Patent Application
20180086590
Embodiments described herein relate generally to a sheet binding device and a sheet binding method.
A sheet binding device causes a stapler to bind an edge portion of a sheet bundle.
For the sheet binding device, it is desirable to reduce the amount of consumables used and the cost for replenishment.
According to an embodiment, a sheet binding device includes a sheet shifting unit, a tape cutter, and a tape attachment unit. The sheet shifting unit has a guide and is configured to stack multiple sheets on the guide with edge portions that are shifted from each other to form a sheet bundle. The tape cutter cuts a tape with a target length that is varied in accordance with a thickness of the sheet bundle. The tape attachment unit is configured to attach the cut tape having the target length to an edge portion of the sheet bundle.
Hereinafter, the sheet binding device and a sheet binding method according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be given to configurations having the same or similar function. In some cases, repeated description of the configurations may be omitted. In this application, various sheet-like media including papers are referred to as “sheets”.
A first embodiment will be described with reference to
First, the image forming apparatus 2 will be briefly described.
As illustrated in
The interface 17 is connected to an interface 21 of the sheet binding device 1 in a wired or wireless manner. The image forming apparatus 2 transmits information relating to the sheet bundle 5 formed by the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 2, to the sheet binding device 1 through the interface 17. For example, the “information relating to the sheet bundle 5” includes at least any one of: the number of sheets S bound as one sheet bundle 5 (that is, the number of sheets S forming one sheet bundle 5), a thickness of the sheet bundle 5, and information for each sheet S. That is, the “information relating to the sheet bundle 5” may be information of the sheet bundle 5, or may be information relating to the sheet S by itself. The information relating to the sheet S by itself includes at least any one of: the thickness of the sheet S, an orientation of the sheets S, and type (material) of the sheet S.
Next, the sheet binding device 1 will be described.
As illustrated in
The interface 21 receives the above-described information relating to the sheet bundle 5. For example, the interface 21 receives the information relating to the sheet bundle 5 from the image forming apparatus 2 serving as an external apparatus. In the embodiment described herein, the information relating to the sheet bundle 5 may be acquired through the interface 21 as the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5. In addition, the information relating to the sheet S may be acquired as the information relating to the sheet bundle 5. In such a case, the information of the sheet bundle 5 is derived from the acquired information relating to the sheet S. The term “based on the information relating to the sheet bundle 5 that is acquired” is not limited to a case that is based on information which is directly acquired. The term also includes a case that is based on information derived from information which is directly acquired.
Next, the bundle preparation unit 22 will be described.
As illustrated in
The main guide 31 guides the sheet S along a sheet conveying direction X1. The multiple sheets S are sequentially stacked on the main guide 31, thereby forming the sheet bundle 5.
The sub-guide 32 faces the main guide 31 in a thickness direction Z of the sheet bundle 5 (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet bundle thickness direction). A space for stacking the sheets S is arranged between the main guide 31 and the sub-guide 32.
The stopper 33 is arranged in a downstream end portion of the main guide 31 in the sheet conveying direction X1. The stopper 33 is movable between a regulating position (illustrated by a solid line in
The switching member 34 switches conveying paths of the sheet bundle 5. Hereinafter, a direction in which the sheet bundle 5 is conveyed toward the tape processing unit 24 (specifically, the tape attachment unit 59 to be described later) is referred to as a “first conveying direction”. A direction in which the sheet bundle 5 is conveyed toward a position different from the tape attachment unit 59 (for example, downward from the bundle preparation unit 22) is referred to as a “second conveying direction. The switching member 34 switches the conveying paths of the sheet bundle 5 between the first conveying direction and the second conveying direction.
Next, the sheet shifting unit 23 will be described.
The sheet shifting unit 23 sequentially shifts the multiple sheets S little by little in the sheet conveying direction X1, thereby forming a state where the multiple sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 are shifted in the edge portion 5a. For example, the sheet shifting unit 23 forms a state of the sheet bundle 5 where the multiple sheets S are shifted in the edge portion 5a in a stepwise manner.
As illustrated in
The first roller 41 is attached to a first shaft 43. The first roller 41 functions as a driving roller driven by a motor (not illustrated) via the first shaft 43. The first roller 41 is fixed at a stationary position. A material of the first roller 41 is not particularly limited. For example, the first roller 41 is formed of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM).
The second roller 42 is attached to a second shaft 44. For example, the second roller 42 functions as a driven roller rotated in accordance with the rotation of the first roller 41. The second roller 42 is movable in a direction approaching the first roller 41 and in a direction away from the first roller 41 by a movement mechanism (not illustrated). The second roller 42 moves toward the first roller 41, thereby coming into contact with the sheet bundle 5 from a side opposite to the first roller 41.
Here, an outer peripheral surface 42s of the second roller 42 is softer than an outer peripheral surface 41s of the first roller 41, and is deformable along an upper surface of the sheet bundle 5 (refer to
Next, the tape processing unit 24 will be described.
As illustrated in
The unwinding unit 51 is an example of a “tape supply unit”. For example, the unwinding unit 51 holds an original roll around which a strip-like tape T (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “tape T”) is wound. The unwinding unit 51 supplies the tape T along a longitudinal direction of the tape T. In a state where the tape T is accommodated in the unwinding unit 51, the tape T includes an adhesive layer 61, a protection film (first film) 62, and a release film (second film) 63. The protection film 62 covers the adhesive layer 61 from one side. The protection film 62 is integrated with the adhesive layer 61 when the tape T is used. The release film 63 covers the adhesive layer 61 from a side opposite to the protection film 62. The release film 63 is released from the adhesive layer 61 when the tape T is used. The release film 63 is guided around the separation member 53 and wound by the winding unit 54.
The tape conveying unit 52 conveys the tape T supplied from the unwinding unit 51, along the longitudinal direction of the tape T. For example, the longitudinal direction of the tape T is a direction which is substantially parallel to the sheet bundle thickness direction Z.
The guide base 55 guides the tape T from which the release film 63 is separated. The guide base 55 supports the tape T when the tape T is held and cut.
The cutter 56 cuts the strip-like tape T supplied from the unwinding unit 51 to form the tape T having a sheet shape. For example, the cutter 56 is a rotary cutter, and includes a cutting blade 56a and a support shaft 56b. The support shaft 56b is rotated by a motor (not illustrated), thereby rotatably driving the cutting blade 56a. A configuration of the cutter 56 is not limited to the above-described example. As long as the tape T supplied from the unwinding unit 51 can be cut according to the configuration of the cutter 56, any configuration may be adopted. The cutter 56 is movable in the direction approaching the tape T and in the direction away from the tape T by a movement mechanism (not illustrated).
The cutting length changing unit 57 changes a length L (refer to
The cutting length changing unit 57 has a movement mechanism 71 which changes a relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to a tip end Te of the tape T supplied from the unwinding unit 51. For example, the movement mechanism 71 moves the cutter 56, thereby changing the relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T. For example, the movement mechanism 71 moves the cutter 56 along the sheet bundle thickness direction Z. The “relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T” represents a relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T when the tape T is cut by the cutter 56, for example.
In the embodiment described herein, the movement mechanism 71 includes a support member 72 which supports the cutter 56, and a drive source 73 which moves the cutter 56 via the support member 72. For example, the support member 72 is a ball spring connected to the cutter 56. The drive source 73 is a motor which moves the cutter 56 by driving the ball spring. A configuration of the support member 72 and the drive source 73 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the support member 72 may be a cam which is in contact with the cutter 56. The drive source 73 may be a solenoid which moves the cutter 56 via the support member 72. In such a case, the support member 72 is a connection member which connects the cutter 56 and the solenoid.
A configuration of the movement mechanism 71 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the movement mechanism 71 may change the relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T by changing the feeding length of the tape T with respect to the cutter 56 fixed at the stationary position. The configuration in this case will be described later.
In the embodiment described herein, the cutting length changing unit 57 is controlled by the control unit 26 (to be described later). For example, the control unit 26 controls the drive source 73 of the cutting length changing unit 57, thereby moving the cutter 56 and changing the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56. Various operations of the cutting length changing unit 57 in the following description are performed by the control unit 26 controlling the cutting length changing unit 57.
In the embodiment described herein, the cutting length changing unit 57 changes the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56, based on information relating to the sheet bundle 5 which is acquired by the interface 21. For example, the cutting length changing unit 57 changes the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56, based on information relating to the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5, which is acquired by the interface 21. For example, the cutting length changing unit 57 changes a cutting position of the tape T so as to lengthen the length L of the tape T when the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 is greater than a preset reference value. In the embodiment described herein, the cutting length changing unit 57 changes the cutting position of the tape T so as to gradually lengthen the length L of the tape T as the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 increases. The cutting length changing unit 57 changes the cutting position of the tape T so as to shorten the length L of the tape T when the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 is smaller than the reference value or another preset reference value. In the embodiment described herein, the cutting length changing unit 57 changes the cutting position of the tape T so as to gradually shorten the length L of the tape T as the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 decreases.
From another viewpoint, for example, when the sheet bundle 5 is thicker than a preset reference thickness since the number of sheets S increases, the cutting length changing unit 57 changes the cutting position of the tape T so as to lengthen the length L of the tape T approximately as much as the thickened amount of the sheet bundle 5 compared to the reference thickness. When the sheet bundle 5 is thinner than the preset reference thickness or another preset reference thickness since the number of sheets S decreases, the cutting length changing unit 57 changes the cutting position of the tape T so as to shorten the length L of the tape T approximately as much as the thinned amount of the sheet bundle 5 compared to the reference thickness or another preset reference thickness.
Next, the tape holding unit 58 will be described.
In a state where the tape holding unit 58 holds a posture of the tape T so as to be substantially flat, the tape holding unit 58 holds the tape T. The tape holding unit 58 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the tape T by a movement mechanism (not illustrated). The tape holding unit 58 is movable in the direction approaching the tape T and in the direction away from the tape T by a movement mechanism (not illustrated).
In the embodiment described herein, the tape holding unit 58 includes a first holding member 81, a second holding member 82, and a distance changing unit 83. The first holding member 81 comes into contact with a first end portion 65a of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56, thereby holding the first end portion 65a (refer to
As illustrated in
In the embodiment described herein, the distance changing unit 83 is controlled by the control unit 26 (to be described later). For example, the control unit 26 controls the drive source 86 of the distance changing unit 83, thereby moving the second holding member 82 and changing the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82. Various operations of the distance changing unit 83 in the following description are performed by the control unit 26 controlling the distance changing unit 83.
In the embodiment described herein, the distance changing unit 83 changes the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82, based on the information relating to the sheet bundle 5 which is acquired by the interface 21. For example, the distance changing unit 83 changes the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82, based on the information relating to the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5, which is acquired by the interface 21. For example, the distance changing unit 83 lengthens the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82, when the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 is greater than the preset reference value. In the embodiment described herein, the distance changing unit 83 gradually lengthens the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82, as the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 increases. The distance changing unit 83 shortens the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82, when the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 is smaller than the reference value or another preset reference value. In the embodiment described herein, the distance changing unit 83 gradually shortens the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82, as the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 decreases.
From another viewpoint, when the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56 is longer than the preset reference length, the distance changing unit 83 lengthens the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82 approximately as much as the lengthened amount of the length L of the tape T compared to the reference length. When the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56 is shorter than the reference length or another preset reference length, the distance changing unit 83 shortens the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82 approximately as much as the shortened amount of the length L of the tape T compared to the reference length or another preset reference length. The above-described changing amount of the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82 may be substantially the same as or may be different from the changing amount of the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56.
The tape attachment unit (tape wrapping unit) 59 includes a first roller 91, a second roller 92, a first spring 93, and a second spring 94. The first spring 93 biases the first roller 91 toward the second roller 92. The second spring 94 biases the second roller 92 toward the first roller 91. The first roller 91 and the first spring 93 cooperate with each other, thereby forming an example of a “first biasing unit”. The second roller 92 and the second spring 94 cooperate with each other, thereby forming an example of a “second biasing unit”. The edge portion 5a of the sheet bundle 5 together with the tape T is inserted into a portion between the first roller 91 and the second roller 92, when the tape T is attached thereto. In this manner, the tape T is bent so that the edge portion 5a of the sheet bundle 5 is wrapped by the tape attachment unit 59, and the tape T is attached to the edge portion 5a of the sheet bundle 5.
Next, the memory unit 25 and the control unit 26 (refer to
The memory unit 25 is formed using a storage device arranged in the sheet binding device 1. Various programs are stored in the memory unit 25. In the memory unit 25, various patterns relating to the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 and information relating to the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56 which corresponds to the respective patterns are correlated with each other so as to be managed therein. In the memory unit 25, various patterns relating to the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 and information relating to the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82 which corresponds to the respective patterns are correlated with each other so as to be managed therein.
The control unit 26 includes a control circuit including CPU, ROM, and RAM which are arranged in the sheet binding device 1. For example, in the control unit 26, a processor such as CPU to execute a program controls an operation of the sheet binding device 1. For example, the control unit 26 controls various operations of the bundle preparation unit 22, the sheet shifting unit 23, and the tape processing unit 24. For example, the control unit 26 controls the cutting length changing unit 57 and the distance changing unit 83, based on information relating to the sheet bundle 5 which is acquired through the interface 21 and information obtained by referring to the memory unit 25.
Next, an operation example of the sheet binding device 1 will be described.
First, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Then, as illustrated in
Here, a principle in which the multiple sheets S are shifted in the stepwise manner will be described.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
According to the above-described configuration, the sheet binding device 1 completes a series of operations.
According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of replenished consumables or the cost required for the replenishment in the sheet binding device 1. That is, in the embodiment described herein, the sheet binding device 1 includes the cutting length changing unit 57 which changes the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56, based on the information relating to the sheet bundle 5. According to this configuration, depending on a state of each sheet bundle 5, it is possible to prevent the sheet bundle 5 from being bound by the tape T which is unnecessarily long. In this manner, it is possible to reduce the number of replenished tapes T or the cost required for the replenishment of the tapes T.
In the embodiment described herein, the tape holding unit 58 changes the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82, based on the information relating to the sheet bundle 5. According to this configuration, even if the length L of the tape T is changed, the tape T can be more suitably held by the tape holding unit 58.
In the embodiment described herein, the sheet binding device 1 includes the sheet shifting unit 23 which shifts the multiple sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5 at the edge portion 5a of the sheet bundle 5. For example, the sheet shifting unit 23 changes a pressing contact amount of the second roller 42 with respect to the first roller 41. In this manner, it is possible to change a sheet shifted amount of the multiple sheets Sin the edge portion 5a of the sheet bundle 5. Here, according to the configuration of the embodiment described herein, for example, when the sheet shifted amount of the multiple sheets S is changed in the edge portion 5a of the sheet bundle 5, it is possible to change the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56 in accordance with a size of the sheet shifted amount of the multiple sheets S. That is, for example, when the sheet shifted amount of the multiple sheets S is greater than the preset reference value, it is possible to lengthen the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56.
Next, a first modification example of the first embodiment will be described. The sheet binding device 1 according to the above-described first embodiment, through the interface 21, acquires the information relating to the sheet bundle 5. The sheet binding device 1 according to the modification example described herein, by a detection unit D arranged in the sheet binding device 1, acquires the information relating to the sheet bundle 5. The configurations other than the following are the same as the configurations according to the above-described first embodiment.
The sheet binding device 1 according to the modification example described herein the detection unit D arranged in the conveying path of the sheet binding device 1 (refer to
Next, a second modification example according to the first embodiment will be described. The sheet binding device 1 according to the first embodiment changes the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56, based on the information relating to the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5, as the information relating to the sheet bundle 5. In contrast, the sheet binding device 1 according to the modification example described herein changes the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56, based on information relating to a thickness of the sheet bundle 5, as the information relating to the sheet bundle 5. The configurations other than the following are the same as the configurations according to the above-described first embodiment.
The sheet binding device 1 according to the modification example described herein includes the detection unit D arranged in the sheet binding device 1 (refer to
According to the modification example described herein, the cutting length changing unit 57 changes the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56, based on the information relating to the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 which is acquired by the detection unit D. The tape holding unit 58 changes the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82, based on the information relating to the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 which is acquired by the detection unit D. A specific process of the cutting length changing unit 57 and the tape holding unit 58 is substantially the same as a specific process of the cutting length changing unit 57 and the tape holding unit 58 according to the first embodiment. That is, the specific process of the cutting length changing unit 57 and the tape holding unit 58 may be alternatively rad as follows in the description relating to the cutting length changing unit 57 and the tape holding unit 58 according to the first embodiment. For example, the description of “the number of sheets S forming the sheet bundle 5” is replaced with “the thickness of the sheet bundle 5”. The description of “smaller than the reference value” is replaced with “thinner than the reference value”. The description of “as the number of sheets S increases” is replaced with “as the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 is thickened”. The description of “as the number of sheets S decreases” is replaced with “as the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 is thinned”. The description of “approximately as much as the thickened amount of the sheet bundle 5 compared to the reference thickness” is replaced with “as approximately the same amount as the thickened amount of the sheet bundle 5 compared to the reference thickness”. The description of “approximately as much as the thinned amount of the sheet bundle 5 compared to the reference thickness or another preset reference thickness” is replaced with “as approximately the same amount as the thinned amount of the sheet bundle 5 compared to the reference thickness or another preset reference thickness”.
According to this configuration, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of replenished tapes T or the cost required for the replenishment of the tapes T.
A configuration of the detection unit D is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the detection unit D may be a pressure sensor arranged in the second roller 42 of the sheet shifting unit 23. The detection unit D arranged in this way may acquire the information relating to the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 by detecting internal pressure of the second roller 42 when the second roller 42 comes into pressing contact with the first roller 41. Instead of the detection unit D acquiring the information relating to the thickness of the sheet bundle 5, in the sheet binding device 1, the interface 21 may acquire the information relating the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 from an external apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus 2).
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The embodiment described herein is different from the first embodiment in that the cutting length changing unit 57 does not include the drive source 73 and is operated by being mechanically interlocked with the moving body 101 of the detection unit D. The configurations other than the following are the same as those according to the first embodiment.
The cutting length changing unit 57 according to the embodiment described herein has an interlocking mechanism 111 which mechanically interlocks a position of the moving body 101 with a relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T. For example, the interlocking mechanism 111 interlocks a movement (movement amount) of the moving body 101 in the sheet bundle thickness direction Z with a movement (movement amount) of the cutter 56 in the sheet bundle thickness direction Z. In the embodiment described herein, the interlocking mechanism 111 includes a connection member 112, a link member 113, and a pair of guide members 114a and 114b. For example, the connection member 112 is a pin arranged in the cutter 56. A first end portion 113a of the link member 113 is connected to the moving body 101 so as to be pivotable. A second end portion 113b of the link member 113 is provided with a long hole 113c through which the connection member 112 passes. The second end portion 113b of the link member 113 supports the connection member 112 passing through the long hole 113c so as to be pivotable. The guide members 114a and 114b are located separately on both sides of the cutter 56, thereby regulating free inclination of the cutter 56. The guide members 114a and 114b guide the cutter 56 along the sheet bundle thickness direction Z.
For example, according to the above-described configuration, when the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 is greater than the reference value, the interlocking mechanism 111 moves the cutter 56 upward from the reference position in the sheet bundle thickness direction Z. In this manner, when the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 is greater than the reference value, the interlocking mechanism 111 changes the cutting position of the tape T so as to lengthen the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56. For example, as the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 becomes thicker, the interlocking mechanism 111 changes the cutting position of the tape T so as to gradually lengthen the length L of the tape T. When the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 is smaller than the reference value, the interlocking mechanism 111 moves the cutter 56 downward from the reference position in the sheet bundle thickness direction Z. In this manner, when the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 is smaller than the reference value, the interlocking mechanism 111 changes the cutting position of the tape T so as to shorten the length L of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56. For example, as the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 becomes thinner, the interlocking mechanism 111 changes the cutting position of the tape T so as to gradually shorten the length L of the tape T. A change relating to the cutting length of the tape T except for those described above is substantially the same as a change relating to the cutting length of the tape T according to the second modification example of the first embodiment.
In this manner, the cutting length changing unit 57 according to the embodiment described herein changes the cutting position of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56, based on the information relating to the thickness of the sheet bundle 5, as the information relating to the sheet bundle 5. That is, in the embodiment described herein, the sheet binding device 1 includes the moving body 101 whose position is changed in accordance with the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 by coming into contact with the sheet bundle 5. The cutting length changing unit 57 has the interlocking mechanism 111 which mechanically interlocks the position of the moving body 101 with the relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T. According to this configuration, it is possible to omit the drive source 73 of the movement mechanism 71. In this manner, it is possible to achieve miniaturization and cost reduction of the sheet binding device 1.
A specific configuration of the interlocking mechanism 111 is not limited to the above-described example. As long as a configuration is adopted so as to mechanically interlock the position of the moving body 101 of the detection unit D with the relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T, any configuration may be adopted. The interlocking mechanism 111 according to the embodiment described herein moves the cutter 56, thereby changing the relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T. Alternatively, the interlocking mechanism 111 may change the feeding length of the tape T fed to the cutter 56 fixed at the stationary position so as to change the relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T.
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The embodiment described herein is different from the second embodiment in that the tape T is supplied due to its own weight, in that a different configuration of the detection unit D is adopted, and in that the tape holding unit 58 does not include the drive source 86 and the sheet binding device 1 is operated by being mechanically interlocked with the moving body of the detection unit D. The configurations other than the following are the same as those according to the second embodiment.
As illustrated in
The detection unit D according to the embodiment described herein includes a first roller 121, a second roller 122, and a spring 123. For example, the first roller 121 is fixed at the stationary position. The second roller 122 faces the first roller 121 in the sheet bundle thickness direction Z. The second roller 122 is movable in the direction approaching the first roller 121 and in the direction away from the first roller 121, in the sheet bundle thickness direction Z. The spring 123 biases the second roller 122 toward the first roller 121. As illustrated in
In the embodiment described herein, the interlocking mechanism 111 of the cutting length changing unit 57 includes a connection member 125 which connects the second roller 122 and the cutter 56. The interlocking mechanism 111 mechanically interlocks the position of the second roller 122 and the relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T. An operation relating to the movement of the cutter 56 according to the interlocking mechanism 111 in the embodiment described herein is substantially the same as an operation according to the interlocking mechanism 111 in the second embodiment.
In the embodiment described herein, the connection member 125 of the interlocking mechanism 111 of the cutting length changing unit 57 is also connected to the second holding member 82 of the tape holding unit 58. In this manner, the interlocking mechanism 111 of the cutting length changing unit 57 mechanically interlocks the position of the second roller 122 with the position of the second holding member 82. For example, the interlocking mechanism 111 interlocks the movement (movement amount) of the second roller 122 in the sheet bundle thickness direction Z with the movement (movement amount) of the second holding member 82 in the sheet bundle thickness direction Z. For example, when the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 is greater than the reference value, the interlocking mechanism 111 moves the second holding member 82 upward from the reference position in the sheet bundle thickness direction Z. In this manner, when the thickness of the sheet bundle 5 is greater than the reference value, the interlocking mechanism 111 lengthens the distance M between the first holding member 81 and the second holding member 82. A specific operation in which the interlocking mechanism 111 moves the second holding member 82 is substantially the same as an operation in which the interlocking mechanism 111 moves the cutter 56.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the sheet binding device 1 includes the tape attachment unit 59 which presses the tape T against the edge portion 5a of the sheet bundle 5. Instead of disposing the tape attachment unit 59, the first roller 121 and the second roller 122 of the detection unit D may press the tape T against the edge portion 5a of the sheet bundle 5.
In the above-described embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the sheet binding device 1 has the interlocking mechanism 111 which moves the relative position of the cutter 56 with respect to the tip end Te of the tape T in accordance with the thickness of the sheet bundle 5. According to this configuration, it is possible to omit the drive source 73 of the movement mechanism 71.
In the embodiment described herein, the interlocking mechanism 111 of the cutting length changing unit 57 mechanically interlocks the position of the second roller 122 with the position of the second holding member 82. According to this configuration, it is possible to omit the drive source 86 of the tape holding unit 58. In this manner, it is possible to further achieve miniaturization and cost reduction of the sheet binding device 1. A specific configuration of the interlocking mechanism 111 is not limited to the above-described example. As long as a configuration is adopted so as to mechanically interlock the position of the second roller 122 with the position of the second holding member 82, any configuration may be adopted. The interlocking mechanism which interlocks the position of the second roller 122 with the position of the cutter 56 may be arranged independent of the interlocking mechanism which interlocks the position of the second roller 122 and the position of the second holding member 82.
Hitherto, the first to third embodiments have been described. However, configurations according to the embodiments are not limited to thee above-described examples. For example, instead of moving the position of the cutter 56, the cutting length changing unit 57 may change the feeding length of the tape T with respect to the cutter 56 fixed at the stationary position so as to change the cutting position of the tape T to be cut by the cutter 56. For example,
In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the first roller 41 is actively rotated and the second roller 42 is passively rotated in the sheet shifting unit 23, but a configuration is not limited thereto. For example, both the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 may be rotated independently.
A configuration is not limited to a case where the sheet shifting unit 23 includes the first roller 41 and the second roller 42. For example, as illustrated in
For example, as illustrated in
In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the first roller 91 and the second roller 92 in the tape attachment unit 59 are biased in the direction where both of these come into contact with each other, but a configuration is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the first roller 91 and the second roller 92 may be biased where one comes into contact with the other.
In each of the first to third embodiments, the multiple sheets S may be aligned in the edge portion 5a of the sheet bundle 5 (refer to
According to at least any one embodiment described above, the sheet binding device 1 includes the cutting length changing unit which changes the length of the tape to be cut by the cutter, based on the information relating to the sheet bundle. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of replenished consumables or the cost required for the replenishment.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
