Media processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a low-cost media processing device by reducing the number of drive sources and drive mechanisms within the device. [Solution] A media processing device comprising a media loading section for loading multiple media, a media bundle discharge section for discharging a media bundle formed by the loaded media from the media loading section, and a media bundle guide section for suppressing disturbances in the orientation of the media bundle when it is discharged, wherein the drive source that operates when the media bundle discharge section discharges the media bundle and the drive source that operates when the media bundle guide section suppresses the orientation of the media bundle when it is discharged are a common drive source.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a media processing device that conveys a sheet-like media and performs a predetermined process. As a process for the media, there is also known a process of forming a media bundle composed of a plurality of media. Further, when discharging a media bundle from a stacking tray to form a media bundle, there is also known a phenomenon in which the tip of the media bundle becomes rounded and the paper bundle is disturbed on the discharge tray.

[0003] In a media processing device, a configuration that enables binding at a plurality of locations has been disclosed for the purpose of saving space and improving alignment accuracy (see Patent Document 1). [[ID=第17]]

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a guide mechanism for preventing the tip of a discharged paper bundle from rounding. However, this guide mechanism has a problem that the manufacturing cost becomes high because a dedicated drive source is required.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a media processing device with low cost by reducing drive sources and drive mechanisms in the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a media processing apparatus, which processes a sheet-like medium, and comprises a media loading section for loading a plurality of the media, a media bundle discharge section for discharging a bundle of media formed by the loaded media from the media loading section, and a media bundle guide section for suppressing disturbances in the orientation of the media bundle when it is discharged, wherein the drive source that operates when the media bundle discharge section discharges the media bundle and the drive source that operates when the media bundle guide section suppresses the orientation of the media bundle when it is discharged are a common drive source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the number of drive sources and drive mechanisms within the device can be reduced, thereby lowering costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the image forming system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the media processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 3] A diagram showing examples of conventional media release mechanisms and media guiding mechanisms. [Figure 4] A diagram showing examples of conventional media release mechanisms and media guiding mechanisms. [Figure 5] A diagram showing examples of conventional media release mechanisms and media guiding mechanisms. [Figure 6] A diagram showing examples of conventional media release mechanisms and media guiding mechanisms. [Figure 7] A figure showing an example of a media release mechanism and a media guiding mechanism according to the above embodiment. [Figure 8] A figure showing an example of a media release mechanism and a media guiding mechanism according to the above embodiment. [Figure 9] A figure showing an example of a media release mechanism and a media guiding mechanism according to the above embodiment. [Figure 10] A figure showing an example of a media release mechanism and a media guiding mechanism according to the above embodiment. [Figure 11]A diagram showing an example of the operation of a conventional media release mechanism and media guide mechanism. [Figure 12] A figure showing an example of operation of the media release mechanism and media guide mechanism according to the above embodiment. [Figure 13] A block diagram illustrating the control configuration of the media processing apparatus according to the above embodiment. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing an example of the discharge control process according to the above embodiment. [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. The image forming system 1 has an image forming function that forms an image on paper P, which is a type of sheet-like medium, and a post-processing function that performs predetermined post-processing on the paper P 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 20 having an image forming function and a post-processing apparatus 10, which is a media processing apparatus having a post-processing function according to the present invention.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 20 forms an image on a sheet of paper P. The image forming apparatus 20 then discharges the sheet of paper P with the image formed on it to the post-processing device 10. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a storage tray 211 in which the sheet of paper P is stored, a transport unit 212 that transports the sheet of paper P stored in the storage tray 211, and an image forming unit 213 that forms an image on the sheet of paper P transported by the transport unit 212. The image forming unit 213 may be an inkjet system that forms an image using ink, or an electrophotographic system that forms an image using toner. The image forming apparatus 20 also includes an image forming control unit 200 that controls various operations of the transport unit 212 and the image forming unit 213. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 is already well known, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0011] Paper is widely known as an example of a sheet-like medium. Therefore, in this specification, "sheet P" will be used when describing a sheet-like medium to be processed. Also, when describing a stack of sheets, "stack of sheets Pb" which is composed of stacks of sheets as multiple media will be used as an example.

[0012] Note that the object of the processing according to this embodiment is not limited to paper. For example, any medium that can form an image using a conventionally known image forming process can be used regardless of its type. Also, media that can be the object of folding or binding processes are included herein, and the material, specifications, etc. are not limited.

[0013] The post-processing device 10 has a function of performing predetermined post-processing on the sheet P discharged from the image forming device 20. The sheet P subjected to the post-processing is discharged as appropriate. The post-processing device 10 has a plurality of discharge destinations as the discharge destinations selected according to the type of post-processing. For example, it includes an upper tray 110, a stapler tray 114 (not shown in FIG. 1), and a shift tray 134. Note that the post-processing that can be executed in the post-processing device 10 includes a punching process (punching) for punching the sheet P, an alignment process for stacking a plurality of sheets P and aligning the ends, a binding process for stacking a plurality of sheets P and binding the ends to create a stack of sheets Pb, and the like.

[0014] In the embodiment of the post-processing device 10 described below, although specific post-processing is not mentioned, it is assumed that at least one of the listed post-processing is executed together with the discharge control processing described later.

[0015] [Configuration of Post-Processing Device 10] Next, the configuration of the post-processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described while referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a part that is highly relevant to the embodiment according to the present invention among the configurations of the post-processing device 10.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing apparatus 10 includes an entrance guide 101, an entrance sensor 102, entrance conveyance rollers 103, an entrance conveyance path 104, intermediate conveyance rollers 105, a branch claw 106, an upper conveyance path 107, upper conveyance rollers 108, an upper discharge roller 109, an upper tray 110, a horizontal conveyance path 111, a stapler tray discharge sensor 112, a shift roller 113, a stapler tray 114, a jogger 115, a tapping roller 116, a return roller 117, a rear end alignment 118, a binding means 119, a shift discharge roller 122, a shift discharge driven roller 123, and a shift tray 134.

[0017] The post-processing apparatus 10 has an entrance conveyance path 104 that receives the printed paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 20, and two paths branching from the entrance conveyance path 104, namely, an upper conveyance path 107 leading to the upper tray 110 and a horizontal conveyance path 111 leading to the shift tray 134.

[0018] Entrance conveyance rollers 103 are arranged in the entrance conveyance path 104, intermediate conveyance rollers 105 are arranged downstream of the entrance conveyance rollers 103, and the branch claw 106 located at the branching portion at the end of the entrance conveyance path 104 rotates to divide the conveyance path of the paper P to the upper conveyance path 107 and the horizontal conveyance path 111. The paper P sorted into the entrance conveyance path 104 is discharged onto the upper tray 110 arranged at the most downstream.

[0019] During straight conveyance, the paper P sorted into the horizontal conveyance path 111 is shifted by a certain amount by the shift roller 113 having a shift mechanism being driven by a driving means (not shown) to move a certain amount in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction during conveyance. Then, it is discharged onto the shift tray 134 at the most downstream by the shift discharge roller 122 and the shift discharge driven roller 123 and stacked sequentially.

[0020] The paper P sorted into the horizontal transport path 111 is transported to a stapler tray 114 located downstream of the shift roller 113 during stippling. A stapling mechanism 119 that moves back and forth perpendicular to the surface of the paper P is positioned at the end of the stapler tray 114, which constitutes the media loading section. The paper P that has been transported to the horizontal transport path 111 has its trailing edge pass through the shift roller 113 and falls into the stapler tray 114.

[0021] The stapler tray 114 is equipped with tapping rollers 116, which are configured to move back and forth in the main scanning direction. The stapler tray 114 is also equipped with a jogger 115 that aligns the main scanning direction of the stack of paper Pb that is loaded on it. In stippling mode, the paper P that has been transported to the stapler tray 114 is switched back in the direction of the rear end aligner 118 by the tapping rollers 116. Then, by abutting against the rear end aligner 118, the sub-scanning direction of the stack of paper Pb is aligned, and the main scanning direction is aligned by the jogger 115. The aligned stack of paper Pb is then stapled by the binding means 119 at the appropriate point on the lower edge of the stack of paper Pb.

[0022] The bound paper stack Pb is lifted at the rear end by the release claw 120 and transported towards the shift tray 134. The paper stack Pb transported by the release claw 120 is gripped by the shift discharge roller 122 and the shift discharge driven roller 123 and discharged to the downstream shift tray 134.

[0023] A paper guide 124 is positioned at the top of the shift tray 134, which opens and closes in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction (main scanning direction) of the paper P. When a bound stack of paper Pb is discharged into the shift tray 134, the paper guide 124 supports both ends of the stack of paper Pb from below in the main scanning direction, assisting in the discharge of the stack of paper Pb. Once the stack of paper Pb has been transported above the shift tray 134, the paper guide 124 opens, allowing the stack of paper Pb to drop into the shift tray 134. By dropping the stack of paper Pb from the paper guide 124 into the shift tray 134, the contact angle between the stack of paper Pb discharged by the shift discharge roller 122 and the shift tray 134 is kept constant, stabilizing the alignment quality of the paper P loaded into the shift tray 134 and enabling the loading of a large number of sheets.

[0024] [Release claw 120, paper guide 124, and drive mechanism components] Next, the configuration of the release claw 120 and the paper guide 124 and the main drive mechanism related thereto will be described using the following. Before describing the features of the embodiments according to the present invention, a comparative example of a conventional configuration will be described using Figures 3 to 6.

[0025] First, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the main drive mechanism associated with the discharge claw 120 comprises at least a staple tray 114, a jogger 115, the discharge claw 120, a discharge belt 121, a discharge drive gear 126a, a discharge member discharge gear 126b, a discharge drive motor 127, and a discharge drive belt 128. Figure 3 corresponds to a front view, and Figure 4 corresponds to a perspective view.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the main drive mechanism related to the paper guide 124 includes at least a stapler tray 114, a jogger 115, a discharge claw 120, a discharge belt 121, a paper guide 124, a discharge drive gear 126a, a discharge member discharge gear 126b, a discharge drive motor 127, a discharge drive belt 128, a paper guide drive means 129, a paper guide belt 130, and a paper guide gear 131.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the discharge claw 120 is fixed to the discharge belt 121 and positioned below the staple tray 114 of the post-processing device 10. The discharge claw 120 and discharge belt 121 are configured to rotate counterclockwise using the discharge drive motor 127 as the drive source, and are driven by the discharge drive belt 128 and discharge gear 126.

[0028] The stack of paper Pb bound by the binding means 119 is transported in the direction of the paper guide 124 (from the bottom right to the top left in Figure 6) by the rotating release claw 120.

[0029] The paper guides 124 are located on the upper part of the shift tray 134 of the post-processing device 10, positioned at the front and back. The paper guides 124 are configured to move in the front and back directions using a paper guide drive means 129 as the drive source, and are controlled by a paper guide belt 130 and a paper guide gear 131.

[0030] The stack of paper transported by the release claw 120 is received by the paper guide 124, and the pair of paper guides 124 open forward and backward respectively, causing the stack of paper to drop and be loaded onto the shift tray 134.

[0031] [Embodiment of the post-treatment device 10] Next, a characteristic configuration of the post-processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration in which the drive mechanism of the discharge claw 120 and the paper transport guide 124A are common according to this embodiment.

[0032] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the discharge claw 120 as a media bundle discharge unit and the paper movement guide 124A as a media bundle guide unit according to this embodiment include the discharge claw 120, discharge belt 121, paper movement guide 124A, discharge drive discharge gear 126a, discharge member discharge gear 126b, discharge drive motor 127, discharge drive belt 128, paper guide drive gear 132, paper guide return means 133, and electromagnetic clutch 136.

[0033] The paper transport guide 124A is positioned above the staple tray 114 of the post-processing device 10. The paper transport guide 124 has a rack gear-shaped portion on a surface (bottom surface) different from the media loading surface. The paper transport guide 124A is driven by a discharge drive motor 127 and is movable by a discharge drive belt 128, a discharge gear 126, and a paper guide drive gear 132.

[0034] Furthermore, the lower part of the lower surface of the paper movement guide 124A has a paper guide return means 133 as an initial position return mechanism. The paper guide return means 133 consists of an elastic member that connects the lower part of the paper movement guide 124A and a return base member 135 provided at the lower part of the stapler tray 114. The paper guide return means 133 biases the paper movement guide 124A in the direction of the return base member 135. That is, the paper movement guide 124A is initially set to the state shown in Figure 7 by the biasing force of the paper guide return means 133. Therefore, when a driving force is applied to the paper movement guide 124A in a direction opposite to the biasing force of the paper guide return means 133, the paper movement guide 124A moves from its initial position in a direction along the stapler tray 114 in accordance with the driving force.

[0035] Then, when no driving force is applied, the paper guide return mechanism 133 returns to its initial state due to its biasing force. As described above, the paper movement guide 124A returns to its initial position due to the biasing force of the paper guide return mechanism 133, which is made of a spring-like contraction member, and therefore has a configuration that does not require a specific drive source when returning to the initial position.

[0036] Figures 9 and 10 show characteristic parts of the drive mechanism of the release claw 120 and paper transport guide 124A according to this embodiment. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the drive mechanism of the release claw 120 and paper transport guide 124A includes a paper guide drive gear 132, a drive gear rotating part 136a, an electromagnetic clutch 136, an armature part 136b, and a leaf spring 136c. The electromagnetic clutch 136 is connected to the paper guide drive gear 132.

[0037] The electromagnetic clutch 136 comprises a drive gear rotating part 136a, an armature part 136b, and a leaf spring 136c, with the armature part 136b connected to the paper guide drive gear 132 via the leaf spring 136c. The drive gear rotating part 136a has a coil inside, and when energized, it attracts the armature part 136b by magnetic force. In other words, the electromagnetic clutch switches between connected and disconnected states using the action of an electromagnet.

[0038] Figure 9 illustrates the state when the power supply to the drive gear rotating part 136a is turned off (power OFF state). Figure 10 illustrates the state when power is supplied to the drive gear rotating part 136a (power ON state). As shown in Figure 9, when the power is OFF, the drive gear rotating part 136a and the armature part 136b are separated, so the power from the discharge drive motor 127 is transmitted only to the drive gear rotating part 136a of the electromagnetic clutch 136, and no power is transmitted to the armature part 136b and the paper guide drive gear 132.

[0039] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10, when power is turned ON, the drive gear rotating part 136a and the armature part 136b are brought into close contact by magnetic force, and power is transmitted to the armature part 136b. Since the armature part 136b and the paper guide drive gear 132 are connected by a leaf spring 136c, power is also transmitted to the paper guide drive gear 132.

[0040] By connecting the electromagnetic clutch 136 to the discharge member discharge gear 126b, the same power transmission as described above becomes possible to the discharge member discharge gear 126b.

[0041] The power supply to the drive gear rotating part 136a of the electromagnetic clutch 136 is controlled by the post-processing control unit 100. Therefore, the operating timing of the release claw 120 and the paper movement guide 124A can be arbitrarily changed by the control of the post-processing control unit 100. Furthermore, both the release claw 120 and the paper movement guide 124A can be operated by a single common drive means, the release drive motor 127. Since the release claw 120 and the paper movement guide 124A can be operated by a single drive source and drive means, cost reduction can be achieved.

[0042] Next, the operation of the release claw 120 and the paper movement guide 124A according to this embodiment will be explained in comparison with the conventional configuration. Figure 11 illustrates the steps of operation according to the conventional configuration. Figure 12 illustrates the steps of operation according to this embodiment. In both figures, each step of operation is illustrated in order as (a), (b), (c), etc. Therefore, for example, the conventional step in Figure 11(a) and the step according to this embodiment in Figure 12(a) show the same steps as the operation steps of the conventional configuration and the operation steps according to the configuration according to this embodiment.

[0043] The following explanation will compare Figure 11, which represents the conventional process, with Figure 12, which represents the process for implementing the present invention. Note that the binding means 119 and the shift tray 134 are not shown in Figures 11 and 12.

[0044] In the conventional process, first, as shown in Figure 11(a), the jogger 115 aligns the paper stack Pb in the main scanning direction, and the binding means 119 performs the binding process. The bound paper stack Pb is transported onto the stapler tray 114, and the jogger 115 retracts in the main scanning direction so as not to obstruct the transport.

[0045] On the other hand, in the process of implementing the present invention, first, as shown in Figure 12(a), the jogger 115 aligns the paper stack Pb in the main scanning direction, and the binding means 119 performs the binding process. The bound paper stack Pb is transported onto the stapler tray 114, and the jogger 115 retracts in the main scanning direction so as not to obstruct the transport.

[0046] In the conventional process, as shown in Figure 11(b), the discharge drive motor 127 starts to drive, and the discharge claw 120 receives the rear end of the paper bundle Pb.

[0047] On the other hand, in the invention implementation process, as shown in Figure 12(b), the discharge drive motor 127 is then started to drive, the paper transport guide 124A begins to move in the direction of the shift tray 134, and the discharge claw 120 receives the rear end of the paper stack Pb.

[0048] By connecting the electromagnetic clutch 136 to the paper guide drive gear 132 and the discharge member discharge gear 126b, the operating timing of the discharge claw 120 and the paper movement guide 124A can be changed. For example, the paper movement guide 124A can be moved to an arbitrary position in advance for large-sized paper, thereby supporting the drooping of the leading edge of the large-sized paper. This operation is explained using Figures 9 and 10.

[0049] In the conventional process, as shown in Figure 11(c), the discharge drive motor 127 is driven, and the discharge claw 120 transports the paper bundle Pb in the direction of the paper guide 124.

[0050] On the other hand, in the invention implementation process, as shown in Figure 12(c), the discharge drive motor 127 is driven to move the paper transport guide 124A to above the shift tray 134. When the movement of the paper transport guide 124A is complete, the discharge claw 120 transports the stack of paper Pb in the direction of the paper guide 124. When the discharge claw 120 moves to a certain point, the lock at the connection between the paper transport guide 124A and the paper guide drive gear 132 is released. When the lock is released, the driving force of the discharge drive motor 127 is not applied, resulting in a non-operating state.

[0051] The connection between the paper transport guide 124A and the paper guide drive gear 132 is locked using, for example, an electromagnetic clutch 136. The connection between the electromagnetic clutch 136 and the paper guide drive gear 132 is released when the power to the electromagnetic clutch 136 is turned off (see Figure 9). When the connection between the paper transport guide 124A and the paper guide drive gear 132 is locked, the driving force of the release drive motor 127 is applied.

[0052] In the conventional process, as shown in Figure 11(d), the discharge drive motor 127 is driven, and the discharge claw 120 transports the paper stack Pb to the top of the shift tray 134 and hands it over to the paper guide 124.

[0053] Meanwhile, in the invention implementation process, as shown in Figure 12(d), the discharge drive motor 127 is driven, and the discharge claw transports the stack of paper Pb to the top of the shift tray 134. The paper transport guide 124A, which has been released from the lock with the paper guide drive gear 132, is moved back to its original position by the paper guide return means 133.

[0054] In the conventional process, as shown in Figure 11(e), the paper guide driving means 129 is driven, the paper guide 124 opens forward and backward, and the stack of paper Pb is dropped onto the shift tray 134.

[0055] On the other hand, in the invention implementation process, as shown in Figure 12(e), the paper transport guide 124A is moved back to its original position by the paper guide return means 133, and the stack of paper Pb is dropped onto the shift tray 134.

[0056] [Control configuration of the post-processing device 10] Next, the control configuration for controlling the operation of the post-processing device 10 will be explained using the block diagram in Figure 13.

[0057] The post-processing unit 10 has a configuration in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, and I / F 15 are connected via a common bus 19.

[0058] The CPU 11 is the arithmetic unit and controls the operation of the entire post-processing unit 10. The RAM 12 is a volatile storage medium that allows high-speed reading and writing of information and is used as a workspace for the CPU 11 when processing information. The ROM 13 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 14 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.

[0059] The post-processing unit 10 processes control programs stored in ROM 13, information processing programs (application programs) loaded into RAM 12 from storage media such as HDD 14, etc., using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 11. This processing constitutes a software control unit that includes various functional modules of the post-processing unit 10. The combination of this software control unit and the hardware resources installed in the post-processing unit 10 constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing unit 10. In other words, the CPU 11, RAM 12, ROM 13, HDD 14, and I / F 15 constitute a post-processing control unit 100 (control means) that controls the operation of the post-processing unit 10.

[0060] I / F15 is an interface that connects the inlet sensor 102, inlet conveyor roller 103, branching claw 106, upper conveyor roller 108, upper discharge roller 109, stapler tray discharge sensor 112, shift roller 113, jogger 115, tapping roller 116, return roller 117, fastening means 119, shift discharge roller 122, discharge drive motor 127, and drive gear rotating part 136a to the common bus 19.

[0061] The post-processing control unit 100 controls the operation of the inlet conveying roller 103, branching claw 106, upper conveying roller 108, upper discharge roller 109, shift roller 113, jogger 115, tapping roller 116, return roller 117, fastening means 119, shift discharge roller 122, discharge drive motor 127, and drive gear rotating part 136a via the I / F 15. The post-processing control unit 100 also acquires the detection results from the inlet sensor 102 and the stapler tray discharge sensor 112.

[0062] As explained above, the post-processing device 10 uses the hardware resources provided by the post-processing control unit 100 to implement a function that controls operations related to the transport operation of the paper P subjected to post-processing, through software (control program) executed by the CPU 11.

[0063] [Operation Flow] Next, the flow of the media discharge process performed in the post-processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 14. First, the printing process is started in the image forming apparatus 20 (S1401). The post-processing control unit 100 of the post-processing device 10 is notified of an instruction including whether or not edge stapling is required (S1402). If edge stapling is not required (S1402: NO), this process is terminated.

[0064] If edge binding is required (S1402:YES), the release claw 120 is returned to its initial position, and the lock on the connection between the paper transport guide 124A and the paper guide drive gear 132 is released, thereby moving the paper transport guide 124A to its initial position (S1403).

[0065] The number of sheets of paper P to be bound are transported to the stapler tray 114, and the binding process is executed (S1404).

[0066] Once the binding process is complete, the release claw 120 is driven to start ejecting the stack of paper Pb (S1405). At this time, the connection between the paper transport guide 124A and the paper guide drive gear 132 is locked, and the paper transport guide 124A is also moved along the staple tray 114 in the direction of the extension of the stacking surface of the staple tray 114 by the drive of the release drive motor 127. As a result, even if the stack of paper Pb moves forward of the stacking surface of the staple tray 114, the paper stack Pb is prevented from falling.

[0067] Once the paper stack Pb has moved to the ejection position by the ejection claw 120, the lock on the connection between the paper transport guide 124A and the paper guide drive gear 132 is released (S1406).

[0068] When the lock is released, the paper transport guide 124A returns to its initial position (S1407). The stack of paper Pb falls into the shift tray 134, and the ejection process is complete.

[0069] The post-processing control unit 100 is notified whether the following section should be printed or not (S1408). If printed (S1408: YES), the process returns to step S1403. If not printed (S1408: NO), the process ends.

[0070] As described above, according to the post-processing device 10 of this embodiment, the guide mechanism for preventing the leading edge of the paper bundle Pb from curling and the discharge mechanism used for discharging the paper bundle Pb can use driving force supplied from a common drive source.

[0071] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified 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 above embodiments 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.

[0072] [Aspects of the present invention] The contents of this invention are, for example, as follows: <1> A media processing apparatus for performing a predetermined process on a sheet-like medium, A media loading section for loading multiple media, A media bundle discharge unit that discharges the media bundle formed by the loaded media from the media loading unit, A media bundle guide unit that suppresses disturbances in the orientation of the media bundle when it is discharged, Equipped with, The drive source that operates when the media bundle discharge unit discharges the media bundle and the drive source that operates when the media bundle guide unit suppresses the orientation of the media bundle during discharge are a common drive source. This is a media processing apparatus characterized by the following features. <2> The media bundle guide section includes an initial position return mechanism that returns the media bundle to its initial position after performing an operation to suppress its orientation during discharge. The aforementioned <1> This is the media processing apparatus described above. <3> The media bundle guide section has a rack gear shape on a surface different from the media loading surface of the media loading section. The aforementioned <1> or the above <2> This is the media processing apparatus described above. <4> The media bundle discharge unit and the media bundle guide unit switch between an operating state in which driving force from the common drive source is applied and an inactive state in which no driving force is applied by an electromagnet. The aforementioned <1> or the above <3> This is a media processing device described in any one of the following. <5> An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium, The aforementioned <1> or the above <4> A media processing apparatus described in any one of the following, This is an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising the following: <6> An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet-like medium, The process of applying the image to the medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus <1> or the above <4> 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]

[0073] 1: Image forming system 10: Post-processing equipment 20: Image forming apparatus 100: Post-processing control unit 113: Shift Roller 114: Stapler tray 120: Release claw 121: Release belt 122: Shift ejection roller 124A: Paper feed guide 126: Release gear 126a: Discharge drive discharge gear 126b: Discharge member, discharge gear 127: Discharge drive motor 128: Release drive belt 129: Paper guide driving means 130: Paper guide belt 131: Paper guide gear 132: Paper guide drive gear 133: Paper guide return mechanism 134: Shift tray 135: Return base point member 136: Electromagnetic clutch 136a: Drive gear rotating part 136b: Electrode section 136c: Leaf spring [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0074] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-063042

Claims

1. A media processing apparatus for performing a predetermined process on a sheet-like medium, A media loading section for loading multiple media, A media bundle discharge unit that discharges the media bundle formed by the loaded media from the media loading unit, A media bundle guide unit that suppresses disturbances in the orientation of the media bundle when it is discharged, Equipped with, The drive source that operates when the media bundle discharge unit discharges the media bundle and the drive source that operates when the media bundle guide unit suppresses the orientation of the media bundle during discharge are a common drive source. A media processing apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The media bundle guide section includes an initial position return mechanism that returns the media bundle to its initial position after performing an operation to suppress its orientation during discharge. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The media bundle guide section has a rack gear shape on a surface different from the media loading surface of the media loading section. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The media bundle discharge unit and the media bundle guide unit switch between an operating state in which driving force from the common drive source is applied and an inactive state in which no driving force is applied by an electromagnet. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium, A media processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising:

6. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet-like medium, A media processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which performs processing on the medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus, An image forming system characterized by comprising the following features.

Images