JP6582525B2 - Post-processing apparatus, image forming system, and post-processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus, an image forming system, and a post-processing method.

  Conventionally, for example, a sheet in which a fold portion is formed at the center of the sheet is stacked so as to straddle a substantially triangular shape stacking portion, and a booklet is created by performing a binding process on the fold portion of the sheet. The device is known. The binding process is realized by an operation in which the staple unit (stapler) drives the staple needle to a predetermined position on the paper and an operation in which the needle receiving unit (clincher) pushes and bends the staple tip of the staple needle that has been driven into the paper.

  As this type of post-processing apparatus, it is assumed that the binding process is performed at a plurality of locations in the crease portion, and includes a plurality of staple units each including a stapler and a clincher, or includes only a single staple unit. A device that performs a binding process to a plurality of locations by moving the.

  On the other hand, the configuration having a plurality of sets of staple units not only makes the apparatus expensive, but also makes it difficult to position the individual units, and there is a problem that the quality of the output product is likely to be deteriorated due to variations in the staple needle driving position. Further, in the method of moving the staple unit, the movement mechanism becomes complicated, and the apparatus becomes expensive.

  Therefore, in recent years, since it is possible to obtain a high-quality output with a simple configuration, it is possible to bind to a plurality of locations by moving the paper according to switching of the staple needle driving position while being configured with a single staple unit. A configuration for performing processing is known.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 discloses a paper binding apparatus of a pressure binding method that binds a paper bundle with a pair of pressure bonding members having an uneven shape. This paper binding apparatus includes a paper peeling means for peeling the paper stuck to the pressure-bonding member. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a sheet processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process by aligning a plurality of sheets. This sheet processing apparatus includes an alignment support section that serves as both alignment and support of sheets on both sides of the sheet conveyance direction. One of the alignment support portions is a reference alignment portion that defines the alignment position, and the other is a movement alignment portion that presses the side edge of the sheet, and the sheet support surface of the movement alignment portion has irregularities.

JP 2014-58368 A JP 2006-62857 A

  By the way, the friction between the sheets accompanying the sheet alignment operation at the time of stacking on the cover stacking unit and the charging of the sheet due to the image forming process affect the sheet, and the sheet is likely to stick to the cover stacking unit. For this reason, when the paper is moved in accordance with the switching of the staple needle driving position, an event occurs in which the paper conveyance is hindered and the paper is conveyed with the leading edge of the paper shifted. As a result, there is a disadvantage in that the individual binding positions are deviated and the quality of the output unit is deteriorated.

  Therefore, a method is adopted in which a vertex support portion that supports the fold portion of the sheet is provided from the inside of the hook stacking portion, and the sheet is lifted by the vertex support portion. According to this method, since the paper is peeled off from the hook stacking unit, the transportability of the paper can be ensured.

  However, since the paper is supported by the apex support part, a gap is generated between the paper and the clincher fixedly arranged inside the hook stacking part, and this causes a variation in the penetration force of the staple needle. There is.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a post-processing device, an image forming system, and a post-processing method that can suppress variations in the penetrating force of the staple needle and a shift in the binding position. There is to do.

In order to solve such a problem, the first invention has a substantially triangular shape with apexes extending along the crease direction of the paper, and is stacked in a state of straddling the paper on which the crease is formed, A supporting member that has an opening that penetrates the inside and outside in a predetermined region at the apex , and a support member that is arranged inside the covering stacking unit and supports the folds of the paper stacked in the covering stacking unit from the inside. And a driving mechanism for retracting the support member and the biasing member downward, and the support member is opened by driving the biasing member and the drive mechanism. and vertices support portion which is vertically movable structure in the sheet stacking direction via the part, saddling is disposed outside of the integrated unit, saddling stapling performing stapling operation driving a staple into the fold portion of the sheet stacked in the stacking unit Department A staple receiving portion that is disposed inside the stack portion and receives the staple tip of the staple needle that has been driven into the paper by the punching portion through the opening, and holds the staple needle on the paper, and the hook depending on the driving position of the staple needle. A sheet conveying unit that moves the sheets accumulated in the accumulating unit along the sheet crease direction, a control unit that controls the apex support unit, the hitting unit, the needle receiving unit, and the sheet conveying unit, and the outside of the hook stacking unit There is provided a post-processing device having a pressing unit that is disposed and presses the sheets stacked in the hook stacking unit along the sheet stacking direction and presses the sheets against the needle receiving unit . Here, the control unit, during accumulation of paper, the vertex supporting unit is set to the normal position to support from inside the fold portion of the sheet which is integrated in the saddle stacking unit, after the accumulation of paper, saddle stacking section by the pressing portion Is pressed, and then the apex support portion is retracted to the inside of the hook stacking portion , the stapling operation is executed, and the pressing operation by the pressing portion is finished after the stapling operation is executed. Then, the apex support part is returned to the normal position.

  In the first invention, it is preferable that the pressing force of the sheet by the pressing portion is set larger than the supporting force of the sheet by the apex support portion.

  In the first invention, the normal position of the vertex support portion is set such that the tip portion of the vertex support portion is located above the vertex position of the hook stacking portion, and the retracted position of the vertex support portion is the vertex position. It is preferable that the distal end portion of the support portion is set so as to be positioned at or below the needle receiving surface of the needle receiving portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing for a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus, and a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus. An image forming system is provided. Here, the post-processing device has a substantially triangular shape with apexes extending along the crease direction of the paper, accumulates the paper with the creases straddled, and accumulates in a predetermined area of the apex. A support unit for supporting a sheet from the inside, a support member disposed inside the cover stacking unit, and supporting a fold portion of the paper stacked in the cover stacking unit from the inside. And a driving mechanism that retracts the supporting member and the urging member downward, and the supporting member is stacked through the opening by driving the urging member and the driving mechanism. An apex support portion configured to be movable up and down in a direction, a staple driving portion that is disposed outside the hook stacking portion and performs a stapling operation for driving staple needles into the fold portions of the paper stacked in the hook stacking portion, and the hook stacking portion Placed inside A staple receiving portion for receiving the staple needle tip that has been driven into the paper by the hitting portion through the opening and fastening the staple needle to the paper, and the paper that is stacked in the hook stacking portion in accordance with the driving position of the staple needle. Are moved along the sheet crease direction, and are arranged outside the hook stacking unit, and the sheets stacked in the hook stacking unit are pressed along the sheet stacking direction so that the sheet is fed into the needle receiving unit. And a pressing portion to be pressed . Then, the control unit, during accumulation of paper, the vertex supporting unit is set to the normal position to support from inside the fold portion of the sheet which is integrated in the saddle stacking unit, after integration of the paper, the saddle stacking unit by the pressing portion A pressing operation is performed to press the stacked paper, and then the apex support portion is retracted to the inside of the hook stacking portion , a stapling operation is performed, and after the stapling operation is performed, the pressing operation by the pressing portion is terminated. Then, the apex support part is returned to the normal position.

The third method provides a post-processing method using a post-processing apparatus. Here, the post-processing device has a substantially triangular shape with apexes extending along the crease direction of the paper, accumulates the paper with the creases straddled, and accumulates in a predetermined area of the apex. A support unit for supporting a sheet from the inside, a support member disposed inside the cover stacking unit, and supporting a fold portion of the paper stacked in the cover stacking unit from the inside. And a driving mechanism that retracts the supporting member and the urging member downward, and the supporting member is stacked through the opening by driving the urging member and the driving mechanism. An apex support portion configured to be movable up and down in a direction, a staple driving portion that is disposed outside the hook stacking portion and performs a stapling operation for driving staple needles into the fold portions of the paper stacked in the hook stacking portion, and the hook stacking portion Placed inside A staple receiving portion for receiving the staple needle tip that has been driven into the paper by the hitting portion through the opening and fastening the staple needle to the paper, and the paper that is stacked in the hook stacking portion in accordance with the driving position of the staple needle. Are moved along the sheet crease direction, and are arranged outside the hook stacking unit, and the sheets stacked in the hook stacking unit are pressed along the sheet stacking direction so that the sheet is fed into the needle receiving unit. And a pressing portion to be pressed . The post-processing method includes a first step of setting the apex support portion to a normal position that supports the fold portions of the paper stacked on the hook stacking portion from the inside during paper stacking, and after paper stacking, A second step of performing a pressing operation of pressing the paper accumulated in the hook stacking unit by the pressing unit, and then retracting the apex support unit to the inside of the hook stacking unit; and a stapling operation after the second step And a fourth step of ending the pressing operation by the pressing portion after the stapling operation and then returning the apex support portion to the normal position.

  According to the present invention, during the stapling operation, the apex support portion is retracted to the inside of the hook stacking portion, so that a gap generated between the paper and the needle receiving portion can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to solve the problem of variations in the penetrating force of the staple needle. In addition, after the stapling operation, the apex support unit returns to the normal position, and the apex support unit lifts the sheet. As a result, the paper is peeled off from the hook stacking portion, so that even when the paper is moved in accordance with switching of the staple needle driving position, the paper is prevented from being transported and is transported in a state where the top of the paper is shifted. Can be suppressed. As a result, a shift that occurs at each binding position is suppressed, and deterioration in quality of the output unit can be suppressed.

Explanatory drawing which shows typically the whole structure of the image forming system which concerns on this embodiment. Explanatory drawing schematically showing the outline of the operation of the post-processing apparatus and the sheet conveyance The block diagram which shows the structure of a saddle stitch part typically Flow chart showing operation of post-processing device Explanatory drawing which shows the operation state of a saddle stitching part

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. The image forming system according to the first embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a post-processing apparatus 20.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and forms an image on a sheet P based on image data. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a document reading device 5, a photoconductor 11, a charging unit 12, an image exposing unit 13, a developing unit 14, a transfer unit 15A, a separating unit 15B, a cleaning device 16, and a fixing device. 18 and an image formation control unit 19.

  The document reading device 5 is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus 10 and includes an automatic document feeder that automatically moves the document when reading an image. The document reading device 5 reads an image formed on a document and outputs a predetermined image signal. The output image signal is created as image data by performing A / D conversion.

  An image reading control unit (not shown) provided in the document reading device 5 performs processing such as shading correction, dither processing, and compression on the image data, and outputs the image data obtained by this processing to the image formation control unit 19. To do. The image data may be received from a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 10 or another image forming apparatus as well as data output from the document reading apparatus 5.

  The surface of the photoreceptor 11 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 12. The image exposure unit 13 scans and exposes the surface of the photoconductor 11 with a laser beam in accordance with output information output from the image formation control unit 19 based on the image data. Thereby, a latent image is formed on the surface of the uniformly charged photoreceptor 11. The developing unit 14 reversely develops the latent image with toner, whereby a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 11.

  The paper P stored in the paper storage unit 17A is fed to the transfer unit 15A. The transfer unit 15A transfers the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 11 to the paper P, and then the separation unit 15B separates the paper P on which the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 11. The intermediate transport unit 17B transports the separated paper P to the fixing device 18. The fixing device 18 performs a fixing process by heating and pressing the paper P. The paper discharge unit 17C discharges the paper P on which the fixing process has been performed to the post-processing device 20. On the other hand, the cleaning device 16 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 11 after the toner image is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer unit 15A.

  When image formation is performed on both sides of the sheet P, the sheet P on which the fixing process has been performed by the fixing device 18 is moved to the reverse conveyance unit 17E side in which the conveyance direction is different from the paper discharge unit 17C side by the conveyance path switching plate 17D. And can be switched. The reversing conveyance unit 17E switches the paper P to reverse the front and back of the paper P, and then conveys the paper P to the transfer unit 15A. The transfer unit 15A transfers the toner image to the back surface of the paper P, and the paper P passes through the fixing device 18 and is discharged from the paper discharge unit 17C to the post-processing device 20.

  The image formation control unit 19 has a function of controlling the image forming apparatus 10 in an integrated manner. As the image formation control unit 19, for example, a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface. Can be used. The image formation control unit 19 performs various calculations according to a control program stored in the ROM, and controls the operation state of the image forming apparatus 10 based on the calculation results.

  The post-processing device 20 is a device that performs various post-processing on the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 10. Examples of post-processing performed by the post-processing device 20 include half-folding processing and saddle stitching processing. Here, the center folding process is a process for folding the center of the sheet (sheet bundle), and the saddle stitching process is a process for folding the center of the sheet and binding the fold portion with a staple. However, the post-processing device 20 can also discharge the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 without performing any processing.

  The post-processing device 20 is mainly configured by a center folding unit 35, a saddle stitching unit 50, a sheet cutting unit 60, and a post-processing control unit 70. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the post-processing device 20 will be described on the premise of saddle stitching processing. Here, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing an outline of the operation of the post-processing apparatus 20 and the sheet conveyance.

  When the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 is introduced into the inlet portion 21 of the post-processing apparatus 20, it is transported by the inlet roller 22 and guided to the paper transport path r 1 by the transport path switching member 23. The paper P transported on the paper transport path r1 descends substantially vertically and stops temporarily at a predetermined position (first stop position) Q1. As the subsequent sheets P sequentially reach the first stop position Q1, a plurality of sheets P are overlapped.

  A predetermined number of stacked sheets P are sent out to the paper transport path r2 by the transport roller pair 24A, 24B and transported by the first transport roller pair 24C, 24D. When the paper P reaches a predetermined position (second stop position) Q2, the first transport roller pair 24C, 24D temporarily stops the transport of the paper P. In the paper conveyance path r2, the paper P is conveyed in an upright state, and the direction is changed substantially at right angles by a guide plate (not shown) provided between the conveyance roller pair 24B and the first conveyance roller pair 24C. As a result, the paper P is conveyed in such a manner as to wrap around from the side surface inside the post-processing device 20 to the front surface Bf.

  Next, the paper P is transported vertically upward by the second transport roller pair 24E, and then changed in the horizontal direction and transported along the paper transport path r3. An alignment member (not shown) is disposed on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction in the sheet conveyance path r3, contacts the leading end of the sheet to position the sheet P and align the end of each sheet P, and The sheet is temporarily stopped at a predetermined position (third stop position) Q3.

  A half-folding portion 35 is disposed in the paper transport path r3. The middle folding portion 35 includes a pair of folding rollers that are pressed against each other, a folding plate, and the like, and performs a middle folding process that forms a fold portion b in the center of the paper P. Specifically, by raising the folding plate, the folding roller is passed while pushing the center of the sheet between the pair of folding rollers, and then the folding roller is reversed. Thereby, the paper P can be bent at the center thereof. The sheet on which the fold portion b is formed by the middle fold portion 35 (hereinafter referred to as “folding PA”) extends in the fold direction of the fold portion b by the conveyance belt 41, the conveyance claw 42, and the introduction guide member 43. The paper is conveyed through the paper conveyance path r4 and sent to the saddle stitching unit 50.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of the saddle stitching portion 50, in which the direction perpendicular to the paper surface corresponds to the transport direction of the paper transport path r4. The signature PA sent out from the middle folding portion 35 travels on the paper conveyance path r4 and is stacked at a predetermined stacking position of the saddle stitching portion 50 (see FIG. 3). Further, subsequent signatures PA also travel on the paper conveyance path r4 and are sequentially stacked at the stacking position. When the number of signatures PA corresponding to a part of the booklet is accumulated, the saddle stitching unit 50 performs the saddle stitching process in which the staple needle SP is applied to the fold part b of the accumulated signature PA, thereby creating the booklet PS. To do.

  The saddle stitching portion 50 mainly includes a hook stacking portion 51, a pressing portion 52, a clincher (needle receiving portion) 53, a stapler (stapling portion) 54, paper conveying portions 55 and 56, and a vertex support portion 57. It is configured.

  The hook stacking portion 51 has a substantially triangular shape in which a vertex 51a extends along the crease direction of the signature PA, and is composed of, for example, two guide plates that are substantially orthogonal to each other. The hook stacking unit 51 stacks in a state where the signature PA is straddled. An opening 51b penetrating the inside and outside of the apex 51a is formed in a predetermined region of the apex 51a in the hook stacking portion 51.

  The pressing portion 52 is disposed on the outer upper side of the hook stacking portion 51, presses the signature PA stacked on the hook stacking portion 51 in the sheet stacking direction, and presses the signature PA against the clincher 53. The pressing force of the signature PA by the pressing portion 52 is set so as to be larger than the supporting force of the signature PA by the vertex support portion 57 described later.

  The pressing portion 52 is fixed to the distal end of the movable arm 52a, and moves up and down according to the rotation of the movable arm 52a. When the movable arm 52a rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing, the pressing portion 52 descends and comes into pressure contact with the signature PA, thereby starting the pressing operation of the signature PA. Then, when the pressing force by the pressing portion 52 reaches a certain upper limit value, the rotation of the movable arm 52a is stopped. Further, when the movable arm 52a rotates in the reverse direction, the pressing portion 52 rises, the pressing operation of the signature PA is finished, and the upper arm is returned to the upper retracted position.

  The clincher 53 is fixedly arranged inside the hook stacking portion 51. The clincher 53 has a function of receiving the staple tip of the staple needle SP driven into the signature PA by the stapler 54 through the opening 51b of the hook stacking portion 51 and holding the staple tip on the signature PA.

  The stapler 54 is disposed on the outer upper side of the hook stacking unit 51 and performs a stapling operation in which the staple needle SP is driven into the fold part b of the signature PA stacked on the hook stacking unit 51.

  The stapler 54 is fixed to the distal end of the movable arm 54a, and moves up and down in accordance with the rotation of the movable arm 54a. When the movable arm 54a rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure, the stapler 54 is lowered, and the staple surface of the stapler 54 comes into pressure contact with the signature PA (fold part b), whereby the movable arm 54a rotates. Operation stops. Further, when the movable arm 54a rotates in the reverse direction, the stapler 54 rises and the stapler 54 returns to the upper retracted position.

  The paper transporting units 55 and 56 are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side in the paper transporting direction (based on the paper transporting path r4) with the signature PA stacked on the hook stacking unit 51 interposed therebetween. The paper transport units 55 and 56 are configured to be movable along the paper transport direction. The paper transport units 55 and 56 are pressed against the ends of the signatures PA every time the signatures PA are accumulated on the hook stacking unit 51, thereby aligning the stacked signatures PA. In addition, when switching the binding position (staple needle SP driving position), the paper transport units 55 and 56 move along the paper transport direction to move the signature PA. Thereby, the relative positional relationship between the signature PA and the stapler 54 can be changed, and the driving position of the staple needle SP can be switched.

  The apex support portion 57 is disposed inside the hook stacking portion 51 and configured to be movable up and down along the sheet stacking direction via the opening 51b. The apex support part 57 has a function of supporting the crease part b of the signature PA stacked on the hook stacking part 51 from the inside.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the apex support portion 57 includes a support member 57a, an urging member 57b, and a drive mechanism 57c.

  The support member 57a is a member that supports the fold part b of the signature PA from the inside. The position of the support member 57a is set so that the tip end portion supporting the signature PA protrudes above the apex 51a of the hook stacking portion 51 (normal position).

  The biasing member 57b is a member that applies an upward biasing force to the support member 57a. The urging member 57b is, for example, a compression coil spring, and a supporting force that supports the signature PA is applied by the urging member 57b.

  The drive mechanism 57c is a mechanism that retracts the support member 57a and the urging member 57b downward. The drive mechanism 57c is composed of, for example, a solenoid, and can move the support member 57a and the urging member 57b downward according to a suction operation. That is, in the state where the suction operation of the drive mechanism 57c is not performed, the support member 57a is urged by the urging member 57b and is positioned at the normal position. On the other hand, when the drive mechanism 57c performs a suction operation, the support member 57a is at a predetermined position below the normal position, specifically, the tip thereof is the same as or below the needle receiving surface of the clincher 53. Retreat to a position (hereinafter referred to as “retreat position”).

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the booklet PS is transported to the paper cutting unit 60 by an arm member and booklet transport means (not shown). In the booklet PS, the edge which is the free end on the opposite side of the fold part b is uneven. The paper cutting unit 60 cuts and aligns the front edge of the booklet PS (cutting process). The booklet PSS produced by cutting the fore edge is discharged to a discharge tray (not shown) disposed outside the front side Bf of the post-processing device 20.

  The post-processing control unit 70 has a function of controlling the post-processing device 20 in an integrated manner. As the post-processing control unit 70, for example, a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface. Can be used. The post-processing control unit 70 performs various calculations according to the control program stored in the ROM, and controls the operation state of the post-processing device 20 based on the calculation results. In other words, the post-processing control unit 70 controls each unit of the post-processing device 20 to perform a half-folding process, a saddle stitching process, and a cutting process as necessary.

  Further, in the relationship with the present embodiment, the post-processing control unit 70 performs the following control. Specifically, the post-processing control unit 70 sets the apex support unit 57 to the normal position when collecting the signatures PA. The post-processing control unit 70 executes the stapling operation after retracting the apex support unit 57 inward of the hook stacking unit 51 after stacking the signatures PA. Then, the post-processing control unit 70 returns the apex support unit 57 to the normal position after executing the stapling operation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the post-processing control unit 70 is electrically connected to the stapler 54, and detects the mechanical contact between the staple needle SP driven by the stapler 54 and the clincher 53 as an electrically conductive state. be able to. Specifically, the stapler 54 is in an electrically insulated state (floating), while the clincher 53 is connected to the ground (reference potential). When the stapling operation is not performed, since the stapler 54 and the clincher 53 are electrically separated, the stapler 54 maintains an insulated state. On the other hand, the staple operation is started, and the stapler 54 strikes the staple needle SP, so that the staple needle SP comes into contact with the needle receiving surface of the clincher 53. As a result, the stapler 54 and the clincher 53 are electrically connected via the staple needle SP, and the current from the power supply voltage flows to the ground via the stapler 54, the staple needle SP, and the clincher 53. Therefore, strictly speaking, during the stapling operation, during the period in which the staple needle SP driven by the stapler 54 and the clincher 53 are in mechanical contact, a signal indicating the conduction state is input to the post-processing control unit 70.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the saddle stitching process performed by the post-processing device 20. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed by the post-processing control unit 70.

  First, in step 10 (S10), when the signature PA sent out from the middle folding portion 35 is stacked on the hook stacking portion 51, the post-processing control portion 70 moves the sheet conveying portions 55 and 56 to the end of the signature PA. Press against the part and align the signature PA.

  In step 11 (S 11), the post-processing control unit 70 determines whether or not a predetermined number of signatures PA constituting the booklet PS has been loaded on the hook stacking unit 51. If a predetermined number of signatures PA have been stacked, an affirmative determination is made in step 11 and the process proceeds to step 12 (S12). On the other hand, if the predetermined number of signatures PA are not stacked, a negative determination is made in step 11 and the process returns to step 10.

  In step 12, the post-processing control unit 70 rotates the movable arm 52 a and starts the pressing operation by the pressing unit 52. As described above, since the pressing force by the pressing portion 52 is set to be larger than the supporting force of the apex support portion 57, when the pressing force of the pressing portion 52 is received, the support member 57a moves downward and is folded. The ditch PA is pressed against the needle-receiving surface of the clincher 53 (see FIG. 5A).

  In step 13, the post-processing control unit 70 determines whether or not the rotation of the pressing unit 52, that is, the movable arm 52a is in a stopped state. When the signature PA is pressed with a constant force by the pressing portion 52, the rotation of the movable arm 52a stops. When the movable arm 52a (pressing part 52) is in a stopped state, an affirmative determination is made in step 13, and the process proceeds to step 14 (S14). On the other hand, if the movable arm 52a (pressing portion 52) is not in the stopped state, a negative determination is made in step 13, and the process returns to step 13.

  In step 14, the post-processing control unit 70 causes the drive mechanism 57c to perform a suction operation, and retracts the apex support unit 57 (support member 57a) to the retracted position. In this retracted position, the tip of the support member 57a is positioned below the needle receiving surface of the clincher 53 (see FIG. 5B).

  In step 15 (S15), the post-processing control unit 70 starts a stapling operation. Specifically, the post-processing control unit 70 operates the movable arm 54a to lower the stapler 54. When the stapler 54 descends and comes into pressure contact with the needle striking surface of the stapler 54 via the signature PA loaded on the hook stacking portion 51, the stapling operation is started.

  In the stapling operation, first, a stapling motor, which is a driving unit for driving the staple needle SP, built in the stapler 54 operates (rotates). As a result, the staple needle SP is driven out from the stapler 54. When the staple needle SP driven out from the stapler 54 passes through the signature PA, the tip of the staple needle SP reaches the needle receiving surface of the clincher 53. Initially, the needle receiving surface is arranged so as to form a predetermined angle with respect to the needle tip of the staple needle SP driven by the stapler 54. When the staple tip of the staple needle SP driven by the stapler 54 is received by the staple receiving surface, the staple tip of the staple needle SP is temporarily bent according to the angle formed by the entry direction of the staple tip. Then, the staple tip of the staple needle SP is bent along the signature PA. When the above operation is completed, the stapler 54 is retracted to the retracted position.

  In step 16 (S16), the post-processing control unit 70 determines whether or not the staple needle SP has penetrated the signature PA. The penetration of the staple needle SP is detected as an electrically conductive state by the post-processing control unit 70 when the staple needle SP driven by the stapler 54 and the clincher 53 are in mechanical contact. If the staple needle SP has not penetrated the signature PA, a negative determination is made in step 16, and the process proceeds to step 17 (S17). On the other hand, if the staple needle SP has passed through the signature PA, an affirmative determination is made in step 16 and the routine proceeds to step 18 (S18).

  In step 17, the post-processing control unit 70 stops the job.

  In step 18, the post-processing control unit 70 rotates the movable arm 52a and retracts the pressing unit 52 toward the retracted position.

  In step 19 (S19), the post-processing control unit 70 determines whether or not the rotation of the pressing unit 52, that is, the movable arm 52a, is stopped. When the pressing portion 52 reaches the retracted position, the rotation of the movable arm 52a stops. If the pressing unit 52 is in the stopped state, an affirmative determination is made in step 19 and the process proceeds to step 20 (S20). On the other hand, if the pressing unit 52 is not in the stopped state, a negative determination is made in step 19 and the process returns to step 19.

  In step 20 (S20), the post-processing control unit 70 ends the suction operation of the drive mechanism 57c, and returns the apex support unit 57 to the normal position (see FIG. 5C).

  In step 21 (S21), the post-processing control unit 70 determines whether the number of copies of the created booklet PS has reached the number of copies specified by the job. If an affirmative determination is made in step 21, this routine is terminated. If a negative determination is made in step 21, the process returns to step 10.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the post-processing device 20 constituting the image forming system is disposed inside the cover stacking unit 51 and stacked inside the cover stacking unit 51 in a state where the signature PA is straddled. The apex support part 57 which supports the fold part b of the signature PA stacked on the cover stacking part 51 via 51b from the inside, and the signature which is arranged outside the cover stacking part 51 and is stacked on the cover stacking part 51 A stapler (stapling portion) 54 that performs a stapling operation to drive the staple needle SP into the fold portion b of the PA, and a staple that is disposed inside the hook stacking portion 51 and is driven into the signature PA by the stapler 54 through the opening 51b. The clincher (needle receiving portion) 53 that receives the needle tip of the needle SP and holds the staple needle SP on the signature PA, and the hook stacking portion 51 according to the driving position of the staple needle SP. The product has been signatures PA, a sheet conveying portion 55, 56 is moved along the fold direction, and a post-processing control unit 70 for controlling each section, a. Here, when stacking the signature PA, the post-processing control unit 70 sets the apex support portion 57 at a normal position that supports the fold portion b of the signature PA stacked on the hook stacking portion 51 from the inside, After the PA is accumulated, the apex support portion 57 is retracted inward of the hook stacking portion 51, and then the stapling operation is performed. After the stapling operation is performed, the apex support portion 57 is returned to the normal position.

  According to this configuration, during the stapling operation, the apex support portion 57 is retracted downward, so that a gap generated between the signature PA and the clincher 53 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to solve the problem of variations in the penetrating force of the staple needle SP. Further, after the stapling operation, the apex support portion 57 returns to the normal position, whereby the signature PA is lifted by the apex support portion 57. As a result, the signature PA is peeled off from the saddle stacking portion 51. Therefore, even when the signature PA is moved in accordance with the change of the driving position of the staple needle SP, the transportability of the signature PA is hindered. It is possible to suppress the event that the PA is transported in a state where the head of the PA is shifted. As a result, a shift that occurs at each binding position is suppressed, and deterioration in quality of the output unit can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the post-processing device 20 is disposed outside the hook stacking unit 51 and presses the signatures PA stacked on the hook stacking unit 51 along the sheet stacking direction and presses them against the clincher 53. 52 is further included. In this case, the post-processing control unit 70 performs a pressing operation of pressing the signatures PA accumulated on the hook stacking unit 51 by the pressing unit 52 after stacking the signatures PA, and thereafter, the apex support unit 57 is moved to the hook stacking unit. Retreat to the inside of 51. In addition, the post-processing control unit 70 ends the pressing operation by the pressing unit 52 after executing the stapling operation, and then returns the vertex support unit 57 to the normal position.

  According to this configuration, the pressing operation of the pressing portion 52 is performed in a state where the signature PA is supported by the vertex support portion 57. When the apex support portion 57 is retracted prior to the pressing operation, there is a concern that a deviation may occur between the fold portion b of the signature PA and the binding position of the stapler 54. According to this, the occurrence of such a problem can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the pressing force of the signature PA by the pressing portion 52 is set to be larger than the supporting force of the signature PA by the apex support portion 57.

  According to this configuration, the signature PA can be pressed against the needle-receiving surface of the clincher 53 without the apex support portion 57 hindering. Therefore, a gap generated between the signature PA and the clincher 53 can be suppressed, and variations generated in the penetration force of the staple needle SP can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the normal position of the vertex support portion 57 is set such that the tip portion of the vertex support portion 57 is positioned above the vertex position of the hook stacking portion 51, and the retracted position of the vertex support portion 57. Is set so that the tip portion of the apex support portion 57 is located at the same position as or below the needle receiving surface of the clincher 53.

  According to this structure, when the apex support part 57 exists in a normal position, the signature PA can be appropriately peeled from the hook stacking part 51. Moreover, when the apex support part 57 exists in a retracted position, the clearance gap produced between signature PA and the clincher 53 can be suppressed reliably.

  In this embodiment, the apex support portion 57 includes a support member 57a that supports the fold portion b of the signature PA from the inside, and a biasing member 57b that applies an upward biasing force to the support member 57a. And a drive mechanism 57c for retracting the support member 57a and the urging member 57b downward.

  According to this configuration, switching between the normal position and the retracted position with respect to the vertex support portion 57 can be performed appropriately. Further, by applying an urging force to the support member 57a by the urging member 57b, it is possible to appropriately set the support force of the signature PA by the apex support portion 57. In addition, the vertex support part 57 can also be comprised with a motor, a sensor, etc. instead of such a structure, for example.

  The image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. . Further, not only the image forming system but also the post-processing apparatus and the post-processing method by the post-processing apparatus itself function as part of the present invention. Further, in this embodiment, the control of the post-processing apparatus controls the binding process, but the control unit of the image forming apparatus may realize this function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 20 Post-processing apparatus 35 Middle folding part 50 Saddle stitching part 51 Latch accumulation part 51a Vertex 51b Opening part 52 Press part 52a Movable arm 53 Clincher (needle receiving part)
54 Stapler
54a Movable Arm 55 Paper Conveying Unit 56 Paper Conveying Unit 57 Apex Supporting Unit 57a Supporting Member 57b Biasing Member 57c Drive Mechanism 60 Paper Cutting Unit 70 Post-Processing Control Unit

Claims (5)

It has a substantially triangular shape with apexes extending along the crease direction of the paper, and accumulates in a state of straddling the paper on which the creases are formed, and includes an opening that penetrates the inside and outside of the predetermined area of the apex. A hook accumulation part,
A support member that is disposed inside the hook stacking unit and supports the folds of the sheets stacked on the hook stacking unit from the inside, and applies an upward biasing force for supporting the sheet to the support member. An urging member; and a driving mechanism for retracting the supporting member and the urging member downward, and the supporting member is moved up and down in the sheet stacking direction through the opening by driving the urging member and the driving mechanism. A vertex support that is configured to be possible;
A staple driving unit that is disposed outside the hook stacking unit and performs a staple operation for driving staple needles into the folds of the sheets stacked in the hook stacking unit;
A needle receiving portion that is disposed inside the hook stacking portion, receives a needle tip of a staple needle driven into the paper by the needle hitting portion through the opening, and holds the staple needle on the paper;
A paper transporting unit that moves the paper stacked in the hook stacking unit along the crease direction of the paper according to the driving position of the staple needle;
A control unit for controlling the apex support unit, the needle hitting unit, the needle receiving unit, and the paper transport unit;
A pressing portion that is disposed outside the hook stacking portion and presses the paper stacked in the hook stacking portion along the paper stacking direction to press the paper against the needle receiving portion ,
The controller is
When stacking paper, the apex support portion is set to a normal position that supports the fold portions of the paper stacked on the hook stacking portion from the inside,
After stacking the sheets, the pressing unit performs a pressing operation of pressing the sheets stacked on the hook stacking unit, and then retracts the apex support unit to the inside of the hook stacking unit to perform the stapling operation. Run,
After the execution of the stapling operation, the post-processing apparatus is characterized in that the pressing operation by the pressing unit is terminated, and then the vertex support unit is returned to the normal position.
The pressing force of the sheet by the pressing portion, and a post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is set larger than the supporting force of the sheet by the apex support. The normal position of the apex support portion is set so that the tip end portion of the apex support portion is positioned above the apex position of the hook stacking portion,
Retracted position of the vertex supporting portion, the tip portion of the apex support portion, to claim 2, characterized in that it is configured to positioned lower than the same or at the staple receiving surface of the staple receiving portion The aftertreatment device described. In an image forming system,
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper;
A post-processing device that performs post-processing on the paper discharged from the image forming device;
A control unit that controls the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus,
The post-processing device includes:
It has a substantially triangular shape with apexes extending along the crease direction of the paper, and accumulates in a state of straddling the paper on which the creases are formed, and includes an opening that penetrates the inside and outside of the predetermined area of the apex. A hook accumulation part,
A support member that is disposed inside the hook stacking unit and supports the folds of the sheets stacked on the hook stacking unit from the inside, and applies an upward biasing force for supporting the sheet to the support member. An urging member; and a driving mechanism for retracting the supporting member and the urging member downward, and the supporting member is moved up and down in the sheet stacking direction through the opening by driving the urging member and the driving mechanism. A vertex support that is configured to be possible;
A staple driving unit that is disposed outside the hook stacking unit and performs a staple operation for driving staple needles into the folds of the sheets stacked in the hook stacking unit;
A needle receiving portion that is disposed inside the hook stacking portion, receives a needle tip of a staple needle driven into the paper by the needle hitting portion through the opening, and holds the staple needle on the paper;
A paper transporting unit that moves the paper stacked in the hook stacking unit along the crease direction of the paper according to the driving position of the staple needle;
A pressing portion that is disposed outside the hook stacking portion and presses the paper stacked in the hook stacking portion along the paper stacking direction to press the paper against the needle receiving portion ,
The controller is
When stacking paper, the apex support portion is set to a normal position that supports the fold portions of the paper stacked on the hook stacking portion from the inside,
After stacking the sheets, the pressing unit performs a pressing operation of pressing the sheets stacked on the hook stacking unit, and then retracts the apex support unit to the inside of the hook stacking unit to perform the stapling operation. Run,
After the execution of the stapling operation, the pressing operation by the pressing unit is terminated, and then the apex support unit is returned to the normal position. In the post-processing method by the post-processing device,
The post-processing device includes:
It has a substantially triangular shape with apexes extending along the crease direction of the paper, and accumulates in a state of straddling the paper on which the creases are formed, and includes an opening that penetrates the inside and outside of the predetermined area of the apex. A hook accumulation part,
A support member that is disposed inside the hook stacking unit and supports the folds of the sheets stacked on the hook stacking unit from the inside, and applies an upward biasing force for supporting the sheet to the support member. An urging member; and a driving mechanism for retracting the supporting member and the urging member downward, and the supporting member is moved up and down in the sheet stacking direction through the opening by driving the urging member and the driving mechanism. A vertex support that is configured to be possible;
A staple driving unit that is disposed outside the hook stacking unit and performs a staple operation for driving staple needles into the folds of the sheets stacked in the hook stacking unit;
A needle receiving portion that is disposed inside the hook stacking portion, receives a needle tip of a staple needle driven into the paper by the needle hitting portion through the opening, and holds the staple needle on the paper;
A paper transporting unit that moves the paper stacked in the hook stacking unit along the crease direction of the paper according to the driving position of the staple needle;
A pressing portion that is disposed outside the hook stacking portion and presses the paper stacked in the hook stacking portion along the paper stacking direction to press the paper against the needle receiving portion ,
A first step of setting the apex support portion to a normal position for supporting the fold portions of the paper stacked on the hook stacking unit from the inside when stacking the paper;
A second step of performing a pressing operation of pressing the sheets accumulated in the hook stacking unit by the pressing unit after stacking the sheets, and then retracting the apex support unit to the inside of the hook stacking unit;
A third step of performing the stapling operation after the second step;
A fourth step of ending the pressing operation by the pressing unit after performing the stapling operation and then returning the apex support unit to the normal position;
A post-processing method comprising:

Images