Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes a binding device, a closing device, a driver, and a changeover switch. The binding device binds a sheet bundle. The closing device closes an entrance to a binding position at which the binding device binds the sheet bundle. The driver moves the closing device to a closing position to close the entrance. The switch performs switching to implement a state in which the binding device is able to bind the sheet bundle when the closing device moves to the closing position. The closing device includes an avoidance operation portion to move to the closing position to operate the switch, and a drive coupler coupled to the avoidance operation portion to move the avoidance operation portion to the closing position. A coupling state between the avoidance operation portion and the drive coupler is released when movement of the avoidance operation portion to the closing position is prevented.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes a binding device, a closing device, a driver, and a changeover switch. The binding device binds a sheet bundle. The closing device closes an entrance to a binding position at which the binding device binds the sheet bundle. The driver moves the closing device to a closing position to close the entrance. The switch performs switching to implement a state in which the binding device is able to bind the sheet bundle when the closing device moves to the closing position. The closing device includes an avoidance operation portion to move to the closing position to operate the switch, and a drive coupler coupled to the avoidance operation portion to move the avoidance operation portion to the closing position. A coupling state between the avoidance operation portion and the drive coupler is released when movement of the avoidance operation portion to the closing position is prevented.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a binding device includes a first rotary member including a first serrated portion on its circumferential surface, a second rotary member including, on its circumferential surface, a second serrated portion to be engaged with the first serrated portion at an engaging position and configured to perform a binding process by rotating together with the first rotary member with a bundle of sheets pinched therebetween to form serrations in the sheet bundle in thickness direction and bring the sheets into engagement with each other while relatively moving the sheet bundle in a predetermined moving direction, and a clamping unit configured to, when the binding process is performed, clamp the sheet bundle at a clamping position upstream of the engaging position to apply a predetermined pulling force acting in a direction opposite to the moving direction to the sheet bundle.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a binding device includes a first rotary member including a first serrated portion on its circumferential surface, a second rotary member including, on its circumferential surface, a second serrated portion to be engaged with the first serrated portion at an engaging position and configured to perform a binding process by rotating together with the first rotary member with a bundle of sheets pinched therebetween to form serrations in the sheet bundle in thickness direction and bring the sheets into engagement with each other while relatively moving the sheet bundle in a predetermined moving direction, and a clamping unit configured to, when the binding process is performed, clamp the sheet bundle at a clamping position upstream of the engaging position to apply a predetermined pulling force acting in a direction opposite to the moving direction to the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A hose assembly includes a hose and a joint member integrated with the hose. The joint member includes an inner unit to be arranged on an inside of the hose. The hose includes a hose main body and a lip. The hose main body includes a groove portion and a protrusion portion formed in a spiral shape on an inner surface thereof. The lip includes a first end portion and a second end portion aligned in an axial direction of the hose and spirally provided to cover the groove portion. At least one of the first end portion and the second end portion is a fixed end integrated with the protrusion portion. The hose further includes a first region and a second region. A portion of the lip is positioned within the first region, and another portion of the lip is positioned within the second region.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes: an accumulating unit accumulating a sheet having been conveyed; a center-folding unit folding a central portion, in a conveying direction in which the sheet is conveyed, of the sheet, which has been accumulated by the accumulating unit, and a pressing force moving unit that applies a pressing force to the sheet, which has been folded by the center-folding unit, and moves a portion, at which the pressing force is applied, on the sheet in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes a blade member having an edge configured to push a surface of a sheet so as to push the sheet into a sheet folding unit configured to fold the sheet, a pair of nipping members that is included in the sheet folding unit and nips the sheet pushed into the sheet folding unit by the blade member, a blade member moving unit that moves the blade member and a nipping member moving unit that moves the pair of nipping members. The blade member moving unit and the nipping member moving unit are driven by the same driving unit.

Abstract: A hose assembly includes a hose and a joint member integrated with the hose. The joint member includes an inner unit to be arranged on an inside of the hose. The hose includes a hose main body and a lip. The hose main body includes a groove portion and a protrusion portion formed in a spiral shape on an inner surface thereof. The lip includes a first end portion and a second end portion aligned in an axial direction of the hose and spirally provided to cover the groove portion. At least one of the first end portion and the second end portion is a fixed end integrated with the protrusion portion. The hose further includes a first region and a second region. A portion of the lip is positioned within the first region, and another portion of the lip is positioned within the second region.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes: an accumulating unit accumulating a sheet having been conveyed; a center-folding unit folding a central portion, in a conveying direction in which the sheet is conveyed, of the sheet, which has been accumulated by the accumulating unit, and a pressing force moving unit that applies a pressing force to the sheet, which has been folded by the center-folding unit, and moves a portion, at which the pressing force is applied, on the sheet in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes a blade member having an edge configured to push a surface of a sheet so as to push the sheet into a sheet folding unit configured to fold the sheet, a pair of nipping members that is included in the sheet folding unit and nips the sheet pushed into the sheet folding unit by the blade member, a blade member moving unit that moves the blade member and a nipping member moving unit that moves the pair of nipping members. The blade member moving unit and the nipping member moving unit are driven by the same driving unit.

Abstract: A sheet medium adjustment apparatus, e.g., in an image forming system, includes: an ejector to eject a conveyed sheet; a stacking device to stack each sheet ejected from the sheet ejector into a stack on a tray; a moving device to shift the stacking device in a movement direction perpendicular to a sheet-ejecting direction; a sheet aligning member to align ends of the sheets in the stack that are parallel to the sheet-ejecting direction; a stepping motor to move the sheet aligning member; and an evacuation device to evacuate the aligning member by an amount representing an evacuation displacement in the movement direction at a timing of aligning the sheet, the evacuation displacement being determined adaptively according to at least one of an attribute of a given sheet in the stack, an attribute of the stack as a whole and an attribute of the tray.

Abstract: A sheet medium adjustment apparatus, e.g., in an image forming system, includes: an ejector to eject a conveyed sheet; a stacking device to stack each sheet ejected from the sheet ejector into a stack on a tray; a moving device to shift the stacking device in a movement direction perpendicular to a sheet-ejecting direction; a sheet aligning member to align ends of the sheets in the stack that are parallel to the sheet-ejecting direction; a stepping motor to move the sheet aligning member; and an evacuation device to evacuate the aligning member by an amount representing an evacuation displacement in the movement direction at a timing of aligning the sheet, the evacuation displacement being determined adaptively according to at least one of an attribute of a given sheet in the stack, an attribute of the stack as a whole and an attribute of the tray.