JP2019055494A - Binding member, recording material processing apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a binding member capable of reducing an increase in a binding load when a tooth mold larger than a tooth mold for binding a small number of recording materials such as two sheets is adopted. SOLUTION: The paper bundle is provided with upper teeth having a tooth pattern for forming irregularities. Further, the lower teeth 83B, which is a tooth pattern for forming irregularities on the paper bundle and is paired with the upper teeth, are provided. In the lower tooth 83B, the valley portion 92A of the recess 92 is cut out to form the groove 96, and the length of the inclined portion 95 with which the paper bundle contacts is shortened as compared with the case where the inclined portion 95 reaches the bottom of the valley portion 92A. do. [Selection diagram] FIG. 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a binding member, a recording material processing apparatus, and an image forming system.

Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of binding member pairs each having a tooth shape of a different shape that sandwiches a sheet bundle to form irregularities, and selectively uses one of the plurality of binding member pairs. A sheet binding device that forms irregularities in a bundle is disclosed.
Patent Document 2 discloses a binding means that has a first advancing member and a second advancing member that advance toward the recording material bundle, and binds the recording material bundle without using a metal needle.

JP 2010-274623 A JP 2011-201654 A

For example, when a binding is performed on a small number of recording materials such as 2 to 5 sheets and binding is performed on a large number of recording materials such as 6 to 10 sheets, if the tooth shape is small, the tooth pattern shifts. Tends to occur, resulting in insufficient compression. On the other hand, if the tooth shape is increased for a large number of sheets, the inclined area increases, and thus the load necessary for binding the recording material bundle increases.
An object of the present invention is to reduce an increase in binding load when a tooth type larger than a tooth type for binding a small number of recording materials such as two is used.

The invention according to claim 1 is an upper tooth having a tooth mold for forming irregularities in a recording material bundle, and a tooth mold for forming irregularities in a recording material bundle, the lower teeth making a pair with the upper teeth. At least one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth in the cross-sectional shape of the tooth mold, forming a groove in the valley portion of the recess of the tooth mold, and the inclined portion of the tooth mold The binding member is characterized in that the length of the inclined portion with which the recording material bundle contacts is shortened as compared with the case where the bottom of the valley portion is reached.
The invention according to claim 2 is the width of the groove, and the width of the portion connected to the inclined portion of the groove is larger than the width at the bottom of the valley portion. It is a binding member as described in above.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth moves along a predetermined advance / retreat direction, whereby a binding process is performed on the recording material bundle, and the grooves At least one of the two side surfaces located on both sides and facing the groove has an angle with respect to the forward / backward direction and is inclined with respect to the forward / backward direction, so that the connection is greater than the width at the bottom. The binding member according to claim 2, wherein the width at the portion where it is formed is larger.
The invention according to claim 4 is the binding member according to claim 3, wherein an angle of the at least one side surface with respect to the advance / retreat direction is smaller than an angle of the inclined portion with respect to the advance / retreat direction.
The invention according to claim 5 is the binding member according to claim 3, wherein an angle of the at least one side surface with respect to the advance / retreat direction is larger than 20 degrees.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the groove is formed in multiple stages, and the at least one side surface has a first surface having a large angle with respect to the advancing / retreating direction and facing the groove, and the first surface is more than the first surface. 4. The binding member according to claim 3, wherein the binding member is provided with at least a second surface that is located on a side closer to the bottom and has an angle with respect to the advance / retreat direction that is smaller than the first surface.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the upper teeth and the lower teeth are engaged with each other without sandwiching a recording material bundle, the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the concave portion and the convex portion that faces the concave portion 2. The binding member according to claim 1, wherein the binding member has a region in contact with the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the shape.
In the invention according to claim 8, the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the concave portion and the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the convex portion facing the concave portion are in planar contact. It is a binding member as described in above.
The invention described in claim 9 is the binding member according to claim 7, wherein the upper teeth and the lower teeth are formed with the grooves in the concave portions of the respective tooth types.
The invention according to claim 10 is the binding member according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed by cutting out the valley.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper tooth having a tooth shape for forming irregularities in the recording material bundle and a tooth shape for forming irregularities in the recording material bundle, which is paired with the upper teeth. And at least one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth is moved along a predetermined advance / retreat direction, whereby a binding process is performed on the recording material bundle, and the cross-sectional shape of the tooth mold The recording material bundle comes into contact with an inclined portion having a larger angle with respect to the forward / backward direction and having an angle with respect to the forward / backward direction. It is a binding member.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the binding member according to the eleventh aspect, the length of the inclined portion that contacts the recording material bundle first is shorter.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveyance unit that conveys the recording material on which an image is formed, and a recording material bundle that is a bundle of the recording material conveyed by the conveyance unit. An upper tooth that binds the recording material bundle without a needle, and a lower tooth that faces the upper tooth and contacts the recording material bundle from the other direction and binds the recording material bundle without a needle. And at least one of the lower teeth in the cross-sectional shape of the tooth mold, a groove is formed in the valley portion of the concave portion of the tooth mold, and recording is performed as compared with the case where the inclined portion of the tooth mold reaches the bottom of the valley portion. The recording material processing apparatus is characterized in that the length of the inclined portion in contact with the material bundle is shortened.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit that forms an image, a transport unit that transports a recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, and a recording material transported by the transport unit are bundled. An upper tooth that contacts the recording material bundle from one direction of the recording material bundle and binds the recording material bundle without a needle, and contacts the recording material bundle from the other direction and contacts the recording material bundle from the other direction without the needle. A lower tooth that binds a bundle, and at least one of the upper tooth and the lower tooth forms a groove in a trough of the concave portion of the tooth mold in the cross-sectional shape of the tooth mold, and the inclined portion of the tooth mold The image forming system is characterized in that the length of the inclined portion with which the recording material bundle contacts is shortened as compared with the case where the bottom of the valley portion is reached.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce an increase in binding load when a tooth type larger than a tooth type for binding a small number of recording materials such as two is used.
According to the invention of claim 2, the recording after the binding process is performed as compared with the case where the width of the groove at the bottom of the trough of the groove is equal to the width of the portion connected to the inclined portion of the groove. It becomes easy to remove the material bundle from the lower teeth and upper teeth.
According to the invention of claim 3, it is easier to remove the recording material bundle after performing the binding process from the lower teeth and the upper teeth as compared with the case where the side surface facing the groove is not inclined with respect to the advance / retreat direction.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the depth of the concave portion of the tooth mold can be made larger than when the angle with respect to the advancing / retreating direction of the side surface facing the groove is larger than the angle with respect to the advancing / retreating direction of the inclined portion.

According to the invention of claim 5, it is easier to remove the recording material bundle after performing the binding process from the lower teeth and the upper teeth as compared with the case where the angle of the side surface facing the groove with respect to the advance / retreat direction is 20 degrees or less.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the depth of the groove is larger than that in the case where the second surface which is located closer to the bottom of the groove than the first surface and has an angle with respect to the advance / retreat direction is smaller than the first surface. You can make it bigger.
According to the invention of claim 7, recording is performed at the time of the binding process as compared with a case where there is no region where the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the concave portion and the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the convex portion facing the concave portion is in contact. The pressure acting on the material bundle can be increased.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the sheet bundle is wider than the case where the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the concave portion and the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the convex portion facing the concave portion do not contact each other in a planar shape. Pressure can be applied over a range.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, an increase in binding load can be reduced as compared with the case where a groove is formed only in one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth.
According to invention of Claim 10, a groove | channel can be formed in the trough part of a recessed part.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce an increase in binding load when a tooth type larger than a tooth type for binding a small number of recording materials such as two is used.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce an increase in binding load when a tooth type larger than a tooth type for binding a small number of recording materials such as two sheets is employed.
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce an increase in binding load when a tooth type larger than a tooth type for binding a small number of recording materials such as two is used.
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce an increase in binding load when a tooth type larger than a tooth type for binding a small number of recording materials such as two is used.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system. It is the figure which showed the structure of the post-processing apparatus. It is a figure at the time of seeing a binding unit etc. from the arrow III direction of FIG. (A), (b) is a figure at the time of seeing the advancing / retreating mechanism from the arrow IV direction of FIG. (A), (b) is a figure at the time of seeing a binding member from the arrow V direction of FIG. (A) is the enlarged view of the part shown by the code | symbol 5X of Fig.5 (a), (b) is an enlarged view of a side surface and a bottom. It is the figure which showed the other structural example of the groove | channel. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where upper teeth and lower teeth are engaged with each other without sandwiching a sheet bundle. It is the figure which showed the state when the binding process with respect to a thick paper bundle was performed with the tooth | gear which has a small convex part.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system 500 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied.
An image forming system 500 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 1 such as a printer or a copier that forms a color image on a sheet P as an example of a recording material, and a plurality of sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1. And a post-processing device 2 that performs a binding process on the sheet P (recording material bundle).

The image forming apparatus 1 includes four image forming units 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K (also collectively referred to as “image forming unit 100”) as an example of an image forming unit. The four image forming units 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K perform image formation based on the color image data.
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a laser exposure apparatus 101 that exposes the photosensitive drum 107 provided in each image forming unit 100. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 102 on which the toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 100 are transferred in a multiple manner.

  The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a primary transfer roll 103 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) each color toner image formed by each image forming unit 100 to the intermediate transfer belt 102, and each color transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102. A secondary transfer roll 104 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the toner image onto the paper P, and a fixing device 105 that fixes the secondary-transferred color toner images onto the paper P are provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body control unit 106 configured by a program-controlled CPU and controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

In each image forming unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1, the charging process to the photosensitive drum 107, the electrostatic latent image forming process on the photosensitive drum 107 by the scanning exposure from the laser exposure apparatus 101, and the formed electrostatic latent image The toner image of each color is formed through the development process of each color toner.
Each color toner image formed on each image forming unit 100 is sequentially electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 by the primary transfer roll 103. Each color toner image is conveyed to the installation position of the secondary transfer roll 104 as the intermediate transfer belt 102 moves.

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of sheets P of different sizes and different paper types are accommodated in the sheet accommodating portions 110A to 110D, respectively.
At the time of forming an image on the paper P, for example, the paper P is taken out from the paper storage unit 110A by the pickup roll 111 and conveyed one by one to the position of the registration roll 113 by the conveyance roll 112.

Then, the paper P is supplied from the registration roll 113 in accordance with the timing when each color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 102 is conveyed to the arrangement position of the secondary transfer roll 104.
As a result, the toner images of each color are collectively electrostatically transferred (secondary transfer) onto the paper P by the action of the transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roll 104.

Thereafter, the paper P onto which the color toner images are secondarily transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 102 and conveyed to the fixing device 105. In the fixing device 105, each color toner image is fixed on the paper P by a fixing process using heat and pressure.
The paper P that has passed through the fixing device 105 is discharged from the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 by the transport roll 114 and is supplied to the post-processing device 2.
The post-processing device 2 as an example of the recording material processing device is disposed on the downstream side of the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs post-processing such as punching and binding on the paper P on which the image is formed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the post-processing device 2.
The post-processing apparatus 2 includes a transport unit 21 connected to the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 and a finisher unit 22 that performs a predetermined process on the paper P conveyed by the transport unit 21. Is provided.
Further, the post-processing device 2 is configured by a program-controlled CPU, and is provided with a paper processing control unit 23 that controls each mechanism unit of the post-processing device 2. The paper processing control unit 23 is connected to the main body control unit 106 (see FIG. 1) via a signal line (not shown), and transmits and receives control signals and the like.

The transport unit 21 of the post-processing device 2 is provided with a punch function unit 30 for punching (punching) such as 2 holes or 4 holes.
The transport unit 21 is provided with a plurality of transport rolls 211 that function as a transport unit. The plurality of transport rolls 211 transport the paper P after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1 toward the finisher unit 22.

  The finisher unit 22 includes a finisher unit main body 221, a sheet stacking unit 60 that stacks a necessary number of sheets P and generates a sheet bundle as an example of a recording material bundle, and an end of the sheet bundle generated by the sheet stacking unit 60. A binding unit 51 for performing binding (edge binding) on the part is provided.

Further, the finisher unit 22 is provided with a transport roll 61 that is rotatably provided and used for transporting a sheet bundle generated by the sheet stacking unit 60. Further, a movable roll 62 is provided that is swingable about the rotation shaft 62 a as a movement center, and that can move to a position retracted from the transport roll 61 and a position in pressure contact with the transport roll 61.
In addition, a stacker 80 on which the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveyance roll 61 and the movable roll 62 is stacked is provided. The stacker 80 moves up and down according to the amount of the sheet bundle to be held.

When processing by the post-processing apparatus 2 is performed, first, the paper P is carried from the image forming apparatus 1 into the transport unit 21 of the post-processing apparatus 2.
In the transport unit 21, punching by the punch function unit 30 is performed, and then the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 by the transport roll 211.
When there is no instruction for punching, the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 as it is without being punched by the punch function unit 30.

The paper P sent to the finisher unit 22 is conveyed to the paper stacking unit 60. Specifically, the paper P is transported to above the paper stacking unit 60 and then drops onto the paper stacking unit 60.
The paper P is supported from below by a support plate 67 provided in the paper stacking unit 60. Further, the sheet P slides on the support plate 67 by the paddle 69 that rotates and tilts applied to the support plate 67.

Thereafter, the paper P abuts against an end guide 64 attached to the end of the support plate 67. Thereby, in this embodiment, the movement of the paper P is stopped.
Thereafter, this operation is performed every time the paper P is conveyed from the upstream side, and a paper bundle (recording material bundle) in which the rear end portions of the paper P are aligned is generated on the paper stacking unit 60. The

In this embodiment, an alignment member 65 is provided that is movable in the width direction of the sheet bundle (is provided so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 2) and aligns the position in the width direction of the sheet bundle. ing.
Two aligning members 65 are provided, and one aligning member 65 is disposed on one side in the width direction of the sheet bundle, and the other aligning member 65 is disposed on the other side in the width direction of the sheet bundle.

In this embodiment, every time the paper P is supplied onto the support plate 67, the end (side) in the width direction of the paper P is pressed by the aligning member 65, and the position of the paper P (paper bundle) in the width direction. Are aligned.
When a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked on the support plate 67 and a sheet bundle is generated on the support plate 67, the binding unit 51 performs a binding process on the end of the sheet bundle.

The binding unit 51 is provided with a binding member (a pair of teeth) (described later) for pressing the sheet bundle. The binding member includes upper teeth arranged on the upper side of the generated sheet bundle and lower teeth arranged on the lower side of the generated sheet bundle.
Further, in the present embodiment, an advance / retreat mechanism 51A is provided for advancing and retracting one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth with respect to the other.

In the present embodiment, when a sheet bundle is generated on the support plate 67, the sheet bundle is positioned between the upper teeth and the lower teeth. Thereafter, upper and lower teeth are pressed against the sheet bundle from both sides of the sheet bundle, the sheets constituting the sheet bundle are pressed together, and the sheet bundle is bound.
In other words, in the present embodiment, the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle without using a staple such as a staple. In other words, in the present embodiment, binding processing without a needle is performed.

When the binding process for the sheet bundle is completed, the movable roll 62 advances toward the conveyance roll 61, and the sheet bundle is pinched by the movable roll 62 and the conveyance roll 61.
Thereafter, the transport roll 61 and the movable roll 62 are driven to rotate, and the sheet bundle subjected to the binding process is transported to the stacker 80.

FIG. 3 is a view of the binding unit 51 and the like viewed from the direction of arrow III in FIG.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the binding unit 51 is arranged in an inclined state with respect to the sheet bundle conveyance direction. Further, the binding unit 51 is provided with a binding member 81. In the present embodiment, the binding member 81 performs a binding process of the sheet bundle with the sheet bundle interposed therebetween.
In addition, the binding unit 51 is disposed so as to face the corner portion of the sheet bundle, and performs binding processing on the corner portion of the sheet bundle.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the binding unit 51 is disposed so as to face the corner portion of the sheet bundle is shown as an example. However, the binding unit 51 is disposed so as to face the side of the sheet bundle. Also good. Further, the binding unit 51 may be provided so as to be movable, and the binding process may be performed at a plurality of locations of the sheet bundle.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are views when the advance / retreat mechanism 51A is viewed from the direction of arrow IV in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A, in the present embodiment, a binding member 81 that is driven by the advance / retreat mechanism 51A to press the sheet bundle is provided.
The binding member 81 includes upper teeth 83A and lower teeth 83B arranged at positions opposed to the upper teeth 83A. In the present embodiment, the upper teeth 83A are disposed on the upper side, and the lower teeth 83B are disposed on the lower side.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the advance / retreat mechanism 51A is provided with a rotation gear 511. Further, a gear motor GM for rotating the rotation gear 511 and a transmission gear 512 for transmitting the rotational driving force from the gear motor GM to the rotation gear 511 are provided. A protrusion 511 </ b> A is provided on the side surface of the rotation gear 511.

Further, the advance / retreat mechanism 51A is provided with a crank member 513 that performs a swinging motion. A long hole 513A is formed in the crank member 513, and the protruding portion 511A of the rotating gear 511 is located in the long hole 513A.
Further, a spring 514 that biases the crank member 513 downward is provided. Further, an advancing / retracting member 515 that is attached to the left end portion of the crank member 513 in the figure and that moves forward and backward is provided. In the present embodiment, the upper teeth 83 </ b> A are attached to the lower end portion of the advance / retreat member 515.

FIG. 4A shows a state in which the advance / retreat member 515 is moved upward and the upper teeth 83A are retracted from the lower teeth 83B.
When the binding process is performed, the gear motor GM is driven, the rotating gear 511 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 4A in FIG. 4A, and the rotating gear 511 and the like are in the state shown in FIG. It becomes.
In the state shown in FIG. 4B, the protruding portion 511A of the rotating gear 511 is positioned upward, and the right end portion side of the crank member 513 in the drawing is lifted upward.

Further, the crank member 513 is pulled downward by the spring 514, and the advance / retreat member 515 is moved downward.
Thereby, the upper teeth 83A are pressed against the sheet bundle from one side of the sheet bundle (not shown in FIG. 4). The lower teeth 83B are pressed against the sheet bundle from the other side of the sheet bundle.

Accordingly, the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B, and the sheets constituting the sheet bundle are pressure-bonded. Thereafter, in the present embodiment, the upper teeth 83A are separated from the sheet bundle. Thus, the sheet bundle P that has been subjected to the binding process can be taken out between the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the binding process for the sheet bundle is performed by moving the upper teeth 83 </ b> A along the vertical direction that is a predetermined advance / retreat direction.

In the present embodiment, the upper teeth 83A are moved using the crank member 513, but this is an example, and the non-circular cam is moved in conjunction with the upper teeth 83A and the upper teeth 83A. The upper teeth 83 </ b> A may be moved by pressing against. In other words, the movement of the upper teeth 83A is not limited to the mechanism shown in FIG. 4, and may be performed by another known mechanism.
In the present embodiment, the upper teeth 83A are advanced and retracted relative to the lower teeth 83B. However, the lower teeth 83B may be advanced and retracted, and both the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B may be advanced and retracted.

5A and 5B are views when the binding member 81 is viewed from the direction of the arrow V in FIG.
In other words, FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing a cross-sectional shape of the binding member 81. In addition, FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing a cross-sectional shape of the binding member 81 on a plane orthogonal to a direction in which a convex portion 91 (details will be described later) provided on the binding member 81 extends. .

As shown in FIG. 5A, the binding member 81 is provided with upper teeth 83A and lower teeth 83B.
The lower teeth 83B are provided with a base portion 41 extending in the left-right direction in the drawing. Further, an uneven portion 200 for forming unevenness in the sheet bundle is provided on one surface side of the base portion 41 (on the upper side of the base portion 41). In other words, one surface side of the base 41 is a tooth shape for forming irregularities in the sheet bundle.

The concavo-convex portion 200 includes a plurality of convex portions 91 arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 41 (the left-right direction in the drawing), and a plurality of concave portions arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 41. 92. The convex portion 91 and the concave portion 92 are arranged so as to extend along a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG.
The concave portion 92 is disposed between two convex portions 91 adjacent to each other. In other words, in the present embodiment, the convex portions 91 and the concave portions 92 are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 41 (in the horizontal direction in the drawing).

The upper teeth 83A are similarly configured, and the upper teeth 83A are also provided with a base 41 extending along the left-right direction in the drawing. Further, on one side of the base 41 (on the lower side of the base 41), an uneven portion 200 for forming unevenness on the sheet bundle is provided.
In the present embodiment, even on the upper teeth 83A side, one surface side of the base 41 is a tooth shape for forming irregularities on the sheet bundle.

The upper teeth 83 </ b> A are also provided with a plurality of convex portions 91 arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 41, and similarly, a plurality of concave portions 92 arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 41.
The convex portion 91 and the concave portion 92 are arranged so as to extend along a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. The concave portion 92 is disposed between two convex portions 91 adjacent to each other. Moreover, the convex part 91 and the recessed part 92 are alternately arrange | positioned similarly to the above.

Here, an inclined portion 95 is provided on each of the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B.
The inclined portions 95 are provided on both sides (both side surfaces) of each convex portion 91 provided on the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B. In other words, the inclined portion 95 is provided at a portion from the top portion 91 </ b> A of the convex portion 91 toward the valley portion 92 </ b> A of the concave portion 92 located on both sides of the convex portion 91.
More specifically, the inclined portion 95 is formed on a portion of the outer surface of the convex portion 91 that is inclined downward from the top portion 91 </ b> A of the convex portion 91 toward the valley portion 92 </ b> A of the concave portion 92. The inclined portion 95 is formed in a linear shape.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a trough 92A of a recess 92 provided in each of the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B is cut out, and a groove 96 having a trapezoidal cross section is formed in the trough 92A. Yes.
In this embodiment, the grooves 96 are formed in both the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B. However, the grooves 96 are formed only in one of the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B, and the grooves 96 are formed on the other. May be omitted.
Further, in forming the groove 96 in at least one of the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B, the grooves 96 may not be formed in correspondence with all of the recesses 92, but only in some of the recesses 92. A groove 96 may be formed.

In the present embodiment, when the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle, the upper teeth 83A are moved to the lower teeth while the sheet bundle (not shown in FIG. 5A) is positioned between the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B. Advance (lower) toward 83B.
As a result, the upper teeth 83A (the uneven portion 200 provided on the one surface side of the sheet bundle) are pressed against the other surface side of the sheet bundle, and the lower teeth 83B (provided on the other surface side of the sheet bundle). The uneven portion 200) is pressed against.

When the upper teeth 83A further advance, the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B further approach, and the sheet bundle B is pressed by the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B as shown in FIG. 5B. It becomes a state (a sandwiched state).
In this state, the convex portion 91 of the upper tooth 83A enters between the convex portions 91 of the lower teeth 83B. Thereafter, in this embodiment, the upper teeth 83A are retracted from the sheet bundle B.

With the above process, the binding process for the sheet bundle B is completed.
When the binding process for the sheet bundle B is completed, the uneven shape following the uneven portion 200 is given to the upper surface and the lower surface of the sheet bundle B.
When the binding process for the sheet bundle B is completed, the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle B are brought into a pressure-bonded state.

  Here, in this embodiment, when the sheet bundle B is pressed by the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B, as shown in FIG. 5B, the direction indicated by reference numeral 5A (the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the sheet bundle B). ), The sheet bundle B is stretched. Thereby, in each paper P constituting the paper bundle B, the fibers constituting the paper P are stretched, and the gap between the fibers is expanded.

Further, during the binding process, the pressure in the direction indicated by reference numeral 5B (the thickness direction of the sheet bundle B) acts on the sheet bundle B. As a result, the fibers of the other paper P positioned next to the one paper P enter between the fibers constituting the one paper P included in the paper bundle B (between the fibers in a state where the gap is widened).
Thereafter, the pressure on the sheet bundle B is released. As a result, the fibers forming one sheet P and the fibers forming another sheet P are entangled, and the sheets P forming the sheet bundle B are pressed against each other.

6A is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by reference numeral 5X in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a side surface 97 and a bottom 92D. In addition, although FIG. 6 demonstrates the lower tooth 83B, the upper tooth 83A is also comprised similarly to the lower tooth 83B.
In the lower teeth 83B of this embodiment, as described above, the groove 96 is formed by cutting out the valley portion 92A of the recess 92.

More specifically, in the lower teeth 83B, a shape that eliminates the portions (the outer surface portion of the convex portion 91 and the base portion of the convex portion 91) located on both sides of the valley portion 92A of the concave portion 92 ), A groove 96 having an inverted trapezoidal cross section is formed in the valley 92A.
In the present embodiment, by forming the groove 96 in this way, compared to the case where the inclined portion 95 reaches the bottom 92D of the valley portion 92A (the linear inclined portion 95 remains as it is until the bottom 92D of the valley portion 92A. Compared with the case where it reaches (as compared with the case where it reaches the bottom 92D of the valley portion 92A in a straight line), the length of the inclined portion 95 becomes shorter.
In the configuration of the present embodiment, the length of the inclined portion 95 is thus shortened. In the present embodiment, the groove 96 is provided on the bottom 92D side of the lower end portion 95A (the end portion located on the bottom 92D side) of the inclined portion 95 having a short length.

A dotted line 6B shown in FIG. 6 indicates a linear inclined portion 95 that connects the top portion 91A side of the convex portion 91 and the bottom 92D of the valley portion 92A.
In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, by cutting out the valley portion 92A, a part of the inclined portion 95 is eliminated (the dotted line portion indicated by reference numeral 6B is eliminated), and the length of the inclined portion 95 is increased. It is shortened.
More specifically, the length of the inclined portion 95 before notching the valley portion 92A is the length L1, but in this embodiment, the inclined portion 92A is notched and the groove 96 is formed, thereby forming the inclined portion. The length of 95 is set to a length L2 smaller than the length L1.

The groove 96 of this embodiment has different widths of the groove 96 depending on the position of the groove 96 in the depth direction.
Specifically, in the groove 96 of the present embodiment, the width L4 at the portion connected to the inclined portion 95 of the groove 96 is larger than the width L3 at the bottom 92D of the valley portion 92A.
In other words, in the present embodiment, the width of the groove 96 increases from the bottom 92D of the valley portion 92A toward the side where the inclined portion 95 is located.
Thereby, compared with the case where the width of the groove 96 does not change regardless of the depth of the groove 96, the sheet bundle B after the binding process is easily removed from the lower teeth 83B and the upper teeth 83A.

When the width of the groove 96 does not change regardless of the depth of the groove 96, the sheet bundle B and the upper teeth 83A and the like when the sheet bundle B after the binding process is removed from the lower teeth 83B and the upper teeth 83A. The frictional force acting between the lower teeth 83B increases.
In this case, it is difficult to remove the sheet bundle B after the binding process from the lower teeth 83B and the upper teeth 83A. Further, in this case, when the sheet bundle B is removed, the force for removing the binding at the binding processing position is increased, and the binding is easily released.

On the other hand, when the width of the groove 96 increases from the bottom 92D of the valley portion 92A toward the side where the inclined portion 95 is located as in this embodiment, the sheet bundle B and the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B The frictional force acting between them becomes smaller.
This facilitates removal of the sheet bundle B from the lower teeth 83B and the upper teeth 83A. Further, the force for removing the binding is reduced, and the binding is difficult to come off.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, two side surfaces 97 located on both sides of the groove 96 and facing the groove 96 are defined by the forward and backward directions of the upper teeth 83 </ b> A (direction indicated by reference numeral 6 </ b> A, hereinafter “ It is inclined with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A.
Thereby, in this embodiment, the width | variety of the groove | channel 96 becomes large as it goes to the side in which the inclination part 95 is located from the bottom 92D of the trough part 92A as mentioned above.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the height of the two side surfaces 97 desired for the groove 96 from the bottom 92 </ b> D increases as the portion is located away from the center C (center C in the width direction) of the groove 96. Is formed.
More specifically, the position away from the center of the groove 96 by the distance L5 has a height H1 from the bottom 92D, but the place away from the center of the groove 96 by the distance L6 (> L5) The height from the bottom 92D is H2, which is larger than this H1.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the forward / backward direction 6A is the forward / backward direction of the upper teeth 83A. Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the two side surfaces 97 facing the groove 96 are provided on both sides of the groove 96. In the present embodiment, the two side surfaces 97 are inclined with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A.
In the present embodiment, the two side surfaces 97 are inclined with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A. However, only one of the side surfaces 97 may be inclined, and in this case as well, the bottom of the valley portion 92A is the same as described above. The width of the groove 96 is increased from 92D toward the side where the inclined portion 95 is located.

Further, in the present embodiment, the angle α of the side surface 97 with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A is larger than 20 degrees. Further, the angle α of the side surface 97 with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A is smaller than the angle β of the inclined portion 95 with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A.
When the angle of the side surface 97 with respect to the advance / retreat direction 6A is 20 degrees or less, when the sheet bundle B is removed from the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B after the binding process, the frictional force between both tends to increase, and the sheet bundle B is It becomes difficult to remove from the teeth 83A and lower teeth 83B.
In the present embodiment, the portion provided with the side surface 97 also has an angle with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A and is inclined with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A, and the portion provided with the side surface 97 also includes It can be understood as an inclined part. In this case, in this embodiment, a plurality of inclined portions are provided. Specifically, an inclined portion constituted by the side surface 97 and an inclined portion 95 positioned above the inclined portion in FIG. 6A are provided.
In the present embodiment, when the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle B, the inclined portion 95 comes into contact with the sheet bundle B first, not the inclined portion formed by the side surface 97.
In addition, in this embodiment, when the angle with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A is compared, the angle of the inclined portion 95 with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A is larger than the angle of the inclined portion constituted by the side surface 97 with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A. ing. In this embodiment, when performing the binding process on the sheet bundle B, the inclined portion 95, which is the inclined portion having the larger angle with respect to the advance / retreat direction 6A, precedes the inclined portion formed by the side surface 97. Contact B.
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the length (= L2) of the inclined portion 95 is shorter than the length of the inclined portion constituted by the side surface 97.

FIG. 7 is a view showing another configuration example of the groove 96.
In this configuration example shown in FIG. 7, the groove 96 is formed in multiple stages. In addition, in this configuration example shown in FIG. 7, the side surface 97 is not a single surface, and the side surface 97 is constituted by two surfaces, a first surface 97A and a second surface 97B.

More specifically, in this configuration example, a second surface 97B is further provided at a position located below the side surface 97 shown in FIG.
More specifically, in FIG. 7, the depth of the groove 96 is made larger than that of the groove 96 shown in FIG. 6, so that the second surface 97 </ b> B is further provided on both sides of the groove 96. It has a configuration. In this case, the volume of the space in the groove 96 is larger than in the configuration example shown in FIG.

The first surface 97A faces the groove 96 and is formed with a large angle α1 with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A. The second surface 97B is positioned closer to the bottom 92D than the first surface 97A, and the angle α2 with respect to the advance / retreat direction 6A is smaller than the angle α1 that is the angle of the first surface 97A. .
The angle α1 of the first surface 97A with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A and the angle α2 of the second surface 97B with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A are both smaller than the angle β of the inclined portion 95 with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A.

In order to deepen the groove 96, the two side surfaces 97 shown in FIG. 6 may be extended downward, as shown in FIG. 7, but in this case, in the bottom 92D portion, the groove The width of 96 is reduced. In this case, it is difficult for the paper P to enter the groove 96.
When the second surface 97B having a smaller angle with respect to the advance / retreat direction 6A than the first surface 97A is further formed as in this embodiment, the bottom is lower than the case where the side surface 97 is extended downward as described above. The width of the groove 96 in 92 </ b> D is widened, and the paper P can easily enter the groove 96.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 7, the angle of the first surface 97A with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A is preferably 20 degrees or more.
More preferably, the angle of the second surface 97B with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A is set to 20 degrees or more, and the angle of the first surface 97A with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A is larger than the angle of the second surface 97B with respect to the forward / backward direction 6A. It is preferable to do.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B are engaged with each other without sandwiching the sheet bundle B. In other words, it is a view showing a state in which the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B are brought into contact with each other without the sheet bundle B being inserted between the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B.
As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, when the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B are engaged with each other without sandwiching the sheet bundle B, a tooth-shaped inclined portion 95 (an inclined portion indicated by reference numeral 8A) that forms the recess 92 is formed. 95) and a tooth-shaped inclined portion 95 (inclined portion 95 indicated by reference numeral 8B) forming a convex portion 91 facing the concave portion 92 are in contact with each other, and an area where the two inclined portions 95 are in contact with each other is generated.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B are engaged with each other without sandwiching the sheet bundle B, the inclined portion 95 formed on the lower teeth 83B and the inclined portion 95 formed on the upper teeth 83A. Touch each other.
More specifically, the inclined portion 95 of the convex portion 91 included in one of the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B, and the convex portion 91 contacting the convex portion 91 included in the one tooth and the other The inclined portion 95 of the convex portion 91 provided on the tooth side contacts each other.

Thereby, in this embodiment, compared to the case where the inclined portions 95 do not contact each other, the pressure acting in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle B (pressure acting in the direction indicated by the arrow 5B in FIG. 5B) is more sure. Is generated.
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the inclined portion 95 formed on the lower teeth 83B and the inclined portion 95 formed on the upper teeth 83A contact in a planar shape. As a result, the pressure is applied over a wider range of the sheet bundle B than in the case where the sheet does not contact the sheet.

By the way, for example, a binding process is performed on a sheet bundle B composed of a large number of sheets P such as 6 to 10 sheets by binding teeth to a sheet bundle B composed of a small number of sheets P such as 2 to 5 sheets. When performing the above, the binding performance of the paper P tends to decrease.
The teeth to be bound to the sheet bundle B are preferably changed in size according to the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle B (according to the thickness of the sheet bundle B), and small teeth (small convex portions 91). When the binding process is performed on the thick sheet bundle B using the teeth having the teeth, the binding performance of the sheet P is likely to be deteriorated. More specifically, tooth misalignment is likely to occur, and the sheet bundle B is likely to be insufficiently compressed.

Here, the tooth type deviation means that one of the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B moves along the longitudinal direction of the teeth (the direction in which the base portion 41 shown in FIG. 5A extends (the left-right direction in the figure)). Refers to the phenomenon.
When a binding process is performed on a thick sheet bundle B using small teeth, FIG. 9 (a diagram showing a state when a binding process is performed on a thick sheet bundle B with a small tooth 91) As shown, the sheet bundle B is easily maintained in a flat state, and the sheet bundle B is difficult to enter between the convex portions 91 constituting the teeth.

  In this case, the load acts on the portion indicated by the broken line 10A, and the sheet bundle B is easily broken at this portion. When this breakage occurs, the convex portions 91 constituting the teeth enter the inside of the sheet bundle B at the broken portion. As a result, in this example, the upper teeth 83A move in the longitudinal direction of the upper teeth 83A (in the left-right direction in the figure). In this case, compared to the case where the upper teeth 83A perform an original movement in which the upper teeth 83A do not move, it is difficult to apply pressure to the sheet bundle B, and the binding processing performance is deteriorated.

  Here, in order to avoid the occurrence of such a problem, the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B may be enlarged (the convex portions 91 provided on the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B are enlarged, However, if the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B are enlarged, the length of the inclined portion 95 provided on each tooth is increased.

In this case, during the binding process, the contact area between the sheet bundle B and the inclined portion 95 is increased, and the drag acting on the teeth when the teeth are advanced toward the sheet bundle B is increased. Along with this, a load necessary for binding the sheet bundle B increases.
On the other hand, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the groove 96 is formed as described above, and the length of the inclined portion 95 is reduced. As a result, in the present embodiment, the drag acting on the teeth (upper teeth 83A, lower teeth 83B) from the sheet bundle B is reduced, and the load required to bind the sheet bundle B is reduced.

Further, when the groove 96 is formed as in the present embodiment, the escape place of the paper P constituting the paper bundle B sandwiched between the upper teeth 83A and the lower teeth 83B is expanded. In this case, the amount of advancement when the upper teeth 83A are advanced is larger.
When the advancement amount of the upper teeth 83A is increased, the sheet P (hereinafter referred to as “center sheet”) located at the center in the thickness direction among the sheets P included in the sheet bundle B is likely to expand. Thus, a binding force is applied to a larger number of sheets P.

More specifically, at the time of binding processing of the sheet bundle B, as described above, each sheet P constituting the sheet bundle B is expanded to widen the gaps between the fibers constituting the sheet P. When the thickness is increased, the central paper located at the central portion in the thickness direction is less likely to be stretched, and a gap between fibers is less likely to occur.
In this case, the binding force between the central sheet and the sheet P located next to the central sheet is less likely to occur.

On the other hand, in the configuration of the present embodiment, a groove 96 is formed, and the paper P can easily enter the groove 96. Accordingly, the amount of advancement of the upper teeth 83A increases.
In this case, the central sheet is more easily extended, and a binding force is easily generated between the central sheet and the sheet P located adjacent to the central sheet.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, as described above, as a result of the grooves 96 being provided, the elongation rate of the paper P increases, and accordingly, in the thin paper bundle B, the paper P may be broken. .
However, the extension of the sheet P due to the groove 96 is such that the sheet P is strongly sandwiched between the inclined portion 95 of the upper teeth 83A and the inclined portion 95 of the lower teeth 83B, and the sheet P is sandwiched at a high pressure. Be started. In this case, the high pressure maintains the entanglement between the fibers constituting the sheet bundle B, and the sheet P is less likely to break.

2 ... Post-processing device, 6A ... Advancing / retreating direction, 81 ... Binding member, 83A ... Upper teeth, 83B ... Lower teeth, 92 ... Recessed, 92A ... Valley, 92D ... Bottom, 95 ... Inclined portion, 96 ... Groove, 97 ... Side surface, 97A ... first surface, 97B ... second surface, 100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K ... image forming unit, 211 ... conveying roll, 500 ... image forming system, B ... sheet bundle

Claims (14)

Upper teeth having tooth forms for forming irregularities in the recording material bundle;
A tooth mold for forming irregularities in the recording material bundle, and a lower tooth that forms a pair with the upper tooth,
At least one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth is
In the cross-sectional shape of the tooth mold, a groove is formed in the valley portion of the concave portion of the tooth mold, and the length of the inclined portion with which the recording material bundle contacts is compared with the case where the inclined portion of the tooth mold reaches the bottom of the valley portion. A binding member characterized by being shortened.   The binding member according to claim 1, wherein the width of the groove is a width of a portion connected to the inclined portion of the groove, which is larger than the width at the bottom of the valley portion. At least one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth moves along a predetermined advance / retreat direction, so that a binding process for the recording material bundle is performed,
At least one side surface of two side surfaces located on both sides of the groove and facing the groove has an angle with respect to the forward / backward direction and is inclined with respect to the forward / backward direction, so that the width at the bottom The binding member according to claim 2, wherein a width of the connected portion is larger.   The binding member according to claim 3, wherein an angle of the at least one side surface with respect to the advance / retreat direction is smaller than an angle of the inclined portion with respect to the advance / retreat direction.   The binding member according to claim 3, wherein an angle of the at least one side surface with respect to the advance / retreat direction is larger than 20 degrees. The groove is formed in multiple stages,
The at least one side surface has a first surface having a large angle with respect to the advancing / retreating direction and facing the groove, and is positioned closer to the bottom than the first surface and has an angle with respect to the advancing / retreating direction. The binding member according to claim 3, wherein at least a second surface smaller than the surface is provided.   When the upper teeth and the lower teeth are engaged with each other without sandwiching the recording material bundle, the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the concave portion, and the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the convex portion facing the concave portion, The binding member according to claim 1, wherein the binding member has a region in contact with.   The binding member according to claim 7, wherein the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the concave portion and the inclined portion of the tooth mold that forms the convex portion facing the concave portion are in planar contact.   The binding member according to claim 7, wherein the upper teeth and the lower teeth have the grooves formed in the concave portions of the respective tooth types.   The binding member according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed by cutting out the valley portion. Upper teeth having tooth forms for forming irregularities in the recording material bundle;
A tooth mold for forming irregularities in the recording material bundle, and a lower tooth that forms a pair with the upper tooth,
At least one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth moves along a predetermined advance / retreat direction, whereby a binding process is performed on the recording material bundle, and in the cross-sectional shape of the tooth mold, And there are a plurality of inclined portions that are inclined with respect to the advancing / retreating direction,
A binding member in which the recording material bundle first comes into contact with an inclined portion having a larger angle with respect to the advance / retreat direction.   The binding member according to claim 11, wherein a length of the inclined portion that contacts the recording material bundle first is shorter. A transport unit that transports a recording material on which an image is formed;
Upper teeth that contact the recording material bundle from one direction of the recording material bundle made of the recording material conveyed by the conveying unit and bind the recording material bundle without a needle,
A lower tooth that faces the upper teeth and contacts the recording material bundle from the other direction and binds the recording material bundle without a needle, and
At least one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth is
In the cross-sectional shape of the tooth mold, a groove is formed in the valley portion of the concave portion of the tooth mold, and the length of the inclined portion with which the recording material bundle contacts is compared with the case where the inclined portion of the tooth mold reaches the bottom of the valley portion. A recording material processing apparatus characterized by shortening. An image forming unit for forming an image;
A transport unit that transports a recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming unit;
Upper teeth that contact the recording material bundle from one direction of the recording material bundle made of the recording material conveyed by the conveying unit and bind the recording material bundle without a needle,
A lower tooth that faces the upper teeth and contacts the recording material bundle from the other direction and binds the recording material bundle without a needle, and
At least one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth is
In the cross-sectional shape of the tooth mold, a groove is formed in the valley portion of the concave portion of the tooth mold, and the length of the inclined portion with which the recording material bundle contacts is compared with the case where the inclined portion of the tooth mold reaches the bottom of the valley portion. An image forming system characterized by shortening.

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