Patent Description:
In the related art, as one of sheet supply devices for supplying sheets such as corrugated board from a supply source device such as a corrugated machine to a supply destination device such as a box making machine or a printing machine, there is known a sheet supply device having a configuration in which a sheet group including a plurality of flatly stacked sheets is lifted and, the front and back sides thereof are inverted, and the sheet group is transferred onto a conveyor, and the conveyor sequentially moves each sheet of the sheet group in a transport direction. This sheet supply device is also referred to as a prefeeder.

In the prefeeder, it is necessary to perform so-called centering in which the width-direction position of the sheet group is adjusted within an appropriate width-direction range at the stage of transferring each sheet onto the conveyor so that the sheet can be appropriately processed on the downstream side. Thus, a device (centering conveyor) for laterally moving and centering the sheet group is deployed upstream of the prefeeder. For example, <CIT> discloses a lateral movement device that laterally moves and centers the sheet group. Further related art may be found in the following documents.

<CIT> that describes a sheet supply device provided with a sheet inverting mount <NUM> (lift portion) including a sheet supporting unit <NUM> (frame) that supports the front side of stacked sheet SO (a group of sheets) and a table <NUM> (fork portion) including a comb-shape supporting arm <NUM>, and a sheet transfer device (conveyor portion). The device has a structure that the stacked sheets SO is transferred into the sheet transfer device <NUM> by rotating the sheet inverting mount <NUM> by the sheet auxiliary arm <NUM> and the cylinder <NUM> (inverting mechanism) and moving the table <NUM> by a moving device <NUM> (fork moving mechanism).

<CIT> that describes a sheet supplying device for a sheet-fed printing machine, in particular, a sheet supplying device provided with a parallel-cross shaped lift mount on which a paper lamination is placed.

<CIT> that describes an automatic supplying device that makes a sheet lamination such as corrugated board sheets uniform, lays down the sheet lamination, and automatically transfers the sheet lamination to a mechanical device of ensuing step.

<CIT> that describes a sheet finisher which can appropriately fold, sort, fasten and collect sheets which have come out of a copy machine and the like.

<CIT> that describes a method and a device for controlling elements of a guide sheet material used for a feeder region of a rotary press that processes a sheet material.

<CIT> that describes a sheet supply apparatus for supplying record sheet to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a sheet supply machine having a vertically movable sheet supplying table supporting a plurality of record sheets stacked thereon in which an image forming position to the record sheet can be adjusted by moving the sheet supplying table right and left.

<CIT> that describes a stack turner and replenisher for keeping a hopper of a carton prefeeder filled with carton blanks.

And <CIT> that describes a sheet supplying position automatically adjusting device for a sheet-fed printer.

As described above, by deploying a centering device upstream of the prefeeder, each sheet can be appropriately processed on the downstream side, but an installation space for the centering device is required. For example,
in the case of the centering conveyor, a conveyor having a length equal to or longer than the maximum sheet length in the sheet transfer direction is required. Therefore, the longitudinal size of the entire device becomes large and the factory layout is restricted.

The present invention has been invented focusing on such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet supply device capable of suppressing the longitudinal size of the entire device and securing the degree of freedom in factory layout. In addition, not limited to this object, another object of the present case is to exhibit actions and effects derived by respective configurations shown in the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below, and exhibit actions and effects that cannot be obtained by the related art.

According to the present case, since the width-direction movement mechanism related to the centering of the sheet group is equipped in the lift portion of the sheet supply device, the longitudinal size of the entire device can be suppressed and the degree of freedom in the factory layout can be secured.

Sheet supply devices as embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are merely examples. The respective configurations of the embodiments can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

First, a configuration common to the respective embodiments will be described.

<FIG> are a schematic side view and a schematic plan view illustrating an overall configuration of a sheet supply device according to each embodiment. The directions (up, down, upstream, downstream) in the figures represent directions based on a transport direction of the sheet supply device. Normally, since the sheet supply device is installed on a horizontal plane, the up-down direction of the sheet supply device coincides with the vertical direction. Additionally, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the transport direction is referred to as a device width direction (or simply a "width direction"). Additionally, the downstream side in the transport direction is referred to as the front, and the upstream side is referred to as the rear.

The sheet supply device <NUM> (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a "supply device") is deployed between a supply source device and a supply destination device, for example, between a corrugated machine (not shown) that manufactures a corrugated board and a box making machine (not shown) that processes the corrugated board into a box-making sheet material, and is used to supply a plurality of the corrugated boards manufactured by the corrugated machine to the box making machine. In each embodiment, each sheet <NUM> constituting a plurality of sheets (hereinafter referred to as a "sheet group") <NUM> is thick paperboard such as the corrugated board.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the supply device <NUM> is configured as a sheet inversion type supply device, and includes a lift portion <NUM> a sheet group <NUM> in which a plurality of sheets <NUM> are stacked flat is mounted, and a conveyor portion <NUM> provided downstream of the lift portion <NUM>. The lift portion <NUM> lifts and inverts the mounted sheet group <NUM> to transfer the sheet group to a portion directly upstream of the conveyor portion <NUM>. The conveyor portion <NUM> moves the sheet group <NUM> in a transport direction.

In addition, a direction in which the plurality of sheets <NUM> are stacked flat is referred to as a flat stacking direction.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the lift portion <NUM> includes a fixed frame <NUM>, a movable frame <NUM> having a frame portion that is rotatably supported by the fixed frame <NUM> via a rotating shaft 12a extending in the horizontal direction and extends in a flat stacking direction, and a fork portion <NUM> that is slidably supported by the movable frame <NUM> in the flat stacking direction and has the sheet group <NUM> mounted thereon. Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, the lift portion <NUM> is configured to include an inversion mechanism <NUM> that turns the fork portion <NUM> around a horizontal axis to lift and invert the mounted sheet group <NUM>, a fork movement mechanism <NUM> that slidably moves the fork portion <NUM> in the flat stacking direction, and a transfer control device <NUM> that controls the inversion mechanism <NUM> and the fork movement mechanism <NUM>.

In addition, the posture of the sheet group <NUM> mounted on the fork portion <NUM> changes depending on the state of the lift portion <NUM>, and as shown by a solid line in <FIG>, when the sheet group <NUM> is initially mounted (before the start of lifting and inverting), each sheet <NUM> is in a horizontal or substantially horizontal state, that is, a state in which the flat stacking direction faces a vertical or substantially vertical direction (vertical posture). As shown by a two-dot chain line in <FIG>, when the lifting and inverting by the inversion mechanism <NUM> is completed, each sheet <NUM> is inclined slightly downward from the vertical direction, that is, the flat stacking direction is inclined slightly downward from the horizontal (a forwardly inclined posture).

Here, the state of the lift portion <NUM> in which the sheet group <NUM> is in the vertical posture is referred to as an initial state, the state of the lift portion <NUM> in which the sheet group <NUM> is in the forwardly inclined posture is referred to as an inversion completion state, and a state in the middle of the initial state to the inversion completion state is referred to as a transfer state.

Additionally, the position of a moving element (moving body) of the lift portion <NUM> in the initial state is referred to as an initial position, and the position of the moving element (moving body) of the lift portion <NUM> in the inversion completion state is referred to as an inversion completion position.

The movable frame <NUM> includes pillars 12A and 12B on both sides in the device width direction and a plurality (here, four) elongated pillars 12C to 12F disposed between the pillars the 12A and 12B, as frame portions extending in the flat stacking direction. All the pillars 12A to 12F extend in the flat stacking direction and are disposed parallel to each other. Additionally, an elongated plate-shaped member <NUM> extending in the flat stacking direction is interposed between the pillars 12A to 12F.

The pillars 12A to 12F and the plate-shaped member <NUM> constitute a support surface 16F that supports a leading edge surface of the sheet group <NUM>. The leading edge surface of the sheet group <NUM> is a surface constituted of a sheet edge portion facing forward before inversion and facing downward after inversion, and is a surface perpendicular to the flat stacking direction. When the sheet group <NUM> is lifted and inverted by the inversion mechanism <NUM>, the support surface 16F gradually receives the load of the sheet group <NUM> through the leading edge surface of the sheet group <NUM> so as to support the sheet group <NUM>.

The fork portion <NUM> is provided on the support surface 16F side (front side) of the movable frame <NUM>, an arc-shaped arch portion 12b is provided on a back side of the movable frame <NUM>, and a girder portion 12c erected in the arc of the arch portion 12b is provided with the rotating shaft 12a that rotatably supports the movable frame <NUM>.

The fork portion <NUM> is cantileveredly supported by the movable frame <NUM> so as to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the support surface 16F. Here, the fork portion <NUM> is constituted of four rod-shaped arm portions 13a to 13d parallel to each other. The fork portion <NUM> (arm portions 13a to 13d) has a mounting surface 13A facing vertically upward in the initial state, and the sheet group <NUM> is mounted on the mounting surface 13A. The mounting surface 13A is equipped with a plurality of suction portions <NUM> for suctioning the sheet <NUM> (referred to as a lowermost sheet <NUM>) located on the lowermost side of the sheet group <NUM>. As the suction portion <NUM>, for example, a vacuum pad that suctions the lowermost sheet <NUM> by a suction force caused by vacuum can be applied.

A total of five lift conveyors <NUM> are cantileveredly fixed to the movable frame <NUM> between the arm portions 13a to 13d of the fork portion <NUM> and outside the arm portions 13a to 13d. Each lift conveyor <NUM> has a support surface facing vertically upward in the initial state, and the support surface of each lift conveyor <NUM> is provided with a conveyor 18A that transports the sheet group <NUM> to the mounting surface 13A of the fork portion <NUM>. For example, a roller conveyor can be applied to the conveyor 18A, and when the sheet group <NUM> is supplied from the corrugated machine (not shown), the sheet group <NUM> is transported to a position where the sheet group <NUM> hits the support surface 16F of the movable frame <NUM> on a forward end side in the transport direction by the conveyor 18A.

Although not shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the inversion mechanism <NUM> is configured to include a motor and a speed reducer provided on the fixed frame <NUM> side, and the movable frame <NUM> is rotated around the rotating shaft 12a horizontal to the fixed frame <NUM> to turn the fork portion <NUM> supported by the movable frame <NUM> around the horizontal axis, whereby the sheet group <NUM> mounted on the fork portion <NUM> is inverted while being lifted.

Although not shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the fork movement mechanism <NUM> is configured to include a chain and a chain wheel partially built in the movable frame <NUM>, and a motor that drives the chain wheel, and slidably moves the fork portion <NUM> with respect to the movable frame <NUM>. This slide movement moves the fork portion <NUM> upward in the flat stacking direction with respect to the movable frame <NUM>, and is performed in parallel with the lifting and inverting of the sheet group <NUM> by the inversion mechanism <NUM>.

Such control of the inversion mechanism <NUM> and the fork movement mechanism <NUM> is performed by the transfer control device <NUM>.

Additionally, when all the other sheets <NUM> have been supplied to the downstream side while leaving the lowermost sheet <NUM>, the lift portion <NUM> returns from the inversion completion position to the initial position with the lowermost sheet <NUM> kept suctioned on the suction portion <NUM> of the fork portion <NUM>, and releases the suction to eliminate the lowermost sheet <NUM>. For this reason, a dispensing device <NUM> that eliminates the lowermost sheet <NUM> is provided.

As the dispensing device <NUM>, a roller conveyor device is applied, including a plurality of rollers 41a disposed between the arm portions 13a to 13d of the fork portion <NUM> and the lift conveyor <NUM> in a plan view at the initial position.

The plurality of rollers 41a are all disposed parallel to the arm portions 13a to 13d and the lift conveyor <NUM> at the initial position, and are moved up and down in the vertical direction by an elevating mechanism (not shown). Additionally, at least some (here, all the rollers 41a) of the rollers 41a are rotated by a motor (not shown). The plurality of rollers 41a are always located at a retracted position vertically below the fork portion <NUM> so as not to interfere with the mounting of the sheet group <NUM>, and are is lifted to a use position vertically above the fork portion <NUM> to support and rotate the lowermost sheet <NUM> when performing dispensing processing is performed and by rotating, and thereby dispenses the lowermost sheet <NUM> to a lateral side of the device.

Additionally, when the inversion completion state is approached, the sheet on a tip side of the sheet group <NUM> (the sheet vertically above in the initial posture) may be tilted irrespective of before the supply to the downstream side due to an inertial force caused by the forward inclination and movement of the sheet group <NUM>. In order to prevent this tilting, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, a moving sheet support <NUM> is equipped to abut against the tip side of the sheet group <NUM> to cooperate with the moving fork portion <NUM> in the flat stacking direction and support the fork portion <NUM> to be sandwiched from both sides in the flat stacking direction.

The moving sheet support <NUM> includes a plurality of rollers 42a that abuts against the sheet on the tip side of the sheet group <NUM>. The plurality of rollers 42a are formed of a soft material such as resin so as to have a peripheral surface without angular portion so as to be capable of coming into soft contact with the sheet <NUM>, and each arm 42c is rotatably equipped at the tip of the arm 42c rockably supported by the support 42b.

Each arm 42c is integrally rocked, as shown by an arrow A1 in <FIG>, by a drive device (not shown) such as a motor between the use position shown by the solid line and the retracted position shown by the two-dot chain line in <FIG>, <FIG>, so that the plurality of rollers 42a can simultaneously abut against the sheet on the tip side of the sheet group <NUM> at the use position, and the plurality of rollers 42a are retracted so as to be separated from the transfer path of the sheet group <NUM> at the retracted position. Additionally, the support 42b is moved up and down as shown by an arrow A2 in <FIG> by the elevating drive device (not shown) in conformity with the size of the sheet group <NUM>.

Additionally, as shown in <FIG>, the conveyor portion <NUM> includes a first conveyor <NUM>, a second conveyor <NUM>, and a third conveyor <NUM> from upstream to downstream in the transport direction, which are provided in order so as to follow a hopper <NUM> of the box making machine on the downstream side. The first conveyor <NUM>, the second conveyor <NUM>, the third conveyor <NUM>, and the hopper <NUM> each have a plurality of pulleys and an endless belt, and are driven by a drive mechanism such as a motor (not shown) and sequentially transport the sheet group <NUM> placed on the endless belt from upstream to downstream in the transport direction.

Next, the actions of the supply device having the above configuration will be described. The operation of the respective portions of the supply device <NUM> described below is controlled on the basis of a control signal from a control unit (not shown).

<FIG> are schematic side views illustrating an aspect in which the lift portion <NUM> of the supply device is rotated from the vertical posture via a horizontal posture to the forwardly inclined posture, <FIG> shows a state in which the lift portion <NUM> is in the vertical posture, <FIG> show the process in which the lift portion <NUM> is rotated from the vertical posture to the forwardly inclined posture, and <FIG> show a state in which the lift portion <NUM> is rotated to the forwardly inclined posture.

First, the sheet group <NUM> is mounted in a flat stacking state on the fork portion <NUM> in the initial state shown in <FIG>.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, the lift portion <NUM> is rotated in the transport direction from a hanging posture to the forwardly inclined posture while moving the fork portion <NUM> upward from below in the flat stacking direction.

In the state shown in <FIG>, the moving sheet support <NUM> is utilized.

Then, in the state of the forwardly inclined posture shown in <FIG>, the sheets <NUM> other than the lowermost sheet <NUM> are turned over and inverted in order from the sheet at the highest position toward the front in the transport direction, and are transferred to the first conveyor <NUM>. However, the lowermost sheet <NUM> remains on the fork portion <NUM> due to the suction of the suction portion <NUM>, and is not transferred onto the first conveyor <NUM>.

In the sheet supply device configured in this way, it is necessary to perform so-called centering in which the width-direction position of a sheet group is adjusted within a reference width-direction range so that each sheet <NUM> can be appropriately supplied to the downstream side (box making machine). In addition, in each embodiment, the reference width-direction range is set within a range of ± <NUM> with respect to a width-direction reference position (a width-direction center CL of the device).

Thus, as shown in <FIG>, the present device is equipped with a width-direction movement mechanism <NUM> that moves the mounted sheet group <NUM> in the width direction, a position sensor <NUM> that detects the width-direction position of the sheet group, and a centering control device <NUM> that controls the width-direction movement mechanism <NUM> on the basis of the detection information of the position sensor <NUM> and centers the width-direction position of the sheet group <NUM> within the reference width-direction range.

The present case has a feature in that the centering is performed in the sheet supply device. However, first to fourth embodiments in which the specific configurations of the width-direction movement mechanisms <NUM> are different from each other will be described herein.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a device related to the centering according to the present embodiment includes a roller conveyor device <NUM> as the width-direction movement mechanism, an initial position sensor <NUM> as the position sensor, the centering control device <NUM>.

In this case, the roller conveyor device <NUM> according to the present embodiment appropriately uses the above dispensing device <NUM> including the rollers 41a, which are disposed below the fork portion <NUM> at the initial position and are lifted and moved vertically upward from the fork portion <NUM> at the initial position to support the sheet group <NUM> to move the sheet group <NUM> in the width direction.

As described above, the dispensing device <NUM> includes a plurality of rollers 41a disposed between the arm portions 13a to 13d of the fork portion <NUM> and the lift conveyor <NUM> in a plan view at the initial position, and the plurality of rollers 41a are provided are all disposed parallel to the arm portions 13a to 13d and the lift conveyor <NUM> at the initial position, are moved up and down in the vertical direction by the elevating mechanism (not shown), and are rotated by the motor (not shown).

The plurality of rollers 41a are driven up to move up and down between the retracted position vertically below the fork portion <NUM> and the use position vertically above the fork portion <NUM>, the dispensing device <NUM> is lifted to the use position and used when the lift portion <NUM> returns from the inversion completion position the initial position to eliminate the lowermost sheet <NUM>. However, the roller conveyor device <NUM> is lifted to the use position and used immediately after the lift portion <NUM> is at the initial position and the sheet group <NUM> is mounted on the fork portion <NUM>.

That is, when the sheet group <NUM> is mounted on the fork portion <NUM>, the initial position sensor <NUM> detects the distance from a side edge portion of the sheet group <NUM>. Data of the size in the device width direction when the sheet group <NUM> is mounted is input to the centering control device <NUM>. In the centering control device <NUM>, the positional deviation of the center of the sheet group <NUM> in the width direction with respect to the width-direction center CL of the device can be calculated from the position of the side edge portion of the sheet group <NUM> detected by the initial position sensor <NUM>.

The centering control device <NUM> determines whether or not the magnitude of the positional deviation is within a predetermined error range (the error range is, for example, ±<NUM>), and when the magnitude of the positional deviation exceeds the predetermined error range, the roller conveyor device <NUM> is controlled to move the sheet group <NUM> in the width direction such that the magnitude of the positional deviation is within the predetermined error range.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the sheet group <NUM> positionally deviates to the left by an error range or more with respect to the transport direction (the direction from right to left in the figures), the roller conveyor device <NUM> (dispensing device) <NUM> is controlled to move the sheet group <NUM> to the right as shown in <FIG>.

Specifically, the plurality of rollers 41a are lifted from the retracted position vertically below the fork portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG> to the use position vertically above the fork portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG> to bring about a state in which the sheet group <NUM> is supported by the plurality of rollers 41a, and as shown in <FIG>, the plurality of rollers 41a is rotated by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction to move the sheet group <NUM> by a predetermined amount of rotation in a predetermined direction. After the movement, the plurality of rollers 41a are lowered to the retracted position. In addition, in <FIG>, the description of the lift conveyor <NUM> is omitted.

According to the present embodiment, in the lift portion <NUM>, the existing dispensing device <NUM> is utilized to suppress an increase in the longitudinal size of the entire device to secure the degree of freedom in the factory layout, and to suppress an increase in cost while performing the centering of the sheet group <NUM>.

In addition, the centering of the sheet group <NUM> can be implemented by effectively utilizing the dispensing device <NUM> not only while the sheet group <NUM> is mounted on the fork portion <NUM> and the lift portion <NUM> is at the initial position but also until the fork portion <NUM> starts turning and lifting and the fork portion <NUM> moves above the plurality of rollers 41a.

Therefore, the centering control device <NUM> may stop the lift portion <NUM> at the initial position to reliably perform the centering of the sheet group <NUM>, but may perform the centering of the sheet group <NUM> utilizing the time until the fork portion <NUM> starts turning and lifting and the fork portion <NUM> moves above the plurality of rollers 41a. In this case, the time from the centering of the sheet group <NUM> to the completion of the inversion can be shortened.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the dispensing device <NUM> is utilized as the roller conveyor device <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited to this. Some rollers 41a of the plurality of rollers 41a of the dispensing device <NUM> may be utilized as the roller conveyor device <NUM>, or dedicated rollers may be separately disposed to constitute the roller conveyor device <NUM> without using the dispensing device <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and 8B2, the fork portion <NUM> includes a fork portion body <NUM> on which the sheet group <NUM> is mounted, a support <NUM> that movably supports the fork portion body <NUM> in the width direction, and a fork portion movement mechanism <NUM> that moves the fork portion body <NUM> in the width direction with respect to the support <NUM> to move the mounted sheet group <NUM> in the width direction using an actuator (not shown), and the fork portion movement mechanism <NUM> is applied to the width-direction movement mechanism <NUM>. In addition, in <FIG> and 8B2, the description of the rollers 41a of the dispensing device <NUM> is omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the device related to centering according to the present embodiment includes the fork portion movement mechanism <NUM> as the width-direction movement mechanism, the initial position sensor <NUM> as the position sensor, and the centering control device <NUM>. Similar to the first embodiment, the centering control device <NUM> controls the fork portion movement mechanism <NUM> on the basis of the detection information of the initial position sensor <NUM>, and centers the width-direction position of the sheet group <NUM> within the reference width-direction range.

That is, the support <NUM> is supported by the movable frame <NUM> so as to be slidable in the flat stacking direction, and the fork portion body <NUM> is supported by the support <NUM> so as to be movable in the width direction. The fork portion movement mechanism <NUM> can utilize, for example, a motor and a ball screw mechanism that converts the rotation of the motor into a linear motion, and can be configured by fixing the support <NUM> such that the axes of the motor and the ball screw shaft extend in the width direction and fixing a nut screwed to a ball screw shaft via a ball to the fork portion body <NUM>.

Additionally, in the fork portion movement mechanism <NUM> as the width-direction movement mechanism <NUM>, the fork portion body <NUM> is a moving body that moves in the width direction to move the sheet group <NUM> in the width direction. The transfer control device <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) performs the initial position return control of returning the fork portion <NUM> to the initial position after the transfer of the sheet group <NUM> to the conveyor portion <NUM> is completed, but the centering control device <NUM> performs the neutral position return control of returning the fork portion body <NUM> as the moving body to a neutral position in the width direction during the initial position return control.

In this way, the lift portion <NUM> is provided with the fork portion movement mechanism <NUM>, so that the centering of the sheet group <NUM> can be performed while suppressing the increase in the longitudinal size of the entire device to secure the degree of freedom in the factory layout.

Additionally, since the centering can be performed during the lifting and inverting of the sheet group <NUM>, the time from the centering of the sheet group <NUM> to the inversion completion state can be shortened.

Additionally, after the transfer of the sheet group <NUM> to the conveyor portion <NUM> is completed, the neutral position return control of returning the fork portion body <NUM> to the neutral position in the width direction is performed during the initial position return control of returning the fork portion <NUM> to the initial position. Thus, the centering of the next sheet group <NUM> can be performed without any trouble.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a movable base frame 11A, which is a part of the fixed frame <NUM> of the lift portion <NUM>, includes a frame movement mechanism <NUM> that is equipped on two rails 63a and 63a, extending in the device width direction, movable in the width direction, moves the movable base frame 11A in the width direction to move the mounted sheet group <NUM> in the width direction using an actuator (not shown), and the frame movement mechanism <NUM> is applied to the width-direction movement mechanism <NUM>. In addition, in <FIG>, <FIG>, the description of the rollers 41a of the dispensing device <NUM> is omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the device related to centering according to the present embodiment includes the frame movement mechanism <NUM> as the width-direction movement mechanism, the initial position sensor <NUM> as the position sensor, an inversion completion position sensor <NUM>, and the centering control device <NUM>. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the centering control device <NUM> controls the frame movement mechanism <NUM> on the basis of the detection information of the initial position sensor <NUM> and the inversion completion position sensor <NUM>, and as shown in <FIG>, operates the frame movement mechanism <NUM> to center the width-direction position of the sheet group <NUM> within the reference width-direction range.

Here, the position of the sheet group <NUM> at the initial position is detected by the initial position sensor <NUM>, a required width-direction movement amount of the sheet group <NUM> is calculated, and the frame movement mechanism <NUM> is controlled during the subsequent lifting and inverting movement to perform the centering of the sheet group <NUM>. The inversion completion position sensor <NUM> detects the position of the sheet group <NUM> at the stage of approaching the inversion completion position or the inversion completion position to confirm the centering result.

However, only one of the initial position sensor <NUM> and the inversion completion position sensor <NUM> may be equipped.

In a case where the initial position sensor <NUM> is equipped, the position of the sheet group <NUM> can be detected at an early stage, so that the time required for the centering can be sufficiently secured.

Additionally, in a case where the inversion completion position sensor <NUM> is equipped, the position of the sheet group <NUM> at a final stage can be detected, so that the allowance for the centering time is reduced, but the accuracy of the centering can be improved.

Additionally, in the frame movement mechanism <NUM> as the width-direction movement mechanism <NUM>, the movable base frame 11A is a moving body that moves in the width direction to move the sheet group <NUM> in the width direction. Also in the present embodiment, after the transfer of the sheet group <NUM> to the conveyor portion <NUM> is completed, the transfer control device <NUM> performs the initial position return control of returning the fork portion <NUM> to the initial position, but the centering control device <NUM> performs the neutral position return control of returning the movable base frame 11A as the moving body to the neutral position in the width direction.

In this way, the movable base frame 11A, which is a part of the fixed frame <NUM>, is included such that the frame movement mechanism <NUM> is movable in the width direction, so that the centering of the sheet group <NUM> can be performed while suppressing the increase in the longitudinal size of the entire device to secure the degree of freedom in the factory layout.

Additionally, after the transfer of the sheet group <NUM> to the conveyor portion <NUM> is completed, the neutral position return control of returning the movable base frame 11A to the neutral position in the width direction is performed during the initial position return control of returning the fork portion <NUM> to the initial position. Thus, the centering of the next sheet group <NUM> can be performed without any trouble.

As shown in <FIG>, when the device related to the centering according to the present embodiment is at a position where the sheet group <NUM> is lifted and inverted (the posture of the sheet group <NUM> is a state close to the forwardly inclined posture or the forwardly inclined posture), a gripping type movement mechanism <NUM> is included that grips the sheet group <NUM> to move the sheet group <NUM> in the width direction, and the gripping type movement mechanism <NUM> is applied to the width-direction movement mechanism <NUM>.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the gripping type movement mechanism <NUM> includes the arm portions 13a to 13d of the fork portion <NUM>, the rollers 42a of the above transfer sheet support <NUM>, and an actuator (not shown) that moves the arm portions 13a to 13d of the fork portion <NUM> and the rollers 42a of the transfer sheet support <NUM> in the width direction in synchronization with each other. In addition, in <FIG>, <FIG>, the description of the rollers 41a of the dispensing device <NUM> is omitted.

The gripping type movement mechanism <NUM> may be a mechanism that moves at least the arm portions 13a to 13d of the fork portion <NUM> and the rollers 42a of the transfer sheet support <NUM> in the width direction in synchronization with each other by the actuator (not shown). For example, in order to move the arm portions 13a to 13d, as in the second embodiment, it is also preferable that the fork portion <NUM> includes the support <NUM> and the fork portion body <NUM> that is movable in the width direction with respect to the support <NUM>, and the arm portions 13a to 13d equipped on the fork portion body <NUM> are integrally moved in the width direction. Similarly, in order to move the plurality of rollers 42a, it is also preferable that a support member that supports the plurality of rollers 42a is made movable in the width direction and the support member is moved in the width direction to move the plurality of rollers 42a integrally in the width direction.

In such a gripping type movement mechanism <NUM>, when the lift portion <NUM> approaches the inversion completion state, the moving sheet support <NUM> is made to abut against the tip side of the sheet group <NUM> supported by the fork portion <NUM> on the rear end side, and the fork portion <NUM> and the moving sheet support <NUM> are made to cooperate with each other to grip the sheet group <NUM> so as to be sandwiched from both sides in the flat stacking direction. However, by increasing this gripping force, the sheet group <NUM> can be gripped from both sides in the flat stacking direction and can be moved in the width direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the device related to centering according to the present embodiment includes the gripping type movement mechanism <NUM> as the width-direction movement mechanism, a gripping position sensor <NUM> as the position sensor, and the centering control device <NUM>. Similar to the first to third embodiments, the centering control device <NUM> controls the gripping type movement mechanism <NUM>, that is, the fork portion <NUM> and the moving sheet support <NUM> on the basis of the detection information of the gripping position sensor <NUM>, and as shown in <FIG>, operates the gripping type movement mechanism <NUM> to center the width-direction position of the sheet group <NUM> within the reference width-direction range.

Additionally, in the gripping type movement mechanism <NUM> as the width-direction movement mechanism <NUM>, the arm portions 13a to 13d of the fork portion <NUM> and the rollers 42a of the transfer sheet support <NUM> is a moving body that moves in the width direction to move the sheet group <NUM> in the width direction. Also in the present embodiment, after the transfer of the sheet group <NUM> to the conveyor portion <NUM> is completed, the transfer control device <NUM> performs the initial position return control of returning the fork portion <NUM> to the initial position, but the centering control device <NUM> performs the neutral position return control of returning the arm portions 13a to 13d of the fork portion <NUM> and the roller 42a of the transfer sheet support <NUM> as the moving body to the neutral position in the width direction.

According to the present embodiment, in the lift portion <NUM>, the existing moving sheet support <NUM> is utilized to suppress an increase in the longitudinal size of the entire device to secure the degree of freedom in the factory layout, and to suppress an increase in cost while performing the centering of the sheet group <NUM>.

Additionally, after the transfer of the sheet group <NUM> to the conveyor portion <NUM> is completed, the neutral position return control of returning the arm portions 13a to 13d of the fork portion <NUM> and the rollers 42a of the transfer sheet support <NUM> to the neutral position in the width direction is performed during the initial position return control of returning the fork portion <NUM> to the initial position. Thus, the centering of the next sheet group <NUM> can be performed without any trouble.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the width-direction movement mechanisms are not limited to the above embodiments, and for example, a side jogger may be equipped on the lift portion and adopted for the width-direction movement mechanism.

The width-direction movement mechanism according to the present case only needs to be able to move the sheet group <NUM> in the width direction, and unlike the side jogger, it is not required to align the end edges of the sheets <NUM> in the width direction. However, by applying the side jogger, the centering of the sheet group <NUM> can be performed while aligning the end edges of the respective sheets <NUM> in the width direction, and the processing of the respective sheets on the downstream side can be more appropriately and easily performed.

Claim 1:
A sheet supply device comprising:
a lift portion (<NUM>) that lifts and inverts a sheet group (<NUM>) including aplurality of flatly stacked sheets (<NUM>);
a conveyor portion (<NUM>) that moves each sheet (<NUM>) of the sheet group (<NUM>) transferred from the lift portion (<NUM>) in a transport direction;
wherein the lift portion (<NUM>) includes a frame (<NUM>) that extends in a flat stacking direction of the sheet group (<NUM>), a fork portion (<NUM>) that is supported by the frame (<NUM>) so as to be movable in the flat stacking direction and has the sheet group (<NUM>) mounted thereon, an inversion mechanism (<NUM>) that turns the fork portion (<NUM>)to lift and invert the mounted sheet group (<NUM>), and a fork movement mechanism (<NUM>) that moves the fork portion (<NUM>) in the flat stacking direction,
characterized in that the sheet supply device further comprises:
a width-direction movement mechanism (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) that is equipped on the lift portion (<NUM>) and moves the mounted sheet group (<NUM>) in a width direction;
a position sensor (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) that detects a width-direction position of the sheet group (<NUM>); and
a centering control device (<NUM>) that controls the width-direction movement mechanism (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) on the basis of detection information of the position sensor (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>), and centers the width-direction position of the sheet group (<NUM>) within a reference width-direction range, from when the sheet group (<NUM>) is mounted on the fork portion (<NUM>) to when the sheet group (<NUM>) is transferred to the conveyor portion (<NUM>).