Processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a processing device that is configured so that an allowable cutting amount in one-time cutting processing can be increased, and an image forming system.SOLUTION: A processing device 200 comprises: a conveyance passage part 210 through which a recording medium (a sheet S) is conveyed; a cutting part 220 that can cut the recording medium (the sheet S) conveyed through the conveyance passage part 210; and a posture changing part 240 that changes a posture of the recording medium (the sheet S) in the conveyance passage part 210 by contacting the recording medium (the sheet S), in making the cutting part 220 cut the recording medium (the sheet S).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a processing device for cutting a recording medium used in an image forming apparatus or the like is known. In the processing device, the recording medium is cut in the conveyance direction or a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and the cut scraps (hereinafter, cutting scraps) are dropped.

[0003] In such a processing device, in the case of a configuration for cutting various types of recording media such as a recording medium having a short conveyance length like a business card, the interval between a plurality of conveyance rollers in the processing device is determined according to the minimum size of the recording medium. Therefore, the cutting unit is arranged so as to fit within the interval.

[0004] In this case, since the dropping path of the cutting scraps becomes narrow, depending on the type of the recording medium, there arises a problem that the dropping path of the cutting scraps cannot be secured.

[0005] Conventionally, for example, in Patent Document 1, cutting is performed with the recording medium sandwiched between conveyance rollers, and then the conveyance roller sandwiching the cutting scraps is rotated to the dropping path side, and further the conveyance roller is rotated to drop the cutting scraps, thereby disclosing a configuration for solving the above problem.

[0006] Also, by performing the cutting process in multiple stages, it is possible to perform the cutting process even on a recording medium having a relatively long conveyance length.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] By the way, in a processing apparatus, when performing cutting processing in multiple stages, it is possible to perform cutting processing even on a recording medium with a relatively long conveyance length. However, since the cutting processing is performed in multiple stages, there is a risk of productivity degradation. Further, when performing cutting processing in multiple stages, regarding the leading end portion of the recording medium, it is possible to perform cutting processing while sequentially conveying it. However, regarding the trailing end portion, once cutting processing is performed once, the cutting processing may be completed there. That is, regarding the trailing end portion of the recording medium, there are cases where cutting processing cannot be performed in multiple stages. Further, by performing a switchback, it is possible to perform cutting processing on the trailing end portion of the recording medium multiple times, but productivity further decreases.

[0009] For these reasons, in a processing apparatus, it is desired to configure the apparatus to be capable of handling various types of recording media while improving productivity by making the allowable cutting amount in a single cutting process as large as possible.

[0010] Note that in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, control for rotating the conveyance roller to drop the cut chips is inserted for each single cutting process. As a result, it takes time to cut a single recording medium, and there is a possibility of affecting the conveyance accuracy due to the control of the rotation position of the conveyance roller. That is, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 has certain limitations as a configuration for increasing the allowable cutting amount from the viewpoints of productivity improvement and conveyance accuracy.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a processing apparatus and an image forming system capable of increasing the allowable cutting amount in a single cutting process.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The processing apparatus according to the present invention is a conveyance path section through which a recording medium is conveyed, a cutting section capable of cutting the recording medium conveyed through the conveyance path section, When the cutting unit cuts the recording medium, a posture changing unit that contacts the recording medium and changes the posture of the recording medium in the conveyance path unit; comprising 、 The posture changing unit is configured to be movable between a pressing position for pressing the recording medium and a retracted position retracted from the pressing position, and moves from the retracted position to the pressing position after the recording medium reaches the position of the cutting unit 。

[0013] An image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a conveyance path unit through which the recording medium on which the image is formed is conveyed; a cutting unit capable of cutting the recording medium conveyed through the conveyance path unit; When the cutting unit cuts the recording medium, a posture changing unit that contacts the recording medium and changes the posture of the recording medium in the conveyance path unit; comprising 、 The posture changing unit is configured to be movable between a pressing position for pressing the recording medium and a retracted position retracted from the pressing position, and moves from the retracted position to the pressing position after the recording medium reaches the position of the cutting unit 。

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the allowable cutting amount in one cutting process can be increased.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 100 including a processing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main part of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 is configured by connecting an image forming apparatus 1 and a post-processing apparatus 2 in this order from the upstream side along the conveyance direction of a sheet of paper S as an example of a recording medium.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 1 is an intermediate transfer type color image forming apparatus that uses electrophotographic process technology. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 primarily transfers the Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421, overlaps the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 421, and then secondarily transfers them to the sheet of paper S sent out from the paper feed tray units 51a to 51c to form an image.

[0019] In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 employs a tandem system in which photosensitive drums 413 corresponding to the four colors of YMCK are arranged in series in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 421, and the respective color toner images are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 421 in one procedure.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 10, an operation display unit 20, an image processing unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a paper conveyance unit 50, a fixing unit 60, and a control unit 101.

[0021] The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, etc. The CPU 102 reads out a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 103 and expands it in the RAM 104, and centrally controls the operations of each block of the image forming apparatus 1 in cooperation with the expanded program. At this time, various data stored in the storage unit 72 are referred to. The storage unit 72 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive.

[0022] The control unit 101 performs transmission and reception of various data with an external device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication unit 71. The control unit 101 receives, for example, image data (input image data) transmitted from an external device, and forms an image on the paper S based on this image data. The communication unit 71 is composed of, for example, a communication control card such as a LAN card.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading unit 10 is configured to include an automatic document feeder 11 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and a document image scanning device 12 (scanner), etc.

[0024] The automatic document feeder 11 conveys the document D placed on the document tray by a conveyance mechanism and sends it to the document image scanning device 12. With the automatic document feeder 11, it becomes possible to continuously read the images (including both sides) of a large number of documents D placed on the document tray all at once.

[0025] The document image scanning device 12 optically scans the document conveyed onto the contact glass from the automatic document feeder 11 or the document placed on the contact glass, forms an image of the reflected light from the document on the light receiving surface of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 12a, and reads the document image. The image reading unit 10 generates input image data based on the reading result by the document image scanning device 12. Predetermined image processing is performed on this input image data in the image processing unit 30.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the operation display unit 20 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel and functions as a display unit 21 and an operation unit 22. The display unit 21 performs displays of various operation screens, the state of images, the operation status of each function, etc., according to the display control signal input from the control unit 101. The operation unit 22 is provided with various operation keys such as numeric keys and a start key, accepts various input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 101.

[0027] The image processing unit 30 includes a circuit or the like that performs digital image processing according to initial settings or user settings. For example, the image processing unit 30 performs gradation correction based on gradation correction data (gradation correction table) under the control of the control unit 101. In addition to gradation correction, the image processing unit 30 performs various correction processes such as color correction and shading correction, and compression processing. The image forming unit 40 is controlled based on the image data subjected to these processes.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 40 forms an image on the sheet S based on the settings of the print job. The image forming unit 40 includes image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K for forming images with respective colored toners of Y component, M component, C component, and K component, an intermediate transfer unit 42, and the like, based on the input image data.

[0029] The image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K for Y component, M component, C component, and K component have the same configuration. For the sake of convenience of illustration and description, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and when distinguishing each of them, Y, M, C, or K is added to the reference numeral. In FIG. 1, only the components of the image forming unit 41Y for Y component are labeled with reference numerals, and the components of the other image forming units 41M, 41C, 41K are omitted.

[0030] The image forming unit 41 includes an exposure device 411, a developing device 412, a photoreceptor drum 413, a charging device 414, a drum cleaning device 415, and the like.

[0031] The photoreceptor drum 413 is an organic photoreceptor in which a photosensitive layer made of a resin containing an organic photoconductor is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a drum-shaped metal substrate, for example.

[0032] The control unit 101 rotates the photoreceptor drum 413 at a constant peripheral speed by controlling the drive current supplied to a drive motor (not shown) that rotates the photoreceptor drum 413.

[0033] The charging device 414 is, for example, a charging charger, and uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductive photoreceptor drum 413 to a negative polarity by generating a corona discharge.

[0034] The exposure device 411 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and irradiates the photoreceptor drum 413 with laser light corresponding to the images of respective color components. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed in the image area of the surface of the photoreceptor drum 413 irradiated with the laser light due to the potential difference from the background area.

[0035] The developing device 412 is a two-component reversal type developing device, which visualizes an electrostatic latent image by attaching a developer of each color component to the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 to form a toner image.

[0036] A developing bias having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging device 414, or a developing bias in which a DC voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging device 414 is superimposed on an AC voltage, is applied to the developing device 412. As a result, reversal development for attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 411 is performed.

[0037] The drum cleaning device 415 is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 413, and has a flat drum cleaning blade made of an elastic body or the like, and removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0038] The intermediate transfer unit 42 includes an intermediate transfer belt 421, a primary transfer roller 422, a plurality of support rollers 423, a secondary transfer roller 424, a belt cleaning device 426, and the like.

[0039] The intermediate transfer belt 421 is formed of an endless belt and is looped around a plurality of support rollers 423. At least one of the plurality of support rollers 423 is a driving roller, and the others are driven rollers. For example, it is preferable that a roller 423A disposed on the downstream side in the belt running direction from the primary transfer roller 422 for the K component is a driving roller. This makes it easier to keep the running speed of the belt constant in the primary transfer section. When the driving roller 423A rotates, the intermediate transfer belt 421 runs at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A.

[0040] The intermediate transfer belt 421 is a belt having conductivity and elasticity, and has a high-resistance layer on its surface. The intermediate transfer belt 421 is rotationally driven by a control signal from the control unit 101.

[0041] The primary transfer roller 422 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 421 facing the photoreceptor drum 413 of each color component. By pressing the primary transfer roller 422 against the photoreceptor drum 413 with the intermediate transfer belt 421 interposed therebetween, a primary transfer nip for transferring the toner image from the photoreceptor drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421 is formed.

[0042] The secondary transfer roller 424 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 421 facing a backup roller 423B disposed on the downstream side in the belt running direction of the driving roller 423A. By pressing the secondary transfer roller 424 against the backup roller 423B with the intermediate transfer belt 421 interposed therebetween, a secondary transfer nip for transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 421 to the paper S is formed.

[0043] When the intermediate transfer belt 421 passes through the primary transfer nip, the toner images on the photoreceptor drum 413 are sequentially superimposed and primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421. Specifically, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 422, and charges of the opposite polarity to the toner are applied to the back surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 421, that is, the side in contact with the primary transfer roller 422, whereby the toner images are electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0044] Thereafter, when the paper S passes through the secondary transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 421 is secondarily transferred onto the paper S. Specifically, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 424, and charges of the opposite polarity to the toner are applied to the back surface side of the paper S, that is, the side in contact with the secondary transfer roller 424, whereby the toner image is electrostatically transferred onto the paper S. The paper S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 60.

[0045] The belt cleaning device 426 removes the residual transferred toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421 after secondary transfer.

[0046] The fixing unit 60 includes an upper fixing unit 60A having a fixing surface side member disposed on the fixing surface side of the paper S, that is, the side where the toner image is formed, a lower fixing unit 60B having a back surface side support member disposed on the back surface of the paper S, that is, the opposite side of the fixing surface, and a heating source and the like. By pressing the back surface side support member against the fixing surface side member, a fixing nip for sandwiching and conveying the paper S is formed.

[0047] The fixing unit 60 fixes the toner image on the paper S by secondarily transferring the toner image and heating and pressing the conveyed paper S with the fixing nip. The fixing unit 60 is arranged as a unit in the fixing device F.

[0048] The upper fixing unit 60A includes an endless fixing belt 61 which is a fixing surface side member, a heating roller 62, and a fixing roller 63. The fixing belt 61 is stretched by the heating roller 62 and the fixing roller 63.

[0049] The lower fixing unit 60B includes a pressure roller 64 which is a back surface side support member. The pressure roller 64 forms a fixing nip for sandwiching and conveying the paper S between it and the fixing belt 61.

[0050] The paper conveyance unit 50 includes a paper feeding unit 51, a paper discharging unit 52, a conveyance path unit 53, and the like. In the three paper feeding tray units 51a to 51c that constitute the paper feeding unit 51, papers S (standard papers, special papers) identified based on basis weight, size, etc. are stored for each preset type.

[0051] The conveyance path unit 53 includes a plurality of conveyance roller pairs such as a registration roller pair 53a, and a normal conveyance path 53b that passes the paper S through the image forming unit 40 and the fixing unit 60 and discharges it outside the image forming apparatus 1.

[0052] The sheets S accommodated in the paper feed tray units 51a to 51c are fed one by one from the top and conveyed to the image forming unit 40 by the conveyance path unit 53. In the image forming unit 40, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 421 is collectively secondarily transferred onto one side of the sheet S, and a fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 60. The sheet S on which the image is formed is discharged outside the machine by the discharge unit 52 including the discharge roller 52a.

[0053] The post-processing device 2 is a device that receives the sheet S discharged from the image forming device 1 and performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet S on which the image is formed, and includes a processing device 200. The post-processing device 2 has a conveyance unit 2A capable of conveying the sheet S. For example, based on the control of the control unit 101 of the image forming device 1, the sheet S received from the image forming device 1 is conveyed to the location of the processing device 200, and after processing, the sheet S is discharged outside the machine. The discharged sheet S is placed on a discharge tray (not shown), for example, or when a further post-processing device is connected to the image forming system 100, it is carried into the post-processing device. Note that the post-processing device 2 (processing device 200) may have a control unit including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and the control unit may perform control related to the conveyance and processing of the sheet S.

[0054] The processing device 200 is a device that cuts the sheet S (recording medium), and has a conveyance path unit 210, a cutting unit 220, a dropping path unit 230, and an attitude changing unit 240.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyance path unit 210 is a part that constitutes a conveyance path 210A for conveying the sheet S, and has two conveyance rollers 211 and 212. The conveyance path 210A is the path between the two conveyance rollers 211 and 212.

[0056] The two conveyance rollers 211 and 212 are a pair of rollers that sandwich the sheet S conveyed through the conveyance path 210A. The conveyance roller 211 is a pair of rollers located on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet S in the conveyance path 210A. The conveyance roller 212 is a pair of rollers located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet S in the conveyance path 210A.

[0057] The cutting unit 220 is a part that cuts the paper S conveyed by the conveying path unit 210, and is disposed between two conveying rollers 211 and 212 in the conveying path unit 210. The cutting unit 220 has a first cutting part 221 and a second cutting part 222 disposed so as to sandwich the conveying path 210A.

[0058] The first cutting part 221 is a fixed blade fixed below the conveying path 210A, and is disposed such that the blade capable of cutting the paper S faces the conveying path 210A side (upper side).

[0059] The second cutting part 222 is a movable blade disposed above the conveying path 210A, and is disposed such that the blade capable of cutting the paper S faces the conveying path 210A side (lower side). The second cutting part 222 is disposed adjacent to the first cutting part 221 on the downstream side in the conveying direction from the first cutting part 221.

[0060] The second cutting part 222 is provided so as to be movable in the direction (vertical direction) facing the conveying path 210A, and is configured to be movable between a non-cutting position (see FIGS. 3 and 4A, etc.) retracted from the conveying path 210A and a cutting position (see FIG. 4B) for cutting the paper S on the conveying path 210A.

[0061] The cutting position is a position where the blade part of the second cutting part 222 is lower than the blade part of the first cutting part 221. The blade part of the second cutting part 222 is located at a position adjacent to the blade part of the first cutting part 221 in the conveying direction of the paper S. When the second cutting part 222 moves from the non-cutting position toward the cutting position, at the cutting point C (see FIG. 4B) where the blade part of the first cutting part 221 and the blade part of the second cutting part 222 are in the same position in the vertical direction, the paper S on the conveying path 210A is cut.

[0062] The dropping path section 230 is a path along which the cut waste W, which is the waste of the sheet S cut by the cutting section 220, drops, and includes a first path 231 and a second path 232. Below the first path 231 and the second path 232, a waste storage section (not shown) is provided, and the cut waste dropped from the dropping path section 230 is to be stored in the waste storage section.

[0063] The first path 231 is a space below the second cutting section 222 and adjacent to the first cutting section 221 on the downstream side in the conveying direction. The first path 231 is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a path along which the cut waste W corresponding to the leading end portion of the sheet S drops when the leading end portion of the sheet S is cut by the cutting section 220. In the first path 231, the cut waste W is pushed in and dropped by the second cutting section 222 moving to the cutting position.

[0064] The second path 232 is a space between the first cutting section 221 and the conveying roller 211 and adjacent to the first cutting section 221 on the upstream side in the conveying direction. The second path 232 is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a path along which the cut waste W corresponding to the trailing end portion of the sheet S drops when the trailing end portion of the sheet S is cut by the cutting section 220. The second path 232 corresponds to the "space where the cut waste moves after the cutting process" of the present invention.

[0065] The entrance of the second path 232 is a portion where the first cutting section 221 and the conveying roller 211 face each other. The first cutting section 221 is inclined so as to approach the conveying roller 211 (the lower roller 211A) more downward at the entrance portion. Therefore, the position (range N indicated by the broken line arrow) corresponding to the most conveying roller 211 side in the inclined portion of the first cutting section 221 is the narrowest position in the entrance portion.

[0066] Note that the shape of the entrance of the second path 232 may be any shape.

[0067] The posture changing unit 240 is a part that contacts the sheet S and changes the posture of the sheet S in the conveyance path unit 210 when the sheet S is cut by the cutting unit 220. The posture changing unit 240 is provided on the conveyance roller 211 of the conveyance path unit 210. The posture changing unit 240 includes a rotating part 241 and a pressing part 242.

[0068] The rotating part 241 is provided on the rotating shaft of the upper roller 211B of the conveyance roller 211 and is configured to be rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft. The rotating part 241 is provided in a pair, for example, at both ends of the rotating shaft, and is arranged so as to protrude from the rotating shaft toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

[0069] The pressing part 242 extends in the axial direction of the conveyance roller 211 so as to correspond to the entire conveyance area of the sheet S, and connects the pair of rotating parts 241. The pressing part 242 presses the sheet S existing in the conveyance path unit 210 when the rotating part 241 rotates.

[0070] Specifically, the pressing part 242 moves between a retracted position (see FIG. 4A etc.) retracted from the conveyance path 210A and a pressing position (see FIG. 5A etc.) that presses the sheet S in the conveyance path 210A when the rotating part 241 rotates.

[0071] The retracted position is, for example, a position retracted upward from the sheet S in an ideal state sandwiched between the two conveyance rollers 211, 212. The pressing position is a position where the pressing part 242 pushes down the sheet S in an ideal state. The sheet S in an ideal state is a sheet S in a state parallel to the conveyance direction.

[0072] The pressing part 242 includes a first part 242A, a second part 242B, and a third part 242C.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 4A, the first part 242A is a part that extends substantially downward from the upper end part of the rotating part 241 when the pressing part 242 is in the retracted position.

[0074] The second part 242B is a part that extends from the lower end of the first part 242A when the pressing part 242 is in the retracted position, towards the upstream side in the conveying direction. The second part 242B is substantially parallel to the ideal sheet S when the pressing part 242 is in the retracted position.

[0075] The third part 242C is a part that extends from the upstream end of the second part 242B when the pressing part 242 is in the retracted position, so as to be located upward as it goes towards the upstream side in the conveying direction. In other words, the third part 242C is inclined so as to approach the conveying path 210A as it goes from the upstream to the downstream in the conveying direction when the pressing part 242 is in the retracted position.

[0076] With the above configuration, when the pressing part 242 is in the retracted position, the second part 242B and the third part 242C function as guide parts for the sheet S conveyed in the conveying path part 210.

[0077] Also, when the rotating part 241 rotates from the retracted position to the pressing position, as shown in Fig. 5A, the connecting part 242D between the first part 242A and the second part 242B of the pressing part 242 faces downward, and pushes the sheet S on the conveying path 210A downward.

[0078] By doing so, the posture of the sheet S is changed so that the end of the sheet S in the conveying path 210A faces obliquely downward. That is, the posture changing part 240 presses the sheet S so that the part that becomes the cutting waste W after the cutting process on the sheet S is inclined with respect to the conveying direction.

[0079] By changing the posture in this way, it is possible to make it easier for the cutting waste to enter the lower space between the conveying roller 211 and the cutting part 220. Therefore, compared with the sheet S that is not pressed by the pressing part 242, the allowable cutting amount of the sheet S that can be cut can be increased.

[0080] Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the rotating portion 241 rotates until the connection portion 242D in the pressing portion 242 is positioned below the cutting point C of the cutting portion 220. That is, the pressing portion 242 presses the paper S to a position protruding from the cutting point C in the cutting portion 220 with respect to the conveyance path 210A.

[0081] By doing so, it is possible to easily push the cutting scraps into the dropping path portion 230.

[0082] Also, the connection portion 242D in the pressing portion 242 rotates to a position below the narrowest portion of the second path 232 in the dropping path portion 230 in the pressing position.

[0083] By doing so, it is possible to prevent the cutting scraps W from being caught at the entrance portion of the second path 232, so that the cutting scraps W can be surely dropped in the dropping path portion 230.

[0084] Also, when the rotating portion 241 rotates and the pressing portion 242 is in the pressing position, the connection portion 242D is arranged to pull the paper S to the side opposite to the conveyance direction. That is, the pressing portion 242 presses the paper S so as to pull it to the side away from the cutting portion 220 in the conveyance direction.

[0085] By doing so, an appropriate pulling force acts on the paper S to be cut, so that the cutting process in the cutting portion 220 can be stabilized.

[0086] Next, the operation of the processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the post-processing apparatus 2, in the initial state, as shown in FIG. 3, the posture changing portion 240 has the pressing portion 242 in the retracted position and the second cutting portion 222 in the non-cutting position.

[0087] First, in the image forming apparatus 1, an image is formed on a sheet S to be cut, and the sheet S is carried into the post-processing apparatus 2. The carried-in sheet S is stopped from being conveyed within the post-processing apparatus 2 so that the portion to be cut is at a position corresponding to the cutting unit 220 in the processing apparatus 200.

[0088] When a portion corresponding to the leading end of the sheet S is cut, as shown in FIG. 4A, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped for each portion to be cut, and as shown in FIG. 4B, each time, the second cutting unit 222 moves to the cutting position and the cutting process is performed. At that time, the pressing unit 242 remains in the retracted position. The cuttings in this case are pushed out by the second cutting unit 222 and fall through the first path 231 of the falling path unit 230.

[0089] Also, when a portion corresponding to the trailing end of the sheet S is cut, after the portion at the trailing end of the sheet S to be cut reaches the position of the cutting unit 220, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped. Before the cutting process by the cutting unit 220, as shown in FIG. 5A, the pressing unit 242 moves from the retracted position to the pressing position.

[0090] As a result, the trailing end of the sheet S is curved by being pressed by the pressing unit 242 and enters the space below the conveyance path 210A. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the second cutting unit 222 of the cutting unit 220 moves to the cutting position, and the trailing end of the sheet S is cut.

[0091] In this case, since the cuttings W are in a state of being pushed into the second path 232 of the falling path unit 230 by the pressing unit 242, they fall through the second path 232 as they are.

[0092] After the cutting process by the cutting unit 220, the second cutting unit 222 moves to the non-cutting position, the pressing unit 242 moves to the retracted position, the conveyance of the sheet S is restarted, and the sheet S on which the cutting process is completed is discharged from the post-processing apparatus 2.

[0093] According to the present embodiment configured as described above, when cutting the rear end portion of the sheet S, the sheet S is pressed (contacted) to change the posture of the sheet S.

[0094] For example, it is assumed that at the rear end portion of the sheet S, it is necessary to cut a range longer than the allowable length in the conveyance direction of the dropping path portion 230. In this case, if the configuration is such that the posture of the sheet S is not changed, as shown in FIG. 6, since the posture of the sheet S during the cutting process is not changed from a state substantially parallel to the conveyance path 210A and is cut, there is a possibility that the cut waste W does not fall through the dropping path portion 230 and gets caught at the entrance of the dropping path portion 230 and remains.

[0095] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, when cutting the rear end portion of the sheet S, the posture of the sheet S is changed, so that the portion that becomes the cut waste W can be inclined with respect to the conveyance path 210A. As a result, even if the allowable length in the dropping path portion 230 is relatively narrow, the cut waste can easily enter the dropping path portion 230, so that it is possible to prevent it from remaining at the entrance of the dropping path portion 230.

[0096] That is, in the present embodiment, the allowable cutting amount in one cutting process can be increased.

[0097] In addition, since the allowable cutting amount in one cutting process can be increased, for example, it is not necessary to cut the rear end portion of the sheet S in multiple times by performing a switchback or the like, and thus the productivity can be improved.

[0098] Further, since the pressing portion 242 presses the sheet S down to a position lower than the cutting point C in the cutting portion 220, the cut waste W can be easily pushed into the dropping path portion 230.

[0099] In addition, when the connection portion 242D in the pressing portion 242 is in the pressing position, it rotates to a position below the narrowest portion of the second path 232 in the dropping path portion 230. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cutting waste W from being caught by the second path 232. As a result, the cutting waste W can be surely dropped by the dropping path portion 230.

[0100] By the way, if the paper S at the position corresponding to the cutting portion 220 is in a bent state, the position of the cutting process by the cutting portion 220 may shift. However, in the present embodiment, the pressing portion 242 presses the paper S so as to pull it on the side away from the cutting portion 220.

[0101] As a result, an appropriate pulling force acts on the paper S to be cut. Even if the paper S to be cut is bent, the paper S is in a stretched state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the position of the cutting process from shifting, and thus stabilize the cutting process in the cutting portion 220.

[0102] In addition, since the posture changing portion 240 is provided corresponding to the entire conveyance area of the paper S, the posture of the entire width of the paper S can be changed. As a result, the cutting waste can be surely pushed into the dropping path portion 230. In addition, if a configuration is such that a part in the width direction of the paper S is pressed, bending in the width direction is likely to occur in the paper S. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the entire width of the paper S is pressed, bending in the width direction does not occur in the paper S, so that the cutting process in the cutting portion 220 can be stabilized.

[0103] In the above embodiment, when cutting the rear end portion of the paper S, the posture changing portion 240 was always moved to the pressing position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is not necessary to always move the posture changing portion 240 to the pressing position. For example, the posture changing portion 240 may be configured such that the movable amount can be adjusted according to the amount of paper S to be cut.

[0104] By doing so, for example, under the control of the control unit 101, when the cutting amount of the paper S is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the pressing unit 242 can be moved, and when the cutting amount of the paper S is less than the predetermined amount, the pressing unit 242 can be prevented from moving (see FIG. 7). The predetermined amount can be appropriately set, such as a cutting amount equal to the length of the narrowest part in the second path 232.

[0105] As a result, since the pressing unit 242 is moved only when necessary, when the pressing unit 242 is not moved, the cutting process can be shortened, and thus productivity can be improved and power consumption can be reduced.

[0106] Also, for example, under the control of the control unit 101, the position of the pressing unit 242 may be adjusted so that the pressing unit 242 approaches the pressing position as the cutting amount of the paper S increases.

[0107] In the above embodiment, when the rear end portion of the paper S is cut, the posture changing unit 240 is arranged at a position where it can press the rear end portion of the paper S. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the front end portion of the paper S is cut, the posture changing unit 240 may be arranged at a position where it can press the front end portion of the paper S.

[0108] In this case, the posture changing unit 240 is provided at a position where it can press the front end portion of the paper S. Specifically, the rotating unit 241 is provided on the rotation axis of the upper roller of the conveying roller 212 located on the downstream side in the conveying direction, and protrudes from the rotation axis toward the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0109] In addition, the positional relationship in the conveying direction between the first cutting unit 221 and the second cutting unit 222 in this configuration is opposite to that in the above embodiment. That is, the second cutting unit 222 is adjacent to the first cutting unit 221 on the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0110] The pressing part 242 is provided on the rotating part 241. Similar to the above embodiment, when the rotating part 241 rotates, it moves between the retracted position (the position in Fig. 8A) and the pressing position (the position in Fig. 8B).

[0111] By doing so, the allowable cutting amount per time when cutting the leading end of the paper S can be increased.

[0112] Further, as shown in Fig. 9, the posture changing part 240 may be arranged at a position where both the leading end and the trailing end of the paper S can be pressed. The posture changing part 240 in this configuration has the same configuration as the posture changing part 240 shown in Figs. 3 and 8A etc.

[0113] By doing so, the allowable cutting amount at each of the leading end and the trailing end of the paper S can be increased, so the productivity when cutting each of the leading end and the trailing end can be improved. Also, since it is a configuration corresponding to cutting both the leading end and the trailing end of the paper S, there is no need to change the processing device according to the cutting location, so the convenience can be improved.

[0114] Further, in the above embodiment, the posture changing part 240 was able to press the paper S down to a position lower than the narrowest position of the entrance part of the cutting waste W in the dropping path part 230, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may not be possible to press the paper S to that position. However, from the viewpoint of surely pushing the paper S into the dropping path part 230, it is preferably configured to be able to press the paper S at least to a position narrower than the entrance part.

[0115] Also, in the above embodiment, the posture changing part 240 pressed the paper S so as to pull it on the side away from the cutting part 220, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may not be necessary to press the paper S so as to pull it.

[0116] Further, in the above embodiment, the pressing part 242 was provided corresponding to the entire conveyance area of the paper S, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may not be provided corresponding to the entire conveyance area.

[0117] Further, in the above embodiment, the posture changing section 240 presses the paper S before the cutting process by the cutting section 220 begins, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured, for example, to press the paper S at the same time as the cutting process begins.

[0118] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pressing portion 242 has a guide portion for the paper sheet S, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressing portion 242 does not necessarily have to have a guide portion.

[0119] Further, in the above embodiment, the processing device 200 is provided in the post-processing device 2, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0120] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1. Image forming device 2. After-treatment device 40 Image forming section 100 Image forming system 101 Control section 200 Processing equipment 210 Conveying path section 210A Transport Route 211 Transport roller 212 Transport roller 220 Cutting section 221 First Cutting Section 222 Second Cutting Section 230 Fall Path Section 231 Route 1 232 Route 2 240 Posture change section 241 Rotating part 242 Pressing part Part 1 of 242A Part 2 of 242B Part 3 of 242C Connection part of 242D

Claims

1. A conveyance path section through which a recording medium is conveyed; A cutting section capable of cutting the recording medium conveyed through the conveyance path section; An attitude changing section that contacts the recording medium when cutting the recording medium by the cutting section and changes the attitude of the recording medium in the conveyance path section; Comprising; The attitude changing section is; configured to be movable between a pressing position for pressing the recording medium and a retracted position retracted from the pressing position, and moves from the retracted position to the pressing position after the recording medium reaches the position of the cutting section, A processing device.

2. The attitude changing section presses the recording medium so that a portion that becomes cutting scraps after cutting the recording medium is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium in the conveyance path section. The processing device according to Claim 1.

3. The cutting section is configured to be able to cut the recording medium at a predetermined cutting point, and the attitude changing section presses the recording medium to a position protruding more than the cutting point with respect to the conveyance path in the conveyance path section. The processing device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The attitude changing section presses a portion that becomes cutting scraps after cutting the recording medium toward a space where the cutting scraps move after the cutting process. The processing device according to Claim 1.

5. The attitude changing section presses the recording medium to at least the narrowest position of the entrance portion of the cutting scraps in the space. The processing device according to Claim 4.

6. The attitude changing section presses the recording medium so as to pull the recording medium on the side away from the cutting section in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The processing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. The attitude changing section is provided corresponding to the entire conveyance area of the recording medium in the conveyance path section. The processing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. The attitude changing section presses the recording medium whose conveyance has been stopped in the conveyance path section before the cutting process by the cutting section is started. The processing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

9. The attitude changing section is arranged at a position where it can press at least one of the front end portion and the rear end portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium when at least one of them is cut. The processing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

10. The attitude changing section is configured to be able to adjust the movable amount according to the amount of cutting of the recording medium. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A conveyance path section through which a recording medium is conveyed, A cutting section capable of cutting the recording medium conveyed through the conveyance path section, An attitude changing section that contacts the recording medium when cutting the recording medium by the cutting section and changes the attitude of the recording medium in the conveyance path section, Comprising: The attitude changing section is configured to be able to adjust the movable amount according to the cutting amount of the recording medium. Processing apparatus.

12. The attitude changing section has a guide section for the recording medium in the conveyance path section. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. An image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium, A conveyance path section through which the recording medium on which the image is formed is conveyed, A cutting section capable of cutting the recording medium conveyed through the conveyance path section, An attitude changing section that contacts the recording medium when cutting the recording medium by the cutting section and changes the attitude of the recording medium in the conveyance path section, Comprising: The attitude changing section Is configured to be movable between a pressing position for pressing the recording medium and a retracted position retracted from the pressing position, After the recording medium reaches the position of the cutting section, it moves from the retracted position to the pressing position. Image forming system.

Images