JPH11193013A - Device for sticking address label to envelope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device which can automatically stick an address label to an envelope at a speed equal to or higher than that of a manual label sticking operation, reduce troubles, and achieve a safe operation. SOLUTION: Three direction control plates 5, 6, 7 are disposed to change the moving direction of a paper base with address label, and a backup tension roll 13 to take up the slack of an endless rubber belt 10 is provided in an envelope feed mechanism. A barrier plate 24 is disposed in front of a pile of a large number of envelopes to prevent the forward movement thereof. A gap nearly equal to the thickness of an envelope is provided between the top surface of the endless rubber belt and the lower end of the plate 24. There are provided a photosensor (1) 26 for sensing the separation of an address label, a photosensor (2) 27 for sensing the entry of an envelope, and a photosensor (3) 28 for sensing the determination of label sticking positions and the completion of delivery of envelopes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

2. Description of the Related Art An address label formed by printing an address or the like with a personal computer or a word processor has been widely used in place of manual address writing. However, in companies and offices with a large number of destinations, the manual work of attaching address labels to envelopes or the like is a heavy burden. The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically attaching an address label to an envelope instead of this manual operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, high-speed and high-precision labeling machines have been operated mainly in the manufacturing industry for automatically applying labels. This is mainly a large-sized machine intended to be installed on a conveyor line or the like. This made it difficult for small and medium-sized companies and offices to introduce them.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to replace the task of manually attaching a label with an address or the like printed on an envelope with an apparatus for automatically attaching an address label to the envelope.

The processing speed for manually attaching a printed label to an envelope is usually around 500 sheets per hour. The processing speed of an apparatus for automatically applying an address label to an envelope is required to be equal to or faster than a manual operation.

[0005] This device must be safe to operate with few failures. A mechanism for peeling an address label from a backing sheet, a mechanism for feeding an envelope, and a mechanism for fixing an address label to an envelope are provided as a unit to facilitate inspection and repair. Also, do not create a gap where the fingertips of the hand can enter.

In order to make the handling of this device easy,
The replacement and loading of address labels and envelopes must be quick and easy. In the mechanism for peeling the address label from the backing paper, the address label can be easily exchanged or loaded simply by opening and closing the unit. In order to load the envelope into the mechanism for feeding the envelope, a plurality of special cassettes are prepared. In addition, a mechanism for attaching the address label to the envelope is also made into a unit so that the work can be easily performed at the time of inspection and initial setting.

A mechanism for peeling the address label from the backing sheet, a mechanism for feeding the envelope, and a mechanism for fixing the address label to the envelope are organically arranged and assembled with each other. However, replacement, loading, inspection, and initial setting of the address label and the envelope are performed. For example, when necessary, each mechanism unit can be moved and removed by a simple operation of a fixing member or the like.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A motor is used as a driving source of the mount driving element. When the backing sheet is a backing sheet with sprocket holes, the rotation is transmitted to a driving wheel of a sprocket wheel or a sprocket belt, and the backing sheet with the address label attached thereto is moved in a desired direction. Next, in the case of a mount having no sprocket holes, the rotation is transmitted to a pair of upper and lower friction rolls to move the mount with the address label mounted thereon in a desired direction. Motor
Is controlled by opening and closing the contacts of a relay arranged on a control circuit board by a signal generated by a sequence flow for controlling a device for applying an address label to an envelope.

In order to peel off the address label from the backing paper, three direction control plates for changing the traveling direction of the backing paper with the address label are arranged in the present invention. According to FIG. 1, the mount with the address label is arranged as shown in the front of the peeling plate 5 and the fixing plate 6, and then the adjustment plate 7 is pushed in and fixed by a predetermined length from between the peeling plate and the fixing plate. The peeling performance in this method is closely related to the bending angle of the mount at the end point where the release plate and the fixing plate are in contact with the mount. Although this bending angle varies depending on the characteristics of the backing sheet with the address label, it is appropriate to select a value of approximately 15 ° to 45 °.

A pair of drive rolls 11 and 12 are disposed in contact with the endless rubber belt 10, apply an appropriate tension to the endless rubber belt, and transmit the rotational force of the drive roll to feed the envelope. Move in the direction. One of the rotating shafts of the driving roll 12 is a motor.
15 is connected. In the present invention, a backup tension roll 1 for correcting slack of an endless rubber belt 1
3 are arranged. By the action of the backup tension roll, the contact between the envelope and the endless rubber belt becomes dense, and the movement of the envelope in the feeding direction is guaranteed. Further, a holding plate 14 is arranged near the backup tension roll to improve the straightness of the envelope. The cross-sectional shape of the backup tension roll may be a circular shape or a petal-shaped material having gentle irregularities.

Although a large number of envelopes on which an address label is not attached are placed on the endless rubber belt in a stacked manner, it is difficult to pull out the envelopes one by one from the envelopes below simply by simply placing them on top of each other. That is, several or all of the lower envelopes start moving, and the original purpose cannot be achieved. In such a case, as a measure usually taken, a dam plate 24 or the like for preventing movement of the entire envelope is arranged on the front side in the feeding direction of the envelopes stacked in large numbers. Leave a gap of about one envelope between the upper surface of the endless rubber belt and the lower end of the weir plate. In the present invention, the envelope cassette 23 for storing a large number of envelopes is used.

In the above-described mechanism for separating the address label from the mount, when the optical sensor 26 detects that the address label has begun to be peeled off at the front edge of the peeling plate with the movement of the mount, it has already arrived at the attaching position and waits. The address label is attached to the envelope while the speed at which the address label is peeled off and the speed at which the address label is sent are synchronized with the mechanism for feeding the envelope. Then, this is firmly attached by a mechanism for fixing the address label to the envelope.

The fixing roll is rotated by the motor (3) 21 in the direction of feeding the envelope. An opposing roll is arranged in parallel with the fixing roll, and an envelope passing therethrough is clamped to transmit the rotation of the fixing roll to the envelope. Further, when the envelope passing therethrough moves, the opposing roll rotates freely, and has a role of reducing the frictional force. The gap between the two rolls is supported by a coil spring 20 so as to follow the thickness of the envelope passing therethrough.

The envelope cassette has an outer shape in which an A4 size envelope can be loaded, and a window 25 for sending out the envelope is provided at one end of the bottom plate. Furthermore, a pair of support plates that can move in accordance with the width of the envelope are arranged, so that the envelope can be always fixed to the center of the envelope cassette.

The presence or absence of an envelope or an address label is detected using an optical sensor, and an apparatus for applying an address label to the envelope is controlled. For example, an optical sensor 26 for detecting that the address label has started to be peeled off, an optical sensor 27 for detecting the entry of the envelope, an optical sensor 27 for determining the sticking position and detecting the end of the discharge of the envelope are incorporated.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the lower part of the mechanism for peeling the address label from the backing sheet and the mechanism for fixing the address label to the envelope are arranged on the main body chassis 1 and assembled. The upper part of the mechanism for feeding the envelope and the mechanism for fixing the address label to the envelope are supported by the support hinges 16 and 22 so that the main body is protected.
Connected to the sheer.

In the embodiment, since the address label mount 29 has a sprocket hole, the structure and operation of the mechanism for removing the address label from the mount will be described. According to FIG.
A shaft hole for setting two sprocket belts 2 and rotation shafts of drive rollers 3 and 4 is formed at predetermined positions in a main body chassis of the mount drive element. A screw hole for fixing the motor (1) 8 is provided in the body chassis. The two sprocket belts are installed in symmetrical positions while providing an appropriate tension when the drive roll is attached to the chassis. The spacing between the pair of sprocket belts is adjusted according to the sprocket holes in the address label mount. The three direction control plates are mounted and fixed at predetermined positions on the chassis of the main body. The peeling plate and the fixing plate are placed in a predetermined position in advance, but the adjustment plate has a mechanism to move back and forth, so the printed address label mount is passed through the peeling plate and the fixing plate in front of the sprocket belt. After setting, the adjustment plate is pressed and fixed by a predetermined length from between the peeling plate and the fixing plate.

Next, according to FIG. 4, the mechanism for feeding the envelope is fixed to the support case (1) 9, and the envelope cassette is fitted to a metal fitting in the support case (1). It is held at a predetermined position. Since the support case (1) is connected to the main body chassis by the support hinge (1) 16, it can be rotated as shown in FIG. The endless rubber belt 10 used here was obtained by cutting a soft rubber tube provided for a rubber band for packaging into a ring. In this embodiment, a tube of a laminated material of neoprene rubber and butyl foamed rubber was used. The diameter was 80 mm, which was cut into 60 mm widths. This endless rubber belt was placed on a pair of drive rolls held by the support member of the support case (1). Tension was applied to the endless rubber belt by a mechanism for finely adjusting the position of one of the drive rolls 11. A motor is provided on the rotation shaft of the other drive roll 12.
(2) Connected to 15. A backup tension roll 13 for correcting the slack of the endless rubber belt was also provided. Further, a holding plate 14 is disposed near the backup tension roll. The cross-sectional shape of the backup tension roll was circular. Further, since the support hinge (1) 16 is connected to the main body chassis, FIG.
It can be rotated and moved like.

The mechanism for fixing the address label to the envelope is such that the opposing roll 19 is parallel to the fixing roll 18 and the supporting case (2).
17. The fixing roll rotates in the direction of feeding the envelope by the motor (3) 21 attached as shown in FIG. An envelope passing through the gap between the fixing roll and the opposing roll is clamped, and the address label is fixed to the envelope. The gap between the two rolls is supported by a coil spring 20 so as to follow the thickness of the passing envelope. This mechanism is incorporated in the support case (2) 17. Further, since it is connected to the main body chassis by the support hinge (2) 22, it can be rotated and moved as shown in FIG.

[0020] The envelope cassette has an outer shape in a shape capable of loading an A4 size envelope. According to FIG. 1, the weir plate at the front edge of the envelope cassette is made to be inclined at 20 ° to the bottom. As a result, the envelope is placed in the window portion 2 for sending the envelope.
The sheets are sent one by one without overlapping from 5. Furthermore, a pair of support plates that can move according to the width of the envelope are arranged,
Thereby, the envelope can be always fixed to the center of the envelope cassette. Accordingly, this envelope cassette can store A4 size large envelopes to narrow letter envelopes, as well as postcards and deformed envelopes.

In the apparatus for attaching an address label to an envelope according to the present embodiment, three optical sensors 26, 27, and 28 are used. In the mechanism for peeling the address label from the mount, an optical sensor (1) 26 for detecting that the address label has begun to be peeled off at the front edge of the peeling plate with the movement of the mount, and an optical sensor for detecting the entry of the envelope. (2) 27 and an optical sensor (3) 28 for determining the sticking position and detecting the end of the discharge of the envelope.
The initial state of this apparatus is a state where no label has started to be peeled, no envelope has been started, and the discharge of the envelope has been completed. When the work start button is pressed, the motor (2) of the mechanism for feeding the envelope is activated to start feeding the envelope. When the optical sensor (2) for detecting the entry of the envelope detects the envelope, the motor (3) of the fixing roll and the motor (1) of the mechanism for peeling the address label from the backing paper are activated. When the optical sensor (3), which determines the position of application and detects that the envelope has been ejected, detects the envelope, the motor (2) of the mechanism for feeding the envelope stops. Further, when the motor of the fixed roll stops, and the optical sensor for detecting that the address label has started to be peeled off detects the label, the motor of the fixed roll is activated again to envelope the address label. And the optical sensor for detecting the end of the discharge of the envelope detects the discharge of the envelope. One operation is completed and the above operation is repeated.

[0022]

The effects obtained by the apparatus for attaching an address label to an envelope according to the present invention are as follows.

Since the processing speed of the device for attaching an address label to an envelope is about 700 sheets per hour, it is about 200 sheets per hour more than the processing speed for manually attaching a printed label to an envelope. I stuck.

Since a mechanism for peeling the address label from the backing sheet, a mechanism for feeding the envelope, and a mechanism for fixing the address label to the envelope are provided as a unit, the structure is easy to check and repair.

In the mechanism for peeling the address label from the backing paper, the address label can be easily opened and closed simply by loosening the mounting screws of the support case of the mechanism for feeding the envelope above, and the address label can be easily exchanged and loaded. In order to load the envelopes into the mechanism for feeding the envelopes, preparing a plurality of special cassettes will make the work more efficient. In addition, since the mechanism for fixing the address label to the envelope is also unitized, inspection and initial setting can be easily performed.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the embodiment, the mechanism for peeling the address label from the backing sheet, the mechanism for feeding the envelope, and the mechanism for fixing the address label to the envelope are as follows. Since they are arranged and assembled, they have a space-saving design.

The task of manually attaching a label with an address or the like printed on an envelope could be replaced by a device for attaching an address label to an envelope.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of rotational movement of an upper mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main body chassis.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a mechanism for feeding an envelope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body chassis 2 Sprocket belt 3 Drive roll (1) 4 Drive roll (2) 5 Release plate 6 Fixing plate 7 Adjustment plate 8 Motor (1) 9 Support case (1) 10) Endless rubber belt 11 Driving roll (3) 12 Driving roll (4) 13 Tension roll 14 Holding plate 15 Motor (2) 16 Support hinge (1) 17 Support case (2) Reference Signs List 18 fixed roll 19 opposed roll 20 coil spring 21 motor (3) 22 support hinge (2) 23 envelope casset outer box 24 dam plate 25 window for sending out envelope 26 optical sensor (1) 27 optical sensor (2) 28 Optical sensor (3) 29 Address label mount 30 Address label 31 Envelope 32 Envelope guide

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for attaching an address label to an envelope, comprising a mechanism for peeling the address label from the backing sheet, a mechanism for feeding the envelope, and a mechanism for fixing the address label to the envelope. 2. A mechanism for changing the traveling direction of the address label-attached board 29 being moved by the board drive element and peeling the address label 30 on which the three direction control plates 5, 6, 7 are arranged from the board. Apparatus for putting an address label on one envelope 3. A mechanism for feeding an envelope having an endless rubber belt 10 which moves in a feeding direction by a pair of drive rolls 11 and 12 and a backup tension roll 13 for correcting slack of the endless rubber belt. Apparatus for putting an address label on one envelope 4. A fixing roller which rotates in a direction for feeding an envelope.
2. An address label according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for fixing the address label, comprising a roll 18 and an opposing roll 19 having a function of freely rotating and following the thickness of the envelope passing through the gap, to the envelope. Sticking equipment 5. An apparatus for attaching an address label to an envelope according to claim 1, wherein an envelope cassette for accommodating an envelope to which an address label is not attached is used in addition to the mechanism for feeding an envelope according to claim 3.