JPH0242079B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Claim 1: A plurality of sheets fed sequentially along the first path are brought together along the first path, with the edges to be joined oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first path. In a bookbinding device that binds books using adhesive,
an adhesive supply device that supplies a strip of adhesive to each sheet adjacent to the edge; a device that stacks the sheets with the adhesive on a receiving tray; and a device that supplies the adhesive strip to each sheet adjacent to the edge; a device for applying pressure to bond adjacent sheets, characterized in that a device for feeding the sheets along a second path extending in a direction parallel to the edges of the sheets to be bonded; A bookbinding apparatus, wherein the agent supply device is attached at a predetermined position along the second path so as to supply a strip of adhesive to the sheet traveling along the second path.

2. The bookbinding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is inverted while moving along the second path.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adhesive supply device is selectively operable to supply adhesive, and when the sheet is traveling along the second path. . A bookbinding apparatus, further comprising a device that operates the feeding device for a predetermined time interval before and after each sheet arrives at the feeding device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adhesive supply device includes a nozzle, an operative position for supplying adhesive to the sheet, and a container containing a substance to prevent the adhesive from drying out at the nozzle. 1. A bookbinding device comprising a device for moving a nozzle between a storage position and a storage position.

5. In the apparatus according to claim 1, the adhesive supply device includes a nozzle, a cartridge for storing adhesive, a device for supplying pressurized adhesive from the cartridge to the nozzle, and a device for supplying the pressurized adhesive from the cartridge to the nozzle. A bookbinding device comprising a valve for controlling the flow rate of an adhesive.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in an apparatus for binding copies of copies (for example, from a document copying machine) by gluing them together.

Research report published in March 1981
Disclosure) No. 20341 discloses a bookbinding device that binds sheets from sheets fed one sheet at a time by a sheet conveyance mechanism. The disclosed bookbinding apparatus can be used "on-line" with a document copier, for example, to produce aligned pages from copy paper. In such a bookbinding operation, the copies are continuously fed into a bookbinding machine which, as it receives two copies at a time, applies a strip of adhesive near the trailing edge of each of the two sheets. supply This operation involves temporarily stopping and aligning the two sheets of copy paper, bringing the paper into contact with a glue-feeding pen near its trailing edge, and advancing said pen in a direction perpendicular to the travel trajectory of the copy paper. This is done by After the glue has been applied in strips, the two sheets advance along a copy paper reversal track to a copy paper receiving pan. The copies are then stacked and a pressure bar is moved into engagement with the paper over a strip of glue (on the copy paper opposite the pressure bar).

Although the bookbinding device disclosed in the said research report is functional, it has a drawback in that the glue supply device must move relative to the copy sheets to be bound. The relative movement described above requires a relatively complex mechanism to mount the glue supply device for uniform and accurate movement. Furthermore, if it is desired to continuously replenish the glue supply device with glue, it is necessary to use a relatively long conduit to connect the glue supply device with the glue reservoir.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bookbinding apparatus in which the glue supply device does not have to move relative to the copy paper to dispense adhesive in strips. The bookbinding device according to the present invention includes a device for making the traveling direction of the copy paper parallel to the edge of the copy paper to which glue is to be supplied, and a device for making the copy paper travel in a direction parallel to the edge of the copy paper to which glue is to be supplied; and a mounting device for positioning the glue supply device at a fixed position along the track to supply a strip of glue to the copy sheet.

The present invention and its various advantages and features will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. Of the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copying machine or the like, a stapling/finishing device, and a binding device according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a device for controlling the flow of copy paper from the copying machine; Figure 3 is partially cut away for clarity;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the bookbinding device as seen from near the front of the bookbinding device; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the bookbinding device of the present invention with certain members omitted; FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view showing the blanket cylinder feeding device in the position where it engages with the copy paper and feeds the copy paper; FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the bonding of the binding device Figure 10 is a partially cut away side view along line 10--10 of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a side view of line 11--11 of Figure 10; FIG. 12 is a partially detailed view of the adhesive supply device of the bookbinding machine, with some parts shown schematically; FIG. 13 shows the connection between the adhesive cartridge and other parts of the adhesive supply device. 14 is a cut away perspective view of part of the collecting pan; FIGS. 15 and 16 are side views showing two parts of a preferred mechanism for moving the collecting pan of a bookbinding device; FIG. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure bar assembly; FIG. 18 is a partial view of the bookbinding device as seen from the left side; and FIG. FIG.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, a copying machine or similar, generally designated 20, has only one side (single-sided copy paper).
Alternatively, it is possible to create a flow of copy paper on which information is copied on either side (double-sided copy paper). A circulating document feeder 22 is shown above the platen (not shown) of the image receiving station of the copier 20 and is adapted to continuously feed document copy sheets to the platen for copying. Typically, a circulation feeder sequentially feeds document sheets from a stack of document sheets on a plate at the top of the feeder to a platen so that one copy is made per circulation of the document sheet, and then Return to stack of same sheets. The feeder may also feed one copy sheet of a set to a plate for one or more copies, and then subsequently copy each additional document sheet. Document sheets are placed in the feeder in a predetermined page order. For example, the first page should be at the top of the stack of papers, and the last page should be at the bottom. The last (bottom) sheet is fed to the platen first and returned to the top of the stack of sheets. Additionally, the document sheet may be fed to the platen through the document positioning device 24;
Alternatively, the circulation feeder 22 can be pivoted away from the platen and individual documents placed thereon for copying.

An operator may control the operation of the copier and related equipment via control panel 26. A portion of the control panel 26 can be used to provide instructions to the operator to assist in preparing the copier, clearing paper jams, etc. If the copy paper produced by the copy machine 20 is not bound or glued as described below, it can be sent to the output tray 28 for removal by the operator.

As shown in FIG. 2, the copy sheet is directed toward the tray 28 by moving the copy sheet deflector 30 to the dotted position. In that case, the deflecting device is in a position to deflect the copy paper from the copy paper travel path 32 to the plate.
When the deflector 30 is in the solid position, the copy sheet enters the track 34 and is directed to a finishing/binding device generally indicated at 40. The position of the deflector 30 is set in response to operator input to the copier panel 26.

The finishing device/binding device 40 is comprised of a staple finishing section 42 and an adhesive binding section 44. The finishing section 42 receives a plurality of copies, collects them, and staples the copies together to form a finishing set. The binder part 44 receives the duplicate copies and collects them together.
Bind with adhesive.

The combination of the circulating feeder and copier and stapler type finishing apparatus, which has been generally described above, is described in detail in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,672 to Burlew et al. In addition, a circulation feeder that handles single-sided copy paper, a circulation feeder that handles single-sided/double-sided copy paper, or a combination of a circulation feeder and document positioning device as described above is available.
October 2, 1979 M. J.A. Ratsel (MJ
U.S. Patent No. 4,169,674 issued to Russell Russell,
February 28, 1978 M. G. Ride et al. (MG
No. 4076408, published by Reid et al., 1979.
June 19, A. B. The same issue published by ABDiFrancesco et al.
No. 4158500, December 4, 1979 R. C. No. 4176945 issued to RCHolzhauser et al. and Hampshire, UK.
PO91E, Havant, Homewell's Industrial Opportunities
Opportunities Ltd., Homewell, Havant,
Research report published by Hampshire, PO91F, United Kingdom (September 1979 edition)
[Research Disclosure (September 1979)
edition), volume 185, pages 526 and 527, item number 18540. The disclosures of the aforementioned patents and publications are incorporated herein by reference.

Stapler Type Finishing Device Finishing device 42 includes a plurality of sets of drive rollers 46 and idle rollers 48 that advance copy sheets along track 34 . The copy paper is then driven around rotating rollers 50 and placed into a collection tray 56 via rollers 52 and 54. The copies fed to tray 56 can be held together and stapled together by staples from stapler 58, if desired. A set of copy sheets, stapled in tray 56, is stacked on transport tray 59 (FIG. 1) for removal by an operator. The aforementioned finishing device 42 may be the same or essentially the same as that shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,672. Accordingly, reference is made to the aforementioned patents for a detailed description of finishing device 42 and the other devices mentioned above.

In order to feed the copy paper to the bookbinding device 44, the finishing device described in U.S. Pat.
Alternatively, a copy sheet deflecting device 60 that can be positioned at any of the dotted line positions is provided. When the deflector is in the dotted position, copy sheets traveling along track 34 are deflected around rotating rollers 50 to collection pan 56. With deflector 60 in the solid position, the copy sheet continues to advance along track 34 and into the nip between a set of drive rollers 62 and idle rollers 64. The rollers feed the copy paper between a pair of guide devices 66 that define an exit slot leading from finishing device 42 to bookbinding device 44.

The deflection device 60 is movable between two positions in response to movement of an actuation lever 68, shown schematically as connected thereto. The operating lever 68 is 7
It is pivoted midway between the ends, as indicated by 0, and is secured to the rod 72 of the air cylinder 74 at the portion opposite the connection to the deflector. Pressurized air or other fluid is supplied to cylinder 74 via conduit 76, causing rod 72 to retract and pivot actuation lever 68 counterclockwise. Said pivoting motion is transmitted to the deflection device 60, causing it to move from the solid line position to the dotted line position. As fluid pressure in conduit 76 decreases, the return spring in cylinder 74 extends rod 72 and returns the device to its normal solid position.

Adhesive Bookbinding Device Copy paper traveling along the track 34 passes between a pair of spaced guide plates 80 and enters the bookbinding device 44, and passes through a nip between a set of drive rollers 82 and idle rollers 84. sent to. In some cases, the copy sheets may not be stapled together and the finishing device 4
2 can be passed through roller 8 just as
In some cases, it may be preferable to directly pass the copy paper 2, 84 through the bookbinding device 44 without binding the copy paper. Therefore, the bookbinding device has rollers 82 and 84.
A pair of drive rollers 86 and an idler, which may be located in the solid line position in FIG. It has rollers 88. In this way, the track 34 can be used to pass through the finishing device 42 and the bookbinding device 44 to transport copy paper from the copier 20 to a downstream location, such as a copy tray, a collation device, or the like.

Preferably, a set of idler rollers 88 are mounted on a shaft supported by frame 92. To move the idler roller 88 away from the drive roller 86, the idler roller and frame can pivot upwardly around the right edge of the frame. This makes it easier to remove paper if it becomes jammed between the drive roller 86 and the idle roller 88.

Similarly, drive rollers 86 are supported on a carriage 94 that pivots about the axis of a shaft 96 to which a set of drive rollers 86 is mounted. As shown schematically in FIG. 2, an air cylinder 98 having a rod 100 connected to the carriage 94 allows the carriage 94 and frame 92 to pivot clockwise simultaneously. When pressurized fluid is supplied through conduit 102, rod 100 extends and engages shaft 96.
The carriage 94 and frame 92 are pivoted clockwise about the axis , causing the members to move to the dotted line position shown in FIG. When the dotted line position is reached, a set of copy paper deflectors 104, 106 located below the carriage 94 deflects the copy paper exiting the rollers 82, 84 and directs the copy paper to the receiving tray. 108 and assumes a relative position with the track 34 to press downwardly into it.

Logic and Control Unit As is well known in the art, a logic and control unit (LCU), shown at 110 in FIG.
It can control the main frame, circulation feeder, etc. of a copying machine. See, for example, US Pat. No. 4,134,672, cited above. A separate logic and control unit (LCU) 112 may be provided for the finishing/binding device 40. LCU 112 monitors various functions of the finishing/binding equipment and provides control signals to operate the equipment in response to signals received therefrom. Logic and control units 110 and 112 are interconnected in any suitable manner to provide the necessary communication between the main frame of the copier and the finishing/binding equipment. For example, necessary communication can be performed using a conventional general-purpose interface bus and, if necessary, by wiring connections. A suitable interface bus is preferably a programmable communication interface for interfacing microprocessor devices including LCUs 110,112. This type of interface allows each microprocessor device to operate independently, but also allows information to be exchanged for use by other microprocessors. One of the microprocessor devices, e.g. LCU 110, comprises a controller microprocessor, and the other microprocessor, e.g. LCU 11, comprises a controller microprocessor.
2 consists of a noncontrolling microprocessor. Also, although a single LCU 112 is shown controlling both the finishing device 42 and the bookbinding device 44, the finishing device and the bookbinding device may have separate LCUs.
When using finishing equipment and binding equipment independently,
A separate LCU will be used.

A deflector 60, which directs the copy sheet to the finishing device, is normally in its lower position and the LCU is operated to actuate cylinder 74 to move the deflector to the dotted position.
Unless a signal is received from the printer, the copy sheet is sent directly to the bookbinding device through the finishing device. Similarly, the set of drive rollers 86 and guide rollers 88 in bookbinding device 44 are normally in the solid line position as shown in FIG.
If there is no signal from the LCU, the copy paper passes through the binding device and advances to the next device, such as a plate.

Handling of Copy Sheets Continuously Feed to the Bookbinding Device When a series of copy sheets is to be bound together by the bookbinding device 44, the pair of rollers 86, 88 is moved into the raised position so that along the track 34, The copy paper traveling between the guide plates 80 is deflected downward by the guide fingers 104 and 106.
It is guided to the saucer 108. Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, the tray 108 is located in a plane below the plate 80 that guides the copy paper to the bookbinding device. Rollers 82,82 feed the copy paper across tray 108 and into engagement with side guide 120. The guide device 120 has a plurality of upwardly projecting fingers 122 movable within spaced apart slots 124 in the saucer 108. For this purpose, the guide device 120 can be adjusted in any suitable manner from left to right as shown in FIG. 4, so that the bookbinding device can handle copy sheets of various widths.

On the side of the tray 108 opposite to the edge guide device 120 there is a side edge rocking device 126 , which
26 is pivotally mounted at 128 for movement between the solid line position and the dotted line position shown in FIG. When the side edge rocker is actuated, it forces the leading edge of the copy sheet against the side guide device 120 and aligns the trailing edge of the copy sheet with the device when the device is in the dotted position. As will be discussed in more detail below, this action aligns the trailing edge of the copy sheet with the adhesive supply device. The side rocker is moved between two positions by a solenoid, motor, or other device (not shown).

After the copy paper is aligned in the tray 108 by the guide device 120 and the swing device 126, the copy paper is sent out from the tray rearward (to the right as viewed in FIG. 5) by the copy paper feed mechanism. The copy paper transport mechanism includes a drive shaft 130 that supports a set of drive rollers 132. Drive roller 132 cooperates with a set of idle rollers 134 mounted on shaft 136. roller 13
4 protrudes upward through a slot in the saucer 108, so that the pair of rollers 132, 13
4 can cooperate to feed the copy paper in the tray 108 to the right as viewed in FIG.

When copy sheets to be bound are sent to the bookbinding device, the sheets advance from left to right as viewed in FIG. To feed the copy paper into the nip between rollers 132 and 134, change the direction of copy paper travel 90 degrees and move the copy paper toward the rear of the machine (from left to right when viewed in Figures 5 and 6). I need to send it to someone else. Also, the edges of one size of copy paper may be moved closer to the roller 13 than the corresponding edges of another size of copy paper.
It is understood that the bookbinding device can accept copy sheets of various sizes as the size approaches 2,134. For example, in one particular embodiment of a bookbinding device, so-called letter-sized copy paper is
The edge closest to 32 is fed onto the saucer 108 in a plane shown at 140 in FIG. For longer copy paper, such as so-called legal size copy paper, the edges closest to rollers 132 and 134 are
It is placed on a plane indicated by 42 and sent to the receiving tray.

Referring to FIGS. 4 through 6, a blanket cylinder drive mechanism, generally designated 144, redirects the copy paper received in tray 108 and transports the copy paper between rollers 132, 134. Send it to the nip. The drive mechanism 144 includes a pair of generally triangular plates 146,148. The plates lie in generally parallel planes and bear bearings 150, 152.
is supported on the shaft 130 by. Drive roller 1
54 is secured to shaft 130 between plates 146,148.

The plates 146, 148 are attached to three spaced apart shafts 1.
56,158,160 are supported. Three idle rollers 162, 164, and 166 are respectively attached to the shafts. A rubber cylinder type feed roller 168 is also fixed to the shaft 160. Since the rubber cylinder type feed roller 168 has a larger diameter than the idle roller 166, it protrudes from the periphery of the idle roller. The rubber cylinder feed roller 168 is also sized to extend beyond the plates 146,148. The roller 168 engages the copy paper without damaging it;
It is also preferably made of an elastic material so that it can be fed. A drive belt 170 is wrapped around drive roller 154 and idler rollers 162, 164, and 166 so that as shaft 130 rotates, drive belt 170 rotates the various idler rollers and loops around shaft 160 and blanket cylinder feed roller 168. to drive.

The rubber cylinder type feeding mechanism 144 is an air cylinder 172.
to move between the two positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The air cylinder 172 is connected to the bracket 17
6 to the frame member 174 of the machine. Cylinder 172 has a rod 178 that can expand in response to an increase in fluid pressure supplied to the cylinder via conduit 180. Said rod 17
8 indicates that as the fluid pressure introduced into the cylinder via conduit 180 decreases, cylinder 17 responds accordingly.
It is moved back by the spring inside 2. Rod 178 is connected to plates 146, 148 by pins 182 passing through the plates and the outer ends of the rods.

Typically, conduit 180 has no or little fluid pressure. The return spring within cylinder 172 therefore maintains rubber barrel feed mechanism 144 in the disengaged position shown in FIG. In this position, the entire feed mechanism, in particular the blanket cylinder feed roller 168,
It is located above the plane of the copy paper advancing track 34 leading to the bookbinding device. The portion of the feed mechanism below the track 34 is to the right of the planes 140, 142 so that it does not interfere with the copy paper being fed to the tray 108. Therefore, the copy paper fed along the track 34 passes under the rubber cylinder type feed roller 168, and passes one edge under the feed roller 168.
and is received in the tray 108, generally located on the planes 140, 142 or somewhere therebetween.

Once the copy sheet is received and aligned on the tray 108, the finisher/binder logic and control unit 112 directs pressurized air to the cylinder 172 via conduit 180. To this end, the rod 178 is extended to pivot the rubber barrel feed mechanism 144 from the disengaged position of FIG. 5 to the engaged position of FIG. As a result, the blanket cylinder type feed roller 168 is brought into feeding engagement with the upper surface of the copy paper S (FIG. 6) placed on the tray 108. At this point, shaft 130 moves counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, causing blanket cylinder feed roller 168 to rotate counterclockwise. When the blanket cylinder feed roller makes contact with the top surface of the copy paper, the copy paper is immediately fed to the right and into the nip between rollers 132 and 134.

Immediately after the copy paper reaches rollers 132, 134, LCU 112 cuts off the pressurized fluid supply to conduit 180, and the spring in cylinder 172 retracts rod 178, causing blanket cylinder feed mechanism 14
4 from the engaged position of FIG. 6 to the disengaged position of FIG. 5, the next copy sheet can be fed into the tray 108 along the track 34.

As the copy paper is fed across the upper tray 108, it passes beneath an adhesive supply device, generally designated 200, so that adhesive can be applied to the top surface of the copy paper. Since the adhesive supply device 200 is located above the tray 108 and near the left side of the tray as viewed in FIG. 4, the adhesive is supplied close to the top surface of the copy paper and its left edge. The adhesive supply device is positioned in conjunction with the side rocker 126 so that the adhesive feeder is positioned approximately 0.32 cm from the left side edge of the copy sheet.
A line of adhesive is applied to the top surface of the copy paper at a point (inches).

As best shown in FIGS. 7 through 11, adhesive dispensing apparatus 200 generally comprises two
02 and includes a nozzle assembly movable between a storage position as shown in FIG. 7 and an adhesive dispensing device as shown in FIG. The nozzle assembly includes a housing 204, a nozzle tip 206 that supplies adhesive, and an inlet port 208 that supplies adhesive to the nozzle assembly. Nozzle assembly 202 includes logic and control device 1
12 preferably includes a solenoid operated valve 210 controlled by 12. Valve 210 controls the flow of adhesive through the adhesive supply device in response to signals from the LCU.

When the nozzle assembly is in the stowed position shown in FIG. 7, the nozzle tip 206 is located within the tank generally indicated at 212. As the nozzle assembly moves from the stowed position to the operating position of FIG. 9, the tank pivots laterally from the nozzle assembly's trajectory of movement.

Tank 212 includes a hollow container 214 having a seal 216 at its top made of rubber or similar resilient material. Container 214 is preferably formed from a transparent material. The container contains a liquid solvent 215, such as water, for the adhesive to be dispensed through the nozzle. In this way, when the nozzle tip end 206 is inside the tank,
No drying or clogging of the nozzle end. By constructing the container 214 from a transparent material, the operator can visually determine whether there is enough liquid in the container to submerge the tip end of the nozzle. Seal 216 substantially prevents liquid from leaking or drying out within the container. A suitable detector (not shown), such as a mechanical switch or an emitter detector, can be used to detect whether the adhesive supply device is in the activated or stowed position and provide a signal to LCU 112.

Tank 21 between the two positions shown in Figures 7 and 9.
A mechanism, generally designated 220, is provided for moving 2. When the nozzle assembly 202 is in its storage position (FIG. 7), it is in its operating position (FIG. 9).
(Fig.) and at the same time the tank also moves. The mechanism 220 includes a generally U-shaped guide member formed by a plate 222 and rails 224, 226 located at the side edges of the plate. The rail is generally perpendicular to and fixed to the plate.

A cam plate 228 is pivotally attached to plate 222 by a pivot pin 230. tank 212
is fixed to the lower end of the cam plate 228.
The opening in the upper end of the cam plate is defined by two cam follower surfaces 232, 234 that meet near the pivot pin 230. Circular cam 236 abuts between cam follower surfaces 232, 234 with one surface adjacent to the surface of plate 222. Drive shaft 238
is supported by a housing 240 that protrudes from the rear of the plate 222. One end of the drive shaft 238 is connected to the cam 236, and the axis of the shaft 238 is connected to the cam 236.
36, the rotation of the shaft causes the cam to move eccentrically about the axis of the shaft.

A gear 24 is located at the end of the shaft 238 opposite to the cam.
2 is installed. The gear 242 is connected to the shaft 246
is driven by a sector gear 244 that pivots around the . The sector gear is connected to the air cylinder 25 at 250.
4 (FIG. 11) has an integral arm portion 248 connected to a rod 252. Therefore, when pressurized air is supplied to cylinder 254, rod 252 extends and rotates fan gear 244, which in turn rotates gear 242 and drive shaft 238, causing cam 236 to rotate. When air pressure is released, cylinder 2
A return spring in 54 causes the members to move in opposite directions.

When the cam 236 is driven clockwise from the position shown in FIG.
32 and about the pivot point 230 of the plate 22 .
8 in a clockwise direction to separate the plate and tank 2.
12 to the position shown in FIG. cam 23
6 is driven counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 7, the edge of cam 236 engages cam follower surface 234 and drives plate 228 counterclockwise about pivot point 230; 9th plate and tank 212
Move to the position shown in the figure.

A plate 260 is located between side rails 224, 226 and near the face of cam plate 228. A nozzle mounting member 262 is secured to the surface of plate 260 opposite cam plate 228, and nozzle assembly 202 is retained by mounting member 262.

The plate 260 is held in position between the rails 224, 226 by a retaining member 264 secured to the rail 226 by a fixture 266. The holding member 264 has a flange portion extending over a portion of the plate 260 to prevent it from coming off the cam plate 228. Cam plate 22
A lip (not shown) may be provided on the outer edge of the rail 224 to limit movement of the plate 260 away from the rail 224.

Plate 260 has a narrow slot 268 horizontally across its upper end. A pin 270 is eccentrically mounted to cam 236 and projects through a slot 268 in plate 260. The cam is the shaft 23
As the pin 270 rotates around the axis of
revolves in an arcuate orbit around the axis of the shaft 238,
and by movement along slot 268, plate 2 is moved between rails 224, 226 and in a plane generally parallel to plate 222.
60 is moved vertically. To this end, the adhesive supply assembly 202 first moves vertically upward from the stowed position shown in FIG. 7 to the raised position shown in FIG. 8 as the cam rotates approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise, and then As the cam rotates further 180 degrees counterclockwise, it moves downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the activated position shown in FIG. Movement of the cam in the opposite direction causes the feed assembly to move upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown in FIG. 8 and then back down to the position shown in FIG.

As the cam moves counterclockwise from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of FIG. 8, it moves freely within the opening formed by cam follower surfaces 232, 234 of cam plate 228. Therefore, during the aforementioned movement of the cam, the plate remains in the position shown in FIG. Further movement of the cam from the FIG. 8 position causes the cam to engage cam follower surface 234 and pivot the cam plate about pivot point 230 from the FIG. 8 position to the FIG. 9 position. Due to the above movement,
As the adhesive supply assembly moves from the raised position shown in FIG. 8 to the activated position shown in FIG. 9, the tank 212 is pivoted to the right of and out of the assembly's trajectory of motion.

As previously mentioned, cam 236 connects air cylinder 25
Rotate by 4. The cylinder 254 has a spring that returns the rod 252 to the cylinder when air pressure is released. As a result, the air pressure source is cut off. In the event of a power outage, adhesive supply assembly 202 and tank 212 are returned from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the stowed position of FIG. 7. This is desirable because the adhesive that adheres to the end of the feeder to return the end 206 to the tank 212 will not dry out and clog the feeder.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, adhesive 272 for the adhesive supply system is provided in a cartridge 274. Cartridge 274 is a container made of high strength material that can withstand the pressure applied to dispense the adhesive. The lower portion of the cartridge is seated in a cartridge holder 276, and the upper portion of the cartridge is inserted into a holder 278. Once the cartridge is in the retainer 278, it closes the normally open switch 280 and provides a signal to the LCU indicating that the cartridge is in the retainer. Also, the emitter 282 and detector 284 inside the holder 276
provides a signal to the LCU indicating whether the level of adhesive 272 in the cartridge is above or below the bottom edge of the cartridge. This signal prompts the cartridge 274 to be replaced if there is very little adhesive left in the cartridge 274.
The LCU provides signals to the operator.

Pressurized air or other gas is introduced into the top of the cartridge above the level of adhesive 272 to pressurize the cartridge. This operation can be accomplished by providing air from a compressor 286 which forms part of the bookbinding apparatus. A solenoid operated control valve 288 may be provided in the piping 290 leading from the compressor to the cartridge to control the flow of air to the cartridge. valve 2
88 is operated by the LCU of the bookbinding device. Pressurized air is introduced into the cartridge through the cartridge cap and interface, generally indicated at 292. This boundary part is shown in detail in Figure 13,
This will be explained later. It is sufficient here to understand that pressurized air is introduced into the upper part of the cartridge above the level of the adhesive 272 through said interface and pressurizes the cartridge. Therefore, from the lower part of the cartridge to the boundary part 29
2, the adhesive can be pumped through a conduit 294 extending to the outside of the cartridge, which is connected to a conduit 296. Since the lower end of conduit 294 is below the line between the emitter and detectors 282, 284, the operator is signaled when the adhesive level approaches the lower end of conduit 294.
Conduit 296 is connected to inlet port 208 (FIG. 7) of adhesive supply assembly 202. Preferably, a filter 298 is provided in the conduit 296 to remove particles larger than a predetermined size that may be mixed in the adhesive. For example, the filter may remove particles larger than 100 microns.

Solenoid operated valve 2 of adhesive supply assembly 202
10 controls the flow rate through the nozzle 206 when adhesive is supplied to the copy paper indicated by S in FIG. In this way, a thin strip of adhesive 304 is supplied to the upper surface of the copy paper S. The flow of adhesive from the end 206 of the nozzle is detected by an emitter 300 and a detector 302 located on either side of the adhesive supplied from the nozzle to the copy sheet S.
The detector provides a signal to the bookbinding machine's LCU indicating whether adhesive is flowing (or not) from the nozzle. The LCU tracks the flow of copy paper through the copier and bookbinding equipment. While the copy paper is progressing through the adhesive feeder from the second sheet of the set to the last copier, if the adhesive is not flowing from the feeder, the LCU will stops the bookbinding device and gives a signal to the operator.

Under normal operating conditions, the adhesive supply device does not apply adhesive to the first copy sheet in a set of sheets that is fed past the adhesive supply nozzle. However, for each subsequent copy sheet in a set, the sequence begins just before the leading edge of the sheet reaches the nozzle tip 206 and ends just after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the end of the nozzle. During this time, the supply device supplies adhesive from the nozzle end 206 of the adhesive supply device. For example, adhesive may begin to flow from the nozzle end about 20 milliseconds before the copy paper arrives at the nozzle end, and flow may stop about 20 milliseconds after the copy paper has passed beneath the nozzle end. The adhesive continues to flow continuously while each copy sheet in the set of copies to be bound, except the first copy sheet, passes through the adhesive supply nozzle. In this way, the band-shaped adhesive is continuously supplied from the second copy paper to the subsequent copy paper in a set of copy papers.

From the foregoing description, it is clear that the time period during which the adhesive flowing from the nozzle end 206 is not applied to the copy sheet is very short. To avoid adhesive build-up on the lower portion of the adhesive supply assembly,
A large opening is provided in the pan 108 immediately below the nozzle end 206 so that any adhesive not applied to the copy sheet passes through the opening. One end of conduit 308 is located directly below the opening to receive adhesive passing through the opening. The end of the conduit is connected to a collection container or vial 310 located at a suitable remote location in the housing of the bookbinding device. The bottle 310 eventually becomes full of adhesive and needs to be replaced. When the level of adhesive collected in bottle 310 reaches the top of the bottle,
It is detected by a detection device consisting of an emitter 312 and a detector 314. generated by the detection device,
Bin 3 using the signal provided to the binding device LCU
10 may need to be replaced. Instead of the above detection device, the signal to the LCU is located below the bottle 310;
It may be generated by a weight sensing switch 315 that closes due to the weight of the adhesive in the bottle 310 when the bottle is approximately full.

The various solenoid control valves, switches, emitter detectors, etc. shown in FIG. 12 and described above are preferably connected to logic and control system 112 for the finishing equipment. This allows the logic and control system to receive signals and send control signals to various detectors, valves, etc. to control the operation of the machine.

As shown in FIG. 13, the cartridge closure portion and interface portion 292 have a sealing member 320 that mates with the interior of the upper end of the neck of the cartridge 274 for closure.
including. A lip 322 on the upper end of the seal member engages the upper edge of the cartridge to limit downward movement of the seal within the cartridge. Seal member 320 has an inlet passageway 324 and an outlet passageway 326, both passages extending from the top to the bottom of the seal member. The lower end of the inlet passageway 324 is generally cylindrical in shape and receives a spring 328. the spring is compressed between a spring retaining member 330 at the lower end of the passageway and a check valve ball 332;
Pushing the ball upwardly into the band-closing position (shown in phantom) where the ball engages an annular seat 334 and closes fluid flow through the passageway. When the ball is spaced from its seat (shown in solid lines), one or more flow grooves 336 in the walls of passageway 324 allow fluid to pass around ball 332 and thus into and out of the cartridge. Similarly, spring 338 within passage 326
is compressed between the spring retaining member 340 and the ball 342, forcing the ball upwardly toward the annular seat 344 within the passageway, generally preventing fluid from entering or exiting the cartridge 274 through the passageway 326.
Also, as the ball 342 moves downward away from its seat, as shown by the solid line in FIG.
A flow groove 346 in the wall of 6 allows liquid to flow through the sphere 342.
to be able to pass around.

A cartridge 274 is attached to the machine,
When activated, a cap or cover 350 is secured to the top of the cartridge. This fixation is
Corresponding screw 3 formed on the top end of the cartridge
This is accomplished by providing the cap with a screw 352 that fits 54. Cap is cartridge 27
4 through the center of the top of the cap. The valve actuator and coupler combination 358 passes through the cap opening 356 and has a cylindrical portion 360 having a flange portion 362 having a larger diameter than the opening 356.
has. The valve actuator and coupler combination is mounted on the cap 3 adjacent the opening 356 in the flange 362.
50 and is positioned inside the cap in engagement with the inner surface of the cap. The valve actuator and coupler combination is then screwed onto the top of the cartridge and moved vertically to the position shown in FIG.

The lower end of the valve actuator and coupler combination is provided with two valve actuating members 364, 366 that fit into the upper ends of passages 324, 326, respectively. The upper end of the passage 324 and the actuator 364 are connected to the passage 326
It can be seen that the dimensions are slightly larger than the upper end of the actuator 366 and the actuator 366. In this manner, the valve actuator and coupler combination is prevented from being inserted in only one position relative to the sealing member 320. When the valve actuator and coupler combination 358 is inserted into the seal member 320, the lower ends of the actuators 364, 366 engage the balls 332, 342, respectively, and the spring 32
8,338 to cause the ball to move downwardly against the force exerted by 8,338. This movement unseats the ball so that fluid flows around the ball and into the flow groove 33.
You can pass 6,346. Passages 368, 370 extend through member 358. Actuator 36 respectively
A series of ports 372,3 at the lower end of 4,366
74 is the passage 368, 370 and the passage 324, 3
26 to facilitate fluid flow.

Bosses 376 and 378 on the top of the actuator and coupler 358 combination connect conduits 290 and 296, respectively.
It is adapted to accept the end of the As can be seen in FIG. 13, boss 376 is slightly larger than boss 378 and conduits 290, 296 are sized accordingly so that the operator will not accidentally connect a conduit to the wrong boss. Conduit 290 connects cartridge 274 through passageway 368 and passageway 324.
connected inside. Similarly, conduit 296 is connected to the lower portion of cartridge 274 via passageway 370, passageway 326, and conduit 294.

During normal transportation and storage of the adhesive cartridge 274, a conventional bottle cap (not shown) is screwed onto the top of the cartridge to close the top of the cartridge. Cap 35 except that it does not have the conventional bottle cap opening 356 described above.
Similar to 0. Of course, conventional bottle caps do not include the valve actuator and coupler combination 358. Balls 332 and 342 are therefore urged upwardly against their seats 334 and 344 by springs 328 and 338, respectively. This check valve, together with seal member 320, closes off the top end of cartridge 274 to prevent adhesive from exiting the cartridge. On the other hand, for check valves, remove the normal cap and
It can be easily released by inserting the member 358 and cap 350 as shown in FIG. Also, as previously discussed, the actuating member 358 and associated conduits 290, 296 can be accurately mounted even if the dimensions of the several components of the device are uneven.

Copy Paper Feeding and Reversing Device Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, below the adhesive supply assembly 202 and paired rollers 13
2,134, the copy sheet moves to the right (as viewed from FIG. 5). The copy paper eventually leaves the right edge of the tray 108 and is fed to the curved guide device 380. Guide device 380 first deflects the copy paper around a pair of large, soft feed rollers 382 and into a nip between rollers 382 and a pair of pressure rollers 384. The pressure roller projects through a slot in copy sheet guide 380. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the left side edge 386 of the copy paper guide 380 is offset to the right from the nozzle end 206 of the adhesive supply assembly. Thus, as the copy paper is fed around the guide device 380, the adhesive on the copy paper is separated from said guide device. This prevents the adhesive from bleeding into the guide device, which would adversely affect the feeding of the copy paper around the guide device, and also ensures that the adhesive stays at the desired location on the copy sheet to adhere adjacent copy sheets, as described below. be able to do so.

After the copy paper reaches the bottom of the feed roller 382, the copy paper is fed along the horizontal portion of the guide device 380 and between the pair of rollers 388, 390. The roller 388 is an idle roller and is attached to a shaft 389. The roller 390 is a drive roller and is attached to a drive shaft 391. The pair of rollers feed the copy paper from its guide to a collection pan, generally designated 392. A guide plate 394 located just above the lower end of the copy paper guide device 380 facilitates guiding of the copy paper and prevents the copy paper from curling up from the guide device 380.

Collection Tray In the collection tray 392, the lower end of the copy paper guide device 380 is located below the plane, and a plurality of copy papers sent to the collection tray are received one by one onto other copy papers to form a stack of copy papers. form. (See Figure 5)
Rear swing device 39 located at the right end of the gathering tray 392
6 engages with the rear end of the copy paper as it is fed to the receiving tray 392 and presses the copy paper to the left.

Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, collection pan 392 includes a first pan portion 400 and a second pan portion 402. Referring to FIGS. The first dish portion 400 has a generally flat top surface 404 and a pair of support members 40.
8,410 having a generally L-shaped rod 406 supported above said surface 404. The rod is generally parallel to the plane 404 so that the copy paper is guided by its guiding devices 380, 394.
It is located above the plane from which the liquid is sent to the collecting plate 392. On the other hand, the plane 404
0.394 so that copy paper is received between the plane 404 and the rod 406.

A pair of pivot points 412 and 414 at opposite ends of the outer edge of the first pan portion 400 are positioned below the plane of the surface 404. The pivot point mounts the pan portion for pivoting between a generally horizontal position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 and a generally vertical position shown in FIG. 16. 1st
The plate portion 400 is pivoted between the two positions by a force applied to a pin 416 located above the plane of the surface 404 and below the copy sheet guide 380. The bracket 418 supporting the pin 416 is located below the copy sheet guide 380 and behind the front end of the guide.
It does not get in the way of feeding the copy paper to the tray 392.
Further, the pin 416 is offset from the axes of the pivot points 412 and 414 and is located closer to the center of the saucer than the pivot points.

The first dish portion 400 has a recess 420 on its outer edge, which is located below said plane 404 . The recess 420 is adapted to receive a copy paper side rocker in a tray 392, as will be described later. Another recess 422 is provided in surface 404 at the front end of the pan section opposite from the inlet end of the pan. The recess 422 is adapted to receive the fingers of an alignment member for aligning copy sheets, as described below.

The second pan portion 402 is similar to the first pan portion 400. In particular, dish portion 402 includes a generally planar top surface 424 and a rod 426 located above plane 424 and supported by a pair of support members 428,430. The plate portion 402 is supported for movement about axes at pivot points 432 (FIG. 14) and 434 (FIGS. 15 and 16) located at its outer edge. A pin 436 is supported above surface 424 by a bracket 438. The force applied to pin 436 causes pan portion 402 to move from the generally horizontal position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 to the vertical position shown in FIG. 16. A recess 440 in the upper surface of the tray portion 402 is adapted to receive the fingers of a copy sheet guiding member, ie, an alignment member, which will be described later. The saucer portion 402 also has a stepped outer edge portion 442 for the purpose described below.

The pan portions 400, 402 are moved between raised and lowered positions by a mechanism shown generally at 444 and best shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The mechanism 444 includes an air cylinder 446 pivotally connected at 448 to a plate or frame member 450.
including. When pressurized air or other fluid is introduced into cylinder 446 through conduit 452, rod 454 moves to its extended position (15th position).
(Fig. 16) to the retracted position (Fig. 16).
The rod is extended by introducing pressurized fluid from conduit 455 in the saucer into the cylinder.

The outermost end of rod 454 is connected at 456 to the middle portion of lever 458 and the lower end of connecting link 460. One end of the lever 458 is attached to the frame 4 at 462.
It is pivoted to 50. The springs 464 are each 4
The other end of the lever 458 is connected to the frame 450 at 66,468. A spring 464 is positioned relative to pin 462 to apply a force to lever 458 and urge it counterclockwise (FIG. 15) and clockwise (FIG. 16). That is,
Spring 464 is an "eccentric" spring that urges and holds lever 458 (and other movable levers, links, etc. shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) in each of the two positions shown. This may be desirable in the event that fluid leaks from the cylinder 446 or the fluid supply to the cylinder 446 is interrupted due to, for example, a power outage. Of course, the cylinder 446 is connected to the spring 4
Lever 458 can be pivoted clockwise or counterclockwise about pivot point 462 in response to the force applied by 64.

The pair of links 470 and 472 are connected to the frame 45
One end of each is pivoted to a fixed pivot point 474 at 0, so that the links can pivot about the pivot point. The upper end of the link 460 is 4
It is connected to the middle portion of link 470 at 76 . Connecting links 478 are connected to 480 and 4, respectively.
At 82, it is pivotally connected to the intermediate portion of link 460 and link 472. Thus, as link 460 is pulled downward in response to fluid entering cylinder 446 via conduit 452, links 460, 47
8 is pulled downward to pivot links 470, 472 about pivot point 474.

The outermost end of link 470 is 484 and link 486
is connected to the bottom edge of the The upper end of the link 486 is connected to the pin 416 of the first plate portion 400. Similarly, the outer end of link 472 is connected to the lower end of link 490 at 488 and link 490
The upper end of is connected to the pivot point 436 of the second plate portion 402.

In operation, the pan portions 400 and 402 are normally positioned such that their surfaces 404, 424 are in a generally horizontal plane with their central portions slightly spaced apart from each other, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. There is. Gathering plate 3
The copy paper sent to 92 is placed on the collection tray 3 above the rods 406, 426 and above the surfaces 404, 424.
92 and thus onto the plate 392. Once fully aligned, as will be explained in more detail below, fluid is introduced into cylinder 446 via conduit 452 to retract rod 454 and move lever 458 about pivot point 462 into the fifteenth position.
Rotate from the position shown in the figure to the position shown in Figure 16. At this time, the link 460 is pulled downward and the ring 4
Pull 78 downward. As links 460 and 478 move downward, link 47 moves around pivot point 474.
0,472 so that the outer end of said link pivots downward. This downward movement of links 470, 472 causes links 486, 49
0 downward and pivot points 412, 414, 43
2,434 to bring the pan portions into the position shown in FIG. 16 with surfaces 404, 424 in a generally vertical position. As the pan portion pivots downwardly, the books in the pan fall from between the pan portions 400, 402 and through the pan.

After the pan portions pivot downwardly and drop the book between them, pressurized fluid extends through rod 454 which is introduced into cylinder 446 via conduit 455. As the rod extends, it pivots link 458 about pivot point 462, rapidly returning the link from the position of FIG. 16 to the position of FIG. 15. This movement of link 458 also causes links 460, 470, 472, 4
78, 486 and 490 can also be moved from the position of FIG. 16 to the position of FIG. 15, respectively, to accept another copy sheet for another binding by returning the tray portion to its normal horizontal position. can. Spring 464 holds the members in either the position of FIG. 15 or the position of FIG. 16 until cylinder 446 is actuated again.

Alignment of Copy Paper in the Collecting Pan The trailing edge rocker 396 for the collecting tray is located in the notch or recess 42 of the two tray portions 400, 402.
3,443 respectively. Rocking device 39
6 is provided at the other end of the receiving tray 392 to engage with the trailing edge of the copy paper sent to the collection tray, and the overall number 4
The copy paper is pressed against the alignment member shown at 92. Registration member 492, best seen in FIGS. 15 through 17, has a vertically oriented surface 494 through which copy sheets are advanced by rocker 396. Referring to FIGS. The protrusion 496 on the lower edge of the alignment member
00 into the recess 422. similar protrusion 49
8 extends into the recess 440 of the saucer portion 402.
The third protrusion 500 connects the rods 406, 426 with the first
As shown in Figure 5, the surfaces 404, 4 of the two saucer parts
It fits into the space between 24. Copy paper alignment member 49
2, the rod support members 408 and 42 of the tray member are located above the tray 392 and near the front of the bookbinding device.
It is located near 8. As the rods 406, 426 move between their raised and lowered positions,
Gaps between protrusions 496, 500, and 498 receive the protrusions.

As shown in FIG. 17, alignment member 492 is secured to mounting block 502, which is supported by the frame of the machine in any suitable manner (not shown). Block 502 has axis 503
It is adjustable along. Similarly, the end rocking device 3
96 is a block 5 adjustable along the axis 503
Supported by 30. In this way, the gap between the alignment member and the rear rocker can be adjusted to accommodate different lengths of copy paper in the tray 392.

A side edge rocker 504 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 14) is positioned along the right edge of the gathering pan and moves in any suitable manner between the solid line position and the dotted line position shown in FIG. It is possible to exercise between. Saucer part 4
00 recess 420 partially receives the side edge rocker 504. The rocking device is adjustable from left to right as viewed in FIG. 4 to accommodate copy sheets of different widths.

The swinging device 504 presses the copy sheets in the collection tray against the alignment member 506 (FIG. 4). A vertical surface 508 of the alignment member faces the rocker 504 and the side edges of the copy sheet are aligned against the surface 508. A horizontal flange portion 510 of the alignment member projects toward the pan 392 and fits snugly against the stepped outer edge 442 of the pan portion 402 when the pan is in the raised position. The alignment member has a flange portion 512 located along the outer surface of a plate 514 forming part of the frame of the bookbinding device. Flange 512 is secured to plate 514 to hold the alignment member in place. The alignment member projects through an aperture 516 in plate 514. Copy paper is side 5
08, the portion of the copy paper on which the adhesive has been applied is located above the flange portion 510 of the registration member, with the adhesive facing downwardly. Since the first sheet of paper fed into the tray is not supplied with adhesive, the flange portion 510 is not contaminated with adhesive.

Pressure Bar Assembly During binding in collection pan 392, the copies are pressed together with a strip of adhesive to facilitate adhering adjacent copies together. In some cases, for example when each book has only a few pages, pressing may be required only once per book (ie after all the copies have been collected in the tray). however,
For thick books, place several sheets of copy paper (e.g. 2 sheets) in the tray.
It is desirable to apply pressure to the stack of copy sheets each time a copy sheet (4 to 4 sheets) is aligned, and then again after the last copy sheet has been fed into the tray. The illustrated apparatus for applying repeated pressure to a stack of copy sheets is shown in FIGS. 4, 17 and 18 and includes a pressure bar assembly generally designated 520. The pressure bar assembly 520 includes a pair of spaced apart arms 522, 524 that are generally inverted U-shaped. Arm 522 has two ends 522a, 522b interconnected by a connecting member 522c. Connection member and arm portions 522a, 522b
A pin and slot type connection between the arms allows the ends of the arms to be adjusted relative to each other.
Arm 524 is similarly configured. Arm 5
22 is pivotally attached to the mounting member 502 at 526. Similarly, the arm 524 is attached to 528 by member 5.
30. The arm has an axis 503
pivot around.

The pressure bar assembly includes a head member 532 extending between and secured to the ends of arms 522, 524 opposite the pivot points to the respective mounting members. There is. A pressure bar 534 extends along the lower portion of the head 532;
The lower edge 536 of the bar is adapted to engage the top surface of the copy paper in the collecting pan just above the adhesive strip on the bottom surface of the copy paper. The individual arms 522, 524 are secured together with adjustable coupling members to assemble the head 532 and thus the bar in order to align the edge 536 of the bar with the portion of the copy paper above the line of adhesive. The position of 534 can be adjusted. As is clear from FIG. 4, the pressure bar assembly is attached to the arm mounting portion 526,
Pivoting about 528 moves the copy sheet toward and away from registration member portion 510.

The part of the bar that comes into contact with the copy paper can become contaminated with adhesive. Therefore, the portion of the bar constituting the edge 536 may be made of a separate member and removably fixed to the bar 534 by, for example, a tongue and groove connecting member. Therefore, if the part that comes into contact with the copy paper becomes dirty with adhesive, that part can be removed and cleaned.

If there is adhesive on the edge 536 or on the top of the copy paper that the edge contacts, the bar will tend to lift the copy paper as it moves away from the copy paper in the tray 392. To eliminate this tendency, the copy paper holder 533 is connected to the bar 534 and the bar 5.
34 is slidably attached to the head 532 adjacent the side of the head 34. As best shown in FIG. 17, this attachment is accomplished by a bolt 535 that passes through a vertical elongated slot 537 in the holder and fits into the head 532. A guide pin 539 at the top of the holder is adapted to slide within the opening in the head, and the holder is urged downwardly by a spring 541 located around said pin.

As the pressure bar assembly moves downwardly to press the copy sheets together, holder 533 first engages the copy sheets and stops. Since the holder 533 engages with the copy paper at a location offset from the adhesive strip, the holder is not normally contaminated with adhesive. Then bar 53
4 engages the copy paper above the adhesive and moves compatibly downwardly relative to the holder 533 until it engages the copy paper and presses the copy paper together. During the upward movement of the pressure bar assembly,
As bar 534 first moves upward, holder 533 remains in contact with the overlying copy paper, thus ensuring that the bar is released from the copy paper. The holder is then lifted off the copy sheet and moved with the bar to the fully raised position.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 18, the head 532 of the pressure bar assembly is located at the opening 516 in the plate 514.
It has a nose portion 538 projecting therethrough. A pin 540 extends through a pair of protruding ears 542 on portion 538 of the head member. The pressure bar assembly is moved by a pair of air cylinders 544 having rods 546 connected to opposite ends of pins 540 so that their extension and retraction move head 532. . Cylinder 544 on the opposite side from rod 546
is connected to a pivot 548 attached to plate 514 by a pair of brackets 550. Air line 552 provides pressurized fluid to the top of cylinder 544 to retract rod 546 and allow head 532 and pressure bar 534 to move downwardly. Air pressure introduced into the cylinder 544 via piping 554 is transferred to the rod 546.
and raise the head 532 and pressure bar. Fluid is supplied via lines 552 and 554 from valves controlled by logic and control unit 112 .

In operation, the end rocker 396 and the side rocker 504 engage the copy paper being fed to the collection tray 392;
Therefore, the copy paper is pressed against the alignment members 492, 506. After (for example) two to four sheets of copy paper are received in the collection tray and swung into alignment, fluid introduced via piping 552 actuates cylinder 544 to move the pressure bar assembly downward. pull to. Bar 5 due to the downward movement of the pressure bar assembly.
34 is engaged with the top surface of the top copy sheet above the adhesive strip on the copy sheet. This pressing force brings the copies into close contact with each other and provides good adhesion between adjacent copies. The pressure in line 552 is then reduced and pressurized fluid is introduced into cylinder 544 via line 554 to lift the pressure bar assembly and thereby place another copy sheet into the pressure bar assembly's receiver. You can send it to and arrange it. The process is repeated each time several sheets of copy paper are fed into the tray of the pressure bar assembly. The pressurization process occurs during the interval between one copy sheet and the next copy sheet being fed into the tray of the pressure bar assembly.

After the last copy sheet in the set of copy sheets, that is, one book's worth, is received in the tray of the pressure bar assembly, the cylinder 544 is operated again and the pressure bar 536 is operated repeatedly to complete the binding. . Pressure may be applied for a longer period of time after the last copy sheet has entered the tray of the pressure bar assembly. When binding is completed, cylinder 446 is actuated via conduit 452 to release tray portion 400,
402 are pivoted about their respective axes to the position shown in FIG. Next, the bound books fall downward through the collection tray due to gravity. Rod 40
6,426 engages the book and presses it downward as the tray portion pivots to the position shown in FIG. Cylinder 446 is actuated through conduit 455 to return the pan portion of the pressure bar assembly to its normal horizontal position as shown in FIG. 15, allowing another binding to be performed.

Transfer Tray and Carriage As shown in FIGS. 4, 18, and 19, the bound book is transferred from the pressure bar assembly tray to the transportation tray 560 located just below the assembly tray.
sent to. The transport tray 560 has a generally flat surface 562 on which books are received, and handles 564, 56 at the outer and inner ends of the tray, respectively.
Contains 6. The handles 564, 566 are used by the machine operator to first pull the tray out of the machine and then transport the tray and the bound books stacked thereon to a suitable work station for unloading the books. can be used.

A pair of guide rails 56 form the side edges of the transport tray 560.
It is fixed at 8,570. Guide rail 56
8,570 are telescopically and removably received in intermediate guide rails 569, 571, and the intermediate guide rails are respectively fixed guide rails 572, 5.
74. Rails 572, 574 are secured to and supported by a transport pan generally indicated at 576. Carriage 576 includes a pair of spaced apart end plates 578, 580 held in spaced apart parallel planes by a pair of channel frame members 582. Rails 572 are secured to mounting flanges 584 on the tops of end plates 578, 580 and are similarly attached to rails 57.
4 is fixed to a mounting flange 586.
In this manner, the transfer plate 560 is secured to the end plate for movement with the carriage 576.

Four guide rollers 588 connect end plates 578 and 580.
Fixed. One of the rollers is secured to the upper end of end plate 578 near the opposite edge from mounting flange 586. Another roller is secured to the bottom of end plate 578 and near the edge opposite flange 586. Two of the rollers 588 are similarly secured to end plate 580. The rollers are located on the outer surfaces of the end plates 578,580. The end plates 578, 580 are the first
As shown in FIG. 8, it projects through a wide vertical slot 590 in frame plate 514. The edges of the mounting plate including the rollers 588 and the frame member 582 are located on the outside of the frame plate 514, while the mounting flanges 584, 586 are located on the inside of said plate 514 and below the receiver of the pressure bar assembly. There is. Rollers 588 on end plate 578 fit inside and are movable along channel-like tracks 592 fixed to the outer surface of frame plate 514. Similarly plate 5
A roller 588 on 80 is movable along a channel-like track 594 fixed to plate 514. As shown in FIG.
It has a bar 596 fixed to the section. bar 5
96 carries a roller 598 which rides on a channel-like track 600 supported on the frame of the bookbinding device. In this way, the roller 58
8,598 guides the carriage 576 for vertical movement within the binding device. The transport tray of the bookbinding device first comes to a raised position just below the tray of the pressure bar assembly, and after the books are stacked thereon, it slowly moves downward.

Carriage 576 and transfer pan 560 supported by the carriage are moved below the pan of the pressure bar assembly by a chain drive mechanism, generally indicated at 602, shown best in FIGS. 18 and 19. Move up and down. The drive mechanism is a transport tray 560
It includes a reversible motor seated at the bottom of the frame of the bookbinding apparatus at a location below the machine. A sprocket 606 is attached to the motor drive shaft. Sprockets 610 and 614 are connected to frame plate 514
It is attached to a pneumatic shaft 612 located on the outer surface of. Chain 608 is wrapped around sprocket 606 and sprocket 610 so that the motor can rotate shaft 612 and sprocket 614. Idle sprocket 616 connects plate 5 between paired air cylinders 544.
It is attached to 14. sprocket 61
An endless chain is placed around 4,616. A frame member 622 is fixed to a tensioned portion on one side of the chain 618 by a pin 620. Frame members 622 extend between and are attached to mating frame members 582 of the carriage frame. Therefore, when the motor 604 is driven, the sprocket 606 of the motor drive shaft
drives chain 608 and rotates sprockets 610, 614 on shaft 612. Sprocket 6
14 moves the chain 618 and pin 620 upward or downward, thereby causing the carriage 576 and the tray 5 supported by the carriage to move upwardly or downwardly.
60 in the vertical direction. A limit switch (not shown) is provided to connect the carriage 576 and the transport tray 5.
60 upward and downward movement can be restricted.

Operation The operation of this device will be explained below. control panel 26
Using the , the machine operator programs the device for the desired mode of operation. For example, an operator can program copier 20 to make either one-sided or two-sided copies. Further, the operator can use the panel 26 to specify whether the document to be copied is to be copied on one side or on both sides. Documents fed to the platen can be prepared for copying via the control panel, by the circulating document feeder 22, by the document positioning device 24, or by lifting the circulating feeder 22 and manually placing the document directly onto the platen. . As previously mentioned, typical operation uses a circulation feeder operating in a collation mode of operation. The operator may also choose whether the copier 20 feeds the copies directly to the exit tray 28 without binding, or sends a set of copies to the finisher 42 of the finishing/binding device for stapled together; It can be programmed to send the copy sheets to a bookbinding device 44 where adjacent copies of the copy sheets are fixed together with adhesive. Furthermore, it can be delivered along the track 34 and out of the slot 90 of the bookbinding device. Deflecting devices 30, 60, frame 92 for controlling movement of the copy paper along trajectories 32, 34 in response to operator inputs to control panel 26.
and the carriage 94 moves to the correct position.
The copying machine and stapler finishing apparatus shown at 42 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,672;
It will not be detailed here. In the following description, the deflecting devices 30 and 60 are positioned in the solid line position shown in FIG. 2, the copy paper is guided along the track 34 directly to the binding device, and the frame 92 and the carriage 94 are positioned in the dotted line position. , so that the copy paper entering the bookbinding device passes through the bookbinding device completely and instead of exiting from the slot 90 along the track 34, the copy sheet enters the registration pan 1.
Assume that it is deflected to 08. When an operator programs the machine to bind books in a bookbinding device, the LCU 112 moves the adhesive supply device from its stowed position (FIG. 7) to its operating position (FIG. 9), so that Adhesive can be supplied to copy paper.

A book is formed by a bookbinding device 44 from a set of copy sheets continuously fed from the copying machine 20 along a copy paper path 34. A set of copies has a specific order. For example, if the circulation feeder 22 is operating in "verification mode," the first copy sheet in a set of copies sent to the bookbinding device is a copy of the last page of the document; The sheets are bound in the same order as the set of copy sheets in the feeder, with the last copy sheet of the set being a copy of the first page of the document. A cover for the front and/or back cover of the book can be provided from one of the two copy paper supplies of the copier. The back cover is orbit 3
4, and the cover sheet is fed after the set of copy sheets, which are fed along track 34. Although the binding of copy sheets in a particular order is discussed in detail below, it is understood that there is no particular page order for a set of copy sheets that are otherwise to be bound together. The bound copy sheet is then produced by operating the circulation feeder 22 in the "non-collation mode", by operating the document positioning device 24, or by manually positioning the document on the plate of the copier. It consists of multiple copies of paper.

LCUs 110 and 112 receive signals from and provide control signals to circulation feeder 22, copier 20, and stapler/binder 40 so that the operation of various parts of the apparatus is detected and controlled in a coordinated manner. do. For example, the LCU receives information about the number of copies to be made from the control panel 26 and information about the number of sheets of original paper (documents) from the panel 26 or by counting at the feeder 22. Sensors in the device send signals to the LCU so that the LCU can track the copy sheet (and any cover) throughout the device. With such precise sensing and control of the device, the adhesive dispensing device is activated to supply adhesive to all copies in a set of copies as needed, except for the first one. It can be repeated and stopped, and the pressure bar assembly applies pressure to a partially completed book each time several copies are fed into the tray of the assembly, and after the last copy is fed. Enables repetitive work such as applying pressure for a longer period of time.
As the copy paper enters the bookbinding device, the copy paper enters the third
As shown by arrow A1 in the figure, the machine advances from left to right when viewed from the front of the machine. The copy paper then falls onto registration tray 108. The trailing edge of the copy sheet while traveling in the A1 direction is the side edge to be joined to another copy sheet. As shown in FIG. 3, the top edge of the copy paper is near the front of the machine, and the copied information on the single-sided copy paper is fed to the tray with the bottom side of the copy paper facing downward. When a double-sided copy sheet is sent to a bookbinding device, the information on the bottom side of the copy sheet constitutes the odd pages of the copy sheet, ie, the page that is usually read first when reading a document.

Immediately after the trailing edge of the copy paper enters the tray 108, the side rocker 126 engages and the side rocker 120
is pushed to the right against the The copy paper is in the saucer 108
When the LCU 112 receives the signal sent to
LCU 112 opens the valve and supplies fluid to cylinder 172 via piping 180. The cylinder is
The blanket cylinder feeding mechanism 144 is pivoted from the stowed position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the operating position shown in FIG. 6. For this purpose, the blanket cylinder type feed roller 168 and the rest of the mechanism 144 are moved from the raised position out of the path of the copy paper entering the bookbinding device.
68 is moved to the feed position where it engages the top surface of the copy paper in the tray 108. The feed roller is driven counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6 and immediately directs the copy paper toward the rear of the machine and into the nip between the pair of drive rollers 132 and idle rollers 134. Send it in. As soon as a copy sheet enters the nip between rollers 132, 134, LCU 112 moves the next copy sheet to tray 108 by returning blanket cylinder feed mechanism 144 to the raised position (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Can be sent.

Rubber cylinder type feeding mechanism 144 and rollers 132, 13
4 feeds the left edge of the copy paper through the adhesive supply device 200. The feeding direction of the copy paper at this point, as shown by arrow A2 in FIG. 3, is perpendicular to the feeding direction shown by arrow A1. Among the set of copy sheets sent to the receiving tray 108, the first copy sheet fed (usually the last page of the set of copy sheets or the back cover of a book) is glued as it passes through the adhesive supply device 200. No agent is attached. Immediately after the first copy sheet has passed through the adhesive supply device and just before the second copy sheet in the set arrives at the supply device, the finishing device/binding device logic and control unit 11
2 opens valve 210 and adhesive begins to flow in a constant flow through the tip end 206 of the dispenser nozzle. The adhesive continues to flow continuously until the second copy sheet has completely passed through the adhesive supply device.
A continuous line of adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the copy paper from the lower edge to the upper edge of the copy paper. Immediately after the trailing edge of the second copy sheet passes through the feeder LCU1
12 closes valve 210. This on-off operation of the feeder is repeated after the first batch of copies until all copies have been provided with a strip of adhesive. (Even when providing a second (front) cover,
Adhesive is applied to the cover. For example, the adhesive begins to flow approximately 20 milliseconds before the copy paper reaches the nozzle of the adhesive supply device, and ends approximately 20 milliseconds after the copy paper passes through the nozzle. . The above control of adhesive flow for all copies except the first copy is repeated for all subsequent sets of copies sent to the binding device.
This kind of control is possible with LCU110,1.
12 controls and monitors both copying and binding.

Copy paper fed from tray 108 through adhesive supply device 200 travels along guide device 380 and between rollers 382 and 384. The copy sheet is therefore reversed and fed into the tray 392 of the assembly in the direction indicated by arrow A3 in FIG. 3, which is opposite to the direction A2 of the sheet exiting the tray 108. The copy paper enters the tray 392 with the information copied on the single-sided copy paper facing upward and the upper edge of the copy paper positioned at the rear of the tray 392 . The left edges of the guide devices 380, 394 are offset to the right from the left edge of the copy paper to which the adhesive is supplied, so that the copy paper is deviated to the right from the left edge of the copy paper to which the adhesive is supplied. It travels around guide device 380 and below guide device 394 without interfering with the linear adhesive.

Copy sheets are fed into the assembly tray 392 at a height above the tray surfaces 404, 424 and below the rods 406, 426. The copy paper remains in contact with surfaces 404, 424 until the leading edge of the copy paper engages (or nearly engages) copy paper registration member 492.
(and any other copy paper that was previously fed into the tray)
Proceed above. Next, the copy paper faces 404,
424 or other copy paper in the tray. In this manner, the adhesive on one copy sheet will not significantly contact or wipe away the lower copy sheet until the copy sheet is generally in place on the lower copy sheet. As each copy sheet enters the tray, its trailing edge is engaged by rocker 396;
The leading edge of the copy paper is firmly pressed against the copy paper alignment member 492. In addition, the side rocking device 50
4 engages with the side edge of each copy sheet, and aligning member 506
508.

Pressure bar assembly 520 is normally in the raised position shown in FIG. 4, out of the path of copy paper entering tray 392. After each group of copies (e.g., 2-4 sheets) is delivered to the assembly tray 392, the cylinder 544 is actuated to cause the pressure bar 534 to engage the copies in the assembly tray. Bring it downwards.
The pressure bar engages the bottom surface of the copy sheet along a line located just above the adhesive with the top surface of the top copy sheet. In this way, the pressure bar assembly 520 periodically and repeatedly compresses the copy sheets stacked on the collection tray at the locations where the adhesive is adhered, thereby firmly adhering adjacent sheets of copy paper. Pressure bar assembly 520 also presses the topmost copy sheet downward after the last portion of the set of copy sheets is delivered to the pressure bar assembly receptacle. This last copy sheet is usually the first part of a set of copies, ie, the cover. The above pressure may be applied for a longer period of time after the last portion of the copy sheet has entered the tray. Every few copies of paper are placed in tray 3.
Applying pressure periodically after being fed to 92 is particularly advantageous when producing books consisting of multiple copies.

After a set of copy sheets has been completely assembled and held together as a book by the tray 392, the cylinder 446 of the mechanism 444 (FIGS. 15 and 16) for moving the tray is actuated, and as shown in FIG. The pan portions 400, 402 are pivoted from the generally horizontal position shown in FIG. 16 to the generally vertical position shown in FIG.
For this purpose, the bottom of the tray is opened, and the finished books are dropped through the collection tray onto a transfer tray located below the tray of the assembly. The above movement of the book is shown by arrow A in Figure 3.
Indicated by 4. As the saucer portions 400, 402 pivot to the position of FIG. 16, the rods 406, 42
6 engages with the finished book and pushes it downward to quickly take it out from the tray. Therefore, the saucer portion can quickly return from the position shown in Fig. 16 to the position shown in Fig. 15.
The receiving tray 392 is ready to receive the first sheet of the next set of copy sheets to be collected.

The latest copy paper, for example, prints 4,000 to 8,000 per hour.
Copies are made at a relatively high speed. Therefore, in some cases there may be a slight delay between when the last copy sheet of one book is fed into the assembly tray and when the first copy sheet of the next book is fed into the assembly tray. It is desirable to provide a time delay. Such time delay allows periodic movement of the pressure bar 536 and movement of the assembly pan from the position shown in FIG. 15 to the book removal position of FIG. 16 and to the position of FIG. do. One way this time delay can occur is for the LCU to pause the copying of documents on the copy sheets between each set of copy sheets. For this purpose, a delay equal to the time required to make one copy is sufficient. Another way in which the aforementioned time delay may be achieved is to delay the advance of the copy paper at some point along the copy paper trajectory between the copier and the assembly receiver.

The initial position of transfer pan 560 is immediately below assembly pan 392, as shown in FIG. The position of the transport tray is controlled by a logic and control unit 112 for the bookbinding device. The LCU operates motor 604 to raise and lower the carriage 572, and thus the pan, to the desired position relative to the assembly pan. As more and more books are loaded onto the tray 560, the motor 604 slowly lowers the carriage 576 and the tray 560 so that the topmost book on the tray is always directly below the assembly tray 392. For example, upon completion of a copying operation, the operator periodically removes the transport tray 560 and removes the completed book from the binding device. Another transport tray is then inserted into position on the bookbinding device and operation continues. Alternatively, the transport tray may simply be extended forward and the books thereon may be removed by hand.

When the book is removed from the assembly tray, at least some portion of the adhesive between the copy sheets that make up the book remains wet. However, the strength of the book when it gets wet can be tested immediately, and there is no problem in handling the book. Drying the adhesive in the atmosphere increases the adhesive between the copies of the book, creating an extremely durable book. If desired, heat may be applied to dry and/or cure the adhesive.
For example, heat can be applied by heating the pressure bar 536.

Although the binding device and its operation have been described in connection with a copying machine, it is important to note that the binding device is operated in conjunction with other devices adapted to feed a continuous stream of paper, etc., to the binding device in order to secure the sheets of paper together. It is also possible. Also, although the bookbinding device has been described in conjunction with the stapler-type finishing device 42, the bookbinding device can be used as a “stand-alone” device (separated from the stapler-type finishing device).
device or can be connected directly to another standalone device, such as a copying machine 20, for example. In addition, in the above, the present apparatus is used in connection with a case where a set of copy sheets made into a book each have different copy contents, for example, when a set of documents is successively copied one after another. I have explained how it works. However, a set of copy sheets constituting a book may contain many sheets with the same copy content. It is also possible to make a book by joining together blank copies using the apparatus according to the invention.