Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and method of additionally folding sheet bundle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9260268-B2
Application number	US-201414152049-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 10, 2014
Priority date	Jan 18, 2013
Publication date	Feb 16, 2016
Grant date	Feb 16, 2016

Abstract

A sheet processing apparatus includes a pressing unit including a first pressing member and a second pressing member. The pressing unit is configured to sandwich and press a fold part of a folded sheet bundle between the first pressing member and the second pressing member. The sheet processing apparatus also includes a moving unit configured to move a position pressed by the pressing unit in a direction of a fold of the sheet bundle. A position pressed by the first pressing member on the sheet bundle and another position pressed by the second pressing member on the sheet bundle are shifted with respect to each other in the direction of the fold of the sheet bundle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sheet processing apparatus, comprising:
a pressing unit including a first pressing member and a second pressing member, the pressing unit being configured to sandwich and press a fold part of a folded sheet bundle between the first pressing member and the second pressing member;
a moving unit configured to move a position pressed by the pressing unit in a direction of a fold of the sheet bundle; and
an elastic member configured to press the first pressing member in a thickness direction of the folded sheet bundle, wherein
a position pressed by the first pressing member on the sheet bundle and another position pressed by the second pressing member on the sheet bundle are shifted with respect to each other in the direction of the fold of the sheet bundle,
the first pressing member is movable in the thickness direction of the folded sheet bundle and the second pressing member is not movable, relative to the first pressing member in the thickness direction of the folded sheet bundle,
the first pressing member and the second pressing member are a same size, and
the entirety of the elastic member is provided over the first pressing member.

2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the pressing unit is configured to, during a forward movement, start pressing on the sheet bundle from a predetermined position in a width direction of the sheet bundle and release the pressing after getting through one end part of the sheet bundle, and
the pressing unit is configured to, during a backward movement, start pressing from another position in the width direction before reaching the predetermined position and get through another end part of the sheet bundle.

3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined position is a center part of the sheet bundle in the width direction.

4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a guiding unit configured to determine a pressing start and release of the pressing unit, wherein
the pressing unit is moved along a path of the guiding unit by the moving unit.

5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein
the guiding unit includes a switching unit configured to switch the path, and
the pressing and the releasing are switched by a path switching of the switching unit.

6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the path includes
a first guiding path for guiding the pressing unit in a pressing-release state during a forward movement;
a second guiding path for guiding the pressing unit in a pressing state during the forward movement;
a third guiding path for switching the pressing unit from the pressing-release state to the pressing state during the forward movement;
a fourth guiding path for guiding the pressing unit in a pressing-release state during a backward movement;
a fifth guiding path for guiding the pressing unit in a pressing state during the backward movement; and
a sixth guiding path for switching the pressing unit from the pressing-release state to the pressing state during the backward movement.

7. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first pressing member and the second pressing member each contain a rotating member that rolls on a surface of the sheet bundle.

8. An image forming system, comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

9. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a supporting member configured to support the first pressing member so that the first pressing member is movable in the thickness direction of the folded sheet bundle.

10. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a guiding member extending in the direction of the fold and having a convex portion; and
a guided member configured to be guided along the guiding member so that the guided member is movable in the thickness direction of the folded sheet bundle, wherein
the guided member presses the elastic member toward the first pressing member when the guided member is in a position of the convex portion.

11. A sheet processing apparatus, comprising:
a pressing unit including a first pressing member and a second pressing member, the pressing unit being configured to sandwich and press a fold part of a folded sheet bundle between the first pressing member and the second pressing member;
a moving unit configured to move a position pressed by the pressing unit in a direction of a fold of the sheet bundle; and
a guide member having a groove formed along a length of the guide member and a pair of switching claws along the groove, wherein
a position pressed by the first pressing member on the sheet bundle and another position pressed by the second pressing member on the sheet bundle are shifted with respect to each other in the direction of the fold of the sheet bundle.

12. An image forming system, comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 11 .

Assignees

• Sugiyama Keisuke
• Hata Kiyoshi
• Kikuchi Atsushi
• Hoshino Tomomichi
• Hidaka Makoto
• Satoh Shohichi
• Saito Satoshi
• Kambayashi Mamoru
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Sugiyama Keisuke
• Hata Kiyoshi
• Kikuchi Atsushi
• Hoshino Tomomichi
• Hidaka Makoto
• Satoh Shohichi
• Saito Satoshi
• Kambayashi Mamoru

Classifications

• B65H45/18 Primary

  Oscillating or reciprocating blade folders (carried on rotary members B65H45/16) · CPC title

• B65H2701/13212

  Fold, spine portion of folded article · CPC title

• B65H45/16 Primary

  Rotary folders · CPC title

• B31F1/0035

  Straightening or flattening · CPC title

• B65H2301/51232

  for flattening · CPC title