Abstract:
Bookbinding unit that in binding an inner-leave sheet bundle together with a cover enables accurate binding of the cover onto the bundle&#39;s spine and meanwhile forms folding scores in the cover flaps. Furnished with: a stacking tray unit; a process path for sequentially transporting bundles from the tray unit into adhesive-application and cover-binding locations; an adhesive application unit, disposed in the adhesive-application location, that applies adhesive to bundles from the tray unit; a cover-supply unit that supplies covers to the cover-binding location; and a cover-binding unit, disposed in the cover-binding location, that binds sheet bundles from the adhesive-application location together with covers. The cover-binding unit has a shoulder-pressing unit that forms spine creases in the spine portion of the covers, and a flap-pressing unit that forms folds in the spine-creased sides of the covers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention, involving bookbinding units that collate sheets conveyed out of a photocopier, printer, or the like, into a bundle and cover the bundle with a cover sheet, relates to improvements in mechanisms for spine-creasing when encasing a bundle of inner-bound leaves with, and binding the bundle into, a cover sheet. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    With such bookbinding units generally, so-called perfect binding is known, in which sheets that are conveyed out of an imaging apparatus are stacked and collated into a bundle on a tray device, adhesive is applied to the spine part of the sheet bundle and the bundle is joined together with a cover sheet, into its central portion, in the form of an inverted T, and the cover sheet is spine-creased to close it onto the bundle. 
         [0005]    In conventional perfect binding techniques of this sort, forming folding scores in the flaps of the cover sheet is known, and is often adopted with thick cover sheets and other in encasing situations in which the cover cannot be readily folded. Traditionally, however, for such folding scores a cover sheet is pressed, as a process prior to bookbinding, to form the folding scores in the cover. 
         [0006]    Meanwhile, various bookbinding units which are linked to the discharge outlet of an imaging apparatus and that collate into bundles sheets on which images have been formed, apply adhesive to the bundle spines, and thereafter bind the bundles together with cover sheets have been proposed-such as is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005-305822 (cf. FIG. 1). This publication discloses an apparatus that stacks and collates into bundles sheets (inner-bound leaves) from an image forming apparatus and applies adhesive to the spine portion of the bundles with an adhesive applicator disposed downstream; the sheet bundles are case-bound into cover sheets readied at (supplied/fed to) the downstream side of the adhesive applicator. Then, the cover sheets are bound on by contacting, in an inverted-T form, the inner-bound sheet bundle onto the central portion of a cover sheet, and spine-creasing the cover sheet with spine-creasing pressing members. Herein, the spine-creasing pressing members (spine-creasing plates in said publication) are configured to fold over and press the cover sheet with a left/right pair of platelike members. 
         [0007]    As described above, in bookbinding by collating into bundles sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus or the like, and applying adhesive to and thereafter binding covers onto the bundles, conventionally, as is the case with the just-cited JP 2005-305822, the shoulder portions of the cover sheet are fold-bended and press-formed. When pressing members for this purpose, such as spine-folding plates, pressure-nip a cover sheet along both shoulders, the adhesive applied to the spine portion can sometimes leak out onto the back side of the cover sheet (the cover rear face). In particular, if excess adhesive is applied to the spine portion, it can leak out to the cover rear face, giving rise to a defectively bound booklet in which inner-bound leaves are adhered to the back side of the cover sheet. Conversely, if an inadequate amount of adhesive is applied to the spine portion, it can become bent along the spine cover when the cover sheet is opened; either case will lead to problems with the quality of the booklet&#39;s appearance. 
         [0008]    Along with these sorts of difficulties, if paper of thick caliper is used as a cover sheet, with the cover sheet not bending easily in opening a booklet after it has been bound, areas in the spine cover where the adhesive is weak can become bent. To address this, as described above bookbinding techniques whereby folding scores are formed in both flaps of a cover sheet are known. However, this sort of bookbinding technique cannot easily be adopted in a system apparatus such as in the just-cited JP 2005-305822. In particular, conventional folding scores must be press-formed into the cover sheet in advance, which means that in cases where, for example, in a device system for continuous imaging, both the inner-bound leaves and the cover sheets are printed with images, sent to a bookbinding unit downstream, and bound with covers in the bookbinding unit, processing the cover sheets with folding scores in advance places serious restrictions on the device configuration. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Therein, the present inventors arrived at the concept of, when spine-creasing and molding a cover sheet onto an inner-bound sheet bundle onto which adhesive has been applied, at the same time forming folding scores in both flaps to control leakage of excess adhesive, and the position where the cover sheets are folded. 
         [0010]    The present invention provides a bookbinding unit that accurately binds a spine portion to a sheet bundle and forms folding scores in sides of a cover sheet simultaneously when binding inner leaves of the sheet bundle formed with images and a cover sheet. 
         [0011]    Still further, the present invention provides an image-forming system with a good bookbinding quality using a simple structure for the cover sheet binding mechanism that collates and stacks sheets conveyed from an image-forming system to a cover sheet. 
         [0012]    The present invention employs the following configuration to attain the aforementioned objects. 
         [0013]    The system is provided stacking tray means that collates and stacks into a sheet bundle sheets sequentially fed; a bookbinding process path that sequentially conveys the sheet bundle from the stacking tray means to an adhesive application position and a cover-sheet binding location; adhesive application means equipped in the adhesive application position, that applies adhesive to the sheet bundle conveyed from the stacking tray means; cover sheet feeding means that feeds a cover sheet to the cover-sheet binding location; and cover-sheet binding means equipped in the cover-sheet binding location, that binds the sheet bundle conveyed from the adhesive application position and the cover sheet. The cover-sheet binding means has shoulder-portion pressing means that fold the spine to form a shoulder on the cover sheet, and flap-portion pressing means that forms folds in sides of the cover sheet. The shoulder-portion pressing means and the flap-portion pressing means are configured to move as one body to press-form the cover sheet, or to move independently to press-form the cover sheet. 
         [0014]    The shoulder-portion pressing means and flap-portion pressing means are set to pressing pressures to form predetermined flap glue portions by using the flap-portion pressing means to control the adhesive that leaks to the shoulders of the cover sheet when folding to form the cover sheet with the shoulder-portion pressing means. 
         [0015]    The shoulder-portion pressing means and flap-portion pressing means are composed of the same pressing members. These pressing members have a shoulder-portion forming unit that folds the spine of the cover sheet and a flap-portion forming unit that folds grooves into the sides of the cover sheet. The shoulder-portion forming unit is composed to forcibly press the shoulders of the cover sheet with the folding scores formed by the flap-portion forming unit. 
         [0016]    In this configuration, the shoulder-portion pressing means and the flap-portion pressing means are composed of a pair of shoulder-portion pressing members and flap-portion pressing members; these are controlled to (1) press and fold the cover sheet simultaneously, (2) the flap-portion pressing members to form the crease in the sides after the shoulder-portion pressing members fold the cover sheet, or (3) the shoulder-portion pressing members form a shoulder after the flap-portion pressing members fold the spine of the cover sheet. 
         [0017]    Gripping conveyance means are equipped in the bookbinding path to convey a sheet bundle from the stacking tray means to the cover-sheet binding location. Cover-sheet binding means binds the sheet bundle gripped by the gripping conveyance means to the cover sheet at the cover-sheet binding location. 
         [0018]    The cover-sheet binding means is composed of shoulder-portion pressing means, flap-portion pressing means and spine portion pressing means that touches and supports the spine portion of the cover sheet. This spine portion pressing means supports the cover sheet fed to the cover-sheet binding location. After the shoulder-portion pressing means folds the cover sheet supported by the spine portion pressing means, folding scores are formed in the cover sheet using the flap-portion pressing members. 
         [0019]    The system is provided a sheet conveyance path that conveys-in a sheet from an image forming apparatus; stacking tray means that collates and stacks into a sheet bundle sheets conveyed from the conveyance path; a bookbinding process path that sequentially conveys the sheet bundle from the stacking tray means to an adhesive application position and a cover-sheet binding location; adhesive application means equipped in the adhesive application position, that applies adhesive to the sheet bundle conveyed from the stacking tray means; a cover sheet feeding path that feeds the cover sheet from the sheet conveyance path to the cover-sheet binding location; and cover-sheet binding means disposed in the cover-sheet binding location, that binds the sheet bundle conveyed from the adhesive application position and the cover sheet. The cover-sheet binding means has shoulder-portion pressing means that fold the spine of the cover sheet to form a shoulder, and flap-portion pressing means that form folding scores in sides of the cover sheet. The shoulder-portion pressing means and the flap-portion pressing means are configured to integratingly move toward the cover sheet, or to move independently to press and fold the cover sheet. 
         [0020]    Also, the image-forming system according to the present invention is composed of an image-forming apparatus that sequentially forms images on sheets, and a bookbinding apparatus that collates into sheet bundles sheets conveyed from the image-forming apparatus and binds them to a cover sheet; the bookbinding apparatus is composed as described above. 
         [0021]    The present invention produces the following effects when binding inner leaves of the sheet bundle applied with adhesive to a cover sheet because the spine is folded and formed using shoulder-portion pressing means that fold shoulders of the cover sheet and flap-portion pressing means that form grooves in the sides of the cover sheet. 
         [0022]    The flap-portion pressing means (members) prevent leakage of adhesive to the inner sides of the cover sheet (the backside of the cover sheet) so the spine portion of the cover sheet is bound more precisely and does not cause a poor binding of the booklet. 
         [0023]    Also, because grooves are formed in the front and back covers of the booklet after the bookbinding process, it is possible to fold the predetermined sides even if the cover sheet is a thick sheet. This prevents damage of the spine portion of the cover sheet when the cover is opened. 
         [0024]    Still further, the shoulder-portion pressing members and flap-portion pressing members can be integrated pairs of pressing members on the left and right sides, for example and that structure is simple and does not increase the size of the apparatus. Also, the shoulder-portion pressing members and flap-portion pressing members are separate bodies. By properly varying the timing to fold the cover sheet it is possible to ensure the effects of the invention to prevent the leakage of adhesive and to properly form grooves in the sides of the cover sheet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory view of an overall configuration of a bookbinding unit of the present invention and an image-forming system equipped with the same. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view of the bookbinding unit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show an adhesive application means in the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ;  FIG. 3A  shows an overall configuration of an adhesive container;  FIG. 3B  is an explanatory view of the application of adhesive. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is an explanatory drawing of a configuration of a bundle posture changing means in the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a view of a first embodiment of a cover-sheet binding means in the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , and an expanded view of the essential parts. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are explanatory views of the operation of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 5 ;  FIG. 6A  shows pressing members at an idling position;  FIG. 6B  shows the start of the binding operation. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are explanatory views of the operation of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 5 ;  FIG. 7A  shows pressing members forming folding scores in the cover sheet;  FIG. 7B  shows the completion of the cover sheet binding operation. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a sheet bundle formed into a booklet and covered by a cover sheet;  FIG. 8A  shows an overall perspective view and the folding grooves;  FIG. 8B  is a sectional view of the configuration of the glued portion. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is an explanatory view of a position adjustment mechanism of the pressing means in the apparatus shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a view of a second embodiment of a cover-sheet binding means in the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0035]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are explanatory views of the operation of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 9 ;  FIG. 11A  shows spine pressing members folding the cover sheet over the inner leaves of the sheet bundle;  FIG. 11B  shows side pressing members the impressing folding grooves in the sides of the cover sheet. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are explanatory views of the operation of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 9 ;  FIG. 12A  shows side pressing members folding the cover sheet over the inner leaves of the sheet bundle;  FIG. 12B  shows side pressing members the pressing the spine portion. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a block schematic view of a configuration of control means in the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart of the bookbinding operation in the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained based on the drawings provided.  FIG. 1  is an explanatory view of the bookbinding unit according to the present invention and the overall configuration of the image-forming system that uses the bookbinding unit;  FIG. 2  is a detailed explanatory view of the bookbinding unit. 
       Configuration of the Image-forming Apparatus 
       [0040]    First, the image-forming unit A can adopt a variety of structures of a copier, printer or printing machine. The drawing shows an electrostatic printing system. A sheet feeder  2 , a printing unit  3 , a discharge unit  4  and a control unit are installed inside the casing  1  on the image-forming apparatus A. A plurality of cassettes  5  that correspond to sheet sizes is prepared at the sheet feeder  2 . Sheet sizes specified by the control unit are fed to the sheet feeding path  6 . A registration roller  7  is equipped at the sheet feed path  6 . After the leading edge of the sheet is registered by this roller, it is fed at a predetermined timing to the downstream printing unit. 
         [0041]    A static electric drum  10  is equipped at the printing unit  3 . A print head  9 , a developer  11  and a transfer charger  12  are disposed around this drum  10 . The print head  9  is composed of a laser emitter, for example, to form electrostatic latent images on the electrostatic drum  10 . Toner ink adheres to the latent image at the developer  11 , and this is transferred and printed on the sheet at the transfer charger  12 . The printed sheet is the fixed at the fixer  13  and discharged to the discharge path  17 . A discharge outlet  14  formed in the casing  1  and a discharge roller  15  are disposed at the discharge unit  4 . Note that the symbol  16  in the drawing represents a recirculation path. A printed sheet from the discharge path  17  is turned over from front to back at the switchback path and fed to the registration roller  7  to be formed with images on its backside. In this way, a sheet formed with images on one side or both sides is conveyed from the discharge outlet  14  by the discharge roller  15 . 
         [0042]    Note that the symbol  20  in the drawings is a scanner unit. This optically reads images on an original to printed using the print head  9 . As is generally known in the art, the scanner is composed of a platen  23  where an original sheet is set; a carriage  21  that scans the original image along the platen  23 ; and an optical reading means (for example, a CCD device)  22  that photo-electrically converts optical images received from the carriage  21 . The drawing shows an original feeding apparatus  25  that automatically feeds the original sheet to the platen, installed over the platen  23 . 
       Bookbinding Unit Configuration 
       [0043]    The following will now explain the bookbinding unit B that is attached to the image-forming apparatus A. The bookbinding unit B is composed of a stacker  40  that stacks and aligns printed sheets into bundles; an adhesive applicator means  55  that applies adhesive to the sheet bundle conveyed from the stacker  40 ; and cover-sheet binding means  60  that binds the cover sheet to the sheet bundle applied with adhesive, in the casing  30 . 
       Conveyance Path Configuration 
       [0044]    A conveyance path  31  having a conveyance inlet  31   a  linked to the discharge outlet  14  of the image-forming unit A is provided in the casing  30 , and the intermediate sheet conveyance path  32  and cover sheet conveyance path  34  are linked from this conveyance path  31  via the path switching flapper  36 . The bookbinding path  33  is linked to the cover sheet conveyance path  34  via the stacker  40 , and a finishing path  38  is connected to the cover sheet conveyance path  34 . The bookbinding path  33  is disposed to traverse the apparatus longitudinally in a substantially vertical direction, and the cover sheet conveyance path  34  is disposed in a direction to traverse the apparatus in a horizontal direction. 
         [0045]    The bookbinding path  33  and the cover sheet conveyance path  34  mutually intersect (orthogonally); the cover-sheet binding means  60 , described below, is disposed in the intersection. The conveyance path  31  configured as described above is linked to the discharge outlet  14  of the image-forming unit A to receive printed sheets from the image-forming unit A. Sheets printed with content information (the leaves of sheets) and sheets printed with a title and the like to be used as a cover sheet (hereinafter referred to as a cover sheet) are conveyed out from the image-forming apparatus A. This conveyance path  31  is branched into the intermediate sheet conveyance path  32  and the cover sheet conveyance path  34 , and sort printed sheets to convey them into each path by the use of a path switching flapper  36 . 
         [0046]    An inserter unit  26  is connected to the conveyance in path  31 . This is configured to separate one cover sheet at a time that will not be printed at the image-forming apparatus A from feeder tray  26   a  and feed it to the conveyance in path  31 . The inserter unit  26  is equipped with one or a plurality of feeder trays  26   a . Feeding means that separates stacked sheets into single sheets, and sheet feeding path  27  downstream of the feeding means are disposed on the leading edge of the tray. The sheet feeding path  27  is connected to the conveyance in path  31  interposed by a path switching piece  28 . The conveyance roller  31   b  is disposed in the convey-in path  31 ; the conveyance roller  32   a  is disposed in the inner-sheet conveyance path  32 ; the gripping conveyance means  47 , the sheet bundle posture changing means  64 , and the discharge roller  66  (discharge means) are disposed in the bookbinding path  33 . 
         [0047]    A conveyance roller  34   a  is disposed in the cover sheet conveyance path  34  and a conveyance roller  38   a  is disposed in a finishing path  38 ; each of these is connected to a drive motor. Note that  34   g  shown in  FIG. 5  denotes a movable guide of the cover sheet conveyance path  34 . A pair of these is disposed left and right of the cover-sheet binding location F, described below, to guide the upstream and downstream sides of the cover sheet conveyed to the cover-sheet binding location F. This pair of movable guides  34   g  is linked to a drive motor, not shown, to retreat (when binding the cover sheet) upward from the cover-sheet binding location F. 
       Stacker Configuration 
       [0048]    The stacking tray  41  arranged at the discharge outlet  32   b  of the inner sheet conveyance path  32  stacks and stores sheets from the discharge outlet  32   b  in a bundle. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the stacking tray  44  is composed of a tray member disposed in substantially horizontal posture; a forward and reverse rotating roller  42   a  and conveyance guide  42   b  are furnished thereabove. Also, printed sheets from the discharge outlet  32   b  are guided to the stacking tray  41  by the conveyance guide  42   b  and are stored by the forward and reverse rotating roller  42   a . The forward and reverse rotating roller  42   a  feeds the printed sheet to the leading edge of the stacking tray  41  with a forward rotation. When rotated in reverse, the trailing edge of the sheet is pushed against an aligning member  43  disposed at the trailing edge of the tray (the right edge of  FIG. 2 ) to become aligned. A sheet side aligning means, not shown, is equipped on the stacking tray  41  to align both edges of the printed sheet stored in the tray to reference positions. With this configuration, printed sheets conveyed from the inner-sheet conveyance path  32  are sequentially stacked in the stacking tray  41  and aligned into a bundle shape. 
       Configuration of the Sheet Bundle Conveyance Means 
       [0049]    Gripping conveyance means  47  are furnished in the bookbinding path  33  to convey a sheet from the stacking tray  41  to a downstream adhesive application position F. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gripping conveyance means  47  turns the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray  41  from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture, then conveys the sheet bundle to the adhesive application position F by conveying it along the bookbinding path  33  disposed in a substantially vertical direction. For that reason, the stacking tray  41  moves from a stacking position (solid lines in  FIG. 2 ) to the hand-over position (dashed line in  FIG. 2 ), and hands over the sheet bundle to the gripping conveyance means  47  prepared at this hand-over position. 
       Adhesive Application Unit Configuration 
       [0050]    An adhesive application means  55  is disposed in the adhesive application position E of the bookbinding path  33 . As shown in  FIG. 3A  the adhesive application means  55  is composed of an adhesive container  56  that stores hot-melt adhesive; an applicator roller  57 ; and a roller rotating motor MR. The adhesive container  56  is separated into a liquid-form adhesive storage compartment (hereinafter referred to as the liquid adhesive storage compartment)  56   a  and a solid-form adhesive storage container (hereinafter referred to as the solid adhesive storage compartment)  56   b ; an applicator roller  57  is rotatably installed in the liquid adhesive storage compartment  56   a . An adhesive sensor  56 S that detects the remaining amount of adhesive is disposed in the liquid adhesive storage compartment  56   a . The adhesive sensor  56   c  also duals as an adhesive temperature sensor. At the same time that this sensor detects the temperature of the liquefied adhesive in the liquid adhesive storage compartment  56   a , it also detects the amount of adhesive remaining in the container according to the difference in temperature of the portion dipped in the adhesive. Also, heating means  50 , such as an electric heater or the like, is embedded in the adhesive container  56 . This adhesive sensor  56 S and heating means  50  are connected to a control CPU  75 , described below, to adjust the temperature of the adhesive in the liquid adhesive storage compartment  56   a  to a predetermined temperature for liquefaction in the compartment. The applicator roll  57  is composed of a porous and heat resistant material and is configured to be impregnated with adhesive and to enable adhesive to form a layer on the circumference of the applicator roller. 
         [0051]    The adhesive container  56  as described above has a reciprocating motion along the sheet bundle.  FIG. 3B  is a conceptual view of the container. The adhesive container  56  is formed to a shorter length (dimension) than the bottom edge of the sheet bundle (the backside covered at the binding process) SU. The container is supported on a guide rail  52  of the apparatus frame to move along the bottom edge SU of the sheet bundle along with the applicator roller  57  installed in that container. The adhesive container  56  is connected to a timing belt  53  installed on the apparatus frame; a drive motor MS is connected to the timing belt  53 . 
         [0052]    Therefore, drive motor MS reciprocates the adhesive container  56  between a home position HP and a return position RP where the return operation is started along the sheet bundle. Each position is set to the positional relationships shown in  FIG. 3B ; the return position RP is set based on sheet width size information. The adhesive container  50  is set to the home position HP when the power is turned on (at device initialization). For example, this moves from the home position HP to the return position RP after a predetermined amount of time after a sheet grip signal from the grip sensor Sg of the gripping conveyance means  47 . At the same time as this movement, the roller rotating motor MR starts rotating the applicator roller  57 . Note that the home position sensor of the adhesive container  56  is given the symbol SP in the drawing. With the adhesive applicator means  55  configured as described above, rotation of the drive motor MS starts moving the adhesive container  56  from the left side of  FIG. 3B  to the right side along the guide rail  52 . The amount of travel of the gripping conveyance means  47  is adjusted by the elevator motor (not shown) so that the applicator roller  57  pressingly contacts the sheet bundle to slightly separate the edges of the sheets in the advancing path, and forms a predetermined gap with the sheet bundle edge in the return path to return from the return position RP to the home position HP to apply adhesive. 
       Configuration of the Cover-Sheet Binding Means 
       [0053]    The cover-sheet binding means  60  is disposed in the cover-sheet binding location F of the bookbinding path  33 . The cover-sheet binding means  60  is composed of a shoulder-portion pressing means  60   p , flap-portion pressing means  60   q , and spine portion pressing means  60   r . These fold the cover sheet abutted into alignment in an upside-down T shape at the cover-sheet binding location F over the inner leaves of sheets in the sheet bundle. This shoulder-portion pressing means (pressing members)  60   p  is disposed to fold the shoulders connected to the spine binding of the cover sheet; the flap-portion pressing means (pressing members)  60   q  is disposed to form folding grooves in the sides separated a distance from the cover sheet shoulder portions. The shoulder-portion pressing means  60   p  and flap-portion pressing means  60   q  are either 1) composed of integrated members to pressingly move simultaneously, or 2) of separate members to pressingly move independently.  FIG. 5  is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of 1) the integrated configuration;  FIGS. 6A and 7B  are explanatory views shown its operation.  FIG. 10  is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of 2) the separated configuration;  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  12 A and  12 B are explanatory views shown its operation. Each will be explained below. 
       First Embodiment of Cover-Sheet Binding Means 
       [0054]    (See  FIG. 5 .) As shown in  FIG. 5 , the cover-sheet binding means  60  is disposed in the cover-sheet binding location F disposed downstream of the adhesive application position E. The cover-sheet binding means  60  is composed of a first pressing member  62   a  and a second pressing member  62   b  (collectively called pressing members  62 ); the pressing members  62  compose the shoulder pressing means  60   p  and the side pressing means  60   q . The pressing members  62  are supported on guide rails (not shown) on the apparatus frame to be opposing on the left and right of the cover-sheet binding means  60 . They are supported to approach and separate from each other between an idling position Wp and an operating position Ap. A control motor Mp 1  is connected to the first pressing member  62   a ; a control motor Mp 2  is connected to the second pressing member  62   b . Specifically, rack gears  62   r  are integrally formed on the pressing members  62 , and drive pinions  62   p  linked to the control motors Mp 1  and Mp 2  mesh with the rack gears  62   r . The reason for configuring the pressing members  62  to be driving individually using the control motor Mp 1  and Mp 2  is to vary the operating strokes of the first pressing member  62   a  and second pressing member  62   b . Therefore, if both members have the same operating strokes, it is acceptable to drive the pressing members  62  using a single control motor. 
         [0055]    Both pressing members  62  are equipped with shoulder portion pressing projections (the shoulder-portion pressing means; hereinafter this is the same)  60   p  and side portion pressing projections (hereinafter referred to as flap-portion pressing means)  60   q . Shoulder portion pressing projections  60   p  are disposed in positions shown in the drawing adjacent to the cover-sheet binding location F and are formed to flat-face-shaped projections so that they do not damage the cover sheet. The side portion pressing projections  60   q  are formed to sharp projections to press in a folded groove (see gL shown in  FIG. 8A ) in the cover sheet Sh. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the side portion pressing projections  60   q  are formed to forcefully press the cover sheet Sh projecting further outward than the shoulder portion pressing projections  60   p.    
         [0056]    Spine pressing means  60   r  is disposed downstream of the pressing members  62 . The spine portion pressing means  60   r  is configured to project into and out of the bookbinding path  33 , and is composed of a plate-shaped member that supports the cover sheet Sh when pushing the inner leaves of sheets in the sheet bundle Sn to the cover sheet Sh. The pressing members  62  press with the spine portion of the cover sheet touching the spine portion pressing means  60   p . Also the spine portion pressing means  60   r  supports the spine portion of the cover sheet when the spine is being pressed and has a cooling effect on the adhesive thereby hardening it at the same time as supporting the cover sheet so that it does not become wrinkled or uneven. 
         [0057]    The following will now explain the cover sheet Sh binding operations in the first embodiment of the cover-sheet binding means  60 . First,  FIG. 5  shows adhesive being applied to the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn. Both the shoulder-portion pressing means  60   p  and flap-portion pressing means  60   q  are retreated to their retreated positions. Also, the spine portion pressing means  60   r  is retreated from the bookbinding path  33 . In this state, when adhesive is applied to the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn, the gripping conveyance means  47  conveys the inner leaves of the sheet bundle to the downstream cover-sheet binding location F. At that time, the cover sheet Sh is fed from the cover sheet conveyance path  34  and set at the cover-sheet binding location F. The spine portion pressing means  60   r  also moves to and is set at the cover-sheet binding location F in the bookbinding path. The first pressing member  62   a  on the right side of the drawing moves to a position corresponding to the thickness of the inner leaves of sheet bundle Sn and idles there. A sheet bundle detection sensor (not shown) is provided for the movement to the idling position Wp to detect the thickness of the sheet bundle set on the stacking tray  41  and is configured to detect the thickness of the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn that have been prealigned. The first pressing member  62   a  idles at the position corresponding to the bundle thickness based on the bundle thickness information obtained from this detection sensor. With the movement to the idling positions Wp, attention was paid to the first pressing member  62   a  and the second pressing member  62   b  folding the cover sheet Sh at the same time on the left and right sides. This state is shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         [0058]    Next, the control means (cover-sheet binding means control unit)  75   c , described below, controls the drive of the control motors Mp 1  and Mp 2 . With that, the pressing members  62  start bending the shoulder portions of the cover sheet Sh, as shown in  FIG. 6B . The movement of the pressing members toward the binding direction gradually causes the cover sheet Sh to be folded. 
         [0059]    When the cover sheet Sh is folded over the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the side portion pressing projections  60   q  (flap-portion pressing means) of the pressing members  62  form folding grooves in the cover sheet Sh. Then, when the pressing members  62  approach even more, the spine portion pressing projections (spine pressing members)  60   p  presses and forms the shoulder portion of the cover sheet Sh. (See  FIG. 7B .) Because both sides of the cover sheet are pressed firmly by the side portion pressing projections  60   q , an excess amount of adhesive applied to the spine portion of the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn will not leak out to the outside from the folding grooves. 
         [0060]    In this way, the folding scores (or folded lines) gL are formed on both sides of the cover sheet Sh as shown  FIGS. 8A and 8B , and the cover sheet Sh and inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn are firmly bound by adhesive at the spine portion Shx and shoulder portion Shy on the inner sides of the cover sheet. 
         [0061]    Note that the flap-portion pressing means  60   q  that compose the pressing members  62  can be configured to adjust the positions of the folding grooves that form the cover sheet in up and down directions. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the pressing members are configured to be separated into the shoulder-portion pressing means  60   p  and the flap-portion pressing means  60   q . The flap-portion pressing means  60   q  are mounted to the shoulder-portion pressing means  60   p  to be able to freely adjust the height. As shown in the drawing, the flap-portion pressing means  60   q  are fastened to be able to adjust positions in the up and down directions using the height adjustment screws  62   x  and fastening screws  62   y . This makes it possible to form the folding groove at positions on the cover sheet according to the property of the adhesive used or the thickness of the cover sheet. 
       Second Embodiment of Cover-Sheet Binding Means 
       [0062]    (See  FIG. 10 .) The following will now explain the second embodiment of the cover-sheet binding means  60  shown in  FIG. 10 . This embodiment is a configuration where the shoulder-portion pressing means and the flap-portion pressing means are separate members. The cover-sheet binding means  60  is disposed in the cover-sheet binding location F as shown in  FIG. 10 . This cover-sheet binding means  60  is composed of shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a  and  68   b , and flap-portion pressing members  61   a  and  61   b . Each of these is disposed in pairs on the left and right sides of the cover-sheet binding location F. 
         [0063]    The left and right pair of shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a , and  68   b  are supported by guide rails, not shown, of the apparatus frame to allow the left and right sides to mutually approach and separate. Also, the flap-portion pressing members  61   a  and  61   b  are matingly supported to slide on the guide rail  61   g  formed on the shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a , and  68   b . Micro-motors Mp 3  and Mp 4  are installed under and supported by these shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a  and  68   b ; eccentric cams  61   w  linked to these micro-motors causes the flap-portion pressing members  61   a  and  61   b  to approach the cover-sheet binding location F. The flap-portion pressing members  61  a and  61  b are urged to eccentric cams  61   w  by return springs, not shown. 
         [0064]    On the other hand, rack gears  68 L are integrated to the shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a ,  68   b , and drive pinions  68   p  linked to the control motors Mp 1  and Mp 2  mesh with these gears. Note that spine portion pressing means  60   r  is disposed in the same way as was described in relation to the first embodiment. Its configuration is also the same as was described. Therefore, an explanation thereof will be omitted. 
         [0065]    In this configuration, the shoulder-portion pressing members  68  and the flap-portion pressing members  61  are controlled to (1) press and fold the cover sheet simultaneously, (2) the flap-portion pressing members to form the crease in the sides after the shoulder-portion pressing members fold the cover sheet, or (3) the shoulder-portion pressing members  68  forming a shoulder after the flap-portion pressing members  61  fold the spine of the cover sheet. 
         [0066]    The simultaneous pressing operation is the same as the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . Therefore, an explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, when the shoulder-portion pressing members  68  are used to crease the cover sheet Sh first, then the flap-portion pressing members  61  are used to form the folding scores (or folded lines) in the cover sheet Sh of (2), the control means (hereinafter referred to as the cover sheet binding control unit  75   c ) touches the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn to the cover sheet Sh with the pressing members  68  and  61  positioned at their idle positions, as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . This operation is the same as that described in relation to the first embodiment. In the state depicted in  FIG. 11A , the cover sheet Sh is folded over the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn by the shoulder-portion pressing members  68 . For this operation, the control motors Mp 1  and Mp 2  are rotatingly driven a predetermined amount. The control means rotatingly drives the micro-motors Mp 3  and Mp 4  mounted on the shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a  and  68   b . When this happens, the flap-portion pressing members  61   a  and  61   b  create the folded groove in the sides of the cover sheet, as shown in  FIG. 11B . 
         [0067]    When the flap-portion pressing members  61   a ,  61   b  are used to fold and crease the cover sheet Sh first, then the shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a ,  68   b  are used to press the shoulders of the cover sheet Sh of (3), the cover sheet binding control unit  75   c  touches the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn to the cover sheet Sh with the pressing members  68  and  61  positioned at their idle positions, as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B . This operation is the same as that described in relation to the first embodiment. In the state depicted in  FIG. 12A , the cover sheet Sh is folded over the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn by the flap-portion pressing members  61   a  and  61   b . Then the side portions of the cover sheet Sh are creased to form the folded groove. For this operation, the control motors Mp 1  and Mp 2  are rotatingly driven a predetermined amount and stopped when the shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a  and  68   b  have approached the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn. The control means rotatingly drives the micro-motors Mp 2  and Mp 3  mounted on the shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a  and  68   b . In the state depicted in  FIG. 12A , the cover sheet Sh is folded over the inner leaves of the sheet bundle Sn by the flap-portion pressing members  61   a  and  61   b . Then, the side portions of the cover sheet Sh are creased to form the folded groove. 
         [0068]    The control means rotatingly drives the control motors Mp 1  and Mp 2  predetermined amounts. This causes the shoulder portions to be pressed and formed by the shoulder-portion pressing members  68   a  and  68   b  while the side portions of the cover sheet Sh are being pressed by the flap-portion pressing members  61   a  and  61   b , as shown in  FIG. 12B . The side portions of the cover sheet Sh at that time are firmly pressed by the flap-portion pressing members  61 . By forming the cover sheet in this way, excess adhesive will not leak out to outside of the folded groove when press-forming the shoulders of the cover sheet Sh. 
         [0069]    Folding rollers  63  are disposed downstream of the cover-sheet binding means  60  described above. These folding rollers comprise a pair of rollers that pressure-nip the sheet bundle formed with the cover sheet to provide a finish to the booklet. 
       Configuration of Bundle-Posture Changing Means and Trimming Means 
       [0070]    A bundle-posture changing means  64  that turns the sheet bundle over from top to bottom, and trimming means  65  that cuts the edges of the sheet bundle are disposed in the trimming position G positioned downstream of the folding rollers  63 . The bundle-posture changing means  64  turns the covered sheet bundle fed from the cover-sheet binding location F to a predetermined direction (or posture) and conveys the sheet bundle downstream to the trimming means  65  or the storage stacker  67 . The trimming means  65  trims the fringes of the sheet bundle to align the edges. Therefore, the bundle-posture changing means  64  is equipped with rotating tables  64   a ,  64   b  that grip and turn the sheet bundle fed from the folding rollers  63 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the rotating tables  64   a ,  64   b  are established on the unit frame  64   x  installed on the apparatus frame to rise and lower. The pair or rotating tables  64   a ,  64   b  that sandwich the bookbinding path  33  are rotatably supported on bearings in the unit frame  64   x ; one of the movable rotating tables  64   b  supported to move in a sheet bundle thickness direction (a direction orthogonal to the bookbinding path  33 ). Spinning motors Mt 1 , Mt 2  are furnished in the bookbinding path  33  for the rotating tables  64   a ,  64   b  to change the posture of the sheet bundle. A grip motor Mg is provided for the movable side rotating table  64   b  to move in the left and right directions of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0071]    Therefore, the sheet bundle guided to the bookbinding path  33  is gripped by the pair of left and right rotating tables  64   a ,  64   b , then the posture of the sheet bundle is changed by the turning motors Mt 1 , Mt 2 . For example, the sheet bundle with its spine portion conveyed downward is rotated 180 degrees and fed to downstream discharge rollers  66  with the fore-edge portion facing downward. The sheet bundle is sequentially rotated 90 degrees to turn the sheet bundle&#39;s top and bottom and front end portion at a downstream trimming position G to enable the trimming of three edge directions of the sheet bundle. Note that a grip sensor (not shown) is provided on the rotating table  64   b  of the movable side. This detects that the sheet bundle has been securely gripped between the left and right side rotating tables  64   a ,  64   b . After detection, the rotating tables  64   a ,  64   b  are configured to revolvingly drive. Also, the unit frame  64   x  raises and lowers the sheet bundle along the bookbinding path  33  using an elevator motor MA. This is to configure a jog mechanism to offset a predetermined amount the sheet bundle fed by the discharge rollers  66  and convey the sheet bundle to a trimming position G when trimming edges of the sheet bundle, and to set the trimming width at the trimming position G by that feed amount. 
       Configuration of Trimming Means 
       [0072]    Trimming means  65  are provided downstream of the bundle posture changing means  64 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the trimming means  65  is composed of trimming edge pressing member  65   b  that pressingly supports the trimming edge of the sheet bundle to a blade-edge bearing member  65   a  and a trimming blade unit  65   c . The trimming edge pressing member  65   b  is disposed in a position that opposes the blade-edge bearing member  65   a  disposed in the bookbinding path  33 , and is composed of a pressing member that moves in an orthogonal direction to the sheet bundle by drive means, not shown. The trimming blade unit  65   c  is composed of a flat, blade-shaped trimming blade  65   x  and a cutter motor MC that drives that blade. The trimming means  65  with this configuration cuts a predetermined amount around the edges, excluding the spine of the sheet bundle that has been made into a booklet, to align the edges. 
         [0073]    A discharge roller (discharge means)  66  and storage stacker  67  are disposed downstream of the trimming position G. This storage stacker  67  stores sheet bundles in an inverted manner as shown in  FIG. 2 . This storage stacker  67  is disposed to be drawn from the casing  30  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The stacker can be drawing toward the front side of the apparatus (the front side of FIG.  1 )The operator can view it from the top directions when it is drawn to the front of the apparatus. Note that  67 Sf in the drawing denotes a full detection sensor. This detects when the storage stacker  67  is at full capacity with sheet bundles stacked therein and issues a warning to the operator to remove the sheet bundles. 
       Finishing Unit Configuration 
       [0074]    The finishing unit C is arranged in the bookbinding unit B. The finishing path  38  is equipped to be connected to cover sheet conveyance path  34  for the finishing unit C and a finisher, such as a staple unit, punch unit, and stamp unit or the like, is disposed in the finishing path  38 . Printed sheets are received from the image-forming apparatus A via the cover sheet conveyance path  34  and stapled, punched or applied with a mark, then conveyed to the discharge tray  37 . It is also possible not to apply any finishing process on printed sheets and to store them in the discharge tray  37  directly from the image-forming apparatus A. 
       Configuration of Control Means 
       [0075]    The configuration of the control means in the apparatus described above will now be explained with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 6  is a block diagram to assist in describing the control means. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the system that connects the image forming apparatus A and the bookmaking apparatus B, a control panel  71  and mode selection means  72  are furnished on the control CPU 70  equipped on the image forming apparatus A. A control CPU 75  is equipped in the control unit of the bookbinding unit B. This control CPU 75  calls up a bookbinding execution program from the ROM 76  and executes each process in the bookbinding path  33 . 
         [0076]    This control CPU 75  receives a finishing mode instruction signal, job end signal, sheet size information, and other information and command signals required in the bookbinding process from the control CPU 70  of the image-forming unit A. On the other hand, sheet sensors Se 1  to Se 6  are arranged in the positions shown in  FIG. 1  to detect the sheets (sheet bundle) conveyed to the conveyance path  31 , bookbinding path  33 , and cover sheet conveyance path  34 . Detection signals from the sheet sensors Se 1  to Se 6  are transmitted to the control CPU 75 ; the control CPU 75  is equipped with “stacking unit control unit  75   a ”; “adhesive application means control unit  75   b ”; “cover-sheet binding means control unit  75   c ”; “trimming means control unit  75   d ”; “stack control unit  75   e ”; and “adhesive temperature control unit  79 .” The bookbinding process is executed according to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 14 . 
       Explanation of Bookbinding Operation 
       [0077]    Next, the bookbinding process operations using the control CPU 75  will now be explained with reference to the flowchart block diagram of  FIG. 14 . Image forming conditions and a finishing mode are set (St 001 ) using the control panel  71  on the image-forming apparatus A. “Print-out mode,” “bookbinding mode,” “staple mode,” “marking mode,” “hole-punching mode,” and “jog mode” can be set as the finishing mode, for example. In the print-out mode, a sheet formed with an image is not formed into a booklet or finished. It is conveyed out to the discharge tray  37  (equipped on the finisher in the drawings) and stored. 
         [0078]    With the bookbinding mode, sheets formed images are aligned and stacked, then joined with a cover sheet and stored in the storage stacker  67 . Also, in the staple mode, sheets formed with images are stapled by a stapling unit equipped in the finishing unit C; in the marking mode, a mark is applied; in the hole-punching mode, holes are punched in the sheets; and in the jog mode, sheets are sorted. Each of these modes is executed by the finishing unit C, and then the finished sheets are stored in the discharge tray  37 . 
         [0079]    When the bookbinding mode is selected and the finishing mode, an image forming operation is executed by the image-forming unit A, and the sheet formed with images is conveyed out from the discharge outlet  14 . (St 002 ) With the bookbinding unit C, this sheet is received in the conveyance path  31 . At this time the CPU 75  positions the path switching flapper  36  in the state shown in  FIG. 2  to guide the sheet to the intermediate sheet conveyance path  32 . The sheet is fed to the discharge outlet  32   b  by the conveyance rollers  32   a  and sequentially stacked and stored in the stacker  41  (St 003 ). 
         [0080]    There, when the job end signal (St 004 ) is received from the image-forming unit A, the control CPU 75  conveys the sheet bundle on the stacking tray  41  by the gripping conveyance means  47  to turn the sheet bundle posture 90 degrees. This changes the posture of the sheet bundle collated on the stacking tray  41  from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation to be conveyed over the bookbinding path  33  to the downstream adhesive application position E (St 005 ). 
         [0081]    The control CPU 75  conveys a cover sheet from the cover sheet conveyance path  34  at the time the sheet bundle is conveyed to and set at the adhesive application position E (St 006 ). This cover sheet can be fed after being formed with an image at the image-forming unit A, or fed from the inserter unit  26 . When supplying a cover sheet from the inserter unit  26 , the control CPU 75  activates feeding means, not shown, to convey one sheet at a time from the tray  26   a  to the sheet feeding path  27 . 
         [0082]    After the conveyance and setting of the cover sheet at the binding position, the control CPU 75  drives the adhesive application means  55  to apply adhesive to the sheet bundle set at the adhesive application position E (St 007 ). The adhesive container  56  equipped with the applicator roller  57  moves along the bottom edge S 1  of the sheet bundle (the direction to the right in  FIG. 3B ) to apply adhesive coated on the roller surface onto the sheet bundle. 
         [0083]    After finishing the adhesive application operation, the control CPU 75  conveys the sheet bundle to the downstream cover-sheet binding location F using the gripping conveyance means  47 . When this happens, the cover sheet is set at that position so the cover sheet is backed up by the spine support plate  61  and joined to the sheet bundle in an upside-down T-shape. Next, the sheet bundle covered by the folding plates  62  press-forming the backside of the cover sheet. 
         [0084]    After the covering process above, the control CPU 75  determines whether a trimming mode has been selected (St 009 ). For the trimming mode, the gripping conveyance means  47  releases from the sheet bundle and returns to its default position. A trimming blade  65   x  is positioned at the trimming position G and stops the descending sheet bundle (St 010 ). In this state, the movable rotating table  64   b  moves from the idle position to a sheet gripping position to nip-retain the sheet bundle between itself and the rotating table  64   a  (St 011 ). Next, after the control CPU 75  moves the trimming blade  65   x  to the idle position, it revolves the rotating tables  64   a ,  64   b  90° to turn the sheet bundle so that its top is at the bottom side (St 012 ). 
         [0085]    After the covered sheet bundle is turned to a predetermined posture, the control CPU 75  drives the elevator motor MA of the bundle posture changing means  64  to set the covered sheet bundle at the trimming position G. (StOl 3 ) This feeding and setting convey the covered sheet bundle gripped by the rotating tables  64   a ,  64   b  downstream by activation of the elevator motor MA. 
         [0086]    There, the trimming edge pressing member  65   b  pressingly holds the sheet bundle and the trimming blade  65   x  cuts a predetermined amount (St 014 ). Next, the control CPU 75  retracts the trimming edge pressing member  65   b  to the idle position, then turns the covered sheet bundle 180 degrees so that the other side is at the bottom to trim the bottom portion. Next, the control CPU 75  retracts the trimming edge pressing member  65   b  to the idle position, then turns the sheet bundle 90 degrees so that the other side is at the bottom to cut the bottom portion. After the sides of the sheet bundle are cut and aligned in this way, the control CPU 75  ends trimming the three directions of the sheet bundle and shifts to the discharge operation (St 015 ). 
         [0087]    On the other hand, at step St 009  above, if there is no trimming mode selected, the control means  75  shift to the next discharge operation. At the discharge operation, the control CPU 75  activates the discharge roller  66  to store the sheet bundle in the stacker  67 .