JPH05221577A - Signature assorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform proper assortment regardless of various characteristics of a signature and to prevent the damage of the signature by providing an assorting plate the tip of which makes contact with the lower end surfaces, in a position being a symmetrical line, of rotary pieces and which is inserted through an opening from a position below a table while separating the rotary pieces to both sides during raising. CONSTITUTION:A motor 18 is rotated by means of an output signal from a detecting means to raise a slider 16 and an assorting plate 19 is raised. In this case, the tip parts 21a and 21a of rotary pieces 21 are protruded by their rotation from an opening part 12 to a signature transfer surface on a table and inserted between the folded parts of the signature 11 positioned above the opening part 12. In this case, air enters a gap in the signature 11 and the adjoining signatures 11 are easily assorted. When the assorting plate 19 is further raised, it penetrates through a gap between the rotary pieces 21 and 21. When a slider is further raised, the assorting plate 19 advances between the bundles of the signatures 11 positioned above the opening part 12 and separates the signatures 11 above the opening part 12. As a result, the signatures are properly assorted and prevented from any damage.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signature sorting apparatus that sorts a predetermined number of signatures from a bundle of signatures when a bookbinding process progresses from a preparation process to this process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device shown in FIG. 6 is known as a device for supplying a predetermined number of signatures to a signature storage portion of a bookbinding machine.

FIG. 6 shows a signature feeder 3 arranged in the vicinity of the signature storage section 2 of the bookbinding machine 1. The signature feeder 3 is a table for transporting the signature 4 in an upright state. 5
And a ramp 6 for feeding the signature 4 on the table 5.
And a supply section 7 for mounting the signature 4 in a lying state in order to supply the signature 4 to the inclined section 6, and a conveyor belt 8 is provided from the supply section 7 to the inclined section 6. .. Slope 6
A roller 9 that presses the signature 4 on the belt 8 toward the inclined portion 6 is provided at a position opposite to.

The signatures 4 on the belt 8 of the supply section 7 are stacked with the peller side located on the front end side in the traveling direction and the fold side located on the rear side, and they are overlapped in a state of being partially offset, and are inclined from the supply section 7. When the belt 8 moves to the portion 6, the signature 4 is erected in the vertical direction due to the pressing force of the roller 9, and the signatures 4 are erected and aligned in the table 5 in a state where the signatures 4 are partially separated.

However, when the signature feeder 3 supplies the signatures 4 to the bookbinding machine 1, there are the following drawbacks. That is, the thin signature 4, the weak signature 4, or the signature 4 having a high surface friction coefficient is rubbed by the pressing force of the roller 9, or the roller 9 and the belt 8 are rubbed.
Between the sheets and the sheet, or the sheet is slid and aligned diagonally, or the alignment 4 has been aligned and is pushed by the signature 4 supplied as a subsequent one, and the alignment is disturbed. This is a problem that the phenomenon such as the occurrence of accidents easily occurs, which makes the signature feeder 3 unusable, which is a big problem.

By the way, as an example of a countermeasure for solving the above-mentioned problems, an invention entitled "Method and apparatus for supplying a signature to a signature punching machine" is disclosed in JP-A-1-64938. According to the above-mentioned invention, "a stack of folded signatures is placed on the table lifter, the table lifter is raised, and the upper surface of the signature is detected by the photoelectric tube. After stopping the lifter and inserting the sorting pin into the signature from the corner of the signature, lower the table lifter a little to form a sorting gap in the signature stack and insert the conveyor into the gap. To do.

However, the above invention has the following problems. That is, when inserting the sorting pins into the signature bundle, breaking the spine of the signature or pushing the signature out in the pressing direction, and stacking the signatures horizontally on the table lifter. The fold side is high and the peller side is low, so that a large number of signatures cannot be stacked and a large amount of sorting processing is difficult to perform.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made with the above problems in mind, and the purpose thereof is to provide the following matters. That is, (a) A predetermined number of signatures can be sorted from the bundle of signatures regardless of various characteristics of the signatures. However, the various characteristics of the signature are, for example, the thickness, the flexibility, and the surface friction coefficient. (B) Do not scratch the signature. (C) A large amount of signatures can be processed by the signature sorting operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a signature sorting device capable of performing all of the above (a) to (c).

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The means provided by the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems are, namely, in a signature sorting device for sorting a predetermined number of signatures from a bundle of signatures, with the fold side down. A stack of signatures mounted on the table can be transported in the thickness direction thereof, and a table having an opening penetrating the moving area of the stack of signatures and an axially rotatably rotatable shaft on the back side of the table. A plurality of pivoting pieces which are supported by and are inserted between the bundles of the signatures on the opening when they are pivoted upward, and a plurality of pivoting pieces arranged below the opening so as to be vertically movable. Is in contact with the lower end surface of the rotating piece at the position of the line of symmetry, and the separating plate is inserted from below the table through the opening while dividing the rotating piece into both sides when rising. It is a signature sorting device characterized by performing.

In order to prevent the signature from being damaged, it is preferable that the sorting plate has a flat tip, and the contour is curved or polygonal, the corners are curved, or chamfered. It is effective if it goes.

[0011]

According to the signature sorting apparatus of the present invention, since a stack of the signatures is stacked laterally or diagonally with each signature standing on the table, a large number of signatures can be placed on the table. The signatures can be loaded, and when the signatures are moved in the thickness direction of the bundle and the sorting plate is raised, the two rotating pieces rotate symmetrically, respectively. The upper part projects from the opening, and the upper part of each rotating piece forms a gap between the signatures. When the sorting board is further raised, the two rotating pieces are pushed and the sorting board is inserted into the bundle of sorted signatures. Therefore, the sorting of the signatures should be performed properly regardless of the characteristics of the signatures. Can be done, and the signature is not damaged.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A signature sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 5 are schematic views of a signature sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In each of the signatures 11, the fold side (back side) is in contact with the table 10 and the peller side (the end opposite to the fold side).
Are placed on the table 10 in a state in which they are erected so as to come to the upper side. The signatures 11 on the table 10 are moved to the left side in the drawing along the surface on the table 10 in a state of standing up in a bundle by the sliding support plate 10a. A penetrating opening 12 is formed on the surface of the table 10 in the area where the support plate 10a slides, and the signature 11 is supported in an upright state between the opening 12 and the support plate 10a. A support position P1 is provided for keeping the device in standby.

The support plate 10a can be moved further from the support position P1 to the left side in the drawing, and is stopped at the sorting amount setting position P2. Sorting amount setting position P where the support plate 10a is the stop position
When moved to 2, the opening 12 and the support plate 10a
A predetermined number of signatures 11 are arranged between and. The support position P1 and the sorting amount setting position P2 are provided with detection means (for example, a contact switch, a photoelectric conversion means, etc.) that detects that the support plate 10a has reached each position. In the vicinity of the slide area of the support plate 10a, an arm (not shown in the specification) for transporting a signature is waiting. The arm is for gripping and transporting a predetermined number of signatures 11 located between the support plate 10a and the opening 12 to the signature storage portion of the bookbinding machine.

Below the table 10, the table 10 is provided.
A frame 13 that is separate from the frame 13 is provided, and bearings 14 and 14 project from the frame 13. A screw rod 15 having a thread is rotatably pivotally attached to a portion located between the pair of bearings 14, 14.
The lower end of the screw rod 15 has a coupling 17
Is connected to the output shaft of the motor 18 via. A slider 16 that advances and retreats toward the table 10 by the rotation of the motor 18 and the screw rod 15 is screwed onto the screw portion of the screw rod 15. Slider 1
The lower end of a flat sorting plate 19 extending toward the opening 12 of the table 10 is screwed to the screw 6.

The sorting plate 19 moves up and down toward the opening 12 of the table 10 with the operation of the slider 16, and the tip portion 19a of the sorting plate 19 can project from the opening 12. The tip portion 19a of the sorting plate 19 has a flat plate shape, and has a rounded shape so as not to damage the signatures when viewed from the row of the bundle of signatures as shown in (FIG. 2). However, as shown in (FIG. 3), when viewed from the side of the row of the bundle of signatures, it is formed to have an acute cross-sectional shape so that it can be easily inserted between the signatures. That is, when the tip portion 19a projects from the opening 12, it is smoothly inserted between the signatures 11 and 11, and the signatures are not easily damaged.

On the back side of the opening 12 of the table 10, a pair of frames 20 are provided so as to project with the longitudinal center line of the sorting plate 19 as an axis of symmetry. 21 is pivotally supported by a shaft. The tip 21a of the turning piece 21 has an acute-angled cross section, and the turning piece 2 is arranged in line symmetry.
Nos. 1 and 21 are installed so that their respective tip portions 21a and 21a are alternately overlapped. Further, the tip end portion 19a of the sorting plate 19 is in slidable contact with the pair of rotating pieces 21, 21.

Lower ends 21b, 2 of the rotating pieces 21, 21
1b is rotatably supported around hinge pins 22 and 22 fitted in the frames 20 and 20 as axes. The radius of gyration is determined so as to satisfy the following mechanism. That is, as shown in (FIG. 3), the rotating pieces 21 and 21 rotate about the hinge pins 22 and 22 while being pushed up by the front end portion 19a of the sorting plate 19 to move the signature transfer surface on the table 10. When the tip ends 21a, 21a are aligned with each other at the same height as, and the rotation operation further proceeds, the tip ends 21a, 21a project from the upper surface of the table 10. The sorting plate 19 is inserted between the bundles of the signatures 11 on the table 10 while penetrating between the rotating pieces 21 and 21 while pushing up the rotating pieces 21 and 21 at the tip portion 19a and rotating the rotating pieces to a predetermined angle. Project as much as possible. In order to enable the above operation, the separating plate 19 is supported at a distant position so as not to cover the region of the locus of the vertical movement of the sorting plate 19.

The E-shaped retaining ring 23 is fitted in the hinge pin 22 and fixed so that the rotating piece 21 and the hinge pin 22 do not move in the axial direction. A washer 24 is provided between the E-shaped retaining ring 23 and the frame 20, between the frame 20 and the rotating piece 21, and between the rotating piece 21 and the E-shaped retaining ring 23.

Next, the operation of the signature sorting apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

First, a large number of signatures 11 are mounted on the signature transfer surface on the table 10 with the fold side down and the peller side up. At this time (as shown in FIG. 1), the slider 16 is located in the vicinity of the lower bearing 14, and the tip portion 19a of the sorting plate 19 stands by below the opening portion 12 and the rotating piece 21. , The tip 2 of 21
It is in a state of being abutted in the vicinity of 1a and 21a. In this state, the turning pieces 21, 21 and their own weights are supported by the sorting plate 19, and the tip portions 2 of the turning pieces 21, 21 are supported.
1a and 21a are located at positions distant from the frames 20 and 20, and the tip ends 21a and 21a of the rotating pieces 21 and 21 do not protrude from the opening 12.

The signature 11 moves leftward in the drawing while being supported by the support plate 10a. When the left support plate 10a reaches the sorting amount setting position P2 from the support position P1, the gap between the left support plate 10a and the opening 12 becomes a predetermined distance, and a predetermined number of signatures are provided between the left support plate 10a and the opening 12. There are eleven. At this time, the motor 18 is rotated by the output signal from the detection means for detecting that the left side support plate 10a has reached the sorting amount setting position P2, and the slider 16 is raised to raise the sorting plate 19.

The lifting of the sorting plate 19 causes the sorting plate 19 to move.
The tip end portion 19a of the rotary piece 21, the tip end portion 21a of the rotating piece 21, 21
1a is pushed up, and the rotating pieces 21, 21 are moved to the frames 20, 2
Rotate in a direction approaching 0. Tip 21 of rotating piece 21
This rotation causes a and 21a to project from the opening 12 to the signature transfer surface on the table 10. Since the tip ends 21a, 21a of the turning pieces 21, 21 have a sharp cross section, they enter between the folds of the signatures 11, 11 located on the opening 12.

The rotating pieces 21, 21 further rotate in opposite directions to form a sorting gap between the bundle of signatures 11 held at the position of the opening 12. At this time, air enters between the signatures 11 to facilitate the sorting of the adjacent signatures 11 and 11. Originally, signature 1
Since the ridge line on the fold side of 1 is sharpened by the pressing process, the rotation pieces 21, 21 rotate,
The rotating pieces 21 and 21 can very easily and easily enter between the adjacent signatures 11 and 11.

The rotating piece 2 with respect to the protruding path of the sorting plate 19
Since the rotation centers of 1 and 21 are deviated, when the slider 16 is further raised to raise the sorting plate 19, the rotating piece 2
While rotating 1 and 21, the distal end portion 19a slides on the distal end portions 21a and 21a of the rotating pieces 21 and 21, and penetrates between the rotating pieces 21 and 21.

When the slider 16 is further raised after the sorting plate 19 penetrates between the rotating pieces 21 and 21, the sorting plate 19 enters between the bundles of the signatures 11 located on the opening 12 and opens. The upper signatures 11, 11 are separated. At this time, the sorting plate 19 causes air to enter between the signatures 11 and 11 by the rotating pieces 21 and 21, so that the adjacent signatures 11 and 1 are adjacent to each other.
Since the ones come in after they are easily separated from each other, the signature is not damaged.

The sorting plate 19 is provided with the signatures 11 on the opening 12,
After completing the sorting by entering between 11 and 11, the arm holds the bundle of the signatures 11 of the portion sorted between the sorting plate 19 and the left side support plate 10a from the thickness direction to bind the bookbinding machine. To the storage section of.

[0028]

As has been described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a signature sorting apparatus which can achieve the above-mentioned object, that is, the following matters. In other words, a large number of signatures can be loaded and prepared on the table, and a large amount of signature sorting work can be performed, and at the time of sorting, the sorting plate and the rotating piece act to position on the opening. The signature is divided into two parts to form a gap, and the rotating piece expands the gap to allow the partition plate to rise and be inserted, so the signatures can be sorted reliably and easily regardless of the characteristics of the signature. That is, it was possible to provide a signature sorting device that does not damage the signatures.

[0029]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an outline of an embodiment of a signature sorting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the rotating pieces (21, 21) and the sorting plate (FIG. 1) as viewed from the right side of the drawing.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing, in an enlarged manner, a state before the signature sorting of the rotating pieces (21, 21) and the sorting plate (FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing, in an enlarged manner, a state in which a sorting plate (FIG. 1) and a sorting plate 19 are about to be inserted between signatures.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing, in an enlarged manner, a state in which a sorting plate 19 (FIG. 1) is further inserted between signatures.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional signature supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ・ ・ ・ Table 10a ・ ・ ・ Support plate 10b ・ ・ ・ Support plate 11 ・ ・ ・ Folder 12 ・ ・ ・ Opening portion 13 ・ ・ ・ Frame 14 ・ ・ ・ Bearing 15 ・ ・ ・ Screw rod 16 ・ ・ ・ Slider 17 ... Coupling 18 ... Motor 19 ... Sorting plate 19a ... Tip part (sorting plate 19) 20 ... Frame 21 ... Rotating piece 21a ... Tip part (rotating piece) ) 21b ... Lower end (rotating piece) 22 ... Hinge pin 23 ... E-shaped retaining ring P1 ... Support position P2 ... Sorting amount setting position

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A signature sorting device for sorting a predetermined number of signatures from a bundle of signatures, wherein the bundle of signatures mounted with the fold side facing down can be transferred in the thickness direction thereof. And a table having an opening penetrating the moving area of the bundle, and is supported by a shaft on the back side of the table so as to be able to pivot in line symmetry. A plurality of rotating pieces to be inserted between the bundle of signatures and vertically movable below the opening, and the tip end is in contact with the lower end surface at the position of the symmetry line of the rotating pieces. A signature sorting device comprising: a sorting plate that is inserted through the opening from below the table while dividing the rotating piece into both sides when rising.