bookbinder

Abstract

A stapler is provided that can perform stapled work without interference from the needle-out portion, even when the object being stapled by the stapler has a protrusion on the needle-out portion side of the stapler. The stapler (1A) includes: a needle-out portion (2A) for striking a needle and penetrating the object; a stapler portion (3A) for bending the needle foot that has penetrated the object; and a drive portion (4A) for moving the needle-out portion (2A) in a direction approaching the stapler portion and in a direction away from the stapler portion along a first direction indicated by arrow (A1). The needle-out portion (2A) has a striking surface (20) for striking the needle and a base surface (21) located between the striking surface (20) and the drive portion (4A). The stapler portion (3A) has a curved surface (30) facing the striking surface (20) and bending the needle foot. The striking surface (20) protrudes relative to the base surface (21) in the direction of the curved surface (30) along the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a stapler for binding objects with needles. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, a stapler has the following structure: the object is held between the needle-shooting part of the needle box which has a needle storage box and the stapler part which has a needle receiving part, so that the needle foot passes through the object, and the needle receiving part bends the needle foot that has passed through the object to staple the object.

[0003] In such a binder, by rotating the base ends of the needle-ejecting part and the binding part around an axis, the front ends of the needle-ejecting part and the binding part move in directions of relative approach and relative separation, and the object is bound using the front ends of the needle-ejecting part and the binding part. However, in such a binder, there is no problem, for example, when binding booklets with flat surfaces, but when binding objects with protrusions on the surface, sometimes the protrusions interfere with the needle-ejecting part and the binding part, making it impossible to bind smoothly (the protrusions prevent the needle-ejecting part and the binding part from approaching).

[0004] In contrast, a technique has been proposed that makes the portion of the stapler that receives the needle highly shaped, with the base of the stapler serving as the base (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-000744 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, in a stapler where the needle receiving part has a height, when stapled to an object with a protrusion on the stapled part side, the object can be stapled by avoiding (crossing) the protrusion, but when stapled to an object with a protrusion on the needle ejection part side, the needle ejection part interferes with the protrusion and stapled cannot be made.

[0010] Therefore, a binding device is provided that can perform binding without interference from the needle-printing part, even when binding an object that has a protrusion on the needle-printing side of the binding device.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the stapler includes: a needle ejection section that ejects a needle so that the needle penetrates the object; a staplement section that bends the needle foot that has penetrated the object; and a drive section that moves the needle ejection section and the staplement section along a first direction in a direction of relative approach and a direction of relative departure. The needle ejection section has an ejection surface for ejecting the needle and a base surface located between the ejection surface and the drive section. The staplement section has a curved surface facing the ejection surface and bending the needle foot. The ejection surface protrudes relative to the base surface along the first direction toward the curved surface.

[0013] In a binding device, if the needle ejection section and the binding section move in a direction that brings them closer together, clamping the object between the ejection surface and the curved surface, the recess of the base surface in the direction that increases the distance between the ejection surface and the driving section and the binding section is maintained. Thus, if the object has a protrusion, the protrusion enters the recess of the base surface.

[0014] Invention Effects

[0015] According to the above-described stapler, even if a protrusion is provided on the surface of the object facing the base between the punching surface and the drive unit, the stapler position of the object can be held between the punching surface and the curved surface, and the object can be stapled with a needle. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a side view showing an example of the binder of this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing an example of the binding device according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an example of the binder of this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4A This is a side view illustrating an example of the operation of the binder according to this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4B This is a side view illustrating an example of the operation of the binder according to this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 4C This is a side view illustrating an example of the operation of the binder according to this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5A This is a side view showing a modified example of the binder of this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5B This is a side view showing a modified example of the binder of this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 5CThis is a side view showing a modified example of the binder of this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a side view showing another variation of the binder of this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing an example of a curved surface. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the binding device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] <Example of the structure of the binding device in this embodiment>

[0029] Figure 1 This is a side view showing an example of the binding device according to this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing an example of the binding device according to this embodiment. Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an example of the binder of this embodiment.

[0030] The stapler 1A of this embodiment includes a needle-firing section 2A that fires out a needle (not shown) so that the needle passes through an object, a stapler 3A that bends the needle foot of the needle that has passed through the object, and a drive section 4A that moves the needle-firing section 2A and the stapler 3A in a direction that is relatively close and in a direction that is relatively far away along a first direction indicated by arrow A1.

[0031] It should be noted that in the binder 1A, in this example, the needle ejector 2A moves in both directions relative to the binding part 3A, approaching and moving away from it, through a rotational motion with the drive shaft 42 as the fulcrum. Therefore, the direction of movement along the first direction indicated by arrow A1 includes not only straight lines but also curves such as arcs. Furthermore, due to the movement of the needle ejector 2A based on the rotational motion, the angle of the needle ejector 2A relative to the binding part 3A changes; therefore, the angle of the first direction indicated by arrow A1 changes due to the movement of the needle ejector 2A based on the rotational motion. Figure 1 The image shows the first direction in which the needle ejection part 2A moves away from the binding part 3A and is in a standby position without clamping the object.

[0032] The needle ejection section 2A has an ejection surface 20 for ejecting needles and a base surface 21 located between the ejection surface 20 and the drive section 4A. In addition, the binding section 3A has a bending surface forming section 31 having a bending surface 30 for bending the needle feet and a base member 32 located between the bending surface forming section 31 and the drive section 4A.

[0033] The needle ejection part 2A protrudes from the drive part 4A along the second direction indicated by arrow B1. It should be noted that the second direction indicated by arrow B1 includes not only directions orthogonal to the first direction indicated by arrow A1, but also directions that intersect at a predetermined angle other than parallel.

[0034] The needle ejection portion 2A has a needle ejection passage forming portion 22 that protrudes in the first direction toward the binding portion 3A at its end side protruding from the drive portion 4A in the second direction. Furthermore, the needle ejection portion 2A has an ejection surface 20 on the surface of the needle ejection passage forming portion 22 facing the curved surface 30. Moreover, the needle ejection portion 2A has a base surface 21 between the needle ejection passage forming portion 22 and the drive portion 4A, facing the binding portion 3A. The base surface 21 is recessed between the ejection surface 20 and the drive portion 4A in a direction away from the binding portion 3A relative to the ejection surface 20, forming a recess 24 between the ejection surface 20 and the drive portion 4A. It should be noted that in the needle ejection portion 2A, the end side protruding from the drive portion 4A in the second direction is referred to as the front side.

[0035] The needle ejection passage forming section 22 has a driver 23 for ejecting needles and a passage 22a for the needles ejected by the driver 23 to pass through. Additionally, the needle ejection passage forming section 22 is provided with a pressing member 25 to restrict the orientation of the needles passing through the passage 22a. The ejection surface 20 communicates with the passage 22a and has an opening for the needles to pass through.

[0036] The binding section 3A is a form in which the base member 32 protrudes from the drive section 4A along the third direction indicated by arrow B2. It should be noted that in the standby position where the needle ejector section 2A moves away from the binding section 3A and is not holding the object, the second direction and the third direction differ by a predetermined angle. On the other hand, in the binding position where the needle ejector section 2A moves towards the binding section 3A and holds the object, the second direction and the third direction are approximately parallel.

[0037] The binding part 3A has a curved surface forming part 31 that protrudes towards the needle ejection part 2A in a fourth direction as indicated by arrow A2, located at the end of the base member 32 protruding from the drive part 4A in a third direction. Furthermore, the binding part 3A has a curved surface 30 on the surface of the curved surface forming part 31 facing the ejection surface 20. The curved surface 30 has a groove of a predetermined shape for bending the needle's foot. The base member 32 is recessed between the curved surface forming part 31 and the drive part 4A in a direction that increases in distance from the needle ejection part 2A, and a recess 33 is formed between the curved surface forming part 31 and the drive part 4A.

[0038] It should be noted that the fourth direction indicated by arrow A2 includes not only the direction orthogonal to the third direction indicated by arrow B2, but also directions that intersect at a predetermined angle other than parallel. Furthermore, in the standby position where the needle-printing part 2A moves away from the binding part 3A and is not holding the object, the fourth direction differs from the first direction by a predetermined angle. On the other hand, in the binding position where the needle-printing part 2A moves towards the binding part 3A and holds the object, the fourth direction and the first direction are approximately parallel. Moreover, in the binding part 3A, the end side that protrudes from the drive part 4A along the third direction is referred to as the front side.

[0039] The drive unit 4A is driven by the motor 40, causing the needle ejector 2A to move relative to the binding unit 3A in a first direction in both the approaching and departing directions. Furthermore, the drive unit 4A includes a linkage 41 that converts the rotation of the motor 40 into the movement of the driver 23. This linkage is linked to the movement of the needle ejector 2A toward the binding unit 3A, and the linkage 41 activates the driver 23 to eject the needle.

[0040] In the stapler 1A, the protrusion L1 of the punching surface 20 relative to the base surface 21 along the first direction is 1.5 mm or more. In blister packaging, the protrusion of the blister portion (protrusion) varies depending on the contents. However, after investigating various blister packages available on the market, the smallest protrusion was found in blister packages containing a spare blade for the cutting knife, which is approximately 1.5 mm. Therefore, the protrusion L1 of the punching surface 20 of the stapler 1A is preferably at least 1.5 mm or more. It should be noted that in this example, the base surface 21 is generally flat, but for example, if the base surface 21 has an uneven shape, the distance from the most protruding surface to the binding portion 3A side of the base surface 21 is defined as the protrusion L1 (hereinafter, the same applies in this specification) based on the surface of the base surface 21 that protrudes most towards the binding portion 3A.

[0041] As described above, the protrusion L1 of the punched surface 20 is at least 1.5 mm or more, but for binding more types of blister packs, it is preferably 3 mm or more, and more preferably 6 mm or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the protrusion L1 is preferably 100 mm or less in order to suppress the increase in the size of the stapler 1A along the first direction. According to the stapler described above, the object is not limited to blister packs, and other objects that are conceived to protrude, such as clips, buttons, etc., that protrude from the surface, can be bound.

[0042] In the stapler 1A, the length L2 of the punched surface 20 along the second direction is 3 mm or more and 20 mm or less. This is because: if the length L2 of the punched surface 20 along the second direction is less than 3 mm, the pressing force restricting the orientation of the needle is insufficient, which may result in poor needle insertion. In addition, if the length L2 of the punched surface 20 along the second direction is 20 mm or more, it will interfere with the protrusions of the object, thus limiting the objects that can be stapled.

[0043] In the binder 1A, the length L3 of the base surface 21 along the second direction is 5 mm or more. It should be noted that the length L3 of the base surface 21 along the second direction is the length of the recess 24 along the second direction. In the binder 1A, the length L3 of the base surface 21 along the second direction is preferably 15 mm or more, and more preferably 30 mm or more. Furthermore, in the binder 1A, the upper limit of the length L3 of the base surface 21 along the second direction is preferably 100 mm or less to suppress an increase in the size of the binder 1A along the second direction.

[0044] As described above, in this example, the length L3 of the base surface 21 along the second direction is set to 5 mm or more for the following reasons. Specifically, the inventors investigated various objects (blister packs) with protrusions, and objects with a protrusion width (depth) of less than 5 mm are almost nonexistent. Even the smallest width successfully identified is approximately 4 mm to 5 mm (for example, in the case of attaching the end of a roller shutter, the fabric portion of the shutter needs to be attached across a fastener that acts as a stop, but the size of the fastener is approximately 4 mm to 5 mm). Furthermore, if the length L3 is 15 mm or more, many smaller blister packs can be attached; if the length L3 is 30 mm or more, most small blister packs can be attached. Moreover, if the length L3 is 30 mm or more, objects with multiple protrusions on the surface (e.g., packaging for fine-diameter drill bits) can be attached. Figure 4B As shown, the binding continues without changing the orientation.

[0045] <Example of the operation of the binding device in this embodiment>

[0046] Figure 4 Figure 4B and Figure 4C This is a side view illustrating an example of the operation of the binder according to this embodiment.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, when the stapler 1A is in the standby position after the needle-printing part 2A has moved away from the stapler part 3A, the object to be stapled 10 is placed between the curved surface 30 and the printing surface 20.

[0048] In the binding device 1A, when the motor 40 driving the drive unit 4A and the needle ejector unit 2A move toward the binding unit 3A through a predetermined operation, as... Figure 4A As shown, the object 10 is held between the punching surface 20 and the curved surface 30. In addition, the driver 23 operates in conjunction with the movement of the needle punching part 2A toward the binding part 3A, and punches out needles from the punching surface 20.

[0049] The needle, which is punched out from the punching surface 20, passes through the object and is bent into a predetermined shape by the bending surface 30, and is then attached to the object by the needle.

[0050] When a protrusion 10a is provided on the object 10 between the punching surface 20 and the drive unit 4A on the surface facing the base surface 21, the protrusion 10a enters the recess 24 when the needle punching unit 2A moves toward the binding unit 3A and moves toward the binding position. Thus, even if the object 10 has the protrusion 10a, the binding position of the object 10 can be held between the punching surface 20 and the curved surface 30, and the object 10 can be bound with a needle.

[0051] When the object part 10 is bound with the stapler 1A, the needle crown protrudes towards the punching surface 20. Therefore, when a protrusion 10a is provided between the punching surface 20 and the drive unit 4A on the surface facing the base surface 21 in the object part 10 to be bound with the stapler 1A, the object part 10 can be bound in such a way that the needle crown protrudes towards the surface where the protrusion 10a is provided. Generally, in packaging using transparent blister packs, it is desirable to display the product 10a in a way that makes the protruding product 10a visible, so that the needle crown side after binding with the stapler is the product 10a side.

[0052] It should be noted that when a protrusion is provided on the surface of the object 10 facing the base member 32 between the curved surface 30 and the driving part 4A, if the needle-ejecting part 2A moves toward the binding part 3A and moves toward the binding position, the protrusion enters the recess 33. Therefore, even if there are protrusions on both the front and back surfaces of the object 10, the binding position of the object 10 can be held between the ejecting surface 20 and the curved surface 30, and the object 10 can be bound with a needle.

[0053] Furthermore, if the needle ejection part 2A moves towards the binding position, the end E1 on the front end side of the needle ejection part 2A and the end E2 on the front end side of the binding part 3A are located on the same plane. Therefore, regardless of whether the protrusion 10a provided on the object 10 is located outside the end E1 on the front end side of the needle ejection part 2A, or in other cases... Figure 4C When the end E2 is located outside the front end of the binding part 3A as shown, the needle ejection part 2A and the binding part 3A can be prevented from contacting the protrusion 10a, and the object 10 can be bound with a needle.

[0054] Furthermore, when the object 10 has multiple protrusions 10a and binding positions are provided on both sides of the protrusions 10a, if the length L3 of the base surface 21 along the second direction in the binder 1A is greater than or equal to the value specified in this invention, then as Figure 4B As shown, by moving the needle ejection part 2A toward the binding part 3A and away from the binding part 3A, and by moving the object 10 in the direction of arrow F, multiple parts of the object 10 can be needled without rotating the object 10 or the binding device 1A.

[0055] <Modifications of the binding device in this embodiment>

[0056] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C This is a side view showing a modified example of the binder according to this embodiment. In the modified binder 1B, in... Figure 1 The binding section 3A described above is configured to be detachable from the drive section 4A. For example... Figure 5A As shown, by disassembling the binding part 3A, it can be used to bind objects without bending the needle's feet. Furthermore, as... Figure 5B As shown, it is also possible to install a binding part 3A with different installation positions, curved surfaces 30, and curved surface forming parts 31 in the fourth direction indicated by arrow A2, so that, for example, a cylindrical object 10 can be bound.

[0057] It should be noted that the protruding portion of the binding part 3A, including the curved surface 30, relative to the base member 32 can also be configured to be detachable relative to other parts of the binding part 3A. Additionally, as... Figure 5C As shown, the curved surface 30 can also be configured to be detachable from the curved surface forming portion 31. Alternatively, it can be replaced with a curved surface 30B having a platform for placing an object, or it can be replaced with another curved surface with a different shape for bending the needle's foot. Furthermore, in the needle ejection portion 2A, the amount of protrusion of the ejection surface 20 relative to the base surface 21 can be adjusted. Moreover, the portion of the needle ejection portion 2A that includes the protrusion of the ejection surface 20 relative to the base surface 21 can also be configured to be detachable from other parts of the needle ejection portion 2A.

[0058] Figure 6 This is a side view showing another variation of the binder according to this embodiment. In this other variation, the binder 1C has a handle 43 that can be operated by hand on the drive shaft 42 driven by the electric motor 40, allowing the drive unit 4A to operate even when the electric motor 40 is not driven. It should be noted that a structure without the electric motor 40 and only capable of manual operation is also possible.

[0059] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing an example of a curved surface. The curved surface 30 has an opening 30a at its end in the front direction toward the front end of the binding part 3A, allowing the needle foot of the needle bent by the curved surface 30 to be pulled out from the opening 30a toward the front end of the binding part 3A.

[0060] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0061] 1A, 1B, 1C…binding device 2A…needle ejection section 20…ejection surface 21…base surface 22…needle ejection passage forming section 22a…passage 23…driver 24…recess 25…pressing member 3A…binding section 30…bending surface 30a…opening 31…bending surface forming section 32…base member 33…recess 4A…drive section 40…motor 41…link 42…drive shaft 43…handle.

Claims

1. A binding device, comprising: The needle-firing section ejects the needle, causing it to penetrate the target object. The binding section bends the stitches of the needle that have passed through the object; and The driving unit causes the needle ejection part and the binding part to move along a first direction in a direction that is relatively close and a direction that is relatively far apart. The drive unit is driven by an electric motor. The needle ejection section has an ejection surface for ejecting needles and a base surface located between the ejection surface and the drive section and protruding from the drive section along a second direction. The binding part has: a curved surface facing the punching surface and bending the stitches; a curved surface forming part having the curved surface; and a base member located between the curved surface forming part and the driving part and protruding from the driving part in a third direction. The punched surface protrudes relative to the base surface along a first direction toward the curved surface. The second direction and the third direction move in a direction that brings the needle-piercing portion and the binding portion closer together, and are parallel at the binding position where the object is clamped between the piercing surface and the curved surface. When the needle ejection part and the binding part move to the binding position and the second direction and the third direction are parallel, the front end of the needle ejection part protruding from the drive part along the second direction and the front end of the binding part protruding from the drive part along the third direction are on the same plane.

2. The binding device according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion of the punched surface relative to the base surface along the first direction is 1.5 mm or more.

3. The binding device according to claim 2, wherein, The protrusion is 3mm or more.

4. The binding device according to claim 3, wherein, The protrusion is 6mm or more.

5. The binding device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The protrusion is less than 100mm.

6. The binding device according to claim 1, wherein, The length of the punched surface along the second direction is more than 3 mm and less than 20 mm.

7. The binding device according to claim 6, wherein, The length of the base surface along the second direction is 5 mm or more.

8. The binding device according to claim 7, wherein, The length of the base surface along the second direction is 15 mm or more.

9. The binding device according to claim 8, wherein, The length of the base surface along the second direction is 30 mm or more.

10. The binding device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The length of the base surface along the second direction is less than 100 mm.

11. The binding device according to any one of claims 1-4, 6-9, wherein, The amount of protrusion of the punched surface relative to the base surface can be adjusted.

12. The binding device according to claim 5, wherein, The amount of protrusion of the punched surface relative to the base surface can be adjusted.

13. The binding device according to claim 10, wherein, The amount of protrusion of the punched surface relative to the base surface can be adjusted.

14. The binding device according to claim 1, wherein, The curved surface protrudes relative to the base member in the direction of the punched surface.

15. The binding device according to claim 1, wherein, The protruding portion of the needle ejector section, including the ejector surface, relative to the base surface, is configured to be detachable relative to other parts of the needle ejector section.

16. The binding device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The protruding portion of the binding part, including the curved surface, relative to the base member, is configured to be detachable relative to other parts of the binding part.

17. The binding device according to any one of claims 1-4, 6-9, 14, and 15, wherein, The binding part is configured to be detachable relative to the drive part.

18. The binding device according to claim 16, wherein, The binding part is configured to be detachable relative to the drive part.

19. The binding device according to any one of claims 1-4, 6-9, 14, and 15, wherein, The curved surface has an end opening in the front direction.

20. The binding device according to claim 16, wherein, The curved surface has an end opening in the front direction.

21. The binding device according to any one of claims 1-4, 6-9, 14, and 15, wherein, It has a handle for operating the drive unit.

22. The binding device according to claim 16, wherein, It has a handle for operating the drive unit.

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