JP2010127730A - Feature defect detection device and document processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a feature defect detection device detecting a feature defect existing in only one of folded business form sheets, and not requiring readjustment of arrangement of a detector even when the sheets have different widths. <P>SOLUTION: This detection device includes: a laser beam projection means for projecting a laser beam so as to acquire an optical path passable by the whole width of the document in the close state to the upper surface of the document on a document conveyance route just before a sealing processing part of a document processing device; a laser beam reception means for detecting a laser beam after passing the optical path, and outputting a laser beam detection signal; and a feature defect detection means for determining existence of a feature defect based on the laser beam detection signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of form processing apparatuses. In particular, the present invention relates to a form defect detection apparatus for inspecting a form defect in a form immediately before performing a sealing process for bonding the folded surfaces of the form in the form processing apparatus, and a form processing apparatus including the form defect detection apparatus.

A crimping postcard creation device is known as one form processing device that performs sealing processing. The process of creating a crimped postcard was made by folding the continuous form into two (V-fold) or three (Z-fold) in a folding machine, and the continuous form folded by a burster or a cutter. It consists of a separation process to make a sheet form and a sealing process (crimping process) to obtain a crimped postcard, that is, a single sheet form that presses the folded sheet form and glues the opposing faces together. The In this process, if there are any shape defects such as corners, warps, wrinkles, etc. in the folded sheet, the crimping is performed while leaving the shape defects in the sealing process to obtain a postcard of an appropriate shape. I can't.
An example of the form of the form is shown in FIG. FIG. 5A shows a single-sheet form (for one crimping postcard) in a continuous form. The sheet form of this example is a form that folds into three (Z-fold), and usually, the perforated portion is subjected to fold perforation processing (two places). FIG. 5B shows a state in which there is no feature defect when the sheet form is folded in three. FIG. 5C shows a state in which a shape defect (corner breakage) occurs when the sheet form is folded in three. When three folds are completed normally, the sheet form becomes a flat surface with a thickness slightly exceeding three sheets of paper, but the portion of the shape defect is further lifted from the flat surface.
Devices for detecting feature defects in such paper are known. For example, when the corner of a sheet-fed printing paper is bent or the side edge is torn, a side edge detection device for printing paper is known which can detect this state immediately after the start of printing ( Cited reference 1). In this apparatus, the light emitter and the light receiver are arranged vertically opposite each other across the travel path of the printing paper, and the light from the light emitter to the light receiving device is blocked when normal printing paper passes. Have. Synchronize with the running of the printing paper, input the output signal of the receiver when the side edge of the printing paper passes the position where the emitter and receiver are facing each other, and print based on the output signal It is determined that the corner of the paper is broken or the side edge is torn.
Shoko 58-51827

  However, in this conventional method, it is possible to detect the presence of a feature defect at the corner or side edge of the printing paper, as is apparent from the arrangement of the light emitter and the light receiver, which are detectors. There is a problem that it is impossible to detect the presence of a feature defect in the entire printed paper. In addition, even if there is a feature defect (corner fold) in only a part (one sheet) of all the folded and overlapped printing papers, light rays are blocked by the printing paper that does not have a feature defect (corner fold). Therefore, there is a problem that the feature defect (corner folding) cannot be detected. In addition, when the width of the printing paper differs depending on the printing item, there is a problem that it is necessary to readjust the arrangement of the detector each time.

  The present invention has been achieved to solve the above-mentioned problems. The purpose is to detect the presence of a feature defect in the entire form, to detect a feature defect that exists in only one folded form, and the width of the form is different. It is an object of the present invention to provide a feature defect detection device and a form processing device including the feature defect detection device that do not require re-adjustment of the detector arrangement.

A feature defect detection device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a feature defect detection device that detects the presence or absence of a feature defect in a form immediately before performing a sealing process for bonding the folded surfaces of the forms, to a sealing processing unit. A laser beam projecting means for projecting a laser beam so as to be an optical path that approaches the upper surface of the form and passes through the entire width of the form, and a laser beam that detects the laser beam after passing through the optical path. A laser beam receiving means for outputting a detection signal and a feature defect determination means for determining the presence or absence of a feature defect based on the laser beam detection signal are provided.
A feature defect detection apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the feature defect detection apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the light projection and the light reception are performed by an optical regression photoelectric sensor having a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit. In other words, the laser beam projected by the light projecting unit is reflected by the regressive reflector and the light receiving unit receives the regressed laser beam.
Further, the feature defect detection apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is the feature defect detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical path approaching the upper surface of the form is a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the form, In addition, the direction is parallel to the upper surface of the form.
The form processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention includes a folding process for folding a continuous form at a fold in the running direction, a separation process for separating the folded continuous form into a sheet form, and the folding and separating. A sheet processing apparatus for performing a sealing process for bonding the folded surfaces of the forms, and an optical path that approaches the upper surface of the form and passes through the entire width of the form in the form transport path immediately before the sealing processing unit. A laser beam projecting unit for projecting a laser beam, a laser beam receiving unit for detecting a laser beam after passing through the optical path and outputting a laser beam detection signal, and determining the presence or absence of a feature defect based on the laser beam detection signal And a feature defect judging means.

According to the feature defect detection apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a feature defect detection apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of a feature defect in a form immediately before performing a sealing process for bonding the folded surfaces of the forms. In the form conveyance path immediately before the part, after the laser beam is projected by the laser beam projecting means so as to be an optical path that approaches the upper surface of the form and passes through the entire width of the form, and after passing through the optical path by the laser beam receiving means The laser beam is detected and a laser beam detection signal is output, and the presence or absence of a feature defect is determined by the feature defect determination means based on the laser beam detection signal. In other words, in a normal form form, the laser beam in the optical path that approaches the upper surface and passes through the entire width thereof is not blocked, but in a form having a form defect, the laser beam is blocked. In consideration of the fact that the optical path that covers the maximum width can be set in the form of various items and the form is traveling in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, the detection range is the entire form, and the form There is no need to adjust the detector arrangement according to the width of the detector. Further, if even one of the folded and overlapped printing papers has a feature defect, the laser beam is blocked. Therefore, it is possible to detect the presence of a feature defect in the entire form, it is possible to detect a feature defect that exists in only one folded form, and even when the form width is different. A feature defect detection device is provided that eliminates the need to realign the detector arrangement.
According to the feature defect detection device of the present invention, the light projection and the light reception are performed by the optical regression photoelectric sensor having a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit. The laser beam projected by the light projecting unit is reflected by the regressive reflector and the light receiving unit receives the regressed laser beam. That is, it suffices to install one optical regression photoelectric sensor and a regression reflector inside the form processing apparatus. Therefore, there are few restrictions on an installation place, and it can apply suitably to many form processing apparatuses.
Further, according to the feature defect detection apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention, in the feature defect detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the optical path approaching the upper surface of the form is perpendicular to the traveling direction of the form. Direction and parallel to the upper surface of the form. Therefore, the feature defect detection can be performed with equal sensitivity to the entire form, and with the shortest inspection continuation time and the maximum inspection standby time.
Further, according to the form processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention, the folding process for folding the continuous form at the fold in the running direction, the separation process for separating the folded continuous form into a single sheet form, and the folding process. A form processing apparatus that performs sealing processing for bonding the folded surfaces of the separated forms, and in the form transport path immediately before the sealing processing section, the form is approached to the upper surface of the form by laser beam projection means. The laser beam is projected so as to be an optical path that passes through the entire width of the laser beam, the laser beam after passing through the optical path is detected by the laser beam receiving means, and a laser beam detection signal is output, and the feature defect determining means is based on the laser beam detection signal The presence or absence of feature defects is determined. In other words, in a normal form form, the laser beam in the optical path that approaches the upper surface and passes through the entire width thereof is not blocked, but in a form having a form defect, the laser beam is blocked. In consideration of the fact that the optical path that covers the maximum width can be set in the form of various items and the form is traveling in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, the detection range is the entire form, and the form There is no need to adjust the detector arrangement according to the width of the detector. Further, if even one of the folded and overlapped printing papers has a feature defect, the laser beam is blocked. Therefore, it is possible to detect the presence of a feature defect in the entire form, it is possible to detect a feature defect that exists in only one folded form, and even when the form width is different. There is provided a form processing apparatus capable of comprehensively detecting a feature defect at the final stage after a process in which a feature defect is likely to occur without the need to readjust the arrangement of detectors.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An example of the configuration of the feature defect detection apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, 1 is an optical regression type photoelectric sensor, 11 is a laser beam projection unit, 12 is a laser beam reception unit, 2 is a regression type reflector, 3 is a data processing unit, 31 is a feature defect determination unit, and 32 is log data generation. Means.
The optical regression photoelectric sensor 1 is a photoelectric sensor in which a laser beam projecting unit 11 and a laser beam receiving unit 12 are integrated. The laser beam projecting unit 11 is a projecting unit using a laser beam generator such as a semiconductor laser as a light source. The laser beam receiving means 12 is a light receiving means using a photodiode or the like as a photoelectric conversion element. The optical regression photoelectric sensor 1 is configured such that the laser beam receiving unit 12 receives the laser beam projected by the laser beam projecting unit 11. For this purpose, the regressive reflector 2 is used.
The regressive reflector 2 is a reflector that reflects incident light so that the directions of the incident light and the reflected light are parallel regardless of the direction of the incident light. For example, it can be realized by a structure in which a large number of small reflective surfaces similar to a corner cube having three mutually perpendicular reflective surfaces are arranged.

A specific example of the optical regression photoelectric sensor 1 and the regression reflector 2 is shown in FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an arrangement when the optical regression photoelectric sensor 1 and the regression reflector 2 are used. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a configuration of the optical regression photoelectric sensor 1.
As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the optical regression photoelectric sensor 1 and the regression reflector 2 are arranged facing each other on both sides of the Z-fold form 101. The laser beam projected by the photoregressive photoelectric sensor 1 is an optical path that approaches the upper surface of the Z-fold form 101 and passes through the entire width of the Z-fold form 101. The direction of the laser beam is perpendicular to the traveling direction of the Z-fold form 101 and is parallel to the upper surface of the form-form 101.
The laser beam has a property that the spread of the beam is small even if the reach distance is increased. That is, even if the interval between the light regression photoelectric sensor 1 and the regression reflector 2 is increased, the adverse effect on the detection performance is small. Therefore, when the Z-fold form 101 has a different width depending on the item, the interval exceeds the maximum width. Moreover, the space | interval can be expanded as needed as an installation place of the optical regression type photoelectric sensor 1 and the regression type reflector 2 in order to make it an appropriate installation place which does not cause mechanical interference.
The distance between the laser beam and the upper surface of the Z-fold form 101 need only be such that the laser beam is not blocked by the normal Z-fold form 101. For example, it is only necessary that the laser beam be separated from the upper surface of the normal Z-fold form 101 by about 3 to 5 mm.

The laser beam projected from the optical regression type photoelectric sensor 1 is incident on the regression type reflection plate 2 arranged opposite to the laser beam, and is reflected by the regression type reflection plate 2 so as to reversely travel in almost the same optical path. Return to the regression photoelectric sensor 1.
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the Z-fold form 101 is a form having a feature defect (corner breakage), the optical path of the laser beam is blocked by the feature defect part during the travel. As a result, the amount of light received by the laser beam receiving means 12 changes greatly, and the laser beam detection signal output from the optical regression photoelectric sensor 1 changes.
On the other hand, when the form is a normal form having no shape defect, the optical path of the laser beam is not blocked during the running. As a result, there is no change in the amount of light received by the laser beam receiving means 12, and there is no change in the laser beam detection signal output by the optical regression photoelectric sensor 1.
The presence or absence of a feature defect in the Z-fold form 101 can be determined based on the change in the laser beam detection signals.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the optical regression photoelectric sensor 1 includes a semiconductor laser 111, a photodiode 121, and a beam splitter 122. The laser beam projected from the semiconductor laser 111 enters the beam splitter 122. The beam splitter 122 reflects a part of the projected laser beam and transmits the remaining beam. The transmitted laser beam reaches the regressive reflector 2 and is recursively reflected there. The retroreflected laser beam travels backward along substantially the same optical path and enters the beam splitter 122 from the opposite surface. The laser beam reflected by the beam splitter 122 reaches the light receiving surface of the photodiode 121.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. The data processing unit 3 is a part that inputs a laser beam detection signal and performs data processing (including signal processing). The data processing unit 3 can be realized by hardware and software of a data processing device such as a microcomputer, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), a personal computer, or the like. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the data processing unit 3 includes a feature defect determination unit 31 and a log data generation unit 32.
The feature defect judging means 31 is a means for judging the presence or absence of a feature defect based on the inputted laser beam detection signal. The feature defect determining means 31 determines that there is no shape defect when the value (for example, voltage value) of the laser beam detection signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and determines that there is a shape defect when the value of the laser beam detection signal does not reach the predetermined threshold. . Determination data regarding the presence or absence of the determined shape defect is stored in the storage device of the data processing unit 3.
The defect determination means 31 can make this determination in synchronization with the travel of the form. For example, when the form processing apparatus stops the processing operation, the determination is not output as invalid, and only the determination when the processing operation is performed can be output as valid. Further, the defect determination means 31 determines the overall presence / absence of a shape defect after the passage of one sheet of sheet based on the determination data repeatedly stored while the entire sheet of sheet passes under the laser beam. Can be performed only once.

  The log data generating unit 32 is a unit that generates log data for determining whether there is a shape defect by the defect determining unit 31. The log data generating means 32 can generate log data only once every time a single sheet form passes under the laser beam. In addition, log data can be generated by associating each sheet with a ID number that identifies the sheet form. The ID number is obtained, for example, by printing each sheet on a sheet form in the form of a barcode and reading the printed ID number with a barcode reader of the form processing apparatus. The log data includes the presence / absence of a shape defect, ID number, time, and the like.

The configuration has been described above. Next, the operation of the feature defect detection apparatus of the present invention will be described. An example of the process of the feature defect detection process in the feature defect detection apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3 as a flowchart.
First, in step S1 (laser beam detection signal input) of FIG. 3, the feature defect determination means 31 of the data processing unit 3 inputs a laser beam detection signal output from the optical regression photoelectric sensor 1.
Next, in step S2 (determination for presence or absence of shape defect), the feature defect determination means 31 of the data processing unit 3 determines the presence or absence of a shape defect based on the input laser beam detection signal. The determination data is stored in the storage device of the data processing unit 3.

Next, in step S3 (form pass?), The feature defect determination means 31 of the data processing unit 3 determines the presence or absence of a signal output indicating the form pass. If there is no output signal, the process returns to step S1 and the above steps are repeated, and if there is a signal output, the process proceeds to step S4. That is, the input of the laser beam detection signal (S1) and the presence / absence determination of the shape defect (S2) are continued while the entire sheet of paper passes under the detection region of the optical regression photoelectric sensor 1, that is, under the laser beam. Or repeated.
A signal indicating that the form has passed is output from the form processing apparatus. For example, in the case of a form processing apparatus equipped with a burster, the burster detects the feed amount of the continuous form at the timing for identifying each sheet in the continuous form, and detects each sheet in the continuous form. The sheet is separated and processed into a single sheet. Further, in the case of a form processing apparatus having a printer, an ID number that identifies each sheet sheet form in a continuous form is detected, and variable data corresponding to the ID number is printed on the form. As a signal indicating that the form has passed, a signal output from the form processing device such as a detection signal for a continuous form feed amount, a detection signal for an ID number, or the like can be used.
Based on the signal indicating the passage of the form, the data processing unit 3 determines whether or not the sheet processing form is processed by the form processing apparatus, whether or not the processing of the next sheet is performed, It is possible to obtain information such as whether it is being performed.

Next, in step S4 (shape defect?), The shape defect determination means 31 of the data processing unit 3 is based on the determination data stored repeatedly while the entire sheet of paper passes under the laser beam. After the passage of a single sheet, a general determination is made as to whether or not there is a shape defect. For example, if there is at least one determination data of “existing” in the determination data, it is determined as “existing” as the overall determination, and if there is determination data “none” in all of the determination data, the overall determination is “ It is determined as “No”. When the overall determination is “present”, the process proceeds to step S5. When the overall determination is “not present”, the process proceeds to step S6.
Next, in step S5 (alarm output), the feature defect determining means 31 of the data processing unit 3 makes a general determination that the shape defect is “present” to the alarm output means (not shown) of the data processing unit 3. The alarm output shown is performed. When the signal is input, the alarm output means outputs an alarm to the operator by voice, buzzer, warning light, or the like. Further, the alarm output is configured to be output to the control unit of the form processing apparatus so that the operation of the form processing apparatus is stopped when the shape defect determination means 31 makes a comprehensive determination that the shape defect is “present”. It can also be configured.
Note that, instead of the overall determination, when the shape defect in step S3 is determined to be “present”, the operation of the form processing apparatus can be immediately stopped.

Next, in step S6 (log data storage), the log data generating means 32 of the data processing unit 3 generates log data for determining the presence or absence of shape defects (and / or overall determination) by the feature defect determining means 31. The log data includes the presence / absence of a shape defect, ID number, time, and the like.
Next, in step S7 (end), it is determined whether to continue or end the feature defect detection process. When continuing, it returns to step S1, and repeats the subsequent steps described above, and if not, ends (END).

The operation has been described above. Next, an example of a form processing apparatus equipped with the feature defect detection apparatus of the present invention will be described. An example of the form processing apparatus equipped with the feature defect detection apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, 201 is an inter-stacker section, 202 is a folding section, 203 is a burst section (or cutter section), 204 is a sealing processing section, and 205 is a product discharge section.
The inter-stacker unit 201 is a part that feeds continuous forms that are folded in a Z-fold state to the folding part 202 and the burst part 203 while opening the Z-folded part. When the continuous form is a continuous form having a pin tractor pin hole in the Mimi part, the inter-stacker unit 201 performs a process of slitting and removing the Mimi part. Further, when the continuous form has two sides, a center slit is performed.
The folding unit 202 is provided between the inter-stacker unit 201 and the burst unit 203, and is a part that performs a process of folding the continuous form fed from the inter-stacker unit 201 in the vertical direction (running direction). The continuous form passes through the folding part 202 and is folded at the perforation formed in the vertical direction (see the broken line portion in FIG. 5A) to become a continuous form of three folds (Z fold).

The burst unit 203 is a part that performs processing to separate the Z-fold continuous form fed from the folding unit 202 at a perforation in the horizontal direction to obtain a Z-folded sheet form. Or if it is the cutter part 203, it is the part which cuts a Z fold continuous form with a cutter in the predetermined position of a horizontal direction, and performs the process which obtains a Z fold sheet leaf form. If this burst unit (or cutter unit) 203 is configured to detect the feed amount of a continuous form and obtain timing, the feed amount detection signal is used as a signal output indicating the form passage in the feature defect detection device. can do. As the output signal, as described above, other signals related to the form conveyance can be used. Further, the optical regression type photoelectric sensor 1 in the feature defect detection apparatus is disposed in the path of the Z-fold sheet sheet from the burst unit 203 to the next sealing processing unit 204.
The sealing processing unit 204 presses a sheet form obtained by folding the continuous form into three pieces and separates the opposite faces to bond the opposing faces, thereby performing a process for obtaining a single sheet form, for example, a pressure-bonded postcard. Part. A pseudo-adhesive that can be re-peeled and cannot be re-adhered is used for adhering the crimping postcard.
The product discharge unit 205 is a part for discharging and stacking and temporarily accumulating the crimped postcards obtained by processing.
Due to such a configuration, the form processing apparatus of the present invention can comprehensively detect a feature defect at the final stage after a process in which a feature defect is likely to occur.

It is a figure which shows an example of the structure in the feature defect detection apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows a specific example of an optical regression type photoelectric sensor and a regression type reflecting plate. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of the feature defect detection process in the feature defect detection apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the form processing apparatus equipped with the form defect detection apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the form of a form.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical regression type photoelectric sensor 11 Laser beam projection means 12 Laser beam light reception means 2 Regression type reflecting plate 3 Data processing part 31 Shape defect determination means 32 Log data generation means 201 Inter stacker part 202 Folding part 203 Burst part (or cutter part)
204 Sealing section 205 Product discharge section

Claims (4)

Laser beam projecting means for projecting a laser beam so as to be an optical path that approaches the upper surface of the form and passes through the entire width of the form in the form transport path immediately before the sealing processing part that bonds the folded surfaces of the forms; ,
A laser beam receiving means for detecting a laser beam after passing through the optical path and outputting a laser beam detection signal;
Feature defect determination means for determining the presence or absence of a feature defect based on the laser beam detection signal;
A feature defect detection apparatus comprising: The shape defect detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light projection and the light reception are performed by a light regression photoelectric sensor having a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and the laser beam projected by the light projecting unit is a regressive reflection type. The feature defect detection apparatus, wherein the light receiving unit receives the laser beam reflected and returned by the plate. 3. The feature defect detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an optical path approaching the upper surface of the form is a direction perpendicular to a traveling direction of the form and a direction parallel to the upper surface of the form. Form defect detection device. Folding the continuous form at the fold in the running direction, separating the folded continuous form into a single sheet form, and sealing process for bonding the folded surfaces of the folded form together A form processing device,
Laser beam projecting means for projecting a laser beam so as to be an optical path that approaches the upper surface of the form and passes through the entire width of the form in the form transport path immediately before the sealing processing unit,
A laser beam receiving means for detecting a laser beam after passing through the optical path and outputting a laser beam detection signal;
Feature defect determination means for determining the presence or absence of a feature defect based on the laser beam detection signal;
A form processing apparatus comprising:

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