JP2013249199A - Sheet post-processing device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet post-processing device capable of forming a booklet from which a sheet is less likely to be peeled and dropped without using a metal staple.SOLUTION: A sheet post-processing device 201 performs post-processing on a sheet subjected to image formation. The sheet post-processing device includes: a sheet binding means 210 preparing a booklet by performing binding processing on a plurality of sheets without using a metal staple; and a fold mark forming means 327 forming a fold mark on the sheet. The fold mark forming means 327 forms the fold mark in the vicinity of the bound portion by the sheet binding means 210.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of binding a sheet bundle without using a metal needle.

  2. Description of the Related Art A sheet post-processing apparatus that produces a booklet by performing a binding process on a sheet output from an image forming apparatus using a metal needle is known. An example of the sheet post-processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The sheet output from the image forming apparatus 1 enters the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 and rotates the switching claw 9 by the sheet moving force when being conveyed by the conveying rollers 4 and 5. The sheet conveyed to the processing tray 18 by the conveyance rollers 7 and 8 via the conveyance path falls by its own weight in the direction of the arrow B and is aligned in the conveyance direction by the rear end fence 11. Further, the trailing edge of the sheet is detected in advance by the sensor S2, and the alignment fence 10 aligns the width direction when the sheet conveyance direction is aligned. By repeating this operation, a large number of sheets are aligned on the processing tray 18 one by one.

  When the alignment of the last sheet is completed, the sheet bundle aligned by the stapler 12 is bound, the discharge belt 14 in the processing tray 18 rotates in the direction of arrow C, and the processing tray 18 is attached by the discharge claw 13 attached thereto. A sheet bundle is discharged in the direction of arrow D. The discharged sheet bundle is discharged and stacked on the tray 3 that moves up and down according to the number of stacks by the discharge roller 15 and the driven roller 16. The driven roller 16 is attached to a conveyance guide plate 17, and is configured to be rotatable about a fulcrum 17a so that the same conveyance force can be obtained even if the thickness of the sheet bundle to be conveyed changes. The discharge roller 15 is pressed by the dead weight of the plate 17. The above is the operation in the case of one copy.

  In the case of two or more copies, the image forming apparatus 1 continuously forms images at the same interval as the other sheets in the image forming interval between the last sheet of the set and the first sheet of the next set, and sends it to the sheet post-processing apparatus 2. . The processing operations for the second and subsequent copies will be described with reference to FIG. 37. The transport rollers 4, 5, 7, and 8 rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Is done. If the processing tray 18 is not ready to accept paper when the sensor S2 detects the trailing edge, the reversing roller 6 and the conveying rollers 7 and 8 are reversed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9, the sheet is conveyed as shown in the figure. When the end of the sheet is detected by the sensor S2, the conveyance of the sheet is stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 37 (c), the second sheet is transported by the transport rollers 4 and 5, and when the sensor S2 detects the leading edge, the reverse roller 6 and the transport rollers 7, 7 in the direction of FIG. 8 is rotated and transported in a state where two sheets are stacked. At this time, after the trailing edge is detected by the sensor S2, if the processing tray 18 is in a state in which the paper can be received, the paper is discharged as it is, and if it is not in a state in which the paper can be received, the same operation as the first sheet is repeated. Then, the process is repeated until the processing tray 18 is in a state of accepting sheets, and then two or more sheets are discharged in a stacked state. With the above operation, post-processing can be performed efficiently without reducing productivity when stapling two or more copies.

  However, when the booklet with the image formed as described above is used as an original, the metal needle binding the paper has to be removed, and the workability is bad. Also, when recycling the paper, the paper and the metal needle are separated. There was a problem that it had to be troublesome. Therefore, for example, “Patent Document 1” discloses a technique for performing sheet binding processing without using a metal needle.

In “Patent Document 1”, in a sheet binding apparatus having a plurality of differently shaped binding members that sandwich a bundle of sheets to form irregularities, a binding member is selected and bound according to the number and thickness of sheets to be bound. Thus, it is disclosed that a binding force that prevents the sheet from peeling off can be obtained regardless of the number of sheets bound and the pressure. However, the binding method that does not use a metal needle has a weaker binding force than the binding method that uses a metal needle. There is a problem that it is easy to peel off.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a paper post-processing apparatus capable of forming a booklet that does not easily peel off a paper without using a metal needle.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet on which an image has been formed, and a sheet binding unit that forms a booklet by binding a plurality of sheets without using a metal needle. Fold forming means for forming a crease on the paper, and the crease forming means forms a fold in the vicinity of the binding portion formed by the paper binding means.

  According to the present invention, by forming a fold in the vicinity of the binding portion, when turning the booklet, the recording paper is folded along the fold and it is difficult to apply force to the binding portion. Even without changing the pressure applied to the recording paper, it is possible to produce a booklet that does not easily peel off the recording paper.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. It is a top view of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic explaining the structure and operation | movement of a branch nail | claw of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the structure and operation | movement of a branch nail | claw of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the paper binding means used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the paper binding means used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement at the time of the straight mode and shift mode of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement at the time of the binding mode of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement at the time of the binding mode of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement at the time of the binding mode of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement at the time of the binding mode of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement at the time of the binding mode of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement at the time of the binding mode of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement at the time of the binding mode of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement at the time of the binding mode of the paper post-processing apparatus used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the pattern of the booklet which performed the binding using the deep drawing used for one Embodiment of this invention, and provided the crease near the binding part. It is the schematic which shows the pattern of the booklet which performed the binding using the deep drawing used for one Embodiment of this invention, and provided the crease near the binding part. It is the schematic which shows the pattern of the booklet which performed the binding using the deep drawing used for one Embodiment of this invention, and provided the crease near the binding part. It is the schematic which shows the pattern of the booklet which performed the binding using the deep drawing used for one Embodiment of this invention, and provided the crease near the binding part. It is the schematic which shows the pattern of the booklet which performed the binding using the deep drawing used for one Embodiment of this invention, and provided the crease near the binding part. It is the schematic which shows the pattern of the booklet which performed the binding using the deep drawing used for one Embodiment of this invention, and provided the crease near the binding part. It is the schematic which shows the open state of the booklet which performed the binding using the deep drawing used for one Embodiment of this invention, and provided the crease near the binding part. It is the schematic which shows the open state of the booklet which performed the binding using the deep drawing used for one Embodiment of this invention, and provided the crease near the binding part. It is the schematic which shows the crease formation means used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the crease formation means used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the crease formation means used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the crease formation means used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the crease formation means used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the crease formation means used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the fold formation means interlock | cooperated with the paper binding means and paper press member which are used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the fold formation means interlock | cooperated with the paper binding means and paper press member which are used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the fold formation means interlock | cooperated with the paper binding means and paper press member which are used for one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the fold formation means interlock | cooperated with the paper binding means and paper press member which are used for one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a control block diagram of an image forming system used in an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the conventional paper post-processing apparatus. It is the schematic which shows operation | movement of the conventional paper post-processing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming system 400 in which a sheet post-processing apparatus 201 to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied is connected to an image forming apparatus 101. In this image forming system 400, the sheet post-processing apparatus 201 is an image. It may be connected to the forming apparatus 101 as shown on the right side of FIG. 1 or incorporated as shown on the left side. The image forming apparatus 101 is a full-color copying machine, and each includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a charger, a developing device, a static eliminator, a cleaning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary transfer roller, and a secondary transfer roller that are not shown. A known image forming means such as an optical writing device and a fixing device, and a paper feeding device for feeding the recording paper toward the image forming means are provided. 102 is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 101.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sheet post-processing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 3 is a front view thereof. In the figure, reference numeral 202 denotes an inlet sensor, and the inlet sensor 202 detects the leading edge, trailing edge, presence / absence, etc. of the recording paper carried into the paper post-processing apparatus 201. An entrance roller 203 is disposed downstream of the entrance sensor 202 in the paper conveyance direction. The entrance roller 203 has a function of carrying recording paper into the apparatus, and can control stop, rotation, conveyance amount, and the like. Source and control means. This control means may be provided on the image forming apparatus 101 side, and is configured to be able to correct the skew of the recording paper using the nip of the entrance roller 203.

  A branching claw 204 is disposed downstream of the entrance roller 203 in the sheet conveyance direction. The branching claw 204 is a pivotable claw for switching the conveyance path provided to guide the trailing edge of the recording sheet to the branching path. The recording sheet can be fixed by pressing the recording sheet against the branching path conveyance surface. It is configured. A paper discharge roller 205 is disposed downstream of the branching claw 204 in the paper conveyance direction. The paper discharge roller 205 is disposed at the recording paper outlet of the paper post-processing apparatus 201 and has a function of conveying, shifting, and discharging the recording paper, and has a drive source and control means capable of controlling stop, rotation, conveyance amount, and the like. doing. This control means may be provided on the image forming apparatus 101 side.

  At one shaft end of the paper discharge roller 205, a shift link 206, a cam and cam 207, a shift cam stud 208, and a shift home position sensor 209 are disposed. The shift link 206 fixed to the shaft end of the paper discharge roller 205 has a long hole, and a shift cam stud 208 implanted in a rotating disk-shaped shift cam 207 is engaged with the long hole. . As a result, the rotational movement of the shift cam 207 is converted into a linear movement of the paper discharge roller 205 in the axial direction. The shift home position sensor 209 detects the position of the shift link 206 and sets this position as the home position.

  A sheet binding unit 210 is disposed at a portion between the branch claw 204 and the paper discharge roller 205. In this embodiment, the sheet binding means 210 uses a configuration in which the recording paper is deformed by being pinched by a pair of teeth and the fibers are entangled. Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 36-13206 and Japanese Utility Model Publication 37- As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7208, generally known binding means for binding recording paper without using a metal needle may be used. In the vicinity of the sheet binding means 210, an edge detection sensor 220 for detecting the side edge of the recording paper is disposed. The signal from the edge detection sensor 220 is used as a reference when aligning recording sheets. Reference numeral 221 denotes a binding means home position sensor. When the paper binding means 210 moves along the guide rail 230 in the recording paper width direction, the end position of the paper binding means 210 is detected and the maximum size recording paper is conveyed. When the sheet binding means 210 is located at a position where it does not get in the way, this is detected as the home position.

  In FIG. 3, a normal path for transporting and discharging the received recording paper is the transport path 240, which is provided to overlap and align the recording paper, and the recording paper is carried in from the rear end side by switching back the recording paper. The conveyance path is the branch path 241, and the reference surface that abuts and aligns the trailing edge of the recording paper is the abutting surface 242. Reference numeral 261 in FIG. 2 indicates a tooth shape. In this embodiment, the tooth shape has a shape in which a pair of concave and convex portions mesh with each other, and the recording paper is deformed by pinching to entangle the fibers.

  4 and 5 show a configuration in the vicinity of the branching claw 204. FIG. The branch claw 204 is rotatably provided to switch between the transport path 240 and the branch path 241. The home position is a position where the recording paper received from the right side in the figure can be transported without resistance. The branch claw 204 is constantly pressurized by a tension spring 251 engaged with the branch claw movable lever 204a, and a branch solenoid 250 is connected to the branch claw movable lever 204a via a link. Further, the conveyance surface of the branch path 241 and the branch claw 204 are configured to be able to sandwich the recording paper in the conveyance path. The conveyance path is switched by turning on the branch solenoid 250 to turn the branch claw 204 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, closing the conveyance path 240 and guiding the recording paper to the branch path 241.

  6 and 7 show the recording paper binding operation by the paper binding means 210. A pair of upper and lower tooth molds 261 that are meshed with each other are arranged at the end of the combined link group, and each tooth mold is configured to come in contact with and separate from the rotation of the pressure lever 262. . The pressure lever 262 is rotated by an eccentric cam 266 that is rotationally driven by a drive motor 265, and the position of the eccentric cam 266 is controlled based on detection information of the home position sensor 267. The state in which the eccentric cam 266 is detected by the home position sensor 267 is the home position of the eccentric cam 266, and at this time, the tooth mold 261 is in an open state.

  Next, a case where the recording paper is bound will be described. With the tooth mold 261 open, a recording sheet is inserted into the tooth mold 261 and the drive motor 265 is operated to rotate the eccentric cam 266. The pressure lever 262 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7 due to the displacement of the cam surface, and the rotational force increases through the link group using the lever and is transmitted to the tooth mold 261 at the end. When the fixed amount eccentric cam 266 is rotated, the tooth mold 261 is engaged to pinch the recording paper, and the recording paper is pressed and deformed by this clamping, and fibers of adjacent recording papers are entangled and bound. Thereafter, the eccentric cam 266 rotates in the reverse direction, and the operation of the drive motor 265 is stopped by the detection information of the home position sensor 267. The pressurizing lever 262 has a spring property and is configured to bend when an overload is applied and to release the overload.

  Next, the recording paper binding operation of the paper post-processing apparatus 201 will be described. When output is started from the image forming apparatus 101, as shown in FIG. 8, each part of the sheet post-processing apparatus 201 is moved to the home position, and the initial operation is completed. Then, before the recording paper output from the image forming apparatus 101 is carried into the paper post-processing apparatus 201, the paper post-processing apparatus 201 receives the mode information and the recording paper information, Become.

  First, the straight mode will be described. This mode is selected when the post-processing is not performed on the recording paper in the paper post-processing apparatus 201. In the acceptance standby state in the straight mode, both the entrance roller 203 and the paper discharge roller 205 start to rotate in the recording paper conveyance direction. Then, the recording paper sequentially carried in from the entrance roller 203 is sequentially discharged by the paper discharge roller 205. When the final recording paper is discharged from the paper discharge roller 205, the rotation of the rollers 203 and 205 is stopped.

  Next, the shift mode will be described. In this mode, the recording paper is shifted in the width direction and discharged. In the shift mode reception standby state, both the entrance roller 203 and the discharge roller 205 start to rotate in the recording sheet conveyance direction. In the shift paper discharge operation, when the trailing edge of the recording paper passes through the entrance roller 203, the shift cam 207 rotates by a certain amount, and the paper discharge roller 205 moves in the axial direction. At this time, the recording paper being conveyed also moves as the paper discharge roller 205 moves. When the recording paper is discharged, the shift cam 207 rotates to return to the home position and prepares for the next recording paper. The operation of the paper discharge roller 205 is repeated until the same part of the recording paper is discharged, and when the next part of the recording paper is carried in, the shift cam 207 rotates in the opposite direction to the previous recording paper. Moves to the opposite side and is discharged.

  Next, the binding mode will be described. This mode is a mode in which a plurality of recording sheets are bound into a booklet by the sheet binding unit 210 without using a metal needle. In the binding mode reception standby state, the entrance roller 203 is stopped and the paper discharge roller 205 starts to rotate in the recording paper conveyance direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the sheet binding unit 210 moves to a standby position that is retracted by a certain amount from the recording paper width and is on standby. After this, the operation in the binding mode will be described.

  When the leading edge of the recording paper carried into the paper post-processing apparatus 201 is detected by the inlet sensor 202 and is conveyed by a certain distance (distance where the leading edge of the recording paper hits the nip portion of the inlet roller 203 and causes a certain amount of bending). The entrance roller 203 starts to rotate, thereby correcting the skew of the recording paper.

  The conveyance amount of the recording paper is counted from the rear end detection information of the entrance sensor 202, and the position information is grasped. When the trailing edge of the recording paper passes through the nip portion of the entrance roller 203, the entrance roller 203 stops for receiving the next recording paper. At the same time, the shift cam 207 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10, the discharge roller 205 starts moving in the axial direction together with the recording paper, and the recording paper is conveyed while being skewed in the direction of the arrow in the drawing. Thereafter, when the edge detection sensor 220 provided or incorporated in the sheet binding means 210 detects the recording paper, the shift cam 207 stops and then reverses to stop the edge detection sensor 220 in a non-detection state. When the above operation is completed, the paper discharge roller 205 stops at a predetermined position where the trailing edge of the recording paper has passed the leading edge of the branching claw 204.

  Next, after the branching claw 204 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11 to switch the conveyance path, the paper discharge roller 205 is reversed to carry the rear end of the recording paper into the branching path 241 and hit the abutting surface 242. After the contact and alignment, the paper discharge roller 205 is stopped. At this time, the paper discharge roller 205 is set to have a weak conveyance force that slips when the recording paper hits.

  Next, the branching claw 204 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 12, and the recording paper rear end in the branching path 241 is strongly pressed by the contact surface of the branching claw 204 to stand by. When the next recording sheet is output from the image forming apparatus 101, skew correction is performed by the entrance roller 203 in the same manner as the first recording sheet, and at the same time as the rotation of the entrance roller 203 starts, the discharge roller 205 is corrected. Starts rotating. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the second and subsequent recording sheets are also operated in the same manner as in FIGS. 10 and 11, and the recording sheets are sequentially moved to the target position and overlapped, thereby aligning the recording sheets. The bundle is stacked in the branch path 241.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the operation is completed with the last recording sheet as an aligned bundle, the discharge roller 205 is rotated by a certain amount in the transport direction and stopped. This operation eliminates the bending that occurs when the trailing edge of the recording paper is abutted against the abutting surface 242. After that, the pressing force applied to the recording paper bundle is released by rotating the branching claw 204 in the direction of the arrow in the figure and switching it.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the paper discharge roller 205 is rotated, and the recording paper bundle is conveyed and stopped by the distance where the tooth mold 261 of the paper binding means 210 matches the binding position of the recording paper (in the conveying direction). Adjust the binding position). Next, the sheet binding means 210 is moved by the distance in which the tooth mold 261 and the binding position of the recording sheet coincide with each other in the direction of the arrow in the drawing and stopped (the binding position in the width direction is adjusted). At this time, the branching claw 204 returns to the recording paper receiving state by rotating in the arrow direction in the figure. Thereafter, the drive motor 265 is turned on, and the recording paper bundle is pressed by the tooth mold 261 to perform the squeezing, whereby the fibers are entangled and the sheets are bound and bound. In the present embodiment, the paper binding means 210 that performs the drawing is adopted, but paper binding means that performs a half-cutting process, a cutting / bending process, a bending process, and passing through a hole may be used.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 16, the discharged paper rollers 205 are rotated to discharge the bound recording paper bundle, and after the discharge, the shift cam 207 is returned to the home position, and the paper binding means 210 is moved in the direction of the arrow to move the home. Return to position and complete all actions.

  Next, features of the present invention will be described. 17 to 24 show booklet patterns in which binding is performed using a deep drawing that applies a strong pressure between the recording sheets to bind the recording sheet bundle and a crease is provided in the vicinity of the binding portion. 17 to 22 show a case where deep drawing 302, 304, 305, 308 is performed on the recording paper bundles 301, 307, and folds 303, 309 or perforations 306, 310 are inserted. The binding pattern includes a case where the corner of the recording paper is bound (FIGS. 17 to 20) and a case where the binding is performed along one side of the recording paper (FIGS. 21 and 22). Alternatively, when the perforation 306 is placed obliquely at the corner of the recording paper and bound along one side, the fold 309 or the perforation 310 is placed parallel to the side of the recording paper.

  FIG. 23 shows a state when the recording paper is turned in the configurations of FIGS. 17 to 20, and FIG. 24 shows a state when the recording paper is turned in the configurations of FIGS. According to this configuration, since the recording sheet is folded along the folds 303 and 309 or the perforations 306 and 310, it is difficult to apply a force to the binding portion, so that the recording sheet is difficult to peel off. Note that the binding position and binding form are not limited to this, and the same processing may be performed for a method of cutting and binding recording paper other than deep drawing.

  FIG. 25 to FIG. 28 are diagrams showing the configuration of means for creating a crease called crease. As shown in FIG. 25, the marking blade 326 and the cradle 311 constituting the crease forming means 327 are arranged to face each other, and the recording paper 312 is placed on the recording blade 326 as shown in FIGS. And a cradle is formed by sandwiching between the cradle 311. FIG. 28 shows a configuration in which a trace is made on a recording sheet or a bundle of recording sheets by driving a marking mechanism 313 as a crease forming unit having a rotator as a marking blade. As the crease forming means, as in FIGS. 25 to 28, the crease forming means 328 for forming perforations having a pair of upper and lower mark blades 314, 315 having irregularities as shown in FIG. Examples thereof include a crease forming means 329 having a rotator 316 having projections and depressions and a cradle 317 and forming perforations.

  FIGS. 31 to 34 show a configuration in which the crease forming unit is linked to the driving of the deep drawing unit which is a sheet binding unit. As shown in FIG. 31, a die 318 is provided with a tooth die 319, a sheet pressing member 320 via a compression spring 321 and a marking blade 322 via a compression spring 323, respectively. A cradle 324 having a shape corresponding to each of the 322 is disposed. 32, after receiving the recording paper 325, the die 318 is lowered, and as shown in FIG. 33, the recording paper 325 is pressed by the paper pressing member 320 so that the recording paper 325 does not shift, as shown in FIG. As described above, the die 318 is further lowered, and the tooth mold 319 and the marking blade 322 are pressed against the recording paper 325 to perform deep drawing and crease formation.

  The shape of the blade and the cradle of the crease forming means is not limited to the above example, and when performing the marking, it is sufficient that at least one of the marking blade or the cradle operates. In addition to the blade, the crease forming means includes a method of marking with a laser and a method of folding the recording paper once using a folding means or a folding device, but are not limited thereto. The marking method includes a method of marking a recording paper bundle using a mechanism that does not interlock with paper binding means such as deep drawing, a method of attaching a fold forming means to a member that interlocks when binding the recording paper bundle, and a paper pressing member. A method of marking while holding the recording paper, a method of marking each recording sheet in the conveyance path before binding, a method of marking after binding by deep drawing, etc. There is, but is not limited to this.

  FIG. 35 shows an electrical connection diagram of the sheet post-processing apparatus A that performs the binding process, the crease forming unit B, and the image forming apparatus E. The sheet post-processing apparatus A and the image forming apparatus E are connected by the communication interface 20 and notify the sheet information, the post-processing mode, the abnormality information, and the like. Similarly, the sheet post-processing apparatus A and the crease forming unit B are connected by a communication interface 21. The crease forming process is performed before or after the recording sheets are bound via the communication interfaces 20 and 21, and the binding process is performed according to the sheet information, the number of bindings, and the binding mode.

  In the conventional binding method that does not use a metal needle, the recording paper is cut and bound, or the recording paper bundle is bound by applying a strong pressure between the recording papers. Since the ease of peeling of the recording paper is determined by the pressure bonding strength, there is a problem that the binding force is weaker than the binding method using a metal needle and the recording paper is easily peeled off. In the above-described configuration, by forming a crease in the vicinity of the binding portion, when turning the booklet, the recording paper is folded along the crease so that it is difficult to apply a force to the binding portion. Even without changing the pressure applied to the recording paper, it is possible to produce a booklet in which the recording paper is hardly peeled off.

  In each of the above embodiments, the full-color copying machine 101 is shown as an image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to this, and may be an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a plotter, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine such as these. The present invention is also applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image forming apparatus 201 Paper post-processing apparatus 210 Paper binding means 313, 327, 328, 329 Fold forming means 320 Paper pressing member 400 Image forming system

JP 2010-274623 A

Claims (9)

A paper post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on paper on which an image has been formed,
A sheet binding unit that forms a booklet by binding a plurality of sheets without using a metal needle; and a crease forming unit that forms a crease on the sheet, wherein the fold forming unit is the sheet binding unit. A sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein a crease is formed in the vicinity of the binding portion. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The paper post-processing apparatus, wherein the crease forming means performs crease processing on the paper. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The paper post-processing apparatus, wherein the crease forming means performs perforation on the paper. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The paper post-processing apparatus, wherein the crease forming means performs a folding process on the paper. In the paper post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A sheet post-processing apparatus having a sheet pressing member for pressing a plurality of sheets. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The paper post-processing apparatus, wherein the fold forming means is interlocked with the paper binding means or the paper pressing member. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein the processing by the crease forming unit is performed in a transport path different from the binding process by the sheet binding unit or in another apparatus. In the paper post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein processing by the crease forming unit is performed according to sheet information, the number of sheets to be bound, and a binding mode.   An image forming system comprising: the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1; and an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet.

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