Media processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

Abstract

The present disclosure is to provide a media processing apparatus that prevents liquid leakage onto a medium. A media processing device includes a liquid application unit configured to apply a liquid; a moving mechanism configured to move a liquid application member; a media processing unit configured to perform a predetermined process on a media bundle to which the liquid has been applied; a first liquid reservoir configured to store liquid used for liquid application; a second liquid reservoir configured to store liquid supplied to the first liquid reservoir; a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid from the second liquid reservoir to the first liquid reservoir; a first liquid detector configured to detect the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir; and a controller configured to control operations of the media processing unit and the liquid supply unit. The controller changes the liquid stop level in the liquid supply operation according to the remaining amount of liquid in the first liquid reservoir. When the first liquid detector continues to detect the liquid level even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the liquid supply operation, the liquid application member is moved to a liquid supply operation position between a contact position and a separated position, and a positioning supply operation for supplying liquid to a predetermined liquid level in the first liquid reservoir is executed.

Description

MEDIA PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

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

[0002] Media processing apparatuses that bind a sheet bundle formed by stacking sheet-shaped media are known. As binding processes applicable to such media processing apparatuses, there are known a “stapling process” that performs binding using a needle-like fastening member (binding member) that penetrates the sheet bundle, and a “crimp-binding process” that performs binding by plastically deforming a portion of the sheet bundle.

[0003] In media processing apparatuses, configurations for performing liquid supply operations according to user needs, in order to improve user convenience, have been disclosed (e.g., see Patent Literature 1).

[0004] [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-137733

[0005] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, a problem remains that, during the liquid supply operation executed according to a mode, the media may become wet due to liquid leakage onto the media support.

[0006] An object of an aspect of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a media processing apparatus that prevents adhesion of leaked liquid to the media.

[0007] According to an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a media processing apparatus is provided. The media processing apparatus includes:

[0008] a liquid application unit configured to bring a liquid application member into contact with a part of at least one medium to apply a liquid;

[0009] a moving mechanism configured to move the liquid application member between a contact position at which the liquid is applied to the medium and a separated position separate from the contact position;

[0010] a media processing unit configured to perform a predetermined process on a media bundle including at least one medium to which the liquid has been applied;

[0011] a first liquid reservoir configured to store a liquid used for the liquid application;

[0012] a liquid supply unit configured to supply the liquid to the first liquid reservoir;

[0013] a first liquid level detector configured to detect a liquid level of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir; and

[0014] a controller configured to control operations of the media processing unit and the liquid supply unit,

[0015] wherein the controller changes a liquid supply stop level in a liquid supply operation executed by the liquid supply unit in accordance with a remaining amount of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir, and

[0016] when the first liquid detector continues to detect the liquid level even after a predetermined time has elapsed from a start of the liquid supply operation, the controller moves the liquid application member to a supply operation position between the contact position and the separated position, and executes the liquid supply operation to supply the liquid to the first liquid reservoir until the supplied liquid reaches a predetermined liquid level in the first liquid reservoir.Advantageous Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to an aspect of embodiments of the present invention, adhesion of leaked liquid to the media can be prevented.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system.Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of a post-processing apparatus according to a first embodiment.Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an edge-binding processing unit as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction.Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the edge-binding processing unit as seen from the liquid application unit side in the main scanning direction.Fig. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a crimping unit of the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the crimping unit of the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a stapling processing unit as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction.Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a modification of the stapling processing unit as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction.Fig. 8A is a diagram illustrating the arrangement and configuration of a second liquid reservoir tank in the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 8B is a diagram illustrating the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid reservoir tank in the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 9A is a diagram illustrating the detachable configuration of the second liquid reservoir tank in the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 9B is a diagram illustrating the detachable configuration of the second liquid reservoir tank in the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 9C is a diagram illustrating the detachable configuration of the second liquid reservoir tank in the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block for controlling the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.Fig. 11 is a flowchart of a binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 12A is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during a single-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 12B is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the single-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 12C is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the single-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 12D is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the single-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 13A is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during a two-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 13B is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the two-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 13C is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the two-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 13D is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the two-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 13E is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the two-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 13F is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the two-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 13G is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the two-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 13H is a diagram illustrating the positions of the liquid application unit and the crimping unit during the two-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 14A is a diagram illustrating correspondence between a post-processing operation status and a liquid supply / discharge mode according to the present embodiment.Fig. 14B is a diagram illustrating correspondence between a post-processing operation status and a liquid supply / discharge mode according to the present embodiment.FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a liquid supply operation at startup of the post-processing apparatus or the like.Fig. 16A is a diagram illustrating an overview of a liquid supply operation at startup or the like.Fig. 16B is a diagram illustrating the overview of the liquid supply operation at startup or the like.Fig. 16C is a diagram illustrating the overview of the liquid supply operation at startup or the like.Fig. 17A is a diagram illustrating an overview of the liquid supply operation at startup or the like.Fig. 17B is a diagram illustrating the overview of the liquid supply operation at startup or the like.Fig. 18A is a diagram illustrating the overview of the liquid supply operation at startup or the like.Fig. 18B is a diagram illustrating an overview of the liquid supply operation at startup or the like.Fig. 19 is a flowchart of an overall control process of a binding process operation including a liquid supply operation according to the present embodiment.Fig. 20 is a flowchart of a job preparation_liquid supply operation control process according to the present embodiment.Fig. 21A is a diagram illustrating an example of a liquid level of a first liquid reservoir in a job preparation_liquid supply operation.Fig. 21B is a diagram illustrating an example of the liquid level of the first liquid reservoir in the job preparation_liquid supply operation.Fig. 21C is a diagram illustrating an example of the liquid level of the first liquid reservoir in the job preparation_liquid supply operation.Fig. 22 is a flowchart of a post-job_liquid supply operation control process according to the present embodiment.Fig. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of a binding process by the edge-binding processing unit.Fig. 24A is a schematic explanatory diagram of a liquid discharge operation which is one of liquid supply and discharge operations according to the present embodiment.Fig. 24B is a schematic explanatory diagram of a liquid discharge operation which is one of liquid supply and discharge operations according to the present embodiment.Fig. 25 is a flowchart of a liquid discharge operation control process of the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 27A is a diagram illustrating a flow path provided in the first liquid reservoir.Fig. 27B is a diagram illustrating the flow path provided in the first liquid reservoir.Fig. 28A is a diagram illustrating the flow path provided in the first liquid reservoir.Fig. 28B is a diagram illustrating the flow path provided in the first liquid reservoir.Fig. 29A is a diagram illustrating the flow path provided in the first liquid reservoir.Fig. 29B is a diagram illustrating the flow path provided in the first liquid reservoir.Fig. 29C is a diagram illustrating the flow path provided in the first liquid reservoir.Fig. 29D is a diagram illustrating the flow path provided in the first liquid reservoir.Fig. 30A is a diagram illustrating a position of a first liquid reservoir tank according to the present embodiment.Fig. 30B is a diagram illustrating a position of the first liquid reservoir tank according to the present embodiment.Fig. 30C is a diagram illustrating a position of the first liquid reservoir tank according to the present embodiment.Fig. 31 is a diagram illustrating a state of a liquid application member during liquid supply according to the present embodiment.Fig. 32A is a diagram illustrating a behavior of droplets leaked from the liquid application member according to the present embodiment.Fig. 32B is a diagram illustrating a behavior of droplets leaked from the liquid application member according to the present embodiment.Fig. 32C is a diagram illustrating a behavior of droplets leaked from the liquid application member according to the present embodiment.Fig. 33 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the liquid application member and a lower pressing plate according to the present embodiment.Fig. 34 is a flowchart of a liquid supply operation at startup, and the like of the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 36A is a diagram illustrating a first modification of a controller of the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 36B is a diagram illustrating the first modification of the controller of the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 37A is a diagram illustrating a second modification of a controller of the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 37B is a diagram illustrating the second modification of the controller of the post-processing apparatus.Fig. 38 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of a post-processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.Fig. 39A is a diagram illustrating an inner tray according to the second embodiment as seen from the thickness direction of a sheet.Fig. 39B is a diagram illustrating the inner tray according to the second embodiment as seen from the thickness direction of a sheet.Fig. 39C is a diagram illustrating the inner tray according to the second embodiment as seen from the thickness direction of a sheet.Fig. 40 is a schematic diagram illustrating a crimping unit according to the second embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction.Fig. 41A is a diagram illustrating a liquid application unit according to the second embodiment as seen from the thickness direction of a sheet.Fig. 41B is a diagram illustrating the liquid application unit according to the second embodiment as seen from the thickness direction of a sheet.Fig. 42A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 41A.Fig. 42B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 41A.Fig. 42C is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 41A.Fig. 43A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI in FIG. 41A.Fig. 43B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI in FIG. 41A.Fig. 43C is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI in FIG. 41A.Fig. 44 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block of the post-processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.Fig. 45 is a post-process flowchart of the post-processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.Fig. 46 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a modification of an image forming system.

[0019] Embodiment of the Image Forming System 1

[0020] Hereinafter, an image forming system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 1 includes an image forming function of forming images on sheets as a type of sheet-like media, a post-processing function of performing a predetermined post-process on sheets on which images have been formed, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 is configured such that an image forming apparatus 2 having an image forming function and a post-processing apparatus 3 serving as a media processing apparatus having a post-processing function according to the present invention operate in conjunction.

[0021] Note that in the present embodiment, the description is given on the assumption that “paper” is used as a sheet-like medium to be processed in the image forming system 1. However, the medium to be processed according to the present embodiment is not limited to paper. For example, any medium on which image formation is possible using a conventionally known image forming process is acceptable, regardless of its type. Further, media that can be subjected to a folding process or a binding process are also included, and no limitation is imposed on materials, specifications, or the like.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on a sheet and discharges the sheet on which the image is formed to the post-processing apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus 2 includes an accommodation tray 211 (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d) configured to store sheets, a conveying unit 212 configured to convey the sheets stored in the accommodation tray 211, and an image forming unit 213 configured to form an image on the sheets conveyed by the conveying unit 212. The image forming unit 213 may be an inkjet system that forms an image using ink, or an electrophotographic system that forms an image using toner. The image forming apparatus 2 also includes a controller 100a configured to control various operations of the conveying unit 212 and the image forming unit 213. Since the configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] It is widely known that paper is an example of a sheet-like medium. Accordingly, in the present specification, the term “sheet(s) P” is used when describing a medium to be processed. In addition, when describing a bundle of media, the term “sheet bundle Pb,” which is formed by bundling a plurality of sheets P serving as media, is used as an example. First Embodiment of Post-processing apparatus 3

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of the post-processing apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment. The post-processing apparatus 3 is configured to perform a predetermined post-process on a sheet P on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2. One type of post-process according to the present embodiment is a crimp-binding process in which a bundle of multiple sheets P, on each of which an image has been formed and which serves as a media bundle (hereinafter referred to as “sheet bundle Pb”), is bound without using a staple. Another type of post-process according to the present embodiment is a stapling process in which the sheet bundle Pb serving as a media bundle is bound using a staple.

[0025] In the present embodiment, description will mainly be given of a liquid application process in the case of performing the crimp-binding process. However, a liquid application process performed in association with the stapling process is similar to that in the crimp-binding process. Further, the term “binding process” in the following description includes both the “crimp-binding process” and the “stapling process,” and is not limited with respect to a method for performing the binding (i.e., whether the binding is performed using a staple or performed without a staple by pressure deformation).

[0026] In more detail, the “crimp-binding process” according to the present embodiment is a process in which pressure is applied, by the crimping unit 32, to a binding position corresponding to a part of the sheet bundle Pb so as to deform the binding position and entangle fibers of the overlapping sheets P, thereby binding the sheets P together. By this crimp-binding process, a part of the overlapping portions of the sheets P is bound together so that the sheets P form a sheet bundle Pb. Hereinafter, the “crimp-binding process” is referred to simply as “crimp-binding.”

[0027] It should be noted that the “binding processes” executable in the post-processing apparatus 3 (including both crimp-binding and staple-binding) include an edge binding process for binding an edge portion of the sheet bundle Pb and a center binding process for binding a central portion of the sheet bundle Pb.

[0028] The post-processing apparatus 3 includes conveying roller pairs 10 to 19, which serve as conveying units, and a switching member 20. The conveying roller pairs 10 to 19 convey the sheet P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2 within the post-processing apparatus 3. More specifically, the conveying roller pairs 10 to 13 convey the sheet P along a first conveying path Ph1. The conveying roller pairs 14 to 15 convey the sheet P along a second conveying path Ph2. The conveying roller pairs 16 to 19 convey the sheet P along a third conveying path Ph3. A punch hole forming unit 132 that performs punching on the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11 is disposed between the conveying roller pair 10 and the conveying roller pair 11. The post-processing apparatus 3 further includes a controller 100b as a controller. The controller 100b controls operations of driving members in the post-processing apparatus 3, such as the conveying roller pairs 10 to 19 and the switching member 20, and acquires detection results from various sensors serving as detectors. Details of the controller 100b will be described later.

[0029] The first conveying path Ph1 extends from a supply port for the sheet P from the image forming apparatus 2 to the first discharge tray 21. The second conveying path Ph2 branches from the first conveying path Ph1 between conveying roller pairs 11 and 14 in the conveying direction, and reaches the second discharge tray 26 via the inner tray 22. The third conveying path Ph3 also branches from the first conveying path Ph1 between conveying roller pairs 11 and 14 in the conveying direction, and leads to a third discharge tray 30.

[0030] The switching member 20 is disposed at a branching position between the first conveying path Ph1 and the second conveying path Ph2. The switching member 20 is switchable between a first position in which the sheet P is discharged to the first discharge tray 21 through the first conveying path Ph1, and a second position in which the sheet P conveyed along the first conveying path Ph1 is guided to the second conveying path Ph2. When the trailing edge of the sheet P that has entered the second conveying path Ph2 passes the branching position between the second conveying path Ph2 and the third conveying path Ph3, the conveying roller pair 14 is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby guiding the sheet P to the third conveying path Ph3. The post-processing apparatus 3 includes a plurality of sensors S1 to S6 for detecting the position of the sheet P on the respective conveying paths Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3. The plurality of sensors S1 to S6 are indicated by black-filled triangles (▲) in FIG. 2.

[0031] The post-processing apparatus 3 includes a first discharge tray 21. The sheets P discharged through the first conveying path Ph1 are placed on the first discharge tray 21. Among the sheets P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2, those sheets P not subjected to any binding process are discharged to the first discharge tray 21.

[0032] Further, the post-processing apparatus 3 includes an inner tray 22 serving as a placing unit on which sheets P or a sheet bundle Pb are placed, an edge binding end fence 23, side fences 24L and 24R, an edge-binding processing unit 25, a stapling processing unit 155, and a second discharge tray 26. The inner tray 22, the edge binding end fence 23, the side fences 24L and 24R, the edge-binding processing unit 25, and the stapling processing unit 155 perform an edge binding process on the sheet bundle Pb composed of a plurality of sheets P conveyed from the second conveying path Ph2 to the inner tray 22. Among the sheets P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2, the sheet bundles Pb subjected to the edge binding process are discharged to the second discharge tray 26.

[0033] The term “edge binding process” herein refers to the binding processes performed by the edge-binding processing unit 25 and the stapling processing unit 155. Specifically, the “edge binding process” includes a parallel binding process in which the binding is performed along one side parallel to the main scanning direction of the sheet bundle Pb, an oblique binding process in which the binding is performed at a corner portion of the sheet bundle Pb, and a vertical binding process in which the binding is performed along one side parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet bundle Pb.

[0034] Hereinafter, the direction in which the sheet P is conveyed from the conveying roller pair 15 toward the edge binding end fence 23 is defined as the “conveying direction” of the sheet P. That is, the “conveying direction” in this specification corresponds to the direction in which the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 moves toward the second discharge tray 26 by the conveying roller pair 10 or the like, then the direction is changed by the conveying roller pair 15, and the direction is directed toward the edge binding end fence 23, which is the opposite direction from the previous direction. The direction orthogonal to the thickness direction and the conveying direction of the sheet P, that is, the width direction of the sheet P, is defined as the “main scanning direction.”

[0035] A plurality of sheets P sequentially conveyed via the second conveying path Ph2 are temporarily placed on the inner tray 22. The edge binding end fence 23 aligns the positions in the conveying direction of the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. The side fences 24L and 24R align the positions in the main scanning direction of the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. The edge-binding processing unit 25 and the stapling processing unit 155 perform the edge binding process on the sheet bundle Pb aligned by the edge binding end fence 23 and the side fences 24L and 24R. Then, the conveying roller pair 15 discharges the sheet bundle Pb subjected to the edge binding process to the second discharge tray 26.

[0036] The post-processing apparatus 3 further includes a saddle-stitching end fence 27, a saddle-stitching processing unit 28, a sheet folding blade 29, and the third discharge tray 30. The saddle-stitching end fence 27, the saddle-stitching processing unit 28, and the sheet folding blade 29 perform a saddle-stitching process on a sheet bundle Pb composed of a plurality of sheets P conveyed along the third conveying path Ph3. The sheet bundle Pb subjected to the saddle-stitching process among the sheets P supplied from the image forming apparatus 2 is discharged to the third discharge tray 30.

[0037] The saddle-stitching end fence 27 aligns the positions of the plurality of sheets P conveyed sequentially along the third conveying path Ph3 in the conveying direction. The saddle-stitching end fence 27 is configured to be movable in the direction in which the sheets P are conveyed toward the saddle-stitching end fence 27 and in the reverse direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 2), so that the center of the sheet bundle Pb can be positioned either at a binding position facing the saddle-stitching processing unit 28 or at a folding position facing the sheet folding blade 29. The saddle-stitching processing unit 28 binds the center of the sheet bundle Pb aligned at the binding position by the saddle-stitching end fence 27. The sheet folding blade 29 folds in half the sheet bundle Pb placed on the saddle-stitching end fence 27 at the folding position, and feeds the folded bundle into the conveying roller pair 18. The conveying roller pairs 18 and 19 discharge the sheet bundle Pb subjected to the saddle-stitching process to the third discharge tray 30.

[0038] Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 described later, the post-processing apparatus 3 includes, in the edge-binding processing unit 25, a liquid application member 501 and a liquid supply member 50 as parts of a liquid application unit, and a first liquid reservoir tank 44 as a first liquid reservoir. The post-processing apparatus 3 also includes a liquid conveying path 45, a liquid pump 46 as liquid conveying means, a second liquid reservoir tank 47 as a part of a second liquid reservoir, and a second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 as a structure for replenishing liquid to the first liquid reservoir tank 44. The liquid stored in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (hereinafter referred to as “the liquid in the second liquid reservoir tank 47”) is supplied to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 via the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61, the liquid pump 46, and the liquid conveying path 45. Description of Edge-Binding Processing Unit 25

[0039] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the edge-binding processing unit 25, which performs the liquid application process and the crimp-binding process illustrated in FIG. 2, as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the edge-binding processing unit 25 as viewed from the liquid application unit 31 side in the main scanning direction. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the edge-binding processing unit 25 includes a liquid application unit 31 that applies liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb, and a crimping unit 32, which is an example of a post-processing unit and performs crimp binding on the sheet bundle Pb. The liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are disposed downstream of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction and adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. Configuration of Liquid Application Unit 31

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the liquid application unit 31 applies the liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (hereinafter, “the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44”) to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. Hereinafter, the act of the liquid application unit 31 applying liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb, and the operation of the liquid application unit 31 will be referred to as “liquid application.” The liquid application operation by the liquid application unit 31 performed with control processing will be referred to as a “liquid application process.”

[0041] Here, the liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, which is used for liquid application, is mainly composed of water, i.e., a liquid state of a compound of hydrogen and oxygen represented by the chemical formula “H2O.” As long as the compound is in a liquid state, its temperature is not limited, and it may be so-called warm water or hot water. Further, the liquid is not limited to pure water, and may be purified water or water containing ionized salts. The hardness of the water, from so-called soft water to ultra-hard water, is also not limited.

[0042] Additives may also be included in addition to the main component. For example, residual chlorine contained in tap water may be included, and colorants, penetrating agents, pH adjusters, preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, or drying inhibitors such as glycerin may also be added. In addition, inks used in inkjet printing apparatuses or inks used in water-based pens, which use water as a component, may also be employed as the “liquid for application.”

[0043] In addition to the specific examples described above, liquids regarded as “water” in a broad sense, such as hypochlorous acid water or an aqueous ethanol solution diluted for disinfection, may also function as the liquid. However, when the liquid is used solely for the purpose of enhancing the binding strength after the binding process, tap water, which is easy to obtain and manage, may be used. Furthermore, using a liquid whose main component is water, such as the liquids described above, can improve the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb more effectively than using a liquid whose main component is not water.

[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid application unit 31 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction together with the crimping unit 32 by transmission of the driving force from the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55. The liquid application unit 31 includes a lower pressing plate 33 and an upper pressing plate 34, which together serve as a mounting base for the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb, and a liquid application unit moving mechanism 35. Components of the liquid application unit 31, namely the lower pressing plate 33, the upper pressing plate 34, the liquid application unit moving mechanism 35, a liquid application portion moving motor 42, and the like, are held by at least one of a liquid application frame 31a and a base member 48.

[0045] The liquid application frame 31a, which holds the components of the liquid application unit 31, has a liquid application unit rotating shaft 562 fixed to its bottom surface, the shaft being provided with a drive transmission gear 562a. The liquid application unit rotating shaft 562 and the drive transmission gear 562a are supported on the base member 48 on which the liquid application frame 31a is mounted, so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The drive transmission gear 562a meshes with an output gear 563a of a liquid application unit rotating motor 563. Thus, the liquid application unit 31 is configured to rotate in forward and reverse directions about the liquid application unit rotating shaft 562 on the base member 48 by transmission of the driving force from the liquid application unit rotating motor 563 through the output gear 563a and the drive transmission gear 562a.

[0046] The lower pressing plate 33 and the upper pressing plate 34 are disposed downstream of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction. The sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 is also placed on the lower pressing plate 33. The lower pressing plate 33 is provided on a lower pressing plate holder 331. The upper pressing plate 34 is configured to be movable in the thickness direction of the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb at a position facing the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. That is, the lower pressing plate 33 and the upper pressing plate 34 are arranged to face each other in the thickness direction of the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 with the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 disposed between the lower pressing plate 33 and the upper pressing plate 34.

[0047] Further, the upper pressing plate 34 is formed with a through hole 34a penetrating in the thickness direction. The through hole 34a is provided at a position facing a liquid application member 501, which is a part of the liquid application unit and is held via a holding unit 37 attached to a base plate 40. As described later, the liquid application member 501 is provided at one end of a liquid supply member 50 serving as an absorbent body. The liquid application member 501 applies liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb by coming into contact with the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb through the through hole 34a. The liquid application member 501 corresponds to a tip portion located at one end of the liquid supply member 50 serving as an absorbent body. Details of the liquid supply member 50 will be described later.

[0048] The liquid application unit moving mechanism 35 moves the upper pressing plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding unit 37, the liquid application member 501, the liquid supply member 50, and the first liquid reservoir tank 44 in the thickness direction of the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb. In the liquid application unit moving mechanism 35 according to the present embodiment, the upper pressing plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding unit 37, the liquid application member 501, the liquid supply member 50, and the first liquid reservoir tank 44 are integrally moved by a single liquid application portion moving motor 42. The liquid application unit moving mechanism 35 includes, for example, the liquid application portion moving motor 42, a trapezoidal screw 38, a nut 39, the base plate 40, column members 41a and 41b, and coil springs 42a and 42b.

[0049] The liquid application portion moving motor 42 generates a driving force for moving the upper pressing plate 34, the base plate 40, the holding unit 37, the liquid application member 501, the liquid supply member 50, and the first liquid reservoir tank 44. The trapezoidal screw 38 extends in the thickness direction of the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb and is provided on the liquid application frame 31a so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The trapezoidal screw 38 is connected to an output shaft of the liquid application portion moving motor 42 via a pulley, a belt, or the like. The nut 39 is threaded onto the trapezoidal screw 38. When the driving force of the liquid application portion moving motor 42 rotates the trapezoidal screw 38 in the forward and reverse directions, the nut 39 reciprocates along the trapezoidal screw 38.

[0050] The base plate 40 is disposed at a position separated from the upper pressing plate 34. The base plate 40 holds the liquid application member 501 in a state where a distal end portion of the liquid application member 501 protrudes from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressing plate 34. Further, the base plate 40 is connected to the trapezoidal screw 38 via the nut 39 and is configured to reciprocate along the trapezoidal screw 38 as the trapezoidal screw 38 rotates in the forward and reverse directions. A movement sensor 40a (see FIG. 10) detects the position of the base plate 40 in the thickness direction with respect to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb.

[0051] The column members 41a and 41b project from the base plate 40 toward the upper pressing plate 34 around the distal edge portion of the liquid application member 501. The column members 41a and 41b are further configured to be movable relative to the base plate 40 in the thickness direction. In addition, the column members 41a and 41b hold the upper pressing plate 34 at their distal ends on the lower pressing plate 33 side. Detents for preventing the column members 41a and 41b from disengaging from the base plate 40 are provided at the distal ends of the column members 41a and 41b on the side opposite to the lower pressing plate 33. Coil springs 42a and 42b are fitted around the column members 41a and 41b between the base plate 40 and the upper pressing plate 34. The coil springs 42a and 42b urge the upper pressing plate 34 and the column members 41a and 41b toward the lower pressing plate 33 with respect to the base plate 40.

[0052] The liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. More specifically, the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to at least one sheet P constituting the sheet bundle Pb by bringing the liquid application member 501 into contact with the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb.

[0053] The liquid application unit 31 includes a first liquid level sensor 43 serving as first liquid detecting means, a first liquid reservoir tank 44, a liquid application member 501, a liquid supply member 50, and a holding unit 37. The first liquid reservoir tank 44 stores liquid for applying liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb. The liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, that is, the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, is detected by the first liquid level sensor 43. The first liquid reservoir tank 44 is connected to the base plate 40 via the holding unit 37.

[0054] The liquid application member 501 applies the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb. The liquid application member 501, the liquid supply member 50 serving as an absorbing member installed in close contact with the liquid application member 501, and the first liquid reservoir tank 44 are held by the holding unit 37. The holding unit 37 is held by the base plate 40. One end of the liquid supply member 50 is in close contact with the liquid application member 501, and the other end is immersed in the liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44. That is, the other end of the liquid supply member 50 corresponds to an immersion portion 502 that sucks up the liquid and supplies the liquid to the liquid application member 501.

[0055] The liquid application member 501 and the liquid supply member 50 are made of a material having a high liquid absorption rate, such as an elastic resin with open cells (e.g., a sponge or fibers). However, the liquid application member 501 and / or the liquid supply member 50 may be made of any material that has the ability to draw up and retain the liquid and that collapses in response to a pressing force applied while being in contact with the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb. That is, the liquid application member 501 and / or the liquid supply member 50 may be made of a material capable of drawing up the liquid by capillary action.

[0056] Therefore, when the immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50 is immersed in the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, the liquid supply member 50 is brought into a state of sucking up the liquid by capillary action. That is, the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is sucked up from the immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50, and the sucked-up liquid is supplied through the liquid supply member 50 to the liquid application member 501 connected to one end of the liquid supply member 50. As the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is sucked up to the liquid application member 501 that is in close contact with one end of the liquid supply member 50, the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 decreases. When the first liquid level sensor 43 detects the decrease in the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, the liquid pump 46 starts supplying the liquid from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44. Hereinafter, the operation of supplying the liquid from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 by the liquid pump 46 is referred to as a “liquid supply operation.”

[0057] Although the case where the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 are formed as separate bodies has been described above, the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 may instead be integrally formed of materials (e.g., materials having a high liquid absorption rate) with similar properties. That is, the liquid application member 501 may be configured as a part of the liquid supply member 50. In this case, the supply of the liquid from the liquid supply member 50 to the liquid application member 501 by capillary action can be made smoother, and the cost can be reduced.

[0058] In the liquid application process, the amount of movement of the liquid application member 501 relative to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb can be controlled by controlling the driving amount of the liquid application portion moving motor 42. By controlling the movement amount of the liquid application member 501 with respect to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb, the width of the area where the liquid application member 501 comes into contact with the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb is adjusted and the contact time is adjusted. These adjustments allow the amount of liquid applied to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb and the spread of the liquid to be controlled in the liquid application process.

[0059] A second liquid reservoir tank 47 is provided in the edge-binding processing unit 25 or in the post-processing apparatus 3. The second liquid reservoir tank 47 is detachably attached to a second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61, which serves as a part of the second liquid reservoir provided in the edge-binding processing unit 25 or in the post-processing apparatus 3 (see FIG. 9). The second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 may be installed in either the edge-binding processing unit 25 or the post-processing apparatus 3. When the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is set in a predetermined orientation in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61, the liquid stored in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is supplied to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 via the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61.

[0060] The operation of supplying the liquid from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 by the liquid pump 46 is mainly executed when the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 drops below a detection liquid level (see FIG. 18). The level of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is lowered as the liquid is consumed by the liquid application performed by the liquid application unit 31. That is, the operation of supplying the liquid from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 corresponds to the liquid supply operation required in accordance with the execution of the binding process including the liquid application performed by the liquid application unit 31.

[0061] This liquid supply operation corresponds to the operation of supplying the liquid to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 such that the liquid is replenished each time the level of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 falls below the detection level which will be described later.

[0062] When the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is set in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61, the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is filled with a fixed amount of the liquid in the second liquid reservoir tank 47. The second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is provided with a set detection sensor 51 as a set detector for detecting the set state of the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (see FIG. 9). When the set detection sensor 51 detects the set state of the second liquid reservoir tank 47 in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 (see FIG. 9C), a signal notifying that the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is set in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is sent to the controller 100b which will be described later. Thus, the controller 100b determines whether or not the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is set in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 based on the signal received from the set detection sensor 51. Details of the configuration of the second liquid reservoir tank 47 will be described later.

[0063] The first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the second liquid reservoir tank 47 are connected via the liquid conveying path 45. The liquid pump 46 is provided near the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61. When the liquid pump 46 operates, the liquid in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is supplied from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 via the liquid conveying path 45. Therefore, the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is a component of a liquid conveying means for executing a liquid supply operation for supplying the liquid from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44. The liquid conveying path 45 is formed of a flexible material. Thus, the liquid can be reliably supplied from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 even when the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is moved by the liquid application unit moving mechanism 35.

[0064] The supply amount of the liquid from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 can be controlled in accordance with the detection result of the first liquid level sensor 43. That is, the controller 100b described later determines the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, that is, the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, based on the detection result of the first liquid level sensor 43. Then, the controller 100b controls the operating speed and the operating time of the liquid pump 46 in accordance with the determined liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, thereby adjusting the amount of liquid supplied from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and maintaining the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 above a predetermined liquid level. Configuration of the Pressure Binding Unit 32

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the crimping unit 32, provided as a post processing unit in the edge-binding processing unit 25, deforms a portion of the sheet bundle Pb that has been subjected to liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 by applying pressure to at least that portion, that is, the liquid application position, using the uneven upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b. This deformation presses the sheets P at that portion together, thereby binding the sheet bundle Pb. In other words, the crimping unit 32 can bind the sheet bundle Pb without using a staple. The upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, which are components of the crimping unit 32, are provided on the crimping frame 32c. Hereinafter, the act of pressing and deforming a predetermined position of the sheet bundle Pb to bind it by means of the crimping unit 32 is simply referred to as “crimp-binding.” Further, the crimp-binding operation of the crimping unit 32, which involves a control process, is referred to as the “crimp-binding process.”

[0066] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration of the crimping unit 32. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the crimping unit 32 includes a pair of upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b. The upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are disposed to face each other in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb so as to clamp the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. The surfaces of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b that face each other are formed in an uneven pattern in which recessed and projecting portions are alternately arranged. In addition, the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b are formed in relative positions such that the recessed and projecting portions are offset to mesh with each other. The upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b are brought together and separated by the driving force of an open / close motor 32d (see FIG. 10).

[0067] During the process in which the plurality of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb are stacked on the inner tray 22, the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are separated from each other, as illustrated in FIG. 5A. Then, when all of the plurality of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb are stacked on the inner tray 22, the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are brought into mesh with each other by the driving force of the open / close motor 32d, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, thereby pressurizing and deforming the sheet bundle Pb in the thickness direction. As a result, the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 is crimp-bound. The crimp-bound sheet bundle Pb is then discharged to the second discharge tray 26 by the conveying roller pairs 15.

[0068] It should be noted that, as long as the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b of the crimping unit 32 mesh with each other to perform crimp binding, the configuration of the operating mechanism is not limited to the structure illustrated in this embodiment. For example, a link mechanism type crimping mechanism (such as the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6057167), in which a drive source rotating in the forward direction only or in both forward and reverse directions and a link mechanism are used to perform the pressing and separating movements of the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b, may be employed. Alternatively, a direct-motion type crimping mechanism may be employed, in which the rotational movement of the drive source in forward and reverse directions is converted into linear reciprocating motion by a screw mechanism to perform the pressing and separating movements of the upper and lower crimping teeth 32a and 32b linearly.

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the edge-binding processing unit 25 includes an edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57. The edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 moves the edge-binding processing unit 25, that is, the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, in the main scanning direction along the downstream edge portion in the conveying direction of the sheet P placed on the inner tray 22. The edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 includes, for example, a base member 48, a guide shaft 49, an edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55, a driving force transmission mechanism 551 configured to transmit the driving force of the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 to the base member 48, and a standby position sensor 540 (see FIG. 10).

[0070] The liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are attached to the base member 48 in a state adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide shaft 49 is provided in the main scanning direction on the upstream side of the binding mechanism base 116 in the conveying direction and is held by a plurality of guide shaft brackets 49a and 49b. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the guide shaft 49 extends on the binding mechanism base 116 in the main scanning direction and holds the base member 48 movably in the main scanning direction. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the guide rail 115 extends on the downstream side of the binding mechanism base 116 in the conveying direction in the main scanning direction. Further, the guide rail 115 is provided with a fitted portion 115a which is fitted in the main scanning direction with a scanning roller 48a rotatably provided on the base member 48. That is, the base member 48 is held movably on the binding mechanism base 116 in the main scanning direction by the guide shaft 49 and the guide rail 115.

[0071] The edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 generates a driving force for moving the edge-binding processing unit 25. The driving force transmission mechanism 551 transmits the driving force of the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 to the base member 48 via the pulleys 551a and 551b, the timing belt 551c, and the fastening portion 48b which fastens the base member 48 and the timing belt 551c. As a result, the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 integrated by the base member 48 move in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 49.

[0072] The edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a servo motor. By using the servo motor, the edge-binding processing unit 25 can be stopped at any target position without returning the edge-binding processing unit 25 to the origin position each time the edge-binding processing unit 25 is moved. That is, the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 can stop the edge-binding processing unit 25 at a target position, that is, a first liquid application position B1, a first binding position B1, a second liquid application position B2, and a second binding position B2, which will be described later, without returning the edge-binding processing unit 25 to the origin position (e.g., the standby position HP described later) each time the edge-binding processing unit 25 is moved.

[0073] The post-processing apparatus 3 also includes a standby position sensor 540 (see FIG. 10) for detecting that the edge-binding processing unit 25 has reached the standby position HP (see FIG. 12A), and an encoder sensor 541 (see FIG. 10) attached to the output shaft of the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55. The standby position sensor 540 is, for example, a light-shielding type optical sensor. The controller 100b, which will be described later, detects that the edge-binding processing unit 25 has reached the standby position HP based on the detection result of the standby position sensor 540. The controller 100b, which will be described later, counts pulse signals outputted from the encoder sensor 541, thereby determining the current position of the edge-binding processing unit 25 moved from the standby position HP.

[0074] However, a specific method for stopping the edge-binding processing unit 25 at the target position without returning it to the standby position HP is not limited to the aforementioned example. As another example, the post-processing apparatus 3 may be provided with a sensor configured to detect that the edge-binding processing unit 25 has reached a predetermined target position.

[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the crimping frame 32c for holding the components of the crimping unit 32 has a crimping unit rotating shaft 54 having a drive transmission gear 54a fixed to its bottom surface. The crimping unit rotating shaft 54 and the drive transmission gear 54a are held on the base member 48 provided with the crimping frame 32c so as to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. The drive transmission gear 54a is engaged with an output gear 56a of the crimping unit rotating motor 56. The crimping unit 32 is configured so as to be rotatable on the base member 48 in the forward and reverse directions about the crimping unit rotating shaft 54 by transmitting the driving force of the crimping unit rotating motor 56 to the crimping unit rotating shaft 54 through the output gear 56a and the drive transmission gear 54a.

[0076] It should be noted that the edge-binding processing unit 25 has been described as a configuration in which the crimping unit 32 and the liquid application unit 31 are integrally configured and moved along the guide shaft 49, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the crimping unit 32 and the liquid application unit 31 may be independently moved. Configuration of the Stapling Processing Unit 155

[0077] Next, a detailed description will be given of the stapling processing unit 155 having a function of executing a stapling process. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the stapling processing unit 155 as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. The stapling processing unit 155 includes a stapling unit 62 for binding a sheet bundle Pb using a staple. The stapling unit 62 is disposed on the downstream side of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction so as to be spaced apart from the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction.

[0078] The stapling unit 62, which serves as a post-processing unit, is configured to bind a sheet bundle Pb using a staple, i.e., perform a so-called “stapling process.” More specifically, the stapling unit 62 includes a stapling portion 62a and a stapling frame 62b, and further includes a stapling portion driving motor 62d (see FIG. 10) for driving the stapling portion 62a. The stapling portion 62a binds the sheet bundle Pb by piercing a staple loaded in the stapling portion 62a through the sheet bundle Pb by the driving force of the stapling portion driving motor 62d. Since the configuration of the stapling unit 62 is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the stapling processing unit 155 includes a stapling processing unit moving mechanism 77. The stapling processing unit moving mechanism 77 moves the stapling processing unit 155 in the main scanning direction along an edge portion on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. The stapling processing unit moving mechanism 77 includes, for example, a base member 78, a guide shaft 49, a stapling processing unit moving motor 80, and a driving force transmission mechanism 81. The driving force transmission mechanism 81 transmits the driving force of the stapling processing unit moving motor 80 to the base member 78 via pulleys 81a and 81b, a timing belt 81c, and a fastening unit 78a configured to fasten the base member 78 and the timing belt 81c. Further, the stapling frame 62b holding the components of the stapling unit 62 has a stapling unit rotating shaft 83 having a driving force transmitting gear 83a fixed to its bottom surface.

[0080] The stapling unit rotating shaft 83 and the driving force transmitting gear 83a are held on the base member 78 on which the stapling frame 62b is provided so as to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. The driving force transmitting gear 83a is engaged with an output gear 82a of the stapling unit rotating motor 82. The stapling unit 62 is configured to be rotatable on the base member 78 in the forward and reverse directions about the stapling unit rotating shaft 83 by transmitting the driving force of the stapling unit rotating motor 82 to the stapling unit rotating shaft 83 through the output gear 82a and the driving force transmitting gear 83a.

[0081] The edge-binding processing unit 25 and the stapling processing unit 155 are supported by a common guide shaft 49. That is, the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 and the stapling processing unit moving mechanism 77 move the edge-binding processing unit 25 and the stapling processing unit 155 in the main scanning direction along the common guide shaft 49. Furthermore, the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 and the stapling processing unit moving mechanism 77 can independently move the edge-binding processing unit 25 and the stapling processing unit 155. Configuration of Modification of the Stapling Processing Unit 155

[0082] FIG. 7 shows the stapling processing unit 155′ as a modification of the stapling processing unit 155, and is a schematic view of the stapling processing unit 155′ as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. The stapling processing unit 155′ differs from the stapling processing unit 155 in that it includes not only the stapling unit 62 but also a second liquid application unit 612. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the stapling processing unit 155′ includes the second liquid application unit 612 and the stapling unit 62. The second liquid application unit 612 and the stapling unit 62 are disposed downstream of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction and adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction.

[0083] The second liquid application unit 612 executes liquid application for applying the liquid stored in the third liquid reservoir tank 73 to the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. A predetermined region including a position where the liquid is applied to the sheet P or sheet bundle Pb by the second liquid application unit 612 corresponds to a binding position where the stapling unit 62 is scheduled to perform stapling. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the second liquid application unit 612 includes a second lower pressing plate 63, a second upper pressing plate 64, a second liquid application unit moving mechanism 65, and a second liquid application mechanism 66. The second liquid application unit moving mechanism 65 includes, for example, a second liquid application unit moving motor 67, a second trapezoidal screw 68, a second nut 69, a second base plate 70, second column members 711a and 711b, and second coil springs 721a and 721b.

[0084] The second liquid application mechanism 66 includes a third liquid reservoir tank 73, a second liquid supply member 75, a second liquid application member 74, and a second holding unit 76. Since the configuration of the second liquid application mechanism 66 is the same as the configuration of the liquid application mechanism of the liquid application unit 31, which includes the first liquid reservoir tank 44, the liquid supply member 50, the liquid application member 501, and the holding unit 37 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a description thereof again is omitted. Further, since the configuration of the needle stapling unit 62 is the same as that of the stapling processing unit 155 illustrated in FIG. 6, a detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, since the configuration of the rotation mechanism of the second liquid application unit 612, which includes the second liquid application unit rotating motor 573, the second output gear 573a, the second drive transmission gear 572a, and the second liquid application unit rotating shaft 572, is the same as the configuration of the rotation mechanism of the liquid application unit 31, which includes the liquid application unit rotating motor 563, the output gear 563a, the drive transmission gear 562a, and the liquid application unit rotating shaft 562 illustrated in FIG. 3, a description thereof again is omitted.

[0085] Like the stapling processing unit 155’ illustrated in FIG. 7, in the stapling process as well, by applying liquid to the sheet P, the binding position can be loosened and softened so that the staples can easily penetrate. Thus, as compared with the case where the stapling process is performed without applying liquid, it is possible to increase the number of sheets bound per bundle of sheet Pb. Configuration of the Second Liquid Reservoir Tank 47

[0086] Next, the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid reservoir tank 47 in the post-processing apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating the arrangement and configuration of the second liquid reservoir tank 47 as the main tank in the post-processing apparatus 3. FIG. 8A illustrates a state in which the opening / closing cover 71, which constitutes a part of an apparatus housing of the post-processing apparatus 3, is opened. FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the post-processing apparatus 3 as seen from the side and illustrates a state in which the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-processing apparatus 3 is closed.

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is installed at a position accessible by opening the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-processing apparatus 3. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the second liquid reservoir tank 47 and the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 are disposed on the front side in the depth direction (X-direction) of the post-processing apparatus 3. The first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the like are disposed on the rear side in the depth direction (X-direction) of the post-processing apparatus 3. A main body side plate 72 of the post-processing apparatus 3 is provided between the arrangement positions of the second liquid reservoir tank 47 and the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 and the arrangement positions of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the like. The second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is attached to the main body side plate 72 of the post-processing apparatus 3.

[0088] FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate a detachable configuration of the second liquid reservoir tank 47 in the post-processing apparatus 3. FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate a state in which the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is detachable from the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 and a state in which liquid is replenished to the second liquid reservoir tank 47. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is configured to be detachable from the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 so that liquid can be replenished to the first liquid reservoir tank 44. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is provided with a set detection sensor 51 configured to detect that the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is set on the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61.

[0089] When the set detection sensor 51 detects that the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is set on the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 (see FIG. 9C), a signal indicating this state is sent to the controller 100b described later. Thus, the controller 100b described later is configured to determine whether the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is set on the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61.

[0090] Further, the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is provided with a second liquid level sensor 94 as a second liquid level detector configured to detect the liquid level of the liquid L (hereinafter referred to as “the liquid L in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61”) stored in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61. The output value (e.g., voltage) of the second liquid level sensor 94 is sent to the controller 100b described later. The controller 100b described later determines, based on the output value of the second liquid level sensor 94, whether the liquid level of the liquid L in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is at a required level, that is, whether the amount of liquid stored in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is at a required amount. Further, when the controller 100b described later determines, based on the output signal of the set detection sensor 51, that the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is in the set state, the controller 100b turns the second liquid level sensor 94 ON. As a result, the second liquid level sensor 94 becomes capable of detecting the liquid level of the liquid L in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61, that is, the presence or absence of the liquid L in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61.

[0091] Further, when the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is not set in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61, the liquid discharge port 471a is closed by the liquid supply valve 471 so that the liquid L does not leak. As illustrated in FIG. 9C, when the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is set in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61, the liquid supply valve 471 is pushed upward, and the liquid discharge port 471a of the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is opened. As a result, the liquid L in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 flows out into the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61. The liquid L flowing out from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is stored in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61.

[0092] At the time of maintenance of the post-processing apparatus 3 or as a measure to prevent the liquid L from freezing, a “liquid draining process” for draining the liquid L in the post-processing apparatus 3 may be performed. In the liquid draining process, the liquid L remaining in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the liquid conveying path 45 is conveyed by the liquid pump 46 in a reverse direction to the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 via the liquid conveying path 45. Therefore, the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is set to a capacity capable of storing the liquid L in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the liquid conveying path 45.

[0093] As illustrated in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 is provided with a liquid drain plug 611. After the liquid L remaining in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the liquid conveying path 45 is conveyed in the reverse direction to the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 by the liquid pump 46, the liquid drain plug 611 is opened. By opening the liquid drain plug 611, the liquid L stored in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 can be discharged to the outside of the post-processing apparatus 3. Configuration of Control Block of the Post-processing apparatus 3

[0094] Next, the configuration of the control block of the post-processing apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of the control block of the post-processing apparatus 3. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the post-processing apparatus 3 includes a configuration in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, and an I / F (Interface) 105 are connected via a common bus 109.

[0095] The CPU 101 is an arithmetic processing unit and controls the operation of the entire post-processing apparatus 3. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium capable of high-speed reading and writing of information, and is used as a work area when the CPU 101 processes information. The ROM 103 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium in which programs such as firmware are stored. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information and having a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

[0096] The post-processing apparatus 3 processes the control program stored in the ROM 103 and the information processing program (application program) loaded from a storage medium such as the HDD 104 to the RAM 102 by using the processing function provided in the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software controller including various functional modules of the post-processing apparatus 3. A combination of the software controller thus constituted and hardware resources mounted in the post-processing apparatus 3 constitutes a functional block for implementing the functions of the post-processing apparatus 3. That is, the CPU 101, the RAM 102, the ROM 103, the HDD 104, and the I / F 105 constitute the controller 100b as a controller configured to control the operation of the post-processing apparatus 3.

[0097] The I / F 105 is an interface for connecting the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the open / close motor 32d, the crimping unit rotating motor 56, the liquid application portion moving motor 42, the liquid application unit rotating motor 563, the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55, the stapling portion driving motor 62d, the stapling unit rotating motor 82, the stapling processing unit moving motor 80, the liquid pump 46, the movement sensor 40a, the first liquid level sensor 43, the second liquid level sensor 94, the set detection sensor 51, the standby position sensor 540, the encoder sensor 541, the cover opening / closing detection sensor 542, and the operation panel 110 to the common bus 109.

[0098] The controller 100b controls, through the I / F 105, the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the open / close motor 32d, the crimping unit rotating motor 56, the liquid application portion moving motor 42, the liquid application unit rotating motor 563, the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55, the stapling portion driving motor 62d, the stapling unit rotating motor 82, the stapling processing unit moving motor 80, and the liquid pump 46. The controller 100b also acquires detection results from the movement sensor 40a, the first liquid level sensor 43, the second liquid level sensor 94, the set detection sensor 51, the standby position sensor 540, the encoder sensor 541, and the cover opening / closing detection sensor 542. Although FIG. 10 illustrates components related to the edge-binding processing unit 25 and the stapling processing unit 155, which execute edge binding and stapling processing, respectively, components related to the saddle stitching processing unit 28 are also controlled by the controller 100b in the same manner.

[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an operation panel 110 as an operation display unit. The operation panel 110 includes an operation portion for receiving input operations from a user and a display as a notification portion for providing information to the user. The operation portion includes, for example, hard keys and a touch panel superimposed on the display. The operation panel 110 acquires information from the user through the operation portion and provides information to the user through the display. The notification portion is not limited to the display and may be, for example, an LED lamp or a speaker. The post-processing apparatus 3 may also be provided with the same operation panel 110.

[0100] As described above, the post-processing apparatus 3 realizes the function of controlling operations related to liquid application by software executed by the CPU 101, that is, the control program, using hardware resources provided in the controller 100b.

[0101] It is to be noted that the post-processing apparatus 3 is provided with the edge-binding processing unit 25 capable of executing the post-processing, that is, the crimp-binding process and the stapling process, after the liquid application. It is also to be noted that when the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb is small, the edge-binding processing unit 25 may be configured to perform crimp binding without applying the liquid, that is, to perform the crimp-binding process only by the crimping unit 32, as in the conventional crimp-binding process.

[0102] It is to be noted that the liquid application executed by the post-processing apparatus 3 may be configured such that the stapling processing unit 155 is provided with only the stapling unit 62, and the liquid application utilizes the liquid application unit 31 provided in the edge-binding processing unit 25. Conversely, the edge-binding processing unit 25 may be provided with only the crimping unit 32, and the liquid application utilizes the second liquid application unit 612. That is, regardless of the type of binding process, the liquid application may be performed only by either the liquid application unit 31 or the second liquid application unit 612.

[0103] Further, the stapling processing unit 155’ is configured such that the stapling unit 62 and the second liquid application unit 612 are integrally configured and moved along the guide shaft 49, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the stapling unit 62 and the second liquid application unit 612 may be independently moved. Description of Binding Process

[0104] Next, the flow of a binding process executed in the edge-binding processing unit 25 provided in the post-processing apparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for executing a one-point binding process by the edge-binding processing unit 25. FIGS. 12A to 12D are diagrams illustrating transitions in the position of the edge-binding processing unit 25, including the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, during execution of the one-point binding process. In FIG. 12, changes in the attitudes of the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are not illustrated. Further, a position (hereinafter referred to as “liquid application position”) at which the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb corresponds to the binding position at which the crimping unit 32 is scheduled to perform crimp binding on the sheet bundle Pb. Therefore, the liquid application position and the binding position are described with the same reference numerals (B1, B2).

[0105] The controller 100b starts the binding process illustrated in FIG. 11 at a timing when a binding process instruction is obtained from the image forming apparatus 2.

[0106] The binding process instruction includes, for example, information related to the type of sheet P, the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb, the number of sheet bundles Pb to undergo the binding process, the binding position of the sheet bundle Pb, and the binding attitude of the edge-binding processing unit 25. The information related to the type of sheet P includes information affecting the spread of the liquid, such as material and thickness. In the following description, the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb is expressed as a predetermined number of sheets N (hereinafter referred to as “predetermined number N”), and the number of sheet bundles Pb to undergo the binding process is expressed as a required number of bundles M (hereinafter referred to as “required number M”).

[0107] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, it is assumed that, at the time of starting the binding process, the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are positioned at a standby position HP, which is a position offset from the sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 in the main scanning direction, in a parallel binding attitude.

[0108] First, when the attitude instructed by the binding process instruction is the “oblique binding attitude,” the controller 100b drives the liquid application unit rotating motor 563 and the crimping unit rotating motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, which constitute the edge-binding processing unit 25, to the oblique binding attitude (S1101). In the case of the “oblique binding attitude,” only the crimping unit 32 may be rotated to the oblique binding attitude, and the liquid application unit 31 may remain unrotated. As a result, the driving mechanism can be simplified as compared with the case where both the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are rotated, thereby achieving cost reduction, a reduction in apparatus size, and a reduction in failures.

[0109] When the binding attitude indicated by the binding process instruction is the “parallel binding attitude,” the controller 100b omits an operation of rotating, to an oblique binding attitude, the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 that constitute the edge binding processing unit 25.

[0110] The controller 100b drives the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 indicated by the binding process instruction (S1101). The controller 100b executes step S1101 before the first sheet P is conveyed to the inner tray 22 by the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15.

[0111] Next, the controller 100b rotates the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 to accommodate the sheet P, on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2, in the inner tray 22 (S1102). The controller 100b also reciprocates the side fences 24L and 24R in the main scanning direction to execute a so-called jogging process for aligning the position of the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 in the main scanning direction (S1102).

[0112] Next, the controller 100b causes the liquid application unit 31, which faces the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P placed on the inner tray 22 in the immediately preceding step S1102, to apply liquid based on the previously adjusted liquid application control data (S1103). That is, the controller 100b drives the liquid application portion moving motor 42 to bring the liquid application member 501 into contact with the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P placed on the inner tray 22 (see FIG. 12B). In the liquid application process in step S1103, the controller 100b adjusts the position at which the liquid application member 501 applies the liquid to the sheet P in accordance with the type of sheet P included in the binding process instruction and the binding position. The controller 100b also adjusts the amount of pressing force applied by the liquid application member 501 to the sheet P. That is, the controller 100b controls the driving of the liquid application portion moving motor 42 based on the adjusted control data to adjust the amount of movement of the liquid application member 501 relative to the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P placed on the inner tray 22.

[0113] Next, the controller 100b determines whether the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N indicated by the binding process instruction (S1104). When the controller 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number N (S1104: NO), the controller 100b repeatedly executes the processes of steps S1102 to S1104 until the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 reaches the predetermined number N (S1104: YES). That is, the controller 100b executes the processes of steps S1102 to S1104 each time the sheet P is conveyed to the inner tray 22 by the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15. The liquid application performed by the liquid application unit 31 may be executed on all of the plurality of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb or may be executed on only some of the plurality of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb.

[0114] When the controller 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N (S1104: YES), the controller 100b drives the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the crimping unit 32 faces the first binding position B1, as illustrated in FIG. 12C (S1105).

[0115] Next, the controller 100b causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimp binding on the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 (S1106). The controller 100b then causes the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the sheet bundle Pb that has been crimp-bound by the crimping unit 32 to the second discharge tray 26 (S1107). That is, the controller 100b drives the open / close motor 32d so as to locate the first binding position B1 of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b. Accordingly, the sheet bundle Pb is pressurized and plastically deformed between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b, thereby performing crimp binding. Thereafter, the controller 100b rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the crimp-bound sheet bundle Pb to the second discharge tray 26.

[0116] In addition, on the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22, the crimping region defined between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b in step S1106, that is, the first binding position B1, overlaps the liquid application region to which the distal end of the liquid application member 501 is brought into contact in step S1103, that is, the first liquid application position B1. In other words, on the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22, the crimping unit 32 performs crimp binding on the region where the liquid is applied by the liquid application unit 31. It is to be noted that the crimping region where the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b apply pressure to the sheet bundle Pb does not need to completely overlap the liquid application region to which the distal end of the liquid application member 501 is brought into contact, and sufficient binding strength can be obtained even if the regions partially overlap.

[0117] Next, the controller 100b determines whether the number of sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number M indicated by the binding process instruction (S1108). When the controller 100b determines that the number of discharged sheet bundles Pb has not reached the required number M (S1108: NO), the controller 100b executes the processes after step S1101 again. That is, the controller 100b repeatedly executes the processes of steps S1101 to S1108 until the number of sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number M (S1108: YES).

[0118] On the other hand, when the controller 100b determines that the number of sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number M (S1108: YES), the controller 100b drives the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge-binding processing unit 25, including the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, to the standby position HP as illustrated in FIG. 12D (S1109). When the attitude indicated by the binding process instruction is the “oblique binding attitude,” the controller 100b drives the liquid application unit rotating motor 563 and the crimping unit rotating motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 to the parallel binding attitude (S1109). When the attitude indicated by the binding process instruction is the “parallel binding attitude,” the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 to the parallel binding attitude is omitted. As a result, the edge-binding processing unit 25 returns to the standby position HP illustrated in FIG. 12D. In steps S1101 and S1109, the execution order of the operation of moving the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 and the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 in the forward and reverse directions by the liquid application unit rotating motor 563 and the crimping unit rotating motor 56 is not limited to the aforementioned order, and may be performed in the reverse order.

[0119] FIGS. 13A to 13H illustrate the transition of the position of the edge-binding processing unit 25 during execution of the two-place binding process. A detailed description of the common points with the process described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12D is omitted, and only the differences are described. As illustrated in FIG. 13A, at the start of the two-place binding process, the edge-binding processing unit 25 is positioned at the standby position HP. The first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2 are separated in the main scanning direction. Further, FIG. 13 describes a case in which two sheets P are crimp-bound, that is, a case where N = 2. However, when the two-place binding process is executed, this does not mean that the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb is limited to two; two-place binding can be performed on a sheet bundle Pb having the same number of sheets as in the one-place binding process.

[0120] Before the first sheet P1 constituting the sheet bundle Pb is conveyed to the inner tray 22, the controller 100b moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the liquid application unit 31 can face the first liquid application position B1 (see FIG. 13B). Then, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, the controller 100b places the sheet P1, on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 2, on the inner tray 22 with the liquid application unit 31 arranged at a position where the liquid application unit 31 can face the first liquid application position B1, and executes jogging process by the side fences 24L and 24R. Thereafter, in response to placement of the sheet P1 on the inner tray 22, the controller 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P1.

[0121] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 13C, the controller 100b moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the second liquid application position B2 of the first sheet P1. Next, the controller 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid application position B2 of the first sheet P1.

[0122] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 13D, in accordance with the fact that liquid is applied to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 of the first sheet P1, the controller 100b places the second sheet P2 constituting the sheet bundle Pb on the inner tray 22 and executes jogging process by the side fences 24L and 24R. In response to placement of the second sheet P2 on the inner tray 22, the controller 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the second liquid application position B2 of the second sheet P2.

[0123] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 13E, the controller 100b moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the liquid application unit 31 faces the first liquid application position B1 of the second sheet P2. Next, the controller 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the first liquid application position B1 of the second sheet P2.

[0124] That is, the controller 100b repeats conveyance of the sheets P by the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, and execution of liquid application to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 by the liquid application unit 31, until the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 reaches the predetermined number N. At this time, the controller 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the B-th sheet P (B < N) in the order of the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2. The controller 100b then causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to the (B+1)-th sheet P in the order of the second liquid application position B2 and the first liquid application position B1. In other words, the controller 100b changes the order in which the liquid application unit 31 executes liquid application to the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 for each sheet P. Further, the controller 100b moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 between the first liquid application position B1 and the second liquid application position B2 by the shortest distance without passing through the standby position HP.

[0125] Next, in response to the determination that the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N, the controller 100b moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the crimping unit 32 faces the first binding position B1, as illustrated in FIG. 13F. Then, the controller 100b causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimp binding on the first binding position B1 of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22.

[0126] Next, the controller 100b moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction by the edge-binding processing unit moving mechanism 57 so that the crimping unit 32 faces the second binding position B2, as illustrated in FIG. 13G. Then, the controller 100b causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimp binding at the second binding position B2 of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22.

[0127] In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, since the liquid is finally applied to the first liquid application position B1, the crimp-binding is performed in the order of the first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2. On the other hand, when the liquid is finally applied to the second liquid application position B2, the crimp-binding may be performed in the order of the second binding position B2 and the first binding position B1.

[0128] Next, the controller 100b discharges the sheet bundle Pb crimp-bound at the first binding position B1 and the second binding position B2 to the second discharge tray 26. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 13H, the controller 100b moves the edge-binding processing unit 25 to the standby position HP.

[0129] In the above embodiment, an example in which one or two positions of the sheet bundle Pb are crimp-bound has been described; however, the present invention is also applicable to a case in which three or more positions of the sheet bundle Pb spaced apart in the main scanning direction are crimp-bound. In this case, the controller 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 to apply liquid to three or more liquid application positions (corresponding to crimp-binding positions) and causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimp binding. Even when three or more positions are crimp-bound, the productivity of crimp-binding can be improved by applying the present invention.

[0130] However, it is not necessary to apply liquid to all liquid application positions (corresponding to crimp-binding positions) for all sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb. For example, when crimp-binding is performed at three crimp-binding positions spaced apart in the main scanning direction, the controller 100b may apply liquid to three liquid application positions (corresponding to crimp-binding positions) on the E (E < N － 2)-th sheet P1, apply liquid to two liquid application positions (corresponding to crimp-binding positions) on the (E + 1)-th sheet P2, and apply liquid to one liquid application position (corresponding to a crimp-binding position) on the (E + 2)-th sheet P2.Liquid Supply / Discharge Operation At Startup of Post-processing apparatus

[0131] Next, the correspondence between the operation status of the post-processing apparatus 3 (referred to as the “post-processing operation status”) and the liquid supply / discharge mode executed in accordance with the operation status when the controller 100b performs the liquid supply and discharge operation will be described. FIG. 14A and 14B illustrate the correspondence between the post-processing operation status and the liquid supply / discharge mode. Here, the term “liquid supply and discharge operation” refers to conveying the liquid used for liquid application between the second liquid reservoir tank 47 and the first liquid reservoir tank 44 by the liquid pump 46. In other words, the “liquid supply and discharge operation” includes both the “liquid supply operation”, in which the liquid in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is supplied to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 by driving the liquid pump 46, and the “liquid discharge operation”, in which the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is discharged to the second liquid reservoir tank 47by reverse-driving the liquid pump 46.

[0132] As illustrated in FIG. 14A, the “post-processing operation status” at startup of the post-processing apparatus 3 is classified into “at startup of the post-processing apparatus” (corresponding to the power on of the post-processing apparatus 3 or recovery from energy-saving mode), “standby”, “cover opening / closing”, “forced execution of liquid supply operation”, and “forced execution of liquid discharge operation” based on a user operation at the operation portion.

[0133] As illustrated in FIG. 14B, the “post-processing operation status” during the crimp-binding job of the post-processing apparatus 3 is classified into “crimp-binding job preparation,” “during execution of crimp-binding job,” and “after execution of the crimp-binding job.” Here, the term “crimp-binding” refers to a crimp-binding process accompanied by liquid application. Further, the term “job” refers to a binding process operation based on a binding process execution instruction transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the post-processing apparatus 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, a liquid supply / discharge mode corresponding to each category of the “post-processing operation status” described above is set.

[0134] When the “post-processing operation status” is “at startup of the post-processing apparatus is started,” “during opening / closing of the opening / closing cover,” or “forced execution of liquid supply operation” (see FIG. 14A), and the first liquid level sensor 43 determines that the predetermined liquid level is not present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, the controller 100b executes the “positioning supply operation at startup, etc.” described later as a liquid supply / discharge mode. Here, depending on the frequency of use of the post-processing apparatus 3 by the user, it is conceivable that the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 remains at a level sufficient for executing liquid application. In such a case, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 14A, it is also possible to set a liquid supply / discharge mode in which the “positioning supply operation at startup, etc.” is not executed during “startup of the post-processing apparatus” or “standby” (see FIG. 14A, “No operation”).Control Flow of Liquid Supply Operation at Startup or the like

[0135] Next, the control flow of the liquid supply operation (hereinafter referred to as “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.”) executed at startup of the post-processing apparatus 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15. The processes of the control flowchart are executed by the controller 100b. First, when the control flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.” is started, the controller 100b turns ON the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 serving as liquid amount detectors (S1501). In the following description, the position of the liquid surface when the remaining amount of liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 or the second liquid reservoir tank 47 is a predetermined amount is referred to as the “liquid level.” The state in which a predetermined amount of liquid is present is referred to as “a predetermined liquid level is present.”

[0136] Subsequently, the controller 100b determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 based on detection by the second liquid level sensor 94 (S1502).

[0137] When the controller 100b determines that a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S1502: YES), the controller 100b subsequently determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 based on detection by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S1503).

[0138] When the controller 100b determines that a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (S1503: YES), the controller 100b turns OFF the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 (S1504), and ends the control flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.”

[0139] When the controller 100b determines in S1502 that a predetermined liquid level is not present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S1502: NO), the controller 100b issues a liquid replenishment notification to urge the user to replenish liquid into the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S1505). Here, the “liquid replenishment notification” is issued, for example, by causing the controller 100b to display, on the operation panel 110, information that prompts the user to replenish liquid into the second liquid reservoir tank 47, the operation panel 110 serving as means for notifying the storage state of the liquid.

[0140] When the user confirms the liquid replenishment notification displayed on the operation panel 110, the user performs predetermined operations such as opening the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-processing apparatus 3, replenishing liquid into the second liquid reservoir tank 47, and closing the opening / closing cover 71. The post-processing apparatus 3 is provided with a cover opening / closing detection sensor 542 (see FIG. 10) serving as opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the opening / closing cover 71.

[0141] The controller 100b receives an opening / closing signal indicating opening or closing of the opening / closing cover 71 transmitted from the cover opening / closing detection sensor 542 provided in the post-processing apparatus 3 (step S1506). After receiving a closing signal indicating that the opening / closing cover 71 is closed transmitted from the cover opening / closing detection sensor 542, the controller 100b returns to step S1502 and determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 based on detection by the second liquid level sensor 94.

[0142] The determination of whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 in step S1502 may be performed during the control flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.” as described above, or may be performed by continuous monitoring independently of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.”

[0143] When the controller 100b determines that a predetermined liquid level is not present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (step S1503: NO), the controller 100b executes the liquid supply operation at startup or the like of the liquid. In the liquid supply operation at startup or the like, the controller 100b first starts driving the liquid pump 46, that is, starts the liquid supply operation (step S1507). Following step S1507, the controller 100b again determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (step S1508). In step S1508, when the controller 100b determines that the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 has reached a state in which it is detected by the first liquid level sensor 43 (step S1508: YES), the controller 100b turns OFF the second liquid level sensor 94 and the first liquid level sensor 43 (step S1509).

[0144] The controller 100b determines whether a time T5 [sec], from the start of driving the liquid pump 46 in step S1507 to the time when the liquid amount detectors are turned OFF in step S1509, is equal to or greater than a predetermined time T-th [sec] (step S1510). When the time T5 [sec] is less than the predetermined time T-th [sec] (step S1510: NO), the controller 100b continues driving the liquid pump 46 for a further predetermined time T2 [sec] (step S1511). Thereafter, the controller 100b stops driving the liquid pump 46 after the predetermined time T2 [sec] has elapsed (step S1512), and ends the control flow of the liquid supply operation at startup or the like. Note that the “time T5 [sec],” the “predetermined time T-th [sec],” and the “predetermined time T2 [sec]” are synonymous with the “liquid supply time T5 [sec],” the “liquid permeation supply time T-th [sec],” and the “predetermined time T2 [sec]” illustrated in FIG. 18A, respectively.

[0145] On the other hand, when the time T5 [sec] is equal to or greater than the predetermined time T-th [sec] (step S1510: YES), the controller 100b continues driving the liquid pump 46 for a further predetermined time T2’ [sec] (step S1513). Thereafter, the controller 100b stops driving the liquid pump 46 after the predetermined time T2’ [sec] has elapsed (step S1514). Note that the “predetermined time T2’ [sec]” is synonymous with the “predetermined time T2’ [sec]” illustrated in FIG. 18B.

[0146] Thereafter, the controller 100b starts reverse driving of the liquid pump 46, that is, a liquid discharge operation (step S1515). After step S1515, the controller 100b continues reverse driving of the liquid pump 46 for the predetermined time T4 [sec] and discharges the liquid from the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (step S1516). Thereafter, the controller 100b stops reverse driving of the liquid pump 46 after the predetermined time T4 [sec] has elapsed (step S1517), and ends the control flow of the liquid supply operation at startup or the like. Note that the “predetermined time T4 [sec]” is synonymous with the “predetermined time T4 [sec]” illustrated in FIG. 18B.

[0147] The liquid pump 46 is set to have a constant flow rate per unit time. Therefore, in the positioning supply operation at startup or the like performed by the liquid pump 46, the controller 100b starts driving the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T2 [sec] after detecting, by the first liquid level sensor 43, that the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 has reached a detection liquid level described later. Then, the controller 100b stops driving the liquid pump 46 after the elapse of the predetermined time T2 [sec], thereby supplying the liquid up to a constant liquid level h2 as a first predetermined liquid level.

[0148] Further, since the liquid pump 46 is set to have a constant flow rate per unit time, in the positioning supply operation at startup or the like, the controller 100b continues driving the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T2’ [sec] after detecting, by the first liquid level sensor 43, that the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 has reached the detection liquid level described later. Then, the controller 100b stops driving the liquid pump 46 after the elapse of the predetermined time T2’ [sec]. At this time, the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is at a second predetermined liquid level illustrated in FIG. 18B. Thereafter, the controller 100b starts reverse driving of the liquid pump 46 and continues the reverse driving of the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T4 [sec]. Then, the controller 100b stops the reverse driving of the liquid pump 46 after the elapse of the predetermined time T4, thereby lowering the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 from the second predetermined liquid level to the first predetermined liquid level, as illustrated in FIG. 18B.

[0149] In the above description, the controller 100b stops the driving of the liquid pump 46 after continuing the driving of the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T2’ [sec] (step S1513). However, a predetermined period of time may elapse after the driving of the liquid pump 46 is stopped (S1514) and before the reverse driving of the liquid pump 46 is started (S1515). In this case, the predetermined period of time is set to an appropriate time corresponding to a liquid penetration time due to a capillary action of the liquid supply member 50.

[0150] As described above, in the positioning supply operation at startup or the like, sensing by the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 is used as a trigger for stopping the driving of the liquid pump 46. Therefore, the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 at startup can be stabilized at the first predetermined liquid level, which serves as a reference liquid level having the same height each time.

[0151] In the “positioning supply operation at startup, etc.”, which is executed when it is determined in step S1503 that there is no predetermined liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (S1503: NO), the controller 100b starts driving the liquid pump 46 (S1507). When liquid is not detected by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S1508: NO), the controller 100b waits for elapse of the predetermined period of time T1 [sec] (S1518). When liquid is still not detected by the first liquid level sensor 43 after elapse of the predetermined period of time T1 [sec], the controller 100b executes error stop processing (S1519) to stop progression of the control flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.”, because a failure of the liquid pump 46 or liquid leakage from the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is assumed. Further, after execution of the error stop processing, the controller 100b issues an abnormality notification (S1520) via the operation panel 110, and ends the control flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.”

[0152] Next, an overview of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.”, which is one of the liquid supply and discharge modes, will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A to 16C, FIGS. 17A and 17B, and FIGS. 18A and 18B. The first liquid reservoir tank 44 illustrated in FIG. 16A is in an empty state. At this time, the liquid supply member 50 may be in a moist state containing liquid or in a dry state due to evaporation, depending on the elapsed time since the liquid application unit 31 was used for liquid application in a previous operation.

[0153] When the liquid pump 46 in step S1507 of FIG. 15 is started from the empty state of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 as illustrated in FIG. 16A, the liquid supply operation in which liquid is supplied from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is executed as illustrated in FIG. 16B. As illustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16C, the first liquid level sensor 43 is composed of a pair of electrode pins having different lengths. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, as the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 rises, the electrode pin having a longer length is immersed before the electrode pin having a shorter length.

[0154] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16C, when the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 reaches the electrode pin having the shorter length, the pair of electrode pins becomes electrically conductive, and the first liquid level sensor 43 detects the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44. The liquid level when the first liquid level sensor 43 detects the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 in this manner, that is, the liquid level indicating the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, is hereinafter referred to as “detection liquid level” (see FIGS. 18A and 18B).

[0155] A wall 43a is provided between the pair of electrode pins. The wall 43a is preferably formed as part of the first liquid reservoir tank 44.

[0156] Then, by continuing the liquid supply operation by the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T2 [sec] even after the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 has reached the detection liquid level (see FIG. 16(C)), the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 reaches the state shown in FIG. 17(A). As illustrated in FIG. 17A, the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 reaches a predetermined position beyond the electrode pin having the shorter length. The liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 at this time, that is, the liquid level indicating the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, is hereinafter referred to as “first predetermined liquid level.” Here, the “first predetermined liquid level” is a liquid level at which the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 can sufficiently permeate the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501. In other words, the “first predetermined liquid level” is a liquid level indicating the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 required for the liquid supply member 50 to supply an appropriate amount of liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb.

[0157] Further, when the liquid supply operation by the liquid pump 46 is continued for a predetermined time T2’ [sec] from the state in which the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 reaches the “detection liquid level” (see FIG. 16C), the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 reaches the state illustrated in FIG. 17B. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 17B, the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 exceeds the “first predetermined liquid level” and reaches a predetermined position. The liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 at this time, that is, the liquid level indicating the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, is hereinafter referred to as “second predetermined liquid level.” Here, the “second predetermined liquid level” is the liquid level indicating the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 that is required for the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501, which are in a dry state because the immersion portion 502 of the liquid application member 501 is not immersed in the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, to be sufficiently permeated with the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44.

[0158] In FIGS. 16A to 16C, two electrodes having different lengths are used as the first liquid level sensor 43, but as illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, when the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is inclined, the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 can be appropriately detected even when two electrodes having the same length are used as the first liquid level sensor 43. By using two electrodes having the same length, the cost of the first liquid level sensor 43 can be reduced.

[0159] Thereafter, the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is drawn up by the influence of capillary action of the liquid supply member 50.

[0160] Next, the liquid supply and discharge operation when the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is adjusted to the “first predetermined liquid level” will be described with reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B. FIG. 18A illustrates a case where the liquid has permeated into the liquid supply member 50. Here, the liquid supply operation in a case where the liquid level of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 at startup or the like of the post-processing apparatus 3 (hereinafter referred to as “initial liquid level”) is higher than the liquid level that serves as a boundary at which the immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50 is immersed in the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (hereinafter referred to as “liquid immersion boundary liquid level L-th”) will be described.

[0161] The elapsed time from the start of the liquid supply operation by the liquid pump 46 in step S1507 of FIG. 15 to the time at which the first liquid level sensor 43 detects the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 in step S1509 of FIG. 15 and the first liquid level sensor 43 is turned OFF is defined as a predetermined time T5 [sec] (hereinafter, referred to as “liquid supply time T5”). In this case, the liquid supply time T5 [sec] is shorter than the time it takes for the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to rise from the liquid immersion boundary level L-th to the detection liquid level (hereinafter referred to as the “liquid permeation supply time T-th”). In this case, the liquid supply member 50 is already permeated with the liquid to some extent. Therefore, the downtime for bringing the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to the first predetermined liquid level at which the liquid application member 501 can supply an appropriate amount of liquid to the sheet P can be minimized. That is, by continuing the liquid supply operation by the liquid pump 46 for the liquid supply time T5 [sec] and then continuing the liquid supply operation only for the predetermined time T2 [sec], the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 can be brought to the first predetermined liquid level.

[0162] That is, according to the “positioning supply operation at startup etc.” when liquid remains in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, the liquid supply operation is executed while changing the liquid supply time T5 from the initial liquid level to the detection liquid level based on the detection result by the first liquid level sensor 43. Thus, the time from the initial liquid level to the first predetermined liquid level can be minimized. That is, the time until the liquid permeates the entire area of the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 can be shortened. In addition, since the liquid amount applied to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb by the liquid application member 501 can be continuously adjusted to an appropriate amount, the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb by the crimping unit 32 can be stabilized.

[0163] Next, the liquid supply and discharge operation in the case where the initial liquid level is lower than the liquid immersion boundary liquid level L-th will be described. FIG. 18B illustrates a case where the immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50 is not immersed in the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44. That is, in this case, since the liquid cannot be sucked up by capillary action of the liquid supply member 50, the liquid does not sufficiently permeate the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501, or the liquid is in an almost dry state. Therefore, in this case, since the initial liquid level of the first liquid reservoir tank at startup and the like of the post-processing apparatus 3 is lower than the liquid immersion boundary liquid level L-th at the immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50, the liquid supply time T5 [sec] becomes longer than the liquid permeation supply time T-th.

[0164] In this case, a considerable amount of time is spent for the liquid to permeate the entire area of the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501 by capillary action. Therefore, when the liquid supply time T5 [sec], which is the time from the start of the drive of the liquid pump 46 (step S1507 in FIG. 15) until the first liquid level sensor 43 detects the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and is turned OFF (step S1509 in FIG. 15), is longer than the liquid permeation supply time T-th, as illustrated in FIG. 18B, the controller 100b continues the liquid supply operation by the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T2’ [sec], which is the elapsed time until the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 reaches the second predetermined liquid level after the first liquid level sensor 43 is turned OFF (step S1509 in FIG. 15) (step S1513 in FIG. 15). Thereafter, the controller 100b starts the reverse drive of the liquid pump 46 (step S1515 in FIG. 15) to convey the liquid from the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to the second liquid reservoir tank 47, that is, to start the liquid discharge operation. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 18B, the controller 100b continues the liquid discharge operation by the liquid pump 46 until the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 reaches the first predetermined liquid level from the second predetermined liquid level (step S1516 in FIG. 15). That is, the liquid discharge operation by the liquid pump 46 continues until the elapsed time from the start of the reverse drive of the liquid pump 46 reaches the predetermined time T4. Thereafter, the controller 100b stops the drive of the liquid pump 46 in step S1517, and ends the control flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.”

[0165] As described above, when no liquid remains in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, increasing the area of the liquid supply member 50 that is immersed in the liquid within the first liquid reservoir tank 44 makes it possible to shorten the time required for the liquid to permeate the entirety of the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501.

[0166] In addition, according to the liquid supply and discharge operation illustrated in FIG. 18B, it is possible to prevent the liquid from dripping from the liquid application member 501 provided at the distal end of the liquid supply member 50 due to an excessively high liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44. In other words, since it is possible to prevent the liquid application member 501 from applying a liquid exceeding the proper amount to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb, it is possible to prevent the lowering of the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb by the crimping unit 32.

[0167] Then, by securing a time until the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 permeates the entire area of the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501, it is possible to reliably apply the liquid to the sheet P by the liquid application member 501. Further, when the predetermined times T2’ and T4 have not elapsed, the liquid application member 501 does not apply the liquid. In other words, the liquid application member 501 does not apply the liquid until the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 reaches the first predetermined liquid level. As a result, it is possible to prevent the amount of the liquid applied to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb by the liquid application member 501 from becoming less than the proper amount, thereby preventing the lowering of the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb by the crimping unit 32.

[0168] It should be noted that when an electrode sensor is used for the first liquid level sensor 43, when current is constantly applied, there is a risk that electrodes formed of metal may be corroded due to electrolytic corrosion. In addition, when a voltage is constantly applied to the liquid, electrolysis of the liquid occurs, which may cause problems such as adhesion of foreign matter to the electrodes or dissolution of the electrodes. In consideration of these problems, voltage is applied to the first liquid level sensor 43 as an electrode sensor only when detecting the presence or absence of liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, and the sensor is otherwise turned OFF.

[0169] Although an electrode sensor is illustrated as an example of the first liquid level sensor 43 in this embodiment, the first liquid level sensor 43 is not limited thereto, and other methods may be used. For example, a float sensor or a capacitive sensor may be used to detect the liquid level. Further, the first liquid level sensor 43 may be any sensor capable of calculating a liquid amount stored in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (e.g., a weight sensor), and is not limited to a sensor that detects a liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44.Overall Flow of Binding process operation Including Liquid Supply Operation

[0170] Next, FIG. 19 illustrates a control flowchart of the entire binding process operation including the liquid supply operation to the liquid application unit 31 of the edge-binding processing unit 25. The process related to the control flowchart is executed by the controller 100b.

[0171] First, when the control flow of the binding process operation is started, the controller 100b executes “job preparation_liquid supply operation” as preparation before job execution (S1901). The “job preparation_liquid supply operation” will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 20. Subsequently, the controller 100b moves the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 of the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction, applies liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 by the liquid application unit 31, and performs a binding process operation on the sheet bundle Pb to which the liquid has been applied (S1902). Here, the details of the “movement, liquid supply, and binding process” in step S1902 are described as the flow of the binding process operation in FIG. 11. Finally, the controller 100b executes “post-job_liquid supply operation” as a completion operation (S1903). The “post-job_liquid supply operation” will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 22.Control Flow of job preparation_liquid supply operation

[0172] FIG. 20 is a control flowchart of the "job preparation_liquid supply operation" in step 1901 of FIG. 19. When a binding process operation execution command is received from the user, the control flow of the "job preparation_liquid supply operation" is started. Prior to moving the edge-binding processing unit 25 including the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32, the liquid application unit 31 must be in a state in which liquid can be supplied to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb.

[0173] Therefore, upon receiving the liquid presence / absence determination request, the controller 100b turns ON the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 as liquid amount detectors in order to determine whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S2001). By turning ON the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94, the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 are set to the detectable state.

[0174] The controller 100b determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 based on detection by the second liquid level sensor 94 (S2002). When the controller 100b determines that a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S2002: YES), the controller 100b determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 based on detection by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S2003).

[0175] When the controller 100b determines that a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 based on detection by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S2003: YES), the controller 100b subsequently turns the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 OFF (S2004), and ends the control flow of the “job preparation_liquid supply operation.” When the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 are turned OFF, the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 become undetectable.

[0176] On the other hand, when the controller 100b determines that a predetermined liquid level is not present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 based on detection by the second liquid level sensor 94 (S2002: NO), the controller 100b subsequently issues a liquid supply notification urging the user to supply liquid to the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S2005). When the user finishes supplying liquid to the second liquid reservoir tank 47 and the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-processing apparatus 3 is closed, the controller 100b receives, as a trigger, a signal indicating that the opening / closing cover 71 is closed from the cover opening / closing detection sensor 542 (S2006). It should be noted that the determination as to whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 may be performed in the “job preparation_liquid supply operation,” which is one step of the binding process by the edge-binding processing unit 25 as described above, or may be performed at a timing independent of the aforementioned step of the binding process.

[0177] Further, when the first liquid level sensor 43 determines that no predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (S2003: NO), the controller 100b executes a “predetermined amount supply operation” of liquid. Specifically, in the “predetermined amount supply operation,” the controller 100b first turns OFF the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 (S2007), and then starts driving the liquid pump 46 as a preparation operation for liquid supply (S2008). The controller 100b continues driving the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T3 [sec] (S2009), and thereafter stops driving the liquid pump 46 (S2010). Thereafter, the controller 100b ends the control flow of the “job preparation_liquid supply operation.” Since the liquid pump 46 is set to have a constant flow rate per unit time, in the “predetermined amount supply operation,” a predetermined amount of liquid can be supplied from the second liquid reservoir tank 47 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 by continuing the driving of the liquid pump 46 for the predetermined time T3 [sec].

[0178] Here, in the "predetermined amount supply operation," the trigger for stopping the liquid pump 46 does not use sensing by the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 as liquid amount detectors. Therefore, the time required for the liquid supply operation is constant, and the control can immediately proceed to a subsequent step, thereby shortening the overall step time of the binding process operation and improving the productivity of the post-processing apparatus 3.

[0179] Next, an overview of the "predetermined amount supply operation," which is one step of the "job preparation_liquid supply operation," will be described with reference to FIGS. 21A to 21C. FIG. 21A illustrates a state in which the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is higher than the detection liquid level. At this time, as described above, this corresponds to a case in which it is determined by the first liquid level sensor 43 that a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (a case in which YES is determined in step S2003 of FIG. 20). Therefore, the controller 100b turns OFF the liquid amount detectors (step S2004 of FIG. 20), and then ends the control flow of the "job preparation_liquid supply operation."

[0180] FIG. 21B illustrates a state in which the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is lower than the detection liquid level. This occurs, for example, when the use environment of the post-processing apparatus 3 is a low-humidity environment or when a long time has elapsed since the last use of the post-processing apparatus 3, causing evaporation of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to progress. At this time, as described above, this corresponds to a case in which it is determined by the first liquid level sensor 43 that a predetermined liquid level is not present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (a case in which NO is determined in step S2003 of FIG. 20). Accordingly, the controller 100b turns OFF the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 as liquid amount detectors (step S2007 of FIG. 20), and then executes the “predetermined amount supply operation” in steps S2008 to S2010 of FIG. 20. Thereafter, the controller 100b ends the control flow of the “job preparation_liquid supply operation.”

[0181] In the state in which the above-described “predetermined amount supply operation” is executed, the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 becomes close to the “first predetermined liquid level,” as illustrated in FIG. 21C. However, since the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 varies depending on the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 at the time when the “predetermined amount supply operation” is started, the liquid level does not become constant. That is, the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 does not always become the “first predetermined liquid level” by the “job preparation_liquid supply operation.”

[0182] In addition, the liquid supply operation in the liquid supply / discharge mode corresponding to the “during execution of crimp-binding job” in FIG. 14B is the same as the “positioning supply operation at startup, etc.” illustrated in FIG. 15. That is, in step S1902 of FIG. 19, the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 may become lower than the detection liquid level (see FIG. 21B) by executing liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 a predetermined number of times. In this case, the controller 100b executes the “positioning supply operation at startup, etc.” illustrated in FIG. 15 (operations of steps S1507 to S1517 in FIG. 15) to bring the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to a state close to the “first predetermined liquid level,” as illustrated in FIG. 21C.Control Flow of Liquid Supply Operation After Job

[0183] FIG. 22 is a control flowchart of the “post-job_liquid supply operation.” The “post-job_liquid supply operation” is a liquid supply operation performed after completion of the binding process operation of step S1902 in FIG. 19, in preparation for a subsequent binding process operation (step S1903 in FIG. 19).

[0184] First, the controller 100b determines whether or not a subsequent binding process execution command is present. That is, the controller 100b determines whether or not a next binding process execution command is present when the binding process is continuously executed (step S2201). When the controller 100b determines that a subsequent binding process execution command is present to be continuously executed (step S2201: YES), the control flow of the “post-job_liquid supply operation” is ended, and the next binding process operation is started.

[0185] On the other hand, when the controller 100b determines that a subsequent binding process execution command is absent to be continuously executed (S2201: NO), the controller 100b turns ON the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 as liquid amount detectors in order to determine whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S2202).

[0186] Subsequently, the controller 100b determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 based on detection by the second liquid level sensor 94 (S2203). When the controller 100b determines that a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S2203: YES), the controller 100b subsequently determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 based on detection by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S2204).

[0187] When the controller 100b determines that a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 based on detection by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S2204: YES), the controller 100b subsequently turns OFF the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 (S2205), and ends the control flow of the “job-after_liquid supply operation.”

[0188] When the second liquid level sensor 94 determines that a predetermined liquid level is not present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S2203: NO), the controller 100b subsequently issues a liquid supply notification urging the user to supply liquid to the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S2206). When the user finishes supplying liquid to the second liquid reservoir tank 47 and the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-processing apparatus 3 is closed, the controller 100b receives a signal from the cover opening / closing detection sensor 542 indicating that the opening / closing cover 71 has been closed as a trigger (S2207). The determination as to whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 may be performed in the “post-job_liquid supply operation,” which is one step of the binding process performed by the edge-binding processing unit 25, as described above, or may be performed at a timing independent of the aforementioned step of the binding process.

[0189] When the first liquid level sensor 43 determines that a predetermined liquid level is not present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (S2204: NO), the controller 100b performs the “post-job positioning supply operation.” Specifically, in the “post-job positioning supply operation,” the controller 100b first starts driving the liquid pump 46 (S2208). Thereafter, the controller 100b determines again whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 based on detection by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S2209). When the first liquid level sensor 43 determines that a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (S2209: YES), the controller 100b turns OFF the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 as the liquid amount detector (S2210). Further, the controller 100b continues driving the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T2 [sec] (S2211). Thereafter, the controller 100b stops driving the liquid pump 46 (S2212) to end the control flow of the “post-job_liquid supply operation.”

[0190] Since the liquid pump 46 is set to provide a constant flow rate per unit time, in the “post-job positioning supply operation,” the controller 100b continues driving the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T2 [sec] after the first liquid level sensor 43 detects that the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 has reached the detection liquid level. By stopping the driving of the liquid pump 46 after the elapse of the predetermined time T2 [sec], liquid can be supplied up to a constant liquid level h2 serving as the first predetermined liquid level. Here, in the “post-job positioning supply operation,” sensing by the first liquid level sensor 43 and the second liquid level sensor 94 is used as a trigger to stop the driving of the liquid pump 46. Therefore, the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 after each job can be stabilized at the same first predetermined liquid level.

[0191] In the “post-job positioning supply operation,” when the liquid pump 46 is started (S2208) and no liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is detected by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S2209: NO), the controller 100b waits for a predetermined time T1 [sec] to elapse (S2213). If, even after the predetermined time T1 [sec] has elapsed, no liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is detected by the first liquid level sensor 43, the controller 100b determines that a failure of the liquid pump 46 or leakage of liquid from the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is likely, and performs error stop processing (S2214) to stop the progress of the control flow of the “post-job liquid supply operation.” Thereafter, the controller 100b issues an abnormality notification (S2215) via the operation panel 110 or the like, and ends the control flow of the “post-job liquid supply operation.”

[0192] FIG. 23 is a control flowchart illustrating a modification of the binding process. The difference from the control flow of the binding process illustrated in FIG. 11 is that a liquid supply operation during continuous execution (hereinafter referred to as “continuous liquid supply operation”) is performed when the number of consecutive liquid application operations exceeds a predetermined number.

[0193] The controller 100b starts the binding process illustrated in FIG. 23 at a timing when, for example, a binding process execution instruction (hereinafter, referred to as “binding process instruction”) is obtained from the image forming apparatus 2.

[0194] The binding process instruction includes, for example, the type of sheet P (including information affecting the spread of the liquid, such as material and thickness), the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb (hereinafter, referred to as “predetermined number N”), the number of sheet bundles Pb to undergo the binding process (hereinafter, referred to as “required number M”), the binding position of the sheet bundle Pb, and the binding attitude of the edge-binding processing unit 25. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are positioned, at a start of the binding process, at a standby position HP that is a position displaced in a width direction from the sheets P placed on the inner tray 22, while being in a parallel binding attitude.

[0195] First, when the attitude indicated by the binding process instruction is the “oblique binding attitude,” the controller 100b drives the liquid application unit rotating motor 563 and the crimping unit rotating motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 constituting the edge-binding processing unit 25 to an oblique binding attitude (S2301). In the case of the “oblique binding attitude,” only the crimping unit 32 may be rotated to the oblique binding attitude, and the liquid application unit 31 may be prevented from rotating in forward and reverse directions. As a result, the driving mechanism can be simplified as compared with the case where both the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are rotated in the forward and reverse directions, thereby achieving cost reduction, downsizing of the apparatus, and reduction in apparatus failures.

[0196] When the attitude indicated by the binding process instruction is the “parallel binding attitude,” the controller 100b omits the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 constituting the edge-binding processing unit 25 to the oblique binding attitude described above. Further, the controller 100b drives the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction so that the liquid application unit 31 faces a first liquid application position B1 indicated by the binding process instruction (S2301). The controller 100b executes the process of step S2301 before a first sheet P is conveyed to the inner tray 22 by conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15.

[0197] Next, the controller 100b rotates conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 to convey a sheet P on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2 to the inner tray 22 and accommodate the sheet P in the inner tray 22 (S2302). Further, the controller 100b reciprocates side fences 24L and 24R to perform a so-called jogging process for aligning the positions of the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 in the main scanning direction (S2302).

[0198] Next, the controller 100b causes the liquid application unit 31 facing the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P placed on the inner tray 22 in an immediately preceding step S2302 to apply liquid based on liquid application control data adjusted in advance (S2303). That is, the controller 100b drives the liquid application portion moving motor 42 to bring the liquid application member 501 into contact with the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P placed on the inner tray 22 (see FIG. 12B). In the liquid application process in step S2303, the controller 100b adjusts the position at which the liquid application member 501 applies liquid to the sheet P in accordance with the type of the sheet P included in the binding process instruction and the binding position. The controller 100b also adjusts the amount by which the liquid application member 501 is pressed against the sheet P. That is, the controller 100b controls the drive of the liquid application portion moving motor 42 based on the adjusted control data to adjust the amount by which the liquid application member 501 is moved with respect to the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P placed on the inner tray 22.

[0199] Next, the controller 100b determines whether or not the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N indicated by the binding process instruction (S2304). When it is determined that the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number N (S2304: NO), the controller 100b repeatedly executes the processes of steps S2302 to S2304 until the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 reaches the predetermined number N (S2304: YES). That is, the controller 100b executes the processes of steps S2302 to S2304 each time a sheet P is conveyed to the inner tray 22 by the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15. It should be noted that the liquid application by the liquid application unit 31 may be performed not only on all of the plurality of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb, but also on only some of the plurality of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb.

[0200] Then, when the controller 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has reached the predetermined number N (S2304: YES), as illustrated in FIG. 12C, the controller 100b drives the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction such that the crimping unit 32 faces the first binding position B1 (S2305).

[0201] Next, the controller 100b causes the crimping unit 32 to perform crimp binding on the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 (S2306). Then, the controller 100b causes the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the sheet bundle Pb that has been crimp-bound by the crimping unit 32 onto the second discharge tray 26 (S2307). That is, the controller 100b drives the open / close motor 32d to locate the first binding position B1 of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b. Thus, the sheet bundle Pb is press-deformed between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b to perform crimp binding. Thereafter, the controller 100b rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the crimp-bound sheet bundle Pb onto the second discharge tray 26.

[0202] In addition, on the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22, the crimping region (corresponding to the first binding position B1) located between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b in step S2306 overlaps with the liquid-application region (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1) with which the distal end of the liquid application member 501 is brought into contact in step S2303. In other words, the crimping unit 32 performs crimp binding on a region of the sheet bundle Pb to which liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit 31 on the inner tray 22. Note that the crimping region located between the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b does not need to completely overlap the liquid-application region with which the distal end of the liquid application member 501 is brought into contact, and sufficient binding strength can be obtained even when the regions partially overlap.

[0203] Subsequently, the controller 100b determines whether or not the number of consecutive liquid application operations has reached a predetermined number K (S2308). In the description of the present embodiment, the predetermined number K corresponding to the threshold value of the number of consecutive liquid application operations is, for example, 1000.

[0204] When the controller 100b determines that the number of consecutive liquid application operations is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S2308: YES), the controller 100b temporarily stops the binding process and performs a “continuous liquid supply operation” (S2309), since the amount of liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is no longer sufficient. Here, the “continuous liquid supply operation” is the same as the “job preparation_liquid supply operation” described with reference to FIG. 20, that is, the “predetermined amount supply operation,” and therefore, a detailed description of the operation flow is omitted.

[0205] Next, the controller 100b determines whether or not the number of sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number M indicated by the binding instruction (S2310). When the controller 100b determines that the number of discharged sheet bundles Pb does not reach the required number M (S2310: NO), the controller 100b re-executes the processing from step S2301. That is, the controller 100b repeatedly executes the processes of steps S2301 to S2310 until the number of sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 reaches the required number M (S2310: YES).

[0206] When the controller 100b determines that the number of sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number M (S2310: YES), the controller 100b drives the edge-binding processing unit moving motor 55 to move the edge-binding processing unit 25 including the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 to the standby position HP as illustrated in FIG. 12D (S2311). When the attitude instructed by the binding process instruction is the “oblique binding attitude,” the controller 100b drives the liquid application unit rotating motor 563 and the crimping unit rotating motor 56 to rotate the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 to the parallel binding attitude (S2311). When the attitude instructed by the binding process instruction is the “parallel binding attitude,” the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 to the parallel binding attitude is omitted. As a result, the edge-binding processing unit 25 returns to the standby position HP illustrated in FIG. 12D. In steps S2301 and S2311, the execution order of moving the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the main scanning direction and rotating the edge-binding processing unit 25 in the forward and reverse directions is not limited to the above-described order, and may be reversed.Liquid Discharge Operation and Liquid Discharge Control Flow

[0207] Next, liquid discharge control for controlling a liquid discharge operation executable in the post-processing apparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a liquid discharge operation as one of the liquid supply and discharge operations. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow (hereinafter referred to as a “liquid discharge control flow”) of the liquid discharge operation. Here, the “liquid discharge operation” refers to an operation in which liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is discharged to the second liquid reservoir tank 47 by driving the liquid pump 46 in reverse, as described above.

[0208] When the post-processing apparatus 3 is in use, liquid is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, and the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501 are entirely permeated with liquid. On the other hand, during maintenance of the post-processing apparatus 3, the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501 may be removed. In this case, in order to prevent liquid leakage from the first liquid reservoir tank 44, it may be necessary to empty the inside of the first liquid reservoir tank 44. In addition, in order to prevent contamination caused by liquid when the post-processing apparatus 3 is not used for a long period of time, it may be necessary to perform an operation to empty the inside of the first liquid reservoir tank 44. That is, when the inside of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is emptied, the liquid discharge operation is executed.

[0209] When the “liquid discharge operation” is selected as one of the liquid supply and discharge operations, the liquid discharge control flow is started. When the liquid discharge control flow is started, the controller 100b drives the liquid pump 46 in reverse for a predetermined time Tr [sec] (S2501) to draw liquid from the first liquid reservoir tank 44. That is, the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is discharged from the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 (see FIG. 24A). As a result, the liquid level of the liquid L in the second liquid reservoir tank fixing unit 61 rises, and the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 falls. Consequently, the first liquid reservoir tank 44 becomes empty (see FIG. 24B). The predetermined time Tr, which is an operation time of the liquid pump 46, is set, for example, to a time sufficient to discharge liquid from the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and from inside the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501. After the liquid pump 46 is driven in reverse for the predetermined time Tr, the controller 100b terminates the liquid discharge control flow.

[0210] The “liquid discharge operation” as one of the liquid supply and discharge operation may be executed by the user optionally selecting the operation on an operation screen of the operation panel 110, as illustrated in FIG. 26. That is, when a forced supply operation for forcibly supplying liquid is selected, the user presses a “forced liquid supply” execution button 110a. When the liquid discharge operation is selected, the user presses a “liquid discharge” execution button 110b.Embodiment of a Configuration for Supplying Liquid to the First Liquid Reservoir Unit

[0211] Next, the configuration of a flow path for supplying liquid to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 serving as the first liquid reservoir will be described in more detail. FIG. 27A illustrates the first liquid reservoir tank 44, the liquid supply member 50, and the liquid application member 501 used in the liquid application unit 31 that applies liquid to at least one sheet P as a medium. FIG. 27A is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the first liquid reservoir tank 44, the liquid supply member 50, and the liquid application member 501 at a central position in the main scanning direction, as viewed from the main scanning direction (the Y direction in FIG. 27).

[0212] As illustrated in FIG. 27A, the liquid application unit 31 includes the first liquid reservoir tank 44 for storing a liquid used for liquid application. Further, the liquid application unit 31 includes the liquid application member 501 that abuts on the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb to apply liquid to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb. Further, the liquid application unit 31 includes the liquid supply member 50 for supplying, to the liquid application member 501, the liquid used when the liquid application member 501 applies liquid by abutting on the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb.

[0213] FIG. 27B illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a state in which the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 are installed in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the holding unit 37.

[0214] As illustrated in FIG. 27A, the liquid supply member 50 includes, at one end thereof, an immersion portion 502 that is immersed in the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44. Further, the liquid supply member 50 includes, at the other end thereof, a connection portion 503 for abutting on or connecting to the liquid application member 501 that abuts on the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb when liquid is applied. The liquid application member 501 is provided at a predetermined position of the holding unit 37 in a state of abutting on or being connected to the connection portion 503, which is one end of the liquid supply member 50. The liquid application member 501 is held in the liquid application unit 31 in a state in which the liquid from the liquid supply member 50 can flow thereto. By configuring the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 as separate members in this manner, the work of attaching the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the holding unit 37 is facilitated, thereby improving the ability to assemble the liquid application unit 31.

[0215] The liquid sucked up from the inside of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 by the liquid supply member 50 is in a state in which the liquid can flow to the liquid application member 501. That is, when the immersion portion 502 provided at one end of the liquid supply member 50 is immersed in the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 in a state in which a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44, the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 flows to the liquid application member 501 through the liquid supply member 50.

[0216] As illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 are held via the holding unit 37 such that the immersion portion 502 is positioned at a predetermined position in the internal space of the first liquid reservoir tank 44. The holding unit 37 holds the first liquid reservoir tank 44 together with the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501.

[0217] FIG. 28A illustrates a plan view of the holding unit 37. FIG. 28A corresponds, for example, to a plan view of the holding unit 37 as viewed from a side opposite to a side that is in contact with the first liquid reservoir tank 44 when the holding unit 37 holds the first liquid reservoir tank 44. FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 27A. As illustrated in FIG. 28A, a plurality of gaps 511a, 511b1, 511b2, and 511c having predetermined shapes and sizes are formed between the liquid supply member 50 and the holding unit 37, and between the liquid application member 501 and the holding unit 37, to constitute a flow path 511 through which liquid overflowing from the inside of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 flows.

[0218] As illustrated in FIGS. 27B and 28A, the gap 511a is a gap extending along the Z direction between the liquid supply member 50 and a wall surface of the first liquid reservoir tank 44. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 27B and 28A and 28B, the gaps 511b1 and 511b2 are gaps extending along the X direction between the liquid supply member 50 and a wall surface of the holding unit 37. As illustrated in FIGS. 28A and 28B, the gap 511b2 is formed larger than the gap 511b1. By forming the gap 511b2 to be larger in this manner, a predetermined amount of liquid can be retained on an upper surface of the liquid application member 501. As a result, liquid can be supplied directly to the liquid application member 501 in addition to the liquid supplied from the liquid supply member 50, thereby shortening the penetration time required for the liquid to penetrate into the liquid application member 501. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B and FIG. 28A, the gap 511c is a gap extending along the Z direction between an outer surface of an X-direction downstream end portion of the liquid application member 501 and an inner surface of an X-direction downstream end wall of the holding unit 37. As illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the gap 511c is formed by a groove portion formed on the inner surface of the downstream end wall of the holding unit 37 over an entire range in the Z direction, and the outer surface of the downstream end portion of the liquid application member 501. Liquid retained on the upper surface of the liquid application member 501 penetrates into the liquid application member 501 not only from the upper surface thereof but also from the X-direction downstream end portion through the gap 511c. As a result, the penetration time of the liquid into the liquid application member 501 can be further shortened.

[0219] The flow path 511 formed by a plurality of gaps 511a, 511b1, 511b2, and 511c constitutes a passage through which liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 flows so as to penetrate into the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 when the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is filled with liquid. The liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 are arranged in the holding unit 37 and the first liquid reservoir tank 44 such that liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 penetrates through the flow path 511. As illustrated in FIG. 27A, the flow path 511 is continuously provided from an immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50 to a connection portion 503 of the liquid supply member 50, and is further continuously provided to a position reaching a predetermined position of the liquid application member 501. That is, the flow path 511 is formed in a groove shape continuously extending from the immersion portion 502 to the connection portion 503 of the liquid supply member 50. By forming the flow path 511 in this manner, liquid overflowing from the inside of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 flows through the plurality of gaps 511a, 511b1, 511b2, and 511c and quickly penetrates into the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501. As a result, the time required for the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to sufficiently penetrate into the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 can be shortened.

[0220] The immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50 is one end portion of the liquid supply member 50 that is immersed in the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and corresponds to a portion for drawing liquid. The connection portion 503 of the liquid supply member 50 is the other end portion of the liquid supply member 50 and corresponds to an end portion that is in contact with the liquid application member 501. It should be noted that the contact between the connection portion 503 of the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 is not limited to a state of simple contact, and may be a state in which the connection portion 503 and the liquid application member 501 are connected with a predetermined configuration. That is, although the above description describes a case in which the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 are formed as separate members and are brought into contact with or connected to each other, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 may be integrally molded to form a single member. In this case, by utilizing capillary action, liquid drawn by the liquid supply member 50 can smoothly flow to the liquid application member 501, so that a predetermined amount of liquid can be stably applied to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb by the liquid application member 501. In addition, the cost can be reduced compared with a configuration in which the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 are formed separately.

[0221] As illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B and FIG. 28B, an upper surface of the liquid application member 501 is positioned lower than an upper surface of the liquid supply member 50. Accordingly, the groove-shaped gap 511b2, which is formed by a side surface of the connection portion 503 of the liquid supply member 50, the upper surface of the liquid supply member 50, and a side surface of the holding unit 37, constitutes a part of the liquid flow path 511.

[0222] The flow path 511 is constituted by the gaps 511a, 511b1, 511b2, and 511c that are continuously provided from the immersion portion 502 of the liquid supply member 50 to the liquid application member 501. Accordingly, liquid overflowing from the inside of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is configured to smoothly flow along the flow path 511. As a result, the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 can be caused to penetrate into the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 more quickly.

[0223] Next, a plurality of gaps 511a, 511b1, 511b2, and 511c constituting the flow path 511 provided in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 and the holding unit 37 will be described with reference to FIG. 29. As illustrated in FIG. 29A, in order to hold the liquid supply member 50 within the first liquid reservoir tank 44, a part of the liquid supply member 50 needs to be positioned in close contact with the wall surface of the first liquid reservoir tank 44.

[0224] The flow path 511 may be formed as long as the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is able to flow between the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501 and the holding unit 37, and between the liquid supply member 50 and the first liquid reservoir tank 44. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 29B, which is an arrow AD view of FIG. 29A, a groove portion formed over the entire length in the Z direction is formed on the wall surface of the downstream edge portion in the X direction of the holding unit 37, thereby forming an interval 511c between the liquid application member 501 and the holding unit 37. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 29C, which is an arrow AC view of FIG. 29A, an interval 511b1 extending along the X direction is formed between the liquid supply member 50 and the wall surface of the holding unit 37. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 29D, which is an arrow AB view of FIG. 29A, gaps 511a and 511b1 are formed by forming a plurality of groove portions on the inner wall of the first liquid reservoir tank 44, that is, on the wall surface of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 that is in contact with the liquid supply member 50. As described above, the flow path 511 is formed by the plurality of gaps 511a, 511b1, 511b2, and 511c formed between a part of the holding unit 37 and a part of the first liquid reservoir tank 44, and the liquid supply member 50 and the liquid application member 501.

[0225] As illustrated in FIGS. 27A, 27B, and 28A, when the liquid application member 501 is inclined in accordance with a receiving port for receiving the sheet P, it is desirable that the interval 511c extend in the Z direction between the outer surface of the downstream edge portion in the X direction of the liquid application member 501 and the inner surface of the downstream edge portion wall in the X direction of the holding unit 37. For example, when the interval 511c extends in the Z direction between the outer surfaces of both edge portions in the Y direction of the liquid application member 501 and the inner surfaces of both edge portions in the Y direction of the holding unit 37, the time required for the liquid passing through the interval 511c to penetrate into the liquid application member 501 becomes shorter. As a result, liquid that has not penetrated into the liquid application member 501 tends to drip from a distal edge portion of the liquid application member 501, so that more than an appropriate amount of liquid is applied to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb. As a result, a problem arises in that the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb is reduced.

[0226] As illustrated in FIGS. 27A, 27B, and 28A, when the gap 511c is extended in the Z direction between the outer surface of the downstream end portion in the X direction of the liquid application member 501 and the inner surface of the downstream end wall in the X direction of the holding unit 37, the time required for the liquid passing through the gap 511c to penetrate into the liquid application member 501 can be sufficiently prolonged. As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has not penetrated into the liquid application member 501 from dripping from the distal end of the liquid application member 501. Consequently, the amount of liquid applied to the sheet P or the sheet bundle Pb by the liquid application member 501 can be controlled to an appropriate amount, thereby stabilizing the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb.

[0227] FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a transition of positions of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 when the liquid application unit 31 applies liquid to the sheet P. As illustrated in FIG. 30, the position of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is classified into three positions: a liquid supply operation position for performing a liquid supply operation illustrated in FIG. 30A, a standby position (HP position) illustrated in FIG. 30B, and a liquid application position for applying liquid to the sheet P illustrated in FIG. 30C. The liquid supply operation position illustrated in FIG. 30A is a position of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 when the liquid L is supplied to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 by the liquid pump 46. The liquid supply operation position is set to a position at which the liquid application member 501 does not come into contact with the lower pressing plate 33 serving as a sheet receiving base. For example, the distance between the lower pressing plate 33 and the distal end of the liquid application member 501 is set to approximately 2 mm.

[0228] The standby position illustrated in FIG. 30B is an initial position before the liquid application member 501 starts a liquid application operation, and corresponds to a so-called home position of the first liquid reservoir tank 44.

[0229] The liquid application position illustrated in FIG. 30C is a position at which the liquid application member 501 comes into contact with the sheet P and allows the liquid L to penetrate into the sheet P.

[0230] That is, in the post-processing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the liquid application member 501 is configured to be movable between a contact position at which the liquid application member 501 comes into contact with the sheet P and a separated position at which the liquid application member 501 is separated from the sheet P. The movement of the liquid application member 501 is performed by movement of the first liquid reservoir tank 44. The movement distance of the first liquid reservoir tank 44, that is, the movement distance of the liquid application member 501, is a preset value. The preset value can be optionally adjusted by a user through a setting operation using an operation panel 110 described later.

[0231] FIG. 31 illustrates a state of the liquid application member 501 and the liquid supply member 50 at the liquid supply operation position illustrated in FIG. 30A. As described with reference to FIGS. 27 to 29, a flow path 511 including a plurality of intervals 511a, 511b1, 511b2, and 511c is formed around the liquid application member 501 and the liquid supply member 50. Then, the liquid L gradually penetrates into the liquid application member 501 and the liquid supply member 50 from side portions that are in contact with the liquid L flowing through the flow path 511. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 31, a permeated region 501b and a non-permeated region 501a temporarily exist inside the liquid application member 501. Since the liquid L does not directly contact an inside of a tip portion of the liquid application member 501, penetration of the liquid L takes time. Therefore, immediately after the liquid L is supplied to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 by the liquid pump 46, the non-permeated region 501a exists inside the tip portion of the liquid application member 501.

[0232] FIGS. 32A to 32C illustrate behavior of the liquid L in a state in which the liquid L leaks from the liquid application member 501 at the liquid supply operation position illustrated in FIG. 30A. FIG. 32A illustrates a state immediately after the liquid is supplied to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 up to the second predetermined liquid level illustrated in FIG. 18B. As illustrated in FIG. 32A, the non-permeated region 501a exists inside the tip portion of the liquid application member 501.

[0233] FIG. 32B illustrates a case in which liquid leakage occurs from the liquid application member 501 in a state where the non-permeated region 501a exists inside the tip portion of the liquid application member 501 immediately after the liquid is supplied to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 up to the second predetermined liquid level. In this case, liquid droplets Lp leaking from the liquid application member 501 may travel along the liquid application member 501 and drip down onto the lower pressing plate 33 serving as a sheet receiving base. When the sheet P is conveyed onto an upper surface of the lower pressing plate 33 in a state where the liquid droplets Lp are present on the lower pressing plate 33, the liquid droplets Lp adhere to the sheet P. As a result, a predetermined amount or more of liquid is applied to the sheet P, which may cause a reduction in binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb. Further, when the liquid droplets Lp adhere to a portion other than a liquid application position of the sheet P, the sheet P may be stained by the liquid droplets Lp.

[0234] FIG. 32C illustrates behavior of liquid droplets Lp that have fallen from the liquid application member 501 onto the lower pressing plate 33. The liquid droplets Lp are drawn into a space between the lower pressing plate 33 and the liquid application member 501 by a capillary phenomenon, and comes into contact with the non-permeated region 501a inside the tip portion of the liquid application member 501, so that the liquid droplets Lp are absorbed into the liquid application member 501. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 32C, even when the liquid droplets Lp drop from the liquid application member 501 onto the lower pressing plate 33, the liquid application member 501 can be configured to be capable of absorbing the liquid droplets Lp. As a result, retention of the liquid droplets Lp on the lower pressing plate 33 is reduced, and application of a predetermined amount or more of the liquid L to the sheet P by the liquid application member 501 can be prevented. Consequently, a reduction in binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb caused by the liquid droplets Lp can be prevented.

[0235] More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 33, the liquid application member 501 is formed so as to protrude from the first liquid reservoir tank 44 toward the lower pressing plate 33, that is, toward the sheet receiving base. When the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is in the liquid supply operation position illustrated in FIG. 30A, a minute gap D can be provided between the liquid application member 501 and the lower pressing plate 33 serving as the sheet receiving base. In this state, the liquid droplets Lp can be absorbed in the non-permeated region 501a formed inside a tip portion of the liquid application member 501. Accordingly, the liquid droplets Lp are prevented from remaining on the lower pressing plate 33, or the amount of the liquid droplets Lp are reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet P from being wetted by unintended liquid droplets other than liquid droplets intended to penetrate the sheet P by the liquid application.Control Flow of Liquid Supply Operation at Startup or the Like

[0236] Next, a flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.” of the post-processing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 34. The flowchart of FIG. 34 is basically common to the flowchart of FIG. 15. The flowchart of FIG. 34 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 15 in that a step of moving the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to the liquid supply operation position illustrated in FIG. 30A is added in the “positioning liquid supply operation at startup, etc.” Therefore, steps common to the flowcharts of FIGS. 34 and 15 will be briefly described, and the above-described different step will be described in detail.

[0237] The control flowchart of FIG. 34 is executed by the controller 100b. First, when the control flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.” is started, the controller 100b turns the liquid amount detector ON (S2601).

[0238] Subsequently, the controller 100b determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 based on detection by the second liquid level sensor 94 (S2602).

[0239] When a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S2602: YES), the controller 100b subsequently determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 based on detection by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S2603).

[0240] When a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (S2603: YES), the controller 100b then turns the liquid amount detector OFF (S2604), and ends the control flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup, etc.”

[0241] When a predetermined liquid level is not present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 (S2602: NO), the controller 100b issues a “liquid supply notification” to the user (S2605).

[0242] The user confirms the liquid supply notification displayed on the operation panel 110, opens the opening / closing cover 71 of the post-processing apparatus 3, supplies liquid to the second liquid reservoir tank 47, and closes the opening / closing cover 71.

[0243] The controller 100b receives an opening / closing signal of the opening / closing cover 71 transmitted from the cover opening / closing detection sensor 542 provided in the post-processing apparatus 3 (S2606). After receiving a closing signal of the opening / closing cover 71, the controller 100b returns to step S2602 and determines whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the second liquid reservoir tank 47 based on detection by the second liquid level sensor 94.

[0244] When there is no predetermined liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (S2603: NO), the controller 100b executes the liquid “startup or the like - positioning supply operation.” In the “positioning supply operation at startup or the like,” the controller 100b first starts driving the liquid pump 46 (S2607). Following step S2607, the controller 100b judges again whether a predetermined liquid level is present in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (S2608). In step S2608, when the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is detected by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S2608: YES), the controller 100b turns the liquid amount detector OFF (S2609).

[0245] The controller 100b judges whether the time T5 [sec] from the start of driving the liquid pump 46 (S2607) until the liquid amount detector is turned OFF (S2609) is equal to or greater than the predetermined time T-th [sec] (S2610). When the time T5 [sec] is less than the predetermined time T-th [sec] (S2610: NO), the controller 100b continues driving the liquid pump 46 for a further predetermined time T2 [sec] (S2611). Thereafter, the controller 100b stops driving the liquid pump 46 (S2612), and ends the control flow of the “liquid supply operation at startup.”

[0246] When the time T5 [sec] is equal to or greater than the predetermined time T-th [sec] (S2610: YES), the controller 100b moves the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to the liquid supply operation position (S2613). Subsequently, the controller 100b continues driving the liquid pump 46 for a further predetermined time T2‘ [sec] (S2614). Thereafter, the controller 100b stops driving the liquid pump 46 after the elapse of the predetermined time T2’ [sec] (S2615).

[0247] Thereafter, the controller 100b starts the reverse driving of the liquid pump 46 (S2616). After step S2615, the controller 100b continues the reverse driving of the liquid pump 46 for a predetermined time T4 [sec] to discharge the liquid in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 (S2617). Thereafter, the controller 100b stops the reverse driving of the liquid pump 46 after the elapse of a predetermined time T4 [sec] (S2618) and moves the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to the standby position (S2619). Thereafter, the controller 100b ends the control flow of the “startup etc. - liquid supply operation.”

[0248] In the “positioning supply operation at startup or the like,” executed when there is no predetermined liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 in step S2608 (S2608: NO), the controller 100b starts driving the liquid pump 46 (S2607), and waits for the elapse of a predetermined time T1 [sec] when the liquid is not detected by the first liquid level sensor 43 (S2608: NO) (S2620). Then, when the liquid is not detected by the first liquid level sensor 43 even after the predetermined time T1 [sec] has elapsed, the controller 100b executes error stop processing (S2621), since a failure of the liquid pump 46 or a leakage from the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is assumed. Further, following the error stop processing, the controller 100b issues an abnormality notification (S2622) via the operation panel 110 or the like, and ends the control flow of the “startup or the like - liquid supply operation.”

[0249] As described above, in the post-processing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, when the liquid does not sufficiently penetrate the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501, such as at startup of the post-processing apparatus 3, liquid is supplied up to the second predetermined liquid level illustrated in FIG. 18B, thereby shortening the time required for the liquid to sufficiently penetrate the liquid supply member 50 and / or the liquid application member 501. However, when the liquid is supplied up to the second predetermined liquid level illustrated in FIG. 18B, the liquid L may leak from the liquid application member 501 as described with reference to FIGS. 32A to 32C, and the leaked liquid droplets Lp may hang from the lower pressing plate 33 and remain on the lower pressing plate 33. When this phenomenon occurs, the liquid L is applied to the sheet P in an amount exceeding an appropriate amount, which causes a problem that the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb decreases.

[0250] Therefore, when it is determined that liquid supply up to the second predetermined liquid level illustrated in FIG. 18B is required (S2610: YES), the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is moved to the liquid supply operation position illustrated in FIG. 30A (S2613), and the liquid supply to the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is continued for a predetermined time (S2614). After a liquid discharge operation (S2616 to S2618) for changing the liquid level in the first liquid reservoir tank 44 from the second predetermined liquid level to the first predetermined liquid level is completed, the first liquid reservoir tank 44 is returned to the standby position (S2619).

[0251] By moving the first liquid reservoir tank 44 to the liquid supply operation position, a minute gap D can be formed between the liquid application member 501 and the lower pressing plate 33, as illustrated in FIG. 33. Therefore, even if the liquid L leaks from the liquid application member 501 when the liquid is supplied up to the second predetermined liquid level, as described with reference to FIGS. 32A to 32C, the leaked liquid droplets Lp are drawn into the minute gap D formed between the liquid application member 501 and the lower pressing plate 33 by capillary action. The liquid droplets Lp drawn into the minute gap D contact the non-penetrated region 501a of the liquid application member 501 and is absorbed by the liquid application member 501. Accordingly, adhesion of the liquid L leaking from the liquid application member 501 to the sheet P can be prevented, and application of the liquid L exceeding an appropriate amount to the sheet P can be prevented. As a result, in the crimp-binding process in which liquid is applied, the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb can be improved. Next, an example of a user interface that enables adjustment of the liquid supply operation position of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 during a liquid application operation in the post-processing apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 35. As illustrated in FIG. 35, the controller 100b displays, on the operation panel 110, an input setting screen that allows a user to optionally adjust the liquid supply operation position of the first liquid reservoir tank 44. The user may then operate the numeric keypad of the operation panel 110 to input an adjustment value (e.g., +0.1 mm), thereby setting the adjustment value for the liquid supply operation position of the first liquid reservoir tank 44. For example, adjustment of the liquid supply operation position of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 can be achieved by controlling the number of rotation pulses of the liquid application portion moving motor 42 that raises and lowers the first liquid reservoir tank 44, based on the adjustment value (e.g., +0.1 mm) input via the operation panel 110.

[0252] Since the liquid supply operation position of the first liquid reservoir tank 44 can be adjusted via the operation panel 110 in this manner, variations in the distance between the lower pressing plate 33 and the liquid application member 501 caused by variations in component accuracy and assembly accuracy can be absorbed, thereby reducing the influence of liquid leakage from the liquid application member 501.

[0253] Although the controller 100b of the post-processing apparatus 3 in the above description is provided separately from the controller 100a of the image forming apparatus 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 36A, the controller 100b of the post-processing apparatus 3 may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 36B, the controller 100b of the post-processing apparatus 3 may be integrated with the controller 100a of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0254] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 37A, the controller 100b of the post-processing apparatus 3 may be divided into, for example, a controller 100b1 for controlling a drive unit system such as a motor and a controller 100b2 for controlling a detector system such as a sensor, that is, by function. Further, among the divided controller 100b1 and the controller 100b2, for example, only the controller 100b2 of one of a post-processing apparatus 3A may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 37B, the controller 100b2 of the post-processing apparatus 3 provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side may be integrated with the controller 100a of the image forming apparatus 2. Second Embodiment of Post-Processing Apparatus 3

[0255] Next, the post-processing apparatus 3A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 38 to 46. Note that the same reference numerals are given to components common to those of the post-processing apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0256] An edge-binding processing unit 251 of the post-processing apparatus 3A according to the second embodiment differs from the edge-binding processing unit 25 of the post-processing apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment, in that the liquid application unit 31 and the crimping unit 32 are provided together, and includes only the crimping unit 32’, and the liquid application unit 131 is provided on the upstream side of the conveying path. As a result, a predetermined number of sheets P can be pre-stacked after the liquid applying process and conveyed to the crimping unit 32’ of the edge-binding processing unit 251 provided on the downstream side, so that the productivity of the binding process at the crimping unit 32’ can be improved.

[0257] The direction in which the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, and 14 convey the sheets P is opposite to the “conveying direction” defined above, and is therefore defined as the “reverse conveying direction.” The reverse conveying direction and the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the sheets P, that is, the width direction of the sheets P, are defined as the “main scanning direction.” The liquid application position at which liquid is applied to the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb by the liquid application unit 131 corresponds to the binding position at which the crimping unit 32’ is to perform crimp binding on the sheet bundle Pb. Therefore, the liquid application position and the binding position are described below with the same reference numeral (B1).

[0258] FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of the post-processing apparatus 3A according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 39, the edge-binding processing unit 251 includes only the crimping unit 32’. As illustrated in FIG. 39, the crimping unit 32’ and the stapling processing unit 156 are disposed downstream of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction. The crimping unit 32’ and the stapling processing unit 156 are configured to be movable in the main scanning direction at a position where the crimping unit 32’ and the stapling processing unit 156 can face the downstream edge portion of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction.

[0259] Furthermore, the crimping unit 32’ and the stapling processing unit 156 are configured to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions about the crimping unit rotating shaft 340 and the stapling unit rotating shaft 84 that extend in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. That is, the crimping unit 32’ and the stapling processing unit 156 can bind the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 at an arbitrary position and at an arbitrary angle in the main scanning direction, such as corner oblique binding, parallel one-position binding, and parallel two-position binding.

[0260] The crimping unit 32’ binds the sheet bundle Pb by pressurizing and deforming the sheet bundle Pb with the uneven upper crimping teeth 32a and lower crimping teeth 32b (hereinafter referred to as “crimp binding”). The stapling processing unit 156 can staple the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 by inserting staples into the binding position of the sheet bundle Pb.

[0261] FIGS. 39A to 39C are schematic views of the inner tray 22 as seen from the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb. FIG. 40 is a schematic view of the crimping unit 32’ as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 39A to 39C, the crimping unit 32’ and the stapling processing unit 156 are disposed downstream of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction. The crimping unit 32’ is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction along the surface of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. The crimping unit 32’ is configured to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions about a rotating shaft 340 of the crimping unit, the rotating shaft 340 extending in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22.

[0262] Similarly, the stapling processing unit 156 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction of the sheet bundle Pb. The stapling processing unit 156 is configured to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions about the stapling unit rotating shaft 84 of the stapling processing unit, the stapling unit rotating shaft 84 extending in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb. The other configuration of the stapling processing unit 156 is the same as that of the stapling processing unit 155 (see FIG. 6) of the post-processing apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0263] As illustrated in FIG. 40, a guide rail 337 extending in the main scanning direction is provided downstream of the inner tray 22 in the conveying direction. The crimping unit 32’ is provided with a crimping unit moving motor 238 serving as a drive source. Further, the base member 48 supporting the crimping frame 32c is provided with a fastening portion 48b fastened to the timing belt 240c at its bottom. Thus, the driving force of the crimping unit moving motor 238 is transmitted to the base member 48 by a drive transmission mechanism 240 including pulleys 240a and 240b, the timing belt 240c, and the fastening portion 48b, whereby the crimping unit 32’ moves along the guide rail 337 in the main scanning direction along the surface of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. Further, the crimping frame 32c holding the components of the crimping unit 32’ has a crimping unit rotating shaft 340 provided with a drive transmission gear 340a fixed to its bottom surface.

[0264] Further, the crimping unit rotating shaft 340 and the drive transmission gear 340a are held rotatably in the forward and reverse directions by the base member 48 provided with the crimping frame 32c. The drive transmission gear 340a meshes with the output gear 239a of the crimping unit rotating motor 239. The crimping unit 32’ rotates on the base member 48 in the forward and reverse directions about the crimping unit rotating shaft 340 extending in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 by transmitting the driving force of the crimping unit rotating motor 239 to the crimping unit rotating shaft 340 via the output gear 239a and the drive transmission gear 340a. The guide rail 337, the crimping unit moving motor 238, the crimping unit rotating motor 239, the crimping unit rotating shaft 340, and the drive transmission mechanism 240 constitute an example of the driving mechanism of the crimping unit 32’.

[0265] The crimping unit 32’ is configured to be movable between a standby position HP illustrated in FIG. 39A and a position facing the first binding position B1 illustrated in FIGS. 39B and 39C. The standby position HP2 is a position deviated from the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 on one side in the main scanning direction. The first binding position B1 is a position on the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22. However, the specific position of the first binding position B1 is not limited to the example of FIG. 39, and may be any position in the main scanning direction at a downstream end portion in the conveying direction of the sheet P, and may be a plurality of positions.

[0266] Further, the crimping unit 32’ changes an attitude from the parallel binding attitude illustrated in FIG. 39B to the oblique binding attitude illustrated in FIG. 39C. That is, the crimping unit 32’ is configured to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions about the crimping unit rotating shaft 340. Here, the parallel binding attitude is an attitude of the crimping unit 32’ in which the longitudinal directions of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b face the main scanning direction. That is, the parallel binding attitude is an attitude of the crimping unit 32’ in which the longitudinal direction of the “rectangular crimp-binding mark” faces the main scanning direction. The oblique binding attitude is an attitude of the crimping unit 32’ in which the longitudinal directions of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b are inclined with respect to the main scanning direction. That is, the oblique binding attitude is an attitude of the crimping unit 32’ in which the longitudinal direction of the “rectangular crimp-binding mark” is inclined with respect to the main scanning direction.

[0267] The rotation angle in the oblique binding attitude, that is, the rotation angle of the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b with respect to the main scanning direction, is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 39C. The rotation angle in the oblique binding attitude may be any angle as long as the upper crimping teeth 32a and the lower crimping teeth 32b face the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22.

[0268] The post-processing apparatus 3A includes a liquid application unit 131 and a punch hole forming unit 132 as a processing section. The liquid application unit 131 and the punch hole forming unit 132 are disposed upstream of the inner tray 22 in the reverse conveying direction. In addition, the liquid application unit 131 and the punch hole forming unit 132 are disposed so as to be displaced in the reverse conveying direction at a position where the liquid application unit 131 and the punch hole forming unit 132 can simultaneously face one sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pair 10 to 19.

[0269] The liquid application unit 131 and the punch hole forming unit 132 according to the present embodiment are disposed between the conveying roller pair 10 and the conveying roller pair 11. However, the arrangement of the liquid application unit 131 is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 38. For example, when an inserter 6 is disposed between the image forming apparatus 2 and the post-processing apparatus 3A as illustrated in FIG. 46, the liquid application unit 131 may be provided in the inserter 6 located upstream of the post-processing apparatus 3A. The inserter 6 may be a device capable of feeding a preprinted medium to be conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 3A together with the sheet P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 2 as a cover sheet, an insert sheet, or a partition sheet without passing through the image forming apparatus 2.

[0270] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 41A, the conveying roller pair 11 is disposed at a position not overlapping in the main scanning direction with the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P to which the liquid has been applied by the liquid application head 146 of the liquid application unit 131. This is to prevent a decrease in the liquid amount at the first liquid application position B1 due to a plurality of roller pairs pressing the first liquid application position B1 when the conveying roller pair 11 conveys the sheet P. As a result, since the liquid amount at the first liquid application position B1 is maintained at a level necessary for maintaining the binding strength when the sheet P reaches the crimping unit 32’ provided downstream of the liquid application unit 131 in the reverse conveying direction, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the binding strength of the sheet bundle Pb due to a decrease in the liquid amount at the first liquid application position B1 (corresponding to the first binding position B1) during the conveying process.

[0271] Further, by arranging the plurality of roller pairs constituting the conveying roller pair 11 at positions not overlapping with the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P in the main scanning direction, it is possible to prevent deterioration in conveyance performance of the sheet P due to adhesion of liquid to the plurality of roller pairs and conveyance jam caused by deterioration in conveyance performance.

[0272] Although only the conveying roller pair 11 has been described above, it is preferable that the plurality of roller pairs constituting the conveying roller pairs 14 and 15 are similarly arranged at positions not overlapping with the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P in the main scanning direction.

[0273] The liquid application unit 131 applies liquid to the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11 (hereinafter referred to as “liquid application”). The punch hole forming unit 132 forms a punch hole penetrating through the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11 in the thickness direction. It should be noted that the processing unit provided in the vicinity of the liquid application unit 131 is not limited to the punch hole forming unit 132, but may be a tilt correcting unit for correcting the tilt (skew) of the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11.

[0274] FIGS. 41A and 41B are views of the liquid application unit 131 according to the second embodiment as seen from the thickness direction of the sheet P. FIGS. 42A to 42C are arrow views XXV-XXV of FIG. 41A. FIGS. 43A to 43C are arrow views XXVI-XXVI of FIG. 41A. As illustrated in FIGS. 41A to 43C, the liquid application unit 131 includes a pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b, a pair of pulleys 134a and 134b, endless annular belts 135 and 136, a liquid application unit moving motor 137, a standby position sensor 138 (see FIG. 44), and a liquid application unit 140.

[0275] The pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b extend in the main scanning direction at positions separated in the reverse conveying direction. The pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b are supported by a pair of side plates 4a and 4b of the post-processing apparatus 3A. The pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b support the liquid application unit 140 movably in the main scanning direction.

[0276] The pair of pulleys 134a and 134b are arranged between the pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b in the reverse conveying direction. The pair of pulleys 134a and 134b are spaced apart in the main scanning direction. Further, the pair of pulleys 134a and 134b are supported by the frame of the post-processing apparatus 3A so as to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions about a rotating shaft extending in the thickness direction of the sheet P.

[0277] The endless annular belt 135 is extended over the pair of pulleys 134a and 134b. Further, the endless annular belt 135 is connected to the liquid application unit 140 by a connecting portion 135a. The endless annular belt 136 is extended over the pulley 134a and a drive pulley 137a fixed to an output shaft of the liquid application unit moving motor 137. The liquid application unit moving motor 137 generates a driving force for moving the liquid application unit 140 in the main scanning direction.

[0278] As the liquid application unit moving motor 137 rotates, the endless annular belt 136 circulates between the pulley 134a and the drive pulley 137a, thereby rotating the pulley 134a. As the pulley 134a rotates, the endless annular belt 135 circulates between the pair of pulleys 134a and 134b. As a result, the liquid application unit 140 moves in the main scanning direction along the pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b. The liquid application unit 140 reciprocates in the main scanning direction by switching a rotational direction of the liquid application unit moving motor 137.

[0279] The standby position sensor 138 detects that the liquid application unit 140 has reached the standby position HP1 (see FIGS. 41A and 41B) in the main scanning direction, and outputs a standby position signal indicating the detection result to the controller 100b (see FIG. 44) described later. The standby position sensor 138 is, for example, an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The liquid application unit 140 blocks an optical path between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit at the standby position HP1. The standby position sensor 138 outputs a standby position signal in response to the fact that light output from the light emitting unit is not received by the light receiving unit. However, the specific configuration of the standby position sensor 138 is not limited to the foregoing example.

[0280] As illustrated in FIGS. 42A to 42C, a conveying path in the post-processing apparatus 3A is defined by an upper guide plate 5a and a lower guide plate 5b which are spaced apart in the thickness direction of the sheet P. The liquid application unit 140 is disposed at a position facing an opening provided in the upper guide plate 5a. That is, the liquid application unit 140 is disposed facing the sheet P conveyed along the conveying path through the opening of the upper guide plate 5a.

[0281] As illustrated in FIGS. 41A to 43C, the liquid application unit 140 includes a base member 141, a rotary bracket 142, a liquid reservoir tank 143, a liquid application head moving unit 144, a holding member 145, a liquid application head 146, column members 147a and 147b, a pressing plate 148, coil springs 149a and 149b, an application head rotating motor 150, an application head moving motor 151 (see FIG. 44), and a standby angle sensor 152 (see FIG. 44).

[0282] The base member 141 is supported by a pair of guide shafts 133a and 133b so as to be slidable in the main scanning direction. The base member 141 is connected to the endless annular belt 135 by the connecting portion 135a. The base member 141 further supports components 142 to 152 of the liquid application unit 140.

[0283] The rotary bracket 142 is attached to a lower surface of the base member 141 so as to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions around a rotating shaft extending in the thickness direction of the sheet P. The rotary bracket 142 rotates in the forward and reverse directions with respect to the base member 141 by transmission of a driving force from the application head rotating motor 150. Further, the rotary bracket 142 holds the liquid reservoir tank 143, the liquid application head moving unit 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, the column members 147a and 147b, the pressing plate 148, and the coil springs 149a and 149b.

[0284] The standby angle sensor 152 (see FIG. 44) detects that the rotary bracket 142 has reached a standby angle, and outputs a standby angle signal indicating the detection result to the controller 100b. The standby angle is, for example, an angle corresponding to parallel binding. The standby angle sensor 152 is, for example, an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The rotary bracket 142 at the standby angle blocks an optical path between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. The standby angle sensor 152 outputs a standby angle signal in response to the fact that light output from the light emitting unit is not received by the light receiving unit. However, the specific configuration of the standby angle sensor 152 is not limited to the foregoing example.

[0285] The rotary bracket 142 illustrated in FIG. 41A illustrates a state in which the crimping unit 32’ disposed downstream of the liquid application unit 131 performs parallel binding. The rotary bracket 142 illustrated in FIG. 41B illustrates a state in which the crimping unit 32’ disposed downstream of the liquid application unit 131 performs oblique binding (corner binding).

[0286] The liquid reservoir tank 143 stores liquid to be applied to the sheet P. The liquid application head moving means 144 is attached to the liquid reservoir tank 143 so as to be movable (e.g., vertically movable) in the thickness direction of the sheet P. The liquid application head moving means 144 is moved relative to the liquid reservoir tank 143 in the thickness direction of the sheet P by transmission of the driving force of the application head moving motor 151. The holding member 145 is attached to the lower end of the liquid application head moving means 144. The liquid application head 146 projects from the holding member 145 toward the conveying path (in the present embodiment, downward). Liquid stored in the liquid reservoir tank 143 is supplied to the liquid application head 146. Further, the liquid application head 146 is made of a material having high liquid absorbency (e.g., sponge or fiber).

[0287] The column members 147a and 147b project downward from the holding member 145 around the liquid application head 146. The column members 147a and 147b are movable relative to the holding member 145 in the thickness direction. Further, the column members 147a and 147b hold a pressing plate 148 at lower ends thereof. A through-hole 148a is formed in the pressing plate 148 at a position facing the liquid application head 146. The coil springs 149a and 149b are fitted onto the column members 147a and 147b between the holding member 145 and the pressing plate 148. The coil springs 149a and 149b urge the column members 147a and 147b and the pressing plate 148 in a direction away from the holding member 145.

[0288] As illustrated in FIGS. 42A and 43A, at a stage before the sheet P is conveyed to a position facing the opening of the upper guide plate 5a, the pressing plate 148 is positioned at or above the position of the opening. Next, when the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P conveyed by the conveying roller pair 10 and 11 stops at a position facing the opening, the application head moving motor 151 is rotated in the first direction. As a result, the liquid application head moving unit 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, the column members 147a, 147b, the pressing plate 148, and the coil springs 149a and 149b descend integrally, and the pressing plate 148 comes into contact with the sheet P. The first liquid application position B1 is a position to be crimp-bound by the crimping unit 32′ included in the edge-binding processing unit 251, that is, the first binding position B1.

[0289] By rotating the application head moving motor 151 in the first direction even after the pressing plate 148 is in contact with the sheet P, the coil springs 149a and 149b are compressed, and the liquid application head moving unit 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, and the column members 147a and 147b further descend. Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 42B and 43B, the lower surface of the liquid application head 146 contacts the sheet P through the through-hole 148a. As a result, the liquid contained in the liquid application head 146 is applied to the sheet P.

[0290] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 42C and 43C, by further rotating the application head moving motor 151 in the first direction, the liquid application head 146 can be pressed more strongly against the sheet P. As a result, the amount of liquid applied to the sheet P is increased. That is, the liquid application unit 131 can adjust the amount of liquid applied by changing the pressing force of the liquid application head 146 against the sheet P.

[0291] By rotating the application head moving motor 151 in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the liquid application head moving unit 144, the holding member 145, the liquid application head 146, the column members 147a, 147b, the pressing plate 148, and the coil springs 149a and 149b are raised together. As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 42A and 43A, the liquid application head 146 and the pressing plate 148 are separated from the sheet P. That is, the liquid application unit 131 includes the liquid application head 146 detachably provided with respect to the sheet P.

[0292] FIG. 44 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control block of the post-processing apparatus 3A according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 44, the post-processing apparatus 3A has a configuration in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read-only Memory) 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, and an I / F (Interface) 105 are connected via a common bus 109.

[0293] The CPU 101 is a processor and controls the entire operation of the post-processing apparatus 3A. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed and is used as a work area when the CPU 101 processes information. The ROM 103 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium storing programs such as firmware. The HDD 104 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information and having a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

[0294] The post-processing apparatus 3A processes the control program stored in the ROM 103, the information processing program (application program) loaded from a storage medium such as the HDD 104 to the RAM 102, and the like, by the arithmetic function provided in the CPU 101. This processing constitutes a software controller including various functional modules of the post-processing apparatus 3A. A combination of the software controller thus constituted and hardware resources mounted on the post-processing apparatus 3A constitutes a functional block for realizing the functions of the post-processing apparatus 3A. That is, the CPU 101, the RAM 102, the ROM 103, the HDD 104, and the I / F 105 constitute the controller 100b that controls the operation of the post-processing apparatus 3A.

[0295] The I / F105 is an interface connecting the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the crimping unit moving motor 238, a crimping unit rotating motor 239, the open / close motor 32d, the liquid application unit moving motor 137, the application head rotating motor 150, the application head moving motor 151, the standby position sensor 138, the standby angle sensor 152, the punch hole forming unit 132, and the operation panel 110 via the common bus 109.

[0296] The controller 100b controls the operation of the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15, the switching member 20, the side fences 24L and 24R, the crimping unit moving motor 238, the crimping unit rotating motor 239, the open / close motor 32d, the liquid application unit moving motor 137, the application head rotating motor 150, the application head moving motor 151, and the punch hole forming unit 132 through the I / F105. Further, the controller 100b acquires detection results from the standby position sensor 138 and the standby angle sensor 152 through the I / F105.

[0297] Although FIG. 44 shows components of the edge-binding processing unit 251 and the liquid application unit 131, including the crimping unit 32′ that mainly executes the end stitching process, components of the saddle-stitching processing unit 28, which executes the saddle stitching process, are similarly controlled by the controller 100b.

[0298] As illustrated in FIG. 46, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an operation panel 110. The operation panel 110 includes an operation unit that accepts user input and a display as a notification unit that provides information to the user. The operation unit includes, for example, hard keys and a touch panel superimposed on the display. The operation panel 110 acquires information from the user through the operation unit and provides information to the user through the display. The notification unit is not limited to the display, but may be an LED lamp or a speaker. Further, the post-processing apparatus 3A may be provided with the same operation panel 110 as described above.

[0299] FIG. 45 is a post-process flowchart of the post-processing apparatus 3A according to the second embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 45 is a flowchart for executing the one-place binding process illustrated in FIGS. 39A to 39C.

[0300] The controller 100b executes the post-process illustrated in FIG. 45, for example, in response to receiving a post-process execution instruction (hereinafter referred to as the “post-process instruction”) from the image forming apparatus 2. The post-process instruction includes, for example, the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb (hereinafter referred to as the “predetermined number Np”), the number of sheet bundles Pb to be bound (hereinafter referred to as the “required number of copies Mp”), the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1), the angle of the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the angle of the first liquid application position B1), the type of a binding process (for example, a parallel binding process or an oblique binding process), and a process executed in parallel with the liquid application process (in the present embodiment, punch hole formation). It is assumed that, at the start of post-process, the liquid application unit 140 is positioned at the standby position HP1 (see FIGS. 41A and 41B) and the rotary bracket 142 is held at the standby angle (corresponding to the “parallel binding attitude”).

[0301] First, the controller 100b moves the liquid application unit 140 in the main scanning direction by driving the liquid application unit moving motor 137, thereby moving the liquid application head 146 from the standby position HP1 to a position where the liquid application head 146 can face the first liquid application position B1 (see FIG. 41B; position corresponding to the first binding position B1 in FIGS. 39B and 39C). When the type of binding process instructed by the post-process instruction is an “oblique binding process,” the controller 100b rotates the liquid application head 146 from the standby angle to the liquid application angle corresponding to the “oblique binding attitude” by driving the application head rotating motor 150 and rotating the rotary bracket 142 (S4501). The fact that the liquid application head 146 has reached a position and angle at which the liquid application head 146 can face the first liquid application position B1 can be identified from pulse signals output from the rotary encoders of the liquid application unit moving motor 137 and the application head rotating motor 150. When the type of binding process is a “parallel binding process,” the controller 100b omits the operation of rotating the rotary bracket 142. That is, the liquid application unit 140 moves in the main scanning direction while holding the rotary bracket 142 at the standby angle.

[0302] Further, the controller 100b drives the crimping unit moving motor 238 to move the crimping unit 32’ from the standby position HP2 to a position at which the crimping unit 32’ can face the first binding position B1, as illustrated in FIGS. 39A and 39B (S3601). When the type of binding process is an “oblique binding process,” the controller 100b drives the crimping unit rotating motor 239 to rotate the crimping unit 32’ from the standby angle to the crimp-binding angle corresponding to the “oblique binding attitude” (S3601). The fact that the crimping unit 32’ has reached a position where the crimping unit 32’ can face the first binding position B1 and the crimp-binding angle can be identified from pulse signals output from the rotary encoders of the crimping unit moving motor 238 and the crimping unit rotating motor 239. When the type of binding process is a “parallel binding process,” the controller 100b omits the above-described operation of rotating the crimping unit 32’. That is, the crimping unit 32’ moves in the main scanning direction while holding the standby angle.

[0303] Next, the controller 100b starts conveying the sheet P on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 2 by driving the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11 (S3602). The controller 100b determines whether the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P faces the liquid application unit 140 (more specifically, the liquid application head 146) (S3603). When the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P does not face the liquid application unit 140 (S3603: NO), the controller 100b continues conveying the sheet P by the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11 until the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P faces the liquid application unit 140 (S3603: YES). When the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P faces the liquid application head 146 (S3603: YES), the controller 100b stops conveying the sheet P by the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11 (S3604). The first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P facing the liquid application head 146 is verified from pulse signals output from the rotary encoder of the motor for driving the conveying roller pairs 10 and 11.

[0304] The controller 100b executes a process for applying liquid to the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P by the liquid application unit 140 (S3605). More specifically, the controller 100b rotates the application head moving motor 151 in the first direction to bring the liquid application head 146 into contact with the first liquid application position B1 of the sheet P. The controller 100b adjusts the pressing force of the liquid application head 146, that is, the rotation amount of the application head moving motor 151, in accordance with the amount of liquid applied to the sheet P.

[0305] The amount of liquid applied to the sheets P may be the same for all the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb, or may be different for each sheet P. For example, the controller 100b may decrease the amount of liquid applied for sheets P conveyed later. The rotation amount of the application head moving motor 151 is verified from pulse signals output from the rotary encoder of the application head moving motor 151.

[0306] Next, the controller 100b places the sheets P on the inner tray 22 by driving the conveying roller pairs 10, 11, 14, and 15 (S3606). Further, the controller 100b executes a so-called jogging process to align the positions of the sheets P or the sheet bundle Pb placed on the inner tray 22 in the main scanning direction by reciprocating the side fences 24L and 24R in the main scanning direction (S3606).

[0307] Next, the controller 100b determines whether the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has reached the predetermined number Np instructed by the post-process instruction (S3607). When the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has not reached the predetermined number Np (S3607: NO), the controller 100b repeatedly executes the processes of steps S3602 to S3607 until the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 reaches the predetermined number Np (S3607: YES).

[0308] When the controller 100b determines that the number of sheets P placed on the inner tray 22 has reached the predetermined number Np (S3607: YES), the controller 100b causes the crimping unit 32’ to perform crimp binding at the first binding position B1 (corresponding to the first liquid application position B1 of the sheets P) of the sheet bundle Pb including the sheets P to which the liquid has been applied by the liquid application unit 140 (S3608). Further, the controller 100b rotates the conveying roller pair 15 to discharge the crimp-bound sheet bundle Pb to the second discharge tray 26 (S3608).

[0309] Next, the controller 100b determines whether the number of sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies Mp indicated by the post-process instruction (S3609). When the number of discharged sheet bundles Pb has not reached the required number of copies Mp (S3609: NO), the controller 100b repeatedly executes the processes of steps S3602 to S3609 until the number of discharged sheet bundles Pb reaches the required number of copies Mp (S3609: YES).

[0310] When the controller 100b determines that the number of sheet bundles Pb discharged to the second discharge tray 26 has reached the required number of copies Mp (S3609: YES), the controller 100b drives the liquid application unit moving motor 137 to move the liquid application unit 140 to the standby position HP1 (see FIGS. 41A and 41B), and drives the crimping unit moving motor 238 to move the crimping unit 32’ to the standby position HP2 (see FIG. 39) (S3610). When the attitude instructed by the post-process instruction is the “oblique binding attitude,” the controller 100b drives the application head rotating motor 150 and the crimping unit rotating motor 239 to rotate the liquid application unit 140 and the crimping unit 32’ to the parallel binding attitude (corresponding to the standby angle) (S3610). When the attitude instructed by the post-process instruction is the “parallel binding attitude,” the operation of rotating the liquid application unit 140 and the crimping unit 32’ to the parallel binding attitude (corresponding to the standby angle) is omitted. In steps S3601 and S3610, the order of moving the liquid application unit 140 and the crimping unit 32’ in the main scanning direction and the order of rotating them in the forward and reverse directions is not limited to the aforementioned order and may be reversed.

[0311] The present invention can be applied not only to the edge-binding processing unit 25 for executing the end stitch process, but also to the saddle-stitching processing unit 28 for executing the saddle stitch process.

[0312] Further, the controller 100b of the post-processing apparatus 3A according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 38 has been described in the same manner as in FIG. 1 as being provided separately from the controller 100a of the image forming apparatus 2. However, the configuration is not limited to this form. For example, as in FIG. 36A, the controller 100b of the post-processing apparatus 3A may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Further, as in FIG. 36B, the controller 100b of the post-processing apparatus 3A may be integrated with the controller 100a of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0313] Further, as in FIG. 37A, the controller 100b of the post-processing apparatus 3A may be divided by function into, for example, a controller 100b1 for controlling a drive unit system such as a motor and a controller 100b2 for controlling a detector system such as a sensor. Among the divided controllers 100b1 and 100b2, for example, only the controller 100b2 of the post-processing apparatus 3A may be provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side. Further, as in FIG. 37B, the controller 100b2 of the post-processing apparatus 3A provided on the image forming apparatus 2 side may be integrated with the controller 100a of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0314] The control method performed by the controller 100b described above is implemented through the interaction of computer hardware resources and a program as computer software. That is, the control method is a method in which a processor, a storage device, an input device, an output device, and a control device operate cooperatively based on a program, and the computer executes the control method. The program may be written in a storage device or a storage medium and distributed, or may be distributed through a telecommunications line or the like.

[0315] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist. All technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are subject to the present invention. Although the above embodiments show preferred examples, a person skilled in the art can implement various modifications based on the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0316] Aspects of the Invention

[0317] Aspects of the present invention are, for example, as follows.

[0318] <1> A media processing apparatus comprising: a liquid application unit configured to bring a liquid application member into contact with a part of at least one medium to apply a liquid; a moving mechanism configured to move the liquid application member between a contact position at which the liquid is applied to the medium and a separated position separate from the contact position; a media processing unit configured to perform a predetermined process on a media bundle including at least one medium to which the liquid has been applied; a first liquid reservoir configured to store a liquid used for the liquid application; a liquid supply unit configured to supply the liquid to the first liquid reservoir; a first liquid level detector configured to detect a liquid level of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir; and a controller configured to control operations of the media processing unit and the liquid supply unit, wherein the controller changes a liquid supply stop level in a liquid supply operation executed by the liquid supply unit in accordance with a remaining amount of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir, and when the first liquid detector continues to detect the liquid level even after a predetermined time has elapsed from a start of the liquid supply operation, the controller moves the liquid application member to a supply operation position between the contact position and the separated position, and executes the liquid supply operation to supply the liquid to the first liquid reservoir until the supplied liquid reaches a predetermined liquid level in the first liquid reservoir. <2> The media processing apparatus according to <1>, wherein the supply operation position is a position at which leaked liquid droplets can be absorbed by the liquid application member. <3> The media processing apparatus according to <1> or <2>, further including: an operation display unit configured to allow a user to optionally set a setting value for an operation controlled by the controller, wherein the liquid supply operation position is determined based on the setting value input via the operation display unit. <4> The media processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the liquid application member protrudes from the first liquid reservoir toward a sheet receiving tray. <5> An image forming apparatus including: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a medium; and the media processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <4>. <6> An image forming system including:. an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a medium; and the media processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <4>.

[0319] 1: Image forming system 2: Image forming apparatus 3: Post-processing apparatus 3A: Post-processing apparatus 25: Edge-binding processing unit 26: Second discharge tray 31: Liquid application unit 32: Crimping unit 43: First liquid level sensor 44: First liquid reservoir tank 45: Liquid supply path 46: Liquid pump 47: Second liquid reservoir tank 501: Liquid supply member 100a, 100b: Controller 110: Operation panel

[0320] The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priorities of Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-007916 filed on January 20, 2025 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-153362 filed on September 16, 2025. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A media processing apparatus comprising: a liquid application unit configured to bring a liquid application member into contact with a part of at least one medium to apply a liquid; a moving mechanism configured to move the liquid application member between a contact position at which the liquid is applied to the medium and a separated position separate from the contact position; a media processing unit configured to perform a predetermined process on a media bundle including at least one medium to which the liquid has been applied; a first liquid reservoir configured to store a liquid used for the liquid application; a liquid supply unit configured to supply the liquid to the first liquid reservoir; a first liquid level detector configured to detect a liquid level of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir; and a controller configured to control operations of the media processing unit and the liquid supply unit, wherein the controller changes a liquid supply stop level in a liquid supply operation executed by the liquid supply unit in accordance with a remaining amount of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir, and when the first liquid detector continues to detect the liquid level even after a predetermined time has elapsed from a start of the liquid supply operation, the controller moves the liquid application member to a supply operation position between the contact position and the separated position, and executes the liquid supply operation to supply the liquid to the first liquid reservoir until the supplied liquid reaches a predetermined liquid level in the first liquid reservoir.

2. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply operation position is a position at which leaked liquid droplets can be absorbed by the liquid application member.

3. The media processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an operation display unit configured to allow a user to optionally set a setting value for an operation controlled by the controller, wherein the liquid supply operation position is determined based on the setting value input via the operation display unit.

4. The media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid application member protrudes from the first liquid reservoir toward a sheet receiving tray.

5. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a medium; and the media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a medium; and the media processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images