JP4848414B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method applied as a digital electrophotographic copying machine.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of digital electrophotographic copying machines, it has become possible to give a variety of added value to copy products, but in particular, what was conventionally output as a single sheet is made into a booklet form. Needs are growing.

  This is digital, so it is easy to save and process the original image, so that it is possible to copy and output in a booklet form without collating. ing.

  In view of this, an accessory device for a copying machine has been put into practical use, such as binding a copied sheet with staples or attaching a cover that is bound by wireless binding.

  FIG. 1 shows the concept of perfect binding.

  In the conventional simple bookbinding, as shown in FIG. 6, a hot melt adhesive 52 is applied to one end portion of a copied laminated paper sheet 51, a case cover 53 is wound around the outer side, and the adhesive portion is pressed and heated. As a result, the hot melt adhesive 52 is melted and the adhesive squeezes into the end surface of the laminated paper sheet 51, and the squeezed adhesive is cooled and solidified to form a booklet.

  However, in such bonding, when the booklet is opened, the paper sheet in the opened portion is not sufficiently bonded and sometimes peeled off.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, in the case of full-fledged perfect binding, the bonded portion is strong, and even when opened, the paper sheet is difficult to peel off.

  That is, in this case, when the booklet is opened by forming a notch P at one end of the laminated paper sheet and bonding the end of the paper sheet including the notch P as shown in FIG. Suddenly, no force is applied to the edge of the paper, and the paper is held by adhering the notch P in front of the paper, so that the paper sheet is bent and as a result is difficult to peel off.

Such a notch is called “gully”, and in the case-by-case cover bookbinding apparatus, the ends of the stacked sheets are collectively scraped off by a dedicated cutter (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-35222

  However, such a dedicated cutter is structurally complex and expensive, and cannot be easily used as a post-processing device for a copying machine.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus in which notched portions are formed on a medium and a page is hardly peeled off by a simpler and less expensive method. To do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a first medium accommodating portion that accommodates a first medium having a notch formed at the end portion and a second medium in which the notched portion is not formed at the end portion. A medium storage unit having a second medium storage unit for storing a medium, a check unit for checking the presence of the first medium in the first medium storage unit at the time of bookbinding designation, and the check unit, The first medium is taken out and supplied based on the determination that the first medium is present in the first medium container, and the first medium is determined based on the determination that the first medium is not present. Medium supply means for taking out and supplying the second medium in the second medium storage section, transport means for transporting the first or second medium supplied from the medium supply means, and transported by the transport means Form an image on the first or second medium An image forming means, a notch forming means for forming a notch at an end of a second medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means, and a first medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means, Discharging means for discharging the second medium in which the notch is formed by the notch forming means and an accumulating means for collecting the first or second medium discharged by the discharging means are provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first medium accommodating portion that accommodates a first medium having a notch portion formed at the end portion, and a second medium that accommodates a second medium having no notch portion formed at the end portion. A medium containing unit having a medium containing unit, a check unit for checking the presence or absence of the first medium in the first medium containing unit at the time of bookbinding designation; The first medium is taken out and supplied when it is determined that the first medium is present, and the second medium containing unit is determined based on the fact that the first medium is not present. Medium supply means for taking out and supplying the second medium, conveyance means for conveying the first or second medium supplied from the medium supply means, and first or second medium conveyed by the conveyance means First image formation for forming an image on one surface side An image is formed by an image forming unit having a second image forming unit that forms an image on the other surface side of the first or second medium, and the first and second image forming units of the image forming unit. A notch forming means for forming a notch at the end of the second medium, and the first medium on which an image is formed by the first and second image forming parts of the image forming means or the notch forming means. And a stacking unit for stacking the first medium or the second medium discharged by the discharge unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first medium having a notch formed at the end is accommodated, and the second medium not formed with the notch is accommodated at the end. Based on this check, the first medium is taken out and supplied based on the determination that the first medium is present, and based on the determination that there is no first medium. The second medium is taken out and supplied, an image is formed on the supplied first medium and the second medium, and a notch is formed at the end of the second medium on which the image is formed. The first medium on which the image is formed and the second medium on which the notch is formed are stacked.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first medium having a notch formed at the end is accommodated, and the second medium not formed with the notch at the end is accommodated. Based on this check, the first medium is taken out and supplied based on the determination that the first medium is present, and based on the determination that there is no first medium. The second medium is taken out and supplied, an image is formed on one side of the supplied first medium and the second medium, and the other side of the first medium and the second medium is formed. Forming an image on the first medium, forming a notch at an end of the second medium on which the image is formed, and the first medium on which the image is formed and the second medium on which the notch is formed. Accumulate.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first medium having a notch formed at the end is accommodated, the second medium not formed with the notch is accommodated at the end, and the first medium is designated at the time of bookbinding designation. Based on this check, the first medium is taken out and supplied based on the determination that the first medium is present, and based on the determination that there is no first medium. The second medium is taken out and supplied, and an image is formed on one side of the supplied first medium and second medium by the first image forming means, and the first medium and the second medium are formed. An image is formed on the other surface side of the second medium by a second image forming unit different from the first image forming unit, and a notch is formed at an end of the second medium on which the image is formed; The first medium on which an image is formed and the second medium on which the notch is formed are stacked.

According to the present invention , the medium accommodating means includes the first accommodating portion that accommodates the first medium in which the notched portion is formed in advance, and the second accommodating portion that accommodates the second medium in which the notched portion is not formed. provided for, when the removal of the first medium from the first housing portion without operating the cutting unit, is possible to discharge the first medium notch in an image-formed is formed It becomes possible.

Further, since the notch is formed on the second medium one by one, the notch can be easily formed without requiring a large force as in the case where the notch is collectively formed on the stacked medium as in the prior art. can do.

Moreover, since including a first image forming means for forming an image on one side of the first or the second medium, the second image forming means for forming an image on the other surface of the first or the second medium Images can be continuously formed on the front and back surfaces of the first or second medium.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a digital electrophotographic copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a housing, and a transparent glass document table 3 on which a document is placed is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1. On the document table 3, there is provided a document supply unit 2 for feeding documents one by one onto the document table 3.

A scanner 4 that reads an original image by moving along the original table 3 is provided on the upper side in the housing 1. Below the scanner 4, first and second cassettes 6 a and 6 b as medium accommodating means for accommodating a sheet as a medium are removably provided. The first and second cassettes 6a and 6b are attached with transmission type optical sensors 7a and 7b (check means) for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet S1 and feeding rollers 8a and 8b for separating and feeding the sheet S1 one by one. It has been.

  The sheet S1 fed out from the first and second cassettes 6a and 6b is transported along the transport path 10. A conveying roller pair 9 as a conveying unit, a first image forming unit 11 as an image forming unit, a first fixing device 16, an actuator 17, and an image forming unit are sequentially provided in the conveying path 10 along the sheet conveying direction. A second image forming unit 19, a second fixing device 20, a punch unit 21 as a notch forming unit, and a paper discharge roller pair 22a. On the discharge side of the discharge roller pair 22a, a discharge stacker 22 is provided as a stacking unit that receives discharged sheets.

  The first image forming unit 11 includes a rotatable photosensitive drum 12, a charging charger 14, a laser optical system 13, a developing device 15, and a transfer unit disposed around the photosensitive drum 12 along the rotation direction. It is a well-known thing comprised from charger 15a etc. The first fixing device 16 includes a heat roller 16a and fixes the image transferred on the paper.

  The actuator 17 is a branching device that switches the paper conveyance direction by rotating. The actuator 17 rotates clockwise during single-sided copying to guide the paper S1 to the upper conveying path 18 and rotates counterclockwise during double-sided copying. By moving, the sheet S1 is guided to the second image forming unit 19.

  The second image forming unit 19 has the same function as that of the first image forming unit 11, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. However, the second image forming unit 19 is attached in the opposite direction to the first image forming unit 11 and forms an image on the back surface of the sheet S1. The second fixing roller 20 is configured similarly to the first fixing device 16 and includes a heat roller 20a.

  As will be described in detail later, the punch unit 21 forms a gutter as a notch at one end of a sheet as a medium.

  Further, a large-capacity data file device 5 that stores image data of a document read by the scanner 4, a control unit 23 that controls an image forming operation, and a power supply unit 24 are arranged on the lower side of the housing 1. It is installed.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the punch portion 21 in detail.

  This punch unit 21 is a device for forming concave burrs P as notches at the end of the sheet S1 one by one.

  The punch unit 21 includes a frame 23, and side plates 24 and 25 are provided on both sides of the frame 23. Between the side plates 24 and 25, a shaft 26 is rotatably mounted via a bearing 27. An arm body 28 is rotatably attached to one end of a shaft 26 that protrudes outward from the side plate 25. A plunger solenoid 29 is connected to one end side of the arm body 28, and a spring 29a is connected to the other end side.

  In addition, a plurality of punches 30. A plurality of dies 32 are opposed to the punches 30. These dies 32 are rotatably attached to a shaft 33 at a predetermined interval. The shaft 33 is installed between the side plates 24 and 25. The dies 32... Are urged by α springs 34 in the direction in which they abut against the cutting teeth 31 of the punch 30. The amount of contact of the dies 32 can be finely adjusted with a push screw 35.

  On the paper discharge side of the punch 30 and the die 32, a driving roller 36 and a driven roller 37 are disposed for nipping and conveying the paper. The drive roller 36 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown).

  Reference numeral 38 denotes a transmissive sensor that detects the trailing edge of the sheet S1 that is about to pass through the punch 30.

  When the transmission sensor 38 detects the sheet S1, the detection signal is sent to the control unit 23, and the control unit 23 takes the timing to drive the plunger solenoid 29 in an exciting manner. As a result, the arm body 28 is rotated against the urging force of the spring 29a. As a result of this rotation, the punches 30 are rotated downward via the shaft 26, and the punch 30 and the die 32 are engaged with each other from the state where the rear end of the paper S1 is sandwiched, and a plurality of galleys P are formed at predetermined intervals. It has become so.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first paper feed cassette 6a.

  In the first paper feed cassette 6a, paper S1a on which the burrs P are formed in advance is accommodated. The sheet S1a is set so that the burrs P ... face the rear end side in the sheet conveying direction.

  When the paper S1 is set, projections 39a are projected from the portion corresponding to the gears P of the rear presser plate 39 so that the setting direction of the paper S1 is not mistaken.

  When the paper S1 is set, the gully P is aligned with the protrusions 39a of the rear pressing plate 39, and attention is also given by a caution label 40 provided on the upper surface of the rear pressing plate 39.

  If the paper P1 is formed on the front side in the conveyance direction of the paper S1 and is conveyed to the roller / guide system, the leading edge of the paper S1 is not uniform, and may cause irregular collisions with the guide or the like. This can cause paper jams.

  Therefore, it is important in carrying processing to form the gears P ... on the rear side in the carrying direction of the sheet S1.

  The second paper feed cassette 6b accommodates normal rectangular paper S2 that does not form the burrs P.

  Next, the operation of the digital electrophotographic copying machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the “bookbinding designation” option for designating whether the copy is for bookbinding or not is pushed down. Thereafter, the copy button is pressed (step S1). After depressing the copy button, it is checked whether or not “bookbinding designation” is present (step S2).

  If “bookbinding” is not specified, normal copying is performed. When “binding” is designated, the presence or absence of paper is checked by the paper detector 7a of the first cassette 6a (step S3).

  If it is determined that there is a sheet, the sheet S1 set in the first cassette 6a and previously filled with the dust P is separated and fed out one by one. The fed sheet S1 is conveyed to the first image forming unit 11 to print the second page, and is conveyed to the first fixing device 16 to fix the printed image. This sheet S1 is conveyed to the second image forming unit 19 by the counterclockwise rotation of the branching device 17, and the first page is printed on the back side (step S4). The sheet S1 on which the image is printed is the second sheet S1. Is conveyed to the fixing device 20 to fix the printed image.

  After that, the sheet S1 passes through the punch unit 21, but at this time, the punch unit 21 does not operate, the sheet S1 is conveyed without being punched, and the first page is placed on the lower side of the discharge stacker 22. Is accumulated. The third and subsequent pages are printed in the same manner, so that the copied sheets that should be the booklet of the required number of pages are collected in order on the paper discharge stacker 22 (step S5).

  On the other hand, if the first cassette 6a is empty in step S3, it is determined whether or not the second cassette 6b is empty (step S6). If the second cassette 6b is not empty, the normal sheet S2 having no dust P is fed out from the second cassette 6b. The sheet S2 is transported to the first image forming unit 11 to print the second page, and then transported to the first fixing device 16 to fix the printed image. Then, the branch device 17 is rotated counterclockwise to be conveyed to the second image forming unit 19 and the first page is printed on the back side (step S7). The sheet S1 on which the image is printed is conveyed to the second fixing device 20 and the printed image is fixed.

  Thereafter, the sheet S2 is sent to the punch unit 21, and when the rear end of the sheet S2 is detected by the transmission sensor 38, the plunger solenoid 29 is excited after counting a predetermined timer value. At this time, the sheet S2 continues to be conveyed.

  The punches 30 are operated by excitation of the plunger solenoid 29, and the rear end of the sheet S2 is cut off by the dies 32, so that a gully P is formed (step S8). If the sheet continues to be conveyed, the first page is stacked on the sheet discharge stacker 22 with the lower side (step S9). In step S6, if it is determined that the second cassette 6b is empty, it is instructed to replenish paper S1 (step S10).

  By specifying bookbinding as shown in the flowchart above, it is possible to output a plurality of copied sheets with the pages automatically aligned and the pages aligned. By transporting it to the machine, it is possible to perform strong perfect binding.

  Of course, even in the absence of an automatic bookbinding machine, it is possible to perform bookbinding with a strong grit in the same manner with a manual manual bookbinding machine.

  In the above description, the laminated paper for all the pages to be bound is simply output. However, in order to perform higher quality binding, a separate third cassette is provided. If you set the target size double-size color paper in a cassette and fold it in half, and then specify “turn-back” by specifying the program, you can feed the folded paper out from this third cassette .

  If there is "play paper designation", the designated number of sheets are fed out before the first printing, and the image forming unit discharges the paper without printing.

  With the control program as described above, as shown in FIG. 5, “lookback” 41 and “play paper” 42 can be arranged before and after the main text. , High-quality kurumi binding is possible.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, since the sheet S1 previously “grited” is stored in the first sheet feeding cassette 6a, printing is performed on the sheet S1 when the sheet S1 is taken out. It is now possible to easily make “gully” output paper as a set.

  The gully paper S1 is supplied by being manufactured in large quantities at high speed by a paper manufacturer.

  In addition, when there is no paper with grit in advance, the grit is formed after the paper S2 without grit is taken out from the second paper feed cassette 6b and an image is printed, so there is no paper with grit. However, it is possible to reliably discharge the gully paper.

  Moreover, since this gully insertion is performed continuously one by one, it is possible to easily form the gully without requiring a large force as in the case of gully lumping in a stacked state.

  Further, since the dust is formed at the rear end portion in the sheet conveyance direction, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being jammed in the conveyance path. In addition, it is possible to form a gully in the transport state without stopping the paper, which has a very great effect.

Furthermore, since the first and second paper feed cassettes 6a and 6b are arranged on the upper side in the housing 1, the operator can feed paper without bending down,
In addition, since the first and second image forming units 11 and 19 are provided in two pairs, the front and back of the paper can be continuously printed.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, you may delete some components from all the components shown by embodiment mentioned above. Furthermore, you may combine the component covering different embodiment suitably.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an electrophotographic copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. The perspective view which shows the paper feed cassette which accommodates the paper with a luff. The flowchart figure which shows image formation operation and burr formation operation. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing “lookback” and “play paper” provided before and after the booklet text. The front view which shows the state which opened the booklet. The front view which shows the state which opened the booklet. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a gully formed on a laminated sheet.

Explanation of symbols

S1, S2 ... paper (medium), 1 ... housing, 2 ... original supply unit, 3 ... original table, 4 ... scanner, 5 ... data file device, 6a, 6b ... first and second paper feed cassettes (medium) Accommodating means), 7a, 7b ... transmission type optical sensor (check means) , 8a, 8b ... feeding roller (medium supply means), 9 ... roller pair (conveying means), 10 ... conveying path, 11 ... first image formation. (Image forming means), 12 ... photosensitive drum, 13 ... laser optical system, 14 ... charger, 15 ... developer, 16 ... first heat roller, 17 ... branching device, 18 ... conveying path, 19 ... first 2, image forming unit (image forming unit), 20 ... heat roller, 21 ... punch unit (notch forming unit), 22 ... paper discharge stacker (stacking unit), 23 ... control unit, 24 ... power source, 25 ... side plate, 26 ... Shaft, 27 ... Bearing, 28 ... Arm, 29 ... Plunger Solenoid, 29a ... spring (solenoid), 30 ... punch (notch forming means), 31 ... cutting teeth, 32 ... die (notch forming means), 33 ... shaft, 34 ... alpha spring, 35 ... push screw, 36 ... Follower roller, 38 ... rear press plate (transmission type sensor), 39 ... projection, 40 ... caution label, 41 ... "turnback", 42 ... "play paper", 51 ... laminated paper sheet, 52 ... hot melt adhesive, 53 ... Walnut cover, P ... Gully (notch).

Claims (5)

A medium container having a first medium container for accommodating a first medium having a notch formed at the end, and a second medium container for accommodating a second medium having no notch formed at the end. Means,
Checking means for checking the presence or absence of the first medium in the first medium housing unit when bookbinding is specified;
By this checking means, it is determined that the first medium is taken out and supplied based on the determination that the first medium is present in the first medium container, and it is determined that there is no first medium. Medium supply means for taking out and supplying the second medium in the second medium storage unit based on
Conveying means for conveying the first or second medium supplied from the medium supplying means;
Image forming means for forming an image on the first or second medium conveyed by the conveying means;
A notch forming means for forming a notch at the end of the second medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means;
Discharging means for discharging the first medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means or the second medium on which the notch is formed by the notch forming means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an accumulation unit configured to accumulate the first or second medium ejected by the ejection unit. A medium container having a first medium container for accommodating a first medium having a notch formed at the end, and a second medium container for accommodating a second medium having no notch formed at the end. Means,
Checking means for checking the presence or absence of the first medium in the first medium housing unit when bookbinding is specified;
By this checking means, it is determined that the first medium is taken out and supplied based on the determination that the first medium is present in the first medium container, and it is determined that there is no first medium. Medium supply means for taking out and supplying the second medium in the second medium storage unit based on
Conveying means for conveying the first or second medium supplied from the medium supplying means;
A first image forming unit that forms an image on one side of the first or second medium conveyed by the conveying unit, and a second image that forms an image on the other side of the first or second medium. An image forming means having a forming portion;
Notch forming means for forming a notch at the end of the second medium on which an image is formed by the first and second image forming portions of the image forming means;
Discharging means for discharging the first medium on which an image is formed by the first and second image forming portions of the image forming means or the second medium on which the notch is formed by the notch forming means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an accumulation unit configured to accumulate the first or second medium ejected by the ejection unit. Containing a first medium having a notch formed at the end;
Containing a second medium in which a notch is not formed at the end;
When bookbinding is specified, the presence of the first medium is checked,
By this check, the first medium is taken out and supplied based on the determination that the first medium is present, and the second medium is determined based on the determination that the first medium is absent. Take out and supply
Forming an image on the supplied first medium and the second medium;
Forming a notch at the end of the second medium on which the image is formed;
An image forming method comprising: stacking the first medium on which an image is formed and the second medium on which the notch is formed. Containing a first medium having a notch formed at the end;
Containing a second medium in which a notch is not formed at the end;
When bookbinding is specified, the presence of the first medium is checked,
By this check, the first medium is taken out and supplied based on the determination that the first medium is present, and the second medium is determined based on the determination that the first medium is absent. Take out and supply
Forming an image on one side of the supplied first medium and second medium;
Forming an image on the other side of the first medium and the second medium;
Forming a notch at the end of the second medium on which the image is formed;
An image forming method comprising: stacking the first medium on which an image is formed and the second medium on which the notch is formed. Containing a first medium having a notch formed at the end;
Containing a second medium in which a notch is not formed at the end;
When bookbinding is specified, the presence of the first medium is checked,
By this check, the first medium is taken out and supplied based on the determination that the first medium is present, and the second medium is determined based on the determination that the first medium is absent. Take out and supply
An image is formed by a first image forming unit on one side of the supplied first medium and second medium,
Forming an image on a second side of the first medium and the second medium by a second image forming unit different from the first image forming unit;
Forming a notch at the end of the second medium on which the image is formed;
An image forming method comprising: stacking the first medium on which an image is formed and the second medium on which the notch is formed.

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