Processing machine

Abstract

To provide a processing machine capable of easily folding a sheet using processing information of the sheet when processing a sheet with various shapes and sizes.SOLUTION: A processing machine 1 of the present invention is a processing machine including a conveyor 2, a folding unit 7, a coating unit 3, and a controller 9. The controller 9 includes: an acquisition unit 905 that acquires processing information for a sheet S; a fold line determination unit 906 that determines, based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 905, whether the sheet S is folded along one of multiple fold lines C in the folding unit 7; and a folding control unit 907 that controls the folding unit 7 to fold the sheet S in accordance with the determination by the fold line determination unit 906.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a processing machine that processes a conveyed sheet. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a processing machine that includes a folding unit and an adhesive application unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-115754 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The device described in Patent Document 1 has a plurality of folding units and adhesive applicators. In this case, when processing sheets of various shapes and sizes, it is difficult for a user of the processing machine to determine which folding unit to use for folding which fold line of the sheet and which adhesive applicator to use to apply adhesive to the sheet.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a processing machine that can easily fold sheets using processing information for the sheets when processing sheets of various shapes and sizes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the processing machine of the present invention is a processing machine comprising: a conveyor that transports a sheet on which multiple fold lines are set; a folding unit that folds the sheet transported by the conveyor along the fold lines; an application unit that applies adhesive to the sheet; and a controller that controls the operation of the conveyor, the folding unit, and the application unit, wherein the controller comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires processing information for the sheet; a fold line determination unit that determines, based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit, which of the multiple fold lines the sheet should be folded along in the folding unit; and a fold control unit that controls the folding unit to fold the sheet in accordance with the determination by the fold line determination unit.

[0007] In addition, the folding unit is provided with a plurality of holding members for holding the holding pieces of the sheet in the conveying path, and the folding control unit is provided with a holding determination unit that determines which of the plurality of holding members to use.

[0008] The folding unit further includes a stacking tray on which the sheets to be folded are stacked, The controller includes a calculation unit that calculates the loading position at which the sheet should be loaded on the loading tray based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a loading instruction unit that prompts the sheet to be loaded at the loading position calculated by the calculation unit.

[0009] The stacking tray also includes a guide that guides the sides of the sheets stacked on the stacking tray, and the stacking instruction section includes a guide instruction section that indicates the position of the guide in a cross direction that intersects with the conveying direction of the conveyor.

[0010] In addition, the application unit is equipped with a nozzle for applying adhesive to the sheet and a nozzle movement unit that moves the nozzle relative to the sheet, and the calculation unit determines the loading position at a position corresponding to the range within which the nozzle can move relative to the sheet by the nozzle movement unit.

[0011] The conveyor also includes a sensor that detects the sheet on the conveying path and a sensor moving unit that moves the sensor in a cross direction that intersects with the conveying direction of the conveyor, and the controller controls the sensor moving unit to move the sensor to a predetermined position in the cross direction based on the processing information.

[0012] The controller also uses the sensor to determine whether the sheet has been loaded in the appropriate loading position.

[0013] Furthermore, the controller outputs a warning when it is determined that the sheets are not loaded in the appropriate loading position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The application device of the present invention is a processing machine including a conveyor that transports a sheet on which a plurality of fold lines are set, a folding unit that folds the sheet transported by the conveyor along the fold lines, an application unit that applies adhesive to the sheet, and a controller that controls the operation of the conveyor, the folding unit, and the application unit. The controller includes an acquisition unit that acquires processing information for the sheet, a fold line determination unit that determines, based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit, which of the plurality of fold lines the sheet should be folded along in the folding unit, and a fold control unit that controls the folding unit to fold the sheet in accordance with the determination by the fold line determination unit.Therefore, the sheet can be folded at the appropriate position determined by the fold line determination unit in accordance with the processing information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [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] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a first folding unit and a conveying roller in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the folding unit of the processing machine is used. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pinch roller and a support unit for the pinch roller of the processing machine. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a front view of the clamping roller and the support unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pinch roller and the support unit. [Figure 15] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating how the pinch rollers of the processing machine are used; [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the processing machine. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] 3 is a control flow of the processing machine. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] 3 is a control flow of the processing machine. [Figure 23] FIG.

[0016] 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 equipped with a supply unit 16, a transport unit 4, a first creaser 5, and a second creaser 6. The second machine 102 is equipped with a folding unit 7, a coating unit 3, a press unit 8, and a discharge unit 17.

[0017] The processing machine 1 also includes a controller 9 in its main body 10 that controls the operation of the entire machine. A conveyor 2 having a plurality of conveying rollers 27 that conveys the sheet S forms a conveying path 20 from the supply unit 16 to the discharge unit 17. The conveyor 2 conveys the sheet S in a first direction. The first direction is a conveying direction F when the sheet S is conveyed by the conveyor 2.

[0018] The supply unit 16 includes a stacking tray 94, a guide 190, and a suction conveying unit 95. The stacking tray 94 is loaded with sheets S to be folded in the folding unit 7. The stacking tray 94 is raised and lowered by a lifting mechanism (not shown). The guide 190 guides the sides of the sheets S loaded on the stacking tray 94. A side edge E1 (see FIG. 17 ) of the sheet S abuts against the guide 190. A user of the processing machine 1 can adjust the position of the sheet S in the width direction W, which is a transverse direction intersecting the conveying direction F in the conveying path 20, by abutting one side edge E1 of the sheet S against the guide 190. The position of the guide 190 in the transverse direction intersecting the conveying direction F can be adjusted by a position adjustment unit 191. The position adjustment unit 191 includes an operating unit such as a handwheel. The user manually operates the operating unit to move the guide 190 in the transverse direction. FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the transverse direction is the width direction W, which is perpendicular to the conveying direction F. The suction conveying unit 95 includes a suction box 96 and a conveying belt 97. The suction box 96 is connected to a blower 98 shown in FIG. 2. When the blower 98 is driven, a negative pressure is generated in the suction box 96, and the topmost sheet S on the stacking tray 94 is sucked onto the lower surface of the conveying belt 97.

[0019] The conveying unit 4 includes a conveying belt 42. The sheet S is conveyed downstream along a conveying direction F by the movement of the conveying belt 42.

[0020] The first creaser 5 forms a vertical fold line C (see FIG. 17) 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The folding unit 7 folds 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 section 13 is a vertical folding section that folds the sheet S at a vertical crease along the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2.

[0023] The folding unit 7 is provided with a holding section 71 and a rotating section 72. The holding section 71 has a plurality of holding members 711 (see FIG. 3) for holding the holding piece B of the sheet S in the conveying path 20. The rotating section 72 folds back the folding piece P of the sheet S to a position facing the sheet S held in the conveying path 20 by the holding members 711. At this time, the pinch 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 section 39.

[0024] After the rotation drive unit 73 rotates the rotating section 750, the sheet S is conveyed downstream by the conveying roller 27 and the return roller 90 facing the conveying roller 27. Alternatively, instead of this, the rotation drive unit 73 returns the rotating section 750 to its original position, the nipping roller 28 faces the conveying roller 27, and the sheet S is nipped between the conveying roller 272 and the nipping roller 28 and conveyed downstream.

[0025] Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the first folding unit 11 and the conveying roller 272 on the downstream side of the first folding unit 11. Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of Fig. 4.

[0026] The holding section 71 includes a holding member 711 and a suction section 712. A plurality of ventilation holes 713 are formed in the holding member 711. A plurality of the holding members 711 are arranged side by side in the width direction. The holding members 711 are supported by a support member 717. The support member 717 supports the plurality of holding members 711.

[0027] The suction unit 712 sucks the sheet S on the holding member 711 and holds it on the holding member 711. The suction unit 712 includes a connecting member 714, a switching unit 715, and a negative pressure generating device (not shown). The connecting member 714 is made of a flexible tube. A plurality of connecting members 714 are installed along the width direction W. One end of the connecting member 714 is connected to the ventilation hole 713, and the other end is connected to the switching unit 715. The switching unit 715 switches the range in which the sheet S is sucked onto the holding member 711 and held, in conjunction with the operation of the negative pressure generating device.

[0028] The rotating unit 72 includes a folding guide 721, a folding roller 90, and a rotation drive unit 73. The folding guide 721 and the folding roller 90 extend in the width direction W. When the sheet S is not being folded, the folding guide 721 and the folding roller 90 are located at a support position below the conveying path 20. At the support position, the folding guide 721 and the folding roller 90 support the sheet S from below as it is conveyed on the conveying path 20. The folding guide 721 and the folding roller 90 of the first folding unit 11 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are located at the support position upstream of the first holding unit 47 of the first folding unit 11.

[0029] In this embodiment, the folding guide 721 is formed in a hollow rectangular cylindrical shape. However, the folding guide 721 is not limited to this and may have a triangular or other polygonal cross section, may be formed in a prism shape, or may have other shapes such as a plate shape or a cylinder shape. Both left and right ends of the folding guide 721 are supported by support parts 731 via bearings 723. The folding guide 721 is also biased by a biasing member 727.

[0030] In this embodiment, the folding roller 90 is divided into three in the width direction W. However, the folding roller 90 does not have to be divided, and may be a single roller extending along the width direction W. Both ends of each folding roller 90 in the width direction W are rotatably supported by support portions 731 via bearings 724, respectively. Each folding roller 90 is also biased by a biasing member 728. After folding the sheet S, the folding roller 90 can sandwich the folded sheet S between itself and the conveying roller 27 and convey it. Figure 6 is a view of the first folding unit 11 in Figure 4 when the rotating unit 72 is inverted, as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction F.

[0031] The rotation drive unit 73 reverses the folding guide 721 and the folding roller 90 across the conveyance plane of the sheet S from the support position shown in Fig. 5 to the folding position shown in Fig. 7. The rotation drive unit 73 includes a support unit 731, a rotation shaft 74, a power transmission unit 736, a link mechanism 733, and a folding drive unit 732. The support unit 731 includes a housing 738 and a connecting member 739.

[0032] The housing 738 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the width direction W, and the top surface at the support position is open. A turn guide 721 and a plurality of turn rollers 90 are housed inside the housing 738 and supported so as to be freely rotatable. A conveying guide 737 is provided in the housing 738. The conveying guide 737 guides the sheet S. A connecting member 739 connects the housing 738 to the rotation shaft 74. The turn rollers 90, the turn guide 721, and the support portion 731 constitute a rotation section 750.

[0033] The rotation shaft 74 is disposed outside the housing 738 in the width direction W, and is rotatably supported by the side plate 70. The rotation shaft 74 is connected to the folding drive unit 732 via a power transmission unit 736.

[0034] The link mechanism 733 is a mechanism for releasing the pressing force of the folding guide 721 that has been pressing the sheet S against the holding member 711 in the folded position shown in Fig. 7, and for properly transporting the folded sheet S. A pair of link mechanisms 733 are installed on the left and right. The link mechanisms 733 are provided between the left and right ends of the housing 738 and the side plates 70.

[0035] Of the first-fourth folding units 11-14, the first folding unit 11 is located on the most upstream side. The first folding unit 11 includes a first holding unit 47 and a first folding unit 46. The first folding unit 46 includes a first rotating member 45, a first folding roller 50, and a first rotating unit 48. The first rotating unit 48 has a first rotating shaft 49 as its axis, and reverses the rotating section 750 housing the first rotating member 45 and the first folding roller 50 toward the downstream side beyond the conveying surface of the sheet S. The first rotating member 45 faces the first holding unit 47 on the downstream side. The first folding roller 50 faces the conveying roller 272 on the downstream side.

[0036] After the first rotating unit 48 rotates the rotating section 750, the sheet S is transported downstream by the conveying roller 272 and the first return roller 50 opposite this conveying roller 272, or the first rotating unit 48 returns the rotating section 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.

[0037] 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 rotating member 55, a second turning roller 60, and a second rotating unit 58. The second rotating unit 58 turns over a rotating section 750 housing the second rotating 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 rotating member 55 faces the upstream second holding unit 57. The second turning roller 60 faces the upstream conveying roller 272.

[0038] At this time, the clamp 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 rotating section 750 including the first rotating 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 rotating section 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.

[0039] After the second rotating unit 58 rotates the rotating section 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 unit 58 returns the rotating section 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.

[0040] The third folding section 13 is located downstream of the second folding section 12 and between the two coating units 3. The third folding section 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.

[0041] 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 has a third rotating shaft 69 as its axis, and rotates the third rotating member 65 toward the third holding portion 67 provided adjacent to it in the width direction W. At this time, the pinch roller 284 above the conveying roller 274 is retracted from the conveying path 20. The moving portion moves the third folding portion 66 and the third holding portion 67 together in the width direction W, aligning them with the position of the folding line C.

[0042] A pressing member 291 is provided on the support portion 37 of the nipping roller 284 above the conveying roller 274. When adhesive G is applied in the second application unit 32, the pressing member 291 presses the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y as the folded piece P of the sheet S folded in the first folding section 11 in a folding manner shown in FIG.

[0043] The fourth folding section 14 is disposed downstream of the second coating unit 32. The fourth folding section 14 includes a fourth folding section 76, a fourth holding section 77, and a conveying roller 290. The fourth folding section 76 includes a fourth rotating member 75, a fourth turning roller 80, and a fourth rotating section 78. The fourth rotating section 78 turns over a rotating section 750 housing the fourth rotating member 75 and the fourth turning roller 80 toward the upstream fourth holding section 77, beyond the conveying plane of the sheet S, with a fourth rotating shaft 79 as its axis. The fourth rotating member 75 faces the upstream fourth holding section 77. The fourth turning roller 80 faces the upstream conveying roller 290.

[0044] 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.

[0045] In the fourth folding unit 14, similar to the second folding unit 12, the rotating section 750 rotates from downstream to upstream in the sheet S conveyance direction F about a fourth rotation shaft 79. The fourth folding unit 14 is movable in the conveyance direction F. By allowing the fourth folding unit 14 to move in the conveyance direction F depending on the size of the sheet S and the position of the fold line C, various sheets S having different lengths from the application position of the adhesive G to the fold line C can be folded in the fourth folding unit 14 and bonded with the adhesive G.

[0046] The coating unit 3 shown in Figures 1 and 2 coats the sheet S with adhesive G. The coating unit 3 includes first and second coating units 31 and 32. The first coating unit 31 is installed between the second folding unit 12 and the third folding unit 13. The second coating unit 32 is installed between the third folding unit 13 and the fourth folding unit 14.

[0047] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG. 8. The second application unit 32 includes a nozzle 35, an applicator 369, an adhesive G supply unit 36, a nozzle moving unit 83, a lifting unit 84, a pressing member 89, a guide 15, and a position sensor 88. The first application unit 31 has a configuration similar to that of the second application unit 32. The nozzle 35 is used to apply adhesive G to the sheet S. The nozzle 35 ejects adhesive G. The nozzle 35 applies adhesive G to the sheet S, the folded piece P of which is folded along the 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 nozzle moving unit 83. The adhesive G supply unit 36 ​​and a communication wiring 363 to the controller 9 are connected to the applicator 369.

[0048] The adhesive G supply unit 36 ​​supplies the 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 364. If the adhesive G is a type that melts when heated, the tube 361 includes a heating unit. The tube 362 connects the applicator 369 to the compressor 365.

[0049] The nozzle moving unit 83 moves the nozzle 35 relative to the sheet S. FIG. 8 illustrates the nozzle moving unit 83 when moving the nozzle 35 in the width direction W. The nozzle 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. 8 is placed between the left side plate 110 and auxiliary plate 191 in FIG. 8, which constitute the device body 10. The area between the side plate 110 and auxiliary plate 191 shown on the left side in FIG. 8 is a cleaning area for cleaning the nozzle 35.

[0050] 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.

[0051] When the movement rollers 833 and 834 are rotated by the drive of the movement drive unit 835, the belt 832 runs in a circle. 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 8 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.

[0052] 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 nozzle movement unit 83 to apply the adhesive G. In the case of the nozzle 35 shown in FIG. 8, when applying the adhesive G to the sheet S, the carriage 831 is moved from the home position to the right in FIG. 8. The adhesive G is discharged from the nozzle 35 when the carriage 831 moves to the right in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the movement direction of the nozzle 35 from left to right is the application direction Z in which the adhesive G is applied.

[0053] When the nozzle moving unit 83 moves the nozzle 35 to the cleaning region, it moves the nozzle 35 to the left in Fig. 8. This movement of the nozzle 35 to the left from the home position in Fig. 8 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the CC line in Figure 8. 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 900. 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 841. 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 nozzle moving unit 83. The elastic member 851 assists the nozzle moving unit 83 in moving upward from the application position to the retracted position.

[0056] 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, thereby moving the entire nozzle moving unit 83 in the up and down direction. This moves the nozzle 35 between the application position and the retracted position.

[0057] The pressing member 89 presses the sheet S from above. The pressing member 89 presses the sheet S against a conveying roller 299 that is installed below and facing the conveying surface of the sheet S. The pressing member 89 is urged by a biasing member 891 toward the conveying roller 299 with a predetermined pressure. Figure 8 shows a case where the pressing member 89 is configured as a pressure roller. The pressing member 89 is mounted on a carriage 831 in a position near the nozzle 35. The pressing member 89 is installed between the nozzle 35 and the guide 15.

[0058] 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.

[0059] The processed sheets S are placed on the discharge unit 17. The discharge unit 17 includes a discharge tray 99.

[0060] The conveyor 2 holds the sheet S and transports it from the supply unit 16 to the discharge unit 17. The conveyor 2 transports the sheet S on which a plurality of fold lines C are set. The conveyor 2 includes a transport roller 27, a holding roller 28, a transport drive unit 29, and a retraction unit 39. The transport roller 27 is installed below the transport path 20. The transport roller 27 is connected to the transport drive unit via a power transmission unit (not shown).

[0061] The length in the width direction W of all the conveying rollers 27 other than the conveying roller 274 installed in the third folding unit 13 is set to be longer than the length in the width direction W of the conveying path 20 along which the sheet S is conveyed. The length of the conveying roller 274 installed in the third folding unit 13 is shorter than the length in the width direction W of the conveying path 20, approximately half the length.

[0062] The nipping rollers 28 are installed above the conveying path 20. The nipping rollers 28 sandwich and convey the sheet S between themselves and the conveying rollers 27. The nipping rollers 28 rotate in response to the rotation of the opposing conveying rollers 27 driven by the conveying drive unit 29. All of the nipping rollers 28 of the first mechanism 101 and the nipping rollers 28 arranged at the most downstream side of the second mechanism 102 are formed so that their lengths in the width direction W are longer than the length in the width direction W of the conveying path 20 along which the sheet S is conveyed. These nipping rollers 28 have approximately the same length in the width direction W as the opposing conveying rollers 27.

[0063] In contrast, the clamping rollers 281-288 installed upstream of the pressing unit 8 of the second mechanism 102 are installed in a range shorter than the length of the width direction W of the conveying path 20. Figure 2 shows a case where the clamping rollers 281-288 installed upstream of the pressing unit 8 of the second mechanism 102 are installed with a length approximately half the width direction W of the conveying path 20.

[0064] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the clamping roller 281 on the most upstream side of the second mechanism 102 and the support unit 18 for the clamping roller 281. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the clamping roller 281 and the support unit 18. Fig. 13 is a view of the clamping roller 281 and the support unit 18 as seen from the front. Fig. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the clamping roller 281 and the support unit 18.

[0065] The pinch roller 281, which is located at the most upstream position of the second mechanism 102, is divided into multiple pieces in the width direction W. The support unit 18 includes a support shaft 37 and a retraction section 39. The support shaft 37 supports each of the divided pinch rollers 281 so that they can rotate freely. The support shaft 37 is formed in the shape of a horizontally elongated rectangular parallelepiped with an open bottom, and houses the pinch rollers 281 inside. These pinch rollers 281 are configured to be retractable from the conveying path 20 by the retraction section 39 while remaining supported by the support shaft 37.

[0066] The retracting section 39 retracts the clamping rollers 28 from the conveying path 20 when the sheet S is folded in the folding section 7. The retracting section 39 moves the clamping rollers 28 from a clamping position where the rotation shafts 34 of the clamping rollers 281 are aligned along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2 to a retracted position where the rotation shafts 34 are aligned in a direction intersecting the width direction W. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15 , the case where the rotation shafts 34 are aligned along the vertical direction at the retracted position is shown.

[0067] The retraction section 39 includes a moving section 30. The moving section 30 moves a support section 37, which rotatably supports the clamping roller 281, toward the outside of the conveying path 20. The moving section 30 includes a swinging section 40. The swinging section 40 swings the support section 37 about a swinging shaft 38. The swinging shaft 38 extends along the conveying direction F. The swinging section 40 includes a retraction drive section 33, a support base 43, a rotating body 35, a link 36, and a detection section 44. The detection section 44 includes a light shielding plate 441 and an optical sensor 442.

[0068] The retraction drive unit 33, the rotor 35, and the swing shaft 38 are supported by a support base 43 fixed to the device body 10. The rotor 35 is rotated by the drive of the retraction drive unit 33. One end of a link 36 is connected to the disk surface of the rotor 35 by a pin 64. The other end of the link 36 is connected by a pin 65 between the swing shaft 38 of the shaft support unit 37 and the clamping roller 281a located at the leftmost position in FIG.

[0069] In addition, a light shielding plate 441 is fixed to the rotation shaft 35a of the rotating body 35. The light shielding plate 441 is detected by a sensor 442 installed below the rotating body 35, and detects whether the clamping roller 281 is located at the retracted position or the clamping position.

[0070] When conveying the sheet S, the clamping rollers 281 are located in the clamping position. When folding the sheet S, the clamping rollers 281 move to the retracted position. When moving to the retracted position, the retraction drive unit 33 is driven, and the rotating body 35 is rotated a predetermined amount counterclockwise in FIG. 11. The rotation of the rotating body 35 moves the link 36 to the left in the figure, and moves the connection part to the link 36 by the pin 65 of the pivot support unit 37 to the left in the figure. This causes the pivot support unit 37 to swing about the swing shaft 38.

[0071] 14 and 15, the pivot support portion 37 pivotally supports the clamping roller 281 while moving from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The installation direction of the clamping roller 281 is changed by approximately 90 degrees. The movement of the clamping roller 281 from the clamping position to the retracted position opens the conveying path 20.

[0072] The other clamping rollers 282-288 upstream of the pressing unit 8 of the second mechanism 102 have substantially the same configuration as the clamping roller 281 and its support unit 18 installed at the most upstream of the second mechanism 102 shown in Figures 11-15. The clamping rollers 286-288 facing the three conveying rollers 276-278 installed adjacent to the upstream side of the pressing unit 8 are moved together by a single retraction unit 39 from the clamping position to the retraction position.

[0073] FIG. 16 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 conveyor 2, supply unit 16, transport unit 4, first creaser 5, second creaser 6, folding unit 7, coating unit 3, press unit 8, and 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] The controller 9 is connected to an operation panel 902. The operation panel 902 is configured to serve as an input operation unit such as buttons and switches, a display unit such as a display, and an output unit such as a notification unit that notifies the occurrence of an error by sound or light. The operation panel 902 constitutes an input unit through which a user inputs various processing information regarding the sheets S, including processing positions such as the shape, number of sheets, fold line positions, adhesive G application positions, and folding positions. The various processing information is input automatically or manually by the user operating the input operation unit. In addition, by the user inputting or selecting a number or the like from the operation panel 902, it is also possible to call up the form of the sheets S, such as the size and shape, together with the processing information of the sheets S, from the memory unit 901.

[0076] Various driving units are connected to the controller 9. The driving 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, allowing the angle and speed of rotation to be accurately controlled. This makes it possible to control the conveyance amount of the sheet S, the movement amount of the nozzle 35, and the position of the sheet S in the conveying path 20 at high speed and with high precision.

[0077] Various sensors are connected to the controller 9. The sensors include a sheet sensor 903 that detects the sheet S on the conveying path 20. The sheet sensor 903 detects the leading edge or trailing edge of the sheet S. The sensors also include a position sensor 88 that detects the position of the nozzle 35.

[0078] The sheet sensor 903 can be moved in a transverse direction intersecting the conveying direction F by a sensor moving unit 904. The controller 9 controls the sensor moving unit 904 to move the sheet sensor 903 to a predetermined position in the transverse direction based on processing information. The controller 9 can use the sensor moving unit 904 to determine whether the sheet S is loaded in an appropriate loading position. The controller 9 can output a warning when it is determined that the sheet S is not loaded in an appropriate loading position.

[0079] The controller 9 also includes an acquisition unit 905, a fold line determination unit 906, and a folding control unit 907. The acquisition unit 905 acquires processing information for the sheet S. The fold line determination unit 906 determines, based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 905, which of the multiple fold lines C the sheet S should be folded along in the folding unit 7. The folding control unit 907 controls the folding unit 7 to fold the sheet S in accordance with the determination by the fold line determination unit 906. The folding control unit 907 can include a holding determination unit 909 that determines which of the multiple holding members 711 to use.

[0080] The controller 9 may further include a calculation unit 911 and a loading instruction unit 912. The calculation unit 911 calculates a loading position where the sheet S should be loaded on the loading tray 94, based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 905. The loading instruction unit 912 prompts the sheet S to be loaded at the loading position calculated by the calculation unit 911.

[0081] The calculation unit 911 can include an application calculation unit 914 that determines a loading position at a position corresponding to a range in which the nozzle 35 can be moved relative to the sheet S by the nozzle movement unit 83. The loading instruction unit 912 can include a guide instruction unit 915 that indicates the position of the guide 190 in a cross direction that intersects with the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2.

[0082] Next, the operation of the processing machine 1 will be described. When processing a sheet S with the processing machine 1, the controller 9 acquires processing information for the sheet S using an acquisition unit 905. Based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 905, a fold line determination unit 906 determines which of a plurality of fold lines C the sheet S should be folded along in the folding unit 7. A folding control unit 907 controls the folding unit 7 to fold the sheet S in accordance with the determination by the fold line determination unit 906.

[0083] For this reason, the controller 9 acquires processing information such as the size and shape of the sheet S input from the input unit using the acquisition unit 905. Based on the processing information of the sheet S acquired by the acquisition unit 905, the controller 9 determines along which of the multiple fold lines C set on the sheet S the sheet S should be folded in the folding unit 7. Then, the controller 9 determines which folding unit 7 among the first to fourth folding units 11-14 should be used to fold the sheet S along which fold line C. When the controller 9 determines that the sheet S should be folded in the fourth folding unit 14, the controller 9 moves the position of the fourth folding unit 14 in the conveying direction F to a required position depending on the size of the sheet S and the position of the fold line C.

[0084] The controller 9 also determines whether to use the first application unit 31 or the second application unit 32 to apply the adhesive G. Based on these determinations, the controller 9 controls to process the sheet S. The controller 9 may determine to fold the sheet S by the fourth folding section 14 and adhere the sheet S while leaving the sheet S positioned at the position where the adhesive G was applied by the second application unit 32.

[0085] Processing information such as the size, shape, and other aspects of the sheet S, the thickness of the sheet S, the position of the fold line C, and the application position of the adhesive G is input and set by a user of the processing machine 1 via the operation panel 902 or a communication terminal. Alternatively, the form of the sheet S may be detected by a detection unit (not shown) for detecting the form of the sheet S and transmitted to the controller 9.

[0086] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an example of a sheet S processed by the processing machine 1. The sheet S is pre-cut into a predetermined shape using a cutting die. The sheet S has a holding piece B and a folding piece P. The holding piece B is held in the conveying path 20 when the sheet S is folded. The folding piece P is folded to a position opposite the holding piece B. For example, when folding along the fold line C3, the holding piece B becomes the first piece R, the second piece K, and the third piece U, and the folding piece P becomes the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y.

[0087] The sheet S has already formed therein longitudinal creases Cf along the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2 or transverse creases Cw along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F. Since the sheet S has already formed therein the longitudinal creases Cf and the transverse creases Cw, the first creaser 5 and the second creaser 6 are not used when processing the sheet S.

[0088] The sheet S has first to fourth creases C1 to C4 formed along the width direction W and fifth to eighth creases C5 to C8 formed along the conveying direction F at different positions in the width direction W. The sheet S is divided into five sections along the conveying direction F by the first crease C1 to the fourth crease C4.

[0089] The central portion of the width direction W of the sheet S is divided into a first piece R, a second piece K, a third piece U, a fourth piece V, and a fifth piece Y from the downstream side in the conveying direction F. The fifth piece Y is a glue tab. After the fifth piece Y is folded, adhesive is applied to its upper surface. The lengths of each section in the conveying direction F are as follows: first piece R is the first length L1, second piece K is the second length L2, third piece U is the third length L3, fourth piece V is the fourth length L4, and fifth piece Y is the fifth length L5.

[0090] The sheet S shown in FIG. 17 is folded along the fold lines by processing with a processing machine 1 and bonded with adhesive G to form a cylindrical workpiece J. This cylindrical workpiece J can be assembled into a rectangular box. When the workpiece J is assembled into a rectangular box, the lengths in the conveying direction F of the first and third pieces from the downstream side are the same. The lengths in the conveying direction F of the second and fourth pieces from the downstream side are also the same. That is, the length in the conveying direction F of the third piece U is the same as that of the first piece R, i.e., the first length L1, and the length in the conveying direction F of the fourth piece V is the same as that of the second piece K, i.e., the second length L2. Furthermore, if the lengths in the conveying direction F of all the first through fourth pieces R through V are the same, a workpiece J can be obtained that can be assembled into a vertically elongated rectangular box with a square lid and bottom, such as one that can hold a wine bottle. Meanwhile, the fifth piece Y is a glue tab, and therefore has a different length from the first through fourth pieces R through V.

[0091] The second piece K in the center of the width direction W is the area from the sixth crease C6 to the seventh crease C7. The sixth piece D is provided on the right side of the second piece K in Figure 17. The sixth piece D is the area from the right side edge E1 of the sheet S to the sixth crease C6. The sixth piece D includes a flap I from the right side edge E1 of the sheet S to the sixth crease C5.

[0092] The seventh piece H is provided on the left side of the second piece K in FIG. 17. The seventh piece H is the area from the seventh crease C7 to the left side edge E2 of the sheet S. The seventh piece H includes a flap I from the eighth crease C8 to the left side edge E2 of the sheet S.

[0093] The length in the width direction W of the sixth piece D is a sixth length L6. The length in the width direction W of the second piece K is an eighth length L8. The length in the width direction W of the seventh piece H is a seventh length L7. The sheet S further has flaps I on both the left and right sides of the first piece R and the third piece U.

[0094] To process the sheet S having the shape shown in FIG. 17 into a cylindrical shape, for example, the following two methods are possible. The first method is the first method shown in FIG. 18. In the first method, first, in the first folding portion 11, the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y are folded back at the third crease C3 toward the downstream third piece U. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18(b), the fourth piece V is superimposed on the second piece K and the third piece U. Furthermore, the fifth piece Y is superimposed on the second piece K.

[0095] Then, as shown in FIG. 1(c), adhesive G is applied to the upper surface of the fifth piece Y in the first application unit 31 or the second application unit 32. After that, the first piece R is folded along the first crease C1 at the fourth folding section 14 toward the second piece K and the fifth piece Y on the upstream side. As a result, the first piece R is placed on top of the second piece K and the fifth piece Y. Adhesive G is applied to the top of the fifth piece Y. The fifth piece Y and the first piece R are bonded together by the adhesive G, and the sheet S is processed into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 1(d), becoming the workpiece J.

[0096] In this first method, the second coating unit 32 can process the sheet S more appropriately than the first coating unit 31. Because the second coating unit 32 is located downstream of the first coating unit 31, after the adhesive G is applied to the fifth piece Y in the second coating unit 32, the sheet S can be folded at the fourth folding section 14 and bonded with the adhesive G without being transported downstream, while the sheet S remains in the position where the adhesive G was applied. In this case, since there is no need to transport the sheet S after the adhesive G is applied, there is no need to return the clamping rollers 28 to the transport position to transport the sheet S. Therefore, there is no problem that the adhesive G applied to the upper surface of the fifth piece Y adheres to the clamping rollers 285 or that the adhesive G contaminates the inside of the device.

[0097] A second method for processing the sheet S shown in Fig. 17 is shown in Fig. 19. In Fig. 19, first, in the first folding portion 11, the fifth piece Y is folded toward the downstream fourth piece V at the fourth crease C4. As a result, the fifth piece Y is superimposed on the fourth piece V, as shown in Fig. 19(b).

[0098] The first coating unit 31 or the second coating unit 32 applies adhesive G to the top surface of the fifth piece Y. Then, at the fourth folding section 14, the first piece R is placed on top of the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y, and the second piece K is placed toward the third piece U, along the second crease C2, and they are folded. This results in the first piece R being placed on top of the fifth piece Y. Adhesive G has been applied to the top of the fifth piece Y. The fifth piece Y and the first piece R are bonded together by the adhesive G, and the sheet S is processed into a cylindrical shape, becoming the workpiece J.

[0099] In this second method, similarly to the first method, the sheet S can be processed more appropriately by using the second coating unit 32 rather than the first coating unit 31.

[0100] Whether the sheet S is processed by the first method or the second method can be determined, for example, depending on the size of the sheet S. FIG. 20 shows a flow for determining the method for processing the sheet S depending on the size of the sheet S. In step S1 of FIG. 20, the controller 9 determines whether the first length L1 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1. The first threshold value T1 is the minimum length required for the folded piece P, which is folded back from the downstream side, to overlap the fifth piece Y to which the adhesive G has been applied by the second application unit 32.

[0101] 18(c), the first piece R is folded along the first crease C1 so as to overlap the second piece K on the upstream side in the conveyance direction F. At this time, the fifth piece Y, to which adhesive G has been applied by the second application unit 32, is positioned at the adhesive G application position, and the first piece R is folded from the downstream side to the upstream side at the fourth folding section 14 to overlap the fifth piece Y.

[0102] In the second method, the sheet S is folded along the second crease C2 shown in Figure 19(b) so that the first piece R overlaps the fourth piece V to the fifth piece Y, and the second piece K overlaps the third piece U and the fourth piece V. At this time, the fifth piece Y, to which adhesive G has been applied by the second application unit 32, is left positioned at the application position of adhesive G. The first threshold T1 is the minimum length required to fold and adhere the sheet S in this manner.

[0103] 21, the first threshold T1 can be set to a value obtained by adding a predetermined value α to the minimum value of the length L9 in the conveying direction F from the installation position of the second nozzle 35 to the installation position of the fourth rotation shaft 79. Since the fourth folding unit 14 is movable in the conveying direction F, the fourth folding unit 14 shown in FIG. 21 is located at the most upstream position within the range in which it can move in the conveying direction F.

[0104] The predetermined value α is the length required to properly bond the stacked sheets S after adhesive G has been applied from the nozzle 35. More specifically, it is the length required to properly bond the folded piece P folded back at the fourth folding portion 14 onto the sheet S to which adhesive G has been applied from the second nozzle 35 shown in FIG. 1 installed in the second application unit 32. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18(d), the predetermined value α can be the length L10 from the center of the adhesive G application range of the fifth piece Y in the conveyance direction F to the fourth crease C4 that defines the glue margin.

[0105] If the first length L1 is equal to or greater than the first threshold T1, when the first piece R is folded back along the first crease C1 in the fourth folding section 14, the first piece R can be properly overlapped on the fifth piece Y on the conveying roller 299 facing the second nozzle 35. As shown in FIG. 18(c), the first piece R can be folded as shown in FIG. 18(d) without conveying the sheet S downstream while leaving the fifth piece Y in the position where adhesive G was applied by the first method. This allows the sheet S to be properly folded by the first method.

[0106] If the first length L1 is equal to or greater than the first threshold T1, step S1 in Fig. 20 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S2. If the first length L1 is shorter than the first threshold T1, step S1 is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S3.

[0107] In step S2, it is determined whether the sum of the fourth length L4 and the fifth length L5 is greater than or equal to the second threshold T2 and less than or equal to the third threshold T3. The sum of the fourth length L4 and the fifth length L5 is equal to the length from the edge Q2 of the fifth piece Y to the third crease C3 when the fourth piece V is folded downstream along the third crease C3 and placed on top of the third piece U at the first folding portion 11, as shown in FIG. 18(b). When adhesive G is applied by the second application unit 32 to the fifth piece Y folded at the first folding portion 11 and placed on top of the second piece K, the stiffness of the sheet S tends to cause the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y to lift up and tilt upward from the state where they are placed on top of the opposing second piece K and third piece U.

[0108] In this case, it becomes difficult to properly apply adhesive G onto the fifth piece Y. Therefore, when applying adhesive G with the second application unit 32, the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y folded at the first folding portion 11 are pressed down with a pressing member 291.

[0109] The second threshold T2 is the minimum length at which adhesive G can be applied appropriately to the fifth piece Y while the presser member 291 holds down the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y when applying adhesive G to the fifth piece Y. For example, as shown in FIG. 21 , the second threshold T2 can be calculated by adding predetermined values ​​β and γ to the length L11 in the conveying direction F from the downstream edge O of the presser member 291 in the conveying direction F to the installation position of the second nozzle 35. The predetermined value β can be calculated as the minimum length at which the presser member 291 can hold down the folded sheet S. The predetermined value γ can be calculated as the minimum length required to apply adhesive G from the second nozzle 35 to the fifth piece Y. If the sum of the fourth length L4 and the fifth length L5 is equal to or greater than the second threshold T2, adhesive G can be applied appropriately to the fifth piece Y while the presser member 291 holds down the sheet S.

[0110] The third threshold T3 is the maximum length by which the sheet S can be folded in the first folding section 11. When the sum of the length L4 of the fourth piece V and the length L5 of the fifth piece Y is equal to or less than the third threshold T3, the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y can be folded downstream along the third crease C3 in the first folding section 11. The third threshold T3 can be approximately the length L12 in the conveying direction F from the installation position of the most downstream nipping roller 280 (28) and conveying roller 270 (27) of the first mechanism 101 to the installation position of the first rotating shaft 49, minus a predetermined value δ. The predetermined value δ is set to a value necessary to prevent the sheet S from being nipped by the most downstream nipping roller 280 and conveying roller 270 of the first mechanism 101 and to prevent the upstream edge Q2 of the sheet S from contacting the most downstream nipping roller 280 of the first mechanism 101 during folding, thereby preventing interference with the folding process.

[0111] When the sum of the length L4 of the fourth piece V and the length L5 of the fifth piece Y is in the range between the second threshold value T2 and the third threshold value T3, it becomes possible to process the sheet S using the first method shown in Fig. 18. Therefore, the fold line determination unit 906 of the controller 9 determines to process the sheet S using the first method.

[0112] In step S2, if the sum of the length L4 of the fourth piece V and the length L5 of the fifth piece Y is less than the second threshold value T2, the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y cannot be properly held down by the holding member 291 in the second application unit 32. Also, if the sum of the length L4 of the fourth piece V and the length L5 of the fifth piece Y is greater than the third threshold value T3, the first folding portion 11 cannot fold along the third crease C3. In such a case, proceed to step S3.

[0113] In step S3, it is determined whether the sum of the length L1 of the first piece R and the length L2 of the second piece K is greater than or equal to a first threshold value T1 and less than or equal to a fourth threshold value T4. The first threshold value T1 in step S3 is the same as the first threshold value T1 in step S1. The fourth threshold value T4 is the maximum length of the folded piece P that can be folded at the fourth folding unit 14. When the fourth folding unit 14 is positioned at the most upstream position in the conveying direction F, the fourth threshold value T4 is the length of the folded piece P that can be folded from the downstream side to the upstream side in the conveying direction F by rotating the fourth rotating unit 78 toward the upstream fourth holding unit 77.

[0114] When the sum of the length L1 of the first piece R and the length L2 of the second piece K is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 and equal to or less than the fourth threshold value T4, the sheet S can be processed using the second method shown in Fig. 19. When step S3 is satisfied, the fold line determination unit 906 of the controller 9 determines to process the sheet S using the second method.

[0115] In step S3 of Figure 20, if the sum of the length L1 of the first piece R and the length L2 of the second piece K is smaller than the first threshold value T1 or greater than the fourth threshold value T4, the sheet S cannot be processed using either the first method shown in Figure 18 or the second method shown in Figure 19, and is outside the specifications.

[0116] Furthermore, when processing the sheet S in the processing machine 1, the holding determination unit 909 determines which of the multiple holding members 711 to use. Fig. 22 shows a flow when determining which holding member 711 to use to hold the sheet S in the folding unit 7 based on processing information for the sheet S.

[0117] In step S11 of FIG. 22, the center position M of the sheet S in the width direction W is calculated. Various methods are possible for calculating the center position M of the sheet S. As one example, the controller 9 acquires the sixth length L6 and the eighth length L8 of the sheet S shown in FIG. 17. Then, half of the eighth length L8 is added to the sixth length L6 to calculate L6+L8 / 2. The sixth length L6 is the length of the sixth piece D provided to the left of the central second piece K. When the sheet S is processed into a cylindrical workpiece J by the processing machine 1, the cylindrical workpiece J obtained by processing is assembled into a rectangular box. The sixth piece D becomes the bottom or lid part of the box-like assembly and the flaps adjacent to them.

[0118] When the workpiece J is assembled into a box shape, the seventh piece H becomes the lid or bottom part facing the sixth piece D. In the sheet S of Figure 17, the length L6 in the width direction W of the sixth piece D and the length L7 in the width direction W of the seventh piece H are the same. Therefore, for the sheet S shown in Figure 17, the center position M in the width direction W of the sheet S can be calculated by adding half the length L8 in the width direction W of the second piece K to the length L6 in the width direction W of the sixth piece D, or L6 + L8 / 2.

[0119] The sheets S processed by the processing machine 1 can be of various shapes, but when the processing machine 1 is used to obtain a cylindrical workpiece J from which a rectangular box can be assembled, the approximate center position M of the sheet S can be calculated by adding up half the length L8 of the width direction W of the second piece K, which is the length of the height part of the rectangular box, and the length L6 of the width direction W of the sixth piece D, which will be the lid or bottom part.

[0120] In the sheet S shown in Figure 17, the length L6 in the width direction W of the sixth piece D and the length L7 in the width direction W of the seventh piece H are the same, but even if they are different, it is acceptable to assume that they are the same and calculate the approximate center position M of the sheet S.

[0121] Proceeding to step S12 in Figure 22, the holding members 711 to be used to hold the sheet S when folding the sheet S are selected from among the multiple holding members 711 arranged side by side in the width direction W in the folding unit 7. To do this, first, the arrangement of the holding members 711 is compared with the range in which the sheet S should be held when folding the sheet S along the fold line C, and the number of holding members 711 to be used to hold the sheet S is determined.

[0122] For example, as shown in Figure 18(b), when folding the sheet S along the third crease C3 using the first method, the third piece U is held while the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y are folded back toward the third piece U. At this time, the third piece U must be sucked by the holding member 711. In this case, it is necessary to use a holding member 711 that is at least as long as the eighth length L8.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 23, if three holding members 711 are included in the range of the eighth length L8, the number of holding members 711 to be used to hold the sheet S will be three. Of the holding members 711 shown in the same figure, the rightmost holding member 711a and the fifth holding member 711e from the right in the same figure are not installed in the range corresponding to the third piece U. Therefore, they are inappropriate. On the other hand, the second, third, and fourth holding members 711b, 711c, and 711d from the right in the same figure are installed in the range corresponding to the third piece U.

[0124] Next, a central position N is determined from among the holding members 711b, 711c, and 711d to be used to hold the sheet S. Then, the central position M of the sheet S is aligned with the central position N of the holding members 711b, 711c, and 711d. In FIG. 23, the central position M of the sheet S is positioned at the central position N in the width direction W of the central holding member 711c of the three holding members 711b, 711c, and 711d to be used to hold the sheet S.

[0125] Depending on the size and shape of the sheet S, the number of holding members 711 to be used to hold the sheet S may be an even number, such as two or four. In such a case, the position where the even number of holding members 711 are separated symmetrically on the left and right is set as the center position N of the holding members 711, and the center position M of the sheet S is aligned with this position.

[0126] The controller 9 selects the holding member 711 that is to hold the sheet S based on the calculated center position N of the three holding members 711b, 711c, and 711d and the center position M of the sheet S.

[0127] Steps Proceeding to S13, when adhesive G is applied by the application unit 3 while the sheet S is held by the holding members 711b, 711c, and 711d selected in step S12, it is determined whether the position on the sheet S to be applied with adhesive G is within the range X where adhesive G can be applied by the application unit 3. There are cases where the range where adhesive G can be applied by the nozzle 35 is limited due to the installation of another mechanism near the application unit 3, such as the installation of the retraction section 39. Even if the folding unit 7 can fold the sheet S, there is a risk that the application unit 3 will not be able to apply adhesive G to the areas where adhesive G needs to be applied.

[0128] Therefore, in step S13, it is determined whether the nozzle 35 can move in the width direction W and whether adhesive G can be applied from the nozzle 35 to the position on the sheet S where adhesive G should be applied. If it is within the range where adhesive G can be applied in step S13, it is determined that the sheet S will be held by the selected holding member 711, and the process ends.

[0129] If it is determined in step S13 that adhesive G cannot be applied, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the holding member 711 is changed to another holding member 711 that can be applied with adhesive G. The process returns from step S14 to step S11, and holding member 711 is selected in the same manner.

[0130] The calculation unit 911 calculates a loading position where the sheets S should be loaded on the loading tray 94 in order to hold and fold the sheets S with the holding member 711 selected according to the flow of Fig. 22. The loading instruction unit 912 prompts the user to load the sheets S at the loading position calculated by the calculation unit 911. That is, the loading instruction unit 912 displays a command on the operation panel 902 to specify the position of the guide 190. The user adjusts the position of the guide 190 using the position adjustment unit 191 in accordance with the display on the operation panel 902.

[0131] The user places the sheet S on the stacking tray 94 by abutting the right side edge E1 against the guide 190 whose position in the width direction W has been adjusted. When the user performs an operation to start processing, the controller 9 drives the lifting mechanism. The uppermost sheet S of the multiple sheets S on the stacking tray 94 is supplied to the downstream transport unit 4 by the suction transport unit 95. In the transport unit 4, the sheet S is transported downstream in the transport direction F by the travel of the transport belt 42.

[0132] The sheet S passes through the first creaser 5 and the second creaser 6. When the sheet S is processed using the first method shown in FIG. 18, the controller 9 stops conveying the sheet S when the third crease C3 of the sheet S reaches the first folding portion 11. On the other hand, when the sheet S is processed using the second method shown in FIG. 19, the controller 9 stops conveying the sheet S when the fourth crease C4 of the sheet S reaches the first folding portion 11.

[0133] The nipping rollers 281 and 282 are moved from the state where they are nipping the sheet S to a retracted position on the side of the conveying path 20. The sheet S is released from the state where it is nipped by the nipping rollers 281 and 282 on the conveying path 20. The upper surface of the sheet S around the first folding portion 11 is exposed.

[0134] Meanwhile, the lower surface of the sheet S is supported by the conveying rollers 27 and the first holding unit 47 on the lower side of the conveying path 20. When the pinch rollers 281 move to the retracted position, the controller 9 controls the switching unit 715 of the first folding unit 11 so as to generate negative pressure in the holding member 711 selected according to the size and shape of the sheet S in accordance with the flow shown in FIG. 22 . 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 corresponding to the portion of the sheet S held by the holding member 711, and the sheet S is sucked through the ventilation hole 713. The sheet S is held on the holding member 711.

[0135] Next, the controller 9 drives the folding drive unit 732. By driving the folding drive unit 732, the rotating shaft 74 is rotated a predetermined amount via the power transmission unit 736. The rotating section 750 is rotated about the rotating shaft 74. The first rotating member 45 and the first folding roller 50 move to the folding position and face the first holding unit 47 and the conveying roller 272, respectively.

[0136] In the first method, the fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y are swung on the conveying path 20 with the third crease C3 as the swing center, and are folded back in an arc toward the downstream side of the conveying direction F to a position opposite the second folded piece K and the third folded piece U. The fourth piece V and the fifth piece Y are superimposed on the second folded piece K and the third folded piece U.

[0137] In the second method, only the fifth piece Y is swung on the conveying path 20 around the fourth crease C4 as the swing center, and is folded back in an arc toward the downstream side of the conveying direction F. The fifth piece Y is moved to a position opposite the fourth folded piece V. The fifth piece Y is placed on top of the fourth piece V.

[0138] The sheet S is conveyed downstream starting from the downstream edge Q1 of the first piece R. After the leading edge of the sheet S passes through the first coating unit 31 and the third folding section 13, when the fifth piece Y reaches the second coating unit 32, the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2.

[0139] At this time, when the sheet S is processed by the first method, the fourth piece V is pressed by the pressing member 291 toward the second piece K and the third piece U that are stacked underneath.

[0140] 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 fifth piece Y. The controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843. The carriage 831 moves from the retracted position to the application position.

[0141] The fifth piece Y is guided by the thin plate 152 toward the holding piece B of the sheet S. Then, the fifth piece Y is pressed by the pressing member 89. The controller 9 sprays adhesive G from the nozzle 35. The adhesive G is applied to the upper surface of the folded-back fifth piece Y.

[0142] When the carriage 831 reaches the downstream end of the fifth piece Y in the application direction Z, the controller 9 stops application of adhesive G from the nozzle 35. The controller 9 also stops the movement drive unit 835. Then, the controller 9 drives the lift drive unit 843 to move the carriage 831 from the application position to the retracted position. Thereafter, the controller 9 drives the movement drive unit 835 to move the carriage 831 to the left in FIG. 8, which is the opposite direction from when applying adhesive G. The controller 9 stops the carriage 831 at the application start position for the subsequent sheet S.

[0143] Furthermore, the controller 9 folds back the downstream portion of the sheet S toward the holding piece B, without conveying the sheet S downstream, while leaving the sheet S in the position where the adhesive G was applied to the fifth piece Y. At this time, the controller 9 first drives the fifth retraction section 25 to move the upper clamping roller 285 of the conveying path 20, which is installed downstream of the second application unit 32, from the clamping position to the retracted position. Depending on the size of the sheet S, the controller 9 also moves the three clamping rollers 286-288 adjacent to the downstream side of the fourth folding section 14 from the clamping position to the retracted position by the sixth retraction section 26. As a result, when folding the downstream portion of the sheet S toward the fifth piece Y, the clamping rollers 285-288 are positioned on the folded piece P of the sheet S, and the folding operation is not hindered.

[0144] The controller 9 drives the fourth rotating portion 78. The fourth rotating portion 78 is swung about the fourth rotating shaft 79, and reaches a position facing the fourth holding portion 77.

[0145] In the first method, the sheet S is folded at the first crease C1. In the second method, the sheet S is folded at the second crease C2. Then, the sheet S is placed on a holding piece B that is held in the conveying path 20 by a holding member 711 at a corresponding position. The first piece R is adhered near its edge Q1 by adhesive G on the fifth piece Y.

[0146] The controller 9 drives the conveying drive unit 29. The sheet S is conveyed downstream by the fourth folding roller 80 and the opposing conveying roller 290. It is preferable to immediately convey the sheet S downstream by the fourth folding roller 80 and the opposing conveying roller 290 after folding at the fourth folding section 14. This allows the fifth piece Y to be pressed from above and below by the fourth folding roller 80 and the opposing conveying roller 290 within a short time after the adhesive G is applied. The pressing allows the adhesive G to be evenly spread between the first piece R and the fifth piece Y, firmly adhering the first piece R and the fifth piece Y. This prevents the adhesive G from clumping and solidifying, which could degrade the quality of the workpiece J.

[0147] Instead of or in addition to the pressing operation of the adhesive G application portion by the fourth turning roller 80 and the opposing conveying roller 290, the first piece R and the fifth piece Y may be pressed from above by the pressing member 89 in a previous stage. In this case, the controller 9 drives the lifting drive unit 843 to move the carriage 831 from the retracted position to the application position. The controller 9 may also drive the movement drive unit 835 to move the carriage 831 back and forth downstream and upstream in the application direction Z, thereby pressing the first piece R and the fifth piece Y with the pressing member 89 and spreading the adhesive G evenly.

[0148] Furthermore, the controller 9 may rotate the fourth folding roller 80 and the opposing conveying roller 290 in the opposite direction while moving the fourth folding unit 14 downstream along the conveying direction F. After the sheet S is folded in the fourth folding unit 14, the fourth folding unit 14 may be moved downstream along the conveying direction F before the sheet S is delivered to the press unit 8. In this case, by rotating the fourth folding roller 80 and the opposing conveying roller 290 in the opposite direction while the fourth folding unit 14 is moving, the sheet S can be passed through the nip between the fourth folding roller 80 and the conveying roller 290 multiple times. The portion of the sheet S coated with adhesive G can be pressed multiple times.

[0149] When the leading and trailing end portions of the sheet S reach the press unit 8, the controller 9 stops the conveyor 2. The controller 9 then lowers the upper pressing member 85 of the conveying path 20 toward the lower pressing member 86. The sheet S is pressed by the pair of pressing members 85, 86 and firmly folded. The workpiece J obtained by the processing is discharged onto the discharge tray 99.

[0150] The processing machine 1 includes a conveyor 2 that transports a sheet S on which multiple fold lines C are set, a folding unit 7 that folds the sheet S transported by the conveyor 2 along the fold lines C, an application unit 3 that applies adhesive G to the sheet S, and a controller 9 that controls the operation of the conveyor 2, the folding unit 7, and the application unit 3. The controller 9 includes an acquisition unit 905 that acquires processing information for the sheet S, a fold line determination unit 906 that determines, based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 905, which of the multiple fold lines C along which the sheet S should be folded in the folding unit 7, and a folding control unit 907 that controls the folding unit 7 to fold the sheet S in accordance with the determination by the fold line determination unit 906. Therefore, the sheet S can be folded at the appropriate position determined by the fold line determination unit in accordance with the processing information.

[0151] In addition, the folding unit 7 is provided with a plurality of holding members 711 for holding the holding pieces B of the sheet S in the conveying path 20, and when the folding control unit 907 is provided with a holding determination unit 909 that determines which of the plurality of holding members 711 to use, the sheet S can be held in the conveying path 20 using the holding members 711 required when folding the sheet S.

[0152] If the folding unit 7 is provided with a stacking tray 94 on which the sheets S to be folded are stacked, and the controller 9 is provided with a calculation unit 911 that calculates the stacking position at which the sheets S should be stacked on the stacking tray 94 based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit 905, and a loading instruction unit 912 that prompts the user to stack the sheets S at the stacking position calculated by the calculation unit 911, the folding unit 7 can allow the user to stack the sheets S at an appropriate stacking position that allows the sheets S to be folded appropriately based on the processing information.

[0153] Furthermore, if the stacking tray 94 is provided with a guide 190 for guiding the sides of the sheets S stacked thereon, and the stacking instruction unit 912 is provided with a guide instruction unit 915 for indicating the position of the guide 190 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2, the sheets S can be easily stacked in an appropriate position using the guide 190.

[0154] Furthermore, when the application unit 3 includes a nozzle 35 for applying adhesive G to the sheet S and a nozzle movement section 83 for moving the nozzle 35 relative to the sheet S, and the calculation section 911 includes an application calculation section 914 for determining the loading position at a position corresponding to the range in which the nozzle 35 can move relative to the sheet S by the nozzle movement section 83, the sheet S can be loaded at an appropriate position on the loading tray 94 even if there is a range in which the nozzle 35 cannot apply adhesive G to the sheet S.

[0155] Furthermore, the device is provided with a sheet sensor 903 that detects the sheet S on the conveying path 20, and a sensor moving unit 904 that moves the sheet sensor 903 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2, and the controller 9 controls the sensor moving unit 904 to move the sheet sensor 903 to a predetermined position in the intersecting direction based on processing information, so that the sheet sensor 903 can be moved to an appropriate position according to the processing information of the sheet S and detect the sheet S. This eliminates the need to install multiple sheet sensors in a direction intersecting the conveying direction F when processing sheets S of various sizes and shapes, thereby reducing costs.

[0156] The controller 9 uses the sheet sensor 903 to determine whether the sheet S is loaded in the appropriate loading position, and can notify the user when the sheet S is placed in an inappropriate position on the loading tray 94.

[0157] Furthermore, when the controller 9 determines that the sheets S are not stacked in an appropriate stacking position, it outputs a warning and allows the user to stack the sheets S in an appropriate position on the stacking tray.

[0158] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. While the above-described embodiments include the first creaser 5 and the second creaser 6, a mechanism for the creasing process may not be provided. In each of the first folding unit 11 to the fourth folding unit 14, the conveyance of the sheet S is stopped and the sheet S is folded. However, instead, the folded portion may be folded without stopping the conveyance of the sheet. For example, the sheet may be folded by contacting the folded portion of the conveyed sheet and changing the orientation of the folded portion. Furthermore, the processing machine may be installed inside the image processing device.

[0159] Although a position adjustment unit 191 is provided to adjust the position of the guide 190 in the width direction W, the position adjustment unit may not be provided. In this case, the user may adjust the position of the sheet S on the stacking tray according to a scale or the like displayed on the supply unit. The position adjustment unit 191 is provided with a handle, but may also be provided with a movement mechanism for automatically moving the guide in the width direction.

[0160] Although the nozzle 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.

[0161] Furthermore, the nozzle movement unit 83 shown in FIG. 3 dispenses adhesive G from the nozzle 35 and applies adhesive G to the sheet S when the carriage 831 moves to the right, but it may also dispense adhesive from the nozzle and apply adhesive to the sheet when moving to the left. In this case, the nozzle 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 left and right in the width direction, it is desirable to install nozzle guides at both the right and left ends of the carriage.

[0162] While the first and second application 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 sheet may have a fold line along the conveyance direction, the folded piece may be oscillated in the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and 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 in the width direction. The folded piece located on one side of the width direction is oscillated toward the main body of the sheet S located on the other side of the width direction. The movement direction of the nozzle moving part is opposite to the conveyance direction. The extension direction of the nozzle guide is such that the downstream portion of the guide 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. Since the movement direction of the nozzle moving part is opposite to the conveying direction, the extension direction of the guide 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.

[0163] Although the case where adhesive G is discharged from the nozzle 35 when the nozzle moving unit 83 moves the carriage 831 to the right from the home position has been shown, adhesive may also be discharged from the nozzle when the carriage is moved to the left and applied to the sheet, 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 nozzle moving unit 83 moves the carriage 831 to the left from the home position, but when detaching and cleaning the nozzle 35, it is not necessary to provide a nozzle cleaning position within the device, and the cleaning position may be provided on the other side of the transport path, which is the right side in Figure 3.

[0164] 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.

[0165] The rotating portion 72 is provided with a rotating portion that rotates the folded piece P toward the holding piece B using the fold line C formed on the sheet S as the center of swing, but instead, a point other than the fold line may be used as the center of swing to bring the folded piece close to the holding piece, and the folded piece may be moved the required amount parallel to the main body and folded rather than being rotated.

[0166] Furthermore, the folding unit 7 folds the sheet S at vertical creases along the conveying direction of the conveyor 2 provided on the sheet S or at horizontal creases along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, but the fold lines may be oblique to the conveying direction. Furthermore, the retracting section 39 includes a moving section 30 that moves the pivotal support section 37 that rotatably supports the clamping roller 281 toward the outside of the conveying path 20, but the roller itself may be moved, or the roller may be retracted to a position above or below the conveying path 20 that does not interfere with the folding operation.

[0167] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotation shaft 34 is aligned in the vertical direction at the retracted position, but the rotation shaft of the roller may be retracted to the outside of the conveyance path along the conveyance direction at the retracted position. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the pinch rollers 281-288 that can be retracted by the retraction unit 39 are 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, in the illustrated embodiment, the length of the pinch rollers 281-288 in the width direction W is about half the length of the width direction W of the conveyance path 20, but they may be shorter than half, longer than that, or longer than the length of the conveyance path.

[0168] 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 clamping rollers may be retracted to both the left and right sides of the conveying path.

[0169] Furthermore, although the processing machine 1 includes the first and second application units 31 and 32, it may include three or more application units. In the second application unit 32, the sheet S is folded at the fourth folding section 14 without being transported, leaving the position where adhesive G is applied to the fifth piece Y, but adhesive may also be applied by the first application unit. If the adhesive application unit and the folding section are installed in separate locations, the sheet may be transported after adhesive application until the fold line of the sheet reaches the specified folding section, and once the fold line reaches the appropriate folding section, the transport of the sheet may be stopped and the folding process may be performed.

[0170] 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.

[0171] 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, or spirits, or a sheet for forming various folding papers such as Christmas cards, membership cards, coupons, etc.

[0172] 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.

[0173] 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.

[0174] The position adjustment unit 191 is equipped with an operation unit such as a hand crank, but the position adjustment unit may also have a mechanism for automatically moving the guide. In this case, the controller controls the position adjustment unit, which adjusts the position of the guide in the cross direction based on sheet processing information. The guide is automatically moved in the cross direction by the drive unit of the position adjustment unit.

[0175] Although a sensor moving unit 904 is provided to move the sheet sensor 903 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction F of the conveyor 2, a plurality of sheet sensors may be arranged side by side in the intersecting direction without providing a sensor moving unit. The supply device 16 may move the suction pad as is. The folding section link mechanism 733 may not be provided, and the sheet may be conveyed as is. The press unit 8 may not be provided.

[0176] All of the nip rollers 28 of the first mechanism 101 and the nip roller 28 located at the most downstream of the second mechanism 102 are not divided in the width direction W but are composed of a single roller. However, they may be divided into multiple rollers in the width direction. While the nip rollers 281-288 are shown divided into multiple rollers in the width direction W, they may not be divided, and instead of being divided into three rollers in the width direction, they may be divided into two, four, or more rollers. Also, while FIG. 1 shows the nozzle 351 of the first application unit 31 installed downstream of the nip roller 283, the nozzle may be installed at the same position in the width direction as the upstream nip roller. In this case, the nozzle and the nip roller are arranged side by side in the width direction. The nozzle faces the conveying roller shown upstream in FIG. 1. If the nip roller obstructs the movement of the nozzle in the width direction, the nip roller is moved to a retracted position. Similarly, although the second nozzle 35 of the second application unit 32 is installed upstream of the pinch roller 285 in the above embodiment, the second nozzle may be installed side by side with the downstream pinch roller in the width direction. If the pinch roller interferes with the movement of the second nozzle in the width direction, the pinch roller is moved to a retracted position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] B holding piece, C folding line, F conveying direction, S sheet, 1 processing machine, 2 conveyor, 3 coating unit, 7 folding unit, 9 controller, 20 conveying path, 35 nozzle, 94 loading tray, 190 guide, 711 holding member, 905 acquisition unit, 906 folding line determination unit, 907 folding control unit, 909 holding determination unit, 911 calculation unit, 912 loading instruction unit, 915 guide instruction unit, 914 coating calculation unit.

Claims

1. a conveyor for conveying a sheet on which a plurality of fold lines are set; a folding unit that folds the sheet conveyed by the conveyor along the folding line; an application unit that applies adhesive to the sheet; A processing machine including a controller that controls operations of the conveyor, the folding unit, and the coating unit, The controller includes an acquisition unit that acquires processing information of the sheet; a fold line determination unit that determines, based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit, which of the plurality of fold lines along which the sheet is to be folded in the folding unit; a folding control unit that controls the folding unit to fold the sheet in accordance with the determination by the fold line determination unit.

2. a stacking tray on which the sheets to be folded in the folding unit are stacked, the controller includes a calculation unit that calculates a stacking position where the sheet should be stacked on the stacking tray based on the processing information acquired by the acquisition unit; 2. The processing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a loading instruction unit that prompts the user to load the sheets at the loading position calculated by the calculation unit.

3. a guide for guiding a side of the sheets loaded on the loading tray; The processing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the loading instruction section includes a guide instruction section that indicates a position of the guide in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveyor.

4. the application unit includes a nozzle for applying adhesive to the sheet, and a nozzle moving unit for moving the nozzle relative to the sheet; The processing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the calculation unit includes a coating calculation unit that determines the loading position at a position corresponding to a range in which the nozzle can be moved relative to the sheet by the nozzle movement unit.

5. the folding unit includes a plurality of holding members for holding the holding pieces of the sheet in the conveying path; The processing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding control section includes a holding determination section that determines which of the plurality of holding members to use.

6. a sensor for detecting the sheet on the conveying path; a sensor moving unit that moves the sensor in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveyor, 3. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls a sensor moving unit to move the sensor to a predetermined position in the intersecting direction based on the processing information.

7. 7. The processing machine according to claim 6, which relies on claim 2, wherein the controller uses the sensor to determine whether the sheet is properly loaded at the loading position.

8. 8. The processing machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller outputs a warning when it is determined that the sheets are not loaded in the appropriate loading position.

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