Perforation forming machine, sheet processing apparatus, and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a perforation forming machine capable of forming perforations in a sheet regardless of a type of sheet while avoiding a reduction in durability of a perforating blade.SOLUTION: A perforation forming machine (perforation forming unit 20) includes: a processing machine 21 capable of forming perforations in a sheet P by using a cutter 31 comprising a perforating blade 31a, and a lower receiving base 41 receiving the cutter 31. The processing machine 21 includes: a biasing mechanism (compression spring 38) for biasing the cutter 31 toward the lower receiving base 41; a cam 55 for forming a state in which the cutter 31 can be pressed against the lower receiving base 41 by biasing force of the biasing mechanism and a state in which the cutter 31 is separated from the lower receiving base 41 against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism; and a presser (follow-up striking guide piece 60) allowed by the cam 55 to press the cutter 31 toward the lower receiving base 41. In a case in which the perforating blade 31a is separated from the lower receiving base 41 via the sheet P, the cam 55 is made to abut against the presser, and the perforating blade 31a is pressed down to a height that allows for penetrating the sheet P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15C

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a perforation machine, a paper processing device, and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] Paper on which an image has been formed by an image forming device is subjected to post-processing such as cutting. By adding perforations in addition to this cutting process, the commercial material can be used for a variety of purposes and its added value can be increased. Conventionally, a paper processing device (sheet material processing machine) capable of forming perforations at required locations on a sheet material has been known (see Patent Document 1). The mechanism for forming the perforations rotatably supports a cutting tool equipped with a perforation blade on a support member. The perforation blade of this cutting tool is constantly biased against a receiving base with a predetermined pressing force. The receiving base has a groove formed therein into which the perforation blade can be inserted. Therefore, by transporting the paper between the perforation blade and the receiving base, the perforation blade penetrates the paper, and the perforation blade or the paper is moved in the processing direction to form the perforations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6111401 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To form perforations, the perforation blade must be pressed against the paper to penetrate it. However, when the blade is pressed against the paper, the belly of the blade tip may contact the paper. For example, when pressing the blade against the paper to form perforations halfway through the paper, the belly of the blade tip is likely to contact the paper. In addition, with guillotine-type blades, the belly of the blade tip contacts the paper. When the blade contacts the paper from the bottom of the tip, a higher pressure is required compared to when the blade contacts the paper from the corner of the tip. Therefore, if the surface hardness of the paper is high, when the perforation blade contacts the paper from the bottom of the tip, the blade cannot penetrate the paper and perforations cannot be formed.

[0005] To address this issue, it is possible to increase the biasing force that presses the perforation blade or to sharpen the cutting edge of the perforation blade to improve its sharpness, but these methods have the disadvantage of reducing the durability of the perforation blade.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide a perforation forming machine that can form perforations in paper regardless of the type of paper while avoiding a decrease in the durability of the perforation blade, a paper processing device equipped with the same, and an image forming system equipped with the paper processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the perforation forming machine according to the present invention is a perforation forming machine equipped with a cutting tool having a perforation blade and a receiving base that receives the cutting tool, and is equipped with a processing machine that can form perforations in a paper sheet transported between them, a biasing mechanism that constantly biases the blade toward the receiving base; a cam that forms a state in which the blade can be pressed against the receiving base by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism and a state in which the blade is separated from the receiving base against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism, a pressing portion that is disposed within the movement path of the cam in a state where the perforation blade is separated from the receiving base via the paper and that is capable of pressing the blade toward the receiving base; When the perforation blade is separated from the receiving table via the paper, the cam is brought into contact with the pressing portion to displace the blade toward the receiving table, thereby pushing the perforation blade down to a height that will allow it to penetrate the paper.

[0008] If the surface hardness of the paper is so high that the perforation blade cannot penetrate the paper using only the biasing force of the biasing mechanism applied to the blade, the perforation blade will be separated from the receiving base via the paper. In such a case, the cam will come into contact with the pressing part, forcing the perforation blade down and penetrating the paper. This makes it possible to form the required perforations even on paper with a high surface hardness. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a perforation forming machine, a paper processing device, and an image forming system that can form perforations in paper regardless of the type of paper while avoiding a decrease in the durability of the perforation blade. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] Advantages and features provided by embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example and are not intended to be limiting of the invention. [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control structure of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a perforation forming unit (FD perforation) according to this embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view cut so that the blade and lower receiving table can be seen when viewed from the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic internal configuration of a perforation forming unit according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the upstream side in the paper transport direction. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view of a schematic configuration of a lower guide member installed in the perforation forming unit shown in FIG. 4, viewed from the upstream side in the paper transport direction. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a processing machine for forming perforations according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of a processing machine for forming perforations according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a processing machine for forming perforations according to this embodiment, with portions of an upper guide member and a lower guide member cut away to reveal the internal structure. [Figure 9] 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the processing machine for forming perforations according to the present embodiment, taken along line AA in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] This is an oblique view of a processing machine that forms perforations in this embodiment, with parts of the upper guide member, lower guide member, and blade holding member cut out to reveal the internal structure, and shows the case where paper is inserted into the transport path to form perforations in the paper transport direction. [Figure 11A] 1 is a front view (viewed from the paper conveyance direction) showing a state in which a rotary blade used in the present embodiment is installed on a blade installation member fixed to a rotary shaft. FIG. [Figure 11B] 11B is a side view of FIG. 11A as seen from the right side. [Figure 11C] 11B is a side view of FIG. 11A as seen from the left side. [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the relationship between the blade and the lower receiving base. [Figure 12B] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship between the perforations of the blade and the grooves of the lower receiving base. FIG. [Figure 13A] 10 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the blade holding member of the processing machine according to the present embodiment, and is a side view showing a state in which the perforation of the blade has penetrated the paper. FIG. [Figure 13B] 10 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the blade holding member of the processing machine according to the present embodiment, and is a side view showing a state in which the perforations of the blade are resting on the surface of the paper. FIG. [Figure 14A] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the blade is separated from the lower receiving base when forming perforations in paper with low surface hardness. [Figure 14B] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the blade is biased toward the lower receiving base only by the biasing force of the biasing member (compression spring) when forming perforations in paper with low surface hardness. FIG. [Figure 15A]10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the blade is separated from the lower receiving base when forming perforations in paper with high surface hardness. [Figure 15B] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the blade is biased toward the lower receiving base only by the biasing force of the biasing member (compression spring) when forming perforations in paper with high surface hardness. FIG. [Figure 15C] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a pressing portion (an additional stroke guide piece) is pressed by a cam when forming perforations in paper with high surface hardness. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example in which a processing machine that forms perforations in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of paper is provided with a cam and a pressing portion (follow-up guide piece) that forcibly presses a blade. [Figure 17A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration when the blade is a guillotine type. [Figure 17B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing machine in which a guillotine-type blade is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100, a relay unit RU, a paper processing apparatus 200, and a finisher FS.

[0012] Image forming apparatus 100 forms a color image by electrophotography based on image data obtained by reading an image from an original or image data received from an external device. Image forming apparatus 100 has an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, an original reading unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a paper feed unit 15, an image formation control unit 16, a storage unit 17, a controller IF (Interface) 18, and an image processing unit 19.

[0013] The operation unit 11 includes a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit 12, and various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button, and outputs an operation signal to the image formation control unit 16 based on a user's operation.

[0014] The display unit 12 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens according to instructions of a display signal input from the image formation control unit 16.

[0015] The document reading unit 13 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a scanner, etc., and outputs image data obtained by reading an image of a document to the image formation control unit 16.

[0016] Based on the image-processed image data, the image forming unit 14 forms an image on paper supplied from the paper feed unit 15. The image forming unit is configured to include photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K corresponding to the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), an intermediate transfer belt 142, a secondary transfer roller 143, a fixing unit 144, a density sensor 145, and the like.

[0017] After being uniformly charged, the photosensitive drum 141Y is scanned and exposed to a laser beam based on yellow image data, forming an electrostatic latent image. Then, yellow is applied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, and development is performed. The other photosensitive drums 141M, 141C, and 141K undergo the same process as the photosensitive drum 141Y, except that the colors they handle are different.

[0018] The toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K are transferred one by one (primary transfer) onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 142. That is, a color toner image in which the toner images of four colors are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 142. The color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 142 are transferred all at once onto a sheet of paper by the secondary transfer roller 143 (secondary transfer). The fixing unit 144 includes a heating roller that heats the paper onto which the color toner image has been transferred, and a pressure roller that presses the paper, and fixes the color toner image onto the paper by applying heat and pressure.

[0019] The paper feed unit 15 includes paper feed trays T11 to T13, and supplies paper to the image forming unit 14. Each of the paper feed trays T11 to T13 stores paper of a paper type and size predetermined for that paper feed tray.

[0020] The image forming control unit 16 is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, and a memory. The CPU reads various processing programs stored in the ROM and, in accordance with the programs, controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, when post-processing is to be performed on the output paper, the CPU issues an instruction to the paper-sheet processing apparatus 200 to execute the predetermined post-processing.

[0021] The sheet processing device 200 is a device that performs post-processing as needed on the sheets output from the relay unit RU. Examples of post-processing include slittering, gutter slittering, CD cutting, creasing, and FD / CD perforation. These post-processing steps are not required, and are performed only when instructed by the image forming device 100. If no post-processing is required, the sheet processing device 200 simply transports the transported sheets to the finisher FS.

[0022] The paper processing device 200 has a paper transport section 210, functional units U1 to U4, a purge tray T1 that ejects paper to be purged from the paper processing device 200, and a card tray T2 that ejects paper that has been cut to a predetermined size by the paper processing device 200. The paper transport section 210 transports the paper transported from the relay unit RU to the functional units U1 to U4, and then transports the paper that has undergone post-processing in the functional units to various trays (purge tray T1, card tray T2) or the finisher FS.

[0023] The paper transport section 210 includes a long paper transport section 211 and a purge transport section 212. The paper transport section 210 is configured with multiple transport roller pairs 213 and includes transport paths 214-217 as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, the paper transport section 210 includes a straight transport path 214 that corrects any skew in the paper being transported to the functional unit U1, and a detour path 215 that detours the long paper being transported to the functional unit U1 to align it in the CD direction (paper width direction). The paper transport section 210 also includes a reversing discharge path 216 that reverses the paper after post-processing by the functional units U1-U4 and discharges it to the finisher FS, and a dual-purpose path 217 that serves as both a discharge path for discharging paper to the purge tray T1 and a reversing path for reversing the paper. The paper transport section 210 transports print paper transported from the image forming apparatus 100 to the post-processing section (functional units U1 to U4) by a plurality of transport roller pairs 213. The paper transport section 210 also transports print paper that has undergone post-processing to the finisher FS. In the finisher FS, the paper after image formation is stapled, folded, punched, etc.

[0024] The functional units U1 to U4 perform post-processing on the transported sheets. The functional units U1 to U4 are manually selected and installed by a service person. For example, the most upstream functional unit U1 may be a top and bottom slitter, and the most downstream functional unit U4 may be a CD cutter (CD cutting unit) for CD cutting. In this case, the functional units U2 and U3 may be selected from among a gutter slitter, a creaser (bottom convex) or a creaser (top convex), an FD perforation or a CD perforation, etc. The gutter cutter has the function of trimming the margins between adjacent products in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction along the transport direction. The creaser (convex downward) or creaser (convex upward) has the function of creasing (creasing) the paper. The FD perforation or CD perforation has the function of performing FD / CD perforation processing to make perforations in the paper.

[0025] The functional units U1 to U4 described above are modules selected by the user according to the functions required and detachably mounted on the unit housing receptacles, so that the required functions are completed on a module-by-module basis. Of these, the one shown in Figure 3 onwards is the perforation forming unit (corresponding to a perforation forming machine) 20, which forms FD perforations on the conveyed paper.

[0026] 3 to 5, the perforation forming unit 20 includes at least one processing machine 21 that forms perforations in the paper along the FD direction (paper transport direction) from the front end in the transport direction or from the middle of the paper. In this example, a plurality of processing machines 21 (for example, two) are provided in the unit housing 22 at different positions in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper transported by the paper transport section 210.

[0027] The processing machine 21 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10. The processing machine 21 has an upper guide member 33 incorporating a blade holding member 32 that rotatably holds a rotary blade 31, and a lower guide member 42 that is disposed below the upper guide member and includes a rotary lower receiving base 41 against which the blade 31 is removably abutted.

[0028] The upper guide member 33 has a pair of side walls 33a facing each other at a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a connecting wall 33b connecting the pair of side walls 33a at their lower ends. The upper guide member 33 has a shape that is open at least on the upper and downstream sides. A holding shaft 51 and a cam rotation shaft 52 (described later) are inserted through the pair of side walls 33a of the upper guide member 33. The holding shaft 51 is disposed between the housing walls 22a and 22b facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the unit housing 22. The cam rotation shaft 52 is disposed parallel to the holding shaft 51 on the downstream side and rotatably supported between the housing walls 22a and 22b. The upper guide member 33 is held at a predetermined height by the holding shaft 51 and the cam rotation shaft 52. An opening 33c is formed in the lower wall (connecting wall 33b) of the upper guide member 33 to avoid interference with the blade 31.

[0029] The lower guide member 42 has a pair of side walls 42a that face each other at a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a connecting wall 42b that connects the pair of side walls 42a at their upper ends, and is open at least downward. A pair of holding shafts 56, 57 that are installed between the housing walls 22a, 22b facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the unit housing 22 are inserted into the pair of side walls 42a of the lower guide member 42. The lower guide member 42 is held by the holding shafts 56, 57 directly below the upper guide member with a predetermined clearance.

[0030] The pair of holder shafts 56, 57 are arranged at the same height in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a cradle rotation shaft 58 is provided parallel to and between the pair of holder shafts 56, 57. The cradle rotation shaft 58 also passes through a pair of side walls 42a of the lower guide member 42. A rotary lower cradle 41 is fixed to the cradle rotation shaft 58 inside the lower guide member 42. An opening 42c is formed in the upper surface (connecting wall 42b) of the lower guide member 42, exposing the upper end of the lower cradle 41. The opening 33c of the upper guide member 33 and the opening 42c of the lower guide member 42 are aligned with each other. The blade 31 provided on the upper guide member 33 can be pressed against the lower cradle 41 through the opening 33c formed in the lower surface of the upper guide member 33.

[0031] The blade holding member 32 has a pair of side walls 32a facing each other at a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a connecting wall 32b connecting the pair of side walls 32a at the upper downstream side, and is open at least at the bottom. Between the housing walls 22a, 22b facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the unit housing 22, a holding member rotation shaft 53 is installed between the holding shaft 51 and the holding shaft 56. This holding member rotation shaft 53 is inserted through the pair of side walls 33a of the upper guide member 33 and also through an upstream portion of the pair of side walls 32a of the blade holding member 32 located opposite the connecting wall 32b. Therefore, the blade holding member 32 is held so as to be rotatable about this holding member rotation shaft 53. The portion of the pair of side walls 32a of the blade holding member 32 through which the cam rotation shaft 52 passes is formed as an arc-shaped hole 32c to avoid interference with the cam rotation shaft 52 within the range of rotation of the blade holding member 32.

[0032] The blade 31 is a roller for making perforations on the paper, and as shown in Figures 11A, 111B, and 11C, a perforation blade 31a is formed continuously around the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface along the circumferential direction. The blade 31 is fixed by screws to a blade installation member 34, which is firmly attached to a rotation shaft 31b journaled on a pair of side walls 32a of the blade holder 32. A rubber roller 39 is fixed to the outer periphery of the blade installation member 34 adjacent to the blade 31 so as to rotate together with the blade 31. The outer diameter of the rubber roller 39 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the blade 31 (the distance from the center of the blade to the tip of the perforation blade). As the paper is transported between the rubber roller 39 and the circumferential surface of the lower receiving base 41, the rubber roller 39 comes into contact with the surface of the paper P when the perforation blade 31a penetrates the paper P. As a result, the frictional force between the rubber roller 39 and the paper P causes the blade 31 to rotate in accordance with the movement of the paper.

[0033] The rotating shaft 31b of the blade 31 fixed via the blade mounting member 34 is rotatably supported in a holding groove 32e formed between the connecting wall 32b of the pair of side walls 32a of the blade holding member 32 and the portion through which the holding member rotating shaft 53 is inserted (see Figures 8 and 13). Therefore, when the blade holding member 32 is rotated up and down around the holding member rotation axis 53, the blade 31, which is rotatably supported on a pair of side walls 32a of the blade holding member 32, also moves up and down in response.

[0034] The lower receiving tray 41 is a roller for pressing the paper P against the blade 31, and is configured to rotate by rotation of the receiving tray rotation shaft 58. The receiving tray rotation shaft 58 is driven to rotate via a belt 62 by a first drive motor 61, which is a stepping motor disposed outside the housing wall 22a of the unit housing 22. 12A and 12B, a groove 41a into which the perforation blade 31a of the cutter 31 is inserted is formed continuously around the entire circumference of the circumferential surface of the lower receiving base 41. The groove 41a is formed deep enough so that the cutting edge of the perforation blade 31a does not interfere with the bottom even when the cutter 31 is pressed against the lower receiving base 41. In addition, the outer circumferential surface (cylindrical surface) of the lower receiving base 41 is provided with a contact surface 41b adjacent to the groove 41a, against which the paper is pressed by the rubber roller. Reference numeral 54 denotes a spacer that maintains the pair of side walls 32a of the blade holding member 32 at a predetermined distance.

[0035] A first spring receiver 35 is provided at the upper end of the upper guide member 33, spanning a pair of side walls 33a. A second spring receiver 36 is also provided at the upper end of the blade holding member 32, spanning a pair of side walls 32a. These spring receivers 35, 36 are arranged facing each other, and a guide rod 37 protruding toward the second spring receiver 36 is attached to the surface of the first spring receiver 35 facing the second spring receiver 36. The guide rod 37 passes through a through hole 36a provided in the second spring receiver 36 and is prevented from coming off the second spring receiver 36 within the rotational range of the blade holding member 32. A compression spring (biasing member) 38 is elastically mounted around the guide rod 37, between the first spring receiver 35 and the second spring receiver 36. As a result, the spring force of the compression spring (biasing member) 38 is constantly biased against the blade holding member 32 in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, around the holding member rotation shaft 53, via the second spring receiver 36. In other words, the compression spring (biasing member) 38 constantly biases the blade 31 in the direction of pressing it against the lower receiving base 41. The spring force of this compression spring 38 is adjusted to a pressure force that will penetrate the paper P even when the belly of the cutting edge of the perforation blade 31a hits the surface of the paper P when ordinary paper with a very ordinary surface hardness is guided into the conveying path 21a between the upper guide member 33 and the lower guide member 42.

[0036] A plate-shaped cam 55 is fitted to the exterior of the cam rotation shaft 52 at a portion located between the pair of side walls 32a of the blade holding member 32. The cam 55 rotates integrally with the cam rotation shaft 52 as the cam rotation shaft 52 rotates. The cam rotation shaft 52 is driven to rotate via a belt 64 by a second drive motor 63, which is a stepping motor disposed outside the housing wall 22a of the unit housing 22.

[0037] The cam 55 is arranged so as not to interfere with the guide rod 37. The cam 55 is formed so that the distance from the center of the cam rotation shaft 52 to the cam surface (cam diameter) is smallest in a predetermined section (first section 55a) in the circumferential direction. The cam diameter is also largest in a predetermined second section 55b that is shifted approximately 180 degrees from the first section. The cam 55 is also formed so that the cam diameter changes continuously between the first section 55a and the second section 55b.

[0038] A separating guide piece 59 is provided in a portion of the blade holding member 32 located above the cam rotation shaft 52. When the second section of the cam 55 is directed upward from the cam rotation shaft 52, the cam 55 abuts against it from below, displacing the blade holding member upward around the holding member rotation shaft 53. In this example, the connecting wall 32b is used in place of the separating guide piece 59. In addition, a follow-up guide piece (corresponding to a pressing portion) 60 is provided in a portion of the blade holding member 32 located below the cam rotation shaft 52, extending upstream from the downstream end of the blade holding member 32.

[0039] When the blade 31 is pressed against the lower receiving base 41 or when the perforation blade 31a penetrates the paper in the conveying path 21a, the additional strike guide piece 60 is in a position where the cam surface does not come into contact with the additional strike guide piece 60 even when the cam 55 is rotated, as shown in Figure 13A. In other words, the additional strike guide piece 60 is not positioned within the movement locus α of the cam 55.

[0040] 13B, when the perforation blade 31a moves away from the lower receiving base 41 by a predetermined distance via the paper P (when the perforation blade 31a moves away from the lower receiving base 41 by the thickness of the paper P), the blade holder 32 rotates upward about the holder rotation shaft 53. As a result, the additional blow guide piece 60 also moves upward. Because the position of the cam rotation shaft 52 remains unchanged, the cam rotation shaft 52 moves relatively to the lower side of the hole 32c by the amount of the blade holder 32 rotating upward. As a result, the additional blow guide piece 60 is located within the movement locus α of the cam 55. When the cam 55 rotates in this state, the blade 31 is pressed in a direction that presses the blade against the lower receiving base 41. Therefore, even if the perforation blade 31a is stopped on the surface of the paper P being transported on the transport path 21a, the perforation blade 31a of the cutter 31 penetrates the paper P and is inserted into the groove 41a of the lower receiving table 41.

[0041] Cam 55 is controlled to rotate so that second section 55b is positioned opposite follow-up guide piece 60 when the position where the perforation begins to be formed in the paper reaches the lowest end of the blade or its vicinity. Cam 55 is also controlled to rotate so that second section 55b of cam 55 is positioned to push up separating guide piece 59 when perforation is completed.

[0042] In the above configuration, when the perforation forming unit 20 is attached to the paper processing device 200 and paper P is transported from the upstream side, the paper P moves to the transport path 21a between the blade 31 and the lower receiving table 41 (between the upper guide member 33 and the lower guide member 42). When a command to form perforations in accordance with the timing of paper transport is issued, cam 55 begins to rotate by second drive motor 63 from the state shown in Figure 14A where second section 55b abuts against separating guide piece 59. When second section 55b of cam 55 moves away from separating guide piece 59, blade holding member 32 rotates downward about holding member rotation shaft 53 due to the biasing force of the biasing member (compression spring 38), and blade 31 moves toward lower receiving base 41.

[0043] If the paper is plain paper with a low surface hardness, the biasing force of the biasing member (compression spring 38) is set to a pressure that will penetrate the paper P even when the belly of the tip of the perforation blade 31a hits the surface of the paper, so the perforation blade 31a penetrates the paper P, as shown in FIG. 14B. In this state, the rubber roller 39 abuts the paper P, and the friction between the paper P and the rubber roller 39 causes the blade 31 to rotate as the paper P is transported. As a result, the succeeding perforation blades 31a sequentially penetrate the paper P, forming perforations in the paper P. At this time, the blade holding member 32 is lowered until the blade 31 has penetrated the paper P, so the second section 55b of the cam 55 does not abut against the follow-up strike guide piece 60, but faces the follow-up strike guide piece 60 with a gap between them.

[0044] On the other hand, if the surface hardness of the conveyed paper is higher than that of the plain paper, when the second drive motor 63 rotates the cam 55 from the state shown in FIG. 15A where the second section 55b of the cam 55 abuts against the separating guide piece 59, the state shown in FIG. 15B may occur. That is, even if the perforation blade 31a of the blade 31 abuts against the surface of the paper P due to the biasing force of the compression spring 38, the perforation blade 31a may stop on the surface of the paper P without penetrating the paper P. In such a case, the perforation blade 31a is separated from the lower receiving base 41 via the paper P (separated from the lower receiving base by the thickness of the paper P). Accordingly, the follow-up strike guide piece 60 provided on the blade holding member 32 is also positioned relatively higher than when the perforation blade 31a penetrates the paper. Therefore, the follow-up strike guide piece 60 is positioned within the movement path of the cam 55. Therefore, when the cam 55 rotates and the second section 55b is directed downward (when it rotates to a position facing the follow-up guide piece 60), the cam 55 abuts against the follow-up guide piece 60 and forcibly pushes the follow-up guide piece 60 downward.

[0045] 15C, blade holding member 32 rotates downward about holding member rotation shaft 53, pressing blade 31 toward lower receiving base 41 and causing perforation blade 31a to penetrate paper sheet P. Once perforation blade 31a penetrates paper sheet P, the subsequent perforation blade 31a abuts against the paper sheet at its corner as the paper moves, eliminating the need for a large biasing force. Thereafter, perforation blade 31a continues to penetrate paper sheet P solely due to the spring force of compression spring 38. Even if the subsequent perforation blade 31a does not penetrate paper sheet P solely due to the spring force of compression spring 38, the second section of cam 55 is stopped at a position facing follow-up guide piece 60, so the subsequent perforation blade 31a continues to penetrate paper sheet P.

[0046] Thereafter, to stop the formation of the perforations, the cam 55 is rotated by the second drive motor 63 so that the second section 55b of the cam 55 faces the separating guide piece 59. As a result, the blade holding member 32 rotates upward about the holding member rotation shaft 53, and the perforation blade 31a of the blade 31 moves away from the paper P. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to form perforations at intended locations on the paper sheet P regardless of the type of paper sheet (difference in surface hardness of the paper sheet).

[0047] While the above example is applied to an FD perforation machine, a similar configuration can also be adopted in a CD perforation machine. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 16, the perforation forming machine is configured with a processing machine 21 equipped with a blade holding member 32 that holds a blade 31 and a linear lower receiving base 43 that extends in the CD direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction). By moving the blade holding member 32 along a support shaft 44 that extends across the CD direction, the blade 31 moves along a groove 43a formed in the upper surface of the lower receiving base 43.

[0048] In this configuration, a biasing mechanism (not shown) is provided that constantly biases the blade 31 toward the lower receiving base 43. A cam 55 is also provided, which allows the blade 31 to be pressed against the lower receiving base 43 by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism and moves the blade 31 away from the lower receiving base 43 against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism. Furthermore, the aforementioned follow-up strike guide piece 60 is positioned within the movement path of the cam 55 when the perforation blade 31a is separated from the lower receiving base 43 via the paper P. As a result, even when the perforation blade 31a is separated from the lower receiving base 43 via the paper P, the cam 55 abuts the follow-up strike guide piece 60 and presses the perforation blade 31a down to a height that allows it to penetrate the paper P, thereby reliably forming perforations in the paper P.

[0049] Although the above example shows the use of a rotary-type blade 31, this configuration is also useful when multiple perforation blades are brought into contact with the paper simultaneously to form perforations in the paper. For example, as shown in Figures 17A and 17B, the blade 71 can be replaced with a guillotine-type blade. A similar configuration can be adopted by replacing the lower receiving base 45 with a structure having a linear groove 45a that allows the guillotine-type blade 71 to be pressed against it (allowing multiple linearly arranged perforation blades 71a to be inserted).

[0050] In the case of a guillotine-type blade 71, the belly portions of many perforation blades 71a come into contact with the surface of the paper at the same time, making it difficult to penetrate the paper with the compression spring 38 used in the rotary type alone. Therefore, by forcibly pressing the blade holding member 32 downward with the cam 55, it becomes easier to penetrate many perforation blades 71a simultaneously into the paper. Unlike the rotary type, the guillotine type has many perforation blades arranged in a straight line, so multiple processing machines 21 equipped with cams 55 and follow-up guide pieces 60 may be installed at intervals along the direction in which the blades 71 extend.

[0051] As described above, the perforation forming machine (perforation forming unit 20) according to this embodiment is a machine equipped with a processing machine 21 that can form perforations in a sheet of paper P conveyed between blades 31, 71 equipped with perforation blades 31a, 71a and receiving tables (lower receiving tables 41, 43, 45) that receive the blades 31, 71, and the machine is equipped with a biasing mechanism (compression spring 38) that constantly biases the blades 31, 71 toward the receiving tables (lower receiving tables 41, 43, 45), and a state in which the blades 31, 71 can be pressed against the receiving tables (lower receiving tables 41, 43, 45) by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism (compression spring 38) and a state in which the blades 31, 71 can be pressed against the receiving tables (lower receiving tables 41, 43, 45) against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism (compression spring 38). and a cam 55 that creates a state in which the perforation blades 31a, 71a are separated from the receiving base (lower receiving bases 41, 43, 45), and the cam 55 is disposed within the movement locus of the cam 55 when the perforation blades 31a, 71a are separated from the receiving base (lower receiving bases 41, 43, 45) via the paper P, and a pressing portion (follow-up strike guide piece 60) is provided that can press the cutting tools 31, 71 toward the receiving base (lower receiving bases 41, 43, 45), and when the perforation blades 31a, 71a are separated from the receiving base (lower receiving bases 41, 43, 45) via the paper P, the cam 55 abuts against the pressing portion (follow-up strike guide piece 60) to displace the cutting tools 31, 71 toward the receiving base (lower receiving bases 41, 43, 45), thereby pressing down the perforation blades 31a, 71a to a height that allows them to penetrate the paper P.

[0052] Therefore, even when the perforation blades 31a, 71a of the blades 31, 71 are unable to penetrate the paper P with the biasing force of the biasing mechanism (compression spring 38) alone, the cam 55 contacts the pressing portion (follow-up guide piece 60) and presses the perforation blades 31a, 71a down to a height that will allow them to penetrate the paper P. This makes it possible for the perforation blades 31a to penetrate the paper P, even when the paper has a high surface hardness. In other words, there is no need to increase the biasing force of the biasing mechanism (compression spring 38) that presses the blades 31, 71 against the receiving tray (lower receiving tray 41, 43, 45), and there is no need to make the tips of the perforation blades 31a, 71a sharper than necessary. This makes it possible to form perforations in paper regardless of the type of paper, while avoiding a decrease in the durability of the perforation blades.

[0053] In a more specific embodiment, a holding member (blade holding member 32) is provided that holds the blades 31, 71 and has a pressing portion (follow-up strike guide piece 60), and the biasing mechanism may constantly bias the blades 31, 71 toward the receiving base (lower receiving base 41, 43, 45) by biasing the holding member (blade holding member 32) with a biasing member (compression spring 38). By applying the biasing force via the holding member (blade holding member 32) that holds the blades 31 and 71, it becomes easier to create a structure that applies the biasing force.

[0054] In this case, the holding member (blade holding member 32) is made rotatable about a fulcrum (holding member rotation shaft 53) located away from the portion holding the blades 31 and 71. The pressing portion (holding member rotation shaft 53) is preferably located on the opposite side of the portion of the holding member (blade holding member 32) holding the blades 31 and 71 from the fulcrum (holding member rotation shaft 53). In this configuration, the blades 31 and 71 can be urged toward the receiving base (lower receiving base 41, 43, 45) using the principle of leverage. This eliminates the need to enlarge the shapes of the cam 55 and the pressing portion (holding member rotation shaft 60), making it possible to avoid an increase in the size of the perforation forming machine.

[0055] Here, the blades 31, 71 may be rotary or guillotine type. In particular, when forming perforations, even when the belly of the perforation blade contacts the paper, the cam 55 is brought into contact with the follow-up guide piece 60 to press the perforation blade 31a down to a predetermined height, so perforations can be formed easily and reliably regardless of the type of blade. Here, if the blade 31 is of a rotary type, it is preferable to provide an annular rubber roller 39 adjacent to and coaxial with the blade 31. This allows the blade 31 to rotate as the rubber roller 39 comes into contact with the paper being transported between the blade 31 and the lower receiving base 41. With this configuration, no power source is required to rotate the blade 31, making it easier to miniaturize the perforation forming machine (perforation forming unit 20).

[0056] The direction in which the perforations are formed may be either parallel to the paper feed direction (FD) or perpendicular to the paper feed direction (CD).

[0057] Furthermore, the sheet processing apparatus 200 may be configured so that the perforation forming device (perforation forming unit 20) is detachably attached as one of the functional units. In such a configuration, the sheet processing apparatus 200 can be equipped with a perforation forming function at the user's option, eliminating the need for a dedicated device. In other words, by forming the perforation forming device as a single detachable functional unit, the sheet processing apparatus 200 can be easily adopted as an inline type sheet processing apparatus. This makes it easier to build an image forming system 1 that includes the image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on paper and the sheet processing apparatus 200 that forms perforations on paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 100.

[0058] <Supplementary information> Although the embodiments and modifications of the perforation forming machine, paper processing device, and image forming system according to the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications. The present invention also includes various modifications that would occur to those skilled in the art, as well as modifications realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments and modifications within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the appended claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] The present invention is useful as a technique for forming perforations in paper, regardless of the type of paper (paper surface hardness). [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Image forming system 20 Perforation forming unit 21 Processing machine 31 Cutlery 31a Perforation blade 32 Blade holding member 38 Compression spring 39 Rubber Roller 41 Lower support 53 Rotating shaft for holding member 55 Cam 59 Separation guide piece 60 Follow-up guide piece 71 Cutlery 100 Image forming device 200 Paper handling device U1, U2, U3, U4 Functional units

Claims

1. A perforation forming machine having a processing machine that can form perforations on a paper sheet transported between a blade having a perforation blade and a receiving base that receives the blade, a biasing mechanism that constantly biases the blade toward the receiving base; a cam that forms a state in which the blade can be pressed against the receiving base by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism and a state in which the blade is separated from the receiving base against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism, a pressing portion that is disposed within the movement path of the cam in a state where the perforation blade is separated from the receiving base via the paper and that is capable of pressing the blade toward the receiving base; When the perforation blade is separated from the receiving table via the paper, the cam is brought into contact with the pressing portion to displace the blade toward the receiving table, thereby pressing the perforation blade down to a height that will allow it to penetrate the paper.

2. a holding member that holds the blade and has the pressing portion; The perforation forming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the biasing mechanism constantly biases the blade toward the receiving base by biasing the holding member with a biasing member.

3. The perforation forming machine according to claim 2, wherein the holding member is rotatable around a fulcrum located at a position away from the portion of the holding member that holds the blade, and the pressing portion is located on the opposite side of the fulcrum from the portion of the holding member that holds the blade.

4. 3. The perforation forming machine according to claim 2, wherein the blade is of a rotary type.

5. 5. The perforation forming machine according to claim 4, wherein the blade has an annular rubber roller adjacent to it and coaxially therewith, and the blade is rotated by bringing the paper transported between the blade and the receiving table into contact with the rubber roller.

6. 3. The perforation forming machine according to claim 2, wherein the blade is a guillotine type.

7. 3. The perforation forming machine according to claim 2, wherein the direction in which the perforations are formed is parallel to the direction in which the paper is transported.

8. 3. The perforation forming machine according to claim 2, wherein the direction in which the perforations are formed is perpendicular to the direction in which the paper is transported.

9. A paper processing apparatus to which the perforation forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is detachably attached as one of its functional units.

10. 10. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet; and the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 9, that forms perforations on the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus.

Images