A bulk bin forming system configured as a container forming cell includes a multi-axis robot to which is attached a multifunction tool. One or more collapsed card board boxes are located at a first station of the container forming cell adjacent the robot. The robot and multifunction tool are configured to operate to grasp and move an individual box, orient and pre-form the box by folding flaps at a second station of the cell, and then move the box to a third station of the cell to mount the box to a support configured as a pallet to thereby form a bulk bin or bulk box container referred to as a gaylord container. The tool may include vacuum grippers for grasping the boxes and staplers for securing the formed box to the pallet, and may also be used to fold the bottom flaps prior to mounting the box to the pallet.

A binding apparatus includes: a first pressing part that presses a recording material bundle; and a second pressing part that is pushed out toward the first pressing part and presses the recording material bundle. When a recording material or the recording material bundle enters a pressing area where the first pressing part and the second pressing part face each other, at least one of the first pressing part and the second pressing part retreats more downstream than the pressing area in a direction where the recording material or the recording material bundle enters the pressing area.

A binding apparatus includes: a first pressing part that presses a recording material bundle; and a second pressing part that is pushed out toward the first pressing part and presses the recording material bundle. When a recording material or the recording material bundle enters a pressing area where the first pressing part and the second pressing part face each other, at least one of the first pressing part and the second pressing part retreats more downstream than the pressing area in a direction where the recording material or the recording material bundle enters the pressing area.

An image forming apparatus includes: a needleless binding device configured to form a recessed or raised impression as a needleless binding part by performing needleless binding on a bundle of sheets; an environment sensor; and a controller configured to perform, based on a value detected by the environment sensor, control to display a confirmation image requesting a user to make confirmation on the needleless binding prior to execution of the needleless binding.

An image forming apparatus includes: a needleless binding device configured to form a recessed or raised impression as a needleless binding part by performing needleless binding on a bundle of sheets; an environment sensor; and a controller configured to perform, based on a value detected by the environment sensor, control to display a confirmation image requesting a user to make confirmation on the needleless binding prior to execution of the needleless binding.

A binding apparatus includes a binding tool, a binding tool driver, a shaft, and control circuitry. The binding tool is configured to execute a first binding process at a first binding position on a sheet bundle and execute a second binding process at a second binding position different from the first binding position on the sheet bundle. The binding tool driver includes a driver and is configured to apply a driving force to move the binding tool and a driving force to execute the first binding process and the second binding process. The shaft is disposed between the binding tool and the binding tool driver to support a movement of the binding tool by application of the driving force to the first binding position and the second binding position.

A binding apparatus includes a binding tool, a binding tool driver, a shaft, and control circuitry. The binding tool is configured to execute a first binding process at a first binding position on a sheet bundle and execute a second binding process at a second binding position different from the first binding position on the sheet bundle. The binding tool driver includes a driver and is configured to apply a driving force to move the binding tool and a driving force to execute the first binding process and the second binding process. The shaft is disposed between the binding tool and the binding tool driver to support a movement of the binding tool by application of the driving force to the first binding position and the second binding position.

A post-processing apparatus includes a binding tool configured to bind a sheet bundle, a binding tool driver, and control circuitry. The binding tool driver is configured to apply a driving force to move the binding tool to a first binding position at which the binding tool executes a first binding process on the sheet bundle and a second binding position different from the first binding position. At the second binding position, the binding tool executes a second binding process on the sheet bundle. The control circuitry is configured to cause the binding tool driver to move the binding tool to the first binding position at a first movement speed to execute the first binding process, and move the binding tool from the first binding position to the second binding position at a second movement speed slower than the first movement speed to execute the second binding process.

A sheet processing device has a binding unit that applies water to a crimping range of sheets and then crimps the sheets. The sheet processing device includes a processing tray on which sheets are placed, a pair of pressure teeth (pressure teeth and receiving teeth) that crimps the sheets placed on the processing tray at a crimping position with the sheets interposed therebetween, and a water application member (cylinder and piston) that applies water to the crimping position before crimping by the pressure teeth. When the number of sheets placed on the processing tray is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the sheets are crimped by the pressure teeth without water application; while when the number of sheets placed on the processing tray exceeds the predetermined number, the sheets are crimped by the pressure teeth after water application.

A sheet processing device has a binding unit that applies water to a crimping range of sheets and then crimps the sheets. The sheet processing device includes a processing tray on which sheets are placed, a pair of pressure teeth (pressure teeth and receiving teeth) that crimps the sheets placed on the processing tray at a crimping position with the sheets interposed therebetween, and a water application member (cylinder and piston) that applies water to the crimping position before crimping by the pressure teeth. When the number of sheets placed on the processing tray is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the sheets are crimped by the pressure teeth without water application; while when the number of sheets placed on the processing tray exceeds the predetermined number, the sheets are crimped by the pressure teeth after water application.