Image forming device and post-processing device

Abstract

To increase the strength of a front cover or a back cover at the time of bookbinding without reducing user convenience.SOLUTION: An image forming body uses a print sheet 102 of a first size for a main text sheet of a booklet to output the print sheet 102 of the first size as the main text sheet to a post-processing device, and uses a print sheet 101, 103 of a second size larger than the print sheet of the first size for one or both of a front cover and a second cover of the booklet to output the print sheet 101, 103 of the second size as one or both of the front cover and the second cover to the post-processing device. The post-processing device double-folds the print sheet of the second size as one or both of the front cover and the second cover, and executes stapling on the print sheet 101, 103 of the second size as one or both of the double-folded front cover and back cover and the print sheet 102 of the first size as the main text sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] One image forming apparatus uses high-quality paper for the cover and binds a plurality of sheets together to form a book (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-322171 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a specific paper is used for the cover to increase the strength of the cover, as in the case of the image forming apparatus described above, the user must prepare such specific paper, which is inconvenient for the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus that increase the strength of the front and back covers when binding without reducing user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus main body and a post-processing device. The image forming apparatus main body (a) uses printed sheets of a first size as body sheets of a booklet and outputs the printed sheets of the first size as the body sheets to the post-processing device, and (b) uses printed sheets of a second size larger than the printed sheets of the first size for one or both of the front and back covers of the booklet and outputs the printed sheets of the second size as one or both of the front and back covers to the post-processing device. The post-processing device (a) folds the printed sheets of the second size as one or both of the front and back covers in half, and (b) staples the printed sheets of the second size as one or both of the front and back covers after folding in half and the printed sheets of the first size as the body sheets.

[0007] In addition, the post-processing device of the present invention (a) accepts a first size print sheet as a main body sheet of a booklet output by the main body of an image forming device, and (b) accepts a second size print sheet larger than the first size print sheet output by the main body of the image forming device, and (c) for the accepted first size print sheet and the accepted second size print sheet, folds the second size print sheet as one or both of the front cover and the back cover in half, and performs stapling processing on the second size print sheet as one or both of the front cover and the back cover after folding, and the first size print sheet as the main body sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus can be obtained that increase the strength of the front and back covers when binding without reducing user convenience.

[0009] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the mechanical configuration of the post-processing device 1b in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the post-processing device 1b in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view (1 / 7) illustrating the operation of the post-processing device 1b in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view (2 / 7) illustrating the operation of the post-processing device 1b in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view (3 / 7) illustrating the operation of the post-processing device 1b in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view (4 / 7) illustrating the operation of the post-processing device 1b in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view (5 / 7) illustrating the operation of the post-processing device 1b in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view (6 / 7) illustrating the operation of the post-processing device 1b in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view (7 / 7) illustrating the operation of the post-processing device 1b in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing an example of a booklet produced by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a multifunction peripheral having a printing function, an image reading function, a facsimile function, and the like.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter also referred to as the apparatus main body) 1a and a post-processing device 1b. The apparatus main body 1a includes an operation panel, an image reading device, a printing device, a storage device, a controller, etc., and prints an image on a print sheet using, for example, an electrophotographic method, and outputs the print sheet to the post-processing device 1b. The post-processing device 1b performs post-processing (such as folding and stapling) on ​​the print sheet conveyed from the apparatus main body 1a.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a side view showing the mechanical configuration of post-processing device 1b in Fig. 1. The post-processing device shown in Fig. 2 includes conveyance rollers 11, a folding unit 12 that folds print sheets, conveyance rollers 13, intermediate rollers 21, a stopper guide 22, a processing tray 23, discharge rollers 24, a discharge tray 25, and a stapler 26.

[0015] Conveying rollers 11 move the print sheet conveyed to post-processing device 1b along the conveying path. Conveying rollers 13 convey the print sheet to a subsequent stage after folding by folding unit 12, and also convey the print sheet to a subsequent stage bypassing folding unit 12. Folding unit 12 folds the print sheet by using a built-in actuator to bring a contact member close to two rollers facing the contact member and sandwiching the print sheet between the two rollers at the folding position.

[0016] The intermediate roller 21 transports the print sheet from the previous stage to (above) the processing tray 23. The intermediate roller 21 is driven by a motor or the like (not shown).

[0017] The stopper guide 22 is disposed on one end side of the processing tray 23 and contacts the end of the print sheet on the processing tray 23 .

[0018] The processing tray 23 is an inclined, generally plate-shaped member on which print sheets to be post-processed are placed. Post-processing (such as stapling) is performed on one or more print sheets placed on the processing tray 23.

[0019] In this embodiment, after the rear end portion of the print sheet passes through the intermediate roller 21, it is contacted by a sheet contact member (not shown) and guided to the processing tray 23, where it is brought into contact with the stopper guide 22 by a pull-in paddle (not shown) and aligned.

[0020] The discharge rollers 24 are spaced apart from each other until the post-processing is completed so that the print sheet placed on the processing tray 23 and the print sheet newly transported to the processing tray 23 can move through the gap between the discharge rollers 24, and after the post-processing is completed, the discharge rollers 24 nip the print sheet and transport (discharge) it onto the discharge tray 25.

[0021] The discharge tray 25 is a member on which the print sheets after post-processing are placed, and is capable of moving up and down.

[0022] The stapler 26 staples the print sheets on the processing tray 23 .

[0023] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of post-processing device 1b in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, post-processing device 1b includes controller 41. Controller 41 operates in accordance with commands from image forming apparatus main body 1a, and controls motor 42, which drives conveyance rollers 11, 13, etc., and folding unit 12 to fold the print sheet (such as in half), and also controls motor 43, which drives intermediate roller 21, discharge roller 24, etc., and stapler 26 to perform stapling.

[0024] During a print job for printing a booklet, the image forming apparatus main body 1a (a) uses a print sheet of a first size (e.g., A4) for the main body sheet of the booklet, and after printing, outputs the print sheet of the first size as the main body sheet to the post-processing device 1b, and (b) uses a print sheet of a second size (e.g., A3) that is twice the first size for one or both of the front and back covers of the booklet, and (after printing as necessary) outputs the print sheet of the second size as one or both of the front and back covers to the post-processing device 1b.

[0025] The post-processing device 1b (a) folds in half the second-size print sheets serving as either or both of the front and back covers, and (b) staples the second-size print sheets serving as either or both of the front and back covers after folding and the first-size print sheets serving as the body sheets, thereby generating a booklet. For example, if there are both a front and back cover, a booklet is generated in which the body sheets are sandwiched between the front and back covers. The body sheets may be one sheet or multiple sheets.

[0026] Specifically, when outputting a second-size print sheet as either or both of the front and back cover to post-processing device 1b, image forming apparatus main body 1a outputs a command to post-processing device 1b to fold in half, and in post-processing device 1b, controller 41 causes folding unit 12 to fold in half in accordance with the command, and if there is a back cover, causes stapler 26 to staple after folding of the back cover is completed. If there is no back cover, when the last body sheet is transported to processing tray 23, controller 41 causes stapler 26 to staple.

[0027] The sheet type of the second size print sheet is the same as the sheet type of the first size print sheet, for example, plain paper.

[0028] Furthermore, the post-processing device 1b does not fold the first size print sheet as a body sheet. Specifically, the controller 41 causes the first size print sheet as a body sheet to bypass the folding unit 12.

[0029] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described. Figures 4 to 10 are side views illustrating the operation of the post-processing device 1b in Figure 1. Figure 11 is a side view showing an example of a booklet produced by the image forming apparatus shown in Figure 1.

[0030] When printing a booklet, the device main body 1a prints a cover sheet of the second size, a predetermined number of body sheets of the first size, and a back cover sheet of the second size, and outputs these print sheets to the post-processing device 1b in that order.

[0031] First, as shown in FIG. 4, when a print sheet 101 of the second size for the cover is transported, the post-processing device 1b (controller 41) transports the print sheet 101 to the folding section 12, and when the center of the print sheet 101 in the transport direction reaches the folding position of the folding section 12, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the folding section 12 folds it in half, and as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the transport roller 13 and intermediate roller 21 transport the folded print sheet 101 to the processing tray 23.

[0032] Next, as shown in Fig. 7, for example, when a print sheet 102 of the first size that is a subsequent body sheet is conveyed, the post-processing device 1b (controller 41) causes the print sheet 102 to bypass the folding section 12, and as shown in Fig. 8, for example, the conveyance roller 13 and the intermediate roller 21 convey the print sheet 102 to the processing tray 23. Note that if there are multiple subsequent body sheets, each print sheet 102 is similarly conveyed to the processing tray 23. As a result, the print sheets 102 as body sheets are stacked on top of the print sheet 101 that is folded in half as a cover.

[0033] Then, after the transport of the last body sheet is completed, when the second size print sheet 103 for the back cover is transported, the post-processing device 1b (controller 41) folds it in half, as with the cover print sheet 101, as shown in Figure 9, and then transports the folded print sheet 103 to the processing tray 23.

[0034] When the print sheets 101, 102, and 103 that make up a booklet are stacked on the processing tray 23 in this manner, the post-processing device 1b (controller 41) causes the stapler 26 to staple the sheets to produce a booklet 110 bound with staples 104, as shown in Fig. 11, for example. Thereafter, the post-processing device 1b (controller 41) causes the discharge rollers 24 to nip the booklet 110, and discharges the booklet 110 onto the discharge tray 5 through the discharge port 24a, as shown in Fig. 10, for example.

[0035] As described above, according to the above embodiment, the device main body 1a (a) uses a first-size print sheet 102 as the body sheet of a booklet and outputs the first-size print sheet 102 as the body sheet to the post-processing device 1b, and also uses a second-size print sheet 101 or 103, which is twice the first size, for one or both of the front and back covers of the booklet and outputs the second-size print sheet 101 or 103 as the front and back covers to the post-processing device 1b. The post-processing device 1b (a) folds the second-size print sheet as one or both of the front and back covers in half, and (b) staples the second-size print sheet 101 or 103 as one or both of the front and back covers after folding in half and the first-size print sheet 102 as the body sheet. Note that although the second size print sheet is described as twice the first size, this is merely an example. A second-size print sheet, which is larger than the first-size print sheet, may be used for one or both of the front and back covers of the booklet. For example, the second size print sheet is the print sheet closest to twice the size of the first size among the print sheets in the image forming apparatus (apparatus main body 1a). Also, the post-processing device 1b may fold the second size print sheet as one or both of the front and back covers in half, or may fold only the edge of the second size print sheet to be stapled in half.

[0036] This increases the strength of the front and back covers when bound, even if the user does not need to prepare special paper for the front and back covers.

[0037] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. In other words, it is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the claims.

[0038] For example, in the above embodiment, if the image forming device (device main body 1a) does not have a second size print sheet that is twice the size of the first size, multiple first size print sheets may be used for one or both of the front and back covers of the booklet. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming apparatus equipped with a post-processing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Image forming device 1a Image forming apparatus main body 1b Aftertreatment device

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus main body; a post-processing device; the image forming apparatus main body (a) uses a print sheet of a first size for a body sheet of a booklet, and outputs the print sheet of the first size as the body sheet to the post-processing device; and (b) uses a print sheet of a second size larger than the print sheet of the first size for one or both of a front cover and a back cover of the booklet, and outputs the print sheet of the second size as one or both of the front cover and the back cover to the post-processing device; the post-processing device (a) folds in half the print sheets of the second size as one or both of the front cover and the back cover, and (b) performs stapling on the print sheets of the second size as one or both of the front cover and the back cover after folding in half and the print sheets of the first size as the body sheets; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet type of the print sheet of the second size is the same as the sheet type of the print sheet of the first size.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing device does not fold the print sheets of the first size as the body sheets.

4. A post-processing device in an image forming apparatus, a print sheet of a first size is received as a body sheet of a booklet output by a main body of the image forming apparatus; receiving a print sheet of a second size, which is larger than the print sheet of the first size, outputted by the main body of the image forming apparatus; With respect to the received print sheet of the first size and the received print sheet of the second size, folding the print sheet of the second size as one or both of the front cover and the back cover in half, and stapling the print sheet of the second size as one or both of the front cover and the back cover after folding in half and the print sheet of the first size as the body sheet; The post-processing device is characterized by the above.

5. 5. The post-processing device according to claim 4, wherein the second size print sheet is a print sheet that is closest to twice the size of the first size among print sheets stored in the main body of the image forming device.

6. When a second-size print sheet that is twice the size of the first size is present in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the received first-size print sheet and the received second-size print sheet are folded in half as the second-size print sheet serving as one or both of the front cover and the back cover, and stapled as the first-size print sheet serving as the body sheet and the second-size print sheet serving as the front cover and the back cover after folding in half; when the print sheets of the second size are not present in the main body of the image forming device, receiving a plurality of print sheets of the first size as one or both of the front and back covers of the booklet output by the image forming device, and performing stapling processing on the plurality of print sheets of the first size as one or both of the front and back covers and the print sheets of the first size as the body sheets; 5. The post-treatment device according to claim 4, wherein:

7. 7. The post-processing device according to claim 4, wherein the sheet type of the print sheet of the second size is the same as the sheet type of the print sheet of the first size.

8. 7. The post-processing device according to claim 4, wherein the post-processing device does not fold the print sheets of the first size as the body sheets.

Images