Abstract:
A staple refill which can be stored in a refill storing section in such a manner that the leading one of the sheet-like joined staples wound in roll form is on the upper side and which is adapted to lessen the load on a feeding mechanism for feeding the leading one of the sheet of joined staples in a stapler main body. The staple refill is removably attached to a cartridge installed in a stapler main body. A refill includes a storing section for storing a sheet of joined staples wound in roll form, a discharge port for discharging the sheet of joined staples, and a lead-out passage for leading out the leading part of the sheet of joined staples into the discharge port. The lead-out passage is upwardly bent from the discharge port toward the interior of the storing section, so that the leading part positioned on the upper side of the sheet of joined staples is lead out to the discharge port. The lead-out passage is provided with a retrograde motion preventive member which prevents movement of the sheet of joined staples to the storing section.

Description:
This disclosure is based upon Japanese Application No. 2003-308099 filed Aug. 29, 2003 and International Application No. PCT/JP2004/012774, filed Aug. 27, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a staple refill in which a sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is stored. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   For example, as disclosed in Japanese patent Application Laid-Open No. H9-136271 (Patent Reference 1), the conventional staple refill in which the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is stored has a refill which is detachably attached to a stapler main body or a cartridge provided in the stapler main body. The refill includes a storage portion in which the sheet-like connected staple is stored, a discharge port which discharges the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion, and a delivery passage which delivers a leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion to the discharge port. The delivery passage is formed in a substantially linear shape, and is formed along a lower surface in the storage portion. A metal backward movement preventing member which is formed independently of the refill is attached to an upper portion of the delivery passage. In the sheet-like connected staple, many linear staples are arrange in a crosswise direction while being in contact with one another, and a bonding agent is applied to an upper surface to couple the staples in a band shape. Further, the sheet-like connected staple are caused to adhere in the center of the upper surfaces in the lengthwise direction by an adhesive tape, which prevents the linear staple from being separated. The sheet-like connected staple is wound in a roll shape while the upper surface faces the outside, and the sheet-like connected staple is stored in the staple refill. 
   In the conventional staple refill in which the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is stored, the sheet-like connected staple is stored in the storage portion of the refill such that a leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple is located in a lower portion of the storage portion, and the leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple is linearly stretched along the lower surface of the storage portion and the delivery passage. When the leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple is delivered from the discharge port by feeding means such as a feeding pawl or a feeding roller provided in the stapler main body or the like, the whole sheet-like connected staple is placed on a drawn-forth portion which is linearly drawn. Therefore, there is a problem that a weight of the sheet-like connected staple is applied to the feeding means as a load. In drawing forth the sheet-like connected staple, because the whole sheet-like connected staple is moved forward, the sheet-like connected staple abuts on an inner surface of the storage portion, and the larger-than designed load is applied to the feeding means due to friction action, which results in the problem that it is difficult for the feeding means to feed the leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple. 
   In the conventional staple refill, the backward movement preventing member slides on the drawn-forth portion which is linearly drawn. When the sheet-like connected staple is drawn forth on the discharge port side, the backward movement preventing member is bent in the discharge port, and the drawing-forth of the sheet-like connected staple is not obstructed. On the contrary, when the sheet-like connected staple is drawn back toward the storage portion side, the backward movement preventing member is latched in a connecting recess portion between the staples of the sheet-like connected staple, which prevents the drawing-back of the sheet-like connected staple. Thus, the backward movement preventing member always slides on the sheet-like connected staple. However, when contact pressure is excessively strong in the slide, the load applied onto the feeding means for feeding the sheet-like connected staple is increased. On the other hand, when the contact pressure is excessively weak in the slide, drawing-back resistance of the sheet-like connected staple is decreased. Therefore, there is the problem that the backward movement preventing member is difficult to adjust. 
   The feeding means is pressed to latch the lower surface of the sheet-like connected staple, and the sheet-like connected staple is fed forward. As described above, the bonding agent is applied to the upper surface and the adhesive tape adheres to the center of the upper surface toward the lengthwise direction. In the conventional staple refill, the backward movement preventing member slides on the upper surface of the sheet-like connected staple to which the bonding agent is applied. Therefore, the backward movement preventing member does not behave well in some cases because the backward movement preventing member slips. Further, the backward movement preventing members slide on both sides of the sheet-like connected staple across the adhesive tape, and there is a possibility that the sheet-like connected staple is bent when one of the backward movement preventing members does not behave well. There is also the problem that both the backward movement preventing members are difficult to adjust so as to behave well in the same manner. Further, because the backward movement preventing member is produced independently of the refill, the a labor hour is required to attach the backward movement preventing member to the refill, and the adjustment is required in the attachment of the backward movement preventing member as described above. Therefore, there is the problem that the backward movement preventing member cannot easily be installed in the refill. In the conventional staple refill, because the backward movement preventing member made of a metal material is installed, it is necessary to separate the backward movement preventing member into each material in disposal, which results in the problem that the disposal of the backward movement preventing member becomes troublesome. 
   In the conventional staple refill, when the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is stored in the storage portion of the refill, the whole outer surface of the sheet-like connected staple is stored while being in contact with a bottom surface of the storage portion. When the sheet-like connected staple is drawn toward the discharge port side, because the whole outer surface of the sheet-like connected staple is rotated while sliding on the bottom surface of the storage portion, the frictional resistance is increased, which results in the problem that the load applied onto the feeding means for feeding the sheet-like connected staple becomes large. 
   In the conventional staple refill, the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is stored in the storage portion of the refill, and the sheet-like connected staple is oscillated in the storage portion during transportation, which results in the possibility that the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is released. Further, in the opaque refill, the inside of the refill cannot be seen, which results in the problem that a state of the sheet-like connected staple and a remaining amount of sheet-like connected staple cannot be confirmed. 
   In view of the foregoing, a first object of the invention is to provide a staple refill, in which the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape can be stored in the storage portion of the staple refill while the leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple is located in the upper portion of the storage portion and the load applied onto the feeding means of the stapler main body can be decreased because the sheet-like connected staple is not placed on the drawn-forth portion which is drawn and fed. A second object of the invention is to provide a staple refill, in which the delivery passage is curved upward from the discharge port toward the inside of the storage portion, the backward movement preventing member is formed in the delivery passage, the backward movement preventing member is inclined downward to weaken the latching force when the sheet-like connected staple is fed, and the backward movement preventing member is inclined upward to strengthen the latching force when the sheet-like connected staple is drawn back, and thereby the adjustment of the backward movement preventing member is not required. 
   A third object of the invention is to provide a staple refill, in which the backward movement preventing member slides not on the upper surface of the sheet-like connected staple where the bonding agent is applied and the adhesive tape adheres, but on the lower surface of the sheet-like connected staple with which the feeding means of the stapler main body is made in contact, the sheet-like connected staple can securely be latched, the backward movement preventing member can slide in the center of the sheet-like connected staple, and thereby the possibility that the sheet-like connected staple is fed while being bent is eliminated. A fourth object of the invention is to provide a staple refill, in which because the backward movement preventing member is integrated with the staple refill, the labor hour for attaching the backward movement preventing member to the staple refill is eliminated, and the staple refill can easily be assembled. 
   A fifth object of the invention is to provide a staple refill, in which a projection strip sliding on the outer surface of the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is provided in the storage portion of the staple refill, a contact area with the outer surface of the sheet-like connected staple is lessened to decrease the frictional resistance, and thereby the rotation of the sheet-like connected staple can be smoothed. A sixth object of the invention is to provide a staple refill in which there is formed an opening that can be utilized in order to press the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion of the staple refill so as not to move and that allows for confirmation of the inside the storage portion. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In order to solve achieve the object, there is provided a staple refill according to a first aspect of the invention which is detachably attached to a stapler main body or a cartridge provided in the stapler main body, the staple refill including a storage portion in which a sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is stored, a discharge port which discharges the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion, and a delivery passage which delivers a leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion to the discharge port, wherein the delivery passage is curved upward from the discharge port toward an inside of the storage portion; the delivery passage delivers the leading end portion to the discharge port, the leading end portion being located in an upper side of the sheet-like connected staple; and a backward movement preventing member is provided in the delivery passage, the backward movement preventing member preventing movement of the sheet-like connected staple toward the storage portion side. 
   In order to solve achieve the object, there is provided a staple refill according to a second aspect of the invention wherein the backward movement preventing member is integrated with the staple refill. 
   In order to solve achieve the object, there is provided a staple refill according to a third and fourth aspect of the invention wherein the backward movement preventing member is formed such that a leading edge slides on the lower surface side of the sheet-like connected staple to latch a connecting recess portion between staples. 
   In order to solve achieve the object, there is provided a staple refill according to a fifth aspect of the invention wherein the delivery passage includes a first guide passage and a second guide passage, the first guide passage communicated with the discharge port and being formed in a substantially linear shape, the second guide passage communicated with the storage portion and being curved upward; and the backward movement preventing member is provided in the second guide passage. 
   In order to solve achieve the object, there is provided a staple refill according to a sixth aspect of the invention wherein the delivery passage includes an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface, the upper guide surface guiding an upper surface of the sheet-like connected staple, the lower guide surface guiding a lower surface of the sheet-like connected staple; the upper guide surface of the second guide passage is coupled to an inner surface of the storage portion; and the lower guide surface of the second guide passage is formed by a curved surface on the discharge port side, the curved surface projected toward an inside of the storage portion and being included in a guide projection portion. 
   In order to solve achieve the object, there is provided a staple refill according to a seventh aspect of the invention wherein the backward movement preventing member is formed so as to be projected from a surface on the discharge port side of the guide projection portion. 
   In order to solve achieve the object, there is provided a staple refill according to a eighth aspect of the invention wherein the surface on the discharge port side of the guide projection portion is formed in a curved shape so as to guide the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion. 
   In order to solve achieve the object, there is provided a staple refill according to a ninth aspect of the invention which is detachably attached to a stapler main body or a cartridge provided in the stapler main body, the staple refill including a storage portion in which a sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is stored, a discharge port which discharges the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion, and a delivery passage which delivers a leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion to the discharge port, wherein a backward movement preventing member is provided in the delivery passage, the backward movement preventing member preventing movement of the sheet-like connected staple toward the storage portion side; and a projection strip is provided in an inner surface of the storage portion, the projection strip sliding on an outer surface of the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape to smooth rotation of the sheet-like connected staple. 
   In order to solve achieve the object, a staple refill according to a tenth aspect of the invention which is detachably attached to a stapler main body or a cartridge provided in the stapler main body, the staple refill including a storage portion in which a sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is stored, a discharge port which discharges the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion, and a delivery passage which delivers a leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion to the discharge port, wherein a backward movement preventing member is provided in the delivery passage, the backward movement preventing member preventing movement of the sheet-like connected staple toward the storage portion side; and an opening communicated with the storage portion is formed in the staple refill. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of a staple refill according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional perspective view of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a six-side view of the staple refill of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view showing a main part of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a state in which the staple refill is attached to a cartridge of a stapler main body; 
       FIG. 8  is an explanatory view showing an operation of the staple refill according to the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is an overall perspective view showing another embodiment of a staple refill according to the invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 9 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Embodiments of a staple refill according to the invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 10 .  FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of a staple refill according to the invention.  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a sectional perspective view of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is a six-side view of the staple refill of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5A  is a top view when the staple refill is viewed from above,  FIG. 5B  is a front view when the staple refill is viewed from a front side,  FIG. 5C  is a side view when the staple refill is viewed from a side face,  FIG. 5D  is a bottom view when the staple refill is viewed from below, and  FIG. 5E  is a rear view when the staple refill is viewed from a rear side.  FIG. 6  is a sectional view showing a main part of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a state in which the staple refill is attached to a cartridge of a stapler main body.  FIG. 8  is an explanatory view showing an operation of the staple refill according to the invention.  FIG. 9  is an overall perspective view showing another embodiment of a staple refill according to the invention.  FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 9 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , a staple refill  1  is detachably attached to a stapler main body  50  or a cartridge  51  provided in the stapler main body  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the staple refill  1  includes a storage portion  40 , a discharge port  46 , and a delivery passage  45 . A sheet-like connected staple S wound in a roll shape is stored in the storage portion  40 . The discharge port  46  discharges the sheet-like connected staple S stored in the storage portion  40 . The delivery passage  45  delivers a leading end portion S 1  of the sheet-like connected staple S stored in the storage portion  40  to a discharge port  46 . 
   The delivery passage  45  is curved upward from the discharge port  46  toward the inside of the storage portion  40  so as to deliver the leading end portion S 1 , located on the upper side of the sheet-like connected staple S, to the discharge port  46 . A backward movement preventing member  31  which prevents the sheet-like connected staple S from moving toward the side of the storage portion  40  is provided in the delivery passage  45 . The backward movement preventing member  31  is integrated with the staple refill  1 . 
   The backward movement preventing member  31  is formed such that a leading edge  31   a  slides on the side of a lower surface S 3  of the sheet-like connected staple S to latch a connecting recess portion between the staples. The delivery passage  45  includes a first guide passage  43  and a second guide passage  42 . The first guide passage  43  substantially formed in a linear shape is communicated with the discharge port  46 . The second guide passage  42  curved upward is communicated with the storage portion  40 . The backward movement preventing member  31  is provided in the second guide passage  42  while being exposed. 
   The delivery passage  45  includes an upper guide surface  47  and a lower guide surface  48 . The upper guide surface  47  guides an upper surface S 2  of the sheet-like connected staple S, and the lower guide surface  48  guides the lower surface S 3  of the sheet-like connected staple S. An upper guide surface  13   a  of the second guide passage  42  is communicated with an inner surface  41  of the storage portion  40 . A lower guide surface of the second guide passage  42  is formed by a curved surface  26  on the side of the discharge port  46 . The curved surface  26  is included in a guide projection portion  25  projected in the storage portion  40 . The backward movement preventing member  31  is formed so as to be projected from the surface  26  of the guide projection portion  25  on the side of the discharge port  46 . A surface  27  of the guide projection portion  25  on the side of the storage portion  40  is curved so as to guide the sheet-like connected staple S stored in the storage portion  40 . 
   Projection strips  20  and  35  are provided in an inner surface of the storage portion  40  of the staple refill  1 . The projection strips  20  and  35  slides on the outer surface of the sheet-like connected staple S wound in a roll shape, and smoothly rotates the sheet-like connected staple S. An opening  8  communicated with the storage portion  40  is formed in the staple refill  1 . 
   The staple refill will be described in detail. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a refill  2  of the staple refill  1  includes an upper case  3  and a lower case  5  which is detachably fixed to the upper case  3 . The upper case  3  is integrally formed by a synthetic resin, and includes an upper wall  6 , a left wall  7  provided in the left end of the upper wall  6 , and a right wall  9  provided in the right end of the upper wall  6 . 
   The upper wall  6  includes an upper semi-cylindrical wall  11 , a vertical wall  12  whose upper end is coupled to a front end of the upper semi-cylindrical wall  11 , a curved wall  13  whose one end is coupled to a lower end of the vertical wall  12 , and a horizontal wall  15  whose rear end is coupled to the other end of the curved wall  13 . The left wall  7  and the right wall  9  include circular walls  7   a  and  9   a  and lower walls  7   b  and  9   b  respectively. The lower walls  7   b  and  9   b , which extend substantially in a horizontal direction, are coupled to lower ends of the circular walls  7   a  and  9   a  respectively. The lower walls  7   b  and  9   b  are projected downward from the horizontal wall  15 . Latch holes  14  and  14  are formed in the lower walls  7   b  and  9   b.    
   A grip arm  18  extending backward is formed in the upper portion of the upper semi-cylindrical wall  11 . A rib  19  reinforcing the curved wall  13  is formed in the upper surface of the curved wall  13 . The opening  8  is formed in the rear portion of the upper semi-cylindrical wall  11 . Further, the guide projection strip  20  guiding the sheet-like connected staple S is provided in the inner surface of the upper wall  6  of the upper case  3 , i.e., in the inner surfaces of the upper semi-cylindrical wall  11 , the vertical wall  12 , the curved wall  13 , and the horizontal wall  15 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , similarly to the upper case  3 , the lower case  5  is integrally formed by a synthetic resin, and includes a lower wall  21 . The lower wall  21  includes an arc wall  22  and a linear wall  23 . The arc wall  22  is formed in a quarter arc shape, and the rear end of the linear wall  23  is coupled to the front end of the arc wall  22 . The mound-shaped guide projection  25  is formed in the linear wall  23 . One surface  26  (on the side of the discharge port  46 ) of the guide projection (guide projection portion)  25  is curved such that a substantially constant gap is formed with a lower surface  13   a  of the curved wall  13  of the upper case  3 . The other surface  27  (on the side of the storage portion  40 ) of the guide projection  25  is curved such that an arc is formed like the arc wall  22 . A top portion  29  of the guide projection  25  is formed in a semi-circular shape. 
   A notch portion  30  is formed in a substantially intermediate portion of the guide projection  25 . The pawl-shaped backward movement preventing member  31  is integrally provided in the linear wall  23 . The backward movement preventing member  31  is located in the notch portion  30 , and is projected from the curved one surface  26 . In the linear wall  23 , a substantially U-shaped notch recessed portion  32  is formed in the front portion, and the rear portion extends beyond the arc wall  22 . The guide band (projection strip)  35  guiding the sheet-like connected staple S is projected in the inner surface of the lower wall  21  of the lower case  5 , i.e., in the inner surfaces of the arc wall  22 , the guide projection  25 , and the linear wall  23 . Latch pawls  36  and  36  are formed on both sides of the lower wall  21 , and the latch pawls  36  and  36  are detachably latched in latch holes  14  and  14  of the upper case  3 . 
   In the staple refill  1 , when the lower case  5  is fitted between the lower wall  7   b  of the left wall  7  and the lower wall  9   b  of the right wall  9  of the upper case  3 , the latch pawls  36  and  36  of the lower case  5  is latched in the latch holes  14  and  14  of the upper case  3  to assemble the refill  2 . In the assembly, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the sheet-like connected staple S is placed in the lower case  5 , when the sheet-like connected staple S is stored in the upper case  3  such that the leading end portion S 1  of the sheet-like connected staple S wound counterclockwise is located in the upper portion of the upper case  3 . 
   In the refill  2 , the cylindrical storage chamber  40  is formed by the upper semi-cylindrical wall  11  and vertical wall  12  of the upper wall  6 , the arc wall  22  and the other surface (on the side of the storage portion  40 )  27  of the guide projection (guide projection portion)  25  of the lower case  5 , and the left wall  7  and right wall  9 . The sheet-like connected staple S is positioned on the lowest linear wall  23  by the arc wall  22  of the lower case  5  and the other surface  27  of the guide projection  25 . 
   In the refill  2 , the second guide passage  42  curved smoothly upward is formed by the lower surface  13   a  of the curved wall  13  of the upper case  3 , one surface (on the side of the discharge port  46 )  26  of the guide projection  25  of the lower case  5 , the left wall  7  and right wall  9 . The second guide passage  42  is upwardly curved toward the side of the storage portion  40 , and is communicated with the storage portion  40 . In the refill  2 , the substantially linear first guide passage  43  is formed by a lower surface  15   a  of the horizontal wall  15  of the upper case  3 , an upper surface  23   a  of the linear wall  23  of the lower case  5 , the left wall  7  and right wall  9 . That is, the delivery passage  45  is formed by the first guide passage  43  and the second guide passage  42 . The discharge port  46  is formed at the front end of the delivery passage  45 , and the sheet-like connected staple S is sequentially discharged from the leading end portion S 1 . 
   The delivery passage  45  includes the upper guide surface  47  guiding the upper surface S 2  of the sheet-like connected staple S and the lower guide surface  48  guiding the lower surface S 3  of the sheet-like connected staple S. The upper guide surface  47  is formed by the lower surface  15   a  of the horizontal wall  15  of the upper case  3  and the lower surface  13   a  of the curved wall  13  of the uppercase  3 . The lower guide surface  48  is formed by the upper surface  23   a  of the linear wall  23  of the lower case  5  and one surface (on the side of the discharge port  46 )  26  of the guide projection  25 . On the upper guide surface  47  of the delivery passage  45 , the two guide projection strips  20  are provided along a moving direction of the sheet-like connected staple S. The guide projection strip  20  is a strip-shaped projection portion which is slightly projected from the upper guide surface  47  toward the side of the sheet-like connected staple S. The guide projection strip  20  decreases a contact area between the upper guide surface  47  and the sheet-like connected staple S to decrease slide resistance in moving the sheet-like connected staple S, and thereby the sheet-like connected staple S is smoothly drawn forth. The notch recessed portion  32  is provided at a position facing the horizontal wall  15  of the upper guide surface  47  of the lower guide surface  48 . The notch recessed portion  32  is a portion which brings a feeding pawl (feeding roller) of the stapler main body  50  into contact with the lower surface S 3  of the sheet-like connected staple S. The sheet-like connected staple S is drawn from the storage portion  40  by the notch recessed portion  32 , and is delivered to the discharge port  46 . 
   The backward movement preventing member  31  is projected toward the inside of the second guide passage  42 , and a leading edge  31   a  extends to a neighborhood of the lower surface  13   a  of the curved wall  13 . The backward movement preventing member  31  can be bent due to elasticity of the synthetic resin material. The leading edge  31   a  of the backward movement preventing member  31  slides on the lower surface S 3  of the sheet-like connected staple S to latch the connecting recess portion between the staples of the sheet-like connected staple S, which prevents the backward movement of the sheet-like connected staple S towards the side of the storage portion  40 . The shape of the backward movement preventing member  31  is not particularly limited. For example, the backward movement preventing member  31  can obliquely be provided as shown in  FIG. 6A , the backward movement preventing member  31  can be provided in a substantially L-shape as shown in  FIG. 6B , and the backward movement preventing member  31  can be provided in a substantially n-shape as shown in  FIG. 6C . As described above, the backward movement preventing member  31  is formed in a pawl shape, and the leading edge  31   a  strongly presses the sheet-like connected staples (particularly drawn-forth portion S 5 ) against the side of the lower surface  13   a  of the curved wall  13  during transportation. Therefore, there is no possibility that the sheet-like connected staple S is drawn from the staple refill  1  due to the excessive shock or the like. In the case where the staple refill  1  is set, the portion projected from the lower wall  21  is returned into the refill, which rotates the backward movement preventing member  31  counterclockwise. The rotation of the sheet-like connected staple S slightly retreats the leading edge  31   a  of the backward movement preventing member  31  from the lower surface  13   a  of the curved wall  13  to decrease the pressing force to the sheet-like connected staple S. Therefore, moving resistance of the sheet-like connected staple S toward the feeding direction is decreased to perform the staple feeding more smoothly. 
   A leading tape (not shown) provided in the leading end portion S 1  of the sheet-like connected staple S is drawn from the discharge port  46 . When the leading tape is pulled, the sheet-like connected staple S provided in the storage chamber  40  of the staple refill  1  is rotated and the leading edge of the leading tape is located at the discharge port  46 . The staple refill  1  is attached to the cartridge  51  which is detachably mounted to the stapler main body  50 , and the cartridge  51  is mounted to the stapler main body  50 . When the stapler main body  50  is driven, the leading end portion S 1  of the sheet-like connected staple S is intermittently drawn toward the driver side by feeding means (for example, feeding pawl and feeding roller). A roll winding portion S 4  of the sheet-like connected staple S is not placed on a drawn-forth portion S 5 , which decreases a load on the feeding means. The whole outer surfaces of the roll winding portion S 4  of the sheet-like connected staple S do not come into contact with the inner surface of the storage chamber (storage portion)  40 , but a part of the roll winding portion S 4  comes into contact with the guide projection strip  20  and/or the guide band (projection strip)  35 , so that the contact area is small. Therefore, frictional resistance is decreased, which further decreases the load on the feeding means. 
   When the leading end portion S 1  of the sheet-like connected staple S is drawn by the feeding means of the stapler main body  50 , as shown in  FIG. 8A , the drawn-forth portion S 5  is brought into close contact with the upper guide surface (the lower surface  13   a  of the curved wall  13 ) of the delivery passage  45 , and the leading edge  31   a  of the backward movement preventing member  31  slides slightly on the drawn-forth portion S 5  of the sheet-like connected staple S. Therefore, the sheet-like connected staple S can securely be delivered while little load is applied onto the feeding means. When the leading end portion S 1  of the sheet-like connected staple S is returned by a weight of the roll winding portion S 4  in the storage portion  40 , as shown in  FIG. 8B , the drawn-forth portion S 5  comes into close contact with one surface  26  of the guide projection  25 , and the leading edge  31   a , projected from one surface  26 , of the backward movement preventing member  31  securely latches the sheet-like connected staple S. 
   In the staple refill  1 , the roll winding portion S 4  is decreased as the sheet-like connected staple S is drawn. As shown in  FIG. 8C , the sheet-like connected staple S is delivered to the delivery passage  45  after the drawn-forth portion S 5  of the sheet-like connected staple S is lifted by the top portion  29  of the guide projection  25 , so that the staple refill  1  also functions as described above. The top portion  29  of the guide projection  25  is formed in a semi-circular shape, so that the guide projection  25  can smoothly guide the sheet-like connected staple S. 
   Thus, the staple refill  1  can store the sheet-like connected staple S wound in a roll shape in the storage portion  40  of the refill  2  while the leading end portion S 1  is placed in the upper portion of the storage portion  40 , and the roll winding portion S 4  is not placed on the drawn-forth portion S 5  when the sheet-like connected staple S is delivered from the discharge port  46 . Therefore, the load applied onto the feeding means is decreased. 
   In the conventional staple refill, a backward movement preventing member slides on a linearly extended portion of the sheet-like connected staple, and it is difficult to adjust contact pressure of the backward movement preventing member in the slide. On the contrary, in the staple refill  1 , since the curved delivery passage  45  is utilized as described above, the drawing-forth of the sheet-like connected staple differs from the drawing-back of the sheet-like connected staple in the latching force of the backward movement preventing member  31 , and the latching force of the backward movement preventing member  31  is increased in drawing back the sheet-like connected staple rather than in drawing forth the sheet-like connected staple. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the contact pressure of the backward movement preventing member  31 . 
   In the staple refill  1 , similarly to the feeding means of the stapler main body  50 , the backward movement preventing member  31  is pressed to latch the lower surface S 3  of the sheet-like connected staple S, where a bonding agent is not applied and a bonding tape does not adhere in a lengthwise direction. Therefore, the backward movement of the sheet-like connected staple S can securely be prevented, and the backward movement preventing member  31  can be arranged substantially in the center of the lower surface S 3 , so that the sheet-like connected staple S can be latched in a well-balanced manner. 
   In the staple refill  1 , since the backward movement preventing member  31  is integrally formed, it is not necessary to install the backward movement preventing member made of a metal material in the refill unlike the conventional staple refill. Therefore, the assembly of the staple refill  1  can easily be performed, and weight reduction and cost reduction of the refill  2  can be achieved. Further, disposal of the staple refill  1  is easy to perform because it is not necessary to separate the staple refill  1  into each material. 
   In the refill  2 , since the opening  8  is formed in the rear portion of the upper semi-cylindrical wall  11  as described above, the sheet-like connected staple S stored in the storage chamber  40  can be fixed so as not to move during the transportation by mounting a pressing member such as a cushion material from the opening  8  in packaging the staple refill  1 , which allows the leading edge position of the sheet-like connected staple S not to be shifted. In the usage of the staple refill  1 , a state such as a remaining amount of sheet-like connected staple S can also be confirmed by utilizing the opening  8 . 
   In the staple refill  1 , the backward movement preventing member  31  is integrated with the lower wall  21  of the lower case  5 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , substantially L-shaped engaging projections  53  and  53  are formed on both sides of a plate-shaped lower wall  52  of a lower case  57 , and both ends of an insertion plate  56  including backward movement preventing members  55 , which are formed substantially in an inverse U-shape and separately formed by a synthetic resin, are engaged to the engaging projections  53  and  53 , and the backward movement preventing member  55  may be provided in the lower wall  52  of the lower case  57 . The backward movement preventing members  55 , which are formed substantially in an inverse U-shape, are projected from long holes  60  formed in one curved surface  59  of a substantially mound-shaped guide projection  58 , and the backward movement preventing members  55  press the sheet-like connected staple S. 
   Effects of the Invention 
   In the staple refill according to the invention, the leading end portion of the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape can be stored in the storage portion of the refill while the leading end portion is placed in the upper portion of the storage portion, and the sheet-like connected staple is not placed on the drawn-forth portion when the sheet-like connected staple is drawn to be delivered. Therefore, the staple refill of the invention has the effect that the load applied onto the feeding means is decreased. Further, in the staple refill according to the invention, the delivery passage is curved upward from the discharge port toward the inside of the storage portion, and the backward movement preventing member is provided in the curved delivery passage. Therefore, the latching force can be weakened in drawing forth the sheet-like connected staple, and the latching force can be strengthened in drawing back the sheet-like connected staple, so that the staple refill of the invention has the effect that the adjustment of the backward movement preventing member is not required. 
   In the staple refill according to the invention, the backward movement preventing member slides not on the upper surface where the bonding agent is applied and the bonding tape adheres, but on the lower surface of the sheet-like connected staple on the same side as the feeding means. Therefore, the backward movement preventing member is difficult to slide, so that the staple refill of the invention has the effect that the sheet-like connected staple can securely be latched. Further, since the backward movement preventing member can slide in the center of the lower surface of the sheet-like connected staple, so that the backward movement preventing member can be latched in a well-balanced manner in the sheet-like connected staple. Therefore, the staple refill of the invention has the effect that the possibility of the bending of the sheet-like connected staple can extremely be decreased. Furthermore, in the staple refill according to the invention, since the backward movement preventing member is integrated with the refill, it is not necessary to install the backward movement preventing member in the refill, so that the staple refill of the invention has the effect that the assembly of the staple refill can easily be performed. 
   In the staple refill according to the invention, the projection strip sliding on the outer surface of the sheet-like connected staple wound in a roll shape is provided in the inner surface of the storage portion, and the whole outer surfaces of the sheet-like connected staple do not come into contact with the bottom surface of the storage portion, but a part of the outer surface comes into contact with the bottom surface, so that the contact area is small. Therefore, the staple refill of the invention has the effect that the sheet-like connected staple can smoothly be rotated. 
   In the staple refill according to the invention, the opening communicated with the storage portion is formed in the refill, so that the staple refill of the invention has the effects that the pressing member such as the cushion material can be mounted by utilizing the opening in packaging the staple refill such that the sheet-like connected staple stored in the storage portion does not move during the transportation, the leading edge position of the sheet-like connected staple cannot be shifted, and a state such as a remaining amount of sheet-like connected staple can be confirmed by utilizing the opening. 
   Description of the Reference Numerals and Signs 
   
       
       S sheet-like connected staple 
       S 1  leading end portion 
       S 2  upper surface 
       S 3  lower surface 
       S 4  roll winding portion 
       S 5  drawn-forth portion 
         1  staple refill 
         2  refill 
         3  upper case 
         5  lower case 
         6  upper wall 
         7  left wall 
         7   a  circular wall 
         7   b  lower wall 
         8  opening 
         9  right wall 
         9   a  circular wall 
         9   b  lower wall 
         11  upper semi-cylindrical wall 
         12  vertical wall 
         13  curved wall 
         13   a  lower surface (upper guide surface) 
         14  latch hole 
         15  horizontal wall 
         15   a  lower surface 
         18  grip arm 
         19  rib 
         20  guide projection strip 
         21  lower wall 
         22  arc wall 
         23  linear wall 
         23   a  upper surface 
         25  guide projection (guide projection portion) 
         26  one surface (lower guide surface) 
         27  the other surface 
         29  top portion 
         30  notch portion 
         31  backward movement preventing member 
         31   a  leading edge 
         32  notch recessed portion 
         35  guide band (projection strip) 
         36  latch pawl 
         40  storage chamber (storage portion) 
         42  second guide passage 
         43  first guide passage 
         45  delivery passage 
         46  discharge port 
         47  upper guide surface 
         48  lower guide surface 
         50  stapler main body 
         51  cartridge 
         52  lower wall 
         53  engaging projection 
         55  backward movement preventing member 
         56  insertion plate 
         57  lower case 
         58  guide projection 
         59  one surface 
         60  long hole 
     
  
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
   The invention can be applied to a motor-driven stapler with which a copying machine, a printing machine, and the like are equipped.