BACKGROUND

[0001] A finishing apparatus is an apparatus that performs a finishing process on a sheet type medium, for example, paper. The finishing apparatus may be connected to a printer and may perform the finishing process on printed paper as a subsequent process of a printing operation performed by the printer.

[0002] The finishing process may include a bookbinding process of binding aligned multiple sheets of paper, a folding process of folding a sheet of paper, a punching process of perforating a sheet of paper, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a finishing apparatus according to an example.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a finishing apparatus according to an example.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a connecting portion according to an example.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a connecting bracket located at a separation position according to an example.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a side view showing a connecting bracket located at a connection position according to an example.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a finishing apparatus mounted on an external apparatus according to an example.

[0009] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a packaging state of a finishing apparatus according to an example.

[0010] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing an alignment structure between a first panel and a second panel according to an example.

[0011] FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic side views of a finishing apparatus according to an example, in which FIG. 9 shows a finishing portion located at a mounting position, and FIG. 10 shows the finishing portion located at a withdrawal position in which the finishing portion is withdrawn from a receiving portion.

[0012] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cover to open and close a fixing portion according to an example.

[0013] FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic side views of a finishing apparatus according to an example, in which FIG. 12 shows a finishing portion located at a first position, and FIG. 13 shows the finishing portion located at a second position. [0014] FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic side views of a locking portion according to an example, in which FIG. 14 shows a finishing portion located at a first position, and FIG. 15 shows the finishing portion located at a second position. [0015] FIG. 16 shows a process of folding a finishing portion according to an example.

[0016] FIG. 17 is a partially exploded perspective view of a finishing apparatus according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A finishing apparatus may be connected to an external apparatus, for example, a printer, and may perform a finishing process on a sheet type medium, for example, paper, which is output from the printer. A finishing portion to perform the finishing process may be mounted on a paper discharging space of the printer, and a loading portion, in which the finished paper may be loaded, may be mounted on the outside of the paper discharging space. In the finishing apparatus, the loading portion may extend in an up-down direction, for example, in the gravity direction, and the finishing portion may extend in a transverse direction from the loading portion. Such a type of finishing apparatus may have a right-angle shape (e.g., T’) as a whole, and thus its packing has a large size, which may cause the burden of logistics costs. Further, because the finishing portion may extend in the transverse direction from the loading portion, it may not be easy to handle the finishing apparatus. For example, during a process of transporting the finishing apparatus or mounting the finishing apparatus to the printer, there is a risk of damage to a connecting portion between the finishing portion and the loading portion.

[0018] A finishing apparatus according to an example may include a connecting portion to detachably connect the finishing portion and the loading portion. According to an example, because the finishing portion and the loading portion may be arranged and packed in parallel with each other, the size of the packing may be reduced, and the logistics costs of the finishing apparatus may be reduced. In addition, in a case where the finishing apparatus is mounted on the printer, the finishing portion may be first mounted on the paper discharge space of the printer, and the loading portion may be connected to the finishing portion, and thus manipulating the finishing apparatus, such as transporting or mounting the finishing apparatus, is easy to handle. Further, in a case where the loading portion is connected to the finishing portion, a fixing portion to fix the finishing portion and the printer is not exposed. Thus, arbitrary removal of the finishing portion may be avoided or prevented. A finishing apparatus according to an example may include a rotation supporting portion to connect the finishing portion to the loading portion to be rotatable between a folded position (e.g., a first position) in which the finishing portion is parallel to the loading portion and an unfolded position (e.g., a second position) in which the finishing portion extends in a transverse direction from the loading portion. According to this example, because the finishing portion and the loading portion may be arranged side by side and packed, the size of the packing may be reduced. Therefore, handling of the finishing apparatus is easy and logistics costs may be reduced. Hereinafter, various examples of the finishing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. Components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a finishing apparatus according to an example. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a finishing apparatus according to an example.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a finishing apparatus may include a finishing portion 1 to perform a finishing operation on a printing medium such as paper P supplied from an external apparatus 1000, a loading portion 2 detachably connected to one end of the finishing portion 1 in a first direction L and extending in a second direction H, and a connecting portion 3 to detachably connect the loading portion 2 to the finishing portion 1. The loading portion 2 may include a loading tray 22 in which the paper P discharged from the finishing portion 1 is to be loaded. The first direction L may be, for example, a conveying direction of the paper P or a longitudinal direction of the paper P. The second direction H may be a gravity direction or a loading direction of the paper P.

[0021] The finishing portion 1 may be mounted on the external apparatus 1000, for example, a printer. The external apparatus 1000 may include a receiving portion 1001 to receive the finishing portion 1 . The receiving portion 1001 may be, for example, a paper discharge space through which the printed paper P is to be discharged. The finishing portion 1 may be fixed to the external apparatus 1000. The finishing apparatus may include a fixing portion to fix the finishing portion 1 to the external apparatus 1000. The fixing portion may be implemented by, for example, a fixing bracket 5 that may extend in the second direction H from a lower surface of the finishing portion 1 . The fixing bracket 5 may include a through hole 51 into which a fastening member 52 may be inserted. Although not shown in the drawings, the external apparatus 1000 may include a fastening hole through which the fastening member 52 may be fastened. The fastening member 52 may be inserted into the through hole 51 and fastened into the fastening hole, and thus the finishing portion 1 may be fixed to the external apparatus 1000.

[0022] The finishing portion 1 may extend in the first direction L. The finishing portion 1 is to perform a finishing process on the paper P supplied from the external apparatus 1000. The finishing process may include a bookbinding process of binding aligned multiple sheets of paper P, a folding process of folding a sheet of paper P, a punching process of punching a sheet of paper P, or the like. In the described example, the finishing portion 1 performs the bookbinding process of binding a plurality of aligned sheets of the paper P. However, it is to be understood that the finishing portion 1 may perform other finishing processes.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, an example of the finishing portion 1 may include a paper alignment tray 16 in which the plurality of papers P that are finishing targets may be aligned, a binder 100 to drive a binding needle into the plurality of papers P, and a side guide 17 and an end guide 18 to align the papers P on the paper alignment tray 16 in a width direction W and a longitudinal direction L (e.g., the first direction), respectively. The binder 100 may be located at a position aligned with the comers of the plurality of papers P. In this case, the binder 100 may insert the binding needle into the corners of the plurality of sheets P. As the binder 100 moves in the width direction W of the plurality of papers P, one or more binding needles may be inserted into the edges of the plurality of papers P.

[0024] The finishing portion 1 may have a conveying structure to convey the paper P. As an example, the conveying structure may include conveying rollers 11 and 12, a first roller 13, and a second roller 14. Each of the conveying rollers 11 and 12 may include a pair of rollers rotating in engagement with each other. The conveying rollers 11 and 12 may convey the paper P supplied through an entry port 19a onto the paper alignment tray 16. The first roller 13 may be located above the paper alignment tray 16, and the second roller 14 may be located below the paper alignment tray 16. The first roller 13 may face the second roller 14. The first roller 13 may be mounted on a pivoting lever 15 to pivot between a spaced position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 2) spaced from the second roller 14 and a conveying position (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) engaged with the second roller 14 to convey the paper P. In the conveying position, the first roller 13 may be pressed toward the second roller 14 by its own weight or by an elastic force of a spring that is not shown. The first roller 13 and the second roller 14 may transport the paper P in the forward direction and discharge the paper P to a discharge port 19b. The first roller 13 and the second roller 14 may transport the paper P in the reverse direction for bookbinding processing and align the paper P on the paper alignment tray 16. The first roller 13 and the second roller 14 may transport the plurality of papers P on which the bookbinding process is completed in the forward direction and discharge the plurality of papers P to the discharge port 19b. In the vicinity of the discharge port 19b, a pressing member 110 to press the paper P loaded on the loading tray 22 may be provided.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1 , the loading portion 2 may extend in the second direction H. The loading portion 2 may include a main body 21 extending in the second direction H, and the loading tray 22 supported by the main body 21 to load paper P discharged from the finishing portion 1. The loading tray 22 may be located in a fixed position of the main body 21. The loading tray 22 may be supported on the main body 21 so as to be movable in the second direction H in order to increase the loading capacity. For example, the main body 21 may include a belt 23c that is able to travel in the second direction H. The belt 23c may be supported by a pair of pulleys 23a and 23b spaced apart in the second direction H. The loading tray 22 may be connected to the belt 23c. A driving motor 23d may rotate, for example, the pulley 23a. According to this example, the loading tray 22 may be lifted in the second direction H. Although not shown in the drawing, the loading tray 22 may be lifted in the second direction H by a rackpinion structure. For example, a driving motor and a pinion gear rotated by the driving motor may be mounted on the loading tray 22, and a rack gear extending in the second direction H may be mounted on the main body 21 . The pinion gear may engage with the rack gear. In a case where the pinion gear rotates by the driving motor, the loading tray 22 may move in the second direction H.

[0026] The loading portion 2 may be separably connected to the finishing portion 1 . The loading portion 2 may cover the fixing bracket 5 such that the fixing bracket 5 is not exposed in a case where the loading portion 2 is connected to the finishing portion 1. According to this example, in a case where the loading portion 2 is first connected to the finishing portion 1 , the finishing portion 1 may not be fixed to the external apparatus 1000. Accordingly, the mounting order of connecting the loading portion 2 to the finishing portion 1 after first mounting the finishing portion 1 in the external apparatus 1000 may be naturally determined. Further, while the loading portion 2 is connected to the finishing portion 1 , the finishing portion 1 may not be separated from the external apparatus 1000. Accordingly, the separating order of separating the finishing portion 1 from the external apparatus 1000 after first separating the loading portion 2 from the finishing portion 1 may be naturally determined.

[0027] A protruding portion 120 may be provided at an end of the finishing portion 1 in the first direction L, for example, in the vicinity of the discharge port 19b. The loading portion 2 may include an opening 24 into which the protruding portion 120 may be inserted. The loading tray 22 may be located in a fixed position below the opening 24. As described above, the loading tray 22 may be lifted in the second direction H below the opening 24. With this example, paper P discharged through the discharge port 19b of the finishing portion 1 may be loaded on the loading tray 22.

[0028] The loading portion 2 may be separably connected to the finishing portion 1 by the connecting portion 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a connecting portion according to an example. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a connecting bracket located at a separation position according to an example. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a connecting bracket located at a connection position according to an example.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the connecting portion 3 may include a connecting pin 31 provided in the finishing portion 1 , and a connecting bracket 32 provided in the loading portion 2. The connecting bracket 32 may include a hook portion 321 on which the connecting pin 31 may be engaged. A plurality of connecting pins 31 may respectively be provided on, for example, both sides 121 of the protruding portion 120. In an example, two connecting pins 31 may be spaced apart in the second direction H and provided on both sides 121 of the protruding portion 120, respectively. The connecting bracket 32 may be supported on the loading portion 2, for example, the main body 21 , to move between the connecting position (see FIG. 5) where the connecting pin 31 may be engaged by the hook portion 321 and the separation position (see FIG. 4) where the connecting pin 31 may be detachable from the hook portion 321 . The main body 21 may include a pair of guide pins 211 spaced apart in the second direction H. The connecting bracket 32 may include a pair of cutout grooves 322 cut in the second direction H such that the pair of guide pins 211 may be inserted. The pair of cutout grooves 322 may be spaced apart in the second direction H. With this example, the connecting bracket 32 may be guided by the pair of guide pins 211 to slide in the second direction H. The hook portion 321 may have a shape in which the hook portion 321 does not detach in the first direction L from the connecting pin 31 in a case where hook portion 321 is engaged by the connecting pin 31. In addition, the hook portion 321 may include an inclined portion 323 that is inclined such that the connecting bracket 32 slides toward the separation position in a case where the inclined portion 323 is pushed in the first direction L by the connecting pin 31 .

[0030] With this example, after fixing the finishing portion 1 to the external apparatus 1000, the protruding portion 120 of the finishing portion 1 may be inserted into the opening 24 of the loading portion 2, and the loading portion 2 may be pushed to the finishing portion 1 . The connecting bracket 32 may be located at the connection position as shown in FIG. 3. The connecting pin 31 may come into contact with the inclined portion 323 of the hook portion 321 , and the connecting bracket 32 may start to move toward the separation position. Subsequently, in a case where the loading portion 2 is pushed toward the finishing portion 1 , the connecting bracket 32 reaches the separation position as shown in FIG. 4. In a case where the loading portion 2 is pushed further toward the finishing portion 1 , the connecting pin 31 may be detached from the inclined portion 323. In a case where the connecting bracket 32 returns to the connection position as shown in FIG. 5, the hook portion 321 may be engaged by the connecting pin 31 and the loading portion 2 may be connected to the finishing portion 1.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the connecting portion 3 may include an elastic member 33 that may apply an elastic force to the connecting bracket 32 in a direction to return the connecting bracket 32 to the connection position. The elastic member 33 may be implemented by, for example, a tension coil spring whose one end may be engaged by the connecting bracket 32 and whose other end may be supported by the main body 21. According to this example, the connecting bracket 32 may be maintained at the connection position by the elastic force of the elastic member 33. In a case where the loading portion 2 approaches the finishing portion 1 fixed to the external apparatus 1000, the inclined portion 323 of the hook portion 321 may contact the connecting pin 31 , and the connecting bracket 32 may move in a direction opposite to the elastic force of the elastic member 33. Subsequently, in a case where the loading portion 2 is pushed toward the finishing portion 1 , the connecting bracket 32 reaches the separation position as shown in FIG. 4. In a case where the loading portion 2 is pushed further toward the finishing portion 1 , the contact between the inclined portion 323 and the connecting pin 31 may end, and the connecting bracket 32 may return to the connecting position by the elastic force of the elastic member 33 as shown in FIG. 5. The hook portion 321 may be engaged with the connecting pin 31 , and the loading portion 2 may be connected to the finishing portion 1 .

[0032] Referring again to FIG. 1 , in order to stably support the weight of the loading portion 2, the loading portion 2 may include a lower support 4 supported on a mounting surface MS. The lower support 4 may be mounted, for example, on a lower end of the main body 21 . The lower support 4 may include a supporting member 41 supported on the mounting surface MS. The supporting member 41 may be supported by rolling on the mounting surface MS. The supporting member 41 may have various shapes, for example, a roller, a caster, etc. The supporting member 41 may have a height adjustable structure. For example, the supporting member 41 may include a male screw portion 42 extending in the second direction H. The lower support 4 may include a female screw portion 43 to which the male screw portion 42 may be fastened. With this example, a fastening amount between the male screw portion 42 and the female screw portion 43 may be adjusted such that the supporting member 41 may be supported on the mounting surface MS after connecting the loading portion 2 to the finishing portion 1 . In a case where the structure in which the loading tray 22 is located at a fixing position or the loading capacity of the loading tray 22 is small, the lower support 4 may not be provided.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a finishing apparatus mounted on an external apparatus according to an example.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 6, in a case where the loading portion 2 is connected to the finishing portion 1 , the fixing bracket 5 may be covered by the loading portion 2 and may not be exposed to the outside. In order to separate the loading portion 2 from the finishing portion 1 , for example, a side cover 21 a of the loading portion 2 may be separated and the connecting bracket 32 may be exposed. The connecting bracket 32 may be moved to a separation position as shown in FIG. 4, and the loading portion 2 may be separated from the finishing portion 1 . In that case, the finishing portion 1 may be separated from the external apparatus 1000 by unfastening the fastening member 52.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a packaging state of a finishing apparatus according to an example.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 7, in a case where the finishing portion 1 coupled to the loading portion 2 is packed, the lower support 4 and the finishing portion 1 extend in opposite directions with respect to the loading portion 2, as shown by the dotted line. Thus, the size of the packing increases. In a case where the finishing portion 1 and the loading portion 2 are separated, the finishing portion 1 and the loading tray 22 may be arranged in a space secured by the loading portion 2 and the lower support 4, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7. Thus, the size of the packing may be reduced. Therefore, logistics costs may be reduced. In addition, it may also be easy to design a packing cushioning material, which may reduce the risk of damage to the finishing apparatus during conveying of the finishing apparatus. Even in a case where the finishing apparatus is mounted on the external apparatus 1000, the finishing portion 1 may be first mounted on the external apparatus 1000 and the loading portion 2 may be connected to the finishing portion 1 , and thus mounting is easy.

[0037] Referring again to FIG. 1 , paper P discharged from the finishing portion 1 may fall into the loading tray 22 after passing through the discharge port 19b. The finishing portion 1 may include a first panel 122 that faces the loading portion 2. The loading portion 2 may include a second panel 26 aligned with the first panel 122 in the second direction H. For example, the first panel 122 may be located at an end of the protruding portion 120 that faces the loading portion 2. The opening 24 into which the protruding portion 120 may be inserted may be provided in the second panel 26. In a case where the protruding portion 120 is inserted into the opening 24, the first panel 122 and the second panel 26 may be aligned in the second direction H. Because the loading tray 22 may be in a downwardly inclined shape toward the first panel 122 and the second panel 26, an end of the paper P loaded in the loading tray 22 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the first direction L, may be supported in contact with the first panel 122 and the second panel 26. The loading tray 22 may be lifted in the second direction H according to the number of the papers P to be loaded on the loading tray 22. In a case where there is a step between the first panel 122 and the second panel 26, the paper P may be jammed by the step between the first panel 122 and the second panel 26 in a case where the loading tray 22 is lifted. Then, the plurality of papers P loaded on the loading tray 22 may be disturbed.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing an alignment structure between a first panel and a second panel according to an example.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 8, at an end of the first panel 122 facing the second panel 26 in the second direction H, a first uneven portion 123 including repeated concave and convex sections may be provided. At an end of the second panel 26 facing the first panel 122 in the second direction H, a second uneven portion 261 having a complementary shape to that of the first uneven portion 123 may be provided. The first uneven portion 123 and the second uneven portion 261 may be engaged with each other. Ends 123a, 123b, 261 a, and 261 b of the first uneven portion 123 and the second uneven portion 261 facing in the second direction H may be chamfered. According to this example, in a case where the end of the paper P passes through the ends of the first panel 122 and the second panel 26 as the loading tray 22 is lifted, the paper P may naturally pass through from the first uneven portion 123 to the second uneven portion 261 and vice versa. Therefore, the end of the paper P loaded on the loading tray 22 may not be caught on the ends of the first panel 122 and the second panel 26.

[0040] FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic side views of a finishing apparatus according to an example, in which FIG. 9 shows a finishing portion located at a mounting position, and FIG. 10 shows the finishing portion located at a withdrawal position in which the finishing portion is withdrawn from a receiving portion. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the loading portion 2 is omitted.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the finishing apparatus may include a rail 6 to support the finishing portion 1 to slide between a mounting position inserted into the receiving portion 1001 provided in the external apparatus 1000 and a withdrawal position withdrawn from the receiving portion 1001 , and a fixing portion to fix the rail 6 to the external apparatus 1000. The rail 6 may include a lower rail 61 and an upper rail 62 supported by the lower rail 61 to slide, for example, in the first direction L. The lower rail 61 may be supported by the external apparatus 1000, for example, the receiving portion 1001. The finishing portion 1 may be supported by the upper rail 62. The fixing portion may fix the lower rail 61 to the external apparatus 1000. The fixing portion may include, for example, the fixing bracket 5 extending from the lower rail 61 in the second direction H. By fastening the fastening member 52 to the external apparatus 1000 through the fixing bracket 5, the lower rail 61 may be fixed to the external apparatus 1000, and accordingly the rail 6 and the finishing portion 1 may be mounted on the external apparatus 1000.

[0042] After the finishing portion 1 is mounted on the external apparatus 1000, the loading portion 2 may be separably connected to the finishing portion 1 as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In a case where the loading portion 2 is connected to the finishing portion 1 , because the fixing bracket 5 is covered by the loading portion 2, the rail 6 may not be separated from the external apparatus 1000. Therefore, the finishing portion 1 may not be separated from the external apparatus 1000 either. As the upper rail 62 slides with respect to the lower rail 6, the finishing portion 1 may move between the mounting position inserted into the receiving portion 1001 and the withdrawal position withdrawn from the receiving portion 1001. The loading portion 2 may also move together with the finishing portion 1. The withdrawal position may be a position for processing a paper jam that may occur in the finishing portion 1 or for processing a paper jam that may occur between the external apparatus 1000 and the finishing portion 1 . The withdrawal position may be a position for maintenance of the finishing portion 1 .

[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the finishing apparatus may include a cover 7 to open and close the fixing portion. The cover 7 may be movable to an open position to open the fixing portion in a case where the finishing portion 1 is located at the mounting position. The cover 7 may not move to the open position to open the fixing portion in a case where the finishing portion 1 is beyond the mounting position.

[0044] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cover to open and close a fixing portion according to an example.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 11 , the cover 7 may be supported by the fixing bracket 5 so as to be movable in the second direction H. For example, the fixing bracket 5 may include a guide 53 extending in the second direction H. The cover 7 may be supported on the guide 53 so as to be movable in the second direction H. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 11 , in a case where the cover 7 is located at a blocking position, the fastening member 52 may be not exposed to the outside based on the cover 7 covering the fixing bracket 5. In a case where the cover 7 is located at the open position as shown by the solid line in FIG. 11 , the fixing bracket 5 may be exposed. Accordingly, the fastening member 52 may be fastened to the external apparatus 1000 through the fixing bracket 5 to mount the finishing portion 1 on the external apparatus 1000, or the fastening member 52 may be unfastened from the external apparatus 1000 to separate the finishing portion 1 from the external apparatus 1000.

[0046] In a case where the finishing portion 1 and the loading portion 2 move to the withdrawal position together while the loading portion 2 is connected to the finishing portion 1 , the fixing bracket 5 may be exposed to separate the finishing portion 1 from the external apparatus 1000. In this case, because the loading portion 2 and the finishing portion 1 are connected to each other, the finishing apparatus may fall due to the weight of the finishing portion 1 . While the loading portion 2 is not separated from the finishing portion 1 , it may be necessary to prevent the fixing bracket 5 from being exposed to the outside even if the finishing portion 1 is located at the withdrawal position. To this end, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the finishing portion 1 may include a receiving groove 140 to receive the cover 7 that moves to the open position in a case where the finishing portion 1 is located at the mounting position. For example, the receiving groove 140 may be provided in a lower surface of the finishing portion 1. As shown in FIG. 10, in a case where the finishing portion 1 is located at the withdrawal position, because the cover 7 and the receiving groove 140 are dislocated from each other, the cover 7 may not move to the open position. Accordingly, while the finishing portion 1 is located at the withdrawal position, the finishing portion 1 may not be separated from the external apparatus 1000. As shown in FIG. 9, in a case where the finishing portion 1 is located at the mounting position, the cover 7 and the receiving groove 140 are aligned in the second direction H. Accordingly, the cover 7 may move to the open position and may be received in the receiving groove 140. With this example, the loading portion 2 may be separated from the finishing portion 1 , the finishing portion 1 may be located at the mounting position, the cover 7 may move to the open position, and the finishing portion 1 may be separated from the external apparatus 1000.

[0047] FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic side views of a finishing apparatus according to an example, in which FIG. 12 shows a finishing portion located at a first position, and FIG. 13 shows the finishing portion located at a second position. [0048] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the finishing apparatus may include the finishing portion 1 extending in the first direction L to perform a finishing operation on paper P supplied from the external apparatus 1000, the loading portion 2 including the loading tray 22 in which the paper P discharged from the finishing portion 1 may be loaded and extending in the second direction H, and a rotation supporting portion 8 to support the finishing portion 1 on the loading portion 2 such that the finishing portion 1 may rotate between a first position (see FIG. 12) parallel to the loading portion 2 and a second position extending in the first direction L (see FIG. 13).

[0049] For example, the finishing portion 1 may include a pair of reference pins 150. The loading portion 2 may include a reference groove 27 into which the pair of reference pins 150 may be inserted in a case where the finishing portion 1 is located at the second position. The reference grooves 27 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction H. The rotation supporting portion 8 may include a damper 81 to impart rotational resistance in a case where the finishing portion 1 rotates from the second position to the first position. To implement a compact finishing apparatus, a compact rotary damper may be employed as the damper 81. A damping method is not particularly limited, and, for example, a spring damping method, an oil damping method, a magnetic damping method, or the like may be employed. The damper 81 may prevent the finishing portion 1 from rapidly rotating from the second position to the first position. Therefore, by locating the finishing portion 1 at the second position and moving the finishing apparatus such that the finishing portion 1 is inserted into the receiving portion 1001 of the external apparatus 1000, as shown in FIG. 13, the finishing apparatus may be mounted on the external apparatus 1000. The finishing apparatus may be separated from the external apparatus 1000 by moving the finishing apparatus such that the finishing portion 1 is withdrawn from the receiving portion 1001 of the external apparatus 1000. At this time, the damper 81 may prevent rapid rotation of the finishing portion 1 from the second position to the first position.

[0050] The loading portion 2 may include the lower support 4 supported on the mounting surface MS. The lower support 4 may include the supporting member 41 supported on the mounting surface MS. The supporting member 41 may be supported by rolling on the mounting surface MS. The supporting member 41 may have a height adjustable structure. The loading portion 2 may include an auxiliary support 44 extending downward of the finishing portion 1 and supported on the mounting surface MS. The auxiliary support 44 may extend in the opposite direction of the lower support 4. The auxiliary support 44 may include an auxiliary supporting member 45 to be supported on the mounting surface MS. The auxiliary supporting member 45 may be supported by rolling on the mounting surface MS. The auxiliary supporting member 45 may have a height adjustable structure. With this example, the finishing apparatus may easily move to be mounted on the external apparatus 1000 and separated from the external apparatus 1000.

[0051] The finishing apparatus may be packed while the finishing portion 1 is located at the first position as shown in FIG. 12. The loading tray 22 may be separated from the loading portion 2. The length of the finishing apparatus in the first direction L while the finishing portion 1 is located at the first position is shorter than the length of the finishing apparatus in the first direction L while the finishing portion 1 is located at the second position. Accordingly, the size of the packing may be reduced, and logistics costs may be reduced.

[0052] The finishing apparatus may include a locking portion that locks the finishing portion 1 to the second position. Because the finishing portion 1 may be maintained at the second position by the locking portion, it is easy to mount or separate the finishing apparatus.

[0053] FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic side views of a locking portion according to an example, in which FIG. 14 shows a finishing portion located at a first position, and FIG. 15 shows the finishing portion located at a second position. [0054] Referring to FIG. 14, the locking portion may include a locking pin 160 provided in the finishing portion 1 , and a locking bracket 28 provided in the loading portion 2 and including a hook portion 281 to which the locking pin 160 may be engaged. The locking bracket 28 may be supported by the loading portion 2 such that the locking bracket 28 may move to a locking position where the locking pin 160 may be engaged by the hook portion 281 and an unlocking position where the locking pin 160 may be detachable from the hook portion 281 . [0055] The locking pins 160 may be provided, for example, on both sides 121 of the protruding portion 120. In an example, the pair of locking pins 160 are respectively provided on both sides 121 of the protruding portion 120. The locking bracket 28 may be supported on the loading portion 2, for example, the main body 21 , such that the locking bracket 28 may move to the locking position (a solid line in FIG. 15) where the pair of locking pins 160 are engaged by the hook portion 281 and the unlocking position (a position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 15) where the locking pin 160 may be detachable from the hook portion 281. The main body 21 may include a pair of guide pins 284 spaced apart in the second direction H. The locking bracket 28 may include a pair of cutout grooves 283 that are cut in the second direction H and spaced apart in the second direction H such that the pair of guide pins 284 may be inserted. With this example, the locking bracket 28 may be guided by the pair of guide pins 284 to slide in the second direction H. The hook portion 281 may have a shape in which the locking pin 160 does not detach in the first direction L from the hook portion 281 , in a case where the hook portion 281 is engaged by the locking pin 160. In addition, the hook portion 281 may include an inclined portion 282 that is inclined such that the locking bracket 28 slides toward the unlocking position in a case where the inclined portion 282 is pushed in the first direction L by the locking pin 160.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 14, in a case where the finishing portion 1 is located at the first position, the locking bracket 28 may be located at the locking position. In a case where the finishing portion 1 rotates with respect to the rotation supporting portion 8 from the first position to the second position, the locking pin 160 may come into contact with the inclined portion 282 of the hook portion 281 , and the locking bracket 28 may start moving toward the unlocking position. In a case where the finishing portion 1 continues to rotate, the locking bracket 28 reaches the unlocking position as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 15. In a case where the finishing portion 1 reaches the second position, the locking pin 160 may cross the inclined portion 282 as shown in FIG. 15. In a case where the locking bracket 28 returns to the locking position, the hook portion 281 may be engaged by the locking pin 160. Accordingly, the finishing portion 1 may be locked at the second position.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the locking portion may include an elastic member 29 to apply an elastic force to the locking bracket 28 in a direction to return the locking bracket 28 to the locking position. The elastic member 29 may be implemented by, for example, a tension coil spring whose one end is engaged by the locking bracket 28 and whose other end is supported by the main body 21 . According to this example, the locking bracket 28 may be maintained at the locking position by the elastic force of the elastic member 29. In a case where the finishing portion 1 rotates from the first position to the second position, the inclined portion 282 of the hook portion 281 may come into contact with the locking pin 160, and the locking bracket 28 may move in the opposite direction of the elastic force of the elastic member 29. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 15, in a case where the contact between the inclined portion 282 and the locking pin 160 ends after the locking bracket 28 reaches the unlocking position, the locking bracket 28 returns to the locking position as shown by the solid line in FIG. 15 by the elastic force of the elastic member 29. The hook portion 281 may be engaged by the locking pin 160, and the finishing portion 1 may be locked at the second position. In this state, the finishing apparatus may be mounted on the external apparatus 1000 or separated from the external apparatus 1000. Because the finishing portion 1 may be locked at the second position, mounting and separation are easy.

[0058] After separating the finishing apparatus from the external apparatus 1000, the finishing portion 1 may fold to the first position.

[0059] FIG. 16 shows a process of folding a finishing portion according to an example.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 16, the side cover 21 a of the loading portion 2 may be separated, and the locking bracket 28 may be exposed. By moving the locking bracket 28 to an unlocking position, the finishing portion 1 may rotate to the first position. In a case where the damper 81 is employed, the finishing portion 1 may be prevented from being rapidly switched between the second position and the first position after the finishing portion 1 is unlocked.

[0061] FIG. 17 is a partially exploded perspective view of a finishing apparatus according to an example.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 17, a finishing apparatus may include the rail 6 to support the finishing portion 1 to slide between a mounting position inserted into the receiving portion 1001 provided in the external apparatus 1000 and a withdrawing position withdrawn from the receiving portion 1001. The rail 6 may be provided separately from the finishing portion 1 and the loading portion 2. The rail 6 may include, for example, the lower rail 61 and the upper rail 62 supported by the lower rail 61 to slide in the first direction L. The lower rail 61 may be fixed to the external apparatus 1000 by a fixing portion. As the fixing portion, the examples shown in FIGS. 1 or 9 to 11 may be applied. In a case where the finishing apparatus is mounted on the external apparatus 1000, the rail 6 may first be mounted on the receiving portion 1001 of the external apparatus 1000. The finishing portion 1 may rotate to the second position and may be locked at the second position. The finishing portion 1 may be supported by the rail 6 and inserted into the receiving portion 1001 of the external apparatus 1000. Accordingly, the finishing portion 1 and the loading portion 2 may slide between the mounting position and the withdrawal position.

[0063] It should be understood that examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other examples. While one or more examples have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.