Processing device

Abstract

To provide a processing method and a processing device which can properly process sheets at higher speed.SOLUTION: A processing method for processing predetermined positions of sheets S in processing parts 19 mounts a plurality of sheets S on a mounting part 33, reads out information J printed in a predetermined range of the sheets S separated from rear end edges EF of the sheets S by a first length L1 which is a length in plan view from the installation positions of detection parts 90 (91 to 95) detecting the sheets S on a conveyance path 5 of the sheets S from the mounting part 33 to the processing part 19, to the installation position of a contact member 37 with which front end edges Ef of the sheets S mounted on the mounting part 33 are brought into contact, by a first read-out part 71 installed on the mounting part 33, and processes the sheets, on the basis of the information read out by the first read-out part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet processing method, a reading method, a processing apparatus, and a sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a processing apparatus that processes a conveyed sheet with a processing member is known. Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for reading an image of a barcode printed on the front end of a sheet S to obtain processing information to be applied to the sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above Patent Document 1, a barcode of a sheet being conveyed is read by a camera in the middle of the conveyance path. In order to appropriately read the information of the barcode, it is necessary to slow down the conveyance of the sheet. The time required for processing the sheet is long.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a processing method and a processing apparatus capable of processing a sheet more quickly and appropriately.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the processing method of the present invention is a processing method for processing a predetermined position of a sheet at a processing part, comprising placing a plurality of the sheets on a placement part, and from the installation position of a detection part that detects the sheet on the conveyance path of the sheet from the placement part to the processing part, to the installation position of a contact member that contacts the front edge of the sheet placed on the placement part, the length in plan view is equal to or greater than a first length. Information printed in a predetermined range of the sheet that is separated from the rear edge of the sheet is read by a first reading part installed on the placement part, and based on the information read by the first reading part, the sheet is processed.

[0007] Further, in the above configuration, the predetermined range is equal to or greater than a second length which is the length in plan view from the installation position of the detection part to the downstream edge of the sheet placed on the placement part, and is a range separated from the rear edge of the sheet.

[0008] And, in the above configuration, the information of the sheet is read by a second reading part installed on the downstream side of the placement part, and based on the information read by the second reading part, the position of the sheet on the conveyance path is grasped, and the processing position of the sheet is adjusted.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the reading mechanism reads the information of the subsequent sheet after the detection part detects the rear edge of the sheet.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above configuration, when the detection part detects a sheet having a fourth length that is longer than a third length which is the length of the sheet in the conveyance direction, the sheet having the fourth length is not processed at the processing part.

[0011] The reading method of the present invention is a reading method for reading information printed on a sheet, which includes a processing unit that processes a predetermined position of the sheet conveyed by a conveying unit, and a placement unit on which a plurality of the sheets processed by the processing unit are placed. The reading method reads, by a first reading unit installed on the placement unit, the information printed in a predetermined range of the sheet that is separated from the trailing edge of the sheet, and the length in a plan view from the installation position of a detection unit that detects the sheet, which is installed on a conveyance path between the processing unit and the placement unit, to the installation position of a contact member with which the leading edge of the sheet placed on the placement unit comes into contact is equal to or greater than a first length.

[0012] The processing apparatus of the present invention is a processing apparatus including a conveying unit that conveys a sheet and a processing unit that processes a predetermined position of the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit. The processing apparatus further includes a placement unit on which a plurality of the sheets processed by the processing unit are placed, a detection unit that is installed on a conveyance path between the placement unit and the processing unit and detects the sheet, a first reading unit that is installed on the placement unit and reads information printed on the sheet, and a control unit that controls the processing unit to process the sheet based on the information read by the first reading unit. The first reading unit reads the information printed in a predetermined range of the sheet that is separated from the trailing edge of the sheet, and the length in a plan view from the installation position of the detection unit to the installation position of a contact member with which the leading edge of the sheet placed on the placement unit comes into contact is equal to or greater than a first length.

[0013] In addition, in the above configuration, the first reading unit is installed so as to be movable.

[0014] The sheet according to the present invention is a sheet in which a predetermined position of a medium is processed by a processing unit of a processing apparatus. Information for processing the medium is printed in a predetermined range of the medium that is separated from the trailing edge of the medium, and the length in a plan view from the installation position of a detection unit that detects the medium, which is installed on a conveyance path of the medium between a placement unit of the processing apparatus on which a plurality of the media are placed and the processing unit, to a contact member with which the leading edge of the medium placed on the placement unit comes into contact is equal to or greater than a first length.

[0015] In addition, in the above configuration, a plurality of the above information is printed on one sheet, and among the plurality of the above information, the information at the most upstream position is printed within the above predetermined range.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, a plurality of the above sheets are placed on a placement unit, and information printed in a predetermined range of the sheet, which is at least a first length in a plan view from the installation position of a detection unit that detects the sheet in a conveyance path of the sheet from the placement unit to the processing unit to the installation position of a contact member that the front edge of the sheet placed on the placement unit contacts, is read by a first reading unit installed on the placement unit. Based on the information read by the first reading unit, the sheet is processed. Therefore, the information of the sheet can be read by the first reading unit at the placement unit. Since it is not necessary to convey the sheet at a reduced speed, the sheet can be processed at a higher speed. Even when a plurality of sheets are conveyed overlapping each other and are separated in a conveyance path in front of the installation position of the detection unit, the first reading unit can appropriately read the information of the sheet placed on the placement unit.

[0017] Also, when the above predetermined range is at least a second length in a plan view from the installation position of the detection unit to the downstream edge of the sheet placed on the placement unit and is a range away from the rear edge of the sheet, even when the front edge of the sheet is separated from the contact member and placed on the placement unit, the first reading unit can appropriately read the information of the sheet placed on the placement unit.

[0018] Then, when the information of the sheet is read by a second reading unit installed on the downstream side of the placement unit, the position of the sheet in the conveyance path is grasped based on the information read by the second reading unit, and the processing position of the sheet is adjusted, the sheet can be processed more appropriately.

[0019] Furthermore, when the first reading unit reads the information of the subsequent sheet after the detection unit detects the trailing edge of the sheet, if the subsequent sheet is placed on the placement unit, the first reading unit can appropriately read the information of the subsequent sheet.

[0020] Furthermore, when the detection unit detects a sheet having a fourth length that is longer than a third length which is the length of the sheet in the conveyance direction, if the sheet having the fourth length is not processed by the processing unit, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being inappropriately processed when the sheets are conveyed overlapping each other.

[0021] The reading method of the present invention is installed in a conveyance path between a processing unit that processes a predetermined position of the sheet conveyed by a conveyance unit and a placement unit on which a plurality of sheets to be processed by the processing unit are placed. The first length is the length in a plan view from the installation position of the detection unit that detects the sheet to the installation position of a contact member with which the leading edge of the sheet placed on the placement unit comes into contact. Since the information printed in a predetermined range of the sheet away from the trailing edge of the sheet is read by the first reading unit installed on the placement unit, even when a plurality of sheets are conveyed overlapping each other and the plurality of sheets are separated in the conveyance path in front of the installation position of the detection unit, the first reading unit can appropriately read the information of the sheet placed on the placement unit.

[0022] The first reading unit of the processing apparatus of the present invention reads the information printed in a predetermined range of the sheet away from the trailing edge of the sheet, which is the first length or more in a plan view from the installation position of the detection unit to the installation position of a contact member with which the leading edge of the sheet placed on the placement unit comes into contact. Therefore, even when a plurality of sheets are conveyed overlapping each other and the plurality of sheets are separated in the conveyance path in front of the installation position of the detection unit, the first reading unit can appropriately read the information of the sheet placed on the placement unit.

[0023] Also, when the first reading unit is installed movably, it can appropriately read the information of various sheets with different printing positions of the information.

[0024] The sheet of the present invention has a first length or more, which is the length in a plan view from the installation position of a detection unit that detects the medium installed in a conveyance path of the medium between a placement unit of the processing device on which the plurality of media are placed and the processing unit to a contact member that contacts a front edge of the medium placed on the placement unit. Since information on which the medium is processed is printed in a predetermined range of the medium away from a rear edge of the medium, even when a plurality of sheets are conveyed overlapping each other and the plurality of sheets are separated in a conveyance path in front of the installation position of the detection unit, the first reading unit can appropriately read information on the sheet placed on the placement unit.

[0025] Further, when a plurality of pieces of the information are printed on one sheet and the information at the most upstream position among the plurality of pieces of information is printed in the predetermined range, the information at the most upstream position can be appropriately read by the first reading unit of the placement unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the processing device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. 1, a mounting table 36 is installed on the upstream side of the conveyance path 5 of the sheet S of the device main body 2 of the processing device 1. A discharge table 61 is installed on the downstream side of the conveyance path 5.

[0028] Inside the device main body 2, a conveyance unit 4 for conveying the sheet S is provided on the conveyance path 5 from the mounting table 36 to the discharge table 61. The conveyance unit 4 includes a plurality of pairs of rollers 8 to 17 driven by a plurality of independent first to fifth motors 41 to 45 for each predetermined region. The plurality of pairs of rollers 8 to 17 are arranged side by side in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S. The conveyance speed of the sheet S by the conveyance unit 4 can be, for example, 0.2 m / second to 3.0 m / second.

[0029] A processing unit 19 is arranged at an appropriate position on the conveyance path 5 of the sheet S. The processing unit 19 processes a predetermined position of the sheet S conveyed by the conveyance unit 4. The processing unit 19 includes a processing member 191. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, three slit parts 20, a crease part 21, and a transverse cutting part 22 are provided as the processing unit 19 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveyance path 5 of the sheet S.

[0030] These processing units 19 may be fixedly installed with respect to the device main body 2, but for flexible correspondence, miniaturization of the device, and facilitation of replacement work, they are detachably installed as units with respect to the device main body 2. These processing units are configured to have the same dimensions and shapes in appearance so that they can be attached and detached to any installation location on the conveyance path 5.

[0031] The slit portion 20 cuts the sheet S along the conveyance direction F of the conveyance unit 5. The slit portion 20 includes a pair of left and right slitters 201 and a slitter motor 48. The slitter 201 is configured to be movable to an appropriate position in the width direction W of the sheet S by a moving unit (not shown). When cutting of the sheet S is not required, the slitter 201 is retracted outside the conveyance path 5 of the sheet S. The movement and positioning of the slitter 201 in the width direction W of the sheet S are controlled by a semiconductor processor 475 such as a CPU or an IC. The slitter motor 48 is a drive source for rotationally driving the slitter 201 when performing cutting along the conveyance direction F.

[0032] A cutting waste dropping portion 27 is provided on the downstream side of the slit portion 20. The cutting waste dropping portion 27 is for removing the cutting waste generated by the cutting in the slit portion 20 to the outside of the conveyance path 5 of the sheet S. The cutting waste dropping portion 27 includes a plurality of cutting waste dropping devices, a lateral positioning shaft (not shown), and a device moving motor. The cutting waste dropping device is configured to be movable in the width direction W of the sheet S as the lateral positioning shaft rotates. Since the cutting waste dropping device arranged at a predetermined position becomes an obstacle on the conveyance path 5 of the sheet S, when the sheet S passes through the cutting waste dropping portion 27, the cutting waste contained in the sheet S is dropped and collected by the trash can 23.

[0033] The crease portion 21 forms a folding pattern along the width direction W of the sheet S with respect to the sheet S. The crease portion 21 includes a crease blade 215. The crease blade 215 is composed of an upper die 211 and a lower die 212 extending in the width direction W of the sheet S. The crease driving unit 49 is a drive source for driving the upper die 211 in the vertical direction. With the sheet S sandwiched between the upper die 211 and the lower die 212, the upper die 211 is driven downward to push the sheet S into the concave portion of the lower die 212 by the convex portion of the upper die 211, thereby forming a folding pattern with a substantially semicircular cross section on the sheet S.

[0034] The transverse cutting section 22 cuts the sheet S along the width direction W of the sheet S. The transverse cutting section 22 includes a cutting blade 225 and a transverse cutting drive unit 50. The cutting blade 225 includes an upper blade 221 and a lower blade 222 extending in the width direction W of the sheet S. The transverse cutting drive unit 50 is a drive source for driving the upper blade 57 in the vertical direction so that the upper blade 57 is pushed into the lower blade 58.

[0035] The transverse cutting drive unit 50 drives the upper blade 221 downward in a state where the sheet S is sandwiched between the upper blade 221 and the lower blade 222, and cuts the sheet S with the upper blade 221 and the lower blade 222. The cutting chips generated by the cutting fall downward and are collected by the dustbin 23. When the blank part to be cut in the conveying direction F of the sheet S is wide, it can be divided into narrow regions in the conveying direction F of a plurality of sheets S and cut finely with a narrow width.

[0036] The supply unit 3 and the reject mechanism 25 are installed upstream of the slit section 20. FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the supply unit 3 and the reject mechanism 25, and FIG. 3 shows a plan view of FIG. 2. The supply unit 3 supplies the sheet S to the conveying path 5. The supply unit 3 includes a placement unit 33, a suction type conveying mechanism 31, an oblique correction mechanism 32, and a double feed detection unit 35.

[0037] The placement unit 33 includes a placement table 36 and a contact member 37. A plurality of sheets S to be processed by the processing unit 19 are placed on the placement unit 33. The placement table 36 is lifted by a lifting unit (not shown). A guide wall 361 for contacting the side edge Es of the sheet S is provided on the side of the placement table 36. The contact member 37 is installed in front of the placement table 36. The contact member 37 is formed in a plate shape and extends in the vertical direction. The contact member 37 contacts the front edge Ef of the sheet S placed on the placement unit 33. The contact member 37 restricts the downstream advancement of the front edge Ef of the sheet S located at the lower position among the sheets S on the placement table 36. A blower 38 is installed in front of the contact member 37. The contact member 37 is provided with a ventilation port (not shown) at the installation position of the blower 38. The air flow from the blower 38 passes through the ventilation port and is sent rearward. Thus, the bundle of sheets S is separated in the vertical direction.

[0038] The suction conveying mechanism 31 attracts and adsorbs the sheets S placed on the mounting table 36 one by one by suction means (not shown) and conveys them. The suction conveying mechanism 31 includes an endless belt 313 that circulates around a pair of rollers 311 and 312. The belt 313 travels parallel to the conveying direction F. A plurality of belts 313 are arranged in parallel in the width direction W orthogonal to the conveying direction F of the sheet S. An suction box 314 is installed inside the belt 313. The suction box 314 is formed with a suction port opening on the lower surface, and sucks the sheet S onto the lower surface of the suction box 314.

[0039] The skew correction mechanism 32 places the sheet S conveyed by the suction conveying mechanism 31 on an endless belt 323 stretched around a pair of rollers 321 and 322 and conveys it. The endless belt 323 is provided with a predetermined inclination toward the guide member 324 side with respect to the conveying direction F of the sheet S. The contact surface of the guide member 324 with the sheet S is installed in the same plane as the contact surface of the guide wall 361 with the sheet S.

[0040] In the skew correction mechanism 32, the side edge Es of the sheet S is conveyed while being pressed against the guide wall 324 side parallel to the conveying direction F. Thus, the side edge Es of the sheet S is conveyed along the guide wall 324. The skew correction mechanism 32 includes a pressing portion 325. The pressing portion 325 has a pressing ball 326 and a support member 327. The pressing ball 326 is formed in a spherical shape. The pressing ball 326 is rotatably supported by the support member 327. When the conveying direction F of the skew sheet S is corrected, the pressing ball 326 presses the sheet S on the belt 323 from above. An suction box 328 is installed inside the belt 323, and the sheet is sucked onto the belt 323 by suction means (not shown) and conveyed.

[0041] The reject mechanism 25 is provided on the downstream side of the roller 10 of the conveying unit 4. The reject mechanism 25 includes a rotating member 251, a rotation detection unit 255, a guide member 254, a reject roller 253, and a reject tray 252. The rotating member 251 assumes a posture that blocks the conveyance path 5 during operation. The rotation detection unit 255 consists of two optical sensors 256 and a light shielding plate 257. The light shielding plate 257 is fixed to the rotating member 251 and moves between the two optical sensors 256 as the rotating member 251 rotates. Based on this, it is detected whether the rotating member 251 is in the horizontal posture shown by the solid line that supports the sheet S from below or the inclined posture shown by the two-dot chain line that blocks the conveyance path 5 to reject the sheet S.

[0042] When there is a sheet S to be rejected for some reason such as the code C or mark M of the sheet S being unclear, the rotating member 251 is rotated to drop the sheet S below the conveyance path 5. Below the conveyance path 5, the rejected sheet S is guided by the guide member 254 and the reject roller 253 and collected by the reject tray 252.

[0043] The double-feed detection unit 35 detects double-feeding of the sheet S. The double-feed detection unit 35 is constituted by an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like. When the double-feed detection unit 35 is an ultrasonic sensor, by adjusting the output intensity according to the thickness of the sheet S, double-feeding can be properly detected even for a thick sheet S.

[0044] The processing device 1 is provided with a reading mechanism 26. The reading mechanism 26 reads information for processing the sheet S printed in a predetermined range of the sheet S. The reading mechanism 26 includes a first reading unit 71 and a second reading unit 72. Both the first reading unit 71 and the second reading unit 72 are provided with photographing units. The photographing unit can be constituted by cameras 63 and 64. The cameras 63 and 64 can use either a one-dimensional CCD image sensor or a two-dimensional CCD image sensor for reading a planar image. The one-dimensional CCD image sensor reads an image by line scanning. Since the one-dimensional CCD image sensor is low-cost, it is preferably used. Also, the cameras 63 and 64 can use a CMOS image sensor or the like instead of the CCD image sensor. The cameras 63 and 64 can use those capable of reading 2 million to 100 million pixels, 30, 60, or 100 frames per second, and having a resolution of about one-tenth. Furthermore, by using a global shutter, an image with less distortion can be obtained, and the processing accuracy of the processed object can be improved.

[0045] The first reading unit 71 is installed on the placement unit 33. The first reading unit 71 is above the placement table 36 and is detachably installed at the upper end of the guide wall 361. FIG. 4 is a view of the first reading unit 71 seen from the side of the placement table 36, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the first reading unit 71. FIG. 6 is a view of the first reading unit 71 seen from the downstream side.

[0046] The camera 63 of the first reading unit 71 is supported by a support unit 66. The support unit 66 includes an angle adjustment unit 73, a position adjustment unit 74, a mounting unit 75, and a reading control unit 76. The angle adjustment unit 73 adjusts the angle of the camera 63. The position adjustment unit 74 adjusts the position of the camera 63 in the conveyance direction F.

[0047] The angle adjustment unit 73 and the position adjustment unit 74 both include a holding part 69, a support body 68, a pivot screw 81, a guide screw 82, and nuts 86 and 88. The holding part 69 holds the camera 63. As shown in FIG. 5, the holding part 69 includes a holding member 77 formed by bending a thin plate into an L shape in plan view. The holding member 77 includes a fixing part 78 extending in the width direction W in plan view and a locking part 79 extending in the conveying direction F in plan view. The camera 63 is fixed to the upstream surface of the fixing part 78 in the conveying direction F by a screw 80.

[0048] The support body 68 includes a vertical plate 51, an upper plate 52, and a lower plate 53. The vertical plate 51 extends in the vertical direction. The upper plate 52 extends laterally from the upper end of the vertical plate 51. The lower plate 53 extends laterally from the lower end of the vertical plate 51. The lower plate 53 is disposed opposite to the upper plate 52. The lower plate 53 can be formed larger than the upper plate 52. FIG. 6 shows a case where the length of the lower plate 53 in the width direction W is two to three times that of the upper plate 52. As shown in FIG. 4, a long hole 54 is formed along the conveying direction F at approximately the central part of the vertical plate 51 in the vertical direction.

[0049] The pivot screw 81 and the guide screw 82 are inserted into the long hole 54. The pivot screw 81 pivotally supports the camera 63 via the holding member 77 so as to be swingable. When the camera 63 swings, the locking part 79 slides on a plane extending vertically on the vertical plate 51. The guide screw 82 guides the swing of the holding member 77.

[0050] The locking part 79 is provided with a pivot hole 83 and a guide hole 84. The pivot screw 81 is inserted into the pivot hole 83. A knob 85 is provided at one end of the pivot screw 81 located above the mounting table 36. A nut 86 is screwed onto the other end of the pivot screw 81.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the guide hole 84 has a predetermined length in the vertical direction. The guide hole 84 is formed to be slightly curved along an arc of a circle centered on the pivot screw 81. A guide screw 82 is inserted into the guide hole 84. A knob 87 is provided at one end of the guide screw 82 above the mounting table 36 of the sheet S. A nut 88 is screwed onto the other end of the guide screw 82. By relatively moving the position of the guide screw 82 within the guide hole 84, a swinging motion about the pivot screw 81 of the camera 63 is guided.

[0052] The vertical length of the long hole 54 in the vertical plate 51 is formed to be a predetermined amount larger than the diameters of both the pivot screw 81 and the guide screw 82. Thus, the pivot screw 81 and the guide screw 82 can be inserted into the long hole 54. Also, the vertical length of the long hole 54 is formed to be smaller than the diameters of the knobs 85, 87 and the nuts 86, 88.

[0053] The pivot screw 81 is inserted through the pivot hole 83 and the long hole 54 in order from the upper position side of the mounting table 36 outward, and the nuts 86, 88 are screwed onto the ends. The guide screw 82 is inserted through the guide hole 84 and the long hole 54 in order from the upper position side of the mounting table 36 outward, and the nut 88 is screwed onto the end. Thus, the holding member 77 can be fixed at a predetermined position and at a predetermined angle within the long hole 54 by the knobs 85, 87 and the nuts 86, 88.

[0054] Loosen the nuts 86, 88 and move the camera 63 to an appropriate position in the conveying direction F. Also, loosen the nuts 86, 88 and swing the camera 63 about the pivot screw 81 while guiding the guide screw 82 in the guide hole 84 via the holding member 77. Then, tighten the pivot screw 81 and the nut 86, and the guide screw 82 and the nut 88 respectively. Thus, the camera 63 can be fixed to the support body 68 at a predetermined position suitable for shooting in the conveying direction F and at a predetermined angle suitable for shooting. In this way, the angle and position of the camera 63 can be adjusted.

[0055] The attachment part 75 includes a rectangular sheet-shaped magnet 56. The magnet 56 is fixed to the lower surface of the lower plate 53. When the guide wall 361 is formed of a magnetic material such as metal, the support body 68 can be detachably installed with respect to the guide wall 361 by the magnet 56.

[0056] The reading control unit 76 transmits the signal from the camera 63 to the controller 47 (?). The reading control unit 76 is installed on the upper surface of the upper plate 52.

[0057] The second reading unit 72 is installed on the downstream side of the placement unit 33. The second reading unit 72 is installed between the supply unit 3 and the processing unit 19. The second reading unit 72 reads the information of the sheet S, and based on the read information, detects the angle in the conveyance path of the sheet S and the positions in the conveyance direction F and the width direction W of the sheet S. The second reading unit 72 is held by the apparatus main body 2 by a holding unit (not shown).

[0058] A detection unit 90 is arranged at an appropriate position in the conveyance path 5 of the sheet S. The detection unit 90 detects the sheet S. The detection unit 90 is constituted by an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like. When the detection unit 90 is an optical sensor, it can be constituted by a transmissive or reflective optical sensor. The detection unit 90 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element that are arranged to face each other above and below the conveyance path 5. The detection unit 90 detects the front edge Ef which is the downstream end edge in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S or the rear edge Eb which is the upstream end edge in the conveyance direction F of the sheet. The detection unit 90 detects the presence or absence of the sheet S by blocking the detection light when the sheet S passes between the light emitting element and the light receiving element.

[0059] The detection unit 90 includes a first detection unit 91 to a sixth detection unit 96. The first detection unit 91 to the sixth detection unit 96 are electrically connected to the interface of the controller 47. The first detection unit 91 is installed at the most upstream side of the conveyance path 5 of the sheet S among the plurality of detection units 90. In FIG. 3, the case where the first detection unit 91 is installed at substantially the same position as the installation position of the double feed detection unit 35 in the conveyance direction F is shown. The first detection unit 91 is installed at different positions spaced a predetermined amount in the width direction W with respect to the double feed detection unit 35. The first detection unit 91 detects the front edge Ef and the rear edge Eb of the sheet S delivered from the suction conveyance mechanism 31 to the skew correction mechanism 32.

[0060] The second detection unit 92 is arranged near the upstream side in the conveyance direction F of the second reading unit 72. The third detection unit 93 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged near the upstream side in the conveyance direction F of the slit unit 20. The fourth detection unit 94 is arranged in the middle of the slit unit 20. The fifth detection unit 95 is arranged near the upstream side in the conveyance direction F of the crease unit 21. The sixth detection unit 96, which is the most downstream in the conveyance direction F, is arranged near the upstream side in the conveyance direction F of the paper receiving unit 6.

[0061] The first to sixth detection units 91 to 96 detect jams of the sheet S in the conveyance path 5. Based on the position of the sheet S detected by the first detection unit 91, the position of each sheet S conveyed on the conveyance path 5 is uniquely detected. The fifth detection unit 95 is used to correct the position of the sheet S obtained by the first detection unit 91 when the conveyance path 5 becomes long and cumulative positional deviation of the sheet S in the conveyance direction F on the conveyance path 5 occurs. From this, the controller 47 can more accurately grasp the position of the sheet S in the conveyance path 5. The sixth detection unit 96 detects the unloading of the processed object Q to the paper receiving unit 6.

[0062] The processing apparatus 1 includes a controller 47 as a control unit for controlling various operations in the apparatus in the apparatus main body 2. The controller 47 is electrically connected to a storage unit 474 such as a ROM (flash ROM) and a RAM, various sensors 35, 90 to 96 as input devices, various motors 41 to 45, 48, 49 as output devices, an operation panel 46 as an input / output device, an arithmetic unit 471 for performing various arithmetic processes, and a processor 475 for controlling the operations of each unit such as a supply unit 3, a conveyance unit 4, and a processing unit 19.

[0063] In the storage unit 474, image data of the barcode B, the mark M, and the code C imaged by the cameras 63, 64, information about the sheet S such as the size and thickness of the sheet S, position information of the mark M on the sheet S, various processing information, and various information such as position information of the sheet S obtained when the front end portion Ef or the rear end portion Eb of the sheet S passes through the detection unit 90 are temporarily stored via the CPU.

[0064] The longitudinal length of the sheet S is stored in the RAM based on information such as the size and thickness of the sheet S obtained from the information and input information from the operation panel 46. Therefore, by detecting either the front edge Ef on the downstream side or the rear edge Eb on the upstream side of the sheet S, the position of the sheet S on the conveyance path 5, particularly the rear end position of each sheet S, can be uniquely defined with reference to the installation position of the first detection unit 91.

[0065] As the drive source for conveying the sheet S and the drive source for processing installed in the processing apparatus 1, a motor that can be properly positioned, such as a stepping motor, a DC motor, or a servo motor, is used. The stepping motor rotates in predetermined step units by applying a pulse signal. By using either or both of the conveyance drive source and the processing drive source as a stepping motor, the conveyance position of the sheet S and the movement positions of various processing devices can be controlled at high speed and with high precision.

[0066] FIG. 7 shows an example of the sheet S. The information J printed in a predetermined range of the sheet S can include codes such as one-dimensional barcodes, QR codes (registered trademarks), two-dimensional barcodes, processing codes, job codes, and identification codes, marks such as marks, position marks, tip marks, end marks, registration marks, and skew marks, job IDs, characters, numbers, numbers, job numbers, symbols, colors, etc.

[0067] The code can be assigned for each processing information. The code may include individual processing information to be applied to each sheet S. The processing information is information regarding the processing to be performed on the sheet. The processing information can include, for example, the third length which is the length in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S, the length in the width direction W of the sheet S, the position of the mark on the sheet S, the pattern, shape, size, and type of the mark, cutting along the conveyance direction F and the width direction W, perforations, various processing positions such as corner cuts and creases, information regarding the reading accuracy of the information by the reading mechanism 26, the necessity of magnification correction of the processing position based on the image printed on the sheet S, the necessity of inclination angle correction, the length from the edge E of the sheet S to the mark at the front end corner portion of the sheet S, information regarding the allowable range of the processing angle, information of the customer to whom the processed product Q is delivered, etc.

[0068] In FIG. 7, as the processing information, it is recorded that cutting is performed along the conveyance direction F along the slit positions of T1 to T4, cutting is performed along the width direction W orthogonal to the conveyance direction F along the cutting positions of K1 to K10, and a total of 10 processed products Q in 2 rows horizontally and 5 columns vertically are obtained from one sheet S.

[0069] The information J of the sheet S shown in FIG. 7 is printed in a predetermined range of the sheet S indicated by diagonal lines that is not less than the first length L1, which is the length in plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the installation position of the contact member 37, and is away from the rear edge Eb of the sheet S. When the length from the position of the first length L1 from the rear edge Eb of the sheet S to the front edge of the sheet S is defined as the ninth length L9, the information J is printed in the range indicated by diagonal lines corresponding to the ninth length L9. This range indicated by diagonal lines is such that when the sheet S is conveyed by a predetermined amount from the mounting table 36 to the conveyance path 5 but does not reach the installation position of the first detection unit 91 and the conveyance of the sheet S stops with the front edge Ef not being detected by the first detection unit 91, the information of the lower sheet S can be hidden by the upper sheet S.

[0070] All of the information J of the two-dimensional code C, the bar code B, and the mark M is printed in the vicinity of the left edge EL of the sheet S in FIG. 7. The two-dimensional code C is printed at a position that is approximately one-third of the third length L3, which is the length in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S, from the rear edge Eb of the sheet S. One-third of the third length L3 is longer than the first length L1.

[0071] For example, when the first length L1, which is the length in plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the installation position of the contact member 37, is 100 mm, the two-dimensional code C can be provided in a range from 101 mm to 297 mm in front of 100 mm from the rear edge Eb of the sheet S.

[0072] The bar code B and the mark M are printed side by side in the vicinity of the front edge Ef of the sheet S. The mark M indicates the reference for the processing position applied to the sheet S by the processing unit 19. The range within which the second reading unit 26 reads an image around the mark M can be, for example, a range of 20 mm from the front edge Ef of the sheet S and 20 mm from the left edge EL. In FIG. 7, the mark M is shown in an L-shaped form in plan view.

[0073] In addition, various processing information necessary for processing the sheet S can be input by the user via the operation panel 46 or a personal computer (not shown) as needed.

[0074] Next, the operation of the processing apparatus 1 will be described. First, when the user turns on the main power switch to start the operation of the processing apparatus 1, the controller 47 performs various internal operation checks. The user places a plurality of sheets S on the mounting table 36. The user places the sheet S at a position where one side edge Es of the sheet S contacts the guide wall 361 and the front edge Ef of the sheet S contacts the contact member 37 on the mounting table 36. Further, the user operates the angle adjustment unit 73 and the position adjustment unit 74 to move the first reading unit 71 to a position where the information of the sheet S can be appropriately read.

[0075] Thereafter, the controller 47 performs a preparation operation for processing the sheet S. In the preparation operation, the controller 47 drives the elevating unit of the sheet feeding unit 3. The mounting table 36 is moved from the standby position to the supply position of the sheet S to the conveyance path 5. Then, the controller 47 drives the blower 38. The sheets S are separated one by one by the air flow from the blower 38. The controller 47 controls the moving unit so that the slitter 201 located at the cutting position of the immediately preceding job is once moved to the home position at the slit unit 20.

[0076] The controller 47 drives the transverse cutting drive unit 50 so that the upper blade 221 is moved to the upper limit position at the transverse cutting unit 22. Also, the controller 47 starts the excitation of the conveyance drive units 41 to 45 at the conveyance unit 4.

[0077] When the user performs an operation to start processing the sheet S, the controller 47 controls the first reading unit 71 to read the information displayed on the sheet S. The controller 47 acquires the processing information of the sheet S from the information read by the first reading unit 71. The information read by the first reading unit 71 can be the processing information of the sheet S, or can be a code C as shown in FIG. 7. When the information is the code C, based on the image of the read code C, the processing information stored in the storage unit 474 or an external terminal or PC in advance is called. Also, instead of this, or in addition to this, a number for calling the processing information to be applied to the sheet S from the image of the information J read by the first reading unit 26 may be acquired from the storage unit 474 of the controller 47. From this, the controller 47 can acquire the processing information. The processing information of the sheet S can include, for example, the length L3 in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S, the length in the width direction W of the sheet S, the thickness of the sheet S, the cutting position of the sheet S, the crease forming position, and the like.

[0078] Based on the acquired processing information, the arithmetic unit 471 calculates the length that each of the left and right slitters 201 should move in the width direction W from the home position to each cutting position in the slit unit 20 from the position information for cutting along the conveyance direction F. The processor 475 controls the moving unit to move the slitter 201 in the width direction W by the value obtained as a result of the calculation. Also, the arithmetic unit 471 calculates the length to be conveyed by the conveying unit 4 to each cutting position after detecting the front edge Ef of the sheet S by a predetermined detection unit 90 from the position information for performing cutting along the width direction W.

[0079] Thereafter, the controller 47 supplies the sheets S on the mounting table 36 one by one to the conveyance path 5 by the suction conveyance mechanism 31. At this time, the controller 47 drives the suction means and starts the suction operation. When it is detected that the uppermost sheet S is adsorbed to the lower surface of the suction box 314 via the belt 313, the controller 47 rotates the rollers 311 and 312 to run the belt 313. Along with the running of the belt 313, the sheet S is conveyed downstream along the conveyance path 5 while causing one side edge Es of the sheet S to follow the guide wall 361.

[0080] The front edge Ef of the sheet S advances forward from above the installation position of the contact member 37. When the front edge Ef of the sheet S reaches the installation position of the double feed detection unit 35, the double feed detection unit 35 detects the presence or absence of double feed of the sheet S. The controller 47 determines whether the sheet S being conveyed is double fed based on the received signal of the ultrasonic sensor. At that time, the controller 47 can refer to the thickness of the sheet S included in the processing information acquired from the code C. (?) The controller 47 determines whether the sheet S is single or multiple sheets, that is, whether it is double fed, based on the received signal.

[0081] Also, when the front edge Ef of the sheet S reaches the installation position of the first detection unit 91, the front edge Ef of the sheet S is detected by the first detection unit 91. When the sheet S is normally conveyed, while the sheet S of the third length L3 passes through the installation position of the first detection unit 91, the first detection unit 91 detects the state that there is the sheet S in the conveyance path 5. When the rear edge Eb of the sheet S passes through the installation position of the first detection unit 91, the first detection unit 91 detects the sheet S of the third length L3. The controller 47 determines that the sheet S is being normally conveyed based on the fact that the first detection unit 91 has detected the sheet S of the third length L3.

[0082] In the skew correction mechanism 32, the skew of the sheet S is corrected. When the conveyance of the sheet S sent onto the belt 323 is diagonal, it is corrected so that the sheet S is conveyed in a direction parallel to the guide member 324. At that time, the controller 47 runs the belt 323 so that the sheet S is conveyed toward the guide member 324. When the side edge Es of the sheet S is conveyed downstream while contacting the guide member 324, the skew of the sheet S is corrected.

[0083] Downstream of the skew correction mechanism 32, the sheet S is conveyed by rollers 8 and 9. When the leading edge Ef of the sheet S reaches the downstream side of the roller 9, the leading edge Ef of the sheet S is detected by the second detection unit 92. Thereafter, information on the sheet S is read by the second reading unit 72, and the controller 47 acquires the read information. The read information is temporarily stored in the storage unit 474. When the second reading unit 72 cannot read the information appropriately, the controller 47 excludes this sheet S from the conveyance path 5 by the reject mechanism 25.

[0084] Based on the information read by the first reading unit 71 and the second reading unit 72 respectively, the controller 47 adjusts the position of the processing member 191. Also, in order to process the sheet S at the crease portion 21 and the transverse cutting portion 22, the conveyance unit 4 is controlled to adjust the timing for stopping the sheet S.

[0085] The controller 47 grasps the printing position of the sheet S on the conveyance path 5 from the read information of the mark M. Then, each slitter 201 of the slit portion 20 is moved to an appropriate position based on the information of the mark M to perform slit processing.

[0086] When the sheet S reaches the transverse cutting portion 22, a cutting process along the width direction W is performed on the sheet S by the upper blade 221 and the lower blade 222. At this time, according to the position of the mark M on the conveyance path 5, the timing for stopping the conveyance of the sheet S can be corrected. Also, when the third - fifth detection units 93 - 95 detect a conveyance error of the sheet S, the timing for stopping the conveyance of the sheet S can be further corrected. The processed object Q obtained by the processing of the processing unit 19 is discharged to the discharge table 61.

[0087] When the processing of the first sheet S is completed, the controller 47 starts the processing of the second sheet. The controller 47 controls the first reading unit 71 to read the information displayed on the second sheet S. When the entire second sheet S2 is placed on the mounting table 36 at the start of the second processing and the front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 is in contact with the contact member 37, after the controller 47 reads the information by the reading mechanism 26, the second sheet S2 may be sucked and conveyed by the suction conveyance mechanism 31 in the same manner as the first sheet S.

[0088] When the sheets S stacked vertically on the mounting table 36 are properly diverted by the air flow from the blower 38, when the preceding sheet S is conveyed, the subsequent sheet S does not proceed downstream from the installation position of the contact member 37 from above the mounting table 36. However, for some reason such as the sheet S not being sufficiently diverted by the blower 38, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 may be simultaneously adsorbed to the suction box 314 and conveyed forward from above the mounting table 36 to a position in front of the installation position of the contact member 37.

[0089] The second sheet S2 is further conveyed downstream above the installation position of the contact member 37 while overlapping the first sheet S1. However, if the second sheet S2 is separated from the first sheet S before reaching the installation position of the double-feed detection unit 35, the second sheet S2 will remain at the position separated from the first sheet S1 on the conveyance path 5. At this time, the double-feed detection unit 35 does not detect double feeding. The controller 47 determines that the first sheet S1 is being conveyed normally. This is because the second sheet S2 has already been separated from the first sheet S1, the two sheets S are not being conveyed overlapping each other, and it is not double feeding.

[0090] Thereafter, when the trailing edge Eb of the first sheet S1 passes the installation position of the first detection unit 91, the first detection unit 91 detects that the first sheet S1 has the third length L3. This is because the leading edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 remains positioned in the conveyance path 5 between the first detection unit 91 and the contact member 37. Also, when the trailing edge Eb1 of this first sheet S1 passes the installation position of the first detection unit 91, since the second sheet S2 and the first sheet S1 are already separated, the first detection unit 91 does not detect that the first sheet S1 has a fourth length L4 that is longer than the third length L3, which is the length of the sheet S in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S.

[0091] The controller 47 does not stop the conveyance of the first sheet S1 due to improper conveyance of the sheet S, and conveys the first sheet S1, which has been released from the second sheet S2, downstream. Then, the controller 47 processes the first sheet S1 at the processing unit 19.

[0092] After processing the first sheet S, the controller 47 controls the first reading unit 71 to read the information displayed on the second sheet S2 in order to process the second sheet S2. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the state of the sheet S on the mounting table 36 at the start of processing of the second sheet S2. As shown in the figure, the leading edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 is positioned downstream by a fifth length L5 from the installation position of the contact member 37. The length in plan view from the leading edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 to the installation position of the first detection unit 91 is the sixth length L6. The length in plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the installation position of the contact member 37 is the first length L1. At this time, L1 = L5 + L6. For example, when the first length L1 is 100 mm and the fifth length L5 is 80 mm, the sixth length L6 is 20 mm.

[0093] When the front edge Ef of the third and subsequent sheets S placed on the placement portion 33 is at the position where it contacts the contact member 37, the length in plan view from the front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 to the front edge Ef3, which is the downstream edge of the third sheet S3 placed on the placement portion 33, is defined as the seventh length L7. Assume that the installation position of the contact member 37 in plan view is at the center in the conveyance direction F of the contact member 37, that is, at the position half of the thickness L8 of the contact member 37. At this time, the seventh length L7 is longer than the fifth length L5 by half of the thickness L8 of the contact member 37. That is, L7 = L5 + L8 / 2. Also, the second length L2, which is the length in plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the downstream edge Ef of the third and subsequent sheets S placed on the placement portion 33, is the sum of the first length L1 and half of the length of the eighth length L8. That is, L2 = L1 + L8 / 2.

[0094] In this first embodiment, the front edge Ef of the sheet S on the mounting table 36 is placed at the position where it contacts the contact member 37, and the thickness L8 of the contact member 37 is very short compared to the third length L3, which is the length in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S. Therefore, the seventh length L7 becomes a value substantially equal to the fifth length L5. For this reason, in the following first embodiment, if necessary, the seventh length L7 will be described as the fifth length L5. Also, in this first embodiment, the second length L2 is a value substantially equal to the first length L1. Hereinafter, in this first embodiment, if necessary, the second length L2 will be described as the first length L1.

[0095] The rear edge Eb2 of the second sheet S2 is at a position downstream by the fifth length L5 from the rear edge Eb3 of the third sheet S3. The information printed on the sheet S is printed in a predetermined range away from the rear edge Eb of the third and subsequent sheets S and is equal to or greater than the first length L1, which is the length in plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the installation position of the contact member 37.

[0096] In FIG. 8, the printing position of the information J is shown by a dashed line on the upper surface of the sheet S so that the position of the information J printed on the sheet S in the conveyance direction F can be understood. The information J3 on the third sheet S3 is printed in a range corresponding to the ninth length L9, which is more than the first length L1 away from the rear edge Eb3 of the third sheet S3.

[0097] Above the position where the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is printed, there is a rear portion of the second sheet S2. When viewed from above the mounting table 36, the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is hidden by the second sheet S2. In this state, when the first reading unit 71 reads the information J of the sheet S on the mounting table 36, the first reading unit 71 reads the information J2 printed on the uppermost second sheet S2. Since the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is located below the second sheet S, the first reading unit 71 cannot read the information J3 of the third sheet S3 hidden by the second sheet S2.

[0098] For example, assume that the information J is printed at around 105 mm to 110 mm from the rear edge Eb of the sheet S, which is more than 100 mm in front of the rear edge Eb. When the first length L1 and the fifth length L5 are 100 mm and 80 mm respectively, the rear edge Eb2 of the second sheet S2 is located 80 mm downstream from the rear edge Eb3 of the third sheet S3. The rear edge Eb of the second sheet S2 is located upstream from 105 mm to 110 mm from the rear edge Eb where the information J3 of the third sheet S is printed. When viewed from above the mounting table 36, the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is hidden by the second sheet S2.

[0099] In this way, even when the second sheet S2 is conveyed downstream to some extent together with the first sheet S1 and the front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 is located between the first detection unit 91 and the contact member 37, during the processing of the second sheet S2, the first reading unit 71 can appropriately read the information J2 of the second sheet S2. Since the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is printed in the range corresponding to the ninth length L9 and is hidden by the second sheet S2, the first reading unit 71 will not erroneously read the information J3 of the third sheet S3.

[0100] Suppose that the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is printed in a range corresponding to the first length L1, is not hidden by the second sheet S2, and is visible from above the mounting table 36. At this time, the first reading unit 71 can read both the information J2 of the second sheet S2 and the information J3 of the third sheet S3. When the first reading unit 71 processes the second sheet S2, if it accidentally reads the information J3 of the third sheet S3, the controller 47 processes the second sheet S2 based on the information J3 of the third sheet S3, so the second sheet S2 may not be properly processed and may become waste paper.

[0101] FIG. 9 is a view of the second sheet S2 and the third sheet S3 as seen from above. The side edge Es of the sheet S is shifted in the width direction W to make it easier to understand the vertical position relationship of the sheets S. The second sheet S2 is located downstream in the conveyance direction F by a fifth length L5 from the third sheet S3. The fifth length L5 is approximately equal to the seventh length L7, which is the length in plan view from the front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 located between the first detection unit 91 and the contact member 37 to the front edge Ef3 of the third sheet S3. The fifth length L5 is shorter than the first length L1, which is the length in plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the installation position of the contact member 37. The information J3 of the third sheet S3 is printed in a hatched range corresponding to a ninth length L9 that is more than the first length L1 away from the rear edge Eb3 of the third sheet S3. The information J3 of the third sheet S3 is hidden by the second sheet S2. The first reading unit 71 reads the information J2 of the second sheet S2 and does not read the information J3 of the third sheet S3 hidden by the second sheet S2. From this, the controller 47 can appropriately process the second sheet S2 based on the information J2 of the second sheet S2 read by the first reading unit 71.

[0102] Based on the information J2 read by the first reading unit 71, the controller 47 acquires the processing information of the second sheet S. Based on the acquired processing information, the controller 47 calculates the position of the slitter 201 and moves it to an appropriate position in the width direction W. When the processing position by the first slitter 201 is the same as that of the second processing position, the controller 47 may control the moving unit to stay at the first processing position without moving the position of the slitter 201. Thereby, the moving time of the slitter 201 can be eliminated, and the processing time can be shortened.

[0103] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a state where a plurality of sheets S are simultaneously adsorbed from the mounting table 36 to the suction box 314 and, even before reaching the installation position of the double-feed detection unit 35, the upper and lower sheets S are not completely separated, and after reaching the installation position of the double-feed detection unit 35. The lower sheet S is conveyed downstream beyond the installation position of the contact member 37 while overlapping the upper sheet S, and when reaching the installation position of the double-feed detection unit 35, the double-feed detection unit 35 detects double-feed.

[0104] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, when a plurality of sheets S reach the installation position of the first detection unit 91 while partially overlapping, the first detection unit 91 does not detect the third length L3. The first detection unit 91 detects a sheet S having a fourth length L4 longer than the third length L3.

[0105] In FIG. 10, the front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 is at a position downstream by a sixth length L6 from the installation position of the first detection unit 91. The length from the front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 to the installation position of the contact member 37 is the fifth length L5. The fifth length L5 is longer than the first length L1 which is the length from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the installation position of the contact member 37.

[0106] The rear part of the first sheet S1 overlaps above the second sheet S2. In FIG. 10, similar to FIG. 8, the front edge Ef3 of the third and subsequent sheets S placed on the placement portion 33 is at a position where it contacts the contact member 37. In this case, the seventh length L7, which is the length in plan view from the front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 to the front edge Ef3, which is the downstream edge of the third sheet S3 placed on the placement portion 33, is substantially equal to the fifth length L5 and is longer than the first length L1.

[0107] The rear edge Eb2 of the second sheet S2 is at a position downstream by the fifth length L5 from the rear edge Eb3 of the third sheet S3. The information J3 printed on the third sheet S3 is printed in a predetermined range that is at least the first length L1, which is the length in plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the installation position of the contact member 37, and away from the rear edge Eb of the third and subsequent sheets S.

[0108] In FIG. 10, since the rear edge Eb3 of the third sheet S3 is at the position of the fifth length L5, which is longer than the first length L1, there is no second sheet S2 above the position where the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is printed. When viewed from above the mounting table 36, the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is in a state where it can be seen without being hidden by the second sheet S2.

[0109] FIG. 11 is a view of the second and third sheets S in FIG. 10 as viewed from above. The information J3 of the third sheet S3 is not hidden by the second sheet S2 and is in a state where it can be read by the first reading unit 71. The information J3 of the third sheet S3 is printed in the range indicated by the diagonal lines corresponding to the ninth length L9, which is at least the first length L1 away from the rear edge Eb3 of the third sheet S3. However, since the second sheet S2 is located downstream by the fifth length L5, which is longer than the first length L1, with respect to the third sheet S3, the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is located upstream of the rear edge Eb2 of the second sheet S2 and is exposed. When the first reading unit 71 attempts to read the information of the sheet S, it can read both the information J2 of the second sheet S2 and the information J3 of the third sheet S3.

[0110] Thus, when the first sheet S1 is conveyed, the second sheet S2 is conveyed overlapping with the first sheet S1. When the leading edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 reaches the first detection unit 91, the first detection unit 91 detects a sheet S having a fourth length L4 that is longer than the third length K3, which is the length of the sheet S in the conveyance direction F. At this time, the controller 47 determines not to process the first sheet S1 determined to be the sheet S having the fourth length L4 in the processing unit 19. Since the second sheet S2 is conveyed downstream by at least the first length L1 from the leading edge Ef of the sheet S, the information J3 of the third sheet S3 can be read by the first reading unit 71. However, when the first detection unit 91 detects a sheet S having a fourth length L4 that is longer than the third length L3, the controller 47 determines not to process the sheet S having the fourth length in the processing unit 19. Therefore, the first reading unit 71 does not read incorrect information J, and the sheet S is not processed inappropriately.

[0111] Also, at this time, based on the fact that the double-feed detection unit 35 has detected double-feed, the controller 47 determines not to process it in the processing unit 19. This is because the first sheet S1 is not being conveyed normally.

[0112] The controller 47 excludes both the first and second sheets S1 and S2 from the conveyance path 5. When excluding the sheet S from the conveyance path 5, the controller 47 conveys the plurality of sheets S sent in an overlapping state to the downstream reject mechanism 25 by the skew correction mechanism 32 and the rollers 8, 9, and 10 of the conveyance unit 4. Then, the controller 47 drives the drive source of the rotating member 251 to rotate the rotating member 251 from the horizontal posture to the inclined posture. The sheet S is guided downward by the rotating member 251 in the inclined posture, sent by the guide member 253 and the guide roller 254, and collected in the reject tray 252. Thus, the controller 47 collects the first sheet S1 detected to have the fourth length L4 in the reject tray 252 by the reject mechanism 25.

[0113] When the first detection unit 91 is installed adjacent to the double-feed detection unit 35 in the width direction W at the same position as the double-feed detection unit 35 in the conveyance direction F as in the first embodiment, first, the double-feed detection unit 35 detects double-feeding of the sheet S, and then the first detection unit 91 detects the sheet having the fourth length L4. By detecting double-feeding with both the double-feed detection unit 35 and the first detection unit 91, it is possible to more reliably detect the occurrence of double-feeding. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the problem of accidentally processing the expensive sheet S with a surface coating.

[0114] The sheet S collected in the reject tray 242 is usually left as it is until the other sheets S on the mounting table 36 are processed. However, when it is not preferable for the order of the objects to be processed Q to be changed by rejection, the user may separately set to stop the processing operation. The user recovers the sheet S excluded from the conveyance path 5 from the reject tray 252 or from above the conveyance path 5 and reloads it onto the mounting table 36. As a result, the sheet S is processed in the previously assumed order and stacked on the discharge table 61.

[0115] As described above, according to the processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, it includes a conveyance unit 4 that conveys a sheet, a processing unit 19 that processes a predetermined position of the sheet S conveyed by the conveyance unit 4, a mounting unit 33 on which a plurality of sheets S to be processed by the processing unit 19 are mounted, a detection unit 90 installed in the conveyance path 5 between the mounting unit 33 and the processing unit 19 that detects the sheet S, a reading mechanism 26 installed on the mounting unit 33 that reads information printed on the sheet S, and a controller 47 as a control unit that controls the processing unit 19 to process the sheet S based on the information read by the reading mechanism 26. The reading mechanism 26 reads the information J printed in a predetermined range of the sheet S that is separated from the rear edge Eb of the sheet S by a length of at least the first length L1 in a plan view from the installation position of the detection unit 90 to the installation position of the contact member 37 where the front edge Ef of the sheet S mounted on the mounting unit 33 comes into contact. Therefore, when the sheet S is processed by the processing unit 19 based on the information read by the reading mechanism 26, the reading mechanism 26 does not accidentally read information, and the sheet S can be appropriately processed.

[0116] In addition, since the first reading unit 71 is installed to be movable, it can be moved to an appropriate position according to the printing position of the information J on the sheet S.

[0117] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the front edge Ef of the third and subsequent sheets S placed on the placement unit 33 was at the position where it contacts the contact member 37. However, in the second embodiment, the front edge Ef of the sheet S placed on the placement unit 33 is at a position where it does not contact the contact member 37. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing the state of the sheet S on the mounting table 36 of the second embodiment. In the figure, the front edge Ef of the third and subsequent sheets S placed on the placement unit 33 is located upstream by the tenth length L10 from the installation position of the contact member 37.

[0118] The first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are conveyed while overlapping and are separated on the conveyance path 5 between the first detection unit 91 and the contact member 37. Thereafter, the first sheet S1 is normally conveyed and processed. The front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 does not reach the installation position of the first detection unit 91 and is not detected by the first detection unit 91. The front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 is located upstream by the sixth length L6 from the first detection unit 91. The front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 is at a position downstream by the fifth length L5 in plan view from the installation position of the contact member 37.

[0119] The length in plan view from the front edge Ef2 of the second sheet S2 to the front edge Ef3 which is the downstream edge of the third sheet S3 placed on the placement unit 33 is the seventh length L7. The seventh length L7 is a value obtained by adding the tenth length L10 to the fifth length L5. That is, L7 = L5 + L10.

[0120] In addition, the second length L2 is the length in plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the downstream edge Ef of the third and subsequent sheets S placed on the placement unit 33. The second length L2 is the sum of the first length L1 and the tenth length L10. That is, L2 = L1 + L10.

[0121] In the second embodiment, the information J printed on the sheet S is located in a range that is at least the second length L2, which is the length in plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the downstream edge Ef of the sheet S placed on the placement unit 33, and is away from the rear edge Eb of the sheet S. The information J3 of the third sheet S3 is printed in a range corresponding to the 11th length L11 that is at least the second length L2 away from the rear edge Eb3 of the third sheet S3. When viewed from above the placement table 36, the information J3 of the third sheet S3 is printed in a range corresponding to the 11th length L11 of the third sheet S3 and is hidden by the second sheet S2. Even when the sheet S is placed upstream of the installation position of the contact member 37, the first reading unit 71 can appropriately read only the information J2 printed on the topmost second sheet S2.

[0122] For example, assuming that the first length L1, the fifth length L5, and the tenth length L10 are 100 mm, 80 mm, and 30 mm, respectively. The seventh length L7 is L7 = 80 + 30 = 110 mm. The second length L2 is L2 = L1 + L10 = 100 + 30 = 130 mm. The information J is printed around 135 mm to 140 mm in front of the rear edge Eb of the sheet S, which is more than 130 mm from the rear edge Eb. The rear edge Eb2 of the second sheet S2 is located 110 mm downstream of the rear edge Eb3 of the third sheet S3. The rear edge Eb of the second sheet S2 is located 110 mm upstream of the rear edge Eb where the information J3 of the third sheet S is printed, which is more than 135 mm to 140 mm. The information J3 of the third sheet S is hidden by the second sheet S2.

[0123] In the second embodiment, the reading unit 71 reads information J printed in a range that is at least the second length L2 in a plan view from the installation position of the first detection unit 91 to the downstream edge Eb of the sheet S placed on the placement unit 33 and is away from the rear edge Eb of the sheet S. When a plurality of sheets S are conveyed downstream from the placement unit 33 while overlapping and exceed the installation position of the contact member 37, and the front edge Ef of the lower sheet S stops on the conveyance path 5 that is downstream of the installation position of the contact member 37 by the fifth length L5 between the first detection unit 91 and the contact member 37, when processing the lower sheet S, the information J of the lower sheet S is printed in a range that is at least the second length L2 and is away from the rear edge Eb of the sheet S, so it is hidden by the upper sheet S. The first reading unit 71 can appropriately read the information J of the lower sheet S.

[0124] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above first and second embodiments and can be implemented in various modes. For example, although five detachable processing units are used as the processing unit for performing processing on the sheet S in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S, the number of processing units arranged in the conveyance direction of the sheet S, their arrangement order, and their processing devices can be appropriately changed according to the desired processing content. The same applies to the processing units in the width direction of the sheet.

[0125] Also, the arrangement location and the number of arrangement of the detection unit 90 can be appropriately changed according to the processing unit to be used. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the first to sixth detection units 91 to 96 are provided to detect the conveyance error in the longitudinal direction of the sheet S. However, without providing these first to sixth detection units, based only on the sheet position detected by any one of the first to fifth detection units, it may be configured to uniquely detect the respective sheet positions of each sheet being conveyed on the conveyance path of the sheet.

[0126] Further, the slitter 201 of the slit portion 20 that can move horizontally and be horizontally positioned has been subjected to vertical cutting, but is not limited thereto, and can be appropriately selected and used from among vertical perforation, vertical creasing, or rounding of the corner portions of the object to be processed. These processing devices perform positioning movement horizontally in a state where there is no sheet in the processing unit, that is, in a state where the sheet is not caught by the processing device.

[0127] Also, the information J is provided near the left edge EL of the sheet S, but may be provided in other ranges of the sheet, for example, at the center in the width direction of the sheet, or may be provided at a position about one-third or one-fourth of the sheet width in the width direction from the left edge of the sheet, or may be near the right edge. Further, the mark M may be changed to an L shape and may be a square, a triangle, a polygon, or the like. The mark M and the barcode B are provided near the front edge Ef of the sheet, but may also be at the center in the conveyance direction of the sheet or at the rear portion.

[0128] Also, when the sheets are fed repeatedly, the sheets are excluded from the conveyance path 5 by the reject mechanism, but alternatively, the conveyance of the sheets may be stopped by stopping the rotation of the rollers and the running of the belt. In this case, the user can reverse the rotation of the rollers and reverse the running of the belt as necessary to collect the sheets and place them on the supply table again. Also, the sheets may be discharged to the discharge table through the conveyance path without being processed. These exclusion of the sheets from the conveyance path, stopping of the conveyance, or discharge to the discharge table through the conveyance path may be executed by appropriately combining them.

[0129] The controller 47 adjusts the processing position of the sheet S in the processing unit 19 based on the detection result of the detection unit 90, but it is not necessary to adjust the processing position. The detection unit 90 detects the position of at least one of the indicating portions U in the conveyance direction F of the sheet S and the width direction W orthogonal to the conveyance direction F, but may detect a direction inclined with respect to the conveyance direction, or may detect any other indication.

[0130] The contact member 37 is formed in a plate shape and extends in the vertical direction. However, it may be formed in a rod shape such as a cylinder or a prism, and a plurality of them may be arranged side by side and extend in the vertical direction. It may also be installed so that only a part of the front edge of the sheet, such as only the center in the width direction, comes into contact. The first reading unit 71 that constitutes the reading mechanism 26 is above the mounting table 36 and is detachably installed at the upper end of the guide wall 361. However, if it is installed on the mounting part, it does not have to be detachable, and it may also be detachably installed on the apparatus main body or fixed to the apparatus main body. The first reading unit 71 is provided with an angle adjustment unit 73 and a position adjustment unit 74. However, it may be a fixed type that cannot adjust either or both of the angle and the position in the conveyance direction.

[0131] It is provided with a second reading unit 72. However, it does not have to be provided with a second reading unit. Based on the information read by the second reading unit, the position of the sheet S in the conveyance path 5 is grasped and the processing position of the sheet S is adjusted. However, it does not have to adjust the processing position according to the position of the sheet in the conveyance path. The reading mechanism 26 reads the information of the subsequent sheet after the detection unit 90 detects the rear edge Eb of the sheet S. However, the reading mechanism may read the information of the subsequent sheet before the detection unit detects the rear edge of the sheet.

[0132] When the detection unit 90 detects a sheet S having a fourth length L4 that is longer than a third length L3 that is the length of the sheet S in the conveyance direction F, it controls so that the sheet S having the fourth length L4 is not processed by the processing unit 19. However, instead of this,

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0133] Eb, Eb1, Eb2, b3 Rear edge, Ef, Ef1, Ef3, Ef3 Front edge, J, J2, J3 Information, L1 First length, L2 Second length, L3 Third length, L4 Fourth length, S Sheet, 1 Processing apparatus, 4 Conveying unit, 5 Conveyance path, 19 Processing unit, 33 Mounting part, 37 Contact member, 71 First reading unit, 72 Second reading unit.

Claims

1. A processing method for processing a predetermined position of a sheet at a processing section, comprising: placing a plurality of said sheets on a placement section; from the installation position of a detection section that detects the sheet on the conveyance path of the sheet from the placement section to the processing section, to the installation position of a contact member that contacts the front edge of the sheet placed on the placement section, the information printed in a predetermined range of the sheet that is separated from the rear edge of the sheet is read by a first reading section installed on the placement section, where the length in plan view is equal to or greater than a first length; a processing method for processing the sheet based on the information read by the first reading section.

2. The processing method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is a range that is equal to or greater than a second length, which is the length in plan view from the installation position of the detection section to the downstream edge of the sheet placed on the placement section, and is separated from the rear edge of the sheet.

3. reading the information of the sheet by a second reading section installed downstream of the placement section; grasping the position of the sheet on the conveyance path of the sheet based on the information read by the second reading section, and adjusting the processing position of the sheet, the processing method according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The processing method according to claim 1, wherein the reading mechanism reads the information of a subsequent sheet after the detection section detects the rear edge of the sheet.

5. The processing method according to claim 1, wherein when the detection section detects a sheet having a fourth length that is longer than a third length, which is the length of the sheet in the conveyance direction, the sheet having the fourth length is not processed at the processing section.

6. A reading method for reading information printed on a sheet, comprising: installed on the conveyance path between a processing section that processes a predetermined position of the sheet conveyed by a conveyance section and a placement section on which a plurality of the sheets processed by the processing section are placed, from the installation position of a detection section that detects the sheet, to the installation position of a contact member that contacts the front edge of the sheet placed on the placement section, the information printed in a predetermined range of the sheet that is separated from the rear edge of the sheet is read by a first reading section installed on the placement section, where the length in plan view is equal to or greater than a first length.

7. A processing apparatus comprising a conveyance section for conveying a sheet; and a processing section for processing a predetermined position of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance section, wherein the processing apparatus further comprises a placement section on which a plurality of the sheets processed by the processing section are placed. A detection unit installed in a conveyance path between the placement unit and the processing unit, for detecting the sheet; A first reading unit installed in the placement unit, for reading information printed on the sheet; A control unit for controlling the processing unit to process the sheet based on the information read by the first reading unit; The first reading unit is a processing apparatus that reads the information printed in a predetermined range of the sheet, which is separated from the trailing edge of the sheet, by a length in a plan view from the installation position of the detection unit to the installation position of a contact member with which the leading edge of the sheet placed on the placement unit comes into contact, and is equal to or greater than a first length.

8. The processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first reading unit is installed so as to be movable.

9. A sheet in which a predetermined position of a medium is processed by a processing unit of a processing apparatus, A sheet in which information for processing the medium is printed in a predetermined range of the medium, which is separated from the trailing edge of the medium, by a length in a plan view from the installation position of a detection unit for detecting the medium installed in a conveyance path of the medium between a placement unit on which a plurality of the media are placed and the processing unit to a contact member with which the leading edge of the medium placed on the placement unit comes into contact, and is equal to or greater than a first length.

10. The sheet according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of the information is printed on one sheet, and among the plurality of the information, the information at the most upstream position is printed in the predetermined range.

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