Folding device

Abstract

To provide a folding device capable of appropriately performing folding processing without interfering with a folding operation by a roller conveying a sheet when the sheet is folded while being held on a conveyance path.SOLUTION: A folding device 1 comprises: a conveyance unit 2 provided with a roller 19 for sandwiching and conveying a sheet S; and a folding unit 7 for folding the sheet S conveyed by the conveyance unit 2. The folding unit 7 is provided with a holding part 71 for holding the sheet S on a conveyance path, and a proximity part 72 for bringing a folded piece of the sheet S close to an opposite position of a holding piece of the sheet S held by the holding part 71. The conveyance unit 2 is provided with a retreat part 39 for retreating the roller 19 from the conveyance path 20 when the sheet S is folded by the folding unit 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a folding device that folds a sheet that has been conveyed. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a folding device that can suppress deviation of a folding position of a sheet to be folded. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-199561 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the device described in Patent Document 1, the folding rollers fold the sheet while transporting it. In this case, the folding rollers can continuously fold the sheet while always clamping and transporting it, which improves work efficiency. Folding using such folding rollers is possible when the sheet is relatively thin, such as copy paper or letters. On the other hand, when the sheet is thicker than a predetermined value, for example, cardboard for manufacturing boxes for storing alcohol bottles, boxes for storing business cards, or cardboard for pocket holders for storing catalogs, flyers, etc., it is difficult to fold the sheet using the folding rollers.

[0005] When the sheet is thicker than a predetermined thickness, a method of folding the sheet can be considered by holding the sheet on the conveying path and moving the portion of the sheet to be folded toward a position facing the sheet held on the conveying path. However, when the portion of the sheet to be folded is brought close to the portion held on the conveying path, if the sheet itself is pinched by the conveying rollers, there is a risk that it will be difficult to fold the sheet properly.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a folding device that, when folding a sheet while holding it on a conveying path, can perform a proper folding process without the folding operation being hindered by rollers that convey the sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the folding device of the present invention is a folding device for holding and transporting a sheet. A pair The sheet conveying device includes a conveying section provided with rollers, and a folding section that folds a sheet conveyed by the conveying section, the folding section being provided with a holding section that holds the sheet on a conveying path, and an approaching section that brings a folded piece of the sheet close to a position facing a holding piece of the sheet held by the holding section, and the conveying section is provided with: Present in the path of the folded piece a retracting section for retracting the roller from the conveying path is provided; The pair of rollers are disposed opposite to each other across the sheet conveying path. .

[0008] In the above-mentioned configuration, the proximity portion includes a rotating portion that rotates the folded piece toward the holding piece around the fold formed in the sheet as a rotation center.

[0009] In each of the above configurations, the folding section folds the sheet along a vertical crease along the conveying direction of the conveying section provided on the sheet or along a horizontal crease along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0010] Furthermore, in each of the above configurations, the retracting section includes a moving section that moves the axial support section that axially supports the roller so as to be rotatable, toward the outside of the conveying path.

[0011] Furthermore, in each of the above configurations, the moving portion includes a swinging portion that swings the pivot support portion about a swing shaft.

[0012] Furthermore, in each of the above configurations, the pivot shaft extends along the conveying direction.

[0013] Furthermore, in each of the above configurations, the retreat section moves the roller from a conveying position in which the rotation axis of the roller is aligned along a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying section, to a retreat position in which the rotation axis is oriented in a direction intersecting the width direction.

[0014] Furthermore, in each of the above configurations, in the retracted position, the rotation axis is aligned in the vertical direction. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, a sheet is clamped and conveyed. A pair The sheet conveying device includes a conveying section provided with rollers, and a folding section that folds a sheet conveyed by the conveying section, the folding section being provided with a holding section that holds the sheet on a conveying path, and an approaching section that brings a folded piece of the sheet close to a position facing a holding piece of the sheet held by the holding section, and the conveying section is provided with: Present in the path of the folded piece A retracting section is provided for retracting the roller from the conveying path. The pair of rollers are disposed opposite to each other across the sheet conveying path. Therefore, the folded piece can be brought into close proximity to the holding piece held by the holding portion.

[0016] Furthermore, if the adjacent portion includes a rotating portion that rotates the folding piece toward the holding piece around the crease formed in the sheet as the center of rotation, the sheet can be easily folded.

[0017] Furthermore, the folding section can fold the sheet more easily when folding the sheet along vertical creases along the conveying direction of the conveying section provided on the sheet or along horizontal creases along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0018] Furthermore, when the retracting section includes a moving section that moves the axial support section that rotatably supports the roller toward the outside of the conveying path, the roller can be easily moved toward the outside of the conveying path.

[0019] Furthermore, when the moving section includes a swinging section that swings the pivot support section about a swing shaft, the roller can be easily moved from the conveying path while being pivotally supported by the pivot support section.

[0020] Furthermore, in the case where the pivot shaft extends along the conveying direction, the roller can be moved in a direction away from the conveying path by pivoting the shaft support portion about the pivot shaft.

[0021] Furthermore, when the retraction section moves the roller from a conveying position in which the rotation axis of the roller is along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying section to a retraction position in which the rotation axis is in a direction intersecting the width direction, the roller extending in the width direction at the conveying position can be easily moved to the retraction position when holding the holding piece with the holding section and bringing the folded piece close to the holding piece.

[0022] Furthermore, in the retracted position, if the rotation shaft is aligned in the vertical direction, the roller can be retracted more easily. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a folding device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a roller and a support unit of the folding device; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the roller and the support unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a front view of the roller and the support unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the roller and the support unit. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating how the roller and the support unit are used. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sheet to be processed by the folding device. [Figure 9] 4A to 4C are diagrams showing a process of folding the sheet. [Figure 10] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a usage state of the folding device. [Figure 11] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a usage state of the folding device. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a support unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a processing device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the processing device. The processing device 1 includes a first mechanism 101 and a second mechanism 102. The first mechanism 101 includes a supply unit 16, a skew correction unit 4, a vertical crease unit 5, and a horizontal crease unit 6. The second mechanism 102 includes a folding unit 7, a glue application unit 3, a pressing unit 8, and a discharge unit 17.

[0025] The processing device 1 also includes a control unit 9 for controlling the operation of the entire device within the device body 10. A conveying path 20 is formed from the supply unit 16 to the paper discharge unit 17 by a conveying unit 2 including a plurality of rollers 19 for clamping and conveying the sheet S.

[0026] The supply section 16 includes a supply tray 94 and a suction conveying section 95. The supply tray 94 has a sheet S placed thereon. The supply tray 94 is raised and lowered by a lifting section (not shown). The suction conveying section 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. Negative pressure is generated in the suction box 96 by driving the blower 98, and the topmost sheet S on the supply tray 94 is adsorbed to the underside of the conveying belt 97.

[0027] The skew correction unit 4 includes a guide 41 and a skew belt 42. A side edge of the sheet S comes into contact with the guide 41. As the skew belt 42 travels, the sheet S is transported toward the guide 41, and is transported downstream while one side edge comes into contact with the guide 41.

[0028] The vertical crease unit 5 forms a crease C in the sheet S along the conveying direction F. The vertical crease unit 5 includes an upper member 51, a lower member 52, a separating unit 53, and a lateral movement unit 54. The upper member 51 is installed above the conveying path 20. The upper member 51 is formed in a disk shape, and a concave groove is formed on its circumferential surface. The lower member 52 is installed below the conveying path 20 at a position opposite 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 convex portion that engages with the concave groove is formed on its circumferential surface. The separating unit 53 separates the upper member 51 from the lower member 52. The lateral movement unit 54 moves the upper member 51 and the lower member 52 together in a width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F.

[0029] The lateral crease portion 6 forms a fold C in the sheet S along the width direction W. The lateral crease portion 6 includes a recessed member 61, a protruding member 62, and a lifting portion 63. The recessed member 61 is disposed above the conveying path 20, and is raised and lowered by the lifting portion 63. The protruding member 62 faces the recessed member 61, and is disposed below the conveying path 20.

[0030] The folding unit 7 folds the sheet S conveyed by the conveying unit 2. The folding unit 7 folds the sheet S at a vertical fold Cf provided on the sheet S along the conveying direction of the conveying unit 2 or a horizontal fold CW along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F (see FIG. 3).

[0031] The folding unit 7 is provided with a holding unit 71 and a proximity unit 72. The holding unit 71 holds the sheet S on the conveying path 20. The proximity unit 72 brings the folded piece of the sheet S close to a position facing the holding piece of the sheet S held by the holding unit 71. The proximity unit 72 includes a rotating unit 73. The rotating unit 73 rotates the folded piece toward the holding piece around the crease C formed in the sheet S as the center of rotation. The folding unit 7 includes first to fourth folding units 11-14.

[0032] The first folding unit 11 is disposed on the most upstream side of the four folding units 7. The first folding unit 11 folds the rear glue margin E provided at the rear end portion of the sheet S at a rear fold C2 formed along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F of the conveying unit 2 (see FIG. 3). The first folding unit 11 includes a first adjacent portion 46 and a first holding portion 47.

[0033] The first proximity section 46 includes a first rotating member 45 and a first rotating section 48. The first rotating section 48 rotates the first rotating member 45 toward the downstream first holding section 47 around a first rotating shaft 49. As a result, the first rotating section 48 rotates the rear glue flap E, which is a folded piece, toward the main body B, which is a holding piece, around the rear fold C2 formed in the sheet S as the rotation center.

[0034] The second folding unit 12 is disposed downstream of the first folding unit 11. The second folding unit 12 folds the front end portion of the sheet S along the width direction W. The second folding unit 12 includes a second adjacent unit 56 and a second holding unit 57. The second adjacent unit 72 includes a second rotating member 55 and a second rotating unit 58. The second rotating unit 58 rotates the second rotating member 55 around the second rotating shaft 59 toward the upstream second holding unit 57. As a result, the second rotating unit 58 rotates the front glue tab D as a folding piece toward the main body B as a holding piece with the front horizontal fold C1 formed in the sheet S as the rotation center.

[0035] The third folding unit 13 is disposed downstream of the second folding unit 12 and between the two glue application units 3. The third folding unit 13 folds the sheet S at a vertical fold Cf along the conveying direction F of the conveying unit 2 provided on the sheet S. The third folding unit 13 includes a third adjacent unit 66, a third holding unit 67, and a moving unit (not shown). The third adjacent unit 66 includes a third rotating unit 68. As shown in FIG. 2, the third rotating unit 68 and the third holding unit 67 are arranged in parallel in the width direction W. The third rotating unit 68 rotates the third rotating member 65 toward the third holding unit 67 provided adjacent to the third rotating unit 65 in the width direction W, with the third rotating shaft 69 as its axis. The moving unit moves the third fold adjacent unit 66 and the third holding unit 67 together in the width direction W, in alignment with the position of the fold C. Thereby, the folding piece is rotated toward the holding piece around the fold C along the conveying direction F as the center of rotation, and is folded.

[0036] The fourth folding unit 14 is disposed downstream of 4. The fourth folding unit 14 folds the sheet S at a central crease C5 along the width direction W provided at the center of the conveying direction F of the sheet S. The fourth folding unit 14 includes a fourth proximity unit 76 and a fourth holding unit 77. The fourth proximity unit 76 includes a fourth rotating unit 78. The fourth rotating unit 78 rotates the fourth rotating member 75 about a fourth rotating shaft 79 toward the upstream fourth holding unit 77.

[0037] The glue application unit 3 includes first and second glue application units 31, 32. The first glue application unit 31 is installed between the second folding unit 12 and the third folding unit 13. The first glue application unit 31 applies glue to the sheet S along the width direction W. The first glue application unit 31 includes a first nozzle 81, a first glue supply unit (not shown), and a first glue moving unit 82. The first nozzle 81 sprays glue G from the first glue supply unit toward the sheet S, applying glue G to the sheet S. The first glue supply unit supplies glue G to the first nozzle 81. The first glue moving unit 82 moves the first nozzle 81 in the width direction W.

[0038] The second glue application unit 32 is installed between the third folding unit 13 and the fourth folding unit 14. The second glue application unit 32 applies glue to the sheet S along the width direction W. The second glue application unit 32 includes a second nozzle 91, a second glue supply unit (not shown), and a second glue moving unit 92. The second nozzle 91 sprays glue G from the second glue supply unit toward the sheet S, applying glue G to the sheet S. The second glue supply unit supplies glue G to the second nozzle 91. The second glue moving unit 92 moves the second nozzle 91 in the width direction W.

[0039] The pressing unit 8 presses the fold C of the sheet S. The pressing unit 8 includes a pair of upper and lower pressing members 85, 86 and a lifting unit 87. The pair of pressing members 85, 86 are disposed facing each other above and below across the conveying path 20. The lifting unit 86 lifts and lowers the pressing member 85, which is disposed above the conveying path 20, toward the other opposing pressing member 86.

[0040] The processed sheet S is placed on the discharge section 17. The discharge section 17 includes a discharge tray 99.

[0041] The control unit 9 has a CPU connected to an operation panel (not shown). The operation panel functions as a setting unit that sets processing information for the sheet S. The setting unit is configured so that the type, thickness, hardness, etc. of the sheet S can be manually input and set by the user. The setting unit can also call up and set the type, thickness, hardness, etc. of the sheet S together with the processing contents of the sheet S from the memory unit by the user inputting or selecting a number, etc. The operation panel also functions as a display unit that displays various information.

[0042] The conveying section 2 is configured to hold the sheet S and convey it from the supply section 16 to the discharge section 17. Of the multiple rollers 19, the lower roller 27 located below the conveying path 20 is connected to a conveying drive section (not shown). The length in the width direction W of all the lower rollers 27 other than the lower roller 273 installed in the third folding section 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 lower roller 273 installed in the third folding section 13 is shorter than the length in the width direction W of the conveying path 20, approximately half the length.

[0043] The rollers 28 installed above the conveying path 20 are rotated by the rotation of the opposing lower roller 27. All the upper rollers 28 of the conveying path 20 of the first mechanism 101 and the upper roller 288 of the conveying path 20 arranged at the most downstream side of the second mechanism 102 are formed to have a length in the width direction W that is longer than the length in the width direction W of the conveying path 20 through which the sheet S is conveyed. These rollers 28 have approximately the same length in the width direction W as the opposing lower roller 27.

[0044] In contrast, the rollers 281-287 installed upstream of the pressing unit 8 of the second mechanism 102 and above the conveying path 20 are installed in a range shorter than the length of the width direction W of the conveying path 20. Fig. 2 shows a case in which the upper rollers 281-287 upstream of the pressing unit 8 of the second mechanism 102 are installed at a position on the left side of the conveying path 20 in Fig. 2, with a length of about half the width direction W.

[0045] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of roller 281 on the upper side of conveying path 20 on the most upstream side of second mechanism 102 and support unit 18 for roller 281. Fig. 4 is a plan view of roller 281 and support unit 18. Fig. 5 is a front view of roller 281 and support unit 18. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of roller 281 and support unit 18.

[0046] The roller 281 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 shaft support portion 37 and a retraction portion 39. The shaft support portion 37 supports each of the divided rollers 281 so as to be freely rotatable. The shaft support portion 37 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open bottom, and houses the rollers 281 therein. These rollers 281 are configured to be retractable from the conveying path 20 by the retraction portion 39 while remaining supported by the shaft support portion 37. The retraction portion 39 retracts the rollers 26 from the conveying path 20 when the sheet S is folded in the folding portion 7.

[0047] The retracting section 39 moves the roller 28 from a conveying position where the rotation shaft 34 of the roller 281 is aligned along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F of the conveying section 2 to a retracted position where the rotation shaft 34 is oriented in a direction intersecting the width direction W. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a case is shown in which the rotation shaft 34 is aligned along the vertical direction at the retracted position.

[0048] The retraction section 39 includes a moving section 30. The moving section 30 moves a support section 37, which supports the roller 281 rotatably, 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 driving 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.

[0049] The driving unit 33, the rotating body 35, and the oscillating shaft 38 are supported by a support base 43 fixed to the device body 10. The rotating body 35 is rotated by the driving of the driving unit 33. One end of a link 36 is connected to the disk surface of the rotating body 35 by a pin 64. The other end of the link 36 is connected by a pin 65 between the oscillating shaft 38 of the shaft support unit 37 and the roller 281a located at the leftmost position in Figure 5.

[0050] Further, 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 roller 281 is located at the retracted position or the transport position.

[0051] When the sheet S is transported, the roller 281 is located at the transport position. When the sheet S is folded, the roller 281 moves to the retracted position. When moving to the retracted position, the drive unit 33 is driven, and the rotating body 35 is rotated a predetermined amount counterclockwise in FIG. 6. 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 part 37 to the left in the figure. This causes the pivot support part 37 to swing about the swing shaft 38.

[0052] 7, the shaft support portion 37 moves from a horizontal position to a vertical position while supporting the roller 281. The installation direction of the roller 281 is changed by approximately 90 degrees. The movement of the roller 281 from the transport position to the retracted position opens the transport path 20.

[0053] The upper rollers 282-287 of the other conveying paths 20 upstream of the pressing unit 8 of the second mechanism 102 have substantially the same configuration as the roller 281 and its support unit 18 installed at the most upstream of the second mechanism 102 shown in Fig. 5-8. The upper rollers 285-287 of the conveying path 20 facing the lower rollers 275-277 of the three conveying paths 20 installed adjacent to the upstream side of the pressing unit 8 are moved as a unit from the conveying position to the retracted position by a single retracting unit 39.

[0054] Next, the operation of the processing device 1 will be described. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a sheet S to be processed by the processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The sheet S is cut out in advance into a predetermined shape by a die. When the sheet S is folded, it has a holding piece that is held in the conveying path 20 by the holding part 71 of the folding unit 7, and a folding piece that is folded to a position facing the holding piece. The holding piece is constituted by the main body B. The folding piece is constituted by a front glue tab D, a rear glue tab E, a front folding piece H, and a rear folding piece I. Then, when the sheet S is folded in half at the center crease C, the upstream part Br of the main body B constitutes the holding piece, and the downstream part Bf of the main body B constitutes the folding piece.

[0055] The sheet S has a vertical fold Cf along the conveying direction F of the conveying section 2 or a horizontal fold CW along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F. In the sheet S shown in Fig. 8, the vertical fold Cf includes a front vertical fold C3 and a rear vertical fold C4, and the horizontal fold CW includes a front horizontal fold C1 and a rear horizontal fold C2.

[0056] Glue G is applied to the front glue tab D and the rear glue tab E. The front glue tab D, the rear glue tab E, the front folded piece H, and the rear folded piece I are folded toward the main body B at the front horizontal fold C1, the rear horizontal fold C2, the front vertical fold C3, and the rear vertical fold C4, respectively. Furthermore, the main body B of the sheet S is folded in half at the center fold C5, thereby forming the processed product J shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0057] When the processing device 1 processes the sheet S, the sheet S shown in Fig. 8(a) is placed on the supply tray 94. Fig. 9 shows each step when the sheet S is folded sequentially. The uppermost sheet S on the supply tray 94 is supplied to the skew correction unit 4 on the downstream side by the suction conveying unit 95.

[0058] In the skew correction unit 4, the sheet S is conveyed by the movement of the skew belt 42 while the side edge K shown on the right side in Fig. 8 is aligned with the guide 41, and the skew is corrected. When the sheet S reaches the vertical crease unit 5, a front vertical fold C3 and a rear vertical fold C4 are formed along the conveying direction F, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 9(b).

[0059] Thereafter, the sheet S is transported to the horizontal crease section 6. When the front horizontal fold C1 of the sheet S is positioned between the recessed member 61 and the protruding member 62, the control section 9 stops the transport of the sheet S by the transport section 2. The control section 9 then drives the lifting section 63 to engage with the protruding member 62 via the recessed member 61 and the sheet S, forming the front horizontal fold C1. The rear horizontal fold C2 is also formed in the same manner as the front horizontal fold C1. As a result, the front horizontal fold C1 and rear horizontal fold C2 shown in FIG. 9(c) are formed.

[0060] Thereafter, the leading edge of the sheet S passes through the first folding unit 11 and reaches the second folding unit 12. When the front horizontal fold C1 reaches above the second rotation shaft 59 of the second folding unit 12, the control unit 9 stops conveying the sheet S.

[0061] 10 is a plan view showing a state in which the control unit 9 has stopped conveyance of the conveying unit 2 in order to fold the sheet S at the front lateral fold C1. In this figure, the sheet S is clamped between rollers 19. The front lateral fold C1 is located above the second rotation shaft 59 of the second folding unit 12. A roller 282 installed adjacent to the upstream side of the second folding unit 12 and a roller 283 installed adjacent to the downstream side respectively clamp the main body B and the front glue margin D of the sheet S. As shown by the arrows in this figure, the front glue margin D is folded up at the front lateral fold C1. Even if one tries to fold it back toward the main body B on the flow side and move the front glue strip D to the position shown by the dotted line, both rollers 282, 283 are located on the movement path of the front glue strip D, and in this state the front glue strip D cannot be folded toward the main body B.

[0062] Therefore, the control unit 9 causes the retraction unit 39 to retract the rollers 282, 283, which are installed adjacent to the upstream and downstream of the second folding unit 12, from the conveying path 20. The control unit 9 drives the drive units 33 of the second and third retraction units 22, 23, respectively. This causes the rotor 35 of the retraction unit 39 to rotate a predetermined amount. The link 36 acts on the pivot unit 37, causing the pivot unit 37 to swing about the swing shaft 38.

[0063] At the conveying position, the rollers 282, 283, whose shaft support parts 37 extend in the width direction W and whose rotary shafts 34 are horizontal, are pulled up so that the rotary shafts 34 are oriented vertically as shown in FIG.

[0064] The rollers 283, 282 move from the conveying position, in which they hold the front glue margin D and the main body B, to a retracted position to the side of the conveying path 20. As a result, as shown in Fig. 11, the sheet S is released from the state of being held between the rollers 282, 293 on the conveying path 20. The lower surface of the sheet S is supported by the lower roller 27 of the conveying path 20 and the second holding portion 57, while the upper surface of the sheet S is exposed around the second folding portion 12.

[0065] The control unit 9 drives the second rotating unit 58 to swing the second proximity unit 56 around the second rotating shaft 59, and brings it close to the second holding unit 57. The front glue strip D is rotated around the front horizontal fold C1 on the conveying path 20, and is folded back toward the upstream side in an arc and moved to a position facing the main body B. Since the rollers 282 and 283 are both moved to the retracted positions, the presence of the rollers 282 and 283 in the movement path of the front glue strip D when the front glue strip D is folded on the conveying path 20 does not interfere with the folding operation.

[0066] The sheet S is folded at the front horizontal fold C1, so that the front glue margin D is placed on the main body B, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 9(d). After folding the front glue margin D, the control unit 9 drives the second rotating unit 58 to return the second proximity unit 56 to its original position. In addition, the control unit 9 drives the driving unit 33 to move the rollers 282, 283 from the retracted position to the conveying position. Then, the control unit 9 drives the conveying unit 2. The sheet S is conveyed downstream, starting from the front horizontal fold C1.

[0067] The front horizontal fold C1 passes through the first glue applicator 31 and the third folding unit 13. When the front glue margin D reaches the second glue applicator 32, the control unit 9 stops the conveying unit 2. The control unit 9 sprays glue G from the second nozzle 91 of the second glue applicator 32, and applies glue G to the top surface of the folded-back front glue margin D.

[0068] Furthermore, the control unit 9 folds the front folded piece H toward the main body B at the front vertical fold C3 without moving the sheet S, leaving the front glue tab D in the glue-applied position. At this time, the control unit 9 first moves the upper roller 284 of the conveying path 20 installed in the third folding unit 13 from the conveying position to the retracted position. As a result, when folding the front folded piece H toward the main body B, the roller 284 is not positioned above the main body B, thereby preventing the folding operation from being hindered.

[0069] The control unit 9 drives the third rotating unit 68. The third proximity unit 66 is swung about the third rotating shaft 69, and reaches a position facing the third holding unit 67.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9(f), the sheet S is folded at the front vertical fold C3. The front folded piece H is placed on top of the main body B. At this time, the front glue tab D has already been folded over and faces the top of the main body B at the leading edge of the sheet S, and glue G has been applied to the top surface of the front glue tab D, so that the top surface of the front glue tab D and the bottom surface of the front end portion of the front folded piece H are bonded together.

[0071] Thereafter, the control unit 9 drives the retraction unit 39 to retract the roller 284 installed in the third folding unit 13. The roller 284 is moved from the retracted position to the conveying position. The roller 284 holds the main body B and the front folded piece H between itself and the lower roller 274 of the conveying path 20. When the control unit 9 drives the conveying unit 2, the roller 284 and the roller 274 facing it convey the sheet S downstream.

[0072] Thereafter, when the rear horizontal fold C2 of the rear part of the sheet S reaches the installation position of the second rotation shaft 49 of the first folding unit 11, the control unit 9 stops the conveying unit 2. The roller 281 adjacent to the upstream side of the first folding unit 11 and the roller 282 adjacent to the downstream side are moved from the conveying position to the retracted position by driving the respective retracting units 39. As a result, the sheet S that was being held by the rollers 281 and 282 is released.

[0073] Then, the control unit 9 drives the first rotating unit 48. The sheet S is folded at the rear horizontal fold C2, and the rear glue margin E is positioned above the main body B. As a result, the sheet S is in the state shown in FIG. 9(g).

[0074] The control unit 9 returns the rollers 281, 282 to the conveying position by the retraction unit 39. Then, the control unit 9 drives the conveying unit 2. When the rear glue margin E reaches the first glue application unit 31, the control unit 9 stops the conveying unit 2. When the control unit 9 sprays glue G from the first nozzle 81, the glue G is applied to the upper surface of the rear glue margin E, as shown in FIG. 9(h).

[0075] Furthermore, the control unit 9 folds back the rear folded piece I toward the main body B at the rear vertical fold C4 without moving the sheet S, while keeping the rear glue flap E in the glue-applied position. At this time, the control unit 9 drives the retraction unit 39 to retract the roller 284 installed in the third folding unit 13. The roller 284 is moved from the conveying position to the retraction position.

[0076] Then, the control unit 9 drives the third rotating unit 68 to swing the third proximity unit 66 about the third rotating shaft 69, and positions it at a position facing the third holding unit 67. As a result, the sheet S is folded at the rear vertical fold C4. The rear glue flap E and the rear end portion of the rear folded piece I are adhered to each other by glue G on the upper surface of the rear glue flap E located between the main body B and the rear folded piece I.

[0077] The control unit 9 returns the roller 284 to the conveying position by the retraction unit 39. Then, the control unit 9 drives the conveying unit 2. When the central fold C5 reaches the fourth folding unit 14, the control unit 9 stops the conveying unit 2. The control unit 9 moves the three rollers 285-287 adjacent to the downstream side of the fourth folding unit 14 as a unit by the retraction unit 39 from the conveying position to the retraction position.

[0078] The control unit 9 swings the fourth proximity unit 76 to bring the downstream portion Bf of the main body B close to the upstream portion Br of the main body B as a holding piece held by the fourth holding unit 77, and folds the sheet S at the central fold C5. Thereafter, the control unit 9 drives the fourth rotating unit 78 to return the fourth rotating member 75 to its original position on the conveying path 20. The control unit 9 causes the retracting unit 39 to return the rollers 285-287 located in the retracted position to the conveying position together. The folded sheet S is conveyed by the conveying unit 2 with the central fold C5 at the front.

[0079] When the leading edge of the sheet S reaches the pressing unit 8, the control unit 9 stops the conveying unit 2. The control unit 9 drives the lifting unit 87 to lower the upper pressing member 85 of the conveying path 20 toward the lower pressing member 86. The central fold C5 is pressed by the pair of pressing members 85, 86 and is firmly folded.

[0080] The control unit 2 resumes driving the conveying unit 2, and stops conveying when the rear end portion of the sheet S reaches the pressing unit 8. The control unit 2 presses the front horizontal fold C1 and the rear horizontal fold C, which are stacked one above the other, with a pair of pressing members 85, 86. The front horizontal fold C1 and the rear horizontal fold C2 are folded more firmly, and the applied glue G firmly bonds the front glue margin D to the front folded piece H, and the rear glue margin E to the rear folded piece I. The processed product J obtained by processing is discharged onto the discharge tray 99.

[0081] As described above, the folding device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a conveying section 2 having rollers 19 for clamping and conveying the sheet S, and a folding section 7 for folding the sheet S conveyed by the conveying section 2. The folding section 7 is provided with a holding section 71 for holding the sheet S on the conveying path 20 and a proximity section 73 for bringing the folded piece of the sheet S close to the opposing position of the holding piece of the sheet S held by the holding section 72. The conveying section 2 is provided with a retracting section 39 for retracting the rollers S from the conveying path 20 when the sheet S is folded by the folding section 7. Therefore, while the holding section 72 holds the holding piece of the sheet S, the folded piece is brought close to the opposing position of the holding piece, and when folding the sheet S, the rollers 19 for clamping and conveying the sheet S can be retracted from the conveying path 20 by the retracting section 39. The sheet S is released from the clamping of the rollers 19, so that the folded piece can be brought close to the holding piece appropriately. By removing the roller 19 from the path of movement of the folded piece to the holding piece, the folded piece can be easily brought close to the holding piece.

[0082] In addition, the proximity portion 72 is equipped with a rotating portion 73 that rotates the folded piece toward the holding piece around the fold C formed in the sheet S as the center of rotation, so that the folded piece can be rotated by the rotating portion 73 toward the holding piece located in the holding portion 71 of the conveying path 20, and the sheet S can be easily folded.

[0083] The folding section 7 folds the sheet S at a vertical fold Cf along the conveying direction of the conveying section 2 provided on the sheet S or at a horizontal fold Cw along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F, so that the sheet S can be easily folded at the vertical fold Cf or the horizontal fold Cw.

[0084] Furthermore, since the retreat section 39 is equipped with a moving section 30 that moves the support section 37 that supports the roller 19 rotatably toward the outside of the conveying path 20, the roller 19 can be easily moved toward the outside of the conveying path 20 by the moving section 30.

[0085] Furthermore, since the moving section 30 swings the pivot support section 37 about the pivot shaft 38 , the rollers 19 can be easily moved from the conveying path 20 while still being pivotally supported by the pivot support section 37 .

[0086] Furthermore, since the swing shaft 38 extends along the conveying direction F, the roller 19 can be moved in a direction away from the conveying path 20 by swinging the shaft support portion 37 about the swing shaft 38 as an axis.

[0087] Furthermore, the retraction section 39 moves the roller 19 from a conveying position in which the rotation axis 34 of the roller 19 is aligned along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F of the conveying section 2 to a retraction position in which the rotation axis 34 intersects the width direction W. Therefore, when the folded piece is brought close to the holding piece while the holding section 71 holds the holding piece, the roller 19 extending in the width direction W at the conveying position can be easily moved to the retraction position.

[0088] Furthermore, in the retracted position, the rotating shaft 34 is aligned in the vertical direction, so that the folded piece that has been held and transported by the rollers 19 can be easily released. By aligning the rotating shaft 34 of the rollers 19 in the vertical direction, the rollers 19 are extended in the vertical direction, and when the folded piece approaches the holding piece and takes a moving path that passes above the transport path 20, the rollers 19 can be easily retracted to the outside of the moving path.

[0089] (Second embodiment) Fig. 12 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a retracting section 39a according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the retracting section 39 was provided with a rotating body 35. In this second embodiment, instead, it is provided with a screw section 50. The screw section 50 has a male screw section 88 and a female screw section 89. The male screw section 88 is rotated by the driving of the driving section 33a. The female screw section 89 is screwed into the male screw section 88. By the rotation of the male screw section 88, the female screw 89 moves along the width direction W while being guided by the long hole 87 provided in the support base 43a. The female screw section 89 is connected to one end of the link 36a by a pin 64a.

[0090] When the roller 19a is moved to the retracted position by the retracting portion 39a according to the second embodiment, the control portion 9a drives the driving portion 33a. The male screw portion 88 rotates by the driving of the driving portion 33a, and the female screw portion 89 moves leftward in FIG. 12. The link 36a is moved leftward, and the roller 19a is swung about the swing shaft 38a. The rotation shaft 34a of the roller 19a, which was horizontally aligned along the width direction W at the conveying position of the sheet S, is aligned along the vertical direction at the retracted position, as shown by the two-dot chain line.

[0091] In the second embodiment, since the screw portion 50 is provided, the amount of movement of the roller 19a from the conveying position to the retracted position can be precisely controlled based on the driving amount of the driving portion 33a. Also, when the female screw portion 89 is moved in the width direction W to retract the roller 19a, the gear ratio can be increased, and the female screw portion 89 can be moved with a small driving force. Therefore, a small and inexpensive motor can be used, resulting in cost reduction.

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned first and second embodiments. In the above-mentioned embodiments, the proximity portion 72 includes a rotating portion that rotates the folded piece toward the holding piece around the fold C formed in the sheet S as the center of rotation, but instead, the folded piece may be brought close to the holding piece around a point other than the fold as the center of rotation, and the folded piece may be moved a necessary amount parallel to the holding piece and folded, instead of being rotated.

[0093] Furthermore, the folding unit 7 folds the sheet S at vertical creases along the conveying direction of the conveying unit 2 or at horizontal creases along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, but the creases may be oblique to the conveying direction. Furthermore, the retracting unit 39 includes a moving unit 30 that moves the pivot support unit 37 that rotatably supports the roller 19 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 impede the folding operation.

[0094] The moving unit 30 includes a swinging unit 40 that swings the pivot unit 37 about the swinging shaft 38, but the pivot unit 37 may be moved up and down, moved up and down, moved parallel, or moved diagonally. The swinging shaft 38 extends along the conveying direction F, but the pivot unit 37 may be moved three-dimensionally forward or backward with respect to the conveying direction, so that the swinging shaft 38 is formed diagonally with respect to the conveying direction F. The retracting unit 39 moves the roller 19 from a conveying position in which the rotation shaft 34 of the roller 19 is aligned along the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction F of the conveying unit 2 to a retracted position in which the rotation shaft 34 intersects with the width direction W, but the roller may be moved to a retracted position parallel to the conveying direction.

[0095] In addition, in the retracted position, the rotating shaft 34 is aligned in the vertical direction, but in the retracted position, the rotating shaft of the roller may be retracted to the outside of the conveying path along the conveying direction. In addition, the rollers 281-287 that can be retracted by the retracting 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. In addition, the length of the rollers 281-287 in the width direction W is about half the length of the width direction W of the conveying path 20, but it may be shorter than half, longer than that, or longer than the length of the conveying path.

[0096] In addition, although the retreat 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 on its own axis, the retreat section may be provided on both the left and right sides of the conveying path, and the rollers may be retreated to both the left and right sides of the conveying path.

[0097] In addition, the folding device 1 includes the first and second glue application units 81 and 82, but may not include a glue application unit, and may include three or more glue application units. The front folded piece H and the rear folded piece I are folded at the front vertical fold C3 and the rear vertical fold C4, respectively, without being transported, at the positions where the front glue margin D and the rear glue margin E are glued at the first and second glue application units 81 and 82, respectively, but if the glue application units and the folding units are installed at separate locations, the sheet may be transported after the glue application until the fold of the sheet reaches a specified folding unit, and when the fold reaches the appropriate folding unit, the transport of the sheet may be stopped and the folding process may be performed.

[0098] In addition, the folding device 1 includes the vertical crease unit 5 and the horizontal crease unit 6 that form the creases, but when folding a sheet that already has creases formed, it is not necessary to include a mechanism for forming the creases. In addition, the folding device 1 includes the first to fourth folding units 11-14, but it is sufficient to include at least one folding unit, and it may also include two or three folding units, or five or more folding units.

[0099] Furthermore, the shape of the sheet folded by the folding device 1 is not limited to that shown in Figure 8, and may be any sheet that can be folded along the creases, and may be a sheet for forming a storage box for business cards, a sheet for forming a container for storing bottles, containers, and spirits, or a sheet for forming various folding papers such as Christmas cards, membership cards, and coupons.

[0100] Although the various processing information is manually set by the user via the operation panel, it may be automatically input by reading a barcode or two-dimensional code with a reading unit, or may be set via communication with an external information processing device such as a personal computer. Also, 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 by number and set.

[0101] Further, the rollers 281-287 adjacent to the upstream side and downstream side of the folding unit 7 which performs folding are retracted by the retracting unit 39, but all the rollers 281-287 may be moved to the retracted position at once. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] C fold, Cf vertical fold, Cw horizontal fold, S sheet, F conveying direction, W width direction, 1 folding device, 2 conveying section, 7 folding section, 9 control section, 19, 281-287 roller, 20 conveying path, 34 rotating shaft, 37 shaft support section, 38 swinging shaft, 39 evacuation section, 40 swinging section, 71 holding section, 72 proximity section, 73 rotating section.

Claims

1. a conveying section provided with a pair of rollers for clamping and conveying a sheet; a folding unit that folds the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit, the folding section is provided with a holding section that holds the sheet on the conveying path, and an approaching section that brings the folded piece of the sheet close to a position facing the holding piece of the sheet held by the holding section, A folding device in which the conveying section is provided with a retraction section that retracts rollers present in the movement path of the folded piece from the conveying path when the sheet is folded in the folding section, and the pair of rollers are arranged opposite each other across the conveying path of the sheet.

2. A conveying section provided with rollers for clamping and conveying a sheet; a folding unit that folds the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit, the folding section is provided with a holding section that holds the sheet on the conveying path, and an approaching section that brings the folded piece of the sheet close to a position facing the holding piece of the sheet held by the holding section, the conveying section is provided with a retracting section that retracts the roller from the conveying path when the sheet is folded by the folding section, The retraction section is a moving section that moves an axis support section that rotatably supports the roller toward the outside of the conveying path, and the moving section is a folding device that is equipped with a swinging section that swings the axis support section around a swinging shaft.

3. A folding device as described in Claim 2, wherein the oscillating axis extends along the conveying direction.

4. A conveying section provided with rollers for clamping and conveying a sheet; a folding unit that folds the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit, the folding section is provided with a holding section that holds the sheet on the conveying path, and an approaching section that brings the folded piece of the sheet close to a position facing the holding piece of the sheet held by the holding section, The conveying section is provided with a retracting section for retracting the roller from the conveying path when the sheet is folded by the folding section, The retraction section is a folding device that moves the rollers from a conveying position in which the rotation axis of the rollers is aligned along a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying section to a retraction position in which the rotation axis is oriented in a direction intersecting the width direction.

5. A folding device as described in claim 4, wherein in the retracted position, the rotation axis is aligned in the vertical direction.

6. 6. The folding device according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent portion includes a rotating portion that rotates the folded piece toward the holding piece around a fold formed in the sheet as a rotation center.

7. 5. The folding device according to claim 1, wherein the folding section folds the sheet along a vertical crease along a conveying direction of the conveying section provided on the sheet or along a horizontal crease along a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

8. 8. The folding device according to claim 1, wherein the retracting section includes a moving section that moves a support section that rotatably supports the rollers toward the outside of the conveying path.

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