Paper feed device and unsewn binding bookbinding device

Abstract

To provide a paper feed device that appropriately feeds sheets regardless of the number of sheets included in a sheet bundle.SOLUTION: There is provided a paper feed device 100 in which a sheet loading part 10 includes a loading member 11 and a support member 12 that supports the lower surface of a sheet bundle B, the support member 12 has a first member 12a that holds a lower surface Ba of the sheet bundle B at a predetermined position P1 that is spaced a predetermined distance H1 above a loading surface 11a, and a second member 12b that forms a support surface 12b1 that supports the lower surface Ba of the sheet bundle B closer to an end part in the width direction of the sheet bundle B than the center of the sheet bundle B, and the second member 12b is a member that holds the support surface 12b1 at the predetermined position P1 when no sheets S are loaded thereon and a displacement amount increases in accordance with an increase in the weight of the sheet bundle B so that the height of the support surface 12b1 gradually decreases from the predetermined position P1 from the center to the end part in the width direction when the sheets S are loaded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feeder and a perfect binding apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a paper feeder that feeds paper sheets from a paper stack on a paper loading table toward a bookbinding device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The paper feeder disclosed in Patent Document 1 adsorbs the topmost paper sheet of the paper stack onto a suction belt and feeds the paper sheets one by one toward the bookbinding device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 006747 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For the cover of a perfect bound book, a sheet of paper having a thicker portion at the edge than the other portions may be used. An example of the thicker portion is a folded portion where the edge of the sheet is folded back. For example, when sheets of paper having a folded portion are loaded on the sheet loading tray of the sheet feeding device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the folded portion is positioned at the edge in the width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction.

[0005] Because the thickness of the paper at the folded portion is greater than the thickness of the paper outside the folded portion, as the number of sheets stacked increases, the thickness of the paper stack at the widthwise ends becomes greater than the thickness of the paper stack at the widthwise center. In this case, the height position of the topmost sheet of the paper stack differs between the widthwise center and the widthwise ends, which may cause the widthwise edge of the topmost sheet to come into contact with part of the paper feeder, preventing normal paper feeding.

[0006] To resolve this issue, one method is to insert a jig to partially lift the bottom surface of the stack of sheets at the center of the stack. However, as the number of sheets in a stack decreases, the height of the top sheet of the stack becomes higher at the center and lower at the edges. Because the height of the top sheet of the stack differs between the center and the edges, there is a risk that the edges of the top sheet may come into contact with a part of the sheet feeder, preventing proper sheet feeding.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a paper feeding device and a perfect binding device equipped with the same that can properly feed the topmost sheet of a sheet stack containing multiple sheets that have a thicker portion at at least one end in the width direction than the center portion in the width direction, regardless of the number of sheets included in the sheet stack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A paper feeding device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sheet stacking section that stacks a sheet stack including a plurality of sheets having a thickness portion at at least one end in a width direction that is thicker than a center portion in the width direction, and a paper feeding section that feeds the uppermost sheet stacked on the sheet stacking section along a paper feeding direction perpendicular to the width direction, wherein the sheet stacking section has a stacking member that forms a stacking surface arranged along a horizontal direction, and a support member that is attached to the stacking member and supports a lower surface of the sheet stack, and the support member extends along the paper feeding direction and supports the sheet stack in a predetermined region in the width direction of the sheet stack. and a second member formed to extend from the first member along the width direction and to form a support surface that supports the underside of the sheet stack at a position closer to the end in the width direction than the predetermined area of ​​the sheet stack. The second member is a member that holds the support surface at the predetermined position when no sheets are loaded, and that increases in displacement as the weight of the sheet stack increases so that the height of the support surface gradually decreases from the predetermined position toward the end from the predetermined area in the width direction when the sheets are loaded.

[0009] In a sheet feeding device according to one aspect of the present invention, a first member of a support member that supports the underside of a sheet stack holds a predetermined region of the sheet stack in a predetermined position that is spaced a predetermined distance above the stacking surface of a stacking member, and a second member of the support member holds the support surface in a predetermined position when no sheets are stacked on it.

[0010] Furthermore, the displacement of the second member increases in accordance with an increase in the weight of the sheet stack so that the height of the support surface gradually decreases from a predetermined position from a predetermined region toward the end in the width direction of the sheet stack when the sheets are stacked. Since the height of the support surface gradually decreases toward the end in the width direction of the sheet stack where the thick portion is located, the difference in height between the predetermined region and the end of the top sheet of the sheet stack is reduced compared to when the sheet stack is directly stacked on the stacking surface.

[0011] Furthermore, since the amount of displacement increases as the weight of the sheet stack increases, the difference between the height of the top sheet in the specified area and the height of the end of the sheet stack is maintained within a desired range even if the weight of the sheet stack changes. This allows the top sheet of a sheet stack that includes multiple sheets with a thick portion at at least one end in the width direction to be fed appropriately regardless of the number of sheets included in the sheet stack.

[0012] In a paper feeding device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second member may be configured as a metal plate-like member that is attached to the first member so that the support surface is at the predetermined position when no sheets are loaded, and that elastically deforms due to the weight of the sheet stack.

[0013] With this paper feeding device, the difference in height between the center and end of the top sheet of the sheet stack can be maintained within a desired range, even if the weight of the sheet stack changes, thanks to a relatively simple configuration using metal plate-shaped members.

[0014] In one embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention, the second member may be configured to include a plate-shaped member extending along the width direction and forming a flat support surface, and a torsion spring that connects a first end of the plate-shaped member on the first member side in the width direction to the first member and elastically deforms as a second end of the plate-shaped member separated from the first member is displaced toward the loading surface.

[0015] With this paper feeding device, the difference in height between the center and end of the top sheet of the sheet stack can be maintained within a desired range, even if the weight of the sheet stack changes, thanks to a relatively simple configuration using a plate-shaped member and a torsion spring.

[0016] In one embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention, the second member may be configured to include a plate-shaped member extending along the width direction and forming a flat support surface, and an elastic member arranged between the loading surface and the lower surface of the plate-shaped member and increasing the biasing force as the distance between the loading surface and the lower surface of the plate-shaped member becomes shorter.

[0017] With this paper feeding device, a relatively simple configuration using a plate-shaped member and an elastic member can ensure that the difference in height between the center and end of the top sheet of the sheet stack is maintained within a desired range even if the weight of the sheet stack changes.

[0018] In a paper feeding device according to one aspect of the present invention, the sheet stacking section may be configured to stack the sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets each having a folded portion where at least one end in the width direction is folded back.

[0019] According to the paper feeding device of this configuration, the topmost sheet of a sheet stack containing multiple sheets having a folded portion at at least one end in the width direction can be properly fed regardless of the number of sheets contained in the sheet stack.

[0020] In the paper feeding device according to one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined area is an area that includes the center portion in the width direction.

[0021] According to the paper feeding device of this configuration, the displacement of the second member increases as the weight of the sheet stack increases, so that even if the weight of the sheet stack changes, the difference in height between the center and end of the top sheet of the sheet stack is maintained within a desired range.

[0022] A perfect binding device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a paper feeding device as described above, and a gluing device that glues the sheet having the thickness portion fed from the paper feeding device as a cover to a sheet stack having multiple sheets.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, a perfect binding device can be used to perfect a sheet bundle containing multiple sheets by gluing a sheet having a thickness fed from a paper feeder as a cover. In this case, the topmost sheet of a sheet bundle containing multiple sheets having a thickness at at least one end in the width direction can be appropriately fed regardless of the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper feeding device and a perfect binding device equipped with the same that can appropriately feed the topmost sheet of a sheet stack that includes multiple sheets that have a thicker portion at at least one end in the width direction than the center portion in the width direction, regardless of the number of sheets included in the sheet stack. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a perfect binding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which no sheet bundle is loaded. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paper feeder shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a side view of the paper feeder shown in FIG. 1 as seen along the paper feed direction. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a sheet having a folded portion stacked on a sheet stacking section, in which the folded portion is folded; FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a sheet having a folded portion stacked on a sheet stacking section, in a state where the folded portion is open; FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view showing a sheet feeding device in a state where a sheet stack is stacked on a sheet stacking portion. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view showing a sheet feeding device in a state where a sheet stack is stacked on a sheet stacking portion. [Figure 8] 10 is a side view showing the sheet feeding device in a state where the second member of the sheet stacking section is displaced. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a front view of the paper feeder shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 8 is a front view of the paper feeder shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a paper feeding device of a comparative example that does not include a support member. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a paper feeder according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a paper feeding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a paper feeding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] [First embodiment] A perfect binding apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the perfect binding apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a sheet stack B is not loaded. As shown in FIG. 1, the perfect binding apparatus 1 has a sheet feeding apparatus 100 and a sheet processing apparatus 200 including a gluing apparatus (not shown) and a cutting apparatus (not shown). FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the sheet feeding apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, viewed along the sheet feeding direction FD.

[0027] The sheet processing device 200 has a gluing device that glues a sheet S having folded portions Sa and Sb fed from the paper feeding device 100 as a cover to a sheet stack (not shown) having multiple sheets that form the body of the bound book, and a cutting device that cuts the edges of the bound book in which the body and cover are integrated by the gluing device.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a sheet S having folded portions Sa and Sb to be stacked on the sheet stacking section 10, showing a state in which the folded portions Sa and Sb are folded. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a sheet S having folded portions Sa and Sb to be stacked on the sheet stacking section 10, showing a state in which the folded portions Sa and Sb are opened.

[0029] 4 and 5, the sheet S has folded portions Sa and Sb at the ends in the width direction WD. The central portion (predetermined area) Sc of the sheet S in the width direction WD is the area that becomes the spine of the bound product formed by the perfect binding device 1. Note that although the sheet S has the folded portions Sa and Sb at both ends in the width direction WD, it may also have the folded portions Sa and Sb only at one end in the width direction WD.

[0030] The sheet S may also have a thicker portion at at least one end in the width direction WD than the central portion Sc in the width direction WD. Instead of the folded-back portions Sa and Sb described above, this thicker portion may be formed by processing the end of the sheet S to increase its thickness, such as by creasing or embossing, without folding it back. Alternatively, the sheet S may have an opening in part and a transparent film attached to seal the opening, thereby increasing its thickness.

[0031] The folded portion Sa of the sheet S is folded back at the folding line Sa1 to change from the state shown in FIG. 5 to the state shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the folded portion Sb of the sheet S is folded back at the folding line Sb1 to change from the state shown in FIG. 5 to the state shown in FIG. 4. In the sheet S shown in FIG. 4, the thickness of the region on one end side in the width direction WD where the folded portion Sa is located is greater than the thickness of the region including the central portion Sc where the folded portion Sa is not located. Similarly, the thickness of the region on the other end side in the width direction WD where the folded portion Sb is located is greater than the thickness of the region including the central portion Sc where the folded portion Sb is not located.

[0032] 4 are stacked facing upward to form a sheet stack B, the thickness of one end where the folded portion Sa is located and the other end where the folded portion Sb is located are greater than the thickness of the central portion Sc in the width direction. In order to feed the sheets S appropriately regardless of the number of sheets S having such folded portions Sa and Sb, in this embodiment, the sheet stacking section 10 is provided with a stacking member 11 and a support member 12, which will be described later.

[0033] 1 to 3, the sheet feeding device 100 has a sheet stacking section 10 that stacks a sheet stack B (see FIG. 6, etc.) including a plurality of sheets S, and a sheet feeding section 20 that feeds the uppermost sheet S stacked on the sheet stacking section 10 along a sheet feeding direction FD. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet feeding direction FD is a direction perpendicular to the width direction WD of the sheets S stacked on the sheet stacking section 10.

[0034] The sheet stacking section 10 has a stacking member 11, a support member 12, a first positioning member 13, and a second positioning member 14. The stacking member 11 is a plate-like member that forms a stacking surface 11a that is disposed along the horizontal direction HD. As shown in Fig. 2, the stacking member 11 is formed with a plurality of slits 11b that extend along the width direction WD and into which the first positioning members 13 are inserted.

[0035] The support member 12 is a member that is detachably attached to the stacking member 11 and supports the lower surface of the sheet stack B. The support member 12 has a first member 12a and a second member 12b. As shown in FIG. 2, the second member 12b is attached to the first member 12a at different positions in the sheet feed direction FD (two positions in FIG. 2) so as to extend to one side and the other side in the width direction WD.

[0036] 6 and 7 are side views showing the sheet feeding device 100 with a sheet stack B stacked on the sheet stacking section 10. The number of sheets S included in the sheet stack B shown in FIG. 7 is greater than the number of sheets S included in the sheet stack B shown in FIG. 6.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first member 12a extends along the sheet feed direction FD and holds the lower surface of the sheet stack B at a predetermined position P1 at the center of the sheet stack's width direction WD, spaced a predetermined distance H1 above the stacking surface 11a.

[0038] The second member 12b is formed to extend from the first member 12a in the width direction WD, and forms a support surface 12b1 that supports the lower surface Ba of the sheet stack B at an end in the width direction WD rather than the center Sc of the sheet stack B. Figure 8 is a side view showing the sheet feeding device 100 in a state in which the second member 12b of the sheet stacking unit 10 is displaced.

[0039] The second member 12b, shown by a solid line in Fig. 8, is displaced so that the height H of the support surface 12b1 in the vertical direction VD relative to the stacking surface 11a gradually decreases from a predetermined position P1 from the center to the ends in the width direction WD. The second member 12b, shown by a dotted line in Fig. 8, holds the support surface 12b1 at a predetermined position P1 in the vertical direction VD when no sheets S are stacked. The second member 12b is a metal plate-like member that is attached to the first member 12a so that the support surface 12b1 is at the predetermined position P1 in the vertical direction VD when no sheets S are stacked, and that elastically deforms due to the weight of the sheet stack B.

[0040] 6 and 7, at the same position P2 in the width direction WD, the height H of the support surface 12b1 in the vertical direction VD relative to the stacking surface 11a is lower for the heavier sheet bundle B (FIG. 7) than for the lighter sheet bundle B (FIG. 6). The displacement amount (H1-H) of the second member 12b is larger for the heavier sheet bundle B (FIG. 7) than for the lighter sheet bundle B (FIG. 6). The displacement amount (H1-H) of the second member 12b increases as the weight of the sheet bundle B increases.

[0041] The first positioning member 13 is a member for positioning the sheet stack B in the width direction WD, and is arranged to extend along the vertical direction VD. The first positioning member 13 is attached to the stacking member 11 so as to be fixed at any position within the range of the slit 11b.

[0042] The second positioning member 14 is a member for positioning the sheet stack B in the sheet feed direction FD, and is arranged to extend along the vertical direction VD. The second positioning member 14 is attached to the stacking member 11 so as to be fixed at any position within the range of a slit 11c formed in the stacking member 11 and extending along the sheet feed direction FD.

[0043] The sheet feeding unit 20 is a device that feeds the uppermost sheet S stacked on the sheet stacking unit 10 along the sheet feeding direction FD. The sheet feeding unit 20 has a sheet feeding roller 21, a rotation shaft 22 that rotates the sheet feeding roller 21 along the rotation direction RD, and a guide member 23 that forms a guide surface 23a that guides the sheet S.

[0044] Fig. 9 is a front view of sheet feeding device 100 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a front view of sheet feeding device 100 shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, sheet feeding section 20 feeds the uppermost sheet S of sheet stack B along sheet feed direction FD by rotating sheet feed roller 21 in rotation direction RD via rotation shaft 22. The uppermost sheet S of sheet stack B is transported along sheet feed direction FD by sheet feed roller 21 and guided along guide surface 23a.

[0045] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the paper feed section 20 is equipped with a movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the paper feed roller 21 and the guide member 23 along the vertical direction VD relative to the sheet stacking section 10 so that the paper feed roller 21 contacts the position of the topmost sheet S in the vertical direction VD, which changes depending on the number of sheets in the sheet stack B stacked on the sheet stacking section 10.

[0046] Now, a comparative example of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a side view showing a sheet feeding device 100 of the comparative example that does not have a support member 12. As shown in Fig. 11, the sheet feeding device 100 of the comparative example does not have a support member 12, and therefore the sheet stack B is loaded directly on the loading surface 11a of the loading member 11 of the sheet stacking section 10. As shown in Fig. 11, folded portions Sa, Sb are formed at the ends of the sheets S in the width direction WD, and therefore the thickness T2 of the sheet stack B at the ends of the sheets S is thicker than the thickness T1 of the sheet stack B at the center Sc of the sheets S.

[0047] 11, the position of the top sheet S of the sheet stack B in the vertical direction VD at position P4 at the edge is higher than position P3 at the center Sc. Therefore, the sheet feed roller 21 cannot properly contact the center Sc of the top sheet S of the sheet stack B. Furthermore, if the top sheet S of the sheet stack B is fed in the feed direction FD by the sheet feed roller 21, problems such as the sheet S coming into contact with the rotation shaft 22 may occur.

[0048] The actions and effects achieved by the sheet feeding device 100 of the present embodiment described above will be described. According to the sheet feeding device 100 of this embodiment, the first member 12a of the support member 12 that supports the lower surface Ba of the sheet stack B holds the center portion Sc of the sheet stack B in the width direction WD at a predetermined position P1 that is spaced a predetermined distance H1 above the stacking surface 11a of the stacking member 11. Furthermore, the second member 12b of the support member 12 holds the support surface 12b1 at the predetermined position P1 when no sheets S are stacked on it.

[0049] Furthermore, the displacement amount of the second member 12b increases in response to an increase in the weight of the sheet stack B so that the height H of the support surface 12b1 gradually decreases from the predetermined position P1 from the center Sc toward the ends in the width direction WD when the sheets S are stacked. Since the height of the support surface 12b1 relative to the stacking surface 11a gradually decreases toward the ends in the width direction WD of the sheet stack B where the folded-back portions Sa and Sb are located, the difference in height between the center Sc and the ends of the uppermost sheet S of the sheet stack B is reduced compared to when the sheet stack B is directly stacked on the stacking surface 11a.

[0050] Furthermore, since the amount of displacement increases in accordance with an increase in the weight of the sheet stack B, the difference in height between the center portion Sc and the end portions of the top sheet S of the sheet stack B is maintained within a desired range even if the weight of the sheet stack B changes. This allows the topmost sheet S of the sheet stack B, which includes multiple sheets S having folded-back portions Sa, Sb where at least one end in the width direction WD is folded back, to be fed appropriately regardless of the number of sheets S included in the sheet stack B.

[0051] According to the paper feeding device 100 of this embodiment, the second member 12b has a relatively simple configuration using a metal plate-shaped member, so that the difference in height between the center Sc and the end of the top sheet S of the sheet stack B can be maintained within a desired range even if the weight of the sheet stack B changes.

[0052] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the perfect binding device 1 of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is a modified example of the first embodiment, and is the same as the first embodiment except where specifically described below, and therefore the description below will be omitted.

[0053] The sheet feeding device 100 of the first embodiment uses, as the second member 12b that supports the sheet stack B, a metal plate-like member that elastically deforms due to the weight of the sheet stack B. In contrast, the sheet feeding device 100A of the present embodiment uses, as the second member 12b that supports the sheet stack B, a plate-like member 12bA and a torsion spring 12bB that elastically deforms due to the displacement of the plate-like member 12bA.

[0054] Fig. 12 is a side view showing a sheet feeding device 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 12, the sheet stacking section 10 of the sheet feeding device 100A has a support member 12 that supports a sheet stack B. The support member 12 has a first member 12a and a second member 12b. The second member 12b has a plate-shaped member 12bA and a torsion spring 12bB.

[0055] The plate-shaped member 12bA extends along the width direction WD and forms a flat support surface 12bA1. The torsion spring 12bB connects a first end 12bAa of the plate-shaped member 12bA on the first member 12a side in the width direction WD to the first member 12a, and elastically deforms as a second end 12bAb of the plate-shaped member 12bA separated from the first member 12a moves toward the loading surface 11a.

[0056] 12, when no sheet stack B is stacked on the sheet stacking section 10, the torsion spring 12bB holds the support surface 12bA1 of the plate-shaped member 12bA at a predetermined distance H1 from the stacking surface 11a by an upward biasing force in the vertical direction VD. On the other hand, when a sheet stack B is stacked on the sheet stacking section 10, the torsion spring 12bB elastically deforms as the second end 12bAb of the plate-shaped member 12bA is displaced toward the stacking surface 11a, as shown by the dotted line in FIG.

[0057] According to the paper feeding device 100A of this embodiment, the second member 12b has a relatively simple configuration using a plate-shaped member 12bA and a torsion spring 12bB, so that the difference in height between the center Sc and the end of the top sheet S of the sheet stack B can be maintained within a desired range even if the weight of the sheet stack B changes.

[0058] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the perfect binding device 1 of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is a modified example of the first embodiment, and is the same as the first embodiment except where specifically described below, and therefore the description below will be omitted.

[0059] The sheet feeding device 100 of the first embodiment uses, as the second member 12b that supports the sheet stack B, a metal plate-like member that elastically deforms due to the weight of the sheet stack B. In contrast, the sheet feeding device 100A of the present embodiment uses, as the second member 12b that supports the sheet stack B, a plate-like member 12bC and a coil spring (elastic member) 12bD that elastically deforms due to the displacement of the plate-like member 12bC.

[0060] Fig. 13 is a side view showing a sheet feeding device 100B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 13, the sheet stacking section 10 of the sheet feeding device 100B has a support member 12 that supports a sheet stack B. The support member 12 has a first member 12a and a second member 12b. The second member 12b has a plate-shaped member 12bC and a coil spring 12bD.

[0061] The plate-shaped member 12bC extends along the width direction WD and forms a flat support surface 12bC1. The coil spring 12bD is an elastic member that is disposed between the loading surface 11a and the lower surface of the plate-shaped member 12bC and that increases its biasing force as the distance between the loading surface 11a and the lower surface of the plate-shaped member 12bC decreases.

[0062] 13, when no sheet stack B is loaded on the sheet stacking section 10, the coil spring 12bD holds the support surface 12bC1 of the plate-shaped member 12bC at a predetermined distance H1 from the loading surface 11a by an upward biasing force in the vertical direction VD. On the other hand, when a sheet stack B is loaded on the sheet stacking section 10, the coil spring 12bD elastically deforms as the tip of the plate-shaped member 12bC is displaced toward the loading surface 11a, as shown by the dotted line in FIG.

[0063] According to the paper feeding device 100B of this embodiment, a relatively simple configuration using a plate-shaped member 12bC and a coil spring 12bD can maintain the difference in height between the center Sc and the end of the top sheet S of the sheet stack B within a desired range even if the weight of the sheet stack B changes.

[0064] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the perfect binding device 1 of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is a modified example of the first embodiment, and is the same as the first embodiment except where specifically described below, and therefore further description will be omitted.

[0065] In the sheet feeding device 100 of the first embodiment, the first member 12a of the support member 12 that supports the underside of the sheet stack B supports the underside of the sheet stack B at the center in the width direction WD of the sheet stack B. In contrast, in the sheet feeding device 100C of this embodiment, the first member 12a of the support member 12 that supports the underside of the sheet stack B supports the underside of the sheet stack B in a predetermined area different from the center in the width direction WD of the sheet stack B.

[0066] Fig. 14 is a side view showing a sheet feeding device 100C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 14, a first member 12a of a support member 12 according to this embodiment supports a lower surface Ba of a sheet stack B in a predetermined region different from a center portion Sc of the sheet stack B in the width direction WD. In addition, in the width direction WD, a second member 12b arranged on one side of the first member 12a (the left side in Fig. 14) is longer than a second member 12b arranged on the other side of the first member 12a (the right side in Fig. 14).

[0067] Furthermore, the rigidity of the second member 12b arranged on the other side (right side in FIG. 14) of the first member 12a is higher than the rigidity of the second member 12b arranged on one side (left side in FIG. 14) of the first member 12a. This is because the sheets S included in the sheet stack B supported by the support member 12 of this embodiment have a folded portion Sa only at one end in the width direction WD (end on the left side in FIG. 14).

[0068] In the support member 12 of this embodiment, the length in the width direction WD of the second member 12b on which the folded portion Sa of the sheet S is arranged is longer than that of the second member 12b on which the folded portion Sa is not arranged, and the rigidity is lower than that of the second member 12b on which the folded portion Sa is not arranged. By doing so, the difference in height between the uppermost sheet S of the sheet stack B in a predetermined area (the area where the first member 12a is arranged) and the end where the folded portion Sa is arranged is reduced compared to when the sheet stack B is directly stacked on the stacking surface 11a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Bookbinding device 10 Sheet stacking area 11 Loading components 11a Loading surface 11b,11c slit 12 Support member 12a First member 12b Second member 12b1 Support surface 12bA Plate-shaped member 12bA1 Support surface 12bAa 1st end 12bAb 2nd end 12bB torsion spring 12bC Plate-shaped member 12bC1 Support surface 12bD Coil spring (elastic member) 13 First positioning member 14 Second positioning member 20 Paper feed section 21 Paper feed roller 22 Rotation axis 23 Guide member 23a Guide surface 100, 100A, 100B, 100C Paper feeder 200 Sheet processing device B Sheet stack Ba bottom surface FD paper feed direction H Height H1 Predetermined distance HD horizontal P1 Predetermined position RD rotation direction S seat Sa,Sb Folded part Sa1,Sb1 fold line Sc central part T1, T2 thickness VD vertical direction WD Width direction

Claims

1. a sheet stacking section for stacking a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets having a thickness portion at at least one end in a width direction that is thicker than a central portion in the width direction; a sheet feeding unit that feeds the uppermost sheet stacked on the sheet stacking unit along a sheet feeding direction perpendicular to the width direction, The sheet stacking unit a loading member forming a loading surface arranged along a horizontal direction; a support member attached to the stacking member and supporting a lower surface of the sheet stack, The support member is a first member extending along the sheet feeding direction and holding a lower surface of the sheet stack at a predetermined position spaced a predetermined distance above the stacking surface in a predetermined region of the sheet stack in the width direction; a second member formed to extend from the first member along the width direction and to form a support surface that supports a lower surface of the sheet stack on the end side of the sheet stack in the width direction relative to the predetermined region of the sheet stack, The second member is a member that holds the support surface at the predetermined position when the sheets are not loaded, and when the sheets are loaded, the displacement amount increases in accordance with an increase in the weight of the sheet stack so that the height of the support surface gradually decreases from the predetermined position from the predetermined area in the width direction toward the end.

2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the second member is a metal plate-like member that is attached to the first member so that the support surface is at the predetermined position when no sheets are loaded, and that elastically deforms due to the weight of the sheet stack.

3. The second member is a plate-like member extending along the width direction and forming the flat support surface; 2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a torsion spring that connects a first end of the plate-shaped member on the first member side in the width direction to the first member and elastically deforms as a second end of the plate-shaped member separated from the first member is displaced toward the stacking surface.

4. The second member is a plate-like member extending along the width direction and forming the flat support surface; 2. The paper feeder according to claim 1, further comprising: an elastic member disposed between the loading surface and the lower surface of the plate-like member, the elastic member increasing its biasing force as the distance between the loading surface and the lower surface of the plate-like member becomes shorter.

5. 5. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacking section stacks the sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets each having a folded portion where at least one end in the width direction is folded back.

6. The paper feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined area is an area including a central portion in the width direction.

7. The paper feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a gluing device that glues the sheet having the thickness portion fed from the paper feeding device as a cover to a sheet bundle having a plurality of sheets.

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