Paper bundle conveying device and control method of paper bundle conveying device

Abstract

The invention relates to a paper bundle conveying device and a control method of the paper bundle conveying device. A paper bundle used for distinguishing is stably rotated to form a required orientation. The paper bundle conveying device comprises a first conveying part; a second conveying part; a stopper part switching between an abutting state and a non-abutting state in which the front end of the sheet bundle abuts against the stopper member at a predetermined position in the conveying direction; a first pressing section that presses the sheet bundle toward the first conveying section; a second pressing section that presses the sheet bundle toward the second conveying section; a pressing switching section that switches between a first pressing state in which the first pressing section and the second pressing section press the sheet bundle in a prescribed region on the upstream side of the prescribed position in the conveyance direction and a second pressing state in which the first pressing section does not press the sheet bundle in the prescribed region; and a control section that controls the protruding stopper section and the pressing switching section so as to change the inclination of the predetermined sheet bundle with respect to the width direction, switch from the non-abutting state to the abutting state, and switch from the first pressing state to the second pressing state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper bundle conveying device and a control method for the paper bundle conveying device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a paper bundle conveying device that conveys paper bundles bound by a binding machine or subjected to binding and folding processing in a semi-overlapped state (for example, see Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, whenever a preset number of the conveyed paper bundles is reached, a pin protrudes downward, the end face of the paper bundle comes into contact with the pin, and the conveying movement is delayed. As a result, since the orientation of the paper bundle is inclined with respect to the flow direction of the paper bundles, the paper bundles can be distinguished from other paper bundles. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-278267 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the paper bundle inclined with respect to the flow direction by contact with the pin is not pressed against the conveyor belt from above. When the end face of the paper bundle comes into contact with the pin, the paper bundle moves to an arbitrary position according to the conveying speed or size. Therefore, when distinguishing paper bundles, the orientation of the paper bundle cannot be stably rotated in the required direction, and the paper bundles may not be properly distinguished.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a paper bundle conveying device and a control method for the paper bundle conveying device that can stably rotate a paper bundle used for distinguishing into a required orientation and properly distinguish the paper bundles when distinguishing a plurality of paper bundles. Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first conveying unit formed to extend in the conveying direction and conveying a plurality of paper bundles in the conveying direction; a second conveying unit formed to extend in the conveying direction and disposed at an interval from the first conveying unit in a width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and conveying a plurality of the paper bundles in the conveying direction; a protruding and blocking unit disposed between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit in the width direction, and moving a protruding and blocking member up and down to switch between a contact state in which the front end of the paper bundle abuts against the protruding and blocking member at a specified position in the conveying direction and a non-contact state in which the front end of the paper bundle does not abut against the protruding and blocking member at the specified position; A first pressing part is arranged above the first conveying part in a state of sandwiching the paper bundle, and presses the paper bundle toward the first conveying part through a first rotating member that can rotate around a first rotation axis along the width direction; A second pressing part is arranged above the second conveying part in a state of sandwiching the paper bundle, and presses the paper bundle toward the second conveying part through a second rotating member that can rotate around a second rotation axis along the width direction; A pressing switching part switches between a first pressing state and a second pressing state. The first pressing state is that the first pressing part and the second pressing part press the paper bundle in a specified area closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction than the specified position, and the second pressing state is that the first pressing part does not press the paper bundle in the specified area and the second pressing part presses the paper bundle in the specified area; A control part controls the abutting part and the pressing switching part so as to change the inclination of a specified paper bundle among a plurality of continuously conveyed paper bundles with respect to the width direction, so as to switch from the non-abutting state to the abutting state and switch the first pressing state to the second pressing state.

[0007] In the paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, by setting the abutting part to the non-abutting state and setting the pressing switching part to the first pressing state, in a state where the paper bundle does not abut against the abutting member, the first pressing part presses the paper bundle toward the first conveying part in a specified area, and the second pressing part presses the paper bundle toward the second conveying part in a specified area. Therefore, a plurality of paper bundles are respectively given a conveying force in the conveying direction from the first conveying part and the second conveying part, and are conveyed along the conveying direction.

[0008] In addition, in the paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, by switching the abutting part from the non-abutting state to the abutting state, and switching the pressing mechanism from the first pressing state to the second pressing state, in a state where the paper bundle abuts against the abutting member, the second pressing part presses the paper bundle toward the second conveying part in a specified area. Since the paper bundle abutting against the abutting member is pressed toward the second conveying part by the second pressing part, it rotates around the abutting member by means of the conveying force transmitted from the second conveying part, and stably rotates to the required orientation.

[0009] In this way, in the paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, when differentiating a plurality of conveyed paper bundles, the paper bundles used for differentiation can be stably rotated to the required orientation, and the paper bundles can be appropriately differentiated.

[0010] In a paper bundle conveying device of one embodiment of the present invention, the first pressing portion may have a pair of first pressing rollers and a first pressing belt hung around the pair of first pressing rollers, and the second pressing portion may have a pair of second pressing rollers and a second pressing belt hung around the pair of second pressing rollers.

[0011] According to the paper bundle conveying device of this structure, the conveying force of the first conveying unit is transmitted to the first pressing belt via the paper bundle pressed by the first pressing roller arranged on the downstream side of the conveying direction. The first pressing belt, rotating by the conveying force of the first conveying unit, can apply the conveying force to the paper bundle pressed by the first pressing roller arranged on the upstream side of the conveying direction.

[0012] Similarly, according to the paper bundle conveying device of this configuration, the conveying force of the second conveying unit is transmitted to the second pressing belt via the paper bundle pressed by the second pressing roller arranged on the downstream side in the conveying direction. The second pressing belt, rotating by the conveying force of the second conveying unit, can apply the conveying force to the paper bundle pressed by the second pressing roller arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0013] In the paper bundle conveying device of the above structure, the pressing switching part can also be in the following form: in the first pressing state, both sides of a pair of first pressing rollers press the paper bundle through the first pressing belt; in the second pressing state, the first pressing roller arranged on the upstream side of the conveying direction does not press the paper bundle, and the second pressing roller presses the paper bundle closer to the upstream side of the conveying direction than the specified position where the protruding block component is arranged through the second pressing belt.

[0014] According to the paper bundle conveying device of this embodiment, in the first pressing state, by both of the pair of first pressing rollers pressing the paper bundle via the first pressing belt, a conveying force can be applied to the plurality of paper bundles from the first conveying section over the entire region between the pair of first pressing rollers in the conveying direction. Furthermore, in the second pressing state, by the first pressing roller, which is positioned upstream in the conveying direction, not pressing the paper bundle, and the second pressing roller, which is positioned upstream in the conveying direction relative to a predetermined position where the stopper is positioned, pressing the paper bundle via the second pressing belt, the paper bundle positioned upstream in the conveying direction relative to a predetermined position where the stopper is positioned can be appropriately rotated about the stopper.

[0015] The paper sheet bundle conveying device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a moving mechanism that moves the stopper, the first pressing portion, and the second pressing portion in the conveying direction while maintaining their relative positions in the conveying direction.

[0016] The paper bundle conveying device according to this structure can move the protrusion portion, the first pressing portion, and the second pressing portion to any position in the conveying direction according to the size of the paper bundle while maintaining their relative positions in the conveying direction.

[0017] In the control method of the paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, The paper bundle conveying device includes: A first conveying portion formed to extend in the conveying direction and conveying a plurality of paper bundles in the conveying direction; A second conveying portion formed to extend in the conveying direction and arranged at an interval in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction with respect to the first conveying portion, and conveying a plurality of the paper bundles in the conveying direction; A protrusion portion arranged between the first conveying portion and the second conveying portion in the width direction, moving a protrusion member up and down to switch between a contact state where the front end of the paper bundle abuts against the protrusion member at a specified position in the conveying direction and a non-contact state where the front end of the paper bundle does not abut against the protrusion member at the specified position; A first pressing portion arranged above the first conveying portion in a state of sandwiching the paper bundle, and pressing the paper bundle toward the first conveying portion through a first rotating member capable of rotating around a first rotation axis along the width direction; A second pressing portion arranged above the second conveying portion in a state of sandwiching the paper bundle, and pressing the paper bundle toward the second conveying portion through a second rotating member capable of rotating around a second rotation axis along the width direction; A pressing switching portion switching between a first pressing state and a second pressing state, the first pressing state being that the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion press the paper bundle in a specified area closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction than the specified position, and the second pressing state being that the first pressing portion does not press the paper bundle in the specified area and the second pressing portion presses the paper bundle in the specified area; A first switching step of controlling the protrusion portion and the pressing switching portion to change the inclination of a specified paper bundle among the plurality of continuously conveyed paper bundles with respect to the width direction, so as to switch from the non-contact state to the contact state and switch the first pressing state to the second pressing state; A second switching step of controlling the protrusion portion and the pressing switching portion to switch from the contact state to the non-contact state and switch from the second pressing state to the first pressing state.

[0018] A control method for a paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the first switching process, by switching the protruding blocking portion from a non-contact state to a contact state and switching the pressing mechanism from a first pressing state to a second pressing state, with the paper bundle in contact with the protruding blocking member, the second pressing portion presses the paper bundle towards the second conveying portion in a specified area. Since the paper bundle in contact with the protruding blocking member is pressed towards the second conveying portion by the second pressing portion, it rotates around the protruding blocking member by means of the conveying force transmitted from the second conveying portion and stably rotates to the desired orientation.

[0019] A control method for a paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the second switching process, by switching the protruding blocking portion from a contact state to a non-contact state and switching the pressing mechanism from a second pressing state to a first pressing state, thereby with the paper bundle in contact with the protruding blocking member, the first pressing portion presses the paper bundle towards the first conveying portion in a specified area, and the second pressing portion presses the paper bundle towards the second conveying portion in a specified area. Therefore, a plurality of paper bundles are respectively given a conveying force in the conveying direction from the first conveying portion and the second conveying portion and are conveyed along the conveying direction.

[0020] In this way, for the control method of the paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, when differentiating a plurality of conveyed paper bundles, it is possible to stably rotate the paper bundles used for differentiation to the desired orientation and appropriately differentiate the paper bundles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a top view of a paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the paper bundle conveying device shown along the A-A section line. Figure 3 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the paper bundle conveying device shown along the B-B section line. Figure 4 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the paper bundle conveying device shown. Figure 5 is Figure 2 a partial enlarged view of the paper bundle conveying device shown, showing the non-contact state and the first pressing state. Figure 6 is Figure 2 a partial enlarged view of the paper bundle conveying device shown, showing the contact state and the second pressing state. Figure 7 is a top view of a paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, showing the non-contact state and the first pressing state. Figure 8 This is a top view of a paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the case of the abutting state and the second pressing state. Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing a control method of a paper bundle conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0022] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the paper bundle conveying device 100 will be described based on an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 This is a top view of a paper bundle conveying device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. Figure 2 This is Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the paper bundle conveying device 100 shown along the A-A section line. Figure 3 This is Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the paper bundle conveying device 100 shown along the B-B section line. Figure 4 This is Figure 1 A perspective view of the paper bundle conveying device 100 shown.

[0023] The paper bundle conveying device 100 of the present embodiment is a device that conveys a plurality of paper bundles B in a state where the plurality of paper bundles B are partially overlapped in the conveying direction TD along the conveying direction TD. The paper bundle conveying device 100 receives a plurality of paper bundles B carried in from a paper bundle loading device 200 disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction TD, and sends them out to a paper bundle gathering device 300 disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction TD.

[0024] Figures 1 to 3 This shows a state where the paper bundles B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, and B7 are conveyed from the paper bundle loading device 200 to the paper bundle conveying device 100 in a partially overlapped state. The paper bundle conveying device 100 has a function of distinguishing a plurality of paper bundles B, and this function is achieved by rotating only the required paper bundles B among the plurality of paper bundles B so as to be inclined with respect to the width direction WD.

[0025] As Figures 1 to 4 shown, the paper bundle conveying device 100 of the present embodiment includes a conveying mechanism 10, a pressing mechanism 20, a moving mechanism 30, a paper bundle supporting portion 40, and a control portion 50.

[0026] The conveying mechanism 10 is a mechanism that conveys a plurality of paper bundles B carried in from the paper bundle loading device 200 to the paper bundle gathering device 300 disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction TD. The conveying mechanism 10 has a first conveying portion 11 and a second conveying portion 12. The first conveying portion 11 and the second conveying portion 12 are each formed to extend along the conveying direction TD and convey a plurality of paper bundles B in a state where the plurality of paper bundles B are partially overlapped in the conveying direction TD. AsFigures 1 to 4 As shown, the second conveying unit 12 is arranged at a distance from the first conveying unit 11 in the width direction WD perpendicular to the conveying direction TD.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first conveyor unit 11 includes a first drive roller 11a that generates a driving force for rotation about a first drive shaft 11a1, a first driven roller 11b, and a first conveyor belt 11c that is wound around the first drive roller 11a and the first driven roller 11b. The first drive roller 11a generates the driving force using power transmitted from a drive motor (not shown) controlled by the control unit 50.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the second conveyor unit 12 includes a second drive roller 12a that generates a driving force for rotation about a second drive shaft 12a1, a second driven roller 12b, and a second conveyor belt 12c that is wound around the second drive roller 12a and the second driven roller 12b. The second drive roller 12a generates the driving force using power transmitted from a drive motor (not shown) controlled by the control unit 50.

[0029] The pressing mechanism 20 presses the plurality of paper bundles B conveyed by the conveying mechanism 10 in the conveying direction TD from above the paper bundle B toward the conveying mechanism 10 . The pressing mechanism 20 includes a first pressing portion 21 , a second pressing portion 22 , a stopper 23 , and a pressing switching portion 24 .

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the first pressing section 21 includes a downstream pressing roller (first pressing roller) 21a, an upstream pressing roller (first pressing roller) 21b, and a first pressing belt 21c. The first pressing belt (first rotating member) 21c is wound around the downstream pressing roller 21a and the upstream pressing roller 21b. The first pressing section 21 is positioned above the first conveyor section 11 in the height direction HD, sandwiching a plurality of paper bundles B. The first pressing belt 21c, which is rotatable about a first rotating axis 21a1 extending along the width direction WD, presses the paper bundles B toward the first conveyor belt 11c of the first conveyor section 11.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, the second pressing section 22 includes a downstream pressing roller (second pressing roller) 22a, an upstream pressing roller (second pressing roller) 22b, and a second pressing belt 22c. The second pressing belt (second rotating member) 22c is wound around the downstream pressing roller 22a and the upstream pressing roller 22b. The second pressing section 22 is positioned above the second conveyor section 12 in the height direction HD, sandwiching a plurality of paper bundles B. The second pressing belt 22c, which is rotatable about a second rotating axis 22a1 in the width direction WD, presses the paper bundles B toward the second conveyor belt 12c of the second conveyor section 12.

[0032] Here, with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the protruding portion 23 and the pressing switching portion 24 provided in the pressing mechanism 20 will be described. Figure 5 is Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of the paper bundle conveying device 100 shown in FIG., showing a non-contact state and a first pressing state. Figure 6 is Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of the paper bundle conveying device 100 shown in FIG., showing a contact state and a second pressing state. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The axis X shown in FIG. extends along the conveying direction TD.

[0033] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the protruding portion 23 is a mechanism that moves the protruding member 23a up and down, and switches between a contact state where the front end of the paper bundle B at a specified position in the conveying direction TD abuts against the protruding member 23a ( Figure 6 ) and a non-contact state where the front end of the paper bundle B at the specified position does not abut against the protruding member 23a ( Figure 5 ). As Figure 1 shown, the protruding portion 23 is disposed between the first conveying portion 11 and the second conveying portion 12 in the width direction WD.

[0034] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the protruding portion 23 has a protruding member 23a formed in a shaft shape so as to extend along the height direction HD, and a drive mechanism 23b that moves the protruding member 23a up and down in the height direction HD. The drive mechanism 23b is fixed to the moving mechanism 30 so that its position in the height direction HD with respect to the first conveying portion 11 is fixed.

[0035] Figure 5 In the non-contact state shown in FIG., the drive mechanism 23b moves the protruding member 23a so that the position of the lower end of the protruding member 23a does not contact the paper bundle B. Figure 6 In the contact state shown in FIG., the drive mechanism 23b moves the protruding member 23a so that the position of the lower end of the protruding member 23a contacts the paper bundle B.

[0036] The pressing switching portion 24 is a mechanism that swings the upstream pressing roller 21b around the first rotation axis 21a1 in such a way as to switch between the first pressing state shown in Figure 5 and the second pressing state shown in Figure 6 . The pressing switching portion 24 is fixed to the moving mechanism 30. As Figure 5As shown, the first pressing state is a state in which the first pressing portion 21 and the second pressing portion 22 press the paper bundle B in a specified area Ap on the upstream side of the specified position Xp in the conveying direction TD where the protruding stopper member 23a is arranged, closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction TD. As Figure 6 As shown, the second pressing state is a state in which the first pressing portion 21 does not press in the specified area Ap and the second pressing portion 22 presses the paper bundle B in the specified area Ap.

[0037] The specified area Ap is an area from the predetermined position Xp at the upstream end of the protruding stopper member 23a in the conveying direction TD to the position X1 at the upstream end of the area in the conveying direction TD where the first pressing member 21 and the second pressing member 22 press the paper bundle B.

[0038] The pressing switching portion 24 switches the first pressing state shown by swinging the upstream pressing roller 21b only by an angle θ around the first rotation axis 21a1, thereby Figure 5 switching the first pressing state shown to Figure 6 the second pressing state shown. As Figure 5 As shown, in the first pressing state, the pressing switching portion 24 makes both the downstream pressing roller 21a and the upstream pressing roller 21b press the paper bundle B through the first pressing belt 21c.

[0039] As Figure 6 shown, in the second pressing state, the pressing switching portion 24 becomes a state in which only the downstream pressing roller 21a arranged on the downstream side in the conveying direction TD presses the paper bundle B through the first pressing belt 21c. In the second pressing state, the pressing switching portion 24 becomes a state in which the upstream pressing roller 21b arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction TD does not press the paper bundle B, and the upstream pressing roller 22b presses the paper bundle B on the upstream side in the conveying direction TD closer to the specified position Xp where the protruding stopper member 23a is arranged through the second pressing transmission belt 22c.

[0040] The operation of the pressing switching portion 24 for switching the first pressing state to the second pressing state is executed synchronously with the operation of the protruding stopper portion 23 for switching from the non-contact state to the contact state by the control portion 50. In addition, the power source for the operation of the pressing switching portion 24 for switching the first pressing state to the second pressing state and the power source for the operation of the protruding stopper portion 23 for switching from the non-contact state to the contact state can be the same (for example, a single electric motor).

[0041] Here, with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the conveying state of the paper bundle B will be described. Figure 7 is a top view of the paper bundle conveying device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, showing a non-contact state and a first pressing state. Figure 8This is a plan view of the paper-sheet bundle conveying device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, showing the contact state and the second pressing state. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The pressing mechanism 20 is omitted in the figure, and the area where the first pressing portion 21 presses the paper bundle B is referred to as a first pressing area P1 , and the area where the second pressing portion 22 presses the paper bundle B is referred to as a second pressing area P2 .

[0042] like Figure 7 As shown, in the first pressing state, the first pressing portion 21 presses the paper bundle B in a predetermined area Ap on the upstream side of the conveying direction TD relative to the predetermined position Xp, and the second pressing portion 22 presses the paper bundle B in a predetermined area Ap on the upstream side of the conveying direction TD relative to the predetermined position Xp. Figure 7 In the embodiment, since the stopper 23 is in the non-contact state, the paper bundle B located upstream of the stopper 23 in the transport direction TD passes through the stopper 23 without contacting the stopper member 23 a.

[0043] like Figure 8 As shown, in the second pressing state, the first pressing portion 21 does not press the paper bundle B in a predetermined area Ap on the upstream side of the conveying direction TD closer to the predetermined position Xp, and the second pressing portion 22 presses the paper bundle B in a predetermined area Ap on the upstream side of the conveying direction TD closer to the predetermined position Xp. Figure 8 In the process, since the protrusion 23 is in abutment state, the paper bundle B located on the upstream side of the conveying direction TD closer to the protrusion 23 abuts against the protrusion component 23a, and the conveying force along the conveying direction TD is applied by the second pressing portion 22, rotating around the protrusion 23.

[0044] The moving mechanism 30 is a mechanism that moves the pressing mechanism 20 to any position in the conveying direction TD. After being moved to any position in the conveying direction TD, the moving mechanism 30 can fix the position of the pressing mechanism 20 in the conveying direction TD. In the pressing mechanism 20, the relative positions of the protruding portion 23 and the first and second pressing portions 21, 22 in the conveying direction TD are fixed. Therefore, the moving mechanism 30 can move in the conveying direction TD while maintaining the relative positions of the protruding portion 23, the first and second pressing portions 21, 22 in the conveying direction TD.

[0045] The paper bundle support portion 40 is a member configured to have a support surface that coincides with the upper surfaces of the first conveying portion 11 and the second conveying portion 12 in the height direction HD. Figure 1As shown, the paper bundle support portion 40 is disposed in the region between the first conveying portion 11 and the second conveying portion 12 in the width direction WD, the region on the side of the first conveying portion 11, and the region on the side of the second conveying portion 12. The paper bundle support portion 40 forms a conveying surface for conveying a plurality of paper bundles B together with the first conveying portion 11 and the second conveying portion 12.

[0046] The control portion 50 is a device that controls each part of the paper bundle conveying device 100. The control portion 50 controls the abutting portion 23 and the pressing switching portion 24 so that the inclination of a specified paper bundle B among a plurality of continuously conveyed paper bundles B with respect to the width direction WD is changed, so that the abutting portion 23 is switched from a non-abutting state to an abutting state and the pressing mechanism 20 is switched from a first pressing state to a second pressing state.

[0047] Here, with reference to Figure 9 a control method executed by the control portion 50 of the paper bundle conveying device 100 will be described. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a control method of the paper bundle conveying device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 The processing of each step shown is executed by a control program stored in a storage portion (not shown) by the control portion 50.

[0048] In step S101, the control portion 50 starts the operation of the conveying mechanism 10 to convey a plurality of paper bundles B in the conveying direction TD. The first conveying portion 11 and the second conveying portion 12 of the conveying mechanism 10 receive a plurality of paper bundles B fed from the paper bundle loading device 200 and start the operation of conveying them to the paper bundle gathering device 300 disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction TD.

[0049] In step S102, the control portion 50 determines whether the discrimination timing has been reached. If it is determined that the discrimination timing has been reached, the process proceeds to step S103. If it is determined that the discrimination timing has not been reached, the determination in step S102 is repeated. The control portion 50 determines that the discrimination timing has been reached when a predetermined number of paper bundles B have passed through a specified position Xp, and the process proceeds to step S103.

[0050] In step S103, the control portion 50 controls the pressing mechanism 20 to switch from the first pressing state to the second pressing state. For example, the control portion 50 controls the pressing switching portion 24 to switch from the first pressing state to the second pressing state according to Figure 7 the fact that three paper bundles B1, B2, and B3 shown have passed through the specified position Xp. The pressing switching portion 24 switches the first pressing state shown to Figure 5 the second pressing state shown by swinging the upstream pressing roller 21b around the first rotation axis 21a1 by only an angle θ. Figure 6 the second pressing state shown.

[0051] In step S104, the control unit 50 controls the abutting portion 23 to switch from a non-abutting state to an abutting state. The control unit 50, for example, controls the abutting portion 23 to switch from the non-abutting state to the abutting state according to Figure 7 the three paper bundles B1, B2, and B3 shown in

[0052] having passed a specified position Xp. In step S105, after switching from the first pressing state to the second pressing state and from the non-abutting state to the abutting state, the control unit 50 determines whether the condition for switching from the abutting state to the non-abutting state is satisfied. If the determination is yes, the process proceeds to step S106. If the determination is no, the process of step S105 is repeated. Here, the switching condition is set according to the angle at which the paper bundle B whose front end abuts against the abutting member 23a is inclined with respect to the width direction WD.

[0053] The switching condition is, for example, whether the moving amount by which the first conveyor belt 11c of the first conveying unit 11 and the second conveyor belt 12c of the second conveying unit 12 have moved in the conveying direction TD has reached a specified amount. In addition, the switching condition is whether the paper bundle B (paper bundle B4 in Figure 8 ), whose front end abuts against the abutting member 23a, and the subsequent paper bundle B (paper bundle B5 in Figure 8 ) have reached a specified position closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction TD than the abutting member 23a. In addition, the switching condition may be other conditions different from the above as long as it can make the paper bundle B whose front end abuts against the abutting member 23a inclined by a specified angle with respect to the width direction WD.

[0054] In step S106, the control unit 50 controls the abutting portion 23 to switch from the abutting state to the non-abutting state. The control unit 50, for example, controls the abutting portion 23 to switch from the abutting state to the non-abutting state according to Figure 8 the rotation of the paper bundle B4 shown in

[0055] about the abutting member 23a. In step S107, the control unit 50 controls the pressing mechanism 20 to switch from the second pressing state to the first pressing state. The control unit 50, for example, controls the pressing mechanism 20 to switch from the second pressing state to the first pressing state according to Figure 8 the rotation of the paper bundle B4 shown in

[0056] about the abutting member 23a. In step S108, the control unit 50 determines whether to end the conveying operation of the plurality of paper bundles B. If the determination is yes, the process proceeds to step S109. If the determination is no, the processes after step S102 are repeated.

[0057] In step S109 , the control unit 50 stops the operation of the transport mechanism 10 to transport the plurality of paper-sheet bundles B in the transport direction TD, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0058] The operations and effects of the paper-sheet bundle conveying device 100 according to the present embodiment described above will be described.

[0059] According to the paper bundle conveying device 100 of this embodiment, by placing the stopper 23 in the non-contact state and the pressure switching unit 24 in the first pressing state, when the paper bundle B is not contacting the stopper 23a, the first pressing unit 21 presses the paper bundle B toward the first conveying unit 11 in the predetermined area Ap, and the second pressing unit 22 presses the paper bundle B toward the second conveying unit 12 in the predetermined area Ap. Consequently, each of the plurality of paper bundles B is imparted with a conveying force in the conveying direction TD by the first conveying unit 11 and the second conveying unit 12, and is thereby conveyed in the conveying direction TD.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the paper bundle conveying device 100 of this embodiment, by switching the stopper 23 from the non-contact state to the contact state and switching the pressing mechanism 20 from the first pressing state to the second pressing state, the second pressing portion 22 presses the paper bundle B toward the second conveying section 12 in a predetermined area Ap while the paper bundle B is in contact with the contact member 23 a. Since the paper bundle B abutting the stopper 23 a is pressed toward the second conveying section 12 by the second pressing portion 22, the paper bundle B rotates about the stopper 23 a by the conveying force transmitted from the second conveying section 12, stably rotating in a desired direction.

[0061] As described above, according to the paper bundle conveying device 100 of this embodiment, when sorting a plurality of paper bundles B conveyed in a partially overlapping state, the paper bundles B used for sorting can be stably rotated, thereby appropriately sorting the paper bundles B in a desired direction.

[0062] According to the paper bundle conveying device 100 of this embodiment, the conveying force of the first conveying unit 11 is transmitted to the first pressing belt 21c via the paper bundle B pressed by the downstream pressing roller 21a arranged on the downstream side of the conveying direction TD. The first pressing belt 21c, which rotates due to the conveying force of the first conveying unit 11, can apply the conveying force to the paper bundle B pressed by the upstream pressing roller 21b arranged on the upstream side of the conveying direction TD.

[0063] Similarly, in the paper bundle conveying device 100 according to the present embodiment, the conveying force of the second conveying unit 12 is transmitted to the second pressing belt 22c through the paper bundle B pressed by the downstream pressing roller 22a disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction TD. The second pressing belt 22c rotated by the conveying force of the second conveying unit 12 can impart a conveying force to the paper bundle B pressed by the upstream pressing roller 22b disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction TD.

[0064] In the paper bundle conveying device 100 according to the present embodiment, in the first pressing state, by being in a state where both the downstream pressing roller 21a and the upstream pressing roller 21b press the paper bundle B via the first pressing belt 21c, a conveying force can be imparted to a plurality of paper bundles B from the first conveying unit 11 in the entire area between the downstream pressing roller 21a and the upstream pressing roller 21b in the conveying direction TD. Further, in the second pressing state, by being in a state where only the downstream pressing roller 21a disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction TD presses the paper bundle B via the first pressing belt 21c, it is possible to make the paper bundle B closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction TD than the specified position where the protruding stopper member 23a is disposed rotate appropriately around the protruding stopper member 23a.

[0065] The paper bundle conveying device 100 according to the present embodiment can move the protruding stopper portion 23, the first pressing portion 21, and the second pressing portion 22 to any position in the conveying direction TD while maintaining their relative positions in the conveying direction TD according to the size of the paper bundle B or the like.

[0066] In the paper bundle conveying device 100 according to the present embodiment, the driving force of the first driving roller 11a drives the first conveyor belt 11c to rotate, thereby a conveying force can be imparted to the paper bundle B, and the driving force of the second driving roller 12a drives the second conveyor belt 12c to rotate, thereby a conveying force can be imparted to the paper bundle B. Description of Reference Numerals

[0067] 10: Conveying mechanism, 11: First conveying section, 11a: First driving roller, 11a1: First driving shaft, 11b: First driven roller, 11c: First conveyor belt, 12: Second conveying section, 12a: Second driving roller, 12a1: Second driving shaft, 12b: Second driven roller, 12c: Second conveyor belt, 20: Pressing mechanism, 21: First pressing section, 21a: Downstream pressing roller (first pressing roller), 21a1: First rotating shaft, 21b: Upstream pressing roller (first pressing roller), 21c: First pressing belt, 22: Second pressing section, 22a: Downstream pressing roller (second pressing roller), 22a1: Second rotating shaft, 22b: Upstream pressing roller (second pressing roller), 22c: Second pressing belt, 23: Stop portion, 23a: Stop component, 23b: Driving mechanism, 24: Pressing switching portion, 30: Moving mechanism, 40: Paper bundle supporting portion, 50: Control portion, 100: Paper bundle conveying device, 200: Paper bundle loading device, 300: Paper bundle gathering device, Ap: Specified area, B, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7: Paper bundle, HD: Height direction, P1: First pressing area, P2: Second pressing area, TD: Conveying direction, WD: Width direction, X: Axis, Xp: Specified position, θ: Angle.

Claims

1. A paper bundle conveying device, characterized in that, Comprising: A first conveying unit formed to extend along a conveying direction and configured to convey a plurality of paper bundles along the conveying direction; A second conveying unit disposed at an interval from the first conveying unit in a width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, formed to extend along the conveying direction and configured to convey a plurality of the paper bundles along the conveying direction; A protruding blocking part disposed between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit in the width direction, configured to move a protruding blocking member up and down so as to switch between a contact state in which the front end of the paper bundle abuts against the protruding blocking member at a specified position in the conveying direction and a non-contact state in which the front end of the paper bundle does not abut against the protruding blocking member at the specified position; A first pressing part disposed above the first conveying unit in a state of sandwiching the paper bundle, and configured to press the paper bundle toward the first conveying unit by a first rotating member capable of rotating about a first rotation axis along the width direction; A second pressing part disposed above the second conveying unit in a state of sandwiching the paper bundle, and configured to press the paper bundle toward the second conveying unit by a second rotating member capable of rotating about a second rotation axis along the width direction; A pressing switching part configured to switch between a first pressing state and a second pressing state, the first pressing state being a state in which the first pressing part and the second pressing part press the paper bundle in a specified area closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction than the specified position, and the second pressing state being a state in which the first pressing part does not press the paper bundle in the specified area and the second pressing part presses the paper bundle in the specified area; A control part configured to control the protruding blocking part and the pressing switching part so as to change the inclination of a specified one of the plurality of continuously conveyed paper bundles with respect to the width direction, so as to switch from the non-contact state to the contact state and to switch the first pressing state to the second pressing state.

2. The paper bundle conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The first pressing part includes a pair of first pressing rollers and a first pressing belt wound around the pair of first pressing rollers; The second pressing part includes a pair of second pressing rollers and a second pressing belt wound around the pair of second pressing rollers.

3. The paper bundle conveying device according to claim 2, wherein: In the first pressing state, the pressing switching part is in a state in which both of the pair of first pressing rollers press the paper bundle via the first pressing belt; in the second pressing state, the pressing switching part is in a state in which the first pressing roller disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction does not press the paper bundle, and the second pressing roller presses the paper bundle closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction than the specified position where the protruding blocking member is disposed via the second pressing belt.

4. The paper bundle conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The paper bundle conveying device is provided with a moving mechanism that moves in the conveying direction while maintaining the relative positions of the abutting portion, the first pressing portion, and the second pressing portion in the conveying direction.

5. A control method for a paper bundle conveying device, characterized in that: The paper bundle conveying device includes: A first conveying portion formed to extend in the conveying direction and conveys a plurality of paper bundles in the conveying direction; A second conveying portion disposed at an interval from the first conveying portion in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, formed to extend in the conveying direction, and conveys a plurality of the paper bundles in the conveying direction; An abutting portion disposed between the first conveying portion and the second conveying portion in the width direction, and moves an abutting member up and down to switch between a state where the front end of the paper bundle abuts against the abutting member at a specified position in the conveying direction and a non-abutting state where the front end of the paper bundle does not abut against the abutting member at the specified position; A first pressing portion disposed above the first conveying portion in a state of sandwiching the paper bundle, and presses the paper bundle toward the first conveying portion through a first rotating member capable of rotating about a first rotation axis along the width direction; A second pressing portion disposed above the second conveying portion in a state of sandwiching the paper bundle, and presses the paper bundle toward the second conveying portion through a second rotating member capable of rotating about a second rotation axis along the width direction; And A pressing switching portion that switches between a first pressing state and a second pressing state. The first pressing state is that the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion press the paper bundle in a specified area closer to the upstream side in the conveying direction than the specified position, and the second pressing state is that the first pressing portion does not press the paper bundle in the specified area while the second pressing portion presses the paper bundle in the specified area; The control method for the paper bundle conveying device includes: A first switching step of controlling the abutting portion and the pressing switching portion so as to change the inclination of a specified paper bundle among the continuously conveyed plurality of paper bundles with respect to the width direction, so as to switch from the non-abutting state to the abutting state and switch the first pressing state to the second pressing state; And A second switching step of controlling the abutting portion and the pressing switching portion so as to switch from the abutting state to the non-abutting state and switch from the second pressing state to the first pressing state.

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