JP4242029B2 - Continuous form processing apparatus and processing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a continuous form processing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for sequentially forming a form bundle in which a predetermined number of unit forms cut from a continuous form are stacked.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a processing apparatus that sequentially cuts unit forms from a continuous form, stacks the cut unit forms in the order of cutting, and sequentially forms a bundle of forms made up of a predetermined number of unit forms. In this case, in a typical processing apparatus, when forming each form bundle, the unit forms are sequentially stacked according to the cutting order so that the surface of each unit form faces downward.
[0003]
Accordingly, in the sequentially formed form bundle, the lowermost surface is the surface of the first unit form. The formed form bundle is carried out of the processing device by the action of a carry-out conveyor, for example. Then, the form bundle unloaded from the processing apparatus is transported to another apparatus as necessary, and undergoes another process there. Each unit form is often formed from relatively thin paper. Also, a barcode or the like is often printed near the corner of the surface of each unit form.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional processing apparatus, since each unit form is formed from relatively thin paper, the lowermost surface of the form bundle is damaged when it is carried out from the processing apparatus via the carry-out conveyor. It is easy to receive and the corner is easy to bend. In addition, when the form bundle unloaded from the processing apparatus is transported to another apparatus, the lowermost surface of the form bundle is easily damaged and its corners are easily bent.
[0005]
In this case, as described above, the lowermost surface of each form bundle is the surface of the first unit form, the surface is easily damaged, and the barcode portion printed near the corner is bent and bent. There was an inconvenience that it was easy. It should be noted that it is extremely difficult and time consuming to adjust the conveyor so that the lowermost corner of the form bundle is not bent.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and each form bundle is formed in such a form that a predetermined surface of the form bundle formed by stacking unit forms sequentially cut from the continuous form is not damaged. It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous form processing apparatus and processing method that can be carried out.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a cutting unit for sequentially cutting unit forms from continuous forms,
A stacker unit for sequentially stacking a predetermined number of unit forms cut by the cutting unit according to the cutting order;
A supply unit that supplies a protection member for protecting the surface side of a predetermined number of unit forms stacked in the stacker unit to the stacker unit ;
The protective member includes a plate-like member having substantially the same size as the unit form and substantially higher rigidity than the unit form,
The supply unit supplies a first plate-like member for protecting the lowermost surface of a predetermined number of unit forms stacked in the stacker unit prior to stacking of the unit forms, and in the stacker unit There is provided a processing apparatus characterized in that a second plate-like member for protecting the uppermost back surface of a predetermined number of unit forms stacked is supplied after the unit forms are stacked .
[0008]
According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the stacker unit sequentially stacks unit forms cut by the cutting unit so that the surface thereof faces downward, and the supply unit has a predetermined number of units stacked by the stacker unit. prior protection member for protecting the lowermost surface of the form on the stack of the unit form for supply to the stacking position of the stacker section. The plate member is preferably cardboard or cardboard.
[0010]
Furthermore, according to a preferable aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the stacker unit includes a pair of stackers configured to alternately stack the predetermined number of unit forms. In this case, each stacker includes a table for placing the protection member and the predetermined number of unit forms, an elevating unit for raising and lowering the table between the placement position and the carry-out position, and a carry-out position. It is preferable to have a transport unit for receiving the protective member and the predetermined number of unit forms from the table facing and transporting the unit form from the stacker unit.
[0011]
Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reversing unit for integrally reversing the protective member and the predetermined number of unit forms stacked on the stacker unit so that the protective member is on the uppermost side. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide. In this case, the reversing unit includes an arm unit for receiving the predetermined number of unit forms and the protection member stacked by the stacker unit from above and below, and the arm unit bidirectionally about a predetermined rotation axis. It is preferable to provide a rotating part for rotating the lens by approximately 180 °.
[0012]
Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a cutting step of sequentially cutting the unit form from the continuous form,
A stacking step of sequentially stacking a predetermined number of unit forms cut in the cutting step so that the surface faces downward according to the cutting order;
Supplying a protective member for protecting the lowermost surface of a predetermined number of unit forms stacked in the stacking step to the stacking position prior to stacking of the unit forms ;
There is provided a processing method including a reversing step of integrally reversing the protective member and the predetermined number of unit forms stacked in the stacking step so that the protective member is on the uppermost side .
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, unit forms are sequentially cut from a continuous form, and a predetermined number of cut unit forms are sequentially stacked according to the cutting order. In this case, typically, the cut unit forms are sequentially stacked so that the surface of each unit form faces downward. As a result, the lowermost surface of the form bundle formed from a predetermined number of unit forms stacked is the surface of the top unit form.
[0014]
Therefore, in the present invention, in order to cover the lowermost surface of the form bundle, that is, the surface of the first unit form with a predetermined protective member, this protective member is supplied to the stacking position prior to stacking the unit forms. As the protective member, for example, a plate-like member having substantially the same size as the unit form and substantially higher in rigidity than the unit form, that is, cardboard or cardboard can be used. Thus, for example, unit forms are sequentially stacked on the protective member such as cardboard from the bottom to the top with the face facing downward, and a form bundle is formed in order that the lowermost surface is covered with the protective member.
[0015]
As described above, in the present invention, even if each unit form is formed from relatively thin paper, the form bundle is sequentially formed with the lowermost surface covered with the protective member. When the sheet is carried out or conveyed, the lowermost surface of the form bundle is not damaged and the corner is not bent. In other words, according to the present invention, each form bundle can be formed and carried out in such a form that a predetermined surface of the form bundle formed by stacking unit forms sequentially cut from the continuous form is not damaged.
[0016]
In the present invention, in order to continuously and smoothly form a large number of form bundles, it is preferable that the unit forms are stacked alternately using a pair of stackers.
In addition, the protective member and its protective member and the protection member so that each unit form can be carried out in a state where the surface of each unit form is in an upward posture and each unit form is stacked from top to bottom according to the cutting order. It is preferable to integrally invert a predetermined number of unit forms stacked on top.
[0017]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 and schematically showing the internal configuration of the processing apparatus.
The illustrated apparatus includes a paper feed unit 2 for supplying a continuous form 1 composed of a large number of unit forms, and a cutting unit 3 for sequentially cutting unit forms from the supplied continuous form 1. .
[0018]
The continuous form 1 is a typical computer output continuous form as shown in FIG. That is, the continuous form 1 has a form in which a large number of unit forms 31 are continued along one direction (hereinafter referred to as “continuous direction”). Between the two unit forms 31 adjacent in the continuous direction, folding and cutting perforations 32 extend over the entire continuous form along a direction orthogonal to the continuous direction (hereinafter referred to as “width direction”). Is formed.
[0019]
Further, the continuous form 1 is formed with an elongated marginal portion 33 extending along the continuous direction on both sides in the width direction. That is, the marginal part 33 is an area defined by the outer edge 34 of the continuous form and the cutting perforation 35 extending along the continuous direction from the outer edge 34 at a predetermined interval. In the marginal portion 33, a number of conveying marginal holes 36 are formed at equal intervals along the continuous direction.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, the continuous forms 1 are installed at predetermined positions in a state of being folded zigzag for each unit form along the folding and cutting perforations 32. The continuous forms 1 respectively installed at predetermined positions drive, for example, a pair of endless belts having a number of marginal pins formed so as to be engaged with the marginal holes 36 along a predetermined track along the processing path. It is fed to the cutting unit 3 by a mechanism that That is, when the operator of the apparatus engages the marginal hole 36 at the front end of the continuous form 1 with the marginal pin of the pair of endless belts and drives the endless belt, the continuous form 1 is continuously connected to the cutting part 3. It is transferred to.
[0021]
Note that the marginal portion 33 is continuously cut off from the continuous form 1 along the cutting perforations 35 by the action of the pair of slitters 3 a immediately before the cutting portion 3. The marginal part 33 cut off is accommodated in the marginal accommodating part 3b.
In the cutting unit 3, the continuous form 1 from which the marginal unit 33 has been cut is sequentially cut along the folding and cutting perforations 32. Specifically, the cutting unit 3 includes, for example, a pair of rollers 3c that rotate at a low speed and a pair of rollers 3d that rotate at a high speed. Therefore, the leading end of the continuous form 1 supplied to the cutting unit 3 reaches the high-speed rotation roller 3d after passing through the low-speed rotation roller 3c.
[0022]
At this time, the interval between the high-speed rotating rollers 3d is set wide, and the continuous form 1 is transferred by the action of the low-speed rotating roller 3c. Eventually, when the folding and cutting perforation 32 of the continuous form 1 reaches a predetermined position, the high-speed rotating roller 3d narrows the interval. As a result, a tensile force along the continuous direction acts on the continuous form 1 due to a difference in transfer speed between the low-speed rotating roller 3c and the high-speed rotating roller 3d. In this state, the continuous form 1 is cut along the folding / cutting perforations 32 by, for example, applying a projecting output from the blade 3 e to the folding / cutting perforations 32 of the continuous form 1.
[0023]
The unit forms 1a created by sequentially cutting the continuous forms 1 along the folding and cutting perforations 32 are passed through the cardboard supply unit 4 and then the first stacker unit 5 or the second stacker unit 6. To be sent to. Here, each unit form 1a fed to the first stacker unit 5 or the second stacker unit 6 has a posture in which the surface is directed upward. In the first stacker unit 5 or the second stacker unit 6, the unit forms 1 a are reversed and then stacked (stacked). That is, in the first stacker unit 5 or the second stacker unit 6, the unit forms 1a that are sequentially fed are stacked from the bottom to the top with the surface facing upward in accordance with the cutting order.
[0024]
4-7 is a figure explaining the structure and effect | action of a cardboard supply part, a 1st stacker part, and a 2nd stacker part.
As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the 1st stacker part 5 and the 2nd stacker part 6 have the mutually same structure, and are comprised so that the stacking operation | movement of a unit form may be performed alternately. Here, the stacker units 5 and 6 are configured so that the reversing mechanisms 5a and 6a for reversing the unit form 1a after moving the unit form 1a along the horizontal processing path by a predetermined distance and the reversed unit forms 1a are sequentially stacked. And 5b and 6b for receiving and placing the unit form 1a.
[0025]
Each stacker unit 5 and 6 is stacked from elevating units 5c and 6c for elevating the tables 5b and 6b between the placement position and the unloading position, and the tables 5b and 6b descending toward the unloading position. Also provided are transport mechanisms 5d and 6d for receiving a form bundle (and later-described thick paper) made up of unit forms 1a and transporting them from the stacker units 5 and 6 to the outside. Note that further detailed description of the reversing mechanism, the table, the elevating unit, and the transport mechanism is omitted.
[0026]
On the other hand, the cardboard supply unit 4 includes a table 4b on which a large number of cardboards 4a having substantially the same size as the unit form 1a are stacked, and a plurality of cardboards 4a stacked on the table 4b. It is composed of a feeding mechanism 4c for feeding the uppermost thick paper to each stacker unit 5 and 6 according to the top feed system and the friction system. In the feeding mechanism 4c, a paper feeding method that combines the top feed method and the air vacuum method, or an appropriate paper feeding method that combines the bottom feed method and the like can be employed.
[0027]
Hereinafter, basic operations of the cardboard supply unit 4, the first stacker unit 5, and the second stacker unit 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, the unit forms 1 a sequentially transferred from the cutting unit 3 are reversed by the reversing mechanism 5 a of the first stacker unit 5, and then from below with the surface facing downward at a predetermined position on the table 5 b. Stacked sequentially upwards. Prior to the stacking of unit forms 1a on the table 5b, one thick paper 4a supplied from the thick paper supply unit 4 is previously placed at a predetermined position on the table 5b. Specific supply operations of the thick paper 4a from the thick paper supply unit 4 onto the tables 5b and 6b will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, respectively.
[0028]
When the stacking operation of the unit forms 1a on the table 5b is started, the table 5b is supported at the placement position, that is, the high position. More specifically, the operation of inverting the unit form 1a and stacking it on the table 5b is repeated a predetermined number of times, but the elevating unit 5c lowers the table 5b little by little in conjunction with this stacking operation. That is, the elevating unit 5c adjusts the height position of the table 5b so that the height position of the uppermost surface of the plurality of unit forms 1a stacked on the table 5b does not substantially change. Thus, a form bundle 1b is formed on the table 5b. The form bundle 1b is composed of a predetermined number of unit forms 1a that are stacked from bottom to top with the surface facing downward. Then, the lower surface of the form bundle 1b, that is, the surface of the first unit form 1a is covered and protected by the thick paper 4a.
[0029]
When the stacking operation of the unit forms 1a on the table 5b is completed, the table 5b is lowered toward the conveyance position, that is, the low position by the action of the elevating unit 5c. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the thick paper 4a and the form bundle 1b placed on the table 5b are received by the transport mechanism 5d, and are externally applied from the stacker units 5 and 6 by the action of the transport mechanisms 5d and 6d. It is conveyed to. On the other hand, the thick paper 4a positioned on the uppermost side among the many thick papers placed on the table 4b of the thick paper supply unit 4 is transferred to the upper side of the table 5b by the action of the feeding mechanism 4c and the transport mechanism 5d. Thus, when the table 5b rises toward the placement position by the action of the elevating unit 5c, a single cardboard 4a is placed in advance on the table 5b prior to the next stacking operation of the unit forms 1a on the table 5b. Will be.
[0030]
When the stacking operation of the unit forms 1a on the table 5b in the first stacker unit 5 is finished, the stacking operation of the unit forms 1a on the table 6b is started in the second stacker unit 6 as shown in FIG. The That is, the unit forms 1 a sequentially transferred from the cutting unit 3 are reversed by the reversing mechanism 6 a of the second stacker unit 6 through the first stacker unit 5, and then one piece of cardboard 4 a is placed in advance. In a predetermined position on the table 6b, the surface is sequentially stacked from bottom to top in a downward posture. Thus, on the table 6b, a form bundle 1b composed of a predetermined number of unit forms 1a stacked with the surface facing downward from the bottom to the top is formed. Then, the lower surface of the form bundle 1b, that is, the surface of the first unit form 1a is covered and protected by the thick paper 4a.
[0031]
When the stacking operation of the unit forms 1a on the table 6b is completed, as shown in FIG. 7, the table 6b is lowered toward the transport position by the action of the elevating unit 6c. Then, the thick paper 4a and the form bundle 1b placed on the table 6b are received by the transport mechanism 6d and transported to the outside from the second stacker unit 6 by the action of the transport mechanism 6d. On the other hand, the uppermost thick paper 4a among the many thick papers placed on the table 4b of the thick paper supply unit 4 is transferred to above the table 6b by the action of the feeding mechanism 4c and the transport mechanisms 5d and 6d. Is done. Thus, when the table 6b rises toward the placement position by the action of the elevating unit 6c, a single thick paper 4a is placed on the table 6b in advance prior to the next stacking operation of the unit forms 1a on the table 6b. Will be.
[0032]
When the stacking operation of the unit forms 1a on the table 6b in the second stacker unit 6 is completed, the stacking operation of the unit forms 1a on the table 5b is resumed in the first stacker unit 5. In this way, the stacking operation in the first stacker unit 5 and the stacking operation in the second stacker unit 6 are repeated alternately and smoothly. As a result, from the first stacker unit 5 and the second stacker unit 6, a form bundle 1 b made up of a predetermined number of unit forms 1 a that are stacked from the bottom to the top with the surface facing downward is a lower surface thereof. That is, the top unit form 1a is sequentially output in a state where the surface of the unit form 1a is covered and protected by the thick paper 4a. The cardboard 4a and the form bundle 1b sequentially output from the first stacker unit 5 and the second stacker unit 6 are transferred to the reverse carry-out unit 7.
[0033]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the reverse carry-out unit.
As shown in FIG. 8, the reverse carry-out unit 7 is a first unit for carrying the cardboard 4a and the form bundle 1b sequentially output from the first stacker unit 5 and the second stacker unit 6 along the horizontal processing path. Thick paper so that the surface of each unit form 1a is in an upward posture and the unit forms 1a are stacked from top to bottom according to the cutting sequence. 4a and the form bundle 1b are comprised from the reversing mechanism 7c for reversing integrally.
[0034]
Here, the reversing mechanism 7b is provided between the first transport mechanism 7a and the second transport mechanism 7b, and sandwiches the thick paper 4a and the form bundle 1b transported by the action of the first transport mechanism 7a from above and below. The arm portion 7d for receiving and a rotating portion 7f for rotating the arm portion 7d bi-directionally about 180 ° around a predetermined rotating shaft 7e. The rotating shaft 7e extends along a horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the form bundle 1b, that is, a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.
[0035]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the first transport mechanism 7a and the second transport mechanism 7b are a plurality of conveyors (see FIG. 8) arranged at intervals along a horizontal direction orthogonal to the transport direction. 8 is composed of 5 sets of conveyors). The arm portion 7d includes a plurality of pairs of arms (four pairs of arms in FIG. 8) positioned so as to rotate along the longitudinal direction between the plurality of conveyors.
[0036]
Therefore, in the reverse carry-out unit 7, a form bundle 1b made up of a predetermined number of unit forms 1a stacked with the surface facing downward from the bottom is integrated with the thick paper 4a covering the lower surface 180a. Inverted only once. The form bundle 1b covers the upper surface, that is, the surface of the first unit form 1a in a natural state in which the unit forms are stacked in accordance with the cutting order from top to bottom with the surface facing upward. It is unloaded with the cardboard 4a.
[0037]
As described above, in the present embodiment, even if each unit form 1a is formed from a relatively thin paper, the form bundle 1b is sequentially formed in a state where the lowermost surface is covered by the thick paper 4a as the protective member. Is done. Therefore, when each form bundle 1b is carried out of the processing apparatus or when each form bundle 1b is transported to another processing apparatus, the lowermost surface of the form bundle 1b, that is, the surface of the top unit form 1a. Is not substantially damaged and does not bend its corners. In other words, in the present embodiment, each form bundle is formed and carried out in such a form that the surface of the form bundle 1b formed by stacking the unit forms 1a sequentially cut from the continuous form 1 is not damaged. it can.
[0038]
In the present embodiment, thick paper is used as the protective member, but other appropriate plate-like members including cardboard paper, plastic plates, and the like can also be used. In this case, it is preferable that the plate member has substantially the same size as the unit form and has substantially higher rigidity than the unit form. Alternatively, for example, a tray-like member can be used as the protective member, and a tray-like member and a plate-like member can be used in combination.
[0039]
In this embodiment, only one side of the form bundle is protected with thick paper, but both sides of the form bundle can be protected with an appropriate plate-like member including cardboard paper or a plastic plate.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, although a pair of stacker part is operated alternately, the number and form of a stacker part are not limited to this, For example, it can also be comprised only with a single stacker part.
[0040]
In the above-described embodiment, a detacher (cutting device) including a pair of low-speed rollers and a pair of high-speed rollers is used as a cutting unit for sequentially separating unit forms from continuous forms. Other suitable cutting means can also be used.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the continuous form processing apparatus and method according to the present invention, each form is formed in such a manner that a predetermined surface of a form bundle formed by stacking unit forms sequentially cut from the continuous form is not damaged. A bundle can be formed and carried out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 and schematically showing an internal configuration of a processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a continuous form.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a thick paper supply unit, a first stacker unit, and a second stacker unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a thick paper supply unit, a first stacker unit, and a second stacker unit.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a thick paper supply unit, a first stacker unit, and a second stacker unit.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a thick paper supply unit, a first stacker unit, and a second stacker unit.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the reverse carry-out unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Continuous form 1a Unit form 2 Paper feed part 3 Cutting part 3a Slitter 3b Marginal accommodation part 3c Low speed rotation roller 3d High speed rotation roller 3e Blade 4 Thick paper supply part 4a Thick paper 4b Table 4c Feed mechanism 5 First stacker part 6 Second stacker Parts 5a, 6a Reversing mechanism 5b, 6b Tables 5c, 6c Lifting parts 5d, 6d Conveying mechanism 7 Reverse carrying-out part 7a First conveying mechanism 7b Second conveying mechanism 7c Reversing mechanism 7d Arm part 7f Rotating part

Claims (8)

A cutting part for sequentially cutting unit forms from continuous forms;
A stacker unit for sequentially stacking a predetermined number of unit forms cut by the cutting unit according to the cutting order;
A supply unit that supplies a protection member for protecting the surface side of a predetermined number of unit forms stacked in the stacker unit to the stacker unit ;
The protective member includes a plate-like member having substantially the same size as the unit form and substantially higher rigidity than the unit form,
The supply unit supplies a first plate-like member for protecting the lowermost surface of a predetermined number of unit forms stacked in the stacker unit prior to stacking of the unit forms, and in the stacker unit A processing apparatus for supplying a second plate-shaped member for protecting the uppermost back surface of a predetermined number of stacked unit forms after the unit forms are stacked . The stacker part sequentially stacks unit forms cut by the cutting part so that the surface faces downward,
The supply unit supplies a protective member for protecting a lowermost surface of a predetermined number of unit forms stacked in the stacker unit to a stacking position of the stacker unit prior to stacking of the unit forms. The processing apparatus according to claim 1. The processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plate-like member is cardboard or cardboard . 4. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stacker unit includes a pair of stackers configured to alternately stack the predetermined number of unit forms. 5. . Each stacker includes a table for placing the protection member and the predetermined number of unit forms, an elevating unit for raising and lowering the table between a placement position and an unloading position, and the table toward the unloading position. The processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a transport unit that receives the protective member and the predetermined number of unit forms from the stacker unit and transports them from the stacker unit . The reversing unit for reversing the protection member and the predetermined number of unit forms that are stacked on the stacker unit so that the protection member is on the uppermost side. The processing apparatus according to any one of 2 to 5 . The reversing portion includes an arm portion for receiving a predetermined number of unit forms and the protective member stacked on the stacker portion so as to sandwich the protective member from above and below, and the arm portion approximately 180 in both directions around a predetermined rotation axis. The processing apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising a rotating unit for rotating the rotating unit . A cutting process for sequentially cutting unit forms from continuous forms;
A stacking step of sequentially stacking a predetermined number of unit forms cut in the cutting step so that the surface faces downward according to the cutting order;
Supplying a protective member for protecting the lowermost surface of a predetermined number of unit forms stacked in the stacking step to the stacking position prior to stacking of the unit forms;
A processing method comprising: a reversing step of integrally reversing the protective member and the predetermined number of unit forms stacked in the stacking step so that the protective member is on the uppermost side .

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