JP2002265147A - Folding device and mailing machine using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a folding device of a low operation noise and easy to miniaturize. SOLUTION: The folding device 10 is provided with a at least one paper storage part 58a, 58b arranged below a paper main carrying passage and forming a paper storage space continuing downward from a upper part thereof and shallower than a paper total length in a carrying direction, a first carrying means 40, 41; 42, 43 feeding paper into the paper storage space, and a second carrying means 42, 43; 44, 45 arranged in a downstream side of the first carrying means 40, 41; 42, 43 and biting a warping part at a back side of the paper of which a part is stored in the paper storage space by the first carrying means 40, 41; 42, 43 to carry the paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a folding device and a mailing machine using the folding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a paper folding apparatus has been provided which folds a sheet in order to form a close letter or the like in which the sheet is folded in two or three and adhered.

[0003]

However, in the conventional paper folding apparatus, since the folding portion is provided above the main paper transport path, noise is generated when the leading edge of the paper collides with the folding portion. If the folded portion is covered in order to reduce this noise, the size of the device will increase.

[0004] Therefore, a technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a paper folding device which is quiet in operation noise and easy to miniaturize.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a paper folding apparatus having the following configuration in order to solve the above technical problems.

[0006] The folding apparatus includes at least one sheet storage unit, a first transport unit, and a second transport unit in the main body of the device. The at least one paper storage unit is disposed below a paper main transport path extending in a substantially horizontal direction. The at least one paper storage unit has an opening at an upper portion thereof facing the paper main transport path, and forms a paper storage space that is continuous downward from the opening and that is shallower than the entire length in the paper transport direction. The first transport unit is disposed along the paper main transport path, and feeds the paper from the paper main transport path into the paper storage space. The second transporting means is disposed downstream of the first transporting means along the paper main transporting path, and the second transporting means is provided for the paper partially stored in the paper storage space by the first transporting means. The rear bent portion is engaged and transported.

[0007] In the above configuration, the first and second transport means can be configured by using, for example, a roller or a transport belt.

According to the above construction, the sheet is guided downward from the main paper conveyance path by the first conveyance means, and the leading end side of the paper is fed into the paper storage space of the paper storage section. When the leading edge of the sheet hits the bottom of the sheet storage space, a bend occurs on the rear side of the sheet further fed by the first conveying means, and the bent portion is caught by the second conveying means, and this biting causes With the paper folded,
The paper is conveyed along the main paper conveyance path.

[0009] According to the above configuration, since the paper storing section and the first and second conveying means are provided in the apparatus main body, the sound of the paper folding is hardly transmitted to the outside of the apparatus main body. Also,
Since the paper storage section is provided at the lower portion of the apparatus main body, the machine size can be made smaller than when a paper storage section is provided at the upper portion of the apparatus main body.

[0010] Therefore, the operation noise is quiet and downsizing is easy.

Preferably, the paper storage section includes a paper storage container. The paper storage container forms at least a part of the paper storage space, and is configured to be movable in a direction traversing the paper main transport path substantially along the paper storage space.

According to the above configuration, when paper is jammed in the paper storage space, particularly when paper shorter than the specified size remains in the paper storage space, the paper storage container can be accessed from outside in the apparatus main body. The jammed paper can be removed by moving to the position or removing the paper outside the apparatus main body.

Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the paper jam recovery process.

[0014] Preferably, the paper storage section is configured such that the bottom of the paper storage space can be raised and lowered. The folding machine
A folding line position setting means for setting a position of a folding line for folding a sheet, and a bottom driving means for moving the bottom in accordance with the position of the folding line set by the folding position setting means.

According to the above configuration, the height of the bottom of the paper storage space can be automatically set so as to be at a desired folding line position, and a convenient configuration can be achieved.

Preferably, the abnormal state detecting means for detecting an abnormal state, and the abnormal time control means for operating the bottom driving means to lower the bottom when the abnormal state detecting means detects the abnormal state. , Furthermore.

According to the above configuration, when an abnormal state such as a paper jam is detected, the bottom is lowered and the paper storage space in the paper storage section is expanded. Therefore, is there any abnormality such as a paper jam in the paper storage space? Confirmation and recovery work in the event of such an abnormality are facilitated.

Preferably, the paper storage section includes a vertically movable paper abutting plate projecting into the paper storage space and forming a bottom of the paper storage space.

According to the above configuration, the height of the bottom of the paper storage space can be changed by moving the paper abutment plate up and down, and the depth of the paper storage space can be set according to the position of the folding line.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a sheet detection sensor fixed to the sheet abutting plate and detecting the presence or absence of a sheet in the sheet storage space.

According to the above arrangement, when the sheet abutment plate moves, the sheet detection sensor moves integrally with the sheet abutment plate, so that the sheet in the paper storage space can be moved regardless of the position of the sheet abutment plate. The presence or absence of clogging can be reliably detected. Further, the sheet abutment plate is raised and lowered so as to spread over the entire sheet storage space, so that the sheet storage space can be checked all over for any remaining paper.

Preferably, the paper storage section includes a paper storage container and a paper butting plate. The paper storage container forms a portion other than the bottom of the paper storage space and has a communication portion that communicates with the paper storage space. The paper butting plate is fixed to the apparatus main body so as to be able to move up and down, and enters the paper storage container from the communication portion to form the bottom of the paper storage space.

According to the above construction, the paper abutment plate which needs to be raised and lowered is left in the apparatus main body, and only the paper storage container can be moved from the outside of the apparatus main body to an easily accessible position. Alternatively, it can be taken out of the apparatus main body. By allowing only the paper storage container to move while the paper abutment plate is arranged on the apparatus main body side, a simple configuration without any problem such as relaying with the apparatus main body side can be achieved.

Preferably, there is provided a movable member arranged on one side along the paper main transport path and movably fixed to the apparatus main body so as to open the paper main transport path.

According to the above arrangement, it is possible to cope with a paper jam in a state where the movable member is moved and the main paper conveyance path is opened. Therefore, it is easy to handle a paper jam.

Preferably, the movable member is configured as a cover for covering an upper portion of the apparatus main body, and the cover has at least an upper portion of the second transport means with respect to the paper main transport path.

When the bent portion of the paper bites into the second conveying means, the paper is likely to be jammed. According to the above configuration, it is easy to deal with this.

Further, the present invention provides a mailing machine having the following configuration.

The mailing machine includes a paper folding device having any one of the above-described configurations, and a paper transport sealing device that transports and pressurizes the paper discharged from the paper folding device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction. Is provided.

In the above configuration, the paper folding device conveys the paper in a direction perpendicular to the folding line and discharges the paper. The sheet conveying seal device conveys the sheet in the direction of the folding line and pressurizes the sheet. Generally, the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the fold line of a sheet is smaller than the dimension in the fold line direction. The width of the pressurized part of the device can be made as small as possible.

Specifically, by providing a cross-conveyor section, the sheet conveying direction is changed. That is, the mailing machine includes a paper folding device having any one of the above-described configurations, a cross conveyor unit that conveys the paper discharged from the paper folding device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction, and the cross conveyor unit. And a paper transport seal device for pressing the paper transported by the printer.

[0032]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

First, the outline of the mailing machine 1 will be described with reference to the external view of FIG.

The mailing machine 1 includes a folding device 10
And the sheet conveying and sealing device 20 are connected in an L-shape. The paper (cut paper) placed on the paper receiving table 11 a of the paper folding device 10 is conveyed one by one, folded into two or three, and pressed by the paper conveyance seal device 20.
The sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge table 21a. Paper receiving tray 11a and discharge tray 2
1a can be folded and stored in the side surfaces of the apparatus main bodies 11 and 21. An adhesive or an adhesive sheet is arranged at an appropriate position on the sheet, and a sheet of the sheet is adhered after pressing. The sheet folding device 10 and the sheet conveying / sealing device 20 can open the upper doors 11b and 21b to recover from a paper jam.

Next, the schematic configuration of the sheet folding device 10 and the sheet conveying and sealing device 20 will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG.

The folding device 10 includes a paper feeding unit 12 and a folding unit 1.
4, a cutting section 16, a temporary sealer section 17, and a paper discharge section 18
And

The paper supply unit 12 includes paper supply rollers 30 and 31,
It includes a separating plate 32, a sheet detection sensor 180, and heavy running detection rollers 34 and 35.

The paper feed rollers 30 and 31 come into contact with the paper 2 placed on the paper receiving table 11c and feed the paper 2 one by one from above.
The separation plate 32 prevents the paper from being fed by the paper feed roller 31 in an overlapping manner. The paper detection sensor 180 detects the passage of the paper. The heavy running detection rollers 34 and 35 detect the thickness of the paper passing between them.

The folding section 14 includes folding rollers 40 to 46 alternately arranged above and below the sheet transport path, and folding rollers 40.
Of two folding trays 58a, 5 arranged below
8b, folding stoppers 59a and 59b arranged along the folding trays 58a and 58b, and a sheet detection sensor 182 for detecting passage of the sheet.

The cutting section 16 is composed of two sets of slitter units 81a, 81c, which cut both edges of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction.
81b, and a set of slitter units 82 for cutting the center of the sheet in the transport direction.

The temporary sealer section 17 includes a pair of rollers 91,
92, which preliminarily applies pressure as the folded paper passes therebetween.

The paper discharge unit 18 is provided with a paper detection sensor 184 for detecting the passage of the paper and the folded paper
And a pair of paper discharge rollers 93 and 94 for discharging paper from the printer.

The sheet conveying and sealing device 20 includes a cross conveyor section 22, a sealer section 24, and a discharge conveyor section 26.

The cross conveyor unit 22 includes a conveyor belt 104 for conveying the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge unit 18 of the paper folding device 10 in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, and a steel ball for holding the conveyed sheet. 105, three pairs of paper feed rollers 111, 112; 113, which rotate at the same speed and convey paper.
114; 115 and 116; and a paper detection sensor 186 for detecting the passage of the paper.

The sealer section 24 includes a pair of press rollers 1
17, 118 are provided.

The discharge conveyer unit 26 is used to convey a sheet.
It includes a set of discharge conveyors 140 and a discharge guide plate 142 on which the sheets conveyed by the discharge conveyor 140 stand.

Next, each part of the folding apparatus 10 will be further described.

The heavy running detection rollers 34 and 35 of the paper feeding section 12
Is configured as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, and when the paper 2 passes between the heavy running detection rollers 34 and 35, the lower heavy running detection roller 35 is pushed down as indicated by an arrow 301,
The support arm 36 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow 302, and the gap between the heavy running detection rollers 34 and 35 can be enlarged by the support arm 36 and detected by the photo interrupter 39. I have.

That is, the upper heavy running detection roller 34 is
Above the paper transport path, it is rotatably disposed at a fixed position with respect to the apparatus main body 11. The lower heavy running detection roller 35 is rotatably supported by the distal end of the first piece 36s of the support arm 36 in which the first piece 36s and the second piece 36t are connected in a substantially Y-shape. Second piece 36 of support arm 36
The upper end of t is rotatably supported about a support shaft 37 fixed to the apparatus main body 11, and is urged clockwise in FIG. Thus, the lower heavy running detection roller 35 is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate from the upper heavy running detection roller 34, and is always in contact with the upper heavy running detection roller 34. Second piece 36 of support arm 36
A projecting piece 36a is provided at the lower end of t, and the position of the projecting piece 36a can be detected by the photo interrupter 39.

Next, the folding section 14 will be further described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in the configuration diagram of FIG.
Folding guides 50 along the paper path are provided around 0-46.
To 57 are arranged.

The folding rollers 42, 44, 46 and the folding guides 50, 53, 57 are provided on the upper cover 48. The upper cover 48 is disposed above the paper transport path,
As shown by an arrow 304, the folding roller 40 rotates around the rotation axis of the folding roller 40. A release lever 49 rotatably supported by a support shaft 48a is provided on the upper cover 48.
Is provided. The release lever 49 has a hook-like tip portion 49.
a. The distal end portion 49a is engaged with a shaft 47 provided on the apparatus main body 11, and keeps the upper cover 48 closed as shown by a solid line. As shown by the dotted line, when the release lever 49 is tilted leftward in the figure, the engagement with the shaft 47 is released, and the upper cover 4 is released.
8 can be in an open state. When the upper cover 48 is opened, the upper side of the paper transport path is exposed, so that even if the paper jams in the paper transport path, the paper can be easily removed.

A first folding tray 58a is disposed between the folding rollers 41 and 43, and a second folding tray 58b is disposed between the folding rollers 43 and 45. 58b opposing guide plates 72, 7
3: Sheets can be fed into a sheet storage space formed between 74 and 75.

The folding stoppers 59a and 59b arranged along the folding trays 58a and 58b
The paper butting plates 64 and 65 are fixed to a lifting block 60 that moves up and down by the rotation of. Paper butting plate 64,
65 is inserted between the guide plates 72, 73: 74, 75 to form the bottom of the paper storage space.
3: The sheet comes in contact with the sheet fed between 74 and 75.

As shown in an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 5, a sheet detecting sensor 6 such as a photo interrupter is
6a may be provided to detect a paper jam or the like between the guide plates 72 and 73 of the folding tray 58a. Similarly,
A sheet detection sensor 66b (see FIG. 18) may be provided on the sheet abutting plate 65 to detect a paper jam or the like between the guide plates 74 and 75 of the folding tray 58b.

As shown in the enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 6, a positioning plate 67 for moving the folding guide 54 is fixed to the lifting block 60 at the second folding stopper 59b. The folding guide 54 is fixed to one end 58 a of a support plate 58 that is rotatably arranged concentrically with the center axis of the folding roller 43. A spring 59 is locked to the other end of the support plate 58 to urge the support plate 58 clockwise in the drawing, and always retract the folding guide 54 below the paper transport path as shown by a solid line. It has become. Support plate 58
When the one end 58a is lifted by the positioning plate 67 of the second folding stopper 59b as shown by the dotted line, the folding guide 54 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
Closes the downward sheet transport path to the second folding tray 58b indicated by the arrow 306, and the folding rollers 43 and 4
4, the paper is passed between the folding rollers 44 and 45 as indicated by an arrow 308.

Next, the first and second folding trays 58
a and 58b will be described. The first and second folding trays 58a and 58b have the same configuration except that the height dimensions are different. Hereinafter, the first folding tray 58a will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7 (a) front view and (b) side view, the first folding tray 58a is provided with a pair of guide plates 72 and 73 arranged at a predetermined interval, and projects vertically. A pair of guide pins 76 and 77 provided and a handle 78 are provided.

The guide plates 72, 73 have openings 72a, 73a and continuation portions 72b,
73b are formed alternately. Continuous parts 72b, 73
b are displaced by a half pitch so as not to be opposed to each other, so that the guide plates 7 and
The paper storage space formed between the sheets 2 and 73 can be completely checked, and a paper jam or the like can be easily found. Protrusions 72c, 73c are formed on the inner surfaces of the continuous portions 72b, 73b, respectively, so as to protrude into the paper storage space, so that the paper is hardly caught in the paper storage space.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 8 and the sectional view of FIG. 9, the folding tray 58a includes upper and lower guide pins 76,
77 is inserted into a guide groove 11k (only the guide pin 76 is shown in FIG. 9) provided in the frames 11s and 11t of the apparatus main body 11, thereby being arranged at a predetermined position.

The folding tray 58a can be taken out by opening the cover 11c of the apparatus main body 11, as shown in FIG. That is, when the handle 78 (not shown in FIG. 9) of the folding tray 58a is pulled at the mounting position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 9, the guide pins 76 and 77 (FIG.
Are not shown) are curved portions 11x, 11 of the guide groove 11k.
y along the folding tray 5 as shown by the dashed line.
The engagement of the folding stopper 8a with the sheet butting plate 64 of the folding stopper 59a is released. When the folding tray 58a is further pulled out, the folding tray 58a is moved to the linear portion 1 of the guide groove 11k.
It is guided along 1z and can be taken out of the apparatus main body 11. Installation is the reverse procedure.

Next, the paper folding operation will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that FIGS. 10C and 10E and FIGS. 11C and 11E are schematically shown.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), three portions 2a, 2
The paper 2 divided into b and 2c is indicated by broken lines 2s and 2t.
The paper feed table 11 is set at right angles to the paper transport direction indicated by the arrow.
a. A perforation may be formed in advance at the fold lines 2s and 2t so that the sheet 2 is easily broken.

The sheet 2 sent from the sheet feeding section 12 to the folding section 14 passes between the folding rollers 41 and 42 and is sent to the first folding tray 58a as shown in FIG. When the leading end 2k of the sheet 2 hits the sheet abutting plate 64, the folding roller 4
In a space surrounded by 1, 42, and 43, the sheet 2 curves toward the space between the folding rollers 42 and 43 as indicated by the dotted line. The height of the sheet abutting plate 64 is appropriately adjusted so that the portion that becomes the folding line 2t behind the rear side of the sheet 2 becomes the tip of the curved portion 2p.

When the rear of the sheet 2 is further fed by the folding rollers 41 and 42, the curved portion 2p of the sheet 2 is sandwiched between the folding rollers 42 and 43, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C. Then, a folded line 2t is formed in a state where the front portion (first and second portions 2a, 2b) is folded under the rear portion (third portion 2c) of the sheet 2, and the folded line 2t is conveyed at the head.

Then, as shown by an arrow 306 in FIG. 6, the second folding tray 58 is moved from the folding rollers 43 and 44.
b, and when the fold line 2t comes into contact with the sheet abutting plate 65, the rear portion of the sheet (the peripheral portion of the portion that will later become the fold line 2s) is similarly surrounded by the folding rollers 43, 44, and 45. Then, it bends between the folding rollers 44 and 45,
The curved portion is sandwiched between the folding rollers 44 and 45, and as shown in FIGS. 10D and 10E, the front portion (second and third portions) is provided below the rear portion (first portion 2a) of the sheet 2. Part 2
The folded line 2s is formed in a state where the folded lines 2b and 2c) are folded, and the folded line 2s is conveyed at the head.

As described above, the first portion 2a, the second portion 2b, and the third portion 2c of the sheet 2 are folded in a Z shape as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11 (e), it is also possible to fold the paper 2 in a bag shape so that the first portion 2a is sandwiched between the second portion 2b and the third portion 2c.

In this case, when the leading end 2k of the sheet 2 sent to the first folding tray 58a hits the sheet abutting plate 64, the vicinity of the portion where the folding line 2s is formed behind the front side of the sheet 2 is determined by the folding rollers 42 and 43. The height of the sheet butting plate 64 is adjusted so as to bend toward the middle. And FIG.
As shown in (b) and (c), the rear portion (second
A folded line 2s is formed in a state where the first portion 2a is folded under the portion 2b and the third portion 2c), and the folded line 2s is conveyed at the head.

Then, the sheet is sent to the second folding tray 58b, and when the fold line 2s comes into contact with the sheet abutting plate 65, similarly, the rear portion of the sheet (the peripheral portion of the portion which will be the fold line 2t later).
11 is bent between the folding rollers 44 and 45, and the curved portion is sandwiched between the folding rollers 44 and 45, and FIG.
As shown in (d) and (e), the rear portion of the sheet 2 (the third
Under the front part (first and second parts 2a, 2a) under the part 2c)
A folded line 2t is formed in a state where b) is folded, and a folded line 2t is formed.
Is transported first.

When the sheet only needs to be folded once, that is, when the sheet is folded in two, the folding guide 54 is set to the upper position by the second stopper stopper 59b as shown by the dotted line in FIG. As shown by the arrow 308, the sheet passing between the folding rollers 43 and 44 is
The folding roller 4 immediately without going to the folding tray 58b.
What is necessary is just to go between 4,45.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 12, the cutting section 16 connects the slitter units 81a, 81b, 82 to each other.
With respect to the sheet conveyance direction indicated by arrow 310, arrows 312 and
As shown by reference numerals 314 and 316, they can be freely moved in a right angle direction.

As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 13, the slitter unit 82 has an upper blade 82a and a lower blade 82b, and is driven to rotate by drive shafts 83a and 83b, respectively. Similarly, the slitter units 81a and 81b also have an upper blade and a lower blade that are rotationally driven by the drive shafts 83a and 83b.

In the movement area of the slitter units 81a, 81b, 82, there are provided guide members 85, 86 which are arranged below the paper transport path and guide the lower surface of the paper.

The guide member 86 has one end of a main body 87 rotatably supported by a support shaft 89, and a neutral position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 12 and a retracted position retracted from the moving area of the slitter unit 82 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. And can be rotated between them. The main body 87 includes an upper piece 87a, a middle piece 87b, and a lower piece 87c that are bent in a U-shaped cross section. The upper piece 87a and the lower piece 87c extend in parallel along the paper transport path. 87b extends at right angles to the paper transport path. One end 88a of the spring 88 is locked in the vicinity of the support shaft 89, and the other end 88b of the spring 88 is locked to the lower piece 87c.
6 automatically returns to the neutral position.

The guide member 85 is configured similarly to the guide member 86 except that the dimensions in the sheet transport direction are different.

The guide members 85 and 86 rotate when they hit the moving slitter units 81a, 81b and 82,
Retreat from the movement area of the slitter units 81a, 81b, 82. After passing through the slitter units 81a, 81b and 82, the spring 88 automatically returns to the original position by the restoring force. Therefore, the slitter units 81a, 81b,
When moving 82, special operations such as retreating guide members 85 and 86 in advance and returning them later are not required.

Next, the configuration of each part of the sheet conveying and sealing device 20 will be further described.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 14, the cross conveyor section 22 includes the paper discharge rollers 93 and 94 of the paper folding apparatus 10.
The stop guide plate 100 is disposed to face the paper folding device 1.
The sheet ejected from 0 falls on the conveyance belt 104 by hitting the stop guide plate 100, is attracted to the upper part of the conveyance belt 104, which is an endless belt that circulates, and moves together with the conveyance belt 104. Thus, the sheet that has been conveyed in the paper folding device 10 in a direction perpendicular to the fold line (indicated by the arrow 320) is generally conveyed in the fold line direction.

The transport belt 104 has a large number of through holes 10.
4a are formed. Below the upper part of the conveyor belt 104, a suction box 106 is arranged as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The suction box 106 is provided with a blower 108 (see FIG.
4), and an opening (not shown) is provided in an upper portion facing the upper portion of the transport belt 104. As a result, the air above the conveyor belt 104 is released from the through holes 10.
4a is sucked into the suction box 106, and the paper can be conveyed while being suctioned to the upper portion of the conveyance belt 104.

The stop guide plate 100 includes a dial 101
By operating (see FIG. 14), the paper can be moved in parallel in a direction of coming and coming from the transport belt 104 according to the size of the folded paper.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
For suction of air from 4 and operation of dial 101,
The upper part 21c of the sheet conveying seal device 20 is open.

On the side opposite to the stop guide plate 100 (on the paper folding device 10 side), a guide guide plate 102 is disposed at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the transport belt 104, and the transport belt 1
The sheet conveyed by the sheet 04 comes into contact with the guide plate 102 and thereafter moves along the guide plate 102.
As a result, the sheet is turned in a predetermined direction along the folding line, and is delivered to the sheet feeding rollers 111 and 112.

The paper transport speed of the paper feed rollers 111 and 112 is higher than the paper transport speed of the transport belt 104, so that a gap is formed between the papers.

When transferring the paper from the conveyor belt 104 to the paper feed rollers 111 and 112 having different speeds, a steel sheet for holding the paper is provided between the paper feed rollers 111 and 112 so that the direction of the paper is not disturbed. A sphere 105 is arranged. The steel ball 105 is rotatably held on the transport belt 104 by a holder 105 rotatably supported by a support shaft 105.

Next, the structure of the sealer section 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17 and 23.

The sealer portion 24 is formed on a base plate 120 extending in the horizontal direction, and rubber cushions 122, 123, and 124 (one is not shown) arranged at four corners of the base plate 120.
, And is fixed to the frame of the apparatus main body 21.

On both sides of the base plate 120, a pair of vertical plates 121a and 121b projecting perpendicular to the base plate 120 are fixed. The pair of vertical plates 121a and 121b rotatably support one (lower) pressure roller 118.

A substantially L-shaped arm plate 130 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 131 on each of the vertical plates 121a and 121b. The arm plate 130 rotatably supports the other (upper) pressure roller 117. Each arm plate 13
A contact surface 130a with which the cam 132 contacts is formed at the leading end of the zero. The cam 132 includes a pair of vertical plates 121.
a, fixed to both ends of a rotating shaft 133 supported by 121b. A potentiometer 138 is provided at one shaft end of the rotating shaft 133. A sector gear 134 is fixed to the other shaft end of the rotating shaft 133. The sector gear 134 is rotated by a gear 136 provided on the output shaft of a gear motor 163 fixed below the base plate 120. Also, the vertical plates 121a, 1
21b is provided with limit switches 135a and 135b for detecting the position of the sector gear 134.

Gears 117a, 118a meshing with each other are fixed to one shaft end of the pressure rollers 117, 118. A pulley 118 b is fixed to the other shaft end of the pressure roller 118, and is driven to rotate by a sealer main motor 162 via a drive belt 119.

Next, the operation of the sealer section 24 will be described.

At the time of crimping, the rotation of the gear motor 163 causes the sector gear 134 to rotate clockwise in FIG. As a result, the cam 132 pushes down the contact surface 130a of the arm plate 130, and the paper is pressed by the pressure roller 117,1.
The gap between the pressure bonding rollers 117 and 118 is set to a predetermined size so that pressure acts when passing between the pressure rollers 18. Since the gap between the pressure rollers 117 and 118 can be strictly adjusted using a cam, the paper can be appropriately pressed with a predetermined pressure.

On the other hand, when the gear motor 163 rotates in the reverse direction, the sector gear 134 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. Accordingly, the cam 132 rotates, the arm plate 130 rotates counterclockwise by a spring (not shown), the gap between the pressing rollers 117 and 118 is widened, and the pressure between the pressing rollers 117 and 118 is released. Crimping roller 11
If the paper is jammed between the rollers 7 and 118, the pressure roller 11
Even if the shafts of the rollers 7 and 118 are bent, the gap between the pressure rollers 117 and 118 is widened as shown by a chain line and an arrow K in FIG. Thus, the jammed sheet 2x can be taken out.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the mailing machine 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

The CPU 150 which controls the entire apparatus has an operation panel 28 and an R which stores basic programs and the like.
An OM 152, a RAM 154 for temporarily storing the number of drive pulses of the paper butting plate motors 166, 167, and the like;
EEPROM for storing operation programs and parameters
156; a folding section main motor 160 for driving the folding rollers 40 to 45; a sealer section main motor 162 for driving the press rollers 117 and 118; a conveyor motor 164 for driving the transport belt 104; Sheet abutment plate motor 16 for moving up and down plates 64 and 65
6, 167, paper detection sensors 66a, 66b provided on the paper butting plates 64, 65, four paper detection sensors 180, 182, 184, 186, and a main motor clutch 188.

The CPU 150 controls the operation of each device based on an operation command from the operation panel 28. For example,
When the paper size, the folding line position, the folding method, and the like are input from the operation pamel 28, the CPU 150 causes the paper abutting plate 64,
65 is automatically set to a predetermined height. In addition, a crimping mode for folding and crimping a sheet can be executed from the operation panel 28. At this time, a trial mode in which only one sheet is processed and a production mode in which continuous processing is performed can be selected. Further, the CPU 150 monitors detection signals from various sensors, and when detecting an abnormal state such as a paper jam, appropriately stops the operation of each device and automatically executes the pressure release mode to execute the press roller 177, Widen the gap between 178. Further, the pressure release mode can be manually executed at an arbitrary timing by a predetermined operation from the operation panel 28. The CPU 150 controls the press rollers 177, 1 based on the outputs of the limit switches 135a, 135b and the pontensometer 138.
78 is detected, and the detected data is stored in the RAM 154.
When the setting is changed to the pressure bonding mode after the pressure release mode, the gap data between the press rollers 177 and 178 set in the immediately preceding pressure bonding mode is stored in the RAM 154.
And the gap between the press rollers 177 and 178 is controlled so as to be the same as the read.

Next, the control operation when a paper jam (jam) is detected will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

As shown in the main flowchart of FIG. 19, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred in the folding section 14 (# 1).
0) If the jam is at the folding section 14, the jam processing 1 is executed (# 20). If the jam is not the jam in the folding section 14, it is determined whether or not the jam is in the cross conveyor section 22 (# 12). If the jam is in the cross conveyor section 22, jam processing 2 is executed (# 40). ). If the jam is not the jam in the cross conveyor section 22, it is determined whether or not the jam is in the sealer section 24 (# 14).
If the jam is at 4, the jam processing 3 is executed (# 6).
0).

In the jam processings 1 to 3, the mechanism on the upstream side of the place where the jam has occurred is stopped immediately, but the mechanism on the downstream side is operated for a while until the normal processing of the sheet is completed. Then, the operation is stopped.

The jam processing 1 in the case of a jam in the folding section 14 operates as shown in the detailed flowchart of FIG. That is, the operation of the paper feeding unit 12 is stopped (# 2
2) The folding section 14 is stopped (# 24). Next, the delay timer is operated, and after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed (# 26), the cross conveyor unit 22 is stopped (# 2).
8) The sealer 24 is stopped (# 30), and the discharge conveyor 26 is stopped (# 32).

As shown in the detailed flowchart of FIG. 21, in the jam processing 2 in the case of a jam in the cross conveyor section 22, first, the sheet feeding section 12 is stopped (# 42), and the cross conveyor section 22 is stopped. (# 44), the folding unit 14 is stopped (# 46). Next, the delay timer is operated, and after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed (# 26), the sealer unit 24 is stopped (# 30), and the discharge conveyor unit 26 is stopped (# 32).

As shown in the detailed flowchart of FIG. 22, in the jam processing 1 in the case of a jam in the sealer section 24, first, the sheet feeding section 12 is stopped (# 62), and the sealer section 24 is stopped (# 62). 64), the cross conveyor section 22 is stopped (# 66), and the folding section 14 is stopped (# 68). Next, the delay timer is operated, and after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed (# 70), the discharge conveyor unit 26 is stopped (# 72).

More preferably, at the time of a jam after the cross conveyor section 22, after the jam occurs, the folding section 14 is not stopped immediately, and after the sheet is completely folded and discharged from the folding section 14, the folding is performed. The unit 14 is stopped.

The delay timer (step # 2 in FIG. 20)
6, Step # 48 in FIG. 21, Step # 7 in FIG.
Except for the stop timing after the point 0), they may be performed simultaneously or in a different order. For example, FIG.
Steps # 22 and # 24 of 0, Step # of FIG.
42, # 44 and # 46, step # 62 in FIG.
The stop operations of # 64, # 66, and # 68 may be performed simultaneously or in a different order. Further, even if the respective stop operations of steps # 28, # 30 and # 32 of FIG. 20 and steps # 50 and # 52 of FIG.
The order may be changed.

As described above, since the folding trays 58a and 58b are disposed below the apparatus main body 11 of the paper folding apparatus 10, the operation noise is quiet and the miniaturization is easy.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in other various modes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a folding device and a mailing machine using the folding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the mailing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a heavy running detection roller.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a folding unit.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a front view and a side view of a folding tray.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a folding unit.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a folded portion.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of folding of a sheet.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of folding of a sheet.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a slitter section.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a slitter section.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a cross conveyor unit.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a cross conveyor unit.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the sealer unit.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the sealer unit.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a control system of the mailing machine.

FIG. 19 is a main flowchart of the operation of the mailing machine.

FIG. 20 is a detailed flowchart of the operation of the mailing machine.

FIG. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the operation of the mailing machine.

FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart of the operation of the mailing machine.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sealer unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Paper 2p Curved portion (flexible portion) 2s, 2t Folding line 10 Folding device 11 Main body 20 Paper transport seal device 28 Operation panel (Folding line position setting means) 41 Fold roller (First transport means) 42 Fold roller (First) Transport means, second transport means) 43 folding roller (first transport means, second transport means) 44 folding roller (first transport means, second transport means) 45 folding roller (second transport means) Means) 48 Upper cover (movable member, cover) 58a, 58b Folding tray (paper storing unit, paper storing container) 59a, 59b Folding stopper (paper storing unit) 64, 65 Paper butting plate (bottom) 66a, 66b Paper detection Sensor (abnormal state detection means) 72a Opening (communication part) 150 CPU (abnormality control means) 166,167 Paper abutment plate motor (bottom drive means) 180, 182, 184, 186 sheet detecting sensor (abnormality detecting means)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus body (11), which is disposed below a paper main transport path extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and has an opening at an upper portion thereof facing the paper main transport path. At least one paper storage portion (58a, 59a; 58b, 59b) that is continuous downward from the paper and that forms a paper storage space that is shallower than the total length in the paper transport direction; First transport means (41, 42; 43, 44) for feeding the paper from the main transport path into the paper storage space; and the first transport means (4) along the paper main transport path.
1, 42; 43, 44), and a rear bent portion of the sheet partially stored in the sheet storage space by the first transport means (41, 42; 43, 44). (2p) a second folding means (42, 43; 44, 45) which is engaged and transported. 2. The paper storage section (58a, 59a; 58).
b, 59b) are paper storage containers (58a, 58) that form at least a part of the paper storage space and are configured to be movable in a direction that traverses the paper main transport path substantially along the paper storage space.
2. The folding device according to claim 1, wherein b) is included. 3. The paper storage section (58a, 59a; 58).
b, 59b) are at the bottom (64, 6) of the paper storage space.
5) is configured to be able to move up and down, and a folding line position setting means (28) for setting a position of a folding line (2s, 2t) for folding a sheet; and the folding line (2s, 2t) set by the folding position setting means (28). ) According to the position of the bottom (64, 6).
3. The paper folding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom driving means (166, 167) for moving (5). 4. An abnormal state detecting means (66a, 66b, 180, 182, 184, 186) for detecting an abnormal state.
And the abnormal state detecting means (66a, 66b, 180, 18).
2, 184, 186) detects an abnormal state, operates the bottom driving means (166, 167) and lowers the bottom (64, 65).
The folding device according to claim 3, further comprising: (0). 5. The paper storage section (58a, 59a; 58).
b, 59b) includes a vertically movable sheet abutting plate (64, 65) projecting into the paper storage space and forming a bottom (64, 65) of the paper storage space. The paper folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A paper detection sensor (66a, 66b) fixed to said paper butting plate (64, 65) and detecting presence or absence of paper in said paper storage space. Item 6. The paper folding device according to Item 5. 7. The paper storage section (58a, 59a; 58).
b, 59b) form portions other than the bottom (64, 65) of the paper storage space,
A paper storage container (58a, 58b) having a communication portion (72a) communicating with the paper storage space; and a vertically movable and fixed to the apparatus body (11). , 58b)
Inside the paper storage space, the bottom portion (64,
The paper folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a sheet abutting plate (64, 65) forming the sheet abutting plate (65). 8. A movable member (48) disposed on one side along the paper main transport path and movably fixed to the apparatus main body (11) so as to open the paper main transport path. A paper folding device, characterized in that: 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is provided with a main body.
1) is configured as a cover (48) covering the upper part of the first transport means (4).
9. The paper folding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an upper portion (42; 44) of the second main transport path is disposed among the second main transport path. 10. The paper folding device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sheet discharged from the paper folding device (10) is transported in a direction substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction. A sheet conveying seal device (20) for applying pressure.