BINDING MACHINE

Abstract

A binding machine is configured to wind and bind an object to be bound with a binding material. The binding machine includes: a binding material feeder configured to move a first end that is one end of a first part which is a part of the binding material to a position overlapping a second end that is another end of the first part, and configured to surround the object to be bound with the binding material; and a binding portion configured to bind an overlapped part where the first end and the second end are overlapped.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC § 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-075116 filed on Apr. 28, 2023 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-042359 filed on Mar. 18, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiment relates to a binding machine.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, a binding machine for an induced binding operation is used in a binding operation of agricultural products, electric wires, and the like. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a tape attaching mechanism used as a binding machine in which, when a body to be bound such as an electric wire is inserted into a notch of a rotary drum together with an adhesive tape, a top end side of the adhesive tape is attached to itself.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP2008-168927A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 can accommodate from a small-diameter body to be bound to a large-diameter body to be bound. However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, after the adhesive tape is wound around an object to be bound, the adhesive tape adheres to itself to bind the object to be bound. Accordingly, it is conceivable that an adhesive part of the tape may adhere to the object to be bound when the tape is wound around the object to be bound, and that workability may deteriorate due to debris adhering to the adhesive part.

The present disclosure is made in view of the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide a binding machine that can improve workability of a binding operation.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a binding machine configured to wind and bind an object to be bound with a binding material. The binding machine includes: a binding material feeder configured to move a first end that is one end of a first part which is a part of the binding material to a position overlapping a second end that is another end of the first part, and configured to surround the object to be bound with the binding material; and a binding portion configured to bind an overlapped part where the first end and the second end are overlapped.

The present disclosure provides a binding machine that can improve workability of a binding operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a binding machine 100 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an inside of a binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating an inside of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from a front side in a Y direction,

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a staple 50 before binding according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a clincher unit drive cam 230a, a magazine unit drive cam 240a, and a drive camshaft 230b1 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clincher unit drive cam 230a according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the magazine unit drive cam 240a according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rotator 210 and a tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment viewed from a −X direction.

FIG. 11 illustrates the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the rotator 210, the tape holder 220, and a wall 282 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a clincher unit 230 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the clincher unit 230 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a magazine unit 240 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the magazine unit 240 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment viewed from a −Y direction.

FIG. 19 illustrates the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −Y direction.

FIG. 20A is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 20B is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 20C is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 20D is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 20E is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 20F is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 20G is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 20H is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 20I is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 20J is a sectional view of the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 21A illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from a +X direction.

FIG. 21B illustrates a gear train 292 provided in the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed obliquely from a front side in a +Y direction.

FIG. 21C illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from the +X direction.

FIG. 21D illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from the +X direction.

FIG. 21E illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from the +X direction.

FIG. 21F illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from the +X direction.

FIG. 21G illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from the +X direction

FIG. 21H illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from the +X direction.

FIG. 21I illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from the +X direction.

FIG. 21J illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from the +X direction.

FIG. 22A is a perspective view of the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22B is a perspective view of the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22C is a perspective view of the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 23A illustrates a tape remover 320 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 23B illustrates the tape remover 320 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 23C illustrates the tape remover 320 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 24A is a perspective view illustrating the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 24B is a perspective view illustrating the binding machine body 200 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an overall perspective view of a binding machine 100A according to another embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a binding machine body 200A according to the other embodiment.

FIG. 27A illustrates the binding machine body 200A according to the other embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 27B illustrates the binding machine body 200A according to the other embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 27C illustrates the binding machine body 200A according to the other embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 27D illustrates the binding machine body 200A according to the other embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 27E illustrates the binding machine body 200A according to the other embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

FIG. 27F illustrates the binding machine body 200A according to the other embodiment viewed from the −X direction.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a configuration of a binding machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the drawings, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis may be illustrated. The X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis constitute a right-handed three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. Hereinafter, an arrow direction of the X axis is referred to as a +X direction, and a direction opposite to the arrow is referred to as a −X direction. The same applies to the other axes. A +Z direction and a −Z direction may be referred to as an “upper side” and an “upward direction” and a “lower side” and a “downward direction”, respectively. A plane orthogonal to each of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis may be referred to as a YZ plane, a ZX plane, and an XY plane. These directions and the like are used for convenience in describing relative positional relationships. Accordingly, these directions and the like do not define absolute positional relationships.

Hereinafter, in the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment, a band-shaped tape 70 is described as an example of a binding article (which may be referred to as a “binding material”) used for binding an object to be bound. The binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment is applicable to binding with the stretchable tape 70. The binding machine 100 is further applicable to a case in which a string, a wire, a tube, or the like other than the tape 70 is used as a binding article. A case in which the object to be bound is fixed by a staple 50 will be described below as an example, and the object to be bound may be fixed by a method other than the method using the staple 50. For example, when the tape 70 is used as a binding article, ends of the tape 70 may be fixed by a method such as pressure bonding, thermal welding, or ultrasonic welding. Further, when a binding article having a substantially circular shape in a sectional view perpendicular to a longitudinal direction, such as a wire or a tube, is used, objects to be bound arranged side by side in a Z direction or an X direction may be fixed to each other by the staple 50 or the like. The present embodiment is further applicable to a binding machine that uses these binding articles and binding methods.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the binding machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the binding machine 100 includes a binding machine body 200 and a tape reel 800. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the binding machine 100 further includes a battery 900, and the binding machine body 200 and the battery 900 are connected via a power cord 910. The binding machine body 200 includes the tape reel 800, a to-be-bound object insertion opening 210a, and a handle 820. The binding machine 100 supplies electric power from the battery 900 to the binding machine body 200 via the power cord 910, and surrounds and binds an object to be bound (not illustrated) inserted into the to-be-bound object insertion opening 210a with the tape 70 drawn out from the tape reel 800.

Hereinafter, the binding machine body 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 3. FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an inside of the binding machine body 200 from which a first case of a case thereof on a −X side (left side in the X direction in FIG. 1) is removed. FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating an inside of the binding machine body 200 from which a second case of the case thereof on a +X side (right side in the X direction in FIG. 1) is removed. FIG. 3 is a front view (viewed from a front side in a Y direction in FIG. 1) of the binding machine body 200 in a state in which the first case and the second case are removed.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the binding machine body 200 includes a binding material feeder 202 (also referred to as the tape feeder 202 in the present embodiment) including a rotator 210 and a tape holder 220 (in the present embodiment, the binding material holder 220), a clincher unit 230, a magazine unit 240, a motor 250, a magazine unit drive cam 240a, a magazine unit drive camshaft 240b, and an arm shaft 280b. FIG. 2A also illustrates the tape 70. As will be described in detail later, in the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment, an object to be bound that is inserted into the opening 210a of the U-shaped rotator 210 of the binding machine body 200 is bound, in a state in which the tape 70 surrounding the object to be bound by the tape holder 220 is located between a crown (crown 52 to be described later) and a leg (at least one of a leg 54a and a leg 54b to be described later) of a staple (staple 50 to be described later) supplied from the magazine unit 240, by bending the staple 50 with a driver 242 of the magazine unit 240 and a clincher 232 of the clincher unit 230. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 constitute a binding portion. As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 constitute the binding material feeder 202.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, on a side (+X direction in FIG. 2B) of the binding machine body 200 opposite to the side illustrated in FIG. 2A, a clincher unit drive cam 230a, a clincher unit drive camshaft 230b, a motor gear 250c, and a gear train 290 including a plurality of gears are provided. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2B, the gear train 290 includes a first gear 290-1, a second gear 290-2 to a seventh gear 290-7. When driving of the motor 250 is transmitted to a freely selected number of the gears 290-1 to 290-n (n is a natural number) constituting the gear train 290 via the motor gear 250c, configurations of the binding machine body 200 are driven. In the present embodiment, a driving force of one drive motor is transmitted by the gear train 290 to drive the rotator 210, the clincher unit 230, the magazine unit 240, and the like. The tape holder 220 also moves following the rotator 210. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the binding material feeder 202 including the tape holder 220 and the rotator 210 and the binding portion including the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are coordinated by being driven by a driving force of the motor 250, which is a freely selected drive motor.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the binding machine body 200, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are arranged side by side in this order in the Z direction, and the clincher unit 230 is arranged in the +Z direction of the magazine unit 240. The clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a are arranged in opposite directions in the X direction relative to the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240. The magazine unit drive cam 240a is arranged in the −X direction of the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240, and the clincher unit drive cam 230a is arranged in the +X direction of the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240. In the present embodiment, the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a rotate about the same rotation shaft. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the clincher unit drive camshaft 230b and the magazine unit drive camshaft 240b are integrally formed, and hereinafter, the clincher unit drive camshaft 230b and the magazine unit drive camshaft 240b are collectively referred to as a drive camshaft 230b1.

A configuration of the staple 50 used in the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the staple 50 before binding according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the staple 50 includes the crown 52 and a pair of legs (first leg 54a, second leg 54b). In the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment, binding of a binding material using the staple 50, which is supplied from the magazine unit 240, is performed by clamping the staple 50 by the driver 242 of the magazine unit 240 and the clincher 232 of the clincher unit 230 from the +Z direction and the −Z direction and bending the first leg 54a and the second leg 54b toward the crown 52.

A relationship between the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the clincher unit drive cam 230a, the magazine unit drive cam 240a, and the drive camshaft 230b1. FIG. 5 also illustrates the fifth gear 290-5 that is a gear that transmits a driving force to the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the drive camshaft 230b1 is rotated by the driving force transmitted via the fifth gear 290-5, the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a are rotated.

The clincher unit drive cam 230a will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clincher unit drive cam 230a. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the clincher unit drive cam 230a has an opening 230aa and a clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag. The drive camshaft 230b1 is inserted into the opening 230aa. The clincher unit 230 engages with the clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag, and the clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag is not concentric with the opening 230aa. Accordingly, a distance of the clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag from a rotation center shaft corresponding to a shaft in a vicinity of a center of the opening 230aa is different depending on a rotation angle. For this reason, a relative distance between the clincher unit 230 and other configurations such as the magazine unit 240 in the binding machine body 200 changes with rotation of the clincher unit drive cam 230a. Accordingly, an operation such as fixing the tape 70 is performed and the object to be bound is bound when the clincher unit 230 relatively approaches the magazine unit 240. As will be described later, an outer periphery 230ac of the clincher unit drive cam 230a can restrict an operation of a tape holding releaser 310 so that the tape 70 can be held by the tape holder 220 and the tape 70 can be released.

The magazine unit drive cam 240a will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the magazine unit drive cam 240a. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the magazine unit drive cam 240a has an opening 240aa and a magazine unit drive cam groove 240ag. Similar to the clincher unit drive cam 230a, the drive camshaft 230b 1 is inserted into the opening 240aa. The magazine unit 240 is engaged with the magazine unit drive cam groove 240ag, a relative distance between the magazine unit 240 and the clincher unit 230 is changed with rotation of the magazine unit drive cam 240a, and binding of the object to be bound is performed.

The binding material feeder 202 including the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 viewed from the front side in the Y direction. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 viewed from a rear side in the Y direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the tape holder 220 is disposed at a part of the rotator 210, and is rotatable with rotation of the rotator 210.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rotator 210 has the opening 210a that opens in the Y direction. Accordingly, the rotator 210 has a U-shaped section, and the tape holder 220 is disposed in a vicinity of a part of the rotator 210 that corresponds to a bottom side of a U shape. As will be described later, an object to be bound 60 is inserted into the opening 210a of the rotator 210. That is, in the present embodiment, the rotator 210 is rotatable and has the opening 210a (first opening 210a). The opening 210a opens in a part of an outer periphery viewed from a direction parallel to a rotation center axis, and can receive the object to be bound 60 to be described later. The rotator 210 is provided with teeth 210t on the outer periphery. The teeth 210t are engageable with the sixth gear 290-6 and the seventh gear 290-7. Accordingly, the rotator 210 rotates about the rotation center axis with rotation of the sixth gear 290-6 and the seventh gear 290-7. The rotator 210 includes an abutment 215 that can abut against the tape holder 220.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the tape holder 220 includes a tape presser 222 including a pair of claws 222a and 222b, a tape support 223, a tape holder rotation center 224, a pair of torsion coil springs 226a and 226b respectively corresponding to the pair of claws 222a and 222b, and a tension spring 228. The tape support 223 has an opening 223c (not illustrated in FIG. 8, see FIG. 9). The torsion coil springs 226a and 226b urge the claws 222a and 222b, respectively. The claw 222a has a top end 222a1, and the claw 222b has a top end 222b1. The claw 222a is urged by the coil spring 226a in a direction in which the top end 222a1 is directed toward the tape support 223. The claw 222b is urged by the coil spring 226b in a direction in which the top end 222b 1 is directed toward the tape support 223. The tape holder 220 holds the tape 70 by urging the claws 222a and 222b against the tape supporter 223 in this manner.

The tape holder 220 is pivotable about the tape holder rotation center 224 relative to the rotator 210. The tension spring 228 restricts movement of the tape holder 220 when the tape holder 220 pivots. According to a rotation angle of the rotator 210, the tape holder 220 abuts against the abutment 215, and a radial position of the tape holder 220 relative to the rotator 210 and a rotation angle of the tape holder 220 are defined by the tension spring 228. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the tape holder 220 includes an engager 225. As will be described later, the engager 225 has one end 225e1 engaged with a groove 282g of a wall 282 provided on the binding machine body 200. Accordingly, the tape holder 220 moves following a shape of the groove 282g via the engager 225. Accordingly, an operation of the tape holder 220 such as movement away from the object to be bound 60 is implemented. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the binding material holder 220 (tape holder 220) takes a first movement state of following the rotator 210 and moving along a circumference of a first circle having a first radius about the rotation center axis of the rotator 210 and a second movement state of moving radially outward from the first circle. The tape holder 220 further has a cutting blade passage slit 229. A cutting blade 238 (tape cutter in the present embodiment) passes through the cutting blade passage slit 229 when cutting the tape 70 described later.

The operation of the tape holder 220 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 viewed from the −X direction. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a case in which the tape holder 220 is located in a position relatively close to the rotator 210 and a case in which the tape holder 220 is located in a position relatively distant from the rotator 210 when the rotator 210 stops rotation at a certain time point during binding of an object to be bound. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the rotator 210, the tape holder 220, and the wall 282 on which the rotator 210 is provided in the binding machine body 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the wall 282 has an opening 282a (in the present embodiment, the second opening 282a) that opens in the +Y direction. Accordingly, the wall 282 has a U shape. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the wall 282 is located on the outer periphery of the rotator 210. In the present embodiment, the wall 282 is fixed to the binding machine body 200, whereas the rotator 210 is rotatable relative to the wall 282. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the opening 282a of the wall 282 communicates with the opening 210a of the rotator 210. FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the opening 282a communicates with the opening 210a, and in FIG. 12, the opening 282a and the opening 210a are illustrated in the same position. When the rotator 210 rotates along the wall 282, the rotator 210 can take a plurality of states including a state in which the opening 210a communicates with the opening 282a and a state in which the opening 210a is located on a side opposite to the opening 282a of the wall 282 and a part of the rotator 210 other than the opening 210a is located on an opening 282a side. That is, the rotator 210 may take a state in which the opening 210a overlaps, for example, one of a pair of legs of the U shape of the wall 282 other than the side opposite to the opening 282a of the wall 282.

In the present embodiment, in the state in which the opening 210a communicates with the opening 282a, an overlapped part of a pair of ends (first end 72, second end 74) of the tape 70 is fixed by the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 using the staple 50. When fixing the tape 70, for example, the staple 50 may be damaged or jammed, and an operation of the binding portion (clincher unit 230, magazine unit 240) may be stopped. When the operation of the binding portion is stopped, the operation of the rotator 210 coordinating with the binding portion is also stopped. Accordingly, in a case in which the opening 210a of the rotator 210 does not communicate with the opening 282a of the wall 282 and, for example, the opening 210a overlaps a bottom side of the U shape of the wall 282 or one of the pair of legs, the rotator 210 stops when the binding portion stops. Accordingly, the rotator 210 cannot shift to the state in which the opening 210a communicates with the opening 282a, and the object to be bound 60 cannot be removed. In the present embodiment, the overlapped part of the pair of ends of the tape 70 is fixed in the state in which the opening 210a communicates with the opening 282a. Accordingly, defects can be handled even when the staple 50 is damaged or the like, and for example, the object to be bound 60 can be easily removed from the opening 210a.

FIGS. 10 and 11 also illustrate an end 225e2 of the engager 225 that is opposite to the end (end 225e1) engaged with the wall 282. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the tape holder 220 is engaged with the groove 282g of the wall 282 via the engager 225, and can take states illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 as the engager 225 follows the groove 282g. At this time, as the tape holder 220 shifts from the state illustrated in FIG. 10 to the state illustrated in FIG. 11 along the shape of the groove 282g provided in the wall 282, the engager 225 moves radially outward viewed from the rotation center axis of the rotator 210. At this time, since the tape holder 220 rotates about the tape holder rotation center 224 as a fulcrum, an end of the tape holder 220 on a side on which the claws 222a and 222b are formed moves toward a radially inner side of the rotator 210. The groove 282g is provided in a part of the wall 282 in a circumferential direction when viewed from a direction of the rotation center axis of the rotator 210. Accordingly, when the tape holder 220 moves about the rotation center axis and the engager 225 does not engage with the groove 282g instead of engaging therewith due to the rotation angle of the tape holder 220, the engager 225 follows an outer peripheral surface 282ac of the wall 282 and restricts the rotation of the tape holder 220. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a part of the tape holder 220 abuts against the abutment 215 of the rotator 210.

When moving as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the tape holder 220 is urged by the tension spring 228, and can maintain a state in which tension is applied to the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220. Accordingly, the tape holder 220 maintains a state of abutting against the abutment 215 while the engager 225 follows the outer peripheral surface 282ac of the wall 282 as illustrated in FIG. 11. At this time, the tape holder 220 maintains the rotation angle relative to the rotator 210 illustrated in FIG. 11 by abutting against the abutment 215 while rotating counterclockwise relative to the rotator 210 about the tape holder rotation center 224 with the engager 225 following the outer peripheral surface 282ac. FIG. 8 corresponds to a perspective view of the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 in the state illustrated in FIG. 11. When the tape holder 220 further rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 11 and moves in a vicinity of the opening 282a of the wall 282, abutment of the engager 225 against the outer peripheral surface 282ac is released. At this time, the position and the rotation angle of the tape holder 220 relative to the rotator 210 are restricted by the tension spring 228.

The clincher unit 230 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the clincher unit 230 when viewed obliquely from the +Y direction (obliquely front side in the Y direction). FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the clincher unit 230 when viewed obliquely from the −Y direction (obliquely rear side in the Y direction).

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the clincher unit 230 includes the clincher 232, a clincher unit drive cam roller 236, the cutting blade 238, legs 239a and 239b, a trunk 239c, and a tape passage 239d. The clincher unit drive cam roller 236 engages with the clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag of the clincher unit drive cam 230a. Accordingly, the clincher unit 230 is configured such that the clincher unit drive cam roller 236 follows a shape of the clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag with the rotation of the clincher unit drive cam 230a and moves upward and downward in the Z direction in the binding machine body 200. The clincher unit 230 further includes, in the −Z direction of the clincher 232, a tape folder 400 that includes a first folder 412 and a second folder 414 and folds the tape before clinching. The tape holding releaser 310 is provided in the +Y direction of the trunk 239c.

The tape holding releaser 310 includes a tape remover 320, a first releaser 330a, and a second releaser 330b. The tape holding releaser 310 is urged against the trunk 239c via a tension spring 318. The tape holding releaser 310 is rotatable about a swing fulcrum 390. The tape holding releaser 310 includes a swing control pin 360. The legs 239a and 239b engage with the arm shaft 280b, and the clincher unit 230 operates with the arm shaft 280b as a fulcrum. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the clincher unit 230 includes a first clincher leg 239f1 and a second clincher leg 239f2 provided respectively in the −X direction and the +X direction of the clincher 232. The first clincher leg 239f1 and the second clincher leg 239f2 correspond to parts extending from the trunk 239c in the +Y direction and the −Z direction.

The clincher 232 bends, from the +Z direction, the staple 50 (needle 50) supplied from the magazine unit 240 (not illustrated) from the −Z direction in a state in which one end and the other end (first end 72, second end 74) of the tape 70, which is a binding article surrounding the object to be bound 60, are overlapped. That is, the first end 72 and the second end 74 of the tape 70 to be described later with reference to the drawings are physically fixed by the staple 50 so as not to be separated. In the present embodiment, the state in which the tape 70 is physically fixed may also be a state in which the pair of ends of the tape 70 are clamped between the crown 52 and the legs (for example, the first leg 54a and the second leg 54b (see FIG. 4)) of the staple 50 and movement of the tape 70 is restricted. The pair of ends of the tape 70 may also be fixed by other methods such as thermal welding and pressure bonding.

In the tape holding releaser 310, the swing control pin 360 abuts against the outer peripheral surface 230ac of the clincher unit drive cam 230a (not illustrated). Accordingly, with the rotation of the clincher unit drive cam 230a, the swing control pin 360 follows the shape of the outer peripheral surface 230ac of the clincher unit drive cam 230a, and the tape holding releaser 310 rotates about the swing fulcrum 390 while being urged by the tension spring 318. As will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, the state in which the tape 70 is held by the tape holder 220 can be released by the claws 222a and 222b of the tape holder 220 coming into contact with the tape holding releaser 310. When the tape holder 220 moves in the +Z direction relative to the tape holding releaser 310, the tape remover 320 removes the ends of the tape 70 that are released from a held state.

The tape holding releaser 310 has a tape passage opening 350. The tape passage 239d is provided up to a vicinity of the tape holding releaser 310, and the tape 70 supplied from the tape reel 800 provided outside the binding machine body 200 through the tape passage 239d reaches the tape passage opening 350. As will be described later, one binding of the object to be bound 60 is completed, and the ends of the tape used for binding are released from the tape holder 220 by the tape holding releaser 310. Thereafter, since the swing control pin 360 of the tape holding releaser 310 rotates following the outer peripheral surface 230ac of the clincher unit drive cam 230a, the tape holding releaser 310 is released from abutting against the claws 222a and 222b of the tape holder 220. Accordingly, the claws 222a and 222b are respectively urged by the torsion coil springs 226a and 226b toward the tape support 223, and the tape holder 220 holds an end of the tape 70 supplied from the tape passage opening 350 through the tape passage 239d for a next binding. The ends of the tape used for binding are cut by the cutting blade 238. Thereafter, when the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220 starts to move around a binding position of the next object to be bound 60, a binding process for the next binding position is started.

The magazine unit 240 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the magazine unit 240 waits without performing a clinching operation. FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a clinching state of the magazine unit 240.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the magazine unit 240 includes the driver 242, a magazine 244, a magazine unit drive cam roller 246, and a pusher 248. In the magazine unit 240, the staple 50 loaded in the magazine 244 is urged in the +Y direction by the pusher 248. When fixing the tape 70 with the staple 50, the magazine unit 240 is relatively moved in the +Z direction (that is, a direction of the clincher unit 230). As illustrated in FIG. 15, the magazine unit 240 includes a first abutment member 247a and a second abutment member 247b at parts thereof that abut against the clincher 232 in the Z direction when clinching is performed. The magazine unit 240 further includes, in the +Y direction of the driver 242, a first driver restricting member 245a and a second driver restricting member 245b that restrict movement of the driver 242 in the Y direction. At this time, the driver 242 relatively moves in the +Z direction as illustrated in FIG. 16. Further, the staple 50 located farthest in the +Y direction in the magazine 244 is projected in the +Z direction by the driver 242, and the pair of legs (first leg 54a, second leg 54b) of the staple 50 are relatively pressed from the +Z direction by the clincher 232, so that the staple 50 is deformed and clinching is performed.

The magazine unit drive cam roller 246 engages with the magazine unit drive cam groove 240ag of the magazine unit drive cam 240a. Accordingly, the magazine unit 240 follows the shape of the magazine unit drive cam groove 240ag with the rotation of the magazine unit drive cam 240a via the magazine unit drive cam roller 246 and moves in the +Z direction and the −Z direction in the binding machine body 200. At this time, the magazine unit 240 moves relative to the binding machine body 200 with a magazine unit swing fulcrum 249 as a fulcrum.

The tape holder 220 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19. FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the tape holder 220 viewed from the −Y direction. FIG. 18 illustrates a state in which the tape holder 220 holds the tape 70 viewed from the −Y direction. FIG. 19 illustrates a state in which the tape 70 is released from the tape holder 220 viewed from the −Y direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the tape holder 220 includes the pair of claws 222a and 222b (tape presser 222 in the present embodiment) and the tape support 223. The first claw 222a, which is one of the pair of claws, includes the top end 222a1, a base end 222a2, and a fulcrum 222a3. The top end 222a1 and the base end 222a2 are rotatable about the fulcrum 222a3. The first claw 222a includes a contact 222a1c at the top end 222a1. The second claw 222b, which is the other one of the pair of claws, includes the top end 222b1, a base end 222b2, and a fulcrum 222b3, and the top end 222b1 and the base end 222b2 are rotatable about the fulcrum 222b3. The second claw 222b includes a contact 222b1c at the top end 222b1. The tape support 223 includes a first tape support 223a and a second tape support 223b. The tape support 223 has the opening 223c between the first tape support 223a and the second tape support 223b.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, in the state in which the tape holder 220 holds the tape 70, the tape 70 is supported by the first tape support 223a and the second tape support 223b of the tape support 223 from below in the −Z direction, and is held by being pressed by the first claw 222a and the second claw 222b from the +Z direction. More specifically, the contact 222a1c of the top end 222a1 of the first claw 222a and the contact 222b1c of the top end 222b1 of the second claw 222b are pressed respectively toward the first tape support 223a and the second tape support 223b by coming into contact with a vicinity of side edges of the tape 70 in the X direction (vicinity of a first side edge which is one side edge of a pair of side edges (two side edges) of the tape 70 and a second side edge which is the other side edge of the pair of side edges in the X direction). That is, the contact 222a1c of the top end 222a1 comes into contact with the tape 70, which is supported by the tape support 223, from a first side edge side on which the first side edge which is one of the pair of side edges of the tape 70 is provided, and the contact 222b1c of the top end 222b1 comes into contact with the tape 70 from a second side edge side on which the second side edge which is the other one of the pair of side edges of the tape 70 is provided, so that the tape holder 220 holds the tape 70 with the first side edge side and the second side edge side of the tape 70 clamped in between. At this time, the base end 222a2 of the first claw 222a and the base end 222b2 of the second claw 222b are moved to positions in the +Z direction with rotation of the top end 222a1 and the top end 222b1 in the −Z direction as compared with the state illustrated in FIG. 17. In FIG. 18, the X direction corresponds to a lateral direction of the tape 70.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, in the state in which the tape 70 is released from the tape holder 220, the first claw 222a and the second claw 222b are located respectively in positions separated from the first tape support 223a and the second tape support 223b in the +Z direction. The tape holder 220 can hold and release the tape 70 by taking the state illustrated in FIG. 18 and the state illustrated in FIG. 19.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, in the present embodiment, the tape holder 220 shifts from the state of holding the tape 70 (FIG. 18) to the state in which the tape 70 is released from being held by the tape holder 220 (FIG. 19) by abutting against the tape holding releaser 310. When not abutting against the tape holding releaser 310, the tape holder 220 holds the tape 70. The tape holder 220 moves, and the base end 222a2 of the claw 222a abuts against the first releaser 330a of the tape holding releaser 310. The base end 222a2 rotates in the −Z direction about the fulcrum 222a3, and the top end 222a1 rotates in the +Z direction accordingly. Accordingly, the top end 222a1 is separated from the tape support 223. Similarly, the base end 222b2 of the claw 222b abuts against the second releaser 330b of the tape holding releaser 310, and the base end 222b2 rotates in the −Z direction about the fulcrum 222b3, so that the top end 222b1 rotates in the +Z direction and the top end 222b1 separates from the tape support 223. In this way, the tape 70 is released from the state of being held by the tape holder 220.

In this way, in the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment, the claws 222a and 222b move in the lateral direction (the +X direction and the −X direction in FIGS. 17 to 19) of the tape 70 to clamp the ends of the tape 70 and hold the tape 70. That is, in the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment, the top end 222a1 of the claw 222a moves in the +X direction viewed in the X direction when rotating in the −Z direction about the fulcrum 222a3. The top end 222b1 of the claw 222b moves in the −X direction viewed in the X direction when rotating in the −Z direction about the fulcrum 222b3. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the tape holder 220 holds the tape 70 from two side edges in the lateral direction.

With this configuration, the tape 70 can be held by movement of the claws 222a and 222b in the X direction (+X direction and −X direction, respectively). When two side edges of the tape 70 in the lateral direction are held, movement amounts of the claws 222a and 222b can be reduced compared to when a position away from the side edges such as a vicinity of a center of the tape 70 is held. Further, the tape 70 can be stably held by two side edges of the tape 70 in the lateral direction being held.

In the above described example, the tape holder 220 holds both of the pair of side edges of the tape 70. Alternatively, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the tape holder 220 may hold, for example, only one side edge of the pair of side edges.

Hereinafter, the clinching operation of the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 20A to 20J. FIGS. 20A to 20J are sectional views of the binding machine body 200 viewed in the −X direction. One object to be bound 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 20A to 20J for easy understanding of the description, and the present embodiment is also applicable to a case in which a plurality of objects to be bound 60 are bound together.

FIG. 20A illustrates a state immediately after the binding process according to the present embodiment is started. As illustrated in FIG. 20A, the object to be bound 60 is inserted from the opening of the rotator 210. At this time, the tape holder 220 holds the end 72 (first end 72) of the tape 70 supplied from the tape reel 800 through the tape passage 239d by the tape support 223, the first claw 222a, and the second claw 222b. Thereafter, the rotator 210 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 20A. The tape holder 220 also rotates counterclockwise with rotation of the rotator 210. As will be described later, when clinching the staple 50, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 relatively approach each other in the Z direction, and at this time, the tape holder 220 is located on a −Y direction side in FIG. 20A (right side in FIG. 20A).

When a next binding process is started after the clinching of the staple 50 ends, the clincher unit 230 is retracted in the +Z direction, and the tape holder 220 passes between the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240. That is, in the present embodiment, when the tape holder 220 corresponding to a part of the binding material feeder 202 moves, the clincher unit 230 corresponding to a part of the binding portion temporarily retracts to a position in which the clincher unit 230 does not interfere with the tape holder 220. As will be described later, the magazine unit 240 also temporarily retracts to a position in which the magazine unit 240 does not interfere with the movement of the tape holder 220. In the example illustrated in FIG. 20A, the clincher unit 230 is retracted upward. The clincher unit 230 can move clinching and retracted positions as the clincher unit drive cam roller 236 engaged with the clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag of the clincher unit drive cam 230a, which rotates about the drive camshaft 230b1, follows the clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag along the shape of the clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag.

FIG. 20B illustrates a state in which the rotator 210 rotates counterclockwise from the state illustrated in FIG. 20A. As illustrated in FIG. 20B, the tape holder 220 also moves counterclockwise with rotation of the rotator 210. Between the state illustrated in FIG. 20A and the state illustrated in FIG. 20B, the clincher unit drive cam 230a also rotates, but the clincher unit drive cam groove 230ag of the clincher unit drive cam 230a is formed such that the clincher unit 230 does not move. Accordingly, the tape holder 220 passes below the clincher unit 230 in the Z direction without interfering with the clincher unit 230.

FIG. 20C illustrates a state in which the rotator 210 further rotates counterclockwise from the state illustrated in FIG. 20B. The tape holder 220 further moves in the +Y direction while holding the first end 72 of the tape 70. The clincher unit 230 moves in the −Z direction from the retracted position as compared with the state illustrated in FIG. 20B. The magazine unit 240 is retracted in the −Z direction. In the magazine unit 240, the magazine unit drive cam roller 246 is engaged with the magazine unit drive cam groove 240ag of the magazine unit drive cam 240a (not illustrated) that rotates about the drive camshaft 230b1, and when the magazine unit drive cam roller 246 moves following the magazine unit drive cam groove 240ag with the rotation of the magazine unit drive cam 240a, the magazine unit 240 moves to the retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 20C. The magazine unit 240 moves in a manner of rotating about the magazine unit swing fulcrum 249. The clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are retracted by the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a. In the state illustrated in FIG. 20C, the opening 210a of the rotator 210 is closed relative to the wall 282 viewed from the X direction. Accordingly, the object to be bound 60 is present in a space closed by the opening 210a of the rotator 210 and the wall 282.

FIG. 20D illustrates a state in which the rotator 210 further rotates counterclockwise from the state illustrated in FIG. 20C. As illustrated in FIG. 20D, the tape holder 220 moves in a circumferential direction around the object to be bound 60 by 180 degrees or more from the state illustrated in FIG. 20A. As illustrated in FIG. 20D, the object to be bound 60 is surrounded by the tape 70 by about a semicircle viewed in a Y −Z section. The engager 225 of the tape holder 220 engages with one end of the groove 282g of the wall 282. The clincher unit 230 further moves in the −Z direction from the state illustrated in FIG. 20C and approaches the clinching position in which clinching is performed. In addition, the magazine unit 240 further relatively moves in the −Z direction to approach the retracted position from the state illustrated in FIG. 20C.

FIG. 20E illustrates a state in which the rotator 210 further rotates counterclockwise from the state illustrated in FIG. 20D. As illustrated in FIG. 20E, the object to be bound 60 is surrounded by the tape 70 by a part corresponding to ¾ of a circle in the Y −Z section. Since the engager 225 of the tape holder 220 engages with one end of the groove 282g of the wall 282, the tape holder 220 moves while rotating about the tape holder rotation center 224. The clincher unit 230 further moves relatively in the −Z direction from the state illustrated in FIG. 20D, while the magazine unit 240 hardly moves.

As illustrated in FIG. 20F, as the rotator 210 further rotates and the engager 225 of the tape holder 220 moves along the groove 282g, a part (part at which the claws 222a and 222b and the like are provided) of the tape holder 220 that holds the end of the tape 70 moves radially outward relative to the rotator 210 (corresponding to the second movement state in the present embodiment). Further, a part of the tape holder 220 at which the engager 225 for the tape 70 is provided moves radially inward relative to the rotator 210. As illustrated in FIG. 20F, a part corresponding to ¾ of a circle or more of an outer periphery of the object to be bound 60 is surrounded by the tape 70 viewed from the X direction. The clincher unit 230 further moves relatively in the −Z direction from the state illustrated in FIG. 20E. The magazine unit 240 relatively moves in the +Z direction toward the clinching position.

As illustrated in FIG. 20G, the tape holder 220 further moves counterclockwise, and the object to be bound 60 is surrounded by the tape 70. The clincher unit 230 moves relatively in the −Z direction, the magazine unit 240 moves relatively in the +Z direction, and both approach each other via the tape 70. At this time, the tape holder 220 is located on a −Y direction side relative to the clincher 232 of the clincher unit 230. In this way, in the present embodiment, the tape holder 220 moves to the −Y direction side relative to the clincher 232 when the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 retract in the +Z direction and the −Z direction, respectively (that is, when clinching is not performed). When the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 move toward the clinching position and clinching is performed, the tape holder 220 is located on the −Y direction side relative to the clincher 232. In this way, it is possible to clincher a vicinity of an end of the tape 70 drawn out to a vicinity of the clinching position and the end of the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220.

At this time, the rotator 210 is located such that the opening 210a is on the +Y direction side. The opening 282a of the wall 282 is also opened on the +Y direction side, and thus the opening 210a of the rotator 210 is not closed. Thereafter, the rotator 210 stops until the clinching is completed. The rotator 210 stops using an intermittent gear to be described later. By stopping the rotator 210, movement of the tape 70 can be prevented, and the clinching can be stably performed. Even after the clinching is performed, the tape holder 220 does not move until the rotator 210 restarts rotation. Accordingly, the clincher unit 230 can start retraction during that time. Accordingly, a movement path of the tape holder 220, which starts movement thereafter, can be prevented from being interfered by the clincher unit 230.

As illustrated in FIG. 20H, subsequently, the rotator 210 slightly moves counterclockwise, and the tape holder 220 further moves in the +Z direction and then stops. Thereafter, clinching is performed in a state in which the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 are stopped. As illustrated in FIG. 20H, the driver 242 relatively ascends in the +Z direction and approaches the clincher 232 via a part where the tape 70 is overlapped. Here, a position in which the clincher 232 and the driver 242 are close to each other is the clinching position. During the transition from the state illustrated in FIG. 20G to the state illustrated in FIG. 20H, the clincher unit 230 moves in the −Z direction away from the clinching position.

As described above with reference to FIG. 20G and the like, when the clinching is performed, the tape holder 220 is located in the −Y direction relative to the clincher 232 since the ends of the tape 70 are clamped by the clincher 232 and the driver 242. At this time, the object to be bound 60 may also be surrounded by the tape holder 220 circulating with a distance from the rotation center axis of the rotator 210 as a rotation radius of the tape holder 220. However, the rotation radius is relatively large in such a configuration, and thus the entire binding machine 100 is large. As in the present embodiment, a diameter of the movement path of the tape holder 220 can be reduced by making the tape holder 220 that holds the end of the tape 70 to be radially movable in the rotation of the rotator 210. Accordingly, for example, the binding machine 100 can be downsized. In the present embodiment, in this way, the tape holder 220 swings after surrounding the object to be bound 60. Further, with this configuration, the tape 70 that is wound around the object to be bound 60 can be pulled in the −Y direction with the object to be bound 60 as a fulcrum, and thus slack that may occur in the tape 70 can be prevented.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 20I, the clincher 232 descends and the part where the tape 70 is overlapped is pressed via the staple 50 from above and below in the Z direction in the state in which the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220 are stopped, so that the pair of legs of the staple 50 are bent and the part where the tape 70 is overlapped is fixed.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 20J, when the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are relatively lowered in the −Z direction, the cutting blade 238 of the clincher unit 230 descends and cuts the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220. The cutting blade 238 cuts the tape 70 by passing through the cutting blade passage slit 229 provided in the tape holder 220.

By the method described above, the clinching process is performed by the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the tape holder 220 may start holding the tape to be used for the next binding after the held tape 70 is released by the tape holding releaser 310 and before the tape 70 is cut by the cutting blade 238. That is, after a first end holding state, in which the first end that is an end of the tape 70 is held, is released by the tape holding releaser 310, the tape holder 220 may hold an end (third end) that is one end of a second part (that is, a part of the tape 70 used for the next binding) of the tape 70 that is a part adjacent to a first part of the tape 70 where binding is completed along a feeding direction of the tape. In addition, the cutting blade 238 may cut the tape 70 such that the first part (part used for a previous binding) of the tape 70 where the binding is completed is separated from the second part used for the next binding after the tape holder 220 holds the end (third end) of the tape 70 used for the next binding.

For example, when the tape 70 is cut before the third end of the tape 70 is held, a position of the third end may not be determined, or the third end may return toward the tape reel 800. Accordingly, the tape holder 220 may fail to hold the third end. In the present embodiment, the tape 70 is cut after the third end is held, and thus the third end can be reliably held and shift to a binding operation in a next binding position. In the present embodiment, the tape holder 220 holds the tape 70 from the lateral direction of the tape 70 using the claws 222a and 222b. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the tape holder 220 can also grasp the tape 70 before cutting.

Next, a configuration that restricts rotation and stop of rotation of the rotator 210 by an intermittent gear according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21A to 21J. First, the configuration of the intermittent gear according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B. FIG. 21A illustrates the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed from the +X direction. FIG. 21 A illustrates the gears 292-1, 292-2, 292-3, 292-4 (corresponding to a first gear in the present embodiment), and 292-5 of the gear train 292 provided in the binding machine 100. FIG. 21B illustrates the gears 292-2, 292-3, and 292-4 of the gear train 292 provided in the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment viewed obliquely from the front side in the +Y direction. Although not illustrated in FIGS. 21A and 21B, in the present embodiment, the gear 292-1 or another gear upstream of the gear 292-1 is connected to the drive motor 250.

In the present embodiment, the gear 292-5 illustrated in FIG. 21A meshes with the teeth 210t of the rotator 210. As illustrated in FIG. 21B, the gears 292-2 and 292-3 are fixed to each other by fixing members 295a1, 295a2, and 295a3. Accordingly, the gears 292-2 and 292-3 rotate integrally about the same rotation center shaft. First, a driving force is transmitted from the gear 292-1 to the gear 292-2. Further, the driving force is transmitted from the gear 292-3 rotating integrally with the gear 292-2 to the gear 292-4, and from the gear 292-4 to the gear 292-5.

As illustrated in FIG. 21B, the gear 292-3 (corresponding to a second gear in the present embodiment) is provided with a tooth part 293a provided with teeth and a tooth missing part 293b not provided with teeth on an outer peripheral surface thereof. That is, the gear 292-3 is an intermittent gear. A pair of assist plates 294a and 294b are provided between the gears 292-2 and 292-3. The assist plates 294a and 294b are provided respectively in a vicinity of one end and the other end of the tooth missing part 293b. An arc-shaped restricting member 294c is provided between the assist plates 294a and 294b along a circumferential direction. As illustrated in FIG. 21B, the restricting member 294c corresponds to a part of the gear 292-3 where the tooth missing part 293b is provided.

In FIG. 21A, the gear 292-3 rotates counterclockwise viewed from the −X direction (that is, viewed in a direction perpendicular to a paper surface from a front side of the paper surface in FIG. 21A). Accordingly, in the gear 292-3, a counterclockwise downstream side is a downstream side in a rotation direction, and a counterclockwise upstream side is an upstream side in the rotation direction. The assist plate 294a is located in a vicinity of as well as downstream of the one end of the tooth missing part 293b in the rotation direction. That is, in the rotation direction of the gear 292-3, the assist plate 294a is provided, in a vicinity of a boundary between the tooth part 293a and the tooth missing part 293b in which the tooth part 293a is on the downstream side in the rotation direction and the tooth missing part 293b is on the upstream side in the rotation direction, on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the boundary. In the rotation direction of the gear 292-3, the assist plate 294b is provided, in a vicinity of a boundary between the tooth part 293a and the tooth missing part 293b in which the tooth part 293a is on the upstream side in the rotation direction and the tooth missing part 293b is on the downstream side in the rotation direction, on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the boundary. The gear 292-4 is provided with a restricting member 296. The restricting member 296 has a restricting peripheral surface 296s having an arc-shaped section (section perpendicular to the X direction). The restricting member 296 includes an abutment pin 298 on a +X direction side.

The restricting peripheral surface 296s of the restricting member 296 has an arc shape having the same radius as an outer peripheral surface 294cs of the restricting member 294c provided between the gears 292-2 and 292-3. The restricting member 294c rotates integrally with the gears 292-2 and 292-3. Accordingly, when the gears 292-2 and 292-3 rotate, the outer peripheral surface 294cs of the restricting member 294c abuts against the restricting peripheral surface 296s in a part of one rotation. Further, since the restricting member 294c is provided at a part of the gear 292-3 at which the tooth missing part 293b is provided, when the outer peripheral surface 294cs of the restricting member 294c abuts against the restricting peripheral surface 296s, the part of the gear 292-3 at which the tooth missing part 293b is provided approaches the gear 292-4. For this reason, the gear 292-4, which is driven and rotated until the outer peripheral surface 294cs abuts against the restricting peripheral surface 296s, stops rotation when the outer peripheral surface 294cs abuts against the restricting peripheral surface 296s. This is because, when the outer peripheral surface 294cs does not abut against the restricting peripheral surface 296s of the restricting member 296, the restricting member 296 does not abut against other components and the gear 292-4 can rotate without being restricted from moving by the restricting member 296; when the outer peripheral surface 294cs abuts against the restricting peripheral surface 296s of the restricting member 296, the restricting member 296 is caught by the outer peripheral surface 294cs and is stopped from moving since the restricting peripheral surface 296s of the restricting member 296 has the same radius as the outer peripheral surface 294cs, and accordingly the gear 292-4 stops moving.

When the gear 292-3 continues to rotate and the abutment between the outer peripheral surface 294cs and the restricting peripheral surface 296s is released, the gear 292-4 restarts rotation. In the present embodiment, the assist plates 294a and 294b rotate integrally with the gears 292-2 and 292-3 that are driving side gears and the abutment pin 298 is provided on the restricting member 296, so that it is possible to prevent an impact when teeth at one end of the tooth part 293a of the gear 292-3 (teeth provided at the one end of the pair of ends of the tooth part 293a that is adjacent to the tooth missing part 293b on the downstream side in the rotation direction) mesh with teeth of the gear 292-4, which may occur when the gear 292-4 restarts rotation. It is also possible to prevent an impact when teeth of the other end of the tooth part 293a of the gear 292-3 (teeth provided at the end of the pair of ends of the tooth part 293a that is adjacent to the tooth missing part 293b on the upstream side in the rotation direction) is released from meshing with the teeth of the gear 292-4, which may occur when the gear 292-4 stops rotation. It is further possible to prevent an impact when the outer peripheral surface 294cs abuts against and is released from abutting against the restricting member 296. Restriction of rotation using the intermittent gear according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 21C to 21J.

Referring to FIG. 21C, the gears 292-2 and 292-3 rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 21C, and the gear 292-4 rotates clockwise. As illustrated in FIG. 21C, the gear 292-3 rotates from the state illustrated in FIG. 21A, and the assist plate 294a moves in the +Z direction. Accordingly, thereafter, the outer peripheral surface 294cs of the restricting member 294c provided between the gears 292-2 and 292-3 engages with the restricting peripheral surface 296s immediately. As illustrated in FIG. 21C, the assist plate 294a abuts against the abutment pin 298 when the assist plate 294a continues to rotate.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 21D, the gear 292-3 rotates, and the assist plate 294a abuts against the abutment pin 298. As illustrated in FIG. 21D, the restricting peripheral surface 296s is not abutting against the outer peripheral surface 294cs. Accordingly, the assist plate 294a abuts against the abutment pin 298 before the restricting peripheral surface 296s abuts against the outer peripheral surface 294cs.

Thereafter, when the assist plate 294a further rotates, the abutment pin 298 is pressed in the rotation direction by the assist plate 294a, so that the restricting member 296 rotates clockwise in FIG. 21D, and the restricting peripheral surface 296s abuts against the outer peripheral surface 294cs as illustrated in FIG. 21E. As described above, the outer peripheral surface 294cs and the restricting peripheral surface 296s are formed in arc shapes having the same radius about the same point, and thus as illustrated in FIG. 21E, the restricting member 296 does not move relative to the outer peripheral surface 294cs. The restricting member 296 is fixed to the gear 292-4 to move integrally with the gear 292-4. Accordingly, the gear 292-4 is stopped when the restricting member 296 is stopped. Since the gear 292-5 that rotates the rotator 210 is driven by the gear 292-4, the gear 292-5 is stopped when the gear 292-4 is stopped, and the rotator 210 is stopped at the same time.

As illustrated in FIG. 21F, the gear 292-3 continues to rotate, and the outer peripheral surface 294cs and the restricting member 296 remain abutting against each other. During this period, the gear 292-4 stops.

When the gear 292-3 further rotates, as illustrated in FIG. 21G, the tooth part 293a of the gear 292-3 moves in the +Z direction. The second assist plate 294b is provided forward of the tooth part 293a in the rotation direction (that is, on the downstream side in the rotation direction), and the second assist plate 294b also moves in the +Z direction.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 21H, the gear 292-3 continues to rotate, and the second assist plate 294b abuts against the abutment pin 298. At this time, the teeth of the gear 292-4 are not meshed with the tooth part 293a of the gear 292-3.

When the gear 292-3 further rotates, as illustrated in FIG. 21I, the abutment pin 298 is pressed in the rotation direction by the assist plate 294b, so that the restricting member 296 rotates clockwise. The teeth of the gear 292-4 start to mesh with the teeth 293a of the gear 292-3.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 21J, the assist plate 294b is separated from the abutment pin 298, and the gear 292-4 restarts rotation by the tooth part 293a. As the gear 292-4 restarts rotation, the gear 292-5 restarts rotation, and the rotator 210 rotates. As described above, in the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the rotator 210 is stopped during clinching or the like and restarts rotation after the clinching operation is completed. In the present embodiment, rotation of the rotator 210 can be stopped and restarted by a mechanism using the intermittent gear described above with reference to FIGS. 21A to 21J.

In the present embodiment, the assist plate 294a abuts against the abutment pin 298 before the outer peripheral surface 294cs of the restricting member 294c provided between the gears 292-2 and 292-3 abuts against the restricting member 296. Further, the second assist plate 294b abuts against the abutment pin 298 before the tooth part 293a of the gear 292-3 meshes with the teeth of the gear 292-4. The inventors of the present invention found that, when the rotation of the rotator 210 is stopped and restarted by the intermittent gear and teeth of the two gears are disengaged, an impact load is applied to the gears, which may cause damage to the teeth of the gears. It is also found that when the teeth of two gears are meshed again, an impact load may be applied to the gears. In the present embodiment, since the first assist plate 294a and the abutment pin 298 are provided and abut against each other before the teeth of the two gears are disengaged, the impact load applied to the teeth can be reduced. In addition, since the second assist plate 294b abuts against the abutment pin 298 before the teeth of two gears are meshed again, the impact load when the teeth are meshed can also be reduced.

According to studies of the present inventors, it is considered that an impact generated when the teeth of two gears (gears 292-3 and 292-4) are meshed again is particularly large. Accordingly, it is considered that an impact prevention effect by the assist plate 294b abutting against the abutment pin 298 before the teeth of gears are meshed again is particularly large. Since the impact when the meshing of the teeth is released and the teeth are meshed again can be reduced, the teeth of the gears 292-3 and 292-4 can be made relatively small. Accordingly, the binding machine 100 can be downsized since relatively small gears can be used.

Next, a configuration in which the tape 70 is removed from the tape holder 220 when the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220 according to the present embodiment is released will be described with reference to FIGS. 22A to 22C. FIG. 22A is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a vicinity of the tape holder 220. As illustrated in FIG. 22A, the tape remover 320 is provided in the tape holding releaser 310. Accordingly, the tape remover 320 operates integrally with the tape holding releaser 310. As will be described later, the tape remover 320 also relatively descends in the −Z direction as the tape holding releaser 310 relatively descends in the −Z direction. In the present embodiment, the tape remover 320 has a cylindrical shape. In a state illustrated in FIG. 22A, the tape 70 is held by the tape holder 220. In the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the first end 72 of the tape 70 is held by the tape holder 220 and removed by the tape remover 320. FIGS. 22A to 22C only illustrate the first end 72 of the tape 70, and the second end 72 of the tape 70 and the third end that is the end of the tape 70 used for the next binding operation are not illustrated.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 22B, the tape holding releaser 310 relatively descends in the −Z direction, and the first releaser 330a and the second releaser 330b respectively abut against the base ends 222a2 and 222b2 of the first claw 222a and the second claw 222b of the tape holder 220 in the −Z direction (the second releaser 330b is not illustrated in FIG. 22B). When the first releaser 330a and the second releaser 330b abut against the base ends 222a2 and 222b2, the first claw 222a and the second claw 222b respectively rotate about the fulcrums 222a3 and 222b3, and the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220 is released. At this time, the tape remover 320 provided in the tape holding releaser 310 relatively descends in the −Z direction together with the tape holding releaser 310. The tape holder 220 has the opening 223c into which the tape remover 320 is inserted into.

Although FIG. 22B illustrates an example in which the tape holding releaser 310 descends in the −Z direction, the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment may be configured such that the tape holder 220 ascends in the +Z direction relative to the tape holding releaser 310. As described above, the tape holder 220 operates integrally with the rotator 210, and the tape holder 220 moves with the rotation of the rotator 210. In a state in which the tape holding releaser 310 is on standby, the tape holder 220 moves in the +Z direction to a position in which the tape holding releaser 310 is on standby with the rotation of the rotator 210. In this way, the base end 222a2 of the first claw 222a and the base end 222b2 of the second claw 222b of the tape holder 220 respectively abut against the first releaser 330a and the second releaser 330b, the top ends 222a1 and 222b1 are separated from the tape support 223, and the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220 is released.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, by rotating the claws 222a and 222b of the tape holder 220 with rotation of the rotator 210, the tape 70 can be held and released from being held by the tape holder 220. An operation of cutting the tape 70 used for binding and holding the tape 70 used for the next binding operation may be similarly implemented by operating the claws 222a and 222b of the tape holder 220 with rotation of the rotator 210.

FIG. 22B illustrates a state in which the tape 70 released from the state of being held by the tape holder 220 starts bending in the −Z direction by the tape remover 320. That is, in the present embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 22B, the tape remover 320, which descends in the −Z direction as the tape holding releaser 310 descends in the −Z direction, abuts against the tape 70 released from the state of being held by the tape holder 220 from the +Z direction. As the tape remover 320 relatively descends in the −Z direction, the tape 70 starts bending in the −Z direction from a vicinity of a center thereof (vicinity of the center in the lateral direction (X direction in FIG. 22B)).

With reference to FIG. 22C, when the tape holding releaser 310 further descends, the tape remover 320 descends to a position that is not seen in FIG. 22C. From a state illustrated in FIG. 22B to a state illustrated in FIG. 22C, the tape 70 is removed in the −Z direction as the tape remover 320 relatively descends in the −Z direction. In this way, when the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220 is released by the tape holding releaser 310, the tape remover 320 can remove the released tape 70 in the −Z direction.

FIGS. 23A to 23C illustrate removal of the tape 70 from the tape holder 220 by the tape remover 320. As illustrated in FIG. 23A, before the held tape starts to be released by the tape holding releaser 310, the tape remover 320 is located above the tape 70. As illustrated in FIG. 23A, at this time, the tape holder 220 is not abutting against the first releaser 330a and the second releaser 330b of the tape holding releaser 310.

As illustrated in FIG. 23B, after the first claw 222a and the second claw 222b of the tape holder 220 are rotated by the tape holding releaser 310 and the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220 is released, the tape remover 320 relatively descends in the −Z direction and abuts against the tape 70 on the tape support 223. At this time, the tape remover 320 abuts against the first end that is one end of the tape 70. At this time, the tape remover 320 abuts against the tape 70 from above (+Z direction) to be inserted into the opening 223c of the tape support 223. As illustrated in FIG. 23B, at this time, the tape holder 220 relatively ascends in the +Z direction until the tape holder 220 abuts against the first releaser 330a and the second releaser 330b of the tape holding releaser 310. Accordingly, the first releaser 330a abuts against the base end 222a2 of the claw 222a, and the second releaser 330b abuts against the base end 222b2 of the claw 222b. Accordingly, the top end 222a1 of the claw 222a rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 23B about the fulcrum 222a3, and the top end 222b1 of the claw 222b rotates clockwise in FIG. 23B about the fulcrum 222b3. The top end 222a1 and the top end 222b1 are separated from the tape support 223 by the rotation of the top end 222a1 and the top end 222b1. Accordingly, the contact 222a1c of the top end 222a1 and the contact 222b1c of the top end 222b1 are not abutting against the tape 70.

As illustrated in FIG. 23C, the tape remover 320 further descends relatively in the −Z direction, and the tape 70 is removed in the −Z direction through the opening 223c.

When the end of the tape 70 remains in the tape holder 220 after the held tape 70 is released by the tape holding releaser 310, it is considered that the tape holder 220 may hold an end of the remaining tape at the same time as when holding the end of the tape 70 to be used for the next binding. When the end of the remaining tape 70 is held again, the tape holder 220 tends to move the tape 70 that completes binding, which may cause a failure of the binding machine 100. Accordingly, the binding operation cannot be performed, and the operation efficiency decreases. In the present embodiment, the tape remover 320 can remove the remaining tape, and thus a decrease in efficiency of the binding operation due to the remaining tape can be prevented. The binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment can also be used, for example, when the object to be bound 60 is bound with the tape 70 made of a stretchable material. It is considered that the tape 70 made of a stretchable material is likely to remain in a vicinity of a position in which the cutting is performed in the binding machine 100 even after the tape 70 is cut, since the tape has relatively small tension. The remaining tape can be effectively removed by providing the tape remover 320 as in the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment, and thus the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment is also effective in the case of binding with a tape made of a stretchable material. For example, when a stem of a plant is bound, it is assumed that the stem of the plant grows to have a large diameter, and thus a binding is preferably maintained from immediately after the binding to a subsequent growth process of the plant. For this reason, a tape made of a stretchable material is preferable when binding the stem of a plant. By using the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the binding operation using the tape made of a stretchable material can also be efficiently performed. Accordingly, the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment can also be effectively used for binding the stem of a plant.

A direction in which the tape remover 320 removes the tape 70 may be a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the tape 70, such as the −Z direction. The tape 70 may be removed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the tape 70, for example, a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the tape 70. At this time, the tape 70 may be removed by the tape remover 320 in a direction from one surface to the other surface of the tape 70. For example, the tape remover 320 may remove the tape 70 in a direction from a front surface to a back surface of the tape 70.

The direction in which the tape 70 is removed may be a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the tape 70. At this time, the direction in which the tape 70 is removed may not be a direction completely perpendicular to the main surface of the tape 70, but be, for example, a substantially perpendicular direction. The direction may not be a completely perpendicular direction as long as the same function and effect can be obtained even in a substantially perpendicular direction.

In the present embodiment, the main surface of the tape 70 is defined by a direction in which the tape 70 extends. For example, when the tape 70 is parallel to the XY plane, the main surface of the tape 70 is a surface of the tape 70 parallel to the XY plane. In the present embodiment, the front surface and the back surface of the tape 70 may respectively be, for example, the surface on the +Z direction side and the surface on the −Z direction side of the tape 70 when the tape 70 is disposed such that the main surface of the tape 70 is parallel to a plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the Z direction. Alternatively, when the tape 70 is disposed such that the main surface of the tape 70 is parallel to the Z direction, the front surface and the back surface of the tape 70 may be, for example, a surface on the +X direction side and a surface on the −X direction side, respectively, or may be, for example, a surface on the +Y direction side and a surface on the −Y direction side, respectively.

The tape remover 320 may abut against the tape 70 (the end of the tape 70) in the longitudinal direction of the tape 70 and remove the tape 70. At this time, for example, the tape remover 320 may be movable along the Y direction relative to the tape 70 whose longitudinal direction is parallel to the Y direction, and the tape remover 320 may abut against the ends of the tape 70 by pressing or pulling the tape 70 in the Y direction and remove the tape 70.

FIGS. 22A to 23C describe an example in which the tape remover 320 is formed integrally with the tape holding releaser 310. Alternatively, the tape remover 320 and the tape holding releaser 310 may be provided as separate members, and also in this case, the tape remover 320 and the tape holding releaser 310 may coordinate with each other. For example, the tape remover 320 may remove the tape 70 after the tape holding releaser 310 releases the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220.

With reference to FIGS. 24A and 24B, a mechanism of the tape holding releaser 310 according to the present embodiment that releases, using the clincher unit drive cam 230a, the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220 will be described. FIGS. 24A and 24B are perspective views of the binding machine body 200 viewed from the +X direction, in which FIG. 24A illustrates a state in which the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220 is released by the tape holding releaser 310, and FIG. 24B illustrates a state in which the tape 70 is held again by the tape holder 220.

As illustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the swing control pin 360 of the tape holding releaser 310 abuts against the outer peripheral surface 230ac of the clincher unit drive cam 230a. With the rotation of the clincher unit drive cam 230a, the swing control pin 360 moves the tape holding releaser 310 along the outer peripheral surface 230ac of the clincher unit drive cam 230a. The shape of the outer peripheral surface 230ac of the clincher unit drive cam 230a is not circular relative to the drive camshaft 230b1 that is the rotation center axis. Accordingly, with the movement of the swing control pin 360 on the outer peripheral surface 230ac, the tape holding releaser 310 can take a plurality of postures. During a transition from the state illustrated in FIG. 24A to the state illustrated in FIG. 24B, the tape holding releaser 310 transitions from a posture of being substantially parallel to the Z direction as illustrated in FIG. 24A to a swung state as illustrated in FIG. 24B. As illustrated in FIG. 24A, when the tape holding releaser 310 takes the posture of being substantially parallel to the Z direction, the first releaser 330a and the second releaser 330b of the tape holding releaser 310 respectively abut against the claws 222a and 222b of the tape holder 220, and the tape holder 220 releases the held tape 70. As illustrated in FIG. 24B, in the state in which the tape holding releaser 310 is swung, the tape holding releaser 310 is retracted from the tape holder 220, and the tape holder 220 is in a state of being available to hold the tape 70. Specifically, the claws 222a and 222b are respectively urged by the torsion coil springs 226a and 226b in the direction toward the tape support 223, and the tape 70 can be held by the claws 222a and 222b and the tape support 223. Accordingly, the movement of the clincher unit 230 and the movement of the tape holding releaser 310 can be relatively easily coordinated. The single motor 250 that is a drive source can drive a plurality of configurations at the same timing.

The above-described embodiment describes an example in which one drive motor 250 is used in the binding machine 100. By driving a plurality of configurations in the binding machine 100, the binding portion, the binding material feeder 202, the tape remover 320, and the like using one drive motor 250 as a drive source, movements of the plurality of configurations in the binding machine 100 can be relatively easily coordinated.

In another embodiment, two or more motors may be used in the binding machine 100. For example, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 may be driven by different motors. Alternatively, a motor that drives the rotator 210 and a motor that drives the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 may be different motors. Even when two or more motors are used, the binding material feeder 202 including the tape holder 220 and the rotator 210 coordinates with the binding portion including the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240, so that the same effects as those of the above-described binding machine 100 can be achieved. The above embodiment describes an example in which configurations of the binding machine 100 are coordinated and driven by the drive motor 250 and cam mechanisms such as the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a. Alternatively, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and elements may be controlled to be driven by different drive sources using, for example, a plurality of motors and coordinated with each other.

A binding machine 100A according to another embodiment of the present disclosure that includes a plurality of motors as drive sources will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27F. In the binding machine 100 described above, after binding with a binding material, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 retract by the clincher unit 230 moving upward (+Z direction) and the magazine unit 240 moving downward (−Z direction). The binding machine 100A is different from the binding machine 100 that the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 retract by moving rearward (−Y direction). Configurations that exhibit the same or similar configurations and functions as or to configurations of the binding machine 100 according to the above-described embodiment use the same or similar names and are appropriately omitted or simplified.

FIG. 25 is an overall perspective view of the binding machine 100A according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, the binding machine 100A includes a binding machine body 200A (also referred to as a body 200A), the tape reel 800, and the like. The body 200A includes the rotator 210, the binding material holder 220, the clincher unit 230, the magazine unit 240, a first motor 250_1, a second motor 250_2, a body frame 252, a cam plate 262, and a control unit 270.

The first motor 250_1 drives a ball screw 254. When the ball screw 254 is driven, the cam plate 262 is moved in the Y direction (front-rear direction) relative to the body frame 252. Accordingly, the first motor 250_1 functions as a motor that drives the clincher unit.

The second motor 250_2 drives the rotator 210. The second motor 250_2 drives, for example, a first gear 290-1A. When the first gear 290-1A is driven, a second gear 290-2A and a third gear 290-3A that are driven gears are driven. Accordingly, the rotator 210 that meshes with, for example, the first gear 290-1A and the third gear 290-3A is rotated.

The control unit 270 controls, for example, driving of the motor 250_1 and the motor 250_2.

Hereinafter, a binding portion of the binding machine body 200A will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 27F. FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a vicinity of the binding portion including the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 in the body 200A of the binding machine 100A. In the body 200A, as will be described below, the binding portion including the clincher unit 230, the magazine unit 240, and the like coordinates, for example, by a cam mechanism implemented by the cam plate 262 and the like, movement from a retracted position that is a position not interfering with the binding material feeder 220 toward a binding position in which an overlapped part of the tape 70 that is the binding material is bound, and binding of the overlapped part.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, in the body 200A, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are connected to the body frame 252 via the cam plate 262 and the like. The magazine unit 240 includes a driver arm 243 that is a component provided with the driver 242. The driver arm 243 is provided with a first driver shaft 246s1 and a second driver shaft 246s2. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the driver arm 243 has a shape extending in the Y direction, and the first driver shaft 246s1 and the second driver shaft 246s2 extend, in the +Y direction and the −Y direction, toward the −X direction from a side surface of the driver arm 243 in the −X direction.

Cam plates (first cam plate 262a, second cam plate 262b) parallel to the YZ plane are provided between the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 respectively in the −X direction and the +X direction of the clincher unit 230. The first cam plate 262a and the second cam plate 262b are symmetrical relative to the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240. Hereinafter, the first cam plate 262a will be mainly described.

The cam plate 262 has a first elongated cam hole 262c1 in the +Z direction and a second elongated cam hole 262c2 in the −Z direction. The first elongated cam hole 262c1 extends in a direction inclined slightly obliquely forward (that is, +Y direction) from the Z direction. That is, the first elongated cam hole 262c1 extends in an oblique direction from the +Y direction and the +Z direction toward the −Y direction and the −Z direction. The second elongated cam hole 262c2 extends substantially parallel to the Y direction.

The body frame 252 has a first elongated frame hole 252c1, a second elongated frame hole 252c2, and a third elongated frame hole 252c3. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the first elongated frame hole 252c1 is provided from a front part (+Y direction) to a central part of the body frame 252, the second elongated frame hole 252c2 is provided from the central part to a rear part (−Y direction) of the body frame 252, and the third elongated frame hole 252c3 is provided from the front part to the central part of the body frame 252 viewed in the Y direction, all of which are elongated holes extending in a direction substantially parallel to the Y direction. The first elongated frame hole 252c1 and the second elongated frame hole 252c2 are provided on a lower side (−Z direction), and the third elongated frame hole 252c3 is provided on an upper side (+Z direction) viewed in the Z direction.

The driver arm 243 includes the first driver shaft 246s1 provided on a front side (+Y direction) and the second driver shaft 246s2 provided on a rear side (−Y direction). The first driver shaft 246s1 and the second driver shaft 246s2 respectively engage with the first elongated frame hole 252c1 and the second elongated frame hole 252c2. The first driver shaft 246s1 also engages with the second elongated cam hole 262c2 of the cam plate 262. Further, the second driver shaft 246s2 is connected to the clincher unit 230 on an inner side of the driver arm 243 (inner side in the +X direction in FIG. 26). The clincher unit 230 has an end in the −Y direction connected to the second driver shaft 246s2. With this configuration, the clincher unit 230 coordinates with displacements of other configurations such as the cam plate 262 and pivots about the second driver shaft 246s2.

The cam plate 262 is provided with a camshaft 262s. The camshaft 262s is engaged with the first elongated frame hole 252c1 in a state of being urged toward the second driver shaft 246s2 by a tension spring 268. With this configuration, the cam plate 262 is urged against the driver arm 243 via the tension spring 268.

The cam plate 262 engages with the ball screw 254 by a ball screw nut 264. The ball screw nut 264 includes a nut shaft 264s and the nut shaft 264s is fixed to the cam plate 262, so that the ball screw nut 264 and the cam plate 262 are integrally movable relative to the ball screw 254. For this reason, when the ball screw 254 is rotated by the first motor 250_1 (FIG. 25), the ball screw nut 264 engaged with the ball screw 254 moves in the front-rear direction (Y direction), and the cam plate 262 also moves in the front-rear direction with the movement of the ball screw nut 264 in the front-rear direction.

The nut shaft 264s engages with the third elongated frame hole 252c3 of the body frame 252. Accordingly, the cam plate 262 moves in the front-rear direction along the third elongated frame hole 252c3.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, the clincher unit 230 is provided with a clincher roller 237 on a side surface (surface in the −X direction) thereof. The clincher roller 237 is engaged with the first elongated cam hole 262c1 of the cam plate 262 and moves along the first elongated cam hole 262c1. With this configuration, the clincher unit 230 is displaced via the clincher roller 237 with front-rear movement of the cam plate 262. As illustrated in FIG. 26, the body frame 252 is provided with a clincher roller guide 252d, and the clincher roller 237 moves along a horizontal portion 252dh and an inclined portion 252dr of the clincher roller guide 252d. Movement of the clincher roller 237 along the clincher roller guide 252d will be described later.

The first elongated cam hole 262c1 extends along the oblique direction from the +Y direction and the +Z direction toward the −Y direction and the −Z direction. Accordingly, for example, when the cam plate 262 moves forward (+Y direction), the clincher roller 237 is urged in an oblique direction of the +Y direction and the −Z direction along an inclined surface on an inner side of the first elongated cam hole 262c1 (for example, urged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inclined surface on the inner side of the first elongated cam hole 262c1), and accordingly moves from the +Y direction and the +Z direction to the −Y direction and the −Z direction.

When the cam plate 262 moves forward and the clincher roller 237 moves obliquely forward (obliquely forward relative to the body frame 252) along the first elongated cam hole 262c1, the clincher unit 230 rotates about a part connected to the second driver shaft 246s2 (end of the clincher unit 230 in the −Y direction) such that an end thereof in the +Y direction (in FIG. 26, end at which the tape folder 400 or the like is provided) faces the −Z direction. At this time, the clincher unit 230 rotates counterclockwise viewed from the −X direction about the second driver shaft 246s2. The clincher unit 230 is displaced toward the driver 242 by this rotation operation and performs a clinching operation of the tape 70.

With the above configuration, in the binding portion of the binding machine 100A according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, when the ball screw 254 rotates, the cam plate 262 fixed to the nut shaft 264s of the ball screw nut 264 engaged with the ball screw 254 moves forward (+Y direction) from the position illustrated in FIG. 26. At this time, the nut shaft 264s moves forward along the third elongated frame hole 252c3 of the body frame 252. Since the second elongated cam hole 262c2 is engaged with the first driver shaft 246s1 engaged with the first elongated frame hole 252c1, the cam plate 262 moves forward along the third elongated frame hole 252c3 and the second elongated frame hole 252c2 in the +Z direction and the −Z direction, respectively. At this time, since the camshaft 262s of the cam plate 262 is urged against the second driver shaft 246s2 via the tension spring 268, the driver arm 243 moves relatively forward with the movement of the cam plate 262. Alternatively, the cam plate 262 moves forward while being urged by the second driver shaft 246s2. At this time, as the clincher roller 237 engaged with the first elongated cam hole 262c1 of the cam plate 262 moves in the −Z direction in conjunction with the forward movement of the cam plate 262, the clincher unit 230 pivots about the second driver shaft 246s2.

A clinching operation of the binding machine 100A according to the present embodiment having the above configurations will be described below with reference to FIGS. 27A to 27F. FIGS. 27A to 27F illustrate the binding machine body 200A viewed from the −X direction. In FIGS. 27A to 27F, a part of components are not illustrated so that components of the binding machine body 200A can be seen. One object to be bound 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 27A to 27F for easy understanding of the description, and the present embodiment is also applicable to a case in which a plurality of objects to be bound 60 are bound together.

FIG. 27A illustrates a state immediately after a binding process according to the present embodiment is started. As illustrated in FIG. 27A, the object to be bound 60 is inserted from the opening 210a of the rotator 210. At this time, the tape holder 220 holds the end 72 (first end 72) of the tape 70 supplied from the tape reel 800 through the tape passage 239d. Thereafter, the rotator 210 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 27A. The tape holder 220 also rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 27A with rotation of the rotator 210.

As described above, the second motor 250_2 is rotated to rotate the gear train 290 (first gear 290-1A, second gear 290-2A, third gear 290-3A), so that the rotator 210 is rotated. The tape holder 220 connected to the rotator 210 rotates around the object to be bound 60 when the rotator 210 rotates.

In the binding machine 100A according to the present embodiment, when a clinching operation of the staple 50 is completed and a next binding process is started, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are retracted rearward (−Y direction), and the tape holder 220 passes forward (+Y direction) of the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240. That is, in the present embodiment, when the tape holder 220 corresponding to a part of the binding material feeder 202 moves, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 corresponding to a part of the binding portion temporarily retract to a position not interfering with the tape holder 220. Since the end of the clincher unit 230 on the rear side (−Y direction) engages with the second driver shaft 246s2 and the clincher roller 237 of the clincher unit 230 engages with the first elongated cam hole 262c1 of the cam plate 262, the clincher unit 230 pivots about the second driver shaft 246s2 while the clincher roller 237 moves along the first elongated cam hole 262c1. With this configuration, the clincher unit 230 can be displaced between a clinching position and the retracted position.

FIG. 27B illustrates a state in which the rotator 210 rotates counterclockwise from the state illustrated in FIG. 27A, and a part of the object to be bound 60 corresponding to ¾ of a circle viewed in a YZ section is surrounded by the tape 70. From this state, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 perform the clinching operation on an overlapped part of the tape 70 using the staple 50. At this time, the tape holder 220 is stopped. In the binding machine 100A according to the present embodiment, the second motor 250_2 is stopped and the rotator 210 is stopped, and thus the tape holder 220 is stopped.

Thereafter, the first motor 250_1 is rotated to rotate the ball screw 254, and the cam plate 262 engaged with the ball screw 254 via the ball screw nut 264 is moved forward (+Y direction) as illustrated in FIG. 27C. With the forward movement of the cam plate 262 (forward movement relative to the body frame 252), the camshaft 262s provided on the cam plate 262 moves forward. With the forward movement of the camshaft 262s, the driver arm 243 coupled to the camshaft 262s via the tension spring 268 on the second driver shaft 246s2 is pulled forward from the camshaft 262s by the tension spring 268. With the forward movement of the driver arm 243, the first driver shaft 246s1, which is the other shaft provided on the driver arm 243, also moves forward.

In the binding machine 100A, by providing the tension spring 268, the movement (movement in the Y direction (front-rear direction)) of the clincher unit 230 relative to the driver 242 can be stabilized as described above. Alternatively, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, even in a configuration in which the tension spring 268 is not provided, the camshaft 262s and the nut shaft 264s coupled to the cam plate 262 can be guided respectively by the first elongated frame hole 252c1 and the third elongated frame hole 252c3 since the camshaft 262s is engaged with the first elongated frame hole 252c1 and the nut shaft 264s is engaged with the third elongated frame hole 252c3. Accordingly, the cam plate 262 can be stably moved relative to the body frame 252.

As illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the body frame 252 may be provided with the clincher roller guide 252d on the upper side (+Z direction). The clincher roller guide 252d is a part at which the clincher roller 237 comes into contact with a part of an outer edge of the body frame 252. Movement of the clincher roller 237 relative to the body frame 252 is guided by the clincher roller guide 252d.

As illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the clincher roller guide 252d includes, for example, the horizontal portion 252dh parallel to the Y direction (front-rear direction) and the inclined portion 252dr inclined relative to the Z direction. The clincher roller 237 moves forward when the cam plate 262 moves forward by the rotation of the ball screw 254. With the clincher roller guide 252d, the clincher roller 237 seldom changes a height in the Z direction when moving along the horizontal portion 252dh and moves further forward, and moves in the −Z direction (downward direction) when moving along the inclined portion 252dr.

In this way, for example, even when the tension spring 268 is not provided, the movement of the clincher roller 237 in the −Z direction is prevented by the clincher roller guide 252d on an upper portion of the body frame. That is, the clincher unit 230 does not pivot when the clincher roller 237 moves along the horizontal portion 252dh of the clincher roller guide 252d. Accordingly, with the forward movement of the cam plate 262, the driver arm 243 can coordinate with the clincher unit 230 and move forward. Since the binding machine 100A is provided with the tension spring 268 and the clincher roller guide 252d, the movement of the clincher unit 230 and the driver arm 243 with the forward movement of the cam plate 262 can be stabilized.

Alternatively, the clincher roller guide 252d may not be provided in the binding machine 100A, that is, the clincher roller 237 may not come into contact with the body frame 252. Even when the clincher roller guide 252d is not provided in the binding machine 100A, the forward movement of the cam plate 262 can be stabilized as described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 27C, the driver arm 243 moves until the first driver shaft 246s1 and the second driver shaft 246s2 respectively abut against a front end of the first elongated frame hole 252c1 (end of the first elongated frame hole 252c1 in the +Y direction) and a front end of the second elongated frame hole 252c2 (end of the second elongated frame hole 252c2 in the +Y direction). Herein, an example is described in which the driver arm 243 moves until the first driver shaft 246s1 and the second driver shaft 246s2 respectively abut against the front end of the first elongated frame hole 252c1 and the front end of the second elongated frame hole 252c2. Alternatively, the driver arm 243 may move until one of the first driver shaft 246s1 and the second driver shaft 246s2 abuts against the front end of the first elongated frame hole 252c1 or the front end of the second elongated frame hole 252c2.

At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 27C, the tape holder 220 is stopped. A part of the tape 70 that is supplied from the tape reel 800 is located at the tape passage opening 350 (FIGS. 13 and 14) of the tape holding releaser 310, and is moved to an upper side (+Z direction) of the tape holder 220 when the binding machine 100A transitions from the state illustrated in FIG. 27B to the state illustrated in FIG. 27C with the above-described forward movement of the clincher unit 230 provided with the tape holding releaser 310.

By further rotating the first motor 250_1 to rotate the ball screw 254 and further advancing the cam plate 262 connected to the ball screw nut 264, as illustrated in FIG. 27D, the clincher unit 230 starts rotating counterclockwise viewed from the −X direction (viewed from a front side of a paper surface in FIG. 27D) from the state illustrated in FIG. 27C.

As described with reference to FIG. 27C, in the state illustrated in FIG. 27C, the driver arm 243 is stopped after moving until the first driver shaft 246s1 and the second driver shaft 246s2 respectively abut against the front end of the first elongated frame hole 252c1 and the front end of the second elongated frame hole 252c2, and the driver arm 243 is also stopped in a state illustrated in FIG. 27D. In the state illustrated in FIG. 27D, the tension spring 268 extends in the front-rear direction (Y direction) from the state illustrated in FIG. 27C. Accordingly, the cam plate 262 moves forward at the camshaft 262s while being urged by the tension spring 268 relative to the stopped second driver shaft 246s2.

Further, since the end of the clincher unit 230 on the rear side is connected to the driver arm 243 at the second driver shaft 246s2, the clincher unit 230 pivots about the part to which the second driver shaft 246s2 is connected when the second driver shaft 246s2 is stopped and the cam plate 262 moves forward. The clincher unit 230 pivots such that the clincher roller 237 moves along the first elongated cam hole 262c1 of the cam plate 262. Since the first elongated cam hole 262c1 is formed in an oblique direction (oblique direction from upper left to lower right in FIG. 27D) relative to the Z direction and the Y direction, when the cam plate 262 moves forward, the clincher roller 237 engaged with the first elongated cam hole 262c1 is urged in an oblique direction (lower left direction in FIG. 27D) substantially perpendicular to, for example, a surface against which the clincher roller 237 abuts in the first elongated cam hole 262c1. Accordingly, the clincher roller 237 moves in the −Z direction and the −Y direction relative to the cam plate 262 along the first elongated cam hole 262c1.

As illustrated in FIG. 27D, the clincher roller 237 moves along the inclined portion 252dr of the clincher roller guide 252d. Accordingly, the clincher roller 237 is guided by the clincher roller guide 252d in a manner of moving obliquely forward (+Y direction (forward) and −Z direction (downward)).

With the movement of the clincher roller 237 in the −Z direction and the −Y direction relative to the cam plate 262, the clincher unit 230 provided with the clincher roller 237 is displaced in the −Z direction. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 27D, the clincher unit 230 pivots about the second driver shaft 246s2 such that the end in the +Y direction (end at which the tape folder 400 is provided) is displaced in the −Z direction while the end in the −Y direction is fixed to the second driver shaft 246s2.

At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 27D, as the clincher unit 230 pivots about the part connected to the second driver shaft 246s2, the tape folder 400 provided at the end of the clincher unit 230 in the +Y direction abuts against a part of the tape 70, which is held by the tape holder 220, on a front side of the tape holder 220. Accordingly, a part of the tape 70 that surrounds the object to be bound 60 by the tape holder 220 overlaps with a part supplied from the tape reel 800 in the Z direction in a vicinity of the tape folder 400.

By further rotating the first motor 250_1 to rotate the ball screw 254 and further advancing the cam plate 262, as illustrated in FIG. 27E, the clincher unit 230 further rotates counterclockwise viewed from the −X direction from the state illustrated in FIG. 27D.

Similar to the state illustrated in FIG. 27D, the first driver shaft 246s1 and the second driver shaft 246s2 respectively abut against the front end of the first elongated frame hole 252c1 and the front end of the second elongated frame hole 252c2, and the driver arm 243 is stopped. At this time, the cam plate 262 moves forward relative to the stopped first driver shaft 246s1 such that the first driver shaft 246s1 is directed relatively to the end of the second elongated cam hole 262c2 on the rear side. The cam plate 262 moves forward such that the nut shaft 264s to which the cam plate 262 is connected moves along the third elongated frame hole 252c3.

At this time, since the end of the clincher unit 230 in the −Y direction is connected to the second driver shaft 246s2 and the clincher roller 237 is engaged with the first elongated cam hole 262c1, the clincher unit 230 further pivots about the part connected to the second driver shaft 246s2 as the clincher roller 237 further moves in the −Z direction from the state illustrated in FIG. 27D along the first elongated cam hole 262c1. As illustrated in FIG. 27E, the clincher unit 230 pivots to a position coming into contact with a front end of the magazine unit 240, and executes the clinching operation of tying the tape 70 using the staple 50 by the same method as the method described above with reference to FIGS. 20A to 20J and the like.

When the clincher unit 230 pivots and shifts from the state illustrated in FIG. 27D to the state illustrated in FIG. 27E, the cutting blade 238 (FIGS. 13 and 14) of the clincher unit 230 descends. Accordingly, the tape 70 held by the tape holder 220 is cut. As described above, the tape 70 is cut by the cutting blade 238 passing through the cutting blade passage slit 229 (FIG. 8) provided in the tape holder 220. In the binding machine 100 described above, an example is described in which the tape 70 is cut (for example, FIG. 20J) after the clinching operation (for example, FIG. 20I) by the clincher unit 230. In the binding machine 100A according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure, the tape 70 is cut during the clinching operation (closing stage) by the clincher unit 230.

After the tape 70 is cut by the cutting blade 238, the first motor 250_1 is rotated in a direction opposite to that in the state illustrated in FIGS. 27A to 27E to rotate the ball screw 254 in an opposite direction, so that the ball screw nut 264 is moved rearward and the cam plate 262 is moved rearward (−Y direction) as illustrated in FIG. 27F. Accordingly, the clincher unit 230 starts rotating clockwise in FIG. 27F about the part connected to the second driver shaft 246s2. In this way, as illustrated in FIG. 27F, the clincher unit 230 is retracted rearward (−Y direction). When the cam plate 262 further moves rearward, the magazine unit 240 such as the driver arm 243 starts moving rearward. In this way, the magazine unit 240 is also retracted rearward (−Y direction).

As described above, in the binding machine 100A according to the present embodiment, the clinching process of tying the tape 70 with the staple 50 when the clincher unit 230 moves forward (+Y direction) is performed, and then the binding portion including the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 retract rearward (−Y direction).

As described above, the binding machine 100A according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of motors (motor 250_1 and motor 250_2). The first motor 250_1 moves and stops the clincher unit 230, the magazine unit 240, and the like by moving the ball screw 254 in the Y direction, and the second motor 250_2 moves and stops the rotator 210 and the tape holder 220. In this way, in the binding machine 100A according to the present embodiment, the first motor 250_1 and the second motor 250_2 are coordinated and controlled by the control unit 270, so that the clinching operation by the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 and the retraction after the clinching operation by the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are executed.

In the binding machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 24B and the like, for example, the clinching operation by the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 and the retraction after the clinching operation of the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are implemented by coordinating the configurations of the clincher unit 230, the magazine unit 240, the rotator 210, the tape holder 220, and the like by the driving of the single motor 250 and structural configurations of the cam mechanism such as the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a and the intermittent gear such as the gear 292-2 provided with the tooth part 293a and the tooth missing part 293b. In the binding machine 100A according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of motors 250_1 and 250_2 and the like are coordinated and controlled, so that the configurations of the clincher unit 230, the magazine unit 240, the rotator 210, the tape holder 220, and the like are coordinated, and the clinching operation by the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 and the retraction after the clinching operation of the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are implemented.

It is considered that the binding machine 100A with the above-described configuration may be, for example, lighter than the binding machine 100 as to be described below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the binding machine 100, for example, the body 200 is provided with one clincher unit drive cam 230a and one magazine unit drive cam 240a that define displacement and operation of the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240. Accordingly, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are driven by the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a, and thus it is considered that the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a need to have relatively high rigidity. At this time, it is considered that the clincher unit drive cam 230a and the magazine unit drive cam 240a may become relatively heavy.

In the binding machine 100A, as illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26 and the like, the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 are supported from two sides in the left-right direction by the body frame 252 provided symmetrically in the left-right direction (X direction). The displacement and operation of the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 can be defined by the two cam plates 262 (first cam plate 262a, second cam plate 262b) provided symmetrically in the left-right direction. Accordingly, it is considered that a combination of the cam plates 262 can have relatively low cost compared to a case in which the displacement and the operation are defined by the clincher unit 230 and the magazine unit 240 being respectively supported in one and the other one of the +X direction and the −X direction as in the binding machine 100. At this time, it is considered that the cam plates 262 can have relatively reduced weight.

As can be seen from a comparison between FIGS. 2A and 25, for example, in the binding machine 100A, the clincher unit 230 can be made smaller in the front-rear direction (Y direction) than the clincher unit 230 of the binding machine 100. Further, in the binding machine 100A, as described above, the rigidity required for the clincher unit 230 can be reduced by supporting the clincher unit 230 from two sides in the X direction. Accordingly, it is considered that the clincher unit 230 can have smaller weight than that of the binding machine 100.

In a configuration in which the clincher unit 230 is supported by only one side in the X direction as in the binding machine 100, when the rigidity of the clincher unit 230 is not sufficient, it is considered that the clincher unit 230 may fail to perform the clinching operation in a desired position due to being displaced from the desired position. In the configuration in which the clincher unit 230 is supported from two sides in the X direction as in the binding machine 100A, it is considered that the displacement of the clincher unit 230 can be relatively stabilized. Accordingly, even when the clincher unit 230 has relatively low rigidity, the clinching operation can be performed in the desired position.

Since the binding machine 100A includes more motors 250 than the binding machine 100, it is considered that the binding machine 100A may be heavier by weight of the motors 250. However, as compared with a case in which one single motor 250 is used as a drive source of all configurations as in the binding machine 100, a relatively light motor as the first motor 250_1 and the second motor 250_2 can be used in the binding machine 100A. Accordingly, it is considered that the weight of the plurality of motors 250 used in the binding machine 100A (total weight of the first motor 250_1 and the second motor 250_2) may be smaller than the weight of the motor 250 used in the binding machine 100. Even when the weight of the plurality of motors 250 used in the binding machine 100A is larger than the weight of the motor 250 used in the binding machine 100, when the cam plate 262 and the clincher unit 230 can be relatively reduced in weight as described above, it is considered that the weight of the entire binding machine 100A can be made smaller than the weight of the binding machine 100.

The present embodiment is described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Design changes made by those skilled in the art as appropriate to these specific examples are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as the changes have characteristics of the present disclosure. Elements, arrangements, conditions, shapes, and the like included in the specific examples described above are not limited to those illustrated, and can be appropriately changed. The elements included in the specific examples described above can be appropriately changed in combination as long as technical contradiction does not occur.

Appendix 1

A binding machine configured to wind and bind an object to be bound with a binding material, the binding machine including:

• • a binding material feeder configured to move a first end that is one end of a first part which is a part of the binding material to a position overlapping a second end that is another end of the first part, and configured to surround the object to be bound with the binding material; and
  • a binding portion configured to bind an overlapped part where the first end and the second end are overlapped.

Appendix 2

The binding machine according to appendix 1, in which

• • the binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part using a staple configured to physically fix the first end and the second end so as not to separate the first end and the second end.

Appendix 3

The binding machine according to appendix 1 or 2, in which

• • the binding material is a band-shaped tape, and
  • the first end and the second end are configured to be overlapped in a thickness direction of the binding material at the overlapped part.

Appendix 4

The binding machine according to any one of appendixes 1 to 3, in which

• • the binding portion is configured to temporarily retract to a position not interfering with the binding material feeder when the binding material feeder moves.

Appendix 5

The binding machine according to any one of appendixes 1 to 4, in which

• • the binding material feeder includes a binding material holder configured to move around the object to be bound in a state of holding the first end.

Appendix 6

The binding machine according to any one of appendixes 1 to 5, in which

• • the binding material feeder includes a rotator that is rotatable and that is opened in a part of an outer periphery viewed from a direction parallel to a rotation center axis, the rotator having a first opening capable of receiving the object to be bound.

Appendix 7

The binding machine according to appendix 6, in which

• • the binding material feeder includes a binding material holder configured to move around the object to be bound in a state of holding the first end, and
  • the binding material holder is configured to take a first movement state of following the rotator and moving along a circumference of a first circle having a first radius about the rotation center axis, and a second movement state of moving radially outward from the first circle.

Appendix 8

The binding machine according to appendix 6, further including:

• • a wall located on the outer periphery of the rotator and having a second opening communicable with the first opening, in which
  • the binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part in a state in which the first opening communicates with the second opening.

Appendix 9

The binding machine according to nay one of appendixes 4 to 8, in which

• • the binding material feeder and the binding portion are configured to be coordinated.

Appendix 10

The binding machine according to any one of appendixes 6 to 9, further including:

• • a drive portion;
  • a first gear; and
  • a second gear, in which
  • the first gear is configured to receive a driving force transmitted from the drive portion,
  • the second gear has a tooth part configured to mesh with teeth provided on an outer periphery of the first gear and a tooth missing part that does not mesh with the teeth of the first gear, and is configured to transmit the driving force to the rotator, and
  • the rotator is configured to rotate in a state in which the second gear meshes with the teeth of the first gear and does not rotate in a state in which the second gear does not mesh with the teeth of the first gear.

Appendix 11

The binding machine according to any one of appendixes 8 to 10, in which

• • the binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part in a state in which the binding material feeder is stopped.

Appendix 12

The binding machine according to any one of appendixes 5 to 11, in which

• • the binding material holder is configured to move in a direction away from the object to be bound before the binding portion binds the overlapped part.

Appendix 13

The binding machine according to any one of appendixes 5 to 12, in which

• • the binding material holder is configured to separate from a binding position in which the binding portion binds the overlapped part, before the binding portion binds the overlapped part.

Appendix 14

The binding machine according to appendix 4, in which

• • the binding portion is configured to coordinate, by a cam mechanism, movement from a retracted position that is the position not interfering with the binding material feeder to a binding position in which the overlapped part is to be bound, and binding of the overlapped part.

Appendix 15

The binding machine according to appendix 1, in which

• • the binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part where the first end and the second end are overlapped, from an outside of the overlapped part.

Appendix 16

The binding machine according to appendix 1, in which

• • the binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part where the first end and the second end are overlapped, after the first end and the second end are overlapped.

Claims

1. A binding machine configured to wind and bind an object to be bound with a binding material, the binding machine comprising: a binding material feeder configured to move a first end that is one end of a first part which is a part of the binding material to a position overlapping a second end that is another end of the first part, and configured to surround the object to be bound with the binding material; anda binding portion configured to bind an overlapped part where the first end and the second end are overlapped.

2. The binding machine according to claim 1, wherein the binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part using a staple configured to physically fix the first end and the second end so as not to separate the first end and the second end.

3. The binding machine according to claim 1, wherein the binding material is a band-shaped tape, andthe first end and the second end are configured to be overlapped in a thickness direction of the binding material at the overlapped part.

4. The binding machine according to claim 1, wherein the binding portion is configured to temporarily retract to a position not interfering with the binding material feeder when the binding material feeder moves.

5. The binding machine according to claim 1, wherein the binding material feeder includes a binding material holder configured to move around the object to be bound in a state of holding the first end.

6. The binding machine according to claim 1, wherein the binding material feeder includes a rotator that is rotatable and that is opened in a part of an outer periphery viewed from a direction parallel to a rotation center axis, the rotator having a first opening capable of receiving the object to be bound.

7. The binding machine according to claim 6, wherein the binding material feeder includes a binding material holder configured to move around the object to be bound in a state of holding the first end, andthe binding material holder is configured to take a first movement state of following the rotator and moving along a circumference of a first circle having a first radius about the rotation center axis, and a second movement state of moving radially outward from the first circle.

8. The binding machine according to claim 6, further comprising: a wall located on the outer periphery of the rotator and having a second opening communicable with the first opening, whereinthe binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part in a state in which the first opening communicates with the second opening.

9. The binding machine according to claim 4, wherein the binding material feeder and the binding portion are configured to be coordinated.

10. The binding machine according to claim 6, further comprising: a drive portion;a first gear; anda second gear, whereinthe first gear is configured to receive a driving force transmitted from the drive portion,the second gear has a tooth part configured to mesh with teeth provided on an outer periphery of the first gear and a tooth missing part that does not mesh with the teeth of the first gear, and is configured to transmit the driving force to the rotator, andthe rotator is configured to rotate in a state in which the second gear meshes with the teeth of the first gear and does not rotate in a state in which the second gear does not mesh with the teeth of the first gear.

11. The binding machine according to claim 8, wherein the binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part in a state in which the binding material feeder is stopped.

12. The binding machine according to claim 5, wherein the binding material holder is configured to move in a direction away from the object to be bound before the binding portion binds the overlapped part.

13. The binding machine according to claim 12, wherein the binding material holder is configured to separate from a binding position in which the binding portion binds the overlapped part, before the binding portion binds the overlapped part.

14. The binding machine according to claim 4, wherein the binding portion is configured to coordinate, by a cam mechanism, movement from a retracted position that is the position not interfering with the binding material feeder to a binding position in which the overlapped part is to be bound, and binding of the overlapped part.

15. The binding machine according to claim 1, wherein the binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part where the first end and the second end are overlapped, from an outside of the overlapped part.

16. The binding machine according to claim 1, wherein the binding portion is configured to bind the overlapped part where the first end and the second end are overlapped, after the first end and the second end are overlapped.