Medium processing apparatus and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a medium processing device capable of appropriately preventing a sheet from being peeled off from a crimped and bound medium bundle, and suppressing a decrease in productivity.SOLUTION: A medium processing device includes a tray, crimp binding means for crimping and binding a plurality of media supported by the tray by pressurizing and deforming the media, and folding trace forming means capable of forming a folding trace on each of the plurality of media supported by the tray before crimp binding by crimp binding.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, media processing devices have been known that bundle and bind sheet-like media on which images have been formed by an image forming device. Because paper is a widely known example of sheet-like media, this specification uses a "sheet stack" of multiple sheets of paper as an example of a bundle of sheet-like media. Furthermore, in consideration of resource conservation and reducing environmental impact, some media processing devices are equipped with a crimping device that can perform so-called "press binding," in which the bundle of sheets is clamped and pressure-deformed with uneven binding teeth, without using metal staples.

[0003] When turning a page of a crimp-bound stack of paper, a load is applied to the crimp-bound portion, which may cause the turned page to peel off from the stack of paper. To solve this problem, there is a technology that creates a fold in the stack of paper to prevent the paper from peeling off (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 has the problem that fold marks are formed during pressure binding, so while fold marks are formed on the outer sheets of a paper stack, fold marks are difficult to form on the inner sheets.On the other hand, the technology of Patent Document 2 has the problem that productivity is significantly reduced because fold marks are formed by stopping the sheets midway through the conveyance path.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a media processing device that can appropriately prevent paper from peeling off from a press-bound media stack and suppresses a decrease in productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a tray, a crimp binding means for pressurizing and deforming a plurality of media supported on the tray to crimp and bind them, and a fold mark forming means capable of forming fold marks on each of the plurality of media supported on the tray prior to the crimp binding by the crimp binding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately prevent sheets from peeling off from a press-bound medium bundle, and to suppress a decrease in productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing section as viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing section according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the liquid application section side in the main scanning direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a crimping unit of the edge binding processing unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block that controls the operation of the post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a binding process by an edge binding processing unit. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating positions of a liquid application unit and a pressure bonding unit during binding processing by the edge binding processing unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an edge binding processing section according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the liquid application section side in the main scanning direction. [Figure 10] 5 is a schematic diagram of an internal tray, an edge binding processing unit, and a fold mark forming unit as viewed from the thickness direction of the paper. [Figure 11] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between an image forming area, a liquid application area, a pressure binding area, and folding marks. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fold line forming means according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the control unit of the post-processing device. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the control unit of the post-processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0020] The post-processing device 3 also includes an internal tray 22 as a loading tray, an end fence 23, side fences 24L and 24R, an edge-stitching processing unit 25, a staple binding processing unit 55, and a second discharge tray 26. The internal tray 22, the end fence 23, the side fences 24L and 24R, the edge-stitching processing unit 25, and the staple binding processing unit 55 perform edge-stitching processing on a sheet bundle Pb made up of a plurality of sheets P transported from the second transport path Ph2 to the internal tray 22. The sheet bundle Pb that has been edge-stitched is discharged to the second discharge tray 26 from among the sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2.

[0021] The "edge binding process" referred to here includes "parallel binding process" in which binding is performed along one side of the paper stack Pb that is parallel to the main scanning direction, "diagonal binding process" in which binding is performed at a corner of the paper stack Pb, and "vertical binding process" in which binding is performed at multiple locations spaced apart in the width direction along one side of the paper stack Pb that is parallel to the transport direction.

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

[0023] The multiple sheets of paper P transported in order via the second transport path Ph2 are temporarily placed on the internal tray 22, which serves as a loading tray. The end fence 23 aligns the position of the sheets of paper P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. The side fences 24L and 24R align the position of the sheets of paper P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The edge stitching processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 55 bind the edges of the sheet bundle Pb aligned by the end fence 23 and the side fences 24L and 24R. Then, the transport roller pair 15 discharges the sheet bundle Pb that has been edge-stitched onto the second discharge tray 26.

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

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

[0026] [Configuration of the edge binding processing unit 25] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing unit 25, which performs the liquid application process and the pressure binding process shown in Fig. 2, as seen from the upstream side in the conveyance direction. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing unit 25 as seen from the liquid application unit 31 side in the main scanning direction. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the edge binding processing unit 25 includes a liquid application unit 31 that applies liquid to the paper P, and a pressure bonding unit 32, which is an example of a post-processing unit and performs pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. The liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are arranged adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveyance direction.

[0027] 4, liquid application unit 31 applies liquid stored in first liquid storage tank 43, which serves as a liquid storage unit, to paper P or paper stack Pb placed on internal tray 22. Hereinafter, the application of liquid by liquid application unit 31 to paper P or paper stack Pb, and the operation of liquid application unit 31 when applying liquid, will be referred to as "liquid application." Furthermore, the liquid application operation of liquid application unit 31 that involves control processing will be referred to as "liquid application process."

[0028] More specifically, the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 as the liquid used for liquid application is primarily composed of a liquid compound of hydrogen and oxygen represented by the chemical formula "H2O." As long as it is in a liquid state, its temperature does not matter, and it may be so-called warm water or hot water. Furthermore, it is not limited to pure water, and it may of course be purified water, or may contain ionized salts. The metal ion content does not matter, and the hardness may range from so-called soft water to ultra-hard water.

[0029] In addition to the main ingredient, additives may be added. It may contain residual chlorine, which is used in tap water, and it is also desirable to add colorants, penetrants, pH adjusters, preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, and drying inhibitors such as glycerin. Furthermore, inks used in inkjet printers and water-based pens also contain water, so these may also be used as "liquid application."

[0030] The liquids are not limited to those specifically mentioned here, and any "water" in the broad sense, such as hypochlorous acid water or an ethanol solution diluted for disinfection, will also work, but if the only purpose is to enhance the binding strength after binding, tap water, which is easy to obtain and manage, can be used. Also, using a liquid whose main component is water, such as the examples above, can improve the binding strength of the paper stack Pb more than using a liquid whose main component is not water.

[0031] [Configuration of liquid application unit 31] 3 and 4, the liquid application unit 31 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction together with the pressing unit 32 by transmitting the driving force of an edge binding processing unit movement motor 50. The liquid application unit 31 includes a lower pressure plate 33 as a platform for placing the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb, an upper pressure plate 34, a liquid application unit movement mechanism 35, and a liquid application mechanism 36. The components of the liquid application unit 31 (the lower pressure plate 33, the upper pressure plate 34, the liquid application unit movement mechanism 35, the liquid application mechanism 36, and the liquid application unit movement motor 37) are held by a liquid application frame 31a and a base member 48.

[0032] 3, the liquid applicator 31 is equipped with a liquid applicator rotation mechanism 252. The liquid applicator rotation mechanism 252 is composed of a liquid applicator rotation motor 563, which will be described later, an output gear 563a, and a drive transmission gear 562a. A liquid applicator rotation shaft 562 equipped with a drive transmission gear 562a is fixed to the bottom surface of a liquid applicator frame 31a that holds the components of the liquid applicator 31. The liquid applicator rotation shaft 562 and the drive transmission gear 562a are held rotatably in both forward and reverse directions by a base member 48 on which the liquid applicator frame 31a is provided.

[0033] Furthermore, the drive transmission gear 562a meshes with an output gear 563a of the liquid deposition unit rotation motor 563. The drive force of the liquid deposition unit rotation motor 563 is transmitted to the liquid deposition unit rotation shaft 562 via the output gear 563a and the drive transmission gear 562a, so that the liquid deposition unit 31 is rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 around the liquid deposition unit rotation shaft 562.

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

[0035] That is, the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 are arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "thickness direction") of the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, sandwiching the paper P or paper stack Pb therebetween. Furthermore, the upper pressure plate 34 has a through-hole 34a that penetrates in the thickness direction at a position facing a liquid applying member 44 that is held via a joint 46 attached to the base plate 40. The liquid applying member 44 is one end of a liquid supplying member 45 (liquid-absorbing) that will be described later, and corresponds to the tip portion.

[0036] The liquid applicator movement mechanism 35 moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, the joint 46, and the liquid applicator 44 in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid applicator movement mechanism 35 according to this embodiment moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, the joint 46, and the liquid applicator 44 in conjunction with each other using a single liquid applicator movement motor 37. The liquid applicator movement mechanism 35 includes, for example, the liquid applicator movement motor 37, a trapezoidal screw 38, a nut 39, the base plate 40, columnar members 41 a, 41 b, and coil springs 42 a, 42 b.

[0037] The liquid applicator movement motor 37 generates a driving force that moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, the joint 46, and the liquid applicator member 44. The trapezoidal screw 38 extends in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or the stack of paper sheets Pb, and is provided on the liquid applicator frame 31a so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The trapezoidal screw 38 is connected to the output shaft of the liquid applicator movement motor 37 via a pulley, a belt, or the like. The nut 39 is threadedly engaged with the trapezoidal screw 38. The driving force of the liquid applicator movement motor 37 is transmitted to rotate the trapezoidal screw 38 in forward and reverse directions, causing the nut 39 to move back and forth on the trapezoidal screw 38.

[0038] The base plate 40 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the upper pressure plate 34. The base plate 40 holds the liquid supplying member 44 with the tip of the liquid supplying member 44 protruding from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressure plate 34. The base plate 40 is connected to a trapezoidal screw 38 via a nut 39, and is configured to be able to move back and forth along the trapezoidal screw 38 as the trapezoidal screw 38 rotates forward and backward. The vertical position of the base plate 40 is detected by a movement sensor 40a (see FIG. 8).

[0039] The pillar-shaped members 41a, 41b protrude from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressure plate 34 around the tip portion of the liquid application member 44. The pillar-shaped members 41a, 41b are configured to be movable in the thickness direction relative to the base plate 40. The pillar-shaped members 41a, 41b hold the upper pressure plate 34 at their tip portions on the lower pressure plate 33 side. The tip portions of the pillar-shaped members 41a, 41b opposite the lower pressure plate 33 are provided with stoppers to prevent the pillar-shaped members 41a, 41b from coming off the base plate 40.

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

[0041] The liquid application mechanism 36 applies liquid to the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. More specifically, the liquid application mechanism 36 applies liquid to at least one sheet of paper P that constitutes the paper stack Pb by bringing the liquid application member 44 into contact with the paper P or the paper stack Pb.

[0042] The liquid application mechanism 36 includes a liquid application member 44, a liquid supply member 45, a first liquid storage tank 43, and a joint 46. The first liquid storage tank 43 stores liquid to be supplied to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 is detected by a liquid level sensor 43a (liquid detection means).

[0043] The liquid applying member 44 applies the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 43 to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid applying member 44 is held by the base plate 40 with its tip pointing toward the upper pressing plate .

[0044] The liquid application member 44 is made of a material with a high liquid absorption rate, such as an open-cell foam that can hold liquid. The liquid application member 44 can be made of any material as long as it has the ability to absorb and retain liquid and collapses in response to the pressure applied when in contact with the paper P. For example, it may be a foam such as a sponge, or a fiber that can absorb liquid by capillary action.

[0045] Liquid supply member 45 (liquid absorbing) is a long member having a base end which is an immersion portion 452 immersed in the liquid stored in first liquid storage tank 43 and a tip end which is connected to liquid applying member 44. Liquid supply member 45 is made of, for example, a material with high water absorption, similar to liquid applying member 44. This allows the liquid absorbed from immersion portion 452 of liquid supply member 45 to be supplied to liquid applying member 44 by capillary action. In other words, the liquid stored in first liquid storage tank 43 is sucked up from immersion portion 452 of liquid supply member 45, and the sucked up liquid is supplied through liquid supply member 45 to liquid applying member 44 which is connected to the tip end.

[0046] As described above, the liquid sucked up from the immersion portion 452 of the liquid supply member 45 is supplied to the liquid application member 44 through the liquid supply member 45, and the liquid application is performed by the liquid application member 44 coming into contact with the top surface of the paper P or the paper stack Pb.

[0047] Although the above description has been given of the case where the liquid supply member 45 and the liquid application member 44 are separate bodies, the liquid supply member 45 and the liquid application member 44 may be integrally formed from materials with similar properties (for example, materials with high liquid absorption). In other words, the liquid application member 44 may be configured to be part of the liquid supply member 45. In this case, the supply of liquid from the liquid supply member 45 to the liquid application member 44 by capillary action can be carried out more smoothly, and costs can be reduced.

[0048] The protective member 45a is a long cylinder (for example, a tube) that is fitted onto the liquid supply member 45. This prevents the liquid absorbed by the liquid supply member 45 from leaking or evaporating. The liquid supply member 45 and the protective member 45a are made of a flexible material. The joint 46 holds the liquid application member 44 and is provided on the base plate 40. This allows the liquid application member 44 to protrude from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressure plate 34, and maintains a state in which the tip of the liquid application member 44 faces the upper pressure plate 34, even when the liquid application unit movement mechanism 35 moves the liquid application member 44 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the main scanning direction.

[0049] In the liquid application process, the amount of movement (pressure) of the liquid application member 44 relative to the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb can be controlled by controlling the drive amount of the liquid application unit movement motor 37. Controlling the amount of movement of the liquid application member 44 relative to the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb adjusts the size of the area (contact area) in which the liquid application member 44 comes into contact with the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb, and adjusts the contact time (contact time). By making these adjustments, the amount of liquid applied to the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb in the liquid application process and the spread of the liquid can be adjusted.

[0050] [Configuration of crimping portion 32] As shown in FIG. 3, the crimping unit 32 serving as a post-processing unit applies pressure to at least a portion of the paper-sheet stack Pb to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit 31 (i.e., the liquid application position) using the concave and convex upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b, deforming the paper-sheet stack Pb and binding the paper-sheets P of this portion together. In other words, the crimping unit 32 can bind the paper-sheet stack Pb without using staples. The components of the crimping unit 32 (upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b) are provided on a crimping unit frame 32c. Hereinafter, the act of deforming and binding a predetermined position of the paper-sheet stack Pb by the crimping unit 32 will be simply referred to as "crimp binding." Furthermore, the crimp binding operation of the crimping unit 32, which involves control processing, will be referred to as "crimp binding process."

[0051] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the crimping unit 32. As shown in Fig. 5, the crimping unit 32 includes upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b. The upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b are arranged opposite each other in the thickness direction of the sheet stack Pb, sandwiching the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The opposing surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b are formed unevenly with alternating concave and convex portions. The upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b are formed with the concave and convex portions offset from each other so as to mesh with each other. The upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b are brought into contact with and separated from each other by the driving force of a contact / separation motor 32d (see Fig. 8).

[0052] As shown in Fig. 5(A) , when multiple sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb are being supplied to the internal tray 22, the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b are spaced apart. Then, when all sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb are placed on the internal tray 22, the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b mesh with each other due to the driving force of the contact / separation motor 32d, as shown in Fig. 5(B) , thereby compressing and deforming the sheet stack Pb in the thickness direction. This causes the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 to be pressure-bound. The pressure-bound sheet stack Pb is then discharged to the second discharge tray 26 by the conveyance roller pair 15.

[0053] The configuration of the crimping unit 32 is not limited to the structure of the operating mechanism exemplified in this embodiment, as long as the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b constituting the crimping mechanism are able to mesh with each other. For example, the crimping mechanism may be a link mechanism type crimping mechanism (such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6057167) that performs the crimping and separating operations of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b using a drive source and link mechanism that rotates forward only or forward and reverse. Alternatively, the crimping mechanism may be a linear motion type crimping mechanism that performs the crimping and separating operations of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b linearly using a screw mechanism that converts the forward and reverse rotational motion of the drive source into linear reciprocating motion.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the crimping unit 32 also includes a crimping tooth slide mechanism 322. The crimping tooth slide mechanism 322 is composed of a crimping tooth slide motor 32e, a pinion gear 32e1, a rack 32f1, and a crimping tooth frame 32f (described later). The upper crimping tooth 32a and the lower crimping tooth 32a are provided on the crimping tooth frame 32f. The crimping tooth frame 32f is integrally provided with a rack 32f1 that meshes with the pinion gear 32e1 (described later). The crimping tooth frame 32f is attached to the crimping unit frame 32c so as to be movable in the main scanning direction. The crimping tooth slide motor 32e generates a driving force for moving the crimping tooth frame 32f in the main scanning direction. The pinion gear 32e1 is provided on the output shaft of the crimping tooth slide motor 32e. When the crimping tooth slide motor 32e is driven forward or backward, the pinion gear 32e1 rotates forward or backward. As the pinion gear 32e1 rotates forward and backward, the rack 32f1 meshing with the pinion gear 32e1 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction relative to the crimping unit frame 32c. As a result, the crimping tooth frame 32f, which is integral with the rack 32f1, also moves back and forth in the main scanning direction relative to the crimping unit frame 32c. In other words, the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth provided on the crimping tooth frame 32f can move in the main scanning direction by driving the crimping tooth slide motor 32e forward and backward. This makes it possible for the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth to shift their positions in the main scanning direction relative to the paper stack Pb and perform multiple binding operations.

[0055] Here, the amount of movement in the main scanning direction of the upper and lower crimping teeth that constitute the crimping mechanism is set to be equal to the length of the crimp mark formed by the binding operation of the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b, and the crimp binding operation is performed multiple times before and after movement in the main scanning direction. That is, when the length of the crimp mark formed by the binding operation of the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b is 10 mm, by also setting the amount of movement in the main scanning direction to 10 mm, the length of the crimp mark can be set to 20 mm by combining the crimping operation before movement in the main scanning direction (first time) and the crimping operation after movement in the main scanning direction (second time), and therefore the binding force of the crimping unit 32 is improved by approximately two times.

[0056] 3, the crimping unit 32 is equipped with a crimping unit rotation mechanism 323 (post-processing unit rotation mechanism). The crimping unit rotation mechanism 323 is made up of a crimping unit rotation motor 56 (described later), an output gear 56a, and a drive transmission gear 54a. A crimping unit frame 32c, which holds the components of the crimping unit 32, has a crimping unit rotation shaft 54 ​​equipped with a drive transmission gear 54a fixed to its bottom surface.

[0057] The crimping unit rotation shaft 54 ​​and the drive transmission gear 54a are held rotatably in forward and reverse directions on a base member 48 on which the crimping unit frame 32c is provided. The drive transmission gear 54a is in mesh with an output gear 56a of a crimping unit rotation motor 56. The crimping unit 32 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 about the crimping unit rotation shaft 54 ​​as a result of the driving force of the crimping unit rotation motor 56 being transmitted to the crimping unit rotation shaft 54 ​​via the output gear 56a and the drive transmission gear 54a.

[0058] 3, the edge binding processing unit 25 includes an edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 47. The edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 moves the edge binding processing unit 25 (i.e., the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32) in the main scanning direction along the downstream edge in the transport direction of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22. The edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 includes, for example, a base member 48, a guide shaft 49, an edge binding processing unit moving motor 50, a drive force transmission mechanism 551 that transmits the drive force of the edge binding processing unit moving motor 50 to the base member 48, and a standby position sensor 540 (see FIG. 8).

[0059] The liquid applicator 31 and the pressure-bonding unit 32 are attached to the base member 48 adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide shaft 49 is provided in the main scanning direction on the upstream side of the binding mechanism base 116 in the conveying direction and is held by a plurality of guide shaft brackets 49a. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide shaft 49 extends in the main scanning direction on the binding mechanism base 116. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide rail 115 is provided in the main scanning direction on the downstream side of the binding mechanism base 116 in the conveying direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide rail 115 has a fitted portion 115a that fits with a fitting portion 48a of the base member 48 across the main scanning direction. In other words, the base member 48 is held by the guide shaft 49 and the guide rail 115 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction on the binding mechanism base 116.

[0060] The edge stitching processing unit movement motor 50 generates a driving force for moving the edge stitching processing unit 25. The driving force transmission mechanism 551 transmits the driving force of the edge stitching processing unit movement motor 50 to the base member 48 via pulleys 551a and 551b, a timing belt 551c, and a fastening unit 48b that fastens the base member 48 and the timing belt 551c. As a result, the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure-bonding unit 32, which are integrated by the base member 48, move in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 49.

[0061] The edge-stitching processing unit movement motor 50 according to the present embodiment is a servo motor that can stop the edge-stitching processing unit 25 at a target position without returning the edge-stitching processing unit 25 to an origin position (for example, a standby position HP, which will be described later) after each movement. The target position of the edge-stitching processing unit 25 is a position where the binding process is performed on the paper stack Pb by the pressure bonding unit 32.

[0062] The post-processing device 3 also includes a standby position sensor 540 (e.g., a light-blocking optical sensor; see FIG. 8) that detects that the edge binding processing unit 25 has reached a standby position HP (home position; see FIG. 8(A)), and an encoder sensor 541 (see FIG. 8) attached to the output shaft of the edge binding processing unit movement motor 50. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, detects that the edge binding processing unit 25 has reached the standby position HP based on the detection result of the standby position sensor 540. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, also counts pulse signals output from the encoder sensor 541 to determine the current position of the edge binding processing unit 25, which has moved from the standby position HP.

[0063] However, the specific method for stopping the edge binding processing unit 25 at the target position without returning it to the origin position is not limited to the above example. As another example, the post-processing device 3 may be provided with a sensor that detects that the edge binding processing unit 25 has reached a predetermined target position.

[0064] That is, the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 can move the edge binding processing unit 25 over the shortest distance between the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 and the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the second liquid application position B2, without passing through the standby position HP. Also, the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 can move the edge binding processing unit 25 over the shortest distance between the position where the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 and the position where the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the second binding position B2, without passing through the standby position HP. Also, the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 47 can move the edge binding processing unit 25 over the shortest distance between the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 (or the second liquid application position B2) and the position where the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 (or the second binding position B2), without passing through the standby position HP.

[0065] Although the edge binding processing unit 25 has been described as having a configuration in which the pressure-bonding unit 32 and the liquid application unit 31 are integrally configured and move along the guide shaft 49, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressure-bonding unit 32 and the liquid application unit 31 may each move separately and independently.

[0066] Furthermore, the position (liquid application position) where liquid is applied to the paper P or the paper stack Pb by the liquid application unit 31 corresponds to the binding position where the pressure bonding unit 32 is scheduled to perform pressure binding on the paper stack Pb. Therefore, as in the above, in the following explanation, the first and second liquid application positions and the first and second binding positions will be described using the same reference numerals (B1, B2, etc.).

[0067] [Configuration of control block of post-processing device 3] The configuration of the control block of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram for executing control processing in the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the post-processing device 3 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a random access memory (RAM) 102, a read only memory (ROM) 103, a hard disk drive (HDD) 104, and an interface (I / F) 105, all of which are connected via a common bus 109.

[0068] The CPU 101 is a computing means and controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 3. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium that can read and write information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 101 processes information. The ROM 103 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information and has a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0069] The post-processing device 3 processes a control program stored in the ROM 103, an information processing program (application program) loaded into the RAM 102 from a storage medium such as the HDD 104, and the like using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software control unit including various functional modules of the post-processing device 3. The combination of the software control unit thus constituted and the hardware resources mounted on the post-processing device 3 constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing device 3. In other words, the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, HDD 104, and I / F 105 constitute a control unit 100b (control unit) that controls the operation of the post-processing device 3.

[0070] The I / F 105 is an interface that connects the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the contact and separation motor 32d, the pressure tooth slide motor 32e, the pressure unit rotation motor 56, the liquid application unit movement motor 37, the liquid application unit rotation motor 563, the end stitching processing unit movement motor 50, the staple binding machine drive motor 62d, the staple binding unit rotation motor 82, the staple binding processing unit movement motor 80, the movement sensor 40a, the liquid level sensor 43a, the standby position sensor 540, the encoder sensor 541, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109.

[0071] The control unit 100b controls, via the I / F 105, the operations of the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the contact / separation motor 32d, the pressure tooth slide motor 32e, the pressure unit rotation motor 56, the liquid application unit movement motor 37, the liquid application unit rotation motor 563, the edge stitching processing unit movement motor 50, the stapling machine drive motor 62d, the stapling unit rotation motor 82, and the stapling processing unit movement motor 80. The control unit 100b also acquires the detection results of the movement sensor 40a, the liquid level sensor 43a, the standby position sensor 540, and the encoder sensor 541. Note that while FIG. 6 illustrates components related to the edge stitching processing unit 25 and the stapling processing unit 55 that perform the edge stitching process, the control unit 100b also controls components related to the saddle stitching processing unit 28 that performs the saddle stitching process.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an operation panel 110. The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that accepts input operations from a user and a display (notification unit) that notifies the user of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, etc. The operation panel 110 acquires information from the user through the operation unit and provides the information to the user through the display. Note that the notification unit is not limited to a display, and may be an LED lamp, a speaker, etc. The post-processing device 3 may also be provided with an operation panel 110 similar to the above.

[0073] As described above, the post-processing device 3 according to this embodiment includes the end-stitching processing unit 25 that can perform post-processing (press binding processing, staple binding processing) after applying liquid. Note that when the number of sheets P that make up the sheet bundle Pb is small, the end-stitching processing unit 25 can also perform press binding without applying liquid (i.e., press binding processing using only the press unit 32), similar to conventional press binding processing.

[0074] Furthermore, the edge binding processing unit 25 is configured to be able to move the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 in the main scanning direction by the pressure tooth sliding mechanism 322 and / or the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 47. Therefore, it is possible to perform multiple pressure bindings by moving the liquid application position of the liquid application unit 31 and / or the binding position of the pressure bonding unit 32 in the main scanning direction. As a result, the pressure marks formed by the binding operation of the upper pressure bonding tooth 32a and the lower pressure bonding tooth 32b can be formed adjacent to each other, which makes it possible to improve the binding strength of the paper stack Pb.

[0075] Below, we will explain how to change the binding process (post-processing) method and the number of times the pressure binding process is repeated for one bundle of paper Pb (hereinafter referred to as the ``press binding number'') depending on binding conditions such as the number of sheets of paper P that make up the bundle of paper Pb to be bound (post-processing) and the binding posture of the pressure binding section 32 with respect to the bundle of paper Pb.

[0076] [Binding process explanation] Next, the flow of the binding process executed in the edge binding processing unit 25 included in the post-processing device 3 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart when one-point binding processing is executed. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the position of the edge binding processing unit 25 (liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32) during execution of one-point binding processing. Note that FIG. 8 does not illustrate changes in the attitude of the liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32. Furthermore, the position (liquid application position) where liquid is applied to the sheet P or sheet stack Pb by the liquid application unit 31 corresponds to the binding position where the pressure bonding unit 32 is scheduled to perform pressure binding on the sheet stack Pb. Therefore, in the following description, the liquid application position and the binding position will be assigned the same reference numerals (B1, B2).

[0077] The control unit 100b starts the binding process shown in FIG. 7, for example, at the timing when an instruction to execute the binding process (hereinafter referred to as a "binding process instruction") is acquired from the image forming apparatus 2.

[0078] The binding processing instructions include, for example, the type of paper P (including information that affects the spread of the liquid, such as material and thickness), the number of sheets of paper P that make up the paper stack Pb (hereinafter referred to as the ``predetermined number of sheets N''), the number of copies of the paper stack Pb to be bound (hereinafter referred to as the ``required number of copies M''), the binding position of the paper stack Pb, and the binding posture of the edge binding processing unit 25.

[0079] In addition, as shown in Figure 8 (A), at the start of the binding process, the liquid application section 31 and the pressure bonding section 32 are in a parallel binding posture and are positioned at a standby position HP, which is a position widthwise offset from the paper P placed on the internal tray 22.

[0080] First, when the posture instructed in the binding process instruction is the "diagonal binding posture," the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit rotation motor 563 and the pressure bonding unit rotation motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 that constitute the edge binding processing unit 25 to the diagonal binding posture (S1101). Note that, when the posture is the "diagonal binding posture," only the pressure bonding unit 32 may be rotated to the diagonal binding posture, and the liquid application unit 31 may not be rotated in the forward or reverse direction. This simplifies the drive mechanism compared to when both the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 are rotated in the forward or reverse direction, thereby achieving the effects of reducing costs, downsizing the device, and reducing equipment failures.

[0081] On the other hand, if the posture instructed in the binding processing instruction is the "parallel binding posture," the control unit 100b omits the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 that constitute the above-mentioned end binding processing unit 25 to the diagonal binding posture.

[0082] The control unit 100b drives the edge binding processing unit movement motor 50 to move the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 instructed in the binding processing instruction (S1101). Note that the control unit 100b executes the process of step S1101 before the first sheet P is conveyed to the internal tray 22 by the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15.

[0083] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the pairs of conveying rollers 10, 11, 14, and 15 to store the paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming device 2 in the internal tray 22 (S1102). The control unit 100b also executes a so-called jogging process, which aligns the position in the main scanning direction of the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 by moving the side fences 24L and 24R in the main scanning direction (S1102).

[0084] Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid applicator 31 facing the first liquid applicator position B1 to apply liquid to the first liquid applicator position B1 of the paper sheet P placed on the internal tray 22 in the immediately preceding step S1102, based on the liquid applicator control data adjusted in advance (S1103). That is, the control unit 100b drives the liquid applicator movement motor 42 to bring the liquid applicator member 501 into contact with the first liquid applicator position B1 of the paper sheet P placed on the internal tray 22 (see FIG. 8(B)). In the liquid applicator process in step S1103, the control unit 100b adjusts the position at which the liquid applicator member 501 applies liquid to the paper sheet P, depending on the type of paper sheet P and the binding position included in the binding process instruction. The control unit 100b also adjusts the amount of pressure applied by the liquid applicator member 501 to the paper sheet P. That is, based on the adjusted control data, the control unit 100b controls the driving of the liquid application unit movement motor 42 to adjust the movement amount of the liquid application member 501 relative to the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22.

[0085] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N specified in the binding process instruction (S1104). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number N (S1104: No), the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the processes of steps S1102 to S1104 until the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 reaches the predetermined number N (S1104: Yes). That is, the control unit 100b executes the processes of steps S1102 to S1104 every time a sheet P is conveyed to the internal tray 22 by the conveyance roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15. Note that the liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 may not only be applied to all of the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb, but may also be applied to only some of the sheets P among the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb.

[0086] Then, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N (S1104: Yes), as shown in Figure 8 (C), it drives the end binding processing unit movement motor 50 to move the end binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the pressure bonding unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 (S1105).

[0087] Next, the control unit 100b causes the pressure bonding unit 32 to perform pressure binding on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 (S1106). Then, the control unit 100b causes the conveyance roller pair 15 to discharge the sheet stack Pb pressure-bound by the pressure bonding unit 32 to the second discharge tray 26 (S1107). That is, the control unit 100b drives the contact / separation motor 32d to clamp the first binding position B1 of the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 between the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b. This causes the sheet stack Pb to be pressurized and deformed between the upper pressure bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure bonding teeth 32b, thereby performing pressure binding. Thereafter, the control unit 100b rotates the conveyance roller pair 15 to discharge the sheet stack Pb pressure-bound to the second discharge tray 26.

[0088] Note that, on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, the pressure-bonding area (corresponding to the first binding position B1) clamped by the upper pressure-bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 32b in step S1106 overlaps the liquid-application area (corresponding to the first liquid-application position B1) that the tip of the liquid-application member 501 contacted in step S1103. In other words, the pressure-bonding unit 32 pressure-bonds and binds the area on the sheet stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 to which liquid has been applied by the liquid-application unit 31. Note that the pressure-bonding area clamped by the upper pressure-bonding teeth 32a and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 32b does not need to completely overlap the liquid-application area that the tip of the liquid-application member 501 contacted; sufficient binding strength can be obtained even if the pressure-bonding area only partially overlaps.

[0089] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of copies of the sheet bundle Pb discharged onto the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies M indicated in the binding process instruction (S1108). If the control unit 100b determines that the required number of copies M has not been reached (S1108: No), it executes the processes from step S1102 onwards again. That is, the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the processes of steps S1102 to S1108 until the number of copies of the sheet bundle Pb discharged onto the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies M (S1108: Yes).

[0090] On the other hand, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of copies of the sheet bundle Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies M (S1108: Yes), it drives the edge-stitching processing unit moving motor 50 to move the edge-stitching processing unit 25 (liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32) to the standby position HP as shown in FIG. 8(D) (S1109). Furthermore, when the posture specified in the binding process instruction is the "diagonal binding posture," the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit rotating motor 563 and the pressure bonding unit rotating motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 to the parallel binding posture (S1109). On the other hand, when the posture specified in the binding process instruction is the "parallel binding posture," the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure bonding unit 32 to the parallel binding posture is omitted. As a result, the edge binding processing unit 25 (liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32) returns to the standby position HP in Fig. 8(D) . Note that in steps S1101 and S1109, the order of performing the operations of moving the liquid application unit 31 and pressure bonding unit 32 in the main scanning direction and rotating them in the forward and reverse directions is not limited to the order described above, and may be the reverse order.

[0091] [Second embodiment] 9 to 12, a post-processing device 3 according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that a detailed description of the commonalities with the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences. The post-processing device 3 according to the second embodiment has a basic configuration in common with the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that it further includes fold mark forming means 90.

[0092] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing section 25 according to the second embodiment, as seen from the liquid application section 31 side in the main scanning direction. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of the internal tray 22, the edge binding processing section 25, and the fold mark forming means 90 (blade member 91), as seen from the thickness direction of the paper P. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the image forming area W, the liquid application area X, the pressure binding area Y, and the fold marks Z1 and Z2.

[0093] The fold mark forming means 90 is a means for forming fold marks Z1, Z2 on each of the plurality of sheets P supported on the internal tray 22. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the fold mark forming means 90 mainly includes a blade member 91 and a bracket 92. The fold marks Z1, Z2 are streak-like (typically linear) portions formed on the sheets P by pressing the sheets P in the thickness direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the fold marks Z1, Z2 extend in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular liquid application area X (in other words, the pressure binding area Y) in the parallel binding process and the diagonal binding process.

[0094] It should be noted that the fold mark forming means 90 only needs to have the function of forming fold marks Z1, Z2 on each of the plurality of sheets P supported by the internal tray 22, and does not have to form fold marks Z1, Z2 on all of the sheets P that make up the sheet bundle Pb during the binding process. As one example, the fold mark forming means 90 may form fold marks Z1, Z2 on odd-numbered (or even-numbered) sheets P that make up the sheet bundle Pb. As another example, the fold mark forming means 90 may form fold marks Z1, Z2 on sheets P to which liquid is applied by the liquid application unit 31 (liquid application means). In other words, the fold mark forming means 90 may form fold marks Z1, Z2 on the plurality of sheets P that make up the sheet bundle Pb at the same frequency (proportion) as the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to them.

[0095] The blade member 91 is a generally rectangular, flat member. A blade 94 is provided on one of the sides that make up the outer periphery of the blade member 91. The blade 94 is tapered toward the tip and extends linearly along the side of the blade member 91. The length of the blade 94 is set to be longer than the maximum width of the paper P that can be placed on the internal tray 22.

[0096] 9, the blade member 91 is supported by the liquid applicator 31 (more specifically, the base plate 40) via a bracket 92. The blade member 91 is supported by the liquid applicator 31 with the blade 94 facing the internal tray 22 (more specifically, the paper P supported by the internal tray 22). When the driving force of the liquid applicator movement motor 37 is transmitted to the blade member 91, the blade member 91 moves together with the base plate 40 (in other words, the upper pressure plate 34) in a direction that moves the blade 94 toward and away from the paper P supported by the internal tray 22.

[0097] 10, the blade member 91 rotates integrally with the liquid deposition unit 31 around the liquid deposition unit rotation shaft 562. When the driving force of the liquid deposition unit rotation motor 563 is transmitted to the blade member 91, the blade member 91 rotates around the liquid deposition unit rotation shaft 562 between a first position shown in FIG. 10(A) and a second position shown in FIG. 10(B).

[0098] 10(A) and 11(A), the first posture is a posture of the blade member 91 that forms a fold mark Z1 perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper P relative to the internal tray 22. In other words, the first posture is a posture of the blade member 91 in which the blade 94 extends in the main scanning direction. In other words, the first posture is a posture of the blade member 91 that forms a fold mark Z1 that connects a pair of sides that extend in the conveyance direction (in other words, that face each other in the main scanning direction) out of the four sides of the rectangular paper P.

[0099] 10(B) and 11(B), the second posture is a posture of the blade member 91 that forms a fold mark Z2 that is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the paper sheet P relative to the internal tray 22. In other words, the second posture is a posture of the blade member 91 in which the blade 94 is inclined with respect to the main scanning direction. In further other words, the second posture is a posture of the blade member 91 that forms a fold mark Z2 that connects adjacent sides of the four sides of the rectangular paper sheet P (more specifically, a first side that extends in the main scanning direction on the downstream side of the transport direction and a second side that is adjacent to the first side and extends in the transport direction).

[0100] [Operation of the fold forming means 90] 7, control unit 100b switches fold line forming means 90 to the first position or the second position in accordance with the rotation of liquid application unit 31. Furthermore, control unit 100b forms fold lines Z1 and Z2 on sheets P supported by internal tray 22 in parallel with liquid application unit 31 applying liquid to sheets P in step S1103 of FIG. 7. In other words, fold line forming means 90 forms fold lines Z1 and Z2 on sheets P before crimping unit 32 (crush binding means) crimps and binds sheet stack Pb in step S1106. In yet other words, crimping unit 32 crimps and binds sheet stack Pb to which liquid has been applied by liquid application unit 31 and on which fold lines Z1 and Z2 have been formed by fold line forming means 90.

[0101] 11, the fold mark forming means 90 forms fold marks Z1 and Z2 at positions different from the liquid application area X where liquid is applied by the liquid application unit 31 and the pressure binding area Y where pressure binding is performed by the pressure bonding unit 32. Meanwhile, the liquid application area X and the pressure binding area Y overlap each other. In other words, the pressure bonding unit 32 pressure bonds the liquid application area X of the paper stack Pb.

[0102] Furthermore, fold lines Z1 and Z2 are formed between the image forming area W where an image is formed by the image forming device 2, and the liquid application area X and the pressure binding area Y. In other words, the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to an area (i.e., a margin area) on the surface of the paper P supported by the internal tray 22, opposite the image forming area W, across the fold lines Z1 and Z2. Similarly, the pressure binding unit 32 pressure binds an area (i.e., a margin area) on the surface of the paper stack Pb supported by the internal tray 22, opposite the image forming area W, across the fold lines Z1 and Z2. Furthermore, it is preferable that the fold line forming means 90 form the fold lines Z1 and Z2 outside the image forming area W (i.e., a margin area).

[0103] [Effects of the second embodiment] According to the second embodiment, fold lines Z1 and Z2 are formed before pressure binding by the pressure bonding unit 32, so that fold lines Z1 and Z2 can also be formed on the inner sheets P of the sheet stack Pb. This prevents the sheets P from peeling off from the sheet stack Pb even when the inner sheets P of the sheet stack Pb are turned over. Also, because fold lines Z1 and Z2 are formed on the sheets P while they are supported by the internal tray 22, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity of the post-processing device 3 compared to when the sheets P on the transport paths Ph1 and Ph2 are stopped and fold lines are formed.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to form fold marks Z1, Z2 in appropriate directions for both parallel binding and diagonal binding by switching the posture of the blade member 91. This reduces the load applied to the paper stack Pb in the direction in which the user naturally turns the paper P.

[0105] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, by attaching fold mark forming means 90 to liquid applicator 31, blade 94 can be moved toward and away from paper P by the driving force of liquid applicator movement motor 37, and blade member 91 can be changed in position by the driving force of liquid applicator rotation motor 563. This makes it possible to obtain the above-mentioned effects while suppressing an increase in the number of parts of post-processing device 3.

[0106] [Modification of the second embodiment] Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a fold line forming means 190 according to a modified example. More specifically, Fig. 12 is a diagram of the fold line forming means 190 according to the modified example, viewed from a direction (A) perpendicular to the extension direction of the fold line Z and from the extension direction of the fold line Z (B). Note that a detailed description of the commonalities with the second embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences. As shown in Fig. 12, the fold line forming means 190 according to the modified example mainly includes a disk member 191 and a moving mechanism 192.

[0107] The disk member 191 has a generally disk-shaped outer shape. The outer edge of the disk member 191 tapers toward the outer circumferential surface to form blades 193. In other words, the blades 193 are formed continuously in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the disk member 191.

[0108] The moving mechanism 192 is supported by the liquid applicator 31. The moving mechanism 192 rotatably supports the disk member 191. The moving mechanism 192 moves the disk member 191 along the surface of the paper P supported by the internal tray 22. The moving mechanism 192 mainly includes, for example, a bracket 194, a rotating shaft 195, a disk member moving motor 196, pulleys 197a, 197b, 197c, and 197d, and endless circular belts 198a and 198b.

[0109] The bracket 194 has a base end fixed to the endless circular belt 198b, and a tip end rotatably supports the disc member 191 via a rotation shaft 195. The rotation shaft 195 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the fold trace Z, and is fixed to the tip end of the bracket 194. The rotation shaft 195 also penetrates the center of the disc member 191 in the thickness direction. This allows the disc member 191 to rotate around the rotation shaft 195.

[0110] The disk member moving motor 196 generates a driving force to move the bracket 194 (in other words, the disk member 191). The pulley 197a is attached to the output shaft of the disk member moving motor 196. The pulley 197b is disposed at a position spaced apart from the pulley 197a. The pulley 197c rotates integrally with the pulley 197b. The pulley 197d is disposed at a position spaced apart from the pulley 197c in the extension direction of the fold line Z. The endless circular belt 198a is looped around the pulleys 197a and 197b. The endless circular belt 198b is looped around the pulleys 197c and 197d.

[0111] The drive force of the disk member moving motor 196 rotates the pulley 197a, causing the endless circular belt 198a to revolve between the pulleys 197a and 197b. This causes the pulleys 197b and 197c to rotate. Furthermore, the rotation of the pulley 197c causes the endless circular belt 198b to revolve between the pulleys 197c and 197d. This causes the bracket 194 attached to the endless circular belt 198b to move together with the disk member 191. Furthermore, by rotating the disk member moving motor 196 while the disk member 191 is in contact with (pressed against) the surface of the sheet P supported by the internal tray 22, the disk member 191 moves while rotating. As a result, a fold mark Z is formed on the surface of the sheet P.

[0112] In the above description, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 is provided separately from the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2, as shown in Fig. 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 13(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 13(B), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0113] 14(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be divided into a control unit 100b1 (for example, a drive system (motor, etc.)) and a control unit 100b2 (a detection system (sensor, etc.)) based on function, and only the control unit 100b2 of one of the post-processing devices 3 may be provided on the image forming device 2 side. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14(B), the control unit 100b2 of the post-processing device 3 provided on the image forming device 2 side may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming device 2.

[0114] [Aspects of the present invention] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> Tray and a pressure binding unit that pressurizes and deforms the plurality of media supported on the tray to bind them together; The media processing device is characterized by including a fold line forming means that can form fold lines on each of the plurality of media supported on the tray before the media are pressure-bound and pressed to be bound. <2> the above <1> In the media processing device described in The fold forming means is a first position that forms a fold that is perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the medium relative to the tray; The media processing device is characterized in that it can change its posture to a first posture, which forms a fold that is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction, and a second posture, which forms a fold that is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction. <3> the above <1> or the above <2> In the media processing device described in The medium processing device is characterized in that the fold forming means is provided with a blade that extends linearly along the surface of the medium supported on the tray and is capable of approaching and retracting from the medium. <4> the above <1> or the above <2> In the media processing device described in The fold forming means is a disk member having a circumferentially continuous blade on its outer surface; This media processing device is characterized by having a moving mechanism that rotatably supports the disk member around a rotation axis perpendicular to the thickness direction of the medium and moves the disk member along the surface of the medium. <5> the above <1> or the above <4> In the media processing device according to any one of the above items, a liquid applying means for applying a liquid to at least one sheet of the medium supported by the tray; the fold forming means is supported by the liquid applying means and forms folds in parallel with the application of liquid by the liquid applying means; The pressure binding means is a medium processing device characterized in that it pressure binds the plurality of media to which the liquid has been applied by the liquid application means and on which fold lines have been formed by the fold line forming means. <6> the above <1> or the above <5> In the media processing device according to any one of the above items, The media processing device is characterized in that the fold forming means forms folds in an area of ​​the surface of the media supported on the tray that is different from an area that is pressure-bound by the pressure-binding means. <7> an image forming device that forms an image on a medium; the above <1> or the above <6> and a media processing device according to any one of the above. <8> the above <7> In the image forming system described in The image forming system is characterized in that the pressure binding means sandwiches the fold formed by the fold forming means and pressure binds an area on the opposite side to the image formed by the image forming device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1: Image forming system 2: Image forming device 3: Post-processing device 10 to 19: Transport roller pair 20: Switching member 21: Output tray 22: Internal tray 23: End fence 24L, 24R: Side fence 25: Edge binding processing unit 26: Output tray 27: End fence 28: Saddle stitching processing unit 29: Paper folding blade 30: Output tray 31: Liquid application unit 32: Crimping section 32a: Upper crimping teeth 32b: Lower crimping teeth 33: Lower pressure plate 34: Upper pressure plate 34a: Through hole 35: Liquid application unit moving mechanism 36: Liquid application mechanism 37: Liquid application unit movement motor 38: Trapezoidal screw 39: Nut 40: Base plate 41a, 41b: columnar members 42a, 42b: Coil spring 43: First storage tank 43a: Liquid level sensor 44: Liquid application member 45: Liquid supply member 45a: Protective member 46: Joint 47: Edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 48: Base material 49: Guide shaft 50: Edge binding processing unit movement motor 551: Driving force transmission mechanism 55: Staple binding processing section 62: Staple binding section 62a: Staple binding machine 77: Staple binding processing unit moving mechanism 78: Base material 80: Staple binding processing unit movement motor 81: Driving force transmission mechanism 100a, 100b: control section 101: CPU 102: RAM 103:ROM 104: HDD 105: Interface 109: Common bus 110: Operation panel 90, 190: Folding means 91: Blade member 92,194: Bracket 94,193: Blade 191: Disc member 192: Movement mechanism 195: Rotation axis 196: Disk member movement motor 197a~197d: Pulley 198a, 198b: endless circular belt [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0116] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-47013 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-97877

Claims

1. Tray and a pressure binding unit that pressurizes and deforms the plurality of media supported on the tray to bind them together; a fold forming unit that can form folds on each of the plurality of media supported on the tray before the media are pressure-bound and bound.

2. 2. The media processing device according to claim 1, The fold forming means is a first position that forms a fold that is perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the medium relative to the tray; a first position that forms a fold that is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction, and a second position that forms a fold that is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction.

3. 2. The media processing device according to claim 1, The medium processing device, characterized in that the fold forming means is provided with a blade that extends linearly along the surface of the medium supported on the tray and is capable of moving toward and away from the medium.

4. 2. The media processing device according to claim 1, The fold forming means is a disk member having a circumferentially continuous blade on its outer surface; a moving mechanism that rotatably supports the disk member about a rotation axis perpendicular to the thickness direction of the medium and moves the disk member along the surface of the medium.

5. 2. The media processing device according to claim 1, a liquid applying means for applying a liquid to at least one sheet of the medium supported by the tray; the fold line forming means is supported by the liquid applying means and forms the fold line in parallel with the application of the liquid by the liquid applying means; The pressure binding means pressure-binds the plurality of media on which the liquid has been applied by the liquid application means and on which fold lines have been formed by the fold line forming means.

6. 2. The media processing device according to claim 1, The media processing device, wherein the fold forming means forms folds in an area of ​​the surface of the media supported on the tray that is different from an area that is press-bound by the press-binding means.

7. an image forming device that forms an image on a medium; An image forming system comprising the media processing device according to claim 1.

8. 8. The image forming system according to claim 7, The image forming system is characterized in that the pressure binding means sandwiches the fold formed by the fold forming means and pressure binds an area on the opposite side to the image formed by the image forming device.

Images