JP2002370718A - Printing paper enclosing and sealing apparatus and detector for failure in enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing paper enclosing and sealing apparatus which can detect a failure in enclosure even if enclosures different in thickness are used. SOLUTION: A printer 3A and an automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A constituting the printing paper enclosing and sealing apparatus include an enclosing and sealing unit 40, a thickness detecting unit 8, a data memory and a central processing unit(CPU). The enclosing and sealing unit 40 encloses sheets 5A to 5C printed by the printer 3A into an envelope 6 and seals. The thickness detecting unit 8 measures an actual thickness of an envelope 7 with the sheets 5A to 5C enclosed. The data memory stores thickness data of the sheets 5A to 5C, number-of-enclosed-sheets data for each of the sheets 5A to 5C and thickness data of the envelope. The CPU calculates a theoretical thickness of the envelope 7 with the enclosures based on the respective data stored in the data memory. The CPU compares the theoretical thickness with the actual thickness and determines that there is a failure in enclosure when a difference between the theoretical thickness and the actual thickness is larger than a predetermined value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing paper enclosing and sealing apparatus for enclosing and sealing a sheet printed by a printing means in an envelope, and to detect an enclosing abnormality by an enclosing and enclosing apparatus for enclosing and sealing an enclosure in an envelope. The present invention relates to an encapsulation abnormality detection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an automatic enclosing and sealing apparatus for automatically enclosing an enclosure in an envelope and sealing the envelope. Examples of the enclosing / sealing device include a printing paper enclosing / sealing device (finisher) that immediately encloses and seals paper printed by a printer in an envelope. FIG. 18 shows a conventional example of an automatic enclosing and sealing system for enclosing and sealing printed paper in an envelope.

A conventional automatic enclosing and sealing system 1 shown in FIG. 18 includes a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) 2, a printer 3, and an automatic enclosing and sealing device 4. FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4. 18 and 19, the description of the components not denoted by the reference numerals is omitted below.

In the automatic enclosing / sealing process by the automatic enclosing / sealing system 1, first, the personal computer 2 sends print data 21 of the paper 5 to the printer 3 and automatically transmits the enclosing number data 22 of the paper 5 to be enclosed in the envelope 6. This is transmitted to the enclosing and sealing device 4. As shown in FIG.
Is transmitted to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4 from the data of the envelope identification number unique to each envelope and the data of the number of sheets to be enclosed in the envelope.

Next, a printing process is performed by the printer 3 based on the print data 21 transmitted from the personal computer 2. Next, in the automatic enclosing / sealing device 4, the paper transport motor 46 is driven by the drive control of the CPU 41 based on the number data 22 transmitted from the personal computer 2, and the paper 5 printed by the printer 3 is reduced by the enclosed number. It is transported into the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4. Thereafter, the sheet 5 is inserted into the envelope 6 by the enclosing / sealing unit 40, and is enclose / sealed. next,
The envelope 7 in which the paper 5 is enclosed is conveyed to the thickness detection unit 8, and the thickness of the envelope is measured.

On the other hand, the arithmetic processing of the CPU 41
Based on the sheet number data 22, the sheet thickness data stored in the sheet thickness data memory 44, and the envelope thickness data stored in the envelope thickness data memory 45,
The theoretical thickness of the envelope 7 in which the paper 5 is enclosed is calculated.

Next, a process of comparing the actual thickness of the envelope 7 measured by the thickness detecting unit 8 with the calculated theoretical thickness of the envelope 7 is performed. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a sheet enclosing abnormality.

[0008]

However, in the conventional automatic enclosing and sealing system, an abnormal enclosing can be detected only when a sheet or an envelope having a certain thickness is used. There has been a problem in that it is not possible to detect an abnormality in encapsulation when, for example, mixing encapsulants having different thicknesses or enclosing and sealing using envelopes having different thicknesses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing paper enclosing / sealing apparatus capable of detecting an abnormality in enclosing even when using enclosing objects or envelopes having different thicknesses, and an enclosing abnormality detecting apparatus.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 uses a printing means (printer 3A) as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 9 and 10, for example.
3B) and paper (5A) printed by this printing means.
To 5C.5) in an envelope (6.6A to 6C), and the thickness of an enclosing means (enclosing and sealing unit 40) for enclosing and enclosing paper by the enclosing and sealing means is measured. Storage means (measured envelope data memory 4) for storing measurement means (thickness detection unit 8), information on the number of sheets enclosed, information on the thickness of the paper, and information on the thickness of the envelope;
3. Thickness data memory 44A based on the number of sheets 5A to 5C
Thickness data memory 44, envelope thickness data memory 45, envelope 6A to 6C thickness data memories 45A to 45C), information on the number of sheets to be enclosed, information on the thickness of sheets, A calculating means (CPU 41) for calculating a theoretical thickness of the envelope in which the paper is enclosed based on the thickness information; an actual thickness of the envelope in which the paper is enclosed measured by the measuring means; And a determining means (CPU 41) for determining that the encapsulation is abnormal when the difference between the actual thickness and the theoretical thickness is larger than a predetermined value. 3A and 3B, automatic enclosing and sealing devices 4A and 4B), wherein the storage means stores thickness information of a plurality of types of paper and encloses paper for each type of paper to be enclosed in an envelope. Number information, and at least one of thickness information of a plurality of types of envelopes and type information of an envelope in which the paper is enclosed, and the arithmetic unit stores the number of sheets enclosed in each storage unit in the storage unit. Is stored (in the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the theoretical value is determined based on the thickness information of the paper corresponding to the type of paper to be enclosed in the envelope and the information on the number of sheets enclosed for each type of paper. If the thickness is calculated and the storage unit stores the type information of the envelope (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), the theoretical value is determined based on the thickness information of the envelope corresponding to the type information of the envelope. It is characterized in that the thickness is calculated.

Here, the printing means, the enclosing and sealing means, the storing means, the calculating means and the judging means do not necessarily have to be provided on a single device.
As shown in FIG. 2, a printer 3D as a printing unit, an automatic enclosing / sealing device 4D including an enclosing / sealing unit 40 as an enclosing / sealing unit and a CPU 41 as a judging unit, and a personal computer 2D including a storage unit and a calculating unit. , A printing paper enclosing and sealing device (automatic enclosing and sealing system 1D) may be configured.

The sheet thickness information stored in the storage means may be, for example, thickness information for each number of sheets as shown in a data configuration example shown in FIG. One piece of thickness information may be used. In the storage means, for example, various kinds of information may be stored in advance, various kinds of information transmitted from other devices may be temporarily stored, and the thickness during encapsulation may be reduced. The thickness information of the sheet obtained by the measurement may be temporarily stored.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the printing paper enclosing and sealing device includes the storage means and the arithmetic means, the thickness information of a plurality of types of paper stored in the storage means and the information of the plurality of types of envelopes are stored. Based on the thickness information, the paper is enclosed by the calculating means based on the thickness and the number of sheets of paper corresponding to the type of paper to be enclosed in the envelope and the thickness of the envelope corresponding to the type of envelope in which the paper is enclosed. The calculated theoretical thickness of the envelope is calculated. Therefore, even when enclosing and sealing is performed using another type of paper (enclosure) or envelope having a different thickness, the abnormality of the enclosing is detected by the determination means based on the theoretical thickness calculated as described above. It can be carried out.

In particular, in a conventional printing paper enclosing and sealing device,
In most cases, the encapsulation and sealing are performed using only a sheet of a certain thickness. Therefore, when the encapsulation and sealing are performed using papers having different thicknesses, the configuration is such that an abnormal encapsulation cannot be detected. On the other hand, the printing paper enclosing and sealing device according to the first aspect can detect anomaly of enclosing even when using papers and envelopes having different thicknesses, so that it can cope with enclosing and sealing using various types of papers and envelopes. The application range of the printing paper enclosing and sealing device can be expanded.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIGS.
A to 5C.5) in an envelope (6.6A to 6C) and an enclosing / sealing device (automatic enclosing / sealing device 4A / 4B) for detecting an enclosing abnormality by an enclosing / sealing device (automatic enclosing / sealing device 4A / 4B) ), And the information on the number of enclosed objects is
A storage means (envelope data memory 43 during processing, paper 5A to 5F) which stores the information on the thickness of the enclosure and the thickness of the envelope in advance when the enclosure is started by the enclosure device.
Thickness data memories 44A to 44C based on the number of 5C sheets, thickness data memory 44 based on the number of sheets, thickness data memory 45 for envelopes, and thickness data memories 45A to 45 for envelopes 6A to 6C.
C), measuring means (thickness detecting unit 8) for measuring the thickness of the envelope (7) in which the enclosure is enclosed during the enclosing and sealing by the enclosing and sealing device, and
A calculating means (CPU 4) for calculating the theoretical thickness of the envelope in which the enclosure is enclosed, based on the information on the number of enclosures, the thickness information of the enclosure, and the thickness information of the envelope stored in the storage means;
1) and comparing the actual thickness of the envelope in which the enclosure is measured by the measuring means with the theoretical thickness calculated by the calculating means, and calculating the difference between the actual thickness and the theoretical thickness. Is larger than a predetermined value, a determining unit (CPU 41) for determining that the enclosure is abnormal, wherein the storage unit stores at least one of thickness information of a plurality of types of enclosures and thickness information of a plurality of types of envelopes. When one of them is stored in advance and the thickness information of the plurality of types of enclosures is stored in the storage unit (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the storage unit starts the enclosing and sealing by the enclosing and sealing device. Sometimes, information on the number of enclosed objects for each type of enclosure to be enclosed in the envelope is stored, and the calculating means calculates the thickness information of the enclosure corresponding to the type of enclosure to be enclosed in the envelope and the type of each enclosure. Encapsulation The theoretical thickness is calculated based on the number-of-enclosed-sheets information, and when the thickness information of the plurality of types of envelopes is stored in the storage unit (cases shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), the storage unit At the start of enclosing / sealing by the enclosing / sealing device, the type information of the envelope in which the enclosing object is enclosed is stored, and the calculating means calculates the theoretical thickness based on the thickness information of the envelope corresponding to the type information of the envelope. It is characterized by.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the enclosing abnormality detecting device includes the storage means and the calculating means, the thickness information of the plurality of types of enclosures stored in the storage means and the information of the plurality of types of envelopes are stored. Based on the thickness information,
Based on the thickness and number of enclosures corresponding to the type of enclosure to be enclosed in the envelope, and the thickness of the envelope corresponding to the type of envelope in which the enclosure is enclosed, the theoretical thickness of the envelope in which the enclosure is enclosed is Is calculated. Therefore, even when performing encapsulation using another type of enclosure or envelope having a different thickness,
Based on the theoretical thickness calculated as described above, the judging means can detect an abnormality in the sealing.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment.
17 to 17, the same components as those of the above-described conventional automatic enclosing and sealing system 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[First Embodiment] First, the configuration will be described. The automatic enclosing / sealing system 1A shown in FIG. 1 includes the printing paper enclosing / sealing device and the encapsulation abnormality detecting device according to the first embodiment. It is provided with. Here, the printer 3A and the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A
Corresponds to a printing paper enclosing and sealing device, and the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A corresponds to an enclosing abnormality detecting device. The automatic enclosing and sealing system 1A is a system for performing enclosing and sealing using three types of papers 5A to 5C having different thicknesses and one type of envelope 6, and a paper to be enclosed for each envelope for performing enclosing and sealing. The number of sheets can be sequentially changed.

The personal computer 2A has a ROM (Read Only Memo).
ry). In this storage unit, for each envelope to be enclosed and sealed, each paper 5A to 5A to be enclosed in the envelope 6 is stored.
5C print data 21 and each sheet 5A enclosed in the envelope 6
Number data 22A which is information data of the number of enclosed sheets of ~ 5C
To 22C are stored. In addition, personal computer 2A
Performs a process of transmitting the print data 21 stored in the storage unit to the printer 3A via the communication unit (not shown) and transmitting the number data 22A to 22C of the sheets 5A to 5C to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A. . FIG. 3A is a configuration example of information data transmitted from the personal computer 2A to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A. The printer 3A performs a process of printing on each of the sheets 5A to 5C based on the print data 21 transmitted from the personal computer 2A.

The automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A detects the enclosing and enclosing unit (enclosing and enclosing means) 40 for enclosing and enclosing the sheets 5A to 5C printed by the printer 3A in the envelope 6, and detects the thickness of the enclosed envelope 7. A thickness detecting unit (measuring means) 8. The configuration of the enclosing / sealing unit 40 has been well known in the related art, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the thickness detecting unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG. A rotary solenoid 82 is fixed to the base plate 81 of the thickness detection unit 8. A rotating arm 83 is fixed to a rotating shaft 82a of the solenoid 82. Guide members 84 and 85 are fixed to the base plate 81 vertically.

The upper end of a substantially box-shaped connecting member 86 is slidably inserted in the upper guide member 84 in the vertical direction.
At the lower end of the connecting member 86, the detection pin 8 is provided by a parallel pin 87.
8 are joined at the upper end. The lower end of the detection pin 88 is slidably inserted in the lower guide member 85 in the vertical direction.

At substantially the center of the connecting member 86, bearings 89 are mounted at two places so as to be arranged in the vertical direction. Each bearing 89 is provided with a shaft that passes through the inside of the connecting member 86 in the horizontal direction. FIG.
In the right side of the connecting member 86, an opening is formed at a height position between the two bearings 89, and from the opening, the tip of the rotating arm 83 described above is connected to the two positions. It is inserted between two shafts attached to the bearing 89. A spring 9 is provided on the upper end of the connecting member 86.
The lower end of 0 is fixed. As a result, the connecting member 86 is lifted upward, and the bearing 8 provided on the lower side inside the connecting member 86 with respect to the lower surface 83 a of the rotating arm 83.
9 is pressed upward.

A distance detecting plate 91 is attached to the detecting pin 88 between the connecting member 86 and the lower guide member 85. Further, a sensor bracket 93 to which a distance sensor 92 is attached is fixed to the base plate 81 below the distance detection plate 91. The distance sensor 92 is a proximity sensor that detects a voltage corresponding to the distance to the distance detection plate 91.

The detection base 9 is located below the detection pin 88.
5, the detection base 95 and the base plate 81 are connected by a base connection plate 94. Detection base 95
The fixed position is set such that the upper surface thereof coincides with the envelope transfer surface 96 on which the enclosed envelope 7 is transferred.

In the thickness detecting unit 8 having the above structure, the solenoid 8 is controlled by the drive control of the CPU 41 described later.
When the second arm 2 is driven, the rotating arm 83 rotates around the rotating shaft 82a (arrow Y1). Since the shaft provided on the lower side inside the connecting member 86 is pressed upward against the lower surface 83a of the rotating arm 83, the connecting member 86 and the parallel pin 87 cause the connecting member 86 to rotate as the rotating arm 83 rotates. The detection pin 88 attached to the detection pin 86 and the distance detection plate 91 attached to the detection pin 88 move up and down (arrow Y).
2).

In the thickness detecting unit 8, the envelope 7 is located between the lower end of the detecting pin 88 and the upper surface of the detecting base 95.
The thickness of the envelope 7 is measured based on the voltage measurement value of the distance sensor 92 in a state where the detection pin 88 is sandwiched and the voltage measurement value of the distance sensor 92 in a state where the lower end of the detection pin 88 is in contact with the upper surface of the detection base 95. I can do it.

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41.
And the number data 22A-2 transmitted from the personal computer 2a.
A communication port 42 for receiving 2C, an in-process envelope data memory 43, data memories (storage means) of thickness data memories 44A to 44C based on the number of sheets 5A to 5C, and an envelope thickness data memory 45 are provided. I have. The automatic enclosing / sealing device 4A discharges the paper transport motor 46 for conveying the papers 5A to 5C printed by the printer 3A into the automatic enclosing / sealing device 4 and the envelope 7 enclosed and sealed by the enclosing / sealing unit 40. For transporting the envelope. The thickness detection solenoid 82 and the thickness detection sensor 92 are the solenoid 82 and the distance sensor 92 provided in the thickness detection unit 8 shown in FIG.

The processing envelope data memory 43 is a RAM
(Random Access Memory), etc.
Each piece data 22A-22 transmitted from the personal computer 2A
C is temporarily stored. The thickness data (actual thickness) of the envelope 7 detected by the thickness detection unit 8 is temporarily stored in the RAM in the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A.

The thickness data memories 44A to 44C based on the number of sheets 5A to 5C and the thickness data memory 45 for the envelope are constituted by a ROM or the like. In the ROM in the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the thickness data of the envelope is stored in advance, and the thickness data of the paper is stored for each type of paper and for each number of sheets enclosed. Is stored in advance. The ROM in the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A stores a program for performing an automatic enclosing and sealing process described later.

The CPU 41 executes various processes based on a program stored in the ROM. Specifically, it controls the driving of each device such as the paper transport motor 46, the envelope transport motor 47, and the thickness detection solenoid 82. Further, based on the thickness voltage measurement value received from the thickness detection sensor 92, the thickness data of the enclosed envelope 7 is calculated, and the calculation result is expressed as RA.
Store it in M. In addition, the CPU 41 serves as a calculating means for each sheet 5 stored in the processing envelope data memory 43.
The thickness data corresponding to the number data of A to 5C is obtained from the thickness data memories 44A to 44C, the thickness data of the envelope is obtained from the thickness data memory 45, and the envelope in which the paper is enclosed is obtained based on the obtained thickness data. 7 is performed to calculate the theoretical thickness. Further, the CPU 41 compares the thickness data (actual thickness) of the envelope 7 acquired by the measurement of the thickness detection unit 8 with the calculated theoretical thickness as a determination means, and determines a difference between the actual thickness and the theoretical thickness. If the correction value is larger than a preset correction value, a process for determining that the enclosure is abnormal is performed.

Next, the automatic enclosing / sealing process by the automatic enclosing / sealing apparatus 4A will be described. When the power of the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A is turned on, the main process shown in FIG. 5 is started according to the program stored in the ROM. First, in step S1, a work start reception process (FIG. 6) for receiving the start of the enclosing / sealing operation is performed. Next, in step S2,
An encapsulation process (FIG. 7) for encapsulation is performed. Next, in step S3, a thickness detection process (FIG. 8) for measuring the thickness of the enclosed envelope to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the envelope is performed, and the process returns to step S1.

In the work start accepting process in step S1, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S11, it is determined whether or not encapsulation is being performed. Here, “enclosed and sealed” refers to the sheets 5A to 5A printed by the printer 3A.
After the C is transported into the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4, it is inserted into the envelope 6 and sealed, the thickness of the enclosed envelope 7 is detected, and thereafter, the entire process from when the envelope 7 is transported is meant. Further, the term “during encapsulation” specifically means a period from the start of encapsulation in step S13 to the end of encapsulation in step S29 shown in FIG. .

If it is determined in step S11 that the enclosure is not being sealed, the process proceeds to step S12, and a process for determining whether or not to accept the start of work is performed. If it is determined that the operation is being performed, the process returns without directly accepting the start of the operation, and proceeds to step S2.

In step S12, the work start acceptance is determined.
Specifically, in the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A, the number data 22 of the sheets 5A to 5C transmitted from the personal computer 2A.
The determination is made based on whether or not A to 22C have been recognized by the CPU 41 via the communication port 42. Here, each of the sheet number data 22A to 22C and the above-described print data 21
Is transmitted from the personal computer 2A to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A and the printer 3A, respectively, when the operator operates the personal computer 2A directly or via a network.
When the number data 22A to 22C are recognized by the CPU 41 in the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4, the data is transferred to the in-process envelope data memory 43 and stored therein.

When the number data 22A to 22C are recognized, it is determined that the work start is accepted, and the process proceeds to step S13 to start enclosing and sealing. Next, step S
At 14, the thickness detection is cleared. Specifically, the thickness data of the envelope 7 stored in the RAM is reset. Thereafter, the process returns and proceeds to step S2. If the CPU 41 does not recognize the number data 22A to 22C, the process returns without directly accepting the start of the operation, and proceeds to step S2.

In the enclosing and sealing process in step S2,
As shown in FIG. 7, first, in step S21, it is determined whether or not encapsulation is being performed. If it is not during enclosing and sealing, the process returns without performing enclosing and sealing, and proceeds to step S3. If enclosing is being performed, step S2
Then, it is determined whether all of the sheets 5A to 5C for the number of sheets stored in the in-process envelope data memory 43 have been enclosed in the envelope 6.

If it is determined that the sheets 5A to 5C have not been completely enclosed, the flow advances to step S23 to control the drive of the sheet transport motor 46 to automatically enclose and seal the sheets 5A to 5C printed by the printer 3A. A process for transporting the sheet to the inside of the device 4 is performed, and thereafter, the process returns to step S3. Automatic enclosing and sealing device 4 for papers 5A to 5C for the number of enclosing sheets
When the sheet 5A is conveyed inside, the enclosing and sealing unit 40 is drive-controlled to enclose the sheets 5A to 5C in the envelope 6 and seal them.

If it is determined in step S22 that the sheets 5A to 5C have been completely enclosed, the envelope 7 in which the sheets 5A to 5C are enclosed is conveyed to the thickness detection unit 8, where the detection pins 88 and the detection base 95 are connected. Place between Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S24, and it is determined whether or not the thickness detection has been completed. Here, “thickness detection” means a process of measuring the thickness of the enclosed envelope 7 by the thickness detection unit 8 and confirming that the enclosing has been normally performed based on the measured value.

If it is determined in step S24 that the thickness detection has not been completed, the flow advances to step S25 to determine whether the thickness detection is being performed. Here, the term “during thickness detection” specifically means a period from the start of thickness detection in step S26 described later to the end of thickness detection in step S39 shown in FIG. I do. If the thickness is not being detected, the process proceeds to step S26 to start the thickness detection, and then returns and proceeds to step S3. If the thickness is being detected, return as it is,
Proceed to step S3.

If it is determined in step S24 that the thickness detection has been completed, that is, if it has already been confirmed that the enclosing has been normally performed based on the measured values, the process proceeds to step S27, where the envelope 7 is stored. Determine if it has been discharged. If the discharge has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S28, in which the drive of the envelope transport motor 47 is controlled to perform the process of transporting the envelope 7, and thereafter, the process returns to step S3.
Proceed to. When the discharge of the envelope 7 has been completed, the process proceeds to step S29, ends the enclosing and sealing, and proceeds to step S3.

In the thickness detecting process in step S3,
As shown in FIG. 8, first, in step S31, it is determined whether the thickness is being detected. If the thickness is being detected, the process proceeds to step S32, and it is determined whether the thickness data has been acquired. If the thickness is not being detected, the process returns without performing the thickness detection, and proceeds to step S1.

The process of step S32 is a process of determining whether or not the thickness data acquisition process of step S35 described later has been executed. More specifically, the envelope 7 acquired by the measurement of the thickness detection unit 8 is stored in the RAM. It is determined whether the thickness data is stored. If the thickness data of the envelope 7 is not stored in the RAM, step S3
Then, the program proceeds to step 3 where the solenoid 82 of the thickness detecting unit 8 shown in FIG. Thus, the rotary arm 83 fixed to the rotary shaft 82a of the solenoid 82 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing. Accordingly, the connecting member 86 and the detection pin 88 move down, and the lower end of the detection pin 88 presses the upper surface of the envelope 7. In this state, a thickness voltage measurement value corresponding to the distance to the distance detection plate 91 is obtained by the distance sensor 92,
Sent to CPU 41.

Next, in step S34, the distance sensor 92
CPU 41 obtains the thickness voltage measurement value sent from.
Next, in step S35, based on the thickness voltage measurement value,
The arithmetic processing of the CPU 41 obtains the thickness data of the envelope 7 and stores the obtained thickness data in the RAM. Thereafter, the process returns and proceeds to step S1.

If it is determined in step S32 that the thickness data has been obtained, the flow advances to step S36 to calculate the thickness of the envelope 7. Specifically, based on the number-of-sheets data of each of the sheets 5A to 5C stored in the in-process envelope data memory 43, the sheet thickness data stored in the thickness data memories 44A to 44C based on the number of sheets 5A to 5C is acquired, and The envelope thickness data is acquired from the envelope thickness data memory 45, and the envelope envelope 7 is obtained by the following formula.
Is calculated. [Thickness of enclosed envelope] =
[Thickness of envelope] + [Thickness of paper with thickness A] + Thickness of paper with thickness B] + [Thickness of paper with thickness C]

Next, in step S37, the calculated theoretical thickness of the envelope 7 is compared with the thickness data obtained in step S35. The comparison of the data is, specifically, adding the correction value to the calculated theoretical thickness to calculate the upper limit value, subtracting the correction value to calculate the lower limit value, and obtaining the thickness data, the calculated upper limit value. This is performed depending on whether the value is within the range from the value to the lower limit. If the actual thickness is out of the range from the upper limit to the lower limit, the CPU 41 determines that the encapsulation is abnormal and proceeds to step S38, where the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4
An error output process is performed by a display device (not shown) provided at A. If the actual thickness is out of the range from the upper limit value to the lower limit value, it is determined that the encapsulation has been performed normally, and the process proceeds to step S39 to terminate the thickness detection. Thereafter, the process returns and proceeds to step S1.

By repeating the above processing, the paper 5A to 5C to be sequentially printed by the printer 3A is sealed. That is, every time the information data is sent from the personal computer 2A to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A, step S13 is executed.
Start sealing with. When the enclosing of the printed sheets 5A to 5C into the envelope 6 is completed during enclosing and sealing, step S is executed.
At 26, the thickness detection is started. If the encapsulation is performed normally,
When the detection of the thickness is completed in step S39, and then the enclosed envelope 7 is discharged, the enclosed sealing is terminated in step S29.

As described above, according to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4A of the first embodiment, in step S36, each paper 5
Based on the thickness data of each of the sheets 5A to 5C corresponding to the number data of A to 5C and the thickness data of the envelope stored in the envelope data memory 45, the printed sheets 5A to 5C are printed.
The theoretical thickness of the envelope 7 in which 5C is enclosed is calculated. Therefore, even when the enclosing and sealing are performed using the papers 5A to 5C having different thicknesses, the abnormality of the enclosing can be detected based on the theoretical thickness calculated in step S36.

As shown in FIG. 3B, "thickness of 0 (zero) number of sheets to be enclosed" is stored in the thickness data memories 44A to 44C based on the number of sheets 5A to 5C, respectively. The theoretical thickness of the enclosed envelope 7 can also be calculated when one of or two of the three types of paper 5A to 5C is used for enclosing and sealing. Therefore,
With respect to enclosing and sealing using one or two of the three types of paper, an abnormality in enclosing can be detected.

In the first embodiment, three types of paper are used. However, the number of types of paper can be appropriately changed. The thickness data memories 44A to 44C based on the number of sheets 5A to 5C store the thickness data for each number of sheets. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Only the thickness data for one sheet is stored. It is good. In this case, in the process of calculating the thickness of the envelope 7 in step S36, the theoretical thickness of the envelope 7 is calculated based on the product of the thickness of one sheet and the number of sheets enclosed.

In the automatic enclosing / sealing apparatus 4A, when the sheets 5A to 5C to be enclosed are folded and enclosed in the envelope 6, data on the number of times of folding of each of the sheets 5A to 5C is received from the personal computer 2A and based on this data. Then, the theoretical thickness of the envelope in which the paper is enclosed is calculated. Thus, even when the sheets 5A to 5C are folded and sealed in the envelope 6, the automatic sealing and sealing system 1A according to the first embodiment can be used.
Can be applied. Further, the thickness detecting unit 8 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and can be appropriately changed.

[Second Embodiment] An automatic enclosing / sealing system 1B shown in FIG. 9 includes a printing paper enclosing / sealing apparatus and an enclosing abnormality detecting apparatus according to the second embodiment, and includes a personal computer 2B and a printer 3B. , An automatic sealing and sealing device 4B. In the following description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-described embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted. Automatic sealing and sealing system 1B
Is one type of paper 5 and three types of envelopes 6A having different thicknesses.
This is a system for performing enclosing and sealing using an envelope selected from 6C.

The personal computer 2B transmits the print data 21 to the printer 3B, and also stores the number data 22 of the sheets 5 to be enclosed in the envelope, and the envelope data which is information data of the type of the envelope in which the sheet 5 is enclosed among the envelopes 6A to 6C. Selection data 23
Is transmitted to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4B. FIG. 11 (a) shows an automatic enclosing and sealing device 4B from a personal computer 2B.
3 is a configuration example of information data transmitted to a computer.

The enclosing / sealing unit 40 provided in the automatic enclosing / sealing device 4B encloses the printed paper 5 in an envelope of the type specified by the envelope selection data 23, and seals. Also, as shown in FIG.
The automatic enclosing and sealing device 4B includes envelope data 6A to 6C thickness data memories 45A to 45C and a thickness data memory 44 based on the number of sheets. Envelopes 6A to 6C have thickness data memories 45A to 45C, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the thickness data of each of the envelopes 6A to 6C is stored in advance. The thickness data memory 44 for the number of sheets stores in advance the thickness data of the sheet 5 for each number of sheets.

In the automatic enclosing / sealing process by the automatic enclosing / sealing device 4B, the thickness data memory 44 based on the number of sheets 5 to be enclosed is stored in step S36 described in the first embodiment. While obtaining the paper thickness data, based on the envelope selection data,
Envelope thickness data stored in the envelopes 6A to 6C thickness data memories 45A to 45C is acquired, and the theoretical thickness of the envelope 7 is calculated by the following formula. [Thickness of the enclosed envelope] = [Thickness based on the number of sheets] + [Thickness of the selected envelope] Based on the theoretical thickness calculated in this manner, the thickness data (actual thickness) acquired by the thickness acquisition processing in step S37. Is determined.

As described above, according to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4B of the second embodiment, the envelopes 6A to 6C having different thicknesses are provided.
Also in the case where an envelope is selected from the above and the enclosing and sealing are performed, the theoretical thickness is calculated in step S36, and based on this, the abnormality of the enclosing can be detected. In the second embodiment, there are three types of envelopes. However, the number of types of envelopes can be changed as appropriate.

[Third Embodiment] An automatic enclosing / sealing system 1C shown in FIG. 12 includes a printing paper enclosing / sealing apparatus and an enclosing abnormality detecting apparatus according to the third embodiment, and includes a personal computer 2C and a printer 3C. , An automatic sealing and sealing device 4C. The automatic enclosing and sealing system 1C is a system for enclosing and sealing using three types of paper 5A to 5C and an envelope selected from among three types of envelopes 6A to 6C.

The personal computer 2C transmits the print data 21 to the printer 3C, and transmits the number data 22A to 22C of the sheets 5A to 5C and the envelope selection data 23 to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4C. FIG. 14 is a configuration example of information data transmitted from the personal computer 2C to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4C.

The enclosing / sealing unit 40 provided in the automatic enclosing / sealing apparatus 4C includes printed papers 5A to 5C.
Is enclosed in the envelope designated by the envelope selection data 23, and the envelope is sealed. As shown in FIG. 13, the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4C includes envelope data 6A to 6C thickness data memories 45A to 45C and thickness data memories 44A to 44B for the number of sheets 5A to 5C.

In the automatic enclosing / sealing process by the automatic enclosing / sealing device 4C, in step S36 described in the first embodiment, the paper 5A-5C thickness data memory 44A ~ 44C
And the thickness data of the envelopes stored in the envelope 6A-6C thickness data memories 45A-45C based on the envelope selection data. , The theoretical thickness of the envelope 7 is calculated. [Thickness of enclosed envelope] = [Thickness of selected envelope] + [Thickness by number of sheets of thickness A] + Thickness by number of sheets of thickness B] + [Thickness by number of sheets of thickness C] In step S37, a comparison with the thickness data (actual thickness) acquired by the thickness acquisition process is performed based on the theoretical thickness.

As described above, according to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4C of the third embodiment, the sheets 5A to 5C having different thicknesses are provided.
In the case where an envelope is selected from among the envelopes 6A to 6C having different thicknesses to perform enclosing and sealing, the step S3 is also performed.
In step 6, the theoretical thickness is calculated, and based on the calculated theoretical thickness, an abnormality in sealing can be detected.

[Fourth Embodiment] An automatic enclosing / sealing system 1D shown in FIG. 15 includes the printing paper enclosing / sealing device and enclosing abnormality detecting device of the fourth embodiment, and includes a personal computer 2D and a printer 3D. , An automatic sealing and sealing device 4D. Here, the automatic sealing and sealing system 1
D corresponds to a printing paper enclosing and sealing device, and the personal computer 2D and the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4D correspond to an enclosing abnormality detecting device. The automatic enclosing and sealing system 1D is a system for enclosing and sealing using three types of paper 5A to 5C and an envelope selected from among three types of envelopes 6A to 6C.

The personal computer 2D includes a storage unit such as a ROM. The storage unit stores print data 21 and data 2 for the number of sheets 5A to 5C for each envelope to be sealed.
2A to 22C, envelope selection data 23, and sheets 5A to 5
Thickness data (not shown) based on the number of C sheets and envelopes 6A to 6C
And thickness data. In the storage unit,
Envelopes selected from envelopes 6A to 6C are filled with sheets 5A to 5C.
A program for performing processing for calculating thickness data of the envelope after C is enclosed is stored.

The personal computer 2D has a CPU (not shown).
Is provided. The CPU serves as a calculating means for the sheets 5A to 5C corresponding to the number data of the sheets 5A to 5C.
And the thickness data of the envelope corresponding to the selected data of the envelope is obtained from the storage unit, and the thickness data (theoretical thickness) 24 after the paper is enclosed is calculated based on the obtained thickness data. Perform the following processing.

The personal computer 2D transmits the print data 21 to the printer 3D, and also sends the number-of-sheets data 22A to 22C of the sheets 5A to 5C, the envelope selection data 23, and the thickness data 24 after enclosing to the automatic enclosing and enclosing device 4D. Perform transmission processing. FIG. 17 is a configuration example of information data transmitted from the personal computer 2D to the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4D.

In the automatic enclosing / sealing process by the automatic enclosing / sealing device 4D, the process directly proceeds from step S32 to step S37 without performing the thickness calculating process of the enclosing envelope 7 in step S36 described in the first embodiment. In step S37, a comparison is made between the thickness data (theoretical thickness) 24 after enclosing received from the personal computer 2D and the thickness data (actual thickness) obtained by the thickness obtaining process.

As described above, according to the automatic enclosing and sealing system 1D of the fourth embodiment, the thickness data 24
Is calculated on the personal computer 2D, and the comparison between the theoretical thickness and the actual thickness of the envelope 7 is performed based on the thickness data 24. Therefore, as shown in FIG. There is no need to provide the thickness data memory of the envelopes 6A to 6C on the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4D. Therefore, the memory configuration on the automatic enclosing and sealing device 4D can be simplified.

[0068]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the printing paper enclosing and sealing device includes the storage means and the arithmetic means, the printing paper is sealed based on the thickness corresponding to the type of paper or envelope used for enclosing and sealing. The theoretical thickness of the enclosed envelope is calculated.
Therefore, even when enclosing and sealing using another type of paper (enclosure) or envelope having a different thickness, it is possible to detect an abnormality in enclosing based on the calculated theoretical thickness. In addition, it is possible to cope with enclosing and sealing using various types of papers and envelopes, so that the application range of the printing paper enclosing and sealing device can be expanded.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the enclosing abnormality detecting device includes the storage means and the calculating means, the enclosing object is determined based on the type of the enclosing material used for enclosing and sealing and the thickness corresponding to the type of the envelope. The theoretical thickness of the enclosed envelope is calculated. Therefore, even when enclosing and sealing using another type of enclosing material or envelope having a different thickness, it is possible to detect an abnormality in enclosing based on the calculated theoretical thickness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an automatic enclosing and sealing system including a printing paper enclosing and sealing device and an encapsulation abnormality detecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the automatic enclosing and sealing device in FIG.

3A is a diagram showing a configuration example of information data transmitted from the personal computer in FIG. 1 to the automatic enclosing and sealing device, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a configuration of information data stored in a thickness data memory in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of information data.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a thickness detection unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a general flow chart showing an automatic enclosing / sealing process by the automatic enclosing / sealing apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a work start accepting process in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a sealing process in FIG. 5;

8 is a flowchart showing a thickness detection process in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an automatic enclosing and sealing system including a printing paper enclosing and sealing device and an enclosing abnormality detecting device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the automatic enclosing and sealing device in FIG. 9;

11A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of information data transmitted from the personal computer in FIG. 9 to the automatic enclosing and sealing device, and FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of information data stored in a thickness data memory in FIG. 9; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of information data.

FIG. 12 shows a printing paper enclosing and sealing device according to a third embodiment;
It is the schematic which shows the structure of the automatic sealing and sealing system provided with a sealing abnormality detection apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the automatic enclosing and sealing device in FIG.

14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of information data transmitted from the personal computer in FIG. 12 to the automatic enclosing and sealing device.

FIG. 15 shows a printing paper enclosing and sealing device according to a fourth embodiment;
It is the schematic which shows the structure of the automatic sealing and sealing system provided with a sealing abnormality detection apparatus.

16 is a block diagram of the automatic enclosing and sealing device in FIG.

17 is a diagram showing a configuration example of information data transmitted from the personal computer in FIG. 15 to the automatic enclosing and sealing device.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing a configuration example of a conventional automatic enclosing and sealing system.

19 is a block diagram of the automatic enclosing and sealing device in FIG.

20 is a diagram showing a configuration example of information data transmitted from the personal computer in FIG. 18 to the automatic enclosing and sealing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1D automatic sealing and sealing system (printing paper sealing and sealing device,
3A, 3B, 3C, 3D printer (printing paper sealing and sealing device, printing means) 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D Automatic sealing and sealing device (printing paper sealing and sealing device, sealing and sealing device, sealing abnormality detecting device) 5, 5A to 5C Paper (enclosure) 6, 6A to 6C Envelope 7 Enclosed envelope (envelope in which paper is enclosed, envelope is enclosed) 8 Thickness detection unit (measuring means) 24 Thickness after enclosing Data (actual thickness) 40 Enclosure / sealing unit (enclosure / sealing means) 41 CPU (calculation means, judgment means) 43 Envelope data memory during processing (storage means) 44 Thickness data memory (storage means) by the number of sheets 44A to 44C Paper 5A to 5C Envelope thickness data memory (storage means) 45 Envelope thickness data memory (storage means) 45A to 45C Envelopes 6A to 6C thickness data memory (storage means) Storage means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A printing means, enclosing means for enclosing and printing paper printed by the printing means in an envelope, measuring means for measuring the thickness of the envelope in which the paper is sealed by the enclosing and sealing means, A storage unit for storing information on the number of sheets to be enclosed, thickness information of the sheet, and thickness information of the envelope; based on the information on the number of sheets to be enclosed, the thickness information of the sheet, and the thickness information of the envelope stored in the storage means Calculating means for calculating the theoretical thickness of the envelope in which the paper is enclosed, the actual thickness of the envelope in which the paper is measured by the measuring means, and the theoretical thickness calculated by the calculating means, Comparing, the difference between the actual thickness and the theoretical thickness is greater than a predetermined value, a determining means for determining that the enclosing is abnormal, a printing paper enclosing and sealing device, wherein the storage means, a plurality of types for Inclusion number information of sheets for each type of paper to be enclosed in thickness information and envelope, and,
The arithmetic unit stores at least one of thickness information of a plurality of types of envelopes and type information of an envelope in which the sheet is enclosed, and the storage unit stores information on the number of sheets to be enclosed for each type of the sheet. In this case, the theoretical thickness is calculated based on the thickness information of the paper corresponding to the type of paper to be enclosed in the envelope and the information on the number of sheets to be enclosed for each type of paper, and the type information of the envelope is stored in the storage unit. If stored, the theoretical thickness is calculated based on the envelope thickness information corresponding to the envelope type information. 2. An enclosing abnormality detecting device for detecting an enclosing abnormality by an enclosing / sealing device for enclosing and enclosing an enclosing object in an envelope, wherein information on the number of enclosing enclosing objects is stored when the enclosing / sealing device starts enclosing / sealing. Storage means for storing in advance the thickness information of the enclosure and the thickness information of the envelope; measuring means for measuring the thickness of the envelope in which the enclosure is enclosed during encapsulation by the encapsulation and sealing device; After the measurement according to the above, arithmetic means for calculating the theoretical thickness of the envelope in which the enclosure is enclosed, based on the number-of-enclosures information, the thickness information of the enclosure, and the thickness information of the envelope stored in the storage unit, The actual thickness of the envelope in which the enclosure is measured by the measuring means is compared with the theoretical thickness calculated by the calculating means, and the difference between the actual thickness and the theoretical thickness is greater than a predetermined value. Is larger, the judging means to judge that the enclosure is abnormal, and the storage means previously stores at least one of thickness information of a plurality of types of enclosures and thickness information of a plurality of types of envelopes, When thickness information of the plurality of types of enclosures is stored in the storage unit, the storage unit stores the number of the enclosures for each type of enclosure to be enclosed in the envelope at the start of the enclosure and sealing by the enclosure and sealing device. Storing the information, the calculating means calculates the theoretical thickness based on the thickness information of the enclosure corresponding to the type of the enclosure to be enclosed in the envelope and the number information of the number of enclosures of the enclosure for each type of the enclosure, When the thickness information of the plurality of types of envelopes is stored in the storage unit, the storage unit stores the type information of the envelope in which the enclosure is enclosed when the enclosure is started by the enclosure device. The calculating means, the encapsulating device for detecting abnormality and calculates the theoretical thickness based on the thickness information of the envelope corresponding to the envelope of the type information.