JP7310121B2 - staple remover - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to staple removing devices.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a staple removing device has been used that removes a staple from a bundle of sheets that is prepared by binding a plurality of sheets using a staple having a crown and a pair of legs.

In a typical staple removing device, the staple is removed from the paper stack by pressing the paper near the staple with a pressing member and then inserting and advancing the inserting member between the paper stack and the crown portion of the staple. For example, Patent Literatures 1 and 2 disclose an insertion member inserted between a pressing means having a substantially U-shaped abutting portion that is brought into contact with the upper surface of a bundle of originals and a staple that binds the bundle of papers. and a binding member removal device is described.

JP-A-2000-094362 JP-A-2000-127064

By the way, when an insertion member is inserted between the stack of sheets and the crown portion, the load (pressing force) of the pressing plate that presses the stack of sheets must support the load when the insertion member is pushed. In general, the load (pressing force) of the pressing plate increases according to the thickness of the sheet bundle and the number of sheets. Therefore, when the load of the pressing plate is not sufficient, the load of pushing the inserting member pushes both the staple and the sheet bundle in the inserting direction of the inserting member, and the staple cannot be removed from the sheet bundle.

On the other hand, even if a sufficient load can be secured by the pressing plate, when the staple is pulled out from a stack of paper consisting of a small number of sheets, the paper around the staple cannot withstand the load of the inserting member in the insertion direction, and the paper is pulled out. It may break. This is particularly noticeable when the corners of a bundle of sheets are bound or when the edges of the bundle of sheets are bound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a staple removing device capable of reliably removing staples from a sheaf of paper without damaging the sheaf of paper. .

A staple removing device according to the present disclosure includes a stacking unit on which a stack of sheets including a first sheet surface that is bound by a staple consisting of a crown portion and a pair of leg portions and that exposes the crown portion can be placed; a leading end disposed at a position facing the first sheet surface in a state where the sheet bundle is placed on the unit, movable in a direction along the first sheet surface, and inclined in a wedge shape toward a leading end; a wedge plate having a portion, and in a state in which the sheet bundle is placed on the placing portion, the wedge plate is moved toward the crown portion, and the leading end portion is moved between the crown portion and the first sheet surface. a driving unit that moves the crown portion in the insertion direction to separate the crown portion from the stack of sheets after the stack is inserted between the sheets , and a drive unit that faces the first sheet surface in a state in which the stack of sheets is placed on the stacking unit. While the tip portion is inserted between the crown portion and the first paper surface and moves , it abuts against the crown portion from a direction opposite to the insertion direction and the and a contact portion that restricts movement of the crown portion in the insertion direction .

In the present disclosure, when the leading end of the moving portion is inserted between the stack of paper and the crown of the staple, the stack of paper and the staple are pushed in the insertion direction of the leading end by the pushing force of the leading end and moved. In the present disclosure, since the crown portion that moves in the insertion direction is brought into contact with the contact portion, it is possible to restrict the movement of the sheet bundle and the staple in the insertion direction.

According to the present invention, when staples are removed, the stack of paper sheets and the staples moving in the insertion direction of the insertion member can be regulated by the pushing force of the moving portion in the insertion direction. failure can be suppressed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the staple removing device according to the present embodiment as viewed obliquely from the front; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the staple removing device according to the present embodiment as seen obliquely from the rear; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the staple removing device according to the present embodiment; 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of a paper pressing mechanism according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a bundle of sheets bound with staples according to the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an irradiation range of an illumination unit of the paper holding mechanism unit according to the embodiment; 1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a staple removing device according to this embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a staple extracting mechanism according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a staple extracting mechanism portion according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a staple pressing mechanism according to the embodiment; 4 is a side view of the drive lever, drive cam, and drive cam roller according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of the drive lever, drive cam, and drive cam roller according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of the drive return cam and drive return cam roller according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of the drive return cam and drive return cam roller according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of a pull-down link lever and the like according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of a pull-down link lever and the like according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of a pull-up return cam and a pull-down return cam roller according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of a pull-up return cam and a pull-down return cam roller according to the embodiment; FIG. 2 is a side view of a paper pressing mechanism according to the embodiment; FIG. 2 is a side view of a paper pressing mechanism according to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the staple removing device according to the present embodiment when removing staples; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the staple removing device according to the present embodiment when removing staples; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the staple removing device according to the present embodiment when removing staples; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the staple removing device according to the present embodiment when removing staples; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the staple removing device according to the present embodiment when removing staples; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the staple removing device according to the present embodiment when removing staples; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a wedge plate, a crown portion, and a staple pressing mechanism when removing staples according to the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a wedge plate, a crown portion, and a staple pressing mechanism when removing staples according to the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a wedge plate, a crown portion, and a staple pressing mechanism when removing staples according to the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a wedge plate, a crown portion, and a staple pressing mechanism when removing staples according to the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a wedge plate, a crown portion, and a staple pressing mechanism when removing staples according to the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a wedge plate, a crown portion, and a staple pressing mechanism when removing staples according to the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a wedge plate, a crown portion, and a staple pressing mechanism when removing staples according to the present embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of staples being pulled out from a bundle of sheets; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of staples being pulled out from a bundle of sheets; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of staples being pulled out from a bundle of sheets; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of staples being pulled out from a bundle of sheets; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of staples being pulled out from a bundle of sheets; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of staples being pulled out from a bundle of sheets; It is a state before mounting the staple stopper retainer in the staple extracting mechanism according to the first modified example. It is a state after mounting the staple stopper retainer in the staple extracting mechanism portion according to the first modified example. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the operation of the staple extracting mechanism according to the first modified example; FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the operation of the staple extracting mechanism according to the first modified example; FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the operation of the staple extracting mechanism according to the first modified example; FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the operation of the staple extracting mechanism according to the first modified example; It is a state before mounting the staple stopper link cam and the like in the staple extracting mechanism according to the second modified example. This is the state after the staple stopper link cam and the like are attached to the staple extracting mechanism according to the second modified example. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the staple extracting mechanism according to the second modified example; FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a wedge plate, a crown portion, and a staple pressing portion when removing staples according to a second modification; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the staple extracting mechanism according to the second modified example; FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a wedge plate, a crown portion, and a staple pressing portion when removing staples according to a second modification; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a staple pressing mechanism according to a third modified example; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a staple pressing mechanism according to a fourth modified example; FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a staple pressing mechanism according to a fifth modified example; FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a staple pressing mechanism according to a sixth modified example; FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a first operation during staple removal in the staple removing device according to the seventh modified example; FIG. FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a second operation during staple removal in the staple removing device according to the eighth modification; FIG. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a staple removing device according to a ninth modification and a dust box attachable to and detachable from the staple removing device; FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus in which a staple removing device according to a tenth modification is mounted on an automatic document feeder; FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system in which a staple removing device according to an eleventh modification is mounted in a post-processing device; FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus equipped with a detachable staple removing device according to a twelfth modification; FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus equipped with a staple removing device having a function of detecting a bundle of sheets according to a thirteenth modification; FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a label indicating a staple removal position;

An example of the staple removing device 100 according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Overall configuration example of staple removing device 100]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the staple removing device 100 according to the present embodiment as seen obliquely from the front, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the staple removing device 100 according to the present embodiment as seen from the oblique rear, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a staple removing device 100 according to a form; FIG.

The staple removing device 100 is a device for automatically removing staples from a bundle of sheets bound with staples. The staple removing apparatus 100 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 102, a mounting table (mounting section) 104 provided on the upper surface of the housing 102 for mounting a bundle of sheets, and a mounting table 104 having a stack of sheets mounted thereon. and a paper pressing mechanism unit 170 for pressing the paper stack. A sheet bundle insertion port 105 for inserting a sheet bundle is provided between the mounting table 104 and the paper pressing mechanism section 170 .

In the present embodiment, the side on which the paper pressing mechanism 170 (the portion exposed from the housing 102) is provided is the rear side of the staple removing device 100, and the opposite side is the front side of the staple removing device 100. . The left side of the staple removing device 100 is the side on which the blade adjustment knob 106 described later is provided, and the opposite side is the right side of the staple removing device 100 . The side on which the mounting table 104 is provided is the upper side of the staple removing device 100, and the opposite side is the lower side of the staple removing device 100. As shown in FIG.

A start switch 108 for starting the operation of the staple removing device 100 by being operated by the user is provided on the upper surface of the paper pressing mechanism 170 . Further, a substrate 197 that supports the start switch 108 and the irradiation member 199 is provided inside the paper holding mechanism section 170 . A blade adjustment knob 106 for adjusting the amount of protrusion of the wedge plate 112 with respect to the mounting table 104 is provided on the front portion of the left side surface of the housing 102 . A dust box 202 is provided at the rear of the housing 102 to store the staples removed from the stack of sheets. The dust box 202 is configured to be detachable from the rear portion of the housing 102 .

The start switch 108 is arranged substantially in the center of the upper surface of the paper pressing mechanism 170 in the horizontal direction. More specifically, it is arranged substantially in the center of the staple removing device 100 in the left-right direction, behind the position where the staples are removed. The user may hold the stack of sheets P so that it does not move when the staples are removed. In this case, depending on the binding position, the user may hold the sheet with the right hand or the left hand, whichever is easier, and operate the start switch 108 with the other hand. Therefore, by arranging the start switch 108 substantially in the center of the upper surface of the paper pressing mechanism 170 in the horizontal direction, it can be operated equally with either the left or right hand. Further, since the start switch 108 is arranged behind the position where the staple is removed, it is not hidden by the sheet bundle P during operation, and the operation is easy.

4A is an enlarged view of the main part of the paper pressing mechanism 170 shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of the sheet bundle P according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the staple removing device 100, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the staple extracting mechanism portion 110A, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the staple extracting mechanism portion 110A, and FIG. 160 is a perspective view of the essential part. Note that FIG. 4A shows a state in which the bundle of sheets P is placed on the placing table 104 for convenience.

The staple removing device 100 includes a staple extracting mechanism section 110A that extracts the staple S from the sheet bundle P, a paper pressing mechanism section 170 that presses the sheet stack P placed on the mounting table 104, the staple extracting mechanism section 110A, and the paper pressing mechanism. A drive unit 205 for driving the mechanism unit 170 is provided. The staple extracting mechanism 110A is provided inside the housing 102, and the paper pressing mechanism 170 is provided across from the inside of the housing 102 to the outside.

First, a bundle of sheets P bound with staples S will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. The staple S has a crown portion Sa and a pair of leg portions Sb, Sb formed by bending both ends of the crown portion Sa in the longitudinal direction. The sheet bundle P is made by passing a pair of leg portions Sb, Sb of the staple S from the first sheet surface Pa of the lowermost layer of the stacked sheets of paper toward the second sheet surface Pb of the uppermost layer. , the penetrating legs Sb, Sb are folded inward and bound. The binding position of the staple S is, for example, the corner or edge of the paper. In this embodiment, the staples S are removed from such a stack of sheets P. As shown in FIG.

Returning to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, etc., the drive unit 205 is connected to the drive shaft 144 via a motor 206 configured by, for example, a DC motor and a plurality of gears (not shown). The motor 206 is driven, for example, when the start switch 108 is turned on, and rotates the drive shaft 144 to drive the staple extracting mechanism section 110A and the paper pressing mechanism section 170 . Specifically, the drive unit 205 moves the leading edge of the wedge plate 112 to a height between or near the crown Sa and the first sheet surface Pa in a state where the sheet stack P is placed on the mounting table 104. While being held, the moving part 111 is moved along the first paper surface Pa toward the crown part Sa, and the leading end of the wedge plate 112 is inserted between the crown part Sa and the first paper surface Pa. In this embodiment, moving the wedge plate 112 from the front side to the rear side in the housing 102 is forward movement, and moving the wedge plate 112 from the rear side to the front side in the housing 102 is backward movement. Also, the direction in which the wedge plate 112 advances is defined as an insertion direction D. As shown in FIG.

The staple extracting mechanism 110A is bound by a staple S consisting of a crown Sa and a pair of leg portions Sb, Sb. Pb and Pb are arranged at a position facing the first sheet surface Pa in a state where the sheet bundle P is placed on the mounting table 104, and on the first sheet surface Pa. In a state in which a sheet bundle P is placed on a moving unit 111 having a wedge plate 112 having a wedge-shaped tip inclined toward the tip and a stack of sheets P placed on the first sheet surface Pa, and after at least the tip of the wedge plate 112 is inserted between the crown portion Sa and the first paper surface Pa, the tip of the wedge plate 112 is pushed from the direction opposite to the insertion direction D. a staple pressing mechanism 160 having a contact portion 162b arranged to contact the crown portion Sa;

The moving unit 111 includes a wedge plate 112 that is movable from the front side to the rear side of the housing 102 and that is movable in a direction opposite to the insertion direction D, a wedge plate support portion 114 that supports the wedge plate 112, and a stack of sheets. and a crown holder 116 for supporting the crown portion Sa of the staple S pulled out from P.

The wedge plate 112 includes, as shown in FIG. The crown portion Sa is pulled out from the sheet bundle P by being inserted between the sheet bundle P and the crown portion Sa. The wedge plate 112 is an elongated plate-like member, and has a tapered tip so that it can be easily inserted between the stack of sheets and the crown portion Sa of the staple S. As shown in FIG. More specifically, the tip side of the wedge plate 112 is configured such that the plate thickness gradually decreases toward the tip portion. A proximal end of the wedge plate 112 is attached to a wedge plate support portion 114 .

The wedge plate support portion 114 is a member formed by bending a flat plate, and the wedge plate 112 is attached to the lower surface of the top surface portion 114c (see FIG. 7). A wedge plate shaft 118 is attached to the lower portion of the wedge plate support portion 114 via a shaft hole. The wedge plate shaft 118 is a shaft for moving the wedge plate 112 in parallel along the sheet stack surface (mounting table 104). A wedge plate drive shaft 126 is attached to the front portion of the wedge plate support portion 114 via a shaft hole. The wedge plate drive shaft 126 is the shaft that moves the wedge plate 112 forward and backward.

The crown holder 116 is a member for supporting the crown portion Sa of the staple S pulled out from the sheet stack P, and is arranged inside the wedge plate supporting portion 114 while facing the wedge plate 112 . 7, the crown holder 116 is a member formed by bending a metal plate and has a support plate 116a. On the rear end side of the support plate 116a, a recessed groove 116b is formed extending from the rear end portion of the support plate 116a to substantially the central portion thereof. The groove 116b is a groove for passing the staple holding portion 162 without colliding with it when the crown holder 116 advances and retreats. A wedge plate shaft 118 is attached to the lower portion of the side wall of the crown holder 116 through a shaft hole. A wedge plate drive shaft 126 is attached to the front portion of the side wall of the crown holder 116 through a shaft hole. With such a configuration, the crown holder 116 can move forward and backward integrally with the wedge plate 112 .

The staple pressing mechanism 160 includes, as shown in FIG. 8, a staple pressing portion 162 formed of a plate material having a convex shape in plan view, and a support member 163 supporting the staple pressing portion 162 .

The staple holding portion 162 has a main body 162a and an abutment portion 162b that is continuous with the main body 162a and protrudes upward from the central portion of the upper end of the main body 162a. The contact portion 162b is movable in a direction away from the first paper surface Pa (see FIG. 4A), and the tip of the wedge plate 112 is inserted between the crown portion Sa and the first paper surface Pa. When the crown portion Sa moves in the direction away from the first paper surface Pa by the inclined surface 112bs of the tip portion as it moves in the direction D, the crown portion Sa contacts the inclined surface 112bs of the second surface 112b. It moves in the direction away from the first paper surface Pa following the movement.

Further, the contact portion 162b is arranged so that its plane faces the wedge plate 112 and the crown portion Sa, and is configured to be capable of contacting the crown portion Sa pushed by the wedge plate 112 . That is, the plane of the contact portion 162b is substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction D of the wedge plate 112. As shown in FIG. The width of the contact portion 162b in the left-right direction is selected, for example, so that the crown portion Sa can be supported by the pushing force of the wedge plate 112 and can be inserted into the groove 116b of the crown holder 116. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the length of the staple S in the longitudinal direction of the crown portion Sa is slightly shorter.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the contact portion 162b is arranged downstream (rearward) in the insertion direction D of the wedge plate 112 with respect to the crown portion Sa of the staple S of the stack of sheets P placed on the table 104. be done. Further, the contact portion 162b is arranged such that its upper end portion is at a constant distance from the surface 104a of the mounting table 104. As shown in FIG. Here, the constant distance means that the tip of the advancing wedge plate 112 inserted between the stack of sheets P and the crown portion Sa does not collide with the contact portion 162b and the wedge plate 112 is pushed. The distance is such that the crown portion Sa of the moving staple S always contacts the contact portion 162b, that is, the staple does not miss.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 6 to 8, the support member 163 is composed of a pair of flat plate members bent rearward from both side surfaces of the main body 162a of the staple pressing portion 162. As shown in FIG. A shaft 158 is attached to the rear portion of the support member 163 through a shaft hole. A rib portion 163b that protrudes outward is formed at the lower end portion of the support member 163 . A lower end portion of an ejector lever 154, which will be described later, is provided on the rib portion 163b so as to be able to come into contact with the rib portion 163b. Accordingly, when the ejector lever 154 moves downward, the rib portion 163b is urged downward, so that the support member 163 and the staple pressing portion 162 can move downward. A convex portion 163c is formed on the front upper end portion of the support member 163 so as to protrude upward from the upper edge. The convex portion 163 c abuts on the rear surface of the mounting table 104 and is biased toward the mounting table 104 by the tension spring 164 . As a result, the staple holding portion 162 attached to the support member 163 can be held at a constant height.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 6 and 7, the ejector 156 is rotatably attached to the front portion of the ejector lever 154 via a shaft 155 and can be inserted between the wedge plate 112 and the crown holder 116. Configured. When the wedge plate 112 and crown holder 116 are retracted by pulling out the staple S, the ejector 156 abuts against the crown portion Sa held by the crown holder 116 to drop the staple S into the dust box 202 below.

The ejector lever 154 includes a pair of flat plate members, is arranged so as to overlap the support member 163 of the staple pressing mechanism 160 , and is supported by the rib portion 163 b of the support member 163 . A shaft 158 is attached to the rear portion of the ejector lever 154 through a shaft hole, and the ejector lever 154 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 158 as a fulcrum.

The ejector lever 154 has a top surface portion 154a. One end of a tension spring 164 is attached to the top surface portion 154a, and the other end of the tension spring 164 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is attached to an attachment piece 163d formed on the support member 163 on one side of the staple holding mechanism 160. installed. As a result, the staple pressing mechanism 160 operates integrally in conjunction with the operation of the ejector lever 154 .

3 and 7, the pull-down link 140 includes a pair of flat plate members formed by bending a metal plate, for example, and is arranged below and inside the crown holder 116, respectively. A long hole 141 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the pull-down link 140 . The length of the long hole 141 is determined based on the moving range of the wedge plate 112 in the front-rear direction. The wedge plate shaft 118 is slidably inserted through the long hole 141 . As a result, the wedge plate 112 and the crown holder 116 attached to the wedge plate shaft 118 can move forward and backward by moving along the longitudinal direction of the long hole 141 of the pull-down link 140 . An adjustment fulcrum shaft 122 is attached to the front end of the pull-down link 140, and the pull-down link 140 is configured to be rotatable about the adjustment fulcrum shaft 122 as a fulcrum.

A protruding portion 141 a protruding upward is formed at the lower edge of the long hole 141 . The length (section) of the projecting portion 141a in the major axis direction is such that the wedge plate 112 lifts the first sheet surface until the wedge plate 112 is inserted between the first sheet surface Pa of the sheet bundle P and the crown portion Sa. It is configured with a length that can maintain the state of being pressed against Pa. This is because once the wedge plate 112 is inserted between the stack of sheets P and the crown portion Sa, that state is maintained, and the wedge plate 112 need not be lifted thereafter. As a result, the force that presses the wedge plate 112 against the stack of sheets P can be prevented from constantly acting, so damage to the stack of sheets P can be prevented.

9A and 9B are side views of drive lever 120, drive cam 128 and drive cam roller 130. FIG.

The drive lever 120 includes a pair of flat plate members having an inverted triangular shape and arranged outside the pull-down link 140 respectively. A fulcrum shaft 124 is attached to the lower end of the drive lever 120, and the drive lever 120 can rotate about the fulcrum shaft 124 as a fulcrum. A wedge plate drive shaft 126 is attached through a shaft hole to a portion protruding from the front upper end of the drive lever 120 . Accordingly, when the drive lever 120 rotates, the moving portion 111 attached to the wedge plate drive shaft 126 can move forward and backward. A long hole 121 through which the drive shaft 144 is inserted is formed in the upper portion of the drive lever 120 .

A drive cam 128 is attached outside the drive lever 120 of the drive shaft 144 . The drive cam 128 has at least a first cam portion 128a at a first distance from the camshaft center and a second cam portion 128b at a second distance longer than the first distance. A drive cam roller 130 is attached to the rear side of the drive lever 120 . Drive cam roller 130 is provided so as to be able to contact drive cam 128 .

10A and 10B are side views of drive return cam 132 and drive return cam roller 134. FIG.

A drive return cam 132 is mounted inside the drive lever 120 of the drive shaft 144 . The drive return cam 132 has at least a first cam portion 132a at a first distance from the camshaft center and a second cam portion 132b at a second distance longer than the first distance. A drive return cam roller 134 is attached to the front side of the drive lever 120 . Drive return cam roller 134 is provided so as to be able to contact drive return cam 132 .

11A and 11B are side views of the pull-down link lever 142 and the like.

The pull-down link lever 142 is composed of a pair of flat plate members and arranged between the pull-down link 140 and the drive lever 120 (not shown). An adjustment fulcrum shaft 122 is attached to the rear end portion of the pull-down link lever 142, and the pull-down link lever 142 is configured to be rotatable about the adjustment fulcrum shaft 122 as a fulcrum. A drive shaft 144 is inserted through a shaft hole formed substantially in the center of the pull-down link lever 142 . The pull-down link lever 142 is connected to the pull-down link 140 via a pull-down link lever shaft 143 attached to the rear lower end.

A pull-down cam 146 is attached outside the pull-down link lever 142 of the drive shaft 144 . The pull-down cam 146 has at least a first cam portion 146a at a first distance from the cam axis and a second cam portion 146b at a second distance longer than the first distance. A pull-down cam roller 148 is attached to the center lower end of the pull-down link lever 142 so as to be able to contact the pull-down cam 146 .

12A and 12B are side views of the pull-up return cam 150 and pull-down return cam roller 152. FIG.

A drive shaft 144 is inserted through a shaft hole (not shown) formed substantially in the center of the pull-down link 140 . A pull-up return cam 150 is attached outside the pull-down link 140 of the drive shaft 144 . The pull-up return cam 150 has at least a first cam portion 150a at a first distance from the cam axis and a second cam portion 150b at a second distance longer than the first distance. A pull-down return cam roller 152 is attached to the outer central upper side of the pull-down link 140 so as to contact the pull-down return cam 150 .

[Configuration Example of Paper Pressing Mechanism Unit 170]
13A and 13B are side views of the paper pressing mechanism 170. FIG. The paper pressing mechanism 170 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4C as well.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C , the paper pressing mechanism section 170 includes a paper pressing plate 192 , a cover 194 covering the paper pressing plate 192 and the like exposed to the outside in the paper pressing mechanism section 170 , and and an illumination unit 196 that illuminates the provided staple removal position PE.

The illumination unit 196 is arranged between an irradiation member 199 arranged at a position facing the staple removal position PE of the substrate 197 arranged inside the cover 194, and between the irradiation member 199 and the staple removal position PE. It is composed of an elongated slit portion 198 extending to the . The staple removing position PE is a position on the mounting table 104 where the staple is removed. The irradiation light emitted from the irradiation member 199 is blocked by the slit portion 198 except for the irradiation light passing through the slit, and the staple removing position PE is irradiated. Specifically, the mounting table 104 is configured to be irradiated with an elongated irradiation light similar to the bent shape of the legs Sb, Sb.
When the user positions the staple S at the staple removal position PE and places the stack of sheets P on the mounting table 104, the user aligns the pair of legs Sb, Sb of the staple S with the irradiation range R of the irradiation light. The stack of sheets P may be placed on the placing table 104 .

Conventionally, the staple removal position PE is an area surrounded by the paper pressing plate 192, the cover 194, and the like, and thus tends to be dark in some cases. By providing the illumination unit 196, the staple removal position PE can be easily seen, and furthermore, the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation member 199 is formed into an elongated shape similar to the bent shape of the legs Sb, Sb by the slit part 198 to the staple removal position PE. By irradiating PE, the range of the staple removal position PE can be specified more accurately, and the work efficiency when aligning the sheet bundle P with the staple removal position PE can be improved.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the paper pressing mechanism 170 includes a flat plate-shaped first paper hold lever 172, an elongated second paper hold lever 180 extending in the front-rear direction of the housing 102, and an L-shaped third paper hold lever 186 .

The first paper hold lever 172 is rotatably attached to the fulcrum shaft 124 . A drive shaft 144 is inserted through a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the first paper hold lever 172 . A base hold cam 176 is attached outside the first paper hold lever 172 of the drive shaft 144 . A paper hold cam roller 178 is attached to the first paper hold lever 172 , and the paper hold cam roller 178 is provided so as to contact the base hold cam 176 .

One end of the paper thickness adjusting spring 182 is attached to the front portion of the second paper hold lever 180, and the other end of the paper thickness adjusting spring 182 is connected to the first paper hold via the long hole 180a of the second paper hold lever 180. It is attached to lever 172 . A return spring 184 is provided approximately in the center of the second paper hold lever 180 , one end of the return spring 184 is attached to the housing 102 , and the other end of the return spring 184 is attached to the second paper hold lever 180 . It is A tension spring, for example, is used for the paper thickness adjusting spring 182 and the return spring 184 .

One end of a third paper hold lever 186 is attached via a shaft 190 to the rear end of the second paper hold lever 180 . A paper holding plate 192 is attached to the other end of the third paper hold lever 186 . A hold lever shaft 188 is attached to the bent portion of the third paper hold lever 186, and the third paper hold lever 186 is configured to be rotatable about the hold lever shaft 188 as a fulcrum.

[Insertion Operation of Wedge Plate 112]
Next, the forward movement of the wedge plate 112 in the staple extracting mechanism portion 110A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the drive shaft 144 rotates counterclockwise by driving the motor 206, the drive cam 128 also rotates counterclockwise accordingly. As the drive cam 128 rotates, the second cam portion 128b of the drive cam 128 comes into contact with the drive cam roller 130, and urges the drive cam roller 130 downward, so that the drive lever 120 moves backward with the fulcrum shaft 124 as the fulcrum. to rotate. As a result, the wedge plate drive shaft 126 attached to the drive lever 120 moves in the insertion direction D, so that the wedge plate 112 and the crown holder 116 also move forward.

[Retraction operation of wedge plate 112]
Next, the retraction operation of the wedge plate 112 in the staple extracting mechanism portion 110A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the drive shaft 144 rotates counterclockwise by driving the motor 206, the drive return cam 132 also rotates counterclockwise accordingly. As the drive return cam 132 rotates, the second cam portion 132b of the drive return cam 132 comes into contact with the drive return cam roller 134 and urges the drive return cam roller 134 forward, so that the drive lever 120 moves toward the fulcrum shaft 124. pivot forward (in the direction of the arrow). As a result, the wedge plate drive shaft 126 attached to the drive lever 120 moves in a direction opposite to the insertion direction D, thereby retracting the wedge plate 112 and the crown holder 116 .

[Descent Operation of Wedge Plate 112]
Next, the lowering operation of the wedge plate 112 in the staple extracting mechanism portion 110A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the drive shaft 144 rotates counterclockwise by driving the motor 206, the pull-down cam 146 also rotates counterclockwise accordingly. As the pull-down cam 146 rotates, the second cam portion 146b of the pull-down cam 146 comes into contact with the pull-down cam roller 148, and by urging the pull-down cam roller 148 downward, the pull-down link lever 142 rotates around the adjustment fulcrum shaft 122. Rotate downward. As a result, the pull-down link 140 is lowered in conjunction with the operation of the pull-down link lever 142, and the wedge plate 112 and the crown holder 116 are also moved downward.

Further, in the present embodiment, as the wedge plate 112 and the crown holder 116 move downward, the ejector 156 and the ejector lever 154 also move downward together. As a result, the rib portion 163b of the staple pressing mechanism 160 is urged downward by the ejector lever 154, so that the staple pressing portion 162 moves downward following the movement of the wedge plate 112 and the like.

[Upward movement of wedge plate 112]
Next, the lifting operation of the wedge plate 112 in the staple extracting mechanism portion 110A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, driving the motor 206 causes the drive shaft 144 to rotate counterclockwise, which in turn causes the pull-down return cam 150 to rotate counterclockwise. As the pull-down return cam 150 rotates, the second cam portion 150b of the pull-down return cam 150 comes into contact with the pull-down return cam roller 152 and urges the pull-down return cam roller 152 upward, so that the pull-down link 140 becomes the adjustment fulcrum shaft. It rotates upward with 122 as a fulcrum. As a result, the pull-down link 140 moves upward, and the wedge plate 112 and the crown holder 116 also move upward to their original height.

Further, in this embodiment, the ejector 156 and the ejector lever 154 move upward as the wedge plate 112 moves upward. Therefore, the staple holding portion 162 connected to the ejector lever 154 via the tension spring 164 (see FIG. 7) moves upward following the movement of the wedge plate 112 and the like.

[Pressing operation of paper pressing mechanism 170]
Next, the pressing operation of the paper pressing mechanism section 170 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the rotation of the drive shaft 144 causes the base hold cam 176 to rotate and the first paper hold lever 172 to rotate rearward about the fulcrum shaft 124 . Further, the other end of the paper thickness adjusting spring 182 advances along the elongated hole, and one end of the paper thickness adjusting spring 182 is pulled rearward, so that the second paper hold lever 180 advances. As a result, the third paper hold lever 186 rotates forward about the hold lever shaft 188, so that the paper pressing plate 192 moves toward the mounting table 104 (sheet bundle P), thereby holding the sheet bundle P. hold down The stroke of the first paper hold lever 172 driven by the base hold cam 176 has a sufficient amount to hold even the thin sheet stack P. When the paper pressing plate 192 contacts the second paper surface Pb, the second paper hold lever 180 and the third paper hold lever 186 stop, but the first paper hold lever 172 is driven to a predetermined position by the base hold cam 176. be. At this time, the paper thickness adjusting spring 182 is extended, and the spring force at that time becomes the paper pressing force.

On the other hand, when the staple S has been pulled out from the stack of sheets P, the rotation of the base hold cam 176 causes the first paper hold lever 172 to rotate forward about the fulcrum shaft 124 , so that the spring force of the return spring 184 is applied. , the second paper hold lever 180 retreats and returns to the home position. As a result, the third paper hold lever 186 rotates rearward about the hold lever shaft 188 , and the paper pressing plate 192 moves away from the mounting table 104 .

[Example of operation of staple removing device 100]
14A to 14F show an example of the operation of the staple removing device 100 when removing the staples S from the stack of sheets P. FIG. 15A to 15G are enlarged views of essential parts of the wedge plate 112, the crown portion Sa, and the staple pressing mechanism 160 when the staple is removed. 16A to 16F are diagrams showing the state of the staple S pulled out from the sheet bundle P. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the staple removing mechanism 110A including the wedge plate 112 waits at the home position until the stack of sheets P is placed on the table 104 and the start switch 108 is pressed by the user.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 14B and 15A, when the sheet bundle P is placed on the stacking plate 104 and the start switch 108 is pressed by the user, the paper pressing mechanism 170 is driven to operate the paper pressing plate. 192 descends, and the sheet bundle P is pressed by the paper pressing plate 192 (see FIGS. 13A and 13B).

At this time, as shown in FIG. 16A, the staple S binding the stack of sheets P has legs Sb, Sb of the staple S that penetrate from the first sheet surface Pa to the second sheet surface Pb of the sheet bundle P, and The legs Sb, Sb are bent inward.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the rotation of the drive shaft 144 causes the drive cam 128 to rotate and the drive lever 120 to rotate rearward about the fulcrum shaft 124 . Accordingly, the wedge plate drive shaft 126 moves in the insertion direction D, and the wedge plate shaft 118 moves along the elongated hole 141 of the pull-down link 140, thereby moving the wedge plate 112 forward. Further, the forward movement of the wedge plate shaft 118 causes the wedge plate shaft 118 to ride on the projecting portion 141 a formed in the elongated hole 141 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 15B, the wedge plate 112 is lifted by the height of the projecting portion 141a, and the first surface 112a of the wedge plate 112 is pressed against the first paper surface Pa.

At this time, since the wedge plate 112 is not inserted between the stack of sheets P and the crown portion Sa, the staple S is in a state in which the leg portions Sb, Sb are bent inward as in FIG. 16A.

As the drive lever 120 rotates rearward, the wedge plate shaft 118 moves forward while riding on the projecting portion 141a of the long hole 141 . As the wedge plate shaft 118 advances, the wedge plate 112 is inserted between the stack of paper sheets P and the crown portion Sa while being pressed against the stack of paper sheets P, as shown in FIGS. 14C, 15C, and 15D. It advances between the sheet bundle P and the crown portion Sa.

At this time, the staple S changes from a state in which the legs Sb, Sb have bitten into the sheet surface of the sheet bundle P to a state approximately parallel to the sheet surface of the sheet bundle P, as shown in FIG. 16B.

Further, as the wedge plate 112 advances further, the thickness of the wedge plate 112 inserted between the sheet bundle P and the crown portion Sa gradually increases as shown in FIG. 15E. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16C, the crown portion Sa is urged downward by the pushing force of the wedge plate 112, and the leg portions Sb, Sb of the staple S binding the sheet bundle P are slightly raised. state.

Subsequently, as the wedge plate shaft 118 moves toward the terminating end of the long hole 141 of the pull-down link 140, the thickness of the wedge plate 112 inserted between the stack of sheets P and the crown portion Sa increases, as shown in FIG. 15F. , the sheet bundle P and the staple S for binding the sheet bundle P move slightly forward together with the wedge plate 112 against the pressing force of the paper pressing plate 192 due to the pushing force of the wedge plate 112 in the insertion direction D. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the staple pressing mechanism 160 is arranged on the rear side of the crown portion Sa, the contact portion 162b of the staple pressing portion 162 of the staple pressing mechanism 160 is positioned in the insertion direction D of the wedge plate 112. It abuts against the crown portion Sa of the staple S from the opposite direction to restrict the movement of the crown portion Sa in the insertion direction D.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 16D, the crown portion Sa of the staple S is urged downward by the pushing force of the wedge plate 112, and the leg portion of the staple S that binds the sheet bundle P more than the state shown in FIG. 16C. Sb, Sb will occur.

Further, as the wedge plate 112 advances, the thickness of the wedge plate 112 inserted between the sheet bundle P and the crown portion Sa further increases, and the crown portion Sa is slightly downward by the thickness of the wedge plate 112. Although it is displaced downward, as shown in FIG. 15G, the staple pressing portion 162 that contacts the lower surface of the wedge plate 112 also moves following the displacement of the crown portion Sa. Therefore, even if the crown portion Sa is displaced, the staple holding portion 162 can always hold the crown portion Sa.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 16E, according to the thickness of the inserted wedge plate 112, the staple S has a crown portion Sa of the staple S that is separated from the lower surface of the sheet bundle P, and is more inclined than the state shown in FIG. 16D. The legs Sb, Sb are raised.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14D, when the wedge plate shaft 118 moves to the terminal end of the elongated hole 141 of the pull-down link 140, the wedge plate 112 completes pushing between the stack of sheets P and the crown portion Sa. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16F, the staple S is in a state in which the crown portion Sa of the staple S is further separated from the stack of sheets P, and the leg portions Sb, Sb are almost raised. That is, the staple S can be pulled out from the sheet stack P.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 14E, the pull-down cam roller 148 is urged downward by the pull-down cam 146 . Along with this, the pull-down link lever 142 rotates downward about the adjustment fulcrum shaft 122, and the pull-down link 140 and the moving portion 111 also move downward. That is, the wedge plate 112 moves away from the first paper surface Pa. As a result, the staple S with the legs Sb, Sb raised is pulled out from the stack of sheets P. As shown in FIG. The staple S pulled out from the stack of sheets P is held by the crown holder 116 .

Further, in the present embodiment, the staple pressing mechanism 160 also moves downward following the downward movement of the wedge plate 112 and the crown holder 116 . Therefore, even if the crown portion Sa is displaced, the state in which the staple holding portion 162 presses the crown portion Sa can be maintained.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the moving part 111 moves upward. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 14F, rotation of the drive return cam 132 urges the drive return cam roller 134 forward. Along with this, the drive lever 120 rotates forward with the fulcrum shaft 124 as a fulcrum, so that the moving portion 111 retreats.

When the moving part 111 retreats, the crown Sa contacts the rear end of the ejector 156 on the front side, and the staple S drops into the dust box 202 when the support by the retreating crown holder 116 is lost. The moving part 111 retreats and returns to the home position.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the insertion direction of the crown portion Sa of the staple S relative to the stack of sheets P and the staple S moving in the insertion direction D by the pushing force of the wedge plate 112 in the insertion direction D By bringing the abutting portion 162b of the staple pressing portion 162 into contact from the direction opposite to D, the movement of the sheet bundle P and the staple S in the insertion direction D can be restricted. As a result, it is possible to prevent damage to the paper when the staple is removed, and failures such as the staple S being unable to be pulled out from the paper stack P.

In addition, when the staple is removed from the bundle of sheets P composed of a small number of sheets, or when the corner or edge of the bundle of sheets P is bound, the contact portion 162b of the staple holding portion 162 is inserted while being in contact with the crown portion Sa. Since the movement in the direction D is restricted, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied to the paper around the staple S. This prevents the problem of tearing the paper.

Further, by providing the staple pressing portion 162, the wedge plate 112 is surely pushed between the sheet bundle P and the crown portion Sa by the amount that the leg portions Sb, Sb of the staple S for binding the sheet bundle P are sufficiently raised. , it is possible to shift to the pull-out operation, so failures and damage to the paper when removing the staples can be suppressed.

Further, since the staple holding portion 162 is operated following the displaced crown portion Sa when the wedge plate 112 is pushed in and pulled out, the crown portion Sa can be supported at all times when the staple is removed. It is possible to prevent the portion Sa from being pushed in the insertion direction D and moving. As a result, it is possible to prevent failure and damage to the paper when removing the staple.

<First modification>
For example, as shown in FIG. 16C, when the wedge plate 112 is inserted between the first paper surface Pa and the crown portion Sa of the paper bundle P, depending on the type of the paper bundle P, the paper bundle P may be inserted into the wedge plate. There was a case where the pressing pressure of 112 caused bending toward the second paper surface Pb. It is known that, for example, the type of paper, the number of sheets to be bound, the type of staple, etc., are the causes of the bending of the sheet stack P due to the crown portion Sa.

In such a case, the position of the crown portion Sa is slid into the stack of sheets P by the amount of bending of the stack of sheets P, and is positioned above the normal position. Since the position of the crown portion Sa is lower than the position of the staple holding portion 162, the staple pressing portion 162 may not come into contact with the crown portion Sa, that is, the staple holding portion 162 may miss.

On the other hand, in consideration of the bending of the sheet stack P, it is conceivable to set the staple pressing portion 162 of the staple pressing mechanism 160 at a standby position higher than the normal standby position. However, for example, when binding a bundle of sheets P with little deflection, the position of the crown portion Sa is not displaced. There was a case where it was lost.

As described above, the amount of bending of the bundle of sheets P changes depending on the type of the bundle of sheets P, and the amount of wedge plate 112 sinking into the bundle of sheets P changes, so that the position of the crown portion Sa also changes. Therefore, the ideal standby position of the staple holding portion 162 changes depending on the types of the sheet stack P and staples S. FIG.

Therefore, in the first modification, the staple pressing portion 162 is moved toward the wedge plate 112 at the timing when the leading edge of the wedge plate 112 passes between the stack of sheets P and the staple pressing portion 162 (above the staple pressing portion 162). A staple extracting mechanism portion 110B having a mechanism for abutting the crown portion Sa by pressing is adopted.

[Configuration Example of Staple Pulling Mechanism Section 110B]
FIG. 17A shows a state before the staple stopper retainer 210 is attached to the staple extracting mechanism portion 110B according to the first modification. FIG. 17B shows a state after the staple stopper retainer 210 is attached to the staple extracting mechanism portion 110B according to the first modification.

The staple extracting mechanism portion 110B is positioned between the first paper surface Pa and the contact portion 162b, and is a staple stopper presser (restrictor) that moves in the insertion direction D as the tip portion of the wedge plate 112 moves in the insertion direction D. part) 210 . The staple stopper retainer 210 prevents the contact portion 162b from contacting the second surface 112b of the wedge plate 112 until the tip of the wedge plate 112 passes through the first position Pp (see FIG. 18). After the tip of the plate 112 passes through the first position Pp, the contact portion 162b is allowed to contact the second surface 112b of the wedge plate 112. As shown in FIG.

The staple stopper retainer 210 is a member formed by bending a flat plate, for example, and has a top surface portion 210a and left and right side surface portions 210b, 210b. An opening 214 for exposing the vertically moving wedge plate 112 and the staple holding mechanism 160 is formed in the top surface 210a. A portion of the top surface portion 210a blocks communication between the contact portion 162b and the second surface 112b until the tip of the wedge plate 112 passes through the first position Pp. The opening 214 allows the contact portion 162b and the second surface 112b to communicate with each other after the tip of the wedge plate 112 passes through the first position Pp. The opening diameter of the opening 214 in the insertion direction D is such that, until the wedge plate 112 passes over the staple pressing portion 162, the convex portion 163c of the staple pressing mechanism 160 abuts against the back surface of the top surface portion 210a, and the wedge plate 112 presses the staple. The protrusion 163c is configured so as not to come into contact with the back surface of the top surface portion 210a when passing above the pressing portion 162. As shown in FIG.

Bearing portions 216, 216 are formed at front lower ends of the side portions 210b, 210b, and the bearing portions 216, 216 are fitted to the wedge plate drive shaft 126 from the outside of the drive lever 120. As shown in FIG. As a result, the staple stopper presser 216 operates in conjunction with the advance and retreat of the wedge plate 112 . That is, the staple stopper presser 216 operates integrally with the wedge plate 112 and the like.

Here, until the wedge plate 112 passes the staple pressing portion 162, the convex portion 163c of the staple pressing mechanism 160 abuts against the back surface of the top surface portion 210a of the staple stopper pressing portion 210, and the tension spring 164 (see FIG. 7) Stand by in a slightly lowered position against the elastic force. This standby position is a position where the distal end portion of the advancing wedge plate 112 does not collide with the upper portion of the staple holding portion 162 (contact portion 162b).

[Operation Example of Staple Pulling Mechanism Section 110B]
18A to 18D are enlarged views of essential parts showing the operation of the staple extracting mechanism 110B. In the following description, the position where the staple pressing portion 162 waits until the wedge plate 112 passes is referred to as a second position Po.

As shown in FIG. 18A, when the stack of sheets P is placed on the table 104 and the user presses the start switch 108 (see FIG. 1), the wedge plate 112 and the staple stopper holder 210 move forward. At this time, since the convex portion 163c of the support member 163 is in contact with the back surface of the top surface portion 210a of the staple stopper presser 210, the staple presser portion 162 of the staple presser mechanism 160 waits at the second position Po.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the advance of the wedge plate 112 pushes the wedge plate 112 against the first sheet surface Pa, and the wedge plate 112 is inserted between the stack of sheets P and the crown portion Sa of the staple S. At this time, the staple stopper retainer 210 also advances, but the staple retainer 162 of the staple retainer mechanism 160 is in contact with the back surface of the top surface 210a of the staple stopper retainer 210 as in FIG. stand by.

As shown in FIG. 18C, the wedge plate 112 inserted between the stack of sheets P and the crown portion Sa of the staple S reaches above the staple pressing portion 162 . As the wedge plate 112 advances, the staple stopper retainer 210 also advances. At this time, only a part of the convex portion 163c of the staple extracting mechanism portion 110B comes into contact with the top surface portion 210a of the staple stopper retainer 210. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 18D, when the wedge plate 112 passes above the staple pressing portion 162 and reaches the first position Pp, the convex portion 163c of the support member 163 is completely removed from the back surface of the top surface portion 210a. As a result, the convex portion 163c of the support member 163 is exposed in the opening 214 and is no longer supported by the back surface of the top surface portion 210a. , and along with this, the contact portion 162b of the staple pressing portion 162 contacts the second surface 112b of the wedge plate 112. As shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the first modification, when the wedge plate 112 passes between the stack of sheets P and the staple pressing portion 162 and reaches the first position Pp, the contact portion 162b of the staple pressing portion 162 is moved to the crown portion Sa. and the second surface 112b of the wedge plate 112, the wedge plate 112 can be prevented from colliding with the staple pressing portion 162 regardless of the type of the sheet stack P, and the contact portion of the staple pressing portion 162 can be prevented. 162b can be reliably brought into contact with the crown portion Sa.

<Second modification>
In the staple extracting mechanism portion 110C according to the second modified example, the staple stopper link cam 230 or the like is used instead of the staple stopper retainer 210 of the first modified example as means for moving the staple pressing portion 162 toward the wedge plate 112 at a predetermined timing. It was adopted.

[Configuration Example of Staple Pulling Mechanism Section 110C]
FIG. 19A shows a state before attachment of the staple stopper link cam 230 and the like to the staple extracting mechanism portion 110C according to the second modification. FIG. 19B shows a state after the staple stopper link cam 230 and the like are attached to the staple extracting mechanism portion 110C according to the second modification.

The staple extracting mechanism section 110</b>C includes a staple stopper link 220 , a staple stopper link cam 230 and a staple stopper link cam follower 232 .

The staple stopper link 220 is composed of a pair of flat plate members having substantially L-shaped side surfaces, and is arranged outside the pull-down link 140 and the ejector lever 154, respectively. A shaft 158 is attached to the rear end portion of the staple stopper link 220, and the staple stopper link 220 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 158 as a fulcrum. A lower edge 220a of the staple stopper link 220 is provided so as to contact a rib portion 163b projecting outward from the lower end portion of the support member 163 of the staple pressing mechanism 160. As shown in FIG.

The staple stopper link cam 230 is attached outside the staple stopper link 220 of the drive shaft 144 . As shown in FIG. 19B, the staple stopper link cam 230 includes a first cam portion 230a having a first distance from the cam shaft center and a second cam portion 230a having a second distance longer than the first distance from the shaft center. and a cam portion 230b. The staple stopper link cam follower 232 is attached to the outer surface of the front end portion of the staple stopper link 220 and provided so as to contact the staple stopper link cam 230 .

[Operation Example of Staple Pulling Mechanism Section 110C]
FIGS. 20A and 21A show an example of the operation of the staple extracting mechanism 110C according to the second modified example, and FIGS. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a portion 162;

As shown in FIG. 20A, as wedge plate 112 advances, rotation of drive shaft 144 also rotates staple stopper link cam 230 counterclockwise. The second cam portion 230 b of the staple stopper link cam 230 is in contact with the staple stopper link cam follower 232 until the wedge plate 112 passes the staple pressing portion 162 of the staple pressing mechanism 160 . Therefore, the staple stopper link cam follower 232 and the staple stopper link 220 are urged downward by the staple stopper link cam 230 , and the rib portion 163 b of the support member 163 is also urged downward by the staple stopper link 220 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 20B, the position of the staple pressing portion 162 is also lowered, and the staple pressing portion 162 waits at the second position Po where the staple pressing portion 162 does not collide with the wedge plate 112 .

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the wedge plate 112 is inserted between the first sheet surface Pa of the sheet stack P and the crown portion Sa, and the wedge plate 112 passes above the staple pressing portion 162. Upon reaching the first position Pp, the rotation of the staple stopper link cam 230 causes the first cam portion 230 a of the staple stopper link cam 230 to come into contact with the staple stopper link cam follower 232 . Accordingly, the staple stopper link 220 is lifted upward, and the rib portion 163b held by the staple stopper link 220 is released. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21B, the staple pressing portion 162 returns to its original position (moves upward) due to the elastic force of the tension spring 164, so that the abutting portion 162b of the staple pressing portion 162 contacts the wedge plate 112. It abuts on the second surface 112b and the crown portion Sa.

As described above, according to the second modification, at the timing when the wedge plate 112 passes between the sheet stack P and the staple pressing portion 162, the staple pressing portion 162 is moved to the crown portion Sa and the second surface 112b of the wedge plate 112. Since they are brought into contact, the wedge plate 112 can be prevented from colliding with the staple pressing portion 162 regardless of the type of the stack of sheets P, and the staple pressing portion 162 can be reliably brought into contact with the crown portion Sa.

<Third modification>
Conventionally, for example, in order to reliably hold the crown portion Sa of the staple S that is displaced by the insertion of the wedge plate 112, the staple pressing portion 162 may be placed at a position higher than the normal position. However, depending on the type of sheet bundle P from which staples are to be removed, the leading edge of the wedge plate 112 may collide with the staple holding portion 162 . Therefore, the staple pressing mechanism 260 employs a mechanism for avoiding the front end portion of the advancing wedge plate 112 from colliding with the staple pressing portion 162 . Note that the description of the parts common to the paper pressing mechanism 160 will be omitted or simplified.

[Configuration Example of Paper Holding Mechanism 260]
22 is a perspective view of the staple pressing mechanism 260. FIG. The staple pressing portion 262 that constitutes the staple pressing mechanism 260 includes a main body 262a and a contact portion 262b that is continuous with the main body 262a and protrudes upward from the central portion of the upper end of the main body 262a. A concave portion 262c is formed at the upper end portion of the contact portion 262b by notching downward from the upper surface portion thereof. The recessed portion 262c functions as a relief portion for avoiding collision with the advancing wedge plate 112. As shown in FIG. The recess 262c may have any shape as long as it does not collide with the wedge plate 112, and is preferably formed in a recess shape along the outer edge of the wedge plate 112, for example. Thus, according to the staple pressing mechanism 260, the wedge plate 112 can be advanced without colliding with the staple pressing portion 262 by the concave portion 262c.

<Fourth modification>
Conventionally, when the staple is removed, the crown portion Sa of the staple S once in contact with the staple pressing portion 162 slips, and the staple S may come off the staple pressing portion 162 . Therefore, the staple pressing mechanism 360 employs a mechanism that prevents the crown portion Sa from coming off the staple pressing portion 162 . Note that descriptions of portions common to the staple holding mechanism 160 will be omitted or simplified.

[Configuration Example of Paper Holding Mechanism 360]
23 is a perspective view of the staple pressing mechanism 360. FIG. The staple pressing portion 362 that constitutes the staple pressing mechanism 360 includes a main body 362a and a contact portion 362b that is continuous with the main body 362a and protrudes upward from the central portion of the upper end of the main body 362a. A groove portion 362c extending in the left-right direction is formed in a surface (front surface) facing the wedge plate 112 at the upper end portion of the contact portion 362b. The shape of the groove portion 362c may be any shape as long as the crown portion Sa can enter and be held. As described above, according to the staple pressing mechanism 360, the crown portion Sa can be held by the groove portion 362c when the staple is removed.

<Fifth Modification>
Conventionally, for example, when the staple is removed, the pressing force of the wedge plate 112 may deform the crown portion Sa of the staple S so as to warp in the insertion direction D side. In this case, the deformation of the crown portion Sa may make it impossible to reliably hold the crown portion Sa on the plane of the staple pressing portion 162 . Therefore, the staple pressing mechanism 460 employs a mechanism that reliably holds the deformed crown portion Sa. Note that the description of the parts common to the paper pressing mechanism 160 will be omitted or simplified.

[Configuration Example of Paper Holding Mechanism 460]
24 is a perspective view of the staple pressing mechanism 460. FIG. The staple pressing portion 462 that constitutes the staple pressing mechanism 460 includes a main body 462a and a contact portion 462b that is continuous with the main body 462a and protrudes upward from the central portion of the upper end of the main body 462a. The contact portion 462b is configured so that the width becomes wider toward the tip portion. In this manner, according to the staple pressing mechanism 460, the deformed crown portion Sa can be held by hooking it on the inclined side surface portion of the contact portion 462b so that the staple S escapes and is disengaged from the staple pressing portion 462. You can prevent it from being lost.

<Sixth modification>
Conventionally, for example, due to bias in the pushing force of the wedge plate 112 when removing the staple, the type of the stack of sheets P, and the like, the staple S slides sideways, and one of the legs Sb, Sb of the staple S slides out of the stack of sheets P. Sometimes I couldn't get out. Therefore, in the staple pressing mechanism 560, a mechanism capable of reliably pulling out the leg portions Sb, Sb of the staple S from the sheet stack P is adopted. Note that the description of the parts common to the paper pressing mechanism 160 will be omitted or simplified.

[Configuration Example of Paper Holding Mechanism 560]
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the staple pressing mechanism 560. FIG. The staple pressing portion 562 that constitutes the staple pressing mechanism 560 includes a main body 562a and a contact portion 562b that is continuous with the main body 562a and protrudes upward from the central portion of the upper end of the main body 562a. Protrusions 562c, 562c protruding at an acute angle toward the wedge plate 112 are formed on both left and right edge portions on the front side of the contact portion 562b. The convex portions 562c, 562c are linearly formed in a direction of separating from and contacting the first sheet surface Pa of the sheet stack P. As shown in FIG. The convex portions 562c, 562c are not limited to being formed along both edges of the contact portion 562b. You may make it arrange|position one or more in each of both edge parts. As described above, according to the staple pressing mechanism 560, when the staple is removed, the crown Sa of the staple S abuts against the projections 562c, 562c, so that the crown Sa can be prevented from slipping sideways. Both Sb can be reliably pulled out from the sheet bundle P.

<Seventh Modification>
FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the first operation during staple removal in the staple removing device 100 according to the seventh modification. The algorithm shown in FIG. 26 is realized by executing a program stored in a storage unit including memory by a control unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in staple removing apparatus 100 .

In step S100, when the moving unit 111 is at the home position and the home sensor is on, the process proceeds to step S110. The home sensor detects, for example, whether the moving section 111 is waiting at the home position.

In step S110, when the start switch 108 is turned on by the user, the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S120, it is determined whether or not the switch-on timer has elapsed 100 ms. If 100 ms has not elapsed since the switch was turned on, the process returns to step S100 to continue counting the timer. On the other hand, if the switch has been turned on for 100 ms, the process proceeds to step S130.

In step S130, when the start switch 108 is turned on for a certain period of time, the motor 206 is rotated forward, and the process proceeds to step S140.

In step S140, it is determined whether the home sensor is off. If the home sensor is on, proceed to step S160. In step S160, since there is a possibility that the movement unit 111 is not operating due to a failure of the motor 206 or the like, motor stop error processing is performed. On the other hand, if the home sensor is off, the process proceeds to step S150.

In step S150, it is determined whether or not 500 ms has elapsed after the motor 206 started to be driven. For example, if the home sensor is off and 500 ms have elapsed since the motor 206 started to be driven, the process proceeds to step S160 to perform motor stop error processing. On the other hand, if 500 ms has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S170.

In step S170, it is determined whether or not the home sensor is turned on. If the home sensor is off, return to step S150. On the other hand, if the home sensor is on, the process proceeds to step S180.

In step S180, the staple removing operation is stopped by stopping the motor 206. FIG. The staple removing device 100 according to the present embodiment repeats the above-described operations.

With such control, the staple removing apparatus 100 is not operated unless the start switch 108 is turned on for a certain period of time. It is possible to prevent the staple removing device 100 from being unintentionally activated even when it is stored. Also, even if the start switch 108 chatters, the staple removing device 100 can be prevented from being started.

<Eighth modification>
FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the second operation during staple removal in the staple removing device 100 according to the eighth modification. The algorithm shown in FIG. 27 is implemented by executing a program stored in a storage unit including memory by a control unit including a CPU provided in staple removing apparatus 100 . Note that the processing of steps S200 to S270 is substantially the same as steps S100 to S180 of FIG. 26, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S200, if the wedge plate 112 and the like are at the home position and the home sensor is on, the process proceeds to step S210.

In step S210, when the start switch 108 is turned on by the user, the process proceeds to step S220.

In step S220, the motor 206 is rotated forward, and the process proceeds to step S230.

In step S230, it is determined whether the home sensor is off. If the home sensor is on, the process advances to step S240 to perform motor stop error processing. On the other hand, if the home sensor is off, the process proceeds to step S250.

In step S250, it is determined whether or not 500 ms has elapsed after the motor 206 started to be driven. If 500 ms has not passed since the start of driving the motor 206, the process proceeds to step S260.

In step S260, it is determined whether or not the home sensor is turned on. If the home sensor is off, return to step S250. On the other hand, if the home sensor is on, the process proceeds to step S270.

In step S270, the staple removing operation is stopped by stopping the motor 206. FIG.

On the other hand, in step S250, if the home sensor is off and 500 ms have passed since the start of driving the motor 206, the process proceeds to step S280 in which retry control is performed. For example, this is the case where the wedge plate 112 is stopped at an advanced position.

At step S280, the motor 206 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction.

In step S290, it is determined whether or not 500 ms has elapsed after the motor 206 started rotating in the reverse direction. For example, if the home sensor is off and 500 ms have elapsed since the motor 206 started rotating in the reverse direction, the process proceeds to step S300 to perform motor stop error processing. On the other hand, if 500 ms has not passed since the motor 206 started to rotate in the reverse direction, the process proceeds to step S310.

In step S310, it is determined whether the home sensor is on. If the home sensor is off, return to step S280. On the other hand, if the home sensor is on, the process proceeds to step S320.

In step S320, it is determined that the moving unit 111 has returned to the home position by retry control, the driving of the motor 206 is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S330.

In step S330, it is determined whether or not the motor 206 has been reversely driven three times, and if it has been performed three times, the process proceeds to step S300 to perform motor stop error processing. On the other hand, if the motor 206 has not been driven in the reverse direction three times, the process returns to step S220, and the staple removing operation is performed again by rotating the motor 206 forward. Note that the user can arbitrarily set the upper limit of the number of times the retry control is performed.

The staple removing device 100 according to the present embodiment repeats the above-described operations. With such control, when some problem occurs in the moving unit 111, retry control is performed a plurality of times and the staple removing operation is restarted. The staple S can be reliably removed from the sheet bundle P.

<Ninth Modification>
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a staple removing device 100 according to a ninth modification and a dust box 202 detachable from the staple removing device 100. FIG.

A magnet 204 is attached to the bottom surface of the dust box 202 to prevent the staple waste that has fallen into the dust box 202 from scattering. The magnet 204 has a size that covers substantially the entire bottom surface of the dust box 202, for example, and is configured to be replaceable.

As a result, even if the dust box 202 is tilted during transportation or installation of the staple removing device 100, the magnetic force of the magnet 204 can attract the staples S, thereby preventing staple waste from being scattered around.

<Tenth Modification>
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 300 in which a staple removing device 100 according to a tenth modification is mounted on an automatic document feeder (ADF) 320. FIG.

The image forming apparatus 300 employs an electrophotographic system, and includes an automatic document feeder 320 for feeding sheets set in a tray one by one to a reading section. Automatic document feeder 320 is attached to the top of image forming apparatus 300 . In this embodiment, the automatic document feeder 320 is equipped with the staple removing device 100 . The image forming apparatus 300 also includes an operation panel 310 on the front surface of the main body. Operation panel 310 has a plurality of operation buttons and a display for displaying menu screens and the like.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 29, since the staple removing device 100 is mounted on the automatic document feeder 320, for example, the staple S is pulled out from the bundle of sheets P bound with the staple S, and each sheet is copied or printed. Even when scanning, operations such as staple removal, copying, and scanning can be performed in a series of steps.

<Eleventh Modification>
FIG. 30 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system 600 in which a post-processing apparatus 500 is equipped with a staple removing apparatus 100 according to the eleventh modification.

The image forming system 600 includes a large-capacity paper feeder 400 having a plurality of paper feed trays, an image forming apparatus 300 arranged downstream of the large-capacity paper feeder 400 and forming an image on paper, and the image forming apparatus 300 and a post-processing device 500 that is disposed downstream of and performs post-processing such as binding processing. In this embodiment, the staple removing device 100 is mounted on the upper surface of the post-processing device 500 and at a position adjacent to the automatic document feeder 320 of the image forming device 300 . Note that the staple removing device 100 may be incorporated in the post-processing device 500 .

As described above, in the image forming system 600 shown in FIG. 30, the staple removing device 100 is installed in the post-processing device 500. Therefore, for example, the staples S are removed from the bundle of sheets P bound with the staples S, and each sheet is copied or scanned. In this case, the operations such as staple removal, copying, and scanning can be performed in a series of steps.

<Twelfth Modification>
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 300 equipped with a detachable staple removing device 100 according to a twelfth modification.

The image forming apparatus 300 is provided with a mounting base 330 on which the staple removing device 100 is mounted. The mounting table 330 is formed of, for example, a plate-like member projecting outward from the upper side surface of the apparatus main body, and is provided near the automatic document feeder 320 . The staple removing device 100 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the mounting table 330 . The staple removing device 100 can be removed from the mounting base 330 and placed on, for example, a desk for use. The staple removing device 100 may be battery powered or AC powered.

<Thirteenth Modification>
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 300 equipped with a staple removing device 100 having a function of detecting a sheet bundle P according to a thirteenth modification.

The staple removing device 100 includes a sensor 109 that detects the stack of sheets P approaching or placed on the placing table 104 . The staple removing device 100 is in a power saving mode until the sheet stack P is detected by the sensor 109, that is, during standby, and when the sheet stack P is detected by the sensor 109, the staple removing device 100 or the image forming apparatus 300 is activated ( wake up).

In the staple removing device 100 shown in FIG. 32 and the like, a light emitting part such as an LED can be provided. For example, it is preferable that the light emitting section is provided on the upper surface of the paper holding mechanism section 170 so that the user can easily see it. By lighting or blinking the light-emitting portion, the user can be notified that the staple removing device 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 300 . Note that the notification means may be voice.

Also, as shown in FIG. 33, a label LB indicating the staple removal position may be pasted on the mounting table 104 of the staple removing device 100 .

In the image forming system 600 shown in FIG. 30 or the like or the image forming apparatus 300 shown in FIG. A message such as "Please discard the staple waste inside" or "Please take out the dust box and check" may be displayed. The following method can be used to detect when the staple waste is full. For example, a sensor may be installed in the dust box 202 to determine whether the staple waste is full or not based on the detection result of the sensor. Alternatively, the controller may count the number of staple removal operations, and determine whether or not the staple waste is full based on whether or not the count value exceeds a threshold value.

Also, when a failure (lock) occurs in the staple removing device 100, a message such as "Remover error *** occurred" or "Please check the remover" is displayed on the screen of the display unit 312 of the operation panel 310. may

Further, an operation button for turning on/off the staple removing device 100 may be provided on the operation panel 310 of the image forming apparatus 300 shown in FIG. Note that the operation buttons may be touch buttons displayed on the screen of the display unit 312 instead of actual buttons. As a result, the staple removing device 100 can be activated from either the staple removing device 100 side or the image forming apparatus 300 side.

Here, in the conventional staple removing device, when the load application point is the point at which the wedge plate presses the wedge plate in the staple pressing portion, the axis of the support member supporting the staple pressing portion has a horizontal line including the load application point. If it is arranged above (imaginary line extending in the insertion direction), a component force of the pressing load of the wedge plate is generated in the direction away from the wedge plate. In this case, there is a problem that the staple holding portion slides off the staple and the staple holding portion cannot always support the staple.

In contrast, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the axis O1 of the shaft 158 of the support member 163 that supports the staple pressing portion 162 is below the horizontal line L including the load application point O2. placed on the side. As a result, the component force of the pressing load of the wedge plate 112 can be generated in the direction of pressing the wedge plate 112 , so that the staple S can be stably supported by the staple pressing portion 162 .

Although the present invention has been described using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and improvements can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

100 staple removing device 104 mounting table (mounting section)
110A, 110B, 110C Staple extraction mechanism 111 Moving unit 112 Wedge plate (tip)
112a First surface 112b Second surface 112bs Inclined surface 160 Staple pressing mechanism 162 Staple pressing portions 162b, 262b, 362b, 462b, 562b Contact portion 205 Driving portion 206 Motor 210 Staple stopper pressing (regulating portion)
262c concave portion 362c groove portion 562c convex portion P sheet bundle Pa first sheet surface Pb second sheet surface S staple Sa crown portion Sb leg portion

Claims (11)

a stacking unit on which a stack of sheets including a first sheet surface with the crown portion exposed, which is bound by a staple consisting of a crown portion and a pair of leg portions, can be placed;
In a state in which the stack of sheets is placed on the stacking portion, it is arranged at a position facing the first sheet surface, is movable in a direction along the first sheet surface, and is wedge-shaped toward the tip. a wedge plate having an angled tip;
In a state in which the sheet stack is placed on the placement portion, the wedge plate is moved toward the crown portion, and the tip portion is inserted between the crown portion and the first sheet surface , and then inserted. a drive unit that moves in a direction to separate the crown from the stack of sheets ;
In a state in which the stack of sheets is placed on the stacking portion, it is arranged at a position facing the first sheet surface , and the leading end portion is inserted between the crown portion and the first sheet surface. an abutting portion that abuts against the crown portion from a direction opposite to the insertion direction during movement to restrict movement of the crown portion in the insertion direction . The contact portion is movable in a direction away from the first paper surface, and moves in the insertion direction as the tip portion is inserted between the crown portion and the first paper surface. 2. When said crown moves in a direction away from said first paper surface due to the inclined surface of said tip, said crown moves in a direction away from said first paper surface following the movement of said crown. staple remover. The tip portion includes a first surface facing the first paper surface and a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface,
The contact portion is configured to contact the second surface after the tip portion is inserted between the crown portion and the first sheet surface, and the tip portion is configured to contact the crown portion and the first sheet surface. 3. The staple removing device according to claim 2, wherein, when moving in said inserting direction between said first paper surface, said staple removing device moves in a direction away from said first paper surface while abutting against said inclined surface of said second surface. a main body;
a support portion whose other end side is rotatably supported by the main body portion so that one end side can be separated from the first paper surface;
The staple removing device according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the contact portion is supported on the one end side. a main body;
a support part whose other end side is rotatably supported by the main body part so that one end side can be separated from the first paper surface;
with
The contact portion is arranged at a position facing a first position on the first sheet surface located downstream of the crown portion in the insertion direction,
4. The staple removing device according to claim 3 , wherein the support portion allows the contact portion to contact the second surface after the tip has passed through the first position. a regulating portion located between the first sheet surface and the contact portion, the restricting portion moving in the inserting direction as the distal end portion moves in the inserting direction;
The restricting portion restricts the contact portion from contacting the second surface until the tip portion passes through the first position, and after the tip portion has passed the first position, the 6. The staple removing device of claim 5, wherein the abutment portion is allowed to abut against the second surface. The restricting portion includes a wall portion that blocks communication between the contact portion and the second surface until the tip portion passes through the first position, and a wall portion that blocks communication between the contact portion and the second surface until the tip portion passes through the first position. 7. The staple removing device according to claim 6, further comprising an opening through which said contact portion and said second surface communicate with each other. The staple removing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the contact portion has a recess formed by notching a position facing the tip of the tip portion. The staple removing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the contact portion has a recess at a position facing the crown portion with which the crown portion engages. The staple removing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the contact portion has a wide portion that widens toward the edge of the first paper surface. The staple according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the abutting portion has a convex portion linearly formed on a surface facing the leading end portion in a direction separating from and contacting the first paper surface. removal device.

Images