JP2000159431A - Stapling member remover and automatic document conveyor therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stapling member remover, capable of removing a stapling member from a paper bundle easily and surely and without entailing damage to the paper bundle by making up a clearance in a space between the stapling member and a surface of the paper bundle in advance. SOLUTION: A staple S binding a document bundle D is deformed in pressing it by a contact part 100, thereby having a clearance produced in space between the staple S and the document bundle D. After the apex of this staple S is floated upward from the surface of the document bundle D, for example, an insertional member separately installed is inserted into this clearance, whereby the staple S is removed from the document bundle D easily and surely and that without entailing any damage to this document bundle D.

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 When a sheet bundle is bound by a staple as a binding member, both ends of the staple needle bent in a U-shape are passed through the sheet bundle,
The sheet bundle is bound by bending both the front ends inward.

[0003] The binding member removing device removes the staples from the sheet bundle bound by the staples as described above. The staples are often made of metal.In order to remove the staples from the sheet bundle, generally, an insertion member is inserted between the sheet bundle and a staple for binding the sheet bundle. Then, remove the staples from the sheet bundle.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional binding member removing apparatus, in order to easily and surely remove the staples from the sheet bundle, a force for expanding the space between the staples and the surface of the sheet bundle is required. It is necessary to insert the insertion member while adding. For this reason, when the insertion member cannot be easily inserted, there is a problem that the insertion member may damage or break the sheet.

Further, in an apparatus for automatically removing a binding member, such as when this binding member removing device is provided in an automatic document feeder (ADF), the space between the staples and the sheet bundle cannot be spread well. This makes it difficult to smoothly insert the insertion member between the staples and the sheet bundle, and the efficiency of removing the binding member is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gap between a binding member and the surface of a sheet bundle in advance, thereby providing Easy and reliable, without damaging the stack of paper,
An object of the present invention is to provide a binding member removing device capable of removing a binding member from a sheet bundle.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a binding member removing apparatus for removing a binding member from a sheet bundle bound by the binding member, wherein the binding member is deformed. The binding member removing device further includes a binding member deforming unit that creates a gap between the binding member and the surface of the sheet bundle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the binding member removing device according to the first aspect, the binding member deforming means is a binding member pressing means for deforming the binding member by pressing the binding member. It is characterized by.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the binding member removing device according to the second aspect, the binding member pressing means has an uneven surface and is brought into contact with the binding member. It has a part.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the binding member removing device according to the first aspect, further comprising an insertion member inserted into the gap.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the binding member removing device according to the first aspect, the binding member deforming means deforms the binding member by enlarging the interval between the sheets in the sheet bundle. It is characterized in that it is an interval expanding means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the binding member removing device according to the fifth aspect, the inter-sheet enlarging means moves between the sheets in a direction for enlarging the inter-sheets. Features.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the binding member removing device according to the first aspect, the binding member deforming means is a set of plate members provided to be curved at predetermined intervals. , And a curved guide that deforms the binding member by passing a sheet bundle bound by the binding member through the gap.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the binding member removing device for removing the binding member from the sheet bundle bound by the binding member, the binding member is pressed by pressing the surface of the sheet bundle near the binding member. A binding member removing device having a sheet bundle pressing unit that creates a gap between the sheet bundle and the surface of the sheet bundle.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the binding member removing device according to the eighth aspect, the sheet bundle pressing means includes a pressing member having a cutout for positioning the binding member inside. It is characterized by having.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the binding member removing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the pressing member has a rotatable substantially cylindrical shape, and the cutout portion includes the pressing member. Characterized by being formed with an uneven shape on the surface thereof.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is an automatic document feeder provided with the binding member removing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, an automatic document feeder provided with a binding member removing device to which the present invention is applied is provided in a copying machine. << Copier >> First, the schematic configuration and operation of the copier will be described.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a copying machine having an automatic document feeder.

The copying machine shown in FIG. 1 has an automatic document feeder (ADF) 20 on the top of the copying machine main body 10. ADF
Numeral 20 conveys originals one by one from the placed original bundle onto a platen glass at the top of the main body of the copying machine. Copying machine body 10
Reads an original conveyed by the ADF 20 by an image reader (not shown) in the copying machine main body, temporarily stores the read image in a memory, performs various image editing processes as necessary, and then executes a known electrophotographic method. A so-called digital copier is used to form an image on a sheet. The configuration of the copier body (digital copier) itself is well known, and a description thereof will be omitted. << Automatic Document Feeder >> FIG. 2 shows an automatic document feeder (AD
It is a schematic block diagram which shows the internal structure of F).

As shown in FIG. 2, the ADF 20 includes a tray 30 on which a document bundle as a sheet bundle is placed, a separation roller 201 for pulling out the documents one by one, and a resist for transporting the separated documents. The image forming apparatus includes a roller pair 205 and a transport belt 206, a reversing roller 207 for reversing the front and back surfaces of the document, and a discharge roller pair 208 for discharging a sheet. The document 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 driving roller 212 and the driven roller 213 so as to cover the entire surface of the platen glass of the copying machine main body. A large number of backup rollers 21 are provided inside the transport belt 206 to press the transport belt 206 against the platen glass.
4 is installed rotatably.

The ADF 20 has a tray 30
A stapling member removing device 300 for removing the staples from the original bundle with the original bundle bound by the staples placed thereon is provided. The binding member removing device 300 generally includes a removing unit 400 for removing a staple, which is a binding member, from a document bundle, and a collecting unit 500 for removing the removed staple from the vicinity of the sheet.
And are provided. The binding member removing device 300 is provided in the vicinity of the document setting surface of the tray 30 on which the document bundle is placed, for example, in the vicinity of the downstream end in the document transport direction. Therefore, the ADF as a whole has a compact configuration, and maintenance is easy. << Removing Means >> FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the removing means of the binding member removing device, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining removal of the staples. FIG. ) Indicates after removal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the removing means 400 includes a removing unit 410 provided with an insertion member 411 inserted between a bundle of originals and a staple for binding the bundle of originals. A support member 430 slidably supporting the removing unit 410;
There is provided a removing unit moving means 440 for moving in a direction perpendicular to the document conveying direction within 0, that is, a document width direction, and a supporting member moving means 450 for moving the entire supporting member 430 in the document conveying direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the removing unit 410 moves the inserting member 411 between the original bundle D and the staple S for binding the original bundle. Drive means. The driving means is, for example, an electric actuator, specifically, the electric motor 415 here, from the viewpoint of compactness.
Is used.

A plurality of comb-shaped extending portions 412 extending in the inserting direction are formed on the distal end side of the inserting member 411 of the removing unit 410. These distractions 4
Reference numeral 12 is formed in a slope shape so that the thickness in the thickness direction of the document bundle becomes thinner toward the leading end. Further, the slope shape of the extension portion 412 may be an inclined plane,
As shown in the drawing, the lower surface of the extension portion 412 is formed as a flat surface, and the upper surface is formed as a concave arc surface, so that the insertion member 411 can be more reliably inserted between the original bundle D and the staple S. It is more preferable from the viewpoint that the staple S is inserted and smoothly moved.

The insertion member 411 is formed of, for example, an aluminum alloy. It is to be noted that the material is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a resin or a ceramic material in addition to various metal materials. Further, the surface may be coated with an anti-friction material such as a fluororesin to reduce frictional resistance.

The width of the plurality of extension portions 412 of the insertion member 411 and the distance between adjacent extension portions 412 are set to, for example, about 1 mm, but can be changed as appropriate. However, it is a matter of course that each extension portion 412 has a predetermined strength, but it is preferable to set a material, a width dimension, and the like so as to have more appropriate elasticity. With this configuration, when the insertion member 411 is inserted between the original bundle D and the staple S, the extension 412 is moved to the leg S of the staple S.
Even when the extension portions 412 are in contact with the staples S, the legs Sa and Sb of the staple S can be moved away.

The overall width of the insertion member 411 is determined according to the size of the staple S to be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, in both the case of the largest size having the legs Sa and Sb and the case of the smallest size having the legs Sa and Sc (indicated by a broken line in the figure), The entire width of the insertion member 411 is set so that the insertion member 411 can be inserted between the document bundle D and the staple S in a good condition.

On the other hand, a rack 413 is formed on the rear end side of the insertion member 411, and a pinion 416 is provided on the rack 413.
Are engaged. Note that in FIG.
And the pinion 416 are drawn separately. The pinion 416 is fixed to the main shaft 417 of the electric motor 415 described above. Therefore, the rotation drive of the electric motor 415 is performed via the pinion 416 and the rack 413.
This is converted into forward / backward movement of the insertion member 411, so that a simple and compact configuration can be achieved. Note that the driving means for moving the insertion member 411 is not limited to the electric motor 415.

As shown in FIG. 3, the removing unit 410 is provided with a detecting member 470 for detecting a staple S for binding the original bundle D. This detection member 47
Reference numeral 0 denotes a magnetic sensor that detects, for example, a staple S made of metal. With this, the presence or absence or the position of the staple S can be grasped from above the document bundle D without contact. Note that the detection member 470 is not limited to a magnetic sensor, and may be a member that optically captures an image to perform image processing, or that performs detection using a contact pressure sensor.

The support member 430 is formed of an elongated box having a predetermined portion opened downward, and the removal unit 410 is accommodated therein. Near the lower end of the support member 430, four wheels 431 are rotatably mounted, and are movable in a document conveying direction on a rail 432 provided on the main body side of the ADF 20.

The removing unit moving means 440 has a feed screw shaft 441 screwed to a nut (not shown) provided in the removing unit 410, and a female screw is formed in the nut. By the rotation of the feed screw shaft 441,
The removal unit 410 is configured to be able to move in the document width direction within the support member 430. The removal unit 41
For example, a guide rod (not shown) is arranged in parallel with the feed screw shaft 441 so that 0 can move smoothly along the longitudinal direction in the support member 430. A gear 442 is fixed to one end of the feed screw shaft 441, and the rotational driving force from the gear 444 fixed to the main shaft of the electric motor 445 is transmitted to the feed screw shaft 441 via the idler gear 443. It is configured as follows.

The support member moving means 450 includes a support member 43.
0, a drive belt 451 fixed to a connecting portion 431 connected to one end, pulleys 452 and 452 around which the drive belt 451 is wound, and one end of a shaft on which one pulley 452 is fixed to one end. Gear 453 to be fixed and gear 4
An idler gear 454 meshing with the idle gear 53; a driving gear 455 meshing with the idler gear 454;
Motor 45 for connecting the main shaft to the motor and driving it to rotate
And 6. Therefore, by rotating the electric motor 456 forward and backward, the support member 430 can be moved by a predetermined distance in the document conveying direction.

In the present embodiment, particularly, the removing unit 410
Inside, there is a binding member deforming means for deforming the binding member to create a gap with the surface of the sheet bundle. In this embodiment, the binding member deforming unit is a binding member pressing unit that deforms the binding member by pressing the binding member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the binding member pressing means.

As shown in FIG. 5, the binding member pressing means comprises:
It has an abutting portion 100 that abuts on the stable needle S, and has an electric motor 103 via a power transmission mechanism 102.
Is converted into a linear motion of the contact portion 100. Thus, the contact portion 100 can freely move up and down, and by switching the rotation direction of the electric motor 103 between forward rotation and reverse rotation, the ascending and descending movements can be realized. The switching between the normal rotation and the reverse rotation is controlled by rotation control means (not shown).

A receiving member 101 is disposed at a lower position facing the contact portion 100. The distal end portion 100a of the contact portion 100 projects in a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the front, and a concave groove 101a for receiving the distal end portion 100a is formed on the receiving member 101 side. The opening angle of the concave groove 101a is set to be substantially the same as the angle of the substantially triangular tip portion 100a of the contact portion 100. The document bundle D is positioned between the contact portion 100 and the receiving member 101 together with the stable needle S.
Thereby, the stable needle S can be deformed by pressing the stable needle S between the two. << Recovery Means >> As shown in FIG.
Inside the ADF 20, when the original is placed, it is provided above the original at the downstream end in the conveying direction of the original so as to cover the entire original width direction, and is removed by the above-described removing means 400. The staple S is moved from above the document surface to remove it from the vicinity of the document bundle D.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the collecting means of the binding member removing device.

The collecting means 500 is provided with a support case 501.
A moving belt 502 arranged along the document width direction to move the removed staples S;
02, a driving roller 504 connected to driving means such as an electric motor (not shown) to move the moving belt 502, and a moving belt 5
02, a collection box 505 for collecting the staples S carried by the transport belt 502, and the staples S from the moving belt 502.
Blade 5 for removing and dropping into the collection box 505
06.

A drive means (not shown) for moving the collection means 500 itself up and down is provided, and the position near the tray 30 where the lower surface of the moving belt 502 substantially contacts the original bundle D, and the staples S are removed. After being removed by the means 400, the staple S is moved to an upper position for moving.

Here, the moving belt 502 itself is a magnetic body, for example, a magnetic belt formed by coating a surface of a rubber belt with a magnetic body. Note that the collection unit 500 is not limited to such a configuration,
For example, the moving belt itself is not a magnetic body, and a permanent magnet may be provided inside the moving belt instead.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

When the original bundle D that has been stapled by the staples is placed on the tray 30 of the ADF 20,
First, the staples S are removed from the original bundle D by the removing unit 400. The removal of the staple S is performed as follows.

That is, when the sensor unit (not shown) detects that the original bundle D is present on the tray 30, the removing unit moving means 440 and the supporting member moving means 450
The removal unit 410 is moved within a predetermined range, and the detection of the staple S by the detection member 470 is performed. Here, when the original bundle D is placed on the tray 30, the side bound by the staples S is limited to be located on the downstream side in the original transport direction. The detection of the staple S is performed in a predetermined area near the leading end of the document bundle D in the transport direction.

In the case where the side of the bundle of originals D bound by the staples S is limited to either the leading end on the downstream side in the original transport direction or one end in the width direction of the original, the staples are not required. The detection of the staple S is performed in a predetermined L-shaped region near the upstream end in the document conveyance direction and near the end in the document width direction. In this case, the insertion member 411
Is preferably arranged so that the tip thereof is inclined to the left by approximately 45 ° toward the downstream side in the transport direction in FIG. 3 (note that such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 4). In this way, it is possible to ensure a good insertion operation of the insertion member 411 without depending on the direction of the staples S after binding the original bundle D. Of course, although the structure is slightly complicated, a configuration in which the direction of the insertion member 411 can be changed is also possible.

When the staple S is detected by the detecting member 470, the position is stored, and the removing unit 410 is moved so that the contact portion 100 of the binding member pressing means is located above the staple S. .

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the binding member pressing means.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the original bundle D is placed at a predetermined position together with the stable needle S in the space between the contact portion 100 and the receiving member 101. The stable needle S is located on the concave groove 101 a of the receiving member 101. Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, by driving the electric motor 103, the contact portion 100 descends toward the concave groove 101a of the receiving member 101, and the original bundle D and the stable needle S are both moved. Press. Due to this pressing, the stable needle S is plastically deformed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the contact portion 100 is raised, the rigidity of the document bundle D itself causes the deformed needle S and the document bundle D to both receive the receiving member 101. From the concave groove 101a and return. Thus, the original bundle D returns to its original shape, and only the staples S remain deformed, so that a gap 120 is formed between the surface of the original bundle D and the staples S.

Note that the tip of the insertion member 411 has already been set so as to face the staple S, and then the electric motor 415 is rotated to drive the insertion member 411.
Is moved toward the staple S. Then, the extension portion 412 of the insertion member 411 is easily inserted into the gap 120 because the gap 120 is positively formed between the surface of the document bundle D and the staple S. Moreover, since the extension portion 412 of the insertion member 411 is formed such that the thickness in the sheet bundle thickness direction becomes thinner toward the leading end, the insertion member 411 can be more easily inserted into the gap 120.

Since the staples S are gradually separated from the original bundle D with the insertion of the insertion member 411, the staples S can be removed smoothly. At this time, the vicinity of the leading end of the document bundle D is raised to a predetermined height by an elevating member (not shown),
1 and the staple S are aligned in the height direction. Alternatively, the insertion member 411 may be lowered by a predetermined distance.

The plurality of comb-shaped extension portions 412 formed on the insertion member 411 allows a predetermined number of extension portions 412 of any size of the staple S to be formed on both legs of the staple S. The staples S of various sizes can be removed by one insertion member 411. In addition, even if there is a slight shift in the position of the insertion member 411 with respect to the staple S, the necessary number of the extension portions 412 of the plurality of extension portions 412 are inserted between the two leg portions of the staple S. Therefore, the staple can be removed reliably and easily.

The removed staple S is removed from the vicinity of the document by the collecting means 500 and collected. Thereafter, when the copy start key of the copying machine body is pressed, the originals are separated one by one from the original bundle and conveyed onto the platen glass. In this way,
The original bundle D can be set on the tray 30 while being bound with the staples S, and can be conveyed after the binding member is automatically removed. Thereafter, the original image is read by the copying machine main body, and a copy output is performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, before inserting the insertion member 411, it is possible to positively form the gap 120 between the staple S and the surface of the document bundle D with a simple configuration. it can. Thus, the insertion member 411 can be easily inserted into the gap 120. Therefore, the staples S can be easily and reliably removed from the bundle of originals D without damaging the original bundle D because extra force such as kinking does not occur.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the operation of another example of the binding member pressing means.

In this example, the binding member pressing means differs from the above-described embodiment in that the binding member pressing means has a pressing roller 105 as a contact portion which has an uneven surface and is brought into contact with the staple S.

FIG. 8A specifically shows the appearance of the pressing roller 105. The pressing roller 105 is manufactured in a substantially cylindrical shape. The pressing roller 105 performs a rotary motion about the central axis of the cylinder. Press roller 105
The pressing projections 106 are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical member, and thereby the surface has an uneven shape.
At the same time as the rotation of the pressing roller 105, the surface thereof is pressed against the original bundle D and also against the stable needle S.

Rotating shaft of pressing roller 105 (not shown)
Has a mechanism for moving in parallel with the surface of the document bundle D,
The pressing roller 105 is rotated by a frictional force received from the surface of the document bundle D. Further, a rotation driving means may be provided on the rotation shaft to actively rotate the pressing roller 105.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 8B, the pressing roller 105 is rotated to apply a pressing force from above the staple S that closes the original bundle D. The pressing roller 105 pressed with a predetermined pressing force fits the staple needle S to be pressed according to the shape and interval of the pressing protrusion 106.
Cause irregularities. A gap 120 is formed between the surface of the document bundle D and the staple S by the unevenness.

As described above, by simply pressing the pressing protrusion 106 on the surface of the pressing roller 105 against the staple S, it is possible to easily cause the deformation of the unevenness over the entire staple S at once. Therefore, the insertion member 41
1 is a gap 120 between the surface of the original bundle D and the staple S.
And the staple S can be removed, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example in which an inter-sheet expanding means is used as a binding member deforming means.

In this example, as the binding member deforming means, the staples S
This embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that an inter-sheet enlarging means for deforming the image is used.

As shown in FIG. 9, the inter-sheet expanding means has a pair of inter-sheet expanding levers 106a and 106b. The inter-sheet extension lever 106b is rotatably connected at its rear end to the inter-sheet extension lever 106a by a pin member (not shown). Therefore, the pair of inter-sheet extension levers 106a and 106b are driven by a driving unit (not shown).
Can be opened and closed in a state in which both are in contact with each other or their ends are open.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the manner in which the space between the originals in the original bundle is enlarged by the inter-sheet expansion lever.

In this example, the inter-sheet extension lever 10
6a is inserted into the gap between the originals of the original bundle D while being in contact with the inter-sheet extension lever 106b on both sides. The inserted inter-sheet extension lever 106a and inter-sheet extension lever 106b move to the vicinity of the stable staple S binding the original bundle D.

As shown in FIG. 10A, a gap is generated between the originals of the original bundle D by the operation of inserting the originals D between the originals by the inter-sheet extension levers 106a and 106b. A first deformation is caused to the table needle S. Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the inter-sheet extension lever 106a is opened with respect to the inter-sheet extension lever 106b. As a result, a uniform force is applied to the staples S by the surface of the document bundle D itself, and the staples S
Causes a second deformation.

According to this example, the pair of sheet extension levers 106a and 106b are inserted between the documents of the document bundle D to cause the stable needle S to be deformed by the surface of the document bundle D itself. A pair of paper extension levers 106a,
Even if the position of 106b is slightly deviated from the position of the stable needle S, the stable needle S can be surely deformed. As a result, the inter-sheet extension levers 106a, 106
After retreating 06b, a gap is formed between the surface of the original bundle D and the staple S. Therefore, the staple S can be removed by easily and reliably inserting the insertion member 411 into this gap, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an example in which a curved guide is used as the binding member deforming means.

In this example, the binding member deforming means is constituted by a set of plate members provided to be curved at a predetermined interval, and the original bundle D bound by the stable needles S passes through the gap. This is different from the above embodiment in that a curved guide 112 for deforming the stable needle S is used.

The curved guide 112 shown in FIG. 11 is composed of a combination of a pair of curved guides 112a and 112b. The space between the combined curved guides 112a and 112b is set to a predetermined size that is sufficient for the document bundle D bound by the staple S to be conveyed through the space. Also, a pair of document feed rollers 113a, 113
3b and a pair of document feed rollers 114a and 114b are rotatably arranged. Here, the rollers 113a,
114a is driven to rotate, and the roller 113
Although the rollers b and 114b are driven to rotate, the rollers 113a and 113b and the rollers 114a and 114b may be driven to rotate.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining how the stable needle is deformed by the curved guide.

In this example, the original feed roller pair 11
The document bundle D bound by the staples S is sent between 3a and 113b, and the document bundle D and the staples S are conveyed together and pass between the curved guides 112a and 112b. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12A, the document bundle D is guided by the curved surfaces of the curved guides 112a and 112b, and is deformed according to the curvature. At the same time, the staple S also deforms. After this deformation, the original bundle D and the staples S are carried out from the curved guides 112a and 112b. However, although the original bundle D returns to the original shape, the staples S remain curved without returning to the original state. You. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12B, a gap 12 having a dimension T in the thickness direction is provided between the surface of the original bundle D and the staple S after deformation.
0 results.

According to this example, the original bundle D bound by the staples S is transferred to the curved guides 112a, 112 having a simple configuration.
The staples S can be deformed only by passing the staples S between the staples S, and a gap 120 can be formed between the surface of the document bundle D and the staples S after deformation.
Therefore, the staple S can be removed by easily and reliably inserting the insertion member 411 into this gap, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which staples are removed by using a sheet bundle pressing means according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a perspective view showing signs that a gap is produced between them.

In this embodiment, the staple S is deformed in that a gap is formed between the staple S and the surface of the document bundle D by pressing the surface of the sheet bundle near the staple S. This is different from the above-described embodiment in which a gap is generated between S and the surface of the document bundle D.

As shown in FIG. 13, the sheet bundle pressing means has a pressing member 107. The pressing member 107 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and has a shape that avoids the staple S when pressed against the surface of the document bundle D. Further, the removing means 400 includes an insertion member 108, which enters the substantially U-shaped inner portion of the pressing member 107 and is inserted into the gap between the original bundle D and the stable needle S.

In this embodiment, the pressing member 107 is moved from top to bottom by a driving means (not shown) as shown by an arrow in FIG. This allows
The pressing force is applied only to the document bundle D in the vicinity except for the staple S. As a result, only the original bundle D is pushed down, and therefore, a gap 120 having a thickness dimension T is provided between the surface of the original bundle D and the staple S.
Occurs. Therefore, the insertion member 10
8 can be easily and reliably inserted to remove the staple S, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

In this embodiment, after the insertion member 108 is inserted into the gap 120, as shown in FIG. 13B, the insertion member 108 is rotated forward and backward by a predetermined angle about the longitudinal axis. Thus, the staples S can be more easily removed while gradually increasing the gap between the document bundle D and the staples S.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing another example of the sheet bundle pressing means, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an insertion member inserted into a gap created between a staple and a document bundle by the sheet bundle pressing means. FIG.

In this example, the pressing member 1 of the sheet bundle pressing means
The substantially U-shape 07a is different from the pressing member 107 in FIGS. 13 and 14 in that it has a cutout K for positioning the staple S therebetween.

That is, the pressing member 107a shown in FIG.
Is substantially the same as the pressing member 107 shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, but the stable needle S is held with a predetermined gap at a notch K corresponding to the substantially U-shaped inner portion of the pressing member 107a. Are different in that

In this example, the staple S is just fitted into the notch K of the pressing member 107a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, the insertion member 108 is easily and reliably inserted into the gap 120 between the original bundle D and the staple S while being guided by the cutout K of the pressing member 107a, thereby stapling. The needle S can be removed, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

The notch K of the pressing member 107a
To the contact portion 10 of the binding member pressing means shown in FIG.
It is also possible to use the pressing member 107a as a zero guide, and in this case, it is desirable to separate the pressing member 107a into a pair of portions or to form a vertical hole at the center. That is,
In order to create a gap between the staple S and the document bundle D, a configuration having both the binding member deforming unit and the sheet bundle pressing unit described above is also possible.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which an insertion member is inserted into a gap generated between a staple and a document bundle by a sheet bundle pressing means of still another example. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the sheet bundle pressing means. FIG. 5 is a side view of the pressing member when the pressing member is located immediately above the staple;

As shown, the sheet bundle pressing means has a pressing roller 109 as a pressing member. The pressing roller 109 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a plurality of pressing protrusions 106 are provided on the cylindrical surface of the pressing roller 109 at predetermined intervals. Each of the pressing projections 106 is kept parallel to the center axis of the cylinder, and a relief groove 110 is formed so as to intersect each of the pressing projections 106 at a right angle, and has an uneven shape. The relief grooves 110 extend in the circumferential direction on the cylindrical surface of the pressing roller 109 and make one circumference, and a plurality of the relief grooves 110 are provided in parallel at a predetermined interval from each other.

The interval between the clearance grooves 110 adjacent to each other is the same as the interval formed by the plurality of extension portions 412 in the form of comb teeth extending along the insertion direction on the distal end side of the separately provided insertion member 411. Is formed. Here, an appropriate clearance is provided between the extension portion 412 so that the extension portion 412 can enter the predetermined distance without interfering with the escape groove 110. In FIG. 17, the pressing projections 106 and the relief grooves 110 are drawn coarser than they actually are in order to prevent the drawing from becoming fine and complicated.

In this example, since the pressing roller 109 has a substantially cylindrical shape and its surface is formed to have an uneven shape, it is necessary to press the surface of the document bundle D very close to the staple S. Thus, only the original bundle D is pushed down, so that the gap 120 having the thickness direction T can be reliably generated between the original bundle D and the staple S. Therefore, the staple S can be removed by easily and reliably inserting the insertion member 411 into the gap 120, and the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the pressing roller 10
9 and the insertion member 411 are arranged in combination, so that the pressing roller 109 causes the staple S
The insertion member 411 can be inserted into the gap between the original bundle D and the staple S generated by pressing the vicinity of the pressing roller 109 in a state very close to the pressing roller 109. Therefore, in a state where the gap is larger, the insertion member 41
A plurality of extension portions 412 having one comb tooth shape can easily enter.

Although the embodiments to which the present invention is applied have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can make various modifications within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Nor.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the insertion member 411 is moved backward and forward in the document conveying direction so as to be inserted between the document bundle and the staples. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is made to advance and retreat toward the direction upstream and inserted. further,
In the above embodiment, when placing the original bundle D on the tray,
Although the case where the side of the bundle of documents D bound by the staple S is positioned downstream in the document transport direction has been described,
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the insertion member 411 is moved forward and backward in the document width direction by limiting the side to the end portion side in the document width direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which a gap is formed between the staple S and the surface of the document bundle D, and an insertion member is inserted into the gap to remove the staple S. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a gap may be formed between the staple S and the document bundle D to pinch the top of the staple S floating from the document bundle D and pull it upward, and further cut the staple S. It is also possible to adopt such a configuration.

[0092]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the binding member is deformed by the binding member deforming means, so that a gap is generated between the binding member and the surface of the sheet bundle. Since the top of the binding member can be raised from the sheet bundle, the binding member can be easily and reliably removed from the sheet bundle without damaging the sheet bundle.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the binding member can be easily and surely deformed by pressing, and the structure of the binding member deforming means can be realized with a simple structure.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the deformation of the unevenness can be easily caused at one time over the entire binding member only by pressing the contact portion having the uneven shape against the binding member.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the binding member can be easily removed by inserting the insertion member into the gap created by the deformation of the binding member.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the binding member is deformed by the surface of the sheet bundle itself, even if the position of the inter-sheet enlarging means is slightly deviated from the position of the binding member. Thus, the binding member can be reliably deformed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the space between the sheets of the sheet bundle can be widened by the operation of inserting the space between the sheets by the sheet space enlarging means, and the binding member can be more easily deformed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the binding member can be deformed only by passing the sheet bundle bound by the binding member between the curved guides having a simple structure.
It is possible to form a gap between the surface of the sheet bundle and the binding member after the deformation.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the pressing force is applied only to the sheet bundle near the binding member, and as a result, a gap is generated between the surface of the sheet bundle and the binding member, so that the binding member has Since the top portion can be lifted from the sheet bundle, the binding member can be easily and reliably removed from the sheet bundle without damaging the sheet bundle.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the binding member can be held inside the notch of the pressing member,
By using the notch portion as a guide, the contact portion that deforms by contacting another member such as the insertion member or the binding member can be easily and reliably moved.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the pressing member has a substantially cylindrical shape and is formed so as to have an uneven surface, the pressing member presses the surface of the sheet bundle very close to the binding member. Thus, a gap can be reliably generated between the sheet bundle and the binding member, and the binding member can be removed.

According to the eleventh aspect, the sheet bundle can be set in the automatic document feeder with the binding member bound, and the sheet bundle can be automatically removed and transported.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a copying machine including an automatic document feeder.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an internal structure of an automatic document feeder (ADF).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a removing unit of the binding member removing device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views for explaining removal of the staple, in which FIG. 4A shows the state before the removal and FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a binding member pressing unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a collecting unit of the binding member removing device.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of the binding member pressing means.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the operation of another example of the binding member pressing means.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example in which an inter-sheet enlarging unit is used as a binding member deforming unit;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the space between the documents in the document bundle is enlarged by the inter-sheet extension lever.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example in which a curved guide is used as a binding member deformation unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining how a stable needle is deformed by a curved guide.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a staple is removed using a sheet bundle pressing unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a gap is generated between a staple and a document bundle by a sheet bundle pressing unit.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically illustrating another example of a sheet bundle pressing unit.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which an insertion member is inserted into a gap generated between a staple and a document bundle by the sheet bundle pressing means.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an insertion member is inserted into a gap generated between a staple and a document bundle by a sheet bundle pressing unit according to still another example.

FIG. 18 is a side view when the pressing member of the sheet bundle pressing unit is located immediately above the staple.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Copy machine main body, 20 ... ADF (automatic document feeder), 30 ... Tray, 100 ... Contact part, 107, 107a ... Pressing member, 112 ... Curved guide, 120 ... Gap, 300 ... Binding member removal device, 400 ... Removal means, 410 ... Removal unit, 411,108 ... Insertion member, 500 ... Recovery means, K ... Notch portion, D ... Document bundle (paper bundle), S ... Staple staple (binding member).

Claims (11)

[Claims] In a binding member removing device for removing a binding member from a sheet bundle bound by the binding member, a binding member deforming means for forming a gap between the binding member and the surface of the sheet bundle by deforming the binding member. A binding member removing device comprising: 2. The binding member removing device according to claim 1, wherein the binding member deformation unit is a binding member pressing unit that deforms the binding member by pressing the binding member. 3. The binding member removing device according to claim 2, wherein the binding member pressing means has a contact portion which has an uneven surface and is brought into contact with the binding member. 4. The binding member removing device according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion member inserted into the gap. 5. The binding member removing device according to claim 1, wherein the binding member deforming unit is a sheet interval expanding unit that deforms the binding member by enlarging the interval between sheets of the sheet bundle. 6. The binding member removing device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet-to-sheet expanding unit moves between the sheets in a direction to enlarge the space between the sheets. 7. The binding member deforming means is constituted by a set of plate members provided so as to be curved at predetermined intervals, and the binding member is formed by a sheet bundle bound by the binding member passing through the gap. The binding member removing device according to claim 1, wherein the binding member removing device is a curved guide that deforms the binding member. 8. A binding member removing device for removing a binding member from a sheet bundle bound by the binding member, wherein a gap between the binding member and the sheet bundle surface is formed by pressing a sheet bundle surface near the binding member. A binding member removing device, comprising a sheet bundle pressing means for causing the sheet bundle to be generated. 9. The binding member removing device according to claim 8, wherein the sheet bundle pressing means includes a pressing member having a cutout for positioning the binding member inside. 10. The pressing member according to claim 9, wherein the pressing member has a rotatable substantially cylindrical shape, and the cutout portion has an uneven shape on the surface of the pressing member. Binding member removal device. 11. An automatic document feeder provided with the binding member removing device according to claim 1. Description: