Sheet feeding apparatus

Abstract

To convey the uppermost paper of a paper bundle from a paper feeding position by properly delivering the paper bundle supplied from the outside to a paper bundle loading part.SOLUTION: A sheet feeding unit 10 configured to convey a sheet arranged at a sheet feeding position along a sheet feeding direction FD, a sheet bundle stacking unit 20 configured to stack a sheet bundle B including a plurality of sheets fed by the sheet feeding unit 10, a lift mechanism 30 configured to move the sheet bundle stacking unit 20 along a height direction HD so that an uppermost sheet stacked on the sheet bundle stacking unit 20 is arranged at the sheet feeding position, and a delivery mechanism 40 configured to hold the sheet bundle B supplied from the outside and deliver the sheet bundle B to the sheet bundle stacking unit 20, the delivery mechanism 40 includes a paper bundle holding part 41 for holding the paper bundle B supplied from the outside, and a delivery part 42 for delivering the paper bundle B from the paper bundle holding part 41 to the paper bundle loading part 20 so that the paper bundle B is loaded on the paper bundle loading part 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feeder. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a sheet stacking device has been disclosed that has a stacking tray for stacking stacks of paper sheets discharged from a printing machine and a carriage for moving the stacking tray to an offline bookbinding machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The sheet stacking device of Patent Document 1 lowers the stacking tray according to the weight of the sheets to keep the upper surface of the stacking tray in a fixed position, thereby reducing the burden on the worker when transferring the stacks of paper sheets from the stacking tray to a paper feed unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-52971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when an operator manually transfers sheets from the stacking tray of a sheet stacking device to the paper feed section of an offline binding machine, care must be taken not to disrupt the stacking order of the sheets, and there is a risk that the order will be changed due to operator error.

[0005] Another possible way to prevent operator errors is to load the paper stacks discharged from the printing press onto a detachable pallet from the cart, and then use an elevator to transfer the pallet carrying the paper stacks from the sheet stacking device to the paper feed unit of the offline binding machine. However, for example, if paper stacks are supplied directly from multiple types of sheet stacking devices to the paper feed unit of the offline binding machine, the paper feed unit of the offline binding machine must be changed to accommodate the different shapes of the pallets depending on the type of sheet stacking device, which adds to the setup required for the change and requires additional equipment for the change.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a paper feeding device that can properly transfer a stack of paper sheets supplied from the outside to a paper stack stacking section and transport the topmost sheet of the paper stack from the paper feed position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A paper feeding device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a paper feeding section that transports paper placed at a paper feeding position along a feeding direction; a paper stack stacking section that loads a paper stack including multiple papers fed by the paper feeding section; a lift mechanism that moves the paper stack stacking section along a height direction so that the topmost paper loaded on the paper stack stacking section is placed at the paper feeding position; and a transfer mechanism that holds the paper stack supplied from outside and transfers the paper stack to the paper stack stacking section, wherein the transfer mechanism has a paper stack holding section that holds the paper stack supplied from outside, and a transfer section that transfers the paper stack from the paper stack holding section to the paper stack stacking section so that the paper stack is in a state where it is loaded on the paper stack stacking section.

[0008] According to a paper feeding device of one aspect of the present invention, a stack of sheets supplied from outside is held by a sheet stack holding section of a transfer mechanism, and the sheet stack is transferred from the sheet stack holding section to a sheet stack stacking section by the transfer section of the transfer mechanism. The sheet stack transferred to the sheet stack stacking section is moved in the height direction by a lift mechanism so that the topmost sheet is placed at the sheet feed position. The topmost sheet of the sheet stack placed at the sheet feed position is transported in the feed direction by the sheet feed section. According to a paper feeding device of one aspect of the present invention, a stack of sheets supplied from outside can be properly transferred to the sheet stack stacking section, and the topmost sheet of the sheet stack can be transported from the sheet feed position.

[0009] In the paper feeder according to one aspect of the present invention, the delivery mechanism may include a position adjustment unit that can adjust the position of the paper stack holding unit in the feeding direction relative to the paper stack loading unit.

[0010] With this paper feeding device, the position of the paper stack supplied from the outside to the paper stack holding section in the feeding direction can be adjusted by the position adjustment section to the desired position suitable for the paper stack loading section, so that the paper stack can be properly transferred from the paper stack holding section to the paper stack loading section.

[0011] In a paper feeding device of the above configuration, a detection unit may be provided that detects when the end of the paper stack has reached a predetermined position in the feeding direction, and the position adjustment unit may move the paper stack holding unit in the feeding direction based on the detection result of the detection unit so that the position of the paper stack in the feeding direction becomes a target position.

[0012] According to the paper feeder of this aspect, the detection unit detects that the end of the paper stack has reached a predetermined position in the feeding direction, and based on the detection result, the position adjustment unit moves the paper stack holding unit in the feeding direction so that the position of the paper stack in the feeding direction becomes the target position. This allows the paper stack to be properly transferred from the paper stack holding unit to the paper stack stacking unit.

[0013] In the paper feeding device of the above configuration, the transfer mechanism may also have a direction adjustment section that rotates the paper stack holding section around an axis extending along the height direction to adjust the direction of the paper stack held in the paper stack holding section relative to the feeding direction.

[0014] According to this type of paper feeding device, the direction adjustment unit rotates the paper stack holding unit around an axis extending along the height direction to adjust the direction of the paper stack held in the paper stack holding unit relative to the feeding direction, thereby making it possible to appropriately adjust the direction of the paper stack supplied to the paper stack holding unit from outside relative to the feeding direction.

[0015] In one embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention, the paper stack stacking section has a plurality of stacking members that are spaced apart along the feed direction and extend along a width direction perpendicular to the feed direction to support the paper stack, the paper stack holding section has a plurality of holding members that are spaced apart along the feed direction and extend along the width direction to support the paper stack, and the transfer section may be configured to transfer the paper stack from the paper stack holding section to the paper stack stacking section by switching from a first state in which the plurality of holding members are spaced apart from the plurality of stacking members in the width direction to a second state in which the holding members and the stacking members are alternately arranged in the feed direction and overlap in the width direction.

[0016] According to the paper feeder of this configuration, a stack of paper sheets supplied from outside is held by multiple holding members extending in the width direction. The transfer section switches from a first state, in which the multiple holding members of the paper stack holding section are spaced apart in the width direction from the multiple stacking members of the paper stack stacking section, to a second state, in which the holding members and the stacking members are alternately arranged in the feed direction and overlap in the width direction, so that the paper stack is positioned above the multiple stacking members of the paper stack stacking section. In the second state, the paper stack is transferred from the paper stack holding section to the paper stack stacking section, and by operating the lift mechanism in this state, the paper stack can be loaded onto the paper stack stacking section and moved to the paper feed position.

[0017] In one embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention, the paper stack stacking section has a stacking member that extends along a width direction perpendicular to the feed direction and supports the paper stack, the paper stack holding section holds a plate-shaped section on which the paper stack is placed at a predetermined height, and the transfer section may be configured to transfer the paper stack to the paper stack stacking section by switching from a first state in which the paper stack holding section is positioned away from the stacking member in the width direction to a second state in which the plate-shaped section and the stacking member are positioned overlapping in the width direction and the stacking member is positioned below the plate-shaped section.

[0018] According to the paper feeding device of this configuration, the transfer section can transfer a paper stack to the paper stack loading section by switching from a first state in which the paper stack holding section is positioned at a widthwise distance from the loading member to a second state in which the plate-shaped section and the loading member are positioned overlapping in the widthwise direction and the loading member is positioned below the plate-shaped section.

[0019] In the paper feeder having the above configuration, the paper stack holding section may hold a pallet having the plate-shaped section and a plurality of legs that hold the plate-shaped section at the predetermined height relative to the paper stack holding section.

[0020] According to the paper feeding device of this configuration, a pallet having a plate-shaped portion and a plurality of legs that hold the plate-shaped portion at a predetermined height relative to the paper stack holding portion is held by the paper stack holding portion, and the paper stack can be handed over to the paper stack stacking portion by switching the transfer portion from a first state to a second state in which the loading member is positioned below the plate-shaped portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper feeder that can properly transfer a paper stack supplied from the outside to a paper stack stacking section and transport the topmost paper of the paper stack from the paper feed position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a paper processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a first state in which a holding member of a transfer mechanism is spaced apart in the width direction from a stacking member of a paper stack stacking section. FIG. [Figure 2] 10 is a perspective view showing the paper processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a second state in which the holding member of the transfer mechanism is disposed so as to overlap the stacking member of the paper stack stacking section in the width direction. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a paper processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which a paper stack holding section holds a paper stack in a first state. [Figure 4]1 is a perspective view showing a sheet processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which a sheet stack is stacked on a sheet stack stacking section in a second state. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a paper processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the topmost paper in a stack of paper is placed at a paper feed position. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a paper feed device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a paper feed device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a plan view showing the paper feeder in a first state in which the holding member of the paper stack holding section is separated in the width direction from the stacking member of the paper stack stacking section. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a plan view of the paper feeder showing a state in which an automated guided vehicle supplies a paper stack to a paper stack holding section of the paper feeder in a first state. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a plan view showing the paper feeding device in a state where the paper detection unit detects the edge of the paper stack in the feeding direction. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a plan view showing the paper feeder in a state where the paper detection unit detects the edge of the paper stack in the width direction. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a plan view showing a state in which an end in the feeding direction of a stack of sheets is placed at a sheet feeding position in the sheet feeding device in a first state. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the paper processing system, illustrating a first state in which the paper stack holding portion of the delivery mechanism is separated in the width direction from the stacking member of the paper stack stacking portion. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the paper processing system, illustrating a second state in which the paper stack holding section of the delivery mechanism is disposed so as to overlap the stacking member of the paper stack stacking section in the width direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A paper processing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the paper processing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows a first state in which the holding member 41a of the transfer mechanism 40 is separated in the width direction WD from the stacking member 21 of the paper stack stacking section 20. Figure 2 shows a second state in which the holding member 41a of the transfer mechanism 40 is positioned so as to overlap with the stacking member 21 of the paper stack stacking section 20 in the width direction WD.

[0024] 1 and 2, the paper sheet processing system 1 includes a paper feeder 100 and a paper sheet processing device 200. The paper feeder 100 is a device that transports paper sheets P (see FIG. 5) placed at a paper feed position one sheet at a time along a feed direction FD. The paper sheet processing device 200 is a device that performs paper processing such as folding on the paper sheets P transported from the paper feeder 100.

[0025] 1 and 2, the paper feeder 100 includes a paper feed unit 10, a paper stack stacking unit 20, a lift mechanism 30, a delivery mechanism 40, and a paper detection unit 50. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper detection unit 50 is provided in only one location, but other embodiments are also possible. For example, the paper detection unit 50 may be provided in multiple locations.

[0026] The paper feed unit 10 is a device that rotates around an axis Y1 that is perpendicular to the feed direction FD and extends along the width direction WD, which is horizontal, to transport the topmost paper P (see Figure 5) stacked in the paper stack stacking unit 20 one sheet at a time along the feed direction FD.

[0027] The paper stack stacking unit 20 is a device that stacks a paper stack B containing a plurality of sheets of paper P fed by the paper feed unit 10. The paper stack stacking unit 20 has a plurality of stacking members 21 that are arranged at intervals along the feeding direction FD and extend along the width direction WD perpendicular to the feeding direction FD to support the paper stack B.

[0028] The lift mechanism 30 is a mechanism that moves the sheet stack loading section 20 along the height direction HD so that the topmost sheet P loaded on the sheet stack loading section 20 is placed at the sheet feed position.

[0029] The delivery mechanism 40 is a mechanism that holds the sheet stack B supplied from the outside and delivers the sheet stack B to the sheet stack stacking unit 20. The delivery mechanism 40 is preferably configured to be detachably attached to the main body 100a of the sheet feeding device 100, for example.

[0030] Here, the external means, for example, an automatic guided vehicle that transports a paper stack B including multiple paper sheets P that have been printed by a printing device (not shown) to the paper feeder 100, or a cart that has the function of loading the paper stack B and is moved by an operator. The delivery mechanism 40 has a paper stack holding unit 41, a delivery unit 42, a position adjustment unit 43, and a direction adjustment unit 44.

[0031] The paper stack holding unit 41 is a device that holds a paper stack B supplied from outside, and includes a plurality of holding members 41a that are arranged at intervals along the feeding direction FD and extend along the width direction WD to support the paper stack B, and a plate-like member 41b to which the plurality of holding members 41a are attached. The paper stack holding unit 41 is attached to the delivery unit 42 via a direction adjustment unit 44 (see FIG. 6) so as to be rotatable about an axis Z1 that extends along the height direction HD.

[0032] The transfer unit 42 is a device that transfers the sheet bundle B from the sheet bundle holding unit 41 to the sheet bundle stacking unit 20 so that the sheet bundle B is in a state where it is stacked on the sheet bundle stacking unit 20. The transfer unit 42 transfers the sheet bundle B from the sheet bundle holding unit 41 to the sheet bundle stacking unit 20 by switching a first state (see FIG. 1 ) in which the multiple holding members 41a are arranged spaced apart from the multiple stacking members 21 in the width direction WD to a second state in which the holding members 41a and the stacking members 21 are arranged alternately in the feeding direction FD and overlap each other in the width direction WD. The transfer unit 42 has a fixed part 42a that is fixed to the main body 100a of the sheet feeding device 100, and a moving part 42b that is movable along the width direction WD relative to the fixed part 42a.

[0033] 3 to 5, the operation of the transfer unit 42 to transfer the sheet bundle B from the sheet bundle holding unit 41 to the sheet bundle stacking unit 20 will be described. FIGS. 3 to 5 are perspective views showing the sheet processing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the sheet bundle holding unit 41 holds the sheet bundle B in a first state. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the sheet bundle B is stacked on the sheet bundle stacking unit 20 in a second state. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the topmost sheet P of the sheet bundle B is placed in the paper feed position.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, in a first state in which the plurality of holding members 41a are arranged spaced apart from the plurality of stacking members 21 in the width direction WD, a sheet stack B supplied from the outside is held by the sheet stack holding section 41. When the moving section 42b moves in a direction approaching the fixed section 42a along the width direction WD from the state shown in Fig. 3, the state changes to a second state shown in Fig. 4. In the second state shown in Fig. 4, the lift mechanism 30 moves the sheet stack stacking section 20 upward along the height direction HD, thereby changing to the state shown in Fig. 5.

[0035] The position adjustment unit 43 is a device that adjusts the position of the paper stack holding unit 41 in the feeding direction FD relative to the paper stack stacking unit 20. The position adjustment unit 43 adjusts the position of the paper stack holding unit 41 attached to the transfer unit 42 in the feeding direction FD by moving the transfer unit 42 forward or backward along the feeding direction FD. In FIGS. 3 to 5, the position adjustment unit 43 moves the entire transfer unit 42 forward or backward along the feeding direction FD, but other embodiments are also possible. For example, the position adjustment unit 43 may be disposed between the fixed unit 42a and the moving unit 42b of the transfer unit 42, and the moving unit 42b may be moved forward or backward along the feeding direction FD relative to the fixed unit 42a.

[0036] The direction adjustment unit 44 is a device that rotates the paper stack holding unit 41 about an axis Z1 that extends in the height direction to adjust the direction of the paper stack B held by the paper stack holding unit 41 relative to the feeding direction FD. For example, when the feeding direction FD of the paper P of the paper stack B supplied to the paper stack holding unit 41 from the outside is opposite to the direction to be processed by the paper processing device 200, the direction adjustment unit 44 rotates the paper stack holding unit 41 180 degrees about the axis Z1 to reverse the direction of the feeding direction FD of the paper P of the paper stack B.

[0037] The paper detection unit 50 is a device that detects when the end of the paper stack B in the feed direction FD has reached a first predetermined position Px in the feed direction FD (see Figure 10), and when the end of the paper stack B in the width direction WD has reached a second predetermined position Py in the width direction WD (see Figure 11).

[0038] The control unit 60 is a device that controls the sheet feeding device 100. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the sheet feeding device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 60 controls each unit by transmitting control signals to the sheet feeding unit 10, the lift mechanism 30, the moving unit 42b, the position adjusting unit 43, and the direction adjusting unit 44. The control unit 60 also receives the detection result of the end of the stack of sheets B from the sheet detecting unit 50.

[0039] 3 to 5, the transfer section 42 of the transfer mechanism 40 has a movable section 42b that is movable along the width direction WD relative to the fixed section 42a, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the transfer section 42 may have a movable section 42b that is movable along the feeding direction FD relative to the fixed section 42a. In this case, the paper stack stacking section 20 has a plurality of stacking members 21 that are arranged at intervals along the width direction WD and extend along the feeding direction FD perpendicular to the width direction WD to support the paper stack B.

[0040] Next, a control method for the sheet feeding device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the sheet feeding device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Each processing shown in Fig. 7 is executed by a control program of the control unit 60.

[0041] In step S101, the control unit 60 receives an input from the operator and sets the size of the sheet bundle B to be stacked on the sheet bundle stacking unit 20 in the feeding direction FD and the width direction WD.

[0042] In step S102, the control unit 60 receives an input from the operator and sets whether to adjust the direction of the sheet stack B delivered from the outside to the delivery mechanism 40 by 180 degrees with respect to the feeding direction FD or not to adjust it.

[0043] In step S103, the control unit 60 receives input from the operator and determines whether a stack of paper B has been supplied to the transfer mechanism 40 from the outside. If YES, the process proceeds to step S104; if NO, the process of step S103 is repeated.

[0044] Fig. 8 is a plan view showing sheet feeding device 100 in a first state in which holding member 41a of sheet stack holding section 41 is separated in the width direction WD from stacking member 21 of sheet stack stacking section 20. Fig. 9 is a plan view of sheet feeding device 100 showing a state in which automatic guided vehicle 400 has supplied sheet stack B to sheet stack holding section 41 of sheet feeding device 100 in the first state.

[0045] When sheet stack B is supplied from automated guided vehicle 400 to sheet stack holding section 41 of sheet feeder 100 in the first state shown in Fig. 8, multiple forks 410 of automated guided vehicle 400 are inserted between holding members 41a arranged at intervals along the feeding direction FD, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 9. When multiple forks 410 of automated guided vehicle 400 are lowered in the state shown in Fig. 9, sheet stack B is held by multiple holding members 41a of sheet stack holding section 41.

[0046] In step S104, control unit 60 controls direction adjustment unit 44 to perform a direction adjustment operation. If it is set in step S102 that the direction of paper-sheet bundle B relative to the feed direction FD is to be adjusted by 180 degrees, control unit 60 rotates paper-sheet bundle holding unit 41 180 degrees about axis Z1 to reverse the direction of paper-sheet bundle B relative to the feed direction FD, and proceeds to step S105. If it is set in step S102 that the direction of paper-sheet bundle B relative to the feed direction FD is not to be adjusted, control unit 60 proceeds to step S105 without rotating paper-sheet bundle holding unit 41 about axis Z1.

[0047] In step S105, the control unit 60 controls the position adjustment unit 43 to start moving the paper stack holding unit 41 along the feeding direction FD.

[0048] In step S106, the control unit 60 determines whether the edge of the stack of sheets B in the feed direction FD has been detected by the sheet detection unit 50 based on the detection result transmitted from the sheet detection unit 50. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S107, and if the determination is NO, the determination of step S106 is repeated. Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the sheet feeding device 100 in a state where the sheet detection unit 50 has detected the edge Ba of the stack of sheets B in the feed direction FD. When the state shown in Fig. 10 is reached where the edge Ba coincides with the first predetermined position Px on the axis X parallel to the feed direction FD, the control unit 60 determines YES and proceeds to step S107.

[0049] In step S107, control unit 60 determines a stop position in the feed direction FD of paper stack B based on the size of paper stack B in the feed direction FD set in step S101 and the timing at which end Ba of paper stack B in the feed direction FD was detected in step S106, and controls position adjustment unit 43 to stop movement of paper stack holding unit 41 in the feed direction FD at the determined stop position. Control unit 60 determines the stop position in the feed direction FD of paper stack B so that it is a position where there is no interference between stacking member 21 and holding member 41a.

[0050] In step S108, the control unit 60 controls the moving unit 42b to start moving the paper stack holding unit 41 in the width direction WD.

[0051] In step S109, the control unit 60 determines whether the edge of the stack of sheets B in the width direction WD has been detected by the sheet detection unit 50 based on the detection result transmitted from the sheet detection unit 50. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S110, and if the determination is NO, the determination of step S109 is repeated. Figure 11 is a plan view showing the sheet feeding device 100 in a state where the sheet detection unit 50 has detected the edge Bb of the stack of sheets B in the width direction WD. When the state shown in Figure 11 is reached where the edge Bb coincides with the second predetermined position Py on the axis Y parallel to the width direction WD, the control unit 60 determines YES and proceeds to step S110.

[0052] In step S110, the control unit 60 determines a stop position for the width direction WD of the sheet bundle B based on the size of the width direction WD of the sheet bundle B set in step S101 and the timing at which the end Bb of the width direction WD of the sheet bundle B was detected in step S109. The control unit 60 determines the position where the center position Bc of the width direction WD of the sheet bundle B coincides with the axis X as the stop position.

[0053] In step S111, control unit 60 determines whether center position Bc of sheet bundle B in the width direction WD has reached a stop position coinciding with axis X, and if YES, proceeds to step S112, and if NO, repeats the process of step S111. Control unit 60 determines whether center position Bc of sheet bundle B in the width direction WD has reached a stop position coinciding with axis X, based on the elapsed time from the state shown in FIG. 11 and the movement speed of sheet bundle holding unit 41 in the width direction WD by movement unit 42b.

[0054] In step S112, the control unit 60 controls the movement unit 42b to stop the movement of the paper stack holding unit 41 in the width direction WD.

[0055] In step S113, the control unit 60 controls the position adjustment unit 43 to move the sheet stack holding unit 41 a predetermined distance in the feed direction FD. Here, the predetermined distance is the distance from a first predetermined position Px, where the end Ba of the sheet stack B in the feed direction FD is located, to an end surface 100b of the main body 100a of the sheet feeding device 100 in the feed direction FD. The control unit 60 moves the sheet stack holding unit 41 in the feed direction FD based on the detection result of the sheet detection unit 50 so that the position of the sheet stack B in the feed direction FD becomes the target position. In the examples shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first predetermined position Px coincides with the position where the sheet detection unit 50 detects the end Ba of the sheet stack B in the feed direction FD. However, the first predetermined position Px may be a position different from the position where the sheet detection unit 50 detects the end Ba of the sheet stack B in the feed direction FD.

[0056] The control unit 60 moves the paper stack holding unit 41 a predetermined distance in the feed direction FD, thereby bringing the state shown in Fig. 12 in which the end Ba of the paper stack B in the feed direction FD abuts against the end surface 100b of the main body unit 100a in the feed direction FD. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the state in which the end Ba of the paper stack B in the feed direction FD is located at the paper feed position in the paper feed device 100 in the first state. As shown in Fig. 12, the control unit 60 executes step S113 to bring the end Ba of the paper stack B in the feed direction FD into the paper feed position in the feed direction FD.

[0057] In step S114, the control unit 60 controls the lift mechanism 30 to lift the sheet stack B in the height direction HD so that the topmost sheet P of the sheet stack B is positioned at a sheet feeding position where it contacts the sheet feeding unit 10. In step S115, control unit 60 controls sheet feed unit 10 to start the sheet feed operation with sheet stack B positioned in the feed direction FD at a sheet feed position where it abuts against end surface 100b, and with sheet stack B positioned in the height direction HD at a sheet feed position where the topmost sheet P of sheet stack B contacts sheet feed unit 10. Sheet feed unit 10 transports the topmost sheet P of sheet stack B one sheet at a time in the feed direction FD. As the number of sheets P in sheet stack B decreases, control unit 60 raises sheet stack stacker 20 using lift mechanism 30 to maintain the state in which the topmost sheet P of sheet stack B is positioned at the sheet feed position.

[0058] Other Embodiments In the above description, the paper stack holding section 41 of the delivery mechanism 40 has a plurality of holding members 41a that extend along the width direction WD and support the paper stack B, and a plate-shaped member 41b to which the plurality of holding members 41a are attached, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the paper stack holding section 41 may be modified to have only the plate-shaped member 41b without the plurality of holding members 41a.

[0059] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the paper sheet processing system 1, illustrating a first state in which the paper sheet stack holding section 41 of the transfer mechanism 40 is separated in the width direction WD from the stacking member 21 of the paper sheet stacking section 20. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the paper sheet processing system 1, illustrating a second state in which the paper sheet stack holding section 41 of the transfer mechanism 40 is positioned so as to overlap with the stacking member 21 of the paper sheet stacking section 20 in the width direction WD.

[0060] 13 and 14, paper-bundle holding unit 41 has only plate-shaped member 41b, and plate-shaped member 41b holds pallet 300, on which paper-bundle B is loaded. Pallet 300 has plate-shaped portion 301 on which paper-bundle B is placed, multiple legs 302 that hold plate-shaped portion 301 at a predetermined height relative to plate-shaped member 41b of paper-bundle holding unit 41, and plate-shaped portion 303 that is attached to the lower ends of legs 302 and is supported by plate-shaped member 41b.

[0061] The delivery unit 42 delivers the sheet stack B to the sheet stack loading unit 20 by switching from a first state (see FIG. 13 ) in which the sheet stack holding unit 41 is positioned away from the multiple loading members 21 in the width direction WD to a second state in which the pallet 300 and the loading members 21 are positioned overlapping in the width direction WD and the loading members 21 are positioned below the plate-shaped portion 301. When the sheet stack loading unit 20 is moved upward in the height direction HD by the lift mechanism 30, it holds the plate-shaped portion 301 to move the pallet 300 and the sheet stack B upward in the height direction HD.

[0062] 13, in pallet 300, a space is formed between plate-shaped portion 301 and plate-shaped portion 303 by leg portions 302. When loading pallet 300 onto transfer section 42 of transfer mechanism 40 of this modified example, forks 410 of automatic guided vehicle 400 can be inserted into the space in pallet 300 along width direction WD, and pallet 300 can be placed in transfer section 42 along width direction WD. Furthermore, when loading pallet 300 onto transfer section 42 of transfer mechanism 40 of this modified example, forks 410 of automatic guided vehicle 400 can be inserted into the space in pallet 300 along feeding direction FD, and pallet 300 can be placed in transfer section 42 along feeding direction FD.

[0063] Furthermore, although the paper detection unit 50 of the present embodiment is a single detection unit that detects when the end of the paper stack B in the feed direction FD has reached the first predetermined position Px in the feed direction FD and when the end of the paper stack B in the width direction WD has reached the second predetermined position Py in the width direction WD, other configurations are also possible. For example, the paper detection unit 50 may have a first detection unit that detects when the end of the paper stack B in the feed direction FD has reached the first predetermined position Px in the feed direction FD, and a second detection unit that detects when the end of the paper stack B in the width direction WD has reached the second predetermined position Py in the width direction WD. In this case, the first detection unit and the second detection unit may be located in different positions.

[0064] Furthermore, although the paper detection unit 50 in this embodiment is fixedly disposed at a predetermined position in the paper feeder 100, other configurations are also possible. For example, the paper detection unit 50 may be disposed movably relative to the main body 100a of the paper feeder 100. In this case, the paper detection unit 50 is moved along the width direction WD relative to the main body 100a of the paper feeder 100, and the stop position of the paper stack B in the width direction WD is determined based on the timing at which the paper detection unit 50 detects the edge of the paper stack B in the width direction WD. Similarly, the paper detection unit 50 is moved along the feeding direction FD relative to the main body 100a of the paper feeder 100, and the stop position of the paper stack B in the feeding direction FD is determined based on the timing at which the paper detection unit 50 detects the edge of the paper stack B in the feeding direction FD.

[0065] The actions and effects achieved by the sheet feeding device 100 of the present embodiment described above will be described.

[0066] According to paper feeder 100 of this embodiment, a stack of sheets B supplied from outside is held by sheet stack holding section 41 of transfer mechanism 40, and sheet stack B is transferred from sheet stack holding section 41 to sheet stack stacking section 20 by transfer section 42 of transfer mechanism 40. Sheet stack B transferred to sheet stack stacking section 20 is moved in the height direction HD by lift mechanism 30 so that the topmost sheet P is placed at the sheet feed position. The topmost sheet P of sheet stack B placed at the sheet feed position is transported one sheet at a time in the feed direction FD by paper feed section 10. According to paper feeder 100 of this embodiment, a stack of sheets B supplied from outside can be properly delivered to sheet stack stacking section 20, and the topmost sheet P of sheet stack B can be transported from the sheet feed position.

[0067] According to the paper feeding device 100 of this embodiment, the position of the paper stack B supplied from the outside to the paper stack holding section 41 in the feeding direction FD is adjusted by the position adjustment section 43 to the desired position suitable for the paper stack stacking section 20, so that the paper stack B can be properly transferred from the paper stack holding section 41 to the paper stack stacking section 20.

[0068] According to paper feeding device 100 of this embodiment, paper detection unit 50 detects that end Ba of paper stack B has reached first predetermined position Px in the feeding direction FD, and based on the detection result, position adjustment unit 43 moves paper stack holding unit 41 in the feeding direction FD so that the position of paper stack B in the feeding direction FD becomes the target position. This allows paper stack B to be properly handed over from paper stack holding unit 41 to paper stack stacker 20.

[0069] According to the paper feeding device 100 of this embodiment, the direction adjustment unit 44 rotates the paper stack holding unit 41 around the axis Z1 extending along the height direction HD to adjust the direction of the paper stack B held in the paper stack holding unit 41 relative to the feed direction FD, thereby making it possible to appropriately adjust the direction of the paper stack B supplied from outside to the paper stack holding unit 41 relative to the feed direction FD.

[0070] According to paper feeding device 100 of this embodiment, a stack of paper sheets B supplied from the outside is held by a plurality of holding members 41a extending along the width direction WD. Transfer section 42 switches from a first state, in which the plurality of holding members 41a of paper stack holding section 41 are spaced apart in the width direction WD from the plurality of stacking members 21 of paper stack stacking section 20, to a second state, in which holding members 41a and stacking members 21 are alternately arranged in the feed direction FD and overlap in the width direction WD, thereby placing paper stack B above the plurality of stacking members 21 of paper stack stacking section 20. In the second state, paper stack B is delivered from paper stack holding section 41 to paper stack stacking section 20, and by operating lift mechanism 30 in this state, paper stack B can be loaded onto paper stack stacking section 20 and moved to the paper feed position.

[0071] Other Embodiments In the above description, the paper P loaded on the paper stack stacking section 20 is assumed to be sheets, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the paper P may be a quire made by stacking and folding multiple sheets. The paper P may also be a book block made by binding multiple sheets together with glue or wire. The paper P may also be a bound product made by attaching a cover to a book block. When the paper P is a quire, book block, bound product, or the like that includes multiple sheets, the paper feed section 10 of the paper feeder 100 transports the paper P including multiple sheets one by one along the feed direction FD.

[0072] 1 to 5 is configured to rotate about an axis Y1 extending along the width direction WD perpendicular to the feed direction FD to transport the topmost sheet P stacked in the sheet stack stacking unit 20 along the feed direction FD, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the sheet feeder 10 may be configured to suck the topmost sheet P stacked in the sheet stack stacking unit 20 from above using one or more suction mechanisms (not shown) and transport it along the feed direction FD. A sheet feeder 10 with a suction mechanism is particularly suitable for use when the sheets P are book blocks or bound materials. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Paper handling system 10 Paper feed section 20 Paper stack loading section 21 Loading components 30 Lift mechanism 40 Delivery Mechanism 41 Paper stack holding section 41a holding member 41b Plate-shaped member 42 Delivery Section 42a Fixed part 42b Moving part 43 Position adjustment section 44 Direction adjustment section 50 Paper detection unit 60 Control Unit 100 Paper feeder 100a Main body 100b end face 200 Paper handling device 300 pallets 400 Automated Guided Vehicle 410 Fork B Paper stack Ba end Bb end Bc center position FD feeding direction HD Height direction P paper Px 1st predetermined position Py second predetermined position WD Width direction X,Y,Y1,Z1 axis

Claims

1. a paper feed unit that transports paper placed at a paper feed position along a feed direction; a paper stack stacking unit for stacking a paper stack including a plurality of sheets fed by the paper feed unit; a lift mechanism that moves the sheet stacking unit in a height direction so that the topmost sheet stacked on the sheet stacking unit is positioned at the sheet feed position; a transfer mechanism that holds the sheet bundle supplied from the outside and transfers the sheet bundle to the sheet bundle stacking section, The delivery mechanism includes: a paper stack holding unit that holds the paper stack supplied from outside; a transfer section that transfers the sheet bundle from the sheet bundle holding section to the sheet bundle stacking section so that the sheet bundle is in a state where it is stacked on the sheet bundle stacking section.

2. 2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the delivery mechanism includes a position adjustment unit that adjusts the position of the paper stack holding unit in the feeding direction relative to the paper stack loading unit.

3. a detection unit that detects when an end of the paper stack reaches a predetermined position in the feeding direction; 3. The paper feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the position adjustment section moves the paper stack holding section in the feeding direction so that the position of the paper stack in the feeding direction becomes a target position based on the detection result of the detection section.

4. The paper feed device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the transfer mechanism has a direction adjustment section that rotates the paper stack holding section around an axis extending along the height direction to adjust the direction of the paper stack held in the paper stack holding section relative to the feed direction.

5. the sheet stack stacking section has a plurality of stacking members that are arranged at intervals along the feeding direction and extend along a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction to support the sheet stack, the paper stack holding section has a plurality of holding members that are arranged at intervals along the feeding direction and extend along the width direction to support the paper stack, The paper feed device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transfer section transfers the paper stack from the paper stack holding section to the paper stack stacking section by switching from a first state in which the multiple holding members are positioned at a distance from the multiple stacking members in the width direction to a second state in which the holding members and the stacking members are positioned alternately in the feed direction and overlapping in the width direction.

6. the sheet stack loading section has a loading member extending along a width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction and supporting the sheet stack; the sheet stack holding section holds a plate-like section on which the sheet stack is placed at a predetermined height; A paper feeding device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transfer section transfers the paper stack to the paper stack stacking section by switching from a first state in which the paper stack holding section is positioned at a distance from the stacking member in the width direction to a second state in which the plate-shaped section and the stacking member are positioned overlapping in the width direction and the stacking member is positioned below the plate-shaped section.

7. 7. The paper feeder according to claim 6, wherein the paper stack holding section holds a pallet having the plate-like portion and a plurality of legs for holding the plate-like portion at the predetermined height relative to the paper stack holding section.

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