JP7014410B2 - High-speed encapsulation device for mail - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an encapsulation device for encapsulating an encapsulation to be provided in a mail piece in an envelope at an unprecedented high speed. For example, in an industry that mass-produces mail, it is installed downstream of a collating conveyor that collates predetermined types of printed matter one after another. Envelope in the envelope.

Conventionally, this type of device is roughly classified into two types. In the encapsulation part for enclosing the envelope in the envelope, there is a method of enclosing the envelope with the envelope flap at the entrance of the envelope facing up, and a method of enclosing the envelope with the envelope flap facing down. The apparatus according to the present application belongs to the latter, and the following are known as typical prior arts.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-9897

One of the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art is that the encapsulation speed is slow. It refers to the number of products produced per hour, and there was a problem with the high-speed performance of completing the encapsulation in a short cycle one after another. In other words, it does not work if the envelope is inserted into the envelope at a high speed, and it is considered that it is caused by the encapsulation resistance generated at the time of encapsulation. Therefore, although we are trying to improve it by auxiliary means such as blowing air, we have not yet reached a fundamental solution.
According to the present invention, as a method for reducing the encapsulation resistance, the conventional method is an encapsulation method in which the rear end of the encapsulation is simply pushed in, and the encapsulation method is supported from the bottom surface over several tens of millimeters from the rear end. We have developed a method of pushing in the state, so to speak, with the rear end part lifted up to some extent, and we are trying to achieve high speed in the encapsulation process by that method.
In addition, when the flap of the envelope is bent and bonded in the sealing process, which is the next step of the encapsulation process, the conventional technique cannot eliminate the tendency of the envelope to be partially distorted and bonded without bending at the regular folding line. Provided is an encapsulation device capable of preprocessing a material that requires delicate balance adjustment so that it can be neatly sealed without depending on the shape of the encapsulation as much as possible.

Therefore, the present invention is a device for enclosing an envelope in which an encapsulation of a printed matter to be sent by mail is collated in an envelope, and includes an encapsulation portion for holding the envelope with the flap down, and arrives on the upstream side of the encapsulation portion. The encapsulation is provided with a delivery section for sequentially delivering the encapsulation from the collating finger to the encapsulation finger running on the upper surface side of the collating object, and the encapsulation fingers are formed into a pair of L-shapes by at least two of the encapsulation fingers. The part is configured to enclose the envelope in a standby envelope while the rear end of the encapsulation is supported on the bottom surface by the encapsulation finger L-shaped end, and to carry out the envelope after encapsulation from the encapsulation while continuing the operation. However, the mail is provided with an envelope feeding device that additionally supplies the next envelope from the direction orthogonal to the encapsulation direction to the lower part of the encapsulation part, and is configured to always secure the envelope stock in the lower part of the encapsulation part. Provide a high-speed encapsulation device for goods.

Further, the present invention provides a high-speed encapsulation device for mail, characterized in that the envelope feeding device is provided with a bending mechanism for temporarily bending an envelope flap.

In the encapsulation part that encloses the envelope in the envelope, the envelope is sealed in the waiting envelope while the bottom surface of the rear end of the encapsulation is firmly supported by the L-shaped end of the encapsulation finger, and the encapsulation operation is continued. By adopting a configuration in which the envelope after encapsulation is carried out from the encapsulation portion, the encapsulation resistance in the envelope is reduced, and since it is a series of continuous operations, the encapsulation cycle can be remarkably shortened. By the way, considering from the time when the leading end of the envelope starts to enter the envelope to the time when the rear end ends, the encapsulation resistance is gradually increased as the encapsulation progresses, but the rear end is supported on the bottom surface. Therefore, the mitigation at the end of the game will make a big difference.

Further, in the case of an encapsulation device in which the envelope feeding device is provided with a bending mechanism for temporarily bending the envelope flap, the shape of the encapsulation is changed in the sealing step, which is the next step of the encapsulation step. It has become possible to seal flaps in a remarkably stable and clean manner without depending on them.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the operation of the apparatus of this application in time series, and (b) is a partially enlarged figure about the main part of (a) in the figure. It is explanatory drawing which showed the operation of the apparatus of this application in time series, and (b) is a partially enlarged figure about the main part of (a) in the figure. It is explanatory drawing which showed the operation of the apparatus of this application in time series, and (b) is a partially enlarged figure about the main part of (a) in the figure. It is explanatory drawing which showed the operation of the apparatus of this application in time series, and (b) is a partially enlarged figure about the main part of (a) in the figure. Explanatory drawing which illustrated the plan view of the apparatus of this application Explanatory drawing showing time series about delivery of inclusions Explanatory drawing showing time series about delivery of inclusions Explanatory drawing showing time series about delivery of inclusions Explanatory drawing which illustrated the adjustment example which concerns on the change of the envelope size in the plan view Explanatory drawing illustrated in front sectional view about preferred embodiment Explanatory drawing about flap folding machine

[Example]
Hereinafter, the apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail.
1 to 4 show how the embodiment device operates in time series. Further, the figure (b) is a partially enlarged view of the main part of the figure (a). After the next operation of FIG. 4, the state of FIG. 1 is reached, and the collating finger 22a is 22b, the envelope 2a is 2b, and so on, and the collating finger 22a is continuously operated while circulating to the next encapsulation cycle.

In the figure, 11 refers to a collating chain. The chain 11 is driven by a chain sprocket 13 fitted to a rotating shaft 14, and a top cover 15 is provided at a place where a collating object 1c is placed. That is, it is configured so that the central portion of the inclusions 1b and 1c can be supported and conveyed from the lower surface at a position slightly higher than the upper surface of the transfer table pointed to in 7.

Further, in the figure, 12 points to a collating finger. The collating finger 12 is attached to the collating chain 11 described above at predetermined pitch intervals, and although not shown, several types of printed matter are stacked one after another in the upstream area on the right side of the paper. The collating is performed, and as a result, it is supplied to the next encapsulation step as an encapsulation pointed to by 1c. To give a concrete example, any printed matter such as leaflets, bi-fold leaflets, four-fold leaflets, saddle-stitched catalogs, etc. are combined into one set, and address papers are collated as needed. When the collating finger 12 finishes its role in the delivery section, which will be described later, as shown in FIG. 2, the collating finger 12 is located rearward in the transport direction (clockwise) around the chain pin as in the known finger-type transport device. Turn around and move to the return operation.

An encapsulation chain 21 is also provided on the upper surface side of the inclusions 1a to 1c on the downstream side in the transport direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosed chain 21 is stretched between the chain sprocket 23a fitted to the rotating shaft 24a and the chain sprocket 23b fitted to the rotating shaft 24b, and collates at predetermined intervals. The fingers 22a to 22e are provided. The rotating shaft 14 and 24a or 24b are mechanically associated with each other so that the collating chain 11 and the enclosed chain 21 travel at the same speed. Further, the attachment interval of the collating finger 12 and the attachment interval of the encapsulating fingers 22a to 22e are the same, and the following remarkable movements are created under such conditions.

That is, as is clear from FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrated in chronological order, with respect to the enclosed material 1c that has been conveyed in the delivery unit that transfers the enclosed material 1c from the collating finger 12 to the enclosed finger 22c. The encapsulation finger 22c operates as shown in the drawing, and as a result, the encapsulation finger 22c is delivered so as to support the bottom surface with the rear end portion of the encapsulation 11c at the L-shaped end portion. In order to improve delivery, the L-shaped end portion is formed to have a length of about 10 to 50 mm, preferably about 35 mm. Further, FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of the embodiment device, but in order to maintain a steady transfer balance in the left-right direction with respect to the transfer direction, the encapsulation fingers 22c are configured to form a pair with at least two. do. That is, for example, two chains 21 are stretched and the enclosed fingers 22a to 22e having an L-shape as illustrated are deployed. Further, the traveling positions of the encapsulating fingers 22a to 22e are preferably configured to travel close to both sides of the traveling line of the collating chain or the top cover 15 covering the upper surface of the chain. By doing so, by supporting the bottom surface with the substantially central portion of the inclusion 1c, the remaining portion of the inclusion 1c is supported on the transport table pointed to by 7, and as a result, the central portion of the rear end is supported. While maintaining the deformation in a minute or convex shape, it is carried into the next encapsulation part. If the length of the L-shaped end is too long, the entire length of the end may not be fully engaged with the bottom surface of the enclosure in the delivery with the collating finger 12, but during the subsequent transportation. Then, the frictional force from the transport table 7 acts to support the bottom surface more deeply.

Next, the encapsulation part for inserting the encapsulation into the envelope will be described.
FIG. 1 illustrates a situation in which an enclosure 1a is enclosed in an envelope 2a by an encapsulation finger 22a and then carried out by a continuous operation in the same direction as the encapsulation direction. At the same time, the encapsulation 1b is conveyed by the next encapsulation finger 22b to the position immediately before the encapsulation portion, and therefore, in the encapsulation portion, the ordinary suction pad 6 is in the opening operation of the next envelope 2b.

FIG. 2 shows the transition from the state of FIG. 1 to the point where the leading end of the enclosure 1b is inserted into the opening of the envelope 2b to some extent in the enclosure. It should be noted here that the flap of the envelope 2b in the encapsulation portion is located on the lower side. The flap is located under the flap cover 8, and is configured so that the flap does not interfere with the encapsulation. On the other hand, the enclosed envelope 2a is in a state immediately before the transfer by the carry-out conveyor 3 starts to outperform the encapsulation finger 22a.

FIG. 3 illustrates a situation in which the carry-out conveyor 3 pulls out the sealed envelope 2a from the filling finger 22a and carries it out. That is, the carry-out conveyor 3 is set to be somewhat faster in speed. Further, in the sealed portion, the enclosed material 1b is inserted into the envelope 2b, leaving about 40%.
FIG. 4 illustrates a state immediately before the encapsulation finger 22b is used to complete the encapsulation of the encapsulation 1b in the envelope 2b in the encapsulation portion. Further, in the delivery section on the upper side of the encapsulation section, as described in connection with FIGS. 6 to 8, the state is just before the start of the delivery operation of the encapsulation 1c from the collating finger 12 to the encapsulation finger 22c. .. That is, the encapsulation at the encapsulation section and the delivery at the delivery section are continuously performed cyclically at the timing that is mechanically assured. In order to reach the state of FIG. 1 from the state of this figure, it is necessary to release the restraint of the envelope 2b by the suction pad 6 at an appropriate timing. One of the means is provided with a control mechanism that electrically or mechanically controls the pressure in order to release the negative pressure in the suction pad 6 immediately before the completion of the encapsulation or until the completion. Further, as a simple means, it may be configured to be forcibly pulled out by the encapsulating finger 22b without such pressure control, and it is also possible to configure it to be used in combination if necessary. In any case, in the present application, the envelope is not limited to being inserted into the envelope until it is completely submerged in the envelope, and there is a case where a large practical problem does not occur. In some cases, the encapsulation is completed when a part of the envelope has not been fully inserted.

Now, what should be noted here is the number of envelope stocks shown at the bottom of the encapsulation section. Incidentally, FIG. 2 shows one envelope stock excluding the envelope being enclosed, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show two envelope stocks. That is, the case where the next envelope is supplied so as to reach the lower part of the encapsulation portion between the state of FIG. 2 and the state of FIG. 3 is illustrated. In short, it is configured to maintain the operational continuity of the device by always supplying the next envelope to the lower part of the encapsulation part. The number of envelope stocks may be one less than that of the illustrated embodiment. In this case, in principle, it is sufficient to finish supplying the next envelope by the time the suction pad 6 descends to open the next envelope and starts suction. Of course, it is also possible to supply the illustrated examples or more so as to stock them. In this case, the supply device is generally operated so as to always make up for the shortage. For example, in FIG. 5, which is a plan view explanatory view of the embodiment device under the state of FIG. 4, in the figure, 5 refers to a supply belt stretched on the roll 4, but the belt 5 By means such as a paper feeding device known above (not shown), paper is continuously fed and supplied one by one based on such a supply algorithm.

Next, a preferable envelope supply device that may be incorporated in the above-mentioned encapsulation device will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. In the figure, 40 is an envelope bundle, 40a is an envelope in the alignment portion 48a, 40b is an envelope in the flap primary folding portion 48b, and 40c is an envelope in the stock portion 48c set in the lower part of the sealing portion. pointing. Further, FIG. 9 (b) shows an example in which the envelope sizes are different in comparison with FIG. 9 (a). That is, as is clear from these drawings, the present embodiment supply device is configured as a device that links the three steps.

First, the first step is to receive the fed envelopes from a known paper feeding device that feeds one by one from the envelope bundle 40, and adjust the position according to the envelope size. At 48a, it is carried out by a known means such as a pusher method and an aligner conveyor method. For example, when using a small envelope, the position is adjusted to the right side of the paper as illustrated in FIG. 9B. That is, in the encapsulation device of the present application, the position with the flap bent portion as a guide is used as a reference regardless of the size of the envelope. Therefore, the envelope 40a is used to adjust the reference. It is possible to omit this step by changing the paper feed position from the paper feed device, and the flap primary folding portion 48b according to the second step described later performs the first step prior to the second step. It can also be configured to implement.

Next, in the second step, the flap of the envelope 40b is temporarily bent at the flap primary folding portion 48b in response to the supply from the first step. For example, the folding mechanism 42 is provided with the mechanism illustrated in FIG. That is, a blade holder 47 having an appropriate hardness is provided on the lower surface, a knife holder 49 is provided on the movable part of the air cylinder 46 above, and a long and inseparable knife 45 is provided on the holder 49, as shown in FIG. When the flap bending portion arrives directly below, as shown in Fig. (B) or (c), push it downward and press it in a line with the cutting edge of the knife 45 and the blade holder 47 to form a crease. Bend locally as you insert. In addition, the holder 49 illustrated in FIG. (C) can appropriately suppress the flip-up of the flap tip portion by forming the end portion in a so-called brim shape as compared with the holder 49 illustrated in FIG. .. Further, as a specific example of the blade holder 47, a foam body made of rubber, urethane, or other material having appropriate hardness is desirable, or when it is made of metal, a line-shaped concave groove that meshes with the cutting edge of the knife 45. Is formed and configured. In any case, the pressing is completed in a short time, leaving a primary bending mark on the flap bending part, but since it is not sealed and adhered in this process, the flap is opened while suppressing excessive bending of the flap. Until then, the process shifts to the next third step. For example, the flap is carried into the lower surface of the flap cover 8 shown in FIG. 5 so that the flap is opened.

That is, in the third step, as is clear from FIG. 9, the envelope 40b from the flap primary folding portion 48b is received by the carry-in conveyor 43 and conveyed until its leading end abuts on the stopper 41. Further, as is clear from the position of the height of the transport surface of the transport conveyor 43 in FIG. 10, the front transport surface can be lowered to some extent and the envelope can be carried to the lowest position of the stocked envelope. It is configured as follows. In the figure, 44 is a bracket that integrally holds the three rolls in the central portion, and when the size of the envelope corresponds to the size of the envelope, the bracket 44 is aligned in the left-right direction on the paper surface together with the alignment of the stopper 41. It is configured so that the position can be adjusted. Although the carry-in conveyor 43 can be operated continuously if necessary, it is preferably operated intermittently as in the first step and the second step, and the envelope is used for alignment and primary bending of the flap. Is configured to be carried out in a stopped state.

As described above, the high-speed encapsulation device for mail according to the present invention is notable for its high processing capacity in the encapsulation method for envelopes with flaps down.
In addition, by adopting a supply device that performs the primary bending process of the flaps, in the sealing device connected to the line next to such an encapsulation device, many flaps have been used depending on the shape of the encapsulation. It is possible to fundamentally wipe out what has been distorted and sealed, and it is possible to maintain a clean seal in a stable and continuous operation, which is sure to contribute to the mail manufacturing industry.

1a, 1b, 1c, 1d ... Envelopes 2,2a, 2b ... Envelopes 3 ... Carry-out conveyor 4 ... Rolls 5 ... Supply belt 6 ... Suction pads 7 ... Conveyor table 8 ... Flap cover 11 ... Collating chain 12 ... Collating finger 13 ... Chain sprocket 14 ... Rotating shaft 15 ... Top cover 21 ... Envelope chain 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e ... Envelopes 23a, 23b ... Chain sprocket 24a, 24b ... Rotating shaft 40 ... Envelope 40a ... Envelope 40b at the alignment part ... At the flap folding part Envelope 40c ・ ・ ・ Envelope 41 ・ ・ ・ Stopper 42 ・ ・ ・ Folding mechanism 43 ・ ・ ・ Carrying conveyor 44 ・ ・ ・ Bracket 45 ・ ・ ・ Folding knife 46 ・ ・ ・ Air cylinder 47 ・ ・ ・ Blade Receiver 48a ・ ・ ・ Alignment part 48b ・ ・ ・ Flap primary folding part 48c ・ ・ ・ Stock part 49 ・ ・ ・ Knife holder

Claims (2)

It is a device that encloses an envelope containing printed matter to be sent to an envelope in an envelope. It is provided with an envelope that holds the envelope with the flap down, and the envelope that arrives on the upstream side of the envelope An encapsulation part is provided in which a delivery portion is sequentially delivered from the joint finger to the encapsulation finger running on the upper surface side of the collated object. While the rear end is supported by the L-shaped end of the encapsulation finger on the bottom surface, the envelope is enclosed in a standby envelope, and the envelope after encapsulation is carried out from the encapsulation while the operation is continued. A high-speed encapsulation device for mail, which comprises an envelope feeding device that additionally supplies envelopes to the lower part of the encapsulation portion from a direction orthogonal to the encapsulation direction, and is configured to always secure an envelope stock in the lower portion of the encapsulation portion. The high-speed encapsulation device for mail according to claim 1, wherein the envelope feeding device is provided with a bending mechanism for temporarily bending an envelope flap.

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