JP7806570B2 - Encapsulating device and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an enclosing device and an image forming system.

An inserting device that automatically inserts an enclosure into an envelope is known. Also known is an image forming system that links an image forming device that forms an image on the sheet to be inserted, a folding device that folds the image-formed sheet, and an inserting and sealing device to insert the folded sheet after the image has been formed.

In a device that automatically inserts enclosures into envelopes one after another, a configuration is disclosed in which an enclosure guide plate is provided to ensure smooth insertion of the enclosures into the envelopes (see Patent Document 1).

The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires, in addition to the enclosure guide plate, a separate mechanism to hold down the flap so that it does not interfere with the enclosure process. This poses the problem of increasing the size and cost of the device.

The present invention provides an enclosing device equipped with an enclosing assistance mechanism that assists in the smooth enclosing of an enclosure by retracting a flap when enclosing an enclosure into an envelope and transporting the envelope to the enclosing position.

In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention is an enclosing device that encloses an enclosure in an envelope transported to an enclosing position, and is equipped with an enclosing assistance means that is arranged on an envelope transport path for transporting the envelope to the enclosing position and assists the enclosing operation, and the enclosing assistance means includes a flap transport direction switching claw that presses the flap against a guide member that forms the flap transport path so that the flap is directed toward a flap transport path branching from the envelope transport path when the flap of the envelope reaches a predetermined position on the way to the enclosing position, and a first biasing means that biases the guide member that forms the flap transport path and the flap transport direction switching claw so that they press against each other, and the envelope is transported to the enclosing position while retracting the flap from the envelope transport path.

According to the present invention, when inserting an enclosure into an envelope, the flap is retracted while the envelope is transported to the insertion position, thereby helping to ensure smooth insertion of the enclosure.

1 is a front external view showing an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration according to the embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of an embodiment of an enclosing and sealing device according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a flap opening mechanism provided in the above-mentioned inserting and sealing device. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a first embodiment of the enclosing support unit provided in the enclosing and sealing device. FIG. 2 is a right side view showing a schematic configuration of an inclusion support unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of an enclosing support unit according to the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the flap opening mechanism during the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an enclosing support unit according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an enclosing support unit according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an enclosing support unit according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an enclosing support unit according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an enclosing support unit according to the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an enclosing support unit according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an enclosing support unit according to the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of the enclosing operation of the enclosing and sealing device according to the embodiment; 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the dimensional relationship between the insertion support unit and an envelope. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of operation of a second embodiment of the enclosing support unit provided in the enclosing and sealing device. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of operation of a second embodiment of the enclosing support unit provided in the enclosing and sealing device. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of operation of a second embodiment of the enclosing support unit provided in the enclosing and sealing device. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the enclosing support unit provided in the enclosing and sealing device. 10A and 10B are a right side view and a top view showing a schematic configuration of an enclosing support unit according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of an enclosing support unit according to a third embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the dimensional relationship between an enclosing support unit and an envelope according to the third embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an inclusion support unit according to the third embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an inclusion support unit according to the third embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an inclusion support unit according to the third embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an inclusion support unit according to the third embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an inclusion support unit according to the third embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an inclusion support unit according to the third embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of an inclusion support unit according to the third embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of operation of the fourth embodiment of the enclosing support unit provided in the enclosing and sealing device. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of operation of the fourth embodiment of the enclosing support unit provided in the enclosing and sealing device. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of operation of the fourth embodiment of the enclosing support unit provided in the enclosing and sealing device.

[Embodiment of Image Forming System]
First, an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a front view showing a schematic internal configuration of a print system 1 as an example of an image forming system. The print system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 200, a folding apparatus 300 as a sheet processing apparatus, an inserting and sealing apparatus 100 as an embodiment of an inserting apparatus according to the present invention, and a post-processing apparatus 400.

The image forming device 200 is an example of a device that forms an image on a sheet of media using a predetermined image forming method and outputs the sheet to a downstream device. The image-formed media (hereinafter simply referred to as "sheet S") is output toward the folding device 300, where it is folded as a folded sheet Sf and output toward the enclosing and sealing device 100. Alternatively, the sheet S may be output directly to the enclosing and sealing device 100 without being folded by the folding device 300. The instruction to fold or not fold the sheet S is based on an instruction (control signal) sent from the printer control unit 260 (described later) to the image forming device 200 and the folding device 300, based on information entered by the user of the printing system 1. The instruction to "fold/not fold," as illustrated above, may also be sent to the folding control unit 320 of the folding device 300 based on information entered by the user of the printing system 1.

The inserting and sealing device 100 performs an inserting and sealing process in which folded sheets Sf, which are ejected as enclosures from a device (image forming device 200 or folding device 300) located upstream in the direction in which sheets S are transported (the transport direction), are inserted into envelopes E and sealed. In this specification, "enclosures" refers to items transported to the inserting position described below. Therefore, it does not only refer to "folded sheets Sf" transported to the inserting position, but also includes "sheets S" that are not subject to folding. The inserting and sealing device 100 can also eject folded sheets Sf or S to a device located downstream without transporting them to the inserting position. In other words, the inserting and sealing device 100 can also eject sheets S or Sf transported from upstream directly without using them in the inserting and sealing process.

The post-processing device 400 is an example of a device located downstream of the folding device 300 and the enclosing and sealing device 100. The post-processing device 400 performs post-processing, such as stapling, as instructed via the control unit on the sheets S and folded sheets Sf discharged by the folding device 300 and the enclosing and sealing device 100, which correspond to upstream devices.

The inserting and sealing processing device 100 can insert the folded sheet Sf into the envelope E in the appropriate orientation. Some envelopes E have a transparent window ew pre-installed in a predetermined position. The transparent window ew is a portion that is oriented so that the address and other information formed on the folded sheet Sf as an enclosure can be seen from the outside of the envelope E after it has been inserted. It is a portion where a hole of a predetermined size is formed on the surface of the envelope E and a transparent film or the like is attached to the hole. The "appropriate orientation" with respect to the envelope E refers to the orientation of the enclosure that corresponds to the transparent window ew, and in which the address and other information formed on the envelope E when it is inserted corresponds to the position corresponding to the transparent window ew.

There are multiple types of folding (folding types) that can be performed on the folded sheet Sf, and depending on the folding type, the position where information such as the address is formed will be in a different position or orientation relative to the conveying direction. Therefore, the inserting and sealing processing device 100 controls the orientation of the folded sheet Sf when it is inserted to the "appropriate orientation" depending on the folding type of the folded sheet Sf that is being conveyed as the object to be inserted before it reaches the insertion position. In other words, while the folded sheet Sf is being conveyed, it determines whether it is necessary to reverse its orientation perpendicular to the conveying direction, or whether reversal is not necessary.

The inserting and sealing processing device 100 is equipped with a transport mechanism that enables the folded sheet Sf to be inverted during transport. If inversion is required, the folded sheet Sf is inverted using a transport path upstream of the insertion position before being transported to the insertion position. Details of the inversion control and transport control for the folded sheet Sf will be described later. The inserting and sealing processing device 100 can also determine whether or not an unfolded sheet S as an insertion item needs to be inverted before being transported to the insertion position, depending on the relative position of the position where information such as the address is formed and the transparent window ew of the envelope E, and can then insert the sheet.

[Coordinate axes referred to in this embodiment]
Here, we will explain the "coordinate axes" to be referred to in the description of the embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the axis parallel to the mounting surface of the printing system 1 is defined as the Y axis. The Y axis is also the axis along the arrangement direction of the devices constituting the printing system 1. In this specification, the direction of the arrow indicating the Y axis is referred to as the "+Y direction," and the opposite direction is referred to as the "-Y direction." Therefore, as will be described in detail below, the sheet S on which an image has been formed in the image forming device 200 is conveyed in the +Y direction, and then transported to the devices arranged downstream in the +Y direction.

The axis parallel to the surface on which the print system 1 is placed and extending in the depth direction of the print system 1 is referred to as the X-axis. The direction of the arrow indicating the X-axis is referred to as the "+X direction," and the opposite direction is referred to as the "-X direction."

The axis perpendicular to both the X and Y axes and extending along the height direction of the print system 1 is referred to as the Z axis. The direction of the arrow indicating the Z axis is referred to as the "+Z direction," and the opposite direction is referred to as the "-Z direction."

When the same coordinate axes as above are used in the drawings used in the following explanation, the directions used in the explanation will be defined in the same way as above.

The sheet S on which an image has been formed in the image forming device 200 is discharged in the +Y direction and then transported to each device located downstream. Therefore, the +Y direction is roughly synonymous with the transport direction. However, in the inserting and sealing processing device 100, the sheet S is introduced in the +Y direction, but the transport direction during the inserting and sealing operation of the sheet S and folded sheet Sf is the Z direction.

In other words, in the inserting and sealing processing device 100 that constitutes the printing system 1, the transport direction of the envelope E is the "Z direction," the transport direction of the envelope E to the inserting position is the +Z direction, and the transport direction from the inserting position to the sealing position is the -Z direction.

[Functional Blocks of Print System 1]
The overall functional blocks of the printing system 1 will be described using Figure 2. In the following description, it is assumed that the medium to be transported and enclosed in the envelope E is a folded sheet Sf on which an image has been formed in the image forming device 200 and on which a predetermined folding process has been performed in the folding device 300. In Figure 2, the movement path (conveyance path) of the folded sheet Sf is shown by a dashed line, and the communication paths used to send and receive signals between the various functional blocks are shown by solid lines. The movement path (conveyance path) of the sheet S is also shown by a dashed line.

The image forming apparatus 200 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet S using, for example, a known electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a display unit 210, an operation unit 220, a sheet feed unit 230, an image creation unit 240, a fixing unit 250, and a printer control unit 260.

The display unit 210 displays information to inform the user of the status of various functions and operation details. The operation unit 220 corresponds to an operation interface that allows the user to set the processing operation mode and number of processing units, as well as settings that require inversion when enclosing in the enclosing and sealing processing device 100. The sheet feeding unit 230 has a sheet feeding mechanism that stocks sheets S and separates and feeds them one by one. The image creating unit 240 forms a latent image on a photosensitive member and transfers the image to the sheet S. The fixing unit 250 fixes the image transferred to the sheet S. The printer control unit 260 controls the operation of each of the above functional blocks.

The folding processing device 300 has a sheet folding unit 310 that folds the sheet S transported from the image forming device 200 in a folding type (folding method) specified by the printer control unit 260 of the image forming device 200 via the communication line 207, and a folding control unit 320 that controls the entire folding processing device 300. The folding control unit 320 also controls communication with the printer control unit 260 and the downstream-connected enclosing and sealing control unit 150. Note that the sheet may be conveyed to the enclosing and sealing processing device 100 without being folded in the sheet folding unit 310.

Note that there are several known types of detailed structure for the sheet folding unit 310. Differences in this structure may result in different states of the folded sheet Sf after folding. More specifically, the edge of the folded sheet Sf that corresponds to the leading edge in the insertion direction when it is inserted into an envelope E at a "predetermined position" in the insertion processing unit 120 (described below) may differ depending on the type of folding process. Furthermore, even with the same folding process, the leading edge of the folded sheet Sf in the transport direction may be swapped depending on the internal configuration of the sheet folding unit 310.

[Description of Encapsulating and Sealing Processing Apparatus 100]
Returning to Fig. 2, the inserting and sealing processing apparatus 100 includes a sheet reversing processing section 110, an inserting processing section 120, a sealing processing section 130, and an inserting and sealing control section 150.

The sheet inversion processing unit 110 performs a sheet transport process to transport the folded sheet Sf, which has been conveyed from the sheet folding unit 310, to the insertion position depending on the orientation of the image-forming surface of the folded sheet Sf. Here, "sheet transport process" refers to a transport process that corresponds to the control mode (including the type of folding, the position of the printing surface, etc.) communicated from the folding control unit 320 to the enclosing and sealing control unit 150 via the communication line 105. In other words, the sheet inversion processing unit 110 performs a transport process that transports the folded sheet Sf downstream in the transport direction, and an inversion process that swaps the end of the folded sheet Sf in the transport direction. Through the transport process and inversion process, the folded sheet Sf is transported to the insertion processing unit 120 or the post-processing unit 400.

The inserting unit 120 is equipped with a mechanism that moves the envelope E to a position where the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet inversion unit 110 can be inserted, holds the envelope E at the inserting position, and inserts the enclosure into the waiting envelope E. The inserting unit 120 also has a mechanism that opens the flap ef so that the opening of the envelope E is open before the envelope E reaches the inserting position. It also has a mechanism that calculates the length of the envelope E (the dimension in the direction in which the enclosure is inserted) and the length of the flap ef before the envelope E reaches the inserting position. These mechanisms allow the inserting process of the folded sheet Sf to be performed on the envelope E that is held at the inserting position and has its opening open. This inserting process can be performed appropriately for various types and sizes of envelopes E.

The sealing processing unit 130 closes the flap ef of the envelope E containing the folded sheet Sf, and then discharges the sealed envelope E onto the envelope discharge tray 134.

The inserting and sealing control unit 150 controls the operation of the multiple pairs of conveying rollers that make up the sheet inversion processing unit 110, the inserting processing unit 120, and the sealing processing unit 130, as well as the operation of the switching claw that switches the conveying path for the envelope E.

The enclosing and sealing control unit 150 is a control means that controls the transport, including the inversion and enclosing of the folded sheet Sf. The enclosing and sealing control unit 150, as this control unit, receives "enclosure target information" as information relating to the folded sheet Sf from the printer control unit 260 and the folding control unit 320. It then controls the transport based on the contents of each piece of information contained in the received enclosing target information.

The "enclosure target information" refers to information related to the enclosed items, such as sheet S and folded sheet Sf. More specifically, it includes information for controlling the leading edge (leading edge in the conveying direction) of sheet S or folded sheet Sf when enclosed in envelope E so that it is the desired edge. It also includes, for example, "folding type information" that specifies the type of folding process to be performed on folded sheet Sf. It also includes, as operational instruction information from image forming device 200, which is one of the upstream devices, "reversal necessity information" that specifies whether or not the reverse conveying process, described below, is required. It also includes, for example, print surface information that indicates the image forming surface on which an image is formed on folded sheet Sf. It also includes, for example, "processing device information" that indicates the type of sheet folding unit 310 that performed the folding process.

The post-processing device 400 has a post-processing section 410 and a post-processing control section 420. The post-processing section 410 performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet S conveyed from the upstream side under the control of the post-processing control section 420. The post-processing control section 420 controls the post-processing operation in the post-processing control section 420 based on the operating mode communicated via the communication line 403 from the printer control section 260, folding control section 320, and enclosing and sealing control section 150.

The printer control unit 260, folding control unit 320, enclosing and sealing control unit 150, and post-processing control unit 420 are interconnected and configured to exchange information necessary for control via each communication line (207, 105, 403). Therefore, through cooperation between each control unit (260, 320, 150, 420), information regarding the processing mode requested by the user for sheet S and folded sheet Sf, as well as sheet size, is shared with each other. This allows control information that enables each mechanism to perform specified processing at the specified timing and through the specified steps to be shared throughout the entire printing system 1.

The enclosing and sealing control unit 150, which performs the central control operations in this embodiment, includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an arithmetic processing unit, and ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) as storage units. It also includes an interface that outputs control signals to each conveying roller and inputs signals from each conveying roller, as well as an interface that receives output signals from each sensor. The operation of the enclosing and sealing processing device 100 is controlled by a control program that can execute control processes using these hardware resources. The functional blocks of the enclosing and sealing control unit 150 will be described in detail below.

In addition, like the enclosing and sealing control unit 150, the printer control unit 260, folding control unit 320, and post-processing control unit 420 use hardware resources consisting of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. to control the operation of the hardware mechanisms using control programs that realize their respective functions.

Note that Figures 1 and 2 show an example of the configuration of the printing system 1 in which a post-processing device 400 is connected downstream of the enclosing and sealing processing device 100. Typical post-processing devices 400 include finishers that perform stapling, stackers, and bookbinding machines. Furthermore, the system configuration of the printing system 1 may also be such that the enclosing and sealing processing device 100 is the most downstream device.

Here, we will explain an embodiment of the control operation related to the printing system 1. In this embodiment, the transport control process for envelope E is performed based on the envelope length of envelope E and the flap length of flap ef calculated by the insertion processing unit 120, which will be described later.

The inserting and sealing control unit 150 executes a control processing program to calculate the length of envelope E (envelope length) and the length of the flap ef (flap length) of envelope E before transporting envelope E to the inserting position. The inserting and sealing control unit 150 also executes processing to notify the folding control unit 320, post-processing control unit 420, and, via the folding control unit 320, the printer control unit 260 of the calculated envelope length and flap length.

In this embodiment, envelope length refers to the distance between both ends of envelope E in the conveying direction when it is supplied to envelope conveying path 1105, which will be described later. In other words, it refers to the distance between the leading and trailing ends of envelope E in the moving direction as it moves from its position on envelope set tray 127, which will be described later, to envelope conveying path 1105 via envelope feed path 1107. In this embodiment, envelope length includes the envelope length when it is conveyed with flap ef closed (temporarily referred to as the first envelope length) and the envelope length when it is conveyed with flap ef open (temporarily referred to as the second envelope length) in the conveying direction defined as the moving direction described above.

Therefore, the first envelope length is the so-called top-to-bottom dimension of envelope E, and corresponds to the distance from the bottom of envelope E to the position where flap ef is folded. The second envelope length corresponds to the distance from the bottom of envelope E to the end of flap ef. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "envelope length" refers to the first envelope length. Furthermore, the value obtained by subtracting the first envelope length from the second envelope length corresponds to the length of flap ef in the conveying direction. This length will be referred to as "flap length."

[Operation of Enclosing and Sealing Processing Apparatus 100]
Next, using Figure 3, we will explain the conveying rollers that make up the sheet inversion processing unit 110, the enclosing processing unit 120, and the sealing processing unit 130 of the enclosing and sealing processing device 100, the switching claw that switches the conveying direction of the conveyed item, and the conveying path on which these are arranged.

[Configuration of Sheet Reversing Processing Unit 110]
As shown in Figure 3, the sheet inversion processing unit 110 has multiple conveying paths, mainly distinguished as an input path 1100, a first conveying path 1101, a second conveying path 1102, a switchback conveying path 1103, an enclosing conveying path 1104 as a fourth conveying path, and a sheet conveying path 1109.

Inlet rollers 101 are arranged on the carry-in path 1100. The carry-in path 1100 is a sheet transport path that accepts folded sheets Sf discharged from an upstream device (e.g., the folding processing device 300). The inserting and sealing control unit 150 receives insertion target information, which is information about the folded sheets Sf, from the upstream control unit (printer control unit 260, folding control unit 320), and controls the start and stop of rotation of the entrance rollers 101.

The first conveyance path 1101, one of multiple conveyance paths provided downstream of the entrance rollers 101, branches off from the carry-in path 1100 and is equipped with a first conveyance roller 111 and a first intermediate conveyance roller 114 as a first conveyance means. Also equipped in the first conveyance path 1101 is a first sheet detection sensor 118 as a first media sensor that detects the end (trailing edge) of the conveyed folded sheet Sf. The first sheet detection sensor 118 is positioned between the first intermediate conveyance roller 114 and the first conveyance roller 111.

The second conveyance path 1102, which is one of the conveyance paths provided downstream of the entrance rollers 101 and branches off from the carry-in path 1100 in a direction different from the first conveyance path 1101, is provided with second conveyance rollers 112 and second intermediate conveyance rollers 115 as second conveyance means. The second conveyance path 1102 is also provided with a second sheet detection sensor 119 as a second media sensor that detects the end (trailing end) of the conveyed folded sheet Sf. The second sheet detection sensor 119 is located between the second intermediate conveyance rollers 115 and the second conveyance rollers 112.

The sheet reversing processing unit 110 also has a switchback conveying path 1103. The switchback conveying path 1103 is a conveying path that connects a junction position downstream of the first conveying rollers 111 where it joins the first conveying path 1101, and a branching position upstream of the second intermediate conveying rollers 115 where it branches off from the second conveying path 1102. The switchback conveying path 1103 switches the conveying direction of the folded sheet Sf that has been conveyed downstream along the second conveying path 1102, and the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the first conveying path 1101 by switchback conveyance. The switchback conveying path 1103, which serves as a third conveying path, is provided with switchback conveying rollers 113 as third conveying means.

Furthermore, a sheet conveyance path 1109 is provided as a downstream conveyance path following the first conveyance path 1101, which conveys the sheet S or folded sheet Sf that has passed through the sheet inversion processing unit 110 to the downstream post-processing device 400. Furthermore, exit rollers 102 are arranged in the sheet conveyance path 1109.

When the folded sheet Sf transported from the folding processing device 300 is not subjected to the enclosing process described below, the folded sheet Sf passes from the transport path 1100 through the first transport path 1101 and is discharged to a downstream device via the sheet transport path 1109.

The sheet reversing processing unit 110 also has an inserting conveying path 1104, which serves as a fourth conveying path that branches off from the first conveying path 1101 downstream of the first conveying rollers 111 and continues to the inserting rollers 121 that hold the envelope E into which the folded sheet Sf is inserted. As described below, the inserting conveying path 1104 is configured to continue to the envelope conveying path 1105.

The sheet inversion processing unit 110 also has a branching claw 10 as a branching means disposed at a branching position for transporting the folded sheet Sf from the carry-in path 1100 to either the first conveying path 1101 or the second conveying path 1102. The branching claw 10 switches between transporting the folded sheet Sf to the first conveying path 1101 or the second conveying path 1102 based on the insertion target information for the folded sheet Sf carried into the carry-in path 1100.

The sheet reversing processing unit 110 has a first switching claw 11 disposed at the junction where the switchback conveying path 1103 joins the first conveying path 1101. The first switching claw 11 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the input path 1100 to the first conveying path 1101 is conveyed toward the first conveying rollers 111, and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed from the switchback conveying path 1103 to the first conveying path 1101.

The sheet reversing processing unit 110 has a second switching claw 12, which serves as a second deflection means, located at the branching position where the second conveying path 1102 branches into the switchback conveying path 1103. The second switching claw 12 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the input path 1100 to the second conveying path 1102 is conveyed to the second conveying rollers 112, and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed in a switchback manner from the second conveying path 1102 to the switchback conveying path 1103.

The sheet inversion processing unit 110 has a third switching claw 13, which serves as a third deflection means, located at the branch point where the first conveying path 1101 branches into the inserting conveying path 1104. The third switching claw 13 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed by the first conveying path 1101 is conveyed to the inserting conveying path 1104 and a state in which it is conveyed to the sheet discharge path 1109.

The folded sheet Sf transported to the first transport path 1101 is transported to the first transport rollers 111 by the first intermediate transport rollers 114. The first transport rollers 111 transport the transported folded sheet Sf downstream. When the third switching claw 13 is in the position shown in Figure 3, the folded sheet Sf is transported to the insert transport path 1104. Note that when the folded sheet Sf has been transported a predetermined distance after the trailing end of the folded sheet Sf transported from the first intermediate transport rollers 114 to the first transport rollers 111 is detected by the first sheet detection sensor 118, the folded sheet Sf has already moved to the insert transport path 1104, and the operation of the rotating transport rollers in the sheet reversing processing unit 110 is stopped.

The folded sheet Sf transported to the second transport path 1102 is transported to the second transport rollers 112 by the second intermediate transport rollers 115. When the folded sheet Sf has been transported a predetermined distance after the trailing edge of the transported folded sheet Sf is detected by the second sheet detection sensor 119, the second transport rollers 112 stop and then reverse. This causes the folded sheet Sf to be transported in a switchback direction to the switchback transport path 1103. At this time, before or simultaneously with the reverse rotation of the second transport rollers 112, the second switching claw 12 is rotated when the trailing edge of the folded sheet Sf passes the second switching claw 12 (this is also determined based on detection by the second sheet detection sensor 119). This causes the folded sheet Sf to be switched to a state where it is transported to the switchback transport path 1103.

When the folded sheet Sf is guided from the second conveying path 1102 to the switchback conveying path 1103, the switchback conveying rollers 113 convey the folded sheet Sf toward the first conveying path 1101.

[Configuration of Enclosure Processing Unit 120]
3, the inserting processing unit 120 is provided with an envelope conveying path 1105 that connects to an inserting conveying path 1104 as a fourth conveying path for receiving the sheet S or folded sheet Sf as an insert from the sheet inverting processing unit 110 and inserting it into an envelope E. The envelope conveying path 1105 is provided with an inserting support unit 160 that supports the smooth insertion of the insert at the inserting position where the envelope E is kept waiting for the insert to be inserted.

The detailed configuration of the enclosing support unit 160 will be described later. The enclosing support unit 160 is part of an enclosing support mechanism that operates according to a transport control process that transports the envelope E to the enclosing position. The enclosing support unit 160 includes a configuration that retracts the flap ef, which could become an obstacle to the entrance of an enclosure into the envelope E being transported toward the enclosing position, from the envelope transport path 1105. The enclosing support unit 160 holds the flap ef in a retracted position away from the envelope transport path 1105. This creates a state in which the flap ef does not obstruct the entrance (enclosure) of the enclosure into the envelope E. Then, while maintaining the flap ef in the retracted position, the unit expands the opening of the envelope E, and performs an operation to assist the enclosing operation so that the enclosure can be smoothly inserted.

The envelope conveying path 1105 is connected in the Z direction to a sealing conveying path 1106, which performs a sealing process on envelopes E containing enclosures. The envelope conveying path 1105 is connected to the inserting conveying path 1104 and the sealing conveying path 1106 to form an envelope conveying path.

A first vertical conveying roller 122 and a second vertical conveying roller 123 are arranged in the envelope conveying path 1105 to convey the envelope E to a position that accepts the folded sheet Sf. In the envelope conveying path 1105, the envelope E that has been conveyed to the position that accepts the folded sheet Sf is held by the enclosing roller 121. The enclosing support unit 160 is arranged between the enclosing roller 121 and the first vertical conveying roller 122.

Flap opening rollers 124 are located at the connecting position between the envelope transport path 1105 and the sealing transport path 1106. The flap opening rollers 124 are equipped with a flap opening mechanism 180 that opens the flap ef when an envelope E is transported from the envelope set tray 127, through the envelope feed path 1107, and to a position before joining the envelope transport path 1105. Details of the flap opening mechanism 180 will be described later.

A separation sensor 128 is located upstream of the flap opening roller 124 in the conveying direction to detect the length of the first envelope when the flap ef is closed. A flap open detection sensor 129 is located upstream and downstream of the flap opening roller 124 in the conveying direction to detect whether the flap ef is open (i.e., whether the flap is opened or not) and to detect the length of the second envelope.

An envelope switchback switching claw 21 is located at the junction where the envelope transport path 1105 and the envelope feed path 1107 join.

Envelope feed path 1107, which merges with envelope conveying path 1105, is equipped with envelope separation roller 125, envelope conveying roller 126, and separation sensor 128 as a first envelope detection means. An envelope set tray 127 is also provided at the end of envelope feed path 1107. Together with envelope conveying path 1105, envelope feed path 1107 also constitutes an envelope conveying path.

Multiple envelopes E are placed on the envelope set tray 127. The bottom of the envelopes E placed on the envelope set tray 127, which is the end opposite the flap ef, faces the envelope separation roller 125. Therefore, the leading edge of the envelope E in the transport direction when it is conveyed out of the envelope set tray 127 is the bottom of the envelope E. Therefore, the end on the side where the flap ef is provided is the trailing edge.

One envelope E is picked up by the envelope separation roller 125 from multiple envelopes E placed on the envelope set tray 127. The envelope separation roller 125 and envelope transport roller 126 transport the envelope E through the envelope feed path 1107 to a position beyond the envelope switchback switching claw 21. Then, when the trailing end of the envelope E in the transport direction reaches a position beyond the envelope switchback switching claw 21, in conjunction with the transport by the flap opening roller 124, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 rotates to switch over to a state where the envelope E can be transported in a switchback manner.

In other words, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 rotates between a position for temporarily transporting an envelope E removed from the envelope set tray 127 to the sealing transport path 1106, and a position for transporting the envelope E to the sheet reversing processing unit 110 in the envelope transport path 1105. The envelope switchback switching claw 21 switches the transport direction of the envelope E in the envelope transport path 1105.

The first vertical conveying roller 122 and the second vertical conveying roller 123 convey and hold the envelope E at a predetermined insertion position on the envelope conveying path 1105. As described below, the insertion position here is a position where the opening of the envelope E (the position of the flap ef) is below the insertion roller 121 and above the first vertical conveying roller 122.

The enclosing roller 121 is a type of conveying roller that rotates in a direction to enclose the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet inversion processing unit 110 into an envelope E.

[Configuration of sealing processing unit 130]
3, in the sealing processing section 130, a third vertical conveying roller 131 and a fourth vertical conveying roller 132 are arranged on the sealing conveying path 1106. A sealing section 135 is arranged between the third vertical conveying roller 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132, and closes the flap ef of the envelope E with the enclosure enclosed therein.

The third vertical conveying roller 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 transport and hold the envelope E at a predetermined position on the sealing conveying path 1106.

In addition, an envelope discharge switching claw 31 is located at the branching position of the envelope discharge path 1108, which branches off from the sealing conveying path 1106. An envelope discharge roller 133 is located at the end of the envelope discharge path 1108. The envelope discharge roller 133 is a roller that discharges envelopes E toward the envelope discharge tray 134. The envelope discharge tray 134 is a tray on which the discharged envelopes E are placed.

The envelope discharge switching claw 31 is a member that rotates between a position in the insertion conveying path 1104 where it conveys the envelope E from the flap opening roller 124 side to the third vertical conveying roller 131, and a position where it conveys the envelope E from the insertion conveying path 1104 to the envelope discharge path 1108, thereby switching the conveying direction of the envelope E.

As explained above, the inserting and sealing processing device 100 has a conveying path that conveys folded sheets Sf from the sheet inversion processing section 110 to the inserting processing section 120 and the sealing processing section 130, and is connected in the vertical direction (Z direction). This conveying path, which is both the conveying path for folded sheets Sf and the conveying path for envelopes E, corresponds to the vertical conveying path that connects the envelope conveying path 1105 of the inserting processing section 120 and the sealing conveying path 1106 of the sealing processing section 130 in the vertical direction (Z direction).

[Configuration of flap opening mechanism 180]
Here, details of the flap opening mechanism 180 as a flap opening means provided in the flap opening roller 124 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The flap opening mechanism 180 includes a flap scoop 181 rotatably attached to the rotation shaft of one of the pair of conveyance rollers that make up the flap opening roller 124, and a spring 182 that biases the flap scoop 181.

The flap scoop 181 is positioned to come into contact with an envelope E when it is separated from the envelope set tray 127 and transported through the envelope entrance path 1107 by the envelope transport roller 126. The flap scoop 181 is biased by a spring 182 to keep it in a position that blocks the transport path from the envelope entrance path 1107 to the envelope transport path 1105 until the envelope E comes into contact with it. Normally, when no envelope E is passing through, the flap scoop 181 is in contact with the transport guide that constitutes the envelope transport path 1105, and its rotation is restricted by the spring 182. When the flap scoop 181 comes into contact with and is pushed by the envelope E, it rotates against the bias of the spring 182 to a position that allows the envelope E to proceed to the envelope transport path 1105.

The flap scooping claw 181 has a top that is pushed by the transported envelope E as it passes through, causing it to rotate and catch the flap ef. With the flap ef caught on the top, it is moved in the -Z direction by the flap opening roller 124, causing the flap ef to change from a closed state to an open state.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a separation sensor 128 serving as a first envelope detection means is disposed in the envelope feed path 1107 upstream of the flap opening roller 124 in the conveying direction. Furthermore, a flap opening detection sensor 129 serving as a second envelope detection means is disposed downstream of the flap opening roller 124 in the conveying direction.

[First embodiment of the enclosing support unit 160]
Next, the configuration of the inclusion support unit 160 will be described with reference to Figures 5, 6, and 7 as a first embodiment of the inclusion support means provided in the inclusion processing unit 120. Figure 5 is a front view of the inclusion support unit 160, Figure 6 is a right side view of the inclusion support unit 160, and Figure 7 is a top view of the inclusion support unit 160.

The insertion support unit 160 is installed at a predetermined position on the envelope conveying path 1105. When the envelope E is conveyed to the insertion position where the enclosure is inserted into the envelope E, the insertion support unit 160 retracts and holds the flap ef of the envelope E from the envelope conveying path 1105. The insertion support unit 160 also operates to widen the opening of the envelope E by conveying the envelope E to the insertion position while holding the flap ef in the retracted position. In other words, the insertion support unit 160 is configured to widen the opening to ensure smooth insertion while keeping the flap ef out of the way during the insertion operation of the enclosure into the envelope E. The predetermined position where the insertion support unit 160 is installed is near the "insertion position," which is the position where the envelope E is held when the enclosure is inserted into the envelope E. "Near the insertion position" refers to a position where, for example, the flap ef can be retracted and held in place before the envelope E is transported to the insertion position, and the envelope E can be transported to the insertion position while maintaining that state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the insertion support unit 160 forms a flap transport path as an evacuation path for retracting the flap ef from the envelope transport path 1105, and is equipped with a flap guide plate 161 as a flap guide member that guides the flap ef in the evacuation direction. Ahead of the flap guide plate 161 is a flap holding roller 1611 that holds the retracted flap ef. The flap holding roller 1611 is a pair of rollers that clamp the flap ef so that the position of the envelope E during the insertion operation is maintained so that it does not displace in the negative direction on the envelope transport path 1105.

The flap guide plate 161, which serves as a guide member, functions as a support when the first enclosing guide claw 162 is pressed against it by the first enclosing guide claw spring 169. Therefore, the portion of the flap guide plate 161 that the first enclosing guide claw 162 contacts is retracted from the envelope transport path 1105.

When the flap ef is sandwiched between the flap guide plate 161 and the first insertion guide claw 162, the insertion support unit 160 enters a flap retracted state. When in the flap retracted state, the envelope E is held in a position where it can be transported to the insertion position, and the flap ef is held in a retracted (folded) state in a direction different from the transport direction (flap transport direction). This causes the envelope E to bend slightly toward the flap guide plate 161, and the opening of the envelope E is pulled in the direction in which the flap ef is folded down. As a result, the opening of the envelope E is slightly widened.

The enclosing support unit 160 also has a first enclosing guide claw 162 that serves as a flap transport direction switching claw. The first enclosing guide claw 162 is fixed to the side of the enclosing guide stay 164. The first enclosing guide claw 162 is a plate-shaped member that is long in the width direction of the envelope E and has a rectangular shape when viewed from the side.

The first insertion guide claw 162 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the insertion guide stay 164, pressing the flap ef against the flap guide plate 161 and retracting it into the flap retraction transport path.

The enclosing support unit 160 also has a second enclosing guide claw 163 as a switching biasing claw. The second enclosing guide claw 163 is held via a second enclosing guide claw shaft 166 that is rotatable relative to the enclosing guide stay 164. The second enclosing guide claw 163 is biased toward the first enclosing guide claw 162 by a second enclosing guide claw spring 168. In the initial state of the enclosing operation, the tip of the second enclosing guide claw 163 is in contact with the first enclosing guide claw 162. Then, when the envelope E is transported to a predetermined position (see Figure 16), the tip portion of the second enclosing guide claw 163 moves to a position spanning the envelope transport path 1105 that continues from the enclosing transport path 1104 as an enclosing path. As will be described later, the enclosure guided to the opening of the envelope E by the first and second guide tabs 162, 163 moves forward, pushing aside the second guide tab 163, causing the second guide tab 163 to rotate in the opposite direction to the biasing direction.

The enclosing support unit 160 also includes an enclosing guide stay 164. The enclosing guide stay 164 is rotatably supported on the device housing (frame) of the enclosing and sealing processing device 100 via a first enclosing guide claw shaft 165. A first spring fixed end 1641 that fixes one end of the first enclosing guide claw spring 169 is formed on the enclosing guide stay 164 on the side opposite the side on which the first enclosing guide claw 162 is fixed. Furthermore, a second spring fixed end 1642 that fixes a portion of the second enclosing guide claw spring 168 is formed on the +Z direction end of the side on which the first spring fixed end 1641 is formed.

The enclosing support unit 160 also includes a first enclosing guide claw shaft 165. The first enclosing guide claw shaft 165 is fixed by crimping to the enclosing guide stay 164, and is rotatably fitted to the device housing (frame) of the enclosing and sealing processing device 100 via a bearing or the like. The enclosing guide stay 164 rotates around this first enclosing guide claw shaft 165 as the center of rotation, and at the same time, the first enclosing guide claw 162 rotates in the same direction.

The enclosing support unit 160 also includes a second enclosing guide claw shaft 166. The second enclosing guide claw shaft 166 is crimped to the second enclosing guide claw 163, and the second enclosing guide claw 163 rotates around the second enclosing guide claw shaft 166, which is rotatably fitted to the enclosing guide stay 164 via a bearing.

The enclosing assistance unit 160 also includes a second enclosing guide claw arm 167. The second enclosing guide claw arm 167 is non-rotatably fitted to the second enclosing guide claw shaft 166, and is a member to which a second enclosing guide claw spring 168 is attached. The second enclosing guide claw arm 167 is pulled toward the second spring fixed end 1642 by the second enclosing guide claw spring 168. Due to the bias of this second enclosing guide claw spring 168, the second enclosing guide claw 163 rotates via the second enclosing guide claw shaft 166, contacts the first enclosing guide claw 162, and pushes the first enclosing guide claw 162 in the rotational direction.

The enclosing support unit 160 also includes a second enclosing guide claw spring 168 as a second biasing means. The second enclosing guide claw spring 168 is assembled between the second enclosing guide claw arm 167 and the enclosing guide stay 164, and biases them in the pulling direction. As a result, the second enclosing guide claw 163 is biased clockwise around the second enclosing guide claw shaft 166, and pressed against the first enclosing guide claw 162.

The enclosing support unit 160 also includes a first enclosing guide claw spring 169 as a first biasing means. The first enclosing guide claw spring 169 is assembled between the enclosing guide stay 164 and the enclosing machine frame, and biases in the pulling direction. As a result, the first enclosing guide claw 162 is biased clockwise around the first enclosing guide claw shaft 165, and pressed against the flap guide plate 161. The first biasing means included in the enclosing support unit 160 may be configured to bias the first enclosing guide claw spring 169 and the flap guide plate 161 so as to press them against each other. Therefore, the first enclosing guide claw spring 169 corresponds to an example of a first biasing means.

The enclosing support unit 160 also includes a drive cam 170. The drive cam 170 is configured like an eccentric cam and rotates around a rotation axis. At a specific rotation angle, the outer circumferential surface of the drive cam 170 contacts and pushes up the underside of the enclosing guide stay 164. At another rotation angle, the outer circumferential surface is eccentric so that it moves away from the underside of the enclosing guide stay 164.

When the drive cam 170 rotates to a specific rotation angle and pushes up the bottom surface 1643 of the enclosing guide stay 164, the enclosing guide stay 164 rotates around the first enclosing guide claw shaft 165 as the center of rotation, against the biasing force of the first enclosing guide claw spring 169. When the drive cam 170 pushes up the enclosing guide stay 164, the first enclosing guide claw 162 is separated from the flap guide plate 161.

Furthermore, when the drive cam 170 is not at a specific rotation angle and the outer surface of the drive cam 170 is separated from the bottom surface 1643 of the enclosing guide stay 164, the enclosing guide stay 164 rotates around the first enclosing guide claw shaft 165 as the center of rotation due to the biasing force of the first enclosing guide claw spring 169.

When the drive cam 170 is not pushing up the enclosing guide stay 164, the second enclosing guide claw 163 rotates in the rotation direction of the enclosing guide stay 164, and presses the first enclosing guide claw 162 due to the biasing force of the first enclosing guide claw spring 169. The first enclosing guide claw 162 is then pushed by the second enclosing guide claw 163, coming into contact with and pressing the flap guide plate 161.

The first and second inserting guide tabs 162 and 163 are positioned so that, when inserted into the opening of the envelope E, they widen the opening in the direction in which the enclosures will enter. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first and second inserting guide tabs 162 and 163 have inclined surfaces that slope toward the envelope conveying path 1105. These two inclined surfaces form a tapered shape in the -Z direction. That is, the inserting support unit 160 has a tapered portion that narrows toward the upstream direction in the conveying direction when the envelope E is conveyed to the inserting position. When this tapered portion is inserted into the opening of the envelope E conveyed in the +Z direction along the envelope conveying path 1105, the opening of the envelope E is widened, allowing for smooth insertion of the enclosures.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first and second inserting guide tabs 162 and 163 are elongated members in the width direction of the envelope transport path 1105, which serves as the transport path for the envelope E, and their widthwise dimension is longer than the width of the envelope transport path 1105. In other words, the first and second inserting guide tabs 162 and 163 are longer than the width dimension of the envelope E and have a structure without side walls.

[Flow of the enclosing and sealing process]
Next, an example of a series of operations for the enclosing and sealing operations in the enclosing and sealing processing device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 28. Note that in each figure, only components used to explain each operation stage are denoted by reference numerals, etc.

First, as shown in Figure 8, the envelope separation roller 125 rotates to separate envelopes E one by one from the multiple envelopes E stacked on the envelope set tray 127 and send them out to the envelope feed path 1107. Then, the separated envelopes E are transported to the flap opening roller 124 by the envelope transport roller 126 arranged in the envelope feed path 1107.

At this time, the leading and trailing edges of envelope E in the conveying direction are detected by separation sensor 128. Based on this detection result, the envelope length is calculated as described below.

When envelope E is transported through envelope inlet path 1107, envelope switchback switching claw 21 is oriented in a direction that allows envelope E to be transported from envelope inlet path 1107 to envelope transport path 1105, as shown in FIG. 8. Also, envelope discharge switching claw 31 is oriented in a direction that allows envelope E to enter envelope E from envelope transport path 1105 to sealing transport path 1106, as shown in FIG. 8.

Furthermore, the flap opening roller 124, the third vertical transport roller 131, and the fourth vertical transport roller 132 rotate in a direction that transports the envelope E in the -Z direction. As a result, the envelope E reaches the envelope transport path 1105 from the envelope feed path 1107.

Next, as shown in Figure 9, when envelope E passes flap opening roller 124, flap ef opens. At this time, flap opening roller 124, third vertical conveyance roller 131, and fourth vertical conveyance roller 132 continue to rotate.

Then, as shown in Figure 10, when the end of flap ef passes the flap open detection sensor 129, the rotation of the flap open roller 124, the third vertical conveying roller 131, and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 temporarily stops, and envelope E is conveyed in a switchback manner along the envelope conveying path 1105.

Here, an overview of the operation of the flap opening mechanism 180 and the envelope length calculation process during the envelope E transport operation shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10 will be explained using Figure 11. First, as shown in Figure 1(a), the leading edge of envelope E transported toward the flap opening roller 124 is detected by the separation sensor 128 on its way to the nip of the flap opening roller 124.

Next, as shown in Figure 11(b), when the leading edge of envelope E in the transport direction passes through the nip of flap opening roller 124 and moves in the -Z direction, the leading edge of envelope E in the transport direction comes into contact with flap scoop 181, which was in a normal position blocking envelope transport path 1105, and pushes against flap scoop 181. At this time, flap scoop 181 is pushed by the leading edge of envelope E in the transport direction and rotates, allowing envelope E to proceed along envelope transport path 1105. This allows envelope E to reach envelope transport path 1105.

As shown in Figure 11(c), when the entire length of envelope E reaches envelope conveying path 1105, the trailing end of envelope E in the conveying direction is also detected as it passes separation sensor 128. In other words, based on the time from when separation sensor 128 detects the leading end in the conveying direction to when separation sensor 128 detects the trailing end in the conveying direction (the difference in the detection times of the ends in the conveying direction), the conveying speed of envelope E, or the rotation speed of envelope conveying roller 126, the first envelope length, which is the envelope length when flap ef is closed, can be calculated.

The top of the flap scoop 181, which is pushed by the leading edge of the envelope E in the transport direction and rotates, slightly pushes up the envelope E being transported through the envelope feed path 1107, causing the envelope E to become slightly curved in the envelope feed path 1107. As a result, the flap ef of the envelope E is slightly open. If the envelope E is transported further in this state, the end of the flap ef will become caught on the top of the flap scoop 181.

Furthermore, when the envelope E is transported by the flap opening roller 124, as shown in Figure 11(d), the end of the flap ef comes into contact with the top of the flap scoop 181, and rotates and opens as the envelope E is transported. With the flap ef in the open state, the envelope E is transported further in the transport direction. The state next to the state illustrated in Figure 11(d) corresponds to the state in Figure 10.

Following Figure 10, as shown in Figure 12, when the flap ef of the envelope E is in an open state and the flap ef has passed the flap opening roller 124, the third vertical conveying roller 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 rotate in the reverse direction. This reversal causes the envelope E to be conveyed in the +Z direction in the sealing conveying path 1106 and the envelope conveying path 1105. This conveyance is referred to as "switchback conveyance." Note that before or at the same time as the switchback conveyance begins, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 rotates in the direction shown in Figure 12. This allows the envelope E to be conveyed upward on the envelope conveying path 1105.

Continuing from Figure 12, envelope E is transported by switchback transport to the inserting position, which is a predetermined position in the inserting processing unit 120. On the way to the inserting position, the end (trailing end in the transport direction) of the open flap ef of envelope E being switchback transported is detected by flap open detection sensor 129. Then, the bottom (leading end in the transport direction) of envelope E is detected by flap open detection sensor 129 by switchback transport. Note that during switchback transport, the end of flap ef becomes the leading end in the transport direction, but for consistency of expression, in the following description, the end of flap ef will be referred to as the "trailing end in the transport direction" regardless of the actual movement direction (transport direction) of envelope E. The bottom side of envelope E will be referred to as the leading end in the transport direction.

Therefore, by the time flap ef reaches the first vertical transport roller 122, both the end of flap ef (trailing end in the transport direction) and the bottom of envelope E (leading end in the transport direction) are detected by flap open detection sensor 129. Based on the detection results of this flap open detection sensor 129, the envelope length when flap ef is open (second envelope length) can also be calculated from the time from when the trailing end in the transport direction (end of flap ef) is detected to when the trailing end in the transport direction (bottom of envelope E) is detected, the transport speed of envelope E, or the rotation speed of third vertical transport roller 131 and fourth vertical transport roller 132.

Then, the length of flap ef (flap length) can be calculated by subtracting the envelope length when flap ef is closed (first envelope length) from the envelope length when flap ef is open (second envelope length).

Next, as shown in Figure 13, the envelope E is transported by the second vertical transport rollers 123 and the first vertical transport rollers 122 until it reaches the insertion position corresponding to the flap length. When the flap ef has passed the first vertical transport rollers 122 and reached the insertion position corresponding to the flap length, the rotation of the second vertical transport rollers 123 and the first vertical transport rollers 122 is stopped, and the insertion standby operation begins.

When controlling the transport of envelope E to a position for entering this insert standby operation, the transport distance of envelope E can be calculated from the amount of rotation of each transport roller after envelope separation roller 125 removes envelope E, and the position of envelope E within envelope transport path 1105 can be determined based on the transport distance and the transport path length.

[Explanation of Encapsulation Assistance Operation]
Here, using Figures 14 to 20, we will explain the insertion support operation until the state shown in Figure 13 is reached, in which the insertion support unit 160 holds the flap ef in an open position and the envelope E waits in a state where it can accept the enclosed item.

First, Figure 14 illustrates the state in which envelope E is conveyed in the +Z direction along envelope conveying path 1105 and reaches first vertical conveying roller 122. At this time, the insertion guide stay 164 is pushed up by the drive cam 170. The tip of the first insertion guide claw 162 is separated from the flap guide plate 161.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, as envelope E is conveyed, when flap ef reaches a position in the +Z direction beyond the tip of first enclosing guide claw 162, that is, when the tip of flap ef reaches a predetermined position beyond first enclosing guide claw 162, the conveyance of envelope E is stopped. Envelope E conveyance stop control can be performed based on the already calculated flap length and the amount of rotation of each conveyance roller pair that rotates to convey envelope E in envelope conveyance path 1105. For example, stop control can be performed based on the conveyance speed of envelope E and the distance that envelope E travels to reach the stopping position based on the flap length.

Next, as shown in Figure 16, the drive cam 170 rotates to a specific angle. This causes the bottom surface 1643 of the insertion guide stay 164 to separate from the outer peripheral surface of the drive cam 170. As a result, the insertion guide stay 164 rotates due to the bias of the first insertion guide claw spring 169, and the tip of the first insertion guide claw 162 is pressed against the flap guide plate 161, causing the flap ef to be sandwiched between the tip of the first insertion guide claw 162 and the flap guide plate 161.

In other words, when the envelope E reaches a predetermined position (the position where the flap ef overlaps the tip of the first enclosing guide tab 162), the first enclosing guide tab 162 directs the flap ef toward the flap guide plate 161.

Next, as shown in Figure 17, rotation of the first vertical transport roller 122 and other components is resumed, transporting the envelope E in the +Z direction. At this time, the envelope E is transported against the biasing force of the first enclosing guide tab 162. The tip of the first enclosing guide tab 162 is then inserted into the opening of the envelope E. At this time, the flap ef is transported while being pressed toward the flap guide plate 161 by the first enclosing guide tab 162, so it is transported in a direction different from the transport direction of the opening of the envelope E. As a result, the transport of the flap ef slightly deforms the envelope E, expanding its opening. The first enclosing guide tab 162 then enters the expanded opening.

Next, as shown in Figure 18, as the first vertical transport roller 122 rotates, the envelope E is further transported in the +Z direction, and the first insertion guide tab 162 is inserted even deeper into the envelope E. Then, when the envelope E reaches the insertion position, the rotation of the first vertical transport roller 122 is stopped, and the transport of the envelope E is stopped.

At this stage, the first inserting guide claw 162 and the second inserting guide claw 163, which is biased against the first inserting guide claw 162, have entered the interior of the envelope E. At this time, the flap ef is being transported in the direction of the flap transport path formed by the flap guide plate 161 and has moved to a position where it is held by the flap holding roller 1611. The main body of the envelope E has been transported to the envelope transport path 1105, which is in a different direction from the flap transport path. As a result, the opening of the envelope E extends outward beyond the envelope transport path 1105, along the outer slope of the second inserting guide claw 163.

Note that the envelope transport path 1105 shown continuously from Figure 14 onwards is conceptually represented as forming a space in which envelope E can be transported. In other words, the width of envelope transport path 1105 in each figure does not clearly reflect the actual dimensional relationship. In reality, the displacement of envelope E and flap ef occurs within the internal space of envelope transport path 1105, and envelope E does not break through the wall of envelope transport path 1105 and displace outward.

Note that, on the way from the state illustrated in Figure 17 to the state illustrated in Figure 18, the opening of envelope E passes over the tip of second enclosing guide claw 163. At this time, a structure can be used that prevents the opening of envelope E from getting caught on the tip of second enclosing guide claw 163. For example, the structure can be such that the tip of second enclosing guide claw 163 overlaps the flesh of first enclosing guide claw 162. Furthermore, to prevent the opening from getting caught, a scooping rib or the like can be provided on the part of first enclosing guide claw 162 where the tip of second enclosing guide claw 163 comes into contact, allowing the opening to avoid the tip of second enclosing guide claw 163.

[Continuation of the process of enclosing and sealing]
The state shown in Fig. 18 is the state in which the envelope E has been transported to the inserting position, and is in a standby state waiting for the transport of an enclosure. Fig. 19 shows the position of the envelope E in the standby state. As shown in Fig. 19, with the envelope E in the inserting position, which is the standby position, in a standby state for inserting, the inserting and sealing processing device 100 receives a folded sheet Sf from the upstream device (folding processing device 300) with the inlet rollers 101 and transports it to the first transport path 1101.

Next, as shown in Figure 20, the folded sheet Sf is transported downstream by the first intermediate transport roller 114 and the first transport roller 111. At this time, the first switching claw 11 and the third switching claw 13 are in the position shown in Figure 3, so the folded sheet Sf is transported from the first transport path 1101 to the insertion transport path 1104.

Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the folded sheet Sf is transported from the inserting conveying path 1104 to the envelope conveying path 1105, where it is further transported in the -Z direction by the inserting rollers 121. As a result, the folded sheet Sf is held at a predetermined inserting position on the envelope conveying path 1105 by the first vertical conveying rollers 122 and the like, and is inserted into the envelope E that is waiting to be inserted.

Then, as shown in FIG. 22, the first vertical transport roller 122 and the second vertical transport roller 123 are rotated to transport the envelope E downward, and as shown in FIG. 21, the envelope E is transported to the fourth vertical transport roller 132. After the envelope E is inserted, it is transported until the flap ef passes through the envelope discharge switching tab 31.

[Continued explanation of the enclosing support operation]
Here, using Figures 23 and 24, we will explain the insertion support operation in which the insertion support unit 160 inserts an enclosure into an envelope E held with the flap ef in an open state, from Figure 19 to the state described in Figure 22.

For the waiting envelope E, the folded sheet Sf, which is an enclosure transported along the insert transport path 1104, passes between the first insert guide claw 162 and the second insert guide claw 163. At this time, the inner slopes of the first insert guide claw 162 and the second insert guide claw 163 taper toward the inside of the envelope E waiting in the envelope transport path 1105. Therefore, the folded sheet Sf is guided by the first insert guide claw 162 and the second insert guide claw 163 and moves toward the inside of the envelope E.

At this time, the first vertical conveying rollers 122 move away and retreat to a position where the folded sheet Sf does not interfere with the insertion of the envelope E. To ensure that the envelope E can be inserted, even if the first vertical conveying rollers 122 release their grip on the envelope E, the flap ef remains clamped by the flap holding roller 1611. This allows the envelope E to continue to be held in the insertion position.

As the folded sheet Sf is then conveyed into the interior of the envelope E as shown in Figure 24, the second enclosing guide claw 163, pressed by the folded sheet Sf, rotates around the second enclosing guide claw shaft 166, moving out of the path of the folded sheet Sf. This allows the folded sheet Sf to be conveyed sequentially from the opening to the interior of the envelope E.

The second insert guide claw 163 is biased toward the first insert guide claw 162 by the second insert guide claw spring 168, but the folded sheet Sf is transported against this biasing force. Although not shown, the folded sheet Sf is then further transported to the back of the envelope E by another member and inserted.

[Continuation of the process of enclosing and sealing]
As shown in Figure 24, after the folded sheet Sf is transported inside the envelope E, as shown in Figure 25, the flap ef is closed by the sealing section 135 between the third vertical conveying roller 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132, thereby sealing the envelope E.

Then, as shown in Figure 26, the third vertical conveying rollers 131 and fourth vertical conveying rollers 132 are rotated in the reverse direction, and the sealed envelope E is conveyed in a switchback manner by the third vertical conveying rollers 131 and fourth vertical conveying rollers 132. Before the third vertical conveying rollers 131 and fourth vertical conveying rollers 132 are rotated in the reverse direction, the envelope discharge switching claw 31 is rotated to the state shown in Figure 27. As a result, the sealed envelope E is conveyed from the insertion conveying path 1104 to the envelope discharge path 1108.

As a result, as shown in Figure 28, the sealed envelope E is discharged by the envelope discharge rollers 133 onto the envelope discharge tray 134.

[Regarding the dimensional relationship between the first and second enclosing guide tabs 162, 163, and the envelope E]
Here, a description will be given of the sizes of envelopes E that can be handled by the insertion support unit 160. Fig. 29 is a diagram showing an example in which envelopes E of various widths are applied to the side view shown in Fig. 6 .

As shown in Figures 29(a) and 29(c), there are no side walls (walls restricting both axial ends) in the axial direction of the rotation shafts of the first and second enclosing guide claws 162 and 163. Therefore, even if the width of the envelope E or the width of the folded sheet Sf is wider than the dimensions of the first and second enclosing guide claws 162 and 163, the enclosing support operation can be performed. In other words, the width dimensions of the envelope E and folded sheet Sf that can support the enclosing operation in the enclosing support unit 160 are not limited by the dimensions of the first and second enclosing guide claws 162 and 163.

As shown in Figure 29(b), the width of the envelope E may of course be narrower than the longitudinal dimension of the first and second enclosing guide tabs 162, 163. Even in this case, the folded sheet Sf to be enclosed is guided in the enclosing direction by the first and second enclosing guide tabs 162, 163, so it can be enclosed without protruding beyond the width of the envelope E.

As described above, the two claws of the insertion support unit 160 according to this embodiment have no side walls, and can guide the insertion of enclosures without requiring widthwise movement. Furthermore, the opening of the envelope E can be widened, allowing for smooth insertion of various sizes of enclosures and envelopes E.

[Second embodiment of the enclosing support unit 160]
Next, a second embodiment of the enclosing assist unit 160 will be described with reference to Figures 30 to 32. The enclosing assist unit 160a according to this embodiment further includes a guide plate spring 1612 as second biasing means for biasing the flap guide plate 161 and the first enclosing guide claw 162 so as to press them against each other.

The enclosing support unit 160a allows the flap ef to be clamped between the flap guide plate 161 and the first enclosing guide claw 162 by biasing in opposite directions, such as the biasing force of the guide plate spring 1612 and the biasing force of the first enclosing guide claw spring 169. This ensures that during the enclosing operation, the flap ef can be reliably transported to a path branching off from the envelope transport path 1105 and heading toward the flap holding roller 1611.

[Third embodiment of the enclosing support unit 160]
Next, a third embodiment of the enclosing assist unit 160 will be described with reference to Figures 33 to 35. The enclosing assist unit 160b according to this embodiment includes a configuration in which the third enclosing guide claw 53 is used as an enclosing guide claw that presses the flap ef against the flap guide plate 161 described above, so that the flap ef is retracted from the enclosing path during the enclosing operation.
33 is a front view of the enclosing support unit 160b, Fig. 34(a) is a right side view of the enclosing support unit 160b, Fig. 34(b) is a top view of the enclosing support unit 160b, and Fig. 35 is an enlarged view of the third enclosing guide claw 53.

Like the already-described enclosing support unit 160b and enclosing support unit 160ba, the enclosing support unit 160b is also installed at a predetermined position on the envelope conveying path 1105. The predetermined position where the enclosing support unit 160b is installed is near the "enclosing position," which is the position where the envelope E is held when the enclosure is inserted into the envelope E. "Near the enclosing position" refers to, for example, a position where the flap ef can be retracted and held in place before the envelope E is conveyed to the enclosing position, and the envelope E can be conveyed to the enclosing position while maintaining that state.

When an envelope E is transported to the insertion position where the enclosure is inserted into the envelope E, the insertion support unit 160b uses a single claw member to retract the flap ef of the envelope E from the envelope transport path 1105. This claw member is kept pressed against the opposing guide member, and the flap ef is clamped at this pressed portion, ensuring that the flap ef does not interfere with the insertion of the enclosure during insertion. Furthermore, the insertion support unit 160b operates to widen the opening of the envelope E by transporting the envelope E to the insertion position while keeping the flap ef in the retracted position.

In other words, the insertion support unit 160b is configured to widen the opening of the envelope E to ensure that the flap ef does not interfere with the insertion of the enclosure into the envelope E, and to ensure smooth insertion.

As shown in Figure 33, the insertion support unit 160b forms a flap transport path as an evacuation path for evacuating the flap ef from the envelope transport path 1105, and is equipped with a flap guide plate 161 as a flap guide member that guides the flap ef in the evacuation direction. Note that the envelope transport path 1105 is not shown in Figure 33.

Further ahead of the flap guide plate 161, a flap holding roller 1611 is positioned to hold the retracted flap ef. The flap holding roller 1611 is a pair of rollers that clamp the flap ef.

The flap guide plate 161, which serves as a guide member, functions as a support when the third insertion guide claw 53 is pressed against it by the third insertion guide spring 59. Therefore, the portion where the flap guide plate 161 and the third insertion guide claw 53 come into contact corresponds to a position retracted from the envelope transport path 1105.

When the flap ef is sandwiched between the flap guide plate 161 and the third insertion guide claw 53, the insertion support unit 160b enters a flap retracted state. When in the flap retracted state, the envelope E is held in a position where it can be transported to the insertion position, and the flap ef is held in a retracted (folded) state in a direction different from the transport direction (flap transport direction). This causes the envelope E to bend slightly toward the flap guide plate 161, and the opening of the envelope E is pulled in the direction in which the flap ef is folded down. As a result, the opening of the envelope E is slightly widened.

The enclosing support unit 160b also includes an enclosing claw opposing guide plate 52 as an enclosing guide member. The enclosing claw opposing guide plate 52 is fixed and included as a component that constitutes part of the envelope transport path 1105.

In a position opposite the inserting claw opposing guide plate 52, an inserting claw fixed guide plate 54 is installed as an inserting guide member and a component that forms part of the envelope transport path 1105. The inserting claw fixed guide plate 54 holds an inserting guide shaft 56 that serves as the rotation shaft of the third inserting guide claw 53. The third inserting guide claw 53 is rotatably held on the inserting guide shaft 56, and the tip 531 is biased toward the flap guide plate 161 by a third inserting guide spring 59. The third inserting guide claw 53 is controlled by a drive cam 60 to move between a retracted position and a biased position.

The encapsulation guide shaft 56 is crimped to the third encapsulation guide claw 53 and rotatably fitted to the encapsulation claw fixing guide plate 54 via a bearing.

The third enclosing guide spring 59 is assembled between the third enclosing guide claw 53 and the enclosing machine frame and biases the third enclosing guide claw 53 in the pulling direction. The third enclosing guide spring 59 biases the third enclosing guide claw 53 clockwise around the enclosing guide shaft 56 when facing the camera in Figure 33, pressing the tip 531 against the flap guide plate 161.

The drive cam 60 is an eccentric cam that rotates around a rotation axis. The rotation of this drive cam 60 controls the switching of the third enclosed guide claw 53 between the retracted position and the biased position.

The shape of the tip 531 will now be described using Figure 35. As shown in Figure 35(a), the portion of the tip 531 that comes into contact with the flap guide plate 161 is curved rather than sharp so as not to damage the flap ef. It is also possible to bend the tip in the thickness direction, as shown in Figure 35(b), and form an R-shape in the portion that presses the flap ef against the flap guide plate 161.

[Regarding the dimensional relationship between the inserting claw opposing guide plate 52, the third inserting guide claw 53, and the envelope E]
Here, the sizes of envelopes E that can be handled by the insertion support unit 160b will be described. Figure 36 is a diagram showing an example in which envelopes E of various widths are applied to the side view shown in Figure 34(a).

As shown in Figures 36(a) and 36(c), the inserting claw opposing guide plate 52 and the third inserting guide claw 53 do not have side walls (walls that restrict both axial ends) in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the third inserting guide claw 53. The inserting support unit 160b has the function of opening the opening of the envelope E conveyed to the inserting position by inserting the inserting claw opposing guide plate 52 and the third inserting guide claw 53 into the opening of the envelope E to an opening sufficient to allow inserting. Because the inserting claw opposing guide plate 52 and the third inserting guide claw 53 do not have side walls, the inserting support operation can be performed even if the width of the envelope E or the width of the folded sheet Sf is wider than the longitudinal dimensions of the inserting claw opposing guide plate 52 and the third inserting guide claw 53. In other words, the width dimensions of the envelopes E and folded sheets Sf that can be supported by the enclosing support unit 160b for the enclosing operation are not limited by the dimensions of the enclosing claw opposing guide plate 52 and the third enclosing guide claw 53.

As shown in Figure 36(b), the width of the envelope E may of course be narrower than the longitudinal dimensions of the inserting tab opposing guide plate 52 and the third inserting guide tab 53. Even in this case, the folded sheet Sf to be inserted is guided in the inserting direction by the inserting tab opposing guide plate 52 and the third inserting guide tab 53, so it can be inserted without protruding beyond the width of the envelope E.

As described above, the enclosing support unit 160b according to this embodiment does not have side walls on either the enclosing claw opposing guide plate 52 or the third enclosing guide claw 53, so it can guide the enclosing operation of the enclosures without requiring movement in the width direction. Furthermore, the opening of the envelope E can be widened, allowing for smooth enclosing operations for combinations of various sizes of enclosures and envelopes E.

[Description of Enclosure Assistance Operation According to Third Embodiment]
Next, an example of a series of steps in the inclusion operation by the inclusion support unit 160b will be described with reference to Figures 37 to 44. Note that in each figure, only components used to explain each operation stage are denoted by reference numerals, etc.

As with the inserting and sealing process described in the first embodiment, the envelope E is transported by the second vertical transport roller 123 and the first vertical transport roller 122 until it reaches the inserting position corresponding to the flap length. When the flap ef has passed the first vertical transport roller 122 and reached the inserting position corresponding to the flap length, the rotation of the second vertical transport roller 123 and the first vertical transport roller 122 is stopped, and the inserting standby operation begins (see Figure 13).

The flow leading up to the insert standby operation will now be explained. First, Figure 37 illustrates the state in which envelope E is transported in the +Z direction along envelope transport path 1105 and reaches first vertical transport roller 122. At this time, the third insert guide claw 53 is pushed up by drive cam 60. As a result, the tip 531 of the third insert guide claw 53 is separated from the flap guide plate 161.

Next, as shown in FIG. 38 , as the envelope E is conveyed, when the flap ef reaches a position in the +Z direction relative to the tip 531 of the third insertion guide tab 53, i.e., when the tip of the flap ef reaches a position beyond the third insertion guide tab 53, the conveyance of the envelope E is stopped. The position of the envelope E at this time corresponds to the "predetermined position." As in the first embodiment, the control to stop the conveyance of the envelope E may be performed based on the flap length calculated up to this stage and the amount of rotation of each conveyance roller pair that has rotated to convey the envelope E in the envelope conveyance path 1105. For example, the stop control may be performed based on the conveyance speed of the envelope E and the distance that the envelope E travels to reach the stop position based on the flap length.

Next, as shown in Figure 39, the drive cam 60 rotates a predetermined angle. This rotation of the drive cam 60 rotates the third enclosing guide claw 53 in the direction biased by the third enclosing guide spring 59. As a result, the tip 531 of the third enclosing guide claw 53 is pressed against the flap guide plate 161, and the flap ef is sandwiched between the tip 531 of the third enclosing guide claw 53 and the flap guide plate 161.

In other words, when the envelope E reaches a predetermined position (the position where the flap ef overlaps the tip 531 of the third enclosing guide tab 53), the third enclosing guide tab 53 directs the flap ef toward the flap guide plate 161.

Next, as shown in Figure 40, rotation of the first vertical transport roller 122 and other components resumes, transporting the envelope E further in the +Z direction. At this time, the envelope E is transported against the biasing force of the third enclosing guide tab 53. The tip 531 of the third enclosing guide tab 53 is then inserted into the opening of the envelope E. At this time, the flap ef is pressed toward the flap guide plate 161 by the third enclosing guide tab 53 as it is transported, and is therefore transported in a direction different from the transport direction of the opening of the envelope E. As a result, the transport of the flap ef slightly deforms the envelope E, expanding its opening. The third enclosing guide tab 53 then enters the expanded opening.

Next, as shown in Figure 41, as the first vertical transport roller 122 rotates, the envelope E is further transported in the +Z direction, and the third insertion guide tab 53 is inserted even deeper into the envelope E. Then, when the envelope E reaches the insertion position, the rotation of the first vertical transport roller 122 is stopped, and the transport of the envelope E is stopped.

At this stage, the third inserting guide claw 53 enters the interior of the envelope E, and the flap ef is transported in the direction of the flap transport path formed by the flap guide plate 161, moving to a position where it is held by the flap holding roller 1611. The main body of the envelope E is transported to the envelope transport path 1105, which is in a different direction from the flap transport path. As a result, the opening of the envelope E extends outward beyond the envelope transport path 1105, along the outer slope of the third inserting guide claw 53.

After reaching the state shown in Figure 41, as described in the first embodiment, the flap ef is held in an open state by the enclosing support unit 160b until the state described in Figures 19 to 22 is reached.

As shown in Figure 42, for an envelope E in a waiting state, a folded sheet Sf, which is an enclosure transported along the insertion transport path 1104, passes between the insertion claw opposing guide plate 52 and the insertion claw fixed guide plate 54. The folded sheet Sf is then guided toward the inside of the envelope E along the slope of the third insertion guide claw 53.

At this time, the first vertical conveying rollers 122 increase the distance between the opposing rollers (the rollers are separated from each other) and retreat to a position where the folded sheet Sf does not interfere with the insertion of the envelope E. To ensure that the envelope E can be inserted, even if the first vertical conveying rollers 122 release their grip on the envelope E, the flap ef remains clamped by the flap holding roller 1611. This allows the envelope E to continue to be held in the insertion position.

Next, as shown in Figure 43, as the folded sheet Sf is transported into the interior of the envelope E, the third enclosing guide claw 53, pressed by the folded sheet Sf, rotates around the enclosing guide shaft 56 and moves out of the path of the folded sheet Sf. This allows the folded sheet Sf to be transported sequentially from the opening to the interior of the envelope E.

The third insertion guide claw 53 is biased by the third insertion guide spring 59 in the direction toward the flap guide plate 161, but the folded sheet Sf is transported against this biasing force. Although not shown, the folded sheet Sf is then further transported to the back of the envelope E by another member and inserted.

[Fourth embodiment of the enclosing support unit 160]
Next, another embodiment of the enclosing assist unit 160 will be described with reference to Figures 44 to 46. In addition to the configuration of the enclosing assist unit 160c according to the third embodiment, the enclosing assist unit 160d according to this embodiment further includes a guide plate spring 1612 as second biasing means that biases the flap guide plate 161 and the third enclosing guide claw 53 so as to press them against each other.

The enclosing support unit 160d allows the flap ef to be clamped between the flap guide plate 161 and the third enclosing guide claw 53 by biasing in opposite directions, such as the biasing force of the guide plate spring 1612 and the biasing force of the third enclosing guide spring 59. This ensures that during the enclosing operation, the flap ef can be reliably transported to a path branching off from the envelope transport path 1105 toward the flap holding roller 1611.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist of the invention. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but those skilled in the art will be able to realize various modifications based on the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included within the technical scope described in the claims.

1: Print system 52: Enclosure claw opposing guide plate 53: Third enclosing guide claw 54: Enclosure claw fixed guide plate 56: Enclosure guide shaft 59: Third enclosing guide spring 60: Drive cam 100: Enclosing and sealing processing device 110: Sheet reversing processing section 120: Enclosing processing section 121: Enclosing roller 122: First vertical conveying roller 123: Second vertical conveying roller 124: Flap opening roller 125: Separation roller 126: Envelope conveying roller 127: Envelope set tray 128: Separation sensor 129: Flap opening detection sensor 130: Sealing processing section 150: Enclosing and sealing control section 160: Enclosing support section 160a: Enclosing support section 161: Flap guide plate 162: First enclosing guide claw 163: Second enclosing guide claw 164: Enclosing guide stay 165 : First inserting guide claw shaft 166 : Second inserting guide claw shaft 167 : Second inserting guide claw arm 168 : Second inserting guide claw spring 169 : First inserting guide claw spring 170 : Drive cam 200 : Image forming device 300 : Folding device 400 : Post-processing device 531 : Tip 1100 : Carry-in path 1101 : First conveying path 1102 : Second conveying path 1103 : Switchback conveying path 1104 : Inserting conveying path 1105 : Envelope conveying path 1106 : Sealing conveying path 1107 : Envelope carry-in path 1108 : Envelope discharge path 1611 : Guide leaf spring 1612 : Guide leaf spring 1641 : First spring fixed end 1642 : Second spring fixed end 1643 : Bottom surface

Special Publication No. 07-102842

Claims (8)

An enclosing device that encloses an enclosure in an envelope transported to an enclosing position,
an inserting assisting means for assisting the inserting operation, the inserting means being disposed on an envelope conveying path for conveying the envelope to the inserting position;
The encapsulation assisting means is
a flap conveyance direction switching claw that presses the flap against a guide member that forms a flap conveyance path branching from the envelope conveyance path so as to direct the flap toward the flap conveyance path branching from the envelope conveyance path when the flap of the envelope reaches a predetermined position on the way to the enclosing position;
a first biasing means for biasing a guide member forming the flap transport path and the flap transport direction switching claw so as to press them against each other,
An enclosing device, characterized in that the envelope is transported to the enclosing position while the flap is retracted from the envelope transport path. The encapsulation assisting means is
Further, an enclosure guide member is included which forms a part of the transport path of the enclosure.
The enclosing device according to claim 1 , wherein the enclosing guide member forms an enclosing path for the enclosure together with the flap transport direction switching claw. The encapsulation assisting means is
a switching biasing claw that is in an initial state so as to block an inserting path for inserting the insert into the envelope;
2. The sealing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a second biasing means for biasing the switching biasing claw to the initial state. 4. The enclosing device according to claim 3 , wherein the switching biasing claw is pushed by the enclosure being transported to the enclosing position and moves from the initial position against the biasing force of the second biasing means. The encapsulation assisting means is
The flap guide member further includes a flap guide member for guiding the flap.
The enclosing device according to claim 1 , wherein the tip of the flap transport direction switching claw, which presses against the flap guide member, has an R-shape in the thickness direction. The encapsulation assisting means is
6. The enclosing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a tapered portion facing upstream in a conveying direction when the envelope is conveyed to the enclosing position. The encapsulation assisting means is
7. The enclosing device according to claim 1 , wherein when the envelope reaches the enclosing position with the flap retracted from the envelope transport path, the enclosing device operates in a direction to widen the opening of the envelope. an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet-like medium;
a folding processing device that performs a folding process on the medium on which the image is formed;
An image forming system comprising: an enclosing device according to claim 1 that encloses and seals the medium conveyed from the image forming device or the folding device into an envelope .