SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

Abstract

A sheet processing apparatus includes a binding unit including a binder which binds a predetermined number of gathered sheets by striking one or more staples into the sheets, a cutter which cuts off staple feet in accordance with a thickness of the sheets after the staples are struck, and a first housing which receives staple waste of the cut staple feet. The apparatus also includes a second housing which receives the staple waste from the first housing at a designated timing. The first housing has an openable cover which shifts from a closed state to an open state when the staple waste is transferred from the first housing to the second housing. A deformable member having an elastically deformable surface is provided on at lea a rim of an internal surface of the openable cover.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, as a finishing device that performs a variety of finishing processes on sheets transferred from an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, a sheet processing apparatus with a binding unit has been known. The binding unit gathers and lines up a predetermined number of sheets, and then strikes staples into the sheets.

In this binding process, staple feet are cut off in the binding operation in accordance with a thickness of sheets so that a processed sheaf of sheets looks good. Cut staple feet (hereinafter referred to as staple waste) are temporarily gathered into the first housing provided in the binding unit. Then, when the binding unit moves to the position facing the second housing, which is removably provided at a predetermined position inside the device, and an openable cover of the first housing is opened, staple waste falls from the first housing and is received in the second housing. After being received in the second housing, staple waste will be disposed by users when necessary.

In this binding unit, staple waste sometimes sticks on the openable cover of the first housing while it falls into the second housing from the first housing. If the openable cover is closed with staple waste sticking thereon, staple waste can be caught between the openable cover and the first housing so that a gap is caused. If the binding process is continued in this state, staple waste may fall out from the gap between the openable cover and the first housing. Fallen staple waste disperses inside the device and may become a cause of an unusual action.

There is a known technique that an inclined part and a roller member are provided on an openable cover. When staple waste falls into a second housing from a first housing, the inclined part and the roller member engage with each other to cause vibration of the openable cover, which shakes off the staple waste (See Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-153485 for example).

However, the device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-153485 cannot completely shake off staple waste sticking on the openable cover of the first housing because of static electricity and so on. Therefore, the device cannot prevent causing of a gap between the openable cover and the first housing.

Further, the device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-153485 has a complicated configuration, since the inclined part and the roller member must be provided on the openable cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problem. That is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system that can prevent causing of a gap between the openable cover and the first housing with a simple configuration.

In order to realize the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet processing apparatus including a binding unit including a binder which binds a predetermined number of gathered sheets by striking one or more staples into the sheets, a cutter which cuts off staple feet in accordance with a thickness of the sheets after the staples are struck, and a first housing which receives staple waste of the cut staple feet. The apparatus also includes a second housing which receives the staple waste f the first housing at a designated timing. The first housing has an openable cover which shifts from a closed state to an open state when the staple waste is transferred from the first housing to the second housing. A deformable member having an elastically deformable surface is provided on at least a rim of an internal surface of the openable cover.

Preferably, the deformable member of the sheet processing apparatus is provided on the whole internal surface of the openable cover.

Preferably, the surface of the deformable member of the sheet processing apparatus is rough.

Preferably, the deformable member of the sheet processing apparatus is a flocked fabric having a napped surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus which forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing apparatus which is connected to the image forming apparatus and which performs a binding process on sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus includes a binding unit including a binder which binds a predetermined number of gathered sheets by striking one or more staples into the sheets, a cutter which cuts off staple feet in accordance with a thickness of the sheets when the staples are struck, and a first housing which receives staple waste of the cut staple feet. The apparatus also includes a second housing which receives the staple waste from the first housing at a designated timing. The first housing has an openable cover which shifts from a closed state to an open state when the staple waste is transferred from the first housing to the second housing. A deformable member having an elastically deformable surface is provided on at least a rim of an internal surface of the openable cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an image forming system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of a finishing device constituting the image forming system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a stapler and surrounding configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates an open-and-close operation of an openable cover of a first housing;

FIG. 5 illustrates an open-and-close operation of the openable cover of the first housing;

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate an open-and-close operation of the openable cover of the first housing, wherein FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the openable cover in a closed state and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the openable cover in an open state.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B illustrate an internal surface of the openable cover of the first housing, wherein FIG. 7A is a schematic view of the openable cover with its internal surface wholly provided with a flocked fabric and FIG. 7B is a schematic view of the openable cover with its rim of the internal surface provided with the flocked fabric;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged schematic view of the flocked fabric while the openable cover is open; and

FIG. 8B is an enlarged schematic view of the flocked fabric while the openable cover is closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Though various technical limitations which are preferable to perform the present invention are included in the after-mentioned embodiment, the scope of the invention is not limited to the following embodiment and the illustrated examples.

<Image Forming System>

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 100 according to the embodiment of the invention includes an image forming apparatus A and a finishing device FS as a sheet processing apparatus.

<Image Forming Apparatus>

Image forming apparatus A includes an image reader 1, an image processor 2, an image writer 3, an image forming unit 4, a sheet cassette 5, a sheet feeder 6, a fixing unit 7, a discharging unit 8, an automatic duplex copy unit 9, and so on.

An automatic manuscript conveyor DF is mounted on the top of the image forming apparatus A. A finishing device FS is connected to the image forming apparatus A on the side of the discharging unit 8, i.e. on the left side in FIG. 1.

After a manuscript is placed on the manuscript platform of the automatic manuscript conveyor DF and is conveyed inward, the image reader 1 reads, as an optical image, an image of one or both sides of the manuscript under a predetermined optical system. Then the image reader 1 performs photoelectric conversion of the read optical image using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor 1A.

After the CCD image sensor 1A performs photoelectric conversion, the image processor 2 performs analog processing, A/D conversion, shading compensation, image compression, etc. on the analog signal, and then sends an image signal to the image writer 3.

Basing on the obtained image signal, the image writer 3 irradiates a photo sensitive drum 4A of the image forming unit 4 with an output light by a semiconductor laser so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photo sensitive drum 4A.

After the latent image is formed on the photo sensitive drum 4A, the image forming unit 4 develops the latent image to form a toner image. After a recording sheet S1 is conveyed from the sheet cassette 5 by the sheet feeder 6, the image forming unit 4 presses the recording sheet S1 against the photo sensitive drum 4A to transfer the toner image on the recording sheet S1 by a transfer unit 4B. After the toner image is transferred, the recording sheet S1 is conveyed to the fixing unit 7.

After the image forming unit 4 transfers the toner image on the recording sheet S1, the fixing unit 7 heats and presses the recording sheet S1 to perform a fixing process and thereby forms an image on the recording sheet S1. After being formed an image, the recording sheet S1 is conveyed to the finishing device FS from the discharging unit 8.

Duplex copying on a recording sheet S1 is performed as follows. After the recording sheet S1 passes through the fixing unit 7 so that an image is formed on one surface of the recording sheet S1, the recording sheet S1 is conveyed to the automatic duplex copy unit 9 by a conveyance-route-switching board 8A. Then, the recording sheet S1 is turned over, and an image is formed again on the other surface of the recording sheet S1 by the image forming unit 4 and the fixing unit 7. After images are formed on both sides of the recording sheet S1, the sheet is conveyed to the finishing device FS from the discharging unit 8.

<Finishing Device>

Next, a finishing device FS according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

The finishing device FS includes a send-in unit 20, sheet feeders 30a, 30b, a side stitching unit 40, a saddle stitching unit 50, a folding unit 60, a sheet discharging unit 70, a control unit 80, and so on.

The send-in unit 20 is provided on a side of the finishing device FS, the side facing the image forming apparatus A, and is connected to the image forming apparatus A. After an image is formed in the image forming apparatus A, a recording sheet S1 is conveyed to the inside of the send-in unit 20 via a transfer path H1 from the discharging unit 8.

The sheet feeders 30a, 30b are mounted on the top of the finishing device FS. The sheet feeder 30a is loaded with insert sheets S2. The sheet feeder 30b is loaded with other insert sheets S3. Insert sheets S2, S3 are the ones for covers, insert papers and so on, that are inserted between recording sheets S1 discharged from the image forming apparatus A. The insert sheets can be bound or folded like recording sheets S1. Insert sheets S2, S3 are sent out from the sheet feeders 30a, 30b, and are conveyed to the transfer path H1 via transfer paths H2, H3 extending downward respectively, and then the insert sheets S2, S3 are introduced inward via the transfer path H1. Hereinafter, recording sheets S1 and insert sheets S2, S3 altogether will be called as sheets S.

The transfer path H1 is divided into an upward transfer path H4 and a downward transfer path H5. Further, the transfer path H5 is divided into a transfer path H6 and a transfer path H7.

The transfer path H4 is a path discharging a sheet S onto a fixed discharge tray 71. Downstream from the transfer path H4, the fixed discharge tray 71 projects out of the finishing device FS.

The transfer path H6 is a path transferring a sheet S to the side stitching unit 40. The transfer path H7 is a path transferring a sheet S to the saddle stitching unit 50.

The side stitching unit 40 includes a stapler 41, a side stitch stacker 42 and so on. When a sheaf of sheets S is loaded on the side stitch stacker 42, the side stitching unit 40 performs a side stitching process wherein the stapler 41 strikes one or more staples into one or more predetermined positions of the sheets S to bind a booklet.

Specifically, in the side stitching process, after a sheet S is conveyed downward along the transfer path H6, a transfer roller 21 pushes out the sheet S in the arrow (a) direction of FIG. 1. Then, when the rear end of the sheet S along the transfer direction leaves the transfer roller 21, the sheet S is released into the space above a sheet-loading surface 42P of side stitch stacker 42.

After being released into the space above the sheet-loading surface 42P, the sheet S falls onto the sheet-loading surface 42P and slides down along the upper surface of the inclined sheet-loading surface 42P or slides along the upper surface of a preceding sheet S if the preceding sheet S is already loaded on the sheet-loading surface 42P. Then, the sheet S stops with the sliding end thereof being caught by a stopper 43, which is located at the lower end of the side stitch stacker 42, so that the sheet S is placed on the side stitch stacker 42.

When the last sheet for side stitch is loaded on the side stitch stacker 42 and a sheaf of sheets is formed, the stapler 41 moves along the near-far direction (see FIG. 3 etc.) of the finishing device FS and strikes staples into predetermined positions of the sheets to perform the side stitching process.

In such side stitching process, the stapler 41 cuts off staple feet in accordance with the thickness of sheets so that the processed sheaf of sheets looks good. The cut staple feet (hereinafter referred to as staple waste K) are temporarily gathered into the first housing 411 (see FIG. 3 etc.) provided in the stapler 41, and disposed into the second housing 414 (see FIG. 3 etc.) at a designated timing. Disposing process of staple waste K, caused by such side stitching process, will be described later.

After the side stitching process, the sheets are pushed diagonally upward along the sheet-loading surface 42 with the rear end of the sheets being held by a discharge hook 45 provided on a discharge belt 44 which is driven by a driver, not shown in the drawing. Then, the sheets are clamped by a discharge roller 22 and are discharged onto an up-and-down discharge tray 72.

A saddle stitching unit 50 includes a stapler 51, a saddle stitch stacker 52 and so on. The saddle stitching unit 50 performs a saddle stitching process wherein the stapler 51 strikes one or more staples into one or more predetermined positions in the center of two facing pages of sheets S on the saddle stitch stacker 52. After the saddle stitching process, a saddle unit 60 folds each sheet in two (center fold) with the center of two facing pages of the stapled sheets being the center for folding. Then the sheets are discharged onto the lower discharge tray 73.

Specifically, in the saddle stitching process, after a sheet S is conveyed downward along the transfer path H7, the transfer roller 23 pushes out the sheet S in the arrow (b) direction in FIG. 1. Then, when the rear end of the sheet S along the transfer direction leaves the transfer roller 23, the sheet S is released into the space above a sheet-loading surface 52P of the side stitch stacker 52.

After released into the space above the sheet-loading surface 52P, the sheet S falls onto the sheet-loading surface 52P and slides down along the upper surface of the inclined sheet-loading surface 52P or slides along the upper surface of a preceding sheet S if the preceding sheet S is already loaded on the sheet-loading surface 52P. Then, the sheet S stops with the sliding end thereof being caught by a stopper 53, which is located at the lower end of the side stitch stacker 52, so that the sheet S is loaded on the saddle stitch stacker 52.

At this time, the stopper 53 is moved along the sheet-loading surface 52P by a stopper-moving machinery, not shown in the drawing, to position a sheet on the saddle stitch stacker 52. Specifically, in accordance with the position of the stapler 51 in the device and with the length of a sheet specified for a job along the transfer direction, the stopper 53 moves such that stapling positions coincide with the center of two facing pages (the center between the front and rear ends along the transfer direction) of a sheet caught by the stopper 53.

After the last sheet for saddle stitch is placed on the saddle stitch stacker 52, the stapler 51 of the saddle stitching unit 50 performs a saddle stitching process wherein staples are struck into the center of the sheets.

After undergoing such saddle stitching process, the sheets are folded in the folding unit 60.

The folding unit 60 includes an ejector plate driving unit 61, an ejector plate 62, a pair of folding rollers 63, and so on. The ejector plate 62 has an acute-angled tip, and the ejector plate driving unit 61 can move the ejector plate 62 along a direction perpendicular to the sheet-loading surface 52P of the saddle stitch stacker 52.

Specifically, in the center folding process, the stopper 53 moves such that the stapled part of the sheets (the center of the sheets along the transfer direction) coincides with the position facing the ejector plate 62.

Then, the tip of the ejector plate 62 comes into contact with the stapled part of the sheets on the saddling stacker 52 to fold the sheets, and further presses the folded tip between the pair of folding rollers 63. The pair of folding rollers 63 clamps the pressed sheets and transfers the sheets between the folding rollers 63 to perform a folding along stapled part of sheets, i.e. center folding.

After being folded by the folding rollers 63, the sheets are pushed out in the arrow (c) direction in FIG. 1 with the folded part thereof being placed at the front end, and are discharged onto a lower discharge tray 73 by a transfer belt machinery 64 which is driven by a driver, not shown in the drawing.

A sheet discharging unit 70 is arranged downstream from the side stitching unit 40 along the transfer direction, and discharges a sheaf of sheets out of the device via discharging rollers 22. The discharging rollers 22 consist of a pair of rollers. The rollers are separated from each other while the rollers are not discharging sheets. The rollers contact each other to nip the sheaf of sheets while the rollers are discharging the sheaf of sheets. After being bound by the side stitching unit 40, the sheets are conveyed from the side stitch stacker 42 to be nipped by the discharging rollers 22, conveyed downstream in the sheet-transfer direction, and discharged onto the up-and-down discharge tray 72. The up-and-down discharge tray 72 projects out of the finishing device FS, and can move up and down to keep the fixed height of the top surface of the discharged sheets. For example, the up-and-down discharge tray 72 can move in the arrow (d) direction in FIG. 1 to the position shown with the chain line in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 80 controls each unit of the finishing device FS. The control unit 80 includes CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), not shown in the drawing, and performs various operations following various processing programs for the finishing device FS.

<Disposing Process of Staple Waste>

The disposing process of staple waste, caused in the side stitching process of the side stitching unit 40, will be described with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 8.

The stapler (binding unit) 41 includes a removable (exchangeable) staple cartridge (not shown in drawings), a binding unit 41a which strikes one or more staples into sheets on the side stitch stacker 42 to bind the sheets, a cutter 41b which cuts off staple feet in accordance with a thickness of sheets when staples are struck, a first housing 411 which receive the cut staple feet (staple waste K), and so on, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

When a sheaf of sheets is formed on the side stitch stacker 42, the stapler 41 moves along a guide rail L in the near-far direction of the finishing device FS, and stops at a position where the stapler can strike staples into predetermined positions of the sheets. Then, a side stitching process is performed, wherein one or more staples are struck into one or more predetermined positions of the sheets and wherein surplus staple feet are cut off in accordance with the thickness of the sheets. The control unit 80 can calculate a thickness of sheets on the basis of a type and a number of sheets specified for a job.

Staple waste K, caused in this step, will be received in the first housing 411.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first housing 411 is arranged at the lower end of the stapler 41 such that the housing can keep a certain amount of staple waste K in its inner space. At the bottom of the first housing 411, an opening 411a (see FIG. 5) is formed for disposing staple waste K in the housing 411. The opening 411a is closed with an openable cover 412.

Specifically, the openable cover 412 is attached to the first housing 411 via a rotating shaft 412a such that the openable cover 412 is biased against the opening 411a of the first housing 411 to keep a closed state. In the binding process, staple waste K is kept in the first housing 411 since the openable cover 412 maintains the closed state as shown in FIG. 4.

A lever 413 for opening and closing the openable cover 412 is connected to the openable cover 412.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lever 413 is provided such that the lever 413 projects forward from one end of the openable cover 412. The base of the lever 413 is inserted into a box-shaped component (not shown in the drawing) provided at the internal surface of the openable cover 412.

When the stapler 41 moves to a predetermined position in the front part of the finishing device FS, where the first housing 411 and the second housing 414 face each other, the end of the lever 413 is operated to contact the lever-receiving component 415 which is provided inside the finishing device FS, so that the lever aligns with a direction perpendicular to the near-far direction as shown in FIG. 5. In conjunction with this, the box-shaped component inside the openable cover 412 moves to push up the openable cover 412. Thereby the openable cover 412, which was in the closed state as shown in FIG. 6A, rotates about the rotating shaft 412a to be in the open state as shown in FIG. 6B in conjunction with the operation of the lever 413. In this step, staple waste K in the first housing 411 falls due to its own weight and is received by the second housing 414.

When the stapler 41 returns to its normal position, the lever 413 moves away from the lever-receiving component 415 and returns to its original state. Also, the box-shaped component moves to the original position. In conjunction with these, the operable cover 412 rotates in reverse about the rotating shaft 412a to return to the closed state from the open state.

The second housing 414 can be freely attached and removed from the finishing device FS. The second housing 414 is removed from the finishing device FS by a user at any time and staple waste K, which has been collected inside, is disposed.

At the position on the first housing 411 facing the openable cover 412 across the opening 411a, a guide component 416 for guiding staple waste K to the second housing 414 is provided. When staple waste K falls from the first housing 411, the guide component 416 prevents staple waste K from dispersing out of the second housing 414 by mistake.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the whole internal surface of the openable cover 412 is covered with a flocked fabric 412b as a deformable member.

The surface of the flocked fabric 412b is napped to be rough so that surface absorption is not likely to be caused. Accordingly, when staple waste K falls into the second housing 414 from the first housing 411, staple waste K is unlikely to stick on the internal surface of the openable cover 412 (the surface of the flocked fabric 412b).

The surface of the flocked fabric 412b is elastically deformable because of the nap. Therefore, if staple waste K sticks on the internal surface of the openable cover 412 (the surface of the flocked fabric 412b), the nap of the flocked fabric 412b contacting the staple waste K deforms so that the staple waste K gets buried under the flocked fabric 412b. The deformed part (depressed part), caused by burying of the staple waste K, is enclosed by the surrounding nap. Accordingly, when the openable cover 412 shifts to the closed state, causing of a gap between the first housing 411 and the openable cover 412 is prevented.

Specifically, the nap of the flocked fabric 412b has a length preferably one to three times as long as a diameter of staple waste K. If the nap is shorter than a diameter of staple waste K, the nap is too short to properly enclose the deformed part caused by staple waste K when the staple waste K sticks on the internal surface of the openable cover 412 (the surface of the flocked fabric 412b). If the nap is longer than the treble length of a diameter of staple waste K, it is not preferable because staple waste K of a plurality of staple feet is likely to be caught at one place.

Thus, this configuration prevents causing of a gap between the first housing 411 and the openable cover 412 more effectively.

It is preferable that the flocked fabric 412b is rigid enough to hold staple waste K when it is put upon, and is able to deform elastically at least when a weight is applied in the closed state of the openable cover 412.

Because of such configuration, excessive deformation of the nap is prevented when staple waste K falls into the second housing 414 from the first housing 411 so that staple waste K is unlikely to stick on the flocked fabric 412b. Also, if staple waste K should stick on the internal surface of the openable cover 412 (the surface of the flocked fabric 412b), the nap is bent by a weight applied in the closed state of the openable cover 412 so that causing of a gap between the first housing 411 and the openable cover 412 is prevented.

It is preferable that ends of the nap of the flocked fabric 412b are curved in irregular directions. Thereby staple waste K is unlikely to be caught in the nap of the flocked fabric 412b.

It is preferable that a diameter of the nap of the flocked fabric 412b is smaller than a diameter of staple waste K. Thereby, even when staple waste K is caught in the nap of the flocked fabric 412b to cause a gap, the surrounding nap fills in the gap.

Concerning the density of the nap of the flocked fabric, it is preferable that an interval between bristles of the nap of the flocked fabric is shorter than a diameter of staple waste K.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the flocked fabric 412b may be provided only on the rim of the internal surface of the openable cover 412.

That is to say, if the flocked fabric 412b is provided at least on the rim of the internal surface of the openable cover 412, minimum closeness is guaranteed by a small amount of the flocked fabric 412b.

A series of operations of the stapler 41 in a disposing process of staple waste K will now be described.

Every time the binding process is performed, the stapler 41 receives staple waste K in the first housing 411. After the binding process is performed for predetermined times, the stapler 41 moves to a position facing the second housing 414.

Then, the lever 413, which is connected to the openable cover 412 of the first opening 411, contacts the lever-receiving component 415 to be shifted. In conjunction with this, the openable cover 412 rotates about the rotating shaft 412a to shift from the closed state to the open state.

After the openable cover 412 shifts to the open state, staple waste K pooled in the first housing 411 falls into the second housing 414 due to its own weight.

The internal surface of the openable cover 412 is provided with the flocked fabric 412b so that staple waste K is unlikely to stick inside the openable cover 412. That is to say, the surface of the flocked fabric 412b has a rough shape which prevents surface absorption, so that staple waste K is effectively prevented from sticking.

After staple waste K is transferred from the first housing 411 to the second housing 414, the stapler 41 returns to the normal position.

Meanwhile, the lever 413, which is connected to openable cover 412 of the first housing 411, moves away from the lever-receiving component 415 and returns to its original state. In conjunction with this, the openable cover 412 rotates in reverse about the rotating shaft 412a to shift from the open state to the closed state.

Even if staple waste K sticks on the internal surface of the openable cover 412 (the surface of the flocked fabric 412b) as shown in FIG. 8A, the nap of the flocked fabric 412b are bent elastically by a weight applied by the first housing 411 when the openable cover 412 is in the closed state, such that staple waste K gets buried under the flocked fabric 412b as shown in FIG. 8B. Further, the deformed part (depressed part), caused by burying of staple waste K, will be enclosed by the surrounding nap. Accordingly, any space for staple waste K is not left between the first housing 411 and the openable cover 412, and closeness is guaranteed. Therefore, in the succeeding binding process, staple waste K does not fall from the first housing 411.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the finishing device FS includes a stapler 41 including a binder 41a which binds a predetermined number of gathered sheets by striking one or more staples into the sheets, a cutter 41b which cuts off staple feet in accordance with a thickness of the sheets after the staples are struck and a first housing 411 which receives staple waste K of the cut staple feet. The device also includes a second housing 414 which receives the staple waste K from the first housing 411 at a designated timing. The first housing 411 has an openable cover 412 which shifts from a closed state to an open state when the staple waste K is transferred from the first housing 411 to the second housing 414. The whole internal surface of the openable cover is provided with the flocked fabric 412b as a deformable member having an elastically deformable surface.

Therefore, even if staple waste K sticks on the openable cover 412, the surface of the flocked fabric 412b deforms along the staple waste K to prevent causing of a gap between the openable cover 412 and the first housing 411 when the openable cover 412 is closed. Further, since the arrangement of the flocked fabric 412b inside the openable cover 412 is the only thing that has to be done, the configuration is simple and easy to manufacture.

As described above, although the device has a simple configuration, the device can prevent causing of a gap between the openable cover 412 and the first housing 411 and can prevent staple waste K from dispersing inside the device when staple waste K is produced in binding process.

Further, as the flocked fabric 412b covers the whole surface inside the openable cover 412, there is no step between the flocked fabric 412b and the openable cover 412. Therefore, staple waste K is prevented from being caught on such step.

Since the flocked fabric 412b is adopted, there is no need for preparing any special material for a deformable member. Therefore, the device can be manufactured easily with relatively low cost.

According to the embodiment, the surface of the flocked fabric 412b is rough.

Therefore, the surface of the flocked fabric 412b is prevented from surface absorption, and staple waste K is unlikely to stick on the internal surface of the openable cover 412 (the surface of the flocked fabric 412b).

According to the embodiment, the nap of the flocked fabric 412b has a length one to three times as long as a diameter of staple waste K.

Therefore, causing of a gap between the first housing 411 and the openable cover 412 is more effectively prevented.

According to the embodiment, the flocked fabric 412b is rigid enough to hold staple waste K when it is put upon, and is able to deform when a weight is applied in the closed state of the openable cover 412.

Therefore, staple waste K is unlikely to stick on the flocked fabric 412b. Also, even if staple waste K sticks on the openable cover 412, the nap is bent by a weight applied in the closed state of the openable cover 412, so that closeness is maintained between the openable cover 412 and the first housing 411.

According to the embodiment, the ends of the nap of the flocked fabric 412b are curved in irregular directions.

Therefore, staple waste K is unlikely to be caught in the nap of the flocked fabric 412b.

According to the embodiment, the nap of the flocked fabric 412b is finer than staple waste K.

Therefore, even if staple waste K is caught in the nap of the flocked fabric 412b to cause a gap, surrounding nap fills in the gap.

In the above embodiment, the flocked fabric 412b is described as a sample of the deformable member. However, the deformable member can be, for example, sponge, urethane, etc., which has a rough shape on its surface.

This U.S. patent application claims priority to Japanese patent application No. 2012-191412 filed on Aug. 31, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein for correction of incorrect translation.

Claims

1. A sheet processing apparatus, comprising:

a binding unit including a binder which binds a predetermined number of gathered sheets by striking one or more staples into the sheets, a cutter which cuts off staple feet in accordance with a thickness of the sheets after the staples are struck, and a first housing which receives staple waste of the cut staple feet; and

a second housing which receives the staple waste from the first housing at a designated timing,

wherein the first housing has an openable cover which shifts from a closed state to an open state when the staple waste is transferred from the first housing to the second housing, and

wherein a deformable member having an elastically deformable surface is provided on at least a rim of an internal surface of the openable cover.

2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deformable member is provided on the whole internal surface of the openable cover.

3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the deformable member is rough.

4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deformable member is a flocked fabric having a napped surface.

5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the nap of the flocked fabric has a length one to three times as long as a diameter of the staple waste.

6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the flocked fabric is rigid enough to hold the staple waste put thereon, and is able to deform when a weight is applied in the closed state of the openable cover.

7. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein ends of the nap of the flocked fabric are curved in irregular directions.

8. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the nap of the flocked fabric is finer than the staple waste.

9. An image forming system, comprising:

an image forming apparatus which forms an image on a sheet; and

a sheet processing apparatus which is connected to the image forming apparatus and which performs a binding process on sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus,

wherein the sheet processing apparatus includes:

a binding unit including a binder which hinds a predetermined number of gathered sheets by striking one or more staples into the sheets, a cutter which cuts off staple feet in accordance with a thickness of the sheets after the staples are struck, and a first housing which receives staple waste that are the cut staple feet; and

a second housing which receives the staple waste from the first housing at a designated timing,

wherein the first housing has an openable cover which shifts from a closed state to an open state when the staple waste is transferred from the first housing to the second housing, and

wherein a deformable member having an elastically deformable surface is provided on at least a rim of an internal surface of the openable cover.