JP3099618B2 - Signature feeder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signature supply apparatus for supplying a group of signatures to a signature storage section of a bookbinding machine feeder section in a batch system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A bookbinding machine supplies signatures one by one to a collating part such as an endless gathering chain or a conveyor, collates them in order, further binds the cover as appropriate, and binds the back. To bind books and magazines,
The bookbinding machine includes a feeder unit for supplying signatures one by one to a collating unit, and a signature storage unit in the feeder unit.

Conventionally, replenishment of signatures to the signature storage section in the feeder section of the bookbinding machine has been performed manually or manually, in which a predetermined number of signatures are collectively grasped and mounted on the storage section. There is an automatic supply system in which signatures are transported and supplied to a storage unit while being transported in a shifted and stacked state by a loader or the like. The automatic feeding method is suitable as a signature feeding method for work efficiency and labor saving.

[0004]

Generally, a signature is formed by folding a sheet into two or three and forming it into a sheet, and the signature is not uniform due to uneven folding positions and folding pressures in the folding process. The thickness tends to vary from sheet to sheet, and if the thickness is non-uniform, irregularities in conveyance and supply are likely to occur. In recent books such as magazines, the use frequency of pages using relatively thin paper is increasing. For this reason, some sheet-shaped signatures used for bookbinding have low waist strength.

In the conventional automatic feeding system, signatures are vertically erected, and are vertically stacked (stacked so that the folds are either upward or downward) and conveyed horizontally or vertically. There is a process. During folding in this process, the folded signature may be folded, bent, wrinkled, bent, etc., and this phenomenon not only does not improve the quality of bookbinding, but also binds during bookbinding. It often leads to troubles such as stopping the machine.

The present invention is an automatic feeder for conveying a vertically-stacked group of signatures in an upright state and supplying (supplying) the signatures to a signature storage section of a bookbinding machine feeder. A signature is conveyed and supplied to a signature storage unit of a feeder unit by a batch method so that a standing signature does not cause middle folding, bending, wrinkling, bending, or the like.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vertically integrated signature P.
Mounting means A and the vertical piled signature group P
₁ and with the first intermediate conveyance unit B having a rear vertical integration signature group lifting mechanism P ₂ separating mechanism for separating the separated only front vertical integration signature group P ₁ conveyed on lifting, the A second intermediate conveying means C for sandwiching the signature group P ₁ and conveying the signature group P ₁ horizontally forward;
A third intermediate conveyance unit D for conveying the signatures group P ₁ sandwiched and downward, in that a supply pusher means E for supplying pusher to the signature group P ₁ was sandwiched and bookbinding machine feeder side Signature signature supply device.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The signature feeding apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the entire apparatus side view in FIG. 1, the apparatus partial side view in FIG. 2, and the apparatus partial side view in FIG. There is provided a vertically integrated folding means A having a mounting base 1 for mounting and nipping the stack p, and a forward and backward transport mechanism in the mounting base 1. In front of the mounting means A, a receiving section 11 for receiving and holding all the vertically stacked signature groups P mounted on the mounting means A in a vertically stacked state, a part vertical integrated signature group P ₁ and rear vertical integrated signature group P ₂ separating mechanism 12 for separating, only separated front vertical integration signature group P ₁ held from before and after, and the lower and raising and lowering operation Lifting mechanism 1
3 is provided. Above the first intermediate transport means B, the first intermediate transport means B
The second intermediate conveyance unit C for conveying horizontally forward along the receiving and guide rails 30 and clamped by clamping section 34 of the signature group P ₁ which is conveyed upward is provided by. The arrival point below the horizontal conveying forward of the second intermediate conveyance unit C, a third descending lifting movement in order to convey receiving sandwiched and downward by the clamping portion 41 of the signature group P ₁ which is conveyed horizontally Intermediate transport means D is provided. The third
An intermediate conveyor means third intermediate conveyance unit sandwiching the supply unit 50 supplies the receive and binding machine feeders side by sandwiching the signature group P _1, which is carried by D in front and D, supplied signature group P _There is provided a feeding and pushing means E provided with a pushing and supporting portion 60 for pushing and supporting ₁ .

The signature feeding apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the overall apparatus side view of FIG. 1, the apparatus partial side view of FIG. 2, and the apparatus partial side view of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vertically integrated signature mounting means A is such that the fold side (back side) of the signature p is on the lower side (or on the upper side),
A mounting base 1 for sequentially mounting and accommodating a plurality of signatures p in a vertically stacked state is provided, and a forward and backward transport mechanism 2 for advancing and retracting the mounting base 1 in the direction of the arrow is provided.

The mounting base 1 includes a support base 5 integrally attached to a forward / backward transport mechanism 2 that moves forward / backward along a straight horizontal guide rail 3 by a drive unit 4 such as an air cylinder. On the support table 5, a movable holding plate 7 which is opened and closed by a holding drive unit 6 (6a is a horizontal operating rod of the air cylinder 6) and a fixed holding plate 8 opposed to the holding plate 7 are provided at the rear. (Or the movable holding plate 7 side may be fixed, and the fixed holding plate 8 side may be movable, or both the holding plates 7 and 8 may be movable), and a large number of signatures p are vertically stacked in a standing posture. In this state, it is mounted between the holding plates 7 and 8.

The forward / backward transport mechanism 2 includes a drive source 4 such as an air cylinder installed in a parallel direction along the guide rail 3, and a movable body 4 a guided and moved by the guide rail 3 by the drive source 4. The support base 5 of the mounting base unit 1 is integrally mounted on the movable body 4a, and the mounting base unit 1 of the signature mounting means A converts the signature p by the driving source 4. It is mounted and moves forward and backward along the guide rail 3.

[0012] Alternatively, in order to facilitate the mounted signature p to the instrumentation gantry 1, as an embodiment of the present invention, the bracket 3b of the horizontal guide rail 3 a rear end apparatus main body frames F ₁ Or the bracket 3b on the lift 9
The rail 3 is rotatably and stopably supported by a support shaft 3a.
From the horizontal state, the front end side of the entire mounting means A is lowered to an appropriate angle (for example, 5 ° to 35 ° with respect to the horizontal).
The posture may be changed to an inclined state so that when the signatures p are mounted, the signatures p can be vertically stacked while being brought close to the lower holding plate 8 side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide rail 3 is integrally mounted on an elevating section 9 as another embodiment. It can be moved up and down.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the signature mounting means A
The first intermediate transporting means B
Is provided. The first intermediate transporting means B receives the entire vertically-stacked signature group P mounted on the mounting table 1 of the signature mounting means A and held by the holding plates 7 and 8 in a vertically stacked state. such a receiving table portion 11, the separation mechanism separates the said longitudinal integrated signature group P in the front vertical integration signature group P ₁ and rear vertical integrated signature group P ₂ 12
When, and a lifting mechanism 13 to rise and fall operation only separated front vertical integration signature group P ₁ in order to convey its longitudinal and holding and above the bottom.

The receiving table 11 has a horizontal receiving table 15.
And a movable support plate 16 (a support plate such as a support fork attached to a rotary operating shaft of a rotary air cylinder) that protrudes or lays down horizontally on the receiving table 15, and the receiving table 15 is horizontally slid. It is attached to the base 15a and is movable horizontally along the slide base. The receiving table 15 is provided with an operating rod 14a of a receiving table driving source 14 such as an air cylinder.
Is connected via the arm 14b attached to the
The device is moved forward / backward by a drive source 14 such as an air cylinder along 5a. The support plate 16 includes the receiving table 15
Is vertically held integrally with the receiving end, and can be moved back and forth integrally with the receiving table 15, and the rear end of all the vertically stacked signature groups P held by the holding plates 7 and 8 is in a standing posture. It is for support.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the separating mechanism 12 includes a vertical support plate 17 attached to the tip of an operating rod 18a that linearly moves forward and backward of an air cylinder 18.
A separation support plate (19) having an upper surface which is integrated with the support plate (17) and whose upper surface is horizontal or whose upper surface is slightly inclined (about 1 ° to 5 ° with respect to the horizontal) in the signature traveling direction;
Is the group P of vertically stacked signatures received by the receiving stand 11
Is installed so as to face the support plate 16 which supports the rear end portion in the upright posture, and supports the front end portion of the vertical stack of signatures P. The separation mechanism 12 includes a separation plate 21 that is perpendicular to the rear end of the separation support plate 19 and that is perpendicular to the rear end of the separation support plate 19. An avoidance operation can be performed below the table 15.

In front of the vertical support plate 17, an air cylinder 24 is provided in a horizontal direction as shown in FIGS.
A push plate 25 is provided at the tip of the operating rod 24a of the air cylinder 24. The push plate 25 intersects with the vertical support plate 17 and the separation plate 21 by the extension / shortening operation of the operating rod 24a, and You can move forward and backward in the horizontal direction. The push plate 25 sets the distance between the movable support plate 16 and the push plate 25 during the extension operation of the operating rod 24a to the accumulation length of the above-mentioned vertical accumulation signature group P (hereinafter simply referred to as the signature group P). The distance w + α is slightly larger than the distance w + α, and the distance between the movable support plate 16 and the pressing plate 25 on the receiving table 15 is within the distance w + α. Part 1
To receive a group of signatures P, which are mounted and integrated on the support plate 7 and held by the supporting plates 7 and 8.

After receiving the signature group P on the receiving table 15, the receiving table 15 and the signature group P are
A group of signatures P supporting the rear end of the
The pushing plate 25 moves forward while supporting the front end of the group of signatures P at the same speed by the shortening operation of the air cylinder 24, thereby avoiding the receiving table 15 below. The signature group P is conveyed to a position where the front end of the signature group P is supported by the support plate 17 through the upper side of the separated plate 21.

The air cylinder 18 of the separating mechanism 12
Is attached to an appropriate inclination angle theta (e.g. theta = 5 ° to 20 ° approximately) with a vertical device body frames F ₁ side is inclined low in the front end direction of the integrated signature group P with respect to the horizontal of the receiving table 15 . Therefore, the vertical support plate 17 and the separation support plate 1 are moved by the operating rod 18a that moves forward and backward in the tilt direction.
Numeral 9 moves linearly (linearly) between an upper stopping point obliquely above and a lower stopping point obliquely below. Therefore, the separation support plate 19
The upper surface stops at the lower stopping point flush with the upper surface of the receiving table 15 that supports the front end of the vertical stacking group P, and stops at the upper stopping point diagonally above the front end of the vertical stacking group P.

The vertical support plate 17 and the separation support plate 19 at the lower stopping point are received on the receiving table 15, and the rear end thereof is pushed by the movable supporting plate 16 to move vertically on the receiving table 15. The front vertical stacking signature group P on the front side of the signature group P
Hold ₁

The vertical support plate 17 and the separation support plate 19
After holding the front vertical group of signatures P ₁ (hereinafter simply referred to as group of signatures P ₁ ), it is slightly moved diagonally upward to the upper stopping point, and each of the groups of signatures P ₁ on the separation support plate 19 is folded. by lifting the Ding lower portion generally diagonally upward, and Orihinotogun P ₁ rear end, causing a gap between the rear vertical integrated signature group P ₂ the front end of the rear side. Perpendicular the separation plate 21 of the attitude of the near-set perpendicular to the rear end portion of the separator support plate 19 is provided, raised operated by an air cylinder 20, and projects into the gap, Orihinotogun P ₁ and the rear vertical The signature group P ₁ is divided into an accumulation signature group P _2, and the divided signature group P ₁ is held between the support plate 17 and the separation plate 21. Note signature number of segmented signature group P ₁ is a corresponding schematic of the magnitude of the separation support plate 19 longitudinal width.

The lifting mechanism 13, the separation plate 21 to hold the front and rear and lower portions of separated signature group P ₁ by and vertically operable generally U-shaped holding portion 23 (plate-shaped or thin rod-shaped vertical faces (Made up of holding plates 23a and 23b and a flat bottom plate 23c), a rodless air cylinder 22 for moving the holding portion 23 up and down, and an operating rod 22a.

The holding portion 23 and the operating rod 22a for supporting the holding portion 23 are alternately intersected with the separation supporting plate 19 so that they can be inserted without any trouble, for example, the separation supporting plate 19 and the holding portion. 23 out (including the operating rod 22a), either the width direction both lower side of Orihinotogun P _1, the other to hold the lower than both widthwise end portions of the Doorihinotogun P ₁ For example, the support plate 19,
Either one of the holding portions 23 has a comb blade shape, or both have a comb blade shape. The opposing support plates 23a, spaced width 23b of the U-shaped holding portion 23 is set to slight wider than the integrated length of the signature group P ₁ which is held between the support plate 17 and the separation plate 21 ing.

The holding portion 23 stops at the lower stop point, just below the separation support plate 19 and at the avoidance site below the first intermediate conveying means B, and at the upper stop point, the receiving table just above the separation support plate 19. It stops at a position corresponding to the upper part of the part 11. In the present invention, be provided with a突揃example means for obtaining突揃the signature group P ₁ end housed integrated into the holding portion 23 which is lowered to the bottom end stop point (not shown) Good. The holding part 23
Is raised from just below the separation support plate 19 at the avoidance site, holds the signature group P ₁ held between the support plate 17 and the separation plate 21, and rises to the upper stopping point immediately above, passing the signatures group P ₁ to the next second intermediate conveyance unit C, after hands over holding unit 23 waits at bottom end point of the receiving table 15 below.

[0025] Then the push plate 25 by the air cylinder 24 is moved to the site separation plate 21 and supports the front end portion of the subsequent signature group P ₂ which is supported by the separating plate 21, separator plate 21 is lowered It operates and performs the avoidance operation below the receiving table 15. Subsequently, the support plate 16 (receiving table 15) and the push plate 25 are moved in the transport direction at the same speed by the air cylinders 14 and 24, and the subsequent plate sandwiched between the support plate 16 and the push plate 25 is moved. transporting the Orihinotogun P ₂ forward, thereby supporting the該折Ding group P ₂ the front end by the support plate 17.

[0026] by a separating operation by the separating mechanism 12 of the next timing, the similarly, the Orihinotogun P _2, before the vertical integrated signature group P _2-1 and the rear vertical integrated signature group P _2-2 (Figure (Not shown) to form a gap, into which the separation plate 21 protrudes, and the signature group P held between the separation plate 21 and the support plate 17.
_2-1 is transported upward by the holding unit 23 in the same manner as described above, and is delivered to the next second intermediate transport means C. After the delivery, the _2-1 is immediately on standby below the receiving table 15.

In this way, the group of signatures on the receiving table 15 is sequentially separated, and finally, when the support plate 16 supporting the rear end of the group of signatures P ₂ reaches just above the separation plate 21, The support plate 16 (reception table 15) retreats and returns to the original position by the air cylinder 14, and the push plate 25 retreats on the reception table 15 by the extension operation of the operating rod 24a of the air cylinder 24. , And stands by at the position of the distance w + α between the support plate 16 and the pressing plate 25.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the number of times of the above separating operation is not particularly limited, but the interval w _O between the supporting plate 16 and the separating plate 21 for supporting the signature group P, the separating plate 21 W ₁ between the support plate 17 and the support plate 17 (that is, the holding plate 23).
The relationship between the signature group P ₁ and the interval at which the signature group P ₁ is held is w _O / w ₁
= M> 0.8 to 1, and it is appropriate to set m to be a value close to an integer (numerical values below the decimal point are 0 to 2).

FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (e) are side views of an embodiment of the above-described vertically-stacked signature mounting means A in the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. It is a side view explaining the delivery operation at the time of delivery. Guide rail 3 for guiding the mounting base 1 of the vertically integrated signature mounting means A
Is supported via a support shaft 3a and the rear end to a bracket 3b of the main body frames F ₁ side, guide the middle of the rail 3, the operating rod 10a of the air cylinder 10 pivotally supported on the apparatus main body frames F ₁ It is linked to

In the case where a plurality of signatures p (vertical accumulation signature group P) mounted on the mounting base 1 of the vertical accumulation signature mounting means A of the above embodiment is transferred to the first intermediate transport means B. The operation will be described below. First, in FIG. 4 (a), the front end of the mounting base 1 is held at a low inclination in a state where the tip side of the guide rail 3 of the vertically integrated signature mounting means A is tilted at a low level. A large number of signatures p, which have been folded in advance, are stored between the support plates 7 and 8 in a standing posture with the folding side facing down. Next, FIG.
When the support plates 7 and 8 move in the closing direction, the vertically integrated signature group P mounted on the mounting base 1 is clamped. Next, in FIG. 4C, the guide rail 3 is connected to the air cylinder 1.
The posture is changed to a horizontal state by the extension operation of 0. Subsequently, in FIG. 4 (d), the gantry 1 is moved along the horizontal guide rail 3.
Moves to the right end of the guide rail 3, and the mounting base 1 and the first
The receiving table 15 of the intermediate conveying means B overlaps with the receiving table 15, and then the support plate 16 at the rear end of the receiving table 15 stands up to support the rear end of the group of signatures P. The plate 25 moves horizontally and fits into the support plate 8 to support the front end of the signature group P. At this time, the mounting table 1 and the receiving table 15
One of the mounting base unit 1 and the receiving table 15 is formed on both sides of the other so that they can fit into each other. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), the guide rail 3 changes its posture to the inclined state via the support shaft 3a by the shortening operation of the air cylinder 10, and the mounting base 1 descends, so that the support plate 7, 8 is separated from the front and rear of the signature group P, and the signature group P is received on the receiving table 15 with its front and rear ends supported by the support plate 16 and the pressing plate 25. Move backward along the guide rail 3 to return to the original position (FIG. 8).
Return to (a)).

FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d) are side views of another embodiment of the above vertical stacking means A in the apparatus according to the present invention, and a vertical stacking signature group in the first intermediate conveying means B. It is a side view explaining the delivery operation at the time of delivering P. Guide rails 3 for guiding the instrumentation gantry 1 of the vertical integrated signature mounted unit A has its rear end, the bracket 3b on the lifting platform portion 9 which supports the apparatus main body frames F ₁ via a support shaft 3a horizontal The guide rail 3 which is supported so as to be able to be converted to an inclined posture or guides the mounting base 1 is entirely
Device is obtained by mounting support on the lifting platform portion 9 which is supported by the body frame F _1.

A plurality of signatures p (vertical accumulation signature group P) mounted on the mounting base 1 of the vertical accumulation signature mounting means A of the other embodiment.
In the case where is transferred to the first intermediate transport means B, will be described below. First, FIG. 5 (a), vertical stacking folding means A
Of the guide rail 3 is held horizontally (or not shown, but the tip side of the guide rail 3 is inclined low).
Then, between the support plates 7 and 8 of the mounting base 1, a group P of vertically stacked signatures in which a large number of pre-folded signatures p are stored in an upright posture with the fold side down is placed on the support plate 7, 8. 8 is clamped by operating in the closing direction. Next, in FIG. 5B, when the guide rail 3 is inclined, the guide rail 3 is returned to a horizontal position, and the mounting base 1 moves to the right end of the guide rail 3 along the horizontal guide rail 3, and The receiving table 15 of the first intermediate conveying means B overlaps with the receiving table 15. At this time, one of the mounting base 1 and the receiving base 15 is formed on both sides of the other so that the mounting base 1 and the receiving base 15 can be fitted into each other. 5C, the support plate 16 at the rear end of the receiving table 15 is erected to support the rear end of the group of signatures P, and the push plate 25 is moved horizontally from the front of the support plate 8 to support the support plate. 8 to support the front end of the signature group P. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5D, the elevating platform 9 moves down, the mounting platform 1 descends, the support plates 7, 8 are separated from the front and rear of the signature group P, and the signature group P is placed on the receiving table 15. The front and rear ends thereof are supported and received by the support plate 16 and the pressing plate 25, and then the mounting base 1 retreats along the guide rail 3 to return to the original position, and the lifting base 9 also moves upward to its original position (FIG. 5).
Return to (a)).

FIGS. 6A to 6C are schematic side views for explaining the structure of the receiving table 15 of the first intermediate conveying means B and the separating operation by the separating mechanism 12, and FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, a rotary air cylinder 16a attached to the lower side of the receiving table 15 is provided at the rear end of the receiving table 15 so that the receiving table 15 is turned sideways (front or rear in FIG. 6). A support plate 16 is provided that converts the posture into a posture and a posture protruding above the receiving table 15.

The separating operation by the separating mechanism 12 will be described below. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the signature group P is set between the supporting plate 16 on the receiving table 15 and the supporting plate 17 of the separating mechanism 12.
Receive. Subsequently FIG. 6 (b), moving the horizontal support plate 19 obliquely forward and upward by the air cylinder 18, the vertical rear by lifting the lower portion of the front vertical integration signature group P ₁ located on the horizontal support plate 19 to the front to form a gap d between the integrated signature group P ₂ lower. Subsequently FIG. 6 (c), the separation plate 21 is operated increases, then rush into the gap d, it is intended to separate the Orihinotogun P ₁ and signature group P _2.

For the separation mechanism 12, for example, a separation method using an upright plate and a horizontal plate disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-286284 can be adopted, and the separation plate 21 has an appropriate shape such as a thin plate or a thin rod. However, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-286284 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 86285, a belt system that rises while being supported by rollers can be adopted.

Next, the second intermediate transport means C will be described below. The signature group P held by the holding portion 23 of the first intermediate transport means B, ascended and transported above the receiving section 11 is described.
₁ is received while being held and held from front and rear, and is horizontally held and conveyed forward.

The second intermediate conveyance unit C is provided with a traverser 31 mounted slidably along a horizontal guide rail 30 mounted through a support frame F ₂ to the apparatus body frame F _1, the signatures on the traverser 31 The holding portion 32 for holding the holding member is mounted and supported. The traverser 31 is a rodless air cylinder 30 mounted on a horizontal guide rail 30.
It can be moved in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1) by a.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holding portion 32 includes a vertical holding portion 34 (a rear holding plate 34a and a front holding plate 34b) which is opposed to the front and rear sides of the support frame 33. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holding portion 34 is provided on the side of the support frame 33, so that the holding portion 3 is provided.
4. Although the opening / closing front end is mounted in a horizontal posture, as another embodiment, the opening front end of the holding portion 34 may be mounted in a downward posture. One or both of the holding portions 34 are supported by the support frame 33 so as to be slidable back and forth. For example, the slidable rear holding plate 34a is attached to the operating rod 35a of the air cylinder 35 and moves in the front-rear direction, and the signature group (the signature group held by the holding unit 23 and conveyed to the upper stopping point). P ₁ ) is clamped from the front and back. Note the sequence control operation, clamping portions 34, before the holding portion 23 holding the Orihinotogun P ₁ is raised to the upper stop point, traversers 3
1 is slightly moved rightward from the left end of the guide rail 30 shown in FIG.

The holding portion 23 vertically moves up to the upper stopping point, and the holding portion 3 previously stands by at a portion corresponding to the upper stopping point of the holding portion 23.
4 (the front and rear crumb plates 34a, 34b), the signature group P ₁
The holding portion 23 holding is fitted. The holding unit 23
And the holding portion 34 so that they do not collide with each other.
Opposing inner surfaces of the holding portions 23 have a comb blade shape (two or more comb blade shapes).
Is provided with a vertical groove portion (a groove portion having a sufficient depth obtained by adding the thickness of the holding portion 23 and the closing movement distance of the front and rear cramp plates 34a and 34b for the holding operation).

[0040] The clamping portion 34, the rear holding plate 34a after the air cylinder 35 fitted in the holding portion 23, and closing operation of the front holding plate 34b, sandwiching the signature group P ₁ held in the holding portion 23 . After clamping portion 34 clamp the Orihinotogun P _1, immediately holding unit 23 returns to the bottom end point by the vertical downward movement by an air cylinder 22, clamping portions 34 in FIG. 1 the right direction along the guide rail 30 transported horizontally, the process waits while sandwiching the signature group P ₁ is stopped at the guide rail 30 right end.

Next, regarding the third intermediate transport means D, the entire apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a partial side view shown in FIG. 3, and FIG.
A detailed description will be given below in accordance with a partial side view of the third intermediate transport means D and a partial front view of FIG.
Is for transporting the signature group P ₁ which is conveyed horizontally receive and downward and held from the front and rear and bottom. Conveying means D are schematic top consisting holding plate 41b and the flat and horizontal bottom clamping plate 41c before the holding plates 41a vertical rear holding more longitudinal and lower the Orihinotogun P _1, opposed thereto is opened A holding portion 41 having a U-shape is provided. The holding portion 41 is attached and fixed to a lifting drive unit 40 such as an air cylinder that moves up and down and a chain belt that moves and stops moving. It moves up and down while temporarily stopping at the intermediate point. FIGS. 1, 3, and 7 (a), FIG.
As shown in (b), a rodless air cylinder 42 and a movable body 42a (movable bracket) that moves up and down along the vertical longitudinal direction of the cylinder 42 are provided, and the holding portion 41 is integrally formed on the movable body 42a. It is attached and fixed. One or both of the rear holding plate 41a and the front holding plate 41b of the holding portion 41 is an air cylinder 41d.
The signatures can be moved by opening and closing between the opposing members to hold the group of signatures.

The clamping portion 41 is raised to the upper stop point by the lifting drive unit 40, clamping portions 34 to wait by holding the signature group P ₁ in the guide rail 30 right end portion of the second intermediate conveyance unit C described above ( It is fitted between the rear holding plate 34a and the front holding plate 34b from below. The front and rear holding plates 34a, 34
b is opened by the air cylinder 35 and the signature group P
Clamping portion 41 opens the ₁ to receive hold Orihinotogun P _1. Clamping portion 41 which receives and holds the Orihinotogun P _1, while the downward movement to the lower stop point to start the lowering operation by the drive unit 40, the front and rear holding plates 34a, 34b are guide rails 3
Move to the left end of 0 and return to stop.

At the lower stopping point of the holding portion 41, the signature butting means 4
It includes a 5, projecting alignment means 45 on a support frame 45c which vibrates by vibrator 45d, erected a support plate 45a and the front support plate 45b vertically after supporting the front and rear Orihinotogun P _1. A horizontal support plate 46a orthogonal to the support plates 45a and 45b is provided, and the horizontal support plate 46a is vibrated by a vibrator 46b provided at one end of the support plate 46a. The support plates 46a and 45b are provided with the holding portion 41 and the air cylinder 4 for moving the holding portion 41 up and down.
The movable body 42a is formed in a comb blade shape so as not to interfere with the operation of the movable body 42a. The movable body of the air cylinder 42 also moves the horizontal support plate 46a up and down similarly. It is formed in a comb blade shape so as not to hinder the operation of 42a. The support plates 45a, 45b,
Alternatively, only one of the horizontal support plates 46a may be vibrated.

The clamping portion 41 which has moved to the bottom end point is fitted into突揃example means 45, a lower horizontal support plate Orihinotogun P ₁ 46
a vibrating horizontal support plate 46
a, the support plate 45a, by 45b, Orihinotogun bottom of P ₁ only, or Orihinotogun longitudinal and bottom of P _1, or a vibration only back and forth giving and signature group P ₁ from the air nozzle 47 as needed A group of signatures in a standing state P ₁
The holding portion 41 is waiting at the lower stopping point.

Next, the supply / feeding means E will be described in detail with reference to the side view of the entire apparatus of FIG. 1 and the partial side view of FIG. a receiving and clamping the supply unit 50 supplies the forward signature machine side of the signature group P ₁ which is conveyed to the point to sandwich from above, the signature pusher support portion 60, lower inclined forward in the signature transport direction And a transfer table section 57 for performing the operation.

[0046] clamping feed unit 50, FIG. 1, the transfer table unit 57 upward as shown in FIG. 3, the device rotated through a support shaft 53c to the bracket 53b of the main body frames F ₁ capable rear portion 53
a guide shaft 53 supporting the shaft a. The other end of the guide shaft 53 is supported by an operating rod 58a of an air cylinder 58. The guide shaft 53 is driven by the air cylinder 58 so as to be inclined (solid line) parallel to the transfer table 57, and horizontally. (Dotted line part) and the posture can be changed.

The guide shaft 53 includes
A bracket 54 movable in the front-rear direction along
The bracket 54 is screwed to a screw shaft (not shown) that rotates at a predetermined speed parallel to the shaft 53 (or is attached to a chain belt that drives and feeds at a predetermined speed), and has a slow motion ( It moves by signature supply and transfer operation) and quick motion (signature transfer and return operation).

The bracket 54 has an air cylinder 52 parallel to the air cylinder 52 perpendicular to the shaft 53.
A front holding plate 51b is attached to the operating rod of the air cylinder 52 in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 53, and a rear holding plate is attached to a bracket 56 attached to the operating rod of the air cylinder 55 in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 53. 51a is attached.

The signature pushing and supporting portion 60 has a guide shaft 63 attached and fixed to the apparatus main body frame F ₁ in parallel with the carrier table 56. The guide shaft 63 is attached to the shaft 63 in the front-rear direction along the shaft 63. (The front is the binding machine feeder 7
Bracket 64 that can be moved to the signature supply table 71).
The bracket 64 is screwed to a screw shaft (not shown) driven and rotated at a predetermined speed parallel to the shaft 63 (or attached to a chain belt driven and fed at a predetermined speed) in the front-rear direction. It moves in slow motion (signature feeding operation) and quick motion (signature feeding position return operation / retreat operation).

The bracket 64 is provided with an air cylinder 62 perpendicular to the shaft 63, and the operating rod of the air cylinder 62 is provided with a pushing plate 6 perpendicular to the shaft 63.
1 is attached.

Regarding the supply operation of the supply / feeding means E,
8 (a) to 8 (d) and FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (d) will be described in detail below with reference to the operation side views of the feeding and pushing means E. First, as shown in FIG. 8A, after the holding section 41 of the third intermediate conveying means D has moved to the lower stopping point, the holding / supplying section 50 of the feeding / pushing means E moves in the horizontal posture of the guide shaft 53. It moves to the rear end of the guide shaft 53 and stands by at a portion corresponding to an intermediate point of the moving path of the holding portion 41 (the portion indicated by the solid line of the holding portion 41 in FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0052] Next FIG. 8 (b), the said clamping portion 41 which has been waiting to hold the signature group P ₁ ended the突揃example at bottom end point
Holds the signature group P ₁ , moves upward to the intermediate point (the portion indicated by the solid line of the holding section 41 in FIGS. 1 and 3), and holds the front / rear holding plate 51 a of the holding / supplying section 50 waiting at the intermediate point. , fitted signatures group P ₁ between 51b, front and rear and fitting the Orihinotogun P ₁ clamping plate 51a, is one of the 51b, and closed by driving the air cylinder 55, front and rear Orihinotogun P ₁ More pinching.
FIG. 8 (c), the after longitudinal clamping plate 51a, 51b is sandwiched the Orihinotogun P _1, while moving in the conveying direction forward along the guide shaft 53 of the placket 54 is horizontal position, the guide shaft 53 is an air cylinder (pedestal plate-like, or endless belt-like base which feed line with a feed rate) conveying table 57 which is inclined by 58 is converted into parallel inclined posture, the front and rear holding plates 51a, 51b is sandwiched the Orihinotogun P ₁ To move along the transfer table portion 57, and
a, a pushing plate 61 of a signature pushing support unit 60 (a site of a signature supply table 71 of a bookbinding machine feeder 70, or a group of vertically integrated signatures already being supplied) standing on a transport platform 57 in front of the a and 51b. P
Move to the rear) (supporting ₃ ).

[0053] before and after the holding plate 51a, after 51b has moved to the pusher plate 61 rear by holding the Orihinotogun P ₁ is FIG. 8 (d), the
Immediately, the pushing plate 61 of the pushing support portion 60 is
Signature group P ₃ rises operated by being supported by the front holding plate b. As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the pushing plate 61 having moved up moves to a position behind the rear holding plate 51a (position indicated by a solid line) by the retreating operation of the bracket 64, and then descends. pusher plate 61 is moved forward in, FIG. 9 (b), fitted between the rear holding plate 51a, pusher plate 61 is supported by alternating the rear holding plates 51a and Orihinotogun P ₁ rear portion .

Subsequently, the front clamping plate 51b of the clamping supply unit 50
As shown in FIG. 9 (c), is withdrawn from between the signature group P ₁ and P ₃ rises operated by the air cylinder 52, sandwiching the supply unit 50 (rear holding plate 51a) is inclined guide It retreats along the shaft 53, and then
(D), the guide shaft 53 is changed to a horizontal posture by the air cylinder 58, and the holding / supplying unit 50 returns to the intermediate point of the holding unit 41, and waits after the lowering operation of the front holding plate 51b is completed. , pusher plate 61 of the pusher support portion 60, binding machine feeder 7 with pusher supports the Orihinotogun P ₁ rear portion
The signature group is supplied to the 0 side.

[0055]

The apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a vertically integrated signature mounting means A,
A receiving section 11 for receiving all the vertically stacked signature groups P mounted on the signature mounting means A in a vertically stacked state, and the receiving section 11
Conveying the the該折Ding group P on only the front vertical integration signature group P ₁ and rear vertical stacking and separating mechanism for separating the signature group P ₂ 12 and separate the front vertical integration signature group P ₁ above And a first intermediate transporting means B having a lifting mechanism 3 for carrying out. Further, a second intermediate conveying means C for horizontally conveying the signature group P ₁ conveyed by the first intermediate conveying means B is provided, and the second intermediate conveying means C for horizontally conveying the signature group P ₁ is clamped. the third intermediate conveyance unit D for receiving and conveying Te provided, the third intermediate conveyance unit receives signatures machine by sandwiching the signature group P ₁ conveyed by D (binding machine feeder) supply supplies the side pusher means E was provided.

For this reason, the first intermediate transporting means B can be used without changing the signature posture of the group of longitudinally stacked signatures P mounted on the mounting means A.
Can be delivered to Further, in the first intermediate conveying means B, the vertically accumulated signature group P can be divided and separated as a predetermined number of signature bundles (for example, the signature group P ₁ ) by the separation mechanism 12, and the subsequent second intermediate conveying means C , The third conveying means D and the feeding and pushing means E can be transferred and conveyed by a batch method (bundle method). Transport control such as attitude control for each is unnecessary, and signatures can be supplied to the bookbinding machine feeder relatively easily.

[0057] Also, use of the clamping portion 41 of the third conveying means D in the middle of conveyance, retracted to Shitatome point to pass the signatures group P ₁ in sandwiching the supply unit 50 of the next supply pusher means E Then, the signatures can be aligned by the signature alignment means 45.

[0058]

According to the present invention, in the automatic feeding of signatures, there is no transporting process for transporting the signatures in the horizontal direction (shifted overlapping position) or in the vertical direction (standing position), and the signatures are always vertically raised. In the automatic feeding method of signatures with uneven thickness and thin signatures with low waist strength, the signatures may not be aligned or folded in the process of transporting and feeding. , Curving, wrinkling, bending, and the like can be avoided, and problems such as the stoppage of the bookbinding machine due to the folding of the signature during conveyance and supply can be eliminated, thereby improving the bookbinding quality. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall side view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view showing a vertically stacked signature mounting means A, a first intermediate transport means B, and a second intermediate transport means C of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view showing a third intermediate transport means D and a supply / feeding means E of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing one embodiment of a vertically integrated signature mounting means A in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing another embodiment of the vertically stacked signature mounting means A in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a first intermediate conveying means B in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a third intermediate conveyance unit D in the apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a front view.

8 (a) to 8 (d) are side views of the feeding / feeding means E in the apparatus of the present invention.

9 (a) to 9 (d) are side views of the feeding / feeding means E in the apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: vertical stacking and folding means B: first intermediate transport means C:
The second intermediate conveyance unit D ... third intermediate conveyance unit E ... supplied pusher means F ₁ ... apparatus body frame P ... vertical integrated signature group P ₁ ... Previous vertical integrated signature group P ₂ ... posterior longitudinal integrated signature group P ₃ … Vertically integrated signature group w …… Length of vertically laid signature P w _O … Length of vertically tallied signature P w ₁ … Length of vertically tallied signature P ₁ 1… Mounting base 2 Movable part 3 Guide rail 4 Driving part 5 Mounting table 6 Air cylinder 7 Support plate 8 Support plate 9 Elevating table part 10 Drive part 11 Receiving table part 12 Separation mechanism 13 Lifting mechanism 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Drive part 15 ... Receiving stand 16 ... Support plate 16a ... Rotary air cylinder 17 ... Support plate 18 ... Drive part 19 ... Horizontal plate 20 ... Drive part 21 ... Separation plate 22 ... Drive part 23 ... Holding part 23a ... Rear holding plate 23b: Front holding plate
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 24 ... Drive part 25 ... Push plate 30 ... Guide rail 31 ... Traverser 32 ... Clamping part 33 ... Support frame 34 ... Clamping plate 34a ... Rear clamping plate 34b ... Front clamping plate
35 air cylinder 40 lifting drive unit 41 clamping unit 41a rear clamping plate
41b: front clamping section 42: rodless air cylinder 42a: movable section 45
... Projection aligning means 45a... Support plate 45b... Support plate 45c.
5d Vibrator 46 Vibrator 46a Horizontal support plate 47 Air nozzle 50 Nipping supply part 51a Rear clamping plate 51b Front clamping plate 52 Air cylinder 53 Guide shaft 53a Rear end 53b Bracket 53c Support shaft 54 … Bracket 55… Air cylinder 56… Bracket 57… Carrier base 58… Air cylinder 60… Pushing support 61… Pushing plate
62 air cylinder 63 guide shaft 64 bracket 70 bookbinding machine feeder 71 feeder base

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 1/00-3/68

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A mounted means A according to claim 1] Vertical integration signatures P, is separated from the separation mechanism for separating the vertical integrated signature group P in the front vertical integration signature group P ₁ and rear vertical integrated signature group P ₂ front vertical a first intermediate conveyance unit B which only integrated signature group P ₁ and a lifting mechanism for carrying the lifting, a second intermediate for conveying horizontally forward and sandwiching the signature group P ₁ was conveying means C, the third intermediate conveyance unit D and, by sandwiching the signature group P ₁ which is aligned thrust and binding machine feeder for conveying the butt alignment section 45 having the and downward by sandwiching the signature group P ₁ A signature feeding device provided with feeding / feeding means E for feeding / feeding the sheet on the side.