JPS6039109Y2 - mail sorting device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention relates to an improvement of a mail sorting device that prints a bar code corresponding to a postal code on the mail and uses the bar code to classify various kinds of mail.

As a mail processing system device, there is a mail sorting device that prints a bar code on the mail and uses the bar code reading information to sort various kinds of mail.

This consists of a supply section a and each stacker b as shown in Figure 1.
. . . A reading section d1, a barcode printing section e1, and a code reader f are disposed on a conveyance path constituting a conveyance mechanism C that communicates with...

In the case of sorting, the mail items g, such as letters, set in the supply section a are fed one by one to the operation of the supply section a, and the reading section d reads them. The postal code of the postal item g is optically read, and then a barcode h corresponding to the read postal code is printed in the barcode printing section e on the edge side of the postal item g in the traveling direction, as shown in Fig. 2. It is printed and read by a code reader f to be sorted into each stacker b...

By the way, as a conveyance mechanism in this kind of sorting device, a conveyance structure is adopted for the holding, which is composed of a conveyance belt j that is excellent in high-speed and stable running of mail g, and guide rollers i that guide the conveyance belt. In particular, on the downstream side of the barcode printing section e, a structure is adopted in which the surface of the postal item g excluding the barcode printing area is held and conveyed as shown in FIG. 3a so as not to stain the printed barcode h.

On the other hand, in most cases, the barcode printing section e uses an inkjet printer (IJP) capable of high-speed printing.

However, with such sorting equipment that uses conveyor belts and inkjet printers, mail g
In most cases, the barcode h reaches the code reader f via the conveyance mechanism C before the ink of the barcode h is completely dry.
The mail g is bent while reaching the code reader f,
Or barcode printing side (free edge) during transportation
Due to upward and downward flapping, there is a great possibility that the barcode h will come into contact with the circumferential surface of the guide roller i as shown in Fig. 3, causing the barcode h to become blurred. There is a problem in that it may lead to misreading.

This idea was devised by focusing on the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to have a protrusion on the circumferential side of the guide roller that forcibly separates the barcode printed area of the mail from the circumferential surface of the guide roller. The present invention aims to provide a mail sorting device which prevents blurring of barcode printing due to contact with guide rollers and enables accurate reading and sorting by a code reader at all times. .

An embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 4 is the main body of the mail sorting device, and on the left side of the main body 1 there is provided a supply section 2 that sequentially supplies mail groups (not shown) such as letters one by one.

Also, on the right side of the main body 1, there are many stackers 3...
A sorting/accumulating section 4 is provided, which is configured by arranging the following.

This sorting and accumulation section 4 and the supply section 2 are communicated via a conveyance path 5 with the supply section 2 as the base end.

In addition, 6... is a branch path for communicating the conveyance path 5 and each stacker 3..., and 7... is a branch path for connecting each branch path 6.
This is a gate mechanism for guiding mail 8 to...

Further, the transport mechanism 9 whose main requirement is the transport path 5 will be described later.

Further, on the path of the conveyance path 5 from the supply section 2 to the sorting and accumulation section 4, there is a reading section 10 that optically reads characters, etc. from the base end side, a barcode printing section 11 using an inkjet printer, and a code reader. 12 is provided, and while the postal item 8 supplied from the supply unit 1 is being conveyed, the reading unit 10 optically reads the postal code marked on the postal item 8, and then the barcode printing unit 11 A barcode 13 corresponding to the reading is printed on the edge of the side along the traveling direction of the mailpiece 8, and based on the reading of this barcode 13 by the code reader 12, the mailpiece 8... It constitutes a sectional accumulation structure that can categorically accumulate the following items in each predetermined stacker 3 .

On the other hand, the structure of the conveyance mechanism 9 includes a pair of endless conveyor belts 15 and 15 made of flexible material such as spantex whose width is smaller than the width of the mail item 8.
The conveyor belt 15.1 is basically structured so that the conveyor belt 15.1
By driving the mailpiece 5, the mailpiece 8 can be conveyed along the plow conveyance path 5 while being held in the center.

Note that the configuration of the branch paths 6 . . . is similar, and reading by the code reader 12 is not impaired.

A large number of guide rollers 16 are arranged on the conveyor belt 15.15 along the path of the conveyance path 5, and each belt 15.15 is given tension along the nipping direction.
Moreover, it constitutes a structure of a transport mechanism 9 that guides the transport of the transport belts 15, 15, and smoothly grips and transports the mail items 8.

Of these guide rollers 16 . . . , at least the code reader 12
The guide rollers 16a on the lower side provided between the
The lower end portions of the mail items 8, ie, the portions 17 on which the barcodes 13 are printed, are configured so as not to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the rollers.

That is, the structure of the guide roller 16a is as follows.
Barcode printing area 1 of mail piece 8 as shown in figures a and b
For example, a flexible ring-shaped member 18 is inserted into the side circumferential surface of the roller 16 corresponding to the side 7 to form an annular protrusion 19 on the roller circumferential surface, and the protrusion 19 is conveyed. It is set so that it can come into contact with a non-printed area 20 near the barcode printed area 17 of the postal item 8 and forcibly separate the barcode printed area 17 from the peripheral surface of the roller.

In other words, the ink of the barcode 13 printed on the mail item 8 does not come into contact with the guide rollers 16a...
It has a structure that prevents blurring.

When sorting a group of mail items using the sorting and stacking device configured as described above, the group of mail items is first set in the supply section 2.

By operating the apparatus accordingly, the mail items 8 are fed one by one from the feeding section 2 toward the conveyance path 5.

The postal item 8 is conveyed while being held with the printed side facing downward, and the reading unit 10 first optically reads the postal code, and then the barcode printing unit 11 reads the postal code corresponding to the reading. The code 13 is printed at high speed on the side along the traveling direction of the mail piece 8, for example within 10TM4 to 15 lines, so as not to get in the way of the mail piece 8.

Next, the barcode 13 of this mail piece 8 is read by the code league 12, and this read information is sent to a predetermined stacker 3 through the plow gate mechanism 7 and branch path 6. will be collected separately.

In addition, 21 and 22 are mail items 8 and 22 that were rejected.
It is a Glue Direct Stacker for accommodating...

However, in such high-speed printing and high-speed classification, conventionally the barcode 13 printed by the barcode printing unit 11 is transferred to the conveyor belt 1 before the ink is completely dry.
5.15, and the barcode 13 is blurred due to contact between the guide roller 16a and the barcode 13 while reaching the code league 12. However, according to this invention, the barcode printed area 17 of the mail 8 When it reaches the guide roller 16a, the fifth
As shown in Figures a and b, the barcode printed area 17 is forcibly lifted upward, for example, and the barcode 13 and the roller circumferential surface are forcibly separated.

Therefore, the ink of the barcode 13 will not fade under any conditions and will always be accurate even if the mail piece 8 has creases or may fluctuate during transportation. It can be a distant relative of the reading classification by Code League 12, and its effect greatly contributes to accurate and accurate classification in barcode printing and reading methods.

Note that this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a ring-shaped member was provided on the guide roller with a smooth roller surface to form a protrusion, but the annular protrusion may be formed integrally with the roller itself. It is not limited to the configuration or the shape of the roller.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, this invention was applied to the guide rollers disposed between the barcode printing section and the code league, but it may be applied to all the guide rollers downstream of the barcode printing section.

As explained above, according to this invention, an annular protrusion is formed on the side circumferential surface of the guide roller disposed downstream of the barcode printing section at least up to the code league, which corresponds to the barcode printing section side. The bar code printed area is forcibly separated from the circumferential surface of the guide roller to avoid contact with the non-printed area of the mail being transported.
During the conveyance of mail from the barcode printing section to the code league, the barcode ink never comes into contact with the guide rollers under any circumstances.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent blurring of barcodes, and it is possible to always make accurate reading classification by code league, and this effect greatly contributes to classification in barcode printing and reading. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 shows the constituent countries of a conventional mail sorting device, Figure 2 is a plan view showing the barcode printing of the mail, and Figure 3 a,
Fig. 4b is a plan view and a partially sectional side view showing the conveyance state of mail after barcode printing is completed; Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a mail sorting device according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figures a and b are a partially sectional side view showing a guide roller having an annular protrusion and a partially cutaway plan view of the belt. 5... Conveyance path, 9... Conveyance mechanism, 10
...reading section, 11...barcode printing section, 12...code league, 13...
Barcode, 15... Conveyor belt, 8...
... Mail, 16 ... Guide roller 19 ...
····protrusion.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A reading section, a barcode printing section, and a code reader are disposed on the conveyance path of a conveyance mechanism consisting of a conveyance belt and a guide roller that guides the conveyance belt, and a barcode printing section and a code reader are arranged on the conveyance path of a conveyance mechanism that includes a conveyance belt and a guide roller that guides the conveyance belt. The postal code is read, and the barcode printing section prints a barcode corresponding to the read information on the edge side in the direction of travel of the mailpiece, and the side of the mailpiece excluding the barcode printed area is conveyed by belt clamping. The barcode printing portion of the postal item is arranged on a guide roller provided at least downstream of the barcode printing unit constituting the transport mechanism and leading to the code reader. An annular protrusion is formed on the circumferential surface of the side corresponding to the guide roller, which contacts the printed surface of the mail being conveyed and forcibly separates the barcode printed area of the mail from the circumferential surface of the guide roller. Characteristic mail sorting device.