Crimp Binder Staged Binding for Media Bundle Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium processing apparatuses face challenges in firmly binding large bundles of recording media using crimp binding, as the binding force is not effectively transmitted to the middle parts of the bundle, leading to potential separation.

Innovation Solution

A medium processing apparatus comprising a placing portion, a crimp binder, and a control unit that applies pressure to deform the media and bind them as a crimp binding process. The control unit performs the crimp binding process when M sheets of media are placed, and again when N sheets are placed, ensuring firm binding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If crimp binding is performed on a large number of media sheets, then the resource saving and environmental benefit are improved, but the binding force transmission to middle parts deteriorates causing separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding strengthVSAvoidbinding force transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The binding process is divided into multiple stages: initial binding when M sheets are stacked, followed by additional binding when N sheets are stacked. This segmentation allows the binding mechanism to effectively handle different bundle sizes, ensuring reliable binding for both small and large numbers of sheets without causing separation in the middle parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The crimp binder performs preliminary binding when M sheets are placed on the stacking tray before the final binding when N sheets are placed. This preliminary action creates an initial binding structure that prevents sheets from shifting during subsequent operations, ensuring that the final binding is uniform and secure throughout the entire bundle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the number of media sheets in the bundle increases, then the productivity is improved, but the binding reliability deteriorates due to insufficient binding force transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding efficiencyVSAvoidbundle integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The binding system dynamically adjusts its operation based on the number of sheets detected. When M sheets are detected, the first binding operation is executed; when N sheets are detected, the second binding operation is executed. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal binding reliability regardless of bundle size, maintaining integrity even as productivity increases with larger bundles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit monitors the number of sheets on the stacking tray and provides feedback to determine when to perform binding operations. This feedback mechanism ensures that binding is performed at the appropriate moments (when M or N sheets are present), preventing both under-binding and over-binding, thus maintaining bundle integrity while maximizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus effectively binds multiple media sheets into a firm bundle, preventing separation, even with larger numbers of sheets, by strategically applying pressure and liquid to enhance crimping strength.

Implementation Method 1

The crimp binder applies pressure and deforms the multiple media to bind the multiple media on the placing portion as a crimp binding process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4560402A1Medium processing apparatus and image forming system incorporating same
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4560402A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4560402A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4560402A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A medium processing apparatus (3) includes a placing portion (22), a crimp binder (32), and a control unit (100). Multiple media (P) including a medium (P) are placed on the placing portion (22). The crimp binder (32) applies pressure and deforms the multiple media (P) to bind the multiple media (P) on the placing portion (22) as a crimp binding process. The control unit (100) is to, when binding N sheets of the multiple media, cause the crimp binder (32) to perform the crimp binding process when M sheets of the multiple media smaller than the N sheets (M < N) are placed on the placing portion (22), and cause the crimp binder (32) to perform the crimp binding process again when all the N sheets of the multiple media are placed on the placing portion (22).