U.S. patent application number 11/487409 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-01 for bookbinding apparatus and image forming system.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Riichi Hama, Kiyoshi Hata, Masahiro Kaneko, Saburo Shimizu, Kohji Yoshie.
Application Number | 20070045928 11/487409 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37441606 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070045928 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshie; Kohji ; et
al. |
March 1, 2007 |
Bookbinding apparatus and image forming system
Abstract
A bookbinding apparatus for providing wrapping-binding of a
booklet by bonding a cover sheet on the spine portion of a sheet
bundle to wrap the sheet bundle with the cover sheet, wherein the
sheet conveyance path of the bookbinding apparatus includes a notch
forming device to form notches on the end to be coated with
adhesive when the sheet is subjected to bookbinding process.
Inventors: |
Yoshie; Kohji;
(Sagamihara-shi, JP) ; Shimizu; Saburo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Hama; Riichi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kaneko;
Masahiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; Hata; Kiyoshi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Assignee: |
KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
|
Family ID: |
37441606 |
Appl. No.: |
11/487409 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
270/58.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42C 5/04 20130101; G03G
2215/00936 20130101; G03G 15/6544 20130101; B42C 9/0025 20130101;
B42C 11/04 20130101; B42C 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
270/058.08 |
International
Class: |
B65H 33/04 20060101
B65H033/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 31, 2005 |
JP |
JP2005-251000 |
Claims
1. A bookbinding apparatus for bonding a cover sheet to an end
portion of a bundle of sheets and for producing a booklet by
wrapping the bundle of sheets with the cover sheet, the bookbinding
apparatus comprising: a notch forming mechanism for forming
notches, before each sheet is formed into the bundle of sheets, on
an end side of the each sheet to be coated with adhesive.
2. The bookbinding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notch forming
mechanism is positioned in a path for conveyance of a sheet and on
an upstream side, in a conveyance direction of the sheet, of a
sheet bundle storing section where a plurality of sheets are
stacked.
3. The bookbinding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notch forming
mechanism forms notches on one sheet at a time.
4. The bookbinding apparatus of claim 1, structured such that
whether notches are formed on a sheet or not, is selectable.
5. The bookbinding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notch forming
mechanism comprises: a die fixed on a sheet conveyance path; a
punch which has projected blades and is raised and lowered while
fitting the die; and a driving mechanism for raising and lowering
the punch.
6. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus
body including an image forming section for forming an image on a
sheet; and a sheet conveyance mechanism for conveying a sheet, the
image forming system further comprising: a bookbinding apparatus
for forming notches on an end side of a sheet on which an image has
been formed by the image forming apparatus body, for stacking a
plurality of sheets on which the notches have been formed so as to
form a bundle of sheets, for applying adhesive on an end portion of
a side of the bundle of sheets where the notches have been formed,
for bonding a cover sheet thereon, and for wrapping the bundle of
sheets with the cover sheet to make a booklet.
7. The image forming system of claim 6, wherein the bookbinding
apparatus comprises a notch forming mechanism for forming notches
on a sheet on an upstream side, in a conveyance direction of the
sheet, of a sheet bundle storing section where a plurality of
sheets are stacked to make a bundle of sheets.
8. The image forming system of claim 6, wherein the bookbinding
apparatus comprises a notch forming mechanism which forms notches
on one sheet at a time.
9. The image forming system of claim 6, structured such that
whether notches are formed on a sheet or not, is selectable in the
bookbinding apparatus.
10. The image forming system of claim 6, wherein the bookbinding
apparatus comprises a notch forming mechanism for forming notches
on a sheet, the notch forming mechanism including: a die fixed on a
sheet conveyance path; a punch which has projected blades and is
raised and lowered while fitting the die; and a driving mechanism
for raising and lowering the punch.
Description
[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2005-251000 filed on Aug. 31, 2005 in Japanese Patent Office, the
entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a bookbinding apparatus
that makes a booklet by covering the spine portion, the from and
the back of the bundle of sheets with a cover sheet, and in
particular, to an image forming system equipped with a bookbinding
apparatus which can be connected to an image forming apparatus body
such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine or a printer to be
applied.
[0003] Bookbinding is known as a method of binding a bundle of
sheets as a collection of printed sheets by stapling or
pasting.
[0004] Apparatuses known as a pasting and bookbinding apparatus
include a device to jet paste on a sheet by using a paste jetting
nozzle, a device wherein a paste roller is installed in a paste
container, and paste adheres to an outer circumference of the
rotating paste roller to be transferred onto a sheet when the outer
circumference of the rotating paste roller touches the sheet, a
hot-melt coating device that jets a mixture containing hot-melt
agents (heat fusing agents) and heated and compressed air from a
nozzle, and a tape sticking device that sticks a tape on which
adhesive paste is coated in advance on the spine portion of a sheet
bundle while the tape is heated.
[0005] According to the conventional bookbinding art, it is a
common practice to form multiple notched grooves on the end side of
a sheet bundle by using a milling machine which is independent of a
bookbinding apparatus, and then to apply adhesive to the end side
of the sheet bundle by using the bookbinding apparatus, whereby a
booklet is bound.
[0006] A recent image forming apparatus based on
electrophotographic technology is characterized by high speed,
multi-function performance and network functions. Its applications
as a printing apparatus are much increased when it is connected
with a large-capacity sheet feeding apparatus and a large-capacity
stacker.
[0007] When an image forming apparatus is used as a printing
apparatus, all the operations ranging from printing to binding can
be performed by one apparatus if connected with a bookbinding
apparatus for binding printed matter.
[0008] When the pasting and bookbinding apparatus disclosed in the
Patent Document 1 is used, the strength of the booklet having been
pasted and bound is insufficient due to the limited pasting area on
the spine portion of a sheet bundle.
[0009] In a bookbinding apparatus wherein multiple notched grooves
are formed on the end side of a sheet bundle using a milling
machine, and adhesive is then applied to the end side of the sheet
bundle having notched grooves thereon, there remain the problems of
an increased apparatus size and increased production costs if the
milling machine is incorporated in the bookbinding apparatus,
because of the large size of the milling machine. These problems
will lead to drawbacks in an image forming system which includes a
directly coupled bookbinding apparatus wherein an image forming
apparatus is used as a printing apparatus.
[0010] [Patent Document 1] Unexamined Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 2004-209869
SUMMARY
[0011] This invention includes a bookbinding apparatus and an image
forming system which will be described below.
[0012] (1) A bookbinding apparatus for bonding a cover sheet to an
end portion of a bundle of sheets and for producing a booklet by
wrapping the bundle of sheets with the cover sheet, the bookbinding
apparatus includes a notch forming mechanism for forming notches,
before each sheet is formed into the bundle of sheets, on an end
side of the each sheet to be coated with adhesive.
[0013] (2) An image forming system including an image forming
apparatus body having an image forming section for forming an image
on a sheet and a sheet conveyance mechanism for conveying a sheet,
the image forming system further including a bookbinding apparatus
for forming notches on an end side of a sheet on which an image has
been formed by the image forming apparatus body, for stacking a
plurality of sheets on which the notches have been formed so as to
form a bundle of sheets, for applying adhesive on an end portion of
a side of the bundle of sheets where the notches have been formed,
for bonding a cover sheet thereon, and for wrapping the bundle of
sheets with the cover sheet to make a booklet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram representing the overall
configuration of an image forming system equipped with image
forming apparatus, bookbinding apparatus and sheet ejecting
apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming
system.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the sheet conveyance path of a
bookbinding apparatus of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the bookbinding apparatus
showing the process of applying adhesive to a sheet bundle.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a paste coating device and a
holding device.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a cover-sheet trimming device
and cover-sheet outfitting device.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the upper limit position of
the cover-sheet outfitting device.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a booklet binding
process.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a notch-forming device.
[0023] FIG. 10(a) is a plan view of a die and punch and FIG. 10(b)
is a perspective views of a die and punch.
[0024] FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view wherein a plurality of
notches are formed on a sheet and the notch scraps produced by
notching are separated, and FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view of a
sheet bundle made up of stacked sheets wherein each of the sheets
has multiple notches.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sheet bundle made up of
stacked sheets wherein each of the sheets has multiple notches.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
sheet bundle made up of stacked sheets wherein each of the sheets
has multiple notches.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Next, a bookbinding apparatus of the invention and an image
forming system provided with the bookbinding apparatus will be
explained as follows, referring to the drawings.
[0028] [Image Forming System]
[0029] FIG. 1 is an entire structure diagram of an image forming
system equipped with image forming apparatus body A, bookbinding
apparatus B and sheet ejection apparatus C and FIG. 2 is a
perspective view of an appearance of the image forming system.
[0030] [Image Forming Apparatus Body]
[0031] Image forming apparatus body A has an image forming unit
wherein charging unit 2, image exposure unit 3, developing unit 4,
transfer unit 5A, neutralizing unit 5B and cleaning unit 6 are
arranged around rotary image carrier 1. In the image forming unit,
exposure scanning based on image data obtained from a document
through reading by a laser beam of the image exposure unit 3 is
conducted after a surface of the image carrier 1 is charged evenly
by the charging unit 2, to form a latent image, and the latent
image is developed reversely by the developing unit 4, and a toner
image is formed on a surface of the image carrier 1.
[0032] Sheet S fed from sheet storing section 7A is transported to
a transfer position. In the transfer position, the toner image
stated above is transferred onto sheet S by the transfer unit 5A.
After that, charges on the reverse side of the sheet S is
eliminated by the neutralizing unit 5B and the sheet S is separated
from the image carrier 1 to be transported by transportation
section 7B, and then, is heated and fixed by fixing unit 8 to be
ejected from sheet ejection roller 7C.
[0033] When forming images on both sides of sheet S, sheet S
subjected to heating and fixing by fixing unit 8 is diverged from
an ordinary sheet ejection path by transportation path changeover
device 7D, then, is reversed upside down through a movement in a
form of a switchback in reversing transportation section 7E, and
passes through the image forming section again so that an image is
formed on the back of sheet S, and is ejected out of the apparatus
from sheet ejection roller 7C through fixing unit 8. Sheet S
ejected from the sheet ejection roller 7C is fed into bookbinding
apparatus B.
[0034] With respect to the surface of image carrier 1 after image
processing, developing agents remaining on the surface are removed
by cleaning unit 6 so that the image carrier 1 turns out to be
ready for the succeeding image forming.
[0035] [Bookbinding Apparatus]
[0036] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a sheet transportation
path of bookbinding apparatus B relating to the invention.
[0037] Bookbinding apparatus B is composed of sheet introduction
unit 10, sheet ejection unit 20, sheet bundle storage unit 30,
sheet bundle transportation unit 40, paste coating unit 50 (refer
to FIG. 4), cover-sheet supply unit 60, cover-sheet trimming device
70, cover-sheet outfitting device 80 (wrapping-bookbinding unit),
alignment device 89 and booklet conveyance unit 100. The respective
units are arranged nearly longitudinally and vertically in the main
body of the bookbinding apparatus.
[0038] <Sheet Introduction Unit 10>
[0039] Sheet S that has been introduced into the sheet introduction
unit 10 is interposed between inlet rollers 11 and 12 to be
transported, and is diverged by transportation path changeover
device 31 to either one of the sheet ejection unit 20 and the sheet
bundle storage unit 30.
[0040] <Sheet Ejection Unit 20>
[0041] After this sheet transportation is established, the
transportation path changeover device 31 closes a transportation
path leading to the sheet bundle storage unit 30, and opens a
transportation path leading to the sheet ejection unit 20.
[0042] Sheet S passing through a transportation path leading to the
sheet ejection unit 20 is interposed between transporting rollers
21 and 22 to be transported upward, and is ejected by sheet
ejection roller 23 and housed in stationary sheet ejection tray 24
located at the uppermost portion of the apparatus. On stationary
sheet ejection tray 24, sheet S ejected from image forming
apparatus A is directly received, and about a maximum of 200 sheets
can be stacked thereon.
[0043] <Sheet Bundle Storage Unit 30>
[0044] Sheet S diverged to the left side in the drawing located at
the downstream side in the sheet transportation direction by
transportation path changeover device 31 is interposed by
transporting rollers 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 to be housed at the
prescribed position of sheet bundle storage unit 30 and to be
stacked thereon in succession. Thus, sheet bundle Sa formed by
prescribed number of sheets S is formed. The sheet bundle storage
unit 30 is provided with sheet loading table 37 that is arranged
obliquely, movable sheet trailing edge positioning member 38 and
sheet width aligning member 39 that aligns sheets in the sheet
width direction.
[0045] <Sheet Bundle Transportation Unit 40>
[0046] Sheet bundle Sa stacked on the sheet loading table 37 of
sheet bundle storage unit 30 is transported downward obliquely by
an unillustrated pushing-out device. After that, the sheet bundle
Sa is held by holding unit 41 of the sheet bundle transportation
unit 40, and is turned while it is held so that the surface of the
sheet bundle Sa to be subjected to paste coating processing (spine
portion) may face downward, to be stopped at the prescribed
position.
[0047] <Paste Coating Unit 50>
[0048] Paste coating unit 50 (refer to FIG. 4) is composed of paste
coating member (which is also called a coating roller) 51, rotating
unit 52 for rotational driving of the coating roller 51, paste
container 53 that contains paste, movable body 54 that is movable
from the rear surface side of bookbinding apparatus B which is the
initial position to the front surface side while supporting the
paste container 53, and an unillustrated moving unit that
reciprocates the movable body 54.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of bookbinding apparatus B
showing a process of coating paste on bundle of sheets Sa, and FIG.
5 is a perspective view of paste coating unit 50 and holding unit
41.
[0050] Movable body 54 of paste coating unit 50 is moved by an
unillustrated driving unit in the direction that is in parallel
with the longitudinal direction of a bottom surface of sheet bundle
Sa held by holding unit 41 in the erected state.
[0051] The movable body 54 starts moving from the initial position,
on the back side of bookbinding apparatus B, and is moved along
guide member 55 to stop at a prescribed position on the front
surface side of bookbinding apparatus B, and returns to the initial
position after being driven to be reversed.
[0052] Coating roller 51 dipped in paste N contained in paste
container 53 is rotated by a motor of a paste coating drive unit
and rotating unit 52. Forward movement or reciprocating movement of
the movable body 54 allows coating roller 51 to coat paste N in the
longitudinal direction of the bottom surface of sheet bundle Sa
held in the erected state.
[0053] <Cover-Sheet Supply Unit 60>
[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, cover sheet K housed in sheet feeding
tray 61 of cover-sheet supply unit 60 is separated and fed by sheet
feeding unit 62, interposed by transporting rollers 63, 64 and 65,
and transported to cover-sheet outfitting device 80.
[0055] <Cover-Sheet Trimming Device 70>
[0056] FIG. 6 shows cover-sheet outfitting device 80 and
cover-sheet trimming device 70
[0057] The cover-sheet trimming device 70 is integrally formed on
the lateral upper portion of the illustrated cover-sheet supply
device 60 and on the right of an illustrated cover-sheet outfitting
device 80 to be described later. The cover-sheet trimming device 70
is used to trim the length of a cover sheet K to a predetermined
value in the direction of conveyance.
[0058] The cover-sheet trimming device 70 is a roller cutter unit
made of a rotary knife 71 and stationary knife 72. The rotary knife
71 rotates by sliding along the stationary knife 72, and cuts the
cover sheet K in the width direction of the cover sheet. The scrap
of the cover sheet K having been cut drops and is stored in the
chip box 73.
[0059] The length of the cover sheet K having been trimmed
corresponds to the value obtained by adding the length (thickness)
of the spine portion of the bundle of sheets Sa to the length of
two sheets S in the direction of conveyance. In the operation
section 9 of the image forming apparatus body A, when the sheet
size, the number of sheets and the thickness of the sheets have
been selected or detected, the control unit sets a predetermined
length of the cover sheet K having been trimmed. The length of the
cover sheet K before trimming is determined in response to the
maximum number of the sheets.
[0060] <Cover-Sheet Outfitting Device 80>
[0061] The cover sheet K stored in a sheet feed tray 61 of a
cover-sheet supply device 60 is separated and fed by a sheet feed
device 62. Sandwiched by conveyance rollers 63, 64, and 65, the
cover sheet K is led into the cover-sheet outfitting device 80, and
is then conveyed in the opposite direction to enter a cover-sheet
trimming device 70. The cover sheet K having been cut into a
predetermined length by the cover-sheet trimming device 70 is again
fed to the cover-sheet outfitting device 80.
[0062] The cover sheet K fed to the cover-sheet outfitting device
80 is conveyed by the conveyance rollers 65 along the guide plate
87. Passing through the position where the cover sheet K is
sandwiched between a driving roller 81 and a follower roller 881,
the cover sheet K further passes through the position where the
cover sheet K is sandwiched between a driving conveyance roller 82
and follower roller 882.
[0063] The Motor M2A of the second driving device drives and swings
a cover-sheet holding member 88A through the drive transmission
system Z1 including a belt and a gear train. The motor M2B of the
second driving device drives and swings a cover-sheet holding
member 88B through the drive transmission system Z2 including a
belt and a gear train.
[0064] The cover-sheet holding member 88A includes a follower
roller 881 rotatably supported by a lever which can be swung
through connection with the final gear of drive transmission system
Z1.
[0065] The cover-sheet holding member 88B includes a follower
roller 882 rotatably supported by a lever which can be swung
through connection with the final gear of drive transmission system
Z2.
[0066] When the cover sheet K moves along the guide plate 87 inside
the cover-sheet outfitting device 80, the motor M2A starts to drive
and swings the lever so that the follower roller 881 is pressed
against the conveyance roller 81 being driven and rotated.
Approximately at the same time, the motor M2B starts to drive and
oscillates the lever so that the follower roller 882 is pressed
against the conveyance roller 82 being driven and rotated.
[0067] The cover sheet K moving along the guide plate 87 is fed
sandwiched between the conveyance roller 81 and follower roller 881
installed on the upstream side in the direction of conveyance.
After that, the cover sheet K is fed sandwiched between the
conveyance roller 82 and follower roller 882 installed on the
downstream side in the direction of conveyance, until the cover
sheet K stops at a predetermined position.
[0068] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the upper limit position of
cover-sheet outfitting device 80.
[0069] While the cover sheet K mounted on the cover-sheet
outfitting device 80 is fed in the vicinity of the adhesive-coated
surface by the first driving device M3 of the cover-sheet
outfitting device 80, the cover-sheet holding members 88A and 88B
are swung by the motors M2A and M2B of the second driving device so
that the cover sheet K is pressed and held in position. This
arrangement prevents the cover sheet K from moving when the
cover-sheet outfitting device 80 is moving. Thus, the cover sheet K
is pasted accurately onto the surface of the sheet bundle Sa coated
with adhesive.
[0070] When a detector PS detects that the cover sheet K has come
close to the surface of the sheet bundle Sa coated with adhesive,
the motors M2A and M2B cause the cover-sheet holding members 88A
and 88B to release the cover sheet K.
[0071] <Booklet Binding>
[0072] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a booklet binding process.
FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the cover sheet K placed on the
moving casing 84 of the cover-sheet outfitting device 80 and the
sheet bundle Sa pasted to the center of the cover sheet K. FIG.
8(b) is a perspective view representing the process wherein the
bundle of sheets Sa having been pasted is subjected to
wrapping-binding by the cover-sheet K folded by the first folding
member 86A, second folding member 86B, and pressing member 83 for
wrapping the bundle of sheets with the cover sheet K. FIG. 8(c) is
a perspective view of a booklet Sb produced by
wrapping-binding.
[0073] In the aforementioned figures, symbol U indicates the top
side representing the upper surface of the sheet bundle Sa or
booklet Sb positioned upright. Symbol L indicates the bottom side
showing the lower position of the sheet bundle Sa or booklet
Sb.
[0074] <Booklet Ejection>
[0075] After an end of a folding process for cover sheet K, a
descent of belt 85 shown in FIG. 1 makes cover-sheet outfitting
device 80 to descend and to retreat, rotation of ejection belt 101
is started by unillustrated drive unit, and after sheet bundle Sb
has descended, the lower end portion of it is moved toward the
conveyance direction with ejection belt 101 due to the contact with
the ejection belt 101. The booklet Sb is laid on turning ejection
belt 101, conveyed to be ejected from the apparatus and stored in
the sheet ejection apparatus C.
[0076] <Sheet Ejection Apparatus C>
[0077] The booklets Sb having been ejected from the ejection belt
101 are sequentially placed on the elevation type sheet ejection
stand 103 of the sheet ejection apparatus C from an ejection
opening 102 shown in FIG. 1. When the booklets Sb have been ejected
and placed on the elevation type sheet ejection stand 103, the
elevation type sheet ejection stand 103 is lowered gradually by the
rotating wire 104. When the elevation type sheet ejection stand 103
has reached the bottom end, the booklet Sb is transferred to the
conveyance belt 105 and is ejected out of the apparatus by the
drive of the conveyance belt 105.
[0078] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the notch-forming device
90.
[0079] The notch-forming device 90 is equipped with a die 91 which
is fastened to a part of the sheet conveyance path, a punch 92
fitted to the die 91 movably in the vertical direction, a drive
unit to move the punch 92 up and down and a scrap collecting box 98
to accommodate paper scrap produced by notching.
[0080] The outer periphery of the punch 92 opposite to the die 91
is fitted to the inner surface of the guide member 93 movably in
the vertical direction. The driving device to move the punch 92 in
the vertical direction is equipped with a motor M4, a small gear 94
connected to the motor M4, a large gear 95 engaged with the small
gear 94, an crank 96 engaged with one end of the large gears 95 and
capable of being swung, and a linking member 97 for connecting the
crank 96 with the top of the punch 92.
[0081] The punch 92 is driven to move in the vertical direction by
the motor M4 through the small gear 94, large gear 95, crank 96 and
linking member 97.
[0082] A notch V (see FIG. 11) is formed on the trailing edge of
the sheet S by the lowering movement of the punch 92 and fitting
with the die 91.
[0083] The notch-forming device 90 is provided midway between the
conveyance rollers 32 and 33. The leading edge of the sheet S
coming into the bookbinding apparatus B passes through the
conveyance rollers 32, the notching position of the notch-forming
device 90, and conveyance rollers 33, and stops at a predetermined
position. To be more specific, after a sensor (not illustrated)
arranged on the upstream side of conveyance roller 32 has detected
the trailing edge of the moving sheet S, a predetermined number of
pulses are counted and the motor (not illustrated) is stopped so
that the movement of sheet S is suspended. At the position where
the sheet has stopped, a notch V is formed on the side of the
trailing edge of the sheet S
[0084] FIG. 10(a) is a plan view of the die 91 and punch 92. FIG.
10(b) is a perspective view of the die 91 and punch 92.
[0085] The die 91 includes a plurality of notched blades 91a. The
punch 92 includes a plurality of projected blades 92a to be fitted
to the die 91.
[0086] FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view wherein a plurality of
notches are formed on a sheet of paper S and the paper scraps Sc
produced by notching are separated. A plurality of notches V or
cuts can be formed for each sheet having been conveyed, or for each
bundle of plural sheets having been stacked.
[0087] FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view of a sheet bundle Sa made
up of the stacked sheets S wherein each of the sheets S has
multiple notches V. Adhesive is applied to the spine portion of the
sheet bundle Sa where notches V are formed. The coated adhesive
spreads over into the sides and notches V so that the cover sheet K
is tightly bonded to the spine portion of the sheet bundle Sa.
Using the operation panel of the image forming apparatus A, the
operator can specify whether or not notches are formed on the
sheets. This arrangement allows the operator to specify according
to the size and number of the sheets for the booklet to be
formed.
[0088] The shape of the notch V to be formed need not be V-shaped
shown in the figure. An appropriate notch shape can be selected
according to the type and number of the sheets, as well as the
properties of the adhesive.
[0089] The notch V can be substituted by a linear cuts (slit) V'.
In this case, knife-like blades may be used instead of the
aforementioned punch 92 movable in the vertical direction. A
plate-like receiving member may be used instead of the die 91. This
configuration is characterized by simple structure and absence of
paper scrap Sc. However, the depth of the adhesive spreading into
the cut is small.
[0090] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bundle of sheets Sa made
up of stacked sheets S wherein each of the sheets has multiple
notches V'. In the present invention, a notch includes the linear
cut shown in FIG. 12. It can be defined as a shape contributing to
an increase in the adhesive area of paste.
[0091] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
sheet bundle Sa made up of stacked sheets S wherein each of the
sheets has multiple notches V.
[0092] In FIG. 9, a well-known shifting device (not illustrated) is
provided on the conveyance rollers 33 on the downstream side of the
notch forming device 90 in the direction of sheet conveyance. The
shifting device shifts the sheet S sandwiched between the
conveyance rollers 33 by a predetermined distance in the direction
across the sheet width perpendicular to the direction of sheet
conveyance.
[0093] Multiple notches V are formed on the first sheet S by the
notch forming device 90, and the sheet is conveyed. After that, the
second sheet S is fed, and the sheet S sandwiched between the
conveyance rollers 33 is shifted by a predetermined distance in the
direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction by the
shifting device. After that, multiple notches V are formed on the
second sheet S by the notch forming device 90.
[0094] Similarly, notches V are formed on multiple succeeding
sheets S one after another, and these sheets are fed to the
sheet-bundle storage device 30, whereby a sheet bundle Sa is
formed. Thus, multiple notch grooves V between laminar sheets are
diagonally provided on the spine portion of the sheet bundle Sa, as
shown in the figure.
[0095] Multiple notch grooves V are arranged at an approximately
equally spaced interval on the spine portion of the sheet bundle
Sa, thereby forming a surface to be bonded.
[0096] The following arrangement can also be used. The bookbinding
apparatus B of the present invention is built as an independent
apparatus, and the sheet bundle Sa processed by another image
forming apparatus is loaded on the sheet-bundle storage device 30.
After that, the sheet bundle is subjected to the processes of
adhesive application and bonding a cover sheet, whereby a
wrapping-bound booklet is produced.
[0097] The aforementioned bookbinding apparatus can be downsized
accompanied with downsizing of the notch forming mechanism. This
eliminates the need of using a large-sized device such as a milling
machine used in a conventional bookbinding, and reduces the
apparatus installation space. Further, the aforementioned
arrangement improves the binding strength and the quality of the
bound booklet product since it ensures the bookbinding capability
equivalent to that provided by the use of a conventional milling
machine.
[0098] Further, the notch forming mechanism is provided on the
sheet conveyance path upstream from the sheet storage section in
the direction of sheet conveyance, and the process of notching is
applied to each sheet prior to being formed into a sheet bundle.
This arrangement ensures a reduced size, reduced production cost
and reduced noise of the notch forming mechanism.
[0099] Further, the operator can specify whether or not notches are
formed on the sheet. Proper choice can be made according to the
size and number of the sheets of the bundle.
[0100] Furthermore, the notch forming mechanism is equipped with a
die secured on the sheet conveyance path, a punch having projected
cutter blades and performing vertical movement while fitted with
the aforementioned die and a driving mechanism for the vertical
punch movement. This arrangement ensures a reduced size, reduced
production cost and reduced noise of the notch forming
mechanism.
[0101] Still further, the image forming system including an image
forming apparatus body and a bookbinding apparatus provides
powerful bonding between the cover sheet and the sheet bundle made
up of a plurality of sheets fed out from the image forming
apparatus, and ensures automatic and continuous bookbinding
operations.
* * * * *