JP2007168880A - Unsealed envelope detecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an unsealed envelope detecting system which detects unsealed envelopes, based on whether envelopes adequately pass a passage where water is applied to opening paste of each flap. <P>SOLUTION: The unsealed envelope detecting system is formed of: an envelope main body passing time point detecting means for detecting a time point at which an envelope main body traveling at a constant speed reaches a water applying location of a sealing machine, and a time point at which the envelope main body leaves the same; an envelope flap passing time point detecting means for detecting a time point at which the traveling envelope flap reaches the water applying location of the sealing machine and a time point at which the envelope flap leaves the same; an envelope flap location detecting means for detecting an envelope flap location that is a location at right angles to a traveling direction of the traveling envelope flap; and a sealing determining means for determining normality/abnormality of sealing, based on the leaving time points of the envelope main body and the envelope flap and the location of the envelope flap. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of inspecting whether or not gluing is properly performed on an envelope flap in a sealing machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for detecting an unsealed sealed letter based on whether or not an envelope has passed through an appropriate traveling path when the envelope is run and water is applied to the glue to seal.

In the process of enclosing contents in a sealed letter such as direct mail and gluing and sealing the sealing opening, an envelope that is improperly sealed due to a malfunction of the sealing machine may be generated and mixed with an appropriately sealed envelope. Since an unsealed letter is a defective product, it is necessary to detect an unsealed letter from a mixture and re-seal it to obtain a properly sealed letter.
Conventionally, confirming the passage to the water application part by a passage sensor attached to the sealing machine body, detecting the water supply state to the water application part and stopping the machine before the water tank is empty, Etc. are generally performed (Patent Document 1). In addition, air is blown on the flap at the sealed opening of the sealed letter, and the phenomenon of opening the flap when unsealed is used. In other words, an unsealed sealed letter is detected by image processing on a captured image obtained by imaging a shade generated by opening a flap with a CCD camera (Patent Document 2).
JP-A-5-97104 JP 2004-53302 A

  However, by simply detecting the passage of the envelope, it cannot be understood how much it matches the proper travel route, and it cannot be known whether water is actually applied to the flap and sealed. Moreover, it is not known whether water is actually applied to the flap and sealed only by detecting that water is being supplied. In addition, in the method of shooting and image processing by blowing air on the flap, not only the air is blown but noise is generated, the working environment is deteriorated, and dust such as paper dust is scattered and the product may be damaged. is there. In addition, a compressor and an image processing device are required to generate the air to be blown, which makes the device quite large.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. Its purpose is not to deteriorate the working environment, it can be easily installed in an existing sealing machine, and the unsealed sealed letter is not detected based on whether the envelope has properly passed through the path where water is applied to the flap glue. It is to provide a sealed seal detection system.

  In the unsealed sealed letter detection system according to claim 1 of the present invention, while running the envelope, water is applied to the surface of the envelope flap to which the mouth paste is applied, and the surface on which the water is applied and the surface of the envelope body Is an unsealed sealed letter detection system that is applied to a sealing machine that closes and seals the sealed portion of the envelope, and a time T1 when the envelope body that travels at a predetermined speed reaches the water application position of the sealing machine; An envelope main body passage time detection means for detecting the passage time T2, an envelope flap passage time detection means for detecting the time t1 when the traveling envelope flap reaches the water application position of the sealer and the passage time t2; Envelope flap position detection means for detecting an envelope flap position h (t) which is a position perpendicular to the traveling direction of the envelope flap that travels, and the envelope flap position based on the passage time of the envelope body The time obtained by subtracting the excess time, that is, ((T2-T1)-(t2-t1)) is within a predetermined allowable time ((t-Δt) to (t + Δt)) and the passage time zone of the envelope body The envelope flap position h (t) is set to a predetermined allowable position (((T1 + τ1) to (T2−τ2)) in a time zone in which a predetermined time difference τ1, τ2 is provided from (T1 to T2). h−Δh) to (h + Δh)), it is determined that the sealing is normal, and in other cases, sealing determination means for determining that the sealing is abnormal is provided.

According to the unsealed sealed letter detection system according to claim 1 of the present invention, the envelope body passage time detection means detects the time T1 when the envelope body traveling at a predetermined speed reaches the water application position of the sealer and the time T2 when the envelope body passes. The time t1 when the envelope flap traveling by the envelope flap passage time detecting means reaches the water application position of the sealer and the time t2 when the envelope flap travels are detected, and the envelope flap traveling direction is detected by the envelope flap position detecting means. The envelope flap position h (t), which is the position in the right-angle direction, is detected, and the time when the envelope flap passage time is subtracted from the passage time of the envelope body by the seal judgment means, ie, ((T2-T1)-(t2-t1)) Is within a range of a predetermined allowable time ((t−Δt) to (t + Δt)), and a predetermined time difference τ1, τ from the passage time zone (T1 to T2) of the envelope body The envelope flap position h (t) is within the predetermined permissible position ((h−Δh) to (h + Δh)) in all the time periods in which the is provided, that is, all the time periods ((T1 + τ1) to (T2−τ2)). In some cases, it is determined that the sealing is normal, and in other cases, it is determined that the sealing is abnormal.
That is, when the envelope passes, it is detected whether the envelope flap is passing in the entire range that is predicted integrally with the envelope, and the position at which water is applied to the envelope flap in the entire time zone of the passage Is detected. With this double detection, it is possible to obtain extremely high reliability in detecting whether or not water is properly applied. Moreover, there is no need to use a special detector for this detection. Therefore, an unsealed sealed letter that can be easily installed in an existing sealing machine without deteriorating the working environment, and detects an unsealed sealed letter based on whether or not the envelope has properly passed through the path where water is applied to the flap glue. A detection system is provided.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An explanatory diagram of the unsealed sealed letter detection system of the present invention is shown in FIG. Moreover, the structure in the unsealed sealed letter detection system of this invention is shown in FIG. 2 as a block diagram. FIG. 3 shows a timing chart of the output signal of the detecting means in the unsealed sealed letter detection system of the present invention.
1 to 3, 1 is an envelope body passage time detection means (sensor), 2 is an envelope flap passage time detection means (sensor), 3 is an envelope flap position detection means (sensor), 4 is a seal determination means, An output signal of the sensor 1, 12 is an output signal of the sensor 2, 13 is an output signal of the sensor 3, 20 is an envelope, 21 is an envelope body, 22 is an envelope flap, and 100 is a sealing water supply unit.

In FIG. 1, the envelope 20 travels in the direction of arrow →. The envelope 20 is traveled by being conveyed by a conveying unit (not shown) of the sealing machine. That is, the transport unit causes the envelope 20 to travel. Although the travel speed of the envelope 20 can generally be changed, it is maintained at a constant speed and does not fluctuate under predetermined production conditions. On the other hand, the sealing water supply unit 100 is provided in the travel path of the envelope 20 and is fixedly supported by a frame (not shown) of the sealing machine. When the envelope 20 travels in a normal state, the arrangement is a relative position where the upper surface (application surface) of the water application position of the sealing water supply unit 100 and the inner surface (application surface) of the envelope flap 22 come into contact with each other. Yes. Therefore, when the traveling envelope 20 reaches the sealing water supply unit 100, water is applied to the front end of the inner surface of the envelope flap 22 in the traveling direction, and further, the envelope 20 travels to apply water to the entire inner surface of the envelope flap 22. Is done. Thereafter, when the surface of the mouth paste activated by applying water in the envelope flap 22 and the surface of the envelope body 21 are superposed, the sealing is completed to close the sealing portion of the envelope 20.
As described above, the unsealed sealed letter detection system of the present invention applies water to the surface of the envelope flap 22 to which the mouth paste is applied, while running the envelope 20, and the surface of the envelope body 21 and the surface to which the water is applied. The present invention is applied to a sealing machine that closes a sealed portion of an envelope by overlapping and adhering the surfaces.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the unsealed sealed letter detection system of the present invention detects the traveling state of the envelope 20 that travels by installing three sensors at the water application position in the sealing water supply apparatus 100. In FIG. 1A, only the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 are shown, and in FIG. 1B, only the sensor 3 is shown, but all the sensors 1 to 3 are installed as a set. The unsealed sealed letter detection system of the present invention includes these three sensors 1 to 3 in its configuration. The water application position of the sealing water supply device 100 in which the three sensors are installed does not mean a position as a specific one point, but a position having a spread including the vicinity of the water application position. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the sensor 1 and the sensor 2 are arranged at substantially the same coordinate in the traveling direction of the envelope 20, but are not the same coordinate in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. This is because the sensor 1 is installed at a position where the envelope body 21 can be easily detected, and the sensor 2 is installed at a position where the envelope flap can be easily detected. As shown in FIG. 1B, the sensor 3 is installed at a position adjacent to the water application position upstream of the sensor 2 in the traveling direction. This is because the sensor 3 does not interfere with the arrangement of the sensor 2 and the sensor 3 does not detect the water application position of the sealing water supply unit 100.

  The sensor 1 in FIG. 1 is an envelope body passage time detection means for detecting time T1 when the envelope body 21 traveling at a predetermined speed reaches the water application position of the sealer and time T2 when the envelope body 21 passes. The envelope body passage time detection means 1 is provided on the travel path of the envelope 20 and is fixedly supported by the frame of the sealer. The detection position in the envelope body passage time detection means 1 is a position through which the envelope body 21 passes when the envelope 20 travels in a normal state. As the envelope body passage time detection means 1, a transmissive photoelectric sensor that detects the passage of the envelope body 21 when the envelope body 21 blocks between the projector and the light receiver, or the light beam of the projector reflected by the envelope body 21 is used. A known sensor such as a reflective photoelectric sensor that detects passage of the envelope main body 21 when the light receiver receives light can be used.

  The sensor 2 in FIG. 1 is an envelope flap passage time detection means for detecting a time t1 when the envelope flap 22 traveling at a predetermined speed reaches a water application position of the sealer and a time t2 when the envelope flap 22 passes. The envelope flap passage time detection means 2 is provided in the travel path of the envelope 20, and is fixedly supported by the frame of the sealer. The detection position in the envelope flap passage time detection means 2 is a position through which the envelope flap 22 passes when the envelope 20 travels in a normal state. As the envelope flap passage time detection means 2, the transmission type photoelectric sensor that detects the passage of the envelope body 21 when the envelope flap 22 blocks between the projector and the light receiver, or the light beam of the projector reflected by the envelope flap 22 is used. A known sensor such as a reflective photoelectric sensor that detects passage of the envelope main body 21 when the light receiver receives light can be used.

  A sensor 3 in FIG. 1 is an envelope flap position detecting means for detecting an envelope flap position which is a position perpendicular to the traveling direction of the traveling envelope flap 22. The envelope flap position detection means 3 is provided in the travel path of the envelope 20 and is fixedly supported by the frame of the sealer. The detection position in the envelope flap position detection means 3 is a position through which the envelope flap 22 passes when the envelope 20 travels in a normal state. As the envelope flap position detecting means 3, a known displacement sensor such as a laser displacement sensor can be used. For example, the laser displacement sensor projects a laser beam and forms a light spot on the outer surface of the envelope flap 22. Further, the light spot is imaged on the position sensor through a lens from a position different from the projection position of the laser light. Further, the angle θ between the light projecting direction and the light receiving direction and the distance L between the light projecting position and the light receiving position are calculated from the light spot position formed. Then, the envelope flap position is detected by calculating from the angle θ and the interval L according to the principle of triangulation.

The sealing determination means 4 determines whether sealing has been normally performed based on the output signal of the detection means. The sealing determination means 4 can be realized by hardware and software in a data processing device such as a personal computer or a programmable sequence controller.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sealing determination means 4 inputs time T1 and time T2 output by the envelope body passage time detection means 1. Time T1 is the time when the envelope body 21 that travels at a predetermined speed reaches the water application position of the sealer, and time T2 is the time that it has passed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sealing determination means 4 inputs time t1 and time t2 output by the envelope flap passage time detection means 2. The time t1 is the time when the envelope flap 22 traveling at a predetermined speed reaches the water application position of the sealer, and the time t2 is the time when it passes. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sealing determination unit 4 inputs the envelope flap position h (t) output from the envelope flap position detection unit 3. The envelope flap position h (t) is a position perpendicular to the traveling direction of the envelope flap traveling at a predetermined speed.

  Further, the sealing determination means 4 inputs a reference time t, a reference time allowable deviation Δt, a reference position h, a reference position allowable deviation Δh, τ1, and τ2, which are preset data. The reference time t is the passage time required for the envelope flap 22 to pass the detection position of the envelope flap passage time detection means 2 from the passage time required for the envelope body 21 to pass the detection position of the envelope body passage time detection means 1. This is the reference value for the subtracted time. The reference time allowable deviation Δt is an allowable deviation of the reference time t. The reference position h is a reference value of the envelope flap position h (t) detected by the envelope flap position detection means 3 at the time t when the envelope flap 22 passes the detection position of the envelope flap position detection means 3. The reference position allowable deviation Δh is an allowable deviation of the reference position h. τ1 and τ2 are time differences that determine the time range of time t using the envelope flap position h (t) for determination with respect to time T1 and time T2.

  These preset data are set before the unsealed sealed letter detection system of the present invention starts detecting unsealed sealed letters. The setting can be input manually on the setting screen of the unsealed sealed letter detection system, the operation panel switch, and the like. Further, in order to grasp a numerical value that is a guideline for setting, a sample of the envelope 20 can be set in a sealing machine and a test operation can be performed. When the trial run is performed, an actual measurement value calculated for comparison with the reference time t and an actual measurement value calculated for comparison with the reference position h can be obtained from the unsealed sealed letter detection system. The reference time t, the reference time allowable deviation Δt, the reference position h, and the reference position allowable deviation Δh can be determined by using these actual values and variations between the actual values as a guide. Further, it is possible to obtain an actual measurement value of a time difference corresponding to τ1 and τ2 from a time zone in which the envelope flap position falls within an allowable range. Τ1 and τ2 can be determined using the actually measured values as a guide.

The sealing determination means 4 includes time T1, time T2, time t1, time t2, envelope flap position h (t) that are variables input from the detector, and a reference time t that is a set constant, and a reference time allowable deviation Δt. Based on the reference position h and the reference position allowable deviations Δh, τ1, and τ2, it is determined whether or not a condition represented by the following equation 1 is satisfied. Then, it is determined that the sealing is normal only when it is satisfied, and is determined to be abnormal otherwise.
(Equation 1)
(T−Δt) ≦ ((T2−T1) − (t2−t1)) ≦ (t + Δt)
And (h−Δh) ≦ h (t) ≦ (h + Δh)
However, (T1 + τ1) ≦ t ≦ (T2−τ2)

  FIG. 3A is an example of a time chart when the condition expressed by Equation 1 is satisfied. In FIG. 3A, the output signal 11 of the envelope body passage time detection means 1 indicates that the arrival of the envelope body 21 is detected at time T1 and passage is detected at time T2. The output signal 12 of the envelope flap passage time detection means 2 indicates that the arrival of the envelope flap 22 is detected at time t1 and passage is detected at time t2. These time T1, time T2, time t1, and time t2 satisfy the equation (t−Δt) ≦ ((T2−T1) − (t2−t1)) ≦ (t + Δt) in Equation 1. Further, the output signal 13 of the envelope flap position detection means 3, that is, H (t), is (h−Δh) ≦ h (t) ≦ in Equation 1 in the time range of (T1 + τ1) ≦ t ≦ (T2−τ2). (H + Δh) is satisfied. Therefore, since the condition expressed by Equation 1 is satisfied, the sealing determination unit 4 outputs a determination result that the sealing has been normally performed.

  FIG. 3B is an example of a time chart when the condition represented by the above equation 1 is not satisfied. In FIG. 3B, the output signal 11 of the envelope body passage time detection means 1 indicates that the arrival of the envelope body 21 is detected at time T1 and passage is detected at time T2. The output signal 12 of the envelope flap passage time detection means 2 indicates that the arrival of the envelope flap 22 is detected at time t1 and passage is detected at time t2. These time T1, time T2, time t1, and time t2 satisfy the equation (t−Δt) ≦ ((T2−T1) − (t2−t1)) ≦ (t + Δt) in Equation 1. On the other hand, the output signal 13 of the envelope flap position detection means 3, that is, H (t) is (h−Δh) ≦ h (t) ≦ in the equation (1) in the time range of (T1 + τ1) ≦ t ≦ (T2−τ2). (H + Δh) is not satisfied. Therefore, since all the conditions shown in Formula 1 are not satisfied, the sealing determination unit 4 outputs a determination result that sealing has been performed abnormally.

It is explanatory drawing of the unsealed sealed letter detection system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure in the unsealed sealed letter detection system of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows an example of the output signal of the detection means in the unsealed sealed letter detection system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Envelope body passage time detection means (sensor)
2 Envelope flap passage time detection means (sensor)
3 Envelope flap position detection means (sensor)
4 Seal determination means 11 Output signal of sensor 1 12 Output signal of sensor 2 13 Output signal of sensor 3 20 Envelope 21 Envelope body 22 Envelope flap 100 Seal water supply unit

Claims (1)

While running the envelope, water is applied to the surface of the envelope flap to which the glue is applied, and the surface where the water is applied and the surface of the envelope body are overlapped and bonded to close the envelope enclosure An unsealed seal detection system applied to a sealing machine of
An envelope body passage time detection means for detecting a time T1 at which the envelope body traveling at a predetermined speed reaches the water application position of the sealer and a time T2 at which the envelope body has passed;
An envelope flap passage time detection means for detecting a time t1 when the traveling envelope flap reaches the water application position of the sealer and a time t2 when the envelope flap has passed;
An envelope flap position detecting means for detecting an envelope flap position h (t) which is a position perpendicular to the traveling direction of the traveling envelope flap;
The time obtained by subtracting the envelope flap passage time from the envelope body passage time, ie, ((T2−T1) − (t2−t1)) is within a predetermined allowable time ((t−Δt) to (t + Δt)). In addition, the envelope flap position h in all the time zones in which predetermined time differences τ1, τ2 are provided from the passage time zones (T1 to T2) of the envelope body, that is, the time zones ((T1 + τ1) to (T2−τ2)). Sealing determining means for determining that the sealing is normal when (t) is within a range of a predetermined permissible position ((h−Δh) to (h + Δh)), and otherwise determining that the sealing is abnormal; ,
An unsealed sealed letter detection system comprising:

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