Recording medium processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To suppress a condition in which processing for binding a recording medium bundle is performed from shifting from a condition which is suitable for the processing for binding, more in comparison with a case where information about teeth that are used in binding the recording medium bundle is not taken into consideration.SOLUTION: A control part 905 controls movements of a second binding tooth, on the basis of paper bundle information obtained from a paper bundle information obtaining part 901 and a position in a moving direction of the second binding tooth, detected by a tooth position detecting part 902, for instance. Specifically, a setting part 903 sets movement amounts of the second binding tooth, on the basis of the paper bundle information. The control part 905 controls movements of the second binding tooth, on the basis of the set movement amounts and the position in the moving direction of the second binding tooth, detected by the tooth position detecting part 902.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet processing apparatus including a binding unit that binds a sheet bundle made up of a plurality of sheets, a drive unit that drives the binding unit, and a power supply that supplies power to the drive unit. Patent document 2 discloses a sheet processing device having a control means for controlling a binding means so as to change the number of binding times of the binding means in accordance with information regarding the basis weight of the outermost sheet of a sheet stack acquired by an acquisition means. Patent document 3 discloses a sheet processing device that includes a pair of pressure members having uneven surfaces, and a pressure force applying means that applies pressure to the pressure members to pressurize a sheet stack inserted between the pressure members in the thickness direction, thereby binding the sheet stack. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-105071 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6744349 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-19526 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the binding process for a stack of recording media, binding teeth may be moved to perform the binding process. In actual binding processes, the state of each recording medium bundle may differ, and the teeth may not move as intended. In such cases, the state of the recording medium bundle when the binding process is performed may differ from the state suitable for binding. The object of the present invention is to prevent the state of a stack of recording media when the binding process is performed from deviating from a state suitable for binding, compared to when information about the teeth used to bind the stack of recording media is not taken into account. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Claim 1 The invention described in is a recording medium processing device comprising: a first tooth used in binding a stack of recording media; a second tooth that moves toward the first tooth and presses the stack of recording media located between the first tooth; a binding position information acquisition unit that acquires binding position information, which is information about the binding position in the stack of recording media, which is the binding position formed by the first tooth and the second tooth; a tooth position detection unit that detects a movement direction position, which is a position in the movement direction of the second tooth; and a control unit that controls movement of the second tooth based on the binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit, wherein a movement amount of the second tooth is set in advance for each piece of binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit, and the control unit controls the movement of the second tooth based on the movement amount of the second tooth associated with the binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit. Claim 2 The invention described in claim 1 is configured such that a setting is made in advance such that a movement amount of the second tooth when the specific position, which is a position specified by the binding position information, is a corner of the recording medium bundle formed in a rectangular shape, is larger than a movement amount of the second tooth when the specific position is other than the corner, and the control unit increases the movement amount of the second tooth when the specific position, which is a position specified by the binding position information, is a corner of the recording medium bundle formed in a rectangular shape, compared to when the specific position is other than the corner. 1 2 is a recording medium processing device according to the first embodiment. Claim 3The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that, when the specific position is a corner of the recording medium bundle and the first tooth and the second tooth that bind the corner are arranged in a relationship that intersects with a side edge of the rectangular recording medium bundle, the control unit increases the amount of movement of the second tooth compared to when the specific position is the side edge and the first tooth and the second tooth are arranged along the side edge. 2 2 is a recording medium processing device according to the first embodiment. Claim 4 The invention described in the item (2) comprises an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, and a recording medium processing apparatus that performs binding processing on a recording medium bundle made up of a plurality of recording media on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatus, and the recording medium processing apparatus is 3 10 is an image forming system configured by the recording medium processing device according to any one of the above items. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] Claim 1 According to the invention, the state of the recording medium stack when the binding process is performed can be prevented from deviating from a state suitable for binding, compared to when information about the binding position and information about the teeth used to bind the recording medium stack is not taken into consideration. Claim 2 According to the invention, when the binding position is at a corner of a stack of recording media formed in a rectangular shape, the movement amount of the second tooth can be made larger than when the binding position is at a position other than the corner. Claim 3 According to the invention, when the binding position is a corner of a stack of recording media and the first tooth and second tooth that bind this corner are arranged in a relationship that intersects with the side edge of the rectangular stack of recording media, the movement amount of the second tooth can be increased. Claim 4 According to the invention, the state of the recording medium stack when the binding process is performed can be prevented from deviating from a state suitable for binding, compared to when information about the teeth used to bind the recording medium stack is not taken into account. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a first post-processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the paper stacking unit as viewed from above. [Figure 4] 4 is a view of the second binding processing device as seen from the direction indicated by the arrow IV in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a view of the second binding processing device as seen from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the second binding processing device. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the second binding processing device taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 4, showing an upper portion of the second binding processing device 52. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second binding processing device taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another configuration example of the second binding processing device. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the rear side of the second binding device. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the second binding processing device as seen from above. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an information processing unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functions realized by an information processing unit. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the first binding teeth and the second binding teeth. [Figure 16] 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed in the present embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of another process that can be executed in this embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for pressing the second binding teeth against the first binding teeth. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 1. As shown in FIG. The image forming system 1 shown in Figure 1 includes an image forming device 2 that forms an image on paper P as an example of a recording medium, and a paper processing device 3 that performs predetermined processing on the paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming device 2. Here, the image forming device 2 forms an image on the paper P using an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

[0009] The paper processing device 3, which is an example of a recording medium processing device, is provided with a conveying device 10 that conveys paper P output from the image forming device 2 downstream, and a paper feed device 20 that supplies interleaving paper such as cardboard or window-opening paper P to the paper P conveyed by the conveying device 10. The sheet processing device 3 is also provided with a folding device 30 that performs folding processes such as inner triple fold (C fold) and outer triple fold (Z fold) on the sheet P conveyed from the conveying device 10.

[0010] The sheet processing device 3 is also provided with a first post-processing device 40 that is located downstream of the folding device 30 and performs hole punching, edge binding, saddle stitching, etc. on the sheets P. In addition, downstream of the folding device 30 is provided the first post-processing device 40 that processes a sheet bundle (an example of a recording medium bundle) made up of multiple sheets P on which images have been formed by the image forming device 2, and that processes the sheets P one by one.

[0011] The sheet processing apparatus 3 is also provided with a second post-processing apparatus 590, which is provided downstream of the first post-processing apparatus 40 and which further processes the center-folded and saddle-stitched sheet bundle. The paper-sheet processing apparatus 3 is also provided with an information processing section 100 that is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes programs and controls the entire paper-sheet processing apparatus 3.

[0012] The first post-processing device 40 is provided with a punching unit 41 that punches holes in the paper sheets P, and an edge-stitching stapler unit 42 that stitches the edges of a paper stack. In addition, there is provided a first stacking section 43 on which paper sheets P that have passed through the end-stitching stapler unit 42 are stacked, and a second stacking section 45 on which paper sheets P that have not been processed by the first post-processing device 40 or paper sheets P that have only been punched are stacked. Furthermore, the first post-processing device 40 is provided with a saddle stitching unit 44 that folds and saddle stitches the sheet stack to create a booklet in a double-page spread format.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the first post-processing device 40. As shown in FIG. The first post-processing device 40 is provided with an acceptance opening 49 that accepts the paper sheets P transported from the folding device 30. A punching unit 41 is provided immediately after the acceptance opening 49. The punching unit 41 punches two holes, four holes, etc. in the paper sheets P transported to the first post-processing device 40.

[0014] Further, a first paper transport path R11 is provided from the receiving opening 49 to the edge-stitching stapler unit 42 and is used to transport the paper P received at the receiving opening 49 to the edge-stitching stapler unit 42. Furthermore, a second paper transport path R12 that branches off from the first paper transport path R11 at the first branching section B1 and is used to transport the paper P to the second stacking section 45 is provided.

[0015] Further, a third paper transport path R13 is provided which branches off from the first paper transport path R11 at the second branching section B2 and is used to transport the paper P to the saddle stitching unit 44. Also, a switching gate 70 is provided to switch (set) the transport destination of the paper P to one of the first paper transport path R11 to the third paper transport path R13.

[0016] The edge-stitching stapler unit 42 is provided with a paper stacking section 60 that stacks the required number of sheets P to form a paper stack. The paper stacking section 60 is provided with a support plate 67 that is disposed at an angle to the horizontal direction and supports the conveyed paper P from below. In this embodiment, a stack of paper is produced on the support plate 67.

[0017] Furthermore, the edge-stitching stapler unit 42 is provided with a binding processing device 50 that performs binding (edge-stitching) on ​​the edge of the paper stack generated in the paper stacking section 60. In this embodiment, as will be described later, two binding processing devices 50 are provided: a first binding processing device 51 that performs binding processing using staples, and a second binding processing device 52 that performs binding processing without using staples.

[0018] The edge-stitching stapler unit 42 is also provided with a transport roll 61 that is rotationally driven to send out the stack of sheets produced in the sheet stacking section 60 to the first stacking section 43. Furthermore, a movable roll 62 is provided that can move to a position retracted from the transport roll 61 and to a position where it presses against the transport roll 61.

[0019] When processing is performed by the edge-stitching stapler unit 42, the conveyed paper P is first received by the receiving opening 49. Thereafter, the paper sheet P is transported along the first paper transport path R11 and reaches the edge-stitching stapler unit 42. Then, the paper sheet P is transported above the support plate 67 and then drops onto the support plate 67. The paper sheet P is supported from below by the support plate 67, and slides over the support plate 67 due to the inclination and rotation member 63 provided on the support plate 67.

[0020] Thereafter, the paper sheet P hits the end guide 64 attached to the end of the support plate 67. In addition, in this embodiment, the end guide 64 extending upward in the drawing is provided at the end of the support plate 67, and the paper sheet P moving on the support plate 67 hits this end guide 64. In this embodiment, this stops the movement of the paper P. After that, this operation is performed every time a paper P is transported from the upstream side, and a paper stack in which the paper P is aligned is generated on the support plate 67.

[0021] In this embodiment, a paper width position alignment member 65 for aligning the position of the paper stack in the width direction is further provided. In this embodiment, each time a sheet P is supplied onto the support plate 67, the edge (side) of the sheet P in the width direction is pressed by the sheet width position alignment member 65, and the position of the sheet P (sheet stack) in the width direction is also aligned.

[0022] When a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked on the support plate 67, the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 bind the edges of the stack of sheets. The first binding device 51 performs binding by driving metal staples (U-shaped needles) into a stack of paper sheets, while the second binding device 52 performs binding by clamping the stack of paper sheets between two binding teeth and pressing the sheets that make up the stack of paper sheets together.

[0023] Thereafter, in this embodiment, the movable roll 62 advances toward the transport roll 61, and the stack of sheets is sandwiched between the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61. Thereafter, the transport roll 61 is driven to rotate, and the stack of sheets is transported to the first stacking section 43. The first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 are arranged to be movable toward the back and front of the paper surface in the figure, and in this embodiment, binding processing can be performed on the paper P at multiple locations.

[0024] To further explain this with reference to FIG. 3 (a view of the paper-sheet stacking unit 60 as seen from above), in this embodiment, as described above, the first binding device 51 and the second binding device 52 are provided. The first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 are arranged at different positions in the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first binding device 51 and the second binding device 52 move along the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40, which is a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheets P (sheet stack). In the present embodiment, the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 move along one common path. In this embodiment, the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 are movable, and can perform binding processing on a plurality of locations on a stack of paper sheets.

[0026] Here, each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 stops, for example, at two points (positions (A) and (B) in Figure 3) located at different positions in the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40, and performs binding processing (two-point edge binding processing) at these two points. In addition, each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 stops, for example, at one end of the stack of paper sheets (one corner of the stack of paper sheets) (position (D) in Figure 3) and performs the binding process (single-point end binding) at this stop position.

[0027] In addition, each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 stops, for example, at the other end of the stack of paper sheets (the other corner of the stack of paper sheets) (position (C) in Figure 3) and performs the binding process (single-point end binding) at this stop position. Here, in this embodiment, between position (A) and position (B), each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 moves linearly, but between position (A) and position (C), and between position (B) and position (D), each of the first binding processing device 51 and the second binding processing device 52 moves while rotating, for example, by 45°.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of end guides 64 are provided. These end guides 64 are arranged at different positions in the depth direction of the first post-processing device 40 (the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the paper P). As shown in FIG. 3, each of the end guides 64 has a restricting portion 641 and an opposing piece 642.

[0029] The restricting portion 641 is disposed perpendicular to the support plate 67, and in this embodiment, the edge of the paper P abuts against the restricting portion 641, thereby restricting the movement of the paper P. The opposing piece 642 is connected to the restricting portion 641 and is disposed so as to face the support plate 67 . In this embodiment, when a sheet of paper P is placed on the support plate 67, the edge of the sheet of paper P gets in between the opposing piece 642 and the support plate 67. Furthermore, the edge of the sheet of paper P hits the regulating portion 641. This aligns the sheet of paper P.

[0030] When the binding process is performed at the (A) position in Figure 3, the binding process is performed through the gap formed between the opposing piece 642 located in the center of Figure 3 (center in the vertical direction) and the opposing piece 642 located below in Figure 3. Furthermore, when the binding process is performed at the (B) position in Figure 3, the binding process is performed through the gap formed between the opposing piece 642 located at the top in Figure 3 and the opposing piece 642 located at the center in Figure 3.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a diagram of the second binding processing device 52 when viewed from the direction indicated by arrow IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram of the second binding processing device 52 when viewed from the direction indicated by arrow V in Fig. 4. Additionally, Fig. 5 is a diagram of the second binding processing device 52 when viewed from the front. 4, the direction indicated by the arrow 4A will hereinafter be referred to as the width direction of the second binding processing device 52, and the direction indicated by the arrow 4B will hereinafter be referred to as the depth direction of the second binding processing device 52. Also, the direction indicated by the arrow 4C will hereinafter be referred to as the height direction of the second binding processing device 52. In this specification, the direction indicated by the arrow 4R in the drawing will be referred to as the rear direction or rear side, and the direction indicated by the arrow 4F in the drawing will be referred to as the front direction or front side.

[0032] 4, the second binding device 52 is provided with a first binding tooth 71 used for binding a stack of sheets T (see FIG. 5), which is an example of a stack of recording media. In addition, above the first binding tooth 71, a second binding tooth 72 is provided. Each of the first binding teeth 71 as an example of a first tooth and the second binding teeth 72 as an example of a second tooth is provided with an uneven portion.

[0033] The surface of the first binding tooth 71 located on the side of the second binding tooth 72, and the surface of the second binding tooth 72 located on the side of the first binding tooth 71, are provided with an uneven portion in which convex portions and concave portions are arranged alternately in the direction indicated by arrow 4X in the figure. In other words, the surface of the first binding tooth 71 facing the second binding tooth 72 and the surface of the second binding tooth 72 facing the first binding tooth 71 are provided with uneven portions in which convex portions and concave portions are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72.

[0034] When the binding process is performed by the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72, in this embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 advance toward the first binding teeth 71. More specifically, in this embodiment, when the binding process is performed, the second binding tooth 72 descends along the linear path indicated by the arrow 4Y in the figure (hereinafter referred to as the "linear path 4Y") and moves toward the first binding tooth 71.

[0035] In this embodiment, the stack of paper-sheets T located between the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 is sandwiched and pressed by the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72. At this time, in this embodiment, the convex portion provided on the first binding tooth 71 and the concave portion provided on the second binding tooth 72 face each other. Also, at this time, the concave portion provided on the first binding tooth 71 and the convex portion provided on the second binding tooth 72 face each other. Furthermore, the protrusion provided on one binding tooth fits into the recess provided on the other binding tooth. As a result, the sheets P constituting the paper stack T are pressed together, and the binding process of the sheets P is performed. Thereafter, in this embodiment, the second binding tooth 72 moves upward and retreats from the first binding tooth 71.

[0036] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the convex portions and concave portions are arranged alternately in each of the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72, but the convex portions and concave portions may also be arranged in other ways. Also, for example, when the stack of paper T is pressed by the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, a portion of the stack of paper T may be cut to form a strip-shaped piece, and a through hole may be formed in the stack of paper T, and the strip-shaped piece may be passed through the through hole to perform the binding process. The binding method using the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 is not particularly limited.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the second binding device 52 is provided with a moving mechanism 500 as an example of a moving means for moving the second binding teeth 72 toward the first binding teeth 71. The movement mechanism 500 includes a rod-shaped screw member 510 extending in the vertical direction in the figure, and moves the second binding teeth 72 toward the first binding teeth 71 by rotating this screw member 510 in the circumferential direction.

[0038] The screw member 510 is made of metal and is formed in a straight shape. Furthermore, helical convex portions and groove portions are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the screw member 510. In other words, a male thread is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the screw member 510, with convex portions and groove portions arranged at predetermined regular intervals in the axial direction of the screw member 510. The convex portions and groove portions are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the screw member 510. The screw member 510 of this embodiment is a screw that conforms to the JIS standard. The type of screw member 510 is not particularly limited, but a trapezoidal screw, for example, is used. The screw member 510 is not limited to being a single screw, and may be integrated with a member having another function.

[0039] Moreover, the screw member 510 is disposed along the linear path 4Y along which the second binding teeth 72 move. In addition, in this embodiment, a multiple-start thread is used as the screw member 510. More specifically, in this embodiment, a double-start thread is used as the screw member 510. In this embodiment, a "multiple-start thread" refers to a thread that has two or more helical threads per pitch.

[0040] In addition, in this embodiment, an interlocking portion 600 is provided that moves in conjunction with the second binding tooth 72. Furthermore, a screw member 510 meshes with this interlocking portion 600. In other words, the screw member 510 is connected to the interlocking portion 600. More specifically, the interlocking part 600 is provided with a female thread portion 610, and the screw member 510, which is a male screw, is engaged with the part of the interlocking part 600 where the female thread portion 610 is provided.

[0041] The movement mechanism 500 rotates the screw member 510 that meshes with the female thread portion 610 in the circumferential direction, and moves the second binding teeth 72 toward the first binding teeth 71. More specifically, in this embodiment, when a drive motor M, which will be described later, is rotated forward, the screw member 510 rotates in the circumferential direction and in one direction. As a result, the interlocking portion 600 and the second binding teeth 72 move down, and the second binding teeth 72 move to the first binding teeth 71. As a result, the binding process is performed. In this embodiment, when the screw member 510 rotates in the circumferential direction, the interlocking portion 600 and the second binding teeth 72 move along the axial direction of the screw member 510.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the binding process is completed, the drive motor M rotates in the reverse direction, and the screw member 510 rotates in the reverse direction. This causes the interlocking portion 600 and the second binding teeth 72 to rise. When the second binding teeth 72 rise, the second binding teeth 72 retreat from the first binding teeth 71.

[0043] In addition to the screw member 510, the movement mechanism 500 is provided with a drive motor M as an example of a drive source, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a drive gear (not shown) is provided below the drive motor M. The drive gear (not shown) is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor M and is arranged coaxially with the output shaft. A rotary gear (not shown) is also provided which rotates in mesh with the drive gear. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a large diameter gear 520 is provided which meshes with the rotary gear and receives a driving force from the rotary gear.

[0044] Large diameter gear 520 as an example of a rotating body is disposed coaxially with screw member 510 . In this embodiment, the lower end of the screw member 510 is fixed to the large diameter gear 520. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the large diameter gear 520 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw member 510. In this embodiment, the large diameter gear 520 is rotated by the drive motor M, and the screw member 510 is accordingly rotated in the circumferential direction.

[0045] In this embodiment, the large diameter gear 520 receives the driving force transmitted to the screw member 510. The driving force is then transmitted from the large diameter gear 520 to the screw member 510. This causes the screw member 510 to rotate about its axis. When the screw member 510 rotates about its axis, the second binding teeth 72 move forward and backward relative to the first binding teeth 71.

[0046] The mechanism for moving the second binding teeth 72 is not particularly limited, and other mechanisms include, for example, a cam mechanism and a jack mechanism. Here, by using the screw member 510 as in this embodiment, the second binding device 52 can be made smaller. When a cam mechanism or a jack mechanism is used, for example, a mode in which the cam mechanism or the jack mechanism is provided at the location indicated by the reference symbol 4Z in FIG. 4 (above the second binding device 52) is considered. In this embodiment, the interlocking portion 600 is pressed from above by a cam mechanism or a jack mechanism to move the second binding teeth 72.

[0047] In this case, it becomes difficult to increase the distance between the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 while preventing the second binding device 52 from becoming larger. In this embodiment, the space between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is the receiving section for receiving the stack of paper T, but if a cam mechanism or jack mechanism is used, it is difficult to enlarge this receiving section while preventing the second binding device 52 from becoming larger.

[0048] When using a cam mechanism or a jack mechanism, increasing the size of the cam mechanism or the jack mechanism increases the amount of advance and retreat of the second binding teeth 72, making it possible to increase the size of the receiving portion. However, this increases the size of the second binding device 52. Furthermore, if the receiving section is made smaller, the size of the second binding device 52 can be prevented from increasing, but in this case, the maximum number of sheets P that can be bound decreases.

[0049] In contrast to this, when the screw member 510 is used as in this embodiment, the size of the second binding device 52 is prevented from increasing, and furthermore, the receiving portion becomes larger. In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, some components of the movement mechanism 500, such as the drive motor M and the screw member 510, are provided on the side of the linear path 4Y along which the second binding tooth 72 moves. In this case, it becomes easier to ensure the size of the receiving portion while reducing the dimension of the second binding device 52 in the height direction.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the large diameter gear 520 is arranged to extend in a direction that intersects with the linear path 4Y along which the second binding tooth 72 moves, which also reduces the height dimension of the second binding device 52. In this embodiment, the direction in which the linear path 4Y extends and the radial direction of the large diameter gear 520 intersect (are perpendicular to) each other. In this case, the dimension of the second binding device 52 in the height direction is smaller than when the large diameter gear 520 is installed along the direction in which the linear path 4Y extends.

[0051] In addition, in this embodiment, the second binding device 52 is configured to be able to pass through the end guide 64 shown in FIG. More specifically, in this embodiment, the maximum distance between the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 is greater than the height dimension of the end guide 64, and the end guide 64 passes through the receiving portion. As a result, the second binding device 52 passes through the end guide 64.

[0052] 4, the interlocking portion 600 is provided with a load receiving member 620. In this embodiment, the load receiving member 620 is provided with a female thread portion 610. The load receiving member 620 as an example of a load receiving portion comes into contact with the screw member 510 and receives a load from the screw member 510 . The interlocking portion 600 is provided with an upper support member 630 that supports the load receiving member 620 and the second binding teeth 72 .

[0053] Interlocking portion 600 is provided with two rod-shaped members 640 that are attached to upper support member 630 and extend downward. Interlocking portion 600 is also provided with fixing members 650 for fixing each of rod-shaped members 640 to upper support member 630. In this embodiment, the rod-shaped members 640 include a left rod-shaped member 640L located on the left side in the drawing and a right rod-shaped member 640R located on the right side in the drawing. The left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R are each disposed so as to extend along the linear path 4Y.

[0054] The rod-shaped member 640 is used to guide the interlocking portion 600. The rod-shaped member 640 is also used to guide the second binding teeth 72. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the rod-shaped member 640 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw member 510. More specifically, the outer diameter of each of the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R is larger than the outer diameter of the screw member 510.

[0055] In this embodiment, the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640 are separate components, and the rod-shaped member 640 is attached to the upper support member 630. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640 may be integrated together, and the upper support member 630 may have the function of the rod-shaped member 640 .

[0056] The fixing member 650 is composed of a nut 652 . A bolt portion 651 is provided at the tip of the rod-shaped member 640 located at the upper part in the figure, and a nut 652 is fixed to this bolt portion 651. In this embodiment, a cylindrical rod-shaped member main body 648 is provided in a portion of the rod-shaped member 640 that is located below the upper support member 630 .

[0057] In this embodiment, the upper support member 630 is formed with a through-hole 633 (see FIG. 5) as an example of a hole portion. In this embodiment, a rod-shaped member 640 is passed through this through-hole 633. In this embodiment, a bolt portion 651 of the rod-shaped member 640 protrudes upward beyond the upper support member 630, as shown in FIG.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a nut 652 is attached to the bolt portion 651 that protrudes above the upper support member 630. In this embodiment, the upper support member 630 is sandwiched between the nut 652 attached to the bolt portion 651 and the rod-shaped member main body 648 of the rod-shaped member 640. This fixes the rod-shaped member 640 to the upper support member 630.

[0059] 4, the second binding teeth 72 are fixed to the upper support member 630. More specifically, in this embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 are fixed to one end 631 of the upper support member 630 located on the front side in the figure. More specifically, in this embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 are fixed to the upper support member 630 by press-fitting. Note that the fixing of the second binding teeth 72 is not limited to press-fitting, and may be performed by other methods such as adhesion, welding, or fastening.

[0060] Furthermore, a lower support member 700 that supports the first binding teeth 71 is provided below the interlocking portion 600. In other words, a lower support member 700 that supports the first binding teeth 71 is provided below the upper support member 630. In this embodiment, the first binding teeth 71 are fixed to the lower support member 700 by press-fitting. As described above, the first binding teeth 71 may be fixed not only by press-fitting but also by other methods such as adhesion, welding, or fastening.

[0061] The lower support member 700 is provided with a tooth support portion 710 that extends in the width direction of the second binding device 52 and supports the first binding teeth 71 from below. Furthermore, the lower support member 700 is provided with connection portions 720 that are connected to the ends of the tooth support portions 710 and extend from these ends toward the rear side of the second binding device 52. In this embodiment, the lower support member 700 is formed from a metal block, and the tooth support portion 710 and the connection portion 720 are integral with each other.

[0062] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a guide portion 90 that guides the second binding teeth 72 is provided. The guide portion 90 is provided on the lower support member 700. Furthermore, the guide portion 90 is disposed along the linear path 4Y along which the second binding teeth 72 move. In this embodiment, as described above, the rod-shaped member 640 is provided, and the guide section 90 guides the rod-shaped member 640 and thereby guides the second binding teeth 72.

[0063] More specifically, in this embodiment, the lower support member 700 is provided with a hole 91 extending along the linear path 4Y. The guide portion 90 of this embodiment is configured by an inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91. In this embodiment, this inner circumferential surface 91A of the hole 91 is used to guide a rod-shaped member 640 as an example of a guided portion.

[0064] In this embodiment, there are provided a plurality of guide portions 90 and a plurality of rod-shaped members 640 serving as guided portions. Specifically, in this embodiment, there are provided two guide portions 90 and two rod-shaped members 640. In this embodiment, two guided portions and two guiding portions are provided, but the number of guided portions and guiding portions provided is not limited to this, and may be one, or three or more.

[0065] The hole 91 has a circular cross section. In this embodiment, the rod-shaped member 640 is made of a cylindrical member having a diameter of 10 mm or more, for example. The cross-sectional shapes of hole 91 and rod-shaped member 640 are not limited to circular, but may be other shapes such as elliptical or polygonal. In this embodiment, cylindrical rod-shaped member 640 that constitutes part of interlocking portion 600 (see FIG. 4) enters hole 91, and rod-shaped member 640 is guided by inner circumferential surface 91A of hole 91.

[0066] In this embodiment, the guide portion 90 is configured by a hole portion 91, which is an example of a hole provided in the lower support member 700. More specifically, the guide portion 90 is configured by the inner surface of the hole portion 91 provided in the lower support member 700. The guide portion 90 uses the inner surface of the hole portion 91 to guide the outer surface of the rod-shaped member 640 .

[0067] Rod-shaped member 640 (see FIG. 4), which is an example of a guided portion or rod-shaped portion, extends in the vertical direction, which is the movement direction of interlocking portion 600. In other words, rod-shaped member 640 extends along the movement path of interlocking portion 600. Furthermore, the rod-shaped member 640 extends downstream in the movement direction of the interlocking part 600, with the connection point with the upper support member 630 as the starting point. In this embodiment, the hole 91 (see FIG. 5) provided in the lower support member 700 and functioning as a guide also extends along the movement direction of the interlocking part 600.

[0068] In Figures 4 and 5, the guide portion is formed by the inner surface of the hole, and the guided portion is formed by a rod-shaped portion that contacts the inner surface of the hole, but this is not limited to this, and as will be described later, the guided portion may be formed by the inner surface of the hole, and the guide portion may be formed by a rod-shaped portion that contacts the inner surface of the hole. Furthermore, the hole 91 (see FIG. 5) provided in the lower support member 700 may be provided in a state that penetrates the lower support member 700. However, this is not limiting, and the hole 91 may not penetrate the lower support member 700, but may have a bottom.

[0069] In this embodiment, as the second binding teeth 72 move toward the first binding teeth 71, the contact area between the guiding portion 90 (see FIG. 5) and the rod-shaped member 640, which is the guided portion, increases. More specifically, in this embodiment, as the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the first binding tooth 71, the amount of penetration of the rod-shaped member 640 into the hole portion 91 increases, and the contact area between the guide portion 90 and the rod-shaped member 640 increases. In other words, in this embodiment, as the second binding teeth 72 move toward the first binding teeth 71, the area of ​​the region where the guide portion 90 and the rod-shaped member 640 overlap increases.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the second binding device 52. FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the guided portion is configured by the inner surface of a hole, and the guiding portion is configured by a rod-shaped portion that comes into contact with the inner surface of this hole. In this configuration example, a hole 93 extending along the linear path 4Y is provided on the side of the interlocking portion 600 that interlocks with the second binding teeth 72. In this configuration example, a rod-shaped member 640 that enters the hole 93 and extends along the linear path 4Y is provided on the lower support member 700 side. The rod-shaped member 640 is fixed to the lower support member 700.

[0071] In this configuration example, the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped member 640 serves as the guide portion 90, and this outer peripheral surface is used to guide the interlocking portion 600. In this configuration example, the guided portion is formed by the inner surface of hole portion 93 extending along the movement direction of interlocking portion 600. Also, in this configuration example, the guiding portion is formed by rod-shaped member 640 extending along the movement direction of interlocking portion 600 and contacting the inner surface of hole portion 93.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment (the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5), the movement of the screw member 510 relative to the interlocking portion 600 is possible in a direction that intersects (is perpendicular to) the direction in which the screw member 510 extends. Specifically, in this embodiment, the screw member 510 can move relative to the interlocking portion 600 in the direction indicated by the arrow 4A in FIG. In other words, the screw member 510 can be moved in the width direction of the second binding device 52.

[0073] In this embodiment, the load receiving member 620 can move in the direction indicated by the arrow 4A. More specifically, in this embodiment, the load-receiving member 620 is configured to be able to move relative to the upper support member 630, thereby enabling the load-receiving member 620 to move in the width direction of the second binding processing device 52. In other words, in this embodiment, the load receiving member 620 can move relative to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640 that form part of the interlocking portion 600.

[0074] In this way, if the load receiving member 620 can be moved relative to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640, the screw member 510 can be moved relative to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640. More specifically, the screw member 510 can be moved relative to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640 in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the direction in which the screw member 510 extends. In other words, the screw member 510 can be moved in the radial direction of the screw member 510.

[0075] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the second binding processing device 52 taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 4, showing the upper part of the second binding processing device 52. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a through hole 620A is formed in the load receiving member 620, and a fixing screw 95 used to fix the load receiving member 620 to the upper support member 630 is passed through this through hole 620A. A gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of through-hole 620A and fixing screw 95. Furthermore, no thread is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of fixing screw 95 that is located inside through-hole 620A.

[0076] Furthermore, the thickness of the load-receiving member 620 is smaller than the distance between the head 95A of the fixing screw 95 and the upper surface 630E of the upper support member 630. This allows the load receiving member 620 to move relative to the upper support member 630 in the direction indicated by the arrow 7A in the drawing in this embodiment. In this case, the screw member 510 (not shown in FIG. 7) can move relative to the upper support member 630 and the rod-shaped member 640. In other words, the screw member 510 can move relative to the interlocking portion 600 (see FIG. 4), that is, the screw member 510 can move in a direction intersecting the direction in which the screw member 510 extends.

[0077] Here, for example, it is assumed that the screw member 510 cannot move relative to the interlocking portion 600, and that the screw member 510 is inclined with respect to the linear path 4Y (see FIG. 4). In this case, the second binding teeth 72 move toward a position different from the original position when the second binding teeth 72 advance toward the first binding teeth 71. In this case, the position of the second binding teeth 72 relative to the first binding teeth 71 shifts from the originally intended position. In contrast to this, when the screw member 510 is movable as in this embodiment, the inclination of the screw member 510 relative to the linear path 4Y becomes smaller, and the deviation of the second binding tooth 72 relative to the first binding tooth 71 becomes smaller.

[0078] Furthermore, if the configuration is such that the screw member 510 cannot move relative to the interlocking portion 600 and the screw member 510 is inclined with respect to the linear path 4Y, the second binding tooth 72 may stop midway on its way toward the first binding tooth 71, making it impossible to perform binding. In contrast to this, if the screw member 510 is movable as in this embodiment, the inclination of the screw member 510 with respect to the linear path 4Y becomes smaller, and problems such as the second binding teeth 72 stopping midway are less likely to occur.

[0079] In this embodiment, the portion indicated by reference symbol 7F in FIG. 7 is a guided portion that is guided by the guide portion 90 (see FIG. 5), and in this embodiment, the load receiving member 620 is capable of moving relative to this guided portion. More specifically, the load receiving member 620 is movable relative to the guided portion, and is movable in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the axial direction of the screw member 510 (not shown in FIG. 7).

[0080] The interlocking portion 600 is configured to include a load-receiving member 620 as an example of a load-receiving portion that contacts the screw member 510 and receives the load from the screw member 510, and a rod-shaped member 640 as an example of a guided portion that is guided by the guiding portion 90. In this embodiment, a load receiving member 620 as an example of a load receiving portion is movable relative to the rod-shaped member 640 . As in this embodiment, when the load-receiving member 620 can move relative to the rod-shaped member 640, as described above, the deviation of the second binding tooth 72 relative to the first binding tooth 71 becomes smaller, and problems such as the second binding tooth 72 stopping midway are less likely to occur.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 7, the load receiving member 620 has a T-shaped cross section. More specifically, the load receiving member 620 includes a disk-shaped large diameter portion 621 located at the top in the figure, and a small diameter portion 622 located below the large diameter portion 621. The large diameter portion 621 and the small diameter portion 622 are arranged coaxially. The lower end of the large diameter portion 621 and the upper end of the small diameter portion 622 are connected to each other.

[0082] A female thread portion 610 is provided on the central axis of the load receiving member 620 . The female thread portion 610 is cylindrical, and in this embodiment, a rod-shaped screw member 510 (see FIG. 4) is passed through this female thread portion 610. In other words, in this embodiment, the female thread portion 610 and the screw member 510 mesh with each other and are connected to each other. In this embodiment, the length L1 (see FIG. 5) of the second binding teeth 72 in the longitudinal direction is smaller than the outer diameter D1 (see FIG. 7) of the large diameter portion 621.

[0083] In this embodiment, when comparing the radial positions of the large diameter portion 621, the second binding teeth 72 (see FIG. 5) are located closer to the other end 621B side than the one end 621A (see FIG. 7) of the large diameter portion 621. Also, the second binding teeth 72 are located closer to the one end 621A side than the other end 621B of the large diameter portion 621. In other words, in this embodiment, when the second binding device 52 is viewed from the front (when the second binding device 52 is viewed from the side where the receiving portion is provided), the second binding tooth 72 is located between one end 621A and the other end 621B of the large diameter portion 621.

[0084] In this embodiment, the load receiving member 620 is pulled downward by the screw member 510, and as a result, the portion of the upper support member 630 indicated by reference symbol 7X in FIG. In this case, the portion of the upper support member 630 that is uniformly pressed moves downward while generally maintaining a shape that extends laterally and linearly. On the other hand, the side portions (portions indicated by reference numeral 7Y in FIG. 7) of the upper support member 630 located on both sides of the pressing portion tend to tilt relative to the horizontal direction as indicated by reference numeral 7Z.

[0085] In this case, for example, if the dimension of the second binding teeth 72 in the longitudinal direction is large and a part of the second binding teeth 72 reaches the above-mentioned side portion (portion indicated by reference symbol 7Y), the second binding teeth 72 are likely to become distorted. In contrast, in this embodiment, when the second binding teeth 72 do not reach the side portions and are contained between one end 621A and the other end 621B of the large diameter portion 621, distortion of the second binding teeth 72 is less likely to occur.

[0086] In this embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 can move relative to the guide portion 90 (see FIG. 5), in a direction intersecting the direction in which the guide portion 90 extends. More specifically, in this embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 can move in a direction intersecting the direction indicated by the arrow 5X (see FIG. 5), which is the direction in which the inner circumferential surface 91A of the hole portion 91 extends. Additionally, in this embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 can move in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second binding teeth 72 advance and retreat.

[0087] In this embodiment, the upper support member 630 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 5Y in FIG. More specifically, in this embodiment, the upper support member 630 is movable relative to the rod-shaped member 640, and is also movable in the direction indicated by the arrow 5Y. In other words, in this embodiment, the upper support member 630 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the second binding teeth 72.

[0088] In this embodiment, by moving the upper support member 630 relative to the rod-shaped member 640, the second binding teeth 72 move in the longitudinal direction. Additionally, in this embodiment, when the upper support member 630 is moved relative to the rod-shaped member 640, the second binding teeth 72 move in a direction intersecting the direction in which the guide portion 90 extends (the direction indicated by the arrow 5X in the figure).

[0089] More specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a bolt portion 651 is provided at the upper end portion of the rod-shaped member 640. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a through hole 633 through which the bolt portion 651 is passed is formed in the upper support member 630. The through hole 633 is a so-called elongated hole, and is formed so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72.

[0090] This allows the upper support member 630 to move relative to the rod-shaped member 640, and the second binding teeth 72 to move in a direction intersecting the direction in which the rod-shaped member 640 extends. In other words, the second binding teeth 72 can move in a direction intersecting the direction in which the guide portion 90 extends. More specifically, the second binding teeth 72 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 5Y in FIG.

[0091] In this embodiment, the rod-shaped member 640 is released from the upper support member 630 by the bolt portion 651 and the nut 652, and then the upper support member 630 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the second binding teeth 72. This changes the positional relationship between the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72. In other words, the relative position of the second binding teeth 72 with respect to the first binding teeth 71 is adjusted. In this embodiment, when the adjustment of the position of the second binding teeth 72 is completed, the nut 652 is tightened onto the bolt portion 651, and the rod-shaped member 640 is fixed to the upper support member 630.

[0092] In this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the upper support member 630 moves along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72, but this is not limited to this, and the upper support member 630 may also move in both the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 and a direction perpendicular to this longitudinal direction. In order to allow the upper support member 630 to move in both the longitudinal direction and the perpendicular direction, for example, the through hole 633 formed in the upper support member 630 is formed, for example, as a round hole having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the bolt portion 651. This causes the upper support member 630 to move in both the longitudinal direction and the perpendicular direction.

[0093] 5, in this embodiment, the drive motor M is accommodated between one end 511 and the other end 512 in the axial direction of the screw member 510. In other words, in this embodiment, the drive motor M is located to the side of the screw member 510. As a result, in this embodiment, the size of the second binding device 52 in the direction in which the screw member 510 extends, in other words, in the direction in which the second binding teeth 72 advance and retreat, is reduced.

[0094] Here, if the drive motor M is located at, for example, the location indicated by the reference symbol 5S in FIG. 5, the second binding device 52 is likely to become large in size. In contrast to this, when the drive motor M is located to the side of the screw member 510 as in the present embodiment, the size of the second binding device 52 is prevented from increasing.

[0095] In this embodiment, all or most of the drive motor M is accommodated between one end 511 and the other end 512 of the screw member 510 in the axial direction. However, without being limited to this, at least a part of the drive motor M may be positioned closer to the other end 512 than the one end 511 in the axial direction of the screw member 510, and may be positioned closer to the one end 511 than the other end 512. In this case, the second binding device 52 can be made smaller in size than in a configuration in which the drive motor M is not located at all between the one end 511 and the other end 512.

[0096] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second binding device 52 taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. The movement mechanism 500 (see FIG. 4) of this embodiment applies a load to a specific location of the interlocking portion 600 to move the second binding teeth 72 toward the first binding teeth 71. More specifically, the moving mechanism 500 applies a load to a specific location (hereinafter referred to as the "load application location 8A") indicated by the symbol 8A (see Figure 8) of the interlocking part 600, thereby moving the second binding tooth 72 toward the first binding tooth 71.

[0097] More specifically, in this embodiment, the load application point 8A is the point where the female thread portion 610 is provided, and in this embodiment, a load is applied to the point where this female thread portion 610 is provided, causing the interlocking portion 600 to move and the second binding tooth 72 to move toward the first binding tooth 71. In this embodiment, the guide portion 90 (the inner peripheral surface 91A of the hole portion 91) is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the load application portion 8A. Note that being located on the closer side does not mean that the entire guide portion 90 is located on the side closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the load application point 8A.

[0098] In this embodiment, the rear side portion 90B of the guide portion 90, which is located on the rearmost side, is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the rear side portion 8X, which is located on the rearmost side of the load application point 8A. In this way, when comparing the parts located most rearward, if the rear portion 90B of the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the rear portion 8X of the load application point 8A, it can be said that the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the load application point 8A.

[0099] The guide section 90 guides the second binding tooth 72 by guiding the portion of the interlocking section 600 that interlocks with the second binding tooth 72, which is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the load application point 8A. More specifically, the guide portion 90 guides the rod-shaped member 640 located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the load application portion 8A, thereby guiding the second binding tooth 72.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, assuming a virtual plane H1 that passes through the load application point 8A and the second binding tooth 72 and follows the linear path 4Y (see Figure 5), a guide portion 90 is provided in each of two regions R1 and R2 that face each other across this plane H1. More specifically, in this embodiment, if a virtual plane H1 is assumed that passes through the center C1 of the load-applying point 8A and the center C2 in the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 and that runs along the linear path 4Y, a guide portion 90 is provided in each of two regions R1 and R2 that face each other across this plane H1.

[0101] In other words, in this embodiment, when a virtual plane H1 is assumed to pass through the axial center 510R of the screw member 510 and the central portion C2 in the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 and to follow the linear path 4Y, a guide portion 90 is provided in each of two regions R1 and R2 that face each other across this plane H1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the guide portions 90 provided in each of the two regions R1 and R2 are disposed closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the load application portion 8A.

[0102] In this embodiment, when the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the stack of paper-sheets T, the second binding teeth 72 are pressed upward by a reaction, and one end 631 side of the upper support member 630 moves upward. In this case, if each of the guide portions 90 is positioned closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the load application point 8A, as in this embodiment, the one end 631 of the upper support member 630 is less likely to move upward.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, assuming an imaginary line LX that passes through the axial center 610R of the female thread portion 610 and extends along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72, the guide portion 90 is located at a point that is off this imaginary line LX. More specifically, the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the imaginary line LX. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the second binding processing device 52 when viewed from above. When the second binding processing device 52 is viewed from above, the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the imaginary line LX.

[0104] "The guide portion 90 is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the imaginary line LX" means that when the guide portion 90 is projected onto the plane H8, the central portion 90C of the guide portion 90 is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the imaginary line LX when the imaginary line LX is projected onto the plane H8. Here, the plane H8 is a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72. In this embodiment, when the guide part 90 and the imaginary line LX are projected onto the plane H8 (when projected in a direction perpendicular to the plane H8), the central part 90C of the guide part 90 (the central part in the extending direction of the plane H8) is located closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the imaginary line LX.

[0105] The positioning of the guide portion 90 closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the imaginary line LX does not necessarily mean that the entire guide portion 90 is positioned closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the imaginary line LX. As described above, if the central portion 90C of the guide portion 90 is positioned closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the imaginary line LX, it can be said that the guide portion 90 is positioned closer to the second binding tooth 72 than the imaginary line LX.

[0106] In this case, the one end 631 of the upper support member 630 is less likely to move upward than when the guide portion 90 is positioned on the imaginary line LX. In other words, compared to when the position of the imaginary line LX and the position of the central portion 90C of the guide portion 90 are aligned, the one end portion 631 of the upper support member 630 is less likely to move upward. In this case, when the binding process is performed, the second binding teeth 72 are less likely to escape upward, and a larger load acts on the sheet stack T.

[0107] In this embodiment, the guide portions 90 provided in each of the two regions R1 and R2 are arranged on a common straight line LK extending along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72. Additionally, the guide portions 90 provided in each of the two regions R1, R2 are arranged on a straight line LK that extends along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 and passes through a point other than the axial center 610R of the female thread portion 610.

[0108] "The guide portion 90 is arranged on the straight line LK" means that when the guide portion 90 and the straight line LK are projected onto the plane H8 (when projected in a direction perpendicular to the plane H8), the position of the central portion 90C of the guide portion 90 (the central portion in the direction in which the plane H8 extends) coincides with the position of the straight line LK.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance L11 between the guide portion 90 provided in one of the two regions R1, R2, region R1 and the plane H1 is equal to the distance L21 between the guide portion 90 provided in the other region R2 and the plane H1. Additionally, in this embodiment, the distance L11 between one of the two guide sections 90 arranged on a common straight line LK and the plane H1 is equal to the distance L21 between the other guide section 90 and the plane H1.

[0110] More specifically, consider the case where plane H1, one guide portion 90, and the other guide portion 90 are projected onto plane H15 extending along the longitudinal direction of the second binding tooth 72 (projected in a direction perpendicular to plane H15). In this case, in this embodiment, the distance L11 between the central portion C11 (the central portion in the direction in which the plane H15 extends) of one guide portion 90 and the plane H1 is equal to the distance L21 between the central portion C21 (the central portion in the direction in which the plane H15 extends) of the other guide portion 90 and the plane H1.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the female screw portion 610 of the interlocking portion 600, which is the contact portion that comes into contact with the screw member 510, is located closer to the right-side rod-shaped member 640R on the right side of the figure, which is an example of the second guided portion, than to the left-side rod-shaped member 640L on the left side of the figure, which is an example of the first guided portion. Furthermore, this female thread portion 610 is located closer to the left rod member 640L on the left side of the figure than to the right rod member 640R on the right side of the figure.

[0112] In this embodiment, the interlocking portion 600 is provided with a left rod-shaped member 640L and a right rod-shaped member 640R that are guided by the guide portion 90. In this embodiment, the female thread portion 610, which is an example of a contact portion, is located closer to the right rod member 640R than the left rod member 640L and closer to the left rod member 640L than the right rod member 640R. In this embodiment, the female thread portion 610 can be regarded as a load receiving portion that receives a load from the screw member 510. In this embodiment, this load receiving portion is located closer to the right rod member 640R than the left rod member 640L, and is located closer to the left rod member 640L than the right rod member 640R.

[0113] More specifically, it is assumed that the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, and the female threaded portion 610 are projected onto a plane H15. In this case, on this plane H15, the female thread portion 610 is located closer to the right rod member 640R than the left rod member 640L, and is located closer to the left rod member 640L than the right rod member 640R.

[0114] In this embodiment, the second binding teeth 72 move toward the first binding teeth 71 when a load is applied to the load receiving member 620 of the interlocking portion 600 (see FIG. 8). More specifically, when a load is applied to the female thread portion 610 provided on the load receiving member 620, the second binding teeth 72 move toward the first binding teeth 71. In this embodiment, the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 can also be said to be located closer to the right rod member 640R than the left rod member 640L, and closer to the left rod member 640L than the right rod member 640R.

[0115] FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the screw member 510. In this embodiment, a restricting member that restricts the movement of the interlocking portion 600 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the screw member 510. Specifically, a mounting portion 510B is provided at one end 510A of the screw member 510. A restricting member can be mounted to this mounting portion 510B. Specifically, a recess 510C having a circular cross section that is recessed toward the inside of the screw member 510 is provided on the end face located at one end 510A of the screw member 510. A female thread is formed on the inner surface of the recess 510C. In this embodiment, a restricting member 980 (see FIG. 4) having a male thread is attached to the female thread portion.

[0116] In this embodiment, when the screw member 510 rotates more than necessary and the interlocking part 600 reaches one end 510A of the screw member 510 (see Figure 9), the interlocking part 600 hits the regulating member 980, and the movement of the interlocking part 600 is regulated. This prevents the interlocking portion 600 from coming off the screw member 510. In this embodiment, a groove 510D extending in the circumferential direction of the screw member 510 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of one end portion 510A of the screw member 510. In this embodiment, a stopper (not shown) having an E-shaped or C-shaped cross section can be attached to this groove 510D. In this embodiment, the movement of the interlocking part 600 can also be restricted by this stopper.

[0117] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the second binding device 52. As shown in FIG. The main components of the second binding processing device 52 shown in FIG. 10 are the same as the components of the second binding processing device 52 described above. In this configuration example shown in FIG. 10, the positional relationship between the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the screw member 510, and the female thread portion 610 is different from that described above. Specifically, in this configuration example shown in Figure 10, a screw member 510 and a female screw portion 610, which is an example of a load-receiving portion, are provided between a left-side rod-shaped member 640L, which is the first guided portion, and a right-side rod-shaped member 640R, which is the second guided portion.

[0118] More specifically, in this configuration example, when the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the screw member 510, and the female screw portion 610 are projected toward the upstream or downstream side in the movement direction of the second binding tooth 72, the screw member 510 and the female screw portion 610 are positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. More specifically, it is assumed that the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the screw member 510, and the female screw portion 610 are projected toward the upstream or downstream side in the movement direction of the second binding tooth 72, and toward a virtual plane H13 that is perpendicular to the movement direction of the second binding tooth 72.

[0119] In this case, the screw member 510 and the female thread portion 610 are located between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R on this imaginary plane H13. Here, "the screw member 510 and the female thread portion 610 are positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R" does not only mean that all parts of the female thread portion 610 and all parts of the screw member 510 are positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R, but also includes a state in which part of the female thread portion 610 and part of the screw member 510 are positioned. In this embodiment, the entire screw member 510 and the entire female thread portion 610 are positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0120] Furthermore, in this configuration example, when the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first binding tooth 71, and the second binding tooth 72 are projected toward the upstream or downstream side in the movement direction of the second binding tooth 72, the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are positioned at a location outside between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. In this embodiment, two guided portions are provided, a left-side rod-shaped member 640L and a right-side rod-shaped member 640R, and in this configuration example, the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are located outside between these two guided portions.

[0121] More specifically, it is assumed that the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first binding tooth 71, and the second binding tooth 72 are projected toward the upstream or downstream side in the movement direction of the second binding tooth 72, and toward the above-mentioned virtual plane H13 which is perpendicular to the movement direction of the second binding tooth 72. In this case, the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 are located on the imaginary plane H13 at positions that are not between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0122] Furthermore, it is assumed that the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first binding tooth 71, and the second binding tooth 72 are projected toward the upstream side or downstream side in the movement direction of the second binding tooth 72. In this case, the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 are located closer to the right rod-shaped member 640R than the left rod-shaped member 640L, and closer to the left rod-shaped member 640L than the right rod-shaped member 640R. In other words, on the above-mentioned virtual plane H13, the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are located closer to the right rod-shaped member 640R than the left rod-shaped member 640L, and closer to the left rod-shaped member 640L than the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0123] It is also assumed that the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the first binding tooth 71, the second binding tooth 72, and the female thread portion 610 are projected toward the upstream or downstream side in the movement direction of the second binding tooth 72. In this case, in this embodiment, the female screw portion 610 is located closer to the side where the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R are provided than the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72. In other words, on the imaginary plane H13, the female thread portion 610 is located closer to the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 than the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R.

[0124] Also, it is assumed that the left rod-shaped member 640L, the right rod-shaped member 640R, the screw member 510, and the female screw portion 610 are projected toward the upstream side or downstream side in the movement direction of the second binding teeth 72. In this case, in this embodiment, the screw member 510, the female thread portion 610 as an example of a load receiving portion, is positioned between the left rod-shaped member 640L and the right rod-shaped member 640R. In other words, on the imaginary plane H13, the screw member 510 and the female thread portion 610 are located between the left rod member 640L and the right rod member 640R. In other words, on the imaginary plane H13, the screw member 510 and the female thread portion 610 are located within the region sandwiched between the left rod member 640L and the right rod member 640R.

[0125] In addition, in the configuration example shown in Figure 10, a first elastic member 391 is attached to the lower support member 700 to separate the stack of paper T (not shown in Figure 10) from the first binding teeth 71 after the binding process has been performed. In this embodiment, a second elastic member 392 is attached to the upper support member 630 to separate the sheet stack T from the second binding teeth 72 after the binding process has been performed.

[0126] In this embodiment, when the stack of paper-sheets T is bound, the first elastic member 391 and the second elastic member 392 are sandwiched between the upper support member 630 and the lower support member 700 and compressed. In addition, in this embodiment, when the binding of the paper stack T is completed and the second binding teeth 72 retreat from the first binding teeth 71, the first elastic member 391 and the second elastic member 392, which are in a compressed state, are restored. As a result, the stack of paper-sheets T is pressed by the first elastic member 391 and the second elastic member 392, and the stack of paper-sheets T moves away from the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72. Although not described above, the first elastic member 391 and the second elastic member 392 are also provided in the second binding device 52 shown in FIGS.

[0127] Other configuration examples will be further described. In the above, an example has been described in which the screw member 510 is connected to the second binding tooth 72, causing the second binding tooth 72 to move, but the screw member 510 may also be connected to the first binding tooth 71, causing the first binding tooth 71 to move. Furthermore, screw members 510 may be provided in correspondence with the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72, respectively, and both the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 may be moved to perform the binding process.

[0128] Furthermore, when moving both the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72, a single common screw member 510 may be connected to the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72. In this case, the single screw member 510 is rotated to move the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 closer to or farther apart from each other. When one screw member 510 is used, this one screw member 510 is provided with a first screw portion whose screw groove faces in a clockwise direction and a second screw portion whose screw groove faces in a counterclockwise direction. In this case, for example, the first binding teeth 71 are moved using the first screw portion, and the second binding teeth 72 are moved using the second screw portion.

[0129] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state of the rear side of the second binding device 52. In this embodiment, a drive motor M is provided on the rear side of the second binding device 52. Below the drive motor M, a drive gear 561 is provided which is arranged coaxially with the output shaft of the drive motor M and rotates by receiving the drive force from the drive motor M. Furthermore, a plurality of rotatably provided rotary gears 562 are provided on the rear side of the second binding device 52. The plurality of rotary gears 562 receive a rotational driving force from the drive gear 561 and transmit the rotational driving force to the large diameter gear 520 (see FIGS. 4 and 10).

[0130] In this embodiment, the driving force from the drive motor M is transmitted to the second binding teeth 72 via the rotary gear 562. More specifically, the driving force from the driving motor M is transmitted to the second binding teeth 72 via the driving gear 561, the rotary gear 562, the large diameter gear 520 (see FIGS. 4 and 10), the screw member 510, and the interlocking portion 600. As a result, the second binding teeth 72 move toward the first binding teeth 71, and the second binding teeth 72 retreat from the first binding teeth 71.

[0131] In this embodiment, a position detection sensor 800 that functions as a part of a position detection unit that detects the position of the second binding teeth 72 is provided on the rear side of the second binding device 52. The position detection sensor 800 acquires information about the amount of movement of an interlocking portion that interlocks with the movement of the second binding teeth 72, and detects the position of the second binding teeth 72. Specifically, the position detection sensor 800 acquires information about the amount of rotation of a rotating part that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the second binding teeth 72, and detects the position of the second binding teeth 72.

[0132] The position detection sensor 800 is composed of a so-called rotary encoder, and detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 using a rotating body 810 and a transmission sensor 820 that functions as a detection unit that detects the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810. Rotating body 810 is disposed coaxially with rotary gear 562 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of rotary gear 562 .

[0133] More specifically, the rotating body 810 is arranged coaxially with some of the rotating gears 562 among the plurality of rotating gears 562 , and rotates in conjunction with these some of the rotating gears 562 . In this embodiment, a rotation shaft 562A is provided to rotatably support a portion of the rotation gear 562, and the rotating body 810 is attached to the upper end of the rotation shaft 562A in the drawing.

[0134] The transmission sensor 820 is provided with a light source 821 that emits light and a light receiving section 822 that receives the light from the light source 821 . Rotating body 810 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 811 that protrude from the center of rotating body 810 in the radial direction toward the outside in the radial direction of rotating body 810. The plurality of protrusions 811 are arranged radially. Furthermore, a gap 812 is provided between two adjacent protrusions 811, allowing light emitted from a light source 821 provided in the transmission sensor 820 to pass through.

[0135] In this embodiment, as the rotating body 810 rotates, the multiple protrusions 811 sequentially pass between a light source 821 and a light receiving unit 822 provided in the transmission sensor 820. In this embodiment, the transmission sensor 820 sequentially detects the multiple protrusions 811, thereby detecting the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810. The information about the detected amount of rotation is output to the information processing unit 100 (see FIG. 1), and the information processing unit 100 detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 based on the information about the amount of rotation.

[0136] Specifically, in this embodiment, the relationship between the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810 and the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72 is registered in advance in the information storage device 202 (described later), and the information processing unit 100 determines the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on this relationship registered in the information storage device 202. More specifically, when the information processing unit 100 obtains information about the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810, it refers to the above relationship registered in the information storage device 202 and identifies the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72. Then, the information processing unit 100 detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 based on this identified amount of movement.

[0137] It should be noted that the detection of the position of the second binding teeth 72 is not limited to the detection of the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810. For example, a linear encoder extending along the movement direction of the second binding tooth 72 may be installed, and this linear encoder may be used to detect the position of the interlocking part that interlocks with the second binding tooth 72, thereby detecting the position of the second binding tooth 72.

[0138] FIG. 12 is a diagram of the second binding device 52 as seen from above. The second binding device 52 of the present embodiment is further provided with an initial position sensor 850 that detects whether the second binding teeth 72 (not shown in FIG. 12) are at a predetermined initial position. In this embodiment, a protruding piece 860 that functions as an interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the second binding teeth 72 is provided, and the initial position sensor 850 detects this protruding piece 860. In this embodiment, when the protruding piece 860 is located at the installation location of the initial position sensor 850 and the protruding piece 860 is detected by the initial position sensor 850, the information processing unit 100 determines that the second binding tooth 72 is in the initial position.

[0139] The initial position sensor 850 is configured by a transmission type sensor including a light emitting section 851 and a light receiving section 852 that receives light from the light emitting section 851 . When the protruding piece 860 is in the initial position sensor 850, the light from the light emitting unit 851 is not detected by the light receiving unit 852. In this case, the information processing unit 100 (see FIG. 1) determines that the second binding tooth 72 is in the initial position. On the other hand, when the light from the light emitting unit 851 is detected by the light receiving unit 852, the information processing unit 100 determines that the second binding teeth 72 are in a position other than the initial position.

[0140] The protruding piece 860 is attached to the interlocking part 600 and moves along with the second binding tooth 72. In this embodiment, the protruding piece 860 is detected at the installation location of the initial position sensor 850, thereby detecting that the second binding tooth 72 is in the initial position. In this embodiment, when the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 bind the paper stack T, the second binding teeth 72 move from this initial position toward the paper stack T and the first binding teeth 71.

[0141] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing unit 100. As shown in FIG. The information processing unit 100 includes a processing unit 201, an information storage device 202 for storing information, and a network interface 203 for realizing communication via a LAN (=Local Area Network) cable or the like.

[0142] The processing unit 201 is configured by a computer. The processing unit 201 has a CPU (=Central Processing Unit) 211 as an example of a processor that executes various processes described below. The processing unit 201 also has a ROM (=Read Only Memory) 212 in which software is stored, and a RAM (=Random Access Memory) 213 used as a work area. The information storage device 202 is realized by an existing device such as a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or a magnetic tape. The processing unit 201, the information storage device 202, and the network interface 203 are connected via a bus 206 and a signal line (not shown).

[0143] The program executed by CPU 211 may be provided to information processing unit 100 in a state where it is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk), an optical recording medium (such as an optical disk), a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. In addition, the program executed by CPU 211 may be provided to information processing unit 100 using a communication means such as the Internet.

[0144] In this specification, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.). Furthermore, the operations of the processors may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in this embodiment, and may be changed.

[0145] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing functions realized by the information processing section 100. Note that Fig. 14 shows only functions related to binding the sheet stack T. In this embodiment, the CPU 211, as an example of a processor, executes programs stored in the ROM 212 or the information storage device 202, causing the information processing unit 100 to function as a paper stack information acquisition unit 901, a tooth position detection unit 902, a setting unit 903, a binding position information acquisition unit 904, a control unit 905, a movement amount acquisition unit 906, an information change unit 907, and a position change unit 908. The processing described below is performed by each functional unit of the paper stack information acquisition unit 901 to the change unit 908. These functional units are realized by the CPU 211 executing a program, and the processing described below can also be said to be processing performed by the CPU 211 as an example of a processor.

[0146] The paper bundle information acquisition unit 901, which is an example of a recording medium bundle information acquisition unit, acquires paper bundle information, which is information about the paper bundle T, which is an example of a recording medium bundle. In other words, the paper bundle information acquisition unit 901 acquires paper bundle information, which is information about the paper bundle T that is the target of binding processing by the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72. Although not described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a reception device 915 is provided that receives information input by a user. In this embodiment, the user operates a touch panel provided on the reception device 915, for example, to input information required for the binding process.

[0147] The paper stack information acquisition unit 901 acquires, from the information received by the reception device 915, paper stack information that is information about the paper stack T that is the target of the binding process. The user may input information via a terminal device such as a PC (Personal Computer) connected to the image forming system 1. In this case, the paper stack information acquisition unit 901 acquires paper stack information from the information received by this terminal device.

[0148] The user inputs paper bundle information, such as thickness information of each paper P that constitutes the paper bundle T, information on the number of sheets of paper P that constitute the paper bundle T, and type information, which is information on the type of paper P that constitutes the paper bundle T, via the reception device 915 or a terminal device. In response to this, the paper stack information acquisition unit 901 acquires the thickness information, number of sheets information, and type information as paper stack information. Note that these pieces of information may be included in the job information, and the paper stack information acquisition unit 901 may acquire these pieces of information based on the information included in the job information.

[0149] A tooth position detection unit 902 as an example of a position detection unit detects the position of the second binding tooth 72. Specifically, the tooth position detection unit 902 detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 in the movement direction when the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the first binding tooth 71 (hereinafter referred to as "movement direction position"). In this embodiment, the tooth position detection unit 902 acquires information about the amount of movement of the part that moves in conjunction with the movement of the second binding tooth 72, and detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 in the movement direction.

[0150] Specifically, in this embodiment, the tooth position detection unit 902 acquires information about the amount of rotation of the rotating part that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the second binding tooth 72, and detects the movement direction position of the second binding tooth 72. More specifically, the tooth position detection unit 902 acquires information about the amount of rotation of the above-mentioned rotating body 810 provided in the position detection sensor 800 (see Figure 11) from the position detection sensor 800, and detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 in the movement direction.

[0151] More specifically, the tooth position detection unit 902 detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 in the movement direction based on information about the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810 and information from the initial position sensor 850 (see FIG. 12). More specifically, the tooth position detection unit 902 detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 in the movement direction based on the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810 after the initial position sensor 850 stops detecting the protruding piece 860. In other words, the tooth position detection unit 902 detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 in the movement direction based on the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810 after the second binding tooth 72 departs from the initial position.

[0152] Although not described above, in this embodiment, the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 per rotation of the rotating body 810 (referred to as the “movement amount per rotation”) is registered in the information storage device 202. When the tooth position detection unit 902 obtains information about the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810 from the position detection sensor 800, it multiplies this amount of rotation by the amount of movement per rotation to obtain information about the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72. As a result, the tooth position detection unit 902 detects the position of the second binding tooth 72 in the movement direction when the initial position is set as the origin.

[0153] The setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 based on the paper-sheet bundle information acquired by the paper-sheet bundle information acquisition unit 901. In other words, the setting unit 903 changes the setting information that has already been set regarding the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72. In this embodiment, as described above, the sheet stack information acquired includes thickness information of the sheets P, number of sheets P, and type information of the sheets P. The setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 based on this information. More specifically, the setting unit 903 increases or decreases the corrected movement amount, which will be described later, based on this information, and sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72.

[0154] For example, when the thickness specified by the thickness information is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold and equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold (>first threshold), the setting unit 903 leaves the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 at the corrected movement amount described below. In addition, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that, for example, when the thickness specified by the thickness information is smaller than a first threshold value, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is smaller than when the thickness is larger than the first threshold value. In other words, in this case, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 so that the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is smaller than the corrected movement amount described below.

[0155] Conversely, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that when the thickness specified by the thickness information is greater than the second threshold value, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is greater than when the thickness is smaller than the second threshold value. In other words, in this case, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 so that the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is greater than the corrected movement amount described below.

[0156] In addition, for example, when the number of sheets identified by the sheet count information is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold and equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold (>first threshold), the setting unit 903 leaves the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 as the corrected movement amount. In addition, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that, for example, when the number of sheets identified by the number information is smaller than a first threshold value, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is smaller than when the number of sheets identified by the number information is larger than the first threshold value. In other words, in this case, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 so that the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is smaller than the corrected movement amount.

[0157] Conversely, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that when the number of sheets specified by the number information is greater than the second threshold value, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is greater than when the number of sheets specified by the number information is less than the second threshold value. In other words, in this case, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 so that the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is greater than the corrected movement amount.

[0158] In addition, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that, for example, when the type of paper P specified by the type information is a specific type, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is smaller or larger than when the type is not this specific type. In other words, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that, for example, when the type of paper P is a specific type, as identified by the type information, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is smaller or larger than the corrected movement amount.

[0159] In this embodiment, when the movement amount is set by the setting unit 903, the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on the movement amount set by the setting unit 903 and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902.

[0160] In this embodiment, a corrected movement amount, which will be described later, is set for the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72, and this corrected movement amount is registered in the information storage device 202 as setting information. When the control unit 905 moves the second binding teeth 72, the control unit 905 normally moves the second binding teeth 72 by this corrected movement amount. On the other hand, if the setting unit 903 sets a movement amount larger or smaller than the corrected movement amount, the control unit 905 moves the second binding tooth 72 by this larger or smaller movement amount.

[0161] Next, the binding position information acquisition unit 904 will be described. The binding position information acquisition unit 904 acquires binding position information, which is information about the binding position in the paper-sheet bundle T, which is the binding position by the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72. Specifically, the binding position information acquisition unit 904 acquires, as binding position information, for example, information as to whether the binding position in the paper stack T is on the side of the paper stack T or on the corner of the paper stack T.

[0162] In this embodiment, when starting the binding process, the user inputs the binding position information to the reception device 915 or a terminal device. Alternatively, the binding position information may be included in the job information. The binding position information acquisition unit 904 acquires binding position information from binding position information received by the reception device 915 or a terminal device, or from binding position information included in job information, and acquires binding position information.

[0163] The control unit 905 executes various processes related to binding the sheet stack T. The control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on, for example, the paper stack information acquired by the paper stack information acquisition unit 901 and the movement direction position of the second binding tooth 72 detected by the tooth position detection unit 902. More specifically, in this embodiment, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 based on the paper stack information. The control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on this set movement amount and the movement direction position of the second binding tooth 72 detected by the tooth position detection unit 902.

[0164] The setting unit 903 is not essential, and in a configuration in which the setting unit 903 is not provided, the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on the corrected movement amount described below and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902. The control unit 905 monitors the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902 and determines whether the second binding tooth 72 has reached the position specified by the movement amount set by the setting unit 903 or the corrected movement amount. Then, the control unit 905 stops driving the drive motor M when the second binding teeth 72 reach a position specified by the movement amount set by the setting unit 903 or the corrected movement amount.

[0165] Furthermore, the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding teeth 72 based on the binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit 904 and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902. In this embodiment, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is set in advance for each piece of binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit 904, and the information about the binding position and the information about the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 are registered in the information storage device 202 in a state where they are associated with each other.

[0166] When the control unit 905 obtains the binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit 904, it refers to the information registered in the information storage device 202 and obtains information regarding the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72 that is associated with this binding position information. In this case, the control unit 905 obtains a different value of the movement amount depending on whether the binding position is on the side of the sheet bundle T or on the corner. Next, the control unit 905 monitors the position of the second binding tooth 72 based on the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902, and controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 so that the second binding tooth 72 reaches a position specified by the movement amount.

[0167] In addition, the control unit 905 of this embodiment moves the second binding tooth 72 toward the first binding tooth 71 when there is no stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, and performs a process of pressing the second binding tooth 72 against the first binding tooth 71. More specifically, when there is no stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, the control unit 905 drives the drive motor M to move the second binding tooth 72 toward the first binding tooth 71 and perform a process of pressing the second binding tooth 72 against the first binding tooth 71.

[0168] More specifically, when there is no stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, the control unit 905 moves the second binding tooth 72 until the second binding tooth 72 contacts the first binding tooth 71, and presses the second binding tooth 72 against the first binding tooth 71. As a result, the posture of the second binding teeth 72 relative to the first binding teeth 71 is corrected.

[0169] Next, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 will be described. The movement amount acquiring unit 906 acquires the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 when the control unit 905 presses the second binding teeth 72 against the first binding teeth 71 . In this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 905 presses the second binding tooth 72 against the first binding tooth 71 in a state where the stack of sheets T is not present between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72.

[0170] The movement amount acquisition unit 906 acquires the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 when this pressing is performed. Specifically, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 acquires the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 from the time when the movement of the second binding tooth 72, which is in the initial position, starts until the time when the second binding tooth 72 is pressed against the first binding tooth 71.

[0171] The movement amount acquisition unit 906 acquires information about the amount of rotation of the rotating body 810 from the time when the movement of the second binding tooth 72, which is in the initial position, begins until the second binding tooth 72 is pressed against the first binding tooth 71. In other words, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 obtains information about the rotation amount of the rotating body 810 from the position detection sensor 800, and thereby obtains information about the rotation amount of the rotating body 810 from the time when the movement of the second binding tooth 72, which is in the initial position, begins to occur until the second binding tooth 72 is pressed against the first binding tooth 71.

[0172] Then, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 acquires the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 based on the information about this rotation amount. In this embodiment, as described above, the movement amount per rotation, which is the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 per rotation of the rotating body 810, is registered in the information storage device 202. When the movement amount obtaining unit 906 obtains information about the rotation amount of the rotating body 810, it obtains the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 by multiplying this rotation amount by the movement amount per rotation.

[0173] The movement amount acquisition unit 906 determines whether the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the first binding teeth 71 by, for example, referring to the current value of the current supplied to the drive motor M. Specifically, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 determines that the second binding teeth 72 have been pressed against the first binding teeth 71 when the current value stops increasing and becomes constant. Furthermore, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 determines whether the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the first binding teeth 71 based on information about the rotation amount of the rotating body 810 output from the position detection sensor 800, for example. Specifically, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 determines that the second binding tooth 72 has been pressed against the first binding tooth 71 when the rotation amount stops increasing and the value of the rotation amount remains unchanged.

[0174] The information changing unit 907 changes the setting information that is information set for the second binding teeth 72 based on the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquiring unit 906. Specifically, the information change unit 907 changes the setting information set for the second binding tooth 72, which affects the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72, based on the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906. As a result, in this embodiment, if the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is larger or smaller than the reference movement amount registered in the information storage device 202, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is changed.

[0175] In this embodiment, if the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is larger or smaller than the reference movement amount registered in the information storage device 202, the movement amount is corrected and the above-mentioned corrected movement amount is generated. In this embodiment, this corrected movement amount is registered in the information storage device 202, and thereafter this corrected movement amount becomes a new reference, and the second binding tooth 72 moves by this corrected movement amount. As a result, even if the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is larger or smaller than the planned gap, the second binding tooth 72 can be advanced to the planned advanced position.

[0176] In this embodiment, if the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is larger or smaller than the planned gap, the initially set standard movement amount is corrected and a corrected movement amount is generated. In addition, in this embodiment, each of the paper stacks T to be bound may be different for each binding process, and to accommodate this, the setting unit 903 sets a new movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 based on the corrected movement amount in accordance with the paper stack T. Depending on the sheet bundle T, the post-correction movement amount is changed, and depending on the sheet bundle T, the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 becomes larger or smaller than the post-correction movement amount.

[0177] To explain further with reference to Figure 15 (a diagram showing the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72), in this embodiment, a standard movement amount is initially set as the movement amount from the initial position to the advanced position of the second binding tooth 72. This reference movement amount is registered in the information storage device 202 as initial setting information. In this embodiment, the reference movement amount is corrected depending on the size of the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, and the corrected movement amount is generated as described above. Then, this corrected movement amount is registered in the information storage device 202 as changed setting information.

[0178] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the corrected movement amount is increased or decreased depending on the paper stack T that is the subject of the binding process, and the corrected movement amount after the increase or decrease is set as the final movement amount of the second binding tooth 72. In this embodiment, even if the size of the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is the originally planned size, the corrected movement amount is generated. In this case, the corrected movement amount is left as the original reference movement amount, and the same value as this original reference movement amount is set as the corrected movement amount. In this embodiment, the movement of the second binding teeth 72 is controlled based on this corrected movement amount.

[0179] In this embodiment, the initial reference movement amount is changed depending on the size of the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72. In other words, in this embodiment, the initial reference movement amount is changed depending on the size of the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72. Here, for example, if the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is larger than the expected gap, when the second binding tooth 72 is moved by the initial standard movement amount, the second binding tooth 72 will stop before the originally intended advance position of the second binding tooth 72.

[0180] Furthermore, if the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is smaller than the expected gap, and the second binding tooth 72 is moved by the initial standard movement amount, the second binding tooth 72 will advance beyond the originally intended advance position of the second binding tooth 72. For this reason, in this embodiment, a corrected movement amount is generated from the initial standard movement amount depending on the size of the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72, and thereafter, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is set to a movement amount greater or smaller than the standard movement amount. As a result, the advanced position of the second binding teeth 72 approaches the originally intended advanced position.

[0181] Next, the position change unit 908 (see FIG. 14) will be described. The position change unit 908 changes the initial position of the second binding teeth 72 based on the amount of movement acquired by the amount of movement acquisition unit 906. As a result, in this embodiment, when the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is larger or smaller than the initial reference movement amount, it becomes possible to change the initial position of the second binding tooth 72. In this case as well, the advance position of the second binding tooth 72 can be brought closer to the originally planned advance position. When the initial position of the second binding tooth 72 is changed, the advance position of the second binding tooth 72 also changes. In this case, even if the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is larger or smaller than expected, the second binding tooth 72 can be advanced to the originally planned advance position.

[0182] The details of the process will be explained below. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed in this embodiment. In this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on the paper stack information acquired by the paper stack information acquisition unit 901 and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902. In this embodiment, as described above, the paper stack information acquisition unit 901 acquires, for example, thickness information of the paper sheets P as paper stack information (step 101). More specifically, in this embodiment, the paper bundle information acquisition unit 901 acquires thickness information of the paper sheets P that make up the paper bundle T as the paper bundle information.

[0183] When the paper stack information acquisition unit 901 acquires thickness information in step 101, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 based on this thickness information (step 102). Then, in this embodiment, the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding teeth 72 based on the set movement amount and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902 (step 103).

[0184] To explain this using a specific example, if the thickness specified by the thickness information is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold and equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold (>first threshold), the setting unit 903 leaves the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 at the above-mentioned corrected movement amount.

[0185] In addition, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that, for example, when the thickness specified by the thickness information is smaller than a predetermined first threshold value, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is smaller than when the thickness is larger than the first threshold value. In other words, in this case, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 so that the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is smaller than the corrected movement amount.

[0186] In addition, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that, for example, when the thickness specified by the thickness information is greater than a predetermined second threshold (>first threshold), the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is greater than when the thickness is smaller than this second threshold. In other words, in this case, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 so that the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is greater than the corrected movement amount.

[0187] When the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72, the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on the movement amount set by the setting unit 903 and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902. More specifically, the control unit 905 monitors the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902 and determines whether the second binding tooth 72 has reached the position specified by the movement amount set by the setting unit 903. Then, when the second binding teeth 72 reach the position specified by the amount of movement set by the setting unit 903, the control unit 905 stops driving the drive motor M.

[0188] In this embodiment, when the thickness identified by the thickness information is smaller than the first threshold value, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is set so that it is smaller than when the thickness is greater than the first threshold value. This makes it less likely that an excessive load will be applied to the sheet stack T, causing problems such as the sheet stack T breaking. When the paper stack T is thin, a smaller load is required for binding than when the paper stack T is thick. As in this embodiment, when the thickness specified by the thickness information of the paper P is smaller than the first threshold value, which is a predetermined threshold value, by reducing the amount of movement of the second binding teeth 72, the load on the paper stack T is reduced, and problems such as breakage of the paper stack T are less likely to occur.

[0189] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, when the thickness identified by the thickness information is greater than the second threshold value, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is set so that it is greater than when the thickness is less than the second threshold value. This makes it possible to increase the load required for binding the paper stack T, and even if the paper stack T becomes thick due to the large thickness of the paper P, a load for securely binding the paper stack T can be applied to the paper stack T.

[0190] In this embodiment, as described above, the setting unit 903 may set the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 based on information about the number of sheets P, which is an example of paper-sheet bundle information. In this case, the setting unit 903, for example, when the number of sheets identified by the sheet count information is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold and equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold (>first threshold), leaves the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 as the corrected movement amount.

[0191] In addition, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that, for example, when the number of sheets identified by the number information is smaller than a first threshold value, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is smaller than when the number of sheets identified by the number information is larger than the first threshold value. In other words, in this case, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 so that the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is smaller than the corrected movement amount.

[0192] As a result, in this case as well, the load acting on the sheet stack T is reduced, and breakage of the sheet stack T is suppressed. If the number of sheets P constituting the paper stack T is small, the load required to bind the paper stack T becomes small, and if the load when binding the paper stack T remains large, the paper stack T is likely to break. On the other hand, when the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 becomes smaller, the load acting on the sheet stack T becomes smaller, and the sheet stack T becomes less likely to break.

[0193] In addition, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that when the number of sheets identified by the number information is greater than a predetermined second threshold (>first threshold), the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is greater than when the number of sheets identified by the number information is less than this second threshold. In other words, in this case, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 so that the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is greater than the corrected movement amount. In this case, similarly to the above, the load required for binding the sheet stack T can be increased, and even a thick sheet stack T with a large number of sheets P can be bound more reliably.

[0194] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the setting unit 903 may set the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 based on the type information of the sheets P specified by the sheet bundle information. More specifically, in this case, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that, for example, when the type of paper P is a specific type, as identified by the type information, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is smaller or larger than when the type is not this specific type.

[0195] In other words, the setting unit 903 sets the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 so that, for example, when the type of paper P is a specific type, as identified by the type information, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is smaller or larger than the corrected movement amount. Depending on the type of paper P, it may be better to reduce or increase the load acting on the paper stack T. If the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is set based on information about the type of paper P, the load acting on the paper stack T can be increased or decreased depending on the type of paper P that constitutes the paper stack T.

[0196] Here, when the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding teeth 72, a mode in which the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding teeth 72 based only on the amount of movement set by the setting unit 903 is also conceivable. Specifically, in this case, for example, a conceivable mode is to set the number of pulses when driving the drive motor M based on the amount of movement set by the setting unit 903, and to control the second binding tooth 72 based only on this set number of pulses.

[0197] However, it is also possible that the second binding tooth 72 will not move as expected. In this case, if the second binding tooth 72 is controlled based only on the number of pulses, the second binding tooth 72 may advance beyond the planned position, or may stop before this planned position. In this case, a load is applied to the sheet stack T, which may cause the sheet stack T to break or may result in incomplete binding. In contrast, as in this embodiment, when the movement of the second binding tooth 72 is controlled taking into account the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902, the difference between the movement amount set by the setting unit 903 and the actual movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 becomes smaller, and the binding of the paper stack T can be performed more reliably.

[0198] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of another process that can be executed in this embodiment. In this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on the binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit 904 and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902.

[0199] In this process, first, the binding position information acquisition unit 904 acquires binding position information, which is information about the binding position in the paper-sheet bundle T, which is the binding position by the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 (step 201). Specifically, as described above, the binding position information acquisition unit 904 acquires, as binding position information, for example, information as to whether the binding position in the paper stack T is on the side of the paper stack T or on the corner of the paper stack T.

[0200] Next, the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on the binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit 904 and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902 (step 202). In this processing example as well, the tooth position detection unit 902 detects the movement direction position, which is the position of the second binding tooth 72 in the movement direction. The control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding teeth 72 based on the binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit 904 and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902.

[0201] For example, when the specific position, which is the position identified by the binding position information, is a corner of the rectangular stack of paper T, as shown in (A) of Figure 18 (a diagram explaining the binding position), the control unit 905 increases the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72 compared to when this specific position is other than this corner. More specifically, as shown in Figure 18 (A), when the specific position is a corner of the stack of recording media and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 that bind the corner are positioned so as to intersect with the side edge of the rectangular paper P, the control unit 905 increases the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72.

[0202] More specifically, in this case, the control unit 905 increases the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72 compared to when the specific position is a side edge and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are positioned along this side edge (see Figure 18 (B)). Then, the control unit 905 monitors the position of the second binding tooth 72 based on the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902, and controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 so that the second binding tooth 72 reaches the position specified by the movement amount after increasing the value.

[0203] In addition, as shown in Figure 18 (B), when the specific position is a side edge and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are arranged along this side edge, the control unit 905 reduces the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72. More specifically, the control unit 905 reduces the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72 compared to when the specific position is a corner of the stack of recording media and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 that bind the corner are positioned so as to intersect with the side edge of the rectangular paper P (see Figure 18 (A)). Then, the control unit 905 monitors the position of the second binding tooth 72 based on the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902, and controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 so that the second binding tooth 72 reaches the position specified by the movement amount after the value is reduced.

[0204] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 18 (B), when the specific position is a side edge and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are arranged along this side edge, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is, for example, left as the above-mentioned corrected movement amount. In contrast, as shown in Figure 18(A), when the specific position is a corner of a stack of recording media and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 that bind the corner are arranged in a relationship that intersects with the side edge of the rectangular paper P, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is made larger than the corrected movement amount.

[0205] Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 18(B), when the specific position is a side edge and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are arranged along this side edge, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is made smaller than the corrected movement amount. In contrast, as shown in Figure 18(A), when the specific position is a corner of a stack of recording media and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 that bind the corner are arranged in a relationship that intersects with the side edge of the rectangular paper P, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is set to the corrected movement amount.

[0206] 18(B), when the specific position is a side edge and the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 are arranged along the side edge, there is a high possibility that the extension direction of the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 will be aligned with the extension direction of the fibers that make up the paper sheet P. In this case, deformation of the paper sheet P is likely to occur when the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the paper sheet P. In this case, the load required to bind the paper-sheet bundle T is small, and in this embodiment, the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is reduced as described above, thereby reducing the load acting on the binding of the paper-sheet bundle T.

[0207] In contrast, when the specific position is a corner and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are arranged in a relationship that intersects with the side edge, the extension direction of the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 intersects with the extension direction of the fibers that make up the paper P. In this case, deformation of the paper-sheet bundle T when the first binding teeth 71 and the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the paper-sheet bundle T becomes less likely to occur, and a greater load is required to bind the paper-sheet bundle T.

[0208] Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, when the specific position is a corner of the paper stack T and the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 are arranged in a relationship that intersects with the side edge of the rectangular paper P, the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 is increased. As a result, in this case, the load acting on the sheet stack T increases, and the corners of the sheet stack T can be bound more reliably.

[0209] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of pressing the second binding teeth 72 against the first binding teeth 71. In this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 905 moves the second binding tooth 72 toward the first binding tooth 71 when there is no stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, and presses the second binding tooth 72 against the first binding tooth 71 (step 301). In other words, when there is no stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, the control unit 905 moves the second binding tooth 72 toward the first binding tooth 71 and presses the second binding tooth 72 against the first binding tooth 71.

[0210] Here, the state in which there is no stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 can be detected based on, for example, whether or not a job has been input, and if there is no job input, it is determined that there is no stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72. In addition, for example, a sensor may be provided to detect the presence or absence of a stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, and the presence or absence of a stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 may be determined based on the detection results of this sensor.

[0211] As in this embodiment, when the second binding tooth 72 is pressed against the first binding tooth 71 when there is no stack of paper T between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72, the posture of the second binding tooth 72 relative to the first binding tooth 71 is corrected. Here, if the posture of the second binding teeth 72 differs from the originally intended posture, it may result in a deterioration in the quality of binding. In contrast, as in this embodiment, by pressing the second binding tooth 72 against the first binding tooth 71 and correcting the posture of the second binding tooth 72, it is possible to bring the posture of the second binding tooth 72 closer to the originally intended posture, thereby preventing a decline in the quality of binding.

[0212] In this embodiment, first, when the image forming system 1 is newly installed and the image forming system 1 is started up for the first time, the second binding tooth 72 is moved toward the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is pressed against the first binding tooth 71. After that, the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the first binding teeth 71. Specifically, in this embodiment, for example, at the timing between the timing when the binding process is performed on one stack of paper T and the timing when the binding process is performed on another stack of paper T, the second binding tooth 72 is moved toward the first binding tooth 71 and pressed against the first binding tooth 71.

[0213] In this embodiment, the binding process is performed on the sheet stack T in order, and the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the first binding teeth 71 between the binding processes. The second binding tooth 72 can be pressed against the first binding tooth 71 at any time during the binding process, and may be performed at a specific time, such as when the power is turned on, or when instructed by the user.

[0214] Furthermore, the frequency with which the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the first binding teeth 71 may be constant or may be varied. In this embodiment, the frequency at which the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the first binding teeth 71 is set in advance, and the control unit 905 presses the second binding teeth 72 against the first binding teeth 71 based on this frequency. When the frequency is constant, the control unit 905 presses the second binding teeth 72 against the first binding teeth 71, for example, every time the number of binding processes, which is the number of times the binding process has been performed, reaches a predetermined number.

[0215] Furthermore, when changing the frequency of pressing the second binding teeth 72 against the first binding teeth 71, this frequency is changed according to the number of binding processes performed by the second binding device 52, for example. In other words, when the frequency of pressing the second binding teeth 72 against the first binding teeth 71 is changed, this frequency is changed according to the content of the processing by the second binding device 52.

[0216] Specifically, when changing the frequency of pressing the second binding teeth 72 against the first binding teeth 71, for example, this frequency is decreased in accordance with an increase in the number of binding processes by the second binding device 52. When the frequency is reduced in accordance with an increase in the number of binding processes, for example, a process of pressing the second binding tooth 72 against the first binding tooth 71 is performed for each predetermined number of binding processes (hereinafter referred to as "unit number") until the number of binding processes performed by the second binding processing device 52 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Then, when the number of times of binding processing by the second binding device 52 exceeds this predetermined threshold value, the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the first binding teeth 71 for each number of times greater than the unit number of times.

[0217] In the initial stage of use of the second binding processing device 52, the various parts of the device do not operate smoothly, which easily causes the posture of the second binding teeth 72 to become distorted relative to the first binding teeth 71. In this case, it is preferable to increase the frequency of pressing the second binding teeth 72 against the first binding teeth 71. On the other hand, as the usage time of the second binding processing device 52 increases, each part of the device tends to operate smoothly, and accordingly, the posture of the second binding teeth 72 relative to the first binding teeth 71 becomes stable. In this embodiment, when the posture of the second binding teeth 72 relative to the first binding teeth 71 becomes stable, the frequency with which the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the first binding teeth 71 decreases.

[0218] Additionally, the frequency may be changed taking into consideration the load on the second binding device 52. More specifically, for example, if the load on the second binding device 52 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the frequency may be increased. When the load on the second binding device 52 increases, the posture of the second binding teeth 72 relative to the first binding teeth 71 becomes more likely to be disturbed. More specifically, for example, assume that the binding process is repeatedly performed on a thick stack of sheets T containing a large number of sheets P. In this case, the load on the second binding device 52 increases, and as a result, the position of the second binding teeth 72 relative to the first binding teeth 71 becomes more likely to be disturbed.

[0219] In this case, if the frequency is increased, the chances of correcting the posture of the second binding teeth 72 relative to the first binding teeth 71 increase, and problems such as a decrease in binding quality become less likely to occur. Here, information about the load on the second binding processing device 52 is obtained, for example, by counting the number of binding processes for a paper stack T consisting of a number of sheets P exceeding a predetermined specific threshold, and if this number exceeds a predetermined specific threshold, the frequency is increased. This makes it possible to stabilize the posture of the second binding tooth 72 relative to the first binding tooth 71 even if a situation arises in which the posture of the second binding tooth 72 relative to the first binding tooth 71 is easily disturbed due to the load on the second binding device 52.

[0220] In this embodiment, as described above, when the teeth are pressed against each other without the paper stack T, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 acquires the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 (step 302). Specifically, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 acquires the movement amount of the second binding tooth 72 moving toward the first binding tooth 71, that is, the movement amount from when the second binding tooth 72 leaves the initial position until it reaches the first binding tooth 71. Specifically, the movement amount acquiring unit 906 acquires the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 based on information about the rotation amount of the rotating body 810 provided in the position detection sensor 800, as described above.

[0221] As described above, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 determines whether the second binding teeth 72 are pressed against the first binding teeth 71 by, for example, referring to the current value of the current supplied to the drive motor M. In addition, as described above, the movement amount acquisition unit 906 determines whether the second binding tooth 72 has been pressed against the first binding tooth 71 based on information about the rotation amount of the rotating body 810 output from the position detection sensor 800.

[0222] Thereafter, in this embodiment, the information change unit 907 changes the setting information, which is the information set for the second binding tooth 72, as necessary based on the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 (step 303). More specifically, the information changing unit 907 changes the setting information that is set for the second binding teeth 72 and that affects the amount of movement of the second binding teeth 72. More specifically, the information changing unit 907 changes the above-mentioned initial reference movement amount as necessary based on the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquiring unit 906, and generates the above-mentioned corrected movement amount.

[0223] The information change unit 907 changes the initial reference movement amount, which is the setting information regarding the movement amount when the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the paper stack T, based on the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906, and generates the above-mentioned corrected movement amount. In other words, the information change unit 907 changes the amount of movement of the second binding teeth 72 when they move toward the paper stack T in this case.

[0224] In this embodiment, as described above, an initial reference movement amount is set, and this initial reference movement amount is registered in the information storage device 202 as setting information. The information changing unit 907 changes this initial reference movement amount based on the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquiring unit 906, and generates the above-mentioned corrected movement amount. Then, the information changing unit 907 registers this generated corrected movement amount in the information storage device 202.

[0225] During the binding process, the control unit 905 controls the movement of the second binding tooth 72 based on this corrected movement amount (new setting information after the change) registered in the information storage device 202 and based on the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit 902, and moves the second binding tooth 72 to the advance position specified by this corrected movement amount. In this case, the second binding teeth 72 moves to the advanced position specified by the new setting information after the change.

[0226] For example, if the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is smaller than a first threshold value, which is a predetermined value, the information change unit 907 changes the setting information (initial standard movement amount) so that the movement amount when the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the paper stack T becomes smaller. In addition, if the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is greater than a second threshold value (>first threshold value), which is a predetermined value, the information change unit 907 changes the setting information (initial standard movement amount) so that the movement amount when the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the paper stack T becomes larger.

[0227] As a result, in this embodiment, even if the size of the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is larger or smaller than the originally intended size, the second binding tooth 72 moves to the originally intended advanced position. In this processing example, two values ​​are set as the object of comparison with the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906, such as the first threshold value and the second threshold value described above, but this value (reference value) to be compared may also be a single common value.

[0228] In this case, if the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 (hereinafter referred to as the "acquired movement amount") is smaller than this common value (reference value), the setting information (initial reference movement amount) is changed so that the movement amount when the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the paper stack T becomes smaller. Specifically, in this case, the information change unit 907, for example, subtracts the acquired movement amount from the reference value to obtain a subtraction value, and then subtracts this subtraction value from the original reference movement amount, and the value obtained thereby is used as the above-mentioned corrected movement amount.

[0229] Furthermore, if the acquired movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is greater than this common value (reference value), the setting information (initial reference movement amount) is changed so that the movement amount when the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the paper stack T becomes greater. Specifically, in this case, the information change unit 907, for example, subtracts a reference value from the acquired movement amount to obtain a subtraction value, and then adds this subtraction value to the original reference movement amount, and the value obtained thereby is used as the above-mentioned corrected movement amount.

[0230] Here, the setting information set for the second binding tooth 72 that affects the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72 includes, as described above, the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72 itself. Furthermore, other setting information that is set for the second binding teeth 72 and that affects the amount of movement of the second binding teeth 72 includes, for example, the movement time of the second binding teeth 72. The movement of the second binding teeth 72 can also be controlled based on the movement time of the second binding teeth 72, and by changing the movement time of the second binding teeth 72, the advance position of the second binding teeth 72 can be changed.

[0231] In addition, other setting information set for the second binding tooth 72 that affects the amount of movement of the second binding tooth 72 includes, for example, the value of the current supplied to the drive motor M, the supply time of this current, the value of the voltage applied to the drive motor M, and the application time of this voltage. By changing these values, the movement amount of the second binding teeth 72 is also changed, and the advance position of the second binding teeth 72 changes.

[0232] In this embodiment, a position change unit 908 (see FIG. 14) is provided, and the position change unit 908 may change the initial position based on the amount of movement acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906. In other words, when the gap between the first binding tooth 71 and the second binding tooth 72 is large or small, the initial position may be changed, and the advanced position of the second binding tooth 72 may be changed.

[0233] In this embodiment, if the setting information is not changed by the information change unit 907, when the second binding tooth 72 binds the stack of paper T, the second binding tooth 72 moves from a predetermined initial position toward the stack of paper T by an amount determined by the initial reference movement amount. In this case, the initial position may be changed based on the amount of movement acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 .

[0234] Specifically, if the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is smaller than a predetermined first threshold value, the initial position is changed so that the initial position moves in a direction away from the first binding tooth 71. Furthermore, if the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is greater than a predetermined second threshold (>first threshold), the initial position is changed so that the initial position moves in a direction approaching the first binding tooth 71.

[0235] More specifically, if the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is smaller than a predetermined first threshold value, the initial position is changed, for example, by moving the initial position sensor 850 in a direction away from the first binding tooth 71. Furthermore, if the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906 is greater than a predetermined second threshold (>first threshold), the initial position is changed, for example, by moving the initial position sensor 850 in a direction approaching the first binding tooth 71. In this case too, two values ​​are set as the first threshold and the second threshold to be compared with the movement amount acquired by the movement amount acquisition unit 906, but this value (threshold) to be compared may also be a single common value, as described above.

[0236] In this way, by moving the initial position sensor 850 in either a direction away from or a direction approaching the first binding tooth 71, the initial position can be changed. In this embodiment, the initial position sensor 850 is provided in a fixed state, but if the initial position sensor 850 is to be moved, a movement mechanism for moving the initial position sensor 850 is provided. Then, the position change unit 908 sends a control signal to this movement mechanism to move the initial position sensor 850. This changes the starting point when the second binding tooth 72 moves toward the first binding tooth 71, and accordingly, the advance position of the second binding tooth 72 also changes.

[0237] Alternatively, for example, multiple initial position sensors 850 may be arranged in the direction of movement of the second binding tooth 72, and the initial position may be changed by changing the initial position sensor 850 that stops the second binding tooth 72. Alternatively, a linear encoder extending along the movement direction of the second binding teeth 72 may be provided to change the initial position. When a linear encoder is provided, the second binding teeth 72 can be stopped at any position, and the initial position can be changed by changing the stop position of the second binding teeth 72.

[0238] Furthermore, the configurations described above are not limited to the above-described embodiments and their modifications, and can be modified within the scope of the spirit of the invention. In other words, it is understood that various modifications of the form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. For example, some of the components described above may be omitted, or other functions may be added to the components described above. Furthermore, although multiple embodiments have been described above, the configuration included in one embodiment may be interchanged with the configuration included in another embodiment, or the configuration included in one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0239] 3...paper processing device, 71...first binding tooth, 72...second binding tooth, 562...rotating gear, 810...rotating body, 901...paper stack information acquisition unit, 902...tooth position detection unit, 903...setting unit, 904...binding position information acquisition unit, 905...control unit, 906...movement amount acquisition unit, 907...information change unit, 908...position change unit, M...drive motor, T...paper stack

Claims

1. a first tooth used in binding a stack of recording media; a second tooth that moves toward the first tooth and presses the stack of recording media located between the first tooth and the second tooth; a binding position information acquisition unit that acquires binding position information, which is information about a binding position in the recording medium bundle, the binding position being determined by the first tooth and the second tooth; a tooth position detection unit that detects a movement direction position of the second tooth in the movement direction; a control unit that controls movement of the second teeth based on the binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit; Equipped with a movement amount of the second tooth is set in advance for each piece of binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit, the control unit controls the movement of the second teeth based on the movement amount of the second teeth associated with the binding position information acquired by the binding position information acquisition unit and the movement direction position detected by the tooth position detection unit. Recording medium processing device.

2. a setting is made in advance so that the movement amount of the second tooth when the specific position, which is a position specified by the binding position information, is a corner of the recording medium bundle formed in a rectangular shape is larger than the movement amount of the second tooth when the specific position is other than the corner, 2. The recording medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases the movement amount of the second tooth when the specific position, which is a position identified by the binding position information, is a corner of the stack of recording media formed in a rectangular shape, compared to when the specific position is other than the corner.

3. 3. The recording medium processing device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit increases the amount of movement of the second tooth when the specific position is a corner of the stack of recording media and the first tooth and the second tooth that bind the corner are arranged in a relationship that intersects with a side edge of the rectangular stack of recording media compared to when the specific position is the side edge and the first tooth and the second tooth are arranged along the side edge.

4. An image forming system comprising an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium, and a recording medium processing device that performs a binding process on a stack of recording media consisting of multiple recording media on which images have been formed by the image forming device, wherein the recording medium processing device is configured by the recording medium processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images