POST-PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A post-processing device includes: a loading section that has a loading surface directed obliquely upward and in which a recording medium is loaded on the loading surface in a state where one end of the recording medium is directed downward; a supporting section that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface; a transporting mechanism that transports a plurality of recording media transported one by one toward the loading section by shifting and stacking the recording media in a transport direction, and sets an amount of shift of the recording media on the basis of a predetermined condition; and a transporting section that bends each of the plurality of recording media transported from the transporting mechanism by applying a transport force to an upper end of each of the recording media opposite to the one end in a state where the one end is in contact with the supporting section, and separates one by one the recording media and loads the recording media on the loading surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present invention relates to a post-processing device and an image forming apparatus.

(ii) Related Art

JP6000718B discloses a sheet processing device including: a sheet loading section on which sheets to be processed are loaded; a sheet stacking section on which sheets are stacked in order to make a plurality of sheets to be processed wait while the sheets on the sheet loading section are being processed; an end stopper that abuts one end of a plurality of sheets transported from the sheet stacking section to the sheet loading section in a sheet transport direction; and a control section that performs control of the sheet stacking section for shifting the sheets in the sheet transport direction and stacking the sheets such that one end of a sheet abutted against the end stopper is closer to the end stopper as the sheet is lower in the sheet loading section and the amount of shift of each sheet between one ends thereof abutting against the end stopper is smaller as the sheet is higher in the sheet loading section, in a case where the sheets stacked on the sheet loading section are ejected.

SUMMARY

As the post-processing device, a post-processing device is conceivable, which includes: a loading section that has a loading surface directed obliquely upward and in which a recording medium is loaded on the loading surface in a state where one end of the recording medium is directed downward; a supporting section that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface; a transporting mechanism that transports a plurality of recording media transported one by one toward the loading section by shifting and stacking the recording media in a transport direction; and a transporting section that bends each of the plurality of recording media transported from the transporting mechanism by applying a transport force to an upper end of each of the recording media opposite to the one end in a state where the one end is in contact with the supporting section, and separates one by one the recording media and loads the recording media on the loading surface.

In the post-processing device, in a case where the amount of shift of the recording medium in the transporting mechanism is consistently constant, trouble in separation of the recording medium may occur in the transporting section, and variation in posture of the loaded recording medium may occur.

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a post-processing device and an image forming apparatus that suppress variation in posture of the loaded recording medium, as compared with a case where the amount of shift of the recording medium in the transporting mechanism is consistently constant.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a post-processing device including: a loading section that has a loading surface directed obliquely upward and in which a recording medium is loaded on the loading surface in a state where one end of the recording medium is directed downward; a supporting section that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface; a transporting mechanism that transports a plurality of recording media transported one by one toward the loading section by shifting and stacking the recording media in a transport direction, and sets an amount of shift of the recording media on the basis of a predetermined condition; and a transporting section that bends each of the plurality of recording media transported from the transporting mechanism by applying a transport force to an upper end of each of the recording media opposite to the one end in a state where the one end is in contact with the supporting section, and separates one by one the recording media and loads the recording media on the loading surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Image Forming Apparatus100

First, a configuration of an image forming apparatus100according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.FIG.1is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus100according to the present exemplary embodiment.

An arrow UP shown in the drawing indicates an upper side of the apparatus, and an arrow DO indicates a lower side of the apparatus. Further, an arrow LH shown in the drawing indicates a left side of the apparatus and an arrow RH indicates a right side of the apparatus. Furthermore, an arrow FR shown in the drawing indicates a front side of the apparatus and an arrow RR indicates a rear side of the apparatus. Since these directions are directions determined for the sake of convenience of description, the configuration of the apparatus is not limited by these directions. It should be noted that regarding each of the directions relating to the apparatus, the term “apparatus” may be omitted. That is, for example, “the upper side of the apparatus” may simply be described as “the upper side.”

Also, in the following description, the term “up-down direction” may be used to mean “both of an upward direction and a downward direction” or “any one of the upward direction or the downward direction”. A term “right-left direction” may be used to mean “both of a rightward direction and a leftward direction” or “any one of the rightward direction or the leftward direction”. It should be noted that the “right-left direction” may also be referred to as a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a horizontal direction. A term “front-rear direction” may be used to mean “both of a forward direction and a rearward direction” or “any one of the forward direction or the rearward direction”. It should be noted that the “front-rear direction” may also be referred to as a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a horizontal direction. Further, the up-down direction, the right-left direction, and the front-rear direction are directions that intersect each other (specifically, directions orthogonal to each other).

Further, a symbol in which “x” is in “o” in the drawings means an arrow from the front to the back of the sheet surface. Furthermore, a symbol in which “.” is in “o” in the drawings means an arrow from the back to the front of the sheet surface. Moreover, dimensional ratios of parts shown in the respective drawings in the up-down direction, the right-left direction, and the front-rear direction may differ from actual dimensional ratios.

The image forming apparatus100shown inFIG.1is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium P, and includes an image forming section102and a post-processing device10as shown inFIG.1. Hereinafter, each section of the image forming apparatus100(specifically, the image forming section102and the post-processing device10) will be described.

Image Forming Section102

The image forming section102shown inFIG.1is a constituent section that forms an image on the recording medium P. For example, an electrophotographic image forming section that forms an image on the recording medium P using toner is used as the image forming section102.

In the electrophotographic image forming section, for example, each step of charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing is performed to form an image on the recording medium P. Specifically, as the electrophotographic image forming section, for example, each step of charging, exposure, development, and transfer can be performed to form an image on a transfer body, the image can be transferred from the transfer body to the recording medium P, and then the image can be fixed on the recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P.

An example of the image forming section is not limited to the electrophotographic image forming section described above and may be, for example, an inkjet image forming section, and various image forming sections can be used. In the inkjet image forming section, for example, an ink droplet is ejected from a discharge section to the recording medium P to form an image on the recording medium P.

The post-processing device10shown inFIG.1is a device that executes post-processing on the recording medium P on which the image forming section102forms an image. Specifically, as shown inFIG.1, the post-processing device10includes a post-processing device body13, an ejection section11, a post-processing section15, a loading section20, a guiding section40, and a supporting section50, a transporting mechanism30, transporting rollers39, an abutting section75, an aligning section80, and a post-processing section90. Hereinafter, description will be given of each section of the post-processing device10(specifically, the post-processing device body13, the ejection section11, the post-processing section15, the loading section20, the guiding section40, the supporting section50, the transporting mechanism30, the transporting rollers39, the abutting section75, the aligning section80, and the post-processing section90).

The post-processing device body13shown inFIG.1is a part in which the constituent sections of the post-processing device10are provided. Specifically, the post-processing device body13is configured to include a housing formed in a box-like shape (for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape).

In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG.1, for example, the post-processing section15, the loading section20, the guiding section40, the supporting section50, the transporting mechanism30, the transporting rollers39, the abutting section75, the aligning section80, and the post-processing section90are provided inside the post-processing device body13. The ejection section11is provided on a right side surface of the post-processing device body13.

The ejection section11is disposed at an upper portion on a right side surface of the post-processing device body13. The recording medium P, of which the post-processing has been executed by the post-processing section15, is ejected to the ejection section11.

Here, the post-processing is processing executed on the recording medium P on which the image is formed. As the post-processing executed by the post-processing section15, there is binding processing of binding a plurality of recording media P with a stapler. It should be noted that the post-processing is not limited to the binding processing. The post-processing may be, for example, cutting processing of cutting the recording medium P, drilling processing of making a hole in the recording medium P, or the like, and may be processing executed on the recording medium P on which an image is formed.

The loading section20shown inFIGS.1and15is a constituent section on which the recording medium P is loaded. In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG.15, the loading section20is configured to have a plate body which extends obliquely upward (toward the obliquely upper right side, in the present exemplary embodiment) in a normal cross-sectional view. The loading section20has a loading surface22that is directed obliquely upward (toward the obliquely upper left side, in the present exemplary embodiment). In the loading section20, the recording medium P is loaded on the loading surface22in a state where one end (hereinafter, referred to as a lower end P2) of the recording medium P faces downward (refer toFIG.15). The loading section20is formed with a passage hole24through which the push-in portion94to be described later passes.

The guiding section40shown inFIGS.1and15is a constituent section that guides the recording medium P transported by the transporting rollers39. In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG.15, the guiding section40is configured by using a plate body which extends obliquely upward (toward the obliquely upper right side, in the present exemplary embodiment) in a normal cross-sectional view. The guiding section40has a guiding surface42that is directed obliquely downward (toward the obliquely lower right side, in the present exemplary embodiment) and faces toward the loading surface22. In the guiding section40, the guiding surface42guides the recording medium P to the loading surface22. The guiding section40is formed with a passage hole44through which the push-in portion94to be described later passes.

The supporting section50shown inFIGS.1and15is a constituent section that supports the lower end P2of the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface22. As shown inFIGS.1and15, the supporting section50is disposed on the obliquely lower left side with respect to the loading section20. As shown inFIG.15, the supporting section50has an abutting part52, a loading part54, and a guiding part56.

The abutting part52abuts against the lower end P2of the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface22and supports the lower end P2. In a plurality of recording media P loaded on the loading surface22, the lower end P2is aligned by abutting the lower end P2against the abutting part52.

The loading part54is loaded with a lower portion of the recording medium P to which the lower end P2is abutted against the abutting part52. The loading part54has a loading surface55that is directed obliquely upward (toward the obliquely upper left side, in the present exemplary embodiment). The loading surface55is disposed on the obliquely lower left side with respect to the loading surface22of the loading section20and is disposed along the loading surface22.

The guiding part56guides the lower end P2of the recording medium P guided by the guiding section40to the abutting part52side. The guiding part56has a guiding surface57facing toward the loading surface55. In the guiding part56, the guiding surface57guides the recording medium P to the abutting part52.

The transporting mechanism30shown inFIG.1is a mechanism that transports the recording medium P to the loading section20. The transporting mechanism30has a function (so-called buffer function) of temporarily holding the recording media P transported one by one from the image forming section102, stacking a plurality of recording media P, and transporting the recording media P toward the loading section20.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.1and2, the transporting mechanism30includes a first path31, a second path32, a third path33, transporting rollers34,35, and36, a first detection portion37, and a second detection portion38.

The first path31is a transport path for transporting the recording medium P from the image forming section102. The transporting rollers34and the first detection portion37are disposed on the first path31. The first detection portion37detects an end portion (for example, an apical end portion) of the recording medium P transported along the first path31.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the plurality of transporting rollers34are provided in the first path31, and the recording medium P is transported in the first path31. The transporting rollers34are able to control a speed of transport of the recording medium P. Further, the transporting rollers34are able to control the transport timing of transporting the recording medium P to the second path32on the basis of the detection result of the first detection portion37.

The second path32is a transport path for transporting the recording medium P from the first path31. The transporting rollers35are disposed on the second path32. In the present exemplary embodiment, the plurality of transporting rollers35are provided on the second path32. The plurality of transporting rollers35are capable of forward and reverse rotation, and are able to switch back the recording medium P in the second path32. The recording medium P is ejected to the ejection section11through the forward rotation of the plurality of transporting rollers35. The recording medium P switched back in the second path32is transported to the third path33through the reverse rotation of the plurality of transporting rollers35.

The third path33is a transport path for transporting the recording medium P from the second path32. The transporting rollers36and the second detection portion38are disposed on the third path33. The second detection portion38detects an end portion (for example, an apical end portion) of the recording medium P transported through the third path33.

The plurality of transporting rollers36are capable of forward and reverse rotation, and the recording medium P can be switched back in the third path33. The recording medium P is transported to the loading section20through the forward rotation of the plurality of transporting rollers36. Therefore, in the transporting mechanism30, the recording medium P can be selectively transported to one of the ejection section11and the loading section20.

Further, the recording medium P switched back in the third path33is transported to the second path32through the reverse rotation of the transporting rollers36. The transporting rollers36are able to control the speed of transport of the recording medium P. Further, the transporting rollers36are able to control the transport timing at which the recording medium P is transported to the second path32, on the basis of the detection result of the second detection portion38.

The transporting mechanism30transports a plurality of recording media P toward the loading section20by shifting and stacking the recording media P transported one by one from the image forming section102in a transport direction (refer toFIGS.2to10), and sets an amount of shift of the recording media P on the basis of a predetermined condition. The amount of shift is a distance between the lower ends P2(that is, downstream ends in the transport direction) of each of the plurality of recording media P in the transport direction.

The predetermined condition is, for example, a density of an image formed on the recording medium P (hereinafter, referred to as an image density). The image density is, for example, an area of an image per unit area in all of the recording media P. The transporting mechanism30is able to set the amount of shift on the basis of the image density in the image data of the image formed by the image forming section102. Further, the transporting mechanism30may set the amount of shift on the basis of the information of the image density which is obtained by reading the image formed on the recording medium P by the image forming section102.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the transporting mechanism30sets the amount of shift of the recording medium Pas the first amount (for example, 5 mm) in a case where the image density of the recording medium P is the first density, and sets the amount of shift of the recording medium Pas a second amount (for example, 10 mm) greater than the first amount in a case where the image density of the recording medium P is a second density higher than the first density.

Further, in a case where the plurality of recording media Pare stacked, the transporting mechanism30may change the amount of shift between the recording media P. Specifically, for example, in a case where n recording media P are stacked, it is possible to set an amount of shift between the first and second sheets≤ an amount of shift between the second and third sheets≤ . . . ≤ an amount of shift between ((n−2)-(n−1))th sheets. It should be noted that the amount of shift between the ((n−1)-n)th sheet is not limited thereto since the transport distance is short.

Example of Transport Operation of Transporting Mechanism30

In the transporting mechanism30, for example, in a case where three recording media P are stacked and transported to the loading section20, the transport operation is executed as shown inFIGS.2to10.

In the transporting mechanism30, as shown inFIG.2, the first recording medium P10transported from the image forming section102to the first path31is transported to the second path32as shown inFIG.3.

Next, the recording medium P10is transported from the second path32to the third path33as shown inFIG.4. Then, as shown inFIGS.5and6, the recording medium P10transported to the third path33and the second recording medium P20transported from the image forming section102to the first path31are transported to the second path32such that the recording medium P10and the recording medium P20overlap with each other. In such a case, the transporting rollers36control the transport timing of transporting the recording medium P10to the second path32on the basis of the detection result of the second detection portion38. In addition, the transporting rollers34control the transport timing for transporting the recording medium P20to the second path32on the basis of the detection result of the first detection portion37. Thereby, the amount of shift between the recording medium P10and the recording medium P20in the transport direction is set.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the recording media P10and P20are shifted in the transport direction such that the recording medium P20precedes the recording medium P10in the second path32, as shown inFIG.6.

Next, the stacked recording media P10and P20are transported from the second path32to the third path33, as shown inFIG.7. It should be noted that the recording media P10and P20are misaligned in the transport direction such that the recording medium P10precedes the recording medium P20in the third path33.

Next, as shown inFIGS.8and9, the recording media P10and P20transported to the third path33and the third recording medium P30transported from the image forming section102to the first path31are transported to the second path32such that the recording media P10and P20and the recording medium P30overlap with each other. In such a case, the transporting rollers36control the transport timing of transporting the recording media P10and P20to the second path32on the basis of the detection result of the second detection portion38. In addition, the transporting rollers34control the transport timing for transporting the recording medium P30to the second path32on the basis of the detection result of the first detection portion37. Thereby, the amounts of shift between the recording media P10and P20and the recording medium P30in the transport direction are set.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the recording media P10, P20, and P30are shifted in the transport direction such that the recording medium P30precedes the recording medium P20in the second path32, as shown inFIG.9.

Next, the stacked recording media P10, P20, and P30are transported from the second path32to the third path33, as shown inFIG.10. It should be noted that the recording media P10, P20, and P30are misaligned in the transport direction such that the recording medium P10precedes the recording medium P20and the recording medium P20precedes the recording medium P30in the third path33.

The transporting rollers39shown inFIGS.1and11are an example of the transporting section, and are a constituent section that transports each of the plurality of recording media P transported from the transporting mechanism30. The transporting rollers39bend each of the recording media P by applying a transport force to the upper end P1of the recording medium P in a state where the lower end P2is in contact with the supporting section50, and separate the recording media P one by one and load the recording media P on the loading section20.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the transporting rollers39are provided at a position facing toward the upper portion of the loading surface22, and transport the recording medium P downward toward the loading surface22. Specifically, the transporting rollers39include a driving roller39A and a driven roller39B, and transport the recording medium P with the pair of rollers sandwiching the recording medium P. The driving roller39A is disposed on the loading section20side (on the right side in the present exemplary embodiment) with respect to the driven roller39B. The driven roller39B is disposed on a side opposite to the loading section20with respect to the driving roller39A (on the left side, in the present exemplary embodiment).

Example of Loading Operation of Transporting Rollers39

In the transporting rollers39, as shown inFIGS.11to15, the loading operation is executed such that the three recording media P10, P20, and P30stacked in a state of being misaligned along the transport direction by the transporting mechanism30are loaded on the loading surface22.

As shown inFIG.11, the transporting rollers39transport the three recording media P10, P20, and P30onto the loading surface22in a state where the recording media P10, P20, and P30are misaligned in the transport direction such that the recording medium P10on the right side (the driving roller39A side) precedes the recording medium P20and the recording medium P20precedes the recording medium P30.

As shown inFIG.11, in a case where the lower end P2of the first recording medium P10comes into contact with the supporting section50, the transporting rollers39bend the recording medium P10as shown inFIGS.12and13, by applying a transport force to the upper end P1of the recording medium P10in a state where the lower end P2comes into contact with the supporting section50, and separate the recording medium P10from the recording medium P20and load the recording medium P10on the loading section20.

Next, as shown inFIG.13, in a case where the lower end P2of the second recording medium P20comes into contact with the supporting section50, the transporting rollers39bend the recording medium P20as shown inFIGS.13and14, by applying a transport force to the upper end P1of the recording medium P20in a state where the lower end P2comes into contact with the supporting section50, and separate the recording medium P20from the recording medium P30and load the recording medium P20on the loading section20.

Then, as shown inFIG.14, in a case where the lower end P2of the third recording medium P30comes into contact with the supporting section50, the transporting rollers39bend the recording medium P30as shown inFIGS.14and15, by applying a transport force to the upper end P1of the recording medium P30in a state where the lower end P2comes into contact with the supporting section50, and load the recording medium P30on the loading section20. In such a manner, the three recording media P10, P20, and P30are loaded on the loading surface22while being separated one by one.

As shown inFIG.16, the abutting section75pushes the upper end P1of the recording medium P downward and abuts the lower end P2against the supporting section50. Thereby, the upper end P1of the recording medium P (in other words, the position of the recording medium P in the up-down direction) is aligned. It should be noted that the upper end P1is an end portion of the recording medium P opposite to the lower end P2.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the abutting section75moves from a non-contact position (a position indicated by the two-dot chain line inFIG.16) that is not in contact with the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface22, and pushes the upper end P1of the recording medium P downward. The non-contact position is also a position at which the abutting section75is separated from the transport path of the recording medium P transported to the loading surface22. In addition, the abutting section75returns to the non-contact position after the lower end P2of the recording medium P is abutted against the supporting section50.

The aligning section80shown inFIGS.1and16is a constituent section that aligns the side ends of the recording medium P. As shown inFIG.16, the aligning section80has a first aligning portion81and a second aligning portion82.

In the aligning section80, the first aligning portion81comes into contact with a side end (hereinafter, referred to as a front end P3) of one side (front side in the present exemplary embodiment) of the recording medium P, and the second aligning portion82comes into contact with a side end (hereinafter, referred to as the rear end P4) of the other side (rear side in the present exemplary embodiment) of the recording medium P. Thereby, the side ends of the recording medium P (in other words, positions of the recording medium P in the front-rear direction) are aligned.

In the present exemplary embodiment, each of the first aligning portion81and the second aligning portion82moves from non-contact positions (indicated by the two-dot chain lines inFIG.16), at which the first aligning portion81and the second aligning portion82are not in contact with the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface22, and comes into contact with each of the side ends (specifically, the front end P3and the rear end P4) of the recording medium P. The non-contact position is also a position at which each of the first aligning portion81and the second aligning portion82is separated from the transport path of the recording medium P transported to the loading surface22. In addition, the aligning section80returns to the non-contact position after aligning the side ends of the recording medium P. In the present exemplary embodiment, each time the transporting rollers39transport the recording medium P to the loading surface22, the above-mentioned abutting operation performed by the abutting section75, and the above-mentioned alignment performed by the aligning section80are executed. Thereby, the plurality of recording media P are loaded on the loading surface22in a state of being aligned in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

The post-processing section90shown inFIG.1is a constituent section that executes the post-processing on the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface22. In the present exemplary embodiment, the post-processing section90executes, as the post-processing, processing of binding the plurality of recording media P and folding the plurality of recording media P.

As shown inFIG.1, the post-processing section90includes a binding portion91, a pair of folding rollers92and93, a push-in portion94, and transporting rollers96. The binding portion91is a so-called stapler, and the plurality of recording media P are bound by striking a needle at central portions of the plurality of recording media P loaded on the loading surface22in the up-down direction.

The pair of folding rollers92and93are disposed side by side along the obliquely upper right side on the obliquely lower right side with respect to the passage hole44of the guiding section40. The folding roller92rotates in the clockwise direction inFIGS.17and18, and the folding roller93rotates in the counterclockwise direction inFIGS.17and18.

The push-in portion94is formed in a tapered shape of which a length is longer than the length of the recording medium P loaded on the loading surface22in the front-rear direction and of which the apical end portion is tapered.

As shown inFIGS.17and18, the push-in portion94moves toward the obliquely lower right side in a direction orthogonal to the loading surface22, pushes the apical end portion thereof into a central portion in the up-down direction which is a fold part in the plurality of recording media P loaded on the loading surface22, and pushes the central portion into a gap between the pair of folding rollers92and93, thereby sandwiching the plurality of recording media P between the pair of folding rollers92and93and folding the plurality of recording media P.

By rotating the pair of folding rollers92and93, the folded recording medium P is transported to the transporting rollers96. Further, the transporting rollers96transports the plurality of recording media P folded by the pair of folding rollers92and93and the push-in portion94, and ejects the recording medium P to the ejection section (not shown in the drawing).

The post-processing executed by the post-processing section90is not limited to the above-mentioned processing. As the post-processing, for example, only one of binding processing of binding the plurality of recording media P and folding processing of folding the plurality of recording media P may be performed. Further, the post-processing may be cutting processing of cutting the recording medium P, drilling processing of making a hole in the recording medium P, or the like, and may be processing executed on the recording medium P on which an image is formed.

Action of Present Exemplary Embodiment

In the present exemplary embodiment, the transporting mechanism30transports a plurality of recording media P toward the loading section20by shifting and stacking the recording media P transported one by one from the image forming section102in a transport direction (refer toFIGS.2to10), and sets an amount of shift of the recording media P on the basis of a predetermined condition.

Here, the required amount of shift differs depending on conditions such as the image density and the basis weight of the recording medium P. Therefore, in a case where the amount of shift of the recording medium P in the transporting mechanism30in the post-processing device10is consistently constant (hereinafter, referred to as a form A), in the transporting rollers39, trouble in separation of the recording medium P may occur, and variation in posture of the loaded recording medium P may occur.

In contrast, in the present exemplary embodiment, as described above, the transporting mechanism30shifts the recording media P transported one by one from the image forming section102in the transport direction, stacks the plurality of the recording media P, and transports the recording media P toward the loading section20(refer toFIGS.2to10). Since the amount of shift of the recording media P is set on the basis of the predetermined condition, variation in posture of the loaded recording medium P is suppressed, as compared with the form A.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the predetermined condition is an image density formed on the recording medium P. Here, the friction coefficient of the recording media P with the transporting rollers39is able to change between the formation part in which an image is formed and the non-formation part in which an image is not formed. Therefore, the recording media P have different required amounts of shift depending on the image densities of the recording media P.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, as described above, the predetermined condition is the image density formed on the recording medium P. Therefore, as compared with a case where the predetermined condition is only the basis weight of the recording medium P, variation in posture of the loaded recording medium P is suppressed.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the transporting mechanism30sets the amount of shift of the recording medium P as the first amount (for example, 5 mm) in a case where the image density of the recording medium P is the first density, and sets the amount of shift of the recording medium P as a second amount (for example, 10 mm) greater than the first amount in a case where the image density of the recording medium P is a second density higher than the first density.

Here, the formation part in which the image is formed may have a lower friction coefficient thereof with the transporting rollers39than the non-formation part in which the image is not formed. In addition, slippage may tend to occur between the transporting rollers39and the recording medium P. In such a case, in a case where the image density of the recording medium P is high, the required amount of shift is large.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the image density of the recording medium P is a second density higher than the first density, the amount of shift of the recording medium P is set to a second amount (for example, 10 mm) greater than the first amount. Therefore, variation in posture of the loaded recording medium P of which the image density is the second density is suppressed, as compared with a case where the amount of shift is consistently the first amount.

Modification Example of Transporting Mechanism30

In the present exemplary embodiment, a predetermined condition in which the transporting mechanism30sets the amount of shift of the recording medium P is the image density formed on the recording medium P. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the predetermined condition may be set as the basis weight of the recording medium P.

Here, the degree of bending deformation of the recording medium P changes depending on the basis weight, and thus the path in the case of entering the transporting rollers39, the behavior in the case of being transported to the transporting rollers39, and the like change. Therefore, the required amount of shift differs depending on the basis weight of the recording medium P.

Further, in the present modification example, as described above, the predetermined condition is the basis weight of the recording medium P. Therefore, as compared with the case where the predetermined condition is only the image density of the recording medium P, variation in posture of the loaded recording medium P is suppressed.

Further, in the present modification example, the transporting mechanism30sets the amount of shift of the recording medium P as the first amount (for example, 5 mm) in a case where the basis weight of the recording medium P is the first basis weight, and sets the amount of shift of the recording medium P as a second amount (for example, 10 mm) greater than the first amount in a case where the basis weight of the recording medium P is a second basis weight greater than the first basis weight.

Here, the basis weight of the recording medium P is large, and a degree of bending deformation is small. Therefore, for example, the gap between transporting rollers39and the recording medium P may be likely to be narrow, due to the path in a case of entering the transporting rollers39and the behavior in a case of being transported to the transporting rollers39. In such a case, in a case where the basis weight of the recording medium P is large, the required amount of shift is large.

Further, in the present modification example, in a case where the basis weight of the recording medium P is a second basis weight greater than the first basis weight, the amount of shift of the recording medium P is set to a second amount (for example, 10 mm) greater than the first amount. Therefore, variation in posture of the loaded recording medium P of which the basis weight is the second basis weight is suppressed, as compared with a case where the amount of shift is consistently the first amount.

Further, as the predetermined condition for the transporting mechanism30to set the amount of shift of the recording medium P, for example, the size of the recording medium P (specifically, at least one of the dimension of the recording medium P in the transport direction or the dimension of the recording medium P in the width direction intersecting the transport direction) may be used.

Other Modification Examples

In the present exemplary embodiment, the transporting rollers39are used as an example of the transporting section. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As the example of the transporting section, for example, a transport belt, a transport drum, or the like may be used, and any constituent section that is able to transport the recording medium P may be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the above-mentioned modification examples may be configured to be combined with each other as appropriate.

Supplementary Notes

A post-processing device comprising:a loading section that has a loading surface directed obliquely upward and in which a recording medium is loaded on the loading surface in a state where one end of the recording medium is directed downward;a supporting section that supports the one end of the recording medium loaded on the loading surface;a transporting mechanism that transports a plurality of recording media transported one by one toward the loading section by shifting and stacking the recording media in a transport direction, and sets an amount of shift of the recording media on the basis of a predetermined condition; anda transporting section that bends each of the plurality of recording media transported from the transporting mechanism by applying a transport force to an upper end of each of the recording media opposite to the one end in a state where the one end is in contact with the supporting section, and separates one by one the recording media and loads the recording media on the loading surface.
(((2)))

The post-processing device according to (((1))),wherein the predetermined condition is a density of an image formed on the recording medium.
(((3)))

The post-processing device according to (((2))),wherein the transporting mechanismsets the amount of shift as a first amount in a case where the density of the image is a first density, andsets the amount of shift as a second amount greater than the first amount in a case where the density of the image is a second density higher than the first density.
(((4)))

The post-processing device according to (((1))),wherein the predetermined condition is a basis weight of the recording medium.
(((5)))

The post-processing device according to (((4))),wherein the transporting mechanismsets the amount of shift as a first amount in a case where the basis weight is a first basis weight, andsets the amount of shift as a second amount greater than the first amount in a case where the basis weight is a second basis weight greater than the first basis weight.
(((6)))

An image forming apparatus comprising:an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium; andthe post-processing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))) that executes post-processing on the recording medium on which the image forming section forms the image.