Media processing device and image forming system

Abstract

The present invention provides a media processing device that can suppress a decrease in the alignment accuracy of media bundles and a deterioration in the quality of media bundles due to deformation of the media in crimp binding involving the application of liquid. [Solution] A media processing device comprising: a crimping fastening means that applies pressure and deformation to a portion of a bundle of media, which is made up of multiple media bundled together by a pair of opposing crimping teeth; and a control means that moves the crimping fastening means to a predetermined fastening position and causes the crimping fastening operation to be performed, wherein the crimping fastening means includes a peeling member that peels off media attached to one of the crimping teeth, and the control means performs a first peeling operation by the peeling member and a second peeling operation that peels off media attached to the peeling member.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a media processing apparatus that binds a stack of sheet-like media. As binding processes applied to the media processing apparatus, there are known "needle binding processing" that binds using a needle-like member (binding member) penetrating the stack of sheets, and "pressure bonding binding processing" that binds by pressure-deforming a part of the stack of sheets.

[0003] Regarding a hydrostatic pressure bonding binding apparatus that applies a liquid to a medium in pressure bonding binding processing, a configuration for peeling off the medium attached to the binding teeth for pressure-deforming the medium is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the case of a peeling mechanism that is integrated as a unit with the binding teeth and adjacent to the binding teeth, the problem that the paper sticks to the peeling mechanism for peeling cannot be solved. When the medium adheres to the peeling mechanism, there is a problem that the alignment accuracy of the stack of media decreases in order to peel it off. Or, there is a problem that it becomes a factor in reducing the binding quality of the stack of media, such as the medium being deformed or damaged.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a media processing apparatus that can suppress a decrease in the alignment accuracy of a stack of media and a decrease in the quality of the stack of media due to deformation of the medium in pressure bonding binding involving liquid application.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a media processing apparatus, comprising: a crimping and binding means for applying crimping and binding by pressurizing and deforming a portion of a media bundle, which is made up of multiple media bundled together with a pair of opposing crimping teeth; and a control means for moving the crimping and binding means to a predetermined binding position and performing the crimping and binding operation, wherein the crimping and binding means includes a peeling member for peeling off media attached to one of the crimping teeth, and the control means performs a first peeling operation by the peeling member and a second peeling operation for peeling off the media attached to the peeling member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in crimp binding with liquid application, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the alignment accuracy of the media bundle and a decrease in the binding quality of the media bundle due to deformation or damage of the media. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the internal structure of the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram of the end-stitching unit viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram of the edge binding processing unit as seen from the liquid application unit side in the main scanning direction. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of the crimping section of the edge binding processing unit. [Figure 6] A diagram showing a modified version of the edge stapling process. [Figure 7] A diagram showing a liquid-applying crimping section related to a modified end-stitching section. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows the liquid application operation and crimping operation by the liquid application crimping unit. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram of the staple stapling unit viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram showing a modified staple stapling unit viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. [Figure 11] A diagram showing the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid storage tank in the post-treatment device. [Figure 12] Figure showing the attachment / detachment configuration of the second liquid storage tank in the post-treatment device. [Figure 13] Hardware configuration diagram of the control block for controlling the post-treatment device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] Flowchart of the binding process by the edge binding processing unit. [Figure 15] Figure showing the position of the edge binding processing unit during the execution of single-point binding. [Figure 16] Figure showing the position of the edge binding processing unit during the execution of two-point binding. [Figure 17] Figure showing an example of a crimping unit integrally provided with the paper peeling mechanism according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18] Figure showing an example of the peeling member integrally provided by the crimping unit. [Figure 19] Figure explaining the general operation of the peeling member. [Figure 20] Figure explaining the general operation of the paper peeling mechanism. [Figure 21] Perspective view explaining the general operation of the paper peeling mechanism. [Figure 22] Figure explaining the relationship between the crimping teeth provided by the crimping unit and the peeling member. [Figure 23] Example of the binding process flow by the edge binding processing unit including the paper peeling mechanism. [Figure 24] Figure explaining the first example of the operation of the paper peeling mechanism. [Figure 25] Figure explaining the second example of the operation of the paper peeling mechanism. [Figure 26] Figure explaining the first modification example of the peeling member. [Figure 27] Figure explaining the second modification example of the peeling member. [Figure 28] Another example of the binding process flow by the edge binding processing unit including the paper peeling mechanism. [Figure 29] Figure showing the internal structure of the post-treatment device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 30] Figure showing the internal tray according to the second embodiment as viewed from the thickness direction of the paper. <00000A schematic diagram of the crimping section according to the second embodiment, viewed from the downstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 32] A view of the liquid application unit according to the second embodiment, as seen from the paper thickness direction. [Figure 33] Figure 32 shows a cross-sectional view at XXV-XXV. [Figure 34] Figure 32 shows a cross-sectional view at XXVI-XXVI. [Figure 35] Hardware configuration diagram of the control block of the post-processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 36] A flowchart illustrating the post-processing of the post-processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 37] A diagram showing the overall configuration of a modified image forming system. [Figure 38] A diagram showing a modified example 1 of the control unit of the post-processing device. [Figure 39] A diagram showing a modified example 2 of the control unit of the post-processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

[0010] In this embodiment, the description assumes that "paper" is the sheet-like medium to be processed in the image forming system 1. However, the processing in this embodiment is not limited to paper. For example, any medium on which an image can be formed using a conventionally known image forming process is acceptable, regardless of its type. Furthermore, this also includes media that can be folded or bound, and does not limit the material or specifications.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on paper and discharges the image-formed paper to the post-processing device 3. The image forming apparatus 2 includes a paper storage tray 211 (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d) for storing paper, a transport unit 212 for transporting the paper stored in the paper storage tray 211, and an image forming unit 213 for forming an image on the paper transported by the transport unit 212. The image forming unit 213 may be an inkjet system that forms images using ink, or an electrophotographic system that forms images using toner. The image forming apparatus 2 also includes a control unit 100a that controls various operations of the transport unit 212 and the image forming unit 213. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 is already well known, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

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

[0013] [First embodiment of the post-processing device 3] Figure 2 shows the internal structure of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment. The post-processing device 3 has the function of performing predetermined post-processing on the paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2. One of the post-processing methods according to this embodiment is a "pressure binding process" in which a bundle of multiple sheets of paper P on which an image has been formed (hereinafter referred to as "paper bundle Pb") is bound together without using staples. Another post-processing method according to this embodiment is a "staple binding process" in which the paper bundle Pb is bound together using staples.

[0014] In this embodiment, the explanation will primarily focus on the liquid application process when performing crimp binding. However, the liquid application process performed in connection with staple binding is similar. Furthermore, in the following explanation, when "binding process" is used, it includes both the "crimp binding process" and the "staple binding process," and the method of binding (whether to use staples or to bind by pressurizing and deforming without using staples) is not limited.

[0015] In this embodiment, the "pressure binding process" is, more specifically, a process in which pressure is applied by the pressure-binding unit 32 to a binding position corresponding to a part of the paper stack Pb, thereby deforming the binding position and entangling the fibers of the overlapping paper P, thus binding the paper P together. As a result of this pressure binding process, a portion of the overlapping parts of the paper P become bound together, forming a single paper stack Pb. This "pressure binding process" will be referred to as "pressure binding" below. The "binding process" (including both pressure binding and staple binding) that can be executed in the post-processing device 3 includes edge binding, which binds the ends of the paper stack Pb, and saddle binding, which binds the central part of the paper stack Pb.

[0016] The post-processing device 3 comprises a transport roller pair 10 to 19 as a transport section and a switching member 20. The transport roller pairs 10-19 transport the paper P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2 within the post-processing device 3. More specifically, the transport roller pairs 10-13 transport the paper P along the first transport path Ph1. The transport roller pairs 14-15 transport the paper P along the second transport path Ph2. Furthermore, the transport roller pairs 16-19 transport the paper P along the third transport path Ph3. A punch hole punching means 132, which punches the paper P transported by the transport roller pairs 10 and 11, is positioned between the transport roller pairs 10 and 11. The post-processing device 3 also includes a control unit 100b as a control means. The control unit 100b controls the operation of drive members within the post-processing device 3, such as the transport roller pairs 10-19 and the switching member 20, and acquires detection results from various sensors as a detection means. Details of the control unit 100b will be described later.

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

[0018] The switching member 20 is positioned at the branching point of the first transport path Ph1 and the second transport path Ph2. The switching member 20 is configured to switch between a first position in which the paper P is discharged to the first discharge tray 21 via the first transport path Ph1, and a second position in which the paper P being transported along the first transport path Ph1 is guided to the second transport path Ph2. Furthermore, when the rear end of the paper P that has entered the second transport path Ph2 passes the branching point of the second transport path Ph2 and the third transport path Ph3, the transport roller pair 14 is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby guiding the paper P to the third transport path Ph3. The post-processing device 3 is also equipped with a plurality of sensors S1 to S6 that detect the position of the paper P on each of the transport paths Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3. The plurality of sensors S1 to S6 are indicated by black triangles (▲) in Figure 2.

[0019] The post-processing device 3 includes a first discharge tray 21. Paper P discharged through the first transport path Ph1 is placed on the first discharge tray 21. Paper P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2 that has not undergone binding is discharged to the first discharge tray 21.

[0020] The post-processing device 3 also includes an internal tray 22 as a mounting section on which paper P or paper bundles Pb are placed, an end fence 23 for edge stapling, side fences 24L and 24R, an edge stapling processing unit 25, a staple stapling processing unit 155, and a second discharge tray 26. The internal tray 22, the end fence 23 for edge stapling, the side fences 24L and 24R, the edge stapling processing unit 25, and the staple stapling processing unit 155 perform edge stapling on paper bundles Pb, which are composed of multiple sheets of paper P transported from the second transport path Ph2 to the internal tray 22. Paper bundles Pb that have undergone edge stapling are discharged to the second discharge tray 26 from the paper P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2.

[0021] In this context, "edge binding" refers to the binding process performed by the edge binding processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 155. Specifically, this includes "parallel binding," which performs binding along one side of the paper stack Pb parallel to the main scanning direction; "diagonal binding," which performs binding at the corners of the paper stack Pb; and "vertical binding," which performs binding along one side of the paper stack Pb parallel to the transport direction.

[0022] Hereinafter, the direction in which the paper P is transported from the transport roller pair 15 toward the end-binding end fence 23 is defined as the "transport direction." That is, the "transport direction" in this specification refers to the direction toward the end-binding end fence 23, which is a different direction from the previous direction, after the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 has moved toward the second discharge tray 26 by the transport roller pair 10, etc., and then has its direction changed by the transport roller pair 15. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and transport direction of the paper P, that is, the width direction of the paper P, is defined as the "main scanning direction."

[0023] Multiple sheets of paper P, transported sequentially via the second transport path Ph2, are temporarily placed on the internal tray 22. The end-binding end fence 23 aligns the positions of the sheets of paper P or paper bundles Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. The side fences 24L and 24R align the positions of the sheets of paper P or paper bundles Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The end-binding processing unit 25 and the staple-binding processing unit 155 perform end-binding on the paper bundles Pb aligned by the end-binding end fence 23 and the side fences 24L and 24R. Then, the transport roller pair 15 discharges the end-bound paper bundles Pb to the second discharge tray 26.

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

[0025] The saddle-stitching end fence 27 aligns the positions of multiple sheets of paper P being transported sequentially along the third transport path Ph3. The saddle-stitching end fence 27 is also configured to be movable in the direction in which the paper P is transported toward and toward the saddle-stitching end fence 27, that is, in the direction in which the paper P is transported toward and toward the saddle-stitching end fence 27, so that the center of the paper bundle Pb is positioned at a binding position facing the saddle-stitching processing unit 28 and at a folding position facing the paper folding blade 29. The saddle-stitching processing unit 28 saddle-stitches the center of the paper bundle Pb aligned by the saddle-stitching end fence 27 at the binding position. The paper folding blade 29 folds the paper bundle Pb placed on the saddle-stitching end fence 27 at the folding position in half and holds it between the transport roller pair 18. The transport roller pair 18 and the transport roller pair 19 discharge the saddle-stitched paper bundle Pb into the discharge tray 30.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 described later, the post-processing device 3 includes a liquid application member 501 and a liquid supply member 50 as part of the liquid application section, and a first liquid storage tank 44 as the first liquid storage section, in the end-stitching section 25. The post-processing device 3 also includes a liquid supply path 455, a liquid pump 46 as a liquid supply means, and a second liquid storage tank 47 and a second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 as part of the second liquid storage section, for replenishing the liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44. The liquid stored in the second liquid storage tank 47 (hereinafter referred to as "liquid in the second liquid storage tank 47") is supplied to the first liquid storage tank 44 via the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61, the liquid pump 46, and the liquid supply path 45.

[0027] [Configuration of the end-binding processing unit 25] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing unit 25, which performs the liquid application process and crimp binding process shown in Figure 2, as viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the edge binding processing unit 25 as viewed from the liquid application unit 31 side in the main scanning direction. As shown in Figure 3, the edge binding processing unit 25 includes a liquid application unit 31 that applies liquid to the paper P or paper stack Pb, and a crimping unit 32 which is an example of a post-processing means that performs crimp binding on the paper stack Pb. The liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are arranged adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the liquid dispensing unit 31 dispenses the liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44 (hereinafter referred to as "liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44") onto the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. Hereinafter, the dispensing of liquid by the liquid dispensing unit 31 onto the paper P or paper stack Pb, and the operation of the liquid dispensing unit 31 during said dispensing, will be referred to as "liquid dispensing." Furthermore, the liquid dispensing operation of the liquid dispensing unit 31, which involves control processing, will be referred to as "liquid dispensing processing."

[0029] Here, the liquid stored in the first storage tank 44 as the liquid used for liquid supply is, more specifically, mainly composed of a liquid compound of hydrogen and oxygen represented by the chemical formula "H2O". The temperature of the liquid is irrelevant; it may be so-called hot water or hot water. Furthermore, it is not limited to pure water; it may include purified water, or even ionized salts. The metal ion content is also irrelevant, ranging from so-called soft water to very hard water, regardless of hardness.

[0030] Furthermore, additives may be included in addition to the main component. It may contain residual chlorine used in tap water, and it is also desirable that colorants, penetrating agents, pH adjusters, preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, and drying agents such as glycerin be added. Moreover, since inks used in inkjet printing devices and inks used in water-based pens also use water as a component, these may also be used as "liquid additives."

[0031] While the specific examples given here are not the only ones that will work, any "water" in a broad sense, such as hypochlorous acid water or diluted ethanol solution used for disinfection, will also function. However, if the sole purpose is to enhance the binding strength after binding, readily available and manageable tap water will suffice. Furthermore, using a liquid with water as its main component, as described above, will improve the binding strength of the paper stack Pb more effectively than using a liquid that does not have water as its main component.

[0032] [Configuration of the liquid application unit 31] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the liquid application unit 31 is configured to move in the main scanning direction together with the crimping unit 32 by the driving force transmitted from the edge binding processing unit moving motor 55. The liquid application unit 31 includes a lower pressing plate 33 as a base for the paper P or paper stack Pb, an upper pressing plate 34, and a liquid application unit moving mechanism 35. The components of the liquid application unit 31, such as the lower pressing plate 33, the upper pressing plate 34, the liquid application unit moving mechanism 35, and the liquid application unit moving motor 42, are held by at least one of the liquid application frame 31a and the base member 48.

[0033] Furthermore, the liquid application frame 31a, which holds the components of the liquid application unit 31, has a liquid application unit rotating shaft 562, equipped with a drive transmission gear 562a, fixed to its bottom surface. The liquid application unit rotating shaft 562 and the drive transmission gear 562a are held on the base member 48 on which the liquid application frame 31a is provided, so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The drive transmission gear 562a also meshes with the output gear 563a of the liquid application unit rotating motor 563. The liquid application unit 31 is configured to be rotatable on the base member 48 in forward and reverse directions around the liquid application unit rotating shaft 562, as the driving force of the liquid application unit rotating motor 563 is transmitted to the liquid application unit rotating shaft 562 via the output gear 563a and the drive transmission gear 562a.

[0034] The lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 are positioned downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. Paper P or stacks of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22 are also placed on the lower pressure plate 33. The lower pressure plate 33 is provided on the lower pressure plate holder 331. The upper pressure plate 34 is configured to be movable in the thickness direction of the paper P or stacks of paper Pb when it is positioned facing the paper P or stacks of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22. That is, the lower pressure plate 33 and the upper pressure plate 34 are positioned opposite each other in the thickness direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "thickness direction") of the paper P or stacks of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22, with the paper P or stacks of paper Pb in between.

[0035] Furthermore, the upper pressing plate 34 has a through-hole 34a that penetrates in the thickness direction. The through-hole 34a is positioned facing the liquid application member 501, which is held via a holding portion 37 attached to the base plate 40. As will be described later, the liquid application member 501 is provided at one end of the liquid supply member 50, which acts as a liquid absorber. The liquid application member 501 then applies liquid to the paper P or paper stack Pb by contacting it through the through-hole 34a. The liquid application member 501 is one end of the liquid supply member 50, which acts as a liquid absorber, and corresponds to the tip portion. Details of the liquid supply member 50 will be described later.

[0036] The liquid application mechanism 35 moves the upper pressing plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding part 37, the liquid application member 501, the liquid supply member 50, and the first liquid storage tank 44 in the thickness direction of the paper P or paper stack Pb. In this embodiment, the liquid application mechanism 35 moves the upper pressing plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding part 37, the liquid application member 501, the liquid supply member 50, and the first liquid storage tank 44 integrally using a single liquid application mechanism motor 42. The liquid application mechanism 35 includes, for example, a liquid application mechanism motor 42, a trapezoidal screw 38, a nut 39, a base plate 40, columnar members 41a, 41b, and coil springs 42a, 42b.

[0037] The liquid application unit moving motor 42 generates a driving force to move the upper pressing plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding part 37, the liquid application member 501, the liquid supply member 50, and the first liquid storage tank 44. The trapezoidal screw 38 extends in the thickness direction of the paper P or paper stack Pb and is rotatably mounted on the liquid application frame 31a in forward and reverse directions. The trapezoidal screw 38 is also connected to the output shaft of the liquid application unit moving motor 42 via a pulley or belt. The nut 39 is screwed onto the trapezoidal screw 38. When the driving force of the liquid application unit moving motor 42 is transmitted and the trapezoidal screw 38 rotates in forward and reverse directions, the nut 39 reciprocates on the trapezoidal screw 38.

[0038] The base plate 40 is positioned at a distance from the upper pressing plate 34. The base plate 40 also holds the liquid application member 501 with its tip portion protruding from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressing plate 34. Furthermore, the base plate 40 is connected to a trapezoidal screw 38 via a nut 39, and is configured to reciprocate along the trapezoidal screw 38 by rotating in forward and reverse directions. The position of the base plate 40 in the thickness direction of the paper P or paper stack Pb is detected by a movement sensor 40a (see Figure 13).

[0039] The columnar members 41a and 41b protrude from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressing plate 34 around the tip portion of the liquid application member 501. Furthermore, the columnar members 41a and 41b are configured to be movable relative to the base plate 40 in the thickness direction. Additionally, the columnar members 41a and 41b hold the upper pressing plate 34 at their tip portions on the lower pressing plate 33 side. Furthermore, retainers are provided at the tip portions of the columnar members 41a and 41b opposite the lower pressing plate 33 to prevent them from detaching from the base plate 40.

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

[0041] The liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. More specifically, the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to at least one sheet of paper P constituting the paper stack Pb by bringing the liquid application member 501 into contact with the paper P or paper stack Pb.

[0042] The liquid application unit 31 comprises a first liquid level sensor 43 as a first liquid detection means, a first liquid storage tank 44, a liquid application member 501, a liquid supply member 50, and a holding unit 37. The first liquid storage tank 44 stores liquid for applying liquid to paper P or a stack of paper Pb. The liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44, that is, the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid storage tank 44, is detected by the first liquid level sensor 43. The first liquid storage tank 44 is connected to the base plate 40 via the holding unit 37.

[0043] The liquid application member 501 applies the liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44 to the paper P or paper stack Pb. The liquid application member 501, the liquid supply member 50 which is installed in close contact with the liquid application member 501 as a liquid absorber, and the first liquid storage tank 44 are held by the holding part 37. The holding part 37 is held by the base plate 40. One end of the liquid supply member 50 is in close contact with the liquid application member 501, and the other end is immersed in the liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44. That is, the other end of the liquid supply member 50 corresponds to the immersion part 502 which draws up the liquid and supplies it to the liquid application member 501. The liquid application member 501 and the liquid supply member 50 are made of a material with a high liquid absorption rate (for example, sponge or fiber), such as an elastic resin formed with open cells. However, the liquid-applying member 501 and / or liquid-supplying member 50 can be made of any material that has the property of absorbing and retaining liquid, and that has the property of collapsing in response to the pressure applied when in contact with the paper P or paper stack Pb. In other words, it is sufficient if it is made of a material that can absorb liquid by capillary action.

[0044] Therefore, when the immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50 is immersed in the liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44, the liquid supply member 50 will draw up the liquid by capillary action. That is, the liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44 is drawn up from the immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50, and the drawn-up liquid is supplied through the liquid supply member 50 to the liquid application member 501 connected to its tip. As the liquid in the first liquid storage tank 44 is drawn up to the liquid application member 501 which is in close contact with one end of the liquid supply member 50, the liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44 decreases. The liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44 detected by the first liquid level sensor 43 decreases. When the first liquid level sensor 43 detects the decrease in the liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44, the liquid pump 46 starts supplying liquid from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44. In the following, the operation of supplying liquid from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 by the liquid pump 46 will be referred to as the "liquid supply operation".

[0045] Although the above description explained the case where the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 are separate components, the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 may be integrally constructed from materials with similar properties (for example, materials with high liquid absorption). In other words, the liquid application member 501 can be configured to be part of the liquid supply member 50. In that case, the supply of liquid from the liquid supply member 50 to the liquid application member 501 by capillary action can be made smoother, and costs can be reduced.

[0046] Then, when the liquid supply member 501 draws up liquid from the first liquid storage tank 44, the liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44 temporarily falls below the reference liquid level described later, and this triggers a liquid supply operation in which liquid is supplied from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44. This liquid supply operation is mainly performed when the post-processing device 3 is started up or when the post-processing device 3 starts executing a binding process that involves liquid supply, and corresponds to a liquid supply operation that makes it possible to perform liquid supply using the liquid supply member 501.

[0047] Furthermore, the end-stitching processing unit 25 or the post-processing device 3 is provided with a second liquid storage tank 47. The second liquid storage tank 47 is configured to be detachably attached to a second liquid storage tank fixing unit 61, which is part of the second liquid storage unit provided in the end-stitching processing unit 25 or the post-processing device 3 (see Figure 12). The second liquid storage tank fixing unit 61 may be provided in either the end-stitching processing unit 25 or the post-processing device 3. The second liquid storage tank 47 is configured to be set in a predetermined position on the second liquid storage tank fixing unit 61 so that the liquid in the second liquid storage tank 47 can be supplied to the first liquid storage tank 44 via the second liquid storage tank fixing unit 61.

[0048] The operation of supplying liquid from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 by the liquid pump 46 is mainly triggered when the liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44 falls below the reference liquid level described later. The liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44 decreases as liquid is consumed by the liquid supply by the liquid supply unit 31. In other words, the operation of supplying liquid from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 corresponds to the liquid supply operation required in conjunction with the execution of the binding process, which includes the supply of liquid by the liquid supply unit 31.

[0049] This liquid supply operation corresponds to the operation of supplying liquid to the first liquid storage tank 44 by topping it up whenever the liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44 falls below the reference liquid level described later.

[0050] When the second liquid storage tank 47 is set in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61, a certain amount of liquid from the second liquid storage tank 47 is filled into the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61. The second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 is equipped with a set detection sensor 51 as a set detection means for detecting the set state of the second liquid storage tank 47 (see Figure 12(B)). When the set detection sensor 51 detects the set state of the second liquid storage tank 47 in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 (see Figure 12(C)), a signal indicating that the second liquid storage tank 47 has been set in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 is notified to the control unit 100b, which will be described later. Based on the signal received from the set detection sensor 51, the control unit 100b, which will be described later, determines whether or not the second liquid storage tank 47 is set in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61. Details of the configuration of the second liquid storage tank 47 will be described later.

[0051] The first liquid storage tank 44 and the second liquid storage tank 47 are connected by a liquid supply path 45. A liquid pump 46 is provided near the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61. When this liquid pump 46 operates, the liquid in the second liquid storage tank 47 is supplied from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 via the liquid supply path 45. Therefore, the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 is a component of the liquid supply means that performs the liquid supply operation of supplying liquid from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44. In addition, the liquid supply path 45 is made of a flexible material. This ensures that even if the first liquid storage tank 44 is moved by the liquid supply mechanism 35, liquid can be reliably supplied from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44.

[0052] The amount of liquid supplied from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 can be controlled according to the detection result of the first liquid level sensor 43. Specifically, the control unit 100b, described later, determines the liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44 based on the detection result of the first liquid level sensor 43. Then, the control unit 100b, described later, controls the operating speed and operating time of the liquid pump 46 according to the determined liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44, thereby adjusting the amount of liquid supplied from the second liquid storage tank 47 to the first liquid storage tank 44 and controlling it to maintain a constant liquid level in the first liquid storage tank 44.

[0053] [Configuration of the crimping section 32] As shown in Figure 3, the crimping unit 32, a post-processing means provided in the edge-stitching unit 25, uses its uneven upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b to apply pressure to at least a portion of the paper stack Pb to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit 31, i.e., the liquid application position, thereby deforming it and pressing the sheets of paper P together in this portion, thus binding the paper stack Pb. In other words, the crimping unit 32 can bind the paper stack Pb without using staples. The upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b, which are components of the crimping unit 32, are provided on the crimping frame 32c. Hereinafter, the process of binding the paper stack Pb by applying pressure and deforming a predetermined position on the paper stack Pb using the crimping unit 32 will be simply referred to as "crimping binding". The crimping binding operation of the crimping unit 32, which involves control processing, will be referred to as "crimping binding processing".

[0054] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the crimping section 32. As shown in Figure 5, the crimping section 32 comprises upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b. The upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b are arranged opposite each other in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb so that they can grip the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The opposing surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b are formed in an uneven shape with alternating recesses and protrusions. Furthermore, the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b are formed in a positional relationship such that the recesses and protrusions are offset from each other so that they can interlock. The upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b move toward and toward each other by the driving force of the separation motor 32d (see Figure 13).

[0055] As the multiple sheets of paper P constituting the paper stack Pb are loaded into the internal tray 22, the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are separated from each other, as shown in Figure 5(A). When all of the multiple sheets of paper P constituting the paper stack Pb are loaded into the internal tray 22, the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b engage due to the driving force of the contact / separation motor 32d, as shown in Figure 5(B), thereby compressing and deforming the paper stack Pb from the thickness direction. As a result, the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 is crimped and bound. The crimped and bound paper stack Pb is then discharged to the second discharge tray 26 by the transport roller pair 15.

[0056] The configuration of the crimping section 32 is not limited to the structure of the operating mechanism shown in this embodiment, as long as the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b that constitute the crimping mechanism mesh together. For example, a link mechanism type crimping mechanism (for example, the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6057167) may be used, which uses a drive source that rotates only in the forward direction or in both forward and reverse directions and a link mechanism to perform the crimping and separating operations of the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b. Alternatively, a linear-acting type crimping mechanism may be used, which uses a screw mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the drive source in the forward and reverse directions into linear reciprocating motion to perform the crimping and separating operations of the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b linearly.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the end-stitching unit 25 is equipped with an end-stitching unit moving mechanism 57. The end-stitching unit moving mechanism 57 moves the end-stitching unit 25, that is, the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, in the main scanning direction along the downstream end of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. The end-stitching unit moving mechanism 57 includes, for example, a base member 48, a guide shaft 49, an end-stitching unit moving motor 55, a drive force transmission mechanism 551 that transmits the driving force of the end-stitching unit moving motor 55 to the base member 48, and a standby position sensor 540 (see Figure 13).

[0058] The liquid application section 31 and the crimping section 32 are attached to the base member 48 in an adjacent position in the main scanning direction. As shown in Figure 4, the guide shaft 49 is located upstream of the transport direction on the binding mechanism base 116 and is held in the main scanning direction by a plurality of guide shaft brackets 49a and 49b. As shown in Figure 3, the guide shaft 49 extends in the main scanning direction on the binding mechanism base 116 and holds the base member 48 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction. As shown in Figure 4, the guide rail 115 extends in the main scanning direction on downstream of the transport direction on the binding mechanism base 116. As shown in Figure 4, the guide rail 115 has a fitted portion 115a that fits across the main scanning direction with a scanning roller 48a rotatably mounted on the base member 48. In other words, the base member 48 is held so as to be movable in the main scanning direction on the binding mechanism base 116 by the guide shaft 49 and the guide rail 115.

[0059] The end-stitching unit moving motor 55 generates a driving force to move the end-stitching unit 25. The driving force transmission mechanism 551 transmits the driving force of the end-stitching unit moving motor 55 to the base member 48 via pulleys 551a and 551b, a timing belt 551c, and a fastening part 48b that fastens the base member 48 and the timing belt 551c. As a result, the liquid application part 31 and the crimping part 32, which are integrated by the base member 48, move along the guide shaft 49 in the main scanning direction.

[0060] The end-stitching processing unit movement motor 55 according to this embodiment is, for example, a servo motor. By using a servo motor, it becomes possible to stop the end-stitching processing unit 25 at any target position without having to return the end-stitching processing unit 25 to its origin position each time it moves. In other words, the end-stitching processing unit movement motor 55 can stop the end-stitching processing unit 25 at a target position, i.e., the first liquid application position B1, the first stitching position B1, the second liquid application position B2, and the second stitching position B2, as described later, without having to return the end-stitching processing unit 25 to its origin position (for example, the standby position HP described later) each time it moves.

[0061] Furthermore, the post-processing device 3 includes a standby position sensor 540 (see Figure 13) that detects when the end-stitching processing unit 25 has reached the standby position HP (see Figure 15(A)), and an encoder sensor 541 (see Figure 13) attached to the output shaft of the end-stitching processing unit moving motor 55. The standby position sensor 540 is, for example, a light-shielding optical sensor. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, detects when the end-stitching processing unit 25 has reached the standby position HP based on the detection result of the standby position sensor 540. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, also determines the current position of the end-stitching processing unit 25 that has moved from the standby position HP by counting the pulse signals output from the encoder sensor 541.

[0062] However, the specific method for stopping the end-stapling unit 25 at the target position without returning it to the standby position HP is not limited to the example described above. As another example, the post-processing device 3 may be equipped with a sensor that detects when the end-stapling unit 25 has reached a predetermined target position.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the crimping frame 32c, which holds the components of the crimping section 32, has a crimping section rotating shaft 54, equipped with a drive transmission gear 54a, fixed to its bottom surface. The crimping section rotating shaft 54 ​​and the drive transmission gear 54a are held on the base member 48 on which the crimping frame 32c is provided, so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The drive transmission gear 54a also meshes with the output gear 56a of the crimping section rotating motor 56. The crimping section 32 is configured to be rotatable on the base member 48 in forward and reverse directions around the crimping section rotating shaft 54, as the driving force of the crimping section rotating motor 56 is transmitted to the crimping section rotating shaft 54 ​​via the output gear 56a and the drive transmission gear 54a.

[0064] Although the end-binding processing unit 25 has been described as moving along the guide shaft 49 with the crimping unit 32 and the liquid application unit 31 integrally configured, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the crimping unit 32 and the liquid application unit 31 may move separately and independently.

[0065] [Modified version of the end-stitching processing unit 25] Next, with reference to Figures 6 to 8, a modified example of the end-stitching processing unit 25 provided in the post-processing device 3, known as the end-stitching processing unit 25', will be described. The difference from the end-stitching processing unit 25 according to the first embodiment is that the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are integrally configured. Note that components common to the end-stitching processing unit 25 already described will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations may be omitted.

[0066] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the end stapling section 25' viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. Figure 7(A) is a perspective view of the liquid application and crimping section 310. Figure 7(B) is a view taken along arrow AA in Figure 7(A). Figure 7(C) is a plan view of the upper crimping teeth 32a in Figure 7(A) viewed from the lower crimping teeth 32b side. Figures 8(A) to 8(C) are schematic diagrams showing the liquid application operation and crimping operation by the liquid application and crimping section 310, viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6, the end stapling processing unit 25' includes a liquid application and crimping unit 310 which integrally combines the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 of the end stapling processing unit 25 according to the first embodiment. The liquid application and crimping unit 310 is located downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction.

[0068] The liquid application and crimping unit 310 applies liquid LQ from the first liquid storage tank 44 to the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The liquid application and crimping unit 310 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction when the driving force of the edge binding processing unit moving motor 55 is transmitted to the base member 48 by the driving force transmission mechanism 551. The liquid application and crimping unit 310 comprises an upper pressing plate 34, upper crimping teeth 32a, lower crimping teeth 32b, a liquid application and crimping unit moving mechanism 350, and a liquid supply mechanism 360. Each component of the liquid application and crimping unit 310 is held by at least one of the liquid application frame 31a and the base member 48.

[0069] Furthermore, the liquid application frame 31a has a liquid application pressure section rotating shaft 561', equipped with a drive transmission gear 561a', fixed to its bottom surface. The liquid application pressure section rotating shaft 561' and the drive transmission gear 561a' are held on the base member 48 on which the liquid application frame 31a is provided so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The drive transmission gear 561a' is also meshed with the output gear 56a' of the liquid application pressure section rotating motor 56'. The liquid application pressure section 310 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48, with the driving force of the liquid application pressure section rotating motor 56' being transmitted to the liquid application pressure section rotating shaft 561' via the output gear 56a' and the drive transmission gear 561a'.

[0070] The liquid application and pressure section moving mechanism 350 moves the upper pressing plate 34, base plate 40, and upper pressure teeth 32a in conjunction with the thickness direction of the paper P or paper stack Pb using an electric cylinder 370. The base plate 40 holds the upper pressure tooth holding member 32a1 and the upper pressure teeth 32a via a holding part 46a. The base plate 40 also movably holds the upper pressing plate 34 via columnar members 41a and 41b. The base plate 40 is attached to the tip of the rod 371 of the electric cylinder 370 via a connecting member 401.

[0071] The columnar members 41a and 41b hold the upper pressing plate 34 at their lower ends. The coil springs 42a and 42b are fitted onto the columnar members 41a and 41b between the base plate 40 and the upper pressing plate 34. The coil springs 42a and 42b bias the upper pressing plate 34 and the columnar members 41a and 41b in a direction away from the base plate 40.

[0072] The liquid supply mechanism 360 comprises a first liquid storage tank 44, a liquid pump 431, and a liquid supply member 45'. The liquid pump 431 supplies liquid LQ to a liquid reservoir 329 provided on the upper crimping tooth holding member 32a1 via the liquid supply member 45', as shown in Figure 7(A). The liquid supply member 45' has its base end connected to the liquid pump 431 and its tip connected to the liquid reservoir 329, and is made of a long, expandable member.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7(B), the upper crimping teeth 32a are integrally provided on the upper crimping tooth holding member 32a1. The upper crimping tooth holding member 32a1 includes a liquid reservoir 329 and a liquid supply passage 328 that supplies the liquid LQ stored in the liquid reservoir 329 to the upper crimping teeth 32a. As shown in Figure 7(C), the surface of the upper crimping teeth 32a is hydrophilic, so that the liquid LQ supplied from the liquid supply passage 328 spreads uniformly across the surface of the upper crimping teeth 32a. On the other hand, the parts of the upper crimping tooth holding member 32a1 other than the upper crimping teeth 32a are hydrophobic, so that the liquid LQ spreads efficiently across the surface of the upper crimping teeth 32a.

[0074] As shown in Figure 6, the lower crimping teeth 32b are integrally provided with the lower crimping tooth retaining member 32b1, which is part of the liquid application frame 31a, and are attached to the base member 48 via the lower crimping tooth retaining member 32b1.

[0075] Next, the liquid application operation and crimping operation by the liquid application crimping unit 310 will be explained using Figure 8. In the process of loading the paper P into the internal tray 22, the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are separated, as shown in Figure 8(A). When the paper P is placed in the internal tray 22, the electric cylinder 370 is retracted to move the upper crimping teeth 32a and the upper pressing plate 34 toward the paper P. Then, as shown in Figure 8(B), the upper pressing plate 34 first comes into contact with the paper P, and then the upper crimping teeth 32a pass through the through-hole 34a of the upper pressing plate 34 and come into contact with the paper P. At this time, since the liquid LQ is spread over the surface of the upper crimping teeth 32a, the liquid is applied to the liquid application position on the paper P by bringing the upper crimping teeth 32a into contact with the paper P. Then, once the liquid application to the liquid application position is complete, the electric cylinder 370 is extended to separate the upper crimping teeth 32a and the upper pressing plate 34 from the paper P. The contact and separation operation of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the upper pressing plate 34 with respect to the paper P described above is repeatedly performed on the paper P that make up the paper stack Pb. In other words, the liquid application operation by the liquid application crimping unit 310 is repeatedly performed.

[0076] Subsequently, once a stack of paper Pb consisting of a specified number of sheets P is placed in the internal tray 22, the electric cylinder 370 is further retracted to move the upper crimping teeth 32a from the liquid application position toward the lower crimping teeth 32b. As shown in Figure 8(C), with the stack of paper Pb sandwiched between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, the upper crimping teeth 32a moves further toward the lower crimping teeth 32b, and the stack of paper Pb is compressed and deformed by the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, thereby crimping and binding the stack of paper Pb. In other words, the crimping and binding operation by the liquid application crimping unit 310 is performed.

[0077] [Configuration of the staple binding processing unit 155] Next, the details of the staple stapling processing unit 155, which has the function of performing staple stapling, will be described. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the staple stapling processing unit 155 as seen from the upstream side in the transport direction. The staple stapling processing unit 155 includes a staple stapling unit 62 that staples the paper bundle Pb using staples. The staple stapling unit 62 is located downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction and spaced apart from the edge stapling processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction.

[0078] The stapler 62, as a post-processing means, is configured to perform a so-called "stapling process" in which the paper stack Pb is stapled using staples. More specifically, the stapler 62 is equipped with a stapler drive motor 62d (see Figure 13) that drives the stapler 62a. The stapler 62a staples the paper stack Pb by using the driving force of the stapler drive motor 62d to penetrate the paper stack Pb with staples loaded in the stapler 62a. The configuration of the stapler 62 is already well known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0079] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the staple stapling unit 155 is equipped with a staple stapling unit moving mechanism 77. The staple stapling unit moving mechanism 77 moves the staple stapling unit 155 in the main scanning direction along the downstream end in the transport direction of the paper P or paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22. The staple stapling unit moving mechanism 77 includes, for example, a base member 78, a guide shaft 49, a staple stapling unit moving motor 80, and a drive force transmission mechanism 81. The drive force transmission mechanism 81 transmits the driving force of the staple stapling unit moving motor 80 to the base member 78 via pulleys 81a, 81b, a timing belt 81c, and a fastening part 78a that fastens the base member 78 and the timing belt 81c. In addition, the staple frame 62b that holds the components of the staple stapling unit 62 has a staple stapling unit rotating shaft 83 equipped with a drive transmission gear 83a fixed to its bottom surface.

[0080] The staple stapling unit's rotating shaft 83 and the drive transmission gear 83a are held on the base member 78 on which the staple stapling frame 62b is provided, so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The drive transmission gear 83a is also meshed with the output gear 82a of the staple stapling unit's rotating motor 82. The staple stapling unit 62 is configured to rotate on the base member 78 in forward and reverse directions about the staple stapling unit's rotating shaft 83, as the driving force of the staple stapling unit's rotating motor 82 is transmitted to the staple stapling unit's rotating shaft 83 via the output gear 82a and the drive transmission gear 83a.

[0081] The end-stitching unit 25 and the staple-stitching unit 155 are supported by a common guide axis 49. That is, the end-stitching unit moving mechanism 57 and the staple-stitching unit moving mechanism 77 move the end-stitching unit 25 and the staple-stitching unit 155 along the common guide axis 49 in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, the end-stitching unit moving mechanism 57 and the staple-stitching unit moving mechanism 77 can move the end-stitching unit 25 and the staple-stitching unit 155 independently.

[0082] [Configuration of a modified example of the staple stapling processing unit 155] Figure 10 shows a modified example of the staple stapling processing unit 155, namely the staple stapling processing unit 155', and is a schematic diagram of the staple stapling processing unit 155' viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction. The staple stapling processing unit 155' differs from the staple stapling processing unit 155 in that it includes not only the staple stapling unit 62 but also the second liquid application unit 612. As shown in Figure 10, the staple stapling processing unit 155' comprises the second liquid application unit 612 and the staple stapling unit 62. The second liquid application unit 612 and the staple stapling unit 62 are arranged adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, downstream from the internal tray 22 in the transport direction.

[0083] The second liquid application unit 612 applies liquid stored in the third liquid storage tank 73 to the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. A predetermined area including the position where the liquid is applied to the paper P or paper stack Pb by the second liquid application unit 612 corresponds to the binding position where the staple binding unit 62 is scheduled to perform staple binding. As shown in Figure 10, the second liquid application unit 612 comprises a second lower pressing plate 63, a second upper pressing plate 64, a second liquid application unit moving mechanism 65, and a second liquid application mechanism 66. The second liquid application unit moving mechanism 65 comprises, for example, a second liquid application unit moving motor 67, a second trapezoidal screw 68, a second nut 69, a second base plate 70, second columnar members 711a, 711b, and second coil springs 721a, 721b.

[0084] The second liquid supply mechanism 66 comprises a third liquid storage tank 73, a second liquid supply member 75, a second liquid supply member 74, and a second holding part 76. The configuration of the second liquid supply mechanism 66 is the same as that of the liquid supply mechanism of the liquid supply unit 31, which includes the first liquid storage tank 44, liquid supply member 50, liquid supply member 501, and holding part 37, as described in Figures 3 and 4, so a further explanation is omitted. Also, the configuration of the staple binding unit 62 is the same as that of the staple binding unit 155 shown in Figure 9, so a detailed explanation is omitted. Furthermore, the configuration of the rotation mechanism of the second liquid application unit 612, which includes the second liquid application unit rotation motor 573, the second output gear 573a, the second drive transmission gear 572a, and the second liquid application unit rotation shaft 572, is the same as the configuration of the rotation mechanism of the liquid application unit 31, which includes the liquid application unit rotation motor 563, the output gear 563a, the drive transmission gear 562a, and the liquid application unit rotation shaft 562, as shown in Figure 3, so a further explanation will be omitted.

[0085] As shown in Figure 10, the staple binding process 155', by applying liquid to the paper P during the staple binding process, the binding area can be loosened and softened, making it easier for the staples to penetrate. This allows for an increase in the number of sheets that can be bound per stack of paper Pb compared to when staple binding is performed without applying liquid.

[0086] [Configuration of the second liquid storage tank 47] Next, the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid storage tank 47 in the post-treatment device 3 will be explained using Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid storage tank 47 as the main tank in the post-treatment device 3. Figure 11(A) shows the state in which the opening / closing cover 71, which constitutes part of the device housing of the post-treatment device 3, is open. Figure 11(B) is a cross-sectional view of the post-treatment device 3 viewed from the side, showing the state in which the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-treatment device 3 is closed. As shown in Figure 11(A), the second liquid storage tank 47 is installed in a position that can be accessed when the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-treatment device 3 is opened. Also, as shown in Figure 11(B), the second liquid storage tank 47 and the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 are located on the front side in the depth direction (X direction) of the post-treatment device 3. The first liquid storage tank 44, etc., are located on the back side in the depth direction (X direction) of the post-treatment device 3. Furthermore, a main body side plate 72 of the post-treatment device 3 is provided between the positions of the second liquid storage tank 47 and the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 and the positions of the first liquid storage tank 44, etc. The second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 is attached to the main body side plate 72 of the post-treatment device 3.

[0087] Figure 12 shows the attachment and detachment configuration of the second liquid storage tank 47 in the post-processing device 3. Figure 12 shows how the second liquid storage tank 47 is detachably attached to the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 and how liquid is replenished in the second liquid storage tank 47. As shown in Figure 12(A), the second liquid storage tank 47 is configured to be detachably attached to the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 so that liquid can be replenished in the first liquid storage tank 44. As shown in Figure 12(B), the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 is provided with a set detection sensor 51 that detects when the second liquid storage tank 47 is set in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61.

[0088] When the set detection sensor 51 detects that the second liquid storage tank 47 is set in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61 (see Figure 12(C)), a signal is sent to the control unit 100b, which will be described later. This allows the control unit 100b, which will be described later, to determine whether or not the second liquid storage tank 47 is set in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61.

[0089] Furthermore, the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 is provided with a second liquid level sensor 94 as a second liquid detection means for detecting the liquid level of the liquid L stored in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 (hereinafter referred to as "liquid L in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61"). The output value of the second liquid level sensor 94 is notified to the control unit 100b, which will be described later. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, then determines whether the liquid level of liquid L in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 is at the required level by determining the output value of the second liquid level sensor 94, that is, whether the amount of liquid stored in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 is the required amount. The control unit 100b, which will be described later, then turns on the second liquid level sensor 94 when it determines from the output signal of the set detection sensor 51 that the second liquid storage tank 47 is in a set state. As a result, the second liquid level sensor 94 becomes capable of detecting the liquid level of the liquid L in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61, that is, whether or not there is liquid L in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61.

[0090] Furthermore, when the second liquid storage tank 47 is not set in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61, the liquid outlet 471a is sealed by the liquid supply valve 471 to prevent liquid L from leaking. Then, as shown in Figure 12(C), when the second liquid storage tank 47 is set in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61, the liquid supply valve 471 is pushed up, and the liquid outlet 471a of the second liquid storage tank 47 is opened. As a result, the liquid L in the second liquid storage tank 47 flows out into the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61. The liquid L that flows out of the second liquid storage tank 47 is stored in the second liquid storage tank fixing part 61.

[0091] Furthermore, a "liquid draining process" may be performed to remove the liquid L from the post-treatment device 3 during maintenance or as a measure to prevent the liquid L from freezing. In the liquid draining process, the liquid L remaining in the first liquid storage tank 44 and the liquid supply path 45 is transported in the reverse direction to the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 via the liquid supply path 45 by the liquid pump 46. For this reason, the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 is set to a capacity that can store the liquid L in the first liquid storage tank 44 and the liquid supply path 45. Also, as shown in Figures 12(B) and 12(C), a liquid drain plug 611 is provided in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61. After the liquid L remaining in the first liquid storage tank 44 and the liquid supply path 45 is transported in the reverse direction to the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 by the liquid pump 46, the liquid drain plug 611 is opened. By opening the liquid drain plug 611, the liquid L accumulated in the second liquid storage tank fixing section 61 can be discharged to the outside of the post-treatment device 3.

[0092] [Configuration of the control block of the post-processing device 3] Next, the control block configuration of the post-processing device 3 will be explained using Figure 13. Figure 13 is a hardware configuration diagram of the control block of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, the post-processing device 3 has a configuration in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, and I / F (Interface) 105 are connected via a common bus 109.

[0093] The CPU 101 is the arithmetic unit and controls the operation of the entire post-processing unit 3. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium that allows high-speed reading and writing of information and is used as a workspace for the CPU 101 when processing information. The ROM 103 is a read-only, non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium that allows reading and writing of information and has a large storage capacity, and stores the OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0094] The post-processing unit 3 processes control programs stored in the ROM 103, information processing programs (application programs) loaded into the RAM 102 from storage media such as the HDD 104, etc., using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software control unit that includes various functional modules of the post-processing unit 3. The combination of this software control unit and the hardware resources installed in the post-processing unit 3 constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing unit 3. In other words, the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, HDD 104, and I / F 105 constitute a control unit 100b that acts as a control means for controlling the operation of the post-processing unit 3.

[0095] I / F105 is an interface that connects the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the contact / separation motor 32d, the crimping section rotation motor 56, the liquid application section movement motor 42, the liquid application section rotation motor 563, the end stapling section movement motor 55, the staple stapling machine drive motor 62d, the staple stapling section rotation motor 82, the staple stapling section movement motor 80, the liquid pump 46, the movement sensor 40a, the first liquid level sensor 43, the second liquid level sensor 94, the set detection sensor 51, the standby position sensor 540, the encoder sensor 541, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109.

[0096] The control unit 100b controls the operation of the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the contact / separation motor 32d, the crimping section rotation motor 56, the liquid application section movement motor 42, the liquid application section rotation motor 563, the end stapling section movement motor 55, the staple stapling machine drive motor 62d, the staple stapling section rotation motor 82, the staple stapling section movement motor 80, and the liquid pump 46 via the I / F 105. The control unit 100b also acquires the detection results of the movement sensor 40a, the first liquid level sensor 43, the second liquid level sensor 94, the set detection sensor 51, the standby position sensor 540, and the encoder sensor 541. Figure 13 shows the components related to the edge-stitching processing unit 25 and the staple-stitching processing unit 155 that perform edge-stitching, but the components related to the saddle-stitching processing unit 28 that performs saddle-stitching are similarly controlled by the control unit 100b.

[0097] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 2 is equipped with an operation panel 110. The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that receives input operations from the user and a display that serves as a notification unit for informing the user of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, etc. The operation panel 110 acquires information from the user through the operation unit and provides information to the user through the display. Note that the specific example of the notification unit is not limited to a display, but may also be an LED lamp or a speaker, etc. Furthermore, the post-processing device 3 may also be equipped with an operation panel 110 similar to the one described above.

[0098] As explained above, the post-processing device 3 uses the hardware resources provided by the control unit 100b to implement a function that controls operations related to liquid application through software executed by the CPU 101, i.e., a control program.

[0099] Furthermore, the liquid application performed by the post-processing device 3 may be configured such that the staple-stapling processing unit 155 is equipped only with a staple-stapling unit 62, and the liquid application is performed using the liquid application unit 31 provided by the end-stapling processing unit 25. Conversely, the end-stapling processing unit 25 may be equipped only with a crimping unit 32, and the liquid application is performed using the second liquid application unit 612. In other words, regardless of the type of stapling process, the device may be configured to perform liquid application using only either the liquid application unit 31 or the second liquid application unit 612.

[0100] Furthermore, although the staple binding section 155' has been described as a configuration in which the staple binding section 62 and the second liquid application section 612 move along the guide shaft 49 as an integrated unit, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the staple binding section 62 and the second liquid application section 612 may move separately and independently.

[0101] [Explanation of binding process] Next, the flow of the binding process performed in the edge binding processing unit 25 of the post-processing device 3 will be described. Figure 14 is a flowchart of the one-point binding process performed by the edge binding processing unit 25. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the positional transitions of the edge binding processing unit 25, including the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, during the execution of the one-point binding process. Note that in Figure 15, the changes in the orientation of the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are not shown. The position where the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to the paper P or paper stack Pb (hereinafter referred to as the "liquid application position") corresponds to the binding position where the crimping unit 32 is scheduled to perform crimp binding on the paper stack Pb. Therefore, the liquid application position and the binding position will be described below using the same reference numerals (B1, B2).

[0102] The control unit 100b starts the binding process shown in Figure 14 when it receives, for example, an instruction to execute the binding process (hereinafter referred to as "binding process instruction") from the image forming apparatus 2.

[0103] The binding instructions include information such as the type of paper P, the number of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb, the number of paper bundles Pb to be bound, the binding position of the paper bundle Pb, and the binding orientation of the edge binding processing unit 25. Information regarding the type of paper P includes information that affects the spread of the liquid, such as the material and thickness. In the following description, the number of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb will be referred to as "predetermined number N". The number of paper bundles Pb to be bound will be referred to as "required number M". Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15(A), the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are assumed to be in a parallel binding orientation and located at a standby position HP, which is away from the paper P placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction, at the start of the binding process.

[0104] First, if the binding position instructed by the binding process instruction is the "diagonal binding position," the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit rotation motor 563 and the crimping unit rotation motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 included in the edge binding processing unit 25 into the diagonal binding position (S1101). In addition, if the "diagonal binding position" is specified, only the crimping unit 32 may be rotated into the diagonal binding position, and the liquid application unit 31 may not be rotated in the forward or reverse direction. This simplifies the drive mechanism compared to the case where both the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are rotated in the forward and reverse directions, resulting in cost reduction, miniaturization of the device, and reduction of equipment failure.

[0105] On the other hand, if the orientation specified in the binding instruction is the "parallel binding orientation," the control unit 100b omits the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 included in the edge binding processing unit 25 to the diagonal binding orientation. The control unit 100b also drives the edge binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction using the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 specified in the binding instruction (S1101). The control unit 100b performs the process of step S1101 before the first sheet of paper P is transported to the internal tray 22 by the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15.

[0106] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 to place the paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2 into the internal tray 22 (S1102). The control unit 100b also performs a so-called jogging process by moving the side fences 24L and 24R, which serve as alignment means, back and forth in the main scanning direction to align the positions of the paper P or paper stack Pb placed in the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction (S1102).

[0107] Next, the control unit 100b, based on the liquid application control data adjusted in advance, causes the liquid application unit 31 facing the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22 in the previous step S1102 to perform liquid application (S1103). That is, the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit moving motor 42 to bring the liquid application member 501 into contact with the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22 (see Figure 15(B)). In the liquid application process in step S1703, the control unit 100b adjusts the position at which the liquid application member 501 applies liquid to the paper P according to the type of paper P included in the binding process instruction and the binding position. The control unit 100b also adjusts the amount by which the liquid application member 501 is pressed against the paper P. In other words, the control unit 100b controls the drive of the liquid application unit moving motor 42 based on the adjusted control data to adjust the amount of movement of the liquid application member 501 relative to the binding position B1 of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22.

[0108] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 has reached a predetermined number N instructed in the binding process instruction (S1104). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number N (S1104: No), it repeatedly executes the processes in steps S1102 to S1104 until the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 reaches the predetermined number N (S1104: Yes).

[0109] In other words, the control unit 100b executes the processes in steps S1102 to S1104 each time a sheet of paper P is transported to the internal tray 22 by the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15. Note that the liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 may be performed not only on all of the sheets of paper P that make up the paper bundle Pb, but also on only some of the sheets of paper P.

[0110] Then, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 has reached a predetermined number N (S1104: Yes), as shown in Figure 15(C), it drives the edge binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction using the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the crimping unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 (S1105).

[0111] Next, the control unit 100b causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimping on the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22 (S1106). Then, the control unit 100b causes the transport roller pair 15 to discharge the stack of paper Pb crimped by the crimping unit 32 to the second discharge tray 26 (S1107). That is, the control unit 100b drives the contact / separation motor 32d to grip the first binding position B1 of the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22 between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b. In other words, the control unit 100b drives the contact / separation motor 32d to grip the first binding position B1 of the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22 between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b. This causes the stack of paper Pb to be compressed and deformed between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, thereby performing crimping. Subsequently, the control unit 100b rotates the transport roller pair 15 to discharge the crimped paper bundle Pb into the second discharge tray 26.

[0112] Furthermore, on the stack of paper Pb placed in the internal tray 22, the crimping area gripped by the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b in step S1106, i.e., the first binding position B1, overlaps with the liquid application area that the tip of the liquid application member 501 contacts in step S1103, i.e., the first liquid application position B1. In other words, the crimping section 32 crimps and binds the area on the stack of paper Pb placed in the internal tray 22 to which the liquid has been applied by the liquid application section 31. It should be noted that the crimping area gripped by the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b does not need to completely overlap the liquid application area that the tip of the liquid application member 501 contacts; sufficient binding strength can be obtained even if there is a partial overlap.

[0113] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of paper bundles Pb discharged into the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number M indicated in the binding instruction (S1108). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of paper bundles Pb discharged has not reached the required number M (S1108: No), it repeats the process from step S1101 onwards. That is, the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the process from steps S1101 to S1108 until the number of paper bundles Pb discharged into the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number M (S1108: Yes).

[0114] On the other hand, if the control unit 100b determines that the number of paper bundles Pb discharged into the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number M (S1108: Yes), it drives the edge stapling processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge stapling processing unit 25, including the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, to the standby position HP as shown in Figure 15(D) (S1109). Also, if the orientation instructed in the stapling processing instruction is the "diagonal stapling orientation", the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit rotating motor 563 and the crimping unit rotating motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 to the parallel stapling orientation (S1109). On the other hand, if the orientation instructed in the stapling processing instruction is the "parallel stapling orientation", the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 to the parallel stapling orientation is omitted. As a result, the end-stitching processing unit 25, including the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, returns to the standby position HP as shown in Figure 15(D). Note that in steps S1101 and S1109, the execution order of the operation to move the end-stitching processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the end-stitching processing unit moving mechanism 57 and the operation to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 in forward and reverse directions by the liquid application unit rotation motor 563 and the crimping unit rotation motor 56 is not limited to the order described above, and may be in the reverse order.

[0115] Figure 16 shows the positional transitions of the edge binding unit 25 during the execution of the two-location binding process. Detailed explanations of the similarities with the process described with reference to Figure 15 will be omitted, and the differences will be explained in detail. As shown in Figure 16(A), at the start of the two-location binding process, the edge binding unit 25 is assumed to be in the standby position HP. Also, the first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2 are separated positions in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, Figure 16 explains the case where two sheets of paper P1 and P2 are pressure-bound, that is, when N=2. Note that when the two-location binding process is executed, it does not mean that the number of sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb is limited to two; two-location binding can be performed on the same number of paper bundles Pb as the number of sheets that can be bound in the one-location binding process.

[0116] Before the first sheet of paper P1 constituting the paper stack Pb is transported to the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b moves the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction using the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the liquid application unit 31 can face the first liquid application position B1 (see Figure 16(B)). Then, as shown in Figure 16(B), with the liquid application unit 31 positioned to face the first liquid application position B1, the control unit 100b places the paper P1, on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2, onto the internal tray 22 and performs jogging processing by moving the side fences 24L and 24R back and forth in the main scanning direction. Subsequently, in response to the paper P1 being placed on the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P1.

[0117] Next, as shown in Figure 16(C), the control unit 100b moves the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction using the edge binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the second liquid application position B2 of the first sheet of paper P1. After that, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid application position B2 of the first sheet of paper P1.

[0118] Next, in response to the application of liquid to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 of the first sheet of paper P1, the control unit 100b places the second sheet of paper P2, which constitutes the paper stack Pb, on the internal tray 22 with the liquid application unit 31 positioned so as to face the second liquid application position B2, as shown in Figure 16(D), and performs jogging processing with the side fences 24L and 24R. Then, in response to the second sheet of paper P2 being placed on the internal tray 22, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid application position B2 of the said sheet of paper P2.

[0119] Next, as shown in FIG. 16(E), the control unit 100b moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 of the second sheet P2. Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to perform liquid application to the first liquid application position B1 of the second sheet P2.

[0120] That is, the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the conveyance of the sheet P by the conveyance roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 and the liquid application to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 by the liquid application unit 3 until the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 reaches a predetermined number N. At this time, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to perform liquid application to the B-th (B < N) sheet P in the order of the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2. Further, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to perform liquid application to the (B + 1)-th sheet P in the order of the second liquid application position B2 and the first liquid application position B1. In other words, the control unit 100b changes the order in which the liquid application unit 31 performs liquid application to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 for each sheet P. Furthermore, the control unit 100b moves the binding processing unit 25 from one of the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 to the other by the shortest distance without passing through the standby position HP.

[0121] Next, when the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N, as shown in FIG. 16(F), the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the crimping unit 32 faces the first binding position B1. Next, the control unit 100b causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimping binding to the first binding position B1 of the sheet bundle Pb composed of the two sheets P1 and P2 placed on the internal tray 22. Next, as shown in FIG. 16(G), the control unit 100b moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the crimping unit 32 faces the second binding position B2 of the sheet bundle Pb. Next, the control unit 100b causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimping binding to the second binding position B2 of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0122] In the example shown in Figure 16, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid application position B1 last, so it causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimping and binding in the order of the first binding position B1 and then the second binding position B2. On the other hand, if the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid application position B2 last, it should perform crimping and binding in the order of the second binding position B2 and then the first binding position B1.

[0123] In other words, as shown in Figure 16, the end-stitching processing unit moving mechanism 57 can move the end-stitching processing unit 25 over the shortest distance between the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 and the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the second liquid application position B2, without passing through the standby position HP. Furthermore, the end-stitching processing unit moving mechanism 57 can move the end-stitching processing unit 25 over the shortest distance between the position where the crimping unit 32 faces the first stitching position B1 and the position where the crimping unit 32 faces the second stitching position B2, without passing through the standby position HP. Moreover, the end-stitching processing unit moving mechanism 57 can move the end-stitching processing unit 25 over the shortest distance between the position where the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 (or the second liquid application position B2) and the position where the crimping unit 32 faces the first stitching position B1 (or the second stitching position B2), without passing through the standby position HP. This can improve the productivity of crimp binding.

[0124] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the transport roller pair 15 to discharge the stack of paper Pb, which has been crimped and bound at the first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2 by the crimping unit 32, into the second discharge tray 26. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16(H), the control unit 100b drives the edge binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the binding processing unit 25, which includes the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, to the standby position HP.

[0125] In the above-described embodiment, an example of crimp-binding one or two locations of the paper bundle Pb has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable when crimp-binding three or more locations of the paper bundle Pb spaced apart in the main scanning direction. In this case, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to perform liquid application and causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimp-binding with respect to three or more liquid application positions (corresponding to the crimp-binding positions). Even when crimp-binding three or more locations, the productivity of crimp-binding can be improved by applying the present invention.

[0126] However, it is not necessary to perform liquid application at all liquid application positions (corresponding to the crimp-binding positions) for all the papers P constituting the paper bundle Pb. For example, when crimp-binding at three crimp-binding positions spaced apart in the main scanning direction, the control unit 100b performs liquid application at three liquid application positions (corresponding to the crimp-binding positions) of the E-th (E < N - 2) paper P1, and performs liquid application at two liquid application positions (corresponding to the crimp-binding positions) of the (E + 1)-th paper P2, and may perform liquid application at one liquid application position (corresponding to the crimp-binding position) of the (E + 2)-th paper P2.

[0127] [Example of Paper Separation Mechanism] Next, the paper separation mechanism 320 provided in the crimping unit 32 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the crimping unit 32 includes an upper crimping tooth 3 twenty a and a lower crimping tooth 32b as crimping teeth on a crimping frame 32c, and is configured such that the upper crimping tooth 32a moves toward the lower crimping tooth 32b by driving of a contact / separation motor 32d (see FIG. 13). By this moving operation, the paper bundle Pb placed between the upper crimping tooth 32a and the lower crimping tooth 32b is pressurized, and crimp-binding with respect to a predetermined position, that is, the binding position, is performed.

[0128] In pressure binding, some of the paper sheets P that make up the paper stack Pb may stick to the upper and lower pressure teeth 32a and 32b. Paper sheets P that stick to the upper pressure teeth 32a are easily detached by the upward movement of the upper pressure teeth 32a. However, since the lower pressure teeth 32b do not move relative to the paper stack Pb during the pressure binding operation, paper sheets P that stick to the lower pressure teeth 32b may be difficult to detach by the pressure binding operation alone. If a portion of the paper stack Pb is stuck to the lower pressure teeth 32b and the paper stack Pb is ejected, it can cause the paper sheets P to get caught on the lower pressure teeth 32b and tear, or disrupt the alignment of the paper stack Pb.

[0129] Therefore, the crimping section 32 integrally includes a paper peeling mechanism 320 that can peel off any paper P that has adhered to the lower crimping teeth 32b from the paper stack Pb during the crimping binding operation. The paper peeling mechanism 320 can separate the paper P from the lower crimping teeth 32b even if the paper P adheres to the lower crimping teeth 32b during the crimping binding operation, as the upper crimping teeth 32a are raised. The paper peeling mechanism 320 ensures that even when the paper P adheres to the lower crimping teeth 32b of the crimping section 32, the paper P can be reliably peeled off the lower crimping teeth 32b of the crimping section 32 before the paper stack Pb is ejected. In other words, with the crimping section 32 according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb from sticking to the lower crimping teeth 32b, which is likely to occur when crimping binding with liquid application is performed, thereby suppressing poor alignment of the paper P and damage to the paper P, and improving the binding quality of the paper bundle Pb by the crimping binding process. Furthermore, as will be described later, even when the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb sticks to the paper peeling mechanism 320, it is possible to peel it off. In particular, when liquid is applied to the paper P, the paper P is more likely to stick to the lower crimping teeth 32b constituting the crimping section 32, but even in that case, the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb can be reliably peeled off from the lower crimping teeth 32b constituting the crimping section 32.

[0130] As shown in Figure 17, the paper peeling mechanism 320 according to this embodiment includes at least a peeling member 321, a peeling cam 322, and an elastic member 323.

[0131] The peeling member 321 is rotatably held relative to the crimping frame 32c at the peeling member joints 3211a and 3211b. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the peeling member 321. As shown in Figure 18, the peeling member 321 is configured to be U-shaped by connecting the ends of two peeling support parts 3213a and 3213b, which are provided with the peeling member joints 3211a and 3211b, with a peeling beam part 3214. The peeling member 321 also has a peeling beam part 3214 that acts as a contact part that comes into contact with a part of the paper stack Pb when pressure is applied to the paper stack Pb by the crimping part 32. The peeling beam part 3214 also has a peeling hole part 3215 in the part that overlaps with the lower crimping teeth 32b.

[0132] The peeling hole 3215 is formed such that the lower crimping teeth 32b protrude beyond the thickness of the peeling beam 3214. That is, when the upper crimping teeth 32a descend and clamp the paper stack Pb between them and the lower crimping teeth 32b, the lower crimping teeth 32b is configured to fit with the upper crimping teeth 32a. At least one of the peeling support parts 3213a and 3213b is provided with a peeling projection 3212 in the vicinity of the peeling member joint 3211a and / or peeling member joint 3211b, at a position corresponding to the outer circumference of the peeling support part 3213a and / or peeling support part 3213b.

[0133] As shown in Figure 17, the peeling cam 322 is positioned opposite the peeling projection 3212 provided on the peeling support portion 3213a. The peeling cam 322 also supplies a driving force to rotate the peeling member 321, with the peeling member joint portion 3211a as the fulcrum and the peeling beam portion 3214 as the point of application. The peeling cam 322 has a cam projection 3221 on the side facing the peeling support portion 3213a. As will be described later, as the peeling cam 322 rotates, the cam projection 3221 rotates while contacting the peeling projection 3212 provided on the peeling support portion 3213a. As a result, the driving force of the peeling cam 322 is transmitted to the peeling support portion 3213a and the peeling support portion 3213b via the cam projection 3221 and the peeling projection 3212. As a result, the peeling support portion 3213a and peeling support portion 3213b of the peeling member 321 are configured to rotate around the peeling member joint portion 3211a and peeling member joint portion 3211b as pivot points.

[0134] The elastic member 323 applies a biasing force (see arrow C in Figure 20) to the peeling member 321 that biases the peeling beam portion 3214 toward the lower crimping teeth 32b, so that the lower crimping teeth 32b protrude from the peeling hole portion 3215.

[0135] Figures 19 and 20 illustrate the operation of the peeling member 321 when the crimping binding operation is performed. First, the peeling member 321 is biased in the direction of arrow C by the elastic member 323. Also, when the contact / separation motor 32d is driven to move the upper crimping teeth 32a, the peeling cam 322 is configured to rotate in the direction of the arc arrow D. The contact / separation motor 32d is driven so that the upper crimping teeth 32a move toward the lower crimping teeth 32b in order for the upper crimping teeth 32a to clamp and pressurize the paper stack Pb between them. After the paper stack Pb has been pressurized by the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, the peeling cam 322 rotates in the direction of the arc arrow D due to the drive of the contact / separation motor 32d to raise the upper crimping teeth 32a. When the peeling cam 322 rotates in the direction of the arc arrow D, the cam projection 3221 on the peeling cam 322 contacts and presses against the peeling projection 3212 on the peeling support part 3213a. At this time, the peeling projection 3212 on the peeling support part 3213a is pushed in the direction of the arc arrow D.

[0136] As shown in Figure 20, when the contact / disengagement motor 32d is driven to raise the upper crimping teeth 32a, the cam projection 3221 provided on the peeling cam 322 pushes the peeling projection 3212 provided on the peeling support portion 3213a in the direction of the arc arrow D. As a result, the peeling support portion 3213a rotates in the opposite direction to the arc arrow D, that is, in the direction of the arc arrow D', with the peeling member joint portion 3211a as the pivot point. In other words, the driving force of the peeling cam 322 transmitted from the cam projection 3221 to the peeling projection 3212 causes the peeling support portions 3213a and 3213b to rotate in the direction of the arc arrow D' around the peeling member joint portions 3211a and 3211b. As a result, the peeling beam 3214, which spans the ends of the peeling support sections 3213a and 3213b, is bounced up in the direction of arrow E, resisting the biasing force in the direction of arrow C by the elastic member 323.

[0137] In other words, during the operation to raise the upper crimping teeth 32a, the peeling member 321 is configured to rotate in the direction of arrow E, which is the direction against the biasing force of the elastic member 323 (direction of arrow C in Figure 20), using the peeling member joints 3211a and 3211b as pivot points. This rotation causes the peeling beam portion 3214 to move away from the lower crimping teeth 32b. As a result, even if the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb adheres to the lower crimping teeth 32b, the paper P is peeled away from the lower crimping teeth 32b by the peeling beam portion 3214.

[0138] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the state of the paper peeling mechanism 320 in Figure 20. As shown in Figure 21, the peeling member 321 rotates in a direction against the biasing force of the elastic member 323, with the peeling member joints 3211a and 3211b as fulcrums, causing the peeling beam 3214 to move away from the lower crimping teeth 32b. As a result, even if the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb is stuck to the lower crimping teeth 32b, the paper P is peeled away from the lower crimping teeth 32b by the peeling beam 3214.

[0139] Figure 22 illustrates the positional relationship between the peeling member 321 and the lower crimping teeth 32b that constitute the paper peeling mechanism 320. Figure 22 is a plan view of the peeling beam portion 3214 of the peeling member 321 when viewed from the direction of arrow A in Figure 18. As shown in Figure 22, the peeling hole portion 315 provided in the peeling beam portion 3214 of the peeling member 321 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer circumference of the lower crimping teeth 32b. As a result, even when the peeling elastic member 323 biases the peeling beam portion 3214 of the peeling member 321 toward the lower crimping teeth 32b, the teeth of the lower crimping teeth 32b protrude from the peeling member 321 toward the upper crimping teeth 32a (see Figure 17), so that the lower crimping teeth 32b can grip the paper bundle Pb between itself and the upper crimping teeth 32a.

[0140] [Example of the binding process flow according to the present invention] Next, the flow of the crimping and binding process by the crimping unit 32, which includes the paper peeling mechanism 320, will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 23. The flowchart in Figure 23 includes processes that are common to the binding process flowchart already explained using Figure 14. Below, the explanation of the processing steps already described will be simplified, and the processing steps specific to the binding process performed using the crimping unit 32 according to this embodiment will be explained in detail.

[0141] As already explained, in accordance with the orientation instructed by the binding process instruction, the control unit 100b sets the crimping unit 32 and the liquid application unit 31 to a predetermined binding orientation, and moves the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 instructed by the binding process instruction (S2001).

[0142] Next, the control unit 100b rotates the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 to house the paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2 into the internal tray 22, and performs a jogging process to move the side fences 24L and 24R back and forth in the main scanning direction (S2002).

[0143] Next, the control unit 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22 in step S2002 (S2003).

[0144] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N specified in the binding process instruction (S2004). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number N (S2004: No), it repeatedly executes the processes in steps S2002 to S2004 until the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 reaches the predetermined number N (S2004: Yes).

[0145] When the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 has reached a predetermined number N (S2004: Yes), it moves the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the crimping unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 (S2005).

[0146] Next, the control unit 100b causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimping on the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22 (S2006). In step S2006, after the stack of paper Pb is gripped by the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, the upper crimping teeth 32a is moved away from the lower crimping teeth 32b in the direction of arrow F, as shown in Figure 20, thereby flipping up the peeling member 321 and performing a "first peeling operation" to peel the paper P constituting the stack of paper Pb from the lower crimping teeth 32b (S2007).

[0147] Next, the control unit 100b drives the edge binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge binding processing unit 25, including the crimping unit 32, in the main scanning direction (arrow G in Figure 24(B)) in order to peel off the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb that is attached to the peeling beam portion 3214 of the peeling member 321, as shown in Figures 24(A) and (B), and executes a "second peeling operation" (S2008). Alternatively, in step S2008, the control unit 100b may execute the "second peeling operation" by moving the side fences 24L and 24R in the direction of arrow H in Figure 25(B), as shown in Figures 25(A) and (B), thereby moving the paper bundle Pb, which is placed on the internal tray 22, in the main scanning direction relative to the peeling beam portion 3214 of the peeling member 321 (Figure 25).

[0148] Then, the control unit 100b causes the transport roller pair 15 to discharge the stack of paper Pb, which has been crimped and bound by the crimping unit 32, into the second discharge tray 26 (S2009).

[0149] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of paper bundles Pb discharged into the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number M indicated in the binding instruction (S2010). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of paper bundles Pb discharged has not reached the required number M (S2010: No), it repeats the process from step S2001 onwards. That is, the control unit 100b repeatedly executes the process from steps SS2001 to S2010 until the number of paper bundles Pb discharged into the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number M (S2010: Yes).

[0150] On the other hand, if the control unit 100b determines that the number of paper bundles Pb discharged into the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number M (S2010: Yes), it drives the edge stapling processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge stapling processing unit 25, including the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, to the standby position HP and return it to its original position (S2011).

[0151] Figure 24 shows a first example of the "second peeling operation" in which the relative positional relationship between the paper P and the edge binding processing unit 25 is shifted in the main scanning direction in step S2008. First, Figure 24(A) shows the relative positional relationship between the edge binding processing unit 25 and the paper stack Pb when the crimping processing is performed by the crimping unit 32. Figure 24(B) shows the operation of releasing the adhesion between the peeling beam portion 3214 of the peeling member 321 included in the crimping unit 32 and the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb by driving the edge binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction (direction of arrow G in Figure 24(B)). Note that the direction of movement of the edge binding processing unit 25 does not need to be in the main scanning direction, and it is sufficient if it moves along the edge of the paper stack Pb.

[0152] Figure 25 shows a second example of the "second peeling operation" in step S2008, which involves shifting the relative positional relationship between the paper P and the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction. First, Figure 25(A) shows the relative positional relationship between the edge binding processing unit 25 and the paper stack Pb when the pressure binding process by the pressure binding unit 32 is performed. Figure 25(B) shows the operation in which the pressure binding unit 32 included in the edge binding processing unit 25 and the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb are released by moving the paper stack Pb in the main scanning direction (direction of arrow H in Figure 25(B)) through the operation of the side fences 24L and 24R.

[0153] As shown in Figure 25, with the widthwise ends of the paper stack Pb held by the side fences 24L and 24R, the relative positional relationship between the crimping section 32 included in the edge binding section 25 and the paper stack Pb is shifted. The direction of this shift is the main scanning direction. This allows the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb to be peeled off from the lower crimping teeth 32b included in the crimping section 32, thereby releasing the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb from sticking to the paper peeling mechanism 320.

[0154] Figure 26 shows a modified example 1 of the peeling member 321, which is another configuration example. Figure 26 shows the peeling member 321b according to modified example 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow A in Figure 18. As shown in Figure 26, the peeling member 321a has a slit 3216 in a part of the peeling beam portion 3214a which is the contact portion. The slit 3216 is formed, for example, at both ends in the main scanning direction on the surface where the peeling beam portion 3214a contacts the paper P that constitutes the paper stack Pb. The peeling beam portion 3214a also has a peeling hole portion 3215a in the part that overlaps with the lower crimping teeth 32b.

[0155] The slit 3216 reduces the area in which the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb adheres to the peeling beam portion 3214a of the peeling member 321a, i.e., the contact area. As a result, when the relative positional relationship between the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb and the crimping portion 32 included in the edge binding processing unit 25 is shifted in the main scanning direction during the "second peeling operation" of step S2008, the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb that is adhered to the peeling beam portion 3214a of the peeling member 321a becomes easier to peel off from the peeling beam portion 3214a.

[0156] Figure 27 shows a modified example 2 of the peeling member 321, which is yet another configuration example. Figure 27 shows the peeling member 321b according to modified example 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow B in Figure 18. As shown in Figure 27, the peeling member 321b has a peeling beam portion 3214b as a contact portion. The peeling beam portion 3214b has curved portions 3214b1 and 3214b2, where the surface that contacts the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb is not flat overall in the main scanning direction, but is slightly curved near both ends in the main scanning direction. In addition, the peeling beam portion 3214b has a peeling hole portion 3215b in the portion that overlaps with the lower crimping teeth 32b.

[0157] These curved portions 3214b1 and 3214b2 reduce the area in which the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb adheres to the peeling member 321a, i.e., the contact area. As a result, when the relative positional relationship between the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb and the crimping portion 32 included in the edge binding processing unit 25 is shifted in the main scanning direction during the "second peeling operation" of step S2008, the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb that is adhered to the peeling beam portion 3214b of the peeling member 321b becomes easier to peel off.

[0158] [Other embodiments of the binding process flow according to the present invention] Next, another embodiment of the crimping and binding process using the crimping section 32, which includes the paper peeling mechanism 320, will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 28. Since the processes in steps S2001 to S2006 and S2009 to S2011 explained in Figure 23 are the same as the processes in steps S2501 to S2506 and S2508 to S2510 shown in Figure 28, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0159] The flowchart shown in Figure 28 executes the combined process of steps S2007 and S2008 of the flowchart in Figure 23 as step S2507 in Figure 28. In other words, the "first peeling operation" and the "second peeling operation" are performed simultaneously during the crimping and binding operation. More specifically, the "first peeling operation" is performed in conjunction with the release operation of the crimping and binding operation, that is, the operation of separating the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, by flicking up the peeling member 321 to peel the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb from the lower crimping teeth 32b. The "second peeling operation" is performed simultaneously (S2507) by shifting the positions of the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb and the edge binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction in order to peel the paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb that is stuck to the peeling member 321 from the peeling member 321.

[0160] During the "first peeling operation," a force is applied that moves the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb vertically (force in the direction of arrow E in Figure 20). During the "second peeling operation," a force is applied that moves the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb horizontally (force in the direction of arrow G in Figure 24(B), or force in the direction of arrow F in Figure 25(B)). Therefore, by performing the "first peeling operation" and the "second peeling operation" at the same time, forces that move the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb vertically, horizontally, and to the paper P can be applied simultaneously. As a result, the time required to peel the paper P constituting the paper stack Pb that is stuck to the lower pressure teeth 32b and the peeling member 321 can be shortened, and the efficiency of the peeling operation can be improved. Furthermore, the efficiency of the peeling operation can also be improved, thereby increasing the productivity of the binding process.

[0161] Furthermore, in the above description, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 was described as being provided separately from the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2, as shown in Figure 1, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 38(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Moreover, as shown in Figure 38(B), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0162] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 39(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3 may be divided into, for example, a control unit 100b1 that controls the drive system such as a motor, and a control unit 100b2 that controls the detection system such as a sensor, i.e., divided by function. Alternatively, of the divided control units 100b1 and 100b2, for example, only the control unit 100b2 of one of the post-processing devices 3A may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Moreover, as shown in Figure 39(B), the control unit 100b2 of the post-processing device 3 provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0163] [Second embodiment of the post-processing device 3] Next, the post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 29 to 37. Note that components common to the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0164] Unlike the edge stapling processing unit 25 of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment, which has both a liquid application unit 31 and a crimping unit 32, the edge stapling processing unit 251 of the post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment has only a crimping unit 32', and the liquid application unit 131 is located on the upstream side of the transport path. As a result, a predetermined number of sheets of paper P can be pre-stacked after the liquid application process and transported to the crimping unit 32' of the edge stapling processing unit 251 located on the downstream side, thereby improving the productivity of the stapling process in the crimping unit 32'.

[0165] Furthermore, the direction in which the transport roller pairs 10, 11, and 14 transport the paper P is the opposite direction to the "transport direction" defined above, and is therefore defined as the "reverse transport direction." Also, the direction perpendicular to the reverse transport direction and the thickness direction of the paper P, that is, the width direction of the paper P, is defined as the "main scanning direction." In addition, the liquid application position where the liquid application unit 131 applies liquid to the paper P or paper bundle Pb corresponds to the binding position where the crimping unit 32' is scheduled to perform crimp binding on the paper bundle Pb. Therefore, in the following explanation, the liquid application position and the binding position will be denoted by the same reference numeral (B1).

[0166] Figure 29 shows the internal structure of the post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment. The edge stapling processing unit 251 is equipped only with a crimping unit 32', as shown in Figure 30. As shown in Figure 30, the crimping unit 32' and the staple stapling processing unit 156 are located downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. Furthermore, the crimping unit 32' and the staple stapling processing unit 156 are configured to be movable in the main scanning direction at a position where they can face the downstream end of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the transport direction.

[0167] Furthermore, the crimping unit 32' and the staple stapling unit 156 are configured to rotate in both forward and reverse directions around the crimping unit rotation axis 340 and the staple stapling unit rotation axis 84, which extend in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22. In other words, the crimping unit 32' and the staple stapling unit 156 can staple at any position in the main scanning direction of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22, at any angle, such as corner diagonal stapling, parallel single-point stapling, and parallel double-point stapling.

[0168] Furthermore, the crimping section 32' binds the paper bundle Pb by applying pressure and deforming it with its uneven upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b (hereinafter referred to as "crimp binding"). On the other hand, the staple binding section 156 can staple the paper bundle Pb by passing staples through the binding positions of the paper bundle Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0169] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram of the internal tray 22 viewed from the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb. Figure 31 is a schematic diagram of the crimping unit 32' viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction. As shown in Figure 30, the crimping unit 32' and the staple binding unit 156 are located downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. The crimping unit 32' is configured to move along the surface of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The crimping unit 32' is configured to rotate in forward and reverse directions around a crimping unit rotation axis 340 that extends in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0170] Similarly, the staple binding unit 156 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction of the paper stack Pb. The staple binding unit 156 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a staple binding unit rotation axis 84 that extends in the thickness direction of the paper stack Pb. The other configurations of the staple binding unit 156 are the same as those of the staple binding unit 155 (see Figure 9) of the post-processing device 3 according to the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0171] As shown in Figure 31, the crimping section 32' has a guide rail 337 extending in the main scanning direction downstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. The crimping section 32' is equipped with a crimping section moving motor 238, which is the drive source. The base member 48 that supports the crimping frame 32c has a fastening portion 48b at its bottom that connects to a timing belt 240c. As a result, the driving force of the crimping section moving motor 238 is transmitted to the base member 48 by a drive transmission mechanism 240 comprising pulleys 240a and 240b, a timing belt 240c, and the fastening portion 48b, causing the crimping section 32' to move along the surface of the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22 on the guide rail 337 in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, the crimping frame 32c that holds the components of the crimping section 32' has a crimping section rotating shaft 340, equipped with a drive transmission gear 340a, fixed to its bottom surface.

[0172] Furthermore, the crimping section rotation shaft 340 and the drive transmission gear 340a are held rotatably in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 on which the crimping frame 32c is provided. The drive transmission gear 340a meshes with the output gear 239a of the crimping section rotation motor 239. The crimping section 32' rotates in forward and reverse directions on the base member 48 around the crimping section rotation shaft 340, which extends in the thickness direction of the paper P placed on the internal tray 22, as the driving force of the crimping section rotation motor 239 is transmitted to the crimping section rotation shaft 340 via the output gear 239a and the drive transmission gear 340a. The guide rail 337, crimping section moving motor 238, crimping section rotation motor 239, crimping section rotation shaft 340, and drive transmission mechanism 240 constitute an example of the drive mechanism for the crimping section 32'.

[0173] The crimping section 32' is configured to be movable between a standby position HP2 shown in Figure 30(A) and a position facing the first binding position B1 shown in Figures 30(B) and 30(C). The standby position HP2 is a position away from the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22, on one side in the main scanning direction. The first binding position B1 is a position on the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22. However, the specific position of the first binding position B1 is not limited to the example in Figure 30, and may be any position in the main scanning direction at the downstream end of the paper P in the transport direction, and may be multiple positions.

[0174] Furthermore, the crimping section 32' can change its orientation between the parallel binding orientation shown in Figure 30(B) and the oblique binding orientation shown in Figure 30(C). In other words, the crimping section 32' is configured to rotate in both forward and reverse directions around the crimping section rotation axis 340. Here, the parallel binding orientation is the orientation of the crimping section 32' in which the longitudinal directions of the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b face the main scanning direction. In other words, it is the orientation of the crimping section 32' in which the longitudinal direction of the "rectangular crimped binding mark" faces the main scanning direction. The oblique binding orientation is the orientation of the crimping section 32' in which the longitudinal directions of the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b are inclined with respect to the main scanning direction. In other words, it is the orientation of the crimping section 32' in which the longitudinal direction of the "rectangular crimped binding mark" is inclined with respect to the main scanning direction.

[0175] Note that the rotation angle in the oblique binding position, i.e., the angle of the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b with respect to the main scanning direction, is not limited to the example in Figure 30(C). The rotation angle in the oblique binding position can be any angle as long as the upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b face the stack of paper Pb placed on the internal tray 22.

[0176] The post-processing device 3A comprises a liquid application unit 131 and a punch hole punching means 132 as a processing unit. The liquid application unit 131 and the punch hole punching means 132 are located upstream of the internal tray 22 in the reverse transport direction. Furthermore, the liquid application unit 131 and the punch hole punching means 132 are positioned offset in the reverse transport direction so that they can simultaneously face a single sheet of paper P being transported by the transport roller pair 10-19.

[0177] In this embodiment, the liquid application unit 131 and the punch hole punching means 132 are arranged between the transport roller pair 10 and the transport roller pair 11. However, the arrangement of the liquid application unit 131 is not limited to the example in Figure 29. For example, if an inserter 6 is arranged between the image forming apparatus 2 and the post-processing device 3A as shown in Figure 37, the liquid application unit 131 can also be provided in the inserter 6 located upstream of the post-processing device 3A. An example of an inserter 6 is a device that can feed preprint media, which are transported to the post-processing device 3A together with the paper P transported from the image forming apparatus 2, as a cover, insert paper, or divider paper, without passing through the image forming apparatus 2.

[0178] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 32(A), the transport roller pair 11 is positioned so as not to overlap in the main scanning direction with the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application head 146 of the liquid application unit 131. This is to prevent the amount of liquid at the first liquid application position B1 from decreasing due to multiple roller pairs pressing on the first liquid application position B1 when the transport roller pair 11 transports the paper P. As a result, when the paper P reaches the crimping unit 32' located downstream of the liquid application unit 131 in the reverse transport direction, the amount of liquid at the first liquid application position B1 is sufficient to maintain the binding strength, thus preventing a decrease in the binding strength of the paper bundle Pb due to a decrease in the amount of liquid at the first liquid application position B1 (corresponding to the first binding position B1) during the transport process.

[0179] Furthermore, by arranging the multiple roller pairs constituting the transport roller pair 11 in positions that do not overlap with the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P in the main scanning direction, it is possible to prevent liquid from adhering to the multiple roller pairs, which would worsen the transportability of the paper P, and to prevent transport jams caused by this deterioration in transportability.

[0180] Although only the transport roller pair 11 has been described above, it is also preferable that the multiple roller pairs constituting the transport roller pairs 14-15 are similarly positioned so as not to overlap with the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P in the main scanning direction.

[0181] The liquid application unit 131 applies liquid to the paper P being transported by the transport roller pair 10 and the transport roller pair 11 (hereinafter referred to as "liquid application"). The punch hole punching means 132 punches holes in the paper P being transported by the transport roller pair 10 and the transport roller pair 11 that penetrate in the thickness direction. The processing unit provided in close proximity to the liquid application unit 131 is not limited to the punch hole punching means 132, but may also be a tilt correction unit that corrects the tilt (skew) of the paper P being transported by the transport roller pair 10 and the transport roller pair 11.

[0182] Figure 32 is a view of the liquid application unit 131 according to the second embodiment, as seen from the thickness direction of the paper P. Figure 33 is a view taken along the arrows XXV-XXV in Figure 32(A). Figure 34 is a view taken along the arrows XXVI-XXVI in Figure 32(A). As shown in Figures 32 to 34, the liquid application unit 131 comprises a pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b, a pair of pulleys 134a and 134b, an endless annular belt 135 and 136, a liquid application unit moving motor 137, a standby position sensor 138 (see Figure 35), and a liquid application unit 140.

[0183] A pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b are spaced apart in the reverse transport direction, and each extends in the main scanning direction. The pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b are supported by a pair of side plates 4a and 4b of the post-processing device 3A. The pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b support the liquid application unit 140 so that it can move in the main scanning direction.

[0184] A pair of pulleys 134a and 134b are positioned between a pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b in the reverse transport direction. Furthermore, the pair of pulleys 134a and 134b are spaced apart in the main scanning direction. Additionally, the pair of pulleys 134a and 134b are supported on the frame of the post-processing device 3A so as to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions around a rotation axis extending in the thickness direction of the paper P.

[0185] The endless annular belt 135 is stretched over a pair of pulleys 134a and 134b. The endless annular belt 135 is also connected to the liquid application unit 140 by a connecting portion 135a. The endless annular belt 136 is stretched over pulley 134a and a drive pulley 137a fixed to the output shaft of the liquid application unit moving motor 137. The liquid application unit moving motor 137 generates a driving force to move the liquid application unit 140 in the main scanning direction.

[0186] As the liquid application unit moving motor 137 rotates, the endless annular belt 136 circulates between pulley 134a and drive pulley 137a, causing pulley 134a to rotate. As pulley 134a rotates, the endless annular belt 135 circulates between the pair of pulleys 134a and 134b. As a result, the liquid application unit 140 moves in the main scanning direction along the pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b. Furthermore, by switching the rotation direction of the liquid application unit moving motor 137, the liquid application unit 140 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction.

[0187] The standby position sensor 138 detects when the liquid application unit 140 reaches the standby position HP1 (see Figure 32) in the main scanning direction and outputs a standby position signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 100b (see Figure 35), which will be described later. The standby position sensor 138 is, for example, an optical sensor comprising a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. The liquid application unit 140 blocks the optical path between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit at the standby position HP1. The standby position sensor 138 then outputs a standby position signal in response to the fact that the light output from the light-emitting unit is not received by the light-receiving unit. However, the specific configuration of the standby position sensor 138 is not limited to the example described above.

[0188] As shown in Figure 33, the transport path within the post-processing device 3A is defined by an upper guide plate 5a and a lower guide plate 5b, which are spaced apart in the thickness direction of the paper P. The liquid application unit 140 is positioned facing an opening in the upper guide plate 5a. In other words, the liquid application unit 140 is positioned facing the paper P being transported along the transport path through the opening in the upper guide plate 5a.

[0189] As shown in Figures 32 to 34, the liquid dispensing unit 140 comprises a base member 141, a rotating bracket 142, a liquid storage tank 143, a liquid dispensing head moving means 144, a holding member 145, a liquid dispensing head 146, columnar members 147a and 147b, a pressing plate 148, coil springs 149a and 149b, a dispensing head rotation motor 150, a dispensing head moving motor 151 (see Figure 35), and a standby angle sensor 152 (see Figure 35).

[0190] The base member 141 is supported by a pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b so as to be slidable in the main scanning direction. The base member 141 is also connected to an endless annular belt 135 by a connecting portion 135a. Furthermore, the base member 141 supports components 142 to 152 of the liquid application unit 140.

[0191] The rotating bracket 142 is mounted on the lower surface of the base member 141 so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around a rotation axis that extends in the thickness direction of the paper P. The rotating bracket 142 also rotates in forward and reverse directions relative to the base member 141 when the driving force of the liquid application head rotation motor 150 is transmitted to it. Furthermore, the rotating bracket 142 holds the liquid storage tank 143, the liquid application head moving means 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, the columnar members 147a and 147b, the pressing plate 148, and the coil springs 149a and 149b.

[0192] The standby angle sensor 152 (see Figure 35) detects when the rotating bracket 142 reaches the standby angle and outputs a standby angle signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 100b. The standby angle is, for example, the angle when binding in parallel. The standby angle sensor 152 is, for example, an optical sensor comprising a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. When the rotating bracket 142 reaches the standby angle, it blocks the optical path between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. The standby angle sensor 152 then outputs a standby angle signal in response to the fact that the light emitted from the light-emitting unit is not received by the light-receiving unit. However, the specific configuration of the standby angle sensor 152 is not limited to the example described above.

[0193] Figure 32(A) shows the rotating bracket 142 in the state when the crimping section 32' downstream of the liquid application section 131 is performing parallel binding. Figure 32(B) shows the rotating bracket 142 in the state when the crimping section 32' downstream of the liquid application section 131 is performing diagonal binding (corner binding).

[0194] The liquid storage tank 143 stores liquid for application to the paper P. The liquid application head moving means 144 is attached to the liquid storage tank 143 so as to be movable (e.g., up and down) in the thickness direction of the paper P. The liquid application head moving means 144 moves in the thickness direction of the paper P relative to the liquid storage tank 143 by the driving force transmitted from the application head moving motor 151. The holding member 145 is attached to the lower end of the liquid application head moving means 144. The liquid application head 146 protrudes from the holding member 145 toward the transport path (downward in this embodiment). The liquid application head 146 is supplied with liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 143. Furthermore, the liquid application head 146 is made of a material with a high liquid absorption rate (e.g., sponge, fiber).

[0195] The columnar members 147a and 147b protrude downward from the holding member 145 around the liquid dispensing head 146. Furthermore, the columnar members 147a and 147b are configured to be movable relative to the holding member 145 in the thickness direction. Additionally, the columnar members 147a and 147b hold the pressing plate 148 at their lower ends. The pressing plate 148 has a through-hole 148a at a position facing the liquid dispensing head 146. Coil springs 149a and 149b are externally attached to the columnar members 147a and 147b between the holding member 145 and the pressing plate 148. The coil springs 149a and 149b bias the columnar members 147a and 147b and the pressing plate 148 in a direction away from the holding member 145.

[0196] As shown in Figures 33(A) and 34(A), before the paper P is transported to a position facing the opening of the upper guide plate 5a, the pressing plate 148 is located at or above the opening. Next, when the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P, transported by the transport roller pair 10 and the transport roller pair 11, stops facing the opening, the application head moving motor 151 is rotated in the first direction. As a result, the liquid application head moving means 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, the columnar members 147a and 147b, the pressing plate 148, and the coil springs 149a and 149b descend together, and the pressing plate 148 comes into contact with the paper P. The first liquid application position B1 is the position where the paper is to be crimped and bound by the crimping section 32' included in the edge binding processing unit 251, that is, the first binding position B1.

[0197] Then, even after the pressing plate 148 contacts the paper P, the liquid application head moving motor 151 is rotated in the first direction, compressing the coil springs 149a and 149b, causing the liquid application head moving means 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, and the columnar members 147a and 147b to descend further. As shown in Figures 33(B) and 34(B), the lower surface of the liquid application head 146 then contacts the paper P through the through-hole 148a. As a result, the liquid contained in the liquid application head 146 is applied to the paper P.

[0198] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 33(C) and 34(C), by further rotating the liquid application head movement motor 151 in the first direction, the liquid application head 146 can be pressed more firmly against the paper P. This increases the amount of liquid applied to the paper P. In other words, the liquid application unit 131 can adjust the amount of liquid applied by changing the pressing force of the liquid application head 146 against the paper P.

[0199] On the other hand, by rotating the liquid application head moving motor 151 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the liquid application head moving means 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, the columnar members 147a and 147b, the pressing plate 148, and the coil springs 149a and 149b rise together. As a result, as shown in Figures 33(A) and 34(A), the liquid application head 146 and the pressing plate 148 move away from the paper P. In other words, the liquid application unit 131 is equipped with a liquid application head 146 that can be separated from the paper P.

[0200] Figure 35 is a hardware configuration diagram of the control block of the post-processing unit 3A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 35, the post-processing unit 3A has a configuration in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, and I / F 105 (Interface) are connected via a common bus 109.

[0201] The CPU 101 is the arithmetic unit and controls the operation of the entire post-processing unit 3A. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium that allows for high-speed reading and writing of information and is used as a workspace for the CPU 101 when processing information. The ROM 103 is a read-only, non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium that allows for reading and writing of information and has a large storage capacity, and stores the OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0202] The post-processing unit 3A processes control programs stored in ROM 103, information processing programs (application programs) loaded into RAM 102 from storage media such as HDD 104, etc., using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software control unit including various functional modules of the post-processing unit 3A. The combination of this software control unit and the hardware resources mounted on the post-processing unit 3A constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing unit 3A. In other words, the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, HDD 104, and I / F 105 constitute a control unit 100b, which is a control means for controlling the operation of the post-processing unit 3A.

[0203] I / F105 is an interface that connects the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the crimping section moving motor 238, the crimping section rotating motor 239, the contact / separation motor 32d, the liquid application section moving motor 137, the application head rotating motor 150, the application head moving motor 151, the standby position sensor 138, the standby angle sensor 152, the punch hole drilling means 132, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109.

[0204] The control unit 100b controls the operation of the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the crimping section moving motor 238, the crimping section rotating motor 239, the contact / separation motor 32d, the liquid application section moving motor 137, the application head rotating motor 150, the application head moving motor 151, and the punch hole drilling means 132 via the I / F 105. The control unit 100b also acquires the detection results of the standby position sensor 138 and the standby angle sensor 152 via the I / F 105.

[0205] Figure 35 shows the components of the edge-stitching processing unit 251 and the liquid application unit 131, which mainly include the crimping unit 32' that performs edge-stitching. Similarly, the components of the saddle-stitching processing unit 28 that performs saddle-stitching are also controlled by the control unit 100b.

[0206] As shown in Figure 37, the image forming apparatus 2 is equipped with an operation panel 110. The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that receives input operations from the user and a display that serves as a notification unit for informing the user of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, etc. The operation panel 110 acquires information from the user through the operation unit and provides information to the user through the display. The notification unit is not limited to a display and may also be an LED lamp, a speaker, etc. Furthermore, the post-processing device 3A may also be equipped with an operation panel 110 similar to the one described above.

[0207] Figure 36 is a flowchart of the post-processing of the post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment. Specifically, Figure 36 is a flowchart for performing the one-location binding process shown in Figure 30.

[0208] The control unit 100b executes the post-processing shown in Figure 36 in response to receiving, for example, an execution instruction for post-processing from the image forming apparatus 2 (hereinafter referred to as "post-processing instruction"). The post-processing instruction includes, for example, the number of sheets of paper P constituting the paper stack Pb (hereinafter referred to as "predetermined number Np"), the number of paper stacks Pb to be bound (hereinafter referred to as "required number Mp"), the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1), the angle of the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the angle of the first liquid application position B1), the type of binding process (for example, parallel binding process, diagonal binding process), and a process to be executed in parallel with the liquid application process (in this embodiment, punching holes). At the start of post-processing, the liquid application unit 140 is located at the standby position HP1 (see Figure 32), and the rotating bracket 142 is held at the standby angle (corresponding to the "parallel binding position").

[0209] First, the control unit 100b drives the liquid application unit moving motor 137 to move the liquid application unit 140 (corresponding to the liquid application section) in the main scanning direction, thereby moving the liquid application head 146 from the standby position HP1 to a position where it can face the first liquid application position B1 (see Figure 32(B). This position corresponds to the first binding position B1 in Figures 30(B) and 30(C)). Furthermore, if the type of binding process instructed in the post-processing instruction is "diagonal binding," the control unit 100b drives the application head rotation motor 150 to rotate the rotation bracket 142, thereby rotating the liquid application head 146 from the standby angle to the liquid application angle corresponding to the "diagonal binding posture" (S801). The fact that the liquid application head 146 has reached the position and liquid application angle where it can face the first liquid application position B1 can be determined by the pulse signals output from the rotary encoders of the liquid application unit moving motor 137 and the application head rotation motor 150. Furthermore, if the type of binding process specified in the post-processing instructions is "parallel binding," the control unit 100b omits the operation of rotating the rotating bracket 142 as described above. That is, the liquid application unit 140 moves in the main scanning direction while holding the rotating bracket 142 at the standby angle.

[0210] Furthermore, the control unit 100b drives the crimping unit moving motor 238 to move the crimping unit 32' from the standby position HP2 to a position where it can face the first binding position B1, as shown in Figures 30(A) and 30(B) (S801). Also, if the type of binding process instructed in the post-processing instruction is "diagonal binding," the control unit 100b drives the crimping unit rotating motor 239 to rotate the crimping unit 32' from the standby angle to the crimping angle corresponding to the "diagonal binding posture" (S801). The fact that the crimping unit 32' has reached the position where it can face the first binding position B1 and the crimping angle can be determined by the pulse signals output from the rotary encoders of the crimping unit moving motor 238 and the crimping unit rotating motor 239. Note that if the type of binding process instructed in the post-processing instruction is "parallel binding," the control unit 100b omits the operation of rotating the crimping unit 32' as described above. In other words, the crimping section 32' moves in the main scanning direction while maintaining its standby angle.

[0211] Next, the control unit 100b drives the transport roller pair 10 and the transport roller pair 11 to start transporting the paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2 (S802). The control unit 100b then determines whether the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P is facing the liquid application unit 140 (more specifically, the liquid application head 146) (S803). If it is determined that the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P is not facing the liquid application unit 140 (S803: No), the control unit 100b continues transporting the paper P by the transport roller pair 10 and the transport roller pair 11 until the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P is facing the liquid application unit 140 (S803: Yes). On the other hand, if it is determined that the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P is facing the liquid application head 146 (S803: Yes), the control unit 100b stops transporting the paper P by the transport roller pair 10 and the transport roller pair 11 (S804). The fact that the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P is facing the liquid application head 146 can be determined by the pulse signals output from the rotary encoders of the motors that drive the transport roller pair 10 and the transport roller pair 11.

[0212] The control unit 100b executes the process of applying liquid to the first liquid application position B1 on the paper P using the liquid application unit 140 (S805). More specifically, the control unit 100b brings the liquid application head 146 into contact with the first liquid application position B1 on the paper P by rotating the application head moving motor 151 in a first direction. The control unit 100b also changes the pressing force of the liquid application head 146, that is, the amount of rotation of the application head moving motor 151, according to the amount of liquid applied to the paper P.

[0213] The amount of liquid applied to each sheet of paper P may be the same for all sheets of paper P constituting the paper bundle Pb, or it may differ for each sheet of paper P. For example, the control unit 100b may reduce the amount of liquid applied to each sheet of paper P that is conveyed later. The amount of rotation of the application head movement motor 151 can be determined by the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder of the application head movement motor 151.

[0214] Next, the control unit 100b drives the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 to place the paper P onto the internal tray 22 (S806). The control unit 100b also performs a so-called jogging process by moving the side fences 24L and 24R back and forth in the main scanning direction to align the positions of the paper P or paper stack Pb placed on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction (S806).

[0215] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 has reached a predetermined number Np specified in the post-processing instructions (S807). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number Np (S807: No), it repeatedly executes the processes in steps S802 to S807 until the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 reaches the predetermined number Np (S807: Yes).

[0216] On the other hand, if the control unit 100b determines that the number of sheets of paper P placed in the internal tray 22 has reached the predetermined number Np (S807: Yes), it causes the crimping unit 32' to crimp the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1 of the paper P) of the paper bundle Pb, which includes the paper P to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit 140 (S808). Furthermore, the control unit 100b rotates the transport roller pair 15 to discharge the crimped paper bundle Pb to the second discharge tray 26 (S808).

[0217] Next, the control unit 100b determines whether the number of paper bundles Pb discharged into the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number Mp indicated in the post-processing instruction (S809). If the control unit 100b determines that the number of paper bundles Pb discharged has not reached the required number Mp (S809: No), it repeatedly executes the processes in steps S802 to S809 until the number of paper bundles Pb discharged reaches the required number Mp (S809: Yes).

[0218] On the other hand, if the control unit 100b determines that the number of paper bundles Pb discharged into the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number Mp (S809: Yes), it drives the liquid application unit moving motor 137 to move the liquid application unit 140 to standby position HP1 (see Figure 32) and drives the crimping unit moving motor 238 to move the crimping unit 32' to standby position HP2 (see Figure 30) (S810). Also, if the orientation instructed in the post-processing instruction is "diagonal binding orientation", the control unit 100b drives the application head rotation motor 150 and the crimping unit rotation motor 239 to rotate the liquid application unit 140 and the crimping unit 32' to the parallel binding orientation (corresponding to the standby angle) (S810). On the other hand, if the orientation instructed in the post-processing instruction is "parallel binding orientation", the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 140 and the crimping unit 32' to the parallel binding orientation (corresponding to the standby angle) is omitted. In step S801 and step S810, the execution order of the operation to move the liquid application unit 140 and the crimping unit 32' in the main scanning direction and the operation to rotate them in the forward and reverse directions is not limited to the order described above, and may be in the reverse order.

[0219] Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to the edge-stitching processing unit 25 that performs edge-stitching, but also to the saddle-stitching processing unit 28 that performs saddle-stitching.

[0220] Furthermore, although the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3A according to the second embodiment shown in Figure 29 has been described as being provided separately from the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2, similar to Figure 1, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3A may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side, similar to Figure 38(A). Moreover, the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3A may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2, similar to Figure 38(B).

[0221] Furthermore, similar to Figure 39(A), the control unit 100b of the post-processing device 3A may be divided into, for example, a control unit 100b1 that controls the drive system such as a motor, and a control unit 100b2 that controls the detection system such as a sensor, i.e., divided by function. Alternatively, of the divided control units 100b1 and 100b2, for example, only the control unit 100b2 of one of the post-processing devices 3A may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Moreover, similar to Figure 39(B), the control unit 100b2 of the post-processing device 3A provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side may be configured integrally with the control unit 100a of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0222] Furthermore, the control method by the control unit 100b described above is realized through the cooperation of the computer's hardware resources and the computer software program, as already explained. In other words, the control method is a method in which the computer executes by having the arithmetic unit, memory device, input device, output device, and control device work together based on the program. The program may also be written to a memory device or storage medium and distributed, or distributed via telecommunication lines, etc.

[0223] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its technical essence. All technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The embodiments described above are preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0224] [Aspects of the present invention] The contents of this invention are, for example, as follows: <1> A crimping fastening means that applies pressure and deformation to a portion of a bundle of multiple media using a pair of opposing crimping teeth, The system includes a control means for moving the crimping and binding means to a predetermined binding position and performing the crimping and binding operation, The aforementioned crimping fastening means includes a peeling member for peeling off a medium that has adhered to one of the crimping teeth, The control means is The first peeling operation by the peeling member, A second peeling operation to peel off the medium that has adhered to the peeling member, Execute This is a media processing apparatus characterized by the following features. <2> The first peeling operation is performed by the operation of separating other crimping teeth from the first crimping tooth during the crimping and binding operation. The second peeling operation is performed by shifting the position relative to the crimping fastening means and the fastening position. The aforementioned <1> This is the media processing apparatus described above. <3> The control means is In the second peeling operation, after the crimping is performed, the crimping means is moved from the binding position. The aforementioned <1> or the above <2> This is the media processing apparatus described above. <4> The system includes alignment means for aligning the ends of the plurality of media, The control means is Before performing the aforementioned crimping and binding operation, the alignment operation by the alignment means is performed. In the second peeling operation, after the crimping is performed, the alignment means is moved to shift the relative position between the media bundle and the crimping means. The aforementioned <1> or the above <2> This is the media processing apparatus described above. <5> The control means operates the first peeling operation and the second peeling operation simultaneously. <1> or the above <4> This is a media processing device described in any one of the following. <6> The aforementioned peeling member is, When the one crimping tooth and the other crimping tooth pressurize and deform the media bundle, they are positioned between the one crimping tooth and the media bundle. In the crimping operation described above, when the other crimping teeth separate from the first crimping tooth, they move to the position separated from the first crimping tooth. The aforementioned <1> or the above <5> This is a media processing device described in any one of the following. <7> The peeling member has a contact portion that contacts the media bundle, The contact portion has a slit. The aforementioned <1> or the above <6> This is a media processing device described in any one of the following. <8> The peeling member has a contact portion that contacts the media bundle, The contact portion has a shape that makes discontinuous contact with the media bundle. The aforementioned <1> or the above <6> This is a media processing device described in any one of the following. <9> An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the aforementioned medium, The process of applying the pressure binding to a plurality of media on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatus. <1> or the above <8> A media processing apparatus described in any one of the following, This is an image forming system characterized by comprising the following features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0225] 1: Image forming system 2: Image forming apparatus 3: Post-processing equipment 22: Internal tray 24: Side fence 25: Edge binding processing section 32: Crimping section 32a: Upper crimping tooth 32b: Indented teeth 32c: Crimp frame 32d: Contact / Disconnection Motor 100a, 100a: Control Unit 320: Paper peeling mechanism 321: Peeling material 3211: Peeling member joint 3212: Peeling protrusion 3213: Peel-off support part 3214: Peeled beam section 3215: Peeling hole 3216: Slit 3221: Cam protrusion [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0226] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-067783

Claims

1. A crimping fastening means that applies pressure and deformation to a portion of a bundle of multiple media using a pair of opposing crimping teeth, The system includes a control means for moving the crimping and binding means to a predetermined binding position and performing the crimping and binding operation, The aforementioned crimping fastening means includes a peeling member for peeling off a medium that has adhered to one of the crimping teeth, The control means is The first peeling operation by the peeling member, A second peeling operation to peel off the medium that has adhered to the peeling member, Execute A media processing apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The first peeling operation is performed by the operation of separating other crimping teeth from the first crimping tooth during the crimping and binding operation. The second peeling operation is performed by shifting the position relative to the crimping fastening means and the fastening position. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control means is In the second peeling operation, the crimping means is moved from the binding position after the crimping is performed. The media processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The system includes alignment means for aligning the ends of the plurality of media, The control means is Before performing the aforementioned crimping and binding operation, the alignment operation by the alignment means is performed. In the second peeling operation, after the crimping is performed, the alignment means is moved to shift the relative position between the media bundle and the crimping means. The media processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The control means operates the first peeling operation and the second peeling operation simultaneously. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned peeling member is, When the one crimping tooth and the other crimping tooth pressurize and deform the media bundle, they are positioned between the one crimping tooth and the media bundle. When, in the crimping operation described above, the other crimping teeth separate from the first crimping tooth, It moves to a position separated from the first crimping tooth. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The peeling member has a contact portion that contacts the media bundle, The contact portion has a slit. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The peeling member has a contact portion that contacts the media bundle, The contact portion has a shape that makes discontinuous contact with the media bundle. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium, A media processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of media on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatus are subjected to the pressure binding method, An image forming system characterized by comprising the following features.

Images