Post-processing apparatus and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a post-processing device and an image forming system for moving two post-processing means by a common moving mechanism.SOLUTION: The post-processing apparatus of the present disclosure includes the first post-processing unit 61 that performs the post-processing on the recording medium P, the second post-processing unit 62 that is different from the first post-processing unit 61 and performs the post-processing on the recording medium P, the attachment base 63 to which the first post-processing unit 61 and the second post-processing unit 62 are attached, the support plate 50 provided with the guide unit GR that guides the movement of the attachment base 63, and the moving mechanism 70 that moves the attachment base 63 along the guide unit GR.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a post-processing device and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a post-processing device and an image forming system that performs a binding process on a recording material in accordance with a binding instruction, and includes a first binding process means that is movable along a movement path and performs a first binding process, a second binding process means that is movable along a movement path and performs a second binding process that is different from the first binding process, and a control means that controls the movement of the first binding means and the second binding means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-040738 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional post-processing devices that include two post-processing means, the two post-processing means are provided independently, and separate drive and control systems are required to operate them. Also, the guide means that guides the movement of the two post-processing means requires a branch path to retract the unused post-processing means.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a post-processing device and an image forming system that move two post-processing units using a common movement mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the post-processing device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a first post-processing means for performing post-processing on a recording medium, a second post-processing means different from the first post-processing means for performing post-processing on the recording medium, a mounting base on which the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means are attached, a support plate provided with a guide means for guiding the movement of the mounting base, and a moving mechanism for moving the mounting base along the guide means.

[0007] A post-processing device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the post-processing device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, further including a rotation means for rotating the mount on the support plate.

[0008] A post-processing device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a post-processing device according to the first or second aspect of the present disclosure, further including a relative position adjustment means for adjusting the relative positions of the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means with respect to the recording medium.

[0009] A post-processing device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the post-processing device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the relative position adjustment unit includes a recording medium moving unit that moves the recording medium.

[0010] A post-processing device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a post-processing device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the relative position adjustment means includes a relative movement means provided between the mounting base and the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means, which moves the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means relative to the mounting base.

[0011] A post-processing device according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a post-processing device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the relative position adjustment means includes a recording medium moving means for moving the recording medium along a first direction, and a relative moving means provided between the mounting base and the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means for moving the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means relative to the mounting base in a second direction including a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0012] An image forming system according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes an image forming means for transporting a recording medium and forming an image on the recording medium, and a post-processing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, which is arranged downstream of the image forming means in the transport direction of the recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the post-processing device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the moving mechanism for moving the two post-processing units is shared.

[0014] According to the post-processing device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the posture of the post-processing means when performing post-processing can be changed.

[0015] According to the post-processing device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to change the post-processing unit that performs post-processing without moving the mounting base.

[0016] According to the post-processing device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to adjust the position of the recording medium to match the position where post-processing of the recording medium is performed.

[0017] According to the post-processing device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the positions of the first and second post-processing units can be adjusted to match the position where post-processing of the recording medium is performed.

[0018] According to the post-processing device of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the range of movement required for each movement means to perform adjustment is smaller than when the relative position adjustment means is only a recording medium movement means or only a relative movement means.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming system is provided that includes a post-processing device in which a common moving mechanism for moving two post-processing devices is used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic plan view showing a binding processing unit of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the moving body unit shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a moving mechanism of the moving body unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a main part of the binding processing device. [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of a relative position adjusting unit of the binding processing unit. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a binding process is performed on a stack of paper sheets by staple-equipped binding members in the binding process unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a binding process is performed on a stack of paper sheets by a staple-less binding member in the binding process unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of a moving body unit of a binding processing unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a binding process is performed on a stack of paper sheets by staple-equipped binding members in a binding process unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a binding process is performed on a stack of paper sheets by a staple-less binding member in a binding process unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, each embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the scope necessary for the explanation to achieve the object of the present disclosure will be schematically shown below, and the scope necessary for explaining the relevant parts of the present disclosure will be mainly explained, and the parts for which explanation is omitted will be considered to be publicly known technologies.

[0022] First Embodiment 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The image forming system 1 according to this embodiment may include an image forming unit 10, a conveying unit 20, and a post-processing unit 30. In the following description, the X direction shown in FIG. 1 is provisionally defined as the horizontal direction, the Y direction as the depth direction, and the Z direction as the height direction. The image forming unit 10 is an example of an image forming means, and the post-processing unit 30 is an example of a post-processing device.

[0023] The image forming unit 10 may include an image forming unit main body 11, in which an image forming section 12 and two paper storage sections 13 are arranged. A transport path 14 may also be provided within the image forming unit main body 11.

[0024] The image forming unit 12 is for forming an image on paper P, which is an example of a recording medium. The image forming unit 12 can form an image on paper P by an electrophotographic method, in which a toner image previously attached to a photosensitive drum 15 is transferred onto paper P to form an image. The image forming method in the image forming unit 12 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and it is also possible to use, for example, an inkjet method, in which an image is formed by ejecting ink onto paper P. Furthermore, although paper P is generally made of paper, it can also be other materials on which printing can be performed, such as other film-like materials.

[0025] The two paper storage sections 13 each store paper P of different sizes and types in a stacked state. The paper P stored in each paper storage section 13 is supplied one sheet at a time to the image forming section 12. The number of paper storage sections 13 is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more.

[0026] The transport path 14 is used to transport paper P to a desired position within the image forming unit 10, and transports paper P supplied from the paper storage section 13 and on which an image has been formed in the image forming section 12 so as to be discharged outside the image forming unit main body 11. A plurality of transport rolls 16 are disposed at appropriate positions within the transport path 14.

[0027] The transport unit 20 has a transport unit main body 21, and a plurality of transport rolls 22 are arranged inside the transport unit main body 21. The transport unit 20 is arranged to connect the paper discharge outlet of the image forming unit 10 and the paper intake inlet of the post-processing unit 30, and is provided with a transport path 23 inside for transporting the paper P discharged from the image forming unit 10 into the post-processing unit main body 31. A hole punching device (not shown) for punching holes in the paper P can also be arranged inside the transport unit 20.

[0028] The post-processing unit 30 has a post-processing unit main body 31, and a binding processing unit 40 is disposed within this post-processing unit main body 31. The binding processing unit 40 is a device that binds sheets P, binding a plurality of sheets P together to form a sheet bundle PB (see FIG. 5). The post-processing unit main body 31 is equipped with a discharge section 32 to which sheets P or the sheet bundle PB bound by the binding processing unit 40 are discharged. A transport path 33 including a plurality of transport rolls 34 is formed within the post-processing unit main body 31, and this transport path 33 transports sheets P that have been transported into the post-processing unit main body 31 to the binding processing unit 40.

[0029] The binding processing unit 40 may include a stacking plate 41, a stopper member 42, a paddle 43, a tamper 44, an ejection roll 45, and a binding processing device 46. The stacking plate 41 may be a plate-shaped member on which the sheets P transported from the transport path 33 are stacked. The stacking plate 41 may be inclined at an arbitrary angle (e.g., approximately 30°) with respect to the horizontal so that the end of the stacking plate 41 on the stopper member 42 side is positioned lower in the height direction than the end on the opposite side, and multiple sheets P may be stacked on the upper surface of the stacking plate 41. Accordingly, the entire binding processing unit 40 including the stacking plate 41 is also inclined at an arbitrary angle with respect to the horizontal. The stopper member 42 is used to align the positions of the multiple sheets P in the transport direction by abutting the rear ends of the multiple sheets P in the transport direction. The paddle 43 is provided above the stacking plate 41 and rotates by receiving a driving force from a drive source (not shown), thereby pushing the sheets P toward the stopper member 42. Furthermore, the tamper 44 is movable in a direction crossing the conveyance direction of the plurality of sheets of paper P along the depth direction (hereinafter, this direction is also referred to as the "width direction of the sheets of paper P"), and operates to pinch both ends of the sheets of paper P in the width direction, thereby aligning the width direction positions of the plurality of sheets of paper P (sheet stack PB). Furthermore, the discharge roll 45 is operable to discharge the sheet stack PB to the discharge section 32 after it has been bound by a binding device 46, which will be described later.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the binding processing unit 40 of the image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1. Note that in FIG. 2, components supporting the sheets P, such as the stacking plate 41, are omitted to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the binding processing device 46. As described above, the entire binding processing unit 40 is inclined at an arbitrary angle relative to the horizontal. However, in FIG. 2, a plane viewed from a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the inclined binding processing unit 40 is defined as a plane. As shown in FIG. 2, the binding processing device 46 of the binding processing unit 40 according to this embodiment is capable of performing multiple types of binding processes, as examples of first and second post-processing, on one or more locations on the end of a plurality of sheets P (i.e., a stack of sheets PB) stacked on the stacking plate 41, on the abutting member 42 side. The binding processing device 46 may include a support plate 50 provided with elongated guide rails GR and a movable unit 60 that moves on the support plate 50. The guide rails GR are an example of a guide means.

[0031] The support plate 50 may be a member that is elongated in the depth direction and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The guide rail GR is formed by a long hole that penetrates the surface of the support plate 50 from top to bottom. The guide rail GR may include a main guide path 51 that extends in the depth direction along one side of the paper P, a first curved path 52 that extends from the front end of the main guide path 51 so as to curve toward the conveying direction, and a second curved path 53 that extends from the back end of the main guide path 51 so as to curve toward the conveying direction. The first and second curved paths 52, 53 are an example of a rotation means that rotates a mounting base 63 (see FIG. 3) of the movable body unit 60, which will be described later.

[0032] 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the movable body unit shown in FIG. 2. The movable body unit 60 includes a staple-containing binding member 61 that binds multiple sheets of paper P using staples (staples), a staple-less binding member 62 that binds multiple sheets of paper P without using staples, and a mounting base 63 to which the staple-containing binding member 61 and the staple-less binding member 62 are attached. The staple-containing binding member 61 and the staple-less binding member 62 are disposed adjacent to each other on the upper surface of the mounting base 63. The lower surface of the mounting base 63 is provided with one or more insertion pins 64 that are inserted into the guide rails GR to guide the movement of the movable body unit 60, and one or more inner wheels 65 and outer wheels 66 that are rotatably fixed and roll on the upper surface of the support plate 50. The staple-containing binding member 61 is an example of a first post-processing unit, and the staple-less binding member 62 is an example of a second post-processing unit. It is preferable to arrange the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-free binding members 62 mounted on the mounting base 63 as close as possible, since this shortens the distance of relative movement during the binding operation described below.

[0033] 4 is a schematic diagram showing the movement mechanism of the moving body unit shown in FIG. 2, with the support plate shown in perspective to show the structure behind the support plate. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of the binding device as seen from the side. In order to move the above-mentioned moving body unit 60 on the support plate 50, the binding device 46 according to this embodiment further includes a movement mechanism 70. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the movement mechanism 70 can include, for example, a rack 71, a pinion 72, and a drive unit 73.

[0034] The rack 71 is composed of a rack gear provided on the lower surface (back surface) side of the support plate 50 along the path along which the movable unit 60 moves, i.e., along the guide rail GR. The rack 71 extends from the middle position of the first curved path 52 of the guide rail GR to the middle position of the second curved path 53. The pinion 72 is composed of a pinion gear that meshes with the rack 71. The drive unit 73 includes a drive source such as a motor, is fixed to the insertion pin 64, and supplies drive force to the pinion 72.

[0035] The mounting base 63 is moved on the support plate 50 along the extension direction of the guide rail GR by the above-described movement mechanism 70. As described above, the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-free binding members 62, which are examples of post-processing means, are attached to the mounting base 63, and therefore the single movement mechanism 70 can realize movement of the multiple binding members over the entire length of the guide rail GR. Therefore, a common movement mechanism is used for moving the two post-processing means. Furthermore, because the above-described movement body unit 60 moves the two binding members integrally, there is no need for an evacuation path for retracting one binding member from the movement path of the other binding member on the guide rail GR, which is required when the staple-containing binding member 61 and the staple-free binding member 62 are moved separately.

[0036] Furthermore, the movable body unit 60 in this embodiment is provided with two insertion pins 64 spaced apart at an arbitrary interval. As a result, when the movable body unit 60 is positioned on the first curved path 52 or the second curved path 53, the movable body unit 60 rotates along the shape of each curved path 52, 53. Therefore, it is possible to change the posture of the staple-containing binding member 61 and / or the staple-less binding member 62 at the first binding position P1 and the second binding position P2 provided on each curved path 52, 53. This enables a diagonal binding operation. Note that, in this embodiment, the first and second curved paths 52, 53 are used as a rotation means for rotating the movable body unit 60, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a rotation mechanism including a regulating means for restricting the movement of the movable body unit 60 by contacting a part of the movable body unit 60 moving along the guide rail GR and rotating the movable body unit 60 may be provided on the support plate 50, or a configuration may be adopted in which a single insertion pin 64 is used and a rotation mechanism including a drive source is combined with the insertion pin 64 to rotate the movable body unit 60. Furthermore, the number of the above-mentioned insertion pins may be three or more, or may be one.

[0037] As described above, in the binding processing unit 40 according to the present embodiment, the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-free binding members 62 are moved integrally by a single moving mechanism 70. Therefore, even when the moving unit 60 is positioned at the second binding position P2, for example, the binding positions of the two binding members are slightly misaligned in the width and depth directions of the paper. One method for addressing this misalignment is to devise a shape for the guide rail GR so that the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-free binding members 62 can be positioned at the same position, and to move the mounting base 63 so that the stop position of the guide rail GR is changed to match the binding members that perform the binding operation. In this way, it is possible to address the misalignment of the binding positions by devising a shape for the guide rail GR. However, this would result in a complex and elongated shape for the guide rail GR, which could lead to an increase in the size of the support plate 50 and complicated processing for forming the guide rail GR. Therefore, in order to deal with such misalignment, the binding processing unit 40 according to the present embodiment employs a relative position adjustment means for adjusting the relative positions of the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62 with respect to the sheets P on the stacking plate 41. The relative position adjustment means will be described below.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relative position adjustment means of the binding processing unit, and is a schematic plan view showing the relationship between the stacking plate and the binding processing device when no sheets are loaded. The abutting member 42 and the tamper 44 of the binding processing unit according to this embodiment function as an example of a recording medium moving means serving as the relative position adjustment means. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the abutting member 42 is attached to the stacking plate 41 and is movable in the conveyance direction along a slide groove 42G provided in the stacking plate 41. Furthermore, the tampers 44 are attached near the left and right edges of the stacking plate 41, one each as a left tamper 44L and a right tamper 44R. These left tamper 44L and right tamper 44R are also movable along a left slide groove 44LG and a right slide groove 44RG provided in the stacking plate 41 and extending in the depth direction (also referred to as the "sheet width direction"). The abutting member 42 and the left tamper 44L and right tamper 44R are moved by an actuator (not shown). Furthermore, when controlling the positions of the abutting member 42, the left tamper 44L, and the right tamper 44R, it is preferable to use information such as paper size information and pulse information from sensors and actuators provided on the stacking plate 41. In this way, the abutting member 42, the left tamper 44L, and the right tamper 44R, which are attached so as to be movable relative to the stacking plate 41, can not only align the paper sheets P transported onto the stacking plate 41, but also move the stack of paper sheets PB stacked on the stacking plate 41 relative to the moving unit 60.

[0039] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a stapled binding member is used to bind a stack of sheets in the binding processing unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. When performing stapled binding using the binding processing unit 40 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, one side of the sheets P transported from the transport path 33 onto the stacking plate 41 is abutted against an abutting member 42 fixed at a first position by operating a paddle 43, thereby aligning the positions of the multiple sheets P (i.e., the stack of sheets PB) in the transport direction. The first position of the abutting member 42 can be set, for example, to an end position of the slide groove 42G on the opposite side of the transport direction, close to the binding device 46. Next, the left tamper 44L and the right tamper 44R, which are located near the edges of the stacking plate 41, are moved an equal distance along the left slide groove 44LG and the right slide groove 44RG, respectively, to align the positions of the multiple sheets P in the width direction.

[0040] When the stack of paper-sheets PB is positioned at approximately the center of the stacking plate 41 by the above-described operation as shown in Fig. 7, the movable unit 60 is then moved to a position where the binding operation is performed, for example, to the second binding position P2. Here, the second binding position P2 is pre-adjusted so that the binding position BP of the stack of paper-sheets PB coincides with the binding position of the staple-equipped binding member 61 when the stack of paper-sheets PB is placed at approximately the center of the stacking plate 41 as shown in Fig. 7. Therefore, by performing the binding operation of the staple-equipped binding member 61 after moving the movable unit 60 to the second binding position P2, the stack of paper-sheets PB can be diagonally bound using a staple at the binding position BP set at one corner (the left corner in Fig. 7).

[0041] 7, at the second binding position P2, the binding position of the staple-containing binding member 61 and the binding position BP of the paper stack PB match, but the corners of the paper stack PB are not located at the binding position of the staple-less binding member 62. Therefore, when stapling the paper stack PB using the staple-less binding member 62 of the movable unit 60 located at the second binding position P2, it is necessary to adjust the relative position of the staple-less binding member 62 with respect to the paper stack PB.

[0042] 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a staple-free binding member is used to bind a stack of sheets of paper in the binding processing unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. When performing a staple-free binding operation using the binding processing unit 40 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the position of the stack of sheets of paper PB is different from when performing a staple-based binding operation. Specifically, first, one side of the sheets of paper P transported from the transport path 33 onto the stacking plate 41 is abutted against an abutting member 42 fixed at a second position different from the first position by operating the paddle 43, thereby aligning the positions of the multiple sheets of paper P in the transport direction. The second position of the abutting member 42 can be set to a position closer to the transport direction than the first position described above, taking into account the binding position of the staple-free binding member 62 at the second binding position P2. Next, of the left tamper 44L and the right tamper 44R located near the edge of the stacking plate 41, only the right tamper 44R is moved along the right slide groove 44RG to align the widthwise positions of the multiple sheets of paper P closer to the position of the left tamper 44L. The initial position of the left tamper 44L is set in advance, taking into consideration the binding position of the stapleless binding member 62 at the second binding position P2.

[0043] When the stack of sheets PB is positioned on the stacking plate 41 at a position closer to the left and in the conveying direction (compared to the position of the stack of sheets PB shown in FIG. 7) through the above-described operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the movable unit 60 is then moved to the second binding position P2. The second binding position P2 here is the same position as the second binding position P2 shown in FIG. 7. However, the stack of sheets PB is positioned at a position closer to the left and in the conveying direction, which is different from the position during the binding process shown in FIG. 7. This position is preset so that the binding position BP set at one corner of the stack of sheets PB and the binding position of the staple-free binding member 62 overlap. Therefore, if the binding operation of the staple-free binding member 62 is performed in this state, the stack of sheets PB can be diagonally bound at the binding position BP without using staples.

[0044] Although the above-described binding operations are performed when the movable unit 60 is disposed at the second binding position P2, similar binding operations can be performed at other binding positions by adjusting the position of the sheet stack PB. Specifically, when the movable unit 60 is disposed at the first binding position P1, when performing the binding operation using the staple-free binding member 62, the sheet stack PB is positioned at approximately the center of the stacking plate 41, and when performing the binding operation using the staple-containing binding member 61, the abutting member 42 is set to the second position and only the left tamper 44L is moved along the left slide groove 44LG, thereby positioning the sheet stack PB at a position closer to the right of the stacking plate 41 and closer to the conveyance direction, thereby enabling diagonal binding at the binding position located at another corner of the sheet stack PB (the right corner in FIG. 7).

[0045] As described above, in the binding processing unit 40 according to the present embodiment, the relative position between the sheet stack PB and the binding member that performs the binding operation can be adjusted by moving the sheet stack PB using the abutment member 42 and the tamper 44. This allows the binding process to be performed without moving the mounting base 63, regardless of which binding member is used to perform the binding operation. While the binding processes described above illustrate the case where the sheet stack PB is positioned and then the moving unit 60 is moved, this order can be changed, or both operations can be performed in parallel. Furthermore, while the present embodiment illustrates the case where the sheet stack PB is moved by the abutment member 42 and the tamper 44 as recording medium moving means, this is not a limitation. Specifically, the sheet stack PB may be moved by, for example, making the stacking plate 41, including the abutment member 42 and the tamper 44, movable in the conveyance direction and the width direction of the sheets P.

[0046] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the stapled binding member 61 and the stapleless binding member 62 are exemplified as the first and second post-processing units, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the above-described binding members, it is possible to employ multiple stapled binding members of different types, or to employ a post-processing unit that performs a punching process. Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, only two binding positions P1 and P2 are exemplified on the support plate 50, but the binding positions are not limited thereto. For example, in addition to the above-described binding positions, one or more binding positions may be set on the main guide path 51 for side-stitching at one or more positions located along one side of the sheet stack PB that abuts against the abutment member 42, or the guide rail GR may further extend along one side extending in the conveyance direction of the sheet stack PB, and a binding position may be set at any position on that side.

[0047] Incidentally, in the above-described first embodiment, an example was given in which the relative positions of the stapled binding members 61 and the stapleless binding members 62 with respect to the paper stack PB were adjusted by moving the paper stack PB, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Therefore, below, as a second embodiment of the present disclosure, an example in which the relative positions with respect to the paper stack PB are adjusted by moving the stapled binding members 61 and the stapleless binding members 62 will be described.

[0048] <Second embodiment> 9 is a schematic front view showing an example of a moving body unit of a binding processing unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The post-processing device and image forming system according to this embodiment have the same configuration as those according to the first embodiment, except for the binding processing unit 40A. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the configurations common to the post-processing device and image forming system according to the first embodiment, or the same reference numerals are used with an "A" suffix, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0049] In the movable body unit 60A of the binding processing device 46A included in the binding processing unit 40A according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-free binding members 62 are not directly attached to a mounting base 63A, but a movable base 67 is provided between them. The movable base 67 is an example of a relative movement means, and the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-free binding members 62 are attached to its upper surface, and at least a portion of its lower surface is fixed to an actuator (e.g., a single-axis robot or a linear motor) (not shown) provided within the mounting base 63A, so that the movable base 67 is movable. The mounting base 63A is formed to be longer than the movable base 67 in the arrangement direction of the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-free binding members 62. A movable rail 68 (see FIG. 10) that guides the movement direction of the movable base 67 is formed on the upper surface of the mounting base 63A so as to extend along the arrangement direction of the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-free binding members 62. By adopting such a configuration, both the staple-containing binding member 61 and the staple-less binding member 62 mounted on the movable base 67 can be positioned in the longitudinal center of the mounting base 63A by operating the movable base 67.

[0050] The above-mentioned movable base 67 allows the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62 to move relative to the mounting base 63A. In this embodiment, the relative positions of the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62 with respect to the sheet stack PB are adjusted by the relative movement caused by the movable base 67. Note that the post-processing device according to this embodiment does not have a configuration for adjusting the position of the sheet stack PB, and the support structure for the sheet stack PB is not shown in the drawings.

[0051] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a staple-containing binding member has been used to bind a stack of paper-sheets in a binding processing unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. When performing staple-containing binding using binding processing unit 40A according to this embodiment, after arranging stack of paper-sheets PB on stacking plate 41, moving body unit 60A is moved to a position where the binding operation will be performed, for example, to second binding position P2. Here, second binding position P2 is a position that has been set in advance to bind stack of paper-sheets PB at binding position BP, which has been set at one corner (the left corner in FIG. 10).

[0052] Next, an actuator (not shown) in the mounting base 63A is operated to move the movable base 67, to which the staple-containing binding member 61 and the staple-free binding member 62 are attached, in one direction (to the left in FIG. 9), and move the staple-containing binding member 61 to a central position in the longitudinal direction of the mounting base 63A. Here, the stack of paper-sheets PB on the stacking plate 41 according to this embodiment is positioned so that the binding position of the binding member and the binding position BP of the stack of paper-sheets PB overlap by positioning the binding member at that position. Therefore, after positioning the staple-containing binding member 61 at that position, by performing the binding operation of the staple-containing binding member 61, the stack of paper-sheets PB can be diagonally bound at the binding position BP using staples.

[0053] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a staple-free binding process is performed on a stack of paper-sheets using a staple-free binding element in a binding processing unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. When performing a staple-free binding operation using the binding processing unit 40A according to this embodiment, first, similar to when performing a staple-containing binding operation, the stack of paper-sheets PB is aligned and arranged on the stacking plate 41, and then the moving body unit 60A is moved to the second binding position P2. Next, the actuator in the mounting base 63A is operated to move the movable base 67, to which the staple-containing binding element 61 and the staple-free binding element 62 are attached, in the other direction (to the right in FIG. 9), and the staple-free binding element 62 is moved to the longitudinal center position of the mounting base 63A. As described above, the stack of paper-sheets PB on the stacking plate 41 according to this embodiment is positioned so that the binding position of the binding element and the binding position BP of the stack of paper-sheets PB overlap by positioning the binding element at that position. Therefore, after the staple-free binding member 62 is positioned at this position, by performing the binding operation of the staple-free binding member 62, the sheet bundle PB can be diagonally bound at the binding position BP without using a staple.

[0054] As described above, in the binding processing unit 40A according to the present embodiment, the relative positions of the sheet stack PB and the binding members that perform the binding operation can be adjusted by using the movable base 67 to move the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62 relative to the mounting base 63A. This allows the binding process to be performed without moving the mounting base 63A or the sheet stack PB, regardless of which binding member is used to perform the binding operation. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which the movable base 67 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the mounting base 63A, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a similar binding process can be performed even if the movable base 67 is movable not only in the longitudinal direction of the mounting base 63A but also in the transverse direction.

[0055] <Other embodiments> In the first and second embodiments described above, specific structures for adjusting the relative position of each binding member with respect to the sheet stack PB have been described, including those that move the sheet stack PB and those that move the binding members. However, to achieve movement using these moving structures, space is required to ensure the movable range of the sheet stack PB or each binding member. If there is only one type of mechanism for adjusting the relative position, as in the first and second embodiments described above, depending on the internal structure of the post-processing device, it may be necessary to adjust the internal layout of the post-processing device to ensure the space. Taking this into consideration, the post-processing device disclosed herein may combine the above-described relative position adjustment mechanisms. Below, a post-processing device including multiple relative position adjustment mechanisms will be briefly described as another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] The binding processing unit of the post-processing device according to this embodiment can be one in which the sheet stack PB is movable relative to the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62, and the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62 are movable relative to the sheet stack PB. A specific configuration for moving the sheet stack PB can be one that uses the movable abutment member 42 and tamper 44, as described in the first embodiment above. Also, a specific means for moving the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62 can be one that uses the movable table 67, as described in the second embodiment above.

[0057] There are various advantages to using multiple mechanisms to adjust the relative positions of each binding member with respect to the paper stack PB, as in the post-processing device of this embodiment. Specifically, because two movement mechanisms are used to move the paper stack PB and the binding members to specific relative positions, the movement distance of each movement mechanism can be reduced by approximately half compared to when a single movement mechanism is used. This reduces the range of movement required for each movement mechanism, making it easier to secure space within the post-processing device. Furthermore, when a single movement mechanism is used, that single movement mechanism must move the paper stack PB in two directions: the width direction and the transport direction. On the other hand, when multiple movement mechanisms are used, as in the present embodiment, the movement direction of each movement mechanism can be varied to reduce the range of movement of each movement mechanism. Specifically, the paper stack PB can be moved only in the width direction (an example of a first direction) by the tamper 44, and the relative position in the transport direction (an example of a direction perpendicular to the first direction) can be adjusted using the movable base 67, which is a component that moves each binding member. In this case, the configuration for moving the paper stack PB only requires a movement structure using the tamper 44, so the required range of movement is smaller than when it also includes a movement structure using the abutting member 42. In addition, since there is no need to move the abutting member 42, the structure can be simplified.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration for moving the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62 is exemplified by using the movable base 67 that is movable relative to the mounting base 63A, but the configuration is not limited to this as long as the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62 are movable relative to the paper stack PB. For example, the staple-containing binding members 61 and the staple-less binding members 62 may be moved by making the entire binding processing device 46 movable relative to the paper stack PB.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the staple-containing binding member 61 and the staple-free binding member 62 are mounted side by side on the mounting base 63 or the movable base 67, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, some of the components of the staple-containing binding member 61 and the staple-free binding member 62, such as the drive source for performing the binding operation and the housings of each component, can be shared. Sharing the components in particular makes it possible to position the binding positions of the staple-containing binding member 61 and the staple-free binding member 62 close to each other. In this regard, the post-processing device and image forming system disclosed herein do not need to include the relative movement unit described above. For example, if the binding positions of the binding members are sufficiently close, the binding operation can be performed without moving the paper stack or the binding members relative to each other. Similarly, the post-processing device and image forming system disclosed herein do not need to include the rotation unit described above. For example, in a post-processing device that only performs side stitching along one side of the paper stack using each binding member, the moving unit does not need to be rotated.

[0060] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, all of which are included in the technical concept of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Image forming system 10 Image forming unit (an example of an image forming means) 20 Transport unit 30 Post-processing unit (an example of a post-processing device) 40, 40A Binding Processing Unit 41 Loading plate 42 Stop member 44 Tamper 44L Left tamper 44R Right tamper 46 Binding device 50 Support plate 51 Main Guideway 52 First Curve 53 Second Curve 60, 60A mobile unit 61 stapled binding member (an example of a first post-processing means) 62 Stapleless binding member (an example of a second post-processing means) 63, 63A mounting base 67 Movable platform 68 Movable Rail 70 Moving mechanism P Paper (an example of a recording medium) PB paper stack (example of recording medium) GR guide rail (an example of a guide means) BP Binding Position

Claims

1. a first post-processing unit for performing post-processing on the recording medium; a second post-processing unit that is different from the first post-processing unit and performs post-processing on the recording medium; a mounting base on which the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means are mounted; a support plate provided with a guide means for guiding the movement of the mounting base; a moving mechanism that moves the mounting base along the guide means; a relative position adjusting means for adjusting the relative positions of the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means with respect to the recording medium, the relative position adjusting means comprising a movable table attached to the mounting table so as to be movable along the direction in which the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means are aligned; Aftertreatment device.

2. the movable base is attached such that the first post-processing means and the second post-processing means are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the mounting base; The post-treatment device according to claim 1 .

3. Further, a rotating means is provided for rotating the mount on the support plate. The post-treatment device according to claim 1 .

4. the relative position adjusting means further includes a recording medium moving means for moving the recording medium; The post-treatment device according to claim 1 .

5. an image forming means for conveying a recording medium and forming an image on the recording medium; a post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is provided downstream of the image forming device in a conveying direction of the recording medium; Imaging system.

Images