JPH0126972B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for sequentially supplying signatures to a pocket that temporarily stores signatures sent to a collating machine for binding magazines and the like.

When binding a book such as a magazine, a predetermined number of printed pages, or signatures, that form part of the book are stacked in a series of corresponding pockets, and one book is taken out from the bottom of each pocket. Collecting and binding the minutes is done. Therefore, each pocket must always store an appropriate amount of signatures in an untangled state, that is, in a state where the signatures can be taken out one by one. However, in the conventional method, when the number of signatures in a pocket becomes low, the signatures stored in another location are manually loosened and then the appropriate amount is supplied to each pocket. The supply work was extremely inefficient.
In addition, the folded sheets were sometimes inserted into the pocket without being completely unraveled and stuck to each other, resulting in misaligned sheets. For this reason, the task of feeding signatures into pockets became one of the obstacles in bookbinding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a signature feeder which can automatically feed an appropriate amount of signatures in a completely unraveled state into a pocket for a collating machine.

In order to achieve the above object, the signature feeding device according to the present invention is arranged between an endless flexible member that suctions the signatures one by one using a suction tube, and circulates the signatures from the lifting device to the conveyor. It is characterized by the fact that it can be transferred to.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As is clear from FIGS. 1 to 3, the signature feeding device as an embodiment of the present invention basically includes a lifting device 1 for moving stacked signatures from the bottom to the top, and a collating device 1. A conveyor 2 of an appropriate type provided between the machine pocket and a device located near the upper end of the lifting device 1 to sequentially transfer the signatures lifted by the lifting device onto the conveyor 2. Consists of 10. In addition, in the figure, 4 is a base, 5 is a column erected on the base 4, and a support plate 6 is installed on the column 5. The conveyor 2 is supported by a support plate 6. In the illustrated example, the lifting device 1 includes a pair of transmission members such as a pair of mutually parallel chains 1a or a timing belt hung on chain wheels 4a and 6a installed on a base 4 and a support plate 6, and a transmission member that is the same for each transmission member. Although it consists of a raised support plate 1b, the lifting device 1 may also be another mechanism or device, for example a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder arrangement. On both sides of this lifting device 1 are L-shaped cross-section guides 1.
There is c. 7 is a motor provided on the base 4, and one chain wheel 6a is driven by the motor 7 through a chain 7a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 2 is preferably a belt conveyor, and in this embodiment, it consists of three endless belts, between which the receiving plate 1b of the lifting device 1 passes. ing. There are guide plates 2a on both sides of the conveyor 2,
There is a horizontal alignment plate 2b on one or both sides of the conveyor 2 at a position close to the pocket 3. The horizontal alignment plate is configured to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor 2 by means of an eccentric shaft, a link, etc. conveyor 2
is driven by a motor 2c via a transmission member 2d. There is a driven roller 8 between the outlet end of the conveyor 2 and the pocket 3, and the roller 8 is driven by a motor 8.
a and transmission member 8b, and serves to appropriately feed the signatures sent by the conveyor 2 into the pocket 3.

The present invention is characterized by a transfer device 10 between the lifting device 1 and the conveyor 2, which includes a movable suction cylinder 1 that rises slightly when a signature is sucked.
1, a suction roller 12 located near the suction tube and rotatably supported on a shaft, and an endless flexible member 14 located on the shaft 13 for sending the suctioned signatures to the conveyor 2. preferably shaft 13 is a hollow shaft, member 14 is a belt, and belt 1
It is preferable that an endless belt 15 is hung around the hollow shaft 13 in order to move the signatures between the two. In this case, the roller 15a of the endless belt 15
A chain wheel is provided on the shaft of (Fig. 1), which is driven by a chain in conjunction with the chain wheel 6a, and the belt 15
The suction roller 12 may also be rotated by. In this case, the upper endless belt 14 is circulated by contacting the belt 15 or the rollers 12. Note that the upper belt 14 may be driven, thereby driving the suction roller. The upper belt 14 is wrapped around three rollers 14a, 14b, 14c, and the lower side is wrapped around the suction roller 12 or the belt 1.
5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the hollow shaft 13 is sealed at both ends and communicates with the vacuum source 9 inside. 9a in FIG. 1 is a vacuum pipe. Also, the hollow shaft has a hole 13a at a position where the suction roller 12 engages.
has. The suction roller 12 has a plurality, preferably a series of holes 12 around its periphery, as shown in FIG.
a, and by rotation of the suction roller 12, those holes 12a can be sequentially communicated with the holes 13a of the hollow shaft. When the suction cylinder 11 is installed on the hollow shaft 13, it is convenient to attach a cylindrical guide 16 to the hollow shaft so as to pass through it at right angles, and to insert the suction cylinder 11 into the guide so as to be able to slide freely. be. The suction cylinder 11 is provided with a hole 11a that communicates with the inside of the hollow shaft 13 when the suction cylinder 11 suctions the signatures and ascends, and in this case, the vacuum source 9 is connected to the rear end, that is, the upper end of the suction cylinder 11. When the suction tube moves up by suctioning the signature, the inside of the hollow shaft is evacuated through its hole 11a, thereby evacuating the hole portion of the suction roller that communicates with the hole 13a of the hollow shaft. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, when a suction tube is provided on the hollow shaft, a suction roller 12 and a lower belt 15 are installed on both sides of the suction tube 11. However, as shown in FIG. 6, belts 15 may be provided on both sides of one suction roller. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, a hollow shaft and belts 14, 1 are provided on the hollow shaft.
5, but a flexible member such as a chain may be used instead of these belts.

During operation, the signatures A stacked on the receiving plate 1b of the lifting device 1 are lifted by the operation of the motor 7, and as shown in FIG. The signatures are then suctioned one by one starting from the top one. When the suction cylinder 11 sucks the signature at its lower end, it retracts slightly and rises, and the suction cylinder 1
The lower end of the suction cylinder 1 is approximately at the same level as the lower outer circumference of the suction roller 12, and the inside of the suction cylinder is communicated with the inside of the hollow shaft 13 through the hole 11a, whereby the suction cylinder 1
1 weakens, and the hole 1 of the suction roller 12
2a that communicates with the hole 13a of the hollow shaft becomes suction, and instead of the suction cylinder, the hole 12a of the suction roller rotates while attracting the signature, and the signature is transferred between the upper belt 14 and the lower belt. It is sandwiched between belts 15 and transferred onto the conveyor 2 by these belts. The signature is transferred from the suction roller 12 to the belt 1
When it is caught between 4 and 15, the suction cylinder 11 descends slightly to suction the next signature, and then pulls it up in the same way. The signatures placed on the conveyor 2 are guided by a guide plate 2a, arranged by a horizontal alignment plate 2b, and then inserted into a pocket 3. When a predetermined amount of signatures are accumulated in the pocket, the operation is stopped by the action of the limit switch 3a.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the signatures are transferred from the lifting device onto the conveyor, the suction cylinder sucks the signatures one by one, so that the signatures are completely loosened and placed in the pocket. two items will not end up stuck together in a pocket.
Furthermore, even if the signatures placed on the receiving plate are uneven, they can be transferred appropriately.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a front view of a signature feeding device according to an example of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, Fig. 3 is a side view, and Fig. 4 is a front view of essential parts of a transfer device included in this device. , FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the suction tube of the transfer device and parts related thereto, FIG. 6 is a front view similar to FIG. 4 showing another embodiment, and FIG. 7 is the same as that shown in FIG. 5. FIG. In the figure, 1...lifting device, 2...conveyor, 3...
...Pocket, 9...Vacuum source, 10...Transfer device,
11... Suction cylinder, 12... Suction roller, 13...
Shaft, 14...flexible member, 15...second flexible member, 12a...hole of suction roller, 13a...hole of shaft, A...signature.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A lifting device that moves the stacked signatures from below to the top, a conveyor provided between the lifting device and the collating machine pocket, and a conveyor that sequentially moves the signatures lifted by the lifting device. In the signature feeding device, the transfer device includes a suction tube having at least one communication hole and open at both ends, and the suction tube is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the hollow shaft. a hollow shaft that is slidably supported in a guide provided therein and has a hole at a position where the suction roller described later engages and is closed at both ends; a conveyance suction roller having a plurality of holes that can communicate with the holes of the conveyor; and an endless flexible member that is installed on the hollow shaft and sends out the signatures sucked by the suction cylinder to the conveyor. , a second endless flexible member hung on the hollow shaft to drive the suction roller and feed the signatures between the flexible member and the guide, the upper end of the guide being connected to a vacuum source; When the suction cylinder suctions the signature at its lower end and rises, the inside of the hollow shaft communicates with the suction cylinder through the communication hole, and the lower end of the suction cylinder is approximately at the same level as the lower outer circumference of the suction roller. A signature supply device characterized in that it is adapted to be level.