Medium loading device and post-processing device

A loading unit includes a processing tray, alignment units, and a paddle. In the processing tray, a medium is placed. The alignment units are disposed an interval in a Y direction to align a downstream tip end in a positive A direction of the medium. The paddle moves the medium that has been fed onto the processing tray toward the alignment units. A coefficient of friction of a contact surface of the alignment unit is higher than a coefficient of friction of a front face of the alignment unit, and the contact surface is positioned downstream of the front face in the positive A direction.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2020-066835, filed Apr. 2, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a medium loading device and a post-processing device.

2. Related Art

In an image forming device disclosed in JP-A-2009-113924, a sheet on which an image is formed is aligned by being caused to abut against a rear end stopper and then loaded on a tray.

In a post-processing device for a sheet-shaped medium disclosed in JP-A-2002-249275, an end of a sheet is brought into contact with two irregular portions with projections and depressions provided on an end face.

In the image forming device disclosed in JP-A-2009-113924, if a bent medium is caused to abut against the rear end stopper, there is a risk that a tip end of the medium may enter a gap between the tip end of the medium that is already loaded on the tray and the rear end stopper, and the alignment of the ends of the loaded media may be disordered.

Here, in a configuration in which the irregular portions disclosed in JP-A-2002-249275 are provided on the rear end stopper disclosed in JP-A-2009-113924 in order to suppress the entry of the medium, because the tip end of the medium always comes into contact with the irregular portions, when the medium is displaced in the width direction, there is a risk of an increased load as a result of sliding between the medium and the irregular portions.

SUMMARY

In order to solve the problems described above, a medium loading device according to the present disclosure includes a placement unit at which a medium processed by a processing unit is placed, a plurality of alignment units disposed at an interval in a width direction intersecting a feeding direction of the medium to the placement unit, and configured to align a downstream tip end in the feeding direction of the medium fed to the placement unit, and a moving member configured to move, toward the plurality of alignment units, the medium fed to the placement unit. Of the plurality of alignment units, a coefficient of friction of a first alignment surface of one of the alignment units is higher than a coefficient of friction of a second alignment surface of another of the alignment units, the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface being configured to align the medium, and the first alignment surface is positioned downstream of the second alignment surface in the feeding direction.

In order to solve the problems described above, a post-processing device according to the present disclosure includes a placement unit at which a medium processed by a processing unit is placed, a plurality of alignment units disposed at an interval in a width direction intersecting a feeding direction of the medium to the placement unit, and configured to align a downstream tip end in the feeding direction of the medium fed to the placement unit, a moving member configured to move, toward the plurality of alignment units, the medium fed to the placement unit, and a post-processing unit configured to perform post-processing on a plurality of the media placed at the placement unit. Of the plurality of alignment units, a coefficient of friction of a first alignment surface of one of the alignment units is higher than a coefficient of friction of a second alignment surface of another of the alignment units, the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface being configured to align the medium, and the first alignment surface is positioned downstream of the second alignment surface in the feeding direction.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will be schematically described below.

A medium loading device according to a first aspect includes a placement unit at which a medium processed by a processing unit is placed, a plurality of alignment units disposed at an interval in a width direction intersecting a feeding direction of the medium to the placement unit, and configured to align a downstream tip end in the feeding direction of the medium fed to the placement unit, and a moving member configured to move, toward the plurality of alignment units, the medium fed to the placement unit. Of the plurality of alignment units, a coefficient of friction of a first alignment surface of one of the alignment units is higher than a coefficient of friction of a second alignment surface of another of the alignment units, the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface being configured to align the medium, and the first alignment surface is positioned downstream of the second alignment surface in the feeding direction.

According to this aspect, the moving member moves, toward the plurality of alignment units, the medium fed to the placement unit. In a state in which at least one of the media is placed on the placement unit, when the other medium in a bent state is fed to the placement unit, since the other one of the alignment units is positioned upstream of the one of the alignment units in the feeding direction, the medium comes into contact with the other one of the alignment units, and the downstream tip end of the medium is aligned.

Subsequently, a portion of the downstream tip end of the medium P, which is not in contact with the second alignment surface, is deformed toward the downstream side in the feeding direction, and at the same time, the portion attempts to move toward the placement unit due to its own weight.

Here, since the downstream tip end of the medium comes into contact with the one of the alignment units positioned downstream of the other one of the alignment units, the movement of the medium toward the downstream is restricted. Furthermore, since the coefficient of friction of the first alignment surface is higher than the coefficient of friction of the second alignment surface, the movement of the downstream tip end of the medium toward the placement unit is restricted. As a result, the downstream tip end of the other medium is inhibited from entering the gap between the downstream tip end of the already loaded medium, and the alignment units. Thus, when the other medium in a bent state is fed to the placement unit, it is possible to inhibit the alignment of the end portions of the already loaded media from becoming disordered.

Further, in a state in which a plurality of the media are loaded on the placement unit, when the plurality of media are displaced in the width direction intersecting the feeding direction, since the first alignment surface having the high coefficient of friction is positioned downstream of the second alignment surface having the low coefficient of friction, the plurality of media are not likely to come into contact with the first alignment surface. As a result, when the plurality of media are displaced in the width direction, it is possible to inhibit a load caused by sliding between the plurality of media and the alignment units from increasing.

In the medium loading device according to a second aspect, with respect to the first aspect, the plurality of alignment units are disposed symmetrically with respect to a center in the width direction.

According to this aspect, at the tip portions in the feeding direction of the plurality of media, the plurality of alignment units uniformly come into contact on both sides of the tip portions with respect to the center in the width direction. Thus, in the placement unit, it is possible to inhibit the plurality of media from being loaded while being inclined with respect to the feeding direction.

In the medium loading device according to a third aspect, with respect to the second aspect, one of the alignment units is disposed in a central portion, in the width direction, of the medium loading device, and another one of the alignment units is disposed on one side and another side, in the width direction, of the one of the alignment units.

According to this aspect, when the medium is fed to the placement unit, portions near both end portions in the width direction of the medium come into contact with the alignment units before portions closer to the central portion thereof. Thus, in the placement unit, it is possible to further inhibit the plurality of media from being loaded while being inclined with respect to the feeding direction.

In the medium loading device according to a fourth aspect, with respect to any one of the first to third aspects, the coefficient of friction of the first alignment surface is higher than the coefficient of friction of the second alignment surface at least in a loading direction of the medium.

According to this aspect, at least in the loading direction, the coefficient of friction of the first alignment surface is higher than the coefficient of friction of the second alignment surface. As a result, the downstream tip end of the medium is inhibited from entering the gap between the downstream tip end of the already loaded medium and the alignment units. Thus, when the medium in a bent state is fed to the placement unit, it is possible to inhibit the alignment of the end portions of the already loaded media from becoming disordered.

In the medium loading device according to a fifth aspect, with respect to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the one of the alignment units includes a friction member including the first alignment surface, and an attachment member to which the friction member is attached.

According to this aspect, when the first alignment surface is worn, it is sufficient that only the friction member be replaced. In other words, since it is not necessary to replace the entire alignment unit, an amount of material to be disposed of when replacing the first alignment surface can be reduced.

In the medium loading device according to a sixth aspect, with respect to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the one of the alignment units includes an alignment unit main body, and the first alignment surface that has a higher coefficient of friction than that of the alignment unit main body and is formed at a portion, of the alignment unit main body, that comes into contact with the medium.

According to this aspect, it is not necessary to configure the entire alignment unit with a member having a high coefficient of friction, and it is sufficient that the first alignment surface be formed by post-processing. Thus, it is possible to prevent portions other than the first alignment surface from unnecessarily having a high coefficient of friction.

In the medium loading device according to a seventh aspect, with respect to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the placement unit includes a displacement member that displaces the medium in the width direction, and at least the one of the plurality of alignment units is fixed to the placement unit.

According to this aspect, when the displacement member displaces the medium in the width direction, the first alignment surface having the high coefficient of friction does not move in the opposite direction to a displacement direction of the medium. Thus, a sliding resistance acting on a contact portion between the medium and the first alignment surface can be reduced.

A post-processing device according to an eighth aspect includes a placement unit at which a medium processed by a processing unit is placed, a plurality of alignment units disposed at an interval in a width direction intersecting a feeding direction of the medium to the placement unit, and configured to align a downstream tip end in the feeding direction of the medium fed to the placement unit, a moving member configured to move, toward the plurality of alignment units, the medium fed to the placement unit, and a post-processing unit configured to perform post-processing on a plurality of the media placed on the placement unit. Of the plurality of alignment units, a coefficient of friction of a first alignment surface of one of the alignment units is higher than a coefficient of friction of a second alignment surface of another of the alignment units, the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface being configured to align the medium, and the first alignment surface is positioned downstream of the second alignment surface in the feeding direction.

According to this aspect, as in the first aspect, when the other medium in a bent state is fed to the placement unit, it is possible to inhibit the alignment of the end portions of the already loaded media from becoming disordered. Further, when the plurality of media are displaced in the width direction, it is possible to inhibit a load caused by sliding between the plurality of media and the alignment units from increasing. Due to these effects, an aligned state of the plurality of media loaded on the placement unit is unlikely to become disordered, and it is thus possible to make it easier for the post-processing unit to perform the post-processing on the plurality of media.

In the post-processing device according to a ninth aspect, with respect to the eighth aspect, the plurality of alignment units are disposed symmetrically with respect to a center in the width direction.

According to this aspect, the same actions and effects as those of the second aspect can be obtained.

In the post-processing device according to a tenth aspect, with respect to the ninth aspect, one of the alignment units is disposed in a central portion, in the width direction, of the post-processing device, and another one of the alignment units is disposed on one side and another side, in the width direction, of the one of the alignment units.

According to this aspect, the same actions and effects as those of the third aspect can be obtained.

In the post-processing device according to an eleventh aspect, with respect to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the coefficient of friction of the first alignment surface is higher than the coefficient of friction of the second alignment surface at least in a loading direction of the medium.

According to this aspect, the same actions and effects as those of the fourth aspect can be obtained.

In the post-processing device according to a twelfth aspect, with respect to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the one of the alignment units includes a friction member including the first alignment surface, and an attachment member to which the friction member is attached.

According to this aspect, the same actions and effects as those of the fifth aspect can be obtained.

In the post-processing device according to a thirteenth aspect, with respect to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the one of the alignment units includes an alignment unit main body, and the first alignment surface that has a higher coefficient of friction than that of the alignment unit main body and is formed at a portion, of the alignment unit main body, that comes into contact with the medium.

According to this aspect, the same actions and effects as those of the sixth aspect can be obtained.

In the medium loading device according to a fourteenth aspect, with respect to any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects, the placement unit includes a displacement member that displaces the medium in the width direction, and at least the one of the plurality of alignment units is fixed to the placement unit.

According to this aspect, the same actions and effects as those of the seventh aspect can be obtained.

First Embodiment

A recording device, a medium loading device, and a post-processing device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

InFIG. 1, a recording system1is illustrated as an example of the recording device. The recording system1is configured as an inkjet device for performing recording on a medium P, which is represented by a recording paper, by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid.

In an X-Y-Z coordinate system illustrated in each of the drawings, an X direction is a device width direction, a Y direction is a device depth direction, and a Z direction is a device height direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are orthogonal to each other.

When distinguishing left and right in the device width direction, the left is referred to as a positive X direction, and the right is referred to as a negative X direction. When distinguishing between front and back in the device depth direction, the front is referred to as a negative Y direction, and the back is referred to as a positive Y direction. When distinguishing between up and down in the device height direction, up is referred to as a positive Z direction, and down is referred to as a negative Z direction.

The recording system1includes a recording unit2and a post-processing unit3disposed in this order in the positive X direction. Note that the recording system1is configured so that the recording unit2and the post-processing unit3are mechanically and electrically coupled to each other, and the medium P can be transported from the recording unit2to the post-processing unit3.

The recording system1is provided with an operating panel (not illustrated) that is operated by an operator. This operating panel is configured to allow input of various settings in the recording unit2and the post-processing unit3. Note that the recording system1is configured to perform post-processing, to be described below, on the medium P on which information has been recorded in a printer unit10to be described below. In the recording system1, the same effects as the post-processing unit3to be described below are obtained.

The recording unit2records various types of information on the transported medium P. A sheet-shaped sheet is used as the medium P, as an example. Further, the recording unit2includes the printer unit10, a scanner unit12, and a cassette housing unit14.

The printer unit10is an example of a recording portion and a processing unit, and is configured to include a line head20and a control unit22. Further, the printer unit10performs recording as an example of processing performed on the medium P.

The line head20is configured as a recording head for recording various types of information on the medium P by ejecting the ink onto the medium P.

The control unit22is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU) (not illustrated) and a memory (not illustrated) and controls operations such as transporting the medium P in the recording unit2and recording the various types of information on the medium P. Further, the control unit22can control various operations in the post-processing unit3, as well as those in the recording unit2.

The scanner unit12reads information of an original document (not illustrated). The information of the original document read by the scanner unit12is stored in the memory of the control unit22.

The cassette housing unit14includes a plurality of housing cassettes24that accommodate a plurality of the media P. A transport path15on which the medium P is transported is formed in the printer portion10and the cassette housing unit14.

As an example, the transfer path15includes a paper feed path16, a discharge path17, an inversion path18, and a delivery path19. Each of the portions of the transport path15is provided with a transport roller pair (not illustrated). On the transport path15, the medium P is transported from the housing cassette24to a recording region of the line head20, and then further transported from the recording region to the post-processing unit3.

The post-processing unit3is an example of the post-processing device. Further, the post-processing unit3includes an intermediate unit4that transports the medium P received from the recording unit2, and an end unit5that performs post-processing collectively on a required number of the media P received from the intermediate unit4. In the post-processing unit3, the same effects as those of the end unit5to be described below are obtained.

The intermediate unit4is a unit that transports the medium P received from the recording unit2and delivers the medium P to the end unit5. A transport path M is formed in the intermediate unit4on which the medium P received from the recording unit2is transported.

In the end unit5, a transport path K is formed on which the medium P from the intermediate unit4is transported. As an example, the transport path K includes a main transport path K1that extends toward a post-processing unit80to be described below, and a sub transport path K2that extends toward an upper tray33.

The end unit5includes a loading unit30as an example of the medium loading device, and the post-processing unit80that performs the post-processing on the plurality of media P. Further, the end unit5includes a housing31as a device main body. The housing31is configured to include the upper tray33and a discharge tray26. The medium P on which the post-processing is not performed in the post-processing unit80is discharged onto the upper tray33. The medium P on which the post-processing has been performed in the post-processing unit80is discharged onto the discharge tray26.

In the end unit5, the Y direction is an example of a width direction intersecting a direction in which the medium P is fed onto the loading unit30. Further, in this embodiment, the direction in which the medium P is fed onto or discharged from the loading unit30is referred to as an A direction. As an example, the A direction is a direction orthogonal to the Y direction when viewed from the Z direction, and a direction intersecting the X direction when viewed from the Y direction. Further, the A direction is a direction that is inclined so that the negative X direction is lower than the positive X direction when viewed from the Y direction. A direction orthogonal to the A direction when viewed from the Y direction is referred to as a B direction.

In the following description, with respect to the A direction, a direction in which the medium P moves toward the post-processing unit80is referred to as a positive A direction, and a direction in which the medium P moves away from the post-processing unit80is referred to as a negative A direction. The positive A direction is an example of a feeding direction. Further, with respect to the B direction, a direction in which the media P are stacked on top of each other is referred to as a positive B direction, and a direction opposite to the positive B direction is referred to as a negative B direction.

The loading unit30illustrated inFIG. 2includes a processing tray32, an alignment processing unit50, and a paddle34. Further, the loading unit30is provided with a lower guide member36, a transport roller38, a driving unit40, an auxiliary roller42, side cursors70, an auxiliary paddle44, an auxiliary driving unit46, and a delivery roller pair48.

The lower guide member36configures a portion of the main transport path K1(seeFIG. 1).

The transport roller38and the auxiliary roller42transport the medium P in the positive X direction while sandwiching the medium P therebetween, on the lower guide member.

The auxiliary paddle44is provided so as to be rotatable in the positive Z direction with respect to the processing tray32, with the Y direction serving as an axial direction thereof. Further, the auxiliary paddle44is rotated and stopped by the auxiliary driving unit46that is configured to include a motor and a gear (not illustrated). The auxiliary paddle44feeds the medium P on the processing tray32in the positive A direction.

The delivery roller pair48delivers a media bundle Q (seeFIG. 1) on the processing tray32toward the discharge tray26while rotating. The media bundle Q is a bundle of the plurality of media P on which the post-processing has been performed by the post-processing unit80.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the processing tray32is an example of a placement unit, and is configured so that the media P on which the recording has been performed in the printer unit10(seeFIG. 1) are placed and loaded thereon. Specifically, the processing tray32is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the A direction and the Y direction. Further, the processing tray32extends in the A direction so that an end portion thereof on the negative A direction side is positioned further in the positive Z direction than an end portion thereof on the positive A direction side. The width in the Y direction of the processing tray32is wider than the width in the Y direction of the medium P. Two sets of guide slits37extending in the Y direction are formed in the processing tray32.

Here, as a result of the plurality of media P being sequentially placed on an upper surface32A, which is a surface on the positive B direction side of the processing tray32, that is, as a result of the plurality of media P being loaded in the positive B direction, the plurality of media P are accumulated on the processing tray32, and the media bundle Q after the post-processing (FIG. 1) is formed.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the paddle34is an example of a moving member, and moves the medium P that has been fed onto the processing tray32toward the alignment processing unit50to be described below.

Specifically, the paddle34is provided so as to be rotatable with the Y direction serving as an axial direction thereof, and the rotation center thereof is positioned between the processing tray32and the lower guide member36when viewed from the Y direction. Further, the paddle34has three blades35, as an example.

Two sets of the three blades35are provided with an interval therebetween in the Y direction. Further, as an example, the three blades35are made of rubber and are formed in a rectangular plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the rotational direction.

The driving unit40is configured to include a motor (not illustrated), a gear (not illustrated), and the control unit22(FIG. 1) that controls the driving of the motor. Here, the driving unit40controls the rotation of the paddle34, and as a result of the three blades35coming into contact with the medium P, the medium P on the processing tray32is fed into the alignment processing unit50to be described below.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the alignment processing unit50is an example of a plurality of alignment units, and is provided at the end portion on the positive A direction side of the processing tray32. Further, the alignment processing unit50aligns a downstream tip end downstream in the positive A direction of the medium P fed onto the processing tray32. “Aligns” means to line up the ends of the media P in the B direction. Specifically, the alignment processing unit50includes an alignment unit52, an alignment unit54, and an alignment unit56that are disposed in the Y direction.

A virtual line indicating the center position in the Y direction of the processing tray32is referred to as a center line C. The center line C extends in the A direction.

The alignment unit54is positioned on the center line C. In other words, the alignment unit54is disposed in a central portion in the Y direction of the alignment processing unit50. In the alignment unit54, a portion on the positive Y direction side and a portion on the negative Y direction side are formed symmetrically with respect to the center line C.

The alignment unit52is an example of another of the alignment units, and is positioned on the positive Y direction side with respect to the alignment unit54. The alignment unit56is an example of the other the alignment units, and is positioned on the negative Y direction side with respect to the alignment unit54. In this way, the alignment unit52, the alignment unit54, and the alignment unit56are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center in the Y direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the alignment unit52and the alignment unit56are fixed to the end portion on the positive A direction side of the processing tray32. Note that the alignment unit56has a line-symmetrical configuration with that of the alignment unit52, with the center line C (seeFIG. 4) serving as an axis of symmetry. Thus, in the following description, a specific configuration of the alignment unit52will be described, portions of the alignment unit56will be denoted by the same reference signs as those of the alignment unit52, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As an example, the alignment unit52includes a main body member53and a pressing member55.

The main body member53is formed by a sheet metal bent at a plurality of locations, and opens in the negative A direction, as an example. Specifically, the main body member53includes a fixing portion57, a lower plate portion58, a vertical plate portion59, and an upper plate portion61.

The fixing portion57is fastened to the processing tray32. The lower plate portion58extends in the positive A direction from the fixing portion57. Further, an upper surface58A (seeFIG. 6) on the positive B direction side of the lower plate portion58is disposed so as to have substantially the same height as that of the upper surface32A of the processing tray32.

The vertical plate portion59is provided standing in the positive B direction from an end portion on the positive A direction side of the lower plate portion58. The height of the vertical plate portion59in the positive B direction is set based on a maximum thickness of the media bundle Q (seeFIG. 1). Further, by coming into contact with an end portion on the positive A direction side of the medium P or the media bundle Q, the vertical plate portion59aligns the end portion. A front face59A (seeFIG. 6) on the negative A direction side of the vertical plate portion59is a flat surface along a Y-B plane. The front face59A is an example of a second alignment surface. Further, by coming into contact with end faces on the positive A direction side of the plurality of media P, the front face59A aligns the end faces.

The upper plate portion61extends in the negative A direction from an end portion on the positive B direction side of the vertical plate portion59. Further, an end portion on the negative A direction side of the upper plate portion61is disposed side by side with the end portion on the positive A direction side of the processing tray32, in the B direction.

The pressing member55is formed in a plate shape when viewed from the Y direction. An end portion of the pressing member55on the negative A direction side is coupled to the end portion on the negative A direction side of the upper plate portion61, so as to be rotatable with the Y direction serving as an axial direction thereof. An end portion on the positive A direction side of the pressing member55extends diagonally toward the vertical plate portion59. In other words, the end portion on the positive A direction side of the pressing member55drops due to its own weight. Then, the pressing member55presses the medium P in the negative B direction to suppress floating of the medium P.

The alignment unit54is an example of one of the alignment units. Further, the alignment unit54is fixed to the processing tray32. Specifically, the alignment unit54includes an attachment member62, a pressing member63, and a friction member64.

The attachment member62is formed by a sheet metal bent at a plurality of locations, and opens in the negative A direction, as an example. The friction member64is attached to the attachment member62. Specifically, the attachment member62includes a fixing portion65, a lower plate portion66, a vertical plate portion67, and an upper plate portion68.

The fixing portion65is fastened to the processing tray32. The lower plate portion66extends in the positive A direction from the fixing portion65. Further, an upper surface66A (seeFIG. 6) on the positive B direction side of the lower plate portion66is disposed so as to have substantially the same height as that of the upper surface32A of the processing tray32.

The vertical plate portion67is provided standing in the positive B direction from an end portion on the positive A direction side of the lower plate portion66. The height of the vertical plate portion67in the positive B direction is set based on the maximum thickness of the media bundle Q (seeFIG. 1) so that the vertical plate portion67can align the end portion of the media bundle Q. Further, the vertical plate portion67supports the friction member64to be described below with respect to the A direction, thereby assisting the function of aligning the end portion on the positive A direction side of the medium P or the media bundle Q. A front face67A (seeFIG. 6) on the negative A direction side of the vertical plate portion67is a flat surface along the Y-B plane.

The upper plate portion68extends in the negative A direction from an end portion on the positive B direction side of the vertical plate portion67. Further, an end portion on the negative A direction side of the upper plate portion68is disposed side by side with the end portion on the positive A direction side of the processing tray32, in the B direction.

The pressing member63is formed in a plate shape when viewed from the Y direction. An end portion of the pressing member63on the negative A direction side is coupled to the end portion on the negative A direction side of the upper plate portion68, so as to be rotatable with the Y direction serving as an axial direction thereof. An end portion on the positive A direction side of the pressing member63extends diagonally toward the vertical plate portion67. In other words, the end portion on the positive A direction side of the pressing member55drops due to its own weight. Then, the pressing member63presses the medium P in the negative B direction to suppress the floating of the medium P.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the height of the vertical plate portion67in the B direction is substantially the same as the height of the vertical plate portion59in the B direction. Further, the front face67A is positioned downstream of the front faces59A in the positive A direction. In other words, the front face67A is disposed so as to be offset in the positive A direction with respect to the front face59A. When viewed from the Y direction, a gap between the front face59A and the front face67A in the A direction is a length L1(mm).

As illustrated inFIG. 6, as an example, the friction member64includes cork and is formed in a flat plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the A direction. The outer shape of the friction member64is a rectangular shape whose dimension in the B direction is greater than a dimension thereof in the Y direction when viewed from the A direction. The width in the Y direction of the friction member64is approximately the same as the width in the Y direction of the vertical plate portion67. The height of the friction member64in the B direction is lower than the height of the vertical plate portion67in the B direction.

Further, the friction member64has a contact surface64A as an example of a first alignment surface. The contact surface64A is a side face on the negative A direction side of the friction member64, and, by coming into contact with the end faces on the positive A direction side of the plurality of media P, the contact surface64A aligns the end faces. Further, the contact surface64A is formed in a planar shape along the Y-B plane, as an example.

A coefficient of friction of the contact surface64A obtained when it comes into contact with the medium P is higher than a coefficient of friction of the front face59A obtained when it comes into contact with the medium P. In other words, a frictional force that acts on the medium P when the medium P is displaced in the negative B direction in a state in which the medium P is in contact with the contact surface64A is larger than a frictional force that acts on the medium P when the medium P is displaced in the negative B direction in a state in which the medium P is in contact with the front face59A.

Here, the width in the Y direction of the friction member64is W1(mm). The width in the Y direction of the vertical plate portion59is W2(mm). The width W1is greater than the width W2, as an example.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the contact surface64A is positioned downstream of the front faces59A in the positive A direction, and is positioned upstream of the front face67A in the positive A direction. In other words, the contact surface64A is disposed so as to be offset in the positive A direction with respect to the front face59A, and is disposed on the negative A direction side with respect to the front face67A.

Specifically, a length corresponding to the thickness in the A direction of the friction member64is L2(mm). The length L2is shorter than the length L1. Here, a length L3(mm)=L1−L2. In other words, when viewed from the Y direction, the contact surface64A is disposed so as to be offset in the positive A direction with respect to the front face59A by the length L3.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the side cursors70are an example of a displacement member and are provided on the processing tray32. Then, the side cursors70displace the medium P on the processing tray32in the Y direction. Specifically, the side cursors70are configured by a first cursor72and a second cursor74positioned on both sides in the Y direction of the medium P.

The first cursor72includes a bottom plate portion72A that supports a side portion on the positive Y direction side of the medium P, and a side plate portion72B that holds the side portion from the side.

The second cursor74includes a bottom plate portion74A that supports a side portion on the negative Y direction side of the medium P, and a side plate portion74B that holds the side portion from the side.

A portion of the first cursor72and a portion of the second cursor74are respectively inserted into the guide slits37and are movable in the Y direction along the guide slits37. Further, as an example, the first cursor72and the second cursor74can be automatically moved in the Y direction by being driven by a driving unit (not illustrated).

The first cursor72and the second cursor74align both end portions in the Y direction of the media P stacked on the processing tray32. Further, the first cursor72and the second cursor74move in the positive Y direction or the negative Y direction with the media P or the media bundle Q sandwiched therebetween in the Y direction, thereby displacing the media P or the media bundle Q in the Y direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the post-processing unit80performs the post-processing on the plurality of media P placed on the loading unit30. Note that in this embodiment, “post-processing” means processing performed on the medium P on which the information has been recorded in the recording unit2. Specifically, the post-processing unit80includes a stapler82.

The stapler82is disposed on the positive A direction side of the processing tray32. Further, the stapler82is movable in the Y direction by being driven by a motor (not illustrated). Furthermore, the stapler82is configured to perform end-binding processing on the aligned end portion on the positive A direction side of the media bundle Q, as a result of the control unit22controlling the operation. The end-binding processing is an example of post-processing.

Next, effects of the recording system1according to the first embodiment will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, a description will be given of a case in which the other medium P is further fed in the positive A direction by the paddle34in a state in which the plurality of media P are stacked and placed on the processing tray32and the lower plate portion58. Note that inFIG. 7, only the alignment unit52is illustrated, and the alignment unit54and the alignment unit56are omitted and not illustrated.

InFIG. 8, a state is illustrated in which a medium PL on which a relatively low amount of ink is used at a time of recording is fed toward the alignment unit52and the alignment unit54. Note that the alignment unit56(seeFIG. 4) is omitted and not illustrated inFIG. 8.

With the medium PL, since a degree of swelling of the medium PL due to impregnation of the ink is low, an occurrence of curling of the medium PL, and a decrease in rigidity of the medium PL with respect to a force acting in the A direction are suppressed. Thus, as indicated by reference signs PA, PB, and PC, even when a feed angle of a tip portion of the medium PL moving toward the alignment unit52and the alignment unit54varies in a direction intersecting the A direction, the tip portion of the medium PL is inhibited from entering a gap between the tip portion of the already placed medium P, and the alignment unit52and the alignment unit54.

FIG. 9illustrates a state in which a medium PH on which a relatively large amount of ink is used at a time of recording is fed toward the alignment unit52and the alignment unit54. Note that the alignment unit56(seeFIG. 4) is omitted and not illustrated inFIG. 8. Further, the plurality of media P are already loaded under the medium PH.

With the medium PH, since the degree of swelling of the medium PH due to the impregnation of the ink is high, there is a possibility that curling of the medium PH may occur, or rigidity of the medium PH with respect to the force acting in the A direction may decrease. As a result, there is a possibility that the feed angle of a tip portion of the medium PH moving toward the alignment unit52and the alignment unit54may increase in the direction intersecting the A direction.

As illustrated in an upper diagram ofFIG. 10, both end portions in the Y direction of the tip portion, on the positive A direction side, of the medium PH, which has been fed into the alignment processing unit50, come into contact with the vertical plate portions59. At the time of the contact, since the friction member64is disposed so as to be offset in the positive A direction with respect to the vertical plate portions59, a central portion in the Y direction of the medium PH is not in contact with the friction member64.

Subsequently, as illustrated in a lower diagram ofFIG. 10, when the feeding of the medium PH in the positive A direction is continued even after both the end portions in the Y direction of the medium PH have come into contact with the vertical plate portions59, the central portion in the Y direction of the medium PH comes into contact with the friction member64. Here, when the central portion in the Y direction of the medium PH attempts to move in the negative B direction, since a coefficient of friction of the friction member64is high, a relatively large frictional force acts on the medium PH, and thus, the movement of the tip portion on the positive A direction side of the medium PH in the negative B direction is restricted. In other words, the tip portion on the positive A direction side of the medium PH is inhibited from entering the gap between the tip portion on the positive A direction side of the already loaded medium P, and the alignment units52,54and56.

Note that the plurality of loaded media P and the medium PH are post-processed by the post-processing unit80(seeFIG. 1), and become the media bundle Q.

As illustrated in an upper diagram ofFIG. 11, the post-processed media bundle Q is sandwiched by the first cursor72and the second cursor74in the Y direction.

Subsequently, as illustrated in a lower diagram ofFIG. 11, as a result of the first cursor72and the second cursor74being moved in the positive Y direction, the media bundle Q is moved in the positive Y direction. Here, the contact surface64A of the friction member64is disposed so as to be offset in the positive A direction with respect to the front faces59A of the vertical plate portions59. Thus, the tip portion on the positive A direction side of the media bundle Q is not likely to come into contact with the contact surface64A while being moved in the positive A direction. As a result, it is possible to inhibit the movement of the media bundle Q in the positive A direction from being restricted by the friction member64.

Note that, here, although an operation of shifting the media bundle Q after the post-processing is described, the same applies to an operation of shifting the plurality of media P before the post-processing is performed thereon.

While referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 11, actions and effects of the loading unit30and the post-processing unit3will be summarized.

According to the loading unit30, the paddle34moves the medium P, which has been fed onto the processing tray32, toward the alignment units52,54, and56. In a state in which at least one of the media P is placed on the processing tray32, when the other medium P in a bent state is fed onto the processing tray32, since the alignment units52and56are positioned upstream of the alignment unit54in the positive A direction, the medium P comes into contact with the alignment units52and56, and the downstream tip end of the medium P is aligned.

Subsequently, a portion of the downstream tip end in the positive A direction of the medium P, which is not in contact with the front face59A, is deformed toward the downstream side in the positive A direction, and at the same time, the portion attempts to move toward the processing tray32due to its own weight.

Here, since the downstream tip end of the medium P comes into contact with the alignment unit54positioned downstream of the alignment units52and56, the movement of the medium P toward the downstream is restricted. Furthermore, since the coefficient of friction of the contact surface64A is higher than the coefficient of friction of the front faces59A, the movement of the downstream tip end of the medium P toward the processing tray32is restricted. As a result, the downstream tip end of the other medium P is inhibited from entering the gap between the downstream tip end of the already loaded medium P, and the alignment units52,54, and56. Thus, when the other medium P in a bent state is fed onto the processing tray32, it is possible to inhibit the alignment of the end portion of the already loaded medium P from becoming disordered.

Further, when the plurality of media P are displaced in the Y direction in a state in which the plurality of media P are loaded on the processing tray32, since the contact surface64A having the high coefficient of friction is positioned downstream of the front faces59A having the low coefficient of friction, the plurality of media P are not likely to come into contact with the contact surface64A. As a result, when the plurality of media P are displaced in the Y direction, it is possible to inhibit a load caused by sliding between the plurality of media P and the alignment unit54from increasing.

According to the loading unit30, the alignment units52,54, and56are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center in the Y direction. As a result, at the tip portions on the positive A direction side of the plurality of media P, the alignment units52,54, and56uniformly come into contact with the tip portions on both sides thereof with respect to the center in the Y direction. Thus, in the processing tray32, it is possible to inhibit the plurality of media P from being loaded while being inclined with respect to the positive A direction.

According to the loading unit30, when the medium P is fed onto the processing tray32, portions near both the end portions in the Y direction of the medium P come into contact with the alignment units52and56before portions closer to the central portion thereof. Thus, in the processing tray32, it is possible to further inhibit the plurality of media P from being loaded while being inclined with respect to the positive A direction.

According to the loading unit30, when the contact surface64A is worn, it is sufficient that only the friction member64be replaced. In other words, since it is not necessary to replace the entire alignment unit54, an amount of material to be disposed of when replacing the contact surface64A can be reduced.

According to the loading unit30, when the side cursors70displace the medium P in the Y direction, the contact surface64A having the high coefficient of friction does not move in the negative Y direction, which is a displacement direction of the medium P and the opposite direction to the positive Y direction. Thus, a sliding resistance acting on a contact portion between the medium P and the contact surface64A can be reduced.

According to the post-processing unit3, similarly to the loading unit30, when the other medium P in a bent state is fed onto the processing tray32, it is possible to inhibit the alignment of the end portions of the already loaded media P from becoming disordered. Furthermore, when the plurality of media P are displaced in the Y direction, it is possible to inhibit a load caused by sliding between the plurality of media P and the alignment units52,54, and56from increasing. Due to these effects, an aligned state of the plurality of media P loaded on the processing tray32is unlikely to become disordered, and it is thus possible to make it easier for the post-processing unit80to perform the post-processing on the plurality of media P.

Note that according to the post-processing unit3, each of the above-described actions and effects of the loading unit30can be obtained.

Second Embodiment

Next, a recording device, a medium loading device, and a post-processing device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described mainly with reference toFIG. 12.

InFIG. 12, a portion of a loading unit90is illustrated as an example of the medium loading device. The loading unit90is provided in the post-processing unit3(seeFIG. 1) in place of the loading unit30(seeFIG. 1). In the post-processing unit3according to the second embodiment, a configuration other than the loading unit90is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will thus be omitted.

Further, the loading unit90is configured to include an alignment unit92in place of the alignment unit54(seeFIG. 3) provided in the loading unit30. A configuration other than the alignment unit92is the same as that of the loading unit30, and a description thereof will be thus omitted while assigning the same reference signs to the common components.

The alignment unit92is an example of the one of the alignment units. Further, the alignment unit92is fixed to the processing tray32. Furthermore, the alignment unit92is positioned on the center line C (seeFIG. 4). In other words, the alignment unit92is disposed in the center portion in the Y direction of the alignment processing unit50(seeFIG. 4). Further, the alignment unit92is formed so that a portion thereof on the positive Y direction side and a portion thereof on the negative Y direction side are formed symmetrically with respect to the center line C. Specifically, the alignment unit92includes a contact member94, a contact surface95, and the pressing member63(seeFIG. 3).

The contact member94is an example of an alignment unit main body. Further, as an example, the contact member94is formed of a stainless steel sheet metal that is bent at a plurality of locations, and opens in the negative A direction. Specifically, the contact member94includes a fixing portion96, a lower plate portion97, a vertical plate portion98, and an upper plate portion99.

The fixing portion96is fastened to the processing tray32. The lower plate portion97extends in the positive A direction from the fixing portion96. Further, an upper surface97A of the lower plate portion97on the positive B direction side is disposed so as to have approximately the same height as that of the upper surface32A.

The vertical plate portion98is provided standing in the positive B direction from an end portion on the positive A direction side of the lower plate portion97. The height of the vertical plate portion98in the positive B direction is set based on a maximum thickness of the media bundle Q (seeFIG. 1) so as to be able to align the end portion of the media bundle Q. Further, the height of the vertical plate portion98in the positive B direction is approximately the same as the height of the vertical plate portion59(seeFIG. 6) in the positive B direction. The width in the Y direction of the vertical plate portion98is greater than the width W2(seeFIG. 6) described above. Further, by coming into contact with the end portions on the positive A direction side of the media P and the media bundle Q, the vertical plate portion59aligns the end portions.

The upper plate portion99extends in the negative A direction from an end portion on the positive B direction side of the vertical plate portion98. Further, an end portion on the negative A direction side of the upper plate portion99is disposed side by side with the end portion on the positive A direction side of the processing tray32, in the B direction.

The contact surface95is an example of the first alignment surface, and is formed in a portion, on the negative A direction side of the vertical plate portion98, which comes into contact with the medium P. Further, as an example, the contact surface95is formed by roughening the surface of the vertical plate portion98. Note that inFIG. 12, the shape of the contact surface95is simplified and illustrated by triangular projections and depressions, but the actual contact surface95is configured as a surface including minute projections and depressions having irregular sizes and shapes.

The contact surface95is positioned downstream in the positive A direction of a virtual line G that indicates the position of the front face59A (seeFIG. 6) in the A direction. In other words, the contact surface95is disposed so as to be offset in the positive A direction with respect to the front face59A. When viewed from the Y direction, a length corresponding to an interval in the A direction between the virtual line G and the contact surface95is L4(mm). The length L4is approximately the same as the length L3(seeFIG. 6). The outer shape of the contact surface95is a rectangular shape whose dimension in the B direction is greater than a dimension thereof in the Y direction when viewed from the A direction.

The contact surface95is a portion having a higher coefficient of friction than other portions of the contact member94. Further, a coefficient of friction of the contact surface95obtained when it comes into contact with the medium P is higher than the coefficient of friction of the front face59A (seeFIG. 6) obtained when it comes into contact with the medium P. In other words, a frictional force acting on the medium P when the medium P is displaced in the negative B direction in a state in which the medium P is in contact with the front face59A is larger than a frictional force acting on the medium P when the medium P is displaced in the negative B direction in a state in which the medium P is in contact with the contact surface95.

Next, effects of the loading unit90according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the actions and effects of the recording system1and the post-processing unit3are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will thus be omitted.

When the feeding of the medium P in the positive A direction is continued even after both the end portions of the medium P in the Y direction have come into contact with the front faces59A (seeFIG. 6), the central portion in the Y direction of the medium P comes into contact with the contact surface95. Here, when the central portion in the Y direction of the medium P attempts to move in the negative B direction, since the coefficient of friction of the contact surface95is high, a relatively large frictional force acts on the medium P, and thus the movement, in the negative B direction, of the tip portion on the positive A direction side of the medium P is restricted. In other words, the tip portion on the positive A direction side of the medium P is inhibited from entering the gap between the tip portion on the positive A direction side of the already loaded medium P and the alignment units52,92, and56.

Here, according to the loading unit90, it is not necessary to configure the entire alignment unit92with a member having a high coefficient of friction, and it is sufficient that the contact surface95be formed by the surface roughening processing, which is post-processing. Thus, it is possible to prevent portions other than the contact surface95from unnecessarily having a high coefficient of friction.

The recording system1, the post-processing unit3, and the loading unit30and the loading unit90according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are based on the configurations described above, but as a matter of course, modifications, omissions, and the like may be made to a partial configuration thereof without departing from the gist of the disclosure of the present application.

InFIG. 13, an alignment unit102is illustrated as a modified example of the alignment unit54(seeFIG. 3). Note that since the alignment unit52and the alignment unit56(seeFIG. 3) are the same as those in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted. Further, with regard to a configuration identical to that of the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted while assigning the same reference signs to the common components.

The alignment unit102is an example of the one of the alignment units. Further, the alignment unit102is fixed to the processing tray32(seeFIG. 3). Specifically, the alignment unit102includes the attachment member62, the pressing member63(seeFIG. 3), and a friction member104.

As an example, the friction member104is a member formed into a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the A direction, and is attached to the front face67A (seeFIG. 6) of the vertical plate portion67. The outer shape of the friction member104is a rectangular shape whose dimension in the B direction is greater than a dimension thereof in the Y direction when viewed from the A direction. The width in the Y direction of the friction member104is substantially the same as the width in the Y direction of the vertical plate portion67. The height of the friction member104in the B direction is lower than the height of the vertical plate portion67in the B direction.

Further, the friction member104has a contact surface106as an example of the first alignment surface. The contact surface106is positioned downstream of the front faces59A in the positive A direction. Further, the contact surface106is a side face on the negative A direction side of the friction member104, and by coming into contact with the end faces on the positive A direction side of the plurality of media P, the contact surface106aligns the end faces. A plurality of lateral grooves108are formed in the contact surface106. Note that inFIG. 13, in order to make it easier to understand a configuration of the lateral grooves108, projections and depressions of the plurality of lateral grooves108are illustrated in an enlarged manner.

The lateral grooves108are open in the negative A direction and extend along the Y direction. Further, the lateral grooves108are formed as valley portions of the projections and depressions, in which ridge portions and the valley portions are repeatedly formed in the B direction when viewed from the Y direction, and each have a curved wall surface. The shape and size of a cross section, along an A-B plane, of each of the lateral grooves108is substantially the same shape and size in the Y direction. The plurality of lateral grooves108are disposed side by side in the B direction.

A coefficient of friction of the contact surface106obtained when it comes into contact with the medium P is higher than the coefficient of friction of the front faces59A obtained when they come into contact with the medium P. Further, although the projections and depressions are repeated in the B direction in the contact surface106, projections and depressions are not formed in the Y direction. In other words, the contact surface106is formed so that a coefficient of friction obtained when it comes into contact with the medium P in the B direction is higher than a coefficient of friction obtained when it comes into contact with the medium P in the Y direction. In this way, the coefficient of friction of the contact surface106is higher than the coefficient of friction of the front faces59A at least in the B direction.

In the alignment unit102, a coefficient of friction in the B direction is higher than a coefficient of friction in the Y direction. As a result, the downstream tip end of the medium P is inhibited from entering the gap between the downstream tip end of the already loaded medium P and the alignment units52,102, and56. Thus, when the medium P in a bent state is fed onto the processing tray32(seeFIG. 3), it is possible to inhibit the alignment of the end portions of the already loaded media P from becoming disordered.

Further, since the contact surface106is positioned downstream, in the positive A direction, of the front faces59A having the low coefficient of friction, the plurality of media P are not likely to come into contact with the contact surface106.

Here, when the plurality of media A are displaced in the Y direction in the state in which the plurality of media P are loaded on the processing tray32, even if the medium P and the contact surface106come into contact with each other, since the coefficient of friction of the contact surface106in the Y direction is lower than the coefficient of friction thereof in the B direction, it is possible to inhibit a load caused by sliding between the plurality of media P and the alignment unit102from increasing.

In this manner, the coefficient of friction of the contact surface106in the B direction, which is a loading direction of the medium P, may be increased, and at the same time, the coefficient of friction of the contact surface106in the Y direction, which is the displacement direction of the medium P, may be set to be lower than the coefficient of friction thereof in the B direction.

Further, similarly to the contact surface95(seeFIG. 12), the contact surface106may be formed by directly performing the surface roughening processing on the contact surface.

In the loading unit30, the alignment units52,54, and56need not necessarily be disposed symmetrically with respect to the center in the Y direction.

Either the alignment unit52on the positive Y direction side or the alignment unit54on the negative Y direction side may not be disposed in the loading unit30.

In the loading unit30, the side cursors70need not necessarily be provided. Further, the alignment unit54may be provided such that the position thereof can be changed in the Y direction with respect to the processing tray32.

The number of the plurality of alignment units is not limited to three, and may be two, or four or more.

The widths in the Y direction of the alignment units52and56may be different from each other. Further, the alignment units52and56may be movable in the Y direction, and only the alignment unit54may be fixed to the processing tray32.

In a configuration provided with a plurality of the alignment units54, the widths in the Y direction of the plurality of friction members64may be different from each other.

The thickness in the A direction of the friction member64need not necessarily be the same in the B direction, but may vary in the B direction. Note that when the thickness in the A direction of the friction member64varies in the B direction, the contact surface64A is not limited to being a continuous inclined surface or curved surface when viewed from the Y direction. For example, the contact surface64A may be a stepped uneven surface when viewed from the Y direction.

Similarly, the contact surface95may be one of the inclined surface, the curved surface, and the stepped uneven surface when viewed from the Y direction.

The post-processing is not limited to the end-binding processing, and may be other processing such as punching processing performed on the plurality of media P.