Sheet feeding device and sheet folding device

Abstract

To provide a sheet feeding device that, when feeding a long sheet, prevents the sheet from slanting in a feeding direction.SOLUTION: A sheet feeding device 1 includes separation feeding means for separating and feeding a topmost sheet P of a bundle of sheets loaded on a sheet mounting table 6. The separation feeding means includes airflow generating means 8 for blowing a gas A1 onto a leading surface of the bundle of sheets in the feeding direction and width regulating members (50, 55, 56), which contact and regulate an end surface in a width direction of the bundle of sheets on the sheet mounting table 6 in the sheet feeding device 1 having conveying means 7, which sucks and conveys the sheets P. When the length of the sheet P in a delivery direction is denoted as a sheet length PL, the maximum value of the sheet length PL is denoted as a maximum sheet length PLmax, and the length of the width regulating members from an upstream end facing the bundle of sheets to a downstream end is denoted as a width regulating length GL (GLa, GLb), the width regulating members can be arranged so that a relationship of "GL≥0.7*PLmax" is satisfied on the upstream end of the member facing the bundle of sheets.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device and a sheet folding device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a sheet feeding apparatus including a separating and feeding means for separating and feeding the topmost sheet of a sheet stack stacked on a sheet stacking table. Feeding direction an airflow generating means for blowing gas onto the leading end surface of the sheet stack; and Feeding direction 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a sheet feeding device of the so-called air suction type, which has a conveying means for conveying the sheet to the sheet feeder.

[0003] An example of this type of air suction type sheet feeding device is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-233996. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6078739 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In this type of air suction type sheet feeding device, when the sheet to be fed is long, a problem may occur in that the sheet is fed in an inclined state with respect to the feeding direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a separation and feeding means for separating and feeding a top sheet of a sheet stack stacked on a sheet stacking table, and the separation and feeding means Feeding direction an airflow generating means for blowing gas onto the leading end surface of the sheet stack; Feeding direction and a conveying means for conveying the sheet stack to the sheet stack in the width direction. The above A width regulating member is provided for regulating the position in the width direction of the sheet. The feeding direction The length of the sheet is the sheet length PL, the maximum value of the sheet length PL of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table is the maximum sheet length PLmax, Feeding direction When the length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the range in which the sheet stack can be opposed is defined as a width restriction length GL, the width restriction member can be arranged so as to satisfy the relationship GL≧0.7·PLmax. The sheet is fed in a state where the upstream end of the width regulating member in the feeding direction is exposed. The present invention is characterized in that: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that when a long sheet is fed, the sheet can be prevented from being inclined with respect to the feeding direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paper folder according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of electrical connections centered around a control unit of the paper folder. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the first folding mechanism and its surrounding configuration. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of the first folding mechanism and its surrounding configuration seen from diagonally below. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a first fold length and a second fold length. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of types of folding patterns that can be folded. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a paper size selection screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a folding mode selection screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a paper size selection screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] Top view of a paper folding machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, as a sheet folding device to which the present invention is applied, an embodiment of a paper folder 1 that performs folding processing on sheets such as paper P will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted as appropriate. In addition, the dimensions of the parts in each drawing are enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. In addition, some parts that are not important for explaining the embodiment are omitted in each drawing.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a paper folder 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the paper folder 1 with paper sheets P to be folded loaded, as seen from the direction of the arrow "α" in Fig. 1. 1 and 2, the paper folder 1 includes a paper feed section 2 that feeds out paper sheet P to be folded, a folding section 4 that folds the paper sheet P fed from the paper feed section 2, and a paper discharge section 3 to which the paper sheet P folded by the folding section 4 is discharged. The paper folder 1 also includes a front frame 5a and a rear frame 5b as frames 5 that hold the various components of the paper folder 1. An operation section 10 is provided on the top surface of the front frame 5a, which constitutes part of the top surface of the paper folder 1, to allow the user to input predetermined operations.

[0011] The paper folder 1 is a buckle-type sheet folding device. In a buckle-type sheet folding device, the sheet (P) is guided to a first folding conveying path (23), where it is abutted against a first abutting member (25) arranged in the first conveying path (23), and a first fold is formed at a first folding section (N1). Then, the sheet (P) is guided to a second folding conveying path (28) so that the first fold is at the front, where it is abutted against a second abutting member (32) arranged in the second conveying path (28), and a second fold is formed at a second folding section (N2), thereby performing a folding process in which two folds are performed.

[0012] The operation unit 10 includes a touch panel 101, a start button 111, a stop button 112, a test button 113, and the like. The paper feed section 2 is supported on a frame 5 of the paper folder 1 so as to be movable up and down, and includes a paper feed tray 6 on which paper sheets P are stacked, a lifting drive mechanism for raising and lowering the paper feed tray 6, a front air discharge mechanism 8, a side air discharge mechanism 9, and a feed mechanism 7. The front air discharge mechanism 8 and the side air discharge mechanism 9 discharge air to separate the paper sheets P stacked on the paper feed tray 6 from each other, and the feed mechanism 7 sends out the uppermost paper sheet P among the separated paper sheets P.

[0013] The paper feed tray 6 is provided with a pair of first side guides 50 that prevent the loaded paper sheets P from shifting in the width direction, and an end fence 12 that prevents the loaded paper sheets P from shifting in the length direction. The pair of first side guides 50 are configured to be able to move symmetrically about a center line in the paper width direction according to the size of the paper sheets P loaded on the paper feed tray 6, and abut against both end faces in the width direction of the paper stack to regulate the movement of the paper sheets P in the width direction. The end fence 12 contacts the paper stack from the rear (the upstream side in the paper transport direction in the paper feed section 2, the left side in FIG. 2) to regulate the movement of the paper sheets P in the length direction (paper transport direction). The distance in the width direction between the first side guide near side 50a and the first side guide far side 50b, which move symmetrically in the width direction ("distance between width restriction members GW" described later), can be adjusted between 120.0 mm and 311.0 mm. The end fence 12 can be fixed to the paper feed tray 6 by magnetic force, and is installed so as to come into contact with the rear end surface of the paper stack placed on the paper feed tray 6, thereby restricting the backward movement of the paper stack.

[0014] In addition, the paper folder 1 of this embodiment can be attached to the paper feed tray 6 a pair of second side guides 55 (55a, 55b) to be used when the length of the paper P is 416 mm or more, or when the paper P is A3 (length "420 mm") or more, and a pair of third side guides 56 (56a, 56b) to be additionally used when the length of the paper P is 457.2 mm or more. The second side guide 55 and the third side guide 56 can be fixed to the paper feed tray 6 by magnetic force, and are installed so that the inner guide surface in the width direction coincides with the guide surface of the first side guide 50, thereby contacting the end surface in the width direction of the paper stack and restricting the movement of the paper stack in the width direction.

[0015] The feeding mechanism 7 is an air suction type mechanism, and includes a conveyor belt 14 and a suction duct 16. The conveyor belt 14 is driven to rotate so that the paper conveying surface (lower surface) moves in the paper conveying direction (rightward in FIG. 2) by the transmission of drive from a drive motor (not shown). The suction duct 16 has a built-in fan for sucking air, and the rotation of the fan sucks air from a suction opening of the suction duct 16 provided near the paper conveying surface of the conveyor belt 14. By driving the conveyor belt 14 at a predetermined paper feeding timing while sucking air from the suction opening, the topmost paper P of the paper stack loaded on the paper feed tray 6 can be sucked onto the paper conveying surface of the conveyor belt 14, and the paper P can be fed. The feeding mechanism 7 is not limited to an air suction type mechanism, and may be a friction type mechanism using a paper feed roller.

[0016] The front air discharge mechanism 8 is provided in front of the paper feed tray 6 in the feeding direction (downstream in the paper transport direction). The front air discharge mechanism 8 blows air toward the front end of the paper stack loaded on the paper feed tray 6, floating the upper layers of the paper stack, and separating the floating sheets P from each other to improve paper feed performance. The front air discharge mechanism 8 is provided with a plurality of air discharge ports for discharging air toward the front end surface of the paper stack. The front air discharge mechanism 8 is connected to an air flow generating unit such as a fan or blower, and air is blown out from the air discharge ports by operating this air flow generating unit. This allows the paper sheets P that make up the paper stack loaded on the paper feed tray 6 to be spaced apart from each other, improving the separation of the sheets P and improving paper feed performance.

[0017] The side air discharge mechanism 9 is provided on the side of the paper feed tray 6 in the feeding direction (the rear side in the front-rear direction of the device). The side air discharge mechanism 9 operates when the length of the paper P inputted in the operation unit 10 is 420 mm or more (when the above-mentioned second side guide 55 is used) to blow air toward the left end of the paper stack stacked on the paper feed tray 6, floating the upper layers of the paper stack, and separating the floating sheets of paper P from each other to improve paper feeding performance. The side air discharge mechanism 9 is provided with a plurality of air discharge ports for discharging air toward the side end faces of the paper stack. The side air discharge mechanism 9 is connected to an air flow generating unit such as a fan or a blower, and air is blown out from the air discharge ports when the air flow generating unit is activated. When the sheets P stacked on the paper feed tray 6 are long, even if the front air discharge mechanism 8 blows air to space the sheets P apart at the front of the paper stack, the sheets P may come into contact with each other at the rear of the paper stack, causing a load due to friction between the sheets P, which may delay paper feeding. In contrast, by operating the side air discharge mechanism 9 when the sheets P stacked on the paper feed tray 6 are long, it is possible to space the sheets P apart even at the rear of the paper stack, improving paper feeding performance.

[0018] The folding section 4 includes an entrance roller pair 18, four folding section rollers 20 (20a to 20d), and two folding plates (36, 40) forming a conveying path (23, 28) therein. The paper discharge section 3 includes a paper discharge conveying mechanism 24 and a discharge tray . FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of the vicinity of the four folding rollers 20 of the paper folder 1, and is an enlarged view of the right half of the paper folder 1 shown in FIG.

[0019] Of the four folding rollers 20, the first folding roller 20a and the second folding roller 20b abut or closely face each other, forming a receiving roller pair that receives the sheet P toward the first folding plate 36. The second folding roller 20b and the third folding roller 20c abut or closely face each other, forming a first folding roller pair that performs a first folding on the sheet P whose leading edge has entered the first folding plate 36 and conveys the sheet P toward the second folding plate 40. The third folding roller 20c and the fourth folding roller 20d abut or closely face each other, forming a second folding roller pair that performs a second folding on the sheet P whose leading edge has entered the second folding plate 40 and conveys the sheet P toward the sheet discharge section 3.

[0020] The first folding plate 36 is configured to house the first folding conveying path 23 and the first folding stopper 25 in a rectangular parallelepiped first folding plate housing 34. The second folding plate 40 is configured to house the second folding conveying path 28 and the second folding stopper 32 in a rectangular parallelepiped second folding plate housing 38.

[0021] The two-dot chain line "PR" in FIG. The paper P sent out from the paper feed section 2 is conveyed by an inlet roller pair 18 toward the mechanism of the folding section 4. The sheet P that has passed through the entrance roller pair 18 is sandwiched and conveyed by the first folding roller 20a and the second folding roller 20b that form the receiving roller pair, and enters the first folding conveying path 23. A first fold stopper 25 is provided at a predetermined position of the first folding conveying path 23. Therefore, when the leading edge of the sheet P that has entered the first folding conveying path 23 abuts against the first fold stopper 25, the sheet P cannot proceed any further forward in the conveying direction (to the rear side of the first folding conveying path 23).

[0022] Even after the leading edge hits first fold stopper 25, the receiving roller pair continues to apply a conveying force to sheet P, so that a bend occurs in a portion of sheet P that is downstream of the receiving roller pair and upstream of first folding conveying path 23. This bent portion becomes the leading edge, and is caught in first folding nip N1 between second folding roller 20b and third folding roller 20c, and is conveyed while being sandwiched, whereby the bent portion becomes the first folding position, and a first fold is formed in sheet P.

[0023] After passing through the first folding nip N1, the sheet P on which the first fold has been formed is either directly discharged to the sheet discharge section 3, or the sheet P on which the second fold has been formed is discharged to the sheet discharge section 3. A path switching guide 30 (path switching member) is disposed on the outlet side of the first folding nip N1, and the path switching guide 30 is moved by a driving source (not shown) to change its position. This makes it possible to switch the conveying path of the sheet P to either a path toward the second folding nip N2 or a path toward the second folding conveying path 28 inside the second folding plate 40.

[0024] When the path-switching guide 30 is in a shielding position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3) that covers the exit of the first folding nip N1, the sheet P that has passed through the first folding nip N1 and been folded in half is led directly to the sheet discharge section 3. On the other hand, when the path-switching guide 30 is in a standby position (position indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 3) that does not cover the exit of the first folding nip N1, the sheet P that has passed through the first folding nip N1 and been folded in half enters the second folding conveying path 28.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, a second fold stopper 32 is provided at a predetermined position of the second fold conveying path 28, similar to the first fold stopper 25 of the first fold conveying path 23. Therefore, when the leading edge (first fold portion) of the sheet P entering the second fold conveying path 28 abuts against the second fold stopper 32, the sheet P cannot proceed any further forward in the conveying direction (to the rear side of the second fold conveying path 28). Even after the leading edge abuts against the second fold stopper 32, the first fold roller pair continues to apply a conveying force to the sheet P in the first fold nip N1, so that a flexure occurs in a portion of the sheet P located downstream of the first fold nip N1 and upstream of the second fold conveying path 28. The flexed portion becomes the leading edge, and is caught in the second fold nip N2 between the third fold roller 20c and the fourth fold roller 20d that form the second fold roller pair, and is conveyed while being sandwiched. As a result, the flexed portion becomes the second folding position, and a second fold is formed in the sheet P.

[0026] In this manner, by positioning the path switching guide 30 at the standby position, it becomes possible to fold the sheet P in thirds or fourths. When performing the folding process, it is necessary to set the position of the first fold stopper 25 on the first folding conveying path 23 and the position of the second fold stopper 32 on the second folding conveying path 28 so that the type of fold, such as a third fold or a fourth fold, and the length of the folded surfaces (multiple areas separated by folds in the paper P) are as desired.

[0027] 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of electrical connections centered around the control unit 100 of the paper folder 1. The control unit 100 has a CPU for executing various arithmetic processes, a ROM for storing various control programs, a RAM used as a work area for storing data and executing the programs, and the like. The control unit 100 receives operation inputs via various switches of the input device 110 and detection signals from various detection sensors including a paper feed sensor 120 and a folding sensor 130. The input device 110 is provided as an operation unit 10 provided on the upper surface of the frame 5. The folding sensor 130 includes an ultrasonic paper feed error sensor 51, an optical paper feed error sensor 52, a paper discharge error sensor 54, a stopper position sensor 90, and the like, which will be described later.

[0028] The operation unit 10 is an operation unit that accepts operation inputs from the user, and the control unit 100 is a control means that accepts the input contents from the operation unit 10 and controls the feeding mechanism 7, the folding processing unit 4, etc. based on the input contents and input contents from various sensors.

[0029] The control unit 100 executes predetermined calculation processing for paper feed control and folding control based on inputs from various switches and sensors, and outputs control command signals to a paper feed actuator 140 that operates the feed mechanism 7, a folding process actuator 150 that operates the folding process unit 4, etc. The folding process actuator 150 includes a roller drive motor 152 that drives the pair of entrance rollers 18 and the folding section rollers 20 (20a to 20d), a stopper movement motor 70 (described later), etc. In addition, the control unit 100 causes the display device 160 to display the setting screen and progress status of each process. The display device 160 has a touch panel 101 provided on the upper surface of the frame 5.

[0030] 2 and 3, an ultrasonic paper feed error sensor 51 and an optical paper feed error sensor 52 for detecting paper feed errors are provided between the pair of entrance rollers 18 and the pair of receiving rollers (20a, 20b). The ultrasonic paper feed error sensor 51 and the optical paper feed error sensor 52 detect the presence or absence of paper P passing through receiving conveyance path 53, which is a paper conveyance path between the pair of entrance rollers 18 and the pair of receiving rollers, and the presence or absence of double feeding of the passing paper P. When the control unit 100 receives a signal from the paper feed unit 2 indicating that paper has been fed, if paper P is not detected by both or either of the ultrasonic paper feed error sensor 51 and the optical paper feed error sensor 52 within a preset paper feed time from the reception of the signal, the control unit 100 determines that empty feeding has occurred. If paper P is detected within the paper feed time, the control unit 100 determines whether or not double feeding has occurred according to the output of either or both of the ultrasonic paper feed error sensor 51 and the optical paper feed error sensor 52. The control unit 100 determines that a jam has occurred if the detection state continues even after the paper passing time (a time preset according to the total length of the paper P) has elapsed since both or either of the ultrasonic paper feed error sensor 51 and the optical paper feed error sensor 52 detected the leading end of the paper P.

[0031] A paper discharge error sensor 54 for detecting a paper discharge error is provided near the exit of the second folding nip N2 (upstream of the paper discharge transport mechanism 24). The paper discharge error sensor 54 detects the passage of the paper P discharged from the second folding nip N2 toward the discharge tray 26. The control unit 100 determines that a jam has occurred if the paper discharge error sensor 54 does not detect the paper P even after the paper discharge arrival time (the time until the paper P reaches the paper discharge unit 3, which is preset according to the total length of the paper P and the conditions of the folding process) has elapsed since the paper P passed the ultrasonic paper feed error sensor 51 or the optical paper feed error sensor 52. The control unit 100 also determines that a jam has occurred if the paper discharge error sensor 54 continues to detect the paper P even after the paper discharge passing time (the time required for the paper P after folding to pass an arbitrary position, which is preset according to the total length of the paper P and the conditions of the folding process) has elapsed since the paper discharge error sensor 54 detected the paper P.

[0032] The above-mentioned "paper discharge arrival time" and "paper discharge passing time" may have different set values ​​depending on the conditions of the folding process, such as whether the type of fold in the folding process is double fold or triple fold. Also, instead of the set times for "paper feed time," "paper passing time," "paper discharge arrival time," and "paper discharge passing time," a set number of pulses indicating the number of rotations of the conveying motor may be set, and each conveying error may be determined based on the set number of pulses.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first folding plate 36 has a configuration in which a first folding mechanism 60 is housed in a first folding plate housing 34. Fig. 5 is a side view showing the first folding mechanism 60 and each part around it. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the first folding mechanism 60 and each part around it as viewed obliquely from below.

[0034] The first folding mechanism 60 includes a first folding conveying guide 62, a first folding stopper 25, a stopper guide rod 64, a stopper moving belt 66, and a drive transmission rod 68. A stopper moving motor 70 for moving the first folding stopper 25 is installed on the frame 5. The stopper moving motor 70 is formed of a stepping motor.

[0035] 5 and 6, the first folding conveying guide 62 has a pair of rectangular plate members arranged opposite each other, and forms the first folding conveying path 23 therebetween. A stopper guide rod 64 is provided below the first folding conveying guide 62. As shown in FIG. 6, the stopper guide rod 64 is arranged in the center of the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5) of the first folding conveying guide 62, and is fixed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the first folding conveying guide 62 (direction along the conveying direction of the paper P). The first folding conveying guide 62 is provided with a plurality of guide holes 72 above the stopper guide rod 64 and on both sides of the stopper guide rod 64 in the width direction. Each guide hole 72 has a rectangular shape and extends in the longitudinal direction of the first folding conveying guide 62 so as to be parallel to the stopper guide rod 64. The first folding stopper 25 is disposed so as to move along the stopper guide rod 64.

[0036] The first fold stopper 25 has a rectangular stopper base portion 74 extending in the width direction of the first folding conveying guide 62, and a plurality of paper abutment portions 76 erected at the upstream end of this stopper base portion 74 in the conveying direction (the end on the entrance / exit side of the first folding conveying guide 62). A pair of rod receiving portions 78 are provided in the widthwise center of the stopper base portion 74 so as to protrude downward from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first folding conveying guide 62, and the rod receiving portions 78 are inserted into the stopper guide rod 64. This allows the first fold stopper 25 to be supported so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction relative to the stopper guide rod 64. The paper abutting portions 76 erected at multiple locations in the widthwise direction are provided at positions corresponding to the multiple guide holes 72, respectively, and each penetrates the guide hole 72 in the vertical direction. This allows a structure in which the leading edge of the paper P introduced into the first folding conveying path 23 formed by the first folding conveying guide 62 abuts against the multiple paper abutting portions 76.

[0037] The drive transmission rod 68 is rotatably disposed below the end of the first folding conveying guide 62 on the entrance side and extends in the width direction. 、 A drive output pulley 79 is provided at one end in the extending direction, and a drive input gear 80 is provided at the other end. Meanwhile, a driven pulley 82 is rotatably supported below near the end of the first folding conveying guide 62 opposite the entrance / exit side. The stopper moving belt 66 is stretched between the drive output pulley 79 and the driven pulley 82. A portion of the stopper base portion 74 of the first fold stopper 25 near the center in the width direction is fixed to a predetermined position of the stopper moving belt 66.

[0038] A reduction gear mechanism 84 (reduction gear) is connected to the output shaft of the stopper moving motor 70, and a reduction drive output gear 84a that transmits the drive force transmitted from the stopper moving motor 70 to the drive input gear 80 is disposed on the outside of the housing of the reduction gear mechanism 84. The first folding plate 36 is detachable from the frame 5 of the paper folder 1, and when the first folding plate 36 is attached to the frame 5, the drive input gear 80 installed on the first folding plate 36 side is gear-coupled to the reduction drive output gear 84a installed on the frame 5 side.

[0039] With this configuration, when the stopper moving motor 70 is driven to rotate, the driving force is transmitted to the drive transmission rod 68 via the reduction drive output gear 84a and the drive input gear 80, and the drive output pulley 79 rotates. This causes the stopper moving belt 66 wrapped around the drive output pulley 79 to rotate, and the first fold stopper 25 fixed to the stopper moving belt 66 moves along the conveying direction of the paper P in the first folding conveying path 23 while being guided by the stopper guide rod 64. When the stopper movement motor 70 is driven in the forward direction, the first fold stopper 25 moves to the side opposite the entrance / exit side of the first fold conveying path 23, and when the stopper movement motor 70 is driven in the reverse direction, the first fold stopper 25 moves to the entrance / exit side of the first fold conveying path 23. This makes it possible to control the position of the first fold stopper 25 relative to the first fold conveying guide 62.

[0040] Meanwhile, a stopper position sensor 90 for detecting whether the first fold stopper 25 is at the reference position is provided at a predetermined position of the frame 5. The stopper position sensor 90 is a transmission type optical sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. A light shielding plate 86 is provided at one end in the width direction of the stopper base portion 74 of the first fold stopper 25. When the first fold stopper 25 is at the end position (reference position) of the entrance / exit side of the first folding conveying path 23 in its movable range, the light shielding plate 86 is positioned between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the stopper position sensor 90 (the state shown in FIG. 6). The stopper position sensor 90 detects that the first fold stopper 25 is at the reference position by the light shielding plate 86 blocking the light emitted from the light emitting element.

[0041] When performing the folding process, an initialization process is performed to position the first folding stopper 25, and the first folding stopper 25 is temporarily set to a reference position. Then, the position of the first folding stopper 25 on the first folding plate 36 can be controlled by setting the number of steps from this reference position.

[0042] In the above description, the basic configuration of the first folding mechanism 60 of the first folding plate 36 has been described. The second folding plate 40 also includes a second folding mechanism 61 similar to the first folding mechanism 60, and the paper folding machine 1 body includes a second stopper moving motor 71 for transmitting drive to the second folding mechanism 61. As with the first folding mechanism 60 of the first folding plate 36 described above, the position of the second folding stopper 32 in the second folding plate 40 can be controlled by controlling the drive of the second stopper moving motor 71, and therefore a detailed description of the second folding plate 40 will be omitted.

[0043] The paper folder 1 of this embodiment can perform various folding processes such as folding in half, folding in four, folding on one side, folding in inner thirds, folding on outer thirds, and folding in a gate shape by controlling the position of the first folding stopper 25 on the first folding plate 36 and the position of the second folding stopper 32 on the second folding plate 40. In addition, for each type of folding, it can perform standard folding in which the fold position is preset for each size of paper P, and special folding in which the user can set the fold position according to their preference.

[0044] 7 is an explanatory diagram of a "first fold length FL1" which is the distance from the first folding nip N1 to the first folding stopper 25, and a "second fold length FL2" which is the distance from the second folding nip N2 to the second folding stopper 32. The first fold length FL1 can be changed by changing the position of the first fold stopper 25 on the first folding plate 36, and the second fold length FL2 can be changed by changing the position of the second fold stopper 32 on the second folding plate 40.

[0045] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the types of folds that can be applied to sheet P by the folding process of the paper folder 1. Fig. 8(a) is a double fold, Fig. 8(b) is a quarter fold, Fig. 8(c) is a sleeve fold, Fig. 8(d) is an inner three fold, Fig. 8(e) is an outer three fold, and Fig. 8(f) is a gate fold. "FL1" shown by the dashed line in Fig. 8 is the length of sheet P after folding process that is determined by the first fold length FL1 in the paper folder 1, and "FL2" shown by the dashed line in Fig. 8 is the length of sheet P after folding process that is determined by the second fold length FL2 in the paper folder 1. In addition, at the bottom of each of (a) to (f) in Figure 8, the "first fold length FL1" and "second fold length FL2" are shown when paper P with a length "PL" (hereinafter referred to as "paper length PL") is folded into a standard shape.

[0046] The paper folder 1 of this embodiment has six standard paper sizes, namely, "A3", "A4", "A5", "B4", "B5" and "B6", and is capable of folding paper P of these standard sizes in the folding patterns shown in Figure 8 (a) to (f). Furthermore, the paper folding machine 1 of this embodiment can perform folding processing to obtain a product also called "A4 landscape." "A4 landscape" is a product that, when unfolded, becomes a horizontally long product with two A4 size sheets joined lengthwise, and "A4 landscape paper" used to create "A4 landscape" is a sheet of paper with a shape of two A4 size sheets joined lengthwise, and the "A4 landscape paper size" is 594 mm long and 210 mm wide. In the paper folder 1 of this embodiment, when the paper P is "A4 landscape paper," the settings for performing the gate fold process shown in Figure 8(f) cannot be input, but the settings for performing folding processes other than the gate fold shown in Figures 8(a) to (e) can be input.

[0047] As shown in Figure 8, the longest "first fold length FL1" relative to the "paper length PL" is the gate fold at "3 / 4·PL", and the longest "second fold length FL2" relative to the "paper length PL" is also the gate fold at "1 / 2·PL". The next longest "first fold length FL1" after the gate fold is the inner tri-fold at "2 / 3·PL", and the next longest "second fold length FL2" after the gate fold is the inner tri-fold and outer tri-fold at "1 / 3·PL". When gate-folding A4 landscape paper, the "first fold length FL1" is 445.5 [mm] and the "second fold length FL2" is 297 [mm]. In contrast, if the configuration does not allow gate-folding only for A4 landscape paper, the required "first fold length FL1" is 396 [mm] corresponding to the "2 / 3·PL" of an inner triple fold, and the required "second fold length FL2" is 198 [mm] corresponding to the "1 / 3·PL" of an inner triple fold or outer triple fold.

[0048] When folding paper P in a gatefold fashion, the "A3" size (paper length PL = 420 mm), which has the longest paper length PL among the six standard sizes mentioned above, the "first fold length FL1" is 315 mm and the "second fold length FL2" is 210 mm. To enable gate folding for A4 landscape paper, the length required for the "first fold length FL1" is 130.5 mm (445.5 mm - 315 mm = 130.5 mm) longer than the length required for the "A3" size gate folding. Also, the length required for the "second fold length FL2" is 87 mm (297 mm - 210 mm = 87 mm) longer. In contrast, if a configuration is made in which gate fold alone cannot be set for A4 landscape paper, the length required for the "first fold length FL1" is 81 mm (396 mm - 315 mm = 81 mm) longer than in a configuration in which gate fold is possible for "A3" size paper. Also, the length required for the "second fold length FL2" is 12 mm (198 mm - 210 mm = -12 mm) shorter, so the length required for the "second fold length FL2" by the paper folder 1 is 210 mm, which is the length that allows gate fold for "A3" size paper.

[0049] In the paper folding machine 1, by configuring it so that only gate fold cannot be set for A4 landscape paper, the length required for the "first fold length FL1" is "396 [mm]", which is shorter by "49.5 [mm]" than the length "445.5 [mm]" required for a configuration in which gate fold can also be set. Furthermore, the length required for the "second fold length FL2" is "210 [mm]", which is shorter by "87 [mm]" than the length "297 [mm]" required for a configuration in which gate fold can also be set. In this way, by configuring it so that only gate fold cannot be set for A4 landscape paper, the lengths required for the "first fold length FL1" and the "second fold length FL2" can be shortened, and the first folding plate 36 and the second folding plate 40 can be prevented from becoming large. As a result, it is possible to fold paper P of the six standard sizes described above in six different fold patterns, including the gate fold, and it is possible to fold A4 landscape paper in frequently used fold patterns other than the gate fold, while preventing the overall size of the paper folder 1 from increasing.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2, the paper folding machine 1 is equipped with a feeding mechanism 7 that feeds paper P to be transported to a first folding conveying path 23, and the first folding conveying path 23 extends diagonally upward from the feeding mechanism 7, and the second folding conveying path 28 extends diagonally downward from the feeding mechanism 7. Even if the first folding conveying path 23 is lengthened to enable folding in three for A4 landscape paper, which has a paper length PL longer than that of a general standard size, the length extending obliquely upward with respect to the feeding mechanism 7 is long. Therefore, in order to enable folding in three for A4 landscape paper, it is not necessary to enlarge the portion of the device below the feeding mechanism 7, and it is not necessary to increase the height of the paper feed table 6 on which the paper P fed by the feeding mechanism 7 is placed. Furthermore, it is not necessary to increase the height of the operation unit 10 arranged on the upper surface of the housing formed to cover the feeding mechanism 7. Since it is not necessary to arrange the parts where the user performs the work, such as the paper feed table 6 and the operation unit 10, at a high position, it is possible to prevent the ease of installation on a table from decreasing, even in a configuration in which folding can be performed on long paper such as A4 landscape paper.

[0051] Also, by making it impossible to select the gate fold, which requires the longest length for the second fold length FL2, when folding A4 landscape paper that is longer than a certain length, it is possible to prevent the second fold conveying path 28 from becoming longer and to prevent the portion of the device below the feeding mechanism 7 from becoming larger. This makes it unnecessary to place the parts where the user works, such as the paper feed tray 6 and the operation unit 10, in high positions, and prevents a decrease in ease of installation on a table.

[0052] The maximum value that can be set as the "second fold length FL2" in the paper folding machine 1 of this embodiment is "223.0 [mm]", which is 23 [mm] longer than the required length of "210 [mm]" for the "second fold length FL2" in a configuration in which it is not possible to set only the gate fold for A4 landscape paper, but is possible to perform gate fold for "A3" size paper.

[0053] The range of the sheet length PL of the sheet P that can be folded by the sheet folder 1 of this embodiment is 182.0 [mm] to 648.0 [mm], and the range of the sheet width is 120.0 [mm] to 311.0 [mm]. The maximum value that can be set as the "first fold length FL1" in the paper folding machine 1 of this embodiment is "442.0 [mm]", which is sufficiently longer than the "396 [mm]" required as the "first fold length FL1" in a configuration in which only gate fold cannot be set for A4 landscape paper. Even if the first folding plate 36 is lengthened by increasing the maximum value of the "first fold length FL1", the arrangement in the height direction of the parts where the user works, such as the paper feed tray 6 and the operation unit 10, is not affected, and the impact on the installation on the table is limited. On the other hand, by increasing the maximum value of the "first fold length FL1", the width of the numerical range that can be set as the length of the folding surface whose length is determined by the "first fold length FL1" can be expanded.

[0054] The paper folder 1 satisfies the following equations (1) and (2) when the assumed maximum paper length PL is PLmax, the maximum length of the first fold length FL1 is FL1max, and the maximum length of the second fold conveying path is FL2max. (1)FL1max>1 / 2 PLmax (2) 1 / 3 PLmax <FL2max<1 / 2·PLmax By satisfying the above formula (1), a configuration is obtained in which a double fold can be performed on a maximum-length sheet of paper P. By satisfying the above formula (2), a configuration is obtained in which an outer triple fold can be performed on a maximum-length sheet of paper P, but a gate fold cannot be performed.

[0055] The paper folder 1 satisfies the following formula (3) in addition to the above formulas (1) and (2). (3)FL1max>2 / 3·PLmax By satisfying the above formula (3), a configuration is achieved in which a sheet P of maximum length can be folded in three on the inside. In the paper folder 1 of this embodiment, PLmax=648 [mm], FL1max=442.0 [mm], and FL1max=223.0 [mm].

[0056] In addition, even if "594 mm", which is the paper length PL of A4 landscape paper, is substituted for "PLmax" in the above formulas (1) to (3), the above formulas (1) to (3) hold true. This makes it possible to fold A4 landscape paper in half, in three, and out three, while preventing the device from becoming too large.

[0057] [Example 1] Next, a first embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment 1") of setting the folding pattern in the paper folder 1 will be described. 9 is a diagram showing a paper size selection screen displayed on the touch panel 101 in the embodiment 1. On the paper size selection screen in the embodiment 1, six standard size selection buttons 102 (102a to 102f) and an A4 landscape selection button 103 are displayed. 10 is a diagram showing a folding mode (folding form) selection screen displayed on the touch panel 101 in Example 1. Six folding mode selection buttons 104 (104a to 104f) are displayed on the folding mode selection screen. The display contents of the touch panel 101 constituting the display device 160 are controlled by the control unit 100 .

[0058] When any of the six standard size selection buttons 102, either the standard size selection button 102 or the A4 landscape selection button 103, is pressed on the paper size selection screen shown in FIG. 9, a folding mode selection screen is displayed on the touch panel 101, as shown in FIG. 10, in which any of the six folding mode selection buttons 104 can be selected. On the other hand, when the A4 landscape selection button 103 is pressed on the paper size selection screen shown in Fig. 9, a folding mode selection screen is displayed on the touch panel 101 in which the gate fold selection button 104f of the six folding mode selection buttons 104 shown in Fig. 10 is grayed out. On this folding mode selection screen, the gate fold selection button 104f cannot be selected, but the other five folding mode selection buttons 104 (104a to 104e) are selectable. This realizes a configuration in which when an A4 landscape paper size is input as the paper size, gate fold cannot be input as the folding mode.

[0059] [Example 2] Next, a second embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment 2") of setting the folding pattern in the paper folder 1 will be described. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a paper size selection screen displayed on the touch panel 101 in the embodiment 2. On the paper size selection screen in the embodiment 2, six standard size selection buttons 102 (102a to 102f) are displayed.

[0060] In the paper folder 1 of the second embodiment, the paper size selection screen does not allow the input of the A4 landscape paper size, and when folding A4 landscape paper, the user inputs the setting for "standard fold of non-standard paper" and inputs the paper width of "210 mm" and the paper length of "594 mm."

[0061] In the paper folder 1 of the second embodiment, when any of the standard size selection buttons 102 is pressed on the paper size selection screen shown in FIG. 11, a folding mode selection screen is displayed on the touch panel 101, as shown in FIG. 10, in which any of the six folding mode selection buttons 104 can be selected. Also, when a setting to perform "standard-size folding of nonstandard-size paper" is input and a value of "432 mm" or less is entered as the paper length, a folding mode selection screen is displayed in which any of the six folding mode selection buttons 104 can be selected, as shown in FIG. 10. On the other hand, if a setting for "standard-size folding of nonstandard-size paper" is input and a value greater than "432 [mm]" is input as the paper length, a folding mode selection screen is displayed in which the gate fold selection button 104f of the six folding mode selection buttons 104 shown in Fig. 10 is grayed out. On this folding mode selection screen, the gate fold selection button 104f cannot be selected, but the other five folding mode selection buttons 104 (104a to 104e) can be selected. As a result, when the paper length of "594 mm" for A4 landscape paper is entered, a folding mode selection screen is displayed with the gate fold selection button 104f grayed out, making it impossible to enter gate fold as the folding mode.

[0062] The paper length can be input on the paper length input screen displayed on the touch panel 101 in the setting for "standard-size folding of nonstandard-size paper."

[0063] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the gate fold selection button 104f is grayed out when conditions that do not allow gate folding are input. The configuration is not limited to graying out the gate fold selection button 104f when conditions that do not allow gate folding are input, and may be configured to display a warning such as an error message when the gate fold selection button 104f is selected.

[0064] Also, the length of the paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 6 may be automatically detected and input. For automatic detection, a configuration may be used in which multiple paper detection sensors are arranged on the paper feed tray 6 and the paper length is detected based on the position of the sensor that detects the paper P. Alternatively, a paper detection sensor may be arranged in the transport path through which the paper P fed by the feeding mechanism 7 passes, and the paper length may be detected based on the time from when the sensor detects the leading edge of the paper to when it detects the trailing edge of the paper.

[0065] The paper folding machine 1 has the excellent effect of being able to fold longer sheets of paper P for some folding patterns while suppressing an increase in the size of the device. In this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the folding pattern input means is a touch panel 101 provided on the paper folding machine 1, but the folding pattern input means may also be an external device information input unit that accepts input from a personal computer or the like external to the paper folding machine 1.

[0066] In the paper folding machine 1, when the paper length PL is longer than a predetermined length such as 432 mm, the types of fold shapes that can be input are reduced, for example, gate fold cannot be input. By making it impossible to input a fold shape that requires a longer length for the first folding conveying path 23 or the second folding conveying path relative to the entire sheet length than other fold shapes when the input paper length PL is long, the length required for the first fold conveying path and the second fold conveying path can be reduced, and the size of the device can be prevented from increasing.

[0067] Touch panel 101, which is a folding style input means, is capable of inputting a plurality of folding styles, such as six types of folding modes including gate fold, and when paper length PL is longer than a predetermined length, such as 432 mm, gate fold cannot be input on touch panel 101. According to this, when the input paper length PL is long, by disabling input of gate fold, which requires a longer length for first fold conveying path 23 or second fold conveying path 28 for paper length PL than other folding styles, it is possible to reduce the length required for first fold conveying path 23 or second fold conveying path 28 and prevent the device from becoming large.

[0068] By setting the maximum settable value of the first folding length FL1 to 396 [mm] or more and the maximum settable value of the second folding length FL2 to 210 [mm] or more, it is possible to fold sheets of A3 size or smaller in half, in four, one sleeve fold, in three fold, out three fold, and gate fold. Furthermore, it is possible to fold A4 landscape sheets such as A4 landscape paper in half, in four, one sleeve fold, in three fold, and out three fold. Furthermore, if the maximum settable value of the second folding length FL2 is set to less than 297 [mm], it is not possible to fold A4 landscape sheets in gate fold, but it is possible to achieve a smaller size than a device that can fold A4 landscape sheets in gate fold. In this way, the sheet folding device of aspect 7 is able to fold A4 landscape sheets, which are longer sheets, in half, in four, one sleeve fold, in three fold, and out three fold, while suppressing an increase in the size of the device. Furthermore, by setting the maximum settable value of the first fold length FL1 to less than 445.5 mm, it is possible to realize a sheet folding device that is compact compared to a device that can perform gate folds on A4 landscape sheets, while still being capable of folding A4 landscape sheets in half, in quarters, one-sided, inner triple folds, and outer triple folds.

[0069] Next, the length of the side guide in the paper feed direction will be described. 12A and 12B are top views of the paper folder 1, where FIG. 12A is a top view of the entire paper folder 1, and FIG. 12B is a top view showing a schematic view of the paper feed section 2 of the paper folder 1. "La" in FIG. 12(b) is the distance from the abutment surface against which the leading edge of the paper stack abuts to the downstream end of the guide surface of the first side guide 50 in the paper transport direction, and in this embodiment, "La = 52.5 [mm]". "Lb" in FIG. 12(b) is the length of the first side guide 50 (50a, 50b) in the paper transport direction, and in this embodiment, "Lb = 243.5 [mm]". "Lc" in FIG. 12(b) is the length of the second side guide 55 (55a, 55b) in the paper transport direction, and in this embodiment, "Lc = 120.0 [mm]". "Ld" in FIG. 12(b) is the length of the third side guide 56 (56a, 56b) in the paper transport direction, and in this embodiment, "Ld = 208.0 [mm]".

[0070] "BW" in FIG. 12(b) is the width of the conveyor belt 14, and in this embodiment, "BW=75 [mm]." As shown in FIG. 12(b), the front air discharge mechanism 8 has three front air discharge ports 87 in the width direction, and blows front air A1 onto the leading edge surface of the paper stack, as shown by the dashed line "A1" in FIG. 12(b). "Wa" in FIG. 12(b) is the distance from the front end to the rear end of the front air discharge ports 87, and in this embodiment, "Wa=106.0 [mm]." "Wb" in FIG. 12(b) is, End Fence 12 The distance from the front edge to the back edge of be . "GW" in Figure 12 (b) is the widthwise distance (distance GW between width regulating members) between the front side 50a of the first side guide and the rear side 50b of the first side guide, and can be adjusted within the range of "GW = 120.0 [mm] to 311.0 [mm]" by moving the front side 50a of the first side guide and the rear side 50b of the first side guide symmetrically in the axial direction.

[0071] When folding paper P with a long paper length PL, such as A4 landscape paper, the paper folder 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the second side guide 55 and the third side guide 56 are installed on the paper feed tray 6 and the width restriction length GL (GLa, GLb) satisfies the relationship "GL≧0.7·PL" and further satisfies the relationship "GL≧0.8·PL". In a paper folder that regulates the widthwise position using only the first side guide 50, without using the second side guide 55 and the third side guide 56, when feeding a long sheet of paper P and folding it, problems can arise such as a decrease in folding accuracy due to the fold being tilted relative to the sheet of paper P, or false detection of a paper jam. We believe that these problems arise for the following reasons.

[0072] In the air suction type paper feed mechanism, air is blown onto the paper stack to space the sheets P that make up the paper stack, suppressing the friction between the sheets P and suppressing the conveying resistance when feeding the top sheet P of the paper stack. However, if the friction between the sheets P is suppressed, the sheets P that make up the paper stack are more likely to be misaligned. As a result, when feeding a sheet P that is sufficiently long relative to the side guide, if the same side guide as used for a short sheet P is used, the movement in the width direction is restricted in the range where the side end surface of the sheet P faces the side guide, and in the part where the side guide is not arranged, the sheet P moves in the width direction, which may cause misalignment between the sheets P in the skew direction (the direction inclined relative to the paper feed direction). As a result, the sheet P is fed at an angle to the paper feed direction, and the folding process causes the fold to be inclined relative to the sheet P, resulting in a decrease in folding accuracy.

[0073] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the forward air A1 is blown onto the leading edge surface of the paper stack, if the paper length PL is long relative to the side guide, the air current flowing between the sheets of paper P leaks out from the portion where the side guide is not located, and the air current does not reach the rear of the sheets of paper P. If the air current does not reach the rear of the sheets of paper P, there will be no space between the sheets of paper P at the rear, and the sheets of paper P may stick together, increasing the resistance to conveyance. If the resistance to conveyance increases, the paper feed time will be longer even for sheets of paper P of the same size, and the time from when the leading edge of the sheet of paper P passes the detection position of the paper feed error sensors (51, 52) until the trailing edge passes will be longer, and a paper jam may be detected.

[0074] After extensive research, the inventors discovered that when folding A4 landscape paper, positioning the side guides to satisfy the relationship "GL ≥ 0.7·PL" can suppress deterioration in folding accuracy and false detection of jams caused by long paper. Furthermore, they discovered that positioning the side guides to satisfy the relationship "GL ≥ 0.8·PL" can almost completely prevent deterioration in folding accuracy and false detection of jams caused by long paper.

[0075] In the paper folder 1 of this embodiment, when feeding long paper P whose paper length PL is 457.2 mm or more, the second side guide 55 and the third side guide 56 are installed so that the width restriction length GL (GLa, GLb) satisfies the relationship "GL≧0.8·PL". By satisfying this relationship, it is possible to prevent the portions of the sheet P that do not face the side guides from moving in the width direction, to prevent misalignment of the sheets P in the skew direction, and to prevent the sheet P from being fed at an angle to the feeding direction. This makes it possible to prevent the folds of the sheet P from being tilted, and improves the folding accuracy. Furthermore, by satisfying the above-mentioned relationship, when the front air A1 blown onto the leading edge surface of the paper stack flows between the sheets of paper P, the side guides (50, 55, 56) can prevent the front air A1 from leaking out from the ends in the width direction, and can encourage the air flow to flow toward the rear of the sheets of paper P. As a result, even when long sheets of paper P are fed, the sheets of paper P can be spaced apart behind them, and transport resistance can be suppressed, preventing erroneous detection of a paper jam due to a long transport time.

[0076] It is preferable that the first side guide front side 50a, the second side guide front side 55a, and the third side guide front side 56a constituting the front side side guide are arranged continuously so that there is no gap in the paper feed direction. Therefore, the length "GLa" of the guide surface of the front side side guide is the sum of the length "Lb" of the first side guide 50, the length "Lc" of the second side guide 55, and the length "Ld" of the third side guide 56, which is "243.5 [mm] + 120 [mm] + 208 [mm] = 571.5 [mm]".

[0077] On the other hand, the first side guide rear side 50b, the second side guide rear side 55b, and the third side guide rear side 56b constituting the rear side side guide preferably form a gap indicated by "AW" in FIG. 12(b) between the first side guide rear side 50b and the second side guide rear side 55b, and are preferably arranged continuously so that there is no gap between the second side guide rear side 55b and the third side guide rear side 56b. The gap indicated by "AW" in FIG. 12(b) is a gap through which the side air A2 discharged by the side air discharge mechanism 9, which is arranged further rearward in the width direction than the rear side side guide, passes, and is preferably large enough so that the side air A2 flows inside the side guide and the front air A1 flowing between the sheets P of the sheet stack inside the side guide does not flow out to the outside of the side guide. In the paper folder 1 of this embodiment, "AW" is 10 mm or more and 40 mm or less, and in the following description, "AW = 20 mm". Therefore, the length "GLb" of the guide surface of the rear side guide is the sum of the length "Lb" of the first side guide 50, the gap length "AW", the length "Lc" of the second side guide 55, and the length "Ld" of the third side guide 56, which is "243.5 [mm] + 20 [mm] + 120 [mm] + 208 [mm] = 591.5 [mm]".

[0078] When the paper length PL = 457.2 [mm] (0.8 · PL = 365.76 [mm]), "GLa = PL - La = 457.2 [mm] - 52.5 [mm] = 404.7 [mm]", which satisfies the relationship "GLa ≧ 0.8 · PL". Also, "GLb = PL - La = 457.2 [mm] - 52.5 [mm] = 404.7 [mm]", which satisfies the relationship "GLb ≧ 0.8 · PL".

[0079] When feeding A4 landscape paper, the paper length PL = 594.0 [mm] (0.8 · PL = 475.2 [mm]), and "GLa" is the shorter of "PL-La" (PL-La = 594.0 [mm] - 52.5 [mm] = 541.5 [mm]) and "Lb + Lc + Ld" (Lb + Lc + Ld = 571.5 [mm]). Therefore, "GLa = 541.5 [mm]", which satisfies the relationship "GLa ≧ 0.8 · PL". Furthermore, "GLb" is "541.5 [mm]" (GLb = PL - La = 594.0 [mm] - 52.5 [mm] = 541.5 [mm]), which satisfies the relationship "GLb ≧ 0.8 · PL".

[0080] When using paper P with the maximum length that can be folded, that is, when paper length PL = 648.0 [mm] (0.8·PL = 518.4 [mm]), "GLa" is the shorter of "PL-La" (PL-La = 648.0 [mm] - 52.5 [mm] = 595.5 [mm]) and "Lb + Lc + Ld" (Lb + Lc + Ld = 571.5 [mm]). Therefore, "GLa = 571.5 [mm]", which satisfies the relationship "GLa ≧ 0.8·PL". In addition, "GLb" is the shorter of "PL-La" (PL-La = 648.0 [mm] - 52.5 [mm] = 595.5 [mm]) and "Lb + AW + Lc + Ld" (Lb + AW + Lc + Ld = 591.5 [mm]), and therefore "GLa = 591.5 [mm]", which satisfies the relationship "GLa ≧ 0.8 · PL".

[0081] Furthermore, the width of the paper feed tray 6 is wider than the maximum width (311.0 mm) of the paper P that can be placed on it plus the width of the bottom surfaces of the second side guide 55 and the third side guide 56. This allows the magnets on the bottom surfaces of the second side guide 55 and the third side guide 56 to be fixed to the upper surface of the paper feed tray 6 by magnetic force, making it possible to stably regulate the paper P in the width direction.

[0082] The above description is merely an example, and each of the following aspects provides unique effects.

[0083] [Aspect 1] The sheet feeder 6 includes a separation and feeding means for separating and feeding a top sheet such as a sheet P from a sheet stack such as a sheet stack loaded on a sheet loading table such as a sheet feeder 6. The separation and feeding means is Feeding direction an airflow generating means such as a front air discharge mechanism 8 for blowing gas such as front air A1 onto the leading end surface of the sheet stack; Feeding direction In a sheet feeding device such as a paper feed unit 2 having a conveying means such as a feeding mechanism 7 for conveying the sheet stack to the sheet stack, a width regulating member such as a side guide is provided which contacts an end surface in the width direction of the sheet stack on the sheet stacking table and regulates the position of the sheet stack in the width direction, Feeding direction The length of the sheet is the sheet length PL (paper length PL, etc.), the maximum value of the sheet length PL of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table is the maximum sheet length PLmax (= 648.0 [mm]), Feeding direction The width regulating member can be arranged to satisfy the relationship "GL≧0.7·PLmax" when the length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the range in which the sheet stack can be opposed is defined as the width regulating length GL (GLa, GLb, etc.). This makes it possible to prevent the sheet from tilting in the feeding direction when feeding a sheet of the maximum length that can be fed. In the above-mentioned paper feeding section 2 of the paper folder 1, a configuration has been described in which plate-shaped guide members are used as the first to third side guides that are width regulating members, but the width regulating members are not limited to plate-shaped members, and even if a configuration is used in which rod-shaped regulating members extending in the up-down direction are provided only at the upstream and downstream ends of the regulating range in the width direction, it is possible to prevent the sheet from tilting.

[0084] [Aspect 2] The sheet feeder 6 includes a separation and feeding means for separating and feeding a top sheet such as a sheet P from a sheet stack such as a sheet stack loaded on a sheet loading table such as a sheet feeder 6. The separation and feeding means is Feeding direction an airflow generating means such as a front air discharge mechanism 8 for blowing gas such as front air A1 onto the leading end surface of the sheet stack; Feeding direction In a sheet feeding device such as a paper feed unit 2 having a conveying means such as a feeding mechanism 7 for conveying the sheet stack to the sheet stack, a width regulating member such as a side guide is provided which contacts an end surface in the width direction of the sheet stack on the sheet stacking table and regulates the position of the sheet stack in the width direction, Feeding direction The length of the sheet is PL (paper length PL, etc.), and the length of the width regulating member is Feeding direction When the length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the range that can face the sheet stack is defined as the width regulating length GL (GLa, GLb), if the sheet length PL is 458 mm or more (e.g., the length of paper P is 457.2 mm or more), the width regulating member can be positioned to satisfy the relationship "GL≧0.7·PL." According to this, when feeding a long sheet whose sheet length PL is 458 [mm] or more, it is possible to suppress the sheet from being inclined with respect to the feeding direction.

[0085] [Aspect 3] The sheet feeder 6 includes a separation and feeding means for separating and feeding a top sheet such as a sheet P from a sheet stack such as a sheet stack loaded on a sheet loading table such as a sheet feeder 6. The separation and feeding means is Feeding direction an airflow generating means such as a front air discharge mechanism 8 for blowing gas such as front air A1 onto the leading end surface of the sheet stack; Feeding direction In a sheet feeding device such as a paper feed unit 2 having a conveying means such as a feeding mechanism 7 for conveying the sheet stack to the sheet stack, a width regulating member such as a side guide is provided which contacts an end surface in the width direction of the sheet stack on the sheet stacking table and regulates the position of the sheet stack in the width direction, Feeding direction The length of the sheet is PL (paper length PL, etc.), and the length of the width regulating member is Feeding directionWhen the length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the range in which the sheet stack can be opposed is defined as the width regulating length GL (GLa, GLb), if "PL = 594 [mm]", the width regulating member can be positioned so as to satisfy the relationship "GL ≧ 0.7 · PL". According to this, when feeding a long sheet with a sheet length PL of 594 [mm], it is possible to suppress the sheet from being inclined with respect to the feeding direction.

[0086] Aspect 4 In the sheet feeding device of the second or third aspect, Feeding direction When the length in the direction perpendicular to the sheet width PW is the sheet width PW, and the relationship PL / PW≧2.8 is satisfied, the width regulating member can be arranged so as to satisfy the relationship GL≧0.7·PL. This makes it possible to prevent the sheet from being tilted with respect to the feeding direction when feeding a vertically long sheet such as A4 landscape paper (PL / PW=594 [mm] / 210 [mm]≈2.829).

[0087] Aspect 5 In the sheet feeding device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the width regulating member can be disposed so that the width regulating length GL and the sheet length PL satisfy the relationship GL≧0.8·PL. This makes it possible to prevent the sheet from tilting in the feeding direction when feeding a sheet of the maximum length that can be fed, when feeding a long sheet with a sheet length PL of 458 mm or more, when feeding a long sheet with a sheet length PL of 594 mm, or when feeding a portrait-oriented sheet such as A4 landscape paper.

[0088] Aspect 6 In the sheet feeding device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the length of the width regulating member in the feeding direction is changeable in accordance with the length PL of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table. This prevents the sheet from tilting in the feeding direction when feeding a long sheet, while shortening the width regulating member when feeding a short sheet, thereby preventing a decrease in ease of placing the sheet on the sheet placement table when placing a short sheet.

[0089] Aspect 7 In the sheet feeding device of the sixth aspect, the width regulating member is Feeding direction The guide rail 50 includes a plurality of regulating members (a first side guide 50, a second side guide 55, a third side guide 56, etc.), Feeding direction The length in the feeding direction can be changed by attaching and detaching the upstream regulating members (second side guide 55 and third side guide 56, etc.) to and from the sheet placement table. According to this, the length of the width regulating member in the feeding direction can be changed by a simple operation of attaching and detaching the member.

[0090] Aspect 8 In the sheet feeding device according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, the conveying means includes a conveying belt such as a circular conveying belt 14, and a suction means such as a suction duct 16 arranged inside the circular conveying belt, and is characterized in that when the width of the conveying belt is BW, the width regulating member can be arranged to satisfy the relationship "GL / BW≧6.0" (in the embodiment, GLa=571.5 [mm], BW=75 [mm], and GL / BW=7.62). In a device in which the width of the conveyor belt is narrow relative to the length of the sheets that can be fed, such as the above-mentioned paper folder 1, the sheet is likely to be misaligned in the skew direction. By satisfying the relationship "GL / BW≧6.0", the width regulating member can regulate the sheet feeding direction over a wide range, and misalignment in the skew direction can be prevented.

[0091] Aspect 9 In the sheet feeding device of any one of the first to eighth aspects, the width regulating member is disposed continuously from the upstream end to the downstream end. According to this, the width restricting member can prevent the base material blown onto the leading end surface of the sheet stack by the airflow generating means from leaking out in the width direction, and the airflow can be promoted to flow toward the rear of the sheets. As a result, even when feeding long sheets, the sheets can be spaced apart at the rear, and the conveying resistance can be suppressed, so that it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of conveying problems such as paper jams caused by long conveying times. The configuration in which the width regulating members are continuously arranged from the upstream end to the downstream end is not limited to a configuration in which there is no gap strictly, and some gap may be present. The total length of the gap in the feeding direction is preferably less than 10% of the width regulating length GL. Even if there is a gap, it is sufficient that the gap is such that gas can be blown onto the side end face of the sheet stack by a side airflow generating means such as the side air blowing mechanism 9.

[0092] Aspect 10 A sheet folding device such as a paper folder 1 having a feeding means for feeding sheets such as paper P and a folding means such as a folding processing section 4 for performing folding processing on the sheets fed from the feeding means, is characterized in that the feeding means is a sheet feeding device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9. According to this, since it is possible to suppress the inclination of the sheet fed to the folding means, it is possible to improve the folding accuracy of the folding means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1:Paper folding machine 2:Paper feed section 3: Paper ejection section 4: Folding section 5: Frame 5a: Previous frame 5b: Rear frame 6:Paper feed stand 7: Feeding mechanism 8: Front air discharge mechanism 9: Lateral air discharge mechanism 10:Operation section 12: End fence 14: Conveyor belt 16: Suction duct 18: Entrance roller pair 20: Folding roller 20a: First folding roller 20b: second folding roller 20c: Third folding roller 20d: Fourth folding roller 23: First folding conveying path 25: First fold stopper 28: Second folding conveying path 32: Second fold stopper 34: First folding plate housing 36: First folding plate 38: Second folding plate housing 40: Second folding plate 50: First side guide 55: Second side guide 56: Third side guide 60: First folding mechanism 61: Second folding mechanism 62: First folding conveyor guide 100: Control unit 101: Touch panel 102: Standard size selection button 103: A4 landscape selection button 104: Folding mode selection button FL1: First fold length FL2: Second fold length N1: First fold nip N2:Second fold nip

Claims

1. a separating and feeding means for separating and feeding a top sheet of a sheet stack stacked on a sheet stacking table, the separating and feeding means includes an airflow generating means for blowing gas onto a leading end surface of the sheet stack in a feeding direction, and a conveying means for adsorbing the topmost sheet of the sheet stack and conveying it in the feeding direction, a width regulating member that comes into contact with an end surface in a width direction of the sheet stack on the sheet placement table and regulates a position of the sheet stack in the width direction, The length of the sheet in the feeding direction is a sheet length PL, The maximum value of the sheet length PL of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table is a maximum sheet length PLmax, When the length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the range in which the width regulating member can face the sheet stack in the feeding direction is defined as a width regulating length GL, GL≧0.7・PLmax The width regulating member can be arranged so as to satisfy the relationship: The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is fed in a state where an upstream end of the width regulating member in the feeding direction is exposed.

2. a separating and feeding means for separating and feeding a top sheet of a sheet stack stacked on a sheet stacking table, the separating and feeding means includes an airflow generating means for blowing gas onto a leading end surface of the sheet stack in a feeding direction, and a conveying means for adsorbing the topmost sheet of the sheet stack and conveying it in the feeding direction, a width regulating member that comes into contact with an end surface in a width direction of the sheet stack on the sheet placement table and regulates a position of the sheet stack in the width direction, The length of the sheet in the feeding direction is a sheet length PL, The maximum value of the sheet length PL of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table is a maximum sheet length PLmax, When the length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the range in which the width regulating member can face the sheet stack in the feeding direction is defined as a width regulating length GL, GL≧0.7・PLmax The width regulating member can be arranged so as to satisfy the relationship: a width restricting member disposed continuously from the upstream end to the downstream end of the sheet feeding apparatus;

3. a separating and feeding means for separating and feeding a top sheet of a sheet stack stacked on a sheet stacking table, the separating and feeding means includes an airflow generating means for blowing gas onto a leading end surface of the sheet stack in a feeding direction, and a conveying means for adsorbing the topmost sheet of the sheet stack and conveying it in the feeding direction, a width regulating member that comes into contact with an end surface in a width direction of the sheet stack on the sheet placement table and regulates a position of the sheet stack in the width direction, The length of the sheet in the feeding direction is a sheet length PL, The maximum value of the sheet length PL of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table is a maximum sheet length PLmax, When the length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the range in which the width regulating member can face the sheet stack in the feeding direction is defined as a width regulating length GL, GL≧0.7・PLmax The width regulating member can be arranged so as to satisfy the relationship: the width regulating member is composed of a plurality of regulating members in the feeding direction, and an upper end portion of the regulating member located on the most downstream side in the feeding direction is located above an outlet portion from which the airflow generating means blows gas onto the tip end surface, 13. A sheet feeding device according to claim 12, wherein an upper end of the regulating member located on the most upstream side in the feeding direction is positioned lower than an upper end of the regulating member located on the most downstream side in the feeding direction.

4. a separating and feeding means for separating and feeding a top sheet of a sheet stack stacked on a sheet stacking table, the separating and feeding means includes an airflow generating means for blowing gas onto a leading end surface of the sheet stack in a feeding direction, and a conveying means for adsorbing the topmost sheet of the sheet stack and conveying it in the feeding direction, a width regulating member that comes into contact with an end surface in a width direction of the sheet stack on the sheet placement table and regulates a position of the sheet stack in the width direction, The length of the sheet in the feeding direction is a sheet length PL, The maximum value of the sheet length PL of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table is a maximum sheet length PLmax, When the length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the range in which the width regulating member can face the sheet stack in the feeding direction is defined as a width regulating length GL, GL≧0.7・PLmax The width regulating member can be arranged so as to satisfy the relationship: a side gas ejection means for blowing gas onto an end surface in the width direction of the sheet stack on the sheet placement table, The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the side gas ejection means operates when the length of the sheet to be fed is equal to or greater than a predetermined length.

5. a separating and feeding means for separating and feeding a top sheet of a sheet stack stacked on a sheet stacking table, the separating and feeding means includes an airflow generating means for blowing gas onto a leading end surface of the sheet stack in a feeding direction, and a conveying means for adsorbing the topmost sheet of the sheet stack and conveying it in the feeding direction, a width regulating member that comes into contact with an end surface in a width direction of the sheet stack on the sheet placement table and regulates a position of the sheet stack in the width direction; an end fence that comes into contact with an upstream end surface of the sheet stack on the sheet placement table in the feeding direction and regulates a position of the sheet stack in the feeding direction, The length of the sheet in the feeding direction is a sheet length PL, The maximum value of the sheet length PL of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table is a maximum sheet length PLmax, When the length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the range in which the width regulating member can face the sheet stack in the feeding direction is defined as a width regulating length GL, GL≧0.7・PLmax The width regulating member can be arranged so as to satisfy the relationship: a length in the width direction of the end fence is smaller than a minimum value of a length in the width direction of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table, a sheet feeding device that feeds the sheet stack in a state where an upstream side of an end face of the stack of sheets in the feeding direction is open to an external space outside the end fence in the width direction.

6. 6. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width restricting member disposed continuously from the upstream end to the downstream end of the sheet feeding apparatus;

7. 6. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A sheet feeding device, comprising: a width regulating member having a length in the feeding direction that can be changed according to a length PL of the sheet placed on the sheet placement table.

8. 8. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 7, A sheet feeding device characterized in that the width regulating member consists of multiple regulating members in the feeding direction, and the length in the feeding direction can be changed by attaching and detaching the regulating member upstream in the feeding direction to the sheet loading table.

9. 9. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1, The sheet feeding device, wherein the maximum sheet length PLmax is 594 mm or more.

10. A feeding means for feeding a sheet; A sheet folding device including a folding means for folding the sheet fed from the feeding means, 10. A sheet folding apparatus comprising the sheet feeding device according to claim 1 as said feeding means.

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