Patent Application
20240308811
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-038487 filed on Mar. 13, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
The present disclosure relates to a sheet postprocessing apparatus that performs predetermined postprocessing on a sheet having an image formed thereon by an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system including such sheet postprocessing apparatus.
Many of existing sheet postprocessing apparatuses include an inlet guide for transporting the sheet to a transport route, a perforation device, and a collection tank. The perforation device perforates the sheet delivered from the inlet guide. The collection tank receives perforation waste, created through the perforating operation.
The disclosure proposes further improvement of the foregoing techniques.
In an aspect, the disclosure provides sheet postprocessing apparatus including an inlet guide, a perforation device, and a collection tank. The inlet guide includes an upper guide constituting an upper wall of a transport route through which a sheet is transported, and a lower guide constituting a lower wall of the transport route. The perforation device is located downstream of the inlet guide in a sheet transport direction, and perforates the sheet delivered from the inlet guide. The collection tank is located on a lower side of the perforation device, and receives perforation waste, created through a perforating operation. The lower guide is supported so as to pivot in an up-down direction with respect to the upper guide, about an end portion in a sheet width direction, orthogonal to the sheet transport direction. The collection tank is removably supported, by sliding in the sheet width direction with respect to the perforation device. The lower guide includes a lever located on the other end portion in the sheet width direction, and configured to cancel engagement between the lower guide from the upper guide. The collection tank includes a restriction device opposed to the lever and configured to restrict a pivotal movement of the lower guide, when the collection tank is attached to the perforation device.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides an image forming system including the foregoing sheet postprocessing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus forms an image on the sheet, and delivers the sheet to the transport route.
Hereafter, a first embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail, with reference to the drawings. In the following description regarding a sheet postprocessing apparatus 1 according to the embodiments of the disclosure, the direction in which a rotation axis C of a shaft 233 shown in
Referring to
The sheet postprocessing apparatus 1 is removably connected to a side face of the image forming apparatus 200. The sheet postprocessing apparatus 1 performs postprocessing, such as forming a punch hole or binding, with respect to the sheet having the image formed (printed) thereon by the image forming apparatus 200. Here, the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1 may be configured to transport the sheet set on a tray by the user to a predetermined position for the postprocessing, and perform the postprocessing on the sheet thus transported, instead of performing the postprocessing on the sheet automatically transported from the image forming apparatus 200.
The sheet inlet 2 is an opening formed in the side face of the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1 opposed to the image forming apparatus 200. The sheet transported from the image forming apparatus 200 to the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1 passes the sheet inlet 2, and is introduced into inside of the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1.
The first sheet transport route 3, exemplifying the transport route in the disclosure, extends generally horizontally in the direction away from the image forming apparatus 200 (to the left in
The first sheet delivery device 4 is provided on the side face of the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1, opposite to the side face opposed to the image forming apparatus 200. The first sheet delivery device 4 is located on the downstream end of the first sheet transport route 3, in the first sheet transport direction. The first sheet delivery device 4 includes a first delivery port 41, a first delivery roller pair 42, and a first output tray 43.
The first delivery port 41 is located at the downstream end of the first sheet transport route 3 in the first sheet transport direction. The first delivery roller pair 42 is located at the position corresponding to the first delivery port 41. The first output tray 43 is located downstream of the first delivery port 41, in the first sheet transport direction. The sheet transported through the first sheet transport route 3 as far as the first delivery port 41 is made to pass the first delivery port 41 by the first delivery roller pair 42, and delivered to the first output tray 43. The first output tray 43 is one of final destinations of the sheet that has undergone the postprocessing performed by the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1.
The second sheet transport route 5 is branched from the first sheet transport route 3 at a first branch point 31, and extends obliquely upward in the direction away from the image forming apparatus 200 (to the left in
The first branch point 31 includes a first switching guide 311. The first switching guide 311 is configured to swing between a position for guiding the sheet transported along the first sheet transport route 3 from the sheet inlet 2, toward the first delivery port 41 along the first sheet transport route 3, and a position for causing the sheet to branch off from the first sheet transport route 3 and guiding the sheet to the second sheet transport route 5. Further, the first switching guide 311 swings to a position for guiding the sheet that has undergone a folding operation and passes a second folding transport route, to the second sheet transport route 5. The first switching guide 311 is connected to a drive mechanism, so that the postprocessing controller 10 controls the action of the first switching guide 311.
The second sheet delivery device 6 is provided on the side face of the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1, opposite to the side face opposed to the image forming apparatus 200, and on the upper side of the first sheet delivery device 4. The second sheet delivery device 6 is located at the downstream end of the second sheet transport route 5, in the second sheet transport direction. The second sheet delivery device 6 includes a second delivery port 61, a second delivery roller pair 62, and a second output tray 63.
The second delivery port 61 is located at the downstream end of the second sheet transport route 5 in the second sheet transport direction. The second delivery roller pair 62 is located at the position corresponding to the second delivery port 61. The second output tray 63 is located downstream of the second delivery port 61, in the second sheet transport direction. The sheet transported through the second sheet transport route 5 as far as the second delivery port 61 is made to pass the second delivery port 61 by the second delivery roller pair 62, and delivered to the second output tray 63. The second output tray 63 is one of the final destinations of the sheet that has undergone the postprocessing performed by the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1. To the second output tray 63, the sheet not subjected to the postprocessing, or a small-sized sheet is also delivered.
The third sheet transport route 7 is branched from the first sheet transport route 3 at a second branch point 32, and extends downward to the third sheet delivery device 8. Hereinafter, the direction from the second branch point 32 toward the third sheet delivery device 8 will be referred to as third sheet transport direction along the third sheet transport route 7. The second branch point 32 is located downstream of the first branch point 31, in the first sheet transport direction along the first sheet transport route 3, and at the upstream end of the third sheet transport route 7 in the third sheet transport direction. The third sheet transport route 7 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs 7R, by which the sheet, transported along the first sheet transport route 3 and branched at the second branch point 32, is transported toward the third sheet delivery device 8.
The second branch point 32 includes a second switching guide 321. The second switching guide 321 is configured to swing between a position for guiding the sheet transported along the first sheet transport route 3 from the sheet inlet 2, toward the first delivery port 41 along the first sheet transport route 3, and a position for guiding the sheet transported along the first sheet transport route 3 from the sheet inlet 2, and made to pass the second branch point 32 and then switched back, to the third sheet transport route 7. The second switching guide 321 is connected to the drive mechanism, so that the postprocessing controller 10 controls the action of the second switching guide 321.
The third sheet delivery device 8 is provided on the side face of the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1, opposite to the side face opposed to the image forming apparatus 200, and on the lower side of the first sheet delivery device 4, at the position close to the lower end portion of the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1. The third sheet delivery device 8 includes a third delivery port 81, a third delivery roller pair 8, and a third output tray 83.
The third delivery port 81 is located at the downstream end of the third sheet transport route 7 in the third sheet transport direction. The third delivery roller pair 82 is located at the position corresponding to the third delivery port 81. The third output tray 83 is located downstream of the third delivery port 81, in the third sheet transport direction. The sheet transported through the third sheet transport route 7 as far as the third delivery port 81 is made to pass the third delivery port 81 by the third delivery roller pair 82, and delivered to the third output tray 83. The third output tray 83 is one of the final destinations of the sheet that has undergone the postprocessing performed by the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1.
The postprocessing device 9 performs predetermined postprocessing, to the sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 200, and introduced into the sheet postprocessing apparatus 1. The postprocessing device 9 includes the perforation device 20, a sheet binding unit 92, a sheet folding device 100, and a bookbinding device 94.
The perforation device 20 is located on a part of the first sheet transport route 3, at a position immediately close to the sheet inlet 2, on the downstream side in the first sheet transport direction. The perforation device 20 perforates the sheet being transported along the first sheet transport route 3, thereby forming a punch hole in the sheet. Further details of the configuration of the perforation device 20 will be subsequently described.
The sheet binding device 92 is located immediately close to the first sheet delivery device 4, on the upstream side in the first sheet transport direction along the first sheet transport route 3. The sheet binding device 92 performs a stapling operation (binding operation) on a sheaf of sheets, formed by stacking a plurality of sheets on each other, thereby binding the sheaf of sheets. Further details of the configuration of the sheet binding device 92 will be subsequently described.
The sheet folding device 100 located downstream of the perforation device 20, and upstream of the sheet binding device 92, in the first sheet transport direction along first sheet transport route 3. The sheet folding device 100 folds a single sheet, to form a crease thereon. The sheet folding device 100 is configured fold the single sheet, for example, into half-fold, z-fold, 6-page accordion, or letter-fold.
The bookbinding device 94 is located immediately close to the third sheet delivery device 8, on the upstream side in the third sheet transport direction along the third sheet transport route 7. The bookbinding device 94 includes a saddle folding device 941 and a saddle binding device 942. The bookbinding device 94 performs a saddle folding operation and a saddle binding operation, with respect to a sheaf of sheets formed by stacking a plurality of sheets on each other, thereby forming a booklet.
The postprocessing controller 10 includes a CPU, a storage device, and other electronic circuits and electronic parts. The postprocessing controller 10 is communicably connected to a main controller of the image forming apparatus 200 (see
Hereunder, a configuration of the perforation device 20 will be described.
The perforation device 20 includes an inlet guide 22, a punching device 23, and a collection tank 24.
The inlet guide 22 includes an upper guide 221 and a lower guide 222. The upper guide 221 and the lower guide 222 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction, with a predetermined clearance therebetween. The upper guide 221 constitutes the upper wall of a portion of the first sheet transport route 3 in the proximity of the sheet inlet (entrance) 2. The lower guide 222 constitutes the lower wall of the portion of the first sheet transport route 3 in the proximity of the sheet inlet 2.
The lower guide 222 is supported so as to pivot in the up-down direction with respect to the upper guide 221, about an end portion on the side of A′ in the axial direction A-A′, corresponding to the sheet width direction (see
In this embodiment, the lower guide 222 is configured to pivot about a rotation axis C, located at the end portion on the side of A′ in the axial direction A-A′, corresponding to the sheet width direction. The rotation axis C extends in the first sheet transport direction (B-B′ direction). The lower guide 222 includes a lever 222A. The lever 222A is located on the end portion of the lower guide 222, on the other side A in the axial direction A-A′, corresponding to the sheet width direction. The lever 222A is configured to cancel the engagement between the lower guide 222 and the upper guide 221. In this embodiment, an engagement piece 222B (see
The punching device 23 is located downstream of the inlet guide 22, on the side of B in the first sheet transport direction B-B′, and perforates the sheet transported from the inlet guide 22. In this embodiment, the punching device 23 includes an eccentric cam 231, a punching blade 232, the shaft 233, and a housing 234.
The housing 234 is located downstream of the upper guide 221 on the side of B in the first sheet transport direction B-B′, and formed integrally with the upper guide 221. Inside the housing 234, the eccentric cam 231, the punching blade 232, and the shaft 233 are accommodated. In addition, the first sheet transport route 3 passes through inside of the housing 234, and is communicating with the portion of the first sheet transport route 3 located inside the inlet guide 22.
A plurality of punching blades 232 are aligned along the axial line of the shaft 233, to perforate the sheet. The punching blades 232 are made to reciprocate in the up-down direction, by the rotation of the eccentric cam 231. In this embodiment, four punching blades 232 are provided, to support the four-hole punch system. Here, the number of punching blades 232 is not limited to four. The wall face of the first sheet transport route 3 includes through holes 3A and 3B, formed at the position corresponding to the punching blades 232. The through hole 3A is penetrating through the upper wall of the first sheet transport route 3, in the up-down direction. The through hole 3B is penetrating through the lower wall of the first sheet transport route 3, in the up-down direction (see
The shaft 233 extends along the direction in which the punching blades 232 are aligned, so as to stride over the punching blade 232. The shaft 233 is rotatably supported by the housing 234.
The eccentric cam 231 is mounted at each of the four points, along the axial direction of the shaft 233, so as to correspond to the punching blade 232. The shaft 233 is connected to the rotary shaft of a motor via a gear, so that when the motor drives the shaft 233 to rotate, the eccentric cam 231 is made to rotate.
When the punching device 23 performs the perforating operation, a contactless sensor, such as an optical sensor, detects whether the sheet transported by the transport roller pair 3R has reached a predetermined position. When it is decided that the sheet has reached the predetermined position, the rotation of the transport roller pair 3R is stopped, so that the sheet stops at the predetermined position.
At this point, the eccentric cam 231 is set at a predetermined angle (hereinafter, retraction angle) that keeps the punching blade 232 from interrupting the transport of the sheet (hereinafter, retracted position), and the sheet remains immobile on the first sheet transport route 3.
Then the eccentric cam 231 is made to rotate in a predetermined direction, from the retraction angle. Accordingly, the punching blade 232 descends toward the sheet from the retracted position, through the through hole 3A. The punching blade 232 descends as far as the punching position for perforating the sheet (lower than the through hole 3B). When the eccentric cam 231 is made to further rotate, the punching blade 232 ascends from the punching position, and returns to the retracted position.
The collection tank 24 is located so as to stride over the punching device 23 and the through holes 3A and 3B in the first sheet transport direction (B-B′ direction), to receive the perforation waste created through the perforating operation. The collection tank 24 includes a collection chamber 241, a connecting portion 242, and a restriction device 243. The collection chamber 241, the connecting portion 242, and the restriction device 243 communicate with each other, inside the collection tank 24. The collection chamber 241 is located on the lower side of the punching device 23, to receive the perforation waste.
The connecting portion 242 protrudes upward from a position on the downstream side of the collection chamber 241 in the first sheet transport direction, to be attached to the punching device 23. The connecting portion 242 includes an opening 242A formed on the upper face (see
The collection tank 24 is removably attached to the lower face of the housing 234 of the punching device 23. As an example of the attachment structure, a guide rail is provided on the lower face of the housing 234, and a slide rail is provided on the upper face of the connecting portion 242 of the collection tank 24.
The guide rail and the slide rail extend parallel to the sheet width direction (axial direction A-A′). The end portion of the slide rail on one side in the sheet width direction (side of A′ in the axial direction A-A′), and the end portion of the guide rail on the other side in the sheet width direction (side of A in the axial direction A-A′) are engaged with each other, and the collection tank 24 is pushed inwardly in the sheet width direction, to the side of A′ in the axial direction A-A′. Accordingly, the slide rail is made to slide along the guide rail, so that the collection tank 24 slides in the sheet width direction (axial direction A-A′), to be attached to the housing 234 (see
Conversely, when the collection tank 24 is drawn out in the sheet width direction, to the side of A in the axial direction A-A′, the slide rail slides along the guide rail, so that the collection tank 24 is removed from the punching device 23. The collection tank 24 is removed from the punching device 23 when a certain amount of perforation waste is accumulated in the collection tank 24, and the perforation waste is disposed of.
The restriction device 243 is located adjacent to the collection chamber 241, on the downstream side B in the first sheet transport direction. Accordingly, the restriction device 243 is located so as to oppose the lower face of the lower guide 222, when the collection tank 24 is attached to the punching device 23.
To be more specific, the restriction device 243 includes a restriction surface 243A and a sloped surface 243B. The restriction surface 243A and the sloped surface 243B are formed on the upper face of the restriction device 243, such that the restriction surface 243A is opposed to the lower face of the lever 222A, in the up-down direction. The sloped surface 243B is located adjacent to the restriction surface 243A in the sheet width direction, on the side of A′ in the axial direction A-A′. The sloped surface 243B is inclined downward, in the direction toward the side of A′ in the axial direction A-A′.
Because of the presence of the sloped surface 243B, the lower face of the lever 222A slides along the sloped surface 243B, when the collection tank 24 is pushed in the sheet width direction toward the side A′ in the axial direction A-A′. As result, the collection tank 24 can be smoothly attached to the punching device 23.
When the collection tank 24 is attached to the punching device 23, the lower face of the lever 222A makes contact with the restriction surface 243A. Accordingly, even when the user operates the lever 222A by mistake, to cancel the engagement between the upper guide 221 and the lower guide 222, the pivotal movement of the lower guide 222 is restricted by the restriction surface 243A.
Now, the aforementioned existing sheet postprocessing apparatuses have a drawback in that, when paper jam occurs on the transport route, the paper jam is unable to be efficiently fixed. In addition, in the case where a part of the transport route is made openable, the user may open up the part of the transport route by mistake, despite the paper jam not having occurred. In such a case, a malfunction in sheet transport may be incurred.
According to this embodiment, in contrast, the collection tank 24 includes the restriction device 243 which, when the collection tank 24 is attached to the punching device 23, is opposed to the lever 222A to restrict the pivotal movement of the lower guide 222. Further, the restriction device 243 is located at the end portion of the collection tank 24 in the sheet width direction, on the other side A in the axial direction A-A′, such that the restriction surface 243A, opposed to the lower face of the lever 222A in the up-down direction, constitutes at least a part of the restriction device 243.
Therefore, the sheet can be prevented from being transported, with a portion of the first sheet transport route 3 in the proximity of the sheet inlet 2 (entrance) opened up. As result, the occurrence of the malfunction in sheet transport can be prevented.
In the case where the paper jam occurs on the first sheet transport route 3, the collection tank 24 is removed from the punching device 23, and then the lever 222A is operated. Such an operation enables the lower guide 222 to pivot downward, to open up the sheet inlet 2 (entrance) of the first sheet transport route 3, and to fix the paper jam.
Hereunder, a second embodiment of the disclosure will be described.
The cover 243C is erected from the end portion of the restriction surface 243A in the sheet width direction, on the other side A of the axial direction A-A′. The cover 243C constitutes a part of the restriction device 243, and is opposed to the lever 222A in the sheet width direction (axial direction A-A′).
The cover 243C covers the lever 222A from the other side A in the axial direction A-A′, when collection tank 24 is attached to the punching device 23. Accordingly, the cover 243C keeps the lever 222A from being operated. Such a configuration further assures that the user is prevented from operating the lever 222A by mistake, which further reduces the likelihood that the malfunction in sheet transport is incurred.
Further, the upper end of the cover 243C is at a higher position than the upper end of the lever 222A. Accordingly, it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the lever 222A, when the collection tank 24 is attached to the punching device 23. Such a configuration further assures that the user is prevented from operating the lever 222A by mistake.
Although the embodiments of the disclosure have been described as above, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, but may be modified in various manners without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, although the lower face of the lever 222A is in contact with the restriction surface 243A, when the collection tank 24 is attached to the punching device 23, in the foregoing embodiments, the lower face of the lever 222A may be opposed to the restriction surface 243A in the up-down direction, via a clearance therebetween. In this case, the pivotal movement of the lower guide 222 is restricted by the restriction surface 243A.
The disclosure is applicable to sheet postprocessing apparatuses configured to perform predetermined postprocessing on a plurality of sheets.
While the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art the various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-038487 | Mar 2023 | JP | national |
