Patent ID: 7530560
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: B65H,G03G

Abstract:
1. A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a stacking portion on which sheets are stacked; a binding unit which binds the sheets stacked on said stacking portion into a sheet bundle; and a plurality of conveying portions, arranged along a sheet conveying direction for independent movement toward and away from the sheet bundle, which convey and discharge the sheet bundle, wherein when said plurality of conveying portions convey the sheet bundle bound by said binding unit, one conveying portion of said plurality of conveying portions nearest to a bound portion of the sheet bundle bound by said binding unit and located on a downstream side of the bound portion with respect to the sheet conveying direction is spaced apart from the sheet bundle before the bound portion passes said one conveying portion, and another conveying portion located more downstream than said one conveying portion with respect to the sheet conveying direction conveys the sheet bundle, wherein said binding unit includes an end portion binding unit which binds an end portion of the sheet bundle, and an intermediate portion binding unit which binds an intermediate portion of the sheet bundle with respect to the sheet conveying direction, and wherein said sheet processing apparatus further comprises: a folding device which folds the sheet bundle bound by said intermediate portion binding unit at the intermediate portion thereof; a first guide path which guides the sheet bundle bound by said end portion binding unit; and a second guide path which guides the sheet bundle bound by said intermediate portion binding unit to said folding device, and wherein said second guide path is branched off from said first guide path and curved in a direction away from said first guide path, and said folding device is provided inside a curved portion of said second guide path.