Staple removal device and guide

Abstract

The present application provides staple removing device and guide, can remove staple from the book in keeping closed two fold book state. The staple removing device (1A) has: the alignment part (2A) of the book fold contact, the opening part (3A) of the crown part of the staple that the book fold contact on the alignment part (2A) is stapled, the guide part (4A) with the first guide part (41A) and the second guide part (42A) of the book fold to the alignment part (2A) guide and the removal part (5A) with the wedge board (500A), the above-mentioned wedge board (500A) moves in the direction that crosses with the book fold, and enters between the crown part and the book in the opening part, makes the force of the direction that the staple is pulled out from the book to the staple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a staple removal device for removing staples from a bifold book and a guide installed in the staple removal device. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, as a device for removing staples from a bundle of paper bound together, it is known to have a structure in which a wedge-shaped component is inserted between the bundle of paper and the crown of the staple binding the bundle of paper to pull the staple out of the bundle of paper (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] The above structure uses the paper bundles that are usually stapled near the end of the paper, such as end binding and corner binding, as the object to be removed from the needle. In order to prevent the device from becoming too large, the depth of the paper bundle inserted into the opening of the device is kept to the necessary minimum.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-141935

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-022923 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] On the other hand, there is also a form in which the center of the paper is stapled for making a two-fold book. However, in the conventional device described above, the depth of the paper bundle inserted into the opening is suppressed to the necessary minimum. Even when the two-fold book is opened, the staples cannot be placed at the pin removal position of the wedge-shaped component because the center of the paper is stapled.

[0010] If we consider a device that removes staples by matching the position of the staples to the pin removal position of the wedge-shaped component when the booklet is opened, then the depth dimension of the opening for inserting the booklet needs to be such that one side of the paper of the booklet can enter, thus making the device larger.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention provides a staple removal device capable of removing staples from a book while keeping the book closed in a bifolded format, and a guide installed on the staple removal device.

[0012] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0013] To address the aforementioned issues, the staple removal device of this application comprises: an alignment portion that contacts the crease of the booklet, the booklet being stapled with a staple consisting of a crown and legs and folded along the extension direction of the crown; a guide portion that guides the crease of the booklet toward the alignment portion; and a removal portion having an action portion that moves in a direction intersecting with the crease of the booklet and engages with the crown of the staple that binds the booklet, so that a force in the direction of pulling out the staple from the booklet is applied to the staple.

[0014] In a staple removal device, a guide portion guides the crease of the booklet toward the alignment portion. A removal portion engages with the crown of a staple bound to the booklet, whose crease is in contact with the alignment portion, thereby applying a force in the direction of pulling the staple out of the booklet to the staple, thus removing the staple from the booklet. The guide member of this application is installed in a staple removal device comprising: an alignment portion where the booklet's crease is in contact with the booklet, the booklet being bound with a staple consisting of a crown and legs and folded along the extension direction of the crown; and a removal portion having an actuating portion that moves in a direction intersecting the crease of the booklet and engages with the crown of the staple binding the booklet, thereby applying a force in the direction of pulling the staple out of the booklet to the staple, and the guide member having a guide portion that guides the crease of the booklet toward the alignment portion.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] In the staple removal device of this application, the book can be positioned at a predetermined location using a guide without opening the book folded at the crease, and the staples can be removed from the book. The guide of this application, by being installed in the staple removal device, allows the book to be positioned at a predetermined location without opening the book folded at the crease. Therefore, the staples can be removed from the book using the staple removal device. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1A This is a side sectional view showing an example of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 1B This is a side view showing an example of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 1C This is a top view showing an example of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2A This is a perspective view showing an example of a staple removal device according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2B This is a perspective view showing an example of a staple removal device according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3A This is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3B This is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4A This is a side view of a booklet in a state where an example of a staple removal device representing the first embodiment is provided.

[0025] Figure 4B This is a perspective view of a booklet equipped with an example of a staple removal device according to the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5 This is an illustrative diagram showing an example of staples used to bind booklet P.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing an example of a booklet bound with staples.

[0028] Figure 7A This is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 7B This is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 7C This is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7D This is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 8A This is a partial side sectional view showing an example of the operation of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0033] Figure 8B This is a partial side sectional view showing an example of the operation of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 9A This is a perspective view showing an example of a staple removal device according to the second embodiment.

[0035] Figure 9B This is a perspective view showing an example of a staple removal device according to the second embodiment.

[0036] Figure 9CThis is a side view showing an example of a staple removal device according to the second embodiment.

[0037] Figure 9D This is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the staple removal device according to the second embodiment.

[0038] Figure 10A This is a perspective view of a booklet equipped with an example of the staple removal device of the second embodiment.

[0039] Figure 10B This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a booklet equipped with an example of a staple removal device according to the second embodiment.

[0040] Figure 11A This is a perspective view showing an example of a staple removal device according to another embodiment (a variation of the removal part of the first embodiment).

[0041] Figure 11B This is a perspective view showing an example of a staple removal device according to another embodiment (a variation of the removal part of the first embodiment).

[0042] Figure 12A This is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of a staple removal device (a variation of the removal part of the first embodiment) in another embodiment.

[0043] Figure 12B This is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of a staple removal device (a variation of the removal part of the first embodiment) in another embodiment.

[0044] Figure 12C This is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of a staple removal device (a variation of the removal part of the first embodiment) in another embodiment.

[0045] Figure 12D This is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of a staple removal device (a variation of the removal part of the first embodiment) in another embodiment.

[0046] Figure 13A This is a perspective view showing an example of the operation of a staple removal device (a variation of the removal part of the first embodiment) in another embodiment.

[0047] Figure 13B This is a perspective view showing an example of the operation of a staple removal device (a variation of the removal part of the first embodiment) in another embodiment.

[0048] Figure 13CThis is a perspective view showing an example of the operation of a staple removal device (a variation of the removal part of the first embodiment) in another embodiment.

[0049] Figure 14A This is a perspective view showing another example of a staple removal device according to another embodiment (a variation of the removal part of the second embodiment).

[0050] Figure 14B This is a perspective view showing another example of a staple removal device according to another embodiment (a variation of the removal part of the second embodiment).

[0051] Figure 15A This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments (a variation in which the removal part is manually operated).

[0052] Figure 15B This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments (a variation in which the removal part is manually operated).

[0053] Figure 15C This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments (a variation in which the removal part is manually operated).

[0054] Figure 16A This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments (a variation in which the removal part is manually operated).

[0055] Figure 16B This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments (a variation in which the removal part is manually operated).

[0056] Figure 16C This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments (a variation in which the removal part is manually operated).

[0057] Figure 17A This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0058] Figure 17B This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0059] Figure 17C This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0060] Figure 17D This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0061] Figure 18AThis is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0062] Figure 18B This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0063] Figure 18C This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0064] Figure 18D This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0065] <Structural Example of the Staple Removal Device of the First Embodiment>

[0066] Figure 1A This is a side sectional view showing an example of the staple removal device of the first embodiment. Figure 1B This is a side view showing an example of the staple removal device according to the first embodiment. Figure 1C This is a top view showing an example of the staple removal device according to the first embodiment. Additionally, Figure 2A , Figure 2B This is a perspective view showing an example of the staple removal device according to the first embodiment. Figure 3A , Figure 3B This is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the staple removal device according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, Figure 4A This is a side view of a booklet in a state where an example of a staple removal device according to the first embodiment is provided. Figure 4B This is a perspective view of a booklet equipped with an example of the staple removal device of the first embodiment. Additionally, Figure 5 This is an illustrative diagram showing an example of staples used to bind booklet P. Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing an example of a booklet bound with staples.

[0067] First, refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 The staple 100 used to bind booklet P and the booklet P bound using the staple 100 are explained.

[0068] For staple 100, the two ends of the crown 101 are bent in one direction to form a pair of legs 102. The pair of legs 102 that pass through the booklet P in staple 100 are bent inward. Thus, booklet P is bound by staple 100.

[0069] The booklet P is a two-fold booklet bound in a central-binding manner with the staples 100 at the center of the paper, and the staples 100 are folded along the extension direction of the crown 101. Thus, a crease P1 is formed in the booklet P along the extension direction of the crown 101 of the staples 100. Furthermore, the booklet P is folded with the crown 101 present on the convex side (mountain side) of the crease P1 and the legs 102 present on the concave side (valley side).

[0070] Next, referring to the figures, the staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment for removing the staples 100 from the booklet P will be described.

[0071] like Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 4A , Figure 4B As shown, the staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment is structured such that the booklet P is arranged in a vertical orientation. The staple removal device 1A includes: an alignment portion 2A for contact with the crease P1 of the booklet P; an opening portion 3A for the crown 101 of the staple 100 to enter when the crease P1 of the booklet P contacts the alignment portion 2A; and a guide portion 4A for guiding the crease P1 of the booklet P toward the alignment portion 2A.

[0072] The alignment portion 2A is formed by a surface whose length along the direction of the crease P1 of the booklet P that contacts the alignment portion 2A is longer than the direction along the thickness direction of the booklet P. For the alignment portion 2A, the direction along the crease P1 of the booklet P is the long side direction, and the direction along the thickness direction of the booklet P is the short side direction, and it is provided on both sides of the opening 3A along the long side direction. The alignment portion 2A may also be provided on at least one side of the opening 3A along the short side direction. In this example, the alignment portion 2A is formed by the first surface 21A of the outer casing 20A that constitutes the staple removal device 1A. The staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment is mounted with the first surface 21A horizontal.

[0073] The opening 3A is configured such that its dimension along the long side of the alignment portion 2A is greater than the length of the crown portion 101 of the staple 100 along the long side, and its dimension along the short side of the alignment portion 2A is greater than the length of the crown portion 101 along the short side. This longer opening is provided in the alignment portion 2A. In this example, as... Figure 3A As shown, the opening 3A is a portion of an opening that penetrates the back of the first surface 21A of the housing 20A and extends along the short side of the alignment portion 2A.

[0074] The guide portion 4A includes a first guide portion 41A and a second guide portion 42A that protrude in a direction intersecting the long and short sides of the aligning portion 2A. In other words, the guide portion 4A protrudes in a direction intersecting the aligning portion 2A. The first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A face each other across the opening 3A in the short side direction of the aligning portion 2A.

[0075] The guide portion 4A is configured such that, near the point where the booklet P contacts the alignment portion 2A, the distance between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A along the short side direction of the alignment portion 2A is the same as or greater than the thickness of the booklet P in the bi-fold booklet form. In other words, the guide portion 4A is configured such that, in the portion where the end of the first guide portion 41A protruding from the alignment portion 2A on the alignment portion 2A side faces the end of the second guide portion 42A on the alignment portion 2A side, the distance between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A along the short side direction of the alignment portion 2A is the same as or greater than the thickness of the booklet P in the bi-fold booklet form. Furthermore, in such a way that the gap between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A expands along the short side direction of the alignment portion 2A as the distance from the alignment portion 2A increases, the facing surfaces of the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A are formed in a cone shape by an inclined surface that is tilted relative to the direction orthogonal to the alignment portion 2A.

[0076] In this example, the second guide portion 42A of the guide portion 4A is constructed by mounting a component independent of the housing 20A to the first surface 21A using screws 45A. Alternatively, it can be a structure that allows selection of the mounting position of the second guide portion 42A, changing the spacing between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A along the short side direction of the alignment portion 2A according to the thickness of the booklet P.

[0077] The guide portion 4A includes marking portions 43A and 44A that align the position of the staple 100, on which the booklet P is bound, with the opening 3A. The marking portion 43A is formed by providing a recess on the surface of the first guide portion 41A facing the second guide portion 42A that aligns with the position of the opening 3A and extends away from the opening 3A. The marking portion 44A is formed by providing a recess on the surface of the second guide portion 42A facing the first guide portion 41A that aligns with the position of the opening 3A and extends away from the opening 3A (or the aligning portion 2A). The marking portions 43A and 44A may also be configured to align the position of the staple 100 with the functional portion described later, rather than with the opening 3A.

[0078] Furthermore, the marking sections 43A and 44A can also be printed to display multiple lines defining the area where the opening 3A is provided, a strip matching the opening 3A, etc. Alternatively, the marking section can be provided on at least one of the first guide section 41A and the second guide section 42A. Moreover, it is also possible that neither the first guide section 41A nor the second guide section 42A is provided with a marking section.

[0079] If booklet P enters between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A, the staple removal device 1A guides the crease P1 of booklet P toward the alignment portion 2A. With the crown 101 of the staple 100 containing booklet P aligned with the opening 3A, if the crease P1 of booklet P contacts the alignment portion 2A, the crown 101 enters the opening 3A.

[0080] The staple removal device 1A includes a removal part 5A for pulling staples 100 out of booklet P. The removal part 5A includes a wedge assembly 50A and a drive part 51A for driving the wedge assembly 50A. The wedge assembly 50A includes a wedge 500A and a support part 501A on which the wedge 500A is mounted.

[0081] The wedge plate 500A is an example of an actuating part, and is configured such that its dimension along the long side of the alignment part 2A is shorter than the crown 101 of the staple 100. Furthermore, the wedge plate 500A is configured such that its dimension along the direction orthogonal to the first surface 21A of the housing 20A, which intersects the long and short sides of the alignment part 2A, is small at the front end to the extent that it enters between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P. Moreover, the wedge plate 500A is configured such that its dimension along the direction orthogonal to the first surface 21A of the housing 20A increases in length from the front end toward the portion where it is mounted on the support part 501A.

[0082] The support portion 501A has a shaft 503A on the side where the wedge plate 500A is installed, and a shaft 502A on the opposite side of the side where the wedge plate 500A is installed. The shafts 502A and 503A protrude from both sides of the support portion 501A along the long side of the alignment portion 2A.

[0083] For the wedge assembly 50A, shafts 502A and 503A enter through elongated holes 22A formed in a pair of frames (not shown) disposed in the housing 20A.

[0084] The drive unit 51A includes a rack and pinion 510A disposed on the support unit 501A, a gear 511A meshing with the rack and pinion 510A, and a gear set (not shown) that transmits the driving force of the motor 512A to the gear 511A.

[0085] For the staple removal device 1A, if the operation button 8A is pressed, the motor 512A rotates forward and backward based on the position of the wedge assembly 50A detected by a sensor (not shown). The removal unit 5A is rotated by the motor 512A, thereby driving force is transmitted to the wedge assembly 50A via the gear 511A and the rack and pinion 510A.

[0086] The wedge assembly 50A moves along the elongated hole 22A extending along the short side of the alignment portion 2A via shafts 502A and 503A, thereby moving the wedge 500A along the short side of the alignment portion 2A. With the booklet P provided on the guide portion 4A and the crease P1 of the booklet P contacting the alignment portion 2A, the wedge 500A moves in a direction intersecting the crease P1 of the booklet P. Furthermore, the wedge assembly 50A rotates about the shaft 503A by being guided to the elongated hole 22A, causing the wedge 500A to move in and out relative to the opening 3A. That is, the wedge 500A enters the opening 3A. In other words, if the crease P1 of the booklet P contacts the alignment portion 2A, the wedge 500A enters the opening 3A through which the crown 101 of the staple 100 binding the booklet P enters.

[0087] The removal part 5A is configured to reciprocate between a standby position and a working position. The standby position is the position where the wedge plate 500A is below the second guide part 42A and located on the lower surface of the first surface 21A and retracted from the opening 3A. The working position is the position where the wedge plate 500A passes through the opening 3A and is located below the first guide part 41A.

[0088] Therefore, for the removal part 5A, the wedge plate 500A functions as the following part: by moving in the direction of approaching the crown 101 of the opening 3A from the standby position along the direction intersecting the crease P1 of the booklet P, and entering between the crown 101 and the booklet P, it engages with the crown 101, so that a force in the direction of pulling out the staple 100 from the booklet P is applied to the staple 100.

[0089] Furthermore, as a guide portion 4A, a first guide portion 41A is provided downstream of the opening 3A (or the alignment portion 2A) in the direction in which the wedge plate 500A moves from the standby position toward the crown portion 101 entering the opening 3A. Additionally, as a guide portion 4A, a second guide portion 42A is provided upstream of the opening 3A (or the alignment portion 2A) in the direction in which the wedge plate 500A moves from the standby position toward the crown portion 101 entering the opening 3A.

[0090] The staple removal device 1A includes a needle stop 6A, which restricts the movement of the crown 101 during the movement of the wedge plate 500A between the crown 101 and the booklet P. The needle stop 6A is located downstream of the opening 3A relative to the wedge plate 500A in the direction of movement towards the crown 101 entering the opening 3A. The needle stop 6A is configured to move in a direction approaching and away from the back surface of the first surface 21A by rotation about the axis 60A, and applies force in the direction of contact with the back surface of the first surface 21A by a spring (not shown).

[0091] The staple removal device 1A includes a waste needle box 7A for holding staples 100 removed from booklet P. The waste needle box 7A is located below the opening 3A, and the staples 100 removed from booklet P fall due to their own weight when the removal part 5A is activated. The waste needle box 7A is configured to move in and out relative to the housing 20A and to discharge staples 100.

[0092] <Example of the operation of the staple removal device according to the first embodiment>

[0093] Figures 7A-7D This is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of the staple removal device according to the first embodiment. Figures 8A-8B This is a partial side sectional view showing an example of the operation of the staple removal device of the first embodiment.

[0094] like Figure 4A , Figure 4B As shown, the staple removal device 1A causes the booklet P, bound by the staple 100, to be placed between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A, which constitute the guide portion 4A, with the crease P1 facing downward and in a closed manner.

[0095] The guide portion 4A is a cone-shaped structure that gradually narrows from the side farther from the alignment portion 2A toward the vicinity of the part that contacts the alignment portion 2A along the short side of the alignment portion 2A. Therefore, the action of the booklet P entering between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A guides the crease P1 to the alignment portion 2A.

[0096] In addition, the booklet P is inserted between the first guide section 41A and the second guide section 42A by matching the crown 101 of the staple 100 that binds the booklet P with the marking section 43A or the marking section 44A, or with both the marking section 43A and the marking section 44A.

[0097] Therefore, as Figure 7AAs shown, if booklet P enters between the first guide part 41A and the second guide part 42A, the staple removal device 1A makes the crease P1 of booklet P oriented along the long side direction of the alignment part 2A, guiding the crease P1 of booklet P towards the position where it contacts the alignment part 2A.

[0098] Furthermore, by aligning the crown 101 of the staple 100 binding the booklet P with the marking portions 43A and 44A, the crown 101 is positioned to match the opening 3A. When the crown 101 is aligned with the opening 3A, if the crease P1 of the booklet P contacts the alignment portion 2A, the crown 101 enters the opening 3A.

[0099] The staple removal device 1A has an opening 3A between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A. Therefore, if the booklet P enters between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A, the position of the opening 3A is not easily visible. In contrast, by providing marking portions 43A and 44A on the guide portion 4A, the crown portion 101 of the staple 100 can be aligned with the position of the opening 3A.

[0100] In this way, the staple removal device 1A is equipped with a guide section 4A and marking sections 43A and 44A on the guide section 4A, which makes it easy for the booklet P to be moved to the predetermined position where the staples 100 can be removed.

[0101] In the staple removal device 1A, if the operation button 8A is pressed, the motor 512A rotates forward, thus... Figure 7B , Figure 8A As shown, the wedge assembly 50A moves along the direction intersecting the crease P1 of the booklet P, as indicated by arrow F, moving the wedge 500A from the standby position toward the crown 101 approaching the opening 3A. Furthermore, the wedge assembly 50A is guided to the elongated hole 22A by the shaft 503A, and rotates around the shaft 503A as a fulcrum, allowing the wedge 500A to enter the opening 3A. The wedge 500A then contacts the crown 101 of the staple 100.

[0102] When the wedge plate 500A is in contact with the crown 101 of the staple 100, if the wedge plate 500A moves further in the direction of arrow F, the booklet P is pressed in the direction of the first guide portion 41A.

[0103] The guide portion 4A is configured such that the gap between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A along the short side direction of the alignment portion 2A is the same as the thickness of the booklet P near the part that contacts the alignment portion 2A, thereby restricting the movement of the booklet P and the staples 100 that bind the booklet P.

[0104] Additionally, the movement of the staple 100 can be restricted by the contact between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the needle stop 6A. Thus, as... Figure 7C , Figure 8B As shown, the wedge plate 500A enters between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P.

[0105] Staple Removal Device 1A Figure 7D As shown, with the wedge plate 500A positioned between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P, if the wedge plate 500A moves further in the direction of arrow F, a force in the direction of pulling the staple 100 out of the booklet P acts on the staple 100, lifting the leg 102 and pulling it out of the booklet P. The staple 100 pulled out of the booklet P by the leg 102 falls due to its own weight and is collected in the waste needle box 7A.

[0106] In the staple removal device 1A, if the position of the wedge assembly 50A is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the wedge 500A moves to the working position where the staple 100 is pulled out of the booklet P, then the motor 512A reverses. As a result, the wedge assembly 50A moves along a direction intersecting the crease P1 of the booklet P, and the wedge 500A moves from the working position to the standby position.

[0107] Based on the above, the staple removal device 1A can remove the staples 100 by keeping the bifolded booklet P closed without opening it. When the booklet P is open, the distance between the staples 100 and the ends of the booklet P increases. If a structure is considered for a staple removal device that removes the staples 100 by matching the position of the staples 100 with the opening 3A when the booklet P is open, then space is needed to accommodate the open booklet P, resulting in a larger device.

[0108] In contrast, in the staple removal device 1A, it is configured to have a guide portion 4A, and the closed booklet P is arranged in a cross orientation relative to the alignment portion 2A which is provided with an opening 3A for the crown portion 101 to enter, thereby preventing the device from becoming too large.

[0109] Alternatively, the second guide portion 42A can be removed from the first surface 21A, and the first surface 21A can be used as a mounting platform for the paper bundle, thereby enabling the staple removal device 1A to also function as a device for removing staples from the ends of the paper bundle that have been stapled. In this case, a structure that presses the paper bundle in the paper surface direction and restricts the movement of the paper bundle can be added instead of the first guide portion 41A.

[0110] <Structural Example of the Staple Removal Device in the Second Embodiment>

[0111] Figure 9A, Figure 9B This is a perspective view showing an example of the staple removal device according to the second embodiment. Figure 9C This is a side view showing an example of the staple removal device according to the second embodiment. Figure 9D This is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the staple removal device according to the second embodiment. Additionally, Figure 10A This is a perspective view of a booklet equipped with an example of the staple removal device according to the second embodiment. Figure 10B This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a booklet equipped with an example of a staple removal device according to the second embodiment.

[0112] The staple removal device 1B of the second embodiment is as follows: Figure 10A , Figure 10B As shown, the booklet P is arranged with its orientation along the horizontal direction. The staple removal device 1B includes: an alignment part 2B for contact with the crease P1 of the booklet P; an opening part 3B for the crown 101 of the staple 100 that binds the booklet P to enter when the crease P1 of the booklet P contacts the alignment part 2B; and a guide part 4B for guiding the crease P1 of the booklet P toward the alignment part 2B.

[0113] Similar to the alignment part 2A, the alignment part 2B is formed by a surface whose length along the direction of the crease P1 of the booklet P that contacts the alignment part 2B is longer than the direction along the thickness direction of the booklet P, and is provided on both sides of the opening 3B along the long side direction. In this example, the alignment part 2B is formed by the first surface 21B of the outer casing 20B that constitutes the staple removal device 1B. The staple removal device 1B of the second embodiment is mounted with the first surface 21B perpendicular to it.

[0114] The opening 3B is configured such that its size along the long side of the aligning portion 2B is proportional to... Figure 5 An opening is provided in the alignment portion 2B where the length of the crown portion 101 of the staple 100 shown is longer than the length of the crown portion 101 along the short side direction, and the dimension along the short side direction of the alignment portion 2B is longer than the length of the short side direction of the crown portion 101.

[0115] The guide portion 4B has a first guide portion 41B and a second guide portion 42B that protrude in a direction that substantially intersects the long side direction and the short side direction of the aligning portion 2B. The first guide portion 41B and the second guide portion 42B face each other across the opening portion 3B in the short side direction of the aligning portion 2B.

[0116] The guide portion 4B is configured such that the gap between the first guide portion 41B and the second guide portion 42B along the short side direction of the aligning portion 2B is the same as the thickness of the booklet P near the part that contacts the aligning portion 2B. Furthermore, regarding the guide portion 4B, the first guide portion 41B extends horizontally, and the gap between the first guide portion 41B and the second guide portion 42B along the short side direction of the aligning portion 2B expands as the distance from the aligning portion 2B increases. The surface of the second guide portion 42B facing the first guide portion 41B is a tapered surface inclined relative to the direction orthogonal to the aligning portion 2B.

[0117] The guide portion 4B includes marking portions 43B and 44B that align the position of the staple 100 containing the booklet P with the opening portion 3B. The marking portion 43B is formed by providing a recess on the surface of the first guide portion 41B facing the second guide portion 42B, which aligns with the position of the opening portion 3B and extends away from the opening portion 3B. The marking portion 44B is formed by providing a recess on the surface of the second guide portion 42B facing the first guide portion 41B, which aligns with the position of the opening portion 3B and extends away from the opening portion 3B. Alternatively, a recess can be formed relative to one surface to create a concave-convex shape, or a convex part can be formed relative to one surface to create a concave-convex shape.

[0118] Furthermore, the marking portions 43B and 44B can also be printed to display multiple lines defining the area where the opening 3B is provided, a strip matching the opening 3B, etc. In other words, the marking portions 43B and 44B can also be constructed by means of raised or recessed shapes, or a combination of both. Additionally, the marking portion can be provided on at least one of the first guide portion 41B and the second guide portion 42B. Moreover, it is also possible that neither the first guide portion 41B nor the second guide portion 42B is provided with a marking portion.

[0119] The staple removal device 1B includes a removal part 5B for pulling out staples 100 from the booklet P. The removal part 5B may also have the same structure as the removal part 5A, including a wedge assembly 50B and a drive part 51B for driving the wedge assembly 50B. The wedge assembly 50B includes a wedge 500B and a support part 501B on which the wedge 500B is mounted.

[0120] The wedge plate 500B is an example of an actuating part, and is configured such that its dimension along the long side of the alignment part 2B is shorter than the crown 101 of the staple 100. Furthermore, the wedge plate 500B is configured such that its dimension along the direction orthogonal to the first surface 21B of the housing 20B, which intersects the long and short sides of the alignment part 2B, is small at the front end to the extent that it enters between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P. Moreover, the wedge plate 500B is configured such that its dimension along the direction orthogonal to the first surface 21B of the housing 20B increases in length from the front end toward the portion where it is mounted on the support part 501B.

[0121] The support portion 501B has a shaft 503B on the side where the wedge plate 500B is installed, and a shaft 502B on the opposite side of the side where the wedge plate 500B is installed. The shafts 502B and 503B protrude from both sides of the support portion 501B along the long side of the alignment portion 2B.

[0122] For the wedge assembly 50B, shafts 502B and 503B enter the elongated holes 22B formed in a pair of frames 23B disposed in the housing 20B.

[0123] The drive unit 51B includes a rack and pinion 510B disposed on the support unit 501B, a gear 511B meshing with the rack and pinion 510B, and a gear set (not shown) that transmits the driving force of the motor 512B to the gear 511B.

[0124] For the staple removal device 1B, if the operation button 8B is pressed, the motor 512B rotates forward and backward based on the position of the wedge assembly 50B detected by a sensor (not shown). The removal unit 5B is rotated by the motor 512B, thereby transmitting driving force to the wedge assembly 50B via the gear 511B and the rack and pinion 510B.

[0125] The wedge plate assembly 50B moves along the elongated hole 22B extending along the short side of the alignment portion 2B via shafts 502B and 503B, thereby moving the wedge plate 500B along the short side of the alignment portion 2B. With the booklet P provided on the guide portion 4B and the crease P1 of the booklet P contacting the alignment portion 2B, the wedge plate 500B moves in a direction intersecting the crease P1 of the booklet P.

[0126] The removal part 5B is configured to be able to reciprocate between a standby position and a working position. The standby position is when the wedge plate 500B is located behind the second guide part 42B and retracts from the opening 3B. The working position is when the wedge plate 500B passes through the opening 3B and is located behind the first guide part 41B.

[0127] The staple removal device 1B includes a waste needle box 7B for holding staples 100 removed from booklet P. The waste needle box 7B is located on the lower side of the back of the opening 3B, and the staples 100 removed from booklet P fall due to their own weight when the removal part 5B is activated. The waste needle box 7B is configured to move in and out relative to the housing 20B and to discharge staples 100.

[0128] like Figure 10B As shown, the staple removal device 1B makes the crease P1 after being stapled by the staple 100 horizontal and places the booklet P in a closed form on the first guide 41B that constitutes the guide 4B, so that the booklet P enters between the first guide 41B and the second guide 42B.

[0129] The guide portion 4B is a cone-shaped structure that gradually narrows from the side farther from the alignment portion 2B toward the vicinity of the part that contacts the alignment portion 2B along the short side of the alignment portion 2B. Therefore, by placing the booklet P on the first guide portion 41B and moving it between the first guide portion 41B and the second guide portion 42B, the crease P1 is guided to the alignment portion 2B.

[0130] In addition, the booklet P is inserted between the first guide section 41B and the second guide section 42B by matching the crown 101 of the staple 100 that binds the booklet P with the marking section 43B or the marking section 44B, or with both the marking section 43B and the marking section 44B.

[0131] Therefore, if the booklet P enters between the first guide part 41B and the second guide part 42B, the staple removal device 1B makes the crease P1 of the booklet P oriented along the long side direction of the alignment part 2B, guiding the crease P1 of the booklet P towards the position where it contacts the alignment part 2B.

[0132] Furthermore, by aligning the crown 101 of the staple 100 binding the booklet P with the marking portions 43B and 44B, the crown 101 is positioned to match the opening 3B. When the crown 101 is aligned with the opening 3B, if the crease P1 of the booklet P contacts the alignment portion 2B, the crown 101 enters the opening 3B.

[0133] In this way, the staple removal device 1B, by having a guide section 4B and marking sections 43B and 44B on the guide section 4B, makes it easy for the booklet P to be positioned at the predetermined position where the staples 100 can be removed.

[0134] Furthermore, in the staple removal device 1B, the action of removing the staple 100 from the booklet P by the removal part 5B is the same as in the staple removal device 1A. The wedge plate 500B moves back and forth in the vertical direction relative to the booklet P, entering between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P, and removing the staple 100 from the booklet P. The staple 100 removed from the booklet P falls into the waste needle box 7B due to its own weight.

[0135] <Other Examples of Staple Removal Devices>

[0136] The staple removal device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but also includes the following embodiments.

[0137] Figure 11A and Figure 11B This is a perspective view showing an example of a staple removal device according to another embodiment.

[0138] The staple removal device 1C in other embodiments is a variation of the removal portion of the staple removal device 1A in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the staple removal device 1C, the alignment portion 2A (which is contacted by the crease P1 of the booklet P) Figure 11A (Not shown in the diagram) If the crease P1 of booklet P contacts the alignment part 2A, the opening 3A into which the crown 101 of the staple 100 of booklet P enters ( Figure 11A , Figure 11B (Not shown in the figure) The guide part 4A that guides the crease P1 of the booklet P to the alignment part 2A can have the same structure as the staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment.

[0139] The staple removal device 1C includes a removal part 5C for pulling out staples 100 from booklet P. The removal part 5C includes a wedge assembly 50C and a drive part 51C for driving the wedge assembly 50C. The wedge assembly 50C includes a wedge 500C and a support part 501C for mounting the wedge 500C.

[0140] One end of the support portion 501C is supported by a frame (not shown) provided in the housing 20A with the shaft 520C as the fulcrum, and is rotatable. In addition, a wedge portion 500C is installed at the other end of the support portion 501C, and the other end is displaced by tracing a circle through a rotational movement with the shaft 520C as the fulcrum.

[0141] The wedge 500C is an example of an actuating part, and is formed by an arc shape along the trajectory of the other end side of the support 501C, which is displaced in a circular manner by rotating the support 501C with the shaft 520C as a fulcrum. The end of the wedge 500C along the circumferential direction of the arc shape, i.e., the rear end side, is mounted to the support 501C.

[0142] The wedge portion 500C is configured such that its dimension along the long side of the alignment portion 2A is shorter than the crown portion 101 of the staple 100. Furthermore, the wedge portion 500C is configured such that its radial dimension along the arc shape narrows at the other end along the circumference of the arc shape, i.e., the front end side, to the extent that it enters between the crown portion 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P. Moreover, the wedge portion 500C is configured such that its radial dimension along the arc shape is curved and inclined in a direction that elongates from the front end towards the rear end side where it is mounted on the support portion 501C. Alternatively, the wedge portion 500C may also be configured such that its dimension along the long side of the alignment portion 2A expands from the front end side towards the rear end side.

[0143] The drive unit 51C includes a gear 510C mounted on the shaft 520C of the support unit 501C and a gear set 511C that transmits the driving force of the motor 512C to the gear 510C.

[0144] For the staple removal device 1C, if the operation button 8A is pressed, the motor 512C rotates forward and backward based on the position of the wedge assembly 50C detected by a sensor (not shown). The removal part 5C is rotated by the motor 512C, thereby driving force is transmitted to the wedge assembly 50C via the gear set 511C and the gear 510C.

[0145] The wedge assembly 50C rotates about the axis 520C via the support 501C, thereby displacing the wedge 500C by tracing an arc through the rotational motion with the axis 520C as the fulcrum. As a result, the arc-shaped wedge 500C displaces circumferentially and moves along the short side of the alignment portion 2A. Furthermore, the displacement of the wedge 500C based on the rotational motion with the axis 520C as the fulcrum is referred to as rotation. With the booklet P provided on the guide portion 4A and the crease P1 of the booklet P contacting the alignment portion 2A, the wedge 500C moves in a direction intersecting the crease P1 of the booklet P. Additionally, for the wedge 500C, the trajectory of the front end and the arc-shaped outer peripheral surface generated by the rotation with the axis 520C as the fulcrum protrudes towards the first surface 21A from the opening (not shown), and the front end and the arc-shaped outer peripheral surface of the wedge 500C move in and out relative to the opening.

[0146] The removal part 5C is configured to be able to reciprocate between a standby position and a working position by rotating about the axis 520C. The standby position is the position where the wedge part 500C is below the second guide part 42A and located on the lower surface of the first surface 21A. The working position is the position where the wedge part 500C passes the alignment part 2A and is located below the first guide part 41A.

[0147] Therefore, in the removal part 5C, the wedge part 500C, which rotates around the shaft 520C, functions as an active part in the same way as the wedge part 500A.

[0148] Figures 12A-12D This is a side sectional view illustrating an example of the operation of a staple removal device according to another embodiment. Figures 13A-13C This is a perspective view illustrating an example of the operation of a staple removal device according to another embodiment.

[0149] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, for the staple removal device 1C, the closed booklet P moves downwards along the crease P1 formed by the staples 100 and enters between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A that constitute the guide portion 4A. Furthermore, the function of the guide portion 4A is the same as that of the staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment described above.

[0150] If booklet P enters between the first guide section 41A and the second guide section 42A, the staple removal device 1C makes the crease P1 of booklet P oriented along the long side of the alignment section 2A, guiding the crease P1 of booklet P towards the position where it contacts the alignment section 2A.

[0151] Furthermore, when the crown 101 is aligned with the opening (not shown), if the crease P1 of the booklet P comes into contact with the alignment part 2A, the crown 101 enters the opening.

[0152] Therefore, by providing the guide portion 4A, the staple removal device 1C facilitates the removal of the staple 100 from the booklet P at a predetermined position. Furthermore, by providing marking portions 43A and 44A on the guide portion 4A, the staple removal device 1C further facilitates the removal of the staple 100 from the booklet P at a predetermined position.

[0153] In the staple removal device 1C, if the operation button 8A is pressed, the motor 512C rotates forward, thus... Figure 12A , Figure 13A As shown, the wedge 500C of the wedge assembly 50C moves along a direction intersecting the crease P1 of the booklet P through a rotational motion about the axis 520C. As a result, the front end of the wedge 500C moves from a standby position toward the crown 101 of the staple 100 that binds the booklet P. Furthermore, the front end of the wedge 500C contacts the crown 101.

[0154] When the wedge 500C of the staple removal device 1C is in contact with the crown 101 of the staple 100, if the wedge 500C rotates further in the direction of moving from the standby position to the working position, then... Figure 12B , Figure 13BAs shown, the wedge 500C enters between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P.

[0155] Staple Removal Device 1C Figure 12C , Figure 13C As shown, with the wedge 500C inserted between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P, if the wedge 500C rotates further, a force in the direction of pulling the staple 100 out of the booklet P acts on the staple 100, and the leg 102 is lifted and pulled out of the booklet P. The staple 100 pulled out of the booklet P by the leg 102 falls due to its own weight and is collected in the waste needle box 7A.

[0156] If the staple removal device 1C detects the position of the wedge assembly 50C via a sensor (not shown), and the wedge 500C moves to the working position where the staple 100 is pulled out of the booklet P, then the motor 512C reverses. Thus, as... Figure 12D As shown, the wedge 500C moves from the working position to the standby position.

[0157] Based on the above, the staple removal device 1C is the same as the staple removal device 1A, and can remove the staples 100 by setting the booklet P in a closed position without opening it.

[0158] Figure 14A , Figure 14B This is a perspective view showing other examples of staple removal devices in other embodiments.

[0159] Other embodiments of the staple removal device 1D are variations of the structure that orients the booklet P in a horizontal direction, namely the removal portion of the staple removal device 1B in the second embodiment. Therefore, in the staple removal device 1D, the alignment portion 2B (which contacts the crease P1 of the booklet P) Figure 14B (Not shown in the diagram) If the crease P1 of booklet P contacts the alignment part 2B, the opening 3B into which the crown 101 of the staple 100 of booklet P enters ( Figure 14A , Figure 14B (Not shown in the figure) The guide part 4B that guides the crease P1 of the booklet P to the alignment part 2B can have the same structure as the staple removal device 1B in the second embodiment.

[0160] The staple removal device 1D includes a removal part 5C for pulling out staples 100 from the booklet P. The removal part 5C is as follows: Figure 11A , Figure 11B As described above, the assembly includes a wedge assembly 50C and a drive unit 51C for driving the wedge assembly 50C. The wedge assembly 50C includes a wedge 500C and a support unit 501C for mounting the wedge 500C. The removal unit 5C is a structure in which the wedge 500C rotates around a shaft 520C supported by the frame 22C.

[0161] In the staple removal device 1D, the action of guiding the bifold booklet P to the alignment part 2B in a closed manner without opening, using the first guide part 41B and the second guide part 42B, is the same as that in the staple removal device 1B.

[0162] That is, if the booklet P enters between the first guide portion 41B and the second guide portion 42B, the staple removal device 1D guides the crease P1 of the booklet P so that it faces along the long side of the alignment portion 2B, and directs the crease P1 of the booklet P toward the position where it contacts the alignment portion 2B. Thus, since the staple removal device 1D also includes a guide portion 4B, it becomes easier to position the booklet P toward the predetermined position where the staples 100 can be removed.

[0163] Furthermore, by providing marking sections 43B and 44B to the guide section 4B, it becomes even easier to set the booklet P to the predetermined position where the staple 100 can be removed.

[0164] Furthermore, in the staple removal device 1D, the action of removing the staple 100 from the booklet P using the removal part 5C is the same as in the staple removal device 1C. The wedge part 500C, through rotation about the shaft 520C as a fulcrum, enters between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P, and removes the staple 100 from the booklet P. The staple 100 removed from the booklet P falls into the waste needle box 7B due to its own weight.

[0165] Figure 15A , Figure 15B and Figure 15C This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0166] Another embodiment of the staple removal device 1E is a variation of the removal part of the staple removal device 1A described above, and is a structure in which the removal part is manually operated. Therefore, in the staple removal device 1E, the alignment part 2A is for contact with the crease P1 of the booklet P, and the opening 3A is for the crown 101 of the staple 100 that binds the booklet P to enter when the crease P1 of the booklet P contacts the alignment part 2A. Figures 15A-15C (Not shown in the figure) The guide portion 4A that guides the crease P1 of the booklet P towards the alignment portion 2A can have the same structure as the staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment. As a preferred example, an example in which the removal portion is manually operated in the same structure as the staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment will be described, but the removal portion can also be manually operated in the same structure as the staple removal device 1A of the second embodiment.

[0167] The staple removal device 1E includes a removal section 5E for pulling out staples 100 from the booklet P. The removal section 5E includes a wedge assembly 50A and a drive section 51E for driving the wedge assembly 50A. As described above, the wedge assembly 50A includes a wedge 500A and a support section 501A for mounting the wedge 500A. The removal section 5E is configured such that the wedge 500A can reciprocate between a standby position and a working position through linear motion caused by being guided by shafts 502A and 503A, and rotation about shaft 503A.

[0168] The drive unit 51E includes a connecting rod 521E that rotates around a shaft 520E and a rod 522E that rotates the connecting rod 521E. One end of the connecting rod 521E is supported by the shaft 520E and rotates in conjunction with the shaft 520E. The other end of the connecting rod 521E is connected to a shaft 503A of the support unit 501A. One end of the rod 522E is supported by the shaft 520E and rotates in conjunction with the shaft 520E. The other end of the rod 522E has a handle 523E that can be operated by hand.

[0169] For the staple removal device 1E, if the handle 523E is operated by hand, the rod 522E rotates around the shaft 520E as a fulcrum, and the connecting rod 521E rotates around the shaft 520E in conjunction with the shaft 520E as a fulcrum. The removal part 5E rotates through the connecting rod 521E, thereby transmitting the driving force to the wedge plate assembly 50A.

[0170] For the staple removal device 1E, if the handle 523E is operated by hand, the rod 522E rotates around the axis 520E as the fulcrum, and the wedge plate 500A moves from the standby position toward the crown 101 of the staple 100 that is bound to the booklet P, and enters between the crown 101 and the booklet P.

[0171] With the wedge plate 500A positioned between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P, if the wedge plate 500A moves further in the direction of moving from the standby position to the working position, a force in the direction of pulling the staple 100 out of the booklet P acts on the staple 100. Figure 15C As shown, leg 102 is lifted and pulled out of booklet P, and staples 100 removed from booklet P fall into the waste needle box 7A due to their own weight.

[0172] After the staple removal device 1E moves the wedge plate 500A to the working position where the staple 100 is pulled out from the booklet P, if the handle part 523E is operated by hand, the rod 522E rotates in the opposite direction with the shaft 520E as the fulcrum, and the wedge plate 500A moves from the working position to the standby position.

[0173] Based on the above, the staple removal device 1E, by utilizing the structure of manually operating the wedge plate 500A of the removal section 5E, can remove the staples 100 from a booklet P in a closed position without opening.

[0174] Figure 16A , Figure 16B , Figure 16C This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0175] Another embodiment of the staple removal device 1F is a variation of the staple removal device 1A described above, namely, a variation of the removal part of the staple removal device 1C, and is a structure in which the removal part is manually operated. Therefore, in the staple removal device 1F, the alignment part 2A is for contact with the crease P1 of the booklet P, and the opening 3A is for the crown 101 of the staple 100 that binds the booklet P to enter when the crease P1 of the booklet P contacts the alignment part 2A. Figures 16A-16C (Not shown in the figure) The guide portion 4A that guides the crease P1 of the booklet P towards the alignment portion 2A can also have the same structure as the staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment. As a preferred example, an example in which the removal portion is manually operated in the same structure as the staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment will be described, but the removal portion can also be manually operated in the same structure as the staple removal device 1A of the second embodiment.

[0176] The staple removal device 1F includes a removal section 5F for pulling out staples 100 from booklet P. The removal section 5F includes a wedge assembly 50C and a drive section 51F for driving the wedge assembly 50C. As described above, the wedge assembly 50C includes a wedge 500C and a support section 501C on which the wedge 500C is mounted. The removal section 5F is configured such that the wedge 500C can reciprocate between a standby position and a working position by rotating about a shaft 520C.

[0177] The drive unit 51F includes a lever 522F that rotates the shaft 520C. One end of the lever 522F is supported by the shaft 520C and rotates in conjunction with the shaft 520C. In addition, the other end of the lever 522F has a handle 523F that can be operated by hand.

[0178] For the staple removal device 1F, if the handle 523F is operated by hand, the rod 522F rotates around the axis 520C. Then, the support 501C rotates around the axis 520C, and the wedge 500C rotates from the standby position toward the crown 101 of the staple 100 that is bound to the booklet P, and enters between the crown 101 and the booklet P.

[0179] With the wedge 500C inserted between the crown 101 of the staple 100 and the booklet P, if the wedge 500C rotates in the direction of moving from the standby position to the working position, a force in the direction of pulling the staple 100 out of the booklet P acts on the staple 100, such as... Figure 16C As shown, leg 102 is lifted and pulled out of booklet P, and staples 100 removed from booklet P fall into the waste needle box 7A due to their own weight.

[0180] After the wedge 500C is rotated to the working position to remove the staple 100 from the booklet P, if the handle 523F is operated by hand, the rod 522F rotates in the opposite direction with the shaft 520C as the fulcrum, and the wedge 500C rotates from the working position to the standby position.

[0181] Based on the above, the staple removal device 1F, through a structure that manually operates the removal part 5F, enables the staples 100 to be removed from a two-fold booklet P that remains closed without being opened.

[0182] Figures 17A-17D and Figures 18A-18D This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a staple removal device according to other embodiments.

[0183] Another example of the staple removal device in other embodiments is a variation of the staple removal device 1A described above, namely another variation of the removal part of the staple removal device 1C. Figures 17A-17D The staple removal device 1G shown can simultaneously remove staples 100 from multiple locations when the booklet P in a bi-fold format is stapled with staples 100 at multiple points along the fold P1. Furthermore, Figures 18A-18D The staple removal device 1H shown can remove staples 100 at multiple locations along the fold P1 in a bifold booklet P when the booklet is stapled with staples 100 at multiple locations at the same time, and can be used with staples 100 at different intervals.

[0184] The staple removal device 1G, for example, corresponds to a booklet P stapled by staples 100 at two locations along the crease P1. It includes an opening (not shown) through which the crown 101 of the staples 100 stapled to the booklet P enters if the crease P1 of the booklet P contacts the alignment portion 2A. The opening may also be configured to have multiple openings at locations matching the staple 100's binding position, or it may be configured to have an opening length sufficient to allow staples 100 at multiple locations along the crease P1 of the booklet P to enter.

[0185] Furthermore, the guide portion 4A, which guides the crease P1 of the booklet P towards the alignment portion 2A, has marking portions 43A at multiple locations on the surface of the first guide portion 41A facing the second guide portion 42A, matching the binding position of the staple 100. Additionally, the guide portion 4A has marking portions 44A at multiple locations on the surface of the second guide portion 42A facing the first guide portion 41A, matching the binding position of the staple 100.

[0186] The removal part 5G for pulling out the staples 100 from the booklet P includes a plurality of wedge assemblies 50C that are matched to the binding position of the staples 100 and a drive part 51G that drives each wedge assembly 50C in conjunction with it. The wedge assembly 50C includes a wedge 500C and a support part 501C for mounting the wedge 500C.

[0187] The removal part 5G has a plurality of support parts 501C mounted on a shaft 520G at intervals that match the binding position of the staple 100. Additionally, the drive part 51G includes a rod 522G that rotates the shaft 520G on which the support parts 501C are mounted. One end of the rod 522G is supported by the shaft 520G and rotates in conjunction with the shaft 520G. Furthermore, the other end of the rod 522G has a handle part 523G that can be operated by hand.

[0188] The staple removal device 1G causes the closed booklet P to be inserted between the first guide section 41A and the second guide section 42A that constitute the guide section 4A, with the crease P1 formed by the staples 100 pointing downwards.

[0189] If booklet P enters between the first guide section 41A and the second guide section 42A, the staple removal device 1G makes the crease P1 of booklet P oriented along the long side of the alignment section 2A, guiding the crease P1 of booklet P towards the position where it contacts the alignment section 2A.

[0190] Furthermore, in a state where the crowns 101 of the staples 100 bound into booklet P are aligned with an opening (not shown) at multiple locations along the crease P1 of booklet P, and in two locations along the crease P1 in this example, if the crease P1 of booklet P contacts the alignment portion 2A, then the crowns 101 enter the opening.

[0191] Therefore, by providing the guide portion 4A, the staple removal device 1G facilitates the removal of the booklet P from the predetermined position where multiple staples 100 bound along the crease P1 of the booklet P can be removed. Furthermore, by providing marking portions 43A and 44A on the guide portion 4A, the staple removal device 1G further facilitates the removal of the booklet P from the predetermined position where multiple staples 100 bound along the crease P1 of the booklet P can be removed.

[0192] For the staple removal device 1G, if the handle 523G is operated by hand, the rod 522G rotates around the axis 520G. Then, by rotating the support 501C around the axis 520G, each wedge 500C rotates from the standby position toward the crown 101 of each staple 100 that is bound to the booklet P, and enters between the crown 101 and the booklet P.

[0193] With each wedge 500C inserted between the crown 101 of each staple 100 and the booklet P, if the wedge 500C rotates in the direction of moving from the standby position to the working position, a force in the direction of pulling the staple 100 out of the booklet P acts on the staple 100, such as... Figure 17D As shown, leg 102 is lifted and pulled out of booklet P, and staples 100 removed from booklet P fall into the waste needle box 7A due to their own weight.

[0194] After the staple removal device 1G rotates the wedge 500C to the working position of pulling out the staple 100 from the booklet P, if the handle 523G is operated by hand, the rod 522G rotates in the opposite direction with the shaft 520G as the fulcrum, and each wedge 500C rotates from the working position to the standby position.

[0195] Based on the above, the staple removal device 1G can remove each staple 100 from a booklet P that is stapled at multiple locations along the fold P1, in a closed manner without opening it from the bi-fold booklet.

[0196] The staple removal device 1H corresponds, for example, to a booklet P that has been stapled by staples 100 at two locations along the crease P1. Furthermore, in order to accommodate cases where the spacing of the staples 100 at the two locations is different, the guide portion 4H that guides the booklet P along the crease P1 to the alignment portion 2A is configured such that a first guide portion 41H and a second guide portion 42H are each divided into two parts.

[0197] In addition, each of the first guide portions 41H has a marking portion 43H on the surface facing each of the second guide portions 42H, and each of the second guide portions 42H has a marking portion 44H on the surface facing each of the first guide portions 41H.

[0198] The first guide section 41H and the second guide section 42H are as follows Figure 18A , Figure 18C As shown, the spacing is switched in tandem along the long side of the alignment section 2A. This allows the spacing between the pair of marking sections 43H and the pair of marking sections 44H to be adjusted to match the binding position of the staple 100.

[0199] Furthermore, the staple removal device 1H has an opening (not shown) through which the crown 101 of the staple 100 attached to the booklet P enters when the crease P1 of the booklet P contacts the alignment part 2A. The opening may also be configured to be an opening that is alternately linked to the first guide part 41H and the second guide part 42H along the longitudinal direction, or it may be configured to be an opening of a length that allows staples 100 at multiple positions along the crease P1 of the booklet P to enter.

[0200] The removal part 5H for removing the staples 100 from the booklet P includes: a plurality of wedge assemblies 50C that switch at intervals along the long side of the alignment part 2A to match the binding position of the staples 100; and a drive part 51H that drives each wedge assembly 50C in conjunction. Each wedge assembly 500C includes a wedge 500C and a support part 501C for mounting the wedge 500C.

[0201] The removal part 5H has a plurality of support parts 501C mounted on a shaft 520H. These support parts 501C are configured to switch between their intervals along the long side of the alignment part 2A and the binding position of the staple 100. The wedge assembly 50C is as follows... Figure 18B , Figure 18D As shown, the spacing of the support portion 501C is switched in conjunction with the spacing of the first guide portion 41H and the second guide portion 42H.

[0202] The drive unit 51H includes a rod 522H that rotates a shaft 520H on which multiple supports 501C are mounted. One end of the rod 522H is supported by the shaft 520H and rotates in conjunction with the shaft 520H. In addition, the other end of the rod 522H has a handle 523H that can be operated by hand.

[0203] The staple removal device 1H causes the closed booklet P to enter between the first guide section 41H and the second guide section 42H constituting the guide section 4A in such a downward manner as the crease P1 formed by the staples 100 is downward.

[0204] If booklet P enters between the first guide part 41H and the second guide part 42H, the staple removal device 1H makes the crease P1 of booklet P oriented along the long side of the alignment part 2A, guiding the crease P1 of booklet P towards the position where it contacts the alignment part 2A.

[0205] Furthermore, by switching the intervals of the first guide portion 41H and the second guide portion 42H at multiple locations along the crease P1 of the booklet P, and at two locations along the crease P1 in this example, to match the intervals of the crown portions 101 of the staples 100 bound into the booklet P, the crown portions 101 enter the opening when the position of each crown portion 101 matches the opening (not shown).

[0206] Therefore, by providing the guide portion 4H, the staple removal device 1H facilitates the removal of staples 100 bound at multiple locations along the crease P1 of the booklet P from the predetermined position. Furthermore, by providing marking portions 43H and 44H to the guide portion 4H, the staple removal device 1H further facilitates the removal of staples 100 bound at multiple locations along the crease P1 of the booklet P from the predetermined position, even when the binding positions of the staples 100 are different.

[0207] For the staple removal device 1H, if the handle 523H is operated by hand, the rod 522H rotates around the axis 520H as a fulcrum. Then, by rotating the support 501C around the axis 520H as a fulcrum, each wedge 500C rotates from the standby position toward the crown 101 of each staple 100 that is bound to the booklet P, and enters between the crown 101 and the booklet P.

[0208] With each wedge 500C inserted between the crown 101 of each staple 100 and the booklet P, if the wedge 500C rotates in the direction of moving from the standby position to the working position, a force in the direction of pulling out the staple 100 from the booklet P acts on the staple 100, the leg 102 is lifted and pulled out from the booklet P, and the staple 100 removed from the booklet P falls into the waste needle box 7A due to its own weight.

[0209] After the staple removal device 1H rotates the wedge 500C to the working position of pulling out the staple 100 from the booklet P, if the handle 523H is operated by hand, the rod 522H rotates in the opposite direction with the shaft 520H as the fulcrum, and each wedge 500C rotates from the working position to the standby position.

[0210] Based on the above, the staple removal device 1H can remove each staple 100 from a booklet P that is stapled at multiple locations along the fold P1, keeping it closed without opening it from its bi-fold configuration. Furthermore, it can accommodate situations where the staples 100 are at different positions along the fold P1. Here, a manual operation example has been described, but it can also be configured automatically as in the first embodiment. Additionally, a wedge rotation example has been described, but it can also be configured for linear movement of the wedge as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, it can also be configured such that the booklet is positioned horizontally as in the second embodiment.

[0211] <Example of a guide>

[0212] The guide member according to the present invention is installed in a staple removal device 1A of a first embodiment. The staple removal device 1A includes: an alignment portion 2A for contacting the crease P1 of a booklet P, which is stapled by a staple 100 consisting of a crown portion 101 and a leg portion 102 and folded along the extending direction of the crown portion 101; and a removal portion 5A having a wedge portion 500A as an actuating portion. This actuating portion moves in a direction intersecting the crease P1 of the booklet P and engages with the crown 101 of the staple 100, causing a force to be applied to the staple 100 in the direction of pulling out the staple from the booklet P. The guide member includes the aforementioned guide portion 4A, which guides the crease P1 of the booklet P toward the alignment portion 2A. The guide member can also be used in staple removal devices of other embodiments.

[0213] The guide portion 4A protrudes in a direction intersecting with the alignment portion 2A, and a first guide portion 41A is provided downstream of the alignment portion 2A relative to the moving direction of the wedge plate 500A near the crown portion 101. Alternatively, the guide member may consist only of the first guide portion 41A, which is configured to be detachable from the staple removal device 1A. The first guide portion 41A may also be a continuous surface that aligns the crease P1 of the booklet P with the alignment portion 2A. Furthermore, the guide member has the first guide portion 41A and a second guide portion 42A upstream of the alignment portion 2A. The guide member may also be configured such that the second guide portion 42A is detachable from the staple removal device 1A. The second guide portion 42A may also be a continuous surface that aligns the crease P1 of the booklet P with the alignment portion 2A.

[0214] In the staple removal device 1A of the first embodiment and the staple removal device of other embodiments, the guide portion 4A is not limited to having the facing surfaces of the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A configured in a conical shape. For example, at least one of the facing surfaces of the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A may be configured in a stepped shape or a curved shape, such that the gap between the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A expands along the short side direction of the alignment portion 2A as the distance from the alignment portion 2A increases. In addition, the facing surfaces of the first guide portion 41A and the second guide portion 42A may also be configured to be parallel to each other along a direction orthogonal to the alignment portion 2A.

[0215] Similarly, in the staple removal device 1B of the second embodiment, the guide portion 4B is not limited to being conical in shape on the surface of the second guide portion 42B facing the first guide portion 41B. For example, the surface of the second guide portion 42B facing the first guide portion 41B can be stepped or curved, such that the gap between the first guide portion 41B and the second guide portion 42B expands along the short side direction of the alignment portion 2B as the distance from the alignment portion 2B increases. Furthermore, the facing surfaces of the first guide portion 41B and the second guide portion 42B can also be configured to be parallel to each other along a direction orthogonal to the alignment portion 2A.

[0216] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0217] 1A~1H... Staple removal device; 2A, 2B... Alignment part; 3A, 3B... Opening part; 4A, 4B, 4H... Guide part (guide component); 5A~5H... Removal part; 6A... Needle stop; 7A, 7B... Waste needle box; 8A, 8B... Operating button; 20A, 20B... Housing; 21A, 21B... First surface; 22A, 22B... Elongated hole; 41A, 41B, 41H... First guide part; 42A, 42B, 42H... Second guide part; 43A, 44A, 43B, 44B... Marking part; 50A, 50B, 50C... Wedge plate assembly; 51A, 51B, 51C... Drive part; 60A... Shaft; 500A, 500B... Wedge plate (acting part) 500C... Wedge (Actuating Part) 501A, 501B, 501C... Support Part 502A, 503A, 502B, 503B... Shaft 510A, 510B... Rack and Pinion 511A, 511B... Gear 512A, 512B, 512C... Motor 100... Staple 101... Crown 102... Leg P... Booklet P1... Crease.

Claims

1. A staple removal device, comprising: The fold contact area of ​​the booklet is formed by a surface with a length in the long side direction that is longer than that in the short side direction. The long side direction is along the fold of the booklet, and the short side direction is along the thickness direction of the booklet. The booklet is bound with staples consisting of a crown and legs and folded along the extension direction of the crown. The wedge moves in the direction of the short side and engages with the crown of the staple in the booklet when the crease of the booklet contacts the alignment portion, so that a force in the direction of pulling the staple out of the booklet is applied to the staple. The first guide portion protrudes in a direction intersecting the long side direction and the short side direction of the aligning portion, has a guide surface that guides the crease of the booklet toward the aligning portion, and is located downstream of the aligning portion relative to the moving direction of the wedge plate toward the crown portion; and The second guide portion, relative to the direction of movement of the wedge plate towards the crown, is located upstream of the aligning portion and faces the first guide portion. The spacing between the first guide portion and the second guide portion along the short side direction of the alignment portion becomes the same as the thickness of the booklet near the part that contacts the alignment portion, so that the booklet in the form of a bi-fold booklet is set in a closed form without being opened, so that the staples can be removed.

2. The staple removal device according to claim 1, wherein, The gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion narrows as the distance from the opposite side to the opposite portion increases.

3. The staple removal device according to claim 2, wherein, At least one of the opposing surfaces of the first guide portion and the second guide portion is formed by an inclined surface that is tilted relative to a direction orthogonal to the aligning portion.

4. The staple removal device according to claim 3, wherein, The guide portion has a marking portion on at least one of the first guide portion and the second guide portion, which aligns the position of the staples on which the book is bound with the wedge plate.

5. The staple removal device according to claim 4, wherein, The marking portion is positioned to match the wedge plate and extends away from the alignment portion.

6. The staple removal device according to claim 5, wherein, The marking part is formed by setting concave and convex shapes.

7. The staple removal device according to claim 5, wherein, The identification section is formed by display.

8. The staple removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: An opening is provided at the alignment portion, and the crown of the staple used for binding the booklet whose folds contact the alignment portion is inserted into it.

9. A guide element installed on a staple removal device, the staple removal device comprising: The fold contact area of ​​the booklet is formed by a surface with a length in the long side direction that is longer than that in the short side direction. The long side direction is along the fold of the booklet, and the short side direction is along the thickness direction of the booklet. The booklet is bound with staples consisting of a crown and legs and folded along the extension direction of the crown. and The wedge moves along the short side and engages with the crown of the staple in the booklet when the crease of the booklet contacts the alignment portion, so that a force in the direction of pulling the staple out of the booklet is applied to the staple. The guide includes: The first guide portion protrudes in a direction intersecting the long side direction and the short side direction of the aligning portion, has a guide surface that guides the crease of the booklet toward the aligning portion, and is located downstream of the aligning portion relative to the moving direction of the wedge plate toward the crown portion; and The second guide portion, relative to the direction of movement of the wedge plate towards the crown, is located upstream of the aligning portion and faces the first guide portion. The spacing between the first guide portion and the second guide portion along the short side direction of the alignment portion becomes the same as the thickness of the booklet near the part that contacts the alignment portion, so that the booklet in the form of a bi-fold booklet is set in a closed form without being opened, so that the staples can be removed.

Images