Sheet processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a sheet processing device capable of carrying out folding processing of an enclosing sheet and an envelope sheet by the same unit when folding and storing the enclosing sheet in the envelope sheet, and an image forming system equipped with the same.SOLUTION: The sheet processing device capable of carrying out the folding processing of the enclosing sheet and the envelope sheet capable of storing the enclosing sheet, and ejecting the same, comprises: a folding roller pair 22 that forms a fold in the sheet; and an adhesive coating unit G capable of coating an adhesive on the sheet before being folded by the folding roller pair. The device coats the adhesive on the envelope sheet in a prescribed position by the adhesive coating unit, overlaps the same on the enclosing sheet, and carries out the folding processing by the folding roller pair.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus for folding sheets sent from an image forming apparatus, for example, and an image forming system including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an envelope creation system has been proposed that, when creating an envelope using a sheet folding device, folds an enclosing sheet in a first folding unit, and then folds the envelope sheet in a second folding unit to set the folded enclosing sheet and enclose it in an envelope, thereby creating an envelope containing the enclosing sheet (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2013-094973 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the envelope creation system described in Patent Document 1 requires a first folding unit to fold the insert sheet and a second folding unit to fold the envelope sheet, which requires the installation of multiple folding units, resulting in a complex configuration.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of producing an envelope containing an insert sheet with a simple configuration, and an image forming system including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is a sheet processing apparatus for folding an envelope sheet and an envelope sheet, the sheet processing apparatus comprising: a conveying section for conveying the envelope sheet and the envelope sheet in a conveying direction; a pair of folding rollers for sandwiching the envelope sheet and the envelope sheet conveyed by the conveying section to form creases in the envelope sheet and the envelope sheet; and an adhesive application unit for applying adhesive to the envelope sheet before it is folded by the pair of folding rollers, the envelope sheet being folded in the conveying direction and in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction. This sheet processing device is capable of creating an envelope containing an envelope sheet by applying adhesive to both side areas of the envelope sheet that do not overlap in the width direction when the envelope sheet and the insert sheet are stacked together by the adhesive application unit, and then sandwiching the envelope sheet and the adhesive-coated envelope sheet in a stacked state between the pair of folding rollers and transporting them, and forming folds in the insert sheet and the envelope sheet by the pair of folding rollers and pressing the both side areas of the envelope sheet where the adhesive has been applied. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to create an envelope containing an envelope sheet with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus in an image forming system; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a folding processing device of a sheet processing device; [Figure 4] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the gripping state of the gripping means, and (b) is a perspective view thereof. [Figure 5] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the gripping means in a released state, and (b) is a perspective view thereof. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the sheet folding device; [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adhesive application unit; [Figure 8] Perspective view of adhesive holding section [Figure 9] (a) Perspective view of the glue holding part and glue moving cam, (b) cam groove of the glue moving cam [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram of the relationship between the movement of the glue moving cam and the movement of the glue holding member [Figure 11] Control configuration block diagram [Figure 12] Flowchart showing the procedure for sheet folding processing [Figure 13] Flowchart showing the procedure for sheet folding processing [Figure 14] Flowchart showing the procedure for sheet folding processing [Figure 15] Cross-sectional view of the sheet folding operation [Figure 16] Cross-sectional view of the sheet folding operation [Figure 17] Cross-sectional view of the sheet folding operation [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view of the sheet folding operation [Figure 19] Cross-sectional view of the sheet folding operation [Figure 20] Cross-sectional view of the sheet folding operation [Figure 21] Cross-sectional view of the folding operation of the insert sheet and envelope sheet [Figure 22] Cross-sectional view of the folding operation of the insert sheet and envelope sheet [Figure 23] Cross-sectional view of the folding operation of the insert sheet and envelope sheet [Figure 24] An explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the insert sheet and the envelope sheet DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [First embodiment] Next, a sheet processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and an image forming system equipped with the same will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of an image forming system equipped with a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the image forming system 100 is composed of an image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing apparatus B installed therewith.

[0010] <Image forming device> The image forming apparatus A is made up of an image forming unit A1, a scanner unit A2, and a feeder unit A3. The image forming unit A1 has a feeding section 2, an image forming section 3, a discharge section 4, and a data processing section 5 inside a device housing 1.

[0011] The feeding unit 2 is composed of multiple cassette mechanisms 2a, 2b, and 2c, each storing image-forming sheets of different sizes, and feeds sheets of a size specified by a main body control unit (not shown) to a feeding path 2f. Each cassette mechanism 2a, 2b, and 2c is detachably installed from the feeding unit 2 and includes a separation mechanism that separates the sheets stored therein one by one and a feeding mechanism that feeds the sheets. The feeding path 2f is provided with conveying rollers that feed sheets supplied from each cassette mechanism 2a, 2b, and 2c downstream, and a pair of registration rollers at the end of the path that aligns the leading edges of each sheet.

[0012] The feeding path 2f is connected to a large-capacity cassette 2d and a manual feed tray 2e. The large-capacity cassette 2d is an optional unit that stores sheets of sizes that are consumed in large quantities. The manual feed tray 2e is configured to be able to feed special sheets that are difficult to separate and feed, such as cardboard sheets, coated sheets, and film sheets.

[0013] In this embodiment, the image forming unit 3 is configured using an electrophotographic system and includes a rotating photosensitive drum 3a, a light emitter 3b that emits an optical beam, a developing unit 3c, and a cleaner (not shown) arranged around the photosensitive drum 3a. The illustrated mechanism is a monochrome printing mechanism in which the photosensitive drum 3a, whose circumferential surface is uniformly charged, is irradiated with light by the light emitter 3b in accordance with an image signal to optically form a latent image, and the developing unit 3c applies toner to this latent image to form a toner image.

[0014] In synchronization with the timing of image formation on the photosensitive drum 3a, a sheet is sent from the feeding path 2f to the image forming unit 3, and a transfer bias is applied from the transfer charger 3d to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3a onto the sheet. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is heated and pressurized as it passes through the fixing device 6, whereby the toner image is fixed, and the sheet is then discharged from the discharge opening 4b by the discharge rollers 4a and transported to the sheet processing device B, which will be described later.

[0015] The scanner unit A2 includes a platen 7a on which an original image is placed, a carriage 7b that reciprocates along the platen 7a, a photoelectric conversion means 7c, and a reduction optical system 7d that guides light reflected from the original image on the platen 7a by the carriage 7b to the photoelectric conversion means 7c. The photoelectric conversion means 7c photoelectrically converts the optical output from the reduction optical system 7d into image data and outputs it to the image forming unit 3 as an electrical signal.

[0016] The scanner unit A2 also has a traveling platen 7e to read sheets fed from the feeder unit A3. The feeder unit A3 is composed of a feed tray 8a on which original sheets are stacked, a feed path 8b that guides the original sheets fed from the feed tray 8a to the traveling platen 7e, and an output tray 8c that stores the original sheets that have passed the traveling platen 7e. As the original sheets from the feed tray 8a pass the traveling platen 7e, they are read by the carriage 7b and the reduction optical system 7d.

[0017] <Sheet processing device> Next, the overall configuration of the sheet processing apparatus B that processes the sheets sent from the image forming apparatus A will be described.

[0018] 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of sheet processing apparatus B according to this embodiment. Sheet processing apparatus B includes an apparatus housing 11 provided with an inlet 10 for introducing sheets from image forming apparatus A. The apparatus housing 11 is positioned in alignment with the housing 1 of image forming apparatus A so that the inlet 10 communicates with the discharge outlet 4b of image forming apparatus A.

[0019] The sheet processing apparatus B includes a sheet carry-in path 12 for transporting a sheet introduced from a carry-in entrance 10, a first discharge path 13a, a second discharge path 13b, and a third discharge path 13c branching off from the sheet carry-in path 12, a first path switching means 14a, and a second path switching means 14b. The first path switching means 14a and the second path switching means 14b are each formed of a flapper guide for changing the transport direction of a sheet transported through the sheet carry-in path 12.

[0020] The first path switching means 14a is switched by a driving means (not shown) between a mode in which the sheet from the carry-in entrance 10 is guided toward the first discharge path 13a, which transports the sheet horizontally as is, and the second discharge path 13b, which transports the sheet downward, and a mode in which the sheet is guided toward the third discharge path 13c, which transports the sheet upward. The first discharge path 13a and the second discharge path 13b are connected so that a sheet once introduced into the first discharge path 13a can be reversed in its transport direction and switched back to be transported to the second discharge path 13b.

[0021] The second path switching means 14b is disposed downstream of the first path switching means 14a in the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed through the sheet carry-in path 12. The second path switching means 14b is switched by a driving means (not shown) between a mode in which the sheet that has passed through the first path switching means 14a is introduced into the first discharge path 13a and a mode in which the sheet that has once been introduced into the first discharge path 13a is switched back and conveyed to the second discharge path 13b.

[0022] The sheet processing apparatus B includes a first processing section B1, a second processing section B2, and a third processing section B3, each of which performs a different post-processing operation. Furthermore, a punch unit 15 is disposed in the sheet carrying-in path 12 to punch holes in the carried-in sheets.

[0023] The first processing section B1 is a binding processing section that accumulates, collates, and binds multiple sheets discharged from a discharge opening 16a at the downstream end of the first discharge path 13a in the conveying direction of the sheets conveyed through the sheet carry-in path 12, and discharges the sheets to a stacking tray 16b provided outside the device housing 11. The first processing section B1 also includes a sheet conveying device 16c that conveys sheets or a sheet stack, and a binding processing unit 16d that binds the sheet stack. A pair of discharge rollers 16e is provided at the downstream end of the first discharge path 13a to discharge the sheets from the discharge opening 16a and to switchback-convey the sheets from the first discharge path 13a to the second discharge path 13b.

[0024] The second processing section B2 is a folding processing section that folds a sheet or a plurality of sheets conveyed in a switchback manner from the second discharge path 13b into a sheet bundle, or that folds the sheet bundle after binding it. As will be described later, the second processing section B2 includes a folding processing device F that folds the conveyed sheet or sheet bundle, and an adhesive application unit G that can apply adhesive to the sheets to be folded, located immediately upstream of the folding processing device F. The folded sheet or sheet bundle is discharged by a pair of discharge rollers 17b onto a stacking tray 17c provided outside the device housing 11.

[0025] The third processing section B3 performs jog sorting, which separates the sheets sent from the third discharge path 13c into a group that is accumulated by offsetting the sheets by a predetermined amount in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a group that is accumulated without offsetting the sheets. The jog-sorted sheets are discharged onto a stacking tray 18 provided outside the device housing 11, and the offset sheet bundles and the non-offset sheet bundles are stacked.

[0026] 3 shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of second processing section B2. As described above, second processing section B2 includes a folding device F that folds the sheet conveyed from second discharge path 13b in half, and an adhesive application unit G that can apply adhesive to the sheet.

[0027] A sheet conveying path 20 is connected to the second discharge path 13b in order to carry the sheet into the folding processing device F. With respect to the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed from the second discharge path 13b to the intermediate tray 21, an intermediate tray 21 constituting a part of the sheet conveying path 20 is provided downstream of the sheet conveying path 20 to position and stack the sheet to be folded.

[0028] <Folding device> On one side of the intermediate tray 21, a pair of folding rollers 22 serving as a pair of folding rotors is disposed so as to face one surface of a sheet or sheet stack conveyed to the intermediate tray 21. The pair of folding rollers 22 is composed of a pair of folding rollers 22a, 22b whose roller surfaces are pressed against each other, and a nip portion 22c, which is the pressing portion, is disposed facing the intermediate tray 21. The folding rollers 22a, 22b are arranged side by side at approximately equal intervals from the intermediate tray 21 on the upstream and downstream sides along the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed from the upper upstream side to the lower downstream side of the intermediate tray 21. Note that in the present invention, the rotating portion of the pair of folding rotors is not limited to the folding rollers 22a, 22b of this embodiment, and may be constituted by a rotating belt or the like. Furthermore, the pair of folding rollers 22 may be constituted by continuously arranging multiple folding rollers (rotating bodies) in series along the axial direction of each of the folding rollers 22a, 22b.

[0029] (folding roller pair) As shown in FIG. 3, each of the folding rollers 22a and 22b of the pair of folding rollers 22 of this embodiment has a roller circumferential surface including a first roller surface 22a2 and a second roller surface 22a3 and a second roller surface 22b3. The first roller surfaces 22a2 and 22b2 have a constant radius R1 centered on the rotational axis of the rotation shafts 22a1 and 22b1, respectively. The distance of the second roller surfaces 22a3 and 22b3 from the rotational axis of the rotation shafts 22a1 and 22b1, respectively, is smaller than the radius R1 of the first roller surface. The first roller surfaces 22a2 and 22b2 are formed of a rubber material or the like with a relatively high coefficient of friction, similar to a typical roller surface. In contrast, the second roller surfaces 22a3 and 22b3 are formed of a plastic resin material or the like with a lower coefficient of friction than the first roller surfaces 22a2 and 22b2.

[0030] Rotation shafts 22a1 and 22b1 of folding rollers 22a and 22b are rotated by a common drive means such as a drive motor, etc. This allows the rotational positions of first roller surfaces 22a2 and 22b2 and second roller surfaces 22a3 and 22b3 to be always synchronized with each other.

[0031] A folding blade 23 serving as a protruding member is disposed on the opposite side of the folding roller pair 22 across the intermediate tray 21. The folding blade 23 is supported by a blade carrier 24 with its tip pointing toward the nip portion 22c of the folding roller pair 22. The blade carrier 24 is provided so as to be movable by a moving means formed of a cam member or the like in a direction crossing the intermediate tray 21 at a substantially right angle, that is, in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed from the second discharge path 13b to the intermediate tray 21.

[0032] (folding blade) 3, i.e., in the axial direction of the folding rollers, a pair of cam members 25 (only one of which is shown in the figure) consisting of mirror-symmetrical eccentric cams are provided on both sides of the blade carrier 24 in opposing positions. Cam member 25 rotates around rotation shaft 25a provided at the eccentric position by driving means such as a drive motor. Cam member 25 has a cam groove 25b formed along its outer periphery.

[0033] The blade carrier 24 is provided with a cam pin 24c as a cam follower that slidably fits into the cam groove 25b.

[0034] When the drive motor rotates the cam member 25, the blade carrier 24 travels back and forth in a direction approaching or moving away from the intermediate tray 21. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the folding blade 23 can be freely moved forward and backward in a straight line along a protruding path connecting an initial position where the tip of the folding blade 23 does not enter the sheet conveying path 20 formed by the intermediate tray 21, and a maximum protruding position where the tip of the folding blade 23 is sandwiched between the nip portion 22c of the folding roller pair 22.

[0035] (Pressure guide member) As shown in FIG. 3, an L-shaped pressure guide member 30, which is a direction-changing member, is disposed above the folding blade 23 and is rotatable about a rotation shaft 30a. The pressure guide member 30 changes the orientation of the sheet S, which is folded by the forward rotation (first direction) of the folding roller pair 22 and then switchback-conveyed by the reverse rotation (second direction) of the folding roller pair 22, to return the sheet to the intermediate tray 21. By rotating about the rotation shaft 30a, the pressure guide member 30 can move between a standby position (see FIG. 15(a)) where it does not affect the change in the orientation of the sheet S to be conveyed, and a guide position (see FIG. 17(a)) where it guides the sheet S to change its orientation. The standby position of the pressure guide member 30 is located on the opposite side of the intermediate tray 21 across the guide surface 21a of the intermediate tray 21. Because the sheet is conveyed along the guide surface 21a, the pressure guide member 30 does not come into contact with the sheet when it is positioned at the standby position.

[0036] (Regulation stopper) A regulating stopper 26 is disposed at the lower end of the intermediate tray 21. The regulating stopper 26 serves as a position adjusting means for adjusting and positioning the sheet in the sheet conveying path 20 by contacting the leading edge of the conveyed sheet in the conveying direction. The regulating stopper 26 is provided so as to be movable up and down along the intermediate tray 21 by a sheet lifting mechanism 27.

[0037] The sheet lifting mechanism 27 of this embodiment is disposed below the blade carrier 24 when the folding blade 23 is in its initial position behind the intermediate tray 21, where the leading edge of the folding blade 23 does not enter the sheet conveying path 20 formed by the intermediate tray 21. The sheet lifting mechanism 27 is a conveyor belt mechanism including a pair of pulleys 27a, 27b disposed near the upper and lower ends of the intermediate tray 21 along the tray, and a transmission belt 27c wound around the pulleys. The regulating stopper 26 is fixed on the transmission belt 27c. By rotating the drive-side pulley 27a or 27b with a driving means such as a drive motor, the regulating stopper 26 moves up and down between the lower end position shown in FIG. 3 and a desired height position, thereby moving a sheet or a stack of sheets along the intermediate tray 21 and positioning it at the desired height.

[0038] As described above, the regulating stopper 26 can move up and down along the intermediate tray 21, and the gripping means 50 is attached to the regulating stopper 26, so that the regulating stopper 26 can move up and down integrally with the regulating stopper 26. The gripping means 50 grips the sheet conveyed to the intermediate tray 21, and ensures the sheet movement in accordance with the movement of the regulating stopper 26.

[0039] (Grip means) Next, the configuration of the gripping means 50 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the gripping means 50 in a state where it is able to grip a sheet, and (b) is a perspective view thereof. Figure 5(a) is a cross-sectional view of the gripping means 50 in a state where it has released its grip on the sheet, and (b) is a perspective view thereof.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, the gripping means 50 is attached to the regulating stopper 26. The regulating stopper 26 has a contact portion 26b provided on a base portion 26a that is movable along the guide surface 21a of the intermediate tray 21 by drive transmission from the transmission belt 27c. The contact portion 26b positions the sheet when the lower end of the sheet conveyed to the intermediate tray 21 comes into contact with the contact portion 26b, and during folding processing, the position of the contact portion 26b is adjusted to move the sheet to the folding position. The contact portion 26b is continuously formed with a rising portion 26c that is bent vertically upward, so that the sheet that comes into contact with the contact portion 26b can be stored so as not to fall out.

[0041] The gripping means 50 is attached to the base 26a, and moves integrally with the base 26a when the base 26a moves along the guide surface 21a. The gripping means 50 has a support portion 50a attached to the base 26a so as to be slidable in a direction along the thickness of the sheet, perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet to be conveyed to the intermediate tray 21, and an upright portion 50b formed integrally with the support portion 50a, and a gripping portion 50c formed on the inner surface of the upright portion 50b. Furthermore, a facing portion 50d is provided integrally with the base 26a at a position facing the gripping portion 50c across the sheet conveying path 20 to the intermediate tray 21.

[0042] The support portion 50a is drivingly connected to a gripper motor 72e (see Figure 11) provided on the regulating stopper 26, and can be moved by driving the gripper motor 72e between a grip position (see Figure 4) where the gripping portion 50c abuts against the opposing portion 50d and a grip release position (see Figure 5) where the gripping portion 50c moves away from the opposing portion 50d.

[0043] The support portion 50a is disposed below the contact portion 26b of the restriction stopper 26, i.e., at a position far from the folding roller pair 22, so that the support portion 50a can grip the sheet that has been positioned by contacting the contact portion 26b without interfering with the positioning of the sheet that contacts the contact portion 26b. Furthermore, the gripping portion 50c that grips the sheet is disposed above the contact portion 26b, i.e., at a position closer to the folding roller pair 22. This allows the support portion 50a to reliably grip the sheet whose end portion contacts the contact portion 26b.

[0044] The gripping means 50 is provided with an envelope sheet abutment portion 50e that abuts the lower end of the envelope sheet at a position above the abutment portion 26b of the regulating stopper 26. In Figures 4 and 5, the reference numeral 80 denotes a sheet pressing member. The envelope sheet abutment portion 50e may be provided at the same height as the abutment portion 26b in the vertical direction.

[0045] (Side alignment mechanism) The folding device F of this embodiment further includes a sheet side alignment mechanism for aligning the sides of sheets conveyed to the intermediate tray 21. As shown in FIG. 6, this sheet side alignment mechanism has a pair of sheet side alignment members 28a, 28b symmetrically arranged on both sides of the intermediate tray 21 in the sheet width direction (the direction along the surface of the sheet perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction). Note that FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the folding device F as seen from above. The sheet side alignment members 28a, 28b are held movably so as to be able to move relatively close to and away from each other in the sheet width direction. When a sheet is conveyed to the intermediate tray 21 and its leading edge abuts against the regulating stopper 26, the sheet side alignment members 28a, 28b are moved to align the sheet widthwise position.

[0046] <Adhesive application unit> The folding device F of this embodiment not only folds and discharges sheets, but also forms an envelope by applying adhesive to a predetermined position on the sheet using an adhesive application unit G when folding the sheet, and adhering the sheet while folding. Then, when forming the envelope, the folded sheet can be enclosed and discharged.

[0047] Next, the adhesive application unit G will be described. Fig. 7 is an overall perspective view of the adhesive application unit G, Fig. 8 is an explanatory perspective view of the glue holding unit 40, and Fig. 9 is an explanatory view of the connection between the glue holding unit and the glue moving cam 41. In the adhesive application unit G of this embodiment, by moving the glue moving cam 41 shown in Fig. 7 in the direction of arrow X and moving the glue holding unit 40 in the direction of arrow Y, it is possible to bring the tape glue member 42 into contact with the sheet to apply glue, or to separate it from the sheet.

[0048] 8 and 9, the glue holding unit 40 is configured with a symmetrical structure on both sides in the sheet width direction, and these are simultaneously moved in the front-to-rear direction (arrow Y direction) by a glue moving cam 41. As shown in Fig. 8(a), the glue holding unit 40 has a frame formed by combining a front plate 43a, a rear plate 43b and an outer plate 43c, and four shafts 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d are fixed between the front plate 43a and the rear plate 43b.

[0049] A cam follower holder 45b having a cam follower 45a is slidably attached to the two inner shafts 44b, 44c, and a compression spring 46 is attached between this cam follower holder 45b and the front plate 43a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the two outer shafts 44a, 44d of the four shafts are slidably attached to a moving bearing 47 fixed to a fixed stay (not shown). As a result, when the cam follower holder 45b moves forward, the front plate 43a is biased by the compression spring 46, allowing the glue holder 40 to move forward.

[0050] Additionally, multiple holding shafts 48 that protrude inward (toward the center in the sheet width direction) are fixed to the outer plate 43c, and an inner plate 49 is attached to these holding shafts 48. A tape glue member 42 equipped with tape glue 42a is attached to this inner plate 49. Therefore, the tape glue member 42 can move integrally with the glue holding portion 40 in the direction of arrow Y. Furthermore, the inner plate 49 is fixed to the holding shafts 48 with nuts 60, and by moving the position of this nut 60, the inner plate 49 can move along the holding shafts 48 in the sheet width direction.

[0051] As shown in Figure 9(a), a glue transfer cam 41 is disposed above the glue holder 40. As shown in Figure 9(b), a crank-shaped cam groove 41a is formed in this glue transfer cam 41, and this cam groove 41a engages with a cam follower 45a. The glue transfer cam 41 is connected to a glue transfer motor 61 (see Figure 7) via a belt 62. Therefore, by driving the glue transfer motor 61 to move the glue transfer cam 41 in the sheet width direction, the tape glue member 42, which is in the home position shown in Figure 10(a), can be moved forward as shown in Figure 10(b) and brought into contact with the sheet.

[0052] A sheet support plate 63 is provided at a position facing the tape glue member 42 across the sheet transport path (see FIG. 21), and supports the sheet pressed by the tape glue member 42. Therefore, after the tape glue 42a of the tape glue member 42 abuts against the sheet, as shown in FIG. 10(c), even if the cam follower holding portion 45b moves forward, the compression spring 46 compresses to absorb the amount of movement of the cam follower holding portion 45b, and the tape glue 42a presses against the sheet S with an appropriate pressure. When the sheet is transported in this state, the tape glue is applied to the sheet S.

[0053] <Control unit> Next, the control unit configuration of the drive system when folding a sheet will be described. As shown in the block diagram of Fig. 11, in image forming apparatus A, a first control unit 70a controls the driving of each member of image forming unit 3 based on information received at input unit 71, which inputs information from an operation panel, an external personal computer, etc., to form an image on a sheet. On the other hand, sheet processing apparatus B is controlled by a second control unit 70b which cooperates with the first control unit 70a.

[0054] In addition to image data for performing image formation processing on sheets, information regarding the folding mode is input to the input unit 71. In this embodiment, the folding modes that can be executed are a first folding mode in which folding processing is performed without applying adhesive to the sheets by the adhesive application unit G, and a second folding mode in which adhesive is applied to the sheets by the adhesive application unit G and then the sheets are folded into envelopes. Information regarding which mode to execute is input to the input unit 71 by an external device such as a personal computer or smartphone connected directly or via a network, or by an operation panel provided on the image forming apparatus A.

[0055] The second control unit 70b receives detection signals and various processing signals from various detection sensors and controls the driving of various drive motors and the like of the sheet processing device B according to the input signals. For example, it receives detection signals from a regulating stopper HP sensor that detects whether the regulating stopper 26 is at the home position, a folding blade HP sensor that detects whether the folding blade 23 is at the home position, a glue moving cam HP sensor that detects whether the glue moving cam 41 is at the home position, and the like.

[0056] 12 to 14 in accordance with the input signal (folding mode information input to the input unit 71), the second control unit 70b drives and controls the restriction stopper motor 72a, which drives the sheet lifting mechanism 27 that raises and lowers the restriction stopper 26, the cam motor 72b, which drives the cam member 25 that operates the blade carrier 24, and the folding roller motor 72c, which drives and rotates the folding roller pair 22. Furthermore, the second control unit 70b drives and controls the glue moving motor 72d, which operates the glue moving cam 41, the gripper motor 72e, which drives the gripping means 50, the pressing guide motor 72f, which operates the pressing guide member 30, the alignment motor 72g, which operates the alignment members 28a and 28b, and the conveying roller motor 72h, which drives the conveying rollers that convey the sheet to the intermediate tray 21.

[0057] The second control unit 70b may be directly provided in the sheet processing apparatus B, or the second control unit 70b may be provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and the second control unit 70b may control the driving of the sheet processing apparatus B connected to the image forming apparatus A. In the following description, expressions such as "the second control unit 70b rotates the pair of folding rollers 22a" and "the second control unit 70b moves the regulating stopper 26" are used. However, these expressions are used to omit explanations, and actually indicate that the second control unit 70b controls the driving of the respective driving members such as motors, as described above.

[0058] <Folding process control> The folding process is controlled by the control unit, and in the folding processing device F of this embodiment, it is possible to perform a normal folding process and an envelope folding process in which an adhesive application unit G is operated to apply glue to a sheet at the same time as the folding process, thereby forming an envelope.

[0059] Below, the operation when performing folding processing using the folding processing device F of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 11 to 14 and the cross-sectional schematic diagrams of Figures 15 to 23 which show the movement of each part along the flow of the sheet S when performing folding processing.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 12, when a job is accepted (S1), it is determined whether or not folding processing is required (S2), and if folding processing is not required, the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming device A is processed by the first processing unit B1, the third processing unit B3, etc., and then discharged.

[0061] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that a folding process is to be performed, the second control unit 70b determines whether the folding process is a first folding process (first folding mode) in which the folding process is performed without applying adhesive to the sheet by the adhesive application unit G, or a second folding process (second folding mode) in which the folding process is performed to form an envelope after applying adhesive to the sheet by the adhesive application unit G (S5). The second control unit 70b determines which folding mode to use based on information input from the input unit 71. Then, the first folding process or the second folding process is performed according to the selected mode (S6, S7).

[0062] (First folding process) The first folding process is performed as shown in the flowchart of Fig. 13. Fig. 13 shows an example of folding a sheet in three. Here, folding in three refers to folding a sheet in half in a first folding process, and then folding the sheet a second time at a position different from the initial folding position, so that one edge of the sheet folded in the first folding process is folded inside the sheet to be folded in the second folding process.

[0063] When a sheet on which an image has been formed in the image forming apparatus A is conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus B (S11), the regulating stopper 26 moves to the "sheet receiving position" (S12). At this time, the gripping means 50 is in a released grip state, i.e., the gripping portion 50c is separated from the opposing portion 50d, and the regulating stopper 26 is in a state where it can receive a sheet (FIG. 15(a)).

[0064] 15(a), the intermediate tray 21 of this embodiment is formed at an angle with respect to the vertical direction, and when a sheet S is conveyed to the intermediate tray 21, one side of the sheet S is guided by a guide surface 21a that forms the intermediate tray 21, and the sheet S is conveyed so that the sheet leading edge E1 is downward and the sheet trailing edge E2 is upward, and the sheet leading edge E1 hits the contact portion 26b of the regulating stopper 26 and stops. When two or more sheets are to be folded in a stack, a predetermined number of sheets are conveyed to the intermediate tray 21 in the same manner. Note that an example of folding a single sheet will be described here.

[0065] When the sheet S after image formation is conveyed to the intermediate tray 21, the alignment members 28a and 28b operate to align the position of the sheet in the sheet width direction (S13, S14), and then the gripping means 50 operates to grip the lower end of the sheet S (S15). In this state, the regulating stopper 26 is raised to move the sheet S to the "first folding position" (S16). This first folding position is a position where the folding position of the sheet S faces the folding blade 23. The folding blade 23 is positioned to push the sheet S from the side of the guide surface 21a of the intermediate tray 21 toward the folding roller pair 22. In other words, the guide surface 21a of the intermediate tray 21 and the folding roller pair 22 are positioned to sandwich the sheet S therebetween.

[0066] Then, the gripping means 50 releases the sheet grip, and the first folding process is performed (S17). When the folding process is performed, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the cam motor 72b is driven to move the blade carrier 24 toward the pair of folding rollers 22, and the folding blade 23 contacts the first folding position of the sheet S and protrudes into the nip portion 22c. At the same time, the folding roller motor 72c and the discharge roller motor 68 are driven to rotate the pair of folding rollers 22 and the pair of discharge rollers 17b forward. When a pulse motor is used for each of the motors, the number of drive pulses is counted by a counter when the motor is driven. When a DC motor is used for each of the motors, a sensor reads the slits in a code wheel (slit plate) attached to the rotation shaft of the motor, and the number of pulses is counted by a counter. The count value can be used to detect the conveyance amount of the sheet S, the protrusion amount of the folding blade 23, etc.

[0067] When the sheet S protruded by the folding blade 23 is nipped by the nip portion 22c of the pair of folding rollers 22, the regulating stopper 26 moves to the "switchback receiving position." The switchback receiving position is a position where, when the folded sheet that has been subjected to the first folding process by the pair of folding rollers 22 is switched back and conveyed to the intermediate tray 21 by the pair of folding rollers 22 rotating in the reverse direction, the sheet end E1 on the side farther from the folding position abuts against the abutting portion 26b of the regulating stopper 26 when sheet conveyance stops.

[0068] When the folding blade 23 that has protruded the sheet protrudes a predetermined amount to protrude the first folded portion of the sheet S up to the nip portion 22c of the folding roller pair 22, the direction of travel is reversed by the rotation of the cam member 25, and the blade moves in the return direction to return to the home position.

[0069] As a result of the protrusion of the folding blade 23, the first fold of the sheet S is protruded into the nip portion 22c of the folding roller pair 22, and is pressed with a predetermined pressing force while being sandwiched and transported by the folding roller pair 22, thereby undergoing a folding process, and is then transported as is by the discharge roller pair 17b, which together with the folding roller pair 22 constitutes a sheet transport means.

[0070] 16(a), when the sheet S is nipped by the discharge roller 17b and the second roller surfaces 22a3 and 22b3 of the folding rollers 22a and 22b face each other, the folding roller motor 72c stops. As a result, the pair of folding rollers 22 no longer nip the sheet, and the sheet is conveyed by the discharge roller 17b. At this time, the sheet is conveyed by the discharge roller 17b while being guided by the second roller surfaces 22a3 and 22b3, which have a small coefficient of friction. In this embodiment, whether the sheet has been conveyed to the discharge roller 17b and whether the second roller surfaces 22a3 and 22b3 of the pair of folding rollers face each other is determined by counting pulses of the motor. However, other configurations may also be used, such as detecting the sheet S with a sensor and controlling the drive of the motor based on the detection result.

[0071] Next, to perform the second folding process, as shown in FIG. 16(b), sheet conveyance is stopped when the trailing edge E2 of the sheet that has been folded the first time reaches a predetermined position. The predetermined position is a position where the trailing edge E2 of the sheet S, which is closer to the fold, is conveyed into the sheet conveyance path 20 formed by the intermediate tray 21. From this state, the pair of folding rollers 22 and the pair of discharge rollers 17b are driven in the reverse direction to perform the switchback conveyance process. When the sheet is folded inward in three, the trailing edge E2 of the sheet becomes the edge that is folded inside the sheet that is folded in the second folding process (hereinafter referred to as the "folding edge E2").

[0072] When the switchback conveying process is performed, the L-shaped pressing guide member 30, which is located in the home position (standby position), is rotated about the rotation shaft 30a to move to the switchback guide position, as shown in FIG. 17(a). The rotation of the guide member 30 pushes the folding end E2 downward (toward the intermediate tray 21 where the sheet leading edge E1 is located). In this state, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the gripping means 50 grips the sheet end E1 on the side farther from the fold of the sheet (S18). Then, as shown in FIG. 18(a), the folding roller pair 22 and the discharge roller pair 17b are driven in the reverse direction to switchback convey the sheet, and the regulating stopper 26 is lowered in accordance with the speed to move to the "reversal position."

[0073] The sheet whose folding end E2 has been guided to the intermediate tray 21 as described above moves downward as the regulating stopper 26 gripping the sheet end E1 moves to the "reversal position." As shown in FIG. 18(b), the reversal position is a position where the sheet has been moved to a position where the pressing guide member 30 can rotate without interfering with the sheet S. The amount of sheet transport to the reversal position is determined according to the sheet size and folding position. Then, as shown in FIG. 19(a), the pressing guide member 30 is returned to the standby position.

[0074] Next, as shown in Fig. 19(b), the regulating stopper 26 is moved to the "second folding position" (S19). This second folding position is a position where the second folding position of the sheet conveyed by the movement of the regulating stopper 26 faces the folding blade 23. At this position, as shown in Figs. 20(a) and 20(b), the grip on the sheet is released and the folding blade 23 pushes the sheet into the nip portion 22c of the folding roller pair 22, whereby the folding roller pair 22 performs the second folding process (S20), and the sheet folded in three is discharged (S21).

[0075] The first folding process of this embodiment is not limited to the inner third folding process, but may be a double folding process in which the sheet is only folded in half and then discharged.

[0076] (Second folding process) The second folding process, which results in an envelope fold, is performed as shown in the flowchart of Fig. 14. The second folding process of this embodiment has two modes: one in which the folded insert sheet (first sheet) and the envelope sheet (second sheet) are simultaneously folded to form an envelope containing the insert sheet, and another in which only the envelope sheet is folded to form an envelope. This mode is also performed based on the mode information input to the input unit 71.

[0077] In the mode for forming an envelope containing an insert sheet (YES in S31), the first folding process is performed on the insert sheet S1 on which the image has been formed, and the process is the same as the first folding process described above (S32-S39) until the sheet is switched back and the regulating stopper 26 is lowered to the "reverse position" (state in FIG. 19(a)). Note that when the first folding process of the insert sheet S1 is performed, an image is formed on the envelope sheet S2 (S40).

[0078] 21(a), after the first folding process of the enclosed sheet S1, the envelope sheet S2 is transported to the intermediate tray 21 (S41) as shown in FIG. 21(b). The envelope sheet S2 is transported to the outside of the enclosed sheet S1 (opposite the folding roller) until its leading edge abuts against the envelope sheet abutment portion 50e located a predetermined distance above the abutment portion 26b of the regulating stopper 26.

[0079] Next, while the enclosing sheet S1 is still gripped by the gripping means 50, the sheet side alignment members 28a, 28b are operated to align the width of the envelope sheet S2 (S42). The envelope sheet S2 is wider than the enclosing sheet S1 in width (see FIG. 24(a)). When the envelope sheet S2 is aligned in width by the sheet side alignment members 28a, 28b, a predetermined amount of the envelope sheet S2 is exposed on both widthwise sides of the stacked enclosing sheet S1. This exposed portion becomes the glue-attached area 81 (see FIG. 24(b)).

[0080] After aligning the envelope sheet S2 as described above, as shown in Figure 22(a), the regulating stopper 26 is moved to the "second folding position" where the second folding position of the sheet faces the folding blade 23 (S43). Then, to apply glue to the envelope sheet S2, the glue moving cam 41 of the adhesive application unit G is operated to move the glue holding part 40 toward the sheet as shown in Figure 22(b), and the tape glue 42a exposed from the tape glue member 42 is pressed against the exposed area of ​​the envelope sheet S2 supported by the sheet support plate 63 (S44). Note that the tape glue 42a has been previously adjusted to a position where it will abut against the glue application area 81 of the envelope sheet S2 when the glue holding part 40 moves toward the sheet.

[0081] Next, the grip on the enclosed sheet S1 is released, and the pair of folding rollers 22 is rotated while the folding blade 23 is thrust out to perform the folding process (S45). During this folding process, as shown in Figure 23(a), the enclosed sheet S1 and the envelope sheet S2 are conveyed so as to be drawn into the nip portion of the pair of folding rollers 22, and the tape adhesive 42a is pressed against the envelope sheet S2, causing the adhesive tape to adhere to the adhesive area 81. Then, as the envelope sheet S2 passes through the nip portion of the pair of folding rollers 22, both sides of the envelope to which the adhesive tape has adhered are adhered together to form an envelope, and the enclosed sheet S1, folded in three, is discharged enclosed in the envelope as shown in Figure 23(b) (S46).

[0082] As described above, the bottom edge of the envelope sheet S2 transported to the intermediate tray 21 is positioned above the bottom edge of the enclosed sheet S1 (see FIG. 21(b)), and the edges of both sheets are transported to the second folding position with a misalignment and folded. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24(c), the enclosed sheet S1 discharged in the envelope is slightly exposed from the edge of the envelope. This allows the enclosed sheet S1 to be easily removed from the envelope when checking it.

[0083] Next, in the case of a mode in which only the envelope sheet is folded to form an envelope (NO in S31), an image is formed on the envelope sheet S2 (S51), and the regulating stopper 26 is moved to the "sheet receiving position" (S52). Then, the envelope sheet S2 on which the image has been formed is conveyed until it abuts against the abutment portion 26b of the regulating stopper 26 (S53), and the sheet side alignment members 28a, 28b are operated to align the width direction of the envelope sheet S2 (S54).

[0084] Next, the gripping means 50 grips the envelope sheet S2, and the regulating stopper 26 is moved to a position where the folding position of the envelope sheet faces the folding blade 23 (S55). Then, the glue moving cam 41 of the adhesive application unit G is operated to move the glue holding portion 40, and the tape glue 42a is pressed against the envelope sheet S2 (S56). In this state, the sheet grip is released, and the folding blade 23 is pushed out to push the envelope into the nip portion of the folding roller pair 22, and a folding process is performed (S57). As a result of this folding process, glue is applied to both sides of the envelope sheet S2 as described above, and the glue-adhered portions are bonded together to form an envelope.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the position where the tape glue 42a is pressed against the exposed area of ​​the envelope sheet S2 is the position where the folding position of the envelope sheet S2 faces the folding blade 23. However, when applying the tape glue 42a to the envelope sheet S2, the regulating stopper 26 may be moved upstream of the folding position of the envelope sheet S2 in the conveying direction (the direction in which the sheet is conveyed to the intermediate tray 21) to press the tape glue 42a against the folding position of the envelope sheet S2, and in this state, the gripping portion 50c may be kept gripping the envelope sheet S2 while the folding position of the envelope sheet S2 faces the folding blade 23. Then, the gripping portion 50c may be released to push out the folding blade 23 to perform the folding process. This allows the glue to be applied up to the folding position of the envelope sheet S2.

[0086] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration is shown in which a folding blade 23 is used to clamp the sheet between the folding roller pair 22, but it is also possible to provide pairs of conveying rollers upstream and downstream of the folding roller pair 22 in the conveying direction, and while the sheet is being conveyed by the upstream conveying roller pair and the downstream conveying roller pair, to reduce the rotational speed of the downstream conveying roller pair to cause a flexure in the sheet, and then to draw the sheet into the folding roller pair and clamp it.

[0087] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a sheet folding device is shown as using a pair of folding rollers 22 and a folding blade 23 to perform a folding process on a sheet, but it may also be configured to use three folding rollers to perform a third fold, in which case adhesive is applied to the sheet before it is folded by the pair of folding rollers that first form a crease in the sheet when performing the second folding mode.

[0088] As described above, this embodiment has a processing mode in which adhesive is applied to a predetermined position on the sheet to be folded by the adhesive application unit G and the folding process is performed, and a processing mode in which the folding process is performed without applying adhesive to the sheet to be folded.Therefore, in addition to being able to perform only the folding process on the sheet, it is also possible to perform a folding process in which adhesive is applied during the folding process to form an envelope.

[0089] In addition, both the normal sheet folding process and the envelope folding process of forming an envelope by applying glue can be performed by the same pair of folding rollers 22, and there is no need to provide a special folding means for the envelope folding process, which simplifies the configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] A...Image forming device B...Sheet processing device F...Folding device G...Adhesive application unit S...Seat S1...Enclosed sheet S2...Envelope sheet 20...Sheet transport path 21...Intermediate tray 21a...Guide surface 22...Folding roller pair 23...Folding blade 24...Blade carrier 26...Regulation stopper 28a, 28b ... Sheet side alignment members 30...Press guide member 40...Glue holding part 42... Tape adhesive material 42a...Tape glue 46...Compression spring 50... Grip means 70a ... First control section 70b...Second control section 81...Glue adhesion area 100...Image forming system

Claims

1. A sheet processing device that performs folding processing on an insert sheet and an envelope sheet, a conveying section that conveys the insert sheet and the envelope sheet in a conveying direction; a pair of folding rollers that sandwich the insert sheet and the envelope sheet conveyed by the conveying unit to form folds in the insert sheet and the envelope sheet; an adhesive application unit that applies adhesive to the envelope sheet before it is folded by the pair of folding rollers, The envelope sheet is larger than the insert sheet in the conveying direction and in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction, The adhesive application unit applies adhesive to both side areas of the envelope sheet that do not overlap in the width direction when the envelope sheet and the insert sheet are overlapped, the envelope sheet and the adhesive-coated envelope sheet are sandwiched between the pair of folding rollers in a stacked state and conveyed; A sheet processing device capable of creating an envelope containing the envelope sheet by forming creases in the insert sheet and the envelope sheet using the pair of folding rollers and pressing the both side areas of the envelope sheet where the adhesive is applied.

2. The folding roller pair further includes a pushing means for pushing the insert sheet and the envelope sheet toward a nip portion of the folding roller pair.

2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insert sheet and the envelope sheet are stacked in that order between the push-out means and the nip portion of the pair of folding rollers in a direction from the push-out means toward the nip portion, and the folding process is performed by the pair of folding rollers.

3. 2. The sheet processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first folding process is performed on the enclosed sheet, and then the second folding process is performed at a position different from the fold formed by the first folding process by overlapping the envelope sheet on the enclosed sheet.

4. The sheet feeder further includes an alignment section that aligns the insert sheet and the envelope sheet in the width direction, and a gripping section that grips a downstream end of the insert sheet in the conveying direction, 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aligning section aligns the enclosing sheet, and then the aligning section aligns the envelope sheet superimposed on the enclosing sheet while the gripping section grips the enclosing sheet.

5. an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet; a sheet folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which folds the insert sheet and the envelope sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming device; An image forming system comprising:

Images