JP2019218167A - Bookbinding device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bookbinding device capable of preventing occurrence of a back crack or a page missing.SOLUTION: A bookbinding device comprises: binding means for performing a binding operation for binding each of a plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 formed by dividing a plurality of sheets included in one product to be bound; and pasting means for performing a pasting operation for pasting an end of an arranged sheet bundle Sb obtained by arranging the plurality of sheets bundles Sb1 to Sb3 after the binding operation. The binding means performs a binding operation at binding positions P1 to P5 as the positions where the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 mutually overlap when the sheet bundles are arranged, with respect to each of the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a bookbinding apparatus that performs bookbinding by gluing a sheet bundle and an image forming system using the same.

  Conventionally, as a post-processing device, there is known a device having a built-in punch mechanism for storing a sheet fed from an image forming apparatus or the like in a storage stacker, forming a punch hole in a process of unloading the sheet, and performing a subsequent filing. ing. Further, as a bookbinding apparatus, there is known an apparatus having a built-in mechanism for applying an adhesive or adding an adhesive tape to a back end surface of a bundle of sheets aligned and stacked for binding.

  As this type of bookbinding apparatus, there is known a bookbinding apparatus including a sheet feeding unit fed from an image forming apparatus or the like, a milling unit, a gluing unit, a cover sheet feeding device, and a nipping unit (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-163873). 1). In this bookbinding apparatus, the conveyed sheet bundle is moved while being clamped by a clamper, the back surface of the sheet bundle is aligned by a milling unit, the aligned rear surface is glued by a gluing unit, and the glued rear surface is supplied from a cover feeding device. After pasting the cover, it is tightened at the nip and bound. Further, the bookbinding apparatus has a pressing step by a back pressing mechanism for pressing the side of the back surface of the sheet bundle between the milling step in the milling section and the gluing step in the gluing section. According to this bookbinding device, after the milling process, by pressing the back side in the pressing process, a gap is formed between the outermost sheet and the sheet adjacent thereto outside the sheet bundle. This makes it easier for the glue to enter the gap in the gluing step.

JP 2010-274501 A

  However, in the bookbinding apparatus described in Patent Document 1, although a gap is easily formed between the outermost sheet of the sheet bundle and the sheet adjacent thereto, a gap is formed between the sheets inside the sheet bundle. Is difficult to form. For this reason, the pull-out strength is not improved inside the sheet bundle, and there is a possibility that a back crack or a missing middle sheet may occur after the bookbinding process.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a bookbinding apparatus that suppresses the occurrence of back cracks and missing sheets, and an image forming system using the same.

  The bookbinding apparatus according to the present invention includes a binding unit that performs a binding operation of binding a plurality of sheet bundles obtained by dividing a plurality of sheets included in one book product to be bound, and the binding unit includes the one book product. After performing the binding operation on the plurality of sheet bundles included in the above, a gluing unit that performs a gluing operation of aligning the plurality of sheet bundles and gluing the edges collectively, the binding unit includes The binding operation is performed on each of the plurality of sheet bundles at a position overlapping each other when the plurality of sheet bundles are aligned.

  Further, an image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, and the above-described bookbinding apparatus for binding a sheet bundle conveyed from the image forming apparatus. And

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, generation | occurrence | production of a back crack and a sheet missing can be suppressed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a bookbinding device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram around a pressure bonding unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an operation mechanism of the pressure binding unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a binding position for a sheet bundle according to the embodiment. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a schematic configuration of an adhesive application unit according to an embodiment, as viewed from the front, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming system according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control of a binding process according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the sheet | seat bundle which concerns on embodiment, (a) The side view in the state which accumulated on the accumulation tray, (b) The side view in the state clamped by the grip conveyance part, (c) The top view after gluing.

  Embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9C. First, a schematic configuration of an image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming system 1000 includes an image forming apparatus 100, a bookbinding apparatus 200, and a sheet processing apparatus 300. In the present embodiment, an image forming system 1000 is provided by attaching a bookbinding apparatus 200 that is detachable to an image forming apparatus 100 of an electrophotographic type, an electrostatic recording type, or the like. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 sequentially forms an image (toner image) on a sheet. Then, after the bookbinding apparatus 200 connected to the discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus 100 performs the binding operation by aligning the sheets on which the images are formed into a bundle and performing the binding operation, the bookbinding is performed by bonding the cover to the sheet bundle. . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheet processing apparatus 300 is provided downstream of the bookbinding apparatus 200 in the sheet conveyance direction, but the sheet processing apparatus 300 may be omitted. The sheet is, for example, paper such as thin paper, plain paper, cardboard, or paper whose surface is coated. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and as shown in FIG. 1, a feeding unit 2 in a casing 1, an image forming unit 3 for forming an image on a sheet, a discharging unit 4, The control unit 110 is built in. The feeding section 2 has a plurality of cassettes 5 corresponding to sheet sizes. Sheets are stored in the plurality of cassettes 5, respectively, and sheets are fed to the transport path 6 from the cassettes 5 storing sheets of the size specified by the control unit 110. The conveyance path 6 is provided with a registration roller 7 for aligning the leading edge of the sheet and conveying the sheet to the downstream image forming unit 3 at a predetermined timing.

  The image forming section 3 has a photosensitive drum 10 which is a cylindrical photosensitive member, and around the photosensitive drum 10, an exposure device 9, a developing device 11, a transfer charger 12 and the like are arranged. The exposure device 9 includes, for example, a laser light emitter, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10. The developing device 11 forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to a sheet by a transfer charger 12.

  The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 13, where the toner image is fixed on the sheet by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 13. The sheet on which the toner image has been fixed is transported to the discharge path 17. The discharge section 4 has a discharge port 14 and a discharge roller 15 formed in the casing 1. The sheet conveyed to the discharge path 17 is discharged from the discharge port 14 by the discharge roller 15 and sent to the bookbinding apparatus 200.

  When images are formed on both sides of the sheet, the sheet having the image fixed on one side thereof by the fixing device 13 passes through a double-sided path 16 provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 13 and is turned upside down in a switchback manner. . Then, the sheet is again conveyed to the registration roller 7, and a toner image is formed on the back surface in the image forming unit 3, as in the case of the single side. Then, the sheet is fixed with the toner image by the fixing device 13, and is fed to the bookbinding apparatus 200 by the discharge roller 15.

  A scanner unit 20 is provided above the image forming unit 3. The scanner unit 20 optically reads an image of a document. To this end, the scanner unit 20 includes a platen 23 on which a document is placed, a carriage 21 that scans an image of the document along the platen 23, and an optical reading unit (for example, a CCD) that photoelectrically converts an optical image from the carriage 21. (Device) 22. In the illustrated example, an original feeder (ADF) 25 that automatically feeds an original to the platen 23 is disposed on the platen 23.

[Bookbinding device]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bookbinding apparatus 200 includes an accumulating unit 40 as an accumulating unit, a pressure bonding unit 70 as a binding unit, an adhesive application unit 55 as a gluing unit, and a cover binding unit as a cover molding unit. 60 and the like. These are arranged in the casing 201 of the bookbinding device 200. The stacking unit 40 stacks sheets on which the toner images are formed by the image forming apparatus 100 in a bundle and aligns the sheets. The pressure binding unit 70 performs a pressure binding process (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a binding process), that is, a binding operation, by pressing the sheet bundle accumulated in the accumulation unit 40 without using a needle such as metal. The adhesive application unit 55 performs a gluing operation of applying (glueing) an adhesive (glue) to an end portion of the sheet bundle bound by the pressure binding unit 70. The cover binding unit 60 binds the cover to the sheet bundle by bonding the cover to the end of the sheet bundle to which the adhesive has been applied and folding the cover.

  Such a bookbinding apparatus 200 receives a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 from a receiving port 31a connected to the discharge port 14 of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, after a series of sheets are stacked and aligned in the stacking unit 40 in the stacking unit, the press-binding unit 70 performs a binding operation on the sheet bundle, and the adhesive applying unit 55 ends (backs) the ends of the bundled sheets. Apply adhesive to Then, the bookbinding apparatus 200 forms the booklet-like sheet by binding the sheet bundle and the coversheet together in the cover binding unit 60, and then cuts and finishes the periphery of the booklet-like sheet in the trimming section 65 to form a storage stacker. A series of bookbinding processes is completed by storing the contents in the storage 67. That is, the bookbinding apparatus 200 binds the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100.

  In addition, the bookbinding apparatus 200 includes a sheet carry-in path 31 that is continuous with the receiving port 31a, a middle paper carry path 32 that branches off from the sheet carry-in path 31, and a cover sheet carry path 34. The sheet carried into the sheet carry-in path 31 is conveyed by the path switching member 36 being distributed to the inner sheet carry path 32 and the cover sheet carry path 34. Further, a bookbinding path 33 is provided downstream of the inner sheet transport path 32 via an accumulation unit 40. The bookbinding path 33 is orthogonal to the cover transport path 34.

  An inserter device 26 for selectively supplying a sheet to the image forming apparatus 100 is provided upstream of the sheet carrying path 31. This apparatus has one or a plurality of trays 26a, and separates a sheet bundle set in the tray 26a one by one to supply a cover sheet or a middle sheet from the feeding path 27 to the sheet carrying path 31. It is configured to

[Collecting unit]
The stacking unit 40 includes a stacking tray 41 arranged at the discharge port 32b of the inner sheet transport path 32. The stacking tray 41 stacks and stores sheets from the discharge port 32b. As shown in FIG. 2, the stacking tray 41 is composed of a tray member arranged in a substantially horizontal posture, and a forward / reverse rotation roller 42a and a carry-in guide 42b are provided above the tray member. Then, the sheet conveyed from the discharge port 32b is guided onto the accumulation tray 41 by the carry-in guide 42b, and stored by the forward / reverse rotation roller 42a. The forward / reverse rotation roller 42a transports the sheet to the leading end side of the stacking tray 41 by forward rotation, and abuts the trailing end of the sheet against a regulating member (not shown) arranged at the trailing end (right end in FIG. 2) by reverse rotation. I do. The stacking tray 41 is provided with a sheet side aligning unit (not shown), and aligns both side edges of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray 41 to the reference position. With such a configuration, the sheets from the inner sheet transport path 32 are sequentially stacked on the stacking tray 41 and are aligned in a bundle.

  In addition, a thickness identification unit (not shown) is arranged on the stacking tray 41, and detects the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray 41. The thickness identification unit is provided with, for example, a contact piece in contact with the uppermost sheet on the tray, and identifies the thickness of the sheet bundle by detecting the position of the contact piece with a sensor. The thickness identification unit may have the following configuration, for example. That is, a sheet that is provided at the downstream end of the inner sheet transport path 32 and is discharged from the discharge sensor Se3 that detects the sheet to the stacking tray 41 is detected, and a signal from the discharge sensor Se3 is counted by a counter. Then, the thickness of the sheet bundle is identified by multiplying the total number of sheets counted by the job end signal from the image forming apparatus 100 by the average sheet thickness.

  The stacking tray 41 is attached to a device frame (not shown) so as to be movable up and down in the direction of arrow a, and moves between an upper stacking position 40A and a lower transfer position 40B. The stacking tray 41 is moved from the stacking position 40A to a transfer position 40B at a distance from the stacking position 40A, and is transferred and carried by the grip transfer unit 47 that unloads the sheet bundle at the transfer position 40B.

[Crimping binding unit]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pressure bonding unit 70 is disposed at the rear end (right end in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the stacking tray 41 located at the stacking position 40 </ b> A and below the inner sheet transport path 32. I have. A part of the rear end of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray 41 as described above is pressure-bonded by the pressure bonding unit 70. Further, the pressure binding unit 70 performs a binding operation of binding a plurality of sheet bundles obtained by dividing a plurality of sheets included in one product to be bound.

  The pressure bonding unit 70 will be described with reference to FIG. The pressure binding unit 70 binds a plurality of sheets stacked in a bundle by deforming under pressure so as to mesh with each other. That is, the pressure binding unit 70 performs the binding operation of binding the sheet bundle by applying a pressing force to a part of the sheet bundle and entanglement the fibers of the sheet without using a needle. For this reason, the pressure bonding unit 70 is configured by a clamp mechanism that clamps and deforms a plurality of sheets. Specifically, the pressure bonding unit 70 includes a pair of pressing members 71 and 72 for pressing the bundle of sheets from the front and back directions, a driving motor DC, and a driving mechanism PM including a gear train.

  The pair of pressure members 71 and 72 have pressure tooth members 73 and 74 provided to face each other. The crimping tooth members 73 and 74 are formed with a plurality of crimping teeth extending in the ridge line direction arranged in a tooth row direction perpendicular to the ridge line direction. The crimping tooth members 73 and 74 are arranged such that the concavities and convexities formed by the plurality of crimping teeth respectively formed on the two pressing surfaces mesh with each other.

  The pair of pressurizing members 71 and 72 are urged by a spring (not shown) in a direction away from each other, and the drive of the drive motor DC is transmitted via a drive mechanism PM, thereby forming the press-formed members. The tooth members 73 and 74 move in a direction approaching each other. Specifically, as the pressing member 72 swings with respect to the pressing member 71, the pressure-bonding tooth members 73 and 74 move in directions approaching each other against the urging force of the spring.

  When performing pressure bonding on the sheet bundle, a part of the sheet bundle is inserted between the pressure bonding tooth members 73 and 74, and the driving motor DC is driven to move the pressure bonding tooth members 73 and 74 toward each other. Let it. As a result, a pressing force is applied to a part of the sheet bundle, and a part of the sheet bundle is deformed into a corrugated cross section, whereby the fibers of the sheet are entangled, and the sheet bundle is stapled. In this way, the pressure binding unit 70 presses the sheet bundle accumulated on the accumulation tray 41 without using a metal needle or the like to perform the pressure binding processing. The portion subjected to the pressure bonding process by the pinching force is deformed in the thickness direction to form the uneven portion 80 (see FIG. 5).

  In addition, the bookbinding apparatus 200 includes a moving unit (moving unit) that can move the pressure bonding unit 70 in the width direction of the sheet bundle (in the direction intersecting (in the present embodiment, orthogonal to) the sheet conveying direction of the forward / reverse rotation roller 42a). 75 are provided. In the present embodiment, the moving unit 75 moves the crimp binding unit 70 and the sheet bundle relative to each other by moving the crimp binding unit 70 in the width direction, but is not limited thereto. For example, the moving unit 75 may move the sheet bundle on the accumulation tray 41 in the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the position where a part of the sheet bundle Sb is pressure-bonded is set to the same position as the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3. As described in detail later, in the present embodiment, the number of sheets to be bound is divided into a plurality of sheet bundles, and the binding operation is performed by the pressure binding unit 70 for each sheet bundle. Then, after performing the binding operation on all the sheet bundles corresponding to the number of one sheet, the adhesive application unit 55 performs the gluing operation, and the cover binding unit 60 bonds the front cover to perform bookbinding.

  The example illustrated in FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the binding positions P1 to P5 of the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 are five. The pressure bonding unit 70 can form one deformed portion 80 by performing a binding operation only at one location, for example, so that five deformed portions are formed at five binding positions P1 to P5 of one sheet bundle Sb1. In order to form the part 80, the pressure binding unit 70 is moved in the width direction. Here, the binding positions P1 to P5 of the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 are positions overlapping each other when the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 are aligned. For this reason, when the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 after the binding process are overlapped, the uneven deformation portions 80 at the overlapping positions of the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 interfere with each other, and the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 Adhesion is not possible, and a gap is formed between each other (see FIG. 9A). Note that the binding position is not limited to five locations, and it is sufficient that at least one binding location be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet bundle bound by the pressure binding unit 70 on the accumulation tray 41 is transported to the second accumulation tray 43 every time the sheet bundle is bound by the pressure binding unit 70. For example, the sheet tray bound by the pressure binding unit 70 on the stacking tray 41 is slightly conveyed by the forward / reverse rotation roller 42a, and a part of the sheet bundle is extracted from the pressure binding unit 70. It is lowered to the delivery position 40B below the accumulation position 40A. Then, the bound sheet bundle is transported from the transfer position 40 </ b> B to the second stacking tray 43.

  On the other hand, the stacking tray 41 that has delivered the sheet bundle to the second stacking tray 43 rises to the stacking position 40A again, and the sheet bundle is stacked on the stacking tray 41. Then, a binding operation is similarly performed on the accumulated sheet bundle by the pressure binding unit 70 to move the accumulation tray 41 to the delivery position 40 </ b> B, and transport the bound sheet bundle to the second accumulation tray 43. . Such an operation is performed on all the sheet bundles corresponding to the number of sheets of one product to be bound, and finally, a plurality of bound sheet bundles are stacked on the second stacking tray 43. .

[Grip transport unit]
The grip transport unit 47 is arranged on the bookbinding path 33 and transports the sheet bundle from the second stacking tray 43 to the adhesive layer forming position E on the downstream side. The grip transport unit 47 sandwiches the sheet bundle accumulated on the second accumulation tray 43 in the thickness direction, deflects the sheet bundle from a substantially horizontal posture to a vertical posture, and binds this sheet bundle to a substantially vertical bookbinding path. The sheet is conveyed and set to an adhesive layer forming position E along 33. Here, since the grip transport unit 47 sandwiches the plurality of sheet bundles in the thickness direction, the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 are pressed together, and the deforming unit 80 is crushed as shown in FIG. 9B. The gap between each other is reduced. However, even after being gripped by the grip transport unit 47, the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 are not completely adhered to each other due to the presence of the deforming unit 80, and the sheet bundles Sb1 to S5 are located between the binding positions P1 to P5. A gap region 81 having a gap is provided.

[Adhesive coating unit]
As shown in FIG. 2, the adhesive application unit 55 is disposed at an adhesive layer forming position E of the bookbinding path 33. As shown in FIG. 6A, the adhesive application unit 55 includes a container 56 for storing a hot-melt adhesive, an application roll 57, and a roll rotation motor MR. The container 56 is divided into a liquid storage chamber 56a for storing a liquid adhesive and a solid storage chamber 56b for storing a solid adhesive, and an application roll 57 is rotatably incorporated in the liquid storage chamber 56a. I have.

  Further, an adhesive sensor 56s (see FIG. 2) for detecting the remaining amount of the adhesive is disposed in the liquid material storage chamber 56a. The adhesive sensor 56s also functions as an adhesive temperature sensor, and simultaneously detects the temperature of the liquefied adhesive in the liquid agent storage chamber 56a and determines the remaining amount of the adhesive by the temperature difference between the parts immersed in the adhesive. To detect.

  Further, a heating unit 50 such as an electric heater is embedded in the container 56. The adhesive sensor 56s and the heating unit 50 are connected to a control unit 110 described later. Then, the CPU 111 (see FIG. 7) of the control unit 110 controls the heating unit 50 based on the detection result of the adhesive sensor 56s, and adjusts the temperature of the adhesive in the liquid material storage chamber 56a to a predetermined melting temperature. The application roll 57 is made of a heat-resistant porous material, and is configured to impregnate the adhesive so that the layer of the adhesive rises around the roll.

  The container 56 configured as described above reciprocates along the width direction of the sheet bundle. FIG. 6B shows a schematic diagram thereof. The container 56 is formed to have a shorter length (dimension) with respect to the lower edge (spin portion at the time of bookbinding) Sd of the sheet bundle, and has a width along the lower edge Sd of the sheet bundle together with the application roll 57 incorporated therein. It is supported by guide rails 52 of the apparatus frame so as to move in the direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 6B). The container 56 is connected to a timing belt 53 attached to the apparatus frame, and a drive motor MS is connected to the timing belt 53.

  With this configuration, the container 56 is reciprocated by the drive motor MS between the home position Hp and the return position RP where the return operation is started along the sheet bundle. Each position is set in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 6B, and the return position RP is set based on the sheet width size information. Further, the position of the container 56 is set to the home position Hp when the apparatus is powered on (at the time of initializing). For example, a predetermined time after the preceding sheet grip signal (expected time for the sheet bundle to reach the adhesive layer forming position E) Moves from the home position Hp toward the return position RP. Simultaneously with this movement, the application roll 57 starts rotating by the roll rotation motor MR. The sheet grip signal is a signal output when the grip sensor Sg (FIG. 2) provided in the grip transport unit 47 grips the sheet bundle. Further, Sp in FIG. 6B is a home position sensor of the container 56.

  In the adhesive application unit 55 thus configured, the container 56 starts moving from the left side to the right side in FIG. 6B along the guide rail 52 by the rotation of the drive motor MS. The application roll 57 is adjusted by a lifting motor (not shown) for the feed amount of the grip transport unit 47. Then, the application roll 57 presses against the sheet bundle on the outward path to break the sheet end, and on the return path from the return position RP to the home position Hp, forms a predetermined gap with the sheet end to apply the adhesive. I do.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9B, the sheet bundle Sb has a gap area 81 having a gap between the sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 between the binding positions P1 to P5. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, the adhesive 82 (shown by a thick black line in the figure) applied by the adhesive applying unit 55 penetrates deep into the gap region 81. As a result, the strength of pulling out the inner paper sheet inside the sheet bundle Sb is improved, so that occurrence of a back crack or a missing middle paper sheet after the bookbinding process can be suppressed.

[Cover Binding Unit]
As shown in FIG. 2, the cover binding unit 60 is disposed at a cover binding position F below the adhesive layer forming position E of the bookbinding path 33. The cover binding unit 60 includes a backrest plate 61, a back-folding plate 62, and a folding roll 63. The cover transport path 34 is disposed at the cover binding position F, and a cover sheet is transported from the cover transport path 34 from the image forming apparatus 100 or the inserter device 26. The backrest plate 61 is formed of a plate-like member that backs up a cover sheet conveyed from the cover sheet conveyance path 34, and is disposed in the bookbinding path 33 so as to be able to advance and retreat.

  The sheet bundle (hereinafter, saddle stitch sheet bundle) to which the adhesive has been applied to the lower edge by the adhesive application unit 55 as described above is joined to the cover sheet supported by the backrest plate 61 in an inverted T-shape. Is done. The back folding plate 62 includes a pair of left and right press members, and forms the back of the cover sheet joined in an inverted T-shape. To this end, the spine folding plates 62 are configured to approach and separate from each other by a driving device (not shown). The folding roll 63 includes a pair of rollers that nip and press the sheet bundle formed in such a manner as to be folded back. As described above, the cover binding unit 60 bonds the cover to the end (lower edge) of the sheet bundle to which the adhesive is applied (glued) by the adhesive application unit 55, and folds the cover (bookbinding). ).

[Bunch attitude deflection unit]
Next, the finishing process of the sheet bundle bound as described above will be described. This finishing process trims and aligns three sides of the booklet-shaped sheet bundle except for the back. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 1, a cutting position G located downstream of the folding roll 63 of the bookbinding path 33 includes a bundle attitude deflecting unit 64 that deflects the sheet bundle in the vertical direction, and a peripheral edge of the sheet bundle. A cutting section 65 for cutting is arranged.

  The bundle attitude deflecting unit 64 deflects the sheet bundle mounted from the cover binding position F in a predetermined direction (posture) and feeds the sheet bundle to the cutting unit 65 or the storage stacker 67 on the downstream side. The cutting unit 65 trims the edges of the sheet bundle as described later. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the bundle attitude deflecting unit 64 includes rotary tables 64 a and 64 b that grip and rotate the sheet bundle sent from the folding roll 63.

  The turntables 64a and 64b are provided on a unit frame 64x that is attached to the apparatus frame so as to be able to move up and down. A pair of turntables 64a and 64b are rotatably supported by bearings on the unit frame 64x with the bookbinding path 33 interposed therebetween. The rotary table 64b is supported movably in the sheet bundle thickness direction (the direction orthogonal to the bookbinding path 33). Each of the rotary tables 64a and 64b is provided with a turning motor (not shown) so as to deflect the sheet bundle in the bookbinding path 33.

[Cutting Department]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting unit 65 is disposed downstream of the bundle attitude deflecting unit 64 of the bookbinding path 33. The cutting section 65 includes a cutting edge press member 65b that presses and supports the cutting edge of the sheet bundle to the blade receiving member 65a, and a cutting blade unit 65c. The cutting edge press member 65b is disposed at a position facing the blade receiving member 65a disposed on the bookbinding path 33, and is configured by a pressing member that is moved in a direction orthogonal to the sheet bundle by a driving device (not shown). The cutting blade unit 65c includes a flat blade-shaped cutting blade 65x and a cutter motor MC that drives the cutting blade 65x. The cutting section 65 having such a configuration cuts a predetermined amount of the periphery (cutting edge) excluding the spine of the sheet bundle that has been subjected to bookbinding in a booklet shape and trims it. That is, the cutting unit 65 cuts the cut edge of the sheet bundle after gluing. FIG. 5 shows a cut line Lc in the width direction of the sheet bundle Sb as an example of the cut edge. A region between the cut lines Lc in the width direction is a range A1 that is not cut.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a discharge roller 66 and a storage stacker 67 are disposed downstream of the cutting position G. The storage stacker 67 stores the sheet bundle in a standing posture. The storage stacker 67 is arranged so as to be able to be pulled out of the casing 201 and is drawn out to the front side of the apparatus (the front side in FIG. 1). Then, the storage stacker 67 can be visually recognized by a user from the top surface in a state where the storage stacker 67 is pulled out to the front side of the apparatus.

[Sheet processing device]
The sheet processing apparatus 300 is connected downstream of the bookbinding apparatus 200 in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet processing apparatus 300 is provided with a processing path 38 connected to the cover sheet transport path 34 of the bookbinding apparatus 200, and processing equipment such as a staple unit and a stamp unit is arranged in the processing path 38. Then, the sheet from the image forming apparatus 100 is received via the cover sheet transport path 34, the sheet is subjected to stapling processing, stamping processing, and the like, and is discharged to the discharge tray 37. Also, a sheet that is not subjected to such processing can be discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 to the discharge tray 37.

[Control unit]
As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 110 is provided so as to control an image forming system 1000 including the image forming apparatus 100, the bookbinding apparatus 200, and the sheet processing apparatus 300. The control unit 110 as a control unit has a CPU 111, a RAM 112, and a ROM 113. The CPU 111 controls each unit while reading out a program corresponding to the control procedure stored in the ROM 113. The RAM 112 stores work data and input data, and the CPU 111 performs control with reference to the data stored in the RAM 112 based on the above-described programs and the like. Further, the control unit 110 is connected to an input unit 120 such as an operation panel provided in the image forming apparatus 100, and can execute various controls based on settings input from the input unit 120. Further, the control unit 110 is connected to the stacking unit 40, the pressure binding unit 70, the adhesive application unit 55, the cover binding unit 60, the grip conveying unit 47, the bundle attitude deflecting unit 64, and the cutting unit 65 provided in the bookbinding apparatus 200. It is possible to transmit and receive information to and from each unit.

  Next, an execution procedure of the binding process performed by the pressure binding unit 70 in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. The CPU 111 acquires the sheet information of the sheet on which the binding process is to be performed (step S1). The CPU 111 acquires the sheet information from information input to the input unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100, for example. The CPU 111 sets the number of sheet bundles of one copy based on job information such as the basis weight of sheets to be bound and the number of sheets per book, and performs the following binding processing on each sheet bundle.

  The CPU 111 determines whether or not the sheet from which the sheet information has been acquired is thick paper, coated paper, or the like (step S2). Here, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the sheet is thick paper or coated paper set in advance assuming that the basis weight of the sheet is larger than a predetermined value. If the CPU 111 determines that the sheet is not thick paper or coated paper (NO in step S2), the CPU 111 determines that the basis weight of the sheet is equal to or less than a predetermined value, ends the process, and performs a binding operation on the sheet bundle. The sheet is conveyed to the second stacking tray 43 (see FIG. 2), and the next gluing operation is performed after all the sheet bundles corresponding to the number of sheets of one product to be bound are conveyed. That is, when the basis weight of the sheet is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 111 performs the gluing operation by the adhesive application unit 55 without performing the binding operation by the pressure bonding unit 70.

  When the CPU 111 determines that the sheet is thick paper, coated paper, or the like (YES in step S2), the CPU 111 determines that the basis weight of the sheet is larger than a predetermined value, and starts preparation for the binding operation. The CPU 111 determines whether or not the binding position of the sheet bundle by the pressure binding unit 70 is within the range A1 that is not cut by the cutting unit 65 after the binding operation (step S3). When the CPU 111 determines that the binding position of the sheet bundle is not within the range A1 where the sheet bundle is not cut, that is, within the range where the sheet bundle is cut by the cutting unit 65 after the binding operation (NO in step S3), the moving unit 75 performs pressure bonding. The pressure bonding unit 70 is moved and positioned so that the position where the binding unit 70 performs the binding operation is within the range A1 that is not cut by the cutting unit 65 after the binding operation (step S4). That is, the relative position between the pressure binding unit 70 and the sheet bundle Sb is determined. Thereafter, the CPU 111 starts the binding operation by the pressure binding unit 70 (step S5). Also, in step S3, when the CPU 111 determines that the binding position of the sheet bundle is within the range A1 where cutting is not performed (YES in step S3), the binding operation is started by the pressure bonding unit 70 (step S5). By performing the binding operation, the uneven portions 80 are formed at the binding positions P1 to P5 of the sheet bundle Sb (see FIG. 5). After finishing the binding operation by the pressure bonding unit 70, the CPU 111 ends the processing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet bundle bound by the pressure binding unit 70 in the binding process is transported to the second stacking tray 43 every time the sheet bundle is bound by the pressure binding unit 70. The pressure binding unit 70 performs a binding operation of binding a plurality of sheet bundles obtained by dividing a plurality of sheets included in one book to be bound, and sequentially transports each sheet bundle to the second stacking tray 43. To load. In the second stacking tray 43, the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 interfere with each other at the corresponding positions of the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3, and the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 cannot adhere to each other. The sheets are stacked in the formed state (see FIG. 9A).

  The plurality of sheet bundles conveyed and accumulated on the second accumulation tray 43 are nipped by the grip conveyance unit 47, deflected from a substantially horizontal posture to a vertical posture, and conveyed to the adhesive layer forming position E along the bookbinding path 33. Set. Since the grip transport unit 47 sandwiches the plurality of sheet bundles in the thickness direction, the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 are pressed, the deforming unit 80 is crushed, and the gap between each other is reduced (see FIG. b)). Here, even after being gripped by the grip transport unit 47, the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 are not completely adhered to each other due to the presence of the deforming unit 80, and the sheet bundles are located between the binding positions P1 to P5. Has a gap region 81 having the above-mentioned gap. Thereafter, the sheet bundle Sb is subjected to a gluing process by the adhesive application unit 55. That is, when the basis weight of the sheet is larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 111 performs the binding operation by the pressure bonding unit 70 and then performs the gluing operation by the adhesive application unit 55.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, in the gluing process performed by the adhesive application unit 55, the application roll 57 is pressed against the sheet bundle Sb on the outward path to break the sheet end. At this time, in the gap region 81 of the sheet bundle Sb, a large gap is formed between the sheets. Then, on the return path in which the application roll 57 returns from the return position RP to the home position Hp, a predetermined gap is formed with the sheet end, and the adhesive is applied. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9C, the adhesive 82 applied by the application roll 57 penetrates deeply into the gap region 81, so that the pull-out strength of the middle paper inside the sheet bundle Sb can be improved. .

  As described above, in the bookbinding device 200 of the present embodiment, the adhesive application unit 55 performs the binding operation on the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 included in one product by the pressure binding unit 70. A gluing operation is performed in which a plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 are aligned and the edges are glued together. At this time, the pressure bonding unit 70 performs a binding operation on each of the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 at a position overlapping each other when the plurality of sheet bundles Sb1 to Sb3 are aligned. As a result, the gap region 81 is provided between the binding positions P1 to P5 of the sheet bundle Sb, so that the adhesive 82 applied by the application roll 57 enters the gap region 81 deeply. For this reason, since the pull-out strength of the middle sheet is improved inside the sheet bundle Sb, it is possible to suppress occurrence of a back crack or a missing middle sheet after the bookbinding process.

  Further, according to the bookbinding apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, the binding operation is performed by the pressure bonding unit 70 without using a staple. For this reason, the binding position after bookbinding becomes less conspicuous than in the case where a staple is used, and the quality of the product can be improved.

  Further, according to the bookbinding apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, when the basis weight of the sheet is larger than the predetermined value, the binding operation by the pressure binding unit 70 is performed, and then the gluing operation by the adhesive application unit 55 is performed. When the basis weight of the sheet is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the gluing operation by the adhesive application unit 55 is performed without performing the binding operation by the pressure bonding unit 70. For this reason, the binding process can be performed without performing the binding operation on thin paper or the like in which the occurrence of a back crack or a missing sheet is relatively unlikely to occur without performing the binding operation. The binding process can be simplified without inviting.

  Further, according to the bookbinding device 200 of the present embodiment, the moving unit 75 performs the compression binding so that the position where the compression binding unit 70 performs the binding operation is within the range A1 that is not cut by the cutting unit 65 after the binding operation. The unit 70 is positioned with respect to the sheet bundle Sb. For this reason, since the place where the binding operation has been performed is not cut, the execution of the useless binding operation can be suppressed.

<Other embodiments>
Note that, in the above-described embodiment, a case in which the pressure binding is used as the binding of the sheet bundle without using the staples has been described. However, other configurations, for example, a hole is formed in a part of the sheet and the The binding may be performed by folding the part. Alternatively, the binding unit is not limited to a unit that binds a sheet bundle without using a staple, and may be a unit that binds a sheet bundle using a staple. Also in this case, since the gap is formed between the sheets by performing the binding process for each sheet, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, in the above description, the bookbinding apparatus 200 is separate from the image forming apparatus 100, but may be incorporated in the housing of various image forming apparatuses 100. The control of the bookbinding apparatus 200 is performed by the control unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, a separate control unit is provided in the bookbinding apparatus 200, and the control unit and the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100 perform communication. Thus, the above-described control may be performed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 may be an inkjet type, a thermal transfer type, various printing types, or the like instead of the electrophotographic type image forming device. Further, as the image forming apparatus, various apparatuses such as various printing machines, copiers, printers, fax machines, multifunction machines, and the like can be adopted according to various uses.

3 ... Image forming unit / 55 ... Adhesive application unit (glue unit) / 65 ... Cutting unit (Cutting unit) / 70 ... Crimping binding unit (Binding unit) / 75 ... Moving unit (Moving unit) / 100 ... Image forming apparatus / 110 control unit (control means) / 200 bookbinding apparatus / 1000 image forming system / A1 uncut area / Sb1-Sb3 plural sheet bundles

Claims (5)

Binding means for performing a binding operation for binding each of a plurality of sheet bundles obtained by dividing a plurality of sheets included in one product to be bound;
After the binding unit performs the binding operation on the plurality of sheet bundles included in the one product, a gluing operation of aligning the plurality of sheet bundles and gluing the edges collectively is performed. Means,
The binding unit performs the binding operation on each of the plurality of sheet bundles at a position overlapping each other when the plurality of sheet bundles are aligned.
A bookbinding device, characterized in that: The binding unit performs the binding operation by applying a pressing force to a part of the sheet bundle to entangle the fibers of the sheet without using a needle.
The bookbinding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the grammage of the sheet is larger than a predetermined value, the binding means performs the binding operation and then the gluing means performs the gluing operation. When the grammage of the sheet is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the binding is performed. The means for performing the gluing operation without the means performing the binding operation;
The bookbinding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Moving means capable of relatively moving the binding means and the sheet bundle performing the binding operation;
Cutting means for cutting the cut edge of the sheet bundle after gluing,
The moving means sets a relative position between the binding means and the sheet bundle performing the binding operation such that a position at which the binding means performs the binding operation is within a range not cut by the cutting means after the binding operation. Positioning,
The bookbinding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet,
The bookbinding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which binds a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus.
An image forming system comprising:

Images