JP2016079015A - Paper folding processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Even when a folded portion is formed at a plurality of positions of a sheet, such as Z-folding, inner three-folding, and outer three-folding, for a continuously conveyed sheet, the apparatus is increased in size and cost. There are provided a sheet folding processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of performing an additional folding process with a sufficient pressing force on the folded portions at a plurality of positions without reducing the productivity. .
When the folding processing device main part performs folding processing on continuously conveyed papers P1 and P2, the paper is formed on the preceding paper P1 that has been folded by the folding processing device main part. Both sheets P1 and P2 convey the folding part P1b on the rear end side in the conveyance direction and the folding part P2a on the leading end side in the conveyance direction formed on the subsequent sheet P2 folded by the main part of the folding processing apparatus. It is comprised so that it can press simultaneously by the press part 70 in the state arranged in the direction.
[Selection] Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet folding processing apparatus that performs folding processing on a sheet, and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine including the same.

  Conventionally, in a sheet folding processing apparatus (post-processing apparatus) installed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, the thickness (folding height) of a folded portion formed on a sheet by folding processing is increased. For the purpose of preventing this, there is known a technique in which a folding process is performed once on a sheet to form a folded part, and then the folded part is further pressed (additional folding process) by another pressing member. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2.)

In particular, in Patent Document 1, when performing folding processing on continuously transported paper, the preceding paper on which folding processing has been performed is temporarily stacked on another transport path, and the subsequent paper After the sheet folding process is completed, the stacked preceding sheet and succeeding sheet are conveyed to the sheet adding and folding unit, and both the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet are overlapped by the sheet adding and folding unit. A technique for pressurizing a fold (fold) is disclosed.
Further, in Patent Document 2, the number of times of additional folding with the additional folding roller and the pressing force after the folding unit is formed by the folding unit based on information on the conveyed paper and the like are variable. Techniques to do this are disclosed.

Since the sheet folding processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above performs the additional folding process by the sheet additional folding unit in a state in which a plurality of sheets subjected to the folding process are stacked, the folding unit is used at the time of the additional folding process. There is a possibility that the magnitude of the applied pressure becomes insufficient. In addition, since it is necessary to provide a transport path and a space for stacking the preceding sheets, the apparatus may be increased in size and cost.
Further, in the paper folding processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above, the number of times of additional folding with the additional folding roller and the pressing force are variable for each folding section, so that Z folding, inner three folding, outer three folding, etc. As described above, when folding portions are formed at a plurality of positions on a sheet, the total time required for the folding process including the additional folding process becomes long, and the productivity may be lowered.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and folds are formed at a plurality of positions on a sheet such as Z-fold, inner three-fold, and outer three-fold for continuously conveyed paper. Even if it is formed, an additional fold process is performed with sufficient pressing force on the folds at these locations without increasing the size and cost of the apparatus and without reducing the productivity. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet folding processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can perform the above processing.

  A paper folding processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a paper folding processing apparatus that performs folding processing on paper, and is located at different positions in the transport direction with respect to the paper transported in a predetermined transport direction. A folding processing device main part configured to be able to form a folding part respectively, and a press formed to be able to press the folding part formed on the sheet after being folded by the folding processing apparatus main part. And when the folding processing device main part performs folding processing on the continuously conveyed paper, each of the folding processing device main parts is formed on the preceding paper. Both the sheets are aligned in the transport direction between the folding section on the rear end side in the transport direction and the folding section on the front end side in the transport direction formed on the succeeding sheet that has been folded by the main section of the folding processing apparatus. Is Those that are configured to be simultaneously pressed by the pressing part in state.

  According to the present invention, the apparatus is increased in size even when folding portions are formed at a plurality of positions of a sheet such as Z-folding, inner three-folding, and outer three-folding for continuously conveyed paper. A paper folding processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of performing additional folding processing with sufficient pressing force on the folding portions at a plurality of locations without increasing costs and without reducing productivity. Can be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the folding processing apparatus main part in a paper folding processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the folding processing apparatus main part when performing Z-folding to a paper. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the folding processing apparatus main part at the time of performing an inner three fold to a paper. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the folding processing apparatus main part when performing an outer three fold on a paper. (A) Schematic diagram showing Z-folded paper, (B) Schematic diagram showing three-folded paper, and (C) Schematic diagram showing outer-folded paper. It is a block diagram which shows the press part in a paper folding processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows a press roller. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the press part at the time of continuous paper passing. FIG. 10 is a diagram following FIG. 9. It is a timing chart which shows control of the press part at the time of continuous paper passing. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a state in which the trailing end folding portion of the preceding sheet and the leading end folding section of the succeeding sheet are separated from each other at the pressing position of the pressing section, and (B) the trailing end folding of the preceding sheet. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a front portion and a leading-end folding portion of a subsequent sheet are overlapped.

Embodiment.
Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

First, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, 1 is a copying machine as an image forming apparatus, 2 is a document reading unit that optically reads image information of a document D, and 3 is a photosensitive member that exposes light L based on the image information read by the document reading unit 2. An exposure unit for irradiating the drum 5, 4 an image forming unit for forming a toner image (image) on the photosensitive drum 5, and 7 for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 to a sheet P (sheet) A transfer unit (image forming unit), 10 is a document transport unit that transports a set document D to the document reading unit 2, 12 to 14 are paper feed units that store paper P such as transfer paper, and 17 and 18 are A registration roller (timing roller) that conveys the paper P toward the transfer unit 7, a fixing device 20 that fixes an unfixed image on the paper P, a fixing roller 21 installed in the fixing device 20, and a fixing device 20. The pressure roller 30 is installed on the front side. It inverts the paper P after but formed shows a two-sided conveyance unit, which transported toward the image forming unit.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a paper folding processing device that performs folding processing on the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 1 and carried in, 50 denotes a main part of the folding processing device in the paper folding processing device 40, and 70 denotes the paper folding processing device 40. , A post-processing device 90 for performing post-processing (binding processing, punching processing, etc.) other than the folding processing on the paper P discharged from the paper folding processing device 40 and carried in. , 92 denotes a paper discharge tray on which the post-processed paper P (or paper bundle) is discharged and stacked. The sheet folding processing device 40 and the post-processing device 90 are detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body 1, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 1, an operation during normal image formation in the image forming apparatus main body 1 will be described.
First, the document D is conveyed from the document table in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by the conveyance roller of the document conveyance unit 10 and passes over the document reading unit 2. At this time, the document reading unit 2 optically reads the image information of the document D passing above.
Then, the optical image information read by the document reading unit 2 is converted into an electric signal and then transmitted to the exposure unit 3 (writing unit). Then, exposure light L such as laser light based on the image information of the electrical signal is emitted from the exposure unit 3 toward the photosensitive drum 5 of the image forming unit 4.

On the other hand, in the image forming unit 4, the photosensitive drum 5 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and image information is transferred onto the photosensitive drum 5 through a predetermined image forming process (charging process, exposure process, development process). An image (toner image) corresponding to is formed.
Thereafter, the image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 is transferred onto the paper P conveyed by the registration rollers 17 and 18 in the transfer unit 7 as an image forming unit.

On the other hand, the sheet P conveyed to the transfer unit 7 (image forming unit) operates as follows.
First, one of the plurality of paper feeding units 12, 13, and 14 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is automatically or manually selected (for example, the uppermost paper feeding unit 12 is selected). To do.)
Then, the uppermost sheet P of the paper P stored in the paper feeding unit 12 is transported toward the position of the transport path K1.

  Thereafter, the sheet P passes through a conveyance path K1 in which a plurality of conveyance rollers are arranged, and reaches the position of the registration rollers 17 and 18. Then, the sheet P that has reached the position of the registration rollers 17 and 18 is conveyed toward the transfer unit 7 (image forming unit) at the same timing in order to align with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 5. Is done.

  Then, after the transfer process, the sheet P passes through the position of the transfer unit 7 and then reaches the fixing device 20 through the conveyance path. The sheet P that has reached the fixing device 20 is fed between the fixing roller 21 and the pressure roller 22, and the image is fixed by the heat received from the fixing roller 21 and the pressure received from both members 21 and 22. . The sheet P on which the image is fixed is delivered from between the fixing roller 21 and the pressure roller 22 (a nip portion), and then discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 1.

  Note that when the “double-sided printing mode” for performing printing on both sides of the paper P (the front side and the back side) is selected, the paper P that has undergone the fixing process on the front side is described above. The paper is not discharged as it is when the “single-sided printing mode” is selected, but is guided to the double-sided conveyance path K2, and the conveyance direction is reversed by the double-sided conveyance unit 30, and then the transfer unit 7 ( It is conveyed toward the position of the image forming unit. Then, an image is formed on the back surface of the sheet P by the same image forming process as described above at the position of the transfer unit 7, and then passes through the conveyance path through a fixing process in the fixing device 20. And discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 1.

Here, in the present embodiment, the sheet folding processing device 40 is installed in the image forming apparatus 1, and the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 1 is transported to the sheet folding processing device 40 and transported. A desired folding process is performed on the paper P as necessary.
In this embodiment, the post-processing device 90 is installed in the image forming apparatus 1 via the paper folding processing device 40, and the paper P discharged from the image forming device main body 1 passes through the paper folding processing device 40. Then, the post-processing device 90 carries out a desired post-processing other than the folding process on the conveyed paper P as necessary.
Then, the sheet P (or a bundle of sheets) that has been subjected to the desired post-processing by the paper folding processing device 40 or the post-processing device 90 is discharged from the post-processing device 90 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 92. Become.

Next, the configuration and operation of the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 in the sheet folding processing apparatus 40 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIG. 2, the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 includes a first transport path K <b> 3 through which the paper P carried in the arrow direction from the image forming apparatus main body 1 is transported, and a post-processing apparatus 90 from the first transport path K <b> 3. The second conveyance path K4, which is a conveyance path that goes directly to the first, and the first conveyance path K3 and the junction of the second conveyance path K4, obliquely downward (on the image forming apparatus main body 1 side), during folding processing A third transport path K5 serving as a reverse path, and a fourth transport path K6 serving as a transport path that relays between the third transport path K5 and the post-processing device 90 are provided.

The first transport path K3 is rotationally driven along the transport path by a first paper detection sensor 61 (photo sensor) that detects the presence or absence of the paper P at the position along the transport path, and a first motor 57. A first transport roller pair 51 is provided.
A second paper detection sensor 62 (photo sensor) that detects the presence or absence of the paper P at that position is disposed in the second transport path K4.
In the third transport path K5, a second transport roller pair 56 that is rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions by a second motor 58 that is a forward / reverse motor, and a third paper detection sensor 63 that detects the presence or absence of the paper P at that position. (Photo sensor) is provided.
The fourth transport path K6 is provided with a pressing portion 70 (see FIG. 7 and the like). The configuration and operation of the pressing unit 70 (additional folding processing unit) will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

A first folding roller 52, a second folding roller 53, a third folding roller 54, and a fourth folding roller 55 are provided at a portion where the four transport paths K3 to K6 join. The first folding roller 52 is configured to be rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions by a third motor 59 that is a forward / reverse motor. The second folding roller 53 (forward / reverse rotation roller) is in pressure contact with the first folding roller 52 in the vicinity of the junction between the first conveyance path K3 and the second conveyance path K4, so The first folding roller 52 and the conveying roller pair are configured to rotate following the rotation. The third folding roller 54 is in pressure contact with the first folding roller 52 at the junction of the four conveyance paths K3 to K6, and is driven to rotate in accordance with the forward and reverse bidirectional rotation of the first folding roller 52, thereby A roller 52 and a conveying roller pair are configured. The fourth folding roller 55 is in pressure contact with the first folding roller 52 in the vicinity of the junction between the third conveyance path K5 and the fourth conveyance path K6, and is driven to rotate as the first folding roller 52 rotates in both forward and reverse directions. Thus, a first folding roller 52 and a conveying roller pair are configured.
The first folding roller 52 and the third folding roller 54 function as a first folding roller pair that performs a folding process on the paper P. Further, the first folding roller 52 and the fourth folding roller 55 function as a second folding roller pair that performs a folding process on the paper P, and pushes the paper P that has been subjected to the folding process to the pressing portion 70 (increase). It functions as a pair of upstream-side transport rollers (upstream-side transport member) that transports toward the folding processing section.

  In the folding apparatus main part 50 configured as described above, when the folding process is not performed on the sheet P, the sheet P is transported by the first transport roller pair 51 and then the first transport path K3. In the second conveyance path K4, straight conveyance is performed by the first and second folding rollers 52 and 53 that are rotationally driven as a conveyance roller pair along the positive conveyance direction, and is conveyed to the post-processing device 90 as it is. become.

On the other hand, when “Z-folding” as shown in FIG. 6A is performed on the paper P, the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 operates as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3H. .
First, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the paper P is carried from the image forming apparatus main body 1 into the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 (the paper folding processing apparatus 40), the leading end of the paper P is the first. Detected by the one-sheet detection sensor 61, the first conveyance roller pair 51 starts to rotate.
Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, the sheet P is conveyed by the first conveying roller pair 51, and the first folding roller 52 is further driven to rotate counterclockwise, whereby the first and second folding rollers 52, 53, the leading edge of the sheet P is conveyed to the second conveyance path K4. Then, the conveyance of the sheet P in the forward direction (left direction) is stopped in a state where the leading end portion of the sheet P protrudes from the nip of the first and second folding rollers 52 and 53 by a predetermined distance. Specifically, the driving of the first folding roller 52 in the counterclockwise direction is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed since the leading edge of the paper P was detected by the second paper detection sensor 62. Note that the amount of protrusion of the paper P from the nips of the first and second folding rollers 52 and 53 at this time is varied to an optimum value depending on the paper length, the type of folding processing, and the like.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3D, the first folding roller 52 is rotationally driven (reversely rotated) in the clockwise direction while the first conveying roller pair 51 is rotationally driven. As a result, the paper P is bent at the junction. Then, the bending of the paper P is caused to enter the nip between the first and third folding rollers 52 and 54 to pressurize the paper P, thereby forming the first folding portion (the rear end side folding portion Pb) on the paper P. To do.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3E, the paper P on which the first fold (fold) is formed is conveyed toward the third conveyance path K5 with the fold side as the head. Then, as shown in FIG. 3F, the paper P is conveyed by the second conveying roller pair 56 rotating in the forward direction so that the folding part side proceeds to the inner side of the third conveying path K5.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3G, the predetermined amount after the folding portion is detected by the third paper detection sensor 63 so that the protruding amount of the paper P from the nip of the second conveying roller pair 56 becomes a predetermined value. After the time, the rotation direction of the second conveyance roller pair 56 is reversed. Note that the amount of protrusion of the sheet P from the nip of the second conveying roller pair 56 at this time is varied to an optimum value depending on the sheet length, the type of folding processing, and the like.
Then, the conveyance of the sheet P by the reverse rotation of the second conveyance roller pair 56 and the conveyance of the sheet P by the first conveyance roller pair 51 and the first and third folding rollers 52 and 54 are performed. As shown in FIG. 3G, the sheet P is bent at the junction. Then, the second folding portion (the front-end-side folding portion Pa) is formed on the paper P by causing the bending of the paper P to enter the nip between the first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 and pressurizing it. .
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3H, the sheet P (the sheet P that has been Z-folded) on which the second fold is formed in addition to the first fold is the second fold. It is transported toward the fourth transport path K6 with the part side as the head. Then, the paper P is conveyed toward the post-processing device 90 after being subjected to an additional folding process into two folding parts by the pressing part 70.

Note that when the “inner trifold” as shown in FIG. 6B is performed on the paper P, the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 operates as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4H. Become.
Further, when the “outside trifold” as shown in FIG. 6C is performed on the paper P, the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 operates as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5H. Become.
4 and 5 is basically the same as the operation of the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 shown in FIG. However, the protruding amount of the paper P from the nip of the first and second folding rollers 52 and 53 shown in FIGS. 4C and 5C, and the first shown in FIGS. 4F and 5F. The amount of protrusion of the paper P from the nip of the two transport roller pair 56 is varied depending on the type of folding process. Specifically, at the time of the Z-folding process shown in FIG. 3, at the time of the inner three-folding process shown in FIG. 4, and at the time of the outer three-folding process shown in FIG. The timing of reversing the rotation direction of the second transport roller pair 56 is different.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the sheet folding processing apparatus 40, which are characteristic in the present embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As described above with reference to FIG. 2 and the like, the sheet folding processing device 40 according to the present embodiment is provided with the pressing portion 70 (additional folding processing portion) in addition to the folding processing device main portion 50. . The fold processing apparatus main part 50 is configured to be able to form folds Pa and Pb (folds) at different positions in the transport direction with respect to the paper P transported in a predetermined transport direction. The pressing portion 70 is formed so as to be able to press the folding portions Pa and Pb formed on the paper P after being folded by the folding processing device main portion 50.

  Here, the sheet folding processing device 40 according to the present embodiment is folded by the folding processing device main unit 50 when the folding processing device main unit 50 performs folding processing on the continuously conveyed paper P. A folding part P1b (rear end side folding part) on the rear end side in the transport direction formed on the processed preceding sheet P1 and a subsequent sheet P2 folded by the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 are formed. The folding portion P2a (tip-side folding portion) at the leading end side in the transport direction can be pressed simultaneously by the pressing portion 70 in a state where both sheets P1 and P2 are aligned in the transport direction (FIG. 10C). Etc.).

Specifically, referring to FIG. 7 and the like, in the vicinity of the pressing portion 70 in the sheet folding processing device 40, first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 (upstream conveying roller pair) as upstream conveying members, downstream A downstream conveyance roller pair 75 as a side conveyance member, a fourth paper detection sensor 64 as a paper detection unit, and the like are installed.
The first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 (upstream conveying roller pair) as the upstream conveying member are disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the pressing portion 70 and are formed so as to convey the paper P. Yes. The first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 are for transporting the paper P after the folding process (before the additional folding process) toward the pressing unit 70, and previously use FIGS. As described above, the second folding roller pair also functions. The first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 are configured such that the third motor 59 can rotate and stop the rotation along the transport direction in the fourth transport path K6 at an arbitrary timing.
The downstream side conveyance roller pair 75 (downstream side conveyance member) is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the pressing portion 70 and is formed to be able to convey the paper P. The downstream-side transport roller pair 75 is for transporting the sheet P after the additional folding process by the pressing unit 70 toward the post-processing device 90. The downstream side conveyance roller pair 75 is configured to be able to rotate and stop rotation along the conveyance direction at an arbitrary timing by a motor (not shown) (fourth motor).
The fourth paper detection sensor 64 (paper detection means) is a photo sensor disposed upstream of the pressing unit 70 in the transport direction and downstream of the first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 in the transport direction. In this case, the presence or absence of the paper P at that position is detected.

  Then, based on the detection result of the fourth paper detection sensor 64 (paper detection means), the folding portion P1b (rear end side folding portion) of the preceding paper P1 in the transport direction on the rear end side is the pressing position M ( The downstream conveyance roller pair 75 (fourth motor) is controlled so as to be positioned in FIG. 12 and the like, and the folding portion P2a (tip-side folding portion) on the leading side in the conveyance direction of the subsequent paper P2 is pressed. After controlling the first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 (third motor 59) so as to be located at the pressing position M of the section 70, the folding sections P1b and P2a of both sheets P1 and P2 are simultaneously pressed by the pressing section 70. Will be pressed.

  In this way, the folding end P1b of the preceding sheet P1 and the leading end folding part P2a of the succeeding sheet P2 are continuously folded by the pressing unit 70 in one action, thereby performing Z-folding. Even in the case where folding portions are formed at a plurality of locations on the paper P, such as inner three-fold, outer three-fold, etc., the overall processing speed is significantly increased as compared with the case where the additional folding is separately performed. be able to. In addition, by performing such additional folding processing, it is possible to secure a sufficient amount of pressure applied to the folding portion during the additional folding processing, as compared to the case of additional folding processing with a plurality of sheets P being completely stacked. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a special transport path or space for stacking the preceding sheets, it is possible to prevent a problem that the apparatus is increased in size and cost.

Here, with reference to FIG. 7 etc., in this Embodiment, the press part 70 is comprised by the press roller 71, the guide plate 72, the compression spring 73 (biasing member), etc. FIG.
The pressing roller 71 is a roller member that is disposed so as to face the lower side of the sheet P to be transported and rotates along the transport direction of the sheet P. As shown in FIG. 8, the pressing roller 71 has a roller portion 71b formed on a shaft portion 71a. The roller portion 71b of the pressing roller 71 has both ends in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 7 and the rotation axis direction of the pressing roller 71) with respect to the width direction center position 71b2 with respect to the conveyed paper P. A substantially spiral convex portion 71b1 is wound substantially symmetrically so as to face each of the portions. Although not shown, the pressing roller 71 is configured such that the driving force from the driving motor is transmitted to the shaft portion 71a on one end side, and a home position sensor (HP sensor, HP) is connected to the shaft portion 71b on the other end side. A detection plate for detecting a rotational position (position of the convex portion 71b1) by a transmission type photosensor is installed.
The guide plate 72 is disposed above the paper P to be conveyed so as to face the pressing roller 71. Further, a compression spring 73 is installed above the guide plate 72, and the guide plate 72 is urged so as to suppress it when the guide plate 72 is about to be displaced or deformed upward.
And in the press part 70 comprised in this way, the paper P is conveyed along the guide plate 72 in the 4th conveyance path | route K6, and the folding parts Pa and Pb of the paper P are convex parts by rotation of the press roller 71. By being sandwiched between 71b1 and the guide plate 72 and being pressed, the folding portions Pa and Pb are subjected to additional folding processing, and the folding portions Pa and Pb are further thinned and folded with good appearance. At this time, since the convex portion 71b1 of the pressing roller 71 is formed in a spiral shape that is substantially line symmetrical with respect to the center position as described above, the folding portions Pa and Pb are rotated in the center in the width direction as the pressing roller 71 rotates. The pressure is sequentially applied from the width direction to both ends in the width direction, and the additional folding process is performed in a balanced manner without the applied pressure being dispersed.

Hereinafter, in FIGS. 9A to 9D and FIGS. 10A to 10D, the sheets P1 and P2 which are “folded in three” by the folding apparatus main unit 50 are continuously pressed by the pressing unit 70. The operation of the pressing unit 70 when it is conveyed to will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9A, first, the preceding paper P1 (of which the paper is folded in three and is the first paper P1 of continuous paper passing) is the first and fourth folding rollers. 52, 55 (upstream conveying roller pair), and the leading end portion (leading side folded portion P1a) is detected by the fourth paper detection sensor 64.
Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the front end side folding portion P1a moves from the position of the fourth paper detection sensor 64 by a predetermined distance X1, and the pressing position M (the pressing roller 71 and the guide plate 72 face each other). The first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 (third motor 59) are driven and controlled so that the front end side folding portion P1a stops at the position.
Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the pressure roller 71 whose rotational position is controlled by the above-described home position sensor (HP sensor) is rotationally driven to increase the leading paper P toward the leading end side folded portion P1a. Perform the folding process. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9D, the pressing roller 71 is rotated to the home position and stopped, and the first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 (upstream conveying roller pair) and the downstream conveying roller pair are also stopped. 75, the preceding paper P1 is conveyed, and the rear end portion (rear end side folded portion P1b) is detected by the fourth paper detection sensor 64. Then, the rear end side folding portion P1b is moved from the position of the fourth paper detection sensor 64 by a predetermined distance X2, and the rear end side folding portion P1b is stopped at the pressing position M. 4 motors) are driven and controlled.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10A, in the state where the preceding paper P1 is in a standby state (conveyance stopped), the succeeding paper P2 (of which three are folded and continuously passed) P is conveyed by the first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55, and the leading end portion (leading side folding portion P <b> 2 a) is detected by the fourth paper detection sensor 64.
Then, as shown in FIG. 10 (B), the front end side folded portion P2a moves from the position of the fourth paper detection sensor 64 by a predetermined distance X1, and the front end side folded portion P2a stops at the pressing position M. The first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 (third motor 59) are driven and controlled. At this time, the rear end side fold portion P1b of the preceding paper P1 and the front end side fold portion P2a of the subsequent paper P2 are arranged in the pressing position with a slight gap.
Then, as shown in FIG. 10 (C), the pressure roller 71 in the home position is rotationally driven, and the rear end side fold portion P1b of the preceding paper P1 and the front end side fold portion P2a of the subsequent paper P2. Perform additional folding to. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10D, the pressing roller 71 is rotated to the home position and stopped, and the preceding paper P1 is conveyed toward the post-processing device 90 by the downstream conveying roller pair 75. Subsequent paper P2 is transported by the first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 and the downstream transport roller pair 75, and the rear end portion (rear end side folding portion P2b) is detected by the fourth paper detection sensor 64. . Then, the downstream end conveyance unit P2b moves from the position of the fourth sheet detection sensor 64 by a predetermined distance X2, and the trailing end folding unit P2b of the succeeding sheet P2 stops at the pressing position M. The roller pair 75 (fourth motor) is driven and controlled.
Thereafter, when the second sheet P2 is set as the preceding sheet and the subsequent sheet is further conveyed, the operation after FIG. 9D is similarly repeated. Then, after the state of FIG. 10 (D) is applied to the last sheet in the continuous sheet passing, if the additional folding process by the rotation of the pressing roller 71 to the rear end side folding portion is performed, then the downstream conveying roller The last sheet is conveyed toward the post-processing device 90 by the pair 75.
Thus, a series of folding processing operations including the additional folding processing at the time of continuous paper passing is completed.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the control described in FIGS. 9 and 10, and includes a fourth paper detection sensor 64, first and fourth folding rollers 52 and 55 (upstream conveying roller pair), and downstream conveying. The control timing of the roller pair 75, the pressing roller 71, and the home position sensor is shown.
Here, in the present embodiment, while the pressing roller 71 is rotated once, the conveyance of the sheet P to be additionally folded is controlled to stop, but the convex portion 71b1 of the pressing roller 71 is at the pressing position. It is also possible to control to stop the conveyance of the sheet P to be additionally folded only when it has reached. In that case, the productivity of the additional folding process at the time of continuous paper feeding is further improved.
In the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, the operation of the pressing unit 70 when a plurality of sheets P <b> 1 and P <b> 2 that are “folded in three” in the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 are continuously conveyed to the pressing unit 70. As described above, when a plurality of sheets that have been “folded in three” by the folding processing device main unit 50 are continuously conveyed to the pressing unit 70, or are “Z-folded” by the folding processing device main unit 50. When a plurality of sheets are continuously conveyed to the pressing unit 70, or a plurality of sheets in which "folding in three", "folding three outside", and "Z-fold" are randomized in the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 are performed. Are continuously conveyed to the pressing unit 70, the pressing unit 70 is operated in substantially the same manner, and the leading end folding portion P1b of the preceding sheet P1 and the leading end side folding of the following sheet P2 are performed. The additional folding process to the part P2a can be performed simultaneously.

Referring to FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, a folding portion (rear end side folding portion P1b) in the transport direction rear end side in the preceding paper P1 and a folding portion (in the transport direction front end side in the subsequent paper P1). A first pressing mode in which the front-side folded portion P2a) is simultaneously pressed by the pressing portion 70 while being spaced apart by Δ1 in the transport direction (a mode in which additional folding processing is performed in the state of FIG. 12A), and preceding. The folding portion (rear end side folding portion P1b) on the rear end side in the transport direction of the paper P1 and the folding portion on the front end side (front end side folding portion P2a) in the subsequent paper P1 are overlapped by Δ2 in the transport direction. Thus, it is possible to switch between the second pressing mode in which pressing is simultaneously performed by the pressing unit 70 (the mode in which additional folding processing is performed in the state of FIG. 12B).
The switching between the first pressing mode and the second pressing mode can be varied depending on the thickness (paper thickness) and type of the sheets P1 and P2 pressed by the pressing unit 70.

Specifically, switching between the first pressing mode and the second pressing mode (switching between separating the two sheets P1 and P2 or overlapping only a part thereof) is shown in FIG. 9D. This is performed by adjusting the conveyance distance X2 of the rear end side folding portion P1b of the preceding paper P1 described above and the conveyance distance X1 of the front end side folding portion P2a of the subsequent paper P2 described in FIG. .
When the thickness of the conveyed paper P1, P2 is detected in advance by a detection means such as a known paper thickness sensor, and the thickness of the paper P1, P2 detected by the detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The first pressing mode is selected for control, assuming that sufficient pressurizing force cannot be obtained unless pressure is applied by the pressing unit 70 in a state where the two sheets P1, P2 are separated. On the other hand, when the thicknesses of the sheets P1 and P2 detected by the detecting unit do not reach the predetermined value, the pressing unit 70 adds the folded portions of the two sheets P1 and P2. The second pressing mode is selected on the control that sufficient pressurizing force is obtained even if pressure is applied.
Further, the type of the sheets P1 and P2 to be conveyed is detected in advance by a known detection means (detection means based on information input to the operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body 1) and detected by the detection means. When the types of the paper P1 and P2 are other than the predetermined ones, the folding processability is low, and sufficient pressurization by the pressing unit 70 in a state where the two papers P1 and P2 are separated is sufficient. The first pressing mode is selected on the control that no pressure is obtained. On the other hand, when the types of the sheets P1 and P2 detected by the detecting unit are the predetermined ones described above, the folding processability is high and the folded portions of the two sheets P1 and P2 are overlapped. The second pressing mode is selected in terms of control, assuming that a sufficient pressing force can be obtained even when the pressing by the pressing unit 70 is performed.
As described above, within a range where sufficient folding processing can be performed, a part of the paper P1 and the paper P2 overlap each other and the total paper length in the transport direction (the length in the transport direction occupied by the plurality of papers P1 and P2). ) Is shortened, the overall productivity related to the folding process can be improved.

  As described above, the sheet folding processing apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment performs the folding processing apparatus when the folding processing apparatus main unit 50 performs the folding processing on the continuously conveyed sheets P1 and P2. A folding portion P1b (rear end side folding portion) on the rear end side in the transport direction formed on the preceding paper P1 that has been folded by the main portion 50, and a subsequent paper that has been folded by the folding processing device main portion 50. The folding portion P2a (tip-side folding portion) on the leading end side in the transport direction formed on P2 can be pressed simultaneously by the pressing portion 70 in a state where both sheets P1, P2 are aligned in the transport direction. Accordingly, even if the folding portions are formed at a plurality of positions of the sheets P1 and P2, such as Z-folding, inner three-folding, outer three-folding, etc., for the continuously conveyed sheets P1 and P2, the apparatus However, without increasing the size and cost, and without lowering the productivity, it is possible to perform an additional folding process with sufficient pressing force on the folded portions at the plurality of locations.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the paper folding processing device 40 installed in the monochrome image forming apparatus 1. However, the present invention is also applied to the paper folding processing device installed in the color image forming apparatus. Of course, the present invention can be applied.
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the paper folding processing apparatus 40 in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 1, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and images of other systems are used. Naturally, the present invention can also be applied to a sheet folding apparatus in a forming apparatus (for example, an ink jet image forming apparatus or a stencil printing apparatus).
Furthermore, instead of the paper folding processing device 40 installed in the image forming apparatus 1, a paper folding processing device as a single device (for example, a paper feed cassette is set in the transport port and the paper folding processing device itself performs processing. The present invention can also be applied to an operation panel for inputting a mode or the like.
Even in those cases, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the sheet folding processing device 40 and the post-processing device 90 are installed in the image forming apparatus main body 1. However, the post-processing device 90 can be omitted.
In this embodiment, the sheet folding processing device 40 is detachably installed outside the image forming apparatus main body 1. However, the image folding apparatus 40 may be configured to be built in the image forming apparatus main body 1. .

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is obvious that the present embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than suggested in the present embodiment. is there. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, and the like suitable for implementing the present invention can be achieved.

1 image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body),
40 sheet folding device,
50 Folding device main part,
51 First conveying roller pair,
52 first folding roller (upstream conveying roller pair, upstream conveying member),
53 Second folding roller (forward / reverse roller),
54 Third folding roller,
55 fourth folding roller (upstream conveying roller pair, upstream conveying member),
56 Second conveying roller pair,
57 1st motor, 58 2nd motor, 59 3rd motor,
61 first paper detection sensor, 62 second paper detection sensor,
63 Third paper detection sensor,
64 Fourth paper detection sensor (paper detection means),
70 pressing part (additional folding processing part),
71 pressure roller,
71a shaft part, 71b roller part, 71b1 convex part, 71b2 center position,
72 guide plates, 73 compression springs (biasing members),
75 Downstream conveying roller pair (downstream conveying member),
90 post-processing equipment,
K3 first transport path, K4 second transport path,
K5 third transport path, K6 fourth transport path,
P, P1, P2 paper (sheet),
Pa, P1a, P2a Folding end side,
Pb, P1b, P2b Rear end side folded portion.

JP 2012-171727 A JP 2012-56686 A

Claims (6)

A paper folding processing device for performing folding processing on paper,
A folding processing apparatus main part configured to be able to form folding parts at different positions in the transport direction with respect to the paper transported in a predetermined transport direction;
A pressing portion formed so as to be able to press the folding portion formed on the paper after being folded by the folding processing device main portion;
With
The rear end side in the transport direction formed on the preceding paper subjected to folding processing by the folding processing device main part when the folding processing device main part performs folding processing on continuously conveyed paper The fold portion and the fold portion at the leading end side in the transport direction formed on the succeeding paper that has been subjected to the fold processing by the main portion of the fold processing device, and the pressing portion in a state where both sheets are aligned in the transport direction. The sheet folding processing device is configured so that it can be pressed at the same time. An upstream conveying member disposed upstream of the pressing portion in the conveying direction and configured to convey the paper;
A downstream transport member disposed downstream of the pressing portion in the transport direction and formed to be capable of transporting paper;
A paper detecting means disposed upstream of the pressing portion in the conveying direction to detect the presence or absence of paper;
With
Based on the detection result of the paper detection means, the downstream conveying member is controlled so that the folding portion of the preceding paper on the rear end side in the conveying direction is positioned at the pressing position of the pressing portion, and the subsequent After the upstream conveying member is controlled so that the folding portion on the front end side in the conveyance direction of the paper is positioned at the pressing position of the pressing portion, the folding portions of both sheets are simultaneously pressed by the pressing portion. The sheet folding processing apparatus according to claim 1.   A first pressing mode in which the pressing portion simultaneously presses the folding portion on the rear end side in the transport direction of the preceding paper and the folding portion on the front end side in the transport direction of the subsequent paper in a state of being separated in the transport direction; A second pressing mode in which the pressing portion simultaneously presses the folding portion on the rear end side in the transport direction of the preceding paper and the folding portion on the front end side in the transport direction of the subsequent paper in the transport direction; The sheet folding processing device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet folding processing device is configured to be switchable.   The sheet folding processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein switching between the first pressing mode and the second pressing mode is varied depending on a thickness or a type of the sheet pressed by the pressing unit.   The pressing portion has a substantially spiral convex portion wound substantially symmetrically so as to be directed to both ends in the width direction with respect to the center position in the width direction with respect to the conveyed sheet, and rotates along the conveying direction. The sheet folding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a pressing roller.   An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet folding processing device according to claim 1.

Images