[Title of Invention]

ENCLOSING DEVICE, ENCLOSING-AND-SEALING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

[Technical Field]

[0001]

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an enclosing device, an enclosing-and-sealing apparatus, and an image forming system.

[Background Art]

[0002]

An enclosing device is known that inserts an enclosure into an envelope, and an enclosing- and-sealing apparatus is known that seals the envelope in which the enclosure is inserted. An image forming system is also known that includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet and encloses and seals the sheet on which the image is formed as an enclosure.

[0003]

In an enclosing device, a technology is disclosed in which an envelope body and a leading end portion of a flap are curved in a direction away from each other, a central portion of the envelope is pressed at an upstream position of a configuration for opening the flap to bend the envelope, and a claw member is inserted into a gap between the envelope body and the flap (see PTL 1).

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[0004]

[PTL 1]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H07-025198

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

[0005]

An object of the technology described in PTL 1 is to reliably open the flap regardless of the material of the envelope or the curl of the flap. Such a technology may adopt complicated configurations such as a configuration in which the envelope is bent and a configuration in which the claw member is inserted into the gap. Thus, the apparatus is likely to be large. That is, in the related art, there is a problem in securely opening the flap with a simple configuration allowing downsizing.

[0006]

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology in which a flap can be stably opened in a simple configuration allowing downsizing.

[Solution to Problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-described problem, an enclosing device that inserts an enclosure into an envelope includes an envelope conveyance passage, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a conveyance guide, and a flap opener. The envelope is conveyed in the envelope conveyance passage. The first conveyor conveys the envelope in the envelope conveyance passage. The second conveyor is positioned downstream from the first conveyor in a conveyance direction of the envelope in the envelope conveyance passage. The conveyance guide is positioned between the first conveyor and the second conveyor in the envelope conveyance passage. The flap opener opens a flap of the envelope. At least one of a part of the conveyance guide or one end of the flap opener is positioned to straddle the envelope conveyance passage.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0008]

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a flap of an envelope can be stably opened in a simple configuration allowing downsizing.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0009]

A more complete appreciation of embodiments of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[FIG. 1]

FIG. 1 is a front external view of an enclosing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[FIG. 2]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the enclosing system of FIG. 1.

[FIG. 3]

FIGS. 3 A to 3E are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of a sheet processing apparatus applicable to the enclosing system of FIG. 1.

[FIG. 4]

FIGS. 4A to 4E are diagrams illustrating an internal configuration of another sheet processing apparatus applicable to the enclosing system of FIG. 1.

[FIG. 5]

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an enclosing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[FIG. 6]

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a step of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[FIG. 7]

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 6. [FIG. 8]

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a flap opening mechanism in the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 7.

[FIG. 9]

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 8.

[FIG. 10]

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 9.

[FIG. 11]

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 10.

[FIG. 12]

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 11.

[FIG. 13]

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 12.

[FIG. 14]

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 13.

[FIG. 15]

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 14.

[FIG. 16]

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 15.

[FIG. 17]

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a step of the enclosing operation of the enclosing device, subsequent to the state in FIG. 16.

[FIG. 18]

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of the flap opening mechanism included in the enclosing device.

[FIG. 19]

FIGS. 19A to 19F are diagrams illustrating an example of a flap opening operation of the flap opening mechanism.

[FIG. 20]

FIGS. 20 A to 20F are diagrams illustrating another example of the flap opening operation of the flap opening mechanism.

[FIG. 21] FIG. 21 is a view of a main part of the flap opening mechanism.

[FIG. 22]

FIGS. 22 A to 22F are diagrams illustrating still another example of the flap opening operation of the flap opening mechanism.

The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Also, identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the several views. [Description of Embodiments] [0010]

In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0011]

First, an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below. FIG. 1 is a front external view of a print system 1 as an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The print system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 200, a folding apparatus 300 as a sheet processing apparatus that performs folding processing, an envelope processing apparatus 100 as an enclosing-and-sealing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that encloses and seals an enclosure, and a post-processing apparatus 400. The print system 1 is also an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012]

The image forming apparatus 200 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet-shaped medium by a specified image forming method and ejects the sheet-shaped medium. The sheet-shaped medium on which the image is formed (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “sheet S”) is ejected to the folding apparatus 300.

[0013]

The folding apparatus 300 performs folding processing on the sheet S ejected from the image forming apparatus 200 based on a setting according to a specified folding type and folding dimension, forms a folded sheet Sf, and ejects the folded sheet Sf. The folding apparatus 300 may eject the sheet S downstream as it is, based on the setting. A setting related to performing or non-performing of the folding processing or a setting used for execution of the folding processing are based on setting information (various adjustment values) notified from the image forming apparatus 200. A mechanism that performs the folding processing adjusts a feed amount of the sheet S based on various adjustment values, forms a crease at a folding position in accordance with the adjustment, and forms the folded sheet Sf. The folded sheet Sf on which the specified folding processing is performed is sent out to the envelope processing apparatus 100.

[0014]

The folding apparatus 300 performs processing for adjusting a folding dimension so that a trailing end of the folded sheet Sf in an insertion direction when the folded sheet Sf is inserted into the envelope E in the envelope processing apparatus 100 comes to be the “crease” of the folded sheet Sf.

[0015]

The envelope processing apparatus 100 performs enclosing processing and sealing processing. In the enclosing processing, the folded sheet Sf, which is conveyed after the folding processing is performed in an apparatus (folding apparatus 300) disposed upstream in an entry direction of the sheet S, is inserted and enclosed into the envelope E. In the sealing processing, the envelope E into which the folded sheet Sf is inserted is sealed. The envelope processing apparatus 100 can convey the folded sheet Sf or the sheet S downstream without enclosing the folded sheet Sf or the sheet S into the envelope E. In this case, the folded sheet Sf or the sheet S is sent out to the post-processing apparatus 400 disposed downstream from the envelope processing apparatus 100. The post-processing apparatus 400 is an apparatus that performs post-processing such as staple processing on the conveyed sheet S. [0016]

The envelope processing apparatus 100 performs conveyance processing for enclosing the folded sheet Sf, on which the folding processing has performed, into the envelope E in an appropriate orientation. The envelope processing apparatus 100 also performs processing of adjusting the orientation of the folded sheet Sf in enclosing the folded sheet Sf so that information such as an address formed on the enclosed folded sheet Sf is located at a position where the information can be visually recognized through a transparent window ew formed on the envelope E in advance. This adjustment processing is performed by reversal conveyance processing included in the conveyance processing. Accordingly, the envelope processing apparatus 100 determines whether the orientation of the folded sheet Sf at the time of enclosure is to be reversed from the orientation at the time of entry, based on an image position of the folded sheet Sf at the time of entry and the position of the transparent window ew formed in the envelope E. Then, the conveyance processing and the reversal conveyance processing are performed based on the determination result.

[0017]

With reference to FIG. 1, a description is given of a “direction” commonly used in the description of embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an axis parallel to a placement surface of the print system 1 is defined as a Y axis. An arrangement direction of the apparatuses constituting the print system 1 is along the Y axis. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, an arrow direction of the Y axis is defined as a Y direction. The sheet S on which an image is formed in the image forming apparatus 200 is conveyed in the Y direction, and then conveyed to each apparatus disposed downstream from the image forming apparatus 200 in the Y direction.

[0018]

Similarly, an axis parallel to the placement surface and orthogonal to the Y axis is defined as an X axis. A depth direction of the print system 1 is an arrow direction of the X axis and is defined as an X direction. An arrow direction of a Z axis orthogonal to the X axis and the Y axis and corresponding to a height direction of the print system 1 is defined as a Z direction. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the envelope processing apparatus 100 has a configuration of conveying an enclosure to a position at which the enclosure is inserted into the envelope E, a configuration for enclosing the enclosure, and a configuration for sealing the envelope E, which are arranged side by side in the Z direction. Thus, the plane dimension of the envelope processing apparatus 100 can be downsized and the envelope processing apparatus 100 available even in narrow installation space can be achieved. Also in the following drawings, the same axes are denoted, and the description of the axes is omitted.

[0019]

With reference to FIG. 2, a description is given of overall functional blocks of the print system 1. In the following descriptions, an enclosing target as a medium that is conveyed, and inserted and enclosed in the envelope E is a folded sheet Sf on which an image is formed in the image forming apparatus 200 and on which specified folding processing is performed in the folding apparatus 300. In FIG. 2, movement passages (conveyance passages) of the sheet S and the folded sheet Sf are indicated by dashed lines, and communication lines used for transmitting and receiving signals between functional blocks are indicated by solid lines. [0020]

The image forming apparatus 200 is, for example, an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet S by a known electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a display unit 210, an operation unit 220, a sheet feeder 230, an image forming device 240, a fixing device 250, and a printer controller 260. Note that the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 200 is not limited to an electrophotographic process and may be an inkjet process in which liquid ink is discharged onto a medium to form an image. In addition, any other suitable process than the above-described image forming process may be used. [0021]

The display unit 210 displays screens for notifying a user of states of various functions and operation contents. The operation unit 220 corresponds to an operation interface with which the user performs setting a processing operation mode or the number of prints to be processed. [0022]

The operations performed via the operation unit 220 include, for example, the setting of a type of folding operation (folding type) or a folding dimension to be performed in the folding apparatus 300, and the setting of requiring reverse conveyance when the sheet S is enclosed in the envelope processing apparatus 100. Information on the settings performed via the operation unit 220 is transmitted from the printer controller 260 to a sheet folding controller 320 or an enclosing-and-sealing controller 190.

[0023]

The sheet feeder 230 includes a sheet feeding mechanism that stores sheets S, and separates and feeds the sheets S one by one. The image forming device 240 forms a latent image on a photoconductor and transfers an image onto the sheet S. The fixing device 250 fixes the image transferred onto the sheet S. The printer controller 260 controls operations of the above-described functional blocks.

[0024]

The folding apparatus 300 includes a sheet folding device 310 and the sheet folding controller 320 that controls the entire folding apparatus 300. The sheet folding controller 320 controls folding processing for the sheet S based on a folding type (folding manner) and a folding dimension designated from the printer controller 260 of the image forming apparatus 200 via a communication line 207. The sheet folding controller 320 also controls communication with the printer controller 260, and the enclosing-and-sealing controller 190 connected downstream from the sheet folding controller 320. The sheet folding device 310 performs folding processing on the sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 with a designated folding type (folding manner) and a designated folding dimension based on control of the sheet folding controller 320. Note that the sheet S may be conveyed to the envelope processing apparatus 100 without being folded in the sheet folding device 310.

[0025]

There are multiple types of sheet folding devices 310. Embodiments of the sheet folding device 310 that perform different folding manners are described with reference to FIGS. 3 A to 3E and FIGS. 4A to 4E. In the following description, the sheet folding device 310 illustrated in FIGS. 3 A to 3E is referred to as “type A”, and the sheet folding device 310 illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4E is referred to as “type B”. In FIGS. 3A to 3E and FIGS. 4A to 4E, the sheet S is attached with symbols A. The symbols A indicates a printing surface of the sheet S on which an image is formed (hereinafter, also referred to as an “image forming surface Ps”). That is, in the following description, it is assumed that an image forming process is performed on one surface of the sheet S.

[0026]

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 A to 3E, a lower surface of the sheet S in the conveyance direction of the sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 to the sheet folding device 310 corresponds to the image forming surface Ps.

[0027]

First, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the sheet S is conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 toward a conveying roller pair 311.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the sheet S conveyed downstream by the conveying roller pair 311 is conveyed to a specified position by a first folding roller 312, a first folding conveying roller 313, and a second folding roller 314.

[0029]

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the first folding conveying roller 313 and the second folding roller 314 are rotated in reverse to form a first crease on the sheet S.

[0030]

As illustrated in FIG. 3D, the sheet S on which the first crease is formed is conveyed by the first folding roller 312, the second folding roller 314, and a second folding conveying roller pair 316 to a passage different from a passage through which the sheet S enters, and is stopped at a specified position.

[0031]

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 3E, the second folding conveying roller pair 316 is rotated in reverse, and a third folding roller 315 is also rotated to convey the sheet S in a downstream direction. By this operation, a second crease is formed. Thus, the folded sheet Sf having outer three creases is completed. In this case, the image forming surface Ps of the folded sheet Sf is positioned on a lower surface of the folded sheet Sf in the conveyance direction. [0032]

A description is given of the sheet folding device 310 of type B. In the sheet folding device 310 of type B, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 A to 4E, a sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 is conveyed in a gravity direction. At this time, it is assumed that the right surface of the sheet S in the conveyance direction is the image forming surface Ps in FIGS. 4 A to 4E.

[0033]

First, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the sheet S is conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 toward a first conveying roller pair 321.

[0034]

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the sheet S is conveyed downward to a specified position by the first conveying roller pair 321, a first folding roller 323, and a first folding conveying roller 322, and then stops.

[0035]

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the first folding conveying roller 322 and the first folding roller 323 are rotated in reverse, and a second folding roller 324 is rotated to form the first crease.

[0036]

As illustrated in FIG. 4D, a second conveying roller pair 326 is also rotated to convey the sheet S, and the sheet S is stopped at a specified position.

[0037]

Thereafter, the second conveying roller pair 326 is rotated in reverse. The folded sheet Sf is conveyed upward by the rotation of a second folding conveying roller 325. The second folding roller 324 and the second folding conveying roller 325 form a second crease. Thus, the outer three creases are completed. In this case, unlike the type A, the image forming surface Ps of the folded sheet Sf is positioned on the upper surface of the sheet S in the conveyance direction unlike in the case of the type A. As described above, even when the same outer three creases are formed by the sheet folding devices 310 of the different types of the type A and the type B, the position of the image forming surface Ps of the folded sheet Sf comes to a different surface with respect to the conveyance direction. The description above is an example in which an image is formed on one surface of the sheet S.

[0038]

Returning to FIG. 2, a description is given below. The envelope processing apparatus 100 includes a sheet conveying device 110, an enclosing device 120, a sealing device 130, and the enclosing-and-sealing controller 190.

[0039]

The sheet conveying device 110 performs specified processing on the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet folding device 310 in accordance with a control mode (including, for example, a type of folding manner, a folding dimension, and a position of the image forming surface Ps) transmitted from the sheet folding controller 320 to the enclosing-and-sealing controller 190 through a communication line 105. The sheet conveying device 110 performs, for example, the conveyance processing for conveying the folded sheet Sf downstream in the conveyance direction or the reversal conveyance processing for reversing ends of the folded sheet Sf in the conveyance direction. The folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the enclosing device 120 or the post-processing apparatus 400 by the conveyance processing or the reversal conveyance processing.

[0040]

The enclosing device 120 moves the folded sheet Sf to a position where the folded sheet Sf can be enclosed with respect to the envelope E, holds the envelope E in a state where a flap ef for closing an opening for enclosing an enclosure in the envelope E is opened, and performs the enclosing processing of the folded sheet Sf.

[0041]

The sealing device 130 performs processing of ejecting the sealed envelope E to an ejection tray 137 after the flap ef of the envelope E in which the folded sheet Sf is enclosed is closed. [0042]

The enclosing-and-sealing controller 190 controls operations of a plurality of conveying rollers and a plurality of switching claws constituting the sheet conveying device 110, the enclosing device 120, and the sealing device 130. The enclosing-and-sealing controller 190 receives information of the folded sheet Sf (hereinafter, referred to as “enclosing target information”) from the printer controller 260 and the sheet folding controller 320, and then, performs control processing on the folded sheet Sf based on the received information. [0043] The control processing for the folded sheet Sf includes “conveyance processing” in which the ends of the folded sheet Sf in the conveyance direction are not reversed from the time of entry and “reversal conveyance processing” in which the ends are reversed. The “enclosing target information” is information related to the sheet S and the folded sheet Sf as an enclosing target, and includes information for determining whether the end of the folded sheet Sf when enclosed into the envelope E is the leading end or the trailing end at the time of entry. Examples of the enclosing target information include “folding type information” that defines the type of folding processing performed on the folded sheet Sf.

[0044]

Examples of operation instruction information from the image forming apparatus 200 that is one of upstream side apparatuses includes “reversal necessity information” which defines necessity of the reversal conveyance processing described below. Examples of the operation instruction information also include print surface information indicating an image forming surface on which an image is formed on the folded sheet Sf. Examples of the operation instruction information further include "processing apparatus information" indicating the type (type A or type B) of the sheet folding device 310 that has performed the folding processing is included.

[0045]

The post-processing apparatus 400 includes a post-processing device 410 and a postprocessing controller 420. The post-processing device 410 executes specified post-processing on the sheet S conveyed from the upstream side under the control of the post-processing controller 420. The post-processing controller 420 controls the post-processing operation in the post-processing controller 420 according to the operation mode transmitted from the printer controller 260, the sheet folding controller 320, and the enclosing -and- sealing controller 190 through a communication line 403.

[0046]

The printer controller 260, the sheet folding controller 320, the enclosing-and-sealing controller 190, and the post-processing controller 420 are connected to each other, and exchange information necessary for control through the communication lines 207, 105, and 403. The controllers 260, 320, 150, and 420 cooperate with each other to share the sheet size and information about the processing mode requested by the user to be performed on the sheet S and the folded sheet Sf. Accordingly, the entirety of the print system 1 shares control information on which each of the mechanisms described above can perform specified processing with specified timing and a specified process. Accordingly, a sealing-state adjustor as a unit for adjusting the sealing-state to be described below is constituted by cooperation of the controllers 260, 320, 150, and 420.

[0047]

In FIGS. 1 and 2, an example in which the post-processing apparatus 400 is coupled to the downstream side of the envelope processing apparatus 100 is illustrated as an example of the configuration of the print system 1. Typical examples of the post-processing apparatus 400 include a finisher that performs stapling processing, a stacker, or a bookbinding machine. The system configuration of the print system 1 may be such a configuration in which the envelope processing apparatus 100 is located on the most downstream side.

[0048]

Next, a description is given of conveying rollers constituting the sheet conveying device 110, the enclosing device 120, a flap opening mechanism, and the sealing device 130 disposed in the envelope processing apparatus 100, switching claws that switch the conveyance direction of a conveyed object, and conveyance passages on which these components are arranged with reference to FIG. 5.

[0049]

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the sheet conveying device 110 that also functions as a folding apparatus includes a plurality of conveyance passages distinguished as an entry passage 1100, a first conveyance passage 1101, a second conveyance passage 1102, a switchback conveyance passage 1103, an enclosing conveyance passage 1104 as a fourth conveyance passage, and a sheet exit passage 1109.

[0050]

An entrance roller pair 101 is disposed on the entry passage 1100. The entry passage 1100 is a passage in which the folded sheet Sf ejected from an apparatus located on the upstream side (for example, the folding apparatus 300) is received. The enclosing-and-sealing controller 190 receives the enclosing target information as the information related to the folded sheet Sf from the controller (the printer controller 260 and the sheet folding controller 320) upstream from the enclosing-and-sealing controller 190, and controls the start and stop of the rotation of the entrance roller pair 101.

[0051]

A first conveying roller pair 111 serving as a first conveyor and a first intermediate conveying roller pair 114 are disposed in the first conveyance passage 1101 that is one of a plurality of conveyance passages disposed downstream from the entrance roller pair 101 and branches from the entry passage 1100. A first sheet detection sensor 118 as a first medium sensor that detects an end portion (trailing end) of the conveyed folded sheet Sf is disposed on the first conveyance passage 1101. The first sheet detection sensor 118 is disposed between the first intermediate conveying roller pair 114 and the first conveying roller pair 111.

[0052]

A second conveying roller pair 112 serving as a second conveyor and a second intermediate conveying roller pair 115 are disposed in the second conveyance passage 1102 that is one of conveyance passages disposed downstream from the entrance roller pair 101 and branches from the entry passage 1100 in a direction different from the direction of the first conveyance passage 1101. A second sheet detection sensor 119 as a second medium sensor that detects an end portion (trailing end) of the conveyed folded sheet Sf is disposed on the second conveyance passage 1102. The second sheet detection sensor 119 is disposed between the second intermediate conveying roller pair 115 and the second conveying roller pair 112. [0053]

The sheet conveying device 110 includes the switchback conveyance passage 1103. The switchback conveyance passage 1103 is a conveyance passage that connects a joining position where the conveyance passage joins with the first conveyance passage 1101 at a position downstream from the first conveying roller pair 111 and a branching position where the conveyance passage branches from the second conveyance passage 1102 at a position upstream from the second intermediate conveying roller pair 115. The switchback conveyance passage 1103 switches the conveyance direction of the folded sheet Sf conveyed on the second conveyance passage 1102 in the downstream direction, and the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the first conveyance passage 1101 by switchback conveyance. A switchback conveying roller pair 113 serving as a third conveyor is disposed in the switchback conveyance passage 1103 serving as a third conveyance passage.

[0054]

The sheet conveying device 110 includes the sheet exit passage 1109 as a conveyance passage on the downstream side following the first conveyance passage 1101 that sends out the sheet S or the folded sheet Sf, which has passed through the sheet conveying device 110, toward the post-processing apparatus 400 on the downstream side. An exit roller pair 102 is disposed in the sheet exit passage 1109.

[0055]

When enclosing processing to be described below is not performed on the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the folding apparatus 300, the folded sheet Sf passes through the first conveyance passage 1101 from the entry passage 1100 and is ejected to the apparatus on the downstream side via the sheet exit passage 1109. In the description below, processing in which the sheet S or the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the entrance roller pair 101 is conveyed to the exit roller pair 102 via the first conveyance passage 1101 and is further conveyed downstream may be referred to as “normal conveyance processing”. When the sheet conveying device 110 performs the normal conveyance processing, it is not when an “envelope job” that encloses the sheet S or the folded sheet Sf is performed. It is when a “print job” that conveys the sheet S or the folded sheet Sf to the post-processing apparatus 400 as it is performed.

[0056]

The sheet conveying device 110 includes the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 as a fourth conveyance passage that branches from the first conveyance passage 1101 on the downstream side of the first conveying roller pair 111 and communicates with an enclosing roller pair 121 that holds the envelope E in which the folded sheet Sf is enclosed. As described below, the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 as an enclosure conveyance passage communicates with an envelope conveyance passage 1105.

[0057]

The sheet conveying device 110 is provided with a branching claw 10 as a brancher at a branching position for conveying the folded sheet Sf from the entry passage 1100 to either the first conveyance passage 1101 or the second conveyance passage 1102. The branching claw 10 switches a conveyance passage between the first conveyance passage 1101 and the second conveyance passage 1102 based on enclosing target information relating to the folded sheet Sf entering the entry passage 1100 so that the branching claw 10 guides the folded sheet Sf to the first conveyance passage 1101 or the second conveyance passage 1102.

[0058]

The sheet conveying device 110 is provided with a first switching claw 11 as a first switcher at a joining position where the switchback conveyance passage 1103 joins the first conveyance passage 1101. The first switching claw 11 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the entry passage 1100 to the first conveyance passage 1101 is conveyed to the first conveying roller pair 111 and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed from the switchback conveyance passage 1103 to the first conveyance passage 1101.

[0059]

The sheet conveying device 110 is provided with a second switching claw 12 as a second switcher at a branching position where the switchback conveyance passage 1103 branches from the second conveyance passage 1102. The second switching claw 12 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the entry passage 1100 to the second conveyance passage 1102 is conveyed to the second conveying roller pair 112 and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed in a switchback manner from the second conveyance passage 1102 to the switchback conveyance passage 1103.

[0060]

The sheet conveying device 110 is provided a third switching claw 13 as a third switcher at a branching position where the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 branches from the first conveyance passage 1101. The third switching claw 13 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed by the first conveyance passage 1101 is conveyed to the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the sheet exit passage 1109.

[0061]

The folded sheet Sf conveyed to the first conveyance passage 1101 is conveyed to the first conveying roller pair 111 by the first intermediate conveying roller pair 114. The first conveying roller pair 111 conveys the conveyed folded sheet Sf downstream. When the third switching claw 13 is in a state illustrated in FIG. 5, that is, when the third switching claw 13 opens the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 and closes a conveyance passage that passes through the exit roller pair 102 as a direction in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed, the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the enclosing conveyance passage 1104. After the trailing end of the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the first intermediate conveying roller pair 114 to the first conveying roller pair 111 is detected by the first sheet detection sensor 118, the folded sheet Sf turns into the state where the folded sheet Sf has already moved to the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 when the folded sheet Sf is conveyed by a specified distance. When the enclosing-and-sealing controller 190 determines that the folded sheet Sf has reached the above-described state, the operation of each conveying roller pair rotating in the sheet conveying device 110 is stopped.

[0062]

A driving source for operating each conveying roller pair included in the envelope processing apparatus 100 individually supplies a driving force to each conveying roller pair. For example, a motor serving as a driving source corresponding to each conveying roller pair is individually provided. Rotation control of each motor is individually performed. As a result, the control is performed such that a specific conveying roller pair is rotated and the other conveying roller pairs are stopped. A plurality of roller pairs may be driven by a single motor. Even in this case, rotation and non-rotation of each roller (roller pair) may be individually controlled.

[0063]

The folded sheet Sf conveyed to the second conveyance passage 1102 is conveyed to the second conveying roller pair 112 by the second intermediate conveying roller pair 115. When the trailing end of the conveyed folded sheet Sf is detected by the second sheet detection sensor 119 and conveyed by a specified distance, the second conveying roller pair 112 is temporarily stopped and then rotated in reverse. As a result, the folded sheet Sf is ready to be conveyed to the switchback conveyance passage 1103 in a switchback manner. At this time, before or simultaneously with the reverse rotation of the second conveying roller pair 112, the second switching claw 12 is rotated at a timing at which the trailing end of the folded sheet Sf has passed through the second switching claw 12 (this operation is also determined based on the detection result of the second sheet detection sensor 119). Thus, the second switching claw 12 is switched to a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the switchback conveyance passage 1103.

[0064]

When the folded sheet Sf is guided from the second conveyance passage 1102 to the switchback conveyance passage 1103, the folded sheet Sf is conveyed toward the first conveyance passage 1101 by the switchback conveying roller pair 113.

[0065]

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the enclosing device 120 also functioning as an enclosing device is provided with the envelope conveyance passage 1105 as a vertical conveyance passage connected to the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 as a fourth conveyance passage disposed in the sheet conveying device 110. The envelope conveyance passage 1105 extends in a direction intersecting with a placement surface (X-Y plane) of the envelope processing apparatus 100, more specifically, in a direction (Z direction) orthogonal to the X-Y plane. In other words, the envelope conveyance passage 1105 is a conveyance passage extending in a substantially vertical direction from the enclosing conveyance passage 1104. As a result, in the envelope processing apparatus 100, the conveyance direction in which the envelope E is conveyed to an enclosing position is the vertical direction as in the envelope conveyance passage 1105.

[0066]

The envelope E before the enclosure is inserted is placed on an envelope set tray 127. The envelope E placed on the envelope set tray 127 via the envelope conveyance passage 1105 is conveyed from an envelope entry passage 1107, which is described below, to the envelope conveyance passage 1105, and is conveyed to the enclosing position disposed along the envelope conveyance passage 1105.

[0067]

When the envelope E is conveyed from the envelope entry passage 1107 to the envelope conveyance passage 1105, the flap ef of the envelope E is opened. The envelope E with the flap ef opened is conveyed to the enclosing position. This series of operations is described below.

[0068]

The sealed envelope E, which has been conveyed to the enclosing position and into which the enclosure has been enclosed, is sealed in a sealing conveyance passage 1106 on the way to an envelope ejection tray 134. The sealed envelope E is conveyed to the envelope ejection tray 134 and ejected. The envelope conveyance passage 1105 is also used as a conveyance passage at the time of ejection.

[0069]

This series of switching of the conveyance direction of the envelope E is performed by a claw-shaped member that appropriately operates according to the position of the envelope E being conveyed. A roller pair constituting the envelope conveyance passage 1105 switches the conveyance direction depending on the position of the envelope E. Thus, a switchback conveying operation is performed in which the envelope E is conveyed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the envelope E is once conveyed. The enclosure is conveyed to the envelope conveyance passage 1105 directly connected to the enclosure conveyance passage 1104 branched from the first conveyance passage 1101. As a result, a part of the envelope conveyance passage 1105 also functions as a conveyance passage for the enclosure.

[0070]

As described above, since the configuration that conveys the envelope E for the enclosing operation and the sealing operation and the configuration that conveys the enclosure with respect to the envelope E are arranged in the vertical direction with respect to the placement surface of the envelope processing apparatus 100, the installation area of the envelope processing apparatus 100 can be reduced. The print system 1 including the envelope processing apparatus 100 can also be downsized.

[0071]

The envelope conveyance passage 1105 includes an envelope holding mechanism that conveys the envelope E to an enclosing position as a specified position and holds the envelope E so that an enclosure is enclosed. The envelope conveyance passage 1105 is connected to the sealing conveyance passage 1106 for performing sealing processing on the envelope E in which the enclosure is enclosed.

[0072]

A first vertical conveying roller pair 122 and a second vertical conveying roller pair 123 as an envelope conveyor for conveying the envelope E to a position where the folded sheet Sf is received are disposed in the envelope conveyance passage 1105. “The enclosing roller pair 121 serving as an enclosure conveyor that conveys and supplies an enclosure to the envelope E is disposed above the first vertical conveying roller pair 122 (in the +Z direction) in the envelope conveyance passage 1105.

[0073]

The enclosing roller pair 121 conveys the enclosure in the enclosing direction (-Z direction) to perform the enclosing operation with respect to the envelope E conveyed to and held at the enclosing position by the first vertical conveying roller pair 122 and the second vertical conveying roller pair 123.

[0074]

An enclosure pusher 160 is disposed between the enclosing roller pair 121 and the first vertical conveying roller pair 122 and on the side of the envelope conveyance passage 1105, and performs an operation of pushing the trailing end of the enclosure toward the opening of the envelope E during the enclosing operation.

[0075]

A flap opening mechanism 128 is disposed at a connection position of a conveyance passage extending from the envelope conveyance passage 1105 to the sealing conveyance passage

1106 and a connection position of an envelope entry passage 1107 that conveys the envelope E taken out from the envelope set tray 127 to the envelope conveyance passage 1105. The flap opening mechanism 128 has a configuration for opening the flap ef when the envelope E taken out from the envelope set tray 127 as an envelope holding tray is conveyed to the envelope conveyance passage 1105. The flap opening mechanism 128 also has a configuration for switchback conveyance in which the conveyance direction is switched such that the envelope E with the flap ef opened is conveyed to the enclosing position.

[0076]

An envelope switchback switching claw 21 serving as a conveying guide in the flap opening mechanism 128 is disposed at a junction where the envelope conveyance passage 1105 and the envelope entry passage 1107 join each other.

[0077]

A flap opening roller pair 124 constituting the flap opening mechanism 128 is disposed below a first branch position (in the -Z direction) that is a position where the envelope entry passage

1107 and the envelope conveyance passage 1105 join.

[0078]

The flap opening roller pair 124 includes a pair of a drive roller and a driven roller. The envelope E is nipped between outer circumferential surfaces of the drive roller and the driven roller and is conveyed by rotation of the drive roller. A flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 serving as a flap opener is attached to a drive shaft to rotate coaxially with a rotation shaft of the drive roller.

[0079]

A first vertical conveying roller pair includes the flap opening roller pair 124 disposed below the first branch position, and the first vertical conveying roller pair 122 and the second vertical conveying roller pair 123 disposed above the first branch position.

[0080]

A separation roller pair 125 and an envelope conveying roller pair 126 are disposed in the envelope entry passage 1107 that joins the envelope conveyance passage 1105. A part of the stacked envelope E is taken out from the envelope set tray 127 by the separation roller pair 125. The envelope E is supplied to the envelope conveyance passage 1105 by the separation roller pair 125 and the envelope conveying roller pair 126 as an envelope supplier. [0081]

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 17, multiple envelopes E are stacked on the envelope set tray 127. The envelope E has a head portion and a bottom portion regardless of its outer shape and dimension. An opening portion is formed in the head portion, and a flap ef functioning as a lid for closing the opening portion is provided. The envelope E placed on the envelope set tray 127 is in a state where the bottom portion which is an opposite end of the flap ef faces the separation roller pair 125, and the flap ef is closed. Note that the state in which the flap ef is closed refers to a state where the flap ef is bent at a boundary position with the main body of the envelope E so that the leading end of the flap ef approaches the main body of the envelope E.

[0082]

When the envelope E is ejected from the envelope set tray 127, the leading end of the envelope E in the conveyance direction corresponds to the bottom portion of the envelope E. The trailing end of the envelope E in the conveyance direction is the flap ef in a folded state. [0083]

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, when an envelope E is separated from envelopes E stacked in the envelope set tray 127 and conveyed through the envelope entry passage 1107 toward the flap opening roller pair 124, the downstream side of the envelope E in the conveyance direction is the bottom portion of the envelope E. The upstream side of the envelope E in the conveyance direction is the flap ef of the envelope E. In other words, the bottom portion of the envelope E conveyed in the envelope entry passage 1107 corresponds to the “leading end in the conveyance direction” in the envelope entry passage 1107. The flap ef corresponds to the “trailing end in the conveyance direction” in the envelope entry passage 1107.

[0084]

The envelope E conveyed from the envelope set tray 127 by the separation roller pair 125 is conveyed by the envelope conveying roller pair 126 to a position beyond the envelope switchback switching claw 21. The envelope switchback switching claw 21 beyond which the envelope E has passed is rotated to a position where the conveyance direction is switched. [0085]

The envelope switchback switching claw 21 is held in either a position for temporarily conveying the envelope E from the envelope set tray 127 to the sealing conveyance passage 1106 or a position for conveying the envelope E toward the sheet conveying device 110 in the envelope conveyance passage 1105. That is, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 is a member that switches the conveyance direction of the envelope E.

[0086]

The first vertical conveying roller pair 122 and the second vertical conveying roller pair 123 convey and hold the envelope E to a specified position in the envelope conveyance passage 1105. As described below, the specified position is a position where the position of the opening of the envelope E (the position of the flap ef) is lower than the enclosing roller pair 121 and higher than the first vertical conveying roller pair 122.

[0087]

The enclosing roller pair 121 is a type of conveying roller that rotates in a direction in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet conveying device 110 is enclosed in the envelope E.

[0088]

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the sealing device 130, a third vertical conveying roller pair 131 and a fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132 as a switchback conveyor are disposed on the sealing conveyance passage 1106. The sealing device 130 further includes an envelope ejection passage 1108 that branches from the sealing conveyance passage 1106 at a second branching position. An envelope ejection switching claw 31 is disposed at the second branching position. An envelope ejection roller pair 133 is disposed in the envelope ejection passage 1108. The envelope ejection roller pair 133 is disposed at an end portion of the envelope ejection passage 1108.

[0089]

A second vertical conveying roller pair includes the third vertical conveying roller pair 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132. The third vertical conveying roller pair 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132 convey and hold the envelope E at a specified position of the sealing conveyance passage 1106.

[0090]

The envelope ejection switching claw 31 rotates between a position at which the envelope E is conveyed from the flap opening roller pair 124 to the third vertical conveying roller pair 131 in the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 and a position at which the envelope E is conveyed from the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 to the envelope ejection passage 1108. The envelope ejection switching claw 31 is a member that switches the conveyance direction of the envelope E.

[0091] A sealing mechanism 135 as a sealer that performs “sealing processing” of closing the flap ef is disposed in the sealing conveyance passage 1106. If the flap ef of the envelope E conveyed by the third vertical conveying roller pair 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132 is open, the sealing mechanism 135 performs processing of closing the flap ef.

[0092]

The envelope ejection roller pair 133 is a roller pair that ejects the envelope E toward the envelope ejection tray 134.

[0093]

The envelope ejection tray 134 serving as an envelope stacker is a tray on which the ejected envelope E is placed.

[0094]

As described above, the conveyance passages that convey the folded sheet Sf from the sheet conveying device 110 to the enclosing device 120 and the sealing device 130 are disposed to be connected in the vertical direction (Z direction) in the envelope processing apparatus 100. This connected conveyance passage, which serves as both a conveyance passage for the folded sheet Sf and a conveyance passage for the envelope E, corresponds to a vertical conveyance passage in which the envelope conveyance passage 1105 of the enclosing device 120 and the sealing conveyance passage 1106 of the sealing device 130 are connected in the vertical direction (Z direction).

[0095]

Next, an example of a series of processes of the enclosing operation and the sealing operation in the envelope processing apparatus 100 is described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 17. In FIGS. 6 to 17, reference signs are mainly assigned to elements used in the description of each of operation steps. For the sake of explanation, the steps of the processing are distinguished from each other in the drawings. However, the processes may proceed in parallel.

[0096]

First, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the envelopes E are separated one by one by the separation roller pair 125 from the envelope set tray 127 on which a plurality of envelopes E are stacked, and are conveyed to the flap opening roller pair 124 by the envelope conveying roller pair 126. At this time, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 and the envelope ejection switching claw 31 are oriented in the directions illustrated in FIG. 5. The flap opening roller pair 124, the third vertical conveying roller pair 131, and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132 rotate in directions to convey the envelope E downward, and convey the envelope E to a specified position in the enclosing conveyance passage 1104.

[0097]

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when the envelope E completely passes through the flap opening roller pair 124, the flap ef is being opened by a flap opening mechanism 280. In this state, the envelope E reaches the subsequent state illustrated in FIG. 8 by the rotations of the flap opening roller pair 124, the third vertical conveying roller pair 131, and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132. [0098]

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 8, after the flap ef of the envelope E is being opened and reaches a position where the flap ef has passed through the flap opening roller pair 124, the third vertical conveying roller pair 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132 are rotated in reverse. By this operation, switchback conveyance of the envelope E is performed toward a specified position of the enclosing device 120. The envelope switchback switching claw 21 rotates in a direction illustrated with a dashed arrow in FIG. 8 before switchback conveyance of the envelope E starts or simultaneously with switchback conveyance. As a result, the envelope E turns into the state where the envelope E can be conveyed upward in the envelope conveyance passage 1105. Envelope switchback rollers include the flap opening roller pair 124, the third vertical conveying roller pair 131, and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132.

[0099]

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the second vertical conveying roller pair 123 and the first vertical conveying roller pair 122 included in the switchback conveyor convey the envelope E to the enclosing position. When the flap ef has reached a position where the flap ef passes through the first vertical conveying roller pair 122, the rotations of the second vertical conveying roller pair 123 and the first vertical conveying roller pair 122 are stopped, and the enclosing standby operation is started.

[0100]

In the control that conveys the envelope E to the enclosing position, the processing that calculates the conveyance amount of the envelope E from the rotation amount of each conveying roller is executed after the separation roller pair 125 takes out the envelope E. In addition, the position of the envelope E in the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 can be determined based on the calculated length of the envelope E and the length of the flap ef, the conveyance amount of the envelope E, and the length of the conveyance passage passing through the envelope entry passage 1107 and the envelope conveyance passage 1105. [0101]

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the envelope processing apparatus 100 receives the folded sheet Sf from the upstream apparatus (folding apparatus 300) by the entrance roller pair 101 and conveys the folded sheet Sf to the first conveyance passage 1101 in a state where the envelope E is held at the enclosing position.

[0102]

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the first intermediate conveying roller pair 114 and the first conveying roller pair 111 convey the folded sheet Sf downstream in the sheet conveyance direction. At this time, the first switching claw 11 and the third switching claw 13 are positioned as illustrated in FIG. 9. The folded sheet Sf is conveyed from the first conveyance passage 1101 to the enclosing conveyance passage 1104.

[0103] Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the enclosing roller pair 121 conveys the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the enclosing conveyance passage 1104 to the envelope conveyance passage 1105 farther in the conveyance direction. As a result, the first vertical conveying roller pair 122 and the like hold the folded sheet Sf at a specified enclosing position in the envelope conveyance passage 1105. The folded sheet Sf is enclosed into the opening of the envelope E in the enclosing standby state. In this enclosing operation, the folded sheet Sf is pushed into the envelope E by the enclosure pusher 160 as a pushing mechanism constituting an encloser. The relationship between the operation of the enclosure pusher 160 and the folded sheet Sf at the time of enclosing is described below.

[0104]

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the first vertical conveying roller pair 122 and the second vertical conveying roller pair 123 are rotated to convey the envelope E downward. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the envelope E is conveyed to the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132, and the flap ef reaches a position where the flap ef passes through the envelope ejection switching claw 31.

[0105]

After the flap ef has reached the position where the flap ef passes through the envelope ejection switching claw 31, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the flap ef is closed by the sealing mechanism 135 between the third vertical conveying roller pair 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132 to seal the envelope E.

[0106]

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the third vertical conveying roller pair 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132 rotate in reverse to convey the sealed envelope E in a switchback manner. Before the third vertical conveying roller pair 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller pair 132 rotate in reverse, the envelope ejecting switching claw 31 rotates to be in a state illustrated in FIG. 16. Thus, the sealed envelope E is conveyed from the envelope conveyance passage 1105 to the envelope ejection passage 1108.

[0107]

As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the envelope ejection roller pair 133 ejects the sealed envelope E onto the envelope ejection tray 134.

[0108]

Next, a description is given of the flap opening mechanism 280 including the flap opening- and- scooping claw 40 as a flap opener below. A direction indicated by a black thick arrow h illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B is a conveyance direction of the envelope E in the flap opening mechanism 280. In the flap opening mechanism 280, the envelope conveying roller pair 126, the envelope switchback switching claw 21, and the flap opening roller pair 124 are disposed when viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction in the envelope entry passage 1107.

[0109] The flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 is rotatably attached to the rotation shaft of one of the roller pairs included in the flap opening roller pair 124.

[0110]

FIG. 18A is a schematic view of the flap opening mechanism 280 according to a first state. The flap opening mechanism 280 illustrated in FIG. 18A is held such that a flap opening leading end 40t as one end corresponding to the leading end side of the flap opening-and- scooping claw 40 in the conveyance direction is positioned to straddle the envelope conveyance passage 1105 as a conveyance passage.

[0111]

In the flap opening mechanism 280 illustrated in FIG. 18A, a switching leading end 2 It which is the leading end of the envelope switchback switching claw 21 is held at a position close to the envelope entry passage 1107.

[0112]

FIG. 18B is a schematic view of the flap opening mechanism 280 according to a second state. In the flap opening mechanism 280 illustrated in FIG. 18B, a flap opening trailing end 40r as the other end corresponding to the trailing end side in the conveyance direction of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 is held at a position close to the envelope entry passage 1107 as a conveyance passage. The flap opening leading end 40t is held at a position away from the envelope conveyance passage 1105, rather than at a position straddling the envelope conveyance passage 1105 as a conveyance passage.

[0113]

In the flap opening mechanism 280 illustrated in FIG. 18B, the switching leading end 2 It of the envelope switchback switching claw 21 is held at a position along the tangent direction of the arc-shaped envelope entry passage 1107.

[0114]

Next, a description is given of a process of an operation of the flap opening mechanism 280 according to a first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 19A to 19F. The state illustrated in FIG. 19A is substantially the same as the state illustrated in FIG. 18A described above, and is an initial state before the envelope E is conveyed.

[0115]

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 19B, the envelope E is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction in the envelope entry passage 1107.

When the bottom portion (leading end in the conveyance direction) of the envelope E passes through the switching leading end 2 It and is further conveyed, the envelope E turns into the state illustrated in FIG. 19C.

[0116]

As illustrated in FIG. 19C, when the flap opening roller pair 124 nips the envelope E and further conveys the envelope E in the conveyance direction, the flap ef of the envelope E moves along the outer side of the flap opening trailing end 40r in the conveyance direction. This is because the envelope entry passage 1107 is formed in an arc shape, and the switching leading end 2 It is located at a position close to the envelope entry passage 1107. Thus, the leading end of the envelope E in the conveyance direction is urged toward the flap opening roller pair 124 without jumping out from the envelope entry passage 1107.

[0117]

When the leading end of the envelope E in the conveyance direction comes into contact with the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 and the envelope E is further conveyed, the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 is rotated as illustrated in FIG. 19C. By this rotation, the flap opening trailing end 40r of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 moves in a direction approaching the envelope entry passage 1107. Thus, the flap opening trailing end 40r reaches a position where the flap opening trailing end 40r overlaps the switching leading end 2 It in the envelope entry passage 1107. Accordingly, the middle portion of the envelope E is pushed out in the direction along the Z direction from the arc-shaped route of the envelope entry passage 1107. As a result, the flap ef is away from the main body of the envelope E, and the flap ef is triggered to open.

[0118]

Subsequently, when the envelope E is conveyed, as illustrated in FIG. 19D, the boundary portion between the main body of the envelope E and the flap ef comes into contact with the flap opening trailing end 40r. When the envelope E is further conveyed, as illustrated in FIG. 19E, the flap ef moves to trace the flap opening trailing end 40r in accordance with the conveyance of the envelope E.

[0119]

As illustrated in FIG. 19F, the envelope E with the flap ef opened is conveyed in the envelope conveyance passage 1105. Thus, the flap ef turns into being opened.

[0120]

Next, a description is given of a process of the operation of the flap opening mechanism 280 according to a second embodiment with reference to FIGS. 20A to 20F. The state illustrated in FIG. 20A is substantially the same state as the state illustrated in FIG. 18B described above, and is an initial state before the envelope E is conveyed.

[0121]

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 20B, the envelope E is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction in the envelope entry passage 1107. When the bottom portion (leading end in the conveyance direction) of the envelope E passes through the switching leading end 2 It and is further conveyed, the envelope E turns into the state illustrated in FIG. 20C.

[0122]

As illustrated in FIG. 20C, when the bottom portion of the envelope E passes through the flap opening trailing end 40r and reaches a certain position, the switching leading end 2 It rotates to a position where the switching leading end 2 It straddles the envelope entry passage 1107. As a result, the flap ef of the envelope E moves along the outer side of the flap opening trailing end 40r in the conveyance direction. This is because the main body of the envelope E is moved to the inside of the envelope entry passage 1107 by the envelope entry passage 1107 being formed in an arc shape and the switching leading end 2 It straddling the envelope entry passage 1107.

[0123]

As a result, the flap ef is away from the main body of the envelope E, and the flap ef is triggered to open.

[0124]

Subsequently, when the envelope E is conveyed, as illustrated in FIG. 20D, the boundary portion between the main body of the envelope E and the flap ef comes into contact with the flap opening trailing end 40r. When the envelope E is further conveyed, as illustrated in FIG. 20E, the flap ef moves to trace the flap opening trailing end 40r in accordance with the conveyance of the envelope E.

[0125]

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 20F, the envelope E with the flap ef opened is conveyed on the envelope conveyance passage 1105, and the flap ef is opened.

[0126]

Next, a description is given of a configuration of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 with reference to FIG. 21. FIG. 21 illustrates the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 according to the first embodiment. The flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 is supported to rotate around a drive shaft 124R of the flap opening roller pair 124. The flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 is biased by a spring 45 as an elastic member in a direction in which the flap opening trailing end 40r moves away from the envelope entry passage 1107.

[0127]

A surface connecting the flap opening trailing end 40r that is an upstream end portion of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 in the conveyance direction and the flap opening leading end 40t that is a downstream end portion of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 in the conveyance direction, in other words, a surface of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 facing the envelope conveyance passage 1105 is a substantially flat surface. When the conveyed envelope E comes into contact with a portion of the flat surface that is closer to the flap opening leading end 40t, the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 rotates in a direction against the biasing force of the spring 45.

[0128]

When a virtual plane along the envelope conveyance passage 1105 and passing through the flap opening roller pair 124 is assumed, a state where the flap opening leading end 40t is disposed at a position facing the drive shaft 124R is normal based on the virtual plane. When the envelope E is conveyed and pushes the flat surface portion located at the position straddling the envelope conveyance passage 1105, the flap opening leading end 40t moves to the position on the side of the drive shaft 124R with the drive shaft 124R as the center of rotation. As a result, the flap opening trailing end 40r moves to a position where the flap opening trailing end 40r straddles the envelope entry passage 1107, and the flap ef is opened. [0129]

Without providing the spring 45, the position of the rotation axis of the flap opening-and- scooping claw 40 may be shifted from the center of gravity so that the state illustrated in FIG. 21 is maintained in the normal state. The bottom portion of the conveyed envelope E is further conveyed in contact with the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 to push the flat portion and rotate by its own weight.

[0130]

It is preferable that the flap opening trailing end 40r of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 has thickness in the direction of the envelope entry passage 1107 and has a curved shape in order to reduce the load when the flap ef is opened.

[0131]

Next, a description is given of a process of the operation of the flap opening mechanism 280 according to the third embodiment with reference to FIGS. 22A to 22F. A flap opening mechanism 280a according to the present embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above. A flap opening-and- scooping claw 40a is rotated by a drive source. In FIGS. 22A to 22F, the drive source for the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 may be any drive source such as a motor or a solenoid as long as the drive source can rotate the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a in a specified direction at an appropriate time.

[0132]

The process of the operation of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a according to the third embodiment is as illustrated in FIGS. 22A to 22F. The process of this operation is substantially the same as the process of the operation of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above.

[0133]

As illustrated in FIGS. 22A to 22F, the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a that is rotated by the drive source does not need to be provided with the flap opening leading end 40t. The flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a may be controlled to start rotating when the envelope E has passed through the flap opening trailing end 40r.

[0134]

The timing at which the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a starts rotating may be appropriately adjusted based on the length of the envelope E in the conveyance direction and the length of the flap ef in the conveyance direction. This is because the timing at which the flap ef engages with the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 varies depending on the length of the envelope E and the length of the flap ef. If the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40 is rotated at a timing different from the timing at which the flap ef is engaged with the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40, the flap ef would be conveyed in a state where the flap ef is not firmly engaged with the flap opening trailing end 40r. Thus, the flap ef would be conveyed in a state where the flap ef is closed.

[0135] The step illustrated in FIG. 22C is performed so that the flap ef is firmly engaged with the flap opening trailing end 40r of the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a. As illustrated in FIG. 22C, in a state where the downstream end (bottom portion) of the envelope E in the conveyance direction is nipped by the flap opening roller pair 124, and the upstream end (the side of the flap ef) of the envelope E in the conveyance direction is not nipped by the envelope conveying roller pair 126, the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a moves to straddle the envelope conveyance passage 1105, so that the envelope E can be curved by the cooperation of the envelope switchback switching claw 21 and the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a. As a result, the flap ef can be reliably engaged with the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a.

[0136]

Even if the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a moves to straddle the envelope entry passage 1107 in a state where the leading end (bottom portion) of the envelope E is nipped by the flap opening roller pair 124 and the trailing end (the side of the flap ef) of the envelope E is nipped by the envelope conveying roller pair 126, the flap ef is not sufficiently opened with respect to the envelope E since the trailing end of the envelope E remains nipped by the envelope conveying roller pair 126. As a result, the flap ef cannot be reliably engaged with the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a.

[0137]

Accordingly, the flap ef can be reliably engaged with the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a by rotating the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a at an appropriate time according to the conveyance position of the envelope E and moving the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a so that the flap opening-and-scooping claw 40a straddles the envelope entry passage 1107. As a result, the flap ef can be reliably opened.

[0138]

The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the present invention.

[0139]

This patent application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-021568, filed on February 15, 2022, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[Reference Signs List] 140] Print system

10 Branching claw

I I First switching claw

12 Second switching claw Third switching claw Envelope switchback switching claw t Switching leading end Envelope ejection switching claw Flap opening and scooping claw a Flap opening and scooping claw r Flap opening trailing end t Flap opening leading end Spring 0 Envelope processing apparatus 1 Entrance roller pair 2 Exit roller pair 5 Communication line 0 Sheet conveying device 1 First conveying roller pair 2 Second conveying roller pair 3 Switchback conveying roller pair 4 First intermediate conveying roller pair5 Second intermediate conveying roller pair8 First sheet detection sensor 9 Second sheet detection sensor 0 Enclosing device 1 Enclosing roller pair 2 First vertical conveying roller pair 3 Second vertical conveying roller pair 4 Flap opening roller pair 4R Drive shaft 5 Separation roller pair 6 Envelope conveying roller pair 7 Envelope set tray 8 Flap opening mechanism 0 Sealing device 1 Third vertical conveying roller pair 2 Fourth vertical conveying roller pair 3 Envelope ejection roller pair 4 Envelope ejection tray 5 Sealing mechanism 7 Ejection tray 0 Enclosure pusher 0 Enclosing and sealing controller 00 Image forming apparatus 07 Communication line 10 Display unit 20 Operation unit 30 Sheet feeder 40 Image forming device 50 Fixing device 60 Printer controller 80, 280a Flap opening mechanism 00 Folding processing apparatus 10 Sheet folding device 11 Conveying roller pair 12 First folding roller 13 First folding conveying roller 14 Second folding roller 15 Third folding roller 16 Second folding conveying roller pair 20 Sheet folding controller 21 First conveying roller pair 22 First folding conveying roller 23 First folding roller 24 Second folding roller 25 Second folding conveying roller 26 Second conveying roller pair 00 Post-processing apparatus 03 Communication line 10 Post-processing device 20 Post-processing controller

1100 Entry passage

1101 First conveyance passage

1102 Second conveyance passage

1103 Switchback conveyance passage

1104 Enclosing conveyance passage

1105 Envelope conveyance passage

1106 Sealing conveyance passage

1107 Envelope entry passage

1108 Envelope ejection passage

1109 Sheet exit passage