Patent ID: 9221647
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: B31F,B65H

Abstract:
1. A sheet folding apparatus comprising: a first sheet conveying unit configured to convey a sheet in a forward direction; a second sheet conveying unit downstream of the first sheet conveying unit in a sheet conveying direction, the second sheet conveying unit configured to convey the sheet in the forward direction or a reverse direction; a first folded part forming unit configured to form a first folded part on the sheet by nipping a deflected portion formed on a part of the sheet between the first sheet conveying unit and the second sheet conveying unit, the deflected portion being formed by conveying the sheet in the reverse direction by the second sheet conveying unit while holding another part of the sheet by the first sheet conveying unit, the first folded part forming unit being downstream of the first sheet conveying unit, the first folded part forming unit including a first roller and a second roller of the plurality of rollers; a first sheet leading end detection unit configured to detect a leading end of the sheet, the first sheet leading end detection unit being downstream of the second sheet conveying unit in the sheet conveying direction or at almost a same position as the second sheet conveying unit; a third sheet conveying unit; and a second folded part forming unit configured to form a second folded part on the sheet by nipping another deflected portion between the first folded part forming unit and the third sheet conveying unit, the another deflected portion being formed by conveying the sheet in the reverse direction by the third sheet conveying unit while conveying the folded sheet by the first folded part forming unit, the second sheet conveying unit is configured to convey the sheet in the reverse direction after conveying the sheet in the forward direction by a desired amount and after the leading end of the sheet is detected by the first sheet leading end detection unit, at least a portion of the second sheet conveying unit is part of the first folded part forming unit, and the second sheet conveying unit and the second folded part forming unit include the second roller.