JP4414105B2 - Paper folding device and mailing machine using the device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper folding apparatus and a mailing machine using the apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a paper folding device that folds a sheet has been provided in order to create a contact letter or the like in which a sheet is folded in two or three.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional paper folding apparatus, since the folding portion is provided on the upper side of the main paper transport path, noise is generated when the leading edge of the paper collides with the folding portion. Covering the fold to reduce this noise will increase the size of the device.
[0004]
Therefore, a technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a paper folding device that has a quiet operation sound and can be easily miniaturized.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problems and actions / effects]
The present invention provides a paper folding apparatus having the following configuration in order to solve the above technical problem.
[0006]
The paper folding device includes at least one paper storage unit, a first transport unit, and a second transport unit in the apparatus main body. The at least one paper storage unit is disposed below a main paper transport path extending in a substantially horizontal direction. The at least one paper storage portion has an opening facing the main paper transport path at an upper portion thereof, and forms a paper storage space that continues downward from the opening and is shallower than the entire length in the paper transport direction. The first transport unit is disposed along the paper main transport path, and feeds the paper into the paper storage space from the paper main transport path. The second transport unit is disposed downstream of the first transport unit along the main sheet transport path, and the second transport unit stores a part of the paper stored in the paper storage space by the first transport unit. The rear flexure is bitten and conveyed.
[0007]
In the above configuration, the first and second transport means can be configured using, for example, a roller or a transport belt.
[0008]
According to the above configuration, the sheet is guided downward from the main sheet transport path by the first transport unit, and the leading end side of the sheet is fed into the sheet storage space of the sheet storage unit. When the leading edge of the paper hits the bottom of the paper storage space, a deflection occurs on the rear side of the paper further fed by the first conveying means, and the bent portion bites into the second conveying means. The paper is conveyed along the main paper conveyance path in a folded state.
[0009]
According to the above configuration, since the paper storage section and the first and second transport means are provided in the apparatus main body, the sound at the time of paper folding is not easily transmitted to the outside of the apparatus main body. Further, since the paper storage section is provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body, the machine size can be made compact compared to the case where the paper storage section is provided at the upper part of the apparatus main body.
[0010]
Therefore, the operation sound is quiet and the miniaturization is easy.
[0011]
Preferably, the paper storage unit includes a paper storage container. The paper storage container forms at least a part of the paper storage space, and is configured to be movable in a direction substantially crossing the main paper transport path along the paper storage space.
[0012]
According to the above configuration, when paper is jammed in the paper storage space, particularly when paper shorter than the specified size remains in the paper storage space, the paper storage container is moved to a position where it can be accessed from the outside in the apparatus main body. Alternatively, the jammed paper can be removed by removing it outside the apparatus main body.
[0013]
Therefore, it is possible to easily perform a paper jam recovery process.
[0014]
Preferably, the paper storage unit is configured such that the bottom of the paper storage space can be raised and lowered. The paper folding apparatus includes a folding line position setting unit that sets a position of a folding line for folding the paper, and a bottom driving unit that moves the bottom according to the position of the folding line set by the folding position setting unit.
[0015]
According to the above configuration, the height of the bottom of the paper storage space can be automatically set so that the desired folding line position is obtained, and a convenient configuration can be obtained.
[0016]
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises: an abnormal state detection unit that detects an abnormal state; and an abnormal time control unit that operates the bottom drive unit and lowers the bottom when the abnormal state detection unit detects the abnormal state. .
[0017]
According to the above configuration, when an abnormal state such as a paper jam is detected, the bottom part is lowered and the paper storage space of the paper storage unit is expanded, so it is possible to check whether there is an abnormality such as a paper jam in the paper storage space. The recovery work when such an abnormality occurs is facilitated.
[0018]
Preferably, the paper storage unit includes a paper abutting plate that can be moved up and down and protrudes into the paper storage space to form a bottom of the paper storage space.
[0019]
According to the above configuration, the depth of the sheet storage space can be set according to the position of the folding line by moving the sheet abutting plate up and down to change the height of the bottom of the sheet storage space.
[0020]
Preferably, a paper detection sensor that is fixed to the paper abutting plate and detects the presence or absence of paper in the paper storage space is further provided.
[0021]
According to the above configuration, when the paper abutting plate moves, the paper detection sensor moves integrally with the paper abutting plate. Therefore, regardless of the position of the paper abutting plate, whether there is a paper jam in the paper storage space. Can be reliably detected. In addition, the paper abutting plate can be moved up and down to reach the entire paper storage space, so that the paper storage space can be checked all over for any remaining paper.
[0022]
Preferably, the paper storage unit includes a paper storage container and a paper abutting plate. The paper storage container has a communication portion that forms a portion other than the bottom of the paper storage space and communicates with the paper storage space. The paper abutting plate is fixed to the apparatus main body so as to be movable up and down, and enters the paper storage container from the communication portion to form the bottom portion of the paper storage space.
[0023]
According to the above configuration, the sheet abutting plate that needs to be moved up and down is left in the apparatus main body, and only the paper storage container can be moved from the outside of the apparatus main body to an easily accessible position, or the apparatus main body. Or can be taken out of the outside. By making it possible to move only the paper container while the paper abutting plate is disposed on the apparatus main body side, a simple configuration without problems such as relaying to the apparatus main body side can be achieved.
[0024]
Preferably, a movable member is provided on one side along the paper main transport path and is movably fixed to the apparatus main body so as to open the paper main transport path.
[0025]
According to the above configuration, it is possible to cope with a paper jam in a state where the movable member is moved and the main paper transport path is opened. Therefore, it is easy to handle a paper jam.
[0026]
Preferably, the movable member is configured as a cover that covers an upper portion of the apparatus main body, and at least an upper portion of the second transport unit with respect to the sheet main transport path is disposed on the cover.
[0027]
Although the paper is easily jammed when the bent portion of the paper bites into the second conveying means, the above configuration makes it easy to cope with this.
[0028]
The present invention also provides a mailing machine having the following configuration.
[0029]
The mailing machine includes a paper folding device having any one of the above-described configurations and a paper conveyance sealing device that conveys and pressurizes the paper ejected from the paper folding device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ejection direction.
[0030]
In the above configuration, the paper folding device conveys the paper in a direction perpendicular to the folding line and discharges the paper. The paper conveyance sealing device conveys the paper in the direction of the broken line and pressurizes it. Generally, the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the fold line of the paper is smaller than the dimension in the fold line direction. Therefore, the paper discharged from the paper folding device is conveyed in a different direction by the sealing device. The width of the pressure part of the device can be made as small as possible.
[0031]
Specifically, the conveyance direction of the paper is changed by providing a cross conveyor unit. That is, the mailing machine includes a paper folding device having any one of the above-described configurations, a cross conveyor unit that conveys paper discharged from the paper folding device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction, and the cross conveyor unit. And a paper transport seal device that pressurizes the paper transported by.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a paper folding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a mailing machine using the paper folding apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0033]
First, the outline of the mailing machine 1 will be described with reference to the external view of FIG.
[0034]
The mailing machine 1 is formed by combining a paper folding device 10 and a paper conveyance sealing device 20 in an L shape. The paper (cut paper) placed on the paper receiving tray 11a of the paper folding device 10 is conveyed one by one, folded into two or three, pressed by the paper conveyance sealing device 20, and then the paper ejection table. It is discharged onto 21a. The paper receiving tray 11 a and the paper discharge tray 21 a can be folded and stored on the side surfaces of the apparatus main bodies 11 and 21. Adhesives and adhesive sheets are arranged at appropriate positions on the paper, and the paper pieces of the paper are adhered after pressing. The paper folding device 10 and the paper conveyance sealing device 20 can open the respective upper doors 11b and 21b to recover the paper jam.
[0035]
Next, schematic configurations of the paper folding device 10 and the paper conveyance sealing device 20 will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG.
[0036]
The paper folding device 10 includes a paper feeding unit 12, a folding unit 14, a cutting unit 16, a temporary sealer unit 17, and a paper discharge unit 18.
[0037]
The paper feed unit 12 includes paper feed rollers 30 and 31, a separating plate 32, a paper detection sensor 180, and heavy run detection rollers 34 and 35.
[0038]
The paper feed rollers 30 and 31 are in contact with the paper 2 placed on the paper cradle 11c, and feed out one by one from the top. The separating plate 32 prevents the paper from being overlapped by the paper feed roller 31 and fed. The paper detection sensor 180 detects the passage of paper. The heavy running detection rollers 34 and 35 detect the thickness of the paper passing between them.
[0039]
The folding unit 14 includes folding rollers 40 to 46 that are alternately arranged above and below the sheet conveyance path, two folding trays 58a and 58b that are arranged below the folding rollers 40 to 46, and folding trays 58a and 58b. Folding stoppers 59a and 59b arranged along with the paper and a paper detection sensor 182 for detecting the passage of the paper.
[0040]
The cutting unit 16 includes two sets of slitter units 81a and 81b that cut both edges of the paper in the paper conveyance direction, and one set of slitter units 82 that cut the center of the paper in the conveyance direction.
[0041]
The temporary sealer unit 17 includes a pair of rollers 91 and 92, and preliminarily applies pressure when the folded paper passes between them.
[0042]
The paper discharge unit 18 includes a paper detection sensor 184 that detects the passage of paper and a pair of paper discharge rollers 93 and 94 that discharge the folded paper from the paper folding device 10.
[0043]
The paper conveyance sealing device 20 includes a cross conveyor unit 22, a sealer unit 24, and a discharge conveyor unit 26.
[0044]
The cross conveyor unit 22 includes a conveyance belt 104 that conveys a sheet discharged from the sheet discharge unit 18 of the paper folding device 10 in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction, a steel ball 105 that holds the conveyed sheet, It includes three pairs of paper feed rollers 111, 112; 113, 114; 115, 116 that rotate at the same speed and convey paper, and a paper detection sensor 186 that detects passage of paper.
[0045]
The sealer unit 24 includes a pair of press rollers 117 and 118.
[0046]
The discharge conveyor unit 26 includes two sets of paper discharge conveyors 140 that convey paper and a paper discharge guide plate 142 that leans the paper conveyed by the paper discharge conveyor 140.
[0047]
Next, each part of the paper folding apparatus 10 will be further described.
[0048]
The heavy running detection rollers 34 and 35 of the paper feeding unit 12 are configured as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, and when the paper 2 passes between the heavy running detection rollers 34 and 35, the lower side as shown by an arrow 301. The heavy running detection roller 35 is pushed down, and the support arm 36 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow 302, and the gap between the heavy running detection rollers 34, 35 is enlarged by the support arm 36, and the photo interrupter 39 is rotated. Can be detected.
[0049]
In other words, the upper heavy run detection roller 34 is rotatably disposed at a fixed position with respect to the apparatus main body 11 on the upper side of the sheet conveyance path. The lower heavy-running detection roller 35 is rotatably supported at the distal end portion of the first piece 36s of the support arm 36 in which the first piece 36s and the second piece 36t are joined in a substantially Y shape. The upper end portion of the second piece 36t of the support arm 36 is rotatably supported around a support shaft 37 fixed to the apparatus main body 11, and is urged clockwise by a spring 38 in the drawing. As a result, the lower heavy-running detection roller 35 is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate from the upper heavy-running detection roller 34, and is always in contact with the upper heavy-running detection roller 34. A projecting piece 36 a is provided at the lower end of the second piece 36 t of the support arm 36 so that the position of the projecting piece 36 a can be detected by the photo interrupter 39.
[0050]
Next, the folding portion 14 will be further described with reference to FIGS.
[0051]
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4, folding guides 50 to 57 are arranged around the folding rollers 40 to 46 along the paper path.
[0052]
The folding rollers 42, 44 and 46 and the folding guides 50, 53 and 57 are provided on the upper cover 48. The upper cover 48 is disposed on the upper side of the sheet conveyance path, and rotates about the rotation axis of the folding roller 40 as indicated by an arrow 304. The upper cover 48 is provided with a release lever 49 that is rotatably supported by a support shaft 48a. The release lever 49 has a hook-shaped tip 49a. The distal end portion 49a is engaged with a shaft 47 provided in the apparatus main body 11, and holds the closed state in which the upper cover 48 is closed as shown by a solid line. As shown by the dotted line, when the release lever 49 is tilted to the left in the figure, the engagement with the shaft 47 is released, and the upper cover 48 can be opened. When the upper cover 48 is opened, the upper side of the sheet conveyance path is exposed, so that even when a sheet is jammed in the middle of the sheet conveyance path, the sheet can be easily removed.
[0053]
A first folding tray 58a is disposed between the folding rollers 41 and 43, and a second folding tray 58b is disposed between the folding rollers 43 and 45, and the respective folding trays 58a and 58b are opposed to each other. The paper can be fed into the paper storage space formed between the guide plates 72, 73;
[0054]
In the folding stoppers 59 a and 59 b arranged along the folding trays 58 a and 58 b, the sheet abutting plates 64 and 65 are fixed to a lifting block 60 that is lifted and lowered by the rotation of the screw rod 62. The paper abutting plates 64, 65 are inserted between the guide plates 72, 73: 74, 75 to form the bottom of the paper storage space, and the paper fed between the guide plates 72, 73; It comes to contact.
[0055]
As shown in the enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 5, a paper detection sensor 66a such as a photo interrupter is provided on the paper abutting plate 64 so as to detect a paper jam or the like between the guide plates 72 and 73 of the folding tray 58a. Also good. Similarly, a paper detection sensor 66b (see FIG. 18) may be provided on the paper abutting plate 65 to detect a paper jam or the like between the guide plates 74 and 75 of the folding tray 58b.
[0056]
As shown in the enlarged view of the main part in FIG. 6, a positioning plate 67 for moving the folding guide 54 is fixed to the lifting block 60 in the second folding stopper 59b. The folding guide 54 is fixed to the one end 58 a side of a support plate 58 that is rotatably disposed concentrically with the central axis of the folding roller 43. A spring 59 is engaged with the other end of the support plate 58, and the support plate 58 is urged clockwise in the drawing, and as shown by a solid line, the folding guide 54 is normally retracted below the sheet conveyance path. It is like that. As shown by the dotted line, when the one end 58a is lifted by the positioning plate 67 of the second folding stopper 59b, the support plate 58 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, and the folding guide 54 is indicated by an arrow 306. Further, the downward sheet conveyance path toward the second folding tray 58 b is closed so that the sheet passing between the folding rollers 43 and 44 is directed between the folding rollers 44 and 45 as indicated by an arrow 308. .
[0057]
Next, the first and second folding trays 58a and 58b will be described. The first and second folding trays 58a and 58b are configured similarly except that the height dimensions are different. Hereinafter, the first folding tray 58a will be described.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 7 (a) front view and (b) side view, the first folding tray 58a has a pair of guide plates 72 and 73 arranged at a predetermined interval, and is vertically provided. Each pair of guide pins 76 and 77 and a handle 78 are provided.
[0059]
In the guide plates 72 and 73, openings 72a and 73a extending in the vertical direction and continuous portions 72b and 73b are alternately formed. Since the continuous portions 72b and 73b are arranged so as to be shifted by a half pitch so as not to face each other, it is possible to completely check the paper storage space formed between the guide plates 72 and 73 from both sides of the guide plates 72 and 73. Clogging can be easily found. On the inner surfaces of the continuous portions 72b and 73b, ridges 72c and 73c projecting into the paper storage space are formed, respectively, so that the paper is not easily caught in the paper storage space.
[0060]
As shown in the side view of FIG. 8 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, the folding tray 58a has upper and lower guide pins 76 and 77, guide grooves 11k provided in the frames 11s and 11t of the apparatus body 11 (FIG. 9). , Only the guide pin 76 is inserted), and is arranged at a predetermined position.
[0061]
The folding tray 58a can be taken out by opening the cover 11c of the apparatus main body 11 as shown in FIG. That is, when the handle 78 (not shown in FIG. 9) of the folding tray 58a is pulled at the attachment position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 9, the guide pins 76 and 77 (not shown in FIG. 9) are guided into the guide groove 11k. As shown by the chain lines, the engagement between the folding tray 58a and the sheet stopper plate 64 of the folding stopper 59a is released. When the folding tray 58a is further pulled out, the folding tray 58a is guided along the straight portion 11z of the guide groove 11k and can be taken out from the apparatus main body 11. Installation is the reverse of this procedure.
[0062]
Next, the paper folding operation will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 10C and 10E and FIGS. 11C and 11E are schematically shown.
[0063]
For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a sheet 2 that is divided into three portions 2a, 2b, and 2c by folding lines 2s and 2t that will be formed later, and the folding lines 2s and 2t are in the sheet transport direction indicated by arrows. The sheet is placed on the sheet feed table 11a so as to form a right angle. Note that perforations may be formed in advance at the portions of the fold lines 2s and 2t so that the sheet 2 can be easily broken.
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet 2 sent from the paper supply unit 12 to the folding unit 14 passes between the folding rollers 41 and 42 and is sent to the first folding tray 58a. When the leading edge 2k of the sheet 2 hits the sheet abutting plate 64, the sheet 2 moves toward the space between the folding rollers 42 and 43 as indicated by the dotted lines in the space surrounded by the folding rollers 41, 42, and 43. Bend. The height of the sheet abutting plate 64 is adjusted as appropriate so that the portion that becomes the fold line 2t after the rear side of the sheet 2 becomes the tip of the curved portion 2p.
[0065]
When the rear side of the sheet 2 is further fed by the folding rollers 41 and 42, the curved portion 2p of the sheet 2 is sandwiched between the folding rollers 42 and 43, and as shown in FIGS. A folding line 2t is formed in a state where the front part (first and second parts 2a, 2b) is folded under the rear part (third part 2c) of 2, and the folding line 2t is conveyed to the top.
[0066]
Then, as indicated by an arrow 306 in FIG. 6, when the folding line 43 is fed from the folding rollers 43 and 44 to the second folding tray 58b and abuts against the sheet abutting plate 65, the rear part of the sheet (after In the space surrounded by the folding rollers 43, 44, 45, the peripheral portion of the portion that becomes the folding line 2 s is curved toward the folding rollers 44, 45, and the curved portion is between the folding rollers 44, 45. As shown in FIGS. 10D and 10E, the folding line is formed with the front portion (second and third portions 2b and 2c) folded under the rear portion (first portion 2a) of the sheet 2. 2s is formed and conveyed with the broken line 2s as the head.
[0067]
As described above, as shown in FIG. 10E, the first portion 2a, the second portion 2b, and the third portion 2c of the sheet 2 are folded in a Z shape.
[0068]
Further, as shown in FIG. 11E, the sheet 2 can be folded in a bag shape so that the first portion 2a is sandwiched between the second portion 2b and the third portion 2c.
[0069]
In this case, when the leading edge 2k of the sheet 2 sent to the first folding tray 58a hits the sheet abutting plate 64, the vicinity of the portion that becomes the folding line 2s after the front side of the sheet faces the folding rollers 42 and 43. The height of the sheet abutting plate 64 is adjusted so as to be bent. Then, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, a folding line 2s is formed in a state where the first portion 2a is folded under the rear portion of the sheet 2 (the second portion 2b and the third portion 2c). Then, the broken line 2s is conveyed to the top.
[0070]
Then, when the folding line 2s comes into contact with the sheet abutting plate 65, the rear part of the sheet (the peripheral part of the part that will become the folding line 2t later) of the folding rollers 44, 45 is sent to the second folding tray 58b. The curved portion is sandwiched between the folding rollers 44 and 45, and as shown in FIGS. 11 (d) and 11 (e), below the rear portion (third portion 2c) of the sheet 2 A fold line 2t is formed in a state where the front portion (first and second portions 2a, 2b) is folded, and the fold line 2t is conveyed to the top.
[0071]
When the sheet only needs to be folded once, that is, when folded in two, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 6, the folding guide 54 is set at the upper position by the second stop stopper 59b, and the arrow 308 As shown in the drawing, the sheet that has passed between the folding rollers 43 and 44 does not go to the second folding tray 58b, but immediately goes between the folding rollers 44 and 45.
[0072]
As shown in the plan view of FIG. 12, the cutting unit 16 can freely move the slitter units 81 a, 81 b, and 82 in a direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction indicated by the arrow 310 as indicated by arrows 312, 314, and 316. Can be moved to.
[0073]
As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 13, the slitter unit 82 has an upper blade 82a and a lower blade 82b, and is rotationally driven by drive shafts 83a and 83b, respectively. Similarly, the slitter units 81a and 81b have upper and lower blades that are rotationally driven by the drive shafts 83a and 83b.
[0074]
In the movement area of the slitter units 81a, 81b, 82, guide members 85, 86 are provided below the paper transport path and guide the lower surface of the paper.
[0075]
One end of the main body 87 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 89, and the guide member 86 is between a neutral position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 12 and a retracted position retracted from the moving region of the slitter unit 82 as indicated by a dotted line. It can be rotated. The main body 87 includes an upper piece 87a, a middle piece 87b, and a lower piece 87c bent in a U-shaped cross section, and the upper piece 87a and the lower piece 87c extend in parallel along the paper transport path, and the middle piece 87b extends at a right angle to the paper transport path. One end 88a of the spring 88 is locked in the vicinity of the support shaft 89, the other end 88b of the spring 88 is locked to the lower piece 87c, and the guide member 86 is automatically moved to the neutral position by the restoring force due to the expansion and contraction of the spring 88. It comes to return.
[0076]
The guide member 85 is also configured in the same manner as the guide member 86 except that the dimensions in the paper transport direction are different.
[0077]
When the guide members 85 and 86 hit the moving slitter units 81a, 81b, and 82, the guide members 85 and 86 retreat from the moving area of the slitter units 81a, 81b, and 82. After passing through the slitter units 81a, 81b, 82, the original position is automatically restored by the restoring force of the spring 88. Therefore, when the slitter units 81a, 81b, and 82 are moved, a special operation such as retracting the guide members 85 and 86 in advance or returning them later becomes unnecessary.
[0078]
Next, the configuration of each part of the paper conveyance sealing device 20 will be further described.
[0079]
As shown in the plan view of FIG. 14, the cross conveyor unit 22 is provided with a stop guide plate 100 facing the paper discharge rollers 93 and 94 of the paper folding device 10, so that the paper discharged from the paper folding device 10 can be received. It hits the stop guide plate 100 and falls onto the conveyance belt 104, is attracted to the upper part of the conveyance belt 104, which is a circulating endless belt, and moves together with the conveyance belt 104. Thereby, the paper conveyed in the direction perpendicular to the fold line (indicated by the arrow 320) in the paper folding apparatus 10 is generally conveyed in the fold line direction.
[0080]
A large number of through holes 104 a are formed in the transport belt 104. A suction box 106 is disposed below the upper portion of the conveyor belt 104 as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The suction box 106 is connected to a blower 108 (see FIG. 14) disposed at the lower part of the paper conveyance sealing device 20, and an opening (not shown) is provided in the upper part facing the upper part of the conveyance belt 104. . As a result, the air above the transport belt 104 is sucked into the suction box 106 from the through hole 104 a and can be transported while adsorbing the sheet to the upper portion of the transport belt 104.
[0081]
By operating a dial 101 (see FIG. 14), the stop guide plate 100 can be moved in parallel in a direction in which the stop guide plate 100 contacts and separates from the conveyance belt 104 according to the size of the folded sheet.
[0082]
As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion 21 c of the paper conveyance seal device 20 is opened for the suction of air from the conveyance belt 104 and the operation of the dial 101.
[0083]
On the side opposite to the stop guide plate 100 (the paper folding apparatus 10 side), a guide guide plate 102 is disposed with an inclination of a predetermined angle θ with respect to the transport belt 104, and the paper transported by the transport belt 104 is guided by the guide guide plate. After that, it moves along the guide guide plate 102. As a result, the sheet is corrected in a predetermined direction along the fold line and is delivered to the sheet feeding rollers 111 and 112.
[0084]
The paper transport speed of the paper feed rollers 111 and 112 is faster than the paper transport speed of the transport belt 104, and a gap is formed between the papers.
[0085]
A steel ball 105 for pressing the paper is provided between the paper feed rollers 111 and 112 so that the orientation of the paper is not disturbed when the paper is transferred from the transport belt 104 to the paper feed rollers 111 and 112 having a speed difference. Has been placed. The steel ball 105 is rotatably held on the conveyor belt 104 by a holder 105 that is rotatably supported by a support shaft 105.
[0086]
Next, the configuration of the sealer unit 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, and 23. FIG.
[0087]
The sealer portion 24 is configured on a base plate 120 extending in the horizontal direction, and is provided with vibration isolating rubbers 122, 123, and 124 (one not shown) disposed at four corners of the base plate 120. It is fixed to the frame of the main body 21.
[0088]
A pair of vertical plates 121 a and 121 b projecting perpendicularly to the base plate 120 are fixed on both sides of the base plate 120. The pair of vertical plates 121a and 121b rotatably supports one (lower side) pressure roller 118.
[0089]
A substantially L-shaped arm plate 130 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 131 on each of the vertical plates 121a and 121b. The arm plate 130 rotatably supports the other (upper side) pressure roller 117. A contact surface 130 a with which the cam 132 contacts is formed at the tip of each arm plate 130. The cam 132 is fixed to both ends of the rotating shaft 133 supported by a pair of vertical plates 121a and 121b. A potentiometer 138 is provided at one end of the rotating shaft 133. A fan-shaped gear 134 is fixed to the other shaft end of the rotating shaft 133. The fan-shaped gear 134 is rotated by a gear 136 provided on the output shaft of a gear motor 163 fixed to the lower side of the base plate 120. Further, limit switches 135a and 135b are provided on the vertical plates 121a and 121b in order to detect the position of the sector gear 134.
[0090]
Gears 117 a and 118 a that mesh with each other are fixed to one shaft end of the press rollers 117 and 118. A pulley 118 b is fixed to the other shaft end of the pressure roller 118, and is rotated by a sealer main motor 162 via a drive belt 119.
[0091]
Next, the operation of the sealer unit 24 will be described.
[0092]
At the time of crimping, the fan-shaped gear 134 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 16 by the rotation of the gear motor 163. As a result, the cam 132 pushes down the contact surface 130a of the arm plate 130, and the gap between the pressure rollers 117 and 118 has a predetermined size so that pressure is applied when the paper passes between the pressure rollers 117 and 118. Set to. Since the gap between the pressure-bonding rollers 117 and 118 can be strictly adjusted using a cam, the paper can be appropriately pressurized with a predetermined pressure.
[0093]
On the other hand, when the gear motor 163 rotates in the reverse direction, the sector gear 134 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, the cam 132 is rotated, the arm plate 130 is rotated counterclockwise by a spring (not shown), the gap between the pressure rollers 117 and 118 is widened, and the pressure between the pressure rollers 117 and 118 is released. When the paper is jammed between the pressure rollers 117 and 118, even if the shafts of the pressure rollers 117 and 118 are bent, as shown by the chain line and the arrow K in FIG. It is possible to widen the gap between the pressure rollers 117 and 118, release the pressure, and take out the jammed paper 2x.
[0094]
Next, the configuration of the control system of the mailing machine 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
[0095]
A CPU 150 that controls the entire apparatus includes an operation panel 28, a ROM 152 that stores basic programs, a RAM 154 that temporarily stores the number of drive pulses of the sheet abutting plate motors 166 and 167, an operation program, EEPROM 156 for storing parameters, etc., folding unit main motor 160 for driving folding rollers 40-45, etc., sealer main motor 162 for driving press rollers 117, 118, etc., and conveyor motor 164 for driving conveyor belt 104, etc. The sheet abutting plate motors 166 and 167 for raising and lowering the sheet abutting plates 64 and 65, the sheet detecting sensors 66a and 66b provided on the sheet abutting plates 64 and 65, and the four sheet detecting sensors 180 and 182, respectively. 184, 186 and the main motor clutch 188 are connected .
[0096]
CPU 150 controls the operation of each device based on an operation command from operation panel 28. For example, when a paper size, a folding line position, a folding method, and the like are input from the operation pamel 28, the CPU 150 automatically sets the paper abutting plates 64 and 65 to a predetermined height. Further, from the operation panel 28, it is possible to execute a crimping mode in which the sheet is folded and crimped. At this time, a trial mode in which only one sheet is processed and a production mode in which continuous processing is performed can be selected. Further, the CPU 150 monitors detection signals from various sensors, and when an abnormal state such as a paper jam is detected, the CPU 150 appropriately stops the operation of each device and automatically executes the pressure release mode to perform press rollers 177, The gap between 178 is sufficiently widened. Further, the pressure release mode can be manually executed at an arbitrary timing by a predetermined operation from the operation panel 28. The CPU 150 detects the gap between the press rollers 177 and 178 based on the outputs of the limit switches 135a and 135b and the pontensometer 138, stores the detected data in the RAM 154, and enters the pressure bonding mode after the pressure release mode. When the setting is changed, the gap data between the press rollers 177 and 178 set in the previous press-bonding mode is read from the RAM 154, and the gap between the press rollers 177 and 178 is controlled to be the same as the read data.
[0097]
Next, a control operation when a paper jam (jam) is detected will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0098]
As shown in the main flowchart of FIG. 19, it is determined whether or not a jam occurs at the folding section 14 (# 10). If the jam occurs at the folding section 14, jam processing 1 is executed (# 20). If it is not a jam at the folding section 14, it is determined whether or not it is a jam at the cross conveyor section 22 (# 12), and if it is a jam at the cross conveyor section 22, jam processing 2 is executed (# 40). ). If it is not jam at the cross conveyor section 22, it is determined whether or not it is jam at the sealer section 24 (# 14), and if it is jam at the sealer section 24, jam processing 3 is executed (# 60). .
[0099]
In the jam processing 1 to 3, the upstream mechanism immediately stops from the place where the jam occurred, but the downstream mechanism continues to operate for a while until the normal processing of the paper is completed. After that, stop the operation.
[0100]
The jam processing 1 in the case of a jam at the folding unit 14 operates as shown in the detailed flowchart of FIG. That is, the operation of the paper feeding unit 12 is stopped (# 22), and the folding unit 14 is stopped (# 24). Next, the delay timer is operated, and after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed (# 26), the cross conveyor unit 22 is stopped (# 28), the sealer unit 24 is stopped (# 30), and the discharge conveyor The unit 26 is stopped (# 32).
[0101]
As shown in the detailed flowchart of FIG. 21, in the jam processing 2 in the case of a jam at the cross conveyor section 22, first, the paper feed section 12 is stopped (# 42), and the cross conveyor section 22 is stopped (# 44). ), The folding unit 14 is stopped (# 46). Next, the delay timer is operated, and after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed (# 26), the sealer unit 24 is stopped (# 30), and the discharge conveyor unit 26 is stopped (# 32).
[0102]
As shown in the detailed flowchart of FIG. 22, the jam processing 1 in the case of a jam in the sealer unit 24 first stops the paper feed unit 12 (# 62), stops the sealer unit 24 (# 64), The cross conveyor unit 22 is stopped (# 66), and the folding unit 14 is stopped (# 68). Next, the delay timer is operated, and after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed (# 70), the discharge conveyor unit 26 is stopped (# 72).
[0103]
More preferably, when the jam occurs after the cross conveyor section 22, the folding section 14 is not stopped immediately after the jam occurs, and the folding section 14 is removed after the folding of the paper is completed and discharged from the folding section 14. Stop.
[0104]
Moreover, the order may be the same or the order may be changed except for the stop timing with the delay timer (step # 26 in FIG. 20, step # 48 in FIG. 21, step # 70 in FIG. 23) interposed therebetween. For example, steps # 22 and # 24 in FIG. 20, steps # 42, # 44 and # 46 in FIG. 21, and steps # 62, # 64, # 66 and # 68 in FIG. Alternatively, the order may be changed. Also, the stopping operations of steps # 28, # 30 and # 32 in FIG. 20 and steps # 50 and # 52 in FIG. 21 may be simultaneous or the order may be changed.
[0105]
As described above, since the folding trays 58a and 58b are disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 11 of the paper folding apparatus 10, the operation sound is quiet and the miniaturization is easy.
[0106]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can implement in another various aspect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a paper folding apparatus and a mailing machine using the paper folding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the mailing machine in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a heavy run detection roller.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a folding unit.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4;
6 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a front view and a side view of a folding tray.
FIG. 8 is a side view of a folding part.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a fold portion.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of paper folding.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of paper folding.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a slitter unit.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a slitter unit.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of a cross conveyor unit.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a cross conveyor section.
FIG. 16 is a front view of a sealer portion.
FIG. 17 is a side view of a sealer part.
FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a control system of a mailing machine.
FIG. 19 is a main flowchart of the operation of the mailing machine.
FIG. 20 is a detailed flowchart of the operation of the mailing machine.
FIG. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the operation of the mailing machine.
FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart of the operation of the mailing machine.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sealer unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 paper
2p curved part (flexible part)
2s, 2t broken line
10 Paper folding device
11 Device body
20 Paper transport seal device
28 Operation panel (Folding line position setting means)
41 Folding roller (first conveying means)
42 Folding roller (first conveying means, second conveying means)
43 Folding roller (first conveying means, second conveying means)
44 Folding roller (first conveying means, second conveying means)
45 Folding roller (second conveying means)
48 Upper cover (movable member, cover)
58a, 58b Folding tray (paper storage unit, paper storage container)
59a, 59b Folding stopper (paper storage unit)
64, 65 Paper butting plate (bottom)
66a, 66b Paper detection sensor (abnormal state detection means)
72a Opening (communication part)
150 CPU (control means in case of abnormality)
166,167 Paper abutting plate motor (bottom drive means)
180, 182, 184, 186 Paper detection sensor (abnormal state detection means)

Claims (9)

A paper storage portion having an upper opening on one end side of a paper storage space formed between a pair of opposing guide plates constituting the folding tray and having a paper abutting plate on the other end side of the paper storage space; A portion of the sheet conveyed from the main sheet conveyance path is disposed below the main sheet conveyance path for conveying the sheet in a substantially horizontal direction and through the upper opening facing the main sheet conveyance path. At least one paper storage section,
First conveying means arranged along the sheet main conveying path and curving the rear side of the sheet in contact with the sheet abutting plate by feeding the sheet from the sheet main conveying path toward the sheet storage unit. When,
The main sheet transport is performed by biting a curved portion that is disposed on the downstream side of the first transport unit along the main sheet transport path and formed on the rear side of the sheet stored in the sheet storage unit. A paper folding apparatus provided in the apparatus main body with a second conveying means for conveying the path,
The sheet abutting plate is disposed on the apparatus main body side, and the folding tray is configured to be movable in a direction crossing the sheet main conveyance path. Paper folding device. In the pair of guide plates, a plurality of continuous portions extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of side surface openings extending in the vertical direction adjacent to the continuous portions are alternately formed,
The paper folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the continuous portions are arranged with a half-pitch shift so as not to face each other. The paper folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper abutting plate is configured to be inserted into and engaged with a side opening of the guide plate. The guide pins provided at the top and bottom of the folding tray are respectively inserted in guide grooves provided at the top and bottom of the apparatus main body so as to be guided. The paper folding apparatus according to one. The paper folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folding tray is configured to be removable from the apparatus main body. The paper folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the paper abutting plate is configured to be movable up and down. The paper folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a paper detection sensor fixed to the paper abutting plate to detect the presence or absence of paper in the paper storage space. . The paper folding according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a protrusion that protrudes into the paper storage space is formed on an inner surface of the continuous portion of the guide plate. apparatus. A paper folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a paper conveyance sealing device that conveys and pressurizes the paper ejected from the paper folding device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ejection direction; A mailing machine characterized by

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