Hot-melt adhesive temperature control method, applicator therefor, and bookbinding apparatus

摘要

Bookbinding apparatus adhesive applicator accurately, briefly controls adhesive temperature to a set value by selecting, in accordance with adhesive initial temperature, one of a plurality of temperature-controller heating modes defining different supply powers and supply durations for supplying power to an adhesive-container heater to control its heating temperature. A sensor detects the temperature of the adhesive in the container at applicator start-up, or on restarting a post-standby applicator. In accordance with the detected temperature, one of the heating modes is selected to heat the adhesive. The applicator warm-up time is thus set in response to the state of the adhesive: If solidified, the adhesive is heated and melted in a maximum supply-power, supply-duration mode; if low-temperature liquefied at, it is heated and melted in a second-magnitude supply-power, supply-duration mode; and if the adhesive temperature is high, it is heated and melted in a minimal supply-power, supply-duration mode.

主权项

1. An adhesive applicator comprising:
a container for storing hot-melt adhesive; heating means disposed on the container, for melting to a predetermined temperature solid adhesive filled in the container; sensor means for detecting the temperature of the adhesive in the container; temperature control means for controlling the heating temperature of the heating means in response to the temperature detected by the sensor means, the temperature control means being configured to operate in a plurality of heating modes in which the temperature control means controls supplying of power to the heating means at supply levels and supply durations that differ by mode, and being configured to vary the supply of power stepwise, with predetermined mode-dependent delay periods intervening, in each mode in order that the adhesive in the container reach a preestablished temperature; and application means for applying the adhesive in the container to a body of documents; wherein in response to the temperature of the adhesive detected by the sensor means the temperature control means selects a single heating mode from among the plurality of heating modes, and in the selected single heating mode, controls supply of power to the heating means by varying the supply level in time-dependent stages separated by delay periods, until the adhesive in the container reaches the preestablished temperature.