JP4873076B2 - Signature supply device and saddle stitcher equipped with signature supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a signature supply device used when binding a signature, and a saddle stitcher provided with the signature supply device.

  An example of a conventional signature supply device used in a saddle stitcher is disclosed in Japanese Patent Document (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-218957). This conventional signature supply device includes a hopper, a suction cup mechanism, a gripper mechanism, a sword member, and the like. In the hopper, a plurality of signatures are stacked in the thickness direction. In the suction cup mechanism, signatures are taken out one by one from the lower opening of the hopper. The gripper mechanism includes a drum and a claw member that holds an end portion of a signature. The drum opens the signature taken out by the suction cup mechanism to the left and right, and drops the signature downward. The sword member receives a signature dropped from the gripper mechanism.

  Below the sword member, a signature conveyer called a gathering chain is provided. The gathering chain moves continuously at a constant speed in a certain direction. A plurality of wing members (transport fright) project from the gathering chain at equal intervals. The signature dropped onto the sword member by the gripper mechanism is pushed out from the sword member onto the gathering chain by the wing member. And this signature is conveyed to a conveyance downstream by the gathering chain.

  After a plurality of signatures are stacked in a predetermined order on the gathering chain, these signatures are sent to a stitcher for performing wire stitching. After wire stitching in the stitcher, the signature on the gathering chain is pushed up by a tucker with a push-up mechanism. This signature is carried through a trimmer infeed into a trimmer mechanism having a knife. In the trimmer mechanism, the head and foot cut off of the signature and the front cut off of the fore side are respectively cut.

  The size of the signature is various, for example, B5 size, A4 size, B4 size and the like. For this reason, the said hopper part is provided with the movable guide member so that the signature of various sizes can be accommodated. For example, it has a pair of guide members that regulate the position of the signature in the vertical direction, and a guide member that regulates the position on the fore edge side of the signature. The positions of these guide members are adjusted according to the size of the signature when the size of the signature changes.

  For example, in the signature supply device disclosed in the patent document, the suction cup mechanism and the gripper mechanism are arranged with reference to the center of the hopper (the center in the vertical direction of the signature). That is, the suction cups of the suction cup mechanism and the claw members of the gripper mechanism are respectively arranged at symmetrical positions with the center of the hopper portion as a boundary. For this reason, the pair of guide members of the hopper portion are configured to move in opposite directions in synchronization with each other so as to be in a left-right symmetric position with respect to the center of the hopper portion.

  The trimming mechanism cutting blade is also movably provided so as to be compatible with signatures of various sizes. For example, a pair of head and foot knives is configured to move in opposite directions so that they are symmetrical with respect to the center of the direction of head and foot of the signature. It had been. The pair of trimmer infeed guides for guiding the signature to the trimmer mechanism is also configured to move to a symmetrical position with respect to the center in the vertical direction of the signature.

  In the conventional signature supply device, when the size of the signature is changed, it is necessary to adjust the pair of guide members in the top and bottom directions of the hopper portion according to the size of the signature. Moreover, it is necessary to adjust the timing of the drum of the gripper mechanism according to the size of the signature. For this reason, if the number of signature supply devices is large, a long time is required for adjustment. Further, in the conventional saddle stitcher, when the size of the signature is changed, the position of the feather member of the gathering chain is adjusted according to the operation timing of the push-up mechanism. In addition, the trimmer mechanism is adjusted so that the center of the top and bottom cutting blade of the trimmer mechanism coincides with the center of the signature. For this reason, the conventional saddle stitching machine has a problem that it takes time to adjust each part when the size of the signature changes.

  In a conventional saddle stitching machine, when the size of a signature is changed, a book block out of alignment may occur on the downstream side of conveyance of the signature supply device. Particularly in recent years, since it is desired to further improve the collating accuracy (collect position), preventing any collation is important for improving the quality of saddle stitching. Under such a background, the present inventors have intensively studied the cause of any collation, and as a result, found that one of the causes of the collation is in the structure of the signature supply device.

  As described above, the conventional signature supply device is adjusted so that the pair of guide members of the hopper is symmetrical with respect to the center of the hopper according to the size of the signature. On the other hand, the position of the sword member is constant. In a signature supply device having a conventional hopper portion, when a large signature is dropped from the hopper portion onto the sword member via the gripper mechanism as in the B4 size, and when a small signature is dropped as in the B5 size. The position of the rear end in the transport direction of the signature on the sword member will be different.

  For example, it is assumed that all the signatures are dropped onto the sword member from the hopper portion at the same timing regardless of the size of the signature. In this case, it is assumed that the wing member and the gripper mechanism are synchronized so that the position of the rear end of the large signature in the conveyance direction falls immediately before the wing member. Then, when a small signature is dropped on the sword member, a large gap is generated between the trailing end of the signature on the sword member in the conveying direction and the wing member.

  When such a large gap occurs, it takes a certain amount of time until the trailing end of the signature in the transport direction is pushed out by the wing member. For this reason, the signature on the sword member comes into contact with the upper surface of another signature that flows on the gathering chain from the upstream side of conveyance, and this signature moves early. As a result, a positional shift occurs between the upper signature and the lower signature, which causes any collation.

  A countermeasure to prevent any collation due to such a cause is desired. For example, by adjusting the operation timing of the gripper mechanism according to the size of the signature, regardless of the size of the signature, the trailing end in the conveyance direction of the signature is dropped immediately before the feather member of the gathering chain. be able to. However, the work of adjusting the operation timing of the gripper mechanism according to the size of the signature not only requires skill but also takes a long time.

  On the other hand, the operation timing of the push-up mechanism in the tucker unit is synchronized with the wing member so that the lifting member operates when the wing member of the gathering chain comes to a predetermined position with respect to the tucker unit. Yes. For example, when the trailing end of the signature in the conveyance direction comes to a position corresponding to one trimmer infeed guide, the operation timing is adjusted so that the elevating member is raised. In this structure, it is assumed that the distance between the trimmer infeed guides is increased symmetrically for a relatively large signature such as A4 size. In this case, if the elevating member is raised at the same operation timing as that of the small signature, the signature interferes with the other trimmer infeed guide, which hinders the signature pushing-up operation. For this reason, it is necessary to adjust the position of the wing member according to the operation timing of the elevating member each time the size of the signature changes. This adjustment work also requires the skill and requires a long working time.

  The present invention provides a signature supply device capable of improving the accuracy of collation and simplifying the adjustment work when the size of the signature is changed, and a saddle stitcher using the signature supply device.

  The signature supply apparatus of the present invention includes a signature conveyor (gathering chain) having a plurality of wing members arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, a drive mechanism for moving the signature conveyor in a certain direction, and the folding mechanism. A hopper portion disposed above the belt conveyor and accommodating a plurality of signatures stacked in the thickness direction; a hopper portion disposed below the hopper portion and taking out the signatures one by one from the hopper portion; A gripper mechanism that drops in an open state, and a sword member that is disposed between the gripper mechanism and the signature conveyor and extends in the transport direction, and receives and supports the signature dropped from the gripper mechanism. A signature supply apparatus comprising: the hopper portion disposed upstream in the transport direction and fixed in position regardless of the size of the signature, the trailing end of the signature in the transport direction The distance between the fixed-side guide member that regulates the position and the fixed-side guide member is adjusted according to the signature size when the signature size is changed on the downstream side with respect to the transport direction. The movable side guide member that regulates the position of the front end in the conveyance direction of the signature, and the stationary side guide member is such that the signature in the hopper is dropped onto the sword member by the gripper mechanism. The signature is fixed at a position synchronized with the wing member so that the rear end in the transport direction of the signature is located immediately before the wing member.

  The saddle stitcher of the present invention includes the signature supply device, a stitcher that is arranged downstream of the signature supply device in the transport direction and performs wire binding of the signature, and the wire binding performed by the stitcher. A push-up mechanism (tucker portion) provided with an elevating member that pushes the signature upward from the signature conveyor, and a conveyor that conveys the signature pushed up by the elevating member in the horizontal direction with the folded portion as the front side. A trimmer mechanism including a trimmer infeed, and a trimmer mechanism that is disposed downstream of the trimmer infeed and cuts a cutting margin of the signature, wherein the push-up mechanism includes the signature The elevating member is configured to be raised when the wing member of the conveyor reaches a predetermined position with respect to the push-up mechanism, and the trimmer infeed regulates the position of the rear end of the signature. A fixed-side trimmer-in-feed guide, and a movable-side trimmer-in-feed guide provided to be movable with respect to the fixed-side trimmer-in-feed guide and restricting the position of the front end of the signature, The trimmer mechanism includes a fixed-side trimmer guide that regulates the position of the rear end of the signature, and a moving side that is movable with respect to the fixed-side trimmer guide and regulates the position of the front end of the signature. And the positions of the moving-side trimmer in-feed guide and the moving-side trimmer guide are adjusted according to the size of the signature.

  According to the signature supply device of the present invention, the accuracy of collating can be improved, the adjustment work of the guide member of the hopper when the size of the signature is changed, and the gripper mechanism can be simplified. No drum timing adjustment is required. For this reason, even if there are many signature supply apparatuses, the time which adjustment work requires can be shortened. Further, according to the saddle stitcher of the present invention, the collating accuracy is improved, and the adjustment work of the tucker portion, the trimmer infeed guide, and the like can be simplified.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the saddle stitcher according to the first embodiment of the present invention together with a signature. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a signature supply device of the saddle stitcher shown in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the signature supply device shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow F3 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing the suction cup unit and the claw unit of the signature supply device shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from below. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a push-up mechanism of the saddle stitcher shown in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the push-up mechanism shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow F6 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the trimmer mechanism of the saddle stitcher shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a trimmer mechanism and a gathering chain of the saddle stitcher according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the suction cup unit and the claw unit of the signature supply device according to the third embodiment of the present invention when viewed from below. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the suction cup unit and the claw unit of the signature supply device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention when viewed from below. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a state where the suction cup unit and the claw unit shown in FIG. 10 are moved.

Hereinafter, a saddle stitcher including a signature supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of the saddle stitching machine 1 and a signature 2 bound by the saddle stitching machine 1. The saddle stitcher 1 includes a gathering section 10, a transport unit 11, a stitcher 12, a push-up mechanism 13, from the transport upstream side of the signature 2 toward the transport downstream side, A trimmer infeed 14, a trimmer mechanism 15, a stacker 16, and the like are arranged. The bound saddle stitch book 17 is collected by the stacker 16.

  The collating unit 10 includes a gathering chain (a signature conveyor) 20 that extends in the horizontal direction and a plurality of signature supply devices (feeders) 21. These signature supply devices 21 are arranged along the moving direction of the gathering chain 20. The signature supply device 21 has a function of supplying the signature 2 onto the gathering chain 20.

  The gathering chain 20 is continuously moved at a constant speed in the conveyance direction of the signature 2 (the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 2) by the drive mechanism 24. The drive mechanism 24 can change the moving speed of the gathering chain 20. That is, the gathering chain 20 can select movement at the maximum speed, movement at the minimum speed, and intermediate speed as necessary. When the gathering chain 20 moves in the direction of arrow A, the signatures 2 are stacked in order from the signature supply device 21 on the right side (upstream side of conveyance). Since each signature supply device 21 has a substantially common configuration, one signature supply device 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 as a representative.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of wing members 25 are provided on the gathering chain 20 at a predetermined interval (equal pitch). The wing member 25 protrudes upward. The signature 2 moves in the conveyance direction A when the right end of the signature 2 on the gathering chain 20 (the conveyance direction rear end 2a with respect to the conveyance direction A) contacts the wing member 25.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the signature supply device 21 includes a hopper portion 30, a gripper mechanism 32, and a sword member 33. A plurality of signatures 2 are stacked on the hopper 30 in a state of being stacked in the thickness direction. The gripper mechanism 32 includes a suction cup unit 31 for taking out the signatures 2 one by one from the lower part of the hopper part 30. The sword member 33 is disposed below the gripper mechanism 32.

  The hopper 30 includes a pair of guide members 40 and 41 (shown in FIG. 2), a fore edge guide member 42, and a bottom wall 43. The fore edge side guide member 42 regulates the position on the fore edge side of the signature 2. The guide members 40 and 41 regulate the position of the signature 2 in the vertical direction. One guide member 40 is fixed to the frame 44 of the hopper 30. The stationary guide member 40 is located on the upstream side with respect to the conveyance direction A of the gathering chain 20. The position of the right end (conveying direction rear end 2a) of the signature 2 is regulated by the fixed-side guide member 40.

  The other guide member 41 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction A with respect to the fixed-side guide member 40. The guide member 41 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. The moving side guide member 41 can change the distance between the fixed side guide member 40 by a slide mechanism and a fixing mechanism (not shown). By adjusting the position of the moving guide member 41 according to the size of the signature 2, the position of the left end (the front end 2b in the transport direction) of the signature 2 is regulated.

  The fore edge side guide member 42 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 3 according to the size of the signature 2. An opening 45 for taking out the signature 2 is formed in the bottom wall 43 of the hopper 30. A suction cup unit 31 is provided facing the opening 45.

  The suction cup unit 31 includes a plurality of suction cups 46 and an actuator (not shown) that drives these suction cups 46. When the suction cup 46 rotates in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3 at a predetermined timing, the lowermost signatures of the plurality of signatures 2 stacked on the hopper 30 are taken out from the opening 45 one by one. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of (for example, seven) suction cups 46 of the suction cup unit 31 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the hopper portion 30 (the direction in which the guide members 40 and 41 are arranged). These suction cups 46 are arranged in the top-to-bottom direction of the signature with reference to the stationary guide member 40 so that the vicinity of the folding portion 2c of the signature 2 can be held evenly even if the size of the signature 2 changes. They are arranged at a predetermined pitch.

  For example, in the case of the suction cup unit 31 shown in FIG. 4, for the B5 size signature, the fifth suction cup 46 from the right sucks the signature. In the A4 size signature, the fifth suction cup 46 from the right adsorbs the signature. For A3 size signatures, the suction cup 46 at the left end also sucks the signatures. Thus, the seven suction cups 46 are arranged with reference to the stationary guide member 40, and the number of suction cups 46 to be used is increased as the size of the signature increases. With this configuration, even when the size of the signature 2 is changed, each portion of the signature 2 in the vertical direction can be held substantially evenly. These suction cups 46 are arranged in the axis X direction of the main drum 50 described below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gripper mechanism 32 includes a main drum 50, a pair of opening drums 51 and 52, a stopper 53, and the like. The main drum 50 is disposed below the suction cup unit 31. The opening drums 51 and 52 are disposed below the main drum 50. The main drum 50 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow E in FIG. 3 by a drum driving mechanism having a clutch mechanism (not shown). The drum drive mechanism includes a first clutch mechanism and a one-position type second clutch mechanism in order to synchronize the operations of the main drum 50 and the gathering chain 20. The second clutch mechanism is configured such that the clutch is always connected at the same position. If necessary, the first clutch mechanism is connected and the second clutch mechanism is disconnected.

  Claw units 56 are provided at two locations in the circumferential direction of the main drum 50. Each of these claw units 56 has a pair of claw members 55. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, three main drums 50 are arranged in the axis X direction of the drum shaft 57. Claw members 55 are provided on both sides of each main drum 50. These claw members 55 can hold the folded portion 2 c of the signature 2 received from the suction cup unit 31.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a claw unit 56 is provided in each of the three main drums 50. These claw units 56 are arranged with reference to the stationary guide member 40 so that each portion of the signature 2 in the vertical direction can be held evenly even if the size of the signature 2 changes.

  For example, in the case of the claw unit 56 shown in FIG. 4, for the B5 size signature, the claw member 55 provided on the first and second main drums 50 from the right is the center of the signature in the vertical direction. Hold the both sides at almost symmetrical positions. Even in A4 size signatures, the claw members 55 provided on the first and second main drums 50 from the right hold the sides of the signature in the top-bottom direction at both sides almost symmetrically. To do.

  In this embodiment, the distance L1 between the first and second main drums 50 from the right is larger than the distance L2 between the second and third main drums 50 from the right. Both the B5 size signature and the A4 size signature are supplied from the hopper section 30 with the fixed side guide member 40 as a reference. For this reason, the claw unit 56 of each main drum 50 can be held in a substantially bilaterally symmetrical position with the center in the top-bottom direction of the signature as a boundary regardless of the size of the signature.

  For A3-size signatures, the claw units 56 of all the main drums 50 hold the signatures. That is, for a large signature, the claw unit 56 of the main drum 50 located at the center in the vertical direction and the claw units 56 of the two main drums 50 located at the left and right symmetrical positions respectively hold the signature. For this reason, the claws unit 56 can hold the signature at a substantially symmetrical position with the center in the vertical direction as a boundary.

  A stopper 53 is provided in the vicinity of the main drum 50. The stopper 53 has a function of stopping the signature 2 on the main drum 50. The opening drums 51 and 52 rotate in directions indicated by arrows F and G, respectively. The signature 2 on the main drum 50 is opened in an inverted V shape by the opening drums 51 and 52. The signature 2 is dropped toward the sword member 33.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sword member 33 has an inverted V-shaped cross section. The sword member 33 is disposed between the opening drums 51 and 52 and the gathering chain 20. The sword member 33 extends in the horizontal direction along the conveying direction of the gathering chain 20. The signature 2 dropped from the opening drums 51 and 52 is received by the sword member 33 in an open state. Below the sword member 33, the gathering chain 20 continuously moves in the transport direction (the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2).

  The fixed side guide member 40 of the hopper 30 is fixed at a position synchronized with the wing member 25. That is, the guide member 40 is synchronized with the wing member 25 so that the trailing end 2a of the signature 2 is positioned immediately before the wing member 25 when the signature 2 is dropped onto the sword member 33 by the gripper mechanism 32. Has been taken. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the signature dropped on the sword member 33 from coming into contact with another signature sent from the upstream side on the gathering chain 20 and moving early. Therefore, any occurrence of collation can be prevented.

  The drive mechanism 24 can change the moving speed of the gathering chain 20. The time until the signature 2 falls from the gripper mechanism 32 onto the sword member 33 is substantially constant regardless of the moving speed of the gathering chain 20. For this reason, when the moving speed of the gathering chain 20 is high, the distance from the rear end 2a in the transport direction of the signature 2 to the wing member 25 is smaller than when the moving speed of the gathering chain 20 is low. That is, when the moving speed of the gathering chain 20 is slow, the distance from the rear end 2a in the transport direction of the signature 2 to the rear wing member 25 increases. This distance is generally inversely proportional to the moving speed of the gathering chain 20. When the gathering chain 20 is moving at the maximum speed (first speed), the distance from the rear end 2a in the conveyance direction of the signature 2 to the rear wing member 25 is minimized.

  On the other hand, the distance from the front end 2b in the conveyance direction of the signature 2 to the front wing member 25 decreases as the moving speed of the gathering chain 20 decreases. When the moving speed of the gathering chain 20 becomes a certain speed (second speed) or less, the front end 2b in the transport direction of the signature 2 falls on the front wing member 25. This phenomenon is also a cause of collation.

  In view of the above, in this embodiment, when the gathering chain 20 is operated at the maximum speed (first speed), the rear end 2a in the conveyance direction of the signature 2 is located immediately before the rear wing member 25. The fixed guide member 40 is arranged so as to fall. The drive mechanism 24 is controlled so that the moving speed of the gathering chain 20 exceeds the second speed. By doing so, the rear end 2 a in the transport direction of the signature 2 dropped from the hopper portion 30 onto the sword member 33 by the gripper mechanism 32 can be positioned immediately before the wing member 25.

  A plurality of signature supply devices 21 described above are arranged in the collating unit 10 in the moving direction of the gathering chain 20. By these signature supply devices 21, a predetermined number of signatures 2 are stacked on the gathering chain 20 in a predetermined order. These signatures 2 are conveyed to the stitcher 12 via the conveyance unit 11. In the stitcher 12, the folded portion 2 c of the signature 2 is wire-bound and is carried into the push-up mechanism 13 of the tucker portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the push-up mechanism 13 has an elevating member 60. The elevating member 60 has a function of pushing up the signature 2 on the gathering chain 20. The signature 2 pushed up by the push-up mechanism 13 is conveyed to the trimmer infeed 14 by the conveyor 70.

  The elevating member 60 can move to a position retracted inside the gathering chain 20 and a position protruding above the gathering chain 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the elevating member 60 can protrude upward from the slit 63 at the upper end of the gathering chain 20. The elevating member 60 is connected to the wing member 25 so that the right end (the rear end 2a in the conveying direction) of the signature 2 on the gathering chain 20 moves up to a position corresponding to the trimmer infeed guide 71. Synchronized. When the elevating member 60 moves up, the signature 2 on the gathering chain 20 moves toward the conveyor 70.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a conveyor 70 is provided above the push-up mechanism 13. The conveyor 70 has a portion 70a extending in the vertical direction and a portion 70b extending in the horizontal direction. The signature 2 pushed up in the direction of arrow I by the push-up mechanism 13 changes from a vertical posture to a horizontal posture. Further, the signature 2 is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow J with the folding portion 2c being the front side, and then conveyed to the trimmer mechanism 15 (shown in FIG. 7) via the trimmer infeed 14. The signature 2 passing through the trimmer infeed 14 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow K.

  A pair of trimmer infeed guides 71 and 72 is provided on the trimmer infeed 14. The position of the right end of the signature 2 (the rear end 2a with respect to the transport direction A) is regulated by one trimmer infeed guide 71. The other trimmer infeed guide 72 regulates the position of the left end of the signature 2 (the front end 2b with respect to the transport direction A).

  The moving-side trimmer infeed guide 72 is disposed such that the distance from the fixed-side trimmer-infeed guide 71 decreases toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the signature indicated by an arrow K in FIG. Moreover, the trimmer infeed guide 72 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow M in FIG. That is, the moving-side trimmer infeed guide 72 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction of the signature 2 with respect to the fixed-side trimmer-infeed guide 71. The distance between the trimmer infeed guides 71 and 72 can be changed by moving the moving side trimmer infeed guide 72 according to the size of the signature 2. Note that the fixed-side trimmer infeed guide 71 may be arranged so as to extend in parallel to the transport direction K. Alternatively, the fixed-side trimmer infeed guide 71 may be arranged so that the downstream side is inclined to the left with respect to the transport direction K rather than the upstream side.

  The trimmer mechanism 15 includes a pair of trimmer guides 71 a and 72 a and a pair of top and bottom cutting blades 80 and 81. The position of the right end of the signature 2 (the rear end 2a with respect to the transport direction A) is regulated by the one trimmer guide 71a. One trimmer guide 71a is fixed at a position corresponding to the trimmer infeed guide 71 on the fixed side. The position of the left end of the signature 2 (the front end 2b with respect to the transport direction A) is regulated by the other trimmer guide 72a. The other trimmer guide 72a can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow M 'in FIG.

  The top and bottom cutting blade 80 located on the right side in FIG. 7 is fixed at a position corresponding to the fixed trimmer guide 71a. The distance W1 between the top and bottom cutting blade 80 and the trimmer guide 71a is set according to the cutting margin on the right side of the signature 2. The top and bottom cutting blade 81 located on the left side in FIG. 7 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow N according to the size of the signature 2 and the cutting margin on the left side. Although not shown, a fork cutting blade for cutting the cutting margin on the fore edge side of the signature 2 is also arranged.

  In the following, a description will be given of a setup operation (make ready) for adjustment when the signature size is changed.

  When the signature size is changed, the trimmer adjustment of the trimmer mechanism 15 is first performed. In the trimmer adjustment, the position of the moving-side trimmer guide 72a and the position of the moving-side top and bottom cutting blade 81 are adjusted according to the signature size and the cutting margin. The positions of the fixed-side top and bottom cutting blades 80 and the fixed-side trimmer guide 71a are constant regardless of the signature size. For this reason, it is not necessary to adjust the positions of the fixed side top and bottom cutting blades 80 and the trimmer guide 71a.

  Next, the trimmer infeed adjustment of the trimmer infeed 14 is performed. In the trimmer infeed adjustment, the moving side trimmer infeed guide 72 is adjusted according to the signature size. The position of the trimmer infeed guide 71 on the fixed side is constant regardless of the signature size. For this reason, the position adjustment of the trimmer infeed guide 71 on the fixed side is unnecessary.

  The raising timing of the elevating member 60 of the pushing mechanism 13 is synchronized according to the position of the wing member 25 and the position of the trimmer-in feed guide 71 on the fixed side. For this reason, even if the signature size changes, it is not necessary to adjust the push-up timing.

Next, by adjusting the stitcher 12 according to the signature size, the wire is bound at a predetermined position according to the size of the signature 2.
Next, the position of the moving side guide member 41 of the hopper 30 is adjusted according to the signature size. The position of the fixed guide member 40 is constant regardless of the signature size. For this reason, the position adjustment of the fixed side guide member 40 is unnecessary. The position of the fore edge guide member 42 of the hopper 30 is adjusted according to the signature size.

  In the conventional signature supply apparatus, it is indispensable to adjust the timing of each drum 50, 51, 52 of the gripper mechanism 32 according to the signature size in order to prevent any collation. However, in this embodiment, regardless of the size of the signature, the position of the right end (conveying direction rear end 2a) of the signature accumulated in the hopper 30 is fixed at a fixed position by the fixed-side guide member 40. For this reason, even if the signature size changes, the right end (the rear end 2a in the conveying direction) of the signature dropped from the gripper mechanism 32 onto the sword member 33 comes to the approached position just before the wing member 25. This eliminates the need to adjust the drum timing to prevent any collation, greatly reducing the setup work.

  FIG. 8 shows a trimmer mechanism 15 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The trimmer mechanism 15 'can move the pair of top and bottom cutting blades 80' and 81 'in the directions indicated by arrows P1 and P2, respectively, according to the signature size. The pair of trimmer guides 91 and 92 can also be moved in the directions indicated by the arrows Q1 and Q2 according to the top and bottom cutting blades 80 'and 81', respectively. Moreover, the trimmer mechanism 15 ′ includes a rail mechanism 90.

  The rail mechanism 90 includes a rail member 95 and a movable base 96. Rail member 95 extends in the direction indicated by arrows Q1, Q2. The movable table 96 is placed on the rail member 95 so as to be able to travel. By the rail mechanism 90, the trimmer mechanism 15 'can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow R (direction of the signature). As in the first embodiment, the right trimmer infeed guide 71 is fixed. The left trimmer infeed guide 72 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow M.

  In the case of the second embodiment, the distance S between the top and bottom cutting blades 80 'and 81' and the distance between the trimmer guides 91 and 92 are adjusted according to the signature size. For this reason, when the signature size is changed, the positions of the right top and bottom cutting blades 80 'and the trimmer guide 91 are changed in the direction of the arrow Q1. On the other hand, since the trimmer infeed guide 71 is fixed, a positional deviation occurs between the trimmer infeed guide 71 and the trimmer guide 91.

  Therefore, in the case of this embodiment (FIG. 8), the trimmer mechanism 15 ′ is moved in the direction of arrow R (the direction of the top of the signature) by the rail mechanism 90. By doing so, the positions of the right trimmer infeed guide 71 and the trimmer guide 91 can be aligned. If such a rail mechanism 90 is used, a trimmer mechanism 15 '(FIG. 8) having top and bottom cutting blades 80' and 81 'that can move both right and left, and a trimmer in that only one trimmer in feed guide 72 can move. The feed 14 (FIG. 7) can be combined. Since the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the first embodiment with respect to other configurations and operations, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows a suction cup unit 31 and a gripper mechanism 32 of a signature supply device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The number of suction cups 46 is eleven. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment (FIG. 9), the gripper mechanism 32 is configured so that the signatures can be held substantially evenly in the vertical direction regardless of the signature size. Specifically, a plurality of suction cups 46 are arranged at a predetermined pitch with the fixed side guide member 40 as a reference. For example, for B5 size signatures, the eighth suction cup 46 from the right sucks the signature. In the A4 size signature, the ninth suction cup 46 from the right sucks the signature. For A3 size signatures, the two suction cups 46 at the left end also suck the signatures. Thus, the 11 suction cups 46 are arranged on the basis of the fixed guide member 40, and the number of the suction cups 46 to be used is varied according to the signature size. As a result, both sides of the signature can be held almost evenly with the center of the signature in the vertical direction regardless of the size of the signature.

  10 and 11 show a suction cup unit 31 and a gripper mechanism 32 of a signature supply device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The number of suction cups 46 is six. A plurality of (for example, three) main drums 50, 50 a, 50 b of the gripper mechanism 32 are arranged in the direction of the axis X of the drum shaft 57. Each main drum 50, 50a, 50b is provided with a claw unit 56, respectively.

  The second main drum 50 a and the third main drum 50 b from the right can be moved in the direction of the axis X of the drum shaft 57. The drums 50a and 50b move in the direction of the axis X corresponding to the position of the moving guide member 41 with the fixed guide member 40 of the hopper 30 as a reference. Moreover, in the gripper mechanism 32 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the third main drum 50b moves more than the amount by which the second main drum 50a moves when the moving side guide member 41 is moved in the axis X direction. It is comprised so that the quantity to do may become larger. The third and fourth suction cups 46 from the right move in the direction of the axis X of the drum shaft 57 together with the second main drum 50a. The fifth and sixth suction cups 46 from the right move in the direction of the axis X of the drum shaft 57 together with the third main drum 50b.

  For example, when handling a large signature such as B4 size, the distance between the main drums 50, 50a, 50b is increased as shown in FIG. By doing so, the signature is sucked using all the suction cups 46, and the signature is transferred to the claw unit 56 of each main drum 50, 50a, 50b. For small signatures such as A4 size or B5 size, the distance between the main drums 50, 50a, 50b is uniformly reduced as shown in FIG. By doing so, the signature is sucked using all the suction cups 46, and the signature is transferred to the claw unit 56 of each main drum 50, 50a, 50b.

  As described above, the gripper mechanism 32 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 moves the suction side unit 31 and the claw unit along with the movement side guide member 41 when the movement side guide member 41 is moved according to the size of the signature. 56 moves. That is, the suction cup unit 31 and the claw unit 56 move to a position corresponding to the signature size with the fixed side guide member 40 as a reference. For this reason, the signature placed on the hopper 30 with the fixed side guide member 40 as a reference can be held evenly regardless of the signature size. Therefore, the signature can be dropped on the sword member 33 in a stable posture.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented by appropriately modifying the constituent elements of the invention such as a signature conveyor, a hopper, a gripper mechanism, and a sword member. Yes.

Claims (8)

A signature conveyor (20) having a plurality of wing members (25) arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction;
A drive mechanism (24) for moving the signature conveyor (20) in a certain direction;
A hopper (30) that is disposed above the signature conveyor (20) and accommodates a plurality of signatures (2) stacked in the thickness direction;
A gripper mechanism (32) disposed below the hopper portion (30), for taking out the signatures (2) one by one from the hopper portion (30) and dropping the signatures (2) in an open state;
A sword member disposed between the gripper mechanism (32) and the signature conveyor (20) and extending in the transport direction to receive and support the signature (2) dropped from the gripper mechanism (32). A signature supply device (21) comprising (33),
The hopper (30)
A fixed-side guide member (40) that is arranged on the upstream side in the conveyance direction and has a fixed position regardless of the size of the signature and regulates the position of the trailing end (2a) in the conveyance direction of the signature (2);
The distance between the stationary guide member (40) and the fixed side guide member (40) is adjusted according to the size of the signature when the size of the signature is changed on the downstream side with respect to the transport direction. ) And a moving side guide member (41) for regulating the position of the front end (2b) in the conveyance direction,
The fixed-side guide member (40) is formed when the signature (2) in the hopper (30) is dropped onto the sword member (33) by the gripper mechanism (32). The rear end (2a) in the conveying direction is fixed at a position synchronized with the wing member (25) so as to be positioned immediately before the wing member (25). In the signature supply device (21) according to claim 1,
The drive mechanism (24) can change the moving speed of the signature conveyor (20),
The signature (2) dropped onto the sword member (33) by the gripper mechanism (32) from the hopper portion (30) when the signature conveyor (20) is moving at a substantially maximum speed. The fixed-side guide member (40) is arranged so that the rear end (2a) in the conveying direction of the head is positioned immediately before the wing member (25). In the signature supply device (21) according to claim 1,
The gripper mechanism (32)
A suction cup unit (31) having a plurality of suction cups (46) for taking out the signature (2) from the lower part of the hopper (30);
A plurality of main drums (50) having claw members (55) for holding the signature (2) taken out by the suction cup unit (31);
An opening drum (51) (52) for receiving the signature (2) held on the main drum (50) and opening and dropping the signature (2);
The suction cup (46) and the claw member (55) can be held substantially equally on both sides with the center in the vertical direction of the signature (2) regardless of the size of the signature (2). The fixed side guide member (40) is arranged as a reference. In the signature supply device (21) according to claim 3,
The suction cup unit (31)
A plurality of suction cups (46) that absorb small size signatures;
In addition to these suction cups (46), it has a suction cup (46) for sucking large size signatures,
These suction cups (46) are arranged in the direction of the axis (X) of the main drum (50). In the signature supply device (21) according to claim 1,
The gripper mechanism (32)
A suction cup unit (31) having a plurality of suction cups (46) for taking out the signature (2) from the lower part of the hopper (30);
A plurality of main drums (50) (50a) (50b) having claw members (55) for holding the signature (2) taken out by the suction cup unit (31);
An opening drum (51) (52) for receiving the signature (2) held on the main drum (50) (50a) (50b) and opening the signature (2) and dropping it;
The suction cup (46) and the claw member (55) are provided so as to be movable in the axis (X) direction of the main drums (50) (50a) (50b) with respect to the fixed-side guide member (40), respectively. ing. A signature supply device (21) according to claim 1,
A stitcher (12) arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the signature supply device (21) for performing wire binding of the signature (2);
A push-up mechanism (13) provided with an elevating member (60) that pushes the signature (2), which has been bound by the stitcher (12), upward from the signature conveyor (20);
A trimmer infeed (14) provided with a conveyor (70) for conveying the signature (2) thrust up by the elevating member (60) in the horizontal direction with the folded portion on the front side, and
A saddle stitcher (1) provided with a trimmer mechanism (15) (15 ') arranged on the downstream side of conveyance of the trimmer infeed (14) and cutting the cutting margin of the signature (2),
The push-up mechanism (13) raises the elevating member (60) when the wing member (25) of the signature conveyor (20) comes to a predetermined position with respect to the push-up mechanism (13),
The trimer infeed (14)
A fixed-side trimmer infeed guide (71) for regulating the position of the rear end (2a) of the signature (2);
A movable-side trimmer-in feed guide (72) provided to be movable with respect to the fixed-side trimmer-in-feed guide (71) and restricting the position of the front end (2b) of the signature (2). And
The trimmer mechanism (15) (15 ′)
A fixed-side trimmer guide (71a) (91) for regulating the position of the rear end (2a) of the signature (2);
A movable trimmer guide (72a) (92) provided to be movable with respect to the fixed side trimmer guide (71a) (91) and restricting the position of the front end (2b) of the signature (2); Comprising
The positions of the moving-side trimmer infeed guide (72) and the moving-side trimmer guides (72a) (92) are adjusted according to the signature size. In the saddle stitcher (1) according to claim 6,
The trimmer mechanism (15) has a pair of top and bottom cutting blades (80) (81),
Of these top and bottom cutting blades (80) and (81), one top and bottom cutting blade (80) corresponding to the rear end (2a) of the signature (2) is fixed in position regardless of the size of the signature. ,
The distance between the other top and bottom cutting blade (81) corresponding to the front end (2b) of the signature (2) can be adjusted according to the size of the signature. In the saddle stitcher (1) according to claim 6,
The trimmer mechanism (15 ′) has a pair of top and bottom cutting blades (80 ′) (81 ′) and a pair of trimmer guides (91) (92),
These top and bottom cutting blades (80´) (81´) and trimmer guides (91) and (92) move to symmetrical positions with respect to the center of the top and bottom direction of the signature (2) according to the size of the signature. Is possible and
The saddle stitcher (1) includes a rail mechanism (90) capable of moving the trimmer mechanism (15 ′) in the moving direction of the cutting blades (80 ′) (81 ′),
The positions of the top and bottom cutting blades (80 ′) (81 ′) of the trimmer mechanism (15 ′) and the trimmer guides (91) (92) correspond to the positions of the trimmer infeed guide (71) on the fixed side. Thus, the position of the trimmer mechanism (15 ′) can be adjusted by the rail mechanism (90).

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