JP3671145B2 - Post-processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus capable of executing a stapling process in which a plurality of sheets are stacked and the stacked sheet bundle is bundled and stapled.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a post-processing apparatus having a processing unit capable of stacking a plurality of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus and executing a stapling process in which a stack of stacked sheets is bound and stapled is known. This type of processing unit performs stapling processing such as front end binding for binding the front end of the stacked paper bundle with staples, and center binding for binding the center of the paper bundle in the longitudinal direction with two staples along the short direction. Can do. The front end binding includes front end center binding in which the vicinity of the center of the front end of the sheet bundle is bound at two locations along the longitudinal direction, and front end oblique binding in which one corner of the front end of the sheet bundle is bound at 45 ° obliquely.
[0003]
The sheet conveyed to the processing unit is conveyed by the conveyance belt, and the center part at the front end is received by the central support member and stacked. When a predetermined number of sheets are stacked, staple processing is performed at a predetermined position of the sheet bundle by the stapler.
The stapler includes, for example, a slant binding stapler that performs slant binding at the front end, and a center stapling stapler that is provided side by side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction with respect to the slant binding stapler and performs center stapling at the front end and center binding. The sheet bundle is moved along the center support member in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and is stapled by a predetermined stapler.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the center support member is disposed in the vicinity of the center binding stapler, there is a problem that the width of the portion that supports the leading edge of the sheet cannot be sufficiently wide due to restrictions on the shape of the center binding stapler.
As a result, when the central support member supports the leading edge of the paper, the paper may be inclined and the alignment may be deteriorated.
[0005]
Further, when the stacked sheet bundle is moved to a predetermined stapler along the central support member for stapling, the sheet may be inclined and the alignment may be deteriorated.
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide an improved post-processing apparatus capable of stapling a bundle of sheets with high consistency.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an apparatus capable of executing a stapling process in which a plurality of sheets are stacked, and the bundle of stacked sheets is bound and stapled. It can be displaced back and forth, receiving the central part of the leading edge of the paper so that the trailing edge of the conveyed paper is aligned at a predetermined position regardless of the paper size, and then the leading edge of the received paper is at a predetermined staple position A post-processing apparatus comprising: a central support member that moves the paper; and a both-end support member that appears in the paper movement path so as to receive both ends of the leading edge of the paper moved to the staple position by the central support member. It is.
[0007]
The conveyed sheet is stacked with its center at the front end being received by the center support member. The central support member stacks the sheets so that the trailing edge of the sheet is at a fixed trailing edge position corresponding to the size of the sheet to be used. In a configuration in which the leading edge of the sheet is received at a certain position, the trailing edge position of the sheet varies depending on whether the sheet size is large or small. If the distance between the position where the paper is carried into the processing unit and the stack position is set long so that a large size paper can be stacked, the leading edge of the conveyed paper will already be stacked when the small size paper is stacked. There is a case where the paper does not stack well by hitting the trailing edge of the paper that is being printed. The central support member is displaced so that the trailing edge of the paper is stacked at a certain trailing edge position, so that the distance between the position where the paper is carried into the processing unit and the stack position is an appropriate length according to the paper size. Therefore, the sheets can be stacked well.
[0008]
The position of the stapler for performing the stapling process is fixed. When the stacking of sheets is completed, the central support member moves so that the leading end of the sheet is at a staple position of a predetermined stapler, and a predetermined stapling process is performed on the sheet bundle.
When the leading end of the sheet bundle moves to the stapling position, the pair of both-end support members receive both ends of the leading end of the sheet bundle. That is, the front end of the sheet bundle before stapling can be supported by the center support member and the pair of both end support members. Therefore, the leading edge of the sheet bundle can be supported in a wide range, and can be supported stably. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being tilted and the alignment is deteriorated, and the sheet bundle can be stapled with high consistency.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 2 is disposed upstream of the both end support members in the transport direction, and is displaceable according to the paper size to guide both sides of the paper received by the central support member. 2. The guide according to claim 1, further comprising a first guide that is a pair of guides and moves the paper in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction to adjust the staple position of the paper in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. It is a post-processing device.
[0010]
The stapler for performing the staple processing includes, for example, an oblique binding stapler that performs oblique tip binding, and a central binding stapler that performs center center binding and center binding. Has been. After the leading edge of the paper has moved to the staple position, the pair of first guides are integrally displaced in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, whereby the stacked paper bundle is moved to the staple position of a predetermined stapler, and the staple Processing is performed.
[0011]
When the leading edge of the sheet moves to the staple position, the leading edge of the sheet bundle is supported by the center support member and the pair of both end support members. When the pair of first guides is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the sheet bundle is moved along the center support member and the pair of both end support members. Therefore, the leading edge of the sheet bundle can be guided over a wide range, and can be stably supported. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being tilted and the alignment is deteriorated, and the sheet bundle can be stapled with high consistency.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the gap between the two end support members is arranged on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and the distance between the two is changed according to the sheet size in order to guide both sides of the conveyed sheet. The pair of second guides displaceable to each other and the distance between the second guides is expanded to a position where the sheet is not guided, and the both-end support members are displaced to positions for receiving both ends of the sheet. And a link member that displaces the both-end support members to a position that does not hinder the conveyance of the paper in conjunction with the interval between the second guides being narrowed to a position for guiding the paper. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
[0013]
The central support member stacks the leading edge of the sheet so that the trailing edge of the sheet is at a fixed trailing edge position according to the size of the sheet to be used. That is, when the paper size is large, not only the first guide but also the second guide guides both sides of the paper. Further, the sheet bundle subjected to the staple processing is conveyed downstream along the first guide and the second guide.
Since the both-end support members are provided between the first guide and the second guide, when the sheet is guided by the second guide, it must be at a position that does not hinder the conveyance of the sheet. Conversely, when the both-end support member receives the leading edge of the paper, the second guide may be in a position where the paper is not guided.
[0014]
Therefore, when the both-end support members are interlocked with the second guide and the pair of second guides are spread out to a position where they do not guide the paper, the both-end support members are displaced to positions to receive both ends of the front end of the paper. When the second guides are narrowed to the position for guiding the sheet, the both-end support members are displaced to a position that does not hinder the conveyance of the sheet. Thereby, a both-ends support member can be displaced easily.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a post-processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The outer shape of the post-processing apparatus 1 is partitioned by a housing 2. In the housing 2, a punch unit 3 for performing a punching process for punching holes at predetermined positions on a sheet fed from an image forming apparatus (not shown), a stacking process for stacking a plurality of sheets, and a stacked sheet A processing unit 4 capable of executing staple processing such as front end binding for binding the leading end of the bundle with staples, central binding for binding the center of the sheet bundle in the longitudinal direction with two staples along the short direction, and center binding by staple processing. A folding unit 5 or the like is provided for folding the sheet bundle at the center along the staples.
[0016]
The sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is carried into the post-processing apparatus 1 through the carry-in port 6 provided on the side surface of the housing 2, and conveyed to the punch unit 3 through the conveyance path 7. When punching is selected, a hole is made at a predetermined position of the paper in the punch unit 3. If punching is not selected, the sheet passes through the punch unit 3 without being punched.
The standby drum 8 provided on the downstream side of the punch unit 3 is used for the first sheet of the next part while the front part is being stapled by the processing unit 4 when performing a stapling process on a plurality of paper bundles. It is for winding around the drum surface and waiting, and rotates clockwise in FIG. Due to the operation of the standby drum 8, it is not necessary to temporarily stop the next sheet from being discharged from the image forming apparatus during the stapling process.
[0017]
When the stack process and the staple process are not selected, the plurality of separation claws 9 that are rotatably held are sent to the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11.
Above the discharge tray 11, a plurality of job trays 12 are arranged side by side in the housing 2 protruding upward. These job trays 12 can be moved individually or integrally in the vertical direction, and by disposing the arbitrary job tray 12 against the discharge roller 10, the discharged paper is distributed to the arbitrary job tray 12. Can do. Sheets that have not been stapled may be sorted into these job trays 12 and discharged.
[0018]
On the other hand, when stack processing or stapling processing is selected, the paper is transported downward by the transport roller pair 13 and is sent to the processing unit 4.
The processing unit 4 includes an upper unit 14 and a lower unit 15, and the conveyed paper is passed between the upper unit 14 and the lower unit 15. The processing unit 4 stacks a plurality of sheets, stacks the leading end of the stacked sheet bundle with staples, and binds the center of the sheet bundle in the longitudinal direction with two staples along the short direction. Staple processing such as center binding can be performed. The front end binding includes front end center binding in which the vicinity of the center of the front end of the sheet bundle is bound at two locations along the longitudinal direction, and front end oblique binding in which one corner of the front end of the sheet bundle is bound at 45 ° obliquely.
[0019]
The sheet bundle that has been subjected to the stacking process or the front end binding is conveyed upward and discharged to the discharge tray 11 by the discharge roller 10. These sheet bundles may also be distributed to the job tray 12 and discharged.
Below the processing unit 4, a folding unit 5 is disposed for performing a folding process in which the center-bound paper bundle is folded along the staples at the center. When the folding process is selected, the sheet bundle subjected to the center binding is conveyed to the folding unit 5, and the folded booklet sheet bundle is a booklet tray 16 provided at the lower part of the housing 2. To be discharged.
[0020]
When the folding process is not selected, the sheet bundle subjected to the center binding is conveyed to the discharge roller 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11. These sheet bundles may also be distributed to the job tray 12 and discharged.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the processing unit 4. FIG. 3 is a front view of the lower unit 15. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet sent to the processing unit 4 passes between the upper unit 14 and the lower unit 15 and is lowered by the paddle roller 35 provided at the upper end portion of the upper unit 14. The front end of the lower unit 15 is received by the central support member 17.
[0021]
The center support member 17 is wound around the two rotary shafts 18 and 19 and is attached to the two endless first belts 20 disposed substantially at the center in the width direction of the lower unit 15. It is possible to move along the center line A between the lower end of 15 and the vicinity of the center.
The central support member 17 stands by at a standby position where the rear end of the paper, that is, the upper end of the paper is stacked at a constant rear end position B, corresponding to the size of the paper to be used.
[0022]
In a configuration in which the leading edge of the sheet is received at a certain position, the trailing edge position of the sheet varies depending on whether the sheet size is large or small. If the distance between the position where the paper is carried into the processing unit 4 and the stacking position is set long so that the paper of large size can be stacked, the leading edge of the paper that has been transported already stacks when the paper of small size is stacked. There is a case where the paper does not stack well by hitting the trailing edge of the stacked paper. The central support member 17 is displaced so that the rear end of the paper is stacked at a constant rear end position B, so that the distance between the position where the paper is carried into the treatment unit 4 and the stack position is appropriate according to the paper size. Therefore, the sheets can be stacked well.
[0023]
2 and 3 show the standby position of the central support member 17 when A4 size paper (Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) row A No. 4 (hereinafter the same)) is fed in the short side direction. .
A second belt 29 is wound around the rotating shaft 18 between the rotating shaft 28, and the rotating shaft 28 is driven to rotate by the motor M2, so that the second belt 29 and the rotating shaft 18 are passed through. The first belt 20 is rotated.
[0024]
When the central support member 17 moves to the lower end of the lower unit 15, it is retracted to a position where it does not protrude from the upper surface of the lower unit 15, so that the first belt 20 does not rotate any further.
A rotating shaft 21 is provided at the upper end portion of the lower unit 15, and the rotating shaft 18 and the rotating shaft 21 have one third endless shape arranged along the center line A of the lower unit 15. The belt 22 is wound around. The front side of the third belt faces the conveyance path, and the rear side passes through the lower unit 15.
[0025]
The third belt 22 is formed with a substantially T-shaped protrusion 23 formed of an elastic member so as to protrude outward. The protrusion 23 stands by so as to be positioned slightly above the rear end position B of the stacked sheets. Further, the protrusion 23 can be rotated through the lower unit 15 by the rotation of the third belt 22.
The protrusion 23 has a leg portion 24 that stands upright on the third belt 22, and a head portion 25 that is coupled to the distal end of the leg portion 24 at a substantially center in the longitudinal direction. The leg portion 24 is for pressing the leading edge of the paper, and the head portion 25 is for restricting the leading edge of the paper from falling off the leg portion 24 when pressed. The protrusions 23 also have a role of pushing up the sheet bundle after the stapling process.
[0026]
A fourth belt 31 is wound around the rotation shaft 21 between the rotation shaft 30 and the rotation shaft 30 is rotationally driven by the motor M1, so that the fourth belt 31 and the rotation shaft 21 are interposed. The third belt 22 is rotated.
The lower unit 15 is provided with two pairs of upper and lower guides 26 and 27 that make a pair for guiding the sheet in the transport direction. The pair of upper guides 26 are juxtaposed in the width direction of the lower unit 15 and extend parallel to the center line A from the upper end of the lower unit 15 to the vicinity of the center. Each of the upper guides 26 is attached so as to be individually movable in the width direction of the lower unit 15, and waits at a position corresponding to the size of the paper to be used symmetrically with respect to the center line A. Since each upper guide 26 can be moved individually, it is possible not only to guide the paper but also to move the paper in the width direction of the lower unit 15.
[0027]
The pair of lower guides 27 is provided at the lower end of the lower unit 15. The lower guides 27 are arranged in parallel in the width direction of the lower unit 15 and extend upward from the lower end of the lower unit 15 in parallel to the center line A by a certain length. Each lower guide 27 is attached so as to be movable in the width direction of the lower unit 15, and in this movement, each lower guide 27 is interlocked so as to be kept symmetrical with respect to the center line A of the lower unit 15. .
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the lower unit 15. 2 to 4, a pair of both-end support members 32 are arranged in parallel in the width direction of the lower unit 15 between the upper guide 26 and the lower guide 27. The both end support members 32 are for receiving the vicinity of both ends of the front end of the sheet bundle when performing front end binding, and each have a substantially L-shaped support portion 33. With this both-end support member 32, the leading end of the sheet bundle before stapling can be supported by the center support member 17 and the pair of both-end support members 32. Therefore, the leading edge of the sheet bundle can be supported in a wide range, and can be supported stably. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being tilted and the alignment is deteriorated, and the sheet bundle can be stapled with high consistency.
[0029]
The both-end support members 32 are arranged such that the rear end of the paper is at the rear end position B when the respective support portions 33 receive the long sides of the A4 size paper.
Each end support member 32 is attached to a corresponding lower guide 27 so as to be interlocked via a substantially L-shaped operation lever (link member) 34.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing an operation mode of one operation lever 34 of the pair of operation levers 34.
[0030]
The operation lever 34 is a substantially L-shaped member in which the receiving portion 40 and the pressing portion 41 are coupled, and is rotatably held by a rotation shaft 42 attached to the coupling portion. When the pair of lower guides 27 are spread to each other so as not to guide the sheet, the outer surface 27a of each lower guide 27 presses the receiving surface 40a of the receiving portion 40 of the operating lever 34, and the operating lever 34 moves the rotating shaft 42. It rotates to the center as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Along with this, the paper leading end support member 32 is pushed down by the pressing portion 41 of the operation lever 34 and rotates to a supporting position for supporting the leading end of the paper as shown by a solid line in FIG. The other operation lever 34 also exhibits the same operation mode.
[0031]
Each end support member 32 is urged in a direction to retract from the support position by a tension spring (not shown). When the pair of lower guides 27 are narrowed to the position for guiding the paper, the operation lever 34 becomes rotatable, and both end support members 32 urged by the tension spring push up the operation lever 34, and in FIG. It rotates to the retracted position as shown by the broken line.
As described above, the both end support members 32 can be easily displaced by interlocking the both end support members 32 with the lower guide 27.
[0032]
When the length of the used paper in the conveyance direction is shorter than the short side of the A4 size paper (for example, A4 side, B5 side, etc.), the central support member 17 is connected to the support portions 33 of the both end support members 32. Waiting at the same height or above. In this case, both end support members 32 are on standby at the support position. That is, when the paper used is A4 side, the front end of the paper is received by the center support member 17 and the both end support members 32, and the length of the used paper in the transport direction is shorter than the short side of the A4 size paper. In this case, the front end of the sheet is received only by the central support member 17. At this time, the sheet is guided only by the upper guide 26.
[0033]
On the other hand, when the length of the used paper in the conveying direction is longer than the short side of the A4 size paper (for example, A3 length, B5 length, etc.), the central support member 17 is longer than the support portions 33 of the both end support members 32. Waiting downwards. Therefore, when the both-end support member 32 stands by at the support position, the both-end support member 32 receives the leading edge of the sheet until it reaches the center support member 17. Therefore, in this case, the both-end support member 32 waits at the retracted position, and only the center support member 17 receives the leading edge of the sheet. The lower guide 27 stands by at a position corresponding to the paper size, and the paper is guided by the upper guide 26 and the lower guide 27.
[0034]
When the sheets are fed to the processing unit 4 one by one, they are respectively conveyed downward by the paddle rollers 35 and the leading ends are received by the central support member 17 and stacked. Since the paddle roller 35 has only a conveyance force to convey the stacked sheets to the central support member 17 side, the leading ends of the stacked sheets may be uneven. Therefore, by rotating the third belt 22 by a predetermined amount in the direction of transporting the sheet downward, the rear end of the sheet is lightly pressed toward the central support member 17 by the protrusion 23, and the leading ends of the sheet are aligned. This operation is performed every time one sheet is stacked, and the protrusion 23 is returned to the original position every time one sheet is pressed. As a result, the leading ends of the stacked sheets can be aligned, and the sheet bundle can be stacked with good consistency. Further, since the protrusion 23 is formed of an elastic member, the sheet can be pressed with an appropriate force. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the paper from being bent at the time of pressing.
[0035]
When the stacking of a predetermined number of sheets is completed, the stacked sheet bundle is subjected to a stapling process. Hereinafter, the operation of the processing unit 4 when the front end binding is performed will be described.
When stacking of a predetermined number of sheets is completed, the first belt 20 and the third belt 22 are rotated in synchronization, and the central support member 17 receives a short side of the A4 size sheet (hereinafter referred to as “reference position”). Move to.
[0036]
If the length of the used paper in the transport direction is shorter than or shorter than the A4 size paper, the both-end support member 32 is waiting at the support position, so the center support member 17 moves to the reference position. Thus, the leading end of the sheet bundle is stably supported by the central support member 17 and the pair of both end support members 32.
When the length of the used paper in the transport direction is longer than the short side of the A4 size paper, the pair of lower guides 27 are expanded after the central support member 17 has moved to the reference position, and both end support members 32 are moved. Is rotated to the support position. Thereby, the leading end of the sheet bundle is stably supported by the central support member 17 and the pair of both end support members 32.
[0037]
In the case of front-end center binding, a pair of center-binding staplers 36 provided symmetrically with respect to the center line A are provided approximately at the center of the lower unit 15 at two locations along the longitudinal direction near the center of the front end of the sheet bundle. It is bound with staples.
In the case of diagonally binding at the front end, the pair of upper guides 26 are moved integrally to the right side shown in FIG. It is moved to come to the staple position. When the upper guide 26 is displaced to the right side, the sheet bundle is moved along the central support member 17 and the pair of both end support members 32. Therefore, the leading edge of the sheet bundle can be guided over a wide range, and can be stably supported. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being tilted and the alignment is deteriorated, and the sheet bundle can be stapled with high consistency. Thereafter, one corner of the leading end of the sheet bundle is bound with a single staple at an angle of 45 ° by the oblique binding stapler 35, and the pair of upper guides 26 are integrally returned to their original positions.
[0038]
The front end binding is not limited to the front end center binding and the front end slant binding, and for example, one of the pair of center binding staplers 36 may be used to bind one corner of the front end with one staple.
When the stapling process is completed, the third belt 22 is rotated in the direction in which the sheet bundle is conveyed upward, and the projection 23 protrudes forward from the vicinity of the center of the unit 15 through the lower unit 15. The protruding protrusion 23 pushes the leading end of the sheet bundle upward by the leg portion 24. By the time the protrusion 23 reaches the upper end of the lower unit 15, the rear end of the sheet bundle reaches the discharge roller 10, and the sheet bundle is discharged to the discharge tray 11 or the job tray 12 (see FIG. 1). Since the projection 23 pushes up the sheet bundle upward until the rear end of the sheet bundle reaches the discharge roller 10, the sheet bundle bound at the front end can be reliably conveyed to the discharge roller 10.
[0039]
Next, the operation of the processing unit 4 when center binding is performed will be described.
When the stacking of a predetermined number of sheets is completed, the first belt 20 and the third belt 22 are rotated in synchronism, and the front and rear ends of the sheet bundle are supported by the central support member 17 and the protrusions 23. It is moved so that the center of the direction becomes the staple position of the center binding stapler 36. Thereafter, the center in the longitudinal direction of the sheet bundle is bound by staples at two places along the short direction by the center binding stapler 36.
[0040]
When the folding process is selected, when the stapling process is completed, the first belt 20 and the third belt 22 are rotated again in synchronization with the direction in which the sheet bundle is conveyed downward, and the sheet bundle is moved to the leading and trailing ends. The end is supported by the central support member 17 and the protrusion 23 and is conveyed downward. When the leading edge of the sheet bundle reaches a pair of conveying rollers 38 and 39 provided near the lower ends of the upper unit 14 and the lower unit 15, the sheet bundle is conveyed downward by the conveying rollers 38 and 39 and bent. It is sent out to the unit 5 (see FIG. 1). When the central support member 17 reaches the lower end of the lower unit 15, it is retracted to a position where it does not protrude from the upper surface of the lower unit 15 so as not to interfere with the conveyance of the sheet bundle.
[0041]
The sheet bundle is supported at the rear end by the protrusion 23 until the leading end of the sheet bundle reaches the conveying rollers 38 and 39, and then conveyed downward by the conveying rollers 38 and 39. Therefore, the sheet bundle bound at the center can be reliably conveyed to the folding unit 5.
The transport roller 38 of the upper unit 14 is displaceable between a transport position where the surface abuts on the surface of the transport roller 39 of the lower unit 14 and transports the sheet bundle, and a retracted position retracted from the transport position. Yes. Further, the paddle roller 35 can be displaced between a transport position for transporting paper and a retracted position retracted from the transport position. The displacement between the transport position and the retracted position of the transport roller 38 of the upper unit 14 and the displacement between the transport position and the retracted position of the paddle roller 35 are linked by a solenoid (not shown). When in the retracted position, the paddle roller 35 is in the transport position, but when the transport roller 38 is displaced to the transport position, the paddle roller 35 is displaced to the retracted position while rotating.
[0042]
The sheet bundle sent out by the conveying rollers 38 and 39 is bent along the staple by the folding unit 5 and the folded booklet sheet bundle is discharged to the booklet tray 16 (see FIG. 1).
When the folding process is not selected, the sheet bundle subjected to the center binding is discharged to the discharge tray 11 or the job tray 12 in the same manner as the sheet bundle subjected to the front end binding (see FIG. 1). ).
[0043]
The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the processing unit 4 is not limited to the configuration built in the post-processing apparatus 1 provided separately from the image forming apparatus, but may be a configuration built in the image forming apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a processing unit.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the lower unit.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lower unit.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing an operation mode of one operation lever of a pair of operation levers.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Post-Processing Device 17 Center Support Member 26 Upper Guide 27 Lower Guide 32 Both End Support Member 34 Operation Lever (Link Member)
B Rear end position

Claims (3)

An apparatus capable of performing a stapling process of stacking a plurality of sheets and binding the stacked bundle of sheets together with staples,
The front end of the paper is received so that the rear end of the conveyed paper is aligned at a predetermined position regardless of the paper size, and then the front end of the received paper is at a predetermined staple position. A central support member that moves the paper so that
And a both-end support member that appears in the sheet moving path so as to receive both end portions of the sheet moved to the stapling position by the central support member.   A pair of guides disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the both-end support members and displaceable according to the paper size to guide both sides of the paper received by the central support member, The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first guide that moves the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet and aligns the staple position of the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. A pair of second guides disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the both-end support members and capable of being displaced so that the distance between them varies according to the paper size in order to guide both sides of the transported paper. When,
In conjunction with the interval between the second guides being expanded to a position where the sheet is not guided , the both-end support members are displaced to positions for receiving both ends of the leading end of the sheet, and the interval between the second guides guides the sheet. The link member according to claim 1, further comprising a link member that displaces the both-end support member to a position that does not hinder the conveyance of the paper in conjunction with being narrowed to the position where the paper is to be moved. Post-processing device.

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