Patent ID: 6929256
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: B42B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus integrally having a sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: center folding means for creasing, on a convey path for conveying image-bearing paper sheets and/or cover sheets one by one in a predetermined direction, each of the paper sheets and/or cover sheets in a direction perpendicular to the convey direction of the paper sheets, said center folding means being comprised of a pair of folding rollers which are arranged along the convey direction of each of the paper sheets and form a folding roller nip point where the paper sheet is creased with pressing forces of said pair of folding rollers, a chopper knife which pushes the paper sheet to the folding roller nip point, a pinch roller which is placed to detachably come into contact with one of said pair of folding rollers which is located downstream in the convey direction of the paper sheet, and a stopper against which the leading end of the paper sheet conveyed along the convey path abuts, and when the leading end of the paper sheet abuts against said stopper, the paper sheet is clamped at the pinch roller nip point formed between said folding roller located down-stream and said pinch roller, and said chopper knife is actuated to push the paper sheet to the folding roller nip point while the paper sheet is clamped, thereby creasing the paper sheet; stack means which has an angular shape and on which each of the paper sheets and/or cover sheets is stacked; first convey means for conveying each of the paper sheets and/or cover sheets, in an open state, on which a crease has been produced by said center folding means, and sticking a predetermined number of paper sheets and/or covet sheets on said stack means for every operation; convey assistance means provided near a top portion said stack means; saddle stitching means for forming a predetermined number of paper sheets and/or cover sheets stacked on said stack means into a booklet (sheet bundle) by binding the paper sheets end/or cover sheets at the crease; second convey means for conveying the saddle-stitched booklet in a two-folded state; cutting means for performing a cutting process so as to align edges of the two-folded booklet; and discharging means for discharging the two-folded booklet outside said apparatus after the cutting process.