JPH06305276A - Fold section supplier for book making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] A signature feeding device for a bookbinding machine, which includes a signature feeding section and a signature feeding section, while properly maintaining the standing posture of the signature in the signature feeding section. The signature feeding section allows the signatures of the signature feeding section to be accurately extracted one by one from the leading end of the signature feeding section and can be fed. [Composition] A signature delivery section 10 for delivering a signature in a standing state with the fold down, a support member 14 for supporting the front of the signature upper part at the forefront of the signature delivery section 10, and a foremost signature. Equipped with a signature paper feed unit 18 that pulls out 6 in order and feeds them to the binding machine side.
A signature input section 40 capable of loading a signature at the rear of the signature output section and capable of opening and closing at the front, and a vertical movement and a forward / backward movement between the signature output section and the signature input section can be performed alternately. A signature supply device for a bookbinding machine, which includes a first signature clamp mechanism C and a second signature clamp mechanism D.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention accommodates a large number of signatures arranged in a vertically standing state with the fold side facing down, and sequentially sends them out forward, and one part in order from the signature on the sending end side. The present invention relates to a signature supply device for a bookbinding machine such as a saddle stitch bookbinding machine or a flat stitch bookbinding machine that extracts each sheet and feeds it to the bookbinding machine side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a bookbinding machine for binding a saddle stitch book or a flat stitch book is equipped with a signature feeding device for feeding and feeding the signatures one by one.

In addition, in the latter stage of the signature supply device, a signature feeding device for sequentially aligning and feeding signatures fed one by one on an endless gathering chain for transporting, is collated. A binding device that forms a bound book by binding the folded signature with a wire binding, a sewing binding, etc., a trimmer that trims and cuts the bound bound book to a predetermined size, and a bound book that has been trimmed is carried out. An accumulating and unloading device that cuts and accumulates every predetermined number of books and carries them out.

Further, the signature feeders installed in the bookbinding machine are endless in that a plurality of signature feeders corresponding to the number of signatures required for one booklet of the saddle stitch booklet. It is arranged along the signature conveyance path formed by the gathered chain.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a conventional general saddle stitch bookbinding machine, and a plurality of signature supply devices A (A _1, A _2, A _3,
... A _n ) each of which has a fold 6a in a vertical standing position.
The saddle stitch binding signature 6 folded through the sheets is loaded and accommodated with the folds 6a being on the lower side, and the signature sending section 16 is capable of sending forward (in the direction of the arrow), and the leading end side of the sending. A signature feeding unit 18 is provided, and a collating apparatus B for collating is provided below the signature feeding apparatus A. The collating apparatus B includes a gathering chain 8 (an endless chain for feeding). The signature feeding path 1 configured by the above is provided, and the plurality of signature feeding devices A are arranged at equal intervals along the feeding path 1.

[0006] A large number of signatures 6 stacked vertically along the delivery path 7 of the signature delivery section 16 are forwarded in order, and the signatures 6 are fed one by one from the leading end side of the delivery.
The paper is fed (hanged) onto the gathering chain 8 which is fed by the bookbinding machine side (gathering chain or the like) by the reference numeral 8.

FIG. 11 is a partial front view showing the signature conveying path 1 of the collating device B. The signatures 6 hung on the gathering chain 8 are a plurality of signatures attached to the chain 8 at equal intervals. 11 is fed by the feed claws 8a of the above and is horizontally conveyed from the right side of FIG. 11 to the left (in the rear direction of FIG. 10), and the chains 8 are arranged at equal intervals along the plurality of signature feeding devices. While passing through A (A _1, A _2, ... A _n ), a predetermined number of sheets are provided between the feed claws 8 a on the gathering chain 8 on which the signature 6 is mounted, in a predetermined page order for each book. The folded signatures 6 are stacked and collated, and the collated signatures 6 are further forwarded by a chain 8 to appropriately bind the central portion of the signature 6 corresponding to the fold 6a, and subsequently. The trimmer finishes the three sides to complete a saddle stitch book.

As shown in FIG. 10, the signature feeding device A is held in both side guides 17 of the signature feeding section 16 and the lower feeding path 7 (which is constituted by an endless belt for feeding). The signatures 6 delivered to the front are arranged in the longitudinal direction with the side of the central fold 6a facing downward, and the signature path on the leading end side is fed by the delivery path 7 provided with a feed mechanism such as a belt conveyor arranged on the lower side. It is sent to the section 18.

The foremost signature 6 delivered to the leading end side of the signature delivery section 16 contacts the support member 14 above the leading end of the delivery section 16 to temporarily collect the accumulated signatures from the foremost part onward. The lower part of the signature 6 is supported by the suction device 20 of the rotating upper cylinder 22 of the signature feeding unit 18, and the signatures 6 are sequentially taken out one by one from the leading end. Side guides 17 are provided on both sides of these signatures 6 to support both sides of the signatures 6 conveyed by a delivery path 7 such as an endless belt having a feeding mechanism so that the signatures 6 are delivered in an aligned state. Will be guided to.

The end of the taken-out signature 6 on the fold 6a side is clamped by the jaws 23 of the upper cylinder 22, the signatures 6 are extracted one by one, and the folds of the extracted signature 6 are taken out. While holding the 6a side with the jaw 23, rotate it halfway to make a crease 6a.
The side is converted into an upper part, and the signature 6 is introduced between the upper cylinder 22 and the reverse rotation roll 24, and at the same time, the jaw 23 is opened, and the signature 6 is removed from the jaw 23 by the reverse roll 24 and the upper side is released. It is dropped along the guide 25 below the cylinder 22.

When falling, the open end of the signature 6 (fold 6
one end (long lap end)
Is held by the jaw 29 (or vacuum suction portion) of the lap cylinder 28 that rotates clockwise, and the other end (shorter end) of the opening jaw 26 that rotates counterclockwise 27.
When the (or vacuum suction portion) is gripped, the lap cylinder 28 and the opening cylinder 26 cooperate to open the signature 6 to the left and right, and subsequently, the jaws 29, 27.
Opens (vacuum suction stops) and signature 6
Is released and dropped in the direction of the arrow, is hung on the gathering chain 8 on the lower side, and is conveyed to the next signature supply device A while being pushed by the claw member 8a.

[0012]

However, the signature delivery unit 1
The signatures 6 accumulated in 6 are vertically accumulated, and the signatures 6 are thin sheets and relatively weak. Therefore, there is a problem that the bundle of signatures is easily collapsed while being conveyed by the feeding mechanism in the supply device.

If the transport force or the transport speed of the signature delivery unit 16 (the traveling speed of the endless conveyor belt) is smaller than the paper feed speed of the signature paper feed unit 18 (the rotation speed of the upper cylinder), The stacking density of the signatures 6 on the signature output unit 16 is reduced, and the signatures 6 are likely to fall or collapse in the middle.

Further, when the signature 6 is conveyed to the leading end side, the support member 14 cannot support these signatures 6 in an accurate posture, and therefore the signature feeding unit 18 smoothes the signatures 6 part by part. It becomes difficult to pull it out and hang it on the gathering chain 8.

On the contrary, when the carrying force or the carrying speed becomes excessive, the signatures 6 project from the lower part of the support member 14 on the leading end side of the signature sending section 16 and the signature feeding section 18 smoothes the signatures part by part. There is a problem that the paper is not fed.

In order to solve this problem, the signature sending unit 1
A stack of signatures 6 (a signature group) placed and housed in the vertical direction in a vertical direction in 6 is sandwiched by a fork or a hand acting in the signature sending section 16 and In order to prevent the standing posture of the signature group from sagging or collapsing, it is conveyed in a state of being divided into multiple parts, and the signature group is pressed from the rear to the tip side with a properly controlled pressing force.
There is a method of energizing.

As described above, the delivery path 7 in the signature delivery section 16
Even if the pressing force is appropriately controlled and biased so that the standing position of the signature group sent out along the vertical direction is maintained up to the tip, the pressing force is compressed. Since it works across the group of signatures, even if the position of the signatures in the rear is maintained in the optimum state, it may not always be the case at the tip, and the quality, number of sheets, and size of the stored signatures 6 , The posture of the signature 6 at the tip of the signature group depends on the number of copies,
It is not always possible to control the posture to be constant.

The present invention is a signature feeder for a bookbinding machine, which comprises a signature delivery section and a signature feeding section, and provides signatures while properly maintaining the standing posture of the signatures in the signature delivery section. The paper unit is to accurately extract the signatures of the signature delivery unit one by one from the leading end to feed the signatures.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a signature feeding section 10 for feeding a signature in an upright state with the fold being on the lower side, and a front upper portion of the signature are supported at the forefront of the signature feeding section 10. A support member 14 and a signature paper feed unit 18 that sequentially extracts the frontmost signatures 6 one by one and feeds the signatures to the bookbinding machine side, and the signatures can be inserted at the rear of the signature output unit. A signature loading section 40 that can be opened and closed forward, and a first signature clamping mechanism C that can alternately move up and down and move forward and backward between the signature sending section and the signature loading section.
And a second signature clamp mechanism D.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a pressure sensor unit 50 for detecting the contact force with respect to the stacking signature is provided at the front of each of the first signature clamping mechanism C and the second signature clamping mechanism D. This is a signature supply device for a bookbinding machine.

Further, according to the present invention, below the supporting member 14 for supporting the front surface of the upper part of the signature provided at the foremost part of the delivery of the signature sending part 10, the front part of the lower part of the signature projecting immediately before extraction is provided. A signature supply device for a bookbinding machine, which is provided with a protrusion sensor unit 60 for detecting.

[0022]

According to the signature feeder of the bookbinding machine of the present invention, the signatures 6 supplied to the binding machine side are accumulated in the signature delivery section 10 in a standing state with the fold side down. Placed,
The placed signature 6 is clamped by the first signature clamp mechanism C and the second signature clamp mechanism D, and one of the signature clamp mechanisms is in the signature delivery section 10 (accommodation section).
It moves in the delivery direction while abutting against the rearmost portion of the signature 6 accommodated in.

As a result, the rear end portion of the signature group, which is sent out and moved in the signature sending section 10 by either one of the first signature clamp mechanism C and the second signature clamp mechanism D, is moved. Since a part of the signature group which is always supported in a standing posture and which is sent out and moved in the signature sending section 10, the front and rear ends thereof are supported in a divided state by the signature clamp mechanism, the signature sending section. The standing posture of the entire group of signatures moving in 10 is stable.

At the time of this moving operation, the detection unit 60 provided at the tip of the hand of the signature clamp mechanism which is in contact detects the contact force with respect to the rear portion of the stored signature group, and based on the detection signal. Thus, the moving speed V of the signature clamp mechanism in contact with the leading end side is controlled, and an appropriate pressing force can be applied to the rear portion of the signature group.

The other detection unit 70 provided outside the leading end of the signature sending unit 10 is the signature 6 at the front of the signature group.
The presence or absence of a protruding state with respect to the support member 14 on the fold side (lower end side) is detected.

As a result, the contact force of the rear part of the signature group is adjusted by controlling the moving speed V of the signature clamp mechanism, which contacts the rear part of the signature group, toward the front end side to an appropriate value. For example, when the fold side (lower end side) of the foremost signature 6 projects forward from the support member 14, the movement speed V is controlled to be low and the contact force is reduced. The protruding state on the lower end side of the signature 6 at the forefront is corrected to the same tip portion as the support member 14.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A signature supply device for a bookbinding machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in a schematic side view of the present invention device A in FIG. 1 and a plan view of the present invention device A in FIG.

The signature delivery section 10 of the apparatus A of the present invention is a plate-like support member 14 which is supported by the apparatus body frame F (not shown) and stands vertically or slightly inclined, and this support member 14. A space portion 14a is provided in the lower portion, and a bottom portion 13 extending substantially at right angles to the support member 14 and the bottom plate 13 are provided.
Side guide plates 12, 12 provided on both sides in the width direction of the support member 14, the bottom plate 13, the side guide plates 12,
A large number of folded signatures 6 (a group of signatures) are accommodated in the signature delivery path 11 constituted by 12 and 12 in a standing posture with the folds 6a facing downward. If necessary, an endless belt for feeding the signatures 6 may be provided along the bottom plate 13 of the signature feeding path 11 so as to come into contact with the folds 6a of the stacking signatures 6 in an auxiliary manner. Is possible.

The signature delivery section 10 is also provided with a first signature clamp mechanism C and a second signature clamp mechanism D below the bottom portion 13.

The first signature clamp mechanism C and the second signature clamp mechanism D are slidable along a pair of two guide shafts 30, 30 which are attached to and supported by the apparatus body frame F in parallel with the bottom portion 13. Each of the slide blocks 31 and 31 is provided with a pair of ball nut shafts 37 and 37 which are respectively screwed to a pair of ball screw shafts 39 and 39 which are also parallel to the bottom 13, and a motor 38 (servo motor, pulse motor). The ball screw block 37 is driven and rotated to move the ball screw block 37 forward and backward.

The block 31 and the block 37 are respectively provided with guide shafts 36, 36 which are vertically supported with respect to the bottom portion 13, and can be moved forward and backward along the guide shaft 30 parallel to the bottom portion 13, A lifting block 3 which can be moved up and down along the guide shafts 36, 36, respectively.
2, 32 are provided.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the elevating block 32 and the guide shaft 36 employ a known rodless air cylinder system in which a straight guide shaft and a movable block are combined. Is a movable block of a rodless air cylinder, and the guide shaft 36 is a guide shaft of a rodless air cylinder. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other suitable rods are used. It is possible to drive up and down by using a reciprocating drive system such as an air cylinder or an endless chain that rotates by feeding with a motor.

The lifting block 32, 32 has a bottom portion 1
3, rod air cylinders 35, 35 each having an operating rod 35a that reciprocates in a direction parallel to 3 are attached, and each operating rod 35 of the air cylinder 35 is attached.
a includes front clamp plates 33,
33 is attached, and rear clamp plates 34, 34 are integrally attached to the main body of the rod air cylinder 35 or the movable block 32 so as to face the front clamp plate 33 in parallel.

As described above, the front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34 provided to face the first signature clamp mechanism C and the second signature clamp mechanism D, respectively, are the lifting block 3
It is possible to move up and down vertically with respect to the bottom portion 13 along with the guide shaft 36 integrally with 2, and to move the ball screw block 37 forward and backward by driving and rotating the ball screw shaft 39. ,
It can be moved forward and backward along the guide shaft 31 parallel to the bottom portion 13.

The front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34
Is raised from below the bottom portion 13 by the ascending operation and fitted into the bottom portion 13 (bottom gap 13a), and its tip portion is projected above the bottom portion 13 perpendicularly to the bottom portion 13. 13 is to be separated downward.

The front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34 are the front and rear clamp plates 33, 33 which are parallel to each other and face each other.
The stacking signature 6 (a group of signatures) is clamped (sandwiched) between the front and rear clamp plates 33 and 34 by the approaching / separating operation of the rod air cylinder 35 of 34.

The front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34 are moved forward and backward in the direction of the leading edge of the signature delivery path 11 by the forward and reverse driving rotation of the ball screw shaft 39. It is a thing.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the signature delivery section 10 has an upper side of a rear end of the bottom section 13 opposite to the tip side (the support member 14 side) of the bottom section 13 constituting the signature delivery path 11. In addition, a signature input section 40 is provided uprightly with respect to the bottom portion 13.

The signature input sections 40 are vertically erected and fixed vertically on both sides in the width direction on the bottom section 13, respectively.
1, 41 (planar L-shape) and front support fences 42, 42 that are vertically fixed to the support fences 41, 41 on both sides in the width direction on the bottom portion 13, respectively. The support fences 42, 42 are pivotally supported by the rear support fence 41 via a fulcrum 41a so as to be openable and closable, and close or open the front part of the signature input section 40.

In the signature input section 40 surrounded by the rear support fences 41, 41 and the front support fences 42, 42, a predetermined number of signatures 6 are provided with their folds 6a facing down. It is thrown in in a standing posture.

A fold line 6a is formed on the bottom portion 13 of the signature delivery unit 10.
The signatures 6 that are densely stacked in a standing posture with the (back side of the book to be bound) facing down are the predetermined clamp plates 33 of the first signature clamp mechanism C or the second signature clamp mechanism D, respectively. By the forward movement operation based on the speed, it is pushed toward the support member 14 with a predetermined pushing force and sent out.

The upper part of the signature 6 on the leading end side in the delivery direction is temporarily supported by the support member 14, and then, as shown in FIG. The sheets are sequentially extracted from the gap portion 14a below the support member 14 from the front end side and fed. In addition, the signature feeder 18
In the present invention, a known rotary type signature feeding means can be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the signatures 6 are fed one by one by the signature feeder A of the present invention, which is composed of the signature sending section 10 and the signature feeding section 18. continue,
A predetermined number of signatures 6 (including the cover) are sequentially hung on the upper side in order while being hung and conveyed on the gathering chain 8 of the collating section B arranged on the lower side of the signature feeding section 18. The folded signatures 6 which are collated in order and are collated are subjected to a binding process such as a wire binding process, a sewing binding process, a trimmer cutting process, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the signature sheet feeding section 18 of the present invention is arranged so that the signature sections 6 exposed from the gap 14a below the support member 14 are partially pulled out from the leading end side and placed below. Paper is fed onto the gathering chain 8 of the gathering device B, and as shown in the drawing, the signature feeding section 18 has an end on the fold 6a side of the signature 6 with respect to the gap 14a of the supporting member 14. A signature extraction section 20 (which includes a vacuum suction section 21 such as a suction cup attached to the tip of the swing arm 20b that swings through the support shaft 20a) and a signature suction section 20 that sucks out a portion outside the gap 14a. The upper cylinder 22 provided with an opening / closing jaw 23 that holds the end of the folded signature 6 on the fold 6a side, and the upper cylinder 2 below the upper cylinder 22.
2, an opening cylinder 26 having a jaw 27 (or a vacuum suction portion) that rotates in a reverse direction with respect to 2, and a lapping jaw 2 that is arranged to face the opening cylinder 26 and rotates in a reverse direction with respect to the opening cylinder 26.
9 (or a vacuum suction unit) and a lap cylinder 28.

In FIG. 1, the upper cylinder 22 which rotates clockwise is an end on the fold 6a side of the signature 6 which is taken out one by one at the signature extraction section 20 while being supported by the support member 14 by the jaw 23 thereof. Hold the part and pull out one by one, and turn the folded part 6a side of the extracted part 6 halfway while holding it with the jaws 23 to convert the fold 6a side to the upper part, and Is introduced between the upper cylinder 22 and the reverse rotation roll 24, and at the same time, the jaw 23 is opened, the signature 6 is removed from the jaw 23 by the reverse roll 24, and dropped below the upper cylinder 22 along the guide 25. .

When falling, the open end of the signature 6 (fold 6
one end (long lap end)
Is held by the jaw 29 of the lap cylinder 28 that rotates to the right and the other end (shorter end) of the jaw 27 of the opening cylinder 26 that rotates to the left, so that the lap cylinder 28 and the opening cylinder 26 Cooperate with each other to open the signature 6, and then the jaws 29 and 27 are opened to open the signature 6 in the direction of the arrow and hang it on the gathering chain 8 on the lower side. While being pushed by the claw member 8a, it is conveyed to the next signature supply device A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gathering chain 8 pushes the signature 6 fed from the first signature feeder A ₁ and hung on it by the pawl member 8a, while Ding feeder a _2, a _3, while transporting sequentially · · · a _n, to collate the page order to a predetermined number of pages overlapping sequentially signatures 6 of the signature supply device a. The signatures 6 stacked in a predetermined number of pages in this manner are then bound together at the fold 6a in the central portion and trimmer cut to complete a saddle stitch book.

The signature feeding device A of the present invention, which is composed of the signature sending section 10 and the signature feeding section 18, will be described in more detail. A pair of the first signature clamp mechanism C and the second fold, each of which has a predetermined number of folded signatures 6 (a signature group) inserted in a standing posture with 6a facing down The signature clamping mechanism D alternately supplies to the rear end of the stacking signatures 6 supported by the support members 14 in the signature delivery path 11.

The first signature clamp mechanism C and the second signature clamp mechanism D are provided with front clamp plates 33, 33 and rear clamp plates 34, 34, respectively. By driving the clamp plates 33, 33, the stacking signature 6 in the input section 40 is clamped.

Further, the forks 33 and 34 are movable blocks 32 which are vertically moved along the guide shafts 36 and 36.
It can be moved up and down as appropriate using (a rodless air cylinder, etc.).

Similarly, the forks 33 and 34 rotate the ball screw shafts 39 and 39 by the servomotors 38 and 38, and the ball nut blocks 37 and 37.
It can be moved back and forth as appropriate via.

The signature input section 40 is provided with a pair of support fences 42, 42 that can be opened and closed forward on both sides in the width direction, and are driven by air cylinders 43, 43 via a fulcrum 42a. Can be opened and closed.

Next, regarding the signature pressing sensor section 50 attached to the first signature clamping mechanism C and the second signature clamping mechanism D, a schematic side view of FIG. 3 (a) and a front view of FIG. 3 (b), A detailed description will be given below according to an embodiment shown in the bottom view of FIG.

A base plate 54 is attached to the lower portion of the front clamp plate 33 attached to the tip of the operating rod 35a of the rod air cylinder 35, and brackets 56, 56 are attached to the lower surface of the base plate 54 so as to face each other in the operating direction of the operating rod 35a. Is attached to the bracket 56,
56 is provided with guide shafts 55, 55 (for example, two) fitted in the actuating direction of the actuating rod 35a, and one end of the guide shafts 55, 55 is predetermined forward of the signature delivery direction with respect to the front clamp plate 33. A detection plate 53 attached with a separation distance (for example, about 10 mm) is attached, and a locking portion 55a (guide shaft 55
A nut which is screwed to the shaft is attached to the guide shaft 55, and a sensor terminal 51 for position detection (a sensor terminal of a potentiometer or the like) is attached to the other end of either one of the guide shafts 55. The distance between the front clamp plate 33 and the detection plate 53 can be adjusted by appropriately rotating the nut of the locking portion 55a.

An adjusting block 57 is fitted on the guide shafts 55, 55 between the brackets 56, 56,
A compression spring 59 fitted to one bracket 56 is provided between the adjustment block 57 and the detection plate 53, and the adjustment block 57 is locked by a tip end portion of an adjustment screw 58a screwed to the other bracket 56. The detection plate 53 is guided by the guide shafts 55, 55 and can move back and forth against the compression spring 59.

Compression reaction of the compression spring 59 (repulsive force)
Can be adjusted by rotating the screw head 58 of the adjusting screw 58a and moving the adjusting block 57 back and forth. The adjustment range of this repulsive force is 1 kg / m ^{2 to} 5 kg /
m ² is desirable.

A predetermined number of stacked signatures 6 are clamped between the front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34 of the first signature clamp mechanism C and the second signature clamp mechanism D to move forward, and the signature delivery path. 11 When it arrives near the rear end of the stacking signature 6 on the front side (the signature group supported by the support member 14), the detection plate 53 first comes into contact with the rear end of the signature group, and the compression spring 53 The guide shaft 55 is moved backward against the repulsive biasing force of 59, and the sensor terminal 51 attached to the end of the guide shaft 55 is also moved backward to turn on the position detection sensor 52.

The signatures 6 are extracted one by one from the signature feeding section 10 by the signature feeding section 18, and the signature feeding path 1 is provided.
When the number of stacking signatures 6 (group of signatures) in 1 decreases, compression spring 5
The urging force of 9 causes the detection plate 53 to move forward in the direction of returning to the original position, the sensor terminal 51 also moves forward, and the sensor 52 is turned off.

The ON / OFF output from the sensor 52 is used to confirm the pressing force to the rear end of the signature group on the signature delivery path 11 and the standing posture of the signature group, and the motor 38 shown in FIG. The drive control system receives the ON / OFF output to move the front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34 of the first signature clamp mechanism C or the second signature clamp mechanism D forward / backward or stop, and the signatures. The posture / pressing force for the signature group on the delivery path 11 is kept within a certain range.

By adjusting the repulsive force of the compression spring 59 with the adjusting screw 58, the pressing force for urging the signature group on the delivery path 11 from the rear can be adjusted appropriately.

In the present invention, the front clamp plate 3
As a means for detecting the pressing force when the stacking signature 6 is brought into contact with the rear end of the stacking signature 6, in addition to the pressing sensor 50 shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b) and 3 (c), for example, the front clamp plate 33 is used. Even if the pressing force is detected by detecting an increase or decrease in the rotational torque of the motor 38 for moving each of the first signature clamp mechanism C or the second signature clamp mechanism D that moves the motor, Good.

Next, a signature projection sensor unit 60 installed on the leading end side of the signature delivery unit 10 will be described in detail below with reference to the side views of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

The signature detection sensor 60 is used for the signature output unit 10.
Is provided with a plate-like or claw-shaped detection claw 61, one end of which protrudes so as to block the gap 14a between the support member 14 at the tip of the claw and the tip of the bottom part 13, and the other end of the detection claw 61. The portion is rotatably supported on a fulcrum 61a supported on the apparatus body frame F side.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, for example, the detection claw 61 is supported by a fulcrum 61a such that the inner surface of the detection claw 61 on the signature delivery path 11 side can contact the front surface of the frontmost signature 6 in parallel. The angle θ formed by the straight line H passing through the fulcrum 61a and parallel to the bottom portion 13 of the signature delivery unit 10 and the axis S of the detection pawl 61 is 90 °.

A sensor terminal 62 that rotates integrally with the detection claw 61 is provided on the opposite side of the detection claw 61 with respect to the fulcrum 61a, and the detection claw is located near or contacted by the rotation of the sensor terminal 62. A sensor 63 separate from 61 is provided, and the terminal 62 and the sensor 63 have a θ =
The positioning is set so that they are not in contact with each other at 90 °.

In the natural state, the detecting claw 61 always keeps a posture of blocking a partial lower region of the gap portion 14a. For example, as shown in FIG. One end of the extension spring 64 is attached to the fulcrum 61a, and the other end is attached to and supported by the bottom portion 13 so that the shutoff posture is always taken. A weight that gives a rotation moment of an appropriate amount due to its own weight may be attached to the side opposite to the one end of the detection claw 61 via the fulcrum 61a.

FIG. 5 shows the support member 1 at the tip of the signature delivery section 10.
4 shows a case in which the posture of the foremost signature 6 (p ₁ ) supported by 4 is the posture of a normal signature kept on the same surface S as the surface L of the support member 14 in this case. Detection claw 61
Is a fulcrum 61 parallel to the bottom portion 13 of the signature delivery unit 10.
The signature 6 with an angle θ = 90 ° with respect to the straight line H passing through a
The sensor terminal 62 of the detection claw 61 at this time is not close to the sensor 63 or the detectable portion, and the output signal is kept in the OFF state.

On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows the stacking signatures 6 on the signature delivery path 11 by the front clamp plate 33 of the first signature clamp mechanism C or the second signature clamp mechanism D which advances in the delivery direction at a predetermined speed. Due to the excessive contact force (pressing force or output force) with respect to the rear end of the (fold group), the end of the fold 6a of the signature 6 is pushed out from the support member 14 surface L and protrudes. Shows.

The pressing force of the front clamp plate 33 against the stacking signatures 6 on the signature delivery path 11 becomes excessive, and the signature 6 immediately before the signature feeding section 18 is pushed forward from the support member 14 surface L. The signature detection claw 61 falls by a person against the spring force of the extension spring 64 in the compression direction, and the sensor terminal 72 moves close to or comes into contact with the sensor 73 accordingly, and the output signal of the sensor 73 is turned on. Becomes

The output signal from the sensor 73 is taken into the control system, and when the sensor 73 is turned on, the first signature clamp mechanism C which advances in the sending direction at a predetermined speed,
Or, temporarily stop the forward movement of the second signature clamp mechanism D,
Alternatively, the forward movement speed is reduced to loosen the pressing force applied to the rear end of the stacking signatures 6 by the front clamp plate 33, and when the sensor 73 is turned off again, the first signature clamp mechanism C or the first signature clamp mechanism C By restarting the forward movement of the 2-fold signature clamping mechanism D or accelerating it to a predetermined speed and applying a pressing force, the signature 6 of the signature 6 supported by the support member 14 immediately in front of the signature feeding section 18 is applied. It keeps the posture in a proper state.

Next, the operation of the signature feeding apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the operation flowcharts of FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, the signatures 6 of the signature feeder 10 are stacked in a standing position with the folds 6a facing downward, with the signatures 6 having a predetermined set thickness and a predetermined number of copies. It is manually placed on the signature input section 40 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) on the upstream side of the path 11 in the delivery direction. The thickness range of the stacked signatures 6 is preferably about 50 mm to 100 mm in terms of workability.

Next, two pairs of first signature clamp mechanism C
And, the start button of any one of the second signature clamp mechanism D (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that can be activated, here, the first signature clamp mechanism C is pressed. The origin position of the first signature clamp mechanism C and the second signature clamp mechanism D is, for example, immediately below the signature input section 40.

When the first signature clamp mechanism C is activated, the front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 33 attached to the movable block 32 of the first signature clamp mechanism C, which is on standby at the origin position immediately below the signature loading section 40, are activated. The clamp plate 34 ascends and stops ascending at a position facing the front surface and the rear surface of the loading signatures 6 loaded in the signature loading section 40 in an accumulated state.

If the front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34 are not standing by right under the signature loading section 40 at the present moment, they move up after returning to the origin position. The facing separation distance between the front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34 is set so as to correspond to the front-rear separation distance between the support fences 41 and 42 of the signature loading section 40.

Subsequently, the rod air cylinder 35 operates in the shortening direction to move the front clamp plate 33 to the rear clamp plate 34.
The closing signature 6 in the loading section 40 is clamped from the front and the rear by the front clamping plate 33 and the rear clamping plate 34.

Subsequently, the support fence 42 capable of opening and closing the signature loading section 40 is opened, and the front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34 move forward in the delivery direction with the loading signature 6 clamped.

During this time, the signature feeding section 18 of the signature feeder A
When the sheet feeding operation is performed, the frontmost signature 6 supported by the support member 14 of the signature output unit 10 is folded one by one from the gap 14a below the support member 14. The paper feed unit 18 continuously pulls the paper forward, feeds it, and hangs it on the gathering chain 8 of the collating device B. The signature 6 is inserted from the gap 14a below the support member 14.
The signature 6 of the signature projecting sensor unit 60, which blocks the gap 14a each time the
Thus, the opening operation is performed against the compression force of the extension spring 64.

At this time, a cycle signal Cs (or timing signal) generated by a rotary encoder, a timing cam switch, or the like is generated for each cycle operation of the signature sheet feeding section 18, and the signature sheet feeding section 18 is also supplied. An opening operation signal Os is generated every time the detection claw 61 is opened by the extraction of the signature 6 by the section 18.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for detecting the signature protruding state by the detection claw 61. The cycle signal Cs for each one cycle rotation operation of the signature feeding section 18 and the opening operation signal Os of the detection claw 61 are shown. Show the relationship.

The signature 6 at the tip of the signature delivery section 10 is
In the normal state L in which the paper is fed in a normal posture without protruding from the support plate 14, the generation times of the cycle signal Cs and the opening operation signal Os do not overlap, but the signature 6 is not supported by the support plate 14. In the protruding state W in which the sheet is further protruded and fed in an abnormal posture, the detection claw 61 continues the opening operation during that time, and thus the opening operation signal Os is continuously transmitted, and the cycle signal Cs and the opening operation are performed. The generation time overlaps with the signal Os, and the abnormality detection signal Ws is generated by the AND circuit of the cycle signal Cs and the opening operation signal Os to detect the protruding state of the signature 6 with respect to the support member 14.

Alternatively, during the opening operation of the detection pawl 61 by pulling out the signature 6 by the signature feeding unit 18, the detection pawl 6 of the protrusion sensor unit 60 is rotated by a rotary encoder or the like.
1 is set to a timing at which the detection gate signal is not generated, and the detection gate signal is generated at a timing other than when the signature feeding unit 18 extracts the signature 6, and the signature 6 is detected by the detection claw 61. The projecting state of the above with respect to the support member 14 is detected.

In this way, the signature 6 is detected by the detection claw 61.
7 is detected, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the forward movement of the first signature clamp mechanism C is temporarily stopped midway, and the rotation of the motor 38 is controlled to control the second signature. The pressing force (moving speed) of the clamp mechanism D is adjusted to correct the protruding state of the signature 6.

Also, during this time, even when the signature feeding unit 18 of the signature feeder A is not performing the paper feeding operation, the protrusion sensor 60 detects the protrusion state of the frontmost signature 6 in the same manner. When the protruding state of the signature 6 is detected, the forward movement of the first signature clamp mechanism C is temporarily stopped on the way and the rotation of the motor 38 is controlled to push the second signature clamp mechanism D. The pressure (moving speed) is adjusted to correct the protruding state of the signature 6.

After the signature 6 is corrected so as not to project by adjusting the moving speed of the second signature clamp mechanism D, the forward movement of the first signature clamp mechanism C is restarted, and eventually the first signature. The front clamp plate 33 of the clamp mechanism C, in a state in which the input signatures 6 are clamped, is a stacking signatures 6 (signatures group) that is supported and accumulated by the support member 14 at the front end of the signature sending unit 10. The rear end of the stacking signatures 6 (a group of signatures) clamped by the front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34 of the second signature clamp mechanism D that are in contact with the rear end of the signature clamp with an appropriate pressing force. , The detection claw 53 of the pressure sensor unit 50 on the front surface of the front clamp plate 33 comes into contact with the rear end of the stacking signature 6 clamped by the second signature clamp mechanism D, and the compression spring The guide shaft 55 retracts against the repulsive force of 59. The output from the sensor 52 is turned ON.

In response to this signal, the rod air cylinder 35 of the second signature clamp mechanism D slightly expands to open the input signature 6 clamped by the front clamp plate 33 and the rear clamp plate 34, Then, the front clamp plate 3
3 and the rear clamp plate 34 move down, and the second signature clamp mechanism D returns to the original position just below the signature loading section 40.

Then, as shown in FIG.
After inserting a predetermined number of signatures 6 into 0, press the start button to activate the second signature clamp mechanism D, and operate in the same order as the first signature clamp mechanism C shown in FIG. Then, finally, the first signature clamp mechanism C is returned to the position directly below the loading section 40, returning to FIG. 7 again, after loading a predetermined number of signatures 6 into the signature loading section 40, the first folding After turning on the starting button of the clamping mechanism C, this operation is repeated. The operation of inserting a predetermined number of signatures 6 into the signature input unit 40 can be performed manually, but can also be automatically performed by an appropriate carrying means such as a robot hand.

[0088]

According to the signature feeder of the bookbinding machine of the present invention, signatures of thin sheets and having a relatively weak stiffness are vertically stacked in the standing posture on the signature feeding path of the signature feeding section and pushed. However, it is effective when sending the signature, and the signature sending operation is
The signature clamping mechanism and the second signature clamping mechanism perform the pressing force by the forward movement, and the input signature is clamped by the clamping mechanism to the predetermined forward position in the middle of the signature feeding path and is fed out. Since the clamp mechanism presses the rear end of the stacking signature with an appropriate pressing force and also detects the decrease in the stacking density and pushes the stack, the signatures on the signature delivery path may collapse or collapse in the middle. The ease is improved.

Further, in order that the leading posture of the signature group fed in the standing posture along the feeding path 7 in the signature feeding section 16 is maintained up to the leading end, the input signature is in the middle of the signature feeding path. Since it is a mechanism that clamps the sheet to the predetermined forward position and feeds it by the clamp mechanism, it is possible to hold the compressible signature group up to the tip end of the feeding without collapse.

As described above, according to the present invention, the upright posture of the signature stored in the signature feeding unit of the signature feeder of the bookbinding machine having the signature feeding unit and the signature feeding unit is properly set. The signatures can be supplied while being maintained, the posture of the signatures is always kept properly with respect to the signature feeder, and there is an effect that each copy can be accurately extracted and fed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a signature supply device for a bookbinding machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a signature sending unit in the embodiment of the signature supply device of the bookbinding machine of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a signature pressing sensor unit attached to the first signature clamping mechanism and the second signature clamping mechanism in the embodiment of the signature feeder of the bookbinding machine of the present invention; Is a front view thereof, and (c) is a partial bottom view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the signature projecting sensor unit attached to the leading end of the signature delivery unit in the embodiment of the signature supply device of the bookbinding machine of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged side view of the signature projecting sensor unit attached to the leading end of the signature delivery unit in the embodiment of the signature supply device of the bookbinding machine of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged side view of the signature projecting sensor unit attached to the leading end of the signature delivery unit in the embodiment of the signature supply device of the bookbinding machine of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the signature supply device of the bookbinding machine of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the signature supply device of the bookbinding machine of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for detecting a signature protruding state by the detection claw of the signature feeder of the bookbinding machine of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a signature supply device of a conventional bookbinding machine.

FIG. 11 is a partial front view of the collating device in the signature feeder of the conventional bookbinding machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... signature supply device, B ... collation device, C ... first signature clamp mechanism, D ... second signature clamp mechanism, F ... device body frame, 6 ... signature, 10 ... signature delivery section, 11 ... signature delivery path, 12 ... side guide, 13 ... bottom, 14 ... support member, 16 ... signature delivery section 17 ... side guide, 18 ... signature feeding section, 20 ... suction device, 22 ... upper cylinder,
23, 27, 29 ... Claw member, 24 ... Reverse roll, 25 ...
Guide, 26 ... Opening cylinder, 28 ... Lapping cylinder, 30 ... Guide shaft, 32 ... Elevating movable block, 33 ... Front clamp plate, 34 ... Rear clamp plate, 3
5 ... Rod air cylinder, 36 ... Guide shaft,
37 ... Ball nut block, 38 ... Motor, 39 ...
Ball screw shaft, 40 ... Signature input section, 41 ... Support fence, 42 ... Support fence, 43 ... Air cylinder 50 ... Signature protrusion sensor, 51 ... Sensor terminal, 52 ... Sensor, 53 ... Signature detection plate, 54 ... Base plate, 55 ... Guide shaft, 56 ... Guide block, 5
7 ... Spring pressure adjusting block, 58 ... Spring pressure adjusting screw, 59
... compression spring, 60 ... signature protrusion sensor, 61 ... detection claw,
62 ... Sensor terminal, 63 ... Sensor, 64 ... Extension spring, Ts ... Timing signal Os ... Detection claw opening operation signal

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Masaru Kurihara 1-5-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (72) Masanori Ikukuma 1-5-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Toppan (72) Inventor Hiroto Okada 1-5-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A signature delivery section 10 for delivering a signature in an upright state with the fold down, a support member 14 for supporting the upper front surface of the signature at the forefront of the signature delivery section 10, and the foremost section. The signature feeding unit 1 that extracts the signatures 6 in order and feeds them to the binding machine side
8 and a signature input section 40 capable of loading a signature at the rear of the signature output section and capable of opening and closing the front, and an ascending / descending operation between the signature output section and the signature input section alternately. A signature supply device for a bookbinding machine, which includes a first signature clamp mechanism C and a second signature clamp mechanism D that can move forward and backward. 2. A bookbinding machine characterized in that a pressure sensor section (50) for detecting a contact force with respect to a stack of signatures is provided at the front of each of the first signature clamp mechanism (C) and the second signature clamp mechanism (D). Signature supply device. 3. A protrusion sensor for detecting the forward protrusion state of the lower part of the signature immediately before extraction, below the support member 14 that supports the front surface of the upper part of the signature provided at the foremost front of the signature delivery section 10. A signature supply device for a bookbinding machine, which is provided with a section 60.