JP2007191179A - Method and device for detecting unsealed letter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for detecting unsealed letters, which can easily be installed on an already existing sealer, and which enables the detection of unsealed letters depending on whether water has been applied on the mouth paste of the flap or not. <P>SOLUTION: The temperature of an envelope flap is raised by applying heated water on the envelope flap while making the envelope travel. It is determined that the sealing is normal when the temperature of the envelope is a temperature at a specified threshold value Tc or higher in a specified time zone after the envelope body has passed the water applying position. It is determined that the sealing is abnormal in cases other than the above mentioned case by this detecting method for unsealed letters, and this device applied with the method. <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 an unsealed sealed letter detection method and apparatus for detecting an unsealed sealed letter based on whether or not water is applied to an envelope flap when sealing is performed by running an envelope and applying water to the glue.

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 to provide an unsealed sealed letter detection method and device that can be easily installed in existing sealing machines without deteriorating the work environment, and detects unsealed sealed letters based on whether or not water is applied to the flap glue. There is to do.

In the unsealed sealed letter detection method 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 A method for detecting an unsealed sealed letter applied to a sealing machine that closes a sealed portion of an envelope by superimposing and adhering to each other, using warmed water as water to be applied to the surface of the envelope flap, and the envelope flap When the temperature of the envelope flap is higher than a predetermined threshold in a predetermined time zone after the envelope main body has passed the water application position, the temperature of the envelope flap is increased by applying the heated water to It is determined that the sealing is normal, and otherwise it is determined that the sealing is abnormal.
An unsealed sealed letter detection device according to claim 2 of the present invention applies water to the surface of an envelope flap to which mouth paste is applied while running the envelope, and the surface on which the water is applied and the surface of the envelope body Is an unsealed sealed letter detecting device applied to a sealing machine that closes the sealed portion of the envelope by superimposing and bonding, and heating means for heating water applied to the surface of the envelope flap to a predetermined temperature And a temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature T (t) of the envelope flap at a position closest to the downstream side of travel with respect to a position where the heated water is applied to the envelope flap, and an envelope body that travels at a predetermined speed Enveloping body passage time detecting means for detecting the time t1 when the temperature reaches the position for measuring the temperature T (t) and the passing time t2, and a predetermined time difference τ1, from the passage time zone (t1 to t2) of the envelope body. Time zone with τ2 That is, the sealing is determined to be normal when the envelope flap temperature T (t) is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold Tc in all the time zones ((t1 + τ1) to (t2−τ2)), and otherwise the sealing is abnormal. And a sealing determination means for determining that it is.

According to the unsealed envelope detection method according to claim 1 of the present invention, since the temperature of the envelope flap rises by applying warmed water to the envelope flap while running the envelope, the envelope flap temperature depends on the temperature of the envelope flap. It is possible to detect that water has been applied. In a predetermined time zone after the envelope body passes the water application position, it is determined that the sealing is normal when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, and otherwise the sealing is determined to be abnormal. Is done. That is, it is detected whether or not water is being applied to the envelope flap in the time zone in which the envelope flap is predicted to be in the time zone in which the envelope has passed the water application position. There is no need to use a special detector in this detection. Accordingly, there is provided an unsealed sealed letter detection method 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 water is applied to the flap glue.
According to the unsealed sealed letter detection device of claim 2 of the present invention, the water applied to the surface of the envelope flap by the heating means is heated to a predetermined temperature, and the water heated to the envelope flap by the temperature measurement means The envelope flap temperature T (t) is measured at a position closest to the travel downstream side with respect to the coating position, and the envelope body traveling at a predetermined speed by the envelope body passage time detection means measures the temperature T (t). The time t1 to reach the position to be moved and the time t2 that has passed are detected, and a time zone in which predetermined time differences τ1, τ2 are provided from the passage time zone (t1 to t2) of the envelope body by the sealing judgment means, that is, ((t1 + τ1) to ( It is determined that the sealing is normal when the envelope flap temperature T (t) is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value Tc in all of the time period t2-τ2)), and otherwise the sealing is determined to be abnormal. It is. That is, it is detected whether or not water is applied to the envelope flap in the time zone in which the envelope flap is predicted for the time zone in which the envelope body passes. There is no need to use a special detector in this detection. Accordingly, there is provided an unsealed sealed letter detection method 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 water is applied to the flap glue.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An explanatory view of the unsealed sealed letter detecting apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. Moreover, the structure in the unsealed sealed letter detection apparatus of this invention is shown in FIG. 3 as a block diagram. Moreover, the output signal of the detection means in the unsealed sealed letter detection apparatus of this invention is shown in FIGS. 4-6 as a timing chart.
1 to 3, 1 is an envelope body passage time detection means (sensor), 2 is a temperature measurement means (sensor), 3 is a heating means means (heater), 4 is a seal determination means, 11 is an output of the sensor 1 Signal 12 is an output signal of sensor 2, 20 is an envelope, 21 is an envelope body, 22 is an envelope flap, 23 is applied water, 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 conveyance unit of the sealing machine 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 under predetermined production conditions and does not fluctuate. 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 device 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 of the envelope body 21 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 water supplied in the sealing water supply unit 100 is heated by the heating means 3 so as to have a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is a temperature at which it is possible to detect whether or not water is applied by the temperature measuring means 2. Since the temperature of the envelope 20 usually matches the room temperature, if the temperature of the water to be applied is room temperature, the temperature change of the application surface of the envelope flap 22 due to the application of water will not occur. At this time, it cannot be detected by the temperature measuring means 2 whether or not water is applied. Therefore, at least the temperature of the applied water must be a temperature that does not match the room temperature. Generally, a heating device is simpler and less expensive than a cooling device. Further, it is appropriate to measure the temperature in a non-contact manner using an infrared temperature sensor or the like. Considering these, it is preferable that the temperature of the water to be applied is higher than room temperature and high enough to be measured by the temperature measuring means 2. For example, it is preferable to increase the temperature by about 20 to 50 ° C. with respect to room temperature.

In the unsealed sealed letter detection device of the present invention, a time range is determined based on the passage of the envelope body 21, and it is determined that the envelope flap 22 is normal if the temperature of the envelope flap 22 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold within the time range. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, two sensors, the envelope body passage time detection means 1 and the temperature measurement means 2, are installed to detect the passage of the envelope body 21 traveling and the temperature of the envelope flap 22 coated with water. . The position where the two sensors are installed is a position downstream of the envelope 20 in the traveling direction with respect to the water application position of the sealing water supply device 100. The position is close to the water application position on the downstream side so that the temperature of the heated water applied to the envelope flap 22 is maintained. The two sensors do not have to be installed at the same position in the traveling direction of the envelope 20, but it is preferable that the two sensors be close to each other in order to reduce the error factor when determining the time range described above. Of course, within the range of the above installation conditions, the envelope body passage time detection means 1 is installed at a position where the envelope body 21 is easily detected, and the temperature measurement means 2 is installed at a position where the envelope flap 22 is easily detected.
In general, the envelope body passage time detection unit 1 and the temperature measurement unit 2 include a detection unit, an amplification unit, a calculation unit, a power supply unit, and the like that are integrated and a separate unit. Of course, here, the installation positions of the envelope body passage time detection means 1 and the temperature measurement means 2 are the installation positions of the detectors in them.

  The envelope body passage time detection means 1 detects the time t1 when the envelope body 21 traveling at a predetermined speed reaches the position where the temperature T (t) is measured or a position close thereto, and the time t2 when the envelope body 21 has passed. 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 temperature measuring means 2 detects the temperature of the envelope flap 22 traveling at a predetermined speed and outputs the envelope flap temperature T (t). When the temperature of the envelope flap 22 is increased by applying heated water at the water application position of the sealer, the temperature measuring means 2 outputs the temperature T (t) of the increased envelope flap 22. The temperature measuring means 2 is provided in the travel path of the envelope 20 and is fixedly supported by the frame of the sealing machine. The detection position in the temperature measuring means 2 is a position through which the envelope flap 22 passes when the envelope 20 travels in a normal state. As the temperature measuring means 2, a known sensor such as a non-contact infrared temperature sensor that performs temperature measurement by converting the amount of infrared energy radiated by an object to be measured into a temperature can be used.

  The heating means 3 heats the water of the sealing water supply unit 100 applied to the surface of the envelope flap 22 to a predetermined temperature. The water in the sealing water supply unit 100 may be heated. However, if the sealing water supply unit 100 circulates the water stored in the water tank to the water application position, the water stored in the container is heated. May be warm. Usually, the warming means 3 is a warming means capable of controlling the temperature using an electric heater or the like. That is, the heating means 3 includes an electric heater, a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of the water in the sealing water supply unit 100 or the water stored in the container, and the supply to the electric heater so that the measured temperature becomes the set temperature. It is comprised from the temperature control part which adjusts electric power.

The sealing determination unit 4 determines whether or not sealing has been normally performed based on the output signals of the envelope body passage time detection unit 1 and the temperature measurement unit 2. 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. 3, the sealing determination means 4 inputs time t1 and time t2 output by the envelope body passage time detection means 1. The time t1 is the time when the envelope body 21 traveling at a predetermined speed reaches the installation position of the envelope body passage time detection means 1, and the time t2 is the time when it passes. Moreover, the sealing determination means 4 inputs the envelope flap temperature T (t) output from the temperature measurement means 2 as shown in FIG. The envelope flap temperature T (t) indicates a change in temperature over time, and the envelope flap 22 travels at a predetermined speed. Therefore, the envelope flap temperature T (t) indicates a temperature distribution (profile) in the travel direction coordinates of the envelope flap 22.

  Further, the sealing determination means 4 inputs a predetermined threshold value Tc, which is preset data, and constants τ1 and τ2 that define a time range. The predetermined threshold value Tc is a threshold value for determining whether or not heated water is applied to the envelope flap 22. For example, if the temperature of the envelope flap 22 before applying heated water is 20 ° C. (room temperature) and the temperature of the envelope flap 22 after applying heated water is 40 ° C., the average value thereof The predetermined threshold value Tc = 30 ° C. τ1 and τ2 are time differences that define a time range of time t using envelope flap temperature T (t) for determination with respect to time t1 and time t2. The values of τ1 and τ2 are values determined in relation to the presence of the envelope flap 22 inside the envelope body 21 and the arrangement (detection position) of the envelope body passage time detection means 1 and the temperature measurement means 2. is there.

  These pre-set data are set before the unsealed sealed letter detection apparatus of the present invention starts the unsealed sealed letter detection. The setting can be input manually on the setting screen of the unsealed sealed letter detection device, 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 operation is performed, a profile of the envelope flap temperature T (t) output from the temperature measuring means 2 can be obtained. The predetermined threshold value Tc can be appropriately set based on the profile. Moreover, the actual measurement value of the time difference relevant to (tau) 1 and (tau) 2 can be obtained from the time slot | zone when the temperature of the envelope flap 22 exceeds predetermined threshold value Tc. Τ1 and τ2 can be determined using the actually measured values as a guide.

The envelope determination unit 4 includes time t1, time t2, envelope flap temperature T (t), which are variables input from the envelope body passage time detection unit 1 and the temperature measurement unit 2, and predetermined thresholds Tc, τ1 that are set constants. , Τ2, it is determined whether or not the condition shown in 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)
Tc ≦ T (t)
However, (t1 + τ1) ≦ t ≦ (t2−τ2)

  FIG. 4 is an example of a timing chart when the condition expressed by the above equation 1 is satisfied. In FIG. 4, 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 the passage is detected at time t2. Further, the output signal 12 of the temperature measuring means 2, that is, T (t) satisfies Tc ≦ T (t) in Equation 1 in the time range of (t1 + τ1) ≦ t ≦ (t2−τ2). 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. 5 is an example of a timing chart when the condition expressed by the above equation 1 is not satisfied. In FIG. 5, 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. On the other hand, the output signal 12 of the temperature measuring means 2, that is, T (t), satisfies Tc ≦ T (t) in Equation 1 only in a part of the time range of (t1 + τ1) ≦ t ≦ (t2−τ2). There are only. Therefore, since the condition expressed by Equation 1 is not satisfied, the sealing determination unit 4 outputs a determination result that sealing has been performed abnormally.

  FIG. 6 is another example of a timing chart when the condition expressed by the above equation 1 is not satisfied. In FIG. 5, 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. On the other hand, the output signal 12 of the temperature measuring means 2, that is, T (t) does not satisfy Tc ≦ T (t) in Equation 1 over the entire time range of (t1 + τ1) ≦ t ≦ (t2−τ2). Therefore, since the condition expressed by Equation 1 is not satisfied, the sealing determination unit 4 outputs a determination result that sealing has been performed abnormally.

It is explanatory drawing (the 1) of the unsealed sealed letter detection apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) of the unsealed sealed letter detection apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure in the unsealed sealed letter detection apparatus of this invention. It is a figure (sealing is normal) which shows the output signal of the detection means in the unsealed sealed letter detection apparatus of this invention as a timing chart. It is a figure (sealing is abnormal) which shows the output signal of the detection means in the unsealed sealed letter detection apparatus of this invention as a timing chart. It is a figure (sealing is abnormal) which shows the output signal of the detection means in the unsealed sealed letter detection apparatus of this invention as a timing chart.

Explanation of symbols

1 Envelope body passage time detection means (sensor)
2 Temperature measurement means (sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Heating means 4 Sealing determination means 11 Output signal of sensor 1 12 Output signal of sensor 2 20 Envelope 21 Envelope main body 22 Envelope flap 100 Sealing water supply part

Claims (2)

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 sealed letter detection method applied to a sealing machine of
After using warmed water as water to be applied to the surface of the envelope flap, increasing the temperature of the envelope flap by applying the warmed water to the envelope flap, and after the envelope body has passed the water application position An unsealed sealed letter detection method for determining that the sealing is normal when the temperature of the envelope flap is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold in the predetermined time period, and determining that the sealing is abnormal otherwise. 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 sealed letter detecting device applied to a sealing machine of
Heating means for heating water applied to the surface of the envelope flap to a predetermined temperature;
Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature T (t) of the envelope flap at a position closest to the downstream side of travel with respect to the position where the heated water is applied to the envelope flap;
An envelope body passage time detection means for detecting a time t1 at which the envelope body traveling at a predetermined speed reaches a position for measuring the temperature T (t) and a time t2 at which the envelope body passes.
The envelope flap temperature T (t) in all the time zones provided with predetermined time differences τ1, τ2 from the passage time zone (t1 to t2) of the envelope body, that is, the time zone of ((t1 + τ1) to (t2−τ2)). Sealing determination means for determining that the sealing is normal when is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Tc, and otherwise determining that the sealing is abnormal;
An unsealed sealed letter detection device comprising:

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