Folding processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a folding processing device that can suppress a medium from being twisted even when the recording medium is folded plural times more, in comparison with a folding processing device configured to apply to portions at which a downstream side roll pair is not sandwiched by an upstream-side roll pair with respect to a fold line of a recording medium.SOLUTION: The folding processing device comprises: a folding part that folds a recording medium at a middle part in a conveying direction of the recording medium; an upstream-side roll pair, arranged at an upstream side in the conveying direction of the recording medium with respect to the folding part, which conveys the recording medium in a folded state toward the folding part with a fold line thereof set at the head; and a downstream-side roll pair, arranged at a downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording medium with respect to the folding part, which conveys the recording medium sandwiched between the upstream side roll pair, while sandwiching the medium, and which applies conveyance force to a portion connected to the portion sandwiched between the upstream-side roll pair in the recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a creasing device that creases sheets one by one by creasing means provided in front of a folding mechanism for folding. This creasing device includes a detection means for detecting the position of the sheet, gripping means disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the creasing means for gripping the sheet, and deflection correction means for applying tension to the sheet between the two gripping means to correct deflection. Before the creasing means makes a crease, the deflection correction means corrects the deflection.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when a recording medium is folded multiple times, the folded recording medium may be wrinkled.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to obtain a folding processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing wrinkling of a recording medium even when the recording medium is folded multiple times, as compared with a configuration in which a downstream roll pair applies a conveying force to a portion of the recording medium that is not sandwiched by an upstream roll pair with respect to the crease of the recording medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the folding processing apparatus according to the first aspect includes a folding portion that folds a recording medium at an intermediate portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, an upstream roll pair that is disposed upstream of the folding portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and conveys the folded recording medium with the fold line at the front toward the side of the folding portion, and a downstream roll pair that is disposed downstream of the folding portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and conveys the recording medium pinched by the upstream roll pair, the downstream roll pair applying a conveying force to a portion of the recording medium that is connected to a portion that is narrowed by the upstream roll pair.

[0007] The folding processing apparatus according to the second aspect is the folding processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the downstream roll pair switches between a state of driving a roll on one side with respect to the conveyance path and a state of driving a roll on the other side with respect to the conveyance path according to the folding mode of the recording medium conveyed by the upstream roll pair.

[0008] The folding processing apparatus according to the third aspect is the folding processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the downstream roll pair includes a first roll pair having a driving roll disposed on one side with respect to the conveyance path and a second roll pair having a driving roll disposed on the other side with respect to the conveyance path, and further includes a switching unit that switches the conveyance destination of the recording medium to either the first roll pair or the second roll pair according to the folding mode of the recording medium conveyed by the upstream roll pair.

[0009] The folding processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect is the folding processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further including an upstream folding portion that forms a fold in the recording medium conveyed by the upstream roll pair, and a butting portion that is provided downstream of the upstream folding portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and against which the recording medium before being folded by the upstream folding portion abuts.

[0010] The folding processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect is the folding processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, further including a conveying portion that conveys the recording medium along the vertical direction toward the upstream folding portion and the butting portion.

[0011] The folding processing device according to the sixth aspect is the folding processing device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the abutting portion is provided so as to be movable along the conveyance direction by the conveyance unit.

[0012] The folding processing device according to the seventh aspect is the folding processing device according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein the upstream folding unit also serves as the upstream roll pair.

[0013] The folding processing device according to the eighth aspect is the folding processing device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, including a first folding unit that folds and conveys the recording medium, a second folding unit provided downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording medium by the first folding unit and serving as the folding unit that folds and conveys the recording medium, and a third folding unit provided downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording medium by the second folding unit and serving as the folding unit that folds and conveys the recording medium.

[0014] The folding processing device according to the ninth aspect is the folding processing device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the first folding unit also serves as the upstream roll pair of the second folding unit, and the second folding unit also serves as the upstream roll pair of the third folding unit.

[0015] The image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect includes a forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium and a folding processing device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the folding processing device of the first aspect, compared with a configuration in which the downstream roll pair applies a conveying force to a portion of the recording medium that is not sandwiched by the upstream roll pair with respect to the fold line of the recording medium, even when the recording medium is folded multiple times, the sagging of the recording medium is suppressed.

[0017] According to the folding processing device of the second aspect, compared with a configuration that switches the conveyance destination to a plurality of roll pairs, the device can be miniaturized.

[0018] According to the folding processing apparatus of the third aspect, the switching control is easier compared to the configuration in which driving and following are switched with one roll pair.

[0019] According to the folding processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, variations in the folding position due to the upstream folding unit are suppressed as compared to the configuration in which there is a roll pair on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium with respect to the upstream folding unit.

[0020] According to the folding processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, an increase in the size of the folding processing apparatus in the horizontal direction is suppressed as compared to the configuration in which the conveyance unit conveys the recording medium along the horizontal direction.

[0021] According to the folding processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, the abutting position can be changed according to the size of the recording medium and the folding position by the upstream folding unit.

[0022] According to the folding processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, the number of parts is reduced as compared to the configuration in which the upstream folding unit and the upstream roll pair are separately configured.

[0023] According to the folding processing apparatus of the eighth aspect, by providing three folding units for folding the recording medium, the number of folding patterns increases as compared to the case where there are two or fewer folding units.

[0024] According to the folding processing apparatus of the ninth aspect, the number of parts is reduced as compared to the configuration in which dedicated upstream roll pairs are provided for the second folding unit and the third folding unit.

[0025] According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect, even when the recording medium on which an image is formed is folded a plurality of times, the sagging of the recording medium is suppressed as compared to the configuration in which the downstream roll pair of the folding processing apparatus applies a conveying force to the portion of the recording medium that is not sandwiched by the upstream roll pair with respect to the fold line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

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Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an example of a mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail.

[0028] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows an example of an image forming apparatus 10 including a folding processing apparatus 14 according to the first embodiment, and is a front cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 10 as viewed from the front side.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus main body (forming unit) 12 that forms an image on a sheet member P as a recording medium, and a folding processing apparatus 14 that makes a crease on the sheet member P (folds the sheet member P).

[0030] In this embodiment, the apparatus width direction (horizontal direction) is defined as the X direction, the apparatus vertical direction (vertical direction) is defined as the Y direction, and the apparatus depth direction (horizontal direction) is defined as the Z direction. In this embodiment, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows an example of the image forming apparatus main body 12, and is a front cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus main body 12 as viewed from the front side.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus main body 12 according to the present embodiment includes a supply unit 16, a conveyance unit 18, an image forming unit 20, and an image reading unit 22 in this order. The supply unit 16 supplies the sheet member P from below to above in the Y direction. The conveyance unit 18 conveys the sheet member P supplied by the supply unit 16. The image forming unit 20 forms a toner image on the sheet member P conveyed by the conveyance unit 18. The image reading unit 22 reads the image of the document G. Note that the image reading unit 22 is an example of a reading unit. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a fixing unit 24 that heats and presses the sheet member P on which the toner image is formed to fix the toner image on the recording medium.

[0033] The supply unit 16 is provided with a plurality of storage members 26 that can be pulled out from the front side in the Z direction from the image forming apparatus main body 12, and the sheet members P are respectively loaded on these storage members 26. Further, each storage member 26 is provided with a delivery roll 30 that sends out the sheet member P loaded on the storage member 26 to a conveyance path 28 that constitutes the conveyance unit 18. The conveyance unit 18 is provided with a plurality of conveyance roll pairs 32 that convey the sheet member P along the conveyance path 28.

[0034] The image reading unit 22 includes a platen glass 34 on which the document G is placed, and a reading unit 36 that reads the image of the document G placed on the platen glass 34. The reading unit 36 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 36A, a lens 36B, and a lamp 36C. The reflected light of the light irradiated from the lamp 36C to the document G is received by the CCD 36A via the lens 36B. Thereby, the image of the document G is read to obtain image data.

[0035] The image forming unit 20 is provided with four image forming units 38Y, 38M, 38C, and 38K for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between Y, M, C, and K, Y, M, C, and K may be omitted. Further, the image forming unit 20 is provided with exposure devices 42 of respective colors that irradiate exposure light to an image carrier 40 (only the image carrier 40Y is shown) provided in the image forming unit 38 based on the image data read by the reading unit 36.

[0036] The image forming units 38 of respective colors are each detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 12. And each of the image forming units 38 of respective colors is provided with an image carrier 40 and a charging member 44 (only the charging member 44Y is shown) that charges the surface of the image carrier 40. Further, each of the image forming units 38 of respective colors is provided with a developing device 46 (only the developing device 46Y is shown) that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by irradiating the charged image carrier 40 with exposure light from the exposure device 42 into a toner image and visualizes it.

[0037] Further, the image forming unit 20 is provided with an endless transfer belt 48 that circulates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, and a primary transfer roll 50 (only the primary transfer roll 50Y is shown) that transfers the toner image formed by each of the image forming units 38 to the transfer belt 48. Further, the image forming unit 20 is provided with a secondary transfer roll 52 that transfers the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 48 to the sheet member P.

[0038] In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, an image is formed as follows.

[0039] First, the charging members 44 of respective colors (only the charging member 44Y is shown) to which voltage is applied uniformly charge the surfaces of the image carriers 40 of respective colors negatively at a predetermined potential. Subsequently, based on the image data read by the reading unit 36, the exposure device 42 irradiates the surfaces of the charged image carriers 40 of respective colors with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0040] As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface of the image carrier 40 for each color. Further, the developing device 46 for each color develops this electrostatic latent image and visualizes it as a toner image. Also, the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier 40 for each color is transferred to the transfer belt 48 by the primary transfer roll 50.

[0041] Therefore, the sheet member P sent from the storage member 26 to the conveyance path 28 by the feed roll 30 is sent to the transfer position T where the transfer belt 48 and the secondary transfer roll 52 are in contact. At the transfer position T, the sheet member P is conveyed between the transfer belt 48 and the secondary transfer roll 52, so that the toner image on the surface of the transfer belt 48 is transferred to the sheet member P.

[0042] The toner image transferred to the sheet member P is fixed to the sheet member P by the fixing unit 24. The fixing unit 24 is disposed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roll 52 in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P, and includes a heating roll 54 that is rotationally driven by transmitting a rotational force from a stepping motor (not shown). A halogen heater 54A is disposed inside the heating roll 54.

[0043] Also, the fixing unit 24 includes a pressure roll 56 that presses the conveyed sheet member P toward the heating roll 54 and is rotatably supported. By sandwiching and conveying the sheet member P to which the toner image has been transferred between the heating roll 54 and the pressure roll 56, the sheet member P is heated and pressurized to fix the toner image to the sheet member P. Then, the sheet member P on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 12 through the discharge port 57.

[0044] (Folding processing device) Next, the folding processing device 14 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the folding processing device 14 as viewed from the front side. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the folding processing device 14 is provided with an inlet portion 15 that is connected to the discharge port 57 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 12. The folding processing device 14 includes a conveyance unit 60 that conveys the sheet member P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 12 through the inlet portion 15, and a folding unit 62 that performs a folding process (folds the sheet member P) on the sheet member P conveyed by the conveyance unit 60.

[0046] The conveyance unit 60 includes a plurality of conveyance roll pairs 66 that convey the sheet member P along the conveyance path 59 through which the sheet member P is conveyed. A plurality of sensors 67 are provided in the conveyance path 59 to detect the leading end and the trailing end of the conveyed sheet member P. By detecting the sheet member P by the sensors 67, the driving timing is adjusted in the roll pairs including the folding roll pair 74 and the like described later.

[0047] Further, the conveyance path 59 includes a conveyance path 61 (conveyance route 63) for discharging the sheet member P to the outside of the folding processing device 14 without performing a folding process on the sheet member P, and a conveyance path 64 (conveyance route 65) for performing a folding process on the sheet member P.

[0048] The conveyance route 63 is a route for conveying the sheet member P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 12 in the X direction (horizontal direction). The conveyance route 65 is a route for folding the sheet member P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 12 and conveying the sheet member P. There are a plurality of conveyance routes 65A, 65B, 65C, etc. corresponding to the folding specifications of the sheet member P in the conveyance route 65 (described later).

[0049] On the other hand, the folding unit 62 is provided in the conveyance path 64, and the folding unit 62 includes a first folding unit 68, a second folding unit 70, and a third folding unit 72. Note that the second folding unit 70 or the third folding unit 72 is applied to the folding unit described in claim 1.

[0050] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the folded portion 62 enlarged. As shown in FIG. 4, the first folding portion 68 includes a pair of roll-shaped folding roll pairs 74 and a pushing member 76.

[0051] The folding roll pair 74 is composed of a folding roll 74A and a folding roll 74B. The folding rolls 74A and 74B are arranged along the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with the direction intersecting (perpendicular, the same hereinafter) the conveyance direction of the sheet member P as the longitudinal direction, and apply a conveyance force to the sheet member P.

[0052] On the other hand, the pushing member 76 is arranged on the opposite side of the folding roll pair 74 with the conveyance path 64 therebetween, and is provided with the direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet member P as the longitudinal direction. Further, the tip 76A of the pushing member 76 is formed to be sharp, and a part (folding target position) of the conveyed sheet member P can be pushed between the folding roll 74A and the folding roll 74B.

[0053] By pushing a part of the sheet member P between the folding roll 74A and the folding roll 74B through the pushing member 76, the sheet member P is bent starting from a part of the sheet member P, and when passing between the folding roll 74A and the folding roll 74B, a fold line Q1 (see FIG. 8(B)) is formed on the sheet member P.

[0054] A conveyance path 64A is provided between the folding roll 74A and the folding roll 74B along the direction intersecting the conveyance path 64. The conveyance path 65A is the path through which the sheet member P is conveyed by the conveyance path 64A branched from the conveyance path 64, and the sheet member P folded once by the folding roll pair 74 of the first folding portion 68 is conveyed.

[0055] Note that the conveyance path 64A is connected to a conveyance path 73, which is composed of a plurality of roll pairs 71 shown in FIG. 3 and conveys the sheet member P to discharge ports 75 and 77 described later, on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P. Therefore, for example, when the sheet member P is folded only once, such as being folded in half, the sheet member P is conveyed to the outside of the folding processing device 14 by the conveyance path 64A and the conveyance path 73.

[0056] Here, in the present embodiment, the folding processing device 14 is provided with two discharge ports 75 and 77. The discharge port 75 is provided in the conveyance path 65 and is formed on the upper surface 14A side of the folding processing device 14. On the other hand, the discharge port 77 is provided in the conveyance paths 63 and 65 and is formed on the right side surface 14B of the folding processing device 14 in the figure. Discharge trays 79 and 81 are respectively provided at the discharge ports 75 and 77, and the folded sheet members P are respectively discharged onto the discharge trays 79 and 81.

[0057] Note that in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is composed of an image forming apparatus main body 12 that forms an image on the sheet member P and a folding processing device 14 that folds the sheet member P, but a post-processing device that performs bookbinding such as stitching processing may be further provided. In this case, the discharge port 77 discharges the sheet member P to the post-processing device side.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, an upstream roll pair 78 is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the first folding portion 68. The upstream roll pair 78 is composed of an upstream roll 78A and an upstream roll 78B, and the upstream rolls 78A and 78B are provided with the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet member P. The upstream roll 78A and the upstream roll 78B are arranged with the conveyance path 64 therebetween, and the sheet member P is sandwiched between the upstream roll 78A and the upstream roll 78B to apply a conveyance force to the sheet member P.

[0059] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a guide 80 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the first folding portion 68, and the guide 80 is provided along the substantially vertical direction of the folding processing device 14. Strictly speaking, the guide 80 is inclined downward toward the folding processing device 14 as it goes toward the image forming apparatus main body 12 side.

[0060] Further, a butting portion 80A is provided at the tip of the guide 80. The butting portion 80A is formed along a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet member P and stands up with respect to the conveyance surface 80B of the guide 80. For this reason, when the sheet member P is conveyed to the guide 80, the sheet member P hits the butting portion 80A of the guide 80, and its movement is restricted.

[0061] Here, the guide 80 is made stretchable along the conveyance direction of the sheet member P. For example, the guide 80 includes a slide member that slides along the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the main body portion, and the butting portion 80A is formed at the tip of the slide member, and the position of the butting portion 80A is adjusted according to the folding position and size of the sheet member P.

[0062] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the second folding portion 70 is configured to include a pair of roll-shaped folding roll pairs 82 and a pushing member 84, similar to the first folding portion 68.

[0063] The folding roll pair 82 is composed of a folding roll 82A and a folding roll 82B. The folding rolls 82A and 82B are arranged along the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with the direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet member P as the longitudinal direction, and apply a conveyance force to the sheet member P.

[0064] On the other hand, the pushing member 84 is disposed on the opposite side of the folding roll pair 82 with the conveyance path 64A therebetween, and is provided with its longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet member P. The distal end portion 76A of the pushing member 84 is formed to be sharp, and is configured to be able to approach and separate from the conveyance path 64A, and can push another part (folding target position) of the conveyed sheet member P between the folding roll 82A and the folding roll 82B.

[0065] Through the pushing member 84, when another part of the sheet member P is pushed between the folding roll 82A and the folding roll 82B, the once-folded sheet member P is bent starting from the other part of the sheet member P, and when passing between the folding roll 82A and the folding roll 82B, a fold line Q2 (see FIG. 9) is formed on the sheet member P.

[0066] Between the folding roll 82A and the folding roll 82B, a conveyance path 64B is provided along a direction intersecting the conveyance path 64A. The path through which the sheet member P is conveyed by the conveyance path 64B branched from the conveyance path 64A is the conveyance path 65B, and the sheet member P twice-folded by the folding roll pair 74 of the first folding portion 68 and the folding roll pair 82 of the second folding portion 70 is conveyed.

[0067] Note that the conveyance path 64B is connected to a conveyance path 73 that is connected to the conveyance path 64A on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P. Therefore, for example, when the sheet member P is folded only twice, such as in a Z-fold or a triple-fold, the sheet member P is conveyed to the outside of the folding processing device 14 by the conveyance path 64B and the conveyance path 73.

[0068] On the other hand, on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the second folding portion 70, a folding roll pair 74 of the first folding portion 68 is provided. In the second folding portion 70, the folding roll pair 74 of the first folding portion 68 also serves as an upstream roll pair, and the folding roll 74A and the folding roll 74B are disposed with the conveyance path 64A therebetween, and sandwich the sheet member P with the folding roll 74A and the folding roll 74B to apply a conveyance force to the sheet member P.

[0069] Further, a downstream roll pair 86 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the second folding portion 70. The downstream roll pair 86 is composed of a downstream roll 86A and a downstream roll 86B. The downstream rolls 86A and 86B are provided with the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet member P. The downstream roll 86A and the downstream roll 86B are arranged with the conveyance path 64A therebetween, and sandwich the sheet member P with the downstream roll 86A and the downstream roll 86B to apply a conveyance force to the sheet member P.

[0070] Note that although not shown in the figure, the downstream rolls 86A and 86B are each connectable to a motor via a clutch, and switching between connection and disconnection to the motor is made. For this reason, when one of the downstream roll sides is connected to the motor via a clutch, a driving force is transmitted to the one downstream roll side. At this time, the other downstream roll side is in a state where the connection to the motor is released via the clutch.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the downstream roll 86B side serves as a so-called driving roll, and a conveyance force is applied to the sheet member P by driving the downstream roll 86B. Also in the downstream roll pair 92 described below, it is substantially the same as the downstream roll pair 86. Note that, for the sake of explanation, when necessary in the roll pair, the driving roll is indicated by a black circle.

[0072] By the way, depending on the folding mode, the folded side P2 of the sheet member P may be folded to one side of the sheet member P or the other side. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, like the downstream roll pair 86, one roll and the other roll constituting the roll pair are each connectable to a motor via a clutch, and one of the one roll or the other roll can be used as a driving roll. For this reason, in the present embodiment, according to the folding mode of the sheet member P, it is possible to appropriately respond as to which of the pair of rolls constituting the roll pair is to be the driving side.

[0073] The third folding part 72, like the first folding part 68 and the second folding part 70, is composed of a pair of roll-shaped folding roll pairs 88 and a pushing member 90.

[0074] The folding roll pair 88 is composed of a folding roll 88A and a folding roll 88B. The folding rolls 88A and 88B are arranged along the conveying direction of the sheet member P with the direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet member P as the longitudinal direction, and apply a conveying force to the sheet member P.

[0075] On the other hand, the pushing member 90 is arranged on the opposite side of the folding roll pair 88 with the conveying path 64B in between, and is provided with the direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet member P as the longitudinal direction. And the tip 90A of the pushing member 90 is formed sharply, and can be brought into contact with and separated from the conveying path 64B, and can push another part (folding target position) of the conveyed sheet member P between the folding roll 88A and the folding roll 88B.

[0076] Through the pushing member 90, when a part of the sheet member P is pushed between the folding roll 88A and the folding roll 88B, the twice-folded sheet member P is bent starting from another part of the sheet member P, and when passing between the folding roll 88A and the folding roll 88B, a crease Q3 (see Fig. 10(A)) is formed on the sheet member P.

[0077] Between the folding roll 88A and the folding roll 88B, a conveying path 64C is provided along the direction intersecting the conveying path 64B. The conveying path 65C is the path through which the sheet member P is conveyed by the conveying path 64C branched from the conveying path 64B, and the sheet member P folded three times by the folding roll pair 74 of the first folding part 68, the folding roll pair 82 of the second folding part 70, and the folding roll pair 88 of the third folding part 72 is conveyed.

[0078] Note that the conveyance path 64C is connected to a conveyance path 73 that is connected to the conveyance paths 64A and 64B on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P. That is, the conveyance path 73 is a conveyance path where the conveyance paths 64A, 64B, and 64C merge. When the sheet member P is folded three times, such as in a bellows fold or a kink fold, the sheet member P is conveyed to the outside of the folding processing device 14 by the conveyance paths 64C and 73.

[0079] On the other hand, a folding roll pair 82 of the second folding portion 70 is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the third folding portion 72. In the third folding portion 72, the folding roll pair 82 of the second folding portion 70 also serves as the upstream roll pair. The folding roll 82A and the folding roll 82B are arranged with the conveyance path 64B therebetween, and the sheet member P is sandwiched between the folding roll 82A and the folding roll 82B to apply a conveyance force to the sheet member P.

[0080] Also, a downstream roll pair 92 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the third folding portion 72. The downstream roll pair 92 is composed of a downstream roll 92A and a downstream roll 92B. The downstream rolls 92A and 92B are provided with the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet member P. The downstream roll 92A and the downstream roll 92B are arranged with the conveyance path 64B therebetween, and the sheet member P is sandwiched between the downstream roll 92A and the downstream roll 92B to apply a conveyance force to the sheet member P. Note that in the downstream roll pair 92, the downstream roll 92B side serves as the driving roll, and a conveyance force is applied to the sheet member P by driving the downstream roll 92B.

[0081] (Operation of the folding processing device) The operation of the folding processing device 14 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 3, in the image forming apparatus 10 including the folding processing apparatus 14 according to the present embodiment, when a user makes a selection not to perform the folding processing, the conveyance path 63 is selected in the folding processing apparatus 14, and the sheet member P on which an image is formed and discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 12 is discharged to the outside of the folding processing apparatus 14.

[0083] On the other hand, when a user makes a selection to perform the folding processing, the conveyance path 65 is selected in the folding processing apparatus 14, and the folding processing is performed on the sheet member P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 12.

[0084] For example, as an example, as shown in FIG. 10(A), the case where the sheet member P is zigzag-folded (folded three times) will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5 to 9. Note that the sheet member P shown in FIGS. 8(A), (B), and 9 is exaggeratedly shown, such as providing a gap between the folded portion so that the folded state of the sheet member P can be understood.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet member P conveyed by the conveyance path 64 constituting the conveyance path 65 is guided toward a guide 80 provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P from the first folding portion 68, and the leading end of the sheet member P hits the abutting portion 80A of the guide 80. Thereby, the leading ends of the sheet member P are aligned.

[0086] In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the first folding process is performed on the sheet member P at the first folding portion 68 (the sheet member P is folded). At the first folding portion 68, the pushing member 76 approaches the conveyance path 64, and the sheet member P is pushed between the folding rolls 74A and 74B by the leading end portion 76A of the pushing member 76.

[0087] At this time, in the folding roll pair 74, the folding roll 74A is driven, and by driving the folding roll 74A, a conveying force is applied to the sheet member P. The sheet member P passes between the folding roll 74A and the folding roll 74B in a state of being bent starting from a part (folding target position) of the sheet member P. As a result, a fold line Q1 (see FIG. 8(B)) is formed on the sheet member P, and with the fold line Q1 as the leading edge, the sheet member P is conveyed to the conveyance path 64A.

[0088] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the second folding process is performed on the sheet member P with the fold line Q1 formed thereon in the second folding portion 70. In the second folding portion 70, a folding roll pair 74 as an upstream roll pair is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction by the second folding portion 70 for the sheet member P, and a downstream roll pair 86 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction by the second folding portion 70.

[0089] And the sheet member P is in a state of being sandwiched between the folding roll pair 74 and the downstream roll pair 86. In this state, the pushing member 84 approaches the conveyance path 64A, and the tip portion 84A of the pushing member 84 is pushed between the folding roll 82A and the folding roll 82B through the sheet member P.

[0090] Here, a comparative example will be described. As shown in FIG. 8(A), on the side P1 where the sheet member P is continuous with the sheet member P sandwiched by the upstream roll pair 200, the sheet member P is sandwiched by the upstream roll pair 200 and the downstream roll pair 202. On the other hand, since the folded side P2 of the sheet member P is not sandwiched by the upstream roll pair 200, it is only sandwiched by the downstream roll pair 202.

[0091] In this state, the roll 202A on the side that contacts the folded side P2 of the sheet member P is driven to apply a conveying force to the sheet member P. That is, when the downstream roll pair 202 applies a conveying force to the portion of the sheet member P that is not sandwiched by the upstream roll pair 200 with respect to the fold line R of the sheet member P, the rear end portion of the folded side P2 of the sheet member P is in a free state. Therefore, the folded side P2 of the sheet member P is conveyed, the fold line R of the sheet member P is displaced, and the folded sheet member P is distorted.

[0092] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8(B), in the downstream roll pair 86, the downstream roll 86B is the driving side, and a conveying force is applied to the sheet member P by the downstream roll 86B. And in the present embodiment, this downstream roll 86B is in contact with the side P1 that is continuous with the sheet member P sandwiched by the folding roll pair 74 as the upstream roll pair. That is, in the present embodiment, the downstream roll pair 86 applies a conveying force to the portion of the sheet member P that is connected to the portion narrowed by the folding roll pair 74 as the upstream roll pair.

[0093] Therefore, even if the downstream roll 86B is driven to apply a conveying force to the sheet member P, since the sheet member P is sandwiched by the folding roll pair 74 as the upstream roll pair, the displacement of the fold line Q1 of the sheet member P is suppressed, and the distortion of the folded sheet member P can be suppressed. In FIG. 8(B), the illustration of the folding roll pair 82 is omitted.

[0094] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the sheet member P with the fold line Q1 is pushed between the folding roll 82A and the folding roll 82B by the tip portion 84A of the pushing member 84, and a conveying force is applied to the sheet member P by the driving of the folding roll 82A.

[0095] The sheet member P passes between the folding roll 82A and the folding roll 82B in a state of being bent starting from another part (the folding target position) of the sheet member P. As a result, in addition to the fold line Q1, a fold line Q2 (see FIG. 9) is formed on the sheet member P, and the sheet member P is conveyed to the conveyance path 64B with the fold line Q2 at the head. In FIG. 9, the illustration of the folding roll pair 88 is omitted.

[0096] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the sheet member P with the fold lines Q1 and Q2 is subjected to a third folding process in the third folding portion 72. In the third folding portion 72, a folding roll pair 82 as an upstream roll pair is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction by the third folding portion 72 for the sheet member P, and a downstream roll pair 92 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction by the third folding portion 72.

[0097] And the sheet member P is in a state of being sandwiched between the folding roll pair 82 and the downstream roll pair 92. In this state, the pushing member 90 approaches the conveyance path 64B, and the tip portion 90A of the pushing member 90 is pushed between the folding roll 88A and the folding roll 88B through the sheet member P.

[0098] Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, in the downstream roll pair 92, the downstream roll 92B is the driving side, and a conveyance force is applied to the sheet member P by the downstream roll 92B. And in the present embodiment, this downstream roll 92B is in contact with the side P1 continuous with the sheet member P sandwiched by the folding roll pair 82 as the upstream roll pair. That is, in the present embodiment, the downstream roll pair 92 applies a conveyance force to the portion of the sheet member P that is connected to the portion narrowed by the folding roll pair 82 as the upstream roll pair.

[0099] Therefore, even when the downstream roll 92B is driven and a conveyance force is applied to the sheet member P, the sheet member P is sandwiched by the folding roll pair 82 as the upstream roll pair, so that the deviation of the fold lines Q1 and Q2 of the sheet member P is suppressed, and the warping of the folded sheet member P can be suppressed.

[0100] On the one hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the sheet member P with the creases Q1 and Q2 is pushed between the folding roll 88A and the folding roll 88B by the tip 90A of the pushing member 90, and a conveying force is applied by the driving of the folding roll 88B in the pushed state.

[0101] The sheet member P passes between the folding roll 88A and the folding roll 88B in a state of being bent starting from another part (the folding target position) of the sheet member P. As a result, in addition to the creases Q1 and Q2, a further crease Q3 (see FIG. 9) is formed on the sheet member P, and the sheet member P is conveyed to the conveyance path 64C starting from the crease Q3. In this way, the sheet member P is folded in a bellows shape (see FIG. 10(A)).

[0102] As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 8(B), in the downstream roll pair 86, the downstream roll 86B which is the driving side contacts the side P1 connected to the sheet member P sandwiched by the folding roll pair 74 as the upstream roll pair, and is configured to apply a conveying force.

[0103] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(A) described as a comparative example, compared with the configuration in which the driving roll 202A contacts the folded side P2 and applies a conveying force, even when the sheet member P is folded multiple times, the sagging of the sheet member P is suppressed.

[0104] Also, in the present embodiment, like the downstream roll pairs 86 and 92, in one roll and the other roll constituting the roll pair, they can be respectively connected to a motor via clutches, and one of the rolls or the other roll is used as the driving roll. Thereby, according to the folding mode of the sheet member P, it is possible to appropriately respond as to which of the pair of rolls constituting the roll pair is the driving side.

[0105] Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the downstream roll pairs 86 and 92, regardless of the folding mode, conveyance force can be applied to the portions of the sheet member P that are connected to the portions narrowed by the folding roll pairs 74 and 82 as the upstream roll pairs, respectively.

[0106] Thus, in the present embodiment, according to the folding mode of the sheet member P, by appropriately corresponding which of the pair of rolls constituting the roll pair is the driving side, it is possible to use the same conveyance path even for sheet members P with different folding modes. As a result, compared with a configuration in which a conveyance path is provided according to the folding mode of the sheet member P, miniaturization of the folding processing device 14 is achieved.

[0107] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a guide 80 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the first folding portion 68, and a butting portion 80A is provided at the tip of the guide 80. Before the folding process by the first folding portion 68 is performed on the sheet member P, the sheet member P hits the butting portion 80A of the guide 80.

[0108] In this way, before the folding process by the first folding portion 68 is performed, when the sheet member P hits the butting portion 80A of the guide 80, the tip of the sheet member P is positioned. Therefore, even if the sheet member P is conveyed obliquely, the sheet member P hits the butting portion 80A at its tip and the tip of the sheet member P is positioned, so that the variation in the folding position by the first folding portion 68 is suppressed compared with a configuration in which there is a roll pair on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the first folding portion 68.

[0109] Here, the guide 80 is provided along the substantially vertical direction of the folding processing device 14, is stretchable along the conveyance direction of the sheet member P, and the position of the butting portion 80A is movable. That is, in the present embodiment, the position of the butting portion 80A can be changed according to the size of the sheet member P and the folding position of the sheet member P by the first folding portion 68.

[0110] Further, by providing the guide 80 along the substantially vertical direction of the folding processing device 14, for example, compared with a configuration in which the guide 80 is provided along the horizontal direction, the installation area of the folding processing device 14 can be reduced, and the folding processing device 14 can be downsized.

[0111] In the present embodiment, three folding parts 62 (the first folding part 68, the second folding part 70, and the third folding part 72) for folding the sheet member P are provided. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the sheet member P can be folded three times, and the folding patterns increase compared with the case where the number of folding parts is two or less.

[0112] Here, as folding patterns, for example, when the sheet member P is folded twice, there are a Z-fold shown in FIG. 11(A), an inner triple fold shown in FIG. 11(B), an outer triple fold shown in FIG. 11(C), and a quadruple fold shown in FIG. 11(D). On the other hand, when the sheet member P is folded three times, in addition to the accordion fold shown in FIG. 10(A), there is a guanyin fold shown in FIG. 10(B). In other words, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform a guanyin fold, an accordion fold, etc. of the sheet member P, which were not possible when the number of folding parts was two or less.

[0113] Further, in the present embodiment, the folding roll pair 74 of the first folding part 68 shown in FIG. 4 also serves as the upstream roll pair of the second folding part 70. Also, the folding roll pair 82 of the second folding part 70 also serves as the upstream roll pair of the third folding part 72. Therefore, for example, compared with a configuration in which dedicated upstream roll pairs are provided for the second folding part 70 and the third folding part 72, the number of parts is reduced in the present embodiment. Of course, dedicated upstream roll pairs may be provided for the second folding part 70 and the third folding part 72.

[0114] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional view of the folding processing device 100 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the front side. Note that descriptions of substantially the same content as that of the folding processing device 14 according to the first embodiment are omitted.

[0115] In the folding processing apparatus 14 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, in the downstream roll pair 86 of the second folding unit 70, the driving side roll is switched between the downstream roll 86A side and the downstream roll 86B side depending on whether or not it is connected to a motor. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(B), depending on the folding mode of the sheet member P, the downstream roll 86B on the side that contacts the side P1 connected to the sheet member P sandwiched by the folding roll pair 74 as the upstream roll pair is set as the driving side, and a conveying force is applied to the sheet member P.

[0116] However, in the downstream roll pair of the folding unit, any configuration may be adopted as long as the downstream roll that contacts the side P1 connected to the sheet member P sandwiched by the upstream roll pair is the driving side, and thus the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0117] In the folding processing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, depending on the folding mode of the sheet member P, the conveyance destination of the sheet member P is changed. For example, the side that contacts the side P1 connected to the sheet member P sandwiched by the folding roll pair 74 as the upstream roll pair is set as the driving side of the downstream roll pair 86.

[0118] Specifically described, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a branch path 64A1 that branches off from the conveyance path 64A through which the sheet member P folded once by the folding roll pair 74 is conveyed is provided. A switching unit 102 is provided at the branch point of the branch path 64A1, and depending on the selection of the folding mode by the user, the conveyance destination of the sheet member P folded once is switched to the conveyance path 64A or the branch path 64A1 through the switching unit 102.

[0119] FIG. 14(A) shows the conveyance path 64A side, and FIG. 14(B) shows the branch path 64A1 side.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 14(A), in the conveyance path 64A, in the downstream roll pair 86, the downstream roll 86A side is the driving roll, and a conveying force is applied to the sheet member P by driving the downstream roll 86A.

[0121] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14(B), in the branch path 64A1, the downstream roll pair 86 is composed of a downstream roll 86C and a downstream roll 86D, and the downstream roll 86D side serves as the driving roll. By driving the downstream roll 86D, a conveying force is applied to the sheet member P.

[0122] Here, depending on the folding mode, as shown in FIG. 14(A), there are cases where the folded side P2 is on the upper side of the sheet member P and, as shown in FIG. 14(B), the folded side P2 is on the lower side of the sheet member P.

[0123] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a branch path 64A1 branching from the conveyance path 64A through which the once-folded sheet member P is conveyed is provided. And, according to the folding mode, the conveyance destination of the sheet member P can be switched to either the conveyance path 64A side provided with the downstream roll pair 86 with the downstream roll 86A as the driving side or the branch path 64A1 side provided with the downstream roll pair 86 with the downstream roll 86D as the driving side.

[0124] In this way, in the present embodiment, by switching the conveyance destination of the sheet member P according to the folding mode and bringing the driving roll into contact with the side P1 connected to the sheet member P sandwiched by the upstream roll pair, compared with a configuration in which driving and driven are switched by one roll pair, the switching control is easier.

[0125] As described above, one embodiment has been used to describe one form for implementing the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment at all. Within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment, and even a folding processing apparatus having only two folding parts may be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0126] 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus main body (forming unit) 14 Folding processing apparatus 62 Folding part 65A Conveyor path 64A1 Branch path (conveyor path) 68 First folding part (upstream folding part) 70 Second folding part (folding part) 72 Third folding part (folding part) 74 Folding roll pair (upstream roll pair) 80 Conveyor unit 80A Contact part 82 Folding roll pair (upstream roll pair) 86 Downstream roll pair 86A Downstream roll (drive roll, first roll pair) 86B Downstream roll (first roll pair) 86C Downstream roll (second roll pair) 86D Downstream roll (drive roll, second roll pair) 92 Downstream roll pair 100 Folding processing device 102 Switching part P Sheet member (recording medium) Q1 Crease Q2 Crease

Claims

1. a folding unit that folds the recording medium at a middle portion in a conveying direction of the recording medium; an upstream roll pair that is disposed upstream of the folding portion in a conveying direction of the recording medium and conveys the folded recording medium toward the folding portion with the fold at the leading edge; a downstream roll pair that is disposed downstream in a conveying direction of the recording medium with respect to the folding portion, and that conveys the recording medium sandwiched between the upstream roll pair, and that applies a conveying force to a portion of the recording medium that is connected to the portion sandwiched between the upstream roll pair, A folding processing device in which the downstream roll pair switches between a state in which one roll is driven relative to a transport path and a state in which the roll is driven on the other side of the transport path, depending on the folding state of the recording medium transported by the upstream roll pair.

2. a folding unit that folds the recording medium at a middle portion in a conveying direction of the recording medium; an upstream roll pair that is disposed upstream of the folding portion in a conveying direction of the recording medium and conveys the folded recording medium toward the folding portion with the fold at the leading edge; a downstream roll pair that is disposed downstream in a conveying direction of the recording medium with respect to the folding portion, and that conveys the recording medium sandwiched between the upstream roll pair, and that applies a conveying force to a portion of the recording medium that is connected to the portion sandwiched between the upstream roll pair, the downstream roll pair includes a first roll pair in which a drive roll is disposed on one side of the transport path, and a second roll pair in which a drive roll is disposed on the other side of the transport path, The folding processing device further includes a switching unit that switches the destination of the recording medium transported by the upstream roll pair to either the first roll pair or the second roll pair depending on the folding state of the recording medium.

3. an upstream folding unit that folds the recording medium conveyed by the upstream roll pair; abutment section provided downstream in a conveyance direction of the recording medium to the upstream folding section, the abutment section being abutted by the recording medium before being folded by the upstream folding section; The folding device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The folding device according to claim 3 , further comprising a transport section that transports the recording medium in a vertical direction toward the upstream folding section and the abutment section.

5. The folding device according to claim 4 , wherein the abutting portion is provided so as to be movable along a conveying direction of the conveying portion.

6. The folding device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the upstream folding section also serves as the upstream roll pair.

7. a first folding unit that folds and conveys the recording medium; a second folding unit that is provided downstream of the first folding unit in a conveying direction of the recording medium and that folds and conveys the recording medium; a third folding unit as the folding unit that is provided downstream in a conveying direction of the recording medium by the second folding unit and that folds and conveys the recording medium; 3. The folding device according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. The first folding unit also serves as the upstream roll pair of the second folding unit, The folding device according to claim 7 , wherein the second folding unit also serves as the upstream roll pair of the third folding unit.

9. a forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium; An image forming apparatus comprising the folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images