Sheet tamper and dual moving and pressing units for finisher

A finishing device with an output unit that outputs a recorded sheet on which an image is recorded, a sheet stacker that receives the recorded sheet from the output unit and on which the recorded sheet is stacked, and a reference surface against which the recorded sheet on the sheet stacker is aligned. A binding unit binds a bundle of the recorded sheets aligned against the reference surface and a sheet pressing member presses an end portion of the recorded sheet toward the sheet stacker. The end portion is closer to the reference surface, and a first moving and pressing unit moves the recorded sheet toward the reference surface while the sheet pressing member presses the end portion of the recorded sheet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-097816 filed Apr. 4, 2008.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a finishing apparatus for processing sheets, a sheet processing system and a sheet alignment method.

2. Related Art

A finishing apparatus for performing a sheet bundle binding process has been proposed.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a finishing apparatus including: an output unit that outputs a recorded sheet on which an image is recorded; a sheet stacker that receives the recorded sheet from the output unit and on which the recorded sheet is stacked; a reference surface against which the recorded sheet on the sheet stacker is aligned; a binding unit that binds a bundle of the recorded sheets aligned against the reference surface; a sheet pressing member that presses an end portion of the recorded sheet toward the sheet stacker, the end portion being closer to the reference surface; and a first moving and pressing unit that moves the recorded sheet toward the reference surface while the sheet pressing member presses the end portion of the recorded sheet, the end portion being closer to the reference surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Exemplary Embodiments

FIG. 1is a diagram showing an entire configuration of a sheet processing system1to which the first exemplary embodiment is applied. The sheet processing system1shown inFIG. 1includes an image forming apparatus2such as a printer or a copy machine that forms a color image with, for example, an electrophotographic method, and a sheet processing apparatus3that performs finishing process on a recorded sheet (hereinafter, the “recorded sheet” is simply referred to as a “sheet”) on which an image is recorded by the image forming apparatus2. The sheet processing apparatus3includes a transport unit10that further transports a sheet outputted from the image forming apparatus2toward a downstream side, and a finishing apparatus20having, for example, a stapler for edge-binding, a compile tray that collects and binds sheets, and the like. In addition, the sheet processing apparatus3includes a stacker tray90that stacks sheet bundles after the finishing process so that a user easily takes them away. Further, the sheet processing apparatus3has a controller200that controls the sheet processing apparatus3entirely. The controller200is provided in, for example, the finishing apparatus20.

As shown inFIG. 1, the transport unit10of the sheet processing apparatus3has entrance rollers11as a pair of rollers receiving a printed sheet which is outputted via output rollers9of the image forming apparatus2, a first transport rollers12as a pair of rollers transporting the sheet toward a downstream side, and a second transport rollers13as a pair of rollers transporting the sheet toward the finishing apparatus20.

The finishing apparatus20of the sheet processing apparatus3includes receiving rollers21as a pair of rollers receiving the sheet from the transport unit10and an exit sensor22that is provided on a downstream side of the receiving rollers21and that detects the sheet. Further, the finishing apparatus20includes a compile tray24that collects and contains plural sheets, and exit rollers23as a pair of rollers outputting a sheet toward the compile tray24. Furthermore, the finishing apparatus20includes a main paddle25and a sub paddle26as rotating paddles for pushing a trail edge of the sheet toward an end guide (described later) of the compile tray24, and a stapler27for binding an end of a sheet bundle. Furthermore, the finishing apparatus20includes eject rollers28that transport the sheet bundle stacked on the compile tray24toward the stacker tray90.

FIG. 2is a view for further describing a configuration of the finishing apparatus20in detail.

FIG. 3Ais a view for explaining a configuration of the finishing apparatus20in a direction orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction, and is a view principally taken in an arrow X direction inFIG. 2.FIGS. 3B and 3Care views that are taken in an arrow Y direction inFIG. 3A.

First, the compile tray24has a sheet stacker24athat receives a sheet from the exit rollers23serving as an output unit and stacks it thereon, and an end guide24bthat is formed perpendicular to the sheet stacking surface of the sheet stacker24a. The end guide24bis a reference surface as a reference for aligning edges of sheets when the sheets outputted from the exit rollers23are aligned. By hitting the edges of the sheets against the end guide24b, a sheet bundle is produced.

Next, a description will be given of the main paddle25.

The main paddle25has three flexible sheet contact portions25aas shown inFIG. 2, comes into contact with a top surface of a sheet (or a top surface of a sheet bundle) and transports the sheet toward the end guide24b. That is, the main paddle25corresponds to a (first) moving and pressing unit that moves the sheet toward the end guide24band presses the sheet against the end guide24b, on the sheet stacker24a, and also corresponds to a first moving and pressing member that moves the sheet toward the end guide24band presses the sheet against the end guide24bby coming into contact with the sheet on the sheet stacker24aand rotating.

Further, above the compile tray24around the end guide24b, a main paddle supporting shaft31is rotatably supported by finishing apparatus frames81aand81bof the finishing apparatus20(refer toFIG. 3A). To the main paddle supporting shaft31, plural main paddles25(in the first exemplary embodiment, three main paddles25) are fixedly supported at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction. The main paddle supporting shaft31is driven to be rotated by a drive motor (not shown in the figure) arranged on a rear side of the apparatus. Along with the rotation of the main paddle supporting shaft31, the main paddle25also rotates. Then, by the rotation of the main paddle25in an R direction inFIG. 2, a sheet transported toward a Z1direction inFIG. 2is pushed in a Z2direction on the sheet stacker24a.

Next, a description will be given of the sub paddle26.

The sub paddle26has three flexible sheet contact portions26aas shown inFIG. 2, and comes into contact with a top surface of the sheet (or a top surface of a sheet bundle) on the sheet stacker24aand transports the sheet toward the end guide24b. That is, the sub paddle26corresponds to a second moving and pressing member that moves a sheet toward the end guide24bon the sheet stacker24a, and also corresponds to a second moving and pressing member that moves the sheet toward the end guide24band presses the sheet against the end guide24bby coming into contact with the sheet on the sheet stacker24aand rotating.

Above the compile tray24, a sub paddle supporting shaft41as a rotating shaft is rotatably supported by the finishing apparatus frames81aand81bat a position away from the sheet stacking surface of the sheet stacker24ain a direction orthogonal to the sheet stacking surface, compared to the exit rollers23(refer toFIG. 3A). To the sub paddle supporting shaft41, one end portions of plural sub paddle supporting members42(in the first exemplary embodiment, one end portions of two sub paddle supporting members42) are fixedly supported as a first rotation member extending toward the stacker tray90at intervals in the direction orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction. On the other end portions of the sub paddle supporting members42, which are closer to the stacker tray90, sub paddle supporting arms42aare formed. To the sub paddle supporting arm42a, the sub paddle26is rotatably supported via the sub paddle rotating shaft43. To the sub paddle rotating shaft43, a pulley44is fixedly supported. Further, to the sub paddle supporting shaft41, a drive side pulley45located so as to correspond to the pulley44is rotatably supported. The drive side pulley45has a pulley portion45aand a gear portion45b. Between the pulley44and the pulley portion45a, a sub paddle driving belt46is mounted.

At an end portion of the sub paddle supporting shaft41on the rear side of the apparatus, a sub paddle swinging member47is provided. As shown inFIG. 3B, the sub paddle swinging member47has a swinging bar47a, a solenoid47bfor swinging the sub paddle, and a pulling spring47c. According to the rotation of the sub paddle supporting shaft41with respect to the finishing apparatus frames81aand81bby turning on or off the solenoid47bfor swinging the sub paddle, the sub paddle supporting member42swings around the sub paddle supporting shaft41as a center axis. Thereby, the sub paddle26supported by the sub paddle supporting member42moves between a contact position (a position indicated by broken lines inFIG. 2(a second position)) and a retract position (a position indicated by solid lines inFIG. 2(a first position)). The contact position is a position where the sub paddle26comes into contact with a sheet on the sheet stacker24aof the compile tray24, for pushing the sheet toward the end guide24b, while the retract position is a position where the sub paddle26is retracted from the contact position so as not to be in contact with a sheet on the sheet stacker24a.

It should be noted that the sub paddle swinging member47is not limited to the configuration of including the solenoid (47b) and the spring (47c), but is allowed to have a configuration for swinging the sub paddle26by using a motor and an eccentric cam, for example.

As described above, the sub paddle supporting shaft41, the sub paddle supporting member42, the sub paddle swinging member47and the like form a drive mechanism for moving the sub paddle26between the retract position (first position) and the contact position (second position).

On the upstream side of the sub paddle supporting shaft41in the sheet transporting direction, the sub paddle driving shaft51is rotatably supported by the finishing apparatus frames81aand81b. To the sub paddle driving shaft51, drive gears52that are engaged with the respective gear portions45bof the drive side pulleys45are fixedly supported. The sub paddle driving shaft51is driven to be rotated by a drive motor (not shown in the figure) arranged on the rear side of the apparatus. According to the driving by the drive motor, rotation is transmitted to the sub paddles26via the drive gears52, the gear portions45b, the pulley portions45a, the sub paddle driving belts46and the pulleys44, and thus the sub paddles26rotate. By the rotation of the sub paddles26in an R direction inFIG. 2, the sub paddles26push a sheet transported toward the Z1direction inFIG. 2toward the Z2direction on the sheet stacker24aof the compile tray24.

Further, the sub paddle supporting members42are coupled to the respective sheet pressing mechanisms100. The sheet pressing mechanisms100are provided in order to press a sheet transported toward the Z1direction inFIG. 2, toward a sheet stacker24aso as to accurately guide the sheet to a position between the main paddle25and the sheet stacker24aof the compile tray24.

Next, a description will be given of the sheet pressing mechanism100. It should be noted that, to make the configuration of the sheet pressing mechanism100easy to understand, the sheet pressing mechanism100is shown on the front side compared to the sub paddle supporting member42inFIG. 2. The exact positional relationship in the direction orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction between the sheet pressing mechanism100and the sub paddle supporting members42, for example, is as shown inFIG. 3A.

A sheet pressing member101is rotatably attached to each of the sub paddle supporting members42, and moves in conjunction with the swing of the sub paddle supporting member42. More specifically, the sheet pressing member101has a “V-like” shape having one side shorter than the other side as shown inFIG. 2, and a hole portion101ais formed in a bend portion of the letter “V” (first supporting portion) while a hole portion101bis formed in an end portion of the shorter line of the letter “V” (second supporting portion) (refer toFIG. 3A). Moreover, as shown inFIG. 3A, a shaft102aof a pin102is loosely fitted into the hole portion101aformed in the sheet pressing member101, and a tip portion of the shaft102ais press-fitted into a hole portion42bformed in the sub paddle supporting member42. Furthermore, a washer103is inserted between the sheet pressing member101and the sub paddle supporting member42.

In addition, the sheet pressing member101is also rotatably supported by a coupling member104, serving as a second rotation member, rotatably supported with respect to the finishing apparatus frames81aand81b. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 3A, a shaft105aof a pin105is loosely fitted into the hole portion101bformed in the one end portion of the sheet pressing member101, and a tip portion of the shaft105ais press-fitted into a hole portion104aformed in one end portion of the coupling member104. Moreover, a washer10is inserted between the sheet pressing member101and the coupling member104. Furthermore, the other end portion of the coupling member104is loosely fitted around a coupling member support shaft107serving as a fixed shaft fixedly supported by the finishing apparatus frames81aand81b.

In the sheet pressing mechanism100having the above-described configuration, in conjunction with the movement of the sub paddles26from the retract position to the contact position, tip portions (a sheet pressing portion)101cof the sheet pressing members101, which is closer to the main paddles25, tilt downward toward the sheet stacker24aof the compile tray24(the position indicated by broken lines inFIG. 2). Thereby, the tip portions101cpress a sheet outputted by the exit rollers23in the direction Z1shown inFIG. 2and accurately guide the sheet to a position between the main paddles25and the sheet stacker24a. When the sub paddles26are in the retract position, on the other hand, the sheet pressing members101are in a retract state (in the position indicated by solid lines inFIG. 2) so as not to obstruct sheets transported in the direction Z1shown inFIG. 2.

Here, as shown inFIG. 2, when the tip portions101cof the sheet pressing members101, which is closer to the main paddle25, are in the position indicated by the broken lines inFIG. 2, that is, the position in which the tip portions101care tilted downward toward the sheet stacker24ato the largest extent, the tip portions101coverlap with rotation areas of the main paddles25in the direction Z2in which a sheet on the sheet stacker24ais inserted. Accordingly, the tip portions101cpress the sheet outputted in the direction Z1shown inFIG. 2by the exit rollers23, reliably, and efficiently guides the sheet to the position between the main paddles25and the sheet stacker24a.

Next, a description will be given of the eject rollers28.

As shown inFIG. 2, the eject rollers28consist of first eject rollers28aand second eject rollers289b. The first eject rollers28aare rotatably supported by the finishing apparatus frames81aand81b, while fixedly supported by a rotation shaft (not shown in the figure) driven to be rotated by a drive motor not shown in the figure.

Meanwhile, the second eject rollers28bare each rotatably supported by an end portion of a corresponding second eject roller supporting member61, which is closer to the stacker tray90. End portions of the second eject roller supporting members61on the upstream side in the sheet transporting direction are fixedly supported by a second eject roller supporting shaft62rotatably supported by the finishing apparatus frames81aand81b. Moreover, a second eject roller swinging member63is attached to an end portion of the second eject roller supporting shaft62, the end portion being on the rear side of the apparatus. As shown inFIG. 3C, the second eject roller swinging member63includes: a swinging bar63acoupled to the end portion of the second eject roller supporting shaft62; a solenoid63bfor swinging the second eject roller, which is coupled to one end portion of the swinging bar63a; and a pulling spring63ccoupled to the other end portion of the swinging bar63a.

When the solenoid63bfor swinging the second eject roller is in an ON state, the second eject rollers28bare each in an output position indicated by broken lines inFIG. 2, and a sheet bundle on the compile tray24is sandwiched and held between the second eject rollers28band the first eject rollers28a. Then, the sandwiched sheet bundle is outputted to the stacker tray90according to the rotation of the first eject rollers28a.

By contrast, when the solenoid63bfor swinging the second eject roller is in an OFF state, the second eject rollers28bare retracted from the output position by the pulling spring63c, and are consequently in a retract position (the position indicated by solid lines inFIG. 2) in which the second eject rollers28bare not in contact with the sheet bundle on the compile tray24. To produce (compile) a sheet bundle, the second eject rollers28bare positioned in this retract position, so that the first eject rollers28aand the second eject rollers28bare spaced from each other.

Here, the second eject roller supporting members61may be formed of plate springs so that a sheet bundle is sandwiched and held between the second eject roller supporting members61and the first eject rollers28awith proper pressure when positioned in the output position. The second eject roller supporting members61may also be formed to have high rigidity and be pressed toward the first eject rollers28aby coil springs.

In addition, the second eject roller swinging member63is not limited to the configuration of including the solenoid (63b) and the spring (63c), but is allowed to have a configuration for swinging the second eject rollers28bby using a motor and an eccentric cam, for example.

Next, a description will be given of the stapler27serving as a binding unit.

The stapler27includes: a stapler head actually performing a binding processing on a sheet bundle; a base supporting the stapler head; and a rail disposed on the base, and forming a path along which the stapler head moves. The rail is disposed along an end portion of the sheet stacker24a, and the stapler head moves along the rail to perform the binding processing. The stapler27also includes: a stapler moving motor, which is a stepping motor, for moving the stapler head; a stapler move home sensor detecting a home position for the stapler head; and a stapler center position sensor detecting a center position for the stapler head.

In the case of performing single staple binding on a sheet bundle on the compile tray24, the stapler head stays in a first home position detected by the stapler move home sensor, and performs the binding processing in sequence at appropriate timing.

In the case of performing double staple binding on a sheet bundle, on the other hand, the stapler head stand by in a second home position detected by the stapler center position sensor. Then, after a bundle of sheets is stacked on the compile tray24, the stapler moving motor is driven to move the stapler head to staple positions. Thus, the bundle of sheets is subjected to the double staple binding.

Next, a description will be given of the controller200.

Detection values obtained by various sensors such as the above-described exit sensor22and stapler center position sensor are inputted to the controller200. On the basis of the inputted detection values, the controller200controls operations of the above-described drive motor, solenoid and stapler moving motor, and a tamper to be described later, for example.

The finishing apparatus20includes, although not shown in the figure, the tamper provided to the compile tray24in the directions orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction (between the front side and the rear side on the page showingFIG. 2). The tamper performs alignment of both edges of each sheet (both sides of each sheet in the directions orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction).

Next, a description will be given of an operation of the sheet processing system1having the above-described configuration.

As shown inFIG. 1, sheets each of which has an image recorded thereon by the image forming apparatus2are fed one by one into the sheet processing apparatus3through the output rollers9of the image forming apparatus2. In the transport unit10of the sheet processing apparatus3, each sheet received by the entrance rollers11is transported along the sheet transporting path toward the finishing apparatus20provided on the downstream side, by the first transport rollers12and the second transport rollers13, under the control of the controller200.

FIGS. 4A to 4Dare views for explaining an operation of the finishing apparatus20.

As shown inFIGS. 4A to 4D, in the finishing apparatus20, a sheet S received by the receiving rollers21is transported by the exit rollers23in the Z1direction. While being transported along the transport path between the receiving rollers21and the exit rollers23, the sheet S is detected by the exit sensor22. Moreover, while the exit sensor22is detecting that the sheet S is being transported along the transport path, the sub paddles26are in the retract position, which is the state shown inFIG. 4A.

Then, as shown inFIG. 4B, the sheet S is outputted from the transport path by the exit rollers23. When the exit sensor22detects that the sheet S has passed through the transport path, the sub paddles26are caused to move from the retract position to the contact position. Along with the movement of the sub paddles26from the retract position to the contact position, the tips of the sheet pressing members101tilt downward toward the sheet stacker24aas shown inFIG. 4C. As the sheet pressing members101tilt downward, an end portion of the sheet S outputted by the exit rollers23, which is closer to the end guide24b, is pressed toward the sheet stacker24aof the compile tray24by the tip portions (sheet pressing portions)101c.

Then, the main paddles25rotate in the R direction in a state where the tip portions (sheet pressing portions)101cpress the end portion of the sheet S, which is closer to the end guide24b. Thereby, while moving toward the sheet stacker24apromptly, the sheet S moves toward the end guide24b. Thereafter, by the rotations of the sub paddles26being in the contact position and the main paddles25in the R directions, the sheet S having reached the sheet stacker24aof the compile tray24is pushed in the Z2direction, and the trail edge of the sheet S hits against the end guide24band is thus aligned (the state shown inFIG. 4D). In addition, at the time when the sheet S reaches the end guide24bafter being received by the sheet stacker24a, the above-mentioned tamper (not shown in the figure) moves in directions orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction to perform alignment of both ends of stacked sheets one by one.

Subsequently, a predetermined number of sheets are received on the compile tray24and then aligned, so that a sheet bundle is produced. When the sheet bundle is produced on the compile tray24, the second eject rollers28bof the eject rollers28(refer toFIG. 2) move from the retract position to the output position. Then, the sheet bundle is subjected to the staple processing by the stapler27caused to be moved to a position in accordance with the target binding position.

Thereafter, by the rotations of the first eject rollers28aand the second eject rollers28b, the sheet bundle is outputted toward the stacker tray90. In this manner, the sheet bundle thus bound is stacked on the stacker tray90.

FIGS. 8A to 8Dare views showing an operation of another finishing apparatus20not including the sheet pressing mechanism100included in the finishing apparatus20according to the first exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIGS. 8A to 8C, a trail edge of the sheet S outputted from the transport path by the exit rollers23may be curled up or turned up due to static electricity. In such a case, the sheet contact portions25aof the main paddles25(refer toFIG. 2) is likely to push the trail edge of the sheet S, so that the sheet S is pushed back in a Z3direction, as shown inFIG. 8D. In this case, the sheet S may fall down to the stacker tray90, or alignment of the predetermined number of sheets may not be always performed smoothly.

By contrast, in the finishing apparatus20according to the first exemplary embodiment, even when a trail edge of the sheet S outputted by the exit rollers23is curled up or turned up due to static electricity, the sheet pressing members101of the sheet pressing mechanism100press the trail edge of the sheet S. Moreover, the sheet pressing members101press the sheet S toward the sheet stacker24aimmediately after the sheet S is outputted from the transport path by the exit rollers23.

In addition, the sheet pressing mechanism100has a simple configuration in which the sheet pressing members101are supported by the sub paddle supporting members42supporting the sub paddles26and thus tilt toward the sheet stacker24ain conjunction with the movements of the sub paddles26from the retract position to the contact position.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 5is a view showing a configuration of the finishing apparatus20according to a second exemplary embodiment.FIG. 6is a view for explaining the configuration of the finishing apparatus20in the direction orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction, and is a view principally taken in an arrow X direction inFIG. 5.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the sheet pressing mechanism100is provided with third paddles111, as will be described later. The rest of the configuration is the same as that according to the first exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the same members as those in the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed descriptions of those members will be omitted below. It should be noted that, to make the configurations of the sheet pressing mechanism100and the third paddles111easy to understand, the sheet pressing mechanism100and the third paddle ill are shown on the front side compared to the sub paddle supporting member42inFIG. 5. The exact positional relationships in the direction orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction between the sheet pressing mechanism100and each of the third paddles111, the sub paddle supporting members42as well as the main paddles25, for example, are as shown inFIG. 6. InFIG. 6, the second eject rollers28b, the second eject roller supporting members61, the second eject roller supporting shaft62and the second eject roller swinging member63are omitted.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, sheet pressing members201of the sheet pressing mechanisms100each include the third paddle111closer to a tip portion (sheet pressing portion)211cof a corresponding sheet pressing member main body211. The third paddles111each include three flexible sheet contact portions111athat are the same as those of the main paddles25and the sub paddles26, and are for transporting a sheet toward the end guide24bby coming into contact with a top surface of the sheet (or the uppermost surface of a sheet bundle) on the sheet stacker24a. In other words, the third paddles111are an example of a third moving and pressing unit for moving and pressing a sheet toward the end guide24bon the sheet stacker24a, and are also an example of a third moving and pressing member for moving and pressing a sheet toward the end guide24bon the sheet stacker24aby rotating while being in contact with the sheet.

Moreover, the third paddles111are rotatably attached to the respective sheet pressing member main bodies211, and are disposed between the main paddles25and the sub paddles26when the sub paddles26are in the contact position (the position indicated by broken lines inFIG. 5), to transport the sheet toward the end guide24bby coming into contact with a top surface of the sheet on the sheet stacker24atogether with the main paddles25and the sub paddles26.

More specifically, the sheet pressing members201each include a hole portion211dformed in the tip portion211cof the corresponding sheet pressing member main body211(refer toFIG. 6). A bearing112is press-fitted into the hole portion211dformed in the sheet pressing member main body211, and a third-paddle support shaft113is press-fitted into a hole portion formed in the bearing112, as shown inFIG. 6. The third paddles ill are press-fitted around the third-paddle support shaft113, and are thereby fixedly supported by the third-paddle support shaft113. Moreover, first pulleys114are also press-fitted around the third-paddle support shaft113, and are thereby fixedly supported by the third-paddle support shaft113. A washer115is inserted between the sheet pressing member main body211and each of the third paddles111.

Meanwhile, a bearing121is press-fitted around each of the sub paddle supporting members42, and a sheet pressing member supporting shaft122is pressed-fitted into a hole portion formed in the bearing121. The sheet pressing member main bodies211are loosely fitted around the sheet pressing member supporting shaft122. Moreover, second pulleys123are press-fitted around the sheet pressing member supporting shaft122in a position corresponding to the respective first pulleys114, and are thereby fixedly supported by the sheet pressing member supporting shaft122. Furthermore, third pulleys124are also press-fitted around the sheet pressing member supporting shaft122, and are thereby fixedly supported by the sheet pressing member supporting shaft122. A washer125is inserted between each of the sheet pressing member main bodies211and the corresponding sub paddle supporting member42.

Fourth pulleys131each including a pulley portion131aand a gear portion131bare press-fitted around the sub paddle support shaft41, and are fixedly supported by the sub paddle support shaft41so that the pulley portions131aare disposed in positions corresponding to the respective first pulleys114. Drive gears141engaged with the respective gear portions131bof the fourth pulleys131are fixedly supported by the sub paddle drive shaft51.

A first belt151is stretched between each of the first pulleys114and the corresponding second pulley123, and a second belt152is stretched between each of the third pulleys124and the corresponding one of the pulley portions131aof the fourth pulleys131. Accordingly, the third paddles111are driven by the first belts151provided for driving the third paddles111.

Next, a description will be given of an operation of the finishing apparatus20according to the second exemplary embodiment, which has the above-described configuration.

FIGS. 7A to 7Dare views for explaining an operation of the finishing apparatus20according to the second exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIGS. 7A to 7D, in the finishing apparatus20, while the exit sensor22is detecting that the sheet is being transported along the transport path between the receiving rollers21and the exit rollers23, the sub paddles26are in the retract position, which is the state shown inFIG. 7A.

Then, as shown inFIG. 7B, the sheet S is outputted from the transport path by the exit rollers23. When the exit sensor22detects that the sheet has passed through the transport path, the sub paddles26are caused to move from the retract position to the contact position. Along with the movement of the sub paddles26from the retract position to the contact position, the tips of the sheet pressing member main bodies211tilt downward toward the sheet stacker24aas shown inFIG. 7C.

Along with the movement of the sheet pressing member main bodies211, the third paddles111also move toward the sheet stacker24a. As the sheet pressing members201tilt downward, an end portion of the sheet S outputted by the exit rollers23, which is closer to the end guide24b, is pressed toward the sheet stacker24aof the compile tray24by the sheet pressing members201.

Then, the main paddles25rotate in the R direction in a state where the sheet pressing members201press the end portion of the sheet S, which is closer to the end guide24b. Thereby, while moving toward the sheet stacker24apromptly, the sheet S moves toward the end guide24b. Thereafter, by the rotations of the sub paddles26being in the contact position and the main paddles25in the R directions, and the rotation of the third paddles111in the R direction, the sheet S having reached the sheet stacker24aof the compile tray24is pushed in the Z2direction, and the trail edge of the sheet S hits against the end guide24band is thus aligned (the state shown inFIG. 7D). In addition, at the time when the sheet S reaches the end guide24bafter being received by the sheet stacker24a, the above-mentioned tamper not shown in the figure) moves in directions orthogonal to the sheet transporting direction to perform alignment of both ends of stacked sheets one by one.

Subsequently, a predetermined number of sheets are received on the compile tray24and then aligned, so that a sheet bundle is produced. When the sheet bundle is produced on the compile tray24, the second eject rollers28bof the eject rollers28move from the retract position to the output position. Then, the sheet bundle is subjected to the binding processing by the stapler27caused to be moved to a position in accordance with the target binding position.

Thereafter, by the rotations of the first eject rollers28aand the second eject rollers28b, the sheet bundle is outputted toward the stacker tray90. In this manner, the sheet bundle thus bound is stacked on the stacker tray90.

As described above, in the finishing apparatus20according to the second exemplary embodiment, as in the finishing apparatus20according to the first exemplary embodiment, the sheet pressing members201of the sheet pressing mechanism100press the trail edge of the sheet S outputted by the exit rollers23. Moreover, the sheet pressing members201press the sheet S toward the sheet stacker24aimmediately after the sheet S is outputted from the transport path by the exit rollers23. In addition, the finishing apparatus20according to the second exemplary embodiment includes the third paddles111, and hence pushes the sheet S on the sheet stacker24atoward the end guide24bby using the third paddles111together with the main paddles25and the sub paddles26.