JP3159890U - Envelope opening device with data reading function - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an automatic opening device capable of cutting and opening only the vicinity of an edge of an envelope and reading data on the surface of the envelope so as not to damage the contents of the envelope. An envelope opening device with a data reading function includes a supply tray, a transport belt mechanism, a table, a guide plate, a cutting unit, a chip box, a discharge tray, a position sensor, and a data reading mechanism. The conveyor belt mechanism can pull out the envelopes 60 one by one from the supply tray and move them to the discharge tray through the guide plate and the cutting unit. The guide plate can position the edge of the moving envelope with respect to the cutting unit. The cutting unit can cut the edge of the envelope with a gear-shaped milling blade having a large number of cutting edges around it, and send the generated chips to a chip box. The data reading mechanism can cooperate with the position sensor to optically read the envelope surface data. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

Technical field to which the device belongs

  The present invention relates to an envelope opening device with a data reading function capable of automatically opening a large number of envelopes at a high speed, enabling the contents to be taken out from the envelope and reading the data displayed on the envelope. In particular, the present invention automatically supplies a large number of envelopes deposited on the supply tray one by one onto the table, and cuts the edges of the envelopes at high speed with a rotary blade without damaging the contents of the supplied envelopes. The present invention also relates to an envelope opening device with a data reading function for optically reading data (bar code, QR code, characters, etc.) displayed on the envelope surface and converting it into a data signal.

Conventional technology

In recent years, the number of envelopes of the same type, for example, the opening of reply envelopes related to pensions and benefit pensions, and taking out the contents has increased at government offices, banks, etc., and the data displayed on the surface of many envelopes There is an increasing need to create a database. Since it is difficult to perform these operations efficiently and accurately by human power, there is a demand for automating and mechanizing these operations. An automatic envelope opening device is known, for example, from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-76025 and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 64-22498.
JP 2006-76025 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-22498

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-76025 (Patent Document 1) drives a rotary blade body 15 that performs cutting along the moving direction of the envelope on an edge La of the envelope that is moved along the through groove 10a. A letter opener including a motor 16a and a switch 16b that is closed by a lever 17 that is pushed and rotated by the front end of the envelope L is disclosed. The rotary blade body 15 is composed of a pair of rotary blade bodies that are vertically overlapped in the through groove 10a. Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-22498 (Patent Document 2) discloses a concave groove 1 for passing a mail envelope, an upper rotary blade and a lower rotary blade 9 whose edges are overlapped and polymerized in the concave groove 1. 9 'discloses a postal envelope opener comprising a switch 5 operated by a passing envelope and rotating a motor.

  Since the contents such as documents stored in an envelope are often stored with one side of the contents in contact with one edge of the envelope, the edge of such an envelope is cut and opened. Then, the stored contents are likely to be cut and damaged together with the envelope edge. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic envelope opening device capable of cutting and opening only the edge of the envelope so as not to damage the contents of the envelope. Also, many reply envelopes, such as those related to securities and pensions, often require reading information data (barcodes, QR codes, characters, etc.) on the envelope surface and creating a database. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic envelope opening device capable of opening an envelope and reading information data on the surface of the envelope. In addition, the present invention can read information data written on the outer surface of the envelope, count the number of envelopes passing through the opening device, print on the envelope surface, etc., and can select whether or not to open the front envelope. An object of the present invention is to provide an envelope opening device that can be used.

  In the envelope opening device of the prior art, since the cutting portion of the envelope has a sharp shape extending linearly in parallel with the edge of the envelope, the sharp shape when handling the envelope opened by the envelope opening device manually There was a problem that hurt human hands. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem and prevent a sharp shape from being generated in the cut portion of the envelope. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings and claims.

  The present invention resides in an envelope opening device with a data reading function. The envelope opening device with a data reading function of the present invention includes a supply tray, a conveyance belt mechanism, a table, a guide plate, a cutting unit, a chip box, a discharge tray, a position sensor, a data reading mechanism, and a computer. The transport belt mechanism can pull out envelopes one by one from the supply tray onto the table, and move the pulled envelopes to the discharge tray through the cutting unit. The guide plate includes a guide surface. The guide surface is brought into contact with the edge of the envelope to be moved, and the edge of the envelope can be positioned with respect to the cutting unit. The cutting unit can cut the edge of the envelope with a gear-shaped milling blade having a large number of cutting edges around it, and discharge the generated chips to a chip box.

  In the envelope opening device with a data reading function of the present invention, the gear-shaped milling blade has a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is arranged substantially parallel to the guide surface, and the distance between the rotating shaft and the guide surface is set. By changing, it is possible to select whether or not to cut the edge of the envelope passing through the cutting unit, and to adjust the dimension (chip depth V) perpendicular to the edge of the cut portion when cutting. The selection not to cut off the envelope edge is made when counting the number of envelopes or when printing on the envelope before shipment. The position sensor can detect an edge of each envelope at a predetermined position on the table and output an envelope detection signal. The data reading mechanism can optically read the data displayed on each envelope and output it as a data signal. The computer can process the envelope detection signal and the data signal and display the processed data.

  The envelope opening device with a data reading function of the present invention can have the following features. (1) The turning radius of the cutting edge of the milling blade is 20 to 100 mm. (2) The dimension of each cutting edge parallel to the edge of the envelope part to be cut is 2 to 10 mm. (3) The dimension (L) parallel to the edge part of the envelope part in the chip cut by each blade edge is 1 to 9 mm. (4) The said milling blade is rotationally driven by the electric motor, and can adjust the dimension (chip depth V) perpendicular | vertical to the edge part of the envelope part of the chip cut by each blade edge in the range of 0-4 mm.

  (5) The conveyor belt mechanism includes a separator for separating the envelope drawn from the supply tray from other envelopes, and the separator has a plane substantially perpendicular to the envelope drawing direction. (6) The guide surface of the guide plate is a substantially vertical plane, and the upper surface of the table that supports the moved envelope is inclined downward toward the guide surface. (7) The transport belt mechanism includes a drawer belt having a drawer end adjacent to the supply tray and a delivery end spaced from the receiving tray. The delivery end of the drawer belt is disposed closer to the guide surface than the drawer end. (8) The transport belt mechanism further includes a transport belt that transports the envelope drawn from the supply tray. The transport belt includes a receiving end that receives the envelope and a transport portion that is spaced from the receiving tray, and the transport portion is disposed closer to the guide surface than the receiving end.

  (9) The drawer belt and the conveyor belt are driven at the same envelope feed speed, and the envelope feed speed can be selected by an operator. (10) The data reading mechanism includes a CCD camera. The computer processes the envelope detection signal and the data signal, and creates a database of the data signal. (11) The computer can process the envelope detection signal and the data signal and output the number of envelopes conveyed by the conveyance belt mechanism. (12) The envelope size of the envelope to be opened is between a normal envelope or a corner 2 envelope, and the envelope thickness is 0.1 to 8 mm.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an envelope opening device with a data reading function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic which shows the flow of the envelope in the opening apparatus of this invention. The whole side view of the milling blade of this invention. The partial expanded side view of the milling blade of this invention. The perspective view of the conveyance belt mechanism of this invention. The top view of the conveyance belt mechanism of this invention. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of a data reading mechanism of the present invention. The expansion perspective view of the supply tray of this invention. The partially expanded plan view of the opened envelope. It is an enlarged plan view of chips.

  1: envelope opening device, 12: casing, 13: top plate, 14: front panel, 16: end panel, 18: support plate, 20: table, 21: fixed blade, 21 ′: blade, 22: supply tray, 23: Back plate, 24: Separator, 24 ': Vertical plane, 24 ": Lower end, 25: Inclined plate, 26: Upper surface, 28: End plate, 29: Track cover, 30: Conveying belt mechanism, 30': Conveying Motor 31, 32, 33: Drawer belt, 34: Conveying belt, 34 ': Accepting end, 34 ": Conveying part, 35: Conveying direction, 37: Belt drive motor, 40: Guide plate, 41: Guide surface, 46 : Slot, 50: Cutting unit, 52: Milling blade, 53: Blade drive motor, 54: Cutting edge, 60: Envelope (unopened), 61: Contents, 63: Edge (envelope side edge), 64: Edge (End of envelope ), 65: envelope (after opening), 66, 66 ′: information data, 67: chip, 68: chip box, 69: cutting part, 70: discharge tray, 72: bottom plate, 74: side plate, 76: end plate, 80: position sensor, 81: reflection sensor, 90: data reading mechanism, 91: CCD camera, 93: light source (fluorescent lamp), 96: speed adjustment knob, 100: computer, L: chip length, O: rotation axis, R: turning radius of cutting edge, V: chip depth.

Embodiment of invention

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an envelope opening device 1 with a data reading function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a flow of envelopes in the envelope opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the envelope opening device 1 with a data reading function includes a supply tray 22, a table 20, a transport belt mechanism 30, a guide plate 40, a cutting unit 50, a chip box 68, a discharge tray 70, and a position sensor. 80, a data reading mechanism 90, a speed adjustment knob 96, and a computer 100. In the opening operation of the opening device 1, unopened envelopes 60 are stacked on the supply tray 22, and unopened envelopes are fed from the supply tray 22 one by one through the cutting unit 50, and the envelope edge is cut by the cutting unit 50. Then, it is opened and discharged into the discharge tray 70. The cutting unit 50 is covered with a track cover 2 for safety and the like. The position sensor 80 and the data reading mechanism 90 cooperating with the position sensor 80 detect the edge of the envelope being conveyed, read the envelope surface information data, and send the envelope detection signal and the data signal to the computer 100. The computer 100 processes the received envelope detection signal and data signal, creates a database, and displays it on the display 102.

  3 is an overall side view of the gear-shaped milling blade 52 of the cutting unit 52, FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged side view of the vicinity of the slot of the milling blade 52, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the conveying belt mechanism 30, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a transport belt mechanism. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the transport belt mechanism 30 draws one unopened envelope 60 from the supply tray 22 between the table 20 and the lower end 24 ″ of the separator 24 one by one, and guides the table 20. It can be moved through the guide surface 41 of the plate 40 and the cutting unit 52 to the discharge tray 70. The lower end 24 "of the separator 24 is deflected outwardly of the supply tray 22, so that the lowermost envelope is Facilitates separation from the upper envelope. The guide surface 41 can position the side edge 63 of the moving envelope with respect to the cutting unit 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cutting unit 52 cuts the edge 63 of the envelope 60 with a gear-shaped milling blade 52 having a number of cutting edges 54 around it, and removes the generated chips 67 (FIG. 10). It can be sent (dropped) to the box 68. In the unsealing device 1, the milling blade 52 includes a rotation axis O, and the rotation axis O is disposed substantially parallel to the guide surface 41. By changing the distance D (FIG. 4) between the rotation axis O and the guide surface 41, it is possible to select whether or not to cut the edge of the envelope that passes through the cutting unit 50, and to select the cut portion when cutting. Adjustment of the dimension perpendicular to the edge (chip depth V, FIG. 10) is made possible. That is, by adjusting the distance D (FIG. 4) between the rotation axis O of the milling blade 52 and the guide surface 41, the blade edge 54 protrudes from the slot 46 toward the edge of the envelope on the fixed blade 21. And the vertical dimension (chip depth V, FIG. 10) to the edge of the envelope portion cut by the milling blade 52 is adjustable.

  The rotation radius R (FIG. 4) of the cutting edge 54 of the milling blade of the envelope opening device 1 is 20 to 100 mm. The dimension of each cutting edge 54 parallel to the edge of the envelope (approximately equal to the thickness of the milling blade) is 2 to 10 mm. The dimension (L, FIG. 10) parallel to the edge part of the envelope part in the chip 67 cut | disconnected by each blade edge | tip 54 is 1-9 mm. The milling blade 52 is rotationally driven via a rotational axis O by a blade drive motor (electric motor) 53 (FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the transport belt mechanism 30 includes a separator 24 for separating the envelope 60 drawn from the supply tray 22 by the draw belts 31, 32, and 33 from other envelopes. The separator 24 includes a flat surface 24 ′ that is substantially perpendicular to the drawing direction of the envelope 60. The lower end 24 "of the separator 24 is deflected outwardly of the supply tray 22, thereby facilitating the separation of the lowermost envelope from the envelope above it. The guide surface 41 of the guide plate 40 is substantially vertical. 5 is a plane (FIG. 5), and the side edge 63 of the moving envelope is slidable along the guide surface 41. The upper surface 26 of the table 20 supporting the envelope 60 is inclined downward in the direction toward the guide surface. Then, the side edge 63 of the moving envelope is pressed toward the guide surface 41 to ensure that the side edge 63 of the envelope slides along the guide surface 41.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the transport belt mechanism 30 includes a pull-out belt 31, 32, 33 for pulling out envelopes from the supply tray 22 one by one, and a transport belt 34 for receiving and transporting the pulled-out envelope from the pull-out belt. Have The drawing belts 31, 32, 33 are provided with drawing ends 31 ′, 32 ′, 33 ′ adjacent to the supply tray 22 and sending ends 31 ″, 32 ″, 33 ″ spaced from the supply tray 22. The sending end of the drawing belt. 31 ″, 32 ″, and 33 ″ are arranged closer to the guide surface 41 than the drawing ends 31 ′, 32 ′, and 33 ′. With this arrangement, the side edge 63 of the moving envelope faces the guide surface 41. Push forward.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the transport belt 34 includes a receiving end 34 ′ for receiving an envelope, and a transporting portion 34 ″ on the opposite side of the receiving end 34 ′. The transporting portion 34 ″ guides more than the receiving end 34 ′. It is arranged closer to the surface 41. That is, in FIG. 6 (plan view), an envelope that is transported by the transport belt 34 is disposed with the transport direction (arrow 35) of the transport belt 34 inclined by an angle θ (5 to 30 °) with respect to the guide surface 41. The edge of the guide gradually approaches the guide surface 41 as it is conveyed. With this arrangement, the conveyor belt 34 pushes the side edge 63 of the moving envelope toward the guide surface 41 and ensures that the side edge 63 of the envelope slides along the guide surface 41. Similarly to the conveying belt 34, the drawing belts 31, 32, and 33 are also inclined with respect to the guide surface 41 in the plan view by an angle θ (5 to 30 °), and similarly, the side edge 63 of the moving envelope. Is pushed toward the guide surface 41.

  The drawer belts 31, 32, 33 and the conveyor belt 34 are driven at the same conveying speed, that is, an envelope feeding speed, and this envelope feeding speed can be selected by the operator by operating the speed adjustment knob 96 (FIG. 2). To be. The envelope feed speed is, for example, a speed at which 32,000 envelopes are sent per hour. As shown in FIG. 2, the draw-out belts 31, 32, 33 are driven by a drive pulley 36, supported by support pulleys 37, 37 ', and tensioned. The conveyor belt 34 is driven by a driving pulley 38, is supported by support pulleys 39 and 39 ', and is tensioned. The drive pulley 36 of the draw belt 31 and the drive pulley 38 of the transport belt 34 are driven by a common transport motor 30 '.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the opening device includes a position sensor 80. The position sensor 80 can detect an edge 64 (FIG. 7) of each envelope at a predetermined position 82 of the table 20 and output an envelope detection signal. The position sensor 80 preferably includes a reflection sensor 81 that emits light and senses the light reflected by the envelope. FIG. 7 is a schematic layout diagram of the data reading mechanism 90 of the present invention. The data reading mechanism 90 includes a CCD camera 91 attached to the top plate 13 of the casing 12 near the discharge tray 70. The CCD camera 91 reads information data of each envelope immediately before being discharged to the discharge tray 70. The CCD camera 91 can optically read the information data 66 and 66 'on the surface of each envelope 60 and output it as a data signal.

  The computer 100 processes the envelope detection signal from the position sensor 80 and the data signal sent from the data reading mechanism 90 and creates a database of data obtained from the envelope and data displayed on the envelope. In addition, the computer 100 can process the envelope detection signal and the data signal and output the number of envelopes conveyed by the conveyance belt mechanism 30. The computer 100 is enabled to create a database of data signals.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the supply tray 22. The supply tray 22 includes an inclined plate 25 on the opposite side of the separator 24 and tilts the envelope 60 so that the edge of the envelope 60 adjacent to the separator 24 faces downward. Inclining the envelope by the inclined plate 25 ensures that the envelope is pulled out from the bottom of the envelope one by one.

  FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged plan view of the opened envelope, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the chip 67. As shown in FIG. 9, the cutting part 69 of the envelope has a slight unevenness and does not have a sharp shape. Therefore, there is an advantage that the risk of damaging human hands when taking out the inner envelope is reduced. Have. The dimension (chip depth V) perpendicular to the edge portion of the envelope portion of the chip 67 shown in FIG. 10 is 0 to 4 mm, and the distance D (FIG. 4) between the rotation axis O and the guide surface 41 is changed. Is adjustable. In the opening device of the present invention, the envelope size of the envelope to be opened is usually between an envelope or a corner 2 envelope and has a thickness of 0.1 to 8 mm.

Claims (11)

A supply tray, a conveyor belt mechanism, a table, a guide plate, a cutting unit, a chip box, a discharge tray, a position sensor, a data reading mechanism, and a computer;
The transport belt mechanism is capable of pulling envelopes one by one from the supply tray onto the table, and moving the pulled envelopes to the discharge tray through the cutting unit;
The guide plate includes a guide surface, the guide surface is brought into contact with an edge of the envelope to be moved, and the edge of the envelope can be positioned with respect to the cutting unit;
The cutting unit is capable of cutting the edge of the envelope with a gear-shaped milling blade having a number of cutting edges around it, and discharging the generated chips to a chip box,
The milling blade includes a rotation shaft, the rotation shaft is disposed substantially parallel to the guide surface, and the edge of the envelope passing through the cutting unit is changed by changing a distance between the rotation shaft and the guide surface. Selection of whether or not to cut the part, as well as adjustment of the dimension perpendicular to the edge of the cut part when cutting (chip depth V),
The position sensor is capable of detecting an edge of each envelope at a predetermined position on the table and outputting an envelope detection signal;
The data reading mechanism can optically read data displayed on each envelope and output it as a data signal,
The envelope opening device with a data reading function, wherein the computer is capable of processing the envelope detection signal and the data signal and displaying the processed data.   The edge of the envelope part in the chip cut by each blade edge, wherein the radius of rotation of the blade edge of the milling blade is 20 to 100 mm, the dimension of each blade edge parallel to the edge part of the envelope part to be cut is 2 to 10 mm The envelope opening device with a data reading function according to claim 1, wherein a dimension (L) parallel to is 1 to 10 mm.   The milling blade is rotationally driven by an electric motor, and the dimension (chip depth V) perpendicular to the edge portion of the envelope portion of the chip cut by each blade edge can be adjusted within a range of 0 to 4 mm. The envelope opening device with a data reading function according to claim 1 or 2.   The transport belt mechanism has a separator for separating an envelope drawn from the supply tray onto the table from other envelopes, and the separator has a plane substantially perpendicular to the drawing direction of the envelope. An envelope opening device with a data reading function according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The data reading function according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface of the guide plate is a substantially vertical plane, and an upper surface of the table is inclined downward toward the guide surface. Envelope opening device.   The transport belt mechanism has a pull-out belt for pulling out envelopes from the supply tray one by one onto the table, and the pull-out belt has a pull-out end adjacent to the supply tray and a discharge end spaced from the receiving tray, 6. The envelope opening device with a data reading function according to claim 1, wherein a sending end of the drawing belt is disposed closer to the guide surface than a drawing end.   The transport belt mechanism further includes a transport belt that transports the envelope drawn from the supply tray, and the transport belt includes a receiving end that receives the envelope and a transport portion that is separated from the receiving tray, and the transport portion is the receiving end. The envelope opening device with a data reading function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the envelope opening device is arranged closer to the guide surface.   8. The envelope with a data reading function according to claim 7, wherein the drawer belt and the conveyor belt are driven at the same envelope feed speed, and the envelope feed speed can be selected by an operator. Opening device.   9. The envelope opening device with a data reading function according to claim 1, wherein the data reading mechanism includes a CCD camera, and the computer is capable of making a data signal into a database.   10. The envelope with a data reading function according to claim 1, wherein the computer is capable of processing the envelope detection signal and the data signal and outputting the number of envelopes conveyed. Opening device.   11. The data reading function according to claim 1, wherein the envelope size of the envelope to be opened is between a normal envelope or a square 2 envelope, and the envelope thickness is 0.02 to 8 mm. Envelope opening device.

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