Envelope sealing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide an enclosing / sealing apparatus which can increase alignment accuracy without requiring a realignment mechanism of an enclosure.SOLUTION: An enclosing / sealing apparatus superposes a plurality of sheet-like media and encloses the media with an envelope. The enclosing / sealing apparatus comprises: first conveyance means arranged on a first conveyance path; second conveyance means arranged on a second conveyance path different from the first conveyance path; and a third conveyance path for connecting the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path. When first media previously conveyed to a conveyance path and second media conveyed into the conveyance path after the first media are conveyed to the first conveyance path, the enclosing / sealing apparatus superposes and conveys the first media and the second media in the first conveyance means. When the first media and the second media are conveyed to the second conveyance path, the enclosing / sealing apparatus superposes and conveys the first media and the second media in the second conveyance means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inserting and sealing device and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an enclosing and sealing device that automatically encloses and seals an enclosure in an envelope. There is also known an enclosing and sealing device that handles "folded items" formed by folding a sheet at a predetermined position as the enclosure. There is also known an image forming system that cooperates with an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet to be enclosed and an enclosing and sealing device to enclose and seal the sheet on which the image has been formed.

[0003] In an inserting and sealing device that automatically inserts and seals a folded sheet, which has been subjected to a folding process such as "folding in thirds" on a sheet on which an image has been formed, into an envelope, a technology is known in which multiple folded sheets are stacked and enclosed (see Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when multiple enclosures are stacked in one envelope, each enclosure is dropped and stacked in order, so that when the stacked enclosures are inserted into an envelope, the enclosures must be realigned. Therefore, in the conventional technology, an alignment mechanism for aligning the enclosures is required in addition to the mechanism for conveying the enclosures. In other words, the conventional technology has problems such as the overall size of the device being large and the configuration for performing the enclosing and sealing process being complicated.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an inserting and sealing device capable of improving alignment accuracy without requiring a mechanism for realigning enclosures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention is an inserting and sealing device that overlaps a plurality of sheet-like media and inserts them into an envelope, the inserting and sealing device comprising: a first conveying means disposed on a first conveying path; a second conveying means disposed on a second conveying path separate from the first conveying path; a third conveying path connecting the first conveying path and the second conveying path; A branching means is disposed at a first branching position where the carry-in path branches into the first transport path or the second transport path; having the branching unit switches the transport direction of the medium to the first transport path or the second transport path based on medium information related to the medium; A first medium that has been previously transported to a carry-in path and a second medium that has been transported to the carry-in path after the first medium of, The first conveying means or In the second conveying means Weight The characteristic of this method is that the materials are mixed together and transported. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, alignment accuracy can be improved without the need for a mechanism for realigning the enclosures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of an image forming system including an inserting and sealing device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of an embodiment of an inserting and sealing device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Diagram 5] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 7] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 8] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 9] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 10]4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 11] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 12] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 13] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 14] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 15] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 16] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 17] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 18] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 19] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 20] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 21] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 22] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 23] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 24] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 25] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 26] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 27] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 28] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Figure 29] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 30] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 31] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 32] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 33] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 34] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 35] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a process of another example of the sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 36] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a sheet overlapping process that can be executed in the embodiment. [Figure 37] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a sheet overlapping process that can be executed in the embodiment. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a sheet overlapping process that can be executed in the embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of another embodiment of an inserting and sealing device according to the present invention. [Diagram 40] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 41] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 42] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. [Diagram 43] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing one step of an example of a sheet overlapping operation in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Embodiment of Image Forming System] First, an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a front external view of a print system 1 as an example of an image forming system. The print system 1 includes an image forming device 200, a sheet folding device 300, an inserting and sealing device 100, and a post-processing device 400.

[0010] The image forming device 200 forms an image on a sheet-like medium by a predetermined method and discharges the medium. The sheet-like medium on which the image has been formed (hereinafter simply referred to as "sheet S") is subjected to a predetermined folding process in the sheet folding device 300 and discharged to the enclosing and sealing device 100. The sheet may be discharged to the enclosing and sealing device 100 without being folded in the sheet folding device 300. The enclosing and sealing device 100 performs an enclosing and sealing process in which the sheets fed and the folded sheets are automatically inserted into an envelope and sealed. Sheets that are not the target of the enclosing and sealing process are conveyed through the enclosing and sealing device 100 to the post-processing device 400. The post-processing device 400 performs post-processing such as stapling on the fed sheets.

[0011] The inserting and sealing device 100 can perform a process of inserting a plurality of sheets into one envelope. In this case, the conveying mechanism can perform the operation of overlapping and aligning the plurality of sheets before inserting them. Furthermore, when the inserting and sealing device 100 overlaps and inserts the plurality of sheets, it controls the overlapping manner so that the position of a predetermined character or image formed on the sheet S is aligned with the position of a transparent window ew (often made of a transparent material) provided in advance in the envelope. The overlapping process of the plurality of sheets and the control process of the overlapping manner will be described in detail later.

[0012] Coordinate axes commonly used in the embodiments of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an axis parallel to the placement surface of the print system 1 is defined as the Y axis. The devices constituting the print system 1 are arranged in line along the Y direction. A medium on which an image is formed in the image forming device 200 is transported in the Y direction. Similarly, an axis parallel to the placement surface and perpendicular to the Y axis is defined as the X axis. The X direction corresponds to the depth direction of the print system 1. An axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is defined as the Z axis. The Z direction is perpendicular to the X axis and corresponds to the height direction of the print system 1. In the following description, directions may be described based on the above coordinate axes. Note that similar coordinate axes are also attached to each figure, but detailed description is omitted.

[0013] [Print System 1 Function Blocks] The overall functional blocks of the print system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In the following description, the enclosed sheet-like medium on which an image is formed in the image forming device 200 is referred to as "sheet S". Then, the sheet S that has been subjected to a predetermined folding process in the sheet folding device 300 is referred to as "folded sheet Sf". In Fig. 2, the flow (conveyance flow) of the sheet S and the folded sheet Sf is indicated by dashed arrows, and the flow of signals transmitted and received between the functional blocks is indicated by solid arrows.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 200 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet S by, for example, a known electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a display unit 210, an operation unit 220, a sheet feed unit 230, an image creation unit 240, a fixing unit 250, and a printer control unit 260. The display unit 210 is a user interface that notifies a user of the status of various functions and the operation contents. The operation unit 220 is a user interface that allows a user to perform setting operations such as a processing operation mode and the number of processing units. The sheet feed unit 230 constitutes a sheet feeding mechanism that stocks the sheets S, separates the sheets S one by one from a stack of the stocked sheets S, and feeds them. The image creation unit 240 forms a latent image on a photosensitive member and transfers the image to a sheet to form an image on the sheet S. The fixing unit 250 fixes the image transferred to the sheet S. The printer control unit 260 controls the processing and operation of each of the above blocks.

[0015] The sheet folding device 300 includes a sheet folding section 310 and a folding control section 320. The sheet folding section 310 performs folding processing on the sheet S conveyed from the image forming device 200. The folding processing is specified based on the "folding type (folding method)" included in the medium information notified from the printer control section 260 of the image forming device 200 via the communication line 207. Note that the sheet may be conveyed to the enclosing and sealing device 100 without performing folding processing in the sheet folding section 310. The folding control section 320 controls the entire sheet folding device 300. The folding control section 320 also controls communication with the printer control section 260 and the enclosing and sealing control section 150 connected downstream.

[0016] The inserting and sealing device 100 includes a sheet inverting unit 110, an inserting unit 120, a sealing unit 130, and an inserting and sealing control unit 150.

[0017] The sheet inverting unit 110 performs a predetermined process on the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet folding unit 310 based on the medium information transmitted from the folding control unit 320 to the insertion and sealing control unit 150 via the communication line 105. The medium information includes "folding type information" for specifying the operation in the sheet inverting unit 110, and "printed surface information" determined by the image forming process performed on the sheet S in the image forming device 200. The printed surface information is information indicating the position in the conveying direction of the surface on which the image is formed on the folded sheet Sf. The sheet inverting unit 110 performs a conveying process for conveying the folded sheet Sf downstream in the conveying direction, and an inverting process for swapping the end of the folded sheet Sf in the conveying direction. The folded sheet Sf that has been inverted is conveyed to the inserting unit 120 or the post-processing device 400.

[0018] The inserting section 120 moves the folded sheet Sf to a position where it can be inserted into the envelope E, holds the envelope E with the flap ef for closing the opening for inserting the contents into the envelope E open, and performs the process of inserting the folded sheet Sf.

[0019] The sealing section 130 closes the flap ef of the envelope E in which the folded sheet Sf is enclosed, and then discharges the sealed envelope E onto an envelope discharge tray 134 (see FIG. 3).

[0020] The inserting and sealing control unit 150 controls the operation of the multiple conveying rollers and multiple branching claws that constitute the sheet inverting unit 110, the enclosing unit 120, and the sealing unit 130. The inserting and sealing control unit 150 receives information about the folded sheet Sf from the printer control unit 260 and the folding control unit 320, and controls the inversion and enclosing of the folded sheet Sf based on the received information. The information about the folded sheet Sf is the "medium information" already mentioned, and includes the size of the folded sheet Sf to be enclosed, the type of folding (outer three fold, inner three fold), and printing surface information indicating the position where an image is formed on the folded sheet Sf.

[0021] The post-processing device 400 has a post-processing section 410 and a post-processing control section 420. The post-processing section 410 performs a predetermined post-processing on the sheet conveyed from the upstream side under the control of the post-processing control section 420. The post-processing control section 420 controls the post-processing operation in the post-processing control section 420 according to the operation mode transmitted from the printer control section 260, the folding control section 320, and the enclosing / sealing control section 150 via the communication line 403.

[0022] The printer control unit 260, the folding control unit 320, the inserting and sealing control unit 150, and the post-processing control unit 420 are interconnected, and configured to exchange information required for control via each communication line (207, 105, 403). Therefore, the control units (260, 320, 150, 420) cooperate with each other to mutually share medium information indicating the processing content requested by the user for the sheet S and the folded sheet Sf. As a result, the control information that enables each mechanism to execute a predetermined process at a predetermined timing and in a predetermined process is shared throughout the printing system 1.

[0023] 1 and 2 show an example of the configuration of the printing system 1 in which a post-processing device 400 is connected downstream of the enclosing and sealing device 100. Representative post-processing devices 400 include a finisher that performs stapling, a stacker, a bookbinding machine, etc. Also, the system configuration of the printing system 1 may be such that the enclosing and sealing device 100 is the most downstream device.

[0024] [Configuration of the Encapsulating and Sealing Device 100] Here, using Figure 3, we will explain the conveying rollers that constitute the sheet inversion section 110, the enclosing section 120, and the sealing section 130 of the inserting and sealing device 100, the branching claws that switch the conveying direction of the conveyed object, and the conveying path on which these are arranged.

[0025] [Configuration of sheet inverting unit 110] As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet inversion unit 110 has multiple conveying paths, which are distinguished as an input path 1100, a first conveying path 1101, a second conveying path 1102, a first switchback conveying path 1103, an inserting / sealing path 1104 as a fourth conveying path, and a sheet output path 1109.

[0026] The entrance rollers 101 are disposed on the carry-in path 1100. The carry-in path 1100 is a path that receives the folded sheet Sf discharged from the sheet folding device 300 located on the upstream side. The inserting and sealing control unit 150 receives information on the folded sheet Sf as medium information from the upstream control unit (printer control unit 260, folding control unit 320), and rotates and stops the entrance rollers 101 at a predetermined timing based on the carry-in timing.

[0027] The conveyance path 1100 branches into two conveyance paths downstream of the conveyance path 1100. The first conveyance path 1101, which is a conveyance path downstream of the entrance rollers 101 and branches off from the conveyance path 1100, is provided with first conveyance rollers 111 and first intermediate conveyance rollers 114 as a first conveyance means. The first conveyance path 1101 is also provided with a first sheet detection sensor 118 as a first medium sensor that detects an end of the folded sheet Sf. The first sheet detection sensor 118 is provided between the first intermediate conveyance rollers 114 and the first conveyance rollers 111.

[0028] A second conveying path 1102, which is a conveying path branching off from the carry-in path 1100 downstream of the inlet rollers 101 and conveys the folded sheet Sf in a direction different from that of the first conveying path 1101, is provided with second conveying rollers 112 and second intermediate conveying rollers 115 as second conveying means. A second sheet detection sensor 119 is provided on the second conveying path 1102 as a second medium sensor that detects an end of the folded sheet Sf. The second sheet detection sensor 119 is provided between the second intermediate conveying rollers 115 and the second conveying rollers 112.

[0029] Further, the sheet inverting unit 110 has a first switchback conveying path 1103 as a third conveying path. The first switchback conveying path 1103 is a conveying path that connects one branching position branching off from the first conveying path 1101 at a downstream position of the first intermediate conveying roller 114 and another branching position branching off from the second conveying path 1102 at a downstream position of the second intermediate conveying roller 115. The first switchback conveying path 1103 is provided with first switchback conveying rollers 113 as a first switchback conveying means.

[0030] An exit roller 102 is disposed on a sheet discharge path 1109, which is a downstream conveying path following the first conveying path 1101 and conveys the sheet or folded sheet Sf that has passed through the sheet inversion section 110 to the downstream post-processing device 400.

[0031] The sheet inversion section 110 also has an insertion and sealing path 1104 as a fourth conveying path that branches off from the first conveying path 1101 downstream of the first conveying roller 111 and continues to an insertion roller 121 that holds an envelope E in which to enclose the folded sheet Sf.

[0032] Further, in the sheet inverting unit 110, a branching claw 11 as a branching means is disposed at a first branching position where the carry-in path 1100 branches into a first conveying path 1101 and a second conveying path 1102. Based on medium information of the folded sheet Sf carried into the carry-in path 1100, the branching claw 11 switches whether to convey the folded sheet Sf to the first conveying path 1101 side or the second conveying path 1102 side.

[0033] Further, in the sheet inverting unit 110, a first switching claw 12 as a first switchback switching means is disposed at a first switching position where the first conveying path 1101 branches off to a first switchback conveying path 1103. The first switching claw 12 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the carry-in path 1100 to the first conveying path 1101 side is conveyed to the first conveying rollers 111, and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed from the first conveying path 1101 to the first switchback conveying path 1103.

[0034] Further, in the sheet inverting unit 110, a second switching claw 13 as a second switchback switching means is disposed at a second switching position where the second conveying path 1102 branches off to the first switchback conveying path 1103. The second switching claw 13 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the carry-in path 1100 to the second conveying path 1102 side is conveyed to the second conveying rollers 112, and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed from the second conveying path 1102 to the first switchback conveying path 1103.

[0035] The folded sheet Sf conveyed to the first conveying path 1101 is conveyed to the first conveying rollers 111 by the first intermediate conveying rollers 114. After the first sheet detection sensor 118 detects the rear end of the conveyed folded sheet Sf and the folded sheet Sf is conveyed a predetermined distance, the first conveying rollers 111 reverse to convey the folded sheet Sf back to the first switchback conveying path 1103. At this time, after the rear end of the folded sheet Sf passes the first switching claw 12, the first conveying rollers 111 are switched to a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed back to the first switchback conveying path 1103.

[0036] The folded sheet Sf conveyed to the second conveying path 1102 is conveyed to the second conveying rollers 112 by the second intermediate conveying rollers 115. After the second sheet detection sensor 119 detects the rear end of the conveyed folded sheet Sf, the second conveying rollers 112 reverse and switchback-convey the folded sheet Sf to the first switchback conveying path 1103 when the folded sheet Sf has been conveyed a predetermined distance. At this time, after the rear end of the folded sheet Sf passes the second switching claw 13, the second conveying rollers 112 switchback-convey the folded sheet Sf to the first switchback conveying path 1103.

[0037] When the folded sheet Sf is transported from the first transport path 1101 to the first switchback transport path 1103 , the folded sheet Sf is transported toward the second transport path 1102 by the first switchback transport rollers 113 .

[0038] When the folded sheet Sf is guided from the second conveying path 1102 to the first switchback conveying path 1103 , the folded sheet Sf is conveyed toward the first conveying path 1101 by the first switchback conveying rollers 113 .

[0039] In addition, downstream of the first conveying roller 111 on the first conveying path 1101, a third switching claw 14 is arranged which switches whether the folded sheet Sf is conveyed from the first conveying path 1101 to a sheet discharge path 1109 or to an inserting and sealing path 1104 as a fourth conveying path described later.

[0040] When the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet folding device 300 is not subjected to an inserting process (to be described later), the folded sheet Sf is conveyed from the conveying path 1100 to the sheet conveying path 1109 via the first conveying path 1101 .

[0041] [Configuration of Encapsulating Section 120] As shown in Figure 3, the enclosing section 120 has an enclosing and sealing path 1104 as a fourth conveying path, enclosing rollers 121, a first vertical conveying roller 122, a second vertical conveying roller 123, a flap opening roller 124, a separation roller 125, an envelope conveying roller 126, an envelope set tray 127, an envelope switchback switching claw 21, and an envelope input path 1107.

[0042] A plurality of envelopes E are placed on the envelope set tray 127. The envelopes E are placed with their bottoms facing the separation roller 125 and their insertion openings and flaps ef facing away from the separation roller 125.

[0043] An envelope E picked up by the separation roller 125 from a plurality of envelopes E placed on the envelope set tray 127 is transported by the envelope transport roller 126 and the flap opening roller 124 to a position beyond the envelope switchback switching claw 21.

[0044] The envelope switchback switching claw 21 rotates between a position for transporting the envelope E taken out from the envelope set tray 127 to the inserting and sealing path 1104 and a position for transporting the envelope E to the sheet reversing unit 110 side in the inserting and sealing path 1104. In other words, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 is a member that switches the transport direction of the envelope E.

[0045] The first vertical conveying roller 122 and the second vertical conveying roller 123 convey and hold the envelope E at a predetermined position on the inserting and sealing path 1104. The predetermined position here is a position where the position of the opening of the envelope E (the position of the flap ef) is lower than the inserting roller 121 and higher than the first vertical conveying roller 122, as described below.

[0046] The inserting roller 121 is a type of conveying roller that rotates in a direction to insert the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet inverting unit 110 into the envelope E.

[0047] [Configuration of sealing unit 130] As shown in FIG. 3, the sealing unit 130 has an inserting and sealing path 1104 , a third vertical transport roller 131 , a fourth vertical transport roller 132 , an envelope discharge roller 133 , an envelope discharge tray 134 , an envelope discharge switching claw 31 , and an envelope discharge path 1108 .

[0048] The third vertical conveying roller 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 convey the envelope E to a predetermined position on the inserting and sealing path 1104 and hold it there.

[0049] The envelope discharge switching claw 31 is a member that switches the transport direction of the envelope E. The envelope discharge switching claw 31 rotates between a position where the envelope E is transported from the flap opening roller 124 side to the third vertical transport roller 131 in the inserting and sealing path 1104, and a position where the envelope E is transported from the inserting and sealing path 1104 to the envelope discharge path 1108.

[0050] The envelope discharge rollers 133 are rollers that discharge the envelope E toward the envelope discharge tray 134 .

[0051] The envelope discharge tray 134 is a tray on which the discharged envelopes E are placed.

[0052] [Envelope filling and sealing process flow] Next, an example of a series of flows of the enclosing operation and the sealing operation in the enclosing and sealing device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 15. Note that in each figure, only the components used to explain each operation stage are denoted by reference numerals, etc.

[0053] First, as shown in Fig. 4, after the envelopes E are separated one by one from the multiple envelopes E stacked on the envelope set tray 127 by the separation roller 125, they are transported to the flap opening roller 124 by the envelope transport roller 126. At this time, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 and the envelope discharge switching claw 31 are oriented in the direction shown in Fig. 4. In addition, the flap opening roller 124, the third vertical transport roller 131, and the fourth vertical transport roller 132 rotate in a direction to transport the envelope E downward, and transport the envelope E to a predetermined position on the inserting and sealing path 1104.

[0054] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, before the envelope E has completely passed the flap opening roller 124, the flap ef is opened by the flap opening mechanism, and the flap opening roller 124, the third vertical conveying roller 131, and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 continue to rotate, leading to the state shown in FIG. 6.

[0055] 6, after the flap ef of the envelope E is in an open state and reaches a position where the flap ef has passed through the flap opening roller 124, the third vertical conveying roller 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 rotate in the reverse direction to switchback convey the envelope E. Also, before or at the same time as the switchback conveyance starts, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 rotates in the direction shown in FIG. 6 to convey the envelope E upward on the inserting and sealing path 1104.

[0056] 7, the envelope E is transported by the second vertical transport rollers 123 and the first vertical transport rollers 122 until the flap ef reaches a position where it has left the first vertical transport rollers 122. When the flap ef reaches a position where it has left the first vertical transport rollers 122, the rotation of the second vertical transport rollers 123 and the first vertical transport rollers 122 is stopped, and the enclosing operation begins.

[0057] The envelope E is transported to a predetermined position by the second vertical transport roller 123 and the first vertical transport roller 122 and then stopped. In this control, after the separation roller 125 removes the envelope E, the transport amount of the envelope E is calculated from the rotation amount of each transport roller, and the position of the envelope E in the inserting and sealing path 1104 is determined based on the transport amount and the transport path length.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 8, the inserting and sealing device 100 receives a folded sheet Sf from an upstream device (sheet folding device 300) at an inlet roller 101 and conveys the folded sheet Sf to a first conveying path 1101 while holding the envelope E at the inserting position.

[0059] Next, as shown in Fig. 9, the folded sheet Sf is transported downstream by the first intermediate transport roller 114 and the first transport roller 111. At this time, since the third switching claw 14 is in the state shown in Fig. 9, the folded sheet Sf is transported to the insertion and sealing path 1104 as shown in Fig. 10.

[0060] 10, the folded sheet Sf is conveyed downward by an inserting roller 121. The folded sheet Sf is inserted into an envelope E that is held in advance at a predetermined inserting position by a first vertical conveying roller 122 or the like and has an open opening.

[0061] Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the first vertical transport roller 122 and the second vertical transport roller 123 are rotated to transport the envelope E downward, and as shown in FIG.

[0062] 12, the envelope E after the sealing is transported until the flap ef passes through the envelope discharge switching claw 31. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the flap ef is closed by the sealing mechanism between the third vertical transport roller 131 and the fourth vertical transport roller 132 to seal the envelope E.

[0063] 14, the third vertical conveying rollers 131 and the fourth vertical conveying rollers 132 are rotated in the reverse direction, and the sealed envelope E is switchback-conveyed by the third vertical conveying rollers 131 and the fourth vertical conveying rollers 132. Before the third vertical conveying rollers 131 and the fourth vertical conveying rollers 132 are rotated in the reverse direction, the envelope discharge switching claw 31 is rotated to the state shown in FIG. 14. As a result, the inserted envelope E is conveyed from the inserting and sealing path 1104 to the envelope discharge path 1108.

[0064] As a result, the sealed envelope E is discharged onto the envelope discharge tray 134 by the envelope discharge rollers 133 .

[0065] [First embodiment of the encapsulation and sealing process] Next, an example of the enclosing and sealing process in the enclosing and sealing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 16 to 25. There are various ways of folding the folded sheet Sf that is conveyed to the sheet inverting unit 110. Information regarding the folding methods is received in advance by the enclosing and sealing control unit 150, and the following control is performed based on that information. Similarly, there are various types of printed information indicating the position where an image is formed on the folded sheet Sf. In the following description, an example of transport control that is performed in different route sequences depending on the different folding methods will be shown.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 16, when the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet folding device 300 is folded in three outwards, the image surface (print surface) on which an image is formed on the folded sheet Sf is exposed facing downward in the conveying direction. In the following description, a series of steps is described in which a plurality of folded sheets Sf are stacked and the stacked folded sheets Sf are conveyed to the inserting section 120. For convenience, the preceding folded sheet Sf may be referred to as the "first folded sheet Sf1" and the succeeding folded sheet Sf may be referred to as the "second folded sheet Sf2."

[0067] 16, the folded sheet Sf (first folded sheet Sf1) previously conveyed from the sheet folding device 300 to the conveying path 1100 is received by the entrance rollers 101. At this point, if the diverting claw 11 is in a position blocking conveyance to the second conveying path 1102, the diverting claw 11 is rotated to make the first folded sheet Sf1 available for conveyance to the second conveying path 1102.

[0068] 17, the first folded sheet Sf1 is guided to the second conveying path 1102 by the branching claw 11, and is conveyed to the second conveying rollers 112 by the second intermediate conveying rollers 115. Then, the first folded sheet Sf1 is further conveyed in the downstream direction by the second conveying rollers 112.

[0069] 18, when the trailing end of the first folded sheet Sf1 is detected by the second sheet detection sensor 119 and then conveyed downstream a predetermined distance, the second conveying rollers 112 stop. In other words, when the trailing end of the first folded sheet Sf1 is conveyed a distance sufficient to pass the first switching claw 12, the second conveying rollers 112 stop. At this time, the second switching claw 13 is rotated to enable conveyance of the first folded sheet Sf1 to the first switchback conveying path 1103 as the third conveying path. If the first switching claw 12 is not in a state that enables conveyance of the folded sheet Sf from the first switchback conveying path 1103 to the first conveying path 1101, it is also rotated to switch.

[0070] 19, the second conveying rollers 112 are rotated in the reverse direction to convey the first folded sheet Sf1 to the first switchback conveying path 1103. The first folded sheet Sf1 is then conveyed downstream by the first switchback conveying rollers 113 and the first conveying rollers 111, and when the end of the first folded sheet Sf1 passes through the second conveying rollers 112, the rotation of the first switchback conveying rollers 113 and the first conveying rollers 111 is stopped. At this stage, the first folded sheet Sf1 as the preceding first medium is temporarily stopped on the first switchback conveying path 1103 as the retreat path.

[0071] 20, the subsequent second folded sheet Sf2, which is subsequently carried into the carry-in path 1100, is received from the sheet folding device 300. The second folded sheet Sf2 as the second medium is transported to the second transport path 1102 by the inlet rollers 101. At this time, the second switching claw 13 is returned to the same state as in FIG.

[0072] 21 , after the leading edge of the second folded sheet Sf2 in the conveying direction is detected by the second sheet detection sensor 119, the second folded sheet Sf2 is conveyed to the second conveying rollers 112. At the timing when the end of the first folded sheet Sf1 and the end of the second folded sheet Sf2 overlap at the second conveying rollers 112, the second conveying rollers 112, the first switchback conveying rollers 113, and the first conveying rollers 111 start to rotate. As a result, the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 are overlapped at the second conveying rollers 112, and conveyed downstream of the second conveying path 1102.

[0073] 22, the rotation of the second conveying roller 112 is stopped at the timing when the ends of the overlapping first folded sheet Sf1 and second folded sheet Sf2 leave the first switching claw 12. At the same time, the first switching claw 12 is rotated to transition to a state where the first folded sheet Sf1 and second folded sheet Sf2 can be switched back and conveyed to the first switchback conveying path 1103.

[0074] 23, the second conveying roller 112 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the first switchback conveying roller 113 and the first conveying roller 111 are also rotated to switchback-convey the folded sheet Sf in which the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 are superimposed. As a result, the folded sheet Sf passes through the first switchback conveying path 1103 and is conveyed toward the inserting and sealing path 1104 as shown in FIG.

[0075] 24, the folded sheet Sf, in which the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 are superimposed on each other by the inserting rollers 121, is inserted into an envelope E.

[0076] As a result, as shown in Fig. 25, the folded sheet Sf overlapped in the conveying path is inserted into an envelope E. Thereafter, as described with reference to Figs. 11 to 15, the folded sheet Sf is conveyed along the inserting and sealing path 1104 and discharged to the envelope discharge tray 134.

[0077] When three or more folded sheets Sf are to be stacked, the process returns from FIG. 23 to FIG. 20, the third folded sheet Sf3 is received, and the process from FIG. 20 to FIG. 25 is repeated.

[0078] As described above, in the inserting and sealing device 100, when the contents to be inserted into one envelope E are multiple folded sheets Sf, and the folded sheets Sf are folded in three on the outside, the outer surface on the lower side in the conveying direction is usually the image forming surface, as shown in Fig. 16. In contrast, the envelope E waiting with the flap ef open has a transparent window ew on the surface facing the Y direction in the inserting and sealing path 1104. Therefore, in order to make the image forming surface visible through the transparent window ew after insertion, it is necessary to align the orientation of the image forming surface with the transparent window ew. Therefore, the orientation of the image forming surface of the folded sheet Sf, which is the insert, is adjusted with respect to the conveying direction using a switchback path before insertion so that the orientation of the image forming surface is on the transparent window ew side, depending on the folding method.

[0079] As described above, in the inserting and sealing device 100 according to this embodiment, the direction and edge of the enclosure can be aligned to the specified insertion direction by the conveying means. Therefore, when multiple folded sheets Sf that are the enclosures are stacked, the multiple folded sheets Sf can be aligned with high accuracy by the conveying function alone, without the need for an alignment mechanism.

[0080] [Modification of the first embodiment of the enclosing and sealing process] As described above, the inserting and sealing device 100 of the first embodiment is a device that stacks multiple folded sheets Sf that have been folded outward in three and inserts them into an envelope E, but as described below, it may also stack multiple folded sheets Sf or multiple sheets S and transport them to the post-processing device 400 located downstream.

[0081] 22, for example, the third switching claw 14 is rotated at the same time as the first switching claw 12 is rotated. As a result, the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 in an overlapping state are switched back and conveyed from the first switchback conveying path 1103 to the first conveying path 1101, as shown in FIG.

[0082] 41, the sheet is conveyed to a sheet discharge path 1109. Then, the sheet is conveyed by the exit rollers 102 to the post-processing device 400 on the downstream side.

[0083] According to the modified example described above, by overlapping a plurality of folded sheets Sf by the conveying means and discharging them to the post-processing device 400 (finisher), for example, it becomes possible to omit the alignment operation during the binding process (stapling operation) on the post-processing device 400 side. In other words, it is possible to improve the productivity during the stapling operation (binding process) in the finisher (post-processing device 400).

[0084] Furthermore, when a sheet S is transported from an upstream device to the post-processing device 400 during the stapling process, the sheet S can be temporarily retained in the sheet inverting section 110. Then, when the next sheet S is transported from the upstream device, the sheets are stacked and transported downstream (to the staple tray), eliminating the need to stop (standby) the image forming operation in the upstream device (e.g., image forming device 200) while waiting for the stapling process to proceed. If it is necessary to avoid stopping (standby) the operation of the upstream device to wait for the processing in the post-processing device 400, a method of providing the post-processing device 400 with a pre-stacking function is possible, but in that case, the device will become larger.

[0085] Therefore, in this modified example, in the enclosing and sealing device 100, the sheet S or folded sheet Sf to be post-processed is temporarily kept waiting (held), making it possible to make the entire device smaller and improving processing efficiency.

[0086] [Second embodiment of the encapsulation and sealing process] Next, another example of the enclosing and sealing process in the enclosing and sealing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 26 to Fig. 35. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 26, a case where the folded sheet conveyed from the sheet folding device 300 is folded in three is illustrated. In the case of folding in three, the image surface on which the image is formed on the folded sheet Sf is exposed in both the upper and lower directions with respect to the conveying direction.

[0087] 26, the folded sheet Sf (first folded sheet Sf1) as the first medium previously transported from the sheet folding device 300 to the transport path 1100 is received by the entrance rollers 101. At this point, if the diverter claw 11 is in a position blocking transport to the first transport path 1101, the diverter claw 11 is rotated to make the first folded sheet Sf1 available for transport to the first transport path 1101.

[0088] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 27, the first folded sheet Sf1 is guided to the first conveying path 1101 by the branching claw 11, and is conveyed in the downstream direction by the first intermediate conveying rollers 114 and the first conveying rollers 111.

[0089] 28, after the rear end of the first folded sheet Sf1 is detected by the first sheet detection sensor 118, the first folded sheet Sf1 is transported a predetermined distance, and when the rear end of the first folded sheet Sf1 passes the first switching claw 12, the first transport roller 111 is stopped. Also, at this stage, the first switching claw 12 is rotated to enable transport of the first folded sheet Sf1 to the first switchback transport path 1103 as the third transport path. Also, if the second switching claw 13 is not in a state that enables transport of the first folded sheet Sf1 from the first switchback transport path 1103 to the second transport path 1102, it is also rotated to switch.

[0090] 29, the first conveying rollers 111 are rotated in the reverse direction to convey the first folded sheet Sf1 to the first switchback conveying path 1103. Then, the first folded sheet Sf1 is conveyed to the second conveying rollers 112 by the first switchback conveying rollers 113 and the first conveying rollers 111.

[0091] 30, when the leading edge of the first folded sheet Sf1 passes through the first conveying rollers 111, the rotation of the first switchback conveying rollers 113 and the first conveying rollers 111 is stopped. At this stage, the preceding first folded sheet Sf1 temporarily stays on the first switchback conveying path 1103 serving as an evacuation path.

[0092] 31, the second folded sheet Sf2 as the second medium is received from the sheet folding device 300. The second folded sheet Sf2 is transported to the first transport path 1101 by the inlet rollers 101. At this time, the first switching claw 12 is returned to the same state as in FIG.

[0093] 32, after the leading edge of the first folded sheet Sf1 in the conveying direction is detected by the first sheet detection sensor 118, the first conveying rollers 111, the first switchback conveying rollers 113, and the second conveying rollers 112 start to rotate at the timing when the end of the first folded sheet Sf1 and the end of the second folded sheet Sf2 overlap at the first conveying rollers 111. As a result, the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 are overlapped by the first conveying rollers 111, and conveyed downstream of the first conveying path 1101.

[0094] 33, the folded sheet Sf in which the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 are overlapped is conveyed toward the inserting and sealing path 1104.

[0095] 34, the folded sheet Sf, in which the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 are superimposed on each other by the inserting rollers 121, is inserted into an envelope E.

[0096] As a result, as shown in Fig. 35, the folded sheet Sf overlapped in the conveying path is inserted into an envelope E. Thereafter, as described with reference to Figs. 11 to 15, the folded sheet Sf is conveyed along the inserting and sealing path 1104 and discharged to the envelope discharge tray 134.

[0097] When three or more folded sheets Sf are to be stacked, the process returns from FIG. 34 to FIG. 29, and the third folded sheet Sf3 is received in FIG. 30, and then the process from FIG. 31 to FIG. 34 is repeated.

[0098] As described above, in the inserting and sealing device 100, the contents to be inserted into one envelope E are a plurality of folded sheets Sf, and when the folded sheets Sf are folded in three, both the outer surfaces on the lower and upper sides in the conveying direction become image-forming surfaces, as shown in FIG. 26. In contrast, the envelope E waiting with the flap ef open has a transparent window ew on the surface facing the Y direction in the inserting and sealing path 1104. Therefore, in order to make the image-forming surface visible through the transparent window ew after insertion, it is necessary to align the orientation of the image-forming surface and the transparent window ew. Therefore, the orientation of the image-forming surface of the folded sheets Sf to be inserted relative to the conveying direction is adjusted using a switchback path before insertion so that the orientation of the image-forming surface is toward the transparent window ew, depending on the folding method.

[0099] As described above, in the inserting and sealing device 100 according to this embodiment, the direction and edge of the enclosure can be aligned to the specified insertion direction by the conveying means. Therefore, when multiple folded sheets Sf that are the enclosures are stacked, the multiple folded sheets Sf can be aligned with high accuracy by the conveying function alone, without the need for an alignment mechanism.

[0100] [Modification of the second embodiment of the enclosing and sealing process] As described above, the inserting and sealing device 100 of the second embodiment is a device that stacks multiple folded sheets Sf that have been folded in thirds and inserts them into an envelope E, but as described below, it may also stack multiple folded sheets Sf or multiple sheets S and transport them to a post-processing device 400 located downstream.

[0101] 32, before the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 are overlapped by the first conveying roller 111 and conveyed downstream of the first conveying path 1101, the third switching claw 14 is rotated. As a result, the overlapped first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 are conveyed downstream of the first conveying path 1101 as shown in FIG.

[0102] 43, the sheet is conveyed to a sheet discharge path 1109. Then, the sheet is conveyed by the exit rollers 102 to the post-processing device 400 on the downstream side.

[0103] According to the modified example described above, by overlapping a plurality of folded sheets Sf by the conveying means and discharging them to the post-processing device 400 (finisher), for example, it becomes possible to omit the alignment operation during the binding process (stapling operation) on the post-processing device 400 side. In other words, it is possible to improve the productivity during the stapling operation (binding process) in the finisher (post-processing device 400).

[0104] Furthermore, when a sheet S is transported from an upstream device to the post-processing device 400 during the stapling process, the sheet S can be temporarily retained in the sheet inverting section 110. Then, when the next sheet S is transported from the upstream device, the sheets are stacked and transported downstream (to the staple tray), eliminating the need to stop (standby) the image forming operation in the upstream device (e.g., image forming device 200) while waiting for the stapling process to proceed. If it is necessary to avoid stopping (standby) the operation of the upstream device to wait for the processing in the post-processing device 400, a method of providing the post-processing device 400 with a pre-stacking function is possible, but in that case, the device will become larger.

[0105] Therefore, in this modified example, in the enclosing and sealing device 100, the sheet S or folded sheet Sf to be post-processed is temporarily kept waiting (held), making it possible to make the entire device smaller and improving processing efficiency.

[0106] [Overlay processing flow] Next, the flow of the overlapping process of the enclosures executed in the enclosing and sealing process in the enclosing and sealing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 36. The flowchart in Fig. 36 illustrates an example of the process executed by a control program stored in a non-volatile information storage area of ​​the enclosing and sealing control unit 150, using the hardware resources constituting the enclosing and sealing control unit 150.

[0107] The enclosing and sealing control unit 150 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an arithmetic processing unit, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) as storage units. It also includes an interface that outputs control signals to each conveying roller and receives signals from each conveying roller, and an interface that receives output signals from each sensor. The operations described with reference to Figs. 4 to 35 are controlled by a control program that can execute the processes described below using these hardware resources.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 36, in the overlapping process, first, the timing for bringing in the folded sheet Sf is notified based on a control signal sent from the folding control unit 320, and the entrance rollers 101 are rotated when the control signal is received (S3601).

[0109] Next, information about the next folded sheet Sf to be conveyed is received from the folding control unit 320 (S3602). Here, a determination is made based particularly on information about the folding method. If the folding method of the folded sheet Sf is an "outward three-fold" (S3602: YES), then an outward three-fold overlapping process is executed (S3603). If the folding method of the folded sheet Sf is an "inward three-fold" (S3602: NO), then an inward three-fold overlapping process is executed (S3604).

[0110] When any of the overlapping processes is completed, this process ends.

[0111] [Details of the outer tri-fold overlap process] Next, details of the outer three-fold overlapping process (S3603) will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 37. First, the branch claw 11 disposed downstream of the inlet rollers 101 is rotated to convey the folded sheet Sf to the second conveying path 1102 (Fig. 16, S3701).

[0112] Next, the second intermediate conveying rollers 115 and the second conveying rollers 112 are rotated to convey the first folded sheet Sf1 downstream of the second conveying path 1102 (FIG. 17, S3702).

[0113] Next, the timing when the second sheet detection sensor 119 detects the first folded sheet Sf1 is obtained (S3703), and then, it is monitored whether the conveyance amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches a designated amount (S3704). The rotation of the rollers started in S3702 is continued until the conveyance amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches the designated amount (S3704: NO).

[0114] When the conveyance amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches the designated amount (S3704: YES), the second switching claw 13 is rotated to switch the conveyance path (FIG. 18, S3705). In addition, the rotation of the second conveyance roller 112 is stopped and then reversed to perform switchback conveyance (S3706).

[0115] Next, the first folded sheet Sf1 is switched back and conveyed to the first switchback conveying path 1103 by the rotation of the second conveying rollers 112. Here, it is monitored whether the conveying amount in the switchback conveying of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches a designated amount (S3707). The rotation of the rollers started in S3705 is continued until the switchback conveying amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches the designated amount (FIG. 19, S3707: NO).

[0116] When the conveyance amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches the designated amount (S3707: YES), that is, when the rear end of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches the position where it passes through the second conveyance rollers 112, the rotation of the first switchback conveyance rollers 113 is stopped (FIG. 19, S3708). In this state, the arrival of the succeeding second folded sheet Sf2 is awaited (S3709: NO).

[0117] Next, the second folded sheet Sf2 is received by the inlet rollers 101 and conveyed to the second conveying path 1102 (FIG. 20, S3709: YES). Next, the timing at which the second sheet detection sensor 119 detects the second folded sheet Sf2 is acquired (S3710), and then it is monitored whether the conveying amount of the second folded sheet Sf2 reaches the designated amount. The second intermediate conveying rollers 115 continue to rotate until the conveying amount of the second folded sheet Sf2 reaches the designated amount (FIG. 21, S3711: NO).

[0118] When the transport amount of the second folded sheet Sf2 reaches the specified amount (FIG. 21, S3711: YES), that is, when the second folded sheet Sf2 reaches a position where the edge of the waiting first folded sheet Sf1 and the edge of the transported second folded sheet Sf2 are aligned, the second transport rollers 112 and the first switchback transport rollers 113 are rotated to transport the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 downstream of the second transport path 1102 (FIG. 22, S3712).

[0119] Here, the presence or absence of further succeeding folded sheets Sf is confirmed (S3713). If there are no further succeeding folded sheets Sf (S3713: NO), the overlapping process ends. In this case, the folded sheet Sf, which is the overlapped folded sheet Sf consisting of the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2, is switchback-conveyed to the first switchback conveying path 1103 by the rotation of the second conveying rollers 112 and the first switchback conveying rollers 113. Then, the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the inserting and sealing path 1104 by the first conveying rollers 111. After this, the operations from FIG. 23 onwards, which have already been described, are carried out.

[0120] If there are further succeeding folded sheets Sf (S3713: YES), the process returns to the previous stage of S3706, and conveyance is continued until the end portions of the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 reach the second conveying rollers 112 by a designated amount (S3707: NO). When the end portions of the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 reach the second conveying rollers 112 (S3707: YES), the rotation of the first conveying rollers 111 and the first switchback conveying rollers 113 is stopped (FIG. 20, S3708). At the same time, the second switching claw 13 is rotated.

[0121] Then, the process of S3709 is carried out, and thereafter, the same process is repeated until there are no more subsequent folded sheets Sf.

[0122] [Details of inner triple fold overlap process] Next, details of the inner triple-folding overlapping process (S3604) will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 38. First, the branch claw 11 disposed downstream of the inlet rollers 101 is rotated to convey the folded sheet Sf to the first conveying path 1101 (Fig. 26, S3801).

[0123] Next, the first intermediate conveying rollers 114 and the first conveying rollers 111 are rotated to convey the first folded sheet Sf1 downstream of the first conveying path 1101 (FIG. 27, S3802).

[0124] Next, the timing when the second sheet detection sensor 119 detects the first folded sheet Sf1 is obtained (S3803), and then it is monitored whether the conveyance amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches a designated amount (S3804). The rotation of the rollers that started in S3802 is continued until the conveyance amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches the designated amount (S3804: NO).

[0125] When the conveyance amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches the designated amount (S3804: YES), the first switching claw 12 is rotated (S3805). Also, the rotation of the first conveyor roller 111 is stopped and then reversed (FIG. 28, S3806).

[0126] Next, the first folded sheet Sf1 is switched back and conveyed to the first switchback conveying path 1103 by the rotation of the first conveying rollers 111. Here, it is monitored whether the conveying amount in the switchback conveying of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches a designated amount (S3807). The rotation of the rollers started in S3805 is continued until the switchback conveying amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches the designated amount (FIG. 29, S3807: NO).

[0127] When the conveyance amount of the first folded sheet Sf1 reaches the designated amount (S3807: YES), the rotation of the first switchback conveyance roller 113 is stopped (FIG. 30, S3808). In this state, the system waits until the following second folded sheet Sf2 arrives (S3709: NO).

[0128] Next, the second folded sheet Sf2 is received by the entrance rollers 101 and conveyed to the first conveying path 1101, and the timing at which the first sheet detection sensor 118 detects the second folded sheet Sf2 is acquired (S3809: YES, S3810). Thereafter, it is monitored whether the conveying amount of the second folded sheet Sf2 reaches a designated amount, and the first intermediate conveying rollers 114 continue to rotate until the conveying amount of the second folded sheet Sf2 reaches the designated amount (S3811: NO).

[0129] When the transport amount of the second folded sheet Sf2 reaches the specified amount (FIG. 32, S3811: YES), that is, when the end of the waiting first folded sheet Sf1 and the end of the transported second folded sheet Sf2 reach the first transport rollers 111, the first transport rollers 111 and the first switchback transport rollers 113 are rotated to transport the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 downstream of the first transport path 1101 (FIG. 33, S3812).

[0130] Here, the presence or absence of further succeeding folded sheets Sf is confirmed (S3813). If there are no further succeeding folded sheets Sf (S3813: NO), the overlapping process ends. In this case, the folded sheet Sf, which is the overlapped first folded sheet Sf1 and second folded sheet Sf2, is conveyed to the first conveying path 1101 by the rotation of the first conveying rollers 111 and the first switchback conveying rollers 113. Then, the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the inserting and sealing path 1104 by the first conveying rollers 111. After that, the operations from FIG. 24 onwards, which have already been described, are carried out.

[0131] If there are further succeeding folded sheets Sf (S3813: YES), the process returns to the previous step of S3606, and conveyance is continued until the end portions of the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 reach the first conveyor rollers 111 by a designated amount (S3807: NO). When the end portions of the first folded sheet Sf1 and the second folded sheet Sf2 reach the first conveyor rollers 111 (S3807: YES), the rotation of the second conveyor rollers 112 and the first switchback conveyor rollers 113 is stopped (FIG. 30, S3808). At the same time, the second switching claw 13 is rotated.

[0132] Then, the process of S3809 is carried out, and thereafter, the same process is repeated until there are no more subsequent folded sheets Sf.

[0133] [Modification of the sheet inverting unit 110] Next, a modified example of the sheet inverting unit 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 39. As already described, the sheet inverting unit 110 has the carry-in path 1100, the first conveying path 1101, the second conveying path 1102, the first switchback conveying path 1103, the inserting and sealing path 1104 as the fourth conveying path, and the sheet conveying path 1109, but may further have a fifth conveying path.

[0134] 39, a second switchback conveying path 1105 as a fifth conveying path is a conveying path branching off from the first conveying path 1101. The second switchback conveying path 1105 branches off from the first conveying path 1101 at a branching position downstream of the first conveying rollers 111 and upstream of the fifth conveying rollers 117a as a fifth conveying means.

[0135] In the second switchback conveying path 1105, a second switchback conveying roller 117b is disposed as a sixth conveying means.

[0136] The first switching claw 12 is disposed downstream of the first conveying roller 111 .

[0137] In the modified example shown in Figure 39, when the folded sheet Sf is folded in third, the first folded sheet Sf1 as the first medium is evacuated to the second switchback conveying path 1105, and then the leading edge of the second folded sheet Sf2 conveyed along the first conveying path 1101 and the leading edge of the first folded sheet Sf1 are aligned by the fifth conveying rollers 117a, overlapped by the fifth conveying rollers 117a, and conveyed downstream.

[0138] As described above, according to the inserting and sealing device 100 of this embodiment, when multiple folded sheets Sf are stacked and enclosed, an alignment process can be performed in the conveying mechanism that conveys the folded sheets Sf toward the envelope E, so that the device can be made compact while accurately aligning the multiple folded sheets Sf.

[0139] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist of the present invention. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1: Print system 11: Branch claw 12: First replacement claw 13: Second switching claw 14:Third switching claw 21: Envelope switchback switch tab 31: Envelope ejection switch tab 100: Encapsulating and sealing device 101: Entrance roller 102: Exit roller 105: Communication line 110: Sheet turning section 111: First conveying roller 112: Second conveying roller 113: First switchback conveyor roller 114: First intermediate conveying roller 115: Second intermediate conveying roller 117a: Fifth conveying roller 117b: Second switchback conveying roller 118: First sheet detection sensor 119: Second sheet detection sensor 120: Enclosure 121: Enclosed roller 122: First vertical conveying roller 123: Second vertical conveying roller 124: Flap opening roller 125: Separation roller 126: Envelope transport roller 127: Envelope set tray 130: Sealing department 131: Third vertical conveying roller 132: Fourth vertical conveying roller 133: Envelope ejection roller 134: Envelope output tray 150: Encapsulation and sealing control section 200: Image forming device 207: Communication line 210: Display section 220:Operation unit 230: Sheet feed section 240: Imaging section 250: Fixing section 260: Printer control unit 300: Sheet folding device 310: Sheet folding section 320: Folding control section 400: Post-processing device 403: Communication line 410: Post-processing section 420: Post-processing control unit 1100: Delivery route 1101: First transport route 1102: Second transport path 1103: First switchback transport route 1104: Enclosure and sealing route 1105: Second switchback transport route 1107: Envelope delivery route 1108: Envelope ejection path 1109: Sheet delivery route [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0141] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-002527 A

Claims

1. An inserting and sealing device for stacking a plurality of sheet-like media and inserting them into an envelope, A first conveying means disposed on the first conveying path; A second conveying means disposed on a second conveying path different from the first conveying path; a third transport path connecting the first transport path and the second transport path; A branching means is disposed at a first branching position where the carry-in path branches into the first transport path or the second transport path; having the branching unit switches the transport direction of the medium to the first transport path or the second transport path based on medium information related to the medium; a first medium previously transported to a carry-in path and a second medium transported to the carry-in path after the first medium are superimposed and transported by the first transport means or the second transport means; An enclosing and sealing device characterized by the above.

2. The branching means switches the conveying direction to the first conveying path, When the first medium is transported to the first transport path, the first medium is switched back and transported from the first transport path to the third transport path, and then the second medium is transported to the first transport path, and the first medium and the second medium transported to the third transport path are superimposed and transported by a first transport means; The branching means switches the conveying direction to the second conveying path, When the first medium is transported to the second transport path, the first medium is switched back and transported from the second transport path to the third transport path, and then the second medium is transported to the second transport path, and the first medium transported to the third transport path and the second medium are superimposed on each other by a second transport means and transported.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. A first switchback switching means disposed at a first switching position for switching a transport direction of the medium between the first transport path and the third transport path; a second switchback switching means disposed at a second switching position for switching the transport direction of the medium between the second transport path and the third transport path; and the first switchback switching means switches the transport path of the medium to the third transport path before the rear end of the medium passes the first switching position and the switchback transport is performed; 3. The inserting and sealing device according to claim 2, wherein the second switchback switching means switches the transport path of the medium to the third transport path before the rear end of the medium passes through the second switching position and the switchback transport is performed.

4. a first medium sensor disposed on the first transport path upstream of the first switchback switching means; a second medium sensor disposed on the second transport path upstream of the second switchback switching means, the first switchback switching means switches the transport path to the third transport path when the medium passes the first medium sensor; 4. The inserting and sealing device according to claim 3, wherein the second switchback switching means switches the transport path to the third transport path when the medium passes the second medium sensor.

5. the medium information includes a type of fold to be performed on the medium; When the folding method is an inner triple fold, the branching means switches the conveying direction to the first conveying path side, 5. The inserting and sealing device according to claim 3, wherein when the folding method is an outward three-fold, the branching means switches the conveying direction to the second conveying path side.

6. the medium information includes printing surface information of the medium, 5. The inserting and sealing device according to claim 3, wherein the branching means switches the conveying direction to the first conveying path side or the second conveying path side based on the print surface information.

7. a fourth transport path that branches off from the first transport path downstream of the first transport means and that holds an envelope; The inserting and sealing device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a conveying section for conveying the overlapped first medium and the second medium from the first conveying path to the fourth conveying path and inserting the overlapped first medium and the second medium into the envelope.

8. When the medium is transported from the first transport path to the third transport path, a transport direction by the first transport means is reversed; The inserting and sealing device according to claim 1 , wherein a conveying direction of the second conveying means is reversed when the medium is conveyed from the second conveying path to the third conveying path.

9. a fifth conveying means disposed on the first conveying path downstream of the first conveying means; a fifth conveying path branching off from the first conveying path between the first conveying means and the fifth conveying means; a sixth transport means for transporting the medium in the fifth transport path, when the first medium is transported from the carry-in path to the fifth transport means, the first medium is switched back and transported from the first transport path to the fifth transport path; An inserting and sealing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second medium transported from the input path to the fifth conveying means and the first medium transported to the fifth conveying path are superimposed and transported by the fifth conveying means.

10. an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet-like medium; 10. An image forming system comprising: an inserting and sealing device according to claim 1, which overlaps a plurality of the media on which the image has been formed and inserts them into an envelope.

11. An inserting and sealing device for stacking multiple sheet-like media and inserting them into an envelope, comprising: A first conveying means disposed on the first conveying path; A second conveying means disposed on a second conveying path different from the first conveying path; a third transport path connecting the first transport path and the second transport path; A branching means is disposed at a first branching position where the carry-in path branches into the first transport path or the second transport path; a first switchback switching means disposed at a first switching position for switching a transport direction of the medium between the first transport path and the third transport path; a second switchback switching means disposed at a second switching position for switching the transport direction of the medium between the second transport path and the third transport path; having when a first medium previously transported to the carry-in path and a second medium transported to the carry-in path after the first medium are transported to a first transport path, the first transport means transports the first medium and the second medium in an overlapping state; When the first medium and the second medium are transported to the second transport path, the first medium and the second medium are transported in an overlapping manner by the second transport means; When the first medium is transported to the first transport path, the first medium is switched back and transported from the first transport path to the third transport path, and then the second medium is transported to the first transport path, and the first medium and the second medium transported to the third transport path are superimposed and transported by a first transport means; when the first medium is transported to the second transport path, the first medium is switched back and transported from the second transport path to the third transport path, and then the second medium is transported to the second transport path, and the first medium and the second medium transported to the third transport path are superimposed and transported by a second transport means; the branching unit switches the transport direction of the medium to the first transport path or the second transport path based on medium information related to the medium; the first switchback switching means switches the transport path of the medium to the third transport path before the rear end of the medium passes the first switching position and the switchback transport is performed; the second switchback switching means switches the transport path of the medium to the third transport path before the rear end of the medium passes through the second switching position and the switchback transport is performed. An enclosing and sealing device characterized by the above.

12. An inserting and sealing device for stacking multiple sheet-like media and inserting them into an envelope, comprising: A first conveying means disposed on the first conveying path; A second conveying means disposed on a second conveying path different from the first conveying path; a third transport path connecting the first transport path and the second transport path; a fourth transport path that branches off from the first transport path downstream of the first transport means and that holds an envelope; having When a first medium previously transported to a carry-in path and a second medium transported to the carry-in path after the first medium are transported to a first transport path, the first transport means transports the first medium and the second medium in an overlapping state; When the first medium and the second medium are transported to the second transport path, the first medium and the second medium are transported in an overlapping manner by the second transport means; transporting the overlapped first medium and the second medium from the first transport path to the fourth transport path and enclosing them in the envelope; An enclosing and sealing device characterized by the above.

13. An inserting and sealing device for overlapping a plurality of sheet-like media and inserting them into an envelope, comprising: A first conveying means disposed on the first conveying path; A second conveying means disposed on a second conveying path different from the first conveying path; a third transport path connecting the first transport path and the second transport path; a fifth conveying means disposed on the first conveying path downstream of the first conveying means; a fifth conveying path branching off from the first conveying path between the first conveying means and the fifth conveying means; a sixth transport means for transporting the medium in the fifth transport path; having When a first medium previously transported to a carry-in path and a second medium transported to the carry-in path after the first medium are transported to a first transport path, the first transport means transports the first medium and the second medium in an overlapping state; When the first medium and the second medium are transported to the second transport path, the first medium and the second medium are transported in an overlapping manner by the second transport means; when the first medium is transported from the carry-in path to the fifth transport means, the first medium is switched back and transported from the first transport path to the fifth transport path; the second medium transported from the carry-in path to the fifth transport means and the first medium transported to the fifth transport path are superimposed on each other in the fifth transport means and transported. An enclosing and sealing device characterized by the above.

14. A first media sensor disposed on the first transport path upstream of the first switchback switching means; a second medium sensor disposed on the second transport path upstream of the second switchback switching means; having the first switchback switching means switches the transport path to the third transport path when the medium passes the first medium sensor; the second switchback switching means switches the transport path to the third transport path when the medium passes the second medium sensor. The inserting and sealing device according to claim 11.

15. The medium information includes a type of folding to be performed on the medium, When the folding method is an inner triple fold, the branching means switches the conveying direction to the first conveying path side, When the folding method is an outer three-fold, the branching means switches the conveying direction to the second conveying path side.

15. An inserting and sealing device according to claim 11 or 14.

16. The medium information includes print surface information on the medium, the branching means switches the conveying direction to the first conveying path side or the second conveying path side based on the print surface information.

16. An inserting and sealing device according to any one of claims 11, 14 and 15.

17. When the medium is transported from the first transport path to the third transport path, a transport direction by the first transport means is reversed; when transporting the medium from the second transport path to the third transport path, a transport direction by the second transport means is reversed.

17. An inserting and sealing device according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

18. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet-like medium; The inserting and sealing device according to any one of claims 11 to 17, which inserts a plurality of the media on which the image is formed into an envelope by stacking the media; An image forming system comprising:

Images