JP4001793B2 - Continuous form collation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a continuous form collating apparatus that sequentially stacks and stacks continuous forms ejected from a printer along a fold line while being folded in a spelled state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A continuous form 50 such as a business form has perforations 52a to 52m in the width direction at a predetermined interval with respect to the length direction so that the form areas 51a to 51n can be separated as shown in FIG. , And perforations 53 and 53 for feeding are formed at regular intervals along both side edges. Note that the continuous form 50 has a length along both side edges or one side edge as necessary, in order to enable the formation area of unnecessary perforations 53, 53 to be separated from the form area 51, although not shown. Directional perforations are also formed.
[0003]
In general, the continuous form 50 includes two form areas 51a and 51b as one stack area 54, and the perforated lines 52a and 52c on both sides thereof are folded and stacked in a folded state with folding lines 55a to 55k. Stored and supplied. The continuous form 50 is directly supplied to the paper feeding unit of the printer in a state of being folded from the individual packaging box, and predetermined printing is performed on the form areas 51a to 51n. The continuous form 50 is continuously discharged from the discharge unit after printing.
[0004]
The continuous form 50 is continuously supplied to the printer in a state of being folded through the folding lines 55a to 55k as described above, but each folding is performed by running on a platen or a roll inside the printer. The lines 55a to 55k are stretched, so that the so-called waist is strong. For this reason, when the continuous form 50 is discharged from the printer to the cradle or the like, it is difficult to fold it again along the fold lines 55a to 55k only by its own weight, and a jammed state may be exhibited on the pedestal.
[0005]
The printer has a continuous form collating apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a collating apparatus) that stacks and stacks the discharged continuous forms 50 sequentially while being folded in an orderly manner in the folding lines 55a to 55k. Abbreviated). Conventionally, collating devices of various structures have been provided. As a basic configuration, for example, a bending stress is applied to the continuous form 50 traveling by a load member such as a roller disposed along the traveling path. By doing so, the apparatus comprised so that bending from each folding line 55a-55k is accelerated | stimulated is provided. In addition, as a collating apparatus, the substantially central portion of the receiving surface is a convex portion, and the continuous form 50 that is dropped using the step between the central portion and both side portions by the convex portion is folded from the folding lines 55a to 55k. An apparatus is also provided that is configured to facilitate.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the collating apparatus provided with the above-described load member is troublesome in adjusting the load according to the paper quality of the continuous form 50 and has a complicated structure as a whole, and the load member rubs the printing surface to cause stains and the like. There was a problem such as. Although the structure of the cradle having the convex portion is simple, the step between the central portion and both side portions becomes smaller as the continuous form 50 is discharged in large quantities, so that the folds can be reliably bent from the folding lines 55a to 55k. There was a problem that it was not done.
[0007]
Further, after the predetermined form is completed, the continuous form 50 is separated from the next perforation 52j of the form area 51j printed last, and then the next printing is continuously performed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the continuous form 50 is not only separated from the perforations 52 corresponding to the fold lines 55a to 55k, but also from the perforations 52 formed between the fold lines 55a to 55k. The form area 51 is also separated. In this case, in the continuous form 50A, as shown in FIG. 6, the first stack area 54a from the tip 56a to the first fold line 55p is shortened to one form area 51 minutes.
[0008]
The collating apparatus sequentially stacks the folded lines 55a to 55k in a constant state while being folded in a spelled state in a constant state regardless of which of the continuous forms 50 and 50A having different folding positions from the front end portion is used. We have to go. The collating apparatus is provided with an adjusting mechanism, for example, in order to cope with such a problem. However, there is a problem that the structure is complicated and the operation is troublesome.
[0009]
Therefore, the present invention provides a simple collating apparatus that can fold and stack each continuous form even if it is a continuous form having different intervals from the leading end to the first folding line. It was proposed for the purpose.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A continuous form collating apparatus according to the present invention that achieves this object includes a first guide that includes a pair of guide plates that form a guide slit between opposite ends and are gradually inclined toward the guide slit. And a pair of holding guide members that form a fitting slit that opens with an opposing interval narrower than the interval of the folding lines of the continuous form with respect to the guide slit and a predetermined interval with respect to these holding guide members. Thus, a pair of regulating guide members disposed on the sides are constituted by a second guide portion provided on the base.
[0011]
According to the continuous form collating apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above, when the standard continuous form cut at the folding line is discharged from the printer, the leading end of the continuous form is moved to the first guide part. The guide slit is drawn into the second guide portion so as to abut against the base. According to the continuous form collating apparatus, by holding the leading end of the continuous form abutted against the base in the fitting slit by the holding guide member, the subsequent part of the continuous form is caused by the weight of the first guide part. The guide plate is sequentially folded along a fold line in a folded state so as to be stacked. According to the continuous form collating apparatus, a continuous form that is cut at an intermediate position and whose distance between the leading end and the first fold line is smaller than the distance between the guide slit and the fitting slit is also inserted into the fitting slit. And is bent along the first fold line in the second guide part, but the subsequent part is folded along the fold line on the first guide part when the bent end hits the regulating guide member. To be stacked in a stacked state.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a continuous form collation apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as a collation apparatus) 1 shown in the drawings as an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the collating apparatus 1 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material or a lightweight metal material, and the width of each stack region 54 of the continuous form 50 that is folded in a zigzag manner along the fold lines 55 a to 55 k. And a box-shaped housing 2 having an open upper surface that forms an internal space having a shape slightly larger than the length. The collating apparatus 1 is disposed inside the housing 2 so as to face the guide plates 3 and 4 and the pair of guide plates 3 and 4 assembled so as to close the open upper surface portion of the housing 2. The base 5 is provided. The collating apparatus 1 includes a pair of holding guide members 6 and 7 provided on the base 5, and a pair of holding guide members 6 and 7 provided on the base 5 so as to be positioned on the sides of the holding guide members 6 and 7, respectively. Regulation guide members 8 and 9 are provided.
[0013]
In the collating apparatus 1, the guide plates 3 and 4 draw the leading end portion 56 of the continuous form 50 into the housing 2 as will be described in detail later, and along the folding lines 55 a to 55 k of the continuous form 50. The first guide portion 10 is configured to stack the subsequent portions folded in a sequentially folded state in a stacked state. The collating apparatus 1 includes a base 5, holding guide piece members 6 and 7, and regulation guide members 8 and 9 arranged inside the housing 2, and a distal end portion 56 of a continuous form 50 into which details will be described later. The second guide portion 11 is configured to fold the subsequent portion of the continuous form 50 along the fold lines 55a to 55k.
[0014]
The guide plates 3 and 4 are plate-like members formed in the same shape by, for example, a synthetic resin material, and open across the entire region in the width direction at a substantially central portion of the housing 2 between the opposite end portions 3a and 4a. Each of the guide slits 12 is assembled to the housing 2 so as to constitute a guide slit 12. The guide plates 3 and 4 are assembled to the housing 2 so that the one end portions 3a and 4a side gradually incline from the base end portion toward the inside. When the standard business form continuous form 50 is used, the guide plates 3 and 4 are assembled to the housing 2 with an inclination angle of about 75 °.
[0015]
The guide plates 3 and 4 are formed such that one end portions 3a and 4a are curved in an arc shape toward the inside of the housing 2 to form a funnel-shaped guide slit 12 as shown in FIG. Constitute. The guide slit 12 is configured on the upper surface of the housing 2 as a slit having a gap larger than the thickness of the continuous form 50 and a length longer than the width of the continuous form 50. Since the guide slit 12 has a funnel-shaped opening, the guide slit 12 is guided from the front end portion 56 of the continuous form 50 that is discharged from a printer (not shown) and abuts against the guide plates 3 and 4 into the housing 2. To do.
[0016]
Specifically, the guide plates 3 and 4 set the width of the guide slit 12 to about 10 mm. The guide plates 3 and 4 are arranged such that the height position of the guide slit 12 with respect to the base 5, which will be described in detail later, is set to the interval of the stack region 54 that is folded through the fold lines 55 a to 55 k of the standard business form continuous form 50. On the other hand, it is set to be sufficiently small. Specifically, the guide plates 3 and 4 are assembled to the housing 5 with the height position of the lower end of the guide slit 12 with respect to the base 5 set to about 100 mm to 160 mm and an average of about 140 mm.
[0017]
The base 5 is supported by the elevating mechanism 13 so as to be movable up and down, and is disposed inside the housing 2. The base 5 is formed in a rectangular plate shape having an outer shape slightly smaller than the internal space of the housing 2 by using, for example, a synthetic resin material or a lightweight metal plate, and the bearing portions 14a to 14a constituting the elevating mechanism 13 at the bottom portions of the four corners. 14d is provided. The elevating mechanism 13 includes these bearing portions 14a to 14d, bearing portions 14a and 14b opposed to each other in the width direction, and support shafts 15a and 15b rotatably supported by the bearing portions 14c and 14d, and these support shafts 15a and 15b. Are provided with pinions 16a and 16b and pinions 16c and 16d, which are fixed to both ends, respectively.
[0018]
The elevating mechanism 13 includes timing belts 17a that are respectively wound between the pinion 16a and the pinion 16c and the pinion 16b and the pinion 16d that are opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction, because the pinions 16a to 16d rotate in conjunction with each other. 17b. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevating mechanism 13 includes an adjustment dial 18 provided at one end of a support shaft 15 a protruding from the housing 2. The elevating mechanism 13 includes racks 19a to 19d in the height direction arranged at the four corners of the housing 2, and the pinions 16a to 16d provided on the base 5 with respect to the racks 19a to 19d Meshed.
[0019]
Since the collating apparatus 1 includes the lifting mechanism 13 configured as described above, the height position of the base 5 can be adjusted according to the length of the stack area 54 of the continuous form 50, and the standard continuous Not only the form 50 but also a special continuous form having different lengths as shown in FIG. 3 can be applied. In the lifting mechanism 13, the adjustment dial 18 is rotated according to the length specification of the continuous form 50.
[0020]
In the collating apparatus 1, the pinion 16a is rotationally driven via the support shaft 15a by rotating the adjustment dial 18 clockwise, for example, in FIG. In the elevating mechanism 13, the rotation of the pinion 16a is transmitted to the other pinions 16b to 16d via the timing belts 17a and 17b. In the elevating mechanism 13, since the pinions 16a to 16d are in mesh with the racks 19a to 19d, the base 5 is raised as shown in FIG. The elevating mechanism 13 performs the lowering operation of the base 5 by rotating the adjustment dial 18 counterclockwise in FIG.
[0021]
As described above, the lifting mechanism 13 is configured so that the pinions 16a to 16d rotate in conjunction with each other via the timing belts 17a and 17b, so that the base 5 can be lifted and lowered smoothly without exhibiting a bending state. The adjustment operation according to the specifications of the continuous form 50 is easily performed. In addition, about the raising / lowering mechanism 13, it is not limited to the structure mentioned above, For example, various mechanisms, such as raising / lowering the base 5 with a lever mechanism and a cam mechanism, are employ | adopted.
[0022]
The holding guide members 6 and 7 are members having a length substantially equal to the length in the width direction of the base 5 formed symmetrically with each other by, for example, a synthetic resin material. The base portions 6a and 7a and the base portions 6a and 6a, respectively. Standing wall portions 6b and 7b integrally formed from one side edge of 7a, and bending integrally in a direction facing the base portions 6a and 7a while being inclined upward from the upper ends of the standing wall portions 6b and 7b Guide wall portions 6c and 7c. The holding guide members 6 and 7 are positioned on the extension line of the guide slit 12, and the base portions 6 a and 7 a are fixed on the base 5.
[0023]
In this state, the holding guide members 6 and 7 have the standing wall portions 6b and 7b facing each other in parallel, and a fitting slit 20 that opens to face the guide slit 12 over almost the entire region in the width direction of the base 5 therebetween. Constitute. As will be described in detail later, the holding guide members 6 and 7 fit the front end portion 56 of the continuous form 50 drawn into the housing 2 from the guide slit 12 into the fitting slit 20 and abut against the base 5. Let Specifically, the holding guide members 6 and 7 are fixed on the base 5 by setting the height of the standing wall portions 6b and 7b to about 40 mm and setting the interval between the standing wall portions 6b and 7b to about 8 mm. Accordingly, the holding guide members 6 and 7 constitute a fitting slit 20 on the base 5 having a height of about 40 mm and a width of about 8 mm.
[0024]
The holding guide members 6 and 7 are formed by connecting guide wall portions 6c and 7c continuously with a bending angle of about 135 ° with respect to the standing wall portions 6b and 7b. Each of the guide walls 6c and 7c has a length of about 60 mm. As will be described in detail later, the holding guide members 6 and 7 are cut at a midpoint so that the distance between the distal end portion 54a and the first folding line 55 is smaller than the distance between the guide slit 12 and the fitting slit 20. With the front end portion 56a of the continuous form 50A held in the fitting slit 20, the region up to the first fold line 55p is guided sideways along one of the guide wall portions 6c and 7c and regulated. It abuts against the guide members 8 and 9.
[0025]
The regulation guide members 8 and 9 are L-shaped members having a length substantially equal to the length in the width direction of the base 5 formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material, and the attachment portions 8a and 9a and the attachment portions, respectively. It consists of the regulation standing wall part 8b, 9b bent perpendicularly from 8a, 9a. The regulation guide members 8 and 9 are provided with at least a pair of attachment holes 8c and 8d and attachment holes 9c and 9d, respectively, in the attachment portions 8a and 9a so as to be separated from each other in the length direction. The regulation guide members 8 and 9 are fixed on the base 5 in parallel with each other on the side of the holding guide members 6 and 7 by mounting screws 21 and 22 screwed into the mounting holes 8c and 8d and 9c and 9d. Is done.
[0026]
The regulation guide members 8 and 9 are held at a distance approximately equal to the length of the first form area 51a of the continuous form 50A that is cut halfway and the distance between the front end 56a and the first fold line 55a is reduced. It is arranged on the side of the guide members 6 and 7. Specifically, the regulation guide members 8 and 9 are fixed on the base 5 with the distance from the holding guide members 6 and 7 set to about 90 mm.
[0027]
The regulation guide members 8 and 9 can be fixed on the base 5 by adjusting the distance from the holding guide members 6 and 7 from the standard position described above. In other words, the regulation guide members 8 and 9 are each formed by a long hole whose longitudinal axis is the width direction of the mounting portions 8a and 9a, and the mounting holes 8c and 8d and the mounting holes 8c and 8d. The mounting position is adjusted within the length range of 9c and 9d, and the mounting position is fixed on the base 5 by mounting screws 21 and 22. The regulation guide members 8 and 9 may be formed with a long hole on the base 5 side so that the mounting position can be adjusted.
[0028]
In the collating apparatus 1 configured as described above, the leading end 56 of the continuous form 50 discharged from a printer (not shown) is guided onto the guide plates 3 and 4. In the collating apparatus 1, the front end portion 56 of the continuous form 50 is guided to the guide slit 12 along the main surfaces of the inclined guide plates 3 and 4, and the second inside of the housing 2 is guided through the guide slit 12. The guide part 11 is pulled in. In the collating apparatus 1, the leading end portion 56 of the continuous form 50 drawn from the guide slit 12 is guided into the fitting slit 20 along the inclined surfaces of the guide wall portions 6 c and 7 c so as to abut against the base 5. In the collating apparatus 1, the leading end portion 56 of the continuous form 50 is held in the fitting slit 20 as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2.
[0029]
In the collating apparatus 1, the interval between the base 5 and the guide slit 12 is set to be smaller than the interval between the folding lines 55a to 55k of the continuous form 50 as described above. In the collating apparatus 1, the leading end 56 is held in the fitting slit 20 in contact with the base 5, so that the subsequent portion of the continuous form 50 has its own weight and the printer as illustrated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2. In the first guide portion 10, the first guide portion 10 is sequentially folded along the folding lines 55 a to 55 k and stacked on the guide plates 3 and 4 in a stacked state.
[0030]
In the collating apparatus 1, when the continuous form 50A in which the top stack area 54a is shortened by one form is discharged from the printer, the leading end 56a is guided to the guide slit 12 in the same manner as the standard continuous form 50 described above. Then, it is drawn into the second guide portion 11 and held in the fitting slit 20. In the continuous form 50A, the length of the first stack region 54a is smaller than the distance between the guide slit 12 and the base 5, so that the second guide portion is shown in the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 11 is bent along the first fold line 55a by its own weight and the pressure of the discharge mechanism of the printer.
[0031]
In the collating apparatus 1, the first stack region 54a of the continuous form 50A bent along the first fold line 55p is moved along the guide wall portions 6c and 7c of the holding guide member 6 or the holding guide member 7. It guides to the side and abuts against the regulation guide member 8 or the regulation guide member 9. In the collating apparatus 1, the continuous form 50A is sequentially folded along the fold lines 55a to 55k in the first guide portion 10 by the weight of the subsequent portion of the first stack area 54a by the pressure of the printer and the discharge mechanism of the printer. While being folded, it is stacked on the guide plates 3 and 4 in a stacked state.
[0032]
Since the collating apparatus 1 targets the standard continuous form 50, the constituent members of the first guide part 10 and the second guide part 11 are arranged as described above. Each component is appropriately arranged according to the specifications. The collating apparatus 1 includes the lifting mechanism 13 as described above, and the base 5 is adjusted and moved in the height direction according to the length specification of the continuous form 50, and the mounting positions of the regulation guide members 8 and 9 are adjustable. Consists of.
[0033]
The collating apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 4 is configured by simplifying each part in the case where only the standard continuous form 50 is used. Since the collating apparatus 30 has the same basic configuration as that of the collating apparatus 1, the corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. The collating device 30 is combined so that the base 31 forms a bottom surface portion of a casing 32 made of a frame. In the collating device 30, the guide plates 3 and 4 are assembled to the upper surface portion of the housing 32 so as to face the base 31 to form the first guide portion 10, and the second guide portion 11 is formed inside. .
[0034]
The collating apparatus 30 has a simple shape, and for example, the weight can be reduced by forming each part with a synthetic resin or a lightweight metal. Therefore, the collating device 30 is easy to carry and can be used by appropriately moving even when a large number of printers are installed. In the collating device 30, the base 31 constitutes the bottom plate of the housing 32 as described above, but the holding guide members 6 and 7 and the regulation guide members 8 and 9 are integrally formed and combined with the housing 32. It may be.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the continuous form collating apparatus according to the present invention, the guide slit is formed between the opposite end portions and the pair of guide plates that are gradually inclined toward the guide slit. A pair of holding guide members and a holding guide member that form a fitting slit that opens with an opposing interval narrower than the interval between the folding lines of the continuous form with respect to the guide slit. A leading end of a continuous form discharged from the printer, each comprising a second guide portion provided on a base with a pair of regulating guide members disposed on the sides at predetermined intervals. Since the part is drawn from the guide slit of the first guide part to the second guide part and abuts against the base and is held in the fitting slit, the subsequent part of this continuous form It folded sequentially in a state of zigzag along the fold line in the first guide portion of the guide plate to the stack in the stacked state. According to the continuous form collating apparatus, the tip is held in the fitting slit by being cut at a midpoint, and the interval between the tip and the first folding line is smaller than the gap between the guide slit and the fitting slit. A continuous form that bends along the first fold line in the second guide part is also laminated by folding the fold line along the fold line on the first guide part when the bent end abuts against the regulation guide member. Stack into state. The continuous form collating apparatus does not require power for folding the continuous form, has a simple structure, and can be reliably stacked regardless of the cut state.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a continuous form collating apparatus shown as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the continuous form collating apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the base is raised by an elevating mechanism in the continuous form collating apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a continuous form collating apparatus of a continuous form collating apparatus shown as another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of a continuous form.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part of a continuous form in which the top stack area is shortened to one form.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Collating apparatus, 2 Housing | casing, 3, 4 Guide plate, 5 Base, 6, 7 Holding guide member, 8, 9 Control guide member, 10 1st guide part, 11 2nd guide part, 12 Guide slit, 13 Lifting mechanism, 20 Fitting slit, 50 continuous forms, 51 form area, 52 perforation, 54 stack area, 55 folding line

Claims (1)

In the continuous form collation device that folds and stacks the continuous forms ejected from the printer in a spelled state along the fold line,
A pair of guide plates that form a guide slit between opposing one end portions and are gradually inclined toward the guide slit, draw the leading end of the continuous form through the guide slit, and the fold line A first guide portion that is stacked in a state where the subsequent portion folded along the guide plate is sequentially stacked on the guide plate;
A pair of holding guide members that form a fitting slit that opens with an opposing interval narrower than the interval between the folding lines of the continuous forms with respect to the guide slit, and a predetermined interval with respect to the holding guide members. Thus, a pair of regulation guide members arranged on the sides are provided on the base, and the standard continuous form drawn in from the first guide portion and abutted against the base is provided. A second guide portion configured to hold the leading end portion in the fitting slit so that the subsequent portion of the continuous form is folded along the fold line on the first guide portion;
The distance between the front end portion and the first fold line is cut at a midpoint and becomes smaller than the distance between the guide slit and the fitting slit, and the front end portion is held in the fitting slit so as to be the second guide. The continuous form that is folded along the first fold line in the part also has a trailing portion that follows the fold line on the first guide part when the fold end hits one of the regulation guide members. A continuous form collating device characterized by being folded and stacked.

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