U.S. patent application number 14/344262 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-04 for creasing and folding machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Nobuyuki Kojima. Invention is credited to Nobuyuki Kojima.
Application Number | 20140357463 14/344262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49514287 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140357463 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kojima; Nobuyuki |
December 4, 2014 |
CREASING AND FOLDING MACHINE
Abstract
A creasing and folding machine includes a creasing mechanism (1)
for forming creases on a sheet (S); a folding mechanism (2) for
folding the sheet (S) along the creases; and a controller (3). A
creasing section (45) comprises first and second creasing units
(4,5). The first creasing unit (4) comprises a first convex block
(40); and a first concave block (41) opposite to a second surface
(S2) of the sheet. The first convex and concave blocks (40, 41) are
moved toward each other to form a first crease (400). The second
creasing unit (5) comprises a second concave block (51); and a
second convex block (50) opposite to the second surface (S2) of the
sheet. The second recess and convex blocks (51, 50) are moved
toward each other to form a second crease (500).
Inventors: |
Kojima; Nobuyuki;
(Takashima-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kojima; Nobuyuki |
Takashima-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
Takashima-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
49514287 |
Appl. No.: |
14/344262 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
May 1, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/061537 |
371 Date: |
March 11, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
493/442 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 45/30 20130101;
B65H 45/18 20130101; B31F 1/0012 20130101; B31F 1/08 20130101; B42D
15/008 20130101; B65H 2701/11232 20130101; B65H 45/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
493/442 |
International
Class: |
B65H 45/04 20060101
B65H045/04 |
Claims
1. A creasing and folding machine, comprising: a creasing mechanism
for forming a plurality of creases on a sheet; a folding mechanism
for receiving the sheet from the creasing mechanism and folding the
sheet along the creases; and a controller for controlling
operations of the creasing mechanism and the folding mechanism;
wherein the creasing mechanism comprises: a conveying roller for
conveying the sheet; and a creasing section for creasing the sheet
which is delivered from the conveying roller; wherein the folding
mechanism comprises: a plurality of folding knives for pressing the
sheet along the creases at edges of the folding knives; and a
plurality of pairs of folding rollers each of which is composed of
two folding rollers disposed opposite to each other with a gap
therebetween, the gaps being opposite to the edges of the folding
knives; wherein the sheet is pressed by the folding knives so as to
be inserted into the gaps and folded along the creases; wherein the
creasing section comprises: first and second creasing units aligned
in a conveying direction of the sheet; wherein the first creasing
unit comprises: a first convex block opposite to a first surface of
the sheet; and a first concave block opposite to a second surface
of the sheet, the first convex and concave blocks being moved
toward each other so as to forma first crease of the creases which
provides a recess on the first surface of the sheet and a
protrusion on the second surface of the sheet; and wherein the
second creasing unit comprises: a second concave block opposite to
the first surface of the sheet; and a second convex block opposite
to the second surface of the sheet, the second recess and convex
blocks being moved toward each other so as to form a second crease
of the creases which provides a protrusion on the first surface of
the sheet and a recess on the second surface of the sheet.
2. The creasing and folding machine according to claim 1, wherein
when the sheet is a heavy paper sheet, the controller controls the
creasing and the folding mechanisms in such a way that the folding
knives press a protrusion side of the first or second crease.
3. The creasing and folding machine according to claim 1, wherein
when the sheet is a thin paper sheet, the controller controls the
creasing and the folding mechanisms in such a way that the folding
knives press a recess side of the first or second crease.
4. The creasing and folding machine according to claim 1, wherein
the folding mechanism comprises: the pairs of the folding rollers
including two folding roller pairs, a first folding roller pair of
the two folding roller pairs composed of a first folding roller and
a second folding roller, and a second folding roller pair of the
two folding roller pairs composed of the second folding roller and
a third folding roller; and the folding knives including first and
second folding knives; wherein first folding unit is composed of
the first folding roller pair and the first folding knife, wherein
a second folding unit is composed of the second folding roller pair
and the second folding knife, wherein the first folding unit folds
the sheet in such a way that the first folding knife presses the
first or second crease from the second surface of the sheet to the
first surface of the sheet and inserts the sheet into the gap
between the first and second folding rollers, wherein the second
folding unit folds the sheet in such a way that the second folding
knife presses the first or second crease from the first surface of
the sheet to the second surface of the sheet and inserts the sheet
into the gap between the second and third folding rollers, and
wherein when the sheet is a heavy paper sheet, the controller
controls the creasing and the folding mechanisms in such a way that
the second creasing unit forms the second crease after the first
creasing unit forming the first crease, and the first folding knife
presses the protrusion side of the first crease, and then the
second folding knife presses the protrusion side of the second
crease.
5. The creasing and folding machine according to claim 1, wherein
the folding mechanism comprises: the pairs of the folding rollers
including two folding roller pairs, a first folding roller pair of
the two folding roller pairs composed of a first folding roller and
a second folding roller, and a second folding roller pair of the
two folding roller pairs composed of the second folding roller and
a third folding roller; and the folding knives including first and
second folding knives; wherein a first folding unit is composed of
the first folding roller pair and the first folding knife, wherein
a second folding unit is composed of the second folding roller pair
and the second folding knife, wherein the first folding unit folds
the sheet in such a way that the first folding knife presses the
first or second crease from the second surface of the sheet to the
first surface of the sheet and inserts the sheet into the gap
between the first and second folding rollers, wherein the second
folding unit folds the sheet in such a way that the second folding
knife presses the first or second crease from the first surface of
the sheet to the second surface of the sheet and inserts the sheet
into the gap between the second and third folding rollers, and
wherein when the sheet is a thin paper sheet, the controller
controls the creasing and the folding mechanisms in such a way that
the first creasing unit forms the first crease after the second
creasing unit forming the second crease, and the first folding
knife presses the recess side of the second crease, and then the
second folding knife presses the recess side of the first crease.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a creasing and folding
machine for forming creases on a sheet and folding the sheet along
the creases.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A creasing and folding machine is generally configured to
form creases on a sheet and fold the sheet along the creases. The
conventional creasing and folding machine comprises: a creasing
mechanism for forming the creases on the sheet; a folding mechanism
for receiving the sheet from the creasing mechanism and folding the
sheet along the creases; and a controller for controlling
operations of the creasing mechanism and the folding mechanism
(see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003] The creasing mechanism comprises: a conveying roller for
conveying the sheet, and a creasing section for creasing the sheet
which is delivered from the conveying roller. The folding mechanism
comprises: a plurality of folding knives for pressing the sheet
along the creases at their edges; and a plurality of pairs of
folding rollers each of which is composed of two folding rollers
disposed opposite to each other with a gap therebetween, the gaps
being opposite to the edges of the folding knives. The sheet is
pressed by the folding knives, and inserted into the gaps, and then
folded along the creases.
[0004] There are two ways for folding the sheet along the crease.
As shown in FIG. 16A, one way is pressing a recess side of the
crease by the folding knife and folding the sheet along the crease
in the same direction as the fold direction of the crease. As shown
in FIG. 16B, the other way is pressing a protrusion side of the
crease by the folding knife and folding the sheet along the crease
in a direction opposite to the fold direction of the crease.
[0005] When the sheet is a heavy paper sheet, as shown in FIG. 16A,
if the sheet is folded in the same direction as the fold direction
of the crease, the appearance of the folded sheet is poor because
the sheet is not folded completely. Therefore, preferably as shown
in FIG. 16B, the sheet is folded in the opposite direction to the
fold direction of the crease so as to fold the sheet
completely.
[0006] When the sheet is a thin paper sheet, if the sheet is folded
in the opposite direction to the fold direction of the crease, the
appearance of the folded sheet is poor because the folded portion
of the sheet is not sharp. Therefore, the sheet is preferably
folded in the same direction as the fold direction of the crease in
such a way that the folded portion of the sheet is sharp.
[0007] In the conventional creasing and folding machine, the
creasing section comprises: a convex block opposite to a first
surface of the sheet; and a concave block opposite to a second
surface of the sheet. The convex and concave blocks move toward
each other so as to form the crease which provides a recess on the
first surface of the sheet and a protrusion on the second surface
of the sheet. Thus, the creasing section has only one set of the
convex and concave blocks. As a result, the creasing section can
form only one type of the crease which provides a recess on the
first surface of the sheet and a protrusion on the second surface
of the sheet.
[0008] In the conventional creasing and folding machine, the
folding mechanism is configured to press the second surface of the
sheet by first folding knife and further press the first surface of
the sheet by second folding knife so as to fold the sheet two
times. Thus, the sheet is folded by the first folding knife in a
direction opposite to the fold direction of the crease (see FIG.
16B), and further the sheet is folded by the second folding knife
in the same direction as the fold direction of the crease (see FIG.
16A). As a result, when the sheet is a heavy paper sheet, the
appearance of the folded sheet is poor because the folded portion
of the sheet is not folded completely (see FIG. 16A) due to folding
the sheet by the second folding knife in the same direction as the
fold direction of the crease. When the sheet is a thin paper sheet,
the appearance of the folded sheet is poor because the folded
portion of the sheet is not sharp due to folding the sheet by the
first folding knife in a direction opposite to the fold direction
of the crease.
[0009] Patent Document 1: EP 1,425,239 B
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
creasing and folding machine which can achieve the folding with
good appearance by selecting the press of the protrusion side of
the crease or the press of the recess side of the crease depending
on both heavy and thin paper sheets.
Solution to the Problems
[0011] In order to achieve the objects, the present invention
provides a creasing and folding machine, comprising: [0012] a
creasing mechanism for forming a plurality of creases on a sheet;
[0013] a folding mechanism for receiving the sheet from the
creasing mechanism and folding the sheet along the creases; and
[0014] a controller for controlling operations of the creasing
mechanism and the folding mechanism; wherein [0015] the creasing
mechanism comprises: [0016] a conveying roller for conveying the
sheet; and [0017] a creasing section for creasing the sheet which
is delivered from the conveying roller; wherein [0018] the folding
mechanism comprises: [0019] a plurality of folding knives for
pressing the sheet along the creases at edges of the folding
knives; and [0020] a plurality of pairs of folding rollers each of
which is composed of two folding rollers disposed opposite to each
other with a gap therebetween, the gaps being opposite to the edges
of the folding knives; wherein [0021] the sheet is pressed by the
folding knives so as to be inserted into the gaps and folded along
the creases; wherein [0022] the creasing section comprises: [0023]
first and second creasing units aligned in a conveying direction of
the sheet; wherein [0024] the first creasing unit comprises: [0025]
a first convex block opposite to a first surface of the sheet; and
[0026] a first concave block opposite to a second surface of the
sheet, the first convex and concave blocks being moved toward each
other so as to form a first crease of the creases which provides a
recess on the first surface of the sheet and a protrusion on the
second surface of the sheet; and wherein [0027] the second creasing
unit comprises: [0028] a second concave block opposite to the first
surface of the sheet; and [0029] a second convex block opposite to
the second surface of the sheet, the second recess and convex
blocks being moved toward each other so as to forma second crease
of the creases which provides a protrusion on the first surface of
the sheet and a recess on the second surface of the sheet.
[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, [0031] when the sheet is a heavy paper sheet, the
controller controls the creasing and the folding mechanisms in such
a way that the folding knives press a protrusion side of the first
or second crease.
[0032] According to further preferred embodiment of the present
invention, [0033] when the sheet is a thin paper sheet, the
controller controls the creasing and the folding mechanisms in such
a way that the folding knives press a recess side of the first or
second crease.
[0034] According to further preferred embodiment of the present
invention, [0035] the folding mechanism comprises: [0036] the pairs
of the folding rollers including two folding roller pairs, a first
folding roller pair of the two folding roller pairs composed of a
first folding roller and a second folding roller, and a second
folding roller pair of the two folding roller pairs composed of the
second folding roller and a third folding roller; and [0037] the
folding knives including first and second folding knives; wherein
[0038] a first folding unit is composed of the first folding roller
pair and the first folding knife, wherein [0039] a second folding
unit is composed of the second folding roller pair and the second
folding knife, wherein [0040] the first folding unit folds the
sheet in such a way that the first folding knife presses the first
or second crease from the second surface of the sheet to the first
surface of the sheet and inserts the sheet into the gap between the
first and second folding rollers, wherein [0041] the second folding
unit folds the sheet in such a way that the second folding knife
presses the first or second crease from the first surface of the
sheet to the second surface of the sheet and inserts the sheet into
the gap between the second and third folding rollers, and wherein
[0042] when the sheet is a heavy paper sheet, the controller
controls the creasing and the folding mechanisms in such a way that
the second creasing unit forms the second crease after the first
creasing unit forming the first crease, and the first folding knife
presses the protrusion side of the first crease, and then the
second folding knife presses the protrusion side of the second
crease.
[0043] According to further preferred embodiment of the present
invention, [0044] the folding mechanism comprises: [0045] the pairs
of the folding rollers including two folding roller pairs, a first
folding roller pair of the two folding roller pairs composed of a
first folding roller and a second folding roller, and a second
folding roller pair of the two folding roller pairs composed of the
second folding roller and a third folding roller; and [0046] the
folding knives including first and second folding knives; wherein
[0047] a first folding unit is composed of the first folding roller
pair and the first folding knife, wherein [0048] a second folding
unit is composed of the second folding roller pair and the second
folding knife, wherein [0049] the first folding unit folds the
sheet in such a way that the first folding knife presses the first
or second crease from the second surface of the sheet to the first
surface of the sheet and inserts the sheet into the gap between the
first and second folding rollers, wherein [0050] the second folding
unit folds the sheet in such a way that the second folding knife
presses the first or second crease from the first surface of the
sheet to the second surface of the sheet and inserts the sheet into
the gap between the second and third folding rollers, and wherein
[0051] when the sheet is a thin paper sheet, the controller
controls the creasing and the folding mechanisms in such a way that
the first creasing unit forms the first crease after the second
creasing unit forming the second crease, and the first folding
knife presses the recess side of the second crease, and then the
second folding knife presses the recess side of the first
crease.
Effect of the Invention
[0052] According to the present invention, the creasing section
comprises first and second creasing units which are aligned in a
conveying direction of the sheet. The first creasing unit
comprises: a first convex block opposite to the first surface of
the sheet; and a first concave block opposite to the second surface
of the sheet. The first convex and concave blocks move toward each
other so as to form a first crease which provides a recess on the
first surface of the sheet and a protrusion on the second surface
of the sheet. The second creasing unit comprises: a second concave
block opposite to the first surface of the sheet; and a second
convex block opposite to the second surface of the sheet. The
second concave and convex blocks move toward each other so as to
form a second crease which provides a recess on the second surface
of the sheet and a protrusion on the first surface of the
sheet.
[0053] In case that a folding knife is configured to press the
second surface of the sheet, when the first creasing unit forms the
crease and provides the protrusion on the second surface of the
sheet, the folding knife can press the protrusion side of the
crease. Therefore, it is possible to fold a heavy paper sheet with
good appearance.
[0054] Further, in this case, when the second creasing unit forms
the crease and provides the recess on the second surface of the
sheet, the folding knife can also press the recess side of the
crease. Therefore, it is also possible to fold a thin paper sheet
with good appearance.
[0055] As above described, according to the creasing and folding
machine of the present invention, the first and second folding
units comprise two pairs of the concave and convex blocks which are
disposed in different direction from each other. It is possible to
form two types of the creases whose protrusion and recess sides are
inverted each other. Thus, the sheet can be folded in two ways: in
one way the folding knife presses the protrusion side of the
crease, in the other way the folding knife presses the recess side
of the crease. In the same way, the sheet can be folded in the
direction same as or opposite to the fold direction of the crease.
Consequently, it is possible to fold the sheet with good appearance
for both heavy and thin paper sheets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0056] FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a creasing and
folding machine according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0057] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing an operation of
a creasing mechanism when a sheet is a heavy paper sheet.
[0058] FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the operation of
the creasing mechanism following FIG. 2.
[0059] FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing an operation of
a folding mechanism following FIG. 3.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing the operation of
the folding mechanism following FIG. 4.
[0061] FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing the operation of
the folding mechanism following FIG. 5.
[0062] FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing the operation of
the folding mechanism following FIG. 6.
[0063] FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing the operation of
the folding mechanism following FIG. 7.
[0064] FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing the operation of
the creasing mechanism when a sheet is a thin paper sheet.
[0065] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing the operation
of the folding mechanism following FIG. 9.
[0066] FIG. 11 is a side view schematically showing the operation
of the folding mechanism following FIG. 10.
[0067] FIG. 12 is a side view schematically showing the operation
of the folding mechanism following FIG. 11.
[0068] FIG. 13 is a side view schematically showing the operation
of the folding mechanism following FIG. 12.
[0069] FIG. 14 is a side view schematically showing the operation
of the folding mechanism following FIG. 13.
[0070] FIG. 15 is a side view schematically showing the operation
of the folding mechanism following FIG. 14.
[0071] FIG. 16A is a side view schematically showing a paper folded
in the same direction as a fold direction of a crease by a folding
knife pressing a recess side of the crease when a sheet is a heavy
paper sheet.
[0072] FIG. 16B is a side view schematically showing the paper
folded in opposite direction to the fold direction of the crease by
the folding knife pressing a protrusion side of the crease when the
sheet is the heavy paper sheet.
DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0073] A preferred embodiment of a creasing and folding machine
according to the present invention will be explained below with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 1, the creasing and folding machine
comprises a creasing mechanism 1 for forming a plurality of creases
on a sheet S. The creasing and folding machine further comprises a
folding mechanism 2 for folding the sheet S along the creases. The
sheet S is conveyed from the creasing mechanism 1. The creasing and
folding machine further comprises a controller 3 for controlling
operations of the creasing mechanism 1 and the folding mechanism 2.
The creasing mechanism 1 further comprises first and second
conveying roller pairs 10, 11 for conveying the sheet S. The first
and second conveying roller pairs 10, 11 are aligned in a first
conveying direction F of the sheet S. The first conveying roller
pair 10 is disposed at the upstream of the first conveying
direction F, while the second conveying roller pair 11 is disposed
at the downstream of the first conveying direction F.
[0075] The first conveying roller pair 10 comprises a first drive
roller 100 and a first idle roller 101. The first drive and idle
rollers 100, 101 are disposed adjacent to each other in such away
that the rotation of the first drive roller 100 causes the rotation
of the first idle roller 101. The second conveying roller pair 11
comprises a second drive roller 110 and a second idle roller 111.
The second drive and idle rollers 110, 111 are disposed adjacent to
each other in such a way that the rotation of the second drive
roller 110 causes the rotation of the second idle roller 111.
[0076] The first and second idle rollers 101, 111 are disposed
opposite to the first surface (upper surface) S1 of the sheet S,
while the first and second drive rollers 100, 110 support the
second surface (lower surface) S2 of the sheet S thereon.
[0077] The creasing mechanism 1 comprises a creasing section 45 for
creasing the sheet S. The creasing section 45 is disposed between
the first and second conveying roller pairs 10, 11. The creasing
section 45 comprises first and second creasing units 4, 5. The
first and second creasing units 4, 5 are aligned in a first
conveying direction F of the sheet S. The first creasing unit 4 is
disposed at the upstream of the first conveying direction F, while
the second creasing unit 5 is disposed at the downstream of the
first conveying direction F.
[0078] The first creasing unit 4 comprises first convex and concave
blocks 40, 41. The first convex block 40 is disposed opposite to
the first surface (upper surface) S1 of the sheet S, while the
first concave block 41 is disposed opposite to the second surface
(lower surface) S2 of the sheet S. The first convex and concave
blocks 40, 41 extend horizontally and perpendicular to the first
conveying direction F respectively. The first convex and concave
blocks 40, 41 can be engaged with each other. The first convex
block 40 is fixed, while the first concave block 41 is reciprocated
by a first creasing drive mechanism 42. During reciprocal movement,
the first concave block 41 moves toward and away from the first
convex block 40. When the first convex and concave blocks 40, 41
are engaged with each other, the sheet S is nipped between the
first convex and concave blocks 40, 41 so as to form a first crease
400. The first crease 400 is depressed in the first surface S1 of
the sheet S and projected on the second surface S2 of the sheet S.
In the same way, the first crease 400 provides a recess on the
first surface S1 of the sheet S and a protrusion on the second
surface S2 of the sheet S.
[0079] The second creasing unit 5 comprises second convex and
concave blocks 50, 51. The second convex block 50 is disposed
opposite to the second surface (lower surface) S2 of the sheet S,
while the second concave block 51 is disposed opposite to the first
surface (upper surface) S1 of the sheet S. The second convex and
concave blocks 50, 51 extend horizontally and perpendicular to the
first conveying direction F respectively. The second convex and
concave blocks 50, 51 can be engaged with each other. The second
concave block 51 is fixed, while the second convex block 50 is
reciprocated by a second creasing drive mechanism 52. During the
reciprocal movement, the second convex block 50 moves toward and
away from the second concave block 51. When the second convex and
concave blocks 50, 51 are engaged with each other, the sheet S is
nipped between the second convex and concave blocks 50, 51 so as to
forma second crease 500. The second crease 500 is projected on the
first surface S1 of the sheet S and depressed in the second surface
S2 of the sheet S. In the same way, the second crease 500 provides
a protrusion on the first surface S1 of the sheet S and a recess on
the second surface S2 of the sheet S.
[0080] The folding mechanism 2 comprises first, second and third
folding rollers 20, 21, 22. The folding mechanism 2 comprises first
and second folding knives 23, 24. The first and second folding
rollers 20, 21 are aligned in the first conveying direction F. The
first and second folding rollers 20, 21 are disposed adjacent to
each other with a small first gap 201 therebetween. An edge 23a of
the first folding knife 23 is opposite to the first gap 201. The
second and third rollers 21, 22 are aligned in a second conveying
direction F'. The second conveying direction F' is arranged at
approximately right angle to the first conveying direction F. The
second and third folding rollers 21, 22 are disposed adjacent to
each other with a small second gap 202 therebetween. An edge 24a of
the second folding knife 24 is opposite to the second gap 202.
[0081] The first folding knife 23 is reciprocated by a first knife
drive mechanism 230. During the reciprocal movement, the first
folding knife 23 moves toward and away from the first gap 201 in a
direction perpendicular to the first conveying direction F. The
first folding knife 23 presses the creases 400, 500 of the sheet S
from the second surface S2 of the sheet S to the first surface S1
of the sheet S.
[0082] The second folding knife 24 is reciprocated by a second
knife drive mechanism 240. During the reciprocal movement, the
second folding knife 24 moves toward and away from the second gap
202 in a direction perpendicular to the second conveying direction
F'. The second folding knife 24 presses the creases 400, 500 of the
sheet S from the first surface S1 of the sheet S to the second
surface S2 of the sheet S.
[0083] The folding mechanism 2 comprises first, second and third
press rollers 200, 210, 220. The first folding and press rollers
20, 200 nip the sheet S, the second folding and press rollers 21,
210 nip the sheet S, and the third folding and press rollers 22,
220 nip the sheet S.
[0084] A first folding unit 6 is composed of the first and second
folding rollers 20, 21 and the first folding knife 23. A second
folding unit 7 is composed of the second and third folding rollers
21, 22 and the second folding knife 24. The creasing mechanism 1
forms the creases 400, 500 on the sheet S, and the first folding
unit 6 folds the sheet S along the creases 400, 500, and then the
second folding unit 7 folds the sheet S along the creases 400,
500.
[0085] The creasing and folding machine comprises a motor 12
composed of a servomotor, a stepping motor and so on. The motor 12
is connected to the first and second drive rollers 100, 110 and the
second folding roller 21 through a first timing belt 121. The drive
of the motor 12 causes the rotations of the first and second drive
rollers 100, 110 and the second folding roller 21. The first and
third folding rollers 20, 22 are connected to each other through a
second timing belt 122. The rotation of the second folding roller
21 causes the rotations of the first and third folding rollers 20,
22. The rotation of the motor 12 in a counterclockwise direction
causes the counterclockwise rotations of the first and second drive
rollers 100, 110 and the second folding roller 21. The rotation of
the second folding roller 21 in a counterclockwise direction causes
the clockwise rotations of the first and third folding rollers 20,
22.
[0086] The creasing and folding machine comprises position sensors
13, 13 which are disposed at the entrance of the creasing mechanism
1. For example, the position sensors 13, 13 are composed of light
emitting and receiving elements for detecting an edge Sa of the
sheet S. The position sensors 13, the motor 12, the first and
second creasing drive mechanisms 42, 52, and the first and second
folding knife drive mechanisms 230, 240 are connected to the
controller 3. The controller 3 controls the operations of the
creasing and folding mechanisms 1, 2 based on a preinstalled
program when the position sensors 13 detect the edge Sa of the
sheet S.
[0087] The first and second creasing drive mechanisms 42, 52
comprise, for example, a motor and a cam respectively. The drives
of the cams of the first and second creasing drive mechanisms 42,
52 cause the reciprocal movements of the first concave block 41 and
the second convex block 50. The first and second creasing drive
mechanisms 42, 52 may be composed of a slide crank mechanism, a
cylinder mechanism or a feed screw mechanism driven by a motor
respectively.
[In Case That the Sheet is a Heavy Paper Sheet]
[0088] The operation of the creasing and folding machine will be
explained below with reference to FIGS. 2-8 in which the sheet S is
a heavy paper sheet.
[0089] The controller 3 is provided with a program for handling the
heavy paper sheet S. After distances from the edge Sa of the sheet
S to the first and second creases 400, 500 are inputted to the
controller 3, the operations of the creasing mechanism 1 and the
folding mechanism 2 are controlled by the controller 3 as
follows.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 2, when the position sensors 13 detect the
edge Sa of the sheet S, the sheet S is conveyed in the first
conveying direction F in such a way that a position to be provided
with the first crease 400 arrives at the first convex and concave
blocks 40, 41 by controlling the amount of the rotations of the
conveying rollers 10, 11. When the position to be provided with the
first crease 400 arrives at the first convex and concave blocks 40,
41, the sheet S is stopped by the stops of the conveying rollers
10, 11. The first concave block 41 moves upwardly toward the first
convex block 40. As a result, the first crease 400 is formed on the
sheet S. The first crease 400 provides a recess on the first
surface (upper surface) S1 of the sheet S and a protrusion on the
second surface (lower surface) S2 of the sheet S.
[0091] Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet S is conveyed in the
first conveying direction F in such a way that a position to be
provided with the second crease 500 arrives at the second convex
and concave blocks 50, 51 by controlling the amount of the rotation
of the conveying rollers 10, 11. When the position to be provided
with the second crease 500 arrives at the second convex and concave
blocks 50, 51, the sheet S is stopped by the stops of the conveying
rollers 10, 11. The second convex block 50 moves toward the second
concave block 51. As a result, the second crease 500 is formed on
the sheet S. The second crease 500 provides a protrusion on the
first surface (upper surface) S1 of the sheet S and a recess on the
second surface (lower surface) S2 of the sheet S.
[0092] Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet S is conveyed in the
first conveying direction F in such a way that the first crease 400
arrives at the edge 23a of the first folding knife 23 by
controlling the amount of the rotations of the conveying roller 11
and the first folding roller 20. The sheet S is discharged from the
second conveying roller 11, and then the discharged sheet S is
nipped and conveyed between the first folding and press rollers 20,
200. The second press roller 210 is separated from the second
folding roller 21 in order not to convey the sheet S in a direction
opposite to the first conveying direction F by an inverse rotation
of the second folding roller 21. When the first crease 400 arrives
at the edge 23a of the first folding knife 23, the sheet S is
stopped by stopping the conveying roller 11 and the first and
second folding rollers 20, 21.
[0093] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the second press roller 210 moves
upwardly toward the second folding roller 21, and then the first
folding knife 23 moves. The first folding roller 20 rotates in a
clockwise direction, while the second folding roller 21 rotates in
a counterclockwise direction. The edge 23a of the first folding
knife 23 presses the first crease 400. As a result, the first
crease 400 is inserted into the first gap 201 between the first and
second folding rollers 20, 21. The edge 23a of the first folding
knife 23 presses the protrusion side of the first crease 400. Then,
the sheet S is inserted into the first gap 201 and folded along the
first crease 400 and discharged from the first and second folding
rollers 20, 21. The sheet S is folded in a direction opposite to
the fold direction of the first crease 400.
[0094] Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the sheet S is conveyed in the
second conveying direction F' in such a way that the second crease
500 arrives at the edge 24a of the second folding knife 24 by
controlling the amount of the rotations of the first and second
folding rollers 20, 21. The second conveying direction F' is
arranged at approximately right angle to the first conveying
direction F. The third press roller 220 is separated from the third
folding roller 22 in order not to convey the sheet S in a direction
opposite to the second conveying direction F' by an inverse
rotation of the third folding roller 22. When the second crease 500
arrives at the edge 24a of the second folding knife 24, the sheet S
is stopped by stopping the first and second folding rollers 20,
21.
[0095] Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the third press roller 220 moves
laterally toward the third folding roller 22, and then the second
folding knife 24 moves. The first folding roller 20 rotates in a
clockwise direction, the second folding roller 21 rotates in a
counterclockwise direction, and the third folding roller 22 rotates
in a clockwise direction. The edge 24a of the second folding knife
24 presses the second crease 500. As a result, the second crease
500 is inserted into the second gap 202 between the second and
third folding rollers 21, 22. The edge 24a of the second folding
knife 24 presses the protrusion side of the second crease 500.
Then, the sheet S is inserted into the second gap 202 and folded
along the second crease 500 and discharged from the second and
third folding rollers 21, 22. The sheet S is folded in a direction
opposite to the fold direction of the second crease 500.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 8, the sheet S is folded along the first
and second creases 400, 500. As above described, the machine of the
present invention can fold the heavy paper sheet S in a direction
opposite to the fold directions of the first and second creases
400, 500 (see FIG. 16B). As a result, the sheet S can be folded
with good appearance because the sheet S can be folded
completely.
[In Case That the Sheet is a Thin Paper Sheet]
[0097] The operation of the creasing and folding machine will be
explained below with reference to FIGS. 9-15 in which the sheet S
is a thin paper sheet.
[0098] The controller 3 is provided with a program for handling the
thin paper sheet S. After distances from the edge Sa of the sheet S
to the first and second creases 400, 500 are inputted to the
controller 3, the operations of the creasing mechanism 1 and the
folding mechanism 2 are controlled by the controller 3 as
follows.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 9, when the position sensors 13 detect the
edge Sa of the sheet S, the sheet S is conveyed in the first
conveying direction F in such a way that a position to be provided
with the second crease 500 arrives at the second convex and concave
blocks 50, 51 by controlling the amount of the rotations of the
conveying rollers 10, 11. When the position to be provided with the
second crease 500 arrives at the second convex and concave blocks
50, 51, the sheet S is stopped by stopping the conveying rollers
10, 11. The second convex block 50 moves upwardly toward the second
concave block 51. As a result, the second crease 500 is formed on
the sheet S. The second crease 500 provides a protrusion on the
first surface (upper surface) S1 of the sheet S and a recess on the
second surface (lower surface) S2 of the sheet S.
[0100] Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the sheet S is conveyed in the
first conveying direction F in such a way that a position to be
provided with the first crease 400 arrives at the first convex and
concave blocks 40, 41 by controlling the amount of the rotations of
the conveying rollers 10, 11. When the position to be provided with
the first crease 400 arrives at the first convex and concave blocks
40, 41, the sheet S is stopped by stopping the conveying rollers
10, 11. The first concave block 41 moves upwardly toward the first
convex block 40. As a result, the first crease 500 is formed on the
sheet S. The first crease 400 provides a recess on the first
surface (upper surface) S1 of the sheet S and a protrusion on the
second surface (lower surface) S2 of the sheet S.
[0101] Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the sheet S is conveyed in the
first conveying direction F in such a way that the second crease
500 arrives at the edge 23a of the first folding knife 23 by
controlling the amount of the rotations of the conveying roller 11
and the first folding roller 20. The sheet S is discharged from the
second conveying roller 11, then the discharged sheet S is nipped
and conveyed between the first folding and press rollers 20, 200.
The second press roller 210 is separated from the second folding
roller 21 in order not to convey the sheet S in a direction
opposite to the first conveying direction F by an inverse rotation
of the second folding roller 21. When the second crease 500 arrives
at the edge 23a of the first folding knife 23, the sheet S is
stopped by stopping the conveying roller 11 and the first and
second folding rollers 20, 21.
[0102] Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the second press roller 210 moves
upwardly toward the second folding roller 21, and then the first
folding knife 23 moves. The first folding roller 20 rotates in a
clockwise direction, while the second folding roller 21 rotates in
a counterclockwise direction. The edge 23a of the first folding
knife 23 presses the second crease 500. As a result, the second
crease 500 is inserted into the first gap 201 between the first and
second folding rollers 20, 21. The edge 23a of the first folding
knife 23 presses the recess side of the second crease 500. Then,
the sheet S is inserted into the first gap 201 and folded along the
second crease 500 and discharged from the first and second folding
rollers 20, 21. The sheet S is folded in the same direction as the
fold direction of the second crease 500.
[0103] Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the sheet S is conveyed in the
second conveying direction F' in such a way that the first crease
400 arrives at the edge 24a of the second folding knife 24 by
controlling the amount of the rotations of the first and second
folding rollers 20, 21. The second conveying direction F' is
arranged at approximately right angle to the first conveying
direction F. The third press roller 220 is separated from the third
folding roller 22 in order not to convey the sheet S in a direction
opposite to the second conveying direction F' by an inverse
rotation of the third folding roller 22. When the first crease 400
arrives at the edge 24a of the second folding knife 24, the sheet S
is stopped by stopping the first and second folding rollers 20,
21.
[0104] Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the third press roller 220 moves
laterally toward the third folding roller 22, and then the second
folding knife 24 moves. The first folding roller 20 rotates in a
clockwise direction, the second folding roller 21 rotates in a
counterclockwise direction, and the third folding roller 22 rotates
in a clockwise direction. The edge 24a of the second folding knife
24 presses the first crease 400. As a result, the first crease 400
is inserted into the second gap 202 between the second and third
folding rollers 21, 22. The edge 24a of the second folding knife 24
presses the recess side of the first crease 400. Then, the sheet S
is inserted into the second gap 202 and folded along the first
crease 400 and discharged from the second and third folding rollers
21, 22. The sheet S is folded in the same direction as the fold
direction of the first crease 400.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 15, the sheet S is folded along the first
and second creases 400, 500. As above described, the machine of the
present invention can fold the thin paper sheet S in the same
direction as the fold directions of the first and second creases
400, 500 (see FIG. 16A). As a result, the sheet S can be folded
with good appearance because the folded portion of the sheet S can
be sharp.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0106] 1 creasing mechanism [0107] 2 folding mechanism [0108] 3
controller [0109] 45 creasing section [0110] 4 first creasing unit
[0111] 40 first convex block [0112] 41 first concave block [0113]
42 first creasing drive mechanism [0114] 5 second creasing unit
[0115] 50 second convex block [0116] 51 second concave block [0117]
52 second creasing drive mechanism [0118] 400 first crease [0119]
500 second crease [0120] 10 first conveying roller [0121] 100 first
drive roller [0122] 101 first idle roller [0123] 11 second
conveying roller [0124] 110 second drive roller [0125] 111 second
idle roller [0126] 6 first folding unit [0127] 7 second folding
unit [0128] 20 first folding roller [0129] 21 second folding roller
[0130] 22 third folding roller [0131] 23 first folding knife [0132]
23a edge of the first folding knife [0133] 230 first folding knife
drive mechanism 24 second folding knife [0134] 24a edge of the
second folding knife [0135] 240 second folding knife drive
mechanism [0136] 201 first gap [0137] 202 second gap [0138] 200
first press roller [0139] 210 second press roller [0140] 220 third
press roller [0141] 12 motor [0142] 13 position sensor [0143] 121
first timing belt [0144] 122 second timing belt [0145] S sheet
[0146] S1 first surface of the sheet [0147] S2 second surface of
the sheet [0148] F first conveying direction [0149] F' second
conveying direction
* * * * *