Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.

Abstract: A paper processing apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes a first and second convey mechanism, a first and second alignment mechanism, and a folding mechanism, where the second alignment mechanism is configured to align a paper bundle conveyed by the first convey mechanism in the vicinity of a folding position to fold the paper bundle, and the second convey mechanism is configured to convey the paper bundle aligned by the second alignment mechanism to the folding position, and the folding mechanism is configured to fold the aligned paper bundler at the folding position.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus for folding a bundle of sheets at its center includes a pair of center-folding rollers including a first roller and a second roller. Each roller is rotatable about an axis thereof. The first roller and the second roller are pressed in contact with each other to define a nipping portion, but are separable from each other. A center-folding blade projects towards the nipping portion for pushing a folding portion of the bundle of sheets into the nipping portion. The pair of center-folding rollers nips and conveys the folding portion to fold the bundle of sheets into a two-fold. A pivotal shaft is provided for swingably supporting the center-folding blade. A projecting leading end of the center-folding blade is swung in accordance with the thickness of the bundle of sheets that is to be folded at its center.

Abstract: A image forming system that can prevent a toner from coming off while reducing the amount of consumption of a clear toner in binding sheets into a book. An image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet. A clear coating apparatus 200 forms a clear coating image on the sheet using the clear toner that becomes transparent after fixing. A bookbinding apparatus 600 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 and the clear coating apparatus 200 subjects the sheet to folding process. A job controller 501 and an image controller 502 cause the clear coating apparatus 200 to form the clear toner image at a folding position on the sheet in response to designation of a folding mode in the bookbinding apparatus 600.

Abstract: An improved booklet maker incorporates a movable backstop for compiling incoming sheets and a stapler and creasing module, which is moved to various positions during the booklet making sequence. The moving stapler and creasing function enables the compiling function to occur simultaneously with the stapling and creasing functions. This results in a productivity gain without a footprint increase.

Abstract: An airbag cushion having a novel seam structure including either a tri-stitch fold-over seam structure or a double-stitch fold-over seam structure. The novel seam structure allows airbag cushions to be manufactured by using low tenacity yarns, preferably in the range of between about 40 cN/tex and about 65 cN/tex.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a processing tray on which sheets are stacked in a bundle form, an intermediate portion stapler which staples the intermediate portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray, a sheet bundle conveying member which conveys the stapled sheet bundle, a curved sheet bundle conveying path which is downwardly curved on the downstream side of the processing tray with respect to the sheet conveying direction and adapted to guide the sheet bundle conveyed by the sheet bundle conveying member, and a folding device which is arranged in the intermediate portion of the curved sheet bundle conveying path and which folds the stapled sheet bundle, wherein the processing tray is set to be lower on the upstream side than on the downstream side with respect to the sheet conveying direction, and wherein the curved guide path has an extended portion extending to a position under the stacking portion.

Abstract: A pressing member is provided on a shutter member provided in a main body of an apparatus and adapted to open and close a folded sheet discharging port upon upward and downward shifting movement of sheet stacking means in such a manner that, after folding processing is performed by folding means as the shutter member is lowered, a sheet discharged onto folded sheet stacking means is pressed down by the pressing member. Further, if there is any sheet on the folded sheet stacking means, by stopping the sheet stacking means at a predetermined position where the shutter member lightly abuts against the sheet discharged on the folded sheet stacking means, the sheet is prevented from being pinched between the shutter member and the sheet stacking means.

Abstract: A postprocessing apparatus stops and positions an image recording sheet delivered from an image forming apparatus at a predetermined position, punches the sheet with a punching unit, and thereafter folds the sheet with a folding unit.

Abstract: A post processing apparatus for processing image-recorded sheets, having: a transporting unit for transporting a booklet comprising a plurality of image-recorded sheets; a trimming section for trimming the booklet; and an oscillating mechanism for oscillating the transporting unit to change a transporting plane angle of the transporting unit; wherein, the oscillating mechanism oscillates the transporting unit to arrange a first transporting plane angle at the time when the transporting unit receives the booklet and a second transporting plane angle at the time when the transporting unit conveys the booklet to the trimming section different from each other.

Abstract: A bookbinding apparatus that binds a book by stacking a plurality of sheets to generate a bundle of sheets, and by wrapping the aforesaid bundle of sheets with a cover sheet in a U-shaped form, wherein there are provided the first holding member for holding the bundle of sheets, the second holding member that is arranged to have an initial gap between itself and the first holding member at an initial position, a moving device that moves at least the second holding member from its initial position, a measuring device that measures a thickness of the bundle of sheets by causing the moving device to operate so that the first holding member and the second holding member may hold the bundle of the sheets and a control device that practices measurement operation to measure the initial gap between the first holding member and the second holding member.

Abstract: A sheet post-process apparatus comprises left and right lower face support members which support left and right lower faces in a transport direction of a sheet retained by a waiting tray in a waiting mode, distal end lower face support members which support a distal end lower face of the sheet transmitted to the waiting tray, a distal end upper face retainer member which retains a distal end upper face of the sheet transported to the waiting tray, sensor means for sensing that a sheet has been held on the waiting tray, and a drive motor which, based on a sense signal of the sensor means, drives the distal end upper face retainer member in a location for retaining a distal end upper face of the sheet transported to the waiting tray.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a post processing apparatus to load a center-folded sheet on a loading member and unload the paper sheets when a number of sheet reaches a predetermined number without damages with sheets. A Post-processing apparatus having a center folding member for making a center folded sheet by forming a folded line on a paper sheet, on which image is formed, a loading member for loading a member of center folded sheets by supporting a valley side of the center folded sheets, a supporting member for supporting a folded part or an adjacent folded part of a valley side of the center folded sheets loaded on the loading member, and a driving-means for moving the center folded sheets loaded on the loading member by moving the supporting member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet processor apparatus comprising: a sheet stack portion on which a sheet is stacked; a sheet conveyance path for conveying a sheet stacked on the sheet stack portion; a sheet conveyor for conveying to the sheet conveyance path the sheet stacked on the sheet stack portion; and a sheet folding device for folding a sheet in the sheet-set conveyance path. The sheet folding device is provided in the sheet conveyance path, and at least a portion of the sheet conveyance path at which the sheet folding device is positioned is formed into a curved shape.

Abstract: A paper binding system of an image forming apparatus, such as a printer and a copier, and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, in which finishing processes such as stapling and folding are performed by exactly gripping papers ejected from the image forming apparatus without any scattering. The paper binding system of the image forming apparatus includes a paper moving means 150 moving papers ejected from the image forming apparatus, a paper positioning unit 88 temporarily receiving the papers moved from the paper moving means and positioning them, a stapler unit 84 stapling the papers received in the paper positioning unit, a folding means 151 folding the stapled papers, and an eject tray 135 receiving the papers finished through the stapler unit and/or the folding means.

Abstract: A sheet finisher includes means for cutting a non-folded edge of at least one folded sheet. Means are used for setting a cutting position in accordance with a preselected length of the at least one folded sheet in a direction of sheet conveyance and a sensed length of the at least one folded sheet in the direction of sheet conveyance. An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus having means for forming a toner image on a sheet in accordance with image data, and the sheet finisher.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet postprocessing apparatus which includes a first crease forming unit for forming a first crease on a sheet in its width direction, a second crease forming unit for forming a second crease parallel to the first crease, a first abutting member against which the leading end of a sheet introduced into the first crease forming unit abuts to position the sheet, a second abutting member against which the first crease abuts to position the sheet, a first driving mechanism for driving the first abutting member, a second driving mechanism for driving the second abutting member, and a control device for controlling the first crease forming unit, first driving mechanism, second crease forming unit, and second driving mechanism, and makes one folding process selected from a center folding process, inward three-fold process, and Z-fold process executable in the same sheet convey path.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling sheets of printing media for booklets. In one aspect the sheets are folded, sheet-by-sheet, and in another aspect the sheets are collected, sheet-by-sheet, and registered on a fold in each sheet. In still another aspect printed sheets are loaded, sheet-by-sheet, into the apparatus. Each sheet is trimmed to a pre-determined width depending on the position of the sheet in the booklet being assembled. The sheets are thereafter folded, sheet-by-sheet, and collected into a stack. The method and apparatus have particular application in finishing duplex printed sheets of paper into saddle-stitched booklets.

Abstract: A sheet folding and trimming apparatus for a booklet maker or bookbinder includes a folding apparatus and a sheetwise trimming apparatus configured to trim the folded sheet from the folding apparatus on three unfolded sides of the sheet in a sheetwise manner. The location of the sheet folder prior to the sheet trimmer allows the use of a relatively imprecise and inexpensive folding apparatus, such as a buckle folder, and adjusts for the imprecision of the fold by trimming the folded sheet.

Abstract: A finisher that is capable of accurate sheet processing but is small in size, the finisher controlling a feeder and a sheet folding unit and executing 1) an operation in which the sheet is conveyed in the first direction, and after a downstream edge thereof relative to the first direction is detected by the detector during conveyance, the sheet is conveyed in the second direction, 2) an operation in which after such sheet edge is detected by the detector during conveyance in the second direction, the conveyance of the sheet in the second direction is continued for a prescribed amount based on a sheet length along a direction of conveyance, whereupon the sheet is stopped, and 3) an operation in which after the sheet is stopped, the sheet folding unit is operated to create a fold line at a prescribed position in the sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet postprocessing apparatus for executing postprocessing including a punching process, folding process, binding process, and the like, midway along a sheet convey path, for sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus, and a folding method. This sheet postprocessing apparatus includes a sheet folding section having the first and second folding sections which are arranged in series in a sheet convey direction to execute folding processes for sheets. The sheet folding section is configured such that the first folding section performs the first folding process in a Z-fold process, the first folding process in an internal three-fold process, and a center folding process with an image-transferred surface facing outside, and the second folding section performs the second folding process in the Z-fold process, the second folding process in the internal three-fold process, and a center folding process with an image-transferred surface facing inside.

Abstract: A rotary shaft is allocated in association with a distal end face in a transport direction of a sheet retained on a waiting tray in a waiting mode. On this rotary shaft, a distal end lower face support member, an upper face slash member, and a sheet alignment paddle member are coaxially mounted. Then, by rotating the rotary shaft, standby retention, support release, and sheet alignment processes are carried out in order with respect to the sheet on the waiting tray.

Abstract: A booklet has front and back protective covers between which is sandwiched a printed folded sheet. The folded sheet consists of a series of panels that are folded one over another in turn and are then folded together in half about at least one fold line orthogonal to the folding of the individual panels. With this booklet, its overall dimensions when folded can be kept small, for example, credit card size whereas the printable area of the inner folded sheet is much larger. Moreover, the structure of the booklet is one suitable for in-line production.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a receiving device configured to receive a sheet from outside and convey the sheet, and a sheet folding device configured to fold the sheet, conveyed by the receiving device, in two at a center portion thereof in a direction the sheet is conveyed, so as to be a folded sheet, and convey the folded sheet with the folded portion thereof being a leading edge of the folded sheet. A jogging device includes a jogging table and is configured to receive and jog the folded sheet, conveyed by the sheet folding device, one after another, so as to be stacked into a stack of folded sheets on the jogging table. A binding device is configured to bind the stack of folded sheets stacked on the jogging table at an edge portion of the stack of folded sheets at the side where the folded portion of each folded sheet of the stack of folded sheets is located. A discharging device is configured to discharge the bound stack of folded sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a single sheet of paper into a booklet. The method includes depositing adhesive along a linear path on the single sheet of paper and folding the sheet by making a plurality of folds parallel to a first direction, thereby forming a plurality of interconnected panels. The lateral edges of the panels are cut off so that the panels are no longer interconnected. A fold is made along a line coincident with the linear path to form the booklet. The booklet may be further folded with close folds to obtain a compact outsert. Apparatus for performing the folding patterns is also provided.

Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus integrally having a sheet post-processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a center folding unit for creasing, a stack unit which has an angular shape, and a pushing unit which pushes up the paper sheets stacked on said stack means. The apparatus also includes a first convey unit for conveying a creased paper sheet or the like and stacking paper sheets or the like on the stack unit. The apparatus further includes a convey assistance unit provided near a top portion the stack unit and a saddle stitching unit for forming a predetermined number of paper sheets or the like stacked into a booklet. In addition, the apparatus also includes a second convey unit for conveying the saddle-stitched booklet in a two-folded state, a cutting unit for performing a cutting process, and a discharging unit for discharging the two-folded booklet outside the apparatus.

Abstract: A paper processing apparatus that includes: a paper carry-in port, which is disposed at one side surface of the paper processing apparatus; a center-bound paper discharge port, which is disposed at another side surface opposite from the paper carry-in port; a center-binding compilation tray, which extends from an upper direction of the one side surface to a lower direction of the other side surface, and aligns and accommodates plural sheets of paper conveyed from the paper carry-in port; a center-binding stapler, which binds a predetermined portion of the paper stack that is accommodated and aligned; a folding knife, which folds the bound paper stack; a rotary cutter unit, which is disposed vertically above the center-binding compilation tray and cuts the folded paper using a horizontally moving blade.

Abstract: An image forming and binding system and method for producing a booklet of a document file, in which images of two pages of the document file are formed on each side of a full-size sheet (such as an A3 or B4 size sheet) conveyed in its longitudinal direction and an image of one page of the document file is formed on each side of a half-size sheet half the size of the full-size sheet (such as an A4 or B5 size sheet) conveyed in its lateral direction, and in which the full-size sheet conveyed in its longitudinal direction is folded in two at its center portion in the longitudinal direction thereof and the folded full-size sheet is stacked one upon another to be bound at its folded side edge portion and the half-size sheet conveyed in its lateral direction is conveyed without being folded to be stacked and bound while being mixed with the folded full-size sheet, so that blank pages in the booklet, which are caused when the number of total pages of the document file is not a multiple number of 4, are reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a pillowless booklet, comprising: a means for accumulating a plurality of sheets to form a bundle; a means for fastening said plurality of sheets in said bundle operatively connected to said accumulating means; a means for forming a booklet spine edge operatively connected to said fastening means; and a means for flattening said booklet spine edge in order to create a pillowless booklet operatively connected to said booklet spine forming means, comprising; a crease wire; a crease roller located substantially adjacent to said crease wire; a guide operatively connected to said crease roller; a carriage roller operatively connected to said guide rail; and a clamp operatively connected to said guide rail.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a pillowless booklet by flattening the spine of the booklet.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a receiving device configured to receive a sheet from outside and convey the sheet, and a sheet folding device configured to fold the sheet, conveyed by the receiving device, in two at a center portion thereof in a direction the sheet is conveyed, so as to be a folded sheet, and convey the folded sheet with the folded portion thereof being a leading edge of the folded sheet. A jogging device includes a jogging table and is configured to receive and jog the folded sheet, conveyed by the sheet folding device, one after another, so as to be stacked into a stack of folded sheets on the jogging table. A binding device is configured to bind the stack of folded sheets stacked on the jogging table at an edge portion of the stack of folded sheets at the side where the folded portion of each folded sheet of the stack of folded sheets is located. A discharging device is configured to discharge the bound stack of folded sheets.

Abstract: In a booklet maker, as would be found in conjunction with a copier or printer, sheets to be folded and stapled into a booklet are accumulated in a slot. At the bottom of the slot, a selectably extendable contact member presses an accumulating set of sheets against a sidewall of the slot following the entry of each new sheet into the slot. The contact member decreases curling and fluffing of sheets within the slot, which can cause imprecisions in registering, stapling, or creasing of the sheets as they are formed into a booklet.

Abstract: In a booklet maker, as would be found in conjunction with a copier or printer, print sheets to be folded and stapled into a booklet are accumulated in a slot. At the bottom of the slot, a selectably extendable contact member presses an accumulating set of sheets against a sidewall of the slot following the entry of each new sheet into the slot. The contact member decreases curling and fluffing of sheets within the slot, which can cause imprecisions in registering, stapling, or creasing of the sheets as they are formed into a booklet.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking a folded paper sheet includes a collecting device having a first side and a second side, a first sheet drive assembly including a first sheet contacting component, and a second sheet drive assembly including a second sheet contacting component. The first sheet drive assembly is located on the first side of the collecting device and is operable to move between a sheet receiving position and a sheet discharging position. The second sheet drive assembly is located on the second side of the collecting device and the second sheet contacting component translates to pinch the sheet on the second side of the collecting device. The collecting device is stationary with respect to at least one of a paper path, the first sheet drive assembly and the second sheet drive assembly during a sheet collecting operation.

Abstract: A paper binding system of an image forming apparatus, such as a printer and a copier, and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, in which finishing processes such as stapling and folding are performed by exactly gripping papers ejected from the image forming apparatus without any scattering. The paper binding system of the image forming apparatus includes a paper moving means 150 moving papers ejected from the image forming apparatus, a paper positioning unit 88 temporarily receiving the papers moved from the paper moving means and positioning them, a stapler unit 84 stapling the papers received in the paper positioning unit, a folding means 151 folding the stapled papers, and an eject tray 135 receiving the papers finished through the stapler unit and/or the folding means.

Abstract: A folding/stitching apparatus (1) includes a sheet setting tray (3) having a slit (7), on which a plurality of superimposed sheets (P1) are set, a folding/stitching plate (16) provided to be freely moved between a standby position for not entering the slit (7) of the sheet setting tray (3) and a folding/stitching position for entering the slit (7) and having a staple bending portion (19) provided in an insertion tip into the slit (7), and a stapler (20) pressed into contact through the sheets (P1) with the folding/stitching plate 16 set in a folding/stitching position to stick staples into the sheets (P1). The folding/stitching plate (16) is moved between the standby position and the folding/stitching position in conjunction with an operation of a handle (12).

Abstract: A universal and precise stapling assembly is provided and includes (a) a moveable stapling head for driving staples at precise locations through an aligned set of sheets on any one of plural types of alignment apparatus; (b) a drive device coupled to the stapling head for moving the stapling head relative to the any one of plural types of alignment apparatus and the aligned set of aligned sheets on the any one of the plural types of alignment apparatus; (c) sensors for sensing a position of the aligned set of sheets; and (d) a programmable controller connected to the drive device, to the sensors, and to the stapling head, and including calculating capability for precisely calculating a precise staple location responsively to a type of any one of the plural types of alignment apparatus and to the secured position of the aligned set of sheets, thereby reducing staple mislocation due to a tolerance stack up from components of the stapling head and components of any one of the plural types of alignment apparatus.

Abstract: A finisher that is capable of accurate sheet processing but is small in size, the finisher controlling a feeder and a sheet folding unit and executing 1) an operation in which the sheet is conveyed in the first direction, and after a downstream edge thereof relative to the first direction is detected by the detector during conveyance, the sheet is conveyed in the second direction, 2) an operation in which after such sheet edge is detected by the detector during conveyance in the second direction, the conveyance of the sheet in the second direction is continued for a prescribed amount based on a sheet length along a direction of conveyance, whereupon the sheet is stopped, and 3) an operation in which after the sheet is stopped, the sheet folding unit is operated to create a fold line at a prescribed position in the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming and binding system and method for producing a booklet of a document file, in which images of two pages of the document file are formed on each side of a full-size sheet (such as an A3 or B4 size sheet) conveyed in its longitudinal direction and an image of one page of the document file is formed on each side of a half-size sheet half the size of the full-size sheet (such as an A4 or B5 size sheet) conveyed in its lateral direction, and in which the full-size sheet conveyed in its longitudinal direction is folded in two at its center portion in the longitudinal direction thereof and the folded full-size sheet is stacked one upon another to be bound at its folded side edge portion and the half-size sheet conveyed in its lateral direction is conveyed without being folded to be stacked and bound while being mixed with the folded full-size sheet, so that blank pages in the booklet, which are caused when the number of total pages of the document file is not a multiple number of 4, are reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a single sheet of paper into a booklet. The method includes depositing adhesive along a linear path on the single sheet of paper and folding the sheet by making a plurality of folds parallel to a first direction, thereby forming a plurality of interconnected panels. The lateral edges of the panels are cut off so that the panels are no longer interconnected. A fold is made along a line coincident with the linear path to form the booklet. The booklet may be further folded with close folds to obtain a compact outsert. Apparatus for performing the folding patterns is also provided.

Abstract: Stapling device (1) for stapling a workpiece (23), typically in the form of a sheaf of paper. The stapler (1) includes a support base (3) and a stapling unit (2) connected by a connecting piece (4) in a moveable manner. The stapling unit has a stapling magazine (6) in which staple blanks (24) are stored. A driver (7) is provided that drives the stapler so as to perform a stapling operation, and during which operation the workpiece is stapled. The support base is provided with an anvil (10) on which the workpiece is placed and against which stapling is carried out; the staple being secured in the workpiece with an orientation such that its longitudinal direction (T) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the stapler, whereby the connecting piece (4) extends along only one long side (21) of the stapler.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a receiving device configured to receive a sheet from outside and convey the sheet, and a sheet folding device configured to fold the sheet, conveyed by the receiving device, in two at a center portion thereof in a direction the sheet is conveyed, so as to be a folded sheet, and convey the folded sheet with the folded portion thereof being a leading edge of the folded sheet. A jogging device includes a jogging table and is configured to receive and jog the folded sheet, conveyed by the sheet folding device, one after another, so as to be stacked into a stack of folded sheets on the jogging table. A binding device is configured to bind the stack of folded sheets stacked on the jogging table at an edge portion of the stack of folded sheets at the side where the folded portion of each folded sheet of the stack of folded sheets is located. A discharging device is configured to discharge the bound stack of folded sheets.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device includes a placement unit for placing sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus, an offset unit for successively offsetting an edge of each sheet on the placement unit, and a saddle stitching unit for saddle stitching a stack of the sheets with the edge of each sheet shifted by the offset unit. The sheet post-processing device may include a folding unit for folding the stack of the sheets along a line where the sheets are stitched.

Abstract: An image forming and binding system and method for producing a booklet of a document file, in which images of two pages of the document file are formed on each side of a full-size sheet (such as an A3 or B4 size sheet) conveyed in its longitudinal direction and an image of one page of the document file is formed on each side of a half-size sheet half the size of the full-size sheet (such as an A4 or B5 size sheet) conveyed in its lateral direction, and in which the full-size sheet conveyed in its longitudinal direction is folded in two at its center portion in the longitudinal direction thereof and the folded full-size sheet is stacked one upon another to be bound at its folded side edge portion and the half-size sheet conveyed in its lateral direction is conveyed without being folded to be stacked and bound while being mixed with the folded full-size sheet, so that blank pages in the booklet, which are caused when the number of total pages of the document file is not a multiple number of 4, are reduced.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus comprising a center-stapling device, a center-folding device, and a stacking tray for stacking a discharged sheet or sheet bundle, staples at the center of a sheet bundle conveyer from a sheet output apparatus with the center-stapling device, folds the stapled sheet bundle into two with the center-folding device, and discharges the sheet bundle to stack on the stacking tray. Folding rollers discharge the sheet bundle folded into two by the center-folding device from the side folding into two. In this state, an opening/closing end fence orients a discharging direction of the sheet bundle folded into two downward in vertical direction, turns over the sheet bundle, and stacks the sheet bundle on a tilted lower side stacking tray.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a booklet stacking apparatus and method. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a booklet stacking mechanism. In one arrangement, the booklet stacking mechanism comprises a gate that is adapted to be placed adjacent an output area, the gate being position able in a closed position and an open position, a delivery path along which booklets can be delivered when the gate is in the open position, and a flipping mechanism that is adapted to receive booklets, invert them, and deposit them in a output bin.

Abstract: A stapler processing apparatus includes a paper jogging tray 6 for a collated sheet 3, a paper jogging unit 7 for jogging the collated sheet 3 by pressing it on the tray 6 by a presser jogging member 13, a stapler 8 for stapling the collated sheet 3 jogged by the paper jogging unit 7 and a paper discharging unit 9 for discharging the collated sheet 3 stapled by the stapler 6 from the tray 6. In operation, when the stapler 8 staples the collated sheet 3, it is forced to the tray 6 while making an upper driven roller 30b in close contact with a lower drive roller 30a. After stapling by the stapler 8, the paper jogging operation of the paper jogging unit 7 is stopped and the upper driven roller 30b is separated from the lower drive roller 30a to release the collated sheet 3 from it nipped state once. Subsequently, the upper driven roller 30b is brought into close contact with the lower drive roller 30a again and the discharge operation is started.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet postprocessing apparatus for executing postprocessing including a punching process, folding process, binding process, and the like, midway along a sheet convey path, for sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus, and a folding method. This sheet postprocessing apparatus includes a sheet folding section having the first and second folding sections which are arranged in series in a sheet convey direction to execute folding processes for sheets. The sheet folding section is configured such that the first folding section performs the first folding process in a Z-fold process, the first folding process in an internal three-fold process, and a center folding process with an image-transferred surface facing outside, and the second folding section performs the second folding process in the Z-fold process, the second folding process in the internal three-fold process, and a center folding process with an image-transferred surface facing inside.

Abstract: A cover for forming an outer appearance of a stapler unit for performing a stapling process to a sheet bundle serves also as a part of an outer shell of an apparatus body, and the stapler unit is provided selectively to the apparatus body movably between a position for stapling the sheet bundle and a position for replacing staple cartridges, to thereby make it possible to readily perform a jam process or staple replacement.