JP3522913B2 - Paper processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing apparatus, and more particularly, it reads address information from a postal matter, prints a bar code corresponding to this address information on the postal matter, and based on this bar code. The present invention relates to a mail processing device that rearranges mail in a delivery order.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A postal matter processing apparatus is provided with a take-out section for taking out postal matter and a conveying path for conveying the taken out postal matter. On this transport path, a bar code reader for reading this bar code from a postal matter to which a bar code corresponding to the address information is given in advance is provided, and the postal code, the address information such as the address, or the like A reading unit that reads the bar code, a printing unit that prints the bar code corresponding to the address information read by the reading unit on the mail piece, and the mail item according to the address information or the bar code read by the reading unit A division section for dividing into categories is provided in order.

When a mail piece is processed by this kind of mail processing apparatus, the mail piece taken out on the conveying path at the take-out section is given the address information or a bar code in advance at the reading section. In some cases, the bar code is read. After being read by the reading unit, the printing unit prints a bar code corresponding to the address information. The postal matter that has passed through the printing unit is sorted by the sorting unit according to the reading result of the address information by the reading unit or the reading result of the barcode. still,
Subsequent processing is performed by reading the printed bar code.

When rearranging mail items in the order of delivery
(Direction assembling work): It is necessary to supply the postal matter on which the barcode is printed as described above to the postal matter processing apparatus a plurality of times. In this case, the postal matter is taken out from the take-out section, the reading section, the printing section, and It is transported through the section and processed as described above.

[0005] Further, there are cases where the bar code corresponding to the address information is printed in advance on the postal matter put into the postal matter processing device. For example, a large amount of DM (direct mail) may have a bar code corresponding to the destination printed in advance.

When the postal matter on which the bar code is printed in advance as described above is put into the postal matter processing apparatus, the postal matter is conveyed through the take-out section, the reading section, the printing section, and the sorting section and processed in the same manner. To be done.

[0007]

As described above, in the case where the mail with the bar code printed for assembling the route is supplied to the mail processing device again, or the mail with the bar code printed in advance is sorted. Even if it does, the conventional mail processing device processes the mail by passing it through the printing unit for printing the bar code on the mail, and the processing route becomes longer as the mail transport path becomes longer. There is a problem that it takes a long time.

[0008] Further, there is a problem in that, if the conveyance route of the postal matter becomes long, the jam occurrence rate becomes high and the control of the conveyance of the postal matter becomes complicated. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a paper sheet processing apparatus that can reduce the processing time of paper sheets and the jam occurrence rate.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the paper sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention has a reading means for reading the sorting information recorded on the paper sheets, and a reading means for reading the sorting information. Printing means for printing a barcode corresponding to the sorting information on the paper sheet, sorting means for sorting the paper sheet according to the barcode printed by the printing means, reading means, printing means, and sorting means And a conveying means for conveying the paper sheets through the main conveying path, wherein the conveying means prints the paper sheets conveyed from the reading means. A short-circuit passage that leads directly to the sorting means without passing through the means, and a main-conveyance path to the short-circuit passage so that the paper sheet having a bar code printed thereon is guided to the short-circuit passage when the paper sheet is conveyed. Switching means for switching.

Further, the paper sheet processing apparatus of the present invention has a take-out means for taking out the paper sheets supplied to the predetermined take-out position one by one, and a section recorded in the paper sheets taken out by the take-out means. A reading means for reading the information; a converting means for converting the sorting information read by the reading means into a corresponding bar code; and a printing means for printing the bar code converted by the converting means on the paper sheet. , A sorting means for sorting the paper sheets according to the bar code printed by the printing means, and a main conveyance path extending in order through the take-out means, the reading means, the printing means, and the sorting means. A conveying means for conveying the paper sheets through a conveying path, the conveying means directly guiding the paper sheets conveyed from the reading means to the sorting means without passing through the printing means, Of the reading means and the printing means Switching means for selectively switching the main transport path to the short-circuit path, and switches the main transport path to a first position facing the printing means when processing a paper sheet on which a barcode is not printed. , The main conveyance path is switched to a second position where it communicates with the short-circuit path when processing a paper sheet having a bar code printed thereon.

Further, the mail processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied has a take-out means for taking out the mail pieces supplied to a predetermined take-out position one by one, and an address recorded on the mail piece taken out by the take-out means. Reading means for reading information, converting means for converting the address information read by the reading means into a corresponding bar code, and printing means for printing the bar code converted by the converting means on the mail. It has a sorting means for sorting the postal matter according to the bar code printed by the printing means, and a main conveying path extending in order through the extracting means, the reading means, the printing means, and the separating means. Transporting means for transporting the postal matter through the transporting means, the transporting means directly guiding the postal matter transported from the reading means to the sorting means without passing through the printing means, and the reading means. And a switching means for selectively switching the main conveyance path between the printing means and the straight path, wherein the main conveyance path faces the printing means when processing a mail item on which a bar code is not printed. It is characterized in that the main transport path is switched to the first position, and the main transport path is switched to the second position for communicating with the straight path when processing a mail item having a bar code printed thereon.

Further, according to the present invention, the main conveyance path conveys paper sheets (postal matter) from the printing means toward the sorting means, and a bar printed by the printing means during the conveyance. It has a delay conveyance path of a predetermined length for drying the cord.

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a postal matter processing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied accommodates a plurality of postal items in an upright position with their rear ends aligned and supplies these postal items to a predetermined take-out position sequentially. The unit 2 (supply means) is provided. At the take-out position of the postal matter, a take-out section 4 (take-out means) for taking out the postal matter supplied by the supply section 2 one by one along the main transport path 3 is provided.

On the main conveyance path 3 for conveying the postal matter taken out by the take-out section 4, optical information reading (not shown) for optically reading address information (sort information) such as a postal code and an address from the postal matter is carried out. A reading unit 6 (reading means) having a device (OCR) and a bar code reader (not shown) for reading the bar code printed in advance on the mail corresponding to the address information is provided.

The main transport path 3 on the downstream side of the reading section 6 extends below a sorting section 14 which will be described later, and on this main transport path 3, a positioning section 8 for positioning the mail in the transport direction, Further, an inkjet printer 10 that prints a barcode corresponding to the address information read by the reading unit 6 is provided.

A bar code reader 12 for confirming whether or not the bar code is accurately printed by the inkjet printer 10 is provided on the main transfer path on the downstream side of the ink jet printer 10, that is, on the delayed transfer path 3a.
The end of the delay conveyance path 3a is connected to a sorting section 14 (sorting means) for sorting the postal matter into predetermined sorting pockets.
The delay conveyance path 3a has a thickness of about 10 to 1 for the purpose of drying the barcode printed by the inkjet printer 10.
It has a length of 5 m.

The partition portion 14 has a plurality of partition pockets 15 partitioned into a plurality of steps and a plurality of rows, and above each partition pocket 15, a step path portion 16 extending in each step is provided. ing. Each step pass portion 16 is provided with a plurality of sorting gates that communicate the step pass portion 16 with each sorting pocket 15. By selectively switching these sorting gates, mail is sorted into predetermined sorting pockets 15. It has become so.

Near the end of the delayed conveying path 3a toward the sorting section 14, as shown in FIG.
6, a plurality of switching gates 18 corresponding to 6 are provided, and by selectively switching each switching gate 18, the main conveyance path 3
Are selectively connected to each stage pass unit 16.

The main transport path 3 extending from the reading section 6 to the ink jet printer 10 is branched into a straight path 20 (short circuit path) for directly connecting the main transport path 3 to the dividing section 14 without passing through the ink jet printer 10. Has been done. A branch gate 22 is provided at the branch position, and the main gate 3 is connected to the branch gate 22 by the inkjet printer 1.
A gate driver 24 is provided that selectively switches between a first position connected to 0 and a second position where the main transport path 3 is connected to the straight path 20. The branch gate 2
2 and the gate driver 24 act as the switching means of the present invention.

Therefore, when the branch gate 22 is switched to the first position, the main transport path 3 is connected to the ink jet printer 10, and when the branch gate 22 is switched to the second position, the main transport path 3 is connected to the straight path 20. It should be noted that each of the above-described transport paths 3 and 3a is provided with a transport roller, a transport guide, and the like, which are not shown, and these transport paths 3 and 3a act as the transport means of the present invention.

Further, the mail processing apparatus 1 is provided with a CPU 30 for controlling the processing operation of the mail processing apparatus 1, and an instruction for switching the branch gate 22 or the like is input to the left side of the mail processing apparatus 1. At the same time, an operation / display panel 25 for displaying operation guidance for workers is provided.

Next, the control system of the above-mentioned mail processing apparatus 1 will be described. The control system of the mail processing apparatus 1 is CP
Equipped with U30. The CPU 30 functions as a conversion unit that inputs the address information read by the reading unit 6 and converts the address information into a bar code to convert the address information into a route number along a route for delivering the mail.

The CPU 30 includes the operation / display panel 25 described above, a supply unit control circuit 32 for controlling the supply unit 2,
An extraction unit control circuit 34 for controlling the extraction operation of the extraction unit 4,
A reading unit control circuit 36 for controlling the bar code reader and OCR of the reading unit 6, a printer control circuit 38 for controlling the inkjet printer 10, and a plurality of sorting gates 40 provided in each stage path unit 16 of the sorting unit 14 are provided. A sorting gate control circuit 42 for controlling, a plurality of switching gates 18 provided for each stage of the sorting unit 14, and a switching gate control for controlling a branch gate 22 for switching a transport path between a first position and a second position. The circuit 44 and are connected.

Next, a description will be given of the processing operation of a mail item when a mail item to which a bar code is not given in advance is put into the above-mentioned mail item processing apparatus 1. First, a mail is put into the supply unit 2, and an instruction is given by the worker to print a bar code for separating the mail from the operation / display panel 25.
Be entered via. In response to this instruction input, the branch gate 22 is switched to the first position, and the main transport path 3 is connected to the inkjet printer 10.

The postal matter is sequentially supplied to a predetermined take-out position by the supply unit 2 and taken out one by one on the main conveyance path 3 by the take-out unit 4. The postal items taken out on the main conveyance path 3 are sequentially conveyed to the reading unit 6, where the address information such as the postal code and the address is optically read by the OCR. The address information read by the reading unit 6 is bar-coded by the CPU 30, and the bar-coded address information is input to the printer control circuit 38.

The mail whose address information has been read by the reading unit 6 is passed through the branch gate 22 to the ink jet printer 1
It is conveyed to 0, where the bar code prepared corresponding to the address information is printed. The postal matter conveyed toward the inkjet printer 10 is aligned in the conveying direction by the aligning section 8 provided in the middle of the main conveying path 3 so that the barcode can be printed accurately. ing.

The postal matter on which the bar code is printed by the ink jet printer 10 is conveyed toward the sorting section 14 via the delay conveyance path 3a, and the bar code printed in the middle of the conveyance is read by the bar code reader 12. It is confirmed. And the barcode printed on the mail is about 10-15m
Is dried while being conveyed on the delay conveyance path 3a having the length of.

The postal matter conveyed to the sorting section 14 is stored in the CPU.
According to the address information bar-coded at 30, it is divided into predetermined division pockets 15. That is, the switching gate 18 and the sorting gate 40 are selectively switched according to the address information, so that the mail piece is sorted into a predetermined sorting pocket 15.

Incidentally, when assembling the route in which the mail items are rearranged along the route for delivering the mail item, it is necessary to supply the mail item on which the barcode is printed to the mail processing apparatus 1 a plurality of times as described above. Then, in the second and subsequent supply, the bar code reader of the reading unit 6 reads the bar code printed on the mail to read the address information of the mail,
The mail items are sorted according to this address information.

As described above, when the route of a postal item having a bar code printed is assembled in the first feeding, or when the route of a postal item having a bar code printed in advance by another device is assembled, first, The postal matter is supplied to the supply unit 2, and an instruction to sort the postal matter without printing the barcode is input by the worker through the operation / display panel 25. In response to this instruction input, the branch gate 22 is switched to the second position, and the main transport path 3 is connected to the straight path 20.

Then, the postal matter taken out from the supply section 2 at the take-out section 4 is conveyed to the sorting section 14 via the reading section 6, the branch gate 22 and the straight path 20, and here, a predetermined sorting pocket 15 is provided. Is divided into

As described above, since the mail processing apparatus 1 of the present invention has the straight path 20 for directly guiding the mail to the sorting section 14 without passing through the ink jet printer 10 and the delay conveyance path 3a, Unlike the conventional mail processing apparatus, it is not necessary to pass the bar code printed mail to the ink jet printer, and the mail conveying route can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the processing time of the postal matter and reduce the jam occurrence rate of the postal matter as compared with the conventional postal matter processing apparatus.

Further, since the conveyance route of the postal matter being processed can be shortened, it is not necessary to shift the postal matter while monitoring it along the long conveyance route, and the conveyance control of the postal matter becomes easy. Furthermore, when a jam occurs in the mail during transportation, the jam process becomes easy and the sorting after the jam occurs becomes easy. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0037]

As described above, since the paper sheet processing apparatus of the present invention has the above-described structure and operation, it is possible to shorten the paper sheet processing time and reduce the jam occurrence rate. it can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a mail processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a switching gate, a branch gate, and peripheral equipment incorporated in the mail processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the mail processing apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Postal processing device, 2 ... Supply section, 3 ... Main transport path, 3a ... delay conveyance path, 4 ... Take-out section, 6 ... reading unit, 10 ... Inkjet printer, 14 ... division section, 15 ... compartment pocket, 18 ... switching gate, 20 ... Straight pass, 22 ... Branch gate, 30 ... CPU.

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reading means for reading the sorting information recorded on the paper sheet, a printing means for printing a bar code corresponding to the sorting information read by the reading means on the paper sheet, and the printing means. It has a sorting means for sorting the paper sheets in accordance with the bar code printed in 1. and a main transport path extending through the reading means, the printing means, and the sorting means in order. Transporting means for transporting, the transporting means, the transporting means directly guiding the paper sheets transported from the reading means to the sorting means without passing through the printing means, and the paper on which the barcode is printed. A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a switching unit that switches the main transport path to the short-circuit passage so that the paper sheet is guided to the short-circuit passage when the sheet is conveyed. 2. A take-out means for taking out the paper sheets supplied to a predetermined take-out position one by one, a reading means for reading the sorting information recorded on the paper sheets taken out by the take-out means, and the reading means. Converting means for converting the sorting information read by the corresponding bar code into a corresponding bar code, a printing means for printing the bar code converted by the converting means on the paper sheet, and a bar printed by the printing means. It has a sorting means for sorting the paper sheets according to the code, and a main transport path extending in order through the take-out means, the reading means, the printing means, and the sorting means, and the transport for transporting the paper sheets through the main transport path. Means for transferring the paper sheets conveyed from the reading means directly to the sorting means without passing through the printing means, and a main passage between the reading means and the printing means. Select the transport path to the above short circuit path Switching means for selectively switching, and switching the main transport path to a first position facing the printing means when processing a paper sheet on which a barcode is not printed,
A paper sheet processing apparatus, characterized in that, when processing a paper sheet on which a barcode is printed, the main transport path is switched to a second position in communication with the short circuit path. 3. A take-out means for taking out the postal matter supplied to a predetermined take-out position one by one, a reading means for reading the address information recorded in the postal matter taken out by the take-out means, and the above-mentioned reading means. A conversion unit that converts the read address information into a corresponding bar code, a printing unit that prints the bar code converted by the conversion unit on the mail, and a mail according to the bar code printed by the printing unit. A sorting means for sorting the articles, and a transporting means for transporting the postal matter through the main transporting path, which has a main transporting path extending through the extracting means, the reading means, the printing means, and the sorting means in order. However, the conveying means includes a straight path for directly guiding the mail conveyed from the reading means to the sorting means without passing through the printing means and a main conveying path between the reading means and the printing means. Switching means for selectively switching to the automatic path, and switching the main transport path to the first position facing the printing means when processing a mail item on which a barcode is not printed,
A paper sheet processing apparatus, characterized in that, when processing a mail item having a bar code printed thereon, the main conveyance path is switched to a second position where it communicates with the straight path. 4. A reading means for reading the sorting information recorded on the paper sheet, a printing means for printing a bar code corresponding to the sorting information read by the reading means on the paper sheet, and the printing means. It has a sorting means for sorting the paper sheets according to the bar code printed in 1. and a main transport path extending through the reading means, the printing means, and the sorting means in order, and the main transport path extends from the printing means. The paper sheet is conveyed toward the sorting means and has a delay conveyance path of a predetermined length for drying the barcode printed by the printing means in the middle of the conveyance, and the paper sheet is conveyed through the main conveyance path. Transporting means for transporting, the transporting means, the transporting means directly guiding the paper sheets transported from the reading means to the sorting means without passing through the printing means, and the paper on which the barcode is printed. When transporting the leaves, Serial sheet processing apparatus characterized by said main transport path to guide the short path and a, a switching means for switching to the shorted path. 5. A take-out means for taking out the paper sheets fed to a predetermined take-out position one by one, a reading means for reading the classification information recorded on the paper sheets taken out by the take-out means, and the reading means. Converting means for converting the sorting information read by the corresponding bar code into a corresponding bar code, a printing means for printing the bar code converted by the converting means on the paper sheet, and a bar printed by the printing means. There is a sorting means for sorting the paper sheets according to the code, and a main transport path extending through the take-out means, the reading means, the printing means, and the sorting means in order, and the main transport path is from the printing means to the sorting means. A sheet having a delay conveyance path of a predetermined length for drying the barcode printed by the printing means in the middle of the conveyance, and conveying the sheet through the main conveyance path. Means, and The conveying means selects the short-circuit passage for directly guiding the paper sheets conveyed from the reading means to the sorting means without passing through the printing means, and the main conveying path between the reading means and the printing means to the short-circuit passage. Switching means for selectively switching the main transport path to the first position facing the printing means when processing a paper sheet on which a barcode is not printed,
A paper sheet processing apparatus, characterized in that, when processing a paper sheet on which a barcode is printed, the main transport path is switched to a second position in communication with the short circuit path. 6. A take-out means for taking out the postal matter supplied to a predetermined take-out position one by one, a reading means for reading the address information recorded in the postal matter taken out by the take-out means, and the above-mentioned reading means. A conversion unit that converts the read address information into a corresponding bar code, a printing unit that prints the bar code converted by the conversion unit on the mail, and a mail according to the bar code printed by the printing unit. There is a sorting means for sorting the articles, and a main conveying path extending through the taking-out means, the reading means, the printing means, and the sorting means in this order, and the main conveying path extends from the printing means toward the sorting means. A delay conveyance path of a predetermined length for conveying the article and drying the bar code printed by the printing means during the conveyance, and a conveyance means for conveying the postal matter through the main conveyance path. , the above The conveying means selectively directs a straight path for guiding the mail conveyed from the reading means to the sorting means without passing through the printing means, and a main conveying path between the reading means and the printing means to the straight path. And switching means for switching to a first position facing the printing means when processing a mail item on which a barcode is not printed,
A paper sheet processing apparatus, characterized in that, when processing a mail item having a bar code printed thereon, the main conveyance path is switched to a second position where it communicates with the straight path.