IC sheet insertion device

Abstract

To provide an IC sheet insertion device that improves worker safety and work efficiency. [Solution] The IC sheet insertion device comprises at least a reversing unit that supplies an IC booklet in an inverted T-shape along a transport guide and inverts the IC booklet into a T-shape using the reversing guide, a control unit that controls the operation of the reversing unit, and a safety cover related to the reversing unit, wherein the control unit further controls the transport guide and the reversing guide to be in an open state based on the detection of the safety cover being opened when the machine stops.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an IC sheet insertion device for manufacturing an IC booklet incorporating an IC sheet.

Background Art

[0002] In order to prevent forgery and alteration of passports, a booklet-shaped passport (IC booklet) equipped with an IC sheet is used.

[0003] FIG. 1 shows an example of an IC booklet. The IC booklet (1) is composed of an inner page (2), an over page (3), an IC sheet (4), and a cover (5). Also, the over page (3) and the IC sheet (4) are thermally bonded and are generally called a data page (6). The inner page (2) and the over page (3) are made of paper, and the surface material of the IC sheet (4) is a thermoplastic resin material. The IC sheet (4) has an IC chip and an antenna coated with a thermoplastic resin material and has the same structure as a commonly used contactless IC card. While the size of a general IC card is determined to be 54 mm × 86 mm according to a standard specification, the size of the IC sheet (4) attached to a booklet varies depending on the size of the booklet. The thermoplastic resin material is, for example, a plastic material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PET-G (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate), etc.

[0004] The applicant of the present application has filed an application for an IC sheet insertion device for inserting an IC sheet into the central page of a booklet in order to produce the above-described IC booklet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] As shown in Figure 2(a), the IC sheet insertion device has a reversing unit (20) for inverting the IC booklet (1) into which the IC sheet has been inserted in the vertical direction. In the reversing unit (20), the IC booklet (1), which has been transported to the reversing unit (20) along the transport guide (21) with at least the data pages (6) of the IC booklet (1) standing upright, is then inverted in the vertical direction by the reversing guide (22) which grasps a portion of the data pages (6). In other words, the IC booklet (1), which has been transported along the transport guide in the inverted T shape shown in Figure 2(b), is inverted by the reversing guide (22) and transported downstream in the T shape shown in Figure 2(c).

[0006] Figure 3 is a top view of the inversion unit (20) shown in Figure 2(a), and is a diagram for explaining the open and closed states of the transport guide (21) and inversion guide (22) in the inversion unit (20). As shown in Figure 3(a), the transport guide (21) and inversion guide (22) are waiting with a predetermined gap to guide the data pages (6) of the IC booklet (1). Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), when the IC booklet (1) is transported to the inversion guide (22), a booklet presence sensor (not shown) located on the top of the inversion guide (22) detects the IC booklet (1), causing the transport guide (21) to open and the inversion guide (22) to close. At this time, the inversion guide (22) grips and inverts the data pages (6) of the IC booklet (1), causing the IC booklet (1) to be inverted as shown in Figure 2(a). Note that in Figure 3(b), the illustration of the contents pages (2) of the IC booklet (1) is omitted. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-121249 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The aforementioned reversing section (20) is designed so that even when the IC sheet insertion device is stopped, the transport guide (21) and reversing guide (22) open and close by turning the booklet presence sensor on or off while the safety cover (not shown) surrounding the reversing section (20) is open. Therefore, when the operator is performing maintenance on the IC sheet insertion device or when the IC sheet insertion device is stopped and the IC booklet (1) remaining in the reversing section (20) is being removed, if the booklet presence sensor is accidentally activated, the operator's hand may get caught between the transport guide (21) or the reversing guide (22), or between each guide and the side wall (23), posing a safety problem. In addition, in order to prevent malfunction of each guide, it is necessary to keep the hand over the booklet presence sensor while working in order to maintain the open state of each guide, which resulted in poor work efficiency.

[0009] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an IC sheet insertion device that improves worker safety and work efficiency by keeping the transport guide and reversal guide open at the same time as opening the safety cover when performing maintenance on the IC sheet insertion device or when removing an IC booklet, thereby preventing the signal from the booklet presence sensor from affecting the operator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention provides an IC sheet insertion device for inserting an IC sheet into a booklet consisting of a cover, inner pages, and overpages, and for producing an IC booklet having data pages on which the overpages and IC sheet are pressed together. The device comprises at least a reversing unit that supplies the IC booklet to a reversing guide in an inverted T-shape along a transport guide and reverses the IC booklet to a T-shape using the reversing guide, a control unit that controls the operation of the reversing unit, and a safety cover related to the reversing unit. The control unit further controls the transport guide and the reversing guide to be in an open state based on the detection of the safety cover being opened when the machine is stopped. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] With the IC sheet insertion device configured as described above, the transport guide and the reversing guide open simultaneously with the opening of the safety cover related to the reversing section, and the open state of the transport guide and the reversing guide is maintained regardless of the presence or absence of a signal from the booklet presence sensor, thereby improving worker safety and work efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the format of the iPhone booklet. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the reversal operation of the reversal guide in the reversal section. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the transport guide and the opening and closing operation of the reversing section. [Figure 4] This figure shows an IC sheet insertion device. [Figure 5] This diagram shows how an IC sheet is inserted into a booklet that has been flipped open in a V-shape. [Figure 6] This figure shows the IC sheet insertion device stopped due to a conveying malfunction. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the state of the reversing section when the IC sheet insertion device stops due to a transport malfunction. [Figure 8] This diagram shows a flowchart of the process for removing an IC booklet when an IC sheet insertion device stops working. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the state of the reversal section when the IC sheet insertion device has stopped. [Figure 10] This diagram shows a flowchart of the IC booklet removal process when the IC sheet insertion device stops operating according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and includes various other embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an IC sheet inserting device (100). The IC sheet inserting device (100) includes a feeder unit (10), an IC sheet inserting press unit (11), a temporary discharge unit (12), a reversing unit (20), a ribbing folding unit (13), a cutting unit (14), an accumulating unit (15), a delivery unit (16), and a control unit (30). In the following description, a booklet in which the inner pages (2), the over pages (3), and the cover (5) are aligned before the IC sheet (4) is inserted is referred to as booklet (1-1), and a booklet with the IC sheet (4) inserted is referred to as IC booklet (1).

[0015] The feeder unit (10) conveys the booklet (1-1) in which the inner pages (2), the over pages (3), and the cover (5) are aligned with the over page (3) turned over.

[0016] The IC sheet inserting press unit (11) inserts the IC sheet (4) between the over pages (3) in the booklet (1-1) conveyed from the feeder unit (10), and performs thermocompression bonding and cooling.

[0017] The temporary discharge unit (12) temporarily discharges the booklet (1-1) and the IC booklet (1) being conveyed when the IC sheet inserting device (100) stops due to conveyance failure or the like.

[0018] The reversing unit (20) includes a conveyance guide (21) and a reversing guide (22) in the same configuration as described using FIG. 2. The reversing unit (20) supplies the IC booklet (1) produced by the IC sheet inserting press unit (11) to the reversing guide (22) along the conveyance guide (21) in an inverted T shape, the reversing guide (22) grips the IC booklet (1), and by reversing with the reversing guide (22), conveys it downstream in the T shape shown in FIG. 2(c).

[0019] In this invention, the inverted T-shape state refers to a state in which at least the cover (5) is open and at least the overpage (3) and IC sheet (4) are raised at approximately 90 degrees relative to the cover (5) (see Figure 2(b)). The T-shape state refers to a state in which the IC booklet (1) in the aforementioned inverted T-shape state is reversed by approximately 180 degrees by the reversal guide (22) (see Figure 2(c)). When the IC booklet (1) in the T-shape state is observed from the side, it appears to resemble the Roman letter "T". The inner pages (2) may be open together with the cover (5), or they may be raised together with the overpage (3) and IC sheet (4).

[0020] The creasing and folding section (13) involves creasing the spine of the IC booklet (1) and folding it into a booklet shape along the creasing lines. Specifically, creasing involves applying a creasing blade to the part of the IC booklet (1) that will become the spine and leaving a mark. By creasing, when the IC booklet (1) is folded into a booklet shape, the spine is formed along the creasing lines, allowing the cover (5) to be folded uniformly.

[0021] The cutting section (14) cuts the IC booklet (1) to a predetermined size.

[0022] The stacking unit (15) stacks the cut IC booklets (1).

[0023] The delivery unit (16) is responsible for dispensing the IC booklet (1).

[0024] The control unit (30) controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned parts, and the specific control will be described later.

[0025] Of the IC sheet insertion device (100), safety mechanisms such as safety covers and area sensors are installed in areas where it is necessary to ensure the safety of the operator, such as the IC sheet insertion press section (11), the reversing section (20), the creasing and folding section (13), and the cutting section (14). In the following description, each section will be described in a configuration where it is enclosed by a safety cover (25). The safety cover (25) is designed to be opened when the machine is stopped, etc., to facilitate machine maintenance. The form of the safety cover (25) is not particularly limited, and for example, a sliding type or a door type safety cover can be used.

[0026] In the explanation of Figure 4, an example of an IC sheet insertion device (100) having parts from the feeder section (10) to the delivery section (16) was described. However, the mechanism from the cutting section (14) onward may be configured as a separate device, such as a booklet cutting device.

[0027] Figure 5 shows how an IC sheet (4) is inserted into a booklet (1-1) by an IC sheet insertion device (100). As shown in Figure 5(a), the overpage (3) of the booklet (1-1) is turned over by the feeder unit (10) and transported to the IC sheet insertion press unit (11). Next, as shown in Figure 5(b), the IC sheet insertion press unit (11) inserts the IC sheet (4), and the data page (6) is formed by heat pressing and cooling, and as shown in Figure 5(c), an IC booklet (1) is produced. Note that the illustration of the inner pages (2) is omitted in Figure 5.

[0028] Figure 6 shows the state in which the IC sheet insertion device (100) has stopped due to a transport malfunction during operation. At this time, the IC booklets (1) and booklets (1-1) that were being transported upstream of the reversing unit (20) are discharged to the temporary discharge unit (12), and the IC booklets (1) that were being transported downstream of the reversing unit (20) are processed in each unit as in normal operation and then discharged to the delivery unit (16). However, the IC booklets (1) remaining in the reversing unit (20) are not discharged automatically and must be removed by an operator.

[0029] Figure 7 shows the state of the reversal unit (20) when a transport malfunction occurs during operation of a conventional IC sheet insertion device (100), causing the IC sheet insertion device (100) to stop. Figure 7(a) shows the state of the reversal unit (20) when the machine stops before the IC booklet (1) has reached the detection area of ​​the booklet presence sensor (24) located on the upper part of the reversal guide (22). In this case, in order to remove the IC booklet (1), it is necessary to hold a hand over the booklet presence sensor (24) to make the booklet presence sensor (24) detect the booklet presence sensor (24). When the booklet presence sensor (24) is detected, as shown in Figure 7(b), the reversal guide (22) grasps the data page (6), rotates approximately 45 degrees, and then opens, making it possible to remove the IC booklet (1) by hand. In Figure 7(b), the cover (5) is supported from below by a guide (not shown) to prevent the IC booklet (1) from falling when the reversal guide (22) is opened.

[0030] Figure 7(c) shows the state of the reversing unit (20) when the machine stops at the moment the IC booklet (1) reaches the detection area of ​​the booklet presence sensor (24) located on the top of the reversing guide (22). In this case, as shown in Figure 7(b), the machine stops with the reversing guide (22) rotated by approximately 45 degrees. In both Figure 7(a) and Figure 7(c), in order to prevent the booklet presence sensor (24) from turning off and the transport guide (21) and reversing guide (22) from operating when the IC booklet (1) is removed from the reversing guide (22) in the state shown in Figure 7(b), it was necessary to hold a hand over the booklet presence sensor (24) while removing the IC booklet (1).

[0031] Figure 8 shows a conventional flowchart for removing the IC booklet (1) from the reversing unit (20) when the IC sheet insertion device (100) stops due to a transport malfunction. Figure 9 shows the state in which the IC booklet (1) remains between the transport guide (21) and the reversing guide (22) of the reversing unit (20) when the IC sheet insertion device (100) stops due to a transport malfunction. In Figure 9, as shown in Figure 7(a), the safety cover (25) and control unit (30) are illustrated in the example where the machine stops before the IC booklet (1) reaches the detection area of ​​the booklet presence sensor (24) located at the top of the reversing guide (22). First, if a transport malfunction occurs while the IC sheet insertion device (100) is in operation, the IC sheet insertion device (100) stops (STEP 1). The operator opens the safety cover (25) surrounding the reversing unit (20) as shown in Figure 9 (STEP 2). Next, by holding a hand over the booklet presence sensor (24) installed on the top of the reversing unit (20), the transport guide (21) opens, and the reversing guide (22) grasps the IC booklet (1), rotates approximately 45 degrees, and then the reversing guide (22) opens (STEP 3). The operator can then remove the IC booklet (1) remaining in the reversing unit (20) while still holding their hand over the booklet presence sensor (24), thereby allowing the IC sheet insertion device (100) to return to its original position. In other words, in the conventional IC sheet insertion device (100), the control unit (30) controlled the opening of the transport guide (21) and the reversing guide (22) when both the opening of the safety cover (25) surrounding the reversing unit (20) and the presence of the booklet sensor (24) were detected.

[0032] In the conventional recovery method shown in Figure 8, if the worker's hand moves out of the detection area of ​​the booklet presence sensor (24) while removing the IC booklet (1), the transport guide (21) and reversal guide (22) may operate unintentionally, potentially trapping the worker's hand.

[0033] Figure 10 shows a flowchart for removing the IC booklet (1) from the reversing section (20) when the IC sheet insertion device (100) stops due to a transport malfunction in the present invention. Figure 10 will also be explained using an example where the machine stops before the IC booklet (1) reaches the detection area of ​​the booklet presence sensor (24) located on the upper part of the reversing guide (22), as shown in Figure 7(a). First, if a transport malfunction occurs while the IC sheet insertion device (100) is in operation, the IC sheet insertion device (100) stops (STEP 1). Next, the operator opens the safety cover (25) surrounding the reversing section (20) shown in Figure 9 (STEP 2). The safety cover (25) is equipped with a mechanism to detect the opening of the safety cover (25), such as a limit switch, microswitch, or sensor. Based on the detection of the opening of the safety cover (25), the control unit (30) opens the transport guide (21) and controls the reversing guide (22) to grasp the IC booklet (1), rotate approximately 45 degrees, and then open the reversing guide (22) (STEP 2'). In addition, when the control unit (30) detects the opening of the safety cover (25), it also controls the detection by the booklet presence sensor (24) to stop. As a result, the operator can remove the IC booklet (1) remaining in the reversing unit (20) without having to place their hand over the booklet presence sensor (24), thereby enabling the IC sheet insertion device (100) to return to its original position. In other words, the IC sheet insertion device (100) of the present invention opens the transport guide (21) and the reversing guide (22) at the same time as opening the safety cover (25) surrounding the reversing section (20), and maintains the open state of the transport guide (21) and the reversing guide (22) until the safety cover (25) is closed, while the control unit (30) controls the device so as not to be affected by the signal of the booklet presence sensor (24). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1 IC booklet 1-1 Booklet 2 pages inside 3 Overpage 4 IC Sheets 5 Cover 6 data pages 10 Feeder section 11 IC sheet insertion press section 12 Temporary discharge section 13. Folded section 14 Cutting section 15. Accumulation section 16 Delivery Department 20 Reversal section 21 Conveyor Guide 22 Reversal Guide 23 Side wall 24. Booklet presence / absence sensor 25 Safety cover 30 Control Unit 100 IC Sheet Insertion Device

Claims

[Claim 1] An IC sheet insertion device for inserting an IC sheet into a booklet consisting of a cover, inner pages, and overpages, and for producing an IC booklet having data pages on which the overpages and the IC sheet are heat-pressed together, The IC booklet is supplied to the inversion guide in an inverted T-shape along the transport guide, and the inversion unit inverts the IC booklet into a T-shape using the inversion guide. A control unit that controls the operation of the reversing unit, The reversing section is provided with at least a safety cover, The IC sheet insertion device is characterized in that the control unit further performs control to open the transport guide and the reversing guide based on the detection of the opening of the safety cover when the machine stops.

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