JPH01152004A - Sheet binder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Application The present invention relates to a sheet binding device for binding sheets with a stapler, and more specifically, a cartridge in which a large number of staples are connected in a band-like manner. Sheet binding device! (
(hereinafter referred to as an electric stabilizer).

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, an electric stapler equipped with a staple cartridge storing stapler staples staples the sheets inserted into the binding position using the stapler staples, and after the binding operation is completed, a large number of stapler staples connected in a band are conveyed. Then, the first stapler is conveyed to the binding position in preparation for the next binding operation. Then, each time the binding operation is completed, the first stapler staple is conveyed to the binding position, and when the trailing end of the band-shaped stapler needle is detected by the staple detection means, the staple cartridge is replaced after a predetermined number of binding operations have been performed. The stapling operation is prohibited until the stapler detecting means detects the stapler staples.

Gl→ Problems to be solved by the invention By the way, when replacing the staple cartridge in the above-mentioned electric stapler,
The leading edge of the small amount of band-shaped stapler staples remaining in the staple cartridge is located at the binding position, so even if the staple cartridge is removed from the machine, the small amount of band-shaped stapler staples remain at the binding position on the machine side. If a new staple cartridge is installed without noticing the stapler staples remaining, the small number of band-shaped stapler staples may be disarranged, resulting in binding defects or jams.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric stapler in which the staples remaining in the staple cartridge remain for a long time, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems.

(F) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances. For example, as shown with reference to FIGS. A large number of stapler staples (22) are stored in a strip-like manner in a stapler cartridge (23), and a needle detection means (32) detects the presence or absence of the stapler staples (22).
In the sheet binding device (1), a stapleless detection means (22m) is disposed at the rear end portion of the plurality of staples (22), and the stapleless detection means (22a)
) is configured to be detected by the needle detection means (32).

(e) Operation Based on the above-described configuration, the sheets located at the stapling position are stapled by the sheet binding device (1), and after the binding operation is completed, the staples (
22) is conveyed to the binding position on the machine body (6) side. At this time, the stable needle (22) is detected by the needle detection means (3).
2), and when the binding operation is performed sequentially and the detection means (32) detects the stapleless detection means (22a), the sheet binding device (1) performs the binding operation after allowing a predetermined number of binding operations. Stop.

Note that the above-mentioned symbols are shown for reference and do not limit the configuration in any way.

(F) Examples Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The electric stapler 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
The stapler apparatus 1 includes a base 2 that supports the entire stapler apparatus 1, and an upper unit 5 and a body 6 that are swingably supported on the base 2 via a hinge shaft 3. The base 2 has a lower jaw 7 having an anvil 4 at the - end.
is rotatably supported via a fulcrum pin 7a, and the supranuclear jaw 7 has a cam-shaped groove 7b formed at its other end.
The caulking shaft 5a of the upper unit 5 engages with the groove 7b,
The upper unit 5 is configured to rotate around the fulcrum pin 7a as the upper unit 5 swings. Further, a crank arm 9 is arranged from the base 2 to the upper unit 5, and one end of the crank arm 9 is rotatably supported by the base 2 via an arm shaft 11, and its circular shape The other end 9a is rotatably fitted to a support shaft 10 supported by the upper unit 5 via an eccentric ring 8. A sensor cam 27 having one protrusion 27a on the outer periphery is fixed to the other end of the support shaft 10, and a microswitch 29 is disposed on the upper unit 5 at a position facing the sensor cam 27. ing. Further, a motor 12 that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions of the drive source of the device Jl is disposed on the upper part of the upper unit 5, and a motor gear 13 is fixed to the output shaft 12a of the motor 12. A stapler gear 15 that meshes with the motor gear 13 is fixed to one end of the support shaft 10, and the support shaft 19 is connected to the motor 12 via the motor gear 13 and the stapler gear 15. Furthermore, above the body 6, a driver 16 is arranged, which has a head portion 16a at the top and a plate-shaped plunger 16b at the bottom. They are mated. Further, the upper part of the driver 16 is fitted into the upper frame 5b of the upper unit 5, and the head portion 16a is in contact with the upper frame of the upper frame 5b. Further, the driver 16 is supported by a driver pin 16c that passes through the upper part of the driver 16 and is locked to the lower frame of the upper frame 5b, and is fitted into the body 6 by the swinging of the upper unit 5. The plunger 16b is configured to move up and down so as to push in or pull up the plunger 16b.

Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 4, the body 6 is provided with a needle cutting member 17 having an opening 17a at the plunger insertion position of the driver 16, and adjacent to the needle cutting member 17. A needle feeding member 19 is arranged, which has an elastic portion 19a and a needle feeding claw 19b at the lower part.
The needle feeding member 19 is movable around a fulcrum 19c. At a position facing the opening 17a of the needle cutting member 17, a needle bending block 20 having a holding groove 20a for holding the stapler needle 22 is fixed at both ends to the body 6 (see FIG. 3). The block 20 is fixed to the central bend of a shaped spring 21, and the block 20 is biased against the needle cutting member 17 by the spring 21. Furthermore, a staple cartridge 23 that stores a large number of stapler needles 22 connected in a band shape is removably arranged adjacent to the needle feeding member 19. A needle holder 25 in the form of a leaf spring is fixedly provided, and the staple holder 25 is adapted to hold the stapler needles 22 connected in a band shape with an appropriate pressing force. Further, a U-shaped bending block 26 is arranged adjacent to the plunger 16b, and the block 2
6 is in contact with a pushing pawl 16d of the plunger 16b, and when the pushing pawl 16d pushes the U-shaped bending block 26 by a predetermined amount, it comes off from the block 26. The U-shaped bending block 26 is provided with a protrusion 26a, and when the block 26 is pushed down, the protrusion 26a comes into contact with the needle feeding member 19 and urges it to rotate. ing.

Further, the cartridge 23 is shown in FIG. 5(a).

(As shown in bl, a large number of staple needles 22... which are connected in a band shape with their central portions bonded with an adhesive are wound and loaded, and the area I bonded with the adhesive is Due to the influence of the agent, the background color of the stapler needle 22 changes from silver to a yellowish color.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the stapler needles 22... have a terminal end portion 22a, which serves as a means to be detected without a staple, which is colored matte black. It is now considered that there is no needle.

The needle detection sensor 32 is operated as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b).
As shown in detail in FIGS. 7(al) and (b), the stapler cartridge 23 is located at the bottom 6b of the body 6 and at a position opposite to the ends t of the stapler needles 22. , the sensor 32 is constituted by a reflective sensor.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

When the operator inserts the sheet bundle S between the anvil 4 and the body 6, the sheet bundle S is detected by a sheet sensor (not shown), and the motor 12 starts rotating in response to a detection signal from the sheet sensor.

The rotation of the motor 12 is transmitted to the spindle lO via the motor gear 13 and the stapler gear 15.
0 rotation is transmitted to the eccentric wheel 8.

Then, due to the rotation of the return wheel 8, the upper unit 5 is pulled by the crank arm 9 and moves downward using the hinge shaft 3 as a fulcrum to press the head portion 16m of the driver 16, and the driver 16 is pushed. The body 6 is further pushed by the driver 16 and moves in the X direction using the hinge shaft 3 as a fulcrum, and at the same time as the driver 16 moves downward, the lower jaw 7 moves in the Y direction using the fulcrum pin 7a as a fulcrum. Move the body 6 and lower jaw 7 to the binding position for binding the sheets S)
Hold S in between and face him. On the other hand, the stapler needles 22 housed in the staple cartridge 23 are moved to the needle feeding claw 1 of the needle feeding member 19.
9b, the needle 22a is sent to the needle bending block 20 through the opening 17m of the needle cutting member 17, and the driver 16 When the plunger 16b is pressed down, the U-shaped bending block 26 pushed by the pushing claw 16d presses and bends both ends of the stapler needle 22 held by the needle bending block 2o into a U-shape (see FIG. 5). Further, the plunger 16b is pushed down, the pushing pawl 16d is removed from the U-shaped bending block 26, and only the plunger 16b is pushed down, so that the needle bending block 2
0, and while pushing away the needle bending block 20, only the tip 22a bent into a U-shape is sheared between the needle cutting member 17 and the needle 22a is moved to sea 1-
S, press it against the anvil 4, and press the needle 22.
Both ends of 8 are crushed into a flat plate shape and the sheet S is stapled.

Then, the upper unit 5 starts moving upward, and the driver 1
6 is pulled up, the plunger 16b moves upward and returns to the standby position, and the body 6 and the lower jaw 7 each move to the standby position. Then, due to the rotation of the support shaft 10, the protrusion 27m of the sensor cam 27 moves to the microswitch 2.
9 and the microswitch 29 is turned on, the binding operation is completed.

On the other hand, the force required to rotate the stapler gear 15 during the binding operation varies as shown in FIG. The value is variable depending on the quality, thickness, number of sheets, etc., and the maximum force W1 when the stapler needle 22 penetrates the sheet S naturally also changes. For example, the sea 1.3
The maximum force W1 when penetrating the needle 22 is the maximum force W generated when the anvil 4 crushes the needle 22 from a U-shape to a flat plate shape at both ends.
If it exceeds ym a Therefore, before the rotation of the motor 12 stops, the motor 12 is reversely rotated so as to pull back the plunger 16b to avoid the rotation of the motor 12 from stopping. Note that al is the time from when the plunger 16b starts rotating until the stapler needle 22 reaches the surface of the sheet S, a2 is the time during which the stapler needle 22 penetrates the sheet S, a3° a4 . as is the time from when the tip of the stapler needle 22 passes through the sheet S until it begins to be bent by the anvil 4, and a6 is the time from when the stapler needle 22 is crushed from a U-shape to a flat plate shape.

Furthermore, when the binding operation is completed, the protrusion 26m of the U-shaped bending block 26 presses it to the dot-dashed line! The needle feeding member 19, which has rotated at a time t (see FIG. 4), returns to the solid line position due to the elastic force of the elastic portion 19a.

Then, by the rotation of the needle feeding member 19, the needle feeding claw 19b
is conveyed in contact with the stapler needle 22, and the tip of the stapler 22 is inserted into the holding groove 20a of the needle bending block 20 in preparation for the next binding operation. At this time, the staple detection sensor 32 detects the presence or absence of the stapler needles 22..., and the output voltage of the sensor 32 is applied to the recess 35 between the adjacent staples 22, as shown in FIG. ... causes the reflected light to vary, resulting in a waveform, but it does not exceed the needleless reference voltage v1.

Then, the binding operation is performed in sequence by the same operation as described above, and when the staple detection sensor 32 detects the terminal end portion 22m as the stapleless detection means, the output voltage of the sensor 32 exceeds the stapleless reference voltage vI, The sensor 32 detects the absence of a needle. Further, after the sensor 32 detects the absence of staples and allows a predetermined number of stapling operations, the electric stapler 1 is electrically stopped with a predetermined amount of staples 22 remaining in the staple cartridge 23. Then, the operator who recognizes that the stapler 1 has stopped replaces the staple cartridge 23 with a new staple cartridge 23. At this time, a predetermined amount of the stapler needles 22 remaining in the cartridge 23 are removed together with the cartridge 23 while being held in the staple cartridge 23 by the staple presser 25. In addition, if the stapler needles 22... remain on the main body side due to friction with the holding groove 20a of the needle bending block 20 and the needle cutting member 17, the stapler needles 22... The operator can easily recognize the stapler needles 22, remove the stapler needles 22, and then install a new staple cartridge 23. Then, the staple detection sensor 32 detects the stapler staples 22 . . . , and the detection signal from the sensor 32 causes the electric stapler 1 to become ready for stapling work.

The inventor has also experimented with the detection position of the needle detection sensor 32, and has also found that the output when receiving reflected light from the silver colored end t of the stapler needle 22... The voltage is lower than the output voltage when the reflected light from the area I bonded with adhesive is received, and there is a large difference from the voltage when there is no needle.

Therefore, the silver part with high reflectance has a higher S-N ratio (signal-to-noise ratio) than the yellow part, and is suitable for detecting the presence or absence of a needle. The probability of detection is kept small. In particular, the staple cartridge 23 is often covered with plastic, and considering the diffused reflection from the plastic part, it is best to detect the stapler staple 22 using the silver colored part, which is the background color of the staple 22. has been confirmed.

Although the present embodiment has been explained using a general electric stapler 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a device that is attached to a finisher or sorter connected to a copying machine or the like to automatically perform stapling work. be able to.

In addition, when a retaining member 40 that engages with the guide portion 23m of the needle cartridge 23 is provided at the end of the stapler needle 22..., as shown in FIGS. It is possible to prevent the stapler needles 22 remaining in the staple cartridge 23 from coming out of the cartridge 23, thereby eliminating the stapler needles 22 remaining on the machine body side.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the stapler needle 22 that has changed color to matte black is used as the stapleless detection means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. A substantially black member 41 serving as a needleless detection means may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the terminal end of the sheet material S. In this way, the stapler needles 22 remaining in the staple cartridge 23 can be effectively utilized.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the stapler needle 22 which has changed to a matte black color is used as the stapleless detection means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a sheet-like member may be attached to the stapler needle 22.

(G) As described in detail, according to the present invention, the staple detection means is configured to detect the stapleless detection means, so that the stapler remains long in the staple cartridge and the stapler is This prevents the staples from remaining on the machine side, thereby preventing binding defects and jamming of the stapler staples.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a needle-less detection means according to the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the sheet binding device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof. Furthermore,
FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of the fuselage. And, Figure 5 (5
1), (bl is a diagram showing the connected state of the stapler needles. Also, FIGS. 6(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the arrangement position of the staple detection means according to the present invention, (a) is a side view, (
b) is a plan view, and FIG. 7(a). (b) is a diagram showing the stapler detection state of the stapler detection means. Furthermore, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the output level of the needle detection means. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing fluctuations in the driving force of the motor. Moreover, FIG. 10 (al#(b)) and FIG. 11 are side sectional views showing other embodiments of the present invention. 1... sheet binding device, 6... body, 22
... Stapler needle, 22m, 41... Needleless detection means, 23... Staple cartridge, 32.
...Needle detection means.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A sheet binding device comprising a large number of stapler staples connected and housed in a belt shape in a staple cartridge that is detachable from the machine body, and a staple detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the stapler staples, A sheet binding device characterized in that a staple-free detection means is disposed at a rear end portion of the plurality of staples, and the staple-free detection means is configured to detect the staple-free detection means. (2) The sheet binding device according to claim 1, wherein the staple-free detection means is a colored portion on the stapler staples. (3) The sheet binding device according to claim 1, wherein the staple-free detection means is a sheet-like member stuck to the stapler. (4) The sheet binding device according to claim 1, wherein the staple-free detection means is disposed on a sheet-like member separately provided at the terminal end of the stapler.