Media processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a medium processing device which uniformizes binding strengths in different peeling directions.SOLUTION: A medium processing device includes a conveyance part for conveying a sheet-like medium in a conveyance direction, a tray capable of supporting a plurality of media conveyed by the conveyance part, and a crimp binding part for pressurizing and deforming N (N is integer of 2 or more) pieces of media supported on the tray at a binding position, and crimp binding the media, wherein the crimp binding part includes a large hole forming member for forming a large hole in M (M<N) pieces of media from one end side in a thickness direction, at a binding position of N pieces of the media supported on the tray; a push-in member which pushes (N-M) pieces of media into the large hole formed in M pieces of the media from one end side in a thickness direction, from the other end side in the thickness direction, at the binding position of N pieces of the media supported on the tray; and a sandwiching mechanism for sandwiching N pieces of the media supported on the tray from both sides in the thickness direction at the binding position, and crimp binding the media.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a media processing apparatus that binds a sheet-like medium on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus into a bundle is known. Since paper is widely known as an example of a sheet-like medium, in this specification, a "paper bundle" in which a plurality of papers are stacked will be used as an example for a bundle of sheet-like media.

[0003] In addition, some media processing apparatuses include a pressure-bonding processing unit capable of performing so-called "pressure-bonding binding" in which a paper bundle is sandwiched between uneven binding teeth and pressure-deformed without using a metal binding needle (staple needle) from the viewpoint of resource saving and reduction of environmental load (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the method of pressure-deforming a paper using uneven binding teeth, the binding strength becomes non-uniform depending on the direction of the force that tries to peel off the papers constituting the paper bundle (hereinafter referred to as the "peeling direction").

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for equalizing the binding strength with respect to different peeling directions in a media processing apparatus that pressure-bonding binds a plurality of media.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention includes a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet-like medium in a conveyance direction, a tray that can support a plurality of the media conveyed by the conveyance unit, and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets of the media supported by the tray are pressure-deformed at a binding position and pressure-bonding bound by a pressure-bonding binding processing unit、 and the crimp binding processing unit forms holes in M (M < N) sheets of the media from one end side in the thickness direction at the binding positions of the N sheets of the media supported by the tray hole by using a hole-forming member hole and at the binding positions of the N sheets of the media supported by the tray, the (N - M) sheets of the media from the other end side in the thickness direction are pushed into the holes formed in the M sheets of the media from one end side in the thickness direction by using a hole pushing member, and the N sheets of the media supported by the tray are sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction at the binding positions and crimp-bound by a sandwiching mechanism 、 characterized by comprising the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, in a media processing apparatus for crimp-binding a plurality of media, it is possible to equalize the binding strength with respect to different peeling directions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing apparatus. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram of a crimp-binding processing unit. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the operations of a large-hole forming member, a small-hole forming member, and a pushing member. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing the operation of a sandwiching mechanism. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram showing the operation of a water addition processing unit. [Figure 7] A hardware configuration diagram of a post-processing apparatus. [Figure 8] A flowchart of staple processing. [Figure 9] A diagram showing variations in the tip shape of a small-hole forming member. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the shapes and operations of a small-hole forming member and a pushing member according to Modification 1. [Figure 11]A diagram showing the shape and operation of the push-in member related to Modification 2. [Figure 12] A diagram showing the shape and operation of the push-in member related to the modified example 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The image forming system 1 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system 1. The image forming system 1 has the function of forming an image on paper P (a sheet-like medium) and performing post-processing on the paper P on which the image has been formed. The sheet-like medium is not limited to paper P, but may also be an OHP sheet, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, etc. As shown in Figure 1, the image forming system 1 consists of an image forming apparatus 2 and a post-processing apparatus 3 (a medium processing apparatus).

[0010] The image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on paper P and discharges the image-formed paper P to the post-processing device 3. The image forming apparatus 2 mainly comprises a tray containing paper P, a transport unit for transporting the paper P contained in the tray, and an image forming unit for forming an image on the paper P transported by the transport unit. The image forming unit may be an inkjet system that forms images using ink, or an electrophotographic system that forms images using toner. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 is already well known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0011] Figure 2 shows the internal structure of the post-processing device 3. The post-processing device 3 performs post-processing on the paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2. The post-processing according to this embodiment is a stapling process that binds a stack of multiple paper P on which an image has been formed (hereinafter referred to as "paper stack"). More specifically, the stapling process according to this embodiment is a pressure binding process that binds the paper stack without using a staple. Furthermore, the pressure binding includes an edge binding process that binds the edges of the paper stack in the transport direction and a saddle binding process that binds the center of the paper stack.

[0012] The post-processing device 3 includes conveyance roller pairs 10 to 19 (conveyance unit) and a switching claw 20. The conveyance roller pairs 10 to 19 convey the paper P supplied from the image forming device 2 inside the post-processing device 3. More specifically, the conveyance roller pairs 10 to 13 convey the paper P along the first conveyance path Ph1. Also, the conveyance roller pairs 14 to 15 convey the paper P along the second conveyance path Ph2. Further, the conveyance roller pairs 16 to 19 convey the paper P along the third conveyance path Ph3.

[0013] The first conveyance path Ph1 is a path from the supply port of the paper P from the image forming device 2 to the discharge tray 21. The second conveyance path Ph2 branches from the first conveyance path Ph1 between the conveyance roller pairs 11 and 14 in the conveyance direction and reaches the discharge tray 26 via the internal tray 22. The third conveyance path Ph3 branches from the first conveyance path Ph1 between the conveyance roller pairs 11 and 14 in the conveyance direction and reaches the discharge tray 30.

[0014] The switching claw 20 is disposed at the branching position of the first conveyance path Ph1 and the second conveyance path Ph2. The switching claw 20 is configured to be switchable between a first position where the paper P is discharged to the discharge tray 21 through the first conveyance path Ph1 and a second position where the paper P conveyed through the first conveyance path Ph1 is guided to the second conveyance path Ph2. Also, when the trailing edge of the paper P that has entered the second conveyance path Ph2 passes the conveyance roller pair 11, the conveyance roller pair 14 is rotated reversely, whereby the paper P is guided to the third conveyance path Ph3. Further, the post-processing device 3 includes a plurality of sensors that detect the position of the paper P on each of the conveyance paths Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3. Note that the sensors that detect the position of the paper P during conveyance are indicated by black-filled triangles (▲) in FIG. 2.

[0015] The post-processing device 3 includes a discharge tray 21. The discharge tray 21 supports the paper P discharged through the first conveyance path Ph1. Staple processing is not performed on the paper P supplied from the image forming device 2 and is discharged onto the discharge tray 21.

[0016] Further, the post-processing device 3 includes an internal tray 22 (tray), an end fence 23, side fences 24L and 24R, a crimp binding processing unit 25, and a discharge tray 26. The internal tray 22, the end fence 23, the side fences 24L and 24R, and the crimp binding processing unit 25 perform edge binding processing on the sheet P conveyed on the second conveyance path Ph2. A bundled sheet on which the edge binding processing has been performed is discharged onto the discharge tray 26 from the sheets P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2. Hereinafter, the direction from the pair of conveyance rollers 15 toward the end fence 23 is defined as the "conveyance direction of the sheet P". Also, the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the sheet P supported by the internal tray 22 and the conveyance direction of the sheet P is defined as the "main scanning direction (width direction of the sheet P)". The conveyance direction, the thickness direction, and the main scanning direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0017] The internal tray 22 temporarily supports a plurality of sheets P sequentially conveyed on the second conveyance path Ph2. The end fence 23 aligns the positions of the bundled sheets supported by the internal tray 22 in the conveyance direction. The side fences 24L and 24R align the positions of the bundled sheets supported by the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The crimp binding processing unit 25 crimps and binds the ends of the bundled sheets aligned by the end fence 23 and the side fences 24L and 24R. Then, the pair of conveyance rollers 15 discharges the bundled sheets on which the edge binding processing has been performed onto the discharge tray 26. The configuration of the crimp binding processing unit 25 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0018] Further, the post-processing device 3 further includes an end fence 27, a binding processing unit 28, a paper folding blade 29, and a discharge tray 30. The end fence 27, the binding processing unit 28, and the paper folding blade 29 perform middle binding processing on the sheet P conveyed on the third conveyance path Ph3. A bundled sheet on which the middle binding processing has been performed is discharged onto the discharge tray 30 from the sheets P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2.

[0019] The end fence 27 aligns the positions of multiple sheets of paper P being transported sequentially along the third transport path Ph3. The end fence 27 is also configured to be movable between a saddle-stitch position where the center of the paper stack faces the saddle-stitch processing unit 28 and a folding position where it faces the paper folding blade 29. The saddle-stitch processing unit 28 saddle-stitches the center of the paper stack aligned by the end fence 27 at the saddle-stitch position. The paper folding blade 29 folds the paper stack supported by the end fence 27 at the folding position in half and holds it between the transport roller pair 18. The transport roller pairs 18 and 19 discharge the saddle-stitched paper stack into the discharge tray 30.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the crimping and binding processing unit 25. The crimping and binding processing unit 25 crimps and binds multiple sheets of paper P (hereinafter simply referred to as "paper P" or "paper stack") supported in the internal tray 22 at the binding position. The binding position is any position on the surface of the paper P. As shown in Figure 3, the crimping and binding processing unit 25 mainly comprises an arm 31, a holder 32, a large hole punching member 33, a small hole punching member 34, a push-in member 35, and a clamping mechanism 36.

[0021] The arm 31 is supported by the frame of the post-processing device 3 so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis L1 that extends in the thickness direction of the paper P. The arm 31 rotates around the pivot axis L1 when the driving force of the rotary motor 37 (see Figure 7) is transmitted to it. A holder 32 is attached to one end of the arm 31. Furthermore, a clamping mechanism 36 is attached to the other end of the arm 31. The one end and the other end of the arm 31 are positioned on opposite sides of the pivot axis L1. As the arm 31 rotates around the pivot axis L1, either the holder 32 or the clamping mechanism 36 faces the binding position of the paper P.

[0022] The holder 32 is supported at one end of the arm 31 so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis L2 that extends in the thickness direction of the paper P. The holder 32 rotates around the pivot axis L2 relative to the arm 31 when the driving force of the rotation motor 38 (see Figure 7) is transmitted to it. The holder 32 also supports the large hole punching member 33, the small hole punching member 34, and the push-in member 35. As the holder 32 rotates around the pivot axis L2, one of the large hole punching member 33, the small hole punching member 34, and the push-in member 35 faces the binding position of the paper P. Furthermore, the holder 32 moves (up and down) in a direction that brings the large hole punching member 33, the small hole punching member 34, and the push-in member 35 closer to and further away from the paper P when the driving force of the lifting motor 39 (see Figure 7) is transmitted to it.

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the large-hole punching member 33, the small-hole punching member 34, and the push-in member 35. In this embodiment, the large-hole punching member 33, the small-hole punching member 34, and the push-in member 35 have a cylindrical outer shape. The diameter of the large-hole punching member 33 is larger than the diameters of the small-hole punching member 34 and the push-in member 35. The diameter of the small-hole punching member 34 is smaller than the diameters of the large-hole punching member 33 and the push-in member 35. The diameter of the push-in member 35 is smaller than the diameter of the large-hole punching member 33 and larger than the diameter of the small-hole punching member 34.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4(A), by bringing the holder 32 close to the paper P with the large hole punching member 33 facing the binding position, the large hole punching member 33 penetrates the paper P in the thickness direction and punches a large hole at the binding position of the paper P. Also, as shown in Figure 4(B), by bringing the holder 32 close to the paper P with the small hole punching member 34 facing the binding position, the small hole punching member 34 penetrates the paper P in the thickness direction and punches a small hole at the binding position of the paper P. The diameter of the small hole is smaller than the diameter of the large hole. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4(C) and 4(D), by bringing the holder 32 close to the paper stack from the side where the small hole is formed, with the push-in member 35 facing the binding position, the push-in member 35 pushes the peripheral portion of the small hole formed in the paper P into the large hole formed in the other paper P.

[0025] The clamping mechanism 36 clamps the stack of paper from both sides in the thickness direction at the binding position, thereby compressing and binding the stack of paper. The clamping mechanism 36 comprises a recessed member 36a and a convex member 36b that face each other while clamping the stack of paper. The recessed member 36a and the convex member 36b move toward and away from the stack of paper when the driving force of the contact / separation motor 40 (see Figure 7) is transmitted to them.

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the clamping mechanism 36. The surface of the recessed member 36a facing the stack of paper is recessed so as to surround the large hole. In addition, the surface of the convex member 36b facing the stack of paper has a projection smaller than the diameter of the large hole. As shown in Figure 5(B), when the recessed member 36a and the convex member 36b are brought close together, the projection of the convex member 36b enters the large hole, and the stack of paper is clamped between the recessed member 36a and the convex member 36b. This compresses and binds the stack of paper.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(B), the crimping and binding processing unit 25 is configured to slide in the main scanning direction by the driving force transmitted from the slide motor 41 (see Figure 7). This allows the crimping and binding processing unit 25 to face the holder 32 and the clamping mechanism 36 at any binding position set in the main scanning direction.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the post-processing device 3 includes a watering unit 42. The watering unit 42 is located upstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction and faces the first transport path Ph1. The watering unit 42 applies liquid (e.g., water) to the binding position of the paper P transported by the transport roller pairs 10 and 11. Note that the installation location of the watering unit 42 is not limited to the example in Figure 2, as long as it is located upstream of the internal tray 22 in the transport direction.

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the water addition unit 42. As shown in Figure 6, the water addition unit 42 mainly comprises a water supply tank 43, a water addition member 44, and a water addition motor 45 (see Figure 7). The water supply tank 43 stores the liquid to be applied to the paper P. The water addition member 44 is connected to the water supply tank 43 by a tube 46. The water addition member 44 is made of a material (for example, a sponge) that can absorb the liquid supplied from the water supply tank 43 through the tube 46. Furthermore, the water addition member 44 moves in a direction toward and away from the paper P on the first transport path Ph1 by the driving force transmitted from the water addition motor 45. Then, as shown in Figure 6(B), by pressing the water addition member 44 at the binding position of the paper P, the water absorbed by the water addition member 44 is applied to the paper P (i.e., water is added).

[0030] Figure 7 is a hardware configuration diagram of the post-processing unit 3. As shown in Figure 7, the post-processing unit 3 has a configuration in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, and I / F 105 are connected via a common bus 109.

[0031] The CPU 101 is the arithmetic unit and controls the operation of the entire post-processing unit 3. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium that allows high-speed reading and writing of information and is used as a workspace for the CPU 101 when processing information. The ROM 103 is a read-only, non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium that allows reading and writing of information and has a large storage capacity, and stores the OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0032] The post-processing unit 3 processes control programs stored in the ROM 103, information processing programs (application programs) loaded into the RAM 102 from storage media such as the HDD 104, etc., using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software control unit, which includes various functional modules of the post-processing unit 3. The combination of this software control unit and the hardware resources installed in the post-processing unit 3 constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing unit 3. In other words, the CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, and HDD 104 constitute a controller 100 that controls the operation of the post-processing unit 3.

[0033] I / F105 is an interface that connects the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, 15, the switching claw 20, the side fences 24L, 24R, the rotating motors 37, 38, the lifting motor 39, the contact / separation motor 40, the slide motor 41, the water supply motor 45, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109. The controller 100 operates the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, 15, the switching claw 20, the side fences 24L, 24R, the rotating motors 37, 38, the lifting motor 39, the contact / separation motor 40, the slide motor 41, and the water supply motor 45 through I / F105. Although Figure 7 only shows the components that perform edge stitching, the components that perform saddle stitching are similarly controlled by the controller 100.

[0034] The control panel 110 comprises an operation unit that receives input operations from the user and a display (notification unit) that notifies the user of information. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys, a touch panel superimposed on the display, etc. The control panel 110 acquires information from the user through the operation unit and provides information to the user through the display. Note that the notification unit is not limited to a display and may also include LED lamps, speakers, etc.

[0035] Figure 8 is a flowchart of the stapling process. The stapling process is the process of binding N sheets of paper P supported in the internal tray 22 together. The controller 100 executes the stapling process shown in Figure 8 in response to, for example, an instruction to execute the stapling process (hereinafter referred to as "stapling instruction"). The stapling instruction includes, for example, the number of sheets of paper P constituting the paper stack to be bound, the number of binding positions, and the position in the main scanning direction. The number of sheets to be bound N, the number of binding positions, and the position in the main scanning direction may be specified by the user, for example, through the operation panel 110.

[0036] First, the controller 100 drives the slide motor 41 to slide the crimping and stapling section 25 to a position where it can face the stapling position indicated by the staple instruction. The controller 100 also drives the rotating motors 37 and 38 to move the large hole punching member 33 to a position where it can face the stapling position indicated by the staple instruction (S801).

[0037] Next, the controller 100 rotates the transport roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 to accommodate the paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2 into the internal tray 22 (S802). The controller 100 also moves the side fences 24L and 24R to align the position of the stack of paper supported in the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction (so-called jogging). Furthermore, the controller 100 drives the watering motor 45 to add water to the binding position of the paper P being transported along the first transport path Ph1.

[0038] Next, as shown in Figure 4(A), the controller 100 drives the lifting motor 39 to cause the large hole punching member 33 to penetrate the paper P contained in the internal tray 22 in the previous step S802, thereby forming a large hole at the binding position (S803). The controller 100 also drives the lifting motor 39 in reverse to raise the large hole punching member 33 to a position above the paper P.

[0039] Next, the controller 100 determines whether the number of sheets of paper P supported in the internal tray 22 (in other words, sheets of paper P with large holes formed on them) has reached M sheets (S804). Then, the controller 100 repeatedly executes the processes in steps S802 to S803 until the number of sheets of paper P reaches M sheets (S804: No). That is, the controller 100 forms large holes in the M sheets of paper P at the bottom (one end in the thickness direction) of the N sheets of paper P that make up the paper stack. In other words, the controller 100 forms large holes in the M sheets of paper P that are first placed in the internal tray 22 of the N sheets of paper P that make up the paper stack.

[0040] The number of sheets to be bound, N, is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The number of sheets of paper P to form large holes, M, is an integer less than the number of sheets to be bound, N. For example, the controller 100 may increase or decrease the number of sheets of paper P to be punched with small holes (NM) according to the number of sheets to be bound, N, specified by the user via the operation panel 110. As another example, the number of sheets of paper P to be punched with small holes (NM) may be a predetermined fixed value (for example, 1 sheet).

[0041] Next, in response to the number of sheets of paper P with large holes formed on them reaching M sheets (S804: Yes), the controller 100 drives the rotary motor 38 to move the small hole punching member 34 to a position facing the binding position indicated by the staple instruction (S805). Next, the controller 100 places the water-soaked paper P into the internal tray 22 at the binding position and jogs it (S806). The process in step S806 is the same as in step S802.

[0042] Next, as shown in Figure 4(B), the controller 100 drives the lifting motor 39 to cause the small hole punching member 34 to penetrate the paper P, which was placed in the internal tray 22 in the previous step S806, thereby forming small holes at the binding positions (S807). As a result, small holes are formed at positions that communicate with the large holes formed earlier. The controller 100 also drives the lifting motor 39 in reverse to raise the small hole punching member 34 to a position above the paper P.

[0043] Next, the controller 100 determines whether the number of sheets of paper P supported in the internal tray 22 has reached N sheets (S808). Then, the controller 100 repeatedly executes steps S806 to S807 until the number of sheets of paper P reaches N sheets (S808: No). In other words, the controller 100 forms small holes in (NM) sheets of paper P at the top (the other end in the thickness direction) of the N sheets of paper P that make up the paper stack. In other words, the controller 100 forms small holes in (NM) sheets of paper P that are the last to be placed in the internal tray 22 of the N sheets of paper P that make up the paper stack.

[0044] Next, in response to the number of sheets of paper P reaching N (S808: Yes), the controller 100 drives the rotary motor 38, as shown in Figure 4(C), to move the pushing member 35 to a position facing the stapling position indicated by the staple instruction. The controller 100 also drives the lifting motor 39, as shown in Figure 4(D), to insert the pushing member 35 into the small and large holes from the side where the small holes are formed (S809). As a result, the peripheral portions of the small holes made in the upper (NM) sheets of paper P are pushed into the large holes made in the lower M sheets of paper P. Furthermore, the controller 100 reverses the drive of the lifting motor 39 to raise the pushing member 35 to a position above the paper P.

[0045] Next, the controller 100 drives the rotary motor 37 to move the clamping mechanism 36 to a position facing the binding position indicated by the staple instruction. Also, as shown in Figure 5(B), the controller 100 drives the contact / separation motor 40 to clamp the stack of paper supported in the internal tray 22 between the recessed material 36a and the convex material 36b (S810). This fastens N sheets of paper P together. The controller 100 then drives the contact / separation motor 40 in reverse to separate the recessed material 36a and the convex material 36b. Furthermore, the controller 100 rotates the transport roller pair 15 to discharge the fastened stack of paper into the discharge tray 26.

[0046] In Figure 8, steps S802 to S804 describe an example where large holes are formed on one sheet of paper P each time a sheet is placed in the internal tray 22. However, when M sheets of paper P are placed in the internal tray 22, large holes may be formed on all M sheets of paper P at once. Also, in Figure 8, steps S806 to S808 describe an example where small holes are formed on one sheet of paper P each time a sheet is placed in the internal tray 22. However, when (NM) sheets of paper P are placed in the internal tray 22, small holes may be formed on all (NM) sheets of paper P at once.

[0047] Furthermore, if there are two or more stapling locations indicated by the stapling instructions, the controller 100 can perform steps S803, S807, S809, and S810 for each of the multiple stapling locations. In other words, the controller 100 is configured to change the location and number of stapling locations according to the stapling instructions (typically, user input via the operation panel 110).

[0048] According to the above embodiment, for example, the following effects are achieved.

[0049] According to the above embodiment, a stack of N sheets of paper is compressed and bound by pressing the peripheral portions of small holes, which are continuous in the circumferential direction, into larger holes. This makes it possible to achieve uniform binding strength for different peeling directions.

[0050] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which large holes are formed in the lower M sheets of paper P supported by the internal tray 22, and small holes are formed in the upper (NM) sheets. However, the sides on which the small and large holes are formed may be reversed. That is, large holes may be formed in the upper M sheets of paper P supported by the internal tray 22, and small holes may be formed in the lower (NM) sheets. In this case, the pushing member 35 should push the peripheral portion of the small hole into the large hole from the lower side of the paper stack (i.e., the side on which the small hole is formed).

[0051] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the adhesion of the paper stack is improved by adding water to the binding position of each of the N sheets of paper P. It is not necessary to add water to all N sheets of paper P that make up the paper stack; water may be added to only some of the N sheets of paper P. Also, the water-adding processing unit 42 may be omitted.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the number of sheets of paper P to be punched with small holes (NM) is increased or decreased (in other words, the number of sheets of paper P to be punched with large holes M) according to the number of sheets N to be bound specified by the user via the operation panel 110. For example, the more sheets of paper N to be bound, the easier it is to perform pressure binding by increasing the number of sheets of paper P to be punched with small holes (NM).

[0053] However, the parameter that determines the distribution of paper P to form large and small holes is not limited to the number of sheets N to be bound. As another example, the controller 100 may increase or decrease the number of sheets P to make small holes (NM) depending on the thickness of the paper P input through the operation panel 110. More specifically, the controller 100 may increase the number of sheets P to make small holes (NM) as the paper P becomes thinner. This prevents cracks from forming around the edges of the small holes when pressed by the pressing member 35.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the position and number of binding positions can be arbitrarily changed. For example, if the position of the punch holes for binding the stack of paper to the binder is set as the binding position, the through holes (large and small holes) for pressure binding the stack of paper can also be used as punch holes for binding the stack of paper to the binder. As a result, the pressure-bound stack of paper can be bound to the binder.

[0055] Figure 9 shows variations in the tip shape of the small hole punching member 34. As shown in Figure 9(A), when the tip of the small hole punching member 34 is circular, a perfectly circular small hole is formed in the paper P. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9(B), by replacing the small hole punching member 34 with a notching member 47 having an X-shaped tip, multiple notches extending in directions that intersect (orthogonal) with each other are formed in the paper P. The length of each of the multiple notches is smaller than the diameter of the large hole formed by the large hole punching member 33.

[0056] Specifically, in step S805 of Figure 8, the controller 100 inserts the notching member 47 into (NM) sheets of paper P from the other end in the thickness direction at the binding position of the stack of paper supported by the internal tray 22, as shown in Figure 9(B). This creates an X-shaped notch in each of the (NM) sheets of paper P. Then, in step S809 of Figure 8, the controller 100 pushes the notched portions formed in the (NM) sheets of paper P in step S805 into the large holes made in the M sheets of paper P.

[0057] [Example 1] Figure 10 shows the shape and operation of the small hole-punching member 34A and the push-in member 35A according to Modification 1. Detailed explanations of the similarities with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be explained in detail. Modification 1 differs from the above embodiment in that the small hole-punching member 34A and the push-in member 35A are integrated.

[0058] As shown in Figures 10(A) and 10(B), the pressing member 35A in Modification 1 is a cylindrical portion that protrudes from the holder 32 toward the paper P supported by the internal tray 22. The small hole punching member 34A in Modification 1 is a conical portion that protrudes from the protruding end of the pressing member 35A toward the paper P supported by the internal tray 22. In other words, the diameter of the small hole punching member 34A in Modification 1 decreases continuously toward the paper P supported by the internal tray 22. By integrating the small hole punching member 34A and the pressing member 35A in this way, cost reduction becomes possible.

[0059] Furthermore, in step S807 of Figure 8, the controller 100, as shown in Figure 10(C), uses a cone-shaped small-hole punching member 34A to penetrate the paper P contained in the internal tray 22, thereby forming small holes at the binding positions. Also, in step S809 of Figure 8, the controller 100 inserts a push member 35A into the small and large holes from the side where the small holes are formed, as shown in Figure 10(D).

[0060] In other words, in the modified example 1, the processes of steps S807 and S809 can be performed continuously simply by driving the lifting motor 39 to lower the holder 32. In other words, the process of driving the rotating motor 38 to face the pressing member 35A to the stapling position between steps S807 and S809 can be omitted. This improves the throughput of the stapling process.

[0061] [Differentiation 2] Figure 11 shows the shape and operation of the push-in member 35B according to Modification 2. Detailed explanations of the similarities with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be explained in detail. Modification 2 differs from the above embodiment in that it is equipped with a frustoconical push-in member 35B.

[0062] As shown in Figures 11(A) and 11(B), the push-in member 35B according to the modified example 2 has a frustoconical shape that protrudes from the holder 32 toward the paper P supported by the internal tray 22. Furthermore, the diameter of the push-in member 35B decreases continuously toward the protruding end. In other words, the diameter of the push-in member 35B increases as it approaches the holder 32.

[0063] Furthermore, in step S809 of the modified example 2, the controller 100 increases or decreases the insertion amount of the push member 35B into the stack of paper supported in the internal tray 22 based on the thickness of the paper P or the number of sheets N input through the operation panel 110, as shown in Figures 11(C) and 11(D).

[0064] As an example, as shown in Figure 11(C), the controller 100 reduces the insertion amount of the push member 35B as the number of sheets to be bound N decreases. Also, as shown in Figure 11(D), the controller 100 increases the insertion amount of the push member 35B as the number of sheets to be bound N increases. This ensures an appropriate binding allowance according to the number of sheets to be bound N.

[0065] As another example, the controller 100 reduces the insertion amount of the pressing member 35B as the paper P becomes thinner. Conversely, the controller 100 increases the insertion amount of the pressing member 35B as the paper P becomes thicker. This prevents cracking caused by inserting the pressing member 35 too deeply into thin paper and ensures an appropriate binding allowance according to the thickness of the paper stack.

[0066] [Difference 3] Figure 12 shows the shape and operation of the push member 35C according to Modification 3. A detailed explanation of the similarities with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be explained in detail. Modification 3 differs from the above embodiment in that it includes a push member 35C that can expand and contract in the radial direction. As shown in Figures 12(A) and 12(B), the push member 35C according to Modification 3 consists of a cylindrical portion 48 and a bush guide 49.

[0067] The cylindrical portion 48 has a cylindrical outer shape that protrudes from the holder 32 toward P, which is supported by the internal tray 22. The cylindrical portion 48 also has a plurality of slits 50 formed within it. These slits 50 radiate outwards from the center of the cylindrical portion 48, and each extends in a protruding direction. In other words, the cylindrical portion 48 is divided by the slits 50. While Figure 12 describes an example where four slits 50 are arranged in an X-shape, the number of slits 50 is not limited to this.

[0068] The bush guide 49 is configured to be axially insertable and removable from the cylindrical portion 48 at the intersection of the multiple slits 50 (i.e., the center of the cylindrical portion 48). As shown in the left diagram of Figure 12(B) and Figure 12(C), the diameter of the cylindrical portion 48 when the bush guide 49 is not inserted is set to be smaller than the diameter of the large hole. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 48 expands radially when the bush guide 49 is inserted (i.e., the width of the slits 50 widens).

[0069] In the third modified example, the controller 100 inserts the cylindrical portion 48, with the bush guide 49 removed, into the large hole in step S809 of Figure 8, as shown in Figure 12(C). This causes the peripheral edge of the small hole to fold back toward the large hole. Next, as shown in Figure 12(D), the controller 100 inserts the bush guide 49 into the cylindrical portion 48 that has entered the large hole, thereby expanding the diameter of the cylindrical portion 48 in the radial direction. This causes the folded peripheral edge of the small hole to press against the wall surface defining the large hole. According to the third modified example, the occurrence of cracks due to friction when inserting the cylindrical portion 48 can be prevented.

[0070] Furthermore, the control method described above may be implemented, for example, by a program. That is, the control method is a method by which a computer executes by having the arithmetic unit, memory device, input device, output device, and control device work together based on a program. The program may also be written to a memory device or storage medium and distributed, or distributed via telecommunication lines, etc.

[0071] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its technical essence. All technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The above embodiments are preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0072] [Aspects of the present invention] The content of the present invention is as follows, for example.

[0073] <1> A conveying unit that conveys a sheet-like medium in a conveying direction, A tray capable of supporting a plurality of the media conveyed by the conveying unit, A pressure-bonding binding processing unit that pressure-bonds and binds N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets of the media supported on the tray by pressurizing and deforming them at the binding position, and The pressure-bonding binding processing unit At the binding position of the N sheets of the media supported on the tray, a large-hole punching member that punches large holes in M (M < N) sheets of the media from one end side in the thickness direction, At the binding position of the N sheets of the media supported on the tray, a pushing member that pushes (N - M) sheets of the media from the other end side in the thickness direction into the large holes punched in M sheets of the media from one end side in the thickness direction, A media processing apparatus, comprising a sandwiching mechanism that sandwiches the N sheets of the media supported on the tray from both sides in the thickness direction at the binding position and pressure-bonds and binds them.

[0074] <2> The pressure-bonding binding processing unit includes a small-hole punching member that punches small holes with a diameter smaller than that of the large holes in (N - M) sheets of the media from the other end side in the thickness direction at the binding position of the N sheets of the media supported on the tray, The media processing apparatus according to <1>, wherein the pushing member pushes the peripheral portion of the small holes punched in (N - M) sheets of the media into the large holes punched in M sheets of the media.

[0075] <3> The pushing member is a cylinder that protrudes toward the media supported on the tray, The media processing apparatus according to <2>, wherein the small-hole punching member is a cone whose diameter decreases from the protruding end of the pushing member toward the media supported on the tray.

[0076] <4> An operation unit that receives an input of the thickness of the media or the number of sheets N of the media to be pressure-bonded and bound, The crimping and binding processing unit is characterized by increasing or decreasing the number of sheets (NM) to be perforated based on the thickness of the medium or the number of sheets to be bound N input through the operation unit. <2> or <3> This is the media processing apparatus described above.

[0077] <5> The crimping and binding processing unit includes a notching member that forms notches smaller than the diameter of the large hole in (NM) sheets of the medium at the binding position of the N sheets of the medium supported on the tray, starting from the other end in the thickness direction. The pressing member is characterized by pressing the portions of the (NM) media in which the cuts are formed into the large holes made in the M media. <1> from the above <4> This is a media processing device described in any of the above.

[0078] <6> The aforementioned pressing member is A cylindrical portion having multiple slits that protrude toward the medium supported by the tray and that radiate outwards from the center, each extending in the direction of protrusion, At the intersections of the multiple slits, a bush guide is provided which is inserted into and removed from the cylindrical portion. The aforementioned crimping and binding processing unit is With the bush guide removed, the cylindrical portion is inserted into the large hole from the other end in the thickness direction. The bush guide is inserted into the intersection of the multiple slits of the cylindrical portion that has entered the large hole, thereby expanding the diameter of the cylindrical portion. <1> from the above <5> This is a media processing device described in any one of the following.

[0079] <7> The system includes an operating unit that accepts input of the thickness of the medium or the number of sheets N of the medium to be bound together. The pressing member protrudes toward the medium supported by the tray and has a frustoconical shape with a diameter that decreases toward the protruding end. The crimping and binding processing unit is characterized by increasing or decreasing the amount of insertion of the pressing member into the N sheets of media supported in the tray, based on the thickness of the media or the number of sheets to be bound N input through the operation unit. <1> from the above <6> This is a media processing device described in any one of the following.

[0080] <8> The aforementioned device is characterized by having a water-adding processing unit located upstream of the tray in the transport direction, which adds water to the binding position of the medium being transported by the transport unit. <1> from the above <7> This is a media processing device described in any one of the following.

[0081] <9> The crimping and binding processing unit is characterized in that it is configured to change the position and number of binding positions on the medium supported by the tray. <1> from the above <8> This is a media processing device described in any one of the following.

[0082] <10> An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the aforementioned medium, The image forming apparatus presses together a plurality of media on which images have been formed. <1> from the above <9> An image forming system characterized by comprising a media processing device described in any one of the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1: Image forming system 2: Image forming apparatus 3: Post-processing equipment 10-19: Conveyor roller pair 20: Switching claw 21, 26, 30: Output tray 22: Internal tray 23,27: End fence 24L, 24R: Side fence 25: Crimp binding processing section 28: Binding Processing Section 29: Paper folding blade 31: Arm 32: Holder 33: Large hole drilling component 34,34A: Small hole drilling component 35, 35A, 35B, 35C: Push-in members 36a: Recessed material 36b: Convex member 37,38: Rotary motor 39: Lifting motor 40: Contact / Disconnection Motor 41: Slide motor 42: Water treatment section 43: Water tank 44: Hydration component 45: Hydration motor 46: Tube 47: Cutting member 48: Cylindrical section 49: Bush Guide 50: Slit 100: Controller 101: CPU 102: RAM 103: ROM 104: HDD 105 :I / F 109: Common Bus 110: Control Panel [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0084] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-114113

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet-like medium in the conveying direction, A tray capable of supporting a plurality of media transported by the transport unit, The system comprises a pressure binding processing unit that compresses and deforms N (where N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets of the medium supported on the tray at the binding position, thereby binding them together. The aforementioned crimping and binding processing unit is A perforating member that punches holes in M ​​(M < N) sheets of the medium at the binding position of the N sheets of the medium supported on the tray, starting from one end in the thickness direction, A pressing member is provided to press (N-M) of the media from one end in the thickness direction into the holes made in the M media at the binding position of the N media supported on the tray, A media processing apparatus comprising: a clamping mechanism that clamps and compresses N sheets of media supported on the tray from both sides in the thickness direction at the binding position.

2. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet-like medium in the conveying direction, A tray capable of supporting a plurality of media transported by the transport unit, The system comprises a pressure binding processing unit that compresses and deforms N (where N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets of the medium supported on the tray at the binding position, thereby binding them together. The aforementioned crimping and binding processing unit is A large-hole punching member is provided to punch large holes in M ​​(M < N) sheets of the medium at the binding position of the N sheets of the medium supported on the tray, starting from one end in the thickness direction. A pressing member is provided to press (N-M) sheets of the media into the large holes made in the M sheets of the media, at the binding position of the N sheets of media supported on the tray, from the other end in the thickness direction, and from one end in the thickness direction. The device comprises a clamping mechanism that clamps and compresses N sheets of the medium, supported by the tray, from both sides in the thickness direction at the binding position, The crimping and binding processing unit includes a small hole punching member that punches small holes smaller in diameter than the large hole in (N-M) sheets of the medium at the binding position of the N sheets of the medium supported on the tray, starting from the other end in the thickness direction. The media processing apparatus is characterized in that the pressing member presses the peripheral portions of the small holes made in (N-M) sheets of the media into the large holes made in M ​​sheets of the media.

3. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet-like medium in the conveying direction, A tray capable of supporting a plurality of media transported by the transport unit, The system comprises a pressure binding processing unit that compresses and deforms N (where N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets of the medium supported on the tray at the binding position, thereby binding them together. The aforementioned crimping and binding processing unit is A large-hole punching member is provided to punch large holes in M ​​(M < N) sheets of the medium at the binding position of the N sheets of the medium supported on the tray, starting from one end in the thickness direction. A pressing member is provided to press (N-M) sheets of the media into the large holes made in the M sheets of the media, at the binding position of the N sheets of media supported on the tray, from the other end in the thickness direction, and from one end in the thickness direction. The device comprises a clamping mechanism that clamps and compresses N sheets of the medium, supported by the tray, from both sides in the thickness direction at the binding position, The crimping and binding processing unit includes a notching member that forms notches smaller than the diameter of the large hole in (N-M) sheets of the medium at the binding position of the N sheets of the medium supported on the tray, starting from the other end in the thickness direction. The media processing apparatus is characterized in that the pressing member presses the portions of the (N-M) media in which the cuts are formed into the large holes made in the M media.

4. The pressing member is a cylinder that protrudes toward the medium supported by the tray, The media processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the small hole-punching member is a cone whose diameter decreases from the protruding end of the pressing member toward the medium supported by the tray.

5. The system includes an operating unit that accepts input of the thickness of the medium or the number of sheets N of the medium to be bound together. The media processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the crimping and binding processing unit increases or decreases the number of sheets to be bound (N-M) based on the thickness of the medium or the number of sheets to be bound N input through the operation unit.

6. The aforementioned pressing member is A cylindrical portion having multiple slits that protrude toward the medium supported by the tray and that radiate outwards from the center, each extending in the direction of protrusion, At the intersections of the multiple slits, a bush guide is provided which is inserted into and removed from the cylindrical portion. The aforementioned crimping and binding processing unit is With the bush guide removed, the cylindrical portion is inserted into the large hole from the other end in the thickness direction. The media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the bush guide is inserted into the intersection of the plurality of slits of the cylindrical portion that has entered the large hole, thereby expanding the diameter of the cylindrical portion.

7. The system includes an operating unit that accepts input of the thickness of the medium or the number of sheets N of the medium to be bound together. The pressing member protrudes toward the medium supported by the tray and has a frustoconical shape with a diameter that decreases toward the protruding end. The media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the crimping and binding processing unit increases or decreases the amount of insertion of the pressing member into the N sheets of media supported in the tray based on the thickness of the media or the number of sheets to be bound N input through the operation unit.

8. The media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a watering section for adding water to the binding position of the media being conveyed by the conveying section, upstream of the tray in the conveying direction.

9. The media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the crimping and binding processing unit is configured to change the position and number of binding positions on the medium supported by the tray.

10. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the aforementioned medium, An image forming system comprising a media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which compresses and binds a plurality of media on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatus.

Images