JP2922678B2 - Enclosure and sealing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an enclosing and sealing machine for enclosing a letter or other content in a Western envelope in three folds or the like.
For example, after enclosing a letter in a 10-inch size Western envelope, the flap is bonded to the envelope by moistening the flap adhesive portion with water and sealed, and is suitable for use as a desktop type in an office. The present invention relates to a miniaturized enclosure and sealing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional enclosing and sealing machine conveys an envelope in a direction parallel to a fold of a flap, glues the envelope to the flap in the middle of the conveyance path, and then uses a roller having a rotation axis parallel to the fold of the flap. The envelope is moved in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying path, and in the process, the flap is folded into an envelope, and the opening of the envelope is sealed (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-21840).

[0003]

However, in this conventional enclosing and sealing machine, the envelope is first conveyed in a direction parallel to the fold of the flap, then glued, and then the envelope is moved in a direction perpendicular to the fold of the flap. It is necessary to convey in a vast area when viewed in a plan view, such as conveying.
For this reason, there is a disadvantage that the device becomes large.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an enclosing and sealing machine capable of simplifying the sealing and stacking of envelopes and thereby reducing the size of the entire apparatus. And

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided an enclosing and sealing machine comprising: an inserting means for inserting contents into an envelope having a glue portion attached to a flap thereof in advance; and an envelope sent from the inserting means. Means for applying moisture to the glue portion, sealing means for closing the flap of the envelope sent from the moisture imparting device, and adhering and sealing the envelope with the glue portion, and sending from the sealing means. A stacking unit for collecting the envelopes after sealing, with the folds of the flaps substantially horizontal; and a stacking unit for stacking the envelopes in an upright position and an envelope in the upright position. A locking member that locks on the surface, a pressing member that sandwiches the envelope between the locking member, and a biasing unit that biases the pressing member toward the locking member, The locking member and the pressing member are bent in a plan view. Envelope is characterized in that it is collected in a state in which the folds of the flaps are bent by the locking member and the pressing member.

[0006]

In the present invention, the contents are inserted into the envelope by the insertion means, water is applied to the glue portion of the flap by the water application means, and then the flap is closed by the sealing means, whereby the adhesive is passed through the glue portion. The flap is glued to the envelope and sealed.

[0007] The sealed envelopes are collected in a stacking position in an upright posture. First, the sealed envelope sent from the sealing means is introduced into the stacking section so as to be sandwiched between the locking member bent in plan view and the pressing member bent in plan view. Since the pressing member is pressed toward the locking member by the urging means, the envelopes are collected in the standing position in a state of being bent following the locking member in the accumulation portion. Then, the next envelope is inserted so as to slide between the previous envelope and the locking member, and in this way, a large number of sealed envelopes are stacked in an upright posture between the locking member and the pressing member. Can be

In the present invention, since the envelopes are collected on the mounting member by bending the folds of the flaps at the center or the like, the so-called stiffness of the envelopes causes the conventional envelope being biased by the biasing means. The envelope does not buckle or deform when inserted between the envelope and the locking member.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a front vertical sectional view showing the overall sealing machine envelopes according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the vicinity of 2 claw member 23
Plan view illustrating, FIG. 3 is likewise a front longitudinal sectional view showing the details of the envelope delivery unit 6 and the sealing unit, FIG 4 is a same rear cross-sectional view of the envelope delivery unit 6 and the sealing portion. As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing machine of the present embodiment has three divided cases 1, 2, and 2.
3 is stored. The case 1 has a driving unit 8 stored therein, and the case 2 has a stacking unit 5 in which sealed envelopes are collected.
And a sending unit 6 for feeding empty envelopes, and a case 3 stores a paper folding unit 7 for three-folding a content such as a letter. The case 1 is fixedly installed, for example, on a desk, and the case 2 is installed so as to be rotatable via the shaft 4 with respect to the case 1. By rotating the case 2 to raise the stacking unit 5 and the sending unit 6 integrally, the inside can be opened and the jam envelope can be removed. Further, the paper folding section 7 can also be opened by rotating the case 3, and it is possible to remove the letter when the letter is jammed inside.

[0011] In sending out section 6 of the envelope H is empty envelope H
Are placed, and a half-moon-shaped roller 44 for feeding out the envelope H is disposed. Envelope H is its flap F
Are loaded on the hopper 43 so as to face upward and backward in the moving direction of the envelope H. The hopper 43 is inclined so that the front part of the envelope is slightly downward, and the front end of the loaded envelope is locked by the separating plate 29. The lower end of the separating plate 29 and the hopper 43 are separated from each other so that the envelope can pass through. The envelope H loaded on the hopper 43 is fed by the semi-circular roller 44, separated by the separating plate 29, and Are sent out in order.

A feed roller 14 is disposed below the separating plate 29, and a reversing roller 15 is disposed slightly below the feed roller 14 in front of the feed roller 14. A guide plate 11 for guiding the envelope is arranged between the roller 15 and the roller 15. The reversing roller 15 has a semi-cylindrical reversing guide plate 1 for guiding an envelope along a half circumference thereof and reversing (returning) its moving path.
2 are arranged. The reversing roller 15 presses the envelope H against the reversing guide plate 12, and moves the envelope H by a half circumference along the peripheral surface of the reversing roller 15 by the friction drive. A guide plate 13 is disposed so as to extend horizontally from a lower portion of the reversing roller 15, and the envelope that has moved along the peripheral surface of the reversing roller 15 and the reversing guide plate 12 is placed on the horizontal guide plate 13. Will be guided to. A feed roller 16 is provided between the guide plate 13 and the reversing roller 15, and sends out the envelope sent from the reversing roller 15 on the guide plate 13 to the front thereof. The guide plates 11 , 12 , and 13 form a guide path for the envelope, and the reversing roller 15 provided in the middle of the guide path turns the envelope back.

[0013] The initial set point of the guide path, namely feed roller 14
Is provided with a stopper 18 and a sensor 17. The stopper 18 is driven by a plunger 19,
Normally, it is urged upward by an appropriate spring. Therefore, when the plunger 19 is deenergized, its tip selectively projects onto the guide plate 11 by the biasing force of the spring, and when the plunger 19 is excited, the tip retreats downward from the guide plate 11. It has become. The sensor 17 detects the rear end of the envelope moving on the guide plate 11. When the sensor 17 detects the rear end of the envelope, the plunger 19 is deenergized and the stopper 18 is moved to the guide plate 11. , And locks its front end so that the next envelope is not sent out.

In the vicinity of the reversing roller 15, a claw member 22 for opening the flap is provided. This claw member 2
2, the main body 20 can swing about a support shaft 21,
A claw member 22 is formed at the rear end of the main body 20. The front end of the main body 20 is bent in a key shape, and the front end of the envelope comes into contact with the key portion, and when the key portion is pushed upward, the main body 20 swings and the claw member 22 descends. Then, the claw member 22 locks the flap F at the rear of the moving envelope H,
The flap F is raised with the trailing edge of the envelope H as a fulcrum, and the flap F is folded back. As a result, the flap F of the envelope H is opened, and the opening is opened.

Between the reversing roller 15 and the feed roller 16, a claw member 23 for expanding the opening of the envelope (expanding member) is provided.
Is arranged. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the claw member 23, and FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the operation of the claw member 23. A pair of pawl members 23 are provided apart from each other in the direction of the fold of the flap F of the envelope H. A support bar 27 is arranged so as to extend in the width direction of the envelope H, that is, in the direction parallel to the fold of the flap F.
5 are fixed to each other at an interval smaller than the width of the envelope H, and their postures are horizontal. The claw members 23 are swingably supported by the respective base portions 25, and as shown in FIG.
The tip of the claw member 23 is urged by a suitable spring 26 so as to open the base 25 with respect to the base 25. And the support rod 27
Is reciprocally movable in the horizontal direction by a link cam mechanism described later, whereby the claw member 23 opens the open end of the envelope H on the side where the flap F is not provided, and expands the open end. It can be opened.

A stopper 30 is provided at the end of the envelope transport path. The stopper 30 is rotatably mounted around a shaft 33. Further, a link 31 is fixed to the stopper 30 so as to form a predetermined angle with the arm portion of the stopper 30, and is rotatably mounted around the shaft 33. Have been. A roller 32 is attached to the tip of the link 31.

[0017] the drive unit 8, the large diameter gear 35 is feeding the rotation axis feed roller 14, reversing roller 15 and the feed roller 1
6 are arranged parallel to the rotation axis. A switch actuator 37 is coaxially fixed to the large-diameter gear 35. A switch 36 is provided near the large-diameter gear 35. When the actuator 37 rotates to the position where the switch 36 is provided, the switch 3 is turned on.
6 is activated. Thereby, it is grasped that the large-diameter gear 35 has made one rotation.

As shown in FIG. 4, a cam 38 is mounted on the large-diameter gear 35 coaxially with the rotating shaft of the large-diameter gear 35. Thus, the cam 38 rotates at the same speed as the large-diameter gear 35. The edge of the cam 38 has irregularities, and the roller 32 rolls on this edge. Thereby, with the rotation of the cam 38,
The roller 32 swings around the shaft 33, and the stopper 30 moves up and down. Further, a V-shaped arm 40 is installed so as to be swingable about a central portion thereof by a shaft 39. A concave portion 42 is formed at one end of the arm 40, and the support bar 27 connected to the claw member 23 for enlarging the envelope is fitted into the concave portion 42. Arm 4
A roller 41 is attached to the other end of the roller 0, and the roller 41 rolls on the peripheral surface of the cam 38. This allows
When the cam 38 rotates, the arm 40 swings around the shaft 39, and the support bar 27 reciprocates substantially horizontally.

At the end of the moving path of the envelope H, that is, in the vicinity of the stopper 30, a pair of feed rollers
5, 46 are provided. As shown in FIG.
As schematically shown in FIG. 2, a gear meshing with the large-diameter gear 35 is provided coaxially.
Is driven to rotate. The upper roller 46 is a driven roller.

[0020] In front of the feed rollers 45 and 46, envelope diverting the pocket 5 6 is arranged. The pocket 5 6 is in immediately in front of the envelope in which the entrance comes fed by the feed rollers 45 and 46 are provided slightly inclined to the vertical direction. Envelope H which has been fed by the feed rollers 45 and 46 enters from the front end into the pocket 5 6, insertion of the envelope H is detected by a sensor 57 provided at the lower end.

[0021] Then, the pocket 5 6 and the feed roller 45,
Below the transfer zone of the envelope H between 46, moisture supply means
It is wetting member 50 as being disposed. The humidifying member 50 is vertically driven to swing by a plunger 53 via an arm 52. And the moistening member 5
A water holding portion 51 for holding water is provided in a partial area of the peripheral surface of the rim 0.
, The water holding portion 51 of the moistening member 50 comes into contact with the glued portion of the flap F at the rear end of the envelope H fed by the feed rollers 45 and 46, and wets the glued portion with water. .

The water holding portion 51 is constructed by stretching fibers over one segment of the moistening member 50, and is provided from a water tank (not shown) provided outside via a rubber pipe.
0 is supplied with water to the center of the water holding member 51.
The fibers are supplied with water.

The envelope H in which the glued portion of the flap F is wetted by the water by the moistening member 50 has its front end downward and the flap F upward and is temporarily stored in the pocket 56. The envelope H is able pocketed 5 6 is detected by the sensor 57 as described above.

In the vicinity of the roller 46, a pair of sensors 54,
55 are provided. The sensor 54 on the upstream side in the envelope passing direction detects the end of the passage of the envelope H. When the end of the passage of the envelope H is detected, the clutch of the drive unit is engaged / disengaged. On the other hand, the sensor 55 detects that the envelope H is passing, and deactivates the plunger 53 during the passage of the envelope. Thereby, it is prevented that the moistening member 50 descends and the water holding member 51 contacts the envelope H and wets the envelope H. Then, when the glued portion of the flap moves to the position of the moistening member 50, the front end of the envelope is
6, the sensor 57 detects the position of the envelope tip. When the sensor 57 detects the leading end of the envelope, the plunger 53 is driven, and the moistening member 50 is raised. Thereby, the water holding member 51 comes into contact with the flap and water is supplied to the glued portion. In this way, the sensors 55 and 57 control the moistening member 50 to rise only when the flap passes.

The discharge roller 47 is provided with a gear coaxially as shown in FIG.
Gear. For this reason, the discharge roller 47 is driven to rotate by the large-diameter gear via the feed roller gear. The other discharge rollers 48 and 49 are driven rollers. The envelope H once stored in the pocket 56 is engaged between the rollers 47 and 48 by the rotation of the drive discharge roller 47 and the driven discharge roller 48 from the flap F while the flap F is still open, Flap F is envelope H
Are adhered and fixed by the pressing force between the rollers 47 and 48. Then, the sealed envelope is guided between the rollers 48 and 49 and collected in the stacking unit 5. This
The sealing means is constituted by the rollers 47 and 48 as shown in FIG.
You.

The stacking section 5 is installed above a pocket 56. As shown in FIG. 7, the stack plate 61 (mounting member) of the stacking section 5 has one end thereof connected to a pair of discharge rollers 4
It is installed horizontally in the vicinity of 8,49. Also, the upper part of the paper discharge plate 60 (locking member) is placed in the envelope sending section 6.
It is installed at an angle. This stack plate 61
A gap is provided between the sheet and the sheet discharge plate 60, and the envelope H is introduced onto the stack plate 61 through the gap. A support shaft 65 is disposed below the other end of the stack plate 61, and the base end of the arm 64 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 65. A flat pressing plate 62 (pressing member) is pivotally supported by the arm 64 at the tip of the arm 64. The arm 64 is urged toward the paper discharge plate 60 with an appropriate urging force. As a result, the envelope H introduced onto the stack plate 61 is pressed against the paper discharge plate 60 by the press plate 62, and the surface thereof is made substantially vertical to make the stack plate 61
Integrated on top. As is apparent from FIG. 8 showing the plan view, the paper discharge plate 60 is bent in a V-shape at the center in plan view, and the center protrudes forward in the introduction direction of the envelope. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the contents are placed in an envelope.
In the paper folding section 7 as insertion means for insertion , three folding rollers 70, 71, 72 are provided below the reversing roller 15.
The first folding member 73 is disposed below the roller 70 with its upper end positioned between the roller 70 and the roller 71. Also,
The upper end of the folding member 74 at the next stage has rollers 70, 71,
72 are arranged toward the arrangement center. Folding member 7
Reference numerals 3 and 74 are used to insert a content such as a letter and lock the leading end of the letter at the lower end. The letter is manually inserted into the first folding member 73. At the lower end of the first-stage folding member 73, a switch (not shown) is provided, which operates when the leading end (lower end) of the folded paper such as a letter abuts. When the switch detects that the letter has been inserted into the folding member 73, the detection signal causes the large-diameter gear 35 to start rotating. Next, the operation of the thus configured apparatus of this embodiment will be described. First, when an empty envelope H is loaded on the hopper 43 and a standby switch (not shown) is turned on, the lowermost envelope H on the hopper 43 is fed to the feed roller 14 by the feeding roller 44, At the same time, the plunger 19 is driven to lower the stopper 18. Thereby, the envelope H is moved to the stopper 18.
, And is driven by the feed roller 14 so that the guide plate 1
The upper part 1 goes to the reversing roller 15. When the sensor 17 detects the rear end of the envelope H, the plunger 19 is deenergized, and the stopper 18 rises to prevent the subsequent envelope from passing.

The envelope H moving on the guide plate 11 has its front portion abutting on the key-shaped portion of the main body 20 for opening the flap.
This is pushed upward and passes. The front portion of the envelope is sandwiched between the reversing roller 15 and the guide plate 12, and is driven by the reversing roller 15 toward the guide plate 13. And
When the rear half of the envelope H passes the position of the claw member 22, the flap F is raised by the claw member 22 and turned over.
Thus, the envelope H passes through the reversing roller 15 with the flap F opened.

The envelope H is turned back by the reversing roller 15 and is driven by the feed roller 16 on the guide plate 13 to move toward the standby portion (the end of the moving path) where the stopper 30 is provided. The front end of the envelope H is
And the envelope H is stopped. Thereby, the standby of the sealing operation is completed. In this standby state, the flap F is held between the roller 15 and the guide plate 12.

[0030] Next, insert an object origami letter like of the operator, for example, A4 size in fold member 7 3 of the first-stage sheet folding section 7. Then, the leading end of the Origami abuts the lower end of the switch in fold member 7 3 actuates it. In response to the detection signal of this switch, the paper folding section 7 starts operating, the large-diameter gear 35 starts rotating, and the arm 40 is rotated by the action of the roller 41 rolling on the peripheral surface of the cam 38 to support The rod 27 moves horizontally. Thereby, the claw member 23 for expanding the envelope opening enters the opening of the envelope H stopped at the standby position, and expands the opening.

On the other hand, the folding unit 7, as shown in FIG. 3, is inserted into the member 7 3 folding letter L, press member
7 5 moves toward the roller 71, rolling on the roller 71. Thus, push letter L member 7 5 and the roller
Sandwiched between the 7 1, causing deflection by the rotation of the roller 71. The deflection part raised is sandwiched roller 7 0, 7 between 1. As a result, the first fold is formed in the letter L. Then, the letter L will enter the fold to the top to fold member 7 4, the portion of the first fold is locked at the lower end of the folding member 7 4. Then, the letter L is because it is fed to further rollers 7 0, 7 chewing crowded by folding member 7 4 between 1 and causes bending again in the vicinity of the roller 7 1, 7 2. Then, the deflection of the portion is caught between the rollers 71, 7 2, another fold is attached. In this way, the letter L has two folds, is guided by an appropriate guide, and is sent to the position where the claw member 23 is disposed.

The three-folded letter L is inserted into the waiting envelope H with the opening portion expanded by the claw member 23. During this time, the cam 38 continues to rotate, and the cam 38
The arm 40 is rotated in the reverse direction by the action of the roller 41 rolling in the reverse direction, and the claw member 23 is retracted, and is separated from the envelope H.

The rotation of the cam 38 causes the cam 3 to rotate.
8 by the action of the roller 32 rolling to
Descends. Thereby, following the insertion of the tri-folded letter into the envelope H, the locking of the envelope H by the stopper 30 is released, and the envelope H is driven forward by the feed roller 16 and fed forward. Sandwiched between. And
The envelopes H are fed into the direction change pocket 54 by the feed rollers 45 and 46. The flap F at the rear of the envelope H is moved by the action of the sensors 55 and 57 to the humidifying member 50.
When water passes through, the water holding member 51 applies water to the glued portion. At the same time as the envelope H is sent out from the standby position, the next envelope H is sent out from the hopper toward the standby position.

The envelope H is temporarily inserted into the pocket 5 6,
After the tip is in contact with the lower end of the pocket 5 6, since the flap comes further fed by feed rollers 45 and 46, the flap is folded back gradually from the crease, the discharge rollers 47 and 48 by the fold line to the top It is sandwiched between. Thus, the envelope H is driven upward by the rollers 47 and 48 and is sent upward. When passing through the rollers 47 and 48, the flap F is overlapped with the opening of the envelope H, and
The flap F is adhered to the opening of the envelope H by being pressed between 7, 48. In this manner, the envelope in which the three-fold letter is enclosed is sealed.

The envelope H is guided by rollers 47, 48 and 49, sent to the stacking section 5, and inserted between the holding plate 62 connected to the arm 64 and the paper discharge plate 60 in a standing posture. The envelope H is pressed against and held by the paper discharge plate 60 with a slight urging force. The envelope after the next sealing is inserted between the already loaded envelope and the paper discharge plate 60, and the envelope after the sealing is sequentially inserted between the pressing plate 62 and the paper discharge plate 60. In this case, since the paper discharge plate 60 and the holding plate 62 are bent in a letter shape, the edges of the sequentially inserted envelopes are in sliding contact with the center of the flap of the previous envelope to buckle the undried flap portion. It will not be deformed. That is, since the envelope immediately after sealing is in an undried state, its strength is low. For this reason, when the next envelope is slid from the lower side between the previous envelope in the stacking section and the paper discharge plate 60, deformation such as buckling is likely to occur in the middle. However, in the present embodiment, the envelope is bent and inserted in the shape of a letter, so that the envelope is provided with a so-called waist. For this reason, the envelope after sealing is pressed against this pressing plate 62 against the urging force of the pressing plate 62.
The envelope does not buckle or deform when pushed between the sheet and the paper discharge plate 60. Since the envelope is bent in the shape of a letter on the stack plate 61, such an inconvenience is avoided. Thus, the sealing operation and the stacking operation are performed smoothly.

In this embodiment, since the moving path of the envelope is folded back by the reversing roller, each member can be three-dimensionally arranged. In addition, since the moving direction of the envelope is set to the direction perpendicular to the fold of the flap, The distance itself can be shortened. Therefore, the size of the apparatus can be easily reduced.

Since each component is divided into three parts and each case 2 and 3 is configured to be rotatable about the shafts 4 and 5, the jammed letter L and envelope H can be easily removed.

Further, when the envelope H is at the standby position where it is locked by the stopper 30, the opening of the envelope is expanded, so that the opening can be opened stably and greatly, and the letter can be easily opened. Can be inserted.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the sealed envelope is gathered in a state in which the flap fold is substantially horizontal and the standing flap is folded, the flap fold is bent and the locking member is used. Since it is inserted between the pressing member and the envelope, a so-called waist is attached to the envelope. Even if the envelope is in an undried state immediately after sealing, the pressing member is urged without buckling and deformation. And the locking member can be pushed in with sufficient strength, and the envelopes can be smoothly collected in the collecting section.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the entirety of an enclosing and sealing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing details of the sealing portion.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the same.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the claw member.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the claw member.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an envelope accumulation section.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the envelope stacking unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3; case 5; stacking section 6; envelope sending section 7; paper folding section 8; driving sections 11, 12, 13; guide plate 15; Large diameter gear 38; cam 43; hopper 50; moistening member 51; water holding member 56; direction reversing pocket 60;

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-53-106200 (JP, A) JP-A-56-10499 (JP, A) JP-B-52-2351 (JP, B2) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B43M 5/00-5/04 B43M 3/00-3/04

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An insertion means for inserting a content into an envelope in which a glue portion is attached to the flap in advance, and a moisture applying means for imparting moisture to the glue portion of the envelope sent from the insert means. A sealing means for closing the flap of the envelope sent from the moisture imparting means and bonding the envelope to the envelope with the glue portion, and a sealed envelope sent from the sealing means to substantially fold the fold of the flap; A stacking portion for collecting the envelope in an upright position, a locking member for locking the envelope in the upright position on its surface, and an envelope. A pressing member for sandwiching the pressing member between the locking member and the locking member, and a biasing unit for biasing the pressing member toward the locking member. The locking member and the pressing member are bent in a plan view. In the envelope, the fold of the flap is formed by the locking member. And an enclosing and sealing machine characterized by being collected in a bent state by a pressing member.