Medium processing apparatus and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a medium processing device that stabilizes a liquid application amount to a medium and performs crimping binding.SOLUTION: A medium processing apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a medium in a transport direction, a liquid application unit (31) that applies a liquid to at least one medium transported by the transport unit, and a crimping unit (32) that crimps and binds a plurality of media including the at least one medium to which the liquid is applied by the liquid application unit (31), in which the liquid application unit (31) includes a pressing unit (34) that presses the at least one medium, and a liquid application member (44) that comes into contact with and separates from the at least one medium in a state where the pressing unit (34) presses the at least one medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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 are known that bundle and bind sheet-like media on which images are 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, some media processing devices are equipped with a crimping unit that can perform so-called "crimp binding," in which a bundle of sheets is clamped and pressure-deformed with uneven binding teeth without using metal staples (staples), in order to conserve resources and reduce environmental impact.

[0003] Pressure binding has the problem that the greater the number of sheets of paper that make up a paper stack, the harder it is for the binding teeth to bite into the paper stack, causing the bound sheets to peel off and making it difficult to maintain the binding state properly. Therefore, some media processing devices that perform pressure binding are equipped with a hydration processing unit that adds water in advance to the position on the paper where the binding teeth come into contact (hereinafter referred to as the "binding position") to make it easier for the binding teeth to bite into the paper stack in order to increase binding strength (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, sheets of paper that are bound by a media processing device may be delivered to the binding position in a wavy or curved state due to the effects of previous processing, etc. In this case, the shape of the sheets that make up the paper stack at the binding position becomes distorted, and when water is added, the paper stack may float up from the tray, causing an unstable amount of water to be added.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a technology for stabilizing the amount of water added to media in a media processing device that adds water to the media and then press-binds it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention relates to a media processing device comprising: a conveying unit that conveys media in a conveying direction; a liquid application means that applies liquid to at least one of the media conveyed by the conveying unit; and a crimping means that pressurizes, deforms, and binds multiple media, including at least one of the media to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application means, wherein the liquid application means comprises a pressing means that presses at least one of the media, and a liquid application member that contacts and moves away from at least one of the media while the pressing means is pressing at least one of the media. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in a media processing device that applies liquid to media and then crimps and binds the media, the amount of liquid applied to the media can be stabilized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the media processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the binding processing section of the media processing device according to the first embodiment, viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the binding processing section according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the liquid applying means side in the main scanning direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an upper pressing plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of an upper pressure plate and a lower pressure plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]3A and 3B are diagrams showing the configuration and processing steps of a crimping unit of the media processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a media processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a binding process of the media processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating positions of a liquid applying unit and a pressure bonding unit during the binding process. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the operation of a liquid applying unit in the process (step S703) included in the binding process. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a press-binding process of the media processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing the operation of a liquid application unit and a pressure bonding unit in a pressure binding process of the media processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration and operation of a liquid application unit of a media processing device according to Modification 1. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a liquid application unit of a media processing device according to Modification 2, viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a liquid application unit of a media processing device according to Modification 2, viewed from the main scanning direction. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a view of a liquid applying unit according to a second embodiment, viewed from the thickness direction of the paper. [Figure 19] 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 18 . [Figure 20] 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a media processing device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [First embodiment] A printer system 1 as an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the printer system 1. The printer system 1 has the function of forming an image on paper P (medium) and performing post-processing on the paper P on which the image has been formed. As shown in Fig. 1, the printer system 1 is configured using an image forming device 2 and a post-processing device 3 as an embodiment of a media processing device according to the present invention.

[0010] 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 mainly comprises a tray in which the sheet P is stored, a transport unit that transports the sheet P stored in the tray, and an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet P transported by the transport unit. The image forming unit may be of an inkjet type that forms an image using ink, or of an electrophotographic type that forms an image using toner. The configuration of the image forming device 2 is already well known, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0011] 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 performs post-processing on sheets P on which images have been formed by the image forming device 2. The post-processing according to this embodiment is a binding process that binds a stack of multiple sheets P on which images have been formed (hereinafter referred to as a "sheet stack Pb") without using staples. More specifically, the binding process according to this embodiment is so-called "pressure binding" that applies pressure to and deforms the sheet stack Pb at the binding position. The binding process also includes an end binding process that binds the ends of the sheet stack Pb, and a saddle binding process that binds the center of the sheet stack Pb.

[0012] The post-processing device 3 includes conveyance roller pairs 10-19 (conveyance section) and a switching claw 20. 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. Furthermore, the conveyance roller pairs 14-15 convey the paper P along a second conveyance path Ph2. Furthermore, the conveyance roller pairs 16-19 convey the paper P along a third conveyance path Ph3.

[0013] 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 discharge tray 21. The second transport path Ph2 is a path that branches off from the first transport path Ph1 between the pairs of transport rollers 11 and 14 in the transport direction, and leads to the discharge tray 26 through the internal tray 22. The third transport path Ph3 is a path that branches off from the first transport path Ph1 between the pairs of transport rollers 11 and 14 in the transport direction, and leads to the discharge tray 30.

[0014] The switching claw 20 is disposed at a branching position of the first transport path Ph1 and the second transport path Ph2. The switching claw 20 is configured to be switchable between a position where the sheet P is discharged to the discharge tray 21 via the first transport path Ph1 and a position where the sheet P transported along the first transport path Ph1 is guided to the second transport path Ph2. Furthermore, when the rear end of the sheet P that has entered the second transport path Ph2 passes 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 a plurality of sensors (indicated by ▲ in FIG. 2) that detect the position of the sheet P on the first transport path Ph1, the second transport path Ph2, and the third transport path Ph3.

[0015] The post-processing device 3 includes a discharge tray 21. The discharge tray 21 supports the paper sheets P discharged through the first transport path Ph1. Of the paper sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2, those that are not to be bound are discharged to the discharge tray 21.

[0016] The post-processing device 3 also includes an internal tray 22 (tray), an end fence 23, side fences 24L and 24R, a binding processing unit 25, and an output tray 26. The internal tray 22, the end fence 23, the side fences 24L and 24R, and the binding processing unit 25 perform edge binding processing on the sheets P transported along the second transport path Ph2. The output tray 26 outputs a stack of sheets Pb that have been edge-stitched from the sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2. Hereinafter, the direction from the transport roller pair 15 toward the end fence 23 is defined as the "transport direction of the sheets P." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the surface of the sheets P and the transport direction of the sheets P is defined as the "main scanning direction (width direction of the sheets P)."

[0017] The internal tray 22 temporarily supports multiple sheets of paper P that are transported sequentially along the second transport path Ph2. The end fence 23 aligns the position of the sheets of paper P or the stack of sheets Pb supported by 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 stack of sheets Pb supported by the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The binding processing unit 25 binds the ends of the stack of sheets Pb that have been aligned by the end fence 23 and the side fences 24L and 24R. Then, the pair of transport rollers 15 discharges the stack of sheets Pb that has been edge-stitched onto the discharge tray 26.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the binding processing unit 25 according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the binding processing unit 25 according to the first embodiment as seen from the liquid applying means 31 side in the main scanning direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the binding processing unit 25 mainly includes the liquid applying means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32. The liquid applying means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32 are arranged adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveying direction.

[0019] The liquid applying means 31 applies (hereinafter referred to as "liquid applying") a liquid (e.g., water) stored in a liquid storage tank 43 to the paper P supported by the internal tray 22. The liquid applying means 31 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction by transmitting the driving force of a liquid applying motor 31a (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid applying means 31 mainly includes a lower pressure plate 33, an upper pressure plate 34 (pressing means), a movement mechanism 35, and a liquid applying mechanism 36.

[0020] More specifically, the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 for "liquid application" here is a liquid compound of hydrogen and oxygen, represented by the chemical formula HO, as its main component. 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, but may also contain purified water, or ionized salts. The metal ion content does not matter, and the hardness may range from so-called soft water to ultra-hard water.

[0021] 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 this may also be used as the liquid.

[0022] The liquid is 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 function as a pressure binding agent, tap water, which is easy to obtain and manage, can be used. Furthermore, using a liquid whose main component is water, such as the examples given above, can improve the binding strength of the paper stack Pb more than using a liquid whose main component is not water.

[0023] The lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 are arranged downstream of the internal tray 22 in the conveying direction. The lower pressure plate 33 supports the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb supported by the internal tray 22 from below. The upper pressure plate 34 is configured to be movable above the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb supported by the internal tray 22. In other words, the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 are arranged opposite each other in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb (hereinafter simply referred to as the "thickness direction"), sandwiching the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb supported by the internal tray 22 therebetween. Furthermore, a through hole 34a penetrating the upper pressure plate 34 in the thickness direction is formed in a position facing the tip of the liquid application member 44 supported by the base plate 40.

[0024] FIG. 5A is a plan view of the upper pressure plate 34 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from below (from the side of the lower pressure plate 33 in FIG. 3). The upper pressure plate 34 has a through-hole 34a formed therein so that the liquid application member 44 can move through the upper pressure plate 34. As shown in FIG. 5A, the upper pressure plate 34 is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the liquid application member 44. This ensures that when the liquid application member 44 applies liquid to the sheet P or the stack of sheets Pb, it can reliably prevent sagging or curling of the sheet P or the stack of sheets Pb near the liquid application position, enabling the liquid application member 44 to apply liquid uniformly to the sheet P or the stack of sheets Pb. Furthermore, it ensures that the sheet P or the stack of sheets Pb can be peeled off from the liquid application member 44 after the liquid application process.

[0025] The through-holes 34a may be formed by cutting out a portion of the outer shape of the upper pressure plate 34, as shown in Fig. 5(B). In other words, the upper pressure plate 34 may be shaped to surround one side of the liquid application member 44 in the transport direction and two sides in the main scanning direction. By shaping the upper pressure plate 34 in this way, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the upper pressure plate 34 in Fig. 5(A) described above.

[0026] 6A and 6B show modified examples of the upper pressure plate 34 and the lower pressure plate 33 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6A is a view corresponding to Fig. 4. Figs. 6B and 6C are views showing an example in which an inclined portion is provided on the upper pressure plate 34 of Figs. 5A and 5B. Fig. 6D is a top view of the lower pressure plate 33 of Fig. 6A (viewed from the upper pressure plate 34 side).

[0027] 6(A)-(D), in this modification, inclined portions 33c, 34c that guide the paper P are provided on the side of the upper pressure plate 34 and the lower pressure plate 33 from which the paper P is transported (upstream side in the transport direction). This allows the paper P to be stably guided between the upper pressure plate 34 and the lower pressure plate 33. Note that the inclined portion may be provided on only one of the upper pressure plate 34 and the lower pressure plate 33.

[0028] 6(D), the lower pressure plate 33 may be provided with through-holes 33a for allowing excess liquid to escape after the liquid is applied, and a drainage tray 33b for receiving the liquid drained from the through-holes 33a may be provided. The through-holes 33a are positioned so as to overlap with the area (liquid application area) where the liquid application member 44 contacts the paper P or the paper stack Pb, so that excess liquid can be efficiently drained after the liquid is applied. The drainage tray 33b is configured to be removable from the lower pressure plate holder 331, either alone or together with the lower pressure plate 33, allowing the user to periodically discard the drainage liquid.

[0029] The upper pressure plate 34 is an example of a pressing means that presses at least one sheet of paper P, the drainage tray 33b is an example of a drainage section provided on the opposite side of the contact surface against which the paper P or paper stack Pb contacts, the lower pressure plate 33 is an example of an opposing member that contacts the paper P or paper stack Pb, the lower pressure plate holder 331 is an example of a holding section that holds the opposing member, and the lower pressure plate 33 and the lower pressure plate holder 331 are included in the opposing section 333 that sandwiches the paper P or paper stack Pb between them and the pressing means. In addition, "the drainage tray 33b can be removed independently" means that the drainage tray 33b can be removed independently of the lower pressure plate 33.

[0030] The movement mechanism 35 moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40 (base member), and the liquid application member 44 in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb. The movement mechanism 35 according to this embodiment moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, and the liquid application member 44 in an interlocking manner using a single movement motor 37 (drive source). The movement mechanism 35 mainly includes, for example, the 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 (urging members).

[0031] The movement motor 37 generates a driving force that moves the upper pressure plate 34, the base plate 40, and the liquid application member 44. The trapezoidal screw 38 extends in the vertical direction and is rotatably supported by the frame of the binding processing unit 25. The trapezoidal screw 38 is connected to the output shaft of the 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 movement motor 37 is transmitted to rotate the trapezoidal screw 38, thereby moving the nut 39.

[0032] The base plate 40 is disposed above the upper pressure plate 34. The base plate 40 supports the liquid supplying member 44 with the tip of the liquid supplying member 44 protruding downward. The base plate 40 is connected to the trapezoidal screw 38 and is configured to be movable together with the trapezoidal screw 38. The vertical position of the base plate 40 is detected by a movement sensor 40a.

[0033] The pillars 41a and 41b protrude downward from the base plate 40 around the tip of the liquid application member 44. The pillars 41a and 41b are configured to be movable relative to the base plate 40 in the thickness direction. The pillars 41a and 41b support the upper pressure plate 34 at their lower ends. The upper ends of the pillars 41a and 41b are provided with stoppers to prevent the pillars 41a and 41b from coming off the base plate 40. The coil springs 42a and 42b are fitted onto the pillars 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 pillars 41a and 41b downward relative to the base plate 40.

[0034] The liquid application mechanism 36 applies liquid to the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb supported by 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 tip of a liquid application member 44 into contact with the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid application mechanism 36 mainly includes a liquid storage tank 43, a liquid application member 44, a supply member 45, and a joint 46.

[0035] The liquid storage tank 43 stores liquid to be supplied to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 is detected by a liquid amount sensor 43a. The liquid supplying member 44 supplies the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The liquid supplying member 44 is supported on the base plate 40 with its tip facing downward. The liquid supplying member 44 is made of a material with high water absorption (for example, sponge or fiber).

[0036] The supply member 45 is a long member whose base end is immersed in the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 43 and whose tip end is connected to the liquid applying member 44. The supply member 45 is made of, for example, a material with high water absorption, similar to the liquid applying member 44. This allows the liquid absorbed from the base end of the supply member 45 to be supplied to the liquid applying member 44 by capillary action.

[0037] The protective member 45a is a long cylinder (for example, a tube) that is fitted onto the supply member 45. This prevents the liquid absorbed by the supply member 45 from leaking or evaporating. The supply member 45 and the protective member 45a are made of a flexible material. The joint 46 fixes the liquid applying member 44 to the base plate 40. As a result, even when the liquid applying member 44 is moved by the movement mechanism 35, it protrudes downward from the base plate 40 and maintains a state in which its tip faces downward.

[0038] The pressure bonding means 32 binds the sheet stack Pb by applying pressure to deform the sheet stack Pb with concave and convex binding teeth (hereinafter referred to as "pressure binding"). In other words, the pressure bonding means 32 can bind the sheet stack Pb without using staples. The pressure bonding means 32 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction independently of the liquid application means 31 by transmitting the driving force of a pressure bonding motor 32a (see FIG. 8).

[0039] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pressing means 32. As shown in FIG. 7, the pressing means 32 includes a first member 32b (upper pressing teeth) and a second member 32c (lower pressing teeth). The first member 32b and the second member 32c are arranged facing each other in the thickness direction of the sheet stack Pb, sandwiching the sheet stack Pb supported by the internal tray 22. Concave and convex binding teeth, in which concave and convex portions are alternately formed, are formed on the opposing surfaces of the first member 32b and the second member 32c. The binding teeth of the first member 32b and the second member 32c are formed with the concave and convex portions offset from each other so as to mesh with each other. The first member 32b and the second member 32c are brought into contact with and separated from each other by the driving force of a contact / separation motor 32d (see FIG. 8).

[0040] As shown in Fig. 7(A) , when multiple sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb are being supplied to the internal tray 22, the first member 32b and the second member 32c are spaced apart. Then, when all sheets P constituting the sheet stack Pb are supported by the internal tray 22, the binding teeth of the first member 32b and the second member 32c mesh with each other, as shown in Fig. 7(B) , and pressurize and deform the sheet stack Pb in the thickness direction. This causes the sheet stack supported by the internal tray 22 to be crimp-bound. The crimp-bound sheet stack is then discharged to the discharge tray 26 by the conveyance roller pair 15.

[0041] As described above, the first member 32b and the second member 32c are brought into contact with and separated from each other by the driving force of the contact / separation motor 32d (see FIG. 8), but as shown in FIG. 7(C), both the first member 32b and the second member 32c may be configured to be movable together in the main scanning direction by the driving force of the slide motor 32e (see FIG. 8). As a result, when binding the stack of paper sheets Pb, the first member 32b and the second member 32c are bound twice in parallel, and the width of the crimping marks formed by the crimping teeth can be doubled, which makes it possible to improve the binding strength when the paper sheets are stiff or when the paper sheets are not easily permeable to liquids.

[0042] The configuration of the crimping means 32 is not limited to this embodiment as long as the first member 32b and the second member 32c constituting the crimping mechanism are meshed 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 first member 32b and the second member 32c using a drive source and link mechanism that rotates forward only or forward and reverse, or a linear motion type crimping mechanism that performs the crimping and separating operations of the first member 32b and the second member 32c linearly using a screw mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the drive source into linear motion.

[0043] 2, the post-processing device 3 further includes an end fence 27, a binding processing section 28, a paper folding blade 29, and a discharge tray 30. The end fence 27, the binding processing section 28, and the paper folding blade 29 perform saddle-stitching processing on the paper sheets P transported along the third transport path Ph3. Of the paper sheets P supplied from the image forming device 2, a paper stack Pb that has been saddle-stitched is discharged to the discharge tray 30.

[0044] The end fence 27 aligns the positions in the conveying direction of multiple sheets P conveyed in sequence along the third conveying 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 binding processing unit 28, and a folding position where the center faces the paper folding blade 29. The binding processing unit 28 staples 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 supported by the end fence 27 at the folding position in half and sandwiches it between the conveying roller pair 18. The conveying roller pairs 18 and 19 discharge the sheet stack Pb that has been saddle-stitched onto the discharge tray 30.

[0045] Fig. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] The post-processing device 3 processes a control program stored in the ROM 103, an information processing program (application program) loaded into the RAM 102 from a storage medium such as the HDD 104, and the like using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software control unit including various functional modules of the post-processing device 3. The combination of the software control unit thus constituted and the hardware resources installed in the post-processing device 3 constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing device 3. In other words, the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, and HDD 104 constitute a controller 100 that controls the operation of the post-processing device 3.

[0048] The I / F 105 is an interface that connects the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching claw 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the liquid application motor 31a, the pressure motor 32a, the contact / separation motor 32d, the slide motor 32e, the movement motor 37, the movement sensor 40a, the liquid level sensor 43a, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109. The controller 100 operates the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching claw 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the liquid application motor 31a, the pressure motor 32a, the contact / separation motor 32d, the slide motor 32e, and the movement motor 37 through the I / F 105. Note that while FIG. 8 illustrates only the components that perform the edge binding process, the components that perform the saddle stitching process are also similarly controlled by the controller 100.

[0049] The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that accepts operations from the 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.

[0050] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the binding process according to the first embodiment. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the positions of the liquid application means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32 during the binding process. The controller 100 starts the binding process shown in Fig. 9, for example, when it receives an instruction to execute the binding process (hereinafter referred to as a "binding process instruction") from the image forming apparatus 2. The binding process instruction includes, for example, the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb (hereinafter referred to as a "predetermined number of sheets") and the number of sheets Pb to be bound (hereinafter referred to as a "required number of copies").

[0051] 10(A), at the start of the binding process, the liquid applicator 31 is located at a home position HP1, and the pressure bonding device 32 is located at a home position HP2. The home position HP1 of the liquid applicator 31 and the home position HP2 of the pressure bonding device 32 are located outside the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The home position HP1 of the liquid applicator 31 and the home position HP2 of the pressure bonding device 32 are located at different positions in the main scanning direction. The home position HP1 of the liquid applicator 31 according to this embodiment is located at a position closer to the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction than the home position HP2 of the pressure bonding device 32.

[0052] 10(B), the controller 100 drives the liquid application motor 31a to move the liquid application means 31 from the home position HP1 to the binding position P1, and drives the pressure bonding motor 32a to move the pressure bonding means 32 from the home position HP2 to the binding standby position P2 (S701). Note that the controller 100 executes the process of step S701 before the first sheet P is conveyed to the internal tray 22 by the conveyance roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15.

[0053] The binding position P1 and the binding standby position P2 are positions that can face the sheets P supported by the internal tray 22. Furthermore, the binding position P1 and the binding standby position P2 are positions different from the home positions HP1 and HP2. The binding position P1 is closer to the center of the sheets P than the binding standby position P2. The binding position P1 is a position where the liquid application means 31 applies liquid in step S703, which will be described later, and where the pressure bonding means 32 performs pressure binding in step S1004, which will be described later. The binding standby position P2 is a position where the pressure bonding means 32 is on standby while the liquid application means 31 is operating.

[0054] The binding position P1, the binding standby position P2, and the liquid application standby position P3 (described later) are binding processing fingers. Show or may be specified by the user via the operation panel 110. The controller 100 may grasp the positions of the liquid dispensing means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32, for example, by encoder sensors attached to the output shafts of the liquid dispensing motor 31 a and the pressure bonding motor 32 a.

[0055] Next, the controller 100 rotates the conveying roller pairs 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 (S702). In addition, the controller 100 moves the side fences 24L and 24R to align the position of the paper P supported by the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction (so-called jogging).

[0056] Next, the controller 100 causes the liquid applicator 31 at the binding position P1 to apply liquid to the sheets P supported by the internal tray 22 in the immediately preceding step S702 (S703). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the operation of the liquid applicator 31 in step S703. The upper pressure plate 34, liquid applicator member 44, and base plate 40 according to this embodiment are moved in conjunction with each other by the driving force of the movement motor 37. More specifically, the upper pressure plate 34, liquid applicator member 44, and base plate 40 are lowered by the movement motor 37 rotating in a first direction, and are raised by the movement motor 37 rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0057] The upper pressure plate 34 moves between a pressing position (FIGS. 11(B) and (C)) and a release position (FIG. 11(A)). The pressing position is a position where the upper pressure plate 34 comes into contact with the upper surface of at least one sheet of paper P supported by the internal tray 22 and presses the sheet of paper P from above. The release position is a position where the upper pressure plate 34 is spaced upward from the sheet of paper P or the stack of sheets Pb. In other words, the release position is a position above the pressing position.

[0058] The liquid application member 44 moves between the liquid application position (FIG. 11(C)) and the separated position (FIG. 11(A)) via the intermediate separated position (FIG. 11(B)). The liquid application position is a position where the liquid application member 44 comes into contact with the upper surface of at least one sheet of paper P supported by the internal tray 22 to soak the sheet of paper P or the stack of sheets Pb with liquid. When at the liquid application position, the tip of the liquid application member 44 comes into contact with the sheet of paper P or the stack of sheets Pb through the through-hole 34a of the upper pressure plate 34. The separated position and the intermediate separated position are positions separated upward from the sheet of paper P or the stack of sheets Pb. When at the separated position and the intermediate separated position, the tip of the liquid application member 44 is located above the through-hole 34a. In other words, the separated position and the intermediate separated position are positions above the liquid application position.

[0059] The base plate 40 moves among a first position (FIG. 11(C)), a second position (FIG. 11(B)), and a third position (FIG. 11(A)). In the first position, the upper pressure plate 34 is in the pressing position and the liquid supplying member 44 is in the liquid supplying position. In the second position, the upper pressure plate 34 remains in the pressing position, and the liquid supplying member 44 is in an intermediate separation position separated from the paper P or the paper stack Pb. When the base plate 40 is in the second position, the liquid supplying member 44 is located between the liquid supplying position and the separation position. In the third position, the upper pressure plate 34 is in the release position and the liquid supplying member 44 is in the separation position. In other words, the second position is a position above the first position, and the third position is a position above the second position. The controller 100 can grasp the position of the base plate 40, for example, using the movement sensor 40a and the rotary encoder of the movement motor 37.

[0060] 11(A), the base plate 40 is in the third position before applying liquid to the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb. That is, the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid application member 44 are spaced apart from the upper surface of the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb already supported by the internal tray 22. Therefore, the paper sheet P newly supplied to the internal tray 22 by the transport roller pair 15 enters between the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 and is stacked on top of the paper sheet P or paper stack Pb already supported by the internal tray 22.

[0061] Next, the controller 100 rotates the movement motor 37 in the first direction to lower the base plate 40 from the third position. Then, as shown in FIG. 11(B), when the base plate 40 lowers to the second position, the upper pressing plate 34 presses the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. However, at this point, the liquid application member 44 has not yet come into contact with the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. In other words, the upper pressing plate 34 reaches the pressing position before the liquid application member 44 reaches the liquid application position.

[0062] When the controller 100 further rotates the movement motor 37 in the first direction, the coil springs 42a, 42b sandwiched between the upper pressure plate 34 and the base plate 40 are elastically compressed. As a result, the base plate 40 and the liquid applicator 44 descend while the upper pressure plate 34 remains in the pressing position. Then, as shown in FIG. 11(C), when the base plate 40 descends to the first position, the tip of the liquid applicator 44 passes through the through hole 34a and comes into contact with the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. As a result, the binding processing unit 25 can apply liquid to the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb from the liquid applicator 44 at the liquid applicator position while the upper pressure plate 34 at the pressing position presses the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb.

[0063] In addition, in the process of the base plate 40 moving from the second position to the first position, the position of the upper pressure plate 34 does not change, but the pressing force of the upper pressure plate 34 against the paper P or paper stack Pb changes. More specifically, the pressing force of the upper pressure plate 34 is greater when the base plate 40 is in the first position than when the base plate 40 is in the second position. In other words, the movement mechanism 35 can change the pressing force of the upper pressure plate 34 against the paper P or paper stack Pb supported by the internal tray 22.

[0064] Next, when the movement motor 37 is rotated in the second direction from the state shown in Figure 11(C), the base plate 40 rises from the first position to the third position via the second position. At this time, the liquid dispensing member 44 rises together with the base plate 40. In contrast, when the base plate 40 is located between the first position and the second position, the upper pressing plate 34 does not move from the pressing position due to the biasing force of the coil springs 42a, 42b. Furthermore, when the base plate 40 is located between the second position and the third position, the upper pressing plate 34 rises together with the base plate 40.

[0065] 11(B), the upper pressure plate 34 presses the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb before the tip of the liquid application member 44 comes into contact with the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb. Then, as shown in FIG. 11(C), the upper pressure plate 34 presses the periphery of the tip of the liquid application member 44 when the liquid application member 44 applies liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb. This reliably prevents the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb from floating up, even if the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb is wavy or curved, and makes it possible to perform the liquid application process with high precision.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 11(B), the upper pressure plate 34 maintains its pressure on the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb even when the tip of the liquid application member 44 is separated from the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb (intermediate separation position). Then, as shown in Fig. 11(A), when the tip of the liquid application member 44 moves to the separation position where it is completely separated from the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb, the upper pressure plate 34 moves to a release position where it releases its pressure on the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb. This reliably prevents the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb from sticking to the tip of the liquid application member 44 after the liquid application process by the liquid application member 44 is completed, making it possible to smoothly proceed to the next pressure binding process.

[0067] Next, the controller 100 determines whether the number of sheets stored in the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number of sheets specified in the binding process instruction (S704). If the controller 100 determines that the number of sheets stored in the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number of sheets (S704: No), it executes the processes of steps S702 and S703 again. That is, the controller 100 executes the liquid application process by the liquid application unit 31 every time a sheet P is transported to the internal tray 22 by the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15. Note that the liquid application process by the liquid application unit 31 may not only be performed on all of the multiple sheets P that make up the sheet bundle Pb, but may also be performed on only some of the sheets P.

[0068] Then, when the controller 100 determines that the number of sheets P stored in the internal tray 22 has reached a predetermined number (sheet stack Pb) (S704: Yes), it drives the liquid application motor 31a to move the liquid application means 31 from the binding position P1 to the liquid application standby position P3, and drives the pressure bonding motor 32a to move the pressure bonding means 32 from the binding standby position P2 to the binding position P1 (S705), as shown in FIG. 10(C). The liquid application standby position P3 is a position where the liquid application means 31 is on standby while the pressure bonding means 32 is operating. The binding position P1, the binding standby position P2, and the liquid application standby position P3 are different positions from one another.

[0069] Next, the controller 100 executes the pressure binding process (S706). The pressure binding process is a process of pressure binding the sheet stack Pb stored in the internal tray 22 and discharging the sheet stack Pb to the discharge tray 26. Fig. 12 is a flowchart of the pressure binding process according to the first embodiment. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the operations of the liquid application means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32 in the pressure binding process according to the first embodiment.

[0070] First, the controller 100 compares the predetermined number of sheets indicated in the binding process instruction with a predetermined threshold number of sheets (S1001). Then, if the predetermined number of sheets is equal to or greater than the threshold number (S1001: Yes), the controller 100 causes the upper pressure plate 34 to press the sheet stack Pb with a first pressing force (S1002). On the other hand, if the predetermined number of sheets is less than the threshold number (S1001: No), the controller 100 causes the upper pressure plate 34 to press the sheet stack Pb with a second pressing force (S1003). More specifically, in steps S1002 and S1003, the controller 100 rotates the movement motor 37 in the first direction to lower the base plate 40 from the third position to a position between the first position and the second position.

[0071] 13A, in steps S1002 and S1003, the controller 100 lowers the base plate 40 so that the upper pressing plate 34 is at the pressing position and the tip of the liquid applying member 44 is positioned above the liquid applying position. In other words, the controller 100 lowers the base plate 40 to a position where the upper pressing plate 34 presses the paper stack Pb and the liquid applying member 44 does not apply liquid to the paper stack Pb.

[0072] 13(A), at the time of steps S1002 and S1003, the first member 32b and the second member 32c are not engaged with each other, sandwiching the sheet stack Pb. That is, the controller 100 causes the upper pressure plate 34 to press the sheet stack Pb before causing the pressure bonding means 32 to perform pressure binding. Also, the position of the base plate 40 in step S1002 is lower than the position of the base plate 40 in step S1003. That is, the first pressing force of the upper pressure plate 34 in step S1002 is stronger than the second pressing force in step S1003.

[0073] Next, the controller 100 presses and binds the sheet stack Pb stored in the internal tray 22 by driving the pressing means 32 at the binding position P1 (S1004). More specifically, the controller 100 presses and deforms the sheet stack Pb by driving the contact / separation motor 32d to engage the binding teeth of the first member 32b and the second member 32c. That is, as shown in FIG. 13(B), the controller 100 causes the pressing means 32 to perform pressure binding with the upper pressure plate 34 disposed at the pressing position.

[0074] Next, the controller 100 separates the first member 32b and the second member 32c with the upper pressure plate 34 positioned at the pressing position. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13C, the controller 100 drives the slide motor 32e to slide the first member 32b and the second member 32c in the main scanning direction (S1005). This causes the first member 32b to be peeled off from the press-bound sheet stack Pb. For example, even if the press-bound sheet stack Pb sticks to the first member 32b, the first member 32b can be separated and slid while the upper pressure plate 34 presses the sheet stack Pb, thereby reliably peeling the sheet stack Pb off the first member 32b. This reduces downtime, such as interruptions to the press-binding process.

[0075] Next, the controller 100 rotates the movement motor 37 in the second direction to raise the upper pressure plate 34 to the release position (in other words, move the base plate 40 to the third position) (S1006). That is, after the first member 32b moves away from the paper stack Pb, the controller 100 releases the pressure on the paper stack Pb by the upper pressure plate 34. Furthermore, the controller 100 rotates the conveyance roller pair 15 to discharge the pressure-bound paper stack Pb onto the discharge tray 26 (S1007).

[0076] Next, the controller 100 determines whether the number of discharged sheet bundles Pb reaches the required number of copies indicated in the binding process instruction (S707). If the controller 100 determines that the required number of copies has not been reached (S707: No), it executes the processes from step S701 onwards again. That is, the controller 100 repeatedly executes the processes from step S701 to S706 until the number of sheet bundles Pb discharged onto the discharge tray 26 reaches the required number of copies (S707: Yes).

[0077] When the controller 100 determines that the required number of copies has been reached (S707: Yes), it drives the liquid application motor 31a to move the liquid application means 31 from the liquid application standby position P3 to the home position HP1, and drives the pressure bonding motor 32a to move the pressure bonding means 32 from the binding position P1 to the home position HP2 (S708), thereby completing the binding process. This returns the liquid application means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32 to the positions shown in FIG. 10(A).

[0078] According to the above embodiment, for example, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0079] According to the above embodiment, by pressing the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb with the upper pressure plate 34, it is possible to reliably prevent the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb from floating up even when the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb supported by the internal tray 22 is wavy or curved due to the effects of processing in the previous stage. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the amount of liquid applied when the tip of the liquid application member 44 is brought into contact with the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, while maintaining the state in which the upper pressure plate 34 presses against the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb, the leading edge of the liquid applicator 44 is brought into contact with the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb, and then the leading edge of the liquid applicator 44 is separated from the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb. This makes it possible to prevent the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb from floating up along with the rising liquid applicator 44. In other words, it is possible to prevent the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb from sticking to the liquid applicator 44 after liquid applicator application has been completed.

[0081] From the above, the upper pressure plate 34 has both the function of preventing the curvature of the paper P or paper stack Pb while the liquid application process to the paper P or paper stack Pb by the liquid application member 44 is in progress, and the function of peeling the paper P or paper stack Pb from the liquid application member 44 after the liquid application process is completed.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to achieve low costs, energy savings, and size reduction by moving the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid supply member 44 with the single movement motor 37 and staggering the movement timing of the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid supply member 44 using the biasing forces of the coil springs 42a, 42b. However, the upper pressure plate 34 and the liquid supply member 44 may be moved independently by different movement mechanisms.

[0083] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the pressure bonding means 32 performs pressure binding (i.e., moves the first member 32b and the second member 32c closer and farther apart) while the sheet stack Pb is pressed by the upper pressure plate 34. This makes it possible to prevent the sheet stack Pb from sticking to the first member 32b and the second member 32c. Furthermore, by sliding at least one of the first member 32b and the second member 32c in the main scanning direction after pressure binding, the sheet stack can be reliably peeled off from the first member 32b and the second member 32c.

[0084] It should be noted that the greater the number of sheets of paper that make up the paper stack Pb, the deeper the binding teeth of the first member 32b and the second member 32c need to be inserted into the paper stack Pb. On the other hand, if the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 is too strong, the paper stack Pb may be damaged. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, by changing the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 against the paper stack Pb depending on the number of sheets of paper that make up the paper stack Pb, it is possible to prevent the paper stack Pb from sticking and being damaged at the same time.

[0085] However, the parameter for changing the pressing force is not limited to the number of sheets of paper P that make up the paper stack Pb. As another example, the controller 100 may change the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 on the paper P or the paper stack Pb according to the type of paper P that makes up the paper stack Pb (e.g., plain paper, thick paper, glossy paper, etc.). As another example, the controller 100 may change the pressing force of the upper pressing plate 34 on the paper P or the paper stack Pb according to the thickness of the paper P that makes up the paper stack Pb. As yet another example, the controller 100 may adjust the pressing force by combining the above-mentioned parameters (the number, type, and thickness of the paper sheets P).

[0086] [Variation 1] The mechanism for moving the upper pressure plate 34 that presses the stack of paper sheets is not limited to the spring type. A modified example of the mechanism for moving the upper pressure plate 34 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0087] Figure 14 shows the upper pressure plate 34 of the liquid application means 31 according to the first modified example. The difference from the above-described embodiment is that the upper pressure plate 34 is configured to move by its own weight without using a coil spring 42. As explained above with reference to Figure 11, the upper pressure plate 34 moves between the pressing positions shown in Figures 14(B) and (C) and the release position shown in Figure 14(A), and the liquid application member 44 moves between the liquid application position shown in Figure 14(C) and the separated position shown in Figure 14(A) via the intermediate separated position shown in Figure 14(B).

[0088] Here, the columnar members 41a and 41b that hold the upper pressure plate 34 penetrate the base plate 40, and movement in the direction of gravity is restricted by retaining members at the upper ends of the columnar members 41a and 41b. In other words, the upper pressure plate 34 is held by hanging from the base plate 40 via the columnar members 41a and 41b. That is, the upper pressure plate 34 is configured so that a downward pressing force is exerted by gravity. In this way, instead of obtaining pressing force from the coil spring 42, the upper pressure plate 34 is configured to have a weight that obtains an appropriate pressing force by devising the material and volume of the upper pressure plate 34. This simplifies the support mechanism for the liquid supply member 44, thereby reducing costs, and this simplification of the mechanism improves maintainability.

[0089] [Variation 2] Furthermore, the pressing means that presses the paper stack Pb is not limited to the upper pressing plate 34. Modified examples of the pressing means will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of liquid deposition means 31A according to Modification 2, viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of liquid deposition means 31A according to Modification 2, viewed from the main scanning direction. Note that a detailed description of commonalities with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on differences.

[0090] Liquid applicator 31A according to Modification 2 differs from liquid applicator 31 according to the above embodiment in that upper pressure plate 34, columnar members 41a, 41b, and coil springs 42a, 42b are omitted, and liquid applicator 31A is provided with a pressing means constituted by fan 47, air tube 48, and air nozzles 49a, 49b. On the other hand, liquid applicator 31 and 31A are common in other respects.

[0091] The fan 47 generates pressure air to be blown onto the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The air tube 48 is a flow path that supplies the pressure air generated by the fan 47 to the air nozzles 49a, 49b. The air nozzles 49a, 49b are fixed facing downward between the lower pressure plate 33 and the base plate 40. The air nozzles 49a, 49b are also arranged around the liquid supplying member 44. The pressing unit according to the second modification presses the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb supported by the internal tray 22 by blowing pressure air from the air nozzles 49a, 49b against the paper sheet P or the paper stack Pb. The pressing unit according to the second modification changes the pressure by increasing or decreasing the volume of the pressure air (in other words, the rotation speed of the fan 47).

[0092] [Second embodiment] Next, a post-processing device 3A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 21. Components common to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted. Unlike the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment, which is provided with both the liquid application means 31 and the pressure bonding means 32, the post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment has only the liquid application means 131 provided upstream of the conveyance path. This allows a predetermined number of sheets P to be pre-stacked after the liquid application process and then conveyed to the pressure bonding means 32 provided downstream, thereby improving the productivity of the binding process by the pressure bonding means 32.

[0093] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing device according to a second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 17, post-processing device 3A further includes liquid applicator 131 and punch hole punching device 132 (processing section). Liquid applicator 131 and punch hole punching device 132 are arranged upstream of internal tray 22 in the conveying direction. Liquid applicator 131 and punch hole punching device 132 are also arranged offset in the conveying direction at positions where they can simultaneously face a single sheet of paper P conveyed by conveying roller pairs 10 to 19. Liquid applicator 131 and punch hole punching device 132 according to this embodiment are arranged between conveying roller pairs 10 and 11. However, the arrangement of liquid applicator 131 and punch hole punching device 132 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 17.

[0094] The liquid applying means 131 applies (hereinafter referred to as "liquid applying") a liquid (e.g., water) to the paper P being transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11. The punch hole making means 132 makes punch holes that penetrate the paper P in the thickness direction as it is transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11. Note that the processing unit provided near the liquid applying means 131 is not limited to the punch hole making means 132, and may be a skew correction unit that corrects the skew of the paper P being transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11.

[0095] Figure 18 is a view of liquid applicator 131 according to the second embodiment as seen from the thickness direction of paper P. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Figure 18. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 18. As shown in Figures 18 to 20, liquid applicator 131 mainly includes a pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b, a pair of pulleys 134a, 134b, endless circular belts 135, 136, a slide motor 137, a home position sensor 138, and a liquid applicator unit 140.

[0096] The pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b extend in the main scanning direction at positions spaced apart in the transport direction. The pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b are supported by a pair of side plates 4a, 4b of the post-processing device 3A. The pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b support the liquid deposition unit 140 so that it can move in the main scanning direction.

[0097] The pair of pulleys 134a, 134b are disposed between the pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b in the conveyance direction. The pair of pulleys 134a, 134b are disposed spaced apart in the main scanning direction. The pair of pulleys 134a, 134b are supported by the frame of the post-processing device 3A so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the thickness direction of the paper P.

[0098] The endless circular belt 135 is stretched over a pair of pulleys 134a, 134b. The endless circular belt 135 is connected to the liquid deposition unit 140 by a connection part 35a. The endless circular belt 136 is stretched over the pulley 134a and an output shaft 137a of a slide motor 137. The slide motor 137 generates a driving force for moving the liquid deposition unit 140 in the main scanning direction.

[0099] As the slide motor 137 rotates, the endless circular belt 136 travels between the pulley 134a and the output shaft 137a, causing the pulley 134a to rotate. As the pulley 134a rotates, the endless circular belt 135 travels between the pair of pulleys 134a and 134b. This causes the liquid deposition unit 140 to move in the main scanning direction along the pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b. As the rotation direction of the slide motor 137 is switched, the liquid deposition unit 140 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction.

[0100] The home position sensor 138 detects that the liquid deposition unit 140 has reached a home position in the main scanning direction, and outputs a home position signal indicating the detection result to the controller 100 (see FIG. 21 ), which will be described later. The home position sensor 138 is, for example, an optical sensor including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The liquid deposition unit 140 at the home position blocks the optical path between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. The home position sensor 138 outputs a home position signal in response to the light output from the light-emitting element not being received by the light-receiving element. However, the specific configuration of the home position sensor 138 is not limited to the example described above.

[0101] 19, the transport path in post-processing device 3A is defined by an upper guide plate 5a and a lower guide plate 5b that are spaced apart in the thickness direction of paper P. The liquid deposition unit 140 is disposed at a position facing an opening provided in the upper guide plate 5a. That is, the liquid deposition unit 140 is disposed facing the transport path (i.e., a position where it can face paper P) through the opening in the upper guide plate 5a.

[0102] As shown in Figures 18 to 20, the liquid dispensing unit 140 mainly includes a liquid dispensing base 141, a rotating bracket 142, a liquid storage tank 143, a moving member 144, an upper pressure plate 145, a liquid dispensing head 146, columnar members 147a, 147b, a lower pressure plate 148, coil springs 149a, 149b, a rotation motor 150, a moving motor 151 (see Figure 21), and a home angle sensor 152.

[0103] The liquid application base 141 is supported by a pair of guide shafts 133a, 133b so as to be slidable in the main scanning direction. The liquid application base 141 is connected to the endless circular belt 135 by a connection part 35a. The liquid application base 141 also supports components 142 to 152 of the liquid application unit 140.

[0104] The rotating bracket 142 is supported on the underside of the liquid dispensing base 141 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that extends in the thickness direction of the paper P. Furthermore, the rotating bracket 142 rotates relative to the liquid dispensing base 141 when the driving force of the rotation motor 150 is transmitted to it. Furthermore, the rotating bracket 142 supports a liquid storage tank 143, a moving member 144, an upper pressure plate 145, a liquid dispensing head 146, pillar-shaped members 147a and 147b, a lower pressure plate 148, and coil springs 149a and 149b.

[0105] The home angle sensor 152 detects that the rotating bracket 142 has reached the home angle and outputs a home angle signal indicating the detection result to the controller 100. The home angle is, for example, the angle at which parallel binding occurs. The home angle sensor 152 is, for example, an optical sensor including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The rotating bracket 142 at the home angle blocks the optical path between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. The home angle sensor 152 outputs a home angle signal when the light output from the light-emitting element is not received by the light-receiving element. However, the specific configuration of the home angle sensor 152 is not limited to the example described above. The rotating bracket 142 shown in FIG. 18(A) illustrates a state in which the downstream crimping means 32 performs parallel binding. The rotating bracket 142 shown in FIG. 18(B) illustrates a state in which the downstream crimping means 32 performs diagonal binding (corner binding).

[0106] The liquid storage tank 143 stores liquid for applying to the paper sheet P. The moving member 144 is supported by the liquid storage tank 143 so as to be movable in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P. The moving member 144 moves relative to the liquid storage tank 143 when a driving force from a movement motor 151 is transmitted to the moving member 144. The upper pressure plate 145 is attached to the lower end of the moving member 144. The liquid application head 146 protrudes from the upper pressure plate 145 toward the conveyance path (downward in this embodiment). The liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 143 is supplied to the liquid application head 146. The liquid application head 146 is made of a material with high water absorption (for example, sponge or fiber).

[0107] The pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b protrude downward from the upper pressing plate 145 around the liquid dispensing head 146. The pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b are configured to be movable relative to the upper pressing plate 145 in the thickness direction. The pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b support a lower pressing plate 148 at their lower ends. A through-hole 148a is formed in the lower pressing plate 148 at a position facing the liquid dispensing head 146. Coil springs 149a, 149b are fitted onto the pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b between the upper pressing plate 145 and the lower pressing plate 148. The coil springs 149a, 149b urge the pillar-shaped members 147a, 147b and the lower pressing plate 148 downward with respect to the upper pressing plate 145.

[0108] 19(A) and 20(A), before the paper sheet P is transported to a position facing the opening in the upper guide plate 5a, the lower pressure plate 148 is located at the position of the opening or above the opening. Next, when the liquid application position of the paper sheet P transported by the transport roller pair 10, 11 stops at a position facing the opening, the movement motor 151 is rotated in the first direction. As a result, the moving member 144, the upper pressure plate 145, the liquid application head 146, the columnar members 147a, 147b, the lower pressure plate 148, and the coil springs 149a, 149b move downward as a unit, and the lower pressure plate 148 comes into contact with the paper sheet P. The liquid application position is the position where the paper sheet P is to be pressure-bound by the binding processing unit 25 (i.e., the binding position).

[0109] Then, by continuing to rotate the movement motor 151 in the first direction after the lower pressing plate 148 has come into contact with the paper sheet P, the coil springs 149a and 149b are compressed, and the moving member 144, the upper pressing plate 145, the liquid dispensing head 146, and the pillar-shaped members 147a and 147b are further lowered. Then, as shown in FIGS. 19(B) and 20(B), the lower surface of the liquid dispensing head 146 comes into contact with the paper sheet P through the through-hole 148a. As a result, the liquid contained in the liquid dispensing head 146 is supplied to the paper sheet P.

[0110] 19(C) and 20(C), by further rotating the movement motor 151 in the first direction, the liquid dispensing head 146 can be pressed even more strongly against the paper sheet P. This increases the amount of liquid dispensed onto the paper sheet P. In other words, the liquid dispenser 131 can adjust the amount of liquid dispensed by changing the pressing force of the liquid dispensing head 146 onto the paper sheet P.

[0111] On the other hand, by rotating the movement motor 151 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the movement member 144, upper pressure plate 145, liquid dispensing head 146, columnar members 147a, 147b, lower pressure plate 148, and coil springs 149a, 149b rise together. As a result, as shown in Figures 19(A) and 20(A), the liquid dispensing head 146 and lower pressure plate 148 move away from the paper P. In other words, the liquid dispensing means 131 includes a liquid dispensing head 146 that can be detached from the paper P.

[0112] Fig. 21 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block that controls the operation of post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 21, post-processing device 3A 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.

[0113] The CPU 101 is a computing means and controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 3A. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium capable of high-speed reading and writing of information, and is used as a work area when the CPU 101 processes information. The ROM 103 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium in which programs such as firmware are stored. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium with a large storage capacity that is capable of reading and writing information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0114] The post-processing device 3A processes a control program stored in the ROM 103, an information processing program (application program) loaded into the RAM 102 from a storage medium such as the HDD 104, and the like using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software control unit including various functional modules of the post-processing device 3A. The combination of the software control unit thus constituted and the hardware resources installed in the post-processing device 3A constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing device 3A. In other words, the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, and HDD 104 constitute a controller 100 that controls the operation of the post-processing device 3A.

[0115] The I / F 105 is an interface that connects the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching claw 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the binding processing unit 25, the liquid applying unit 131, the punch hole punching unit 132, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109. The controller 100 controls the operations of the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching claw 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the binding processing unit 25, the liquid applying unit 131, and the punch hole punching unit 132 through the I / F 105. Note that while only the components that perform the edge binding process are shown in FIG. 21 , the components that perform the saddle stitching process are also similarly controlled by the controller 100.

[0116] The control method described above may be realized, for example, by a program. That is, the control method is a method executed by a computer by causing an arithmetic unit, a storage unit, an input unit, an output unit, and a control unit to cooperate with each other based on the program. The program may be written to a storage unit or a storage medium and distributed, or distributed via a telecommunications line, etc.

[0117] According to the post-processing device 3 of this embodiment described above, in the binding process for a sheet bundle Pb made up of multiple sheets P, the binding strength can be improved by preventing the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb from sticking when liquid is applied to the binding process location. Furthermore, the liquid application state can be stabilized, and even if the shape of the binding position of the sheets P that make up the sheet bundle Pb is irregular, the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb float up from the tray when liquid is applied, which solves the problem of an unstable amount of liquid application. As a result, the liquid application state at the pressure binding position can be stabilized, and the binding state can be stabilized.

[0118] The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0119] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> a transport unit that transports the medium in a transport direction; a liquid applying means for applying a liquid to at least one sheet of the medium transported by the transport unit; a crimping unit that pressurizes and deforms a plurality of the media, including at least one sheet of the media to which the liquid has been applied by the liquid applying unit, to crimp and bind the media, The liquid applying means is a pressing means for pressing at least one sheet of the medium; a liquid applying member configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from at least one sheet of medium while the pressing means is pressing at least one sheet of medium; The media processing device is provided with: <2> the liquid applying means further includes a moving mechanism that moves the liquid applying member, The moving mechanism moves the liquid applying member from a spaced position spaced from at least one of the media to a liquid applying position where the liquid applying member comes into contact with at least one of the media. <1> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <3> the liquid applying means further includes a moving mechanism that moves the liquid applying member, The moving mechanism moves the liquid applying member from a liquid applying position where the liquid applying member is in contact with at least one sheet of the medium to a spaced position where the liquid applying member is spaced from at least one sheet of the medium. <1> or the above <2> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <4> the moving mechanism includes a single drive source that moves the pressing means and the liquid applying member in conjunction with each other; <2> or the above <3> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <5> The pressing means is movable between a pressing position where it contacts and presses at least one of the media, and a release position away from the pressing position. <1> and above <4> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. <6> The pressing means has an inclined portion that guides the medium on the side from which the medium is conveyed. <1> and above <5> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. <7> The medium is held between the pressing means and the opposing portion. <1> and above <6> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. <8> The facing portion includes a facing member that contacts the medium and a holding portion that holds the facing member. <7> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <9> The opposing member has an inclined portion on the side from which the medium is transported that guides the medium. <8> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <10> The facing member has a contact surface with which the medium contacts and a through hole communicating with a drainage portion provided on the opposite side of the contact surface. <8> or the above <9> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <11> The drainage portion is configured to be detachable from the holding portion either alone or together with the opposing member. <10> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <12> The moving mechanism includes: a base member movable together with the liquid application member; a columnar member that protrudes from the base member, holds the pressing means, and is movable relative to the base member in the thickness direction of the plurality of media; a biasing member disposed between the pressing means and the base member and biasing the pressing means against the base member; The base member is characterized in that, when a driving force from a driving source is transmitted, the base member moves from a first position where the pressing means is in a pressing position where it contacts and presses at least one sheet of the medium and the liquid applying member is at the liquid applying position, through a second position where the pressing means remains at the pressing position and the liquid applying member is separated from the medium, to a third position where the pressing means is in a release position separated from the pressing position and the liquid applying member is at the separated position. <2> or the above <3> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <13> The pressure-binding unit performs pressure binding while pressing the pressing unit against the plurality of media. <1> and above <12> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. <14> The pressing means is configured to be able to change the pressing force applied to the plurality of media. <1> and above <13> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. <15> The pressing means changes the pressing force depending on at least one of the number of the media, the type of the media, and the thickness of the media. <1> and above <14> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. <16> an image forming device for forming an image on the medium; The method of press-binding a plurality of the media on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatus. <1> and above <15> and a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1: Image forming system 2: Image forming device 3: Post-processing device 10-19: Transport roller pair 20: Switching claw 21: Output tray 22: Internal tray 23: End fence 24L, 24R: Side fence 25, 28: Binding processing section 26,30: Output tray 27: End fence 29: Paper folding blade 31, 31A, 131: Liquid supplying means 31a: Liquid application motor 32: Crimping means 32a: Crimping motor 32b: First member 32c: Second member 32d: Contact motor 32e,137: Slide motor 33,148: Lower pressure plate 34,145: Upper pressure plate 33a, 34a, 148a: Through hole 35: Movement mechanism 36: Liquid application mechanism 37,151: Travel motor 38: Trapezoidal screw 39: Nut 40: Base plate 40a: Movement sensor 41a, 41b, 147a, 147b: columnar members 42a, 42b, 149a, 149b: Coil spring 43,143: Storage tank 43a Liquid level sensor 44: Liquid application member 45: Supply material 45a: Protective member 46: Joint 47: Fan 48: Air tube 49a, 49b Air nozzle 100: Controller 101: CPU 102: RAM 103:ROM 104: HDD 105: Interface 109: Common bus 110: Operation panel 132: Punch hole punching means 133a, 133b: Guide shaft 134a, 134b: Pulley 135, 136: Endless circular belt 137a: Output shaft 138: Home position sensor 140: Liquid application unit 141: Liquid application base 142: Rotating bracket 144: Moving parts 146: Liquid application head 150: Rotary motor 152: Home angle sensor 331: Lower pressure plate holder [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0121] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-101009

Claims

1. a transport unit that transports the medium in a transport direction; a liquid applying unit that applies a liquid to at least one sheet of the medium transported by the transport unit; a pressure-bonding unit that pressurizes and deforms a plurality of the media, including at least one sheet of the media to which the liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit, to bind the media together; The liquid applying means is a pressing means for pressing at least one sheet of the medium; a liquid applying member that comes into contact with and separates from at least one sheet of medium while the pressing means is pressing the at least one sheet of medium; A media processing device comprising:

2. the liquid applying means further includes a moving mechanism that moves the liquid applying member, The media processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the movement mechanism moves the liquid application member from a spaced apart position spaced apart from at least one sheet of media to a liquid application position where the liquid application member comes into contact with at least one sheet of media.

3. the liquid applying means further includes a moving mechanism that moves the liquid applying member, The media processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the movement mechanism moves the liquid application member from a liquid application position where the liquid application member contacts at least one sheet of media to a spaced position where the liquid application member is spaced from at least one sheet of media.

4. The media processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the movement mechanism moves the liquid application member from the liquid application position to the separated position.

5. The media processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the movement mechanism includes a single drive source that moves the pressing means and the liquid application member in conjunction with each other.

6. The media processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing unit is movable between a pressing position where it contacts and presses at least one sheet of media, and a release position where it is spaced apart from the pressing position.

7. 6. The media processing device according to claim 5, wherein the pressing means is movable between a pressing position where it contacts and presses at least one sheet of media, and a release position where it is spaced from the pressing position.

8. The media processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing unit includes an inclined portion that guides the media on the side from which the media is transported.

9. The media processing device according to claim 8 , further comprising a facing portion that sandwiches the media between the pressing means and the facing portion.

10. The media processing device according to claim 9 , wherein the facing portion comprises a facing member that contacts the medium and a holding portion that holds the facing member.

11. The media processing device according to claim 10 , wherein the opposing member has an inclined portion that guides the media on the side from which the media is transported.

12. The media processing device according to claim 10 , wherein the facing member has a contact surface against which the media comes into contact, and a through-hole that communicates with a drainage section provided on the opposite side from the contact surface.

13. The media processing device according to claim 11 , wherein the facing member has a contact surface against which the media comes into contact, and a through-hole that communicates with a drainage section provided on the opposite side from the contact surface.

14. The media processing device according to claim 12 , wherein the drainage section is configured to be detachable from the holder, either alone or together with the opposing member.

15. The media processing device according to claim 13 , wherein the drainage section is configured to be detachable from the holder, either alone or together with the opposing member.

16. The moving mechanism includes: a base member movable together with the liquid application member; a columnar member that protrudes from the base member, holds the pressing means, and is movable relative to the base member in the thickness direction of the plurality of media; a biasing member disposed between the pressing means and the base member and biasing the pressing means against the base member; 5. A media processing device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the base member moves from a first position where the pressing means is in a pressing position where it contacts and presses at least one of the media and the liquid application member is in the liquid application position, through a second position where the pressing means remains in the pressing position and the liquid application member is separated from the media, to a third position where the pressing means is in a release position separated from the pressing position and the liquid application member is in the separated position, by transmitting a driving force from a driving source.

17. 5. The media processing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure binding unit performs pressure binding while the pressing unit is pressed against the plurality of media.

18. 5. The media processing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit is configured to be able to change the pressing force applied to the plurality of media.

19. 7. The media processing device according to claim 6, wherein the pressing unit changes the pressing force depending on at least one of the number of sheets of media, the type of media, and the thickness of the media.

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

Images