the upstream collating machine 2 along the transport direction TD at a predetermined binding position Pb by the saddle stitching mechanism 10 and folding the sheet stack B at the predetermined binding position Pb by the folding mechanism 20. Furthermore, the area PA2 in the width direction WD where the sheet stack B transported from the collating machine 2 is placed includes the predetermined area PA1 where the conveyor belt 11a is placed, so sheet stacks B of various sizes can be transported.

[0052] Furthermore, the stitcher 12 is arranged at the center position Pc in the width direction WD of the pair of guide members 13, and the stitcher 12 is arranged at a position different from the predetermined area PA1 where the conveyor belt 11a that conveys the sheet stack B is arranged, and the sheet stack B is stapled at the predetermined staple position Pb by the stitcher 12. Therefore, the center position Pc in the width direction WD of the sheet stack B can be properly stapled while preventing the stitcher 12 from being arranged in the predetermined area PA1 where the conveyor belt 11a is arranged.

[0053] According to the center stitching and folding device 100 of this embodiment, after the stack of paper B transported from the collating machine 2 is received between a pair of guide members 13, the pair of guide sections are moved so that the stitcher 12 is positioned at the midpoint between the pair of guide members 13, thereby allowing the center position Pc of the stack of paper B in the width direction WD to be properly stapled.

[0054] According to the saddle stitching and folding device 100 of this embodiment, the stack of paper B that has been moved in the width direction WD by the stitcher 12 to bind the stack of paper B can be returned to the position in the width direction WD when it was brought in from the collating machine 2, and then transported toward the folding mechanism 20.

[0055] According to the saddle stitching and folding device 100 of this embodiment, by positioning the stitcher 12 at a position different from the designated area PA1 where the conveying belt 11a is placed by the stitcher moving section 12A, it is possible to appropriately prevent the stitcher 12 from being placed in the designated area PA1 where the conveying belt 11a is placed.

[0056] Second Embodiment Next, a saddle-stitching and folding device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0057] The center stitching and folding device 100 of the first embodiment receives the stack of paper B transported from the collating machine 2 between a pair of guide members 13, and then moves the pair of guide members 13 so that the stitcher 12 is positioned at the midpoint between the pair of guide members 13, thereby properly binding the center position Pc of the stack of paper B in the width direction WD.

[0058] In contrast, the saddle stitching and folding device 100 of this embodiment moves the pair of guide members 13 so that the stitcher 12 is positioned at the midpoint between the pair of guide members 13 before receiving the paper stack B transported from the collating machine 2 between them, thereby properly binding the center position Pc in the width direction WD of the paper stack B received by the pair of guide members 13.

[0059] A control method for the saddle-stitching and folding device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a control method for the saddle-stitching and folding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Each process shown in Fig. 10 is executed by a control program of the control unit 40.

[0060] 11 is a plan view from above of the saddle stitching mechanism 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the leading edge of the sheet stack B being transported from the collating machine 2 abuts against the stopper 14. FIG. 12 is a plan view from above of the saddle stitching mechanism 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the center position Pc of the sheet stack B in the width direction WD is included in the predetermined area PA1 in which the transport belt 11a is arranged.

[0061] The processing of steps S201, S203, S204, S205, S207, and S210 in the flowchart of this embodiment is similar to the processing of steps S101, S103, S104, S105, S107, and S110 in the flowchart of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described below.

[0062] In step S202, the movement mechanism control unit 45 controls the movement mechanism 30 so that the stitcher 12 is positioned at the center position Pc of the width direction WD of the sheet stack B transported from the collating machine 2. As shown in Fig. 11 , in this embodiment, the stitcher 12 is positioned at the intermediate position between the pair of guide members 13 before the sheet stack B transported from the collating machine 2 is received between the pair of guide members 13.

[0063] Note that the flowchart of this embodiment does not include a process corresponding to step S106 in the flowchart of the first embodiment. This is because the saddle stitching and folding device 100 of the first embodiment receives the sheet stack B conveyed from the collating machine 2 between the pair of guide members 13, and then moves the pair of guide members 13 so that the stitcher 12 is positioned at the middle position between the pair of guide members 13.

[0064] In step S208, the guide control unit 43 controls the guide moving unit 13A so that the center position Pc of the sheet stack B stapled at the predetermined staple position Pb by the stitcher 12 is included in the predetermined area PA1. The guide moving unit 13A moves the pair of guide members 13 along the width direction WD to the state shown in FIG.

[0065] In step S209, the conveyance control unit 41 operates the conveyor belt 11a to discharge the sheet stack B toward the folding mechanism 20. Here, the stopper control unit 44 moves the stopper 14 to a retracted position where the sheet stack B does not come into contact with the stopper 14, so that the sheet stack B can be discharged toward the folding mechanism 20.

[0066] According to the center stitching and folding device 100 of this embodiment, before the paper stack B transported from the collating machine 2 is received between the pair of guide members 13, the pair of guide members 13 are moved so that the stitcher 12 is positioned at the midpoint between the pair of guide members 13, thereby making it possible to properly bind the center position Pc of the paper stack B in the width direction WD received by the pair of guide members 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Bookbinding system 2 Collator 3 Paper cutting machine 10 Saddle stitching mechanism 11 Conveyor 11a Conveyor belt 12 Stitcher 12A Stitcher moving part 12a Stitching area 13 Guide member 13A Guide moving part 14 Stopper 14A Stopper moving part 20 Folding mechanism 30 Moving mechanism 40 Control Unit 41 Transport control section 42 Stitcher control unit 43 Guide control section 44 Stopper control section 45 Movement mechanism control unit 46 Folding mechanism control unit 100 Folding device B Paper stack Bs wire HD Height direction PA1 Specified area PA2 area PC center position TD transport direction WD Width direction X,Y axis

Claims

1. A saddle stitching and folding device, a saddle stitching mechanism that stitches a stack of sheets conveyed from an upstream device along a conveyance direction at a predetermined stitching position in the conveyance direction; a folding mechanism that folds the sheet stack that has been bound at the predetermined binding position by the saddle stitching mechanism at the predetermined binding position; a control unit that controls the saddle-stitching and folding device, The saddle stitching mechanism includes: a conveying section that is formed to extend along the conveying direction and is arranged in a predetermined region in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and that conveys the sheet bundle conveyed from an upstream side in the conveying direction in the conveying direction; a stitcher that staples the sheet bundle at the predetermined staple position in the conveying direction; a pair of guide members that are arranged at an interval in the width direction so as to sandwich the conveying section and that regulate a position in the width direction of the sheet stack that is placed in the conveying section; a guide moving unit that moves the pair of guide members in the width direction relative to the conveying unit and the stitcher, the conveying unit is disposed in an area in the width direction where the sheet bundle conveyed from the upstream device is disposed, The control unit controlling the guide moving unit so that the stitcher is positioned at a middle position between the pair of guide members in the width direction; A center stitching and folding device that controls the stitcher to bind the stack of sheets at the predetermined binding position while the stitcher is positioned at the intermediate position and at a position different from the predetermined area where the conveying unit is positioned.

2. The control unit controlling the guide movement unit so that the stitcher is positioned at the intermediate position with the paper stack positioned between the pair of guide members; 2. The saddle stitching and folding device according to claim 1, wherein the stitcher is controlled so as to staple the bundle of sheets at the predetermined staple position while the stitcher is disposed at the intermediate position.

3. a moving mechanism that moves the saddle stitching mechanism along the width direction, The saddle-stitching and folding device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the center position in the width direction of the sheet bundle conveyed from the upstream device is located in the predetermined region.

4. a moving mechanism that moves the saddle stitching mechanism along the width direction, The control unit controlling the movement mechanism so that the stitcher is positioned at a center position in the width direction of the sheet bundle conveyed from the upstream device; 2. The saddle stitching and folding device according to claim 1, wherein the stitcher is controlled so as to staple the bundle of sheets at the predetermined staple position while the stitcher is disposed at the intermediate position.

5. The control unit controlling the guide movement unit so that the center position in the width direction of the bundle of sheets stapled at the predetermined staple position by the stitcher is included in the predetermined area; The saddle-stitch folding device according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying unit is controlled to convey the sheet bundle, the center position of which is positioned so as to be included in the predetermined area, toward the folding mechanism.

6. the saddle stitching mechanism has a stitcher moving unit that moves the stitcher in the width direction relative to the conveying unit, The saddle-stitching and folding device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the stitcher moving unit so that the stitcher is disposed at a position different from the predetermined area where the conveying unit is disposed.

7. A method for controlling a saddle stitching and folding device, comprising: The saddle stitching and folding device a saddle stitching mechanism that stitches a stack of sheets conveyed from an upstream device along a conveyance direction at a predetermined stitching position in the conveyance direction; a folding mechanism that folds the sheet stack that has been bound at the predetermined binding position by the saddle stitching mechanism at the predetermined binding position, The saddle stitching mechanism includes: a conveying section that is formed to extend along the conveying direction and is arranged in a predetermined region in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and that conveys the sheet bundle conveyed from an upstream side in the conveying direction in the conveying direction; a stitcher that staples the sheet bundle at the predetermined staple position in the conveying direction; a pair of guide members that are arranged at an interval in the width direction so as to sandwich the conveying section and that regulate a position in the width direction of the sheet stack that is placed in the conveying section; a guide moving unit that moves the pair of guide members in the width direction relative to the conveying unit and the stitcher, the conveying unit is disposed in an area in the width direction where the sheet bundle conveyed from the upstream device is disposed, a first control step of controlling the guide movement unit so that the stitcher is positioned at a middle position between the pair of guide members in the width direction; a second control step of controlling the stitcher so as to bind the stack of sheets at the predetermined binding position while the stitcher is positioned at the intermediate position and at a position different from the predetermined area where the conveying unit is positioned.

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