阅读说明：本技术 后处理装置及印刷系统 (Post-processing device and printing system ) 是由 坂上将太 天野祐作 圆谷悠 百瀬功 于 2020-10-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及后处理装置及印刷系统。提供能够将刚性根据被喷出液体而变化的介质适当地载置于排出托盘的后处理装置。后处理装置的特征在于,具备：载置朝向输送方向被输送的介质(M)的中间托盘(35)；排出在中间托盘上进行过后处理的介质的排出口(98)；相对于排出口配置于重力方向上,并载置从排出口排出的介质的排出托盘(37)；以及使排出托盘升降的升降机构(94),升降机构能够使排出托盘移动至第一通常位置(P1)和相对于第一通常位置位于重力方向的反方向的第一待机位置(P1A、P1B),并在介质与排出托盘或先载置于排出托盘上的介质接触之前,该升降机构根据油墨的量使排出托盘移动至第一通常位置或第一待机位置。(The invention relates to a post-processing apparatus and a printing system. Provided is a post-processing device capable of appropriately placing a medium, the rigidity of which changes according to a liquid to be discharged, on a discharge tray. The post-processing device is characterized by comprising: an intermediate tray (35) on which a medium (M) conveyed in the conveying direction is placed; an outlet (98) for discharging the medium after the intermediate tray; a discharge tray (37) disposed in the gravity direction with respect to the discharge port and on which the medium discharged from the discharge port is placed; and an elevating mechanism (94) for elevating the discharge tray, wherein the elevating mechanism is capable of moving the discharge tray to a first normal position (P1) and a first standby position (P1A, P1B) opposite to the direction of gravity with respect to the first normal position, and moves the discharge tray to the first normal position or the first standby position according to the amount of ink before the medium comes into contact with the discharge tray or a medium previously placed on the discharge tray.)

1. A post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing on a medium on which recording has been performed by a liquid ejecting section, the post-processing apparatus comprising:

an intermediate tray on which the medium transported in the transport direction is placed and integrated;

a discharge port that discharges the medium post-processed on the intermediate tray;

a discharge tray disposed in a gravity direction with respect to the discharge port and on which the medium discharged from the discharge port is placed; and

a lifting mechanism for lifting the discharge tray,

the lifting mechanism is capable of moving the discharge tray to a first normal position and a first standby position located in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity with respect to the first normal position, and the lifting mechanism moves the discharge tray to the first normal position or the first standby position in accordance with an amount of liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion to a medium before the medium comes into contact with the discharge tray or the medium placed on the discharge tray first.

2. The aftertreatment device of claim 1,

the medium has a first region disposed on a downstream side in the transport direction and a second region disposed on an upstream side in the transport direction,

the lifting mechanism moves the discharge tray to the first normal position or the first standby position according to the amount of the liquid discharged to the first region.

3. The aftertreatment device of claim 1 or 2,

the lifting mechanism changes the first standby position or the second standby position of the discharge tray by using a parameter that affects drying of the liquid in addition to the amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion to the medium,

the parameters affecting the drying of the liquid include at least one of an ambient temperature, an ambient humidity, a transport speed of the medium transported toward the transport direction, and a stop time of the medium transported toward the transport direction.

4. The aftertreatment device of claim 1,

the media include a first medium initially loaded on the discharge tray and a second medium subsequently loaded on the discharge tray,

when the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium changes according to the amount of liquid ejected to the first medium, the elevation mechanism changes the height of the first standby position according to the amount of liquid ejected to the first medium at a contact portion between the first medium and the second medium.

5. A post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing on a medium on which recording has been performed by a liquid ejecting section, the post-processing apparatus comprising:

an intermediate tray on which a medium to be conveyed in a conveying direction is placed;

a discharge port that discharges the medium post-processed on the intermediate tray;

a discharge tray disposed in a gravity direction with respect to the discharge port and on which the medium discharged from the discharge port is placed; and

a lifting mechanism for lifting the discharge tray,

the lifting mechanism is capable of moving the discharge tray to a second normal position and a second standby position located opposite to the direction of gravity with respect to the second normal position,

the media include a first medium initially loaded on the discharge tray and a second medium subsequently loaded on the discharge tray,

when the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium changes according to the amount of liquid ejected to the first medium, the lifting mechanism moves the discharge tray to the second normal position or the second standby position according to the amount of liquid ejected to the first medium at a contact portion between the first medium and the second medium before the second medium comes into contact with the first medium.

6. The aftertreatment device of claim 1 or 5,

the liquid ejecting section ejects the liquid onto the medium according to print data,

the amount of liquid discharged from the liquid discharge unit to a medium is acquired from the print data.

7. The aftertreatment device of claim 1 or 5,

the lifting mechanism changes the first standby position or the second standby position of the discharge tray using a parameter that affects deformation of the medium due to gravity, in addition to the amount of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection portion to the medium,

the parameter that affects deformation of the medium caused by gravity includes at least one of a length of the medium in the conveyance direction and a number of sheets of the medium on which post-processing is performed on the intermediate tray.

8. The aftertreatment device of claim 1 or 5,

when the downstream end of the medium in the conveyance direction is disposed outside the discharge port in a state where the medium is placed on the intermediate tray,

the lifting mechanism moves the position of the discharge tray in the reverse direction at a stage before the medium is placed on the intermediate tray.

9. The aftertreatment device of claim 1 or 5,

the lifting mechanism lowers the discharge tray, which has been raised in the reverse direction, to an original position before the upstream end of the medium in the conveyance direction is discharged from the discharge port.

10. A printing system is characterized by comprising:

the aftertreatment device of any one of claims 1-9; and

a printing apparatus includes a liquid ejecting section that ejects liquid onto a medium.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus and a printing system including the post-processing apparatus.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a post-processing apparatus including a combination tray (intermediate tray) for receiving and combining sheets (media) on which images are formed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or an inkjet printer, and placing the media in a combined state, and a post-processing unit for performing post-processing such as stapling on the media placed on the intermediate tray (for example, patent document 1).

In the post-processing apparatus described in patent document 1, the media integrated in the intermediate tray and subjected to the stapling process by the post-processing unit are discharged to a loading tray (discharge tray) and are placed on the discharge tray. Then, the discharge tray is lowered in accordance with the amount of the medium placed on the discharge tray.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2009-249080

When an ink jet printer is used as an image forming apparatus, the rigidity of a medium on which an image is recorded by ejecting ink changes depending on the state of the ink absorbed by the medium (the dry state of the ink). Therefore, in the post-processing apparatus described in patent document 1, when the medium on which an image is formed is received by the inkjet printer, the medium discharged to the discharge tray includes a medium that is not easily deformed due to a large rigidity and a medium that is easily deformed due to a small rigidity.

However, in the post-processing apparatus described in patent document 1, there is a possibility that the medium which is less rigid and easily deformed is deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray, and the medium which is less rigid and easily deformed is not appropriately placed on the discharge tray.

Disclosure of Invention

The post-processing apparatus is characterized in that the post-processing is performed on a medium on which recording is performed by a liquid ejecting section, and the post-processing apparatus includes: an intermediate tray on which the medium transported in the transport direction is placed and integrated; a discharge port that discharges the medium post-processed on the intermediate tray; a discharge tray disposed in a gravity direction with respect to the discharge port and on which the medium discharged from the discharge port is placed; and an elevating mechanism configured to elevate the discharge tray, wherein the elevating mechanism is configured to move the discharge tray to a first normal position and a first standby position located in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity with respect to the first normal position, and the elevating mechanism moves the discharge tray to the first normal position or the first standby position in accordance with an amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge unit to the medium before the medium comes into contact with the discharge tray or the medium placed on the discharge tray.

Preferably, in the post-processing apparatus, the medium has a first region disposed on a downstream side in the transport direction and a second region disposed on an upstream side in the transport direction, and the lift mechanism moves the discharge tray to the first normal position or the first standby position in accordance with an amount of the liquid discharged to the first region.

Preferably, in the post-processing apparatus, the elevating mechanism changes the first standby position or the second standby position of the discharge tray using a parameter that affects drying of the liquid, in addition to an amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion to the medium, and the parameter that affects drying of the liquid includes at least one of an ambient temperature, an ambient humidity, a conveyance speed of the medium conveyed in the conveyance direction, and a stop time of the medium conveyed in the conveyance direction.

Preferably, in the post-processing apparatus, the medium includes a first medium that is first placed on the discharge tray and a second medium that is next placed on the discharge tray, and the elevation mechanism changes the height of the first standby position according to an amount of liquid ejected to the first medium at a contact portion between the first medium and the second medium when a frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium changes according to the amount of liquid ejected to the first medium.

The post-processing apparatus is characterized in that the post-processing is performed on a medium on which recording is performed by a liquid ejecting section, and the post-processing apparatus includes: an intermediate tray on which a medium to be conveyed in a conveying direction is placed; a discharge port that discharges the medium post-processed on the intermediate tray; a discharge tray disposed in a gravity direction with respect to the discharge port and on which the medium discharged from the discharge port is placed; and an elevating mechanism configured to elevate the discharge tray, the elevating mechanism being capable of moving the discharge tray to a second normal position and a second standby position located opposite to the second normal position in the direction of gravity, the medium including a first medium initially placed on the discharge tray and a second medium subsequently placed on the discharge tray, the elevating mechanism moving the discharge tray to the second normal position or the second standby position in accordance with an amount of liquid ejected to the first medium at a contact portion between the first medium and the second medium before the second medium comes into contact with the first medium, when a frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium changes in accordance with an amount of liquid ejected to the first medium.

In the post-processing apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid ejecting section ejects the liquid onto the medium based on print data, and an amount of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting section onto the medium is acquired from the print data.

Preferably, in the post-processing apparatus, the lifting mechanism changes the first standby position or the second standby position of the discharge tray using a parameter affecting deformation of the medium caused by gravity, in addition to the amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion to the medium, the parameter affecting the deformation of the medium caused by gravity including at least one of a length of the medium in the conveyance direction and the number of sheets of the medium on which post-processing is performed on the intermediate tray.

In the post-processing apparatus, it is preferable that the elevating mechanism moves the position of the discharge tray in the reverse direction at a stage before the medium is placed on the intermediate tray, in a case where a downstream end of the medium in the conveyance direction is disposed outside the discharge port in a state where the medium is placed on the intermediate tray.

In the post-processing apparatus, it is preferable that the elevating mechanism lowers the discharge tray, which has been raised in the reverse direction, to an original position before the upstream end of the medium in the transport direction is discharged from the discharge port.

The printing system is characterized by comprising a printing device and the post-processing device, wherein the printing device is provided with a liquid ejecting part for ejecting liquid to a medium.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the post-processing apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of the medium discharged from the discharge port in embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is another schematic diagram illustrating a state of the medium discharged from the discharge port in embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing method of the post-processing apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of the medium discharged from the discharge port in embodiment 2.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … printing system; 2 … printing device; 3 … conveying device; 4 … post-treatment device; 5 … printer portion; 6 … scanner section; 7 … media storage box; 8 … post-recording discharge tray; 10 … line head; 11 … feed path; 12 … a first discharge path; 13 … second discharge path; 14 … inverting the path; 15 … control section; 20 … receiving the path; 21 … a first steering path; 22 … a second divert path; 23 … discharge path; 24 … branch; a 25 … confluence section; 31 … conveying path; 32 … conveying roller pair; 33 … discharge roller pair; 35 … intermediate tray; 36 … processing part; 37 … discharge tray; 38 … rear end integration; a 50 … discharge unit; 91 … media pressing member; 94 … lifting mechanism; 96 … control section; 98 … discharge the port.

Detailed Description

1. Embodiment mode 1

1.1 overview of the printing System

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the aftertreatment device 4 according to embodiment 1.

First, an outline of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the printing system 1 includes a printing device 2, a transport device 3, and a post-processing device 4, and the printing device 2, the transport device 3, and the post-processing device 4 are arranged in this order from the right to the left in fig. 1.

In the following description, the direction in which the printing apparatus 2, the transport apparatus 3, and the post-processing apparatus 4 are arranged is referred to as the Y direction, the height direction of the printing system 1 is referred to as the Z direction, and the direction intersecting the Y direction and the Z direction is referred to as the X direction. The Y direction is the width direction of the printing system 1. The X direction is a depth direction of the printing system 1 and a width direction of the medium M (see fig. 2). The tip side of the arrow indicating the direction is defined as the + direction, and the base side of the arrow indicating the direction is defined as the-direction.

Further, the-Z direction is the direction of gravity in this application. The + Z direction is the direction opposite to the direction of gravity in this application.

The printing apparatus 2 includes a line head 10 as an example of a liquid ejecting portion that performs recording on the medium M. The transport device 3 receives the medium M on which the image is recorded from the printing device 2 and delivers the medium M to the post-processing device 4. The post-processing device 4 includes a processing unit 36 that performs predetermined post-processing on the medium M placed on the intermediate tray 35.

The printing apparatus 2, the transport apparatus 3, and the post-processing apparatus 4 are connected to each other, and the medium M is transported from the printing apparatus 2 toward the post-processing apparatus 4.

The printing system 1 can input whether or not a recording operation, post-processing, and the like are performed on the medium M in the printing apparatus 2, the conveying apparatus 3, and the post-processing apparatus 4 from an operation panel not shown. For example, the operation panel may be provided in the printing apparatus 2.

The outline of each of the printing apparatus 2, the transport apparatus 3, and the post-processing apparatus 4 will be described below in this order.

The printing apparatus 2 is configured as a multifunction printer including a printer section 5 and a scanner section 6, and the printer section 5 includes a line head 10 that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium M to perform recording. The printer section 5 ejects ink from the line head 10 onto the medium M to record a desired image on the medium M.

In the present embodiment, the line head 10 that is attached to the apparatus main body in a fixed state and ejects ink onto the medium M is used as a head for recording on the medium M, but the present invention is not limited to this, and printing may be performed by a serial head that ejects ink onto the medium M while moving in the width direction of the medium M.

A plurality of medium storage cassettes 7 are provided below the printing apparatus 2. The medium M stored in the medium storage cassette 7 is conveyed to a recording area of the line head 10 through a feed path 11 shown by a solid line in fig. 1, and a recording operation is performed. The medium M recorded by the line head 10 is conveyed to either a first discharge path 12, which is a path for discharging the medium M to a post-recording discharge tray 8 provided above the line head 10, or a second discharge path 13, which is a path for conveying the medium M to the conveying device 3. In fig. 1, the first discharge path 12 is illustrated by a broken line, and the second discharge path 13 is illustrated by a one-dot chain line.

The printing apparatus 2 is configured to: the double-sided recording is performed by including a reversing path 14 indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing, and reversing the medium M to perform recording on the back surface after recording on the front surface of the medium M. In the feeding path 11, the first discharge path 12, the second discharge path 13, and the reversing path 14, one or more pairs of not-shown conveying rollers are disposed as means for conveying the medium M.

The printing apparatus 2 includes a control unit 15 that controls various operations of the printing apparatus 2 and the transport apparatus 3. The control Unit 15 includes hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The control unit 15 acquires image data from, for example, an external computer (not shown) and generates print data. The control unit 15 controls the line head 10 based on the print data, and records a predetermined image on the medium M.

The print data includes a print job, the size of the medium M, the type of the medium M, and the like. The print job is a ratio of the amount of liquid (ink amount) discharged to the print area of the medium M.

The control unit 15 acquires the temperature and humidity of the environment via a sensor (not shown) attached to the printing apparatus 2.

The transport device 3 is disposed between the printing device 2 and the post-processing device 4, and is configured to receive the recorded medium M delivered from the second discharge path of the printing device 2 via the receiving path 20 and transport the medium M to the post-processing device 4. The receive path 20 is shown in the figure with a solid line.

In the conveying device 3, there are two conveying paths for conveying the medium M. The first conveying path is a path that is conveyed from the receiving path 20 to the discharging path 23 via the first diverting path 21. The second conveying path is a path that is conveyed from the receiving path 20 to the discharging path 23 via the second diversion path 22.

The first turning path 21 is a path that turns the medium M in the arrow a2 direction after receiving the medium M in the arrow a1 direction. The second switchback path 22 is a path that, after receiving the medium M in the arrow B1 direction, switches the medium M in the arrow B2 direction.

The receiving path 20 branches into a first diversion path 21 and a second diversion path 22 at a branching portion 24. In addition, the first turning path 21 and the second turning path 22 join at a joining portion 25. Therefore, even if the medium M is conveyed from the receiving path 20 to an arbitrary switchback path, the medium M can be delivered from the common discharge path 23 to the post-processing apparatus 4.

One or more conveying roller pairs, not shown, are disposed in each of the receiving path 20, the first diversion path 21, the second diversion path 22, and the discharge path 23.

In the case where the printing device 2 continuously performs recording on the plurality of media M, the plurality of media M conveyed from the printing device 2 to the conveying device 3 are alternately conveyed to the conveying path passing through the first switchback path 21 and the conveying path passing through the second switchback path 22. This can improve the throughput of medium conveyance in the conveyance device 3.

The printing system 1 may be configured without the conveyance device 3. That is, the following configurations are possible: the printing apparatus 2 is connected to the post-processing apparatus 4, and the medium M recorded in the printing apparatus 2 is directly conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 4 without passing through the conveying apparatus 3.

In the configuration in which the medium M after recording in the printing apparatus 2 is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 4 via the conveyance apparatus 3 as in the present embodiment, the ink absorbed by the medium M conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 4 can be dried more because the conveyance distance of the medium M and the conveyance time of the medium M are longer than in the configuration in which the medium M after recording in the printing apparatus 2 is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 4 without passing through the conveyance apparatus 3.

In this way, the transport device 3 has the effect of drying the ink absorbed by the medium M.

The medium M is delivered from the discharge path 23 of the transport device 3 to the transport path 31 of the post-processing device 4. In fig. 1, the discharge path 23 is illustrated by a broken line, and the conveyance path 31 is illustrated by a solid line.

In the conveyance path 31 of the post-processing apparatus 4, the conveyance roller pair 32, the discharge roller pair 33, the discharge unit 50, and the discharge port 98 are arranged in this order in the + Y direction. The direction from the conveying roller pair 32 toward the discharge port 98 in the conveying path 31 is the conveying direction.

Therefore, the conveying roller pair 32 is disposed upstream of the conveying path 31 in the conveying direction, and the discharge unit 50 is disposed downstream of the conveying path 31 in the conveying direction. The discharge roller pair 33 is disposed between the conveying roller pair 32 and the discharge unit 50.

In the post-processing apparatus 4, an intermediate tray 35 and a processing portion 36 are disposed between the discharge roller pair 33 and the discharge unit 50. The intermediate tray 35 has a mounting surface 35a on which the medium M is mounted, and a rear end integrated portion 38 arranged to be orthogonal to the mounting surface 35 a.

The medium M delivered from the transport device 3 is transported in the + Y direction by the transport roller pair 32, discharged to the intermediate tray 35 by the discharge roller pair 33, and placed on the intermediate tray 35. The medium M placed on the intermediate tray 35 is subjected to post-processing such as stapling processing and punching processing by the processing section 36. That is, the medium M is subjected to post-processing such as stapling processing and punching processing on the intermediate tray 35.

The medium M subjected to the post-processing on the intermediate tray 35 is discharged from the discharge port 98 toward the outside of the post-processing apparatus 4 by the discharge unit 50, and is placed on the discharge tray 37.

Further, the post-processing apparatus 4 is provided with a medium pressing member 91. The medium pressing member 91 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 91a of the medium pressing member 91. The medium pressing member 91 presses the medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 to prevent the medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 from floating from the discharge tray 37.

The medium pressing member 91 is disposed at a position that does not interfere with the discharge of the medium M when the medium M is discharged from the discharge port 98 to the discharge tray 37.

The post-processing apparatus 4 includes an elevating mechanism 94 and a controller 96.

The lifting mechanism 94 lifts and lowers the discharge tray 37 in the Z direction (+ Z direction, -Z direction). That is, the discharge tray 37 can be moved in the Z direction by the elevating mechanism 94.

The control Unit 96 includes hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls various operations of the post-Processing apparatus 4. The control unit 96 is electrically connected to the control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 2, and acquires information such as print data from the control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 2.

Next, the discharge and placement of the medium M to the intermediate tray 35 and the discharge tray 37 will be described with reference to fig. 2.

In fig. 2, the medium M of a4 size is illustrated by a broken line, and the medium M of A3 size is illustrated by a one-dot chain line. The upstream end of the medium M in the conveying direction is referred to as a trailing end E1, and the downstream end of the medium M in the conveying direction is referred to as a leading end E2.

As shown in fig. 2, the medium M discharged from the discharge roller pair 33 advances in the + Y direction on the mounting surface 35a until the leading end E2 falls on the mounting surface 35a of the intermediate tray 35, and the trailing end E1 leaves the nip portion of the discharge roller pair 33.

The guide member 41 is provided in the + Y direction with respect to the discharge roller pair 33, and while the medium M is discharged (conveyed) by the discharge roller pair 33, the guide member 41 is located at the retracted position shown by the solid line in fig. 2, so that the guide member 41 does not interfere with the discharge roller pair 33 from discharging the medium M. Then, when the rear end E1 of the medium M exits the nip portion of the discharge roller pair 33, the guide member 41 enters the entering position shown by the two-dot chain line. At this time, the medium M falls onto the mounting surface 35a by its own weight, and is reliably mounted on the mounting surface 35a by the guide member 41 displaced from the retreat position to the advance position.

Further, a paddle 40 is provided above the intermediate tray 35, and the paddle 40 rotates while contacting the medium M discharged to the intermediate tray 35, thereby moving the medium M toward the rear end integrated portion 38 of the intermediate tray 35. Paddle 40 is a plate-like body, and a plurality of plate-like bodies are attached at intervals along the outer periphery of rotation shaft 40A. The guide member 41 is configured to: the + Y direction, which is downstream in the discharge direction, is attached to the swing shaft 41A and can swing with the-Y direction side as a free end.

When the medium M is placed on the placement surface 35a, the paddle 40 rotates counterclockwise in fig. 2. The paddle 40 is rotated while being in contact with the medium M, thereby advancing the medium M in the-Y direction. Further, the placement surface 35a of the intermediate tray 35 is inclined upward in the + Y direction, and thus the medium M is also advanced in the-Y direction.

The intermediate tray 35 has a rear end integrated portion 38 that integrates the rear end E1 of the medium M on the-Y direction side. When the rear end E1 of the medium M moves in the direction toward the rear end matching portion 38 and the rear end E1 of the medium M abuts against the rear end matching portion 38, the position of the rear end E1 of the medium M placed on the placement surface 35a of the intermediate tray 35 is aligned and the medium M placed on the intermediate tray 35 is matched.

In a state where the A3-sized media M are placed on the intermediate tray 35 and the positions of the rear ends E1 of the A3-sized media M are aligned, the front ends E2 (the downstream ends in the conveying direction) of the A3-sized media M are disposed outside the discharge port 98 (outside the post-processing apparatus 4). In a state where the A3-sized medium M is placed on the intermediate tray 35, a part of the A3-sized medium M is disposed outside the discharge port 98. The portion of the medium M of a3 size disposed outside the discharge port 98 is deformed in the-Z direction by gravity.

In a state where the a 4-sized media M are placed on the intermediate tray 35 and the positions of the rear ends E1 of the a 4-sized media M are aligned, the front ends E2 (the downstream ends in the conveying direction) of the a 4-sized media M are disposed inside the discharge port 98 (inside the post-processing apparatus 4).

In the present embodiment, an assist paddle 44 that rotates with respect to the rotation shaft 44A is provided below the discharge roller pair 33. The auxiliary paddle 44 is disposed at a position closer to the Y direction than the paddle 40, and rotates counterclockwise in the same manner as the paddle 40. By providing the auxiliary paddle 44, the medium M can be more reliably brought into contact with and integrated with the rear end integrated portion 38.

The intermediate tray 35 is provided with a width direction aligning member (not shown) for aligning the ends of the medium M in the width direction. The width-direction aligning member abuts against the end of the medium M in the width direction, thereby aligning the end of the medium M in the width direction.

The timing of displacing the guide member 41 to the retreat position and the retreat position, the timing of rotating the paddle 40, and the timing of performing the integrating operation of the width direction integrating member can be determined based on the detection of the medium M in the medium detecting unit 39 provided upstream of the discharge roller pair 33. For example, each operation may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the medium detection unit 39 detected the rear end E1 of the medium M.

The processing unit 36 performs post-processing such as stapling on the plurality of media M placed on the intermediate tray 35 with the rear end E1 and both ends in the width direction of the media M being integrated. The medium M post-processed by the processing unit 36 is discharged from the intermediate tray 35 to the discharge tray 37 through the discharge port 98 by the discharge unit 50 including the upper roller 42 and the lower roller 43.

The discharge tray 37 is made of a material (e.g., resin) that the medium M can easily slide. That is, the discharge tray 37 is made of a material having a small friction with the medium M.

The lower roller 43 constituting the discharge unit 50 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and the upper roller 42 is driven to rotate in contact with the medium M.

A support member (not shown) for supporting the upper roller 42 is provided so as to be capable of swinging about a swing shaft (not shown), and the upper roller 42 can be switched by a drive source (not shown) between a separated state in which it is separated from the lower roller 43 and an adjacent state in which it is closer to the lower roller 43 than the separated state.

The upper roller 42 is in a separated state while the medium M is discharged from the discharge roller pair 33 to the intermediate tray 35. When the medium M placed on the intermediate tray 35 is discharged to the discharge tray 37, the upper roller 42 comes close. When the upper roller 42 comes close, the medium M is nipped by the upper roller 42 and the lower roller 43. The medium M sandwiched between the upper roller 42 and the lower roller 43 is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 98, and is placed on the discharge tray 37.

Specifically, when the rear end E1 of the medium M is positioned outside the discharge port 98 without coming out of the nip between the upper roller 42 and the lower roller 43, the medium M drops in the-Z direction due to its own weight and is placed on the support surface 37a of the discharge tray 37.

In fig. 2, reference numeral 37b denotes a wall surface located in the-Y direction with respect to the discharge tray 37, and the rear end E1 of the medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 abuts against the wall surface 37 b. Further, the support surface 37a of the discharge tray 37 supporting the medium M is inclined downward toward the-Y direction (toward the wall surface 37 b). Thereby, the medium M supported by the support surface 37a of the discharge tray 37 slides in the-Y direction (toward the wall surface 37b), and the rear end E1 of the medium M abuts against the wall surface 37 b.

The printing apparatus 2 ejects ink from the line head 10 onto the medium M according to print data, and records a desired image on the medium M. The moisture of the ink ejected from the line head 10 is absorbed by the medium M. The transport device 3 is disposed between the printing apparatus 2 and the post-processing apparatus 4, and promotes evaporation of moisture of the ink absorbed by the medium M.

Specifically, the medium M from which the ink has been ejected by the line head 10 is dried in the conveyance path of the printing device 2 and the conveyance device 3, and the moisture absorbed by the medium M is removed.

The density of the image recorded on the medium M is not uniform, and the medium M has, for example, a portion where a print job in which a thick image is formed is high (a portion where the ejection amount of ink is large), a portion where a print job in which a thin image is formed is low (a portion where the ejection amount of ink is small), and the like. The higher portion of the print job of medium M absorbs a large amount of moisture, and the lower portion of the print job of medium M absorbs a small amount of moisture.

However, there is a limit to the removal of moisture in the conveyance paths of the printing apparatus 2 and the conveyance apparatus 3, and the medium M containing moisture is input to the post-processing apparatus 4.

For example, when a medium M having a high print job (a large amount of ink to be ejected) is input to the post-processing device 4, the medium M having a large amount of moisture (the medium M containing a large amount of moisture) is input to the post-processing device 4. When the medium M having a low print job (a small amount of ink to be ejected) is input to the post-processing device 4, the medium M having a small amount of moisture (the medium M containing a small amount of moisture) is input to the post-processing device 4.

The rigidity of the medium M varies depending on the amount of water contained in the medium M (the amount of water in the medium M). Since the moisture amount of the medium M is proportional to the amount of ink ejected from the line head 10 to the medium M, the rigidity of the medium M can be changed in other words according to the amount of ink ejected from the line head 10 to the medium M.

The post-processing device 4 performs post-processing on the medium M whose rigidity varies depending on the amount of ink ejected from the line head 10 onto the medium M.

For example, when the moisture content of the medium M increases, the rigidity of the medium M decreases, and the medium M is easily deformed. When the moisture content of the medium M becomes small, the rigidity of the medium M becomes large, and the medium M is hardly deformed. Therefore, when gravity acts on the medium M, the medium M with a large amount of moisture is likely to be deformed in the-Z direction (gravity direction), and the medium M with a small amount of moisture is less likely to be deformed in the-Z direction. Thus, the medium M having a large water content is greatly deformed in the-Z direction by gravity as compared with the medium M having a small water content.

Further, since the amount of water contained in the medium M (the amount of water in the medium M) is proportional to the ink ejection amount, the rigidity of the medium M can be predicted from the print data.

That is, since the line head 10 ejects ink onto the medium M based on print data and the amount of ink can be acquired based on the print data, the moisture amount of the medium M can be predicted based on the print data, and the rigidity of the medium M can be predicted.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state of the medium M discharged from the discharge port 98. Fig. 4 is another schematic diagram showing a state of the medium M discharged from the discharge port 98.

In fig. 3 and 4, the medium M with a small water content is shown by a solid line, the medium M with a large water content is shown by a broken line, and the bundle of the medium M subjected to the binding process for the medium M with a large water content is shown by a one-dot chain line.

The medium M shown by the solid line having a small moisture content is rigid and hardly deformed in the-Z direction, and is hereinafter referred to as a hardly deformable medium M1. The medium M having a large water content shown by the broken line has low rigidity and is easily deformed in the-Z direction, and is hereinafter referred to as an easily deformable medium M2. The stack of the medium M having a large water content shown by the one-dot chain line is heavier than the medium M having a large water content, and is easily deformed in the-Z direction, and hereinafter referred to as a more easily deformable medium stack M3.

The medium M1 that is not easily deformed includes the medium M containing no moisture in addition to the medium M having a small moisture content. The number of the hardly deformable media M1 is not limited to a single sheet, and may be a plurality of sheets. For example, when the distortion in the gravity direction of the stack of the non-deformable medium M1 (a plurality of non-deformable media M1) is the same as the distortion in the gravity direction of one non-deformable medium M1, the stack of the plurality of non-deformable media M1 is included in the non-deformable medium M1.

The more easily deformable media stack M3 is composed of a stack of a plurality of easily deformable media M2. In the case where the stack of the plurality of easily deformable media M2 is deformed greatly in the gravity direction by gravity more than the stack of a single easily deformable medium M2, the stack of the plurality of easily deformable media M2 is included in the more easily deformable medium stack M3.

In addition, in the case where the deformation in the gravity direction of the stack of the plurality of easily deformable media M2 is the same degree as the deformation in the gravity direction of the single easily deformable medium M2, the stack of the plurality of easily deformable media M2 is included in the easily deformable medium M2. Therefore, the number of easily deformable media M2 is not limited to a single sheet, and may be a plurality of sheets.

As shown in fig. 3, when gravity acts on the less deformable medium M1, the more deformable medium M2, and the more deformable medium stack M3, the deformation in the direction of gravity increases in the order of the less deformable medium M1, the more deformable medium M2, and the more deformable medium stack M3.

As shown by the solid line in fig. 3, the hardly deformable medium M1 discharged to the outside of the discharge port 98 is deformed in the-Z direction by the influence of gravity. At the time when the front end E2 of the non-deformable medium M1 comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, the angle formed by the non-deformable medium M1 and the discharge tray 37 is θ 1, and hereinafter referred to as the angle θ 1 at the time of contact of the non-deformable medium M1.

As shown by the broken line in fig. 3, the easily deformable medium M2 discharged to the outside of the discharge port 98 is largely deformed in the-Z direction by gravity as compared with the hardly deformable medium M1. At the time when the leading end E2 of the easily deformable medium M2 comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, the angle formed by the easily deformable medium M2 and the discharge tray 37 is θ 2A, and hereinafter referred to as the angle θ 2A at the time of contact of the easily deformable medium M2.

As shown by the one-dot chain line in fig. 3, the more easily deformed media bundle M3 discharged to the outside of the discharge port 98 is largely deformed toward the-Z direction by gravity as compared with the easily deformed media M2. At the time when the leading end E2 of the more easily deformable media bundle M3 comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, the angle formed by the more easily deformable media bundle M3 and the discharge tray 37 is θ 3A, and hereinafter referred to as the angle θ 3A at the time of contact of the more easily deformable media bundle M3.

The angle θ formed between the medium M and the discharge tray at the time when the leading end E2 of the medium M contacts the discharge tray 37 is referred to as the angle θ at the time of contact of the medium M.

The degree of deformation in the-Z direction by gravity increases in the order of the medium M1 that is not easily deformed, the medium M2 that is easily deformed, and the medium stack M3 that is more easily deformed. Therefore, the angle θ at the time of contact of the medium M is increased in the order of the angle θ 1 at the time of contact of the hardly deformable medium M1, the angle θ 2A at the time of contact of the easily deformable medium M2, and the angle θ 3A at the time of contact of the more easily deformable medium stack M3. That is, the inclination of the medium M with respect to the discharge tray 37 is changed to a steep inclination in the order of the medium M1 which is not easily deformed, the medium M2 which is easily deformed, and the medium bundle M3 which is more easily deformed.

In the post-processing apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment, when the medium M1 that is less likely to deform is discharged to the discharge tray 37, the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the position P1 where buckling of the medium M1 that is less likely to deform on the discharge tray 37 does not occur. When the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the position P1, the contact angle of the medium M1 that is less likely to deform becomes θ 1. In other words, the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the position P1 so that the angle at which the non-deformable medium M1 comes into contact becomes θ 1.

The position P1 is an example of the first normal position in the present application, and will be referred to as a first normal position P1 hereinafter.

When another medium M is placed on the discharge tray 37, the first normal position P1 is disposed below the thickness of the other medium M placed on the discharge tray 37.

The buckling is a phenomenon in which, when the leading end E2 of the medium M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, the deformed state of the medium M changes, and the medium M is deformed in an undesired direction.

For example, the medium M1 shown by a solid line in the figure, which is not easily deformed, is discharged from the discharge port 98, and the leading end E2 of the medium M1, which is not easily deformed, is in contact with the discharge tray 37. After the end E2 of the non-deformable medium M1 comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, if the end E2 of the non-deformable medium M1 advances in the direction of the solid arrow, the non-deformable medium M1 is not bent at the discharge tray 37 but is appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37.

In this case, the medium M1, which is not easily deformed, is not buckled. When the non-deformable medium M1 is not buckled, the non-deformable medium M1 is not bent at the discharge tray 37, but is appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37.

For example, when the leading end E2 of the non-deformable medium M1 shown by the solid line in the figure comes into contact with the discharge tray 37 and then the leading end E2 of the non-deformable medium M1 advances in the direction of the broken line arrow, the non-deformable medium M1 deforms in an undesired direction (the direction of the broken line arrow) on the discharge tray 37, bends over the discharge tray 37, and is not properly placed on the discharge tray 37.

In this case, buckling of the medium M1, which is not easily deformed, occurs. In the case where buckling occurs in the non-deformable medium M1, for example, the non-deformable medium M1 is deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray 37, and the non-deformable medium M1 is bent on the discharge tray 37, so that the non-deformable medium M1 is not properly placed on the discharge tray 37.

When the medium M discharged from the discharge port 98 comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, the medium M attempts to advance in the direction of the solid arrow in the figure.

However, when the leading end E2 of the medium M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, a force to advance the medium M in the direction of the solid arrow and a force to advance the medium M in the direction of the broken arrow (a force to hinder the medium M from advancing in the direction of the solid arrow) act on the medium M. Hereinafter, the force to advance the medium M in the direction of the solid arrow is referred to as a forward force, and the force to advance the medium M in the direction of the broken arrow is referred to as a reverse force.

When the angle θ at the time of contact of the medium M becomes small (the medium M is gently inclined with respect to the discharge tray 37), the force in the forward direction becomes strong and the force in the reverse direction becomes weak, so that the medium M easily advances in the direction of the solid arrow, and buckling of the medium M is less likely to occur.

When the angle θ at the time of contact of the medium M becomes large (the medium M becomes steeply inclined with respect to the discharge tray 37), the force in the forward direction becomes weak and the force in the reverse direction becomes relatively strong, so that the medium M easily advances in the direction of the broken-line arrow, and buckling of the medium M is easily generated.

In the post-processing apparatus 4, when the medium M is dried without discharging ink, there is a relationship that the medium M is not buckled when the angle at the time of contact of the medium M is equal to or smaller than θ 1, and the medium M is easily buckled when the angle at the time of contact of the medium M is larger than θ 1. Similarly to the medium M dried without ejecting ink, the medium M1 that is less likely to deform has a relationship in which the medium M1 that is less likely to deform does not buckle when the angle at which the medium M1 that is less likely to deform contacts is equal to or less than θ 1, and the medium M1 that is less likely to deform easily buckles when the angle at which the medium M1 that is less likely to deform contacts is greater than θ 1. This relationship is also the same for the other media M (easily deformable media M2, more easily deformable media stack M3).

The position of the discharge tray 37 at which the angle of the medium M1 that is less likely to deform when in contact therewith becomes θ 1 is the first normal position P1.

The above-described relationship, the angle θ 1 when the medium M1 is in contact with the medium that is not easily deformed and does not buckle, and the first normal position P1 are obtained by both of actual evaluation and simulation-based evaluation. In the following description, the angle θ 1 when the medium M is in contact without buckling may be referred to as a standard angle θ 1.

When the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the first normal position P1, the contact angle of the non-deformable medium M1 becomes the standard angle θ 1, and therefore buckling does not occur in the non-deformable medium M1. However, since the angle θ 2A at the time of contact of the easily deformable medium M2 and the angle θ 3A at the time of contact of the more easily deformable medium stack M3 are larger than the standard angle θ 1, buckling may occur on the easily deformable medium M2 and the more easily deformable medium stack M3.

Therefore, in the post-processing apparatus 4, the position of the discharge tray 37 is changed so that both the angle at the time of contact of the easily deformable medium M2 and the angle at the time of contact of the more easily deformable medium bundle M3 become equal to or smaller than the standard angle θ 1.

In detail, as shown in fig. 4, when the medium M2, which is easily deformed and is shown by a broken line in the figure, is discharged, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction (the direction opposite to the direction of gravity) to move the discharge tray 37 from the first normal position P1 shown by a solid line in the figure to the first standby position P1A shown by a broken line in the figure. That is, when the easily deformable medium M2 is placed on the discharge tray 37, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the position of the discharge tray 37 to the first standby position P1A located in the + Z direction with respect to the first normal position P1 before the easily deformable medium M2 comes into contact with the discharge tray 37 or the medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 first.

By moving the discharge tray 37 to the first standby position P1A, the angle at the time of contact of the easily deformable medium M2 becomes an angle θ 2B smaller than the standard angle θ 1. That is, the discharge tray 37 is moved from the first normal position P1 to the first standby position P1A so that the angle at the time of contact of the easily deformable medium M2 becomes equal to or smaller than the standard angle θ 1.

Since the angle θ 2B of the easily deformable medium M2 at the time of contact, which is shown by the broken line in the figure, is smaller than the normal angle θ 1, buckling does not occur in the easily deformable medium M2, and the easily deformable medium M2 is appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37.

The angle θ 2B and the first standby position P1A at the time of contact of the easily deformable medium M2 in which buckling does not occur are determined by both real-object evaluation and simulation-based evaluation. For example, the angle θ 2B and the first standby position P1A at the time of contact of the easily deformable medium M2 vary depending on the amount of ink ejected from the line head 10 to the easily deformable medium M2.

Since the angle θ 3A (see fig. 3) of the more deformable media bundle M3 at the time of contact is larger than the angle θ 2A (see fig. 3) of the more deformable media M2 at the time of contact, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 further in the + Z direction from the first standby position P1A shown by the broken line in the drawing, and the angle of the more deformable media bundle M3 at the time of contact is made to be an angle θ 3B smaller than the standard angle θ 1. In detail, in order that the angle at the time of contact of the more easily deformable media bundle M3 becomes an angle θ 3B smaller than the standard angle θ 1, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 to the first standby position P1B in the + Z direction with respect to the first standby position P1A.

Since the angle θ 3B at the time of contact of the easier-to-deform media bundle M3 shown by a one-dot chain line in the drawing is smaller than the normal angle θ 1, the easier-to-deform media bundle M3 is not buckled, and the easier-to-deform media bundle M3 is appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37.

The angle θ 3B and the first standby position P1B at the time of contact of the easily deformable media bundle M3, in which buckling does not occur, are determined by both real object evaluation and simulation-based evaluation. For example, the angle θ 3B and the first standby position P1B at the time of contact of the more deformable medium bundle M3 vary according to the amount of ink ejected from the line head 10 to the more deformable medium bundle M3.

Thus, the elevating mechanism 94 can move the discharge tray 37 to the first normal position P1 and the first standby positions P1A, P1B located in the + Z direction (the direction opposite to the direction of gravity) with respect to the first normal position P1. The lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 to the first normal position P1 or the first standby positions P1A and P1B in accordance with the amount of ink before the medium M (the hardly deformable medium M1, the easily deformable medium M2, and the more easily deformable medium stack M3) comes into contact with the discharge tray 37 or the medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 in advance.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing method of the post-processing device 4 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 5 summarizes the steps of performing post-treatment on the medium M whose rigidity varies depending on the amount of ink ejected from the line head 10 onto the medium M.

Next, a processing method of the post-processing device 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5.

As shown in fig. 5, when the medium M on which the desired image is recorded in the printing apparatus 2 is output to the post-processing apparatus 4 via the transport apparatus 3 in step S1, the control unit 96 of the post-processing apparatus 4 obtains print data such as a print job and the size of the medium M (the length of the medium M in the transport direction) from the control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 2. Then, the control unit 96 of the post-processing apparatus 4 acquires the ambient temperature, the ambient humidity, the conveyance speed of the medium M conveyed in the conveyance direction, the stop time of the medium M conveyed in the conveyance direction, and the number of sheets of the medium M post-processed on the intermediate tray 35 from the control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 2.

The conveyance speed of the medium M is an average value of the speeds at which the medium M is conveyed in the conveyance path until the medium M, on which the ink is ejected by the line head 10, is fed into the post-processing device 4. The stop time of the medium M is the sum of the time during which the conveyance of the medium M is stopped in the conveyance path until the medium M from which the ink has been ejected by the line head 10 is fed to the post-processing device 4.

The ambient temperature, the ambient humidity, the transport speed of the medium M, and the stop time of the medium M are examples of parameters affecting the drying of the liquid in the present application, and are hereinafter referred to as parameters affecting the drying of the liquid. The size of the medium M (the length of the medium M in the conveyance direction) and the number of sheets of the medium M post-processed on the intermediate tray 35 are examples of parameters that affect the deformation of the medium M due to gravity in the present application, and are hereinafter referred to as parameters that affect the deformation due to gravity.

In step S1, the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the first normal position P1.

When the rear end E1 of the medium M is positioned outside the discharge port 98 without coming out of the nip between the upper roller 42 and the lower roller 43, the medium M drops in the-Z direction due to its own weight and is placed on the discharge tray 37.

When the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the first normal position P1, a space for the medium M to stably drop toward the discharge tray 37 is secured, so that the medium M is properly placed on the discharge tray 37. However, when the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the first standby positions P1A and P1B, a space for the medium M to stably drop toward the discharge tray 37 may not be secured, and the medium M may not be properly placed on the discharge tray 37.

In step S2, the control unit 96 predicts the change in rigidity of the medium M including print data and parameters that affect the drying of the liquid.

The control unit 96 acquires the amount of ink ejected from the line head 10 onto the medium M from the print data, and predicts that the change in rigidity of the medium M is large when the amount of ink ejected onto the medium M is large, and that the change in rigidity of the medium M is small when the amount of ink ejected onto the medium M is small.

The control unit 96 predicts that the moisture content contained in the medium M is small and the change in the rigidity of the medium M is small when the ink is rapidly dried, and predicts that the moisture content contained in the medium M is large and the change in the rigidity of the medium M is large when the ink is not rapidly dried, based on a parameter affecting the drying of the liquid.

In this way, in step S2, the control unit 96 predicts the change in the rigidity of the medium M including the print data and the parameters affecting the drying of the liquid. In addition, the parameter that affects the drying of the liquid includes at least one of an ambient temperature, an ambient humidity, a conveyance speed of the medium conveyed in the conveyance direction, and a stop time of the medium conveyed in the conveyance direction. With this configuration, the accuracy of prediction can be improved compared to a case where the control unit 96 predicts the change in rigidity of the medium M based only on the print data.

The controller 96 also examines the possibility of buckling of the medium M when the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the first normal position P1, based on a change in the rigidity of the medium M.

For example, when it is predicted that the change in the rigidity of the medium M is large, the control unit 96 determines that buckling of the medium M is likely to occur in the discharge tray 37 disposed at the first normal position P1 (determination of yes). For example, when it is predicted that the change in the rigidity of the medium M is small, the control unit 96 determines that the medium M is not likely to buckle in the discharge tray 37 disposed at the first normal position P1 (determination is no).

When the control section 96 determines in step S2 that buckling of the medium M is not likely to occur in the discharge tray 37 (determination no), step S14 is executed. In step S14, the position of the discharge tray 37 does not move, and the position of the discharge tray 37 is maintained at the first normal position P1.

When the control unit 96 determines in step S2 that buckling of the medium M is likely to occur in the discharge tray 37 (yes determination), in step S3, the control unit 96 examines the timing of moving the discharge tray 37 (the timing of executing step S4).

The timing of moving the discharge tray 37 is determined based on the detection of the medium M in the medium detecting unit 39 provided upstream of the discharge roller pair 33.

When the control unit 96 determines in step S2 that buckling of the medium M is likely to occur in the discharge tray 37 (determination yes), step S4 is executed.

In step S4, before the medium M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37 or the medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 in advance, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction (the direction opposite to the direction of gravity) and places the discharge tray 37 at the first standby positions P1A and P1B.

Then, in step S4, the control unit 96 evaluates the degree of influence of gravity based on the parameter that influences the deformation due to gravity. When the control unit 96 determines that the medium M is largely deformed in the gravity direction based on the parameter affecting the deformation by gravity, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction (the direction opposite to the gravity direction) with respect to the first standby positions P1A and P1B before the medium M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37 or the medium M previously placed on the discharge tray 37, so that buckling does not occur on the medium M even when the influence of gravity is large. That is, the lifting mechanism 94 changes the first standby position of the discharge tray 37 according to a parameter that affects deformation due to gravity.

In addition, the parameter that affects the deformation by gravity includes at least one of the length of the medium M in the conveyance direction and the number of sheets of the medium M post-processed on the intermediate tray 35.

When the A3-sized medium M is conveyed toward the intermediate tray 35, the leading end E2 of the A3-sized medium M is disposed outside the discharge port 98. Then, at a stage before the A3-sized media M are placed on the intermediate tray 35, the leading end E2 of the A3-sized media M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, and the leading end E2 of the A3-sized media M may be deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray 37.

In this case, at the stage before the A3 size medium M is placed on the intermediate tray 35, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction, and the discharge tray 37 is placed at the first standby positions P1A and P1B, so that the leading end E2 of the A3 size medium M is not deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray 37.

In this way, when the leading end E2 of the A3-sized medium M is disposed outside the discharge port 98 in a state where the A3-sized medium M is placed on the intermediate tray 35, the elevating mechanism 94 moves the position of the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction at a stage before the A3-sized medium M is placed on the intermediate tray 35.

When the a 4-sized medium M is placed on the intermediate tray 35, the leading end E2 of the a 4-sized medium M is disposed inside the discharge port 98 (inside the post-processing apparatus 4).

In this case, after the a 4-sized medium M is placed on the intermediate tray 35 and before the medium M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37 or the medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 in advance, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the position of the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction to place the discharge tray 37 at the first standby positions P1A and P1B.

Thus, the timing of moving the position of the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction differs between the A3-size medium M and the a 4-size medium M.

In this way, in steps S2, S4, and S14, the discharge tray 37 is moved in advance to a position where buckling of the medium M does not occur before the medium M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, in consideration of the possibility of buckling of the medium M.

In step S5, the control unit 96 controls the processing unit 36 so that the processing unit 36 performs post-processing such as stapling and punching on the medium M.

In step S6, when the non-deformable medium M1 is discharged to the discharge tray 37, the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the first normal position P1, and therefore, the non-deformable medium M1 is not buckled, and the non-deformable medium M1 is appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37. When the easily deformable medium M2 is discharged to the discharge tray 37, the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the first standby position P1A, and therefore, the easily deformable medium M2 is not buckled and the easily deformable medium M2 is appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37. In the case where the more easily deformed media bundle M3 is discharged to the discharge tray 37, since the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the first standby position P1B, the more easily deformed media bundle M3 is not buckled and the more easily deformed media bundle M3 is appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37.

In step S7, when the discharge tray 37 moves from the first normal position P1 to the first standby positions P1A, P1B in step S4, the controller 96 moves the discharge tray 37 from the first standby positions P1A, P1B to the first normal position P1 by the elevating mechanism 94 before the rear end E1 of the medium M is discharged from the discharge port 98. That is, the lifting mechanism 94 lowers the discharge tray 37 lifted in the + Z direction to the original position (the first normal position P1) before the rear end E1 of the medium is discharged from the discharge port 98.

When the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the original position (the first normal position P1), the medium pressing member 91 becomes rotatable, and the medium pressing member 91 can press the medium M so that the medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 does not float from the discharge tray 37.

When the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the original position (the first normal position P1), a space for the next medium M to stably drop toward the discharge tray 37 is secured, and the next medium M is easily and appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37.

Further, in the case where the discharge tray 37 is maintained at the first normal position P1 in step S14, step S7 is not performed.

In the post-processing apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment, when the leading end E2 of the medium M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, the position of the discharge tray 37 is lowered to the original position (the first normal position P1) in the middle of the discharge of the medium M to the discharge tray 37. Therefore, in the case of discharging the easily deformable medium M2, the discharge tray 37 moves up and down between the first normal position P1 and the first standby position P1A. When the position of the discharge tray 37 is lowered to the original position (the first normal position P1), when the next easily-deformable medium M2 is discharged to the discharge tray 37, a space for receiving the next easily-deformable medium M2 is secured, and the next easily-deformable medium M2 is appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37.

As described above, the lifting mechanism 94 can move the discharge tray 37 to the first normal position P1 and the first standby positions P1A and P1B located in the + Z direction with respect to the first normal position P1. The lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 to the first normal position P1 or the first standby positions P1A and P1B in accordance with the amount of ink before the medium M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37 or the medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 in advance.

According to this configuration, when the medium M comes into contact with the discharge tray 37, buckling of the medium M is less likely to occur, and the medium M is appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37.

Further, the above-described configuration more effectively functions when a printed matter using the aqueous ink is subjected to post-treatment. Further, instead of moving the discharge tray 37 to the first normal position P1 or the first standby positions P1A and P1B in accordance with the amount of ink, the discharge tray 37 may be moved to the first normal position P1 or the first standby positions P1A and P1B in accordance with the ratio of the area where ink is ejected to the area of one sheet of medium M.

2. Embodiment mode 2

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of the medium M discharged from the discharge port 98 in embodiment 2.

In embodiment 2 and embodiment 1, the post-processing apparatus 4 has the same configuration. That is, in the present embodiment and embodiment 1, the post-processing device 4 includes: the sheet conveying apparatus includes an intermediate tray 35 on which a medium M conveyed in a conveying direction is placed, a discharge port 98 through which the medium M post-processed on the intermediate tray 35 is discharged, a discharge tray 37 arranged in the-Z direction with respect to the discharge port 98 and on which the medium M discharged from the discharge port 98 is placed, and a lifting mechanism 94 that lifts and lowers the discharge tray 37.

In the present embodiment, the medium M discharged from the discharge port 98 is placed on the preceding medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 while being in contact with the preceding medium M placed on the discharge tray 37. In embodiment 1, the medium M discharged from the discharge port 98 is placed on the discharge tray 37 while being in contact with the discharge tray 37. This point is different from embodiment 1.

The preceding medium M placed on the discharge tray 37 shown in fig. 6 is an example of the first medium in the present application, and will be referred to as a first medium M4 hereinafter. The medium M discharged from the discharge port 98 shown in fig. 6 is an example of the second medium in the present application, and will be referred to as a second medium M5 hereinafter.

Hereinafter, the outline of embodiment 2 will be described mainly focusing on differences from embodiment 1 with reference to fig. 6. The same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 6, the first medium M4 is placed on the discharge tray 37, and the second medium M5 discharged from the discharge port 98 is placed on the first medium M4 placed on the discharge tray 37 while being in contact with the first medium M4 placed on the discharge tray 37.

When the second medium M5 discharged from the discharge port 98 comes into contact with the first medium M4 placed on the discharge tray 37, friction occurs between the first medium M4 and the second medium M5, and a frictional force F indicated by a thick solid arrow in the drawing acts on the second medium M5.

Specifically, when the second medium M5 discharged from the discharge port 98 comes into contact with the first medium M4 placed on the discharge tray 37, the second medium M5 attempts to advance in the direction of the solid arrow in the figure. Then, due to friction between the first medium M4 and the second medium M5, a frictional force F that hinders the second medium M5 from advancing in the direction of the solid arrow acts on the second medium M5. Therefore, a frictional force F indicated by a thick arrow in the figure acts on the second medium M5 in the direction of a broken-line arrow in the figure (an undesired direction). That is, the frictional force F acts on the second medium M5 in a direction in which buckling is likely to occur.

The frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 varies depending on the moisture amount of the first medium M4.

For example, when the amount of ink ejected onto the first medium M4 is small and the amount of moisture contained in the first medium M4 is large, the second medium M5 easily slides on the first medium M4, and the frictional force F is reduced. For example, when the amount of ink ejected to the first medium M4 is large and the amount of moisture contained in the first medium M4 is large, the second medium M5 does not easily slide on the first medium M4, and the frictional force F increases.

Thus, the frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 varies depending on the amount of ink ejected onto the first medium M4. The frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 can be predicted from the amount of ink (print data) ejected onto the first medium M4.

As shown by the two-dot chain line in fig. 6, in the case where the frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 is weak, that is, in the case where the second medium M5 is easily slid on the first medium M4, the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the position P10. When the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the position P10, the angle at the time of contact of the second medium M5 becomes θ 10. In other words, the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the position P10 so that the angle at the time of contact of the second medium M5 becomes θ 10.

The position P10 is an example of the second normal position in the present application, and will be referred to as a second normal position P10 hereinafter.

In the present embodiment, when the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the second normal position P10, if the frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 from the first medium M4 is weak, buckling of the second medium M5 does not occur. In other words, in the case where the frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 from the first medium M4 is weak, the position of the discharge tray 37 is set to the second normal position P10 to prevent buckling of the second medium M5 discharged from the discharge port 98.

The angle θ 10 and the second normal position P10 at the time of contact of the second medium M5 are determined by both real object-based evaluation and simulation-based evaluation.

However, when the frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 becomes strong, that is, when the second medium M5 is not easily slid on the first medium M4, even if the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the second normal position P10 and the angle at the time of contact of the second medium M5 is θ 10, when the leading end E2 of the second medium M5 comes into contact with the first medium M4, the second medium M5 is easily deformed in the direction of the broken-line arrow by the frictional force F, and buckling of the second medium M5 is easily caused.

That is, even when the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the second normal position P10, and the angle at which the second medium M5 contacts is θ 10, the deformation of the second medium M5 in the direction of the solid arrow is hindered by the frictional force F, and the second medium M5 is easily deformed in the direction of the broken arrow, so that the second medium M5 is easily buckled.

Therefore, in order to prevent buckling of the second medium M5, when the frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 becomes strong, the angle at which the second medium M5 makes contact needs to be smaller than θ 10, so that even if a strong frictional force F acts on the second medium M5, the second medium M5 is easily deformed in the direction of the solid arrow, and buckling of the second medium M5 is not easily generated.

Specifically, as shown by a solid line in fig. 6, the position of the discharge tray 37 is moved to a position P20 located in the + Z direction with respect to the second normal position P10, and the angle at the time of contact of the second medium M5 is made to be θ 20 smaller than θ 10. With this configuration, even if the frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 becomes strong, buckling of the second medium M5 is less likely to occur.

The position P20 of the discharge tray 37 is an example of the second standby position in the present application, and will be referred to as a second standby position P20 hereinafter. The angle θ 20 and the second standby position P20 at the time of contact of the second medium M5 are determined by both real object evaluation and simulation evaluation.

Next, a processing method of the post-processing device 4 according to the present embodiment will be described mainly focusing on differences from embodiment 1 with reference to fig. 5. The description overlapping with embodiment 1 is omitted.

In step S1, when the medium M on which the desired image is recorded in the printing apparatus 2 is output to the post-processing apparatus 4 via the transport apparatus 3, the control unit 96 of the post-processing apparatus 4 acquires the print data from the control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 2 and acquires the amount of ink ejected onto the medium M. That is, the control unit 96 of the post-processing apparatus 4 obtains the amount of ink ejected to the first medium M4 from the print data of the control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 2.

In step S1, the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the second normal position P10.

In step S2, the control unit 96 estimates the intensity of the frictional force F acting on the second medium M5 from the first medium M4 based on the amount of ink ejected onto the first medium M4. Specifically, the controller 96 estimates the intensity of the frictional force F at the contact portion between the first medium M4 and the second medium M5 from the amount of ink ejected to the first medium M4 at the contact portion between the first medium M4 and the second medium M5, and examines the possibility of buckling of the second medium M5 in the discharge tray 37.

When the frictional force F at the contact portion between the first medium M4 and the second medium M5 is weak, the controller 96 determines that buckling of the second medium M5 is not likely to occur in the discharge tray 37 (determination is no). When the frictional force F at the contact portion between the first medium M4 and the second medium M5 is strong, the controller 96 determines that buckling of the second medium M5 is likely to occur in the discharge tray 37 (yes).

When the control unit 96 determines in step S2 that the second medium M5 is not likely to buckle in the discharge tray 37 (determination is no), step S14 is executed, the position of the discharge tray 37 is not moved, and the position of the discharge tray 37 is maintained at the second normal position P10.

When the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the second normal position P10, if the frictional force F at the contact portion between the first medium M4 and the second medium M5 is weak, buckling of the second medium M5 does not occur in the discharge tray 37 at the second normal position P10.

When the control section 96 determines in step S2 that buckling of the second medium M5 is likely to occur in the discharge tray 37 (determination yes), step S4 is executed. In step S4, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 to the second standby position P20 before the second medium M5 comes into contact with the first medium M4.

When the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the second standby position P20, even when the frictional force F at the contact portion of the first medium M4 and the second medium M5 is strong, buckling of the second medium M5 is not easily generated in the discharge tray 37 at the second standby position P20.

Then, in step S4, the control unit 96 evaluates the degree of influence of gravity based on the parameter that influences the deformation due to gravity. When the controller 96 determines that the second medium M5 has been largely deformed in the direction of gravity, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction (the direction opposite to the direction of gravity) with respect to the second standby position P20 before the second medium M5 comes into contact with the discharge tray 37 or the first medium M4 placed on the discharge tray 37 first, so that the second medium M5 does not buckle even when the influence of gravity is large. That is, the lifting mechanism 94 changes the second standby position of the discharge tray 37 in accordance with a parameter that affects deformation due to gravity.

In step S4, when the A3-sized second medium M5 is conveyed toward the intermediate tray 35, the leading end E2 of the A3-sized second medium M5 is disposed outside the discharge port 98. Then, at a stage before the A3-sized second medium M5 is placed on the intermediate tray 35, the leading end E2 of the A3-sized second medium M5 comes into contact with the first medium M4, and the leading end E2 of the A3-sized second medium M5 may be deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray 37.

In this case, at the stage before the A3 size second medium M5 is placed on the intermediate tray 35, the lifting mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction, and the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the second standby position P20, so that the leading end E2 of the A3 size second medium M5 is not deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray 37.

In this way, when the leading end E2 of the A3-size second medium M5 is disposed outside the discharge port 98 in a state where the A3-size second medium M5 is placed on the intermediate tray 35, the elevating mechanism 94 moves the position of the discharge tray 37 in the + Z direction at a stage before the A3-size second medium M5 is placed on the intermediate tray 35.

In step S7, when the discharge tray 37 moves from the second normal position P10 to the second standby position P20 in step S4, the controller 96 moves the discharge tray 37 from the second standby position P20 to the second normal position P10 by the elevating mechanism 94 before the rear end E1 of the second medium M5 is discharged from the discharge port 98. That is, the lifting mechanism 94 lowers the discharge tray 37 lifted in the + Z direction to the original position (the second normal position P10) before the rear end E1 of the second medium M5 is discharged from the discharge port 98.

The timing at which the discharge tray 37 moves from the second standby position P20 to the second normal position P10 is preferably after the leading end E2 of the second medium M5 comes into contact with the first medium M4.

When the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the original position (the second normal position P10), the medium pressing member 91 becomes rotatable, and the medium pressing member 91 can press the second medium M5 so that the second medium M5 placed on the discharge tray 37 does not float from the discharge tray 37.

In this way, in steps S2, S4, and S14, the possibility of buckling of the second medium M5 is examined, and before the second medium M5 comes into contact with the first medium M4, the discharge tray 37 is moved in advance to a position (the second normal position P10 and the second standby position P20) where buckling of the second medium M5 does not occur.

In detail, the elevating mechanism 94 can move the discharge tray 37 to the second normal position P10 and the second standby position P20 in the + Z direction with respect to the second normal position P10. When the frictional force F acting between the first medium M4 and the second medium M5 changes according to the amount of ink ejected onto the first medium M4, the elevating mechanism 94 moves the discharge tray 37 to the second normal position P10 or the second standby position P20 according to the amount of ink ejected onto the first medium M4 at the contact portion between the first medium M4 and the second medium M5 before the second medium M5 contacts the first medium M4.

With this configuration, buckling of the second medium M5 is less likely to occur in the discharge tray 37.

In the configuration of embodiment 1, it is also preferable that, when the frictional force acting between the medium M (first medium) first placed on the discharge tray 37 and the medium M (second medium) next placed on the discharge tray 37 changes according to the amount of ink ejected toward the medium M (first medium) first placed on the discharge tray 37, the elevation mechanism 94 changes the height of the first standby position according to the amount of ink ejected toward the medium M (first medium) first placed on the discharge tray 37 at the contact portion between the medium M (first medium) first placed on the discharge tray 37 and the medium M (second medium) next placed on the discharge tray 37.

In detail, when the frictional force F at the contact portion between the medium M (first medium) first placed on the discharge tray 37 and the medium M (second medium) next placed on the discharge tray 37 is weak, buckling of the medium M (second medium) next placed on the discharge tray 37 does not occur when the discharge tray 37 is disposed at the first standby positions P1A and P1B. On the other hand, when the frictional force F at the contact portion between the medium M (first medium) first placed on the discharge tray 37 and the medium M (second medium) next placed on the discharge tray 37 becomes strong, there is a possibility that the medium M (second medium) next placed on the discharge tray 37 will buckle, and therefore, it is preferable to arrange the discharge tray 37 at a position higher than the first standby positions P1A and P1B (+ Z direction position) and reduce the angle θ at the time of contact of the medium M (second medium) next placed on the discharge tray 37, so that buckling of the medium M (second medium) next placed on the discharge tray 37 will not easily occur.

According to this configuration, when the media M (the less deformable media M1, the more deformable media M2, and the more deformable media bundle M3) placed next on the discharge tray 37 comes into contact with the media M placed first on the discharge tray 37, the media M (the less deformable media M1, the more deformable media M2, and the more deformable media bundle M3) placed next on the discharge tray 37 are less likely to buckle, and the media M (the less deformable media M1, the more deformable media M2, and the more deformable media bundle M3) placed next on the discharge tray 37 are appropriately placed on the discharge tray 37.

3. Modification example 1

The medium M from which ink is ejected has a first region disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction and a second region disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction. Since the first region of the medium M easily affects the deformation of the medium M disposed outside the discharge port 98, the lifting mechanism 94 may move the discharge tray 37 to the first normal position P1 or the first standby positions P1A and P1B in accordance with the amount of ink discharged to the first region in steps S4 and S14.

In this way, in the present modification, the medium M is divided into two regions including the first region and the second region, and the discharge tray 37 is moved to the first normal position P1 or the first standby positions P1A and P1B with attention paid to the region where the medium M is easily deformed. The medium M is not limited to being divided into two regions, and the medium M may be divided into more than two regions. For example, the medium M may be divided into four regions, or the medium M may be divided into six regions.

4. Modification 2

The configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the medium M is discharged from the discharge port 98 to the outside in a state of being nipped by the upper roller 42 and the lower roller 43. For example, the rear end E1 of the medium M may be pushed in the conveyance direction, and the medium M may be discharged outward from the discharge port 98.

5. Modification 3

The control unit 96 of the post-processing apparatus 4 controls the configuration of the post-processing apparatus 4, and is not limited to the control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 2 controlling the printing apparatus 2. For example, the control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 2 may control the post-processing apparatus 4 in addition to the printing apparatus 2. For example, the control unit 96 of the post-processing apparatus 4 may control the configuration of the printing apparatus 2 in addition to the post-processing apparatus 4. That is, the control unit may be provided in either the printing apparatus 2 or the post-processing apparatus 4.

Hereinafter, the contents derived from the embodiments are described.

The post-processing apparatus is characterized in that the post-processing is performed on a medium on which recording is performed by a liquid ejecting section, and the post-processing apparatus includes: an intermediate tray on which the medium transported in the transport direction is placed and integrated; a discharge port that discharges the medium post-processed on the intermediate tray; a discharge tray disposed in a gravity direction with respect to the discharge port and on which the medium discharged from the discharge port is placed; and an elevating mechanism configured to elevate the discharge tray, wherein the elevating mechanism is configured to move the discharge tray to a first normal position and a first standby position located in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity with respect to the first normal position, and the elevating mechanism moves the discharge tray to the first normal position or the first standby position in accordance with an amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge unit to the medium before the medium comes into contact with the discharge tray or the medium placed on the discharge tray.

The rigidity of the medium changes according to the amount of liquid ejected from the liquid ejection portion to the medium. For example, when a large amount of liquid is ejected to the medium and the amount of liquid (moisture) contained in the medium increases, the rigidity of the medium becomes small, and the medium discharged from the discharge port is easily deformed in the direction of gravity. For example, when a small amount of liquid is discharged to the medium and the amount of liquid (moisture) contained in the medium becomes small, the rigidity of the medium becomes large, and the medium discharged from the discharge port is less likely to be deformed in the direction of gravity.

When the medium discharged from the discharge port has a high rigidity and is not easily deformed, the discharge tray is disposed at the first normal position. The medium having high rigidity and being less likely to deform is appropriately placed on the discharge tray at the first normal position.

However, if the rigidity of the medium is reduced and the medium is easily deformed, the easily deformed medium is easily deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray at the first normal position, and may not be appropriately placed on the discharge tray. Therefore, when the medium, which is less rigid and easily deformable, is discharged to the discharge tray, the discharge tray is disposed at the first standby position located in the direction opposite to the gravity direction with respect to the first normal position.

When the discharge tray is disposed at the first standby position, the medium slightly deformed in the direction of gravity is discharged to the discharge tray, as compared with the case where the discharge tray is disposed at the first normal position. Therefore, the medium that is easily deformed is less likely to be deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray than in the case where the medium that is greatly deformed in the gravity direction is discharged to the discharge tray. As a result, the medium that is easily deformed is appropriately placed on the discharge tray at the first standby position.

Thus, when the lifting mechanism moves the position of the discharge tray before the medium comes into contact with the discharge tray or the medium placed on the discharge tray first, and the medium having low rigidity and easy to deform is discharged to the discharge tray in the first standby position, the medium having low rigidity and easy to deform is appropriately placed on the discharge tray.

In this way, in the post-processing apparatus, even if the medium is not rigid and is easily deformed or the medium is rigid and is not easily deformed, the lifting mechanism moves the discharge tray to a position suitable for each medium, and each medium is appropriately placed on the discharge tray.

Preferably, in the post-processing apparatus, the medium has a first region disposed on a downstream side in the transport direction and a second region disposed on an upstream side in the transport direction, and the lift mechanism moves the discharge tray to the first normal position or the first standby position in accordance with an amount of the liquid discharged to the first region.

The deformation of the medium discharged from the discharge port is easily affected by the first region disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction. Therefore, when the ease of deformation of the medium in the first region is evaluated, and the medium that is easily deformed is placed on the discharge tray in the first standby position and the medium that is not easily deformed is placed on the discharge tray in the first normal position, both the medium that is easily deformed and the medium that is not easily deformed are appropriately placed on the discharge tray.

Preferably, in the post-processing apparatus, the elevating mechanism changes the first standby position or the second standby position of the discharge tray using a parameter that affects drying of the liquid, in addition to an amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion to the medium, and the parameter that affects drying of the liquid includes at least one of an ambient temperature, an ambient humidity, a conveyance speed of the medium conveyed in the conveyance direction, and a stop time of the medium conveyed in the conveyance direction.

Since the degree of easiness of deformation of the medium or the change in rigidity of the medium depends on the amount of liquid (moisture) contained in the medium, the degree of easiness of deformation of the medium or the like varies depending on parameters affecting the drying of the liquid in addition to the amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion. Therefore, when the amount of the liquid contained in the medium is predicted including the amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge unit and the parameter affecting the drying of the liquid, and the ease of deformation of the medium is predicted, the change in rigidity of the medium and the ease of deformation of the medium can be more appropriately predicted.

Accordingly, the lifting mechanism easily moves the discharge tray to a more appropriate position in accordance with the change in rigidity of the medium or the prediction of the ease of deformation of the medium.

Preferably, in the post-processing apparatus, the medium includes a first medium that is first placed on the discharge tray and a second medium that is next placed on the discharge tray, and the elevation mechanism changes the height of the first standby position according to an amount of liquid ejected to the first medium at a contact portion between the first medium and the second medium when a frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium changes according to the amount of liquid ejected to the first medium.

In addition to the change in the rigidity of the second medium, the ease of deformation of the second medium in the discharge tray also changes according to the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium.

For example, when the amount of liquid discharged to the first medium is small and the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium is weak, the second medium is less likely to be deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray when the discharge tray is disposed at the first standby position.

However, when the amount of liquid ejected onto the first medium is large and the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium is strong, the second medium is likely to be deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray even when the discharge tray is disposed at the first standby position. In this case, when the height of the first standby position of the discharge tray is changed, the second medium is appropriately placed on the discharge tray.

Therefore, it is preferable that the height of the first standby position is changed according to the amount of liquid discharged to the first medium at the contact portion between the first medium and the second medium.

The post-processing apparatus is characterized in that the post-processing is performed on a medium on which recording is performed by a liquid ejecting section, and the post-processing apparatus includes: an intermediate tray on which a medium to be conveyed in a conveying direction is placed; a discharge port that discharges the medium post-processed on the intermediate tray; a discharge tray disposed in a gravity direction with respect to the discharge port and on which the medium discharged from the discharge port is placed; and an elevating mechanism configured to elevate the discharge tray, the elevating mechanism being capable of moving the discharge tray to a second normal position and a second standby position located opposite to the second normal position in the direction of gravity, the medium including a first medium initially placed on the discharge tray and a second medium subsequently placed on the discharge tray, the elevating mechanism moving the discharge tray to the second normal position or the second standby position in accordance with an amount of liquid ejected to the first medium at a contact portion between the first medium and the second medium before the second medium comes into contact with the first medium, when a frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium changes in accordance with an amount of liquid ejected to the first medium.

When the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium changes according to the amount of the liquid ejected to the first medium, the ease of deformation of the second medium in the discharge tray changes according to the amount of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection portion to the first medium. For example, when a large amount of liquid is ejected onto the first medium and the amount of liquid (moisture) contained in the first medium increases, the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium increases, the second medium does not easily slide on the first medium, and the second medium is easily deformed. For example, when a small amount of liquid is discharged to the first medium and the amount of liquid (moisture) contained in the first medium becomes small, the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium becomes weak, the second medium easily slides on the first medium, and the second medium is hardly deformed.

When the second medium is not easily deformed, the discharge tray is disposed at the second normal position, and the second medium is appropriately placed on the discharge tray at the second normal position.

However, if the second medium is easily deformed, if the discharge tray is disposed at the second normal position, the second medium is likely to be undesirably deformed on the discharge tray, and may not be appropriately placed on the discharge tray at the second normal position.

Therefore, when the second medium is easily deformed by the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium, the discharge tray is disposed at the second standby position located in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity with respect to the second normal position, and the easily deformed second medium is placed on the discharge tray at the second standby position.

When the discharge tray is disposed at the second standby position, the angle formed by the second medium and the discharge tray is smaller than when the discharge tray is disposed at the second normal position, and even if a strong frictional force acts between the first medium and the second medium, the second medium that is easily deformed is less likely to be deformed in an undesired direction on the discharge tray. As a result, the easily deformable second medium is appropriately placed on the discharge tray at the second standby position.

Thus, when the lifting mechanism moves the position of the discharge tray before the second medium comes into contact with the first medium, and the second medium that is easily deformed by the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium is discharged onto the discharge tray at the second standby position, the second medium that is easily deformed is appropriately placed on the discharge tray at the second standby position.

Further, when the lifting mechanism moves the position of the discharge tray before the second medium comes into contact with the first medium, and the second medium that is less likely to be deformed by the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium is discharged onto the discharge tray at the second normal position, the second medium that is less likely to be deformed is appropriately placed on the discharge tray at the second normal position.

Therefore, even when the second medium is easily deformed or the second medium is hardly deformed due to the frictional force acting between the first medium and the second medium, the discharge tray is moved to a position suitable for each second medium by the elevating mechanism, and each second medium is appropriately placed on the discharge tray.

In this way, in the post-processing apparatus, the second medium is appropriately placed on the discharge tray regardless of whether the second medium is easily deformable or not, and therefore, reliability in placing the medium on the discharge tray can be improved.

In the post-processing apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid ejecting section ejects the liquid onto the medium based on print data, and an amount of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting section onto the medium is acquired from the print data.

Since the print data includes the amount of liquid ejected to the print area of the medium, it is preferable to acquire the amount of liquid from the print data.

Preferably, in the post-processing apparatus, the lifting mechanism changes the first standby position or the second standby position of the discharge tray using a parameter affecting deformation of the medium caused by gravity, in addition to the amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion to the medium, the parameter affecting the deformation of the medium caused by gravity including at least one of a length of the medium in the conveyance direction and the number of sheets of the medium on which post-processing is performed on the intermediate tray.

The ease of deformation of the medium discharged from the discharge port varies depending on a parameter affecting deformation of the medium by gravity, in addition to the amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion. When the ease of deformation of the medium discharged from the discharge port is predicted including parameters affecting the deformation of the medium due to gravity in addition to the amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge portion, the ease of deformation of the medium discharged from the discharge port can be more appropriately predicted.

Accordingly, the lifting mechanism can easily move the discharge tray to a more appropriate position according to the ease of deformation of the medium discharged from the discharge port.

In the post-processing apparatus, it is preferable that the elevating mechanism moves the position of the discharge tray in the reverse direction at a stage before the medium is placed on the intermediate tray, in a case where a downstream end of the medium in the conveyance direction is disposed outside the discharge port in a state where the medium is placed on the intermediate tray.

When the downstream end of the medium in the conveyance direction is arranged outside the discharge port in a state where the medium is placed on the intermediate tray, the downstream end of the medium in the conveyance direction may come into contact with the discharge tray at a stage before the medium is placed on the intermediate tray, and the medium may be deformed in an undesired direction.

When the downstream end of the medium in the transport direction contacts the discharge tray at a stage before the medium is placed on the intermediate tray, if the lifting mechanism moves the position of the discharge tray in the reverse direction at a stage before the medium is placed on the intermediate tray, the medium is less likely to deform in an undesired direction when the downstream end of the medium in the transport direction contacts the discharge tray.

In the post-processing apparatus, it is preferable that the elevating mechanism lowers the discharge tray, which has been raised in the reverse direction, to an original position before the upstream end of the medium in the transport direction is discharged from the discharge port.

The original position is a first normal position or a second normal position, and is disposed in the gravity direction with respect to the first standby position or the second standby position and is disposed away from the discharge port. Therefore, when the discharge tray is disposed at the original position (the first normal position, the second normal position), the discharge tray is disposed away from the discharge port as compared with when the discharge tray is disposed at the first standby position or the second standby position. Accordingly, in the case where the next easily deformable medium is discharged from the discharge port, a space for receiving the next easily deformable medium is secured, so that the next easily deformable medium is easily appropriately discharged to the discharge tray.

The printing system is characterized by comprising a printing device and the post-processing device, wherein the printing device is provided with a liquid ejecting part for ejecting liquid to a medium.

The post-processing device improves the reliability when the medium is placed on the discharge tray, and therefore, the printing system having the post-processing device can also improve the reliability.