JP2002187377A - Paste coating apparatus, pasting bookbinding apparatus, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize the amount of paste remaining in a bellows-shaped flexible container main body forming a paste housing container and to reduce the discarding amount of paste. SOLUTION: A paste coating apparatus has the paste housing container 92 consisting of a container main body 92a and a discharge opening part 92b, a pressure member 96 pressurizing the paste housing container 92, a supply pipe 88 for transferring the paste discharged from the discharge opening part 92b and the paste discharge means 80 connected to the supply pipe 88 and discharging the transferred paste from the tip part of a nozzle. The container main body 92a is molded from a flexible material and has a stretchable bellows- shaped side wall and the shape of the bottom part opposed to the discharge opening part 92b of the container main body 92a is formed into a recessed shape protruding to the inside of the container main body 92.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a glue applying apparatus for aligning an image-formed sheet discharged from a main body of an image forming apparatus and applying a linear glue near a side edge of the sheet during the transport of the sheet. The present invention relates to a bookbinding apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been provided a glue binding apparatus which performs a gluing process on a predetermined position of a sheet on which an image is recorded by a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine of the same to perform bookbinding. I have.

[0003] As the glue processing device, (1) a device for discharging glue onto paper using a glue discharge nozzle, (2) a glue wheel is installed in a glue storage box, and glue is attached to the outer periphery of the rotating glue wheel. Device that makes the outer periphery of the glue wheel contact the paper to transfer
(3) a hot melt coating device that discharges a mixture of a hot melt agent (heat fusing agent) and heated compressed air from a nozzle;
(4) A bookbinding device that accommodates an adhesive in a sealed pressure-resistant cartridge, sends high-pressure gas into the cartridge by a compressor, draws out the cartridge from a conduit communicating with the adhesive, and supplies the cartridge to a nozzle. Kaisho 59-500
907), etc. are used.

[0004]

The conventional glue applying apparatus, glue binding apparatus and image forming apparatus have the following problems.

(First Problem) In a glue supply device which supplies a glue by placing a glue storage container substantially horizontally, the conventional glue storage container has a compressible bellows-type flexible container body having a flat bottom. Therefore, when the paste inside the paste container is consumed and replaced, a large amount of paste remains inside the compressed container body. A glue container with a large amount of residual glue is difficult to operate due to an increase in the frequency of replacement and consumables costs, interrupting glue binding at the time of replacement, and affecting the environment by disposing of used glue containers. There's a problem.

(Second Problem) In a glue supply device for compressing a glue storage container and supplying the glue to a glue discharging means, when replacing the glue storage container, a compressible bellows type flexible container body is added. If the connection between the discharge opening of the glue storage container and the supply pipe is disconnected in a pressurized state, the pressurized glue in the container body leaks out, and contaminates the glue binding apparatus and the human body. Further, if the connection between the glue storage container and the supply pipe is set to a negative pressure, the connection cannot be easily separated.

(Third problem) When exchanging the glue storage container, when the discharge opening of the glue storage container and the supply pipe are attached and detached, the outside air enters the glue transfer path, and from the nozzle of the glue discharge means. The glue is not normally discharged, and a glue application defect may occur.

(Fourth Problem) Since a pressure-resistant cartridge requires a robust structure, the mass increases, the operability at the time of attachment / detachment is poor, and the manufacturing cost also increases. There is also a problem with disposal. Further, a high-pressure gas compressor, a control valve, a high-pressure conduit, and the like are required, which causes an increase in cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a glue applying apparatus, a glue binding apparatus, and an image forming apparatus which solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0010]

The above first object is solved by the following (1).

(1) A glue storage container comprising a container body and a discharge opening, pressing means for pressing the glue storage container to discharge the contained glue from the discharge opening, and discharging the paste from the discharge opening. A supply pipe for transferring the glue to be supplied, and a glue discharging means connected to the supply pipe for discharging the glue transferred from the nozzle tip, wherein the container body is formed of a flexible material and is extensible. A glue coating apparatus, comprising: a bellows-shaped side wall; and a bottom portion facing the discharge opening formed in a concave shape so as to protrude inside the container body.

The second problem is solved by the following (2). (2) a glue storage container comprising a container body and a discharge opening;
Container mounting means for installing the glue storage container at a predetermined position,
A supply pipe for transferring the glue discharged from the discharge opening,
Glue discharging means for discharging the glue connected to the supply pipe and transferred from a nozzle tip portion, pressing means for pressing the glue storage container to discharge the stored glue from the discharge opening, and the glue storage container A remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of glue in the inside,
A drive unit that enables the pressing unit to move; and a control unit that controls the drive unit. The remaining amount detection unit detects that the remaining amount of glue in the glue storage container has become a predetermined amount or less. When detected by the means, the control means drives the driving means in the reverse direction, retreats the pressing means, releases the pressure of the glue pressure in the glue container, and releases the pressure from the discharge opening. A glue applying device, wherein a supply pipe is removed so that the glue storage container can be replaced.

The above third problem is solved by the following (3). (3) a glue storage container comprising a container body and a discharge opening;
A supply pipe for transferring the glue discharged from the discharge opening,
A glue discharging means for discharging the glue connected and connected to the supply pipe from the tip of the nozzle, forming a branched branch path in the middle of the transfer path of the supply pipe, and collecting air in the branch path. A glue coating device comprising a collecting means.

The above-mentioned fourth problem is solved by the following (4). (4) a glue storage container comprising a container body and a discharge opening;
A supply pipe for transferring the glue discharged from the discharge opening,
A connecting means and a check valve provided in a branch path formed in the middle of the transfer path of the supply pipe, a glue supply container detachably mounted on the connecting means, and a glue connected and transferred to the supply pipe. Glue discharging means for discharging the glue from the nozzle tip, pressing means for pressing the glue storage container to discharge the glue stored therein from the discharge opening, and remaining amount for detecting the remaining amount of glue in the glue storage container Detecting means, a driving means for enabling the pressing means to be movable, and a control means for controlling the driving means, wherein the pressing of the pressing means compresses the paste container, and the paste in the paste container is compressed. After the remaining amount is detected by the remaining amount detecting unit to be less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the control unit drives the driving unit in the reverse direction to reduce the glue pressure in the glue storage container, and By opening the check valve, the glue supply container Paste application apparatus characterized by replenishing the glue into the glue accommodating container.

(5) Adhesive is linearly applied in the sheet conveying direction by the glue discharging means near the side edge of the sheet conveyed by the conveying means, and a plurality of sheets after the glue application processing are stacked and aligned. A glue binding apparatus for producing a booklet by using the glue applying apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (4).

(6) An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body including an image writing means, an image forming means, and a sheet conveying means; and a glue binding apparatus having a glue applying device. An image forming apparatus comprising: the glue applying device according to any one of the above, and the glue binding device according to the above (5).

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a glue applying apparatus, a glue binding apparatus, and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(One Embodiment of Image Forming Apparatus) FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body A, an image reading apparatus B, and a glue binding apparatus C.

The main body A of the image forming apparatus includes a charging means 2, an image exposure means (writing means) 3, a developing means 4, and a transfer means 5 around a rotating image carrier (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive body) 1.
A, the charge removing means 5B, the separating claw 5C, and the cleaning means 6 are arranged, and the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is uniformly charged by the charging means 2 and thereafter, the image read from the original by the laser beam of the image exposing means 3 A latent image is formed by performing laser beam scanning based on the data, and the latent image is reversely developed by the developing unit 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 1.

On the other hand, the transfer paper (hereinafter, referred to as paper) S fed from the paper storage means 7A is sent to the transfer position.
At the transfer position, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S by the transfer unit 5A. After that, the paper S is discharged by the discharging means 5B.
As a result, the charge on the back surface is erased, separated from the photoreceptor 1 by the separation claw 5C, conveyed by the intermediate conveyance unit 7B, subsequently heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8, and discharged by the paper discharge roller 7C.

When forming images on both sides of the sheet S,
The sheet S, which has been heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8, is branched from a normal sheet discharge path by a transfer path switching plate 7D, is switched back in a reverse transfer 7E, is turned over, and is discharged outside the apparatus by a sheet discharge roller 7C. You. Discharge roller 7C
Received from the receiving unit 1 of the glue binding apparatus C
It is sent to 1.

On the other hand, the developer remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 after image processing is removed by the cleaning means 6 downstream of the separation claw 5C, and the surface is prepared for the next image formation.

An image reading apparatus B provided with an automatic document feeder of a sheet-through type reading system is provided above the image forming apparatus main body A.

The glue binding apparatus C includes a top-level direct sheet discharging unit 10, a horizontal conveying unit 20, a direction changing conveying unit 30, a stacking unit 40, a discharging unit 50, a sheet discharging unit 60, and the like.
The paper feeding system includes a cover sheet feeding unit 70, and a glue applying device including a glue discharging unit 80 and a glue supplying unit 90.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the glue binding apparatus C. The sheet S introduced into the receiving unit 11 is
Is selected as either the direct paper discharging means 10 or the horizontal conveying means 20.

(Discharge directly to the fixed discharge tray 16 at the top of the apparatus)
The sheet S directly introduced into the sheet discharging means 10 is conveyed upward, nipped by conveying rollers 13 and 14 and discharged by a discharging roller 15.
Is discharged onto the fixed sheet discharge tray 16.

(Shift processing or non-sorted large-volume discharge, discharge to elevating discharge tray 63) When this transport mode is set,
The switching plate 12 directly closes the transport path of the sheet discharging means 10,
The transport path of the horizontal transport means 20 is opened to allow the paper S to pass.

The paper S introduced into the horizontal transport means 20 is
The sheet S, which is nipped and conveyed by the conveying rollers 21, 22, 23, and 24 and is not subjected to the glue coating process, is nipped by a discharge roller 61 via a shift means (not shown), and is lifted and lowered outside the apparatus from a first discharge port 62. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 63. On the elevating sheet discharge tray 63, for example, a maximum of 3000 sheets S can be stacked.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the glue binding apparatus C, and FIG. 4 is a plan view. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the paper transport path and the glue application process during the glue application process.

Orthogonal U-turn conveyance of the sheet by the direction changing / conveying means 30 When the mode of the glue binding process is set, the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A and conveyed while being nipped and conveyed by the conveying rollers 21-24. In FIG. 2, the leading end of the sheet S comes into contact with the movable stopper 25 and temporarily stops, and positioning in the transport direction is performed (first transport path in the X1 direction in FIG. 2). After the stop of the sheet S, the pressure contact between the transport rollers 22, 23, and 24 is released.

Thereafter, the sheet S is nipped by the transport rollers 31 and 32 and transported in a transport direction deflected by 90 degrees (Y1 direction transport in FIG. 3). The paper S is subsequently nipped by the transport rollers 33 and 34, transported in a U-turn, and sent to the stacking means 40 (second transport path in the Z direction in FIG. 3).

Glue coating process on the paper S The glue discharging means 80 applies the glue to one side edge of the paper S traveling from the Y1 direction to the Z direction by the transport rollers 31 to 34 in a linear or intermittent broken line shape. By discharging, the glue application portion N is formed on the upper surface of the paper S (see FIG. 5).

The glue used in the embodiment of the present invention is a vinyl acetate adhesive having a viscosity of 750 to 1500 m at room temperature.
Pa · s.

Loading, alignment, and pressurizing processing of the paper S
The sheet is nipped and conveyed by 3 and 34, conveyed to a third conveying path in the Y2 direction, and placed on the loading table 41. The subsequent second and subsequent sheets S that have been subjected to the glue coating process are transported by rollers 33 and 34.
And is conveyed in the Y2 direction by the
The sheet is stacked on the preceding sheet S.

That is, the leading end of the sheet S nipped and transported by the transport rollers 34 is gripped by the gripper means 43 held by the rotating endless belt 42 and transported above the loading table 41 in the Y2 direction. You. Moving gripper means 43
Is moved by pressing the back side of the surface on which the glue application portion N of the preceding sheet bundle placed on the stacking table 41 is moved, thereby ensuring the adhesion between the sheets. Gripper means 43
The leading end of the sheet S gripped by the abutment contacts the leading end stopper 45 to align the leading end. The leading end stopper 45 is movable by a driving unit (not shown), and stops at a predetermined position according to the size setting of the sheet S. The trailing edge of the sheet S is movably driven by the trailing edge aligning and pressing means 46, which aligns the trailing edge of the sheet and presses the upper surface of the trailing edge of the sheet. Both end portions of the sheet S are positioned by the side end stopper 47 and an alignment unit (not shown). The leading end of the sheet S,
The alignment and positioning of the rear end portion and both side end portions are performed before the pressing process by the pressing unit 44. The pressing process of the sheet S by the pressing unit 44 may be performed each time the second or subsequent sheet S is placed on the loading table 41. Alternatively, the pressing process may be performed each time a plurality of sheets S are stacked.

One book bound by the above-described gluing process is completed. In this glue binding apparatus C, for example,
A maximum of 200 sheets S can be glued and bound.

Discharge A plurality of discharge belts 53 wound around a driving roller 51 and a driven roller 52 are rotatably disposed on a part of the sheet loading surface of the loading table 41.

The booklet Sa on which the last sheet S is stacked on the stacking table 41, subjected to pressure processing, and glued and bound is held at the rear end of the booklet Sa by the discharge claw 53a of the discharge belt 53. , Slides on the mounting surface of the loading table 41, is nipped by a discharge roller 64 provided in the second discharge port 65 of the discharge means 60, and is discharged and stacked on the elevating discharge tray 63 (X 2).
4th transport path in the direction). Prior to the sheet discharging process, the pressing unit 44 and the side end stopper 47 are retracted above the transport path.

On the elevating sheet discharge tray 63, a sheet S which has been discharged from the first discharge port 62 and has not been coated with glue, and a booklet Sa which has been discharged from the second discharge port 65 and have been coated with glue can be stacked. And a large amount of paper S and booklet S
a can be accommodated.

(Glue Discharging Means) FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the glue discharging means 80, and FIG.

The glue discharging means 80 has an opening 8 for discharging glue.
Nozzle member 81 having 1a, movable needle member (hereinafter referred to as needle) 8 for opening and closing opening 81a
2. Casing 8 that movably accommodates needle 82
3. Solenoid SL that movably drives needle 82
And so on.

The tip 82 a of the needle 82 fits into the opening 81 a of the nozzle member 81. The shaft of the needle 82 penetrates the glue accommodating chamber 83a inside the casing 83, and the upper end of the needle 82 is connected to the plunger S of the solenoid SL.
It is screwed to La. The upper surface side of the flange portion 82b formed at the intermediate portion of the needle 82 holds the return spring 85. The lower surface side of the flange portion 82b contacts the seal member a.

The return spring 85 is connected to the housing 8 of the glue discharging means 80.
4 and the upper surface of the flange portion 82b, and presses the needle 82 downward. Solenoid S
When L is not actuated, the distal end 82a of the needle 82 closes the opening 81a of the nozzle member 81 by the return spring 85 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the glue discharging means 80 showing a state in which the opening 81a of the nozzle member 81 is opened.

When a voltage is applied to the solenoid SL, the plunger SLa is moved upward, the needle 82 directly connected to the plunger SLa is pulled up, and the opening 81a of the nozzle member 81 is opened to allow the paste to be discharged.

An E-ring f as positioning means is fitted near the bottom of the plunger SLa. When the plunger SLa moves upward, the E-ring comes into contact with the bottom SLd of the solenoid main body SLb, and the plunger SL
By regulating the upper limit position of a, the stop position of the distal end portion 82a of the needle 82 is restricted, the opening 81a of the nozzle member 81 is held at a predetermined gap, and the glue discharge is made constant.

The needle 82 is made of a non-magnetic material, for example, a non-magnetic stainless steel, an aluminum alloy material, a plastic material, or the like. By making the needle 82 non-magnetic, the magnetic force lines of the solenoid SL do not wrap around, and a decrease in the suction force is prevented.

A nut b screwed into a male screw formed on the shaft of the needle 82 is connected to a flange 8 through a washer c.
The sealing member a is pressed against the lower surface side of 2b. Seal member a
Is pressed between the flat portion in the casing 83 and the flat portion of the pressing member 86 fitted in the casing 83, and the glue accommodated in the glue accommodating chamber 83a leaks out. Prevent things.

An inlet member 87 is fixed to the side surface of the casing 83, and the glue supplied from the glue supply means 90 described later is introduced into the glue accommodating chamber 83a through the supply pipe 88.

A male screw member SLc is fixed to the upper part of the solenoid body SLb. The bearings d and e fixed to the upper part of the housing 84 hold the operation member 89 rotatably.
The female screw threaded in the operation member 89 is a male screw member SL
Screw into c. By grasping the operation member 89 and rotating it forward or backward, the solenoid body SLb is vertically moved up and down by the guide rod SLe with respect to the fixed housing 84. The guide rod SLe is fixed to the solenoid main body SLb, and slides by fitting into a guide hole SLf formed in the housing 84.

As the solenoid body SLb moves up and down, the bottom SLd of the solenoid body SLb with which the E-ring f comes into contact also moves up and down. Therefore, the upper limit position where the E-ring f contacts when the voltage is applied to the solenoid SL changes. On the other hand, since the opening 81a of the nozzle member 81 is fixed to the housing 84 and positioned, the gap between the opening 81a and the tip 2a of the needle 82 is adjusted to be an appropriate position.

(Glue Supply Means) FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the glue supply means 90 applied to the glue binding apparatus C of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a front view showing a driving means of the glue supply means 90.

In the housing 91 of the glue supply means 90, a glue container 92 is detachably mounted. The glue storage container 92
It comprises a container body 92a for storing the glue and a discharge opening 92b for discharging the glue. The container main body 92a has a bellows shape formed into a thin hollow shape by using a flexible material such as polyethylene, and is extensible.

By holding the glue storage container 92 and mounting it on the container mounting means 93 in the housing 91, the discharge opening 92
b is installed at a predetermined position.

After the glue container 92 is mounted on the container mounting means 93, the discharge opening 92b is connected to the connecting means 94 on the supply pipe side. This connection operation may be manual, but the electric drive means is quick and reliable.

On the container mounting means 93 side of the housing 91, a driving means for the connecting means 94 on the supply pipe side is arranged (FIG. 1).
0). The motor M1 of the driving means swings the crank 95A via gears G1 to G4 forming a reduction gear train. Crank 95B connected to swinging crank 95A
Moves the connecting means 94 straight in the direction of the arrow. Connection means 9
4 further moves straight, and stops by being connected to the base member 92c connected to the discharge opening 92b. In this connected state,
The pressurized glue in the container body 92a is
After passing through the connecting means 94, it is supplied to the glue discharging means 80 via the supply pipe 88 and the entrance member 87 of the glue discharging means 80.

The bottom of the other end of the container body 92a facing the discharge opening 92b of the glue container 92 is pressed by the driving means of the pressing member 96 and moves in the direction of the arrow along the guide groove 91a.

FIG. 10 shows a driving means of the pressing member 96.
The motor M2 of the driving means is provided with a gear G forming a reduction gear train.
The pulley 961 is rotated via 10 to G19. The wire 962 that winds the pulley 961 winds the pulley 963, winds the pulley 964 supported by the pressing member 96, and one end is fixed to the fixed support member 965.

The other end of the wire 962 that winds the pulley 961 winds a pulley 966 coaxial with the pulley 964.
One end of tension spring 967 supported by housing 91
Is connected to the other end.

The pressing member 96 is moved in the direction of the arrow through the reduction gear train and the wire 962 by the forward rotation of the motor M2, and compresses the container body 92a. The glue pressurized in the container body 92a is supplied to the glue discharging means 80 via the base member 92c, the connecting means 94, the supply pipe 88, and the inlet member 87 of the glue discharging means 80.

A torque limiter TL is mounted coaxially with the gears G11 and G12.
When the pressing force applied to a becomes equal to or more than the predetermined pressure, the gears G11 and G12 idle by the torque limiter TL to interrupt the transmission, and the movement of the pressing member 96 is stopped.

(Glue Storage Container) FIG. 11A is a front sectional view showing an initial state in which the glue is filled in the glue storage container 92 of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of the glue storage container 92 in which the glue is consumed and is in a compressed state. FIG. 11C is a front sectional view of a conventional glue storage container.

The glue container 92 is formed of a flexible material, has a bellows-shaped side wall that can be extended and contracted, and has a glue Na inside.
And a discharge opening 92b for discharging the glue Na.

In the conventional glue container 92, the bottom of the container body 92a has a flat shape as shown in FIG.
When the glue in the container main body 92a is consumed and becomes in a compressed state, a large amount of glue Na remains in the container main body 92a.

The container main body 92a of the present invention has the discharge opening 9
The bottom portion facing 2b has a concave shape so as to protrude inside the container body 92a.

The length L1 of the concave portion at the bottom of the container body 92a in the expansion and contraction direction is slightly shorter than the length L2 when the bellows-shaped side wall of the container body 92a is compressed (L1 <L2).
The outer diameter D1 of the concave portion at the bottom of the container body 92a is:
It is slightly smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the bellows-shaped side wall of the container body 92a (D1 <D2).

When the glue storage container 92 is compressed, FIG.
As shown in (b), the concave portion at the bottom is buried inside the bellows-shaped side wall portion and a small amount of glue N is contained in the container body 92a.
a is left. Reduces the amount of glue remaining in the glue storage container 92 to save glue, reduce the frequency of replacement of the glue storage container 92, reduce interruption of glue binding when replacing the glue storage container 92, and discard used glue storage containers. Thus, the reduction of the impact on the environment is achieved.

(Replacement of Glue Storage Container) FIG.
6 is a front sectional view of FIG.

Pulleys 964 and 9 for winding wire 962
66 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 968 fixed to a pressing member 96 that can move linearly. A test portion 969 is fixed to one end of the support shaft 968. Test part 9 to move
The position is detected when 69 passes through three position detection sensors (remaining amount detection means) PS1, PS2, and PS3 installed at predetermined positions of the housing 91.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the glue supply means 90 showing the process of replacing the glue storage container 92. FIG. 13 (a)
Shows an initial state in which the glue supply container 90 is mounted on the glue supply means 90 and the glue supply can be started. FIG. 13B illustrates a glue supply end state in which the glue in the glue storage container 92 has been consumed. FIG.
3 (c) shows a state in which the inside of the glue storage container 92 is decompressed and the connection means 94 is separated from the base member 92c.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the glue binding apparatus C.

The position detection sensor PS 1 is
The position of the test portion 969 fixed to the pressing member 96 in the state where the inside is filled with the glue, that is, the glue supply start state is detected. The position detection sensor PS2 detects a state in which the glue in the glue storage container 92 is consumed, that is, a position of the test portion 969 fixed to the pressing member 96 in a glue supply end state.
The position detection sensor PS3 detects an intermediate position where the glue storage container 92 is set in a reduced pressure state.

Hereinafter, the process of replacing the glue container 92 will be described. (1) The glue container 92 emptied due to the consumption of the glue is
When replacing with a new glue storage container 92, first, the position detection sensor PS2 detects that the pressing member 96 has reached the position shown in FIG.

(2) The control means 9 controls the motor M2 (FIG. 1).
0), and the pressing member 96 is stopped at the intermediate position by the position detection sensor PS3 (see FIG. 13C). By the reverse movement of the pressing member 96, the bellows-like flexible container main body 92a is expanded by the elasticity of the bellows-like container main body 92a to increase the sealed inner volume, and returns from the pressurized state to the atmospheric pressure state. .

(3) The control means 9 controls the motor M1 (FIG. 1).
0), and connects the connecting means 94 to the glue storage container 92.
It operates in the direction of separating from the base member 92c. The connection means 94 uses the motor M1 as a drive source, and causes the connection means 94 to move straight through a transmission system including gears G1 to G3 and cranks 95A and 95B. The connection means 94 is urged by a spring (not shown) in a direction in which the base member 92c and the connection means 94 are connected. A not-shown openable / closable inner lid is provided inside each of the base member 92c and the connection means 94. When the connecting means 94 is separated from the base member 92c, the inner lid closes the glue supply passage so that the glue does not leak from the base member 92c and the connecting means 94.

By setting the pressure in the container body 92a to substantially the atmospheric pressure, the connecting means 94 can be easily separated from the base member 92c, and after the disconnection, leakage of the glue can be prevented.

(4) The used glue storage container 92 having consumed the glue can be taken out of the container storage chamber 93a at the position shown in FIG. 13C. Alternatively, the pressing member 96 can be returned to the position shown in FIG. 13A and taken out of the container storage chamber 93a.

(5) After taking out the used glue storage container 92, a new glue storage container 92 is mounted in the container storage chamber 93a. Next, when the motor M1 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction by the control means 9, the connection means 94 moves and reaches the base member 92c, and the connection means 94 is connected to the motor M1 with the inner lid in the base member 92c opened. Driving is stopped. At this time, the connecting means 94 and the base member 92c are connected by a tension spring (not shown).

(6) The control means 9 drives the motor M2 to rotate forward and presses the container body 92a by the pressing member 96 to start the glue supply (see FIG. 13 (c)).

(Air Collecting Means) FIG. 15 is a partial sectional view of a glue applying apparatus provided with an air collecting means 98 showing another embodiment of the glue applying apparatus of the present invention.

A branched glue flow path is formed above a supply pipe 88 which supplies the glue by communicating the discharge opening 92b of the glue storage container 92 and the inlet member 87 of the glue discharging means 80, and forms an air trap. It is connected to the collecting means 98.

At the bottom opening of the container 981 of the air collecting means 98, an introduction member 982 is fixed, and a discharge opening 92b,
The glue discharged through the connecting means 94 to the supply pipe 88 and bubbles mixed in the glue can be introduced.

The upper opening 983 of the container 981 is
The air trapped in 81 can be discharged. Opening 983
Can be opened and closed by a valve member 984. Spring 985 biases valve member 984 to close opening 983. An opening / closing member 986 having a cam surface is connected to an upper portion of the valve member 984. When the opening / closing member 986 is rotated manually or by driving means such as a solenoid, the valve member 984 is pulled up, and the opening 983 is opened.

(Glue Replenishing Means) FIGS. 16 to 19 show another embodiment of the glue coating apparatus of the present invention.

The glue supply means 99 comprises a supply container 990 and a connection means 993. FIG. 16A shows the supply container 99.
0 is a perspective view, and FIG. 16B is a sectional view.

The replenishing container 990 comprises a flexible bag 991 containing glue Na (hatched portion in the figure) and a cap member 992.

The base member 992 has a mounting portion 992a which can be mounted on the glue supply means 90, a connection portion 992b which is connected to the connection means 993, and a discharge opening 992c which can discharge the glue Na in the flexible bag 991. Consisting of

The flexible film material forming the flexible bag 991 is formed of a laminate made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminum foil, polyethylene (PE), or the like.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of the connecting means 993. A supply pipe 8 for supplying the glue by communicating the discharge opening 92b of the glue storage container 92 with the inlet member 87 of the glue discharging means 80.
Above 8, a branched glue channel is formed and communicates with the glue replenishing means 99.

The mounting portion 992a of the supply container 990 is removably mounted on the mounting portion 994. The connection portion 992b of the replenishing container 990 is screwed to a screw portion on the upper portion of the frame 995 of the connection means 993, and is detachable.

A through-hole 995a formed in the frame 995
Is opened and closed by a check valve 996 biased by a spring 997. The lower portion of the frame 995 is connected to a connection member 998 having a through hole 998a.
The through hole 998a communicates with the supply pipe 88. 999
Reference numerals a, 999b and 999c denote sealing members for preventing the leakage of the glue.

When the pressure of the glue in the supply pipe 88 communicating with the glue storage container 92 is reduced, the backflow prevention valve 996 is pressed by the pressure of the glue Na in the supply container 990, and the spring 997 is pressed.
The check valve 996 is depressed against the urging force of the valve to open the through hole 995a. In this open state, the glue Na in the glue storage container 92 passes through the upper through-hole 995a, then flows down in the lower through-hole 998a, passes through the supply pipe 88, and flows through the glue storage container 92 in the decompressed state. Will be replenished. When the glue is supplied, the glue discharging means 80 shown in FIG.
Since the needle 82 is urged by the spring 85 to close the opening 81a of the nozzle member 81, no outside air is taken in from the opening 81a of the nozzle member 81.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the glue supply means 90 showing a state in which refilling of the glue into the glue storage container 92 is started. FIG.
9 is a front view of the glue supply unit 90 showing a glue supply completion state by the glue supply unit 99.

A pulley 964 for moving the pressing member 96
The test portion 969 fixed to the support shaft 968 that rotatably supports the 966 moves together with the pressing member 96. The housing 91 of the glue supply means 90 has two position detection sensors PS1,
PS2 is installed.

The position detection sensor PS1 is
The position of the test portion 969 fixed to the pressing member 96 in the state where the inside is filled with the glue, that is, the glue replenishment end state is detected. The position detection sensor PS2 detects a state in which the paste in the paste container 92 has been consumed, that is, a position of the test portion 969 fixed to the pressing member 96 in a paste supply start state.
Hereinafter, a glue replenishing process by the glue replenishing means 99 will be described.

(1) Container main body 92a of glue storage container 92
Is compressed by the pressing member 96 and the position detection sensor PS
2 detects that the glue in the container body 92a has been consumed (see FIG. 18).

(2) Connection means 993 of glue supply means 99
Is connected to the supply container 990. (3) The motor M2 (see FIG. 10) is driven in the reverse direction to move the pressing member 96 to extend the bellows-shaped container main body 92a, thereby bringing the glue in the container main body 92a into a negative pressure state. The negative pressure activates the check valve 996 in the connection means 993 to open the through hole 995a, discharge the glue in the replenishing container 990, and refill the glue container 92 via the supply pipe 88. At this time, the elasticity of the bellows-shaped container body 92a
Although a negative pressure may be used, a structure in which the pressing member 96 grips the bottom of the container body 92a may be used.

(4) When the position of the pressing member 96 is detected by the position detection sensor PS1, the motor M2 is normally rotated to move the pressing member 96, and the pressure of the glue in the glue container 92 is reduced to a predetermined pressure. To

(5) When the pressure of the glue in the glue storage container 92 becomes positive pressure or atmospheric pressure, the empty supply container 990 becomes empty.
Is removed from the connecting means 993.

The glue binding apparatus C of the present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine of these. Desired digital processing is performed by the image forming apparatus,
After processing such as single-sided recording, double-sided recording, and page editing, the discharged paper S is subjected to accurate and efficient cover-covering and gluing by an image forming apparatus equipped with the glue-binding apparatus C of the present invention. Be transformed into

It is also possible to form the glue binding apparatus C of the present invention as an independent apparatus and to glue and bind a sheet processed by another image forming apparatus.

[0101]

As is apparent from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by the glue coating apparatus, glue binding apparatus, and image forming apparatus of the present invention.

(1) By the glue applying device according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the amount of glue remaining in the bellows-shaped flexible container body is minimized, and the amount of glue to be discarded is reduced. It is possible to do.

(2) By using the glue coating apparatus according to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, when replacing the glue storage container, the pressure of the glue in the glue storage container is changed from the pressurized state to almost the atmospheric pressure,
The connecting means for connecting the base member of the glue storage container and the supply pipe communicating with the glue discharging means can be easily separated. Further, leakage of the glue in the connecting means is prevented.

(3) With the glue applying device according to the sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention, even when air enters the glue transfer path at the time of exchanging the glue storage container, the glue is not discharged, The air that has entered can be discharged out of the glue transfer path. This prevents the occurrence of glue application failure due to air intrusion, and facilitates the elimination of air ingress.

(4) With the glue applying device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the glue replenishing driving means is used to draw the glue in the glue replenishing container by setting the pressure in the glue container to a negative pressure from the atmospheric pressure. It is unnecessary and the device becomes simple. Further, the glue supply container does not need to have a pressure-resistant configuration, which is advantageous for reducing the manufacturing cost, reducing the volume at the time of disposal, and the like.

(5) The glue binding apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention reduces waste glue, facilitates replacement operation, prevents glue from leaking out, and prevents glue from being leaked when the glue storage container is replaced. By preventing air mixing and simplifying the glue supply means,
Glue discharge is performed reliably, and stable glue binding processing is performed.

(6) With the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a stable glue binding process is performed on a large number of sheets continuously discharged at a high speed from the image forming apparatus, and continuously. A number of booklets are formed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body, an image reading device, and a glue binding device.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a paper transport path and a glue application process during the glue application process.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the glue discharging means.

FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view of the glue discharging means.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the glue discharging means showing a state where an opening of a nozzle member is opened.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the glue supply means.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a driving unit of the glue supply unit.

FIG. 11 is a front sectional view showing an initial state in which the glue is filled in the glue storage container, a front sectional view of the glue storage container in which the glue in the glue storage container is consumed and compressed, and a conventional glue storage container. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing a compressed state.

FIG. 12 is a front sectional view of a pressing member.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the glue supply means showing a process of replacing the glue storage container.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of a glue application device provided with air collecting means.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view and a sectional view of a supply container.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of a connecting means.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the glue supply unit showing a state in which the glue is supplied to the glue storage container.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the glue supply unit showing a glue supply completion state by the glue supply unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

80 glue discharge means 81 nozzle member 82 needle member (needle) 88 supply pipe 90 glue supply means 91 housing 92 glue storage container 92a container body 92b discharge opening 92c cap member 93 container mounting means 93a container storage chamber 94 connection means 96 pressing Member 969 Object to be inspected 98 Air collecting means 99 Glue replenishing means 990 Supply container 993 Connecting means 996 Check valve 998 Connecting member A Image forming apparatus main body B Image reading apparatus C Glue binding apparatus M1, M2, M3 Motor N Glue applying section Na glue PS1, PS2, PS3 Position detection sensor (remaining amount detection means) S Transfer paper (paper)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Katsunori Takahashi 2970, Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Toshitaka Matsumoto 3-51-4 Kanamecho, Toshima-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference 3F108 GA04 GB01 HA02 HA13 4F041 AA02 AB01 BA10 CA02 4F042 AA02 AB01 BA08 CA04 CB03 CB08 DF19

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A glue storage container comprising a container body and a discharge opening, a pressing means for pressurizing the glue storage container and discharging the stored glue from the discharge opening, and discharging from the discharge opening. A supply pipe for transferring the glue, and a glue discharging means for discharging the glue connected and connected to the supply pipe from a nozzle tip, wherein the container body is formed of a flexible material and is extensible. A glue coating apparatus having a bellows-shaped side wall, wherein a bottom portion facing the discharge opening is formed in a concave shape so as to protrude inside the container body. 2. The glue coating according to claim 1, wherein the length of the concave portion at the bottom of the container body in the direction of expansion and contraction is slightly shorter than the length when the bellows-shaped side wall of the container body is compressed. Cloth equipment. 3. A glue storage container comprising a container body and a discharge opening, a container mounting means for setting the glue storage container at a predetermined position, a supply pipe for transferring glue discharged from the discharge opening, A glue discharging means connected to a supply pipe for discharging glue transferred from a nozzle tip, a pressing means for pressing the glue storage container to discharge the stored glue from the discharge opening, and Remaining means for detecting the remaining amount of glue, driving means for enabling movement of the pressing means, and control means for controlling the driving means, and the remaining amount of glue in the glue container. When the remaining amount is detected by the remaining amount detecting means, the control means drives the driving means in the reverse direction, retracts the pressing means, and controls the adhesive pressure in the adhesive storage container. And pressurize the supply pipe from the discharge opening. A glue coating device, wherein the glue container is detachable and replaceable. 4. The glue coating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a connecting means of the supply pipe for detachably connecting the discharge opening and the supply pipe is movable by a driving means. 5. The glue applying device according to claim 3, wherein the stop position of the reverse rotation drive is set at a position where the glue pressure in the glue storage container becomes substantially atmospheric pressure. 6. A glue container comprising a container body and a discharge opening, a supply pipe for transferring the glue discharged from the discharge opening, and a glue connected to the supply pipe and discharging the glue transferred from the nozzle tip. A glue discharging device, wherein a branch route is formed in the middle of the transfer route of the supply pipe, and an air collecting device is provided in the branch route. 7. The glue applying device according to claim 6, wherein the air collecting means is disposed above a discharge opening of the glue storage container and the glue discharging means. 8. A glue container having a container body and a discharge opening, a supply pipe for transferring the glue discharged from the discharge opening, and a branch path formed in the middle of a transfer path of the supply pipe. Connecting means and a check valve, a glue replenishing container detachably mounted on the connecting means, a glue discharging means for discharging glue connected to the supply pipe and transferred from a nozzle tip, and the glue storage container. Pressing means for discharging the glue stored under pressure from the discharge opening, remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of glue in the glue storage container, and driving means for enabling the pressing means to move; Control means for controlling the driving means, and the remaining amount detection detects that the glue storage container has been compressed by the pressing of the pressing means and the remaining amount of glue in the glue storage container has become a predetermined amount or less. After being detected by the means, the control means Means for reversing the drive, reducing the glue pressure in the glue storage container, and opening the check valve to refill the glue in the glue supply container into the glue storage container. Cloth equipment. 9. A glue is linearly applied in the paper transport direction by a glue discharging unit near the side edge of the paper transported by the transport unit, and a plurality of sheets after the glue application process are stacked and aligned. A glue binding apparatus for producing a booklet, comprising a glue applying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body including an image writing unit, an image forming unit, and a sheet transporting unit; and a glue binding apparatus including a glue applying device. An image forming apparatus comprising: the glue applying device according to claim 1; and the glue binding device according to claim 9.