MEDIUM PROCESSING DEVICE AND RECORDING SYSTEM

Abstract

A medium processing device includes a processing unit performing processing on a medium, a processing tray on which the medium is placed, a discharge roller pair configured to discharge the medium, a feeding unit configured to feed the medium to the processing tray and the discharge roller pair, and a curvature applying unit configured to apply curvature to the medium along a width direction intersecting a conveyance direction. The discharge roller pair includes a first roller and a second roller. The second roller is displaceable between a first state where the second roller can nip the medium with the first roller, and a second state where the second roller is more separated from the first roller. The curvature applying unit is in a curvature applying state when the second roller is in the second state, and in a retracted state when the second roller is in the first state.

Claims

1. A medium processing device comprising: a processing unit configured to perform processing on a medium; a processing tray on which the medium to be processed by the processing unit is placed; a discharge roller pair configured to discharge the medium from the processing tray; a feeding unit configured to be able to feed the medium to the processing tray and the discharge roller pair; and a curvature applying unit configured to apply curvature along a width direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the medium, to the medium fed to the processing tray by the feeding unit, wherein the discharge roller pair includes: a first roller that abuts on a first surface of the medium; and a second roller that abuts on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the medium, and the second roller is displaceable between a first state where the second roller nip the medium with the first roller between the second roller and the first roller, and a second state where the second roller is more separated from the first roller than in the first state, and the curvature applying unit is in a curvature applying state of applying the curvature to the medium when the second roller is in the second state, and in a retracted state of being retracted further from the medium than in the curvature applying state, when the second roller is in the first state.

2. The medium processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a linking unit configured to link a displacement of the second roller into the first state and the second state with a displacement of the curvature applying unit into the retracted state and the curvature applying state.

3. The medium processing device according to claim 2, wherein the linking unit includes: an energizing unit configured to energize the curvature applying unit so as to be in the retracted state; a first displacement unit configured to displace the curvature applying unit so as to be in the curvature applying state against an energizing force of the energizing unit; and a second displacement unit configured to displace the second roller into the first state and the second state, and the first displacement unit displaces the curvature applying unit as the second displacement unit is displaced.

4. The medium processing device according to claim 3, wherein the curvature applying unit includes: an abutting part configured to be able to abut on the medium by swinging; and a support shaft configured to support the abutting part in a swingable manner, and the first displacement unit rotates the support shaft.

5. The medium processing device according to claim 4, wherein the feeding unit is a rotating body provided in the second displacement unit, the second displacement unit is rotationally movable about a rotation center of the rotating body, the rotation center is located between the first displacement unit and the discharge roller pair in the conveyance direction, the abutting part of the curvature applying unit swings about a swing center, and the swing center is located between the first displacement unit and the abutting part in the conveyance direction.

6. The medium processing device according to claim 3, wherein the curvature applying unit includes: an abutting part configured to be able to abut on the medium by swinging; and a pressing part configured to press the abutting part toward the medium.

7. The medium processing device according to claim 6, wherein an energizing force of the energizing unit is larger than a pressing force of the pressing part.

8. The medium processing device according to claim 6, wherein a moment acting on the curvature applying unit by the energizing force of the energizing unit is larger than a moment acting on the curvature applying unit by the pressing force of the pressing part.

9. The medium processing device according to claim 6, wherein the curvature applying unit includes a support shaft that supports the abutting part in a swingable manner, and the abutting part engages with the support shaft and swings as the support shaft rotates.

10. The medium processing device according to claim 3, wherein the curvature applying unit includes: an abutting part configured to be able to abut on the medium by swinging; a support shaft configured to support the abutting part in a swingable manner; and a displacement member configured to be displaceable between a support position for supporting the abutting part from below and a lowering position for lowering the abutting part, and the first displacement unit displaces the displacement member.

11. The medium processing device according to claim 10, wherein the displacement member is slidable between the support position and the lowering position, and engages with the support shaft and slides as the support shaft rotates.

12. The medium processing device according to claim 10, wherein the first displacement unit displaces the displacement member via a gear train.

13. The medium processing device according to claim 3, wherein the first displacement unit includes a rotating member at a contact position with the second displacement unit.

14. The medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein a conveyance unit configured to convey the medium in the conveyance direction is not provided between the feeding unit and the discharge roller pair in the conveyance direction.

15. The medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first surface is a surface to be placed on the processing tray.

16. The medium processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to control switching of the state of the second roller, wherein the control unit is configured to be able to switch between a first mode in which the medium is fed and placed on the processing tray by the feeding unit in a state where the second roller is in the second state, then the second roller is switched from the second state to the first state, and the medium placed on the processing tray is discharged by the discharge roller pair, and a second mode in which the medium is discharged without being placed on the processing tray by the feeding unit and the discharge roller pair while the first state of the second roller is maintained.

17. The medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein the curvature applying unit is configured to be able to be in an intermediate state between the retracted state and the curvature applying state in addition to the curvature applying state, when the second roller is in the second state.

18. The medium processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a displacement unit configured to displace the second roller into the first state and the second state and displace the curvature applying unit into the retracted state and the curvature applying state; and a control unit configured to control the displacement unit, wherein the control unit controls the displacement unit such that the curvature applying unit is in the retracted state when the second roller is in the first state, and the curvature applying unit is in the curvature applying state when the second roller is in the second state.

19. A recording system comprising: a recording device configured to perform recording on a medium; and the medium processing device according to claim 1, configured to perform the processing on the medium on which recording is performed by the recording device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a recording system including a medium processing device according to Example 1 of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an internal configuration view of the medium processing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state where a movable unit is in a retracted state.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the medium processing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the back side, and shows the state where the movable unit is in the retracted state.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a middle unit of the medium processing device shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of component members of the middle unit shown in FIG. 4.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an internal configuration diagram of the medium processing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state where the movable unit is in an advanced state.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 4, and shows a state where the movable unit is in the advanced state and the movable unit does not press a release lever.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 7.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 4, and shows a state where the movable unit is in the retracted state and the movable unit presses the release lever.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 9.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state where the movable unit presses the release lever further than in the state shown in FIG. 10.

[0019] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a configuration around the curvature applying unit of the medium processing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front.

[0020] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the configuration around the curvature applying unit of the medium processing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the lateral side.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the configuration around the curvature applying unit of the medium processing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from obliquely above.

[0022] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a middle unit of a medium processing device according to Example 2 of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a part of component members of the middle unit shown in FIG. 15.

[0024] FIG. 17 is an internal configuration diagram showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 15 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state where a movable unit is in an advanced state and the movable unit does not press a release lever.

[0025] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 15 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 17.

[0026] FIG. 19 is an internal configuration diagram showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 15 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state where the movable unit is in a retracted state and the movable unit presses the release lever.

[0027] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 15 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 19.

[0028] FIG. 21 is an internal configuration diagram showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 15 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state where the movable unit presses the release lever further than in the state shown in FIG. 19.

[0029] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the middle unit shown in FIG. 15 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 21 and where the movable unit presses the release lever further than in the state shown in FIG. 20.

[0030] FIG. 23 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a part of component members of the middle unit shown in FIG. 15.

[0031] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a part of a middle unit of a medium processing device according to Example 3 of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the middle unit shown in FIG. 24 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state where a movable unit is in an advanced state and the movable unit does not press a release lever.

[0033] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the middle unit shown in FIG. 24 as viewed from the back side, and shows a state where the movable unit is in a retracted state and the movable unit presses the release lever.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present disclosure will be schematically described below.

[0035] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a medium processing device includes: a processing unit configured to perform processing on a medium; a processing tray on which the medium to be processed by the processing unit is placed; a discharge roller pair configured to discharge the medium from the processing tray; a feeding unit configured to be able to feed the medium to the processing tray and the discharge roller pair; and a curvature applying unit configured to apply curvature along a width direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the medium, to the medium fed to the processing tray by the feeding unit, wherein the discharge roller pair includes: a first roller that abuts on a first surface of the medium; and a second roller that is a roller abutting on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the medium and that is displaceable between a first state where the second roller can nip the medium with the first roller between the second roller and the first roller, and a second state where the second roller is more separated from the first roller than in the first state, and the curvature applying unit is in a curvature applying state of applying the curvature to the medium when the second roller is in the second state, and a retracted state of being retracted further from the medium than in the curvature applying state, when the second roller is in the first state.

[0036] According to this aspect, the curvature applying unit is retracted when the second roller is in the first state. Therefore, when the feeding unit feeds the medium directly to the discharge roller pair without passing through the processing tray, the firmness of the medium is reduced and the medium is likely to be guided to the discharge roller pair along the surrounding members. Thus, the medium is appropriately guided to the discharge roller pair and a conveyance failure such as a jam can be suppressed. Meanwhile, when the second roller is in the second state, the curvature applying unit applies curvature. Therefore, the firmness of the medium is increased and the medium can be more securely fed onto the processing tray by the feeding unit. That is, the risk of the medium not being appropriately guided to the discharge roller pair can be reduced.

[0037] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the medium processing device according to the first aspect further includes a linking unit configured to link a displacement of the second roller into the first state and the second state with a displacement of the curvature applying unit into the retracted state and the curvature applying state.

[0038] According to this aspect, the linking unit that links the displacement of the second roller into the first state and the second state with the displacement of the curvature applying unit into the retracted state and the curvature applying state is provided. That is, as the state of the discharge roller pair and the state of the curvature applying unit are switched by the mechanical configuration, a separate drive source and complicated control for displacing the second roller and the curvature applying unit are not necessary.

[0039] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to the second aspect, the linking unit includes: an energizing unit configured to energize the curvature applying unit so as to be in the retracted state; a first displacement unit configured to displace the curvature applying unit so as to be in the curvature applying state against an energizing force of the energizing unit; and a second displacement unit configured to displace the second roller into the first state and the second state, and the first displacement unit displaces the curvature applying unit as the second displacement unit is displaced.

[0040] According to this aspect, the first displacement unit that displaces the curvature applying unit and the second displacement unit that displaces the second roller are provided, and the first displacement unit displaces the curvature applying unit as the second displacement unit is displaced. That is, as the first displacement unit is displaced by the displacement of the second displacement unit that displaces the second roller, the displacement of the discharge roller pair can be easily linked with the displacement of the curvature applying unit.

[0041] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to the third aspect, the curvature applying unit includes: an abutting part configured to be able to abut on the medium by swinging; and a support shaft configured to support the abutting part in a swingable manner, and the first displacement unit rotates the support shaft.

[0042] According to this aspect, the curvature applying unit includes the abutting part that can abut on the medium by swinging, and the support shaft that supports the abutting part in a swingable manner. The first displacement unit rotates the support shaft. That is, the abutting part can be displaced by rotating the support shaft, and the configuration for displacing the abutting part can be simplified.

[0043] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to the third or fourth aspect, the feeding unit is a rotating body provided in the second displacement unit, the second displacement unit is rotationally movable about a rotation center of the rotating body, the rotation center is located between the first displacement unit and the discharge roller pair in the conveyance direction, an abutting part configured to be able to abut on the medium by swinging, of the curvature applying unit, swings about a swing center, and the swing center is located between the first displacement unit and the abutting part in the conveyance direction.

[0044] According to this aspect, the feeding unit is a rotating body provided in the second displacement unit, and the second displacement unit is rotationally movable about the rotation center of the rotating body. Therefore, the device can be miniaturized by aligning the center of rotational movement of the second displacement unit with the rotation center of the rotating body. Also, when the rotation center is located between the first displacement unit and the discharge roller pair and the swing center is located between the first displacement unit and the abutting part, the direction of rotational movement of the second displacement unit at the time of releasing the nip of the discharge roller pair and the direction of rotation of the first displacement unit at the time of the abutment of the abutting part on the medium are the same. Therefore, as a configuration in which the curvature applying unit is displaced by the displacement of the second displacement unit is employed, a mechanism for reversing the direction of rotational movement is not necessary, and the device configuration can be simplified.

[0045] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the curvature applying unit includes: an abutting part configured to be able to abut on the medium by swinging; and a pressing part configured to press the abutting part toward the medium.

[0046] According to this aspect, the curvature applying unit includes the abutting part that can abut on the medium by swinging, and the pressing part that presses the abutting part toward the medium. With such a configuration, for example, for a medium having high firmness, the abutting part can be separated from the medium or the abutting force on the medium can be weakened by the reaction force of the medium, and thus the conveyance load can be suppressed.

[0047] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to the sixth aspect, an energizing force of the energizing unit is larger than a pressing force of the pressing part.

[0048] According to this aspect, the energizing force of the energizing unit is larger than the pressing force of the pressing part. Therefore, when the second roller is in the second state, the curvature applying unit can be more effectively brought into the retracted state.

[0049] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to the sixth aspect, a moment acting on the curvature applying unit by the energizing force of the energizing unit is larger than a moment acting on the curvature applying unit by the pressing force of the pressing part.

[0050] According to this aspect, the moment acting on the curvature applying unit by the energizing force of the energizing unit is larger than the moment acting on the curvature applying unit by the pressing force of the pressing part. Therefore, when the second roller is in the second state, the curvature applying unit can be more effectively brought into the retracted state.

[0051] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the curvature applying unit includes a support shaft that supports the abutting part in a swingable manner, and the abutting part engages with the support shaft and swings as the support shaft rotates.

[0052] According to this aspect, the curvature applying unit includes the support shaft that supports the abutting part in a swingable manner, and the abutting part engages with the support shaft and swings as the support shaft rotates. As a configuration in which the abutting part swings as the support shaft rotates is employed in this way, the device can be miniaturized.

[0053] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the curvature applying unit includes: an abutting part configured to be able to abut on the medium by swinging; a support shaft configured to support the abutting part in a swingable manner; and a displacement member configured to be displaceable between a support position for supporting the abutting part from below and a lowering position for lowering the abutting part, and the first displacement unit displaces the displacement member.

[0054] According to this aspect, the configuration for the up-down movement of the abutting part can be easily implemented by switching between the state where the abutting part is lifted and the state where the abutting part is lowered by the displacement member. Also, with such a configuration, a necessary force for causing the abutting part to swing can be suppressed.

[0055] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to the tenth aspect, the displacement member is slidable between the support position and the lowering position, and engages with the support shaft and slides as the support shaft rotates.

[0056] According to this aspect, the displacement member is slidable between the support position and the lowering position, and engages with the support shaft and slides as the support shaft rotates. As the switching between the state where the abutting part is lifted and the state where the abutting part is lowered is made by such a slide member, the configuration for the up-down movement of the abutting part can be easily implemented. Also, with such a configuration, a necessary force for causing the abutting part to swing can be suppressed.

[0057] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, the first displacement unit displaces the displacement member via a gear train.

[0058] According to this aspect, the first displacement unit displaces the displacement member via the gear train. Since the amount of displacement can be amplified by displacing the displacement member via the gear train in this way, the amount of displacement of the second displacement unit required for causing the abutting part to swing can be suppressed.

[0059] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to any one of the third to twelfth aspects, the first displacement unit includes a rotating member at a contact position with the second displacement unit.

[0060] According to this aspect, the first displacement unit has the rotating member at the contact position with the second displacement unit. With such a configuration, a sliding load between the first displacement unit and the second displacement unit can be suppressed, and a force required for the displacement of the first displacement unit and the second displacement unit can be suppressed.

[0061] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, a conveyance unit configured to convey the medium in the conveyance direction is not provided between the feeding unit and the discharge roller pair in the conveyance direction.

[0062] According to this aspect, the conveyance unit that conveys the medium in the conveyance direction is not provided between the feeding unit and the discharge roller pair in the conveyance direction. As described above, even in a configuration in which the conveyance unit is not provided between the feeding unit and the discharge roller pair, the risk of the medium not being appropriately guided to the discharge roller pair can be reduced.

[0063] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the first surface is a surface to be placed on the processing tray.

[0064] According to this aspect, the first surface is a surface to be placed on the processing tray. With such a configuration, the device configuration can be simplified.

[0065] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the medium processing device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects further includes a control unit configured to control switching of the state of the second roller, and the control unit is configured to be able to switch between a first mode in which the medium is fed and placed on the processing tray by the feeding unit in a state where the second roller is in the second state, then the second roller is switched from the second state to the first state, and the medium placed on the processing tray is discharged by the discharge roller pair, and a second mode in which the medium is discharged without being placed on the processing tray by the feeding unit and the discharge roller pair while the first state of the second roller is maintained.

[0066] According to this aspect, the first mode in which the medium is temporarily placed on the processing tray and the medium is then discharged, and the second mode in which the medium is discharged without being placed on the processing tray, can be executed. Therefore, usability is improved. In particular, in the second mode, since there is no displacement of the second roller, the generation of sound due to the displacement of the second roller can be suppressed and noise reduction can be achieved.

[0067] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the medium processing device according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the curvature applying unit is configured to be able to be in an intermediate state between the retracted state and the curvature applying state in addition to the curvature applying state, when the second roller is in the second state.

[0068] According to this aspect, the curvature applying unit is configured to be able to be in the intermediate state between the retracted state and the curvature applying state in addition to the curvature applying state, when the second roller is in the second state. With such a configuration, when processing is necessary and the necessity of applying curvature is low, such as when a medium having high firmness is used, employing the intermediate position enables the feeding of the medium to the processing tray by the feeding unit while suppressing the conveyance load by the curvature applying unit.

[0069] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the medium processing device according to the first aspect further includes: a displacement unit configured to displace the second roller into the first state and the second state and displace the curvature applying unit into the retracted state and the curvature applying state; and a control unit configured to control the displacement unit, and the control unit controls the displacement unit such that the curvature applying unit is in the retracted state when the second roller is in the first state, and the curvature applying unit is in the curvature applying state when the second roller is in the second state.

[0070] According to this aspect, the state of the discharge roller pair and the state of the curvature applying unit can be switched under the control of the control unit. With such a configuration, the device configuration can be simplified.

[0071] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a recording system includes: a recording device including a recording unit configured to perform recording on a medium; and the medium processing device according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects that performs processing on the medium on which recording is performed by the recording device.

[0072] According to this aspect, the recording system can achieve advantageous effects of any one of the first to eighteenth aspects described above.

Example 1

[0073] The present disclosure will be specifically described below. In the description below, an example of a medium processing device 100A according to Example 1, which is an example of a medium processing device 100 according to the present disclosure, and a recording system 1 including the medium processing device 100A, and a recording device 10, will be described. In each drawing, an X-axis direction is a device depth direction of the medium processing device 100 and the recording system 1. In the X-axis direction, a +X direction is a direction from a device back surface toward a device front surface, and a X direction is a direction from the device front surface toward the device back surface. The X-axis direction is an example of a medium width direction. A Y-axis direction is a device width direction of the medium processing device 100 and the recording system 1, and in the Y-axis direction, a +Y direction is a left direction when viewed from the user facing the device front surface, and a Y direction is a right direction. A Z-axis direction is a device height direction of the medium processing device 100 and the recording system 1 and is a vertical direction, and a +Z direction is vertically upward and a Z direction is vertically downward. In the description below, the +Z direction may be simply referred to as upward or above, and the Z direction may be simply referred to as downward or below.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the recording system 1 according to the present example includes the recording device 10 and the medium processing device 100A. The recording device 10 according to the present embodiment is an inkjet printer that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium P represented by a recording paper as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, and includes a line head 18, which is an example of a recording unit. Also, the recording device 10 is a so-called multifunction peripheral including a scanner unit 12 at an upper part of the device. However, the recording device 10 is not limited to an inkjet printer and may be a device that performs recording by another method, such as a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer, or a dot impact printer.

[0075] The recording device 10 includes a main body unit 14, a medium accommodation unit 16 that accommodates the medium P, a medium conveyance unit, not illustrated, that conveys the medium P, the line head 18 that performs recording on the medium P, an in-body discharge unit 22 to which the medium P is discharged, a relay unit 24 that conveys the medium P to the medium processing device 100A, and a control unit 20 that controls the recording device 10 and the medium processing device 100A. A conveyance path TA along which the medium P is conveyed is provided inside the main body unit 14.

[0076] An operation unit 11 for performing various operations is provided at an upper part of the main body unit 14. The control unit 20 performs various kinds of control, based on various setting information set via the operation unit 11 and execution commands given via the operation unit 11. The operation unit 11 may include, for example, a touch panel and various buttons. However, as a matter of course, the control unit 20 can accept various settings and various execution commands, based on information transmitted from an external computer (not illustrated) that can access the recording system 1. The control unit 20 includes a CPU, a RAM, a nonvolatile memory, and the like, not illustrated, and a program for implementing various kinds of control, described below, and various parameters necessary for executing the program are stored in the nonvolatile memory. In the recording system 1 according to the present example, the control unit 20 is provided in the recording device 10, and a control unit 200 having a configuration similar to that of the control unit 20 is provided in the medium processing device 100A. However, the control unit may be provided only in the recording device 10 or may be provided only in the medium processing device 100A.

[0077] The line head 18 includes a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, not illustrated, that are disposed corresponding to the entire area of the medium P in the X-axis direction. The line head 18 ejects ink supplied from an ink tank, not illustrated, toward the medium P from the plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and thus performs recording on the medium P.

[0078] The medium P on which recording is performed by the recording device 10 is fed to the medium processing device 100A via the relay unit 24. The medium processing device 100A includes a device main body 132, a processing tray 142 provided inside the device main body 132, a stapler 134, which is an example of a processing unit, and a main tray 133 provided outside the device main body 132. The medium P delivered from the relay unit 24 to the device main body 132 is conveyed through a conveyance path TB inside the device main body 132 and is fed to the processing tray 142.

[0079] Hereinafter, the configuration of the medium processing device 100A will be further described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 14. FIG. 2 shows a back view of the periphery of the processing tray 142, which is an example of the processing unit of the medium processing device 100A. The medium processing device 100A includes three units made up of a movable unit 143 as an upper unit, a middle unit 150, and a lower unit 173. The medium P is conveyed between the movable unit 143 and the middle unit 150 from the right direction in FIG. 2 as indicated by an arrow A1, and is delivered to the lower unit 173. The medium P on the lower unit 173 is returned in a lower right direction in FIG. 2 as indicated by an arrow A2 and is aligned on the processing tray 142, which is an alignment unit. The medium P is aligned in the direction of the arrow A2 and the X-axis direction on the processing tray 142, which is the alignment unit.

[0080] Subsequently, the medium P to be conveyed next is similarly fed in the direction of the arrow A1, conveyed between the movable unit 143 and the middle unit 150, and delivered to the lower unit 173. The medium P on the lower unit 173 is returned in the lower right direction in FIG. 2 as indicated by the arrow A2, and is aligned on the processing tray 142 before binding processing by the stapler 134 is performed. When the alignment of a predetermined number of media P on the lower unit 173 is finished, the processing by the stapler 134 is performed. When the processing by the stapler 134 is completed, the bundle of the media P is discharged in the upper left direction in FIG. 2 as indicated by an arrow A3, and is stacked on the main tray 133, not illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the processing tray 142. The movable unit 143 is provided with a carry-in roller 146, and is configured to be swingable about a shaft 146a of the carry-in roller 146 as the center of rotational movement. As illustrated in FIG. 13, a roller 147 forming a roller pair with the carry-in roller 146 is provided at a position facing the carry-in roller 146. The movable unit 143 is also provided with a bundle discharge driven roller 172, and when the movable unit 143 rotationally moves in the direction of an arrow D1, the movable unit 143 changes from the state illustrated in FIG. 2 to the state illustrated in FIG. 6, and the bundle discharge driven roller 172 abuts on a bundle discharge drive roller 171 provided in the lower unit 173, thus forming a nip closed state of a discharge roller pair 170. Conversely, when the movable unit 143 rotationally moves in the direction of an arrow D2 from the state illustrated in FIG. 6, the state illustrated in FIG. 2 is formed, that is, the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is separated from the bundle discharge drive roller 171 provided in the lower unit 173, thus forming a nip open state of the discharge roller pair 170.

[0082] A corrugating roller 151 is provided in the middle unit 150, and as the corrugating roller 151 overlaps the carry-in roller 146 when viewed from the X-axis direction, as illustrated in FIG. 3, cockling (curvature) along the X-axis direction is applied to the medium P and firmness is thus added to the medium P. During the alignment operation for the medium P, the movable unit 143 brings the discharge roller pair 170 into the nip open state as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Therefore, the medium P fed from the carry-in roller 146 can advance in the air and advance in the direction of the arrow A1 without buckling until the rear end of the medium P exits the carry-in roller 146. That is, the medium P fed from the carry-in roller 146 is delivered to the lower unit 173 without drooping, due to the firmness of the medium P added by the corrugating roller 151.

[0083] Meanwhile, when the alignment of the medium P is unnecessary, the medium processing device 100A can convey the medium P while keeping the discharge roller pair 170 in the nip closed state. As the medium P is conveyed in this manner, the operation noise due to the nip opening and closing operation of the discharge roller pair 170 is eliminated and noise reduction can thus be achieved. However, in the case of a configuration in which the corrugating roller 151 is provided as in the present example, in the state where the medium P is very firm and the state where the movable unit 143 is lowered, which corresponds to the nip closed state of the discharge roller pair 170, there is a concern that the leading end of the medium P may easily come into contact with the lower surface of the movable unit 143, inducing a jam. Therefore, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, when the discharge roller pair 170 is in the nip open state, firmness is added to the medium P by the corrugating roller 151 as in the related art, and when the discharge roller pair 170 is in the nip closed state, the corrugating roller 151 is retracted. In this way, since the firmness of the medium P is not increased, even when the medium P comes into contact with the movable unit 143, the medium P can smoothly advance along the conveyance path for the medium P.

[0084] As described above, the medium processing device 100A according to the present example includes the stapler 134 as the processing unit that performs processing on the medium P, the processing tray 142, on which the medium P to be processed by the stapler 134 is placed, and the discharge roller pair 170, which discharges the medium P from the processing tray 142. The medium processing device 100A also includes the carry-in roller 146 as the feeding unit that can feed the medium P to the processing tray 142 and the discharge roller pair 170, and the corrugating roller 151 as the curvature applying unit that applies curvature along the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium P, to the medium P fed to the processing tray 142 by the carry-in roller 146.

[0085] The discharge roller pair 170 includes the bundle discharge drive roller 171 as the first roller that abuts on the lower surface, which is the first surface of the medium P, and the bundle discharge driven roller 172 as the second roller that abuts on the upper surface, which is the second surface opposite to the first surface of the medium P. The bundle discharge driven roller 172 can be described as being displaceable into the first state, where the medium P can be nipped between the bundle discharge driven roller 172 and the bundle discharge drive roller 171, and the second state, where the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is more separated from the bundle discharge drive roller 171 than in the first state. Also, the corrugating roller 151 is configured to be in the curvature applying state, where the corrugating roller 151 applies curvature to the medium P, when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the second state, and to be in the retracted state, where the corrugating roller 151 is retracted further from the medium P than in the curvature applying state, when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the first state. The upper surface of the medium P may be defined as the first surface, and the lower surface may be defined as the second surface.

[0086] As described above, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the corrugating roller 151 is retracted when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the first state. Therefore, when the medium P is directly fed to the discharge roller pair 170 by the carry-in roller 146 without passing through the processing tray 142, the firmness of the medium P is reduced, and the medium P is likely to be guided to the discharge roller pair 170 along the surrounding members. Therefore, the medium P is appropriately guided to the discharge roller pair 170 and a conveyance failure such as a jam can be suppressed. Meanwhile, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the corrugating roller 151 applies curvature when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the second state. Therefore, the firmness of the medium P is increased and the medium P can be more securely fed onto the processing tray 142 by the carry-in roller 146. That is, the risk of the medium P not being appropriately guided to the discharge roller pair 170 can be reduced.

[0087] Note that retracted further than in the curvature applying state means that the corrugating roller 151 may be retracted until being completely separated from the medium P but the corrugating roller 151 may not be completely separated from the medium P as long as the corrugating roller 151 is retracted further than in the curvature applying state. Also, with respect to the jam due to the abutment on the guide surface of the movable unit 143, when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the second state, the space between the rollers of the discharge roller pair 170 is larger than when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the first state, and therefore a conveyance failure such as a jam is less likely to occur even when the firmness of the medium P is increased as compared with the first state.

[0088] To describe the above from the viewpoint of the recording system 1, the recording system 1 according to the present example includes: the recording device 10 including the line head 18 as the recording unit that performs recording on the medium P; and the medium processing device 100A, which performs processing on the medium P on which recording is performed by the recording device 10. With such a configuration, the recording system 1 can achieve the advantageous effects of using the medium processing device 100A.

[0089] In the configuration according to the present example, the advancement and retraction of the corrugating roller 151 are performed using the rotational movement of the movable unit 143. Therefore, a dedicated drive source such as a drive motor or a solenoid is not required, and a control program or a sensor is not required, either. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration in which the advancement and retraction of the corrugating roller 151 are mechanically linked as in the present example, and the advancement and retraction may be linked under the control of the control unit 200 as described later, or the like.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the configuration according to the present example, the corrugating roller 151 and the bundle discharge drive roller 171 are disposed at positions overlapping each other when viewed in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 3, it can be seen that a range S2 of the corrugating roller 151 is disposed within a range S1 of the bundle discharge drive roller 171. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in the configuration according to the present example, a position H1 of the nip point of the discharge roller pair 170 is located above a position H2 of the nip point of the carry-in roller pair in the vertical direction. If the medium P is not made firm when the medium P is loaded on the processing tray 142, a jam may occur due to the bundle discharge drive roller 171. In particular, when the bundle discharge drive roller 171 is not driven when the medium P is loaded on the processing tray 142, if the medium P is not made firm, the conveyance force is not applied to the medium P from the bundle discharge drive roller 171 and therefore a jam may be more likely to occur. However, in the present example, such a configuration is employed, and when the discharge roller pair 170 is not nipping the medium, the medium P is made firm so as to suppress the leading end of the medium P from abutting on the bundle discharge drive roller 171, and the occurrence of a jam can thus be suppressed.

[0091] Meanwhile, when the medium P is directly fed to the discharge roller pair 170 by the carry-in roller 146 without passing through the processing tray 142, the bundle discharge drive roller 171 is driven, and therefore even when the leading end of the medium P abuts on the bundle discharge drive roller 171, the medium P can be guided to the nip point by the bundle discharge drive roller 171. Therefore, when the medium P is directly fed to the discharge roller pair 170 by the carry-in roller 146 without passing through the processing tray 142, the medium P is not made firm when the discharge roller pair 170 is nipping the medium, so that the leading end abuts on the bundle discharge drive roller 171 and is guided to the nip point, and the occurrence of a jam is thus suppressed.

[0092] The advancement and retraction mechanism (release mechanism) of the corrugating roller 151 will be described below. FIG. 4 illustrates the middle unit 150 of the medium processing device 100A according to the present example. The middle unit 150 is provided with two corrugating rollers 151, and is interlocked with a release lever 153 protruding outside the conveyance path of the medium P. When the release lever 153 is pressed down, the corrugating roller 151 protrudes. When the release lever 153 is not pressed down, that is, when the corrugating roller 151 is brought into a free state where no force is applied to the corrugating roller 151, the corrugating roller 151 is withdrawn and retracted.

[0093] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the release lever 153 and the corrugating roller 151. The corrugating roller 151 is attached to a corrugating roller holder 157, and the corrugating roller holder 157 is attached so as to be rotationally movable about a release shaft 154 as a fulcrum via a release cam 158. Two release cams 158A and 158B are attached to the release shaft 154, a corrugating roller holder 157A is attached to the release cam 158A, and a corrugating roller holder 157B is attached to the release cam 158B. A hole 157b of the corrugating roller holder 157 is attached to the release shaft 154.

[0094] The corrugating roller holder 157 is energized upward by a compression spring 159 and is positioned by coming into contact with a top surface 155b of a sheet metal component 155. The release shaft 154 has a D-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, and positions the release lever 153 and the release cam 158 in the direction of rotation. A shaft 158a is provided at the distal end of the release cam 158 and is engaged with a long hole 157a of the corrugating roller holder 157. A torsion spring 160 is attached to the release lever 153, and the release lever 153 is energized in a direction C2 in FIG. 5 in relation to the sheet metal component 155.

[0095] FIG. 6 illustrates the first state, where the medium P can be nipped between the bundle discharge driven roller 172 and the bundle discharge drive roller 171, that is, the state where the alignment operation is finished and the bundle of the medium P is to be discharged. In a silent mode without the alignment operation, it is preferable to constantly maintain this state during the conveyance of the medium P. Meanwhile, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the second state, where the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is more separated from the bundle discharge drive roller 171 than in the first state. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the movable unit 143 rotationally moves about the shaft 146a of the carry-in roller 146 in the direction C2, and the bundle discharge driven roller 172 abuts on the bundle discharge drive roller 171. At this time, the abutment takes place in the state where the release lever 153 is rotationally moved in the direction C2 by the torsion spring 160 shown in FIG. 5 but the release mechanism of the corrugating roller 151 is in a release state. Specifically, the corrugating roller holder 157 abuts on a tab part 155a of the sheet metal component 155 and is thus separated from the movable unit 143.

[0096] Hereinafter, an operation of the corrugating roller 151 advancing upward and protruding as the movable unit 143 rotationally moves in a direction C1, starting with a state where the release mechanism of the corrugating roller 151 in FIG. 6 is released, will be described. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a part of the middle unit 150 in the state illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a moment M1 acts on the corrugating roller holder 157 in the direction C1 by the compression spring 159. That is, an upward moment applied to the corrugating roller holder 157 by the compression spring 159 acts in the direction C1. At the same time, a moment M2 acts on the release lever 153 in the direction C2 by the torsion spring 160. That is, an upward moment applied to the release lever 153 by the torsion spring 160 acts in the direction C2. The moment M2 acts on the corrugating roller holder 157 as a moment M3 via the release shaft 154 and the release cam 158. The moment M3 is a downward moment applied to the corrugating roller holder 157 as a whole. In the present example, the compression spring 159 and the torsion spring 160 are set such that moment M1<moment M3. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the corrugating roller holder 157 is energized in the direction C2 and is positioned as an abutment target part 157c abuts the tab part 155a of the sheet metal component 155 serving as the lower abutment part.

[0097] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a state where the corrugating roller 151 is starting to protrude as the movable unit 143 rotationally moves in the direction C1 from the state illustrated in FIG. 6 and starts to press down the release lever 153. As shown in FIG. 9, a moment M4 acts on a distal end 153a of the release lever 153 by the movable unit 143. That is, a downward moment acts on the release lever 153 by the movable unit 143. The moment M3 is a moment generated by moment M2moment M4. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the moment M4 can be considered to be 0. When the moment M4 increases as the movable unit 143 is pressed down, and moment M1moment M3 is reached, the corrugating roller holder 157 starts rotationally moving in the direction C1 as shown in FIG. 10. In other words, when the movable unit 143 rotationally moves in the direction C1 and presses down the release lever 153, the shaft 158a of the release cam 158 rotationally moves in the direction C1. At this time, as moment M1moment M3 is reached, the corrugating roller holder 157 rotationally moves in the direction C1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the lower surface of the long hole 157a of the corrugating roller holder 157 maintains the abutment on the shaft 158a of the release cam 158.

[0098] FIG. 11 illustrates a state where the movable unit 143 is rotationally moved further in the direction C1 from the state illustrated in FIG. 10. In the state illustrated in FIG. 11, the corrugating roller holder 157 maintains a state of protruding by a predetermined amount as an abutment target part 157d abuts on the top surface 155b of the sheet metal component 155, which is an upper abutment part, and the shaft 158a of the release cam 158 is separated from the lower surface of the long hole 157a of the corrugating roller holder 157. As for the balance of the moments, the moment M1 acts on the upper abutment part (the top surface 155b of the sheet metal component 155), and for the release lever 153, the moments are in balance with moment M2=moment M4. That is, in such a state, the corrugating roller 151 is prevented from excessively protruding even when the press-down position of the release lever 153 by the movable unit 143 varies.

[0099] The configuration according to the present example is advantageous in that the path load can be kept low. Specifically, when the corrugating roller 151 is pressed down with a force larger than the moment M1 such as the reaction force of the medium P in the state illustrated in FIG. 11, the compression spring 159 is compressed and the corrugating roller 151 can be retracted. Therefore, for example, when a paper that is originally very firm such as a thick paper is used as the medium P, the path load can be kept low even when the corrugating roller 151 becomes a path load.

[0100] As described above, the medium processing device 100A according to the present example switches the state of the discharge roller pair 170 and the state of the corrugating roller 151, which is the curvature applying unit, by the mechanical configuration. In other words, the medium processing device 100A according to the present example includes a linking unit that links the displacement of the bundle discharge driven roller 172 into the first state and the second state with the displacement of the corrugating roller 151 into the retracted state and the curvature applying state. With such a configuration, a separate driving source and complicated control for displacing the bundle discharge driven roller 172 and the corrugating roller 151 are unnecessary.

[0101] The medium processing device 100A according to the present example includes, as such a linking unit, the torsion spring 160, which is an energizing unit that energizes the corrugating roller 151 to be in the retracted state, the release lever 153 as a first displacement unit that displaces the corrugating roller 151 to be in the curvature applying state against the energizing force of the torsion spring 160, and the movable unit 143 as a second displacement unit that displaces the bundle discharge driven roller 172 into the first state and the second state. The release lever 153 is configured to be able to displace the movable unit 143 and thus displace the curvature applying unit.

[0102] That is, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the release lever 153 can be displaced as the movable unit 143 displacing the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is displaced. Thus, the displacement of the discharge roller pair 170 and the displacement of the corrugating roller 151 can be easily linked. In the present example, the torsion spring 160, which is the energizing unit, energizes the release lever 153, but the torsion spring 160 is not limited to such a configuration and may be configured, for example, to energize the release shaft 154.

[0103] In the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the corrugating roller 151 is provided in the corrugating roller holder 157 and serves as an abutting part that can abut on the medium P by swinging. The corrugating roller holder 157 includes the release shaft 154 as a support shaft that supports the corrugating roller 151 as an abutting part in a swingable manner. The release lever 153 is configured to be able to rotate the release shaft 154.

[0104] With such a configuration, the abutting part can be displaced by rotating the support shaft, and the configuration for displacing the abutting part can be simplified. As described above, the curvature applying unit can be considered as a configuration including not only the corrugating roller 151 but also the corrugating roller holder 157, the release cam 158, the release shaft 154, and the like. As a configuration for rotating the support shaft, the release lever 153 may directly rotate the release shaft 154 as the support shaft, or the release lever 153 may rotate the release shaft 154 via a gear or the like.

[0105] In the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the carry-in roller 146 as the feeding unit is a rotating body provided in the movable unit 143. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and the like, the movable unit 143 is rotationally movable about the shaft 146a, which is the rotation center of the carry-in roller 146, and the rotation center is located between the release lever 153 and the discharge roller pair 170 in the conveyance direction of the medium P. As illustrated in FIG. 2 and the like, in the curvature applying unit, the corrugating roller 151, as the abutting part that can abut on the medium P by swinging, swings about the swing center (release shaft 154), and the release shaft 154 is located between the release lever 153 and the corrugating roller 151 in the conveyance direction of the medium P. Specifically, the release shaft 154 is located between the distal end 153a of the release lever 153 and the corrugating roller 151 in the conveyance direction of the medium P.

[0106] With such a configuration, as the rotation center of the movable unit 143 is aligned with the rotation center of the carry-in roller 146, the device can be miniaturized. When the rotation center is located between the release lever 153 and the discharge roller pair 170 and the swing center is located between the movable unit 143 and the corrugating roller 151, the direction of rotational movement of the movable unit 143 when the nip of the discharge roller pair 170 is released and the direction of rotational movement of the release lever 153 when the corrugating roller 151 abuts on the medium P are the same. Therefore, when a configuration in which the curvature applying unit is displaced by the displacement of the movable unit 143 is employed, a mechanism for reversing the direction of rotational movement is unnecessary and the device configuration can be simplified. However, depending on the layout of the device, a mechanism for reversing the direction of rotational movement can be made unnecessary by reversing the energizing direction of the torsion spring 160. For example, in a configuration in which the release lever 153 is located between the release shaft 154 and the discharge roller pair 170 or a configuration in which the release lever 153 is located in the movable unit 143, or the like, the torsion spring 160 may energize the release lever 153 in the direction C1.

[0107] As described above, the medium processing device 100A according to the present example includes the compression spring 159. That is, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the curvature applying unit includes the corrugating roller 151, which is an abutting part that can abut on the medium P by swinging, and the compression spring 159 as a pressing part that presses the corrugating roller 151 toward the medium P. With such a configuration, for example, for the medium P having high firmness, the abutting part can be separated from the medium P or the abutting force on the medium P can be weakened, and therefore the conveyance load can be suppressed. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, a configuration in which the abutting part is pulled down by a slide member at the time of retracting the abutting part, or the like, may be employed. As an example of the slide member, a mechanism such as a slider, described later, may be used. Moreover, the corrugating roller holder 157 and the release shaft 154 may be coupled together by a rigid body.

[0108] Specifically, the curvature applying unit includes the release shaft 154 as a support shaft that supports the corrugating roller 151 as an abutting part in a swingable manner, and the corrugating roller 151 engages with the release shaft 154 and swings as the release shaft 154 rotates. In other words, the corrugating roller 151 swings by the engagement between the shaft 158a of the release cam 158 provided at the release shaft 154 and the long hole 157a of the corrugating roller holder 157. As a configuration in which the abutting part swings as the support shaft rotates is employed in this way, the device can be miniaturized. The positioning configuration of the corrugating roller 151 when the curvature applying unit is in the retracted state is not particularly limited, and is not limited to the configuration in which an abutment part is formed as in the present example. Also, the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration in which the amount of protrusion of the corrugating roller 151 is not determined by the release lever 153, but the amount of protrusion is determined by regulating the pressing force of the compression spring 159 with the upper abutment part (the top surface 155b of the sheet metal component 155). If play is provided in the linking of the displacements of the discharge roller pair 170 and the corrugating roller 151, trouble is less likely to occur with respect to variation in accuracy.

[0109] In the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the moment M2 acting on the corrugating roller 151 due to the energizing force of the torsion spring 160 is configured to be larger than the moment M1 acting on the corrugating roller 151 due to the pressing force of the compression spring 159. Therefore, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the second state, the curvature applying unit can be more effectively brought into the retracted state. In this example, the directions of the moments are opposite. In this example, only the relationship between the magnitudes thereof is defined.

[0110] From a different point of view, the medium processing device 100A according to the present example is configured such that the energizing force of the torsion spring 160 is greater than the pressing force of the compression spring 159. Therefore, also from this viewpoint, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the second state, the curvature applying unit can be more effectively brought into the retracted state. In this example, the directions of the forces are opposite. In this example, only the relationship between the magnitudes thereof is defined.

[0111] In the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, a conveyance unit for conveying the medium P in the conveyance direction is not provided between the carry-in roller 146 and the discharge roller pair 170 in the conveyance direction of the medium P. Since the medium processing device 100A according to the present example has the configuration as described above, even in a configuration in which a conveyance unit is not provided between the carry-in roller 146 and the discharge roller pair 170, the risk of the medium P not being appropriately guided to the discharge roller pair 170 can be reduced.

[0112] In general, in the case of a configuration in which a conveyance unit is not provided between the carry-in roller 146 and the discharge roller pair 170, when the discharge roller pair 170 is nipping the medium, a conveyance failure of the medium P at the carry-in roller 146, for example, that the rear end of the medium P in the conveyance direction remains, is suppressed by the conveyance force applied by discharge roller pair 170. That is, when the discharge roller pair 170 is nipping the medium, the conveyance failure is less likely to occur even if the medium P is not curved. Meanwhile, when the discharge roller pair 170 is not nipping the medium, there is no conveyance force from other than the carry-in roller 146 and therefore the conveyance failure of the medium P is likely to occur. Therefore, it is effective to apply curvature to the medium P when the discharge roller pair 170 is not nipping the medium. In the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, a conveyance unit that conveys the medium P in the conveyance direction is not provided, but a paddle that conveys the medium P toward the alignment position on the processing tray 142, a guide member 136 that guides the medium P toward the processing tray 142, and the like, are provided.

[0113] In the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the first surface of the medium P corresponds to the lower surface. That is, the first surface of the medium P corresponds to the surface placed on the processing tray 142. With such a configuration, the device configuration can be simplified. That is, as a configuration in which the movable unit 143 facing the processing tray 142 is displaced is employed, the device configuration can be simplified, as compared with a configuration in which a unit facing the lower surface of the medium P is displaced.

[0114] The medium processing device 100A according to the present example includes the control unit 200. The control unit 200 controls the switching of the state of the bundle discharge driven roller 172 and can switch between the first mode and the second mode. The first mode is a mode in which the medium P is fed and placed on the processing tray 142 by the carry-in roller 146 in the state where the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the second state, the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is switched from the second state to the first state, and the medium P placed on the processing tray 142 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 170. Meanwhile, the second mode is a mode in which the medium P is discharged by the carry-in roller 146 and the discharge roller pair 170 without being placed on the processing tray 142 while the first state of the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is maintained.

[0115] The switching between the first mode and the second mode by the control unit 200 may be based on an instruction from the control unit 20 of the recording device 10. That is, the control unit 20 may instruct the control unit 200 to switch between the first mode and the second mode as the user inputs an instruction about the switching between the first mode and the second mode via the operation unit 11 of the recording device 10 or an external computer. However, the control unit 20 may directly control the switching of the state of the bundle discharge driven roller 172 and the switching between the first mode and the second mode.

[0116] In this way, since the first mode, in which the medium P is temporarily placed on the processing tray 142 and the medium P is then discharged, and the second mode, in which the medium P is discharged without being placed on the processing tray 142, can be selected and executed, usability is improved. In particular, in the second mode, since the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is not displaced, the generation of sound due to the displacement of the bundle discharge driven roller 172 can be suppressed and noise reduction can be achieved. In the second mode, the medium P may not be aligned. In this case, the generation of noise due to the alignment can also be suppressed, which leads to further noise reduction.

[0117] The medium processing device 100A according to the present example switches the state of the discharge roller pair 170 and the state of the corrugating roller 151, which is the curvature applying unit, by the mechanical configuration, but the medium processing device 100A is not limited to this configuration. A drive source that displaces the bundle discharge driven roller 172 into the first state and the second state and a drive source that displaces the corrugating roller 151 into the retracted state and the curvature applying state may be provided. In this case, these driving sources may be controlled by the control unit 200. That is, the control unit 200 may control these drive sources so as to set the corrugating roller 151 in the retracted state when setting the bundle discharge driven roller 172 in the first state. Also, the control unit 200 may control these drive sources so as to set the corrugating roller 151 in the curvature applying state when setting the bundle discharge driven roller 172 in the second state. From a different viewpoint, a configuration including a displacement unit that displaces the bundle discharge driven roller 172 into the first state and the second state and that includes a motor or the like, not illustrated, and displaces the corrugating roller 151 into the retracted state and the curvature applying state, and the control unit 200 that controls the displacement unit, can be employed. In this case, the control unit 200 controls the displacement unit so as to set the corrugating roller 151 in the retracted state when setting the bundle discharge driven roller 172 in the first state, and set the corrugating roller 151 in the curvature applying state when setting the bundle discharge driven roller 172 in the second state. With such a configuration, the device configuration can be simplified.

[0118] Also, as described above, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the curvature applying unit can be in a state where the corrugating roller 151 is retracted from the conveyance path of the medium P as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a state where the corrugating roller 151 is slightly advanced toward the conveyance path of the medium P, and a state where the corrugating roller 151 is largely advanced to the conveyance path side of the medium P as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11. In other words, the curvature applying unit can be in the state illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the state illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, and the state where the amount of advancement of the corrugating roller 151 is smaller than in the state illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, depending on the amount of displacement of the movable unit 143. That is, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the corrugating roller 151 can be described as being able to be in an intermediate state between the retracted state and the curvature applying state in addition to the curvature applying state when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the second state. As the medium processing device 100A according to the present example has such a configuration, when processing is necessary and the necessity of applying curvature is low, such as when the medium P having high firmness is used, employing the intermediate position enables the feeding of the medium to the processing tray 142 by the carry-in roller 146 while suppressing the conveyance load by the corrugating roller 151.

[0119] The medium processing device 100A according to the present example includes the guide member 136, which assists in feeding the medium to the processing tray 142. The medium processing device 100A according to the present example is configured such that the arrangement of the guide member 136 can be changed, based on a medium width Wd, as indicated by a solid line and a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14. The arrangement of the guide member 136 based on the medium width Wd will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the medium processing device 100A according to the present example includes a side cursor 178 that aligns the medium P in the medium width direction. The side cursor 178 is movable in the medium width direction under the control of the control unit 200 and is arranged such that the end of the medium P in the medium width direction comes into contact with the side cursor 178. Moreover, the medium processing device 100A according to the present example includes an elastically deformable sheet member 152 that faces the medium P from above and restricts an upward movement of the medium P.

[0120] When the corrugating roller 151 advances to the medium P in a state where the upward movement is restricted by the sheet member 152, curvature along the medium width direction is applied to the medium P. In FIG. 13, a reference sign Pu denotes a bulging part that bulges upward as a result of applying curvature. In FIG. 13, a cross section of the guide member 136 is shown and the guide member 136 is located at the home position. As illustrated in FIG. 13, when the bulging part Pu is formed on the medium P by the corrugating roller 151, the bulging part Pu may be caught by the guide member 136 located at the home position and may cause a jam.

[0121] In particular, when the medium P is fed to the processing tray 142 by the carry-in roller 146 while the movable unit 143 is still in the advanced state illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, the above-described jam is more likely to occur. A guide member 136-1 indicated by a solid line in FIG. 12 corresponds to the arrangement of the guide member 136 in FIG. 3, and indicates the position of the guide member 136 when the movable unit 143 is in the retracted state and the guide member 136 is in the separated state. In FIG. 12, a two-dot chain line and reference sign 136-2 correspond to the position of the guide member 136 when the movable unit 143 is switched from the above-described state to the advanced state. As illustrated in FIG. 12, when the movable unit 143 is switched from the retracted state to the advanced state, the upstream end (end part in the +Y direction) of the guide member 136 is slightly lowered, and therefore the leading end of the medium P is easily caught by the guide member 136.

[0122] In the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the guide member 136 is located at the same position as the sheet member 152 in the X-axis direction when the medium width Wd of the medium P is equal to or less than a predetermined length, and the guide member 136 is located at a position that is more inside than the side cursor 178 when the medium width Wd of the medium P is equal to or greater than the predetermined length. As the guide member 136 is located at the same position as the sheet member 152, the likelihood that a jam occurs due to the leading end of the medium P coming into contact with the guide member 136 can be suppressed, but when the side cursor 178 and the guide member 136 are close to each other, these parts may interfere with each other and the discharge roller pair 170 may not be able to nip the medium. Therefore, in the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the guide member 136 is moved to the position of the end part of the medium P in the medium width direction (more inside than the side cursor 178) when the medium P having a size such that the side cursor 178 and the guide member 136 may interfere with each other is used. Thus, the likelihood of a jam can be suppressed. The reason for aligning the side cursor 178 with the end part of the medium P in the medium width direction even when the medium P is directly discharged without passing through the processing tray 142 is to suppress the occurrence of a jam due to the leading end of the medium P entering a guide groove, not illustrated, for moving the side cursor 178.

[0123] In the configuration of the medium processing device 100A according to the present example, the moment M1 of the compression spring 159 needs to be large enough to overcome the firmness of the normal medium P. Moreover, since the moment M2 of the torsion spring 160 needs to be larger than the moment M1 in the state shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the moment M4 applied to the movable unit 143 may become large and a large load may be applied to the drive unit of the movable unit 143. Therefore, a medium processing device 100B according to Example 2 will now be described as an example of reducing the load on the drive unit of the movable unit 143.

Example 2

[0124] Next, the medium processing device 100B according to Example 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 23. In FIGS. 15 to 23, component members common with the above-described Example 1 are denoted by the same reference characters, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The medium processing device 100B according to the present example has a configuration similar to that of the medium processing device 100A according to Example 1 except for the configuration of the middle unit 150. Therefore, the medium processing device 100B according to the present example has features similar to those of the medium processing device 100A according to Example 1 except for the parts described below.

[0125] FIG. 15 illustrates the middle unit 150 of the medium processing device 100B according to Example 2. Similarly to the medium processing device 100A according to Example 1, the middle unit 150 of the medium processing device 100B according to Example 2 is provided with two corrugating rollers 151, which are interlocked with the release lever 153 protruding outside the conveyance path of the medium P. The shape of the release lever 153 of the medium processing device 100A according to Example 1 and the shape of the release lever 153 of the medium processing device 100B according to the present example are different from each other. The release lever 153 of the medium processing device 100B according to the present example rotates about a rotation shaft 163. In the medium processing device 100B according to the present example, as in the medium processing device 100 according to Example 1, when the release lever 153 is pressed down, the corrugating roller 151 protrudes, and when the release lever 153 is made free without being pressed down, the corrugating roller 151 withdraws.

[0126] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the release lever 153 and the corrugating roller 151. The corrugating roller 151 is attached to the corrugating roller holder 157, and the corrugating roller holder 157 is attached so as to be rotationally movable about the release shaft 154 as a fulcrum. The corrugating roller holder 157 is energized downward by its own weight and is positioned by coming into contact with the tab part 155a of the sheet metal component 155. Two release cams 158C and 158D are attached to the release shaft 154, a corrugating roller holder 157C is attached to the release cam 158C, and a corrugating roller holder 157D is attached to the release cam 158D.

[0127] The release shaft 154 has a D-shaped cross section and positions an intermittent gear 161 and the release cam 158 in the direction of rotation. A tooth part 161b of the intermittent gear 161 meshes with a toothed part 153b of the release lever 153, and the intermittent gear 161 amplifies the movement of the release lever 153 and thus causes the release shaft 154 to rotationally move. A U-shaped groove part 158e is formed at the distal end of the release cam 158 and is engaged with a stepped shaft part 158d of a slider 158c. A torsion spring 181 is attached to the release lever 153 and is energized in the direction C1.

[0128] Hereinafter, an operation of the corrugating roller 151 protruding as the movable unit 143 rotationally moves in the direction C1, starting with a state where the corrugating roller 151 is released, will be described. FIGS. 17 and 18 are a back view and a cross-sectional view of the middle unit 150 when the movable unit 143 is in the advanced state.

[0129] As illustrated in FIG. 17, an abutting surface 143a to abut on the release lever 153, of the movable unit 143, is separated from the release lever 153, and a moment acts on the release lever 153 in the direction C1 by the torsion spring 181. The release lever 153 is restricted by an abutment part, not shown, and stops at the position shown in FIG. 17. The release shaft 154 is engaged with the release lever 153 via the intermittent gear 161, rotationally moves in the direction C2, and stops at the position illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. The release shaft 154 is provided with the release cam 158 and pushes the slider 158c in the left direction (Y direction) via the stepped shaft part 158d as illustrated in FIG. 18. Since the corrugating roller holder 157 is energized downward by its own weight, when the slider 158c moves leftward and exits the corrugating roller holder 157, the slider 158c moves downward and the corrugating roller 151 withdraws.

[0130] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate how the corrugating roller 151 is starting to protrude as the movable unit 143 rotationally moves in the direction C1 from the state illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 and starts to press down the release lever 153. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the release lever 153 is pressed downward by the movable unit 143 and rotationally moves in the direction C2, and the intermittent gear 161 meshing with the toothed part 153b of the release lever 153 at the tooth part 161b rotationally moves in the direction C1. With the rotational movement of the release shaft 154 coaxial with the intermittent gear 161, the U-shaped groove part 158e of the release cam 158, too, rotationally moves in the direction C1 and pulls in the slider 158c in the right direction (+Y direction), as illustrated in FIG. 20. The slider 158c is provided with a wedge part 1581 and an upper stage part 1582, and the slider 158c enters under an inclined surface part 157e and a lower surface part 157d of the corrugating roller holder 157 and pushes up the corrugating roller holder 157 lowered by its own weight.

[0131] FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a state where the movable unit 143 is rotationally moved further in the direction C1 from the state illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. At this time, the corrugating roller holder 157 is maintained in the state of being placed on the slider 158c and protruding, so that the corrugating roller 151 does not protrude excessively even when the press-down position of the release lever 153 by the movable unit 143 varies.

[0132] As described above, an advantage of the middle unit 150 of the medium processing device 100B according to the present example is that the force required to press down the release lever 153 is small. The force required to press down the release lever 153 may be mainly for flexing the torsion spring 181 and for lifting the weight of the corrugating roller holder 157. Also, in the state where the corrugating roller 151 is protruding, the corrugating roller 151 is placed on the slider 158c and therefore is not unintentionally lowered. Meanwhile, in the configuration of the middle unit 150 of the medium processing device 100B according to the present example, when the press-down stroke of the movable unit 143 is small, the displacement needs to be amplified in order to secure the amount of slide movement of the slider 158c. As described above, in the present example, the displacement is amplified using the intermittent gear 161.

[0133] As described above, in the medium processing device 100B according to the present example, the curvature applying unit includes the corrugating roller 151 as the abutting part that can abut on the medium P by swinging, the release shaft 154 as the support shaft that supports the corrugating roller 151 in a swingable manner, and the slider 158c as the displacement member that is displaceable between the support position for supporting the corrugating roller 151 from below and the lowering position for lowering the corrugating roller 151. The release lever 153 is configured to displace the slider 158c. As the switching between the state where the corrugating roller 151 is lifted and the state where the corrugating roller 151 is lowered is made by the slider 158c in this way, the configuration for the up-down movement of the corrugating roller 151 can be easily implemented. Also, with such a configuration, a necessary force for causing the corrugating roller 151 to swing can be suppressed. In the present example, the displacement member is the slider 158c, and the direction of displacement of the displacement member is the slide direction, but the direction of displacement of the displacement member may be the slide direction or the direction of rotation.

[0134] In the medium processing device 100B according to the present example, the slider 158c, which is a displacement member, is configured to be slidable between the support position and the lowering position, and to engage with the release shaft 154 and slide as the release shaft 154 rotates. As the switching between the state where the corrugating roller 151 is lifted and the state where the corrugating roller 151 is lowered is made by the slider 158c, which is the slide member, the configuration for the up-down movement of the corrugating roller 151 can be easily implemented. Also, with such a configuration, a necessary force for causing the corrugating roller 151 to swing can be suppressed.

[0135] In the medium processing device 100B according to the present example, the release lever 153 as the first displacement unit is configured to displace the slider 158c via a gear train such as the intermittent gear 161. Since the amount of displacement can be amplified by displacing the slider 158c via the gear train in this way, the amount of displacement of the movable unit 143 required for causing the corrugating roller 151 to swing can be suppressed. Although a non-intermittent gear may be used instead of the intermittent gear 161, when the intermittent gear 161 is used, the gear can be miniaturized.

[0136] Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, and the like, in the medium processing device 100B according to the present example, the release lever 153 has a rotating member 162 at a contact position with the movable unit 143. With such a configuration, a sliding load between the release lever 153 and the movable unit 143 can be suppressed, and a force required for the displacement of the release lever 153 and the movable unit 143 can be suppressed. Note that the configuration including such a rotating member 162 can also be applied to the medium processing device 100A according to Example 1.

[0137] As illustrated in FIG. 23, in the medium processing device 100B according to the present example, in order to smooth the movement of the slider 158c and the stepped shaft part 158d, a guide part 164 including a hole part 164a through which the stepped shaft part 158d is passed is provided in the sheet metal part 156. However, a configuration in which the guide part 164 is not provided may be employed.

Example 3

[0138] Next, a medium processing device 100C according to Example 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26. In FIGS. 24 to 26, the component members in common with the above described Example 1 and Example 2 are denoted by the same reference signs and the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. The medium processing device 100C according to the present example has a configuration similar to those of the medium processing devices 100 according to Example 1 and Example 2 except for the configuration of the middle unit 150. Therefore, the medium processing device 100C according to the present example has features similar to those of the medium processing devices 100 according to Example 1 and Example 2 except for the parts described below.

[0139] FIG. 24 illustrates a part of the middle unit 150 of the medium processing device 100C according to Example 3. In the middle unit 150 of the medium processing device 100C according to Example 3, a tooth part 153c is formed in the release lever 153. Also, a sectorial member 167 that meshes with tooth part 153c at a first tooth part 167b is provided. The sectorial member 167 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation center 167d, and the sectorial member 167 rotates about the rotation center 167d when the tooth part 153c rotationally moves about the release shaft 154. Also, the sectorial member 167 has a second tooth part 167a, and the second tooth part 167a meshes with a gear 166 provided on a second shaft 165.

[0140] With such a configuration, when the release lever 153 comes into contact with the movable unit 143 and rotates in the direction C1, the sectorial member 167 rotates in the direction C2 and the second shaft 165 rotates in the direction C1 via the gear 166. Also, a cam part 168 that comes into contact with a lower surface part 157f of the corrugating roller holder 157 is attached to the second shaft 165, and the posture of the corrugating roller holder 157 changes as the cam part 168 rotates with the rotation of the second shaft 165. The release shaft 154 and the second shaft 165 are coupled together by a coupling part 169.

[0141] Specifically, when in the first state where the medium P can be nipped between the bundle discharge driven roller 172 and the bundle discharge drive roller 171, the middle unit 150 of the medium processing device 100C according to the present example is in the state illustrated in FIG. 25. At this time, although a force in the direction C2 is applied to the corrugating roller holder 157 by its own weight, the corrugating roller 151 is in the retracted position (retracted state) because the amount of press-down of the lower surface part 157f by the cam part 168 is small.

[0142] Meanwhile, when the movable unit 143 rotationally moves in the direction C1 from the first state, the release lever 153 comes into contact with the movable unit 143 and rotates in the direction C1 and therefore the second shaft 165 rotates in the direction C1 as described above. When the second shaft 165 rotates in the direction C1, the cam part 168 rotates in the direction C1 and the state illustrated in FIG. 26 is thus obtained. That is, when the bundle discharge driven roller 172 is in the second state of being more separated from the bundle discharge drive roller 171 than in the first state, the middle unit 150 of the medium processing device 100C according to the present example is in the state illustrated in FIG. 26. At this time, although a force in the direction C2 is applied to the corrugating roller holder 157 by its own weight, the corrugating roller 151 is in the advanced position (curvature applying state) because the amount of press-down of the lower surface part 157f by the cam part 168 is large.

[0143] Even when the cam part 168 as illustrated in FIGS. 24 to 26 is provided instead of the slider 158c in the medium processing device 100B according to Example 2 and the corrugating roller holder 157 is moved up and down in this way, effects similar to those of the medium processing device 100B according to Example 2 are achieved. Also, in the medium processing devices 100 according to Examples 1 to 3, the position of the corrugating roller 151 may include an intermediate position in addition to the upper position and the lower position, and the corrugating roller 151 can be stopped at the intermediate position by stopping the swing of the movable unit 143 at the intermediate position. As the intermediate position is used, for example, when performing alignment processing on a thick paper, the alignment operation can be performed while the path load is reduced.

[0144] Moreover, a hybrid-type configuration having the features of both the medium processing device 100A according to Example 1 and the medium processing device 100B according to Example 2 may be adopted, in which the corrugating roller 151 is pressed to the upper position by the compression spring 159, and at the time of release, the slider 158c is slid against the spring pressure of the compression spring 159 and the corrugating roller 151 is thus pulled down to the lower position. Advantages and disadvantages of such a configuration are substantially the same as those of the medium processing device 100A of Example 1.

[0145] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the disclosure described in the claims, and as a matter of course, these modifications are included within the scope of the present disclosure.