glue application device

Abstract

To provide a glue applying device that can appropriately separate folded pieces stacked on top and bottom of a sheet, open and apply an adhesive thereon regardless of thickness, type, or paper quality of the sheet.SOLUTION: A glue applying device 10 of the present invention includes: an opening part 30 that opens an end of a first folded piece in a separating direction away from a second folded piece; an applying part 40 that applies an adhesive to a surface where the first folded piece and the second folded piece overlap; and a sealing part 50 that overlaps and bonds the first folded piece and the second folded piece on which the adhesive is applied. The opening part 30 includes: a suction part 31 that suctions the first folded piece to the separating direction; a belt 35 that conveys the first folded piece to the downstream side; a support part 36 that supports the suction part 31 and the belt 35; and a moving part 38 that moves the suction part 31 and the belt 35 supported by the support section 36 by a predetermined amount so as to open the first folded piece in the separating direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pasting device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a pasting device that applies an adhesive to a folded sheet and seals it is known. Patent Document 1 below describes an opening mechanism that opens the upper and lower open-side ends of a folded sheet in the vertical direction, and a mechanism that applies an adhesive to the ends of the sheet opened by the opening mechanism.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The opening mechanism of Patent Document 1 above separates the folded pieces stacked on top of each other vertically by sucking the upper folded piece upward and sucking the lower folded piece downward. However, depending on the thickness, type, paper quality, etc. of the sheet, it may be difficult to appropriately separate and open the folded pieces stacked on top of each other in the sheet.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pasting device capable of appropriately separating and opening the folded pieces stacked on top of each other in the sheet and applying an adhesive, regardless of the thickness, type, paper quality, etc. of the sheet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the adhesive application apparatus of the present invention comprises a conveying unit for conveying a sheet having a first folded piece and a second folded piece folded along a fold line and connected; an opening unit for opening the end of the first folded piece in a direction away from the second folded piece; an application unit for applying adhesive to the overlapping surface of the first folded piece and the second folded piece; and a sealing unit for overlapping and bonding the first folded piece and the second folded piece to which the adhesive has been applied. The opening unit comprises a suction unit for sucking the first folded piece in the direction away from the first folded piece; a belt for conveying the first folded piece downstream; a support unit for supporting the suction unit and the belt; and a moving unit for moving the suction unit and the belt, which are supported by the support unit, by a predetermined amount to open the first folded piece in the direction away from the first folded piece.

[0007] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the moving part swings the support part around a pivot shaft provided inside the belt that travels in a circular motion.

[0008] In the above configuration, the pivot shaft is provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the first folded piece that is conveyed by the belt.

[0009] Furthermore, the above configuration includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the suction unit, the suction unit is provided with a suction port for sucking up the first folded piece, and the control unit controls the moving unit to open the front end of the first folded piece in the separation direction when the front end of the first folded piece reaches the downstream end of the suction port in the transport direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the suction part is supported by the support part so as to open the first folded piece in the separating direction, and the moving part moves the belt by a predetermined amount. Therefore, when the moving part moves the first folded piece, the first folded piece can be appropriately separated from the second folded piece even if the sheet thickness, type, paper quality, etc. are different.

[0011] Furthermore, when the moving part swings the support part around a pivot shaft provided inside the belt that travels in a circular motion, the sheet can be transported by the belt while the first folded piece is picked up by the suction part and moved.

[0012] Furthermore, if the pivot shaft is provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the first folded piece conveyed by the belt, the downstream side of the first folded piece can be moved in a direction away from the second folded piece.

[0013] Furthermore, the system includes a control unit that controls the operation of the suction unit, the suction unit is provided with a suction port for sucking up the first folded piece, and when the front end of the first folded piece reaches the downstream end of the suction port in the transport direction, the control unit controls the moving unit to open the front end of the first folded piece in the separating direction, and moves the suction unit and belt at the timing when the first folded piece of the sheet completely closes the suction port, thereby ensuring that the first folded piece is moved in the separating direction. It is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a sheet glued using a gluing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the aforementioned gluing device and folding machine. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the folding machine. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the aforementioned gluing device. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the internal structure of the adhesive application unit of the aforementioned adhesive application device. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged vertical cross-section showing the configuration of the opening portion and part of the coating portion of the adhesive body. [Figure 7] This is a view along line AA in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 6. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating the usage of the aforementioned gluing device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] [Folded Sheet to be Glued by the Apparatus and Method of the Present Invention] FIG. 1 shows a sheet S folded into three inside by two fold lines q1 and q2 parallel to each other, and has a first folded piece P1, a second folded piece P2, and a third folded piece P3. The first folded piece P1 is connected to the third folded piece P3 by the first fold line q1. The second folded piece P2 is connected to the third folded piece P3 by the second fold line q2. The second folded piece P2 is folded between the first folded piece P1 and the third folded piece P3.

[0016] On the surface where the first folded piece P1 and the second folded piece P2 overlap, on the upper surface of the open end U of the second folded piece P2 with respect to the first folded piece P1 shown on the right side in FIG. 1, an adhesive G1 is applied in a strip shape parallel to the second fold line q2, and the lower surface of the open end V of the upper first folded piece P1 is detachably adhered to the second folded piece P2 by the adhesive G1. Also, on the front end E and the rear end T of both the first folded piece P1 and the third folded piece P3, an adhesive G2 is applied in a strip shape parallel to these short sides. Thus, the front and rear ends E and T of the first folded piece P1 and the second folded piece P2, and the second folded piece P2 and the third folded piece P3 are detachably adhered to each other.

[0017] [Embodiment of the Present Invention] FIGS. 2 to 4 show a first embodiment of the gluing device 10 according to the present invention, and will be described based on these drawings. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a folding machine 20 for a sheet S is connected to the gluing device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the folding machine 20. FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the gluing device 10. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the gluing main body portion 2 of the gluing device 10.

[0018] In Figure 2, the folding machine 20 is connected to the right side of the supply unit 1 of the gluing device 10. The folding machine 20 itself has a structure in which an additional adhesive application unit 21 is added to a well-known folding machine. The folding machine 20 includes a loading unit 22 for loading unfolded sheets S, a feeder unit 23 for feeding out the sheets S one by one from the loading unit 22, a first transport unit 24 for transporting the unfolded sheets S, an adhesive application unit 21 with a pair of front and rear application nozzles 211 for applying stripe-shaped adhesive G2 to the front and rear ends E and T of the sheets S while they are being transported, a folding unit 27 for folding the sheets S, and a second transport unit 25 for transporting and loading the folded sheets to the supply unit 1 of the gluing device 10.

[0019] In Figure 3, the sheet placement section 22 has a vertically movable placement platform 221, and the belt-transport type feeder section 23 is positioned at the upper end of the sheet placement section 22. In Figure 2, the front and rear pair of application nozzles 211 of the adhesive application section 21 are adjustable in the front-rear direction and are fixed in positions corresponding to the front and rear ends E and T of various sheets S in their unfolded state.

[0020] In Figure 3, the folding section 27 consists of a pair of upper and lower folding trays 271 and 272, and four first to fourth folding rollers 281-284 positioned between the folding trays 271 and 272. The positions of the stoppers 273 and 274 at the ends of each folding tray 271 and 272 can be freely changed, and each folding roller 281-284 has adjacent rollers in contact with each other to form a nip section.

[0021] When attaching and fixing the folding trays 271 and 272 to the mounting section 270 of the folding section 27, fixing devices such as plungers or pins (not shown) can be inserted into mounting holes (not shown) provided in the folding trays 271 and 272 to secure them. Furthermore, holes for jamming can be provided in the folding trays 271 and 272, and fixing devices such as plungers or pins can be inserted into these holes and secured in the same way as during attachment. When jamming occurs in the sheet S, the fixing devices can be appropriately pulled out and moved in the direction of pulling out the required amount through the holes, thereby sliding the folding trays 271 and 272 to a position where jamming can be processed without removing them from the mounting section 270, and temporarily fixing them with a gap between them and the folding rollers 281-284 to process the jam. In addition, if a turn guide (not shown) is installed in the mounting section 270 instead of the folding trays 271 and 272, the turn guide can be similarly fixed using the mounting holes and fixing devices.

[0022] In Figure 2, the gluing device 10 comprises, in order from the upstream side of the conveying direction F of the sheet S by the conveying unit 70 of the gluing device 10, a supply unit 1, a gluing main unit 2, and a discharge unit 3. The supply unit 1 is equipped with a plurality of rollers 11 that sequentially convey a large number of folded sheets S downstream while correcting their skew. The plurality of rollers 11 are linked to a motor (not shown) for paper feeding via a transmission mechanism (not shown).

[0023] In Figures 4 and 5, the adhesive main body 2 is equipped with, in order from the upstream side in the transport direction F, an opening section 30, an application section 40, and a sealing section 50. The opening section 30 is a mechanism that opens the open end V of the first folded piece P1 relative to the second folded piece P2 in the separating direction R away from the second folded piece P2. The application section 40 applies adhesive G1 to the overlapping surface of the first folded piece P1 and the second folded piece P2. The sealing section 50 overlaps and adheres the first folded piece P1 and the second folded piece P2 to which the adhesive G1 has been applied. Furthermore, a transport section 70 is provided that transports the sheet S along the left side of the opening section 30, application section 40, and sealing section 50 in Figure 5. The transport section 70 is equipped with a main transport section 71 and an auxiliary transport section 72.

[0024] Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view showing part of the configuration of the opening section 30 and the coating section 40. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a view taken along the line BB in Figure 6, showing the bottom surface and surrounding area of ​​the suction box 61. The opening section 30 comprises a suction section 31, a belt 35, a support section 36, and a moving section 38. The suction section 31 sucks the end V of the first folded piece P1 away from the second folded piece P2 in the separating direction R. The suction section 31 comprises a suction box 61, a duct 62, and a blower (not shown). The suction box 61 is formed in the pentagonal shape in longitudinal cross-sectional view shown in Figure 6. The suction box 61 is installed inside the belt 35 that travels in a circular motion and is installed between the left and right support plates 361.

[0025] The duct 62 is installed to the right of the suction unit 68, which includes the suction box 61 in Figure 7. In the same figure, one end of the duct 62 is connected to the left side of the suction box 61 via a through hole 363 provided in the support plate 361. The duct 62 extends to the right from a window 151 provided in the right side plate 12 in Figure 7. The other end of the duct 62 is connected to a blower installed below the suction unit 68. When the blower is driven, air is drawn into the suction box 61 via the duct 62.

[0026] A long, rectangular suction port 65 is formed in the bottom surface of the suction box 61, opening along the transport direction F of the transport section 70 of the gluing device 10 (see Figure 8). The suction port 65 sucks the first folded piece P1 by sucking the folded sheet S from above.

[0027] The belt 35 is formed in an endless shape and is stretched over three rollers 34. The belt 35 and rollers 34 constitute an auxiliary conveying section 72 that conveys the first folded piece P1 downstream. The three rollers 34 are composed of first to third rollers 341-343. In Figure 6, showing the upstream side of the conveying direction F of the sheet S in the gluing device 10, the rotation axis 13 of the first roller 341 shown on the right is rotatably supported by a fixing member 141 that is suspended from the upper frame (not shown) of the gluing main body 2.

[0028] Furthermore, the rotation axis 13 of the first roller 341 extends to the right, passing through the right side plate 12 of the main body 14 of the adhesive body 2 in Figure 5. A gear 345 is fixed to the right end of the rotation axis 13 of the first roller 341. The gear 345 is connected to a drive unit (not shown) via a belt 346 and a coupling mechanism 347. The rotation of the rotation axis 13 of the first roller 341 is caused by the drive of the drive unit, via the coupling mechanism, belt 346, and gear 345. The second and third rollers 342 and 343, located downstream of the first roller 341, are rotatably supported on a support plate 361. The second and third rollers 342 and 343 are driven to rotation by the rotation of the first roller 341, which in turn causes the belt 35 to rotate in a circular motion.

[0029] The support section 36 supports the suction section 31 and the belt 35. The support section 36 comprises a pair of left and right support plates 361 and a mounting member 362. The support plates 361 are installed at a predetermined distance apart. The support plates 361 pivotally support the first to third rollers 341-343 over which the belt 35 is stretched. The mounting member 362 is mounted on the left and right support plates 361.

[0030] The moving unit 38 moves the suction unit 31 and belt 35, which are supported by the support unit 36, by a predetermined amount so that the end V of the first folded piece P1 opens in the separating direction R away from the second folded piece P2. The moving unit 38 swings the support plate 361 of the support unit 36 ​​around the pivot shaft 15 provided inside the belt 35 that travels in a circular motion, to the separated position shown by the dashed line in Figures 6 and 7. The separated position is the position where the third roller 343 is at its highest. At the separated position, the suction unit 68 is moved the most by the moving unit 38, and the bottom of the belt 35, which travels in a triangular shape in side view, is inclined by a predetermined amount.

[0031] The oscillating shaft 15 is located in the inner position of the belt 35 that travels in a circular motion, on the upstream side of the conveying direction F of the first folded piece P1 that is conveyed by the belt 35. In this embodiment, the oscillating shaft 15 is composed of the rotation axis 13 of the first roller 341.

[0032] The moving section 38 comprises a rocking member 81, a rotating body 84, a link 82, and a motor 83. The rocking member 81 is also composed of a mounting member 362 located furthest downstream in the conveying direction F of the gluing device 10 in Figure 5. That is, the rocking member 81 is a mounting member 362 that is mounted on a pair of left and right support plates 361, and in Figure 5, it extends to the right, passing through the support plate 361 shown on the right, and is further inserted through a window 151 of a predetermined size provided in the right side plate 12, reaching the right side of the right side plate 12.

[0033] The right end of the oscillating member 81 in Figure 5 is joined to the lower end of the rod-shaped link member 821 that constitutes the link 82 by a pin 822. The upper end of the link member 821 is joined to the eccentric position of the rotation plane of the rotating body 84 by a pin 823. The rotating body 84 is fixed to the rotation shaft 831 of the motor 83 and is rotated by the rotation of the motor 83.

[0034] The moving unit 38 includes a movement detection unit 86 for detecting the amount of movement of the suction unit 68. The movement detection unit 86 includes a sensor 861 and a light-shielding plate 862. The sensor 861 is installed to the right of the rotating body 84 in Figures 7 and 8. The light-shielding plate 862 is fixed to the rotating surface of the rotating body 84. When the rotating body 84 rotates due to the drive of the motor 83, the upper end of the link member 821 moves counterclockwise C in Figure 7 together with the rotating body 84, and the lower end of the link member 821 moves the oscillating member 81 up and down. In addition, as the rotating body 84 rotates, the light-shielding plate 862 switches between allowing light to pass through and blocking light from the sensor 861, thereby enabling the detection of the amount of movement of the suction unit 68.

[0035] Below the conveying path 73 of the sheet S, a suction conveying section 74, which constitutes an auxiliary conveying section 72, is installed. The suction conveying section 74 includes a belt 75, a suction box 76, and a fan 77. The suction box 76 is installed inside the belt 76 as it travels in a circular motion. The fan 77 sucks air from inside the suction box 76. As the belt 75 travels in a circular motion, the fan 77 rotates, sucking the third folded piece P3 located on the underside of the folded sheet S toward the lower part of the conveying path 73 and conveying it downstream.

[0036] The application section 40 comprises a nozzle 41, an expansion guide 42, and a guide rod 43. The nozzle 41 applies adhesive to the sheet S. The expansion guide 42 is installed upstream of the nozzle 41 in the conveying direction F of the gluing device 10. The expansion guide 42 guides the sheet S so that the end V of the first folded piece P1, which is opened by the opening section 30, expands in the separating direction R, further away from the second folded piece P2 and the third folded piece P3. The expansion guide 42 is formed in a triangular prism shape upstream of a predetermined position Q shown in Figure 5 in the conveying direction F of the gluing device 10, and is generated in a rectangular parallelepiped shape downstream, and these are combined at the predetermined position Q to form a single member. The upstream portion of the expansion guide 42 constitutes a tip separation section 421. The tip separation section 421 is formed to be longer in the vertical direction as it moves downstream.

[0037] A tip separation section 421 is provided at the upstream end of the expansion guide 42 in the transport direction F. As the sheet S is transported downstream by the main transport section 74 while the lower surface of the first folded piece P1 is in contact with the upper surface of the expansion guide 42, the first folded piece P1 is moved in the direction R away from the second folded piece P2 and opens wide.

[0038] In Figure 5, the guide rod 43 is installed between the extension guide 42 and the main conveying unit 71, along the conveying direction F of the gluing device 10. The guide rod 43 is installed approximately horizontally at a predetermined height from the conveying surface of the sheet S. The guide rod 43 guides the upper surface of the folded sheet S that is conveyed by the main conveying unit 71.

[0039] The guide rod 43 contacts the upper surface of the left portion of the triple-stacked sheet S when the expansion guide 42 expands the right end of the first folded piece P1 in Figure 5 in the direction R away from the second folded piece P2. By the guide rod 43 contacting the upper surface of the first folded piece P1, which is located at the top of the sheet S, and maintaining the left portion of the sheet S being transported by the main transport unit 71 at a predetermined height, the right end V of the first folded piece P1 can be opened at approximately a right angle.

[0040] The sealing section 50 includes a sealing guide rod 51 and a pressing roller 52. The upstream end 511 of the sealing guide rod 51 in the conveying direction F of the gluing device 10 is located to the left of the nozzle 41 in Figure 5. The sealing guide rod 51 is installed with a vertical inclination such that the upstream end in the conveying direction F of the gluing device 10 is at the highest position in Figure 4 and the downstream end is at the lowest position in the same figure. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the sealing guide rod 51 is installed with a plan inclination such that the upstream end in the conveying direction F of the gluing device 10 is at the leftmost position in the same figure and the downstream end is at the rightmost position in the same figure.

[0041] From here, the sealing guide rod 51 gradually guides the right end of the first folded piece P1, which is opened in the separation direction R at the opening section 30, downward as it is conveyed by the main conveying section 71, overlapping the first folded piece and the second folded piece on which adhesive has been applied, and bonding them together with the adhesive applied to the second folded piece P2. The pressing roller 52 presses the first folded piece P1, the second folded piece P2, and the third folded piece P3, which are stacked vertically, and bonds them together with the adhesive.

[0042] The main conveying unit 71 comprises a pair of upper and lower endless belts 711 and 712. The lower belt 712 is linked to a drive unit for conveying (not shown) via a transmission mechanism (not shown). The upper belt 711 operates synchronously with the lower belt 712 via an appropriate interlocking mechanism (not shown), gripping the left end of the sheet S in Figure 5 between the upper and lower belts 711 and 712, and conveying the sheet S forward, i.e., in the conveying direction F of the gluing device 10.

[0043] The discharge unit 3 includes a belt conveying unit 32 and a tray 34. The belt conveying unit 32 is connected via a transmission mechanism to a motor (not shown) for discharge. On the belt conveying unit 32, the glued sheets S, which are continuously discharged from the glued main unit 2, are conveyed in a partially overlapping state, a so-called scale-like overlapping state.

[0044] The control unit 4 controls the operation of the entire folding machine 20 and gluing device 10. The control unit 4 also controls the operation of the suction unit 31. When the front end E of the first folded piece P1 reaches the downstream end of the suction port 65 in the transport direction F, the control unit 4 controls the movement unit to open the front end E of the first folded piece P1 in the direction of separation.

[0045] In Figure 4, the folding machine 20 and the gluing device 10 are equipped with multiple sheet detection units 54-57. For example, a light-transmitting detection unit 54 is positioned between the downstream roller 11 in the transport direction F of the supply unit 1 and the upstream end of the main transport unit 71 of the gluing body unit 2.

[0046] Near the nozzle 41 of the coating section 40, there is a light-transmitting detection unit 55 that detects the front end E of the sheet S and emits a signal to start the application of adhesive G1, and a light-transmitting detection unit 56 that detects the back end T of the sheet S and emits a signal to end the application of adhesive G1. In addition, a light-transmitting detection unit 57 is positioned between the sealing section 50 and the discharge section 3. As described above, the detection units 55 and 56 near the nozzle 41 are sensors that emit signals for the start and end of the application of adhesive G1 by the nozzle 41, while the other detection units 54 and 57 are sensors mainly used to detect jam on the sheet S.

[0047] The operation of this embodiment will now be described. The sheet S placed on the mounting table 221 is supplied to the transport path 73 by the feeder unit 23. The sheet S is further transported to the adhesive application unit 21 by the transport unit 70, where adhesive G2 is applied to the corresponding positions of the front and rear ends E and T of the unfolded sheet S using a pair of application nozzles 211.

[0048] Subsequently, the sheet S is transported to the folding section 27 and folded in a three-fold inward state. At this time, the leading edge of the transported sheet S comes into contact with the stoppers 273 and 274 of each folding tray 271 and 272, respectively, and the sheet S is curved near the first to fourth folding rollers 281-284. The curved portion of the sheet S is gripped by the nip section, and the sheet S is folded.

[0049] Furthermore, in the adhesive application section 21 of the folding machine 20, a peelable adhesive is applied in stripes to the upper surfaces of the front and rear ends E and T of the unfolded sheet S. However, the applied adhesive G2 is conveyed by folding rollers 281-284, which are grooved to avoid the areas of the sheet S where the adhesive has been applied. Therefore, the areas where the adhesive G2 has been applied are not pressed by the folding rollers 281-284, and the sheet S is supplied to the supply section 1 of the gluing device 10 in an unadhesive state.

[0050] When the sheet S, folded in a three-fold state at the folding section 27, is supplied onto the multiple rollers 11 of the supply section 1, it is conveyed to the opening section 30 of the adhesive main body section 2 on the downstream side while its slanting is corrected. The sheet S supplied to the opening section 30 remains in a nearly horizontal closed state, and the left end L of the sheet S shown in Figure 1 is held between the upper and lower belts 711 and 712 of the main conveying section 71 shown in Figure 4, and it is conveyed forward.

[0051] During this transport, the lower third folded piece P3 is sucked downward by the lower suction box 76, the intermediate second folded piece P2 is maintained in a state where it is roughly overlapping the upper surface of the third folded piece P3 due to its own weight, and the upper first folded piece P1 is sucked upward by the upper suction box 61.

[0052] When the front end E of the first folded piece P1 reaches the downstream end of the suction port 65 in the transport direction F, the control unit 4 controls the moving unit 38 to open the front end E of the first folded piece P1 in the separating direction R.

[0053] Therefore, the control unit 4 drives the motor 83 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time the detection unit 54 detects the front end E of the sheet S until the front end E of the sheet S reaches the downstream end of the suction port 65 in the conveying direction F by the conveying unit 70. The motor 83 drives the rotating body 84, which rotates counterclockwise C in Figure 7. The link member 821 moves toward the top dead center as the rotating body 84 rotates, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 7.

[0054] The lower end of the link member 821 moves the oscillating member 81 upward to the position indicated by the dashed line. At this time, the light-shielding plate 862 of the movement detection unit 86 changes the sensor 861 between light shielding and light transmission, and detects the amount of movement of the suction unit 68.

[0055] In Figure 6, the suction unit 68 is swung around the pivot axis 15 to the position indicated by the dashed line. As a result, as shown in Figure 9, the first folded piece P1 separates upward from the lower second and third folded pieces P2 and P3. That is, the sheet S changes from a closed state to a state in which the open end without the fold line q1 is separated.

[0056] The upstream end of the tip separation section 421 is positioned between the separated upper first folded piece P1 and the lower second and third folded pieces P2 and P3. Since the tip separation section 421 is formed to be longer in the vertical direction as it moves downstream, the length between the upper first folded piece P1 and the lower second and third folded pieces P2 and P3 increases as the sheet S is transported downstream. In this way, the sheet S is mechanically separated.

[0057] At this time, the moving part 38 moves the suction part 31 and belt 35, which are supported by the support part 36, by a predetermined amount so that the first folded piece P1 is opened in the separation direction R. As a result, the first folded piece P1 remains attracted to the suction part 31 and is transported forward by the belt 35 while being moved in a direction away from the lower second and third folded pieces P2 and P3. This makes it possible to more reliably separate the upper first folded piece P1 from the second and third folded pieces P2 and P3.

[0058] In conventional devices where the suction unit remains fixed and does not move, depending on the thickness, type, and quality of the sheet S, it may be difficult to open the edge of the first folded piece P1 away from the second folded piece P2 using suction force alone. However, even in such cases, the movable unit 38 moves the first folded piece P1 in the separation direction R, and moves the suction unit 31 and belt 35 by a predetermined amount to open it, thereby more reliably separating the first folded piece P1 from the second folded piece P2. In particular, when processing a sheet S thicker than a predetermined value that is difficult to lift from the conveying surface, the first folded piece P1 can be moved more appropriately in the separation direction R.

[0059] Furthermore, since the first folded piece P1 is sucked by vacuum using a blower from the suction port 65 on the side of the belt 35, the first folded piece P1 can be sucked over a wide area of ​​the entire suction port 65, which is long in the conveying direction F. In this way, the first folded piece P1 is sucked over the entire suction port 65 while the sheet S is in contact with the suction box 61, and opened in the separating direction R, so that the sheet S can be lifted and opened more reliably. The control unit 4 can control the amount of suction from the blower to be within an appropriate range according to the thickness, type, and quality of the sheet S. In particular, when the sheet S is thick, the control unit 4 can increase the amount of suction from the blower compared to when the sheet S is thin, so that the first folded piece P1 can be separated from the other folded pieces P2 and P3 and opened more appropriately.

[0060] Furthermore, the moving unit 38 swings the support unit 36 ​​around a pivot shaft 15 provided inside the belt 35 that travels in a circular motion. This allows the sheet S to be held and transported by the upper and lower belts 35 and 75, while the first folded piece P1 is picked up by the suction unit 31 and moved.

[0061] Furthermore, since the pivot shaft 15 is located upstream of the first folded piece P1 being conveyed by the belt 35 in the conveying direction F, the sheet S can be conveyed by clamping the upstream side with the upper and lower belts 35 and 75, while the first folded piece P1 can be moved downstream in the direction R away from the second and third folded pieces P2 and P3. Therefore, when the first folded piece P1 is moved by the moving part 38, the sheet S can move stably without flapping.

[0062] Furthermore, when the front end E of the first folded piece P1 reaches the downstream end of the suction port 65 in the transport direction F, the control unit 4 controls the moving unit 38 to open the front end E of the first folded piece P1 in the separating direction R. This allows the suction unit 68 to move at the moment when the first folded piece P1 of the sheet S completely closes the suction port 65. The suction unit 68 is then swung around the pivot shaft 15 while holding the first folded piece P1 on the bottom surface of the suction box 61, ensuring that the first folded piece P1 is reliably moved in the separating direction.

[0063] At this time, the upstream side of the suction unit 38 firmly grips the sheet S without moving away from the transport path 73. On the other hand, the downstream side of the suction unit 38 moves away from the transport path 73, allowing the front end E of the first folded piece P1 to be separated from the second folded piece P2.

[0064] As the sheet S moves to the coating section 40, the lower second and third folded pieces P2 and P3 move forward from below the tip separation section 421, enter the gap between the lower surface of the expansion guide 42 and the belt 75, and are transported while being maintained in a nearly horizontal position. Meanwhile, the upper first folded piece P1 is transported downstream with the vicinity of its open end in contact with the upper surface of the expansion guide 42. The open end of the first folded piece P1 is guided to be gradually pushed upward from below. Furthermore, the portion between the guide rod 43 and the main transport section 71 is restricted from moving upward by the nearly horizontal guide rod 43. As a result, the open half of the upper first folded piece P1 gradually rises to approach a vertical position, that is, the degree of opening expands.

[0065] When the sheet S reaches the position corresponding to the nozzle 41, the upper extension guide 42 is interrupted, exposing the upper surface of the second folded piece P2. At this time, the first folded piece P1 is raised to a position where it does not interfere with the nozzle 41. In this state, adhesive is discharged from the lower end discharge port of the nozzle 41 and the sheet S is transported forward, thereby applying adhesive G1 in a streak parallel to the transport direction F to the right end of the upper surface of the second folded piece P2.

[0066] The start and end times of application by the nozzle 41 are appropriately adjusted by appropriately detecting the front end E and rear end T of the sheet S using detection units 55 and 56 installed in the transport path 73. After the adhesive G1 is applied, the upper first folded piece P1 is released from its nearly right-angle fold by the expansion guide 42 and guide rod 43, and at the same time, the sealing guide rod 51 guides it to a horizontal position above the second folded piece P2.

[0067] After the first folded piece P1 is placed on top of the second folded piece P2, the sheet S is pressed by the pressure roller 52, and the front and rear ends E, T and the right open ends U, V of the sheet S are temporarily bonded securely so that they can be peeled off. The front, rear, left, and right sides are all sealed. After sealing, the sheets S that are discharged onto the belt conveying section 32 of the discharge section 3 are stacked in a scale-like pattern on the belt conveying section 32.

[0068] When gluing a sheet S folded in half, the gluing device 10 according to this embodiment can be used to continuously gluing the sheet S, just as it can be used to gluing a sheet S folded in three on the inside. For a sheet S folded in three in a Z shape, it is not possible to apply adhesive to two locations simultaneously in a single operation. Therefore, for example, after temporarily gluing any two open ends of the first to third folds P1 to P3 with adhesive, the sheet S discharged to the discharge section 3 is placed back on the supply section 1 upside down, and in a second operation, the other open end can be temporarily glued with adhesive. Alternatively, for example, the opening section, application section, and sealing section of the gluing body can be arranged in two sets in series or parallel in the sheet transport direction F, and arranged in opposite directions to each other. The first fold P1 and the second fold P2 can be glued in one gluing body 2, and the second fold P2 and the third fold P3 can be glued in the other gluing body 2.

[0069] In addition to the sheet S shown in Figure 1, a booklet with one end bound can also be folded into thirds with the bound end facing inward using a folding machine, adhesive can be applied in a crease pattern, and then sealed.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the moving part 38 swings the support part 36 around a pivot shaft 15 provided inside the belt 35 that travels in a circular motion. However, the moving part is not limited to this, and the support part may be raised and lowered vertically, or moved diagonally. Also, the pivot shaft may be located outside the belt instead of inside. In addition, the pivot shaft 15 is provided on the upstream side of the conveying direction F of the first folded piece conveyed by the belt 35, but it may be on the downstream side or in the center.

[0071] Furthermore, the control unit 4 controls the moving unit 38 to open the front end E of the first folded piece P1 in the separating direction R when the front end E of the first folded piece P1 reaches the downstream end of the suction port 65 in the transport direction F. However, the movement of the first folded piece may also be started at other timings, for example, when the front end of the sheet reaches the upstream end of the suction box, or the first folded piece may be moved when the front end of the first folded piece reaches a predetermined amount upstream of the installation position of the tip separation part of the expansion guide. In addition, the control unit may control the moving unit to maintain the suction unit in the separated position after constant oscillation. When the thickness of the sheet is thinner than a predetermined value, the control unit can maintain the suction unit in the separated position at all times in this way, thereby appropriately separating the first folded piece from the second and third folded pieces. Compared to the case where the suction box is moved by the moving unit during sheet transport, the first folded piece can be stably separated from the second and third folded pieces.

[0072] In the application section 40, one nozzle 41 is positioned to apply adhesive G1 in a single line. However, it is also possible to position two nozzles close together on the left and right sides to apply adhesive in two lines. This improves the adhesive strength. Furthermore, when applying adhesive in lines with the nozzle 41, it is possible to apply the adhesive not only continuously but also in a discontinuous dashed line. The left-right position of the nozzle 41 can also be changed as appropriate depending on the location where the adhesive is to be applied. This adjustment can be done automatically using a spring or manually.

[0073] The detection units 55 and 56 for the sheet S, which are used to start and stop the application of adhesive, may be arranged in pairs, or it may be possible to control the start and end of adhesive application with a single detection unit. For example, the start and end of application can be controlled by detecting the leading edge of the sheet with one detection unit and then counting the number of pulses in conjunction with the transport motor. The position of the suction port 65 of the suction boxes 61 and 76 of the opening section 30 is not particularly limited and may be at the right end, left end, or center.

[0074] In a gluing device, a non-peelable adhesive can be used instead of the regular adhesive. In this case, perforations may be applied after the adhesive application process to facilitate opening, if necessary. A known perforation slitter may be installed at a predetermined processing position, and perforations may be applied simultaneously with the adhesive application process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] F: Conveying direction, P1: First fold, P2: Second fold, R: Separation direction, S: Sheet, U, V: End, 4: Control unit, 10: Gluing device, 15: Oscillating shaft, 30: Opening part, 31: Suction part, 35: Belt, 36: Support part, 38: Moving part, 40: Coating part, 50: Sealing part, 65: Suction port, 70: Conveying part.

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet having a first folded piece and a second folded piece that are folded along a fold line and connected, An opening portion that opens the end of the first folded piece in a direction away from the second folded piece, An application section for applying adhesive to the surface where the first folded piece and the second folded piece overlap, The device includes a sealing portion which overlaps and adheres the first folded piece and the second folded piece, both to which adhesive has been applied, The opening portion includes a suction portion that attracts the first folded piece in the direction of separation, A belt for transporting the first folded piece downstream, The suction part and the support part that supports the belt, A gluing device comprising a suction unit supported by the support unit so as to open the first folded piece in the direction of separation, and a moving unit that moves the belt by a predetermined amount.

2. The gluing device according to claim 1, wherein the moving part swings the support part around a pivot shaft provided inside the belt that travels in a circular motion.

3. The gluing device according to claim 2, wherein the pivoting shaft is provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the first folded piece conveyed by the belt.

4. The system includes a control unit that controls the operation of the suction unit, The suction section is provided with a suction port for sucking up the first folded piece. The gluing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the moving part to open the front end of the first folded piece in the separation direction when the front end of the first folded piece reaches the downstream end of the suction port in the conveying direction.

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