Binding processing device and image forming system

Abstract

This prevents the bound paper stack from moving in conjunction with the binding teeth, regardless of the characteristics of the paper stack. [Solution] A binding apparatus comprising a paper support section for supporting a stack of paper, a pressing section for pressing the stack of paper, and a binding processing section that moves binding teeth toward the stack of paper to pressurize the stack and perform binding, wherein the binding processing section moves the stack of paper from its binding position when the stack of paper is being pressed by the pressing section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a binding processing apparatus and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a paper binding apparatus of a pressure-bonding binding method for binding a stack of papers with a pair of pressure-bonding members is disclosed, which is characterized in that the surface roughness of the pair of pressure-bonding members and / or the static frictional force with the paper are made different from each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a technique for performing a binding process on a stack of papers by sandwiching and pressing the stack of papers with binding teeth having irregularities. Here, when pressing the stack of papers, for example, if the amount of moisture contained in the stack of papers is large, the amount of elongation of the paper increases due to moisture bonding, and there may occur a problem that the stack of papers bites deeply into the binding teeth and cannot be removed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress the movement of a stack of papers subjected to a binding process with respect to binding teeth without being affected by the characteristics of the stack of papers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 is a binding processing apparatus including a paper support portion that supports a stack of papers, a pressing portion that presses the stack of papers, and a binding processing portion that moves binding teeth toward the stack of papers to press the stack of papers and perform a binding process, the binding processing portion moving from a binding position of the stack of papers when the pressing portion presses the stack of papers. The invention described in claim 2 is a binding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing portion is in contact with the stack of paper after the binding process has been performed by the binding processing unit. The invention described in claim 3 is a binding apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressing portion is positioned in a non-contact state with the stack of paper when the binding process is being performed by the binding processing unit. The invention described in claim 4 is a binding apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the pressing portion moves toward the paper stack from the non-contact state and comes into contact with the paper stack after the binding process by the binding processing unit has been performed. The invention described in claim 5 is a binding apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressing portion retracts to a position where it is not in contact with the stack of paper when the binding processing unit moves away from the binding portion. The invention described in claim 6 is a binding processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the pressing part rotates while in contact with the stack of paper, thereby moving the stack of paper to a paper stack loading member for discharge. The invention described in claim 7 is a binding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the binding processing unit performs binding on the stack of paper at a first binding position, then moves to a second binding position and performs binding, and the pressing unit comes into contact with the stack of paper when the binding processing unit moves from the first binding position to the second binding position. The invention described in claim 8 is a binding apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the pressing part contacts the stack of paper after all binding operations by the binding processing unit have been completed and transports the stack of paper in the discharge direction, and when the binding processing unit moves from the first binding position to the second binding position and contacts the stack of paper, transport in the discharge direction is not performed. The invention described in claim 9 is a binding apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a paper aligning member that aligns the position of the paper in the width direction of the paper, which is a direction intersecting the direction in which the paper is transported with respect to the paper support, wherein the paper aligning member contacts the stack of paper when the binding processing unit moves from the first binding position to the second binding position, thereby restricting the movement of the stack of paper. The invention described in claim 10 is an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper, and a binding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for binding the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to suppress the movement of a bound paper stack relative to the binding teeth without being affected by the characteristics of the paper stack. According to the invention of claim 2, the movement of the bound stack of papers can be suppressed. According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to suppress displacement of the paper stack due to contact with the paper stack being bound. According to the invention of claim 4, the movement of the bound stack of papers can be suppressed. According to the invention of claim 5, other processing can be performed on a stack of paper that has undergone binding. According to the invention of claim 6, the pressing unit can be made to transport the paper. According to the invention of claim 7, when the binding process is performed at multiple locations, it is possible to suppress the binding process from moving along with the binding teeth. According to the invention of claim 8, a stack of paper that has been bound at multiple locations can be discharged. According to the invention of claim 9, it is possible to further suppress the movement of the bound stack of paper relative to the binding teeth. According to the invention of claim 10, a system can be provided that prevents a bound paper stack from moving in conjunction with the binding teeth, without being affected by the characteristics of the paper stack. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the overall configuration of the image forming system in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram for describing the first post-processing device. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram for describing the binding unit. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the vertical movement of a movable roll. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the paper stacking section viewed from above. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the binding process in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. <Configuration of the image forming system> Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the image forming system 1 in this embodiment. The image forming system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises an image forming apparatus 2 that forms an image on a sheet of paper P, and a paper processing apparatus 3 that performs predetermined processing on the sheet of paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 2 includes an image forming unit 19 that forms an image on paper P using an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The paper P on which the image has been formed in the image forming unit 19 of the image forming apparatus 2 is transported to a post-processing device, the paper processing device 3.

[0011] The paper processing apparatus 3 includes a transport device 10 that transports the paper P output from the image forming apparatus 2 to the downstream side, and a paper supply device 20 that supplies interleaving paper such as cardboard or windowed paper to the paper P transported by the transport device 10. The paper processing apparatus 3 also includes a folding device 30 that performs folding processes such as inner three-fold (C-fold) or outer three-fold (Z-fold) on the paper P conveyed from the conveying device 10.

[0012] The paper processing apparatus 3 further includes a first post-processing device 40 provided on the downstream side of the folding device 30, which performs punching, edge binding, and middle binding on the paper P. It should be noted that on the downstream side of the folding device 30, a first post-processing device 40 is provided that processes a stack of papers P on which images have been formed by the image forming device 2, or processes each sheet of paper P individually.

[0013] The paper processing apparatus 3 also includes a second post-processing device 590 provided on the downstream side of the first post-processing device 40, which further processes the stack of papers that have been folded in the middle or bound in the middle. The paper processing apparatus 3 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes programs and includes an information processing unit 100 that controls the entire paper processing apparatus 3. The paper processing apparatus 3 also has an information display unit 915 configured by a liquid crystal monitor or the like to display information to the user.

[0014] The first post-processing device 40 includes a punching unit 41 that punches (makes holes) in the paper P and an edge binding unit 42 that binds the edges of the stack of papers. The first post-processing device 40 also has a first stacking unit 43 on which the stack of papers processed by the edge binding unit 42 is loaded. The first stacking unit 43 is an example of a stacking member for the stack of papers to be discharged. The first post-processing device 40 also has a second stacking unit 45 on which the paper P that is not processed by the first post-processing device 40 or the paper P that has only been punched is loaded. Furthermore, the first post-processing device 40 has a middle binding unit 44 that folds / binds the stack of papers to create a booklet in a spread-out form.

[0015] <First Post-Processing Device> Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the first post-processing device 40. The first post-processing device 40 has a receiving port 49 for receiving the paper P that has been transported from the folding device 30. Furthermore, the first post-processing device 40 has a punching unit 41 immediately after the receiving port 49. The punching unit 41 punches holes (such as two holes or four holes) in the paper P that has been transported to the first post-processing device 40.

[0016] Furthermore, the first post-processing device 40 has a first paper transport path R11 extending from the receiving port 49 to the end-binding section 42. This first paper transport path R11 is used to transport the paper P received at the receiving port 49 to the edge binding section 42. Furthermore, the first post-processing device 40 has a second paper transport path R12 that branches off from the first paper transport path R11 at the first branching section B1. This second paper transport path R12 is used to transport the paper P to the second loading section 45.

[0017] Furthermore, the first post-processing device 40 has a third paper transport path R13 that branches off from the first paper transport path R11 at the second branching section B2. This third paper transport path R13 is used to transport the paper P to the saddle-stitching unit 44. Furthermore, the first post-processing device 40 has a switching gate 70 that switches the destination of the paper P to one of the first paper transport path R11 to the third paper transport path R13.

[0018] The end binding section 42 is equipped with a paper stacking section 60 that collects the required number of sheets of paper P to generate a paper bundle. The paper stacking section 60 is an example of a paper support section. The paper stacking unit 60 is positioned at an angle to the horizontal and has a support plate 67 that supports the transported paper P from below. In this embodiment, a stack of paper is formed on this support plate 67.

[0019] Furthermore, the support plate 67 has an end guide 64 that aligns the position of the edges of the paper P in the transport direction. More specifically, the end guide 64 has a regulating portion 641 and an opposing piece 642 (see Figure 5). The restricting sections 641 (641-1, 641-2, 641-3) are arranged perpendicular to the support plate 67. The ends of the paper P in the transport direction abut against these restricting sections 641, restricting the movement of the paper P. Furthermore, the opposing pieces 642 (642-1, 642-2, 642-3) are connected to the regulating section 641 and are positioned to face the support plate 67. In this embodiment, when a sheet of paper P is placed on the support plate 67, the end of the sheet of paper P in the transport direction fits between the opposing pieces 642 and the support plate 67.

[0020] Furthermore, the edge binding section 42 is equipped with a paper alignment member 65 that aligns the position of the paper P in the width direction. Here, the width direction of the paper P refers to the width of the paper P in the direction intersecting the direction in which the paper P is transported in the paper stacking section 60. In this embodiment, two paper alignment members 65 are provided. One paper alignment member 65 is positioned on one side in the width direction of the paper stack, and the other paper alignment member 65 is positioned on the other side in the width direction of the paper stack. The paper alignment member 65 is equipped with a drive source, such as a motor, and is capable of moving in the width direction of the paper stack P. In this embodiment, each time a sheet of paper P is supplied onto the support plate 67, the edges of the paper P in the width direction are pressed by the paper alignment member 65, and the positions of the paper P (paper stack) in the width direction are aligned.

[0021] Furthermore, the edge binding section 42 is equipped with a binding processing unit 52 that performs binding (edge ​​binding) on ​​the ends of the paper stack generated in the paper stacking section 60. In this embodiment, the binding processing unit 52 performs binding without using staples. The binding processing unit 52 is an example of a binding processing unit.

[0022] <Binding Unit> Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the binding unit 52. The binding unit 52 is equipped with a first binding tooth 71 used for binding stacks of paper. The binding unit 52 is also equipped with a second binding tooth 72 above the first binding tooth 71. Hereafter, when the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are not distinguished, they may be referred to simply as binding teeth.

[0023] Each of the first prosthetic tooth 71 and the second prosthetic tooth 72 has a recessed or recessed portion. More specifically, the first prosthesis tooth 71 has a surface on the side facing the second prosthesis tooth 72, with alternating convex and concave portions in the direction indicated by arrow 3X in the figure. Furthermore, the second prosthesis tooth 72 has a surface on the side facing the first prosthesis tooth 71, which has alternating convex and concave portions arranged in the direction indicated by arrow 3X in the figure. In other words, the first prosthesis tooth 71 has a surface on the side facing the second prosthesis tooth 72 that has a surface with convex and concave portions arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the second prosthesis tooth 72 has a surface on the side facing the first prosthesis tooth 71, which has a surface with convex and concave portions arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the first stabilizing tooth 71 and the second stabilizing tooth 72 are configured with alternating convex and concave portions, but the convex and concave portions may be arranged in other ways.

[0024] Furthermore, the binding unit 52 is equipped with a moving mechanism 300 that moves the second binding teeth 72 toward the first binding teeth 71. Furthermore, the moving mechanism 300 has a rod-shaped screw member 310 that extends along the vertical direction in the figure. Furthermore, the second stabilizing tooth 72 has an interlocking portion 330 that engages with the screw member 310. The moving mechanism 300 rotates the screw member 310 in the circumferential direction, moving the interlocking portion 330 and the second staple tooth 72 toward the first staple tooth 71.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, when the drive motor (not shown) provided in the binding unit 52 is rotated forward, the screw member 310 rotates in the circumferential direction and in one direction. As a result, the interlocking part 330 and the second stabilizing tooth 72 descend along the linear path indicated by arrow 3Y in the figure and move toward the first stabilizing tooth 71.

[0026] In this embodiment, a stack of paper (not shown) located between the first staple tooth 71 and the second staple tooth 72 is sandwiched and pressed between the first staple tooth 71 and the second staple tooth 72. At this time, the recess provided on the first binding tooth 71 and the protrusion provided on the second binding tooth 72 face each other. Also, the protrusion provided on the other binding tooth fits into the recess provided on the other binding tooth. As a result, the sheets of paper P constituting the paper stack are pressed together, and the paper stack is bound.

[0027] Once the binding process is complete, the drive motor reverses direction, and the screw member 310 rotates in the opposite direction. This causes the interlocking portion 330 and the second prosthesis tooth 72 to rise. When the second prosthesis tooth 72 rises, it separates from the first prosthesis tooth 71.

[0028] In this embodiment, the second stapling tooth 72 is moved using a screw member 310, but the mechanism for moving the second stapling tooth 72 is not particularly limited. Other mechanisms such as a cam mechanism or a jack mechanism may also be used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second stabilizing tooth 72 was moved, but the first stabilizing tooth 71 may be moved, or both the first stabilizing tooth 71 and the second stabilizing tooth 72 may be moved.

[0029] Returning to Figure 2, the end-stitched portion 42 will be explained further. The end binding section 42 is provided with a transport roll 61 that is driven to rotate and feed the stack of paper generated in the paper stacking section 60 to the first loading section 43. Furthermore, the end-binding section 42 is provided with a movable roll 62 that can move to a position where it is in contact with the transport roll 61, or to a position where it is retracted from the transport roll 61. The transport roll 61 and the movable roll 62 function as pressing parts that press down on the stack of paper. Note that when the movable roll 62 is retracted from the transport roll 61, it is not in contact with the stack of paper and does not obstruct the movement of the stack of paper.

[0030] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the vertical movement of the movable roll 62. The movable roll 62 moves to a position where it is pressed against the transport roll 61, or to a position where it is retracted from the transport roll 61, by the vertical movement mechanism 400 (not shown in Figure 2).

[0031] The vertical movement mechanism 400 includes a pressing member 410 that pushes down the intermediate mechanism 420, the intermediate mechanism 420 to which the movable roll 62 is connected, and a biasing member 430 for applying pressure to the stack of paper.

[0032] The push-down member 410 moves in the direction indicated by arrow 4A in Figure 4 as a motor (not shown) provided in the vertical movement mechanism 400 rotates in the forward direction, and comes into contact with the intermediate mechanism 420. Furthermore, the push-down member 410 presses against the intermediate mechanism 420, pushing it down. When the intermediate mechanism 420 is pushed down, the movable roll 62 connected to the intermediate mechanism 420 moves in the direction indicated by arrow 4B. This moves the movable roll 62 to a position where it presses against the transport roll 61. The biasing member 430 supplies pressure to the movable roll 62 when the movable roll 62 presses against the stack of paper.

[0033] Furthermore, when the movable roll 62 is retracted from the transport roll 61, the motor provided in the vertical movement mechanism 400 reverses direction, causing the push-down member 410 to move in the opposite direction to that indicated by arrow 4A. This releases the pressure on the intermediate mechanism 420, and the movable roll 62 moves to a position retracted from the transport roll 61.

[0034] Returning to Figure 2, we will now explain the process performed by the edge binding section 42. When processing is performed by the edge binding section 42, the transported paper P is first received at the receiving port 49. Then, the paper P is transported along the first paper transport path R11 and reaches the edge binding section 42. The paper P is then transported to the top of the support plate 67 and falls onto the support plate 67. The paper P is supported from below by the support plate 67 and slides along the support plate 67 due to the inclination and rotation member 63 provided to the support plate 67.

[0035] Subsequently, the paper P abuts against an end guide 64 attached to the end of the support plate 67. This stops the movement of the paper P. This operation is performed each time a sheet of paper P is transported from the upstream side, and a stack of multiple sheets of paper P is generated on the support plate 67.

[0036] When a predetermined number of sheets of paper P are stacked on the support plate 67, the binding unit 52 performs binding on the ends of the stack of paper. The binding unit 52 clamps the stack of paper with two binding teeth, pressing the sheets of paper P that make up the stack together to perform the binding. Subsequently, the movable roll 62 advances toward the transport roll 61, and the stack of paper is sandwiched between the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61. Then, the transport roll 61 rotates, and the stack of paper is transported to the first loading section 43. Furthermore, when transporting the stack of paper, the movable roll 62 may be rotated to transport the stack of paper to the first loading section 43. Alternatively, both the transport roll 61 and the movable roll 62 may be rotated to transport the stack of paper to the first loading section 43.

[0037] Next, we will describe the movement of the binding unit 52 on the paper stacking section 60. Figure 5 shows the paper stacking section 60 as viewed from above. In this embodiment, the binding unit 52 is movably mounted relative to the paper stacking unit 60. The binding unit 52 moves in a direction intersecting the paper transport direction of the paper P. It can also be said that the binding unit 52 moves along the depth direction (back and front direction) of the first post-processing device 40. As a result, the binding unit 52 can perform binding on the paper stack at multiple locations.

[0038] The binding unit 52 stops at two points (positions (A) and (B) in Figure 5) that are located at different locations in the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40, and performs binding at these two points. Furthermore, the binding unit 52 stops at one end of the stack of paper (one corner of the stack of paper) as shown in position (C) of Figure 5, and performs the binding process at this single point. Furthermore, the binding unit 52 stops, for example, at the other end of the paper stack (the other corner of the paper stack) as shown at position (D) in Figure 5, and performs the binding process at this single point. The binding positions (A) to (D) shown above are just examples of binding positions, and the binding position is not limited to these.

[0039] In this embodiment, the binding unit 52 moves linearly between position (A) and position (B). Furthermore, the binding unit 52 moves between position (A) and position (C), and between position (B) and position (D), with a rotation of, for example, 45°. In this embodiment, the binding unit 52 is equipped with a drive source such as a motor, enabling the movement described above. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a movable belt member is provided, the binding unit 52 is attached to the belt member, and the binding unit 52 is moved in accordance with the movement of the belt member.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the paper stacking unit 60 is equipped with a plurality of end guides 64. These end guides 64 are arranged at different locations in the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40. Note that the number of end guides 64 shown in Figure 5 is just an example and is not limited to this.

[0041] First, when the binding process is performed at position (A) in Figure 5, the binding process is carried out through the gap formed between the opposing piece 642-1 located on the front side and the opposing piece 642-2 located in the center. Furthermore, when the binding process is performed at position (B) in Figure 5, the binding process is carried out through the gap formed between the opposing piece 642-2 located on the central side and the opposing piece 642-3 located on the far side.

[0042] In this embodiment, the example described is a binding unit 52 that does not use binding members such as staples, but additional binding units that use binding members such as staples may also be provided. When an additional binding unit using binding components is provided, for example, the binding unit used for binding can be switched according to instructions from the user. In this case, both binding without binding components and binding with binding components can be performed.

[0043] In this embodiment, the maximum distance between the first stapling tooth 71 and the second stapling tooth 72 is greater than the height dimension of the end guide 64. This allows the stapling unit 52 to pass through the end guide 64.

[0044] <Flow of the binding process in this embodiment> Next, the binding process in this embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the binding process in this embodiment. This process is performed by the information processing unit 100, which controls each operation of the first post-processing device 40. This also shows the case where the binding processing unit 52 receives an instruction for two-point binding, in which it performs binding in two places on the stack of paper.

[0045] The binding unit 52 is initially waiting at position (A), which is the first binding position shown in Figure 5. Upon receiving a binding instruction, the binding unit 52 first performs binding at the first binding position (S101). More specifically, the second binding teeth 72 advance toward the first binding teeth 71 and pressurize the stack of paper. This pressurization causes the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 to bite into the stack of paper. By clamping and pressing the stack of paper, the fibers of each sheet of paper intertwine, and the stack of paper is bound together.

[0046] In this type of binding process, the second binding teeth 72 advance toward the first binding teeth 71 and pressurize the stack of paper, after which the second binding teeth 72 separate from the first binding teeth 71. However, if the moisture content of the stack of paper is high when pressurized, for example, the amount of paper expands due to moisture bonding, causing the stack of paper to become stuck in the grooves of the teeth and unable to separate. After the binding process is completed at the first binding position, it is necessary to move the binding unit 52 to the second binding position, but if the stack of paper is stuck in the grooves of the teeth, the stack of paper will move along with the first binding teeth 71 and / or the second binding teeth 72.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, after the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 have bound the paper stack, the movable roll 62 moves toward the paper stack and comes into contact with it, and the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61 press down on the paper stack (S102). In addition, the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61, which are the pressing parts in this embodiment, are in contact with the paper stack after the binding process has been performed by the binding unit 52.

[0048] Next, the binding unit 52 begins to move to position (B), which is the second binding position (S103). At this time, the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61 are in contact with the stack of paper and are pressing down on it. In other words, the binding unit 52 moves from the first binding position to the second binding position while the stack of paper is being pressed down by the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61. At this time, the binding teeth are released from their grip on the stack of paper at the previous binding position, but because the stack of paper is being pressed down by the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61, the stack of paper is prevented from moving along with the binding teeth of the binding unit 52.

[0049] When the binding unit 52 moves to the second binding position, the movable roll 62 retracts to a position where it is no longer in contact with the stack of paper (S104). Then, at this second binding position, the binding unit 52 moves the second binding teeth 72 toward the first binding teeth 71, pressurizes the stack of paper, and performs the binding process (S105). Then, at the second binding position, after the binding process is performed by the binding unit 52, the movable roll 62 moves again toward the paper stack and makes contact with the paper stack, and the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61 press down on the paper stack (S106).

[0050] Then, the paper stack is transported to the first loading section 43 by the rotational drive of the transport roll 61 (S107). At this time, the binding teeth that have bitten into the paper stack at the second binding position are released by the rotational drive of the roll. Once the paper stack has been transported to the first loading section 43, the transport roll 61 stops rotating, and the movable roll 62 returns to its initial position. This completes the series of operations for the binding process. When transporting the stack of paper to the first loading section 43, both the transport roll 61 and the movable roll 62 may be driven to rotate, or only one of them may be driven to rotate.

[0051] Thus, the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61 were originally used to transport the paper stack to the first loading section 43 downstream. However, in this embodiment, a function has been added in which the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61 press the paper stack when the binding unit 52 moves to the second binding position after the binding process at the first binding position. That is, the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61, which are the pressing parts, come into contact with the paper stack after all the binding processes by the binding unit 52, which is the binding processing unit, have been completed, and transport the paper stack in the discharge direction. However, even when the binding unit 52 moves from the first binding position to the second binding position, it comes into contact with the paper stack, but does not transport it in the discharge direction, and its function is limited to pressing the paper stack.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the binding unit 52 moves from the first binding position to the second binding position, the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61 press against the stack of paper, thereby preventing the stack from moving along with the binding unit 52. In addition to the pressure exerted by the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61, or by using the paper alignment member 65 instead, it is also possible to prevent the paper stack from moving together with the binding unit 52.

[0053] As described above, the paper alignment member 65 presses the edges of the paper P in the width direction and aligns the positions of the paper P (paper stack) in the width direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the binding unit 52 moves from the first binding position to the second binding position, the paper aligning member 65 comes into contact with the stack of paper and presses it down. More specifically, in this embodiment, when the binding unit 52 moves from the first binding position to the second binding position, the paper alignment member 65 presses the end of the paper stack, thereby restricting the movement of the paper stack.

[0054] As described above, the paper alignment member 65 is movable in the width direction of the paper P (paper stack) by a drive source such as a motor. Therefore, when the binding processing unit 52 moves from the first binding position to the second binding position, for example, the current value excited to the paper alignment member 65 is increased to improve the position retention of the paper alignment member 65. As a result, the paper stack is fixed in the alignment position, and even if the paper stack becomes stuck to the binding teeth due to the pressure applied at the first binding position, the paper stack will not move with it when the binding processing unit 52 moves to the second binding position, and will disengage from the binding teeth.

[0055] In this embodiment, we have described the case where an instruction for binding in two places is received, but this embodiment can also be applied when there is one place to perform the binding process or when there are two or more places.

[0056] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various other modifications and substitutions of configurations that do not depart from the technical concept of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0057] <Note> (((1))) A binding apparatus comprising: a paper support section for supporting a stack of paper; a pressing section for pressing the stack of paper; and a binding processing section for performing binding by moving binding teeth toward the stack of paper and applying pressure to the stack of paper, wherein the binding processing section moves the stack of paper from its binding position when the stack of paper is being pressed by the pressing section. (((2))) The binding apparatus according to (((1))), characterized in that the pressing portion is in contact with the stack of paper after the binding process by the binding processing unit has been performed. (((3))) The binding apparatus according to (((1))) or (((2))), characterized in that the pressing portion is positioned in a non-contact state with the stack of paper when the binding process is being performed by the binding processing unit. (((4))) The binding apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), characterized in that the pressing portion moves toward the stack of paper from the non-contact state and comes into contact with the stack of paper after the binding process by the binding processing unit has been performed. (((5))) The binding apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), characterized in that the pressing portion retracts to a position where it is not in contact with the stack of paper when the binding processing unit moves away from the binding portion. (((6))) The binding apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), characterized in that the pressing part rotates while in contact with the stack of paper, thereby moving the stack of paper to a paper stack loading member for discharge. (((7))) The binding processing unit is characterized in that it performs binding on the stack of paper at a first binding position, then moves to a second binding position and performs binding, and the pressing unit comes into contact with the stack of paper when the binding processing unit moves from the first binding position to the second binding position, as described in any one of (((1))) to (((6))). (((8))) The binding apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))), characterized in that the pressing part contacts the stack of paper after all binding operations by the binding processing unit have been completed and transports the stack of paper in the discharge direction, and when the binding processing unit moves from the first binding position to the second binding position and contacts the stack of paper, transport in the discharge direction is not performed. (((9))) The binding apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))), further comprising a paper aligning member for aligning the position of the paper in the width direction of the paper, which is a direction intersecting the direction in which the paper is transported with respect to the paper support, wherein the paper aligning member contacts the stack of paper when the binding processing unit moves from the first binding position to the second binding position, thereby restricting the movement of the stack of paper. (((10))) An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper, and a binding apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((9))) for binding the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus.

[0058] According to the invention of (((1))), it is possible to suppress the movement of a bound paper stack relative to the binding teeth without being affected by the characteristics of the paper stack. According to the invention of (((2))), the movement of the bound stack of paper can be suppressed. According to the invention of (((3))), it is possible to suppress displacement of the paper stack due to contact with the paper stack during the binding process. According to the invention of (((4))), the movement of the bound stack of paper can be suppressed. According to the invention of (((5))), other processing can be performed on a stack of paper that has been bound. According to the invention of (((6))), the paper can be transported by the pressing part. According to the invention of (((7))), when the binding process is performed at multiple locations, it is possible to suppress the movement of the bound paper stack relative to the binding teeth. According to the invention of (((8))), a stack of paper that has been bound at multiple locations can be discharged. According to the invention of (((9))), it is possible to further suppress the movement of the bound stack of paper relative to the binding teeth. According to the invention of (((10))), a system can be provided that prevents a bound paper stack from moving in conjunction with the binding teeth, without being affected by the characteristics of the paper stack. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1…Image forming system, 2…Image forming apparatus, 3…Paper processing device, 40…First post-processing device, 42…Edge binding unit, 43…First stacking unit, 52…Binding processing unit, 60…Paper stacking unit, 61…Conveyor roll, 62…Movable roll, 64…End guide, 65…Paper alignment member, 71…First binding tooth, 72…Second binding tooth, 67…Support plate, 100…Information processing unit

Claims

1. A paper support section that supports the stack of paper, A pressing part for pressing the aforementioned stack of paper, A binding processing unit that moves binding teeth toward the aforementioned stack of paper and pressurizes the stack of paper to perform binding, wherein the binding processing unit moves the stack of paper from its binding position when the stack of paper is being pressed by the pressing unit. A binding processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The pressing portion is in contact with the stack of paper after the binding process by the binding processing unit has been completed. The binding apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The pressing portion is positioned in a non-contact state with the stack of paper when the binding process is being performed by the binding processing unit. The binding apparatus according to feature 2.

4. The pressing portion moves from the non-contact state toward the stack of paper and comes into contact with the stack of paper after the binding process by the binding processing unit has been performed. The binding apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The pressing portion retracts to a position where it is not in contact with the stack of paper when the binding processing unit moves away from the binding portion. The binding apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The pressing part rotates while in contact with the stack of paper, thereby moving the stack of paper to the paper stack loading member for discharge. The binding apparatus according to feature 5.

7. The binding processing unit performs binding on the stack of paper at a first binding position, then moves to a second binding position and performs binding thereafter. The pressing portion comes into contact with the stack of paper when the binding processing unit moves from the first binding position to the second binding position. The binding apparatus according to feature 1.

8. The pressing unit contacts the stack of paper after all binding operations by the binding unit have been completed and transports the stack of paper in the discharge direction. However, when the binding unit moves from the first binding position to the second binding position and contacts the stack of paper, it does not transport the stack in the discharge direction. The binding apparatus according to feature 7.

9. The paper aligning member is further provided to align the position of the paper in the width direction of the paper, which is a direction intersecting the direction in which the paper is transported relative to the paper support section. The paper alignment member contacts the stack of paper when the binding unit moves from the first binding position to the second binding position, thereby restricting the movement of the stack of paper. The binding apparatus according to feature 7.

10. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper, A binding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which binds a sheet of paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus. An image forming system equipped with this system.

Images