JPH04503499A - Sheet feeding method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Sheet feeding method and device The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for feeding sheets of material, especially sheets of paper. . Various paper sheet feeding machines and collating machines (machines that align pages) are known; These machines use separate storage to produce the desired end product consisting of multiple sheets. It dispenses sheets of paper from storage boxes or compartments.

One of the drawbacks of known collating machines and similar machines is that the storage The number of storage boxes is fixed, which means that the customer can either buy a machine that meets their current requirements or or in the hope that the customer will be able to use additional storage box capacity in the future. Means you have to decide whether to pay more for a bigger machine do.

The object of the invention is to devise a fully dimensional sheet feeding machine. This The sheet feeding machine is preferably a collating machine. The advantage of fully reference dimensional construction is the use A person can start with a small number of modules (of a standard unit) and add more modules of a standard unit. The point is that you can assemble the machine into what you need by adding it.

Another object of the invention is to arrange the module as a tower so that the sheet is at the bottom of the tower. To provide a sheet feeding machine that is forced to descend toward

Yet another object of the invention is to facilitate the use of the machine by the operator, i.e. Place the controls in an easily accessible location and keep the control mechanisms out of the way. A seat configured to locate this control mechanism so that it can be easily monitored by the operator. The purpose is to provide a sheet feeding machine.

According to the invention, the sheets are stacked on top of each other and each is integral with a sheet storage station. sheets from different modules and multiple storage stations. laterally into a common transport path leading to the underside of the lowest module in the requested order. A sheet feeding device is provided, comprising means for downwardly guiding the sheet.

Preferably, the power back for this device is provided with a tower mechanism at the top of the stacked modules. It will be established as follows. The front of this power bag provides a visual display of relevant information. can include. These individual modules are stacked together by a suitable mechanism. interconnected at both ends, the device includes suitable electronic circuitry for controlling and monitoring the object. It incorporates.

Each module, i.e. sheet storage station, is itself a finished product and Can function independently when installed in a power bag.

Further according to the invention, the sheets are stacked one on top of the other and each integrated with a sheet storage station. A method for supplying sheets from a plurality of different modules, the method comprising: from the number sheet storage station to the lowest module laterally downward in the requested order. A sheet feeding method is provided that guides the sheet into a common transport path down the roll.

The number of modules in any one stack will depend on customer requirements and any particular installation. Depends on needs and constraints. The device can therefore be tailored to individual wishes. can be configured and tailored to meet specific requirements.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood, one preferred embodiment of the collating mechanism of the present invention will be described. Preferred embodiments are described below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawing, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sheet feeding device according to the invention configured as a tower; Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic diagram of one of the modules showing the sheet feeding mechanism in more detail. , FIG. 3 shows another path for collated sheets at the bottom of the tower.

As shown in the drawings, the collating mechanism is preferably provided with wheels or rollers 11 for collating. It is equipped with a bottom/floor stand 10 which allows the machine to be moved. Stan The code includes individual modules (based on 12a, i2b, 12c, etc.) It is responsible for stacking units (quasi-units). These modules each have sheet storage and and supply box 14. Each module has a sheet of paper held inside it Configure a feeding station for The supply storage boxes of individual modules are different It can be of depth. “Double deep” storage box as shown in the drawing is indicated by a dashed line 14' towards the top of the stack. This stack can contain any number of individual modules, but typically this stack consists of 2 and 2 modules. It is between 0 pieces.

Each module or supply station is complete in itself and has all the necessary equipment for operation. all mechanisms, such as sheet feeding mechanism, tray height sensing means, sheet monitoring means, transportation It includes mechanisms, etc. The distribution of sheets from the supply storage box is done by a friction feed mechanism or by suction. This can be done by a pull-feed mechanism or in any other suitable manner. friction feed storage You can have boxes and suction supply bins in the same stack. Full details of this are given below. Described below.

The direction of sheet movement is indicated by the sheet 15 illustrated in FIG. Each savings For storage boxes, the sheets are first moved laterally and then immediately downwards to each module. into one common transport path extending between the front pair of opposing rollers 16.17 of the I am moved by this. In a preferred embodiment of this device, one sheet is separated therefrom. The supply storage box is placed when coded instructions are given by the machine control. and the slope of this storage box is then the slope of the topmost sheet in this storage box. Start the dispensing process for These modules are stacked shallowly and closely together. Since the sheet is twisted, the sheet can be moved by -sets of rollers, either singly or in overlapping sets. from one set of rollers downward without the need for any transfer belts. Ru.

At the top of this collating mechanism stack is a power bag 18, which has a single counterpart. All mechanical and electrical components for these modules in interchangeable units It includes a pneumatic drive mechanism. For example, powered bags are conveyor drives, air blowers, etc. It can include an output motor, a tray lowering motor, control electronics, etc. this power The front side of the bag preferably carries the switch control device, pushbuttons and visual display means. It also allows the operator to check the operation of the mechanism. individual modules The rules 12a, 12b, 12c... can be stacked in any order, The joints can be easily connected to each other to completely unify two or more stations. It is designed to form an integrated collation mechanism. These individual modules are interconnected on the sides of the stack by suitable coupling and drive mechanisms, this machine can be controlled and incorporates appropriate electronic circuitry for monitoring.

FIG. 2 shows further details of the sheet feeding mechanism within each module. paper, paper A stack 20 of sheets of board or similar material is shown on the right side of FIG. It is placed in a storage box or compartment that is intended to be filled from the source.

Above the sheet 20 and close to the output end of the storage box is a friction feed roller 22.

In practice, the rollers extend the length of the shaft 24 across the width of the device. They are provided at intervals along the direction. As above, one sheet comes from the storage box When dispensed, the bin is tilted to the position shown in Figure 2 and the top shelf is in this position. The sheet contacts the rotating friction supply roller 22 and this top sheet is placed in the storage box. and laterally transferred to a passageway between upper guide 26 and lower guide 28. be done. While traveling along this path, the sheet moves against the rollers 16 mounted on the shaft 30. You will be invited to make contact. A contact roller 17 cooperating with this roller 16 is connected to the shaft. 32. These two rollers 16 and 17 A nip portion that passes downwardly between the two is defined. As shown in Figure 2, the roller A guided path for sheets around 16 is approximately 90” around this roller. It extends. The guides 26 and 28 are preferably prefabricated components. This component includes rods 38 and 40 respectively extending across the width of the device. in position by having arcuate fastening portions 34 and 36 that fit into position on the can be fixed to.

Air is added to help separate the top sheet (20a) of the stack 20 from the remaining sheets. The flow is directed towards the leading edge of the sheet.

This blown air extends across the width of the storage box and is supplied with air under pressure. It is created by providing a hollow rod or tube 42. This rod or tube 42 has Holes, grooves, etc. are provided in the portion facing the front edge of the sheet. Furthermore each module A sheet misfeed detector is provided inside the roller 16, and this detector detects the sheet around the roller 16. It consists of sensors 43 and 44 on each opposite side of the passage.

Instead of using a friction feed roller 22 above the stack of sheets in the storage box, A suction mechanism, such as a bellows mechanism of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,138. can be used.

When in operation, this machine can pack several different sheets into individual storage bins. , the operator simply presses a control button on the front of the machine to print the final brochure or Which sheets should be collated together in a booklet or its components? can be selected. This machine then requests the sheets from a suitable storage box. automatically selects the order in which the sheets will be placed and distributes these sheets in the correct order.

As shown in Figure 1, these collated sheets start from the bottom of the stack, i.e. The waste is guided into the collection storage box 50 from below the height of the lowest module 12a. Ru. FIG. 3 shows another method of utilizing collated sheets. Indicated by the dashed line 52 in the center The sheet can pass straight down from the transport path through the rollers, as shown in FIG. Other machines or devices located below this collating machine, such as the stitching needle bending machine 53 guided by. In addition, as indicated by dashed line 54, the collated sheets It is guided to the front of the stack of modules and deposited on a transverse conveyor 56.

As yet another example, the collated sheets are traversed as shown by dashed line 57. It is guided rearward toward the conveyor 58. If this passage continues, then the seat are deposited on conveyor 58 in the opposite orientation, which is preferred for some purposes.

The invention is based on the concept of stacking multiple modules on top of each other to form a tower. However, it is possible to arrange several such towers side by side to create one type of supply storage box. A collating mechanism may also be provided.

If there is a problem or failure with any one of the individual supply bins or the power back If so, remove the module or power bag from the mechanism and replace it with a new module. It is only necessary to replace it with a module or power bag.

In addition, if additional modules are required, other modules may be can be added to the laminate without having to disassemble or rearrange the structures. That's simple.

FIG.3 Rice field [Ransin Matsugyu international search report GB 9001444 S^　40250

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. a plurality of different stacks stacked on top of each other, each with a sheet storage station; Modules and sheets are laid out in the requested order from said plurality of storage stations. and guiding hand downwards into a common transfer passageway below the lowest module. A sheet feeding device comprising a stage. 2. Claim 1, further comprising a power bag located at the top of the stack of modules. equipment. 3. Claims that the power pack has a front panel that provides a visual display of control information The device according to item 2. 4. The sheet travels down a transport path between opposing pairs of rollers without an intermediate belt. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, provided. 5. Each sheet storage station begins removing the top sheet from the storage bin. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including a storage box tilted so as to 6. A rotatable friction feed roller connects the top sheet to the sheet storage station. said claim 1 provided above each sheet storage station so as to be in contact with said sheet storage station; The device described in any of the following. 7. The suction feed mechanism opens each sheet store so that it is in contact with the top sheet of the station. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is provided above the storage station. Place. 8. Directs air flow toward the leading edge of the top sheet of each storage station. including means for aiding in the separation of said topmost sheet from the sheet stack. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims. 9. At the bottom of the transfer path, the sheet continues to advance substantially vertically downward toward other equipment. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims. 10. The seat passes vertically downwards forward or backward in a position below the lowest module. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is guided from a conveyor means onto a conveyor means. 11. A plurality of different models stacked on top of each other and each with an integrated sheet storage station 1. A method for supplying sheets from a plurality of joules, the method comprising: Below the lowest module, horizontally and downwardly in the order requested by the station. A method of feeding sheets comprising guiding the sheets into a common transport path of the two. 12. Sequence of sheet distribution from the power pack located at the top of the stack of modules 12. The method of claim 11, comprising controlling.