JPS6136275B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sorting device for recording media such as price tags, cards, and tags, which is used in recording media processing devices such as price tag information reading and processing devices and card punching devices.

Conventionally, as an example of this type of price tag information reading and processing device, a plurality of price tags are continuously transported at a constant speed along a transport path at predetermined intervals, and the information recorded on the price tags is optically or After being magnetically read by a reader, this read information is transferred to an information processing machine for information processing, and then the information processing machine issues a sorting command, for example, the reader can read the information on the price tag. In accordance with the order that the price tags were not found, a gate member installed in the transfer path was activated, and the price tags were sorted into those that could be read by the reader and those that were unreadable, and placed in different stacks. It is known that the device is configured to be stored.

However, the sorting device of the conventional configuration in the above-mentioned price tag information reading and processing device is not able to handle the sorting device depending on the length of time required for each price tag to pass through the gate member when various price tags are transferred with different lengths in the transport direction. It does not operate the gate member by
Since the gate member is always operated for a certain period of time based on the time required for the longest price tag to pass through the gate member, the gate member continues to operate even after a short price tag has passed through the gate member. If the next price tag reaches the gate member during this operation, there is a risk that this price tag will be distributed to a stacker other than the designated stacker. The time it takes for the price tags to reach the gate member must be longer than the time required for the longest price tags to pass through the gate member, and as a result, the price tags cannot be rapidly and continuously transferred, and as a result, the price tags cannot be quickly and continuously sorted. It was hot.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is capable of quickly and reliably sorting recording media of various lengths by operating a gate member according to the time the recording medium passes through the detection means. The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for sorting recording media.

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

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes the base of the price tag information reading and processing device, and above it is provided a transfer path 3 with a transfer surface 2 colored black, and a hopper 4 is attached to and detachable from the entrance end 3a of the transfer path 3. It is set freely. The hopper 4 stores stacked price tags 5 in which desired product information is recorded in black on a white surface using a recording medium such as optically readable characters such as OCR characters. By the rotation of a delivery roller 6 disposed below the hopper 4, the price tags are delivered one by one to the entrance end 3a of the transfer path 3 from the price tag delivery port 7 formed at the lower part of the front wall of the hopper 4. There is.

On both sides of the transfer path 3, a plurality of transfer rollers 8, 9 are provided, which form a pair of upper and lower transfer rollers with a predetermined interval therebetween from the inlet end 3a to the delivery end 3b.
Each of the transfer rollers 8 and 9 is constantly rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown) in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The device is configured to be transported at a constant speed toward the destination.

Further, an optical character reader 10 is disposed above the intermediate portion of the transfer path 3 so as to face the transfer surface 2, and the reader 10 reads the information recorded on the price tag 5 transferred through the transfer path 3. The reader 10 reads the product information and transfers the read information to an information processing machine (not shown), and this information processing machine performs predetermined information processing on the transferred read information.
It is determined whether or not the product information can be read, and if it is, a reading completion signal is output before the price tag 5 reaches a detector 11, which will be described later. In cases other than the case where the reader 10
If the price tag cannot be read due to a reading error, or if there is no information recorded on the price tag, the reader 1
If 0 indicates a reading failure, the reading completion signal is not output.

Further, a detector 11 as a detection means is provided above the delivery end 3b of the transfer path 3. The detector 11 is of a so-called reflective type and consists of a light emitting element (not shown) and a light receiving element (not shown), and the light emitted by the light emitting element is normally emitted from the transport surface of the transport path 3 colored black. However, when the white part of the price tag 5 passes below the white part of the price tag 5, the irradiated light from the light emitting element is reflected by the white part of the price tag 5 and is not received by the light receiving element. It is configured to output a detection signal for the price tag 5 only while the price tag 5 is passing.

Next, a cylindrical gate roller 12 is disposed at a predetermined distance downstream from the delivery end 3b of the transfer path 3 (on the left side in FIG. 1), with its central axis 13 perpendicular to the transfer direction of the transfer path 3. and a protrusion 13a in which the central shaft 13 protrudes from both ends of the gate roller 12;
13b has through holes 14 and 1 along the vertical direction, respectively.
4 is formed.

An upper end portion of a sliding shaft 15 is slidably fitted into each through hole 14, and each sliding shaft 15 is removably engaged with the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the central shaft 13. It has a locking collar 16, and its lower end is fixed to the upper end of support frames 17, 17 erected on the base 1.

In addition, each sliding shaft 15 has the gate roller 1
Spring 18, 18 which always urges the central shaft 13 of 2 upward is attached, and the gate roller 12 is normally held at the upper movement limit position (shown by the solid line in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4). .

In addition, at the upper movement limit position of the gate roller 12, the lower part of its outer peripheral surface is located above the transfer surface 2 of the transfer path 3 by more than the thickness of one price tag 5, and the gate roller 12 is sent out from the delivery end 3b of the transfer path 3. The price tag 5 is configured to be transferred forward (leftward in FIG. 1) in substantially the same horizontal plane as the transfer surface 2 of the transfer path 3 without coming into contact with the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the gate roller 12.

Further, an electromagnetic solenoid 19 is attached to the base 1 below the gate roller 12, and an upper end of a plunger 20 projects from the upper end of the electromagnetic solenoid 19 so as to be able to move vertically at a predetermined interval.

A central portion of a long shaft 21 is fixed to the plunger 20 with its axis aligned with the axis of the central shaft 13, and both ends of the long shaft 21 are fixed to the central axis 13, respectively.
It is connected to both ends of 3 by connecting rods 22, 22.

When the electromagnetic solenoid 19 is excited, the plunger 20 moves down a predetermined distance, and along with this, the long shaft 21, the connecting rods 22, 22, and the central shaft 13
The gate roller 12 is also moved downward, and the gate roller 12 is held at the downward movement limit position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 3).

In addition, at the downward movement limit position of the gate roller 12, the lower part of the outer circumferential surface of the gate roller 12 is located below the transfer path 2 of the transfer path 3 by a predetermined distance, and the feed end 3b of the transfer path 3 and the insertion opening of the first stacker 23, which will be described later. 24 so as to guide the tip of the price tag 5 sent out along the transfer surface 2 from the delivery end 3b downward.

Further, below the gate roller 12, the upper end of a branch transfer path 25 for transferring the price tag 5 guided downward by the gate roller 12 is arranged, and the branch transfer path 25 is formed in an inclined manner. At the same time, its lower end extends near the upper opening 27 of the second stacker 26.

Note that this second stacker 26 is connected to the reader 10.
Price tag 5 where product information could be read at
This is for storing other price tags 5.

Next, in front of the gate roller 12, a first stacker 23 for storing price tags 5 whose product information can be read by the reader 10 is provided. for,
An insertion port 24 is located opposite the delivery end 3b of the transfer path 3.
is opened. In this insertion opening 24, a pair of upper and lower insertion rollers 29, 30 are always provided rotatably in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3
b, the price tag 5 that has passed below the outer peripheral surface of the gate roller 12 is held between the upper and lower sides and placed in the first stacker 2.
It is configured to be inserted into 3.

Next, the drive control circuit for the gate roller 12 will be explained with reference to FIG.

The output terminal of the detector 11 is connected to one input terminal of an AND circuit 31 and a clock input terminal C of a D-type flip-flop circuit 32. The flip-flop circuit 32 is such that a "1" signal is always supplied to its data input terminal D, and when the detection signal of the detector 11 is input to the clock input terminal C, an output signal is outputted to its output terminal Q. It's summery.

The reset input terminal R of the flip-flop circuit 32 is connected to the information processing machine, and the information processing machine resets the reset input terminal R of the flip-flop circuit 32 every time the price tag 5 passes below the reader 10. It is configured to output a reset signal at the same time.

Next, the output terminal Q of the flip-flop circuit 32 is connected to the clock input terminal C of the D-type flip-flop circuit 33 and the clock input terminal C of the D-type flip-flop circuit 34; is connected to the data input terminal D of. Note that a "1" signal is always supplied to the data input terminal D of the flip-flop circuit 33.

Further, the flip-flop circuit 33 is configured such that a set signal is supplied to its set input terminal S when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, and outputs an output signal in an initial state.

Further, the reset input terminal R of the flip-flop circuit 33 is connected to the information processing machine, and the information processing machine outputs the reading completion signal as a reset signal to the flip-flop circuit only when the reader 10 reads the product information on the price tag 5. It is configured to be supplied to the reset input terminal R of the circuit 33.

Next, the output terminal Q of the flip-flop circuit 34 is connected to the other input terminal of the AND circuit 31, and the output terminal of the AND circuit 31 is connected to the input terminal of the solenoid drive circuit 35, and then to the output terminal of the solenoid drive circuit 35. The end is the above electromagnetic solenoid 19
It is connected to the.

Next, the operation of the price tag sorting device in the price tag information reading and processing device having the above configuration will be explained.

First, the operation when the price tag 5 whose product information can be read by the reader 10 (hereinafter referred to as readable price tag 5) is transferred will be described with reference to the first half of the timing chart in FIG.

In this case, before the readable price tag 5 reaches the detector 11, the flip-flop circuit 3 is
A reading completion signal is output to the reset input terminal R of 3, and the flip-flop circuit 33, which was set in the initial state, is reset.

Next, when the readable price tag 5 is transported along the transport path 3 and reaches the detector 11, a detection signal is supplied from the detector 11 to the AND circuit 31 and the flip-flop circuit 32, and the flip-flop circuit 32
outputs an output signal to the flip-flop circuit 33 and the flip-flop circuit 34 with a predetermined time delay from the rise of the detection signal from the detector 11.

By receiving the output signal of the flip-flop circuit 32, the flip-flop circuit 33
The output signal is outputted to the data input terminal D of the flip-flop circuit 34 after a predetermined time delay from the rise of the output signal of the flip-flop circuit 32;
When the output signal of the flip-flop circuit 32 rises, the output signal of the flip-flop circuit 33 is not yet supplied to the data input terminal D of the flip-flop circuit 34, so that the flip-flop circuit 34 outputs the output signal to the other input terminal of the AND circuit 31. No signal is output.

Therefore, the AND circuit 31 does not satisfy the two input conditions and does not output an output signal to the solenoid drive circuit 35, so the electromagnetic solenoid 19 is not excited. As a result, the gate roller 12 is held at the upward movement limit position, and the delivery end 3b of the transfer path 3
The readable price tag 5 transferred to the gate roller 1
2, is held between the insertion rollers 29 and 30, and is stored in the first stacker 23.

When the readable price tag 5 is transferred in the same manner, the gate roller 12 is held at the upward movement limit position, and the readable price tag 5 is stored in the first stacker 23.

Next, the operation when a price tag other than the readable price tag 5 (hereinafter referred to as unreadable price tag 5) is transferred will be described with reference to the latter half of the timing chart in FIG.

In this case, the output state of the flip-flop circuit 33 is different from that when the readable price tag 5 is transferred.

That is, before the unreadable price tag 5 reaches the detector 11, the reading completion signal is not output as a reset signal from the information processing device to the reset terminal of the flip-flop circuit 33 (in the timing chart of FIG. 6, the reading completion signal is not outputted). (This is indicated by a broken line.)
Therefore, the flip-flop circuit 34 is in the state set by the previously transferred readable price tag 5 and outputs an output signal.

Now, when the unreadable price tag 5 reaches the detector 11, a detection signal is supplied from the detector 11 to the AND circuit 31 and the flip-flop circuit 32. , the output signal is sent to the flip-flop circuit 33 and the flip-flop circuit 3.
Output to 4.

When the output signal of the flip-flop circuit 32 rises, the flip-flop circuit 33 is set as described above and the output signal of the flip-flop circuit 33 is supplied to the data input terminal D of the flip-flop circuit 34, so that the flip-flop circuit 34 outputs an AND circuit. An output signal is output to 31.

Therefore, the AND circuit 31 outputs the output signal to the solenoid drive circuit 35 when the two input conditions are satisfied during the time when the detector 11 is outputting the output signal.
When the electromagnetic solenoid 19 is energized, the plunger 20 holds the gate roller 12 at the downward movement limit position while the unreadable price tag 5 passes through the detector 11.

Therefore, the unreadable price tag 5 sent out from the delivery end 3b of the transfer path 3 is guided downward by the outer circumferential surface of the gate roller 12, and is sent to the branch transfer path 25 without being held by the insertion rollers 29, 30. It falls and is stored in the second stacker 26.

When the unreadable price tag 5 subsequently passes the detector 11, the flip-flop circuit 34 is held in the set state, so the AND circuit 3 is activated as described above.
1 is satisfied, and the unreadable price tag 5 is stored in the second stacker 26.

Note that when the readable price tag 5 is transferred next to the unreadable price tag 5, the information processing machine outputs a reading completion signal as described above, the flip-flop circuit 33 is reset, and the two inputs of the AND circuit 31 are The condition is not satisfied and the readable price tag 5 is stored in the first stacker 23.

Also, when the unreadable price tag 5 is transferred for the first time, since the flip-flop circuit 33 is in the initial state, that is, the set state, an output signal is output from the flip-flop circuit 34, and the two-input condition of the AND circuit 31 is satisfied as described above. The unreadable price tag 5 is then stored in the second stacker 26.

Price tags 5 transported along the transport path 3 as described above
If it is a readable price tag 5, it is sorted into the first stacker 23, and if it is an unreadable price tag 5, it is sorted and stored in the second stacker 26 by the gate roller 12.

In the above embodiment, a reflection type detector was used as the detection means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a transmission type detector may also be used, and a mechanical detector such as a limit switch, etc. A detector may also be used. Furthermore, although the configuration is such that the gate roller is moved up and down using a plunger type electromagnetic solenoid, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration is such that the gate valve is rotated by a predetermined angle using a rotary type electromagnetic solenoid to distribute the recording medium. Other configurations may also be modified in various ways without changing the gist of the present invention.

As described above, the present invention is configured such that a detection means for detecting a recording medium is provided near the gate member, and the gate member is operated while the recording medium passes through the detection means, so that recording media of various lengths can be used. This has the effect of quickly and reliably distributing the information.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a price tag information reading and processing device to which the sorting mechanism is applied, and Fig. 2 shows an example in which the gate roller is at its upward movement limit position. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the main part when the gate roller is at the downward movement limit position, FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the distribution mechanism, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of the gate roller drive control circuit. 3... Transfer path, 5... Recording medium (price tag), 11... Detector, 12... Gate roller, 19... Electromagnetic solenoid.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a recording medium sorting device that operates a gate member provided on a transfer path to sort recording media transferred through the transfer path, the upstream side of the transfer path near the gate member A recording medium sorting device characterized in that a detecting means for detecting passage of the recording medium is provided on the side thereof, and the gate member is operated while the recording medium is passing through the detecting means.