Stapler

Abstract

This stapler (1A) comprises a detection part (100) that operates a drive part (4) by detecting an object to be bound, a needle ejection part (2) and a binding part (3) face each other along the ejection direction of a needle (10), an insertion part (120) for the object to be bound is formed between the needle ejection part (2) and the binding part (3), and the detection part (100) is provided with a detection position (P100) for the object to be bound, on the outer side of an inlet (121) of the insertion part (120).

Description

Stapler

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a stapler that staples an object to be stapled with a needle.

[0002] Conventionally, a stapler has been proposed that staples an object to be stapled, such as a stack of papers, by driving a needle into it. An electric stapler driven by a motor includes a guide for abutting the tip of the object to be stapled. When the object to be stapled is inserted into the insertion port of the main body by the user, the front end surface of the object to be stapled abuts against the guide, and the guide moves backward, turning on the detection unit and generating a drive signal for driving the motor to perform the stapling operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-115765

[0004] When the object to be stapled is in a form called a blister pack, it is conceivable to use the needle to staple near the convex peripheral edge of the product storage part of the blister pack. In such a stapling method, the object to be stapled is not inserted to the back of the insertion port. Therefore, the guide for operating the detection unit cannot be moved backward, and it is impossible to detect that the object to be stapled has been set at the stapling position.

[0005] Therefore, even when stapling the peripheral edge of the object to be stapled with a needle, a stapler is provided that can detect the object to be stapled and perform the stapling operation.

[0006] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a stapler includes a needle ejecting part that ejects a needle, a stapling part that bends a pair of needle legs of the needle ejected by the needle ejecting part, a driving part that performs a stapling operation of an object to be stapled with the needle, and a detection part that operates the driving part by detecting the object to be stapled. The needle ejecting part and the stapling part face each other along the needle ejection direction, and an insertion part for the object to be stapled is formed between the needle ejecting part and the stapling part. The detection part is provided with a detection position for the object to be stapled outside the entrance of the insertion part.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, when the object to be stapled is inserted into the insertion part, even if the object to be stapled is not inserted to the back inside the entrance of the insertion part, it is possible to detect that the object to be stapled has been inserted to a predetermined position outside the entrance with respect to the insertion part.

[0008] According to this disclosure, when stapling the periphery of an object to be bound with staples, when the periphery of the object to be bound is inserted into the insertion part, it is detected that the object to be bound has been inserted to a predetermined position, and the binding operation can be executed. As a result, even when stapling the periphery of an object to be bound with staples, the binding operation can be executed by inserting the object to be bound into the insertion part between the staple dispensing part and the binding part.

[0009] This is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a stapler according to the first embodiment. This is a side view showing an example of a stapler according to the first embodiment. This is a perspective view showing an example of a stapler according to the first embodiment. This is a side view showing an example of the operation of a stapler according to the first embodiment. This is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a stapler according to the second embodiment. This is a side view showing an example of a stapler according to the second embodiment. This is a perspective view showing an example of a stapler according to the second embodiment. This is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the operation of a stapler according to the second embodiment. This is a side view showing an example of the operation of a stapler according to the second embodiment. This is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a stapler according to the third embodiment. This is a perspective view showing an example of a stapler according to the third embodiment.

[0010] Embodiments of the stapler of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Example of the configuration of the stapler of the first embodiment> Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the stapler of the first embodiment, Figure 2 is a side view showing an example of the stapler of the first embodiment, and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the stapler of the first embodiment.

[0012] The stapler 1A of the first embodiment includes a staple ejection unit 2 that ejects staples 10, a stapling unit 3 that bends a pair of staple legs 10re of the staples 10 ejected by the staple ejection unit 2, a drive unit 4 that performs the stapling operation of the object to be stapled with the staples 10, and a detection unit 100 that activates the drive unit 4 upon detection of the object to be stapled.

[0013] The stapler 1A has a staple-dispensing section 2 and a staple-binding section 3 that are connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other with a connecting shaft 110 as the pivot point. The staple-dispensing section 2 and the staple-binding section 3 open and close in directions toward and toward relative to each other, on the side opposite to the side connected by the connecting shaft 110.

[0014] In stapler 1A, the side where the staple-issuing section 2 and the stapling section 3 open and close is referred to as the front side, and the side where the staple-issuing section 2 and the stapling section 3 are connected by the connecting shaft 110 is referred to as the rear side. Also, in stapler 1A, the side where the staple-issuing section 2 is provided is referred to as the upper side, and the side where the stapling section 3 is provided is referred to as the lower side.

[0015] The stapler 1A is configured to form staples 10 and then eject the formed staples 10. Before forming, the staples 10 are in a linear shape. The staples 10 before forming are also called unformed staples 10bf. After forming, the staples 10 have a pair of staple legs 10re that extend substantially parallel to each other from both sides of a staple crown (not shown). The staples 10 after forming are also called formed staples 10af. Multiple unformed staples 10bf are detachably connected along a direction intersecting their extension direction. This forms a connected staple 11. The stapler 1A is detachably equipped with a cartridge 12 that houses multiple connected staples 11 stacked together.

[0016] The staple-punching section 2 comprises a first opposing section 20 facing the binding section 3 and a first protrusion 21 projecting from the first opposing section 20 toward the binding section 3. The staple-punching section 2 has the first protrusion 21 on its front end side, and the first opposing section 20, which is concave, is formed on the rear side of the first protrusion 21.

[0017] The binding section 3 includes a second opposing section 30 that faces the staple-punching section 2, and a second protrusion 31 that projects from the second opposing section 30 toward the staple-punching section 2. The binding section 3 has the second protrusion 31 on its front end side, and a concave second opposing section 30 is formed on the rear side of the second protrusion 31.

[0018] In stapler 1A, an insertion section 120 is formed between the staple-issuing section 2 and the stapling section 3. The insertion section 120 has an entrance 121 between the front end of the staple-issuing section 2 and the front end of the stapling section 3. In stapler 1A, the insertion section 120 has an entrance 121 between the first protrusion 21 of the staple-issuing section 2 and the second protrusion 31 of the stapling section 3, and the entrance 121 connects to the space between the first opposing part 20 of the staple-issuing section 2 and the second opposing part 30 of the stapling section 3. When the staple-issuing section 2 and the stapling section 3 are moved in a direction that separates them relatively, the space between the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 31 of the insertion section 120 is configured as a gap into which the stapling position of the object to be stapled 200 can be inserted.

[0019] The insertion section 120 is provided with a wall section 130 on the side where the staple-punching section 2 and the binding section 3 are connected by a connecting shaft 110. The wall section 130 closes the space between the staple-punching section 2 and the binding section 3 without hindering the relative movement of the staple-punching section 2 and the binding section 3 with the connecting shaft 110 as a pivot point, thereby restricting the insertion position of the object to be bound.

[0020] The needle ejection unit 2 includes a needle feeding unit 5 that feeds the connected needle 11, a forming plate 6 that forms the unformed needle 10bf, and a driver plate 7 that ejects the formed needle 10af formed by the forming plate 6.

[0021] Furthermore, the needle ejection section 2 includes a pre-formed needle 10af ejected by the driver plate 7 and an ejection passage 8 through which the driver plate 7 that ejects the pre-formed needle 10af passes.

[0022] The binding section 3 includes a clincher 32 that bends a pair of needle legs 10re of the pre-formed staple 10af that is ejected by the driver plate 7. The clincher 32 is provided on the second protrusion 31 of the binding section 3.

[0023] The drive unit 4 includes a first link 40 that drives the forming plate 6 and the driver plate 7, a second link 41 that drives the needle feed unit 5, and a motor 43 that drives the first link 40 and the second link 41, as well as a transmission mechanism such as a cam (not shown), to move the needle ejection unit 2 and the binding unit 3 in directions toward and toward relative to each other.

[0024] The needle feed unit 5 includes a first locking part 50 that locks onto the connecting needle 11. The first locking part 50 is rotatably attached to the needle feed unit 5 with respect to the first support shaft 51. The first locking part 50 moves in a direction toward the connecting needle 11 and in a direction toward away from the connecting needle 11 as it passes through the needle passage 23 by rotating with respect to the first support shaft 51.

[0025] Furthermore, the needle feeding unit 5 includes a first locking biasing unit 52 that biases the first locking unit 50. The first locking biasing unit 52 biases the first locking unit 50 in a direction that approaches the connecting needle 11 passing through the needle passage 23.

[0026] The needle feed unit 5 is supported so as to be movable along the needle passage 23 through which the connecting needle 11 passes. The needle feed unit 5 is also biased by the first feed biasing unit 53 in the direction of the feed of the connecting needle 11. The needle feed unit 5 is driven by the drive unit 4 via the first link 40 and the second link 41, and moves in the direction opposite to the feed direction of the connecting needle 11, and is also biased by the first feed biasing unit 53 to move in the direction of the feed of the connecting needle 11.

[0027] The first locking portion 50 is supported by the first support shaft 51 on its rear side along the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11, and extends diagonally upward toward the front side along the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11.

[0028] As a result, when the needle feed unit 5 moves in the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11, a force is generated that causes the first locking part 50, which is biased by the first locking biasing part 52, to rotate further around the first support shaft 51 as a pivot point, in a direction that brings it closer to the connecting needle 11 passing through the needle passage 23. Therefore, when the needle feed unit 5 moves in the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11, the first locking part 50 is locked to the connecting needle 11, and the connecting needle 11 is fed.

[0029] Furthermore, when the needle feed unit 5 moves in the opposite direction to the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11, a force is generated that rotates the first locking part 50 around the first support shaft 51 as a pivot point, moving it away from the connecting needle 11 passing through the needle passage 23. Therefore, when the needle feed unit 5 moves in the opposite direction to the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11, the locking of the first locking part 50 is released, the connecting needle 11 is not fed, and the needle feed unit 5 moves in the opposite direction to the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11.

[0030] The forming plate 6 is supported so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the direction in which the needle passage 23 extends. The direction of movement of the forming plate 6 is intersecting the direction in which the unformed needle 10bf extends and the direction in which the unformed needle 10bf is connected in the connecting needle 11 passing through the needle passage 23.

[0031] The forming plate 6 is provided with a first drive hole 61 into which a drive shaft 42, driven by the drive unit 4 via a first link 40, fits. The forming plate 6 is driven by the drive unit 4 via the first link 40 and the drive shaft 42, and moves in a direction intersecting the direction in which the unformed needle 10bf extends and the direction in which the unformed needle 10bf is connected. The first drive hole 61 is elongated in shape and extends along the direction of movement of the forming plate 6, and depending on the position of the drive shaft 42 driven by the drive unit 4 via the first link 40, the forming plate 6 can be switched between a state in which the forming plate 6 moves in conjunction with the drive shaft 42 and a state in which the forming plate 6 does not move in conjunction with the drive shaft 42.

[0032] The driver plate 7 is supported so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the direction in which the needle passage 23 extends. The direction of movement of the driver plate 7 is along the direction in which the needle leg portion 10re extends in the molded needle 10af, and is parallel to the direction of movement of the forming plate 6. The driver plate 7 is positioned with a gap of one needle width between it and the forming plate 6.

[0033] The driver plate 7 is provided with a second drive hole 71 into which the drive shaft 42 is inserted. The driver plate 7 is driven by the drive unit 4 via the first link 40 and the drive shaft 42, and moves along the direction in which the needle leg portion 10re extends in the molded needle 10af. The length of the second drive hole 71 along the direction of movement of the driver plate 7 is approximately equal to the diameter of the drive shaft 42, and the driver plate 7 moves in conjunction with the drive shaft 42 which is driven by the drive unit 4 via the first link 40.

[0034] The ejection passage 8 is provided on the first protrusion 21 and extends in a direction intersecting the needle passage 23.

[0035] The detection unit 100 is provided on the needle-issuing unit 2 and includes a switch unit 101 and an operating unit 102 that operates the switch unit 101. The switch unit 101 is composed of, for example, a microswitch. The operating unit 102 is provided on the front end side of the needle-issuing unit 2 and is rotatably supported with respect to an operating shaft 103 provided on the upper side of the front end of the needle-issuing unit 2 as the pivot point. On one side of the operating unit 102, flanking the operating shaft 103, it extends to the first protrusion 21, and the switch unit 101 is attached to the other side.

[0036] The operating part 102 rotates with the operating shaft 103 as a pivot point in a direction approaching the first protrusion 21 and in a direction away from the first protrusion 21. The operating part 102 is biased away from the first protrusion 21 by a biasing member (not shown).

[0037] The detection unit 100 refers to the position where the operating unit 102 is away from the first protrusion 21 as the standby position of the operating unit 102. When the operating unit 102 moves to the standby position, the detection unit 100 turns off the switch unit 101. The switch unit 101 being off means that the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is stopped.

[0038] The detection unit 100 defines the position where the operating unit 102 approaches the first protrusion 21 and the switch unit 101 is in the ON state as the operating position. The ON state of the switch unit 101 means that the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven by a control circuit (not shown) provided on the circuit board 140.

[0039] The detection unit 100 has a detection position P100 for the object to be bound 200 located outside the entrance 121 relative to the insertion unit 120. The direction in which the detection position P100 is located relative to the entrance 121 is a direction that intersects with the direction in which the needle ejection unit 2 and the binding unit 3 face each other. Since the detection unit 100 is configured to detect the object to be bound 200 by the movement of an operating unit 102 that is pressed by the object to be bound 200, the detection position P100 is determined by the operating unit 102.

[0040] In stapler 1A, the detection unit 100 is provided with a detection position P100 by the operating unit 102 above the front end side of the first convex portion 21 with respect to the entrance 121 of the insertion portion 120, that is, in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first convex portion 21 and the second convex portion 31 face each other, on the side opposite to the direction from the entrance 121 toward the wall portion 130 and along one side in the direction in which the first convex portion 21 and the second convex portion 31 face each other.

[0041] <Operation example of stapler in the first embodiment> FIGS. 4 and 5 are side views showing an example of the operation of the stapler in the first embodiment. The object to be stapled 200 is in a form called a blister pack in which a resin cover having a convex portion 201 for storing an article is covered on a paper mount, for example.

[0042] The following operation is an example in which the convex portion 201 of the object to be stapled 200 is oriented upward, which is the side where the needle punching portion 2 is provided, and the mount and the cover are stapled at the peripheral edge portion 202 of the convex portion 201.

[0043] The stapler 1A places the object to be stapled 200 between the needle punching portion 2 and the stapling portion 3 with the convex portion 201 of the object to be stapled 200 oriented upward, which is the side where the needle punching portion 2 is provided.

[0044] In the operation of placing the object to be stapled 200 between the needle punching portion 2 and the stapling portion 3, the operating unit 102 of the detection unit 100 is pushed by the convex portion 201 of the object to be stapled 200. When the operating unit 102 of the detection unit 100 is pushed, the operating unit 102 approaches the first convex portion 21 and moves to the operating position. When the operating unit y 102 moves to the operating position, the switch unit 101 is turned on. When the switch unit 101 is turned on, the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven by a control circuit (not shown) provided on the substrate 140.

[0045] When the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the stapler 1A moves in a direction in which the needle punching portion 2 approaches the stapling portion 3, and the object to be stapled 200 is sandwiched between the needle punching portion 2 and the stapling portion 3.

[0046] Further, when the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the stapler 1A drives the drive shaft 42 via the first link 40, and the driver plate 7 moves in conjunction with the drive shaft 42. When the driver plate 7 moves, the stapler 1A ejects the formed needle 10af.

[0047] Further, when the pair of needle legs 10re of the formed needle 10af ejected by the operation of the driver plate 7 is pressed against the clincher 32 of the binding part 3, the stapler 1A bends the pair of needle legs 10re, and binds the binding target 200.

[0048] Further, when the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the stapler 1A drives the drive shaft 42 via the first link 40, and the forming plate 6 moves in conjunction with the drive shaft 42. When the forming plate 6 moves, the stapler 1A forms the next unformed needle 10bf.

[0049] Further, when the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the stapler 1A drives the second link 41 via the first link 40. The needle feeding part 5 moves in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11, and is biased by the first feeding biasing part 53 to move in the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11.

[0050] When the needle feeding part 5 moves in the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11, the stapler 1A feeds the connecting needle 11 until the formed needle 10af reaches the ejection position by the driver plate 7.

[0051] <Configuration example of stapler according to the second embodiment> Fig. 6 is a side sectional view showing an example of the stapler according to the second embodiment, Fig. 7 is a side view showing an example of the stapler according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the stapler according to the second embodiment.

[0052] In the stapler 1B according to the second embodiment, parts having the same configuration as those of the stapler 1A according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will be described.

[0053] In the second embodiment of the stapler 1B, the detection unit 100 is provided on the stapling unit 3. The detection unit 100 comprises a switch unit 101 and an operating unit 102 that operates the switch unit 101. The switch unit 101 is composed of, for example, a microswitch. The operating unit 102 is provided on the front end side of the stapling unit 3 and is rotatably supported with respect to an operating shaft 103 provided on the lower side of the front end of the stapling unit 3 as a pivot point. On one side of the operating shaft 103, the operating unit 102 extends to the second protrusion 31, and on the other side, it extends to a position facing the switch unit 101.

[0054] The operating part 102 rotates with the operating shaft 103 as a pivot point in a direction approaching the second protrusion 31 and in a direction away from the second protrusion 31. The operating part 102 is biased by the biasing member 104 in the direction away from the second protrusion 31.

[0055] The detection unit 100 refers to the position where the operating unit 102 is away from the second protrusion 31 as the standby position of the operating unit 102. When the operating unit 102 moves to the standby position, the detection unit 100 turns off the switch unit 101. The switch unit 101 being off means that the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is stopped.

[0056] The detection unit 100 defines the position where the operating unit 102 approaches the second protrusion 31 and the switch unit 101 is in the ON state as the operating position. The ON state of the switch unit 101 means that the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven by a control circuit (not shown) provided on the circuit board 140.

[0057] The detection unit 100 has a detection position P100 for the object to be bound 200 located outside the entrance 121 relative to the insertion unit 120. Since the detection unit 100 detects the object to be bound 200 by the movement of an operating unit 102 that is pressed by the object to be bound 200, the detection position P100 is determined by the operating unit 102.

[0058] In stapler 1B, the detection unit 100 is located below the entrance 121 of the insertion unit 120, on the front end side of the second protrusion 31, that is, in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 31 face each other, and on the opposite side from the direction toward the wall 130, and on the other side along the direction in which the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 31 face each other. This detection position P100 is provided by the operating unit 102.

[0059] <Example of operation of the stapler in the second embodiment> Figures 9 and 10 are side views showing an example of operation of the stapler in the second embodiment. The object to be stapled 200 is in a form called a blister pack, and the following operation is an example in which the convex portion 201 of the object to be stapled 200 is facing downwards, on the side where the staple portion 3 is provided, and the backing paper and cover are stapled together with the peripheral portion 202 of the convex portion 201.

[0060] In the stapler 1B, the object to be stapled 200 is positioned with its convex portion 201 facing downwards, towards the side where the staple portion 3 is located, and the object to be stapled 200 is placed between the staple dispensing portion 2 and the staple portion 3.

[0061] When the object to be bound 200 is placed between the needle-punching unit 2 and the binding unit 3, the convex portion 201 of the object to be bound 200 presses the operating portion 102 of the detection unit 100. When the operating portion 102 of the detection unit 100 is pressed, the operating portion 102 approaches the second convex portion 31 and moves to the operating position. When the operating portion 102 moves to the operating position, the switch unit 101 turns ON. When the switch unit 101 turns ON, the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven by a control circuit (not shown) provided on the circuit board 140.

[0062] When the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the stapler 1B moves the staple dispensing unit 2 toward the stapling unit 3, and the object to be stapled 200 is held between the staple dispensing unit 2 and the stapling unit 3.

[0063] Furthermore, in the stapler 1B, the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 drives the drive shaft 42 via the first link 40, and the driver plate 7 moves in conjunction with the drive shaft 42. As the driver plate 7 moves, the stapler 1B ejects the pre-formed staples 10af.

[0064] Furthermore, the stapler 1B is bent when the pair of needle legs 10re of the pre-formed staple 10af, which is ejected by the operation of the driver plate 7, are pressed against the clincher 32 of the stapling section 3, thereby stapling the object to be stapled 200.

[0065] Furthermore, in the stapler 1B, the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 drives the drive shaft 42 via the first link 40, and the forming plate 6 moves in conjunction with the drive shaft 42. As the forming plate 6 moves in the stapler 1B, the next unformed staple 10bf is formed.

[0066] Furthermore, when the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the second link 41 is driven via the first link 40, causing the staple feed unit 5 to move in the opposite direction to the feeding direction of the connecting staples 11, and is also biased by the first feed biasing unit 53 to move in the feeding direction of the connecting staples 11.

[0067] In the stapler 1B, the staple feeding unit 5 moves in the feeding direction of the connecting staple 11, so that the connecting staple 11 is fed until the molded staple 10af reaches the ejection position by the driver plate 7.

[0068] <Example of the configuration of the stapler of the third embodiment> Figure 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the stapler of the third embodiment, and Figure 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the stapler of the third embodiment.

[0069] In the stapler 1C of the third embodiment, parts having the same configuration as the stapler 1A of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and described accordingly.

[0070] In the third embodiment, the stapler 1C has a detection unit 100 mounted on a support unit 151 attached to a main frame unit 150, which is a non-movable part. The main frame unit 150 is located at the rear opposite to the insertion unit 120, where the stapling unit 3 is supported in a non-movable manner, and the staple dispensing unit 2 is supported in a movable manner. The support unit 151 is supported at the rear upper part of the main frame unit 150 and extends from the rear upper part of the main frame unit 150 towards the front end of the staple dispensing unit 2.

[0071] The detection unit 100 includes a switch unit 101 and an operating unit 102 that operates the switch unit 101. The switch unit 101 is, for example, composed of a microswitch. The operating unit 102 is provided on the front end side of the support unit 151 and is rotatably supported with an operating shaft 103 provided at the front end of the support unit 151 as a pivot point. One side of the operating unit 102, flanking the operating shaft 103, extends in front of the needle ejection unit 2 to the first protrusion 21, and the switch unit 101 is attached to the other side.

[0072] The operating part 102 rotates with the operating shaft 103 as a pivot point in a direction approaching the first protrusion 21 and in a direction away from the first protrusion 21. The operating part 102 is biased away from the first protrusion 21 by a biasing member (not shown).

[0073] The detection unit 100 refers to the position where the operating unit 102 is away from the first protrusion 21 as the standby position of the operating unit 102. When the operating unit 102 moves to the standby position, the detection unit 100 turns off the switch unit 101. The switch unit 101 being off means that the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is stopped.

[0074] The detection unit 100 defines the position where the operating unit 102 approaches the first protrusion 21 and the switch unit 101 is in the ON state as the operating position. The ON state of the switch unit 101 means that the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven by a control circuit (not shown) provided on the circuit board 140.

[0075] The detection unit 100 has a detection position P100 for the object to be bound 200 located outside the entrance 121 relative to the insertion unit 120. Since the detection unit 100 detects the object to be bound 200 by the movement of an operating unit 102 that is pressed by the object to be bound 200, the detection position P100 is determined by the operating unit 102.

[0076] In stapler 1C, similar to stapler 1A, the detection unit 100 has a detection position P100 provided above the entrance 121 of the insertion unit 120, on the front end side of the first protrusion 21, that is, in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 31 face each other, on the opposite side from the direction toward the wall 130, and on one side along the direction in which the first protrusion 21 and the second protrusion 31 face each other.

[0077] <Example of operation of the stapler in the third embodiment> The example of operation of stapler 1C is similar to the example of operation of stapler 1A shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the convex portion 201 of the object to be stapled 200, which is in the form of a blister pack, is facing downwards, with the staple-punching portion 2 being the side that is provided, and the backing paper and cover are stapled together with the peripheral portion 202 of the convex portion 201.

[0078] In the stapler 1C, the object to be stapled 200 is positioned with its convex portion 201 facing downwards, towards the side where the staple-punching portion 2 is located, as shown in Figure 4, and the object to be stapled 200 is placed between the staple-punching portion 2 and the staple-binding portion 3.

[0079] When the object to be bound 200 is placed between the needle-punching unit 2 and the binding unit 3, the convex portion 201 of the object to be bound 200 presses the operating portion 102 of the detection unit 100. When the operating portion 102 of the detection unit 100 is pressed, the operating portion 102 approaches the second convex portion 31 and moves to the operating position. When the operating portion 102 moves to the operating position, the switch unit 101 turns ON. When the switch unit 101 turns ON, the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven by a control circuit (not shown) provided on the circuit board 140.

[0080] When the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the stapler 1C moves the staple dispensing unit 2 toward the stapling unit 3, and the object to be stapled 200 is held between the staple dispensing unit 2 and the stapling unit 3.

[0081] The stapler 1C has a support part 151 attached to the main frame part 150, which is a non-movable part, where the detection part 100 is located. As a result, when the staple dispensing part 2 moves toward the stapling part 3, the operating part 102 does not move in conjunction with the staple dispensing part 2.

[0082] In stapler 1C, the operations of stapling the objects to be stapled with staples, forming the staples 10, and feeding the staples 10 are the same as in stapler 1A.

[0083] <Examples of the operation and effects of staplers in each embodiment> Conventional staplers have been proposed in which a detection unit is provided near the inner wall of the insertion part into which the object to be stapled is inserted, and when the detection unit detects the object to be stapled, the staple operation is performed.

[0084] In contrast, when fastening an object 200 in the form of a blister pack with staples 10 near the peripheral edge 202 of the object 200, the object 200 is not inserted all the way to the wall of the insertion section, and therefore the object 200 cannot be detected by the detection unit located near the wall of the insertion section. For this reason, it is necessary to operate a switch unit to perform the fastening operation separately from the operation of inserting the object 200 into the insertion section.

[0085] Therefore, considering the case where the convex portion 201 of the object to be stapled 200 is facing upward and the peripheral portion 202 is stapled, the staplers 1A and 1C are equipped with an operating part 102 of the detection unit 100 on the front end side of the staple ejection unit 2, which is outside the entrance 121 relative to the insertion unit 120.

[0086] Furthermore, considering the case where the convex portion 201 of the object to be stapled 200 faces downward and the peripheral portion 202 is stapled, the stapler 1B is equipped with an operating part 102 of the detection unit 100 on the front end side of the stapler 3, which is outside the entrance 121 relative to the insertion unit 120.

[0087] As a result, when the object to be bound 200 is inserted into the insertion section 120 between the needle-punching section 2 and the binding section 3, the convex portion 201 of the object to be bound 200 presses the operating section 102 of the detection section 100, and the binding operation is performed.

[0088] In this way, by utilizing the convex portion 201 of the object to be bound 200, it becomes possible to detect that the object to be bound 200 has been inserted to a predetermined position outside the entrance 121 of the insertion portion 120. Therefore, in the case of an object to be bound 200 in the form of a blister pack, when fastening the vicinity of the peripheral portion 202 of the object to be bound 200 with staples 10, the fastening operation can be performed by inserting the object to be bound 200 into the insertion portion 120 between the staple dispensing portion 2 and the fastening portion 3.

[0089] Furthermore, since there is no need to operate the switch unit to perform the binding operation separately from the operation of inserting the object to be bound 200 into the insertion unit 120, the operation procedure is simplified. In addition, since there is no need to operate the switch unit to perform the binding operation separately from the operation of inserting the object to be bound 200 into the insertion unit 120, the time required from inserting the object to be bound 200 into the insertion unit 120 to the completion of the binding operation can be shortened.

[0090] Furthermore, in the stapler 1C, when the staple-issuing section 2 moves toward the stapling section 3, the operating section 102 does not move in conjunction with the staple-issuing section 2. This prevents the operating section 102 from rubbing against the object to be stapled 200 when the staple-issuing section 2 moves toward the stapling section 3.

[0091] <Examples of stapler configurations in other embodiments> The detection unit 100 may be configured to be detachably attached to the staple dispensing unit 2 and the stapling unit 3, or the detection unit 100 may be selectively attached to either the staple dispensing unit 2 or the stapling unit 3, or both.

[0092] Furthermore, by providing a detection position for a detection unit (not shown) that detects the object to be bound 200 near the wall portion 130 of the insertion portion 120, when binding an object to be bound 200 that does not have a convex portion 201, or when binding an object to be bound 200 that has a convex portion 201 but the distance from the convex portion 201 to the binding position is long, the binding operation can be performed when the object to be bound 200 is detected at the detection position near the wall portion of the insertion portion 120.

[0093] Furthermore, the detection unit may be configured to have detection positions outside the entrance 121, on at least one side in a direction intersecting the direction in which the needle ejection unit 2 and the binding unit 3 face each other, and detection positions may be provided on at least one side of the first protrusion 21 and at least one side of the second protrusion 31.

[0094] Furthermore, the detection unit may be a pressure sensor that detects contact with the object to be bound 200 by changes in pressure, and the detection position by the pressure sensor may be provided, for example, on the front end side of the first protrusion 21 or on the front end side of the second protrusion 31.

[0095] Furthermore, the detection unit may be a non-contact sensor such as an optical sensor. For example, the path of light emitted from the light-emitting element and incident on the light-receiving element may be configured to pass outside the entrance 121 of the insertion unit 120, thereby forming a detection position outside the entrance 121 of the insertion unit 120.

[0096] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiments may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0097] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2024-192231) filed on October 31, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated by reference within this application.

[0098] 1A, 1B, 1C... Stapler 2... Staple ejection section 20... First opposing section 21... First protrusion 23... Staple passage 3... Binding section 30... Second opposing section 31... Second protrusion 32... Clincher 4... Drive section 40... First link 41... Second link 42... Drive shaft 43... Motor 5... Staple feeding section 50... First locking section 51... First support shaft 52... First locking biasing section 53... First feeding biasing section 6... Forming plate 61... First drive hole section 7... Driver plate 71... Second drive hole section 8... Ejection passage 100... Detection section 101... Switch section 102... Actuator section 103... Actuator shaft P100... Detection position 110... Connecting shaft 120... Insertion section 121... Entrance 130... Wall section 140... Circuit board 150... Main frame 151... Support part 200... Object to be bound 201... Convex part 202... Peripheral part

Claims

1. A stapler comprising: a needle-punching section for ejecting needles; a stapling section for bending a pair of needle legs of the needles ejected by the needle-punching section; a drive section for performing a stapling operation on an object to be stapled with needles; and a detection section for activating the drive section upon detection of the object to be stapled, wherein the needle-punching section and the stapling section face each other along the direction of needle ejection, an insertion section for the object to be stapled is formed between the needle-punching section and the stapling section, and the detection position for the object to be stapled is provided outside the entrance of the insertion section.

2. The stapler according to claim 1, wherein the detection position of the detection unit is located outside the entrance and is provided in a direction intersecting the direction in which the needle dispensing unit and the stapling unit face each other.

3. The stapler according to claim 1, wherein the detection position is provided on the side of the detection unit, outside the entrance, in a direction intersecting the direction in which the needle ejection unit and the stapling unit face each other.

4. The stapler according to claim 1, wherein the detection position is provided on the side of the staple ejection portion, in the direction in which the staple ejection portion and the stapling portion face each other, outside the entrance.

5. The stapler according to claim 1, wherein the detection position is provided on the side of the staple portion, outside the entrance, in a direction in which the needle ejection portion and the staple portion face each other.

6. The stapler according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects contact with the object to be stapled.

7. The stapler according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit detects contact with the object to be stapled by movement along the insertion direction of the object to be stapled relative to the insertion unit.

8. The stapler according to claim 7, wherein the detection unit comprises an operating unit that moves along the insertion direction of the object to be stapled relative to the insertion unit, and a switch unit that detects the movement of the operating unit.

9. The stapler according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit detects contact with the object to be stapled by a change in pressure.

10. The stapler according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to be detachable.

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