Paper alignment device

Abstract

Provided is a paper alignment device that suppresses power consumption and guides an upper sheet to an upper standby position and a lower sheet to a lower standby position. A bonding device 1 comprises: an upper guide portion 10 for guiding an upper sheet SA to an upper standby position PA; a lower guide portion 20 for guiding a lower sheet to a lower standby position PB; and a bonding portion 30 for bonding the upper sheet SA at the upper standby position PA and the lower sheet at the lower standby position PB. The upper standby position PA is a position where the tip end of the upper sheet SA is aligned by the bonding portion 30 and the bottom end of the upper sheet SA is aligned by an upper side plate, and is a position where a corner portion of the upper sheet SA is positioned at the lowest point. The lower standby position PB is a position where the tip end of the lower sheet is aligned by the bonding portion 30 and the bottom end of the lower sheet is aligned by a lower side plate, and is a position where a corner portion of the lower sheet is positioned at the lowest point.

Description

Paper Aligner

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a paper alignment device.

[0002] In the sheet conveying device described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of conveying rollers conveys the sheet while processing the sheet.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-117318

[0004] However, in the sheet conveying device described in Patent Document 1, since the sheet is conveyed by multiple conveying rollers, the device becomes large and requires electricity. Therefore, in a paper aligning device that aligns two sheets of paper, it is desired to move the two sheets of paper to a standby position while suppressing power consumption.

[0005] a positioning unit that positions the upper sheet at the upper standby position and the lower sheet at the lower standby position; an upper guide unit that guides the upper sheet sent out from an upper paper feed unit to an upper standby position; a lower guide unit that guides the lower sheet sent out from a lower paper feed unit to a lower standby position; and a positioning unit that positions the upper sheet at the upper standby position and the lower sheet at the lower standby position; wherein the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, the direction parallel to the sending direction of the upper sheet and the lower sheet in a plan view along the Z-axis direction is the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction in a plan view along the Z-axis direction is the Y-axis direction; the upper guide unit includes an upper guide plate and an upper side plate; the upper guide plate is inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along the sending direction of the upper sheet and inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along a first direction parallel to the Y-axis direction; and the upper side plate is provided on the upper guide plate at a tip end side in the first direction. The lower guide section comprises a lower guide plate and a lower side plate, the lower guide plate being inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along the feed direction of the lower paper and also inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along the first direction, the lower side plate being provided on the lower guide plate at the leading end side in the first direction, the upper waiting position being a position where the leading end of the upper paper in the feed direction is aligned by the positioning section, the side edge of the upper paper in the first direction is aligned by the upper side plate, and the corner formed by the leading end and the side edge of the upper paper is the lowest of the upper paper, and the lower waiting position being a position where the leading end of the lower paper in the feed direction is aligned by the positioning section, the side edge of the lower paper in the first direction is aligned by the lower side plate, and the corner formed by the leading end and the side edge of the lower paper is the lowest of the lower paper.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the sheet feeder includes an upper guide plate having an inclined surface and an upper side plate that guides the lower edge of the upper sheet. Therefore, the upper sheet moves along the upper guide plate and upper side plate by its own weight and is guided to the upper standby position. Similarly, the sheet feeder includes a lower guide plate having an inclined surface and a lower side plate that guides the lower edge of the lower sheet by its own weight and is guided to the lower standby position. Therefore, the upper sheet can be guided to the upper standby position and the lower sheet can be guided to the lower standby position without using electricity, and the upper and lower sheets can be bonded together.

[0007] In the above-mentioned paper alignment device, it is preferable that the upper guide section is arranged to rotate around the Z axis so that the feed direction of the upper paper is bent in the first direction, and the lower guide section is arranged to rotate around the Z axis so that the feed direction of the lower paper is bent in the first direction.

[0008] With this configuration, the upper sheet can be guided to the upper standby position while the lower edge of the upper sheet abuts against the upper side plate.Similarly, the lower sheet can be guided to the lower standby position while the lower edge of the lower sheet abuts against the lower side plate.

[0009] The paper alignment device preferably includes a first support portion that is provided between the lower paper feed portion and the lower guide portion, extends in the Y-axis direction, supports the side of the lower paper that does not have the lower side plate, and does not support the side of the lower paper that has the lower side plate. With this configuration, the lower paper can be guided so that the lower edge of the lower paper abuts against the lower side plate while being supported as it moves from the lower paper feed portion to the lower guide portion.

[0010] The paper alignment device preferably includes a support plate provided between the upper paper feed section and the upper guide section, and a pressing member that presses down the upper paper. With this configuration, the upper paper being fed is pressed down against the support plate by the pressing member, thereby stabilizing the movement of the upper paper from the upper paper feed section to the upper guide section.

[0011] In the paper aligning device, it is preferable that the lower guide plate is provided with a friction reducing member that reduces friction with the lower paper. According to the above configuration, the friction reducing member prevents the lower paper from stopping due to friction, allowing the lower paper to move on the lower guide plate.

[0012] It is preferable that the paper alignment device is provided with a lower extension guide plate extending from the upper end of the lower guide plate toward the lower paper feed section, and that the corner of the upper end of the lower extension guide plate opposite to the first direction is bent downward in the Z-axis direction.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the lower extension guide plate is provided at the upper end of the lower guide plate, and a corner of the upper end of the lower extension guide plate, which is opposite to the first direction, is bent downward in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, even if the lower sheet loses speed in front of the lower guide plate, the lower sheet is guided by the lower extension guide plate.

[0014] The paper alignment device preferably comprises a guide member disposed between the upper paper feed section and the upper guide section and guiding the upper paper in the discharge direction, and an upper extension guide plate extending from the upper end of the upper guide plate toward the upper paper feed section, and the corner of the upper end of the upper extension guide plate facing in the opposite direction to the first direction is bent downward in the Z-axis direction.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the guide member is provided between the upper paper feed section and the upper guide section and guides the upper paper in the feeding direction. This allows the upper paper to move stably from the upper paper feed section to the upper guide section. Furthermore, the upper extension guide plate is provided at the upper end of the upper guide plate, and the corner of the upper end of the upper extension guide plate, facing the opposite direction to the first direction, is bent downward in the Z-axis direction. This allows the upper paper to be guided by the upper extension guide plate even if it loses speed in front of the upper guide plate.

[0016] In the paper alignment device, it is preferable that the lower guide plate has a protrusion that reduces friction with the lower paper and a through hole through which air is ejected, aligned in the feeding direction. According to the above configuration, the protrusion lifts the lower paper, and air is ejected from the through hole, thereby reducing friction with the lower guide plate. Therefore, the lower paper moving along the lower guide section, which has a smaller inclination angle than the upper guide section, can be prevented from stopping due to friction, and the lower paper can be moved along the lower guide plate.

[0017] In the above-mentioned paper alignment device, it is preferable that the upper side plate has a replaceable upper cover plate on the surface that contacts the lower side edge of the upper paper, and the lower side plate has a replaceable lower cover plate on the surface that contacts the lower side edge of the lower paper.

[0018] This configuration prevents glue from the lower sheet from getting on the lower side plate. Also, by providing an upper cover plate on the upper side plate, the upper standby position of the upper sheet and the lower standby position of the lower sheet can be displaced by the same amount. This prevents the upper and lower sheets from being misaligned.

[0019] In the paper aligning device, it is preferable that the alignment unit includes a contact plate that contacts the upper sheet at the upper standby position and the lower sheet at the lower standby position. With the above configuration, the upper sheet can be positioned at the upper standby position and the lower sheet can be positioned at the lower standby position by the same contact plate.

[0020] The paper aligning device preferably includes a laminating unit that laminates the upper sheet to the glued lower sheet and that laminates the upper sheet at the upper standby position and the lower sheet at the lower standby position, wherein the leading edge of the upper sheet in the feeding direction is aligned by the laminating unit, and the leading edge of the lower sheet in the feeding direction is aligned by the laminating unit. With the above configuration, the upper sheet and the lower sheet can be aligned, and the upper sheet can be laminated to the glued lower sheet by the laminating unit.

[0021] It is preferable that the above-mentioned paper alignment device is provided with a contact portion that contacts the glued surface of the glued lower paper as it passes through the lower guide plate, and a drive portion that rotates the contact portion so as to feed the glued lower paper in the feed direction.

[0022] According to the above configuration, even if the short side of the glued lower paper becomes arced and no longer comes into surface contact with the lower guide plate, the contact part rotates and comes into contact with the glued surface of the lower paper, thereby pressing down the lower paper with the arced short side, and allowing the lower paper to move in the sending direction.

[0023] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to move the upper sheet to the upper standby position and the lower sheet to the lower standby position while suppressing power consumption.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a bonding apparatus. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the bonding apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a guiding unit and a bonding unit of the bonding apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a guiding unit and a bonding unit of the bonding apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a support plate and a presser member of the bonding apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a support unit of the bonding apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration of a guiding unit and a bonding unit of the bonding apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of a guiding unit and a bonding unit of the bonding apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the configuration of a second embodiment of a bonding apparatus. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of a bonding apparatus of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a guiding unit and a bonding unit of the bonding apparatus of the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a guiding unit and a bonding unit of the bonding apparatus of the second embodiment. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a guide frame and an upper extension guide plate of the bonding apparatus of the second embodiment. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a lower extension guide plate of the bonding apparatus of the second embodiment. Fig. 15 is a plan view showing the configuration of a guide section and a bonding section of the bonding apparatus of the second embodiment. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the configuration of a guide section and a bonding section of the bonding apparatus of the second embodiment. Fig. 17 is a view showing the configuration of a rotating body of the bonding apparatus of the second embodiment. Fig. 18 is a side view showing the configuration of a rotating body of the bonding apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0025] First Embodiment A first embodiment of a bonding device, which is an example of a paper aligning device, will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The bonding device is a device that aligns and bonds two sheets of paper together.

[0026] (Bonding Device 1) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bonding device 1 bonds an upper sheet SA to a glued lower sheet SB. The lower sheet SB is one of uncoated paper such as fine paper or medium-quality paper, and coated paper such as coated paper. The upper sheet SA is the other of uncoated paper such as fine paper or medium-quality paper, and coated paper such as coated paper. The upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB are cardboard sheets with a thickness of, for example, 0.2 to 0.4 mm. The upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB correspond to paper sizes, for example, A3 to B3. The upper sheet SA is fed from the upper sheet feed unit 3. The lower sheet SB is fed from the lower sheet feed unit 4. The lower sheet feed unit 4 is provided with a gluing unit 4A that glues the upper surface of the lower sheet SB. The upper sheet feed unit 3 and the lower sheet feed unit 4 are fixed to a fixed frame 2. The lower paper feed section 4 is located lower than the upper paper feed section 3. The upper paper feed section 3 and the lower paper feed section 4 can store sheets of paper up to a thickness of, for example, 100 mm.

[0027] The laminating device 1 includes an upper guide unit 10, a lower guide unit 20, and a laminating unit 30. The upper guide unit 10 guides the upper sheet SA sent out from the upper paper feed unit 3 to an upper standby position PA. The lower guide unit 20 guides the lower sheet SB sent out from the lower paper feed unit 4 to a lower standby position PB. The laminating unit 30 bonds the upper sheet SA at the upper standby position PA with the lower sheet SB at the lower standby position PB. The upper guide unit 10, the lower guide unit 20, and the laminating unit 30 are provided on a movable base 6. The movable base 6 is movable using casters or the like, but is fixed so as not to move during use.

[0028] The movable table 6 includes a support table 62 on the upper surface of a base table 61. A left support portion 63 and a right support portion 64 are fixed to the support table 62. The upper guide portion 10, the lower guide portion 20, and the laminating portion 30 are supported by the left support portion 63 and the right support portion 64. The position of the support table 62 can be rotated on the Z axis relative to the base table 61. That is, the support table 62 can be rotated and positioned relative to the support table 62 on the upper surface of the base table 61. The up and down direction is the Z axis direction.

[0029] The upper sheet SA moves along an upper movement path RA. The lower sheet SB moves along a lower movement path RB. The laminated sheets move along a movement path RC. The X-axis direction is a direction that includes the feed direction X1 of the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB in a plan view along the Z-axis direction. In other words, the X-axis direction is parallel to the feed direction X1. The Y-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction in a plan view along the Z-axis direction, and is the width direction of the upper sheet SA fed from the upper sheet feed unit 3 and the lower sheet SB fed from the lower sheet feed unit 4. The Z-axis direction is the up-down direction in a side view. Because the part of the laminating device 1 that aligns the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB does not use electricity, the overall length in the X-axis direction can be reduced to, for example, less than 3 m by omitting the drive unit.

[0030] The upper guide unit 10 includes an upper guide plate 11 and an upper side plate 12. The upper guide plate 11 and the upper side plate 12 are made of metal, such as stainless steel. The upper guide plate 11 has an inclined surface such that the downstream side of the X-axis direction in the feed direction X1 of the upper sheet SA is the lower side of the Z-axis direction (Z1 direction), and the first direction in the Y-axis direction (Y1 direction) is the lower side of the Z-axis direction (Z1 direction). That is, the inclined surface of the upper guide plate 11 is inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along the feed direction X1 of the upper sheet SA and also inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along a first direction parallel to the Y-axis direction. The first direction (Y1 direction) is the left direction in FIG. 2 . The upper side plate 12 is located on the left side in FIG. 2 , which is below the upper guide plate 11 in the Y-axis direction (i.e., the leading edge side in the first direction), and guides the left side edge of the upper sheet SA.

[0031] The lower guide unit 20 includes a lower guide plate 21 and a lower side plate 22. The lower guide plate 21 and the lower side plate 22 are made of metal, such as stainless steel. The lower guide plate 21 has an inclined surface such that the downstream side of the X-axis direction in the feed direction X1 of the lower sheet SB is the lower side in the Z-axis direction (Z1 direction), and the first direction (Y1 direction) is the lower side in the Z-axis direction (Z1 direction). That is, the inclined surface of the lower guide plate 21 is inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along the feed direction X1 of the lower sheet SB, and is also inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along the first direction. The lower side plate 22 is located below the lower guide plate 21 in the Y-axis direction (i.e., the leading edge side in the first direction) and guides the left side edge of the lower sheet SB. As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper guide plate 11 is inclined more steeply than the lower guide plate 21. The upper side plate 12 and the lower side plate 22 are in an overlapping position when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the upper guide plate 11. This allows the position of the lower edge SA2 of the upper sheet SA at the upper standby position PA to be aligned with the position of the lower edge SB2 of the lower sheet SB at the lower standby position PB.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3 , the laminating unit 30 includes multiple contact plates 31. The contact plates 31 extend in the width direction of the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB, and two contact plates 31 are installed along the width direction. The contact plates 31 are in contact with the leading edge SA1 of the upper sheet SA located at the upper standby position PA and the leading edge SB1 of the upper sheet SA located at the lower standby position PB. The contact plates 31 correspond to positioning units. When laminating the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB, the contact plates 31 are retracted from the path of the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB, thereby releasing the contact between the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB. When laminating the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB, the laminating unit 30 rotates the feed roller 32 to feed them out, and the laminating roller 33 rotates while pressing the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB together, laminating and feeding them out.

[0033] The upper standby position PA is a position where the leading edge SA1 of the upper sheet SA in the feeding direction X1 is aligned by the abutment plate 31 of the laminating unit 30, and the lower edge SA2 of the upper sheet SA in the first direction (Y1 direction) is aligned by the upper side plate 12. A corner SA3 formed by the leading edge SA1 and the lower edge SA2 of the upper sheet SA is the lowest position of the upper sheet SA. In order to align the leading edge SA1 and the lower edge SA2 of the upper sheet SA by gravity, the upper guide plate 11 is tilted in the X and Y directions, so that the corner SA3 is positioned lowest of the upper sheet SA.

[0034] 4, the lower standby position PB is a position where the leading edge SB1 of the lower sheet SB in the feeding direction X1 is aligned by the abutment plate 31 of the laminating unit 30, and the lower edge SB2 of the lower sheet SB in the first direction (Y1 direction) is aligned by the lower side plate 22. A corner SB3 formed by the leading edge SB1 and the lower edge SB2 of the lower sheet SB is the lowest position of the lower sheet SB. In order to align the leading edge SB1 and the lower edge SB2 of the lower sheet SB by gravity, the lower guide plate 21 is tilted in the X and Y directions to position the corner SB3 at the lowest position of the lower sheet SB.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 , the upper guide unit 10 is rotated by a predetermined angle θ about the Z axis so that the feed direction X1 of the upper sheet SA curves in a first direction (Y1 direction). That is, the upper guide unit 10 guides the upper sheet SA in a direction curved in the first direction relative to the feed direction X1. The lower guide unit 20 is rotated by a predetermined angle θ about the Z axis so that the feed direction X1 of the lower sheet SB curves in the first direction (Y1 direction). That is, the lower guide unit 20 guides the lower sheet SB in a direction curved in the first direction relative to the feed direction X1. That is, the upper guide unit 10 and the lower guide unit 20 are rotated integrally by the predetermined angle θ relative to the movable base 6. Note that the predetermined angle θ can be changed depending on the feed speed of the upper sheet feed unit 3 and the lower sheet feed unit 4, the thickness and weight of the sheets, etc.

[0036] 2, the upper standby position PA of the upper guide unit 10 and the lower standby position PB of the lower guide unit 20 are arranged on the movable base 6 so as to be offset in the first direction (Y1 direction) in the Y-axis direction by a predetermined length L. The predetermined length L is the distance between the left ends of the upper and lower paper feed units 3 and 4 and the corner SA3 of the upper and lower sheets SA and SB.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bonding device 1 includes a first inclined plate 5. The first inclined plate 5 is provided between the upper paper feed unit 3 and the upper guide unit 10. The first inclined plate 5 has an inclined surface in which the downstream side in the X-axis direction in the feed direction X1 of the upper paper sheet SA is the lower side in the Z-axis direction. The bonding device 1 includes a second inclined plate 7. The second inclined plate 7 is provided in the bonding unit 30. The second inclined plate 7 guides the bonded paper sheets to the paper receiving unit 8.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5 , the laminating device 1 includes a support plate 42 and a presser member 43. The support plate 42 is provided between the upper paper feed unit 3 and the upper guide unit 10. The support plate 42 is a flexible, transparent resin plate that is suspended between the first inclined plate 5 and the upper guide unit 10 in a bent state. Magnets are attached to the backside of both ends of the support plate 42, allowing it to be attached to the upper paper feed unit 3 and the upper guide unit 10 by magnetic force and removable for maintenance, etc. The degree of bending of the support plate 42 is adjustable. The support plate 42 supports the side of the upper sheet SA that does not have the upper side plate 12 in the Y-axis direction, but does not support the side of the upper sheet SA that has the upper side plate 12. Therefore, the upper sheet SA moving to the upper guide unit 10 moves while falling to the left side in FIG. 5 where the support plate 42 is not present. The presser member 43 presses down the upper sheet SA by its own weight. The presser member 43 is a rod member attached to the fixed frame 2 and can rotate up and down. The tip of the presser member 43 abuts against the support plate 42, and when the upper sheet SA is fed out, the weight of the presser member 43 presses down on the upper sheet SA. The presser member 43 may press the upper sheet SA against the support plate 42 using a biasing member. The support plate 42 does not have to be transparent. The support plate 42 may also be made of a rigid plate material that is not flexible.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6 , the laminating device 1 includes a support section 41. The support section 41 is provided between the lower paper feed section 4 and the lower guide section 20. The support section 41 is a cylindrical member fixed to a plate extending from the fixed frame 2. The support section 41 extends in the Y-axis direction and supports the side of the lower sheet SB where the lower side plate 22 is not present, but does not support the side of the lower sheet SB where the lower side plate 22 is present. In other words, the support section 41 extends in the Y-axis direction from the right side to the center in FIG. 6 and is not provided on the left side in FIG. 6 . Therefore, the lower sheet SB moving to the lower guide section 20 moves while falling to the left side in FIG. 6 where the support section 41 is not present.

[0040] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the lower guide plate 21 is provided with a friction reducing member 24. The friction reducing member 24 reduces friction with the lower sheet SB. The lower guide plate 21 has a smaller inclination angle than the upper guide plate 11, which reduces friction with the lower sheet SB and improves sliding. The friction reducing member 24 has protrusions and recesses extending in the paper movement direction, alternately arranged in a direction perpendicular to the protrusions and recesses. This reduces the contact area with the paper, thereby reducing friction. The friction reducing member 24 is a plate made of hard resin. For example, the friction reducing member 24 is a threshold slide that is attached to a threshold groove. The friction reducing member 24 may have a magnet attached to its underside to make its installation position adjustable. The number and position of the friction reducing members 24 can be changed as desired.

[0041] A lower cover plate 23 is provided on the lower side plate 22. The lower cover plate 23 is a plate member provided on the surface that contacts the lower edge SB2 of the lower sheet SB. The lower cover plate 23 is attached to the lower side plate 22 to prevent the lower side plate 22 from being soiled by glue. The lower cover plate 23 can be replaced when it becomes soiled. By providing the lower cover plate 23, the position of the lower edge SB2 of the lower sheet SB is shifted in the width direction of the lower sheet SB by the thickness of the lower cover plate 23. Similarly, an upper cover plate 13 is provided on the upper side plate 12. The upper cover plate 13 is a plate member provided on the surface that contacts the lower edge SA2 of the upper sheet SA. The thickness of the upper cover plate 13 is the same as the thickness of the lower cover plate 23. The upper cover plate 13 is attached to the upper side plate 12. By providing the upper cover plate 13, the position of the lower edge SA2 of the upper sheet SA is shifted in the width direction of the upper sheet SA by the thickness of the upper cover plate 13. Therefore, the shift in the width direction of the lower sheet SB and the shift in the width direction of the upper sheet SA are the same.

[0042] 1 to 7, the operation of the laminating device 1 configured as described above will be described. A user operates the operation terminal to cause the laminating device 1 to start laminating sheets.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper sheet SA, which is sent out with force from the upper sheet feed unit 3, slides along the upper surface of the first inclined plate 5 and advances in the X-axis direction, which is the sending direction X1, until it reaches the support plate 42. After reaching the support plate 42, the upper sheet SA is pressed by the pressure member 43 and comes into contact with the support plate 42, while moving in the X-axis direction while displacing to the left in FIG. 2 , and reaches the upper guide unit 10. After reaching the upper guide unit 10, the upper sheet SA advances while displacing to the left in FIG. 2 . The lower edge SA2 of the upper sheet SA is then aligned by the upper side plate 12, and the leading edge SA1 of the upper sheet SA is aligned by the abutment plate 31 of the laminating unit 30. Thus, the corner SA3 of the upper sheet SA is positioned at the upper standby position PA, which is its lowest position.

[0044] The lower sheet SB, which is sent out with momentum from the lower paper feed section 4, is supported by the support section 41, but because the left side in FIG. 2 is not supported, it moves leftward while displacing in the X-axis direction and reaches the lower guide section 20. Having reached the lower guide section 20, the lower sheet SB moves forward while displacing leftward in FIG. 2. The lower edge SB2 of the lower sheet SB is then aligned by the lower side plate 22, and the leading edge SB1 of the lower sheet SB is aligned by the abutment plate 31 of the laminating section 30. As a result, the corner SB3 of the lower sheet SB is positioned at the lower standby position PB, which is the lowest position.

[0045] The leading edges SA1, SB1 of the upper sheet SA at the upper standby position PA and the lower sheet SB at the lower standby position PB are aligned by the contact plate 31. The leading edge SA1 of the upper sheet SA and the leading edge SB1 of the lower sheet SB are in contact. The downstream sides of the leading edges SA1, SB1 are separated by support from the upper guide plate 11 and the lower guide plate 21, respectively. The bonding device 1 retracts the contact plate 31, rotates the feed roller 32, and the bonding roller 33 rotates while pressing the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB together, thereby feeding out the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB while bonding them together. The leading edges SA1, SB1 are bonded together from the point where they are in contact in the bonding section 30. This allows the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB to be bonded together without misalignment. The stuck sheets slide down the second inclined plate 7 and fall into the sheet receiving section 8.

[0046] In this way, the upper sheet SA sent out from the upper sheet feeding section 3 is guided and aligned to the upper standby position PA by the upper guide section 10. Similarly, the lower sheet SB sent out from the lower sheet feeding section 4 is guided and aligned to the lower standby position PB by the lower guide section 20. Thus, the laminating device 1 can align the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB without misalignment and laminate them together without using electricity.

[0047] (Advantages of the First Embodiment) Next, advantages of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) The apparatus includes an upper guide plate 11 having an inclined surface and an upper side plate 12 that guides the lower end SA2 of the upper sheet SA. Therefore, the upper sheet SA moves along the upper guide plate 11 and the upper side plate 12 by its own weight and is guided to the upper standby position PA. Similarly, the apparatus includes a lower guide plate 21 having an inclined surface and a lower side plate 22 that guides the lower end SB2 of the lower sheet SB. Therefore, the lower sheet SB moves along the lower guide plate 21 and the lower side plate 22 by its own weight and is guided to the lower standby position PB. Therefore, the upper sheet SA can be guided to the upper standby position PA and the lower sheet SB to the lower standby position PB without using electricity, thereby reducing power consumption, and the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB can be bonded together.

[0048] (1-2) The upper guide unit 10 is rotated by a predetermined angle θ about the Z axis so that the sending direction X1 of the upper sheet SA curves in a first direction (Y1 direction) along the Y axis. Therefore, the upper sheet SA can be guided to the upper standby position PA while the lower end SA2 of the sent upper sheet SA abuts against the upper side plate 12. Similarly, the lower guide unit 20 is rotated by a predetermined angle θ about the Z axis so that the sending direction X1 of the lower sheet SB curves in a first direction (Y1 direction) along the Y axis. Therefore, the lower sheet SB can be guided to the lower standby position PB while the lower end SB2 of the sent lower sheet SB abuts against the lower side plate 22.

[0049] (1-3) Support section 41 is provided between lower paper feed section 4 and lower guide section 20, extends in the Y-axis direction, supports the side of lower paper SB that does not have lower side plate 22, and does not support the side of lower paper SB that has lower side plate 22. Therefore, movement of lower paper SB from lower paper feed section 4 to lower guide section 20 is supported by support section 41, and the part of lower paper SB that is not supported by support section 41 can fall toward lower side plate 22.

[0050] (1-4) A pressing member 43 is provided between the upper paper feed unit 3 and the upper guide unit 10 to press down on the support plate 42 and the upper sheet SA. This allows the upper sheet SA to move stably from the upper paper feed unit 3 to the upper guide unit 10.

[0051] (1-5) A friction reduction member 24 that reduces friction with the lower sheet SB is provided on the lower guide plate 21. This prevents the lower sheet SB, which moves along the lower guide section 20, which has a smaller inclination angle than the upper guide section 10, from stopping due to friction, and allows the lower sheet SB to move along the lower guide plate 21.

[0052] (1-6) A replaceable upper cover plate 13 is provided on the upper side plate 12, and a replaceable lower cover plate 23 is provided on the lower side plate 22. This prevents glue from the lower sheet SB from getting on the lower side plate 22. Furthermore, by providing the upper cover plate 13 on the upper side plate 12 as well, the upper standby position PA for the upper sheet SA and the lower standby position PB for the lower sheet SB are displaced by the same amount, preventing misalignment of the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB from being stuck together.

[0053] (1-7) The contact plate 31 contacts the upper sheet SA at the upper standby position PA, and contacts the lower sheet SB at the lower standby position PB. Therefore, the upper sheet SA can be positioned at the upper standby position PA, and the lower sheet SB can be positioned at the lower standby position PB by the same contact plate 31.

[0054] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of a laminating device, which is an example of a paper aligning device, will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 18. The laminating device is a device that aligns and laminates two sheets of paper. The laminating device of the second embodiment differs from the laminating device of the first embodiment in that it has a different member between the paper feed unit and the guide unit and in that it has a member that presses down on the glued sheets.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 13 , the laminating device 1 includes a guide member 44 and an upper extension guide plate 15. The guide member 44 includes a pair of support frames 44A extending in the Y-axis direction and multiple shafts 44B extending in the X-axis direction. The multiple shafts 44B are supported by the pair of support frames 44A, and the shafts 44B positioned in the direction opposite the first direction Y1 are spaced apart closely. The guide member 44 is disposed between the upper paper feed unit 3 and the upper guide unit 10 and guides the upper sheet SA in the feed direction X1. This stabilizes the movement of the upper sheet SA from the upper paper feed unit 3 to the upper guide unit 10. The upper extension guide plate 15 is formed by bending one corner of a rectangular flat plate. The upper extension guide plate 15 includes a main guide portion 15A and a bent portion 15B. The upper extension guide plate 15 extends from the upper end of the upper guide plate 11 toward the upper paper feed unit 3. The upper extension guide plate 15 has a corner at the upper end thereof facing away from the first direction Y1 bent downward in the Z-axis direction Z. Therefore, even if the upper sheet SA loses speed in front of the upper extension guide plate 15, the upper sheet SA is guided by the upper extension guide plate 15. A magnet is attached to the back of the base end of the upper extension guide plate 15, and the upper extension guide plate 15 is attached to the upper guide plate 11 by magnetic force, and can be removed for maintenance, etc.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 14 , the laminating device 1 includes a lower extension guide plate 25. The lower extension guide plate 25 is configured by bending one corner of a rectangular flat plate. The lower extension guide plate 25 includes a main guide portion 25A and a bent portion 25B. The lower extension guide plate 25 extends from the upper end of the lower guide plate 21 toward the lower paper feed unit 4. The upper corner of the lower extension guide plate 25, facing the opposite direction to the first direction Y1, is bent downward in the Z-axis direction Z. Therefore, even if the lower sheet SB loses speed in front of the lower extension guide plate 25, the lower extension guide plate 25 guides the lower sheet SB. A magnet is attached to the back of the base end of the lower extension guide plate 25, and the lower extension guide plate 25 is attached to the lower guide plate 21 by magnetic force, allowing it to be removed for maintenance, etc.

[0057] As shown in Figure 12, the lower guide plate 21 has protrusions 26 and through holes 27 arranged side by side in the feeding direction X1. The protrusions 26 reduce friction with the lower sheet SB. The through holes 27 are provided adjacent to the protrusions 26, through which air is ejected. The protrusions 26 are located above, or in other words, upstream of, the through holes 27. Therefore, the protrusions 26 lift the lower sheet SB, and air is ejected from the through holes 27, thereby reducing friction between the lower guide plate 21 and the lower sheet SB. The number and positions of the protrusions 26 and through holes 27 can be changed as desired.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the laminating device 1 includes a presser mechanism 9 that presses the glued lower sheet SB against the lower guide plate 21. The presser mechanism 9 includes a drive unit 51, a first rotor 52, a second rotor 53, and rotation shafts 54 and 55. The drive unit 51 is attached to a fixed plate 50 fixed to the lower guide unit 20. The first rotor 52 and the second rotor 53 are arranged to contact the glued surface of the glued lower sheet SB as it passes through the lower guide plate 21. The first rotor 52 and the second rotor 53 each have a plurality of plates with blades that are equally spaced circumferentially attached to the rotation shafts 54 and 55. In this embodiment, four blades are provided at equal intervals. Each blade is a contact portion that contacts the lower sheet SB. The leading edge of each blade is formed into an arc and is configured to make line contact with the lower sheet SB. The rotating shafts 54 and 55 are rotated by the drive unit 51. A plurality of rotating bodies are provided at equal intervals on the rotating shaft 54. Rotation of the rotating shaft 54 ​​rotates the first rotating body 52, too. Rotation of the rotating shaft 55 rotates the second rotating body 53, too. The drive unit 51 rotates the first rotating body 52 and the second rotating body 53 so as to feed the glued lower sheet SB in the feed direction X1. In this embodiment, two rotating structures, each having a plurality of rotating bodies supported by the rotating shafts 54 and 55, are lined up in the feed direction X1. Of the two rotating structures, the first rotating body 52 provided upstream in the feed direction X1 is the first contact portion, and the second rotating body 53 provided downstream is the second contact portion. The distance between the surface of the lower guide plate 21 and the first rotating body 52 is longer than the distance between the surface of the lower guide plate 21 and the second rotating body 53.

[0059] 9 to 18, the operation of the laminating device 1 configured as described above will be described. A user operates the operation terminal to cause the laminating device 1 to start laminating sheets.

[0060] 9 and 10 , the upper sheet SA sent out from the upper sheet feed unit 3 slides along the top surface of the guide member 44 and advances in the X-axis direction, which is the sending direction X1, until it reaches the upper extension guide plate 15. After reaching the upper extension guide plate 15, the upper sheet SA advances in the X-axis direction while displacing to the left in FIG. 10 and reaches the upper guide plate 11. After reaching the upper guide plate 11, the upper sheet SA advances while displacing to the left in FIG. 10. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 , the lower edge SA2 of the upper sheet SA is aligned by the upper and lower side plates 14, and the leading edge SA1 of the upper sheet SA is aligned by the abutment plate 31 of the laminating unit 30. Thus, the corner SA3 of the upper sheet SA is positioned at the upper standby position PA, which is its lowest position.

[0061] The lower sheet SB sent out from the lower paper feed unit 4 reaches the lower extension guide plate 25. After reaching the lower extension guide plate 25, the lower sheet SB moves in the X-axis direction while being displaced to the left in FIG. 10 , and reaches the lower guide plate 21. After reaching the lower guide plate 21, the lower sheet SB moves forward while being displaced to the left in FIG. 10 . Then, as shown in FIG. 12 , the lower edge SB2 of the lower sheet SB is aligned by the upper and lower side plates 14, and the leading edge SB1 of the lower sheet SB is aligned by the abutment plate 31 of the laminating unit 30. Therefore, the corner SB3 of the lower sheet SB is positioned at the lower standby position PB, which is the lowest position.

[0062] Here, when the lower sheet SB is glued, it may absorb moisture and cause its short side to curl into an arc. Coated paper and the like are less likely to curl, while high-quality paper and the like are more likely to curl. The short side of the glued lower sheet SB may become arced and no longer make surface contact with the lower guide plate 21, preventing the lower sheet SB from moving in the sending direction X1. The first rotating body 52 contacts the lower sheet SB as it rotates, thereby knocking the lower sheet SB toward the lower guide plate 21. The second rotating body 53 contacts the lower sheet SB as it rotates, thereby pressing down the lower sheet SB with its arced short side, causing the lower sheet SB to come into surface contact with the lower guide plate 21, allowing the lower sheet SB to move in the sending direction X1.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 15 , the leading edges SA1 and SB1 of the upper sheet SA at the upper standby position PA and the lower sheet SB at the lower standby position PB are aligned by the contact plate 31. The leading edge SA1 of the upper sheet SA and the leading edge SB1 of the lower sheet SB are in contact. The downstream sides of the leading edges SA1 and SB1 are separated by support from the upper guide plate 11 and the lower guide plate 21, respectively. The bonding device 1 retracts the contact plate 31, rotates the feed roller 32, and the bonding roller 33 rotates while pressing the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB together, thereby feeding the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB together. The upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB are bonded together starting from the leading edges SA1 and SB1 that are in contact at the bonding section 30. This allows the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB to be bonded together without misalignment. The stuck sheets slide down the second inclined plate 7 and fall into the sheet receiving section 8.

[0064] In this way, the upper sheet SA sent out from the upper sheet feeding unit 3 is guided and aligned to the upper standby position PA by the upper guide unit 10. Similarly, the lower sheet SB sent out from the lower sheet feeding unit 4 is guided and aligned to the lower standby position PB by the lower guide unit 20. Thus, the laminating device 1 can reduce power consumption without using a transport roller, align the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB without misalignment, and laminate the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB together.

[0065] (Effects of the Second Embodiment) Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be described. In addition to the effects (1-1), (1-2), and (1-7) of the first embodiment, the second embodiment has the following effects.

[0066] (2-1) Lower extension guide plate 25 is provided at the upper end of lower guide plate 21, and the corner of the upper end of lower extension guide plate 25 facing the opposite direction to first direction Y1 is bent downward in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, even if upper sheet SA loses speed in front of lower guide plate 21, upper extension guide plate 15 guides upper sheet SA.

[0067] (2-2) A guide member 44 is provided between the upper paper feed unit 3 and the upper guide unit 10 to guide the upper sheet SA in the feeding direction. This allows the upper sheet SA to move stably from the upper paper feed unit 3 to the upper guide unit 10. In addition, an upper extension guide plate 15 is provided at the upper end of the upper guide plate 11, and the corner of the upper end of the upper extension guide plate 15, facing the opposite direction to the first direction Y1, is bent downward in the Z-axis direction. This allows the upper sheet SA to be guided by the upper extension guide plate 15 even if it loses speed in front of the upper guide plate 11.

[0068] (2-3) The convex portion 26 lifts the lower sheet SB, and air is ejected from the through-holes 27, reducing friction with the lower guide plate 21. This prevents the lower sheet SB, which moves along the lower guide section 20, which has a smaller inclination angle than the upper guide section 10, from stopping due to friction, and allows the lower sheet SB to move along the lower guide plate 21.

[0069] (2-4) The upper and lower side plates 14 are provided with replaceable upper cover plates 13 and replaceable lower cover plates 23. This prevents glue from the lower sheet SB from getting on the lower side plate 22. Furthermore, by providing the upper cover plates 13 on the upper and lower side plates 14, the upper standby position PA for the upper sheet SA and the lower standby position PB for the lower sheet SB are displaced by the same amount, preventing misalignment of the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB.

[0070] (2-5) Even if the short side of the glued lower sheet SB becomes arced and no longer comes into surface contact with the lower guide plate 21, the first rotating body 52 and the second rotating body 53 rotate and come into contact with the glued surface of the lower sheet SB, thereby pressing down the lower sheet SB with the arced short side, and bringing the lower sheet SB into surface contact with the lower guide plate 21, allowing the lower sheet SB to move in the sending direction X1.

[0071] (Other Embodiments) The above-described embodiments can be modified as follows: The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the first inclined plate 5 may be omitted, and the upper sheet SA may be sent from the upper sheet feeding unit 3 to the upper guiding unit 10 via the support plate 42. In each of the above embodiments, the laminating unit 30 includes the contact plate 31. However, it may also include a member that positions the upper sheet SA at the upper standby position PA and a member that positions the lower sheet SB at the lower standby position PB.

[0073] In the first embodiment, the upper cover plate 13 provided on the upper side plate 12 may be omitted. Also, the lower cover plate 23 provided on the lower side plate 22 may be omitted. In the first embodiment, the lightening member 24 provided on the lower guide plate 21 may be omitted.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the pressing member 43 that presses the upper sheet SA may be omitted. In the first embodiment, the support plate 42 provided between the upper sheet feeding unit 3 and the upper guide unit 10 may be omitted. In this case, the support plate 42 may be omitted, and the upper sheet SA may be sent directly from the upper sheet feeding unit 3 to the upper guide unit 10.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the support portion 41 provided between the lower paper feed portion 4 and the lower guide portion 20 may be omitted. In this case, the support portion 41 may be omitted, and the lower paper SB may be sent directly from the lower paper feed portion 4 to the lower guide portion 20.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the upper standby position PA of the upper guiding unit 10 and the lower standby position PB of the lower guiding unit 20 are arranged to be offset in the first direction (Y1 direction) in the Y-axis direction. However, the upper standby position PA of the upper guiding unit 10 and the lower standby position PB of the lower guiding unit 20 may be arranged without being offset in the Y-axis direction.

[0077] In the first embodiment, the upper guide portion 10 and the lower guide portion 20 are arranged to rotate around the Z axis. However, the upper guide portion 10 and the lower guide portion 20 do not have to rotate around the Z axis.

[0078] In the first embodiment, the upper sheet SA and the lower sheet SB are pasted together. However, an intermediate guide unit may be further provided to guide the intermediate sheet to the intermediate standby position, and glue may be applied to the upper surface of the intermediate sheet so that the leading edges of the three sheets abut against each other with the abutment plate. When the abutment plate is retracted, the three sheets overlap and are pasted together with the rollers. Note that by adding an intermediate guide unit, four or more sheets may be pasted together.

[0079] In the second embodiment, the first and second rotating bodies 52 and 53 are provided to press down the glued lower sheet SB. However, if the short side of the glued lower sheet SB does not deform into an arc, the first and second rotating bodies 52 and 53 do not need to be driven. Alternatively, the first and second rotating bodies 52 and 53 may be removed. Furthermore, if they are not required, the first and second rotating bodies 52 and 53, the drive unit 51, and the fixed plate 50 may be omitted.

[0080] In the second embodiment, at least one of the protrusions 26 and the through holes 27 through which air is ejected provided on the lower guide plate 21 may be omitted. In the second embodiment, the guide member 44 provided between the upper paper feed unit 3 and the upper guide unit 10 may be omitted. In this case, the guide member 44 may be omitted, and the upper paper SA may be sent directly from the upper paper feed unit 3 to the upper guide unit 10.

[0081] In the second embodiment, the upper extension guide plate 15 may be omitted. In this case, the upper extension guide plate 15 may be omitted, and the upper sheet SA may be sent directly from the upper sheet feeding unit 3 to the upper guide unit 10.

[0082] In the second embodiment, the lower extension guide plate 25 may be omitted. In this case, the lower extension guide plate 25 may be omitted, and the lower sheet SB may be sent directly from the lower sheet feeding unit 4 to the lower guide unit 20.

[0083] In the above embodiments, the upper sheet SA is aligned with the upper standby position PA, the lower sheet SB is aligned with the lower standby position PB, and the upper sheet SA is stuck to the glued lower sheet SB. However, the positioning function for aligning multiple sheets may also be applied to a collating device that aligns multiple sheets.

[0084] Furthermore, the collating device may further include an intermediate guide section that guides the intermediate sheets to an intermediate standby position, so that the leading edges of the three sheets come into contact with each other at the contact plate, and when the contact plate is retracted, the three sheets are aligned in a stacked manner. Note that by adding an intermediate guide section, four or more sheets may be aligned.

[0085] In the above embodiments, the upper sheet SA is aligned with the upper standby position PA, the lower sheet SB is aligned with the lower standby position PB, and the upper sheet SA is stuck to the glued lower sheet SB. However, the positioning function for aligning multiple sheets may also be applied to a paper folding device that folds multiple sheets.

[0086] Furthermore, the folding device may further include an intermediate guide section that guides the intermediate sheets to an intermediate standby position, so that the leading edges of the three sheets come into contact with each other at the contact plate, and when the contact plate is retracted, the three sheets are folded together.Four or more sheets may be folded by adding an additional intermediate guide section.

[0087] In each of the above embodiments, if a structure is made up of multiple objects, the multiple objects may be integrated, and conversely, if a structure is made up of a single object, the multiple objects may be separated into multiple objects. Regardless of whether the objects are integrated, it is sufficient that the structure is such that the object of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0088] PA...Upper standby position PB...Lower standby position RA...Upper movement path RB...Lower movement path RC...Movement path SA...Upper sheet SA1...Leading edge of upper sheet SA2...Lower edge of upper sheet SA3...Corner of upper sheet SB...Lower sheet SB1...Leading edge of lower sheet SB2...Lower edge of lower sheet SB3...Corner of lower sheet 1...Gluing device 2...Fixed frame 3...Upper paper feed section 4...Lower paper feed section 4A...Gluing section 5...First inclined plate 6...Movable base 7...Second inclined plate 8...Paper receiving section 9...Pressing mechanism 10...Upper guide section 11...Upper guide plate 12...Upper side plate 13...Upper cover plate 14...Upper and lower side plates 15...Upper extended guide plate 15A...Main guide section 15B...Folding section 16... Collision plate 20... Lower guide portion 21... Lower guide plate 22... Lower side plate 23... Lower cover plate 24... Lightening member 25... Lower extension guide plate 25A... Main guide portion 25B... Bent portion 26... Convex portion 27... Through hole 30... Laminating portion 31... Contact plate 32... Feed-out roller 33... Laminating roller 41... Support portion 42... Support plate 43... Pressing member 44... Guide member 44A... Support frame 44B... Shaft 50... Fixed plate 51... Drive portion 52... First rotating body 53... Second rotating body 54... Rotating shaft 55... Rotating shaft 61... Base 62... Support base 63... Left support portion 64... Right support portion

Claims

1. A paper alignment device for aligning lower and upper sheets of paper, comprising: an upper guide section for guiding the upper sheets of paper sent out from an upper paper feed section to an upper standby position; a lower guide section for guiding the lower sheets of paper sent out from a lower paper feed section to a lower standby position; and a positioning section for positioning the upper sheets of paper at the upper standby position and the lower sheets of paper at the lower standby position; wherein the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction; the direction parallel to the feed direction of the upper and lower sheets of paper in a plan view along the Z-axis direction is the X-axis direction; and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction in a plan view along the Z-axis direction is the Y-axis direction; the upper guide section comprises an upper guide plate and an upper side plate; the upper guide plate is inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along the feed direction of the upper sheets of paper, and is inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along a first direction parallel to the Y-axis direction; and the upper side plate is provided on the tip of the upper guide plate in the first direction. a paper aligning device, the paper aligning device comprising: a lower guide section including a lower guide plate and a lower side plate; the lower guide plate being inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along the feed direction of the lower paper, and also inclined downward in the Z-axis direction along the first direction; the lower side plate being provided on the lower guide plate at the leading end side in the first direction; the upper standby position being a position where the leading end of the upper paper in the feed direction is aligned by the positioning section, the side edges of the upper paper in the first direction are aligned by the upper side plate, and the corner formed by the leading end and the side edges of the upper paper is the lowest of the upper paper; and the lower standby position being a position where the leading end of the lower paper in the feed direction is aligned by the positioning section, the side edges of the lower paper in the first direction are aligned by the lower side plate, and the corner formed by the leading end and the side edges of the lower paper is the lowest of the lower paper.

2. The paper alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the upper guide section is arranged to rotate around the Z axis so that the feeding direction of the upper paper bends in the first direction, and the lower guide section is arranged to rotate around the Z axis so that the feeding direction of the lower paper bends in the first direction.

3. The paper alignment device according to claim 1, further comprising a support section provided between the lower paper feed section and the lower guide section, extending in the first direction, supporting the side of the lower paper sheet that does not have the lower side plate, but not supporting the side of the lower paper sheet that has the lower side plate.

4. The paper alignment device according to claim 1, further comprising: a support plate provided between the upper paper feed section and the upper guide section; and a pressing member for pressing down the upper paper.

5. The paper alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the lower guide plate is provided with a friction reducing member for reducing friction with the lower paper.

6. The paper alignment device according to claim 1, further comprising a lower extension guide plate extending from the upper end of the lower guide plate toward the lower paper feed section, and a corner of the upper end of the lower extension guide plate facing in the opposite direction to the first direction is bent downward in the Z-axis direction.

7. A paper alignment device as described in claim 1, comprising: a guide member provided between the upper paper feed section and the upper guide section, which guides the upper paper in the feed direction; and an upper extension guide plate which extends from the upper end of the upper guide plate towards the upper paper feed section, wherein a corner on the upper end of the upper extension guide plate which faces in the opposite direction to the first direction is bent downward in the Z-axis direction.

8. A paper alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the lower guide plate is provided with a convex portion for reducing friction with the lower paper, and a through hole adjacent to the convex portion through which air is ejected, aligned in the feeding direction.

9. A paper alignment device as described in claim 1, wherein the upper side plate is provided with a replaceable upper cover plate on the surface that contacts the side edge of the upper paper, and the lower side plate is provided with a replaceable lower cover plate on the surface that contacts the side edge of the lower paper.

10. The paper alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the positioning section includes a contact plate that contacts the upper paper at the upper standby position and that contacts the lower paper at the lower standby position.

11. A paper alignment device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a laminating unit that laminates the upper sheet of paper to the glued lower sheet of paper, laminates the upper sheet of paper in the upper standby position to the lower sheet of paper in the lower standby position, and the leading edge of the upper sheet of paper in the feed direction is aligned by the laminating unit, and the leading edge of the lower sheet of paper in the feed direction is aligned by the laminating unit.

12. The paper alignment device according to claim 11, comprising: a contact portion that contacts the glued surface of the glued lower sheet passing through the lower guide plate; and a drive portion that rotates the contact portion so as to feed the glued lower sheet in the feeding direction.

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