JP2002326764A - Method for folding and sealing sheet, and case sealing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of parts, and restrict generation of a paper jam in a case sealing machine for folding and sealing a sheet. SOLUTION: Among a plurality of stages of roller pairs for folding a sheet for one or a plurality of times by combining at least three rollers, the last stage roller pair for folding the sheet for the last time is composed of crimp rollers. Folding for the last time and sealing by crimping are thus achieved simultaneously by the last stage roller pair.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a sealing machine for folding and sealing a sheet, which aims to reduce the number of parts of the sealing machine and to prevent paper jams.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sealed body in which a sheet is folded and sealed is widely used for applications such as delivery documents and bills, and pay statements. The present applicant has previously disclosed a sealing machine having a folding device for folding a sheet and a crimping device for receiving the folded sheet and applying pressure or pressure and heat to crimp each folded piece. 11-30860
No. 2 proposed.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Japanese Patent Application No. 11-3086
The sealing machine of No. 02 has a large number of parts, and there is a limit in reducing the size, weight, and cost of the device. In addition, the sheet folded by the folding device fails to be delivered to the pressure bonding device, which may cause a paper jam. The present invention
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of folding and sealing a sheet and a sealing machine which reduce the number of parts of the sealing machine and reduce the occurrence of paper jams.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A sheet folding and sealing method according to the present invention is characterized in that a sheet is fed to a plurality of pairs of rollers constituted by combining at least three rollers to perform one or more folding operations. Then, the final folding and the sealing by pressure bonding are simultaneously performed by the roller pair that performs the final folding. The sealing machine of the present invention
At least three rollers are combined to form a multi-stage roller pair, the sheet is drawn between the first-stage roller pair, the front part of the sheet is locked during the drawing, and the sheet is further locked in the locked state. By retracting, the sheet is folded at a predetermined folding position in the middle, the folded position is drawn into the next pair of rollers and folded, and this folding operation is performed once or further by the next pair of rollers. A pair of rollers for performing the final folding operation by pulling in a plurality of times and forming the final folding operation is constituted by a pressure roller, and the final folding operation and the sealing by pressure bonding are simultaneously performed by the pressure roller.

According to the present invention, the final folding is performed by the roller pair that performs the final folding, out of a plurality of roller pairs that perform folding of the sheet one or more times by combining at least three rollers. And the sealing by crimping are performed simultaneously, so that an independent crimping device is not required, and the number of parts can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to transfer the sheet folded by the folding device to the independent pressure bonding device, paper jam is less likely to occur.

The two rollers constituting the final folding roller pair can be formed by metal rollers so that sufficient pressure bonding can be performed, and a roller pair performing folding other than the final folding can be constituted. By configuring at least one of the two rollers to be an elastic roller having at least a surface formed of an elastic member, noise can be reduced. Further, by forming minute irregularities on the surface of at least one of the metallic rollers of the metallic roller pair, the pressing force can be concentrated on the convex portions of the irregularities, and the pressing force can be increased, It can also function as a stop. Further, among the rollers forming the plurality of roller pairs, small-diameter portions are formed on both side edges of the roller surface of at least one of the two rollers forming the roller pair that performs folding other than the last round. When the sheet passes through the roller, the glued portions on both side edges of the sheet pass through the small-diameter portion of the roller, so that the sheet is not folded during the folding other than the last time. When the pieces are inadvertently stuck together and pass through a roller pair at the subsequent stage, wrinkling of the stuck pieces can be prevented. Further, by forming the two rollers constituting the roller pair for performing the final folding operation to have a larger diameter than the other rollers, it is possible to generate a sufficiently large pressing force for pressure bonding.

[0007] When the sealing machine of the present invention is configured to produce a three-fold sealed body, for example, it comprises a first-stage roller pair composed of first and second rollers and first and third rollers. And a final stage roller pair composed of first and fourth rollers, and the first and fourth rollers constituting the final stage roller pair are composed of pressure rollers. And a guide space in which an opening is disposed at a position sandwiched by the first, second, and third rollers, and a roller pair having a three-stage configuration,
A stopper is formed at a position at an appropriate distance from the opening in the guide space, and a first guide member for guiding a sheet into and out of the guide space from the opening so as to be able to take in and out of the guide space,
A guide space in which an opening is disposed at a position sandwiched by rollers 3 and 4 is formed, and a stopper is formed at an appropriate distance from the opening in the guide space. A second guide member for guiding a sheet so that the sheet can be taken in and out, a sheet feeding table for folding a sheet at a predetermined folding position and applying a pressure or a pressure and heat to place the sheets having a property of being sealed in a bundle, A sheet feeding device for taking out the sheets one by one from a sheet feeding table and conveying the sheets one by one, and guiding the sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding device between the pair of rollers at the initial stage and guiding the sheets to the first guide member. The leading end of the sheet is locked by a stopper of the first guide member, the sheet is folded at a predetermined folding position, and the sheet is drawn between the pair of rollers at the next stage with the folding position at the head. Do the second fold Guiding the reluctant said second guide member, folded the sheet in a different predetermined return position engaged with said return position by the stopper of the second guide member,
The sheet may be drawn in between the pair of rollers at the last stage with the other folded position at the head, and the second folding and the pressing of the folded pieces may be performed.
In this case, the first and fourth rollers are constituted by metal rollers,
The second and third rollers are made of an elastic roller such as a rubber roller having at least a surface made of an elastic member.
By forming the roller having a larger diameter than the second and third rollers, it is possible to generate a sufficiently large pressing force for pressure bonding and to reduce noise.

[0008]

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of a sealing machine according to the present invention will be described. This is configured for producing a Z-shaped three-fold sealed body. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outline of an internal configuration of the sealing machine 10, and FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a main part thereof. This sealing machine 10 has two support members 16, on a mechanical base in a housing (not shown).
19 are erected in parallel with each other,
Paper feed table 12, paper feed device 14, four rollers R1, R2,
R3, R4 (FIG. 2 shows a state in which each roller is cut in the middle in the longitudinal direction.) Two blade plates 18, 20 (guide members) are supported. A stacker 22 that can be taken in and out is arranged below the paper feed table 12. The roller R2 contacts the upper surface of the roller R1, the roller R3 contacts the rear surface of the roller R1 (the surface opposite to the sheet feeding table 12), and the roller R4 contacts the lower surface of the roller R1. I have.
The paper feeding device 14 and the rollers R1 to R4 are driven and transmitted in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 1 by a drive and transmission mechanism such as a motor and a gear or a belt, but the mechanism is not shown.

The rollers R1 and R2 constitute a first-stage roller pair, the rollers R1 and R3 constitute a next-stage roller pair, and the rollers R1 and R4 constitute a last-stage roller pair. The final pair of rollers R1 and R4 simultaneously perform the final folding and sealing by pressure bonding, and are each formed of a metal roller entirely made of metal such as iron in order to generate a sufficient pressing force. And constitute a pressure roller. The other rollers R2 and R3 are used to pull in the sheet 30 fed from the sheet feeding device 14 in combination with the roller R1 and to fold the sheet for the first time. And elastic rollers such as rubber rollers coated with the above elastic members. The rollers R1 and R4 have a larger diameter than the other rollers R2 and R3 so as to withstand a large pressing force.

The sheet supply table 12 is disposed substantially horizontally, and has a sheet bundle 24 placed thereon. The front (sheet discharge port side) of the paper feed table 12 is pushed upward by the urging force of the spring 25. The paper feeding device 14 has a rotating shaft 26 (shown in a state cut off in the longitudinal direction) rotatably supported by support members 16 and 19 at an upper position near the front end of the paper feeding table 12. In addition, a semi-lunar paper feed roller 28 made of rubber or the like is fixedly arranged at a central position in the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft 26. The sheet bundle 24 on the sheet feeding table 12 is moved by a sheet feeding roller 28 by an upward urging force applied to a front portion of the sheet feeding table 12.
Has been pressed against. By rotating the rotating shaft 26 by driving of the motor, the sheet feeding roller 28
The second uppermost sheet 30 is fed forward. The fed sheet 30 passes over the stopper 32 and is discharged from the sheet feeding device 14. The discharged sheet 30 slides on the support base 38 and is drawn between the pair of rollers R1 and R2 in the first stage. The sheet 30 is made of, for example, A4 size paper, is folded into three in a Z-shape, and is sealed in a standard postal-sized sealing body, and has perforations at two folded positions (reference numerals 34 and 36 in FIG. 3). To make it easier to turn around. In addition, the sheet 30 is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive at a predetermined location along the peripheral edge and the folded position in advance. In addition, sheet 30
Are already printed by a page printer such as a laser printer.

The blade plate 18 is assembled by forming a guide space 44 by arranging two metal plates 40 and 42 facing each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. A stopper 46 is formed at an appropriate position in the guide space 44. The opening 48 of the guide space 44 is open to a space between the rollers R1, R2, R3. The blade plate 20 is assembled by forming two guide plates 52 and 50 facing each other with a predetermined gap therebetween to form a guide space 52. A stopper 54 is formed at an appropriate position in the guide space 52. The opening 56 of the guide space 52 is open to the space between the rollers R1, R3, R4.

The sheet 30 fed from the sheet feeding device 14 via the support table 38 is first drawn between the rollers R1 and R2 and fed into the guide space 44 from the opening 48. When the sheet 30 passes between the rollers R1 and R2 up to about 2/3 in the longitudinal direction, the leading end of the sheet 30 is locked by the stopper 46. Since the sheet 30 is still fed by the rollers R1 and R2, the sheet 30 is folded downward at a perforation 34 formed at a position ２ of the longitudinal direction. The folded portion is then drawn between the rollers R1 and R3 to perform the first folding, and the folded piece is fed into the guide space 52 from the opening 56.
When the folded piece of the sheet 30 passes between the rollers R <b> 1 and R <b> 3, the leading end portion (the folding position 34) of the sheet 30 is locked by the stopper 54. Since the sheet 30 is still fed by the rollers R1 and R3, the sheet 30 is folded at the other perforation 36. The folded portion is then drawn between the rollers R1 and R4, and the second (final) folding and crimping of the sealing is performed and discharged, whereby the sealing body 30a folded into a Z shape by three.
Is completed and deposited on the stacker 22. The stacker 22 can be removed from the sealing machine, and the completed sealed body can be discharged.

FIG. 3 shows a sealing process performed by the sealing machine 10 described above. From the sheet bundle 24 placed on the sheet feeding table 12, the sheet 30 of the uppermost layer is
Is sent out, drawn into the first pair of rollers R1 and R2, and guided by the upper blade plate 18. When locked by the stopper 46, the sheet is folded at the folding position 34 and guided to the lower blade plate 20 while performing the first folding with the roller pair R1, R3 in the next stage. Tip (return position 34)
Is locked by the stopper 54 at the folding position 36, and each of the pieces 30- folded while performing the second (final) folding by the final-stage roller pair R1 and R4.
1, 30-2 and 30-3 are pressed against each other to form a sealed body 30.
a is completed and discharged from the pair of rollers R1 and R4.
The discharged sealing body 30a is deposited on the stacker 22.

In the above description, the case where the sheet is folded into three Z-shapes has been described. However, by lowering the position of the stopper 46 of the upper blade plate 18 and setting the guide space 44 shorter, the front folding position 36 ( FIG. 3) may be folded back first to form a fold (e-type trifold) in which it is wound inward.

(Embodiment 2) Another embodiment of the sealing machine of the present invention will be described. This is configured for making a two-fold sealed body. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a main part of the internal configuration of the sealing machine 58. This sealing machine 58 is
Paper feed table 12, paper feed device 14, three rollers R11, R1
2, R13, and a blade 60 (guide member). A slope 62 and a stacker 64 are disposed below the rollers R11 and R13. The roller R12 is in contact with the upper surface of the roller R11, and the roller R12 is on the rear surface of the roller R11.
13 is in contact. Paper feeder 14 and roller R11
R13 are drive and transmission mechanisms such as a motor and a gear or a belt, which are respectively driven to rotate in directions indicated by arrows in FIG.

The rollers R11 and R12 form a first roller pair, and the rollers R11 and R13 form a next (last) roller pair. The final stage roller pair R11, R13 is
The final folding and sealing by pressing are performed at the same time, and in order to generate a sufficient pressing force, each is entirely formed of a metal roller made of metal such as iron, and constitutes a pressing roller. The other roller R12 is a roller R1
1 and the sheet 30 fed from the sheet feeding device 14 in combination with
It is composed of an elastic roller such as a rubber roller in which the surface of a metal roller is coated with an elastic member such as rubber to reduce noise. The rollers R11 and R13 have a larger diameter than the other rollers R12 so as to withstand a large pressing force.

The sheet supply table 12 is disposed substantially horizontally, and has a sheet bundle 24 placed thereon. The paper feed table 12 has its front portion pushed upward by the urging force of the spring 25. Paper feeder 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes an upper position near the front end of the sheet supply table 12, which is provided with a rotatable shaft 26 rotatably supported. A semi-lunar sheet supply roller 28 made of rubber or the like is provided at a central position in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 26. It is fixedly arranged. The sheet bundle 24 on the sheet supply table 12 is pressed against a sheet supply roller 28 by an upward urging force applied to a front portion of the sheet supply table 12. By rotating the rotating shaft 26 by driving of the motor, the sheet feeding roller 28 sends the uppermost sheet 30 of the sheet feeding table 12 forward by frictional force. The fed sheet 30 passes over the stopper 32 and is discharged from the sheet feeding device 14. The discharged sheet 30 slides on the support base 38, and the first-stage roller pair R11,
It is drawn between R12. The sheet 30 is made of paper, for example,
It is folded into two and sealed in a postcard-sized sealing body. Perforations are provided at the folding position at the center in the longitudinal direction to facilitate folding. In addition, the sheet 30 is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive at a predetermined location along the peripheral edge and the folded position in advance. Further, necessary items are already printed on the sheet 30 by a page printer such as a laser printer.

The blade plate 60 is assembled by forming a guide space 70 by arranging two metal plates 66 and 68 facing each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. A stopper 72 is formed at an appropriate position in the guide space 70. The opening 74 of the guide space 70 is open to a space between the rollers R11, R12, R13.

The sheet 30 fed from the sheet feeding device 14 via the support table 38 is first drawn between the rollers R11 and R12 and fed into the guide space 70 from the opening 74. Roller R1 until sheet 30 reaches about 1/2 in the longitudinal direction
1 and R12, the leading end of the sheet 30 is locked by the stopper 72. Sheet 30 is still roller R1
Since the sheet 30 is fed by R1 and R12, the sheet 30 is folded downward at a perforation formed at a half position in the longitudinal direction. The folded portion is then drawn between the rollers R11 and R13, and the first and final folding and sealing by crimping are performed to complete a folded folded body. The completed sealing body slides down the slope 62 and is deposited on the stacker 64. (Embodiment 3) Another embodiment of the sealing machine of the present invention will be described. This is configured for producing an e-type three-fold sealed body. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a main part of the internal configuration of the sealing machine 76. The sealing machine 76 includes a sheet feeding table 12, a sheet feeding device 14, and four rollers R21, R22, R
23, R24, and two blade plates 78, 80 (guide members). A stacker 102 is disposed at a lower front position of the rollers R23 and R24. The roller R21 contacts the upper surface of the roller R22, the roller R23 contacts the rear surface of the roller R22, and the roller R23 contacts the lower surface of the roller R23.
24 are in contact. Paper feed device 14 and roller R21
R24 to R24 are driving and transmitting mechanisms such as a motor and a gear or a belt, which are respectively driven to rotate in directions indicated by arrows in FIG.

The rollers R21 and R22 form a first-stage roller pair, the rollers R22 and R23 form a next-stage roller pair, and the rollers R23 and R24 form a last-stage roller pair. The final pair of rollers R23 and R24 simultaneously perform the final folding and sealing by pressure bonding, and are each formed of a metal roller entirely made of metal such as iron in order to generate a sufficient pressing force. And constitute a pressure roller. The roller pairs R21 and R22 draw in the sheet 30 fed from the sheet feeding device 14. Roller pair R22,
R23 performs the first folding. Rollers R21, R22
Are made of an elastic roller such as a rubber roller in which the surface of a metal roller is coated with an elastic member such as rubber to reduce noise. The rollers R23 and R24 have a larger diameter than the other rollers R21 and R22 so as to withstand a large pressing force.

The sheet supply table 12 is disposed substantially horizontally, and has a sheet bundle 24 placed thereon. The paper feed table 12 has its front portion pushed upward by the urging force of the spring 25. Paper feeder 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes an upper position near the front end of the sheet supply table 12, which is provided with a rotatable shaft 26 rotatably supported. A semi-lunar sheet supply roller 28 made of rubber or the like is provided at a central position in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 26. It is fixedly arranged. The sheet bundle 24 on the sheet supply table 12 is pressed against a sheet supply roller 28 by an upward urging force applied to a front portion of the sheet supply table 12. By rotating the rotating shaft 26 by driving of the motor, the sheet feeding roller 28 sends the uppermost sheet 30 of the sheet feeding table 12 forward by frictional force. The fed sheet 30 passes over the stopper 32 and is discharged from the sheet feeding device 14. The discharged sheet 30 slides on the support base 38 and the first pair of rollers R21,
It is drawn between R22. The sheet 30 is made of, for example, A4 size paper, is folded in three in an e-shape, and is sealed in a sealed body of a standard postal size, and has two folded positions (same positions as reference numerals 34 and 36 in FIG. 3). Perforated to make it easier to fold. In addition, the sheet 30 is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive at a predetermined location along the peripheral edge and the folded position in advance. Further, necessary items are already printed on the sheet 30 by a page printer such as a laser printer.

The blade plate 78 is assembled by forming a guide space 86 by arranging two metal plates 82 and 84 facing each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. A stopper 88 is formed at an appropriate position in the guide space 86. The opening 90 of the guide space 86 is open to the space between the rollers R21, R22, R23. The wing plate 80 is composed of two metal plates 92, 9
4 are arranged opposite to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween,
6 are assembled. A stopper 98 is formed at an appropriate position in the guide space 96. Guidance space 9
The opening 100 of 6 is open to the space between the rollers R22, R23 and R24.

The sheet 30 fed from the sheet feeding device 14 via the support table 38 is first drawn between the rollers R21 and R22 and fed into the guide space 86 from the opening 90. Roller R2 up to 2/3 of the length of sheet 30
1 and R22, the leading end of the sheet 30 is locked by the stopper 88. Sheet 30 is still roller R2
1 and R22, the sheet 30 is formed at a perforation formed at a position ２ of the longitudinal direction (FIG. 3).
At 34). The folded portion is now drawn between rollers R22 and R23,
An initial fold is made and the folded pieces are in opening 1
From 00, it is sent to the guide space 96. When the folded piece of the sheet 30 passes between the rollers R22 and R23,
The leading end (return position) of the sheet 30 is locked by the stopper 98. The sheet 30 still has rollers R22 and R23.
, The sheet 30 is folded back at the other perforation (reference numeral 36 in FIG. 3). The folded portion is then drawn between the rollers R23 and R24, subjected to a second (last) folding and sealing by crimping, and discharged, thereby completing an e-shaped three-folded sealed body. Are deposited on the stacker 102. Stacker 1
02 can be taken out of the sealing machine and the completed sealed body can be discharged.

In the above description, the case where the sheet is folded into an e-shape is described. However, by lowering the position of the stopper 88 of the upper blade plate 78 to shorten the guide space 86, the front folding position (FIG. 3 can be folded back first to form a Z-shaped tri-fold. (Embodiment 4) An embodiment of another sealing machine of the present invention will be described. This is configured for producing a Z-shaped four-fold sealed body. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a main part of the internal configuration of the sealing machine 104. The sealing machine 10 includes a sheet feeding table 12, a sheet feeding device 14, and five rollers R31, R32,
R33, R34, R35, three blades 106, 10
8, 111 (guide member). A stacker 113 that can be taken in and out is arranged below the roller R34. The roller R32 contacts the oblique lower surface of the roller R31, the roller R33 contacts the oblique lower surface of the roller R32, the roller R34 contacts the oblique lower surface of the roller R33, and the roller R35 contacts the oblique lower surface of the roller R34. In contact. The sheet feeding device 14 and the rollers R31 to R35 are driven to rotate by motors and gears or belts in directions indicated by arrows in FIG.

The rollers R31 and R32 form a first roller pair, the rollers R32 and R33 form a second roller pair, the rollers R33 and R34 form a third roller pair, and the rollers R34 and R35. Constitutes a final roller pair. The final pair of rollers R34 and R35 simultaneously perform the final folding and sealing by pressure bonding, and are each formed of a metal roller entirely made of metal such as iron in order to generate a sufficient pressing force. And constitute a pressure roller. The roller pairs R31 and R32 draw in the sheet 30 fed from the sheet feeding device 14. Roller pair R32,
R33 performs the first folding. Roller pair R33, R3
No. 4 performs the second folding. Rollers R31, R32,
R33 is constituted by an elastic roller such as a rubber roller in which the surface of a metal roller is coated with an elastic member such as rubber to reduce noise. The rollers R34, R35 are provided with other rollers R31, R32, R3 so as to withstand a large pressing force.
3 has a larger diameter.

The sheet supply table 12 is disposed substantially horizontally, and has a sheet bundle 24 placed thereon. The paper feed table 12 has its front portion pushed upward by the urging force of the spring 25. Paper feeder 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes an upper position near the front end of the sheet supply table 12, which is provided with a rotatable shaft 26 rotatably supported. It is fixedly arranged. The sheet bundle 24 on the sheet supply table 12 is pressed against a sheet supply roller 28 by an upward urging force applied to a front portion of the sheet supply table 12. By rotating the rotating shaft 26 by driving of the motor, the sheet feeding roller 28 sends the uppermost sheet 30 of the sheet feeding table 12 forward by frictional force. The fed sheet 30 passes over the stopper 32 and is discharged from the sheet feeding device 14. The discharged sheet 30 slides on the support base 38 and the first pair of rollers R31,
It is drawn between R32. The sheet 30 is made of, for example, A4 size paper, is folded into four in a Z shape, and is sealed in a sealed body having a predetermined size. Perforations are provided at three folding positions to facilitate folding. . Also, sheet 3
A pressure-sensitive adhesive is previously applied to a predetermined position along the peripheral edge and the turnback position. Further, necessary items are already printed on the sheet 30 by a page printer such as a laser printer.

The blade plate 106 includes two metal plates 115 and 11
7 are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, and
19 are assembled. A stopper 121 is formed at an appropriate position in the guide space 119. The opening 123 of the guide space 119 is provided with rollers R31, R32, R
It is open to the space between 33. The wing plate 108 is 2
The two metal plates 125 and 127 are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween to form a guide space 129 and are assembled. A stopper 131 is provided at an appropriate position in the guide space 129.
Are formed. The opening 133 of the guide space 129 is open to a space between the rollers R32, R33, and R34. The blade plate 111 is assembled by forming a guide space 139 by arranging two metal plates 135 and 137 facing each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. A stopper 141 is formed in the guide space 139 at an appropriate position. Guidance space 1
The 39 opening 143 is open to the space between the rollers R33, R34, R35.

The sheet 30 fed from the sheet feeder 14 via the support table 38 is first drawn between the rollers R31 and R32 and fed into the guide space 119 from the opening 13. Roller R3 up to 1/4 of the length of sheet 30
1 and R32, the leading end of the sheet 30 is locked by the stopper 121. Sheet 30 is still roller R
Since the sheet 30 is fed by R31 and R32, the sheet 30 is folded downward at a perforation formed at a quarter position in the longitudinal direction. The folded portion is then drawn between the rollers R32 and R33 to perform the first folding, and the folded piece is fed into the guide space 129 from the opening 133. When the folded piece of the sheet 30 passes between the rollers R <b> 32 and R <b> 33, the leading end (folding position) of the sheet 30 is locked by the stopper 131.
Since the sheet 30 is still fed by the rollers R32 and R33, the sheet 30 is folded downward at a perforation formed at a position ２ of the longitudinal direction. The folded portion is then drawn between the rollers R33 and R34 to perform a second folding, and the folded piece is sent into the guide space 139 from the opening 143.
When the folded piece of the sheet 30 passes between the rollers R <b> 33 and R <b> 34, the leading end (folding position) of the sheet 30 is locked by the stopper 141. Since the sheet 30 is still fed by the rollers R33 and R34, the sheet 3
0 is folded downward at a perforation formed at a position ３ of the longitudinal direction. The folded portion is then drawn between the rollers R34 and R35, and the third (final) folding and sealing by crimping is performed and discharged.
As a result, a sealed body folded into four in a Z shape is completed and is deposited on the stacker 113. The stacker 113 can be taken out of the sealing machine, and the completed sealed body can be discharged.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the pressing of each sheet piece is performed by the last-stage pair of metal rollers that perform the last-time folding. If the pressing force is large, pressure bonding may occur, and the folded pieces may be inadvertently stuck together. When this careless bonding occurs, the bonded piece may be wrinkled when passing through a roller pair at a later stage, and may be a failed product. As a method for solving this problem, a small-diameter portion is formed on both side edges of the roller surface of at least one of the two rollers constituting the roller pair that performs folding other than the last one, and the sheet is It is conceivable that the glued portions on both side edges of the sheet pass through the small-diameter portion of the roller when passing through the roller.

FIG. 7 shows an example of this, and shows a roller pair (a roller pair that performs folding other than the last one) composed of a metal roller 151 and an elastic roller 153 such as a rubber roller, and the sheet 30 (in an unfolded state). ). Small-diameter portions 155 and 157 whose outer diameters are slightly smaller than other portions are formed on both side edges of the roller surface formed of the elastic member of the elastic roller 153.
The small-diameter portion 15
A gap G is formed at the position of 3,155. The positions of the small-diameter portions 155 and 157 correspond to the gluing locations 15 on both side edges of the entire gluing location 159 of the sheet 30.
9a and 159b. Therefore, when the sheet 30 is folded by passing through the pair of rollers 151 and 153, the gluing points 159 on the both side edges of the sheet are provided.
Since a large pressing force is not generated at a and 159b, careless bonding of the folded pieces does not occur. The structure of the elastic roller 153 can be applied to the elastic rollers R3 (FIG. 1), R22 (FIG. 5), R32, R33 (FIG. 6) and the like in each of the above-described embodiments. The present invention is also applicable to the elastic rollers R2 (FIG. 1), R12 (FIG. 2), R21 (FIG. 5), and R31 (FIG. 6).

Further, a pair of metal rollers (R1, R4 in FIG. 1, R11, R13 in FIG. 4,
R23, R24 in FIG. 5 and R34, R35 in FIG. 6), forming fine irregularities on the surface of at least one metal roller (for example, forming fine irregularities on the surface of one metal roller and forming the other metal roller). By forming the surface of the roller to be smooth), the pressing force can be concentrated on the convex portion of the unevenness, and the pressing force can be increased. It can also serve as a non-slip function.

In the above-described embodiments, the pressure roller is configured to apply pressure only to the folded piece and press-bonded, but it is also possible to use a roller that applies pressure and heat to apply pressure and pressure. The present invention can be applied to a sealing machine for sealing sheets of various materials such as synthetic resin in addition to paper sheets.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is a side view showing a configuration of a main part of the sealing machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing an outline of an internal configuration of a sealing machine.

FIG. 3 is a process chart showing a procedure of a sealing operation by the sealing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and is a side view showing a configuration of a main part of a sealing machine.

FIG. 5 is a view showing Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and is a side view showing a configuration of a main part of a sealing machine.

FIG. 6 is a view showing Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and is a side view showing a configuration of a main part of a sealing machine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a roller surface of an elastic roller.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Sealing machine, 12: Paper feed table, 14: Paper feeder, 18:
Blade plate (first guide member), 20: blade plate (second guide member), 24: sheet bundle, 28: paper feed roller, 30: sheet, 30-1, 30-2, 30-3: folding Fragment, 3
0a: sealed body, 34, 36 ... folded position, 44, 52
... Guide space, 46,54 ... Stopper, 48,56 ... Opening, 155,157 ... Small diameter part, 159a, 159b ... Glue point on both side edges of sheet R1 ... First roller, R2 ... Second roller, R3 … The third
R4, a fourth roller, R1, R2, a pair of rollers at the first stage, R1, R3, a pair of rollers at the next stage, and R1, R4, a pair of rollers at the last stage (pressure roller).

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sheet is fed to a plurality of pairs of rollers constituted by combining at least three rollers to perform one or a plurality of foldings, and the final pair of rollers is used for the final folding. A method for folding and sealing a sheet in which folding and sealing by pressing are performed simultaneously. 2. A multi-stage roller pair is formed by combining at least three rollers, a sheet is drawn between the first-stage roller pair, and a front portion of the sheet is locked during the drawing.
By further retracting the seat in the locked state,
The sheet is folded at a predetermined folding position in the middle, the folded position is drawn into the next pair of rollers and folded,
This folding operation is repeated one or more times by pulling it into the next pair of rollers and repeated a plurality of times, and the final pair of rollers is formed by a pressure roller.
A sealing machine that simultaneously performs the final folding and sealing by the compression roller with the compression roller. 3. Among the rollers constituting the plurality of roller pairs, the two rollers constituting the roller pair for performing the final folding are both constituted by metal rollers, and the other roller pairs are constituted. 3. The sealing machine according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the two rollers comprises an elastic roller having at least a surface formed of an elastic member. 4. A fine unevenness is formed on a surface of at least one of the metal roller pairs.
The sealing machine as described. 5. A roller comprising at least one of two rollers constituting a roller pair which performs folding other than the last one of the rollers constituting the plurality of roller pairs at both side edges of the roller surface. The small diameter portion is formed, and when the sheet passes through the roller, the glued portions on both side edges of the sheet pass through the small diameter portion of the roller. Sealing machine. 6. A roller forming a pair of rollers for performing said final folding, out of rollers forming the plurality of roller pairs, is formed to have a larger diameter than other rollers. Item 6. A sealing machine according to any one of Items 1 to 5. 7. A first stage roller pair comprising first and second rollers, a next stage roller pair comprising first and third rollers, and first and fourth rollers. A roller pair having a three-stage configuration in which the first and fourth rollers forming the final-stage roller pair are pressure-bonding rollers; and the first, second, and third rollers. A guide space in which an opening is disposed at the sandwiched position is formed, a stopper is formed at a position at an appropriate distance from the opening in the guide space, and a sheet is guided from the opening so that a sheet can be taken in and out of the guide space. A first guide member, and a guide space having an opening disposed between the first, third, and fourth rollers, and a stopper located at an appropriate distance from the opening in the guide space. Is formed to guide a sheet to be able to be taken in and out of the guide space from the opening. A sheet feeding table on which sheets having the property of being folded at a predetermined folding position and sealed by applying pressure or pressure and heat are placed in a bundle, and one sheet of the sheet is placed from the sheet feeding table. A sheet feeding device that takes out and conveys the sheet at a time, and guides the sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding device between the pair of first-stage rollers and guides the sheet to the first guide member. The sheet is folded at a predetermined folding position by being locked by the stopper of the first guide member, and the sheet is drawn between the pair of rollers at the next stage with the folding position at the beginning, and the second folding is performed while performing the first folding. The sheet is folded back at another predetermined folding position by locking the folded position with a stopper of the second guiding member, and the sheet is folded at the other folded position at the head of the final stage. Roller pair A sealing machine that draws in between and performs the second folding and crimping of the folded pieces.