JP4719552B2 - Running inspection method for sealed mail and inspection device using the method - Google Patents

Description

In the case of postal items sent to the recipient, such as important cards such as credit cards, passwords and personal information printed on personal information, in the industry that sends them out, quality inspections before they are issued Is extremely important.
Specifically, due to poor adjustment of the sealing and sealing machine, the envelope flap part is unattached, or the defective part of the envelope itself causes poor adhesion at the barracuda part, or the envelope side edge called belly crack In practice, serious defective products are always mixed, such as broken parts.
Even with a small incidence, these are the times when perfect quality control is required from the viewpoint of contractor responsibility to the client and protection of the recipient's personal information.

The present invention has been made to achieve the elimination of such defective products, and relates to a technology for automatically inspecting sealed mail pieces before they are put out.
In addition, the inspection accuracy will be standardized by using the equipment that previously relied on manual work and visual inspection.
It also provides a new traveling type inspection method that performs high-speed inspection while transporting postal items that are inspection objects.

Conventionally, Patent Document 1 (Title: Inspection Method for Gluing State and Gluing Inspection Device Using the Inspection Method) is known as this type of inspection device.
However, this technique can only inspect the flaps of envelopes.
That is, air is blown to the flap portion to forcibly lift it up, and the image is determined by inputting the raised shadow to the camera.
Therefore, it is impossible to determine the abnormal state of the barracuda part other than the flap part or the envelope side edge part, and even if this technique is extended, the present application problem cannot be solved.

JP 2004-53302 A

The present invention relates to such postal matter with respect to poor adhesion of the envelope flap portion, poor adhesion of the envelope camas portion, and belly cracking of the envelope side edge portion in the same step for any one item or all items as necessary. Provide technology that can be inspected.
In addition, we propose a revolutionary method that realizes a completely new high-speed mass processing that transports and inspects the mail as it is inspected.

  In other words, the running inspection method for mails enclosed in the present application includes a front side suction pad that acts on the front side of the mail piece and a back side suction pad that acts on the back side, and the front side suction pad has a larger suction force than the back side suction pad. The two suction pads are sucked from both the front and back surfaces of the mail piece being transported and run away from each other in the thickness direction of the mail piece, and the back side suction pad cannot maintain the suction and is opened. It is characterized in that an adhesion failure and a broken state are inspected in relation to the release information and the travel position information of the suction pad.

  Further, the running inspection device for postal matter enclosed in the present application includes a conveying member that conveys the postal matter in a predetermined direction, a front side suction pad that acts on the front side of the mail piece, and a back side suction pad that acts on the back side. A traveling unit that is configured to have a larger suction force than the back side suction pad, and that allows both the suction pads to be sucked from the front and back sides of the mail piece being transported while being separated in the thickness direction of the mail piece. A suction release sensor for detecting that the back side suction pad can no longer maintain suction and opening, and a position sensor for outputting information related to the travel position of the suction pad. It is characterized in that it is configured to determine an adhesion failure and a broken state of the envelope based on the sensor information.

  In addition, a rotating arm is fixed to each of shaft ends that rotate in the same direction in synchronization with the two shafts, and a rotating shaft flange that extends in parallel with the shaft is provided at the other end separated by a predetermined dimension from the fixed end of the rotating arm. A connecting plate is installed between the rotating shaft flanges, and an arbitrary point of the connecting plate is configured to draw a circular path according to the rotation of the two axes, and a pad mounting member for attaching the suction pad to the connecting plate is provided. Provided is a running inspection device for encapsulated mail pieces that includes a running engagement mechanism.

  Furthermore, a transport member for transporting the mail piece is provided at a position that does not interfere with the suction pad arranged at a predetermined position with respect to the envelope surface, and further, the thickness direction of the postal matter while the suction pad performs suction action from both the front and back surfaces Provided with a postal-packed mail inspection device that includes a transporting member retracting mechanism that moves the transporting member away from the postal matter in relation to the separation operation of the suction pad for the section that is transported while being separated To do.

According to the disclosed invention, it is possible to determine the quality of each place by arranging the suction pads at arbitrary locations on the flap portion, the barracuda portion and the envelope side edge portion of the envelope.
In other words, since both suction pads are attracted from both front and back sides of the mail piece being conveyed and run while being separated in the thickness direction of the mail piece, the back side suction pad cannot maintain the suction. Differences can be found at the opening points.
If it is a normal product, it will be opened early, and if it is a defective product, a delay will occur. In addition, even when the materials are different, such a difference is maintained, and since it is a rational method for judging the quality by comparing the opening timing, a very stable judgment can be made.

  Also, an apparatus having a feeding engagement mechanism that engages both suction pads in synchronization with the flow of mail being conveyed, and an apparatus having a conveying member retracting mechanism that operates the conveying member more preferably. All of these devices are very effective in realizing high-speed inspection processing, and are sure to contribute from the viewpoint of personal information protection.

First, the inspection items that the present invention determines whether to pass or fail will be described.
The envelope 1 shown in FIG. 14 is the most popular pasting type, and the surface on the side glued in this way is referred to as the back surface of the envelope 1.
In FIG. 15, 1A indicates a flap portion, 1B indicates a barracuda portion, 1C indicates a side edge portion, and 1D indicates a sealed enclosure.
Further, FIG. 16 illustrates a stomach crack 1E which is one of the defects.
Occurs when there is some abnormality in inserting the inclusion into the envelope and the side edge 1C is damaged or deteriorated.
FIG. 17 illustrates the poor adhesion of the barracuda 1B, and FIG. 18 illustrates the poor adhesion of the flap 1A, and illustrates a state where the mouth is open for easy understanding.
However, in reality, it looks as if it is adhered, and is often missed by visual inspection.
Of course, incompletely bonded products that are only bonded to such an extent that they can be easily peeled off should be treated as defective products.

A preferred embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
1 is a side view, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG. 3 is a plan view.
In the figure, 1 indicates an envelope, and in the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the window 1G of the envelope 1 is faced up, while the back surface (the envelope bonding part such as the flap part is illustrated with a dotted line) is being transported. Conduct an inspection. Specifically, the envelope 1 is successively conveyed in the direction of the arrow by the carry-in belt 7A, the carry belt 7B, and the carry-out belt 7C.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, suction pads 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B provided on the front and back sides of the envelope act on the envelope 1 on the conveying belt 7 </ b> B.
What should be noted here is that the front-side suction pad 2B of the envelope 1 is larger than the back-side suction pad 2A, and a clear difference is provided in the suction force due to the difference in the suction surface area.
Note that the same pad may be used to set a clear difference in negative pressure to ensure the difference.
Whichever means is adopted, these pads are preferably held by the pad holder 3 and arranged on the suction holder-plate 16.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the back side suction pad 2 </ b> A is disposed on the envelope 1 so as to correspond to the flap portion and the barracuda portion in relation to the inspection item.

On the other hand, the front-side suction pad 2 </ b> B that sucks onto the envelope surface is similarly disposed on the suction holder-plate 16 via the pad holder 3.
The front surface suction pad 2B does not necessarily have to be disposed to face the back surface side suction pad 2B exactly one to one.
It is sufficient if the suction force is sufficient to counteract the suction force of the back surface side suction pad 2A. If necessary, the number and the arrangement location may be different, and the size of the shape is appropriately designed.

A preferred embodiment mechanism for inspecting while running will now be described with reference to FIGS.
In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes frames arranged on both sides, and an auxiliary frame 11 is provided on the outside thereof to constitute a housing.
The mechanism drive shafts 4A and 4B are provided via a bearing 12, and although not shown, the two shafts are connected to a known drive source so as to rotate in the same direction in synchronization.
The mechanism drive shafts 4A and 4B have a rotation arm 13 fixed to each of the shaft ends thereof, and a rotation shaft extending in parallel with the shafts 4A and 4B to the other end separated from the fixed end of the rotation arm 13 by a predetermined dimension. A flange 14 is provided.
Further, a connecting plate 15 is installed between the rotary shaft flanges 14, and any point of the connecting plate 15 is configured to draw a circular orbit according to the rotation of the mechanism drive shafts 4A and 4B.
Further, the front side travel engagement mechanism 4 is configured by arranging a pad holder-3 for attaching the suction pad to the connecting plate 15.
It is apparent from FIG. 2 that the back side running engagement mechanism 5 provided with the back side suction pad is configured in the same manner as the front side mechanism 4 with the mechanism drive shafts 5A and 5B as input shafts.

Next, the dynamic action of the apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS.
The state of FIG. 1, that is, the state where the suction pads 2A and 2B are closest to the front and back surfaces of the envelope 1, this state is the original position, FIG. 5 is 20 °, FIG. 6 is 40 °, and FIG. 8 shows a state at a position advanced by 120 °, and FIG. 9 shows a position at a position advanced by 300 °.
The above-mentioned angle is the rotation angle of the mechanism drive shafts 4A and 4B and 5A and 5B, and makes one rotation (360 °) in the direction of the arrow to reach the original position in FIG.
And it progresses, repeating the test | inspection of the envelope 1 which arrives in this 1 cycle.

If attention is paid to the position change of the envelope 1 shown in the figure, it can be understood that the next envelope arrives with good timing for each cycle of the inspection described above.
In other words, the rotation of the mechanism drive shafts 4A, 4B and 5A, 5B and the conveyor belts 7A, 7B, 7C are mechanically related to each other so that the suction pad does not obstruct the travel of the envelope 1 while it operates while traveling. It has a configuration to let you.
Further, when referring to the upstream side conveyance system of the carry-in belt 7A, it is desirable that it is connected to the carry-in conveyor 7A in a state in which a constant interval is maintained as in the case of a conveyance means using a finger chain.

  More specifically, for example, a mail sending device (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-17209), a mail processing device (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-18824), a mail processing and operation system (Japanese Patent No. 2005-24147), a mail delivery device (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-33461), and a small mail sorting device (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-69936). It is conveyed at regular intervals on the chain conveyor, and it is possible to perform the present envelope inspection in a series of steps together with other processes as necessary.

Now, whether the envelope 1 is good or bad will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10 illustrates the case where there is an adhesion failure in the flap portion 1A, and FIG. 11 illustrates the case of a normal product.
In the figure, α is an angle in one cycle described above, and in this figure, the time point of 40 ° is partially enlarged.
As is clear from comparison between the drawings, if the envelope 1 is normally bonded, the back-side pad 2A is detached from the envelope 1 before reaching 40 °. In this case, it can be understood that the flap portion 1A is attached to the back surface suction pad 2A as shown in FIG.
That is, good / bad is determined based on the difference in deviation timing.

FIG. 13 illustrates the timing chart and the piping diagram modeled in FIG. 12, but the chart horizontal axis 0 to 360 ° in FIG. 13 is displayed as one cycle.
The angular position is detected by the pulse transmitter 18 provided in association with the mechanism drive shafts 5A and 5B illustrated in FIG.
Further, a mechanical valve 21 is interposed at an appropriate position from the negative pressure source 20 to the suction pads 2A and 2B, and as shown in the mechanical valve opening / closing timing diagram, only the vicinity of 0 ° which is the original position is open with respect to the negative pressure source 20. That is, it is configured so as to be in an adsorbable state.
In other words, the suction is possible from the position slightly before the original position shown in FIG. 2, and the state is maintained from the position 40 ° shown in FIG. 6 to the position 60 ° shown in FIG. This section is configured to be non-adsorbable.
The mechanical valve 21 is provided with a vacuum breaking function that closes the downstream pipe and releases the air to the atmosphere as needed.

In the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes a pressure sensor provided in the vicinity of the back surface side suction pad 2A. The sensor first detects some negative pressure when the mechanical valve 21 is opened, and when the envelope is sucked, the negative pressure increases at once, and then when the back side suction pad is removed from the suction state. When the mechanical valve 21 is closed or at the same time the vacuum is broken, the atmospheric pressure is reached.
The time point at which the suction pad 2A is sucked and released according to the normal path is identified from the pressure change in or near the pad, and the position information is obtained by calculating the pad position β at that time.
The pressure sensor as described above can be replaced with a flow rate sensor for measuring a change in flow rate, or a sensor such as a contact type mechanical sensor or a non-contact optical sensor (not shown).
If necessary, several sensors are provided to detect when the back surface side suction pad 2A is detached from the envelope 1.

In any case, normal envelopes can be distinguished very stably at an early stage with a clear difference in that there is a delay if there is an abnormality.
In addition, of the postal items to be inspected for operation, the limit normal products that are close to defective products are used for teaching, and if the back side suction pad 2A comes off earlier, it is OK. Is NG.
Of course, an appropriate threshold value may be automatically set for both normal and defective products.
Furthermore, a method of setting an error and trie method so that defect determination is easy to occur at first, and correcting the determination standard each time is also a practical operation method.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the conveying member retracting mechanism will be described based on the vertical movement chart of the conveying belt 7B shown in FIG.
In the apparatus of this embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a transport mechanism is constituted by a carry-in belt 7A, a carry belt 7B and a carry-out belt 7C which are stretched between pulleys.
In the figure, 6 is a drive shaft for these belts, and the conveyor belt 7B located in the inspection section is arranged at a position where it does not interfere with the suction pads 2A and 2B as shown in FIG.
The conveyor belt 7B is configured to move up and down at the timing shown in FIG. 13 in relation to the inspection operation of the suction pads 2A and 2B described above.
That is, the conveyor belt 7B is moved up and down at a predetermined timing by the swing of the swing arm 17 provided extending from the swing shaft 9.
And by this operation | movement, it is comprised so that the test | inspection operation | movement which concerns on the suction pads 2A and 2B mentioned above may not be inhibited.

1 and 5 to 9 illustrate the inspection process in time series, in which 8A is a carry-in side press roll, and 8B is a carry-out side press roll.
These presser rolls 8A and 8B are transported in a state where the envelope 1 is moderately pressed, and are attached so that the envelope 1 does not cause unnecessary vertical movement as much as possible at the boundary position with the inspection section.
That is, the transport member retracting mechanism of the transport belt 7B wipes the influence of the envelope 1 with some vertical movement in the inspection section, so that its upstream position or downstream position, preferably as shown in FIG. It is set as the structure for conveying while suppressing the vibration in the position.

As described above, the illustrated embodiment apparatus conveys the envelope 1 with the front side facing up, and inspects the envelope adhering portion existing on the back side from below, but according to the present invention, the front and back are reversed as necessary. It is also possible to provide an embodiment that targets envelopes that are transported in this manner.
Similarly, it is also possible to configure an embodiment apparatus in which the long side direction of the envelope 1 is the transport direction.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an Example apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an Example apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an Example apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the envelope appearance and pad arrangement | positioning in an Example apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an Example apparatus to operation order. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an Example apparatus to operation order. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an Example apparatus to operation order. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an Example apparatus to operation order. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an Example apparatus to operation order. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the determination details of a test | inspection. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the determination details of a test | inspection. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating in full detail about the piping system regarding a suction pad. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the timing regarding main operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detail of enclosed mail. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the determination details of a test | inspection. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the determination details of a test | inspection. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the determination details of a test | inspection. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the determination details of a test | inspection.

Explanation of symbols

  1 ・ ・ Envelope, 1A ・ ・ Envelope flap part, 1B ・ ・ Combine part of envelope, 1C ・ ・ Side edge of envelope, 2A ・ ・ Suction pad for back side, 2B ・ ・ Suction pad for surface, 3 ・ ・ Pad Holder-4, ... Front side running engagement mechanism, 4A, 4B ... Mechanism drive shaft, 5 ... Back side running engagement mechanism, 5A, 5B ... Mechanism drive shaft, 6 ... Belt drive shaft, 7A ... Belt, 7B ... Transport belt, 7C ... Unloading belt, 8A ... Loading side presser roll, 8B ... Unloading side presser roll, 9 ... Swing shaft, 10 ... Frame, 11 ...・ Auxiliary frame, 12 ・ ・ Bearing, 13 ・ ・ Rotating arm, 14 ・ ・ Rotating shaft flange, 15 ・ ・ Connecting plate, 16 ・ ・ Suction holder-mounting plate, 17 ・ ・ Oscillating arm, 18 ・ ・ Pulse Transmitter, 20 ... Negative pressure source, 21 ... Mechanical valve, 22 ... Pressure sensor.

Claims (4)

A front-side suction pad that acts on the front side of the mail piece and a back-side suction pad that acts on the back side, the front-side suction pad has a larger suction force than the back-side suction pad, The suction pad is sucked from both the front and back sides and traveled while being separated in the thickness direction of the mail piece. The relationship between the suction opening information released when the back side suction pad cannot maintain the suction and the traveling position information of the suction pad. A running inspection method for encapsulated mail items, characterized by inspecting for poor adhesion and breakage. It comprises a conveying member that conveys mail in a predetermined direction, a front side suction pad that acts on the front side of the mail piece, and a back side suction pad that acts on the back side, and the front side suction pad has a larger suction force than the back side suction pad. In addition, it is equipped with a running engagement mechanism that allows both the suction pads to adsorb from both the front and back sides of the mail piece being transported while being separated in the thickness direction of the mail piece, and the back side suction pad maintains the suction. A suction release sensor that detects that the suction pad has been released and a position sensor that outputs information related to the travel position of the suction pad are provided. Based on both sensor information, an adhesion failure or damage state of the envelope is determined. A running inspection apparatus for enclosed mail items, characterized in that it is configured as described above. A rotary arm is fixed to each of the shaft ends that rotate in the same direction in synchronization with the two shafts, and a rotary shaft flange that extends in parallel with the shaft is provided at the other end separated by a predetermined dimension from the fixed end of the rotary arm, A connecting plate is installed between the rotary shaft flanges, and any point of the connecting plate is configured to draw a circular orbit according to the rotation of the two axes, and a pad mounting member for attaching a suction pad to the connecting plate is provided. The running inspection device for enclosed mail items according to claim 2, wherein a running engagement mechanism is configured. A conveying member for conveying mail pieces is provided at a position that does not interfere with the suction pads arranged at predetermined positions with respect to the envelope surface, and further, the suction pads are separated from each other in the thickness direction while adsorbing from both the front and back surfaces. 4. The section for feeding while comprising a conveying member retracting mechanism for causing the conveying member to move away from the mail in association with the separation operation of the suction pad. A running inspection device for sealed postal items.

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