JP2013256017A - Bookbinding system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bookbinding system capable of efficiently consuming a glue sheet according to a booklet type.SOLUTION: In a bookbinding system in a certain form, when the near-end of a glue sheet is detected, a control unit obtains the number of booklets allowed to continue, which is the number of booklets capable of being subsequently subjected to a gluing process, on the basis of the unit number of sheets for one booklet, which is the number of sheets per booklet, a remaining guaranteed length, and a transfer length. After the near-end detection, the control unit continues the gluing process for the booklets permitted to continue and then stops the gluing process.

Description

  The present invention relates to a bookbinding system including a gluing device that transfers a glue by pressing a glue sheet onto a sheet, and more particularly to a technique for using the glue sheet without waste.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a bookbinding system equipped with a gluing device that brings a glue sheet, which is made by adhering glue to a long base sheet, into contact with a sheet, transfers the glue to the sheet, and glues the sheet. In such a bookbinding system, a large number of booklets are automatically and continuously formed, so that the paste sheet is consumed quickly by the gluing process. For this reason, a gluing device that detects this as a near end when the remaining amount of the untransferred glue sheet is reduced is proposed so that the glue disappears in the middle of processing and the paper is not sent to the subsequent process without being glued. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-196275 A

  However, such near-end detection merely detects that the end of the glue sheet is close, and does not detect the end of the glue sheet. In general, a guaranteed length having a sufficient margin from the end of the glue sheet is set for the near end regardless of the type of booklet to be bound. For this reason, depending on the type of booklet, the paste sheet is replaced even though it can be used considerably after the near end, and there is room for improvement in terms of cost. On the other hand, it is also conceivable to detect the end of the glue sheet instead of the near end, stop the apparatus based on the end detection, and replace the glue sheet. However, in such a method based on end detection, it is assumed that gluing must be interrupted in the middle of one booklet, and the paper up to that point may be damaged.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a problem, The objective is to provide the bookbinding system which can consume a paste sheet | seat efficiently according to the kind of booklet.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an aspect of the present invention is a bookbinding system that binds a plurality of sheets and binds a booklet, and a supply in which a paste sheet to which transfer paste is attached is wound around a core Each time the paper is fed from the reel and the paper feeding device, a part of the glue sheet is brought into contact with the paper to transfer the glue, and the glue sheet is transferred from the supply reel to the transfer unit for each gluing process. A feed mechanism that feeds lengthwise, a sensor that detects a near end set at a position where the remaining guaranteed length is left until the end of the glue sheet, and a control unit that controls a gluing device including a transfer mechanism and a feed mechanism. When the near end of the glue sheet is detected, the control unit determines the number of booklets that can be pasted based on the number of booklets per booklet, the remaining guaranteed length, and the transfer length. A certain number of allowable continuous booklets is acquired, and after the near-end detection, the pasting process for the number of continuous allowable booklets is continued, and then the pasting process is stopped.

  The “glue” here means a broad sense of glue and may include various synthetic resin adhesives. The “gluing device” may constitute a part of the bookbinding system, in which sheets fed from the sheet feeding device are sequentially introduced by a predetermined conveying unit, and the sheet is led out downstream in the conveying direction after the gluing process. The “residual guaranteed length” is set in advance for each glue sheet, but may be set longer than at least the total transfer length of one booklet to be glued. “Near-end” indicates that the glue sheet is approaching the end, but it may be a near-end mark attached to the glue sheet and detectable by the sensor. The “sensor” may be arranged at a predetermined position where the glue sheet fed from the supply reel extends and detects the near end mark.

  According to this aspect, after the near-end is detected, the allowable continuous booklet number is acquired, and the gluing process for the continuous allowable booklet number is continued, and then the gluing process is stopped. For this reason, the glue sheet is consumed as long as it is allowed after the near-end detection, and the cost performance of the glue sheet can be improved. In addition, since the number of booklet units corresponding to the type of booklet is taken into account and the glue sheet is consumed in booklet units, the glue sheet can be efficiently consumed without generating a loss of paper.

  Specifically, for the booklet that is being glued at the near-end detection time, the control unit subtracts a sufficient length that can be processed from the remaining guaranteed length by the number of times of glue required to complete the booklet processing. The number of booklets that can be pasted for the remaining length may be set as the allowable continuous booklet number. Then, the allowable continuous booklet number may be calculated based on the booklet unit number and the transfer length. According to this aspect, since the required length of the glue sheet is taken into consideration including the booklet in which the gluing process is in progress at the time of near-end detection, the allowable continuous booklet number can be set more effectively.

  The control unit obtains information on the number of sheets that have been fed in the sheet feeding device at the time of near-end detection, and pasting is completed, which is the number of sheets that have been glued in the booklet that is being glued at the near-end detection time. The number of sheets may be acquired based on the number of sheets completed. The allowable continuous booklet number may be calculated based on the booklet unit number, the transfer length, and the pasting completion number. According to this aspect, the present invention is effectively applied even to a bookbinding system that manages the number of sheet feeding processes of the sheet feeding apparatus, but does not manage the number of pasting processes of the pasting apparatus.

  Specifically, the feeding mechanism may feed the glue sheet at a timing when the paper is positioned in the gluing device. Then, the control unit determines the time required for detection from the paper feeding that triggered the detection of the near end to the near end detection, the paper feeding interval during the time required for detection, and the number of completed paper feeds. The number of pasted sheets may be calculated. According to this aspect, it is possible to calculate the pasting completion number of sheets based on the correspondence relationship between the paper feeding completion number and the pasting completion number. Note that the glue sheet feeding timing is appropriately set, such as the timing when the paper is carried into the gluing device, the timing when the paper is stopped at the gluing position of the gluing device, the timing when the gluing process is completed, or the timing when the gluing device is carried out. be able to.

  Based on the number of allowable continuous booklets and the number of booklet units, the control unit continues the paper feed, which is the number of times paper feed should be continued after obtaining the number of continuous processings, which is the number of papers that should pass through the gluing device, including the near-end detection time. The number of times may be acquired, and after the near end detection, the sheet feeding device may continue the sheet feeding process for the number of times of sheet feeding, and then the sheet feeding process may be stopped. According to this aspect, when the bookbinding system is stopped by near-end detection, it is possible to prevent the sheet from staying between the sheet feeding device and the gluing device, and the bookbinding system can be restarted smoothly. .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the bookbinding system which can consume a paste sheet | seat efficiently according to the kind of booklet can be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a bookbinding system. It is sectional drawing which represented the structure of the gluing mechanism typically. It is a figure showing a glue transfer process typically. It is explanatory drawing which shows the idea used as the base at the time of calculating each stop timing of the gluing process and paper feed process when a near end is detected. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the bookbinding process of a bookbinding system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a paper feed control process in S10 of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the gluing control process in S12 of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a bookbinding system 10. The bookbinding system 10 includes a paper feeding device 12, a gluing device 13, a saddle stitch folding device 14, a cutting device 16, a stacker 18, and a management device 20. The saddle stitch folding device 14 includes a binding mechanism 50 and a folding mechanism 70.

  The management apparatus 20 includes a management PC (Personal Computer) 100, a display 102, a keyboard 104, and a mouse 106. The display 102, the keyboard 104, and the mouse 106 are connected to the management PC 100. The management PC 100 displays a setting screen on the display 102 so that various settings can be input by the user. The user can input various settings using the keyboard 104 and the mouse 106 while the setting screen is displayed.

  The management PC 100 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like, and a system control unit 119 that controls the bookbinding system 10 as a whole is configured by these hardware and software. The sheet feeding device 12, the gluing device 13, the binding mechanism 50, the folding mechanism 70, and the cutting device 16 each have a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and control the operation of an actuator inside the device. Gluing control Section 112, binding controller 114, folding controller 116, and cutting controller 118. The system control unit 119 is connected to these control units, and when a start button displayed on the display 102 is clicked by the user, the system control unit 119 transmits a start signal indicating that bookbinding processing is started to these control units. To do.

  Further, the system control unit 119 acquires size information including information indicating the length in the conveyance direction of the paper and information indicating the length in the width direction in the paper width direction. Therefore, the system control unit 119 functions as a size information acquisition unit. The system control unit 119 may acquire information indicating the paper size input or selected by the user as size information. For example, when a paper size sensor is provided in the tray 22 described later, the detected paper size may be acquired as size information.

  The system control unit 119 sets a folding line on the paper using the acquired size information. Therefore, the system control unit 119 functions as a fold line setting unit. Specifically, the system control unit 119 uses the information indicating the length in the conveyance direction of the paper included in the acquired size information, and uses a straight line that is a half of the length in the conveyance direction from the leading edge of the paper to be conveyed. Is set as the fold line. Note that the user can input the distance from the leading edge of the sheet to be conveyed as the position of the folding line on the setting screen. The system control unit 119 may set a straight line at a distance from the front end of the paper input by the user as the folding line.

  The system control unit 119 acquires the finished size input by the user as finished size information. The system control unit 119 may acquire a size obtained by further subtracting the cutting margin from the size obtained by folding the paper of the size indicated by the paper size information acquired by the system control unit 119 as the final size of the booklet. Good. The system control unit 119 transmits the acquired finish size information to the cutting control unit 118.

  The paper feeding device 12 is configured as a sheet feeder, and feeds out the paper from the paper storage unit. The sheet feeding device 12 includes an A tray 22A and a B tray 22B (hereinafter collectively referred to as “tray 22” as necessary). The tray 22 is loaded with paper on which an image is formed by an image forming method such as printing, electrophotographic method, and ink jet method.

  The sheet feeding device 12 is provided with a sheet feeding control unit 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. . A separate feeding mechanism 24 is provided for each of the A tray 22A and the B tray 22B. The separation feeding mechanism 24 separates and sends out the uppermost sheet among the sheets stacked on the corresponding tray 22. The separation feeding mechanism 24 employs an air suction type. Since the air suction type separation and feeding mechanism is known, its detailed description is omitted. Of course, a so-called friction type separation / feed mechanism may be provided instead of the air suction type separation / feed mechanism.

  The paper feeder 12 also has a lifting mechanism (not shown) that raises and lowers each of the trays 22 and a paper height sensor (not shown) that detects the height of the paper stacked on each tray 22. . The paper feed control unit 110 stops raising the tray 22 when it is detected that the uppermost paper among the papers stacked on the tray 22 has reached the paper feedable height. In this way, the paper feed control unit 110 maintains the height of the paper stacked on the top of the tray 22 at a paper feedable height, and allows the paper to be continuously fed by the separation and feeding mechanism 24.

  The paper feeding device 12 has a switchback reversing mechanism 26. When the user designates reversal in the management device 20, the switchback reversing mechanism 26 reverses the paper sent out from the A tray 22A and returns it to the paper transport path. The common conveyance path 28 joins the sheet conveyance path for conveying the sheet sent out from the A tray 22A and the sheet conveyance path for conveying the sheet sent out from the B tray 22B.

  The sheet feeding device 12 is provided with an image sensor 25 corresponding to each of the A tray 22A and the B tray 22B. The image sensor 25 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. A CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor may be used. Each of the image sensors 25 captures an image recorded in a predetermined area of the sheets stacked on each of the A tray 22A and the B tray 22B. The paper feed control unit 110 transmits image data captured by each of the image sensors 25 to the system control unit 119.

  For example, when all the sheets to be included in the booklet to be created are sent out from the A tray 22A, a plurality of sheets of sheets are stacked on the A tray 22A in the reverse order from when the sheets are stacked. At this time, among the sheets included in one booklet, the A tray 22A has an image indicating that on the upper surface of the sheet sent last. In this case, an image indicating that the sheet is to be sent out last is attached to the cover sheet.

  The system control unit 119 uses the image data captured by the image sensor 25 to determine whether it is the last sheet for one book. If it is determined that the sheet is the last sheet, the gluing device 13 avoids gluing to the sheet, and the crimping mechanism 54 controls each apparatus to execute the crimping process when the sheet is stacked.

  For example, when only the cover sheet is sent out from the B tray 22B and other sheets are sent out from the A tray 22A, the A tray 22A has an upper surface for the last sheet to be included in one booklet. An image indicating that is attached. In this case, an image indicating that the sheet is finally sent out is attached to the sheet arranged under the cover. In the binding mechanism 50, the cover sheet fed from the B tray 22B is stacked and then pressed. Processing is executed. In the modified example, a bar code, a two-dimensional code, or a predetermined mark is recorded in a predetermined area of the paper, and the paper feeding device 12 is provided with a sensor for reading them, so that the paper is sent last. May be determined.

  The gluing device 13 includes a gluing mechanism 30, a conveyance roller 32, a paper conveyance plate 34, a suction conveyance mechanism 40, a conveyance roller 42, and a paper reversing mechanism 44. The transport rollers 32 are arranged to face each other with the paper transport plate 34 interposed therebetween, and transport the paper fed onto the paper transport plate 34 to the gluing mechanism 30. The gluing mechanism 30 transfers the glue by stopping the fed paper at a specified position. The configuration of the gluing mechanism 30 will be described later.

  The gluing mechanism 30 is provided with one side guide (not shown) for restricting the movement of the sheet in the sheet width direction, one on the front side and one on the rear side of the apparatus. Each of the pair of side guides has a sheet regulating surface facing each other. In the present embodiment, the pair of side guides is configured to be movable so that the distance from the center in the sheet width direction to the sheet regulating surface is equal by a so-called center distribution method. Each of the pair of side guides is connected to a motor through a gear mechanism, and by operating this motor, it becomes possible to change the distance between the opposed sheet regulating surfaces according to the width of the sheet. ing.

  The suction conveyance mechanism 40 conveys the paper fed from the gluing mechanism 30 further downstream. The suction transport mechanism 40 includes a suction belt, a driving roller, and a suction chamber. The suction belt may be a belt in which a plurality of belts are arranged in parallel in the width direction, or may be a belt in which a plurality of holes are formed in a wide belt. The suction chamber sucks air with a fan provided inside the suction belt, thereby bringing the paper into close contact with the belt. When the suction conveyance mechanism 40 is driven, the paper is conveyed downstream in a manner in which the paper is in close contact with the suction belt.

  When a paper direct transport request is acquired by the gluing control unit 112, the paper fed from the suction transport mechanism 40 is carried out to the saddle stitch folding device 14 by the transport roller 42 without passing through the paper reversing mechanism 44. When the paper reversal request is acquired by the gluing control unit 112, the paper fed from the suction conveyance mechanism 40 is reversed by the paper reversal mechanism 44 and then carried out to the saddle stitch folding device 14 by the conveyance roller 42. Note that the configuration of the sheet reversing mechanism 44 is well-known and will not be described.

  The binding mechanism 50 includes a carry-out roller 45, a pressure-bonding mechanism 54, a belt conveyance mechanism 56, a stopper 58, and a bag jogger 46. The belt transport mechanism 56 has a transport belt, and the sheet fed to the saddle stitch folding device 14 is transported and stacked on the transport belt by a transport roller 45. The stopper 58 is provided so as to be able to advance above the upper surface of the conveyor belt in the belt conveyor mechanism 56. The bag jogger 46 presses the rear end of the paper stacked on the upper surface of the transport belt of the belt transport mechanism 56 toward the downstream side, thereby pressing the front end of the paper against the stopper 58 and aligning the end of the paper. Since the configurations of the belt conveyance mechanism 56, the stopper 58, and the bag jogger 46 are known, detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this manner, the carry-out roller 45, the belt conveyance mechanism 56, the stopper 58, and the bag jogger 46 function as a paper stacking mechanism that overlaps the sheets so that the folding lines overlap each other on the conveyance belt.

  The crimping mechanism 54 includes a pusher 60 and a cradle 62. The crimping mechanism 54 has an elevating mechanism (not shown) provided with a cam mechanism and a motor. By operating this motor, the pusher 60 moves up and down via the cam mechanism. The crimping mechanism 54 operates the lifting mechanism to press the uppermost sheet downward with the pusher 60. As a result, the paper stacked on the transport belt is sandwiched between the pusher 60 and the cradle 62, and the glued paper and the paper opposed thereto are pressure-bonded.

  The folding mechanism 70 includes a belt carry-out mechanism 73, a folding stopper 74, a belt conveying mechanism 75, a folding knife 76, a folding roller 78, and a belt conveying mechanism 80. The belt carry-out mechanism 73 carries out the paper fed by the belt conveyance mechanism 56 to the belt conveyance mechanism 75. The belt transport mechanism 75 is disposed so as to be inclined toward the downstream side. Since the configurations of the belt conveyance mechanism 75, the folding stopper 74, and the bag jogger 46 are known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The belt transport mechanism 75 is provided with a pair of side guides (not shown) for aligning the position in the width direction of the paper. The distance between the pair of side guides can be adjusted by the operation of a motor (not shown). Using the acquired size information, the folding control unit 116 operates the motor to adjust the interval between the pair of side guides so that the interval in the width direction of the sheet is obtained.

  The belt transport mechanism 75 has a transport belt, and the sheet fed to the saddle stitch folding device 14 is transported and stacked on the transport belt by a transport roller 45. The folding stopper 74 is provided so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the conveyance belt of the belt conveyance mechanism 75. The paper fed into the folding mechanism 70 is positioned in the paper transport direction when the front end of the paper comes into contact with the folding stopper 74, and is accumulated so that the folding lines overlap each other. As described above, the belt carry-out mechanism 73, the belt conveyance mechanism 75, and the folding stopper 74 function as a sheet overlapping mechanism that overlaps the sheets so that the folding lines overlap each other on the conveyance belt.

  The folding stopper 74 is connected to a stopper moving motor (not shown) via a ball screw mechanism, and moves in the paper transport direction when the stopper moving motor operates. The folding control unit 116 acquires the position of the folding line set from the system control unit 119 and moves the folding stopper 74 in advance so that the folding knife 76 comes into contact with the folding line before the sheet is fed to the folding mechanism 70. Let me.

  Above the belt conveying mechanism 75, a pair of folding rollers 78 are juxtaposed so that the axial direction is in the paper width direction. The folding controller 116 raises the folding knife 76 between the pair of folding rollers 78 by operating a folding knife drive motor (not shown), and lowers it below the belt conveying mechanism 75. By raising the folding knife 76 in a state where the sheet bundle is positioned in the sheet conveyance direction by the folding stopper 74, the stacked sheets are securely attached, and the sheet bundle is interposed between the pair of folding rollers 78. It is caught and folded.

  The pair of folding rollers 78 is connected to a folding roller drive motor via a gear mechanism or the like. The folding control unit 116 drives the pair of folding rollers 78 so that the folded sheet bundle is conveyed upward by operating the folding roller driving motor. The booklet folded by the pair of folding rollers 78 is sent to the belt conveyance mechanism 80. The belt conveyance mechanism 80 sends it out to the created booklet folding strengthening mechanism 82.

  The folding reinforcement mechanism 82 is provided so as to sandwich the back portion of the booklet again in order to suppress the swelling of the half-folded booklet folded by the folding mechanism 70. Since the configuration of the folding strengthening mechanism 82 is known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. A paper sensor 84 is provided on the upstream side of the folding reinforcement mechanism 82. The belt conveyance mechanism 80 temporarily stops the conveyance of the booklet at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed when the back of the booklet that has been sent out is detected by the paper sensor 84 and the back can be clamped by the folding strengthening mechanism 82. The folding strengthening mechanism 82 presses the back of the booklet temporarily stopped in this way.

  The cutting device 16 has a three-way cutting mechanism 90. The three-way cutting mechanism 90 includes a fore-edge cutting blade 98, a sheet pressing portion 96, a stopper 94, a side guide (not shown), and a pair of top and bottom cutting blades (not shown).

  The stopper 94 can be moved forward and backward in the paper conveyance path 92 by turning on and off a solenoid (not shown). When the booklet edge is cut, the three-way cutting mechanism 90 protrudes the stopper 94 upward from the paper conveyance path 92 before each booklet is fed. The stopper 94 is connected to a stopper moving motor (not shown) via a ball screw mechanism, and moves in the paper transport direction when the stopper moving motor is operated. The cutting control unit 118 specifies the cutting position of the fore edge and the cutting position of the top and bottom based on the received finish size information. The cutting control unit 118 operates the stopper moving motor to move the stopper 94 so as to cut the fore edge at the specified position.

  The booklet conveyed to the three-way cutting mechanism 90 is stopped at the timing immediately after the spine abuts against the stopper 94. The top of the booklet is positioned by a pair of side guides (not shown) before coming into contact with the stopper 94. The sheet pressing portion 96 is lowered toward the booklet in contact with the stopper 94 when a motor (not shown) is operated.

  The fore edge cutting blade 98 is provided above the sheet conveyance path 92 on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction (hereinafter referred to as “upstream side”) from the sheet pressing unit 96 and is lowered when a fore edge cutting motor (not shown) is operated. . Each of the top and bottom cutting blades is provided above the paper transport path 92 with the paper pressing portion 96 interposed therebetween, and is lowered by operating a top and bottom cutting motor (not shown). The pair of top and bottom cutting blades can be moved in a direction away from or close to each other by a center distribution method. When a top and bottom cutting blade moving motor (not shown) is operated, the pair of top and bottom cutting blades can be moved to each other via a gear mechanism or the like. Move away or closer. The cutting control unit 118 operates the top and bottom cutting blade moving motor to move the top and bottom cutting blades so as to cut the top and bottom at the specified position.

  By passing between the side guides, the top and bottom positions are aligned, and the sheet pressing portion 96 is lowered and the booklet is pressed while the stopper 94 is positioned in the paper transport direction. In this state, the fore edge cutting blade 98 first cuts the fore edge, and then the pair of top and bottom cutting blades cut the top and the bottom of the booklet. In this way, a final saddle stitch booklet is created. The booklet that has been subjected to the cutting process is conveyed onto the stacker 18. Instead of the three-way cutting mechanism 90, a fork cutting mechanism that cuts only the fore edge may be provided.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the gluing mechanism 30. The gluing mechanism 30 includes a glue sheet unit 120, a feed driving mechanism 122, a transfer operation mechanism 124, and a stopper driving mechanism 126.

  The glue sheet unit 120 is disposed above the paper transport plate 34 between the transport roller 32 and the suction transport mechanism 40. A main body casing (not shown) of the gluing device 13 is fixed to the paper transport plate 34, and the glue sheet unit 120 is in the form of a cartridge that is detachably fixed to the main body casing. The glue sheet unit 120 transfers glue to the upper surface of the paper conveyed on the paper conveying plate 34 in cooperation with the transfer operation mechanism 124. In the present embodiment, two glue sheet units 120 are juxtaposed in the paper width direction. The number of glue sheet units 120 is not limited to two. For example, when the paper size is small, one may be used. Of course, for example, when the paper size is large, three or more may be provided.

  The glue sheet unit 120 includes a frame 200, a supply reel 202, a take-up reel 204, a guide member 206, a feed roller 208, and a near-end detection sensor 210. One end of the glue sheet 212 is wound around the supply reel 202, and the other end of the glue sheet 212 is wound around the take-up reel 204.

  The supply reel 202 is rotatably attached to one half (the right side in the figure) of the frame 200. The glue sheet 212 is configured such that glue is attached to one surface of a flexible long base sheet. By pressing the side of the glue sheet 212 on which the glue is applied to the paper, the glue of the pressed part is peeled off from the base material sheet and attached to the paper.

  The take-up reel 204 is rotatably attached to the upper center of the frame 200, and a take-up gear 214 is fixed so as to rotate coaxially. The guide member 206 is fixed to the lower center of the frame 200. An idler gear 216 that meshes with the winding gear 214 is rotatably provided between the winding gear 214 and the guide member 206. The reduction ratio between the winding gear 214 and the idler gear 216 is set to an appropriate value in consideration of the feed amount of the glue sheet 212. The feed roller 208 is rotatably attached to the half of the frame 200 opposite to the supply reel 202. A guide roller 218 is disposed between the supply reel 202 and the guide member 206, and a guide roller 220 is disposed between the guide member 206 and the feed roller 208. Disc-shaped flanges are provided at both ends in the width direction of the guide roller 220 to restrict the movement of the glue sheet 212 in the width direction.

  The pressure receiving surface 240 at the lower end of the guide member 206 is exposed from the lowermost part of the frame 200, and abuts against the back surface of the adhesive adhesion surface of the adhesive sheet 212 while maintaining a certain tension. The glue sheet 212 drawn from the supply reel 202 is taken up by the take-up reel 204 through the guide member 206, the feed roller 208, and the like, and is guided by the guide rollers 218 and 220 in the process.

  When the take-up reel 204 rotates, the glue sheet 212 wound around the supply reel 202 is drawn out and taken up by the take-up reel 204 via the pressure receiving surface 240 of the guide member 206. The supply reel 202 is fitted on the rotating shaft so as to generate appropriate friction. Even when the glue sheet 212 is wound up by the take-up reel 204, an appropriate tension is maintained in the glue sheet 212.

  A pulley 222 that rotates coaxially is fixed to the feed roller 208, and a pulley 224 that rotates coaxially to the idler gear 216 is also fixed. A rotation transmission belt 226 is stretched between the pulley 222 and the pulley 224, and the rotation of the feed roller 208 is transmitted to the take-up reel 204 through the idler gear 216 and the take-up gear 214. ing. On the other hand, the feed roller 208 is connected to the lever 228 via a one-way clutch (not shown). The lever 228 has a rotation shaft coaxial with the rotation shaft of the feed roller 208 at one end thereof, and the other end extends to the outside of the frame 200. A rotation roller 229 is provided at the other end of the lever 228.

  When the lever 228 rotates in the forward direction (clockwise in the figure), the rotation is transmitted to the feed roller 208 via the one-way clutch. Then, the rotation of the feed roller 208 is transmitted to the take-up reel 204 via the belt 226, the idler gear 216 and the take-up gear 214. As a result, the glue sheet 212 is fed by the rotation of the feed roller 208 and the glue sheet 212 is wound by the rotation of the take-up reel 204. On the other hand, even if the lever 228 rotates in the reverse direction (counterclockwise in the figure), the rotation is not transmitted to the feed roller 208 by the one-way clutch. Accordingly, the glue sheet 212 once taken up by the reverse rotation of the feed roller 208 and the take-up reel 204 is not loosened.

  The rotation of the lever 228 is realized by the feed drive mechanism 122 installed outside the glue sheet unit 120. That is, the feed drive mechanism 122 includes a rotary shaft 130 rotatably attached to the main body casing of the gluing device 13, an eccentric cam 132 fixed to the rotary shaft 130, and a feed drive (not shown) that rotationally drives the rotary shaft 130. A motor is included. The number of eccentric cams 132 corresponding to the plurality of glue sheet units 120 (two in this embodiment) is provided, and each of the eccentric cams 132 is disposed at a position corresponding to the lever 228 of each glue sheet unit 120. The outer circumferential surface of the eccentric cam 132 is in contact with the rotating roller 229 of the lever 228 and supports the lever 228 from below. The lever 228 is biased by a spring (biasing member) (not shown) so that the rotating roller 229 contacts the eccentric cam 132. Each time the eccentric cam 132 rotates once, the lever 228 reciprocates once. The one-time feed amount of the glue sheet 212 is determined by the rotation angle of the lever 228.

  In order to adjust the feed amount of the glue sheet 212, a feed amount adjustment cam 230 is provided below the lever 228. The feed amount adjusting cam 230 is rotatably provided on an eccentric shaft 232 attached to the frame 200, and restricts the rotation range of the lever 228 by contacting the lever 228. In the present embodiment, the feed amount adjusting cam 230 is manually rotated by the operator so that the bottom dead center of the rotation of the lever 228 can be adjusted. Thus, by changing the rotation range of the lever 228, the rotation amount of the feed roller 208 changes, and as a result, the feed amount of the glue sheet 212 changes.

  Further, a driven roller 234 is provided so as to sandwich the glue sheet 212 with the feed roller 208. The driven roller 234 is made of an elastic body such as rubber and is urged toward the feed roller 208 by a spring 236 to apply an appropriate frictional force to the glue sheet 212 to assist the glue sheet 212 to be stably fed. .

  The guide member 206 has a rectangular pressure receiving surface 240 extending in the paper width direction on the lower surface thereof, and abuts the back surface of the glue sheet 212 at the pressure receiving surface 240. A peeling member 242 is disposed below the guide member 206. The peeling member 242 is obtained by molding a metal plate material, and has a large slit 244 in a rectangular plate-shaped main body. From the slit 244, the pressure receiving surface 240 of the guide member 206 and the glue sheet 212 are exposed downward. The peeling member 242 is provided with pressing surfaces on both sides of the guide member 206 in the width direction, and the pressing surface is provided on the upstream side of the guide member 206 in the sheet conveying direction over the entire width.

  The peeling member 242 is for peeling off the paper attached to the glue sheet 212 after the transfer process to the paper is performed. A fulcrum shaft 246 is detachably fitted in a slit (not shown) opened toward the upstream side of the peeling member 242 on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction (simply referred to as “upstream side”). Further, a support shaft 248 is detachably fitted in a slit 245 opened toward the downstream side at the end of the peeling member 242 on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction (simply referred to as “downstream side”). Both ends of the fulcrum shaft 246 are respectively supported by slits 250 formed on opposite side surfaces of the frame 200. The slit 250 extends in the lateral direction and is inclined so that the downstream end is slightly lower than the upstream end. A spring 252 is attached to each end of the fulcrum shaft 246 protruding from the slit 250. The other end of the spring 252 is fixed to the frame 200 on the downstream side of the slit 250.

  In the state shown in the drawing, the fulcrum shaft 246 is fitted so as to be pressed against the upstream slit of the peeling member 242 by the urging force of the spring 252, and the downstream slit 245 of the peeling member 242 is pressed against the support shaft 248. Are fitted. For this reason, the peeling member 242 is stably supported by the fulcrum shaft 246 and the support shaft 248. When the fulcrum shaft 246 is moved away from the peeling member 242 against the urging force of the spring 252 from this state, the fitting between the peeling member 242 and the fulcrum shaft 246 is released. And if the peeling member 242 is moved further upstream, the fitting between the peeling member 242 and the support shaft 248 can be removed, and the peeling member 242 can be detached from the frame 200. Thereby, the installation or replacement of the glue sheet 212 in the frame 200 can be easily performed.

  A leaf spring 253 having a predetermined width is provided so as to extend from the downstream side wall of the frame 200 toward the upper surface of the support shaft 248. The leaf spring 253 biases the peeling member 242 downward, that is, away from the guide member 206 via the support shaft 248.

  On the other hand, both ends of the support shaft 248 are also supported by slits 254 formed on opposite sides of the frame 200, respectively. The slit 254 extends in the vertical direction, and allows the support shaft 248 to be displaced in the vertical direction. At each tip of the support shaft 248 projecting from the slit 254, a falling-off disc 256 is attached. The width of the slit 244 is set to be slightly larger than the length of the pressure receiving surface 240 positioned above and smaller than the width of the paper fed downward. The peeling member 242 is positioned at the bottom dead center in the drawing by the urging force of the leaf spring 253 in the standby state, but is pushed upward together with the paper disposed on the lower surface when the transfer operation mechanism 124 is operated. That is, the peeling member 242 is pushed upward in a manner of rotating about the fulcrum shaft 246 in the transfer process, but when the transfer process is completed, the peeling member 242 is pushed downward by the urging force of the leaf spring 253 and returns to the standby position. . In that process, the paper adhered to the glue sheet 212 is surely and quickly peeled off.

  The stopper driving mechanism 126 includes a stopper 290 and its driving mechanism 292. The stopper 290 is provided in parallel with the suction conveyance mechanism 40, and engages the leading edge of the conveyed paper P to position the paper P at the time of glue transfer. The drive mechanism 292 includes a stopper drive solenoid and a spring that project or retract the stopper 290 on the upper surface of the paper transport plate 34 (transport path), and a stopper movement motor that moves the stopper 290 in the paper transport direction. The paper P sequentially fed from the paper feeding device 12 side is positioned in the paper transport direction when the front end of the paper P comes into contact with the stopper 290.

  The transfer operation mechanism 124 includes a pusher 280 and its drive mechanism 282. The pusher 280 has a pressing surface 284 facing the pressure receiving surface 240 of the guide member 206 at its upper end, and has a rectangular shape extending in the paper width direction. The pressing surface 284 is sufficiently larger than the pressure receiving surface 240 in the paper transport direction. For this reason, the pressing range by the pressing surface 284 and the pressure receiving surface 240 corresponds to the size of the pressure receiving surface 240 side. Further, the width of the peeling member 242 is larger than the width of the slit 244 in the paper width direction. For this reason, when the pusher 280 is raised, the peeling member 242 is pushed from below and raised. The pusher 280 has at least the pressing surface 284 and its vicinity formed of an elastic material so that the pressing surface 284 can be in close contact with the paper.

  The drive mechanism 282 includes a pusher drive solenoid that applies a force in a direction to bring the pusher 280 close to the guide member 206 and a spring that applies a biasing force in a direction to move the pusher 280 away from the guide member 206. In the glue transfer process, the pusher drive solenoid is energized, and the pusher 280 is driven to the guide member 206 side by the suction force. At this time, the pusher 280 is pressed against the pressure receiving surface 240 after the pressing surface 284 pushes up the paper P and the peeling member 242 by a predetermined height. At this time, the adhesive sheet 212 is pressed between the pressure receiving surface 240 and the pressing surface 284 to the adhesive position of the paper P, and the adhesive is transferred.

  When the glue transfer process is completed, the power supply to the pusher drive solenoid is turned off, and the pusher 280 returns to the original standby position by the biasing force of the spring. At this time, the peeling member 242 also returns to the standby position, which is the bottom dead center, by the urging force of the leaf spring 253, and the paper P is peeled off from the glue sheet 212 in the process.

  The near-end detection sensor 210 is composed of an optical sensor, and detects this when the glue sheet 212 has reached the near end with little remaining glue untransferred. The near-end detection sensor 210 is configured as a transmission type sensor having a light emitting element that emits light and a light receiving element that receives light that has passed through the glue sheet 212, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are somewhat of the guide roller 218. Oppositely arranged so as to sandwich the glue sheet 212 at a downstream position. On the other hand, a non-translucent near end mark indicating a near end is attached at a position of a predetermined guaranteed length from the end of the glue sheet 212. The near end detection sensor 210 detects the near end when light is blocked by the near end mark. In the modified example, a reflection type optical sensor may be employed as the near end detection sensor 210, and the near end may be detected when light is reflected by the near end mark.

Next, details of the gluing method will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the glue transfer process. In this embodiment, the transfer method is devised so that the paste sheet 212 can be consumed efficiently without waste. The glue sheet 212 is formed by arranging a large number of circular dot-like glue segments on one side of a long base sheet having releasability.

  When the process proceeds to the transfer step, the boundary (referred to as “transfer boundary”) 314 between the paste non-transferred portion 310 and the paste transferred portion 312 of the glue sheet 212 is within the pressing range A between the pressing surface 284 and the pressure receiving surface 240. In this state, the next transfer processing is performed. In this embodiment, since the pressure receiving surface 240 is configured to be smaller than the pressing surface 284, the pressing range A is substantially equal to the width of the pressure receiving surface 240. That is, the pressing range A is a region sandwiching the upstream end ridge line 241 and the downstream end ridge line 243 of the pressure receiving surface 240. However, in order to secure the transfer length l of the glue, the transfer boundary 314 is set in the vicinity of the downstream end of the pressure receiving surface 240 (in the vicinity of the end ridge line 243). Thus, by setting the transfer boundary 314 within the pressing range A, the glue sheet 212 can be used without waste.

  The glue transfer length l can be changed by adjusting the glue feed amount by the feed amount adjusting cam 230. At this time, the transfer boundary 314 in the pressing range A moves. In this embodiment, in order to ensure the accuracy of the glue position on the paper P, the position of the stopper 290 is adjusted so that the center position (see the dashed line) of the glue transfer portion is located at the center of the paper P in the paper transport direction. Made. In the present embodiment, a position sensor (position detecting means) (not shown) for detecting the rotational phase of the feed amount adjusting cam 230 (see FIG. 2) is provided, and the rotational position (position adjustment information) of the feed amount adjusting cam 230 is provided by the position sensor. ) Is detected.

  The system control unit 119 calculates the rotation angle of the lever 228 from the rotation position, and hence the feed amount of the glue sheet 212, and calculates the transfer length l from the feed amount. The system control unit 119 holds the upstream end position (upstream edge position) of the guide member 206 in advance, and sets the position away from the upstream end position by a distance of 1/2 of the transfer length l. It can be calculated as the center position of the glue transfer portion. From the calculated center position of the glue transfer portion and the size information of the paper P, the stop position of the stopper 290 is determined so that the center position of the glue transfer portion is located at the center of the paper P in the paper transport direction. Can do.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the gluing control unit 112 is connected to a pusher drive solenoid, a stopper drive solenoid, a stopper moving motor, a feed drive motor, and a transfer interval adjustment motor (not shown). Based on the paper size information and the folding line position information, the gluing control unit 112 calculates the paper transport position so that the paper gluing position is positioned on the folding line. Also, based on the center position of the glue transfer portion calculated based on the adjusted feed amount information and the paper size information, the center position of the glue transfer portion is positioned at the center of the paper in the paper transport direction. The stop position of the stopper 290 is determined. Then, the stopper drive solenoid is energized to cause the stopper 290 to protrude on the paper transport plate 34, and the stopper moving motor is driven to move the stopper 290 to the paper transport tip position. Each time the glue transfer process is completed, the feed drive motor is driven to rotate the eccentric cam 132, and the glue sheet 212 is fed by a predetermined amount. That is, as described above, the glue sheet 212 is fed so that the transfer boundary 314 stops at the set position within the pressing range.

  The gluing control unit 112 operates the pusher driving solenoid to raise the pusher 280 when the conveyance of the paper is stopped, thereby transferring the glue to the upper surface of the paper. The gluing control unit 112 also outputs a drive pulse to the transfer interval adjusting motor to adjust the interval between the plurality of glue sheet units 120, that is, the interval of the glue transfer locations on the paper by the glue sheet unit 120. The gluing control unit 112 also controls the driving of the suction conveyance mechanism 40 in order to convey the paper that has been subjected to the gluing process by the gluing mechanism 30 to the folding mechanism 70 side.

  When the near end is detected in any of the plurality of glue sheet units 120, the gluing control unit 112 outputs a near end detection signal indicating that to the system control unit 119. When receiving the near-end detection signal, the system control unit 119 calculates the operation stop timing of each of the paper feeding device 12 and the gluing device 13 and outputs the calculation result to each device. A specific calculation method will be described later.

Next, a process when the near end of the glue sheet is detected will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a concept as a base for calculating each stop timing of the gluing process and the paper feed process when a near end is detected. In the figure, the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time, and the vertical axis indicates the distance from the paper feed position. The thick solid line in the figure indicates the front end position of the paper, and the thick alternate long and short dash line indicates the rear end position of the paper. Further, a thick solid line arrow in the figure indicates a gluing timing, and a thick dotted line arrow indicates an assumed near-end detection timing (that is, near-end detection is assumed at any one of a plurality of illustrated arrows). .

  In this embodiment, when the near end of the glue sheet 212 is detected in any glue sheet unit 120, the sheet feeding device 12 and the glue device 13 are stopped in such a manner that the remainder of the glue sheet 212 is used up as close to the end as possible. . For this purpose, the number of booklets that can be processed after near-end detection is calculated according to the following procedure, the paper feeding device 12 is stopped at the timing when the paper feeding process corresponding to the number of booklets is completed, and the number of booklets is handled. The gluing device 13 is stopped at the timing when the gluing process of the paper to be performed is completed.

  When the system control unit 119 receives the near-end detection signal from the gluing control unit 112, the system control unit 119 determines the number of booklets that can be processed based on the usable glue length after the near-end mark and the number of times of gluing required per book. A stop command signal is output so as to stop each device after calculating and completing processing for the number of booklets.

That is, the length of glue that can be used after the near-end mark in the glue sheet 212 is the remaining guaranteed length L1, and the length of glue required for one gluing process is the transfer length L2 (that is, the glue transfer length l described above). ) If the number of sheets per booklet is N1, the number of times of pasting per booklet is (N1-1), so the pasting of the booklet being processed is completed when the near end is detected. After that, the continuous allowable booklet number N2, which is the number of booklets that can be glued after that, is expressed by the following equation (1).
N2 = [L1 / {(N1-1) × L2}]-1 (1)
Here, [] represents the maximum integer that does not exceed the operation value in [] (the same applies hereinafter). That is, since (N1-1) is the number of times of gluing per book and L2 is the transfer length per gluing process, the product (N1-1) × L2 is used for gluing for one book. This is the length of the glue sheet 212. Since the glue can still be used for the remaining guaranteed length L1 after the near end mark, the integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing this L1 by the glue length (N1-1) × L2 necessary for one transfer [ L1 / {(N1-1) × L2}] is the number of booklets that can be processed with the paste having the remaining guaranteed length L1. However, when the processing for one booklet is in progress at the time of detecting the near end, the first part of the remaining guaranteed length L1 is used for several times of pasting that is still necessary until the pasting of the one booklet is completed. Will be used. Then, since the length of the glue that can be used for the processing of the continuous allowable booklet number N2 is the remaining portion excluding the “first portion” from the remaining guaranteed length L1, the excluded “several times”. Assuming a case where the length of the minute is maximum, the number of booklets that can be processed with the remaining length excluding the maximum length from the remaining guaranteed length L1 is the allowable continuous booklet number N2. The maximum length for “several times” to be subtracted is that the first end of one booklet is carried into the gluing device 13 and the near end is detected before the one gluing is performed. In this case, since the pasting is not yet performed for the booklet that is being processed at the time of detection, “several times” is still necessary until the processing for the one booklet is completed. Is the same as the number of times of pasting for one booklet. Subtracting that amount from the remaining guaranteed length L1 is the same as subtracting one book from the number of booklets that can be processed with the glue of the remaining guaranteed length L2, so "-1" in the last item. N2 can be calculated by adding and subtracting one book.

If the pasting process for one book is in progress at the time when the near end is detected, the number of sheets for which the pasting has been completed at the time of near end detection is set as the pasting completion number N3. The gluing control unit 112 may be able to grasp. Specifically, the gluing control unit 112 acquires the booklet unit number N1, detects the transfer of glue with a sensor or the like provided in the transfer operation mechanism 124 of the gluing mechanism 30, and counts the number of detections. When the count value exceeds the number of transfers N1-1 per book, the count value is returned to 1. If the pasting control unit 112 refers to this count value when near-end is detected, the numerical value becomes the pasting completion number N3 indicating how many sheets have been pasted at that time. Instead of detecting the transfer of glue, the number of times of detection is counted by detecting the carry-in of the sheet by a sensor or the like provided at the carry-in entrance of the gluing device 13, and the count is performed when the count value matches the booklet unit number N1. The count value may be set to N3 by returning the value to 0. In this case, since the counting is performed before gluing is performed, the number of pasted sheets is not reached, but if the count value matches N1, the last sheet for one book has been carried in, so gluing is not performed. Not done. That is, as long as the count value does not reach N1, gluing is always performed after loading, so that the count value can be regarded as the number of pasted sheets and handled in the same manner.
Referring also to N3, the continuation allowable booklet number N2 is expressed by the following equation (2).
N2 = [{L1- (L2 × ((N1-1) −N3))} / {(N1-1) × L2}] (2)
By using the pasting completion number N3, it is possible to calculate the length of the “first portion” of the remaining guaranteed length L1. In other words, the processing of the booklet being processed is completed when a value ((N1-1) -N3) obtained by subtracting the number of pasted sheets N3 from the number of times of pasting (N1-1) for one book is detected. Therefore, the product of this numerical value and the pasting length L2 per time (L2 × ((N1-1) −N3)) is the length of the “first part”. Since the number of books that can be processed with the remaining length {L1- (L2 × ((N1-1) -N3))} obtained by subtracting the “first portion” from the remaining guaranteed length L1, the remaining length is N2. N2 can be obtained from the integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the length of glue required for processing per book by {(N1-1) × L2}.
That is, the number of booklets that can be processed after the near end is detected may differ depending on the number of sheets pasted for one book that is being processed when the near end is detected. According to the above equation (2), the maximum number of booklets that can be processed can be obtained in consideration of the progress of pasting.
If the pasting device 13 does not have a sensor that can count the number of times of transfer detection or the number of sheets that are carried in, or if the near-end is detected due to system reasons, the pasting completion number N3 cannot be determined. The above formula (1) may be used. When the near end is detected, the pasting completion number N3 cannot be grasped, but when the number of paper feeds in the paper feeding device 12 can be grasped, the paper carried into the pasting device 13 at the near end detection time. The pasting completion number N3 may be obtained from the theoretical value of the time required from the sheet feeding to the near-end detection. The pasting completion number N3 can be calculated by the following formula (3) or formula (4).

  Incidentally, in order to continue the gluing process, it is necessary to feed a sheet corresponding to the continuation allowable booklet number N2 from the sheet feeding device 12. For this reason, it is necessary to calculate how many times each mechanism of the sheet feeding device 12 (referred to as “sheet feeding mechanism” for convenience) should be driven. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the paper feed control unit 110 always manages the paper feed information of the paper feed device 12, but the gluing control unit 112 does not always manage the gluing information of the gluing device 13. . That is, the pasting control unit 112 does not grasp the pasting completion number N3 when the near end is detected. Therefore, the system control unit 119 acquires the pasting completion number N3 when the near end is detected from the paper feed progress status managed by the paper feed control unit 110.

  That is, in order to control each sheet feeding mechanism of the sheet feeding device 12, the sheet feeding control unit 110 feeds a sheet that has been fed out of the booklet unit number N1 of the booklet currently being fed. The number of completed sheets N4 is grasped. For this reason, by taking into account the paper supply completion number N4 at the time when the near end is detected and the detection required time T1 which is the time from the paper supply until the near end is detected, the glue completion number N3 at the time of the near end detection. The theoretical value of can be grasped.

  FIG. 4 shows a flow of sheet processing from the time when the paper is fed by the paper feeding device 12 to the time when the glue is glued by the gluing device 13 and then the time when the paper is fed to the saddle stitch folding device 14. The fed paper is temporarily stopped by the gluing device 13 and a gluing process is performed. When the gluing process is completed, the conveyance of the paper is resumed and sent to the saddle stitch folding device 14.

  When the gluing control unit 112 detects the carry-in of the paper to be glued, it sends the gluing sheet 212 for one transfer as described above. That is, the timing at which the near end is detected in the present embodiment is the timing at which the glue feeding is completed. As shown in the drawing, when the detection required time T1 from the paper supply to the detection of the near end is considered, the paper is a paper fed at a timing that is back from the near-end detection timing by the detection required time T1. The required detection time T1 can be calculated based on the sheet conveyance distance from the sheet feeding device 12 to the gluing device 13 and the average sheet conveyance speed.

  Here, as shown in the figure, the paper feeding interval in the process of feeding out one paper is the intra-booklet paper feeding interval T2, and the feeding of the last paper for the previous one and the first paper for the next one is made. The paper interval is defined as an inter-booklet paper supply interval T3. In the illustrated example, the booklet unit number N1 = 4. Since the last paper of one paper is not glued, no glue is fed, and as a result, the near end is not detected. For this reason, the number N4 of sheet completion at the near-end detection timing is N4 = 1, 3, and 4 as shown in the figure.

  Therefore, in order to calculate the pasting completion number N3 at the time of near end detection, the paper feed timing of the paper fed before that is traced one by one from the required detection time T1 until the near end detection timing is reached. Specifically, from the detection required time T1, a paper feed interval between the N4th paper corresponding to the paper feed completion number N4 at the time when the near end is detected and the N4 + 1th paper fed next time, It goes back by sequentially subtracting the sheet feeding interval one sheet before, the sheet feeding interval one sheet before, and so on.

  In the illustrated example, in the case of the paper supply completion number N4 = 1, the order is T1-T2-T3-T2-T2 -..., and in the case of the paper supply completion number N4 = 3, T1-T2-T2-T2-T3. In the order of..., When the number N4 = 4 of the paper supply is completed, the order is subtracted in the order of T1-T3-T2-T2-T2-. That is, since there is a paper feed interval of the booklet unit number N1 per book (inter-booklet paper feed interval T3 is 1 and paper feed interval T2 in the booklet is (N1-1) times), T3 is 1 time and T2 is ( N1-1) While subtracting either T3 or T2 at a rate of times, the order in which the inter-booklet paper feed interval T3 is subtracted is changed according to the number N4 of paper feed completed.

  Then, when the numerical value after subtraction becomes negative, it goes back to the timing before the paper that triggered the near-end detection is fed. Here, at the time when the near end is detected, no glue is applied to the paper that triggered the detection. For this reason, if the subtraction number N5, which is the number of times of subtraction until it becomes negative as described above, is subtracted from the paper feed completion number N4, the pasting completion number N3 at the time of near end detection is obtained.

  In the example shown in the drawing, if the number of completed sheets N4 = 3 at the time of near-end detection, T1-T2-T2-T2 <0 when the in-booklet feed interval T2 is traced three times from that point. That is, since the number of subtractions N5 = 3, N4-N5 = 3-3 = 0, which is the same as the pasting completion number N3 = 0.

  Further, assuming that the number N4 = 4 of paper supply completion at the time of near-end detection, T1-T3-T2-when the inter-booklet paper feed interval T3 is traced once and the intra-booklet paper feed interval T2 is traced twice. T2 <0. That is, since the number of subtractions N5 = 3, N4-N5 = 4-3 = 1, which is the same as the pasting completion number N3 = 1.

  Further, assuming that the number N4 of sheets completed when the near-end is detected, the intra-booklet paper feed interval T2 is set once, the inter-booklet paper feed interval T3 is set once, and the intra-booklet paper feed interval T2 is further set to 1. At the time of going back, T1-T2-T3-T2 <0. That is, since the number of subtractions N5 = 3, N4−N5 = 1−3 = −2, and 2 is a value obtained by adding N1 (= 4) to this value. Matches.

That is, the pasting completion number N3 is expressed by the following formula (3) or (4).
If N4-N5 ≧,
N3 = N4-N5 (3)
If N4-N5 <0,
N3 = N4-N5 + N1 (4)
By substituting the paste completion number N3 obtained in this way into the above equation (2), the allowable continuous booklet number N2 can be obtained.

The number of continuous processes N6 that is the number of sheets that should pass through the gluing device 13 before the device is stopped, including the near-end detection time, is obtained by the following equation (5).
N6 = N2 * N1 + (N1-N3) (5)
On the other hand, when the near end is detected, the number of sheets that have already been fed and have not reached the gluing timing is N5, which is the same as the number of subtractions N5. In other words, the sheet feeding continuation number N7, which is the number of times that sheet feeding should be continued after the near end detection, is obtained by the following equation (6).
N7 = N6-N5
= N2 * N1 + (N1-N3) -N5 (6)
This calculation process is not performed every time the near-end is detected, but the relationship between the sheet feeding completion number N4 and the pasting completion sheet number N3 is tabulated based on a theoretical value, and the table is used for near-end detection. The pasting completion number N3 may be acquired with reference to determine the number of continuous processes N6 and the number of continuous sheet feedings N7 after near-end detection.

  The system control unit 119 transmits the sheet feeding continuation count N7, which is the calculation result, to the sheet feeding control unit 110. The paper feed control unit 110 counts the number of paper feeds subsequent to the near-end detection timing and stops each paper feed mechanism of the paper feed device 12 when the count reaches the paper feed continuation number N7. In addition, the system control unit 119 transmits the number of continuous processes N6 that is the calculation result to the gluing device 13. The gluing control unit 112 counts the number of times of gluing after the near-end detection timing and stops each gluing mechanism of the gluing device 13 when the counted number reaches the number N6 of continuous processes.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the bookbinding process of the bookbinding system 10. The bookbinding process is repeatedly performed until the process for the number of booklets input by the user is basically completed after the start button is pressed by the user. If near-end detection is made in the process, after the calculated number of times of processing is continued, the processing is automatically stopped, and an operator takes appropriate measures such as replacing the glue sheet unit 120. , Resume processing.

  The system control unit 119 executes communication necessary for control between the paper feed control unit 110 and the gluing control unit 112 so that the bookbinding process proceeds smoothly in the saddle stitch folding device 14 and the cutting device 16. When the paper feed control unit 110 receives a paper feed command from the system control unit 119, the paper feed control unit 110 executes a paper feed control process for sending out sheets one by one from the tray 22 (S10).

  Subsequently, the gluing control unit 112 executes a gluing control process for the paper fed from the paper feeding device 12 to the gluing device 13 (S12). That is, the gluing control unit 112 receives information indicating whether or not the sheet is the last sheet of the booklet from the system control unit 119 at the timing when the sheet is sent to the gluing mechanism 30. If the fed paper is not the last paper in the booklet, the gluing control unit 112 performs glue transfer processing on the paper, and if it is the last paper, binds the paper without executing glue transfer processing. Transport to mechanism 50.

  Subsequently, the binding control unit 114 drives the binding mechanism 50 to execute the binding control process (S14). The binding mechanism 50 stacks the paper carried in from the gluing mechanism 30 while aligning the end portions so that the paper can be pressed around the paper folding line. At this time, the pressure-bonding mechanism 54 operates the bag jogger 46 so as to press the rear end of the paper stacked on the upper surface of the transport belt of the belt transport mechanism 56 toward the downstream side every time the paper is carried in. Thereby, the leading edge of the paper is pressed against the stopper 58 to align the edge of the paper. The crimping mechanism 54 performs a crimping process on the sheets thus stacked. The plurality of sheets that have been subjected to pressure bonding are carried out to the folding mechanism 70.

  Subsequently, the folding control unit 116 drives the folding mechanism 70 to execute a folding control process (S16). The folding mechanism 70 executes a folding process for folding a plurality of sheets of paper carried in at a folding line. Subsequently, the cutting control unit 118 drives the three-way cutting mechanism 90 to execute a cutting control process (S18). The three-way cutting mechanism 90 executes a cutting process for cutting only the fore edge or three sides of the created saddle-stitched booklet.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the paper feed control process in S10 of FIG. If the paper feed process has not started (N in S20), the paper feed controller 110 determines the booklet unit number N1, the intra-booklet feed interval T2, the inter-booklet feed based on information such as the number of booklets input by the user. A paper feed process setting for setting the paper interval T3 and the like is executed (S22). The paper feed control unit 110 starts a paper feed process for feeding paper one by one at the set paper feed timing (S24). If the paper feed process has already been started (Y in S20), the processes in S22 and S24 are skipped. Then, the paper feed process is continued (S26).

  At this time, if it is determined that the set paper feed stop timing has come (Y in S28), the paper feed process is temporarily stopped (S30). If it is not the paper feed stop timing (N in S28), the process of S30 is skipped. Here, “feed stop timing” includes, for example, the above-described near-end detection. That is, when the sheet feeding continuation number N7 is sent from the system control unit 119 due to the near end detection, the sheet feeding control unit 110 counts the number of sheet feedings after that, and the counted number is the sheet feeding continuation number N7. When it is reached, it is determined that the paper feeding stop timing has come, and the paper feeding device 12 is stopped.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the gluing control process in S12 of FIG. When the sheet control unit 112 detects the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding device 12 (Y in S40), if the sheet is not the last sheet in the booklet (N in S42), the pasting process is executed. That is, the gluing control unit 112 stops the suction conveyance mechanism 40, drives the stopper 290 to adjust the gluing position (S44), and drives the driving mechanism 122 to feed the glue sheet 212 for one gluing transfer (S46). ). As a result, the position in the sheet conveyance direction where the pressure receiving surface 240 of the guide member 206 is pressed is set as the gluing position, and the sheet is stopped so that the folding line is positioned at the gluing position. Also, the glue that has been transferred is sent and the glue that has not been transferred is set.

  At this time, if near-end detection is performed (Y in S48), a signal indicating that is sent to the system control unit 119. At this time, the system control unit 119 obtains the sheet completion number N4 from the sheet feed control unit 110, and calculates the stop timing of the bookbinding process (S50). That is, the system control unit 119 calculates the continuous processing number N6 and the paper feed continuation number N7 after near-end detection based on the above-described arithmetic expression, outputs the paper feed continuation number N7 to the paper feed control unit 110, and continues. The processing count N6 is output to the gluing control unit 112. If there is no near-end detection (N in S48), the process of S50 is skipped.

  Subsequently, the gluing control unit 112 drives the transfer operation mechanism 124 to execute glue transfer (S52). That is, the gluing control unit 112 raises the pusher 280 to transfer the gluing onto the upper surface of the paper. By transferring the glue in a state where the fold line is positioned at the gluing position in this way, gluing can be performed around the fold line. Then, the transferred paper is conveyed to the binding mechanism 50 (S54). If it is the last sheet of the booklet in S42 (Y in S42), the process from S44 to S52 is skipped, and the sheet is conveyed to the binding mechanism 50 without performing the gluing process (S54).

  At this time, if it is determined that the set gluing stop timing has come (Y in S56), the gluing process is temporarily stopped (S58). If it is not the glue stop timing (N in S56), the process of S58 is skipped. Here, “gluing stop timing” includes, for example, the above-described near-end detection. That is, when the continuous processing number N6 is sent from the system control unit 119 due to the near-end detection, the gluing control unit 112 counts the number of subsequent feedings and the number reaches the continuous processing number N6. Sometimes it is determined that it is time to stop gluing, and the gluing device 13 is stopped. If no paper is detected in S40 (N in S40), the processing from S42 to S58 is skipped.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and combinations of the elements of the embodiments as appropriate are also effective as the embodiments 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 the above-described embodiment, an example in which a sheet feeder that feeds sheets stacked in advance in the order of pages corresponding to a booklet is adopted as the sheet feeding device 12 has been described. In the modified example, a collating apparatus that can feed sheets from each of a plurality of sheet feeding units and supply the sheets while stacking the sheets as necessary may be employed. Or you may employ | adopt the image forming apparatus which prints on paper and sends out one sheet at a time, such as an inkjet recording device.

  When a collating device is employed as the paper feeding device 12, a plurality of paper feeding mechanisms are provided, and the distance to the gluing unit differs depending on the paper feeding mechanism. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain a correspondence relationship indicating from which paper feed unit each page constituting the booklet is fed. That is, when the distance from each paper feed mechanism to the gluing portion is different, the detection required time T1 may be different depending on which paper feed mechanism has detected the near end. Further, there is a possibility that the intra-booklet paper feed interval T2 and the inter-booklet paper feed interval T3 may change due to the switching of the paper feed unit.

  Therefore, in consideration of these points, when near-end is detected, it is determined to which stage of the procedure for driving each sheet feeding unit to send out the paper for one booklet. In step, the number of sheets existing between the sheet feeding mechanism and the gluing unit is determined. As in the above embodiment, the pasting completion number N3 is calculated based on the sheet completion number N4 and the subtraction number N5, and the continuation processing number N6 and the sheet continuation number N7 after the near-end detection are determined. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the transfer length L2 per gluing process is 1 (constant) has been described, but this may be configured so that the setting can be changed as appropriate. The calculation result may be different depending on the transfer length L2.

  Although not described in the above embodiment, since the usable glue length after the near end mark varies among individuals of the glue sheet 212, the remaining guarantee length L1 is set so as to be guaranteed even in consideration of this point. It may be set. For example, if the glue length guaranteed after the near end mark is “at least 20 mm”, the remaining guaranteed length L1 may be set to a value close to 20 mm that is 20 mm or less.

  Although not described in the above embodiment, when the pasting length per time for one booklet varies from page to page, the total length L3 of the pasting length for one booklet is calculated and the remainder is calculated. The guaranteed length L1 (or the remaining length obtained by subtracting the length of glue required to complete the pasting process of the booklet being processed when the near end is detected from the remaining guaranteed length L1) The quotient divided by the length L3 may be used as the allowable continuous booklet number N2.

  Although not described in the above embodiment, an end mark indicating the end of the glue sheet 212 may be provided in addition to the near end mark. Then, after the near end detection, the first interruption mode in which the continuous allowable booklet number N2 is calculated and the processing is interrupted, and the processing is immediately interrupted when the end mark is detected. The second interruption mode to be set may be set so that the user can select those modes.

  That is, if processing is completed in units of one book by near-end detection as in the above embodiment, if there is a large number of sheets per book, too much glue will be left, so in that case It is preferable from the viewpoint of cost to perform end detection. However, when the processing is stopped immediately after the end detection is performed, it is preferable that the number of sheets for which one processing has progressed is stored and the processing can be resumed after the processing is resumed. . When resuming, a message such as “Restart from page XX” may be displayed. Further, in a configuration in which the actual number of pages to be fed next can be determined based on the number of pages assigned to the sheet, a barcode, or the like, the processing may be resumed from the determined number of pages.

  When an image forming apparatus is employed as the sheet feeding device 12, a booklet unit number N1 on which an image is to be formed is acquired. If the number of sheets differs for each book, when the near end is detected, the job data is sequentially referred to in the order of the number of the next booklet, the number of the next booklet, and so on. It is sufficient to process only one book fewer than the number of books exceeding the guaranteed length L1.

  When employing a sheet feeder similar to that in the above embodiment, the following may be used. That is, the booklet unit number N1 included in job data input in advance or job data acquired from outside is acquired. At this time, if the booklet unit number N1 is different for each book, the job data may be referred to and accumulated as in the case of the image forming apparatus. However, the sheet feeder is provided with a detecting means capable of detecting a mark or barcode printed on the paper, and the number of each book is assigned to the paper constituting the booklet, not the predetermined job data. In some cases, the determination may be made by using bar code data or a mark indicating the last sheet of one book. In such a case, the number of sheets of the booklet cannot be grasped until the feeding of the sheets constituting the booklet is started, and the remaining number of copies that can be processed cannot be calculated. Therefore, when near-end detection is performed in such a case, only the processing of the booklet in progress at that time may be completed and the apparatus may be stopped, or the processing may be immediately stopped by end detection. .

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the operator manually rotates the feed amount adjustment cam 230 for adjusting the feed amount of the glue sheet 212 has been described. In the modification, the feed amount adjusting cam 230 may be rotated by driving means such as a stepping motor, and the rotation command signal may be output from the system control unit 119. By adjusting the rotation amount of the stepping motor, it is possible to adjust the rotation position of the feed amount adjusting cam 230, the rotation position of the lever 228, and eventually the glue feed amount. Further, since the feed amount can be calculated from the rotation amount of the stepping motor, the transfer length l can be calculated from the feed amount, and the center position of the glue transfer portion can be calculated. Based on the calculated center position of the glue transfer portion and the size information of the paper P, the system control unit 119 sets the stopper 290 so that the center position of the glue transfer portion is positioned at the center of the paper P in the paper transport direction. A stop position can be determined.

  In the above-described embodiment, one specific configuration example of the bookbinding system has been shown, but it goes without saying that various other configurations can be adopted. In the above-described embodiment, an example of an apparatus that binds a saddle-stitched booklet has been shown. However, the above-described configuration of the gluing apparatus can be effectively applied even to a bookbinding system that binds the edge of a sheet. The gluing device of the present invention is not limited to a bookbinding system, and can be applied to any device provided with a gluing mechanism that transfers a glue by pressing a part of a glue sheet against a sheet.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bookbinding system, 12 Paper feeder, 13 Gluing apparatus, 14 Saddle stitch folding apparatus, 22 Tray, 30 Gluing mechanism, 44 Paper reversing mechanism, 45 Unloading roller, 50 Binding mechanism, 54 Crimping mechanism, 56 Belt conveyance mechanism, 70 Folding Mechanism, 73 belt carry-out mechanism, 100 management PC, 110 paper feed control unit, 112 gluing control unit, 114 binding control unit, 116 folding control unit, 119 system control unit, 120 glue sheet unit.

Claims (5)

A bookbinding system that binds multiple sheets and binds a booklet.
A supply reel in which a paste sheet with transfer paste attached is wound around a core;
A transfer mechanism for transferring glue by bringing a part of the glue sheet into contact with the paper each time paper is fed from a paper feeding device;
A feed mechanism that feeds the glue sheet by a transfer length from the supply reel to the transfer mechanism for each gluing process;
A sensor for detecting a near end set at a position where the remaining guaranteed length is left until the end of the glue sheet;
A control unit for controlling a gluing device including the transfer mechanism and the feed mechanism;
With
The controller is
When the near end of the glue sheet is detected, the number of booklets that can be glued from the next onward based on the number of booklets per sheet, the remaining guaranteed length, and the transfer length. Get the number of booklets allowed to continue,
A bookbinding system characterized in that after the near end is detected, the pasting process is continued for the number of continuous allowable booklets, and then the pasting process is stopped. The controller is
For the booklet that is being glued at the near-end detection time, glue the remaining length of the remaining guaranteed length by subtracting the sufficient length that can be processed by the number of times of glue required to complete the booklet processing. The bookbinding system according to claim 1, wherein the number of booklets that can be printed is calculated based on the booklet unit number and the transfer length, as the continuous allowable booklet number. The controller is
Information on the number of sheets that have been fed in the sheet feeding device at the time of near-end detection is acquired, and the pasting completion number that is the number of sheets that have been glued in the booklet that is being glued at the near-end detection time is obtained. Acquired based on the number of completed paper feeds,
The bookbinding system according to claim 2, wherein the continuous allowable booklet number is calculated based on the booklet unit number, the transfer length, and the pasting completion number. The feeding mechanism feeds the glue sheet at a timing when the paper is positioned in the gluing device,
The control unit is based on a detection time required from the paper feeding when the near end is detected to the near-end detection, a paper feeding interval in the detection required time, and the number of completed paper feeds. The bookbinding system according to claim 3, wherein the number of pasted sheets is calculated. The controller is
Based on the allowable continuous booklet number and the booklet unit number, obtain the number of continuous processes that is the number of sheets to be passed through the gluing device including the near-end detection time point,
Based on the number of continuation processing, after obtaining near-end detection, obtain the number of continuation of feeding, which is the number of times to continue feeding, and after the near-end detection, let the sheet feeding device continue the sheet feeding continuation number of times, The bookbinding system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the paper feeding process is stopped.

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