JP2002046367A - Glue supply device, gluing bookbinding device and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply a glue stored in a glue storage container to a glue supply means at a constant pressure. SOLUTION: The glue supply device for supplying the glue from the glue storage container to a glue discharge means through a supply pipe is constituted of a cylinder body connected to the supply pipe, a first valve element which switches a glue introduction aperture in the cylinder body, a second valve element which switches a glue delivery aperture in the cylinder element, a piston which is movable in the cylinder body and a drive means which drives the piston forward/backward. Following the receding operation of the piston, the second valve element closes the glue delivery aperture and thereby, the internal pressure of the cylinder body is negative. Further, the first valve element opens the glue introduction aperture to introduce the glue from the storage container into the cylinder body and the first valve element closes the glue introduction aperture by the advancing operation of the piston and consequently, the internal pressure of the cylinder is positive. Thus the second valve element opens the glue delivery aperture to supply the glue from the cylinder body to the glue discharge means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a glue supply device for supplying glue in a glue storage container to a glue discharging means, a glue binding device having the glue supply device, and an image forming apparatus having the glue binding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been provided a glue binding apparatus which performs a gluing process on a predetermined position of a sheet on which an image is recorded by a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine of the same to perform bookbinding. I have.

[0003] As the glue binding apparatus, (1) a device that discharges glue onto paper using a glue discharge nozzle, (2) a glue wheel is installed in a glue storage box, and glue is attached to the outer periphery of the rotating glue wheel. Device that makes the outer periphery of the glue wheel contact the paper to transfer
(3) A hot melt coating device that discharges a mixture of a hot melt agent (heat fusing agent) and heated compressed air from a nozzle is used.

The bookbinding apparatus described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-500907 deflects a sheet conveyed in a first direction in a second conveyance direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and thereafter, deflects the end of the running sheet. The glue is applied linearly to the portion, and after the stacking and alignment, pressure is applied to bookbinding.

[0005] The gluing method and apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-80377 is to blow high-pressure air onto the glue discharged from the glue discharge nozzle to form a thin film.

As a conventional glue supply device for supplying glue to a glue discharge means having a glue discharge nozzle, (1) pressurize the glue in the glue storage container by compressed air, and (2) press the glue in the glue storage container by a micro gear pump. For example, a method of feeding glue, a method of pressing the outer wall of the glue storage container to pressure-feed the glue in the glue storage container, and the like are used.

[0007]

The glue supply device in the glue binding apparatus described above has the following problems.

The glue supply devices of the above-described compressed air type, micro gear pump type, and glue container pressurizing type have a problem that the mechanism becomes complicated and large.

Since glue and air are mixed in the glue storage container, the glue storage container is connected to the glue supply means, and the air in the glue storage container is discharged before starting use. Idle ejection must be performed by the glue discharging means.
Further, there is a problem that almost all of the glue in the glue storage container cannot be consumed.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, improves the glue supply device of the glue binding apparatus, achieves simplification of the structure of the glue supply device, stabilization of the glue supply, and the like. Is supplied to the glue discharging means with a substantially constant pressure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a glue supply device that achieves automatic glue supply, a glue binding device having the glue supply device, and an image forming device having the glue binding device.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) The above problems are
The problem is solved by the glue supply device according to claim 1 or 2 of the present invention.

(2) The above object is achieved according to claim 3 of the present invention.
Is solved by the glue supply device described in (1).

(3) A glue binding apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a glue supply device according to the above (1) or (2); and a transport means for transporting the paper glued by the glue discharge means.
A storage unit that stores the glued sheets in alignment, a pressing unit that presses the aligned bundle of sheets to bind the book, and a discharge unit that discharges the bound booklet It is characterized by the following.

(4) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image forming apparatus main body including an image writing unit, an image forming unit, and a sheet conveying unit; and the glue binding apparatus according to (3). It is a feature.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A glue supply apparatus, a glue binding apparatus, and an image forming apparatus equipped with a glue binding apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body A, an image reading apparatus B, an automatic document feeder D, and a glue binding apparatus C.

The main body A of the image forming apparatus includes a charging means 2, an image exposure means (writing means) 3, a developing means 4, a transfer means 5,
After the charge removing means 6A, the separating claw 6B, and the cleaning means 7 are arranged, and the surface of the photosensitive member 1 is uniformly charged by the charging means 2, the laser of the image exposing means 3 is used based on the image data read from the original. A latent image is formed by performing exposure scanning with the beam, and the latent image is reversely developed by the developing unit 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 1.

On the other hand, the sheet S fed from the sheet storage means 8A is sent to the transfer position. The toner image is transferred onto the sheet S by the transfer unit 5 at the transfer position. After that, the charge on the back surface of the paper S is erased by the charge eliminating means 6A,
Separated from the photoreceptor 1 by the separation claw 6B, the intermediate conveyance unit 8
The sheet is conveyed by B, subsequently heated and fixed by the fixing means 9, and is discharged by the discharge roller 8C.

When forming images on both sides of the sheet S,
The sheet S, which has been heated and fixed by the fixing unit 9, is branched from a normal sheet discharge path by the transfer path switching plate 8D, is switched back in the reverse transfer 8E, is turned over, and is discharged outside the apparatus by the sheet discharge roller 8C. You. Discharge roller 8C
Is discharged into the receiving section 11 of the glue binding apparatus C.

On the other hand, the developer remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 after image processing is removed by the cleaning means 7 downstream of the separation claw 6B, and the surface is prepared for the next image formation.

An automatic document feeder D of a document moving type (sheet-through type) reading system is supported on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body A so as to be openable and closable.

The glue binding apparatus C includes an aligning and pressurizing unit 50 in the upper part of the drawing, a glue applying unit 40 and a sheet skew correcting unit (hereinafter referred to as a sheet correcting unit) 30 in the middle unit, and a sheet direction changing unit 20 in the lower unit. At the bottom, cover paper feeding means 80 are arranged in tandem in a substantially vertical direction.

On the right side of the glue binding apparatus C in the figure, an entrance conveying means 10 and a folding means 70 are arranged. On the left side in the drawing of the glue binding apparatus C, there is disposed a paper discharging means 60 for stacking the bound book.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a paper transport path of the glue binding apparatus C. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a process of gluing and binding the paper S.

In the glue binding apparatus C, the receiving section 11 of the entrance section conveying means 10 is provided with the discharge roller 8 of the image forming apparatus main body A.
It is installed at a position and height that match C.

The transport path of the paper S connected to the receiving section 11 is formed by an upper paper transport path 12 to the uppermost fixed discharge tray 15.
The sheet S is fed to any one of the transport paths depending on the selection of the angle occupied by the switching gate G1.

The upper paper transport path 12 is provided with transport rollers 13
1 to 133, a discharge roller 14, a guide plate, and the like.
The lower sheet transport path 16 includes transport rollers 171 to 173, a switching gate G2, a guide plate, and the like.

The paper transporting path connected to the lower paper transporting path 16 is branched into two systems, that is, a middle paper direction changing means 20 and a lowermost folding means 70, and selects an angle occupied by the switching gate G2. The sheet S is fed to one of the transport paths.

(1) Discharge Directly to Fixed Discharge Tray 15 at the Top of the Apparatus The sheet S on which an image has been formed discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A is introduced into the receiving section 11 and passes through the sheet transport path 12. The paper is conveyed by the conveyance rollers 131 to 133, is sandwiched by the discharge rollers 14, is discharged onto the fixed paper discharge tray 15 at the upper part outside the apparatus, and is sequentially stacked.

In the paper transport process, the switching gate G
1 closes the paper transport path 16 and leaves the paper transport path 12 open to allow the paper S to pass through the fixed paper discharge tray 15.

(2) Sheet 90 ° Direction Conversion Processing When the paper direction conversion mode is set, the switching gate G2 closes the sheet conveyance path 18B and switches the sheet conveyance path 18A.
Is held in the open state, and the paper S can pass through the paper transport path 18A.

The image-formed sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A is supplied to the receiving section 11, the sheet transport path 16,
After passing through the conveying rollers 171, 172, the switching gate G
2, the sheet is deflected in a substantially right-angle direction on the left side in the figure, is sandwiched by the conveying rollers 173, and is sent to the sheet direction changing means 20.

Sheet S introduced into sheet direction changing means 20
Passes through the sheet conveyance path 200 opened above the switching gate G3, is nipped by the conveyance rollers 221 to 224, and advances leftward as shown by the arrow in the figure.

When the central portion of the sheet S reaches the rotating member 23, the sheet conveyance is temporarily stopped and the conveyance rollers 221 to 224
Is released, and the separated state is maintained. When the upper and lower rotating disks 23A and 23B of the rotating member 23 rotate while sandwiching the sheet S in a state where the pressing of the transport rollers 221 to 224 is released, the direction of the sheet S is changed by 90 degrees. For example, A4 size paper S is
It is converted to the direction of A4R.

The paper direction changing means 20 can simultaneously execute the 90-degree rotation of the paper S and the shifting process of the paper S.
Alternatively, the sheet direction conversion unit 20 can independently execute the 90-degree rotation of the sheet S and the sheet shift processing.

The sheet S whose rotation direction has been changed is conveyed by the press-contact rotation of the conveying rollers 221 to 224, carried out of the sheet direction changing means 20, and conveyed by the conveying rollers 241 and 242.
, Is deflected upward in a direction substantially perpendicular to the drawing, passes through a switching gate G4, is further deflected rightward in the drawing, and is sent to the sheet correcting means 30.

The paper S that does not require the glue binding process passes through the paper transport path on the left side of the switching gate G4, is transported by the transport rollers 61 and 62, and is transported by the discharge roller 63 to the elevating paper tray 64 outside the machine. Is discharged.

(3) Deflection Correction Processing The sheet correction means 30 for correcting the deflection of the sheet S includes:
Conveying rollers 31 to 3 capable of holding and releasing paper S
4. Paper transport path 300, alignment reference plate 36, alignment correction plate 3
The sheet S before glue application processing is brought into contact with the alignment reference plate 36 to be aligned on one side.

(4) Processing for Applying Glue to Paper S The paper S sent from the paper correcting means 30 to the glue applying means 40 advances rightward as shown by the arrow in the figure. Glue application means 40
The paper transport path 400 of the glue application section and the paper transport path 300 of the paper correcting means 30 are both formed substantially in parallel with the paper transport path 200 of the paper direction converting means 20, and the transport direction of the paper S is the paper direction converting means. 20 is opposite to the transport direction.

The glue discharging means 41 is provided with a glue supplying means 48 (FIG. 5).
), And the paste is discharged in a band shape or intermittent broken line shape on one side edge of the traveling paper S to form a glue application portion N.

The sheet S that has been subjected to the glue coating process is transported by the transport rollers 4.
The sheet is conveyed upward while being pinched by the sheets 31 to 433, conveyed along a sheet conveying path 400 formed of a guide plate, is pinched by a discharge roller 434, and is discharged to the alignment pressurizing unit 50.

A thin film forming roller 44 is fixedly disposed near the downstream side of the glue applying means 40 and at the shaft end of the rotating shaft of the transport roller 433.

Nozzle member 41 at the tip of glue discharge means 41
The glue discharged from 3 forms a small semi-cylindrical glue application portion N on the surface of the paper S. By transporting the paper S, the paper S
The glue application section N formed thereon is rolled by the thin film forming roller 44 on the downstream side to become a glue application section N having a predetermined glue application thickness, and is formed into a flat band-like thin film glue application layer. .

(5) Alignment Pressing Process The first sheet S not subjected to the glue coating process is sandwiched by gripping means (grippers) 51, and the leading end of the sheet S comes into contact with a stopper 53 so that the sheet storing means (hereinafter referred to as a stacker). ) 52 at a predetermined position. The gripper 51 moves while being supported by the rotating belt 54.

The second and subsequent sheets S that have been subjected to the glue coating process are:
Similarly, the sheet is nipped by the gripping means 51 and is sequentially placed on the preceding sheet S on the stacker 52 with the glue application section N facing downward. Reference numeral 55 denotes a pair of width alignment members movable in the width direction, and regulates the width direction of the sheet S.

The pressing roller member 56 is configured to rotate the belt 5.
4 and moves together with the gripping means 51. The pressure roller member 56 moves while pressing the glued back side of the paper S, and ensures adhesion between the papers.

The pressing of the sheet S by the pressing roller member 56 may be performed each time the second or subsequent sheet S is placed on the stacker 52. Alternatively, the pressing process may be performed each time a plurality of sheets S are stacked.

One book bound by gluing is completed by the above steps. In this glue binding apparatus C, a maximum of 200 sheets S can be glued and bound.

(6) Paper Bundle Loading A part of the paper loading surface of the stacker 52 is provided with a driving roller 57.
And a plurality of discharge belts 59 wound around driven rollers 58
Are rotatably arranged.

The final sheet S is stacked on the stacker 52, pressed, and glued and bound. The sheet claw of the discharge belt 59 holds the trailing end of the sheet bundle. The sheet slides on the stacking surface of the stacker 52 and is nipped by the discharge rollers 63 of the sheet discharge means 60 to move up and down the discharge tray 64.
Discharged and loaded on top.

The elevating and lowering tray 64 is capable of stacking the paper S that has been subjected to the glue application processing and the paper S that has not been subjected to the glue application processing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the glue application position on various types of paper S. FIG. 4A shows the glue application section N on the long side of the sheet S.
FIG. 4B is a diagram in which a glue applying portion N is formed on the short side of the sheet S, FIG. 4C is a diagram in which a glue applying portion N is formed on the folded sheet S, FIG. 4D is a diagram in which a glue application section N is formed on the sheet S that has been Z-folded.

FIG. 5A is a plan view of the sheet correcting means 30 and the vicinity of the glue discharging means 41 of the glue applying means 40, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the vicinity of the glue discharging means 41 of the glue applying means 40.

A paper correcting means 30 is provided between the transport rollers 32 and 33. The sheet correction means 30 includes an alignment reference plate 36 and an alignment correction plate 37 which are arranged to face each other in the width direction of the sheet S orthogonal to the sheet transport direction.

The alignment reference plate 36 is fixed to the apparatus main body in parallel with the paper transport direction. Matching reference plate 36
Is to position the sheet S by bringing the sheet S into contact with a side end in the width direction of the sheet S. The alignment correction plate 37 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction according to the width size of the paper S, and is moved from a predetermined retreat position in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction by a driving unit (not shown). The side edge of the sheet S is pressed. The alignment correction plate 37 presses the vicinity of the center of the alignment reference plate 36 across the sheet S, thereby preventing the sheet S from hitting the alignment reference plate 36 and bringing the side edge of the sheet S into close contact with the alignment reference plate 36. .

A glue discharging means 41 for applying glue to the side edge of the sheet S is disposed between the transport roller 34 and the transport roller 431. The glue discharging means 41 is a first driving means 42
A, driven by the second driving means 42B to discharge the glue on demand. A collecting container 40 is provided below the glue discharging means 41.
A is installed. 48 is a glue supplying means for supplying the glue to the glue discharging means 41.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the glue discharging means 41 and the driving means. The glue discharging means 41 includes a casing 410, a first needle member 411, a second needle member 412, and a nozzle member 413. The first driving means 42A moves the first needle member 411. The second driving means 42B moves the second needle member 412.

The nozzle member 413 has a glue storage chamber 413b for storing the glue and a nozzle opening 413a for discharging the glue. An introduction port 413c is opened on a side surface of the nozzle member 413. The glue for bonding the paper stored in the glue storage container 47 described later passes through the first supply pipe 451 and is supplied to the glue supply unit 4.
8 and is supplied through the second supply pipe 452 from the inlet 413c into the glue storage chamber 413b of the nozzle member 413.

The first needle member 411 is connected to the nozzle member 4
It moves openably and closably through the thirteen nozzle openings 413a. The second needle member 412 opens and closes a glue supply path that allows the glue in the glue storage chamber 413b of the nozzle member 413 to flow through the nozzle opening 413a. The tip 411 a of the first needle member 411 is connected to the second needle member 412.
Through the front end opening 412a.

When a voltage is applied to the first solenoid SL1, the plunger SL1a is attracted, the pin SL1b pushes down the other end of the first lever 421, and the first lever 4
21 is rotated counterclockwise around the support shaft 425,
One end of the first lever 421 pushes up the pin 416A, and pulls the first needle member 411 upward in the axial direction.

Next, when a voltage is applied to the second solenoid SL2, the plunger SL2a is attracted and the pin SL2
b pushes down the other end of the second lever 422, rotates the second lever 422 clockwise about the support shaft 426, and one end of the second lever 422 pushes up the pin 416B, and the second lever 422 pushes up the pin 416B. The needle member 412 is pulled up in the axial direction.

FIG. 7 shows the first needle member 4 of the glue discharging means.
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a movement process of a second needle member 412.

FIG. 7A shows a state in which the tip of the second needle member 412 seals the inside of the nozzle opening 413a of the nozzle member 413 to block the glue supply path, and the tip 411a of the first needle member 411. Indicates a first position where the nozzle member 413 protrudes from the tip of the glue discharge nozzle opening 413a of the nozzle member 413 to be in a shielding state.

In this first position, no voltage is applied to the first solenoid SL1 and the second solenoid SL2, and the first needle member 411 is biased by a spring to protrude from the tip of the nozzle opening 413a and stop. ing. Also, the second needle member 412 is biased by a spring, and the tapered portion at the base of the distal end of the second needle member 412 and the nozzle member 41
The third nozzle opening 413a comes into contact with the inclined portion inside the nozzle opening 413a to hold the glue accommodating chamber 413b in a shielded state, thereby preventing the glue from being discharged.

FIG. 7B shows a standby state in which a voltage is applied only to the first solenoid SL1 to drive it, and the first lever 421 swings to temporarily stop at the second position. This second
In the position, the distal end portion 41 of the first needle member 411
1a moves inward from the first position, and the nozzle member 41
3 is opened from the nozzle opening 413 a of the second needle member 412.
a and is held in a standby state before the paste is discharged.

The first solenoid SL1 and the first lever 421
Before the glue application operation, the first driving means drives the first needle member 411 to reciprocate between the first position and the second position, and the nozzle opening portion 413 of the nozzle member 413
a, and a tip opening 412a of the second needle member 412
Remove the solidified paste (purging).

The number of forward and backward drive strokes of the first needle member 411 for preventing the solidification of the glue, and the length of the forward / reverse stroke are optimal depending on the nozzle opening 413a, the specifications of the first needle member 411, the properties of the glue, and the like. Set in the condition.

The glue used in the embodiment of the present invention is a vinyl acetate adhesive having a viscosity of 750 to 1500 m at room temperature.
In addition, the forward and backward driving of the first needle member 411 for preventing the solidification of the nozzle opening 413a is performed before the start of the gluing to the paper S, and the solidified glue and the glue discharged at the same time are downward. In the collection container 40A.

FIG. 7 (c) shows a state where a voltage is applied to the first solenoid SL1, and further the second solenoid SL
2 shows a coating state in which a voltage is applied to No. 2 and the second lever 422 is rocked to stop at the third position. In the third position, the distal end of the second needle member 412 moves inward from the second position, and the distal end 41 of the first needle member 411 moves.
It is held on the same plane as 1a. By the movement of the second needle member 412, the nozzle opening 413a is held in a fully opened state, the glue supply path can be circulated, and the glue in the glue accommodating chamber 413b can be discharged.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the glue container 47,
FIG. 8B is a sectional view. The glue storage container 47 contains glue Na.
(A hatched portion in the drawing) and a base member 472.

The material of the flexible bag 471 is formed of a laminated material made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminum foil, polyethylene (PE) or the like. The base member 472 includes a discharge opening 472a from which the glue Na in the flexible bag body 471 can be discharged, and a mounting portion 472b that can be mounted to the glue supply means 48.

FIG. 9 shows the glue container 47 and the supply pipe means 4.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the glue applying unit 40 including the glue supply unit 48 and the glue discharging unit 41.

The supply pipe means 45 comprises a first supply pipe 451, a second supply pipe 452, and connecting members 453, 454, 455.

The glue supply means 48 of the present invention comprises a cylinder body 480, a first valve body 481, a second valve body 482,
83, a crank 484, an auxiliary chamber 485, and the like.

The cylinder body 480 is connected to a connection member 454 on the glue introduction side of the first supply pipe 451 connected to the glue storage container 47.
, A glue discharge port 486, a glue storage chamber 487 whose volume can be changed, and a sliding wall portion 488.

One end of the first supply pipe 451 is connected to the connection member 454 on the glue introduction side, and the other end is connected to the connection member 4 on the glue storage container side.
55. The connection member 455 on the side of the glue storage container is detachably connected to the base member 472 of the glue storage container 47.

Auxiliary chamber 48 connected to cylinder body 480
5, a swingable second valve body 482 and a connection member 453 of the second supply pipe 452 are accommodated. The second supply pipe 452 communicates with the inlet 413c of the glue discharging means 41.

The first valve body 481, which is swingably supported in the cylinder body 480 and is biased by a spring, opens and closes the glue introduction port 489 of the connection member 454 on the glue discharge side. Cylinder body 4
A second valve body 482 supported in the vicinity of the glue discharge port 486 and biased by a spring opens and closes the glue discharge port 486.

By driving the motor M1, the gears Z1, Z2
Rotates. The crank 484 rotatably supported at the eccentric position of the gear Z2 is swingably engaged with the piston 483, and slides the piston 483 on the inner wall of the cylinder body 480 to reciprocate straight.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the glue supply process of the glue supply means 48. FIG. 10A shows a glue supply state. By the forward movement of the piston 483, the glue storage chamber 487
And the internal pressure increases (positive pressure state). Due to the increase in the internal pressure of the glue accommodating chamber 487, the first valve body 481 closes the glue introduction port of the connection member 454 on the glue introduction side against the bias of the spring, and the second valve body 482 opens the glue discharge port 486. The pressurized glue in the cylinder body 480 is discharged from the glue discharge port 486, passes through the second supply pipe 452, and passes through the glue discharging means 41.
Supplied to

FIG. 10B shows the piston 4 during the retreat operation.
FIG. 10C shows the position of the piston 483 at the end of the retreat operation and at the start of the forward movement.

By the retreating operation of the piston 483, the capacity of the glue accommodating chamber 487 increases, and the internal pressure decreases (negative pressure state). Due to the decrease in the internal pressure of the glue storage chamber 487, the second valve body 48
2 closes the glue discharge port 486 to prevent the glue from being discharged, and the first valve body 481 is urged by a spring to open the glue introduction port of the connection member 454 on the glue introduction side to remove the glue in the storage container 47. Glue storage room 4
87.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the glue supply means of the present invention. Figure 1
2 is an enlarged sectional view of the glue supply means. Note that, in the reference numerals used in the drawings, portions having the same functions as those in FIGS. 9 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, points different from the first embodiment will be described.

A plurality (two sets in the figure) of glue supply means 48A and 48B having the same structure as the glue supply means 48 of the first embodiment are arranged in parallel. Glue inlet 489A of glue supply means 48A
Is a first supply branch pipe 451 branched from the first supply pipe 451.
A, and the glue discharge port 486A is connected to a second supply branch pipe 452A branched from the second supply pipe 452.

[0086] The glue supply means 48A includes a cylinder body 480.
A, first valve body 481A, second valve body 482A, piston 4
83A, a crank 484A, an auxiliary chamber 485A, a glue discharge port 486A, a glue storage chamber 487A, a sliding wall 488A, and a motor M1.

The glue inlet 489B of the glue supply means 48B is
The glue outlet 486B is connected to a first supply branch pipe 452B branched from the first supply pipe 451, and the glue discharge port 486B is connected to a second supply branch pipe 452B branched from the second supply pipe 452.

The glue supply means 48B includes a cylinder body 480.
B, first valve body 481B, second valve body 482B, piston 4
83B, a crank 484B, an auxiliary chamber 485B, a glue discharge port 486B, a glue storage chamber 487B, a sliding wall 488B, and a motor M2.

The driving means composed of the motors M1 and M2 includes a piston 483A of the glue supply means 48A and a glue supply means 48A.
B alternately moves forward and backward with the piston 483B, alternately introduces glue into the glue supply means 48A, 48B, discharges glue alternately from the glue supply means 48A, 48B, and sends the glue to the glue discharge means 41. Supply.

That is, by the forward movement of the piston 483A, the first valve body 481A closes the glue introduction port, the inside of the cylinder body 480A is made positive pressure, and the second valve body 482A opens the glue discharge port 486A. The glue in the cylinder body 480A is supplied to the glue discharging means 41.

In response to the start of the forward movement of the piston 483A of the glue supply means 48A, the piston 4 of the glue supply means 48B
83B starts the retreat operation. By the retreating operation of the piston 483B, the second valve body 482B closes the glue discharge port 486B, and the inside of the cylinder body 480B is made to have a negative pressure, and the first valve body 481B opens the glue inlet port 489B. The glue in 47 is introduced into the cylinder body 480B.

Thus, the two sets of glue supply means 48
A and 48B alternately introduce and discharge the glue from the glue storage container 47 and supply the glue to the glue discharging means 41. Therefore, the glue supply with little pressure fluctuation is performed from the glue supply means 48A, 48B to the glue discharge means 41.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a glue supply process according to a third embodiment of the glue supply device of the present invention. Note that, in the reference numerals used in the drawings, portions having the same functions as those in FIGS. 11 and 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, points different from the second embodiment will be described.

The mounting portion 472b is held so that the opening for discharging the glue of the base member 472 of the glue storage container 47 is substantially vertically upward, and the glue storage container 47 is held in the upright position by the holding member 473. The first supply pipe 451 is connected to the connection member 455 on the glue storage container side connected to the discharge opening 472a.
A third supply pipe 456 that penetrates the connection member 455 and the mouthpiece member 472 on the side of the glue storage container is disposed substantially vertically in the flexible bag 471 of the glue storage container 47, and a glue suction unit at the bottom of the third supply pipe 456 is provided. 457 is arranged near the bottom of the flexible bag 471 in a non-contact state.

The glue Na in the flexible bag 471 is supplied from the glue suction portion 457 by the suction suction operation and the compression discharge operation of the glue by the glue supply means 48A, 48B connected to the other end of the first supply pipe 451. It is sucked up, rises inside the third supply pipe 456, and is introduced into the glue supply means 48A or 48B via the first supply pipe 451, the first supply branch pipe 451A or 451B.

The glue discharged under pressure from the glue supply means 48A or 48B passes through the second supply branch pipe 452A or 452B, passes through the second supply pipe 452, and is supplied to the inlet 413c of the glue discharge means 41. .

Since the glue Na in the flexible bag 471 is sucked up from the glue suction portion 457 disposed near the bottom of the flexible bag 471, the air in the flexible bag 471 is not sucked. It is possible to supply almost all of the contained glue. Further, it is not necessary to perform an idle jet (purging) or the like for eliminating the air in the flexible bag body 471.

The glue binding apparatus C provided with the glue supply device of the present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine of these. After processing such as single-sided recording, double-sided recording, and page editing, the discharged paper is used as the glue binding apparatus C of the present invention.
, The gluing process is performed stably and efficiently, and bookbinding is immediately performed.

It is also possible to form the glue binding apparatus C of the present invention as an independent apparatus and to glue and bind a sheet processed by another image forming apparatus.

[0100]

As is apparent from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by the glue supply apparatus, glue binding apparatus and image forming apparatus of the present invention.

(1) Since the glue supply device according to the first aspect of the present invention enables the glue to be supplied only by driving the piston in the cylinder body, the pressurizing mechanism of the glue storage container is unnecessary, and the glue is supplied. The structure of the supply device is simple and the installation volume is small. Further, it is possible to stably supply the glue to the glue discharging means with a predetermined pressing force. Further, there is no need to limit the installation position of the glue storage container.

(2) With the glue supply device according to the second aspect of the present invention, by using a plurality of the glue supply devices and arranging them in parallel, in addition to the above-described effects, a predetermined pressure fluctuation with a small pressure fluctuation can be obtained. The glue can be continuously supplied to the glue discharging means by the pressure.

(3) With the glue supply device according to the third aspect of the present invention, only the glue can be supplied to the glue discharging means via the supply pipe and the cylinder body without sucking the air in the glue storage container. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform an empty injection (purging) or the like for eliminating the air in the glue storage container. Also,
It is possible to supply almost the entire amount of the glue stored in the glue storage container.

(4) By the glue binding apparatus provided with the glue supply device of the present invention, the glue in the glue storage container is sent out from the glue supply means to the glue discharge means at a predetermined pressure, and a predetermined amount of glue is supplied from the glue discharge means. Is discharged and uniformly applied to the side edges of the sheet. The paper that has been subjected to the glue application processing is accommodated in the paper accommodating means of the aligning and pressurizing means, and is brought into close contact with the glue application section by rolling of the pressurizing means.

(3) An image forming apparatus equipped with the glue binding apparatus of the present invention receives and supplies the adhesive supplied from the adhesive supply apparatus to a sheet conveyed at a high speed from the image forming apparatus, and discharges the adhesive. It is possible to perform the gluing process by means and automatically perform the bookbinding process continuously.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, a glue binding apparatus, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a sheet transport path of the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a process of gluing and binding to paper.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a glue application position on various types of paper.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a plan view and a front view of the vicinity of a glue discharging unit of a paper correcting unit and a glue applying unit.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a glue discharging unit and a driving unit.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a moving process of a first needle member and a second needle member of the glue discharging means.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view and a sectional view of a bag-like container.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a glue application unit including a glue storage container, a supply pipe unit, a glue supply unit, and a glue discharge unit.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a glue supply process of the glue supply means.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the glue supply means of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a glue supply unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a glue supply process according to a third embodiment of the glue supply device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 40 glue applying means 41 glue discharging means 451 first supply pipe 451A, 451B first supply branch pipe 452 second supply pipe 452A, 452B second supply branch pipe 454 glue introduction side connection member 456 third supply pipe 457 glue suction part 47 glue Storage container 471 Flexible bag 472 Cap member 48, 48A, 48B Glue supply means 480, 480A, 480B Cylinder main body 481, 481A, 481B First valve 482, 482A, 482B Second valve 483, 483A, 483B Piston 484, 484A, 484B Crank 486, 486A, 486B Glue outlet 487, 487A, 487B Glue storage chamber 489, 489A, 489B Glue inlet 50 Alignment pressurizing means 60 Discharge means A Image forming apparatus main body C Glue binding apparatus M1, M2 motor Na glue

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hitoshi Tamura 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Toshio Shida 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Toshitaka Matsumoto 3-51-4 Kanamecho, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Makoto Tamura 2-14-34 Oyaba, Urawa-shi, Saitama F-term (reference) 3F108 GA01 GB01 HA02 HA13 4F041 AA02 BA02 BA23 BA36 4F042 AA02 BA08 CB08 DF19 DF27 DF28 DF34

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A glue supply device for supplying glue to a glue discharging device through a glue discharge opening of a glue storage container through a glue discharge opening of a glue storage container by a glue supply means, wherein a glue introduction port connected to the supply pipe; A glue accommodating chamber, a cylinder body having a glue discharge port for supplying glue to the glue discharging means, a first valve body for opening and closing the glue inlet port, and a second valve body for opening and closing the glue discharge port And a piston movable in the cylinder body, and driving means for moving the piston forward and backward, and the second valve body closes the glue discharge port by the backward movement of the piston, Make the cylinder body negative pressure,
The first valve body opens the glue introduction port, introduces the glue in the storage container into the cylinder main body, and the first valve body closes the glue introduction port by the forward movement of the piston. A glue supply device for supplying a glue in the cylinder body to the glue discharging means by applying a positive pressure to the inside of the cylinder body, the second valve body opening the glue discharge port, and supplying the glue in the cylinder body. 2. The glue discharged from the glue discharge opening of the glue storage container is pressure-fed by a glue supply means via a first supply pipe,
In a glue supply device for supplying the glue discharged from the glue supply means to the glue discharge means via a second supply pipe, a glue introduction port connected to the first supply pipe, a glue storage chamber, and a glue storage chamber connected to the second supply pipe. A cylinder body having a glue discharge port, a first valve body for opening and closing the glue inlet port, a second valve body for opening and closing the glue discharge port, and a piston movable into the cylinder body. A plurality of glue supply means comprising: a drive means for moving the piston forward and backward; and a plurality of glue supply means arranged in parallel, wherein the drive means alternately advances and retreats the pistons arranged on the plurality of glue supply means, Wherein the glue is supplied alternately from the glue supplying means to the glue discharging means. 3. A glue supply for supplying glue discharged from a glue discharge opening of a glue storage container by a glue supply means through a supply pipe, and supplying the glue discharged from the glue supply means to a glue discharge means. In the apparatus, the glue discharge opening of the glue storage container is held substantially vertically upward, and a supply pipe connected to the glue discharge opening is disposed substantially vertically in the glue storage container. A glue supply device, wherein a bottom is disposed near the bottom of the glue container. 4. A glue supply device according to claim 1, wherein the glue is fed by the glue discharging device, and a transporting device transports the glued paper, and the glued paper is aligned. A glue binding apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores therein; a pressurizing unit that presses the aligned sheet bundle to perform bookbinding; and a paper discharging unit that discharges the bound booklet. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body including an image writing unit, an image forming unit, and a sheet conveying unit; and the glue binding apparatus according to claim 4.