1. Field of the Related Art
The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs staple processing, the sheet post-processing apparatus including a hooking control mechanism that prevents a staple from hooking on an edge of an anvil.
2. Description of the Related Art
A post-processing apparatus that is set beside an image forming apparatus, applies staple processing to sheets subjected to image formation, and folds the sheets to manufacture a booklet has been developed (e.g., JP-A-2005-22175).
This post-processing apparatus ties up sheets subjected to image formation in a sheet bundle including a predetermined number of sheets, aligns the sheets to staple the sheet bundle in the center of the sheets, and folds the sheet bundle by letting the sheet bundle to pass between a pair of center folding rollers to manufacture a booklet.
In the conventional sheet post-processing apparatus, there is a problem in that, in conveying the sheet bundle to the center folding rollers after the staple processing, a staple hooks on an edge of an anvil to prevent smooth conveyance. There is also a problem in that the sheets are scratched because the sheets are conveyed in contact with the edge of the anvil.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus including a hooking control mechanism that prevents a staple of sheets subjected to staple processing from hooking on an edge of an anvil.
In an aspect of the present invention, the sheet post-processing apparatus includes: a stapling device having a stapler that strikes out a staple to a sheet bundle and an anvil that bends the staple; center folding rollers that fold the sheet bundle subjected to staple processing in the center thereof; and a hooking control mechanism that is located on the opposite side of the center folding rollers across the sheet bundle and pushes the sheet bundle in a direction of the stapler to prevent the bent staple from hooking on an edge of the anvil.
Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and methods of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter explained with reference to the drawings. In the respective figures, identical components are denoted by identical reference numerals and redundant explanations of the components are omitted.
Besides, the sheet post-processing apparatus 10 may include a waiting tray that receives sheets from the image forming apparatus and puts the sheets on standby for post processing, a processing tray that is arranged below the waiting tray and receives the sheets supplied from the waiting tray, and a sheet discharge tray that is stacked with the sheets discharged after the post processing and may have post-processing functions other than a booklet manufacturing function such as sort processing, punching processing, and staple processing at a sheet end and various devices for the post processing functions.
A compression spring may be used instead of the leaf spring. When the compression spring is used, it is possible to constitute the hooking control mechanism 24 by removing, for example, the leaf spring portion of the hooking control mechanism and locking the portion coming into contact with the sheet bundle to the end of the compression spring.
The hooking control mechanism 24 is fixed to a member of the sheet post-processing apparatus 10, to which the anvil 22 is attached, by, for example, a screw or an adhesive. It is also possible to provide plural hooking control mechanisms 24 in the width direction of the sheets, i.e., a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction with the anvil 22 set between the hooking control mechanisms 24. The sheet bundle 30 is pushed in the center folding rollers 26 direction by the blade 27 and folded by the center folding rollers 26 to manufacture a booklet.
As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the hooking control mechanism 24 that pushes up the sheet bundle 30 in the direction of the stapler 21 to prevent the bent staple 31 from hooking on the edge 23 of the anvil is provided. This makes it possible to prevent the staple 31 from hooking on the edge 23 of the anvil when the sheet bundle 30 is conveyed after the staple processing.
The hooking control mechanism 24 pushes up the sheet bundle 30 to prevent the sheet bundle 30 from coming into contact with the edge 23 of the anvil. This makes it possible to prevent the sheets from being scratched by the edge 23 of the anvil.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit of the present invention. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the present invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3371926 | Anderson et al. | Mar 1968 | A |
5026036 | Takahashi | Jun 1991 | A |
5229812 | Toyama et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
5263697 | Yamazaki et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
6427997 | Hirota et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
20040046304 | Itou et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2000-86056 | Mar 2000 | JP |
2001-287846 | Oct 2001 | JP |
2002-356269 | Dec 2002 | JP |
2002356269 | Dec 2002 | JP |
2005-022175 | Jan 2005 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20080150209 A1 | Jun 2008 | US |