Stapleless Binding Control with Adhesive Pressure and Image Shift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stapleless binding methods often result in insufficient binding strength and reduced visible area when turning pages, as they require larger processing areas to achieve the desired binding strength, leading to poorer visibility compared to conventional staple binding.

Innovation Solution

A print control apparatus and method that adjusts the printing area of image data on sheets during stapleless binding by applying pressure from the top and bottom, using molds with convex and concave shapes to secure sheets tightly, and performing image adjustments through reduction and shift processing to maintain visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If stapleless binding is used to avoid metallic staples, then environmental friendliness is improved, but binding strength becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impact of metallic stapleVSAvoidbinding strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the binding parameters by using adhesive materials with specific properties (viscosity, curing time, bonding strength) to achieve sufficient binding strength without metallic staples. The adhesive is applied in controlled amounts and positions to ensure proper binding while maintaining environmental friendliness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If larger binding area is used to achieve sufficient binding strength in stapleless binding, then binding strength is improved, but visible area of the document becomes narrower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding strengthVSAvoidvisible area of document

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies adhesive material locally at specific positions (margins or binding edges) rather than across the entire binding area. This localized application provides sufficient binding strength while preserving the visible document area, as the adhesive is confined to non-visible or minimal areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses partial action by applying adhesive only at critical binding points or edges rather than covering the entire binding area. This partial application is sufficient to achieve the required binding strength while minimizing the impact on the visible document area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Area of stationary object

If binding is performed at the edge of the document to maximize visible area, then visible area is improved, but binding strength becomes insufficient for stapleless binding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisible area of documentVSAvoidbinding strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention compensates for the reduced binding area at the document edge by adjusting adhesive parameters such as increasing adhesive viscosity, applying higher adhesive concentration, or using adhesive formulations with enhanced bonding strength to achieve sufficient binding strength in the limited edge area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8976406B2Print control apparatus, control method, and storage medium where program is stored for printing image data on sheet, controlling a binding process for binding a plurality of sheets without staple, and adjusting the printing area of the image data to be printed when performing of the binding process

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 CANON KK

AI summary

A print control apparatus performs a print process for printing image data on a sheet, controls a binding process for binding a plurality of sheets without a staple, and adjusts the printing area of the image data to be printed when performance of the binding process is designated.