Post-processing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A post-processing device includes: a first path along which a recording medium on which an image is formed is received and guided to a discharge unit; a second path that branches from the first path and receives the recording medium of the first path to make the first path empty and along which the recording medium is guided to a retention part temporarily retaining a recording medium to be subjected to post-processing; and a third path that branches from the second path and is usable in a case where an overlapping operation for causing the recording medium of the first path and the recording medium of the second path to overlap with each other is performed using the first path and the second path, and a leading end portion of the recording medium advancing from the first path along the second path enters the third path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A post-processing device comprising:
 a first path along which a recording medium on which an image is formed is received and guided to a discharge unit;   a second path that branches from the first path and receives the recording medium of the first path to make the first path empty and along which the recording medium is guided to a retention part temporarily retaining a recording medium to be subjected to post-processing; and   a third path that branches from the second path and is usable in a case where an overlapping operation for causing the recording medium of the first path and the recording medium of the second path to overlap with each other is performed using the first path and the second path, a leading end portion of the recording medium advancing from the first path along the second path entering the third path.   
     
     
         2 . The post-processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the third path includes a portion of which a position in a height direction overlaps with the second path.   
     
     
         3 . The post-processing device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the portion of the third path is positioned in a region divided by a portion of the first path on a receiving side of the recording medium and the second path.   
     
     
         4 . The post-processing device according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the third path is provided on a side on which the retention part is positioned in a case where an inside of the device is divided by the second path and a virtual extension line of the second path.   
     
     
         5 . The post-processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein in a case where the second path is divided into a first portion, which is a portion on a side corresponding to the retention part, and a second portion, which is a portion on a side opposite to the retention part, at a position of a branch of the third path, an angle between the third path and the first portion is smaller than an angle between the third path and the second portion.   
     
     
         6 . The post-processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the leading end portion enters the third path in a case where the recording medium satisfies a predetermined condition indicating an outer shape.   
     
     
         7 . A post-processing device comprising:
 a first path along which a recording medium on which an image is formed is received and guided to a discharge unit;   a second path that branches from the first path and receives the recording medium of the first path to make the first path empty and along which the recording medium is guided to a retention part temporarily retaining a recording medium to be subjected to post-processing; and   a third path that is usable in a case where an overlapping operation for causing the recording medium of the first path and the recording medium of the second path to overlap with each other is performed using the first path and the second path in a case where the recording medium is retained in the retention part, and branches from the second path at a position where the third path does not interfere with the recording medium of the retention part, a leading end portion of the recording medium advancing from the first path along the second path entering the third path.   
     
     
         8 . The post-processing device according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a switching member that is provided at the position where the third path branches from the second path and switches a direction in which the recording medium advances.   
     
     
         9 . The post-processing device according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the switching member guides the recording medium to the third path in a case where the overlapping operation is performed, and switches the direction in which the recording medium advances from the third path to the retention part in a case where the overlapping operation ends.   
     
     
         10 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 the post-processing device according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         11 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 the post-processing device according to  claim 7 .