Abstract: A post-processing device includes a loading unit on which a sheet is loaded, a first transport unit configured to apply, to the sheet loaded on the loading unit, a transport force toward an alignment unit, a second transport unit located between the first transport unit and the alignment unit, and configured to apply, to the sheet, a transport force toward the alignment unit, a control unit configured to control rotation operation of the second transport unit, and a post-processing unit configured to perform post-processing on the sheet transported to the alignment unit, wherein the post-processing unit is configured to execute a plurality of types of the post-processing, and the control unit is configured to control the rotation operation of the second transport unit in accordance with the type of the post-processing.

Abstract: A medium aligning apparatus includes a load tray including a load surface on which a medium discharged from a discharge member that discharges a medium is loaded, a first aligning surface that aligns a plurality of mediums loaded on the load tray by positioning rear ends of the mediums, and a second aligning surface that aligns the mediums by positioning the rear ends of the mediums loaded on the load tray. In the medium aligning apparatus, the first aligning surface and the second aligning surface are switchable, and an angle formed between a wall surface in the discharge tray that receives the mediums discharged from the load tray, the wall surface having the rear ends of the mediums come in contact therewith, and the second aligning surface is smaller than an angle formed between the wall surface and the first aligning surface.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveyance portion, a punching portion, a moving portion, a first detecting portion, and a control unit configured to control the conveyance portion, the punching portion and the moving portion, wherein the control unit is configured, for a target position of each of a plurality of holes to be formed to a single sheet, to cause the first detecting portion to execute a detection process, and to execute a moving process of moving the moving portion based on the output value of the first detecting portion corresponding to the target position and a punching process of performing punching to the target position of the sheet by the punching portion after the moving process has been completed.

Abstract: A medium processing apparatus includes an intermediate stacker on which media recorded by a recording apparatus are stacked, the recording apparatus including a liquid ejection head which performs recording by ejecting liquid to media and a maintenance apparatus which performs maintenance of the liquid ejection head, and a processor which executes a process on the media received by the intermediate stacker. The medium processing apparatus executes the process after a medium which is last recorded before the maintenance is stacked on the intermediate stacker.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber product suction system, comprising a folding wheel and a plurality of valves. The folding wheel comprises a plurality of protruding wheels and a plurality of recessing wheels adjacent each other. A plurality of suction channels and at least one connecting channel are disposed within the protruding wheel, wherein the connecting channel is fluidly connected to the suction channel. The valve is disposed on the recessing wheel of the folding wheel, and includes a connecting opening, a valve channel and a plurality of valve openings, wherein the valve openings are disposed on two sides of the valve, and are fluidly connected to the connecting opening via the valve channel. An air extractor can extract the gas in each suction channel through the valve, and generate a negative pressure on part of suction channels of the protruding wheel, so that the fiber product suction system can be used to suck and fold paper.

Abstract: A binding unit is a binding unit used in staple-less binding in which mediums are bound by being interposed between binding units having plural recesses and projections in a thickness direction of a bundle of the mediums, in which, among the plural projections, a tip end of a projecting portion, which is at a central portion in an arrangement direction of the projections, protrudes further than a projecting portion disposed at a position different from the central portion.

Abstract: A medium aligning apparatus includes a load tray including a load surface on which a medium discharged from a discharge member that discharges a medium is loaded, a first aligning surface that aligns a plurality of mediums loaded on the load tray by positioning rear ends of the mediums, and a second aligning surface that aligns the mediums by positioning the rear ends of the mediums loaded on the load tray. In the medium aligning apparatus, the first aligning surface and the second aligning surface are switchable, and an angle formed between a wall surface in the discharge tray that receives the mediums discharged from the load tray, the wall surface having the rear ends of the mediums come in contact therewith, and the second aligning surface is smaller than an angle formed between the wall surface and the first aligning surface.

Abstract: Provided are a loading portion configured to load a medium discharged from a discharging portion, and a plurality of pressing portions provided downstream of the discharging portion in a discharging direction of the medium, and configured to press the medium loaded on the loading portion. The loading portion includes a first loading portion including a downward sloped surface sloping downward in the discharging direction, and also includes a second loading portion including an upward sloped surface sloping upward in the discharging direction. The downward sloped surface and the upward sloped surface form a discharging path through which the medium is discharged. The plurality of pressing portions includes a first pressing portion configured to press the medium loaded on the first loading portion, and also includes a second pressing portion configured to press the medium loaded on the second loading portion.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveyance portion, a punching portion, a moving portion, a first detecting portion, and a control unit configured to control the conveyance portion, the punching portion and the moving portion, wherein the control unit is configured, for a target position of each of a plurality of holes to be formed to a single sheet, to cause the first detecting portion to execute a detection process, and to execute a moving process of moving the moving portion based on the output value of the first detecting portion corresponding to the target position and a punching process of performing punching to the target position of the sheet by the punching portion after the moving process has been completed.

Abstract: A printing device includes a sheet placement plate, an ejection roller module and an ejection control module. The ejection roller module is located near the sheet placement plate to eject at least one paper sheet. The ejection control module is connected with the ejection roller module. The ejection roller module is selectively in a released state or an ejection state under control of the ejection control module. When the ejection roller module is in the released state, the at least one paper sheet is transferred to the sheet placement plate through the ejection roller module. The ejection roller module is in the ejection state, the at least one paper sheet is outputted by the ejection roller module.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a pair of pressing members to sandwich and press a sheet bundle to bind the sheet bundle, a rotator to rotate to periodically separate and contact the pressing members with each other, a detector to detect whether the rotator is between a first position at which the pressing members are separated from each other and a second position downstream from the first position in a forward rotation direction of the rotator, and control circuitry. The second position is upstream in the forward rotation direction from a peak position at which a pressing force between the pressing members is maximum. The control circuitry is configured to rotate the rotator in a reverse direction to the forward rotation direction to move the rotator to the first position when the detector detects that the rotator is between the first position and the second position in the forward rotation direction.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a stapler, a translating actuator, a rotating actuator, and a controller. The stapler is configured to bind a plurality of sheets together. The translating actuator is configured to translate the stapler. The rotating actuator is coupled to the translating actuator and configured to rotate the stapler. The controller is configured to (a) receive an instruction input, (b) determine a target position and a target angle of the stapler based on the instruction input, (c) control the translating actuator to move the stapler to the target position, (d) control the rotating actuator to rotate the stapler to the target angle, and (e) control the stapler to bind the plurality of sheets together while the stapler is at the target position and the target angle.

Abstract: A binding device includes a pressing member that has a first tooth, which forms unevenness in a recording material bundle, and a second tooth, which is paired with the first tooth and forms unevenness in the recording material bundle, and presses the recording material bundle with the recording material bundle sandwiched between the first tooth and the second tooth and a control unit that performs control such that pressing is released after a timing when a load on the pressing member decreases from start of pressing of the recording material bundle by the pressing member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sheet-binding apparatus. The apparatus has two sheet binding units, each configured to bind the sheets manually inserted from outside. The sheet binding units operate independently, each at the timing appropriate for a specific need.

Abstract: A sheet binding processing apparatus includes a transport section transporting a bunch of sheets in a transport direction, a sheet discharge outlet to discharge the bunch of sheets transported from the transport section, a placement section to place the bunch of sheets discharged from the discharge outlet, a manual set section enabling a bunch of sheets inserted in a direction different from the transport direction to be set, a press member pressing the bunch of sheets placed on the placement section or on the manual set section to bind, a drive section applying a pressing force to the press member, and a control section controlling the drive section to make the pressing force applied to a binding member higher in the case of binding the bunch of sheets placed on the placement section than in the case of binding the bunch of sheets set from the manual set section.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a binding tool, a binding tool driver, a shaft, and control circuitry. The binding tool is configured to execute a first binding process at a first binding position on a sheet bundle and execute a second binding process at a second binding position different from the first binding position on the sheet bundle. The binding tool driver includes a driver and is configured to apply a driving force to move the binding tool and a driving force to execute the first binding process and the second binding process. The shaft is disposed between the binding tool and the binding tool driver to support a movement of the binding tool by application of the driving force to the first binding position and the second binding position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a needleless binding device configured to form a recessed or raised impression as a needleless binding part by performing needleless binding on a bundle of sheets; an environment sensor; and a controller configured to perform, based on a value detected by the environment sensor, control to display a confirmation image requesting a user to make confirmation on the needleless binding prior to execution of the needleless binding.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes alignment plates, which are provided outside a main body housing of a sheet processing apparatus, shift in an alignment direction orthogonal to a transport direction of a sheet loaded on a load tray to load sheets discharged from a discharge opening, and align opposite sides of the sheet, and a sheet support surface provided in a different position adjacent to a processing tray in the alignment direction to support sheets inserted from a manual feed opening provided outside the main body housing. A binding apparatus shifts to the processing tray or the sheet support surface, and binds sheets placed on the processing tray or the sheet support surface. Neat alignment plates are positioned not to block the manual feed opening during the binding processing on manually fed sheets on the sheet support surface.

Abstract: A sheet binding processing apparatus includes a binding device which performs a binding process on a sheet bundle stacked on a stacking unit and a sheet bundle set at a manual setting portion, the stacking unit stacking introduced sheets, a sheet bundle being set to the manual setting portion from an outside; a moving portion which moves the binding device to a first binding position for performing the binding process on a sheet bundle stacked on the stacking unit and a second binding position for performing the binding process on a sheet bundle set at the manual setting portion; and a controller which causes the binding device, in a case that the binding process is not performed on a sheet bundle stacked on the stacking unit, to wait due to the moving portion at a position different from the first binding position.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes a sheet discharge tray to which a sheet or a sheet bundle is discharged, and a shift mechanism configured to shift a discharge position of the sheet or the sheet bundle discharged to the sheet discharge tray from a reference position. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to control the shift mechanism to divide the sheet or the sheet bundle in a first direction in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet or the sheet bundle and a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: The present apparatus is provided with a placement tray (processing tray) to place sheets to undergo binding processing, and a bind unit that is able to shift along an end edge of sheets on the placement tray and that binds a plurality of sheets as a single bunch, where in the bind unit, a needle bind unit for performing binding processing on a bunch of sheets with a needle and a needleless bind unit for performing binding processing without a needle are provided together in a shift direction of the bind unit, and a length of the needleless bind unit is configured to be shorter than a length of the needle bind unit in the shift direction of the bind unit. By this means, provided is the apparatus capable of miniaturizing the entire apparatus, with the needle bind unit and needleless bind unit provided together.

Abstract: A binding processing device includes a first pressing member including: a first convex portion; a first concave portion; and a first connection portion which is provided between the first convex portion and the first concave portion; and a second pressing member including: a second convex portion; a second concave portion; and a second connection portion which is provided between the second convex portion and the second concave portion. In a state in which the first convex portion of the first pressing member and the second concave portion of the second pressing member come in contact with each other at the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the first connection portion contacts with the second connection portion and a gap is formed between the first convex portion and the second concave portion along a pressing direction of the first and second pressing members.

Abstract: A sheet processing device is for binding sheets together. The sheet processing device includes binding units differing from each other in maximum sheet count, the maximum sheet count being a maximum number of sheets that can be bound at a time; a sheet tray configured to hold sheets until all to-be-bound sheets are placed therein, the number of the to-be-bound sheets being a largest one of the maximum sheet counts of the binding units or smaller; and a stacked-sheet-count limiting unit situated in a thickness direction of the sheets held in the sheet tray. The stacked-sheet-count limiting unit is configured to limit the number of sheets held in the sheet tray by varying a distance from a sheet support surface of the sheet tray on which the sheets are placed, depending on one of the binding units by which the sheets held in the sheet tray are to be bound.

Abstract: Single perforating unit is enabled to perforate for file binders and to cut milling grooves, while with a simple structure file-binder storage and booklet-binding can be carried out reliably. Configurations include: a convey-in path for sequentially transferring sheets; a stacker for collating into bundles sheets from the convey-in path; and an adhesive-layer applicator for adding an adhesive layer to the spine-closure edge of sheet bundles from the stacker. A perforating unit is provided in along the convey-in path, and a control unit for controlling position and/or number of perforations made by the perforating unit is provided with (1) a first operation mode in which it effects the punching of a predetermined number of holes in the edge of sheets, and (2) a second operation mode in which it effects the formation of a predetermined number of crenulated grooves in the edge of sheets.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveying portion conveying sheets; a stack portion staking the sheets; a first regulating portion regulating a position of a sheet bundle on the stack portion in a crossing direction; a second regulating portion regulating a position of a sheet bundle in the conveying direction; a first binding device moving in the crossing direction so that the first binding device moves between first and second sides of the sheet processing apparatus and to bind an upstream end portion of a sheet bundle by a staple at a plurality of positions in the crossing direction; a second binding device binding an upstream end portion of a sheet bundle, where the second regulating portion has contacted without a staple; and a controller causing, in a case that the first binding device binds a sheet bundle, the second binding device to be positioned outside the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a binding portion binding a plurality of sheets stacked on a sheet stacking portion as a bundle by deforming the sheets without a staple. The sheet processing apparatus further includes a moving member moving the sheet bundle bound at a binding position by the binding portion from the binding position and a restricting member restricting the move of the sheet bundle such that a distance between the sheet bundle and the moving member is kept to be less than a predetermined distance in moving the sheet bundle by the moving member.

Abstract: A pair of binding teeth is configured to apply pressure to a sheet bundle to crimp-bind the sheet bundle. The pair of binding teeth includes a binding unit configured to have two or more binding areas which differ in tooth height and crimping portions thereof come in contact when the binding teeth are pressed against each other in the binding areas.

Abstract: A sheet binding unit includes a first sheet binder having first and second dentate uneven sheet binding elements to conduct a first sheet binding process by engaging each other by a prescribed meshing depth while sandwiching the sheet bundle therebetween to form a dentate unevenness on the sheet bundle at a first sheet binding portion of the sheet bundle, and a second sheet binder having third and fourth dentate uneven sheet binding elements to conduct a second sheet binding process by engaging each other by a greater meshing depth than that made by first and second dentate uneven sheet binding elements of the first sheet binder while sandwiching the sheet bundle therebetween to form a dentate unevenness on the sheet bundle at a second sheet binding portion different from the first sheet binding portion of the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet transporting mechanism transports a sheet from a storage tray to a stacking tray, and includes: a first transporter that moves between initial and first positions to transport the sheet from the initial position toward the stacking tray; a second transporter that transports the transported sheet by the first transporter to the stacking tray; a single motor that drives the first and second transporters; a guide rail that guides movement of the second transporter; a first transmission gear that transmits a driving force of the single motor to move the first transporter between the initial and first positions; a second transmission gear that transmits the driving force of the single motor to move the guide rail in an upward and downward direction; and a third transmission gear that transmits the driving force of the single motor to allow the second transporter to be guided by the guide rail.

Abstract: A staple-less binding unit including a pair of upper and lower teeth binds a sheet bundle which is discharged to an intermediate processing tray by a sheet discharge portion and whose one edge abuts against a rear edge stopper. A control portion switches a binding mode of the staple-less binding unit that implements the binding process on the sheet bundle in a first binding mode of binding the sheet bundle without any staple such that the pair of upper and lower teeth bite across an edge of the sheet bundle and in a second binding mode of binding the sheet bundle without any staple such that the pair of upper and lower teeth do not bite across any edge of the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet conveyor includes a tray and a body supporting the tray. The tray is pivotable about a first shaft between a first position at which a free end of the tray is located above its basal end and a second position at which the free end is located farther from the body than at the first position. The tray is slidable between the second position and a third position and pivotable about a second shaft between the third position and a fourth position at which the free end is located farther from the body than at the third position. The first shaft protrudes from one of the tray and the body toward the other. The second shaft protrudes from the other to the one. The other includes a first guide that guides the first shaft. The one includes a second guide that guides the second shaft.

Abstract: A printing system comprises: a printing unit configured to print an image on a sheet; and a control unit configured to control to perform creasing at a first pressure at a portion, corresponding to an edge of a spine cover, of the sheet on which the printing unit has printed the image, and perform creasing at a second pressure different from the first pressure at a portion of the sheet that corresponds to a hinge.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a binding unit that crimps a predetermined position on a sheet for binding, and a setting unit that sets the number of binding points at which to bind the sheet. The binding unit applies binding to the sheet at different positions as many as the number of binding points set by the setting unit.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes: a pair of binding members that respectively have a pair of crimping teeth facing each other, which move between binding positions where a sheet bundle is bound and retreat positions retreated from the binding positions; and a pair of regulating members that are arranged close to the binding members and respectively have a pair of regulating pieces which face each other and move between regulating positions where displacement of the sheet bundle bound by the pair of crimping teeth is regulated and retreat positions retreated from the regulating positions, wherein a separation distance between the pair of regulating pieces at the retreat positions of the regulating pieces is longer than a separation distance between the pair of crimping teeth at the retreat positions of the crimping teeth.

Abstract: Print data in a predetermined format including information for specifying the type of binding and print data in a predetermined format excluding the information for specifying the type of binding are adequately handled, wherein on the basis of reception of print data in a predetermined format including information for specifying the type of binding, control is exerted in such a manner that binding of the specified type is performed on printed matter, and on the basis of reception of print data in a predetermined format excluding the information for specified the type of binding, control is exerted in such a manner that binding of a predetermined type is performed on printed matter.

Abstract: A binding member is provided and includes: upper teeth having a tooth form configured to form a convex-concave portion on a recording material bundle; and lower teeth having a tooth form configured to form the convex-concave portion on the recording material bundle, and paired with the upper teeth. At least one of the upper teeth and the lower teeth includes: a first tooth row having a first tooth form having a first shape suitable for binding a first binding number of sheets; and a second tooth row having a second tooth form having a second shape suitable for binding a second binding number of sheets which is smaller than the first binding number of sheets.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet processing apparatus with improved visibility of a sheet bundle discharged without post-processing thereto. The CPU circuit receives the conveyed sheet, drives and controls the sheet-returning paddle, the rack part, the rear end regulation part, the alignment plate and the like and forms sheet bundle comprising of a plural number of sheets as received. Further, the CPU circuit drives and controls the alignment plate when discharging the sheet bundle S from the processing tray, the sheet bundle S exceeding the number of sheets which can be post-processed by the stapler. Therefore, the sheet bundle S which includes sheets equal to the allowable number of sheets for post-processing of the sheet processing unit is discharged to the second discharge position which is different from the first discharge position.

Abstract: A recording-medium binding device includes a first tooth row and a second tooth row. The first tooth row and the second tooth row to be engaged with the first tooth row cooperate with each other to pinch a recording medium batch. The first tooth row and the second tooth row include at least one first region and at least one second region adjacent to the at least one first region. When the first tooth row and the second tooth row are engaged with each other, teeth of the first tooth row and teeth of the second tooth row overlap one another in a tooth height direction by a first engagement overlapping amount in the at least one first region and by a second engagement overlapping amount in the at least one second region. The second engagement overlapping amount is larger than the first engagement overlapping amount.

Abstract: A stapleless binding device includes a stapleless binding unit that performs a stapleless binding operation to form irregularities in a sheet stack by making forward and backward movements, a moving unit that relatively moves the stapleless binding unit or the sheet stack in a direction along one side of the sheet stack, and a holding unit that holds the sheet stack during the backward movement of the stapleless binding unit. The holding unit holds the sheet stack during the backward movement of the stapleless binding unit before the moving unit moves the stapleless binding unit or the sheet stack.

Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus (for example, a banknote handling apparatus (10)) includes a first transporting unit (30) configured to transport a plurality of paper sheets in a stacked state in a horizontal state, a feeding unit (40) configured to feed the paper sheets one by one, and a second transporting unit (50) configured to transport to the feeding unit (40) the stacked paper sheets transported by the first transporting unit (30). The second transporting unit (50) causes the stacked paper sheets being in the horizontal state to be inclined at angle to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: Provided is a print medium finishing apparatus including a print medium stacking plate; a stacker tray; and a print medium discharging apparatus configured to discharge, to the stacker tray, print media on the print medium stacking plate, wherein the print medium discharging apparatus includes at least one driving gear that is rotatable; a moving member configured to move linearly and curvilinearly with respect to the at least one driving gear and including a motion converting gear configured to engage the at least one driving gear and convert rotation of the at least one driving gear into a linear motion and a curvilinear motion; and a grip member configured to be moved linearly and curvilinearly by the moving member while holding the print media on the print medium stacking plate, and to place the print media on the stacker tray.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a binding unit including a first portion and a second portion and configured to nip a sheet bundle between the first portion and the second portion to deform the sheet bundle in a thickness direction to bind the sheet bundle, and a detachment unit configured to push the bound sheet bundle toward the second portion to detach the bound sheet bundle from the first portion.

Abstract: In printing processing, an MFP determines whether the number of printed sheets is less than or equal to an upper limit of bindable sheets of staple-less binding in a case where staple-less binding is set in print data. If the MFP determines that the number of printed sheets is less than or equal to the upper limit, the MFP determines whether binding processing is to be performed by switching to staple-less binding. If the MFP determines to perform binding processing by switching, the binding processing is performed by staple binding.

Abstract: A recording-medium binding device includes a first tooth row that includes teeth arranged in a tooth arrangement direction and a second tooth row that includes teeth, that is to be engaged with the first tooth row, and that cooperates with the first tooth row to bind recording media by pinching a batch of the recording media. In the tooth arrangement direction, the first and the second tooth rows have first and second ranges. In the first range, an engaging height is a first engaging height, and a width of an effective tooth top is a first effective tooth top width. In the second range, the engaging height is a second engaging height that is smaller than the first engaging height, and a width of an effective tooth top is a second effective tooth top width that is larger than the first effective tooth top width.

Abstract: A sheet binding device includes a first tooth-shaped member that has plural arranged teeth, and a second tooth-shaped member that has plural arranged teeth, bites the first tooth-shaped member to clamp and bind sheets in cooperation with the first tooth-shaped member, and is tilted relative to the first tooth-shaped member from a beginning of biting to a completion of biting.

Abstract: A binding processing apparatus includes: a pressure-applying member pair that has multiple projections arranged side-by-side and applies pressure to a sheet stack by pressing the projections against the sheet stack; and an advancing-and-retracting part that causes at least one of the pressure-applying members in the pressure-applying member pair to move toward or away from the other pressure-applying member. A pitch of the projections in each pressure-applying member is from 1.2 mm to 1.5 mm, and a height of the projections is from 0.55 mm to 0.75 mm, and a load per unit area applied from each pressure-applying member to the sheet stack when the pressure-applying member applies pressure to the sheet stack is from 42 N/mm2 to 94 N/mm2.

Abstract: To prevent sheets from being allowed to be delivered after activation of a system when over-stacking has been detected before the activation of the system, a post-processing apparatus includes a stacking tray configured to allow sheets subjected to predetermined processing to be stacked thereon. The post-processing apparatus determines whether or not additional sheets are allowed to be stacked onto the stacking tray based on the number of sheets stacked on the stacking tray. The determination result indicating that the additional sheets are prohibited to be stacked onto the stacking tray is stored in a nonvolatile RAM. The post-processing apparatus determines, after being activated, whether or not the determination result is stored in the nonvolatile RAM, and determines that the additional sheets are prohibited to be stacked onto the stacking tray when the determination result is stored in the nonvolatile RAM.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus capable of performing conveying to and storing at a predetermined stack tray without causing sheet jamming even when a sheet having larger size than a standard size is introduced. The present invention comprises a post-processing apparatus as a processing tray on which sheets conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction are stacked into a bundle shape, an aligning device which aligns the sheets conveyed to the processing tray, a binding device which performs a binding process on the sheets aligned by the aligning device, and a controller which controls the aligning device so that a sheet is aligned at a position being apart from the binding device by a predetermined distance when the sheet conveyed to the processing tray has a predetermined size or larger.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet processing apparatus with improved visibility of a sheet bundle discharged without post-processing thereto. The CPU circuit receives the conveyed sheet, drives and controls the sheet-returning paddle, the rack part, the rear end regulation part, the alignment plate and the like and forms sheet bundle comprising of a plural number of sheets as received. Further, the CPU circuit drives and controls the alignment plate when discharging the sheet bundle S from the processing tray, the sheet bundle S exceeding the number of sheets which can be post-processed by the stapler. Therefore, the sheet bundle S which includes sheets equal to the allowable number of sheets for post-processing of the sheet processing unit is discharged to the second discharge position which is different from the first discharge position.

Abstract: A staple-less binding unit including a pair of upper and lower teeth binds a sheet bundle which is discharged to an intermediate processing tray by a sheet discharge portion and whose one edge abuts against a rear edge stopper. A control portion switches a binding mode of the staple-less binding unit that implements the binding process on the sheet bundle in a first binding mode of binding the sheet bundle without any staple such that the pair of upper and lower teeth bite across an edge of the sheet bundle and in a second binding mode of binding the sheet bundle without any staple such that the pair of upper and lower teeth do not bite across any edge of the sheet bundle.