Patent ID: 7597320
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for processing paper sheets, comprising: a switchback roller which has a nip and rotates in a first direction to hold a paper sheet in the nip and then to convey the paper sheet into a switchback section, and rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction to convey the paper sheet in the second direction, while holding the paper sheet in the nip; a first conveyance path through which the paper sheet is conveyed in the first direction into the nip of the switchback roller; a second conveyance path through which the paper sheet is conveyed in the second direction from the nip of the switchback roller; a sensor which is provided in the switchback section and detects that a rear end of the paper sheet moving in the first direction into the, switchback section has reached a position where the rear end can be oriented to the second conveyance path; and a control section which causes the switchback roller to rotate in the first direction when the sensor does not detect that the rear end of the paper sheet has reached the position and causes the switchback roller to start rotating in the second direction when the sensor detects that the rear end of the paper sheet has reached the position, in order to convey the paper sheet again after having been stopped before reaching the switchback section, wherein the sensor detects a tip of the paper sheet whose rear end has reached the position and, wherein the sensor includes a first sensor that detects a tip of a longest paper sheet that is the longest as measured in the first direction, and a second sensor which is located upstream of the first sensor with respect to the first direction and detects a tip of a shortest paper sheet that is shortest as measured in the first direction, a distance from the nip of the switchback roller to the first sensor is shorter than the longest paper sheet, and a distance from the nip to the second sensor is shorter than the shortest paper sheet.