Tape binding device

Abstract

A tape binding device includes a loop forming mechanism for forming a loop for winding a material to be bound at an end of a tape. The loop forming mechanism includes a plurality of belt conveying mechanisms arranged in a polygonal shape in a conveyance direction for absorbing the tape by air suction and conveying the tape. Each of the belt conveying mechanisms includes a plurality of endless conveying belts extending parallel to the conveyance direction and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction with a space for air suction provided therebetween.

1 . A tape binding device, comprising:
 a loop forming mechanism for forming a loop for winding a material to be bound at an end of a tape,   wherein the loop forming mechanism includes a plurality of belt conveying mechanisms arranged in a polygonal shape in a conveyance direction for absorbing the tape by air suction and conveying the tape, and   each of the belt conveying mechanisms includes a plurality of endless conveying belts extending parallel to the conveyance direction and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction with a space for air suction provided therebetween.   
   
   
       2 . The tape binding device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of belt conveying mechanisms include belt conveying mechanisms that are adjacent to one another in the conveyance direction, and   the respective conveying belts in the belt conveying mechanisms that are adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction are wound around a common pulley.   
   
   
       3 . The tape binding device according to  claim 2 , further comprising
 a guiding member for forcing a direction of the tape to be changed from one of the belt conveying mechanisms that are adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction to the other belt conveying mechanism.   
   
   
       4 . The tape binding device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the guiding member includes an annular member provided so as to be rotatable together and coaxial with the pulley and having a larger diameter than that of the pulley, and   the direction of the tape is forced to be changed from one of the belt conveying mechanisms that are adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction to the other belt conveying mechanism by an outer periphery of the annular member.   
   
   
       5 . The tape binding device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the annular member includes an annular plate.   
   
   
       6 . The tape binding device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the annular member includes an annular elastic member.   
   
   
       7 . The tape binding device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the loop forming mechanism includes a negative pressure groove formation frame forming a negative pressure groove communicating with the space,   the guiding member includes a main body fixed to the negative pressure groove formation frame and opposed to an outer periphery of the common pulley, and a guiding piece extending into the space from the main body, and   the guiding piece has an inclined guiding surface that is inclined in the conveyance direction and is abuttable to the end in the conveyance direction of the tape.   
   
   
       8 . The tape binding device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the conveying belts in each of the belt conveying mechanisms that are adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction are symmetrical with respect to a center position in a width direction of the tape perpendicular to the conveyance direction.   
   
   
       9 . The tape binding device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the conveying belt in each of the belt conveying mechanism is composed of a toothed belt wound around a toothed pulley.   
   
   
       10 . The tape binding device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of conveying belts in each of the belt conveying mechanisms include a conveying belt having a tape conveying surface having a large number of grooves to be communicated with the space formed therein.