Application device and processing machine

Abstract

To provide an application device and a processing machine capable of appropriately applying an adhesive to a folded portion.SOLUTION: An application device is an application device that applies an adhesive G to a sheet S, and the device comprises: a nozzle 35 for applying the adhesive G to the sheet S, in which a folded portion FP is folded along a fold line C; a moving unit 83 for relatively moving the nozzle 35 to the sheet S; and a guide 15 for guiding the folded portion FP when the nozzle 35 is relatively moved to the sheet S by the moving unit 83. The guide 15 relative moves the nozzle 35 to the sheet S by the moving unit 83, and includes a guide member 151 extending in a direction intersecting with an application direction Z in which the adhesive G is applied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Folding devices that fold conveyed sheets have been known in the past. Patent Document 1 below discloses such a folding device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 49-49780 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the device described in Patent Document 1 above, when applying adhesive to the flaps, depending on the thickness and type of sheet, the folded flaps tend to stand up from the main body of the sheet, especially if the sheet is stiff, making it difficult to apply adhesive to the flaps properly.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an application device and a processing machine that can properly apply adhesive to folded pieces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the application device of the present invention is an application device that applies adhesive to a sheet, and includes a nozzle for applying the adhesive to the sheet whose folds are folded along fold lines, a moving unit that moves the nozzle relative to the sheet, and a guide that guides the folds when the moving unit moves the nozzle relative to the sheet, and the guide includes a guide member that moves the nozzle relative to the sheet using the moving unit and extends in a direction intersecting the application direction in which the adhesive is applied.

[0007] Furthermore, the extending direction of the guide member can be changed according to the swinging direction in which the folded piece swings toward the main body of the seat around the folding line as a swinging center.

[0008] A switching section is provided for switching the extending direction.

[0009] Furthermore, the switching unit is provided with a switching member that is installed on a carriage that carries the nozzle, and that contacts the contact member by moving the carriage relative to the contact member using the moving unit, thereby switching the extension direction, and a switching moving unit that moves the switching member between a switching position and a retracted position.

[0010] Furthermore, when the folded piece is stacked on the main body, the downstream portion of the guide member in the application direction is closer to the fold line than the upstream portion, and the upstream portion is closer to the edge of the folded piece facing the fold line than the downstream portion.

[0011] Furthermore, a conveyor is provided for transporting the sheet, and when the folded piece is swung toward the main body of the sheet located upstream in the transport direction, with the fold line along a direction intersecting the transport direction of the sheet by the conveyor as the center of oscillation, the upstream portion of the guide member in the application direction is positioned upstream in the transport direction relative to the downstream portion.

[0012] Furthermore, the folded piece is swung toward the upstream side in the conveying direction, with the fold line along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction as the center of swing.

[0013] Furthermore, the fold is located at the front end of the sheet transported by the conveyor.

[0014] Furthermore, a conveyor is provided for transporting the sheet, and when the folded piece is swung toward the main body of the sheet located downstream in the transport direction, with the fold line along a direction intersecting the transport direction of the sheet by the conveyor as the center of oscillation, the guide member is positioned such that the upstream portion in the application direction is downstream in the transport direction compared to the downstream portion.

[0015] Furthermore, the folded piece is swung toward the downstream side in the conveying direction, with the fold line along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction as the center of swing.

[0016] Furthermore, the folded portion is located at the rear end of the sheet transported by the conveyor.

[0017] Furthermore, the guide member is disposed at an incline with respect to the main body of the sheet so as to bring the folded piece closer to the main body of the sheet facing it as the moving section moves downstream in the coating direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the size of the cross section of the downstream portion of the guide member in the coating direction, which is perpendicular to the extending direction, becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the coating direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the processing machine of the present invention includes a conveyor that transports the sheet, a folding unit that folds the folded piece of the sheet transported by the conveyor along the fold line, and an application device having each of the above configurations. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The application device of the present invention is an application device that applies adhesive to a sheet, and includes a nozzle for applying the adhesive to the sheet whose folded pieces are folded along fold lines, a moving unit that moves the nozzle relative to the sheet, and a guide that guides the folded pieces when the moving unit moves the nozzle relative to the sheet, and the guide includes a guide member that moves the nozzle relative to the sheet using the moving unit and extends in a direction intersecting the application direction in which the adhesive is applied, so that by guiding the folded pieces with the guide member, adhesive can be applied appropriately to the folded pieces.

[0021] Furthermore, if the extension direction of the guide member can be changed depending on the swing direction in which the folded piece swings toward the main body of the sheet with the fold line as the swing center, the extension direction of the guide member can be changed to appropriately guide the folded piece depending on the swing direction of the folded piece.

[0022] When a switching portion for switching the extending direction is provided, the extending direction of the guide member can be easily switched by switching.

[0023] Furthermore, if the switching unit is provided with a switching member that is installed on a carriage carrying the nozzle and that contacts the contact member by moving the carriage relative to the contact member using the moving unit, thereby switching the extension direction, and a switching moving unit that moves the switching member between a switching position and a retracted position, the extension direction of the guide member can be more easily switched by the switching member.

[0024] Furthermore, when the extension direction is such that, with the folded piece overlapped on the main body, the downstream portion of the guide member is closer to the fold line than the upstream portion in the application direction, and the upstream portion is closer to the edge of the folded piece facing the fold line than the downstream portion, the upstream portion can guide the vicinity of the edge of the folded piece toward the main body of the sheet.

[0025] Furthermore, when a conveyor is provided for conveying the sheet, and the folded piece is swung toward the main body of the sheet located upstream in the conveyance direction, with the fold line along a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet by the conveyor as a swing center, if the upstream portion of the guide member in the application direction is positioned more upstream in the conveyance direction than the downstream portion, the folded piece can be more appropriately guided according to the swing direction of the folded piece.

[0026] Furthermore, when the folded piece is swung toward the upstream side of the conveying direction with the fold line along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction as the swing center, the folded piece can be properly guided toward the upstream side of the conveying direction by the fold line along the width direction.

[0027] Furthermore, when the folding piece is located at the leading edge of the sheet being transported by the conveyor, the folding piece located at the leading edge of the sheet can be appropriately guided.

[0028] Furthermore, when a conveyor is provided for transporting the sheet, and the folded pieces are swung toward the main body of the sheet located downstream in the transport direction, with the fold line along a direction intersecting the transport direction of the sheet by the conveyor as the center of oscillation, if the upstream portion of the guide member in the application direction is positioned downstream in the transport direction compared to the downstream portion, the folded pieces can be more appropriately guided by the upstream portion of the guide member located downstream in the transport direction.

[0029] Furthermore, when the folded piece is swung toward the downstream side in the conveying direction, with the fold line along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction as the swing center, the folded piece can be appropriately guided toward the downstream side in the conveying direction along the fold line along the width direction.

[0030] Furthermore, when the folded portion is located at the trailing end of the sheet being transported by the conveyor, the folded portion located at the trailing end of the sheet can be appropriately guided.

[0031] Furthermore, when the guide member is positioned at an angle relative to the main body so as to bring the folded piece closer to the main body of the opposing sheet as the moving part moves downstream in the application direction, the folded piece can be brought closer to the main body when applying adhesive, allowing the adhesive to be applied appropriately.

[0032] Furthermore, if the cross-sectional size of the downstream portion of the guide member in the coating direction perpendicular to the extension direction becomes smaller as it moves downstream in the coating direction, the downstream portion of the guide member in the coating direction is more likely to make appropriate contact with the sheet when the guide member moves in the coating direction, and the folded pieces can be guided smoothly.

[0033] Furthermore, when the processing machine of the present invention includes a conveyor that transports the sheet, a folding unit that folds the folded pieces of the sheet transported by the conveyor along the fold lines, and an applicator having each of the above configurations, the applicator can appropriately apply adhesive to the folded pieces to process the sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a processing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the carriage and its surroundings in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] This is a view of Figure 6 as seen from the right side. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control of the processing machine. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sheet to be processed by the processing machine. [Figure 11] 4 shows a control flow of a coating unit of the processing machine. [Figure 12] 4 shows a control flow of the coating unit. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] 4 shows a control flow of the coating unit. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a plan view of another sheet to be processed by the processing machine. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a plan view of another sheet to be processed by the processing machine.

[0035] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of processing machine 1, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of processing machine 1. Processing machine 1 includes a first machine 101 and a second machine 102. The first machine 101 is provided with a supply unit 16, a correction unit 4, a first creaser 5, and a second creaser 6. The second machine 102 is provided with a folding unit 7, a coating unit 3, a press unit 8, and a discharge unit 17.

[0036] The processing machine 1 also includes a controller 9 in its main body 10 that controls the operation of the entire device. A conveying path 20 is formed from the supply unit 16 to the discharge unit 17 by a conveyor 2 having a plurality of rollers 19 that sandwich and convey the sheet S. The conveyor 2 conveys the sheet S in a first direction. The first direction is the conveying direction F when the sheet S is conveyed by the conveyor 2.

[0037] The supply unit 16 includes a supply tray 94 and a suction transport unit 95. Sheets S are placed on the supply tray 94. The supply tray 94 is raised and lowered by a lifting mechanism (not shown). The suction transport unit 95 includes a suction box 96 and a transport belt 97. The suction box 96 is connected to a blower 98 shown in FIG. 2. When the blower 98 is driven, negative pressure is generated in the suction box 96, and the topmost sheet S on the supply tray 94 is sucked onto the underside of the transport belt 97.

[0038] The correction unit 4 corrects skew of the sheet S. The correction unit 4 includes a guide 41 and a skew belt 42. The guide 41 is in contact with the side edge of the sheet S. As the skew belt 42 travels, the sheet S is transported toward the guide 41, and is transported downstream while one side edge is in contact with the guide 41.

[0039] The first creaser 5 forms a vertical fold line C (see FIG. 10 ) in the sheet S along the conveying direction F as a first direction. The first creaser 5 includes a first crease blade 501, a separating portion 53, and a horizontal moving portion 54. The first crease blade 501 includes an upper member 51 and a lower member 52. The upper member 51 is installed above the conveying path 20. The upper member 51 is formed in a disk shape, and a groove is formed on its circumferential surface. The groove is installed along the conveying direction F. The lower member 52 is installed below the conveying path 20, facing the upper member 51. The lower member 52 is formed in a disk shape with approximately the same radius as the upper member 51, and a protrusion that engages with the groove is formed on its circumferential surface. The cutting edge of the protrusion is installed along the conveying direction F. The separating portion 53 separates the upper member 51 from the lower member 52. The lateral movement portion 54 moves the upper member 51 and the lower member 52 together in a width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F.

[0040] The second creaser 6 forms a fold line C in the sheet S along a second direction. The second direction is a direction intersecting the conveying direction F when the sheet S is conveyed by the conveyor 2. The second direction is the width direction W of the sheet S. The second creaser 6 includes a recessed member 61, a protruding member 62, and a vertically movable unit 63. The recessed member 61 is installed above the conveying path 20 and is raised and lowered by the vertically movable unit 63. The protruding member 62 faces the recessed member 61 and is installed below the conveying path 20. The recess of the recessed member 61 and the protruding portion of the protruding member 62 are installed along the width direction W.

[0041] The folding unit 7 folds the folding piece FP of the sheet S conveyed by the conveyor 2 along the fold line C. The folding unit 7 includes first to fourth folding sections 11-14. The first, second, and fourth folding sections 11, 12, and 14 are horizontal folding sections that fold the sheet S at a horizontal crease CW along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2. The third folding unit 13 is a vertical folding section that folds the sheet S at a vertical crease Cf along the conveying direction of the conveyor 2.

[0042] The folding unit 7 is provided with a holding section 71, a folding section 72, and a rotating section 73. The holding section 71 holds the main body B of the sheet S on the conveying path 20. The folding section 72 folds the folding piece FP of the sheet S to a position facing the main body B of the sheet S held by the holding section 71. The rotating section 73 rotates the folding member 721 of the folding section 72 and the folding unit 750, which houses the first folding roller 50, 180 degrees beyond the conveying surface of the sheet S, with the rotation shaft 74 as its axis.

[0043] At this time, the nipping roller 28, which faces the conveying roller 27 across the conveying surface of the sheet S, is retracted from the conveying path 20 by the retracting portion 39.

[0044] After the rotating section 73 rotates the turn-back unit 750, the sheet S is transported downstream by the conveying roller 27 and the turn-back roller 50 facing the conveying roller 27, or the rotating section 73 returns the turn-back unit 750 to its original position, the clamping roller 28 faces the conveying roller 27, and the sheet S is clamped between the conveying roller 272 and the clamping roller 28 and transported downstream.

[0045] The first folding section 11 is installed on the most upstream side of the four folding units 7. The first folding section 11 includes a first holding section 47 and a first folding section 46. The first folding section 46 includes a first folding member 45, a first folding roller 50, and a first rotating section 48. The first rotating section 48 has a first rotating shaft 49 as its axis, and turns over a folding unit 750 containing the first folding member 45 and the first folding roller 50 toward the downstream side beyond the conveying surface of the sheet S. The first folding member 45 faces the first holding section 47 on the downstream side. The first folding roller 50 faces the conveying roller 272 on the downstream side.

[0046] After the first rotating section 48 rotates the turn-back unit 750, the sheet S is transported downstream by the conveying roller 272 and the first turn-back roller 50 facing the conveying roller 272, or the first rotating section 48 returns the turn-back unit 750 to its original position, the clamping roller 282 faces the conveying roller 272, and the conveying roller 272 and the clamping roller 282 clamp the sheet S and transport it downstream.

[0047] The second folding unit 12 is disposed downstream of the first folding unit 11. The second folding unit 12 includes a second holding unit 57 and a second turning unit 56. The second turning unit 56 includes a second turning member 55, a second turning roller 60, and a second rotating unit 58. The second rotating unit 58 turns over a turning unit 750, which houses the second turning member 55 and the second turning roller 60, toward the upstream second holding unit 57, across the conveying plane of the sheet S, with a second rotating shaft 59 as its axis. The second turning member 55 faces the upstream second holding unit 57. The second turning roller 60 faces the upstream conveying roller 272.

[0048] At this time, the clamping rollers 282 above the conveying rollers 272 are retracted from the conveying path 20 by the second retraction section 22. In the first folding section 11, the folding unit 750 including the first folding member 45 is rotated about the rotation shaft 74 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction F of the sheet S, whereas in the second folding section 12, the folding unit 750 is rotated about the second rotation shaft 59 from the downstream side to the upstream side in the conveying direction F of the sheet S.

[0049] After the second rotating section 58 rotates the folding unit 750, the sheet S is transported downstream by the conveying roller 272 and the second folding roller 60 in the folding position, or the second rotating section 58 returns the folding unit 750 to its original state, moves the clamping roller 282 from the retracted position to the clamping position, and clamps the sheet S between the conveying roller 272 and the clamping roller 282 and transports it downstream.

[0050] The third folding unit 13 is installed downstream of the second folding section 12 and between the two application units 3. The third folding unit 13 includes a third holding section 67, a third turning section 66, and a moving section (not shown). The third turning section 66 includes a third rotating section 68.

[0051] 2, the third holding portion 67 and the third folding portion 66 are arranged side by side in the width direction W. The third rotating portion 68 rotates around a third rotating shaft 69, and rotates the third folding member 65 toward the third holding portion 67 provided adjacent to it in the width direction W. At this time, the third folding member 65 is retracted from the conveying path 20 by the pinch roller 284 above the conveying roller 274 and the fourth retracting portion 24. The moving portion moves the third folding portion 66 and the third holding portion 67 together in the width direction W, aligning with the position of the folding line C.

[0052] The fourth folding section 14 is disposed downstream of the second unit 32. The fourth folding section 14 includes a fourth folding section 76 and a fourth holding section 77. The fourth folding section 76 includes a fourth folding member 75, a fourth folding roller 80, and a fourth rotating section 78. The fourth rotating section 78 turns over a folding unit 750, which houses the fourth folding member 75 and the fourth folding roller 80, toward the upstream fourth holding section 77, across the conveying surface of the sheet S, with a fourth rotating shaft 79 as its axis. The fourth folding member 75 faces the upstream fourth holding section 77. The fourth folding roller 80 faces the upstream conveying roller 275.

[0053] At this time, the pinch roller 285 above the conveying roller 275 is retracted from the conveying path 20 by the fifth retraction section 25.

[0054] In the fourth folding section 14, similarly to the second folding section 12, the folding unit 750 is rotated about a rotation shaft 74 from the downstream side to the upstream side in the sheet S conveyance direction.

[0055] The application unit 3 shown in Figures 1 and 2 applies adhesive G to the sheet S. The application unit 3 constitutes an application device. The application unit 3 includes first and second application units 31 and 32. The first unit 31 is installed between the second folding unit 12 and the third folding unit 13. The second unit 32 is installed between the third folding unit 13 and the fourth folding unit 14.

[0056] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3. The second unit 32 includes a nozzle 35, an applicator 369, an adhesive G supply unit 36, a moving unit 83, a lifting unit 84, a presser member 89, a guide 15, and a position sensor 88. The first unit 31 has a configuration similar to that of the second unit 32. The nozzle 35 dispenses adhesive G. The nozzle 35 applies adhesive G to a sheet S in which a folded piece FP is folded along a fold line C. The nozzle 35 may be an injection nozzle that injects adhesive G toward the sheet S at a predetermined pressure. The nozzle 35 is installed below the applicator 369. The applicator 369 is mounted on a carriage 831 of the moving unit 83. The adhesive G supply unit 36 ​​and a communication wiring 363 to the controller 9 are connected to the applicator 369.

[0057] The adhesive G supply unit 36 ​​supplies adhesive G to the nozzle 35. The adhesive G supply unit 36 ​​includes tubes 361 and 362, an adhesive G tank 364, and a compressor 365. The tube 361 connects the applicator 369 to the adhesive G tank 362. If the adhesive G is a type that melts when heated, the tube 362 includes a heating unit. The tube 362 connects the applicator 369 to the compressor 365.

[0058] The moving unit 83 moves the nozzle 35 relative to the sheet S. FIG. 3 illustrates the moving unit 83 when the nozzle 35 moves in the width direction W. The moving unit 83 includes a carriage 831, a carrier body 836, a belt 832, movement rollers 833 and 834, a rail 839, a slider 840, and a movement drive unit 835. The nozzle 35 is mounted on the carriage 831. The carrier body 836 includes a pair of left and right flat plates 837 and a bridge member 838 bridged between the flat plates 837. The left end of the flat plate 837 shown on the left side in FIG. 3 is installed between the left side plate 110 and the auxiliary plate 191 in FIG. 3, which constitute the device body 10. The area between the side plate 110 and the auxiliary plate 191 shown on the left side in FIG. 3 is a cleaning area for cleaning the nozzle 35.

[0059] The belt 832 is formed endless. The belt 832 is stretched over moving rollers 833 and 834. The pair of moving rollers 833 and 834 are installed on the left and right sides with a predetermined distance between them in the width direction W. The moving rollers 833 and 834 are fixed to a mounting member 838. The carriage 831 is connected to a predetermined position of the belt 832 that runs below. One of the moving rollers 834 is connected to a moving drive unit 835 via a connecting member 845. Two rails 839 are installed, one above the other. Each rail 839 extends in the width direction W at a predetermined height. A slider 840 is connected to the carriage 831 and slides on the rails 839. Both ends of the rail 839 in the width direction W are fixed to flat plates 837.

[0060] When the movement rollers 833 and 834 are rotated by the drive of the movement drive unit 835, the belt 832 moves in a circular motion. The carriage 831 fixed at a predetermined position on the belt 832 is moved in the width direction W while being guided by the rail 839. Figure 3 shows the case where the nozzle 35 is located at the home position. The home position of the nozzle 35 is set near the left side panel 110.

[0061] The application direction Z of the adhesive G is the direction in which the nozzle 35 is moved relative to the sheet S by the moving unit 83 to apply the adhesive G. In the case of the nozzle 35 shown in FIG. 3, when applying the adhesive G to the sheet S, the carriage 831 is moved from the home position to the right in FIG. 3. The adhesive G is discharged from the nozzle 35 when the carriage 831 moves to the right in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the movement direction of the nozzle 35 from left to right is the application direction Z in which the adhesive G is applied.

[0062] When the moving unit 83 moves the nozzle 35 to the cleaning region, the nozzle 35 moves to the left in Fig. 3. This movement of the nozzle 35 to the left from the home position in Fig. 3 is movement in the opposite direction to the application direction Z. When the nozzle 35 is moved to the cleaning region, the nozzle 35 is moved upstream in the application direction Z.

[0063] The lifting / lowering unit 84 moves the nozzle 35 between the application position and the retracted position. The application position is a position where adhesive G is applied to the sheet S. The retracted position is a position where the nozzle 35 is retracted from the application position. The lifting / lowering unit 84 brings the nozzle 35 close to the sheet S at the application position. At the application position, the adhesive G is applied. When lifting / lowering the nozzle 35 from the application position to the retracted position, the lifting / lowering unit 84 moves the nozzle 35 away from the sheet S.

[0064] Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 3. The lifting unit 84 includes an eccentric cam 841, a cam follower 842, a cam shaft 844, a guide shaft 850, an elastic member 851, the lifting drive unit 843 shown in Figure 3, and a height sensor 904. The eccentric cam 841 and the cam follower 842 are installed in pair on the left and right. The cam follower 842 is mounted on a flat plate 837. The cam shaft 844 is fixed to the eccentric position of the left and right eccentric cams 874. The cam shaft 844 is connected to the lifting drive unit 843 by a connecting member 848. The guide shaft 850 guides the lifting and lowering of the moving unit 83. The elastic member 851 assists the moving unit 83 in moving upward from the application position to the retracted position.

[0065] Drive of the lifting / lowering drive unit 843 rotates the cam shaft 844 via the connecting member 848, causing the pair of left and right eccentric cams 841 to rotate. The rotation of the eccentric cam 841 causes the flat plate 837, on which the cam follower 842 is provided, to move up and down while being guided by the guide shaft 850. The lifting / lowering unit 84 raises and lowers the flat plate 837, and moves the entire moving unit 83 in the up and down direction. This moves the nozzle 31 between the application position and the retracted position.

[0066] The pressure member 89 presses the sheet S from above. Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the carriage 831 and its periphery in Figure 3. Figure 7 is a plan view of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a view of Figure 6 as seen from the right side. The pressure member 89 presses the sheet S against the conveying roller 19 installed below and facing the conveying surface of the sheet S. The pressure member 89 is urged by a urging member 891 toward the roller 19 with a predetermined pressure. Figure 6 shows the case where the pressure member 89 is configured as a pressure roller. The pressure member 89 is mounted on the carriage 831 in the vicinity of the nozzle 35. The pressure member 89 is installed between the nozzle 35 and the guide 15.

[0067] The guide 15 guides the folded piece FP when the moving unit 83 moves the nozzle 35 relative to the sheet S. The guide 15 guides the folded piece FP so as to fold it toward the main body B of the sheet S when the nozzle 35 applies adhesive G to the folded piece FP of the sheet S. Figure 6 shows the case where the guide 15 guides the folded piece FP downward. The guide 15 is mounted on a carriage 831. The guide 15 is installed downstream of the nozzle 35 in the application direction Z in which the moving unit 83 moves the carriage 831 when the nozzle 35 applies adhesive G.

[0068] The guide 15 includes a guide member 151 and a thin plate 152. The guide member 151 has a predetermined length. The guide member 151 moves the nozzle 35 relative to the sheet S by a moving unit 83, and extends in a direction intersecting the application direction Z in which the adhesive is applied. The guide member 151 is inclined in the application direction Z in which the adhesive G is applied by the nozzle 35, so that the downstream side is higher and the upstream side is lower.

[0069] 6 extends, the predetermined angle α formed by the main body B of the sheet S conveyed on the upper surface of the opposing roller 19a can be set to, for example, 1° to 60°, more preferably 3° to 45°. The main body B of the sheet S extends along the conveying surface that constitutes the conveying path 20 of the conveyor 2.

[0070] The guide member 151 has a predetermined length. A downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z is formed so that the size of the cross section perpendicular to the extension direction K becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the application direction Z. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide member 151 can have a shape in which a cone and a cylinder are integrated. Most of the guide member 151 can be formed in a cylindrical shape. The downstream portion of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z is formed in a conical shape. The conical portion of the guide member 151 is provided at the upper end of the guide member 151.

[0071] The guide member 151 moves the nozzle 35 relative to the sheet S by the moving section 83, and extends in a direction intersecting the application direction Z in which the adhesive G is applied. Fig. 4 shows a case in which the guide member 151 is disposed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle β in a plan view with respect to the application direction Z. The predetermined angle β can be, for example, 5° to 60°, and more preferably 15° to 45°.

[0072] The direction of the angle β formed by the extension direction K in which the guide member 151 extends can be changed depending on the swing direction in which the folding piece FP is swung toward the main body B of the sheet S, with the folding line C as the swing center. The extension direction K of the guide member 151 can be switched by a switching unit 111. The switching unit 111 switches the extension direction K of the guide member 151 depending on the swing direction in which the folding piece FP is folded toward the main body B. The switching unit 111 switches the guide member 151 between a first state and a second state. The first state is shown by a solid line in FIG. 7. The second state is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7.

[0073] The extension direction K of the guide member 151 can be set manually or automatically so that, when the folded piece FP is stacked on the main body B, the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 is closer to the fold line C than the upstream portion 151u in the application direction Z, and the upstream portion 151u is closer to the end edge FE of the folded piece FP facing the fold line C than the downstream portion 151d.

[0074] The switching unit 111 includes a switching member 113, a leaf spring 114, a contact member 115, and a switching movement unit. The switching member 113 is installed on a carriage 831 that carries the nozzle 35. The switching member 113 comes into contact with the contact member 115 by moving the carriage 831 relative to the contact member 115 by the movement unit 83, thereby switching the extension direction K of the guide member 151.

[0075] The switching member 113 is installed above the guide member 151. The switching member 113 is formed in an inverted L shape in a plan view. The switching member 113 includes a fixed portion 117, a lever 118, a rotating shaft 119, and a mountain-shaped portion 120. The guide member 151 is fixed to the lower part of the fixed portion 117. The fixed portion 117 extends in the vertical direction.

[0076] Lever 118 is provided at the upper end of fixed part 117. One end of lever 118 is provided with contacted part 125 that comes into contact with contact member 115. When contacted part 125 comes into contact with contact member 115, extension direction K in which guide member 151 extends is changed. A rotation shaft 119 is provided near the other end of lever 118. The rotation center of rotation shaft 119 extends along the vertical direction. Switching member 113 rotates on a plane parallel to the horizontal direction around the rotation center of rotation shaft 119 that extends vertically.

[0077] The mountain-shaped portion 120 is provided a predetermined distance upstream in the application direction Z from the installation position of the rotation shaft 119. The mountain-shaped portion 120 is formed into a triangular shape in a plan view by two end edges, a first side 121 and a second side 122. The mountain-shaped portion 120 is in contact with a rotating body 124 installed on the leaf spring 114. When the switching member 113 rotates about the rotation shaft 119, the first side 121 and the second side 122 each rotate the rotating body 124.

[0078] The leaf spring 114 extends along the conveying direction F. The upstream end of the leaf spring 114 in the conveying direction F is fixed to the carriage 831. The leaf spring 114 is disposed opposite the angled portion 120. When the extending direction K of the guide member 151 switches, the leaf spring 114 biases the angled portion 120 toward the application direction Z. When the extending direction K of the guide member 151 switches, the leaf spring 114 retracts from the state along the conveying direction F to the left in FIG. 3 in the first state and the second state.

[0079] A rotating body 124 is installed on the leaf spring 114 so as to face the angled portion 120. The rotating body 124 rotates when the angled portion 120 switches between the first side 121 and the second side 122. In the first state, the rotating body 124 contacts the first side 121. In the second state, the rotating body 124 contacts the second side 122.

[0080] In the first state, the extension direction K of the guide member 151 is inclined by a predetermined angle β toward the downstream side in the conveying direction F with respect to the application direction Z. In the second state, the extension direction K of the guide member 151 is inclined by a predetermined angle β toward the upstream side in the conveying direction F with respect to the application direction Z.

[0081] The contact member 115 is installed in the device body 10. The contact member 115 includes a switching roller 126, a rotating shaft 127, and a support portion 128. The switching roller 126 comes into contact with the contacted portion 125 and rotates about the rotating shaft 127 as the contacted portion 125 moves in the application direction Z. This allows the extension direction K of the guide member 151 to be smoothly switched.

[0082] The switching movement unit moves the switching member 113 between a switching position and a retracted position. At the switching position, the extension direction K of the guide member 151 is switched. At the switching position, the carriage 831 carrying the nozzle 35 is moved relative to the contact member 115 by the movement unit 83, and the contacted portion 125 comes into contact with the contact member 115.

[0083] The switching movement section can be configured to also be the lifting section 84. The switching position can be set at the same height as the application position of adhesive G. In this case, the switching position is set at the same height as the lower position. The retracted position is set at the same height as the upper position.

[0084] The installation height of the contact member 115 is set to a height at which the contact member 115 comes into contact with the contacted portion 125 when the switching member 113 is in the switching position. When the switching member 113 is in the retracted position, the contacted portion 125 does not come into contact with the contact member 115.

[0085] The thin plate 152 is placed on the side of the guide member 151. Fig. 7 shows the case where the thin plate 152 is placed on the upstream side of the guide member 151 in the conveying direction F. The thin plate 152 is placed on the upstream side of the nozzle 35 in the conveying direction F. The thin plate 152 guides the folded piece FP so that it overlaps with the main body B at any timing before, during, and after the adhesive G is discharged from the nozzle 35.

[0086] The thin plate 152 extends longitudinally in the coating direction Z. The thin plate 152 is formed so as to be bent midway in the coating direction Z. Similar to the guide member 151, the downstream portion of the thin plate 152 in the coating direction Z is inclined so that the upstream side in the coating direction Z is close to the main body B of the sheet S and the downstream side is away from the main body B of the sheet S. The thin plate 152 is formed to be longer downstream in the coating direction Z than the guide member 151. The upstream portion of the thin plate 152 in the coating direction Z is formed parallel to the conveying surface of the sheet S.

[0087] The position sensor 88 detects the position of the nozzle 35 in the width direction W. The position sensor 88 can be an optical sensor 882 equipped with a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The position sensor 88 detects that the nozzle 35 is at a predetermined position in the application direction Z in which the adhesive G is applied, by a light-shielding plate 881 installed on the carriage 831 blocking light from the optical sensor 882.

[0088] The light blocking plate 881 has a predetermined light blocking length in the width direction W. When the optical sensor 882 detects the left end of the light blocking plate 881 in FIG. 4, it detects that the nozzle 35 is at the home position. While the optical sensor 882 is blocked by the light blocking plate 881, the nozzle 35 is located in the cleaning area. The cleaning area for the nozzle 35 is provided on the left side of the side plate 110 in FIG. 4. The nozzle 35 is moved by the moving unit 83 to a cleaning position on the left side of the left side plate 110 in FIG. 4 and cleaned there. When the optical sensor 882 transmits light, the nozzle 35 is located to the right of the left side plate 110.

[0089] After the optical sensor 882 changes from blocking light to transmitting light and detects that the nozzle 35 is at the home position, the controller 9 can detect the position of the nozzle 35 in the width direction W by determining the drive amount of the movement drive unit 835. Furthermore, multiple sensors may be installed at different positions in the width direction W. The multiple sensors can be installed on the installation member 838. The controller 9 can determine the position of the nozzle 35 in the width direction W using the multiple sensors.

[0090] Using the state in which the nozzle 35 is in the home position as a reference, moving the carriage 831 in the application direction Z in which the adhesive G is applied to the sheet S can be considered positive movement. Moving the carriage 831 to the left in FIG. 3 from the state in which the nozzle 35 is in the home position to the cleaning position of the nozzle 35 can be considered negative movement, which is opposite to the application direction Z when the adhesive G is applied to the sheet S.

[0091] The press unit 8 presses the fold line C of the sheet S. The press unit 8 includes a pair of upper and lower pressing members 85, 86 and a press moving part 87. The pair of pressing members 85, 86 are arranged opposite each other above and below via the conveying path 20. The press moving part 87 raises and lowers the pressing member 85, which is installed above the conveying path 20, toward the other opposing pressing member 86.

[0092] The processed sheets S are placed on the discharge unit 17. The discharge unit 17 includes a discharge tray 99.

[0093] The conveyor 2 conveys the sheet S from the supply unit 16 toward the discharge unit 17. The conveyor 2 includes a conveying roller 27, a clamping roller 28, a conveying drive unit 29, and a retraction unit 39. The conveying roller 27 is installed below the conveying path 20. The conveying roller 27 is connected to the conveying drive unit 29 via a power transmission unit (not shown).

[0094] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control of the processing machine 1. The controller 9 controls various operations of the processing machine 1. The controller 9 is composed of a CPU. The controller 9 controls various operations of the supply unit 16, the correction unit 4, the first creaser 5, the second creaser 6, the folding unit 7, the application unit 3, the press unit 8, and the discharge unit 17. The controller 9 receives signals from various input devices. The controller 9 controls various output devices in response to signals received from the input devices. The controller 9 performs arithmetic processing for applying adhesive G to the sheet S and folding the sheet S.

[0095] A memory unit 901 is connected to the controller 9. The memory unit 901 can be a ROM, RAM, or EEPROM in which various programs are stored. The memory unit 901 stores various information related to the sheets S. For example, the memory unit 901 stores the size, shape, type, thickness, paper quality, hardness, surface treatment state, shape, form, type, number of sheets S, crease position, adhesive G application position, etc.

[0096] The operation panel 902 has an operation display unit having an input unit such as buttons and switches, a display unit such as a display, a notification unit that notifies the occurrence of an error by sound or light, etc. The operation panel 902 constitutes an input unit through which the operator inputs various processing information regarding the sheets S, such as the shape, number, and position of the sheets.

[0097] The operation panel 902 functions as a setting unit that sets processing information for the sheet S. Various pieces of information can be set automatically or manually input by the user. The setting unit can also call up and set the form of the sheet S and other information together with the processing information for the sheet S from the storage unit 901 by the user inputting or selecting a number or the like. The operation panel 902 also functions as a display unit that displays various pieces of information.

[0098] Various drive units are connected to the controller 9. The drive units can be a movement drive unit 835, a switching drive unit, an elevation drive unit 843, and a conveyance drive unit 29. The drive units can be configured with motors. The motors can be, for example, stepping motors or DC motors. A stepping motor rotates the motor shaft in predetermined step units by applying a pulse signal, and the angle and speed of rotation can be accurately controlled. This allows the conveyance amount of the sheet S, the movement amount of the nozzle 35, and the position on the conveyance path 20 to be controlled quickly and with high precision.

[0099] Various sensors are connected to the controller 9. The sensors include a sensor for detecting the position of the nozzle 35, a sheet sensor 903 for detecting the leading or trailing edge of the sheet S, and the like.

[0100] The controller 9 controls the switching drive unit to move the switching member 113 between the switching position and the retracted position. The controller 9 controls the switching movement unit to move the carriage 831 carrying the switching member 113 relative to the contact member 115 at the switching position by the movement unit 83, thereby bringing the contacted portion 125 into contact with the contact member 115 and switching the extension direction K of the guide member 151.

[0101] Next, the operation of the processing machine 1 will be described. Fig. 10 is a plan view of a sheet S to be processed by the processing machine 1 according to the first embodiment. The sheet S is cut out in advance into a predetermined shape using a cutting die. The sheet S comprises a main body B and a folding piece FP that is folded to a position facing the main body B.

[0102] In the sheet S shown in Figure 10, the folded piece FP is made up of a first flap D, a second flap E, a third flap H, and a fourth flap I. When the sheet S is folded in half at the central crease C5, the downstream portion Bf of the main body B forms the folded piece FP.

[0103] The sheet S is provided with vertical creases Cf along the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2 or horizontal creases CW along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F. The sheet S shown in FIG. 10 has one vertical crease Cf at the same position in the width direction W. The downstream portion of this vertical crease Cf is a third crease C3, and the upstream portion is a fourth crease C4. Three horizontal creases CW are provided. The horizontal crease CW includes a first crease C1, a second crease C2, and a central crease C5.

[0104] Adhesive G is applied to the first flap D and the second flap E. The first flap D, the second flap E, the third flap H, and the fourth flap I are folded toward the main body B at the first crease C1, the second crease C2, the third crease C3, and the fourth crease C4, respectively. Furthermore, the main body B of the sheet S is folded in half at the central crease C5, thereby forming the processed product J shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0105] When processing a sheet S using the processing machine 1, the processing machine 1 initializes the coating unit 3 as a preparatory operation. Figure 11 shows the flow of initialization of the coating unit 3. In step 1 of Figure 11, the controller 9 determines whether the switching member 113 is in the retracted position. The retracted position is a position retracted from the switching position that switches the extension direction K of the guide member 151. The retracted position is set to an upper position that is a predetermined amount above the switching position. If the switching member 113 is in the retracted position, step 1 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 3.

[0106] When the switching member 113 is in the switching position, step 1 is not satisfied. The switching position is a position for switching the extension direction K of the guide member 151. The switching position is a height at which the contacted portion 125 can contact the contact member 115. When the switching member 113 is in the switching position, step 1 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 2. In step 2, the controller 9 controls the switching member 113 to move to the retracted position. The controller 9 drives the lifting / lowering drive unit 843, which serves as a switching drive unit. The driving of the lifting / lowering drive unit 843 rotates the eccentric cam 841, and the cam follower 842 moves the moving unit 83 upward. As a result, the switching member 113 moves to the retracted position. When the switching member 113 reaches the retracted position, the process proceeds to step 3.

[0107] In step 3, it is determined whether the carriage 831 is in the cleaning area. If the optical sensor 882 is shielded by the light shielding plate 881, the controller 9 determines that the carriage 831 is in the cleaning area. In this case, step 3 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 4.

[0108] In step 4, the controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835 to move the carriage 831 downstream in the application direction Z, i.e., to the right in FIG. 4. When the optical sensor 882 receives a signal that the light blocking plate 881 has changed from a light blocking state to a light transmitting state, the controller 9 determines that the carriage 83 has reached an area that is not a cleaning area, and proceeds to step 5.

[0109] In step 3, when the optical sensor 882 is not shielded by the light shielding plate 881 and light passes through, the controller 9 determines that the carriage 831 is not in the cleaning area. In this case, step 3 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 5.

[0110] In step 5, the controller 9 moves the carriage 831 upstream in the application direction Z, i.e., to the left in FIG. 4. When the controller 9 receives a signal that the position sensor 88 has changed from transmitting light to blocking light, the controller 9 determines that the carriage 831 has reached the home position and stops the movement drive unit 835. This completes the initialization of the guide 15.

[0111] The guide member 151 can be switched between a first state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 7 and a second state indicated by a two-dot chain line. FIG. 12 shows a flow for switching the guide member 151 mounted on the carriage 831 after initialization from the first state to the second state. FIG. 13 shows a plan view and a side view for switching the guide member 151 from the first state to the second state according to the flow of FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 13(a), in the first state, the guide member 151 has an upstream portion 151u disposed upstream in the application direction Z relative to the downstream portion 151d in the conveying direction F.

[0112] In step 11 of FIG. 12, the switching member 113, which is in the retracted position, is moved to the switching position. During the initialization stage, in step 1 of FIG. 11, it is determined whether the switching member 113 is in the retracted position, and if it is not in the retracted position, the process proceeds to step 2, where movement to the retracted position is completed. Therefore, when switching from the first state to the second state begins, the switching member 113 is in the retracted position. Also, by initialization, the carriage 831 is positioned at its home position in the application direction Z in step 5 of FIG. 11. The left diagram of FIG. 13(a) shows a state in which the carriage 831 is in its home position in the application direction Z. At this time, the switching member 113 is positioned upstream of the contact member 115 in the application direction Z.

[0113] 13(a) shows the state in which the switching member 113 is in the retracted position in a side view. In the retracted position, the lever 118 of the switching member 113 is positioned above the contact member 115.

[0114] When the nozzle 35 is moved from the retracted position to the switching position in step 11, the state changes from that shown in FIG. 13(a) to that shown in FIG. 13(b). In the side view shown on the right side of FIG. 13(b), the switching member 113 has moved to the switching position. In the switching position, the lever 118 of the switching member 113 is at the same height as the contact member 115. The movement from FIG. 13(a) to (b) does not change the position of the application direction Z shown on the left side.

[0115] Proceeding to step 12, the controller 9 moves the switching member 113 downstream in the application direction Z, i.e., to the right in the plan view on the left side of FIG. 13(b). The amount of movement of the switching member 113 is the switching length. The switching length is the length required to switch the guide member 151 from the first state to the second state. The switching length is the length required for the switching member 113 to move from the home position, the contacted portion 125 to contact the contact member 115, and the switching member 113 to switch. When the controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835, the carriage 831 is moved to the right in the plan view on the left side of FIG. 13.

[0116] As the carriage 831 moves, the contacted portion 125 comes into contact with the switching roller 126 of the contact member 115. The switching roller 126 prevents the contacted portion 125 from moving downstream in the application direction Z. In the first state shown in FIG. 13(b), the first side 121 of the angled portion 120 comes into contact with the rotating body 124, and the leaf spring 114 is aligned with the conveying direction F of the sheet S. When switching to the second state, as shown in FIG. 13(c), the switching member 113 rotates counterclockwise in a plan view about the rotating shaft 119, and the leaf spring 114 is pushed by the angled portion 120 and moves backward toward the upstream side in the application direction Z. When the rotating body 124 comes into contact with the apex 123 of the angled portion 120, the leaf spring 114 moves backward to the farthest position upstream in the application direction Z.

[0117] When the rotating body 124 passes the top 123, the leaf spring 114 returns to a state along the conveying direction F, as shown in FIG. 13(d). Then, the rotating body 124 contacts the second edge 122. The contacted portion 125 rotates counterclockwise to a position a predetermined distance away from the switching roller 126 and stops. The extension direction K of the guide member 151 switches to the second state. The contacted portion 125 is positioned a predetermined distance upstream in the application direction Z from the installation position of the contact member 115. After switching from the first state to the second state in this way, the controller 9 stops the movement drive unit 835.

[0118] Proceeding to step 13 in Fig. 12, the controller 9 moves the switching member 113 to the retracted position. The controller 9 drives the elevation drive unit 843 to rotate the cam 841, which moves the moving unit 83 upward via the cam follower 842. As a result, the switching member 113 moves to the retracted position as shown in Fig. 13(e).

[0119] Next, switching the guide member 151 from the second state to the first state will be described. Figure 14 shows the flow when switching the guide member 151, after initialization, from the second state to the first state. Figure 15 also shows a plan view and a side view when switching the guide member 151, which is in the second state, to the first state according to the flow of Figure 14. Since initialization is complete, the carriage 831 is in the retracted position. The carriage 831 is located at the home position in the application direction Z.

[0120] The left diagram in Figure 15(a) shows a state in which the carriage 831 is in the home position in the application direction Z. At this time, the switching member 113 is positioned upstream of the contact member 115 in the application direction Z. The right diagram in Figure 15(a) shows a state in which the carriage 831 is in the up position in a side view. In the retracted position, the lever 118 of the switching member 113 is positioned above the contact member 115. As shown in Figure 15(a), in the second state, the guide member 151 is positioned such that the upstream portion 151u in the application direction Z is downstream of the downstream portion 151d in the conveying direction F.

[0121] In step 21 of Figure 14, the switching member 113 is moved upstream in the application direction Z by a switching preparation length. The switching preparation length is the length required for the switching member 113 to be moved from the home position and for the contacted portion 125 to reach the downstream side in the application direction Z from the contact member 115. The controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835. When the contacted portion 125 is positioned downstream in the application direction Z from the contact member 115 as shown in Figure 15(b), the controller 9 stops the movement drive unit 835.

[0122] In step 22, the switching member 113 is moved from the retracted position to the switching position. To this end, the controller 9 drives the lifting drive unit 843, and uses the cam 841 and cam follower 842 to lower the moving unit 83. This moves the carriage 831 from the retracted position to the switching position. Proceeding to step 23, the switching member 113 is moved upstream in the application direction Z of the adhesive G.

[0123] As the switching member 113 moves upstream in the application direction Z, the contacted portion 125 comes into contact with the contact member 115. The switching member 113 rotates clockwise in FIG. 15(c). When the rotating body 124 passes the top 123 and comes into contact with the first edge 121, the leaf spring 114 returns to a state aligned with the conveying direction F, as shown in FIG. 15(d). The contacted portion 125 rotates clockwise to a position a predetermined distance away from the switching roller 126 and stops. The contacted portion 125 is positioned a predetermined distance downstream in the application direction Z from the installation position of the contact member 115. The mountain-shaped portion 120 transitions from a second state in which the second edge 122 contacts the rotating body 124 to a first state in which the first edge 121 contacts the rotating body 124. The extension direction K of the guide member 151 is switched as shown in FIG. 15(d).

[0124] The process proceeds to step 24, where the controller 9 moves the switching member 113 to the retracted position, thereby completing the operation of switching the guide member 151 from the second state to the first state.

[0125] When a sheet S is processed by the processing machine 1, the sheet S is placed on a supply tray 94. The uppermost sheet S on the supply tray 94 is supplied to the downstream correction unit 4 by a suction transport unit 95. In the correction unit 4, the sheet S is transported by the travel of the skew belt 42 while the side edge Q shown on the left side in FIG. 10 is aligned with the guide 41, and the skew is corrected.

[0126] 16(b) shows the steps of folding the sheet S. As shown in FIG. 16(b), the sheet S is formed with a third crease C3 and a fourth crease C4 along the conveyance direction F by the first creaser 5.

[0127] The sheet S is then conveyed to the second creaser 6. When the first crease C1 of the sheet S is positioned between the recessed member 61 and the protruding member 62, the controller 9 stops the conveyance of the sheet S by the conveyor 2. Then, the controller 9 drives the vertically moving unit 63 to engage the recessed member 61 with the protruding member 62 while sandwiching the sheet S. This forms the first crease C1. The second crease C2 is also formed in the same manner as the first crease C1.

[0128] The leading edge of the sheet S passes through the first folding section 11 and reaches the second folding section 12. When the first crease C1 reaches above the line connecting the pair of second rotation shafts 59 on the left and right of the second folding section 12, the controller 9 stops the conveyance of the sheet S.

[0129] The clamping rollers 282 and 283 move from a state in which they have clamped the first flap D and the main body B to a retracted position to the side of the conveying path 20. The sheet S is released from being clamped by the clamping rollers 282 and 283 on the conveying path 20. The upper surface of the sheet S around the second folding unit 12 is exposed.

[0130] Meanwhile, the lower surface of the sheet S is supported by the conveying rollers 27 and the second holding unit 57 on the lower side of the conveying path 20. When the nipping rollers 282, 283 move to the retracted positions, the controller 9 controls the switching unit 715 of the second folding unit 12 so as to generate negative pressure within a predetermined range according to the size of the sheet S. Then, the controller 9 drives the negative pressure generating device. By driving the negative pressure generating device, negative pressure is generated in the connecting member 714 at a position on the conveying path 20 corresponding to the range where the sheet S is present, and the sheet S is sucked through the ventilation hole 713. The sheet S is held on the holding table 711.

[0131] Next, the controller 9 drives the folding drive unit (not shown). By driving the folding drive unit, the rotating shaft 74 is rotated a predetermined amount via the power transmission unit 736. The folding unit 750 is rotated about the rotating shaft 74. The second folding member 55 and the second folding roller 60 move to the folding position and face the second holding unit 57 and the second conveying roller 272, respectively.

[0132] The first flap D is swung around the first crease C1 on the conveying path 20, and is folded back in an arc toward the upstream side and moved to a position facing the main body B. In this way, the first flap D is placed on the main body B, and the sheet S is folded at the first crease C1. Then, the sheet S is conveyed downstream.

[0133] The sheet S is conveyed downstream starting from the first crease C1. After the first crease C1 passes through the first unit 31 and the third folding unit 13, the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2 when the first flap D reaches the second unit 32.

[0134] The first crease C1 of the sheet S is located downstream in the conveying direction F of the sheet S. In the second folding section 12, the first flap D is located at the leading end of the sheet S conveyed by the conveyor 2. The first flap D is swung toward the main body B of the sheet S, which is located upstream in the conveying direction F, around the first crease C1, which is aligned in a direction intersecting the conveying direction F of the sheet S by the conveyor 2, as the swing center, and the first flap D is folded. In this case, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 so that the upstream portion 151u in the application direction Z is positioned more upstream in the conveying direction F than the downstream portion 151d. That is, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 to be in the first state when the second unit 32 applies adhesive G to the upper surface of the first flap D.

[0135] Therefore, in the preparation operation of the processing machine 1, after the second unit 32 is initialized, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 of the second unit 32 to be in the first state according to the flow shown in FIG.

[0136] After the first flap D reaches the second unit 32 and the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2, the controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835. The nozzle 35 moves downstream in the application direction Z of the adhesive G. The controller 9 stops the movement drive unit 835 at a position where the nozzle 35 is at the most upstream position in the application direction Z of the first flap D. The controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843. The carriage 831 moves from the retracted position to the application position.

[0137] 17(a) is a perspective view of the carriage 831 in the application position to apply adhesive G to the upper surface of the first flap D. The guide member 151 is in the first state. In the first state, the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z of the adhesive G, i.e., the front portion of the guide member 151 in FIG. 17, is closer to the upstream portion 17, the upstream portion 151u is closer to the first crease C1 than the rear side of the guide member 151, and the upstream portion 151u is closer to the edge FE of the first flap D facing the first crease C1 than the downstream portion 151d. The upper end of the guide member 151 is located downstream in the conveying direction F of the sheet S than the lower end.

[0138] In the case of a thick sheet S, even when the folding piece FP is folded by the folding unit 7 and assumes a horizontal position along the main body B, the stiffness of the sheet S may cause the folding piece FP to separate from the main body B of the sheet S and assume an upward standing position, as shown in Fig. 17. Since the sheet S is transported with the first crease C1 at the front, the first flap D is inclined so that the downstream side in the transport direction F, closer to the first crease C1, is lower in a side view, and the upstream side in the transport direction F, away from the first crease C1, is higher.

[0139] The carriage 831 moves downstream in the application direction Z. The upper part of the guide member 151 comes into contact with the upstream part of the first flap D in the application direction Z and guides the first flap D downward. The first flap D is guided sequentially by the conical part and the cylindrical part of the guide member 151 and is folded toward the main body B.

[0140] When the nozzle 35 reaches above the first flap D, the controller 9 controls the nozzle 35 to apply adhesive G to the upper surface of the first flap D. Figure 17(b) shows a state in which adhesive G is being applied from the nozzle 35 while the first flap D is being guided by the guide member 151.

[0141] In this way, the first flap D can be appropriately guided toward the main body B by the guide member 151 extending in a direction intersecting the application direction Z of the adhesive G. Because the guide member 151 is inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the main body B, the folded piece FP can be more appropriately guided toward the main body B.

[0142] Because the guide member 151 is in the first state, when the guide member 151 is moved in the application direction Z to apply the adhesive G, the downstream portion 151d of the leading guide member 151 can guide the first flap D near the first crease C1. The first crease C1 is the boundary between the main body B of the sheet S and the first flap D, and is therefore located lower than the edge FE of the first flap D. Therefore, even if the first flap D stands upright, the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 can start guiding the first flap D from a low position near the first crease C1. The cylindrical portion of the guide member 151 can gradually guide the entire first flap D downward. The guide member 151 can guide the first flap D more appropriately than when the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 starts guiding the first flap D near the edge FE of the first flap D in the second state.

[0143] Furthermore, because the guide member 151 is in the first state, when the guide member 151 is moved in the application direction Z, the upstream portion 151u of the guide member 151, which is the rear end, can bring the vicinity of the edge FE of the first flap D closer to the main body B of the sheet S. In this way, by guiding the vicinity of the edge FE of the folded piece FP toward the main body B of the sheet S immediately before the adhesive G is applied, the folded piece FP can be placed in a horizontal position along the main body B.

[0144] Furthermore, the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z is formed so that the size of the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction K of the guide member 151 becomes smaller the further downstream in the application direction Z, so that when the guide member 151 moves in the application direction Z, the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z tends to appropriately come into contact with the sheet S, and can smoothly guide the folded piece FP. Because the lower portion of the guide member 151 is formed in a cylindrical shape, even if the sheet S comes into contact with the guide member 151, the sheet S is unlikely to be damaged.

[0145] Furthermore, the first flap D is also guided toward the main body B of the sheet S by the thin plate 152. Guided by the guide member 151 and the thin plate 152, the first flap D along the main body B is pressed by the pressing member 89. The controller 9 sprays adhesive G from the nozzle 35. As shown in FIG. 16(e), the adhesive G is applied to the upper surface of the folded first flap D.

[0146] The thin plate 152 is disposed upstream of the nozzle 35 in the conveying direction F, and can therefore guide the upstream side of the adhesive G application position on the first flap D in the conveying direction F so that the first flap D overlaps the main body B even while adhesive G is being discharged from the nozzle 35. When the nozzle 35 reaches the downstream end De of the first flap D in the application direction Z, the controller 9 stops application of adhesive G from the nozzle 35.

[0147] The controller 9 moves the carriage 831 further downstream in the application direction Z. The thin plate 152 continues to guide the first flap D on the upstream side in the conveying direction F from the application position of the adhesive G to overlap the main body B below. When the upstream edge 152e of the thin plate 152 in the application direction Z reaches a position that is a predetermined distance upstream of the downstream end De of the first flap D in the application direction Z, the controller 9 stops the movement drive unit 835. The carriage 931 stops with the upstream edge 152e of the thin plate 152 in the application direction Z pressing the downstream end De of the first flap D in the application direction Z.

[0148] In this way, while the first flap D is still pressed by the thin plate 152, the controller 9 folds the third flap H toward the main body B at the third crease C3, as shown in FIG. 16(f). At this time, the sheet S is positioned in the conveying direction F at a position where the adhesive G is applied to the first flap D. The controller 9 first drives the fourth retraction section 24 to move the clamping roller 284 on the upper side of the conveying path 20, which is installed in the third folding unit 13, from the clamping position to the retracted position. As a result, when the third flap H is folded toward the main body B, the clamping roller 284 is positioned above the main body B, and does not interfere with the folding operation.

[0149] The controller 9 drives the third rotating portion 68. The third folding portion 66 is swung about the third rotating shaft 69, and reaches a position facing the third holding portion 67.

[0150] The sheet S is folded at the third crease C3. The third flap H is placed on top of the main body B. At this time, the first flap D is already folded over the top of the main body B at the leading edge of the sheet S, and adhesive G has been applied to the top surface of the first flap D, so the top surface of the first flap D and the bottom surface of the third flap H are bonded together. When the third flap H is folded back, the downstream end De of the first flap D in the application direction Z is held down by the thin plate 152, so the first flap D does not lift up and is maintained in a horizontal position along the main body B, allowing the third flap H to be more appropriately bonded.

[0151] Then, the controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835 to move the carriage 831 to a position where the upstream edge 152e of the thin plate 152 in the application direction Z is separated from the downstream end De of the first flap D in the application direction Z. As a result, the thin plate 152 goes from a state in which it temporarily presses the first flap D to a state in which it no longer presses the first flap D. The controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843 to move the carriage 831 to the retracted position.

[0152] The controller 9 drives the third rotating portion 68 in the opposite direction to when folding the third flap H. The third folding portion 66 is swung about the third rotating shaft 69 in the opposite direction to when folding the third flap H. The third folding portion 66 returns to a position below the conveying surface.

[0153] The controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835 at the same timing as driving the third rotating unit 68 in the opposite direction to when folding it, to move the carriage 831 a predetermined amount upstream in the application direction Z. This returns the thin plate 152 to a position where it can again guide the downstream end De of the first flap D in the application direction Z. The controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843 to move the carriage 831 from the retracted position to the application position.

[0154] The controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835 to move the carriage 831 upstream in the application direction Z to the home position. The thin plate 152 and the pressing member 89 move while pressing the first flap D and the main body B from above the third flap H. This causes the third flap H and the first flap D to adhere more strongly to each other than immediately after the third flap H is folded. When the carriage 831 reaches the home position, the controller 9 stops the movement drive unit 835. Then, the controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843. The carriage 831 is moved from the application position to the retracted position.

[0155] The controller 9 drives the fourth retraction section 24. The clamping roller 284 is moved from the retracted position to the clamping position. The clamping roller 284 clamps the main body B and the third flap H between itself and the lower conveying roller 274 of the conveying path 20. When the controller 9 drives the conveying drive section 29, the sheet S is conveyed downstream by the clamping roller 284 and the opposing conveying roller 274.

[0156] When the second crease C2 at the rear of the sheet S reaches the installation position of the first rotation shaft 49 of the first folding unit 11, the controller 9 stops the conveyance drive unit 29. The nip roller 281 adjacent to the first folding unit 11 on the upstream side is moved. The controller drives the first retraction unit 21 and the second retraction unit 22 to move the nip roller 281 and the nip roller 282 adjacent to the downstream side from the nip position to the retraction position. This releases the sheet S that was being nipped by the nip rollers 281 and 282.

[0157] Then, with the sheet S held by the first holding portion 47, the controller 9 causes the first rotating portion 48 to fold the sheet S along the second crease C2. The second flap E is positioned above the main body B. This places the sheet S in the state shown in FIG. 16(g).

[0158] The folding drive unit is further driven from the folding position to rotate the rotation unit 750 in the same direction as when moving the rotation unit 750 from the support position to the folding position, whereby the folding unit 750 rotates more than 180 degrees from the support position. Thereafter, the controller 9 conveys the sheet S downstream.

[0159] When the second flap E reaches the first unit 31, the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2.

[0160] The second crease C2 of the sheet S is located upstream in the conveying direction F of the sheet S. In the first folding section 11, the second flap E is located at the rear end of the sheet S conveyed by the conveyor 2. The second flap E is swung toward the main body B of the sheet S, which is located downstream in the conveying direction F, around the second crease C2, which is aligned in a direction intersecting the conveying direction F of the sheet S by the conveyor 2, as the swing center, and the second flap E is folded. In this case, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 so that the upstream portion 151u in the application direction Z is positioned further downstream in the conveying direction F than the downstream portion 151d. That is, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 to be in the second state when applying adhesive G to the upper surface of the second flap E in the first unit 31.

[0161] Therefore, in the preparation operation of the processing machine 1, after the first unit 31 is initialized, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 of the first unit 31 to be in the second state according to the flow shown in FIG.

[0162] After the second flap E reaches the first unit 31 and the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2, the controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835. The carriage 831 moves downstream in the application direction Z of the adhesive G. The controller 9 stops the movement drive unit 835 at a position where the nozzle 35 is at the most upstream position in the application direction Z of the second flap E. The controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843. The carriage 831 moves from the retracted position to the application position.

[0163] 18(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the carriage 831 is in the application position to apply adhesive G to the upper surface of the second flap E. The guide member 151 is in the second state. In the second state, the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z of the adhesive G, i.e., the front portion of the guide member 151 in FIG. 18(a), is closer to the second crease C2 than the upstream portion 151u, i.e., the back side of the guide member 151 in the same figure, and the upstream portion 151u is closer to the edge FE of the second flap E facing the second crease C2 than the downstream portion 151d. The upper end of the guide member 151 is located downstream in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S than the lower end.

[0164] 17(a), in Fig. 18(a), the folding piece FP is in a position that stands upright and separates from the main body B of the sheet S. Since the sheet S is transported with the second crease C2 as the trailing end, the second flap E is inclined so that the upstream side in the transport direction F, closer to the second crease C2, is lower in a side view, and the downstream side in the transport direction F, away from the second crease C2, is higher.

[0165] At the application position, the carriage 831 moves downstream in the application direction Z. The downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z comes into contact with the upstream portion of the second flap E in the application direction Z and guides it downward toward the main body B. The second flap E is guided sequentially by the conical portion and cylindrical portion of the guide member 151, brought into a substantially horizontal position, and folded toward the main body B.

[0166] When the nozzle 35 reaches above the second flap E, the controller 9 controls the nozzle 35 to apply adhesive G to the upper surface of the second flap E. FIG. 18(b) shows a state in which adhesive G is being applied from the nozzle 35 while the second flap E is being guided by the guide member 151. In this way, the guide member 151, which extends in a direction intersecting the application direction Z of the adhesive G, can appropriately guide the second flap E toward the main body B. Because the guide member 151 is inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the main body B, the folded piece FP can be more appropriately guided toward the main body B.

[0167] Furthermore, the extension direction K of the guide member 151 is in a first state in the second unit 32, and in a second state in the first unit 31. In this way, the extension direction K in which the guide member 151 extends can be changed according to the swing direction in which the folded piece FP is swung toward the main body B of the sheet S around the fold line C as the swing center. Therefore, the guide member 151 can be changed to an orientation that allows it to appropriately guide the folded piece FP according to the swing direction of the folded piece FP. Since the switching unit 111 that switches the extension direction K is provided, the extension direction K of the guide member 151 can be easily switched by the switching unit 111.

[0168] Because the guide member 151 is in the second state, when the guide member 151 is moved in the application direction Z to apply the adhesive G, the downstream portion 151d of the leading guide member 151 can guide the second flap E near the second crease C2. The second crease C2 is the boundary between the main body B of the sheet S and the second flap E, and is therefore located lower than the edge FE of the second flap E. Therefore, even if the second flap E is standing upward, the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 can start guiding the second flap E from a low position near the second crease C2. The cylindrical portion of the guide member 151 can gradually guide the entire first flap E downward. When the guide member 151 is in the first state, the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 can guide the second flap E more appropriately than when guiding the second flap E starts near the edge FE of the second flap E.

[0169] Furthermore, because the guide member 151 is in the second state, when the guide member 151 is moved in the application direction Z, the upstream portion 151u of the guide member 151, which is the rear end, can bring the vicinity of the edge FE of the second flap E closer to the main body B of the sheet S. In this way, by guiding the vicinity of the edge FE of the folded piece FP toward the main body B of the sheet S immediately before the adhesive G is applied, the folded piece FP can be placed in a horizontal position along the main body B.

[0170] Furthermore, since the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z is formed in a cone shape, when the guide member 151 moves in the application direction Z, the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z is more likely to come into appropriate contact with the sheet S, and the folded piece FP can be guided smoothly. Since the upstream portion 151u of the guide member 151 is formed in a cylindrical shape, even if the sheet S comes into contact with the guide member 151, the sheet S is less likely to be damaged.

[0171] Furthermore, the second flap E is also guided toward the main body B of the sheet S by the thin plate 152. Guided by the guide member 151 and the thin plate 152, the second flap E along the main body B is pressed by the pressing member 89. The controller 9 sprays adhesive G from the nozzle 35. As shown in FIG. 16(h), the adhesive G is applied to the upper surface of the folded second flap E.

[0172] The thin plate 152 is disposed upstream of the nozzle 35 in the conveying direction F, and therefore guides the upstream side of the adhesive G application position on the second flap E in the conveying direction F so that the second flap E overlaps the main body B even while adhesive G is being discharged from the nozzle 35. When the nozzle 35 reaches the downstream end Ee of the second flap E in the application direction Z, the controller 9 stops application of adhesive G from the nozzle 35.

[0173] The controller 9 moves the carriage 831 further downstream in the application direction Z. The thin plate 152 continues to guide the second flap E so that the upstream side in the conveyance direction F of the adhesive G application position of the second flap E overlaps the main body B below. When the upstream edge 152e of the thin plate 152 in the application direction Z reaches a position that is a predetermined distance upstream of the downstream end Ee of the second flap E in the application direction Z, the controller 9 stops the movement drive unit 835. As in the case of bonding the first flap D and the third flap H, the controller 9 presses the downstream end Ee of the second flap E in the application direction Z with the upstream edge 152e of the thin plate 152 in the application direction Z, and folds the fourth flap I back toward the main body B at the fourth crease C4, as shown in FIG. 16(i).

[0174] At this time, the controller 9 first drives the fourth retraction section 24 to move the clamping roller 284 on the upper side of the conveying path 20, which is installed in the third folding unit 13, from the clamping position to the retracted position. As a result, when the fourth flap I is folded toward the main body B, the clamping roller 284 is not positioned above the main body B, thereby preventing the folding operation from being hindered.

[0175] The controller 9 drives the third rotating portion 68. The third folding portion 66 is swung about the third rotating shaft 69, and reaches a position facing the third holding portion 67.

[0176] The sheet S is folded at the fourth crease C4. The fourth flap I is placed on top of the main body B. At this time, the second flap E is already folded over the main body B at the rear end portion of the sheet S in the conveying direction F, and faces the main body B. Furthermore, because adhesive G is applied to the upper surface of the second flap E, the upper surface of the second flap E and the lower surface of the fourth flap I are adhered to each other.

[0177] Then, the controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835 to move the carriage 831 to a position where the upstream edge 152e of the thin plate 152 in the application direction Z is separated from the downstream end Ee of the second flap E in the application direction Z. As a result, the thin plate 152 goes from a state in which it temporarily presses the second flap E to a state in which it no longer presses the second flap E. The controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843 to move the carriage 831 to the retracted position.

[0178] The controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835 at the same timing as driving the third rotating unit 68 in the opposite direction to when folding it, to move the carriage 831 a predetermined amount upstream in the application direction Z. This returns the thin plate 152 to a position where it can again guide the downstream end Ee of the second flap E in the application direction Z. The controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843 to move the carriage 831 from the retracted position to the application position.

[0179] The controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835 to move the carriage 831 upstream in the application direction Z to the home position. The thin plate 152 and the pressing member 89 move while pressing the second flap E and the main body B from above the fourth flap I. This causes the fourth flap I and the second flap E to adhere more strongly to each other than immediately after the fourth flap I is folded. When the carriage 831 reaches the home position, the controller 9 stops the movement drive unit 835. Then, the controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843. The carriage 831 is moved from the application position to the retracted position.

[0180] Thereafter, the controller 9 drives the fourth retraction section 24. The clamping roller 284 is moved from the retracted position to the clamping position. The clamping roller 284 clamps the main body B and the fourth flap I between itself and the conveying roller 274 on the lower side of the conveying path 20. When the controller 9 drives the conveying drive section 29, the sheet S is conveyed downstream by the clamping roller 284 and the conveying roller 274 facing it.

[0181] When the central crease C5 reaches the fourth folding section 14, the conveyor 2 is stopped. The controller 9 moves the three adjacent clamping rollers 286-288 on the downstream side of the fourth folding section 14 together by the sixth retraction section 26 from the clamping position to the retraction position.

[0182] The controller 9 swings the fourth folding portion 76 to bring the downstream portion Bf of the main body B close to the upstream portion Br of the main body B held by the fourth holding portion 77, thereby folding the sheet S at the central crease C5.

[0183] The controller 9 further rotates the folding unit 750 from the folding position to the conveying position, and releases the pressing force of the sheet S against the holder 711. The sheet S is sandwiched between the folding roller 80 and the conveying roller 27 and conveyed downstream. The folded sheet S is conveyed by the conveyor 2 with the central crease C5 at the head.

[0184] When the leading edge of the sheet S reaches the press unit 8, the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2. The controller 9 then drives the lifting unit 84 to lower the upper pressing member 85 on the conveying path 20 toward the lower pressing member 86. The central crease C5 is pressed by the pair of pressing members 85, 86 and is firmly folded.

[0185] The controller 9 resumes driving the conveyor 2 and stops the conveyance when the rear end portion of the sheet S reaches the press unit 8. The controller 9 presses the first crease C1 and the second crease C2, which are stacked one above the other, using a pair of pressing members 85, 86. The first crease C1 and the second crease C2 are folded more firmly, and the applied adhesive G firmly bonds the first flap D to the third flap H, and the second flap E to the fourth flap I. The processed product J obtained by the processing is discharged onto the discharge tray 99.

[0186] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the second embodiment, the shape of the sheet Sa to be processed is different from that in the first embodiment. Also, in the second embodiment, the guide member 151 of the second unit 32 is in the second state.

[0187] Fig. 19 shows a sheet Sa according to the second embodiment, illustrating the steps involved in sequentially folding the sheet Sa. As in the first embodiment, the sheet Sa is punched into a predetermined shape using a punching die, but the shape is different from that in the first embodiment. The sheet Sa shown in Fig. 19 has four longitudinal creases Cf, the sixth to ninth creases C6-C9, which are positioned at different positions in the width direction W, and the tenth to thirteenth creases C10-C13, which are aligned along the width direction W.

[0188] The sheet Sa is divided into five sections parallel to the conveyance direction F by the tenth crease C10 to the thirteenth crease C13. The sheet Sa comprises a first folding piece R, a first main body T, a second main body U, a second folding piece V, and an adhesive tab Y. When the sheet Sa is folded at the twelfth crease C12, which is the third crease from the downstream side in the conveyance direction F, the second folding piece V is placed on top of the second main body U, and the fifth folding piece Y is placed on the upstream end of the first main body T, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 1(b). Then, as shown in FIG. 1(c), adhesive G is applied to the upper surface of the adhesive tab Y. When the sheet Sa is folded at the tenth crease C10, which is the most downstream crease, the first folding piece R is placed on top of the first main body T, and the first folding piece R is placed on top of the second adhesive tab Y and glued thereto, forming the sheet Sa into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 1(d).

[0189] The sixth crease C6 to the ninth crease C9 are processed by the first creaser 5. To simultaneously form multiple vertical creases Cf, the first creaser 5 may be provided with multiple vertical crease blades (not shown). Even if only one first crease blade 501 is provided, the controller 9 forms one vertical crease Cf, then controls the conveyor 2 to reverse the sheet S toward the upstream side and appropriately moves the first crease blade 501 to a predetermined position in the width direction W where the vertical crease Cf should be formed, thereby forming vertical creases Cf arranged side by side in the width direction W. The tenth crease C10 to the thirteenth crease C13 are processed by the second creaser 6.

[0190] The sheet Sa is folded at the twelfth crease C12 in the first folding portion 11. When folded at the twelfth crease C12, the second folding piece V and the glue tab Y form the folding piece FP. At this time, the first folding piece R, the first main body T, and the second main body U form the main body B of the sheet Sa.

[0191] Furthermore, the sheet Sa is folded at the tenth crease C10 in the fourth folding portion 14. When the sheet Sa is folded at the tenth crease C10, the first folding piece R forms the folding piece FP. At this time, the first main body T, the second main body U, the second folding piece V, and the glue tab Y form the main body B of the sheet Sa.

[0192] The second unit 32 applies adhesive G to the margin Y. Because the second unit 32 is located downstream of the first unit 31, it is advantageous when folding the sheet Sa along the tenth crease C10 at the fourth folding portion 14 in a short time after applying the adhesive G, and bonding the margin Y and the first fold R. When the margin Y of the sheet Sa reaches the second unit 32, the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2. The twelfth crease C12 of the sheet Sa is located upstream in the conveying direction F of the sheet S from the center in the conveying direction F before the sheet S is folded as shown in Figure 19(a).

[0193] In the first folding section 11, when folding at the twelfth crease C12, the second folding piece V and the glue tab Y are positioned at the rear end of the sheet S conveyed by the conveyor 2. The second folding piece V and the glue tab Y are swung and folded toward the first folding piece R, the first main body T, and the second main body U, which are positioned downstream in the conveyance direction F, with the twelfth crease C12, which is aligned in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction F of the sheet S by the conveyor 2, as the swing center. In this case, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 so that the upstream portion 151u in the application direction Z is positioned further downstream in the conveyance direction F than the downstream portion 151d. That is, when adhesive G is applied to the upper surface of the glue tab Y in the second unit 32, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 to be in the second state.

[0194] Therefore, in the preparation operation of the processing machine 1, after the second unit 32 is initialized, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 of the second unit 32 to be in the second state according to the flow shown in FIG.

[0195] The guide member 151 in the second state can appropriately guide the second folded piece V and the glue tab Y toward the first folded piece R, the first main body T, and the second main body U. Because the guide member 151 is inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the first folded piece R, the first main body T, and the second main body U, the second folded piece V and the glue tab Y can be more appropriately guided toward the first folded piece R, the first main body T, and the second main body U.

[0196] In the second embodiment, the extending direction K of the guide member 151 of the second unit 32 is in the second state. In this way, when the shapes of the sheets S, Sa are different between the first embodiment and the second embodiment and the swing direction in which the folded piece FP swings toward the main body B of the sheet S around the fold line C as the swing center is different, the extending direction K in which the guide member 151 of the second unit 32 extends can be changed. Therefore, the orientation of the guide member 151 can be changed to one that allows it to appropriately guide the folded piece FP depending on the swing direction of the folded piece FP.

[0197] Since the guide member 151 is in the second state, when the guide member 151 is moved in the application direction Z to apply adhesive G, the second folded piece V and the glue margin Y can be guided by the downstream portion 151d of the leading guide member 151.

[0198] Furthermore, because the guide member 151 is in the second state, when the guide member 151 is moved in the application direction Z, the upstream portion 151u of the rear end of the guide member 151 can bring the vicinity of the edge FE of the glue tab Y close to the opposing first main body T. The second fold piece V and the glue tab Y can be maintained in a nearly horizontal position.

[0199] The controller 9 applies adhesive G to the upper surface of the margin Y. The controller 9 controls the lifting drive unit 843 to move the carriage 831 from the application position to the standby position. Furthermore, the controller 9 controls the movement drive unit 835 to move the carriage 831 to the application start position for the succeeding sheet Sa.

[0200] The controller 9 drives the conveying drive unit 29 to convey the sheet Sa. When the tenth crease C10 of the sheet Sa reaches the fourth folding unit 14, the controller 9 stops the conveying drive unit 29. The controller 9 moves the three adjacent clamping rollers 286-288 on the downstream side of the fourth folding unit 14 together from the clamping position to the retracted position. The controller 9 rotates the first folding piece R toward the first main body T by the fourth folding unit 76, and folds the sheet Sa at the tenth crease C10, as shown in FIG. 22(d).

[0201] At this time, the underside of the first folded piece R is placed on and adhered to the overlap Y. The controller 9 then uses the conveying roller 27 and the turning roller 8 to convey the sheet Sa downstream. When the tenth crease C10 and the twelfth crease C12 of the sheet Sa reach the press unit 8, the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2, and the sheet is pressed by the pressing members 85 and 86, and is firmly folded.

[0202] (Third Embodiment) Figure 20 shows a sheet Sb according to a third embodiment and illustrates the steps involved in folding the sheet Sb. As in the first and second embodiments, the sheet Sb is punched into a predetermined shape using a punching die. The sheet Sb shown in Figure 20 has the same number of fold lines C as the sheet Sa according to the second embodiment and has a similar shape. That is, it has four longitudinal creases Cf along the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2 and fourteenth-seventeenth creases C14-C17 along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F. The fourteenth-seventh creases C14-C17 divide the sheet Sb into five sections: a first folding piece L, a center folding piece M, a first main body N, a second main body O, and a glue tab P.

[0203] The size of the sheet Sb according to the third embodiment is set smaller than that of the sheet Sa according to the second embodiment. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, when the sheet S is folded along the 16th fold line C16 shown in FIG. 20(a) and the second body O is placed on the first body N, the length of the entire sheet S in the conveying direction F becomes too small. As a result, the length of the sheet Sb becomes shorter than the distance between the conveying roller 27 and the folding units 11-14 arranged in a row in the front and rear, and there is a risk that the sheet Sb will fall off the conveying path 20.

[0204] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20(b), the sheet Sb according to the third embodiment is folded at the seventeenth fold line C17, and the glue tab P is placed on top of the second main body O. Then, adhesive G is applied to the glue tab P. After that, the sheet Sb is folded at the fifteenth fold line C15, which is the second most downstream fold line. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20(c), the center folded piece M is placed on the first main body N and the second main body O, and the first folded piece L is placed on the second main body O. The lower surface of the first folded piece L is adhered by the adhesive G applied to the upper surface of the glue tab P, and the sheet Sb is processed into a cylindrical shape.

[0205] Adhesive G is applied to the margin P in the second unit 32. When the margin P reaches the second unit 32, the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2. The 17th crease C17 of the sheet Sb is located at the rear end of the sheet S upstream of the center in the conveying direction F before the sheet S is folded as shown in FIG. 20(a).

[0206] In the first folding section 11, when folding at the 17th crease C17, the glue tab P is located at the rear end of the sheet Sb conveyed by the conveyor 2. The glue tab P is swung and folded toward the second main body O located downstream in the conveyance direction F, with the 17th crease C17, which is aligned in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction F of the sheet Sb by the conveyor 2, as the swing center. In this case, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 so that the upstream portion 151u in the application direction Z is positioned further downstream in the conveyance direction F than the downstream portion 151d. That is, when applying adhesive G to the upper surface of the glue tab P in the second unit 32, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 to be in the second state, as in the second embodiment.

[0207] Therefore, in the preparation operation of the processing machine 1, after the second unit 32 is initialized, the controller 9 controls the guide member 151 of the second unit 32 to be in the second state according to the flow shown in FIG.

[0208] By the guide member 151 in the second state, the margin P can be appropriately guided toward the second main body O. Because the guide member 151 is inclined at the predetermined angle α with respect to the second main body O, the margin P can be more appropriately guided toward the second main body O.

[0209] Since the guide member 151 is in the second state, when the guide member 151 is moved in the application direction Z to apply the adhesive G, the downstream portion 151d of the leading guide member 151 can appropriately guide the adhesive margin P so that it approaches the second main body O.

[0210] Furthermore, since the guide member 151 is in the second state, when the guide member 151 is moved in the application direction Z, the upstream portion 151u of the guide member 151, which is the rear end, brings the vicinity of the edge FE of the glue tab P close to the opposing second main body O, thereby maintaining the glue tab P in a state close to a horizontal position.

[0211] The controller 9 applies adhesive G from the nozzle 35 to the upper surface of the margin P. After applying the adhesive G, the controller 9 controls the lifting drive unit 843 to move the carriage 831 from the application position to the standby position. Furthermore, the controller 9 controls the movement drive unit 835 to move the carriage 831 to the application start position for the succeeding sheet Sb.

[0212] The controller 9 drives the conveying drive unit 29 to convey the sheet Sb. When the fifteenth crease C15 of the sheet Sb reaches the fourth folding unit 14, the controller 9 stops the conveying drive unit 29. The controller 9 moves the three adjacent clamping rollers 286-288 on the downstream side of the fourth folding unit 14 together from the clamping position to the retracted position. The controller 9 rotates the first folding piece L and the middle folding piece M toward the first main body N and the second main body O by the fourth folding unit 76, and folds the sheet Sb at the tenth crease C10 as shown in FIG. 22(d).

[0213] At this time, the center folded piece M is placed on and adhered to the overlapping portion P. The controller 9 then uses the conveying roller 27 and the folding roller 80 to convey the sheet Sb downstream. When the fifteenth crease C15 and the seventeenth crease C17 of the sheet Sb reach the press unit 8, the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2, and the sheet is pressed by the pressing members 85 and 86, and firmly folded. The lower surface of the first folded piece L is placed on and adhered to the overlapping portion P.

[0214] The present invention is not limited to the above-described first to third embodiments. In each of the above-described embodiments, the applicator is installed in a processing machine, but it may be installed in a dedicated adhesive application device that does not have a mechanism for creasing or folding, or it may be installed inside an image processing device.

[0215] While the guide member 151 was capable of changing its extension direction in both the first unit 31 and the second unit 32, its extension direction need not be changeable. Alternatively, the guide member may be capable of changing its extension direction only in either the first unit or the second unit. Depending on the sheet processing method, if adhesive is applied to folded pieces in either the first unit or the second unit, where the folding line serves as the center of oscillation toward the main body of the sheet, and the direction of oscillation is always the same in either or both units, the guide member need not be changed. The first and second units 31 and 32 may have the same configuration, but may also be different. For example, depending on the content of the sheet processing job, if adhesive is not applied to the leading edge of the sheet in the first unit, but only to the trailing edge, the extension direction of the guide member need not be changed. In this case, if the upstream portion of the guide member in the moving section's direction of movement is positioned downstream of the downstream portion in the conveyor transport direction, the folded pieces can be properly guided and adhesive can be applied to the sheet.

[0216] The guide member 151 can be switched between a first state and a second state by the switching unit 111, but it may also be switched to a different state. The application unit 3 is equipped with a nozzle 35 capable of spraying adhesive G. The nozzle may apply the adhesive without applying pressure, may apply the adhesive using a rotating body that slides on the sheet, or may transfer the adhesive attached to a tape to the sheet.

[0217] Furthermore, the size of the cross section of the downstream portion 151d of the guide member 151 perpendicular to the extending direction K in the coating direction Z becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the coating direction Z, but it may be the same size or may become larger toward the downstream side in the coating direction. Even in such a case, it is preferable that the portion of the guide member facing the sheet becomes farther away from the sheet toward the downstream side in the coating direction. The guide member 151 has a shape that is a combination of a cone and a cylinder, but is not limited to this. The shape of the guide may be a rectangular pillar, a flat plate, or a curved or bent shape.

[0218] Furthermore, the guide member 151 is inclined at a predetermined angle α so that the downstream side is higher and the upstream side is lower in the application direction Z in which the adhesive G is applied by the nozzle 35, but it may also be horizontal.

[0219] Although the moving unit 83 has been described as moving the nozzle 35 in the width direction W, the moving unit may also move the sheet relative to the nozzle. For example, the sheet transport unit may also serve as the moving unit, and the nozzle may be fixed to the device body. In this case, the sheet moves relative to the nozzle. When the sheet is moved relative to the nozzle by the transport unit serving as the moving unit, adhesive is applied from the nozzle. Furthermore, when the sheet transport unit also serves as the moving unit, the nozzle may be fixed to a carrier body that is movable between a switching position and a retracted position, instead of the device body. Furthermore, instead of configuring the sheet transport unit also as the moving unit, another moving mechanism that moves the sheet relative to the nozzle may be provided.

[0220] Furthermore, the moving unit 83 shown in FIG. 3 dispenses adhesive G from the nozzle 35 to apply adhesive G to the sheet S when the carriage 831 moves to the right, but adhesive may also be dispensed from the nozzle to apply adhesive to the sheet when the carriage moves to the left. In this case, the guide is installed downstream of the nozzle in the direction of carriage movement to the left. Also, adhesive may be applied when the carriage moves both to the right and left in the width direction. When adhesive is applied when the carriage moves both to the left and right in the width direction, it is desirable to install guides at both the right and left ends of the carriage.

[0221] Although both the first and second units 31 and 32 apply adhesive G to the sheet S along the width direction W, the adhesive may be applied along a direction other than the width direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction. The adhesive may also be applied along the sheet conveyance direction. Furthermore, the fold line of the sheet may be arranged along the conveyance direction, the folded piece may be oscillated in the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and the adhesive may be applied along the sheet conveyance direction. In this case, the folded piece is oscillated around the fold line along the conveyance direction of the sheet by the conveyor. The folded piece and the main body are adjacent to each other in the width direction. The folded piece located on one side in the width direction is oscillated toward the main body of the sheet located on the other side in the width direction. The movement direction of the moving part is opposite to the conveyance direction. When the folded piece is overlapped on the main body, the downstream portion of the guide member extends closer to the fold line than the upstream portion in the movement direction, and the upstream portion is closer to the edge of the folded piece facing the fold line than the downstream portion. Since the movement direction of the moving part is opposite to the conveying direction, the extension direction of the guide member is such that the upstream portion in the conveying direction is closer to the fold line than the downstream portion, and the downstream portion is closer to the edge of the folded piece facing the fold line than the upstream portion.

[0222] In FIG. 3, adhesive G is ejected from the nozzle 35 when the moving unit 83 moves the carriage 831 to the right from the home position. However, adhesive G may also be ejected from the nozzle when the carriage is moved to the left, and applied to the sheet S, or adhesive may be applied when the carriage is moved both left and right in the width direction. When moving the nozzle 35 to the cleaning position, the moving unit 83 moves the carriage 831 to the left from the home position. However, when removing and cleaning the nozzle 35, a nozzle cleaning position does not need to be provided within the device, and the cleaning position may be provided on the other side of the conveying path, which is the right side in FIG. 3. Incidentally, if a nozzle cleaning position is provided within the device, the user can easily wipe off adhesive adhering to the nozzle when using the processing machine. It is also possible to expel old adhesive remaining at the nozzle tip at the cleaning position.

[0223] The guide member 151 has a shape in which a cone and a cylinder are integrated, but may also have a conical shape, a cylindrical shape, a prism shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a flat plate shape, a curved thin plate shape, a thin plate shape with a curved surface, etc. The downstream side portion of the guide member 151 in the application direction Z is formed in a conical shape, but may also have a pyramidal shape, a tapered shape, or a hemispherical shape.

[0224] The position sensor 88 is configured by an optical sensor, but may also be a distance measuring sensor or a linear encoder. The light shielding plate 881 has a predetermined length and shields the optical sensor until the nozzle 35 reaches the cleaning position, but a separate light shielding plate may be installed to detect that the nozzle is at the cleaning position.

[0225] Although the processing machine is equipped with the first creaser 5 and the second creaser 6, the processing machine does not have to be equipped with creasers. By forming fold lines in the sheet at the same time as the sheet is pre-cut into a predetermined shape using a cutting die, the sheet can be folded properly even if the processing machine does not have a creaser.

[0226] The folding portion 72 is provided with a rotating portion that rotates the folded piece toward the main body around the fold line C formed in the sheet S as the center of swing, but instead, the folding piece may be brought closer to the main body around a point other than the fold line as the center of swing, and the folding piece may be folded by moving the required amount parallel to the main body rather than by rotating.

[0227] Furthermore, the clamping rollers 281-288 that can be retracted by the retraction unit 39 have been shown to be divided into three in the width direction W, but they may be divided into two, four or more, or may not be divided at all. Furthermore, the length of the clamping rollers 281-288 in the width direction W has been shown to be about half the length of the width direction W of the conveying path 20, but it may be shorter than half, longer than that, or longer than the length of the conveying path.

[0228] Furthermore, although the retraction section 39 is provided on only one side of the conveying path 20, if the rollers are divided in the width direction and each is individually supported by a shaft, the retraction section may be provided on both the left and right sides of the conveying path, and the rollers may be retracted to both the left and right sides of the conveying path.

[0229] Furthermore, although the processing machine 1 includes the first and second units 31 and 32, it may also include three or more application units. In the first and second units 31 and 32, the third flap H and the fourth flap I are folded at the third crease C3 and the fourth crease C4, respectively, without being transported, while the first and second flap D and E are left in the positions where they have been glued, respectively. However, if the adhesive application unit and the folding unit are installed in locations away from each other, the sheet may be transported after glue application until the fold line of the sheet reaches a predetermined folding unit, and when the fold line reaches the appropriate folding unit, the transport of the sheet may be stopped and the sheet may be folded.

[0230] Furthermore, although the processing machine 1 is provided with the first creaser 5 and the second creaser 6 that form fold lines, when folding a sheet that already has fold lines formed thereon, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for forming fold lines. Furthermore, although the processing machine 1 is provided with the first to fourth folding units 11-14, it is sufficient to have at least one folding unit, and it may also be provided with two or three folding units, or five or more folding units.

[0231] Furthermore, the shape of the sheet to be folded by the processing machine 1 is not limited to those shown in the above embodiments, and may be any sheet that can be folded along fold lines, such as a sheet for forming a storage box for business cards, a sheet for forming a container for storing bottles, containers, and spirits, or a sheet for forming various folding papers such as Christmas cards, membership cards, and coupons.

[0232] Although the various processing information is manually set by the user via the operation panel, it may also be automatically input by reading a barcode or two-dimensional code using a reading unit, or may be set by communicating with an external information folding device such as a personal computer.Furthermore, a plurality of sheet folding patterns may be stored in advance in a storage means by manual input via the operation panel, and each pattern may be called up and set by number, etc.

[0233] Furthermore, the nipping rollers 281-288 adjacent to the upstream and downstream sides of the folding unit 7 that performs folding are retracted by the retracting section 39, but all of the nipping rollers 281-288 may be moved to the retracted position at once.

[0234] Furthermore, while the contact member 115 is shown to be located downstream of the switching member 113 in the application direction Z when the carriage 831 is in the home position, the contact member may be located upstream of the switching member in the application direction when the carriage is in the home position. In this case, the switching member does not come into contact with the contact member when the carriage is moved in the application direction to apply adhesive. Therefore, there is no need to raise or lower the carriage to prevent the switching member from coming into contact with the contact member when applying adhesive, which is highly convenient. [Explanation of symbols]

[0235] B main body, C fold line, F conveying direction, FE edge, FP folded piece, K extension direction, S sheet, W width direction, Z application direction, 1 processing machine, 2 conveyor, 7 folding unit, 15 guide, 35 nozzle, 83 moving part, 111 switching part, 113 switching member 113 contact member, 151 guide member, 831 carriage.

Claims

1. An application device that applies adhesive to a sheet, a nozzle for applying the adhesive to the sheet in which the folded piece of the sheet is folded along the fold line; a moving unit that moves the nozzle relative to the sheet; a guide that guides the folded piece when the nozzle is moved relative to the sheet by the moving unit, The guide is an application device including a guide member that moves the nozzle relative to the sheet by the moving portion and extends in a direction intersecting the application direction in which the adhesive is applied.

2. The coating device according to claim 1 , wherein the extending direction of the guide member can be changed according to the swing direction in which the folded piece swings toward the main body of the sheet around the fold line as a swing center.

3. The coating device according to claim 2 , further comprising a switching unit that switches the extending direction.

4. the switching unit is installed on a carriage that carries the nozzle, and the carriage is moved relative to a contact member by the moving unit, thereby contacting the contact member and switching the extension direction; The coating device according to claim 3 , further comprising a switching movement unit that moves the switching member between the switching position and the retracted position.

5. The coating device of claim 2, wherein the extending direction is such that, when the folded piece is stacked on the main body, the downstream portion of the guide member in the coating direction is closer to the fold line than the upstream portion, and the upstream portion is closer to the edge of the folded piece opposite the fold line than the downstream portion.

6. a conveyor for conveying the sheet; 2. The coating device according to claim 1, wherein when the folded piece is swung toward the main body of the sheet located upstream in the conveying direction, with the fold line along a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet by the conveyor as the swing center, the guide member is arranged such that the upstream portion in the coating direction is further upstream in the conveying direction than the downstream portion.

7. The coating device according to claim 6 , wherein the folded piece is swung toward the upstream side in the conveying direction around the fold line that is aligned in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction as a swing center.

8. 7. The coating device according to claim 6, wherein the folded portion is located at the front end of the sheet transported by the conveyor.

9. a conveyor for conveying the sheet; 2. The coating device according to claim 1, wherein when the folded piece is swung toward the main body of the sheet located downstream in the conveying direction, with the fold line along a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet by the conveyor as the swing center, the guide member is arranged such that the upstream portion in the coating direction is further downstream in the conveying direction than the downstream portion.

10. The coating device according to claim 8 , wherein the folded piece is swung toward the downstream side in the conveying direction around the fold line that is aligned in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction as a swing center.

11. 7. The coating device according to claim 6, wherein the folded portion is located at the rear end of the sheet transported by the conveyor.

12. The coating device according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member is disposed at an angle relative to the main body of the sheet so as to bring the folded piece closer to the main body of the sheet facing the moving part as the moving part moves downstream in the coating direction.

13. The coating device according to claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the downstream portion of the guide member in the coating direction, which is perpendicular to the extending direction, becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the coating direction.

14. A processing machine comprising: a conveyor that transports the sheet; a folding unit that folds the folded piece of the sheet transported by the conveyor along the fold line; and the coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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