Card processing apparatus

Abstract

A card processing apparatus (1) includes multiple dispensers (4, 5, 6, 7) corresponding to multiple cartridges in which cards are stored, and a conveyor (3) that conveys a card dispensed from each of the dispensers to a card reading / writing device (16). The dispensers are disposed in rows across the conveyor with card ejection ports (18) of the dispensers facing the conveyor. The card processing apparatus selects one dispenser from among the multiple dispensers and dispenses a card to the conveyor. The conveyor conveys the dispensed card to the card reading / writing device and ejects the card from an ejection port. The card processing apparatus is capable of storing multiple types of cards and selectively discharge a card of a desired type from among the multiple types of cards.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a card processing apparatus that takes out a card stored in a card cassette and sends out the card.2. Description of Related Art

[0002] A known card processing apparatus is mounted with a card cassette unit, which stores multiple cards in a stacked manner, and is configured to send out the cards stored in the card cassette unit one by one. For example, as such a card processing apparatus, the card dispensing apparatus described in JP2023-103635A is known.

[0003] In this card dispensing apparatus, two card cassette units are mounted in a conveyance direction of the cards. The card cassette units are attachable to and detachable from the card dispensing apparatus. When all the cards in the card cassette unit installed downstream in the conveyance direction are ejected, the cards are ejected from the card cassette unit installed upstream. By using two card cassette units, more cards can be stored and the number of times cards are replenished in the card cassette units can be reduced.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The card processing apparatus in the related art uses two card cassette units to increase the number of cards stored, and is capable of ejecting the cards from the card cassette unit on the rear side after all the cards are ejected from the card cassette unit on the front side. However, the card processing apparatus in the related art can be equipped with a plurality of card cassette units, but cannot selectively eject a card of a desired type from multiple types of cards.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a card processing apparatus capable of selectively ejecting a card of a desired type from multiple types of cards.

[0006] A card processing apparatus of the invention is a card processing apparatus including a dispenser that dispenses, from a cartridge in which cards are stacked and stored, a card located at a lowermost position among the cards in a one-by-one manner, and a conveyor that conveys the card dispensed from the dispenser. The conveyor includes a conveyance table on which the card dispensed from the dispenser is placed, and a pushing member that pushes and moves the card placed on the conveyance table. The card processing apparatus further includes a side guide disposed in a middle of a conveyance path of the card from the cartridge to the conveyance table along the conveyance table and configured to be projected and sunk with respect to a conveyance surface of the conveyance path of the card. The side guide guides the card conveyed on the conveyance table so as not to come off the conveyance table when projected with respect to the conveyance surface and allows the card dispensed from the dispenser to the conveyance table to pass when sunk with respect to the conveyance surface.

[0007] According to the invention, a card processing apparatus capable of selectively ejecting a card of a desired type from multiple types of cards can be provided. The card processing apparatus of the invention includes multiple dispensers each of which is equipped with a cartridge storing the cards, and is capable of causing the dispenser in which a card of a desired type is stored among the multiple dispensers to eject the card.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card processing apparatus; FIG. 2 is a top view of the card processing apparatus without a cartridge installed; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a conveyor conveying cards of the card processing apparatus; FIG. 4 is a first diagram for explaining a card dispensing port of a card dispenser; FIG. 5 is a second diagram for explaining the card dispensing port of the card dispenser; FIG. 6 is a first diagram for explaining a coupling mechanism of the card dispenser; FIG. 7 is a second diagram for explaining the coupling mechanism of the card dispenser; FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a first example of a retreat mechanism of the conveyor; and FIG. 9 is, which consists of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, a diagram for explaining a second example of the retreat mechanism of the conveyor, where FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining a state before transition, and FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a state after the transition. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS 1 to 9. Each drawing is merely schematic to the extent that the invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In each drawing, the common or similar components are denoted by the same reference signs, and the duplicated descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card processing apparatus. A card processing apparatus 1 includes a conveyor 3 that conveys cards. A card reading / writing device 16 including a reader / writer unit 17 that performs reading and writing of cards is connected to the conveyor 3. A first dispenser 4, a second dispenser 5, a third dispenser 6, and a fourth dispenser 7 each of which dispenses a card to the conveyor 3 are connected to the conveyor 3. The first dispenser 4 and the second dispenser 5 are disposed at positions opposite to each other across the conveyor 3. The third dispenser 6 and the fourth dispenser 7 are disposed at positions opposite to each other across the conveyor 3. The first dispenser 4 and the third dispenser 6 are disposed along a card conveyance direction of the conveyor 3. The second dispenser 5 and the fourth dispenser 7 are disposed along the card conveyance direction of the conveyor 3.

[0011] A base 2 is provided with holes, grooves and connectors at predetermined positions, and is capable of fixing the conveyor 3, the first dispenser 4, the second dispenser 5, the third dispenser 6, the fourth dispenser 7, and the card reading / writing device 16 at the predetermined positions by using fixing means such as screws. Each of the devices above is attachable to and detachable from the base 2.

[0012] The card reading / writing device 16 receives a card from the conveyor 3, and reads information from the card or writes information on the card with the reader / writer unit 17. An ejection port 18 is an opening from which a card is ejected from the card reading / writing device 16. The conveyor 3 can be connected with functional units such as the card reading / writing device 16, but when not connected with the functional units, functions as a simple card delivery device. Examples of the functional units include a printer, a code reader that reads a bar code or a two-dimensional code, in addition to the card reading / writing device 16, and the functional units can be replaced as needed.

[0013] The conveyor 3 includes a conveyance table 12 on which a card is placed, a pushing member 14 that moves along a surface of the conveyance table 12, a belt 15 attached with the pushing member 14, and a through hole 13 having an elongated hole shape disposed along the card conveyance direction of the conveyance table 12. The belt 15 is disposed on a back side of the conveyance table 12 and the pushing member 14 connected to the belt 15 is disposed on a front side of the conveyance table 12. A part of the pushing member 14 passes through the through hole 13 and is coupled to the belt 15. The belt 15 is driven by a motor (not illustrated) to rotate forward and backward, and the pushing member 14 connected to the belt 15 is reciprocated along a longitudinal direction of the conveyance table 12 by driving the belt 15. A card is pushed by the pushing member 14 to slide on the conveyance table 12 in a direction toward the card reading / writing device 16.

[0014] For example, the card processing apparatus 1 moves the pushing member 14 to a waiting position away from the card reading / writing device 16, and then dispenses a card from the first dispenser 4 onto the conveyance table 12. The card processing apparatus 1 pushes the card on the conveyance table 12 to convey the card to the card reading / writing device 16 by moving the pushing member 14 in a direction approaching the card reading / writing device 16 from a direction away from the card reading / writing device 16. The card slides on the conveyance table 12.

[0015] A first cartridge 8 stacks and stores multiple cards and is attached to the first dispenser 4. The first dispenser 4 dispenses a card at the lowermost position of the first cartridge 8 in a one-by-one manner onto the conveyance table 12 of the conveyor 3. A second cartridge 9 stacks and stores multiple cards and is installed to the second dispenser 5. The second dispenser 5 dispenses a card at the lowermost position of the second cartridge 9 in a one-by-one manner onto the conveyance table 12 of the conveyor 3. A third cartridge 10 stacks and stores multiple cards and is installed to the third dispenser 6. The third dispenser 6 dispenses a card at the lowermost position of the third cartridge 10 in a one-by-one manner onto the conveyance table 12 of the conveyor 3. A fourth cartridge 11 stacks and stores multiple cards and is installed to the fourth dispenser 7. The fourth dispenser 7 dispenses a card at the lowermost position of the fourth cartridge 11 in a one-by-one manner onto the conveyance table 12 of the conveyor 3. The cartridges 8 to 11 are attachable to and detachable from the dispensers 4 to 7, respectively.

[0016] Next, a configuration of the card processing apparatus 1 as viewed from above will be described. FIG. 2 is a top view of the card processing apparatus with no cartridge attached.

[0017] The conveyor 3, the first dispenser 4, the second dispenser 5, the third dispenser 6, the fourth dispenser 7, and the card reading / writing device 16 are detachably fixed to the base 2.

[0018] Since the conveyor 3 and the card reading / writing device 16 are fixed to the base 2, a card 20 can be suitably transferred from the conveyor 3 to the card reading / writing device 16. Since the conveyor 3, the first dispenser 4, the second dispenser 5, the third dispenser 6, and the fourth dispenser 7 are fixed to the base 2, these devices are respectively fixed to positions suitable for transferring the card 20.

[0019] The card conveyance paths of the conveyor 3 and the card reading / writing device 16 are connected to each other via a transferring section 19. The transferring section 19 is disposed at an end portion of the conveyor 3 in the conveyance direction of the card 20. The transferring section 19 receives the card 20 that has moved on the conveyance table 12 by being pushed by the pushing member 14, and guides the card 20 to the card reading / writing device 16 of the next process. The transferring section 19 includes an ejecting portion formed into a shape corresponding to a receiving portion of the next process by widening the frontage of the card conveyance path so as to reliably take in the card 20 and reliably transfer the card 20 to the next process. In order to accurately transfer the card 20, the ejecting portion needs to correspond to the receiving portion of the next process in terms of card ejection direction and position, and the like.

[0020] In order to convey the transferred card 20, the card reading / writing device 16 includes a roller pair of a first drive roller 21 and a first pinch roller 22, which pinches and conveys the card 20, is disposed at both end portions in a width direction of the conveyance path. The card reading / writing device 16 further includes, at both end portions in the width direction of the conveyance path on a downstream side in the card conveyance direction, a roller pair including a second pinch roller 23 and a second drive roller (not illustrated) and a roller pair of an ejection drive roller 24 and an ejection pinch roller 25 to pinch and convey the card 20. In the conveyance path, the card 20 is pinched and conveyed by these roller pairs and ejected from the ejection port 18.

[0021] In the card reading / writing device 16, the reader / writer unit 17, which executes reading of information from the card 20 and writing of information to the card 20, is disposed in the middle of the conveyance path. The reader / writer unit 17 may be of either a contact type or contactless type, but is preferably a contactless-type device that can reduce damage to the card 20 due to friction or the like.

[0022] In the card processing apparatus 1, the first dispenser 4 and the second dispenser 5 are disposed opposite to each other and the third dispenser 6 and the fourth dispenser 7 are disposed opposite to each other across the conveyance table 12 of the conveyor 3 and fixed to the base 2. Each of the dispensers 4, 5, 6, and 7 stacks and stores cards at the positions of cards 20 indicated by dashed lines. The cards 20 are stacked and stored on support tables 36. The dispensers 4, 5, 6, and 7 dispenses the cards 20 at the lowermost positions in a one-by-one manner. Since a conveyance error occurs when the cards 20 are dispensed from the dispensers 4, 5, 6, and 7 at the same time, control is performed such that only one card 20 is dispensed from any of the dispensers 4, 5, 6, or 7.

[0023] A card 37 indicated by a dash-dotted line illustrates a state of being dispensed from the third dispenser 6 or the fourth dispenser 7 to the conveyance table 12. The pushing member 14 moves to a retreat position located in a position far from the transferring section 19 in the card conveyance direction than the card 37 dispensed from the third dispenser 6 or the fourth dispenser 7 onto the conveyance table 12. The pushing member 14 is retreated to the retreat position while the card 37 is dispensed from the third dispenser 6 or the fourth dispenser 7 to the conveyance table 12. The pushing member 14 is fixed to the belt 15 and thus moves with the driving of the belt 15. After the card 37 is dispensed to the conveyance table 12, the pushing member 14 moves in a direction toward the transferring section 19 from the retreat position and transfers the card 37 to the next process via the transferring section 19. The conveyance table 12 includes the through hole 13 disposed along the belt 15.

[0024] Next, the first dispenser 4 will be described. The second dispenser 5, the third dispenser 6, and the fourth dispenser 7 will be described below, but parts of the same configuration as the first dispenser 4 will be omitted.

[0025] The support table 36 abuts with the back surface of the card 20 stored at the lowermost position in the first cartridge 8 (see FIG. 1) to support the card 20.

[0026] A dispensing roller 29 has a drive region in which a distance from a rotation center to a circumferential surface is long and a non-drive region in which a distance from the rotation center to a circumferential surface is short. The card 20 supported by the support table 36 can come into contact with the drive region of the dispensing roller 29 and is not in contact with the non-drive region. The rotation shaft of the dispensing roller 29 is connected to a dispensing roller shaft 35 via a clutch 34. Transmission of a driving force from the dispensing roller shaft 35 to the dispensing roller 29 is switched between on and off by the clutch 34. The clutch 34 is connected to an arm 33 which is connected to a drive shaft of a solenoid 32. The arm 33 operates in response to the operation of the solenoid 32, whereby the transmission of the driving force is switched between on and off by the clutch 34.

[0027] A feed roller 30 is a roller that moves the card 20 dispensed by the dispensing roller 29 in a direction toward the conveyance table 12. An ejection roller 31 is disposed near the ejection port for the card 20 of the first dispenser 4, and ejects the card 20 from the first dispenser 4.

[0028] A card position sensor 26 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a card, and detects the card 20 conveyed on the conveyance table 12. The card position sensor 26 is attached to a leading end portion of a fixing member 38. In the first dispenser 4, the fixing member 38 is disposed so as to protrude in an ejection direction of the card 20 further than the ejection roller 31 in a top view, and the card position sensor 26 is fixed to the fixing member.

[0029] A side guide 28 is disposed along edges of the conveyance table 12 along the conveyance direction of the card 20. The side guide 28 guides the card 20 sliding on the conveyance table 12 so as not to move to the outside from the conveyance table 12. The side guide 28 forms a part of the conveyance path of the card 20 without moving even when abutting with a side surface of the card 20 sliding on the conveyance table 12.

[0030] The side guide 28 can move to a guiding position at which the side guide 28 forms a part of the conveyance path of the card 20, and to a dispensing position at which the side guide 28 is pushed down by the card 20 dispensed from the first dispenser 4. The side guide 28 can move when the card 20 moves in a direction from the first dispenser 4 to the conveyance table 12, and cannot move in the opposite direction, that is, when the card 20 moves in a direction from the conveyance table 12 to the first dispenser 4. For example, when the side guide 28 is inclined so as to gradually increase in height in a direction from the first dispenser 4 to the conveyance table 12, the side guide 28 can be pushed down when the inclined portion of the side guide 28 is pushed along with the movement of the card 20. On the opposite side, by forming a wall perpendicular to a surface of the conveyance table 12, the side guide 28 can be prevented from moving downward even when abutting with the card 20. That is, the card 20 can move in a dispensing direction, but movement in the opposite direction is prevented. When moving on the conveyance table 12, the card 20 is guided by the side guide 28 so as not to move to the outside of the conveyance table 12.

[0031] The side guide 28 is biased from a side of a dispensing position to a side of a guiding position by a biasing means such as a spring (not illustrated). The side guide 28 is kept in a state of projecting in a thickness direction of the card 20 from the surface of the conveyance table 12 except while the card 20 is being dispensed from the first dispenser 4. The side guide 28 abuts with the card 20 dispensed from the first dispenser 4, is pushed downward against the biasing force by the card 20, and is returned to the guiding position by the biasing means after the card 20 is transferred to the conveyance table 12. It can also be said that while the card 20 is being dispensed, a force in the thickness direction of the card 20 is applied to the card 20 by the side guide 28. Therefore, while the card 20 is dispensed, a leading end thereof is not in contact with the conveyance table 12. The card 20 is dispensed from the first dispenser 4 without caught at the through hole 13. In addition, when the card 20 is dispensed from the second dispenser 5, the side guide 28 of the first dispenser 4 is located at the guiding position.

[0032] An upper guide 27 is disposed above the conveyance table 12 along an edge of the conveyance table 12 along the conveyance direction of the card 20, and guides both end portions in the width direction of the card 20 being conveyed. The upper guide 27 covers end portions in the width direction of the conveyance table 12 in a top view. The conveyance table 12, the side guide 28, and the upper guide 27 form the conveyance path of the card 20 and guide the card 20, which is slid on the conveyance table 12 by the pushing member 14, to the transferring section 19. The upper guide 27 is disposed at a position not overlapping with the movement path of the pushing member 14 in a top view. Accordingly, the pushing member 14 is prevented from abutting with the upper guide 27 when moving.

[0033] The upper guide 27 moves to a first position except while the card 20 is being dispensed from the first dispenser 4, and moves to a second position while the card 20 is being dispensed from the first dispenser 4. The first position is closer to the conveyance table 12 than the second position. The upper guide 27 moves to the second position so that the card 20 does not abut with the upper guide 27 while the card 20 is being dispensed from the first dispenser 4, otherwise the upper guide 27 is in the first position so that the card 20 does not deviate from the conveyance path. The upper guide 27 is swingably attached to a frame of the first dispenser 4. An example in which the upper guide 27 moves in a direction approaching or separating from the conveyance table 12 with a support shaft as a turning center has been described, but the upper guide 27 can also be fixed at a position so as not to move. The upper guide 27 may be attachable and detachable. For example, when attached, the upper guide 27 guides the card 20 being conveyed. When the upper guide 27 is detached, the card 20 or foreign objects on the conveyance table 12 can be easily removed.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a conveyor conveying cards of the card processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the conveyor 3, the first dispenser 4, the second dispenser 5, the third dispenser 6, and the fourth dispenser 7 are fixed to the base 2. The conveyor 3, the first dispenser 4, the second dispenser 5, the third dispenser 6, and the fourth dispenser 7 are fixed to predetermined positions in the base 2 by fixing means such as screws, and electrically connected by connectors.

[0035] The cartridges 8, 9, 10, and 11 (see FIG. 1) are fixed to the dispensers 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively, by hooks 44 of the dispensers 4, 5, 6, and 7. The hooks 44 can be moved by operating a lever 45 to fix and release the cartridges 8, 9, 10, and 11 (see FIG. 1) to / from the dispensers 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively. The cartridges 8, 9, 10, and 11 (see FIG. 1) are attachable to and detachable from the dispensers 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively, when the hooks 44 are released.

[0036] A drive mechanism that drives the belt 15 is disposed below the conveyance table 12. The drive mechanism includes a belt drive motor 40 and a belt transmission unit 41. The belt transmission unit 41 includes multiple gears, converts the rotation of the belt drive motor 40 into a predetermined rotational speed, and transmits the rotational speed to the belt 15. The final stage of the belt transmission unit 41 is connected with a belt drive shaft 42. A pulley 43 is fixed to the belt drive shaft 42. The belt 15 is hooked around a pulley (not illustrated) constituting a pulley pair with the pulley 43. The belt 15 hooked around the pulley pair rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pulley 43.

[0037] The conveyance table 12 has a plate shape having a flat surface, and a card is placed the flat surface. The card pushed by the pushing member 14 slides on the conveyance table 12. The card sliding on the conveyance table 12 passes through the transferring section 19, and is ejected from the conveyor 3 to be transferred to the next process. In the central portion in the width direction of the conveyance table 12, the through hole 13 is provided along the card conveyance direction. The through hole 13 has substantially the same width as the belt 15. The main body of the pushing member 14 is disposed on a front surface side of the conveyance table 12, and a part of the pushing member 14 passes through the through hole 13 and is fixed to the belt 15. The pushing member 14 moves in conjunction with the movement of the belt 15.

[0038] The upper guides 27 respectively provided to the dispensers 4, 5, 6, and 7 are disposed at end portions in the width direction of the conveyance table 12 along the card conveyance direction. The leading ends of the upper guides 27 are located facing the conveyance table 12. The end portions in the width direction of the card conveyed on the conveyance table 12 pass between the conveyance table 12 and the upper guides 27. By the ejection roller 31, the card ejected from the first dispenser 4 passes between the conveyance table 12 and the upper guides 27 and is dispensed onto the conveyance table 12.

[0039] A light guide path 46 is connected to the card position sensor 26 which is fixed to the fixing member 38. The light guide path 46 is fixed to the fixing member 38 or the card position sensor 26. The card position sensor 26 includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and determines the presence or absence of the card 20 conveyed through a detection region by detecting the light that has been emitted, reflected by the card 20, and returned. In order to reduce the influence of external light, the card position sensor 26 uses the light guide path 46 so that light can be emitted and received near a detection object. The conveyance table 12 includes, at a position opposite to the leading end of the light guide path 46, a recessed portion or a hole to prevent reflection of light. A suppression means for suppressing reflection of light is provided at the bottom of the recessed portion or inside the hole, for example, black coating or an antireflection plate is provided. In addition, in order to prevent the light guide path 46 from abutting with the card dispensed from each of the dispensers 4, 5, 6, and 7, the distance from the conveyance table 12 to the leading end of the light guide path 46 is greater than the distance from the conveyance table 12 to the leading end of the upper guide 27. The light guide path 46 is not required if detection can be suitably performed. In addition, a configuration in which a through hole is provided to the conveyance table 12, a detection sensor is disposed on a back side of the conveyance table 12, and a card moving on the surface of the conveyance table 12 is detected from the back side of the conveyance table 12 is also conceivable.

[0040] The base 2 includes a third connector 49 electrically connected to the card reading / writing device 16. The base 2 also includes a first connector 47 electrically connected to the first dispenser 4, a second connector 48 electrically connected to the second dispenser 5, and connectors (not illustrated) electrically connected to the third dispenser 6 and the fourth dispenser 7, respectively. Each device connected to the base 2 is positioned and fixed at a predetermined position in the base 2 and is also electrically connected via a connector.

[0041] Next, a dispensing port from which a card is dispensed from the dispenser to the conveyance table 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a first diagram for explaining a card dispensing port of a card dispenser. This is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the dispensing port of the dispenser. FIG. 5 is a second diagram for explaining the card dispensing port of the card dispenser. This is a side view illustrating a configuration of the dispensing port of the dispenser.

[0042] The side guides 28 are disposed along edges of the conveyance table 12. The ejection roller 31 is biased in a direction toward an ejection drive roller 39 and conveys a card by pinching the card with the ejection drive roller 39. The ejection drive roller 39 is driven by a motor (not illustrated), and the ejection roller 31 rotates along with the rotation of the ejection drive roller 39. By the ejection roller 31 and the ejection drive roller 39, the card dispensed out of the dispenser abuts with the side guide 28 and is dispensed to the conveyance table 12 while the card is pushing down the side guide 28. In dispensing the card, the upper guide 27 moves to a retreat position located in a direction away from the conveyance table 12. FIG. 4 illustrates the upper guides 27 different from each other in distance from the conveyance table 12.

[0043] The side guide 28 has grooves at portions corresponding to the ejection drive roller 39 and the ejection roller 31, and the ejection drive roller 39 and the ejection roller 31 are disposed at the portions. Accordingly, the side guide 28 returns to the guiding position by the spring immediately before the card pinched between the ejection drive roller 39 and the ejection roller 31 and conveyed inside the dispenser reaches a position at which the card is released from this roller pair. Until then, the side guide 28 is pushed down by the card. When driving of the ejection drive roller 39 is started, the upper guide 27 moves accordingly in a direction away from the conveyance table 12, and when the driving is stopped, the upper guide moves accordingly in a direction approaching the conveyance table 12. The upper guide 27 moves in response to the operation of the ejection drive roller 39. The upper guide 27 moves so as not to affect the dispensing of a card, for example, without abutment during the discharge. A lifting mechanism of the upper guide 27 is not necessarily required, and the upper guide 27 may be fixed at a fixed position.

[0044] The upper guide 27 covers a part of the conveyance table 12, and the through hole 13 of the conveyance table 12 is not covered by the upper guide 27. Even when a problem such as a conveyance failure of a card being conveyed occurs, since most part of the conveyance table 12 is exposed, maintenance can be easily performed.

[0045] The fixing member 38 is fixed to the frame of the dispenser, so that the card position sensor 26 and the light guide path 46 can be disposed above the conveyance table 12. With a configuration in which a space is present above the conveyance table 12, the fixing member 38 is also capable of attaching other functional devices such as an electronic camera, so that various functions can be supplemented or added. The electronic camera can be used to monitor a state inside a device. The fixing member 38 may be configured to be turnable, so that the fixing member 38 can move from above the conveyance table 12 to the dispenser side. Widening the space above the conveyance table 12 facilitates removal of a card or foreign objects on the conveyance table 12.

[0046] Since the side guide 28 is provided with the lifting mechanism allowing lifting up and down during dispensing of a card, a card can be fed from a side of the card conveyance path of the conveyor 3. Accordingly, the dispenser can be configured to be low-profile. A card dispensed from one of the dispensers opposite to each other pushes down and passes the first side guide 28, and is placed on the conveyance table 12 while being prevented from deviating from the conveyance table 12 by the second side guide 28 of the other dispenser.

[0047] Next, a configuration for coupling the multiple dispensers will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a first diagram for explaining a coupling mechanism of the card dispenser. FIG. 7 is a second diagram for explaining the coupling mechanism of the card dispenser. A description will be made using the first dispenser 4 and the third dispenser 6 fixed adjacent to each other to the base 2 as an example. FIG. 7 is a diagram in which a part of the frame illustrated in FIG. 6 is removed to show a hidden drive portion.

[0048] The first dispenser 4 and the third dispenser 6 fixed adjacent to each other to the base 2 are driven by one dispensing motor 50. In this example, two dispensers are coupled, but three or more dispensers can be coupled and driven by one dispensing motor to reduce the number of reduction mechanisms and motors. Conversely, only one first dispenser 4 can be used. The dispensers and functional units attached to the base 2 can be easily changed.

[0049] A first gear 52 is fixed to a dispensing drive shaft 51 which is a rotation shaft of the dispensing motor 50. A toothed belt 55 is hooked around the first gear 52. When the first gear 52 is rotated by the dispensing motor 50, the toothed belt 55 is rotated accordingly.

[0050] The dispensing roller 29 is connected to the dispensing roller shaft 35 via the clutch 34. Transmission of a driving force by the clutch 34 is switched between on and off by the arm 33 driven by the solenoid 32. The arm 33 is connected to the clutch 34 and moves in response to the operation of the solenoid 32, and the transmission of a driving force by the clutch 34 is switched between on and off along with the movement of the arm 33. A second gear 53 is fixed to the dispensing roller shaft 35. The second gear 53 is engaged with teeth of the toothed belt 55. The second gear 53 rotates along with the rotation of the toothed belt 55.

[0051] The ejection roller 31 is fixed to an ejection roller shaft 58 and rotates along with the rotation of the ejection roller shaft 58. A third gear 54 is fixed to the ejection roller shaft 58, and the toothed belt 55 is hooked around the third gear 54. The first gear 52, the second gear 53, and the third gear 54 rotate along with the rotation of the toothed belt 55.

[0052] A first connection member 56 fixes and couples the dispensing roller shaft 35 of the first dispenser 4 and the dispensing roller shaft 35 of the third dispenser 6. That is, with the first connection member 56, the dispensing roller shaft 35 of the first dispenser 4 and the dispensing roller shaft 35 of the third dispenser 6 are regarded as one shaft. The dispensing roller shaft 35 of the first dispenser 4 and the dispensing roller shaft 35 of the third dispenser 6 rotate simultaneously. In the first dispenser 4 and the third dispenser 6, the driving of the dispensing rollers 29 of the respective devices are controlled by switching between on and off by the clutches 34 provided to the respective devices. That is, a driving force can be transmitted from the first dispenser 4 to the third dispenser 6 by a transmission mechanism.

[0053] A second connection member 57 fixes and couples the ejection roller shaft 58 of the first dispenser 4 and the ejection roller shaft 58 of the third dispenser 6. That is, with the second connection member 57, the ejection roller shaft 58 of the first dispenser 4 and the ejection roller shaft 58 of the third dispenser 6 are regarded as one shaft. The ejection roller shaft 58 of the first dispenser 4 and the ejection roller shaft 58 of the third dispenser 6 rotate simultaneously to drive the ejection rollers 31 provided to the respective devices.

[0054] The dispensing motor 50 is provided to the first dispenser 4, but is not provided to the third dispenser 6. Instead, the first connection member 56 and the second connection member 57 connect the shafts to transmit the driving force. In addition, it is conceivable to extend the base 2 and the conveyor 3 so as to attach three dispensers, dispose a dispenser similar to the third dispenser 6 at a location adjacent to the two dispensers, and couple the three dispensers by connecting the shafts with a connection member.

[0055] Next, an example of a retreat mechanism of the pushing member 14 for improving the maintainability of the conveyor 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a first example of the retreat mechanism of the conveyor.

[0056] The conveyance table 12 includes a relief hole 81 that penetrates the conveyance table 12 on the rear side opposite to the transferring section 19 (see FIG. 2). The relief hole 81 is disposed at the waiting position of the pushing member 14 or a position on the rear side of the waiting position. The opening of the relief hole 81 is formed wider than the pushing member 14 in a top view, and a main body portion 77 of the pushing member 14 including a hook portion 80 projecting from the surface of the conveyance table 12 can enter the relief hole 81.

[0057] The belt 15 is hooked around a driven pulley 74. The driven pulley 74 has teeth and engages with the belt 15 having teeth. The driven pulley 74 is rotatably supported by a driven shaft 73. The driven pulley 74 rotates around the driven shaft 73 along with the rotation of the belt 15.

[0058] A frame 70 is provided with a guide hole 72 having an elongated hole shape, and a support post 71 is fixed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 72. The driven shaft 73 includes a support hole 75. The driven shaft 73 is inserted into the guide hole 72 and the support post 71 is inserted into the support hole 75. A similar mechanism is provided on the opposite side of the driven shaft 73 with interposition of the driven pulley 74. The driven shaft 73 is biased in a direction toward the conveyance table 12 by a spring (not illustrated). With this spring, the driven shaft 73 is kept in a state of abutting with the uppermost part of the guide hole 72. A configuration in which the spring is disposed at a circumference of the support post 71 to push the driven shaft 73 upward at a circumference of the support hole 75 is also conceivable. The driven shaft 73 moves up and down along the guide hole 72 and the support post 71.

[0059] A first fixing portion 76 and a second fixing portion 79 are fixed to the belt 15 so as to sandwich the belt 15. That is, the pushing member 14 is fixed to the belt 15. The first fixing portion 76 of the pushing member 14 is larger than the opening of the relief hole 81 and cannot pass through the opening. The first fixing portion 76 includes a sliding portion 78 projecting in a direction toward the conveyance table 12 and the main body portion 77. The hook portion 80 including a surface facing the conveyance table 12 is provided at the leading end of the main body portion 77 to hold a card being conveyed. The main body portion 77 has a flat abutment surface that abuts with a side surface of a card. The main body portion 77 abuts with a side surface of a card placed on the conveyance table 12 and pushes the side surface of the card to convey the card. The hook portion 80 is provided to an upper portion of the main body portion 77 and projects in the card conveyance direction so that the card does not come off from the main body portion 77. The sliding portion 78 is inserted in the through hole 13 and the sliding portion 78 is moved along the through hole 13, whereby the pushing member 14 can be moved linearly. The pushing member 14 conveys a card while the movement of the card in the width direction is restricted.

[0060] The pushing member 14 can be brought into a state of being sunk below a conveyance surface of the conveyance table 12 when located at the waiting position. A user can push down the pushing member 14 to push the pushing member 14 into the relief hole 81. In this state, the user can push a card on the conveyance table 12 to eject the card from the rear side of the conveyance table 12. Since the pushing member 14 can be brought into a state of being sunk below the conveyance surface of the conveyance table 12, a card or foreign objects can be easily removed.

[0061] The retreat mechanism is a mechanism for moving the pushing member 14 to a position not involved in the conveyance path of cards over the conveyance table 12. For example, the retreat mechanism pushes the pushing member 14 from the surface of the conveyance table 12 into the relief hole 81 to retreat the pushing member 14 to a position not involved with a card moving on the conveyance table 12. The retreat mechanism can cause the pushing member 14 to project and sink from the surface of the conveyance table 12. For example, the retreat mechanism separates the pushing member 14 from the conveyance table 12 or sink the pushing member 14 from the surface of the conveyance table 12. In addition, the retreat mechanism may be a mechanism that moves the pushing member 14 to the retreat position and causes a card on the conveyance table 12 to pass through without abutting with the main body portion 77. The retreat mechanism brings a card on the conveyance table 12 into a state in which a degree of freedom in movement is high. For example, after the pushing member 14 is retreated by the retreat mechanism, the user can push a card to cause the card to pass through above the pushing member 14 to be ejected from an end portion on the rear side of the conveyance table 12. Without retreating the pushing member 14, the pushing member 14 becomes an obstacle and the card on the conveyance table 12 cannot be ejected from the end portion on the rear side.

[0062] The retreat mechanism is not limited to the above described mechanism. For example, a mechanism in which the main body portion 77 can be detachably fixed to the first fixing portion 76 with a snap-fit mechanism, or a mechanism in which the main body portion 77 is fixed to the first fixing portion 76 by screws is conceivable. In addition, a mechanism in which the belt 15 is rotated in a direction opposite to the conveyance path to allow entering into the relief hole 81 and movement to below the conveyance table 12 is also conceivable.

[0063] FIG. 9, which consists of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, is a diagram for explaining a second example of the retreat mechanism of the conveyor. FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining a state before transition, and FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a state after the transition. The driven shaft 73 is supported so as to be movable up and down, as in the example above.

[0064] The pushing member 14 is fixed to the belt 15 by coupling the first fixing portion 76 and the second fixing portion 79 with the belt 15 interposed therebetween. A pushing piece 83 includes a slope 82 that can come into contact with the driven shaft 73. The waiting position of the pushing piece 83 is a position slightly separated from or in contact with the driven shaft 73 when the driven shaft is located at the uppermost position. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the waiting position of the pushing piece 83 may be a position in contact with the driven shaft 73 without lifting up or down the driven shaft 73. The pushing piece 83 is biased in the card conveyance direction by a spring (not illustrated) to be kept at the waiting position. The pushing piece 83 is pushed along with the movement of the pushing member 14 to move in a direction opposite to the card conveyance direction of the conveyance table 12. When the pushing piece 83 moves in the direction opposite to the card conveyance direction, the driven shaft 73 is pushed downward along the slope 82.

[0065] The belt 15 is hooked around the driven pulley 74 rotatably supported by the driven shaft 73. An end portion of the belt 15 moves downward along with the movement of the driven shaft 73, whereby the belt 15 is inclined. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the pushing member 14 fixed to the belt 15 moves into the relief hole 81 of the conveyance table 12. The position of the pushing member 14 sunk from the surface of the conveyance table 12 corresponds to the retreat position. With such a mechanism, the pushing member 14 can be separated from the conveyance table 12.

[0066] A case in which the retreat mechanism is used corresponds to a case in which a maintenance work such as removing a card or foreign objects on the conveyance table 12 is performed. In ordinary operation, the waiting position of the pushing member 14 is a position at which the pushing member 14 is not in contact with the pushing piece 83. When a maintenance mode is executed, the pushing member 14 is controlled by a control circuit (not illustrated) to move beyond the waiting position rearward to the retreat position.

Claims

1. A card processing apparatus comprising: a dispenser configured to dispense, from a cartridge in which cards are stacked and stored, a card located at a lowermost position among the cards in a one-by-one manner, and a conveyor configured to convey the card dispensed from the dispenser, wherein the conveyor comprises a conveyance table on which the card dispensed from the dispenser is placed, and a pushing member that pushes and moves the card placed on the conveyance table, wherein the card processing apparatus further comprises a side guide disposed in a middle of a conveyance path of the card from the cartridge to the conveyance table along the conveyance table and configured to be projected and sunk with respect to a conveyance surface of the conveyance path of the card, and wherein the side guide guides the card conveyed on the conveyance table so as not to come off the conveyance table when the side guide is projected with respect to the conveyance surface and allows the card dispensed from the dispenser to the conveyance table to pass when the side guide is sunk with respect to the conveyance surface.

2. The card processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a first dispenser and a second dispenser, the first dispenser and the second dispenser are disposed opposite to each other across the conveyance table, the side guide comprises a first side guide and a second side guide, the first side guide is disposed in a middle of the conveyance path of the card from the cartridge of the first dispenser until the card is dispensed to the conveyance table, the second side guide is disposed in a middle of the conveyance path of the card from the cartridge of the second dispenser until the card is dispensed to the conveyance table, the second side guide is projected with respect to the conveyance surface when the card is dispensed from the first dispenser, and the first side guide is projected with respect to the conveyance surface when the card is dispensed from the second dispenser.

3. The card processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first side guide and the second side guide are disposed so as to be capable of abutting with a side surface of the card placed on the conveyance table when the first side guide and the second side guide are projected with respect to the conveyance surface, and guide the card to move on the conveyance table.

4. The card processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a first upper guide disposed along the first side guide, disposed facing a surface of the conveyance table, and configured to restrict movement of the card in a direction away from the conveyance table when the card is dispensed from the first dispenser; and a second upper guide disposed along the second side guide, disposed facing the surface of the conveyance table, and configured to restrict movement of the card in a direction away from the conveyance table when the card is dispensed from the second dispenser, wherein the first upper guide and the second upper guide are disposed at positions not overlapping with a movement path of the pushing member in a top view.

5. The card processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first upper guide and the second upper guide guide the card placed on the conveyance table to move on the conveyance table.

6. The card processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first upper guide and the second upper guide are supported so as to be capable of moving in a direction approaching the conveyance table or a direction away from the conveyance table.

7. The card processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first dispenser comprises a drive motor that drives a first dispensing roller dispensing the card, and a transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of the drive motor to the first dispensing roller, the card processing apparatus further comprises a third dispenser disposed adjacent to the first dispenser along a conveyance direction of the card conveyed on the conveyance table, and a connection member that transmits the driving force of the drive motor to the third dispenser, and the first dispenser and the third dispenser are driven by the drive motor.

8. The card processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conveyor comprises a retreat mechanism that moves the pushing member to a retreat position not involved with a conveyance path of the card on the conveyance table, and the pushing member is moved to the retreat position by the retreat mechanism and the card on the conveyance table is ejected from the conveyance table.

9. The card processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the conveyance table comprises a relief hole through which the pushing member is projected and sunk, and the retreat position is a position at which the pushing member enters the relief hole to be sunk with respect to a surface of the conveyance table.

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