Cutting device

Abstract

To provide a slittering device that improves the cutting accuracy of sheets. [Solution] The cutting device is a cutting device for cutting a sheet in the direction of transport while it is being transported, and comprises a pair of circular blades for cutting the sheet, which have parallel rotating axes and are in contact with each other so as to partially overlap in an axial view, and a pair of rotating members that grip the sheet and transport the sheet in a range from the transport direction position where the pair of circular blades start cutting the sheet to the transport direction position of the upstream end of the pair of circular blades.

Description

Technical Field

[0006]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a cutting device.

Background Art

[0002] A slitter device (cutting device) for cutting a sheet in the conveyance direction is known. The slitter device has a pair of circular blades that rotate in opposite directions to each other, and the sheet conveyed by the preceding conveyance mechanism enters between the pair of circular blades, and the sheet is cut in the conveyance direction by the pair of circular blades (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conveyance resistance acts on the sheet in a pair of circular blades. Therefore, when conveyance resistance acts on the front end side of the sheet by the pair of circular blades while a conveyance force is applied to the rear end side of the sheet by the preceding conveyance mechanism, the sheet bends between the pair of circular blades and the preceding conveyance mechanism, and the cutting accuracy of the sheet decreases.

[0005] The present invention has been made in such a situation, and an exemplary object of one aspect thereof is to provide a slitter device with improved cutting accuracy of a sheet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a cutting device according to one aspect of the present invention is a cutting device for cutting a sheet in the direction of transport while it is being transported, comprising: a pair of circular blades for cutting a sheet, each having a rotation axis parallel to the other and in contact with each other so as to partially overlap in an axial view; and a pair of rotating members that grip the sheet and transport the sheet in a range from the transport direction position where the pair of circular blades begin cutting the sheet to the transport direction position of the upstream end of the pair of circular blades. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a slittering device with improved sheet cutting accuracy can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view illustrating a bookbinding system equipped with a sheet processing device. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sheet processing apparatus. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a side view of the processing apparatus as seen in the width direction. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a top view of the processing apparatus. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the roller unit of the skew correction section of the processing apparatus. [Figure 6] Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are perspective views of the first processing apparatus shown in Figure 2, viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 7] Figure 2 is a side view of the first processing apparatus as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the slitter unit as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 9] Figure 7 is a side view of the slitter unit, seen from the left side in the width direction. [Figure 10] Figure 7 is a side view of the slitter unit as seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 11] Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of the upper circular blade, lower circular blade, and rotating member. [Figure 12]Figure 12 is a top view showing the upper and lower circular blades of the slitter unit shown in Figure 7. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of the processing section roller unit, seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 14] This is a side view of the machining section roller unit, seen from the left side in the width direction. [Figure 15] This is a side view of the machining section roller unit, seen from the left side in the width direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and not limiting, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the disclosure. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing a bookbinding system 1 according to an embodiment. The bookbinding system 1 comprises a sheet feeder 10, a sheet processing device 20, and a saddle-stitch folding device 30. The sheet feeder 10, the sheet processing device 20, and the saddle-stitch folding device 30 are arranged in this order.

[0011] In the sheet transport path from the sheet feeder 10 to the saddle-stitching and folding device 30, the side of the sheet feeder 10 (right side in Figure 1) is called the upstream side, and the side of the saddle-stitching and folding device 30 (left side in Figure 1) is called the downstream side. The direction in which the sheet is transported (from right to left in Figures 1 and 2) is called the transport direction X, and the direction perpendicular to the transport direction X (perpendicular to the paper plane in Figure 1) is called the width direction Y.

[0012] The sheet feeder 10 includes a first paper feeding unit 12 and a second paper feeding unit 14. The first paper feeding unit 12 and the second paper feeding unit 14 are arranged vertically side by side in this example, although they are not particularly limited. Sheets (hereinafter referred to as inner sheets) that constitute the content of a booklet are stacked on the first paper feeding unit 12. Cover sheets are stacked on the second paper feeding unit 14. Note that cover sheets may be stacked on the first paper feeding unit 12 and inner sheets may be stacked on the second paper feeding unit 14.

[0013] The first paper feeding unit 12 feeds out the inner sheets of one booklet one by one. The inner sheets are conveyed to the middle stitching folding device 30 through the sheet processing device 20. When the feeding out of the inner sheets of one booklet by the first paper feeding unit 12 is completed, one cover sheet is fed out from the second paper feeding unit 14. The cover sheet is conveyed to the middle stitching folding device 30 through the sheet processing device 20.

[0014] The inner sheets and the cover sheets hit the stopper 32 one by one in the middle stitching folding device 30 and are accumulated there. When the sheets of one booklet are accumulated, the stitching device 34 stitches the central part in the conveyance direction X. The sheets of one booklet are conveyed to the folding part 36, folded in half at the stitched part, and the middle stitched booklet is completed.

[0015] The order of feeding out sheets by the sheet feeder 10 can be changed. For example, it may be changed according to the form of the bookbinding job or the bookbinding system. For example, the cover sheet may be fed out from the second paper feeding unit 14 not at the end but at the beginning of one booklet, or one sheet may be fed out at the beginning and one sheet at the end, or two sheets may be fed out at the beginning, or two sheets may be fed out at the end. Also, sheets may be fed out simultaneously from the first paper feeding unit 12 and the second paper feeding unit 14 and overlapped while being conveyed.

[0016] The bookbinding system 1 may include a collating device having a plurality of paper feeding units arranged vertically side by side instead of the sheet feeder 10, or may include a digital printing device.

[0017] Figures 2-4 show the sheet processing apparatus 20. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sheet processing apparatus 20. Figure 3 is a side view of the sheet processing apparatus 20 as seen in the width direction Y. Figure 4 is a top view of the sheet processing apparatus 20.

[0018] In the following, the width direction Y will also be referred to as the left-right direction, and when viewing the sheet processing device 20 from the upstream side in the transport direction X, the right side will be referred to as the right side in the width direction Y, and the left side will be referred to as the left side in the width direction Y.

[0019] The sheet processing apparatus 20 includes a skew correction area 100 and a processing area 200 provided downstream of the skew correction area 100.

[0020] The skew correction area 100 includes a resist guide 101, a straight belt 102, a skew belt 103, a suction chamber 104, a first transport guide 105, a second transport guide 106, and a roller unit 130.

[0021] The resist guide 101 is located at the right end in the width direction Y. The resist guide 101 extends in the transport direction X.

[0022] The straight belt 102 is positioned slightly to the right in the width direction Y. In this example, two straight belts 102 are spaced apart in the width direction Y, flanking the diagonal belt 103. The straight belts are driven in a circular motion to transport the sheet in the transport direction X.

[0023] The inclined belt 103 is positioned towards the right in the width direction Y. The inclined belt 103 is driven in a circular motion at an angle to the conveying direction X, so that it is positioned further to the right as it moves downstream. In this example, multiple inclined belts 103 are provided at intervals in the width direction Y. The number of inclined belts 103 is not particularly limited.

[0024] The suction chamber 104 is located inside the inclined belt 103 (see Figure 4). The suction chamber 104 has multiple openings 104a in parts corresponding to the gaps between the multiple inclined belts 103 that are spaced apart in the width direction Y; in other words, in parts that avoid the inclined belts 103 in a plan view; in other words, in parts that are exposed in a plan view without being blocked by the inclined belts 103. When a suction fan (not shown) is turned ON, negative pressure is formed inside the suction chamber 104, and air is drawn in through the openings 104a.

[0025] The first conveyor guide 105 is a plate member provided in the right-hand portion in the width direction where the straight belt 102 and the diagonal belt 103 are installed, and the second conveyor guide 106 is a plate member provided in the left-hand portion in the width direction. The first conveyor guide 105 and the second conveyor guide 106 support the underside of the sheet being conveyed. The first conveyor guide 105 and the second conveyor guide 106 are, for example, stainless steel plates, preferably made of a runner stainless steel plate with good sliding properties.

[0026] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the roller unit 130. Refer to Figure 5 in addition to Figures 2-4. The roller unit 130 includes a support member 131 extending in the conveying direction X, a plurality of levers 138 supported by the support member, and a plurality of rollers 132 rotatably supported by the levers 138 (see Figure 3). The plurality of rollers 132 are located directly above the linear belt 102. The plurality of rollers 132 are arranged in pairs in the width direction Y and aligned in the conveying direction X. In this example, four pairs of rollers 132 are arranged at intervals in the conveying direction X.

[0027] The roller 132 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the linear belt 102. Specifically, when the stepping motor 133 rotates and the camshaft 134 rotates, the small diameter portion of the cam 135 comes towards the cam follower 136, causing the cam follower 136 to rise. Due to the action of the spring 137, the lever 138 rotates counterclockwise around the pivot shaft 139, causing the roller 132 to descend and come into contact with the linear belt 102. The roller 132 is pressed against the upper surface of the linear belt 102 by the biasing force of the spring 137.

[0028] As the stepping motor 133 rotates further and the camshaft 134 rotates another 180 degrees, the larger diameter portion of the cam 135 comes towards the cam follower 136 and pushes the cam follower 136 down, causing the lever 138 to rotate clockwise around the pivot shaft 139, which in turn causes the roller 132 to rise and move away from the straight belt 102.

[0029] When processing the sheet in the subsequent processing area 200, the roller 132 is moved away from the straight belt 102 in the skew correction area 100, and the suction fan is turned ON to draw air from the opening 104a of the suction chamber 104. The sheet is then transported by the skew belt 103. Specifically, the sheet first moves diagonally with respect to the transport direction X, that is, gradually moving towards the resist guide 101. When one end of the sheet reaches the resist guide 101, that end remains in contact with the resist guide 101 and the sheet moves straight in the transport direction X. This determines the relative position of the sheet and the sheet processing device 20 in the width direction Y.

[0030] If the sheets are not to be processed in the subsequent processing area 200, especially if overlapping sheets are fed in and not processed, the roller 132 is brought into contact with the straight belt 102 in the skew correction area 100, and the suction fan is turned OFF. The sheets are transported straight in the transport direction X by the straight belt 102. When the sheets are not to be processed, there is no need to determine the relative position of the sheets and the sheet processing device 20 in the width direction Y, so the sheets are transported straight without shifting the overlaps if they overlap.

[0031] The output of the suction fan, and consequently the suction force of the suction chamber 104, may be adjustable. For example, the output of the suction fan may be adjusted according to the sheet weight and sheet thickness input by the user. Specifically, the suction force may be weakened when the sheet weight is small or the sheet is thin, and strengthened when the sheet weight is large or the sheet is thick. Alternatively, for example, a measuring unit for measuring the sheet thickness may be provided, and the suction force of the suction fan may be changed according to the thickness measured by the measuring unit.

[0032] In the processing area 200, whether or not a sheet is being processed, both the straight belt 102 and the diagonal belt 103 are driven to rotate.

[0033] The height of the upper surface of the inclined belt 103 is slightly higher (for example, 0.5 mm) than the height of the upper surface of the straight belt 102. Therefore, when processing a sheet in the processing area 200 (positioning the sheet in the width direction Y), the sheet is attracted to the inclined belt 103 by the suction of the suction chamber 104, and a conveying force is applied to the sheet while it is being moved along the width, while the sheet remains suspended from the straight belt 102, thus suppressing the influence of the straight conveying force of the straight belt 102.

[0034] Furthermore, the linear velocity component of the inclined belt 103 in the straight direction may be the same as, or slightly faster than, the linear velocity of the straight belt 102. This suppresses the obstruction of the straight belt 102 by the narrowing of the inclined belt 103.

[0035] When the sheet is not processed in the processing area 200 (when the sheet is not positioned in the width direction Y), the sheet is sandwiched between the roller 132 and the straight belt 102, so a straight conveying force is reliably applied to the sheet from the straight belt 102. In this case, the sheet also comes into contact with the inclined belt 103, but it is not sucked in by the suction chamber 104, so the sheet is not attracted to the inclined belt 103, and the effect of width shifting (inclined conveying force) by the inclined belt 103 is suppressed. Alternatively, the straight belt 102 may be a flat belt with a rectangular cross-section, while the inclined belt 103 may be a round belt with a circular cross-section. In this case, the contact area between the sheet and the round inclined belt 103 is small, so the effect of width shifting by the inclined belt 103 is further suppressed.

[0036] The processing area 200 comprises a first processing storage section 201 to a fourth processing storage section 204, and a conveying mechanism consisting of a first processing section roller unit 205_1 to a fifth processing section roller unit 205_5 (collectively referred to as "processing section roller unit 205"). The number of processing storage sections is not particularly limited.

[0037] The first processing section 201, the second processing section 202, the third processing section 203, and the fourth processing section 204 are arranged in this order from upstream. The first processing section roller unit 205_1 is located upstream of the first processing section 201, the second processing section roller unit 205_2 is located between the first processing section 201 and the second processing section 202, the third processing section roller unit 205_3 is located between the second processing section 202 and the third processing section 203, the fourth processing section roller unit 205_4 is located between the third processing section 203 and the fourth processing section 204, and the fifth processing section roller unit 205_5 is located downstream of the fourth processing section 204.

[0038] In this example, the first processing unit 201 houses the first processing device 300. The first processing device 300 will be described later. In this example, the second processing unit 202 houses the second processing device 400. The second processing device 400 is a creaser (grooving) device and is constructed using known or future available technology.

[0039] In this example, the third processing storage section 203 and the fourth processing storage section 204 do not house any processing equipment, but are provided with a transport guide 500 for guiding the transport of the sheet. The transport guide 500 includes an upper guide plate 502 and a lower guide plate 504, and the sheet is transported between them. The upper guide plate 502 is provided with a hinge 506 on one end in the width direction Y (the right side in this example) and a handle 508 on the other end in the width direction Y (the left side in this example). By lifting the handle 508, the handle 508 and thus the upper guide plate 502 are lifted using the hinge 506 as a pivot point, allowing jamming to be performed.

[0040] Figures 6 and 7 show the first processing apparatus 300. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are perspective views of the first processing apparatus 300 viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. Figure 6(a) shows the state where the slitter units 301A and 301B are as far apart as possible from each other, and Figure 6(b) shows the state where the slitter units 301A and 301B are as close together as possible from each other. Figure 7 is a side view of the first processing apparatus 300 viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0041] The first processing apparatus 300 is a slitter apparatus (cutting apparatus) and includes a first slitter unit 301A and a second slitter unit 301B (collectively referred to as "slitter unit 301") for cutting sheets in the conveying direction X. The two slitter units 301 are arranged in the width direction Y, with the second slitter unit 301B positioned to the left of the first slitter unit 301A in the width direction.

[0042] The two slitter units 301 are configured to move independently of each other in the width direction Y. However, the first processing apparatus 300 may also include a rail (not shown) extending in the width direction and sliders (not shown) attached to the lower part of each of the two slitter units 301 that are capable of traveling on the rail. In this case, the user can manually move the slitter units 301 in the width direction Y.

[0043] For example, the slitter units 301A and 301B may be moved according to the width of the sheet. Also, for example, when cutting off both ends of the sheet, the slitter units 301A and 301B may be moved according to the width to be cut off. Note that the width to be cut off can be different for the right side and the left side in the width direction. If cutting is not required, cutting is avoided by positioning the slitters 300A and 300B outside the sheet's passage range. The slitter units 301A and 301B may be automatically adjusted according to the sheet's width information included in the job information acquired by the bookbinding system 1.

[0044] For example, digital color printing leaves areas at the edges of the paper that cannot be printed, so these areas can be trimmed off to create a booklet that includes borderless color prints.

[0045] For example, if the width of the cover sheet is greater than that of the inner sheet, the ends of the cover sheet can be trimmed to match the width of the inner sheet. In this case, the slitter units 301A and 301B are moved to a position where the distance (width) between their cutting lines matches the width of the inner sheet to cut the cover sheet, and when the inner sheet passes through, the slitter units 301A and 301B are moved outwards to prevent the inner sheet from being cut.

[0046] The gap between the two slitter units 301 is filled by a flexible belt 306. The flexible belt 306 is a flexible, strip-shaped belt, with one end fixed to the right end in the width direction of the frame (housing) of the first processing device 300, and the other end fixed to the left end in the width direction of the housing. The flexible belt 306 is stretched over two pairs of guide rollers 307 that extend in the conveying direction X, so as to appear as a top hat when viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction X. The portion of the flexible belt 306 corresponding to the top of the top hat constitutes the conveying surface between the two slitter units 301.

[0047] The two pairs of guide rollers on which the flexible belt is stretched move in the width direction Y along with the slitter unit 301. Therefore, when the slitter unit 301 moves in the width direction Y, the position and length of the part of the flexible belt corresponding to the top of the top hat changes accordingly. As a result, even when the slitter unit 301 is moved in the width direction Y, the gap between the two slitter units 301 is filled.

[0048] Figures 8-10 show the slitter unit 301. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the slitter unit 301 and its surroundings from the upstream side in the conveying direction. Figure 9 is a side view of the slitter unit 301 from the left side in the width direction. Figure 10 is a side view of the slitter unit 301 from the upstream side in the conveying direction X. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the upper circular blade 302, lower circular blade 303 and rotating member 304 from Figure 9. Figure 12 is a top view showing the upper circular blade 302 and lower circular blade 303 of the slitter unit 301.

[0049] The slitter unit 301 comprises an upper circular blade 302, a lower circular blade 303, and a rotating member 304. The rotation axis of the upper circular blade 302 is located on the upper side of the conveyor path. The rotation axis of the lower circular blade 303 is located on the lower side of the conveyor path. The rotation axes of the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303 are parallel to each other. However, the rotation axis of the lower circular blade 303 is located slightly upstream of the rotation axis of the upper circular blade 302.

[0050] The upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303 have their surface normals approximately aligned with the width direction Y, and their surfaces contact each other such that their upper and lower edges partially overlap when viewed axially. The sliding contact surfaces S (see Figures 10 and 12) of the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303 are parallel to the vertical plane, and the normal direction of the sliding contact surfaces S approximately aligned with the width direction Y.

[0051] The rotational driving force of the drive source 308 (see Figure 9) is applied to both the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303, causing them to rotate in opposite directions. Specifically, when viewed from the left side in the width direction Y, the upper circular blade 302 rotates clockwise, and the lower circular blade 303 rotates counterclockwise. The slitter unit 301 cuts the sheet in the conveying direction X using the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303.

[0052] In this embodiment, the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303 are in surface contact, and the cutting edge (tip) 302a of the upper circular blade 302 and the cutting edge (tip) 303a of the lower circular blade 303 are in contact at two locations (Q1, Q2). As a modification, the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303 may be in line contact, more specifically, the cutting edge 302a of the upper circular blade 302 and the surface of the lower circular blade 303 may be in line contact, and the cutting edge 302a of the upper circular blade 302 and the cutting edge 303a of the lower circular blade 303 may be in contact at two locations. In any case, the sheet is cut in the contact area between the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303, particularly at the upstream contact point Q1 between the cutting edge 302a of the upper circular blade 302 and the cutting edge 303a of the lower circular blade 303.

[0053] In a plan view, the sliding contact surfaces S of the upper circular blade 302 and lower circular blade 303 of the first slitter unit 301A and the sliding contact surfaces S of the upper circular blade 302 and lower circular blade 303 of the second slitter unit 301B are inclined so that they move further apart from each other towards the downstream side, or in other words, further away from the center in the width direction Y towards the downstream side. The inclination angle α (the angle between the sliding contact surface S and the conveying direction X in a plan view) is preferably 1 degree or less, and in this embodiment it is 0.4 degrees. This inclination ensures that the cut-off scraps are reliably separated from the inside to the outside. It also prevents the edges of the sheet in the width direction after cutting from rubbing against the blades and becoming curled or damaged.

[0054] The rotating member 304 has a rotation axis parallel to the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303. The rotating member 304 is biased downward by the biasing mechanism 305, presses against the lower circular blade 303 from above, and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the lower circular blade 303. The rotating member 304 is not in contact with the upper circular blade 302.

[0055] The rotating member 304 is a disc-shaped roller (in other words, a cylindrical shape that is short in the axial direction), but is not limited to that, and is made to have the same thickness as the lower circular blade 303, or thinner than the lower circular blade 303 as shown in Figure 10. Note that the rotating member 304 is not limited to a disc shape, and may have a circular or cylindrical outer surface (contact surface), and may be spherical, for example.

[0056] The lower round blade 303 and the rotating member 304 grip and transport the sheet. In other words, the lower round blade 303 applies transport force to the sheet by pressing it against the lower round blade 303 due to the rotating member 304. In any case, the lower round blade 303 and the rotating member 304 constitute a gripping and transporting mechanism.

[0057] Furthermore, if the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism 305 is too weak, and therefore the force with which the rotating member 304 presses against the lower round blade 303 is too weak, sufficient conveying force will not be applied from the lower round blade 303 to the sheet. Therefore, the biasing mechanism 305 is preferably configured to allow adjustment of its biasing force. The biasing mechanism 305 may be constructed using known or future available technologies.

[0058] The lower circular blade 303 and the rotating member 304 grip the sheet at the conveying direction position P1 (hereinafter referred to as the cutting start position) or a position upstream thereof, where the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303 begin cutting the sheet, and convey the sheet downstream. In other words, a gripping and conveying force is applied to the sheet when it enters between the pair of circular blades 302 and 303 or just before it does. This reduces the effect of conveying resistance on the sheet from the pair of circular blades 302 and 303, and suppresses the deflection of the sheet between the pair of circular blades 302 and 303 and the preceding conveying mechanism, the first processing section roller unit 205_1, and as a result, the cutting accuracy of the pair of circular blades 302 and 303 is improved.

[0059] The cutting start position P1 is the transport direction position of the upstream intersection of two intersection points (Q1, Q2) in an axial view between the cutting edge 302a of the upper circular blade 302 and the cutting edge 303a of the lower circular blade 303. The cutting start position P1 can also be considered as the transport direction position of the upstream end of the contact area between the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303. In this embodiment, the contact area between the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303 coincides with the area where the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303 overlap in an axial view. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cutting start position P1 can also be considered as the transport direction position of the upstream end of the area where the upper circular blade 302 and the lower circular blade 303 overlap in an axial view.

[0060] The conveying speed by the lower circular blade 303 and the rotating member 304 is the same as the conveying speed by the processing section roller units 205_1 and 205_2 adjacent to the first processing device (slitter device) 300, in other words, the processing section roller units 205_1 and 205_2 are arranged to apply conveying force to the sheet being gripped and conveyed by the lower circular blade 303 and the rotating member 304. More specifically, the peripheral speed of the lower circular blade 303 is the same as the peripheral speed of the drive conveying roller 210 of the processing section roller units 205_1 and 205_2. "Same speed" here includes not only cases where the speeds are exactly the same, but also cases where the speeds are approximately the same, for example, when the speed difference between the two is ±5%. If there is a difference in conveying speed, there is a risk of wrinkles forming in the sheet, but by having the conveying speeds the same, wrinkles can be avoided or reduced.

[0061] Furthermore, if the sheet processing device 20 does not include any devices following the first processing device 300, that is, if it does not include any devices from the second processing section roller unit 205_2 onwards, the conveying speed by the lower circular blade 303 and the rotating member 304 may be faster than the conveying speed by the first processing section roller unit 205_1.

[0062] As a modified example, the first processing device 300 may be equipped with a drive roller (rotating member) separate from the lower circular blade 303, and the rotating member 304 and the separate drive roller may constitute a clamping and conveying mechanism. In this case, the rotating member 304 and the separate drive roller clamp the sheet in a range R (see Figure 11) from the cutting start position P1 to the upstream ends of the pair of circular blades 302 and 303, specifically the conveying direction position P2 at the upstream end of the upstream end of the upper circular blade 302 and the upstream end of the lower circular blade 303, and convey the sheet downstream. However, since the lower circular blade 303 also serves as the drive roller of the drive conveying mechanism, the first processing device 300 does not need to be equipped with a dedicated drive roller.

[0063] Figures 13-15 show the processing section roller unit 205. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the processing section roller unit 205 from the downstream side in the conveying direction. Figures 14-15 are side views of the first processing section roller unit 205 viewed from the left side in the width direction Y. Figure 14 shows the driven conveying roller 218 in contact with the driven conveying roller 210, and Figure 15 shows the driven conveying roller 218 separated from the driven conveying roller 210. Refer to Figures 3, 13-15.

[0064] The processing section roller unit 205 includes a drive conveyor roller 210 and a driven conveyor roller 218 that can be pressed against the drive conveyor roller 210 from above and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the drive conveyor roller 210.

[0065] The drive conveyor roller 210 has a cylindrical outer surface. The drive conveyor roller 210 is rotatably supported so that its axial direction coincides with the width direction Y. The drive conveyor roller 210 is supplied with rotational driving force from a drive source (not shown) via a transmission mechanism such as a belt.

[0066] The driven conveyor roller 218 has a cylindrical outer surface. The driven conveyor roller 218 is rotatably supported so that its axial direction coincides with the width direction Y.

[0067] Bracket 230 is fixed to the frame (housing) of the first processing device 300. Roller support member 232 is supported by bracket 230 so as to be rotatable about pivot point A. One end of link member 234 is supported by roller support member 232 so as to be rotatable about pivot point B. The other end of link member 234 is inserted through a pressing shaft 236 that extends in the width direction Y. A stopper is attached to the tip of the other end of link member 234 to prevent the pressing shaft 236 from coming out of link member 234. A coil spring 238 is fitted onto link member 234. Driven conveying roller 218 is rotatably supported by roller support member 232 between pivot point A and pivot point B.

[0068] In Figure 14, the pressing shaft 236 is housed in the first recess 230a of the bracket 230. In this state, the coil spring 238 is compressed by the pressing shaft 236, and the spring pressure is transmitted to the driven conveyor roller 218 via the link member 234 and the roller support member 232, causing the driven conveyor roller 218 to be pressed against the driven conveyor roller 210.

[0069] In Figure 15, the pressing shaft 236 is housed in the second recess 230b of the bracket 230. The second recess 230b is located above the first recess 230a. In other words, the pressing shaft 236 is lifted from the position where it was housed in the first recess 230a to the position where it is housed in the second recess 230b. When the pressing shaft 236 is lifted from the position where it was housed in the first recess 230a, the roller support member 232 and, consequently, the drive conveyor roller 210 rotate clockwise in the width direction Y when viewed from the left, around the pivot point A, and the drive conveyor roller 210 moves away from the driven conveyor roller 218.

[0070] In this example, the driven conveyor roller 218 is located above the driven conveyor roller 210, but the driven conveyor roller 218 may also be located below the driven conveyor roller 210.

[0071] Next, the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 20 configured as described above will be explained.

[0072] The roller 132 is moved away from the straight belt 102, and the suction fan is driven to create negative pressure in the suction chamber 104. The straight belt 102 and the diagonal belt 103 are driven in a circular motion. Sheets are transported from the sheet feeder 10 to the sheet processing device 20. The sheets are transported by suction using the diagonal belt 103. Specifically, the sheets first move diagonally with respect to the transport direction X, that is, gradually toward the resist guide 101. When one end of the sheet reaches the resist guide 101, the sheet moves straight toward the transport direction X with that end still in contact with the resist guide 101 and is transported to the processing area 200. This positions the sheet in the width direction.

[0073] In the processing area 200, the sheet is transported by the first processing section roller unit 205_1 and the second processing section roller unit 205_2 immediately following it, while the first processing device 300 between them cuts off both edges of the sheet in the width direction by a predetermined dimension. Furthermore, the sheet is transported by the second processing section roller unit 205_2 and the third processing section roller unit 205_3, while the second processing device 400 between them scores the sheet.

[0074] Next, the fourth processing section roller unit 205_4 and the fifth processing section roller unit 205_5 transport the sheet further downstream and send it to the saddle stitching and folding device 30.

[0075] The bookbinding system 1 may store and accumulate job processing information, operational error information, consumable information, etc., and may be capable of outputting this information. The output destination may be an operation panel or PC via an integrated control device that controls each part of the bookbinding system 1, or it may be an external terminal such as an external PC or smartphone via a wired or wireless communication line such as the internet. The output timing may be output and transmitted each time a job is completed or an error occurs, or it may be stored for multiple job information and error information and output and transmitted all at once when the main unit or terminal is powered off, powered on or restarted, or after powered on or restarted until the system is ready to accept user operations (specifically, until the user interface screen is displayed, etc.), or at any timing at the user's discretion. In addition to using an external terminal as the output destination, the bookbinding system 1 may also be remotely controlled from an external terminal. Job processing information may be stored linked to job identification information, based on the actual operating status of the bookbinding system 1 for the job in question and user input information, including the start time of the work, the end time of the work, the time spent actually creating booklets during that time, the time spent on work preparation, the type of error that occurred and the time spent processing it, the number of sheets fed, and the number of booklets created. Furthermore, from this information, the actual time spent on the entire job and the time the equipment was stopped may be calculated and calculated as work efficiency, or this may be managed on a job-by-job basis. Alternatively, efficiency may be calculated from the number of booklets created successfully relative to the number of sheets fed during the actual operating time. Multiple bookbinding systems 1 may be connected to a host computer, and the efficiency of multiple systems may be managed centrally or remotely, or they may be managed centrally or remotely together with systems other than bookbinding system 1. Job processing information may also include the number of processing cycles of bookbinding system 1, the size of the sheets before bookbinding in bookbinding system 1, and operation logs if the spacing between the left and right slitter units 301 is changed accordingly.

[0076] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments. These embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of their components and processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0077] The above-described embodiment can be generalized to obtain the following configuration.

[0078] [Aspect 1] A cutting device for cutting a sheet in the direction of transport while it is being transported, A pair of circular blades for cutting a sheet, having parallel axes of rotation and contacting each other so as to partially overlap in an axial view, A pair of rotating members that grip and transport the sheet in the range from the transport direction position where the pair of circular blades begin cutting the sheet to the transport direction position of the upstream end of the pair of circular blades, A cutting device equipped with the following features.

[0079] [Aspect 2] The transport speed by the pair of rotating members is the same as the transport speed by the transport mechanism adjacent to this cutting device. A cutting device according to Embodiment 1.

[0080] [Aspect 3] One of the pair of circular blades also serves as one of the pair of rotating members. A cutting device according to embodiment 1 or 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 20 Sheet processing device, 300 First processing device, 301 Slitter unit, 302 Upper circular blade, 303 Lower circular blade, 304 Rotating member.

Claims

1. A cutting device for cutting a sheet in the direction of transport while it is being transported, A pair of circular blades for cutting a sheet, having parallel axes of rotation and contacting each other so as to partially overlap in an axial view, A pair of rotating members that grip and transport the sheet in the range from the transport direction position where the pair of circular blades begin cutting the sheet to the transport direction position of the upstream end of the pair of circular blades, A cutting device equipped with the following features.

2. The transport speed by the pair of rotating members is the same as the transport speed by the transport mechanism adjacent to this cutting device. The cutting device according to claim 1.

3. One of the pair of circular blades also serves as one of the pair of rotating members. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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