Processing device, processing device control method, and recording system

Abstract

To excellently convey, discharge, and load a medium by reducing a curl of a medium generated by printing and conveyance.SOLUTION: A processing device 4 includes: a medium support part 50 which has a support surface 50a for supporting at least a tip end part 53 of a medium P; an aligning part 38 which aligns the medium P, a loading part 37 which can be elevated, is arranged on a lower side in a vertical direction Z of the medium support part 50, and has a loading surface 37a on which the medium P dropped from the medium support part 50 is loaded; a press part 51 which has a press surface 51a opposite to the support surface 50a, and of which the press surface 51a can move between a first position Q1 and a second position Q2 closer to the support surface 50a than the first position Q1. The press part 51 is arranged in the first position Q1 when the medium P is conveyed to the medium support part 50, and is arranged in the second position Q2 after the aligning part 38 aligns.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device having a medium support unit that supports at least the leading edge of a transported medium and a loading unit that loads the medium dropped from the medium support unit, a control method for the processing device, and a recording system that includes the processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a processing device that is equipped with a jogger / stacking means having a pair of left and right joggers that support, align and stack the transported media, and that drops and stacks the aligned stack of media onto a stacking tray by opening the pair of left and right joggers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-52937 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, a medium printed by an inkjet printer or the like may curl during transportation, and the curl may impede transportation of the medium. The curl may also impede loading of the medium on a loading section. The curl often grows, making it more likely that transportation and loading of the medium will be impeded. However, Patent Document 1 does not include any description or suggestion that takes into consideration the problem that may occur when the medium being conveyed curls. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the processing device of the present invention comprises a medium support unit having a support surface that supports at least the tip of a transported medium, an alignment unit that aligns the medium supported by the medium support unit, a liftable loading unit that is provided vertically below the medium support unit and has a loading surface on which the medium dropped from the medium support unit is loaded, and a pressing unit that has a pressing surface facing the support surface and is movable between a first position and a second position that is closer to the support surface than the first position, and is characterized in that the pressing unit is positioned at the first position when the medium is transported to the medium support unit, and is positioned at the second position after the alignment unit aligns the medium on the medium support unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the processing device of the present embodiment before a medium is received. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the processing device of the embodiment during primary media reception. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the processing device of the embodiment when pressing a medium. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing the processing device of the embodiment during secondary media reception. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view showing the processing apparatus of the present embodiment after medium alignment and processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the processing device of the present embodiment after medium ejection. [Figure 9] 9 is a view taken along the arrow C in FIG. 8 , illustrating the processing apparatus of the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the processing apparatus of the embodiment when media is loaded. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the processing device of the present embodiment after media are loaded. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the first medium receiving process when using stiff media. [Figure 13]13 is a side cross-sectional view of the same when a stiff medium is pressed. [Figure 14] 5A to 5C are process diagrams illustrating a control method of the processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] First, the present invention will be briefly described. In order to solve the above problem, a processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a medium support unit having a support surface that supports at least the tip of a transported medium, an alignment unit that aligns the medium supported by the medium support unit, a liftable loading unit that is provided vertically below the medium support unit and has a loading surface on which the medium dropped from the medium support unit is loaded, and a pressing unit that has a pressing surface facing the support surface and is movable between a first position and a second position that is closer to the support surface than the first position, wherein the pressing unit is positioned at the first position when the medium is transported to the medium support unit, and is positioned at the second position after the alignment unit aligns the medium on the medium support unit.

[0008] According to this aspect, the pressing surface of the pressing unit is movable between a first position in a retracted state and a second position for pressing the medium, the second position being closer to the support surface than the first position. The pressing unit is disposed at the retracted first position when the medium is transported to the medium support unit, and by appropriately setting the first position by grasping in advance the magnitude of the curl, the transported medium can be smoothly received by the medium support unit even if it has a curl. Furthermore, after the alignment section aligns the medium on the medium support section, the pressing section is disposed at the second position for pressing the medium. As a result, if the medium transported to the support surface of the medium support section is curled, and the curl is large enough to contact the pressing surface at the second position, the pressing section can come to the second position and press the medium, thereby reducing or almost eliminating the curl. Furthermore, if the curl is in the process of growing, the growth of the curl can be suppressed by pressing with the pressing section. This reduces the risk of impeding the transport or loading of the medium.

[0009] A second aspect of the processing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, when the distance between the loading surface and the medium support section when the loading section is in the highest position is a first distance, and the distance between the pressing surface and the support surface in the second position is a second distance, the second distance is smaller than the first distance. Here, the "topmost" in "a state in which the stacking section is in the topmost position" refers to the position of the stacking surface of the stacking section when it receives the initial drop of the media from the medium support section.

[0010] According to this aspect, the second distance, which corresponds to the height of the medium in a pressed state, is smaller than the first distance, which corresponds to the height of the loading area of ​​the loading section. That is, the pressing section presses the medium on the support surface so that the height is smaller than the distance between the loading surface and the medium support section, i.e., the first distance. As a result, the height of the medium pressed by the pressing section and dropped onto the loading section becomes equal to or smaller than the first distance, thereby reducing the risk of the medium coming into contact with the medium support section.

[0011] A third aspect of the processing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the loading section descends a distance equivalent to the height of the fallen medium in the stacking direction after the medium falls from the medium support section. Here, "the height of the dropped medium in the stacking direction" means the height of an uncurl portion of the medium in the stacking direction. Further, the "corresponding distance" in the "distance corresponding to the height in the stacking direction of the medium" does not require strict agreement.

[0012] According to this aspect, after the media has fallen from the medium support section, the loading section descends a distance equivalent to the height of the fallen media in the stacking direction, thereby allowing the height of the loading area of ​​the loading section to be maintained substantially constant even when the media is stacked on the loading section and the stacking amount increases.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the processing device of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, is characterized in that it comprises a media mounting section having a mounting surface capable of supporting the rear end of the transported medium, the media mounting section being positioned so that the rear end of the support surface in the transport direction is lower than the front end of the mounting surface in the transport direction, and when the distance between the pressing surface and the support surface at the second position is a second distance, the distance between the rear end of the support surface in the transport direction and the front end of the mounting surface in the transport direction is greater than the second distance.

[0014] According to this aspect, the medium placement section is disposed so that the rear end of the support surface in the transport direction is lower than the front end of the placement surface in the transport direction. As a result, by pressing the stack of media supported across the medium support section and the medium placement section with the pressing section, the side shape of the media can be easily deformed into a non-linear shape such as an S-shape or Z-shape, even if the media is stiff, i.e., highly rigid. This deformation reduces friction between the media and improves alignment by the alignment section. Furthermore, if the medium is weak, the deformation strengthens the medium, and the medium can be shifted stably in a direction intersecting the transport direction.

[0015] The processing device of a fifth aspect of the present invention is the processing device of the fourth aspect, further comprising a processing unit that performs processing on the medium placed on the medium placement unit.

[0016] According to this aspect, the processing unit can perform processing such as stapling on a stack of well-aligned media.

[0017] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a control method for a processing device comprising: a medium support unit having a support surface that supports at least the tip of a transported medium; an alignment unit that aligns the medium supported by the medium support unit; a liftable loading unit that is provided vertically below the medium support unit and has a loading surface on which the medium dropped from the medium support unit is loaded; and a pressing unit that has a pressing surface facing the support surface and is movable between a first position and a second position that is closer to the support surface than the first position, the control method including the steps of: positioning the pressing unit at the first position; transporting the medium to the medium support unit after positioning the pressing unit at the first position; aligning the medium supported by the medium support unit with the alignment unit; and positioning the pressing unit at the second position after aligning the medium with the alignment unit.

[0018] According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first aspect.

[0019] A seventh aspect of the control method for a processing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, when the distance between the loading surface and the medium support section when the loading section is in the highest position is a first distance, after the medium is aligned by the alignment section, the pressing section is positioned at the second position where the distance between the pressing surface and the support surface is a second distance smaller than the first distance.

[0020] According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the second aspect.

[0021] The eighth aspect of the control method for a processing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, the loading section descends a distance equivalent to the height of the fallen medium in the stacking direction after the medium falls from the medium support section.

[0022] According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the third aspect.

[0023] A ninth aspect of the recording system of the present invention comprises a recording device having a recording unit that records on a medium and a discharge unit that discharges the medium from the recording unit; a media introduction unit that introduces the medium discharged from the discharge unit, a medium support unit having a support surface that supports at least a tip portion of the medium introduced from the media introduction unit and transported, an alignment unit that aligns the medium supported by the medium support unit, a loading unit that is provided vertically below the medium support unit and has a loading surface on which the medium dropped from the medium support unit is loaded, and a pressing unit that has a pressing surface facing the support surface and is movable between a first position and a second position that is closer to the support surface than the first position, wherein the pressing unit is positioned at the first position when the medium is transported to the medium support unit, and is positioned at the second position after the alignment unit has aligned the medium on the medium support unit.

[0024] According to this aspect, in a recording system including a recording device, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first aspect.

[0025] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is a Cartesian coordinate system, with the X-axis direction being the width direction of medium P and also the depth direction of each device. The Y-axis direction is the length direction of medium P when medium P is transported horizontally and is also the width direction of each device. The Z-axis direction is the thickness direction or stacking height direction when medium P is placed horizontally, and also indicates the vertical direction or the height direction of each device. The Ya axis direction indicates the transport direction or discharge direction in the processing device of this embodiment, with +Ya indicating the downstream side when transporting or discharging the medium P. Also, -Ya indicates the opposite upstream side. In this embodiment, the Ya axis direction is set in a direction that is slightly higher in the Z axis direction on the +Ya side than the horizontal Y axis direction.

[0026] <<Overall configuration of the recording system>> First, based on FIG. 1, an outline of the overall configuration of a recording system 1 equipped with a processing device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The recording system 1 of this embodiment includes a recording device 2 having a recording unit 10 that records on a medium P such as printing paper, and a discharge path 13 that is a discharge unit that discharges the medium P on which recording has been performed by the recording unit 10, a medium introduction unit 40 that introduces the medium P discharged from the discharge path 13 that is a discharge unit, a medium support unit 50 that has a support surface 50a (FIG. 2) that supports at least a leading end 53 (FIG. 2) of the medium P introduced and transported from the medium introduction unit 40, and a recording device 2 that supports the medium P supported by the medium support unit 50. The processing device 4 includes an alignment unit 38 that aligns the medium P, in this case, aligning the rear end 59 of the medium P, a loading unit 37 that is provided below the medium support unit 50 in the vertical direction Z and that can be raised and lowered and has a loading surface 37a on which the medium P that has dropped from the medium support unit 50 is loaded, and a pressing unit 51 that has a pressing surface 51a facing the support surface 50a and is movable between a first position Q1 (Figure 3) and a second position Q2 (Figure 5) that is closer to the support surface 50a than the first position Q1. The pressing section 51 is configured to be positioned at a first position Q1 when the medium P is transported to the medium support section 50, and to be positioned at a second position Q2 after the alignment section 38 aligns the medium P on the medium support section 50.

[0027] Specifically, in this embodiment, the recording system 1 is configured as shown in FIG. 1 as an example, and is equipped, from right to left in FIG. 1, with a recording device 2, an intermediate device 3, and a processing device 4 of this embodiment, which will be described later. The recording device 2, intermediate device 3 and processing device 4 are connected to each other, and the medium P supplied by the recording device 2 and recorded thereon is introduced into the processing device 4 via the intermediate device 3, and is continuously transported and discharged until it is finally handed over to the stacking section 37. The schematic configuration of each of the recording device 2, intermediate device 3, and processing device 4 will be described below in that order.

[0028] <Outline of the recording device> The recording device 2 is configured as a multifunction machine including a printer section 5 equipped with a recording head (recording section) 10 that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto recording paper, which is an example of a medium P, and a scanner section 6 that reads an image written on a document. In this embodiment, the printer section 5 is configured as a so-called inkjet printer, and as an example, a line head that performs recording in the width direction X of the medium P in one go is used as the recording head 10. In addition, at the bottom of the main body of the recording device 2, media storage cassettes 7 are provided in multiple stages, and these media storage cassettes 7 store, for example, multiple sheets of media P of different sizes, sorted by size and stored individually.

[0029] The medium P stored in the medium storage cassette 7 of each stage is sent to a recording area of ​​the printer unit 5 in which the recording head 10 is located through a feed path 11 shown by a solid line in the recording device 2 in Fig. 1, and the desired recording operation is performed. The medium P on which recording has been performed by the recording head 10 is sent to one of two discharge paths: a first discharge path 12 that discharges the medium P toward a discharge tray 8 provided above the recording head 10, for example, or a second discharge path 13 that discharges the medium P toward the processing device 4 of this embodiment via an intermediate device 3 described next. In FIG. 1, the first discharge path 12 is illustrated by a broken line, and the second discharge path 13 is illustrated by a dashed line.

[0030] In addition, the printer section 5 of the recording device 2 is also provided with an inversion path 14 indicated by a dotted line, which makes it possible to perform double-sided recording in which, after recording on the front side of the medium P, the medium P is inverted and recording is continuously performed on the back side. Although not shown in the figure, each of the feeding path 11, the first discharge path 12, the second discharge path 13 and the reversal path 14 is appropriately provided with one or more pairs of transport rollers that impart a transport force to the medium P, and guide rollers or guide members that guide the transport of the medium P.

[0031] In addition, the recording device 2 is provided with an operation panel (not shown) that is used to input various information related to the transport and recording of the medium P, and a control unit 15 that controls various operations related to the transport and recording of the medium P based on the various input information. The operation panel and control unit 15 may be provided in each of the recording device 2, intermediate device 3 and processing device 4, or may be provided only in the recording device 2, or may be configured to control all of the devices.

[0032] <Outline of intermediate device> The intermediate device 3 is a device that receives the medium P after recording is performed, which is discharged from the recording device 2 through the second discharge path 13, and passes it to the processing device 4. The intermediate device 3 is provided with an intermediate receiving path 20 shown by a solid line in FIG. 1, which receives the medium P after recording, which is discharged through the second discharge path 13 of the recording device 2, into the device body of the intermediate device 3.

[0033] Furthermore, a branching section 24 is provided at the end of the intermediate receiving path 20, and two transport paths are provided starting from this branching section 24 to transport the medium P. The first of these transport paths is a transport path that runs from the intermediate receiving path 20 through a first switchback path 21 to an intermediate discharge path 23. The first switchback path 21 is a path that receives the medium P in the direction of the arrow A1, and then switches the medium P back in the direction of the arrow A2 to reach the intermediate discharge path 23. The second switchback path 22 is a path that receives the medium P in the direction of the arrow B1, and then switches the medium P back in the direction of the arrow B2 to reach the intermediate discharge path 23.

[0034] Therefore, a junction 25 is provided at the end of the first switchback path 21 and the second switchback path 22, and this junction 25 is configured so that both the medium P sent to the first switchback path 21 and the medium P sent to the second switchback path 22 can be guided to a common intermediate discharge path 23 and handed over to the processing device 4 described later. Although not shown in the figure, each of the intermediate receiving path 20, the first switchback path 21, the second switchback path 22 and the intermediate discharge path 23 is appropriately equipped with one or more pairs of transport rollers that impart a transport force to the medium P, and guide rollers or guide members that guide the transport of the medium P.

[0035] Furthermore, when performing continuous recording on a plurality of media P, it is possible to alternately send the media P received in the intermediate device 3 to a transport path passing through the first switchback path 21 and a transport path passing through the second switchback path 22. Incidentally, by configuring in this manner, it is possible to increase the throughput of transporting the media P in the intermediate device 3 and perform efficient intermediate transport. Furthermore, when the medium P on which recording has been performed by the recording device 2 is sent to the processing device 4 via the intermediate device 3, the transport time is longer than when the medium P is sent directly from the recording device 2 to the processing device 4, which has the effect of promoting the drying of the ink ejected and adhering to the front or back surface of the medium P before it is transported to the processing device 4. Furthermore, if the ink drying acceleration and the like is not required, the intermediate device 3 can be omitted, and the recording system 1 can include only the recording device 2 and the processing device 4.

[0036] <Outline of processing equipment> The processing device 4 is a device that bundles together, for example, several sheets of the medium P that have been recorded by the recording device 2 and whose drying has been promoted by the intermediate device 3, aligns them, performs a specified process, and sequentially ejects and stacks the sheets on the stacking section 37. Accordingly, the processing device 4 is provided with a transporting element that guides the medium P handed over from the intermediate device 3 into the main body of the processing device 4 for alignment and discharge, an alignment element that bundles together the transported medium P and aligns it, a processing element that performs a predetermined process such as stapling on the aligned medium P, and a discharge / stacking element that discharges the processed medium P and stacks it in sequence. In this embodiment, the transport element includes a transport path 31, a first transport roller pair 32, a second transport roller pair 33, a medium transport section 34, and a medium placement section 35. The alignment element includes a trailing end alignment section 38, a paddle mechanism 43 (FIG. 2), and a side end alignment section 41. The processing element includes a processing section 36 for performing, for example, stapling, punching, folding, saddle stitching, etc. The paper discharge / stacking element includes a paper discharge device 30, a medium support section 50, and a stacking section 37.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pressing element is provided that suppresses the occurrence of cross curl, in which the leading edge 56 of the medium P curves upward, which occurs due to swelling or transportation caused by the execution of recording in the recording device 2, and vertical curl, in which the left and right side edges 57L, 57R of the leading edge 53 of the medium P curve upward. The pressing element includes a pressing portion 51 and a medium support portion 50. A transport path 31 is provided at the introduction section of the processing device 4 to guide the medium P delivered to the processing device 4 into the device main body so that a predetermined transport can be performed. Also, on the transport path 31, two pairs of transport rollers, a first transport roller pair 32 and a second transport roller pair 33, which apply a transport force to the medium P introduced into the device main body, are provided as an example. The specific configuration of the processing device 4 of this embodiment, which is made up of these elements, will be described in detail below.

[0038] <<Specific configuration of processing device>> The processing device 4 of this embodiment includes a medium support unit 50 having a support surface 50a that supports at least a tip portion 53 of the transported medium P, an alignment unit 38 that aligns the medium P supported by the medium support unit 50, a liftable loading unit 37 that is provided below the medium support unit 50 in the vertical direction Z and has a loading surface 37a on which the medium P that has fallen from the medium support unit 50 is loaded, and a pressing unit 51 that has a pressing surface 51a opposite the support surface 50a and is movable between a first position Q1 and a second position Q2 that is closer to the support surface 50a than the first position Q1. The pressing section 51 is configured to be positioned at a first position Q1 when the medium P is transported to the medium support section 50, and to be positioned at a second position Q2 after the alignment section 38 aligns the medium P on the medium support section 50.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a medium mounting unit 35 having a mounting surface 35a capable of supporting a rear end 55 of the medium P transported from the intermediate device 3 is provided at an upstream -Ya position in the transport direction Ya of the medium support unit 50. And above the medium mounting unit 35, a medium transport unit 34 including a paddle mechanism 43 that assists the operation of the alignment unit 38 is provided. In addition, since the medium support unit 50 and the stacking unit 37 stack and hold the medium P to be discharged after alignment and processing, they can also be said to be components of the paper discharge device 30. Below, a specific description will be given of the components of each of the above-mentioned elements that make up the processing device 4.

[0040] <Transport element> The transport elements of the processing device 4 are configured by a transport path 31, a first transport roller pair 32, a second transport roller pair 33, a medium transport section 34, and a medium placement section 35, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the conveying path 31 is arranged horizontally in parallel to the Y direction in the medium introduction section 40 as shown in Figure 1, and is arranged as an upwardly inclined conveying path 31 along the conveying direction Ya that is corrected upward from the portion where the medium conveying section 34 and the medium loading section 35 are located. A first conveying roller pair 32 consisting of a pair of nip rollers is provided at an upstream position (-Y direction) of the horizontal section of the conveying path 31, and a second conveying roller pair 33 also consisting of a pair of nip rollers is provided at a downstream position (+Y direction) of the horizontal section.

[0041] The medium transport unit 34 transports the aligned and processed stack of media P from a position where the rear end 55 is on the loading surface 35a of the medium loading unit 35 until it is positioned on the support surface 50a of the medium support unit 50. The medium transport unit 34 includes a swinging frame 63 that swings at a predetermined angle around a swing fulcrum O. A transport driven roller 62 is provided at a downstream corner of the lower surface of the swinging frame 63, which comes into contact with the upper surface of the stack of media P and applies a transport force to the media P in the downstream direction +Ya in the transport direction Ya by a nipping action with a transport drive roller 61, which will be described later. The medium transport unit 34 also includes a paddle mechanism 43 that assists in alignment, which will be described later.

[0042] Incidentally, instead of the above-mentioned set of transport drive roller 61 and transport driven roller 62, the media transport unit 34 can also use, for example, a transport belt stretched around a plurality of rollers arranged in a loop, and further employ a transport means configured in combination with a suction adsorption type or electrostatic adsorption type adsorption means that utilizes negative pressure generated by a suction fan.

[0043] The medium placement section 35 is a member that supports a rear end 55 of the medium P guided to the transport path 31 so that an alignment operation, which will be described later, can be carried out smoothly. The medium placement unit 35 has a housing 65 with a placement surface 35a on the upper surface that is inclined along the paper discharge direction Ya. A transport drive roller 61 that forms a nip roller together with the transport driven roller 62 described above and applies a transport force to the medium P is provided at a corner portion at a downstream position in the upper part of the housing 65. In addition, a motor and power transmission means (not shown) that apply a drive force to the transport drive roller 61, and a moving means (described later) that moves an alignment unit 38 (described later) from downstream +Ya to upstream -Ya in the paper discharge direction Ya where the medium support unit 50 is located are provided inside the housing 65.

[0044] <Integrity element> The alignment element of the processing device 4 is configured to include a rear end alignment section 38, a first side end alignment section (not shown), a paddle mechanism 43, and a second side end alignment section 41. In addition, there are a support surface 50a of the medium support section 50 and a placement surface 35a of the medium placement section 35 as sections that support the medium P from below when aligning the medium P. The rear end alignment section 38 is a section that aligns the rear ends 59 of a stack of multiple sheets of media P supported by the loading surface 35a of the medium loading section 35. The rear end alignment section 38 is a member having a substantially U-shaped cross section with an open end face on the downstream +Ya side in the paper discharge direction Ya. In this embodiment, the rear end alignment section 38 is provided with three sets of rear end alignment sections 38L, 38R, and 38C, one set each on the left and right and in the center in the medium width direction X. The first side edge alignment sections are provided as a pair on the left and right sides so as to sandwich the medium P on the medium loading section 35 in the medium width direction X, and are configured to be able to shift by a predetermined stroke in the medium width direction X. This makes it possible to align the side edge on the rear end 59 side of the medium P supported on the loading surface 35a of the medium loading section 35.

[0045] Furthermore, the support surface 50a of the medium support unit 50 and the placement surface 35a of the medium placement unit 35 are inclined to assist in the smooth entry and retention of the rear end 59 of the medium P into the rear end alignment unit 38. The medium P slides down the inclined support surface 50a and placement surface 35a under its own weight, so that the rear end 59 of the medium P is smoothly guided into the rear end alignment unit 38 and comes into contact with the bottom surface of the rear end alignment unit 38, where it is aligned and aligned. In addition, a paddle mechanism 43 is provided as a mechanism for assisting the movement of the medium P due to its own weight.

[0046] The paddle mechanism 43 includes a rotating shaft 45 extending in the medium width direction X, a plurality of wing pieces called paddles 47 made of rubber or the like provided around the rotating shaft 45, and a driving means for rotating the rotating shaft 45 in a direction in which the rear end 59 of the medium P enters the rear end alignment section 38. Two sets of paddles 47 made of a plurality of wing pieces are arranged at separate positions in the medium width direction X and are provided to be movable in the medium width direction X. The first side edge alignment portion and the second side edge alignment portion 41 are disposed on the left and right sides of the medium transport portion 34 and the medium loading portion 35 so as to sandwich the medium transport portion 34 and the medium loading portion 35. The two alignment portions are shifted by a predetermined stroke in the medium width direction X by a shift mechanism (not shown), thereby aligning and lining up the left and right side edges 57 of the stack of media P.

[0047] As described below, the side edge alignment portion 41 is a member that constitutes the medium support portion 50. The medium support portion 50 is provided in a pair on the left and right sides so as to sandwich the medium P in the medium width direction X, and is configured to be able to shift a predetermined stroke in the medium width direction X by a shift mechanism (not shown). This allows alignment of side edges 57L, 57R (FIG. 2), which are mainly the sides of the tip portion 53 of the medium P supported on the support surface 50a of the medium support portion 50.

[0048] <Processing element> The processing elements of the processing device 4 include a processing unit 36 ​​that executes a predetermined process on the medium P placed on the medium placement unit 35 . The processing section 36 shown in Figures 1 and 3 is provided, as an example, at three locations, namely, the left and right corners and the center, at the rear end 59 of the medium P, and performs predetermined processes such as stapling, punching, folding, and saddle-stitching, as described above. In this embodiment, as an example, a configuration is adopted in which a staple process is performed by driving a staple (not shown) into one of the three locations described above on the rear end 59 of the medium P. Accordingly, the processing section 36 is appropriately provided with a storage section that can store multiple staples, a mechanism that sends the staples to the stapling position, and a mechanism that drives in the staples.

[0049] <Paper discharge and loading elements> As described above, the paper discharge / stacking element of the processing device 4 is configured by including the paper discharge device 30, the medium support section 50, and the stacking section 37. The paper discharge device 30 is a device that transports a stack of media P that has been processed by the processing unit 36, and whose rear end 55 is supported on the loading surface 35a of the media loading section 35, downstream +Ya in the paper discharge direction Ya to position the rear end 55 of the media P on the support surface 50a of the media support section 50 (Figure 8). Specifically, the paper discharge device 30 is configured by including a medium transport section 34 and a medium placement section 35 which constitute the transport elements described above.

[0050] The medium support part 50 is a medium support member having, for example, an L-shaped cross section formed integrally with a support part 70 whose upper surface forms the support surface 50a and a side end alignment part 41 whose inner wall surface forms a regulating surface when aligning side ends 57L, 57R (FIG. 2) of the medium P. The medium support part 50 is provided in an inclined position with an upward incline such that the downstream +Ya side along the paper discharge direction Ya is higher. The medium support parts 50 are arranged facing each other on the left and right in the medium width direction X, and are configured to be able to perform a shift operation of a predetermined stroke in the medium width direction X, for example.

[0051] Specifically, when the medium support unit 50 is supporting medium P, both the left and right medium support units 50L, 50R shift inward to support the underside of the medium P near the side ends 57L, 57R. On the other hand, when the support of the medium P is released and the stack of the medium P is dropped onto the stacking surface 37a of the stacking unit 37 below, both the left and right medium support units 50L, 50R shift outward to move outside the area where the medium P is present and drop the medium P. The stacking section 37 is provided with a liftable paper discharge tray 71 that receives a stack of media P that has been released from support by the medium support section 50 and fallen downward in the vertical direction Z.

[0052] The sheet discharge tray 71 is provided with a stacking surface 37a inclined upward in the sheet discharge direction Ya such that the downstream +Ya side is higher, similar to the medium support unit 50. When the sheet discharge tray 71 is located at the top position as shown in Fig. 3, the sheet discharge tray 71 is configured to always keep a first distance L1 between the stacking surface 37a and the medium support unit 50 and wait at a lower position. Furthermore, a sensor 79 is provided on the housing 77 on the side of the base of the paper discharge tray 71 when the paper discharge tray 71 is located at the top position. Normally, when a stack of media P is dropped onto the stacking surface 37a of the paper discharge tray 71, the sensor 79 detects the presence of the media P and the paper discharge tray 71 is configured to descend downward in the vertical direction Z by the stack height H of the dropped stack of media P. As a result, when the support by the medium support section 50 is released and the stack of media P is dropped, the falling distance D is maintained approximately constant.

[0053] <Pressure element> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pressing element of the processing device 4 is configured to include a pressing section 51 that is arranged above the medium support section 50 in an inclined position with an upward inclination along the paper discharge direction Ya, similar to the medium support section 50, with the downstream +Ya side becoming higher, a pressing mechanism 80 that presses the pressing section 51 toward the medium support section 50, and holding frames 81R, 81L (Figure 2) that are bent into an L shape as an example of holding these in a connected state with the medium support section 50. The pressing portion 51 is arranged parallel to the medium support portion 50 and is a flat member that is slightly smaller than the support portion 70 of the medium support portion 50. At its upstream-Ya end in the paper discharge direction Ya, an inclined guide 83 is formed that is bent upward to ensure smooth transport and discharge of the medium P.

[0054] Further, upwardly raised connection pieces 85A, 85B (FIG. 3) are provided at a downstream +Ya position near the inclined guide 83 of the pressing part 51 and at a position further downstream +Ya away a predetermined distance. The pressing part 51 is connected to the pressing mechanism 80 described below via these connection pieces 85A, 85B. The pressing mechanism 80 is composed of a motor (not shown) that serves as a driving source, a power transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits the rotation of the motor's output shaft to the drive shaft 87, and a power conversion mechanism 89 that converts the rotation of the drive shaft 87 into the movement of the pressing portion 51 approaching and moving away from the support surface 50a of the medium support portion 50.

[0055] In addition, the power conversion mechanism 89 is configured by a parallel link mechanism in this embodiment. Specifically, the power conversion mechanism 89 is configured to include a first link arm 90, one end of which is connected in a fixed state to the drive shaft 87 and the other end of which is connected in a rotatable state to the connection piece 85B at the downstream +Ya position, a second link arm 93, which has the same length as the first link arm 90, one end of which is connected in a rotatable state to a rotation shaft 91 provided at a position spaced apart from the drive shaft 87 on the upstream -Ya side, and the other end of which is connected in a rotatable state to the connection piece 85A at the upstream -Ya position, and a gate-shaped support frame 95, which supports the drive shaft 87 and the rotation shaft 91 and supports the motor and power transmission mechanism (not shown).

[0056] As a result, when the rotation of the output shaft of a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the drive shaft 87 via the power transmission mechanism, the first link arm 90 and the second link arm 93 rotate clockwise or counterclockwise in Figure 3 while maintaining a parallel state with each other around the drive shaft 87 and the pivot shaft 91, respectively. In addition, the rotation of the first link arm 90 and the second link arm 93 is transmitted to the pressing portion 51 via two connecting pieces 85A, 85B connected to the other end, and the pressing surface 51a of the pressing portion 51 is configured to be able to move between a first position Q1, which is the retracted position described above, and a second position Q2, which is a pressing position closer to the support surface 50a than the first position Q1, while maintaining the pressing portion 51 and the medium support portion 50 in a parallel state.

[0057] In addition, in this embodiment, when the distance between the loading surface 37a and the medium support section 50 when the output tray 71 of the loading section 37 is located at the top position is set to the first distance L1 as described above, and the distance between the pressing surface 51a and the support surface 50a when the pressing section 51 is located at the second position Q2 is set to the second distance L2, the second distance L2 is set to be smaller than the first distance L1.

[0058] In addition, in this embodiment, after the support by the medium support section 50 is released and the stack of media P is dropped downward, the distance D by which the discharge tray 71 of the stacking section 37 descends is set to be a distance equivalent to the height H of the stack of dropped media P in the stacking direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height position in the vertical direction Z of the medium loading section 35 is set to a stepped arrangement so that the height of the rear end 50b in the transport direction Ya of the support surface 50a of the medium support section 50 is lower than the height of the front end 35b in the transport direction Ya of the loading surface 35a of the medium loading section 35. Furthermore, the distance between the rear end 50b of the support surface 50a of the medium support section 50 in the transport direction Ya and the front end 35b of the placement surface 35a of the medium placement section 35 in the transport direction Ya is set to be greater than the second distance L2.

[0059] <Explanation of the effect of the treatment device> The processing apparatus 4 of this embodiment has the above-described configuration and thus provides the following effects. (1) First, the pressing surface 51a of the pressing unit 51 is movable between a first position Q1 in a retracted state and a second position Q2 for pressing the medium P, which is closer to the support surface 50a than the first position Q1. The pressing unit 51 is disposed at the retracted first position Q1 when the medium P is transported to the medium support unit 50. Therefore, by appropriately setting the first position Q1 by grasping the degree of curl in advance, even if the transported medium P has a curl, the curl will not come into contact with the pressing unit 51. This allows the medium P to be transported and received smoothly onto the medium support unit 50.

[0060] On the other hand, after the aligning unit 38 aligns the medium P, at least the tip 53 of which is supported by the medium support unit 50, the pressing unit 51 moves to the second position Q2 and presses the medium P. As a result, if a curl occurs in the medium P, and the curl is large enough to contact the pressing surface 51a at the second position Q2, the pressing unit 51 can press the medium P at the second position Q2 to reduce the curl or almost completely eliminate it. Also, if there is a curl that is in the process of growing, the growth of the curl can be suppressed by pressing with the pressing unit 51. As a result, the medium P can be smoothly transported to the medium support unit 50 and smoothly stacked on the stacking unit 37 without being hindered.

[0061] (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the second distance L2 corresponding to the height of the medium P in a pressed state is smaller than the first distance L1 corresponding to the height of the loading area of ​​the loading unit 37. That is, the pressing unit 51 presses the medium P on the support surface 50a so that the height H is smaller than the first distance L1, which is the distance between the loading surface 37a and the medium support unit 50. As a result, the height H of the medium P pressed by the pressing unit 51 and dropped onto the loading unit 37 is equal to or smaller than the first distance L1, thereby making it possible to reduce the risk of the medium P coming into contact with the medium support unit 50.

[0062] (3) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, after the stack of media P is dropped from the medium support unit 50, the stacking unit 37 descends a distance D corresponding to the height H in the stacking direction of the dropped stack of media P. This allows the height of the stacking area of ​​the stacking unit 37 to be maintained at a substantially constant height, even when the stack of media P is stacked on the stacking unit 37 and the stack amount increases.

[0063] (4) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the medium placement unit 35 is disposed such that the height position of the rear end 50b of the support surface 50a in the transport direction Ya is lower than the height position of the front end 35b of the placement surface 35a in the transport direction Ya, and the distance therebetween is greater than the second distance L2. As a result, by pressing the stack of media P supported across the medium support unit 50 and the medium placement unit 35 by the pressing unit 51, as shown in Fig. 12, even when a medium P with a high stiffness that cannot be curved into an S-shaped or Z-shaped shape in an unloaded state is used, the side shape of the medium P can be easily deformed into a non-linear S-shaped or Z-shaped shape as shown in Fig. 13. This deformation reduces the friction between the media P, and improves the alignment provided by the alignment portion 38. Furthermore, if the medium P is weak, the medium P can be made stronger by deforming the medium P into the non-linear shape, and the shift operation of the medium P in the medium width direction X that intersects with the conveying direction Ya can be performed with good stability.

[0064] (5) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the processing unit 36 ​​can perform a predetermined process, such as stapling, on a stack of media P whose trailing ends 59 have been aligned, at the left, right, or central position near the trailing ends 59.

[0065] <<Contents of the processing device control method>> The control method for the processing device of the present invention is a control method whose main operations are transporting, aligning, and pressing the medium P of the processing device 4 equipped with each of the components described above, and includes a first step P1 which is a preparation step for transporting the medium P, a second step P2 which is a transport execution step, a third step P3 which is an alignment step, and a fourth step P4 which is a pressing step. In this embodiment, the process further includes a fifth step P5, which is a processing step performed after the alignment of all the media P to be bundled is completed, a sixth step P6, which is a paper discharge step performed after the processing, and a seventh step P7, which is a stacking step performed after the paper discharge. These steps are controlled by the aforementioned control unit 15. The contents of these steps will be specifically described in order below.

[0066] <First step> (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 14) The first step P1 is a transport preparation step that is performed prior to the reception of the medium P, and is a step of placing the pressing portion 51 at the first position Q1. That is, a motor (not shown) is driven to drive the pressing mechanism 80, and the pressing unit 51 is moved to the first position Q1, which is an upper retreat position. In this state, a large space for receiving the medium P is secured between the medium support unit 50 and the pressing unit 51.

[0067] <Second step> (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 14) The second step P2 is a step of actually transporting the medium P toward the medium support section 50 after preparation for transport has been completed in the first step P1. That is, by driving a motor and power transmission means (not shown) to apply a downstream transport force +Ya in the transport direction Ya, the leading end 53 of the medium P is caused to gradually enter the space between the pressing portion 51 and the medium support portion 50 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0068] When the medium P is transported to a predetermined position, the medium P slides upstream -Ya in the transport direction Ya due to the inclination of the support surface 50a and the loading surface 35a, and stops at a position where the rear end 59 of the medium P contacts the bottom surface of the alignment section 38, as shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, in this state, if a weak medium P is used, the difference in height between the support surface 50a and the placement surface 35a will cause the medium P to bend midway, and the medium P will be stored in a curved, non-linear shape, such as an S-shape or Z-shape, as shown in Figure 4.

[0069] <Third step> (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 14) The third step P3 is an alignment step in which the medium P, whose leading end 53 is supported by the medium support section 50 and whose trailing end 55 is supported by the medium placement section 35, is aligned by the alignment section 38. That is, in addition to the movement of the medium P due to its own weight, utilizing the inclination of the support surface 50a and the placement surface 35a described above, the paddle mechanism 43 is driven to rotate the paddle 47 in a predetermined direction, i.e., a direction that moves the medium P upstream -Ya, so that the rear ends 59 of all the media P to be bundled are brought into contact with the bottom surface of the alignment section 38.

[0070] In this embodiment, the media P have the above-mentioned non-linear shape, so that the frictional force between the stacked media P is reduced, enabling the media P to move smoothly in the alignment direction. At the same time, the second side edge alignment portion 41 and the medium support portion 50 are shifted in the medium width direction X, whereby the side edges of the medium P are aligned.

[0071] <Fourth step> (see Figs. 4 to 6 and Figs. 12 to 13) The fourth step P4 is a pressing step in which the pressing portion 51, which was located at the first position Q1, which is the retracted position, is moved toward the medium support portion 50 and positioned at the second position Q2, which is the pressing position, to press the medium P. That is, a motor and a power transmission means (not shown) are driven to rotate the drive shaft 87 in a predetermined direction to operate the pressing mechanism 80. As a result, the pressing part 51 moves in a swinging manner toward the downstream +Ya side in the transport direction Ya, approaches the medium support part 50 side, and reaches the second position Q2 shown in FIG.

[0072] When the pressing portion 51 reaches the second position Q2, the pressing surface 51a of the pressing portion 51 acts on the curl occurring at the leading end 56 of the medium P as shown in FIG. 5, pressing the medium P in a direction to reduce the curl. 6, in preparation for receiving the next medium P. Even in this state, the height of the curl generated at the leading end 56 of the previously received medium P remains lower than the height shown in FIG. 4 before pressing by the pressing unit 51, as shown in FIG. Furthermore, even when using media P that is stiff and has high rigidity, the pressing action of the pressing section 51 in this process causes the media P to take on a non-linear S- or Z-shape, as shown in the change in shape of the media P shown in Figures 12 and 13, thereby reducing the frictional force between the stacked media P.

[0073] <Fifth step> (see Figs. 7 and 14) The fifth step P5 is a processing step in which a predetermined process is performed on the stack of media P for which alignment has been completed. That is, a predetermined process such as stapling the left and right corners or the center of the rear end 59 of the stack of media P is performed using an appropriate processing unit 36 ​​arranged near the alignment unit 38. Note that in this embodiment, the pressing unit 51 is retracted to the first position prior to the processing by the processing unit 36, but depending on the type of media P, the processing by the processing unit 36 ​​may be performed with the pressing unit 51 remaining in the second position. Note that in Figures 7 to 8 and 10 to 11, the leading end 53 side of the media P is not shown in order to avoid complicating the drawings.

[0074] <Sixth step> (see Figs. 8, 9 and 14) The sixth step P6 is a paper discharge step in which the stack of media P on which a specified process has been performed is moved to a downstream +Ya position in the paper discharge direction Ya, and all of the media P, including the rear end 55, is moved toward the media support section 50. That is, the transport drive roller 61 is driven to bring the transport driven roller 62 into a nipped state and discharge the medium P. At the same time, the alignment unit 38 is moved downstream to the +Ya side in the discharge direction Ya to push up the rear end 59 of the medium P and assist in the discharge of the medium P. Note that a structure in which the alignment unit 38 does not move downstream to the +Ya side in the discharge direction Ya is also possible.

[0075] <Seventh step> (see Figs. 10, 11 and 14) The seventh step P7 is a stacking step in which the bundle of ejected media P is dropped from the medium support unit 50 and stacked on the stacking unit 37 in sequence. That is, the stack of media P that was supported by separating the left and right medium support parts 50L, 50R outward in the medium width direction X is dropped downward and supported on the stacking surface 37a of the stacking part 37. At this time, the stack height H of the stack of media P that falls is lower than the first distance L1, which is the distance between the stacking surface 37a of the topmost stacking part 37 and the medium support parts 50, so that the risk of the media P stacked on the stacking part 37 coming into contact with the media P stacked on the stacking part 37 is reduced.

[0076] When media P are stacked on the paper discharge tray 71 of the stacking unit 37, the sensor 79 detects this and the paper discharge tray 71 lowers a distance D corresponding to the height H of the media P in the stacking direction. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated to execute discharge and stacking for the subsequent stacks of media P, and stacks of media P are sequentially piled up on the discharge tray 71.

[0077] [Other embodiments] The processing device 4, the processing device control method, and the recording system 1 according to the embodiments of the present invention are based on the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit parts of the configuration without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0078] For example, the pressing unit 51 may perform pressing each time a medium P is received, or may perform pressing every time several media P are received, or may perform pressing when all the media P to be bundled have been received. Furthermore, the pressing mechanism 80 that drives the pressing unit 51 may be a mechanism that utilizes other mechanisms, such as a cam mechanism or a rack and pinion mechanism, in addition to the parallel link mechanism described in the description of the embodiment above. The moving direction of the pressing unit 51 is also not limited to the one that approaches the medium support unit 50 while swinging toward the downstream +Ya side of the paper discharge direction Ya described in the description of the embodiment above, but the pressing unit 51 may move linearly in the normal direction approaching the medium support unit 50. It is also possible to make the second position Q2 of the pressing unit 51 variable in response to the thickness of the medium P or the stack height H of the stack of media P, or to provide the pressing unit 51 with an elastic effect by interposing an elastic member or the like. In addition, it is also possible to provide a heater in the pressing unit 51 at a portion opposite the portion of the medium P where curling has occurred, and to use the heat of the heater to reduce the curl of the medium P.

[0079] In the recording system 1, the intermediate device 3 may be omitted, in which case the recording device 2 and the processing device 4 may be independent units, or the recording device 2 and the processing device 4 may be integrated. Also, the recording device 2 may be equipped with a paper discharge device 30. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1... recording system, 2... recording device, 3... intermediate device, 4... processing device, 5...printer unit, 6...scanner unit, 7...media storage cassette, 8...output tray, 10: recording unit; 11: feeding path; 12: first discharge path; 13: second discharge path, discharge unit; 14: reversing path; 15: control unit; 20: intermediate receiving route, 21: first switchback route, 22... second switchback path, 23... intermediate discharge path, 24... branching section, 25... junction section, 30: paper discharge device; 31: transport path; 32: first transport roller pair; 33: second conveying roller pair; 34: medium conveying section; 35: medium placement section; 35a: placement surface; 35b...tip, 36...processing section, 37...loading section, 37a...loading surface, 38: rear end alignment portion, 41: second side end alignment portion, 43: paddle mechanism, 45: rotation shaft, 47: paddle; 50: medium support portion; 50a: support surface; 50b: rear end; 51: pressing portion; 53...Tip, 55...Rear end, 56...Tip, 57...Side end, 59...Rear end, 61: Transport drive roller; 62: Transport driven roller; 63: Swing frame; 65: housing; 70: support portion; 71: paper ejection tray; 77: housing; 79: sensor; 80: pressing mechanism; 81: holding frame; 83: inclined guide; 85...connection piece, 87...drive shaft, 89...power conversion mechanism, 90...first link arm, 91: rotating shaft; 93: second link arm; 95: support frame; X: Media width direction, device depth direction; Y: Media length direction, device width direction; Z... Media stack height direction, device height direction, vertical direction, Ya... Transport direction, paper ejection direction, +Ya...Downstream, -Ya...Upstream, P...Medium, Q1...1st position, Q2...2nd position, L1: first distance, L2: second distance, O: swing fulcrum, D: descending distance, H: stack height; P1: first process, transport preparation process; P2: second process, transport execution process; P3...3rd process, alignment process, P4...4th process, pressing process, P5...5th process, processing process, P6: 6th process, paper ejection process, P7: 7th process, loading process

Claims

1. a medium support section having a support surface for supporting the transported medium; an alignment unit that aligns the medium supported by the medium support unit; a liftable loading section provided vertically below the medium support section and having a loading surface on which the medium dropped from the medium support section is loaded; a pressing unit having a pressing surface that faces the support surface and is capable of pressing a leading end of the medium in a transport direction, The pressing portion is a first position and a second position closer to the support surface than the first position; When the medium is transported to the medium support section, the medium support section is disposed at the first position; the alignment unit is disposed at the second position after aligning the medium on the medium support unit; A processing device comprising:

2. 2. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, a medium placement section having a placement surface for supporting the transported medium; the medium support unit is located downstream of the medium placement unit in the transport direction, The pressing portion does not face the placement surface. A processing device comprising:

3. 3. The processing apparatus according to claim 2, When the alignment unit aligns the medium, the medium support unit supports the leading end, and the medium placement unit supports the trailing end of the medium in the transport direction. A processing device comprising:

4. 3. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, the alignment portion has a trailing end alignment portion that contacts a trailing end of the medium in the transport direction; A processing device comprising:

5. a medium support section having a support surface for supporting the transported medium; an alignment unit that aligns the medium supported by the medium support unit; a liftable loading section provided vertically below the medium support section and having a loading surface on which the medium dropped from the medium support section is loaded; a pressing portion having a pressing surface facing the support surface and provided on both sides in a width direction along a transport direction of the medium, The pressing portion is a first position and a second position closer to the support surface than the first position; When the medium is transported to the medium support section, the medium support section is disposed at the first position; the alignment unit is disposed at the second position after aligning the medium on the medium support unit; A processing device comprising:

6. 6. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, a distance between the stacking surface and the medium support unit when the stacking unit is in the uppermost position is a first distance; When the distance between the pressing surface and the support surface at the second position is a second distance, the second distance is less than the first distance; A processing device comprising:

7. 7. The processing apparatus according to claim 6, After the media has fallen from the medium support unit, the loading unit descends a distance equivalent to the height of the fallen media in a stacking direction. A processing device comprising:

8. 8. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, a medium placement section having a placement surface capable of supporting a rear end of the transported medium, the medium placement section is disposed such that a rear end of the support surface in a transport direction is lower than a front end of the placement surface in the transport direction, When a distance between the pressing surface and the support surface at the second position is a second distance, a distance between a rear end of the support surface in a transport direction and a front end of the placement surface in the transport direction is greater than the second distance. A processing device comprising:

9. In the processing device according to claim 2 or claim 3, a distance between the stacking surface and the medium support unit when the stacking unit is in the uppermost position is a first distance; When the distance between the pressing surface and the support surface at the second position is a second distance, the second distance is less than the first distance; a processing unit that processes the medium placed on the medium placement unit, A processing device comprising:

10. The processing device according to claim 5, a medium placement section having a placement surface for supporting the transported medium; the medium support unit is located downstream of the medium placement unit in the transport direction, The pressing portion does not face the placement surface, a distance between the stacking surface and the medium support unit when the stacking unit is in the uppermost position is a first distance; When the distance between the pressing surface and the support surface at the second position is a second distance, the second distance is less than the first distance; a processing unit that processes the medium placed on the medium placement unit, A processing device comprising:

11. The processing device according to claim 9 or claim 10, the alignment portion has a trailing end alignment portion that contacts a trailing end of the medium in the transport direction; A processing device comprising:

12. a medium support section having a support surface for supporting the transported medium; an alignment unit that aligns the medium supported by the medium support unit; a liftable loading section provided vertically below the medium support section and having a loading surface on which the medium dropped from the medium support section is loaded; a pressing unit having a pressing surface that faces the support surface and is capable of pressing a leading end of the medium in a transport direction, A method for controlling a processing device, the pressing unit being movable between a first position and a second position closer to the support surface than the first position, placing the pressing portion at the first position; transporting the medium to the medium support section after placing the pressing section at the first position; aligning the medium supported by the medium support section in the alignment section; aligning the medium with the alignment portion and then disposing the pressing portion at the second position; 2. A method for controlling a processing apparatus comprising:

13. a medium support section having a support surface for supporting the transported medium; an alignment unit that aligns the medium supported by the medium support unit; a liftable loading section provided vertically below the medium support section and having a loading surface on which the medium dropped from the medium support section is loaded; a pressing portion having a pressing surface facing the support surface and provided on both sides in a width direction along a transport direction of the medium, A method for controlling a processing device, the pressing unit being movable between a first position and a second position closer to the support surface than the first position, placing the pressing portion at the first position; transporting the medium to the medium support section after placing the pressing section at the first position; aligning the medium supported by the medium support section in the alignment section; aligning the medium with the alignment portion and then disposing the pressing portion at the second position; 2. A method for controlling a processing apparatus comprising:

14. a recording unit for recording on a medium; a discharge unit that discharges the medium from the recording unit; A recording device having a medium introduction section that introduces the medium discharged from the discharge section; a medium support section having a support surface for supporting at least a leading end of the medium introduced through the medium introduction section and transported; an alignment unit that aligns the medium supported by the medium support unit; a liftable loading section provided vertically below the medium support section and having a loading surface on which the medium dropped from the medium support section is loaded; a pressing unit having a pressing surface facing the support surface and capable of pressing a leading end of the medium in a conveying direction; The pressing portion is a first position and a second position closer to the support surface than the first position; When the medium is transported to the medium support section, the medium support section is disposed at the first position; the alignment unit is disposed at the second position after aligning the medium on the medium support unit; A recording system comprising:

Images