JPH089455B2 - Seat folding device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for folding sheets such as single-cut forms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Up to now, a buckle type device (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No.
No. 37573, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 55-15384), a knife type (for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 55-18232), and a rotary type (for example, US Pat. No. 4,403,981) are known.

In the buckle type, a form or the like to be folded is conveyed at high speed by a roller or a conveyor, hits this against a stopper, and is further fed to the form to cause the form to buckle. The folding operation is performed by guiding to.

In the knife type, after a form or the like to be folded is conveyed to a predetermined folding position, a sharp knife-like member is moved downward or upward from the upper surface or the lower surface of the form to the folding portion to move it between the folding rollers. The folding action is performed by forcibly pushing in.

The rotary type conveys a document or the like to be folded in a slit portion formed between opposed drum rows, and when the document is supplied to a folding position, the entire drum row is rotated and comes into contact with this drum row. By folding the form between the folding rollers, the folding operation is performed.

[0006]

There are various problems to be solved in these known methods. That is, in the buckle type, every time the form collides with the stopper, and in the knife type, a very loud noise is generated each time the knife-shaped member pushes the form between the folding rollers, which is harmful to workers and the surrounding environment. . Further, in the rotary type, a large number of rollers, drums, etc. are used, and the revolution of the drum is required, so that the structure becomes complicated, and it is difficult to increase the processing speed due to the form conveyance and the extra inertia force of the drum. . Further, in the conventional buckle type, it is necessary to attach one motor as an actuator to each buckle, which causes a problem that the mechanism becomes very complicated. For this reason, the present invention eliminates the collision of documents that generate noise and forced pushing work, enables high-speed folding while suppressing noise generation to an extremely low level, and eliminates the need for a revolving structure such as a drum that generates extra inertial force. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a simple structure and capable of quiet and high-speed form folding.

[0007]

In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, as a means for stopping the movement of the sheet, a roller for nipping and braking the moving sheet is provided to eliminate the occurrence of the collision noise of the sheet. Moreover, the rotation system of the entire device was controlled by one motor, and the structure was simplified. Furthermore, a pair of receiving rollers, a reverse feed roller, and a space are provided so as to be substantially symmetrical to the left and right, and these are organically operated to enable various folding operations.

[0008]

In the first passage of the folding section, the sensor detects the supply amount of the sheet conveyed from the loading section to the folding section, and the rotation detector detects the sheet supply rate.
The first reverse feed roller operates according to the detected amount,
Buckling occurs in the seat in space. A folding portion is formed in this buckling portion. If necessary, this folded sheet is carried into the second passage, and the sheet supply amount is detected in the same manner as in the first passage. At the position corresponding to this detected amount, the second
Buckling is again generated in the space to form the second folded portion.
Then, the sheet is unloaded from the folding section to the unloading section.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a folding device 10 embodying the present invention.
FIG. This apparatus 10 includes a loading section 14 for loading a sheet 12 such as a form into the apparatus 10, a folding section 16 for folding the loaded sheet 12.
And a carry-out section 18 for carrying out the folded sheet 12 from the apparatus 10.

The carry-in station 14 has a pair of rollers 22, 24.
A conveyor belt 26 supported by the sheet carrier, a sheet support member 28 arranged below the belt 26, a first feed roller 30 arranged below the roller 24, facing the roller 24, It consists of At least one of the rollers 22 and 24 is driven by a later-described motor or other known means to rotate the belt 26 in the arrow direction 32.
The conveyor belt 26 is always in elastic contact with the lower sheet supporting member by a known spring means 34 or the like.

The folding section 16 is a main feed roller 40 which is driven by a motor described later or other known means.
And the roller 40 below the main feed roller 40.
First folding roller 4 elastically contacting upward with respect to
2, a pair of path plates 46 and 48 forming a first passage 44 that guides the seat 12 to the lower left in the drawing, and a first
A first receiving roller 50 disposed on the side of the path plates 46 and 48 facing the passage 44 and a first reverse feed roller 52 having a substantially fan-shaped cross section such as a notched part of a cylinder. And the path plate 4 on the upper side of the first receiving roller 50.
6, a pair of path plates 62 and 64 that form a second passage 60 that guides the seat 12 to the lower right in the drawing, and a pair of passage plates 62 and 64 that face the second passage 60. The second receiving roller 66 and the second receiving roller 66, which have the same shapes as the second receiving roller 66 and the first backward feeding roller 52 arranged on the side of the path plates 62 and 64, and the second receiving roller 66.
The second sensor 70 attached to the path plate 62 on the upper side of the table, and the motor 72 forming the drive source of the device 10.
And drive rollers 74 and 76 for driving the first reverse feed roller 52 and the second reverse feed roller 68 by the driving force of the motor.
It consists of and.

The carry-out section 18 has a structure similar to that of the carry-in section 14. That is, the pair of rollers 80, 82
A conveyor belt 84 supported by the sheet carrier, a sheet supporting member 85 arranged below the belt 84, and a second folding roller 86 arranged below the roller 82 and facing the roller 82. It consists of At least one of the rollers 80 and 82 is driven by a later-described motor or other known means to rotate the belt 84 in the direction of arrow 88.
Further, the conveyor belt 84 is the spring means 34 of the carry-in section 14.
It is desirable that the lower sheet supporting member 85 is always elastically contacted by the same means (not shown).

In the apparatus 10 of the present invention, the sheet 12 is folded in two (FIG. 2), folded in four (FIG. 3), and folded in three (FIG. 4).
Further, it can be folded into an outer tri-fold (FIG. 5).
In the following, first, the work of folding in half (FIG. 2) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6 and FIG. 10 showing its operation in a flowchart.

First, a switch (not shown) is turned on to drive the motor 72. As a result, the conveyor belt 26
Rotates in the direction of arrow 32. Then, the sheet 12 is supplied to the carry-in port 90 on the left side of the sheet guide passage formed between the transport belt 26 and the sheet supporting member 28. The seat 12 is guided by the belt 26 and moves to the right in the seat guide passage while sliding on the seat support member 28. When the front edge of the sheet 12 passes between the roller 24 and the first feed roller 30 and abuts against the first deflector plate 92, the sheet 12 is
It is guided to the nip portion between the first feed roller 30 and the main feed roller 40. The main feed roller 40 is driven in the direction of arrow 94 by a motor 72. The first feed roller 3
No. 0 is elastically held from the left side with respect to the main feed roller 40 and can be elastically escaped to the left side depending on the thickness of the sheet 12.

The sheet 12 nipped by the main feed roller 40 and the first feed roller 30 is guided into a first passage 44 formed by path plates 46 and 48 as shown in FIG. 6A. When the seat 12 is introduced into the passage 44, the first
Sensor 54 detects its leading edge. This allows the sensor 5
4 is turned on. Therefore, the rotation angle detector 100, which is composed of the encoder 96 and the sensor 98 provided on the shaft of the motor 72, starts pulse counting. When the seat 12 advances to the lower left in the passage 44 and the pulse count amount reaches a preset setting value, that is, a value corresponding to the first folding position, the rotation angle detector 100 energizes the clutch solenoid 102 for one pulse. Therefore, the pulley 104, which is preferably mounted on the shaft of the motor 72 via a spring clutch (not shown), starts to rotate, and the first and second reverse feed rollers 52 and 68 are respectively provided in the arrow directions. Rotate to. At that time, the first reverse feed roller 52
The cutout portion 106 contacts the first receiving roller 50 with the sheet 12 conveyed in the passage 44, stops the sheet, and then sends out the inside of the passage 44 in the upper right direction in the opposite direction. Here, the first and second receiving rollers 50 and 6
6 is elastically held against the first and second reverse feed rollers 52 and 68, respectively, and can escape from the rollers 52 and 68 depending on the thickness of the sheet. .

The sheet 12 is further fed in the direction of the passage 44 by the main feed roller 40 and the first feed roller 30, and the leading end side of the sheet is fed in the direction opposite to the passage 44 by the first reverse feed roller 52. , Sheet 12 is shown in FIG.
As shown in B, it buckles in the space 108 formed by the main feed roller 40 and the first folding roller 42 elastically supported upward with respect to the main feed roller 40. Since the sheet is further supplied, the buckled sheet 12 is sandwiched between the main feed roller 40 and the first folding roller 42 and folded.

The sheet 12 folded in this way passes between the main feed roller 40 and the first folding roller 42, then hits the second deflecting plate 110 (FIG. 6B), is deflected upward, and is fed by the main feed. A roller 40, a second folding roller 86,
Through the space (Fig. 6C). Here, the second folding roller 8
6 is the feed roller 40, which is similar to the first folding roller 42.
Is held elastically against. Then, the folded sheet 12 hits the third deflector plate 112 (FIG. 1),
It is guided to the carry-out section 18 and is carried out of the apparatus from the carry-out section.

Next, the four-fold operation shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7. This operation is similar to that shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B until the middle. However, FIG. 6B
The second deflecting plate 110 as shown in (3) is not attached. Therefore, the folded sheet is guided at its tip into the second passage 60 as shown in FIG. 7A. Therefore, the second receiving roller 66 and the second reverse feeding roller 68 operate in the same manner as in FIG. 6B, and buckle the folded sheet in the space 114 between the main feeding roller 40 and the second folding roller 86. (FIG. 7B). The sheet 12 folded in half in the space 108 is further folded in half in the space between the main feed roller 40 and the second folding roller 86 (see FIG. 7).
C) A sheet folded in four is formed.

Next, regarding the inner tri-folding operation shown in FIG.
It will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8. This operation is similar to that shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7A up to the middle. That is, after the first folding portion 116 of the sheet 12 is formed in the space 108 by the method of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first folding portion 116 is formed into the second passage 60 as shown in FIG. 7A.
Guide inside (Fig. 8A). After the sensor 70 senses the first folding part 116 guided into the second passage 60, as shown in FIG.
Similarly to the case of B, the second receiving roller 66 and the second reverse feeding roller 68 push the first folding portion 116 upward in the second passage 60. On the other hand, sheet 12
The space between the first feed roller 30 and the main feed roller 40, and between the main feed roller 40 and the first folding roller 42.
As the sheet 12 is fed into the space 114, the sheet 12 buckles in the space 114 (FIG. 8B). This buckling portion forms the second folding portion 118, and thus the sheet is folded inward three times and is discharged to the discharging portion 18 from between the main feed roller 40 and the second folding roller 86 (FIG. 8C).

Next, regarding the outer tri-fold operation shown in FIG.
It will be described with reference to FIG. This operation is substantially similar to that of FIG. 8 is different from FIG. 8 in that the third folding portion 120 formed in the space 108 is formed at a predetermined position from the leading edge of the sheet 12 in FIG. 8, but is formed at a predetermined position from the rear edge of the sheet 12 in FIG. Is what you are doing. The other points are the same as those in FIG.

As described above, according to the present invention, four different sheet folding operations can be performed in the same device. In order to carry out each work, it is only necessary to adjust the operation timings of the first and second reverse feed rollers.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the timing relationship of the present invention. In this figure, when the power is turned on, the motor 100 starts to rotate, the supply of the sheet 12 is started, and the sheet 1
2 When the sensor 98 counts a predetermined number of pulses after the sensor 54 senses the leading edge, the clutch solenoid 10
2 operates, the reverse feed rollers 52 and 68 rotate, and when the sensor 70 further detects the leading edge of the folded sheet, the sensor 98 again counts a predetermined number of pulses, and the reverse feed rollers rotate again. The timing relationship is shown.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 124 and 128 are covers that cover the apparatus, and 122 and 126 are support portions that support these covers.

[0025]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The supplied sheet stops the movement of the sheet by applying a brake to the surface of the sheet without colliding with the stopper as before, and performs a predetermined buckling work. Occurrence is prevented. For this reason, it is not necessary to attach various covers to prevent the generation of a loud collision noise, unlike the conventional devices. Furthermore, since the drive of the device is performed by a single motor, the structure is greatly simplified. In addition, the operation of the rotation angle detector has enabled various forms of folding. Further, even when the sheet is clogged in the apparatus, the entire apparatus is easily opened by rotating the cover covering the sheet about one axis, so that the maintenance is easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall side view of the present device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a folded state in which the device of the present invention is folded.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the device of the present invention is folded in four.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of inner tri-folding that is folded by the device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of an outer tri-fold folded by the device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a half-folding operation by the device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a four-fold operation by the device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an internal tri-fold operation by the device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an outer tri-fold operation by the device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a timing relationship of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Folding device 12 Sheet 14 Carry-in section 16 Folding section 18 Carry-out section 30 First feeding roller 40 Main feeding roller 42 First folding roller 44 First passage 52 First reverse feeding roller 54 First sensor 60 Second passage 68 Second reverse feed roller 70 Second sensor 72 Motor 86 Second folding roller 100 Rotation angle detector 108 Space 114 Space

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP 62-201766 (JP, A) JP 63-1676 (JP, A) Actual 63-71166 (JP, U) Actual 62- 96067 (JP, U) Actually opened 63-139268 (JP, U) Actually opened 59-105258 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sheet having a sheet carrying-in section 14, a sheet folding section 16, and a sheet carrying-out section 18.
In the folding device 10, a pair of feed rollers 30 is configured such that a sheet folding portion 16 is composed of a first feed roller 30 and a main feed roller 40 that are in contact with each other and rotate in opposite directions at a constant speed. , 40, a sheet guide passage 44 that receives the sheet 12 fed by the pair of feed rollers 30 and 40 and guides the sheet 12 in a predetermined direction, and the sheet 12 disposed at the entrance position of the passage 44 and guided to the passage 44. A sensor 54 for detecting the leading edge of the sheet, and a first receiving roller 50 and a reverse feed roller 52 which are opposed to each other with the passage 44 interposed therebetween, and have a function of feeding the sheet from the passage 44. A pair of rollers 50, 52 which are the reverse feed rollers 52
Has a cutout 106 and has a substantially fan-shaped cross-section, and the cutout holds the initial position facing the first receiving roller 50 until a predetermined time has elapsed after the sensor 54 operates.
Sheet 1 fed by the feed rollers 30 and 40
2 is freely received in the passage 44, but when the sensor 54 is actuated for a predetermined time, it starts rotating and presses the sheet 12 fed into the passage 44 against the roller 50, and the sheet 12 passes the passage. 44, the sheet 12 is fed in the reverse direction, a buckling portion is generated in the sheet 12 in the space 108 between the main feed roller 40 and the passage 44, and then the sheet 12 is returned to the initial position again. A sheet folding device comprising: a pair of rollers 50 and 52; and a folding roller 42 that cooperates with the main feed roller 40 to fold the buckling portion to form the folding portion therein. . 2. The main feed roller 40 and the folding roller 4
In order to receive the sheet 12 having the buckled portion fed by 2, the other passage 60 is provided opposite to the passage 44, and these passages 44, 60 are the main feed roller 40 and the folding roller. 42 is disposed on the left and right sides of the seat 42, and in the latter passage 60, the leading edge of the buckling portion of the seat in which the buckling portion is formed is provided in the passage 60.
From the passage 60, the second sensor 70 that senses at the inlet position of the sheet, the second receiving roller 66 and the second reverse feed roller 68 that are opposed to each other, and that is formed with the buckling portion. A pair of rollers 66, 68 having a feeding function, wherein the reverse feed roller 68 has a cutout portion and has a substantially fan-shaped cross section,
The cutout portion is in the second position until a predetermined time elapses after the sensor 70 is activated.
The sheet 12 fed by the main feed roller 40 and the folding roller 42 is freely received in the passage 60 while maintaining the initial position facing the receiving roller 66, but starts rotating when a predetermined time elapses after the sensor 70 operates. Then, the sheet 12 fed into the passage 60 is fed to the roller 66.
The sheet 12 in the space 114 between the main feed roller 40 and the passage 60 by pressing the sheet 12 against the sheet 12 and preventing the sheet 12 from entering the passage 60. There is provided a pair of rollers 66, 68 which generate a buckling portion of 2 and then return to the initial position again, and the reverse feed roller 68 is formed in cooperation with the main feed roller 40. 2. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second folding roller 86 that cooperates with the main feed roller 40 to fold the buckling portion of the main folding roller 40 to form the folding portion. 3. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main feed roller, the reverse feed roller, and the folding roller are all driven by the same drive source 72.