Medium processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a medium processing device which adjusts a liquid application amount in accordance with a liquid amount absorbed by a medium according to liquid application.SOLUTION: A medium processing device comprises: liquid application means for applying liquid to at least a part of at least a pair of media; medium processing means for applying processing to a medium bundle containing at least a pair of media subjected to liquid application by the liquid application means; and control means for controlling operations of the liquid application means and the medium processing means. The liquid application means includes: a liquid application member for applying liquid by contacting a medium; pressing means for causing the liquid application member to move between a liquid application position of contacting a medium and a separation position alienated from the liquid application position, and for pressing the liquid application member against the medium; and liquid application amount detection means for detecting a liquid amount applied to a medium according to liquid application. The control means changes a liquid application control mode of setting a moving amount of the liquid application member and a medium contacting time using the pressing means, in accordance with at least a liquid amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 28

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media processing device and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known media processing devices that bind stacks of sheet-like media. Known binding processes that can be applied to these media processing devices include a "staple binding process" that uses a needle-like member (binding member) to penetrate the sheet stack, and a "pressure binding process" that binds the sheet stack by applying pressure and deforming a portion of the sheet stack.

[0003] In a media processing device, in order to adjust the amount of liquid applied, it is disclosed that the amount applied is optimized based on environmental conditions (pre-processing, ambient temperature, and conveying distance) that affect binding strength (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the amount of liquid applied to the medium is adjusted based on environmental conditions, but even if the type of medium is the same, the amount of applied liquid that can be retained varies depending on the manufacturing time, manufacturing lot, and storage environment after manufacturing. In this regard, simply adjusting the amount of liquid applied based on environmental conditions, as in Patent Document 1, poses a problem in terms of suppressing the impact on the quality of the binding process.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a medium processing device that adjusts the amount of liquid applied depending on the amount of liquid absorbed by the medium as a result of the application of liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention relates to a media processing device comprising a liquid application means for applying liquid to a portion of at least one piece of media, a media processing means for processing a bundle of media including at least one piece of media to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application means, and a control means for controlling the operation of the liquid application means and the media processing means, wherein the liquid application means includes a liquid application member that contacts the medium to apply liquid, a pressing means that moves the liquid application member between a liquid application position where it contacts the medium and a spaced position away from the liquid application position to press it against the medium, and a liquid application amount detection means that detects the amount of liquid applied to the medium by the liquid application, and the control means changes a liquid application control mode that sets the amount of movement of the liquid application member by the pressing means and the contact time with the medium, depending on at least the amount of liquid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the amount of liquid to be applied can be adjusted according to the amount of liquid absorbed by the medium by applying the liquid. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing section as viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing section as viewed from the liquid applying means side in the main scanning direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a crimping unit of the edge binding processing section. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the edge binding processing section. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a liquid application and pressure bonding unit according to a modified example of the edge binding processing unit. [Figure 8] 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating a liquid applying operation and a pressure binding operation performed by the liquid applying and pressure bonding unit of FIG. 7. [Figure 9]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the stapling processing section as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a modified example of the staple binding processing section as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement and configuration of a second liquid storage tank in the post-treatment device. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detachable configuration of a second liquid storage tank in the post-treatment device. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block that controls the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart of a binding process by an edge binding processing unit. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the position of the edge binding processing section during execution of one-point binding. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the position of the edge binding processing section during execution of two-point binding. [Figure 17] 10 is a graph illustrating the correlation between the transport time until transport to the media processing device and the change in temperature of the paper heated upstream. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an example image forming system, in which a relay peripheral device is clearly shown. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of conveyance distances depending on the configuration of the image forming system. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram showing a relay peripheral device in another example of an image forming system. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other examples of conveyance distances depending on the configuration of the image forming system. [Figure 22] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of types of liquid application patterns based on the fixing temperature and conveyance distance in the image forming process. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of liquid application patterns selected based on the fixing temperature and conveyance distance in the image forming process. [Figure 24] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of liquid application patterns selected based on the fixing temperature and conveyance distance in the image forming process. [Figure 25] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of liquid application patterns selected based on the fixing temperature and conveyance distance in the image forming process. [Figure 26]10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of setting values ​​for the amount of pressure and the liquid application time based on the liquid application pattern. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another example of an end binding processing unit as viewed from the liquid applying means side in the main scanning direction. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a liquid application control process. [Figure 29] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of adjustment values ​​for the push amount and the liquid application time based on the liquid application control pattern. [Figure 30] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the liquid deposition control process. [Figure 31] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the liquid deposition control process. [Figure 32] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the liquid deposition control process. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 11 is a view of the internal tray according to the second embodiment, seen from the thickness direction of the paper. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a pressure-bonding unit according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the downstream side in the conveyance direction. [Figure 36] FIG. 10 is a view of a liquid applying unit according to a second embodiment, viewed from the thickness direction of the paper. [Figure 37] 36. A cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV of FIG. [Figure 38] 36. A cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI of FIG. [Figure 39] FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block of a post-processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 40] 10 is a flowchart of post-processing by a post-processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 41] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a modified example of an image forming system. [Figure 42] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the control unit of the post-processing device. [Figure 43] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the control unit of the post-processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment of Image Forming System 1] An image forming system 1 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system 1. The image forming system 1 has an image forming function for forming an image on paper P, which is a type of sheet-like medium, and a post-processing function for performing predetermined post-processing on the paper P on which the image has been formed. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 is configured to operate in cooperation with an image forming device 2 having an image forming function and a post-processing device 3, which is a media processing device having a post-processing function according to the present invention.

[0010] In this embodiment, the explanation is based on the premise that the sheet-like medium to be processed in the image forming system 1 is "paper." However, the object of processing according to this embodiment is not limited to paper. For example, any type of medium is acceptable as long as an image can be formed on the medium using a conventionally known image forming process. This also includes media that can be subjected to folding and binding processes, and there are no limitations on the material, specifications, etc.

[0011] The image forming device 2 forms an image on a sheet P and discharges the sheet P with the image formed thereon to the post-processing device 3. The image forming device 2 includes a storage tray 211 for storing sheets P, a transport unit 212 for transporting the sheets P stored in the storage tray 211, and an image forming unit 213 for forming an image on the sheet P transported by the transport unit 212. The image forming unit 213 may be of an inkjet type that forms an image using ink, or of an electrophotographic type that forms an image using toner. The image forming device 2 also includes a control unit 100a that controls various operations of the transport unit 212 and the image forming unit 213. The configuration of the image forming device 2 is already known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0012] Incidentally, paper is a widely known example of a sheet-like medium. Therefore, in this specification, when describing a sheet-like medium to be processed, the term "paper P" will be used. Furthermore, when describing a sheet bundle, the term "paper bundle Pb" will be used as an example, which is a bundle of multiple sheets of paper as a medium.

[0013] [First embodiment of post-processing device 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment. The post-processing device 3 has a function of performing predetermined post-processing on sheets P on which images have been formed by the image forming device 2. One type of post-processing according to this embodiment is a binding process that serves as a "pressure binding process" in which a stack of multiple sheets P on which images have been formed (a sheet stack) is bound without using staples. Another type of post-processing according to this embodiment is a binding process that serves as a "staple binding process" in which a stack of multiple sheets P on which images have been formed (a sheet stack) is bound using staples. Hereinafter, the stack of sheets P will be referred to as a "sheet stack Pb" as a medium stack.

[0014] In this embodiment, the liquid application process when performing pressure binding processing will be mainly described. However, the liquid application process performed in relation to staple binding processing is also similar. Furthermore, when the term "binding processing" is used in the following description, it means both the "pressure binding processing" and the "staple binding processing" and is not limited to the binding method (whether using staples or pressure deformation).

[0015] In addition, the "pressure binding process" according to this embodiment is, more specifically, a process of applying pressure to a binding position corresponding to a part of the paper stack Pb to deform (pressure-deform) the binding position and bind the sheets, and is a process called "pressure binding." Note that the binding processes that can be performed by the post-processing device 3 include an end binding process that binds the end of the paper stack Pb and a saddle binding process that binds the center of the paper stack Pb.

[0016] The post-processing device 3 includes conveyance roller pairs 10-19 (conveyance section), a switching member 20, and a control unit 100b (control means). The control unit 100b controls the operations of the conveyance roller pairs 10-19 (conveyance section), the switching member 20, and the like. The control unit 100b will be described in detail later. The conveyance roller pairs 10-19 convey the paper P supplied from the image forming device 2 inside the post-processing device 3. More specifically, the conveyance roller pairs 10-13 convey the paper P along a first conveyance path Ph1. The conveyance roller pairs 14-15 convey the paper P along a second conveyance path Ph2. The conveyance roller pairs 16-19 convey the paper P along a third conveyance path Ph3. A punch hole punching unit 132 that punches the paper P conveyed by the conveyance roller pairs 10 and 11 is disposed between the conveyance roller pairs 10 and 11.

[0017] The first transport path Ph1 is a path that extends from the supply port for paper P from the image forming device 2 to the first discharge tray 21. The second transport path Ph2 branches off from the first transport path Ph1 between the pairs of transport rollers 11 and 14 in the transport direction, and leads to the second discharge tray 26 via the internal tray 22. The third transport path Ph3 branches off from the first transport path Ph1 between the pairs of transport rollers 11 and 14 in the transport direction, and leads to the discharge tray 30.

[0018] The switching member 20 is disposed at a branching position of the first conveying path Ph1 and the second conveying path Ph2. The switching member 20 is configured to be switchable between a first position where the sheet P is discharged to the first discharge tray 21 via the first conveying path Ph1, and a second position where the sheet P conveyed along the first conveying path Ph1 is guided to the second conveying path Ph2. Furthermore, when the trailing edge of the sheet P entering the second conveying path Ph2 passes the pair of conveying rollers 11, the pair of conveying rollers 14 is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby guiding the sheet P to the third conveying path Ph3. The post-processing device 3 also includes multiple sensors that detect the position of the sheet P on each of the conveying paths Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3. The multiple sensors are indicated by solid triangles (▲) in FIG. 2.

[0019] The post-processing device 3 includes a first discharge tray 21. The paper sheets P discharged through the first conveyance path Ph1 are placed on the first discharge tray 21. Of the paper sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2, those that are not to be bound are discharged to the first discharge tray 21.

[0020] The post-processing device 3 also includes an internal tray 22 as a loading tray, an end fence 23 for edge binding, side fences 24L and 24R, an edge binding processing unit 25, a staple binding processing unit 155, and a second discharge tray 26. The internal tray 22, the end fence 23 for edge binding, the side fences 24L and 24R, the edge binding processing unit 25, and the staple binding processing unit 155 perform edge binding processing on a sheet bundle Pb made up of a plurality of sheets P transported from the second transport path Ph2 to the internal tray 22. The sheet bundle Pb that has been subjected to edge binding processing is discharged to the second discharge tray 26 from among the sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2.

[0021] The "edge binding process" here refers to the binding process performed by the edge binding processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 155. Specifically, it includes a "parallel binding process" in which binding process is performed along one side of the paper stack Pb that is parallel to the main scanning direction, a "diagonal binding process" in which binding process is performed at a corner of the paper stack Pb, and a "vertical binding process" in which binding process is performed along one side of the paper stack Pb that is parallel to the transport direction.

[0022] Hereinafter, the direction in which the paper P is transported from the transport roller pair 15 toward the end fence 23 for edge binding is defined as the "transport direction." In other words, in this specification, the "transport direction" corresponds to the direction in which the paper P discharged from the image forming device 2 moves toward the second discharge tray 26 by the transport roller pair 10, etc., and then changes direction by the transport roller pair 15, heading toward the end fence 23 for edge binding, which is a different direction from the previous direction. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the transport direction of the paper P is defined as the "main scanning direction (width direction of the paper P)."

[0023] The multiple sheets P transported in order via the second transport path Ph2 are temporarily placed on the internal tray 22, which serves as a loading tray. The end fence 23 for edge binding aligns the position of the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. The side fences 24L, 24R align the position of the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The edge binding processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 155 perform edge binding processing on the sheet bundle Pb aligned by the end fence 23 for edge binding and the side fences 24L, 24R. Then, the transport roller pair 15 discharges the sheet bundle Pb that has been edge-stitched onto the second discharge tray 26.

[0024] Furthermore, the post-processing device 3 further includes a saddle-stitching end fence 27, a saddle-stitching processing section 28, a paper folding blade 29, and a discharge tray 30. The saddle-stitching end fence 27, the saddle-stitching processing section 28, and the paper folding blade 29 perform saddle-stitching processing on a paper stack Pb made up of a plurality of paper sheets P transported through the third transport path Ph3. The discharge tray 30 receives the paper stack Pb that has been saddle-stitched from the paper sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2.

[0025] The saddle stitching end fence 27 aligns the positions in the conveying direction of multiple sheets P conveyed in sequence through the third conveying path Ph3. The saddle stitching end fence 27 is configured to be movable between a binding position where the center of the sheet stack Pb faces the saddle stitching processing unit 28, and a folding position where the center faces the paper folding blade 29. The saddle stitching processing unit 28 stitches the center of the sheet stack Pb aligned by the saddle stitching end fence 27 at the binding position. The paper folding blade 29 folds the sheet stack Pb placed on the saddle stitching end fence 27 at the folding position in half and clamps it between the conveying roller pair 18. The conveying roller pairs 18 and 19 discharge the sheet stack Pb that has been saddle stitched onto the discharge tray 30.

[0026] The post-processing device 3 also includes a liquid application member 501 (part of the liquid application means), a liquid supply member 50 (part of the liquid application means), and a first liquid storage tank 44 (first liquid storage section) in the edge stitching processing section 25. The first liquid storage tank 44 and the liquid supply member 50 are not shown in FIG. 3. The post-processing device 3 also includes a liquid supply path 45 (part of the liquid supply means), a liquid supply pump 46 (part of the liquid supply means), a second liquid storage tank 47 (part of the second liquid storage section), and a second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 (part of the second liquid storage section) as components for replenishing liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44. The liquid stored in the second liquid storage tank 47 is supplied to the first liquid storage tank 44 via the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61, the liquid supply pump 46, and the liquid supply path 45.

[0027] [Configuration of the edge binding processing unit 25] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing unit 25, which performs the liquid application process and pressure binding process shown in Fig. 2, as viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing unit 25 as viewed from the liquid application means 31 side in the main scanning direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the edge binding processing unit 25 includes a liquid application means 31 that applies liquid to the paper P or the paper stack Pb, and a pressure bonding means 32, which is an example of a medium processing means, that performs pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. The liquid application means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32 are arranged adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveyance direction.

[0028] 4, the liquid application unit 31 applies the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44 to the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. Hereinafter, the application of liquid by the liquid application unit 31 to the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb, and the operation of the liquid application unit 31 when applying the liquid, will be referred to as "liquid application." Furthermore, the liquid application operation of the liquid application unit 31 that involves control processing will be referred to as "liquid application process."

[0029] More specifically, the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44 as the liquid used for liquid application is primarily composed of a liquid compound of hydrogen and oxygen, represented by the chemical formula "H2O." As long as it is in a liquid state, its temperature does not matter, and it may be so-called warm water or hot water. Furthermore, it is not limited to pure water, and it may of course be purified water, or may contain ionized salts. The metal ion content does not matter, and the hardness may range from so-called soft water to ultra-hard water.

[0030] In addition to the main ingredient, additives may be added. It may contain residual chlorine, which is used in tap water, and it is also desirable to add colorants, penetrants, pH adjusters, preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, and drying inhibitors such as glycerin. Furthermore, inks used in inkjet printers and water-based pens also contain water, so these may also be used as "liquid application."

[0031] The liquids are not limited to those specifically mentioned here, and any "water" in the broad sense, such as hypochlorous acid water or an ethanol solution diluted for disinfection, will also work, but if the only purpose is to enhance the binding strength after binding, tap water, which is easy to obtain and manage, can be used. Also, using a liquid whose main component is water, such as the examples above, can improve the binding strength of the paper stack Pb more than using a liquid whose main component is not water.

[0032] [Configuration of liquid applying means 31] 3 and 4, the liquid applicator 31 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction together with the pressing unit 32 by transmitting the driving force of the edge stitching processing unit movement motor 55. The liquid applicator 31 includes a lower pressure plate 33 as a platform for placing the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb, an upper pressure plate 34, and a liquid applicator movement mechanism 35. The components of the liquid applicator 31 (the lower pressure plate 33, the upper pressure plate 34, the liquid applicator movement mechanism 35, and the liquid applicator movement motor 42) are held by a liquid applicator frame 31a and a base member 48.

[0033] Furthermore, a liquid applicator frame 31a that holds the components of the liquid applicator 31 has a liquid applicator rotation shaft 562 equipped with a drive transmission gear 562a fixed to its bottom surface. The liquid applicator rotation shaft 562 and drive transmission gear 562a are rotatably held in forward and reverse directions on a base member 48 on which the liquid applicator frame 31a is provided. The drive transmission gear 562a is meshed with an output gear 563a of a liquid applicator rotation motor 563. The liquid applicator 31 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 about the liquid applicator rotation shaft 562 as the driving force of the liquid applicator rotation motor 563 is transmitted to the liquid applicator rotation shaft 562 via the output gear 563a and the drive transmission gear 562a.

[0034] The lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 are disposed downstream in the conveying direction from the internal tray 22. The paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 is also placed on the lower pressure plate 33. The lower pressure plate 33 is provided on a lower pressure plate holder 331. The upper pressure plate 34 is configured to be movable in the thickness direction of the paper P or paper stack Pb at a position facing the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0035] That is, the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 are arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "thickness direction") of the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, sandwiching the paper P or paper stack Pb therebetween. Furthermore, the upper pressure plate 34 has a through-hole 34a penetrating in the thickness direction at a position facing the liquid application member 501 held via a holding part 37 attached to the base plate 40. The liquid application member 501 is one end of a liquid supply member 50 (liquid-absorbing) described later, and corresponds to the tip portion.

[0036] The liquid applicator moving mechanism 35 moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding unit 37, the liquid applicator 501, the liquid supply member 50, and the first liquid storage tank 44 in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid applicator moving mechanism 35 according to this embodiment moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding unit 37, the liquid applicator 501, the liquid supply member 50, and the first liquid storage tank 44 in a linked manner using a single liquid applicator moving motor 42. The liquid applicator moving mechanism 35 includes, for example, the liquid applicator moving motor 42, a trapezoidal screw 38, a nut 39, the base plate 40, columnar members 41 a, 41 b, and coil springs 42 a, 42 b.

[0037] The liquid applicator movement motor 42 generates a driving force that moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding unit 37, the liquid applicator member 501, the liquid supply member 50, and the first liquid storage tank 44. The trapezoidal screw 38 extends in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or the stack of paper sheets Pb, and is provided on the liquid applicator frame 31a so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The trapezoidal screw 38 is connected to the output shaft of the liquid applicator movement motor 42 via a pulley, a belt, or the like. The nut 39 is threadedly engaged with the trapezoidal screw 38. The driving force of the liquid applicator movement motor 42 is transmitted to rotate the trapezoidal screw 38 in forward and reverse directions, causing the nut 39 to move back and forth on the trapezoidal screw 38.

[0038] The base plate 40 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the upper pressure plate 34. The base plate 40 holds the liquid application member 501 with the tip of the liquid application member 501 protruding from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressure plate 34. The base plate 40 is connected to a trapezoidal screw 38 via a nut 39, and is configured to be able to move back and forth along the trapezoidal screw 38 as the trapezoidal screw 38 rotates forward and backward. The position of the base plate 40 in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb is detected by a movement sensor 40a (see FIG. 13).

[0039] The pillar-shaped members 41a and 41b protrude from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressure plate 34 around the tip portion of the liquid dispensing member 501. The pillar-shaped members 41a and 41b are configured to be movable in the thickness direction relative to the base plate 40. The pillar-shaped members 41a and 41b hold the upper pressure plate 34 at their tip portions on the lower pressure plate 33 side. The tip portions of the pillar-shaped members 41a and 41b opposite the lower pressure plate 33 are provided with stoppers to prevent the pillar-shaped members 41a and 41b from coming off the base plate 40.

[0040] The coil springs 42a and 42b are fitted onto the columnar members 41a and 41b between the base plate 40 and the upper pressure plate 34. The coil springs 42a and 42b bias the upper pressure plate 34 and the columnar members 41a and 41b toward the lower pressure plate 33 with respect to the base plate 40.

[0041] The liquid applying means 31 applies liquid to the paper sheet P or paper sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22. More specifically, the liquid applying means 31 applies liquid to at least one sheet of paper P constituting the paper sheet bundle Pb by bringing the liquid applying member 501 into contact with the paper sheet P or the paper sheet bundle Pb.

[0042] The liquid applying means 31 includes a first liquid level sensor 43 (first liquid detection means), a first liquid storage tank 44, a liquid applying member 501, a liquid supply member 50, and a holding portion 37. The first liquid storage tank 44 stores liquid for applying to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44 is detected by the first liquid level sensor 43. The first liquid storage tank 44 is also connected to the base plate 40 via the holding portion 37.

[0043] The liquid applying member 501 applies the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44 to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid applying member 501, the liquid supply member 50 (liquid absorbing) installed so as to be in close contact with the liquid applying member 501, and the first liquid storage tank 44 are all held by the holding unit 37. The holding unit 37 is held by the base plate 40. One end of the liquid supply member 50 is in close contact with the liquid applying member 501, and the other end is immersed in the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44. In other words, the other end of the liquid supply member 50 corresponds to a liquid immersion unit 502 that sucks up the liquid and supplies it to the liquid applying member 501. The liquid applying member 501 and the liquid supply member 50 are made of a material (for example, sponge or fiber) with high liquid absorption, such as an elastic resin formed with open cells. However, the type of material for the liquid application member 501 and / or the liquid supply member 50 is not important as long as it has the ability to absorb and retain liquid and has the ability to collapse in response to the pressure applied when in contact with the paper P. In other words, it is sufficient if the material is capable of absorbing liquid by capillary action.

[0044] Therefore, when the other end (immersion portion 502) of the liquid supply member 50 is immersed in the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44, the liquid supply member 50 is put into a state of sucking up the liquid by capillary action. That is, the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44 is sucked up from the immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50, and the sucked up liquid is supplied through the liquid supply member 50 to the liquid applying member 501 connected to the tip. Then, as the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44 is sucked up into the liquid applying member 501 that is in close contact with one end of the liquid supply member 50, the level (amount of stored liquid) of the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44 detected by the first liquid level sensor 43 drops. As a result, the liquid is supplied from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 by the liquid supply pump 46.

[0045] Although the above description has been given of the case where the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 are separate bodies, the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 may be integrally formed from materials with similar properties (for example, materials with high liquid absorption). In other words, the liquid application member 501 may be configured to be part of the liquid supply member 50. In this case, it becomes possible to more smoothly supply the liquid from the liquid supply member 50 to the liquid application member 501 by capillary action, and costs can be reduced.

[0046] Then, as the liquid applying member 501 sucks up the liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44, the liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44 temporarily falls below a reference liquid level, which will be described later, and this triggers the execution of a series of liquid supply operations in which liquid is sent from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44. This liquid supply operation is mainly performed when the post-processing device 3 is started up or when the post-processing device 3 starts to perform a binding process that involves liquid application, and corresponds to the liquid supply operation for making it possible to apply liquid using the liquid applying member 501.

[0047] Further, the edge stitching processing unit 25 or the post-processing device 3 is provided with a second liquid storage tank 47. The second liquid storage tank 47 is configured to be detachable from a second liquid storage tank fixing unit 61 (part of the second liquid storage unit) provided in the edge stitching processing unit 25 or the post-processing device 3 (see FIG. 12). The second liquid storage tank 47 is configured to be able to supply the stored liquid to the first liquid storage tank 44 by being fixed (set) in a predetermined posture to the second liquid storage tank fixing unit 61 (part of the second liquid storage unit).

[0048] The operation of supplying liquid from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 by the liquid supply pump 46 is mainly triggered by the amount of liquid stored (liquid level) in the first liquid storage tank 44 dropping below a reference liquid level, which will be described later. The amount of liquid stored (liquid level) in the first liquid storage tank 44 drops as the liquid is consumed by the liquid deposition by the liquid deposition unit 31. In other words, the operation of supplying liquid from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 corresponds to a liquid supply operation that is required in conjunction with the execution of a job that includes liquid deposition by the liquid deposition unit 31.

[0049] This liquid supply operation corresponds to an operation of supplying liquid to the first liquid storage tank 44 so as to replenish it every time the amount of liquid stored (liquid level) in the first liquid storage tank 44 falls below a reference liquid level, which will be described later.

[0050] When the second storage tank 47 is set in the second storage tank fixing portion 61, a certain amount of liquid from the second storage tank 47 is filled in the second storage tank fixing portion 61. The second storage tank fixing portion 61 is provided with a set detection sensor 51 (set detection means) (see FIG. 12(B)). When the set detection sensor 51 detects that the second storage tank 47 has been set in the second storage tank fixing portion 61 (see FIG. 12(C)), a signal notifying this is sent to the control unit 100b, which will be described later. This allows the control unit 100b, which will be described later, to detect whether the second storage tank 47 has been set in the second storage tank fixing portion 61. The configuration of the second storage tank 47 will be described in detail later.

[0051] The first liquid storage tank 44 and the second liquid storage tank 47 are connected by a liquid supply path 45. A liquid supply pump 46 is provided near the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61. When this liquid supply pump 46 operates, the liquid stored in the second liquid storage tank 47 is supplied (replenished) from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 via the liquid supply path 45. Therefore, the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 is a component of the liquid supply means that performs the liquid supply operation of supplying liquid from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44. In addition, the liquid supply path 45 is formed of a flexible material. This allows the liquid to be reliably supplied from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 even if the first liquid storage tank 44 is moved by the liquid applying means moving mechanism 35.

[0052] The amount of liquid supplied from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 can be controlled in accordance with the detection result of the first liquid level sensor 43. That is, the control unit 100b, which will be described later, determines the amount of liquid stored (liquid level) in the first liquid storage tank 44 based on the detection result of the first liquid level sensor 43. Then, the control unit 100b, which will be described later, controls the operating speed and operating time of the liquid supply pump 46 in accordance with the determined amount of liquid stored (liquid level) in the first liquid storage tank 44, thereby adjusting the amount of liquid replenished to the first liquid storage tank 44 and controlling the amount of liquid stored (liquid level) in the first liquid storage tank 44 to be kept constant.

[0053] [Configuration of crimping means 32] As shown in FIG. 3, the crimping means 32 as a medium processing means applies pressure to at least a portion of the paper-sheet bundle Pb to which liquid has been applied by the liquid applying means 31 (i.e., the liquid application position) using the concave and convex upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b, deforming the paper-sheet bundle Pb and binding the paper-sheets P of this portion together by crimping them together. In other words, the crimping means 32 can bind the paper-sheet bundle Pb without using staples. The components of the crimping means 32 (upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b) are provided on a crimping frame 32c. Hereinafter, the act of deforming and binding a predetermined position of the paper-sheet bundle Pb by the crimping means 32 will be simply referred to as "crimping binding." Furthermore, the crimping binding operation of the crimping means 32, which involves control processing, will be referred to as "crimping binding process."

[0054] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the pressing means 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the pressing means 32 includes upper pressing teeth 32a and lower pressing teeth 32b. The upper pressing teeth 32a and lower pressing teeth 32b are arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction of the sheet stack Pb, sandwiching the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The opposing surfaces of the upper pressing teeth 32a and lower pressing teeth 32b are formed unevenly with alternating concave and convex portions. The upper pressing teeth 32a and lower pressing teeth 32b are also formed with the concave and convex portions offset from each other so as to mesh with each other. The upper pressing teeth 32a and lower pressing teeth 32b are brought into contact with and separated from each other by the driving force of a contact / separation motor 32d (see FIG. 13).

[0055] As shown in Fig. 5(A) , when multiple sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb are being supplied to the internal tray 22, the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b are spaced apart. Then, when all sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb are placed on the internal tray 22, the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b mesh with each other due to the driving force of the contact / separation motor 32d, as shown in Fig. 5(B) , thereby compressing and deforming the sheet stack Pb in the thickness direction. This causes the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 to be pressure-bound. The pressure-bound sheet stack Pb is then discharged to the second discharge tray 26 by the conveyance roller pair 15.

[0056] The configuration of the crimping means 32 is not limited to the structure of the operating mechanism exemplified in this embodiment, as long as the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b constituting the crimping mechanism are able to mesh with each other. For example, the crimping mechanism may be a link mechanism type crimping mechanism (such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6057167) that performs the crimping and separating operations of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b using a drive source and link mechanism that rotates forward only or forward and reverse. Alternatively, the crimping mechanism may be a linear motion type crimping mechanism that performs the crimping and separating operations of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b linearly using a screw mechanism that converts the forward and reverse rotational motion of the drive source into linear reciprocating motion.

[0057] 3, the edge binding processing unit 25 includes an edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57. The edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 moves the edge binding processing unit 25 (i.e., the liquid applying unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32) in the main scanning direction along the downstream edge in the transport direction of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22. The edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 includes, for example, a base member 48, a guide shaft 49, an edge binding processing unit moving motor 55, a drive force transmission mechanism 551 that transmits the drive force of the edge binding processing unit moving motor 55 to the base member 48, and a standby position sensor 540 (see FIG. 13).

[0058] The liquid applicator 31 and the pressure-bonding device 32 are attached to the base member 48 adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide shaft 49 is provided in the main scanning direction on the upstream side of the binding mechanism base 116 in the conveying direction and is held by a plurality of guide shaft brackets 49a. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide shaft 49 extends in the main scanning direction on the binding mechanism base 116. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide rail 115 is provided in the main scanning direction on the downstream side of the binding mechanism base 116 in the conveying direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide rail 115 has a fitted portion 115a that fits with a fitting portion 48a of the base member 48 across the main scanning direction. In other words, the base member 48 is held by the guide shaft 49 and the guide rail 115 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction on the binding mechanism base 116.

[0059] The edge stitching processing unit movement motor 55 generates a driving force for moving the edge stitching processing unit 25. The driving force transmission mechanism 551 transmits the driving force of the edge stitching processing unit movement motor 55 to the base member 48 via pulleys 551a and 551b, a timing belt 551c, and a fastening unit 48b that fastens the base member 48 and the timing belt 551c. As a result, the liquid applicator 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32, which are integrated by the base member 48, move in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 49.

[0060] The end binding processing unit moving motor 55 in this embodiment is a servo motor that can stop the end binding processing unit 25 at a target position (first binding position B1 described later) without having to return the end binding processing unit 25 to an origin position (for example, a standby position HP described later) every time it moves.

[0061] The post-processing device 3 also includes a standby position sensor 540 (e.g., a light-blocking optical sensor; see FIG. 13) that detects that the edge binding processing unit 25 has reached a standby position HP (see FIG. 12A), and an encoder sensor 541 (see FIG. 13) attached to the output shaft of the edge binding processing unit movement motor 55. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, detects that the edge binding processing unit 25 has reached the standby position HP based on the detection result of the standby position sensor 540. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, also counts the pulse signals output from the encoder sensor 541 to determine the current position of the edge binding processing unit 25, which has moved from the standby position HP.

[0062] However, the specific method for stopping the edge binding processing unit 25 at the target position without returning it to the standby position HP is not limited to the above example. As another example, the post-processing device 3 may be provided with a sensor that detects that the edge binding processing unit 25 has reached a predetermined target position.

[0063] 3, a crimping frame 32c that holds the components of the crimping means 32 has a crimping means rotation shaft 54 ​​equipped with a drive transmission gear 54a fixed to its bottom surface. The crimping means rotation shaft 54 ​​and the drive transmission gear 54a are rotatably supported in forward and reverse directions on a base member 48 on which the crimping frame 32c is provided. The drive transmission gear 54a is meshed with an output gear 56a of a crimping means rotation motor 56. The crimping means 32 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 about the crimping means rotation shaft 54 ​​as the driving force of the crimping means rotation motor 56 is transmitted to the crimping means rotation shaft 54 ​​via the output gear 56a and the drive transmission gear 54a.

[0064] Although the edge stitching processing unit 25 has been described as having a configuration in which the pressure bonding unit 32 and the liquid applying unit 31 are integrally configured and move along the guide shaft 49, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressure bonding unit 32 and the liquid applying unit 31 may each move separately and independently.

[0065] [Modification of the edge binding processing unit 25] Next, an edge binding processing unit 25' that is a modified example of the edge binding processing unit 25 provided in the post-processing device 3 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. The difference from the edge binding processing unit 25 according to the first embodiment is that the liquid application means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32 are integrally configured. Note that components common to the edge binding processing unit 25 already described will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0066] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the end binding processing section 25' as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. Fig. 7(A) is a perspective view of the liquid application and pressure bonding section 310. Fig. 7(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 7(A). Fig. 7(C) is a plan view of the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a as seen from the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b side in Fig. 7(A). Figs. 8(A) to (C) are schematic diagrams as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction, showing the liquid application operation and pressure bonding binding operation by the liquid application and pressure bonding section 310.

[0067] 6, the end stitching processing section 25' includes a liquid application and pressure-bonding section 310 that integrates the liquid application means 31 and pressure-bonding means 32 (post-processing section) of the end stitching processing section 25 according to the first embodiment. The liquid application and pressure-bonding section 310 is disposed downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveying direction.

[0068] The liquid applying and pressing unit 310 applies the liquid LQ stored in the first liquid storage tank 44 to the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The liquid applying and pressing unit 310 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction by transmitting the driving force of the edge binding processing unit movement motor 55 to the base member 48 by a driving force transmission mechanism 551. The liquid applying and pressing unit 310 includes an upper pressure plate 34, upper pressure teeth 32a, lower pressure teeth 32b, a liquid applying and pressing unit movement mechanism 350, and a liquid supply mechanism 360. The components of the liquid applying and pressing unit 310 are held by the liquid applying frame 31a and the base member 48.

[0069] Furthermore, a liquid-applying and pressure-bonding part rotation shaft 561' equipped with a drive transmission gear 561a' is fixed to the bottom surface of the liquid-applying frame 31a. The liquid-applying and pressure-bonding part rotation shaft 561' and the drive transmission gear 561a' are rotatably held in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 on which the liquid-applying and pressure-bonding part 31a is provided. The drive transmission gear 561a' is meshed with an output gear 56a' of a liquid-applying and pressure-bonding part rotation motor 56'. The liquid-applying and pressure-bonding part 310 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 about the liquid-applying and pressure-bonding part rotation shaft 561' as a result of the driving force of the liquid-applying and pressure-bonding part rotation motor 56' being transmitted to the liquid-applying and pressure-bonding part rotation shaft 561' via the output gear 56a' and the drive transmission gear 561a'.

[0070] The liquid applicator / pressure bonding unit moving mechanism 350 moves the upper pressure plate 34, base plate 40, and upper pressure teeth 32a in conjunction with each other in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb using an electric cylinder 370. The base plate 40 holds the upper pressure tooth holding member 32a1 and the upper pressure teeth 32a via a holding portion 46a. The base plate 40 also movably holds the upper pressure plate 34 via pillar-shaped members 41a and 41b. The base plate 40 is attached to the tip of a rod 371 of the electric cylinder 370 via a connecting member 401.

[0071] The columnar members 41a and 41b hold the upper pressure plate 34 at their lower ends. The coil springs 42a and 42b are fitted around the columnar members 41a and 41b between the base plate 40 and the upper pressure plate 34. The coil springs 42a and 42b bias the upper pressure plate 34 and the columnar members 41a and 41b in a direction away from the base plate 40.

[0072] The liquid supply mechanism 360 includes a first liquid storage tank 44, a liquid supply pump 431, and a liquid supply member 45'. The liquid supply pump 431 supplies the liquid LQ to a liquid reservoir 320 provided in the upper crimping teeth holding member 32a1 as shown in Fig. 7(A) via the liquid supply member 45'. The liquid supply member 45' has a base end connected to the liquid supply pump 431 and a tip end connected to the liquid reservoir 320, and is made of a long, flexible member.

[0073] 7(B), the upper crimping teeth 32a are provided integrally with an upper crimping tooth holding member 32a1. The upper crimping tooth holding member 32a1 is provided with a liquid reservoir 320 and a liquid supply path 321 that supplies the liquid LQ stored in the liquid reservoir 320 to the upper crimping teeth 32a. The surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a have been subjected to a hydrophilic treatment, so that the liquid LQ supplied from the liquid supply path 321 spreads evenly over the surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a. On the other hand, portions of the upper crimping tooth holding member 32a1 other than the upper crimping teeth 32a have been subjected to a hydrophobic treatment, so that the liquid LQ spreads efficiently over the surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 6, the lower crimping teeth 32b are integrally provided with a lower crimping teeth holding member 32b1 that is part of the liquid applicator frame 31a, and are attached onto the base member 48 via the lower crimping teeth holding member 32b1.

[0075] Next, the liquid application operation and pressure binding operation by the liquid application and pressure bonding unit 310 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the process of supplying the paper P to the internal tray 22, the upper pressure tooth 32a and the lower pressure tooth 32b are separated, as shown in FIG. 8(A). Then, when the paper P is placed on the internal tray 22, the electric cylinder 370 is contracted to move the upper pressure tooth 32a and the upper pressure plate 34 toward the paper P. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the upper pressure plate 34 first comes into contact with the paper P, and then the upper pressure tooth 32a passes through the through hole 34a of the upper pressure plate 34 and comes into contact with the paper P. At this time, because the liquid LQ has spread over the surface of the upper pressure tooth 32a, the liquid is applied to the liquid application position of the paper P by bringing the upper pressure tooth 32a into contact with the paper P. Then, when liquid application to the liquid application position is completed, the electric cylinder 370 is extended to separate the upper pressure tooth 32a and the upper pressure plate 34 from the paper P. The above-described contact and separation operation of the upper pressure tooth 32a and the upper pressure plate 34 with respect to the paper P (liquid application operation) is repeatedly performed on the paper P that constitutes the paper stack Pb.

[0076] Thereafter, when a sheet stack Pb consisting of a specified number of sheets P is placed on the internal tray 22, the electric cylinder 370 is further contracted to move the upper crimping teeth 32a toward the lower crimping teeth 32b. Then, as shown in Fig. 8(C), with the sheet stack Pb sandwiched between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, the upper crimping teeth 32a move further toward the lower crimping teeth 32b, and the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b pressurize and deform the sheet stack Pb, thereby crimping and binding the sheet stack Pb (crimping binding operation).

[0077] [Configuration of staple binding processing unit 155] Next, the stapling processing unit 155, which has the function of executing stapling processing, will be described in detail. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the stapling processing unit 155 as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. The stapling processing unit 155 is equipped with stapling means 62 that staples the paper stack Pb. The stapling means 62 is disposed downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveying direction and spaced apart from the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction.

[0078] The staple binding means 62 serving as a medium processing means has a configuration for performing so-called "staple binding processing," which uses staples to bind the paper stack Pb. More specifically, the staple binding means 62 has a staple binding unit drive motor 62d (see FIG. 13) that drives the staple binding unit 62a. The staple binding unit 62a then staples the paper stack Pb by causing staples loaded in the staple binding unit 62a to penetrate the paper stack Pb using the driving force of the staple binding unit drive motor 62d. The configuration of the staple binding means 62 is already well known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] 9, the staple binding processing unit 155 includes a staple binding processing unit moving mechanism 77. The staple binding processing unit moving mechanism 77 moves the staple binding processing unit 155 in the main scanning direction along the downstream end in the transport direction of the paper sheets P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The staple binding processing unit moving mechanism 77 includes, for example, a base member 78, a guide shaft 49, a staple binding processing unit moving motor 80, and a drive force transmission mechanism 81. The drive force transmission mechanism 81 transmits the drive force of the staple binding processing unit moving motor 80 to the base member 78 via pulleys 81a and 81b, a timing belt 81c, and a fastening portion 78a that fastens the base member 78 and the timing belt 81c. Furthermore, a staple binding means rotation shaft 83 equipped with a drive transmission gear 83a is fixed to the bottom surface of a staple binding frame 62b that holds components of the staple binding means 62.

[0080] The staple binding means rotation shaft 83 and the drive transmission gear 83a are held rotatably in forward and reverse directions on a base member 78 on which the staple binding frame 62b is provided. The drive transmission gear 83a is in mesh with an output gear 82a of a staple binding means rotation motor 82. The staple binding means 62 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 78 about the staple binding means rotation shaft 83 as a result of the drive force of the staple binding means rotation motor 82 being transmitted to the staple binding means rotation shaft 83 via the output gear 82a and the drive transmission gear 83a.

[0081] The edge binding processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 155 are supported on a common guide shaft 49. That is, the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 and the staple binding processing unit moving mechanism 77 move the edge binding processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 155 in the main scanning direction along the common guide shaft 49. Furthermore, the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 and the staple binding processing unit moving mechanism 77 can move the edge binding processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 155 independently.

[0082] [Configuration of Modified Example of Stapling Processing Unit 155] 10 shows a stapling processing unit 155' as a modified example of the stapling processing unit 155, and is a schematic diagram of the stapling processing unit 155' as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. The stapling processing unit 155' differs from the stapling processing unit 155 in that it includes not only the stapling device 62 but also a second liquid applying device 612. As shown in FIG. 10, the stapling processing unit 155' includes the second liquid applying device 612 and the stapling device 62. The second liquid applying device 612 and the stapling device 62 are disposed adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveying direction.

[0083] The second liquid applicator 612 applies the liquid stored in the third liquid storage tank 73 to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. A predetermined area including the position where the second liquid applicator 612 applies the liquid to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb corresponds to the binding position where the stapling device 62 is to perform stapling. As shown in FIG. 10 , the second liquid applicator 612 includes a second lower pressure plate 63, a second upper pressure plate 64, a second liquid applicator moving mechanism 65, and a second liquid applicator mechanism 66. The second liquid applicator moving mechanism 65 includes, for example, a second liquid applicator moving motor 67, a second trapezoidal screw 68, a second nut 69, a second base plate 70, second columnar members 711a, 711b, and second coil springs 721a, 721b.

[0084] The second liquid dispensing mechanism 66 includes a third liquid storage tank 73, a second liquid supply member 75, a second liquid dispensing member 74, and a second joint 76. The configuration of the second liquid dispensing mechanism 66 is the same as the liquid dispensing mechanism of the liquid dispensing means 31 described in FIGS. 3 and 4 (first liquid storage tank 44, liquid supply member 50, liquid dispensing member 501, holding unit 37), so a repeated description will be omitted. In addition, the configuration of the stapling means 62 is the same as the stapling processing unit 155 shown in FIG. 9, so a detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the rotation mechanism of the second liquid dispensing means 612 (liquid dispensing means rotation motor 563, output gear 563a, drive transmission gear 562a, liquid dispensing means rotation shaft 562) is the same as the rotation mechanism of the liquid dispensing means 31 shown in FIG. 3, so a repeated description will be omitted.

[0085] 10, even in the staple binding process, by applying liquid to the sheets P, the binding position can be loosened and softened, making it easier for the staple to penetrate. This makes it possible to increase the number of sheets bound per bundle of sheets Pb compared to when staple binding is performed without applying liquid.

[0086] [Configuration of second storage tank 47] Next, the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid storage tank 47 in the post-processing device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 shows an example of the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid storage tank 47 as a main tank. FIG. 11(A) illustrates an example of the arrangement and configuration of the post-processing device 3 with the opening / closing cover 71 open. FIG. 11(B) is a cross-sectional side view of the post-processing device 3, illustrating an example of the state in which the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-processing device 3 is closed. As shown in FIG. 11(A), the second liquid storage tank 47 is installed in a position that can be accessed when the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-processing device 3 is opened. Also, as shown in FIG. 11(B), the second liquid storage tank 47 and the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 are arranged on the front side in the depth direction (X direction) of the post-processing device 3. Also, the first liquid storage tank 44 and the like are arranged on the back side in the depth direction (X direction) of the post-processing device 3. A main body side plate 72 of the post-processing device 3 is provided between the positions where the second liquid storage tank 47 and the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 are arranged and the positions where the first liquid storage tank 44, etc. are arranged. The second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 is attached to the main body side plate 72 of the post-processing device 3.

[0087] 12 illustrates an example in which the second liquid storage tank 47 is detachably attached to the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61, and an example in which liquid is refilled into the second liquid storage tank 47. As shown in FIG. 12(A), the second liquid storage tank 47 is configured to be detachably attached to the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 so that liquid can be refilled into the first liquid storage tank 44. As shown in FIG. 12(B), the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 is provided with a set detection sensor 51 (set detection means) that detects that the second liquid storage tank 47 has been set in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61.

[0088] When the set detection sensor 51 detects that the second storage tank 47 has been set in the second storage tank fixing portion 61 (see FIG. 12(C)), a signal informing the same is sent to the control portion 100b (described later). In this way, the control portion 100b (described later) is configured to be able to detect whether the second storage tank 47 has been set in the second storage tank fixing portion 61.

[0089] The second storage tank fixing part 61 is also provided with a second liquid level sensor 94 (second liquid detection means) for detecting the amount of liquid L stored therein. The output value (voltage) of the second liquid level sensor 94 is notified to a control part 100b (described later). The control part 100b (described later) determines whether the amount of liquid stored in the second storage tank fixing part 61 is the required amount by determining the output value (voltage) of the second liquid level sensor 94. When the control part 100b (described later) determines that the second storage tank 47 is in the set state based on the output signal of the set detection sensor 51, it turns on the second liquid level sensor 94 to make it possible to detect the presence or absence (liquid level) of liquid in the second storage tank fixing part 61.

[0090] Furthermore, when the second liquid storage tank 47 is not set in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 (unset state), the liquid outlet 471a is blocked by the liquid supply valve 471 to prevent leakage of the liquid L. Then, as shown in FIG. 12(C), when the second liquid storage tank 47 is set in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61, the liquid supply valve 471 is pushed up and the liquid outlet 471a of the second liquid storage tank 47 is opened, causing the liquid L to flow out from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61. As a result, the liquid L stored in the second liquid storage tank 47 flows out into the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61. The liquid L flowing out from the second liquid storage tank 47 is stored in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61.

[0091] During maintenance of the post-processing device 3 or as a measure to prevent the liquid L from freezing, a "liquid draining process" may be performed to drain the liquid L from the post-processing device 3. In the liquid draining process, the liquid L remaining in the first liquid storage tank 44 and the liquid supply path 45 is pumped in the reverse direction by the liquid supply pump 46 through the liquid supply path 45 to the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61. For this reason, the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 is set to a capacity capable of storing the liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44 and the liquid supply path 45. As shown in FIGS. 12(B) and 12(C), the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 is provided with a liquid drain plug 611. After the liquid supply pump 46 has pumped the liquid L remaining in the first liquid storage tank 44 and the liquid supply path 45 in the reverse direction to the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61, the liquid drain plug 611 can be opened to discharge the liquid L stored in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 from inside the post-processing device 3.

[0092] [Configuration of control block of post-processing device 3] Next, the control block configuration of post-processing device 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a hardware configuration diagram for executing control processing in post-processing device 3. As shown in Fig. 13, post-processing device 3 has a configuration in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, and an I / F 105 are connected via a common bus 109.

[0093] The CPU 101 is a computing means and controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 3. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium that can read and write information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 101 processes information. The ROM 103 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information and has a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0094] The post-processing device 3 processes a control program stored in the ROM 103, an information processing program (application program) loaded into the RAM 102 from a storage medium such as the HDD 104, and the like using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software control unit including various functional modules of the post-processing device 3. The combination of the software control unit thus constituted and the hardware resources installed in the post-processing device 3 constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing device 3. In other words, the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, HDD 104, and I / F 105 constitute a control unit 100b (control means) that controls the operation of the post-processing device 3.

[0095] The I / F 105 is an interface that connects the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the contact / separation motor 32d, the pressure-receiving means rotation motor 56, the liquid application section movement motor 42, the liquid application means rotation motor 563, the end-stitching processing section movement motor 55, the staple binding section drive motor 62d, the staple binding means rotation motor 82, the staple binding processing section movement motor 80, the liquid supply pump 46, the movement sensor 40a, the first liquid level sensor 43, the second liquid level sensor 94, the set detection sensor 51, the standby position sensor 540, the encoder sensor 541, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109.

[0096] The control unit 100b controls, via the I / F 105, the operations of the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the contact / separation motor 32d, the pressure bonding means rotation motor 56, the liquid application unit movement motor 42, the liquid application means rotation motor 563, the edge stitching processing unit movement motor 55, the stapling unit drive motor 62d, the stapling means rotation motor 82, the stapling processing unit movement motor 80, and the liquid supply pump 46. In addition, the control unit 100b acquires the detection results of the movement sensor 40a, the first liquid level sensor 43, the second liquid level sensor 94, the set detection sensor 51, the standby position sensor 540, and the encoder sensor 541. Note that while Figure 13 illustrates components related to the end binding processing unit 25 and staple binding processing unit 155 that perform the end binding process, components related to the saddle stitching processing unit 28 that performs the saddle stitching process are also similarly controlled by the control unit 100b.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an operation panel 110. The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that accepts input operations from a user and a display (notification unit) that notifies the user of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, etc. The operation panel 110 acquires information from the user through the operation unit and provides the information to the user through the display. Note that the notification unit is not limited to a display, and may be an LED lamp, a speaker, etc. The post-processing device 3 may also be provided with an operation panel 110 similar to the above.

[0098] As described above, post-processing device 3 uses the hardware resources of control unit 100b to realize the function of controlling operations related to liquid deposition through software (control program) executed by CPU 101.

[0099] The liquid application performed by the post-processing device 3 may be configured such that the staple binding processing unit 155 is equipped with only the staple binding unit 62, and the liquid application is performed by the liquid application unit 31 equipped in the end binding processing unit 25. Conversely, the end binding processing unit 25 may be equipped with only the pressure bonding unit 32, and the liquid application is performed by the second liquid application unit 612. In other words, regardless of the type of binding process, the configuration may be such that only either the liquid application unit 31 or the second liquid application unit 612 applies the liquid.

[0100] Furthermore, the stapling processing unit 155' has been described as having a configuration in which the stapling means 62 and the second liquid providing means 612 are configured integrally and move along the guide shaft 49, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the stapling means 62 and the second liquid providing means 612 may each move separately and independently.

[0101] [Binding process explanation] Next, the flow of the binding process executed in the end binding processing unit 25 provided in the post-processing device 3 will be described. Fig. 14 is a flowchart when one-point binding processing is executed. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the transition of the position of the end binding processing unit 25 (liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32) during execution of one-point binding processing. Note that Fig. 15 does not show changes in the attitude of the liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32. Furthermore, the position (liquid application position) where liquid application is performed on the sheet P or sheet stack Pb by the liquid application unit 31 corresponds to the binding position where the pressure bonding unit 32 is scheduled to perform pressure binding on the sheet stack Pb. Therefore, in the following description, the liquid application position and the binding position will be assigned the same reference numerals (B1, B2).

[0102] The control unit 100b starts the binding process shown in FIG. 14, for example, at the timing when an instruction to execute the binding process (hereinafter referred to as a "binding process instruction") is acquired from the image forming apparatus 2.

[0103] The binding process instruction includes, for example, the type of paper P (information that affects the spread of the liquid, such as material and thickness), the number of sheets P that make up the paper stack Pb (hereinafter referred to as the "predetermined number of sheets N"), the number of copies of the paper stack Pb to be bound (hereinafter referred to as the "required number of copies M"), the binding position of the paper stack Pb, and the binding posture of the edge binding processing unit 25. Also, as shown in FIG. 15(A), it is assumed that the liquid application means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32 are in a parallel binding posture and are positioned at a standby position HP that is offset in the width direction from the paper sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 at the start of the binding process.

[0104] First, when the posture instructed in the binding process instruction is the "diagonal binding posture," the control unit 100b drives the pressure bonding means rotation motor 56 to rotate the pressure bonding means 32 constituting the edge binding processing unit 25 to the diagonal binding posture (S1401). The control unit 100b also rotates the liquid application means 31 constituting the edge binding processing unit 25 to the diagonal binding posture using the liquid application means rotation mechanism 126. Note that, when the "diagonal binding posture" is selected, only the pressure bonding means 32 may be rotated to the diagonal binding posture, and the liquid application means 31 may not be rotated in the forward or reverse direction. This simplifies the drive mechanism compared to when both the liquid application means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32 are rotated in the forward or reverse direction, thereby achieving the effects of reducing costs, downsizing the device, and reducing equipment failures.

[0105] On the other hand, if the posture instructed in the binding process instruction is the "parallel binding posture," the control unit 100b omits the operation of rotating the liquid applicator 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 constituting the edge binding processing unit 25 to the oblique binding posture. Furthermore, the control unit 100b drives the edge binding processing unit movement motor 55 to move the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the liquid applicator 31 faces the first liquid applicator position B1 instructed in the binding process instruction (S1401). The control unit 100b executes the process of step S1401 before the first sheet P is conveyed to the internal tray 22 by the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15.

[0106] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the pairs of conveying rollers 10, 11, 14, and 15 to store the paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming device 2 in the internal tray 22 (S1402).The control unit 100b also moves the side fences 24L and 24R to align the position in the main scanning direction of the paper P or the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, a so-called jogging process (S1402).

[0107] Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid applicator 31 facing the first liquid applicator position B1 to apply liquid to the first liquid applicator position B1 of the paper sheet P placed on the internal tray 22 in the immediately preceding step S1402, based on the liquid applicator control data adjusted in advance (S1403). That is, the control unit 100b drives the liquid applicator movement motor 42 to bring the liquid applicator member 451 into contact with the first liquid applicator position B1 of the paper sheet P placed on the internal tray 22 (see FIG. 15(B)). In the liquid applicator process in step S1403, the control unit 100b adjusts the position at which the liquid applicator member 451 applies liquid to the paper sheet P, depending on the type of paper sheet P and the binding position included in the binding process instruction. The control unit 100b also adjusts the amount of pressure applied by the liquid applicator member 451 against the paper sheet P. That is, the control unit 100b controls the driving of the liquid applicator movement motor 42 based on the adjusted control data, and adjusts the movement amount of the liquid applicator 451 relative to the binding position B1 of the paper sheets P placed on the internal tray 22.

[0108] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N specified in the binding process instruction (S1404). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number N (S1404: No), it repeats the processes of steps S1402 to S1404 until the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 reaches the predetermined number N (S1404: Yes).

[0109] That is, the control unit 100b executes the processes of steps S1402 to S1404 every time a sheet P is transported to the internal tray 22 by the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15. Note that the liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 may be applied not only to all of the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb, but also to only some of the sheets P.

[0110] Then, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N (S1404: Yes), as shown in Figure 15 (C), it drives the end binding processing unit movement motor 55 to move the end binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the pressing means 32 faces the first binding position B1 (S1405).

[0111] Next, the control unit 100b causes the pressure bonding unit 32 to perform pressure binding on the sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 (S1406). Then, the control unit 100b causes the conveyance roller pair 15 to discharge the sheet bundle Pb pressure-bound by the pressure bonding unit 32 to the second discharge tray 26 (S1407). That is, the control unit 100b drives the contact / separation motor 32d to clamp the first binding position B1 of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 between the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b. This causes the sheet bundle Pb to be pressurized and deformed between the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b, thereby performing pressure binding. Thereafter, the control unit 100b rotates the conveyance roller pair 15 to discharge the sheet bundle Pb pressure-bound to the second discharge tray 26.

[0112] Note that, on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, the pressure-bonding area (corresponding to the first binding position B1) clamped by the upper pressure-bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 32b in step S1406 overlaps the liquid-application area (corresponding to the first liquid-application position B1) that the tip of the liquid-application member 451 contacted in step S1403. In other words, the pressure-bonding unit 32 pressure-bonds and binds the area on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 to which liquid has been applied by the liquid-application unit 31. Note that the pressure-bonding area clamped by the upper pressure-bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 32b does not need to completely overlap the liquid-application area that the tip of the liquid-application member 451 contacted; sufficient binding strength can be obtained even if the pressure-bonding area only partially overlaps.

[0113] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of copies of the sheet bundle Pb discharged onto the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies M indicated in the binding process instruction (S1408). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of copies of the discharged sheet bundle Pb has not reached the required number of copies M (S1408: No), it executes the processes from step S1402 onwards again. That is, the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the processes of steps S1402 to S1408 until the number of copies of the sheet bundle Pb discharged onto the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number of copies M (S1408: Yes).

[0114] On the other hand, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of copies of the sheet bundle Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies M (S1408: Yes), the control unit 100b drives the edge-stitching processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge-stitching processing unit 25 (liquid applicator 31 and pressure-bonding unit 32) to the standby position HP as shown in FIG. 15(D) (S1409). Furthermore, when the posture specified in the binding process instruction is the "diagonal binding posture," the control unit 100b drives the pressure-bonding unit rotating motor 56 to rotate the pressure-bonding unit 32 to the parallel binding posture (S1409). Furthermore, the control unit 100b rotates the liquid applicator 31 to the parallel binding posture by the liquid applicator rotating mechanism 126 (S1409). On the other hand, when the posture specified in the binding process instruction is the "parallel binding posture," the operation of rotating the liquid applicator 31 and the pressure-bonding unit 32 to the parallel binding posture is omitted. As a result, the edge binding processing unit 25 (liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32) returns to the standby position HP as shown in Fig. 15(D) . Note that in steps S1401 and S1409, the order of performing the operations of moving the liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32 in the main scanning direction and rotating them in the forward and reverse directions is not limited to the order described above, and may be the reverse order.

[0115] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the transition of the position of the edge binding processing unit 25 during execution of two-point binding. A detailed description of the commonalities with the process described with reference to FIG. 15 will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described. As shown in FIG. 16(A), at the start of two-point binding, the edge binding processing unit 25 is located at the standby position HP. The first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2 are positioned apart in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, FIG. 16 describes the case where two sheets P1 and P2 are pressure-bonded and bound (i.e., when the predetermined number N=2), but the number of sheets P that make up the sheet bundle Pb is not limited to this.

[0116] The control unit 100b moves the edge stitching processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the liquid application means 31 can face the first liquid application position B1 before the first sheet P1 of the sheet stack Pb is placed on the internal tray 22. Next, as shown in FIG. 16(B), with the liquid application means 31 positioned so that it can face the first liquid application position B1, the control unit 100b places the sheet P1, on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 2, on the internal tray 22, and moves the side fences 24L and 24R in the main scanning direction to perform the jogging process.

[0117] Next, in response to the first sheet of paper P1 being placed on the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b causes the liquid applicator 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid applicator position B1 of the sheet of paper P1. Next, as shown in FIG. 16(C), the control unit 100b moves the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the liquid applicator 31 faces the second liquid applicator position B2 of the first sheet of paper P1. Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid applicator 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid applicator position B2 of the first sheet of paper P1.

[0118] Next, upon completion of liquid application by the liquid application means 31 to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 of the first sheet of paper P1, the control unit 100b stores the second sheet of paper P2 that constitutes the paper stack Pb in the internal tray 22 while leaving the liquid application means 31 positioned so that it can face the second liquid application position B2, as shown in Figure 16 (D), and performs a jogging process by moving the side fences 24L and 24R in the main scanning direction.

[0119] Next, in response to the second sheet of paper P2 being placed on the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b causes the liquid applicator 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid applicator position B2 of the second sheet of paper P2. Next, as shown in FIG. 16(E), the control unit 100b moves the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the liquid applicator 31 faces the first liquid applicator position B1 of the second sheet of paper P2. Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid applicator 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid applicator position B1 of the second sheet of paper P2.

[0120] That is, until the number of sheets of paper P placed on the internal tray 22 reaches a predetermined number N, the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the conveyance of the paper P by the conveyance roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 and the liquid application to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 by the liquid application means 31. At this time, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application means 31 to perform liquid application to the B-th (B < N) sheet of paper P in the order of the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2. Further, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application means 31 to perform liquid application to the (B + 1)-th sheet of paper P in the order of the second liquid application position B2 and the first liquid application position B1. In other words, the control unit 100b changes the order in which the liquid application means 31 applies liquid to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 for each sheet of paper P. Furthermore, the control unit 100b moves the binding processing unit 25 from one of the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 to the other by the shortest distance without passing through the standby position HP.

[0121] Next, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets of paper P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N, as shown in FIG. 16(F), the control unit 100b moves the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the crimping means 32 faces the first binding position B1. Next, the control unit 100b causes the crimping means 32 to perform crimping binding on the first binding position B1 of the paper bundle Pb composed of the two sheets of paper P1 and P2 placed on the internal tray 22. Next, as shown in FIG. 16(G), the control unit 100b moves the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the crimping means 32 faces the second binding position B2 of the paper bundle Pb. Next, the control unit 100b causes the crimping means 32 to perform crimping binding on the second binding position B2 of the paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0122] 16, the control unit 100b causes the liquid applicator 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid applicator position B1 last, and therefore causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimp binding in the order of the first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2. On the other hand, if the control unit 100b causes the liquid applicator 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid applicator position B2 last, it may cause the crimping unit 32 to perform crimp binding in the order of the second binding position B2 and the first binding position B1.

[0123] 16 , the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 can move the edge binding processing unit 25 over the shortest distance between the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 and the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the second liquid application position B2, without passing through the standby position HP. Furthermore, the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 can move the edge binding processing unit 25 over the shortest distance between the position where the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 and the position where the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the second binding position B2, without passing through the standby position HP. Furthermore, the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 can move the edge binding processing unit 25 over the shortest distance between the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 (or the second liquid application position B2) and the position where the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 (or the second binding position B2), without passing through the standby position HP.

[0124] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the sheet bundle Pb pressure-bound at the first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2 by the pressure-bonding means 32 onto the second discharge tray 26. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16(H), the control unit 100b drives the edge-stitching processing unit moving motor 55 to move the binding processing unit 25 (the liquid application means 31 and the pressure-bonding means 32) to the standby position HP.

[0125] [Correlation between the configuration of the image forming system and relay peripherals and the amount of liquid applied] In the image forming system 1 already described, a unit that performs relay processing of the paper P may be disposed between the image forming device 2 and the post-processing device 3. The paper conveyance distance, which will be described later, varies depending on the configuration of the relay processing unit.

[0126] When the end binding processing unit 25 provided in the post-processing device 3 performs the pressure binding process, the paper P is transported from the image forming device 2 to the end binding processing unit 25. The transport path of this paper P is a path that passes through various components and reaches the end binding processing unit 25 after an image is formed on the paper P in the image forming unit 213 of the image forming device 2.

[0127] Various types of image forming methods for forming an image on paper P in image forming unit 213 are already known, and various methods are also known as processes performed on paper P before processing by edge binding processing unit 25. In any method, the image forming process on paper P includes a process of changing the temperature of paper P. For example, in the case of an electrophotographic method, a fixing process is performed in image forming unit 213 to fix the image forming material on paper P, and a fixing unit that heats paper P is used in this fixing process.

[0128] The fixing temperature, which is the temperature at which the paper P is heated in the fixing unit, is obtained by a temperature and humidity sensor equipped in the image forming apparatus 2. The fixing temperature varies depending on the type of paper P and the thickness of the paper P (paper type and paper thickness). It also correlates with the time required to fix the image forming material and the processing time of the entire image forming process. Therefore, the temperature of the paper P after fixing (hereinafter referred to as "paper temperature") will vary depending on the productivity of the image forming apparatus 2 that performs the image fixing process, and the paper type and paper thickness.

[0129] 17 illustrates an example of the correlation between the transport time of the paper P starting from the fixing unit of the image forming unit 213 and the temperature of the paper heated by the fixing unit. As shown in FIG. 17, as the transport time of the paper P increases, the temperature of the paper P decreases accordingly. The transport time of the paper P is proportional to the transport distance of the paper P. Therefore, as the transport distance of the paper P increases, the temperature of the paper decreases accordingly from the temperature at the time when the paper was heated in the fixing unit.

[0130] In this specification, the term "conveyance distance" refers to the distance that the paper P travels from the fixing unit included in the image forming unit 213 to the post-processing device 3 equipped with the edge binding processing unit 25. Hereinafter, the conveyance distance of the paper P will be referred to as the "paper conveyance distance."

[0131] In a system configuration that combines only the image forming device 2 and a peripheral device (post-processing device 3) equipped with pressure binding, the distance the paper is transported from the fixing unit to the post-processing device 3 is relatively short, so the paper transport time is short and the degree of decrease in paper temperature is relatively low. On the other hand, in a system configuration in which multiple relay processing units are connected, the transport time of the paper P is long and the degree of decrease in paper temperature is relatively high. In other words, the temperature of the paper P when it reaches the post-processing device 3 after being heated in the image forming unit 213 is lower in a system configuration in which the paper transport distance is relatively long than in a system configuration in which the paper transport distance is relatively short.

[0132] When the paper temperature is high, the liquid applied by the liquid application means 31 evaporates more easily than when the paper temperature is low. The degree of evaporation of the liquid applied to the paper by the liquid application performed in the edge binding processing unit 25 (liquid application means 31) correlates with the paper temperature, and therefore also with the paper transport distance. That is, when liquid application pressure binding is performed in a system configuration with a relatively long paper transport distance, the liquid is less likely to evaporate than in a system configuration with a relatively short paper transport distance. Therefore, if the same amount of liquid is applied, the liquid content of the paper P when pressure binding is performed will be higher in a system configuration with a relatively long paper transport distance.

[0133] By applying liquid to the sheets P, the flexibility of the binding position of the sheets P is increased, and in particular, the degree of pressure deformation of the sheets P when pressure binding is performed is increased, thereby increasing the binding strength. In other words, by adjusting the liquid content by applying liquid, appropriate binding strength can be achieved and binding quality can be improved. Therefore, appropriately adjusting the amount of liquid applied by applying liquid based on the liquid content of the sheets P that reach the liquid applying means 31 has an impact on improving binding quality.

[0134] The post-processing device 3c included in the image forming system 1c according to the present embodiment, which will be described below, acquires the heating state of the paper P from the image forming device 2c in order to control the application of liquid to the paper P whose temperature has changed due to processing (such as fixing processing) performed before processing in the edge binding processing unit 25. The post-processing device 3c acquires this information based on information about the paper transport distance from the image forming device 2c to the post-processing device 3c and connection information for the relay peripheral device 4c. The post-processing device 3c according to the present embodiment then estimates the temperature of the paper P based on this acquired information and adjusts the amount of liquid applied appropriately according to this estimated temperature.

[0135] [First Configuration Example of Image Forming System 1] An example configuration for adjusting the amount of liquid applied to improve binding strength in a media processing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For example, the image forming system 1c shown in FIG. 18 is an example of a system configuration in which the paper transport distance is relatively short. As shown in FIG. 18, an image forming device 2c, which is an upstream device of a post-processing device 3c, is equipped with an internal finisher 411 and a relay unit 412 that constitute a relay peripheral device 4c. Note that multiple variations are possible for the image forming device 2c, such as a device equipped with only either the internal finisher 411 or the relay unit 412, or a device equipped with both the internal finisher 411 and the relay unit 412.

[0136] The control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3c constituting the image forming system 1c stores data indicating the transport distance to each relay peripheral device 4c, as shown in Fig. 19. For example, as shown in Fig. 19, the data is stored as information indicating that the transport distance of the internal finisher 411 is 520 [mm] and the transport distance of the relay unit 412 is 500 [mm].

[0137] [Second Configuration Example of Image Forming System 1] For example, the image forming system 1d shown in Fig. 20 is an example of a system configuration in which the paper transport distance is relatively long. As shown in Fig. 20, in the case of a so-called "on-demand printing machine" in which a relay peripheral device 4d consisting of multiple devices is arranged between the image forming apparatus 2d, which is an upstream device of the post-processing device 3d, the paper transport distance is longer than in the image forming system 1c.

[0138] The relay peripheral device 4d illustrated in Fig. 20 includes, for example, an insert feeder 413, a folding unit 414, a stacker 415, a case binder 416, and a trimmer 417, as shown in Fig. 21. The conveying distances for these are 520 mm, 540 mm, 600 mm, 600 mm, and 580 mm, respectively. In this way, data indicating the paper conveying distances according to the system configuration is stored in the control unit 100b.

[0139] In both the first and second configuration examples, the system configuration is merely an example, and the characteristic control processing described below can also be applied to other system configurations.

[0140] In addition, in the above explanation, an example was shown in which data on the transport distance corresponding to the system configuration was stored in advance, but this is not limited to this. It is also possible to store the above data as transport time rather than transport distance depending on the transport distance and transport speed, and perform the following control based on the transport time.

[0141] Depending on the system configuration, the control unit 100b acquires the data illustrated in Figure 19 or Figure 21 from the image forming device 2 as information on the relay peripheral devices 4c and 4d, and calculates and stores the total conveying distance from the image forming device 2 to the end binding processing unit 25.

[0142] In either of the above system configurations, the distance from when the sheets P are conveyed into the post-processing device 3c, 3d equipped with the edge binding processing unit 25 to when they reach the edge binding processing unit 25 is, for example, 350 mm.

[0143] Hereinafter, the correlation between the system configuration and the paper conveyance distance will be illustrated with reference to image forming systems 1c and 1d.

[0144] [First example of paper transport distance] For example, in the case of a system configuration consisting of an image forming device 2c, a relay unit 412, and a post-processing device 3c equipped with an end-binding processing unit 25, the paper transport distance is the relay unit 412 (500 mm) and the end-binding processing unit 25 (350 mm), so the total paper transport distance is 850 mm.

[0145] [Second example of paper transport distance] In addition, in the case of a system configuration including the image forming apparatus 2d and the post-processing apparatus 3d having the edge stitching processing section 25, the total paper conveyance distance is the edge stitching processing section 25 (350 mm) since there is no relay peripheral device 4d.

[0146] [Third example of paper transport distance] In addition, in the image forming system 1d, in the case of a system configuration of a post-processing device 3d equipped with a case binder 416, a paper folding unit 414, a stacker 415, and an end-stitching processing unit 25, the total paper transport distance is 2090 mm, since it is the case binder (600 mm) + paper folding unit (540 mm) + stacker (600 mm) + end-stitching processing unit 25 (350 mm).

[0147] [Example of liquid application setting pattern] Next, we will explain the pattern of setting values ​​for controlling the liquid application operation (liquid application setting pattern Lp). The liquid application setting pattern Lp is a type of control information that is stored in advance in a memory area of ​​the control unit 100b. The liquid application setting pattern Lp is distinguished by a combination of fixing temperature and paper transport distance. In Figure 22, the horizontal axis represents paper transport distance and the vertical axis represents fixing temperature, and the correlation between these is distinguished into several zones by combining a certain range of paper transport distance and a certain range of fixing temperature. A liquid application setting pattern Lp corresponding to each zone is then stored in advance.

[0148] FIG. 22 includes first liquid application setting pattern Lp1 to sixth liquid application setting pattern Lp6. As shown in FIG. 22, in the first liquid application setting pattern Lp1, the temperature of the paper P is high, so the liquid applied to the paper P is likely to evaporate. Therefore, it is necessary to control the liquid application so that a large amount of liquid is applied. In addition, in the sixth liquid application setting pattern Lp6, the temperature of the paper P is not relatively high, so it is sufficient to apply well-known technology and control the liquid application so that an amount of liquid is applied that is derived from the paper thickness and the number of sheets to be bound. Note that the distribution of liquid application setting patterns Lp and the number of liquid application setting patterns Lp illustrated in FIG. 22 are merely examples.

[0149] Using FIG. 22, the liquid application setting pattern Lp for liquid application is set to one of the first liquid application setting pattern Lp1 to the sixth liquid application setting pattern Lp6 based on the correlation between the first to third examples of the paper conveyance distance and the fixing temperature.

[0150] For example, in the first example of the paper transport distance, image forming apparatus 2c is a so-called multifunction peripheral, and compared to on-demand printing machines such as image forming apparatus 2d, its image formation speed and paper P transport speed are slower, resulting in relatively low productivity. Therefore, the fixing temperature is also lower. Furthermore, because relay unit 412 is installed as relay peripheral device 4c, the paper transport distance is 850 mm. Therefore, the liquid application setting pattern Lp becomes the fourth liquid application setting pattern Lp4, which corresponds to area R surrounded by a dashed rectangle in FIG. 23.

[0151] In the second example of the paper transport distance, the image forming apparatus 2d is an on-demand printer, so the fixing temperature is high. Furthermore, since there is no relay peripheral device 4d, the paper transport distance is short. Therefore, the liquid application pattern in this case is the first liquid application setting pattern Lp1, which corresponds to the area R enclosed by the dashed rectangle in FIG. 24.

[0152] In the third example of the paper transport distance, the image forming apparatus 2d is an on-demand printer, so the fixing temperature is high. Furthermore, because the relay peripheral device 4d is configured with many components, the overall transport distance is 2090 mm. Therefore, the liquid application setting pattern Lp becomes the sixth liquid application setting pattern Lp6, which corresponds to the area R surrounded by the dashed rectangle in FIG. 25.

[0153] As explained above, the liquid application setting pattern Lp varies depending on the fixing temperature and the total conveyance distance of each device. Note that the control unit 100b provided in the post-processing devices 3c and 3d according to this embodiment stores setting values ​​for the amount of pressure applied by the liquid application member 501 and the time (liquid application time) that the liquid application member 501 is in contact with the paper P for each liquid application setting pattern Lp, and uses these setting values ​​to control liquid application.

[0154] As described above, the set liquid application amount used for liquid application control is set based on the total conveyance distance and the fixing temperature (the temperature applied by the process that causes a temperature change in the paper P). The set liquid application amount is defined by the "push amount X [mm]" by which the liquid application member 501 is pressed against the paper P, and the "liquid application time Y [ms]," which is the time for which the liquid application member 501 is maintained in contact with the paper P, and is the contact time. Note that the process for determining the set liquid application amount is well known technology, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0155] In this embodiment, the liquid application amount is controlled using a liquid application setting pattern Lp based on the conveyance distance and fixing temperature, with the push-in amount X and liquid application time Y being liquid application set amounts determined based on the thickness of the paper P and the number of sheets of paper P comprising the paper stack Pb. FIG. 26 shows an example of a combination of adjustment amounts (addition / subtraction values) for the push-in amount X [mm] and liquid application time Y [ms] for each liquid application pattern. Note that, instead of adding or subtracting the "push-in amount X [mm]" and "liquid application time Y [ms]" for each liquid application pattern as in FIG. 26, the actual liquid application amount (liquid application determined based on the paper P + addition / subtraction) may be used.

[0156] Let's apply the example of the liquid application setting amount shown in Figure 26 to the "first example of paper conveyance distance" shown above. In this case, the liquid application setting pattern Lp corresponds to the fourth liquid application setting pattern Lp4, so based on the liquid application setting amount in Figure 26, the push amount X is +5 [mm] and the liquid application time Y is +5 [ms].

[0157] Next, let us apply this to the "second example of paper conveyance distance." In this case, the liquid application setting pattern Lp is the first liquid application setting pattern Lp1, so based on the liquid application setting amount in Figure 26, the push amount X is +15 [mm] and the liquid application time Y is +10 [ms].

[0158] Let's also apply this to the "third example of paper transport distance." In this case, the liquid application setting pattern Lp is the sixth liquid application setting pattern Lp6, so based on the liquid application setting amount in Figure 26, there is no addition or subtraction to the push-in amount X, and there is no addition or subtraction to the liquid application time Y. In other words, liquid application is controlled by values ​​determined by the thickness of the paper P and the number of sheets of paper P that make up the paper stack Pb.

[0159] As illustrated above, it is possible to control the liquid content of the paper P at the stage of applying the liquid, taking into account the fixing temperature in the image forming devices 2c and 2d and the liquid evaporation time determined by the length of the paper transport distance to the post-processing devices 3c and 3d.

[0160] [Configuration example of liquid applying means 31c according to this embodiment] Next, an example of the configuration of liquid deposition means 31c that makes it possible to realize the control of liquid deposition described above will be described. Figure 27 shows an example of the configuration of liquid deposition means 31c according to this embodiment. The difference from the liquid deposition means 31 already described is that it is equipped with a liquid deposition amount detection sensor 95.

[0161] The liquid application amount detection sensor 95 holds the liquid application member 501 movably between a contact position where it contacts the paper P and a separated position where it is separated from the paper P, and is held in a configuration including a pressing means for pressing the liquid application member 501 that is in contact with the paper P. The liquid application amount detection sensor 95 is configured to move to a position (liquid application position) where the liquid application member 501 contacts and presses the paper P located between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34, and after liquid application, the liquid application amount detection sensor 95 is moved to the liquid application position by the pressing means, and detects the amount of liquid (liquid content) at the liquid application position.

[0162] The liquid application amount detection sensor 95, which serves as a liquid application amount detection means, detects the amount of liquid (liquid content) on the portion of the paper P on which the liquid has been applied, and notifies the control unit 100b. The control unit 100b calculates the liquid content of the paper P based on the notification from the liquid application amount detection sensor 95.

[0163] The liquid application amount detection sensor 95 may be, for example, a near-infrared type, an electrical resistance type, or an electrical capacitance type. As long as it can detect the amount of liquid on the paper P, the type is not limited.

[0164] When executing a job including a process of forming a sheet stack Pb by pressure binding, after liquid is applied to the first sheet P based on the setting values ​​determined by the liquid application setting pattern Lp, the control unit 100b detects the amount of liquid applied to the first sheet P using the liquid application amount detection sensor 95. Then, based on the amount of liquid applied detected from the first sheet P, the control unit 100b adjusts the amount of liquid applied to the second and subsequent sheets P.

[0165] [Process flow for controlling the amount of liquid applied (first example)] Next, the flow of the liquid deposition amount control process implemented in the control unit 100b provided in the post-processing devices 3c and 3d will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0166] Execution of a job including a binding process involving liquid application is started, and after liquid is applied to the first sheet P of paper that constitutes the paper stack Pb, a liquid application amount detection process is executed by the liquid application amount detection sensor 95 (S2801).

[0167] The liquid content detected in step 2801 is compared with the appropriate liquid content α [%] preset for the thickness of the paper P (S2802). Since it is difficult to match the liquid content detected from the paper P with the appropriate amount α without error, a compromise range for the appropriate amount α is specified in advance as an allowable error, and if the liquid content is within the allowable error range for the appropriate amount α, the liquid content is determined to be the same as the appropriate amount α and control is performed. In this example, the allowable error is assumed to be "±5%". Note that the allowable error value is just an example.

[0168] In step S2802, if the liquid content of the first sheet of paper P is within ±5% of the appropriate amount α (S2802: YES), the first liquid application control pattern CP1 of the liquid application control patterns CP illustrated in FIG. 29 is set and processing ends (S2803).

[0169] If the liquid content of the first sheet of paper P is outside the range of ±5% of the appropriate amount α (S2802: NO), a determination is made as to whether the liquid content of the first sheet of paper P is more or less than the appropriate amount α (S2804). If the liquid content is greater than +5% of the appropriate amount α in step S2804 (S2804: YES), then a determination is made as to whether the liquid content is greater than +15% of the appropriate amount α (S2805). If the liquid content is determined to be less than +15% of the appropriate amount α in step S2805 (S2805: NO), the second liquid application control pattern CP2 is set and processing ends (S2807).

[0170] In step S2805, if it is determined that the liquid content is greater than the appropriate amount α by +15% (S2805: YES), it is then determined whether the liquid content of the first sheet of paper P is greater than the appropriate amount by +25% (S2806). In step S2806, if it is determined that the liquid content is equal to or less than +25% of the appropriate amount α (S2806: NO), the third liquid deposition control pattern CP3 is set and processing ends (S2808). In step S2806, if it is determined that the liquid content is greater than the appropriate amount α by +25% (S2806: YES), the fourth liquid deposition control pattern CP4 is set and processing ends (S2809).

[0171] If the liquid content is less than +5% of the appropriate amount α in step S2804 (S2804: NO), it is then determined whether the liquid content is -15% or less of the appropriate amount α (S2810).If it is determined in step 2810 that the liquid content is not -15% or less of the appropriate amount α (S2810: NO), the fifth liquid application control pattern CP5 is set and the process ends (S2812).

[0172] If it is determined in step S2810 that the liquid content is -15% or less of the appropriate amount α (S2810: YES), it is then determined whether the liquid content is -25% or less of the appropriate amount α (S2811). If it is determined in step S2811 that the liquid content is -25% or less of the appropriate amount α (S2811: YES), a seventh liquid dispensing control pattern CP7 is set and processing ends (S2814). If it is determined in step S2811 that the liquid content is not -25% or less of the appropriate amount α (S2811: NO), a sixth liquid dispensing control pattern CP6 is set and processing ends (S2813).

[0173] FIG. 29 shows a combination of liquid deposition control patterns CP and the corresponding adjustment amounts for the push amount X and the liquid deposition time Y for switching the liquid deposition control mode. Note that the liquid deposition control pattern CP shown in FIG. 29 is an example, and the comparison range for the liquid content is also an example. The timing for acquiring the liquid content does not have to be the timing for acquiring the results of liquid deposition on the first sheet of paper P. For example, processing may be performed to acquire the liquid content on the second sheet of paper P after liquid has been deposited on the second sheet of paper P. Alternatively, the results of liquid deposition on the first and second sheets of paper P may be acquired, and the average value may be used as the liquid content, and the pattern for adjusting the liquid deposition amount may be set as described above.

[0174] As described above, the control unit 100b sets a liquid application pattern based on the system configuration of the post-processing devices 3c and 3d, and sets a liquid application control pattern CP that adjusts the setting value according to the liquid application setting pattern Lp based on the liquid content obtained from the paper P after liquid application according to the setting.

[0175] In other words, the operating amount of the liquid application member 501 is determined by the thickness of the paper P to which liquid is to be applied and the number of sheets of paper P that make up the paper stack Pb, and the pushing amount X [mm] is calculated by applying an addition / subtraction value determined by the liquid application setting pattern Lp, which is determined by the correlation between the fixing temperature and the conveying distance, and an adjustment amount determined by the liquid application control pattern CP is added to this, and the liquid application is controlled using the adjusted value.

[0176] Although the liquid deposition control pattern CP illustrated in FIG. 29 sets an addition / subtraction value, it may be the actual liquid deposition amount (liquid deposition determined by the total conveyance distance and fixing temperature + addition / subtraction value).

[0177] Here, the value obtained by applying the addition / subtraction values ​​shown in Fig. 26 to the push-down amount X is γ [mm], and the value obtained by applying the addition / subtraction values ​​shown in Fig. 26 to the liquid application time Y is ζ [ms]. In this case, when the first liquid application control pattern CP1 is set, the push-down amount for the second sheet is "γ+0 = γ [mm]". Furthermore, the liquid application time for the second sheet is "ζ+0 = ζ [ms]".

[0178] Similarly, when the fourth liquid deposition control pattern CP4 is set, the push-in amount for the second sheet is "γ-10 = γ-10 [mm]", and the liquid deposition time for the second sheet is "ζ-5 = ζ-5 [ms]".

[0179] According to the liquid application amount control described above, it is possible to switch and set the liquid application control pattern depending on the liquid content of the paper P. This makes it possible to control the application of liquid in accordance with the characteristics of paper P that easily absorbs liquid, without having to know the characteristics of the paper P in advance. This makes it possible to generate a paper stack Pb that ensures an appropriate binding force.

[0180] [Process flow for controlling the amount of liquid applied (second example)] Next, another example of the flow of the liquid deposition amount control process implemented in the control unit 100b provided in the post-processing devices 3c and 3d will be described with reference to FIG.

[0181] The flowchart shown in Fig. 30 illustrates a process for setting control of liquid application based on the fixing temperature and total conveyance distance when execution of a job including a binding process involving liquid application is started and liquid is applied to the first sheet P of paper stack Pb. The fixing temperature of image forming device 2 may change when multiple sheets of paper P are passed in succession or due to external factors. Therefore, if there is a large deviation in the fixing temperature of image forming device 2 from the first sheet (fixing CPM down), a process is executed to review the adjustment value again based on the correlation between fixing temperature and total conveyance distance shown in Fig. 22.

[0182] When the binding process involving the application of liquid is started, the control unit 100b stores the fixing temperature notified to the post-processing device 3 from the image forming device 2 in a storage area (S3001). The fixing temperature in this case is set to "a°C."

[0183] Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 2 notifies the post-processing apparatus 3 of the fixing temperature for the second and subsequent sheets of paper P, and the notified fixing temperatures for the second and subsequent sheets are compared with the fixing temperature for the first sheet, "a°C" (S3002). In this case, the fixing temperature for the first sheet, "a°C," becomes the predetermined value for the paper temperature.

[0184] The newly notified fixing temperature is compared with the fixing temperature for the first sheet, and it is determined whether the newly notified fixing temperature, i.e., the fixing temperature for the second sheet and thereafter, is 10% or more lower than a°C. If the difference is less than 10% (S3002: YES), the same liquid application control is executed without changing the control setting values ​​or adjustment values ​​(S3003).

[0185] In step S3002, if the difference is 10% or more (S3002: NO), that is, if the fixing temperature for the second or subsequent sheets of paper P is lower than the fixing temperature (a°C) for the first sheet of paper P, the liquid application setting pattern Lp used to control liquid application is updated. That is, the liquid application setting pattern Lp is reset based on the newly notified fixing temperature (S3004), and liquid application is performed (S3003).

[0186] The threshold value for determining the difference in fixing temperature exemplified above is an example and is not limited to this. Furthermore, the difference in fixing temperature is determined by a percentage (%), but a specific temperature may be used as the threshold value. Furthermore, in determining the fixing temperature, the fixing temperature of the first sheet of paper P is compared with that of the second or subsequent sheets of paper P, but the temperature at the branching point of the liquid application pattern exemplified in FIG. 22 may be used as the threshold value.

[0187] According to the liquid deposition control described above, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing costs without adding a new sensor or the like to the post-processing device 3, and also to implement appropriate control of liquid deposition.

[0188] [Process flow for controlling the amount of liquid applied (third example)] Next, another example of the flow of the liquid application amount control process implemented by the control unit 100b included in the post-processing devices 3c and 3d will be described with reference to Fig. 31. The liquid application amount control process described so far involves obtaining the liquid content after liquid is applied to the first sheet P of the sheet stack Pb when the control unit 100b executes a job including liquid application and pressure binding. The obtained liquid content of the first sheet P is then used to adjust the amount of liquid applied to the second and subsequent sheets P.

[0189] In the third example described below, the liquid application control pattern CP for the third and subsequent sheets of paper P is determined by checking the liquid content and determining the control pattern using the liquid application amount control process according to the first example illustrated in Figure 28. In this example, the liquid content is checked for each sheet of paper P that makes up the paper stack Pb. The liquid application addition / subtraction value is adjusted based on the amount of pressure applied to the sheets of paper P and the liquid application time before the sheet P being detected.

[0190] 31, the second or subsequent sheet of paper P is received (S3101), and it is determined whether the sheet of paper P being judged is the final sheet of paper to be bound with liquid application and pressure (S3102). If it is the final sheet of paper in step S3102 (S3102: YES), liquid application is not performed, and the process ends.

[0191] In step S3102, if it is not the last sheet (S3102: NO), the liquid content of the sheet P immediately before the sheet P to be processed is obtained using the liquid application amount detection sensor 95 (S3103).

[0192] Next, the liquid deposition control pattern CP determination process described with reference to FIG. 28 is executed for the liquid content acquired in step 3103, and a specific liquid deposition control pattern CP is set (S3104).

[0193] Next, based on the set liquid deposition control pattern CP, the adjustment amount is identified by referring to the table data shown in Figure 29, and the liquid deposition amount is set taking the adjustment amount into account, and liquid deposition is performed (S3105). The processes from S3101 to S3105 are repeated until the final sheet is printed. This makes it possible to deposit liquid appropriately with high precision.

[0194] According to the process of this example, it is possible to make adjustments with high precision as the number of sheets increases by adding or subtracting from the liquid application to the previous paper P. Furthermore, even if there is a change in the lot or the type of paper P stored in the storage tray 211, it is possible to perform optimal liquid application.

[0195] [Process flow for controlling the amount of liquid applied (fourth example)] Next, another example of the flow of the liquid deposition amount control process implemented by the controller 100b included in the post-processing devices 3c and 3d will be described with reference to Fig. 32. In the liquid deposition amount control process according to the third example already described, an adjustment is made to reduce the amount of liquid deposition for each sheet of paper P when the liquid content is high.

[0196] The liquid application control process according to this example does not reduce the amount of liquid applied when the liquid content of a sheet of paper P is high, but switches control so that liquid is applied every few sheets. For example, control is performed so that liquid is applied to even-numbered sheets and not to odd-numbered sheets. Note that control may also be performed so that liquid is applied to odd-numbered sheets and not to even-numbered sheets.

[0197] 32, the second or subsequent sheet of paper P is received (S3201), and it is determined whether the sheet of paper P being judged is the final sheet of paper to be bound with liquid application and pressure (S3202). If it is the final sheet of paper in step S3202 (S3202: YES), liquid application is not performed, and the process ends.

[0198] In step S3202, if it is not the last sheet (S3202: NO), the liquid content of the sheet P immediately preceding the sheet P to be processed is obtained using the liquid application amount detection sensor 95 (S3203).

[0199] Next, it is determined whether the liquid content obtained in step 3103 is less than twice the appropriate liquid content α [%] (S3204). If the liquid content is less than twice the appropriate liquid content α (S3204: YES), liquid is applied using settings based on the liquid application control pattern CP shown in Figure 29 (S3205).

[0200] In step S3204, if the liquid content is not less than twice the appropriate amount α (S3204: NO), liquid is not applied and the process returns to step S3201. In other words, if the liquid content is too much compared to the appropriate amount α, liquid is not applied, but if it is within the allowable range for the appropriate amount α, liquid is applied. This makes it possible to prevent excessive application of liquid. Note that the paper P to which liquid has not been applied absorbs some of the liquid from the paper P to which liquid has been applied, thereby replacing the application of liquid.

[0201] The judgment condition in step S3204 (whether it is less than twice the appropriate amount α) is one example and is not limited to this. The judgment condition may also be a magnification of the appropriate amount α, or the difference may be judged using a fixed value.

[0202] According to the liquid application control process of this example, when a large amount of liquid is applied, liquid is applied every few sheets, and the liquid content of the sheets P to which a large amount of liquid has been applied is adjusted using the sheets P to which no liquid has been applied, thereby preventing excessive liquid application. This makes it possible to achieve an optimal amount of liquid application for each sheet bundle Pb and ensure binding force.

[0203] According to the liquid application control process of this embodiment described above, the liquid application process in which the liquid application member 501 in the post-processing device 3 contacts the paper P includes a means for detecting the amount of liquid absorbed by the paper P due to the application of liquid (liquid application amount detection sensor 95), and a means for changing the liquid application control depending on the amount of liquid absorbed by the paper P. This makes it possible to apply liquid in accordance with the liquid absorption characteristics that vary depending on the type (paper grade) of paper P. Additionally, it is possible to apply liquid in accordance with the liquid absorption characteristics that vary depending on the year, lot, storage environment of the paper P, fixing temperature in the device main body, and transport distance (transport time) to the liquid application site, even for the same paper type.

[0204] In the above description, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 is provided separately from the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2 as shown in Fig. 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 42(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 42(B), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0205] 43(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be divided into a control unit 100b1 (for example, a drive system (motor, etc.)) and a control unit 100b2 (a detection system (sensor, etc.)) based on function, and only the control unit 100b2 of one of the post-processing devices 3 may be provided on the image forming device 2 side. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 43(B), the control unit 100b2 of the post-processing device 3 provided on the image forming device 2 side may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming device 2.

[0206] [Second embodiment of post-processing device 3] Next, a post-processing device 3A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 33 to 41. Note that components common to the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0207] Unlike the end binding processing unit 25 of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment, which is equipped with both the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure-bonding unit 32, the end binding processing unit 251 of the post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment is equipped with only the pressure-bonding unit 32', and the liquid application unit 131 is provided upstream of the conveyance path. This allows a predetermined number of sheets P to be pre-stacked after the liquid application process and conveyed to the pressure-bonding unit 32' of the end binding processing unit 251 provided downstream, thereby improving the productivity of the binding process in the pressure-bonding unit 32'.

[0208] Furthermore, the direction in which the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, and 14 convey the paper P is opposite to the "conveying direction" defined above, and is therefore defined as the "reverse conveying direction." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the reverse conveying direction and the thickness direction of the paper P is defined as the "main scanning direction (width direction of the paper P)." Furthermore, the position (liquid application position) where liquid is applied to the paper P or the paper stack Pb by the liquid application means 131 corresponds to the binding position where the pressure bonding means 32' is scheduled to perform pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. Therefore, in the following description, the liquid application position and the binding position are given the same reference numeral (B1).

[0209] Fig. 33 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 34, the end binding processing unit 251 is equipped with only a crimping means 32'. As shown in Fig. 34, the crimping means 32' and the staple binding processing unit 156 are arranged downstream in the transport direction from the internal tray 22. Furthermore, the crimping means 32' and the staple binding processing unit 156 are configured to be movable in the main scanning direction at a position where they can face the downstream end in the transport direction of the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0210] Furthermore, the crimping means 32' and the staple binding processing section 156 are configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a crimping means rotation shaft 340 and a staple binding means rotation shaft 84 that extend in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. In other words, the crimping means 32' and the staple binding processing section 156 can bind the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 at any position in the main scanning direction and at any angle, such as diagonal corner binding, one-point parallel binding, or two-point parallel binding.

[0211] The crimping means 32' binds the paper stack Pb by pressurizing and deforming the paper stack Pb with the concave and convex upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b (hereinafter referred to as "crimp binding"). Meanwhile, the staple binding processing unit 156 can staple the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 by passing staples through the paper stack Pb at the binding position.

[0212] Fig. 34 is a schematic diagram of the internal tray 22 as viewed from the thickness direction of the sheet stack Pb. Fig. 35 is a schematic diagram of the pressing means 32' as viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction. As shown in Fig. 34, the pressing means 32' and the stapling processing section 156 are disposed downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. The pressing means 32' is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction along the surface of the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The pressing means 32' is also configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a pressing means rotation shaft 340 extending in the thickness direction of the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0213] Similarly, the stapling processing unit 156 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction of the paper-sheet bundle Pb. The stapling processing unit 156 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a stapling means rotation shaft 84 that extends in the thickness direction of the paper-sheet bundle Pb. The other configurations of the stapling processing unit 156 are the same as those of the stapling processing unit 155 of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 9), and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0214] As shown in FIG. 35, the pressing means 32' has a guide rail 337 extending in the main scanning direction downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveying direction. The pressing means 32' is equipped with a pressing means movement motor 238 as a drive source. Furthermore, a base member 48 supporting the pressing frame 32c has a fastening portion 48b at its bottom for connecting to a timing belt 240c. As a result, the driving force of the pressing means movement motor 238 is transmitted to the base member 48 by a drive transmission mechanism 240 including pulleys 240a and 240b, the timing belt 240c, and the fastening portion 48b, whereby the pressing means 32' moves in the main scanning direction along the surface of the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 (in other words, the guide rail 337). Furthermore, a pressing means rotation shaft 340 including a drive transmission gear 340a is fixed to the bottom surface of the pressing frame 32c, which holds the components of the pressing means 32'.

[0215] The pressing means rotation shaft 340 and the drive transmission gear 340a are held rotatably in forward and reverse directions on a base member 48 on which the pressing frame 32c is provided. The drive transmission gear 340a meshes with an output gear 239a of a pressing means rotation motor 239. The driving force of the pressing means rotation motor 239 is transmitted to the pressing means rotation shaft 340 via the output gear 239a and the drive transmission gear 340a, causing the pressing means 32' to rotate in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 around the pressing means rotation shaft 340, which extends in the thickness direction of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22. The guide rail 337, the pressing means movement motor 238, the pressing means rotation motor 239, the pressing means rotation shaft 340, and the drive transmission mechanism 240 constitute an example of a drive mechanism for the pressing means 32'.

[0216] The pressing means 32' is configured to be movable between a standby position HP2 shown in Fig. 34(A) and a position facing the first binding position B1 shown in Fig. 34(B) and Fig. 34(C). The standby position HP2 is a position offset to one side in the main scanning direction from the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The first binding position B1 is a position on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. However, the specific position of the first binding position B1 is not limited to the example in Fig. 34, and may be any position in the main scanning direction at the end of the sheet P on the downstream side in the transport direction, and there may be multiple positions.

[0217] The crimping means 32' changes its posture between a parallel binding posture shown in Fig. 34(B) and a diagonal binding posture shown in Fig. 34(C). That is, the crimping means 32' is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a crimping means rotation shaft 340. Here, the parallel binding posture is a posture of the crimping means 32' in which the longitudinal directions of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b (in other words, the rectangular crimp binding marks) are oriented in the main scanning direction. The diagonal binding posture is a posture of the crimping means 32' in which the longitudinal directions of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b (in other words, the rectangular crimp binding marks) are inclined with respect to the main scanning direction.

[0218] The rotation angle in the diagonal binding position (the angle of the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b relative to the main scanning direction) is not limited to the example in Figure 34 (C), and can be any angle as long as the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b face the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0219] The post-processing device 3A includes a liquid applying means 131 and a punch hole forming means 132 (processing section). The liquid applying means 131 and the punch hole forming means 132 are arranged upstream in the reverse conveyance direction from the internal tray 22. The liquid applying means 131 and the punch hole forming means 132 are arranged offset in the reverse conveyance direction at positions where they can simultaneously face one sheet of paper P conveyed by pairs of conveyance rollers 10 to 19.

[0220] The liquid applicator 131 and the hole puncher 132 according to this embodiment are disposed between the pair of conveying rollers 10, 11. However, the arrangement of the liquid applicator 131 is not limited to the example in FIG. 33. For example, if an inserter 6 is disposed between the image forming device 2 and the post-processing device 3A as shown in FIG. 41, the liquid applicator 131 can also be provided in the inserter 6 located upstream of the post-processing device 3A. An example of the inserter 6 is a device that can feed preprinted media, which is transported to the post-processing device 3A together with the paper P transported from the image forming device 2, as a cover, an insert sheet, or an interleaf sheet without passing through the image forming device 2.

[0221] 36(A), the conveying roller pair 11 is disposed at a position that does not overlap in the main scanning direction with the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application head 146 of the liquid application means 131. This is to prevent a decrease in the amount of liquid at the first liquid application position B1 due to the multiple roller pairs pressing against the first liquid application position B1 when the conveying roller pair 11 conveys the sheet P. As a result, by the time the sheet P reaches the pressing means 32' provided downstream of the liquid application means 131 in the reverse conveyance direction, the amount of liquid at the first liquid application position B1 has been secured to be the amount of liquid necessary to maintain the binding strength, and therefore it is possible to prevent a decrease in the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb due to a decrease in the amount of liquid at the first liquid application position B1 (corresponding to the first binding position B1) during the conveyance process.

[0222] Furthermore, by arranging the multiple roller pairs that make up the conveying roller pair 11 in positions that do not overlap with the first liquid application position B1 on the paper P in the main scanning direction, it is possible to prevent liquid from adhering to the multiple roller pairs, thereby deteriorating the conveying properties of the paper P, and to prevent conveying jams caused by the deterioration of conveying properties.

[0223] Although only the transport roller pair 11 has been described above, it is preferable that the multiple roller pairs that make up the transport roller pairs 14-15 are also arranged in positions that do not overlap with the first liquid application position B1 on the paper P in the main scanning direction.

[0224] The liquid applying means 131 applies liquid (hereinafter referred to as "liquid applying") to the paper sheet P being transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11. The punch hole making means 132 makes punch holes penetrating through the thickness direction of the paper sheet P being transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11. Note that the processing unit provided adjacent to the liquid applying means 131 is not limited to the punch hole making means 132, and may be a skew correction unit that corrects the skew of the paper sheet P being transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11.

[0225] Figure 36 is a view of liquid applicator 131 according to the second embodiment seen from the thickness direction of paper P. Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in Figure 36. Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI in Figure 36. As shown in Figures 36 to 38, liquid applicator 131 includes a pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b, a pair of pulleys 134a, 134b, endless circular belts 135, 136, a liquid applicator movement motor 137, a standby position sensor 138, and a liquid applicator unit 140.

[0226] The pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b extend in the main scanning direction at positions spaced apart in the reverse transport direction. The pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b are supported by a pair of side plates 4a, 4b of the post-processing device 3A. The pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b support the liquid deposition unit 140 so that it can move in the main scanning direction.

[0227] The pair of pulleys 134a, 134b are disposed between the pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b in the reverse conveyance direction. The pair of pulleys 134a, 134b are disposed spaced apart in the main scanning direction. The pair of pulleys 134a, 134b are supported by the frame of the post-processing device 3A so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a rotation axis extending in the thickness direction of the paper P.

[0228] The endless circular belt 135 is stretched over a pair of pulleys 134a and 134b. The endless circular belt 135 is connected to the liquid deposition unit 140 by a connection part 135a. The endless circular belt 136 is stretched over the pulley 134a and a drive pulley 137a fixed to the output shaft of a liquid deposition means movement motor 137. The liquid deposition means movement motor 137 generates a drive force for moving the liquid deposition unit 140 in the main scanning direction.

[0229] Rotation of the liquid applicator movement motor 137 causes the endless circular belt 136 to revolve between the pulley 134a and the drive pulley 137a, rotating the pulley 134a. Rotation of the pulley 134a also causes the endless circular belt 135 to revolve between the pair of pulleys 134a and 134b. This causes the liquid applicator unit 140 to move in the main scanning direction along the pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b. Switching the rotation direction of the liquid applicator movement motor 137 also causes the liquid applicator unit 140 to move back and forth in the main scanning direction.

[0230] The standby position sensor 138 detects that the liquid deposition unit 140 has reached a standby position HP1 (see FIG. 36) in the main scanning direction, and outputs a standby position signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 100b (see FIG. 39), which will be described later. The standby position sensor 138 is, for example, an optical sensor including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. At the standby position HP1, the liquid deposition unit 140 blocks the optical path between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. The standby position sensor 138 outputs a standby position signal in response to the light output from the light-emitting element not being received by the light-receiving element. However, the specific configuration of the standby position sensor 138 is not limited to the example described above.

[0231] 37, the transport path in post-processing device 3A is defined by an upper guide plate 5a and a lower guide plate 5b that are spaced apart in the thickness direction of paper sheet P. Liquid deposition unit 140 is disposed at a position facing an opening provided in upper guide plate 5a. That is, liquid deposition unit 140 is disposed facing the transport path (i.e., a position where it can face paper sheet P) through the opening in upper guide plate 5a.

[0232] As shown in Figures 36 to 38, the liquid dispensing unit 140 includes a base member 141, a rotating bracket 142, a liquid storage tank 143, a liquid dispensing head moving means 144, a holding member 145, a liquid dispensing head 146, columnar members 147a, 147b, a pressure plate 148, coil springs 149a, 149b, a dispensing head rotating motor 150, a dispensing head moving motor 151 (see Figure 39), and a standby angle sensor 152 (see Figure 39).

[0233] The base member 141 is supported by a pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b so as to be slidable in the main scanning direction. The base member 141 is connected to the endless circular belt 135 by a connecting portion 135a. The base member 141 also supports components 142 to 152 of the liquid deposition unit 140.

[0234] The rotating bracket 142 is attached to the underside of the base member 141 so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a rotation axis that extends in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P. Furthermore, the rotating bracket 142 rotates in forward and reverse directions relative to the base member 141 by transmitting the driving force of a liquid dispensing head rotating motor 150. Furthermore, the rotating bracket 142 holds a liquid storage tank 143, liquid dispensing head moving means 144, a holding member 145, a liquid dispensing head 146, columnar members 147a, 147b, a pressing plate 148, and coil springs 149a, 149b.

[0235] The standby angle sensor 152 (see FIG. 39) detects that the rotating bracket 142 has reached the standby angle, and outputs a standby angle signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 100b. The standby angle is, for example, the angle at which parallel binding occurs. The standby angle sensor 152 is, for example, an optical sensor equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. The rotating bracket 142 at the standby angle blocks the optical path between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. The standby angle sensor 152 outputs the standby angle signal in response to the light output from the light-emitting unit not being received by the light-receiving unit. However, the specific configuration of the standby angle sensor 152 is not limited to the example described above.

[0236] The rotating bracket 142 shown in Fig. 36(A) shows a state in which the pressure-bonding means 32' downstream of the liquid applicator 131 performs parallel binding. The rotating bracket 142 shown in Fig. 36(B) shows a state in which the pressure-bonding means 32' downstream of the liquid applicator 131 performs diagonal binding (corner binding).

[0237] The liquid storage tank 143 stores liquid to be applied to the paper P. The liquid application head moving means 144 is attached to the liquid storage tank 143 so as to be movable (for example, vertically movable) in the thickness direction of the paper P. Furthermore, the liquid application head moving means 144 moves relative to the liquid storage tank 143 by transmitting the driving force of a liquid application head moving motor 151. The holding member 145 is attached to the lower end of the liquid application head moving means 144. The liquid application head 146 protrudes from the holding member 145 towards the conveyance path (downward in this embodiment). Furthermore, the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 143 is supplied to the liquid application head 146. Furthermore, the liquid application head 146 is made of a material with a high liquid absorption rate (for example, sponge or fiber).

[0238] The pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b protrude downward from the holding member 145 around the liquid dispensing head 146. The pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b are configured to be movable relative to the holding member 145 in the thickness direction. The pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b hold a pressing plate 148 at their lower ends. A through-hole 148a is formed in the pressing plate 148 at a position facing the liquid dispensing head 146. Coil springs 149a, 149b are inserted around the pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b between the holding member 145 and the pressing plate 148. The coil springs 149a, 149b bias the pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b and the pressing plate 148 in a direction away from the holding member 145.

[0239] 37(A) and 38(A), before the sheet P is conveyed to a position facing the opening in the upper guide plate 5a, the pressure plate 148 is positioned at or above the opening. Next, when the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 10, 11 stops at a position facing the opening, the application head moving motor 151 is rotated in a first direction. As a result, the liquid application head moving means 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, the columnar members 147a, 147b, the pressure plate 148, and the coil springs 149a, 149b move downward as a unit, and the pressure plate 148 comes into contact with the sheet P. The first liquid application position B1 is the position (i.e., the first binding position B1) where the sheet P is to be pressure-bound by the edge binding processing unit 251 (i.e., the pressure bonding means 32′).

[0240] Then, by continuing to rotate the liquid dispensing head moving motor 151 in the first direction after the pressing plate 148 has come into contact with the paper sheet P, the coil springs 149a and 149b are compressed, and the liquid dispensing head moving means 144, the holding member 145, the liquid dispensing head 146, and the pillar-shaped members 147a and 147b are further lowered. Then, as shown in FIGS. 37(B) and 38(B), the lower surface of the liquid dispensing head 146 comes into contact with the paper sheet P through the through-hole 148a. As a result, the liquid contained in the liquid dispensing head 146 is dispensed onto the paper sheet P.

[0241] 37(C) and 38(C), by further rotating the liquid dispensing head movement motor 151 in the first direction, the liquid dispensing head 146 can be pressed even more firmly against the paper sheet P. This increases the amount of liquid dispensed onto the paper sheet P. In other words, the liquid dispensing unit 131 can adjust the amount of liquid dispensed by changing the pressing force of the liquid dispensing head 146 onto the paper sheet P.

[0242] On the other hand, by rotating the liquid dispensing head moving motor 151 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the liquid dispensing head moving means 144, holding member 145, liquid dispensing head 146, columnar members 147a, 147b, pressure plate 148, and coil springs 149a, 149b rise together. As a result, as shown in Figures 37(A) and 38(A), the liquid dispensing head 146 and pressure plate 148 move away from the paper P. In other words, the liquid dispensing means 131 includes a liquid dispensing head 146 that can be detached from the paper P.

[0243] Fig. 39 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block that controls the operation of post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 39, post-processing device 3A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, and an I / F 105, all of which are connected via a common bus 109.

[0244] The CPU 101 is a computing means and controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 3A. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium capable of high-speed reading and writing of information, and is used as a work area when the CPU 101 processes information. The ROM 103 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium in which programs such as firmware are stored. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium with a large storage capacity that is capable of reading and writing information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0245] The post-processing device 3A processes a control program stored in the ROM 103, an information processing program (application program) loaded into the RAM 102 from a storage medium such as the HDD 104, and the like using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software control unit including various functional modules of the post-processing device 3A. The combination of the software control unit thus constituted and the hardware resources installed in the post-processing device 3A constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing device 3A. In other words, the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, HDD 104, and I / F 105 constitute a control unit 100b (control means) that controls the operation of the post-processing device 3A.

[0246] I / F 105 is an interface that connects the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, 15, switching member 20, side fences 24L, 24R, pressing means movement motor 238, pressing means rotation motor 239, contact / separation motor 32d, liquid application means movement motor 137, application head rotation motor 150, application head movement motor 151, standby position sensor 138, standby angle sensor 152, punch hole punching means 132, and operation panel 110 to common bus 109.

[0247] Through the I / F 105, the control unit 100b controls the operations of the pairs of conveying rollers 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the pressing means moving motor 238, the pressing means rotating motor 239, the contact / separation motor 32d, the liquid applying means moving motor 137, the applying head rotating motor 150, the applying head moving motor 151, and the hole punching unit 132. In addition, the control unit 100b acquires the detection results of the standby position sensor 138 and the standby angle sensor 152 through the I / F 105.

[0248] Note that Figure 39 mainly illustrates the components of the end binding processing unit 251 (pressing means 32') and the liquid application means 131 that perform the end binding process, but the components of the saddle stitching processing unit 28 that perform the saddle stitching process are also similarly controlled by the control unit 100b.

[0249] As shown in FIG. 41, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an operation panel 110. The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that accepts input operations from a user and a display (notification unit) that notifies the user of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, etc. The operation panel 110 acquires information from the user through the operation unit and provides the information to the user through the display. The post-processing apparatus 3A may also be provided with an operation panel 110 similar to the above.

[0250] 40 is a flowchart of post-processing by post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 40 is a flowchart when one-point binding processing shown in Fig. 34 is executed.

[0251] The control unit 100b executes the post-processing shown in FIG. 40 in response to, for example, receiving an instruction to execute post-processing (hereinafter referred to as a "post-processing instruction") from the image forming apparatus 2. The post-processing instruction includes, for example, the number of sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb (hereinafter referred to as a "predetermined number of sheets Np"), the number of copies of the sheet stack Pb to be bound (hereinafter referred to as a "required number of copies Mp"), the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1), the angle of the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the angle of the first liquid application position B1), the type of binding (parallel binding, diagonal binding), and a process to be executed in parallel with the liquid application process (perforation of punch holes in this embodiment). It is assumed that, at the start of post-processing, the liquid application unit 140 is positioned at the standby position HP1 (see FIG. 36), and the rotating bracket 142 is held at the standby angle (corresponding to the "parallel binding position").

[0252] First, the control unit 100b drives the liquid applicator moving motor 137 to move the liquid applicator unit 140 (corresponding to the liquid applicator) in the main scanning direction, thereby moving the liquid applicator head 146 from the standby position HP1 to a position where it can face the first liquid applicator position B1 (see FIG. 36(B) ; a position corresponding to the first binding position B1 in FIGS. 34(B) and 34(C)). Furthermore, if the type of binding process specified in the post-processing instruction is a "diagonal binding process," the control unit 100b drives the applicator head rotating motor 150 to rotate the rotating bracket 142, thereby rotating the liquid applicator head 146 from the standby angle to a liquid applicator angle corresponding to the "diagonal binding posture" (S801). The fact that the liquid applicator head 146 has reached a position and liquid applicator angle where it can face the first liquid applicator position B1 can be determined by pulse signals output from the rotary encoders of the liquid applicator moving motor 137 and the applicator head rotating motor 150. It should be noted that when the type of binding process instructed in the post-processing instruction is "parallel binding process," the control unit 100b omits the above-described operation of rotating the rotating bracket 142. In other words, the liquid deposition unit 140 moves in the main scanning direction while maintaining the rotating bracket 142 at the standby angle.

[0253] Furthermore, the control unit 100b drives the crimping means moving motor 238 to move the crimping means 32' from the standby position HP2 to a position where the crimping means 32' can face the first binding position B1, as shown in FIGS. 34(A) and 34(B) (S801). Furthermore, when the type of binding process instructed in the post-processing instruction is the "diagonal binding process," the control unit 100b drives the crimping means rotating motor 239 to rotate the crimping means 32' from the standby angle to a crimping binding angle corresponding to the "diagonal binding posture" (S801). The fact that the crimping means 32' has reached the position where it can face the first binding position B1 and the crimping binding angle can be determined by pulse signals output from the rotary encoders of the crimping means moving motor 238 and the crimping means rotating motor 239. Note that when the type of binding process instructed in the post-processing instruction is the "parallel binding process," the control unit 100b omits the operation of rotating the crimping means 32' described above. That is, the pressure bonding means 32' moves in the main scanning direction while maintaining the standby angle.

[0254] Next, the control unit 100b drives the pair of transport rollers 10 and 11 to start transporting the sheet P on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2 (S802). Then, the control unit 100b determines whether the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P faces the liquid application unit 140 (more specifically, the liquid application head 146) (S803). If it is determined that the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P does not face the liquid application unit 140 (S803: No), the control unit 100b continues transporting the sheet P by the pair of transport rollers 10 and 11 until the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P faces the liquid application unit 140 (S803: Yes). On the other hand, if it is determined that the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P faces the liquid application head 146 (S803: Yes), the control unit 100b stops transport of the sheet P by the pair of transport rollers 10 and 11 (S804). The fact that the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P faces the liquid application head 146 can be detected by a pulse signal output from a rotary encoder of the motor that drives the pair of transport rollers 10 and 11.

[0255] The control unit 100b executes a process of applying liquid to the first liquid application position B1 on the paper sheet P using the liquid application unit 140 (S805). More specifically, the control unit 100b rotates the application head movement motor 151 in a first direction, thereby bringing the liquid application head 146 into contact with the first liquid application position B1 on the paper sheet P. The control unit 100b also changes the pressing force of the liquid application head 146 (i.e., the amount of rotation of the application head movement motor 151) depending on the amount of liquid applied to the paper sheet P.

[0256] The amount of liquid applied to the paper P may be the same for all the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb, or may be different for each paper P. For example, the control unit 100b may apply less liquid to the paper P that is transported later. The rotation amount of the application head movement motor 151 can be determined by a pulse signal output from a rotary encoder of the application head movement motor 151.

[0257] Next, the control unit 100b drives the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 to place the paper P on the internal tray 22 (S806). The control unit 100b also executes a so-called jogging process, which aligns the position of the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction by moving the side fences 24L and 24R in the main scanning direction (S806).

[0258] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number Np specified in the post-processing instruction (S807). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number Np (S807: No), it repeats the processes of steps S802 to S807 until the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 reaches the predetermined number Np (S807: Yes).

[0259] On the other hand, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number Np (S807: Yes), it causes the pressure bonding means 32' to pressure-bind the sheet bundle Pb including the sheets P to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit 140 at the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1 of the sheets P) (S808). Furthermore, the control unit 100b rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the pressure-bound sheet bundle Pb to the second discharge tray 26 (S808).

[0260] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of copies of the sheet stack Pb discharged onto the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies Mp indicated in the post-processing instruction (S809). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of copies of the discharged sheet stack Pb has not reached the required number of copies Mp (S809: No), it repeats the processes of steps S802 to S809 until the number of copies of the discharged sheet stack Pb reaches the required number of copies Mp (S809: Yes).

[0261] On the other hand, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of copies of the sheet bundle Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies Mp (S809: Yes), it drives the liquid application unit movement motor 137 to move the liquid application unit 140 to the standby position HP1 (see FIG. 36), and drives the pressure bonding unit movement motor 238 to move the pressure bonding unit 32' to the standby position HP2 (see FIG. 34) (S810). Furthermore, when the posture specified in the post-processing instruction is the "diagonal binding posture," the control unit 100b drives the liquid application head rotation motor 150 and the pressure bonding unit rotation motor 239 to rotate the liquid application unit 140 and the pressure bonding unit 32' to the parallel binding posture (standby angle) (S810). On the other hand, when the posture specified in the post-processing instruction is the "parallel binding posture," the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 140 and the pressure bonding unit 32' to the parallel binding posture (standby angle) is omitted. In steps S801 and S810, the order in which the liquid application unit 140 and the pressure bonding means 32' are moved in the main scanning direction and rotated in the forward and reverse directions is not limited to the order described above, and may be the reverse of the order described above.

[0262] Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to the end binding processing unit 25 that executes the end binding process, but also to the saddle stitching processing unit 28 that executes the saddle stitching process.

[0263] 1, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 33 is described as being provided separately from the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in FIG. 42(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3A may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Furthermore, as in FIG. 42(B), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3A may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0264] 43(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3A may be divided into a control unit 100b1 (for example, a drive system (motor, etc.)) and a control unit 100b2 (a detection system (sensor, etc.)) by function, and the control unit 100b2 of one of the post-processing devices 3A may be provided on the image forming device 2 side. Furthermore, as in FIG. 43(B), the control unit 100b2 of the post-processing device 3A provided on the image forming device 2 side may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming device 2.

[0265] As already explained, the control method by the control unit 100b described above is realized by cooperation between the hardware resources of a computer and a program as computer software. That is, the control method is a method executed by a computer by causing an arithmetic unit, a storage unit, an input unit, an output unit, and a control unit to operate in cooperation with each other based on the program. The program may also be written to a storage unit or a storage medium, etc., and distributed, or distributed via a telecommunications line, etc.

[0266] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0267] [Aspects of the present invention] The contents of the present invention are as follows, for example. <1> a liquid applying means for applying liquid to a portion of at least one sheet of medium; a medium processing means for processing a medium bundle including at least one medium to which liquid has been applied by the liquid applying means; a control means for controlling the operation of the liquid applying means and the medium processing means; Equipped with The liquid applying means is a liquid applying member that comes into contact with the medium and applies a liquid; a pressing means for moving the liquid applying member between a liquid applying position where the liquid applying member contacts the medium and a spaced position away from the liquid applying position to press the liquid applying member against the medium; a liquid application amount detection means for detecting the amount of liquid applied to the medium by the liquid application, the control means changes a liquid application control mode, which sets the amount of movement of the liquid application member caused by the pressing means and the contact time with the medium, in accordance with at least the amount of liquid. The media processing device is characterized by the above. <2> The control means Based on the amount of liquid, the temperature of the medium changed by a process performed on the medium before the process in the medium processing means, and the transport distance of the medium from the position where the temperature change of the medium occurred to the medium processing means, changing the liquid dispensing control mode; The aforementioned <1> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <3> the control unit applies the liquid by setting the movement amount and the contact time for the first medium based on the temperature and the transport distance of the first medium forming the medium bundle; changing the liquid application control mode based on the amount of liquid on the first sheet of medium; The aforementioned <2> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <4> The control means When the temperature of a second or subsequent medium is equal to or lower than a predetermined value relative to the temperature of a first medium constituting the medium bundle, the liquid application control mode of the medium whose temperature has become equal to or lower than the predetermined value is changed based on the temperature and the transport distance. The aforementioned <2> or the above <3> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <5> the liquid application amount detection means detects the amount of liquid on a first medium among the media constituting the media stack; The aforementioned <1> ~ <4> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of the preceding claims. <6> the liquid application amount detection means detects the amount of liquid on all of the media constituting the media bundle; The aforementioned <1> and the above <4> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of the preceding claims. <7> The control means When the amount of liquid is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the liquid applying means is controlled so as not to apply the liquid. The aforementioned <1> and the above <6> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of the preceding claims. <8> The process is pressure binding, which binds a portion of the medium bundle by applying pressure and deforming the portion. The aforementioned <1> and the above <7> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of the preceding claims. <9> an image forming device for forming an image on the medium; The image forming apparatus performs the processing on a plurality of the media on which the images are formed. <1> and the above <8> a media processing device according to any one of The image forming system is characterized by comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0268] 1, 1c, 1d: Image forming system 2, 2c, 2d: Image forming device 3, 3a, 3c, 3d: Post-processing equipment 4c, 4d: Relay peripherals 25: Edge binding processing unit 32: Crimping means 32´: Crimping means 33: Lower pressure plate 34: Upper pressure plate 43: First liquid level sensor 50: Liquid supply member 95: Liquid application amount detection sensor 100b: control unit CP: Liquid application control pattern LQ: Liquid Lp: Liquid application setting pattern [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0269] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-111840

Claims

1. a liquid applying means for applying liquid to a portion of at least one sheet of medium; a medium processing means for processing a medium bundle including at least one medium to which liquid has been applied by the liquid applying means; a control means for controlling the operation of the liquid applying means and the medium processing means; Equipped with The liquid applying means is a liquid applying member that comes into contact with the medium and applies a liquid; a pressing means for moving the liquid applying member between a liquid applying position where the liquid applying member contacts the medium and a spaced position away from the liquid applying position to press the liquid applying member against the medium; a liquid application amount detection means for detecting the amount of liquid applied to the medium by the liquid application, the control means changes a liquid application control mode, which sets the amount of movement of the liquid application member caused by the pressing means and the contact time with the medium, in accordance with at least the amount of liquid. A media processing device characterized by:

2. The control means Based on the amount of liquid, the temperature of the medium changed by a process performed on the medium before the process in the medium processing means, and the transport distance of the medium from the position where the temperature change of the medium occurred to the medium processing means, changing the liquid dispensing control mode; The media processing device of claim 1 .

3. the control unit applies the liquid by setting the movement amount and the contact time for the first medium based on the temperature and the transport distance of the first medium forming the medium bundle; changing the liquid application control mode based on the amount of liquid on the first sheet of medium; The media processing device of claim 2 .

4. The control means When the temperature of a second or subsequent medium is equal to or lower than a predetermined value relative to the temperature of a first medium constituting the medium bundle, the liquid application control mode of the medium whose temperature has become equal to or lower than the predetermined value is changed based on the temperature and the transport distance. The media processing device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the liquid application amount detection means detects the amount of liquid on a first medium among the media constituting the media stack; The media processing device of claim 1 .

6. the liquid application amount detection means detects the amount of liquid on all of the media constituting the media bundle; The media processing device of claim 1 .

7. The control means When the amount of liquid is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the liquid applying means is controlled so as not to apply the liquid. The media processing device of claim 1 .

8. The process is pressure binding, which binds a portion of the medium bundle by applying pressure and deforming the portion. The media processing device of claim 1 .

9. an image forming device for forming an image on the medium; a media processing device according to claim 1 , which performs the processing on a plurality of media on which images have been formed by the image forming device; An image forming system comprising:

Images