Patent Publication Number: US-11034180-B2

Title: Stapling apparatus and method of controlling stapling apparatus

Description:
The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2018-225674, filed Nov. 30, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present technique relates to a stapling apparatus that performs processes on mediums. 
     2. Related Art 
     In a stapling apparatus that performs processes on mediums, the processes performed on the mediums are performed on a stack of mediums. A stack of mediums is formed by matching an end of a medium sent from a portion upstream in a medium transport direction with ends of other mediums and stacking the mediums on a holding portion. Matching the medium and other mediums to each other is performed basically by abutting the medium that has been transported from an upstream portion against a matching portion and stacking the medium on the other mediums. In so doing, the movement of the medium from the upstream portion to the matching portion is basically created by inertial movement and gravitational force of the medium. Accordingly, in some cases, depending on the length of the medium, the medium may be stuck midway in the path and may not reach the matching portion. A problem such as the medium not being matched with the other mediums occur due to the above. In order to overcome the above problem, a known stapling apparatus has been proposed that is provided with a function that enables the medium to reach the matching portion so that the medium is matched with the other mediums (JP-A-2010-001149, for example). 
     JP-A-2010-001149 describes a sheet processing apparatus having a structure provided with a paddle that rotates vanes about a rotation shaft and that promotes matching of end portions of mediums (a stack of sheets) provided in a lower portion of a holding portion (an intermediate tray) that stores the mediums (the stack of sheets) sent by feed rollers (a mechanism that sends the medium). The structure matches and aligns the end portions of the mediums (the stack of sheets) with a matching portion (an end guide) at a lower portion of the holding portion (the intermediate tray). 
     However, in such a structure, since the paddle is located on the lower side of the holding portion (the intermediate tray), the medium, which has been sent out through the feed rollers and in which no sending force acts thereon any more, may be stuck inside a transport path at a position before the leading edge of the medium reaches the paddle. 
     Furthermore, when the sheet processing apparatus is configured to have a structure in which the paddle is disposed on an upper side with respect to the position on the lower side of the holding portion (the intermediate tray) to reduce states in which the sending force does not act on the medium, the following incidents may occur. 
     When the rotating speed of the rotating paddle is set slow and the sending speed of the medium created by the paddle is slower than the sending speed of the feed rollers located upstream of the paddle in the transport path, the medium may become buckled at a portion between the feed rollers and the paddle, and the transport path of the medium sent next may become narrow. 
     Conversely, when the rotating speed of the paddle is set fast, when the leading edge of the medium abuts against the matching portion, bulging and deforming may occur in the medium at a portion between the leading edge and the paddle, and the transport path of the medium sent next may become narrow. Furthermore, the sending speed of the paddle may become excessively fast after the trailing edge of the medium is separated from the feed rollers, and due to the impact when the leading edge (a lower edge) of the medium reaches and abuts against the matching portion in the lower portion of the holding portion (the intermediate tray), the medium may jump up. 
     That is to say, with the known paddle structure, the leading edge of the medium may not reach the matching portion in the lower portion of the holding portion, or the medium may jump up and may not be able to be matched with the other mediums. 
     SUMMARY 
     A stapling apparatus overcoming the above issue includes a holding portion that receives, stacks, and holds a plurality of mediums transported thereto, a first matching portion positioned downstream of the holding portion in a transport direction, a paddle that applies sending force to the mediums so that leading edge sides of the mediums reach the first matching portion, a stapler that binds the mediums, the leading edge sides of the mediums having been matched by the first matching portion, a folding mechanism portion that folds the mediums that have been bound by the stapler. In the stapling apparatus, the first matching portion is configured to move and is configured to transport the mediums to a performing position of the stapler and a performing position of the folding mechanism portion by moving, and a position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums differs according to lengths of the mediums in the transport direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a recording system including a medium processing apparatus. 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the processing apparatus according to a first example and illustrates a state in which a first matching portion is near a lowermost end of the positions where the first matching portion receives a medium. 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the processing apparatus according to the first example and illustrates a state in which the first matching portion is moving a stack of mediums towards a processing portion. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic side view of the processing apparatus according to the first example and illustrates a state in which a paddle has moved to a position corresponding to the length of the medium (a long medium). 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic side view of the processing apparatus according to the first example and illustrates a state in which the paddle has moved to another position corresponding to the length of the medium (a short medium). 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic side view according to a second example and illustrates a state in which the first matching portion and the paddle have moved to positions corresponding to a long medium. 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic side view according to the second example and illustrates a state in which the first matching portion and the paddle have moved to positions corresponding to a medium shorter than that in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view according to the second example and illustrates positional relationships between the first matching portion, the paddle, and other members. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional view according to the second example and illustrates a positional relationship between the paddle and the first matching portion. 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic cross-sectional view according to a third example that includes a second paddle and illustrates, after the start of sending the medium with the second paddle, a state before a leading edge of the medium reaches a sending position of the paddle. 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic cross-sectional view according to the third example and illustrates, after the start of sending the medium with the second paddle, a state in which the leading edge of the medium has arrived at the sending position of the paddle. 
         FIG. 7C  is a schematic cross-sectional view according to the third example and illustrates positional relationships between the first matching portion, the paddles, and other members. 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view according to a fourth example and illustrates the paddle positionally moving in accordance with the movement of the medium transported by the paddle. 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view according to the fourth example and illustrates the paddle positionally moving in accordance with the movement of the medium transported by the paddle. 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic front view according to a fifth example and illustrates a state in which the medium processing apparatus is corresponding to a long medium. 
         FIG. 9B  is a schematic front view according to the fifth example and illustrates a state in which the medium processing apparatus is corresponding to a medium shorter than that in  FIG. 9A . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     An outline of the present disclosure will be described first. 
     A stapling apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a holding portion that receives, stacks, and holds a plurality of mediums transported thereto, a first matching portion positioned downstream of the holding portion in a transport direction, a paddle that applies sending force to the mediums so that leading edge sides of the mediums reach the first matching portion, a stapler that binds the mediums, the leading edge sides of the mediums having been matched by the first matching portion, a folding mechanism portion that folds the mediums that have been bound by the stapler. In the stapling apparatus, the first matching portion is configured to move and is configured to transport the mediums to a performing position of the stapler and a performing position of the folding mechanism portion by moving, and a position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums differs according to the lengths of the mediums in the transport direction. 
     According to the present aspect, the stapling apparatus is configured so that the position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums differs according to the lengths of the mediums. With the above, when the lengths of the mediums are different, the position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums can be appropriate positions corresponding to the lengths of the mediums. 
     For example, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is long, the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium is a position on the lower side of the holding portion. On the other hand, when the length of the medium in the transport direction is short, the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium can be a position on the upper side of the holding portion. 
     Accordingly, sending force can be applied to the medium by having the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium be at a position where the force of feed rollers located upstream in the transport direction reaches the medium. With the above, even when the lengths of the mediums are different, the leading edge side of the medium can reach the first matching portion without the medium being stuck in the transport path. In other words, the leading edge side of the medium can be matched with the leading edge sides of the other mediums. 
     Furthermore, the first matching portion is configured to move, and by moving, the mediums can be transported to the performing position of the stapler and the performing position of the folding mechanism portion. With the above, the stack of mediums that are stacked on and held by the holding portion can be transported to the stapler and the folding mechanism portion and processes can be performed on the medium. 
     In a second aspect of the present disclosure according to the first aspect, the paddle may be configured to move and may be configured so that, by moving, a position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums differs according to the lengths of the mediums in the transport direction. 
     According to the present aspect, since the paddle can move, by moving the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium, the paddle can be at different positions according to the length of the medium. With the above, when the lengths of the mediums are different, the position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums can be appropriate positions corresponding to the lengths of the mediums. Accordingly, even when the lengths of the mediums are different, the mediums can reach the first matching portion. In other words, the medium can be matched with the other mediums. 
     In a third aspect of the present disclosure according to the second aspect, positions of the first matching portion may change according to the lengths of the mediums in the transport direction. 
     According to the present aspect, the first matching portion can move to different positions according to the lengths of the mediums. With the above, for example, when the length of the medium is short, the first matching portion is, similar to the paddle, moved to an upper portion of the holding portion so that the distance between the feeding portion and the first matching portion can be reduced, which is an appropriate position according to the length (short length) of the medium. 
     On the other hand, when the length of the medium is long, the first matching portion is, similar to the paddle, moved to a lower portion of the holding portion so that the distance between the feeding portion and the first matching portion can be increased, which is an appropriate position according to the length (long length) of the medium. 
     With the above, cases such as the medium being stuck in the middle of the transport path can be reduced and bulging and deforming, rebounding, and the like that are known can be suppressed from occurring. 
     In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure according to the first to third aspect, a range in which the paddle is configured to move may be from the performing position of the folding mechanism portion to the first matching portion. 
     According to the present aspect, the range in which the paddle is configured to move the position where the sending force is applied to the medium is between the performing position of the folding mechanism portion and the first matching portion. 
     The range in which the paddle is configured to move the position where the sending force is applied to the medium when the first matching portion has moved may be between the performing position of the folding mechanism portion and the first matching portion that has moved. With the above, the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium can be any position between the performing position of the folding mechanism portion and the first matching portion that has moved. With the above, the medium can reach the first matching portion while incidents such as the medium being stuck midway in the transport path is reduced. 
     In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure according to the fourth aspect, a distance between the position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums and the performing position of the folding mechanism portion may be equivalent to or larger than half a length between the performing position of the folding mechanism portion and the first matching portion. 
     According to the present aspect, the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium is a midpoint between the performing position of the folding mechanism portion and the first matching portion or a position on the first matching portion side with respect to the midpoint. With the above, the distance between the position where the medium abuts against the first matching portion and the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium is small; accordingly, incidents such as the medium becoming bulged and flexed at a portion between the position where the medium abuts against the first matching portion and the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium is reduced. With the above, the medium can reach the first matching portion while incidents such as the medium being stuck midway in the transport path is reduced. 
     A sixth aspect of the present disclosure according to the first aspect may further includes a second paddle. In the sixth aspect, a position where the second paddle applies sending force to the mediums may be between the position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums and the performing position of the folding mechanism portion. 
     The present aspect further includes the second paddle between the paddle and the folding mechanism portion. With the above, even in a case in which a medium having a short length is transported when the paddle is positioned at the position for when the length of the medium is long, the second paddle can apply sending force to the medium and send the medium to the paddle. Accordingly, incidents such as the medium being stuck midway in the transport path can be reduced further and the medium can reach the first matching portion. 
     In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure according to the sixth aspect, a distance between the position where the second paddle applies sending force to the mediums and the performing position of the folding mechanism portion may be equivalent to or larger than a sum of half a distance between the first matching portion and the position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums and a distance between the performing position of the folding mechanism portion and the position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums. 
     According to the present aspect, the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium is on the first matching portion side with respect to a midpoint between the second paddle and the first matching portion. With the above, the distance between the position where the medium abuts against the first matching portion and the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium is small; accordingly, incidents such as the medium being buckled at a portion between the position where the medium abuts against the first matching portion and the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium is reduced. In other words, the medium can reach the first matching portion while incidents such as the medium being stuck midway in the transport path is reduced. 
     In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure according to the first aspect, paddles may be provided at a plurality of positions different in a direction extending along a holding surface of the holding portion that holds the mediums, and the position where the paddles apply sending force to the mediums may be configured to be different according to the length of the mediums in the transport direction by changing a position of the first matching portion according to the length of the mediums in the transport direction and by selectively using each paddle at the plurality of positions. 
     According to the present aspect, the paddles are provided at the plurality of positions different in the direction extending along the holding surface that holds the medium. With the above, when mediums having different lengths are transported, sending force to the mediums can be applied to different positions according to the lengths of the mediums by changing the position of the first matching portion alone to positions according to the lengths of the mediums without changing the positions of the paddles. Accordingly, the leading edge side of the medium can reach the first matching portion. 
     In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure according to the second or third aspect, the paddle may move in accordance with a movement of each medium. 
     According to the present aspect, the paddle is capable of applying sending force to the medium and moving the position while moving in accordance with the movement of the medium. With the above, incidents such as the medium being stuck midway in the transport path can be reduced further and the medium can reliably reach the first matching portion. 
     In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the paddle may include a plurality of vanes that rotate about a rotation shaft, and a radius of a circle formed by trajectories of leading edges of the vanes, the trajectories being formed by a rotation of the rotation shaft, may be longer than a distance between an upstream end of the first matching portion on a side opposing a side on which the mediums are stacked and the position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums. 
     According to the present aspect, the paddle is configured of vanes that rotate about the rotation shaft, and the position where the paddle applies sending force to the medium is at least where the leading edges of the rotating vanes come in contact with the upstream end of the first matching portion on the side opposing the side on which the mediums are stacked. With the above, the paddle is capable of applying sending force to the medium to a position near the first matching portion so that the medium reaches the first matching portion. With the above, incidents such as the medium being stuck midway in the transport path can be reduced further and the medium can reach the first matching portion. 
     An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is a method of controlling a stapling apparatus that includes a holding portion that receives, stacks, and holds a plurality of mediums transported thereto, a first matching portion positioned downstream of the holding portion in a transport direction, a paddle that applies sending force to the mediums so that leading edge sides of the mediums reach the first matching portion, a stapler that binds the mediums, the leading edge sides of the mediums having been matched by the first matching portion, a folding mechanism portion that folds the mediums that been bound by the stapler, and a control unit that controls the first matching portion and the paddle, the method of controlling the stapling apparatus including transporting the mediums to a performing position of the stapler and a performing position of the folding mechanism portion by moving the first matching portion, and differentiating positions where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums according to lengths of the mediums in the transport direction. 
     A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure according to the eleventh aspect, the control unit controls differentiating the positions where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums according to the lengths of the mediums in the transport direction by moving the paddle. 
     A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure according to the twelfth aspect, the control unit controls changing the positions of the first matching portion according to the lengths of the mediums in the transport direction. 
     EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 
     Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description illustrates an example of a configuration of the present disclosure and does not narrowly limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. Note that in the drawings, elements or members that are the same or similar to each other are attached with the same reference numeral and redundant description thereof will be omitted. 
     In the X-Y-Z coordinate system in each of the drawings, the X-axis direction indicates a depth direction of the apparatus, the Y-axis direction indicates a width direction of the apparatus, and the Z-axis direction indicates a height direction of the apparatus. In other words, the X-axis direction in each drawing is a horizontal direction, the Y-axis direction is a horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction is a vertical direction. 
     Outline of Recording System 
     A recording system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a recording unit  110 , and a processing unit  120  that includes a stapling apparatus  200 . 
     The recording system  100  is configured so that settings of the recording unit  110  and the processing unit  120  can be input from an operation panel (not shown). The operation panel can be provided in the recording unit  110 , for example. 
     The recording unit  110  performs recording on a transported medium  210 . The processing unit  120  performs a predetermined process on the medium  210  on which recording has been performed in the recording unit  110 . Hereinafter, details of the recording unit  110 , the processing unit  120 , and the stapling apparatus  200  will be described in the above order. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the medium  210  includes, for example, cut paper. The medium  210  has a rectangular sheet-shaped form, the sides of which have predetermined lengths. The medium  210  is formed of a flexible material, and recording can be performed on the surfaces of the medium  210  with the recording unit  110 . The material of the medium  210  is, for example, paper; however, the material is not limited to paper. 
     The recording unit  110  performs recording on the transported medium  210 . The processing unit  120  performs a predetermined process on the medium  210  on which recording has been performed in the recording unit  110 . Descriptions of the recording unit  110  and the processing unit  120  will be given below. 
     Recording Unit 
     The recording unit  110  is configured as a multifunction machine that includes a printer unit  130  that performs recording on the medium  210 , and a scanner unit  140 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the recording mode of the printer unit  130  is a so-called ink jet recording that performs recording by discharging ink, which is a liquid, on the medium  210 . 
     A cassette accommodation portion  132  that includes a plurality of medium storage cassettes  131  is provided below the printer unit  130 . The medium  210  stored in the medium storage cassette  131  is sent to a recording area  133  and a recording operation is performed. The medium  210  on which recording has been performed is sent to a post-recording discharge tray  134 . 
     A control unit  150  that controls operations related to the transport and the recording of the medium  210  in the recording unit  110  is provided in the recording unit  110 . Note that in the recording system  100 , the recording unit  110  and the processing unit  120  are coupled to each other and are configured to transport the medium  210  from the recording unit  110  to the processing unit  120 . 
     The control unit  150  is capable of controlling various operations in the processing unit  120  coupled to the recording unit  110 . 
     Processing Unit 
     Referring next to  FIG. 1 , an outline of the processing unit  120  will be described. 
     The processing unit  120  includes a first receiving portion  121  that receives the medium, a first processing portion  122  that performs a first process on the medium that has been received therein through the first receiving portion  121 , a sending portion  123  that sends the medium  210  that has been received through the first receiving portion  121  to the stapling apparatus  200  without passing the medium  210  through the first processing portion  122 , and the stapling apparatus  200 . The above components are housed in a processing unit housing  125 . 
     A first tray  124  that receives the medium  210  to which the first process has been performed and that is discharged from the processing unit  120  is provided on an external side of the processing unit housing  125 . The first tray  124  is provided so as to protrude from the processing unit housing  125  that constitutes the appearance of the processing unit  120 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the first tray  124  includes a base portion  126  and an extension portion  127 . The extension portion  127  is configured to be accommodated in the base portion  126 . 
     A second tray  129 A includes, at a distal end thereof in a medium discharge direction, a restriction portion  129 B. The restriction portion  129 B prevents the stack of mediums discharged to the second tray  129 A from protruding from the second tray  129 A in the medium discharge direction or prevents the stack of mediums from dropping off from the second tray  129 A. Reference numeral  128  is a guide portion  128  that guides the medium  210 , which is discharged from the processing unit housing  125 , to the second tray  129 A. 
     The medium  210  sent out from the sending portion  123  of the processing unit  120  passes through a transport path  201  of the stapling apparatus  200  ( FIG. 2A ) described later and is sent to a feeding portion  270 . A pair of feed rollers  271  are disposed in the feeding portion  270 . The medium  210  is sent out towards a T(+) side in a transport direction T with the pair of feed rollers  271 . 
     Stapling Apparatus 
     First Example: FIGS.  2 A to  3 B 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A to 3B , the stapling apparatus  200  according to a first example will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the stapling apparatus  200  includes a holding portion  220  that receives, stacks, and holds the plurality of mediums  210  that have been transported thereto, a first matching portion  230  positioned downstream of the holding portion  220  in the transport direction (hereinafter, also referred to as a “moving direction”) T, a paddle  240  that applies sending force to the mediums  210  so that leading edge sides  211  of the mediums  210  reach the first matching portion  230 , a stapler  250  that binds the mediums  210 , the leading edge sides  211  of which have been matched with the first matching portion  230 , and a folding mechanism portion  260  that folds the stack of mediums  210  that have been bound by the stapler  250 . 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the first matching portion  230  is configured to move in the transport direction T. By moving upstream, or in a T(−) direction, the first matching portion  230  is configured to be transported between a stapling performing position  251  that is a position where the process of the stapler  250  on the stack of mediums  210  is performed, and a folding performing position  261  that is a position where the process of the folding mechanism portion  260  is performed.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a state in which the first matching portion  230  is near a lowermost end of an area in which the first matching portion  230  can move in the transport direction T, which is near a lowermost position where the first matching portion  230  can receive the medium  210 . As for the device moving the first matching portion  230 , for example, a rack and pinion mechanism that is operated by motive power of a drive source (not shown), a belt moving mechanism, or another linear motion device can be used. 
     Furthermore, the positions where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the mediums  210  differ according to the lengths of the mediums  210 . 
     In the present example, the paddle  240  is configured to move in the transport direction T so that by moving the paddle  240 , the position at which the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  differs according to the length of the medium  210 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates a state in which the paddle  240  is near a lowermost end in an area in which the paddle  240  can move in the transport direction T. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a state in which the paddle  240  has been moved to a position corresponding to a medium  210  with a long length, and  FIG. 3B  illustrates a state in which the paddle has been moved to another position corresponding to a medium  210  with a short length. 
     The reason for taking the above positions will be described below. When the length of the medium  210  is long, the leading edge side  211  of the medium  210  can reach a downstream portion of the holding portion  220  in the transport direction T while the medium  210  receives sending force from the pair of feed rollers  271  of the feeding portion  270 . On the other hand, when the length of the medium  210  is short, the position where the leading edge side  211  of the medium  210  can reach while receiving the sending force is shorter (upstream) than that of the long medium  210 . The position of each paddle  240  in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  is based on the length of the medium  210 . 
     In the present example, the first matching portion  230  includes an abutting portion  231  against which the leading edge side  211  of the medium  210  abuts. The first matching portion  230  further includes a holding portion  232  that holds a stack  212  of the medium. The holding portion  232  includes holding plates  233  at both ends of the abutting portion  231  in the thickness direction of the medium  210 . Switching between a holding state and a release state of the abutting portion  231  is performed by an instruction from the control unit  150 . The holding portion  232  includes, for example, an electromagnetic cylinder. Switching between the holding state and the release state is performed by operating the electromagnetic cylinder. 
     The holding portion  220  receives the plurality of mediums  210  that have been transported thereto and stacks and holds the mediums  210 , the leading edge sides  211  of which have been abutted against and matched by the first matching portion  230 , on the holding surface  221 . The holding portion  220  includes an inclination in which the portion on the T(+) side in the transport direction T is lower. 
     As described later, the holding portion  220  is a structure including a slit (see  FIGS. 9A and 9B ) that allows the first matching portion  230  to move in the transport direction T. 
     In the present example, the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  so that the leading edge side  211  of the medium  210  reaches the first matching portion  230 . By having the leading edge side  211  of the medium  210  reach and be abutted against the first matching portion  230  with the paddle  240 , the leading edge side  211  of the medium  210  is matched with the leading edge sides  211  of the other mediums  210 . The position at which the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  differs according to the length of the medium  210 . 
     The paddle  240  is configured to move towards the T(+) side and the T(−) side in the transport direction T based on the instruction from the control unit  150 . The paddle  240  can be constituted by, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism that is operated by motive power of a drive source (not shown), a belt moving mechanism, or another linear motion device. 
     Flow of Process Performed on Medium by Stapling Apparatus 
     The medium  210  is sent out from the feeding portion  270  and moves along the transport path  201  in the T(+) direction to where the paddle  240  is located. Sending force is applied to the medium  210  with the paddle  240  so that the medium  210  reaches the first matching portion  230 ; accordingly, the medium  210  reaches the first matching portion  230 . In other words, the leading edge side  211  of the medium  210  abuts against the abutting portion  231  of the first matching portion  230 . In the above state, the medium  210  is received by the holding portion  220 . The above sending operation is repeatedly performed on a plurality of mediums  210 , and the mediums  210  are sequentially stacked and held on the holding surface  221  of the holding portion  220 . In other words, matched with the other mediums  210 , the medium  210  is held by the holding portion  220 . 
     When a predetermined number of mediums  210  are stacked on the holding portion  220 , as illustrated in FIG.  2 B, the stack  212  of mediums is transported towards the T(−) side in the transport direction T towards the stapler  250  and the folding mechanism portion  260  with the first matching portion  230 . 
     In the present example, sending force can be applied to the medium  210  by having the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  be at a position where the force of the pair of feed rollers  271  located upstream in the transport direction T reaches the medium  210 . With the above, even when the lengths of the mediums  210  are different, the positions where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the mediums  210  can be appropriate positions corresponding to the length of the mediums  210 . Accordingly, even when the lengths of the mediums  210  are different, the leading edge sides  211  of the mediums  210  can reach the first matching portion  230  without the mediums  210  being stuck in the transport path  201 . 
     Second Example: FIGS.  4 A and  4 B 
     In the present example, the first matching portion  230  is further configured to change the position thereof according to the length of the medium  210 . 
     In  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the first matching portion  230  is stopped at a position where the first matching portion  230  is slightly moved upstream T(−) from the position illustrated in  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 4A  illustrates a case in which the length of the medium  210  is long. The paddle  240  and the first matching portion  230  are positioned downstream of the holding portion  220 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a case in which the length of the medium  210  is short. The paddle  240  and the first matching portion  230  are, with respect to the positions illustrated in  FIG. 4A , positioned upstream in the holding portion  220 . The paddle  240  and the first matching portion  230  may be moved in the transport direction T by a structure that moves the paddle  240  and the first matching portion  230  in an integral manner or by a structure that moves the above separately. 
     Furthermore, the distances between the pair of feed rollers  271 , and the paddle  240  and the first matching portion  230  are set at appropriate distances according to the length of the medium  210 . Desirably, the appropriate distances for various types of mediums are prestored in a table or the like, and the control unit  150  automatically selects the appropriate distance from the table according to information on the type of medium  210 . 
     According to the present example, the first matching portion  230  can move to a different position according to the length of the medium  210 . With the above, for example, when the length of the medium  210  is short ( FIG. 4B ), the first matching portion  230  is, similar to the paddle  240 , moved to an upper portion of the holding portion  220  so that the distance between the pair of feed rollers  271  and the first matching portion  230  can be reduced, which is an appropriate position according to the length (short length) of the medium  210 . 
     On the other hand, when the length of the medium  210  is long ( FIG. 4A ), the first matching portion  230  is, similar to the paddle  240 , moved to a lower portion of the holding portion  220  so that the distance between the pair of feed rollers  271  and the first matching portion  230  can be increased, which is an appropriate position according to the length (long length) of the medium  210 . 
     With the above, cases such as the medium  210  being stuck in the middle of the transport path  201  can be reduced and bulging and deforming, rebounding, and the like that are known can be suppressed from occurring. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , positional relationships between the first matching portion  230 , the paddle  240 , and other members will be described. In the present example, the range in which the paddle  240  can move is from the folding performing position  261  to the first matching portion  230 . 
     The position where the movable paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  is, desirably,
 
 a&gt;b   (1)
 
where a is a distance from the folding performing position  261  to the abutting portion  231  of the first matching portion  230 , and b is a distance from the folding performing position  261  to a rotation center of the paddle  240 .
 
     By satisfying the positional relationship expressed by expression (1) described above, the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  can be any position between the folding performing position  261  and where the first matching portion  230  is positioned after the medium  210  has been moved. With the above, the medium  210  can reach the first matching portion  230  while incidents such as the medium  210  being stuck midway in the transport path  201  is reduced. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  is, desirably,
 
 b≥a/ 2  (2)
 
Note that the definitions of a and b are the same as those in expression (1).
 
     In other words, the position where the paddle  240  can apply sending force to the medium  210  is a position distanced away from the folding performing position  261  by half a distance between the folding performing position  261  of the folding mechanism portion and the abutting portion  231  of the first matching portion  230 , or on the first matching portion  230  side with respect to the above position. 
     By satisfying the positional relationship expressed by expression (2) described above, the distance between the position where the medium  210  abuts against the first matching portion  230  and the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  becomes small; accordingly, incidents such as the medium  210  becoming bulged and flexed at a portion between the position where the medium  210  abuts against the first matching portion  230  and the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  is reduced. With the above, the medium  210  can be made to reach the first matching portion  230  while incidents such as the medium  210  being stuck midway in the transport path  201  is reduced. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a positional relationship between the paddle  240  and the first matching portion  230  will be described. In the present example, the paddle  240  includes a plurality of rectangular strip shaped vanes  241 . The vanes are formed of a flexible material, and by having the leading edges of the vanes  241  come in contact with the surface of the medium  210 , sending force is applied to the medium  210 . 
     The position where the paddle  240  applies sending force that sends the medium  210  to the first matching portion  230  is, desirably,
 
 d&gt;e   (3)
 
where d is a distance between the rotation center of the paddle  240  and the leading edge of each vane  241 , and e is a distance between an upstream end  234  of the holding plate  233  on the side opposing the holding surface  221  of the first matching portion  230  and the rotation center of the paddle  240 .
 
     In other words, the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force that sends the medium  210  to the first matching portion  230  is, desirably, a position where the leading edge of each vane  241  included in the rotating paddle  240  comes in contact with the upstream end  234  of the holding plate  233  on the side opposing the holding surface  221  of the first matching portion  230 . 
     By satisfying the positional relationship expressed by expression (3) described above, the paddle  240  can apply sending force, which sends the medium  210  to the first matching portion  230 , right up to a position close to the first matching portion  230 . With the above, the medium  210  can be made to reach the first matching portion  230  while incidents such as the medium  210  being stuck midway in the transport path  201  is reduced. 
     Third Example: FIGS.  7 A to  7 C 
     The present example further includes a second paddle  245 . Furthermore, the position where the second paddle  245  applies sending force to the medium  210  is between the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  and the folding performing position  261 . 
     The second paddle  245  is disposed between the paddle  240  and the folding performing position  261 . With the above, even in a case in which a medium  210  having a short length is transported when the paddle  240  is positioned at the position for when the length of the medium  210  is long, the second paddle  245  can apply sending force to the medium  210  and send the medium  210  to the paddle  240 . 
     Desirably,
 
 b&gt;c   (4)
 
is satisfied, where c is a distance between the position where the second paddle  245  applies sending force to the medium  210  and the folding performing position  261 . Note that the definition of b is the same as that in expression (1).
 
     In other words, the paddle  240  is positioned on the T(+) side with respect to the position of the second paddle  245 , which is downstream in the transport direction T. 
     The position where the second paddle  245  applies sending force to the medium  210  is, desirably,
 
 b ≥( a−c )/2+ c   (5)
 
Note that the definitions of a and b are the same as those in expression (1).
 
     In other words, desirably, the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  is in the middle of a portion between the abutting portion  231  of the first matching portion  230  and the position where the second paddle  245  applies sending force to the medium  210 , or on the first matching portion  230  side with respect to the above position. 
     By satisfying the positional relationship expressed by expression (5) described above, the distance between the position where the medium  210  abuts against the first matching portion  230  and the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  becomes small; accordingly, incidents such as the medium  210  becoming buckled at a portion between the position where the medium  210  abuts against the first matching portion  230  and the position where the paddle  240  applies sending force to the medium  210  is reduced. 
     Fourth Example: FIGS.  8 A and  8 B 
     In the present example, the paddle  240  is configured to move in accordance with the movement of the medium  210 .  FIG. 8A  illustrates a state in which the paddle  240  positioned upstream is applying sending force to a portion near the leading edge of the medium  210  that has been sent thereto and illustrates a state in which the medium  210  is moving downstream towards the T(+) side in the transport direction T.  FIG. 8B  illustrates a state in which the paddle  240  has moved together with the movement of the medium  210  and has moved near the first matching portion  230 . 
     In the present example, the paddle  240  is capable of applying sending force to the medium  210  and moving the position while moving in accordance with the movement of the medium  210 . With the above, the medium  210  can be made to reach the first matching portion  230  while incidents such as the medium  210  being stuck midway in the transport path  201  is reduced. 
     Furthermore, a position detecting member (not shown) that detects the position of the transported medium  210  may be included, and the paddle  240  may be moved based on an instruction that is from the control unit  150  and that has been made based on the output of the position detecting member. 
     Fifth Example: FIGS.  9 A and  9 B 
     A fifth example of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
     In the present example, a plurality of paddles are provided at a plurality of positions different in the transport direction T of the medium  210 . In the present example, two paddles, namely, a paddle  301  and a paddle  302  are provided upstream and downstream in the transport direction T in an immobile state. Furthermore, by changing the position of the first matching portion  230  according to the length of the medium  210  and by selectively using the paddles  301  and  302  that are at a plurality of different positions, the position where the paddle  301  or the paddle  302  applies sending force to the medium  210  changes to a different position according to the length of the medium  210 . 
     In the drawings, reference numeral  311  is an axis of the paddle  301 , and reference numeral  312  is an axis of the paddle  302 . Furthermore, a slit  401  that allows the first matching portion  230  to move in the transport direction T is provided in the holding portion  220 . 
     Note that since the paddles  301  and  302 , which are provided at the plurality of different positions in the direction extending along the holding surface  221  of the medium  210 , can be selectively used according to the length of the medium  210 , the paddle  301  or the paddle  302  alone corresponding to the plurality of mediums  210  with different lengths is used. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates a state corresponding to a long medium  210 , and  FIG. 9B  illustrates a state corresponding to a medium  210  that is shorter than that in  FIG. 9A . 
     Note that the paddles  301  and  302  provided at a plurality of positions corresponding to the lengths of the mediums  210  may be provided in a plural number in a linear manner at the same position in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction T of the medium  210  or may be provided in a plural number in a staggered manner at different positions in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction T of the medium  210 . Desirably, the paddle  301  used for mediums  210  with a short length is disposed on the inner side in the width direction of the medium  210 , and the paddle  302  used for mediums  210  with a long length is disposed on the outer side in the width direction of the medium  210 . 
     In the present example, paddles  301  and  302  are provided at a plurality of positions different in the direction extending along the holding surface  221  of the medium  210 . With the above, when mediums  210  having different lengths are transported, sending force to the mediums  210  can be applied to different positions according to the lengths of the mediums  210  by changing the position of the first matching portion  230  alone to positions according to the lengths of the mediums  210  without changing the positions of the paddles  301  and  302 . Accordingly, the leading edge sides  211  of the mediums  210  can reach the first matching portion  230 . 
     Other Structures 
     Stapler 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , a description of the stapler  250  will be given. The stapler  250  performs a binding process on the stack  212  of mediums. 
     The stapler  250  includes a magazine  253  from which a staple is punched out, and a clincher  254  that bends the staple. The magazine  253  and the clincher  254  are disposed separate from each other so as to interpose the surfaces of the stack  212  of mediums from above and below. A plurality of staplers  250  may be provided at intervals in the width direction that is orthogonal to the moving direction T of the stack  212  of mediums. 
     The stapler  250  is configured to bind the stack  212  of mediums at a middle portion, or at a binding position  213 , of the stack  212  of mediums in the moving direction T. In the binding process with the stapler  250 , when the binding position  213  of the stack  212  of mediums is transported to the stapling performing position  251  with the first matching portion  230 , the magazine  253  and the clincher  254  hold the stack  212  of mediums in between. Subsequently, when a staple  252  is punched out from the magazine  253 , the staple  252  that has been punched out penetrates the stack  212  of mediums and is bent by the clincher  254 . The binding process is performed in the above manner. Note that when the stack  212  of mediums is at the stapling performing position, the upstream end of the stack  212  of mediums enters a retracting path  223  that is different from the feeding portion  270 . 
     Folding Mechanism Portion 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , a description of the folding mechanism portion  260  will be given. The folding mechanism portion  260  performs a folding process on the stack  212  of mediums. 
     The folding mechanism portion  260  is disposed adjacent to and on the T(−) side of the stapler  250  in the moving direction. The folding mechanism portion  260  includes a blade  262 , a folding hole  263  that is provided in the folding performing position  261  and through which the blade  262  passes, a pair of bending rollers  264 , a nip position  265  of the pair of bending rollers  264 , and an entering path  266  to enter into the nip position  265 . 
     In the folding mechanism portion  260 , the blade  262  is disposed on the side of the stack  212  of mediums on the holding surface  221  side, and the pair of bending rollers  264  are disposed on the side of the stack  212  of mediums opposite the above side so that the blade  262  and the pair of bending rollers  264  interpose the surfaces of the stack  212  of mediums from above and below. Furthermore, the folding hole  263  through which the blade  262  passes is provided in the folding performing position  261  in the transport path  201 . 
     The folding mechanism portion  260  is configured to fold the stack  212  of mediums at the middle portion, or at a binding position  213 , of the stack  212  of mediums in the moving direction T. 
     In the folding process of the folding mechanism portion  260 , when the binding position  213  of the stack  212  of mediums is transported to the folding performing position  261  with the first matching portion  230 , the blade  262  protrudes towards the stack  212  of mediums through the folding hole  263 . The stack  212  of mediums is folded at the binding position  213  and is inserted into the nip position  265  of the pair of bending rollers  264  with the protruding blade  262 . When the binding position  213  of the stack  212  of mediums is nipped between the pair of bending rollers  264 , the stack  212  of mediums is further folded by the rotation of the pair of bending rollers  264 . The folding process is performed on the stack  212  of mediums with the folding mechanism portion  260  in the above manner. The stack  212  of mediums on which the folding process has been performed turns into a booklet  214  and is discharged to the second tray  129 A. 
     Note that when the stack  212  of mediums is in the folding performing position  261 , the upstream end of the stack  212  of mediums may enter the retracting path  223  that is different from the feeding portion  270 . 
     Other Examples 
     The stapling apparatus  200  according to the present disclosure is basically configured in the above described manner; however, it goes without saying that some of the components may be changed or discarded within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. 
     A second matching portion (not shown) different from the first matching portion  230  may be provided. The second matching portion is configured to move and to maintain the matched state by holding the trailing edges of the mediums  210  held by the holding portion  220 .