JP2010036403A - Booklet forming apparatus and booklet forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform suitable forming treatment to a center-folded booklet with simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: In this booklet forming apparatus, a back 2a of the center-folded booklet is pressed to a first guide part 14a. A pair of first pressing carrier rollers 20 are rotated while holding the booklet 2 around a shaft 22 inclining toward the downstream side in a conveying direction as it goes away from the first guide part 14a. Thereby, the booklet 2 is conveyed along the first guide part 14a while pressing the back 2a to the first guide part 14a. A first forming unit 60 flattens the back 2a of the booklet 2 conveyed by the first pressing carrier rollers 20. The first pressing carrier rollers 20 apply a force of pressing the back 2a to the first guide part 14a, to the booklet 2 upstream in the conveying direction rather than a forming position where the back 2a of the booklet 2 is flattened by the first forming unit 60. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a booklet forming technique, and more particularly to a booklet forming technique for flattening the back of a half-fold booklet.

For example, a saddle stitch folding apparatus is known that creates a booklet by binding a sheet bundle substantially at the center and folding the bound portion. The sheet bundle that has undergone the saddle stitch folding process swells in the thickness direction around the spine because a restoring force acts on the fold. Such swelling in the thickness direction impairs the appearance of the booklet, and when stacking sheet bundles in the same direction, it becomes easier to tilt as the number of stacked sheets increases, making it difficult to stack a large number of sheet bundles. Shall. For this reason, a half-folded booklet spine forming apparatus has been proposed in which the back part of the half-folded booklet sandwiched and conveyed by the belt is crushed by a back part pressing roller and flattened (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-159894 A

  When the middle folded booklet is crushed and flattened, if the middle folded booklet escapes toward the forehead due to the pressing force, the pressing force applied to the back may be insufficient, and the spine may not be flattened appropriately. On the other hand, it is necessary to increase the size of the apparatus in order to increase the force for holding the folded booklet when pressing the back.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to perform an appropriate forming process on the folded booklet with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a booklet forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a guide unit that presses the back of a half-fold booklet, and a press that conveys the center-fold booklet along the guide unit while pressing the back against the guide unit. A conveying unit; and a molding unit that flattens the back of the half-folded booklet conveyed by the pressing conveying unit.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress the escape of the center folded booklet toward the fore edge when the back is pressed without pinching the middle folded booklet with an excessive force. For this reason, an appropriate shaping | molding process can be given to a half-fold booklet with a simple structure.

  The pressing and conveying means may give the middle folded booklet a force for pressing the spine against the guide portion on the upstream side in the conveying direction from the molding position where the shaping means flattens the back of the middle folded booklet.

  According to this aspect, the back of the half-fold booklet can be more strongly pressed against the molding position. For this reason, the escape to the edge direction of the center folded booklet at the time of shaping | molding can be suppressed, and the shaping | molding process with a more beautiful appearance can be implement | achieved.

  A plurality of forming means are provided along the conveying direction, and the pressing and conveying means applies a force to the middle folded booklet to press the spine against the guide portion on the upstream side of the forming position of each of the plurality of forming means. Also good.

  In order to flatten the spine, it is necessary to press the spine with a large force, and by providing a plurality of forming means in this manner, the spine can be flattened more reliably. According to this aspect, even when a plurality of forming means are provided as described above, the back of the half-fold booklet can be more strongly pressed against the forming position of each forming means.

  The pressing and conveying means may include a pair of pressing and conveying rollers that rotate while pinching the center folded booklet about an axis that is inclined toward the downstream side in the conveying direction as the distance from the guide portion increases.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to convey the folded booklet along the guide portion while pressing the back against the guide portion with a simple configuration in which the axial direction of the conveyance roller is inclined in this way.

  You may further provide a pair of wrinkle-stretching conveyance roller which rotates, pinching | interposing a center folded booklet, centering | focusing on the axis | shaft which inclines toward the conveyance direction upstream as it leaves | separates from a guide part.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to apply a force to the half-folded booklet in a direction that cancels the force in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction provided by the pressing conveyance unit. For this reason, it is possible to suppress wrinkles of the half-folded booklet generated by being conveyed by the pressing and conveying means, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in aesthetics of other portions of the half-folded booklet due to the forming process.

  In the pressing and conveying roller, the roller surface that sandwiches the folded booklet may be formed of a resin material. Alternatively, in the pressing and conveying roller, a roller surface that sandwiches the folded booklet may be formed of a metal material.

  Even when a force is applied in a direction inclined with respect to the guide portion by the pressing and conveying roller, the half-fold booklet is conveyed along the guide portion. For this reason, the center folded booklet is conveyed while sliding on the surface of the pressing conveying roller. According to this aspect, the surface can be appropriately slid while applying a conveying force to the half-folded booklet, and the middle-folded booklet can be smoothly conveyed.

  The pressing and conveying means may be provided so that the relative distance from the forming position where the forming means flattens the back of the half-folded booklet to the pressing force applying position that applies the force pressing the back against the guide portion to the half-folded booklet can be changed. Good.

  When the relative distance is short, the folded booklet can be pressed against the guide portion with a stronger force, and even when the back is pressed with a stronger force, the escape of the folded folded booklet in the fore edge direction can be suppressed. On the other hand, when the relative distance is long, the force for pressing the half-fold booklet against the guide portion can be appropriately dispersed, and deformation of the square edge portion that occurs when the spine is flattened can be suppressed. According to this aspect, for example, when the forming process is performed on a thick center folded booklet, the relative distance is shortened, and when the forming process is performed on a thin center folded booklet, the relative distance is increased. The relative distance can be changed. For this reason, it is possible to appropriately perform the forming process on a wide variety of medium-fold booklets.

  You may further provide the cutting blade which cuts the edge of the half-fold booklet conveyed by the pressing conveyance means.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to carry out both the forming process and the fore edge cutting process in one conveying step of the half-fold booklet. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity in creating a folded booklet due to the forming process.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform an appropriate molding process on a folded booklet with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a top view of a booklet forming apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line P-P in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Q-Q in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the configuration of the booklet forming apparatus 10A will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, the lower side is the front of the apparatus and the upper side is the rear of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the center folded booklet (hereinafter referred to as “booklet”) 2 is carried in from the right side of the apparatus with the top 2c at the top and the back 2a facing the rear of the apparatus, and is conveyed leftward. The booklet 2 may be one in which the sheet bundle is bound at the folding position, or may be one in which the sheet bundle is simply folded without being bound.

  The booklet forming apparatus 10A includes a housing 12, a first pressing and conveying roller 20, a second pressing and conveying roller 30, a third pressing and conveying roller 40, a fourth pressing and conveying roller 50, a first forming unit 60, and a second forming unit 70. Have The housing 12 includes a first guide plate 14, a second guide plate 15, a rear plate 16, and a front plate 18.

  The rear plate 16 is arranged to extend in the left-right direction at the rear of the apparatus. The front plate 18 is disposed so as to extend in the left-right direction in front of the apparatus. The intermediate bracket 17 is provided so as to extend in the left-right direction above the conveyance path through which the booklet 2 is conveyed.

  The first guide plate 14 is arranged to extend in the left-right direction slightly in front of the rear plate 16 and on the right side of the center of the apparatus. A first guide portion 14 a against which the back 2 a of the booklet 2 is pressed is provided on the front surface of the first guide plate 14. The second guide plate 15 is arranged to extend in the left-right direction slightly in front of the rear plate 16 and on the left side of the center of the apparatus. On the front surface of the second guide plate 15, a second guide portion 15a to which the back 2a of the booklet 2 is pressed is provided. The booklet 2 carried into the booklet forming apparatus 10A is conveyed along the first guide part 14a and the second guide part 15a. Hereinafter, the direction along the first guide portion 14a or the second guide portion 15a in this way is referred to as a “conveying direction”. Further, the upstream side in the transport direction is simply referred to as “upstream side”, and the downstream side in the transport direction is simply referred to as “downstream side”.

  A pair of first pressing and conveying rollers 20 are provided so as to be aligned in the vertical direction. The first pressing conveyance roller 20 is fixed coaxially with the shaft 22. One end of the shaft 22 is rotatably supported by the rear plate 16 via a bearing, and the other end is rotatably supported by a support plate 24 provided on the upper surface of the intermediate bracket 17 via a bearing. At this time, the shaft 22 is supported by the rear plate 16 and the support plate 24 so as to incline toward the downstream side as the distance from the first guide portion 14a increases.

  Hereinafter, an angle formed by the shaft 22 and the first guide portion 14a at this time is defined as θ1. As a result of research and development by the inventors, it has been found that the back 2a can be satisfactorily flattened when θ1 is an angle between 75 degrees and 89 degrees. Furthermore, as a result of research and development by the inventors, it has become clear that the back 2a can be more satisfactorily flattened when θ1 is set to an angle of 80 degrees to 85 degrees.

  A pair of second pressing and conveying rollers 30 are provided on the downstream side of the first pressing and conveying roller 20 so as to be aligned in the vertical direction. The second pressing conveyance roller 30 is fixed coaxially with the shaft 32. One end of the shaft 32 is rotatably supported by the rear plate 16 via a bearing, and the other end is rotatably supported by a support plate 34 provided on the upper surface of the intermediate bracket 17 via a bearing. At this time, the shaft 32 is supported by the rear plate 16 and the support plate 34 so as to be parallel to the shaft 22.

  The pair of first pressing and conveying rollers 20 rotate while sandwiching the booklet 2 around a shaft 22 to which each is fixed. Further, the pair of second pressing and conveying rollers 30 rotate while sandwiching the booklet 2 around a shaft 32 to which each is fixed. Thereby, the booklet 2 is conveyed along the 1st guide part 14a, the back 2a being pressed on the 1st guide part 14a.

  A first molding unit 60 is provided on the downstream side of the second pressing and conveying roller 30. The first molding unit 60 includes a first molding roller 62 and a first gripping roller 64. A pair of first gripping rollers 64 are provided so as to be lined up and down. Each of the pair of first gripping rollers 64 is fixed to the shaft 68. One end of the shaft 68 is rotatably supported by the rear plate 16 via a bearing, and the other end of the shaft 68 is rotatably supported by the front plate 18 via a bearing.

  The first forming unit 60 uses the first forming roller 62 and the pair of first gripping rollers 64 to turn the back 2a against the booklet 2 conveyed by the first pressing and conveying roller 20 and the second pressing and conveying roller 30. It functions as a molding means for performing a molding process for flattening. Hereinafter, the forming process of the spine 2a will be described with reference to FIGS.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line RR in FIG. The first molding unit 60 includes a molding roller unit 150, a first gripping roller 64, and a bracket 154. The forming roller unit 150 includes a first forming roller 62, a bracket 66, a roller shaft 69, and an attachment member 152. The bracket 66 is formed by bending a plate-like member into a U shape. The first forming roller 62 is accommodated in a bracket 66 and is rotatably attached to the bracket 66 via a roller shaft 69. A mounting member 152 formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped block is fixed to the outer surface of the center of the bracket 66. The forming roller unit 150 is fixed to the rear plate 16 on the downstream side of the first guide plate 14 so that the axial direction of the first forming roller 62 is directed in the vertical direction.

  The pair of first gripping rollers 64 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction so that the axial direction is oriented in the front-rear direction of the apparatus in the direction of the edge from the first forming roller 62. At this time, the pair of first gripping rollers 64 are arranged such that the outer peripheral surfaces are positioned slightly in the direction of the fore edge from the most on the outer side of the first forming roller 62. Thus, the front and back 2d around the spine 2a of the booklet 2 can be gripped by the pair of first gripping rollers 64. Both of the pair of shafts 68 are driven by the same motor as the motor that drives the shaft 22 and the shaft 32. As a result, both the pair of first gripping rollers 64 are driven.

  When the booklet 2 is carried in from the right side of the apparatus, the booklet 2 is conveyed while the back 2a is pressed against the first guide portion 14a by the first pressing and conveying roller 20 and the second pressing and conveying roller 30. The booklet 2 conveyed to substantially the center of the apparatus is flattened by pressing the spine 2a in the direction toward the fore edge 2b by the first forming roller 62 while being sandwiched between the pair of first gripping rollers 64. The pair of first gripping rollers 64 is in contact with the front and back 2d of both sides of the booklet 2 in the vicinity of the back 2a portion of the booklet 2 pressed by the first forming roller 62 in this way, thereby the first forming roller 62. Restricts the movement of the booklet 2 in the thickness direction when the spine 2a of the booklet 2 is flattened.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each of the pair of first gripping rollers 64 has a tapered portion 64 a that expands toward the first forming roller 62. Thereby, a deformation margin 160 is formed between the first forming roller 62 and the tapered portion 64a. When the booklet 2 is gripped with a strong force by the pair of first gripping rollers 64, the spine 2 a is pressed against the first forming roller 62, so that the boundary between the front and back 2 d and the spine 2 a enters the deformation margin 160. Thus, the back 2a is flattened.

  The rear plate 16 is provided with a through hole (not shown) through which the mounting member 152 of the forming roller unit 150 is inserted. The forming roller unit 150 is attached by fastening a bolt 156 to a bracket 154 that is fixed to the front surface of the rear plate 16 with the attachment member 152 inserted through the through hole. The insertion hole of the bolt 156 provided in the bracket 154 is a long hole that is long in the front-rear direction of the apparatus, so that the user can adjust the position of the forming roller unit 150 in the front-rear direction of the apparatus.

  FIG. 5 is a view of the first molding unit 60 as viewed from the viewpoint S in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the 1st shaping | molding roller 62 is arrange | positioned so that it may protrude in a fore edge direction rather than the 1st guide part 14a. Hereinafter, the protrusion amount of the first forming roller 62 with respect to the first guide portion 14a will be described as X. The booklet conveyed from the upstream side is conveyed toward the first molding roller 62 in a state where the spine 2a is in contact with the first guide portion 14a. When the spine 2a comes into contact with the first molding roller 62, the first molding roller 62 presses the spine 2a of the booklet 2 in the direction of the fore edge, dents the back 2a in the direction of the fore edge by the projection amount X, and flattens the back 2a. Let

  The optimal protrusion amount X of the first forming roller 62 varies depending on the thickness of the booklet 2 being conveyed. In the angle forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the protrusion amount X can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the forming roller unit 150 in the front-rear direction of the apparatus. For this reason, the user adjusts the protrusion amount X of the first forming roller 62 according to the thickness of the booklet 2 and the like, even when the booklet 2 having various thicknesses is formed into a square shape, according to the thickness of the booklet 2. A flattening process of the spine 2a can be realized.

  Returning to FIGS. In this way, the first forming unit 60 is transported along the first guide portion 14a while the back 2a is pressed against the first guide portion 14a by the first pressing and conveying roller 20 and the second pressing and conveying roller 30. On the other hand, a molding process for flattening the spine 2a is performed. Thereby, the escape to the direction toward the fore edge 2b of the booklet 2 at the time of pressing of the spine 2a can be suppressed without pinching the booklet 2 with an excessive force. For this reason, an appropriate forming process can be performed on the booklet 2 with a simple configuration.

  The first pressing and conveying roller 20 and the second pressing and conveying roller 30 press the spine 2a against the first guide portion 14a on the upstream side of the molding position where the first molding unit 60 flattens the spine 2a of the booklet 2. Giving power to the booklet 2. Thereby, the spine 2a of the booklet 2 can be pressed more strongly against the molding position of the first molding unit 60. For this reason, the escape of the booklet 2 in the direction toward the fore edge 2b during molding can be suppressed, and a molding process with better aesthetics can be realized.

  A third pressing and conveying roller 40 is provided further downstream of the first molding unit 60. A pair of third pressing conveyance rollers 40 are provided so as to be aligned in the vertical direction. The third pressing conveyance roller 40 is fixed coaxially with the shaft 42. One end of the shaft 42 is rotatably supported by the rear plate 16 via a bearing, and the other end is rotatably supported by a support plate 44 provided on the upper surface of the intermediate bracket 17 via a bearing. At this time, the shaft 42 is supported by the rear plate 16 and the support plate 44 so as to be parallel to the shaft 22 and the shaft 32.

  A second molding unit 70 is provided on the downstream side of the third pressing and conveying roller 40. The second molding unit 70 includes a second molding roller 72 and a second gripping roller 74. A pair of second gripping rollers 74 are provided so as to be lined up and down. Each of the pair of second gripping rollers 74 is fixed to the shaft 78. One end of the shaft 78 is rotatably supported by the rear plate 16 via a bearing, and the other end of the shaft 78 is rotatably supported by the front plate 18 via a bearing.

  The second molding unit 70 includes a molding roller unit, a second gripping roller 74, and a bracket 154. The forming roller unit includes a second forming roller 72, a bracket 76, a rotating shaft 79, and an attachment member 152. The second molding unit 70 is configured in the same manner as the first molding unit 60 except that the second gripping roller 74 is attached to the shaft 78. The second forming unit 70 performs a forming process for flattening the spine 2a on the booklet 2 conveyed by the third pressing and conveying roller 40 using the second forming roller 72 and the pair of second gripping rollers 74. Functions as a molding means.

  The pair of third pressing and conveying rollers 40 rotate while pinching the booklet 2 around a shaft 42 to which each is fixed. At this time, the third pressing and conveying roller 40 gives the booklet 2 a force for pressing the spine 2 a against the second forming roller 72 on the upstream side of the forming position of the second forming unit 70. Thereby, the spine 2a of the booklet 2 can be pressed more strongly against the molding position of the second molding unit 70. For this reason, even when the second molding unit 70 is molded, the escape of the booklet 2 in the direction toward the fore edge 2b can be suppressed.

  A fourth pressing conveyance roller 50 is provided further downstream of the second molding unit 70. A pair of fourth pressing conveyance rollers 50 are provided so as to be aligned in the vertical direction. The fourth pressing conveyance roller 50 is fixed coaxially with the shaft 52. One end of the shaft 52 is rotatably supported on the rear plate 16 via a bearing, and the other end is rotatably supported on a support plate 54 provided on the upper surface of the intermediate bracket 17 via a bearing. At this time, the shaft 52 is supported by the rear plate 16 and the support plate 54 so as to be parallel to the shaft 22, the shaft 32, and the shaft 42.

  The pair of fourth pressing and conveying rollers 50 rotate while pinching the booklet 2 around a shaft 52 to which each is fixed. Thereby, the booklet 2 is conveyed along the 2nd guide part 15a, the back 2a being pressed on the 2nd guide part 15a. Of the pair of upper and lower shafts 22, shaft 32, shaft 42, and shaft 52, the lower shaft is driven by a motor, and the upper shaft is driven.

  Further, the booklet forming apparatus 10 </ b> A includes a first wrinkle stretching roller 80, a second wrinkle stretching roller 90, and a third wrinkle stretching roller 100. A pair of first wrinkle-stretching rollers 80 are provided so as to be arranged in the vertical direction at a position separated from the first guide portion 14a by the first pressing and conveying roller 20. The first wrinkle stretching roller 80 is fixed coaxially to the shaft 82. One end of the shaft 82 is rotatably supported by the front plate 18 via a bearing, and the other end is rotatably supported by a support plate 84 provided on the upper surface of the intermediate bracket 17 via a bearing. At this time, the shaft 82 is supported by the front plate 18 and the support plate 84 so as to be inclined toward the upstream side as the distance from the first guide portion 14a increases.

  An angle formed by the shaft 82 at this time and the conveying direction, that is, the extending direction of the first guide portion 14a is defined as θ2. As a result of the inventor's research and development, it is clear that wrinkles generated in the booklet 2 can be effectively suppressed when θ2 is set to the same angle as θ1. That is, as a result of the inventor's research and development, it is clear that wrinkles generated in the booklet 2 can be effectively suppressed when θ2 is an angle between 75 degrees and 89 degrees. Furthermore, as a result of research and development by the inventor, it has been clarified that wrinkles generated in the booklet 2 can be more effectively suppressed when θ2 is set to an angle of 80 degrees to 85 degrees.

  A pair of second wrinkle-stretching rollers 90 are provided so as to be lined up and down in a position downstream of the first wrinkle-stretching roller 80 and at a position away from the first guide portion 14a from the second pressing and conveying roller 30. The second wrinkle stretching roller 90 is fixed coaxially to the shaft 92. One end of the shaft 92 is rotatably supported by the front plate 18 via a bearing, and the other end is rotatably supported by a support plate 94 provided on the upper surface of the intermediate bracket 17 via a bearing. At this time, the shaft 92 is supported by the front plate 18 and the support plate 94 so as to be parallel to the shaft 82.

  A pair of third wrinkle-stretching rollers 100 is provided so as to line up in the vertical direction at a position downstream of the second wrinkle-stretching roller 90 and at a position away from the first guide portion 14a from the fourth pressing and conveying roller 50. The third wrinkle stretching roller 100 is fixed coaxially to the shaft 102. One end of the shaft 102 is rotatably supported on the front plate 18 via a bearing, and the other end is rotatably supported on a support plate 104 provided on the upper surface of the intermediate bracket 17 via a bearing. At this time, the shaft 102 is supported by the front plate 18 and the support plate 104 so as to be parallel to the shaft 82.

  The shaft 82 is connected to the shaft 22 via a coupling 86. The shaft 92 is connected to the shaft 32 via a coupling 96. Further, the shaft 102 is connected to the shaft 52 via the coupling 106. Thus, each of the wrinkle-stretching rollers can be rotated using a driving force that rotates each of the pressing and conveying rollers. These couplings employ coil springs. However, it goes without saying that a coupling other than the coil spring may be employed.

  The first wrinkle stretching roller 80 to the second wrinkle stretching roller 90 each rotate while pinching the booklet 2, thereby applying a force toward the booklet 2 in a direction away from the first guide portion 14 a. That is, a force can be applied to the booklet 2 in a direction that cancels out the force applied by the first pressing and conveying roller 20 to the fourth pressing and conveying roller 50. For this reason, the booklet 2 wrinkle which generate | occur | produces by conveying with the 1st pressing conveyance roller 20-the 4th pressing conveyance roller 50 can be suppressed.

  Of the pair of first wrinkle stretching rollers 80, the upper first wrinkle stretching roller 80 has a roller surface formed of a resin material. The lower first wrinkle stretching roller 80 has a roller surface made of an aluminum material. In addition, the roller surface of the lower first wrinkle stretching roller 80 may be formed of another metal material. The same applies to the pair of second wrinkle stretching rollers 90 and the pair of third wrinkle stretching rollers 100. Thereby, the surface can be appropriately slid while applying a conveying force to the booklet 2, and the booklet 2 can be smoothly conveyed.

  Further, the booklet forming apparatus 10 </ b> A includes a cutting unit 120. The cutting unit 120 includes a cutting blade unit 122 and a belt unit 124. The cutting blade unit 122 has a pair of cutting blades 130, a movable bracket 132, and a block 134. The pair of cutting blades 130 are provided so as to be slightly overlapped and aligned in the vertical direction. Each of the pair of cutting blades 130 is rotatably supported by the movable bracket 132 via the rotation shaft 136. The pair of cutting blades 130 cut the small edge of the booklet 2 conveyed by the first pressing and conveying roller 20 to the fourth pressing and conveying roller 50 and the first wrinkle stretching roller 80 to the third wrinkle stretching roller 100. By providing the cutting blade unit 122 in this way, it is possible to carry out both the forming process and the fore edge cutting process in one transport process of the booklet 2.

  The block 134 is fixed to the movable bracket 132. On the other hand, a shaft 126 is disposed above the third pressing and conveying roller 40 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the apparatus, and both ends are supported by the rear plate 16 and the front plate 18, respectively. The block 134 is provided with a guide hole (not shown), and the shaft 126 is inserted into the guide hole. Thereby, the cutting blade 130 is provided so as to be movable along the shaft 126 in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

  The belt unit 124 includes a belt 140 and a pair of rollers 142. One of the pair of rollers 142 is inserted through the shaft 68 so as to rotate together, and is disposed at a position away from the first guide portion 14 a from the first gripping roller 64. At this time, the roller 142 is inserted into the shaft 68 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The other of the pair of rollers 142 is inserted through a shaft 78 that rotates together, and is disposed at a position that is separated from the first guide portion 14 a by the second gripping roller 74. At this time, the roller 142 is inserted into the shaft 78 so as to be movable in the axial direction.

  The belt 140 is disposed so as to mesh with the outer periphery of the pair of rollers 142, and thus the belt unit 124 is configured. The belt unit 124 is disposed at a position closer to the first guide portion 14 a than the cutting blade unit 122. The belt unit 124 is movable along the shaft 126 together with the cutting blade unit 122.

  The block 134 is connected to a motor (not shown) via a ball screw mechanism (not shown), and the cutting unit 120 can be moved along the shaft 126 by operating this motor.

  The booklet forming apparatus 10A includes an electronic control unit (not shown) 110 having a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, and a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution. Have. The electronic control unit 110 controls the execution of the forming process and the cutting process by controlling the operation of an actuator provided in the booklet forming apparatus 10A.

  The booklet forming apparatus 10A has a control panel (not shown) that can be input by the user. The user can input a finishing size, which is the size of the booklet 2 after the forming process and the cutting process, using the control panel. The electronic control unit 110 acquires the finishing size input in this way, and operates the motor so that the distance from the first guide portion 14a is the length from the back 2a to the fore edge 2b in the finishing size. Is moved to adjust the position of the cutting blade 130.

(Second Embodiment)
6 and 7 are top views of the booklet forming apparatus 10B according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The booklet forming apparatus 10 </ b> B includes a movable unit 200 in addition to the housing 12.

  The movable unit 200 includes a unit casing 202, a first molding unit 60, and a second molding unit 70. The unit housing 202 includes a first guide plate 204, a second guide plate 205, and a rear plate 206. The rear plate 206 is arranged to be parallel to the rear plate 16 slightly in front of the rear plate 16.

  The first guide plate 204 is arranged to extend in the left-right direction slightly in front of the rear plate 16 and on the right side of the apparatus center. A first guide portion 204 a to which the back 2 a of the booklet 2 is pressed is provided on the front surface of the first guide plate 204. The second guide plate 205 is arranged to extend in the left-right direction slightly in front of the rear plate 16 and on the left side of the center of the apparatus. On the front surface of the second guide plate 205, a second guide portion 205a against which the back 2a of the booklet 2 is pressed is provided. The unit housing 202 is disposed such that the first guide portion 204a and the second guide portion 205a are located closer to the rear plate 16 than the first pressing conveyance roller 20 to the fourth pressing conveyance roller 50. The booklet 2 carried into the booklet forming apparatus 10B is conveyed along the first guide part 204a and the second guide part 205a.

  In the second embodiment, the first molding unit 60 and the second molding unit 70 are attached to the rear plate 206 instead of the rear plate 16. The position in the conveyance direction where the first molding unit 60 and the second molding unit 70 are attached is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  The unit housing 202 is configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction by a guide (not shown). Coil springs 210 are disposed between the first guide plate 204 and the rear plate 16, and between the second guide plate 205 and the rear plate 16, respectively. The coil spring 210 is a tension spring and biases the movable unit 200 in a direction approaching the rear plate 16.

  On the other hand, the booklet forming apparatus 10 </ b> B has a pair of cams 212. The cam 212 is rotatably attached to the rear surface of the rear plate 16. The outer periphery of the cam 212 is in contact with the back surface of the rear plate 206. Therefore, when the cam 212 rotates, the movable unit 200 moves in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The cam 212 is driven by a motor (not shown), and the electronic control unit 110 controls the operation of this motor.

  As described above, in the booklet forming apparatus 10B, the forming positions of the first forming unit 60 and the second forming unit 70 are movable in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. For example, FIG. 6 shows that the movable unit 200 is rear plate so that the molding position of each of the first molding unit 60 and the second molding unit 70 approaches the booklet clamping position of each of the first pressing conveyance roller 20 to the fourth pressing conveyance roller 50. It is a figure which shows the state moved to the direction away from 16. FIG. Further, FIG. 7 shows that the movable unit 200 is arranged so that the molding position of each of the first molding unit 60 and the second molding unit 70 approaches the booklet clamping position of each of the first pressing conveyance roller 20 to the fourth pressing conveyance roller 50. It is a figure which shows the state moved to the direction close | similar to the plate.

  In the booklet forming apparatus 10 </ b> B, a pressing force applying position that applies a pressing force to the booklet 2 by the first pressing and conveying roller 20 is a booklet clamping position by the pair of first pressing and conveying rollers 20. The pressing force application position by the second pressing and conveying roller 30 is a booklet clamping position by the pair of second pressing and conveying rollers 30. In the booklet forming apparatus 10B, the relative positions between the booklet holding position by the pair of first pressing and conveying rollers 20 and the booklet holding position by the pair of second pressing and conveying rollers 30 and the forming position by the first forming unit 60 are set as described above. Can be changed. Further, the relative position between the pressing force applying position by the third pressing conveyance roller 40 and the molding position by the second molding unit 70 can be changed.

  The user can input the thickness of the booklet 2 using the control panel. The electronic control unit 110 acquires the input thickness of the booklet 2 and rotates the cam 212 to move the movable unit 200 toward the rear plate 16 and increase the relative distance as the thickness of the booklet 2 increases. Control the angle. As a result, a wide variety of booklets 2 can be appropriately processed. The electronic control unit 110 may acquire the number of sheets of the booklet 2 input by the user, and move the movable unit 200 toward the rear plate 16 as the number of sheets increases. In addition, the user may acquire the thickness of the sheet constituting the booklet 2 input by the user, and estimate the thickness of the booklet 2 from the acquired sheet thickness and the number of sheets. In this case, the electronic control unit 110 may move the movable unit 200 toward the rear plate 16 as the estimated thickness of the booklet 2 is increased.

  Note that the user can select whether or not to perform the molding process using the control panel. The electronic control unit 110 retracts the movable unit 200 to the rear plate 16 side when acquiring the selection not to perform the molding process. On the other hand, the booklet forming apparatus 10B is provided with an entry position adjusting mechanism that changes the position of the booklet 2 entering the booklet forming apparatus 10B in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. When the electronic control unit 110 acquires the selection that the molding process has not been performed, the entry position of the booklet 2 is set to the entry position where the front and back surfaces around the spine 2a are sandwiched by the first pressing conveyance roller 20 to the fourth pressing conveyance roller 50. Adjust using the adjustment mechanism. The booklet 2 gradually moves to the rear of the apparatus by being sandwiched and conveyed by the first pressing and conveying roller 20 to the fourth pressing and conveying roller 50. However, by adjusting the entry position in this way, the booklet forming apparatus 10B is discharged before contacting the first guide plate 204 and the second guide plate 205, so that the first forming unit 60 and the second forming unit 70 The molding process to the spine 2a is avoided. Further, by sandwiching the front and back of the periphery of the spine 2a by the first pressing and conveying roller 20 to the fourth pressing and conveying roller 50, it is possible to make a stronger crease and to suppress the swelling of the booklet 2 around the spine 2a. .

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and an appropriate combination of the elements of each embodiment is also effective as an embodiment of the present invention. Various modifications such as design changes can be added to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and embodiments to which such modifications are added can also be included in the scope of the present invention. Here are some examples.

  In a modification, the mounting member 152 of the forming roller unit 150 is provided with a screw hole on the front surface of the apparatus, and an adjustment screw is screwed into the screw hole. The adjustment screw is connected to the motor via a transmission mechanism such as a gear, and the motor is connected to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit adjusts the protrusion amount X of the first forming roller 62 by rotating the motor according to the thickness of the booklet input by the user using the control panel. Thereby, it becomes possible to adjust the protrusion amount X easily.

  The electronic control unit 110 adjusts the position of the forming roller unit 150 so that the protrusion amount X becomes a value equal to or less than zero when the selection that the forming process is not performed is acquired. Thereby, the shaping | molding process to the spine 2a can be avoided. Also in this case, by holding the booklet 2 by the first gripping roller 64 and the second gripping roller 74, the bulge around the crease can be suppressed. Note that a retracting mechanism for retracting the first forming unit 60 and the second forming unit 70 from the booklet conveying path defined by the guide unit may be further provided in the booklet forming apparatus. The electronic control unit 110 may retract the first molding unit 60 and the second molding unit 70 from the booklet conveyance path when acquiring the selection that the molding process is not performed. Also by this, the shaping | molding process to the spine 2a can be avoided.

  In another modification, the intermediate bracket 17 is configured to be movable in the transport direction with respect to the rear plate 16 and the front plate 18. Self-aligning bearings are adopted as bearings that support both ends of the shaft 22, the shaft 32, the shaft 42, and the shaft 52. Self-aligning bearings are also used for the shafts 82, 92, and part rings that support both ends of the shaft 102. Thereby, θ1 and θ2 can be changed.

  The intermediate bracket 17 is connected to a motor (not shown) via a ball screw mechanism or the like. When the motor is operated, the intermediate bracket 17 moves in the transport direction and changes θ1 and θ2. The electronic control unit 110 acquires the thickness of the booklet 2 input by the user, and moves the intermediate bracket 17 by operating this motor so that θ1 and θ2 become smaller angles as the acquired thickness is larger. Thereby, the suitable shaping | molding process according to the thickness of the booklet 2 can be implemented. Note that θ1 and θ2 may be changeable by the user adjusting the position of the intermediate bracket 17 manually.

It is a top view of the booklet shaping apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment. It is PP sectional drawing of FIG. It is QQ sectional drawing of FIG. It is RR sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 5 is a view of a first molding unit as viewed from a viewpoint S in FIG. 4. It is a top view of the booklet shaping | molding apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of the booklet shaping | molding apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  10A and 10B Booklet forming apparatus, 14 1st guide plate, 14a 1st guide part, 15 2nd guide plate, 15a 2nd guide part, 20 1st pressing conveyance roller, 30 2nd pressing conveyance roller, 40 3rd pressing conveyance Roller, 50 Fourth pressing conveyance roller, 60 First forming unit, 62 First forming roller, 64 First gripping roller, 70 Second forming unit, 72 Second forming roller, 74 Second gripping roller, 80 First wrinkle extension Roller, 90 second wrinkle stretching roller, 100 third wrinkle stretching roller, 110 electronic control unit, 120 cutting unit, 122 cutting blade unit, 130 cutting blade, 200 movable unit, 204 first guide plate, 204a first guide unit, 205 Second guide pre DOO, 205a second guide portion, 210 a coil spring, 212 cam.

Claims (10)

A guide part against which the back of the half-fold booklet is pressed,
A pressing and conveying means for conveying the folded booklet along the guide portion while pressing the back against the guide portion;
Forming means for flattening the back of the half-folded booklet conveyed by the pressing conveying means;
A booklet forming apparatus comprising:   The pressing and conveying means applies a force to the middle folded booklet to press the back against the guide portion on the upstream side in the conveying direction from the molding position where the shaping means flattens the back of the middle folded booklet. 1. The booklet forming apparatus according to 1. A plurality of the forming means are provided along the conveying direction,
3. The booklet according to claim 2, wherein the pressing and conveying unit applies a force to the half-folded booklet to press the spine against the guide portion on the upstream side of the molding position of each of the plurality of molding units. Molding equipment.   2. The pressing and conveying means includes a pair of pressing and conveying rollers that rotate while pinching a half-fold booklet about an axis that inclines toward the downstream side in the conveying direction as the distance from the guide portion increases. 4. The booklet forming apparatus according to any one of 3 above.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of wrinkle-stretching conveyance rollers that rotate while pinching the center folded booklet about an axis that is inclined toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction as the distance from the guide portion increases. The booklet forming apparatus described in 1.   The booklet forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressing conveyance roller has a roller surface sandwiching a folded booklet formed of a resin material.   6. The booklet forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing conveyance roller has a roller surface sandwiching a folded booklet formed of a metal material.   The pressing and conveying means is provided so that the relative distance from the molding position where the molding means flattens the back of the half-folded booklet to the pressing force applying position that applies the force pressing the back against the guide portion to the middle-folded booklet can be changed. The booklet forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the booklet forming apparatus is provided.   The booklet forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a cutting blade that cuts a small edge of a half-fold booklet conveyed by the pressing and conveying means. Conveying the folded booklet along the guide part while pressing the back against the guide part;
Flattening the back of the half-folded booklet conveyed while the back is pressed against the guide part;
A booklet forming method comprising:

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