Paper sorting device and machining processing device

A paper sorting device includes: a stacking conveyor that receives continuously fed cut sheets to stack the cut sheets by sorting unit and that continuously conveys stacked cut sheets downstream on a unit-by-unit basis; and a stacker section arranged downstream of the stacking conveyor, capable of continuously stacking the stacked cut sheets conveyed from the stacking conveyor, at different positions on a placement surface.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a paper sorting device attached to the ejection side of a paper machining processing device, etc. to stack and sort, every specified number, sheets ejected in the form of cut sheets, and to a machining processing device including the paper sorting device.

2. Related Art

A conveyor stacker has been known as a stacker device that stacks sheets ejected in the form of cut sheets from a machining processing device. The conveyor stacker is a device including: a belt conveyor that slowly conveys cut sheets after cutting machining ejected from the machining processing device; and a stacker disposed at an end of belt conveyor to allow adjacent cut sheets to be gradually shifted and partially stacked while diagonally leaning thereon.

JP 201852741 A discloses a paper sorting device that stacks sheets ejected in the form of the cut sheets on the belt conveyor, every specified number.

The conveyor stacker is time-consuming in that the operator is required to align, every specified number, cut sheets partially stacked while being leaned on the stacker.

In the paper sorting device disclosed in JP 201852741 A, sheets ejected in the form of cut sheets are conveyed to a downstream side with a predetermined gap while being stacked every specified number on a single (one-drive) belt conveyor. Hence, stacking work (ejection work) of the succeeding ejected sheets needs to be suspended during conveying preceding sheets (during running of the belt conveyor) until the predetermined gap is secured on the downstream side, resulting in poor work efficiency. The predetermined gap is a gap necessary for easy removal when the operator removes the stacked cut sheets on the belt conveyor.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a paper sorting device and a machining processing device, capable of improving the work efficiency in sorting work that receives a plurality of continuously fed cut sheets to stack them by sorting unit into stacked cut sheets.

A paper sorting device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a stacking conveyor, a stacker section arranged downstream of the stacking conveyor, and a controller. The stacking conveyor includes a first placement section receiving continuously fed cut sheets to stack the cut sheets by sorting unit, wherein stacked cut sheets are placed, and a first drive section continuously conveying the stacked cut sheets placed on the first placement section downstream on a unit-by-unit basis along the first placement section. The stacker section includes a second placement section wherein the stacked cut sheets conveyed from the stacking conveyor are placed, and a second drive section continuously conveying the stacked cut sheets placed on the second placement section downstream along the second placement section. The controller controls the first drive section and the second drive section such that precedingly conveyed stacked cut sheets and succeeding stacked cut sheets among plural units of stacked cut sheets conveyed to the stacker section by the stacking conveyor are placed, with a predetermined gap formed therebetween, at different positions on the second placement section.

A machining processing device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a machining processing section including a machining member that performs predetermined machining processing at a predetermined position on a sheet conveyed, and a paper sorting device receiving cut sheets after machining processing continuously ejected from the machining processing section. The paper sorting device includes a stacking conveyor, a stacker section arranged downstream of the stacking conveyor, and a controller. The stacking conveyor includes a first placement section receiving continuously fed cut sheets to stack the cut sheets by sorting unit, wherein stacked cut sheets are placed, and a first drive section continuously conveying the stacked cut sheets placed on the first placement section downstream on a unit-by-unit basis along the first placement section. The stacker section includes a second placement section wherein the stacked cut sheets conveyed from the stacking conveyor are placed, and a second drive section continuously conveying the stacked cut sheets placed on the second placement section downstream along the second placement section. The controller controls the first drive section and the second drive section such that precedingly conveyed stacked cut sheets and succeeding stacked cut sheets among plural units of stacked cut sheets conveyed to the stacker section by the stacking conveyor are placed, with a predetermined gap formed therebetween, at different positions on the second placement section.

According to the present disclosure there can be provided the paper sorting device and the machining processing device, capable of improving the work efficiency in sorting work that receives a plurality of continuously fed cut sheets to stack them by sorting unit into stacked cut sheets.

EMBODIMENT(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A paper sorting device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a stacking conveyor including a first placement section receiving continuously fed cut sheets to stack the cut sheets by sorting unit, wherein stacked cut sheets are placed, and a first drive section continuously conveying the stacked cut sheets placed on the first placement section downstream on a unit-by-unit basis along the first placement section; a stacker section including a second placement section arranged downstream of the stacking conveyor, wherein the stacked cut sheets conveyed from the stacking conveyor are placed, and a second drive section continuously conveying the stacked cut sheets placed on the second placement section downstream along the second placement section; and a controller controlling the first drive section and the second drive section such that precedingly conveyed stacked cut sheets and succeeding stacked cut sheets among plural units of the stacked cut sheets conveyed to the stacker section by the stacking conveyor are placed, with a predetermined gap formed therebetween, at different positions on the second placement section. This can improve the work efficiency in sorting.

A paper sorting device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the paper sorting device of the first aspect, wherein the first placement section of the stacking conveyor allows plural units of the stacked cut sheets to be placed thereon in a conveyance direction, and wherein the controller provides control in the first placement section of the stacking conveyor at least such that, upon stacking the cut sheets, the cut sheets are received and stacked by sorting unit with transfer stopped, after which the stacked cut sheets are accumulated as plural units of the stacked cut sheets while being sequentially stepwise shifted, the stacked cut sheets being sequentially stepwise delivered to the second placement section of the stacker section from the accumulated units of the stacked cut sheets. This can improve the work efficiency in sorting.

A paper sorting device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the paper sorting device of the first or the second aspect, wherein the first drive section of the stacking conveyor and the second drive section of the stacker section are driven independently of each other to convey the stacked cut sheets. This can improve the work efficiency in sorting.

A paper sorting device according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the paper sorting device of any one of the first to the third aspects, wherein the controller controls the first drive section and the second drive section such that the predetermined gap between adjacent units of the stacked cut sheets placed on the second placement section of the stacker section is greater than a gap between adjacent units of the stacked cut sheets placed on the first placement section of the stacking conveyor. This can improve the work efficiency in sorting.

A paper sorting device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the paper sorting device of any one of the first to the fourth aspects, wherein in the stacker section, the second placement section is a belt conveyor having a running-around belt wherein the stacked cut sheets are stacked, and the second drive section is a motor driving the running-around belt. This enables means for stacking and conveying the stacked cut sheets to be simply configured at a low cost.

A paper sorting device according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the paper sorting device of any one of the first to the fifth aspects, wherein in the stacking conveyor, the first placement section is conveyance rollers that are a plurality of rotating rollers wherein the stacked cut sheets are stacked, and the first drive section is a motor driving the conveyance rollers. This enables the means for stacking and conveying the stacked cut sheets to be simply configured at a low cost.

A paper sorting device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the paper sorting device of the sixth aspect, wherein the stacking conveyor includes side guides that, during stacking continuously ejected cut sheets, restrict the cut sheets in a paper conveyance width direction, the side guides each having a side wall with notches each receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of rollers so that their respective setting positions in the paper conveyance width direction are adjustable through the notches. According to this, there are no problems such as paper slipping through gaps between the side wall and the plurality of rollers, achieving improvement in alignment performance in the paper conveyance width direction of cut sheets stacked on the paper sorting device.

A paper sorting device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the paper sorting device of the sixth or the seventh aspect, wherein the stacking conveyor includes, between adjacent ones of the plurality of roller, an auxiliary guide for filling a corresponding one of gaps on a paper conveyance path. This can prevent occurrence of jam on the paper conveyance path.

A paper sorting device according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the paper sorting device of any one of the first to the fifth aspects, wherein in the stacking conveyor, the first placement section is a belt conveyor having a running-around belt wherein the stacked cut sheets are stacked, and the first drive section is a motor driving the running-around belt. This enables the means for stacking and conveying the stacked cut sheets to be simply configured at a low cost.

A paper sorting device according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the paper sorting device of any one of the first to the ninth aspects, wherein in order to receive and stack cut sheets continuously ejected by sorting unit, the stacking conveyor includes an abutment guide that advances relative to a conveyance path at least during stacking, to restrict leading edges of the cut sheets. This can improve the alignment performance in the paper conveyance direction of cut sheets stacked on the paper sorting device.

A machining processing device according to an eleventh aspect includes: a machining processing section including a machining member that performs predetermined machining processing at a predetermined position on a sheet conveyed; and a paper sorting device of any one of the first to the tenth aspects that receives cut sheets after machining processing continuously ejected from the machining processing section. This can improve the work efficiency in sorting.

EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, description will now be given of a paper sorting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure and a machining processing device including the paper sorting device.

Overall Configuration of Machining Processing Device D

A schematic overall configuration of the machining processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, let width direction W be a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction F of a conveying section4that conveys a sheet S, and let right side and left side of the device be the right side and the left side, respectively, when the downstream side is viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction F.FIG.1is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a machining processing device D according to the present disclosure. InFIG.1, the machining processing device D includes: a feeding section3disposed at an upstream end of a device body1in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S (cut sheets); a paper sorting device2for placing cut sheets Q after machining processing, disposed at a downstream end in the conveyance direction F; and a substantially horizontal conveyance path5extending between the feeding section3and the paper sorting device2.

The conveyance path5includes the conveying section4having plural pairs of upper and lower conveyance rollers9to17. The conveyance rollers9to17are arranged at intervals in the conveyance direction F. The conveyance rollers9to17making up the conveying section4are coupled via a power transmission mechanism not shown to conveyance drive sections41to44, respectively. The conveyance drive sections41to44are electrically connected to a controller45.

The controller45is a controller that provides control over the entire machining processing device D. The controller45includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or an MPU that executes a program to achieve a predetermined function. The controller45includes a storage and calls/runs a control program stored in the storage to thereby implement various controls over the machining processing device D. The controller45is not limited to one achieving a predetermined function through cooperation between hardware and software. It may be a hardware circuit dedicatedly designed to achieve a predetermined function. In this manner, the controller45may be implemented by various processors, such as CPU, MPU, GPU, FPGA, DSP, ASIC, etc.

The storage included in the controller45is a record medium that records various pieces of information. The storage is implemented, for example, by a flash memory, a solid state device (SSD), a hard disk, or other storages or by appropriately combining them. The storage stores a control program or the like executed by the processor.

An operation panel46and a reading section26are electrically connected to an interface of the controller45. The operation panel46is configured to act as both a display section and a setting section for setting various types of processing information containing information on a cutting process of the sheet S. The reading section26is configured as the setting section.

The conveyance path5is disposed with machining processing sections24that machine and process the sheet S conveyed. InFIG.1, the machining processing sections24include cutting sections19and a crease processing section21that forms a fold orthogonal to the conveyance direction F. The cutting sections19are composed of three slitter processing sections20and a cutter processing section22.

The slitter processing sections20, the crease processing section21, and the cutter processing section22are each configured as a removable unit so as to be attached and detached at a desired position within the device body1by a cassette system. It is therefore possible, depending on the type of processing, to change the order of arrangement of the processing sections20,21, and22or to replace them with other machining processing sections24along the conveyance direction F, such as a creasing mechanism, a chamfering mechanism, and a perforating mechanism or add the other machining processing sections24thereto.

The reading section26and a reject mechanism25are arranged upstream of the slitter processing section20, while a cutting waste removal mechanism27is arranged downstream of the slitter processing section20. A cutting waste collecting section23is arranged at a lower part within the device body1.

On the conveyance path5there are further arranged a plurality of light transmissive detecting sections31to35that detect a front edge (downstream edge) Sf or a rear edge (upstream edge) Sr of the sheet S and that are each electrically connected to the interface of the controller45. The first detecting section31on the most-upstream side in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S is arranged between a suction conveying section62and feed rollers8of the feeding section3. The next second detecting section32is arranged in the upstream vicinity of the slitter processing sections20. The next third detecting section33is arranged halfway through the slitter processing sections20. The next fourth detecting section34is arranged in the upstream vicinity of the crease processing section21. The fifth detecting section35on the most-downstream side is arranged in the upstream vicinity of a stacker section2.

The first detecting section31detects the front edge Sf of the sheet S, in the stage before being gripped by the feed rollers8, suction-conveyed by the suction conveying section62of the feeding section3or detects the rear edge Sr of the sheet S gripped and conveyed by the feed rollers8. The first detecting section31is used to calculate the position of the sheet S being thereafter conveyed on the conveyance path5, based on the detected position of the sheet S.

The second detecting section32and the third detecting section33detect jamming of the sheet S during processing. The fourth detecting section34is auxiliarily disposed to correct sheet position information obtained at the first detecting section31to make the sheet position information more accurate in case there accumulates misalignment (conveyance error) of the sheet S in the conveyance direction F during processing on the conveyance path5as a result of the elongated conveyance path5. The fifth detecting section35detects ejection of the cut sheets Q after machining processing to the paper sorting device2. The fifth detecting section35detects jamming, etc. of the cut sheets Q in the paper sorting device2.

The feeding section3includes a feed table61, the feed rollers8, the suction conveying section62, and a separation air blowing section63. The feed table61is disposed to stack sheets S thereon and feed the sheets S to the conveyance path5. The feed table61can be raised and lowered by lifting means not shown. When feeding the sheet S, a topmost sheet S is suction-conveyed by the suction conveying section62. To that end, the lifting means raises the feed table61from a standby position up to a feed position at a predetermined height where the topmost sheet S can be fed onto the conveyance path5. The feed table61is thus movable between the standby position and the feed position.

The feed rollers8are disposed as upper and lower rollers in pairs. The suction conveying section62includes a suction fan67, a conveyance belt64, and belt rollers65. The feeding section3feeds a predetermined number of sheets S stacked on the feed table61to the conveyance path5, one by one in order from the top, by using the suction conveying section62and the pair of upper and lower feed rollers8.

The separation air blowing section63blows air by a fan not shown toward the front edge Sf of the sheet S on the feed table61, to separate a topmost sheet S from a plurality of sheets S stacked, allowing the suction conveying section62to suck and convey the separated topmost sheet S. The belt roller65on one hand and a lower feed roller81of the feed rollers8are connected to a paper-feed drive section47. The separation air blowing section63, the suction fan67, and the paper-feed drive section47are electrically connected to the controller45.

The reading section26reads an image of a position mark M1printed on a front corner of a sheet S as shown inFIG.2, to detect a machining reference position in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S and the width direction W orthogonal to the conveyance direction F. Aside from manual entry of various types of machining process information through the operation panel46, the reading section26can be configured as a setting section that automatically reads and sets machining process information. Specifically, the reading section26reads an image of a bar code M2printed on a front end of the sheet S as shown inFIG.2, to acquire information on various types of machining processes to be applied to the sheet S. The reading section26is composed of a CCD sensor, etc.

In case the reading section26cannot read the position mark M1or the bar code M2printed on a sheet S due to blur, the reject mechanism25ofFIG.1acts on the unreadable sheet S to allow it to drop and collected by the tray25a.

The slitter processing sections20includes three units arrayed in the conveyance direction F, each unit having two pairs of cutting blades36spaced apart in the width direction W, each pair composed of upper and lower rotary cutting blades. The cutting blades36are disposed movably in an intersectional direction intersecting the conveyance direction F of the conveying section4, and act as a machining member that applies predetermined machining processing at a predetermined position on the sheet S conveyed. The cutting blades36on either one of the upper side or the lower side of the conveyance path5are rotated by a driving force of a rotation drive section48as a machining member drive section that drives the machining member, with the cutting blades36on the other side being drivenly rotated, to thereby cut the sheet S along the conveyance direction F of the conveying section4so that cutting lines T are formed on the sheet S.

The crease processing section21includes: a lower die39having an upper concave portion; and an upper die38having a lower convex portion that fits into the concave portion, the upper die38being coupled via a power transmission mechanism to a folding drive section49such as a motor. The upper die38is lowered by a driving force of the folding drive section49, whereby folds are formed on the sheet S in the width direction W orthogonal to the conveyance direction F.

The cutter processing section22includes a pair of cutting blades69facing each other that extend in the width direction W. The cutting blade69on one hand is configured as an upper movable blade71, while the cutting blade69on the other is in the form of a lower fixed blade73. The upper movable blade71comes into contact with and separates from the lower fixed blade73, to cut the sheet S in the width direction W orthogonal to the conveyance direction F so that cutting lines K are formed on the sheet S. The upper movable blade71is coupled via a power transmission mechanism to a cutting drive section50such as a motor.

Paper Sorting Device2

The paper sorting device2is composed of a stacking conveyor91and a stacker section92. The stacking conveyor91receives cut sheets Q after machining processing continuously ejected from the device body1(machining processing section) and stacks the cut sheets Q by sorting unit to thereafter continuously convey the cut sheets Q for each stacked cut sheets Q′ to be stacked. The cut sheets Q stacked by sorting unit will hereinafter be referred to as stacked cut sheets Q′. The stacker section92is arranged downstream of the stacking conveyor91, and sorts and continuously stacks the stacked cut sheets Q′ conveyed from the stacking conveyor91, at different positions on a placement surface.

The stacking conveyor91includes: a first placement section on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are placed; and a first drive section that conveys the stacked cut sheets Q′ placed on the first placement section, downstream along the first placement section. In the stacking conveyor91, the first placement section includes e.g. conveyance rollers that are a plurality of rotating rollers94(driving rollers) on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are stacked, and the first drive section is a roller drive section40that drives the conveyance rollers. The stacker section92includes a placement section83as a second placement section that is capable of sorting and stacking the stacked cut sheets Q′ at different positions on the placement surface. The placement section83includes a belt conveyor86having a running-around belt85on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are stacked. The stacked cut sheets Q′ conveyed from the stacking conveyor91are placed on the belt conveyor86while being conveyed. A second drive section is a conveyor drive section51driving the belt that runs around. The stacking conveyor91may include a belt conveyor88instead of the plurality of rotating rollers94.

The stacking conveyor91and the stacker section92are driven independently of each other to convey the stacked cut sheets Q′. The roller drive section40is electrically connected to the controller45, which controls the amount of drive of the roller drive section40so that the plurality of rollers94are adjusted to run at a predetermined velocity. The conveyor drive section51is electrically connected to the controller45, which controls the amount of drive of the conveyor drive section51so that the belt conveyor86is adjusted to run at a predetermined velocity.

A specific configuration and action of the paper sorting device2will be described later.

Cutting Waste Collecting Section23

The cutting waste collecting section23includes a cutting waste storage box54and guides59and60. The cutting waste storage box54is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an upper opening. The cutting waste storage box54collects and stores cutting wastes J that are no longer needed, cut off in the cutting section19. The guides59and60guide falling cutting waste cut off in the cutting section19, to the cutting waste storage box54.

The controller45controls action of the entire machining processing device D. The controller45acquires information from the detecting sections31to35and controls the driving of the feeding section3, the conveying section4, the paper sorting device2, and the machining processing sections24based on machining process information of the sheet S set by the operation panel46or the reading section26, to perform machining processing of the sheet S. Although in this embodiment the case will be described where a controller controlling action of the paper sorting device2is included in the controller45of the machining processing device D, the controller controlling action of the paper sorting device2may be disposed separately from the controller45of the machining processing device D. For example, the paper sorting device2itself may include a controller so that the controller controls action of the paper sorting device2.

Sheet Machining Process Pattern

FIG.2is a plan view showing an example of a machining process pattern of the sheet S. According to the machining process pattern shown inFIG.2, a plurality of cut sheets Q are produced from one sheet S. The pattern has a plurality of cutting lines T as machining lines extending parallel to the conveyance direction F and a plurality of cutting lines K as machining lines extending in the width direction W orthogonal to the conveyance direction F.

First and sixth cutting lines T1and T6indicated at right and left ends, respectively, inFIG.2are formed on the conveyance path5ofFIG.5by a most upstream unit20aof the slitter processing sections20. Second and fifth cutting lines T2and T5formed inside of the first and sixth cutting lines T1and T6, respectively, are formed by a central unit20bin the conveyance direction F. Third and fourth cutting lines T3and T4formed inside of the second and fifth cutting lines T2and T5are formed by a most downstream unit20cin the conveyance direction F. Unnecessary band-like cutting wastes Jb between the second cutting line T2and the third cutting line T3and between the fourth cutting line T4and the fifth cutting line T5is guided downward by the cutting waste removal mechanism27shown inFIG.1and is collected by the cutting waste collecting section23.

Cutting lines K are formed by performing simultaneous cutting processing plural times on a plurality of band-like cutting pieces juxtaposed in the width direction W, the cutting pieces being obtained by cutting the sheet S along the cutting lines T1to T6in parallel to the conveyance direction F and then removing elongated cuffing wastes J cut off from the sheet S.

Since the machining process pattern of the sheet S shown inFIG.2has no fold lines formed by the crease processing section21, the machining processing section24exemplified inFIG.1houses the crease processing section21within a receiving section6to prohibit it from functioning to execute creasing processing; replaces the crease processing section21with a conveyance processing section not shown; or detaches the crease processing section21from the receiving section6to use it in empty state.

Information on various types of machining processes to be applied to the sheet S based on such an arrangement pattern of cut sheets Q after machining processing is set using the operation panel46by the user or is recorded in the bar code M2on the sheet S. These various types of machining process information includes information on machining processing of the sheet S, such as: information on the sheet S itself, such as the length of the sheet S in predetermined directions such as the length in the conveyance direction and the length in the width direction, the sheet thickness, and the sheet type; information on the cut sheets Q, such as the array, the number, and dimensions of the cut sheets Q; information on the sizes and the number of unnecessary cutting wastes J cut off from the sheet S; and information on sorting processing of the cut sheets Q. The information on sorting processing includes: sorting necessary/unnecessary information on whether to execute sorting processing by the paper sorting device2; sorting timing information on timing to execute sorting processing; sorting distance information on the distance between cut sheets Q sorted into front and rear on the placement section83; sort stacking information on how to stack sorted cut sheets Q, such as the overlapping length between preceding cut sheets Q and succeeding cut sheets Q; and sorting notification information on whether to notify with light or sound when sorting.

Machining process information that has been set once can be stored in a storage of the controller45. A number, a title or name of processing, or the like is issued for each of different pieces of machining process information, such as the array pattern of cut sheets Q after machining processing the sheet S, and stored in the storage so that the user can operate the operation panel46as the operating section to call machining process information on required processing contents from the storage, for processing the sheet S.

Configuration of Paper Sorting Device2

A specific configuration of the paper sorting device2will then be described with reference toFIGS.3to6.

As shown inFIG.3, the paper sorting device2is composed of the stacking conveyor91and the stacker section92, which are driven independently of each other. In the stacking conveyor91, the cut sheets Q after machining processing continuously ejected from the device body1(machining processing section) are received on a placement section95and stacked by sorting unit, after which they are continuously conveyed downstream for each unit of the stacked cut sheets Q′. The stacker section92is arranged downstream of the stacking conveyor91and sorts and continuously stacks the stacked cut sheets Q′ conveyed from the stacking conveyor91, at different positions on the placement surface. For detail, the stacking conveyor91includes the conveyance rollers that are the plurality of rotating rollers94(driving rollers) on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are stacked. The stacker section92includes the placement section83on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ can be sorted and stacked at different positions on the placement surface. The placement section83includes the belt conveyor86having the running-around belt85on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are stacked. The stacked cut sheets Q′ conveyed from the stacking conveyor91are placed on the belt conveyor86while being conveyed. The stacking conveyor91may include a belt conveyor88in place of the plurality of rotating rollers94.

By using the belt conveyors86and88in the stacker section92and the stacking conveyor91, respectively, the means for stacking and conveying the stacked cut sheets Q′ can be simply configured at a low cost.

The belt conveyor86in the stacker section92includes the endless belt85, conveyor rollers87, and the conveyor drive section51. The conveyor rollers87are disposed at three points spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other in the ejection direction of the stacked cut sheets Q′, which is the same direction as the conveyance direction F of the sheet S, with the belt85being passed over the conveyor rollers87. The conveyor drive section51is a drive mechanism for rotating the endless belt85to convey the sorting processed stacked cut sheets Q′ downstream in the paper conveyance direction F. The conveyor drive section51includes: a drive motor101functioning as drive means; a pulley511attached to a rotating shaft of the drive motor101; a pulley512attached to a rotating shaft513of the conveyor roller87; and a timing belt514passing over the pulleys511and512. When the drive motor101is rotationally driven, its driving force is transmitted via the pulleys511and512to the rotating shaft513of the conveyor roller87, with the result that the conveyor roller87rotates to cause the endless belt85to rotate.

The belt85has a length in the width direction W that is a predetermined length substantially equal to or slightly longer than the length in the width direction W of the conveyance path5on which the sheet S is conveyed, thereby allowing a plurality of machined cut sheets Q ejected in parallel in the width direction W to be placed on the belt85. The conveyor drive section51is electrically connected to the controller45, which controls the amount of drive of the conveyor drive section51so that the belt conveyor86is adjusted to run at a predetermined velocity.

A configuration of the stacking conveyor91will then be described. As shown inFIG.4, the stacking conveyor91includes: the placement section95that receives the cut sheets Q after machining processing continuously ejected from the device body1(machining processing section); and the plurality of rollers94(driving rollers) as the conveyance rollers that continuously conveys received cut sheets Q stacked by sorting unit to the stacker section92.

The means for stacking and conveying the stacked cut sheets Q′ can thus be simply configured at a low cost.

Abutment guides93and side guides961to964are driven by a guide drive section52, while the plurality of rollers94are driven by the roller drive section40. Both the drive sections are electrically connected to the controller45, which controls the amount of drive so that respective guide positions are adjusted. The guide drive section52includes: a motor103for vertically driving the abutment guide93; a motor102for driving the abutment guide93in the forward and backward directions of the conveyance direction F; and motors104to107for driving the side guides961to964in the transverse direction i.e. the conveyance width direction. The roller drive section40includes a motor108for rotationally driving the plurality of roller94. In Example, the motor101is a DC gear motor, and the other motors102to108are stepping motors.

The abutment guides93restrict leading edges of cut sheets Q after machining processing ejected in the conveyance direction F from the device body1(machining processing section) so that the cut sheets Q are stacked on the placement section95with their front edges aligned. At that time, the side guides961to964are used to enable alignment of left and right edges in the width direction W orthogonal to the conveyance direction F. Example exemplifies the case where machined cut sheets Q shown inFIG.2are ejected in three rows from the device body1and received on the placement section95.

The abutment guides93are a plurality of guide members, which are each fitted to a corresponding one of guide folders5221integrally attached to a subframe522. The guide folders5221are cylindrically formed, while the guide members each have a stopper5222attached at its top and are each inserted from above into a corresponding one of the guide folders5221so as to be vertically and transversely movable to a restricting position of the stopper by its own weight. The transverse movement allows a minute movement by the gap between the guide member and the guide folder5221.

Description will then be given of a drive mechanism in the guide drive section52that causes the abutment guide93to move vertically. The subframe522is configured to be vertically slidably movable, via guide shafts5223disposed at two points in the conveyance width direction, relative to a main frame521. This subframe522has a lead nut5224integrally fixed thereto, into which a lead screw5225is screwed. The lead screw5225is integrally rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of the motor103fixed to the main frame521so that by rotationally driving the motor103the subframe522is vertically driven via the lead nut5224screwed onto the lead screw5225. As a result, the abutment guides93can be vertically driven.

FIG.4shows the state where the abutment guides93advance downward relative to the conveyance surface of the conveyance path when stacking cut sheets Q, whileFIG.5shows the state where the abutment guides93retreat upward relative to the conveyance path when conveying stacked cut sheets Q′ downstream. The conveyance surface is a plane containing top ends of the plurality of rollers94and is a plane via which a cut sheet Q lying at the bottom is supported by the rollers94.

Description will then be given of a drive mechanism in the guide drive section52that causes the abutment guides93to slide in the forward and backward directions of the conveyance direction F. The main frame521is configured to be slidably movable in the forward and backward directions of the conveyance direction F via guide shafts5228disposed at two points in the conveyance width direction on the main frame521to be fitted in linear bushings5229. This main frame521has a lead nut5226integrally fixed thereto, into which a lead screw5227is screwed. The lead screw5227is integrally rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of the motor102so that by rotationally driving the motor102the entire unit including the main frame521and the subframe522is driven in the forward and backward directions via the lead nut5226screwed onto the lead screw5227. As a result, depending on the size of the cut sheet Q to be stacked, the abutment guides93can be slidably moved in the forward and backward directions of the conveyance direction F in the placement section. Although inFIGS.3to6one ends of the motor102and the guide shaft5228are expressed in the air space on the drawings, actually they are integrally fixed to an external frame (not shown) arranged around the outside of the main frame521and the subframe522.

Description will then be given of drive mechanisms in the guide drive section52that drive the side guides961to964in the transverse direction i.e. the conveyance width direction. Since the drive mechanisms of the side guides961to964each have the same configuration, one of them will be taken up and described. The side guide961has, in its side wall, notches9611each receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of rollers94so that its setting position in the paper conveyance width direction can be adjusted via the notches9611.

According to this, there are no problems such as paper slipping through gaps between the side wall and the plurality of rollers, achieving improvement in alignment performance in the paper conveyance width direction of cut sheets Q stacked on the paper sorting device2.

Between adjacent ones of the plurality of roller94there is disposed an auxiliary guide9612(shown inFIG.6) to fill a corresponding one of gaps on a paper conveyance path. The auxiliary guide9612is attached to each of the side guides961to964.

This can prevent occurrence of jam that is paper jamming on the paper conveyance path.

The side guide961has a lead nut9613integrally fixed thereto, into which a lead screw9614is screwed. The lead screw9614is integrally rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of the motor104so that by rotationally driving the motor104the side guide961is moved in the transverse direction i.e. the paper conveyance width direction, depending on the size of the cut sheet Q to be stacked, via the lead nut9613screwed on the lead screw9614.

At the time when the side guide961moves in the transverse direction i.e. the paper conveyance width direction depending on the size of the cut sheet Q, it moves with the abutment guides93retracted upward relative to the conveyance path. In the process of the abutment guides93advancing downward after position adjustment of the side guide961, any of the plurality of guide members may hit the top end of the side guide961. However, since the guide members are each configured to be movable vertically and transversely by its own weight up to the restriction position of the stopper, the guide member hitting the top end of the side guide961can rise upward and retract. Or, by allowing the guide member hitting the top end of the side guide961to shift transversely by the gap between the guide member and the guide folder5221, the guide member can avoid the top end of the side guide961.

A rotational drive mechanism of the plurality of rollers94in the roller drive section40will next be described. The roller drive section40is a drive mechanism for rotating the plurality of rollers94to convey sorting processed stacked cut sheets Q′ downstream in the paper conveyance direction F. The roller drive section40includes: the drive motor108acting as drive means; a pulley401attached to a rotating shaft of the drive motor108; a pulley402attached to a rotating shaft403of a roller941; and a timing belt404passing over the pulleys401and402. When the drive motor108is rotationally driven, its driving force is transmitted via the pulleys401and402to the rotating shaft403of the roller941, with the result that the roller941rotates. As shown inFIG.6, the roller941has a gear405attached thereto on the side confronting the drive motor108, with the other rollers94having respective gears405on the same side. These gears405are intermeshed in turn so that rotational drive from the roller941is transmitted in order to all of the other rollers94.

Sorting Action of Paper Sorting Device2

Upon using the machining processing device D, the user enters various types of machining processing information by use of the operation panel46shown inFIG.1. When executing the same processing as the processing contents already registered and stored in the storage, the user operates the operation panel46as the operation section to enter the number, the title or name of processing, or the like to thereby call required machining processing information from the storage. The user then enters the number of sheets S to be processed and the number (sorting unit) of cut sheets Q after machining processing to be sorted by using the operation panel46and thereafter performs an operation to start machining processing.

At this time, depending on the size of cut sheets Q after machining processing among the entered various types of machining processing information, the positions to set the abutment guides93and the side guides961to964are automatically adjusted in advance. The abutment guides93restrict the leading edges of cut sheets Q after machining processing ejected in the conveyance direction F from the device body1(machining processing section), whereby the cut sheets Q are stacked on the placement section95with their front edges aligned. The side guides961to964can align the left and right edges of the cut sheets Q in the width direction W orthogonal to the conveyance direction F. The abutment guides93are set such that at this time the abutment guides93advance downward relative to the conveyance path. The abutment guides93and the side guides961to964may be configured so as to be able to perform jogger action that is paper alignment action.

When the operation to start machining processing is performed by the user, sheets S stacked on the feeding section3of the machining processing device D are fed to the conveyance path5of the device body1, and the machining processing section24applies predetermined machining processing to a predetermined position on the sheets S conveyed. The cut sheets Q after machining processing are ejected from the device body1toward the paper sorting device2.

The paper sorting device2includes the stacking conveyor91and the stacker section92. The cut sheets Q after machining processing ejected from the device body1are first received on the placement section95of the stacking conveyor91and stacked by sorting unit, and thereafter continuously conveyed to the stacker section92arranged downstream for each unit of stacked cut sheets Q′. In Example, the stacking conveyor91includes the conveyance rollers that are the plurality of rotating rollers94on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are stacked. The stacking conveyor91may be configured to include the belt conveyor88having the running-around belt on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are stacked, in lieu of the plurality of rollers94.

The stacker section92continuously stacks the stacked cut sheets Q′ conveyed from the stacking conveyor91at different positions on the placement surface83. The controller45provides control such that a predetermined gap is formed between precedingly conveyed stacked cut sheets Q′ and succeeding stacked cut sheets Q′ among units of stacked cut sheets Q′ conveyed to the stacker section92by the stacking conveyor91. The stacker section92includes the belt conveyor86having the running-around belt on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are stacked.

The stacking conveyor91can stack plural units of stacked cut sheets Q′ in the conveyance direction. In the stacking conveyor91, the controller45provides control at least such that upon stacking cut sheets Q, the cut sheets Q are received and stacked by sorting unit with convey stopped, after which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are accumulated while being sequentially stepwise shifted and the stacked cut sheets Q′ are sequentially stepwise delivered to the stacker section92from the accumulated stacked cut sheets Q′.

According to the above, the sorting work efficiency can be improved.

Sorting action of the paper sorting device2will then be described based on specific Example.FIGS.7A to9Kare diagrammatic views showing how the paper sorting device performs sorting action. InFIGS.7A to9K, the side guides961to964are not shown.

The sorting action of the paper sorting device2in Example is described about a series of sorting actions performed when a sheet S with the machining processing pattern ofFIG.2is ejected as cut sheets Q after machining processing from the device body1.

(1) As shown inFIG.7A, cut sheets Q after machining processing are continuously ejected from the conveyance rollers17of the device body1toward the placement section95of the stacking conveyor9, and stacked thereon with the cut sheets Q aligned by the abutment guides93and the side guides961to964. The number of the cut sheets Q ejected from the device body1is counted by the fifth detecting section35.

(2) Next, after the number of the cut sheets Q stacked on the placement section95reaches the number to be sorted (sorting unit), the abutment guides93are retracted upward as shown inFIG.7B. Subsequently, the roller drive section40rotationally drives the plurality of rollers94to convey stacked cut sheets Q′1downstream by a predetermined distance (approximately, by the amount equal to the sum of the length of the cut sheet Q in the conveyance direction and the thickness of the abutment guide93), to stop the rotational drive. At this time, ejection of the cut sheets Q from the conveyance rollers17of the device body1is stopped.

(3) Next, as shown inFIG.7C, after the abutment guides93again advance downward relative to the conveyance path, ejection of the cut sheets Q from the conveyance rollers17of the device body1is resumed.

(4) Next, after the number of the cut sheets Q stacked on the placement section95reaches the number to be sorted (sorting unit), the abutment guides93are retracted upward as shown inFIG.7D. Then the roller drive section40rotationally drives the plurality of rollers94to convey stacked cut sheets Q′1and Q′2downstream by the predetermined distance, to stop the rotational drive. At this time, ejection of the cut sheets Q from the conveyance rollers17of the device body1is stopped.

(5) Next, as shown inFIG.8E, after the abutment guides93again advance downward relative to the conveyance path, ejection of the cut sheets Q from the conveyance rollers17of the device body1is resumed.

(6) Next, after the number of the cut sheets Q stacked on the placement section95reaches the number to be sorted (sorting unit), the abutment guides93are retracted upward as shown inFIG.8F. Then the roller drive section40rotationally drives the plurality of rollers94to convey stacked cut sheets Q′1, Q′2, and Q′3downstream by the predetermined distance, to stop the rotational drive. At that time, only the stacked cut sheet Q′1is delivered from the stacking conveyor91to the placement section83(belt conveyor86) of the stacker section92. During conveying the stacked cut sheets Q′1, Q′2, and Q′3, the belt conveyor86is rotationally driven by the conveyor drive section51to receive the stacked cut sheets Q′1from the stacking conveyor91onto the stacker section92, and then comes to a stop. At this time, ejection of the cut sheets Q from the conveyance rollers17of the device body1is stopped.

(7) Next, as shown inFIG.8G, after the abutment guide93again advances downward relative to the conveyance path, ejection of the cut sheets Q from the conveyance rollers17of the device body1is resumed.

(8) Next, after the number of the cut sheets Q stacked on the placement section95reaches the number to be sorted (sorting unit), the abutment guides93are retracted upward as shown inFIG.8H. Then the roller drive section40rotationally drives the plurality of rollers94to convey the stacked cut sheets Q′2, Q′3, and Q′4downstream by the predetermined distance, to stop the rotational drive. At that time, only the stacked cut sheet Q′2is delivered from the stacking conveyor91to the placement section83(belt conveyor86) of the stacker section92. During conveying the stacked cut sheets Q′2, Q′3, and Q′4, the belt conveyor86is rotationally driven by the conveyor drive section51to receive the stacked cut sheets Q′2from the stacking conveyor91onto the stacker section92, and then comes to a stop. At this time, ejection of the cut sheets Q from the conveyance rollers17of the device body1is stopped.

The stacking conveyor91and the stacker section92are configured to be driven independently of each other. Individual control is provided via the controller45by the roller drive section40and the conveyor drive section51, respectively, to a gap X1between adjacent stacked cut sheets Q′ on the stacking conveyor91and a gap X2between adjacent stacked cut sheets Q′ on the stacker section92. X1is approximately a gap equal to the sum of the thickness of the abutment guide93and a margin allowing the abutment guide93to smoothly advance and retreat, and may be a gap of the order of 10 mm. X2is a gap required for the user to easily remove stacked cut sheets Q′ on the belt conveyor, and is generally a gap of the order of about 20 mm to 50 mm. Both have a relationship of X1<X2. Conveyance velocities V1and V2of the stacked cut sheets Q′ on the stacking conveyor91and the stacker section92, respectively, have also a relationship of V1<V2. That is, upon delivering (shifting) the stacked cut sheets Q′ from the stacking conveyor91to the stacker section92, control is provided to accelerate the conveyance velocity to widen the gap from X1to X2. Although in Example the number of the stacked cut sheets Q′ arrayed on the stacking conveyor91is three, this is not limitative and the number may be two or may be more than four. Although the number of the stacked cut sheets Q′ arrayed on the stacker section92is two in description, this is not limitative and the number may be more than three.

According to the above, if only the minimum gap X1between adjacent stacked cut sheets Q′ is secured on the stacking conveyor91and then if the stacked cut sheets Q′ are merely delivered to the stacker section92while being shifted, the control to widen the gap X1up to the gap X2allowing easy removal of the stacked cut sheets Q′ is automatically provided independently of the stacking conveyor91, whereupon downtime of the stacking conveyor91can be minimized, leading to improved work efficiency. In the prior art, ejected cut sheets Q are conveyed downstream with a predetermined gap while being stacked every specified number on a single (one-drive) belt conveyor, whereupon stacking work (ejection work) of succeeding ejected sheets needs to be stopped during transfer of the preceding sheets (during running of the belt conveyor) until a predetermined gap is secured on the downstream side, resulting in poor work efficiency.

(9) The stacking conveyor91shown inFIGS.91to9Kincludes the belt conveyor88having the running-around belt on which the stacked cut sheets Q′ are stacked, in place of the plurality of rollers94shown inFIGS.7A to8H. The control action itself is the same as in the case of using the plurality of rollers94.FIGS.91and9Jcorrespond toFIGS.7A and7B, respectively, andFIG.9Kcorresponds toFIG.8H(FIGS.7C to8Ghave no correspondingFIG.9drawings).

Although in the above embodiment the case has been described as an example where the conveyance velocity V1of the stacking conveyor91<the conveyance velocity V2of the stacker section92is set to achieve a relationship of X1<X2between the gap X1on the stacking conveyor91and the gap X2on the stacker section92, the present disclosure is not limited to such a case. For example, to achieve the relationship of X1<X2, the transfer time (drive time at V2) in the stacker section92may be set longer than the transfer time (drive time at V1) in the stacking conveyor91with the conveyance velocity V1of the stacking conveyor91being equal to the conveyance velocity V2of the stacker section92. In the case of achieving the relationship of X1<X2based on the difference in transfer time, there is no particular limitation on the magnitude relationship between V1and V2. When V1=V2, smooth delivery of the stacked cut sheets from the stacking conveyor91to the stacker section92is ensured.

By being combined with the machining processing device D, the paper sorting device2according to the present disclosure enables improvement in sorting work efficiency and alignment performance in the paper conveyance direction of cut sheets stacked on the paper sorting device2. The paper sorting device2may be combined with other paper processing devices that perform sorting processing of other items such as prints, cards, postal items, signatures, etc., or may be disposed at a certain place on a general paper conveyance device.

It will be apparent that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment and that the embodiment can be appropriately changed, other than the suggestions in the embodiment, within the scope of the technical ideas of the present disclosure. The number, positions, shapes, etc. of the constituent members are not limited to those in the embodiment, and can be any number, positions, shapes, etc. suited for carrying out the present disclosure.