Liquid Ink Binding for Thick Paper Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure-binding techniques for bundling paper sheets face challenges as the number of sheets increases, with binding teeth struggling to effectively bind larger bundles, leading to inadequate binding due to the inability to penetrate the paper stack.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that applies liquid ink to the binding areas of paper sheets before pressure-binding, using a conveyor and image forming device to ensure proper binding by weakening the paper fibers with ink, eliminating the need for separate water application and optimizing ink usage based on sheet thickness, number, and conveyance distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pressure-binding is performed on a large number of paper sheets, then the paper bundle can be bound, but the binding teeth cannot penetrate the paper stack effectively, resulting in inadequate binding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies liquid ink to the binding areas of paper sheets to change the physical-chemical parameters of the paper fibers. The ink penetrates the fibers and weakens hydrogen bonding, reducing fiber strength and enabling binding teeth to penetrate more effectively through thick paper stacks, thereby resolving the contradiction between binding large quantities of sheets and maintaining binding effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid ink serves as an intermediary substance that mediates between the binding teeth and the paper fibers. The ink acts as a lubricant and fiber-weakening agent, facilitating the penetration of binding teeth through the paper stack while maintaining adequate binding force, thus enabling effective binding of large numbers of sheets
2Reliability
If water is applied to binding areas to weaken hydrogen bonding, then paper sheets can be firmly bound by pressure-binding, but a separate water application process is required, increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming device is given a dual function: it not only forms images on paper sheets but also applies liquid ink to the binding areas to weaken hydrogen bonding for pressure-binding. This eliminates the need for a separate water application device, reducing system complexity while maintaining binding firmness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the image formation function and the binding preparation function into a single integrated process. The liquid ink application for binding preparation is combined with the image formation process, allowing both functions to be performed by the same device and in the same operational sequence, thereby simplifying the overall system
3Reliability
If liquid ink is applied to binding areas, then binding force is enhanced and ink spreading is prevented, but ink consumption must be optimized to reduce operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid ink is applied selectively only to the binding areas of the paper sheets, rather than uniformly across the entire sheet. This localized application ensures that ink is concentrated where it is needed for binding force enhancement, while minimizing overall ink consumption and reducing operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a controlled amount of liquid ink to the binding areas - sufficient to weaken hydrogen bonding and enhance binding force, but not excessive to cause unwanted ink spreading or waste. This optimized application level achieves the desired binding effect while minimizing ink consumption
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
This method enhances the binding force of paper bundles by applying ink to the binding areas, preventing ink spreading and improving image quality, while reducing ink consumption and operational costs through efficient ink usage.
Implementation Method 1
the hydrogen bonding in the paper sheets is weakened by addition of water before the pressure-binding
Implementation Method 2
The image forming device discharges liquid ink to the paper sheet conveyed by the conveyor
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is to supply paper sheets on which images are formed to a post-processing apparatus to pressure-bind binding areas of paper sheets bundled. The image forming apparatus includes a conveyor, an image forming device, and a controller. The conveyor conveys a paper sheet. The image forming device discharges liquid ink to the paper sheet conveyed by the conveyor. The controller repeatedly executes a process of: causing the conveyor to convey the paper sheet to a position facing the image forming device; causing the image forming device to discharge the liquid ink to form an image on the paper sheet; and causing the conveyor to convey the paper sheet on which the image has been formed toward the post-processing apparatus. The controller further causes the image forming device to apply the liquid ink to a binding area of at least one of the paper sheets.