Stapling and binding methods

Abstract

To provide a staple and a binding method which are hard to come off.SOLUTION: A staple that is made of a wire having flexibility and capable of holding a stem, a branch or the like of a plant onto a guide element, comprises: a body part which is open on one end; a first leg part which continuously extends from one end part on the opening side of the body part; a second leg part which continuously extends from the opening side of the body part. The first leg part has a first part which extends outside in a bending manner, and a second part which extends in the opening direction from the first part in a bending manner. The second leg part has a third part which extends in the opening direction, and a fourth part which is bent outside from a tip part of the third part. The third part is formed longer than the second part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to stapling and bundling methods. [Background technology]

[0002] Staples are known for holding stems, vines, branches, etc. of plants, trees, etc. to guide elements such as wires, beams, strings, rods, pipes, tree branches, etc.

[0003] Such a staple is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The staple described in this document comprises a pair of left and right arms and a convex protrusion provided between the arms. The convex protrusions sandwich the guide element, and the arms close to pinch the stem or the like, thereby making it possible to hold the stem or the like in the guide element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1839482 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since the guide element is merely sandwiched between the convex protrusions, it is easy for the guide element to come off the convex protrusions.

[0006] Furthermore, because the stems are held in place by simply overlapping the ends of the closed arms, the arms tend to open and the stems tend to come off. In particular, when the stems grow and thicken, or when the fruit on the stems grows and gains weight, the arms tend to move in the opening direction, which can easily cause the problems described above.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a staple and a binding method that are less likely to come off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a staple made of a flexible wire and capable of holding plant stems, branches, etc., in a guide element. The staple comprises a main body portion with an opening on one side, a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side, and a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side, the first leg portion having a first portion bending and extending outward and a second portion bending from the first portion and extending toward the opening, the second leg portion having a third portion extending toward the opening and a fourth portion bent outward from a tip of the third portion, the third portion being longer than the second portion.

[0009] Here, the opening direction is the direction from the closing portion of the main body portion toward the opening.

[0010] The third portion may be formed to be longer than the distance between the one end and the other end of the main body portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the second portion and the third portion may be formed substantially parallel to each other.

[0012] The first portion may form an acute angle with the main body portion, or the angle between the first portion and the main body portion may be 90 degrees or approximately 90 degrees.

[0013] The main body may include a portion that is curved in a C-shape.

[0014] The body may comprise a portion formed in a rectangular or parallelogram shape.

[0015] The main body may have a first side portion that extends linearly in the opening direction and includes the one end portion, a second side portion that includes the other end portion and extends approximately parallel to the first side portion, and a third side portion that connects the first side portion and the second side portion and extends linearly.

[0016] The third side portion may form an obtuse angle with the first side portion and an acute angle with the second side portion.

[0017] The present application further discloses the following configuration regarding the third part in the above configuration. That is, the third portion may have a fifth portion extending linearly from the other end of the main body toward the opening and a sixth portion located between the fifth portion and the tip portion, and the sixth portion may be provided so as to bend toward the first leg relative to the fifth portion. Here, the "first leg side" corresponds to the inside of the staple, and may be expressed as the "inside." Alternatively, the third portion may have a linear portion extending linearly toward the opening and the tip portion, and may be provided so that a tangent plane between the second leg and the linear portion is perpendicular to a line passing through the center of the linear portion and is perpendicular to a first plane passing through the first and second legs, and is located in a first region where the first leg is located, of two regions defined by a second plane including the line. In the above, when the straight line portion includes a slightly deformed portion, the "straight line passing through the center of the straight line portion" includes a straight line that approximates a line connecting the centers of the straight line portions.

[0018] Here, the portion including the tip end may be bent with respect to the straight portion so as to be displaced toward the first region. The straight portion may correspond to the fifth portion. Therefore, the term "straight portion" hereinafter may be expressed as "fifth portion" or the like. The portion including the tip portion may correspond to the tip portion and the sixth portion. Therefore, the following expression "the portion including the tip portion" may also be expressed as "the tip portion and the sixth portion", etc. For example, the third part may have a fifth part extending linearly in the opening direction and a sixth part located between the fifth part and the tip part, and may be perpendicular to a line passing through the center of the fifth part or a line approximating a line connecting the centers of the fifth part, and the point of contact between the tangent plane tangent to the second leg and the second leg may be perpendicular to a first plane passing through the first leg and the second leg, and may be located in the first region where the first leg is located, of the two regions defined by the second plane including the straight line.

[0019] The fourth portion may be bent with respect to the tip portion so as to be displaced toward the second region, which is one of two regions defined by the second plane and does not include the first leg portion.

[0020] Furthermore, the first leg may be spaced apart from the tangential plane.

[0021] The third portion may be provided so as to be close to the first leg portion in a portion including a tip end portion in the opening direction. The apex of the tip of the second portion in the opening direction may be formed closer to the second leg portion than a straight line passing through the center of the second portion.

[0022] The intersection line between the second plane or a plane parallel to the second plane and the surface of the second leg portion includes a first intersection line corresponding to the intersection line between the surface of the portion connecting the third portion and the fourth portion and this plane, and a second intersection line spaced from the first intersection line in the direction opposite to the opening direction and corresponding to the intersection line between the surface of at least a portion of the straight portion and this plane.

[0023] The present disclosure relates to a staple made of a flexible wire and capable of holding plant stems, branches, etc., in a guide element. The staple comprises a main body portion having an opening on one side, a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side, and a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side, the first leg portion having a first portion that bends and extends outward and a second portion that bends from the first portion and extends toward the opening, and the second leg portion having a third portion extending toward the opening and a fourth portion that bends outward from the tip of the third portion.

[0024] The second leg has two regions defined by a plane perpendicular to a first plane passing through the first leg and the second leg and parallel to the opening direction, and has a portion that displaces toward one region where the first leg is located as it progresses toward the opening direction, and a portion that is connected to this portion and displaces toward the other region where the first leg is not located as it progresses in the opposite direction to the opening direction.

[0025] The present disclosure provides a staple that can hold plant stems, branches, etc. in a guide element by being deformed by a binding machine having a first deformation section that curves or bends one tip side of a wire, and a second deformation section that curves or bends a predetermined portion of the wire, moving the other tip side of the wire toward the one tip side. This staple is made of a flexible wire and comprises a main body portion that is open on one side, a first leg portion that extends continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side, and a second leg portion that extends continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side and has a bent portion that is bent outward at its tip, the first leg portion comprising a first portion that bends and extends outward, and a second portion that bends from the first portion and extends toward the opening and has a tip side that is curved or bent at the first deforming portion to surround the guide element, so that it can hold the guide element, and the second leg portion comprises a third portion that extends toward the opening and is curved or bent at the second deforming portion so that the bent portion can be engaged with the guide element with the stem or branch of the plant positioned inside the staple.

[0026] The first deformation portion may be a clincher portion.

[0027] The present disclosure provides a staple capable of holding plant stems, branches, etc. to a guide element by being deformed by a binding machine having a first deformation section that curves or bends one tip side of a wire, a second deformation section that curves or bends a predetermined portion of the wire to move the other tip side of the wire toward the one tip side, and a third deformation section that curves or bends outward a portion closer to the other tip side than the predetermined portion. This staple is made of a flexible wire and comprises a main body portion with an opening on one side, a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side, and a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side, the first leg portion having a first portion that bends and extends outward, and a second portion that bends from the first portion and extends toward the opening, and is configured to be able to hold the guide element by having its tip side curved or bent at the first deformation portion to surround the guide element, and the second leg portion having a third portion that extends toward the opening and is curved or bent inward at the second deformation portion, and a fourth portion that extends toward the opening and is curved or bent outward at the third deformation portion so that it can be engaged with the guide element with the stem or branch of the plant positioned inside the staple.

[0028] The present disclosure also provides a method for holding plant stems, branches, etc., on a guide element. This method includes the steps of: providing a staple made of a flexible wire rod, the staple having a main body portion with an opening on one side, a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side, and a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side, the first leg portion having a first portion bending and extending outward, and a second portion bending from the first portion and extending toward the opening, the second leg portion having a third portion extending toward the opening, and a fourth portion bent outward from a tip of the third portion; the step of attaching the staple to a binding machine having a second deformation section that moves the staple toward one of the tip sides; the step of using the second deformation section of the binding machine to move the tip side of the second leg toward the first leg while the stem, branch, etc. is positioned in the area surrounded by the first leg section, the second leg section, and the main body section; the step of holding the guide element by curving or bending the tip side of the first leg of the staple to surround the guide element using the first deformation section of the binding machine; and the step of engaging the fourth section with the guide element and applying tension to the guide element in a direction away from the first leg.

[0029] The present disclosure provides a bundling method for holding plant stems, branches, etc. on a guide element, the bundling method comprising the steps of: attaching a staple made of a flexible wire rod, the staple having a main body portion with one opening, a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side, and a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side toward the opening, the first leg portion having a first portion bending and extending outward and a second portion bending from the first portion and extending toward the opening, to a bundling machine having a first deformation portion that bends or curves one tip side of the wire rod, a second deformation portion that bends or curves a predetermined portion of the wire rod to move the other tip side of the wire rod toward the one tip side, and a third deformation portion that bends or curves a portion of the wire rod closer to the other tip side than the predetermined portion in a direction away from the one tip side; The method includes the steps of: positioning the stem, branch, etc. in the area surrounded by the second leg portion and the main body portion, using the second deformation unit of the binding machine to bend or curve a predetermined portion of the second leg of the staple, moving the tip side of the second leg in a direction toward the first leg, and using the third deformation unit of the binding machine to bend or curve outward a portion of the second leg that is closer to the tip side than the predetermined portion to form a fourth portion; curving or bending the tip side of the second portion of the first leg of the staple using the first deformation unit of the binding machine to surround the guide element, thereby holding the guide element; and engaging the fourth portion with the guide element and applying tension to the guide element in a direction away from the first leg.

[0030] The step of curving or bending to surround the guide element may include curving or bending the tip side of the first leg portion in a first circumferential direction centered on the guide element to surround the guide element, and the step of engaging the fourth portion with the guide element may include engaging the fourth portion, which can be bent in the first circumferential direction centered on the guide element, with the guide element.

[0031] The step of moving the tip side of the second leg in a direction toward the first leg may involve moving the tip side of the second leg in a direction toward the first leg while moving it in a direction away from a plane including the main body portion.

[0032] The step of curving or bending to surround the guide element may include curving or bending the tip side of the first leg portion in a second circumferential direction centered on the guide element to surround the guide element, and the step of engaging the fourth portion with the guide element may include engaging the bent portion, which is bent in a first circumferential direction opposite to the second circumferential direction centered on the guide element, with the guide element.

[0033] The present disclosure provides a staple made of a flexible wire rod for holding plant stems, branches, etc. to a guide element. The staple comprises a curved main body portion with an opening on one side, a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side, and a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side, the first leg portion having a first portion that bends and extends outward from the opening, and a second portion that bends from the first portion and extends linearly in a direction to close the opening and is curved or bent at its tip side to surround the guide element and hold the guide element, the second leg portion having a third portion including a portion that bends and extends linearly in the direction to close the opening, and a fourth portion that bends outward from the tip of the third portion to apply tension in a direction away from the first leg and engage with the guide element.

[0034] The present disclosure provides a staple made of a flexible wire for holding plant stems, branches, etc. to a guide element. This staple comprises a main body portion, a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion, and a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion, the first leg portion extending linearly in a direction to close the opening and having a second portion that is curved or bent at its tip end to surround the guide element and thereby hold the guide element, the second leg portion having a third portion including a portion that bends and extends linearly in the direction to close the opening, and a fourth portion that is bent outward from the tip end of the third portion to apply tension in a direction away from the first leg and engage with the guide element, the main body portion having a first side portion extending linearly from the first leg portion, a second side portion extending linearly from the second leg portion substantially parallel to the first side portion, and a third side portion that forms an obtuse angle with the first side portion and is connected to the second side portion at an acute angle.

[0035] The present disclosure provides a staple made of a flexible wire and capable of holding plant stems, branches, etc., on a guide element. The staple comprises a main body portion having an opening on one side, a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side, and a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side, the first leg portion having a first portion bending and extending outward, the second leg portion having a third portion extending toward the opening, the main body portion having at least three contact points circumscribing an imaginary inscribed circle, and further comprising a first side portion extending in a tangent direction to the inscribed circle at a first contact point on the first leg side, a second side portion extending in a tangent direction to the inscribed circle at a second contact point on the second leg side, and a third side portion extending in a tangent direction to the inscribed circle at a third contact point between the first and second contact points.

[0036] Furthermore, the third side portion may form an obtuse angle with the first side portion, an acute angle with the second side portion, and be formed to be longer than the distance between the one end and the other end of the main body portion.

[0037] The first leg may further include a second portion that bends from the first portion and extends substantially parallel to the third portion.

[0038] The present application discloses another staple made of a flexible wire for holding an object to be held, such as a plant stem or branch, to a guide element. The staple comprises: a main body portion that is curved to connect one end to the other end so that an opening for inserting the object is provided between the two ends; a first portion that is connected to one end of the main body portion and extends from the midpoint of the main body portion toward the opening; a second portion that is bent outward from the first portion and is for engaging with the guide element; and a second leg portion that is connected to the other end of the main body portion and has a third portion that extends toward the opening and is for engaging with the guide element.

[0039] Here, the main body portion may have a first main body portion that curves from the midpoint and connects to one of the end portions, and a second main body portion that curves from the midpoint and connects to the other end portion.

[0040] The second body portion may be spaced apart from an imaginary inscribed circle inscribed in the staple at at least two contact points spaced apart from the first position on the second body portion, across the first position.

[0041] The imaginary inscribed circle may be inscribed in the staple at least at one of the ends and the other end, and the first body portion may have an arc portion consisting of an arc with the same radius as the inscribed circle.

[0042] The second main body portion may have an elliptical arc portion formed of an elliptical arc having a major radius larger than the radius of the inscribed circle.

[0043] Here, the major axis of the elliptical arc may be on a straight line passing through the connection between the first portion and the second portion and the center of the inscribed circle.

[0044] The major axis of the elliptical arc may be on a straight line passing through the first portion, the second portion, and the center of the inscribed circle.

[0045] The third portion may have a curved portion that curves so as to be displaced outward as it advances in the opening direction, and an extending portion that is bent and connected to the curved portion and extends linearly in the opening direction.

[0046] The third portion may have a tip bent portion connected to the extending portion and displaced outward as it advances in the opening direction.

[0047] Any of the staples described above may have a predetermined cross section. That is, in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the staple, the thickness of the staple in the up-down direction perpendicular to a first plane passing through the first leg portion, the second leg portion, and the main body portion may be larger than the diameter of an imaginary circle having the same cross-sectional area as the cross-sectional area of ​​the staple, and the width of the staple in the left-right direction parallel to the first plane passing through the first leg portion and the second leg portion may be smaller than the diameter of the imaginary circle having the same cross-sectional area as the cross-sectional area of ​​the staple. In the cross section, the inner surface of the staple may have sides that are parallel to the up-down direction. In the cross section, the outer surface of the staple may have sides that are parallel to the up-down direction. In the cross section, the inner surface of the staple may include an elliptical arc, and the outer surface of the staple may have sides parallel to the up-down direction.

[0048] The present application discloses another staple made of a flexible wire for holding an object to be held, such as a plant stem or branch, to a guide element. The staple comprises a main body having a curved portion that is curved to connect one end and the other end so that an opening for inserting the object to be held is provided between the two ends, a first leg that connects to one end of the main body and engages with the guide element, and a second leg that connects to the other end of the main body and engages with the guide element.

[0049] The main body has a first point inscribed in an imaginary first cylindrical surface having a central axis perpendicular to a first plane passing through the first leg and the second leg, a first radius, and inscribed in the staple, a second point inscribed in the first cylindrical surface, and a third point located between the first point and the second point, where the third point is spaced apart from the first cylindrical surface.

[0050] The staple may be provided so as to assume at least two holding positions: In a first holding position, the staple surrounds the object with the extension direction of the object being approximately perpendicular to a plane including the main body, and the first leg and the second leg engage with the guide element.

[0051] In the second holding position, the main body portion is bent by the growing held object, causing the extension direction of the held object to be inclined with respect to a plane including the main body portion, and the third point comes into contact with the held object, surrounding the held object and causing the first leg portion and the second leg portion to engage with the guide element.

[0052] The staple having any of the above-described configurations may be configured to take the first holding position and the second holding position.

[0053] The present application also discloses a further staple made of a flexible wire for holding an object to be held, such as a plant stem or branch, to a guide element. The staple comprises: a main body portion having a curved portion connecting one end to the other end, the curved portion being curved so that an opening for inserting the object is provided between the two ends; a first leg portion connected to the one end of the main body portion and adapted to engage with the guide element; and a second leg portion connected to the other end of the main body portion and adapted to engage with the guide element. The main body portion further comprises first and second contact points inscribed in a cylindrical surface having a first radius and a central axis perpendicular to a first plane passing through the first and second legs; and an elliptical arc portion located between the first and second contact points and consisting of an elliptical arc with a major radius greater than the first radius.

[0054] The staple may be configured so as to be capable of taking the first holding position and the second holding position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0055] [Figure 1A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a staple according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a staple in a bound state. [Figure 2A] 1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 2B] 1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 2C] 1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 2D] 1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 2E] 1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 2F] 1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the state when bound. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the state when bound. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view showing how a stem or the like is held in a guide element by a staple; FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment in which a stem or the like is held to a guide element by a staple. FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a staple according to an embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a staple in a bound state. [Figure 7A] 1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 7B] 1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 7C]1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 7D] 1A-1D illustrate steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment. [Figure 7E] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing how the first portion is bent using the claw portion. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing deformation of a staple caused by growth of a stem or the like. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a staple in a bound state. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a staple in a bound state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a plurality of staples are integrated together. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a staple according to a modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams illustrating a process of engaging a staple with a guide element according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a staple according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a staple according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating changes in the holding posture of the staple according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a staple according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments.

[0057] [First embodiment] FIG. 1A shows a staple 10 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1B shows the staple 10 in a bound state. The staple 10 is formed from a flexible wire (for example, a metal wire such as iron). With an object to be held, such as a stem or branch of a plant (hereinafter referred to as "stem, etc. P"), placed inside the staple 10, both ends of the staple 10 can be bent as shown in FIG. 1B to engage with guide element G, thereby making it possible to hold the stem, etc. P in the guide element G. The wire forming the staple 10 may be a wire that is both flexible and plastic.

[0058] The staple 10 includes a main body 10A, a first leg 10B extending continuously from one end of the main body 10A, and a second leg 10C extending continuously from the other end.

[0059] The main body 10A connects the first leg 10B and the second leg 10C and surrounds the stem or the like P. As shown in FIG. 1B, in the bundled state, the first leg 10B and the second leg 10C engage with the same guide element G, allowing the stem or the like P to be placed in the area surrounded by the main body 10A, the first leg 10B, and the second leg 10C. Therefore, as long as an opening for placing the stem or the like P is provided inside, the main body 10A can be formed into various shapes, such as a rectangle or a parallelogram, to match the shape of the stem or the like P. In this embodiment, the main body 10A is formed to be curved in a C-shape or an arc shape so as to open to the left side of the page, as shown in FIG. 1A. Here, the direction from the closed side (right side of the page) of the main body 10A in FIG. 1A to the open side (left side of the page) is referred to as the opening direction D1.

[0060] The first leg portion 10B and the second leg portion 10C are portions for engaging with the guide element G.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 1A, the first leg portion 10B includes a first portion 10B1 that is connected to one end 10A1 of the main body portion 10A and bends and extends outward, and a second portion 10B2 that is further bent from the first portion 10B1 and extends in the opening direction D1.

[0062] The first portion 10B1 forms an angle α1 with the main body portion 10A, i.e., an acute angle of 90 degrees to approximately 90 degrees (e.g., 80 degrees to 90 degrees). The second portion 10B2 has a tip portion for engaging with the guide element G, and forms an angle with the first portion 10B1, i.e., an acute angle of 90 degrees to approximately 90 degrees (e.g., 80 degrees to 90 degrees). By providing the first portion 10B1, the second portion 10B2 is offset outward with respect to the main body portion 10A and extends in the opening direction D1.

[0063] First portion 10B1 may also be called a shoulder portion. Furthermore, because first portion 10B1 is bent at approximately 90 degrees relative to main body 10A and extends outward, and second portion 10B2 is bent at approximately 90 degrees relative to the first portion and extends in opening direction D1, the portion extending from one end of main body 10A, through first portion 10B1, to second portion 10B2 may also be called a crank portion.

[0064] The first portion 10B1 is preferably formed shorter than the second portion 10B2 because the second portion 10B2 is simply offset from the first portion 10B1. The second portion 10B2 is preferably formed shorter than the third portion 10C3 (described later) because it only needs to have a length that allows it to engage with the guide element G.

[0065] The second leg portion 10C is connected to the other end 10A2 of the main body portion 10A and includes a third portion 10C3 extending in the opening direction D1, and a fourth portion 10C4 bent outward from the tip of the third portion 10C3.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 1B, the third portion 10C3 is a portion that closes the opening formed by the main body portion 10A when folded. Before being folded, the third portion 10C3 extends in the opening direction D1, i.e., approximately parallel to the second portion 10B2. Therefore, the third portion 10C3 is preferably formed longer than the width of the opening formed by the main body portion 10A, i.e., the distance between one end 10A1 and the other end 10A2 of the main body portion, and longer than the second portion 10B2. The largest inscribed circle C1 inscribed in the main body portion 10A corresponds to the size of the largest stem P that can be held by the staple 10 without spreading the main body portion 10A. Therefore, the third portion 10C3 is preferably formed longer than the shortest line segment connecting the two intersections where the tangent T1 of the inscribed circle C1 intersects with the second portion 10B2 and the third portion 10C3. With this configuration, as shown in Fig. 1B, the end of the third part 10C3 can reach the second part 10B2 and close the opening without interfering with the inscribed circle C1. Note that "foldable" includes not only bending in a curve as shown in Fig. 1B but also bending in any other direction.

[0067] As described above, the third part 10C3 is preferably formed to be longer than the shortest line segment connecting the two intersections where the tangent T1 to the inscribed circle C1 intersects with the second part 10B2 and the third part 10C3, but if the diameter of the stem or the like held by the staple 10 is smaller than the diameter of the inscribed circle C1, the third part 10C3 may be formed to be shorter than the second part 10B2. In other words, the third part 10C3 may have a length that reaches the second part 10B2, and an appropriate length can be selected depending on the diameter of the stem or the like P to be held.

[0068] The fourth portion 10C4 (an example of a "bent portion") is a portion that engages with the guide element G. The fourth portion 10C4 is bent outward (away from the opening) from the tip of the third portion 10C3, while the third portion 10C3 is bent inward (inward) in a direction that closes the opening (FIG. 1B). The bent third portion 10C3 has elasticity in a direction that widens the closed opening and returns to its original position. Therefore, the fourth portion 10C4 can apply tension to the guide element G in the direction that widens the opening, i.e., in a direction away from the first leg portion 10B. This prevents the guide element G from bending and causing the staple 10 to fall off. The fourth portion 10C4 forms an acute angle (bending angle) with the third portion 10C3. The angle between the fourth portion 10C4 and the third portion 10C3 is preferably smaller than the angle α1 between the first portion 10B1 and the main body portion 10A. With this configuration, the fourth portion 10C4 can be hooked onto the guide element G in a suitable manner.

[0069] [Method of binding staples 10 using binding machine 20] A method for binding staples 10 using binding machine 20 will be described below. Figures 2A to 2E are schematic diagrams showing the process of engaging staples 10 with guide elements G using binding machine 20. Note that line L1 in the figures is a reference line for facilitating comparison of changes in the position of staples 10 between the figures. Figure 2F is a schematic diagram showing how the tip of second portion 10B2 of first leg 10B curves spirally as a result of advancing along the groove formed in first deformation portion 20A.

[0070] The binding machine 20 includes a first deformation section 20A (clincher section) that bends or curves the tip side of the first leg section 10B (second section 10B2) of the staple 10, a second deformation section 20B that bends or curves the third section 10C3 of the second leg section 10C so as to move the tip side of the second leg section 10C toward the tip side of the first leg section 10B, and an extrusion section 20C that moves the staple 10 in the opening direction D1.

[0071] The first deformation portion 20A can be configured, for example, as a spiral or arc-shaped groove portion formed so that the tip of the second portion 10B2 surrounds the outer periphery of the guide element G or advances in a spiral around the outer periphery of the guide element G when the staple 10 is moved relative to the first deformation portion 20A in the opening direction D1. Since the staple 10 is flexible, when the staple 10 moves in the opening direction D1, the tip of the second portion 10B2 advances in the groove portion of the first deformation portion 20A while curving in a spiral. Therefore, by moving the staple 10 relative to the first deformation portion 20A in the opening direction D1 with the guide element G arranged on the axis of the spiral, it is possible to form the tip of the first leg portion 10B of the staple 10 in a spiral shape that surrounds the outer periphery of the guide element G around the axis of the guide element G.

[0072] The groove of the first deformation portion 20A is formed in a spiral or arc shape so that the tip of the second portion 10B2 moves spirally around the outer periphery of the guide element G. However, the groove is not necessarily limited to a spiral or arc shape. For example, the groove may be formed in a cylindrical shape having a top surface and a side surface. The top surface has an inclined surface that moves axially as it moves circumferentially. The tip of the first leg 10B that enters a groove of this configuration moves circumferentially and also axially along the inclined surface of the top surface, thereby moving spirally. With this configuration, even if the side surface is cylindrical and does not have a groove, the tip of the first leg 10B can be curved in a spiral shape. In this way, by providing the first deformation portion 20A with a configuration that guides the tip of the first leg 10B circumferentially and also moves axially, the tip side of the first leg 10B can be curved to surround the guide element G.

[0073] By forming the second part 10B2 of the staple 10 to surround at least half the circumference, preferably one circumference or more, of the outer periphery of the guide element G, it becomes possible to suitably engage the first leg part 10B of the staple 10 with the guide element G.

[0074] When the guide element G extends in the horizontal direction, the first leg 10B of the staple 10 comes into contact with the guide element G due to gravity, and therefore the staple 10 does not need to be tightly attached to the guide element G. On the other hand, when the guide element G extends in the vertical direction, it is preferable to bend or curve the staple 10 so that the staple 10 is tightly attached to the guide element G and the staple 10 is fixed to the guide element G, so that the second part 10B2 of the staple 10 does not come off the guide element G due to gravity.

[0075] The second deformation portion 20B can be configured, for example, from a guide portion 20B1 that contacts the second leg portion 10C and bends the first leg portion 10B in a direction toward the distal end thereof when the staple 10 is moved relative to the first deformation portion 20A in the opening direction D1, and a fulcrum portion 20B2 that contacts the inside of the third portion 10C3 and functions as a fulcrum when bending the second leg portion 10C. In this embodiment, the staple 10 is flexible, and the third portion 10C3 is formed longer than the second portion 10B2. Therefore, by providing a wide gap between the guide portion 20B1 and the fulcrum portion 20B2, the guide portion 20B1 can apply a moment to the staple 10 sufficient to bend the staple 10.

[0076] Furthermore, the binding machine 20 includes a pusher 20C for moving the staple 10 in the opening direction D1. The pusher 20C includes a main body pusher 20C1 formed according to the shape of the main body 10A (in this embodiment, formed in a curved shape according to the shape of the main body 10A), and a shoulder pusher 20C2 formed to have a linear cross section according to the shape of the first portion 10B1. An example of a binding method will be described below. However, the configuration of the binding machine is not limited to that disclosed herein. Any known configuration capable of bending the staple 10 into a similar shape may be used.

[0077] 2A shows a state in which the staple 10 is attached to the binding machine 20. In this state, the staple 10 is not deformed and therefore has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1A.

[0078] Thereafter, bundling is started with the stems P placed inside the staple 10 (the area surrounded by the main body 10A, the first leg 10B, and the second leg 10C). The stems P and the guide element G extend in roughly the same direction (perpendicular to the paper surface). FIG. 2B shows a state in which the distal end of the second leg 10C in the opening direction D1 comes into contact with the guide portion 20B1 and the second leg 10C begins to bend as a result of the staple 10 being moved in the opening direction D1 using the push-out portion 20C.

[0079] As shown in the figure, the contact surface of guide portion 20B1 with second leg portion 10C is formed to have an inclined portion (inclined so as to approach first leg portion 10B as it moves in opening direction D1). Therefore, the tip side of second leg portion 10C contacting guide portion 20B1 moves in a direction toward the tip of first leg portion 10B. At this time, fulcrum portion 20B2 contacts a predetermined portion on the inside of third portion 10C3. Therefore, third portion 10C3 is bent in a direction toward the tip of first leg portion 10B, with the portion contacting fulcrum portion 20B2 as a fulcrum.

[0080] Furthermore, the contact surface of guide portion 20B1 with second leg portion 10C is formed to have a portion (FIG. 3A) that is inclined in a direction (hereinafter referred to as the "axial direction") that is the axial direction of the spiral groove formed in first deformation portion 20A and perpendicular to opening direction D1 (the inclination increases in the axial direction as it progresses in opening direction D1). Therefore, the tip side of second leg portion 10C moves in a direction toward the tip of first leg 10B, and at the same time, it also moves gently in the axial direction away from the plane including main body portion 10A.

[0081] The means for moving the distal end of second leg 10C toward the distal end of first leg 10B and away from the plane including main body 10A at the same time is not limited to the above. For example, such a means may be provided on first deformation section 20A. Specifically, first deformation section 20A may be provided with an inclined surface that slopes away from the plane including main body 10A as it approaches the distal end of first leg 10B, at a position corresponding to inclined surface 20AA in FIG. 3A , and this inclined surface 20AA may be provided at a position where the distal end of second leg 10C abuts. With this configuration, by moving the distal end of second leg 10C toward first leg 10B while abutting against inclined surface 20AA, it is possible to move second leg 10C toward first leg 10B while simultaneously moving it in the axial direction away from the plane including main body 10A.

[0082] 2C shows a state in which the staple 10 is further moved in the opening direction D1 using the pushing portion 20C, whereby the tip of the second portion 10B2 of the first leg portion 10B enters the groove of the first deformation portion 20A and begins to bend. A guide element G is inserted into an opening hole formed in the axial direction (perpendicular to the paper surface). Therefore, as the staple 10 is moved in the opening direction D1 relative to the first deformation portion 20A and the tip of the second portion 10B2 enters the groove of the first deformation portion 20A, it becomes possible to deform the tip of the first leg portion 10B of the staple 10 into a spiral shape that surrounds the outer periphery of the guide element G, with the guide element G as the axis.

[0083] On the other hand, when the second leg 10C starts to bend, the connection between the third portion 10C3 and the fourth portion 10C4 abuts against the guide portion 20B1, and then, as the bending progresses, the fourth portion 10C4 abuts against the guide portion 20B1 and is bent. Then, as shown in the same figure, the fourth portion 10C4 climbs over the guide portion 20B1, and the third portion 10C3 abuts against the guide portion 20B1 and is bent. At this point, the bending has progressed considerably, so the third portion 10C3 and the fourth portion 10C4 are close to the tip of the first leg 10B where the guide element G is arranged.

[0084] FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second leg portion 10C reaches the guide element G and the fourth portion 10C4 engages with the guide element G by further moving the staple 10 in the opening direction D1 using the pusher portion 20C, and FIG. 3A is a perspective view of this state. As shown in FIG. 2E, when the fourth portion 10C4 engages with the guide element G, the opening of the main body portion 10A is closed in the cross-sectional view. Also, as shown in FIG. 3A, the inclined surface of the guide portion 20B1 is also inclined in the axial direction. Therefore, as the bending progresses, the tip of the second leg portion 10C advances in the axial direction away from the plane including the main body portion 10A and the first leg portion 10B. As a result, the second leg portion 10C engages with the guide element G at a position separated from the portion where the first leg portion 10B engages with the guide element G.

[0085] FIG. 3B shows a state in which a part of the part in which the groove of the first deformation portion 20A is formed is moved after the first leg portion 10B and the second leg portion 10C of the staple 10 are engaged with the guide element G. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing how the staple P is held by the guide element G by the staple 10. As shown in these drawings, the first leg portion 10B is held or fixed to the guide element G by wrapping around the guide element G. Meanwhile, the second leg portion 10C is hooked on the guide element G and movably locked to the guide element G. The third portion 10C3 has elasticity in a direction that widens the closed opening and returns to its original position, so the fourth portion 10C4 can apply tension to the guide element G in a direction that widens the opening, i.e., a direction away from the first leg portion 10B. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the staple 10 will fall off the guide element G due to bending of the guide element G.

[0086] The inventors of the present application noticed that, in the case of a staple that does not have a first portion 10B1 and has a curved body portion and legs extending linearly from the body portion, it is difficult to push the curved body portion straight toward the opening, making it difficult to correctly load the staple into a binding machine and bend the legs. Through trial and error, they came up with the idea of ​​providing the first portion 10B1. By providing the first portion 10B1 and pushing this portion, the staple 10 can be pushed in the opening direction D1 with high precision. By arranging the first portion 10B1 so that the angle it forms with the body portion 10A is 90 degrees or nearly 90 degrees, the movement accuracy of the staple 10 can be improved. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2E, the first portion 10B1 is located closer to the axis of the second portion 10B2 than the body portion 10A. Therefore, for example, pushing the first portion 10B1 can transmit force to the second portion 10B2 more efficiently than pushing the body portion 10A.

[0087] Furthermore, in the case of a staple having a curved main body portion and legs extending linearly from the main body portion, when the stem P grows to a size corresponding to the inscribed circle of the main body portion, it becomes difficult to further expand the main body portion, which can cause a problem of impeding the growth of the stem P. The staple 10 according to this embodiment is provided with the first portion 10B1, and the connection portion between the main body portion 10A and the first portion 10B1 can be deformed in a direction that expands the main body portion 10A with a relatively weak force, thereby making it possible to suppress the problem of impeding the growth of the stem P. On the other hand, because the main body portion 10A, with which the stem P may come into contact during growth, is curved, it is possible to suppress the problem of the stem P being damaged by the main body portion 10A.

[0088] Furthermore, by arranging the second part 10B2 and the third part 10C3 approximately parallel to each other, it is possible to prevent the problem of adjacent staples 10 interfering with each other when holding multiple adjacent stems, etc. P in the guide element G.

[0089] In addition, the staple 10 can have the first leg portion 10B held or fixed to the guide element G, and the second leg portion 10C can be movably locked to the guide element G.

[0090] As a result, the second leg portion 10C can be easily removed from the guide element G. Also, as the stems, etc. P grow, the staple 10 can be deformed in the extension direction of the guide element G. Furthermore, since the second portion 10B2 is formed shorter than the third portion 10C3, the second portion 10B2 can be firmly held or fixed to the guide element G, while the third portion 10C3 is formed longer than the second portion 10B2, the second leg portion 10C can be easily removed from the guide element G with a slight movement. This reduces the burden on workers when harvesting the stems, etc. P, and when collecting and disposing of them after harvesting.

[0091] Furthermore, since the third portion 10C3 is formed longer than the width of the opening formed by the main body portion 10A, i.e., the distance between one end 10A1 of the main body portion and the other end 10A2 of the main body portion, the opening can be closed by bending the third portion 10C3. This reduces the possibility that the stem P will come off the staple 10.

[0092] Furthermore, since the bent third portion 10C3 has elasticity in a direction to widen the closed opening and return to its original position, the fourth portion 10C4 can apply tension to the guide element G in the direction to widen the opening, i.e., in the direction away from the first leg portion 10B. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the staple 10 will fall off the guide element G as the guide element G bends.

[0093] 2E, the fourth part 10C4 is bent counterclockwise (an example of a "first circumferential direction") around the guide element G, thereby being engaged with the guide element G. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second part 10B2 is curved or bent counterclockwise (an example of a "first circumferential direction") around the guide element G so as to surround the guide element G. As a result of this configuration, the guide element G can be positioned inside the second part 10B2, where the stem or the like P is positioned, making it easy to wrap the tip of the second part 10B2 around the guide element G.

[0094] Furthermore, since the deformation of the first leg 10B is started after the deformation of the second leg 10C is started, and the deformation start timings of the two legs are staggered, it is possible to move and bend the staple 10 more smoothly than when the deformation of the two legs is performed simultaneously. Also, by forming the third part 10C3 longer than the second part 10B2, it is possible to easily stagger the deformation start timings of the two legs.

[0095] The means for engaging the first leg 10B with the guide element G is not limited to the method of bending and wrapping the second portion 10B2 around the guide element G. For example, the second portion 10B2 of the first leg 10B may be bent at an acute angle to sandwich the guide element G. With this configuration, the first leg 10B can be fixed to the guide element G by crimping.

[0096] [Method of binding staples 10 without using binding machine 20]

[0097] The staple 10 according to the first embodiment can also be engaged with the guide element G, for example, manually, without using a binding machine. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the bound state of the staple 10 bound without using a binding machine.

[0098] As shown in the figure, the connection portion between main body 10A and first portion 10B1 is bent, and this bent portion and fourth portion 10C4 engage to sandwich guide element G from both sides, thereby enabling first leg 10B and second leg 10C to be suitably engaged with guide element G. In addition to locking fourth portion 10C4 with guide element G, the tip of fourth portion 10C4 may also be engaged with first portion 10B1 or second portion 10B2.

[0099] In such a configuration, by bending the first portion 10B1 and the main body portion 10A so that the angle α1 (FIG. 1A) formed by them is an acute angle, it becomes possible to make the guide element G less likely to come off the bent portion.

[0100] Incidentally, the angle α1 formed by the first portion 10B1 and the main body portion 10A may be further reduced, the guide element G may be sandwiched between the first portion 10B1 and the main body portion 10A, and the first leg portion 10B may be fixed to the guide element G by caulking. In this case, by grasping the elongated second portion 10B2, the first leg portion 10B can be easily plastically deformed and fixed to the guide element G. Furthermore, even after the stalk or the like P has grown, by grasping the elongated second portion 10B2, the staple 10 can be easily removed from the guide element G.

[0101] [Second embodiment]

[0102] Fig. 6A shows a staple 50 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 6B shows an example of the staple 50 in a bound state. Note that explanations of parts that will be understood by those skilled in the art to be the same as or similar to the explanations regarding the staple 10 according to the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and the explanation will focus on the differences.

[0103] The staple 50 includes a main body 50A, a first leg 50B extending continuously from one end 50A4 of the main body 50A, and a second leg 50C extending continuously from the other end 50A5.

[0104] The main body 50A is generally U-shaped with one end open (to the left on the page) and has at least three contact points P1 to P3 circumscribing a virtual largest inscribed circle C2. The main body 50A includes a first side 50A1 extending in a tangent direction (opening direction) to the inscribed circle C2 at the first contact point P1 on the first leg 50B side, a second side 50A2 extending in a tangent direction (opening direction) to the inscribed circle C2 at the second contact point P2 on the second leg 50C side and generally parallel to the first side 50A1, and a third side 50A3 connecting the first side 50A1 and the second side 50A2 and extending in a tangent direction to the inscribed circle C2 at a third contact point P3 between the contact points P1 and P2. In this embodiment, the third side 50A3 forms an obtuse angle with the first side 50A1 and an acute angle with the second side 50A2. That is, the angle α2 between the third side 50A3 and the first side 50A1 is greater than 90 degrees, and the angle α3 between the third side 50A3 and the second side 50A2 is less than 90 degrees. Therefore, the third side 50A3 is formed longer than the distance between one end 50A4 and the other end 50A5 of the main body 50A.

[0105] The first leg portion 50B and the second leg portion 50C are portions for engaging with the guide element G.

[0106] 6A, the first leg 50B includes a first portion 50B1 extending from one end 50A4 of the main body 50A in a tangent direction to the inscribed circle C2 at the first contact point P1, i.e., toward the opening, and a second portion 50B2 bending from the first portion 50B1 and extending outward. The second portion 50B2 may have a similar configuration to the first portion 50B1, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that the first leg 50B may be configured solely from the second portion 50B2 bending outward from one end 50A4 of the main body 50A, omitting the first portion 50B1.

[0107] As shown in Fig. 6B, the third portion 50C3 is a portion that closes the opening formed by the main body portion 50A when folded. Before being folded (Fig. 6A), the third portion 50C3 is formed so as to extend continuously from the second side portion 50A2 in the opening direction D1.

[0108] In order to close the opening when folded, it is preferable that the third portion 50C3 be formed longer than the width of the opening formed by the main body portion 50A, i.e., the distance between one end 50A4 and the other end 50A5 of the main body portion.

[0109] Furthermore, it is further preferable that the third portion 50C3 be formed longer than the third side portion 50A3 so as to close the opening when folded parallel to the third side portion 50A3.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 6B , by bending the third portion 50C3 parallel to the third side 50A3, the staple 10 forms a parallelogram including the first side 50A1, the second side 50A2, and the third side 50A3. The shape of this parallelogram is determined depending on the bending position of the third portion 50C3. In this embodiment, it is preferable to bend the third portion 50C3 so that the third side 50A3 forms the long side of the parallelogram and the side including the first side 50A1 and the second side 50A2 forms the short side of the parallelogram. This configuration allows the stems P, etc., within the parallelogram, to first abut against the third side 50A3 or the third portion 50C3, which correspond to the more flexible long side. This makes it possible to suppress inhibition of growth of the stems P compared to when the stems P abut against the less flexible short side. The figure shows that the grown stems P come into contact with the third side portion 50A3 and the third portion 50C3 first.

[0111] The third side 50A3 may be rectangular and form a right angle with the first side 50A1 and the second side 50A2, or may form an obtuse angle with the first side 50A1 and an acute angle with the second side 50A2.

[0112] [Method of binding staples 50 using binding machine 60] Next, a method for binding the staples 50 using the binding machine 60 will be described. Figures 7A to 7D are schematic diagrams showing a process of engaging the staples 50 with the guide element G using the binding machine 60. On the left side of each figure, the staple 50 is shown as viewed from a perspective parallel to a plane including the main body portion 50A (the binding machine 60 is not shown). Also, Figure 7E is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second portion 50B2 of the staple 50 is bent and fixed to the guide element G using the claw portion 60A1 of the binding machine 60.

[0113] 7A and the like differ from the staple 50 shown in Fig. 6A in that the second portion 50B2 is bent more greatly. As a result, the angle between the straight line including the first side portion 50A1 (or the first portion 50B1) and the second portion 50B2 is 45 degrees or less. However, since the staple 50 has a structure similar to that of the staple 50 shown in Fig. 6A in other respects, the same reference numerals are used and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0114] The binding machine 60 includes a claw portion 60A1 (FIG. 7E) for bending the second portion 50B2 of the staple 50, a guide element fixing portion 60A2 for fixing the second portion 50B2 to the guide element G, a second deformation portion 60B that moves the tip side of the second leg portion 50C of the staple 50 toward the tip side of the first leg portion 50B by bending a predetermined portion of the second leg portion 50C of the staple 50, and a third deformation portion 60C that bends the tip side portion of the second leg portion 50C in a direction away from the first leg portion 50B to form a fourth portion 50C4 (bent portion).

[0115] 7E, with the guide element G sandwiched between the first portion 50B1 and the second portion 50B2 corresponding to the fixed-side wire of the first leg 50B, the claw portion 60A1 applies a load to the second portion 50B2 of the first leg 50B, thereby pushing down the second portion 50B2 and fixing the first leg 50B to the guide element G. The claw portion 60A1 applies an inclined load to deform the second portion 50B2 so that it does not collide with the fixed-side wire 50B3 when pushed down. The guide element fixing portion 60A2 has a groove-shaped portion surrounded by a bottom surface and two side surfaces to prevent the fixed-side wire of the first leg 50B from moving. 7A to 7E, for the sake of clarity, the deformation and positional relationship of the first leg 50B and the second leg 50C are clearly shown. For convenience, the bottom surface and one of the two side surfaces constituting the guide element fixing portion 60A2, which is located on the near side of the page, are not shown. FIG. 7E shows the guide element G being clamped and deformed between the first portion 50B1 and the second portion 50B2, which are fixed-side wires. In this embodiment, the step of fixing the guide element G to the first leg 50B with the claw portion 60A1 is performed while the second leg 50C is bending. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, bending of the second leg 50C may be started after the step of fixing the guide element G to the first leg 50B is performed.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 7B , the second deformation unit 60B includes a movable unit 60B1 that contacts the outside of the tip end of the second leg 50C and moves toward the tip end of the first leg 50B while applying a load to the second leg 50C, and a fulcrum unit 60B2 that contacts the inside of the main body 50A side of the second leg 50C and functions as a fulcrum for bending. The fulcrum unit 60B2 is fixed at least until the required bending angle is reached, so that the second leg 50C can be bent with the fulcrum unit 60B2 contacting the fulcrum unit as the movable unit 60B1 moves. The fulcrum unit 60B2 may be fixed to the binding machine 60 or may be movable after bending.

[0117] The third deformation portion 60C is composed of a wall portion that abuts against the inside of a portion further distal than the movable portion 60B1. Because the third deformation portion 60C is fixed, the fourth portion 50C4 can be formed by bending the distal region of the second leg 50C in a direction away from the first leg 50B as the movable portion 60B1 moves.

[0118] An example of a binding method will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the configuration of the binding machine is not limited to that disclosed herein. Binding machines with other configurations that can bend the staples 50 into a similar shape may also be used.

[0119] Fig. 7A shows the initial state in which the staple 50 is attached to the binding machine 60. In this state, the staple 50 is not deformed and has the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 6A. Also, the left side of the figure shows that the main body 50A, the first leg 50B, and the second leg 50C are provided in the same plane PL.

[0120] Thereafter, bundling is started with the stems P placed inside the staple 50 (the area surrounded by the main body 50A, the first leg 50B, and the second leg 50C). The stems P and the guide element G (not shown) extend in roughly the same direction (perpendicular to the paper surface).

[0121] 7B shows how the second leg 50C starts to bend around the fulcrum where it abuts on the fulcrum portion 60B2 by moving the movable portion 60B1 toward the tip of the first leg 50B while applying a load to the second leg 50C. Furthermore, the figure shows how the fixed third deformation portion 60C starts to bend the tip region of the second leg 50C in a direction away from the first leg 50B.

[0122] Then, the distal end region of the second leg 50C passes through the gap between the movable portion 60B1 and the third deformation portion 60C, causing the distal end of the second leg 50C to bend significantly, forming the fourth portion 50C4. After passing through the gap between the movable portion 60B1 and the third deformation portion 60C, the distal end region of the second leg 50C buckles and deforms to return slightly, after which the shape of the fourth portion 50C4 is determined. By adjusting the gap between the movable portion 60B1 and the third deformation portion 60C, it is possible to adjust the angle of the fourth portion 50C4 to be suitable for hooking onto and engaging with the guide element G.

[0123] The movable part 60B1 also moves in the axial direction (the normal direction to the plane PL) at an angle relative to the plane PL, so that the tip of the second leg part 50C begins to move slightly away from the plane PL, as shown on the left in Figure 7B.

[0124] FIG. 7C shows the state of the staple 50 after the movable portion 60B1 has come closest to the first leg 50B. At this time, the second leg 50C is bent with the portion abutting the fulcrum portion 60B2 as a fulcrum until the fourth portion 50C4 passes through the guide element G. In this embodiment, it is bent by 90 degrees or more. The tip of the second leg 50C also intersects with the second portion 50B2. Furthermore, as shown on the left side of the figure, the tip of the second leg 50C is significantly separated from the plane PL.

[0125] At the same time, with the guide element G sandwiched between the fixed wire of the first leg 50B and the second portion 50B2, the claw 60A1 presses and bends the second portion 50B2, thereby fixing the first leg 50B to the guide element G. The left side of FIG. 7C shows that the claw 60A1 presses the second portion 50B2 so that it is inclined from the plane PL, resulting in the end of the second portion 50B2 being separated from the plane PL.

[0126] 7D shows the state in which the bending load applied by the movable part 60B1 is released and the fourth part 50C4 is buckling to return toward the guide element G. At this time, the guide element G is fixed by the first leg part 50B and locked by the second leg part 50C. It is preferable to adjust the amount of bending of the second leg part 50C applied by the movable part 60B1 so that the guide element G is locked at the fourth part 50C4 or at the connection part between the third part 50C3 and the fourth part 50C4.

[0127] The effects of the staple 50 and binding method described above will be explained below.

[0128] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing how the staple 50 deforms as the stem P grows. As shown in the figure, as the stem P grows, it may come into contact with the staple 50. In this case, if the staple is formed in an arc shape, a large force is required to expand the staple in the radial direction. This inhibits the growth of the stem P. On the other hand, the staple 50 according to this embodiment is formed in a quadrangle. Therefore, the grown stem P often abuts near the center of one of the sides. Since the area near the center of the side easily bends with a weak force, it is possible to suppress inhibition of the growth of the stem P compared to the case of an arc-shaped staple.

[0129] Furthermore, the staple 50 is formed in the shape of a parallelogram having long sides. Therefore, the grown stem P often abuts near the center of the long sides. The area near the center of the long sides is more easily bent by a weaker force than the area near the center of the short sides, which further reduces the inhibition of the growth of the stem P. The figure shows a schematic diagram of how, if the stem P grows to the size of a circle P10, the third side portion 50A3, which is the long side, and the third portion 50C3 of the second leg portion 50C bend first.

[0130] In addition, the second leg 50C of the staple 50 is bent into a parallelogram shape tilted leftward in the drawing. This allows the angle α4 at which the second leg 50C is bent to be smaller than in a parallelogram tilted to the opposite side. This makes it possible to quickly and easily perform the bending operation of the second leg 50C.

[0131] Furthermore, the staple 50 according to this embodiment can apply tension to the guide element G as the stem or the like P deforms due to growth.

[0132] FIG. 9A shows the shape of the staple 50 before the stem or the like P grows, and FIG. 9B shows the shape of the staple 50 when the stem or the like P grows and expands the staple 50.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 9A, initially, the stalk P is not in contact with the staple 50, so the first leg 50B of the staple 50 holds the guide element G, but the second leg 50C only engages the guide element G to the point where it barely touches the guide element G. However, as shown in FIG. 9B, the staple 50 expands as the stalk P grows and deforms. Here, the first leg 50B of the staple 50 is bent counterclockwise around the guide element G in the figure (an example of a "first circumferential direction") and is thereby engaged with the guide element G. Meanwhile, the second leg 50C is bent clockwise around the guide element G (an example of a "second circumferential direction"). As a result, tension acts between the portion of the guide element G engaged with the first leg 50B and the portion of the guide element G engaged with the second leg 50C. Therefore, as the stem or the like P grows, when the need for engagement increases, the staple 50 can be securely engaged with the guide element G in a manner that is less likely to come off.

[0134] Furthermore, the staple 50 can be easily manufactured because the second leg portion 50C extends linearly. By using the binding method according to this embodiment, it is possible to bend the second leg portion 50C and form the fourth portion (bent portion) 50C4 in a single step. In addition, the portions having the same configuration as the staple according to the first embodiment can exert the same effects.

[0135] [Method of binding staples 50 without using binding machine 60]

[0136] The staple 50 according to the second embodiment can also be engaged with the guide element G, for example, manually, without using a binding machine. That is, similar to the schematic diagram showing the binding state of the staple 10 shown in Fig. 5, the staple 50 has a bent connection portion between the first part 50B1 and the second part 50B2, and therefore, by engaging this bent portion with the second leg part 50C so as to sandwich the guide element G from both sides, it becomes possible to suitably engage the first leg part 50B and the second leg part 50C with the guide element G.

[0137] Even in such a configuration, by bending the first portion 50B1 and the second portion 50B2 so that the angle between them is an acute angle, it is possible to make it difficult for the guide element G to come off the bent portion.

[0138] The angle formed by the first part 50B1 and the second part 50B2 may be further reduced, the guide element G may be sandwiched between the first part 50B1 and the second part 50B2, and the first leg part 50B may be fixed to the guide element G by caulking.

[0139] [Variations]

[0140] The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, some components in one embodiment can be added to other embodiments within the scope of ordinary creativity of a person skilled in the art. Also, some components in one embodiment can be replaced with corresponding components in other embodiments.

[0141] For example, the curved main body 10A of the staple 10 may be replaced with the main body 50A of the staple 50. In this case, the main body of the staple 10 includes a first side portion that extends linearly in the opening direction and includes one end of the main body portion, a second side portion that includes the other end of the main body portion and extends approximately parallel to the first side portion, and a third side portion that connects the first side portion and the second side portion and extends linearly.

[0142] Such a staple can also exert the same effects as a staple having a similar configuration. The third side may be rectangular and form a right angle with the first and second sides, or may form an obtuse angle with the first side and an acute angle with the second side.

[0143] Furthermore, the third side portion 50A3 of the staple 50 may be arranged to form approximately right angles with the first side portion 50A1 and the second side portion 50A2, respectively, or may be arranged to form an acute angle with the first side portion 50A1 and an obtuse angle with the second side portion 50A2.

[0144] The second portion 50B2 of the staple 50 may be provided so as to be directly connected to the end portion 50A4 of the main body portion 50A, or may have a portion therebetween that extends in the opening direction D1.

[0145] Furthermore, the sides of the main body may be connected at the corners by arcs or other curves. The main body may be formed by connecting curves and straight lines.

[0146] Moreover, the staple 50 may further include a second portion 10B2 of the staple 10. In this case, the staple 50 further includes the second portion bent from the first portion and extending substantially parallel to the third portion.

[0147] If the staple 50 further includes a second portion, the second portion may be curved using a binding machine so as to hold the guide element G.

[0148] In this case, a bundling machine further equipped with a third deformation unit 60C can be used. Such a bundling machine may have a first deformation unit that bends or curves one end of the wire, a second deformation unit that bends or curves a predetermined portion of the wire to move the other end of the wire toward the one end, and a third deformation unit that bends or curves outward a portion closer to the other end than the predetermined portion. By providing an inclined abutment surface such as the guide unit 20B1 of the second deformation unit, even in a case where the second leg extends linearly, such as in staple 50, the second leg can be curved or bent so that its tip moves toward the first leg (toward the inside of the opening). At that time, by providing a fixed member such as the third deformation unit 60C at a position where the tip of the second leg abuts, it is possible to bend the tip of the second leg away from the first leg (toward the outside of the opening), thereby providing a configuration equivalent to a bending portion. The first deformation portion is configured from a clincher similar to the first deformation portion 20A, so that the tip side of the first leg portion can be curved or bent so as to surround the guide element G.

[0149] By using such a binding machine, it is possible to attach a staple 50 further provided with a second portion, and perform the steps of: bending or curving a predetermined portion of the second leg of the staple using the second deformation unit of the binding machine to move the tip side of the second leg toward the first leg; and bending or curving outward a portion of the second leg closer to the tip side than the predetermined portion using the third deformation unit of the binding machine to form a bent portion; and further perform the step of holding the guide element by bending or curving the tip side of the second portion of the first leg of the staple using the first deformation unit of the binding machine to surround the guide element. Then, it is possible to perform the step of engaging the formed bent portion with the guide element and applying tension to the guide element in a direction away from the first leg. Note that the step of holding the guide element may be performed before the step of forming the bent portion.

[0150] The staples 10 or 50 may be separated one by one, or may be connected to one another to form an integrated unit. Fig. 10 shows a staple structure 500 made up of a plurality of staples 50 that are stacked so as to overlap one another and connected with an adhesive. As shown in this figure, by integrating a plurality of staples such as the staples 10 or 50 and loading them into a magazine or the like of a binding machine, continuous binding operations become possible.

[0151] [First Modification of the First Embodiment] A first modification of the staple 10 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0152] 11 shows a staple 100 according to a modified example of the staple 10 (FIG. 11(A)), an enlarged view of an area AR3 shown in the same figure (FIG. 11(B)), and a cross-sectional view of the staple 10 cut along a second plane PL2 (described later) (FIG. 11(C)). Note that the same names are used for components that are similar to those of the staple 10 according to the first embodiment, and explanations thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the following description will focus on the different parts.

[0153] Staple 100 is similar to staple 10 in that it comprises a main body 100A, a first leg 100B extending continuously from one end of main body 100A, and a second leg 100C extending continuously from the other end.

[0154] Main body 100A connects first leg 100B and second leg 100C and surrounds stem P, and is formed, for example, from an arc with a central angle of 180 degrees. Note that stem P, which is the object to be held, may be a growing plant such as a stem or fruit, or may be a support pole.

[0155] The first leg 100B is a portion for engaging with the guide element G. The first leg 100B includes a first portion 100B1 that connects to one end 100A1 of the main body 100A and bends to extend outward from the opening, and a second portion 100B2 that further bends from the first portion 100B1 and extends in the opening direction D1. The portions extending from the one end 100A1 of the main body 100A, via the first portion 100B1, to the second portion 100B2, i.e., the first portion 100B1 and the second portion 100B2, may be referred to as crank portions. The first leg 100B includes a crank portion. The first leg 100B has a configuration similar to that of the first leg 10B of the staple 10, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0156] As in the first embodiment, the direction from the closed side (the right side of the paper, e.g., the midpoint of the main body 100A) of the main body 100A in Fig. 11 to the open side (the left side of the paper) is referred to as the opening direction D1. By moving the main body 100A relative to the object to be held in the opening direction D1, it is possible to position the main body 100A so as to surround the object to be held.

[0157] The second leg portion 100C is a portion that is bent by a binding machine or manually (by an operator) to close the opening of the main body portion 100A when viewed from above and engage with the guide element G or the first leg portion 100B.

[0158] The second leg portion 100C is connected to the other end 100A2 of the main body portion 100A and includes a third portion 100C3 extending in the opening direction D1, and a fourth portion 100C4 bent outward from the tip of the third portion 100C3.

[0159] The third portion 100C3 is a portion that, when bent, closes the opening formed between one end 100A1 and the other end 100A2 of the main body portion 100A, at least in a plan view (FIG. 11). The length of the third portion 100C3 is similar to that of the third portion 10C3 of the second leg portion 10C of the staple 10, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Therefore, the third portion 100C3 has a length sufficient to close the opening of the main body portion 100A (i.e., a length greater than the distance between the ends 100A1 and 100A2 of the main body portion 100A, which are spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the opening direction D1). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the third portion 100C3 is preferably formed longer than the second portion 100B2. In this case, the first leg portion 100B is provided so as to be spaced apart from a tangent plane TP that contacts the second leg portion 100C at the tip in the opening direction D1, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0160] The third portion 100C3 according to this modification has a fifth portion 100C31 extending linearly from the end portion 100A2 in the opening direction D1, a tip portion corresponding to the tip of the third portion 100C3, and a sixth portion located between the fifth portion and the tip portion. Here, because the fifth portion 100C31 extends linearly, in this modification, it is referred to as the linear portion 100C31 for convenience. The sixth portion is provided between the tip portion and the fifth portion 100C31 so as to connect them, and corresponds to the portion bent toward the first leg 100B side (the inner side of the staple 10) relative to the fifth portion 100C31. For this reason, the tip portion corresponding to the tip of the third portion 100C3 and the sixth portion are referred to as an end portion 100C32. The end portion 100C32 is connected to the straight portion 100C31, and can also be said to correspond to the tip of the second leg 100C in the opening direction D1.

[0161] The straight portion 100C31 is a portion that extends linearly and substantially parallel to the opening direction D1. In this modification, most of the third portion 100C3, including the portion opposite the opening direction D1 (for example, 66% or more of the total length of the third portion 100C3), corresponds to the straight portion 100C31.

[0162] The end portion 100C32 is a portion that is bent or curved relative to the straight portion 100C31 in a direction approaching the first leg portion 100B. In this modification, the portion of the third portion 100C3 on the opening direction D1 side (for example, a portion that is 34% or less of the total length of the third portion 100C3) corresponds to the end portion 100C32.

[0163] As a result of the end portion 100C32 being bent relative to the straight portion 100C31, the end portion 100C32 is positioned so that the contact point CP between the tangent plane TP, which is perpendicular to the straight line SL passing through the center of the straight portion 100C31 and tangent to the second leg portion 100C (end portion 100C32), and the second leg portion 100C (end portion 100C32), is located in the first region AR1 in which the first leg portion 100B is located, of the first region AR1 and the second region AR2, which are defined by the second plane PL2 (Figure 11, an example of the "second plane"), which is perpendicular to the first plane PL1 (Figure 12, an example of the "first plane") passing through the main body portion 100A, the first leg portion 100B, and the second leg portion 100C, and includes the straight line SL, in the initial state.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 11, when the wall surface GS of the guide element G is flat and the first leg 100B engages with the wall surface GS of the guide element G substantially perpendicularly, the wall surface GS and the tangential plane TP substantially coincide with each other.

[0165] In this modification, the end 100C32 is bent relative to the straight portion 100C31 in a direction approaching the first leg 100B, so that the end 100C32 of the second leg 100C is displaced more toward the first region AR1 as it advances in the opening direction D1. However, the end 100C32 may also be curved relative to the straight portion 100C31 in a direction approaching the first leg 100B.

[0166] The fourth portion 100C4 (an example of a "bent portion") is a portion for engaging with the guide element G or the first leg portion 100B. The fourth portion 100C4 is bent outward (away from the opening) from the end portion 100C32 of the third portion 100C3 (more specifically, from the tip portion connected to the tip of the end portion 100C32). Therefore, the fourth portion 100C4 is bent with respect to the end portion 100C32 so as to be displaced toward the second region AR2 where the first leg portion 100B is not present.

[0167] As described above, the third portion 100C3 is disposed so that its distal end in the opening direction D1 is close to the first leg portion 100B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11C, at least two intersection lines are formed between the second plane PL2 (or a plane parallel to the second plane PL2 and passing through the outer edge of the linear portion 100C31) and the surface of the second leg portion 100C. The first intersection line is a first intersection line IL1 between the surface of the connecting portion between the third portion 100C3 and the fourth portion 100C4 and the second plane PL2 (or a plane parallel to the second plane PL2 and passing through the outer edge of the linear portion 100C31). The second intersection line is a second intersection line IL2 between the surface of the portion including the linear portion 100C31 and the second plane PL2 (or a plane parallel to the second plane PL2 and passing through the outer edge of the linear portion 100C31). The second intersection line IL2 is spaced apart from the first intersection line IL1 in the direction opposite to the opening direction D1 (in other words, the first intersection line IL1 is spaced apart from the second intersection line IL2 in the opening direction D1). Note that Fig. 11(C) shows that immediately after the second leg portion 100C and the wall surface GS come into contact at the contact point CP, the connection portion between the third portion 100C3 and the fourth portion 100C4 is slightly distorted by the wall surface GS.

[0168] As described above, the second leg portion 100C can also be said to have a straight portion 100C31 that is connected to the other end portion 100A2 of the main body portion 100A and extends linearly in the opening direction D1, an end portion 100C32 that is displaced in a direction approaching the first leg portion 100B and meets the tangential plane TP at a contact point CP, and a fourth portion 100C4 that is bent outward from the end portion 100C32 and extends in the direction opposite to the opening direction D1.

[0169] The inventors of the present application noticed that when a bundling operation is attempted to hold a stem or the like P in the guide element G by engaging the staple 10 with the guide element G, there is a possibility that the second leg 10C may not bend in a direction approaching the first leg 10B. Therefore, the inventors came up with a configuration in which the second leg 100C is provided with an end 100C32. According to the staple 100, the second leg 100C is provided so that the contact point CP is present in the first area AR1 where the first leg 100B is located. Therefore, when the staple 100 is moved in the opening direction D1, it is possible to induce the second leg 100C to bend in a direction approaching the first leg 100B, as described below.

[0170] [How to bind Staple 100]

[0171] A method for binding the staple 100 will be described below. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the process of engaging the staple 100 with the guide element G using a binding machine 110 or manually, as viewed from above (the bottom of the drawing) and from the side (the top of the drawing). That is, the staple 100 may be engaged with the guide element G using the binding machine 110, or may be engaged with the guide element G manually if the guide element G is made of a soft material such as gypsum board.

[0172] The binding machine 110 includes a pusher 110C for moving the staples 100 in a direction generally aligned with the opening direction D1. However, the configuration of the binding machine is not limited to that disclosed herein. A binding machine having another configuration capable of moving the staples 100 in the opening direction D1 may also be used.

[0173] Fig. 12(A) shows the initial state in which the staple 100 is attached to the binding machine 110. In this initial state, the staple 100 is not deformed and has the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 11. As shown in the figure, in the initial state, the main body 100A, the first leg 100B, and the second leg 100C of the staple 100 are provided on a first plane PL.

[0174] Thereafter, bundling is started with the stems P placed inside the staple 100 (the area surrounded by the main body 100A, the first leg 100B, and the second leg 100C). The stems P and the guide element G extend in roughly the same direction (perpendicular to the paper surface). Figure 12(B) shows a state in which, by moving the staple 100 in the opening direction D1 using the push-out part 110C, the tip of the second leg 100C in the opening direction D1 comes into contact with the wall surface GS of the guide element G, and the second leg 100C begins to bend.

[0175] At this time, the first point of the second leg 100C to come into contact with the wall surface GS is a contact point CP, which corresponds to the tip of the second leg 100C in the opening direction D1. The contact point CP is located in a first region AR1 that is closer to the first leg 100B than a second plane PL2 that includes the straight line SL. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12(B), as the second leg 100C moves in the opening direction D1, the end 100C32, which receives a force from the straight line portion 100C31, is bent in a direction approaching the first leg 100B.

[0176] On the other hand, the first leg 100B is formed shorter than the second leg 100C, and in the initial state (FIG. 11), it is separated from the tangent plane TP without intersecting with it. Therefore, the first leg 100B contacts the wall surface GS after the second leg 100C starts contacting the wall surface GS. Therefore, before the second leg 100C is affected by the reaction force caused by the first leg 100B contacting the wall surface GS, it is possible to induce the second leg 100C to bend in a direction approaching the first leg 100B or in a direction closing the opening. In this modification, the first leg 100B engages with the guide element G by piercing the wall surface GS. To facilitate engagement with the guide element G, the tip of the first leg 100B may be formed sharp.

[0177] Furthermore, when the staple 100 is moved in the opening direction D1 using the push-out part 110C of the binding machine 110, the second leg part 100C is further curved and approaches the first leg part 100B, so that in a top view as shown in Fig. 12(C), the second leg part 100C (near the connection part between the third part 100C3 and the fourth part 100C4) intersects with the first leg part 100B. Therefore, it becomes possible to close the opening that was provided in the main body part 100A in the initial state in a top view.

[0178] 12(D) shows a state in which the staple 100 is engaged with the guide element G. At this time, as shown in the figure, the first leg 100B may penetrate the guide element G. In addition, the fourth portion 100C4 of the second leg 100C is hooked onto the first leg 100B and thereby engaged with the first leg 100B.

[0179] As described above, even when the staple 100 according to this modified example is used, it is possible to hold the stem P by surrounding the stem P and engaging the staple 100 with the guide element G.

[0180] Figure 12(E) shows a further modified example in which the staple 100 is held in a state in which the main body 100A is bent so as to be inclined relative to the extension direction of the stalk P. In the held state shown in Figure 12(D), the first plane PL1 including the main body 100A is approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the stalk P. However, as shown in Figure 12(E), the staple 100 may be engaged with the guide element G in a state in which the staple 100 is bent so that the plane including the main body 100A is inclined relative to the extension direction of the stalk P.

[0181] Depending on the shape of the stem or the like P, the gap between the main body 100A and the stem or the like P may be uneven. Therefore, by bending the staple 100, it is possible to adjust the gap between the main body 100A and the stem or the like P. Here, since the second leg 100C is engaged with the first leg 100B, it is easier to bend the main body 100A compared to when the second leg 100C is fixed to the guide element G.

[0182] 12(F) shows an example of a holding state in which the crank portion of the first leg 100B is used to engage the fourth portion 100C4 with the first leg 100B to hold the object to be held. As shown in the figure, the second leg 100C may be engaged with the first leg 100B by hooking the fourth portion 100C4 onto the first portion 100B1 of the first leg 100B.

[0183] 12(G) shows an example of a holding state in which the tip of the first leg 100B is bent to hold an object. Bending the tip of the first leg 100B makes it difficult for the first leg 100B to come off the wall, which is the guide element G. In consideration of such a case, the second part 100B2 of the first leg 100B may be formed longer than the third part 100C3 of the second leg 100C.

[0184] 12(H) shows an example of a holding state in which not only the first leg 100B but also the fourth portion 100C4 of the second leg 100C is pierced into the wall surface GS of the guide element G, thereby engaging the second leg 100C with the guide element G to hold the object to be held. A force acts on the fourth portion 100C4 in the direction of opening the opening due to the elasticity of the curved third portion 100C3. Therefore, when the fourth portion 100C4 is pierced into the wall surface GS, it can be firmly engaged.

[0185] As described above, the staple 100 according to this modified example also makes it possible to engage the staple 100 with the guide element G. Furthermore, it becomes possible to reliably deform the second leg portion 100C in a direction approaching the first leg portion 100B.

[0186] As described above, the first leg 100B and the second leg 100C may both engage with the same guide element G, or the first leg 100B may engage with the guide element G while the second leg 100C engages with the first leg 100B instead of the guide element G. Here, the first leg 100B may be formed with a sharp tip to facilitate engagement with the guide element G. The tip may be formed such that its apex PP is closer to the second leg 100C than the center line CL that passes through the center of the second part 100B2 of the first leg 100B. Forming the tip apex PP in this manner makes it easier for the second part 100B2 to bend in the direction opposite to the part where the stem or the like P is located. This prevents the linear part of the second part 100B2 from deforming or buckling toward the side where the stem or the like P is located. Furthermore, even when binding is performed using the staple 10 with the binding machine 20, the tip of the second part 10B2 of the first leg 10B may be formed so that the apex PP is closer to the second leg 10C than the center line CL that passes through the center of the second part 10B2. By forming the tip apex PP in this manner, the tip side of the first leg 10B (second part 10B2) of the staple 10 can be suitably curved or bent by the first deformation part 20A (clincher part).

[0187] [Second Modification of the First Embodiment] A second modification of the staple 10 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0188] 13 shows a staple 120 according to a modified example of the staple 10. Note that the same names are used for the components that have the same configuration as the staple 10 according to the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted or simplified, and the description will focus on the different parts.

[0189] Staple 120 is similar to staple 10 in that it comprises a main body 120A, a first leg 120B extending continuously from one end of main body 120A, and a second leg 120C extending continuously from the other end.

[0190] The main body 120A has the same configuration as the main body 10A, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0191] The first leg 120B includes a first portion 120B1 that connects to one end 120A1 of the main body 120A and bends to extend outward, and a second portion 120B2 that further bends from the first portion 120B1 and extends in the opening direction D1.

[0192] 1 and 13, the first portion 10B1 of the staple 10 and the first portion 120B1 of the staple 120 have different configurations. As shown in Fig. 13, the first portion 120B1 has four bent portions, which differs from the first portion 10B1 which has two bent portions.

[0193] That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the first part 10B1 has two bent parts: a part that changes direction outward by bending and connecting to the end of the main body part 10A, and a part that further bends and connects to the second part 10B2.

[0194] On the other hand, first portion 120B1 has four bent portions: a portion that bends and connects to end portion 120A1 of main body portion 120A and changes direction outward, a portion that bends again and changes direction so as to extend in the direction opposite to opening direction D1, a portion that bends again and changes direction outward again, and a portion that bends again and connects to second portion 120B2. Thus, first portion 120B1 has a first portion that protrudes in opening direction D1 and a second portion that is connected to the first portion and protrudes in the direction opposite to opening direction D1.

[0195] Furthermore, the configuration of the first portion connecting the main body portion 120A and the second portion 120B2 extending in the opening direction D1 can be modified in various ways.

[0196] For example, compared to the configuration of FIG. 13, the length of the portion extending in the opposite direction to the opening direction D1 may be increased.

[0197] Alternatively, the first portion may be formed so as to be connected to the second portion 120B2 by alternating portions extending outward and portions extending in the opening direction D1.

[0198] Alternatively, the first portion 10B1 may be formed to extend outward in a direction inclined opposite to the opening direction D1 and connect to the second portion 120B2. This configuration corresponds to the configuration of the first portion 10B1 shown in FIG. 1A, in which the bending angle α1 is an acute angle (e.g., 30 to 60 degrees).

[0199] The staple 100 can be modified in various ways. For example, the main body portion 100A does not have to be an arc. A different portion may be provided between the straight portion 100C31 and the end portion 100C32. For example, a very short portion may be provided between the straight portion 100C31 and the end portion 100C32, the very short portion being displaced outward from the straight portion 100C31 and then connecting to the end portion 100C32. A different portion may be provided between the main body portion 100A and the straight portion 100C31. For example, a very short portion may be provided between the main body portion 100A and the straight portion 100C31, gently curved to connect the two. Those skilled in the art can modify the staple disclosed in the present application in other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0200] [Third embodiment]

[0201] The staple 200 according to the third embodiment will be described below.

[0202] The inventors of the present application have noticed that in the case of the staple 50 according to the second embodiment, depending on the type of stem or the like P, there is a possibility that the main body portion 50A may bite into the stem or the like P when the stem or the like P grows and comes into contact with the staple 50. Therefore, the inventors of the present application have come up with the idea of ​​configuring the main body portion 200A to be curved and connect the end portion 200A1 and the other end portion 200A2 so that an opening for inserting the stem or the like P, which is the object to be held, is provided between the end portion 200A1 and the other end portion 200A2.

[0203] 14 is a schematic diagram of a staple 200. As shown in the figure, the staple 200 includes a first leg 200B having a first portion 200B1 connected to one end 200A1 and extending from a midpoint 200A3 of the main body 200A in an opening direction D1 toward the opening, and a second portion 200B2 bent outward from the first portion 200B1; and a second leg 200C connected to the other end 200A2 and having a third portion 200C3 extending in the opening direction D1. Note that the first portion 200B1 may be omitted from the first leg 200B, and the first leg 200B may be configured with only the second portion 200B2 bent outward from one end 200A1 of the main body 200A.

[0204] According to such a staple 200, since the main body 200A is curved, it is possible to increase the contact area between the stems P and the staple 200 compared to the staple 50. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the staple 200 from biting into the stems P.

[0205] The following describes the detailed configuration of the staple 200. Note that the description will be omitted or simplified for parts that will be understood by those skilled in the art to be the same or similar to the explanations regarding staples according to other embodiments, and the description will focus on the differences. [Main body]

[0206] The main body portion 200A is a portion that surrounds the stems P in a binding state (holding state) by inserting the stems P and engaging the staple 200 with the guide element G.

[0207] The main body 200A according to this embodiment is curved so as to be convex in the direction opposite to the opening direction D1, and also has the following configuration. The opening direction D1 is the direction from the closed side (right side of the paper) of the main body 200A toward the opening side (left side of the paper). In the configuration according to this embodiment, more specifically, it can be said to correspond to the direction from the midpoint 200A3 between one end 200A1 and the other end 200A2 of the main body 200A toward the opening.

[0208] The main body portion 200A according to this embodiment is formed asymmetrically between the upper half and the lower half of the drawing. More specifically, the main body portion 200A has a first main body portion 200A4 that curves from the vicinity of a midpoint 200A3 and connects to one end portion 200A1, and a second main body portion 200A5 that curves from the vicinity of the midpoint 200A3 and connects to the other end portion 200A2. The second main body portion 200A5 is spaced apart from an imaginary inscribed circle C3 inscribed in the staple 200 at an intermediate portion including a midpoint 200A6 (an example of a "first position on the second main body portion") between the midpoint 200A3 and the other end portion 200A2.

[0209] Here, the inscribed circle C3 inscribed in the staple 200 is inscribed at least in, for example, one end 200A1 and the other end 200A2 of the staple 200. As shown in the figure, at least an intermediate portion including a midpoint 200A6 of the second main body portion 200A5 is formed with a larger diameter than the circumference of the inscribed circle C3. Therefore, the midpoint 200A6 is formed with a larger diameter so as to be separated from the inscribed circle C3 inscribed in the staple 200 at one end 200A1 and the other end 200A2 separated from the midpoint 200A6 across the midpoint 200A6. Note that the figure is schematically drawn so that the distance between the midpoint 200A6 and the inscribed circle C3 is larger than usual in order to clearly show that the midpoint 200A6 is separated from the circumference of the inscribed circle C3.

[0210] As a result of this configuration, as will be described later, the staple 200 initially contacts the stem P at a point other than the midpoint 200A6, and as the stem P grows, it becomes possible to contact the stem P at a point including the midpoint 200A6. Because the midpoint 200A6 is formed with an expanded diameter, it becomes possible to suitably contact the stem P that has grown larger. Note that the position at which the grown stem P comes into contact may be a point other than the midpoint 200A6 of the second main body portion 200A5. Furthermore, the inscribed circle may be inscribed in the staple 200 at a point other than the first end 200A1 and the second end 200A2.

[0211] In this embodiment, the first main body portion 200A4 includes an arc portion having a constant radius. Specifically, the first main body portion 200A4 is formed to follow an arc having a central angle of 90 degrees or less of a circle (corresponding to the inscribed circle C3) whose diameter is the distance between the end portion 200A1 and the end portion 200A2. Therefore, the first main body portion 200A4 is suitable for holding stems or the like having a cross section of the inscribed circle C3 or smaller than the inscribed circle C3.

[0212] On the other hand, the second body portion 200A5 is connected to the first body portion 200A4 near the midpoint 200A3 and connected to the second leg portion 200C at the other end 200A2, but is provided outside the inscribed circle C3 between the vicinity of the midpoint 200A3 and the end 200A2. For example, the second body portion 200A5 is formed as an elliptical arc having a major radius larger than the radius of the inscribed circle C3. Therefore, the second body portion 200A5 is located away from the midpoint 200A3. hand The closer to the end 200A2, the greater the distance from the imaginary inscribed circle C3. hand The second main body portion 200A5 has a portion that is spaced apart from the imaginary inscribed circle C3 so that the distance from the imaginary inscribed circle C3 decreases as the portion approaches the end portion 200A2. When the entire second main body portion 200A5 is formed from an elliptical arc, the distance between the inscribed circle C3 and the second main body portion 200A is greatest at the midpoint 200A6.

[0213] 14, in this embodiment, the major axis LAX of the elliptical arc constituting the second main body portion 200A5 is located on a straight line L3 connecting the center CP3 of the inscribed circle C3 and the junction between the first and second parts 200B1 and 200B2 of the first leg portion 200B. Therefore, when the staple 200 is engaged with the guide element G near the junction between the first and second parts 200B1 and 200B2, the position farthest from the guide element G and the position where the distance between the inscribed circle C3 and the second main body portion 200A is greatest are both near the midpoint 200A6. Therefore, when the main body portion 200A of the staple 200 engaged with the guide element G tilts as the stalk P grows, it becomes possible to support the stalk P near the midpoint 200A6, which is the farthest position from the guide element G. The elliptical arc becomes a circular arc when viewed from the tilted direction. Therefore, when at least a portion of the second main body portion 200A5 is an elliptical arc, the elliptical arc portion can support the stems P along the cylindrical side surface. Therefore, compared to when the stems P are supported by an arc, it is possible to support the stems P over a longer portion. This makes it possible to provide a staple that is less likely to bite into the stems P than conventional staples.

[0214] As will be described later, when the stems P grow, the staple 200 is often used so as to be inclined at an angle of 10 to 40 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. For this reason, it is preferable that the elliptical arc provided on the second main body portion 200A5 is formed so that the angle of inclination, which becomes a circular arc when tilted around the minor axis as the axis of rotation, is within the range of 10 to 40 degrees.

[0215] However, the second main body portion 200A5 may have a different curve that approximates an elliptical arc instead of an elliptical arc. For example, the second main body portion 200A5 may have an arc portion with a radius smaller than the radius of the inscribed circle C3.

[0216] Note that second main body portion 200A may be formed to have a portion having an elliptical arc. For example, the portion intersecting with straight line L3 may be formed from an elliptical arc, and smooth curves may connect the elliptical arc to midpoint 200A3 and end portion 200A2.

[0217] The second main body portion 200A5 may be formed so as to be farthest from the inscribed circle C3 at a position other than the midpoint 200A6 of the second main body portion 200A5. For example, the second main body portion 200A5 may be formed so as to be farthest from the inscribed circle C3 at a position between the midpoint 200A6 and the midpoint 200A3, or at a position between the midpoint 200A6 and the end portion 200A2. For example, if the first portion 200B1 of the first leg portion 200B is made longer in the opening direction D1 than the configuration shown in FIG. 14, the connection between the first portion 200B1 and the second portion 200B2 will be located further in the opening direction D1 than in FIG. 14. Therefore, the second main body portion 200A5 may be formed so as to be farthest from the inscribed circle C3 at a position between the midpoint 200A6 and the midpoint 200A3, rather than at the midpoint 200A6. Conversely, for example, if the first part 200B1 of the first leg part 200B is made shorter in the opening direction D1 than the configuration shown in Figure 14, the second main body part 200A5 may be formed so as to be farthest from the inscribed circle C3 at a position between the midpoint 200A6 and the other end part 200A2.

[0218] The main body portion 200A as described above can be applied to staples other than the staple 200. The configuration of the main body portion 200A described above may be applied to the staple 100 or the staple 120, for example.

[0219] In the main body portion 200A according to this embodiment, the first main body portion 200A4 and the second main body portion 200A5 are asymmetrically formed. However, as an example of a curved configuration of the main body portion 200A, the portions of the main body portion 200A corresponding to the first main body portion 200A4 and the second main body portion 200A5 may be formed symmetrically, for example, from arcs having the same radius. Furthermore, as an example of a curved configuration of the main body portion 200A, the portion of the main body portion 200A corresponding to the first main body portion 200A4 (or at least a portion thereof) may be formed from an arc having a first radius, and the portion of the main body portion 200A corresponding to the second main body portion 200A5 (or at least a portion thereof) may be formed from an arc having a second radius smaller than the first radius. Additionally, as an example of a curved configuration of the main body portion 200A, the portions of the main body portion 200A corresponding to the first main body portion 200A4 and the second main body portion 200A5 may both be formed from elliptical arcs. For example, an elliptical arc having the major axis LAX as its major axis may be connected to the end portions 200A1 and 200A2. Alternatively, the elliptical arc constituting the second main body portion 200A5 may be extended to at least a portion of the first main body portion 200A4. These configurations also increase the contact area with the stem P compared to main body portions formed by connecting line segments, making it possible to provide a staple that can prevent the staple from biting into the stem P. [Bend]

[0220] Next, the configuration of the curved portion provided in the third portion 200C3 of the second leg portion 200C will be described.

[0221] As shown in Figure 14, in this embodiment, the third part 200C3 may have a curved part 200C31 that is connected to the other end 200A2 and curves outward as it progresses in the opening direction D1, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the opening direction D1 and away from the opening, and an extension part 200C32 that is bent and connected to the curved part 200C31 and extends linearly in the opening direction D1.

[0222] This configuration allows the connection between the curved portion 200C31 and the extending portion 200C32 to be used as a fulcrum for bending the third portion 200C3. Therefore, the connection between the curved portion 200C31 and the extending portion 200C32 is sometimes referred to as a bending portion. By providing a bending portion in the middle of the third portion 200C3, the second leg portion 200C (third portion 200C3) can be easily bent using a bundling machine or manually (by an operator). Since the second leg portion (third portion) can be bent at a fixed position, the workability of the bundling operation is improved. Furthermore, the curved portion 200C31 provides elasticity to the second leg portion (third portion), preventing the second leg portion (third portion) from digging into the stem or the like P and enabling the stem or the like P to be securely held.

[0223] The above-described bending portion 200C31 and the like can be applied to staples other than the staple 200. The configuration of the above-described bending portion 200C31 and the like may be applied to the staple 50, for example. [Bent tip]

[0224] Next, the configuration of the tip bent portion provided on the third portion 200C3 of the second leg portion 200C will be described.

[0225] As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, the third portion 200C3 may have a tip bent portion 200C33 that is connected to the extending portion 200C32 and displaces outward as it progresses in the opening direction D1.

[0226] According to this configuration, when manually bending the second leg portion 200C (third portion 200C3), pinching the tip bending portion 200C33 makes it easier to bend the second leg portion 200C (third portion 200C3), thereby improving the workability of the binding work.

[0227] The staple 200 according to this embodiment is capable of supporting the stalk P at different portions as the stalk P changes shape due to growth.

[0228] Figure 15(A) shows the posture of the staple 200 before the stems P grow, and Figure 15(B) shows the posture of the staple 200 after the stems P grow. In these figures, the stems P and the guide element G (not shown) both extend upward from below (vertically). Therefore, the lower figures in Figures 15(A) and 15(B) correspond to side views, and the upper figures correspond to top views.

[0229] 15(A) and 15(B), the first leg 200B and the second leg 200C of the staple 200 are engaged with a guide element (not shown). As a means for engaging the staple 200 with the guide element, a binding machine such as the binding machine 60 described above (however, when the staple 200 has the tip bending portion 200C33, the binding machine 60 does not need to be equipped with the third deformation portion 60C) may be used, or the binding operation may be performed manually.

[0230] In a binding state in which staple 200 is bound to the guide element, the connection portion between first portion 200B1 and second portion 200B2 of first leg 200B engages with the guide element, as shown in Fig. 9A etc. In addition, the connection portion between tip bent portion 200C33 and extension portion 200C32 of second leg 200C also engages with the guide element. If second leg 200C does not have tip bent portion 200C33, second leg 200C may be engaged with the guide element by manually bending the tip of second leg 200C and hooking second leg 200C onto the guide element.

[0231] Until the stems P have grown sufficiently, they are too thin to come into contact with the staple 200. As the stems P gradually grow, a portion of the stems P eventually comes into contact with the staple 200, as shown in FIG. 15(A). Until this state is reached, a large force is not normally applied from the stems P to the staple 200. Therefore, the plane PL3 including the main body 200A of the staple 200 (which passes through the main body 200A) generally remains substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the stems P. The position of the staple 200 when the first leg 200B and the second leg 200C are engaged with the guide elements and the plane PL3 including the main body 200A (which passes through the main body 200A) is substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the stems P in this manner is referred to as the first holding position.

[0232] When a stem P is located exactly at the center of the staple 200 and grows to have a circular cross section, the stem P will be inscribed in the staple 200 when it grows to the size of the imaginary inscribed circle C3 in Fig. 14. However, in many cases, the stem P is located away from the center of the staple 200 and does not necessarily grow to have a circular cross section, so as shown in Fig. 15(A), the stem P will be inscribed in the staple 200 when it has a cross section smaller than the inscribed circle C3.

[0233] Here, the second body portion 200A5 is formed with an expanded diameter so that the distance from the center CP3 of the imaginary inscribed circle C3 is greater than the radius of the inscribed circle C3. More specifically, the second body portion 200A5 is formed to include an elliptical arc on the straight line L3 having a major radius greater than the radius of the inscribed circle C3. For this reason, in many cases, the staple 200 inscribes the pedicle P at two points on either side of the midpoint 200A6: a region including a contact point 200A7 (an example of a "first point") and a region including a contact point 200A8 (an example of a "second point") (before contacting the pedicle P at the midpoint 200A6, which is the intersection of the straight line L3 and the second body portion 200A5).

[0234] If the radius of the stem P at this time is radius PR1 (an example of a "first radius"), then the side of the stem P can be said to have a cylindrical surface of radius PR1. Therefore, the second main body portion 200A5 is formed to have contact points 200A7 and 200A8 that are inscribed in an imaginary cylindrical surface of radius PR1, and a midpoint 200A6 (an example of a "third point") that is located between these two contact points and spaced apart from the imaginary cylindrical surface.

[0235] As the stems P grow, they take on a cylindrical shape with a radius PR2 greater than the radius PR1. As they grow, the weight of the stems P acts on the staples 200 (including when branches extending horizontally from the stems P grow and press down on the staples 200, pushing the staples 200 vertically). Because the first leg 200B and its vicinity are fixed to the guide element, the main body 200A is bent so that the portion of the main body 200A that is not fixed to the guide element, including the second main body 200A5, descends vertically, as shown in FIG. 15(B). Therefore, the plane PL4 that includes the main body 200A (that passes through the main body 200A) is inclined relative to the extension direction of the stems P. The second main body 200A5 includes a portion formed by an elliptical arc. Therefore, the elliptical arc portion of the second main body 200A5, including the midpoint 200A6, can support the stems P along the side of the stems P, which forms a cylindrical surface with a radius PR2.

[0236] By bending the main body 200A in this manner, the extension direction of the stem etc. P is inclined with respect to the plane PL4 that includes the main body 200A (that passes through the main body 200A), and the midpoint 200A6 is in contact with the stem etc. P. The posture of the staple 200 when the first leg 200B and the second leg 200C engage with the guide element is called the second holding posture.

[0237] The staple 200 according to this embodiment is configured so that the main body 200A has an elliptical arc, focusing on the fact that there is an increased possibility that the staple 200 will bite into the object to be held when the main body 200A is in the second holding position where the main body 200A is tilted relative to the horizontal direction due to the weight of the object to be held, rather than in the first holding position where the main body 200A extends substantially horizontally. With such a configuration, it is possible to ensure a contact area with the cylindrical surface when the main body 200A is tilted, and therefore it is possible to prevent the staple 200 from biting into the object to be held.

[0238] Furthermore, the staple 200 has elasticity due to the curved portion 200C31. Therefore, when the second leg portion (third portion) is bent at the bending portion and the extending portion 200C32 comes into contact with the stem P, it is possible to prevent the extending portion 200C32 from biting into the stem P. [Fourth embodiment]

[0239] The inventors of the present application also studied the cross-sectional structure of the staple that can suppress the staple from biting into the object. That is, when the staple has a circular cross section, the staple comes into contact with the object to be held at a single point on the cross section, making it easy for the staple to bite into the object. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the staple will not be able to engage with the guide element with sufficient holding force. Therefore, they studied the cross-sectional structure of the staple that can suppress the staple from biting into the object to be held and strengthen the engagement with the guide element.

[0240] Specifically, focusing on the fact that the likelihood of the lower end portion of the staple digging into the object being held increases when the staple is in the second holding position, in which the weight from the object being held causes the main body to tilt relative to the horizontal, the researchers considered a cross-sectional shape that would increase the contact area between the staple and the object being held at the lower end when the staple is tilted, without increasing the cross-sectional area (i.e., without increasing material costs) compared to conventional staples with circular cross sections.

[0241] Furthermore, the inventors of the present application have also conceived a configuration in which the shape of the inner surface that comes into contact with the object to be held and the shape of the outer surface that does not come into contact with the object to be held are different, thereby forming the cross section of the staple asymmetrically. Specifically, they have conceived a configuration in which the inner surface of the staple that comes into contact with the object to be held is formed so as to increase the contact area with the held portion, while the outer surface of the staple that engages with the guide element is formed so as to increase the friction surface with the guide element.

[0242] The cross-sectional structure of the staple will be described below. Note that the cross-sectional structure of the staple shown in this embodiment can be applied to any staple disclosed in the present application.

[0243] The inventors of the present application came up with the idea of ​​a configuration having a cross-sectional shape that increases the thickness of the staple in the vertical direction and decreases the width in the horizontal direction, in order to increase the contact area between the staple and the object to be held in the second holding position while maintaining the same cross-sectional area as a conventional circular cross-section.

[0244] Figure 16(A) shows an example of a staple 400A having such a configuration, and shows a cross-sectional view of the staple 400A cut in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction near the lower end when tilted at 15 degrees in the second holding posture.

[0245] As shown in the figure, staple 400A has, in the cross section, side 400A1, which extends linearly in the vertical direction, at the end on the left side of the drawing, which corresponds to the inner surface, and side 400A2, which extends linearly in the vertical direction, at the end on the right side of the drawing, which corresponds to the outer surface. The vertical ends are rounded and comprise upper end 400A3 and lower end 400A4, which connect the upper ends and lower ends of side 400A1 and side 400A2, respectively.

[0246] Here, the vertical direction refers to a direction perpendicular to a plane PL5 that passes through the first leg, the second leg, and the main body, and the horizontal direction refers to a direction parallel to the plane PL5. In the figure, the staple 400A is inclined at 15 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, and therefore the plane PL5 is also inclined at 15 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0247] In the cross section, staple 400A has a thickness T1 in the up-down direction perpendicular to plane PL5 and a width W1 in the left-right direction parallel to plane PL5. Here, compared with a diameter D1 of an imaginary circle having the same cross-sectional area as staple 400A, thickness T1 is larger than diameter D1 and width W1 is smaller than diameter D1.

[0248] The inventors of the present application have confirmed that when the surface of the stem or the like P is moved slightly toward the staple 400A so that the staple 400A penetrates into the surface of the object to be held, such as a stem or the like P, the contact area between the surface of the stem or the like P and the staple 400A becomes larger than in the case of a circular cross section.

[0249] Therefore, with staple 400A having the cross section of Figure 16(A), the contact area between the staple and the object to be held can be increased compared to when the staple has a circular cross section, and thus it is possible to suppress the staple from biting in.

[0250] Figure 16(B) shows an example of a staple 400B having such a configuration, and similarly shows a cross-sectional view of staple 400B cut in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction near the lower end when inclined at 15 degrees in the second holding posture.

[0251] As shown in the figure, staple 400B has two sides and upper and lower ends connecting them, just like staple 400A, but differs from staple 400A in that the sides and the upper and lower ends are connected in a rounded manner, whereas staple 400A has edges at the ends.

[0252] In the cross section, it has a thickness T2 in the up-down direction perpendicular to plane PL5 and a width W2 in the left-right direction parallel to plane PL5. Here, compared to a diameter D1 of an imaginary circle having the same cross-sectional area as the cross-sectional area of ​​staple 400B, thickness T2 is larger than diameter D1 and width W2 is smaller than diameter D1.

[0253] It was confirmed that such a staple 400B also has a larger contact area between the surface of the stem or the like P and the staple 400B compared to the case of a circular cross section.

[0254] Figure 16(C) shows staple 400C having a configuration in which the inner surface of the staple that contacts the object to be held is formed to increase the contact area with the held portion, while the outer surface of the staple that engages with the guide element is formed to increase the friction surface with the guide element.

[0255] As shown in the figure, staple 400C has, in cross section, an elliptical arc portion with its major axis extending in the vertical direction on the inner surface side, and a straight portion extending in the vertical direction on the outer surface side. The cross section is composed of an upper end portion connecting the upper end of the elliptical arc portion to the upper end of the straight portion, and a lower end portion connecting the lower end of the elliptical arc portion to the lower end of the straight portion. Here, the straight portion extending in the vertical direction is made longer by making the radius of curvature R (the radius of curvature) connecting the upper and lower ends to the straight portion smaller than the curvature of the elliptical arc portion. For example, R is less than half of thickness T3. The staple 400C may have an inner surface that is connected to at least one or both of the upper and lower ends at an R that is equal to or greater than half the thickness T3 in cross section. Alternatively, the staple 400C may have an outer surface that is connected to at least one or both of the upper and lower ends at an R that is less than half the thickness T3. This configuration also allows the straight portion on the outer surface to be lengthened, thereby increasing the frictional resistance with a guide element such as a string. Furthermore, since the contact area of ​​the object to be held can be increased on the inner surface compared to a case with a circular cross section, it is possible to prevent the staple 400C from biting into the object.

[0256] In the cross section, staple 400C has a thickness T3 in the up-down direction perpendicular to plane PL5 and a width W3 in the left-right direction parallel to plane PL5. In comparison with a diameter D1 of an imaginary circle having the same cross-sectional area as staple 400C, thickness T3 is greater than diameter D1 and width W3 is smaller than diameter D1. It was confirmed that such a staple 400B also has a larger contact area between the surface of the stem P and the staple 400B compared to a staple with a circular cross section. In addition, by providing a straight portion on the outside, it is possible to increase the friction surface with the guide element, and thus to strengthen the engagement with the guide element. As described above, by employing a staple having the cross section shown in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a staple that is less likely to bite into the object to be held and is less likely to come off the guide element. The staple disclosed in this application can be modified in various ways by the ordinary creative ability of a person skilled in the art. For example, the staple may have a portion not described in this application that performs a different function between certain portions. Furthermore, the configuration shown in one embodiment may be applied to the configuration shown in another embodiment. For example, the cross-sectional configuration shown in the fourth embodiment may be provided to the staple shown in the first embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0257] 10. Staples 10A. Main body 10A1.End 10A2.End 10B.1st leg 10B1.Part 1 10B2.Part 2 10C.Second leg 10C3.Part 3 10C4.Part 4 20. Binding machine 20A. First deformation section 20B. Second deformation section 20C. Extrusion section 50. Staples 50A.Main body 50A1. First side 50A2. Second side 50A3. Third side 50A4.End 50A5.End 50B.1st leg 50C.Second leg 50C3.Part 3 50C4.Part 4 60. Binding machine 500. Staple structure

Claims

1. A staple made of a flexible wire material, capable of holding stems or branches of plants to a guide element, a main body portion having an opening on one side; a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side; a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side; and Equipped with the first leg portion has a first portion that bends and extends outward, and a second portion that bends from the first portion and extends toward the opening, the second leg portion has a third portion extending in the opening direction and a fourth portion bent outward from a tip end of the third portion, the third portion is formed longer than the second portion and has a fifth portion extending linearly in the opening direction and a sixth portion located between the fifth portion and the tip portion, The sixth portion is bent toward the first leg portion with respect to the fifth portion. Staples.

2. The staple according to claim 1 , wherein the third portion is formed to be longer than the distance between the one end and the other end of the main body portion.

3. The staple according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion and the third portion are formed substantially parallel to each other.

4. The staple according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first portion forms an acute angle with the main body portion.

5. 5. The staple according to claim 4, wherein the angle between said first portion and said body portion is 90 degrees or approximately 90 degrees.

6. The staple according to claim 1 , wherein the main body portion has a portion that is curved in a C-shape.

7. The staple according to claim 1 , wherein the main body portion includes a portion formed in a rectangular shape.

8. The staple according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body portion comprises a portion formed in the shape of a parallelogram.

9. The staple according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main body portion comprises a first side portion that extends linearly in the opening direction and includes the one end portion, a second side portion that includes the other end portion and extends approximately parallel to the first side portion, and a third side portion that connects the first side portion and the second side portion and extends linearly.

10. The staple according to claim 9 , wherein the third side portion forms an obtuse angle with the first side portion and an acute angle with the second side portion.

11. The apex of the tip of the second portion in the opening direction is formed on the second leg side of a straight line passing through the center of the second portion. The staple of claim 1 .

12. A staple made of a flexible wire material, capable of holding plant stems, branches, etc., in a guide element, a main body portion having an opening on one side; a first leg portion extending continuously from one end of the main body portion on the opening side; a second leg portion extending continuously from the other end of the main body portion on the opening side; and Equipped with the first leg portion has a first portion that bends and extends outward, and a second portion that bends from the first portion and extends toward the opening, the second leg portion has a third portion extending in the opening direction and a fourth portion bent outward from a tip end of the third portion, The third portion is formed to be longer than the second portion and has a linear portion extending linearly in the opening direction and the tip portion, The point of contact between the second leg and a tangential plane that is perpendicular to the line passing through the center of the linear portion and is tangent to the second leg is The first leg is present in the first region of two regions defined by a second plane that is perpendicular to a first plane passing through the first leg and the second leg and that includes the straight line. Staples.

13. a portion including the tip end portion is bent with respect to the linear portion so as to be displaced toward the first region, The fourth portion is bent with respect to a portion including the tip portion so as to be displaced toward the second region, which does not have the first leg portion, of the two regions defined by the second plane. The staple of claim 12.

14. The first leg is spaced apart from the tangent plane. The staple according to claim 12 or 13.

Images