JP2020040245A - Sheet binding device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sheet binding device capable of achieving downsizing of the device.SOLUTION: The sheet binding device according to the embodiment comprises a sheet holding part and a tape attachment part. The sheet holding part holds a sheet bundle containing a plurality of sheets in a curved state. The tape attachment part attaches a tape to an edge part of the sheet bundle held in the curved state by the sheet holding part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a paper binding device.

As a binding mechanism, a binding mechanism that binds an edge of a sheet bundle with a stapler of a metal needle is mainly used.
On the other hand, as a binding mechanism that does not damage a sheet, a binding mechanism that binds an edge of a sheet bundle with an adhesive tape is known. For example, the binding mechanism is built in the image forming apparatus or applied to a handy type. Further, a binding device that realizes automation of paper binding using an adhesive tape (hereinafter also referred to as “tape automatic binding device”) is known. For example, the automatic tape binding apparatus forms a state in which a plurality of sheets are shifted in a stepwise manner at the end of the sheet bundle by shifting the plurality of sheets little by little in the sheet transport direction.
However, the automatic tape binding device has a large device size and needs to be reduced in size for use as office equipment.

JP 2018-83714 A

  An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a paper binding apparatus that can reduce the size of the apparatus.

  The paper binding device according to the embodiment has a paper holding unit and a tape attachment unit. The sheet holding unit holds a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets in a curved state. The tape attachment unit attaches a tape to an edge of the sheet bundle held in a curved state by the sheet holding unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sheet binding device of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet binding procedure. FIG. 3A is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding apparatus. FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding apparatus continued from FIG. FIG. 3C is a side view showing the operation of the sheet binding device following FIG. 3B. FIG. 3D is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device following FIG. 3C. FIG. 3E is a side view showing the operation of the sheet binding device following FIG. 3D. Explanatory drawing of the width direction moving mechanism of embodiment. FIG. 4A is a front view illustrating an example when the first width direction moving mechanism is stored. FIG. 4B is a front view showing an example when the first width direction moving mechanism is deployed. FIG. 4C is a front view showing an example when the first width direction moving mechanism and the second width direction moving mechanism are stored. FIG. 4D is a front view showing an example when the second width direction moving mechanism is deployed. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a movement of a sheet holding unit in a width direction of the apparatus main body. FIG. 5A is a front view illustrating an operation for binding the first position of the edge of the sheet bundle. FIG. 5B is a front view illustrating an operation for binding the second position of the edge of the sheet bundle. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a positional relationship between a sheet holding unit and an apparatus main body. FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating an initial state before using the sheet binding apparatus. FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating a use state of the sheet binding apparatus. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal structure of the sheet binding device of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 13; FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 14; FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 15; FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 16; FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 17; FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device, following FIG. 18; FIG. 6 is a side view of a sheet binding device according to a first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view of a sheet holding unit according to a second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet holding unit according to a second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 23 is a side view illustrating the operation of the paper holding unit according to a second modification of the embodiment, following FIG. 22; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sheet holding unit according to a third modification of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a sheet holding unit according to a fourth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of movement of a sheet holding unit according to a fifth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 26A is a front view illustrating an operation for binding the first position of the edge of the sheet bundle. FIG. 26B is a front view illustrating an operation for binding the second position of the edge of the sheet bundle. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the elevating operation of the paper holding unit according to a sixth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 27A is a side view illustrating a state where the sheet holding unit is positioned at the highest position. FIG. 27B is a side view illustrating a state where the sheet holding unit has moved downward. The side view of the tape attachment part of the 7th modification of embodiment. The front view of the tape attachment part of the 7th modification of embodiment. The side view of the tape attachment part of the 8th modification of embodiment. The side view of the tape attachment part of the 9th modification of embodiment. The side view of the tape attachment part of the 10th modification of embodiment. The side view of the tape attachment part of the 11th modification of embodiment. The side view of the tape attachment part of the 12th modification of an embodiment. FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of movement of the tape attachment portion according to a thirteenth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 35A is a front view illustrating an operation for binding the first position of the edge of the sheet bundle. FIG. 35B is a front view illustrating an operation for binding the second position of the edge of the sheet bundle. The side view of the paper binding device of the 14th modification of an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet binding procedure. FIG. 37A is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding apparatus. FIG. 37B is a side view showing the operation of the paper binding device continued from FIG. 37A. FIG. 37C is a side view showing the operation of the paper binding device continued from FIG. 37B. FIG. 37D is a side view showing the operation of the paper binding device continued from FIG. 37C. FIG. 37E is a side view showing the operation of the paper binding device continued from FIG. 37D.

  Hereinafter, a paper binding apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The paper binding device 1 will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet binding apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the paper binding apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, paper holding units 3A and 3B, holding unit stationary mechanism 4 (see FIG. 2), width direction moving mechanisms 5A and 5B (see FIG. 4), and tape mounting. It includes a unit 6, a tape mounting moving mechanism 7, a tape transport unit 8, a tape holding unit 9, a tape cutting unit 10, an operation unit 11 (see FIG. 2), and a control unit 12 (see FIG. 2).

  For example, the sheet binding apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal placing surface provided in an image forming apparatus (not shown). Thereby, the posture of the sheet binding device 1 can be stabilized. For example, the paper binding apparatus 1 is used by being placed on the upper surface of an image forming apparatus (not shown). The paper binding apparatus 1 does not work with the image forming apparatus. The paper binding device 1 is used independently. By using the sheet binding apparatus 1, a sheet bundle (bound member) can be bound with an adhesive tape (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "tape") at an arbitrary timing.

The device body 2 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the sheet binding apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 2 includes a housing 20 that houses components of the paper binding apparatus 1.

  In the following figures, the posture when the paper binding apparatus 1 is raised up and down is shown. In the following description, in the vertical direction, the side of the apparatus main body 2 is defined as a lower side, and the side opposite to the apparatus main body 2 is defined as an upper side. Further, in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the opening side of the gap 30 between the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is defined as the front side, and the side opposite to the opening of the gap 30 is defined as the rear side. A direction orthogonal to each of the up-down direction and the front-back direction is defined as a left-right direction. The left-right direction corresponds to the width direction of the device main body 2. Hereinafter, the width direction of the apparatus main body 2 is also simply referred to as “width direction”.

  The apparatus main body 2 has an opening 21 into which an edge of a sheet bundle held in a curved state by the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is inserted. The opening 21 opens the apparatus main body 2 upward.

The paper holding units 3A and 3B will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B are provided in the width direction. Hereinafter, of the pair of sheet holding units 3A and 3B, the sheet holding unit 3A located on the left is “first sheet holding unit 3A”, and the sheet holding unit 3B located on the right is “second sheet holding unit 3B”. Also called. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the first sheet holding unit 3 </ b> A is located outside the apparatus main body 2. The gap 30 between the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is open outward in the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet holding units 3A and 3B hold a sheet bundle 26 including a plurality of sheets 25 in a curved state. The sheet holding units 3A and 3B include a first flat portion 31, a second flat portion 32, a first bending portion 33, a second bending portion 34, a contact portion 35, elastic members 36a to 36d (pressing members), and a bending portion lock. A mechanism 37 (see FIG. 1) is provided. FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which the sheet holding units 3A and 3B hold the sheet bundle 26 in a curved state (hereinafter, also referred to as a “bundle curved holding state”).

The first flat portion 31 has a flat surface along the sheet insertion direction. The plane of the first plane portion 31 is along the horizontal plane.
The second flat portion 32 is arranged with a gap 30 from the first flat portion 31 so that a plurality of sheets can be inserted. The second plane part 32 is located above the first plane part 31. The front-rear length of the second flat portion 32 has substantially the same length as the first flat portion 31.

  The first curved portion 33 is connected to the first flat portion 31 via the first connecting portion 38. For example, the first bending portion 33 and the first connecting portion 38 are integrally formed of the same member. In a side view, the first curved portion 33 is curved downward.

  In a side view, the first connecting portion 38 extends linearly in the front-rear direction so as to extend between the front end of the first flat portion 31 and the rear end of the first curved portion 33. The first connecting portion 38 is provided with a lower sheet urging member 38a for urging the sheet bundle from below. The lower paper urging member 38 a is housed in the concave portion 38 b of the first connecting portion 38. For example, the lower paper urging member 38a is a compression coil spring.

  The second bending portion 34 is rotatably connected to the second flat portion 32 via the second connecting portion 39. For example, the second bending portion 34 and the second connecting portion 39 are integrally formed of the same member. In the bundle bending holding state, the second bending portion 34 is bent downward along the first bending portion 33.

  In the bundle bending holding state, the second connecting portion 39 extends linearly in the front-rear direction so as to pass the front end of the second flat portion 32 and the rear end of the second bending portion 34. The second connecting portion 39 is rotatably attached to the second flat portion 32 via a hinge shaft 32a extending in the width direction. The second bending portions 34 of the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B can be opened and closed independently and independently (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, each of the leading ends of the first bending portion 33 and the second bending portion 34 (the leading ends of the paper holding units 3A and 3B in the bundle bending holding state) has an edge for holding down the edge of the paper bundle. Part holding parts 33a and 34a are provided. The edge pressing portions 33a and 34a press both sides of a portion where the tape is attached (hereinafter, also referred to as a "tape binding portion") at the edge of the sheet bundle. In the bundle bending holding state, the edge pressing portions 33a and 34a open the tape binding portion at the edge of the sheet bundle in the front-rear direction and downward.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the contact portion 35 connects the first flat portion 31 and the second flat portion 32. The contact portion 35 contacts the downstream end in the sheet insertion direction when the sheet is inserted into the gap 30. In side view, the contact portion 35 extends linearly in the vertical direction so as to extend between the rear end of the first flat portion 31 and the rear end of the second flat portion 32. For example, the first flat portion 31, the second flat portion 32, and the contact portion 35 are integrally formed of the same member. In a side view, an integrated member (hereinafter, also referred to as a “U-shaped member”) of the first flat portion 31, the second flat portion 32, and the contact portion 35 has a U-shape that opens forward.

  For example, a plurality of sheets prepared by the user are inserted into the gap 30 and brought into contact with the contact portion 35. Thereafter, the second bending portion 34 is closed. Then, a plurality of sheets are sandwiched between the first bending portion 33 and the second bending portion 34. The sheet bundle is sandwiched by the first bending portion 33 and the second bending portion 34 with the downstream ends in the insertion direction of the plurality of sheets aligned. Therefore, a shift occurs between the plurality of sheets according to the thickness of the sheet bundle. As a result, a state in which a plurality of sheets are displaced in a stepwise manner in the vertical direction at the edge of the sheet bundle is formed. The “edge of a sheet bundle” in the following description means an edge of a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets are shifted stepwise.

  A plurality (for example, four in the embodiment) of the elastic members 36a to 36d is provided. The four elastic members 36a to 36d are a first elastic member 36a, a second elastic member 36b, a third elastic member 36c, and a fourth elastic member 36d. The elastic members 36a to 36d contact one surface of the sheet bundle from outside. For example, the elastic members 36a to 36d are rubber pads.

The first elastic member 36a is attached to the lower paper urging member 38a. The lower sheet urging member 38a urges the sheet bundle from below via the first elastic member 36a.
The second elastic member 36b is attached to a surface (front surface) of the first curved portion 33 facing the sheet at the front end portion (front lower end portion). The leading end of the first bending portion 33 supports the sheet bundle in a curved state from behind through the second elastic member 36b.
The third elastic member 36c is attached to a surface of the second connecting portion 39 facing the sheet (the lower surface in a bundle-curved state). In the bundle bending holding state, the second connecting portion 39 supports the sheet bundle from above via the third elastic member 36c.
The fourth elastic member 36d is attached to a surface (rear surface of the bundle bending holding state) facing the sheet at the tip end portion (front lower end portion of the bundle bending holding state) of the second bending portion 34. In the bundle bending holding state, the leading end of the second bending portion 34 supports the paper bundle in the bending state from the front via the fourth elastic member 36d.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bending portion lock mechanism 37 maintains the state where the second bending portion 34 is closed. Thereby, when the second bending portion 34 receives a reaction force of the force required for bending the sheet, it is possible to suppress the second bending portion 34 from opening. For example, the bending portion lock mechanism 37 includes a pair of link members. When the second bending portion 34 is open, the pair of link members have an L shape (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). On the other hand, when the second curved portion 34 is closed, the pair of link members have a linear shape extending in the front-rear direction (see the solid line in FIG. 1).

The holding part stationary mechanism 4 will be described.
The holding unit stationary mechanism 4 (see FIG. 2) stops the sheet holding units 3A and 3B at fixed positions in the vertical direction. For example, the holding unit stationary mechanism 4 stops the sheet holding units 3A and 3B at the highest position (see FIG. 3A) in the bundle bending holding state. The holding part stationary mechanism 4 stops the sheet holding parts 3A and 3B at the position where the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21 (see FIG. 3C).

As shown in FIG. 2, the holding part stationary mechanism 4 includes a holding bracket 40, a holding mechanism 41, a bracket urging member 42, and a damper 43.
The holding bracket 40 is attached to the first connecting portion 38. In a side view, the holding bracket 40 has an L shape. The holding bracket 40 includes a front-rear extending portion 40a and a vertical extending portion 40b. For example, the front and rear extending portions 40a and the vertical extending portions 40b are integrally formed of the same member. In a side view, the front-rear extending portion 40a linearly extends in the front-rear direction along the first connecting portion 38. The vertically extending portion 40b extends linearly in the vertical direction. The upper end of the vertically extending portion 40b is connected to the rear end of the front and rear extending portion 40a.

  The holding mechanism 41 stops the holding bracket 40 at a fixed position in the vertical direction. The holding mechanism 41 is attached to the vertically extending portion 40b of the holding bracket 40.

  The bracket urging member 42 urges the holding bracket 40 toward the paper holding units 3A and 3B. The bracket biasing member 42 constantly biases the holding bracket 40 upward. The bracket urging member 42 is disposed between the front-rear extending portion 40a of the holding bracket 40 and the width direction moving mechanisms 5A, 5B. A pair of bracket urging members 42 are provided at an interval in the front-rear direction. For example, the bracket urging member 42 is a compression coil spring.

  The damper 43 suppresses the rising speed of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B by the urging force of the bracket urging member 42 so that the sheet holding units 3A and 3B do not rise vigorously. The damper 43 is fixed inside the housing 20. For example, the damper 43 suppresses the rising speed of the holding bracket 40 via a transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a rack and pinion mechanism.

The operation of the holding part stationary mechanism 4 will be described. Hereinafter, the operation of the holding portion stationary mechanism 4 will be described along the sheet binding procedure.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet binding procedure. FIG. 3A is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding apparatus 1. FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding apparatus 1 continued from FIG. FIG. 3C is a side view showing the operation of the sheet binding apparatus 1 subsequent to FIG. 3B. FIG. 3D is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding apparatus 1 subsequent to FIG. 3C. FIG. 3E is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding apparatus 1 subsequent to FIG. 3D.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when a sheet is inserted into the gap 30, the holding unit stationary mechanism 4 stops the sheet holding units 3A and 3B at the highest position (upward fixed position). When a sheet is inserted into the gap 30, the holding mechanism 41 temporarily locks the vertical movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B. This prevents the sheet holding units 3A and 3B from being displaced downward when the operation of closing the second bending unit 34 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when the user operates the operation unit 11 in the bundle bending holding state, the holding mechanism 41 unlocks the paper holding units 3A and 3B. Thereby, the downward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is allowed.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, when the user pushes down the sheet holding units 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> B, the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21. When the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21, the holding part stationary mechanism 4 stops the sheet holding parts 3A and 3B at the lowest position (fixed position in the downward direction). When the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21, the holding bracket 40 is located below the position in FIG. 3B against the urging force of the bracket urging member 42. When the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21, the holding mechanism 41 temporarily locks the vertical movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B.

  As shown in FIG. 3D, when a tape is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle, the holding part stationary mechanism 4 stops the sheet holding parts 3A and 3B at the lowest position. When the tape is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle, the holding mechanism 41 temporarily locks the vertical movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B. Thus, when the tape is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle, the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are not displaced upward.

  As shown in FIG. 3E, when the attachment of the tape to the edge of the sheet bundle is completed, the holding mechanism 41 unlocks the sheet holding units 3A and 3B. Thereby, the upward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is allowed. The paper holding units 3A and 3B rise by the urging force of the bracket urging member 42 and return to the uppermost position (the original position). The paper holding units 3A and 3B are prevented from rising vigorously when returning to the original position by the action of the damper 43.

The width direction moving mechanisms 5A and 5B will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the width direction moving mechanisms 5A and 5B move the sheet holding units 3A and 3B in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2. A pair of width direction moving mechanisms 5A and 5B are provided at an interval in the front-rear direction. The pair of width direction moving mechanisms 5A and 5B are arranged at positions corresponding to the bracket urging members 42, respectively. Hereinafter, of the pair of width direction moving mechanisms 5A and 5B, the width direction moving mechanism 5A for moving the first sheet holding unit 3A in the width direction is referred to as a "first width direction moving mechanism 5A", and the second sheet holding unit 3B is referred to as a width. The width direction moving mechanism 5B that moves in the direction is also referred to as a “second width direction moving mechanism 5B”.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the width direction moving mechanisms 5A and 5B of the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a front view showing an example when the first width direction moving mechanism 5A is stored. FIG. 4B is a front view showing an example when the first width direction moving mechanism 5A is deployed. FIG. 4C is a front view showing an example when the first width direction moving mechanism 5A and the second width direction moving mechanism 5B are stored. FIG. 4D is a front view showing an example when the second width direction moving mechanism 5B is deployed.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the first width direction moving mechanism 5A includes an upper rail 50, a lower rail 51, an upper block 52, and a lower block 53.
The upper rail 50 and the lower rail 51 extend linearly in the width direction. The length Lr in the width direction of the upper rail 50 and the lower rail 51 (hereinafter also referred to as “rail length Lr”) has substantially the same length.

The upper block 52 is movable along the upper part of the upper rail 50. The upper block 52 supports the first sheet holding unit 3A from below.
The lower block 53 is movable along each of the lower part of the upper rail 50 and the upper part of the lower rail 51.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the first sheet holding unit 3A is movable in the width direction with respect to the lower rail 51. FIG. 4B illustrates a state in which the first sheet holding unit 3A has been moved leftward with respect to the lower rail 51 (at the time of development). In FIG. 4B, reference numeral P1 indicates a tape attachment position when the first sheet holding unit 3A is deployed (hereinafter, also referred to as a "first deployment tape attachment position").

  FIG. 4C shows an initial state (at the time of storage) in which each of the first sheet holding unit 3A and the second sheet holding unit 3B is moved so as to overlap the center line CL in the width direction. In FIG. 4C, reference numeral P1c denotes a tape mounting position when the first paper holding unit 3A is stored (hereinafter, also referred to as "first storing tape mounting position"), and reference numeral P2c denotes a storage of the second paper holding unit 3B. Indicates the tape mounting position at the time (hereinafter, also referred to as “second storing tape mounting position”).

  Reference numerals 55 to 58 in the figure indicate an upper rail, a lower rail, an upper block, and a lower block in the second width direction moving mechanism 5B, respectively. At the time of storage, the upper rail 55 and the lower rail 56 in the second width direction moving mechanism 5B have substantially the same length in the width direction as the upper rail 50 and the lower rail 51 in the first width direction moving mechanism 5A. During storage, the upper block 57 and the lower block 58 in the second width direction moving mechanism 5B are located on the opposite side of the upper block 52 and the lower block 53 in the first width direction moving mechanism 5A across the width direction center line CL. I do.

  As shown in FIG. 4D, the second paper holding unit 3B is movable in the width direction with respect to the lower rail 55. FIG. 4D illustrates a state in which the second sheet holding unit 3B has been moved rightward with respect to the lower rail 55 (when unfolded). In FIG. 4D, reference numeral P2 indicates a tape attachment position when the second paper holding unit 3B is deployed (hereinafter, also referred to as a "second deployment tape attachment position").

  Here, the length L1 in the width direction between the first storage tape mounting position P1c (the center position in the width direction) and the first unfolding tape mounting position P1 is referred to as “first unfolding length L1”, and the second storage tape mounting. The length L2 in the width direction between the position P2c (center position in the width direction) and the second unfolding tape attaching position P2 is defined as "second unfolding length L2". The first developed length L1 and the second developed length L2 have substantially the same length (developed length) as each other (L1 ≒ L2). For example, the developed lengths L1 and L2 are larger than the rail length Lr (L1> Lr, L2> Lr).

  FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which each rail is mounted on the side closer to the housing and each block is mounted on the movable side (paper holding unit side). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vertical relationship between the rail and the block may be reversed. That is, the block may be attached to the housing, and the rail may be attached to the movable side (paper holding unit side).

The movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B in the width direction with respect to the apparatus body 2 will be described.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the movement of the paper holding units 3A and 3B in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2. FIG. 5A is a front view showing an operation for binding the first position of the edge of the sheet bundle. FIG. 5B is a front view showing an operation for binding the second position of the edge of the sheet bundle. The second position means a position different from the first position in the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the first sheet holding unit 3A has moved outside the apparatus main body 2 in the width direction. The first sheet holding unit 3 </ b> A has moved leftward with respect to the apparatus main body 2. The second paper holding unit 3B is located in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2. 5A, the tape can be attached to the edge (first position) of the sheet bundle 26 held in a curved state by the second sheet holding unit 3B.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the second sheet holding unit 3B has moved outside the apparatus main body 2 in the width direction. The second sheet holding section 3B is moving rightward with respect to the apparatus main body 2. The first paper holding unit 3 </ b> A is located in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2. In each of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the apparatus main body 2 is at a fixed position. In the position shown in FIG. 5B, a tape can be attached to the edge (second position) of the sheet bundle 26 held in a curved state by the first sheet holding unit 3A.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a positional relationship between the sheet holding units 3A and 3B and the apparatus main body 2. FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating an initial state before using the sheet binding apparatus 1. FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating a use state of the sheet binding apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the initial state, each of the first sheet holding unit 3A and the second sheet holding unit 3B is accommodated in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2. The length Wt (Wt = W1 + W2) obtained by adding the width W1 of the first sheet holding unit 3A and the width W2 of the second sheet holding unit 3B is equal to or smaller than the width Wd of the apparatus main body 2 (Wt ≦ Wd). Thereby, the size of the device can be reduced in the initial state.

  In the example of FIG. 6B, in the use state, the first paper holding unit 3A is located outside (left side) of the apparatus main body 2 in the width direction. In the use state, the second paper holding unit 3B is located in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2.

The tape attachment 6 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the internal structure of the sheet binding apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the internal structure of the apparatus main body 2 in the bundle bending holding state.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the tape attaching section 6 attaches the tape to the edge of the sheet bundle 26 held in a curved state by the sheet holding sections 3A and 3B. The tape attachment section 6 attaches the cut adhesive tape (hereinafter, also referred to as “tape section 16”; see FIG. 9) to the sheet bundle. The tape attaching section 6 is provided at a lower portion of the apparatus main body 2. The tape attaching section 6 includes a first roller 61, a second roller 62, a roller urging mechanism 63, and a roller rotating mechanism 64. The tape attaching section 6 is arranged at a fixed position in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2.

  Each of the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 has a columnar shape extending in the width direction. The first roller 61 and the second roller 62 face each other in the front-rear direction. The first roller 61 and the second roller 62 have substantially the same outer shape as each other.

  The roller urging mechanism 63 includes a first arm 63a, a second arm 63b, a support block 63c, a support plate 63d, a support wall 63e, a first connecting piece 63f, a second connecting piece 63g, and an urging member 63h.

Each of the first arm 63a and the second arm 63b extends in the up-down direction. The upper end of the first arm 63a rotatably supports the first roller 61. The lower end of the first arm 63a is rotatably supported by the support block 63c.
The second arm 63b is longer than the first arm 63a. The upper end of the second arm 63b rotatably supports the second roller 62. The lower end of the second arm 63b is fixed to the support plate 63d.

The support plate 63d extends in the front-rear direction. The support block 63c is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 63d.
The support wall 63e extends in the up-down direction. The lower end of the support wall 63e is fixed to the front end of the support plate 63d.

The first connecting piece 63f is fixed to the lower end of the first arm 63a. In a side view, the first connecting piece 63f has an L-shape. The lower end (first end) of the urging member 63h is connected to the first connecting piece 63f.
The second connecting piece 63g is fixed to the upper end of the support wall 63e. In a side view, the second connection piece 63g has an L-shape. The upper end (second end) of the urging member 63h is connected to the second connecting piece 63g.

  The urging member 63h urges the first roller 61 so that the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 approach each other. The urging member 63h urges the first roller 61 via the first connecting piece 63f and the first arm 63a. The urging member 63h always urges the first roller 61 toward the second roller 62. For example, the biasing member 63h is a tension coil spring that can expand and contract in the vertical direction.

  For example, the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted between the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 together with the tape section 16 (see FIG. 13). Then, the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 are pushed by the sheet bundle and move in directions away from each other against the urging force of the roller urging mechanism 63 (see FIG. 14). The first roller 61 and the second roller 62 press the tape section 16 against the edge of the sheet bundle. Then, the tape section 16 is bent so as to wrap the edge of the sheet bundle. As a result, the tape section 16 is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle (see FIG. 15).

  The roller rotation mechanism 64 rotates the second roller 62 so that the edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first roller 61 and the second roller 62. The roller rotation mechanism 64 includes a belt 64a, a pulley 64b, a first support wall 64c, a second support wall 64d, and an urging member 64e.

The belt 64a is stretched over the second roller 62 and the pulley 64b.
The urging member 64e is pulled and fixed so as to remove the slack of the belt 64a and allow the second roller 62 to move. For example, the biasing member 64e is a tension coil spring that can expand and contract in the front-rear direction.
The first support wall 64c is attached to a lower front part of the apparatus main body 2. The first end of the belt 64a is connected to the upper surface of the first support wall 64c. The front end of the urging member 64e is connected to the second end of the belt 64a.
The second support wall 64d is attached to a lower rear portion of the apparatus main body 2. The rear end of the urging member 64e is connected to the front surface of the second support wall 64d.

  For example, when the roller urging mechanism 63 is raised, the second roller 62 is raised while rotating by the action of the belt 64a and the urging member 64h (see FIG. 11). The first roller 61 rotates following the rotation of the second roller 62. Therefore, when the roller urging mechanism 63 is raised, each of the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 draws an object (the edge of the sheet bundle) sandwiched between the first roller 61 and the second roller 62. (See FIG. 13).

The tape mounting moving mechanism 7 will be described.
The tape attaching moving mechanism 7 moves the tape attaching unit 6 toward a position where the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21. The tape mounting moving mechanism 7 is capable of moving the tape mounting section 6 in the vertical direction. The tape mounting moving mechanism 7 includes a lifting block 70, a tape mounting motor 71, and a power transmission mechanism 72.

The lifting block 70 has a rectangular parallelepiped block shape. The lifting block 70 is fixed to a support wall 63 e of the roller urging mechanism 63.
The tape mounting motor 71 is a drive source different from the tape transport unit 8. The tape mounting motor 71 is arranged outside the apparatus main body 2.
The power transmission mechanism 72 transmits the driving force of the tape mounting motor 71 to the lifting block 70. The power transmission mechanism 72 converts the rotational power of the tape mounting motor 71 into a vertical movement force of the lifting block 70.

The tape transport unit 8 will be described.
The tape transport unit 8 transports a band-shaped adhesive tape 15 (tape). The tape transport unit 8 includes an unwinding unit 80, a transport roller 81, a separation roller 82, a winding unit 83, a tape transport motor 84, and a guide table 85.

  The unwinding portion 80 includes a cylindrical core member 80a. The unwinding unit 80 holds a raw roll in which the tape 15 is wound around a cylindrical core member 80a. The unwinding unit 80 supplies the tape along the length direction of the tape.

The tape 15 includes an adhesive layer 15a, a protective film 15b (first film), and a release film 15c (second film) while being held by the unwinding section 80.
The protective film 15b covers the adhesive layer 15a from one side. The protective film 15b is integral with the adhesive layer 15a when the tape is used. The protection film 15b is a non-adhesive layer formed on one side of the adhesive layer 15a.
The release film 15c covers the adhesive layer 15a from the side opposite to the protective film 15b. The release film 15c is separated from the adhesive layer 15a by the separation roller 82 before using the tape. The release film 15c is wound by the separation roller 82 and the winding unit 83.

The transport roller 81 transports the tape supplied from the unwinding unit 80 along the length of the tape. The transport roller 81 transports the tape supplied from the unwinding section 80 forward. The transport roller 81 has a built-in one-way clutch (not shown). The transport roller 81 forms a transport roller pair together with the separation roller 82. The transport roller 81 functions as a driving roller. The separation roller 82 functions as a driven roller that rotates according to the rotation of the transport roller 81.
The tape transport motor 84 is a drive source of the transport roller 81. The tape transport motor 84 is arranged inside the apparatus main body 2.

  The guide table 85 is an example of a tape transport guide that forms a tape transport path. The guide table 85 guides the tape from which the release film 15c has been separated. The guide table 85 supports the tape when holding and cutting the tape.

The tape holding unit 9 will be described.
The tape holding unit 9 holds the tape transported from the tape transport unit 8. The tape holding unit 9 is driven by a tape transport motor 84 which is a common drive source with the tape transport unit 8. The driving force of the tape transport motor 84 is transmitted to the tape holding unit 9 via a moving mechanism (not shown). The tape holding unit 9 is movable along the length direction of the tape by a moving mechanism (not shown). The tape holding unit 9 can be moved by a moving mechanism (not shown) in a direction approaching the tape (downward) and in a direction away from the tape (upward).

The tape holding unit 9 includes a holding claw 87, a holding arm 88, and a holding shaft 89.
The holding claw 87 has a sharpened shape that tapers toward the adhesive surface of the tape (the adhesive surface of the adhesive layer 15a). Thereby, at the time of attaching the tape, the holding claw 87 can be easily peeled off from the adhesive surface of the tape as much as possible.
The holding arm 88 is a rod-shaped member. A holding claw 87 is attached to the tip of the holding arm 88. A holding shaft 89 is attached to the base end of the holding arm 88.
The tape holding unit 9 is rotatable around a holding shaft 89 as a central axis.

  For example, the tape holding unit 9 moves the leading end of the tape (the downstream end in the transport direction) to a predetermined position in synchronization with the drive of the tape transport unit 8 (the rotation of the transport roller 81). This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the tape from which the release film 15c has been peeled will buckle as compared to the case where the tape holding unit 9 is driven independently and independently of the drive of the tape transport unit 8. Therefore, the possibility that the adhesive surfaces of the tapes are stuck to each other can be reduced.

The tape cutting unit 10 will be described.
The tape cutting unit 10 cuts the tape transported from the tape transport unit 8. The tape cutting section 10 has a structure in which a pair of blades 91 and 92 open and close. The tape cutting section 10 includes a first blade 91, a second blade 92, and a tape cutting motor 93.

The first blade 91 is located at a fixed position. The first blade 91 is arranged below the guide table 85. The first blade 91 extends in the up-down direction so that the blade edge is directed upward. The first blade 91 is directed toward a surface opposite to the adhesive surface of the tape.
The second blade 92 is located above the tape mounting portion 6 so as to face the first blade 91 when cutting the tape. The second blade 92 cuts the band-shaped tape supplied from the unwinding section 80 to form the sheet-shaped tape section 16 (see FIG. 9). The second blade 92 retreats from the tape attaching portion 6 when the tape attaching portion 6 is raised (see FIG. 13).

  The tape cutting motor 93 is a drive source different from the tape transport unit 8. The driving force of the tape cutting motor 93 is transmitted to the second blade 92 via a moving mechanism (not shown). A moving mechanism (not shown) converts the rotational power of the tape cutting motor 93 into a vertical moving force of the second blade 92. The second blade 92 can be moved by a moving mechanism (not shown) in a direction approaching the first blade 91 (downward) and in a direction away from the first blade 91 (upward).

  Reference numeral 95 in the figure denotes a pair of tape holding bars that support the tape from below. The pair of tape holding bars 95 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction so that the tape section 16 (see FIG. 13) can be inserted together with the edge of the sheet bundle.

The operation unit 11 (see FIG. 2) will be described.
The operation unit 11 receives a user operation. For example, the operation unit 11 is a button that the user can press with a finger. For example, the operation unit 11 is provided on the front surface of the housing 20 of the apparatus main body 2. This makes it easier to operate the operation unit 11 than when the operation unit 11 is provided on the rear surface of the housing 20 of the apparatus main body 2.

The control unit 12 (see FIG. 2) will be described.
The control unit 12 is formed by a control circuit including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM provided in the sheet binding apparatus 1. For example, the control unit 12 controls the operation of the sheet binding apparatus 1 by causing a processor such as a CPU to execute a program. For example, the control unit 12 controls various operations of the tape transport unit 8, the tape holding unit 9, the tape cutting unit 10, and the tape attaching moving mechanism 7.

For example, when the operation unit 11 is operated, the control unit 12 controls so that the tape is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle held in a curved state by the sheet holding units 3A and 3B.
For example, the control unit 12 controls the holding mechanism 41 so that the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are stopped at the highest position of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B (see FIG. 3A). ). Thus, during the operation of closing the second bending portion 34, the downward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is temporarily locked.

  For example, the control unit 12 controls the holding mechanism 41 so that when the operation unit 11 is operated at the highest position of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B, the locks of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are released. (See FIG. 3B). Thereby, the downward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is allowed. Therefore, when the user pushes down the sheet holding units 3A and 3B downward, the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21 (see FIG. 3C).

  For example, when the operation unit 11 is operated at the lowest position of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B, the control unit 12 controls the holding mechanism 41 so that the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are stopped at the lowest position. Control (see FIG. 3C). Thus, when the tape is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle, the upward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is temporarily locked.

  For example, the holding mechanism 41 is controlled so that the lock of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is released when the attachment of the tape to the edge of the sheet bundle is completed (see FIG. 3E). Thereby, the upward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is allowed. The paper holding units 3A and 3B return to the uppermost position by the urging force of the bracket urging member 42.

Next, an operation example of the sheet binding apparatus 1 will be described. 8 to 19 are side views illustrating the operation of the sheet binding apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.
First, the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are developed according to a desired sheet size. For example, of the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B, the first paper holding unit 3A is moved to the left with respect to the apparatus main body 2, and the second paper holding unit 3B is moved to the center in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2 ( FIG. 5 (a)).

  Next, a desired number of sheets (for example, 3 to 30 sheets) are aligned and set on the U-shaped members of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B (see FIG. 3A). Next, the second bending portion 34 is closed downward (see FIG. 3B). The second bending portion 34 rotates around the hinge shaft 32a and sandwiches the sheet bundle (see FIG. 2). As a result, a state is formed in which a plurality of sheets are vertically displaced in a stepwise manner at the edge of the sheet bundle.

  Next, the sheet holding units 3A and 3B in the bundle bending holding state are pushed down (see FIG. 3C). Thereby, the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21 (see FIG. 8). For example, the operation from the unfolding operation of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B according to the sheet size to the pressing down of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is manually performed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the paper binding apparatus 1 moves the tape holding unit 9 by driving the tape transport motor 84 such that the holding claws 87 of the tape holding unit 9 abut against the tape. The paper binding device 1 supports the tape in a state in which the posture of the tape is held by bringing the holding claws 87 into contact with the tape. The paper binding device 1 causes the holding claw 87 of the tape holding unit 9 to abut on the downstream end in the tape transport direction, and moves the tape holding unit 9 forward. As a result, the tape is pulled out forward, and the tape holding unit 9 supports the linear tape.

  The sheet binding device 1 moves the tape holding unit 9 between the sheet bundle 26 and the tape attaching unit 6. For example, the tape holding unit 9 arranges the tape so as to straddle a pair of holding bars 95. For example, the tape holding unit 9 holds the tape such that the stepped end surface of the sheet bundle 26 faces the adhesive surface of the linear tape.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the paper binding apparatus 1 cuts the band-shaped tape by the tape cutting unit 10. For example, when a button (not shown) is pressed, the tape cutting unit 10 cuts the tape. As a result, a piece of tape 16 is formed. The length of the tape section 16 is adjusted according to the number of sheets to be bound.

  The second blade 92 is located above the second roller 62 in the tape mounting portion 6 so as to face the first blade 91 when cutting the tape. The front end of the tape section 16 is in contact with the tape holding claw 87. The rear end of the tape section 16 is held by a tape holding bar 95. The tape holding bar 95 can prevent the tape section 16 from falling.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the paper binding apparatus 1 moves the second blade 92 above the pair of tape holding bars 95 by driving the tape cutting motor 93. Thus, the second blade 92 is disposed at a position retracted from the tape attaching portion 6 when the tape attaching portion 6 is raised (see FIG. 11).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the paper binding apparatus 1 raises the tape mounting unit 6 by driving the tape mounting motor 71. When the tape mounting portion 6 is raised, the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 rotate so as to roll on the belt 64 a fixed to the housing 20 while being raised.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the paper binding apparatus 1 drives the tape mounting motor 71 to move the tape mounting unit 6 higher than the position in FIG. The paper binding apparatus 1 moves (rotates by a predetermined angle) the tape holding unit 9 by driving the tape transport motor 84 so that the tape section 16 forms a straight line. The sheet binding device 1 raises the pair of tape holding bars 95 so that the edge of the sheet bundle 26 abuts on the adhesive surface of the tape section 16. For example, the pair of tape holding bars 95 rises in conjunction with the rise of the tape attachment portion 6 (the rise from the position in FIG. 11). For example, the pair of tape holding bars 95 rises against a biasing force of a biasing member (not shown).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the paper binding apparatus 1 drives the tape mounting motor 71 to move the tape mounting unit 6 higher than the position in FIG. 12. The sheet binding device 1 makes the tape section 16 held by the tape holding unit 9 contact a plurality of sheets forming the sheet bundle 26. Then, the sheet binding device 1 peels the tape section 16 from the tape holding section 9 by bringing the tape section 16 held by the tape holding section 9 into contact with the sheet bundle 26. Then, the sheet binding device 1 inserts the edge of the sheet bundle 26 between the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 together with the tape section 16.

  When the tape attaching section 6 is raised, the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 rotate while sandwiching the edge of the sheet bundle 26 approaching between the first roller 61 and the second roller 62. The first roller 61 and the second roller 62 ride on the edge of the sheet bundle 26 while securing a constant pinching force.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the paper binding apparatus 1 drives the tape mounting motor 71 to move the tape mounting unit 6 higher than the position in FIG. 13. When the edge of the sheet bundle 26 is inserted between the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 together with the tape section 16, the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 move along the outer shape of the edge of the sheet bundle 26. I do. Thus, the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 press the tape section 16 against the edge of the sheet bundle 26. As a result, the tape section 16 follows and adheres to the stepped portion of the sheet bundle 26 sequentially. Thus, all the sheets including the intermediate pages of the sheet bundle 26 are integrated by the tape section 16. Thus, the process of attaching the tape section 16 to the edge of the sheet bundle 26 is completed.
In addition, in order to ensure that the tape section 16 is stuck to the edge of the sheet bundle 26, the elevating operation of the tape attaching section 6 may be repeated a plurality of times.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the paper binding apparatus 1 lowers the tape mounting unit 6 by driving the tape mounting motor 71. When the tape mounting portion 6 is lowered, the pair of tape holding bars 95 return to the original position by the urging force of the urging member (not shown).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the paper binding device 1 raises the paper holding units 3A and 3B. The sheet holding units 3A and 3B return to their original positions by the restoring force (biasing force) of the bracket urging member 42 of the holding unit stationary mechanism 4 (see FIG. 2).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the paper binding apparatus 1 moves the tape holding unit 9 backward above the guide table 85 by driving the tape transport motor 84. The paper binding apparatus 1 sets a one-way clutch (not shown) incorporated in the transport roller 81 to a disconnected state so as to release synchronization between the transport roller 81 and the tape holding unit 9. Thereby, when the tape holding unit 9 moves backward, the transport roller 81 does not rotate.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, in the paper binding apparatus 1, by driving the tape transport motor 84, the tape (the downstream end in the tape transport direction) in which the holding claws 87 of the tape holding unit 9 are held on the guide base 85. The tape holding unit 9 is moved (rotated by a predetermined angle) so that the tape holding unit 9 abuts on the tape holding unit 9.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the paper binding device 1 causes the holding claw 87 of the tape holding unit 9 to abut on the downstream end in the tape transport direction, and moves the tape holding unit 9 forward. As a result, the tape is pulled out forward, and the tape holding unit 9 supports the linear tape.
The paper binding apparatus 1 connects a one-way clutch (not shown) incorporated in the transport roller 81 so that the transport roller 81 and the tape holding unit 9 are synchronized. Thus, the tape holding unit 9 moves forward in synchronization with the rotation of the transport roller 81.

Then, the sheet bundle on which the tape attaching process has been completed is taken out from the sheet holding units 3A and 3B. For example, the sheet bundle is taken out manually.
Alternatively, the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are moved in the width direction for the binding process at the second position (second position). For example, the movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B in the width direction is manually performed.

  According to the embodiment, the paper binding device 1 includes the paper holding units 3A and 3B and the tape attaching unit 6. The sheet holding units 3A and 3B hold a sheet bundle 26 including a plurality of sheets 25 in a curved state. The tape attaching section 6 attaches the tape 16 to the edge of the sheet bundle 26 held in a curved state by the sheet holding sections 3A and 3B. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. Since the sheet bundle is held in a curved state by the sheet holding units 3A and 3B, the sheet holding units 3A and 3B can be reduced in size as compared with a structure in which a plurality of sheets are sequentially shifted little by little in the sheet conveyance direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide the sheet binding apparatus 1 that can reduce the size of the apparatus. In addition, the number of steps for returning the sheet bundle is reduced compared to the case where the sheet bundle is bent once to form the stepped edge portion and then the sheet bundle is returned to a linear shape, so that the number of steps can be reduced. .

  The paper holding units 3A and 3B include a first flat portion 31, a second flat portion 32, a first bending portion 33, and a second bending portion. The first flat portion 31 has a flat surface along the sheet insertion direction. The second flat portion 32 is arranged with a gap 30 from the first flat portion 31 so that a plurality of sheets can be inserted. The first curved portion 33 is connected to the first flat portion 31. The second bending portion 34 is rotatably connected to the second flat portion 32. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. By closing the second curved portion 34 after inserting a plurality of sheets into the gap 30, the edge of the stepped sheet bundle can be easily formed. For example, even a user who is unfamiliar with the operation of the apparatus can easily perform paper binding using the adhesive tape 15.

  Each of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B further includes an abutment unit 35 that connects the first plane unit 31 and the second plane unit 32. The contact portion 35 contacts the downstream end in the sheet insertion direction when the sheet is inserted into the gap 30. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. By contacting the downstream end of the plurality of sheets in the insertion direction with the contact portion 35, the plurality of sheets can be aligned. Therefore, a plurality of sheets in the aligned state can be bent by the closing operation of the second bending portion 34. Therefore, the plurality of sheets forming the sheet bundle can be shifted from each other substantially uniformly at the edges.

  The plane of the first plane portion 31 is along the horizontal plane. The first bending portion 33 is bent downward. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. Since the sheet bundle can be bent using the weight of the sheet bundle, the reaction force of the second bending portion 34 required to bend the sheet can be reduced as much as possible. Therefore, the closing operation of the second bending portion 34 can be performed more easily.

  The paper holding units 3A and 3B have the following effects by further including the elastic members 36a to 36d that come into contact with one surface of the paper bundle from outside. When the elastic members 36a to 36d are in contact with one surface of the sheet bundle, the displacement of the sheet bundle can be suppressed.

  The paper holding units 3A and 3B are provided as a pair in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2. The length Wt obtained by adding the widths W1 and W2 of the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B is equal to or less than the width Wd of the apparatus main body 2 (Wt ≦ Wd). With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. This contributes to downsizing of the apparatus as compared with the case where the sum of the widths of the pair of sheet holding units 3A and 3B exceeds the width of the apparatus main body 2 (Wt> Wd).

  The paper binding apparatus 1 further includes an apparatus main body 2, a holding unit stationary mechanism 4, and a tape mounting moving mechanism 7. The apparatus main body 2 has an opening 21 into which an edge of a sheet bundle held in a curved state by the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is inserted. The holding part stationary mechanism 4 stops the sheet holding parts 3A and 3B at the position where the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21. The tape attaching moving mechanism 7 moves the tape attaching unit 6 toward a position where the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. Since the tape can be attached to the edge of the sheet bundle in a state where the edge of the sheet bundle is at the fixed position, the mounting accuracy of the tape is improved.

  The tape attachment section 6 includes a first roller 61, a second roller 62, an urging member 63h, and a roller rotation mechanism 64. The first roller 61 and the second roller 62 face each other. The urging member 63h urges the first roller 61 so that the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 approach each other. The roller rotating mechanism 64 rotates the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 so that the edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first roller 61 and the second roller 62. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. The edge of the sheet bundle can be easily drawn between the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 as compared with the structure without the roller rotation mechanism 64. Therefore, the tape can be smoothly attached to the edge of the sheet bundle. For example, it is possible to prevent the paper from buckling when the tape is attached.

  The paper binding apparatus 1 includes a tape transport unit 8, a tape holding unit 9, a tape cutting unit 10, and a tape mounting moving mechanism 7. The tape transport unit 8 transports the tape. The tape holding unit 9 holds the tape transported from the tape transport unit 8. The tape cutting unit 10 cuts the tape transported from the tape transport unit 8. The tape mounting moving mechanism 7 is capable of moving the tape mounting section 6 in the vertical direction. The tape transport unit 8 includes a tape transport motor 84. The tape holding unit 9 is driven by a tape transport motor 84 which is a common drive source with the tape transport unit 8. The tape cutting unit 10 includes a tape cutting motor 93 that is a driving source different from that of the tape transport unit 8. The tape mounting moving mechanism 7 includes a tape mounting motor 71 that is a driving source different from the tape transport unit 8. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. The tape holding section 9 is driven by a tape feeding motor 84 which is a common driving source with the tape feeding section 8, so that the tape holding section 9 and the tape feeding section 8 can be operated in synchronization. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the tape from which the release film 15c has been peeled will buckle as compared with the case where the tape holding unit 9 is driven independently and independently of the drive of the tape transport unit 8. Therefore, the possibility that the adhesive surfaces of the tapes stick to each other can be reduced. In addition, the number of components can be reduced and the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the tape holding unit 9 includes a tape holding motor that is a driving source different from the tape transport unit 8.

  The paper binding apparatus 1 has the following effects by further including the holding part stationary mechanism 4 for stopping the paper holding parts 3A and 3B at a fixed position in the vertical direction. By stopping the sheet holding units 3A and 3B at arbitrary positions in the vertical direction, it contributes to improvement of the operability of the apparatus. For example, by stopping the sheet holding units 3A and 3B at the highest position, it is possible to prevent the sheet holding units 3A and 3B from being displaced downward when the second bending unit 34 is closed. Therefore, the second bending portion 34 can be easily closed.

  The paper binding apparatus 1 further includes a tape cutting unit 10 that cuts a tape. The tape cutting section 10 has a structure in which a pair of blades 91 and 92 open and close. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. This contributes to improving the durability of the tape cutting unit 10 as compared with the case where the tape cutting unit 10 includes a cutter mat and a rotary cutter. Therefore, even when the tape is repeatedly cut by the tape cutting unit 10, the cutting quality of the tape is easily maintained.

  The tape cutting unit 10 includes a first blade 91 and a second blade 92. The first blade 91 is located at a fixed position. The second blade 92 is located above the tape mounting portion 6 so as to face the first blade 91 when cutting the tape. The second blade 92 retreats from the tape attaching section 6 when the tape attaching section 6 is raised. The second blade 92 is arranged at an optimum position that does not interfere with the tape attaching portion 6 in consideration of the rising operation of the tape attaching portion 6, thereby contributing to further downsizing of the device.

  The paper binding device 1 includes an operation unit 11 and a control unit 12. The operation unit 11 receives a user operation. When the operation unit 11 is operated, the control unit 12 performs control so that the tape is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle held in a curved state by the sheet holding units 3A and 3B. By operating the operation unit 11, the tape can be automatically attached to the edge of the sheet bundle, which contributes to further improvement in the accuracy of attaching the tape.

Hereinafter, a modification of the embodiment will be described.
A first modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the pair of the bracket urging member 42 and the damper 43 are provided at an interval in the front-rear direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the paper binding device 101 according to a first modification of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 20, only one bracket urging member 42 and one damper 43 may be provided. The bracket urging member 42 and the damper 43 are arranged at front and rear central positions on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2.

  The paper holding unit 103 may further include an elevating pin 129 provided so as to be able to elevate and lower with respect to the first flat part 31. The second plane portion 132 is provided with a through hole 132h through which the elevating pin 129 can be inserted. The elevating pin 129 is disposed forward of the contact portion 35. When the lower end of the elevating pin 129 is at a height equal to or higher than the lower surface of the second flat portion 132, when the sheet is inserted into the gap 30, the contact with the contact portion 35 at the downstream end in the sheet insertion direction is allowed. When the lower end of the elevating pin 129 is in contact with the upper surface of the first flat portion 31, the downstream end in the sheet insertion direction contacts the elevating pin 129 when the sheet is inserted into the gap 30.

  According to the first modified example, since only one bracket urging member 42 and one damper 43 are provided, the following effects can be obtained. Compared to the case where a plurality of the bracket urging members 42 and the dampers 43 are provided, the number of components can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  The paper holding unit 103 has the following effects by further including the elevating pins 129 provided so as to be able to move up and down with respect to the first plane part 31. By raising and lowering the elevating pins 129, it is possible to provide the paper binding apparatus 101 applicable to a plurality of types of paper sizes. For example, by raising the elevating pin 129 above the second flat portion 132, the present invention can be applied to the first paper size (for example, A3 size). For example, by lowering the elevating pin 129 to the first flat surface portion 31, it can be applied to a second paper size (for example, A4 size) smaller than the first paper size.

A second modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the elastic members 36a to 36d are attached to the lower surface of the second connecting portion 239 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the paper holding unit 203 according to a second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 21 shows a state where the second bending portion 34 is open.
As shown in FIG. 21, the third elastic member 36c (elastic member) may be attached to an upper paper urging member 239a (paper urging member) provided on the second connecting portion 239.

  The sheet holding unit 203 includes an upper sheet urging member 239a for urging the sheet bundle from above. The upper sheet urging member 239a has a third elasticity so that the third elastic member 36c contacts the upper surface of the sheet bundle before the tip of the second curved portion 34 falls below the virtual horizontal plane H1 along the upper surface of the sheet bundle. The member 36c is supported (see FIG. 22).

  The upper sheet urging member 239a is accommodated in the accommodating portion 239c of the second connecting portion 239. A paper urging arm 239b is attached to the upper paper urging member 239a. For example, the upper sheet urging member 239a is a compression coil spring. The upper sheet urging member 239a is disposed between the sheet urging arm 239b and the upper wall of the storage section 239c.

  In a side view, the paper urging arm 239b has an L shape. A third elastic member 36c is attached to a first end of the paper urging arm 239b. A second end of the paper urging arm 239b is connected to the hinge shaft 32a. The paper urging arm 239b is rotatable around the hinge shaft 32a.

FIG. 22 to FIG. 23 are side views showing the operation of the sheet holding unit 203 according to the second modification of the embodiment.
At the position shown in FIG. 21, the third elastic member 36c is separated upward from the sheet bundle. The lower sheet urging member 38a of the first connecting portion 38 urges the sheet bundle from below via the first elastic member 36a. At the position shown in FIG. 21, the end faces of the sheet bundle are aligned.

  As shown in FIG. 22, when the second curved portion 34 is closed, the third elastic member 36c contacts the upper surface of the sheet bundle before the tip of the second curved portion 34 falls below the virtual horizontal plane H1. In the position shown in FIG. 22, the upper sheet urging member 239a urges the sheet bundle from above via the third elastic member 36c and the sheet urging arm 239b. At the position shown in FIG. 22, the end faces of the sheet bundle are aligned. The sheet bundle is held by a pair of upper and lower elastic members 36a and 36c before the sheet bundle enters the curved state.

  As shown in FIG. 23, when the second bending portion 34 is completely closed, a plurality of sheets are sandwiched between the first bending portion 33 and the second bending portion 34. As a result, a state in which a plurality of sheets are displaced in a stepwise manner in the vertical direction at the edge of the sheet bundle is formed. The sheet bundle is held by the plurality of elastic members 36a to 36d in the curved state.

  According to the second modification, the sheet holding unit 203 includes the upper sheet urging member 239a that urges the sheet bundle from above. The upper sheet urging member 239a has a third elasticity so that the third elastic member 36c contacts the upper surface of the sheet bundle before the tip of the second curved portion 34 falls below the virtual horizontal plane H1 along the upper surface of the sheet bundle. The member 36c is supported. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. Before the leading end of the second bending portion 34 falls below the upper surface of the sheet bundle, the third elastic member 36c comes into contact with the upper surface of the sheet bundle. . Therefore, the plurality of paper sheets in which the displacement is suppressed can be curved by the closing operation of the second bending portion 34. Therefore, the plurality of sheets forming the sheet bundle can be shifted from each other substantially uniformly at the edges.

A third modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the second curved portions 34 of the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B can be opened and closed independently of each other has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B according to a third modification of the embodiment. FIG. 24 shows a connection structure of the second bending portion 34 in the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B.
As shown in FIG. 24, the second curved portions 34 of the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B may be opened and closed at the same time.

  The pair of second bending portions 34 is provided with a connection mechanism 310 that connects the pair of second bending portions 34. The connection mechanism 310 allows the pair of second bending portions 34 to move in the width direction. The coupling mechanism 310 synchronizes the opening and closing operations of the pair of second bending portions 34.

  The connection mechanism 310 includes a pair of link members 311A and 311B. The first ends (the inner ends in the width direction) of the pair of link members 311A and 311B are connected to each other via a connection shaft 312. The pair of link members 311A and 311B are relatively rotatable around the connection shaft 312. The second ends (outer ends in the width direction) of the pair of link members 311A and 311B are connected to the pair of second curved portions 34 via support pins 313A and 313B, respectively. The pair of link members 311A and 311B are rotatable around support pins 313A and 313B, respectively.

  For example, when the pair of second curved portions 34 is closer to the inside in the width direction than the outermost position in the width direction, the pair of link members 311A and 311B have a V-shape. On the other hand, when the pair of second curved portions 34 are apart from each other to the outermost position in the width direction, the pair of link members 311A and 311B have a linear shape extending in the width direction.

  According to the third modified example, the following effects are obtained by further including the connecting mechanism 310 that connects the second curved portions 34 in the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B. The second bending portions 34 of the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B can be simultaneously opened and closed with each other, which contributes to improvement of the operability of the apparatus.

A fourth modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the third modification, the case where the connecting mechanism 310 includes the pair of link members 311A and 311B has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B according to a fourth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 25 shows a connection structure of the second bending portion 34 in the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B.
As shown in FIG. 25, the connection mechanism 410 may include a pair of tubular members 411A and 411B.

  Each of the tubular members 411A and 411B has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom wall at the outer end in the width direction. A cylindrical columnar member 412 is accommodated in the internal space of the cylindrical members 411A and 411B so as to be movable in the width direction. Urging members 413A and 413B such as compression coil springs are arranged between the widthwise outer ends of the columnar members 412 and the bottom walls of the cylindrical members 411A and 411B.

  According to the fourth modified example, the following effects can be obtained by further including the connecting mechanism 410 that connects the second curved portions 34 of the pair of sheet holding units 3A and 3B. The second bending portions 34 of the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B can be simultaneously opened and closed with each other, which contributes to improvement of the operability of the apparatus.

A fifth modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the paper holding units 3A and 3B are manually moved in the width direction has been described, but the invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B according to a fifth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 26A is a front view illustrating an operation for binding the first position of the edge of the sheet bundle. FIG. 26B is a front view illustrating the operation for binding the second position of the edge of the sheet bundle.
As shown in FIG. 26, the sheet binding device 501 may further include a width direction moving mechanism 510 that moves the sheet holding units 3A and 3B in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2.

The width direction moving mechanism 510 includes a guide rail 511, a width direction moving motor 512, and a power transmission mechanism 513.
The guide rail 511 has a linear shape extending in the width direction. The guide rail 511 supports the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B so as to be movable in the width direction.
The width direction movement motor 512 is a drive source for moving the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B in the width direction. The width direction movement motor 512 is arranged outside the apparatus main body 2.
The power transmission mechanism 513 transmits the driving force of the widthwise movement motor 512 to the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B. The power transmission mechanism 513 converts the rotational power of the width-direction moving motor 512 into the width-direction moving force of the pair of paper holding units 3A and 3B.

  As shown in FIG. 26A, the first sheet holding unit 3A has moved to the left with respect to the apparatus main body 2. The second paper holding unit 3B is located in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2. 26A, the tape can be attached to the edge (first position) of the sheet bundle 26 held in a curved state by the second sheet holding unit 3B. For example, when the first button (not shown) is pressed, the control unit controls each of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B to move to the position shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 26B, the second paper holding unit 3B has moved rightward with respect to the apparatus main body 2. The first paper holding unit 3 </ b> A is located in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2. In each of FIGS. 26A and 26B, the apparatus main body 2 is at a fixed position. In the position shown in FIG. 26B, the tape can be attached to the edge (second position) of the sheet bundle 26 held in a curved state by the first sheet holding unit 3A. For example, when the second button (not shown) is pressed, the control unit controls each of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B to move to the position shown in FIG.

  According to the fifth modification, the following effects are obtained by further providing the width direction moving mechanism 510 that moves the sheet holding units 3A and 3B in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2. Since the paper holding units 3A and 3B can be automatically moved in the width direction, it contributes to further improvement of the operability of the apparatus.

A sixth modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the pressing down (moving downward) of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is performed manually is described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the elevating operation of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B according to the sixth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 27A is a side view showing a state where the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are located at the highest position. FIG. 27B is a side view illustrating a state where the sheet holding units 3A and 3B have moved downward.
As shown in FIG. 27, the sheet binding device 601 further includes a sheet holding moving mechanism 610 that moves the sheet holding units 3A and 3B toward a position where the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21. You may.

The paper holding moving mechanism 610 includes a holding block 611, a paper holding motor 612, and a power transmission mechanism 613.
The holding block 611 has a rectangular parallelepiped block shape. The holding block 611 is fixed to the vertically extending portion 40b of the holding bracket 40.
The paper holding motor 612 is a drive source for moving the paper holding units 3A and 3B in the vertical direction. The paper holding motor 612 is arranged outside the apparatus main body 2.
The power transmission mechanism 613 transmits the driving force of the paper holding motor 612 to the holding block 611. The power transmission mechanism 613 converts the rotational power of the paper holding motor 612 into a vertical moving force of the holding block 611.

  As shown in FIG. 27A, when the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are located at the highest position, they are in a bundle bending holding state. When the user operates the operation unit 11 in the bundle bending holding state, the holding mechanism 41 unlocks the paper holding units 3A and 3B. Thereby, the downward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is allowed. For example, when a button (not shown) is pressed, the control unit moves the sheet holding units 3A and 3B toward the position (the position in FIG. 26B) where the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21. Control to move.

  As shown in FIG. 27B, when the sheet holding units 3A and 3B move downward, the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21. When the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21, the holding part stationary mechanism 4 stops the sheet holding parts 3A and 3B at the lowest position (fixed position in the downward direction). When the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21, the holding mechanism 41 temporarily locks the vertical movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B.

  The paper binding device 601 may further include a cover member 620 that covers a space between the paper holding units 3A and 3B and the apparatus main body 2 from outside in the width direction. The cover member 620 is a member that can expand and contract between the paper holding units 3A and 3B and the apparatus main body 2. For example, the cover member 620 may have a bellows structure.

  As shown in FIG. 27A, when the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are located at the highest position, the cover member 620 extends the space between the sheet holding units 3A and 3B and the apparatus main body 2 in the width direction in the extended state. Cover from outside. As shown in FIG. 27B, when the sheet holding units 3A and 3B move downward, the cover member 620 moves the space between the sheet holding units 3A and 3B and the apparatus main body 2 in the compressed state outside the width direction. Cover from the side.

  According to the sixth modification, the sheet binding device 601 further includes a sheet holding moving mechanism 610 that moves the sheet holding units 3A and 3B toward the position where the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21. This has the following effects. Since the downward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B can be performed automatically, it contributes to further improvement of the operability of the apparatus.

A seventh modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the tape attaching unit 6 includes the first roller 61, the second roller 62, the roller urging mechanism 63, and the roller rotating mechanism 64 has been described, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 28 is a side view of a tape attachment portion 706 according to a seventh modification of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 28, the tape attaching portion 706 includes a first small-diameter roller 761, a second small-diameter roller 762, a first large-diameter roller 763, a second large-diameter roller 764, a small-diameter roller urging mechanism 765, and a large-diameter roller rotation. A mechanism 766 may be provided.

  Each of the first small-diameter roller 761 and the second small-diameter roller 762 has a columnar shape extending in the width direction. The first small diameter roller 761 and the second small diameter roller 762 face each other in the front-rear direction. The first small diameter roller 761 and the second small diameter roller 762 have substantially the same outer shape as each other.

  The first large diameter roller 763 and the second large diameter roller 764 each have a columnar shape extending in the width direction. The first large-diameter roller 763 and the second large-diameter roller 764 face each other in the front-rear direction. The first large diameter roller 763 is located above the first small diameter roller 761. The second large-diameter roller 764 is located above the second small-diameter roller 762. The first large diameter roller 763 and the second large diameter roller 764 have substantially the same outer shape as each other. The large-diameter rollers 763 and 764 have a larger outer shape than the small-diameter rollers 761 and 762, respectively.

The small-diameter roller urging mechanism 765 includes a first small-diameter urging member 765a, a second small-diameter urging member 765b, a front wall 765c, and a rear wall 765d.
The front wall 765c and the rear wall 765d are arranged at an interval in the front-rear direction. The front wall 765c and the rear wall 765d are attached to a lower part of the apparatus main body. The front end of the first small-diameter urging member 765a is connected to the front wall 765c. The rear end of the first small-diameter urging member 765a is connected to the rotation shaft of the first small-diameter roller 761. The rear end of the second small diameter urging member 765b is connected to the rear wall 765d. The front end of the second small-diameter urging member 765b is connected to the rotation shaft of the second small-diameter roller 762.

  The small diameter urging members 765a and 765b respectively urge the first small diameter roller 761 and the second small diameter roller 762 such that the first small diameter roller 761 and the second small diameter roller 762 are close to each other. The small-diameter urging members 765a and 765b constantly urge the first small-diameter roller 761 and the second small-diameter roller 762 so as to approach each other. For example, the small-diameter urging members 765a and 765b are compression coil springs that can expand and contract in the front-rear direction.

  For example, the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted between the first small-diameter roller 761 and the second small-diameter roller 762 together with the tape section 16. Then, the first small-diameter roller 761 and the second small-diameter roller 762 are pushed by the sheet bundle, and move in directions away from each other against the urging force of the small-diameter urging members 765a and 765b. The first small diameter roller 761 and the second small diameter roller 762 press the tape section 16 against the edge of the sheet bundle. Then, the tape section 16 is bent so as to wrap the edge of the sheet bundle. As a result, the tape section 16 is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle.

  The large-diameter roller rotating mechanism 766 includes a first large-diameter roller 763 and a second large-diameter roller 764 so that the edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first large-diameter roller 763 and the second large-diameter roller 764. To rotate. The large diameter roller rotating mechanism 766 includes a first belt 766a, a second belt 766b, a wire 766c, a connecting member 766d, a pulley 766e, a traction motor 766f, a first lower wall 766g, a second lower wall 766h, and a first large diameter. A biasing member 766i and a second large-diameter biasing member 766j are provided.

The first belt 766a is stretched over a first large-diameter roller 763.
The second belt 766b is stretched over a second large-diameter roller 764.
The first end of the wire 766c is connected to the rotation shaft of the traction motor 766f. A second end of the wire 766c is connected to a first end of the first belt 766a and a first end of the second belt 766b via a connecting member 766d.
The first lower wall 766g and the second lower wall 766h are arranged at an interval in the front-rear direction. The first lower wall 766g and the second lower wall 766h are attached to a lower part of the apparatus main body.

  The first large-diameter urging member 766i is pulled and fixed so as to remove slack in the first belt 766a and allow the first large-diameter roller 763 to move. The second end of the first belt 766a is connected to the upper end of the first large-diameter urging member 766i. The lower end of the first large-diameter urging member 766i is connected to the first lower wall 766g. For example, the first large-diameter urging member 766i is a tension coil spring that can expand and contract in the vertical direction.

  The second large-diameter urging member 766j is pulled and fixed so as to remove slack in the second belt 766b and allow the second large-diameter roller 764 to move. The second end of the second belt 766b is connected to the upper end of the second large-diameter urging member 766j. The lower end of the second large-diameter urging member 766j is connected to the second lower wall 766h. For example, the second large-diameter urging member 766j is a tension coil spring that can expand and contract in the vertical direction.

  For example, when the traction motor 766f is driven, the first large-diameter roller 763 and the second large-diameter roller 764 are respectively connected to the first large-diameter roller 763 and the second large-diameter roller 763 by the action of the belt 64a and the large-diameter urging members 766i and 766j. It rotates so as to pull in an object (edge of the sheet bundle) sandwiched between the two large-diameter rollers 764.

FIG. 29 is a front view of a tape attachment portion 706 according to a seventh modification of the embodiment. In FIG. 29, illustration of the first belt 766a and the like is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 29, the sheet binding apparatus may further include a sensor 769 for detecting that the edge of the sheet bundle 26 is at a position inserted into the opening 21.

  When viewed from the front, the sensor 769 is arranged at a position overlapping the edge of the sheet bundle 26 when the edge of the sheet bundle 26 is at a position inserted into the opening 21. When viewed from the front, the sensor 769 is arranged at a position avoiding the first small-diameter roller 761 and the first large-diameter roller 763. For example, the sensor 769 is a non-contact displacement sensor such as a laser displacement sensor.

  The control unit 12 controls the tape mounting moving mechanism 7 (see FIG. 7) based on the detection result of the sensor 769. For example, based on the detection result that the edge of the sheet bundle is at the position inserted into the opening 21, the control unit 12 controls the tape so that the tape attaching unit 706 moves toward the edge of the sheet bundle. The attachment moving mechanism 7 is controlled.

  According to the seventh modification, the tape attaching section 706 includes a first small-diameter roller 761, a second small-diameter roller 762, a first large-diameter roller 763, a second large-diameter roller 764, a small-diameter roller urging mechanism 765, and a large-diameter roller. A rotation mechanism 766 is provided. The first small diameter roller 761 and the second small diameter roller 762 face each other. The small diameter roller urging mechanism 765 urges the first small diameter roller 761 and the second small diameter roller 762 so that the first small diameter roller 761 and the second small diameter roller 762 are close to each other. The large-diameter roller rotating mechanism 766 includes a first large-diameter roller 763 and a second large-diameter roller 764 so that the edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first large-diameter roller 763 and the second large-diameter roller 764. To rotate. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. In comparison with a structure in which only one of the first small-diameter roller 761 and the second small-diameter roller 762 is urged, the tape can be easily attached to the edge of the sheet bundle. In addition, compared with a structure in which only one of the first large-diameter roller 763 and the second large-diameter roller 764 is rotated, the bundle of paper sheets is disposed between the first large-diameter roller 763 and the second large-diameter roller 764. Easy to pull in the edge. Therefore, the tape can be smoothly attached to the edge of the sheet bundle. For example, it is possible to more reliably prevent the paper from buckling when the tape is attached.

  The sheet binding apparatus further includes a sensor 769 for detecting that the edge of the sheet bundle is at a position inserted into the opening 21. Based on the detection result of the sensor 769, the control unit 12 controls the tape attachment unit 706 to move toward the edge of the sheet bundle when the edge of the sheet bundle is at the position inserted into the opening 21. It controls the tape mounting moving mechanism 7. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. Since the tape can be automatically attached to the edge of the sheet bundle in a state where the edge of the sheet bundle is at the fixed position, this contributes to further improvement of the tape attaching accuracy.

An eighth modification of the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 30 is a side view of a tape attachment portion 806 according to an eighth modification of the embodiment. In FIG. 30, illustration of the tape section is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 30, the tape attaching section 806 may include a first pressing roller 861, a second pressing roller 862, and a small-diameter roller rotating mechanism 863.

  Each of the first pressing roller 861 and the second pressing roller 862 has a columnar shape extending in the width direction. The first pressing roller 861 and the second pressing roller 862 face each other in the front-rear direction. The first pressing roller 861 and the second pressing roller 862 have substantially the same outer shape as each other. For example, the pressing roller is an elastic roller such as a rubber roller. The first pressing roller 861 and the second pressing roller 862 are arranged at an interval smaller than the thickness of the sheet bundle 26 in the front-rear direction.

  For example, the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted between the first pressing roller 861 and the second pressing roller 862 together with a tape section (not shown). Then, the first pressing roller 861 and the second pressing roller 862 are pressed by the sheet bundle and elastically deform so as to be separated from each other. The first pressing roller 861 and the second pressing roller 862 press the tape section against the edge of the sheet bundle by its own restoring force. Then, the tape section is bent so as to wrap the edge of the sheet bundle. As a result, the tape section is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle.

  The small diameter roller rotating mechanism 863 includes a first small diameter roller 863a, a second small diameter roller 863b, a first belt 863c, and a second belt 863d. The small diameter roller rotating mechanism 863 rotates each of the first small diameter roller 863a and the second small diameter roller 863b such that the edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first small diameter roller 863a and the second small diameter roller 863b.

The first small-diameter roller 863a and the second small-diameter roller 863b each have a columnar shape extending in the width direction. The first small-diameter roller 863a and the second small-diameter roller 863b face each other in the front-rear direction. The first small-diameter roller 863a is located above the first pressing roller 861. The second small diameter roller 863b is located above the second pressing roller 862. The first small diameter roller 863a and the second small diameter roller 863b have substantially the same outer shape as each other. The small-diameter rollers 863a and 863b have outer shapes smaller than the pressing rollers 861 and 862, respectively.
The first belt 863c is stretched over the first small-diameter roller 863a and the first pressing roller 861.
The second belt 863d is stretched over a second small-diameter roller 863b and a second pressing roller 862.

  For example, when each of the first pressing roller 861 and the second pressing roller 862 is rotated, the first belt 863c and the second belt 863d rotate the first small diameter roller 863a and the second small diameter roller 863b, respectively. Each of the first small-diameter roller 863a and the second small-diameter roller 863b rotates so as to draw in an object (the edge of the sheet bundle) sandwiched between the first small-diameter roller 863a and the second small-diameter roller 863b.

  According to the eighth modification, the tape attaching section 806 includes a first pressing roller 861, a second pressing roller 862, and a small-diameter roller rotating mechanism 863. The small diameter roller rotating mechanism 863 rotates each of the first small diameter roller 863a and the second small diameter roller 863b such that the edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first small diameter roller 863a and the second small diameter roller 863b. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. Compared to a structure in which only one of the first small-diameter roller 863a and the second small-diameter roller 863b is rotated, the edge of the sheet bundle is easily drawn between the first small-diameter roller 863a and the second small-diameter roller 863b. Therefore, the tape can be smoothly attached to the edge of the sheet bundle. For example, it is possible to more reliably prevent the paper from buckling when the tape is attached.

A ninth modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the roller rotation mechanism 64 in the tape attachment unit 6 includes the belt 64a is described, but the invention is not limited to this.
FIG. 31 is a side view of a tape attachment portion 906 according to a ninth modification of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 31, the roller rotation mechanism 964 in the tape attachment section 906 may not include a belt.

The tape attachment section 906 includes a first roller 961, a second roller 962, a roller urging mechanism 963, and a roller rotation mechanism 964.
The first roller 961 and the second roller 962 each have a columnar shape extending in the width direction. The first roller 961 and the second roller 962 face each other in the front-rear direction. The first roller 961 and the second roller 962 have substantially the same outer shape as each other.

The roller urging mechanism 963 includes an urging member 963a, a support member 963b, a front wall 963c, and a rear wall 963d.
The front wall 963c and the rear wall 963d are arranged at an interval in the front-rear direction. The front wall 963c and the rear wall 963d are attached to a lower part of the apparatus main body. The front end of the urging member 963a is connected to the front wall 963c. The rear end of the urging member 963a is connected to the rotation shaft of the first roller 961. The rear end of the support member 963b is connected to the rear wall 963d. The front end of the support member 963b is connected to the rotation shaft of the second roller 962.

  The urging member 963a urges the first roller 961 such that the first roller 961 and the second roller 962 approach each other. The urging member 963a constantly urges the first roller 961 toward the second roller 962. For example, the biasing member 963a is a compression coil spring that can expand and contract in the front-rear direction.

For example, the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted between the first roller 961 and the second roller 962 together with a tape section (not shown). Then, the first roller 961 and the second roller 962 are pushed by the sheet bundle and move in directions away from each other against the urging force of the urging member 963a. The first roller 961 and the second roller 962 press the tape section against the edge of the sheet bundle. Then, the tape section is bent so as to wrap the edge of the sheet bundle. As a result, the tape section is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle.
Reference numeral 965 in the figure receives the edge of the sheet bundle so that the edge of the sheet bundle does not move excessively downward when the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted between the first roller 961 and the second roller 962. 3 shows a receiving member.

  The roller rotation mechanism 964 rotates the second roller 962 so that the edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first roller 961 and the second roller 962. The roller rotation mechanism 964 includes a roller rotation motor 964a and a power transmission member 964b.

The roller rotation motor 964a is a drive source for rotating the second roller 962.
The power transmission member 964b connects the rotation shaft of the roller rotation motor 964a and the rotation shaft of the second roller 962. The power transmission member 964b transmits the driving force of the roller rotation motor 964a to the second roller 962. The power transmission member 964b converts the rotation power of the roller rotation motor 964a to the rotation power of the second roller 962.

  For example, when the roller rotation motor 964a is driven, the second roller 962 is rotated by the operation of the power transmission member 964b. The first roller 961 rotates following the rotation of the second roller 962. Therefore, when the roller rotation motor 964a is driven, each of the first roller 961 and the second roller 962 draws an object (the edge of the sheet bundle) sandwiched between the first roller 961 and the second roller 962. Rotate.

  According to the ninth modification, the roller rotation mechanism 964 has the following effects by including the roller rotation motor 964a and the power transmission member 964b. By driving the roller rotation motor 964a, the edge of the sheet bundle can be drawn between the first roller 961 and the second roller 962. Therefore, the tape can be smoothly attached to the edge of the sheet bundle with a simple configuration without a belt.

A tenth modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the ninth modification, the case where the roller rotation mechanism 964 rotates the second roller 962 so that the edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first roller 961 and the second roller 962 has been described. Not exclusively.
FIG. 32 is a side view of a tape attachment portion 1006 according to a tenth modification of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 32, the roller rotating mechanism 1064 in the tape attachment unit 1006 can rotate the first roller 961 so that the edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first roller 961 and the second roller 962. Good.

The roller rotation mechanism 1064 includes a roller rotation motor 1064a and a power transmission member 1064b.
The roller rotation motor 1064a is a drive source for rotating the first roller 961.
The power transmission member 1064b connects the rotation shaft of the roller rotation motor 1064a and the rotation shaft of the first roller 961. The power transmission member 1064b transmits the driving force of the roller rotation motor 1064a to the first roller 961. The power transmission member 1064b converts the rotation power of the roller rotation motor 1064a into the rotation power of the first roller 961.

  For example, when the roller rotation motor 1064a is driven, the first roller 961 is rotated by the operation of the power transmission member 1064b. The second roller 962 rotates following the rotation of the first roller 961. Therefore, when the roller rotation motor 1064a is driven, each of the first roller 961 and the second roller 962 draws an object (the edge of the sheet bundle) sandwiched between the first roller 961 and the second roller 962. Rotate.

  According to the tenth modification, the roller rotation mechanism 1064 has the following effects by including the roller rotation motor 1064a and the power transmission member 1064b. By driving the roller rotation motor 1064a, the edge of the sheet bundle can be drawn between the first roller 961 and the second roller 962. Therefore, the tape can be smoothly attached to the edge of the sheet bundle with a simple configuration without a belt.

An eleventh modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the ninth modification, the case where the first roller 961 and the second roller 962 have substantially the same outer shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
FIG. 33 is a side view of a tape attachment portion 1106 according to an eleventh modification of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 33, the second roller 1162 may have a larger outer shape than the first roller 961. In other words, the roller to which the roller rotation motor 964a is attached may have a larger outer shape than the roller to which the roller rotation motor 964a is not attached.

  The second roller 1162 has an outer shape larger than the roller rotation motor 964a. The second roller 1162 has such an outer shape that the roller rotation motor 964a is farther from the receiving member 965 than the position shown in FIG. A space wider than the structure shown in FIG. 31 is formed between the roller rotation motor 964a and the receiving member 965.

  According to the eleventh modification, the second roller 1162 has an outer shape larger than that of the first roller 961, and thus has the following effects. When the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted between the first roller 961 and the second roller 1162, the sheet bundle is rotated by a roller rotation motor 964a, as compared with the case where the second roller has an outer shape equal to or smaller than the first roller. Can be far away from

A twelfth modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where each of the first roller 61 and the second roller 62 in the tape attachment portion 6 has a columnar shape (a perfect circular shape in side view) extending in the width direction is described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
FIG. 34 is a side view of a tape attachment portion 1206 according to a twelfth modification of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 34, each of the first roller 1261 and the second roller 1262 in the tape attachment portion 1206 may have an elliptical shape in a side view.

  The rotation shafts 1261a and 1262a of the first roller 1261 and the second roller 1262 are offset from the respective center positions of the first roller 1261 and the second roller 1262. The rotating shafts 1261a and 1262a of the first roller 1261 and the second roller 1262 are disposed on the opposite side (lower side) of the sheet bundle 26 from the insertion side.

  According to the twelfth modified example, each of the first roller 1261 and the second roller 1262 has an elliptical shape in a side view, so that the following effects can be obtained. According to the principle of leverage, it becomes easy to draw the edge of the sheet bundle between the first roller 1261 and the second roller 1262. Therefore, as compared with the case where each of the first roller and the second roller has a perfect circular shape in a side view, it is easier to smoothly attach the tape to the edge of the sheet bundle.

A thirteenth modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the tape attaching portion 6 is arranged at a fixed position in the width direction of the apparatus main body 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of the movement of the tape attachment portion 6 according to a thirteenth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 35A is a front view illustrating an operation for binding the first position of the edge of the sheet bundle. FIG. 35B is a front view illustrating an operation for binding the second position of the edge of the sheet bundle.
As shown in FIG. 35, the paper binding apparatus 1301 may further include a tape mounting width direction moving mechanism 1310 for moving the tape mounting section 6 in the width direction of the apparatus main body 1302.

The tape mounting width direction moving mechanism 1310 includes a guide rail 1311, a width direction moving motor 1312, and a power transmission mechanism 1313.
The guide rail 1311 has a linear shape extending in the width direction. The guide rail 1311 supports the tape mounting portion 6 so as to be movable in the width direction.
The width-direction moving motor 1312 is a drive source for moving the tape mounting unit 6 in the width direction. The width direction movement motor 1312 is arranged outside the apparatus main body 1302.
The power transmission mechanism 1313 transmits the driving force of the width-direction moving motor 1312 to the tape mounting unit 6. The power transmission mechanism 1313 converts the rotational power of the width-direction moving motor 1312 into the width-direction moving force of the tape mounting unit 6.

  As shown in FIG. 35A, the first paper holding unit 3A and the second paper holding unit 3B are located in the width direction of the apparatus main body 1302. The tape attaching section 6 is located below the second sheet holding section 3B. In the position shown in FIG. 35A, a tape can be attached to the edge (first position) of the sheet bundle 26 held in a curved state by the second sheet holding unit 3B. For example, when the first button (not shown) is pressed, the control unit controls the tape mounting unit 6 to move to the position shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 35B, the first sheet holding unit 3A and the second sheet holding unit 3B are located in the width direction of the apparatus main body 1302. The tape attachment section 6 is located below the first sheet holding section 3A. In each of FIGS. 35A and 35B, the apparatus main body 1302 is at a fixed position. In the position shown in FIG. 35B, a tape can be attached to the edge (second position) of the sheet bundle 26 held in a curved state by the first sheet holding unit 3A. For example, when the second button (not shown) is pressed, the control unit controls the tape attachment unit 6 to move to the position shown in FIG.

  According to the thirteenth modification, the following effects are obtained by further providing the tape mounting width direction moving mechanism 1310 for moving the tape mounting section 6 in the width direction of the apparatus main body 1302. Since the tape mounting portion 6 can be automatically moved in the width direction, it contributes to further improvement of the operability of the device.

A fourteenth modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the holding unit stationary mechanism 4 includes the holding mechanism 41 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
FIG. 36 is a side view of a paper binding device 1401 according to a fourteenth modification of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 36, the holding portion stationary mechanism 1404 in the paper binding device 1401 may include a holding pin 1441.

  The holding pin 1441 stops the holding bracket 40 at a fixed position in the vertical direction. The holding pin 1441 is moved in the front-rear direction by a driving mechanism (not shown). The holding pin 1441 moves between the inside and the outside of the apparatus main body 2. The holding pin 1441 allows vertical movement of the holding bracket 40 at the retracted position inside the apparatus main body 2 (see the solid line in FIG. 36). The holding pin 1441 stops the vertical movement of the holding bracket 40 at the position where the holding pin 1441 protrudes to the outside of the apparatus main body 2 (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 36).

  For example, a pair of upper and lower through holes 44 and 45 that are opened to allow the holding pins 1441 to be inserted are provided in the vertically extending portion 40 b of the holding bracket 40. The upper through hole 44 is a hole for stopping the sheet holding units 3A and 3B at the position where the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21 (see FIG. 37C). The lower through hole 45 is a hole for stopping the sheet holding units 3A and 3B at the highest position (see FIG. 37A).

  The bracket urging member 1442 urges the holding bracket 40 toward the sheet holding units 3A and 3B. The bracket biasing member 1442 constantly biases the holding bracket 40 upward. The bracket biasing member 1442 is disposed between the front-rear extending portion 40a of the holding bracket 40 and the width direction moving mechanisms 5A and 5B. A pair of bracket urging members 1442 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction. For example, the bracket urging member 1442 is a compression coil spring.

  The damper 1443 suppresses the rising speed of the sheet holding units 3A, 3B by the urging force of the bracket urging member 1442 so that the sheet holding units 3A, 3B do not rise vigorously. The damper 1443 is disposed between the front-rear extending portion 40a of the holding bracket 40 and the width direction moving mechanisms 5A and 5B. A pair of dampers 1443 are provided at positions corresponding to the bracket urging members 1442 with an interval in the front-rear direction.

The operation of the holding part stationary mechanism 1404 will be described. Hereinafter, the operation of the holding portion stationary mechanism 1404 will be described along the sheet binding procedure.
FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet binding procedure. FIG. 37A is a side view illustrating the operation of the paper binding device 1401. FIG. 37B is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device 1401 subsequent to FIG. FIG. 37C is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device 1401 subsequent to FIG. 37B. FIG. 37D is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device 1401 following FIG. 37C. FIG. 37E is a side view illustrating the operation of the sheet binding device 1401 subsequent to FIG. 37D.

  As shown in FIG. 37A, when a sheet is inserted into the gap 30, the holding part stationary mechanism 1404 stops the sheet holding parts 3A and 3B at the highest position (upward fixed position). When the paper is inserted into the gap 30, the holding pin 1441 is inserted into the lower through hole 45 of the holding bracket 40. Therefore, the vertical movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is temporarily locked. This prevents the sheet holding units 3A and 3B from being displaced downward when the operation of closing the second bending unit 34 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 37B, when the user operates the operation unit 11 in the bundle bending holding state, the locks of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are released. The operation of the operation unit 11 moves the holding pin 1441 to the retracted position inside the apparatus main body 2. Thereby, the downward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is allowed.

  As shown in FIG. 37C, when the user pushes down the sheet holding units 3A and 3B, the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21. When the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21, the holding part stationary mechanism 1404 stops the sheet holding parts 3A, 3B at the lowest position (downward fixed position). When the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21, the holding bracket 40 is positioned lower than the position in FIG. 37B against the urging force of the bracket urging member 1442. When the edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 21, the holding pin 1441 is inserted into the upper through hole 44 of the holding bracket 40.

  As shown in FIG. 37D, when the tape is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle, the holding part stationary mechanism 1404 stops the sheet holding parts 3A and 3B at the lowest position. When the tape is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle, the holding pins 1441 are inserted into the upper through holes 44 of the holding bracket 40. Therefore, the vertical movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is temporarily locked. Thus, when the tape is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle, the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are not displaced upward.

  As shown in FIG. 37 (e), when the attachment of the tape to the edge of the sheet bundle is completed, the lock of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is automatically released. The holding pin 1441 moves to a retracted position inside the apparatus main body 2. Thereby, the upward movement of the sheet holding units 3A and 3B is allowed. The paper holding units 3A and 3B rise by the urging force of the bracket urging member 1442 and return to the uppermost position (the original position). The paper holding units 3A and 3B are prevented from vigorously rising when returning to the original position by the action of the damper 1443.

Another modification of the embodiment will be described.
In the embodiment, the case where the paper binding device is placed on the upper surface of an image forming apparatus (not shown) and used independently has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the paper binding device may be built in a post-processing device that is disposed next to the image forming device and that performs post-processing on the paper conveyed from the image forming device. For example, the paper binding device may be a device used in conjunction with the image forming apparatus.

  In the embodiment, the case where a pair of paper holding units is provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one or three or more paper holding units may be provided.

  In the embodiment, the case where the urging member is a coil spring has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the biasing member may be a leaf spring or an elastic body such as rubber.

In the embodiment, the case where the adhesive tape 15 includes the release film 15c has been described, but is not limited thereto. For example, the adhesive tape 15 may not include the release film 15c. If the tape does not have the release film 15c, the tape does not have the winding portion 83 such as a release reel, and the number of components can be reduced.
For example, the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape may be a tape obtained by subjecting a surface of a non-pressure-sensitive layer to an easy peeling treatment.

  In the embodiment, the case where the separation film 15c is separated from the adhesive layer 15a by the separation roller 82 has been described, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the release film 15c may be separated from the adhesive layer 15a by arranging a small-diameter roller smaller in diameter than the separation roller 82 in parallel with the separation roller 82. When the small-diameter roller is used, the bending radius of the peeling film 15c when the peeling film 15c is peeled becomes smaller than when the separating roller 82 is used. Therefore, it may be good in suppressing re-adhesion of the release film 15c to the adhesive layer 15a.

  In the embodiment, the case where the unwinding portion 80 includes the cylindrical core member 80a has been described, but is not limited thereto. For example, the unwinding section 80 may not have the cylindrical core member 80a. By employing a configuration without the cylindrical core member 80a, the number of components can be reduced.

  In the embodiment, the case where the tape cutting unit 10 has the structure in which the pair of blades 91 and 92 open and close has been described, but is not limited thereto. For example, the tape cutting unit may include a cutter mat and a rotary cutter. The configuration of the tape cutting unit may be any configuration as long as the tape supplied from the unwinding unit 80 can be cut.

  In the embodiment, the case where the bending portion lock mechanism 37 includes a pair of link members has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bending portion lock mechanism may include a permanent magnet and a metal plate. For example, the bending portion lock mechanism may maintain the state where the second bending portion 34 is closed by the action of the magnetic force.

  In the embodiment, the case has been described where the pressing member that contacts one surface of the sheet bundle from the outside is an elastic member, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressing member may be a member (rigid body) having no elasticity. The pressing member may be any member as long as it is configured to be able to suppress the displacement of the sheet bundle by contacting one surface of the sheet bundle.

  In the embodiment, the initial paper insertion direction is horizontal (inserted from front to back), and the edge of the paper bundle bent by the paper holding unit is downward, based on the posture when the paper binding device is raised up and down. Although the case where the adhesive surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape faces upward has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the posture of the paper binding device may be designed to be inclined at an arbitrary angle with respect to the horizontal plane in consideration of the operability of the user.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, the sheet binding device 1 is configured such that the sheet holding units 3A and 3B that hold the sheet bundle 26 including the plurality of sheets 25 in a curved state and the sheet holding units 3A and 3B are in a curved state. And the tape attaching section 6 for attaching the tape 16 to the edge of the sheet bundle 26 held by the above. Thus, it is possible to provide the sheet binding apparatus 1 in which the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

  1, 101, 501, 601, 1301, 1401 Paper binding device, 2 device main body, 3A first paper holding unit (paper holding unit), 3B second paper holding unit (paper holding unit), 4 holding Part stationary mechanism, 5A: first width direction moving mechanism (width direction moving mechanism), 5B: second width direction moving mechanism (width direction moving mechanism), 6,706,806,906,1006,1106,1206: Tape mounting Reference numeral 7, a moving mechanism for attaching a tape, 8 a tape transport unit, 9 a tape holding unit, 10 a tape cutting unit, 11 an operation unit, 12 a control unit, 15 an adhesive tape (tape), 16 a tape section. (Tape), 21: opening, 25: paper, 26: paper bundle, 30: gap, 31: first flat portion, 32: second flat portion, 33: first bending portion, 34: second bending portion, 35: contact portion, 36a to 36d: elastic member (pressing member) 61, a first roller, 62, a second roller, 63h, a biasing member, 64, a roller rotating mechanism, 71, a motor for mounting a tape, 84, a motor for transporting a tape, 91, a first blade, and 92, a second blade. , 93: tape cutting motor, 103, 203: paper holding unit, 239a: upper paper urging member (paper urging member), 510: width direction moving mechanism, 610: paper holding moving mechanism, 769: sensor, H1 ... virtual horizontal plane, Wd ... width of the apparatus main body, Wt ... length obtained by adding widths of a pair of paper holding units

Claims (18)

A sheet holding unit that holds a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets in a curved state,
And a tape attachment unit for attaching a tape to an edge portion of the sheet bundle held in a curved state by the sheet holding unit. The paper holding unit,
A first flat portion having a flat surface along the insertion direction of the sheet,
A second flat portion arranged with a gap from the first flat portion so that the plurality of sheets can be inserted;
A first curved portion connected to the first plane portion;
The sheet binding device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second bending portion rotatably connected to the second flat portion. The paper holding unit,
The sheet binding device according to claim 2, further comprising a contact portion that connects the first flat portion and the second flat portion and that abuts on a downstream end of the sheet in the insertion direction when the sheet is inserted into the gap. apparatus. The plane of the first plane portion is along a horizontal plane,
The sheet binding device according to claim 2, wherein the first bending portion is curved downward. The paper holding unit,
A pressing member that contacts the upper surface of the sheet bundle from above,
A sheet urging member for urging the sheet bundle from above,
The paper urging member supports the pressing member so that the pressing member contacts the upper surface of the sheet bundle before the tip of the second curved portion falls below a virtual horizontal plane along the upper surface of the sheet bundle. The sheet binding device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The sheet binding device according to claim 2, wherein a pair of the sheet holding units are provided in a width direction of the apparatus main body. The sheet binding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet holding unit further includes a pressing member that contacts one surface of the sheet bundle from outside. The paper holding unit is provided as a pair in the width direction of the apparatus main body,
The paper binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a length obtained by adding a width of the pair of paper holding units is equal to or less than a width of the apparatus main body. An apparatus main body having an opening into which an edge of the sheet bundle held in a curved state by the sheet holding unit is inserted;
A holding unit stopping mechanism for stopping the sheet holding unit at a position where an edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening;
The sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: a tape attaching moving mechanism that moves the tape attaching section toward a position where an edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening. Binding device. The sheet binding device according to claim 9, further comprising a sheet holding moving mechanism that moves the sheet holding unit toward a position where an edge of the sheet bundle is inserted into the opening. A sensor for detecting that an edge of the sheet bundle is at a position inserted into the opening;
Based on the detection result of the sensor, when the edge portion of the sheet bundle is at a position inserted into the opening, the tape attaching portion moves so that the tape attaching portion moves toward the edge portion of the sheet bundle. The sheet binding device according to claim 9, further comprising: a control unit configured to control a moving mechanism for the paper. The tape attachment portion,
A first roller,
A second roller facing the first roller,
An urging member for urging at least one of the first roller and the second roller so that the first roller and the second roller are close to each other;
2. A roller rotation mechanism that rotates at least one of the first roller and the second roller such that an edge of the sheet bundle is drawn between the first roller and the second roller. 3. 12. The paper binding device according to any one of items 11 to 11. A tape transport unit that transports the tape,
A tape holding unit that holds the tape transported from the tape transport unit,
A tape cutting unit that cuts the tape transported from the tape transport unit,
A moving mechanism for tape mounting capable of moving the tape mounting portion in the vertical direction,
The tape transport unit includes a tape transport motor,
The tape holding unit is driven by the tape transport motor, which is a common drive source with the tape transport unit,
The tape cutting unit includes a cutting motor that is a drive source different from the tape transport unit,
The paper binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the tape attachment moving mechanism includes a tape attachment motor that is a driving source different from the tape transport unit. The sheet binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a holding unit stopping mechanism that stops the sheet holding unit at a fixed position in the vertical direction. Further comprising a tape cutting unit for cutting the tape,
The sheet binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the tape cutting unit has a structure in which a pair of blades open and close. The tape cutting unit,
A first blade located at a fixed position,
A second blade which is located above the tape attaching portion so as to face the first blade when the tape is cut, and which retreats from the tape attaching portion when the tape attaching portion rises. Paper binding device. The sheet binding device according to claim 1, further comprising a width direction moving mechanism that moves the sheet holding unit in a width direction of the apparatus main body. An operation unit for receiving an operation,
18. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to control the tape to be attached to an edge of the sheet bundle held in a curved state by the sheet holding unit when the operation unit is operated. A sheet binding device according to claim 1.