U.S. patent application number 11/137835 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for paper conveying apparatus, paper finishing apparatus and image forming apparatus.
Invention is credited to Masato Hattori, Kenji Kawatsu, Toshio Shida, Masaaki Uchiyama, Hiroyuki Wakabayashi.
Application Number | 20060071414 11/137835 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36109616 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060071414 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawatsu; Kenji ; et
al. |
April 6, 2006 |
Paper conveying apparatus, paper finishing apparatus and image
forming apparatus
Abstract
There is described a paper conveying apparatus that deflects a
conveying direction of a paper at substantially 90 degree relative
to a conveyance direction of the paper. The apparatus includes: a
first conveying section to convey the paper in a first conveyance
direction; a second conveying section that includes a conveyance
belt, including a conveying nail, to deflect the conveying
direction of the paper and conveys the paper in a second conveyance
direction, which is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal
direction of a leading edge of the paper; a stopper member for
stopping and releasing a side edge portion of the paper in a width
direction of the paper; and a driving section to drive both the
conveyance belt and the stopper member. The driving section moves
the conveying nail and/or the stopper member from an outside of a
paper conveying area, to achieve a width truing operation.
Inventors: |
Kawatsu; Kenji; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Shida; Toshio; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Wakabayashi; Hiroyuki; (Tokyo, JP) ; Uchiyama;
Masaaki; (Tokyo, JP) ; Hattori; Masato;
(Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN, LLP
55 GRIFFIN ROAD SOUTH
BLOOMFIELD
CT
06002
US
|
Family ID: |
36109616 |
Appl. No.: |
11/137835 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/225 ;
271/226 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 9/06 20130101; B65H
45/04 20130101; B65H 45/18 20130101; B65H 2301/33222 20130101; B65H
5/021 20130101; B65H 9/101 20130101; B65H 2301/342 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/225 ;
271/226 |
International
Class: |
B65H 5/00 20060101
B65H005/00; B65H 9/00 20060101 B65H009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 26, 2004 |
JP |
JP2004-246407 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for conveying a paper while deflecting a long side
and a short side of said paper at substantially 90 degree relative
to a current conveyance direction of said paper, said apparatus
comprising: a first conveying section to convey said paper in a
first conveyance direction; a second conveying section that
includes a conveyance belt to deflect said current conveying
direction of said paper so as to convey said paper in a second
conveyance direction, which is substantially orthogonal to a
longitudinal direction of a leading edge of said paper conveyed in
said first conveying section, wherein said conveyance belt includes
a conveying nail formed as a protrusion protruded from said
conveyance belt; a stopper member that is movable to stop and
release a side edge portion of said paper, conveyed by said first
conveying section, in a width direction of said paper; and a
driving section to drive both said conveyance belt and said stopper
member; wherein said driving section moves said conveying nail
and/or said stopper member from an external area outside a paper
conveying area, so that a width truing operation is achieved by
batting said conveying nail and said stopper member against both
side edge portions of said paper.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveying nail and said
stopper member are positioned to a truing position at which said
conveying nail and said stopper member are batted against said both
side edge portions of said paper, or a standby position at which a
gap between said conveying nail and said stopper member is wider
than that at said truing position.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said driving section moves
said conveying nail and/or said stopper member from said standby
position to said truing position in order to conduct said width
truing operation, and after said width truing operation is
completed, said driving section again moves said conveying nail
and/or said stopper member from said truing position to said
standby position.
4. A paper finishing apparatus for applying finish processing to a
paper or a plurality of papers while conveying said paper or said
plurality of papers, said paper finishing apparatus comprising: a
conveying mechanism to convey and stack said paper or said
plurality of papers; a stopper member, being movable, to stop a
side edge portion of said paper or said plurality of papers
conveyed and stacked by said conveying mechanism so as to achieve a
width truing operation; a truing section that includes a conveying
nail, being movable and disposed in parallel with said stopper
member in such a manner that said stopper member and said conveying
nail oppose to each other; a driving section to drive both said
stopper member and said conveying nail; and a finish processing
section to apply said finish processing to said paper or said
plurality of papers trued by said truing section; wherein said
driving section moves said stopper member and/or said conveying
nail from an external area outside a paper conveying area, so that
said width truing operation is achieved by batting said stopper
member and/or said conveying nail against both side edge portions
of said paper or said plurality of papers.
5. The paper finishing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said conveying
mechanism includes: a first conveying section to convey said paper
or said plurality of papers in a first conveyance direction; a
second conveying section that includes a conveyance belt to deflect
said first conveying direction of said paper or said plurality of
papers so as to convey said paper or said plurality of papers in a
second conveyance direction, which is substantially orthogonal to a
longitudinal direction of a leading edge of said paper or said
plurality of papers conveyed in said first conveying section.
6. The paper finishing apparatus of claim 5, wherein said
conveyance belt includes said conveying nail formed as a protrusion
protruded from said conveyance belt.
7. The paper finishing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said conveying
nail and said stopper member are positioned to a truing position at
which said conveying nail and said stopper member are batted
against said both side edge portions of said paper or said
plurality of papers, or a standby position at which a gap between
said conveying nail and said stopper member is wider than that at
said truing position.
8. The paper finishing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said driving
section moves said conveying nail and/or said stopper member from
said standby position to said truing position in order to conduct
said width truing operation, and after said width truing operation
is completed, said driving section again moves said conveying nail
and/or said stopper member from said truing position to said
standby position.
9. The paper finishing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said finish
processing section includes: a folding device to fold said paper or
said plurality of papers conveyed by said conveying mechanism and
trued by said truing section.
10. The paper finishing apparatus of claim 9, wherein said folding
device applies a folding two processing or a folding three
processing to said paper or said plurality of papers trued by said
truing section.
11. A system for forming an image on a paper or a plurality of
papers, comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms said
image on said paper or said plurality of papers and ejects said
paper or said plurality of papers; and a paper finishing apparatus
that receives said paper or said plurality of papers, ejected by
said image forming apparatus, and applies finish processing to said
paper or said plurality of papers, while conveying said paper or
said plurality of papers; wherein said paper finishing apparatus
includes: a conveying mechanism to convey and stack said paper or
said plurality of papers; a stopper member, being movable, to stop
a side edge portion of said paper or said plurality of papers
conveyed and stacked by said conveying mechanism so as to achieve a
width truing operation; a truing section that includes a conveying
nail, being movable and disposed in parallel with said stopper
member in such a manner that said stopper member and said conveying
nail oppose to each other; a driving section to drive both said
stopper member and said conveying nail; and a finish processing
section to apply said finish processing to said paper or said
plurality of papers trued by said truing section; wherein said
driving section moves said stopper member and/or said conveying
nail from an external area outside a paper conveying area, so that
said width truing operation is achieved by batting said stopper
member and/or said conveying nail against both side edge portions
of said paper or said plurality of papers.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said conveying mechanism
includes: a first conveying section to convey said paper or said
plurality of papers in a first conveyance direction; a second
conveying section that includes a conveyance belt to deflect said
first conveying direction of said paper or said plurality of papers
so as to convey said paper or said plurality of papers in a second
conveyance direction, which is substantially orthogonal to a
longitudinal direction of a leading edge of said paper or said
plurality of papers conveyed in said first conveying section.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein said conveyance belt includes
said conveying nail formed as a protrusion protruded from said
conveyance belt.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein said conveying nail and said
stopper member are positioned to a truing position at which said
conveying nail and said stopper member are batted against said both
side edge portions of said paper or said plurality of papers, or a
standby position at which a gap between said conveying nail and
said stopper member is wider than that at said truing position.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein said driving section moves said
conveying nail and/or said stopper member from said standby
position to said truing position in order to conduct said width
truing operation, and after said width truing operation is
completed, said driving section again moves said conveying nail
and/or said stopper member from said truing position to said
standby position.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein said finish processing section
includes: a folding device to fold said paper or said plurality of
papers conveyed by said conveying mechanism and trued by said
truing section.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein said folding device applies a
folding two processing or a folding three processing to said paper
or said plurality of papers trued by said truing section.
18. An apparatus for conveying a paper while deflecting a long side
and a short side of said paper at substantially 90 degree relative
to a current conveyance direction of said paper, said apparatus
comprising: first conveying means for conveying said paper in a
first conveyance direction; second conveying means, including a
conveyance belt to deflect said current conveying direction of said
paper, for conveying said paper in a second conveyance direction,
which is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of a
leading edge of said paper conveyed in said first conveying means,
wherein said conveyance belt includes a conveying nail formed as a
protrusion protruded from said conveyance belt; stopper means,
being movable, for stopping and releasing a side edge portion of
said paper, conveyed by said first conveying means, in a width
direction of said paper; and driving means for driving both said
conveyance belt and said stopper member; wherein said driving means
moves said conveying nail and/or said stopper means from an
external area outside a paper conveying area, so that a width
truing operation is achieved by batting said conveying nail and
said stopper means against both side edge portions of said
paper.
19. A paper finishing apparatus for applying finish processing to a
paper or a plurality of papers while conveying said paper or said
plurality of papers, said paper finishing apparatus comprising:
conveying means for conveying and stacking said paper or said
plurality of papers; stopper means, being movable, for stopping a
side edge portion of said paper or said plurality of papers
conveyed and stacked by said conveying means so as to achieve a
width truing operation; truing means that includes a conveying
nail, being movable and disposed in parallel with said stopper
means in such a manner that said stopper means and said conveying
nail oppose to each other; driving means for driving both said
stopper means and said conveying nail; and finish processing means
for applying said finish processing to said paper or said plurality
of papers trued by said truing means; wherein said driving means
moves said stopper means and/or said conveying nail from an
external area outside a paper conveying area, so that said width
truing operation is achieved by batting said stopper means and/or
said conveying nail against both side edge portions of said paper
or said plurality of papers.
20. A paper conveying apparatus, wherein, in the paper conveying
apparatus that conveys a paper, to be conveyed, by deflecting a
long side direction and a short side direction of said paper at 90
degree in a conveyance direction of said paper, there is provided
with: first conveying means for conveying said paper in a first
conveyance direction; second conveying means that includes a
conveyance belt for deflecting said conveying direction of said
paper so as to convey said paper in a second conveyance direction,
which is orthogonal to a leading edge of said paper conveyed in
said first conveying section; a conveying nail formed as a
protrusion protruded from said conveyance belt; a batting member,
being movable, for contacting and releasing a side edge portion of
said paper, conveyed by said first conveying means, in a width
direction of said paper; and a driving means for driving both said
conveyance belt and said batting member; and said driving means
moves said conveying nail and/or said batting member from outside
of a paper conveying area, and conducts a width truing operation by
batting said conveying nail and said batting member against both
side edge portions of said paper.
Description
[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application NO.
2004-246407 filed on Aug. 26, 2004 in Japanese Patent Office, the
entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a paper conveying apparatus
for truing papers to be conveyed and for conveying the papers after
deflecting a conveying direction of them, and a paper finishing
apparatus and an image forming apparatus, which are provided with
the paper conveying apparatus.
[0003] In recent year, there has been available a paper finishing
apparatus that receives the papers on which images are formed by an
image-forming apparatus, such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile
and a compound apparatus constituted by those devices, and applies
a folding processing, a stitching processing and a collating
processing for every printing number to quite a few papers, and
then, staples them by means of a stapler so as to achieve a
bookbinding operation of the paper. The paper finishing apparatus
conducts such processing as folding, stitching, perforating,
starching, fore-edge cutting, tight sealing, etc.
[0004] Patent Document 1 sets forth the paper finishing apparatus
that receives and conveys the papers delivered from the
image-forming apparatus proper, and stacks a plurality of papers
onto the paper stacking tray, and then, buts the leading edge of
the papers in a conveying direction of the papers against the
butting member and also buts the side edge in a width direction of
the papers by means of the width truing member so as to position
and align the papers at the predetermined position, and then,
applies the stapling processing to the papers by means of the
stapler, and finally, ejects the stapled papers outside the
apparatus.
[0005] In the paper finishing apparatus mentioned in the above, the
driving source of the width truing member, the other driving source
of the driving means for ejecting the bundle of the papers which
are already stapled, a driving section for driving the butting
member against which the leading edge of the papers in a conveying
direction of the papers are butted, etc., are separately
equipped.
[0006] Accordingly, there has been a problem that the complicated
mechanism employing a motor, a solenoid, etc. is necessary for each
of such the driving sources, resulting in an increase of the
manufacturing cost due to the increase of a number of parts to be
employed in the apparatus.
[0007] In recent years, the system, that conducts the whole
bookbinding processes from the printing process to the stapling and
cutting processes within a single image-forming apparatus, has been
proposed as the on-demand printing system. In such the system, the
requested are to improve the accuracy of the finishing process for
the papers and to conduct the truing operation of the paper without
lowering the productivity of the image-forming apparatus
proper.
[0008] [Patent Document] [0009] Tokkai 2003-26368 (Japanese
Non-Examined Patent Publication)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] To overcome the abovementioned drawbacks in conventional
paper conveying apparatus, paper finishing apparatus and image
forming apparatus, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a paper conveying apparatus, which makes it possible to
simplify the mechanism of truing means and to improve a truing
performance for papers without increasing a number of driving
sources, by adding a truing function to a certain conveying
process.
[0011] Specifically, another object of the present invention is to
create a high-grade section by making the paper truing operation
for the section accurate, wherein the section is acquired by
applying the folding processing to a plurality of papers after
stacking the plurality of papers and applying the width truing
operation to them. Further, still another object of the present
invention is to create a high-grade book by making the paper truing
operation for the book accurate, wherein the book is created by
applying the staple processing to the section acquired by applying
the folding processing to a plurality of papers.
[0012] Further, still another object of the present invention is to
provide a paper finishing apparatus or an image forming apparatus,
which conducts the paper truing operation without lowering the
productivity of the image forming apparatus proper so as to attain
a stabilization and high velocity of the converting operation of
the paper conveying direction even with a relatively simple
mechanism.
[0013] Accordingly, to overcome the cited shortcomings, the
abovementioned object of the present invention can be attained by
paper conveying apparatus, paper finishing apparatus and image
forming apparatus described as follow. [0014] (1) An apparatus for
conveying a paper while deflecting a long side and a short side of
the paper at substantially 90 degree relative to a current
conveyance direction of the paper, the apparatus comprising: a
first conveying section to convey the paper in a first conveyance
direction; a second conveying section that includes a conveyance
belt to deflect the current conveying direction of the paper so as
to convey the paper in a second conveyance direction, which is
substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of a leading
edge of the paper conveyed in the first conveying section, wherein
the conveyance belt includes a conveying nail formed as a
protrusion protruded from the conveyance belt; a stopper member
that is movable to stop and release a side edge portion of the
paper, conveyed by the first conveying section, in a width
direction of the paper; and a driving section to drive both the
conveyance belt and the stopper member; wherein the driving section
moves the conveying nail and/or the stopper member from an external
area outside a paper conveying area, so that a width truing
operation is achieved by batting the conveying nail and the stopper
member against both side edge portions of the paper. [0015] (2) The
apparatus of item 1, wherein the conveying nail and the stopper
member are positioned to a truing position at which the conveying
nail and the stopper member are batted against the both side edge
portions of the paper, or a standby position at which a gap between
the conveying nail and the stopper member is wider than that at the
truing position. [0016] (3) The apparatus of item 2, wherein the
driving section moves the conveying nail and/or the stopper member
from the standby position to the truing position in order to
conduct the width truing operation, and after the width truing
operation is completed, the driving section again moves the
conveying nail and/or the stopper member from the truing position
to the standby position. [0017] (4) A paper finishing apparatus for
applying finish processing to a paper or a plurality of papers
while conveying the paper or the plurality of papers, the paper
finishing apparatus comprising: a conveying mechanism to convey and
stack the paper or the plurality of papers; a stopper member, being
movable, to stop a side edge portion of the paper or the plurality
of papers conveyed and stacked by the conveying mechanism so as to
achieve a width truing operation; a truing section that includes a
conveying nail, being movable and disposed in parallel with the
stopper member in such a manner that the stopper member and the
conveying nail oppose to each other; a driving section to drive
both the stopper member and the conveying nail; and a finish
processing section to apply the finish processing to the paper or
the plurality of papers trued by the truing section; wherein the
driving section moves the stopper member and/or the conveying nail
from an external area outside a paper conveying area, so that the
width truing operation is achieved by batting the stopper member
and/or the conveying nail against both side edge portions of the
paper or the plurality of papers. [0018] (5) The paper finishing
apparatus of item 4, wherein the conveying mechanism includes: a
first conveying section to convey the paper or the plurality of
papers in a first conveyance direction; a second conveying section
that includes a conveyance belt to deflect the first conveying
direction of the paper or the plurality of papers so as to convey
the paper or the plurality of papers in a second conveyance
direction, which is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal
direction of a leading edge of the paper or the plurality of papers
conveyed in the first conveying section. [0019] (6) The paper
finishing apparatus of item 5, wherein the conveyance belt includes
the conveying nail formed as a protrusion protruded from the
conveyance belt. [0020] (7) The paper finishing apparatus of item
6, wherein the conveying nail and the stopper member are positioned
to a truing position at which the conveying nail and the stopper
member are batted against the both side edge portions of the paper
or the plurality of papers, or a standby position at which a gap
between the conveying nail and the stopper member is wider than
that at the truing position. [0021] (8) The paper finishing
apparatus of item 7, wherein the driving section moves the
conveying nail and/or the stopper member from the standby position
to the truing position in order to conduct the width truing
operation, and after the width truing operation is completed, the
driving section again moves the conveying nail and/or the stopper
member from the truing position to the standby position. [0022] (9)
The paper finishing apparatus of item 4, wherein the finish
processing section includes: a folding device to fold the paper or
the plurality of papers conveyed by the conveying mechanism and
trued by the truing section. [0023] (10) The paper finishing
apparatus of item 9, wherein the folding device applies a folding
two processing or a folding three processing to the paper or the
plurality of papers trued by the truing section. [0024] (11) A
system for forming an image on a paper or a plurality of papers,
comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms the image on the
paper or the plurality of papers and ejects the paper or the
plurality of papers; and a paper finishing apparatus that receives
the paper or the plurality of papers, ejected by the image forming
apparatus, and applies finish processing to the paper or the
plurality of papers, while conveying the paper or the plurality of
papers; wherein the paper finishing apparatus includes: a conveying
mechanism to convey and stack the paper or the plurality of papers;
a stopper member, being movable, to stop a side edge portion of the
paper or the plurality of papers conveyed and stacked by the
conveying mechanism so as to achieve a width truing operation; a
truing section that includes a conveying nail, being movable and
disposed in parallel with the stopper member in such a manner that
the stopper member and the conveying nail oppose to each other; a
driving section to drive both the stopper member and the conveying
nail; and a finish processing section to apply the finish
processing to the paper or the plurality of papers trued by the
truing section; wherein the driving section moves the stopper
member and/or the conveying nail from an external area outside a
paper conveying area, so that the width truing operation is
achieved by batting the stopper member and/or the conveying nail
against both side edge portions of the paper or the plurality of
papers. [0025] (12) The system of item 11, wherein the conveying
mechanism includes: a first conveying section to convey the paper
or the plurality of papers in a first conveyance direction; a
second conveying section that includes a conveyance belt to deflect
the first conveying direction of the paper or the plurality of
papers so as to convey the paper or the plurality of papers in a
second conveyance direction, which is substantially orthogonal to a
longitudinal direction of a leading edge of the paper or the
plurality of papers conveyed in the first conveying section. [0026]
(13) The system of item 12, wherein the conveyance belt includes
the conveying nail formed as a protrusion protruded from the
conveyance belt. [0027] (14) The system of item 13, wherein the
conveying nail and the stopper member are positioned to a truing
position at which the conveying nail and the stopper member are
batted against the both side edge portions of the paper or the
plurality of papers, or a standby position at which a gap between
the conveying nail and the stopper member is wider than that at the
truing position. [0028] (15) The system of item 14, wherein the
driving section moves the conveying nail and/or the stopper member
from the standby position to the truing position in order to
conduct the width truing operation, and after the width truing
operation is completed, the driving section again moves the
conveying nail and/or the stopper member from the truing position
to the standby position. [0029] (16) The system of item 11, wherein
the finish processing section includes: a folding device to fold
the paper or the plurality of papers conveyed by the conveying
mechanism and trued by the truing section. [0030] (17) The system
of item 16, wherein the folding device applies a folding two
processing or a folding three processing to the paper or the
plurality of papers trued by the truing section. [0031] (18) An
apparatus for conveying a paper while deflecting a long side and a
short side of the paper at substantially 90 degree relative to a
current conveyance direction of the paper, the apparatus
comprising: first conveying means for conveying the paper in a
first conveyance direction; second conveying means, including a
conveyance belt to deflect the current conveying direction of the
paper, for conveying the paper in a second conveyance direction,
which is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of a
leading edge of the paper conveyed in the first conveying means,
wherein the conveyance belt includes a conveying nail formed as a
protrusion protruded from the conveyance belt; stopper means, being
movable, for stopping and releasing a side edge portion of the
paper, conveyed by the first conveying means, in a width direction
of the paper; and driving means for driving both the conveyance
belt and the stopper member; wherein the driving means moves the
conveying nail and/or the stopper means from an external area
outside a paper conveying area, so that a width truing operation is
achieved by batting the conveying nail and the stopper means
against both side edge portions of the paper. [0032] (19) An paper
finishing apparatus for applying finish processing to a paper or a
plurality of papers while conveying the paper or the plurality of
papers, the paper finishing apparatus comprising: conveying means
for conveying and stacking the paper or the plurality of papers;
stopper means, being movable, for stopping a side edge portion of
the paper or the plurality of papers conveyed and stacked by the
conveying means so as to achieve a width truing operation; truing
means that includes a conveying nail, being movable and disposed in
parallel with the stopper means in such a manner that the stopper
means and the conveying nail oppose to each other; driving means
for driving both the stopper means and the conveying nail; and
finish processing means for applying the finish processing to the
paper or the plurality of papers trued by the truing means; wherein
the driving means moves the stopper means and/or the conveying nail
from an external area outside a paper conveying area, so that the
width truing operation is achieved by batting the stopper means
and/or the conveying nail against both side edge portions of the
paper or the plurality of papers. [0033] (20) A paper conveying
apparatus, characterized in that, in the paper conveying apparatus
that conveys a paper, to be conveyed, by deflecting a long side
direction and a short side direction of the paper at 90 degree in a
conveyance direction of the paper, there is provided with: first
conveying means for conveying the paper in a first conveyance
direction; second conveying means that includes a conveyance belt
for deflecting the conveying direction of the paper so as to convey
the paper in a second conveyance direction, which is orthogonal to
a leading edge of the paper conveyed in the first conveying
section; a conveying nail formed as a protrusion protruded from the
conveyance belt; a batting member, being movable, for contacting
and releasing a side edge portion of the paper, conveyed by the
first conveying means, in a width direction of the paper; and a
driving means for driving both the conveyance belt and the batting
member; and the driving means moves the conveying nail and/or the
batting member from outside of a paper conveying area, and conducts
a width truing operation by batting the conveying nail and the
batting member against both side edge portions of the paper.
[0034] Incidentally, in the present specification, the term of the
"width direction of the paper" is defined as a horizontal direction
of the paper when the viewer views the image formed on the paper at
a normal position.
[0035] According to the present invention, the following effects
can be attained. [0036] 1). In the paper conveying apparatus that
deflects a long side direction and a short side direction of the
paper, to be conveyed, at 90 degree in a conveyance direction of
the paper, by moving the conveying nail fixed on the conveyance
belt rotated by the driving means and the stopper means fixed on
the truing belt rotated by the same driving means from the standby
position located at outside of the paper conveying area to the
truing position at which the conveying nail and the stopper means
contact both side edge portions of the paper, so as to conduct the
width truing operation by batting them against both side edge
portions of the paper, it becomes possible to add the truing
function to the paper conveying process, resulting in an
improvement of the truing-ability for conducting the width
adjustment for a plurality of papers, without increasing the
driving source. [0037] 2). After completing the finish processing
for a plurality of papers conveyed and stacked by the paper
conveying apparatus, such as the folding processing, etc., by
moving the conveying nail fixed on the conveyance belt rotated by
the driving means and the stopper means fixed on the truing belt
rotated by the same driving means from the standby position located
at outside of the paper conveying area to the truing position at
which the conveying nail and the stopper means contact both side
edge portions of the plurality of papers, so as to conduct the
width truing operation by batting them against both side edge
portions of the plurality of papers, it becomes possible to provide
the paper finishing apparatus, which makes it possible to add the
truing function to the paper conveying process, and to improve the
truing-ability for conducting the width adjustment for a plurality
of papers, without increasing the driving source. [0038] 3). The
conveying direction of the paper, ejected from the image forming
apparatus proper after forming the image on it, is converted in the
paper finishing apparatus coupled to the image forming apparatus
proper to apply the finishing operation, and the plurality of
stacked papers are trued in its width direction. Accordingly, the
image forming operation and the finishing operation are conducted
on high-productivity and on-demand basis, without decreasing the
productivity of the image forming apparatus proper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
upon reference to the drawings in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 shows an overall structure of an image-forming
apparatus and the paper finishing apparatus provided with a paper
conveying device embodied in the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram showing a paper conveying
operation performed in the middle folding and saddle stitch
processing step of a paper finishing apparatus;
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the paper finishing
apparatus;
[0043] FIG. 4 shows a right side view of the paper finishing
apparatus;
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a right side view of a folding means and a
conveying means;
[0045] FIG. 6 shows a front view of a conveying means;
[0046] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the conveying means;
[0047] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the conveying means, indicating
the paper width truing processes;
[0048] FIG. 9(a), FIG. 9(b), FIG. 9(c), FIG. 9(d), FIG. 9(e) and
FIG. 9(f) show schematic diagrams of a folding means, indicating
folding three processes;
[0049] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a folding means,
indicating a middle fold processing performed prior to the saddle
stitch processing; and
[0050] FIG. 11 shows a left side view of the paper finishing
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0051] Referring to the drawings, examples of the paper conveying
apparatus, the paper finishing apparatus and the image forming
apparatus, embodied in the present invention, will be detailed in
the following.
[Paper Finishing Apparatus and Image Forming Apparatus Provided
with Paper Finishing Apparatus]
[0052] Hereinafter, the term of "the paper finishing apparatus,
provided with the paper conveying device, and the image forming
apparatus" is defined as a paper finishing apparatus incorporating
a paper conveying device, or an image-forming apparatus integrated
with an external paper finishing apparatus incorporating a paper
conveying device as shown in the drawings. Incidentally, it is also
possible to configure the paper finishing apparatus provided with
the paper conveying device, embodied in the present invention, as
an independently usable structure. Further, the scope of the paper
finishing apparatus and the image-forming apparatus provided with
the paper finishing device, embodied in the present invention, is
not limited to the embodiments detailed in the following.
[Image Forming Apparatus]
[0053] FIG. 1 shows an overall structure of an image-forming
apparatus and the paper finishing apparatus provided with a paper
conveying device embodied in the present invention.
[0054] The image forming apparatus is constituted by the image
forming apparatus proper A, the automatic document feeder DF, the
paper finishing apparatus B, and the large volume paper feeding
device LT.
[0055] The image forming apparatus proper A, shown in FIG. 1, is
provided with an image reading section 1, an image processing
section 2, an image writing section 3, an image forming section 4,
paper feeding cassettes 5A, 5B and 5C, a manual feed tray 5D, first
paper feeding sections 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, a second paper feeding
section 6F, a fixing device 7, a paper discharge section 8 and an
automatic double-sided copy paper feeding section 8B (ADU).
[0056] A paper processing device B is connected to the paper
discharge section 8 located at the left side surface of the image
forming apparatus proper A, as shown in the FIG. 1.
[0057] Images on one surface or both surfaces of the documents
stacked on the document tray of the automatic document feeder DF
are read by the optical system of the image reading section 1, and
then read in by the CCD image sensor 1A, and the analog signals
which have been subjected to photoelectric conversion are sent to
the image writing section 3 after being subjected to processing
such as analog processing, A/D conversion, shading correction,
image compression and the like in the image processing section
2.
[0058] In the image writing section 3, the output light from the
semiconductor laser is irradiated onto the photoreceptor drum of
the image forming section 4A, and a latent image is formed. In the
image forming section 4, processes such as charging, exposure,
development, transfer, separation, cleaning and the like are
performed. The image on the sheet S which is fed by each of the
first paper feeding sections 6A to 6C of the paper feeding
cassettes 5A to 5C, the first feeding section 6D of the manual
feeding tray 5D and the first paper feeding section 6E of the large
volume paper feeding device LT is transferred by the transfer means
4B via the second paper feeding section 6F. The sheet S carrying
the image is fixed by the fixing device and then sent from the
paper discharge section to the paper finishing apparatus B.
Alternatively, the sheet S whose one side has undergone image
processing and which was sent to the automatic double-sided copy
paper feeding section 8B by the conveying path switching plate 8A
is sent once again to the image forming section 4 and after image
formation on both surfaces, is discharged from the paper discharge
section 8.
[0059] The operation section 9 selects and sets the processing
functions of the image forming device which is formed from the
image forming apparatus proper A and the paper finishing apparatus
B and the like.
[0060] The main controlling means 10 of the image forming apparatus
proper A is connected to the paper post processing control means
10C of the paper finishing apparatus B through the communication
section 10A and the communication circuit 10B.
[Paper Finishing Apparatus]
[0061] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a paper conveying
operation performed in the middle folding and saddle stitch
processing step of the paper finishing apparatus B. FIG. 3 shows a
front view of the paper finishing apparatus B, while FIG. 4 shows a
right side view of the same.
[0062] First the paper conveyance steps from the introduction of
the paper to the step before the paper folding will be detailed in
the following.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the sheet S which is
discharged from the image forming apparatus proper A is introduced
into the entrance section 11 of the paper finishing apparatus B,
the sheet S is nipped by the entrance roller 12 and is conveyed
into one of the upper paper conveying path r1 and the lower paper
conveying path r2 located above the conveying path switching means
G1.
<Straight Paper Discharging Operation>
[0064] The sheet S, which has branched to the paper conveying path
r1, is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 13A-13E, and
then, conveyed into the upper paper conveying path r3 located above
the conveying path switching means G2 or the lower paper conveying
path r4 located below the conveying path switching means conveying
path switching means G2 (refer to FIG. 3).
[0065] The sheet S, which is advanced on the upper paper conveying
path r3, is discharged by the discharge roller 14 and is stacked on
the sub-discharge tray 15, which is disposed on the upper portion
of the paper finishing apparatus B.
[0066] The sheet S, which is advanced on the lower paper conveying
path r4, is nipped and conveyed by conveyance rollers 16A to 16D,
and then, discharged by the discharge roller 17.
<First Right Angle Deflection Conveyance>
[0067] The sheet S, which is conveyed on the lower paper conveying
path r2 located below the conveying path switching means G1,
descends substantially at a right angle and temporarily stops at a
prescribed position and is stored. At this stop position, the
plurality of following sheets S are overlapped and stored.
<Second Right Angle Deflection Conveyance>
[0068] The stored sheet S is deflectively moved in the right-angle
front direction with respect to the paper surface shown in FIG. 3,
by the conveyance roller pairs 18A and 18B, the first conveyance
roller pairs 18C and 18D, and a guide plate (not shown in the
drawings). The sheet S then passes the paper conveyance path r5
which goes around the front surface side Bf of the inside of the
paper finishing apparatus B in a state, in which sheet surface is
upright, and then, stops at a prescribed position.
<Third Right Angle Deflection Conveyance>
[0069] Next, after the sheet S is conveyed upwards perpendicularly
by the second conveyance roller pair 18E, it is inclined in the
horizontal direction and then moved by the conveyance roller pair
19 and the conveyance alignment belt 20 (refer to the paper
conveying path r6, shown in FIG. 4).
<Positioning of the Conveyance Direction Before Folding
Processing>
[0070] The first conveyance means, disposed at downstream side of
the conveying direction in the paper conveying path r6, holds and
conveys the paper S traveling upward in the paper conveying path r6
constituted by the third conveyance roller pair 19 and two sets of
the conveyance alignment belt 20.
[0071] The first adjusting means is constituted by an adjusting
member 20A, which is movably fixed onto conveyance alignment belt
20 so as to push the trailing edge portion of paper S, and a
stopper member 21 to which the leading edge portion of paper S is
butted so as to position paper S. The adjusting member 20A pushes
the trailing edge portion of paper S, which is conveyed by the
third conveyance roller pair 19, disposed at upstream side of the
conveying direction in the paper conveying path r6, to move paper S
to the stopper member 21, and makes the leading edge portion of
paper S batted against the stopper member 21 in order to align the
paper S (refer to FIG. 4).
[0072] The position of the stopper member 21 is set in advance at a
predetermined position, depending on the states of the paper size
and the folding processing to be employed.
<Adjustment in the Paper Width Direction Before Folding Three
Processing>
[0073] FIG. 5 shows a right side view of a folding means 30 and a
conveying means 40, FIG. 6 shows a front view of the conveying
means 40 and FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the conveying means
40.
[0074] The conveying means 40 (the second conveying means) conveys
the paper S after deflecting the long side and the short side by
substantially 90 degree in the conveying direction. The conveying
means 40 is configured in such a manner that two conveyance belts
41, each of which has a conveying nail 42, are arranged in parallel
(refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7).
[0075] The conveyance belts 41 are threaded on a driving pulley 41A
and a driven pulley 41B. The driving pulley 41A is coupled to a
motor M. The driving force generated by the motor M is transmitted
through a gear train constituted by gears Z1-Z6, Z9 and Z10 (the
driving force transmitting means), so as to rotate the conveyance
belts 41 fixed on the same axis of gear Z10, and as a result, makes
the conveyance belts 41, threaded on a driving pulley 41A and a
driven pulley 41B, rotate (refer to FIG. 6).
[0076] The second adjusting means has butting members 43 (the
adjusting member) fixed onto two adjusting belts 44. The two
adjusting belts 44 are aligned in parallel with the two conveyance
belts 41.
[0077] Numerals 46A and 46B indicate guide plates for guiding paper
S passed through the paper conveying path r6 in the horizontal
direction.
[0078] The driving force generated by the motor M is transmitted
through a gear train constituted by gears Z1-Z7, so as to rotate a
driving pulley 44A fixed on the same axis of a gear Z8 through a
torque limiter 45, and as a result, makes the adjusting belts 44,
threaded on a driving pulley 44A and a driven pulley 44B, rotate
(refer to FIG. 6).
[0079] The driving means, constituted by the motor M, the gear
train and the torque limiter 45, makes the conveyance belts 41 and
the adjusting belts 44 rotate in either forward or reverse
direction, and conducts a truing operation of paper S in its width
direction and a conveying operation of it. In other words, in
response to the driving action of motor M in either forward or
reverse direction, the conveyance belts 41 rotates clockwise (right
rotation) when conducting a truing operation for the folding three
processing detailed later, while the conveyance belts 41 rotates
anticlockwise (left rotation) when conducting the saddle stitch
processing detailed later (refer to FIG. 6).
[0080] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the conveying means 40
indicating the paper width truing processes.
[0081] When the operator sets the folding three processing and
inputs the width of paper S form the operation section 9 of the
image forming apparatus proper A, the motor M is driven so that the
conveying nail 42 passes through an initial position Q0 in response
to the right rotation of conveyance belts 41, and then, stops at a
standby position Q1. At the same time, in response to the driving
operation of motor M, the butting members 43 passes through an
initial position P0 and then, stops at a standby position P1. The
initial position Q0 of the conveying nail 42 is detected by sensor
PS.
[0082] When the paper S is introduced into the conveying means 40,
in accordance with the right rotating action of the conveyance
belts 41 driven by motor M, the conveying nail 42 starts to move
from the standby position Q1 and stops at a truing position Q2. At
the same time, in accordance with the right rotating action of the
adjusting belts 44 driven by motor M, the butting members 43 starts
to move from the standby position P1 and stops at a truing position
P2.
[0083] Then, both sides of paper S are held in a state of being
clipped between the truing position Q2 of the conveying nail 42 and
the truing position P2 of the butting members 43 so as to achieve
the paper width truing operation.
[0084] The driving means, constituted by the motor M and the
driving force transmitting means, makes the conveying nail 42 and
the butting members 43 move from the standby positions Q1, P1 to
the truing positions Q2, P2 so as to achieve the paper width truing
operation, and then, return to the standby positions Q1, P1.
<Inside Folding Three Processing>
[0085] The folding means 30 is disposed at downstream side of the
conveyance alignment belt 20 in a paper conveying direction.
Folding rollers 31, 32, 33, a first folding plate 34 and a second
folding plate 35 constitute the folding means 30 (refer to FIG. 4
and FIG. 5).
[0086] When conducting the folding three processing, a first
folding crease section la is formed in paper S by employing the
folding rollers 31, 32 and the first folding plate 34, and then, a
second folding crease section 1b is formed in paper S by employing
the folding rollers 32, 33 and the second folding plate 35. The
folded three section SA is ejected onto an ejecting tray 38 by an
ejecting roller 37 after passing through a paper conveying path r8,
which is constituted by a plurality of conveying rollers 36 and a
guide plate (refer to FIG. 4).
[0087] FIGS. 9(a) through 9(f) show schematic diagrams, indicating
an inside folding three processing performed by the folding means
30. [0088] (1) A single paper S or a plurality of papers S
(hereinafter, also referred to as paper S, namely, the term of the
"paper S" means a single paper or a plurality of papers, for
simplicity) being trued in its width direction is/are conveyed
through the paper conveying path located between guide plates 46A
and 46B, and then, the leading edge portion of the single paper S
or the plurality of papers S is batted against the stopper member
21 to stop thereat. The stopper member 21 is disposed at such a
position that is 2/3 of a full length L of the paper S from a
pressing position N of a pair of the folding rollers 31, 32 (refer
to FIG. 9(a)). [0089] (2) The combined operation of the rotating
action of the folding rollers 31, 32 and the forwarding action of
the first folding plate 34 forms the first folding crease section
1a in the paper S (the first folding processing, refer to FIG.
9(b)). [0090] (3) The rotating action of the folding rollers 31, 32
elevates the paper S processed by the first folding processing in
such a manner that the first folding crease section la is the
leading portion, and travels through the guide surface of the guide
plate 39 (refer to FIG. 9(c)). [0091] (4) After the first folding
crease section la reaches the predetermined position, which is 2/3
of the full length L of the paper S from the pressing position N of
the pair of the folding rollers 31, 32, the second folding plate 35
moves forward toward the position opposite to the folding rollers
32, 33, in order to form the second folding crease section 1b
(refer to FIG. 9(d)). [0092] (5) The folded three section SA
created by forming the first folding crease section la and the
second folding crease section 1b in paper S is ejected by the
folding rollers 32, 33 (refer to FIG. 9(e)). The folded three
section SA ejected by the folding rollers 32 is further conveyed by
the conveying rollers 36, which holds the folded three section SA
between them, and is ejected by the ejecting roller 37 onto
ejecting tray 38 on which the folded three section SA is stored
(refer to FIG. 4).
[0093] FIG. 9(f) shows a perspective view of the inside
folded-three section SA.
[0094] The middle fold processing, the saddle stitch processing and
the fore edge cut processing, to be applied to paper S in the paper
finishing apparatus B, will be detailed in the following.
<Middle Fold Processing>
[0095] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a folding means,
indicating a middle fold processing performed prior to the saddle
stitch processing.
[0096] The paper S arrived at the folding means 30 is press-clipped
between the folding rollers 31, 32, which rotate in directions
opposite relative to each other, by using the first folding plate
34, so as to achieve the folding two processing. Then, the folded
section SA, in which a folding crease section 1c is formed over the
paper width direction at the center of the paper conveying
direction, is formed.
[0097] The folded section SA, in which a first folding crease
section 1c is formed by conducting the folding two processing
employing the folding rollers 31, 32 and the first folding plate
34, is released from the nip position between the folding rollers
31, 32 by rotating them in reverse directions, and is returned to
the horizontal conveying path formed by guide plates 46A, 46B.
[0098] Successively, the folded section SA is conveyed to the paper
conveying path r7 in a direction of extended line of the folding
crease section 1c, to introduce it into the saddle stitch means 60
(refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3)
[0099] As described in the above, a small number of papers S,
including one paper or three papers, is/are tightly folded by the
folding means 30 so as to clearly form the folding crease section
1a, and successively introduced into the saddle stitch means 60.
Accordingly, it becomes possible to produce a high-quality booklet
SB (a bookbinding product) having a little swelling at the folding
crease section 1c.
<Saddle Stitch Processing>
[0100] FIG. 11 shows a left side view of the paper finishing
apparatus B.
[0101] At the folding means 30, the middle folded section SA, which
have been subjected to middle folding processing, is conveyed in
the direction of the paper conveyance path r7 by the conveyance
means 40 detailed later, and is stacked on the saddle stacking
means 61 of the saddle stitch means 60. Next, the following middle
folded section SA, which has undergone middle folding also, passes
the paper conveyance path r7 and is stacked on the saddle stacking
means 61.
[0102] The saddle stacking means 61 includes two guide plates,
which intersects each other substantially at a right angle and is
fixed on the main body of the paper finishing apparatus B. A
pressing member 61A, which is urged by a spring and is elevatable,
is disposed in the vicinity of the vertex portion of the saddle
stacking means 61 in a state in which it is supported by the stitch
receiving mechanism 64 (See FIG. 10).
[0103] The vertex portion of the pressing member 61A has
substantially a right angular protruded shape. The folding crease
section 1a of the middle folded section SA is put on the vertex
portion along its edge line.
[0104] A plurality of middle folded sections SA, which are stacked
on the saddle stacking means 61 and the pressing member 61A, are
trued in its position by the width aligning means 62.
[0105] A stapling mechanism 63 is fixed above the pressing member
61A. The pressing member 61A and the staple receiving mechanism 64
are supported in a state of being moveable in the vertical
direction inside the saddle stacking means 61.
[0106] Two sets of the binding means having the split structure,
constituted by the stapling mechanism 63 and the staple receiving
mechanism 64, are disposed in the direction of the folding crease
section line. When the binding process is set in the operation
section, the staple receiving mechanism 64 moves upwards to perform
the binding process. Concretely speaking, the combination of the
stapling mechanism 63 and the staple receiving mechanism 64 staples
a stapling needle SP at each of two positions equally split from
the center along the folding crease section line of the middle
folded sections SA putted on the pressing member 61A. The booklet
SB, which has undergone the middle folding processing and the
saddle stitch processing, is shown in the schematic diagram shown
in FIG. 2.
<Retrieval of Booklet>
[0107] The booklet SB, which has undergone saddle stitch processing
at the saddle stitch means 60, is held at the support member 72
which is fixed at the front end of the arm member 71 of the bound
book retrieving means 70, and is swung in the direction of the
single dot chain arrow by the arm member 71, and is conveyed by the
bound book conveyance means 80.
<Conveying Operation of Booklet>
[0108] The booklet SB, which has been conveyed by the bound book
conveyance means 80, is stacked on the conveyance belt 82. The
booklet SB is conveyed in the lower incline direction due to the
rotation of the conveyor belt 82, and is held in an inclined state,
and is moved by the rotating conveying belt 83 and stopped at a
prescribed position. Subsequently, the conveyor belt 83 swings and
is supported in a horizontal state.
<Booklet Cutting Processing>
[0109] The fore edges (the free end at the opposite side of the
folding line portion) a of the booklet SB, which is loaded on the
conveyor belt 83 which is in a horizontal state, is not in an
aligned state due to the number of sheets in the booklet SB and
thus it is cut by the paper cutting device of this invention and
the fore edges are aligned.
[0110] The booklet SB, that is created by the cutting processing,
is stacked on conveyor belt 83 which rotates in the opposite
direction, and the rear end of the booklet SB is conveyed in a
pressed state by the variable aligning member 84 which is fixed on
the conveyor belt 83, and falls in the direction of the arrow from
the front end of the conveyor belt 83. The booklet SB, that has
dropped, is discharged to the discharge tray 86, which is disposed
at the outer side of the front surface side Bf of the paper
finishing apparatus B, by the rotating discharge belt 85.
[0111] As described in the foregoing, according to the present
invention, by adding the paper truing function to the paper
conveying means to be employed in the paper post processing without
adding another driving source, it becomes possible to simplify the
configuration of the apparatus and to improve the stability of the
apparatus.
[0112] Further, by applying the width truing adjustment to a
plurality of papers before applying the post processing, such as
the folding processing, etc., it becomes possible to provide a
plurality of high-quality folded sections in which the papers are
accurately trued and folded in its width direction.
[0113] Still further, according to the present invention, since the
width truing means waits at a standby position in the vicinity of
the truing position being apart form the initial position, it is
not necessary to return to the initial position every time of the
processing, and therefore, it becomes possible to speedily true the
papers in its width direction without lowering the productivity of
the image-forming apparatus proper.
[0114] Disclosed embodiment can be varied by a skilled person
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *