RECORDING MEDIUM PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM

Abstract

A recording medium processing apparatus includes a pair of first conveyance units provided at an interval in a width direction of a recording medium to be conveyed, each of the first conveyance units pinching and conveying the recording medium; a cutting member that cuts the recording medium being conveyed by the first conveyance units along a conveyance direction of the recording medium; and a second conveyance unit provided between the pair of first conveyance units in the width direction and inside the cutting member, the second conveyance unit pinching the recording medium and conveying the recording medium, together with the pair of first conveyance units, at a conveyance speed of the recording medium lower than each of the pair of first conveyance units.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-165872 filed Sep. 27, 2023.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a recording medium processing apparatus, an image forming system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium.

(ii) Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-203308 discloses an image forming apparatus that includes a first conveyance roller pair composed of a first roller and a second roller that are rotatable, the first conveyance roller pair conveying a sheet by rotating while nipping the sheet; a rotary blade pair composed of a first rotary blade and a second rotary blade that are rotatable and are disposed on the downstream side of the first conveyance roller pair in a conveyance path of the sheet; and a second conveyance roller pair composed of a third roller that is rotatable about the same rotation axis as that of the first rotary blade, and a fourth roller which is rotatable about the same rotation axis as that of the second rotary blade, the second conveyance roller pair rotating while nipping a scrap that has been cut off by the rotary blade pair, to thereby convey the scrap in the conveyance direction of the sheet. The rotating speed of the second conveyance roller pair is controlled to be greater than the rotating speed of the first conveyance roller pair.

SUMMARY

A recording medium processing apparatus may be provided with: a plurality of conveying means that are spaced apart from each other in a width direction of a recording medium to be conveyed, and that convey the recording medium; and a cutting member that cuts the recording medium being conveyed by the plurality of conveying means along the conveyance direction, outside at least one of the plurality of conveying means in the width direction.

Here, if the plurality of conveying means convey the recording medium at the same conveyance speed, the recording medium may be displaced in the width direction due to a decrease in the conveyance speed in a part of the recording medium as the recording medium receives a force from the cutting member.

Aspects of non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to suppression of the displacement of a recording medium in the width direction, compared with a configuration in which a plurality of conveying means convey the recording medium at the same conveyance speed.

Aspects of certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the above disadvantages and/or other disadvantages not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and aspects of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may not overcome any of the disadvantages described above.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a recording medium processing apparatus comprising: a pair of first conveyance units provided at an interval in a width direction of a recording medium to be conveyed, each of the first conveyance units pinching and conveying the recording medium; a cutting member that cuts the recording medium being conveyed by the first conveyance units along a conveyance direction of the recording medium; and a second conveyance unit provided between the pair of first conveyance units in the width direction and inside the cutting member, the second conveyance unit pinching the recording medium and conveying the recording medium, together with the pair of first conveyance units, at a conveyance speed of the recording medium lower than each of the pair of first conveyance units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an image forming system;

FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of a second post-processing apparatus;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cutting device as viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cutter unit and a folded-crease forming device;

FIG. 5 illustrates a hardware configuration of an information processing unit;

FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship between the conveyance speed of a central driving roller and the conveyance speed of an end portion driving roller;

FIG. 7 illustrates the cutting device of a modification example;

FIG. 8 illustrates the cutting device of a modification example;

FIG. 9 illustrates the cutting device of a modification example;

FIG. 10 illustrates the functions implemented by the information processing unit according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a conveyance process;

FIG. 12 illustrates the cutting device of a modification example;

FIG. 13 illustrates the cutting device of a modification example; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process performed by a CPU.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Exemplary Embodiment

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an image forming system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 that forms an image on a sheet P, which is an example of a recording medium, and a first post-processing apparatus 3 and a second post-processing apparatus 4 that perform predetermined processing on the sheet P on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 2.

The image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on the sheet P using an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

The first post-processing apparatus 3 is provided on the downstream side of the image forming apparatus 2 in the conveyance direction of the sheet P, and performs processing, such as punching, folding, and binding, on the sheet P.

The second post-processing apparatus 4, which is an example of a recording medium processing apparatus, is provided on the downstream side of the first post-processing apparatus 3 in the conveyance direction, and performs processing, such as cutting, on the sheet P.

FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of the second post-processing apparatus 4. The upper side of the second post-processing apparatus 4 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be referred to as the “upper side”; the lower side of the second post-processing apparatus 4 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be referred to as the “lower side”; and the up-down direction of the second post-processing apparatus 4 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be referred to as the “up-down direction”.

The second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided with a receiving port 41 for receiving the sheet P conveyed from the first post-processing apparatus 3, and a stacking unit 42 for stacking the sheet P discharged out of the second post-processing apparatus 4. The second post-processing apparatus 4 is further provided with a cutting device 51 that cuts the sheet P, a container unit 60 that contains a portion of the sheet P that has been cut off by the cutting device 51, and a registration roller 52 that adjusts the timing of conveyance of the sheet P. In addition, the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided with an upstream-side conveyance roller 43 which is provided on the upstream side of the registration roller 52 in the conveyance direction and conveys the sheet P toward the registration roller 52, and a first downstream-side conveyance roller 44 and a second downstream-side conveyance roller 45 which are provided on the downstream side of the cutting device 51 in the conveyance direction and convey the sheet P toward the stacking unit 42. Further, the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided with a reception device 40 that receives an input of information by a user, and an information processing unit 100 that is composed of a central processing unit (CPU) for executing a program and controls the second post-processing apparatus 4 as a whole.

The reception device 40 is composed of a touch panel or the like, and receives information input by a user's operation.

The container unit 60 is provided below the cutting device 51, and stores a portion of the sheet P cut off by the cutting device 51 as a scrap.

The conveyance path of the sheet P in the second post-processing apparatus 4 includes a first conveyance path R1, a second conveyance path R2, a third conveyance path R3, and a fourth conveyance path R4.

The first conveyance path R1 is a conveyance path that passes through the cutting device 51.

The second conveyance path R2 is a conveyance path that is provided above the cutting device 51 and does not pass through the cutting device 51.

The third conveyance path R3 is provided on the downstream side of the cutting device 51 in the conveyance direction, and is a conveyance path for the sheet P that has passed through the first conveyance path R1.

The fourth conveyance path R4 is provided on the downstream side of the cutting device 51 in the conveyance direction and under the third conveyance path R3, and is a conveyance path for the sheet P that has passed through the first conveyance path R1. The sheet P that has passed through the first conveyance path R1 is stacked on the stacking unit 42 after passing through one of the third conveyance path R3 and the fourth conveyance path R4.

FIG. 3 illustrates the cutting device 51 as viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow III in FIG. 2. The left side of the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be referred to as the “left side”, the right side of the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be referred to as the “right side”, and the left-right direction of the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be referred to as the “left-right direction”.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cutting device 51 is provided with a central conveyance roller 53, outer conveyance rollers 54, end portion conveyance rollers 55, a central rotating shaft 56, an outer rotating shaft 57, cutter units 58, and folded-crease forming devices 59.

The central conveyance roller 53, which is an example of a second conveyance means, is provided at the center of the cutting device 51 in the left-right direction, and conveys the sheet P. The central conveyance roller 53 is provided with a central driving roller 531 and a central driven roller 532.

The central driving roller 531, which is an example of a second rotating member, rotates by receiving a driving force. The surface of the central driving roller 531 is composed of an elastic material, such as rubber.

The central driven roller 532, which is an example of a second opposing member, is provided opposite the central driving roller 531 with the conveyance path therebetween. The central driven roller 532 presses the central driving roller 531, and rotates by being driven by the central driving roller 531 as the central driving roller 531 rotates. The surface of the central driven roller 532 is composed of an elastic material, such as rubber, and has a lower surface hardness than the central driving roller 531.

In the illustrated example, the central driving roller 531 is provided under the central driven roller 532. However, this is not a limitation.

The positional relationship between the central driving roller 531 and the central driven roller 532 in the up-down direction may be opposite to that of the illustrated example.

The outer conveyance rollers 54, which are an example of a first conveyance means, are provided further outward than the central conveyance roller 53 in the left-right direction of the cutting device 51, and convey the sheet P. The outer conveyance rollers 54 are provided on the left and right sides of the central conveyance roller 53. The outer conveyance rollers 54 are provided with outer driving rollers 541 and outer driven rollers 542.

The outer driving rollers 541, which are an example of a first rotating member, rotate by receiving a driving force. The surface of the outer driving rollers 541 is composed of an elastic material, such as rubber.

The outer driven rollers 542, which are an example of a first opposing member, are provided opposite the outer driving rollers 541 with the conveyance path therebetween. The outer driven rollers 542 press the outer driving rollers 541, and rotate by being driven by the outer driving rollers 541 as the outer driving rollers 541 rotate. The surface of the outer driven rollers 542 is composed of an elastic material, such as rubber, and has a lower surface hardness than the outer driving rollers 541.

In the illustrated example, the outer driving rollers 541 are provided over the outer driven rollers 542. However, this is not a limitation.

The positional relationship between the outer driving rollers 541 and the outer driven rollers 542 in the up-down direction may be opposite to that of the illustrated example.

The end portion conveyance rollers 55, which are an example of the first conveyance means, are provided at the end portions of the cutting device 51 in the left-right direction, and convey the sheet P. The end portion conveyance rollers 55 are provided at the left end portion and the right end portion of the cutting device 51. Further, the end portion conveyance rollers 55 are provided with end portion driving rollers 551 and end portion driven rollers 552.

The end portion driving rollers 551, which are an example of the first rotating member, rotate by receiving a driving force. The surface of the end portion driving rollers 551 is composed of an elastic material, such as rubber.

The end portion driven rollers 552, which are an example of the first opposing member, are provided opposite the end portion driving rollers 551 with the conveyance path therebetween. The end portion driven rollers 552 press the end portion driving rollers 551, and rotate by being driven by the end portion driving rollers 551 as the end portion driving rollers 551 rotate. The surface of the end portion driven rollers 552 is composed of a material having elasticity, such as rubber, and has a lower surface hardness than the end portion driving rollers 551.

In the illustrated example, the end portion driving rollers 551 are provided over the end portion driven rollers 552. However, this is not a limitation.

The positional relationship between the end portion driving rollers 551 and the end portion driven rollers 552 in the up-down direction may be opposite to that of the illustrated example.

The central rotating shaft 56 is the rotating shaft of the central conveyance roller 53. The central rotating shaft 56 is provided with a central driving rotating shaft 561 and a central driven rotating shaft 562.

The central driving rotating shaft 561 is the rotating shaft of the central driving roller 531. In the present exemplary embodiment, the central driving rotating shaft 561 is fixed in position in the cutting device 51. The central driving rotating shaft 561 rotates by receiving a driving force from a motor to be described later. Along with this rotation, the central driving roller 531 also rotates.

The central driven rotating shaft 562 is the rotating shaft of the central driven roller 532. In the present exemplary embodiment, the central driven rotating shaft 562 is pressed downward by a pressing member (not illustrated). Thus, the central driven roller 532 is pressed against the central driving roller 531.

The outer rotating shaft 57 is the rotating shaft of the outer conveyance rollers 54 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55. The outer rotating shaft 57 is provided with an outer driving rotating shaft 571 and an outer driven rotating shaft 572.

The outer driving rotating shaft 571 is the rotating shaft of the outer driving rollers 541 and the end portion driving rollers 551. In the present exemplary embodiment, the outer driving rotating shaft 571 is fixed in position in the cutting device 51. The outer driving rotating shaft 571 rotates by receiving a driving force from a motor to be described later. Along with this rotation, the outer driving rollers 541 and the end portion driving rollers 551 also rotate.

The outer driven rotating shaft 572 is the rotating shaft of the outer driven rollers 542 and the end portion driven rollers 552. In the present exemplary embodiment, the outer driven rotating shaft 572 is pressed upward by a pressing member (not illustrated). Thus, the outer driven rollers 542 are pressed against the outer driving rollers 541, and the end portion driven rollers 552 are pressed against the end portion driving rollers 551.

Note that a configuration may be adopted in which, while the position of the central driven rotating shaft 562 is fixed in the cutting device 51, the central driving rotating shaft 561 is pressed by a pressing member (not illustrated) so that the central driving roller 531 is pressed against the central driven roller 532.

Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which, while the position of the outer driven rotating shaft 572 is fixed in the cutting device 51, the outer driving rotating shaft 571 is pressed by a pressing member (not illustrated) so that the end portion driving rollers 551 are pressed against the end portion driven rollers 552.

The cutter units 58, which are an example of a cutting member, cut the sheet P along the conveyance direction. The cutter units 58 are provided at the left end portion and the right end portion of the cutting device 51 in the left-right direction.

The folded-crease forming devices 59, which are an example of a pressing member, form a folded-crease in the sheet P along the conveyance direction. The folded-crease forming devices 59 are provided at the left end portion and the right end portion of the cutting device 51 in the left-right direction.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the central conveyance roller 53, the outer conveyance rollers 54, and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 each convey the sheet P while pinching and pressing the sheet P. Therefore, when the sheet P is conveyed to the central conveyance roller 53, the outer conveyance rollers 54, and the end portion conveyance rollers 55, the sheet P receives a force in the conveyance direction from the central conveyance roller 53, the outer conveyance rollers 54, and the end portion conveyance rollers 55.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the two outer conveyance rollers 54, the two end portion conveyance rollers 55, the two cutter units 58, and the two folded-crease forming devices 59 are provided symmetrically with respect to the central conveyance roller 53.

Here, the two outer conveyance rollers 54 and the two end portion conveyance rollers 55 are each provided at an interval in the width direction of the sheet P to be conveyed, and are each considered a pair of first conveyance means pinching and conveying the sheet P. The width direction of the sheet P is the left-right direction of the sheet P (refer to FIG. 3).

The portions of the sheet P pinched by the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55 are considered a first portion and a second portion. The portions of the sheet P pinched by the pair of outer conveyance rollers 54 may be considered the first portion and the second portion.

The two outer conveyance rollers 54, the two end portion conveyance rollers 55, the two cutter units 58, and the two folded-crease forming devices 59 are provided so as to move in the left-right direction in accordance with the length in the width direction of the sheet P conveyed to the cutting device 51. The two outer conveyance rollers 54, the two end portion conveyance rollers 55, the two cutter units 58, and the two folded-crease forming devices 59 are driven by a driving device (not illustrated) for driving an object, and are thereby moved in the left-right direction.

Hereinafter, the central conveyance roller 53, the outer conveyance rollers 54, and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 may be simply referred to as the conveyance rollers when they are described without being particularly distinguished from one another.

In addition, hereinafter, the central driving roller 531, the outer driving rollers 541, and the end portion driving rollers 551 may be simply referred to as the driving rollers when they are described without being particularly distinguished from one another.

Further, hereinafter, the central driven roller 532, the outer driven rollers 542, and the end portion driven rollers 552 may be simply referred to as the driven rollers when they are described without being particularly distinguished from one another.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the conveyance rollers are provided such that the portion of the sheet P pinched by the central conveyance roller 53, the portions of the sheet P pinched by the pair of outer conveyance rollers 54, and the portions of the sheet P pinched by the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55 overlap each other in the conveyance direction.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the central driving roller 531, the outer driving rollers 541, and the end portion driving rollers 551 have the same width, the same outer diameter, and the same surface hardness.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the central driven roller 532, the outer driven rollers 542, and the end portion driven rollers 552 have the same width, the same outer diameter, and the same surface hardness.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the pressure applied to the central driving roller 531 by the central driven roller 532, the pressure applied to the outer driving rollers 541 by the outer driven rollers 542, and the pressure applied to the end portion driving rollers 551 by the end portion driven rollers 552 are all the same.

FIG. 4 illustrates the cutter unit 58 and the folded-crease forming device 59. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates the cutter unit 58 and the folded-crease forming device 59 provided at the left end (see FIG. 3) of the cutting device 51.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the cutter unit 58 is provided with a cutter 581 and a receiving member 582.

The cutter 581 is a disk-shaped blade. The cutter 581 is provided on the outer driven rotating shaft 572 with the cutting edge aligned with the receiving member 582 in the left-right direction. The cutter 581 is pressed by a spring (not illustrated) from the inner side (the right side in the illustrated example) toward the outer side (the left side in the illustrated example) in the left-right direction, so that the cutting edge is pressed against the receiving member 582.

The receiving member 582 is provided on the outer driving rotating shaft 571. The receiving member 582 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and receives the blade of the cutter 581.

The folded-crease forming device 59 is provided with a circular plate 591 and a groove portion 592.

The disc 591 is provided on the outer driving rotating shaft 571 and is formed in a disc shape. The circular plate 591 has a larger outer diameter than the end portion driving roller 551 and the receiving member 582, and has the end thereof disposed in the groove portion 592.

The groove portion 592 is provided on the outer driven rotating shaft 572 and is provided so as to overlap the circular plate 591 in the left-right direction. The groove portion 592 has a groove in which the end of the disk 591 is disposed.

The end portion driving roller 551, the circular plate 591, and the receiving member 582 are provided on the outer driving rotating shaft 571 in this order from the outer side (the left side in the illustrated example) in the left-right direction. The end portion driven roller 552, the groove portion 592, and the cutter 581 are provided on the outer driven rotating shaft 572 in this order from the outer side (the left side in the illustrated example) in the left-right direction.

As the outer driving rotating shaft 571 rotates by receiving a driving force from the motor to be described later, the end portion driving roller 551 rotates. As the end portion driving roller 551 rotates, the end portion driven roller 552 rotates. In this state, when the sheet P is pinched by the end portion conveyance roller 55, the cutter unit 58, and the folded-crease forming device 59, the portion of the sheet P being pressed by the cutter 581 is cut while being conveyed, whereby the sheet P is cut along the conveyance direction. In addition, as the sheet P is conveyed in the state of being pressed against the groove portion 592 by the circular plate 591, a folded-crease is formed in the sheet P along the conveyance direction. Here, the portion of the sheet P where the folded-crease is formed is a portion of the sheet P that is cut by the cutter unit 58 and becomes a scrap. The scrap of the paper P is conveyed by the end portion conveyance roller 55 and then falls to be contained in the container unit 60.

As described above, when the folded-crease is formed in the scrap of the sheet P, the stiffness of the scrap of the sheet P is increased compared with when the scrap of the sheet P is not folded. Thus, the scrap of the sheet P is less likely to be scattered before falling into the container unit 60, thereby contributing to size reduction of the container unit 60.

FIG. 5 illustrates a hardware configuration of the information processing unit 100.

The information processing unit 100 is provided with a processing unit 201, an information storage device 202 that stores information, and a network interface 203 that implements communication via a local area network (LAN) cable or the like.

The processing unit 201 is composed of a computer.

The processing unit 201 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 211, which is an example of a processor that executes various processing described later. The processing unit 201 includes a read only memory (ROM) 212 in which software is stored, and a random access memory (RAM) 213 that is used as a work area.

The information storage device 202 is implemented by an existing device, such as a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or a magnetic tape.

The processing unit 201, the information storage device 202, and the network interface 203 are connected to each other via a bus 204 or signal lines (not illustrated).

A program executed by the CPU 211 may be provided to the information processing unit 100 in a state of being stored in computer-readable recording medium, such as magnetic recording medium (magnetic tapes, magnetic disks, and the like), optical recording medium (optical disks and the like), magneto-optical recording medium, and semiconductor memories. The program executed by the CPU 211 may be provided to the information processing unit 100 using a communication means, such as the Internet.

As used herein, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (e.g., CPU: central processing unit) and a dedicated processor (e.g., GPU: graphics processing unit, ASIC: application specific integrated circuit, FPGA: field programmable gate array, programmable logic devices, etc.).

The operation of the processor may be performed not only by a single processor but also by a plurality of processors present at physically distant locations cooperating with each other. Furthermore, the order of operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in the present exemplary embodiment but may be changed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the conveyance speed of the central driving roller 531 and the conveyance speed of the end portion driving rollers 551. The conveyance speed is the speed at which the sheet P is conveyed.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided with a motor 70 and a gear train 80.

The motor 70, which is an example of one drive source, is a drive source that provides a driving force to the central driving roller 531, the outer driving rollers 541, and the end portion driving rollers 551. More specifically, the motor 70 provides a driving force to the central driving roller 531 via the central driving rotating shaft 561, and provides a driving force to the outer driving rollers 541 and the end portion driving rollers 551 via the outer driving rotating shaft 571.

The gear train 80 transmits the driving force from the motor 70 to the central driving roller 531 and the end portion driving rollers 551. More specifically, the gear train 80 transmits the driving force from the motor 70 to the central driving roller 531 via the central driving rotating shaft 561 and to the end portion driving rollers 551 via the outer driving rotating shaft 571. The gear train 80 is provided with a first input/output gear 801 and a second input/output gear 802.

The first input/output gear 801 is a gear that receives the driving force from the motor 70 and outputs the received driving force to the central driving roller 531 via the central driving rotating shaft 561.

The second input/output gear 802 is a gear that receives the driving force from the motor 70 and outputs the received driving force to the end portion driving rollers 551 via the outer driving rotating shaft 571.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the first input/output gear 801 and the second input/output gear 802 is determined such that the conveyance speed of the central driving roller 531 and the conveyance speed of the end portion driving rollers 551 satisfy a predetermined relationship. More specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the first input/output gear 801 and the second input/output gear 802 is determined such that the conveyance speed of the central driving roller 531 becomes lower than the conveyance speed of the end portion driving rollers 551 to the extent that speed conditions are satisfied. The speed conditions are conditions that are determined with respect to the relationship between the conveyance speed of the central conveyance roller 53 and the conveyance speed of the end portion conveyance rollers 55. The speed conditions will be described later.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the rotation speed of the first input/output gear 801 and the rotation speed of the second input/output gear 802 are the same speed. While the teeth of the first input/output gear 801 and the teeth of the second input/output gear 802 have the same size, the number of teeth of the second input/output gear 802 is greater than the number of teeth of the first input/output gear 801, the difference corresponding to the amount by which the outer diameter of the second input/output gear 802 is greater than the outer diameter of the first input/output gear 801. In this case, the number of rotations of the end portion driving rollers 551 per rotation of the second input/output gear 802 is greater than the number of rotations of the central driving roller 531 per rotation of the first input/output gear 801. Accordingly, the rotation speed of the end portion driving rollers 551 is greater than the rotation speed of the central driving roller 531. Therefore, the conveyance speed of the end portion driving rollers 551 is greater than the conveyance speed of the central driving roller 531.

The teeth of the first input/output gear 801 are the teeth of the first input/output gear 801 that mesh with the central driving rotating shaft 561. The teeth of the second input/output gear 802 are the teeth of the second input/output gear 802 that mesh with the outer drive rotating shaft 571.

Hereinafter, the rotation speed of the central driving roller 531 may be referred to as a rotation speed Sr1. Hereinafter, the rotation speed of the end portion driving rollers 551 may be referred to as a rotation speed Sr2. The rotation speed is the angle by which an object rotates per second.

Hereinafter, the conveyance speed of the central driving roller 531 may be referred to as a conveyance speed Sc1. The conveyance speed Sc1 is also considered the conveyance speed of the central conveyance roller 53. The conveyance speed of the end portion driving rollers 551 may be hereinafter referred to as a conveyance speed Sc2. The conveyance speed Sc2 is also considered the conveyance speed of the end portion conveyance rollers 55. The conveyance speed is the distance that an object moves per second. The object is the sheet P.

The configuration of the first input/output gear 801 and the second input/output gear 802 is not limited to the illustrated example. Each of the first input/output gear 801 and the second input/output gear 802 may be composed of a plurality of gears.

As described above, the central conveyance roller 53 is provided between the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55 in the left-right direction and inside the cutter units 58. The central conveyance roller 53 pinches and conveys the sheet P, together with the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55, at a lower conveyance speed of the sheet P than each of the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the cutter units 58 are provided at the end portions of the cutting device 51 in the left-right direction (see FIG. 3). When the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51, the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction are pressed by the cutters 581 of the cutter units 58. In this case, the conveyance speed is more likely to decrease in the portions of the sheet P being pressed against the cutter units 581 or in the vicinity thereof, by an amount corresponding to a force received on the opposite side to the conveyance direction.

In particular, in the present exemplary embodiment, the folded-crease forming devices 59 are provided at the end portions of the cutting device 51 in the left-right direction. Thus, when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51, the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction are pressed against the circular plates 591 of the folded-crease forming devices 59. In this case, the conveyance speed is more likely to decrease in the portions of the sheet P being pressed against the disks 591 or in the vicinity thereof, by an amount corresponding to a force received on the opposite side to the conveyance direction.

When the conveyance speed at the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction becomes lower than the conveyance speed at the central portion of the sheet P in the left-right direction, the sheet P is more likely to be pulled by the force that the central portion of the sheet P in the left-right direction receives in the conveyance direction and the force that the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction receive on the opposite side to the conveyance direction. More specifically, the central portion and the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction are more likely to be pulled in opposite directions. In this case, a rotational moment acts on the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction, and the central portion of the sheet P in the left-right direction is more likely to be warped in a portion of the sheet P on the upstream side of the cutting device 51 in the conveyance direction. In other words, in a portion of the sheet P on the upstream side of the cutting device 51 in the conveyance direction, both end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction are more likely to be displaced toward the central portion. In this case, variation may occur in where the sheet P is cut by the cutter units 58.

On the other hand, in the present exemplary embodiment, as described above, the central conveyance roller 53 pinches and conveys the sheet P, together with the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55, at a lower conveyance speed of the sheet P than each of the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55.

In this case, compared with a configuration in which the central conveyance roller 53 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 convey the sheet P at the same conveyance speed, the displacement of both end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction toward the central portion is suppressed by an amount corresponding to the relaxation of the tension between the central portion and the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction. Therefore, the occurrence of the variation in where the sheet P is cut by the cutter units 58 is suppressed.

In the above example, it has been described that the second conveyance means, an example of which is the central conveyance roller 53, conveys the sheet P at a conveyance speed lower than the first conveyance means, an example of which is the end portion conveyance rollers 55. Here, “the second conveyance means conveys the sheet P at a conveyance speed lower than each of the pair of first conveyance means” means that, when the conveyance speed of the second conveyance means and the conveyance speed of each of the pair of first conveyance means are controlled to be the same conveyance speed, the conveyance speed of the second conveyance means becomes lower than the conveyance speed of the first conveyance means by a degree greater than “a reduction of the conveyance speed of the second conveyance means with respect to the conveyance speed of the first conveyance means” that may occur due to an error in the design of the second post-processing apparatus 4.

The conveyance speed of the second conveyance means is the conveyance speed when the second conveyance means conveys the sheet P by itself. The conveyance speed of the first conveyance means is the conveyance speed when each of the first conveyance means conveys the sheet P by itself. In other words, the conveyance speed of the second conveyance means is the conveyance speed when components other than the second conveyance means, such as the first conveyance means, the cutter units 58, and the folded-crease forming devices 59, do not act on the sheet P. In addition, the conveyance speed of the first conveyance means is the conveyance speed when components other than the first conveyance means, such as the second conveyance means, the cutter units 58, and the folded-crease forming devices 59, do not act on the sheet P.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the difference between the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 and the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 satisfies the speed conditions. In the present exemplary embodiment, the speed conditions are determined from the viewpoint of suppressing the displacement of the sheet P in the width direction when the sheet P is being conveyed to the cutting device 51.

In this case, the displacement of the sheet P in the left-right direction is suppressed more effectively compared with a configuration in which the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 without the speed conditions being satisfied.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, at least one of the speed conditions is that a value obtained by subtracting the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 from the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is less than or equal to a predetermined upper limit value.

If the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 is excessively lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55, the sheet P is more likely to be pulled by the force that the central portion of the sheet P in the left-right direction receives on the opposite side to the conveyance direction and the force that the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction receive in the conveyance direction. In this case, the portion of the sheet P that is being pressed against the central conveyance roller 53 and portions of the sheet P in the vicinity of the portion may be displaced, causing the sheet P to wrinkle. Therefore, an upper limit value is determined for the value obtained by subtracting the value of the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 from the value of the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 so that the displacement of the sheet P that may occur when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51 does not exceed an allowable level.

In this case, compared with when the value obtained by subtracting the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 from the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is greater than the upper limit value, the occurrence of wrinkles in the sheet P is suppressed.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, at least one of the speed conditions is that a value obtained by subtracting the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 from the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is greater than or equal to a predetermined lower limit value.

If the difference between the conveyance speed Sc2 and the conveyance speed Sc1 is excessively small, the above-described degree of relaxation of the pulling of the sheet P is small. In this case, when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51, the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction may be displaced toward the central portion of the sheet P in the left-right direction. Therefore, a lower limit value is determined for the value obtained by subtracting the value of the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 from the value of the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 so that the displacement of the sheet P which may occur when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51 does not exceed an allowable degree.

In this case, the displacement of the sheet P in the left-right direction is suppressed compared with the case in which the value obtained by subtracting the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 from the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is less than the lower limit value.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the rotation speed of the central driving roller 531 is lower than the rotation speed of each of the end portion driving rollers 551.

In this case, it is not necessary to provide the end portion driving rollers 551 and the central driving roller 531 with the configuration for making the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central driving roller 531 lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of each of the end portion driving rollers 551.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the folded-crease forming devices 59 are provided outside the cutter units 58 in the left-right direction, and press the sheet P being cut by the cutter units 58 to form a folded-crease in the sheet P along the conveyance direction.

In this case, even if the force that the sheet P receives on the opposite side to the conveyance direction is greater than that in a configuration in which the folded-crease forming devices 59 are not provided in the second post-processing apparatus 4, the displacement of the sheet P in the left-right direction is suppressed compared with a configuration in which the central conveyance roller 53 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 convey the sheet P at the same conveyance speed.

The relationship between the rotation speed of the central driving roller 531 and the rotation speed of the end portion driving rollers 551 has been described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, the relationship between the rotation speed of the central driving roller 531 and the rotation speed of the outer driving rollers 541 may be the same as the relationship between the rotation speed of the central driving roller 531 and the rotation speed of the end portion driving rollers 551. In other words, the rotation speed of the outer driving rollers 541 may be the same as the rotation speed of the end portion driving rollers 551. In this case, the rotation speed of the outer driving rollers 541 is also considered the rotation speed Sr2.

The relationship between the conveyance speed of the central driving roller 531 and the conveyance speed of the end portion driving rollers 551 has been described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, the relationship between the conveyance speed of the central driving roller 531 and the conveyance speed of the outer driving rollers 541 may be the same as the relationship between the conveyance speed of the central driving roller 531 and the conveyance speed of the end portion driving rollers 551. In other words, the conveyance speed of the outer driving rollers 541 may be the same as the conveyance speed of the end portion driving rollers 551. In this case, the conveyance speed of the outer driving rollers 541 and the conveyance speed of the outer conveyance rollers 54 are also considered the conveyance speed Sc2.

Modification of Cutting Device 51

Next, modification examples of the cutting device 51 will be described. The configuration of the cutting device 51 is not limited to that described above.

In each of the following modification examples, configurations different from that of the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3 are mainly described, and the description of the same configuration as that of the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

(Modification Example 1)

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the cutting device 51 as modification example 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the cutting device 51 according to modification example 1 is provided with a central conveyance roller 53, two outer conveyance rollers 54, a central rotating shaft 56, an outer rotating shaft 57, and two cutter units 58. The cutting device 51 according to modification example 1 is not provided with the end portion conveyance rollers 55 (see FIG. 3) and the folded-crease forming devices 59. Furthermore, in the cutting device 51 according to modification example 1, the central conveyance roller 53 conveys the sheet P at a conveyance speed lower than each of the pair of outer conveyance rollers 54.

As described above, if the folded-crease forming devices 59 are not provided in the cutting device 51, the force that the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction receive on the opposite side to the conveyance direction decreases compared with the configuration in which the folded-crease forming devices 59 form the folded-crease in the sheet. In this case, together with the configuration in which the conveyance speed of the central conveyance roller 53 is lower than the conveyance speed of the pair of outer conveyance rollers 54, the displacement of both end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction toward the central portion is suppressed by an amount corresponding to a greater relaxation of the tension between the central portion and the end portions of the sheet P in the left-right direction. Therefore, the occurrence of the variation in where the sheet P is cut by the cutter units 58 is suppressed.

The cutting device 51 of modification example 1 is not provided with the end portion conveyance rollers 55. However, this is not a limitation. While the cutting device 51 of modification example 1 is not provided with the folded-crease forming devices 59, the cutting device 51 may be provided with two end portion conveyance rollers 55, similarly to the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3.

When the folded-crease forming devices 59 are not provided in the cutting device 51, the difference between the conveyance speed of the central conveyance roller 53 and the conveyance speed of the pair of outer conveyance rollers 54 may be made smaller compared with when the folded-crease forming devices 59 are provided in the cutting device 51. In a specific example, when the folded-crease forming devices 59 are not provided in the cutting device 51, the conveyance speed of the central conveyance roller 53 may be increased to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied, compared with when the folded-crease forming devices 59 are provided in the cutting device 51.

(Modification Example 2)

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the cutting device 51 of modification example 2. In modification example 2, it is assumed that the rotation speed Sr1 of the central driving roller 531 and the rotation speed Sr2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 are the same rotation speed.

The cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 8 is different from the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3 in the relationship between the size of the outer diameter of the central driving roller 531 and the size of the outer diameter of the end portion driving rollers 551. More particularly, the central driving roller 531 and the end portion driving rollers 551 are provided such that the outer diameter of the central driving roller 531 is less than the outer diameter of the end portion driving rollers 551. Hereinafter, the size of the outer diameter of the central driving roller 531 may be referred to as an outer diameter D1. The size of the outer diameter of the end portion driving rollers 551 may be hereinafter referred to as an outer diameter D2.

In this case, even when the rotation speed Sr1 of the central driving roller 531 and the rotation speed Sr2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 are the same, the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central driving roller 531 and the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 are different. More specifically, the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central driving roller 531 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied, by an amount by which the outer diameter of the central driving roller 531 is less than the outer diameter of the end portion driving rollers 551.

(Modification Example 3)

In modification example 3, it is assumed that the rotation speed Sr1 of the central driving roller 531 and the rotation speed Sr2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 are the same.

In modification example 3, the cutting device 51 is provided such that the pressure that the central driven roller 532 applies to the central driving roller 531 is less than the pressure that the end portion driven rollers 552 apply to the end portion driving rollers 551.

The pressure that the central driven roller 532 applies to the central driving roller 531 being less than the pressure that the end portion driven rollers 552 apply to the end portion driving rollers 551 is achieved by adjusting the force that the central driven rotating shaft 562 and the outer driven rotating shaft 572 receive from a pressing member (not illustrated). Further, the pressure that the central driven roller 532 applies to the central driving roller 531 being less than the pressure that the end portion driven rollers 552 apply to the end portion driving rollers 551 may be achieved by, for example, adjusting the positional relationship between the central driving rotating shaft 561 and the central driven rotating shaft 562 or the positional relationship between the outer driving rotating shaft 571 and the outer driven rotating shaft 572.

When the pressure that the central driven roller 532 applies to the central driving roller 531 is less than the pressure that the end portion driven rollers 552 apply to the end portion driving rollers 551, the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central driving roller 531 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion driving rollers 551. It is noted that, when the driving roller receives a pressure from the driven roller, the conveyance speed of the driving roller increases by an amount corresponding to an extension of the surface of the driving roller. In this connection, if the pressure received from the driven roller is smaller for the central driving roller 531 than for the end portion driving rollers 551, the degree of surface extension is smaller for the central driving roller 531 than for the end portion driving rollers 551. Accordingly, the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central driving roller 531 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied, by an amount corresponding to the degree by which the surface extension is smaller for the central driving roller 531 than for the end portion driving rollers 551.

(Modification Example 4)

In modification example 4, it is assumed that the rotation speed Sr1 of the central driving roller 531 and the rotation speed Sr2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 are the same.

In modification example 4, the cutting device 51 is provided such that the hardness of the surface of the central driving roller 531 is greater than the hardness of the surface of the end portion driving rollers 551.

When the hardness of the surface of the central driving roller 531 is greater than the hardness of the surface of the end portion driving rollers 551, the degree of the surface extension when a pressure is received from the driven roller is smaller for the central driving roller 531 than for the end portion driving rollers 551. Accordingly, the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central driving roller 531 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied, by an amount corresponding to the degree by which the surface extension is smaller for the central driving roller 531 than for the end portion driving rollers 551.

(Modification Example 5)

In modification example 5, the central driving roller 531 and the end portion driving rollers 551 receive driving forces from different motors (not illustrated). Further, the cutting device 51 is provided such that the rotation speed Sr2 when the end portion driving rollers 551 receive the driving force from the motor is greater than the rotation speed Sr1 when the central driving roller 531 receives the driving force from the motor.

When the rotation speed Sr2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 is greater than the rotation speed Sr1 of the central driving roller 531, the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central driving roller 531 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied.

(Modification Example 6)

FIG. 9 illustrates the cutting device 51 of modification example 6. In modification example 6, it is assumed that the rotation speed Sr1 of the central driving roller 531 and the rotation speed Sr2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 are the same.

The cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 9 is different from the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3 in the relationship between the size of the width of the central driving roller 531 and the size of the width of the end portion driving rollers 551. More specifically, the central driving roller 531 and the end portion driving rollers 551 are provided such that the width of the central driving roller 531 is greater than the width of the end portion driving rollers 551. Hereinafter, the size of the width of the central driving roller 531 may be referred to as a width W1. The size of the width of the end portion driving rollers 551 may be hereinafter referred to as a width W2. Further, in this modification example, it is assumed that the force with which the central driven roller 532 presses the central driving roller 531 and the force with which the end portion driven rollers 552 press the end portion driving rollers 551 are the same.

When the width W1 of the central driving roller 531 is greater than the width W2 of the end portion driving rollers 551, the pressure received from the driven roller is smaller for the central driving roller 531 than for the end portion driving rollers 551. Thus, the degree of extension of the surface of the central driving roller 531 becomes smaller by an amount corresponding to the reduction in pressure. Accordingly, the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central driving roller 531 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied, by an amount corresponding to the degree by which the surface extension is smaller for the central driving roller 531 than for the end portion driving rollers 551.

In modification example 1 to modification example 6, the relationship between the central conveyance roller 53 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 has been described.

Here, in each of modification example 1 to modification example 6, the relationship between the central conveyance roller 53 and the outer conveyance rollers 54 may also be the same as the relationship between the central conveyance roller 53 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55.

In addition, in modification example 1 to modification example 6, the outer diameter, the width, and the surface hardness of the central driven roller 532, the outer driven rollers 542, and the end portion driven rollers 552 may be the same as or different from those in the example illustrated in FIG. 3 insofar as the configuration is such that the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied.

As described above, the central conveyance roller 53 has the mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55.

In this case, it is not necessary to provide the second post-processing apparatus 4 with a means for performing control such that the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55, separately from the central conveyance roller 53.

The mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 includes the configuration in which the outer diameter of the central driving roller 531 is less than the outer diameter of the end portion driving rollers 551.

In this case, the mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 is achieved without providing each of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 and the central conveyance roller 53 with a mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2.

The mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 includes the configuration in which the pressure that the central driven roller 532 applies to the central driving roller 531 is lower than the pressure that the end portion driven rollers 552 apply to the end portion driving rollers 551.

In this case, the mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 is achieved without providing each of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 and the central conveyance roller 53 with a mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2.

Furthermore, the mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 includes the configuration in which the surface of the central driving roller 531 has a higher hardness than the surface of each of the end portion driving rollers 551.

In this case, the mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 is achieved without providing each of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 and the central conveyance roller 53 with a mechanism by which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, the image forming system 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 illustrates the functions implemented by the information processing unit 100 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Note that FIG. 10 illustrates only the functions related to the cutting device 51 among the functions implemented by the information processing unit 100.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU 211, which is an example of a processor, executes a program stored in the ROM 212 or the information storage device 202, so that the information processing unit 100 functions as a sheet information acquisition unit 101, an environment information acquisition unit 102, a utilization information acquisition unit 103, and a conveyance control unit 104.

The processes described below are performed by the respective functional units of the sheet information acquisition unit 101, the environment information acquisition unit 102, the utilization information acquisition unit 103, and the conveyance control unit 104. These functional units are implemented by the CPU 211 executing the program. Thus, the processes described below may be considered to be processes that are performed by the CPU 211, which is an example of a processor.

The sheet information acquisition unit 101 acquires information indicating the type of the sheet P to be cut by the cutter units 58. Hereinafter, the information indicating the type of the sheet P may be referred to as sheet information. Examples of the type of the sheet P identified from the sheet information include the basis weight of the sheet P, the thickness of the sheet P, the length in the conveyance direction of the sheet P, and the length of the width of the sheet P. The length of the width of the paper P is the length of the paper P in the left-right direction illustrated in FIG. 3.

In the present exemplary embodiment, for example, the user performs an operation on a touch panel provided in the reception device 40 to input information necessary for processing by the second post-processing apparatus 4.

The sheet information acquisition unit 101 acquires the sheet information from the information received by the reception device 40.

The input of the information by the user may be performed on a terminal device, such as a personal computer (PC) connected to the image forming system 1. In this case, the sheet information acquisition unit 101 acquires the sheet information from the information received by the terminal device.

The environment information acquisition unit 102 acquires information indicating an index related to the environment of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided. The information indicating the index related to the environment of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided may be hereinafter referred to as environment information. Examples of the index indicated in the environment information include humidity and temperature.

The present exemplary embodiment is provided with a sensor (not illustrated) that detects the humidity and temperature of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided. The environmental information acquisition unit 102 acquires the environmental information from the sensor.

The utilization information acquisition unit 103 acquires information indicating an index related to the utilization of the cutting device 51. The information indicating the index related to the utilization of the cutting device 51 may be hereinafter referred to as utilization information. An example of the index indicated in the utilization information includes the cumulative number of the sheets P cut by the cutting device 51.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided with a counter (not illustrated) that counts the number of sheets P cut by the cutter units 58 every time the cutting device 51 cuts the sheet P. The utilization information acquisition unit 103 acquires the utilization information from the counter.

The conveyance control unit 104 controls the conveyance of the sheet P by the cutting device 51. More specifically, if control conditions are satisfied, the conveyance control unit 104 controls the conveyance of the sheet P by the cutting device 51 such that the conveyance speed of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed of the outer conveyance rollers 54 and the conveyance speed of the end portion conveyance rollers 55. The control conditions are conditions that are determined for the conveyance control unit 104 to perform control so that the conveyance speed of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed of the outer conveyance rollers 54 and the conveyance speed of the end portion conveyance rollers 55.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the outer conveyance rollers 54 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55, and the central conveyance roller 53 receive driving forces from respectively different motors (not illustrated). The conveyance control unit 104 controls the rotation speeds of the motors to control the conveyance speed of the outer conveyance rollers 54 and the conveyance speed of the end portion conveyance rollers 55, and the conveyance speed of the central conveyance roller 53.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a conveyance process.

The conveyance process is a process in which the cutting device 51 conveys the sheet P. In the present exemplary embodiment, the conveyance process is started each time formation of an image by the image forming apparatus 2 (see FIG. 1) is instructed. The information processing unit 100 determines that formation of an image is instructed upon acquiring information from the image forming apparatus 2 indicating that there is an instruction to form an image.

The conveyance control unit 104 determines whether there is an instruction to cut the paper P by the cutting device 51 (step (hereinafter “S”) 101). The conveyance control unit 104 determines whether there is an instruction to cut the sheet P according to whether the sheet information has been acquired by the sheet information acquisition unit 101.

If there is no instruction to cut the paper P (NO in S101), the conveyance process ends. In this case, cutting of the sheet P and conveyance of the sheet P by the cutting device 51 are not performed.

If there is an instruction to cut the sheet P (YES in S101), the conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the basis weight of the sheet P to be cut by the cutting device 51 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the basis weight (S102). Hereinafter, the sheet P to be cut by the cutting device 51 may be referred to as a target sheet P. The conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the basis weight of the target sheet P indicated in the sheet information acquired by the sheet information acquisition unit 101 is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the basis weight. The basis weight of the target sheet P being less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the basis weight is one of the control conditions.

The threshold value of the basis weight of the sheet P is determined from the viewpoint of the ease of displacement of the sheet P when the sheet P is being conveyed to the cutting device 51. As the basis weight of the sheet P decreases, the stiffness of the sheet P decreases so that the sheet P when being conveyed to the cutting device 51 becomes more likely to be displaced due to the action of the cutter units 58 (see FIG. 3) and the folded-crease forming devices 59. Therefore, as the threshold value, such a basis weight of the sheet P is determined that, when the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 are the same, the displacement of the sheet P that may occur when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51 exceeds an allowable degree.

If the basis weight of the target sheet P is greater than the predetermined basis weight (NO in S102), the conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the thickness of the target sheet P is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the thickness (S103). The conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the thickness of the target sheet P indicated in the sheet information acquired by the sheet information acquisition unit 101 is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the thickness. The thickness of the target sheet P being less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the thickness is one of the control conditions.

Similar to the threshold value of the basis weight of the sheet P, the threshold value of the thickness of the sheet P is determined from the viewpoint of the ease of displacement of the sheet P when the sheet P is being conveyed to the cutting device 51. In the present exemplary embodiment, as the threshold value, such a thickness of the sheet P is determined that, when the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 are the same, the displacement of the sheet P that may occur when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51 exceeds an allowable degree.

If the thickness of the target sheet P is greater than the predetermined threshold value of the thickness (NO in S103), the conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the length of the width of the target sheet P is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the length of the width (S104). The conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the length of the width of the target sheet P indicated in the sheet information acquired by the sheet information acquisition unit 101 is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the length of the width. The length of the width of the target sheet P being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the length of the width is one of the control conditions.

The threshold value of the length of the width of the sheet P is determined from the viewpoint of the ease of displacement of the sheet P when the sheet P is being conveyed to the cutting device 51. As the width of the sheet P becomes longer, the end portions of the sheet P in the width direction become more likely to be displaced toward the central portion in the width direction due to the actions of the cutter units 58 (see FIG. 3) and the folded-crease forming devices 59 when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51. Therefore, as the threshold value, such a length of the width of the sheet P is determined that, when the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 are the same, the displacement of the sheet P that may occur when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51 exceeds an allowable degree.

If the length of the width of the target sheet P is less than the predetermined threshold value of the length of the width (NO in S104), the conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the length in the conveyance direction of the target sheet P is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the length in the conveyance direction (S105). The conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the length in the conveyance direction of the target paper P indicated in the paper information acquired by the paper information acquisition unit 101 is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the length in the conveyance direction. The length in the conveyance direction of the target sheet P being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the length in the conveyance direction is one of the control conditions.

The threshold value of the length in the conveyance direction of the sheet P is determined from the viewpoint of the case of displacement of the sheet P when the sheet P is being conveyed to the cutting device 51. If the sheet P is displaced with the passage of time due to the actions of the cutter unit 58 and the folded-crease forming device 59 when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51, the degree of the displacement is greater for portions of the sheet P located closer to the upstream side in the conveyance direction. Therefore, as the threshold value, such a length in the conveyance direction of the sheet P is determined that, when the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 are the same, the displacement of the sheet P that may occur when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51 exceeds an allowable degree.

If the length in the conveyance direction of the target sheet P is less than the predetermined threshold value of the length in the conveyance direction (NO in S105), the conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the humidity of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the humidity (S106). The conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the humidity indicated in the environment information acquired by the environment information acquisition unit 102 is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the humidity. The humidity of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the humidity is one of the control conditions.

The threshold value of the humidity of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided is determined from the viewpoint of the ease of displacement of the sheet P when the sheet P is being conveyed to the cutting device 51. As the humidity of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided increases, the stiffness of the sheet P becomes more likely to decrease. Furthermore, as the stiffness of the sheet P decreases, the end portions in the width direction of the sheet P become more likely to be displaced toward the central portion in the width direction due to the actions of the cutter units 58 and the folded-crease forming devices 59 when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51. Therefore, as the threshold value, such a humidity is determined that, when the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 are the same, the displacement of the sheet P that may occur when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51 exceeds an allowable degree.

If the humidity of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided is lower than the predetermined threshold value of the humidity (NO in S106), the conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the temperature of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the temperature (S107). The conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the temperature indicated in the environment information acquired by the environment information acquisition unit 102 is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the temperature. The temperature of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided being greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the temperature is one of the control conditions.

The threshold value of the temperature of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided is determined from the viewpoint of the ease of displacement of the sheet P when the sheet P is being conveyed to the cutting device 51. As the temperature of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided increases, the stiffness of the sheet P becomes more likely to decrease, and the end portions of the sheet P in the width direction become more likely to be displaced toward the central portion in the width direction due to the action of the cutter units 58 and the folded-crease forming devices 59 when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51. Therefore, as the threshold value, such a temperature is determined that, when the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 are the same, the displacement of the sheet P that may occur when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51 exceeds an allowable degree.

When the temperature of the space in which the image forming system 1 is provided is lower than the predetermined threshold value of the temperature (NO in S107), the conveyance control unit 104 determines whether a utilization condition is satisfied (S108). In the present exemplary embodiment, the utilization condition is determined to be that the cumulative number of the sheets P cut by the cutter units 58 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the number of sheets. The conveyance control unit 104 determines whether the cumulative number of sheets indicated in the utilization information acquired by the utilization information acquisition unit 103 is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the number of sheets. The utilization condition is one of the control conditions.

The threshold value of the cumulative number of the sheets P cut by the cutter units 58 is determined from the viewpoint of the ease of displacement of the sheet P when the sheet P is being conveyed to the cutting device 51. As the cumulative number of the sheets P cut by the cutter units 58 increases, the degree of wear of the blade of the cutter 581 (see FIG. 4) increases, and the force the cutter 581 requires to cut the sheet P increases. If the force the cutter 581 requires increases, the end portions of the sheet P in the width direction become more likely to be displaced toward the central portion in the width direction due to the action of the cutter 581 when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51.

Therefore, as the threshold value, such a cumulative number of the sheets P cut by the cutter units 58 is determined that, when the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 are the same, the displacement of the sheet P that may occur when the sheet P is conveyed to the cutting device 51 exceeds an allowable degree.

If the cumulative number of the sheets P cut by the cutter units 58 is less than the threshold value (NO in S108), the conveyance control unit 104 controls the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 to be the same (S109).

If a positive result is obtained in any of S102 to S108, the conveyance control unit 104 performs control such that the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied (S110).

If the sheet P conveyed to the cutting device 51 is a sheet bundle formed by bundling a plurality of sheets, the object of the determination in S102 and S103 may be the basis weight of the sheet bundle and the thickness of the sheet bundle.

In the above-described example, all of S102 to S108 in the conveyance process are determined as control conditions. However, this is not a limitation. At least one of S102 to S108 in the conveyance process may be a control condition.

In addition, in the above-described conveyance process, it has been described that the processing of S110 is performed if a positive result is obtained in one of S102 and S103. However, this is not a limitation. The conveyance control unit 104 may perform the processing of S110 if a positive result is obtained in both S102 and S103 in the conveyance process, and may perform the processing of S104 and subsequent processing if a negative result is obtained in one of S102 and S103. In other words, a positive result being obtained in both of S102 and S103 may be the control condition.

It has been described that, in the above-described conveyance process, the processing of S110 is performed if a positive result is obtained in any of S104 to S108, and the processing of S109 is performed if a negative result is obtained in all of S104 to S108. However, this is not a limitation. The conveyance control unit 104 may perform the processing of S110 if a positive result is obtained in all of S104 to S108 in the conveyance process, and may perform the processing of S109 if a negative result is obtained in any of S104 to S108. In other words, a positive result being obtained in all of S104 to S108 may be the control condition.

In addition, in the conveyance process, the conveyance control unit 104 may perform the processing of S110 if a positive result is obtained in all of S102 to S108, and may perform the processing of S109 if a negative result is obtained in any of S102 to S108. In other words, a positive result being obtained in all of S102 to S108 may be the control condition.

In addition, if it is not determined by the conveyance control unit 104 to perform the processing of S110 as the result of S102 and/or S103, the processing of S109 may be performed regardless of the results of S104 to S108. In other words, only a positive result being obtained in S102 and/or S103 may be the control condition.

Further, if the processing of S110 is performed as the result of S102 and/or S103 in the conveyance process, the contents of the processing of S110 may be determined according to the results of S104 to S108. For example, the conveyance control unit 104, when performing the processing of S110 as the result of S102 and/or S103, may make the difference between the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 greater when a positive result is obtained in any of S104 to S108 than when a negative result is obtained in all of S104 to S108, to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied. In addition, for example, the conveyance control unit 104, when performing the processing of S110 as the result of S102 and/or S103, may increase the difference between the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied, as the number of positive results obtained among S104 to S108 increases.

The conveyance control unit 104 may make the conveyance speed Sc1 lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 by decreasing the conveyance speed Sc2 without changing the conveyance speed Sc1 in S110, compared with when the processing of S109 is performed. Alternatively, the conveyance control unit 104 may make the conveyance speed Sc1 lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 by increasing the conveyance speed Sc2 without changing the conveyance speed Sc1 in S110, compared with when the processing of S109 is performed.

In the example described above, the utilization condition has been described as being that the cumulative number of the sheets P cut by the cutter units 58 is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value of the number of sheets. However, this is not a limitation.

The utilization condition may be that a cumulative distance of conveyance of the sheet P by at least one of the central conveyance roller 53, the outer conveyance rollers 54, and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of distance.

Furthermore, the utilization condition may be that a cumulative number of rotations of at least one of the central conveyance roller 53, the outer conveyance rollers 54, and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the number of rotations.

The utilization condition may also be that a period in which the second post-processing apparatus 4 has been utilized is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the period.

As described above, when the control conditions are satisfied, the CPU 211 performs control such that the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55.

When the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2, the sheet P may be pulled by the central conveyance roller 53 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55. In this case, the degree of wear of the surface of the central conveyance roller 53 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 may increase. If the conveyance speed Sc2 is controlled to become lower than the conveyance speed Sc1 regardless of whether the control conditions are satisfied, the surface of the central conveyance roller 53 and the surface of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 are more likely to become worn.

In contrast, if the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 is controlled to become lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 when the control conditions are satisfied, then the wear of the surface of the central conveyance roller 53 and the surface of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is suppressed when the control conditions are not satisfied, compared with the configuration in which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 regardless of whether the control conditions are satisfied.

The type of the sheet P to be cut by the cutter units 58 being a predetermined type is at least one of the control conditions. Examples of the predetermined type include: a sheet P having a basis weight that is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the basis weight; a sheet P having a thickness that is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of a thickness; a sheet P having a width that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of a width; and a sheet P having a length in the conveyance direction that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value of the length in the conveyance direction.

In this case, compared with a configuration in which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 regardless of the type of the sheet P, wear of the surface of the central conveyance roller 53 and the surface of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is suppressed when a sheet P that is not of the predetermined type is conveyed to the cutting device 51.

The predetermined type includes the sheet P having the predetermined basis weight or less (see S102 in FIG. 11).

In this case, compared with a configuration in which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 regardless of the basis weight of the sheet P, wear of the surface of the central conveyance roller 53 and the surface of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is suppressed when a sheet P having a basis weight less than the predetermined basis weight is conveyed to the cutting device 51.

The predetermined type includes the sheet P of which the length in the conveyance direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined length in the conveyance direction and/or the sheet P of which the length in the width direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined length in the width direction (see S104 and S105 in FIG. 11).

In this case, compared with a configuration in which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 regardless of the lengths in the conveyance direction and the width direction of the sheet P, wear of the surface of the central conveyance roller 53 and the surface of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is suppressed when a sheet P of which the length in the conveyance direction is less than the predetermined length in the conveyance direction and/or a sheet P of which the length in the width direction is less than the predetermined length in the width direction is conveyed to the cutting device 51.

At least one of the control conditions is determined with respect to an index related to the environment of the space in which the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided.

In this case, compared with a configuration in which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 regardless of the index related to the environment of the space in which the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided, wear of the surface of the central conveyance roller 53 and the surface of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is suppressed when the control conditions are not satisfied.

The index is the humidity of the space in which the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided, and the humidity being greater than or equal to a predetermined value is at least one of the control conditions.

In this case, compared with a configuration in which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 regardless of the humidity of the space in which the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided, wear of the surface of the central conveyance roller 53 and the surface of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is suppressed when the humidity is less than the predetermined value.

In addition, at least one of the control conditions is determined with respect to an index that is related to the utilization of the second post-processing apparatus 4 and that accumulates in accordance with the utilization. Examples of the index related to the utilization of the second post-processing apparatus 4 include the cumulative number of the sheets P cut by the cutter units 58, the cumulative distance of conveyance of the sheets P by the conveyance rollers, the cumulative number of rotations of the conveyance rollers, and the period in which the second post-processing apparatus 4 has been utilized.

In this case, compared with a configuration in which the conveyance speed Sc1 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 regardless of the index related to the utilization of the second post-processing apparatus 4, wear of the surface of the central conveyance roller 53 and the surface of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 is suppressed when the control conditions are not satisfied.

(Modification Examples of Control of Conveyance Speed)

Next, a modification example of the control of the conveyance speed by the conveyance control unit 104 will be described.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it has been described that the conveyance control unit 104 controls the conveyance speed Sc1 and the conveyance speed Sc2 by controlling the rotation speed of the motor. However, this is not a limitation.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the cutting device 51 of a modification example. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the configuration different from that of the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3 is mainly described, and the description of the same configuration as that of the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

In the cutting device 51 illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the outer driving rollers 541 and the end portion driving rollers 551, and the central driving roller 531 may receive a driving force from the same motor, or may receive driving forces from different motors.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the cutting device 51 of the modification example is provided with a pressing device 90. The pressing device 90 presses the central driven roller 532. The pressing device 90 is provided with a rotating cam 91 and a coil spring 92 having elasticity.

The cam 91 rotates by receiving a driving force from a motor (not illustrated). The rotation of the cam 91 is controlled by the conveyance control unit 104.

One end of the coil spring 92 is connected to the cam 91, and the other end, i.e., the tip-end opposite to the one end, of the coil spring 92 is connected to the central driven rotating shaft 562. The coil spring 92 presses the central driven rotating shaft 562 downward in the drawing by being urged by the cam 91.

When the central driven rotating shaft 562 is pressed downward in the drawing, the central driven roller 532 presses the central driving roller 531. Here, in the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the pressure applied to the central driving roller 531 by the central driven roller 532 is the same as the pressure applied to the end portion driving rollers 551 by the end portion driven rollers 552. In this case, the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 is the same as the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55.

Hereinafter, the pressure that the central driven roller 532 applies to the central driving roller 531 may be referred to as a pressure P1. The pressure that the end portion driven rollers 552 apply to the end portion driving rollers 551 may be hereinafter referred to as a pressure P2.

To reduce the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53, the conveyance control unit 104 causes the cam 91 to rotate clockwise in the drawing, as illustrated in FIG. 13. In this case, the distance between the distal-end of the cam 91 and the central driven rotating shaft 562 increases in the up-down direction in the drawing, and the coil spring 92 expands. As a result, the pressing force of the coil spring 92 against the central driven rotating shaft 562 decreases, and the pressure P1 also decreases accordingly. More particularly, the pressure P1 becomes lower than the pressure P2.

When the pressure P1 is lower than the pressure P2, the degree of surface extension due to the pressing by the driven roller is smaller for the central driving roller 531 than for the end portion driving rollers 551. Then, the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central driving roller 531 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion driving rollers 551 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied, by an amount by which the degree of surface expansion of the central driving roller 531 is smaller.

Thus, the conveyance control unit 104 may control the pressure P1 to control the relationship between the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 and the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55. Specifically, in S110 of the conveyance process (see FIG. 11), the conveyance control unit 104 may control the pressure P1 such that the conveyance speed Sc1 of the central conveyance roller 53 becomes lower than the conveyance speed Sc2 of the end portion conveyance rollers 55 to the extent that the speed conditions are satisfied.

Although descriptions are omitted, in the modification examples illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the pressure applied to the outer driving rollers 541 by the outer driven rollers 542 is the same as the pressure applied to the end portion driving rollers 551 by the end portion driven rollers 552. In addition, in the modification examples illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the conveyance speed of the outer conveyance rollers 54 is the same as the conveyance speed of the end portion conveyance rollers 55.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing performed by the CPU 211.

The CPU 211 implements the processing illustrated in FIG. 14 by executing a program.

The CPU 211 controls a motor to cause the outer conveyance rollers 54 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 to convey the sheet P at the conveyance speed Sc2 (S201). The function by which the CPU 211 causes the outer conveyance rollers 54 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 to convey the sheet P at the conveyance speed Sc2 may be considered a first conveyance function.

The CPU 211 controls the motor to cause the central conveyance roller 53 to convey the sheet P at the conveyance speed Sc2 lower than the conveyance speed Sc1 (S202). The function by which the CPU 211 causes the central conveyance roller 53 to convey the sheet P at the conveyance speed Sc1 may be considered a second conveyance function.

The CPU 211 causes the cutter units 58 to cut the sheet P along the conveyance direction (S203). More particularly, the CPU 211 causes the cutting device 51 to convey the sheet P with the sheet P pinched by the cutter units 58, thereby achieving the cutting of the sheet P along the conveyance direction. The function by which the CPU 211 causes the cutter units 58 to cut the sheet P may be considered a cutting function.

Note that the timing at which S201 to S203 are performed is not limited to the illustrated order. S201 to S203 may be performed in any order, or may be performed at the same time.

As described above, the program executed by the CPU 211 implements the second conveyance function for conveying the portion of the sheet P that is between the first portion and the second portion in the width-direction and is inside the portions to be cut by the cutting device function, at the conveyance speed of the sheet P that is lower than the conveyance speed by the first conveyance function.

In this case, compared with a configuration in which the first conveyance function and the second conveyance function convey the sheet P at the same conveyance speed, the displacement of the sheet P in the left-right direction is suppressed.

In the above-described example, the pair of first conveyance means have been described as being the pair of outer conveyance rollers 54 or the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55. However, this is not a limitation.

A conveyance belt which is stretched around a plurality of conveying rollers including the outer conveyance rollers 54 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 and which conveys the sheet P may be provided for each of the outer conveyance rollers 54 or for each of the end portion conveyance rollers 55. In other words, the pair of first conveyance means may be a pair of conveyance belts.

Further, in the above-described example, the second conveyance means has been described as being the central conveyance roller 53. However, this is not a limitation.

The second conveyance means may be a conveyance belt that is stretched around a plurality of conveying rollers including the central conveyance roller 53, and that conveys the sheet P.

In the above-described examples, it has been described that the portion of the sheet P pinched by the central conveyance roller 53, the portions of the sheet P pinched by the pair of outer conveyance rollers 54, and the portions of the sheet P pinched by the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55 overlap each other in the conveyance direction. However, this is not a limitation.

The central conveyance roller 53 may be provided on the upstream side or the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the pair of outer conveyance rollers 54 or the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55 as long as there is a period in which the central conveyance roller 53 conveys the sheet P together with the pair of outer conveyance rollers 54 or the pair of end portion conveyance rollers 55.

In the above-described examples, the cutter units 58 are provided at positions overlapping the outer conveyance rollers 54 and the end portion conveyance rollers 55 in the conveyance direction However, this is not a limitation.

The cutter units 58 may be provided on the upstream side or the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the outer conveyance rollers 54 or the end portion conveyance rollers 55 as long as the cutter units 58 cut the sheet P being conveyed by the outer conveyance rollers 54 or the end portion conveyance rollers 55 along the conveyance direction.

In the above-described examples, the outer driving roller 541 and the end portion driving roller 551 on the left side of the central conveyance roller 53, and the outer driving roller 541 and the end portion driving roller 551 on the right side of the central conveyance roller 53 are provided on the same rotating shaft. However, this is not a limitation.

The outer driving roller 541 and the end portion driving roller 551 on the left side of the central conveyance roller 53, and the outer driving roller 541 and the end portion driving roller 551 on the right side of the central conveyance roller 53 may be provided on different rotating shafts.

In addition, in the above-described examples, the outer driven roller 542 and the end portion driven roller 552 on the left side of the central conveyance roller 53, and the outer driven roller 542 and the end portion driven roller 552 on the right side of the central conveyance roller 53 are provided on the same rotating shaft. However, this is not a limitation.

The outer driven roller 542 and the end portion driven roller 552 on the left side of the central conveyance roller 53, and the outer driven roller 542 and the end portion driven roller 552 on the right side of the central conveyance roller 53 may be provided on different rotating shafts.

Furthermore, in the above-described examples, it has been described that the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the first post-processing apparatus 3. However, this is not a limitation.

The second post-processing apparatus 4 may be provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the first post-processing apparatus 3. In particular, when the second post-processing apparatus 4 is not configured to cut a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets P but is configured to trim the top and bottom of each sheet P conveyed, the second post-processing apparatus 4 is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the first post-processing apparatus 3.

Furthermore, when the CPU 211 performs control such that the conveyance speed of the second conveyance means becomes lower than the conveyance speed of the first conveyance means, at least one of the conveyance speed of the first conveyance means and the conveyance speed of the second conveyance means may be controlled.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above-described exemplary embodiments. It is apparent from the scope of claims that various modifications or improvements made to the above-described exemplary embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, although a plurality of exemplary embodiments have been described above, a configuration included in one exemplary embodiment may be replaced with a configuration included in another exemplary embodiment, or a configuration included in one exemplary embodiment may be added to another exemplary embodiment.

(Appendix)

(((1)))

A recording medium processing apparatus comprising:

• • a pair of first conveyance units provided at an interval in a width direction of a recording medium to be conveyed, each of the first conveyance units pinching and conveying the recording medium;
  • a cutting member that cuts the recording medium being conveyed by the first conveyance units along a conveyance direction of the recording medium; and
  • a second conveyance unit provided between the pair of first conveyance units in the width direction and inside the cutting member, the second conveyance unit pinching the recording medium and conveying the recording medium, together with the pair of first conveyance units, at a conveyance speed of the recording medium lower than each of the pair of first conveyance units.
    (((2)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((1))), further including one drive source that provides a driving force to the first conveyance units and the second conveyance unit, wherein

• • the second conveyance unit includes a mechanism by which the conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit becomes lower than the conveyance speed of the first conveyance units.
    (((3)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((2))), wherein

• • the first conveyance units include a first rotating member that rotates by receiving the driving force from the one drive source to convey the recording medium;
  • the second conveyance unit includes a second rotating member that rotates by receiving the driving force from the one drive source to convey the recording medium; and
  • the mechanism is configured such that an outer diameter of the second rotating member is less than an outer diameter of the first rotating member.
    (((4)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((2))), wherein

• • the first conveyance units include a first rotating member that rotates, and a first opposing member that opposes the first rotating member with a conveyance path of the recording medium therebetween and presses the first rotating member;
  • the second conveyance unit includes a rotating the second rotating member, and a second opposing member that opposes the second rotating member with the conveyance path therebetween and presses the second rotating member; and
  • the mechanism is configured such that a pressure that the second opposing member applies to the second rotating member is lower than a pressure that the first opposing member applies to the first rotating member.
    (((5)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((2))), wherein

• • the first conveyance units include a first rotating member that rotates, and a first opposing member that opposes the first rotating member with a conveyance path of the recording medium therebetween and presses the first rotating member;
  • the second conveyance unit includes a second rotating member that rotates, and a second opposing member that opposes the second rotating member with the conveyance path therebetween and presses the second rotating member; and
  • the mechanism is configured such that a surface of the second rotating member has a higher hardness than a surface of the first rotating member.
    (((6)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((1))), further comprising a processor that controls a conveyance speed of the first conveyance units and/or a conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit, wherein

• • the processor performs control such that a conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit becomes lower than a conveyance speed of the first conveyance units if a predetermined condition is satisfied.
    (((7)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((6))), wherein the condition includes at least one condition that a type of the recording medium to be cut by the cutting member is a predetermined type.

(((8)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((7))), wherein the predetermined type is a recording medium having a predetermined basis weight or less.

(((9)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((7))), wherein the predetermined type is a recording medium of which a length in the conveyance direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined length in the conveyance direction, and/or a recording medium of which a length in the width direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined length in the width direction.

(((10)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to any one of (((6))) to (((9))), wherein the condition includes at least one condition that is determined with respect to an index related to an environment of a space in which the recording medium processing apparatus is provided.

(((11)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((10))), wherein

• • the index is a humidity of the space in which the recording medium processing apparatus is provided; and
  • the condition includes at least one condition that the humidity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
    (((12)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to any one of (((6))) to (((11))), wherein the condition includes at least one condition determined with respect to an index that is related to a utilization of the recording medium processing apparatus and that accumulates in accordance with the utilization.

((((13)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((12))), wherein a difference between the conveyance speed of the first conveyance units and the conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit satisfies a predetermined condition.

(((14)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((13))), wherein the condition includes at least one condition that a value obtained by subtracting the conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit from the conveyance speed of the first conveyance units is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

((((15)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((13))) or (((14))), wherein the condition includes at least one condition that a value obtained by subtracting the conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit from the conveyance speed of the first conveyance units is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

(((16)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to (((1))), wherein

• • the first conveyance units include a first rotating member that rotates to convey the recording medium,
  • the second conveyance unit includes a second rotating member that rotates to convey the recording medium, and
  • the second rotating member has a rotation speed lower than a rotation speed of the first rotating member.
    (((17)))

The recording medium processing apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((16))), further including a pressing member that is provided outside the cutting member in the width direction, and that presses the recording medium being cut by the cutting member to form a folded-crease along the conveyance direction in the recording medium.

(((18)))

An image forming system comprising:

• • an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording medium; and
  • a recording medium processing apparatus configured to process the recording medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus, wherein
  • the recording medium processing apparatus includes the recording medium processing apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((17))).
    (((19)))

A program for causing a computer to execute a process comprising:

• • pinching and conveying a first portion and a second portion of a recording medium that are spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the recording medium to be conveyed;
  • cutting the recording medium being conveyed by the pinching and conveying along a conveyance direction of the recording medium; and
  • conveying a portion of the recording medium that is between the first portion and the second portion in the width direction and is inside a portion to be cut by the cutting, at a conveyance speed of the recording medium lower than the conveyance by the pinching and conveying.

Claims

1. A recording medium processing apparatus comprising:

a pair of first conveyance units provided at an interval in a width direction of a recording medium to be conveyed, each of the first conveyance units pinching and conveying the recording medium;

a cutting member that cuts the recording medium being conveyed by the first conveyance units along a conveyance direction of the recording medium; and

a second conveyance unit provided between the pair of first conveyance units in the width direction and inside the cutting member, the second conveyance unit pinching the recording medium and conveying the recording medium, together with the pair of first conveyance units, at a conveyance speed of the recording medium lower than each of the pair of first conveyance units.

2. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one drive source that provides a driving force to the first conveyance units and the second conveyance unit, wherein

the second conveyance unit includes a mechanism by which the conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit becomes lower than the conveyance speed of the first conveyance units.

3. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the first conveyance units include a first rotating member that rotates by receiving the driving force from the one drive source to convey the recording medium;

the second conveyance unit includes a second rotating member that rotates by receiving the driving force from the one drive source to convey the recording medium; and

the mechanism is configured such that an outer diameter of the second rotating member is less than an outer diameter of the first rotating member.

4. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the first conveyance units include a first rotating member that rotates, and a first opposing member that opposes the first rotating member with a conveyance path of the recording medium therebetween and presses the first rotating member;

the second conveyance unit includes a second rotating member that rotates, and a second opposing member that opposes the second rotating member with the conveyance path therebetween and presses the second rotating member; and

the mechanism is configured such that a pressure that the second opposing member applies to the second rotating member is lower than a pressure that the first opposing member applies to the first rotating member.

5. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the first conveyance units include a first rotating member that rotates, and a first opposing member that opposes the first rotating member with a conveyance path of the recording medium therebetween and presses the first rotating member;

the second conveyance unit includes a second rotating member that rotates, and a second opposing member that opposes the second rotating member with the conveyance path therebetween and presses the second rotating member; and

the mechanism is configured such that a surface of the second rotating member has a higher hardness than a surface of the first rotating member.

6. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processor that controls a conveyance speed of the first conveyance units and/or a conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit, wherein

the processor performs control such that a conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit becomes lower than a conveyance speed of the first conveyance units if a predetermined condition is satisfied.

7. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the condition includes at least one condition that a type of the recording medium to be cut by the cutting member is a predetermined type.

8. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined type is a recording medium having a predetermined basis weight or less.

9. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined type is a recording medium of which a length in the conveyance direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined length in the conveyance direction, and/or a recording medium of which a length in the width direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined length in the width direction.

10. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the condition includes at least one condition that is determined with respect to an index related to an environment of a space in which the recording medium processing apparatus is provided.

11. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein

the index is a humidity of the space in which the recording medium processing apparatus is provided; and

the condition includes at least one condition that the humidity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

12. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the condition includes at least one condition determined with respect to an index that is related to a utilization of the recording medium processing apparatus and that accumulates in accordance with the utilization.

13. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a difference between the conveyance speed of the first conveyance units and the conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit satisfies a predetermined condition.

14. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the condition includes at least one condition that a value obtained by subtracting the conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit from the conveyance speed of the first conveyance units is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

15. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the condition includes at least one condition that a value obtained by subtracting the conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit from the conveyance speed of the first conveyance units is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

16. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the first conveyance units include a first rotating member that rotates to convey the recording medium,

the second conveyance unit includes a second rotating member that rotates to convey the recording medium, and

the second rotating member has a rotation speed lower than a rotation speed of the first rotating member.

17. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member that is provided outside the cutting member in the width direction, and that presses the recording medium being cut by the cutting member to form a folded-crease along the conveyance direction in the recording medium.

18. An image forming system comprising:

an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording medium; and

a recording medium processing apparatus configured to process the recording medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus, wherein

the recording medium processing apparatus includes the recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1.

19. An image forming system comprising:

an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording medium; and

a recording medium processing apparatus configured to process the recording medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus, wherein

the recording medium processing apparatus includes the recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 2.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process comprising:

pinching and conveying a first portion and a second portion of a recording medium that are spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the recording medium to be conveyed;

cutting the recording medium being conveyed by the pinching and conveying along a conveyance direction of the recording medium; and

conveying a portion of the recording medium that is between the first portion and the second portion in the width direction and is inside a portion to be cut by the cutting, at a conveyance speed of the recording medium lower than the conveyance by the pinching and conveying.