JP4951450B2

JP4951450B2 - Sheet folding device

Info

Publication number: JP4951450B2
Application number: JP2007239038A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 正薫木全; 康樹松浦; 賢一竹川; 勲安田
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-14
Filing date: 2007-09-14
Publication date: 2012-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-14
Also published as: JP2009067556A

Description

本発明は、シートに対して折り加工するシート折り装置に係り、詳しくは２つ折り、３つ折り、Ｚ折り、４つ折り、観音折りなどの多種類の折り曲げ処理が可能なシート折り装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to a sheet folding apparatus that folds a sheet, and more particularly to a sheet folding apparatus capable of various types of folding processing such as bi-folding, tri-folding, Z-folding, quadruple folding, and kannon folding. .

従来、この種のシート折り装置については数多くの提案がなされ、実施されてきており、シート折り加工を行う折りローラの設置構造、あるいは折り加工のための搬送路についての工夫が行われてきている。 Conventionally, a number of proposals have been made and implemented for this type of sheet folding apparatus, and a device has been devised regarding the installation structure of a folding roller that performs sheet folding or a conveyance path for folding. .

例えば、特許文献１に記載のシート折り装置では、４本の折りローラでシートに対する４つ折りとＺ折りを行っている。 For example, in the sheet folding apparatus described in Patent Document 1, four folding and Z folding are performed on a sheet with four folding rollers.

また、特許文献２に記載の用紙後処理装置では、観音折りを実現するために折りローラを６本使用している。 Further, in the paper post-processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, six folding rollers are used in order to realize the double folding.

また、特許文献３に記載の後処理装置では、折りローラにシートを導く搬送路と折りローラのニップ接線角度を約９０°にし、また、重ね折りと１枚折りの搬送路を同一にして折りブレードで折りローラにシートを押し込んで折り加工を行っている。
特開昭６１−２４３７７１号公報特開２００４−１８９４５３号公報特開２００２−３０８５２１号公報 In the post-processing apparatus described in Patent Document 3, the nip tangent angle between the conveyance path for guiding the sheet to the folding roller and the folding roller is set to about 90 °, and the folding path and the single-fold conveyance path are the same. Folding is performed by pushing the sheet into the folding roller with a blade.
JP 61-243771 A JP 2004-189453 A JP 2002-308521 A

前記従来技術において、特許文献１では、４本の折りローラで２つ折りとＺ折りが行われるが、これだけの折り種類では、現在のユーザが所望の折り種類に十分対応できない。また、特許文献１の構成において、折りローラに対してシートを導く経路はＺ折りと２つ折りとで同じであるため、Ｚ折りが折りローラ径に沿ってＵターンするため、径が小さいと厚紙で搬送抵抗になり不送りが発生したり最悪な場合はジャムに至る場合がある。そのため、折りローラ径を大きくすると、機械幅が大きくなるばかりでなく、大幅なコストアップをまねく。 In the above-mentioned prior art, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561, two folding and Z-folding are performed by four folding rollers. However, with such folding types, the current user cannot sufficiently cope with a desired folding type. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the path for guiding the sheet to the folding roller is the same for Z-folding and bi-folding, Z-folding makes a U-turn along the diameter of the folding roller. In the worst case, it becomes a conveyance resistance and non-feeding occurs, or in the worst case, jamming may occur. Therefore, when the folding roller diameter is increased, not only the machine width is increased, but also the cost is greatly increased.

さらに、特許文献１では、折りローラにシートを導く経路と１回目の折りを行うニップの接線角度を略平行にしている。しかしながら、このような構成では、シートを重ねて折る場合、搬送路が大きく屈曲しているためシートが大きく曲がって抵抗となり、シート縦揃えや横揃えが行えない。 Further, in Patent Document 1, the tangential angle of the path for guiding the sheet to the folding roller and the nip for performing the first folding are made substantially parallel. However, in such a configuration, when the sheets are folded and overlapped, the conveyance path is greatly bent, so that the sheet is largely bent and becomes resistance, and the sheet cannot be aligned vertically or horizontally.

また、特許文献２では、観音折りを実現するために折りローラを６本使用するが、このような構成では、折りローラを多く必要とするためコストが高くなる。特に、折りローラは通常の搬送ローラに比べて高価になるため、大幅なコストアップとなる。 In Patent Document 2, six folding rollers are used in order to realize the folding of the kannon. In such a configuration, a large number of folding rollers are required, and the cost increases. In particular, since the folding roller is more expensive than a normal conveying roller, the cost is greatly increased.

また、特許文献３では、搬送路と折りローラのニップ接線角度が約９０°のため、シート折りのための撓みが形成され難く、シートの撓み部が折りローラのニップに入りにくいため、１枚折りのときも折りブレードを使用して折り動作を行っており、ブレード動作中はシートの搬送を停止する必要があるため生産性が悪い。特に、１枚折り時の生産性の低下はシステムとして大きな問題である。 Further, in Patent Document 3, since the nip tangent angle between the conveyance path and the folding roller is about 90 °, it is difficult to bend the sheet for bending, and the sheet bending portion is difficult to enter the nip of the folding roller. Even during folding, the folding operation is performed using the folding blade, and the sheet conveyance needs to be stopped during the blade operation, so the productivity is poor. In particular, a reduction in productivity when folding one sheet is a big problem as a system.

さらに、特許文献３では、重ね折りするときステイプル位置で用紙をスタックし、整合手段で整合した後、シート束を折り位置まで移送して折りを行っているが、このような構成ではスタックした後、シート束を折り位置まで移送するため移送時間がかかり生産性が悪くなる。また、整合済みのシート束を移送することにより移送中にシート束がずれてしまうという問題がある。 Further, in Patent Document 3, when stacking and folding, sheets are stacked at the staple position and aligned by the aligning means, and then the sheet bundle is transported to the folding position to be folded. Further, since the sheet bundle is transferred to the folding position, it takes time to transfer and the productivity is deteriorated. Further, there is a problem that the sheet bundle is shifted during the transfer by transferring the aligned sheet bundle.

本発明の目的は、前記従来技術の課題を解決し、少ない折りローラによって、２つ折り，３つ折り，Ｚ折り，４つ折り，観音折りなど多種類のシート折り加工を、安価で精度よく、かつ生産性の高い構成で実現することができるシート折り装置を提供することにある。 The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to produce a wide variety of sheet folding processes such as two-fold, three-fold, Z-fold, four-fold, and kannon-fold with a small number of folding rollers at low cost and with high accuracy. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet folding apparatus that can be realized with a highly configurable configuration.

前記目的を達成するため、請求項１に記載の発明は、シートを受け入れて該シートを撓ませ、該シートの撓み部を折りローラ対のニップ部にて挟持させることにより折り目を形成する折り加工を行うシート折り装置において、シート搬送方向のシート折り位置を決定する複数のストッパ手段と、該ストッパ手段に突き当てることで撓みを形成させる複数の搬送ローラ対と、互いに密接して設置されて一方向に回転する少なくとも４本の折りローラとを備え、前記各折りローラの対にて折りローラ対を構成し、第１折りローラおよび第２折りローラで形成される第１折りローラ対の第１ニップ部と、前記第２折りローラおよび第３折りローラで形成される第２折りローラ対の第２ニップ部と、前記第３折りローラおよび第４折りローラで形成される第３折りローラ対の第３ニップ部とを構成し、前記第１ニップ部と前記第２ニップ部と前記第３ニップ部を選択的に用いてシートに対して各種折り加工を行うことを可能にし、シートに対して、前記第１ニップ部により２つ折りを行い、前記第１ニップ部と前記第２ニップ部とにより３つ折りまたは４つ折りを行い、前記第２ニップ部と前記第３ニップ部によりＺ折りを行い、前記第１ニップ部と前記第２ニップ部と前記第３ニップ部とにより観音折りを行うことを特徴とする。この構成によって、ストッパ手段と搬送ローラ対と、互いに密接した複数の折りローラからなるニップ部とにより、シートサイズに対応した精度のよい２つ折り，３つ折り，Ｚ折り，４つ折り，観音折りなどのシート折り加工ができ、安価で生産性の高いシート折り加工装置が実現する。しかも、互いに密接した４本の折りローラにより、確実かつ安定した生産性の高い各種のシート折りを行うことができる。 In order to achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is a folding process in which a sheet is received, the sheet is bent, and the bent portion of the sheet is sandwiched by a nip portion of a pair of folding rollers to form a fold. In the sheet folding apparatus, the plurality of stopper means for determining the sheet folding position in the sheet conveyance direction, and the plurality of conveyance roller pairs for forming the deflection by abutting against the stopper means are installed in close contact with each other. At least four folding rollers that rotate in the direction, and the pair of folding rollers constitutes a pair of folding rollers, and the first folding roller pair formed by the first folding roller and the second folding roller Formed by a nip portion, a second nip portion of a second folding roller pair formed by the second folding roller and the third folding roller, and the third folding roller and the fourth folding roller. Forming a third nip portion of the third folding roller pair and selectively folding the sheet by selectively using the first nip portion, the second nip portion, and the third nip portion. The sheet is folded in two at the first nip portion, and the sheet is folded in three or four by the first nip portion and the second nip portion, and the second nip portion and the third nip portion are folded. Z-folding is performed by a portion, and kannon folding is performed by the first nip portion, the second nip portion, and the third nip portion . With this configuration, the stopper means, the pair of conveying rollers, and the nip portion composed of a plurality of folding rollers that are in close contact with each other, such as two-fold, three-fold, Z-fold, four-fold, and kannon-fold with high accuracy corresponding to the sheet size. A sheet folding apparatus that can perform sheet folding and is inexpensive and highly productive is realized. In addition, the four folding rollers that are in close contact with each other can reliably and stably perform various types of sheet folding.

請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１記載のシート折り装置において、第１ニップ部へニップ接線方向からシートを導く第１搬送路と、第１ニップ部へニップ接線と略直角方向からシートを導く第２搬送路と、第１搬送路および第２搬送路の上流分岐点に配置され第１搬送路あるいは第２搬送路にシートの搬送路を分岐する分岐爪とを備え、１回目の折り加工を第１ニップ部で行うときは、分岐爪で第２搬送路へシートを導き、折り加工を第２ニップ部で行うときは、分岐爪で第１搬送路へシートを導くことを特徴とし、この構成によって、折り加工に応じて搬送路を適宜選択できるように分岐したことによって、構造が簡易で、安価かつ小型にすることができる。 According to a second aspect of the invention, the sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1 Symbol mounting, from a first conveying path for guiding the sheet from the nip tangential to the first nip, the nip tangent direction substantially perpendicular to the first nip A second conveyance path that guides the sheet; and a branch claw that is arranged at an upstream branch point of the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path and branches the sheet conveyance path to the first conveyance path or the second conveyance path. When the folding process is performed at the first nip portion, the sheet is guided to the second conveyance path by the branching claw, and when the folding process is performed at the second nip part, the sheet is guided to the first conveyance path by the branching claw. As a feature, this structure allows the conveyance path to be appropriately selected according to the folding process, so that the structure is simple, inexpensive, and compact.

請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項２記載のシート折り装置において、Ｚ折りしたシートを前記第１搬送路へ導き、２つ折りまたは３つ折りまたは４つ折りまたは観音折りしたシートを第２搬送路へ導くことを特徴とし、この構成によって、折り前の搬送路をＺ折りと他の折り（２つ折り，３つ折り，４つ折り，観音折り）とに分岐したので、折りローラ径を小さくすることができ、安価で小型な構造にすることができる。 According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sheet folding apparatus according to the second aspect , the Z-folded sheet is guided to the first conveyance path, and the second folded path, the third folded sheet, the fourth folded sheet, or the double-folded sheet is folded into the second conveying path. With this structure, the conveyance path before folding is branched into Z-folding and other folding (two-folding, three-folding, four-folding, and kannon-folding), so that the folding roller diameter can be reduced. It can be made inexpensive and small.

請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項２または３記載のシート折り装置において、第２搬送路が、複数のシートを一時的に滞留させる滞留部と、滞留したシートに対して搬送方向を整合する縦整合手段と、シートに対して搬送方向と直角する方向を整合する横整合手段とを備え、かつ第１ニップ部を挟んで該第１ニップ部のニップ接線方向と略直角方向に延設されていることを特徴とし、この構成によって、折りローラにシートを導く第２搬送路と折りローラのニップ接線角度を約９０°にしたので、搬送路を略一直線にすることができ、重ね折りのときでも縦揃えや横揃えを確実に行うことができる。 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet folding apparatus according to the second or third aspect , the second conveying path aligns the conveying direction with the staying portion for temporarily retaining a plurality of sheets, and the staying sheets. And a horizontal alignment unit that aligns a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction with respect to the sheet, and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the nip tangential direction of the first nip portion across the first nip portion. With this configuration, the nip tangent angle between the second conveyance path for guiding the sheet to the folding roller and the folding roller is set to about 90 °, so that the conveyance path can be made substantially straight and overlapped. Even at the time of vertical alignment and horizontal alignment can be performed reliably.

請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項４記載のシート折り装置において、第２搬送路における第１ニップ部の近傍を、シートが第１ニップ部へ導かれる形状にしたことを特徴とし、この構成によって、折りローラにシートを導く第２搬送路と折りローラのニップ接線角度を約９０°にしつつ、第１ニップ部側に撓みが形成されるように第２搬送路にガイド形状を設けたことにより、１枚折りのときでも生産性の高いシート折りを行うことができる。 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet folding apparatus according to the fourth aspect , the vicinity of the first nip portion in the second conveyance path is shaped to guide the sheet to the first nip portion. Depending on the configuration, a guide shape is provided on the second conveyance path so that bending is formed on the first nip portion side while the nip tangent angle between the second conveyance path for guiding the sheet to the folding roller and the folding roller is about 90 °. This makes it possible to perform sheet folding with high productivity even when folding one sheet.

請求項６に記載の発明は、請求項５記載のシート折り装置において、縦整合手段および横整合手段にてシートに対して整合を行った位置で、該シートに対して折り加工を行うことを特徴とし、この構成によって、シートを折り位置でスタックし、整合手段で整合を行った後、その整合位置で折りを行うので、生産性が高く折り精度のよいシート折りを行うことができる。 According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet folding apparatus according to the fifth aspect , the sheet is folded at a position where the sheet is aligned with the vertical alignment means and the horizontal alignment means. As a feature, this configuration stacks the sheets at the folding position, aligns them with the aligning means, and then performs folding at the aligned positions, so that the sheet can be folded with high productivity and high folding accuracy.

請求項７に記載の発明は、請求項１乃至５のいずれか記載のシート折り装置において、第１ニップ部へシートを押し込む押込み手段を備えたことを特徴とし、この構成によって、押込み手段により確実に折りローラにシート束を押し込むことができる。 According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sheet folding apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the sheet folding device further comprises a pressing unit that presses the sheet into the first nip portion. The sheet bundle can be pushed into the folding roller.

請求項８に記載の発明は、請求項７記載のシート折り装置において、第２搬送路の滞留部で複数のシートを一時的に滞留させた後、押込み手段でシート束を第１ニップ部へ押し込み折り加工を行うことを特徴とし、この構成によって、シートを折り位置で滞留させて整合手段で整合を行った後、折り加工を行うことにより、確実に折りローラにシート束を押し込むことができ折り精度の良いシート折りを行うことができる。 According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet folding device according to the seventh aspect , after the plurality of sheets are temporarily retained in the retaining portion of the second conveyance path, the sheet bundle is moved to the first nip portion by the pushing means. This configuration features push-folding. With this configuration, the sheet is retained at the folding position, aligned by the aligning means, and then folded to ensure that the sheet bundle is pushed into the folding roller. Sheet folding with high folding accuracy can be performed.

請求項９に記載の発明は、請求項７記載のシート折り装置において、第１搬送路から導かれたシートを第１ニップ部へ導くとき、押込み手段の先端を第１ニップ部近傍まで移動させ、シート先端が押込み手段上を滑走するようにシートを第１ニップ部へ導くことを特徴とし、この構成によって、押込み手段を第１ニップ部近傍まで移動させて、押込み手段の上をシート先端が通過するようにしたので、シート先端を確実にガイドでき、ジャムなどの不具合の発生を防止することができる。 According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet folding apparatus according to the seventh aspect , when the sheet guided from the first conveyance path is guided to the first nip portion, the tip of the pushing means is moved to the vicinity of the first nip portion. The sheet is guided to the first nip portion so that the sheet leading edge slides on the pushing means. With this configuration, the pushing means is moved to the vicinity of the first nip portion, and the sheet leading edge is moved over the pushing means. Since it passes, the leading edge of the sheet can be reliably guided, and the occurrence of problems such as jams can be prevented.

請求項１０に記載の発明は、請求項１または２記載のシート折り装置において、第１搬送路内のシートを搬送する複数の第１搬送ローラ対を備え、第１折りローラ対に最も近い第１搬送ローラ対によりスキュー補正を行うことを特徴とし、この構成によって、折りローラ手前の搬送ローラでスキュー補正を行うことにより、折り精度がよくジャムが発生しないようにシート折りを行うことができる。 A tenth aspect of the present invention is the sheet folding apparatus according to the first or second aspect , further comprising a plurality of first conveying roller pairs for conveying the sheet in the first conveying path, and being closest to the first folding roller pair. The skew correction is performed by one conveyance roller pair. With this configuration, the sheet can be folded with high folding accuracy and no jamming by performing the skew correction with the conveyance roller before the folding roller.

請求項１１に記載の発明は、請求項１または２記載のシート折り装置において、第２搬送路内のシートを搬送する複数の第２搬送ローラ対を備え、第１折りローラ対に最も近い第２搬送ローラ対によりスキュー補正を行うことを特徴とし、この構成によって、折りローラ手前の搬送ローラでスキュー補正を行うことにより、折り精度がよくジャムが発生しないようにシート折りを行うことができる。 The invention according to claim 11 is the sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a plurality of second conveying roller pairs for conveying the sheet in the second conveying path, and being closest to the first folding roller pair. The skew correction is performed by the two conveyance roller pairs. With this configuration, the sheet can be folded so that the folding accuracy is high and the jam does not occur by performing the skew correction with the conveyance roller before the folding roller.

本発明に係るシート処理装置によれば、シート搬送方向のシート折り位置を決定する複数のストッパ手段と、該ストッパ手段に突き当てることで撓みを形成させる複数の搬送ローラ対と、互いに密接して設置されて一方向に回転する少なくとも４本の折りローラとを備え、さらに、各折りローラの対にて折りローラ対を構成し、第１折りローラおよび第２折りローラで形成される第１折りローラ対の第１ニップ部と、第２折りローラおよび第３折りローラで形成される第２折りローラ対の第２ニップ部と、第３折りローラおよび第４折りローラで形成される第３折りローラ対の第３ニップ部とを、選択的に用いてシートに対して各種折り加工を行うことにより、２つ折り，３つ折り，Ｚ折り，４つ折り，観音折りなどの各種のシート折り加工を、シートサイズなどに応じて精度よく、かつ確実に行うことができ、この種のシート折り加工装置としては安価で生産性の高いシート折り加工装置となる。 According to the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of stopper means for determining the sheet folding position in the sheet conveyance direction, and the plurality of conveyance roller pairs for forming the deflection by abutting against the stopper means are in close contact with each other. At least four folding rollers that are installed and rotate in one direction, and each pair of folding rollers constitutes a pair of folding rollers, and is formed by a first folding roller and a second folding roller. The first nip portion of the roller pair, the second nip portion of the second folding roller pair formed by the second folding roller and the third folding roller, and the third folding formed by the third folding roller and the fourth folding roller By selectively using the third nip portion of the roller pair to perform various folding processes on the sheet, various sheet folding processes such as two-fold, three-fold, Z-fold, four-fold, and kannon-fold are performed. Accuracy in accordance with the sheet size may, and can be surely performed, and inexpensive productive sheet folding processing apparatus as this type of sheet folding processing apparatus.

以下、本発明の好適な実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。 Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

図１は本発明に係るシート折り装置の実施形態の全体構成図であり、１は装置本体、２は複写機，プリンタなどの画像形成装置における排紙部（図示せず）と連結して配設される受け口、３はシート折り加工処理が終了したシートあるいはシート束を後処理機（図示せず）へ送るように排出する排出口、１１は受け口２近傍に設置された給紙ローラ、１２は排出口３近傍に設置された排出ローラ、２１は受け口２からのシートを案内する給紙部搬送路、２２は排出口３へシートあるいはシート束を案内する排紙搬送路である。 FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of a sheet folding apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body, and 2 denotes a paper discharge unit (not shown) in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. A receiving port 3 is a discharge port for discharging a sheet or a bundle of sheets that have been subjected to sheet folding processing to a post-processing machine (not shown), 11 is a paper feed roller installed near the receiving port 2, 12 Is a discharge roller installed in the vicinity of the discharge port 3, 21 is a paper feed unit conveyance path for guiding a sheet from the reception port 2, and 22 is a paper discharge conveyance path for guiding a sheet or sheet bundle to the discharge port 3.

１０１〜１０６は折り加工のために各部位にシートを案内する搬送路であって、１０１は受け口２側に上下に延在する第１搬送路、１０２は上下に連なって延在して下部が滞留部となる第２搬送路、１０３は第２搬送路１０２に並んで延在する第３搬送路、１０４は下部の第２搬送路１０２に並んで延在する第４搬送路、１０５は排出口３側に第３搬送路１０３に並んで延在する第５搬送路、１０６は第５搬送路１０５の下方に延在する第６搬送路であり、１０７は第１搬送路１０１と第２搬送路１０２との連結端部分に設けられたガイド部である。 Reference numerals 101 to 106 denote conveyance paths for guiding sheets to each part for folding, 101 is a first conveyance path that extends vertically to the receiving port 2 side, and 102 extends vertically to extend downward. A second conveyance path 103 serving as a retention portion, a third conveyance path 103 extending alongside the second conveyance path 102, a fourth conveyance path 104 extending alongside the second conveyance path 102 at the bottom, and 105 a discharge path. A fifth conveyance path extending along the third conveyance path 103 on the outlet 3 side, 106 is a sixth conveyance path extending below the fifth conveyance path 105, and 107 is a first conveyance path 101 and a second conveyance path. It is a guide portion provided at a connection end portion with the conveyance path 102.

１０８は、第１搬送路１０１の下方に設けられて、シートのスキューを補正するための第１スキューローラ、１０９は、上部の第２搬送路１０２の下方に設けられて、シートのスキューを補正するための第２スキューローラである。 108 is a first skew roller provided below the first conveyance path 101 to correct the skew of the sheet, and 109 is provided below the upper second conveyance path 102 to correct the sheet skew. This is a second skew roller.

１１０は、前記各搬送路１０１〜１０６の適所に設置されてシートを搬送し、後述するストッパに当接させて撓みを形成させる複数の搬送ローラ対である。 Reference numeral 110 denotes a plurality of conveyance roller pairs that are installed at appropriate positions in the conveyance paths 101 to 106 to convey a sheet and abut against a stopper, which will be described later, to form a bend.

２０１〜２０４は、少なくとも４本（本例では４本の構成例を示す）の折りローラであって、前記各搬送路１０１〜１０６の連結端部分に各折りローラ２０１〜２０４が設置され、第１折りローラ２０１が、第１搬送路１０１のガイド部１０７部分で、かつ上下に延在する第２搬送路１０２の中間部に配され、第１折りローラ２０１に密接する第２折りローラ２０２が第３搬送路１０３の端部部分に配され、第２折りローラ２０２に密接する第３折りローラ２０３と、第３折りローラ２０３に密接する第４折りローラ２０４とが、第４搬送路１０４と第５搬送路１０５と第６搬送路１０６との連結端部分に配されている。 Reference numerals 201 to 204 denote at least four folding rollers (in this example, four configuration examples are shown), and each folding roller 201 to 204 is installed at a connecting end portion of each of the conveying paths 101 to 106, and A first folding roller 201 is disposed in the guide portion 107 portion of the first conveying path 101 and in an intermediate portion of the second conveying path 102 extending vertically, and a second folding roller 202 in close contact with the first folding roller 201 is provided. A third folding roller 203 that is disposed at an end portion of the third conveyance path 103 and is in close contact with the second folding roller 202, and a fourth folding roller 204 that is in close contact with the third folding roller 203 are connected to the fourth conveyance path 104. It is arranged at a connecting end portion between the fifth conveyance path 105 and the sixth conveyance path 106.

各折りローラ２０１〜２０４の対にて折りローラ対が構成され、第１折りローラ２０１および第２折りローラ２０２からなる第１折りローラ対が第１ニップ部２０５を形成し、第２折りローラ２０２および第３折りローラ２０３からなる第２折りローラ対が第２ニップ部２０６を形成し、第３折りローラ２０３および第４折りローラ２０４からなる第３折りローラ対が第３ニップ部２０７を形成している。 The pair of folding rollers 201 to 204 constitutes a folding roller pair, and the first folding roller pair including the first folding roller 201 and the second folding roller 202 forms the first nip portion 205, and the second folding roller 202. The second folding roller pair including the third folding roller 203 forms the second nip portion 206, and the third folding roller pair including the third folding roller 203 and the fourth folding roller 204 forms the third nip portion 207. ing.

３０１〜３０４はシートの搬送路を切り替えるため回動駆動される切替爪であって、３０１は排紙搬送路２２あるいは第１，第２搬送路１０１，１０２方向へ搬送路切替を行う第１切替爪、３０２は第１搬送路１０１あるいは第２搬送路１０２へ搬送路切替を行う第２切替爪、３０３は第４搬送路１０４あるいは第５，第６搬送路１０５，１０６方向へ搬送路切替を行う第３切替爪、３０４は第５搬送路１０５あるいは第６搬送路１０６へ搬送路切替を行う第４切替爪である。 Reference numerals 301 to 304 denote switching claws that are rotationally driven to switch the sheet conveyance path, and 301 denotes a first switch that switches the conveyance path in the direction of the paper discharge conveyance path 22 or the first and second conveyance paths 101 and 102. A claw 302 is a second switching claw for switching the conveyance path to the first conveyance path 101 or the second conveyance path 102, and 303 is a conveyance path switch in the direction of the fourth conveyance path 104 or the fifth and sixth conveyance paths 105 and 106. A third switching claw 304 and a fourth switching claw 304 for switching the conveyance path to the fifth conveyance path 105 or the sixth conveyance path 106 are provided.

４０１は、第１，第２搬送路１０１，１０２の連結端部分に設置されて、先端が第１折りローラ２０１および第２折りローラ２０２からなる第１折りローラ対の第１ニップ部２０５方向へ移動可能であって、シートを押し込む押込み手段である折りブレードである。 401 is installed at the connecting end portion of the first and second transport paths 101 and 102 and has a leading end in the direction of the first nip portion 205 of the first folding roller pair including the first folding roller 201 and the second folding roller 202. It is a folding blade that is movable and is a pushing means for pushing the sheet.

５０１は、下部の第２搬送路１０２における滞留部上部に設置されて、搬送されてくるシートの搬送方向を整合するための叩きコロ、５０２は、同部位に移動可能に設置されて、シートにおける互いに直交する方向の縦方向，横方向を整合する縦整合手段，横整合手段としてのジョガーフェンスである。 501 is installed on the upper part of the staying portion in the lower second conveyance path 102, and a tapping roller for aligning the conveyance direction of the conveyed sheet, 502 is installed movably in the same part, It is a jogger fence as a vertical alignment means for aligning the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in directions perpendicular to each other, and a horizontal alignment means.

６０１〜６０３は、シートの端部と当接してシートの搬送方向の折り位置を決定するため、移動駆動手段（図示せず）により搬送路を移動可能に設けられたストッパ手段であって、６０１は下部の第２搬送路１０２に設けられた第１ストッパ、６０２は第３搬送路１０３に設けられた第２ストッパ、６０３は第４搬送路１０４に設けられた第３ストッパである。 Reference numerals 601 to 603 are stopper means provided so as to be movable along a conveyance path by a movement driving means (not shown) in order to determine a folding position in the conveyance direction of the sheet by abutting with an end portion of the sheet. Is a first stopper provided in the lower second conveyance path 102, 602 is a second stopper provided in the third conveyance path 103, and 603 is a third stopper provided in the fourth conveyance path 104.

なお、図中の７００は、第６搬送路１０６から排出されシート束を受けるスタッカを示す。 In the figure, reference numeral 700 denotes a stacker that is discharged from the sixth conveyance path 106 and receives a sheet bundle.

本実施形態では、後述するように、第１ニップ部２０５でシートに対して２つ折りを行い、第１，第２ニップ部２０５，２０６で３つ折りと４つ折りを行い、第２，第３ニップ部２０６，２０７でＺ折りを行い、第１，第２，第３ニップ部２０５，２０６，２０７で観音折りを行う。 In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the sheet is folded in half at the first nip portion 205, and the sheet is folded in three and four at the first and second nip portions 205 and 206, and then the second and third nips. Z-folding is performed at the portions 206 and 207, and Kannon folding is performed at the first, second, and third nip portions 205, 206, and 207.

第１搬送路１０１は第１ニップ部２０５へニップ接線方向からシートを導くように設けられており、第２搬送路１０２は第１ニップ部２０５へニップ接線と略直角方向からシートを導くように形成され、さらに第２搬送路１０２における第１ニップ部２０５近傍のガイド部１０７は、後述するようにシートが第１ニップ部２０５において支障なく撓むように形成されている。 The first conveyance path 101 is provided so as to guide the sheet to the first nip portion 205 from the nip tangential direction, and the second conveyance path 102 is configured to guide the sheet to the first nip portion 205 from a direction substantially perpendicular to the nip tangent. Further, the guide portion 107 in the vicinity of the first nip portion 205 in the second conveyance path 102 is formed so that the sheet bends without trouble in the first nip portion 205 as will be described later.

次に、本実施形態におけるシート折り加工の動作について説明する。 Next, the operation of sheet folding in this embodiment will be described.

まず、ユーザにより画像形成装置側でシート折りモードの選択と、使用するシートのサイズに係る情報が入力されると、装置側の図示しない制御部において各部を駆動して、第１切替爪３０１，第２切替爪３０２，第３切替爪３０３，第４切替爪３０４，折りブレード４０１，叩きコロ５０１，ジョガー５０２，第１ストッパ６０１，第２ストッパ６０２，第３ストッパ６０３を、それぞれホームポジションから前記入力情報に応じて、あらかじめ設定されている位置へ移動させる。 First, when the user inputs information related to the selection of the sheet folding mode and the size of the sheet to be used on the image forming apparatus side, each unit is driven by a control unit (not shown) on the apparatus side, and the first switching claw 301, The second switching claw 302, the third switching claw 303, the fourth switching claw 304, the folding blade 401, the tapping roller 501, the jogger 502, the first stopper 601, the second stopper 602, and the third stopper 603 are respectively set from the home position. Move to a preset position according to the input information.

そして、画像形成装置側から画像面を下にしてシートが排紙されると、受け口２にてシートを受け、給紙部搬送路２１において給紙ローラ１１により第１切替爪３０１へ搬送される。ここで折り加工が選択されていなければ、第１切替爪３０１が回動して排紙搬送路２２へシートを搬送し、排紙ローラ１２によりシートを排出口３から外部へ排出する。 When the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus side with the image surface down, the sheet is received at the receiving port 2 and is conveyed to the first switching claw 301 by the sheet feeding roller 11 in the sheet feeding section conveying path 21. . If folding is not selected here, the first switching claw 301 rotates to convey the sheet to the sheet discharge conveyance path 22, and the sheet is discharged from the discharge port 3 to the outside by the sheet discharge roller 12.

＜Ｚ折り＞
図２〜図６の本実施形態におけるシート搬送／折りに係る説明図を参照してＺ折りについて説明する。 <Z-fold>
Z-folding will be described with reference to the explanatory views relating to sheet conveyance / folding in the present embodiment in FIGS.

Ｚ折りが選択されると、折りブレード４０１を、図１に示すホームポジションから第１ニップ部２０５近傍であるガイド位置（図２）まで移動する。そして、第１切替爪３０１と第２切替爪３０２により、第１搬送路１０１へシートを案内する。第１搬送路１０１において搬送ローラ対１１０によりシートが搬送され、シート先端が停止している第１スキューローラ１０８に突き当たってスキュー補正が行われる。 When Z-folding is selected, the folding blade 401 is moved from the home position shown in FIG. 1 to a guide position (FIG. 2) in the vicinity of the first nip portion 205. Then, the sheet is guided to the first conveyance path 101 by the first switching claw 301 and the second switching claw 302. In the first conveyance path 101, the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 110, and the skew correction is performed by abutting against the first skew roller 108 in which the leading end of the sheet is stopped.

スキュー補正が行われると、第１スキューローラ１０８を図示しない駆動源により、シートの撓みがなくなるまで加速させ、その後、一定速度で搬送させる。さらにシート搬送が行われると、図３に示すように、折りブレード４０１の上をシートが通過する。 When the skew correction is performed, the first skew roller 108 is accelerated by a driving source (not shown) until the sheet is no longer bent, and then conveyed at a constant speed. When the sheet is further conveyed, the sheet passes over the folding blade 401 as shown in FIG.

Ｚ折りのときは、第１折りローラ２０１と第２折りローラ２０２の第１ニップ部２０５を通過して、シート先端が第３搬送路１０３において下降した第２ストッパ６０２の位置まで搬送され（図４）、第１折りローラ２０１と第２折りローラ２０２によるシート搬送がさらに続けられ、シートが第２ニップ部２０６近傍で撓み、第２ニップ部２０６で１回目の折りを行う。１回目の折り終了後、シートは、第４搬送路１０４に導かれ、第３ストッパ６０３に先端が突き当たると撓みが形成され、第３ニップ部２０７で２回目の折りが行われる（図５）。 At the time of Z-folding, the sheet passes through the first nip portion 205 of the first folding roller 201 and the second folding roller 202 and is conveyed to the position of the second stopper 602 where the sheet leading edge is lowered in the third conveying path 103 (FIG. 4) The sheet conveyance by the first folding roller 201 and the second folding roller 202 is further continued, the sheet bends in the vicinity of the second nip portion 206, and the first fold is performed at the second nip portion 206. After completion of the first folding, the sheet is guided to the fourth conveyance path 104 and bent when the leading end abuts against the third stopper 603, and the second folding is performed at the third nip portion 207 (FIG. 5). .

折り完了後、シートは、第４切替爪３０４によって第５搬送路１０５へ導かれ、搬送ローラ対１１０と排出ローラ１２により後処理機へ搬送される。 After the folding is completed, the sheet is guided to the fifth conveyance path 105 by the fourth switching claw 304 and conveyed to the post-processing machine by the conveyance roller pair 110 and the discharge roller 12.

＜２つ折り＞
図１，図６を参照して２つ折りについて説明する。 <Fold in half>
Bi-folding will be described with reference to FIGS.

２つ折りが選択されると、第１切替爪３０１と第２切替爪３０２によって第２搬送路１０２へシートを案内する。第２搬送路１０２において搬送ローラ対１１０によってシートが搬送され、シート先端が停止している第２スキューローラ１０９に突き当たりスキュー補正が行われる。 When the folding is selected, the sheet is guided to the second conveyance path 102 by the first switching claw 301 and the second switching claw 302. In the second conveyance path 102, the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 110, and the second skew roller 109 in which the leading edge of the sheet is stopped hits and skew correction is performed.

スキュー補正が行われると、第２スキューローラ１０９を図示しない駆動源により、シートの撓みがなくなるまで加速させ、その後、一定速度で搬送させる。さらにシート搬送が行われると、シート先端が第１ストッパ６０１に突き当たり、第１ニップ部２０５近傍で撓みが形成される。このとき、第２搬送路１０２において、第１ニップ部２０５にてシートが撓むようなガイド１０７を設けているので撓みが十分に形成される。 When the skew correction is performed, the second skew roller 109 is accelerated by a drive source (not shown) until the sheet is no longer bent, and then conveyed at a constant speed. When the sheet is further conveyed, the leading edge of the sheet hits the first stopper 601 and a bend is formed in the vicinity of the first nip portion 205. At this time, in the second conveyance path 102, the guide 107 is provided such that the sheet bends at the first nip portion 205, so that sufficient bending is formed.

シートの撓み部が第１ニップ部２０５に入ると１回目の折りが行われる。２つ折りされたシートは、第３搬送路１０３，第５搬送路１０５を通過して、排出ローラ１２により後処理機へ搬送される。このとき、第２ストッパ６０２は、図示しない移動駆動手段により、シート搬送に邪魔にならない位置まで搬送路から退避している。 When the bent portion of the sheet enters the first nip portion 205, the first folding is performed. The folded sheet passes through the third conveyance path 103 and the fifth conveyance path 105 and is conveyed to the post-processing machine by the discharge roller 12. At this time, the second stopper 602 is retracted from the conveyance path to a position that does not interfere with the sheet conveyance by a movement driving unit (not shown).

＜外３つ折り，内３つ折り，単純４つ折り＞
図１，図６を参照して外３つ折り，内３つ折り，単純４つ折りについて説明する。 <Outer 3 fold, Inner 3 fold, Simple 4 fold>
The outer three-fold, inner three-fold, and simple four-fold will be described with reference to FIGS.

第１切替爪３０１と第２切替爪３０２によって第２搬送路１０２へシートを案内する。第２搬送路１０２において搬送ローラ対１１０によってシートＳが搬送され、シート先端が停止している第２スキューローラ１０９に突き当たりスキュー補正が行われる。 The first switching claw 301 and the second switching claw 302 guide the sheet to the second conveyance path 102. In the second conveyance path 102, the sheet S is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 110, and the second skew roller 109 in which the front end of the sheet is stopped is abutted and skew correction is performed.

シートの撓み部が第１ニップ部２０５に入ると１回目の折りが行われる。１回目の折り終了後のシートは、第３搬送路１０３に導かれ第２ストッパ６０２にシート先端が突き当たると撓みが形成され、第２ニップ部２０６で２回目の折りが行われる。折り完了後、第３切替爪３０３と第４切替爪３０４によって第６搬送路１０６へ導かれ、スタッカ７００へ搬送される。 When the bent portion of the sheet enters the first nip portion 205, the first folding is performed. The sheet after the first folding is guided to the third conveyance path 103 and bent when the leading edge of the sheet abuts against the second stopper 602, and the second folding is performed at the second nip portion 206. After the folding is completed, the third switching claw 303 and the fourth switching claw 304 are guided to the sixth transport path 106 and transported to the stacker 700.

外３つ折りの１回目折り位置はシート先端から１／３、内３つ折りの１回目折り位置はシート後端から１／３、単純４つ折りの１回目折り位置は、シート先端から１／２に設定される。 The first folding position of the outer three-fold is 1/3 from the leading edge of the sheet, the first folding position of the inner three-folding is 1/3 from the trailing edge of the sheet, and the first folding position of simple four-folding is 1/2 from the leading edge of the sheet Is set.

＜観音四つ折り＞
図１，図６を参照して観音四つ折りについて説明する。 <Kannon quadrifold>
The Guan Yin fold will be described with reference to FIGS.

シートの撓み部が第１ニップ部２０５に入ると、１回目の折り（シート後端１／４）が行われる。１回目の折り終了後のシートは、第３搬送路１０３に導かれ第２ストッパ６０２にシート先端が突き当たると撓みが形成され、第２ニップ部２０６で２回目の折りが行われる（シート先端１／４）。 When the bent portion of the sheet enters the first nip portion 205, the first folding (sheet rear end 1/4) is performed. The sheet after completion of the first folding is guided to the third conveyance path 103 and is bent when the leading edge of the sheet abuts against the second stopper 602, and the second folding is performed at the second nip portion 206 (sheet leading edge 1). / 4).

２回目の折りが行われると、シートは、第４搬送路１０４へ導かれ、第３ストッパ６０３にシート先端が突き当たり、撓みが形成されて第３ニップ部２０７により３回目の折が行われる。折り完了後、第４切替爪３０４によって第６搬送路１０６へ導かれ、スタッカ７００へ搬送される。 When the second folding is performed, the sheet is guided to the fourth conveyance path 104, the leading end of the sheet hits the third stopper 603, a bend is formed, and the third folding is performed by the third nip portion 207. After the folding is completed, the fourth switching claw 304 guides the sixth transport path 106 and transports it to the stacker 700.

次に、本実施形態における重ね折りについて図１，図７，図８を参照して説明する。 Next, overlapping folding in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

重ね折りが行えるのは、２つ折り，外３つ折り，内３つ折りのみである。 Only two folds, three outer folds, and three inner folds can be performed.

重ね折りの場合は、破線で示した搬送路途中の第２スキューローラ１０９と第１折りローラ２０１における従動側コロは、シートに搬送力を与えないように駆動側のローラから離れた位置で待機している。また、第１折りローラ２０１、第２折りローラ２０２も１枚目のシートを折り込まないように停止している。 In the case of overlap folding, the second skew roller 109 and the driven roller on the first folding roller 201 in the middle of the conveyance path indicated by the broken line stand by at a position away from the driving roller so as not to impart conveyance force to the sheet is doing. The first folding roller 201 and the second folding roller 202 are also stopped so as not to fold the first sheet.

＜重ね折り・２つ折り＞
第１切替爪３０１と第２切替爪３０２によって第２搬送路１０２へシートを案内し、搬送ローラ対１１０によってシートを搬送する。シート先端が下部の第２搬送路１０２の第１ストッパ６０１に突き当たる直前で、シート後端は上流側の搬送ローラ対１１０を抜ける。シート後端が上流側の搬送ローラ対１１０を抜けると、叩きコロ５０１の搬送にて第１ストッパ６０１にシート先端を押し付けることによって搬送方向の整合を行う。２枚目以降のシートも１枚目と同様に搬送されてきたシート１枚１枚に対し、前記と同様に叩きコロ５０１で整合を行う。搬送方向の整合が行われると、ジョガー５０２で横方向の整合を行い、折りブレード４０１でシート束を第１ニップ部２０５へ押し込んで折りを行う。シート束が第１ニップ部２０５に入ると、第１折りローラ２０１と第２折りローラ２０２を回転させ、シート束を折りながら搬送する。 <Overfolding / Folding>
The first switching claw 301 and the second switching claw 302 guide the sheet to the second conveyance path 102, and the conveyance roller pair 110 conveys the sheet. Immediately before the leading edge of the sheet hits the first stopper 601 of the lower second conveying path 102, the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the upstream conveying roller pair 110. When the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the upstream conveying roller pair 110, the conveying direction is aligned by pressing the leading edge of the sheet against the first stopper 601 by conveying the hitting roller 501. The second and subsequent sheets are aligned with the hitting roller 501 in the same manner as described above for each sheet that has been conveyed in the same manner as the first sheet. When the conveyance direction is aligned, the jogger 502 performs alignment in the lateral direction, and the folding blade 401 pushes the sheet bundle into the first nip portion 205 to fold the sheet. When the sheet bundle enters the first nip portion 205, the first folding roller 201 and the second folding roller 202 are rotated to convey the sheet bundle while folding it.

重ね折り・２つ折りが行われたシート束は、第３搬送路１０３を通過して後処理機へ搬送される。このとき、第２ストッパ６０２は、図示せぬ移動駆動手段によりシート搬送の邪魔にならない位置まで退避している。 The sheet bundle that has been folded and folded in two passes through the third conveyance path 103 and is conveyed to the post-processing machine. At this time, the second stopper 602 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with sheet conveyance by a movement driving unit (not shown).

第１ストッパ６０１の停止位置を、２つ折りの場合にシート長さの１／２、内３つ折りの場合にシート長さの先端から２／３、外３つ折りの場合にシート長さの先端から１／３となる位置にすることによって、第１ストッパ６０１を停止させることにより、整合後の搬送が不要となる。 The stop position of the first stopper 601 is ½ of the sheet length when folded in half, 2/3 from the leading edge of the sheet length when folding inside three, and from the leading edge of the sheet length when folding three times outside. By setting the position to 1/3, the first stopper 601 is stopped, so that conveyance after alignment becomes unnecessary.

また、第２搬送路１０２は、下部の滞留部において上述したシート１枚１枚に対し整合動作を行うので、搬送路が大きく屈曲していると叩きコロ５０１による整合ができなくなるおそれがあるため、本実施形態では、用紙に大きな搬送抵抗が発生しないように略一直線にしている。 Further, since the second conveying path 102 performs the aligning operation for each sheet described above in the lower staying portion, if the conveying path is bent greatly, there is a possibility that the alignment by the hitting roller 501 cannot be performed. In this embodiment, the paper is substantially straight so as not to generate a large transport resistance.

外３つ折り、および内３つ折りの重ね折りも、２つ折り同様、ストッパの位置を折りモードや用紙サイズに対応した位置に移動させることにより折ることができる。 The outer three-fold and the inner three-fold can be folded by moving the stopper to a position corresponding to the folding mode or the paper size, like the two-fold.

本発明は、複写機あるいは印刷機などの画像形成装置から排紙されるシートに対して折り加工するシート折り装置に適用され、特に２つ折り、３つ折り、Ｚ折り、４つ折り、観音折りなどの多種類の折り曲げ処理がシート折り装置として有効である。 The present invention is applied to a sheet folding apparatus that folds a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printing machine, and in particular, such as two-fold, three-fold, Z-fold, four-fold, and kannon folding. Various types of folding processes are effective as a sheet folding apparatus.

本発明に係るシート折り装置の実施形態の全体構成図1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of a sheet folding apparatus according to the present invention. 本実施形態におけるシート搬送／折りに係る説明図Explanatory drawing concerning sheet conveyance / folding in this embodiment 本実施形態におけるシート搬送／折りに係る説明図Explanatory drawing concerning sheet conveyance / folding in this embodiment 本実施形態におけるシート搬送／折りに係る説明図Explanatory drawing concerning sheet conveyance / folding in this embodiment 本実施形態におけるシート搬送／折りに係る説明図Explanatory drawing concerning sheet conveyance / folding in this embodiment 本実施形態におけるシート折り形態の説明図Explanatory drawing of the sheet folding form in this embodiment 本実施形態におけるシート搬送／重ね折りに係る説明図Explanatory drawing which concerns on sheet conveyance / overlapping in this embodiment 本実施形態におけるシート搬送／重ね折りに係る説明図Explanatory drawing which concerns on sheet conveyance / overlapping in this embodiment

Explanation of symbols

１０１第１搬送路
１０２第２搬送路
１０３第３搬送路
１０４第４搬送路
１０５第５搬送路
１０６第６搬送路
１０７ガイド部
１０８第１スキューローラ
１０９第２スキューローラ
１１０搬送ローラ対
２０１第１折りローラ
２０２第２折りローラ
２０３第３折りローラ
２０４第４折りローラ
２０５第１ニップ部
２０６第２ニップ部
２０７第３ニップ部
３０１第１切替爪
３０２第２切替爪
３０３第３切替爪
３０４第４切替爪
４０１折りブレード
５０１叩きコロ
５０２ジョガー
６０１第１ストッパ
６０２第２ストッパ
６０３第３ストッパ 101 1st conveyance path 102 2nd conveyance path 103 3rd conveyance path 104 4th conveyance path 105 5th conveyance path 106 6th conveyance path 107 Guide part 108 1st skew roller 109 2nd skew roller 110 Conveyance roller pair 201 1st Folding roller 202 Second folding roller 203 Third folding roller 204 Fourth folding roller 205 First nip portion 206 Second nip portion 207 Third nip portion 301 First switching claw 302 Second switching claw 303 Third switching claw 304 Fourth Switching claw 401 Folding blade 501 Strike roller 502 Jogger 601 First stopper 602 Second stopper 603 Third stopper

Claims

In a sheet folding apparatus that receives a sheet, bends the sheet, and performs a folding process to form a fold by sandwiching a bent portion of the sheet at a nip portion of a pair of folding rollers,
A plurality of stopper means for determining the sheet folding position in the sheet conveying direction, a plurality of conveying roller pairs that form a deflection by abutting against the stopper means, and at least four that are installed in close contact with each other and rotate in one direction A pair of folding rollers, each pair of folding rollers constitutes a pair of folding rollers, a first nip portion of a first folding roller pair formed by a first folding roller and a second folding roller, and the second A second nip portion of the second folding roller pair formed by the folding roller and the third folding roller and a third nip portion of the third folding roller pair formed by the third folding roller and the fourth folding roller are configured. In addition, the first nip portion, the second nip portion, and the third nip portion can be selectively used to perform various folding processes on the sheet. 2 Folding is performed, three or four folds are performed by the first nip portion and the second nip portion, Z folds are performed by the second nip portion and the third nip portion, and the first nip portion and the second nip portion are performed. A sheet folding apparatus , comprising: a two-nip portion and a third nip portion for performing kannon folding .

A first conveyance path for guiding the sheet from the nip tangential direction to the first nip portion; a second conveyance path for guiding the sheet from the nip tangential direction to the first nip portion from a direction substantially perpendicular to the first nip portion; the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path; A branching claw that is arranged at an upstream branch point of the conveyance path and branches the sheet conveyance path to the first conveyance path or the second conveyance path, and when performing the first folding at the first nip portion, 2. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein when the sheet is guided to the second conveying path by the branching claw and the folding process is performed at the second nip portion, the sheet is guided to the first conveying path by the branching claw . Sheet folding device.

3. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the Z-folded sheet is guided to the first conveyance path, and the two-folded, three-folded, four-folded, or kannon-folded sheet is guided to the second conveyance path .

The second conveyance path includes a retention portion that temporarily retains a plurality of sheets, a vertical alignment unit that aligns the conveyance direction with respect to the retained sheets, and a horizontal alignment that aligns a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction with respect to the sheets. 4. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising an aligning unit and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a nip tangential direction of the first nip portion across the first nip portion .

5. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a sheet is guided to the first nip portion in the vicinity of the first nip portion in the second conveyance path.

6. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the sheet is folded at a position where the sheet is aligned by the vertical alignment unit and the horizontal alignment unit .

The sheet folding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising pushing means for pushing the sheet into the first nip portion .

8. The sheet bundle according to claim 7 , wherein a plurality of sheets are temporarily retained in the retaining portion of the second conveyance path, and then the sheet bundle is pushed into the first nip portion by the pushing means to be folded. Sheet folding device.

When the sheet guided from the first conveyance path is guided to the first nip portion, the leading end of the pushing means is moved to the vicinity of the first nip portion, and the sheet is slid on the pushing means. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the sheet folding apparatus guides to the first nip portion .

Comprising a plurality of first conveying roller pair for conveying the sheet in said first conveying path, claim 1, characterized in that performing skew correction by the closest the first conveying roller pair to said first pair of folding rollers or The sheet folding apparatus according to 2 .

Comprising a plurality of second conveying rollers for conveying the sheet of the second conveying path, claim 1, characterized in that performing skew correction by the closest the second conveying roller pair to said first pair of folding rollers or The sheet folding apparatus according to 2 .