Post-processing equipment

Abstract

To provide a post-processing device suppressed in the alignment deviation of a medium placed on a processing tray.SOLUTION: In a post-processing device, after a new transportation medium is placed on a processing tray as the upper-most medium in a state of one or multiple existing placed media placed already, when the transportation medium is transported by a transportation part, at least one existing placed medium placed on the processing tray is pressed to a pressing part at a pressing position, and after the transportation part is separated from the transportation medium, the pressing part can be moved from the pressing part to a retreated part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a post-processing device that aligns the downstream end of a medium in the conveyance direction by conveying the medium placed on a processing tray.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a post-processing device including a processing tray on which a recorded medium can be placed, a conveyance unit that can convey the medium placed on the processing tray in the conveyance direction, and an alignment unit that aligns the downstream end of the medium in the conveyance direction.

[0003] In such a post-processing device, when the conveyance unit rotates while in contact with the uppermost layer of the medium placed on the processing tray, as a result, the uppermost layer of the medium is conveyed in the conveyance direction, and the downstream end of the uppermost layer of the medium abuts against the alignment unit. Thereby, the post-processing device can align the downstream end of the medium placed on the processing tray in the conveyance direction. In particular, for example, as in Patent Document 1, a conveyance unit provided with paddle blades having high friction is employed, and the conveyance force to the medium in the conveyance direction can be increased.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in such a post-processing device, when a conveyance medium newly placed on the processing tray is conveyed in the conveyance direction by the conveyance unit in a state where a medium is already placed on the processing tray, misalignment may occur after the conveyance unit separates from the conveyance medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A post-processing device that solves the above problems comprises: a processing tray configured to place a recorded medium on it; a transport unit that can transport the uppermost medium placed on the processing tray in the transport direction by contacting the upper surface of the uppermost medium placed on the processing tray; an alignment unit that can align the downstream end of the medium placed on the processing tray in the transport direction; a pressing unit that can press the medium placed on the processing tray toward the processing tray; and a control unit that can control the operation of the pressing unit, wherein the pressing unit presses the medium placed on the processing tray toward the processing tray The control unit is movable between a pressing position for pressing and a retraction position for releasing pressure on the medium placed on the processing tray. When a new transport medium is placed as the uppermost medium while one or more previously placed media are already placed on the processing tray, and the transport unit transports the transport medium, the control unit causes at least one of the previously placed media on the processing tray to be pressed by the pressing unit at the pressing position, and after the transport unit separates from the transport medium, the pressing unit is movable from the pressing position to the retraction position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view showing a recording system equipped with a post-processing device. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged view of Figure 1, showing the post-processing device. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the pressing mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the pressing mechanism. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the pressing mechanism. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the alignment control process. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the type of media and the standard number of copies. [Figure 8] This is a timing chart showing the operation of the conveying unit and the pressing unit. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing the media placed on the processing tray. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram showing the media placed on the processing tray. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing the media placed on the processing tray. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing the media placed on the processing tray. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram showing the media placed on the processing tray. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram showing the media placed on the processing tray. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram showing the media placed on the processing tray. [Figure 16] This is a schematic diagram showing the media placed on the processing tray. [Figure 17] This is a flowchart showing the alignment control process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [First Embodiment] The following describes one embodiment of a recording system equipped with a post-processing device. The recording system performs, for example, a recording operation to record on a medium and a post-processing operation to perform post-processing on the recorded medium.

[0009] <Recording System Configuration> As shown in Figure 1, the recording system 11 includes a recording device 13 that records onto a medium 12. The recording system 11 also includes a post-processing device 14. The post-processing device 14 performs post-processing on the medium 12 recorded by the recording device 13. The recording system 11 may also include an intermediate device 15. The intermediate device 15 is positioned between the recording device 13 and the post-processing device 14. The intermediate device 15 transports the medium 12 recorded by the recording device 13 to the post-processing device 14.

[0010] The recording system 11 includes a conveyance path 16. The conveyance path 16 is a path that continues from the recording device 13 through the intermediate device 15 to the inside of the post-processing device 14. The recording system 11 includes a plurality of conveyance roller pairs. The plurality of conveyance roller pairs convey the medium 12 along the conveyance path 16. At least one or more conveyance roller pairs are provided, for example, in each of the recording device 13, the intermediate device 15, and the post-processing device 14. In this embodiment, the width direction of the medium 12 is indicated as the width direction X. Also, in this embodiment, for ease of understanding of the invention, the medium 12 is illustrated in a state where the interval between the media 12 is sufficiently widened.

[0011] <Configuration of the recording device 13> The recording device 13 is configured to perform recording on the medium 12. The recording device 13 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer, but it may also be a laser printer. An inkjet printer is a printer that records an image on the medium 12 by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the medium 12. A laser printer is a printer that records an image on the medium 12 by attaching toner to the medium 12 using laser light. The image includes photographs, patterns, characters, symbols, marks, lines, and tables, etc.

[0012] The recording device 13 includes a cassette 20. The cassette 20 stores the media 12 in a stacked state. The cassette 20 is detachably provided in the recording device 13. A plurality of cassettes 20 may be provided.

[0013] The recording device 13 includes a paper feeding mechanism 21. The paper feeding mechanism 21 is configured to feed the medium 12 to the recording unit 27. The paper feeding mechanism 21 sends out the medium 12 stored in the cassette 20 to the conveyance path 16. The paper feeding mechanism 21 may include a pickup roller 22 and a separation roller 23. The pickup roller 22 sends out the uppermost medium 12 among the media 12 stored in the cassette 20. The separation roller 23 separates the medium 12 sent out by the pickup roller 22 one by one.

[0014] The recording device 13 includes a transport mechanism 24. The transport mechanism 24 transports the medium 12 fed by the paper feeding mechanism 21 along a transport path 16. The transport mechanism 24 is configured to transport the medium 12 recorded by the recording unit 27. The transport mechanism 24 includes a plurality of first transport roller pairs 25. The plurality of first transport roller pairs 25 are transport roller pairs provided in the recording device 13. The plurality of first transport roller pairs 25 are arranged along the transport path 16. In Figure 1, one of the plurality of first transport roller pairs 25 is typically shown. The plurality of first transport roller pairs 25 transport the medium 12 sent from the cassette 20 along the transport path 16 in the recording device 13.

[0015] The recording device 13 includes a support section 26. The support section 26 is located along the transport path 16. The support section 26 supports the medium 12. The recording device 13 includes a recording unit 27. The recording unit 27 is configured to record on the medium 12. The recording unit 27 is located opposite the support unit 26 across the transport path 16. The recording unit 27 includes a liquid discharge head 28. The liquid discharge head 28 includes a plurality of nozzles 29 for discharging liquid. The liquid discharge head 28 records on the medium 12 by discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles 29 toward the medium 12 supported by the support unit 26.

[0016] The liquid discharge head 28 of this embodiment is a line head equipped with, for example, a plurality of nozzles 29 arranged at a constant pitch in the width direction X, and capable of simultaneously discharging liquid over the width of the medium 12. Alternatively, the liquid discharge head 28 may be a serial head mounted on a carriage that reciprocates in the width direction X, discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles 29 while moving together with the carriage.

[0017] The recording device 13 includes a mounting tray 30. The mounting tray 30 is on which the medium 12 discharged from inside the recording device 13 is placed. The recording device 13 includes a first discharge path 31, a switchback path 32, an inversion path 33, and a second discharge path 34 as part of the transport path 16. The first discharge path 31 is the path through which the medium 12 is discharged. The medium 12 discharged from the first discharge path 31 is placed on the mounting tray 30. The switchback path 32 is the path through which the medium 12 is transported in a switchback manner. The inversion path 33 is the path through which the front and back sides of the medium 12 are inverted. The second discharge path 34 is the path through which the medium 12 is discharged. The medium 12 discharged from the second discharge path 34 is transported to the intermediate device 15. Thus, the medium 12 recorded by the liquid discharge head 28 is discharged to the mounting tray 30 via the first discharge path 31, or transported to the intermediate device 15 via the second discharge path 34.

[0018] When double-sided recording is performed, the medium 12, which has been recorded on one side, is transported to the switchback path 32 and then switched back on the switchback path 32. As a result, the medium 12, which has been recorded on one side, is transported from the switchback path 32 to the inversion path 33. The medium 12, which has been inverted on the inversion path 33, is transported again to the liquid discharge head 28, and then recorded on the side opposite to the side that has already been recorded on by the liquid discharge head 28. In this way, the recording device 13 performs double-sided recording on the medium 12.

[0019] The recording device 13 includes a recording control unit 35. The recording control unit 35 may comprehensively control the driving of each mechanism in the recording device 13 and control various operations performed by the recording device 13. The recording control unit 35 may include one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as application-specific integrated circuits that execute at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory. The memory is RAM and ROM, etc., and stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processing. Memory, or computer-readable media, includes any readable media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0020] The recording control unit 35 can communicate with the intermediate device 15 via a communication unit (not shown). The recording control unit 35 can communicate with the post-processing device 14 via a communication unit (not shown). In this embodiment, when a recording command involving post-processing is input, the recording control unit 35 can transmit post-processing information related to the post-processing to the post-processing device 14.

[0021] The post-processing information includes media type information. The media type information is information that can identify the type of media 12 after recording, which is stored by the recording unit 27. The post-processing information also includes processing count information. The processing count information is information that can identify the number of media to be processed. The processing count is the number of media in the unit of post-processing. In this way, the recording control unit 35 is configured to perform control at least regarding recording to the media 12.

[0022] <Configuration of Intermediate Device 15> The intermediate device 15 is a device that discharges the recorded medium 12, which has been fed in from the recording device 13, to the post-processing device 14. The intermediate device 15 may also include an inversion processing unit 40. The inversion processing unit 40 inverts the fed-in medium 12.

[0023] The reversal processing unit 40 may include a first introduction path 41, a first switchback path 42, a second switchback path 43, a first merging path 44, a second merging path 45, and an output path 46 as part of the transport path 16.

[0024] The reversal processing unit 40 may include a plurality of second conveyor roller pairs 47. The plurality of second conveyor roller pairs 47 are conveyor roller pairs provided in the intermediate device 15. The plurality of second conveyor roller pairs 47 are arranged along the conveyor path 16. In Figure 1, one of the plurality of second conveyor roller pairs 47 is shown as a representative example.

[0025] The reversal processing unit 40 may include a flap 48. The flap 48 guides the medium 12 to either the first switchback path 42 or the second switchback path 43 at the branching point where the first introduction path 41 branches into the first switchback path 42 and the second switchback path 43. In this way, the flap 48 switches the destination of the medium 12 being transported from the first introduction path 41 between the first switchback path 42 and the second switchback path 43.

[0026] The medium 12 transported to the first switchback path 42 is reversed at the first merging path 44 by switching back at the first switchback path 42, and then transported to the output path 46. On the other hand, the medium 12 transported from the first introduction path 41 to the second switchback path 43 is reversed at the second merging path 45 by switching back at the second switchback path 43, and then transported to the output path 46. The intermediate device 15 can, for example, alternately transport the medium 12 to the first switchback path 42 and the second switchback path 43.

[0027] <Configuration of the post-processing device 14> The post-processing device 14 is a device that performs post-processing on the recorded medium 12 that has been brought in from the intermediate device 15. In other words, the post-processing device 14 is configured to accept the medium 12 recorded by the recording device 13 and to perform post-processing on the accepted medium 12.

[0028] The post-processing device 14 includes a receiving section 50. The receiving section 50 is provided in the transport path 16. The receiving section 50 is configured to receive the medium 12 that is transported from the intermediate device 15. In this way, the receiving section 50 can receive the medium 12 recorded by the recording device 13.

[0029] The post-processing device 14 may include a third transport roller pair 51. The third transport roller pair 51 is a transport roller pair provided in the post-processing device 14. The third transport roller pair 51 is arranged along the transport path 16. The third transport roller pair 51 is configured to transport the recorded medium 12 received by the receiving unit 50.

[0030] The post-processing device 14 may include a fourth conveyor roller pair 52. The fourth conveyor roller pair 52 is a pair of conveyor rollers provided in the post-processing device 14. The fourth conveyor roller pair 52 is provided at the end of the conveyor path 16.

[0031] The post-processing device 14 includes a sensor 53. The sensor 53 is positioned between the third transport roller pair 51 and the fourth transport roller pair 52 in the transport path 16. In other words, the sensor 53 is positioned upstream of the fourth transport roller pair 52. The sensor 53 detects the leading and trailing ends of the transported medium 12.

[0032] In this embodiment, the post-processing device 14 transports the medium 12 at a predetermined transport speed along the transport path 16 within the post-processing device 14. In this embodiment, when the rear end of the medium 12 passes the fourth transport roller pair 52, the medium 12 falls from the fourth transport roller pair 52.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the post-processing device 14 may include a processing tray 54. The processing tray 54 is a tray on which the medium 12 conveyed by the third transport roller pair 51 and the fourth transport roller pair 52 is placed. In other words, the processing tray 54 is a tray on which the medium 12 recorded by the recording unit 27 of the recording device 13 is placed. The processing tray 54 is also capable of holding medium 12 to be processed.

[0034] The processing tray 54 is located below the fourth transport roller pair 52. The processing tray 54 receives the medium 12 that falls from the fourth transport roller pair 52. This places the medium 12 on the processing tray 54. At this time, the medium 12 may be placed on the processing tray 54 such that the leading edge of the medium 12 protrudes from the processing tray 54. In this embodiment, the processing tray 54 may be made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the medium 12 on which it is placed.

[0035] The processing tray 54 includes a mounting surface 55. The mounting surface 55 is the surface on which the medium 12 is placed. The mounting surface 55 includes a first mounting end 56 and a second mounting end 57 opposite to the first mounting end 56. The mounting surface 55 is inclined to extend upward from the first mounting end 56 toward the second mounting end 57. That is, the first mounting end 56 is located below the second mounting end 57.

[0036] The post-processing device 14 includes a first alignment section 58. The first alignment section 58 is connected to the first mounting end 56 of the processing tray 54. The first alignment section 58 has a surface against which the rear end of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54 abuts. In this embodiment, the mounting surface 55 is inclined to extend upward from the first mounting end 56 to the second mounting end 57. Also, the processing tray 54 has a lower coefficient of friction than the media 12 on which it is placed. Therefore, the media 12 placed on the mounting surface 55 is prone to sliding towards the first alignment section 58 due to gravity, and the rear end of the media 12 is prone to abutting against the first alignment section 58. When the rear end of the media 12 abuts against the first alignment section 58, the rear end of the media 12 is aligned with respect to the first alignment section 58. In particular, if multiple media 12 placed on the tray are of the same size, the front ends of the media 12 are also aligned by aligning the rear ends of the media 12. Thus, the first alignment unit 58 is an example of an alignment unit capable of aligning the rear end of the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0037] The post-processing device 14 may include a pair of second alignment sections 59 arranged in the width direction X. The second alignment sections 59 may be, for example, edge guides. The pair of second alignment sections 59 are provided on the processing tray 54. The pair of second alignment sections 59 are configured to be movable in the width direction X. By moving, the pair of second alignment sections 59 can widen or narrow their spacing. The pair of second alignment sections 59 align the edges of the medium 12 by contacting the edges of the medium 12 placed on the mounting surface 55. The edges of the medium 12 are the two edges of the rectangular medium 12 excluding the front and rear ends. In this way, the pair of second alignment sections 59 can align the edges of the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0038] The post-processing device 14 includes a transport unit 60. As will be described in detail later, the transport unit 60 is configured to transport the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 toward the first matching unit 58. The transport unit 60 may also include a first paddle 61 and a second paddle 62. Hereafter in this embodiment, the direction in which the medium 12 on the processing tray 54 is transported by the transport unit 60 will be indicated as the transport direction Y1, and the direction opposite to the transport direction Y1 will be indicated as the opposite direction Y2.

[0039] The post-processing device 14 includes a first conveyor motor 63A and a second conveyor motor 63B. The first conveyor motor 63A is a drive source for rotating the first paddle 61. The second conveyor motor 63B is a drive source for rotating the second paddle 62. Hereafter, the first conveyor motor 63A and the second conveyor motor 63B may be collectively referred to as the conveyor motor 63.

[0040] The post-processing device 14 includes a pressing unit 64. As will be described in detail later, the pressing unit 64 is configured to press the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54 toward the mounting surface 55 of the processing tray 54. In particular, when media 12 is already placed on the processing tray 54 and a new layer of media 12 is placed as the top layer, the pressing unit 64 can press the top surface of the already placed top layer of media 12 toward the processing tray 54. In this case, the pressing unit 64 is positioned between the top surface of the already placed top layer of media 12 and the bottom surface of the newly placed media 12. As a result, the pressing unit 64 presses the media 12 already placed on the processing tray 54 toward the processing tray 54 and makes contact with the bottom surface of the newly placed media 12.

[0041] Thereafter, if one or more media 12 are already placed on the processing tray 54, and a new media 12 is placed as the top layer, and then that new media 12 is transported by the transport unit 60, the transported media 12 may be referred to as transported media 12A. In this case, each of the one or more media 12 already placed on the processing tray 54 may be referred to as previously placed media 12B.

[0042] The post-processing device 14 includes a first pressing motor 65A and a second pressing motor 65B. As will be described in detail later, the first pressing motor 65A and the second pressing motor 65B are drive sources for moving the pressing unit 64. Hereafter, the first pressing motor 65A and the second pressing motor 65B may be collectively referred to as the pressing motor 65.

[0043] The post-processing device 14 includes a post-processing unit 66. The post-processing unit 66 is configured to perform post-processing on the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54. In other words, the post-processing unit 66 is configured to perform post-processing on the media 12 received by the receiving unit 50. Post-processing may be, for example, a binding process to bind multiple media 12 together, but may also be a perforation process, a folding process, a shifting process, a bar stacking process, etc. Perforation is a process of perforating one or more media 12. Folding is a process of folding the media 12. Shifting is a process of shifting the position of the media 12 in units and discharging them. Bar stacking is a process of discharging the media 12 in units without shifting their position.

[0044] The post-processing device 14 may include a discharge unit 67. The discharge unit 67 includes, for example, a discharge drive roller 68 and a discharge driven roller 69. The discharge drive roller 68 contacts the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 from below. The discharge driven roller 69 is located above the discharge drive roller 68. In this embodiment, the discharge driven roller 69 is configured to be movable. The discharge driven roller 69 approaches the discharge drive roller 68 and moves away from it. By approaching the discharge drive roller 68, the discharge driven roller 69 contacts the medium 12. At this time, the discharge driven roller 69 contacts the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 from above.

[0045] The discharge unit 67 discharges the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 by having the discharge drive roller 68 and the discharge driven roller 69 sandwich the medium 12, and then rotating the discharge drive roller 68. In this way, the discharge unit 67 discharges the post-processed medium 12 from the processing tray 54.

[0046] The post-processing device 14 may include a guide section 70, a pair of support members 71, and a discharge stacker 72. The guide section 70 is provided, for example, in the shape of a plate. The guide section 70 contacts the medium 12 discharged by the discharge section 67, thereby suppressing the upward displacement of the medium 12.

[0047] The pair of support members 71 are located below the guide section 70. The pair of support members 71 are aligned in the width direction X. The pair of support members 71 temporarily support the medium 12 discharged by the discharge section 67. The pair of support members 71 support the medium 12 by contacting the side end portion of the medium 12. The pair of support members 71 are configured to be movable in the width direction X. That is, the pair of support members 71 can widen or narrow their distance from each other. The pair of support members 71 support the side end portion of the medium 12 by adjusting their distance from each other to match the width of the medium 12. The pair of support members 71 cause the supported medium 12 to fall by widening their distance from each other while supporting the medium 12. The pair of support members 71 may support the leading edge of the medium 12 not only when the medium 12 is discharged from the processing tray 54 by the discharge section 67, but also when the medium 12 falls from the fourth transport roller pair 52 into the processing tray 54.

[0048] The discharge stacker 72 is located below the pair of support members 71. The medium 12 that falls from the pair of support members 71 is placed on the discharge stacker 72. The discharge stacker 72 may be raised or lowered depending on the amount of medium 12 placed on it.

[0049] The post-processing device 14 includes a post-processing control unit 80. The post-processing control unit 80 may comprehensively control the driving of each mechanism in the post-processing device 14 and control various operations performed by the post-processing device 14. The post-processing control unit 80 may include one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as application-specific integrated circuits that execute at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory. The memory is RAM and ROM, etc., and stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute the processes. Memory, or computer-readable media, includes any readable media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0050] In particular, the post-processing control unit 80 can communicate with the recording device 13 via a communication unit (not shown). The post-processing control unit 80 can detect the leading and trailing ends of the transported medium 12 based on signals from the sensor 53. The post-processing control unit 80 can rotate the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 by driving the transport motor 63. The post-processing control unit 80 can move the pressing unit 64 by driving the pressing motor 65. In other words, the post-processing control unit 80 can control the operation of the pressing unit 64. The post-processing control unit 80 can cause the post-processing unit 66 to perform post-processing. Thus, the post-processing control unit 80, which is an example of a control unit, can control the post-processing device 14 and can perform at least control related to post-processing.

[0051] <Configuration of the transport unit 60> Here, we will explain the configuration of the transport unit 60 in detail. The first paddle 61 of the conveying unit 60 is located, for example, above the processing tray 54. The first paddle 61 comprises a first paddle rotating body 61A, a first blade 61B, and a first paddle rotation shaft 61C. The first paddle rotating body 61A is supported by the first paddle rotation shaft 61C. The first paddle rotating body 61A rotates around the first paddle rotation shaft 61C. The first paddle rotating body 61A rotates in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 2. The first paddle rotation shaft 61C extends in the width direction X.

[0052] The first blade 61B extends outward from the first paddle rotating body 61A. One or more first blades 61B are provided. In this embodiment, three first blades 61B are provided, but this is not limited to them. The first blades 61B are made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. The first blades 61B are provided in a plate shape, for example.

[0053] The tip of the first blade 61B can contact the upper surface of the transport medium 12A placed on the processing tray 54, depending on the angle of the first paddle rotating body 61A. In particular, when multiple media 12 are placed on the processing tray 54, the tip of the first blade 61B can contact the upper surface of the uppermost transport medium 12A among the multiple media 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0054] As the first paddle rotating body 61A rotates with the tip of the first blade 61B in contact with the upper surface of the conveying medium 12A placed on the processing tray 54, the first blade 61B bends. The reaction force of this bending generates a frictional force between the tip of the first blade 61B and the upper surface of the conveying medium 12A. The first paddle 61 conveys the conveying medium 12A in the conveying direction Y1 by the frictional force between the tip of the first blade 61B and the upper surface of the conveying medium 12A. In other words, the first paddle 61 comes into contact with the conveying medium 12A on the processing tray 54 by rotating and conveys the conveying medium 12A toward the first alignment unit 58.

[0055] Furthermore, depending on the angle of the first paddle rotating body 61A, the tip of the first blade 61B can be separated from the upper surface of the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 without coming into contact with it.

[0056] As the first paddle rotating body 61A rotates, the tip of the first blade 61B moves away from contact with the upper surface of the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54, and the medium 12 is released from the reaction force caused by the curvature of the first blade 61B. In this case, the first blade 61B also changes from a curved state to an uncurved state.

[0057] The second paddle 62 of the transport unit 60 is located, for example, above the processing tray 54. The second paddle 62 is positioned closer to the first alignment unit 58 than the first paddle 61. The second paddle 62 comprises a second paddle rotating body 62A, a second blade 62B, and a second paddle rotating shaft 62C. The second paddle 62 is smaller in size than the first paddle 61, but has a similar configuration. For this reason, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, a description of the second paddle 62 will be omitted. The second paddle 62 rotates to contact the transport medium 12A on the processing tray 54, and transports the transport medium 12A toward the first alignment unit 58. Furthermore, the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 are configured to contact the medium 12 on the processing tray 54 at the same time and to separate from the medium 12 on the processing tray 54 at the same time. Furthermore, during one rotation, the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 have their first blades 61B and second blades 62B come into contact with the medium 12 once and then separate once.

[0058] In this manner, the transport unit 60 rotates while in contact with the upper surface of the uppermost transport medium 12A placed on the processing tray 54, thereby enabling the uppermost transport medium 12A placed on the processing tray 54 to be transported in the transport direction Y1. In this embodiment, the rear end of the medium 12 is an example of the downstream end of the medium 12 in the transport direction Y1.

[0059] <Configuration of the pressing section 64> Next, the configuration of the pressing section 64 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figures 3 to 5 show the processing tray 54 viewed from the opposite direction Y2. In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 55 of the processing tray 54 and perpendicular to the transport direction Y1 and the opposite direction Y2 is shown as the vertical direction Z. Also, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the first alignment section 58 and the second paddle 62 are omitted from the illustration.

[0060] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the pressing portion 64 may include a first pressing portion 81 and a second pressing portion 82. The first pressing portion 81 and the second pressing portion 82 are a pair of members configured to press both ends of the already placed medium 12B toward the processing tray 54, respectively.

[0061] The first pressing portion 81 may be in the form of a sheet having a first surface 81A and a second surface 81B. The first pressing portion 81 may be made of an elastic material, such as a bendable resin sheet. The first pressing portion 81 has a lower coefficient of friction than the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54. The first surface 81A has a higher coefficient of friction than the second surface 81B. The first pressing portion 81 comprises a first base end 81C and a first tip end 81D opposite to the first base end 81C.

[0062] The post-processing device 14 may include a first rotating shaft 83A. The first rotating shaft 83A is fixed to the first base end 81C. The first rotating shaft 83A is rotatably mounted on one of the pair of second matching parts 59. Thus, the first pressing part 81 is configured to be rotatable around the first rotating shaft 83A fixed to the first base end 81C. In particular, the first pressing part 81 is configured to be rotatable clockwise in Figures 3 to 5. The first pressing part 81 is movable in the width direction X as the second matching part 59 to which the first rotating shaft 83A is mounted moves in the width direction X.

[0063] The second pressing portion 82 may be in the form of a sheet having a first surface 82A and a second surface 82B. The second pressing portion 82 may be made of an elastic material, such as a bendable resin sheet. The second pressing portion 82 has a lower coefficient of friction than the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54. The first surface 82A has a higher coefficient of friction than the second surface 82B. The second pressing portion 82 includes a second base end 82C and a second tip end 82D opposite to the second base end 82C.

[0064] The post-processing device 14 may include a second rotating shaft 83B. The second rotating shaft 83B is fixed to the second base end 82C. The second rotating shaft 83B is rotatably mounted on the other of the pair of second matching parts 59. Thus, the second pressing part 82 is configured to be rotatable around the second rotating shaft 83B fixed to the second base end 82C. In particular, the second pressing part 82 is configured to be rotatable counterclockwise in Figures 3 to 5. The second pressing part 82 is movable in the width direction X as the second matching part 59 to which the second rotating shaft 83B is mounted moves in the width direction X.

[0065] As shown in Figure 3, the pressing part 64 can be moved to a retracted position by the drive of the pressing motor 65. The retracted position is the position where the phases of the first rotation axis 83A and the second rotation axis 83B are at the first phase θ1 with respect to the vertical direction Z. The retracted position is the position where the pressing part 64 does not come into contact with the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54. Thus, the retracted position is the position where the pressure on the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 is released.

[0066] As shown in Figure 4, the pressing part 64 is movable to a second pressing position. The second pressing position is the position where the phases of the first rotation axis 83A and the second rotation axis 83B are in the third phase θ3 with respect to the vertical direction Z. The first pressing part 81 moves from the retracted position to the second pressing position by rotating clockwise in Figures 3 to 5. The second pressing part 82 moves from the retracted position to the second pressing position by rotating counterclockwise in Figures 3 to 5.

[0067] In this case, when the pressing portion 64 moves from the retracted position to the second pressing position, the first tip portion 81D and the second tip portion 82D come into contact with the previously placed medium 12B on the processing tray 54, and then the pressing portion curves so that the first surfaces 81A and 82A come into contact with the upper surface of the previously placed medium 12B. Thus, the second pressing position is the position for pressing the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, the pressing part 64 is movable to a first pressing position. The first pressing position is the position that presses the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54. The first position is the position where the phases of the first rotation axis 83A and the second rotation axis 83B are at the second phase θ2 with respect to the vertical direction Z. The first pressing part 81 moves from the retracted position to the first pressing position by rotating clockwise in Figures 3 to 5. The second pressing part 82 moves from the retracted position to the first pressing position by rotating counterclockwise in Figures 3 to 5.

[0069] In this case, when the pressing portion 64 moves from the retracted position to the second pressing position, the first tip portion 81D and the second tip portion 82D come into contact with the previously placed medium 12B on the processing tray 54, and then the pressing portion curves so that the first surfaces 81A and 82A come into contact with the upper surface of the previously placed medium 12B. Thus, the first pressing position is the position for pressing the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0070] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first pressing position is a position where the curvature of the pressing portion 64 is large, and the pressing portion 64 is curved more than at the second pressing position. Therefore, when the pressing portion 64 is positioned at the first pressing position, the pressing force applied to the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 is greater than when it is positioned at the second pressing position. In other words, the first pressing position is a position where the pressing force applied to the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 is greater than at the second pressing position. Hereafter, the first pressing position and the second pressing position may be collectively referred to as the pressing position.

[0071] As a specific example, we will explain a case in which, with the previously placed medium 12B already placed on the processing tray 54, a new transport medium 12A is placed as the top layer of medium, and then the transport medium 12A is transported by the transport unit 60.

[0072] When the pressing portion 64 is in the pressing position, it is positioned between the uppermost layer of pre-loaded media 12B and the transport medium 12A on the processing tray 54. In particular, when the pressing portion 64 is in the pressing position, the first surfaces 81A and 82A of the pressing portion 64 are in contact with the uppermost layer of pre-loaded media 12B on the processing tray 54, and the second surfaces 81B and 82B are in contact with the bottom surface of the transport medium 12A.

[0073] Furthermore, when the pressing portion 64 is in the pressing position, depending on the position of the second alignment portion 59, it may be located below the first contact position where the tip of the first blade 61B contacts the conveying medium 12A. This improves the conveying efficiency of the conveying medium 12A by the conveying portion 60. When the pressing portion 64 is in the pressing position, depending on the position of the second alignment portion 59, it may be located below the first contact position or not located below the first contact position.

[0074] In this embodiment, the pressing portion 64 is not located below the second contact position where the tip of the second blade 62B contacts the conveying medium 12A when it is in the pressing position, but is not limited to this. The pressing portion 64 may be located below the second contact position when it is in the pressing position. Depending on the position of the second alignment portion 59, the pressing portion 64 may be located below the second contact position or not when it is in the pressing position.

[0075] <Integrity control processing> Next, the consistency control process will be explained with reference to Figure 6. The consistency control process is a process executed by the post-processing control unit 80 of the post-processing device 14 when a recording command involving post-processing is input.

[0076] As shown in Figure 6, in step S11, the post-processing control unit 80 acquires post-processing information. The post-processing information includes media type information obtained through communication with the recording device 13. The post-processing information also includes the number of sheets to be processed obtained through communication with the recording device 13. When step S11 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 proceeds to step S12.

[0077] In step S12, the post-processing control unit 80 executes a reference number setting process. In this process, the post-processing control unit 80 identifies the type of the recorded media 12 based on the post-processing information acquired in step S11. Based on the identified type of recorded media 12, the post-processing control unit 80 sets the reference number. The reference number is the number of already loaded media 12B that serves as the basis for selecting whether to execute the first matching process or the second matching process, which will be described in detail later.

[0078] In particular, the post-processing control unit 80 sets information regarding the reference number of sheets by referring to the reference number table TA shown in Figure 7. The reference number table TA is a table in which the type of media 12 corresponds to information regarding the reference number of sheets, and the information regarding the reference number of sheets can be changed depending on the type of media 12. As a result, the post-processing control unit 80 can change the reference number of sheets to the number corresponding to the type of media 12. When step S12 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the process to step S13.

[0079] Now, with reference to Figure 7, we will explain the standard number of sheets table TA. As shown in Figure 7, the memory of the post-processing control unit 80 stores a reference sheet count table TA. The reference sheet count table TA is a table that associates the type of media 12, the type of control, and information regarding the reference sheet count.

[0080] The types of media 12 include variations in the material of the media 12, such as general paper or cardboard. The types of media 12 also include variations in the size of the media 12, such as A3 size, A4 size, or B4 size. Thus, the types of media 12 may also include variations in the weight of the media 12.

[0081] The types of media 12 include different orientations of media 12, such as A4 size portrait and A4 size landscape. The degree of curling of media 12 differs depending on the direction in which the fibers are arranged. Thus, the types of media 12 may include types in which the direction of the fibers of media 12 differs.

[0082] To give a specific example, for media type MA as a type of media 12, the first and second matching processes correspond as types of control, and the first number of sheets S1 corresponds as the reference number. For media type MB as a type of media 12, the first and second matching processes correspond as types of control, and the second number of sheets S2 corresponds as the reference number. The first number of sheets S1 is greater than the second number of sheets S2. For example, the first number of sheets S1 may be 8 sheets and the second number of sheets S2 may be 6 sheets.

[0083] The media type MC, as the type of media 12, corresponds to the first matching process as the type of control, and the first control information as the reference number of sheets. The first control information is information that makes it possible to specify that the first matching process should be executed without executing the second matching process. In other words, the first control information is information that, in step S14 described later, will determine that the number of sheets is less than or equal to the reference number, rather than determining that it is not less than or equal to the reference number.

[0084] The medium type MD for medium 12 corresponds to the second matching process as the type of control, and the second control information as the reference number of sheets. The second control information is information that makes it possible to specify that the second matching process should be executed without executing the first matching process. In other words, the second control information is information that, in step S14 described later, determines that the number of sheets is not below the reference number, rather than determining that it is below the reference number.

[0085] Returning to the explanation of the matching control process in Figure 6, in step S13, the post-processing control unit 80 determines whether or not the rear end of the medium 12 has been detected based on the signal from the sensor 53. If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the rear end of the medium 12 has not been detected, it executes step S13 again. In this way, the post-processing control unit 80 waits until it determines that the rear end of the medium 12 has been detected. If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the rear end of the medium 12 has been detected, it proceeds to step S14.

[0086] In step S14, the post-processing control unit 80 determines whether the number of previously loaded media 12B placed on the processing tray 54 is less than or equal to a reference number. In this process, the post-processing control unit 80 reads information regarding the reference number set in step S12. The post-processing control unit 80 reads a value from the loaded media counter and identifies the number of previously loaded media 12B. The loaded media counter is allocated in the memory of the post-processing control unit 80. Based on the information regarding the reference number and the number of previously loaded media 12B, the post-processing control unit 80 determines whether the number of previously loaded media 12B is less than or equal to the reference number.

[0087] In particular, if the first control information is stored as information regarding the reference number of sheets, the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the number of sheets already loaded on the media 12B is less than or equal to the reference number. If the second control information is stored as information regarding the reference number, the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the number of sheets already loaded on the media 12B is not less than or equal to the reference number.

[0088] If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the number of sheets of the previously placed media 12B is less than or equal to the standard number, it proceeds to step S15. If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the number of sheets of the previously placed media 12B is not less than or equal to the standard number, it proceeds to step S16.

[0089] In step S15, the post-processing control unit 80 executes a first alignment process, which is an example of the first control. As will be described in detail later, in the first alignment process, the post-processing control unit 80 causes the transport unit 60 to transport the transport medium 12A in the transport direction Y1, and after the transport unit 60 moves away from the transport medium 12A, it moves the pressing unit 64 to the retracted position. When step S15 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 proceeds to step S17.

[0090] In step S16, the post-processing control unit 80 executes a second alignment process, which is an example of the second control. As will be described in detail later, in the second alignment process, the post-processing control unit 80 causes the transport unit 60 to transport the transport medium 12A in the transport direction Y1, and moves the pressing unit 64 to the retracted position when the transport unit 60 moves away from the transport medium 12A. When step S16 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 proceeds to step S17.

[0091] Thus, the post-processing control unit 80 can switch between the first matching process and the second matching process. In other words, the post-processing control unit 80 can perform both the first matching process and the second matching process.

[0092] In particular, the post-processing control unit 80 performs a first matching process when the type of media 12 is media type MA or MB and the number of previously loaded media 12B placed on the processing tray 54 is less than or equal to a standard number. The post-processing control unit 80 performs a second matching process when the type of media 12 is media type MA or MB and the number of previously loaded media 12B placed on the processing tray 54 is greater than a standard number.

[0093] Furthermore, the post-processing control unit 80 performs a first matching process when the type of media 12 is media type MC. The post-processing control unit 80 performs a second matching process when the type of media 12 is media type MD. In other words, the post-processing control unit 80 performs at least one of the first matching process and the second matching process depending on the type of media 12.

[0094] In step S17, the post-processing control unit 80 performs a counting process for the number of sheets placed. In this process, the post-processing control unit 80 counts the number of previously placed media 12B placed on the processing tray 54 by updating the counter for the number of sheets placed. In this process, the number of previously placed media 12B placed on the processing tray 54 includes the transported media 12A that were transported in step S15 or step S16. When step S17 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 proceeds to step S18.

[0095] In step S18, the post-processing control unit 80 determines whether the number of media 12 placed on the processing tray 54 is equal to the number of media to be processed. Based on the detection results of the sensor 53, the post-processing control unit 80 can determine the number of media 12 placed on the processing tray 54. If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the number of media is not equal to the number of media to be processed, it proceeds to step S13. If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the number of media is equal to the number of media to be processed, it proceeds to step S19.

[0096] In step S19, the post-processing control unit 80 instructs the post-processing unit 66 to perform post-processing on the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54. After the post-processing unit 66 has performed the post-processing, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the pressing unit 64 to the retracted position by driving the pressing motor 65. When step S19 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 proceeds to step S20.

[0097] In step S20, the post-processing control unit 80 executes the discharge process. In this process, the post-processing control unit 80 discharges the multiple processed media 12 from the processing tray 54 to the support member 71 and places the multiple processed media 12 on the discharge stacker 72. The post-processing control unit 80 initializes the stack count counter. When step S20 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 proceeds to step S21.

[0098] In step S21, the post-processing control unit 80 determines whether or not recording has finished. The post-processing control unit 80 determines that recording has finished when all the recorded media 12 have been fed to the support member 71. If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that recording has not finished, it proceeds to step S13. If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that recording has finished, it terminates the matching control process.

[0099] <First alignment process and second alignment process> Here, the first and second alignment processes will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 8. In Figure 8, the vertical axis shows the detection of the medium M by the sensor 53, the driving of the transport motor 63, the contact of the transport unit 60 with the medium M, and the arrangement of the pressing position of the pressing unit 64, respectively, and the horizontal axis shows time.

[0100] In the first matching process of step S15, the post-processing control unit 80 performs a transport process and a first pressing process. The transport process is a process for transporting the transport medium 12A. The first pressing process is a process for pressing the already placed medium 12B toward the processing tray 54.

[0101] In the conveying process, the post-processing control unit 80 starts the rotation of the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 by driving the conveying motor 63 when time t11 has elapsed since detecting the rear end of the medium 12. Time t11 is sufficient time from the detection of the rear end of the medium 12 until the medium 12 falls from the fourth conveying roller pair 52 onto the processing tray 54, and after the medium 12 is placed on the processing tray 54, it slides toward the first matching unit 58 and stops. Then, when time t12 has elapsed since the start of rotation of the first paddle 61, the post-processing control unit 80 stops the rotation of the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 by ending the drive of the conveying motor 63.

[0102] In the first pressing process, if the pressing unit 64 is not in the retracted position when time t21 has elapsed since detecting the rear end of the medium 12, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the pressing unit 64 to the retracted position by driving the pressing motor 65. Time t21 is longer than the time from when the rear end of the medium 12 is detected until the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B move away from the upper surface of the conveyed medium 12A.

[0103] The post-processing control unit 80 does not need to move the pressing unit 64 from the retracted position if the pressing unit 64 is in the retracted position when time t21 has elapsed since detecting the rear end of the medium 12. In this embodiment, the pressing unit 64 is in the retracted position before time t21 has elapsed since detecting the rear end of the medium 12, but only when there is no previously placed medium 12B on the processing tray 54. Therefore, the pressing unit 64 remains in the retracted position when time t21 has elapsed since detecting the rear end of the medium 12, but only when there is no previously placed medium 12B on the processing tray 54.

[0104] When time t24 has elapsed since the pressing unit 64 moved to the retracted position, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the pressing unit 64 from the retracted position to the first pressing position by driving the pressing motor 65.

[0105] Meanwhile, in the second alignment process of step S16, the post-processing control unit 80 performs a transport process and a second pressing process. The transport process in the second alignment process is the same as the transport process in the first alignment process, and therefore its explanation is omitted. The second pressing process is a process for pressing the already placed medium 12B toward the processing tray 54, but it is a different process from the first pressing process.

[0106] In the second pressing process, if the pressing unit 64 is not in the retracted position when time t22 has elapsed since detecting the rear end of the medium 12, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the pressing unit 64 to the retracted position by driving the pressing motor 65. Time t22 is the same as the time from detecting the rear end of the medium 12 until the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B move away from the upper surface of the conveyed medium 12A, and is shorter than time t21.

[0107] If the pressing unit 64 is in the retracted position when time t22 has elapsed since detecting the rear end of the medium 12, the post-processing control unit 80 does not need to move the pressing unit 64 from the retracted position.

[0108] When time t24 has elapsed since the pressing unit 64 moved to the retracted position, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the pressing unit 64 from the retracted position to the second pressing position by driving the pressing motor 65.

[0109] Here, we will describe a specific example in which, with one or more previously placed media 12B already placed on the processing tray 54, a new transport medium 12A is placed as the top layer of media. In such a case, the post-processing control unit 80, in the same manner as in the first and second matching processes, has the transport unit 60 transport the transport medium 12A after it has been placed.

[0110] Furthermore, in both the first and second matching processes, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the pressing unit 64 from the pressing position to the retracted position. As a result, the post-processing control unit 80 causes the pressing unit 64 to press at least one previously placed medium 12B, which is placed on the processing tray 54, toward the processing tray 54.

[0111] In particular, in the first alignment process, the time t21 from the detection of the rear end of the medium 12 to the retraction position of the pressing unit 64 is longer than the time it takes for the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B to separate from the upper surface of the transport medium 12A. In other words, in the first alignment process, the post-processing control unit 80 causes the transport unit 60 to transport the transport medium 12A, and after the transport unit 60 separates from the transport medium 12A, it moves the pressing unit 64 from the first pressing position to the retraction position.

[0112] On the other hand, in the second alignment process, the time t22 from the detection of the rear end of the medium 12 to the retraction position of the pressing unit 64 is the same as the time it takes for the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B to separate from the upper surface of the transport medium 12A. In other words, in the second alignment process, the post-processing control unit 80 causes the transport unit 60 to transport the transport medium 12A, and moves the pressing unit 64 from the second pressing position to the retraction position when the transport unit 60 separates from the transport medium 12A.

[0113] Furthermore, the post-processing control unit 80 can change the pressing force applied by the pressing unit 64 by moving the pressing unit 64 to either the first pressing position or the second pressing position. In particular, the post-processing control unit 80 increases the pressing force applied by the pressing unit 64 in the first matching process compared to the second matching process.

[0114] <Operation of the First Embodiment> The operation of the first embodiment will now be described. As shown in Figure 8, at the timing indicated by symbol T1, the leading edge of the transported medium 12 is detected based on the signal from sensor 53. Subsequently, at the timing indicated by symbol T2, the trailing edge of the transported medium 12 is detected based on the signal from sensor 53.

[0115] When time t11 has elapsed from the timing indicated by symbol T2, at the timing indicated by symbol T3, the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 begin to rotate due to the drive of the transport motor 63. Then, when time t12 has elapsed from the timing indicated by symbol T3, at the timing indicated by symbol T6, the drive of the transport motor 63 ends, and the rotation of the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 ends.

[0116] In this case, when time t13 has elapsed from the timing indicated by symbol T3, at the timing indicated by symbol T4, the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B come into contact with the upper surface of the conveying medium 12A. As a result, the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 rotate with the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B in contact with the upper surface of the conveying medium 12A. Then, when time t14 has elapsed from the timing indicated by symbol T4, at the timing indicated by symbol T5, the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B separate from the upper surface of the conveying medium 12A.

[0117] On the other hand, if one or more pre-loaded media 12B were placed on the processing tray 54 before the timing indicated by symbol T1, the pressing unit 64 is in the pressing position at the timing indicated by symbol T1.

[0118] When the first alignment process is performed, after time t21 has elapsed from the timing indicated by symbol T2, at the timing indicated by symbol T7, the pressing unit 64 moves from the first pressing position to the retracted position by the drive of the pressing motor 65.

[0119] The timing indicated by symbol T7 is the timing after time t23 has elapsed from the timing indicated by symbol T5. In other words, in the first alignment process, after the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B move away from the upper surface of the transport medium 12A, the pressing unit 64 moves from the first pressing position to the retracted position.

[0120] Thus, in the first alignment process, after the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B separate from the upper surface of the transport medium 12A, the already placed medium 12B can be pressed toward the processing tray 54 for a period of time during which the deflection of the transport medium 12A is expected to be eliminated.

[0121] Subsequently, when time t24 has elapsed from the timing indicated by symbol T7, at the timing indicated by symbol T8, the pressing part 64 moves from the retracted position to the first pressing position by the drive of the pressing motor 65.

[0122] On the other hand, if the second matching process is performed, when time t22 has elapsed from the timing indicated by symbol T2, at the timing indicated by symbol T5, the pressing part 64 moves from the second pressing position to the retracted position by the drive of the pressing motor 65.

[0123] Time t22 is the same as the sum of time t11, time t13, and time t14. In other words, in the second alignment process, when the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B move away from the upper surface of the transport medium 12A, the pressing unit 64 moves from the second pressing position to the retracted position.

[0124] Subsequently, when time t24 has elapsed from the timing indicated by symbol T5, at the timing indicated by symbol T9, the pressing part 64 moves from the retracted position to the second pressing position by the drive of the pressing motor 65.

[0125] Thus, in the second matching process, the previously placed medium 12B can be pressed toward the processing tray 54 until the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B are separated from the upper surface of the transport medium 12A.

[0126] Furthermore, in the second matching process, the time it takes for the pressing unit 64 to move from the retracted position back to the second pressing position can be shortened compared to the first matching process. In this way, when the second matching process is performed, the matching interval can be shortened compared to when the first matching process is performed. As a result, the post-processing device 14 can perform post-processing in a short time, and it is also possible to improve the transport speed at which the medium 12 is transported from the recording device 13.

[0127] In this embodiment, if no previously placed media 12B is placed on the processing tray 54 at the timing indicated by reference numeral T1, the pressing unit 64 is positioned in the retracted position. When the first alignment process is executed, the pressing unit 64 remains in the retracted position until the timing indicated by reference numeral T8, at which point it moves from the retracted position to the first pressing position. On the other hand, when the second alignment process is executed, the pressing unit 64 remains in the retracted position until the timing indicated by reference numeral T9, at which point it moves from the retracted position to the second pressing position.

[0128] By transporting the transport medium 12A and pressing the already placed medium 12B in this manner, misalignment of the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 can be suppressed. Furthermore, a specific example will be described in which a new transport medium 12A is placed as the top layer of medium when one already placed medium 12B is already placed on the processing tray 54. In this embodiment, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the spacing between the mediums 12 and the spacing between the mediums 12 and the pressing part 64 are shown to be sufficiently widened.

[0129] As shown in Figure 9, one pre-loaded medium 12B is placed on the processing tray 54. In this case, the pressing unit 64 presses the upper surface of the pre-loaded medium 12B toward the processing tray 54.

[0130] Then, as shown in Figure 10, a new transport medium 12A is placed on the processing tray 54 as the uppermost medium. As a result of the transport medium 12A being transported in the transport direction Y1 by the transport unit 60, the rear end of the transport medium 12A comes into contact with the first alignment unit 58, and depending on the circumstances, the transport medium 12A may bend due to the transport force of the transport unit 60.

[0131] As shown in Figure 11, unlike this embodiment, when the second alignment process is performed regardless of the number of already placed media 12B, the pressing portion 64 moves from the second pressing position to the retracted position when the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B move away from the upper surface of the transport media 12A.

[0132] Then, as shown in Figure 12, when the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B separate from the upper surface of the conveying medium 12A, the deflection of the conveying medium 12A is eliminated. In this case, the restoring force that eliminates the deflection of the conveying medium 12A is transmitted to the already loaded medium 12B, and depending on the situation, the already loaded medium 12B moves in the opposite direction Y2.

[0133] As a result, as shown in Figure 13, the repeated movement of the already placed media 12B in the opposite direction Y2 sometimes led to a cumulative misalignment of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0134] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 14, when the first alignment process is performed as in this embodiment, the pressing unit 64 is positioned at the first pressing position when the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B move away from the upper surface of the transport medium 12A. As a result, the already placed medium 12B is pressed toward the processing tray 54 by the pressing unit 64.

[0135] As shown in Figure 15, when the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B separate from the upper surface of the conveying medium 12A, the deflection of the conveying medium 12A is eliminated. In this case, even if the restoring force that eliminates the deflection of the conveying medium 12A is transmitted to the already loaded medium 12B, the already loaded medium 12B does not move in the opposite direction Y2 due to the pressing by the pressing part 64.

[0136] As a result, as shown in Figure 16, the previously placed media 12B does not move in the opposite direction Y2, and misalignment of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54 can be suppressed. In particular, the friction coefficient of the processing tray 54, the friction coefficient of the media 12, the type of media 12, and the number of already placed media 12B are factors that cause the already placed media 12B to move in the opposite direction Y2. In consideration of these factors, a first alignment process that can suppress misalignment of the media 12 and a second alignment process that can shorten the alignment interval are selectively executed.

[0137] To give a specific example, the type of medium 12 includes the material, size, and orientation of the medium 12. Depending on the type of medium 12, the degree to which the medium 12 curls will differ, and the degree to which the medium 12 flexes will differ. Depending on the type of medium 12, the coefficient of friction and weight of the medium 12 will differ, and the degree to which the already placed medium 12B moves in the opposite direction Y2 will differ.

[0138] In particular, the uppermost layer of already placed media 12B is more likely to move in the opposite direction Y2 when the friction coefficient of the conveying medium 12A is a second friction coefficient which is greater than the first friction coefficient, compared to when the friction coefficient of the conveying medium 12A is a first friction coefficient. Also, when the friction coefficient of the processing tray 54 is smaller than the friction coefficient of the media 12, the lowermost layer of already placed media 12B that is in contact with the mounting surface 55 of the processing tray 54 is more likely to move in the opposite direction Y2.

[0139] When the number of pre-loaded media 12B placed on the processing tray 54 is small, the weight of the pre-loaded media 12B decreases. This makes it easier for the pre-loaded media 12B to move in the opposite direction Y2. On the other hand, when the number of pre-loaded media 12B placed on the processing tray 54 is large, the weight of the pre-loaded media 12B increases. This makes it more difficult for the pre-loaded media 12B to move in the opposite direction Y2.

[0140] <Effects of the First Embodiment> The effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1) In conventional post-processing devices, when a transported medium is placed on a processing tray while a previously placed medium is already on the processing tray, the transport unit transports the transported medium in the transport direction, which can result in misalignment occurring after the transport unit separates from the transported medium.

[0141] In detail, the transport unit transmits a transport force in the transport direction to the transport medium through contact with the medium. Even after the downstream end of the transport medium in the transport direction contacts the alignment unit, the transport force is still transmitted to the transport medium, which may cause it to flex. Subsequently, when the transport unit separates from the transport medium and the transport force is no longer transmitted to the transport medium, a restoring force is generated in the opposite direction to the transport direction to return the transport medium to its original shape, and this force is transmitted to the already placed medium in contact with the transport medium. Although this eliminates the flexing of the transport medium, the restoring force of the transport medium can cause the already placed medium in contact with the transport medium to move in the opposite direction to the transport direction, sometimes resulting in misalignment of the media placed on the processing tray.

[0142] Therefore, even if the transport medium 12A is deflected as it aligns with the first alignment unit 58 due to transport in the transport direction Y1 by the transport unit 60, the previously placed medium 12B on the processing tray 54 is pressed toward the processing tray 54. Then, after the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B separate from the transport medium 12A, the pressing unit 64 can move from the first pressing position to the retracted position. This prevents the previously placed medium 12B from moving in the opposite direction Y2 of the transport direction Y1 due to the restoring force of the transport medium 12A, and thus prevents misalignment of the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0143] (2) The timing of moving the pressing part 64 from the pressing position to the retracted position can be varied, and the timing of moving the pressing part 64 from the pressing position to the retracted position can be switched according to the situation. Therefore, the pressing part 64 can be moved from the pressing position to the retracted position at an appropriate timing depending on the situation.

[0144] (3) Furthermore, when the second alignment process is performed, the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B move away from the transport medium 12A, and the pressing unit 64 moves from the second pressing position to the retracted position. This makes it possible to create a situation in which the alignment interval of the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 can be shortened depending on the circumstances.

[0145] (4) When the type of media 12 is media type MA or MB, the first alignment process is executed when the number of previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is less than or equal to the standard number. When the number of previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is small, the weight of the previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is smaller than when the number is large. Therefore, there is a higher possibility that the previously placed media 12B will move in the opposite direction Y2 due to the restoring force of the transport media 12A. By executing the first alignment process in response to such a situation, the movement of the previously placed media 12B in the opposite direction Y2 can be effectively suppressed, and misalignment of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54 can be effectively suppressed.

[0146] (5) When the type of media 12 is media type MA or MB, the second alignment process is executed when the number of previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is greater than the standard number. When the number of previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is large, the weight of the previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is greater than when the number is small. Therefore, the possibility of the previously placed media 12B moving in the opposite direction Y2 due to the restoring force of the transport media 12A is reduced. By executing the second alignment process in accordance with this situation, the movement of the previously placed media 12B in the opposite direction Y2 can be effectively suppressed, and misalignment of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54 can be effectively suppressed.

[0147] (6) The standard number of media 12 can be changed to a number corresponding to the type of media 12 with different weights. Therefore, the conditions under which the first alignment process is executed can be changed according to the type of media 12 with different weights. In this way, by executing the first alignment process according to the type of media 12, it is possible to effectively suppress the movement of already placed media 12B in the opposite direction Y2, and to effectively suppress misalignment of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0148] (7) When the type of media 12 is media type MC, the first alignment process is executed. When the type of media 12 is media type MD, the second alignment process is executed. In this way, depending on the type of media 12, the execution of either the first or second alignment process can be made to differ. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the movement of the already placed media 12B in the opposite direction Y2, and to effectively suppress misalignment of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0149] (8) In the first alignment process, the pressing force applied by the pressing unit 64 is stronger than in the second alignment process. Therefore, when the first alignment process is performed, the movement of the already placed medium 12B in the opposite direction Y2 can be effectively suppressed in accordance with the pressing force applied by the pressing unit 64, and misalignment of the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54 can be effectively suppressed.

[0150] (9) The pressing portion 64 is a component with a lower coefficient of friction than the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54. When the pressing portion 64 is in the pressing position, it is located between the uppermost layer of already placed medium 12B and the transport medium 12A placed on the processing tray 54. Therefore, the pressing portion 64 can press the already placed medium 12B, improve the transportability of the transport medium 12A in the transport direction Y1, and make it easier for the bent transport medium 12A to return to its original shape. Thus, it is possible to effectively suppress the movement of the already placed medium 12B in the opposite direction Y2, and to effectively suppress misalignment of the medium 12 placed on the processing tray 54.

[0151] (10) The first surfaces 81A and 82A have a higher coefficient of friction than the second surfaces 81B and 82B. When the pressing portion 64 is in the pressing position, the first surfaces 81A and 82A contact the uppermost layer of previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54, and the second surfaces 81B and 82B contact the transport media 12A. As a result, the pressing portion 64 can make it difficult for the previously placed media 12B to move in the opposite direction Y2 due to the restoring force of the transport media 12A, improve the transportability of the transport media 12A in the transport direction Y1, and make it easier for the bent transport media 12A to return to its original shape. Therefore, the movement of the previously placed media 12B in the opposite direction Y2 due to the restoring force of the transport media 12A can be effectively suppressed, and misalignment of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54 can be effectively suppressed.

[0152] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the post-processing device 14 pressed all the previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 toward the processing tray 54 with the pressing unit 64. In the second embodiment, the post-processing device 14 may press the bottom layer of previously placed media 12B toward the processing tray 54 with the pressing unit 64. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and control contents as in the embodiments already described, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0153] As shown in Figure 17, in the matching control process, when step S11 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 moves to step S13. In step S13, if the post-processing control unit 80 determines that it has detected the trailing end of the medium 12, it moves to step S31.

[0154] In step S31, the post-processing control unit 80 determines whether the number of previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is 0. In this process, the post-processing control unit 80 reads a value from the number of placed media counters and identifies the number of previously placed media 12B. This allows the post-processing control unit 80 to determine whether the number of previously placed media 12B is 0. In other words, the post-processing control unit 80 determines whether the number of previously placed media 12B is 0 and whether the media 12 detected at the rear end is the first media 12 to be placed on the processing tray 54.

[0155] If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the number of sheets on the previously placed media 12B is 0, it proceeds to step S32. If the post-processing control unit 80 determines that the number of sheets on the previously placed media 12B is not 0, it proceeds to step S33.

[0156] In step S32, the post-processing control unit 80 performs an initial alignment process. In this process, the post-processing control unit 80 performs a transport process and a first pressing process, similar to the first alignment process in the first embodiment.

[0157] In particular, in this case, a new transport medium 12A is placed as the uppermost medium while no previously placed medium 12B is placed on the processing tray 54. Then, when time t21 has elapsed since the rear end of the transport medium 12A was detected, the pressing unit 64 is in the retracted position and does not move from the retracted position. After that, when time t24 has elapsed, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the pressing unit 64 from the retracted position to the first pressing position. As a result, the post-processing control unit 80 causes the pressing unit 64 to press the upper surface of the first previously placed medium 12B placed on the processing tray 54 toward the processing tray 54. When step S32 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the process to step S17.

[0158] In step S33, the post-processing control unit 80 performs continuous alignment processing. In this process, the post-processing control unit 80 performs transport processing in the same way as the first alignment processing in the first embodiment, but unlike the first alignment processing in the first embodiment, it does not perform the first pressing processing. In other words, even when multiple previously placed media 12B are placed on the processing tray 54, the post-processing control unit 80 continues to press the upper surface of the first previously placed media 12B against the pressing unit 64. When step S32 is completed, the post-processing control unit 80 moves the process to step S17.

[0159] In this manner, the post-processing control unit 80 causes the pressing unit 64 to press the first previously placed medium 12B, which is placed on the processing tray 54, and continues pressing by the pressing unit 64 until a predetermined timing arrives after the post-processing has been completed.

[0160] <Operation of the second embodiment> The operation of the second embodiment will now be described. When no previously placed media 12B is placed on the processing tray 54, the pressing unit 64 is in the retracted position. With no previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54, a new transport media 12A is placed as the uppermost media. As a result of the transport media 12A being transported in the transport direction Y1 by the transport unit 60, the rear end of the transport media 12A comes into contact with the first alignment unit 58. In some cases, the transport media 12A may bend due to the transport force of the transport unit 60, but since no previously placed media 12B is placed on the processing tray 54, no alignment misalignment occurs.

[0161] Subsequently, after the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B separate from the upper surface of the transport medium 12A, the pressing unit 64 moves from the retracted position to the first pressing position, and the first already placed medium 12B is pressed toward the processing tray 54.

[0162] Next, if a pre-loaded medium 12B is placed on the processing tray 54, the pressing unit 64 remains in the first pressing position, and the first pre-loaded medium 12B is pressed against the processing tray 54 by the pressing unit 64. Subsequent pre-loaded mediums 12B are not pressed against the pressing unit 64 towards the processing tray 54.

[0163] The friction coefficient of the processing tray 54 is smaller than that of the previously placed media 12B, so the first previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is more likely to move in the opposite direction Y2 than the second and subsequent previously placed media 12B. Therefore, if the first previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 does not move in the opposite direction Y2, all of the previously placed media 12B will not move in the opposite direction Y2, and misalignment of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54 can be suppressed.

[0164] <Effects of the second embodiment> The effects of the second embodiment will now be described. (11) The processing tray 54 is a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54. The first pre-placed media 12B placed on the processing tray 54 is pressed, and the pressing continues until a predetermined timing arrives after post-processing has been performed. The first pre-placed media 12B, which is in contact with the processing tray 54 which has a lower coefficient of friction than the media 12, is more likely to move in the opposite direction Y2 by the restoring force of the transport medium 12A than the second and subsequent pre-placed media 12B which are not in contact with the processing tray 54. Therefore, the restoring force of the transport medium 12A can suppress the movement of the first pre-placed media 12B in the opposite direction Y2, and the misalignment of the media 12 placed on the processing tray 54 can be effectively suppressed.

[0165] [Example of changes] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0166] In the first embodiment, during the second matching process, the post-processing control unit 80 may move the pressing unit 64 from the second pressing position to the retracted position before the conveying unit 60 separates from the conveying medium 12A.

[0167] In the second embodiment, the predetermined timing may be any timing. For example, the post-processing control unit 80 may press the first already placed medium 12B against the pressing unit 64 and continue pressing the first already placed medium 12B until the predetermined timing arrives when the number of placed mediums 12B reaches a predetermined number. In this case, the predetermined number may be two or more.

[0168] The transport unit 60 may repeatedly contact and separate from the transport medium 12A multiple times during the period for aligning one transport medium 12A. The first blade 61B and the second blade 62B may also repeatedly contact and separate from the transport medium 12A multiple times when the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 rotate once. As a specific example, in Figure 8, the first blade 61B and the second blade 62B may contact the upper surface of the transport medium 12A multiple times and separate from the upper surface of the transport medium 12A multiple times between the timing indicated by reference numeral T4 and the time t14. In this case, it is preferable that the pressing unit 64 presses all the previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 during the period for aligning one transport medium 12A, and moves from the pressing position to the retracted position after the last separation among the multiple separations by the transport unit 60.

[0169] The distance between the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 and the processing tray 54 may be adjustable. In this case, the post-processing control unit 80 may move the first paddle 61 and the second paddle 62 to a contact position where they can contact the transport medium 12A placed on the processing tray 54, and to a separated position where they cannot contact the transport medium 12A placed on the processing tray 54.

[0170] The conveying unit 60 may be equipped with one or more paddles. The pressing unit 64 may be configured to allow adjustment of its distance from the processing tray 54. The post-processing control unit 80 may vary the pressing force applied to the previously placed media 12B by adjusting the distance between the pressing unit 64 and the processing tray 54. In this case, only one of the first pressing position and the second pressing position may be used as the pressing position of the pressing unit 64.

[0171] The pressing portion 64 was, but is not limited to, being able to move between the pressing position and the retracted position by rotation. For example, the pressing portion 64 may be able to move between the pressing position and the retracted position by moving in the width direction X.

[0172] The pressing unit 64 may press the already placed medium 12B with the same pressing force during the first alignment process and the second alignment process. The pressing portion 64 may consist of one or more members.

[0173] The post-processing control unit 80 does not need to press the upper surface of the previously placed media 12B with the pressing unit 64 when the number of previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is greater than the standard number. In this case, the post-processing control unit 80 may press the upper surface of the standard number of previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 with the pressing unit 64 when the number of previously placed media 12B on the processing tray 54 is greater than the standard number. To give a specific example, when the standard number is 6, the post-processing control unit 80 may press the upper surface of the top layer of previously placed media 12B for the 1st to 6th layers of previously placed media 12B with the pressing unit 64. Furthermore, the post-processing control unit 80 may, with respect to the seventh and subsequent already placed media 12B, not allow the pressing unit 64 to press them, and may continue to press the upper surface of the sixth already placed media 12B with the pressing unit 64, or it may move the pressing unit 64 to a retracted position.

[0174] Even if the media types are different, the first alignment process may be executed without performing the second alignment process, regardless of the reference number of sheets. Even if the media types are different, the second alignment process may be executed without performing the first alignment process, regardless of the reference number of sheets. Even if the media types are different, the same reference number of sheets may be determined.

[0175] • The type of media 12 does not have to be any of the media types MA to MD. Also, the type of media 12 may be different in at least one of the weight and grain direction.

[0176] The post-processing device 14 and the intermediate device 15 may be combined to form a post-processing device. The post-processing device 14 may receive the recorded medium 12 from the recording device 13 instead of from the intermediate device 15.

[0177] The medium 12 is not limited to paper, but may also be a synthetic resin film, cloth, nonwoven fabric, laminated medium, etc. The liquid can be any liquid that adheres to the medium 12 and allows for recording on the medium 12. For example, ink may include functional material particles consisting of solids such as pigments or metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent, and may encompass various compositions such as water-based inks, oil-based inks, gel inks, and hot-melt inks.

[0178] The recording device 13 is not limited to a printer, but may also be a textile printing device. Furthermore, the recording device 13 may be a multifunction device that has a scanner mechanism and a copy function in addition to the recording function. [Note] The following describes the technical concepts and their effects that can be understood from the embodiments and modifications described above.

[0179] (A) A processing tray configured to hold a medium after recording; a transport unit capable of transporting the uppermost medium placed on the processing tray in the transport direction by contacting the upper surface of the uppermost medium placed on the processing tray; an alignment unit capable of aligning the downstream end of the medium placed on the processing tray in the transport direction; a pressing unit capable of pressing the medium placed on the processing tray toward the processing tray; and a control unit capable of controlling the operation of the pressing unit, wherein the pressing unit presses the medium placed on the processing tray. The control unit is movable between a pressure position and a retraction position that releases pressure on the medium placed on the processing tray. When a new transport medium is placed as the uppermost layer of medium while one or more previously placed media are already placed on the processing tray, and the transport unit transports the transport medium, the control unit causes the pressure unit to press at least one of the previously placed media on the processing tray against the pressure unit at the pressure position, and after the transport unit separates from the transport medium, the pressure unit is movable from the pressure position to the retraction position.

[0180] With this configuration, even if the transported medium flexes due to transport in the transport direction by the transport unit, at least one already placed medium on the processing tray is pressed toward the processing tray. Then, after the transport unit separates from the transported medium, the pressing unit can move from the pressing position to a retracted position. This prevents the already placed medium from moving in the opposite direction of transport due to the restoring force of the transported medium, and thus prevents misalignment of the medium placed on the processing tray.

[0181] (B) The control unit may be switchable between a first control, which moves the pressing unit from the pressing position to the retracted position after the conveying unit separates from the conveying medium when a new conveying medium is placed as the uppermost medium while one or more previously placed media are already placed on the processing tray, and the conveying medium is conveyed by the conveying unit, and a second control, which moves the pressing unit from the pressing position to the retracted position before the conveying unit separates from the conveying medium or when the conveying unit separates from the conveying medium.

[0182] This configuration allows for versatility in the timing of moving the pressing part from the pressing position to the retracted position, and the timing of moving the pressing part from the pressing position to the retracted position can be switched according to the situation. Therefore, the pressing part can be moved from the pressing position to the retracted position at an appropriate timing depending on the situation.

[0183] (C) The control unit may execute the first control when the number of previously placed media on the processing tray is less than or equal to the reference number. In this configuration, the first control is executed when the number of previously placed media on the processing tray is less than or equal to a standard number. When the number of previously placed media on the processing tray is small, the weight of the previously placed media on the processing tray is smaller than when the number is large. Therefore, there is a higher possibility that the previously placed media will move in the opposite direction of transport due to the restoring force of the transported media. By executing the first control in response to such a situation, the movement of the previously placed media in the opposite direction of transport due to the restoring force of the transported media can be effectively suppressed, and misalignment of the media placed on the processing tray can be effectively suppressed.

[0184] (D) The control unit may execute the second control when the number of previously placed media on the processing tray is greater than the reference number. In this configuration, the second control is executed when the number of previously placed media on the processing tray exceeds the standard number. When there are many previously placed media on the processing tray, the weight of the previously placed media is greater than when there are few. Therefore, the possibility of the previously placed media moving in the opposite direction of transport due to the restoring force of the transported media is reduced. By executing the second control in response to this situation, the movement of the previously placed media in the opposite direction of transport due to the restoring force of the transported media can be effectively suppressed, and misalignment of the media placed on the processing tray can be effectively suppressed.

[0185] (E) The control unit may change the reference number to a number corresponding to the type of medium with different weights. This configuration allows the standard number of media to be changed according to the type of media with different weights. Therefore, the conditions under which the first control is executed can be changed according to the type of media with different weights. In this way, by executing the first control according to the type of media, it is possible to effectively suppress the movement of already placed media in the opposite direction of the transport direction due to the restoring force of the transported media, and to effectively suppress misalignment of media placed on the processing tray.

[0186] (F) The control unit may execute either the first control or the second control depending on the type of medium. With this configuration, either the first control or the second control is executed depending on the type of media. In this way, the execution of either the first control or the second control can be made to differ depending on the type of media. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the movement of already placed media in the opposite direction of the transport direction due to the restoring force of the transported media, and to effectively suppress misalignment of media placed on the processing tray.

[0187] (G) The processing tray is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the medium placed on the processing tray, and the control unit may cause the first already placed medium placed on the processing tray to be pressed by the pressing unit, and continue pressing by the pressing unit until a predetermined timing arrives.

[0188] In this configuration, the processing tray is a component with a lower coefficient of friction than the media placed on it, and the first already placed media placed on the processing tray is pressed, and this pressing continues until a predetermined timing arrives. The first already placed media, which is in contact with the processing tray which has a lower coefficient of friction than the media, is more likely to move in the opposite direction of transport due to the restoring force of the transported media than the second and subsequent already placed media which are not in contact with the processing tray. Therefore, the restoring force of the transported media can suppress the movement of the first already placed media in the opposite direction of transport, and misalignment of the media placed on the processing tray can be effectively suppressed.

[0189] (H) The control unit can change the pressing force applied by the pressing unit, and the control unit may make the pressing force applied by the pressing unit stronger in the first control than in the second control. In this configuration, the pressing force applied by the pressing unit is stronger in the first control than in the second control. Therefore, when the first control is executed, the movement of the already placed media in the opposite direction of the transport direction due to the restoring force of the transported media can be effectively suppressed in accordance with the pressing force applied by the pressing unit, and misalignment of the media placed on the processing tray can be effectively suppressed.

[0190] (I) The pressing portion is a member with a lower coefficient of friction than the medium placed on the processing tray, and when the transport medium is transported by the transport portion after a new transport medium has been placed as the uppermost layer of medium while one or more previously placed media are already placed on the processing tray, the pressing portion may be positioned between the uppermost layer of previously placed media on the processing tray and the transport medium when it is in the pressing position.

[0191] In this configuration, the pressing portion is a component with a lower coefficient of friction than the medium placed on the processing tray, and when positioned in the pressing position, it is located between the uppermost layer of already placed medium on the processing tray and the transport medium. Therefore, the pressing portion can press the already placed medium, improve the transportability of the transport medium in the transport direction, and make it easier for the bent transport medium to return to its original shape. Consequently, the restoring force of the transport medium can effectively suppress the movement of the already placed medium in the opposite direction of transport, and the misalignment of the medium placed on the processing tray can be effectively suppressed.

[0192] (J) The pressing portion is sheet-shaped having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface has a greater coefficient of friction than the second surface, and when the transport medium is transported by the transport portion after a new transport medium has been placed as the uppermost layer of medium while one or more previously placed media are already placed on the processing tray, the pressing portion may, when in the pressing position, have its first surface in contact with the uppermost layer of previously placed media placed on the processing tray and its second surface in contact with the transport medium.

[0193] In this configuration, the first surface has a higher coefficient of friction than the second surface, and when the pressing part is in the pressing position, the first surface contacts the uppermost layer of already placed media on the processing tray, and the second surface contacts the conveying media. As a result, the pressing part can make it difficult for the already placed media to move in the opposite direction of the conveying direction due to the restoring force of the conveying media, improve the conveyability of the conveying media in the conveying direction, and make it easier for the bent conveying media to return to its original shape. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the movement of the already placed media in the opposite direction of the conveying direction due to the restoring force of the conveying media, and effectively suppress misalignment of the media placed on the processing tray. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0194] S1...Number of sheets 1, S2...Number of sheets 2, t11~t14, t21~t24...Time, TA...Reference sheet count table, X...Width direction, θ1...First angle, θ2...Second angle, θ3...Third angle, Y1...Conveying direction, Y2...Opposite direction, Z...Vertical direction, 11...Recording system, 12...Media, 12A...Conveying media, 12B...Pre-loaded media, 13...Recording device, 14...Post-processing device, 15...Intermediate device, 16...Conveying path, 20...Cassette, 21...Paper feeding mechanism, 22...Pickup roller, 23...Separation roller, 24...Conveying mechanism, 2 5...First transport roller pair, 26...Support section, 27...Recording section, 28...Liquid discharge head, 29...Nozzle, 30...Placement tray, 31...First discharge path, 32...Switchback path, 33...Inversion path, 34...Second discharge path, 35...Recording control unit, 40...Inversion processing unit, 41...First introduction path, 42...First switchback path, 43...Second switchback path, 44...First merging path, 45...Second merging path, 46...Outlet path, 47...Second transport roller pair, 48...Flap, 50...Receiving section, 51...Third transport roller 52... Fourth conveyor roller pair, 53... Sensor, 54... Processing tray, 55... Mounting surface, 56... First mounting end, 57... Second mounting end, 58... First alignment section, 59... Second alignment section, 60... Conveyor section, 61... First paddle, 61A... First paddle rotating body, 61B... First blade, 61C... First paddle rotating shaft, 62... Second paddle, 62A... Second paddle rotating body, 62B... Second blade, 62C... Second paddle rotating shaft, 63... Conveyor motor, 63A... First conveyor motor, 63B... Second conveyor motor, 64 ...Pressing section, 65...Pressing motor, 65A...First pressing motor, 65B...Second pressing motor, 66...Post-processing section, 67...Discharge section, 68...Discharge drive roller, 69...Discharge driven roller, 70...Guide section, 71...Support member, 72...Discharge stacker, 80...Post-processing control section, 81...First pressing section, 81A, 82A...First surface, 81B, 82B...Second surface, 81C...First base end, 81D...First tip end, 82...Second pressing section, 82C...Second base end, 82D...Second tip end, 83A...First rotating shaft, 83B...Second rotating shaft

Claims

1. A processing tray configured to hold the recording medium, A conveying unit that, by contacting the upper surface of the uppermost medium placed on the processing tray, is capable of conveying the uppermost medium placed on the processing tray in the conveying direction, A matching section capable of aligning the downstream end in the transport direction of the medium placed on the processing tray, A pressing unit capable of pressing a medium placed on the processing tray toward the processing tray, A control unit capable of controlling the operation of the pressing part, Equipped with, The pressing unit is movable between a pressing position for pressing the medium placed on the processing tray and a retracted position for releasing the pressure on the medium placed on the processing tray. The control unit, when a new transport medium is placed as the uppermost medium while one or more previously placed media are already placed on the processing tray, and the transport unit transports the transport medium, presses at least one of the previously placed media on the processing tray against the pressing unit at the pressing position, and after the transport unit separates from the transport medium, the pressing unit can move from the pressing position to the retracted position. The control unit, when one or more previously placed media are already placed on the processing tray and a new transport media is placed as the top layer of media, and the transport media is transported by the transport unit, A first control that moves the pressing unit from the pressing position to the retracted position after the conveying unit has separated from the conveying medium, A second control is available which moves the pressing part from the pressing position to the retracted position before the conveying part separates from the conveying medium or when the conveying part separates from the conveying medium. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:

2. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, The control unit executes the first control when the number of previously placed media on the processing tray is less than or equal to a reference number. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:

3. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, The control unit executes the second control when the number of previously placed media on the processing tray is greater than the reference number. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:

4. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, The control unit can change the reference number to a number corresponding to the type of medium with different weights. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:

5. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, The control unit executes either the first control or the second control depending on the type of medium. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:

6. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, The processing tray is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the medium placed on the processing tray. The control unit causes the pressing unit to press the first previously placed medium, which is placed on the processing tray, and continues pressing by the pressing unit until a predetermined timing arrives. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:

7. In the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The control unit can change the pressing force applied by the pressing unit. The control unit, in the first control, increases the pressing force applied by the pressing part compared to the second control. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:

8. In the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The pressing portion is a member with a lower coefficient of friction than the medium placed on the processing tray. When one or more previously placed media are already placed on the processing tray, and a new transport media is placed as the top layer of media, and the transport media is then transported by the transport unit, the pressing unit, when positioned at the pressing position, is located between the top layer of previously placed media on the processing tray and the transport media. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:

9. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 8, The pressing portion is sheet-like, having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has a higher coefficient of friction than the second surface. When a transport medium is placed as the uppermost layer of media while one or more pre-loaded media are already placed on the processing tray, and the transport medium is transported by the transport unit, the pressing unit, when positioned at the pressing position, has its first surface in contact with the uppermost layer of pre-loaded media placed on the processing tray and its second surface in contact with the transport medium. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:

Images