JPH05155173A - Cartridge system for use in instrument inserting type binding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To put plural ring type edge binders with a curled finger, which is to be attached on paper sheets which holes for a bound booklet, into a binder and make the thickness of paper sheets adjustable coordinating to the diameter of the binder to be used. CONSTITUTION: This binding device 10 comprises a base 11, punch section 13, binding section 14, paper guide 15, slot 16 to receive a binder cartridge, etc. The paper guide 15 has a pair of plates 20, 22 to guide the paper sheets 24 with holes on the side edged and a caliper device to measure the thickness of paper sheets 24 on the rear side plate 22. A ring type edge binder 44 is equipped with plural fingers 48, 50, 51 at intervals along the back pillar 46. Plural binders are put into a cartridge, a thin box shape device, and the thickness of paper sheets is adjusted via an arm, etc., corresponding to the diameter of the binder 44.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge for attaching a ring type edge binding device having curled fingers to a pre-punched paper sheet for making a booklet. For example, it relates to a cartridge for containing a binder for use with an office style binding device.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is already known to use ring-type edge binders with plastic curled fingers to make booklets from pre-punched paper. One class of such devices is
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,122,761, 31258
No. 87, 3227023, No. 3793660 and No. 4645399 are office style punch and binding devices. These devices are used to apply a ring type edge binder to pre-punched paper, usually paper, for binding booklets. The ring-type edge binder has an elongated spine with a number of curled fingers spaced along the spine. (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,970,285) one end of each finger is integral with one side end of the spine and the other end of the finger is the free end and the other end of the spine. It engages elastically with the side edge of the. In prior art devices, the binder is placed on a comb, the L-shaped fingers of the device are mated with the binder fingers, opening the fingers from the spine and opening the perforated sheet of paper. Open the binder so that it fits, close the fingers, and
The binder is used to bind the paper and complete the booklet.

German Patent No. 830636 and German Published Document No. 2362440 present a tapered manual binding device which is axially inserted from one end of a binder to push the fingers apart. U.S. Pat. No. 2,234,045 also presents a tapered manually operated binder opening tool.

Recent developments have introduced improved insertion tools and portable systems for opening binders and making booklets. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,121 and U.S. Patent Application No. 346,918 filed May 1, 1989.

[0005]

In an office-like environment, there is a need for a device that is very frequent, fast, and flexible. In order for such a binding device to be effective, it is necessary to employ a replaceable binder system capable of producing booklets with different thicknesses and different contours. This requires that edge binders of different diameters or shapes can be selectively used. This, conversely, requires that the device be adjustable, at least depending on the diameter of the binder used.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a binder supply system suitable for use in making booklets and for use in office style binding devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a binder supply system which can send signals to the binder device and which can be adjusted according to the type of binder supplied. is there.

These and other objects of the invention include:
It will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

[0009]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a replaceable binder system for use in an office type binding device for inserting a tool into a ring type edge binder having curled fingers. Will be provided. The device has a section for punching paper and a binding section, which includes a support base, perforated paper, usually a guide for feeding paper paper to the binding section of the device, a binding Support to receive the cartridge for the binder sent to the position, and open the binder to receive the perforated paper,
It consists of an internal mechanism that is placed in the binding position to hold and forward the tools that are inserted into the binder for the purpose of closing the binder for booklet making. The device includes
In addition, a system is provided that enables appropriate binding in accordance with information from the cartridge, such as the diameter of the binder. For more information on binding devices, see application filed Feb. 20, 1990, numbered 481852, entitled "Automatic Binding Device Using Insertion Tool."

Here, a cartridge containing a binder is proposed, and the cartridge can contain one or a plurality of binders having the same size and the same outer shape. Different cartridges may contain binders of different diameters or shapes. However, each cartridge basically has the same external dimensions and shape. Each cartridge also has means for informing the binding device of the contents of the cartridge, which means may consist of indicia, surface placement, etc. at various positions.

[0011]

【Example】

(General matters) Please refer to the drawings next. The binding device 10 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. The binding device 10 generally includes a base 11, a housing 12, a punch section 13, a binding
It comprises a section 14, a paper guide 15, a slot 16 for receiving a binder cartridge, a control mechanism 17, and an internal mechanism including a device for holding and pushing a tool and a control mechanism. In the device presented, the punch section 13 is at the bottom of the device and is generally of the well-known type and suitable for use herein. When punching holes, the spacing between the side edges of the paper and the binding holes is called the back gauge spacing. The punch can be changed by adjusting the gauge interval.

The binding section 14 is located at the top of the device and includes a paper guide 15, a slot 16 for receiving a binder cartridge, and an internal mechanism for holding and advancing the utensil.

(Paper Guide) The main part is the paper guide 1
It is 5. The guide is usually a sheet of paper 2 with holes
There is a pair of plates 20 and 22 to guide the 4 into the binding position. Paper is placed between both plates in the guide 1
5 leads from an inlet passage 26 at the top of the guide 5 to an outlet passage 28 at the bottom of the guide. The exit passage is adjacent to the binding position, generally indicated at 27, where the perforated paper is bound by an edge binder with ring type curled fingers, A booklet is made.

For the purpose of facilitating reference, the right-hand direction is referred to as a position rearward or far from the user, and the left-hand direction is referred to as position forward or close to the user. The guide is slightly tilted backwards. The guides 20 and 22 generally have a fixed or fixed relationship to the base 11. The guide plate 22 includes a plurality of 22
There is a spring such as a so that the paper can be positioned and guided, and the completed booklet can be taken out. The rear plate is provided with a caliper device 29 for measuring the thickness of the paper, and the caliper device has an arm that moves so as to be pressed against a guide spring through a hole in the rear plate. The arms include upper sections 29a and 29b and lower sections 29c and 2c.
There is 9d. The lower section is adapted to mate with the cartridge and is able to detect the thickness of the binder and thus the usable paper thickness. The torsion bar and the spring device 29e bias the arm toward the paper sandwiching position and adjust the paper thickness in the entrance passage 26 and the exit passage 28 to adjust the thickness or amount of the perforated paper entering the binding position. Is adjustable. The thickness of this paper depends on the size or diameter of the binder.

The cartridge containing the binder has a device such as a side projection which meshes with the lower portions 29c and 29d and adjusts the thickness of the paper in accordance with the diameter of the binder in the cartridge.

The arm is provided with a spring device 29e,
Biased to the fully closed position. In addition, a guide spring mounted on a plate such as 22a is positioned vertically between the inlet and outlet passages to press the paper against the front plate. Since the space between the sheet and the plate sandwiched between them is sufficiently large, it is possible to pull out the completed booklet while sandwiching the binder ring between the guide springs.

(Cartridge) The cartridge 30 contains a binder and has a device for interfacing with the binding device. The binder 30 cooperates with the binder device to bind a booklet, and the size (ie diameter) of the binder contained in the cartridge is determined. It has a mechanism to notify the binding device.

The cartridge 30 is a vacuum-molded and sealed plastic box-shaped device. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the binder holding function of the cartridge will be described. The cartridge includes a front wall 31a and a back wall 31a.
b, side walls 31c and 31d, top or cover 31 with peripheral edges 31e, cartridge front wall 31a and back wall 3
There is a base 33 having a plurality of spaced binder support ribs 34, 36, 38, etc. extending between 1b. The ribs form spaces or channels therebetween such as 40 or 42. Each edge binder 44 has an elongated spine 46, with a plurality of curled fingers 48, 50, 51 spaced along the length of the spine.
And so on. One end of each finger is integral with one end of the spine, the opposite end is a free end,
Biased to resiliently press against the other end of the spine. The finger is biased so that the spine rests on the free end of the finger.

In the cartridge, a binder spine 46
Ride on top of the ribs and the binder fingers fit into the channels between the ribs or hang in the channels.

The upper portion 31 of the cartridge is vacuum-molded so as to fit into the bottom portion 33, and the binder can move in the cartridge. The top 31 is the bottom 33
And is sealed to the peripheral edge portion, such as 31e.

Each cartridge fits into the binding device and is loaded with an edge binder of selected size, for example 1/4 inch in diameter and having 19 rings. Each cartridge can also contain only one type of outline binder. Therefore, if different sizes or different shapes of edge binders need to be stocked for subsequent use, multiple separate cartridges must be provided.

The upper portion of the cartridge defines a binder slot 56 on the upper surface that continues to the front of the cartridge. The openings are perforated or cuttable strips 5 that extend from side to side of the cartridge.
Made with 8. Both ends and openings of the strip are curved to extend downwards along the sides of the cartridge, ensuring that the upper edges of the ring opening tool, binder and ribs are aligned. In other words, this downward curve is a ring opening tool,
It can be said that the binder in the cartridge can be extended.

The cartridge can be plugged into the device 10 so that the binder slot 56 is aligned with the paper guide outlet 28.

The cartridge 30 has, on both side surfaces thereof, a projection-like structure 5 which meshes with an arm of a caliper for measuring a sheet thickness.
There are 9 and 60 for engaging and adjusting the caliper arms 29c and 29d, etc., which determine the paper thickness, so as to receive the paper of a thickness suitable for the binder contained in the cartridge. In the present invention, the protrusions 59 and 60
Engages the lower ends of pivotable paper caliper arms 29c and 29d to adjust the exit opening 28 by moving the arm to pass paper of the proper thickness that can be bound by the binder in the cartridge. It is installed in such a position. The table below shows the desired dimensional characteristics of the binder.

[0025] The prongs contact the lower ends of the caliper arms 29c and 29d and are mounted rearward a certain distance from the front of the cartridge so that only paper of a predetermined thickness is guided to the binding position. There is. Depending on the size of the binder, the thickness of the sheet to be passed depends on how much the protrusion is attached to the rear side, and can be changed from the position shown to the front side or the rear side.

Further attached to the cartridge is a readable structure readable by the binding device to display the contents of the cartridge.

Tabs 62, 64 made of one or more electrically conductive adhesives at the front end of the cartridge, for example for displaying information about the contents of the binder, such as diameter.
66, 68, etc. can be attached. This tab is placed in contact with another circuit component in the binding device, emits a signal and communicates with a device, such as a programmed microprocessor in the binding device, depending on the diameter of the binder. The operation of can be performed.

The contents of different cartridges are indicated by the positions of the tabs in different arrangements, such as 64, thus driving different circuit elements and telling the binding device that different diameter binders are being used. ..

Many different types of encoding devices, such as conductive adhesive tabs, pawls,
Note that an optical code or the like could be used.

Reader: Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown diagrammatically the cartridge 30 interfacing with a reader, in this case it is 7
It is made of knobs such as 2, 74, 76 and 78 and communicates with the control system 71 to control the operation of the binding device 10.

(Binder Detector) It is important that the binding device can detect whether or not there is a binder at the binding position in the cartridge. Second
Looking at the figure, a sensor 80 is shown inserted into a hole 82 in the front wall of the cartridge to detect the presence or absence of a binder. The sensor shown here is mechanical, but it can also be electrical or optical.

Binder Retention System After opening the cartridge, it is desirable to apply a slight force to the binder to retain it in the binding position while still allowing the binder to be removed from the cartridge. To accomplish this, the cartridge is equipped with tabs 84, 86, 88.

(Cartridge / Solenoid Device) For the operation of this system, it is important that the cartridge is locked at the designated position of the device. This is done using the solenoid device 100. The solenoid device has a plunger 102 that meshes with and locks the cartridge and also acts as a sensor for the presence or absence of the cartridge.

Insertion Tool Mechanism A typical binder opening tool 90 is shown in FIG. The device is stiff when extended and has a wide, straight body 92 with a narrowed beveled front end or leading portion 94. The leading portion has a spherical shape 92 at the leading end so that the tool can smoothly enter the binder. Second protrusion 9
9 serves as a stop to prevent the tool from retracting completely into the tool housing. The tool is inserted axially into the binder, separating the free end of the finger and the spine to create a gap for receiving the paper, rotating the spine of the binder to receive the perforated paper,
Make sure the gap faces upward.

The timing of tool operation (ie tool insertion and removal) and the selection of a tool of appropriate width to match the binder diameter is determined by the encoding system attached to the cartridge.

In addition, the tool is aligned with the cartridge and binder to allow the tool to successfully enter the binder in the cartridge at the side wall of the cartridge at the point along the top of the cartridge ribs.
This situation is best illustrated in Figure 4.

Alignment It is important to align some components, especially at the location of the binding.

The cartridges are aligned front-down with a small angle alpha (α) of, for example, 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal. This alignment provides gravity assist as the binder moves downwards within the cartridge and ensures that the binder is properly aligned with the paper at the binding position.

The paper guide is generally placed vertically, but is tilted at an angle β with respect to the cartridge in the binding position, typically about 82 degrees. this is,
Paper, holes pre-drilled in the paper, binder
This is to ensure that the free ends of the fingers are aligned. This allows the binder finger to snap through the hole as the insertion tool is withdrawn and the finger returns. In this particular embodiment, the paper guides are tilted at an angle of 87 degrees with respect to the horizontal, so the angle between the cartridge and the paper guides is 82 degrees.

The binder opening tool 92 is on a plane inclined rearward at an angle γ of about 7 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction,
It has a slightly downward slope. The angle between the tool surface and the paper guide is 94 degrees (ie 82 degrees + 5
+7 degrees).

An important factor to consider when performing the alignment is the interrelationship of the paper guide, insertion tool and binder. As has already been seen, the insertion tool opens the binder and brings it into the least forceful position to obtain the proper opening gap. The edges of the paper are brought over the insertion tool at the most effective angle to ensure that the binder fingers snap through the paper holes and snap. Further, the position of the holes relative to the edge of the paper, or dimension referred to as the back gauge, is chosen to ensure the relative position of the fingers with respect to the holes when the paper enters the binder.

The specific angular relationship is unique for each binder used and corresponds to a 5/8 "binder in this case. However, the diameter is in the range of 1/4" to 3/4 ". The same dimensional relationship can be used for the binder.

(Operation) When the cartridge is inserted into the binding device, the protrusions 59 and 60 of the cartridge
Engages with the paper calipers 29c and 29d to adjust the amount of paper at the outlet opening 28. For convenience, the caliper arm is biased to the closed position by a spring structure 29e.

The details of the binding operation are shown in FIG. Here, the insertion tool 92 is the binder 44.
It can be seen that it has been inserted inside. An insertion tool pulls the fingers and spine apart to open the binder, allowing the spine to rotate from a generally horizontal position to a vertical position, with the perforated media fixed against the binder fingers to bind. Support in a closed position. A perforated sheet of paper, as shown in FIG. 4, with binding holes at a predetermined distance (ie, back gauge) from the edge 95 is located just above the insertion tool 92. Is placed as. Curled fingers like 48, 50 and 52 are now under the spine 46 so that they will be under the spine when they snap through the holes. Please note. Also note that the paper guide and the cartridge are in a sharp angle β relationship with each other. As mentioned above, the choice of this angle is very important in ensuring the alignment of the position of the holes with respect to the binding fingers when the paper is placed on the insertion tool. The angle between the insertion tool and the paper guide is about 94 degrees (ie α + β + γ, or 5 degrees + 82 degrees + 7 degrees)
Is.

The binding device operates in the following manner. As shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge 30 is inserted into the binding device. You can see the cartridge binding slot at the bottom and aligned with the paper outlet 28. The cartridge is tilted downwards to help the binder in the cartridge slide by gravity into the binding position.
There are conductive tabs, such as 64, at the binding locations where the information is read by the appropriate circuit element (72, 74, 76, 78). In accordance with this read information, the microprocessor in the binding device control system advances the insertion tool into the binder in the binding position to open the binder and begin operation of the tool cartridge. The insertion tool is held in advance in the binder in advance so that there is sufficient time for the perforated paper to fall through the guide and onto the opened binder. Next, the advanced insertion tool is pulled back, the binder penetrates the sheets and snaps closed, and the insertion tool retracts from the binder into the instrument cassette, and the sheets are bound together.

When the binding is completed and the insertion tool is pulled back, the bound booklet is pulled out through the paper guide 15.

After that, the next binder slides into the binding position in the cartridge for the next binding operation.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that in this binding device, the binder containing cartridge has many functions associated with the binding device.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, it is not limited thereto.
Changes and modifications within the full scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims are possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a binding device embodying the present invention presented herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an edge binder cartridge having the characteristics of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the binding device and the cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the binding position of the binding device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cartridge of the present invention showing an internal structure for supporting a binder.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the use of the insertion tool to open the binder.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a distal end portion of the insertion tool.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section in the longitudinal direction of the distal end portion of the insertion tool.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Binding Device 11 Base 12 Housing 13 Punch Section 14 Binding Section 15 Paper Guide 16 Slot for Receiving Binder Cartridge 17 Control Mechanism 20, 22 Plate 24 Paper 26 Inlet Passage 28 Outlet Passage 29 Caliper Device 30 Cartridge 31 Cover 33 Base 34 , 36, 38 Binder support ribs 40, 42 Space or channel 44 Edge binder 46 Elongate spine 56 Binder slot 58 Strip 59, 60 Protruding structure 62, 64, 66, 68 Tab 71 made of conductive adhesive 71 Control・ System 72, 74, 76, 78 Knob 80 Sensor 82 Front wall hole 84, 86, 88 Tab 90 Binder opening tool 92 Main body 94 Leader 98 tip Spherical portion 99 second projection 100 solenoid device 102 plunger.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A binding device (1) for binding perforated paper (24) with a ring-type edge binder having curled fingers for making booklets.
Cartridge (30) and ring to be used together with
Type edge binder (44), the combination of which is composed of at least one ring type edge binder (44) and a ring binder containing cartridge (30). Has one spine (46) with a plurality of fingers spaced along said spine, one end of each finger being integral with the spine and the other The ends are biased into resilient contact against the spine and the cartridge containing the ring binder forms a top, bottom, side wall, front wall and back wall part (31). And the bottom wall has parts (34, 36, 38) forming a plurality of spaced ribs extending between the front and back walls, each rib-like part having a top surface. , There is a finger receiving recess between them, the edge binder is held in the cartridge so that the spine rests on the upper surface and the finger is in the finger receiving recess, and A combination of cartridge and ring type edge binders with a device that indicates what type of binder is in the cartridge being used as the binding device operates. 2. The binder is basically circular,
A combination of the cartridge according to claim 1 and a binder. 3. The display device is made of a conductive component,
A combination of the cartridge according to claim 1 and a binder. 4. The cartridge and binder combination of claim 3, wherein the display device is made of a conductive adhesive component. 5. The binder is shaped such that the spine overlaps the free end of the finger and the free end of the finger enters the interior of the spine.
A combination of the cartridge according to claim 1 and a binder. 6. The cartridge has a structure adjacent to the front wall that creates a slot in the upper wall.
A combination of the cartridge according to claim 1 and a binder. 7. The slot extends to both side walls of the cartridge, and at least the spine of the binder placed on the upper portion of the rib in the slot is exposed to the outside.
Combination of the described cartridge and binder. 8. The cartridge has a device for sending an indication to the binding device so as to adjust the space between the paper guides according to the thickness of the paper to be fed.
A combination of the cartridge according to claim 1 and a binder. 9. The cartridge and binder combination of claim 8 wherein the guide adjustment device is a device protruding from the side surface of the cartridge that mates with the binding device. 10. The cartridge and binder combination of claim 1, wherein the cartridge has an upper surface spaced apart from the upper portion of the cartridge and is sloped to decrease forward.