JP2011184146A - Paper folding device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper folding device increased in productivity by efficiently folding paper while simplifying the configuration. <P>SOLUTION: This paper folding device 200 includes a restraining member for restraining the front end of a sheet conveyed to a paper conveying path, a paper conveying means which conveys the sheet the front end of which is restrained by the restraining member toward the restraining member side in the paper conveying direction and which forms a deflection on the sheet, at least two folding rollers 206, 207 which hold the sheet and form fold lines, a guide unit for guiding the sheet to a position where the sheet is held by the folding rollers, and an opening device for forming an open space by opening the portion of the paper conveying path facing the folding rollers. The paper folding device further includes a controller which controls so as to form one or more deflected portions on the paper by using the combination of the restraining member, the paper conveying means, the guide means, and the opening means to hold, on the folding rollers, the paper obtained by placing the deflected portions of the paper on the end part thereof or placing the plurality of deflected portions of the paper on each other, and to fold the paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、複写機、プリンタ、印刷機などの画像形成装置から排出された用紙に折り処理を行う用紙折り装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a sheet folding apparatus that performs a folding process on a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a printing machine.

従来、用紙折り装置として、搬送中の用紙の先端を停止させて形成した用紙の撓みを、圧接した折りローラ対のニップに挟み込んで搬送することで、折り目を形成する折り処理をおこなうものが知られている。用紙折り装置には、二つ折り、Ｚ折り、外三つ折り、内三つ折り、単純四つ折り、観音四つ折り等の種々の折り処理が実現できることが望まれる。特許文献１には、種々の折り処理を実現するために、用紙が経由する種々の搬送経路を形成し得るよう複数の搬送路を配置し、複数の停止部材と複数の折りローラ対とで折り処理をおこなうものが記載されている。現状の二つ折り、Ｚ折り、三つ折り、四つ折りの多機能折りが可能な用紙折り装置では折りローラを３本以上設けてあり、１つの折り目を１回づつのスイッチバックと折りローラ動作で折りを行っている。   2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet folding device that performs folding processing for forming a crease by sandwiching a sheet of paper formed by stopping the leading edge of the sheet being conveyed between a nip of a pair of folding rollers that are in pressure contact with each other is known. It has been. It is desired that the sheet folding apparatus can realize various folding processes such as bi-folding, Z-folding, outer tri-folding, inner tri-folding, simple four-folding, and Kannon quadruple folding. In Patent Document 1, in order to realize various folding processes, a plurality of conveyance paths are arranged so as to form various conveyance paths through which a sheet passes, and folding is performed by a plurality of stop members and a plurality of folding roller pairs. Items to be processed are described. In the current paper folding device capable of multi-folding such as bi-folding, Z-folding, tri-folding, and quadruple folding, there are three or more folding rollers, and each fold is folded by switchback and folding roller operation once. It is carried out.

しかしながら、特許文献１に記載の用紙折り装置では、Ｚ折り、３つ折り、４つ折りなど多機能折りに対応する場合、折りローラが多く必用で、折りのための搬送経路が複雑となり、装置が大型となりコストも高くなる。また、折り回数も増えるので用紙スイッチバックや折りローラ正逆転などの制御も複雑となり、生産性が低下する問題があった。   However, the paper folding apparatus described in Patent Document 1 requires a large number of folding rollers when dealing with multi-function folding such as Z-folding, three-folding, and four-folding, and the conveyance path for folding is complicated, resulting in a large-sized apparatus. And the cost becomes high. In addition, since the number of foldings increases, control of paper switchback and forward / reverse folding rollers is complicated, and there is a problem that productivity is lowered.

本発明は以上の問題点に鑑みなされたものであり、その目的は、構成を簡略化しつつ用紙を効率的に折り生産性を向上させることができる用紙折り装置を提供することである。   The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper folding apparatus that can efficiently improve folding productivity of paper while simplifying the configuration.

上記目的を達成するために、請求項１の発明は、用紙搬送路中に設けられ該用紙搬送路に搬送された用紙の先端を規制する規制部材と、前記規制部材よりも用紙搬送方向上流側に設けられ、該規制部材により先端が規制された用紙を搬送し用紙に撓みを形成させる用紙搬送手段と、用紙搬送方向で前記用紙搬送手段と前記規制部材との間に設けられ、用紙を挟持し折り目を形成する少なくとも２本の折りローラと、前記折りローラに用紙を挾持させる位置へ用紙を導くガイド手段と、用紙搬送路の前記折りローラに対向する箇所を開放し開放スペースを形成する開放手段と、を備え、画像形成装置から排出され用紙搬送路を搬送される用紙を折りローラに挾持して折り加工を施す用紙折り装置において、前記規制部材、前記用紙搬送手段、前記ガイド手段及び前記開放手段とを組み合わせて用いて、用紙に撓み部分を１つ以上形成し、用紙の撓み部分と用紙端部とを重ね合わせるか用紙の複数の撓み部分を重ね合わせるかして用紙を前記折りローラに挾持させて折る制御を行う制御手段を有することを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項２の発明は、請求項１の用紙折り装置において、上記用紙搬送手段によって用紙を搬送させつつ、上記規制部材により用紙先端を規制した後に、開放手段により用紙搬送路を開放することにより、用紙に折りローラ側に撓む撓み部分と折りローラ側とは反対側に撓む撓み部分とを形成することを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項３の発明は、請求項２の用紙折り装置において、上記規制手段による用紙先端の規制や上記用紙搬送手段による用紙の搬送量により、用紙の折り位置を調整することを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項４の発明は、請求項１、２または３の用紙折り装置において、用紙端部と用紙の撓み部分との位置を合わせて、２本の折りローラが接することで形成されるニップ部に用紙を導くことを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項５の発明は、請求項１、２、３または４の用紙折り装置において、複数の折り位置を同時に折ることを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項６の発明は、請求項１、２、３、４または５の用紙折り装置において、用紙に形成した複数の撓み部分を用紙搬送方向と同一方向に移動させながら連続して折ることを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項７の発明は、請求項２の用紙折り装置において、上記開放手段が、用紙先端を上記規制部材の位置と上記折りローラに用紙を挾持させる位置とのいずれかにガイドする第２ガイド手段として機能することを特徴する用紙折り装置。 In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a regulating member provided in the sheet conveying path for regulating the leading edge of the sheet conveyed to the sheet conveying path, and upstream of the regulating member in the sheet conveying direction. A sheet conveying unit configured to convey a sheet whose leading edge is regulated by the regulating member and to bend the sheet, and is provided between the sheet conveying unit and the regulating member in the sheet conveying direction to sandwich the sheet. At least two folding rollers for forming a folding fold, guide means for guiding the sheet to a position where the sheet is held by the folding roller, and an opening for forming an open space by opening a portion of the sheet conveying path facing the folding roller. A sheet folding apparatus for holding the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus and conveyed through the sheet conveyance path by a folding roller to perform the folding process, the regulating member, the sheet conveying means, By using a combination of the guide means and the opening means, one or more bent portions are formed on the paper, and the paper bent portion and the paper end portion are overlapped or a plurality of bent portions of the paper are overlapped. It is characterized by having a control means for controlling the folding by holding it on the folding roller.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the paper folding apparatus according to the first aspect, the paper conveying path is opened by the opening means after the front end of the paper is regulated by the regulating member while the paper is conveyed by the paper conveying means. Thus, a bent portion that is bent toward the folding roller side and a bent portion that is bent toward the side opposite to the folding roller side are formed on the sheet.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper folding device of the second aspect, the folding position of the paper is adjusted according to the restriction of the leading edge of the paper by the restricting means and the amount of paper conveyed by the paper conveying means. Is.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper folding apparatus of the first, second, or third aspect, the nip formed by aligning the positions of the paper end and the bent portion of the paper and contacting the two folding rollers. The sheet is guided to the section.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the paper folding apparatus according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, a plurality of folding positions are folded simultaneously.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the paper folding device of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, the plurality of bent portions formed on the paper are continuously folded while being moved in the same direction as the paper transport direction. It is characterized by.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the paper folding device of the second aspect, the opening means guides the front end of the paper to either the position of the regulating member or the position where the paper is held by the folding roller. A sheet folding device that functions as a guide means.

本発明においては、用紙に形成された複数の撓み部分を重ね合わせて折りローラに挾持することができるので、１回の折り動作で用紙の複数箇所に折り目をつけることができ、少ない折り回数で２つ折り、Ｚ折り、三つ折り、四つ折りなどの各種折りを行うことができる。よって、折りローラの数を少なくすることができる。また、用紙の搬送距離やスイッチバック距離も短くできたり、用紙に複数の折り目をつくる場合でも用紙のスイッチバックが１回で済んだりするので、用紙を効率的に折ることができ折り時間が短縮され生産性を向上させることができる。   In the present invention, since a plurality of bent portions formed on a sheet can be overlapped and held on the folding roller, a single folding operation can crease a plurality of positions on the sheet, and the number of folding can be reduced. Various folds such as two-fold, Z-fold, three-fold, and four-fold can be performed. Therefore, the number of folding rollers can be reduced. In addition, the paper transport distance and switchback distance can be shortened, and even when multiple folds are made on the paper, the paper can be switched back once, so the paper can be folded efficiently and the folding time is shortened. Productivity can be improved.

以上、本発明によれば、構成を簡略化しつつ用紙を効率的に折り生産性を向上させることができるという優れた効果がある。   As described above, according to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the productivity can be improved by efficiently folding a sheet while simplifying the configuration.

本実施形態に係る用紙折り装置の概略構成図。1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sheet folding device according to an embodiment. 用紙折り装置の制御に関するブロック図。The block diagram regarding control of a paper folding apparatus. ストッパー部材の他例を示した図。The figure which showed the other example of the stopper member. （ａ）二つ折りの用紙折り形状を示した模式図。（ｂ）Ｚ折りの用紙折り形状を示した模式図。（ｃ）三つ折りの用紙折り形状を示した模式図。（ｄ）四つ折りの用紙折り形状を示した模式図。(A) The schematic diagram which showed the folded paper folding shape. (B) A schematic diagram showing a Z-folded paper folding shape. (C) The schematic diagram which showed the paper folding shape of a trifold. (D) The schematic diagram which showed the paper folding shape of four folds. 二つ折り動作で用紙に撓みを作る際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of making a sheet | seat bend by folding operation. 二つ折り動作で用紙の折りが行われ用紙の二つ折りが完了した際の説明図。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when a sheet is folded by a folding operation and the folding of the sheet is completed. Ｚ折り動作で用紙先端を折りニップＮに導く際の説明図。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the leading end of a sheet is guided to a folding nip N by a Z folding operation. Ｚ折り動作で折りローラ対と対向する位置に形成されたスペースを開放する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of open | releasing the space formed in the position facing a folding roller pair by Z folding operation | movement. Ｚ折り動作で１つ目の撓み部分を形成する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of forming the 1st bending part by Z folding operation | movement. Ｚ折り動作で２つ目の撓み部分を形成する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of forming the 2nd bending part by Z folding operation | movement. Ｚ折り動作で１回目の折りが行われる際の説明図。Explanatory drawing when the first folding is performed by Z folding operation. Ｚ折り動作で２回目の折りが行われ用紙のＺ折りが完了した際の説明図。Explanatory drawing when the second folding is performed by Z folding operation and Z folding of a paper is completed. 三つ折り動作で１つ目の撓み部分を形成する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of forming the 1st bending part by trifold operation | movement. 三つ折り動作で折りローラ対と対向する位置に形成されたスペースを開放する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of open | releasing the space formed in the position facing a pair of folding rollers by trifold operation. 三つ折り動作で２つ目の撓み部分を形成する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of forming the 2nd bending part by trifold operation | movement. 三つ折り動作で折りブレードを折りニップＮ方向へ進出させ折りブレードの先端で用紙を押した際の説明図。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the folding blade is advanced in the folding nip N direction by three-folding operation and the sheet is pushed by the tip of the folding blade. 三つ折り動作で折りニップＮの位置に移動した用紙後端と１つ目の撓み部分とが重なった際の説明図。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the rear end of the sheet moved to the position of the folding nip N by the three-fold operation and the first bent portion overlap each other. 三つ折り動作で１回目の折りが行われる際の説明図。Explanatory drawing when the first folding is performed by a three-fold operation. 三つ折り動作で２回目の折りが行われ用紙の三つ折りが完了した際の説明図。Explanatory drawing when the second folding is performed by the trifolding operation and the trifolding of the paper is completed. 四つ折り動作で１つ目の撓み部分を形成する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of forming the 1st bending part by four folding operation | movement. 四つ折り動作で２つ目の撓み部分を形成する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of forming the 2nd bending part by four folding operation | movement. 四つ折り動作で３つ目の撓み部分を形成する際の説明図。Explanatory drawing at the time of forming the 3rd bending part by four folding operation | movement. 四つ折り動作で折りブレードを折りニップＮ方向へ進出させ折りブレードの先端で用紙を押した際の説明図。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the folding blade is advanced in the folding nip N direction by four-folding operation and the sheet is pushed by the tip of the folding blade. 四つ折り動作で１回目の折りが行われる際の説明図。Explanatory drawing when the first folding is performed by a four-fold operation. 四つ折り動作で２回目の折りが行われ用紙の四つ折りが完了した際の説明図。Explanatory drawing when the second folding is performed by the four folding operation and the four folding of the paper is completed.

図１は、本実施形態に係る用紙折り装置２００の概略構成図である。用紙折り装置２００は、後述する構成により、二つ折り、Ｚ折り、三つ折り、四つ折りの各折り動作が可能であり、折り位置も調整可能である。   FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sheet folding device 200 according to the present embodiment. The sheet folding apparatus 200 can perform folding operations such as bi-folding, Z-folding, tri-folding, and quadruple folding, and the folding position can be adjusted by the configuration described later.

図２は用紙折り装置２００の画像形成装置１００からの情報伝達と動作制御に関わるブロック図である。   FIG. 2 is a block diagram relating to information transmission and operation control from the image forming apparatus 100 of the sheet folding apparatus 200.

画像形成装置１００からの用紙排紙先、折りモード等の情報は画像形成装置１００のＣＰＵ１０１から画像形成装置１００と用紙折り装置２００との間のＩ／Ｆ部２３７を介して用紙折り装置２００のＣＰＵ２６０へ信号が伝達される。用紙折り装置２００のＣＰＵ２６０はこれらの情報と用紙折り装置２００の各センサ（入口センサ２３０、搬送センサ２３１，２３２，２３３，２３４、排紙センサ２３５，２３６）の情報、画像形成装置１００からの折りモード情報などの条件に基づき、各モーター（搬送モーター２７１，紙送り搬送モーター２７２，ストッパーモーター２７３，折りローラモーター２７４，排紙モーター２７５，搬送路開閉モーター２７６，折りブレードモーター２７７，各モーター２７８）を駆動するためのドライバ２６５により各モーターの動作タイミングを制御している。   Information such as the paper discharge destination and folding mode from the image forming apparatus 100 is obtained from the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the I / F unit 237 between the image forming apparatus 100 and the paper folding apparatus 200. A signal is transmitted to the CPU 260. The CPU 260 of the sheet folding device 200 folds the information, the information of each sensor (entrance sensor 230, transport sensors 231, 232, 233, 234, paper discharge sensors 235, 236) of the sheet folding device 200, and the folding from the image forming apparatus 100. Based on conditions such as mode information, each motor (conveyance motor 271, paper feed conveyance motor 272, stopper motor 273, folding roller motor 274, paper discharge motor 275, conveyance path opening / closing motor 276, folding blade motor 277, each motor 278) The operation timing of each motor is controlled by a driver 265 for driving the motor.

用紙折り装置２００では、画像形成装置１００から画像形成された用紙Ｐを用紙搬入口より受け入れ、所定の用紙折り処理を行う。そして、用紙折り処理後、パンチ、ステープル等の後処理を行う場合は用紙搬出口から図示しない後処理装置へ折り処理後の用紙Ｐを排出し、後処理を行わない場合は用紙折り装置２００の上部に設けられた用紙積載部２５０へ折り処理後の用紙Ｐを積載していく。また、用紙搬入口から受け入れた用紙Ｐを用紙折り装置２００で用紙折り処理を行わずに用紙折り装置２００内を通過させて、後処理装置や用紙積載部２５０に送ることもできる。   In the sheet folding apparatus 200, the sheet P on which an image is formed from the image forming apparatus 100 is received from the sheet carry-in entrance, and a predetermined sheet folding process is performed. When post-processing such as punching and stapling is performed after the paper folding process, the folded paper P is discharged from a paper carry-out port to a post-processing device (not shown), and when post-processing is not performed, the paper folding device 200 The paper P after folding is stacked on the paper stacking unit 250 provided at the top. Further, the sheet P received from the sheet carry-in port can be passed through the sheet folding apparatus 200 without being folded by the sheet folding apparatus 200 and sent to the post-processing apparatus or the sheet stacking unit 250.

用紙折り装置２００は用紙Ｐを搬送するための搬送路として、搬送路２２０、搬送路２２１、搬送路２２３、搬送路２２４、搬送路２２５を有する。   The sheet folding apparatus 200 includes a conveyance path 220, a conveyance path 221, a conveyance path 223, a conveyance path 224, and a conveyance path 225 as conveyance paths for conveying the paper P.

搬送路２２０は、用紙搬入口から受け入れ、入口搬送ローラ２０１により搬送された用紙Ｐを折らずに用紙折り装置２００よりも用紙搬送方向下流側にある後処理装置へ排紙コロ２０９により排紙するためのストレート搬送路である。搬送路２２１は、用紙Ｐの折りを行わずに用紙折り装置２００の上部に設けられた用紙積載部２５０へ排紙する搬送路である。   The conveyance path 220 receives from the paper carry-in entrance, and discharges the paper P conveyed by the entrance carry roller 201 to the post-processing device located downstream of the paper folding device 200 with the paper discharge roller 209 without folding. It is a straight conveyance path for. The conveyance path 221 is a conveyance path for discharging the sheet P to the sheet stacking unit 250 provided in the upper part of the sheet folding apparatus 200 without folding the sheet P.

用紙先端が入口センサ２３０を通過すると折りを行うか否か、また、折りモードなどの条件に従った処理を行う方向に用紙Ｐを搬送するための判断を行い、入口センサ２３０からの用紙搬送タイミングを取り、切替爪２１０，２１１の切り替え方向を制御する。用紙Ｐに折り処理を行わずに搬送路２２１から用紙積載部２５０へ用紙Ｐを搬送する場合には切替爪２１１を下側へ切り替える。搬送センサ２３３，２３４は、搬送される用紙Ｐの通過タイミングを検知し、各切替爪のタイミング制御と用紙Ｐが正常に通過したかの検知を行う。排紙センサ２３５は用紙Ｐの通過タイミングを検知し、画像形成装置１００へ用紙排紙の通知を行うタイミングをとると共に正常に用紙Ｐが排紙されたかの監視を行っている。   Whether or not folding is performed when the leading edge of the sheet passes through the entrance sensor 230, and a determination for transporting the sheet P in a direction in which processing according to conditions such as the folding mode is performed is performed. The switching direction of the switching claws 210 and 211 is controlled. When the paper P is transported from the transport path 221 to the paper stacking unit 250 without performing the folding process on the paper P, the switching claw 211 is switched to the lower side. The conveyance sensors 233 and 234 detect the passage timing of the conveyed paper P, and perform timing control of each switching claw and detection of whether the paper P has passed normally. The paper discharge sensor 235 detects the passage timing of the paper P, takes a timing for notifying the image forming apparatus 100 of paper discharge, and monitors whether the paper P has been discharged normally.

搬送路２２２は、後述する１対のローラ部材からなる折りローラ対へ用紙Ｐを導くための搬送路である。搬送路２２３は、用紙Ｐを折る場合に用紙Ｐに撓みを作る為の搬送路である。また、搬送路２２３は用紙Ｐをスイッチバックし反転する場合にも使用できる。搬送路２２４は、折り処理を施した用紙Ｐを搬送路２２０へ導くための搬送路であり、搬送路２２４から搬送路２２０に搬送された用紙Ｐは前記後処理装置へ排紙するか、搬送路２２０内でスイッチバックして切替爪２１２を下側へ切り替えて搬送路２２０から搬送路２２５を介して搬送路２２１に導き排紙センサ２３６を通過させて用紙積載部２５０へ排紙する。   The conveyance path 222 is a conveyance path for guiding the paper P to a pair of folding rollers including a pair of roller members described later. The conveyance path 223 is a conveyance path for bending the paper P when the paper P is folded. The transport path 223 can also be used when the paper P is switched back and reversed. The conveyance path 224 is a conveyance path for guiding the folded paper P to the conveyance path 220. The paper P conveyed from the conveyance path 224 to the conveyance path 220 is discharged to the post-processing device or conveyed. Switch back in the path 220 and switch the switching claw 212 downward to guide it from the transport path 220 through the transport path 225 to the transport path 221 and pass through the paper discharge sensor 236 to be discharged onto the paper stacking section 250.

各搬送路は、用紙Ｐの搬送を案内をするガイド板が用紙Ｐの厚さ方向両側に所定の間隔をあけて配設されることで形成される。各搬送路は、搬送路同士が直接接続されるように、または、後述する２つの折りローラからなる折りローラ対を挟んで接続されるように形成されている。   Each transport path is formed by providing guide plates for guiding the transport of the paper P at predetermined intervals on both sides in the thickness direction of the paper P. Each conveyance path is formed so that the conveyance paths are directly connected to each other, or are connected so as to sandwich a folding roller pair composed of two folding rollers described later.

また、搬送経路を切り替えるよう各搬送路へ用紙Ｐを案内する、切替爪２１０，２１１が設けられている。各切替爪は不図示の駆動機構により軸中心で回動して、搬送路から退避した位置と、搬送路を塞ぎ用紙Ｐを所望の搬送路にガイドする位置とに移動可能になっている。   Further, switching claws 210 and 211 are provided for guiding the paper P to each conveyance path so as to switch the conveyance path. Each switching claw is rotated about its axis by a drive mechanism (not shown), and can be moved to a position where it is retracted from the conveyance path and a position where the conveyance path is blocked and the paper P is guided to a desired conveyance path.

搬送路２２３の搬送路内には、搬送されてきた用紙Ｐの前端部分を挾持し搬送を停止させるストッパー部材として、ストップコロ対２０５が設けられている。このストッパー部材としては図３に示すような、用紙Ｐの前端が突き当たることで停止させるストッパー２０５ａを設けても良い。ストッパー２０５ａは、搬送路２２３の用紙搬送方向に沿って移動し位置を変更可能であり、用紙Ｐの搬送方向の前端から折り位置まで距離に応じて不図示の駆動源によって移動可能に構成されている。   A stop roller pair 205 is provided in the conveyance path of the conveyance path 223 as a stopper member that holds the front end portion of the conveyed paper P and stops conveyance. As this stopper member, as shown in FIG. 3, a stopper 205a that stops when the front end of the paper P abuts may be provided. The stopper 205a moves along the paper conveyance direction of the conveyance path 223 and can change its position, and is configured to be movable by a driving source (not shown) from the front end in the conveyance direction of the paper P to the folding position according to the distance. Yes.

用紙Ｐを折る折りローラ対を構成する折りローラとして、折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とが当接し合って設けられている。折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とからなる折りローラ対によって形成されるニップ部が、折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とで用紙Ｐを挟み込んで折る、折りニップＮである。   As a folding roller constituting a pair of folding rollers for folding the paper P, a folding roller 206 and a folding roller 207 are provided in contact with each other. A nip portion formed by a pair of folding rollers composed of the folding roller 206 and the folding roller 207 is a folding nip N in which the sheet P is sandwiched and folded between the folding roller 206 and the folding roller 207.

用紙折り装置２００よりも用紙搬送方向上流側に配置された画像形成装置１００で画像が形成された用紙Ｐは、用紙搬入口から用紙折り装置２００内に搬送される。   The paper P on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100 disposed upstream of the paper folding apparatus 200 in the paper conveyance direction is conveyed into the paper folding apparatus 200 from the paper carry-in entrance.

用紙Ｐの折りを行わずに、用紙折り装置２００よりも用紙搬送方向下流側に配置された図示しない後処理装置へ搬送させるには、切替爪２１０と切替爪２１１とを搬送路から退避させ、用紙搬入口から進入した用紙Ｐを入口搬送ローラ２０１により搬送路２２０へ搬送する。このとき、切替爪２１２を搬送路２２０から退避させておくことで、用紙搬入口から進入した用紙Ｐを搬送路２２０を介して、直接、用紙搬出口より排紙させることができる。   In order to convey the sheet P to a post-processing device (not shown) disposed downstream of the sheet folding device 200 without folding the sheet P, the switching claw 210 and the switching claw 211 are retracted from the conveyance path, The paper P entering from the paper carry-in entrance is carried to the carry path 220 by the entrance carry roller 201. At this time, by retracting the switching claw 212 from the transport path 220, the paper P that has entered from the paper transport entrance can be discharged directly from the paper transport exit via the transport path 220.

用紙Ｐの折りを行わず、さらに後処理も行わない場合は、切替爪２１０を搬送路から退避させ、切替爪２１１を下方に向かって回動させ搬送路を塞ぐ位置にする。これにより、用紙搬入口から進入した用紙Ｐを切替爪２１１により搬送路２２１へ案内し、用紙折り装置２００の上部に設けられた用紙積載部２５０へ排出させることができる。   When the sheet P is not folded and further post-processing is not performed, the switching claw 210 is retracted from the conveyance path, and the switching claw 211 is rotated downward to close the conveyance path. As a result, the paper P entering from the paper carry-in port can be guided to the transport path 221 by the switching claw 211 and discharged to the paper stacking unit 250 provided in the upper part of the paper folding device 200.

用紙Ｐの折を行う場合には、切替爪２１１を搬送路から退避させ、切替爪２１０を上方に向けて回動させ搬送路を塞ぐ位置にする。これにより、切替爪２１０にて用紙Ｐを、用紙折り装置２００内部の折り処理に用いる各搬送路へ導くことができ、このように導かれた用紙Ｐに対して後述する各折り動作を行う。   When folding the paper P, the switching claw 211 is retracted from the conveyance path, and the switching claw 210 is rotated upward to close the conveyance path. As a result, the switching claw 210 can guide the paper P to each conveyance path used for folding processing inside the paper folding device 200, and each folding operation described later is performed on the paper P thus guided.

＜二つ折り動作説明＞
次に、図４（ａ）に示すような用紙Ｐの二つ折りを行う場合について説明する。
図５に示すように、切替爪２１１を搬送路から退避させ、切替爪２１０で搬送路２２０への経路を塞いで、切替爪２１０により用紙Ｐを搬送路２２２へ導く。搬送路２２２に導かれた用紙Ｐは、搬送路２２２に設けられた搬送コロ２０２，２０３や送りコロ２０４によって搬送され、搬送路２２３に送り込まれる。 <Explanation of bi-fold operation>
Next, a case where the sheet P is folded in half as shown in FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the switching claw 211 is retracted from the conveyance path, the path to the conveyance path 220 is blocked by the switching claw 210, and the paper P is guided to the conveyance path 222 by the switching claw 210. The paper P guided to the transport path 222 is transported by the transport rollers 202 and 203 and the feed roller 204 provided in the transport path 222 and sent to the transport path 223.

用紙端面位置は、搬送路２２２に設けられた搬送センサ２３１と搬送路２２３に設けられた搬送センサ２３２で検知される。搬送センサ２３１や搬送センサ２３２で用紙端面位置を検知してからの用紙先端の搬送距離がわかるように折り部の搬送駆動をステップモータで行っており、搬送センサ２３１や搬送センサ２３２からの用紙先端の搬送距離から用紙Ｐの折りを行う位置を調整することができる。   The sheet end surface position is detected by a conveyance sensor 231 provided in the conveyance path 222 and a conveyance sensor 232 provided in the conveyance path 223. The stepping motor drives the folding unit so that the conveyance distance of the front end of the paper after the end position of the paper is detected by the conveyance sensor 231 or the conveyance sensor 232 is detected. The front end of the paper from the conveyance sensor 231 or the conveyance sensor 232 is detected. The position at which the sheet P is folded can be adjusted from the transport distance.

搬送路２２３に送り込まれた用紙Ｐの先端がストップコロ対２０５を通過して搬送路２２３内の適正な位置に達したときにストップコロ対２０５を停止する。また、図３に示したストッパー２０５ａを用いた場合は、ストッパー２０５ａで搬送路２２３内の用紙先端の位置を調整する。   When the leading edge of the paper P sent to the conveyance path 223 passes through the stop roller pair 205 and reaches an appropriate position in the conveyance path 223, the stop roller pair 205 is stopped. When the stopper 205a shown in FIG. 3 is used, the position of the leading edge of the paper in the transport path 223 is adjusted by the stopper 205a.

ストップコロ対２０５を停止し用紙Ｐの先端がストップコロ対２０５で挾持された状態で、搬送コロ２０３や送りコロ２０４などが用紙Ｐに搬送力を付与することで、図５に示すように折りローラ２０６，２０７付近で用紙Ｐに撓みが生じる。この際、折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７付近の搬送路２２２は、折りローラ２０６，２０７側へ湾曲しているため、用紙Ｐは折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とで形成される折りニップＮ側へ撓む。そして、用紙Ｐが撓んだ状態でさらに搬送コロ２０３や送りコロ２０４によって搬送力を用紙Ｐに付与することで用紙Ｐの撓みが大きくなる。このようにして用紙Ｐに撓みを生じさせつつ、ストップコロ対２０５を逆回転で再駆動させるとともに折りローラ２０６，２０７を図６中矢印の方向へ回転させることで、撓んだ用紙Ｐの湾曲部分が折りニップＮに進入し挟み込まれ折りが形成される。   When the stop roller pair 205 is stopped and the leading edge of the paper P is held by the stop roller pair 205, the transport roller 203, the feed roller 204, and the like apply a transport force to the paper P, thereby folding as shown in FIG. The sheet P is bent near the rollers 206 and 207. At this time, since the conveyance path 222 in the vicinity of the folding roller 206 and the folding roller 207 is curved toward the folding rollers 206 and 207, the sheet P is moved toward the folding nip N formed by the folding roller 206 and the folding roller 207. Bend. Further, when the sheet P is bent, the sheet P is further bent by applying a conveying force to the sheet P by the conveying roller 203 and the feeding roller 204. In this way, while bending the paper P, the stop roller pair 205 is driven again by reverse rotation and the folding rollers 206 and 207 are rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The portion enters the folding nip N and is sandwiched to form a fold.

このよう折りニップＮで用紙Ｐの折りが行われることで用紙Ｐの二つ折りが完了となる。折りニップＮで折りが行われた用紙Ｐは、折られた部分が搬送方向の前端となって折りニップＮを通過し、搬送路２２４に設けられたコロ２０８などにより搬送路２２４内を搬送され、上述したように最終的に後処理装置や用紙積載部２５０に排出される。   By folding the sheet P at the folding nip N in this way, the folding of the sheet P is completed. The sheet P folded at the folding nip N passes through the folding nip N with the folded portion being the front end in the conveyance direction, and is conveyed in the conveyance path 224 by a roller 208 or the like provided in the conveyance path 224. As described above, the paper is finally discharged to the post-processing device or the paper stacking unit 250.

＜Ｚ折り動作説明＞
次に、図４（ｂ）に示すような用紙ＰのＺ折りを行う場合について説明する。
二つ折り同様に、切替爪２１１を搬送路から退避させ、切替爪２１０で搬送路２２０への経路を塞いで、切替爪２１０により用紙Ｐを搬送路２２２へ導き、搬送路２２２内で搬送センサ２３１が用紙先端を検知すると、図７に示すように搬送路開放爪２１３が軸中心で図中時計回りに回動し搬送路２２３への経路を塞ぐ位置に移動する。これにより、用紙Ｐの先端は搬送路開放爪２１３によって搬送路２２２から折りニップＮに導かれていく。 <Description of Z-folding operation>
Next, a case where the sheet P is Z-folded as shown in FIG.
Similarly to folding in half, the switching claw 211 is retracted from the conveyance path, the path to the conveyance path 220 is closed by the switching claw 210, the paper P is guided to the conveyance path 222 by the switching claw 210, and the conveyance sensor 231 is conveyed in the conveyance path 222. When the leading edge of the sheet is detected, the conveyance path opening claw 213 rotates clockwise around the axis as shown in FIG. 7 and moves to a position where the path to the conveyance path 223 is blocked. As a result, the leading edge of the paper P is guided from the conveyance path 222 to the folding nip N by the conveyance path opening claw 213.

このとき、折りローラ２０６，２０７の駆動は停止しており、用紙先端は折りローラ２０６，２０７のニップ位置で突き当てられ、図７に示すように先端部分が湾曲した状態で停止する。   At this time, the driving of the folding rollers 206 and 207 is stopped, the leading end of the sheet is abutted at the nip position of the folding rollers 206 and 207, and stops with the leading end portion being curved as shown in FIG.

そして、用紙Ｐの搬送は継続しつつ、搬送路開放爪２１３を図８に示すように軸中心で反時計回りに回動させ、搬送路２２２を挟んで折りローラ２０６，２０７とからなる折りローラ対と対向する位置にガイド板２２２ａなどで形成されたスペース２２６を開放する。これにより、図９に示すように用紙Ｐが折りローラ対とは反対側のスペース２２６へ大きく撓んでいき、１つ目の撓み部分が形成される。なお、用紙Ｐの折り位置は搬送センサ２３１からの搬送距離で調整する。   Then, while the conveyance of the paper P is continued, the conveyance path opening claw 213 is rotated counterclockwise about the axis as shown in FIG. 8, and the folding roller composed of the folding rollers 206 and 207 with the conveyance path 222 interposed therebetween. A space 226 formed by the guide plate 222a or the like is opened at a position facing the pair. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the sheet P is greatly bent into the space 226 on the side opposite to the pair of folding rollers, and a first bent portion is formed. Note that the folding position of the paper P is adjusted by the transport distance from the transport sensor 231.

次に、図１０に示すように、折りブレード２４０を折りニップＮ方向へ進出させ折りブレード２４０の先端で用紙Ｐを押していくと、送りコロ２０４と折りブレード２４０とにより、最初に形成したスペース２２６側への撓みとは逆方向に２つ目の撓み部分が用紙Ｐに形成される。   Next, as shown in FIG. 10, when the folding blade 240 is advanced in the direction of the folding nip N and the paper P is pushed by the tip of the folding blade 240, the space 226 formed first by the feeding roller 204 and the folding blade 240. A second bent portion is formed on the paper P in the direction opposite to the side bending.

そして、折りブレード２４０の先端を折りニップＮの位置まで移動させると、折りニップＮに突き当たって停止していた用紙先端と２つ目の撓み部分とが重なり、ここで折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とを図１１中矢印方向に回転させると、図１１に示すように用紙先端と２つ目の撓み部分とが重なった状態で１回目の折りが行われる。   Then, when the leading end of the folding blade 240 is moved to the position of the folding nip N, the leading end of the sheet that has stopped by hitting the folding nip N overlaps with the second bent portion, and the folding roller 206 and the folding roller 207 are here. 11 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11, the first folding is performed with the leading edge of the sheet and the second bent portion overlapped as shown in FIG.

１回目の折り目を先端として用紙Ｐは搬送路２２４へ搬送されていき、そのまま搬送を継続すると折りニップＮで折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とにより１つ目の撓み部分が折られ２回目の折りが完了し、その結果、図１２に示すようにＺ折りが完成する。   With the first fold as the leading edge, the paper P is conveyed to the conveyance path 224. If the conveyance is continued as it is, the first bending portion is folded by the folding roller 206 and the folding roller 207 at the folding nip N, and the second folding is performed. As a result, Z-folding is completed as shown in FIG.

＜三つ折り動作説明＞
次に、図４（ｃ）に示すような用紙Ｐの三つ折りを行う場合について説明する。
図１３に示すような１つ目の撓みをつくるまでの動作は２つ折り動作と同様であり、３つ折りの適正な位置でストップコロ対２０５を停止する。次に、用紙Ｐの搬送は継続しつつ、搬送路開放爪２１３を図１４に示すように軸中心で反時計回りに回動させ、スペース２２６を開放する。これにより、用紙Ｐは折りローラ対とは反対側に撓みを作っていき、図１５に示すようにスペース２２６へ大きく撓んで二つ目の撓み部分が形成される。なお、用紙Ｐの折り位置は搬送センサ２３１からの搬送距離で調整する。 <Tri-fold operation explanation>
Next, a case where the paper P is folded in three as shown in FIG.
The operation until the first bending as shown in FIG. 13 is made is the same as the folding operation, and the stop roller pair 205 is stopped at an appropriate position for the three folding. Next, while the conveyance of the paper P is continued, the conveyance path opening claw 213 is rotated counterclockwise about the axis as shown in FIG. 14 to open the space 226. As a result, the sheet P is bent on the side opposite to the pair of folding rollers, and is largely bent into the space 226 as shown in FIG. 15 to form a second bent portion. Note that the folding position of the paper P is adjusted by the transport distance from the transport sensor 231.

次に、図１６に示すように、折りブレード２４０を折りニップＮ方向へ進出させ折りブレード２４０の先端で用紙Ｐを押していくと、送りコロ２０４と折りブレード２４０とにより、スペース２２６側に湾曲して形成された二つ目の撓み部分とは逆方向に用紙Ｐが撓んで行き、用紙後端が送りコロ２０４のニップを通過すると、用紙後端は自由な状態になり、２つ目の撓み部分と用紙Ｐの腰の作用とにより折りニップＮ方向へ移動する。   Next, as shown in FIG. 16, when the folding blade 240 is advanced in the folding nip N direction and the sheet P is pushed by the tip of the folding blade 240, the feeding roller 204 and the folding blade 240 cause the curve 226 to bend toward the space 226 side. When the paper P bends in the direction opposite to the second bent portion formed in this way and the rear end of the paper passes through the nip of the feed roller 204, the rear end of the paper becomes free and the second bent. It moves in the direction of the folding nip N by the action of the portion and the waist of the paper P.

そして、折りブレード２４０の先端を折りニップＮの位置まで移動させると、図１７に示すように折りニップＮの位置に移動した用紙後端と１つ目の撓み部分とが重なり、ここで折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とを図１８中矢印方向に回転させると、図１８に示すように用紙後端と１つ目の撓み部分とが重なった状態で１回目の折りが行われる。   When the front end of the folding blade 240 is moved to the position of the folding nip N, as shown in FIG. 17, the rear end of the sheet moved to the position of the folding nip N overlaps with the first bent portion, where the folding roller When the roller 206 and the folding roller 207 are rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18, the first folding is performed in a state where the rear end of the sheet and the first bent portion overlap as shown in FIG.

１回目の折り目を先端として用紙Ｐは搬送路２２４へ搬送されていき、そのまま搬送を継続すると折りニップＮで折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とにより２つ目の撓み部分が折られ２回目の折りが完了し、その結果、図１９に示すように三つ折りが完成する。   With the first fold as the leading edge, the paper P is conveyed to the conveyance path 224. If the conveyance is continued as it is, the second bent portion is folded by the folding roller 206 and the folding roller 207 at the folding nip N, and the second folding is performed. As a result, tri-folding is completed as shown in FIG.

＜四つ折り動作説明＞
次に、図４（ｄ）に示すような用紙Ｐの四つ折りを行う場合について説明する。
図２０に示すような１つ目の撓みをつくるまでの動作は２つ折り動作と同様であり、４つ折りの適正な位置でストップコロ対２０５を停止する。次に、用紙Ｐの搬送は継続しつつ、搬送路開放爪２１３を図２０に示すように軸中心で反時計回りに回動させ、スペース２２６を開放する。これにより、用紙Ｐは折りローラ対とは反対側に撓みを作っていき、図２１に示すようにスペース２２６へ大きく撓んで行き、二つ目の撓みが形成される。なお、用紙Ｐの折り位置は搬送センサ２３１からの搬送距離で調整する。 <Explanation of four-fold operation>
Next, a case where the sheet P is folded in four as shown in FIG.
The operation until the first bending as shown in FIG. 20 is made is the same as the folding operation, and the stop roller pair 205 is stopped at an appropriate position for the four folding. Next, while the conveyance of the paper P is continued, the conveyance path opening claw 213 is rotated counterclockwise about the axis as shown in FIG. 20 to open the space 226. As a result, the sheet P is bent on the side opposite to the pair of folding rollers and greatly bent into the space 226 as shown in FIG. 21 to form a second bend. Note that the folding position of the paper P is adjusted by the transport distance from the transport sensor 231.

次に、図２２に示すように、折りブレード２４０を折りニップＮ方向へ進出させ折りブレード２４０の先端で用紙Ｐを押していくと、送りコロ２０４と折りブレード２４０とにより、スペース２２６側に湾曲して形成された二つ目の撓み部分とは逆方向に用紙Ｐが撓んで行き、二つ目の撓み部分とは逆方向に三つ目の撓み部分が用紙Ｐに形成される。   Next, as shown in FIG. 22, when the folding blade 240 is advanced in the direction of the folding nip N and the sheet P is pushed by the tip of the folding blade 240, the feeding roller 204 and the folding blade 240 cause the curve 226 to bend toward the space 226 side. Thus, the sheet P bends in a direction opposite to the second bent portion, and a third bent portion is formed in the sheet P in the direction opposite to the second bent portion.

そして、折りブレード２４０の先端を折りニップＮの位置まで移動させると、図２３に示すように１つ目の撓み部分と３つ目の撓み部分とが折りニップＮの位置で重なり、ここで折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とを図２４中矢印方向に回転させると、図２４に示すように１つ目の撓み部分と３つ目の撓み部分とが重なった状態で１回目の折りが行われる。   Then, when the tip of the folding blade 240 is moved to the position of the folding nip N, as shown in FIG. 23, the first bent portion and the third bent portion overlap at the position of the folding nip N, and the folding is performed here. When the roller 206 and the folding roller 207 are rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 24, the first folding is performed with the first and third bent portions overlapping as shown in FIG. .

１回目の折り目を先端として用紙Ｐは搬送路２２４へ搬送されていき、そのまま搬送を継続すると折りニップＮで折りローラ２０６と折りローラ２０７とにより２つ目の撓み部分が折られ２回目の折りが完了し、その結果、図２５に示すように四つ折りが完成する。   With the first fold as the leading edge, the paper P is conveyed to the conveyance path 224. If the conveyance is continued as it is, the second bent portion is folded by the folding roller 206 and the folding roller 207 at the folding nip N, and the second folding is performed. As a result, the four-fold is completed as shown in FIG.

このように本実施形態の用紙折り装置２００においては、折り動作を行う場合、用紙搬送路を開放し、用紙Ｐを折るための複数の撓みつくり、用紙先端、又は撓みをブレードで折りローラのニップに集めて１回の折りローラ通過で複数の折り目をつけることができるので折りローラを少なくできる。   As described above, in the paper folding apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, when performing the folding operation, the paper conveyance path is opened, and a plurality of flexures for folding the paper P are formed. Since a plurality of creases can be made by passing through a single folding roller, the number of folding rollers can be reduced.

また、搬送ローラとブレードを動作させるタイミングを調整し、折り位置と撓み数を調整できるので簡単な構成でＺ折り、３つ折り、４つ折りなどの多機能折りが可能な折り装置を提供することができる。   Further, it is possible to provide a folding device capable of performing multi-function folding such as Z-folding, three-folding, and four-folding with a simple configuration because the timing for operating the conveying roller and the blade can be adjusted and the folding position and the number of flexures can be adjusted. it can.

さらに、Ｚ折り、３つ折り、４つ折りを行うときでも用紙Ｐのスイッチバックが１回で済むことと、複数の折り目を１回の折り動作で折りが完了するので用紙Ｐを効率的に折ることができ、折り時間を短縮する効果も期待できる。   Further, even when performing Z-folding, three-folding, and four-folding, the sheet P can be switched back only once, and the folding of the plurality of folds is completed by one folding operation, so that the sheet P can be folded efficiently. Can also be expected to shorten the folding time.

以上、本実施形態によれば、用紙搬送路である搬送路２２３中に設けられ搬送路２２３に搬送された用紙Ｐの先端を規制する規制部材であるストップコロ対２０５と、ストップコロ対２０５よりも用紙搬送方向上流側に設けられ、ストップコロ対２０５により先端が規制された用紙Ｐを用紙搬送方向でストップコロ対２０５に向かって搬送し用紙Ｐに撓みを形成させる用紙搬送手段である送りコロ２０４と、用紙搬送方向で送りコロ２０４とストップコロ対２０５との間に設けられ、用紙Ｐを挟持し折り目を形成する少なくとも２本の折りローラ２０６，２０７と、折りローラ２０６，２０７に用紙Ｐを挾持させる位置へ用紙Ｐを導くガイド手段であるブレード２４０と、搬送路２２３の折りローラ２０６，２０７に対向する箇所を開放し開放スペースであるスペース２２６を形成する開放手段である搬送路開放爪２１３と、を備え、画像形成装置１００から排出され用紙搬送路を搬送される用紙Ｐを折りローラ２０６，２０７に挾持して折り加工を施す用紙折り装置２００において、ストップコロ対２０５、送りコロ２０４、ブレード２４０及び搬送路開放爪２１３とを組み合わせて用いて、用紙Ｐに撓み部分を１つ以上形成し、用紙Ｐの撓み部分と用紙端部とを重ね合わせるか用紙Ｐの複数の撓み部分を重ね合わせるかして用紙Ｐを折りローラ２０６，２０７に挾持させて折る制御を行う制御手段であるＣＰＵ２６０を有する。これにより、用紙Ｐに形成された複数の撓み部分を重ね合わせて折りローラに挾持することができるので、１回の折り動作で用紙Ｐの複数箇所に折り目をつけることができる。よって、少ない折り回数で２つ折り、Ｚ折り、三つ折り、四つ折りなどの各種折りを行うことができる。また、搬送中に１箇所の折りローラの挾持で用紙Ｐの折りを完了させることができるため、別の折りローラとの挟み合いによる皺の発生がない。また、用紙Ｐの搬送距離やスイッチバック距離も短くできたり、折りローラの数を少なくすることができたりする。また、用紙Ｐに複数の折り目をつくる場合でも用紙Ｐのスイッチバックは１回で済むので、折りの生産性が向上する効果がある。
また、本実施形態によれば、ストップコロ対２０５により用紙先端を規制した後に、搬送路開放爪２１３により用紙搬送路を開放することにより、用紙Ｐに複数の撓みを形成する。これにより、用紙搬送路が開放され形成された用紙Ｐの撓みスペースであるスペース２２６で、１枚の用紙Ｐを折るための複数の撓み部分を形成することができる。
また、本実施形態によれば、ストップコロ対２０５や送りコロ２０４による用紙Ｐの搬送量により、用紙Ｐの折り位置を調整することで、用紙Ｐの最適な位置に折るための撓みを形成でき、用紙Ｐの撓み量を調整し、折り位置を調整することができるので、多種類の折りに対応でき、用紙サイズに適した位置に折りを形成することができる。
また、本実施形態によれば、用紙端部と用紙Ｐの撓み部分との位置を合わせて、折りローラ２０６，２０７とからなる折りローラ対の折りニップＮに用紙Ｐを導くことで、用紙Ｐの端面位置と撓み部分の位置とを合わせて折りを行うことができる。これにより、Ｚ折りや三つ折りの場合に用紙端面と折り目の位置とを合わせた状態で折りを行うことができ、効率良く精度の良い折りを行うことができる。
また、本実施形態によれば、複数の折り位置を同時に折ることで、折りローラ対に複数の撓み部分を挾持させて、複数の折り目を一度につけることができ、少ない折り回数で二つ折り、三つ折り、四つ折りなど多種類折りを実現することができる。また、用紙Ｐの搬送距離を少なくでき、生産性が向上する。また、折りローラも少なくすることができ、搬送経路も少なくできるので構造を簡単にでき、小型、低コストの多機能折りを実現できる。
また、本実施形態によれば、用紙Ｐに形成した複数の撓み部分を用紙Ｐと同一方向に搬送しながら連続して折ることで、用紙Ｐに形成された複数の撓み部分を折りローラ２０６，２０７の正転や逆転の切り替えや、スイッチバックを行うことなく連続して折ることができる。これにより、少ない折り回数で二つ折り、三つ折り、四つ折りを行うことができ用紙Ｐの搬送距離、スイッチバック距離を少なくでき、生産性が向上する。また、折りローラも少なくすることができ、搬送経路も少なくできるので構造を簡単にでき、小型、低コストの多機能折りを実現できる。
また、本実施形態によれば、上記開放手段である搬送路開放爪２１３が、用紙先端をストップコロ対２０５の位置と折りローラ２０６，２０７に用紙Ｐを挾持させる位置とのいずれかにガイドする第２ガイド手段として機能することで、用紙先端を折りローラ対のニップＮにガイドするガイド部材を別途追加することなくＺ折りが実現できる。これにより、構造を簡単にでき、小型、低コストの多機能折りを実現できる。 As described above, according to the present embodiment, the stop roller pair 205 that is provided in the transport path 223 that is the paper transport path and that regulates the leading end of the paper P that is transported to the transport path 223, and the stop roller pair 205 Is also provided on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and is a feeding roller that is a sheet conveyance unit that conveys the sheet P, the tip of which is regulated by the stop roller pair 205, toward the stop roller pair 205 in the sheet conveyance direction to form a deflection on the sheet P. 204 and at least two folding rollers 206 and 207 that are provided between the feed roller 204 and the stop roller pair 205 in the paper conveyance direction and sandwich the paper P to form a fold. The blade 240, which is a guide means for guiding the paper P to the position where the paper is held, and the portion of the transport path 223 facing the folding rollers 206, 207 are opened and opened. And a conveyance path opening claw 213 which is an opening means for forming a space 226 which is a space. The sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 and conveyed on the sheet conveyance path is held by folding rollers 206 and 207 to be folded. In the paper folding apparatus 200 that performs the above, the stop roller pair 205, the feed roller 204, the blade 240, and the conveyance path opening claw 213 are used in combination to form one or more bent portions on the paper P, and The CPU 260 is a control unit that controls the folding of the paper P by the folding rollers 206 and 207 by superimposing the end of the paper or overlapping a plurality of bent portions of the paper P. As a result, a plurality of bent portions formed on the paper P can be overlapped and held on the folding roller, so that a plurality of locations on the paper P can be creased by a single folding operation. Therefore, it is possible to perform various folds such as two folds, Z folds, three folds, and four folds with a small number of folds. Further, since the folding of the paper P can be completed by holding the folding roller at one place during conveyance, no wrinkle is generated due to the pinching with another folding roller. Further, the conveyance distance and switchback distance of the paper P can be shortened, and the number of folding rollers can be reduced. Further, even when a plurality of folds are made on the paper P, the paper P can be switched back only once, so that the folding productivity is improved.
In addition, according to the present embodiment, after the leading edge of the sheet is regulated by the stop roller pair 205, the sheet conveyance path is opened by the conveyance path opening claw 213, thereby forming a plurality of deflections on the sheet P. Accordingly, a plurality of bent portions for folding one sheet P can be formed in the space 226 which is a bent space of the sheet P formed by opening the sheet conveyance path.
Further, according to the present embodiment, by adjusting the folding position of the paper P according to the transport amount of the paper P by the stop roller pair 205 and the feeding roller 204, it is possible to form a flexure for folding the paper P to the optimum position. Since the bending position of the paper P can be adjusted and the folding position can be adjusted, it is possible to cope with various types of folding, and the folding can be formed at a position suitable for the paper size.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the sheet P is guided to the folding nip N of the pair of folding rollers composed of the folding rollers 206 and 207 by aligning the positions of the end portion of the sheet and the bent portion of the sheet P, so that the sheet P Folding can be performed by matching the position of the end face and the position of the bent portion. As a result, in the case of Z-folding or tri-folding, folding can be performed with the end face of the sheet and the position of the fold aligned, and efficient and accurate folding can be performed.
Further, according to the present embodiment, by simultaneously folding a plurality of folding positions, the folding roller pair can be gripped with a plurality of bending portions, and a plurality of folds can be attached at a time. Multi-folding such as tri-folding and quadruple folding can be realized. Further, the transport distance of the paper P can be reduced, and the productivity is improved. In addition, the number of folding rollers can be reduced and the number of conveying paths can be reduced, so that the structure can be simplified, and a compact and low-cost multi-function folding can be realized.
Further, according to this embodiment, the plurality of bent portions formed on the paper P are continuously folded while being conveyed in the same direction as the paper P, whereby the plurality of bent portions formed on the paper P are folded. It is possible to fold continuously without switching forward or reverse of 207 or switching back. This makes it possible to perform bi-folding, tri-folding, and quadruple folding with a small number of foldings, reducing the transport distance and switchback distance of the paper P, and improving productivity. In addition, the number of folding rollers can be reduced and the number of conveying paths can be reduced, so that the structure can be simplified, and a compact and low-cost multi-function folding can be realized.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the conveyance path opening claw 213 serving as the opening means guides the leading edge of the sheet to either the position of the stop roller pair 205 or the position where the folding rollers 206 and 207 pinch the sheet P. By functioning as the second guide means, Z-folding can be realized without separately adding a guide member for guiding the leading end of the sheet to the nip N of the pair of folding rollers. As a result, the structure can be simplified, and a multifunctional fold having a small size and low cost can be realized.

１００ 画像形成装置
１０１ ＣＰＵ
２００ 用紙折り装置
２０１ 入口搬送ローラ
２０２ 搬送コロ
２０３ 搬送コロ
２０４ 送りコロ
２０５ ストップコロ対
２０５ａ ストッパー
２０６ 折りローラ
２０７ 折りローラ
２０８ コロ
２０９ 排紙コロ
２１０ 切替爪
２１１ 切替爪
２１２ 切替爪
２１３ 搬送路開放爪
２２０ 搬送路
２２１ 搬送路
２２２ 搬送路
２２２ａ ガイド板
２２３ 搬送路
２２４ 搬送路
２２５ 搬送路
２２６ スペース
２３０ 入口センサ
２３１ 搬送センサ
２３２ 搬送センサ
２３３ 搬送センサ
２３４ 搬送センサ
２３５ 排紙センサ
２３６ 排紙センサ
２３７ Ｉ／Ｆ部
２４０ ブレード
２５０ 用紙積載部
２６０ ＣＰＵ
２６５ ドライバ
２７１ 搬送モーター
２７２ 搬送モーター
２７３ ストッパーモーター
２７４ ローラモーター
２７５ 排紙モーター
２７６ 搬送路開閉モーター
２７７ ブレードモーター
２７８ 各モーター 100 Image forming apparatus 101 CPU
200 Paper Folding Device 201 Inlet Conveying Roller 202 Conveying Roller 203 Conveying Roller 204 Feeding Roller 205 Stop Roller Pair 205a Stopper 206 Folding Roller 207 Folding Roller 208 Roller 209 Discharge Roller 210 Switching Claw 211 Switching Claw 212 Switching Claw 213 Conveying Path Opening Claw 220 Conveyance path 221 Conveyance path 222 Conveyance path 222a Guide plate 223 Conveyance path 224 Conveyance path 225 Conveyance path 226 Space 230 Entrance sensor 231 Conveyance sensor 232 Conveyance sensor 233 Conveyance sensor 234 Conveyance sensor 235 Discharge sensor 236 Discharge sensor 237 I / F section 240 blade 250 paper stacking unit 260 CPU
265 Driver 271 Conveyance motor 272 Conveyance motor 273 Stopper motor 274 Roller motor 275 Discharge motor 276 Conveyance path opening / closing motor 277 Blade motor 278 Each motor

特開２００９−６７５５６号公報JP 2009-67556 A

Claims (7)

用紙搬送路中に設けられ該用紙搬送路に搬送された用紙の先端を規制する規制部材と、
前記規制部材よりも用紙搬送方向上流側に設けられ、該規制部材により先端が規制された用紙を搬送し用紙に撓みを形成させる用紙搬送手段と、
用紙搬送方向で前記用紙搬送手段と前記規制部材との間に設けられ、用紙を挟持し折り目を形成する少なくとも２本の折りローラと、
前記折りローラに用紙を挾持させる位置へ用紙を導くガイド手段と、
用紙搬送路の前記折りローラに対向する箇所を開放し開放スペースを形成する開放手段と、を備え、
画像形成装置から排出され用紙搬送路を搬送される用紙を折りローラに挾持して折り加工を施す用紙折り装置において、
前記規制部材、前記用紙搬送手段、前記ガイド手段及び前記開放手段とを組み合わせて用いて、用紙に撓み部分を１つ以上形成し、用紙の撓み部分と用紙端部とを重ね合わせるか用紙の複数の撓み部分を重ね合わせるかして用紙を前記折りローラに挾持させて折る制御を行う制御手段を有することを特徴とする用紙折り装置。 A regulating member that is provided in the paper conveyance path and regulates the leading edge of the paper conveyed to the paper conveyance path;
A sheet conveying means provided on the upstream side of the regulating member in the sheet conveying direction, configured to convey a sheet whose leading edge is regulated by the regulating member and to form a bend in the sheet;
At least two folding rollers provided between the sheet conveying unit and the restricting member in the sheet conveying direction to sandwich the sheet and form a crease;
Guide means for guiding the sheet to a position where the sheet is held by the folding roller;
An opening means that opens a portion of the paper conveyance path that faces the folding roller to form an open space, and
In a paper folding apparatus that folds a paper that is discharged from the image forming apparatus and conveyed on a paper conveyance path by a folding roller,
A combination of the restricting member, the paper conveying means, the guide means, and the opening means is used to form one or more bent portions on the paper, and the bent portions of the paper and the edge of the paper are overlapped or a plurality of paper A sheet folding apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the folding of the sheet by holding the folded roller by overlapping the bent portions of the sheet. 請求項１の用紙折り装置において、
上記用紙搬送手段によって用紙を搬送させつつ、上記規制部材により用紙先端を規制した後に、開放手段により用紙搬送路を開放することにより、用紙に折りローラ側に撓む撓み部分と折りローラ側とは反対側に撓む撓み部分とを形成することを特徴とする用紙折り装置。 The paper folding apparatus according to claim 1.
After the paper is conveyed by the paper conveying means and the leading edge of the paper is regulated by the regulating member, the paper conveyance path is opened by the opening means, so that the bending portion that bends the paper to the folding roller side and the folding roller side are A paper folding device, wherein a bending portion that bends to the opposite side is formed. 請求項２の用紙折り装置において、
上記規制手段による用紙先端の規制や上記用紙搬送手段による用紙の搬送量により、用紙の折り位置を調整することを特徴とする用紙折り装置。 The paper folding apparatus according to claim 2,
A paper folding apparatus, wherein the folding position of the paper is adjusted according to the regulation of the leading edge of the paper by the regulating means and the conveyance amount of the paper by the paper conveying means. 請求項１、２または３の用紙折り装置において、
用紙端部と用紙の撓み部分との位置を合わせて、２本の折りローラが接することで形成されるニップ部に用紙を導くことを特徴とする用紙折り装置。 In the paper folding apparatus of Claim 1, 2, or 3,
A paper folding apparatus characterized in that the paper is guided to a nip formed by contact of two folding rollers by aligning the positions of the paper edge and the paper bending portion. 請求項１、２、３または４の用紙折り装置において、
複数の折り位置を同時に折ることを特徴とする用紙折り装置。 The paper folding apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4,
A paper folding device characterized by folding a plurality of folding positions simultaneously. 請求項１、２、３、４または５の用紙折り装置において、
用紙に形成した複数の撓み部分を用紙搬送方向と同一方向に移動させながら連続して折ることを特徴とする用紙折り装置。 The paper folding apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
A paper folding apparatus, wherein a plurality of bent portions formed on a paper are continuously folded while being moved in the same direction as the paper transport direction. 請求項２の用紙折り装置において、
上記開放手段が、用紙先端を上記規制部材の位置と上記折りローラに用紙を挾持させる位置とのいずれかにガイドする第２ガイド手段として機能することを特徴する用紙折り装置。 The paper folding apparatus according to claim 2,
The paper folding apparatus, wherein the opening means functions as a second guide means for guiding the leading edge of the paper to either the position of the regulating member or the position where the folding roller holds the paper.

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