JP2000108053A - Binding member removing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To pull out a binding member with relative low force and to prevent damage on a paper sheet when the binding member having both ends and a nail shape is pulled out. SOLUTION: This binding member removing device is provided with a first inserting member 411 to be inserted between the front surface of a paper bundle D and a staple S, a second inserting member 412 to be inserted between the back surface of the paper bundle and the staple, an electric motor 430 for respectively moving the first and second inserting members 411, 412, and a control means for controlling the operation of the electric motor 430. The control means controls the electric motor 430 so that the staple may be pulled out by the first inserting member 411 after the second inserting member 412 arranged on the back surface side in which both leg parts Sa, Sb of the staples are positioned is inserted prior to the first inserting member arranged on the front surface side and then both leg parts of the staples are opened by the second inserting member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a binding member removing device for removing a binding member such as a staple from a sheet bundle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to bind a bundle of sheets of a plurality of sheets together to form one or a part of a document, a clip,
A binding member such as a tape or a staple having a needle shape having both ends is widely used. When binding a bundle of sheets with staples, both ends of the staples bent into a U-shape penetrate the bundle of sheets, and then both legs are bent inward.

[0003] A binding member removing device is used to remove the staples from the sheet bundle bound by the staples as described above. This type of binding member removing device is of a type that cuts and removes staples or a bundle of sheets due to a difference in a staple removing operation (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8-
No. 15927, JP-A-6-186807) and a type in which an insertion member is inserted between a sheet bundle and a staple and pulled out (see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-154445).

In the latter pull-out type binding member removing device, an insertion member is disposed only on the surface of the both sides of the sheet bundle on which both ends of the staples are not located, and the one insertion member is connected to the sheet bundle and the staples. Staples are pulled out of the stack of paper.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional pull-out type binding member removing apparatus has the following problems.

First, since the staples whose both ends are bent are pulled out from one side of the sheet bundle, in addition to the force for pulling out the staples, the force for raising and raising both ends of the staples is required. A relatively large force is required to pull out the staple. Therefore, there is a problem that a driving unit including a motor, a gear train, and the like for operating the insertion member increases in size, and consequently, the size of the binding member removing device increases.

Secondly, if the staples with both ends penetrating the sheet bundle bent are pulled out from one side of the sheet bundle, each sheet of the sheet bundle is damaged by the bent both ends. There is a fear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems associated with the above prior art, and is capable of pulling out a binding member with a relatively small force, and has a needle-shaped binding member having both ends. It is an object of the present invention to provide a binding member removing device capable of preventing a sheet from being damaged when the sheet is pulled out.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a binding member removing apparatus having an insertion means inserted between a sheet bundle and a binding member for binding the sheet bundle. In the above, the insertion means, a first insertion member inserted between the surface of the sheet bundle and the binding member,
A binding member removing device, comprising: a second insertion member inserted between the back surface of the sheet bundle and the binding member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the binding member has a needle shape having both ends, and the first binding member has a first shape.
Drive means for moving each of the and the second insertion member toward between the sheet bundle and the binding member; and a driving means disposed on a surface of the both sides of the sheet bundle on which the both ends of the binding member are located. Control means for controlling the driving means so as to insert one inserted member earlier than the other inserted member disposed on the surface on which the both ends are not located,
It is characterized by having.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the binding member has a needle shape having both ends, and the first binding member has a first shape.
Drive means for moving each of the and the second insertion member toward between the sheet bundle and the binding member; and a driving means disposed on a surface of the both sides of the sheet bundle on which the both ends of the binding member are located. After performing the operation of opening the both ends of the binding member by one of the inserted insertion members, the operation of pulling out the binding member by the other insertion member disposed on the surface on the side where the both ends are not located is performed. And control means for controlling the driving means.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a copying machine provided with an automatic paper feeder incorporating a binding member removing device according to the present invention.

<< Copying Machine >> In the copying machine shown in FIG. 1, an automatic paper feeder (hereinafter, ADF) 20 is provided above a copying machine body 10.
It has. The ADF 20 transports sheets one by one from the loaded sheet bundle onto a platen glass provided on the upper part of the copying machine main body 10. The plurality of devices read images on paper conveyed by the ADF 20 by an image reader (not shown) in the plurality of device main bodies 10, temporarily stored the read images in a memory, and performed various image editing processes as necessary. Thereafter, an image is formed on a sheet by a well-known electrophotographic method, that is, a so-called digital copying machine. Note that the configuration and operation of the copying machine main body 10 are well known and will not be described here.

<< Automatic Paper Conveying Apparatus >> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the automatic paper conveying apparatus (ADF) shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ADF 20 includes a tray 30 on which a sheet bundle is placed, a separation roller 201 for pulling out sheets one by one, a pair of registration rollers 205 for conveying the separated sheets, and A conveyor belt 206;
A reversing roller 207 for reversing the front and back surfaces of the paper,
And a discharge roller pair 208 for discharging the paper. The sheet discharged by the discharge roller pair 208 is discharged to a discharge tray 209 (see FIG. 1). Further, the transport belt 206 is stretched endlessly between the drive roller 212 and the driven roller 213 so as to cover the entire surface of the platen glass of the copying machine body 10. A number of backup rollers 214 are rotatably installed inside the transport belt 206 to press the transport belt 206 against the platen glass.

<< Binding Member Removing Device >> The ADF 20 has a binding member removing device that removes staples from the bundle of sheets with the bundle of sheets bound by staples serving as binding members placed on the tray 30. 300 are incorporated. The binding member removing device 300 removes staples, which are binding members, from a sheet bundle.
00 and a collection box 500 for collecting the removed staples. Binding member removal device 300
Near the sheet setting surface of the tray 30 on which the sheet bundle is placed;
For example, it is provided near the leading end on the downstream side in the paper transport direction. As a result, there is no need to make a major change in the layout of the paper transport mechanism or the like, so that the ADF as a whole is kept compact and maintenance can be performed easily.

FIG. 3 shows the sheet bundle D bound by the staples S and the removing means 4 of the binding member removing device 300.
It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of 00.

As shown in FIG. 3, the staple S has a needle shape having both ends, and the legs Sa and Sb penetrating the back side of the sheet bundle D are bent inward to form a sheet bundle. D is united.

The removing means 400 includes a sheet bundle D and the sheet bundle D.
Insertion means 4 inserted between the staple S for binding
10 and a support member 42 that supports the insertion means 410 and is movable along the sheet conveyance direction indicated by the arrow A.
0. In particular, in this embodiment, the insertion means 410 includes a first insertion member 411 inserted between one surface of the sheet bundle D and the staple S, and a staple A second insertion member 412 that is inserted between the needle S. First and second insertion members 4
One of the second insertion members 412 among the front and back sides of the sheet bundle D is a pair of legs Sa of the staple S,
The other first insertion member 411 is disposed on the surface on the side where Sb is located, that is, on the back surface side, and the other first insertion member 411 is disposed on the surface on the side where both legs Sa and Sb are not located, ie, the front surface side. Removal means 400
Has a drive means for moving each of the first and second insertion members 411 and 412 between the sheet bundle D and the staple S. As the driving means, for example, an electric actuator, specifically, an electric motor 430 is used from the viewpoint of compactness.

The first insertion member 411 includes an extension 41 extending in a direction of insertion into the staple S indicated by an arrow B.
1a and a substantially L-shaped base end 411b extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction B. The base end 411b is provided at a rear end of the extension 411a along the insertion direction B. It is installed continuously. The extension portion 411a is formed in a slope shape such that the thickness in the sheet bundle thickness direction becomes thinner toward the leading end. The distal end of the extension 411a is formed in an arc shape.

Similarly, the second insertion member 412 also
A substantially L-shape with 12a and a base end 412b,
The base end 412b is provided continuously to the rear end of the extension 412a in the insertion direction B. The extension portion 412a is formed in a slope shape such that the thickness in the sheet bundle thickness direction becomes thinner toward the leading end. Unlike the first insertion member 411, the distal end of the extension 412a is formed in a forked claw shape. With this claw shape, the second insertion member 412 is reliably inserted between the bent legs Sa and Sb of the staple S and the back surface of the sheet bundle D.

The width of the distal end of each of the insertion members 411 and 412 is set to the size between the legs Sa and Sb of the staple S to be used.

Each of the insertion members 411 and 412 is formed of, for example, an aluminum alloy from the viewpoint of weight reduction, but is not limited to this material. It is also possible. Further, the surface may be coated with a fluororesin or the like to reduce frictional resistance.

The support member 420 includes a pair of upper and lower support arms 421 and 422 provided on the main body 423 so as to straddle a side edge of the sheet bundle D parallel to the sheet conveying direction A. Each of the support arms 421 and 422 extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction A, that is, in the paper width direction. The base end 411b of the first insertion member 411 is rotatably attached to the distal end of the lower support arm 421 in the figure, and the base end of the second insertion member 412 is mounted to the distal end of the upper support arm 422 in the figure. 412b is rotatably attached.

Each of the extension members 411a,
Each insertion member 41 is moved in a direction in which the tips of 412a approach each other.
A spring (not shown) is provided for urging a resilient force for rotating the first and second wheels 412. Due to the action of the spring, even when the thickness of the original bundle D is different, the insertion member 41
The leading ends of the reference numerals 1 and 412 abut on the original bundle D and are reliably inserted between the original and the staple S. In addition, both insertion members 41
When the document bundle D is sent between the first and second sheets 412, the insertion members 411 and 412 are separated from each other against the resilience of the spring, so that the setting of the document bundle D is not hindered.

A rack 424 is formed on the lower surface of the main body 423 of the support member 420, and a pinion 431 is engaged with the rack 424. The output shaft of the electric motor 430 is fixed to the pinion 431. Therefore,
The rotational drive of the electric motor 430 is converted into forward / backward movement along the insertion direction B of the support member 420 via the pinion 431 and the rack 424, and further in the insertion direction B of the first and second insertion members 411 and 412. It is converted into a forward and backward movement. In the present embodiment, the two insertion members 411, 412
In this embodiment, the one support member 420 to which is attached is moved forward and backward, so that the moving mechanism of each of the insertion members 411 and 412 can have a simple and compact configuration. A wheel (not shown) is rotatably attached to the main body portion 423 of the support member 420, and is guided by a rail (not shown) provided on the main body side of the ADF 20 so that the paper transport direction A
Moved to

Here, the length of each of the insertion members 411 and 412 and the supporting member 420 are set so that the distal end position of the second insertion member 412 is located on the front side in the insertion direction B from the distal end position of the first insertion member 411. The mounting position on the camera has been determined. Therefore, when the electric motor 430 is driven to move the support member 420 forward, the second insertion member 412 disposed on the back side of the sheet bundle D is replaced by the first insertion member 412 disposed on the front side of the sheet bundle D. Before 411, the sheet is inserted between the sheet bundle D and the staple S. Further, since the extension portions 411a and 412a of the insertion members 411 and 412 have a slope shape, first, the second insertion member 41
2, an operation of opening both leg portions Sa and Sb of the staple S is performed, and thereafter, an operation of lifting the staple S returned to a substantially U-shape from the sheet bundle D by the first insertion member 411 and pulling out the same. Will be.

Referring to FIG. 2, the removing means 400 is provided with a sensor 440 for detecting a staple S of the sheet bundle D set at a predetermined position. This sensor 440
Is a magnetic sensor that detects, for example, a staple S made of metal, so that the presence or absence or position of the staple S can be grasped from above the sheet bundle D without contact. Note that the sensor 440 is not limited to a magnetic sensor, and may be a sensor that optically captures an image and performs image processing, or that performs detection using a contact pressure sensor.

Referring to FIG. 2, the collection box 500
Inside the ADF 20, it is arranged at a position below the removing means 400 with the sheet transport path interposed therebetween. The staples S removed from the sheet bundle D by the removing means 400 are freely dropped and collected in the collection box 500.

<< Control System >> FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system for controlling the binding member removing device.

A sensor 440 for detecting the staple S is connected to the CPU 450 as control means.
Sensor 44 for detecting presence / absence of sheet bundle D on tray 30
1. A home position sensor 442 for detecting the initial position of the support member 420 is connected. The sensor 441 and the home position sensor 442 include a limit switch, a photo interrupter, and the like. On the other hand, CPU4
From 50, a control signal for turning on / off the drive motor 430 is output to the motor drive circuit 443.

<Operation> Next, the operation of the binding member removing device will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the binding member removing device, and FIGS. 6 (A) to 6 (D) and FIG.
(E)-(G) is a figure for demonstrating the removal operation of the staple S. 6 and 7,
For the sake of understanding, the first insertion member 411 and the second insertion member 412 are shown as moving separately.

When the sheet bundle D still bound by the staples S is placed on the tray 30 of the ADF 20,
The sensor 441 detects the sheet bundle D (step S11),
The staple S is detected by the sensor 440 (S12).

When the staple S is detected, the electric motor 430 is driven to rotate (S13), and the second insertion member 412 is moved forward from the initial position (FIG. 6A) toward the staple S (FIG. 6 (A)). B)). The second insertion member 412 is inserted between the back surface of the sheet bundle D and the staple S before the first insertion member 411 (FIG. 6C). Since the extension 412a of the second insertion member 412 has a slope shape, both legs Sa and Sb of the staple S are gradually opened with the insertion of the second insertion member 412 (FIG. 6).
(D)).

The two legs Sa and Sb of the staple S are
Almost simultaneously with the end of the opening operation by the insertion member 412, the first insertion member 411 is inserted between the surface of the sheet bundle D and the staple S (FIG. 7E). Since the extension portion 411a of the first insertion member 411 also has a slope shape, the staple S returned to the substantially U-shape is gradually lifted from the sheet bundle D with the insertion of the first insertion member 411. Is pulled out (FIG. 7F).

When the first insertion member 411 moves to the forward limit position, the staples S are completely pulled out of the sheet bundle D, and the removed staples S fall freely and are collected in the collection box 500 (FIG. 9). 7 (G)).

Then, the electric motor 430 is rotated in the reverse direction (S
14) The first and second insertion members 411 and 412 are moved backward toward the initial positions. Home position sensor 44
2 is turned on, the electric motor 430 is stopped (S1).
5, S16). Thereby, the first and second insertion members 41
Reference numerals 1 and 412 return to the initial positions (FIG. 6A), and a series of staple S removal operations ends.

Thereafter, when the copy start key of the copying machine body 10 is pressed, the sheets are separated one by one from the sheet bundle D and are conveyed onto the platen glass. In this way,
The sheet bundle D can be set on the tray 30 while being bound with the staples S, and the staples S can be automatically removed and the paper can be conveyed. Thereafter, the paper image is read by the copying machine main body, and a copy output is performed.

As described above, the binding member removing device of the present embodiment separates the back surface of the sheet bundle D and the staples S separately from the first insertion member 411 inserted between the front surface of the sheet bundle D and the staples S. Insertion member 4 inserted between
Since the staple S is provided only from the front side of the sheet bundle D, the staple S can be pulled out with a relatively small force. Therefore, the insertion members 411, 4
The electric motor 430 and the driving force transmission mechanism for operating the motor 12 do not increase in size, and the size of the binding member removing device can be reduced.

Moreover, both legs Sa, S of the staple S
The operation of opening the two legs Sa and Sb by inserting the second insertion member 412 arranged on the side where the b is located before the first insertion member 411 arranged on the side where the legs Sa and Sb are not located. Then, the staple S is pulled out after the staple S is pulled out, so that the staple S can be removed more smoothly than in the case where the staple S is pulled out with both legs Sa and Sb bent. In this case, breakage of each sheet can be significantly reduced.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the insertion member 4
11 and 412 are advanced toward the downstream side in the paper transport direction A and inserted between the paper bundle D and the staples S. On the contrary, they are advanced toward the upstream side in the paper transport direction A. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is inserted by inserting it. Also,
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the advance / retreat directions of the insertion members 411 and 412 can be changed according to the direction of the staple S.

Also, the first and second insertion members 411, 41
The driving means for moving the second member 2 is not limited to the electric motor 430, and may have a simple configuration using, for example, the elastic force of a spring member.

The distal end of each of the insertion members 411 and 412 is formed in a comb-like shape provided with a large number of teeth with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the overall width of the distal end is adjusted to the staple needle S to be used. May be formed according to the largest size. According to this configuration, since the number of teeth corresponding to the size between the two legs Sa and Sb among the plurality of comb teeth is inserted, a plurality of types having different dimensions between the legs Sa and Sb by one insertion member. Can be removed from the sheet bundle D. Further, even when the position of the insertion member is slightly deviated from the staple S, the necessary number of teeth are inserted between the two legs Sa and Sb, so that the staple S can be reliably and easily removed.

The first and second insertion members 411, 41
2 is attached to one support member 420 and moved together, but the first and second insertion members 411, 4
12 may be moved individually (see FIGS. 6 and 7). In this case, a mechanism that moves each of the first and second insertion members 411 and 412 in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction B may be further provided. This makes it possible to remove not only the staples S stopped at the corners of the sheet bundle D but also the staples S stopped at an arbitrary position along the width direction of the sheet bundle D. Each insertion member 41 extends in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction B.
In order to move the feed screw shafts 1 and 412, for example, a feed screw shaft that is rotationally driven and arranged along the paper width direction and a nut portion provided on the insertion members 411 and 412 and through which the feed screw shaft is inserted are inserted. What is necessary is just to provide the mechanism which has. In the removing device for extracting the staple S stopped at an arbitrary position as described above, the sensor 440 for detecting the staple S is used.
May be provided movably within a predetermined range.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the binding member can be pulled out with a relatively small force.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), it is possible to provide a binding member removing device capable of preventing breakage of paper when pulling out a binding member having a needle shape having both ends.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, similarly to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a binding member removing device capable of preventing breakage of a sheet when a needle-shaped binding member having both ends is pulled out. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a copying machine including an automatic paper feeder incorporating a binding member removing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an internal structure of the automatic paper transport device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of a sheet bundle bound by staples and a binding member removing device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control system that controls a binding member removing device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the binding member removing device.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are views showing an operation of removing a staple S. FIG.

FIGS. 7 (E) to 7 (G) are views showing an operation of removing the staple S. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Copier main body 20 ... ADF (automatic paper conveyance apparatus) 30 ... Tray 300 ... Binding member removal apparatus 400 ... Removal means 410 ... Insertion means 411 ... First insertion member 412 ... Second insertion member 420 ... Support member 430 ... Electricity Motor (drive unit) 450 CPU (control unit) 500 collection unit D paper bundle S staples (binding members) Sa, Sb staple legs

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toru Murakami 2-3-1-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H076 BA15 BA45 EA15 3C068 BB06 CC06

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A binding member removing device comprising an insertion unit inserted between a sheet bundle and a binding member for binding the sheet bundle, wherein the insertion unit is provided between a surface of the sheet bundle and the binding member. A binding member removing device comprising: a first insertion member to be inserted; and a second insertion member inserted between a back surface of the sheet bundle and the binding member. 2. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein the binding member has a needle shape having both ends, and further, each of the first and second insertion members is moved toward between the sheet bundle and the binding member. Means, and one of the insertion members disposed on the side of the sheet bundle on which the both ends of the binding member are located, and the other of the insertion members disposed on the side on which the both ends are not located. The binding member removing device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the driving unit so that the driving unit is inserted before the insertion member. 3. A drive for moving each of the first and second insertion members toward a position between the sheet bundle and the binding member, wherein the binding member has a needle shape having both ends. Means for opening the both ends of the binding member by one of the insertion members disposed on the side of the both sides of the sheet bundle where the both ends of the binding member are located, 2. The binding device according to claim 1, further comprising: control means for controlling the driving means so as to perform an operation of pulling out the binding member by the other insertion member arranged on the surface on the side where is not located. Member removal device.