Binding device

Abstract

To provide a binding device that can bind multiple binding media with high binding strength.SOLUTION: The binding device, known as the medicine package binder, includes gears 4a and 4b as a pair of pressing members, and feeds a bundle of medicine packages, which serve as the binding medium, into the meshing parts of the pair of gears 4a and 4b to compress and bind the medicine packages together. At least one of the gears 4a and 4b is heated by a heating means, which is a heater 91, and the binding points of the bundle of medicine packages are heated via the gear to the temperature at which the inner layer of low-density polyethylene softens.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a binding device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a binding device that has a pair of pressure-bonding members and press-bonds a plurality of binding media together with the pair of pressure-bonding members.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a binding device that uses a pair of rotatable gears to crimp and bind a bundle of medicine packets, which are binding media. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, depending on the type of binding medium, there is a risk that the binding force may be insufficient when there are a large number of sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a binding device having a pair of crimping members that crimp and bind multiple binding media using the pair of crimping members, and characterized by having a heating means that heats at least the binding location of the binding media. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a plurality of binding media can be bound with a high binding force. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the medicine package binding machine of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the binding mechanism as viewed from the left and right. [Figure 5]FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the first gear holder and its surroundings as viewed from above. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the periphery of the second gear holder as viewed from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second gear is located at a pressure position. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which the second gear is located at a pressure release position. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a drive transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force of a drive motor to a first gear. [Figure 11] 3 is a schematic plan view of an operation unit provided on the top surface of the main body of the medicine package binding machine. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram illustrating a medicine package detection sensor that detects the entry of a medicine package into the meshing portion (stitching processing portion) between the first gear and the second gear. FIG. [Figure 13] A side view of the main parts around the side guide and upper guide used when binding multiple medicine packets. [Figure 14] Front view of Figure 7. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a heater. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the medicine package binding machine of the present embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a control flow diagram of the rotational operation of the gears. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is another control flow diagram of the rotational operation of the gears. [Figure 19] 10A is a schematic front view showing a modified example of the medicine package binding machine, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a medicine package bundle bound by the modified example of the medicine package binding machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that a person skilled in the art can easily modify or alter the present invention within the scope of the claims to create other embodiments, and these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the claims. The following description is an example of the best mode for carrying out the present invention and does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0009] The configuration of the main parts of a medicine package binding machine as a binding device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a medicine package binding machine 1, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the medicine package binding machine 1 of FIG. In the following description, the left-right or horizontal direction (also width direction) of the medicine package binding machine 1 is referred to as the X direction, the front-back or depth direction is referred to as the Y direction, and the up-down or vertical direction (also vertical direction) is referred to as the Z direction.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a medicine package binding machine 1 serving as a binding device includes a main body 2, a medicine package guide 3, a foot switch 6, an operation unit 16, and a binding mechanism . 1 and 2, the main body 2 of the medicine package binding machine 1 includes a base plate 7 (see FIG. 2), side plates 8, a right side plate cover 9 (see FIG. 1), a left side plate cover 10 (see FIG. 1), and a front side plate cover 8a. The main body 2 also includes a pressure adjustment unit cover 61a that covers the pressure adjustment unit 61 (see FIG. 2) of the binding mechanism 70. The right side panel cover 9 is provided with a power switch 93 and a power connector 94 for connecting to an external power source. The medicine package guide 3 includes side guides 3a and 3c provided at both ends in the front-rear direction (Y direction), and an upper guide 3b provided on the rear side of the device.

[0011] The base plate 7 shown in Figure 2 is also a frame-shaped bottom plate made of sheet metal, and the lower parts of the side plates 8 are fixed to the base plate 7. The base plate 7 is provided with four legs 11 that support the medicine package binding machine 1. Note that in Figure 2, only the two legs 11 on the front side of the page are visible, and the two legs 11 on the back side of the page are hidden by the base plate 7 and cannot be seen. The side plate 8 is provided with a binding mechanism 70 and a drive motor 5. The drive motor 5 and the base plate 7 are covered with a front side plate cover 8a as shown in FIG.

[0012] A pressure release lever 12 is provided on the upper part of the side plate 8 via a bracket 60. As will be described later, the pressure release lever 12 is operated by an operator to apply or release the pressure of the second gear 4b (see FIG. 3) to the first gear 4a (see FIG. 3).

[0013] The bracket 60 is positioned and fixed to the side plate 8, and also serves as an attachment reference for the pressure release lever 12 and the pressure adjustment unit 61 provided below it. The pressure adjustment unit 61, which operates when the pressure release lever 12 is operated, and the bracket 60 are covered with a pressure adjustment unit cover 61a.

[0014] 3 is a schematic diagram of the binding mechanism 70, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the binding mechanism 70 as viewed from the left and right direction (X direction), and FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagram showing the periphery of the pressure mechanism 67. The binding mechanism 70 includes a pair of pressure members, ie, a first gear 4a and a second gear 4b, which are rotating bodies. The binding mechanism 70 also includes a pressure mechanism 67, a pressure adjusting unit 61, a pressure release lever 12, etc.

[0015] The first gear 4a is attached to the first gear support shaft 30 so as to rotate integrally with the first gear support shaft 30. As shown in the schematic top view of the first gear and its surroundings in Figure 6, the rear side of the first gear support shaft 30 penetrates the side plate 8 and is rotatably supported by the first gear holder 13a and the side plate 8 via bearing members 32a and 32b. A drive gear 28 of a drive transmission mechanism 80 (see Figure 10), which will be described later, is attached to the rear end of the first gear support shaft 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the first gear holder 13a is fixed to a pair of holder fixing members 31a and 31b that are fixed to the side plate 8 in an upright state relative to the side plate 8.

[0016] The second gear 4b is attached to the second gear support shaft 33 so as to rotate integrally with the second gear support shaft 33. As shown in the schematic top view of the periphery of the second gear in Figure 7, the second gear support shaft 33 is rotatably supported by the second gear holder 13b via bearing members 32c and 32d. The second gear holder 13b is screwed to the holder slider 36. Note that a configuration may also be adopted in which the second gear support shaft 33 is fixed to the second gear holder 13b, and the second gear 4b is rotatably supported on the second gear support shaft.

[0017] 3 to 5, the pressure mechanism 67 includes a pressure plate 15, a pair of pressure springs 14, and a holder slider 36 to which the second gear holder 13b is fixed. The pressure plate 15 has an upper surface portion 15a and a side surface portion 15b, and the side surface portion 15b is supported by a linear guide 35 fixed to the side plate 8 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z direction) within a predetermined range.

[0018] Two stepped pins 37 are fixed in the vertical direction (Z direction) to the side surface portion 15b of the pressure plate 15. These two stepped pins 37 are inserted into elongated hole portions 36a extending in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the holder slider 36, and the holder slider 36 is held by these two stepped pins 37 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z direction) relative to the pressure plate 15 by a specified distance.

[0019] The pair of pressure springs 14 are provided in the left-right direction (X direction) with respect to the second gear support shaft 33. The lower ends of these pressure springs 14 are engaged with the second gear holder 13b, and the upper ends are engaged with the upper surface 15a of the pressure plate 15, and are attached in a compressed state between the second gear holder 13b and the upper surface 15a of the pressure plate 15. As a result, the second gear holder 13b is urged downward (toward the first gear 4a) by the pair of pressure springs 14, and the second gear 4b held by the second gear holder 13b comes into contact with the first gear 4a with a predetermined pressure.

[0020] 3, the pressure adjusting unit 61 is made up of a bolt 64 and two nuts 65, 66, and the bolt 64 is screwed into a female thread formed on the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical shaft 62. The upper surface 15a of the pressure plate 15 is clamped and fixed between the head of the bolt 64 and the nut 65. The nut 66 screws the bolt 64 onto the cylindrical shaft 62.

[0021] The pressure adjusting unit 61 adjusts the pressure of the second gear 4b on the first gear 4a by adjusting the vertical position of a bolt 64 screwed onto the cylindrical shaft 62. Specifically, the vertical position of the bolt 64 is adjusted with the second gear 4b positioned at a pressure position where the first gear 4a is pressed. As the bolt 64 is screwed onto the cylindrical shaft 62, the pressure plate 15 rises relative to the holder slider 36, which is biased downward by the pair of pressure springs 14. This increases the dimension L between the second gear holder 13b and the upper surface 15a of the pressure plate 15 shown in FIG. 8, reducing the compression amount of the pair of pressure springs 14. As a result, the biasing force of the pair of pressure springs 14 on the second gear holder 13b is reduced, reducing the pressure of the second gear 4b on the first gear 4a.

[0022] On the other hand, when the bolt 64 is loosened from the cylindrical shaft 62, the pressure plate 15 descends relative to the holder slider 36, which is biased downward by the pair of pressure springs 14. This shortens the dimension L between the second gear holder 13b and the upper surface 15a of the pressure plate 15 shown in FIG. 8, and increases the compression amount of the pair of pressure springs 14. As a result, the biasing force of the pair of pressure springs 14 on the second gear holder 13b increases, and the pressure of the second gear 4b on the first gear 4a increases. When the pressure of the second gear 4b against the first gear 4a falls within a desired range, the bolt 64 is fastened with a nut 66 to prevent it from loosening.

[0023] The cylindrical shaft 62 is held by the bracket 60 so as to be movable up and down, and its upper end is attached to the pressure release lever 12 via a link mechanism. The pressure release lever 12 is supported by a fulcrum pin 63 provided on the bracket 60 so as to be rotatable.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second gear 4b is located at the pressure applying position, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second gear 4b is located at the pressure releasing position. The pressure release lever 12 is supported by a fulcrum pin 63 so as to be rotatable by approximately 180°, and as shown in Fig. 8, when pressure is applied, the pressure release lever 12 is tilted to the right in the drawing. On the other hand, when pressure is released, the pressure release lever 12 is tilted to the left in the drawing, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0025] As shown in Figure 8, when the pressure release lever 12 is tilted to the right in the figure, the second gear 4b abuts against the first gear 4a with a predetermined pressure force. When the operator rotates the pressure release lever 12 180 degrees from the state shown in Figure 8, the link mechanism converts the rotational motion of the pressure release lever 12 into linear motion in the up and down direction, and the cylindrical shaft 62 rises. As the cylindrical shaft 62 rises, the pressure plate 15, which is sandwiched between the bolt 64 and nut 65 of the pressure adjustment unit 61, is guided by the linear guide 35 and rises.

[0026] When the upper stepped pin of the two stepped pins 37 of the pressure plate 15 hits the upper end of the elongated hole portion 36a of the holder slider 36, the holder slider 36 rises together with the pressure plate 15. This causes the second gear holder 13b fixed to the holder slider 36 to rise, and the second gear 4b held by the second gear holder 13b moves away from the first gear 4a, releasing the pressure. As shown in Figure 9, when the pressure release lever 12 is tilted to the left, the second gear 4b is positioned at a pressure release position at which it is spaced a sufficient distance from the first gear 4a.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a drive transmission mechanism 80 that transmits the drive force of the drive motor 5 to the first gear 4a. The drive transmission mechanism 80 is provided on the rear surface side of the side plate 8, and has a timing belt 26 wound around the motor shaft 5a of the drive motor 5 and a pulley 27a, a pulley gear 27 provided coaxially and integrally with the pulley 27a, and a drive gear 28 that meshes with the pulley gear 27. The drive gear 28 is attached to the rear end of the first gear support shaft 30 to which the first gear 4a is attached so as to rotate integrally with the first gear support shaft 30 (see also FIG. 6).

[0028] When the drive motor 5 is driven to rotate, the pulley gear 27 rotates together with the pulley 27a via the timing belt 26, and the drive gear 28 meshing with the pulley gear 27 rotates. As a result, the first gear 4a is driven to rotate via the first gear support shaft 30. When the drive motor 5 rotates in the CW direction (clockwise direction), the drive transmission mechanism 80 causes the first gear 4a to rotate in the CCW direction (counterclockwise direction) at a predetermined reduction ratio.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the operation unit 16 provided on the top surface of the main body 2 of the medicine package binding machine 1. As shown in FIG. The operation unit 16 is provided with first and second rotation direction indicator lamps 17c and 17d, a rotation speed adjustment switch 18, a rotation speed indicator 18a, a mode changeover switch 19, a mode indicator 19a, and a feed amount indicator 20. It also is provided with feed amount adjustment switches 21a and 21b, a stop time indicator 22, a stop time adjustment switches 23a and 23b, a start / stop switch 24, and a start / stop indicator 24a.

[0030] First and second rotation direction selector switches 17a and 17b are used to switch the rotation direction of first gear 4a and thereby switch the transport direction of the medicine bags. When transporting medicine bags from right to left, pressing first rotation direction selector switch 17a on the left lights up first rotation direction indicator lamp 17c, an LED (light-emitting diode) on the left. Conversely, when transporting medicine bags from left to right, pressing second rotation direction selector switch 17b on the right lights up second rotation direction indicator lamp 17d, an LED.

[0031] The rotation speed adjustment switch 18 controls the rotation speed of the drive motor 5 to switch the rotation speed of the first gear 4a between multiple levels (three levels in this embodiment). The rotation speed adjustment switch 18 functions as a rotation speed setting means (also a rotation speed setting means) that sets the rotation speed (also a rotation speed) of the drive motor 5 in one binding operation. The rotation speed indicator 18a has three LED lamps that light up according to the three levels of rotation speed (low speed, medium speed, high speed) switched by operating the rotation speed adjustment switch 18.

[0032] The mode selector switch 19 is used to switch the binding mode of the medicine packaging binder 1. Each time the mode selector switch 19 is pressed, the binding mode changes sequentially from single-package mode (also called single-package feed mode), to intermittent mode, to continuous mode, and the current binding mode is displayed by the LED illumination of the mode indicator 19a located to the right of the switch.

[0033] The feed amount adjustment switches 21a and 21b are used to adjust the amount of medicine packets fed per run in single-packet mode (one-packet feeding mode) and intermittent mode. The feed amount adjustment switches 21a and 21b function as feed distance setting means for setting the amount of medicine packets fed by the rotation of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b via the rotational drive of the drive motor 5. The currently set feed amount is displayed on the feed amount display 20. Pressing the feed amount adjustment switch 21a, which switches the feed amount to increase on the + side, increases the feed amount, and pressing the feed amount adjustment switch 21b, which switches the feed amount to decrease on the - side, decreases the feed amount.

[0034] The stop time adjustment switches 23a and 23b are used to adjust the stop time between jobs in the intermittent mode. The stop time adjustment switches 23a and 23b function as stop time setting means for freely setting the stop time of the drive motor 5. The currently set stop time is displayed on the stop time display 22. Pressing the stop time adjustment switch 23a marked with "+" increases the stop time, and pressing the stop time adjustment switch 23b marked with "-" decreases the stop time.

[0035] The start / stop switch 24 is used to start and stop the medicine pouch binding operation in each mode. By operating the start / stop switch 24, the start and stop status of the medicine pouch binding operation in each mode can be confirmed from the LED display of the start / stop indicator 24a.

[0036] 1, the same operations as those of the start / stop switch 24 can be performed, and the results of those operations can be confirmed on the start / stop indicator 24a. The LED can be turned off when stopped, lit green when in operation, and lit red when an error occurs. In addition, when an error occurs, an error code or the like can be displayed using the feed amount indicator 20, the stop time indicator 22, etc.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a medicine package detection sensor that detects the entrance of a medicine package into the meshing portion (stitching processing portion) between first gear 4a and second gear 4b. The medicine bag detection sensor 40 is composed of a detection member 40a, part of which protrudes from the guide surface of the medicine bag guide 3, and a detection unit that detects the movement of the detection member, and is held by a bracket 41 fixed to the base plate 7, also known as the bottom plate.

[0038] As the medicine package moves toward the meshing portion (binding processing portion) between first gear 4a and second gear 4b, detection member 40a moves downward or rotates so that the portion of detection member 40a that protrudes from the guide surface of medicine package guide 3 retracts from the guide surface. The detection unit detects this movement of detection member 40a, thereby detecting the entry of the medicine package into the meshing portion.

[0039] Medicine package detection sensor 40 is configured to detect the medicine packages before the medicine package bundle enters the meshing portion (stitching processing portion) between first gear 4a and second gear 4b, whether the medicine package bundle moves from left to right in the figure or from right to left in the figure. Specifically, whether the medicine package bundle moves from left to right in the figure or from right to left in the figure, detection member 40a moves or rotates smoothly, and the shape of detection member 40a is appropriate so that the detection portion can detect the movement of detection member 40a before the medicine package bundle enters the meshing portion.

[0040] Drive motor 5 starts driving when medicine package detection sensor 40 detects a medicine package, and stops driving when medicine package detection sensor 40 does not detect a medicine package. This allows first gear 4a to be driven to rotate only when multiple packets are crimped and bound, preventing wear on first gear 4a and second gear 4b.

[0041] 13 is a side view of the main parts around the side guide and upper guide used when binding a plurality of medicine packets, and FIG. 14 is a front view of FIG. The medicine package guide 3 is configured to support multiple medicine packages on the guide surface 131 on the top surface, and has a pair of side guides 3a and 3c and an upper guide 3b as shown in FIG. 13. The side guides 3a and 3c are provided at the front-to-rear end portions of the medicine package guide 3. The upper guide 3b is not necessarily required. The absence of the upper guide 3b improves the ease of setting multiple medicine packages when stacked and setting them, and the ease of removing the medicine package bundle after crimp binding. On the other hand, the presence of the upper guide 3b is preferable because it can properly guide multiple stacked medicine packages even if the rear (rear) end portion of the medicine packages curves upward, and prevents the binding position of the medicine packages from shifting from the desired position.

[0042] A plurality of medicine packages stacked on guide surface 131 of medicine package guide 3 are guided by medicine package guide 3 and led to the meshing portion between first gear 4a and second gear 4b. In addition, both sides in the left-right direction (X direction) of the lower surface of second gear holder 13b form inclined surfaces that descend toward the meshing portion, and this lower surface of second gear holder 13b also functions as a guide portion that guides the stacked plurality of medicine packages to the meshing portion.

[0043] First gear 4a and second gear 4b are pressurized to a predetermined pressure, and when the above-mentioned medicine package detection sensor 40 detects a medicine package, drive motor 5 starts to drive, first gear 4a rotates, and second gear 4b rotates along with first gear 4a. Stacked medicine packages inserted into the meshing portion between first gear 4a and second gear 4b by the operator are conveyed while being crimped and bound by first gear 4a and second gear 4b.

[0044] Then, when the medicine bag detection sensor 40 no longer detects the medicine bag, the rotation of the drive motor 5 stops, the rotation of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b stops, the binding operation stops, and the transport of the medicine bag stops.

[0045] Medicine packets generally consist of a cellophane layer on the outside and a polyethylene layer on the inside. Unlike paper, the fibers do not intertwine when pressed together, resulting in a weaker binding force. Therefore, depending on the number of medicine packets being bound together, the binding force may be insufficient, causing them to unintentionally come apart, leading to misdelivery of medicine or the medicine falling out. As a result, there is a risk that the patient will not be able to take the correct medicine.

[0046] Therefore, in this embodiment, a heating device is provided to heat at least one of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b, softening the polyethylene layer, and the softened polyethylene layer functions as an adhesive to attach the medicine packages together, thereby increasing the binding strength. Below, the characteristic features of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0047] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a heater as a heating means. The heater 91 shown in Figure 15(a) is an infrared heater, while the heaters 91 shown in Figures 15(b) and 15(c) are silicone rubber heaters. A silicone rubber heater is a sheet-like heater in which a nichrome wire, which is a heating element, is sandwiched between silicone sheets. As shown in Figures 15(b2), 15(c1), and (c2), silicone rubber heaters are attached to both sides of a gear to heat the gear. Using a silicone rubber heater allows the gear to be heated evenly without rotating it.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 15(a), only the second gear 4b may be heated by a heater, or as shown in FIG. 15(b), only the first gear 4a may be heated by a heater. Also, as shown in FIG. 15(c), both the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b may be heated by heaters. Also, while only the second gear 4b is heated by an infrared heater in FIG. 15(a), only the second gear 4b may be heated by a silicon rubber heater. Also, while only the first gear 4a is heated by a silicon rubber heater in FIG. 15(b), only the first gear 4a may be heated by an infrared heater.

[0049] 15(c), the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b are each heated by a silicone rubber heater, but the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b may each be heated by an infrared heater. Alternatively, one of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b may be heated by a silicone rubber heater, and the other may be heated by an infrared heater. By heating both the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b with the heater 91 as shown in FIG. 15(c), it is possible to prevent a drop in temperature of the gear that does not have a heater when performing continuous binding operations, compared to a system in which a heater is provided for only one of the first gear 4a and the second gear.

[0050] The first gear 4a and the second gear 4b are preferably made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as metal or ceramic. This allows the gears to be heated efficiently. In addition, it is preferable to coat each gear with a material that is harder than the gear material to prevent tooth wear. It is preferable to use a hard material with high thermal conductivity for the coating. For example, if the gear material is metal, ceramics can be used as the hard material with high thermal conductivity.

[0051] 15(a) and 15(b), in a device that heats only one of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b, heat is transferred from one heated gear to the other by thermal conduction, thereby heating both gears. Furthermore, compared to a case in which both the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b are heated by a heater, the number of parts can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the device.

[0052] Heater 91 also heats first gear 4a and second gear 4b so that their temperatures reach or exceed the softening temperature (85°C) of the low-density polyethylene inside the medicine packets. Heating first gear 4a and second gear 4b to or exceeding the softening temperature (85°C) of the low-density polyethylene inside the medicine packets allows the inner polyethylene layer to function as glue that bonds the medicine packets together, thereby increasing the binding strength. Specifically, the teeth of paired gears 4a and 4b tear the cellophane layer, exposing the softened low-density polyethylene layer that acts as the inner glue, and the exposed low-density polyethylene layers bond together, increasing the binding strength.

[0053] On the other hand, the cellophane layer of the medicine packets softens when heated, making them more susceptible to tearing during pressure binding. As a result, the cellophane layer tears more than necessary during pressure binding, and the medicine packets are bound together only by the inner low-density polyethylene layers. This makes the bundle of medicine packets tightly bound and difficult to peel apart. As a result, there is a risk that the medicine packets will tear and the medicine will spill when the bundle of medicine packets is peeled apart. Therefore, it is preferable to set the temperatures of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b below a temperature at which the outer cellophane layer of the medicine packets does not become too soft. Specifically, it is preferable to set the temperatures of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b below 100°C, more preferably below 90°C. This prevents excessive tearing of the cellophane layer during pressure binding and prevents the softened low-density polyethylene layer from being exposed. This allows the cellophane layers to be the primary binding force, and the softened low-density polyethylene layers to act as a secondary binding force, allowing the medicine packets to be easily separated from each other.

[0054] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the medicine package binding machine 1 of this embodiment. A CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. are mounted on control board 105, which serves as operation control means, and drive motor 5, medicine package detection sensor 40, power switch 93, foot switch 6, operation unit 16, temperature control board 106, etc. are connected to control board 105. Operations on operation unit 16 and foot switch 6 are sent to control board 105, and control board 105 controls each operation based on the operations.

[0055] The drive motor 5 is a DC servo motor whose feed position can be controlled by pulses, and is controlled by pulse signals from the control board 105. This makes it possible to accurately control the amount of medicine bag feed. Although a stepping motor can also accurately control the amount of medicine bag feed, there is a risk of stepping out due to large torque fluctuations depending on the number of medicine bags to be bound, the material of the medicine bags to be bound, the position of the medicine inside the medicine bags, etc. Therefore, a DC servo motor is preferable as the drive motor 5.

[0056] A CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. are mounted on temperature control board 106, which serves as temperature control means, and is connected to heater 91, which serves as heating means, and temperature sensor 107, which detects the temperature of the gear heated by heater 91. Based on the gear temperature detected by temperature sensor 107, temperature control board 106 controls heater 91 so that the gear temperature is above the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene but below a temperature at which the cellophane layer does not become too soft.

[0057] FIG. 17 is a control flow diagram of the rotational operation of the gears. When the medicine package binding operation is started by operating start / stop switch 24 of operation unit 16 or foot switch 6, heater 91 is activated and begins heating the gears (S1). Next, if temperature sensor 107 detects that the temperature of the gears is equal to or higher than a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene) (Yes in S2), control board 105 checks whether medicine package detection sensor 40 has detected medicine packages (S3). If medicine package detection sensor 40 has detected medicine packages, drive motor 5 is started to drive, and the pair of gears begins to rotate (S4). Once the pair of gears have started to rotate, the bundle of medicine packages is sent to the meshing portion between first gear 4a and second gear 4b, and medicine package binding begins (S5).

[0058] This softens the low-density polyethylene inner layer of the medicine packet, and the outer cellophane layer tears to a suitable degree, allowing the exposed low-density polyethylene to function as glue to perform pressure binding. This allows the stack of medicine packets to be bound with sufficient binding force, even when there are a large number of sheets to be bound. Then, when medicine packet detection sensor 40 no longer detects any medicine packets, drive motor 5 stops rotating, and rotation of first gear 4a and second gear 4b stops, completing the medicine packet binding.

[0059] In the control shown in FIG. 17, even if the user feeds a bundle of medicine packets into the meshing portion of the pair of gears before the temperature of the gears reaches or exceeds a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene), the gears do not rotate and medicine packet binding does not begin. This may lead some users to believe that the device is broken. Therefore, it is preferable that temperature sensor 107 notify the user that the warm-up operation is in progress by, for example, flashing the LED of start / stop indicator 24a until the temperature of the gears reaches or exceeds a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene). Also, an indicator lamp indicating that the warm-up operation is in progress may be provided on operation unit 16. Furthermore, a speaker may be provided to sound a sound when the temperature of the gear teeth reaches or exceeds a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene) and the warm-up operation is completed, thereby notifying the user that medicine packet binding is now possible.

[0060] FIG. 18 is another control flow diagram of the rotational operation of the gears. 18, in this other control, when the medicine package binding operation is started by operating start / stop switch 24 or foot switch 6, heater 91 is operated and drive motor 5 is driven to rotate a pair of gears (S11, S12). Then, while the pair of gears are rotating, they are heated by heater 91, and when temperature sensor 107 detects that the temperature of the gears is equal to or higher than a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene) (Yes in S13), the rotation of the gears is temporarily stopped until medicine package detection sensor 40 detects a medicine package.

[0061] When medicine package detection sensor 40 detects a medicine package (Yes in S14), the gears resume rotation (S15), and the bundle of medicine packages is sent to the meshing portion between first gear 4a and second gear 4b, starting medicine package binding (S16). This softens the low-density polyethylene inner layer of the medicine package, and the outer cellophane layer is torn, allowing the exposed low-density polyethylene to function as glue to perform pressure binding. This allows the bundle of medicine packages to be bound with sufficient binding force, even when there are a large number of sheets to be bound. Then, when medicine package detection sensor 40 no longer detects a medicine package, the rotation of drive motor 5 stops, and rotation of first gear 4a and second gear 4b stops, completing the medicine package binding.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 18, if heater 91 heats a pair of gears 4a, 4b while they are rotating, the user may feed a bundle of medicine packets into the meshing portion of the gears, resulting in the medicine packet binding process, before the gear temperature reaches or exceeds a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene). Therefore, even in the control shown in FIG. 18, it is preferable that temperature sensor 107 notify the user that the warm-up process is in progress by, for example, flashing the LED of start / stop indicator 24a until the temperature of the gear teeth reaches or exceeds a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene). Also, an indicator lamp indicating that the warm-up process is in progress may be provided on operation unit 16. Furthermore, a speaker may be provided to sound a sound when the temperature of the gear teeth reaches or exceeds a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene) and the warm-up process is complete, thereby notifying the user that medicine packet binding is now possible.

[0063] Furthermore, some users may overlook the above indication and feed the bundle of medicine packets into the meshing portion of the pair of gears before the temperature of the gear teeth reaches or exceeds a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene). Therefore, for example, stoppers may be provided on both sides of the gear meshing portion in the feeding direction of the medicine packet bundle to restrict the feeding of the medicine packet bundle into the meshing portion. The stoppers are configured to be able to take a restricting position where they protrude from the guide surface of the medicine packet guide 3 and a retracted position where they are retracted downward from the guide surface of the medicine packet guide 3. When the medicine packet stapling operation is started, heater 91 is operated and the stopper is simultaneously moved from the retracted position to the restricting position. Then, when temperature sensor 107 detects that the temperature of the gears is equal to or higher than a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene), the stopper is moved to the retracted position, allowing the medicine packet bundle to be fed into the gear meshing portion. This reliably prevents the user from feeding a bundle of medicine packets into the meshing portion of the pair of gears before the temperature of the gears reaches a specified value (the softening temperature of low-density polyethylene) or higher.

[0064] The control shown in Fig. 17 can be suitably used when a silicone rubber heater is provided for each of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b, as shown in Fig. 15(c), to uniformly heat each gear. On the other hand, when the heater 91 is an infrared heater that locally heats the gears, as shown in Fig. 15(a), or when only one of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b is heated by a heater and the other gear is heated by heat conduction from one gear, as shown in Figs. 15(a) and 15(b), the control shown in Fig. 17 will cause temperature unevenness. Therefore, when an infrared heater is used as the heater 91, or when only one of the first gear 4a and the second gear 4b is heated by the heater 91, the control shown in Fig. 18 is preferred.

[0065] Furthermore, a heating mode in which the gears are heated by a heater to bind the medicine pouches may be added to the binding mode, and the mode selector switch 19 may be used to switch to the heating mode. Furthermore, a heating switch and a heating indicator may be provided in the operation unit 16, allowing the user to select whether or not to heat the gears by a heater to bind the medicine pouches. Furthermore, a location may be provided in the operation unit 16 for inputting the number of sheets to be bound, and when the number of sheets to be bound is equal to or greater than a specified number, the gears are heated by a heater to bind the medicine pouches.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the medicine packet bundle is crimped and bound using a pair of gears, but a pair of teethless rotors may be used, and the medicine packet bundle may be crimped and bound at a nip where one rotor is pressed against the other rotor. Even in this configuration, by heating at least one of the pair of gears with a heater, which is a heating means, the resin layer of the medicine packet bundle, such as low-density polyethylene, is softened, and the cellophane layer is torn, causing the exposed resin layer to function as glue, thereby increasing the binding strength.

[0067] FIG. 19(a) is a schematic front view showing a modified example of the medicine package binding machine, and FIG. 19(b) is a diagram showing a medicine package bundle bound by the modified example of the medicine package binding machine. As shown in Figure 19(a), the medicine package binding machine 1A of the modified example has a first crimping member 111a at its upper part and a fixed part 112 fixed to the device body. It also has a second crimping member 111b at its lower part and a moving part 113 that moves back and forth in the vertical direction by a driving means such as an actuator. Each crimping member has crimping teeth arranged side by side in the conveying direction (X direction) of the medicine package bundle.

[0068] The medicine packet bundle is conveyed by conveying roller 110a, and when the portion where the binding process of the medicine packet bundle is to be performed is positioned at the opposing portion between first crimping member 111a and second crimping member 111b, the conveyance of the medicine packet bundle is temporarily stopped. Then, moving unit 113 is moved downward by a driving means such as an actuator, and the crimping teeth of second crimping member 111b are inserted between the crimping teeth of first crimping member 111a, thereby performing the crimp binding. When the crimp binding is completed, moving unit 113 is raised to position it in the retracted position. When moving unit 113 is positioned in the retracted position, conveyance of the medicine packet bundle is resumed, and the portion where the binding process of the next medicine packet bundle is to be performed is positioned at the opposing portion. By repeating this process, a bound portion B is formed at the desired position of the medicine packet bundle, as shown in FIG. 19(b).

[0069] In this modified medicine package binding machine 1A, at least one of first and second crimping members 111a and 111b is heated by a heater, which is a heating means. This softens the resin layer, such as low-density polyethylene, of the medicine package bundle, and the resin layer exposed when the outer layer is torn acts as glue, increasing the binding strength.

[0070] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description, various modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0071] In the above description, the binding portion of the binding medium such as a medicine bag is heated via the pressure-bonding members such as the gears 4a and 4b, but the binding portion of the binding medium may be heated directly. Even with this configuration, when binding multiple binding media with the pressure-bonding members, the softened resin layer exposed when the outer layer is torn can function like glue, thereby increasing the binding strength.

[0072] The binding device of the present invention can be applied to, for example, a binding device of an image forming apparatus. When the sheet serving as the binding medium on which an image is formed by an image forming device has an inner layer of resin, the resin of the inner layer can be softened by heating the binding point of the sheet with a pair of pressure-bonding members or a heater, which is a heating means, and the softened resin inner layer exposed when the outer layer is torn can function as glue to increase the binding strength.

[0073] The above description is merely an example, and each of the following aspects provides unique effects. (Aspect 1) A binding device has a pair of pressure-bonding members such as gears 4a, 4b, and presses and binds a plurality of binding media such as medicine packets with the pair of pressure-bonding members, and has a heating means for heating at least the binding portion of the binding media. Depending on the type of binding medium, such as medicine packets that have a cellophane layer on the outside and a resin layer such as polyethylene on the inside, the binding force may be insufficient when there are a large number of sheets, and the stack of binding medium may come loose unintentionally. In contrast, in aspect 1, by heating at least the binding portion of the binding medium with the heating means, the resin layer of the binding medium is softened, and the softened resin layer functions like glue to attach the binding medium to each other, thereby increasing the binding strength. As a result, binding mediums such as medicine packets that have a cellophane layer on the outside and a resin layer such as polyethylene on the inside can be bound well even when there are a large number of sheets.

[0074] (Aspect 2) In the first embodiment, a temperature control means such as a temperature control board 106 for controlling the temperature of a heating means such as the heater 91 is provided. According to this, the temperature of the heating means such as the heater 91 can be controlled by the temperature control means such as the temperature control board 106, thereby making it possible to heat the pressure-bonding member to an optimum temperature. This makes it possible to prevent the surface layer of the binding medium such as medicine packets from melting and binding the medicine packets together by welding, or the resin layer of the binding medium from not softening and not functioning as an adhesive, resulting in insufficient binding force.

[0075] (Aspect 3) In the first or second aspect, the heating means heats at least one of the pair of pressure-bonding members, and heats the binding portion of the binding medium via the at least one pressure-bonding member. As described in the embodiment, this allows the resin layer at the binding portion of the binding medium to be heated to a softening temperature via a pressure member such as a gear, thereby allowing the softened resin layer to function like glue to bond the binding mediums together, thereby increasing the binding strength.

[0076] (Aspect 4) In aspect 3, an operation control means such as a control board 105 is provided that controls the pressing operation by the pressing members such as a pair of gears 4a and 4b, and the operation control means starts the pressing binding operation when the temperature of the pressing members reaches a predetermined temperature. As a result, as described in the embodiment, the heat from the crimping member can effectively soften the resin layer of the binding medium, such as a medicine bag, and the resin layer can function as glue to effectively increase the binding strength.

[0077] (Aspect 5) In aspect 3 or 4, the pressure-bonding members such as a pair of gears 4a, 4b are rotating bodies that press-bond and bind multiple binding media at the nip portion of the pair of rotating bodies, and heating of the rotating bodies by a heating means such as a heater 91 and rotational driving of the rotating bodies are started simultaneously. According to this, as explained in the embodiment, the rotating body can be heated to a predetermined temperature uniformly in the rotation direction.

[0078] (Aspect 6) In any of the third to fifth aspects, the heating means such as the heater 91 heats both of the pressure-contact members such as the pair of gears 4a and 4b. As described in the embodiment, this makes it possible to prevent a drop in temperature of the pressure-bonding member that is not heated by the heating means when consecutive binding operations are performed, compared to when only one of the pair of pressure-bonding members is heated by the heating means such as the heater 91. As a result, even when consecutive binding operations are performed, all bundles of binding media can be bound with a high binding force.

[0079] (Aspect 7) In any of the third to fifth aspects, the heating means such as a heater heats only one of the pair of pressure-bonding members such as the gears 4a and 4b. This allows the number of parts to be reduced and the cost of the device to be reduced compared to when both of the pair of pressure-bonding members are heated by the heating means.

[0080] (Aspect 8) In any of the third to sixth aspects, the pressure members such as the pair of gears 4a and 4b are made of metal or ceramic. According to this, by forming the pressure-bonding members such as the pair of gears 4a, 4b from metal or ceramic having good thermal conductivity, the pressure-bonding members can be quickly heated to a predetermined temperature.

[0081] (Aspect 9) In any of aspects 1 to 8, the pair of crimping members such as gears 4a, 4b have a concave-convex shape, and the convex portion of one crimping member is inserted into the concave portion of the other crimping member to crimp and bind multiple binding media, and the concave-convex portion of the pair of crimping members is coated with a hard material. This makes it possible to suppress wear on the uneven portions such as the teeth of the gears 4a and 4b. Also, by using a hard material with good thermal conductivity to coat the uneven portions, the uneven portions can be heated quickly to a predetermined temperature.

[0082] (Aspect 10) In any of the first to ninth aspects, the binding medium is composed of an inner layer and an outer layer made of resin, and the heating means such as the heater 91 heats the binding portion of the binding medium to a temperature equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the inner layer. As a result, as described in the embodiment, the outer layer is crimped and bound, and when a pair of crimping members are crimped together, the outer layer is torn and the exposed softened inner layers stick together, thereby increasing the binding strength.

[0083] (Aspect 11) In embodiment 10, the inner layer is made of low density polyethylene. This allows the low-density polyethylene to be softened and function as a glue.

[0084] (Aspect 12) In the tenth or eleventh embodiment, the outer layer is cellophane, and a heating means such as a heater 91 heats the binding portion of the binding medium to 100° C. or less. As explained in the embodiment, this prevents excessive tearing of the outer layer during pressure binding and reduces exposure of the softened resin layer. As a result, the primary binding is pressure binding of the cellophane layer, and the adhesion of the softened inner layers serves as a secondary means of increasing the binding strength. This allows the stack of bound media to be easily peeled apart. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1: Medicine bag binding machine 2: Main unit 3: Medicine Pack Guide 3a: Side guide 3b: Upper guide 3c: Side guide 4a: First gear 4b: Second gear 5: Drive motor 6: Foot switch 7: Base plate 8: Side panel 8a: Front side panel cover 9: Right side panel cover 10: Left side plate cover 11: Legs 12: Pressure release lever 13a: First gear holder 13b: Second gear holder 14: Pressure spring 15: Pressure plate 15a:Top part 15b: Side part 16:Operation section 40: Medicine package detection sensor 40a: detection member 61: Pressure adjustment unit 67: Pressure mechanism 70: Binding mechanism 80: Drive transmission mechanism 91: Heater 93: Power switch 94: Power connector 105: Control board 106: Temperature control board 107: Temperature sensor 111a: first crimping member 111b: second crimping member [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0086] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-195765

Claims

1. A binding device having a pair of crimping members that crimps and binds a plurality of binding media by the pair of crimping members, A binding device characterized by having a heating means for heating at least a binding portion of a binding medium.

2. The binding device according to claim 1 , The binding device further comprises a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the heating means.

3. The binding device according to claim 1 , The binding device is characterized in that the heating means heats at least one of a pair of pressure-bonding members, thereby heating the binding portion of the binding medium through the at least one pressure-bonding member.

4. The binding device according to claim 3, an operation control means for controlling the crimping operation by the pair of crimping members; The binding device is characterized in that the operation control means starts the pressure binding operation when the temperature of the pressure bonding member reaches a predetermined temperature.

5. The binding device according to claim 3, The pair of pressure-bonding members are rotating bodies, and a plurality of binding media are pressure-bonded and bound at a nip portion of the pair of rotating bodies, The binding device is characterized in that the start of heating by the heating means and the start of rotational driving of the rotating body are performed simultaneously.

6. The binding device according to claim 3, The binding device is characterized in that the heating means heats both of the pair of pressure-bonding members.

7. The binding device according to claim 3, The binding device is characterized in that the heating means heats only one of the pair of pressure-bonding members.

8. The binding device according to claim 3, A binding device, wherein the pair of pressure members are made of metal or ceramic.

9. The binding device according to claim 1 , The pair of pressure-bonding members have a concave-convex shape, and the convex portion of one pressure-bonding member is fitted into the concave portion of the other pressure-bonding member to pressure-bond and bind the plurality of binding media; A binding device characterized in that the concave and convex portions of the pair of pressure-contact members are coated with a hard material.

10. The binding device according to claim 1 , The binding medium comprises an inner layer made of resin and an outer layer, The binding device is characterized in that the heating means heats the binding portion of the binding medium to a temperature equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the inner layer.

11. The binding device according to claim 10, The binding device is characterized in that the inner layer is made of low-density polyethylene.

12. The binding device according to claim 10, the outer layer is cellophane; The binding device is characterized in that the heating means heats the binding portion of the binding medium to 100°C or less.

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