Stapler

Abstract

A stapler (1) comprises: a staple ejection part (2) that ejects a staple; a binding part (3) that is provided at a position opposite of the staple ejection part (2) and bends a pair of staple leg parts of the staple ejected by the staple ejection part (2); a drive part (4) that moves the staple ejection part (2) and the binding part (3) in a direction so as to relatively approach each other and in a direction so as to relatively separate from each other, and executes a binding operation of an object to be bound by the staple; and a tension spring (47) that biases the staple ejection part (2) and the binding part (3) in the direction so as to relatively approach each other.

Description

Stapler

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

[0002] Conventionally, a stapler has been proposed that drives a needle into an object to be stitched, such as a stack of papers, to stitch it. An electric stapler driven by a motor raises and lowers a table and a clincher arm by a combination of a link driven by a cam and a guide groove that forms a cam action, and the object to be stitched is clamped and the clamping is released (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-147203

[0004] In a conventional stapler, when an object to be stitched, such as copy paper, is pressed by a table and a driver guide, the object to be stitched is clamped by the spring force of a spring that acts in the direction opposite to the driving direction. The spring force of this spring becomes a load on the operation of clamping the object to be stitched, and the time until the object to be stitched is clamped becomes longer. When the time until the object to be stitched is clamped becomes longer, for the operator, the time of the work cycle for a series of stitching operations feels sensibly longer. Also, as an object to be stitched other than copy paper, for example, when folding and stitching an elastic material such as a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material of a blister pack, if the force for pressing the object to be stitched is insufficient, it is likely to lead to poor stitching.

[0005] Therefore, a stapler is provided that can shorten the time until an object to be stitched is clamped and can surely press the object to be stitched.

[0006] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a stapler includes a needle punching portion that punches out a needle, a stitching portion provided at a position facing the needle punching portion and that bends a pair of needle legs of the needle punched out by the needle punching portion, a driving portion that moves the needle punching portion and the stitching portion in directions approaching and separating from each other and executes a stitching operation of an object to be stitched with the needle, and a biasing portion that biases the needle punching portion and the stitching portion in a direction approaching each other.

[0007] According to this disclosure, when the drive unit performs a binding operation on the object to be bound, the force biased by the biasing unit and the force from the drive unit cause the staple-punching unit and the binding unit to move in a direction that brings them relatively closer together, thereby clamping the object to be bound between the staple-punching unit and the binding unit. With the object to be bound clamped between the staple-punching unit and the binding unit, staples are punched out by the staple-punching unit, and the pair of staple legs of the staples punched out by the staple-punching unit are bent by the binding unit, thereby binding the object to be bound with staples. Then, the clamping of the object to be bound is released as the staple-punching unit and the binding unit move in a direction that brings them relatively apart.

[0008] According to this disclosure, the biasing force from the biasing unit and the force from the drive unit cause the staple-punching unit and the staple-binding unit to move in a direction that brings them relatively closer together. This shortens the time from when the drive unit is driven and the staple-binding operation begins until the object to be stapled is held between the staple-punching unit and the staple-binding unit, resulting in a perceived reduction in the time required for a series of staple-binding operations. Furthermore, when bending and stapling elastic materials such as PET material used in blister packs, the object to be stapled is reliably compressed, making it less likely for stapling defects to occur.

[0009] This is an exploded side view showing an example of the stapler of this embodiment. This is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the stapler of this embodiment. This is a perspective view showing an example of the stapler of this embodiment. This is an exploded side view showing an example of the operation of the stapler of this embodiment. This is an exploded side view showing an example of the operation of the stapler of this 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 this embodiment> Figure 1 is an exploded side view showing an example of the stapler of this embodiment, Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the stapler of this embodiment, and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the stapler of this embodiment.

[0012] The stapler 1 of this 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 1 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 1, 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 a connecting shaft 110 is referred to as the rear side. Also, in stapler 1, 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 1 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 1 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] The stapler 1 has an insertion section 120 formed between the staple dispensing section 2 and the stapling section 3. The insertion section 120 connects from between the first protrusion 21 of the staple dispensing section 2 and the second protrusion 31 of the stapling section 3 to between the first opposing section 20 of the staple dispensing section 2 and the second opposing section 30 of the stapling section 3. When the staple dispensing 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 object to be stapled 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 45 such as a cam 44, to move the needle ejection unit 2 and the binding unit 3 in directions toward and toward relative to each other. The transmission mechanism 45 includes a rotationally driven cam 44 and a cam follower 46 that contacts the cam 44. The cam 44 has a regulating surface 44a on its outer circumference that restricts the position of the cam follower 46 and holds it in a standby state with an open gap between the needle ejection unit 2 and the binding unit 3, and a regulating release surface 44b that, when the cam 44 is rotationally driven, releases the restriction on the position of the cam follower 46 and releases the holding of the needle ejection unit 2 and the binding unit 3 in a standby state with an open gap by the regulating surface 44a. The cam 44 is configured such that the distance from the rotation axis 44c to the outer circumference changes along the circumferential direction, and the distance from the rotation axis 44c to the restricting release surface 44b is shorter than the distance from the rotation axis 44c to the restricting surface 44a. The cam follower 46 is provided on the first link 40.

[0024] In the drive unit 4, when the transmission mechanism 45 is driven by the motor 43, the first link 40 operates by rotating around the pivot shaft 40a, and the second link 41 operates via the first link 40. Also, in the drive unit 4, when the cam 44 rotates, the position where the regulating surface 44a and the cam follower 46 contact changes, and the staple issuing section 2 and the binding section 3 move in directions that bring them relatively closer together and further apart. The cam 44 is provided between the tip of the first link 40 (the drive shaft 42 described later) and the pivot shaft 40a.

[0025] The stapler 1 is equipped with a tension spring 47 that pulls the staple dispensing section 2 and the stapling section 3 in a direction that brings them relatively closer together. The tension spring 47 is an example of a tensioning section, and any biasing section that biases the staple dispensing section 2 and the stapling section 3 in a direction that brings them relatively closer together may be used. The tension spring 47 is composed of, for example, an expandable and contractible tension coil spring.

[0026] The tension spring 47 is located behind the wall portion 130 between the connecting shaft 110 and the insertion portion 120, and is provided between the staple dispensing portion 2 and the binding portion 3, applying a pulling force in the direction that brings the staple dispensing portion 2 and the binding portion 3 closer together. The tension spring 47 is provided on both the left and right sides of the binding portion 3, preventing the force pulling the staple dispensing portion 2 toward the binding portion 3 from becoming unevenly distributed. Note that the biasing portion is not limited to a tension spring; a torsion spring or a compression spring may also be used, as long as it biases the staple dispensing portion 2 and the binding portion 3 closer together.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The ejection passage 8 is provided on the first protrusion 21 and extends in a direction intersecting the needle passage 23.

[0038] <Example of Operation of the Stapler of This Embodiment> Figures 4 and 5 are exploded side views showing an example of the operation of the stapler of this embodiment. The stapler 1 is held in a standby state with the drive unit 4 open between the staple dispensing unit 2 and the stapling unit 3. That is, in the standby state with the staple dispensing unit 2 and the stapling unit 3 open, as shown in Figure 1, the cam follower 46 is in contact with the restricting surface 44a of the cam 44, and the tension spring 47 is held in an extended state against the biasing force of the spring.

[0039] When the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, and the transmission mechanism 45 is driven by the motor 43, the staple ejection unit 2 moves in the direction of arrow D, approaching the stapling unit 3. Also, when the transmission mechanism 45 is driven by the motor 43, and the cam 44 rotates in the direction of arrow C, the point where the cam follower 46 contacts the cam 44 changes from a restricting surface 44a to a release surface 44b, as shown in Figure 4. As a result, the tension spring 47, which is held in an extended state by the restricting surface 44a, is released when the cam 44 is rotated, and the force of the tension spring 47 allows the staple ejection unit 2 to move in the direction approaching the stapling unit 3.

[0040] Therefore, with the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 applying a force that moves the staple-punching unit 2 toward the binding unit 3, and the tensioning force applied by the tension spring 47, the staple-punching unit 2 moves toward the binding unit 3, and as shown in Figure 5, the object to be bound 200 is held between the staple-punching unit 2 and the binding unit 3.

[0041] Further, when the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the stapler 1 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 1 ejects the formed needle 10af.

[0042] 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 portion 3, the stapler 1 bends the pair of needle legs 10re, and binds the binding target 200.

[0043] Further, when the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the stapler 1 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 1 forms the next unformed needle 10bf.

[0044] When the forming plate 6 moves to the forming end position, the stapler 1 further drives the motor 43 of the drive unit 4, drives the drive shaft 42 via the first link 40, moves the forming plate 6 upward to the standby position, and moves the driver plate 7 upward to the standby position.

[0045] Further, when the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven and the transmission mechanism 45 is driven by the motor 43 to further rotate the cam 44, the position where the regulating surface 44a contacts the cam follower 46 changes, the needle ejection portion 2 moves in a direction away from the binding portion 3, and the clamping of the binding target 200 between the first convex portion 21 and the second convex portion 31 is released.

[0046] Further, when the motor 43 of the drive unit 4 is driven, the stapler 1 drives the second link 41 via the first link 40, the needle feeding portion 5 moves in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11, and is biased by the first feeding biasing portion 53 to move in the feeding direction of the connecting needle 1第十一条。

[0047] When the needle feeding portion 5 moves in the feeding direction of the connecting needle 11, the stapler 1 feeds the connecting needle 11 until the formed needle 10af reaches the ejection position by the driver plate 7.

[0048] Note that the stapler 1 includes, in the needle punching portion 2, a first opposing portion 20 facing the binding portion 3 and a first convex portion 21 protruding from the first opposing portion 20 in the direction of the binding portion 3, whereby a first opposing portion 20 having a concave shape is formed on the rear side of the first convex portion 21.

[0049] Further, the stapler 1 includes, in the binding portion 3, a second opposing portion 30 facing the needle punching portion 2 and a second convex portion 31 protruding from the second opposing portion 30 in the direction of the needle punching portion 2, whereby a second opposing portion 30 having a concave shape is formed on the rear side of the second convex portion 31.

[0050] Thus, when the object to be bound 200 is in a form called a blister pack, the stapler 1 can insert the object to be bound 200 into the insertion portion 120 until the convex portion faces the concave portion formed by the first opposing portion 20 or the concave portion formed by the second opposing portion 30, and bind the object to be bound 200 with the needle 10.

[0051] <Example of the action and effect of the stapler according to the present embodiment> When the driving portion 4 executes the binding operation of the object to be bound 200, the stapler 1 is pulled by the tension spring 47 in the direction of the binding portion 3 and the transmission mechanism 45 of the driving portion 4 tries to move the needle punching portion 2 with respect to the binding portion 3. Thus, the needle punching portion 2 moves in the direction approaching the binding portion 3, and the object to be bound 200 is sandwiched between the needle punching portion 2 and the binding portion 3.

[0052] Further, in a state where the object to be bound 200 is sandwiched between the needle punching portion 2 and the binding portion 3, the needle 10 is punched out by the needle punching portion 2, and the pair of needle legs 10re of the needle 10 punched out by the needle punching portion 2 are bent by the binding portion 3, whereby the object to be bound 200 is bound with the needle 10. Then, when the needle punching portion 2 moves in the direction away from the binding portion 3, the sandwiching of the object to be bound 200 is released.

[0053] In stapler 1, the tension spring 47 and the drive unit 4 cause the staple ejection unit 2 to move toward the stapling unit 3, making the speed at which the staple ejection unit 2 moves toward the stapling unit 3 faster compared to when there is no tension spring 47. As a result, the time from when the motor 43 is driven and the stapling operation begins until the object to be stapled 200 is held between the staple ejection unit 2 and the stapling unit 3 in a series of stapling operations can be shortened.

[0054] Furthermore, when the staple-punching unit 2 moves away from the stapling unit 3, the tension spring 47 acts as a load by pulling. However, once the staple-punching unit 2 begins to move away from the stapling unit 3, the operator can begin to remove the object to be stapled 200 from between the staple-punching unit 2 and the stapling unit 3, so the time taken for the series of stapled operations will feel shorter to the operator.

[0055] Furthermore, when folding and binding elastic materials such as PET material used in blister packs, the tension spring 47 exerts a force that pulls the needle-punching section 2 toward the binding section 3, ensuring that the object to be bound is reliably compressed, making binding defects less likely.

[0056] 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.

[0057] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2024-192280) filed on October 31, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] 1... 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 40a... Pivot shaft 41... Second link 42... Drive shaft 43... Motor 44... Cam 44a... Restricting surface 44b... Restriction release surface 44c... Rotating shaft 45... Transmission mechanism 46... Cam follower 47... Tension spring (tension section, biasing section) 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 110... Connecting shaft 120... Insertion section 130... Wall section 140... Substrate 200... Object to be bound

Claims

1. A stapler comprising: a staple-punching section for ejecting staples; a binding section provided opposite the staple-punching section for bending a pair of staple legs of the staples ejected by the staple-punching section; a drive section for moving the staple-punching section and the binding section toward and toward each other to perform a staple operation on an object to be stapled with staples; and a biasing section for biasing the staple-punching section and the binding section toward each other.

2. The stapler according to claim 1, wherein the biasing portion is provided between the staple-punching portion and the stapling portion and is a tensioning portion that pulls in a direction that brings the staple-punching portion and the stapling portion closer together.

3. The stapler according to claim 2, wherein the drive unit is held in a standby state with an open space between the staple dispensing unit and the stapling unit.

4. The stapler according to claim 3, wherein the drive unit comprises a rotationally driven cam, and the cam comprises a regulating surface that holds the staple ejection unit and the stapling unit in the standby state.

5. The stapler according to claim 4, wherein the cam is provided with a restriction release surface that releases the standby state caused by the restriction surface by rotational drive.

6. The stapler according to claim 3, wherein the tensioning portion is an expandable and contractible tension spring.

7. The stapler according to claim 4, comprising: an insertion portion formed between the staple-issuing portion and the stapling portion; a connecting shaft connecting the staple-issuing portion and the stapling portion; and a wall portion defining the insertion position of the object to be stapled between the insertion portion and the connecting shaft, wherein the biasing portion is provided on the connecting shaft side of the wall portion.

8. The stapler according to claim 7, wherein the cam is provided between the wall portion and the connecting shaft.

9. The stapler according to claim 1, wherein the biasing portion is provided on the side of the binding portion.

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