Collating and packaging system

Abstract

To provide a collating and packaging system capable of preventing a failure that a sheet bundle cannot be put in packaging means and a failure that a variation occurs in the packaging conditions of the sheet bundle in terms of quality and size, by preventing the sheet bundle from getting larger in vertical / lateral directions with respect to the sheet.SOLUTION: A collating and packaging system 500 comprises: collating means 1 for stacking a plurality of sheets to form a sheet bundle; and packaging means 3 for packaging the sheet bundle formed by the collating means 1 with a packaging material. Between the collating means 1 and the packaging means 3, aligning means 2 for aligning positions of edges of the sheets forming the sheet bundle is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a collect-package system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a collating device is known that collates a plurality of types of sheet materials for advertisements and the like to create a sheet bundle. Also, a packaging device is known that packages the sheet bundle created by the collating device in a packaging material such as a packaging film. Patent Document 1 describes a collation and packaging system that includes a collation device and a packaging device, and conveys a sheet bundle created by the collation device to the packaging device and packages the sheet bundle in a packaging film. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-173774 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-150179 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, after extensive research, the inventors have found that if an attempt is made to package a sheet stack collated by a collation means as is using a packaging means, the sheet stack may not fit into the packaging means, or even if it can be packaged, there may be variation in the quality and size of the packaged sheet stack after packaging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a collation and packaging system including a collation means for stacking a plurality of sheets to create a sheet bundle, a packaging means for packaging the sheet bundle in a packaging material, and a conveying means for conveying the sheet bundle from the collation means to the packaging means, the collation and packaging system further including an aligning means between the collation means and the packaging means for aligning edges of the sheets forming the sheet bundle. The collating means delivers the prepared sheet bundle to the aligning means, the aligning means aligns the sheet bundle delivered from the collating means, delivers the aligned sheet bundle to the packaging means, and the packaging means packages the sheet bundle delivered from the aligning means with the packaging material. The present invention is characterized in that: Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the sheet bundle in which the edges of the sheets are aligned by the aligning means can be packaged by the packaging means. By aligning the edges by the aligning means, the length and width of the sheet bundle can be prevented from becoming larger than the sheets. This has the excellent effect of preventing problems caused by the sheet bundle becoming larger in the length and width, such as the sheet bundle not being able to fit into the packaging means and problems that cause variations in the quality and size of the packaged state of the sheet bundle, and making it possible to put into practical use a collation packaging system equipped with a collation device and a packaging device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] External view of the collation set. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are schematic explanatory diagrams showing the arranging device housing the collated sets, as viewed from three directions. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an arranging device that transports the collated sets toward a packaging device. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the collecting and packaging system in a state in which the packaging device has been moved. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an alignment device according to the first modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an alignment device according to a second modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective explanatory view of an aligning device according to a third modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an alignment device according to a third modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the gather-package system; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Also, the dimensions of the members in each drawing will be enlarged or reduced as appropriate to facilitate understanding. Also, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiment will be omitted in each drawing.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the collation and packaging system according to the present invention will be described.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view that shows a typical collated packaging system 500 according to the present embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a plan view that shows a typical collated packaging system 500 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of the collated packaging system 500, as seen from the direction of the arrow "α" in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0011] A collating and packaging system 500 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 includes a collating device 1, an aligning device 2, and a packaging device 3. The collating device 1 collates a plurality of sheets such as flyers to create a sheet bundle, and passes it to the aligning device 2. The aligning device 2 aligns the edges of the sheets forming the sheet bundle created by the collating device 1, performs an alignment process so that the width of the sheet bundle (length in the X-axis direction in the figure) and the length of the sheet width (length in the Y-axis direction in the figure) fall within a predetermined range, and passes the aligned sheet bundle to a packaging device 3. The packaging device 3 wraps the sheet bundle passed from the aligning device 2 in a resin film to create a package, and discharges it onto a package tray 4. The collating device 1, the arranging device 2, and the packaging device 3 will be described below.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the collating device 1 and the arranging device 2 as viewed from the right side. Fig. 5 is an external view showing a collated set S created by the collating device 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the collated set S is in a form in which a bundle of multiple sheets S1 is sandwiched inside a single folded sheet (sandwiched sheet S2).

[0013] In the collation device 1, ten paper feed mechanisms (paper feed devices) 102 (102a to 102j) are arranged vertically on the left side as shown in Fig. 4, and ten paper feed mechanisms (paper feed devices) 102 (102k to 102t) are arranged vertically on the right side as shown in Fig. 4. The left paper feed mechanisms 102 (102a to 102j) and the right paper feed mechanisms 102 (102k to 102t) have the same structure but are installed in the opposite direction, so their orientation is reversed in Fig. 4. A sandwiched paper feed mechanism 103 is arranged below the first paper feed mechanism 102a, which is located at the bottom of the left paper feed mechanisms 102 (102a to 102j).

[0014] The top sheet of the stack of sheets stacked on the sheet feed tray 104 of the sheet feed mechanism 102 is separated from the stack of sheets by a separation feed mechanism 105 and sent out to a horizontal conveyance path 106. A vertical conveyance path 107 is provided in the center of the collating device 1 in the vertical direction, and the horizontal conveyance paths 106 extending from each sheet feed mechanism 102 toward the center of the collating device 1 all merge into the vertical conveyance path 107. Each sheet feed mechanism 102 sends out sheet S1 at a timing such that the leading edges of the sheets are aligned when the sent sheets S1 join up at the vertical conveyance path 107. Sheets S1 sent out one by one from each sheet feed mechanism 102 are stacked on top of each other as they move from top to bottom along the vertical conveyance path 107.

[0015] The top sheet of a bundle of sheets S2 stacked on a sandwich paper tray 103a of the sandwich paper feed mechanism 103 is separated from the bundle of sheets by a sandwich paper separation and feed mechanism 103b and conveyed to the right in the figure along the sandwich paper conveyance path 8, where its leading edge abuts against the sandwich paper stopper 9. The lower end of the vertical conveyance path 107 faces above the sandwich paper conveyance path 8, and the sandwich paper S2 abutting against the sandwich paper stopper 9 stops so as to block the lower end of the vertical conveyance path 107. Thereafter, the folding knife 10 is driven to wrap the sandwich paper S2 abutting against the sandwich paper stopper 9 and fold it in half by folding it around the pair of folding rollers 11, and the bundle of sheets that has descended the vertical conveyance path 107 enters the inside of the folded half to create a collated set S. The collated set S is then discharged from the sheet discharge port 13 via the sheet discharge conveyance path 12 to the outside of the device, and is stored in the stack section 210 of the alignment device 2.

[0016] In the collation device 1, sheets S1 fed from all or some of the multiple sheet feeding mechanisms 102 are stacked in the vertical transport path 107 to form a sheet stack, and a collated set S is formed by sandwiching the stack with sandwiching sheets S2.

[0017] A sorting conveying path 15 is provided at an upper branch in the middle of the paper discharge conveying path 12, and a sorting tray 16 is provided downstream of the sorting conveying path 15. A sorting switching plate 150 is provided at the upstream end of the sorting conveying path 15. The sorting switching plate 150 can be moved by a drive mechanism (not shown) between a sorting position (position shown by a solid line) where the collated set S sent from the paper discharge conveying path 12 is guided to the sorting conveying path 15, and a retracted position (position shown by a dashed line) where the retracted position is retracted from the paper discharge conveying path 12.

[0018] The horizontal conveying path 106 is provided with a paper feed error detection unit 108. The paper feed error detection unit 108 is provided with a double feed detection sensor and a paper conveying detection sensor. The double feed detection sensor detects when two or more sheets are fed from each paper feed mechanism 102, which is normally fed one at a time, and generates a double feed error signal. The paper conveying detection sensor is an optical sensor that detects paper passing through the horizontal conveying path 106. Even if a paper is detected by a paper presence / absence detection sensor arranged upstream of the paper conveying detection sensor, if the paper does not pass the detection position of the paper conveying detection sensor within a predetermined time even if a paper feeding operation is being performed, an empty feed error signal is generated. Also, if the paper conveying detection sensor detects the leading end of the paper in the paper feed direction but does not detect the trailing end, or if it takes too long to detect the trailing end, a paper jam error signal is generated.

[0019] When a paper feed error such as a double feed error, a blank feed error, or a paper jam error occurs, the sorting switch plate 150 is moved to the sorting position, and the collated set S including the paper feed error is sent to the sorting tray 16. This allows the device to continue the subsequent collating operation without stopping even if a paper feed error occurs. The packaging device 3 may discharge the collated set S that is not packaged to the sorting tray 16, regardless of whether a paper feed error occurs or not.

[0020] The collation device 1 and the paper feed mechanism 102 included in the collation device 1 may be any known device, such as those described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, but are not limited thereto.

[0021] Fig. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the aligning device 2 when the collated set S is stored in the stacking section 210, as viewed from three directions. Fig. 6(a) is a schematic diagram of the aligning device 2 when viewed from the side in the same direction as Fig. 4, Fig. 6(b) is a plan view of the aligning device 2 when viewed from above, and Fig. 6(c) is a schematic diagram of the aligning device 2 when viewed from the front side. As shown in FIG. 6, the stack section 210 of the aligning device 2 is a space surrounded by the side aligning claws 201 , the bottom plate 202 , the front abutment plate 203 , the rear aligning plate 204 and the downstream abutment plate 205 . As shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c), the aligning device 2 includes a pair of aligned item discharge rollers 206 on the downstream side of the downstream abutment plate 205 in the moving direction of the collated set S.

[0022] The downstream abutment plate 205 can be moved by a drive mechanism (not shown) between an abutment position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 6(c)) where the collated set S in the stack unit 210 abuts against it, and a retreat position (position shown by a dashed line in FIG. 6(c)) where the collated set S in the stack unit 210 retreats from the movement path when it is packed into the downstream packaging device 3. When the collated set S has not yet reached the stack unit 210, the downstream abutment plate 205 waits at the abutment position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 6(c)).

[0023] The collated set S discharged from the sheet discharge port 13 of the collation device 1 to the outside of the device passes above the side alignment claws 201 and reaches the stacking section 210 as shown by the arrow "A" in FIG. 6(a). When the collated set S reaches the stacking section 210, the rear alignment plate 204 reciprocates in the direction along the X-axis as indicated by the arrows "B" in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), and the side alignment claws 201 reciprocate in the direction along the Y-axis as indicated by the arrows "C" in Figures 6(b) and 6(c).

[0024] The collated set S pressed by the rear aligning plate 204 due to the reciprocating motion of the rear aligning plate 204 abuts against the front abutment plate 203, and the positions of both edges in the width direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing) of the sheets S1 forming the collated set S can be aligned. In addition, the reciprocating motion of the rear aligning plate 204 can align the collated set S so that the width (the length in the X-axis direction in the drawing) of the collated set S falls within the range of the distance from the rear aligning plate 204 to the front abutment plate 203 at the position where the rear aligning plate 204 is closest to the front abutment plate 203 during the reciprocating motion.

[0025] The collated set S pushed by the side alignment claws 201 due to the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claws 201 abuts against the downstream abutment plate 205 at the abutment position, and the positions of both edges in the length direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing) of the sheets S1 forming the collated set S can be aligned. In addition, the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claws 201 can align the collated set S so that the length (length in the Y-axis direction in the drawing) of the collated set S falls within the range of the distance from the side alignment claws 201 to the downstream abutment plate 205 at the position where the side alignment claws 201 are closest to the downstream abutment plate 205 during the reciprocating motion.

[0026] When the aligning process for the collated set S is completed by reciprocating the side aligning claws 201 and the rear aligning plate 204 a predetermined number of times and for a predetermined period of time, the aligning device 2 conveys the collated set S toward the packaging device 3. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram seen from the front side of the aligning device 2 which conveys the collated set S after the aligning process toward the packaging device 3. As shown in FIG.

[0027] When the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claws 201 and the rear alignment plate 204 is stopped and the alignment process is completed, the alignment device 2 moves the downstream abutment plate 205 from the abutment position (position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6(c)) to the retreat position (position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6(c) and position shown by the solid line in FIG. 7). Next, the driving source (not shown) is driven to rotate the pair of aligned product discharge rollers 206 in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 7, and the side alignment claws 201 are moved in the direction shown by the arrow "D" in FIG. 7. At this time, the side alignment claws 201 move further toward the packaging device 3 (left side in FIG. 7) than the position closest to the downstream abutment plate 205 during the reciprocating movement in the alignment process.

[0028] Due to this movement, the side alignment claws 201 press the edges of the collated set S toward the packaging device 3, and the pressed collated set S passes above the downstream abutment plate 205 which has moved to the retracted position, and moves to a position where it is sandwiched in the nip of the aligned item discharge roller pair 206. The collated set S sandwiched in the nip of the aligned item discharge roller pair 206 is transported in the direction indicated by the arrow "E" in FIG. 7 by the rotating aligned item discharge roller pair 206, and is transported toward the packaging device 3. By the alignment device 2 configured as described above, the collated set S created by the collation device 1 is temporarily stopped at the stack section 210, and the front, rear, left and right edges are aligned within a specified range by the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claws 201 and the rear alignment plate 204, and then transported toward the packaging device 3.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the packaging device 3, and FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the packaging device 3 as viewed from the front side (the same side as in FIG. 7). The collated set S conveyed from the aligning device 2 is inserted into the device through the insertion opening 32. The insertion opening 32 is provided with a guide plate 32a for guiding the bottom surface and both widthwise sides of the collated set S to be inserted, and is structured to guide the collated set S conveyed by the pair of aligned item discharge rollers 206 of the aligning device 2 into the device. As will be described in detail later, when the packaging device 3 is used alone, when an operator inserts an item to be packaged, such as the collated set S, into the insertion opening 32, the guide plate 32a makes it easy for the operator to insert the item by hand.

[0030] The inserted collated set S is transported through the device in the direction of arrow "F" in Figure 8 with its upper and lower sides sandwiched between the films pulled out from the upper film roll R1 above it and the lower film roll R2 below it. The films around the collated set S are heat-sealed to package it, and the set is then discharged from the discharge outlet 43 and stacked sequentially on the packaged item tray 4.

[0031] An operation panel 45 is provided on the front side of the top surface of the packaging device 3. The operation panel 45 functions as an input unit that accepts various inputs from a user for operating the packaging device 3, and also functions as a display unit that displays various information within the packaging device 3. A power switch 46 for turning on power to the packaging device 3 is provided at the end of the front side of the surface of the packaging device 3 on the insertion opening 32 side.

[0032] In FIG. 9, the insertion opening 32 is formed on the right side of the packaging device 3. The insertion opening 32 is usually blocked by a shutter 33. The shutter 33 can rotate around a fulcrum 33a, and is biased in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 by a biasing means (not shown), so that the lower end of the shutter 33 is in a state of being pressed against the front and rear end welding receiving base 34 provided below it (the shutter 33 may be pressed against the front and rear end welding receiving base 34 by its own weight without providing a biasing means). When the collated set S is inserted, the shutter 33 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 by the tip of the collated set S, and a gap is formed between the front and rear end welding receiving base 34 and the collated set S. The collated set S enters the gap and is further inserted in the leftward direction in FIG. 9.

[0033] A welding and cutting heater 35 is disposed above the front and rear end welding receiving bases 34. The welding and cutting heater 35 is configured to be movable between a standby position shown in FIG. 9 and a welding position where the lower end reaches the front and rear end welding receiving bases 34 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The welding and cutting heater 35 is made of lightweight aluminum or aluminum alloy with good thermal conductivity, and the lower end is formed at an acute angle. A rubber heater (not shown) is baked and fixed to the welding and cutting heater 35, and the welding and cutting heater 35 can be heated by passing electricity through the rubber heater. A thermistor is also attached to measure the temperature of the welding and cutting heater 35.

[0034] 9, an upper film roll R1 is disposed above the welding and cutting heater 35, and a lower film roll R2 is disposed below the heater 35. The upper film roll R1 will be described below, but the configuration of the lower film roll R2 and its support structure are the same as those of the upper film roll R1.

[0035] The upper film roll R1 is a long film (upper film F1) wound around the upper paper tube R1a. The upper paper tube shaft 36A coaxially supports the upper paper tube R1a from the inside. The upper film F1 has a width in the direction from the front side to the back side of the figure (hereinafter referred to as the width direction), and the upper paper tube R1a has the same width as the upper film F1. The width is formed to be slightly larger than the width of the collated set S transported from the alignment device 2.

[0036] Adjacent to the end face of the upper film roll R1 in the width direction, an upper paper tube guide 37A formed in a plate shape parallel to the end face of the upper film roll R1 is erected. An upper guide slit 37aA extending downward from the upper end is formed in the upper paper tube guide 37A, and the upper paper tube shaft 36A is inserted into this upper guide slit 37aA. Furthermore, an upper film support roller 38A is provided to support the upper film roll R1 from below.

[0037] The upper paper tube guides 37A are of the same shape and stand on both sides of the width of the upper film roll R1. The support wheel of the upper paper tube shaft 36A supports the inner surface of the upper paper tube R1a, so that the upper paper tube shaft 36A and the upper film roll R1 are supported so as to be coaxial. The upper paper tube shaft 36A is formed longer in the width direction than the distance between the two upper paper tube guides 37A, and both ends are inserted into the upper guide slits 37aA. When the remaining amount of the upper film roll R1 decreases and the roll diameter becomes smaller, the position of the upper paper tube shaft 36A drops. A cylindrical upper support roller brake wheel 38aA is fixed and supported coaxially at one end of the upper film support roller 38A.

[0038] 9, the packaging device 3 includes an upper film brake mechanism 39A having a brake shoe that can be brought into contact with and separated from the upper support roller brake wheel 38aA. Furthermore, the packaging device 3 includes an upper film remaining amount detection mechanism 315A for detecting the remaining amount of the upper film roll R1.

[0039] The packaging device 3 also has a lower paper tube shaft 36B, a lower paper tube guide 37B, a lower film support roller 38B, a lower film brake mechanism 39B and a lower film remaining amount detection mechanism 315B for the lower film roll R2, which are configured similarly to the upper paper tube shaft 36A, upper paper tube guide 37A, upper film support roller 38A, upper film brake mechanism 39A and upper film remaining amount detection mechanism 315A for the upper film roll R1.

[0040] An upper film F1 is pulled out from the upper film roll R1 and hung on an upper first film guide 331 and an upper second film guide 332, with its leading edge positioned below the welding and cutting heater 35. A lower film F2 is pulled out from the lower film roll R2 and hung on a lower film guide 333, with its leading edge positioned below the welding and cutting heater 35. The leading edges of the two upper and lower films (F1, F2) have been welded together in advance in the previous packaging process, forming a welding line Fx.

[0041] On the left side of the welding and cutting heater 35 and the front and rear end welding receiving table 34 in the figure, there are provided an upper conveyor belt 334 and a lower conveyor belt 335 that convey the collated set S inserted from the insertion opening 32 together with the films (F1, F2). The upper conveyor belt 334 and the lower conveyor belt 335 are each arranged in pairs in the width direction, and the interval between them is configured to be shorter than the width of the collated set S (the length in the X-axis direction in the figure), so that the upper conveyor belt 334 can sandwich the collated set S from above, and the lower conveyor belt 335 can sandwich the collated set S from below, and convey it to the left in the figure (hereinafter, the direction in which the collated set S is conveyed is referred to as the "conveying direction during packaging"). A driving force is applied from the packaging device motor M1 to the lower conveyor downstream pulley 336, which is one of the pulleys around which the lower conveyor belt 335 is hung, via a packaging device lower belt drive transmission mechanism 337 composed of a toothed belt, a toothed pulley, gears, etc. Further, a driving force is also applied from the packaging device motor M1 via a packaging device upper belt drive transmission mechanism (not shown) to the upstream conveying downstream pulley 338, which is one of the pulleys around which the upper conveying belt 334 is looped. That is, when the packaging device motor M1 rotates, a driving force is applied to both the upper conveying belt 334 and the lower conveying belt 335, causing them to move endlessly.

[0042] Two side welding heaters 341 are provided, one on each side in the width direction (outside in the width direction) of the upper conveyor belt 334. Two side welding receiving tables 342 are provided, one on each side in the width direction (outside in the width direction) of the lower conveyor belt 335, at positions facing the side welding heaters 341. The side welding heaters 341 and the side welding receiving tables 342 are each formed long along the conveying direction (conveying direction during packaging) of the upper conveyor belt 334 and the lower conveyor belt 335.

[0043] Each of the two side welding heaters 341 is made of lightweight aluminum or aluminum alloy with a rubber heater baked in, and has an acute angle at the bottom, just like the welding cut heater 35. A thermistor for measuring temperature is also attached.

[0044] The distance between the two side welding heaters 341 in the width direction is longer than the width of the collated set S and shorter than the width of the two films (F1, F2). Both side welding heaters 341 can be lowered by a drive mechanism (not shown) until their lower ends reach the side welding receiving base 342. With this configuration, the films (F1, F2) can be welded on both sides of the collated set S in the width direction.

[0045] A discharge port 43 for discharging the packaged collated set S is formed to the left of the side welding heater 341 and the side welding receiving table 342 in Fig. 9. In the transport path of the collated set S from the insertion port 32 to the discharge port 43, a first sensor D1 is provided upstream of the welding and cutting heater 35 in the transport direction during packaging (hereinafter simply referred to as the "upstream side during packaging") and a second sensor D2 is provided downstream of the welding and cutting heater 35 in the transport direction during packaging (hereinafter simply referred to as the "downstream side during packaging") so as to detect the leading or trailing end of the collated set S. Furthermore, a third sensor D3 is provided near the discharge port 43.

[0046] In the packaging device 3, based on detection signals generated by three sensors (D1, D2, D3) detecting the collated set S to be packaged, the heater actuator that moves the welding and cutting heater 35 and the side welding heater 341 up and down, the packaging device motor M1, and the two brake mechanisms 39 (39A, 39B) are driven and controlled based on predetermined timing.

[0047] When the collated set S is inserted from the insertion port 32 and the first sensor D1 detects the leading end of the collated set S, the two brake mechanisms 39 (39A, 39B) are released from their brakes and the packaging device motor M1 starts to drive. As a result, the two films (F1, F2) whose welding lines Fx are pressed by the inserted collated set S are unwound from their respective film rolls (R1, R2). The collated set S, which enters the device while pressing the welding line Fx, is conveyed by the upper conveyor belt 334 and the lower conveyor belt 335 while being sandwiched between the two films (F1, F2). The two films (F1, F2) are pulled by this conveying force and further unwound from their respective film rolls (R1, R2).

[0048] The collated set S sandwiched between the two films is conveyed to the left in FIG. 9 by the upper conveyor belt 334 and the lower conveyor belt 335, and a predetermined time after the second sensor D2 detects the rear end of the collated set S, the packaging device motor M1 is stopped, and then the brakes of the two brake mechanisms 39 (39A, 39B) are turned ON. Next, the packaging device motor M1 is stopped to stop the upper conveyor belt 334 and the lower conveyor belt 335, and the heater actuator is driven to lower the welding and cutting heater 35 and the side welding heater 341. The welding and cutting heater 35 and the side welding heater 341 are lowered and moved from the standby position to the welding position, and the two films (F1, F2) are sandwiched between the welding and cutting heater 35 and the front and rear end welding receiving table 34, and between the side welding heater 341 and the side welding receiving table 342, and the two films (F1, F2) are thermally welded.

[0049] Thereafter, the side welding heater 341 is raised to the standby position, the driving of the packaging device motor M1 is restarted to restart the endless movement of the upper conveyor belt 334 and the lower conveyor belt 335, and the conveyance of the collated set S is restarted by the upper conveyor belt 334 and the lower conveyor belt 335. At this time, the welding and cutting heater 35 is at the welding position on the upstream side of the collated set S, so the two films (F1, F2) are cut at this welding position. By these operations, the films (F1, F2) are welded at the rear end side and both sides of the collated set S, and the rear end side is cut at the welding position to create a package. At the front end side of the collated set S, two films (F1, F2) have already been welded during the previous packaging process to form a welding line Fx, so that a package in which the periphery of the collated set S is welded and sealed is created.

[0050] Even after the package is created, the packaging device motor M1 continues to drive, and when the third sensor D3 detects the passage of the rear end of the collated set S that forms the package, the packaging device motor M1 stops driving and raises the welding and cutting heater 35 to the standby position. The collated set S, whose rear end has passed the detection position of the third sensor D3, is discharged as a package from the discharge port 43 and loaded onto the package tray 4.

[0051] Next, a case where the packaging device 3 is used alone will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the packaging device 3 has a device rotation shaft 301 and is capable of rotating around the device rotation shaft 301. Figure 10 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of the collation and packaging system 500 in a state where the packaging device 3 is used alone, and shows a state where the packaging device 3 is rotated 90° clockwise around the device rotation axis 301 relative to Figure 2. 10, the insertion opening 32 of the packaging device 3 is exposed, and an operator can insert the objects to be packaged other than the collated set S into the insertion opening 32 by hand to perform packaging processing.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the collation packaging system 500 of this embodiment is arranged so that the movement direction of the collated set S from the collation device 1 toward the aligning device 2 (the direction along the X-axis indicated by the arrow "A" in FIG. 2) is perpendicular to the movement direction of the collated set S from the aligning device 2 toward the packaging device 3 (the direction along the Y-axis indicated by the arrow "B" in FIG. 2) in a direction parallel to the XY plane (horizontal plane). As shown in FIG. 10, the packaging device 3 is rotated around the device rotation axis 301, which is the rotation axis on the collation device 1 side of the packaging device 3, to move the insertion port 32 of the packaging device 3 from a position facing the discharge section of the aligning device 2 to a position not facing the discharge section. If, unlike this embodiment, the packaging device 3 is slid leftward in FIG. 2 parallel to the Y-axis to be inserted into the insertion port 32, the movement of the packaging device 3 will lengthen the area required for installation of the collation packaging system 500 in the Y-axis direction. In contrast, in the present embodiment, in a configuration in which the packaging device 3 is rotated on the rotation axis on the collation device 1 side, before and after the movement, collated packaging There is little increase or decrease in the length of the entire system 500 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and an area required for installation to make the packaging device 3 movable can be prevented from becoming large.

[0053] A configuration that enables packaging of items other than the collated items collated by the collation device 1 by the packaging device 3 is not limited to a configuration in which the packaging device 3 is rotated to expose the insertion opening 32 as shown in Figure 10, but may also be a configuration in which a manual insertion section is placed between the aligning device 2 and the packaging device 3 or on top of the aligning device 2, and the items to be packaged placed or inserted in the manual insertion section are transported to the insertion opening 32 of the packaging device 3 for packaging processing. As a configuration that enables the packaging device 3 to process packaged items other than the collated items collated by the collation device 1, a configuration that allows packaged items to be received by the aligning device 2 from a location other than the paper discharge port 13 of the collation device 1 may be used. For example, the aligning device 2 may be configured to have no cover on the top or side and expose the stacking unit 210, or may have an opening / closing cover on the top or side and expose the stacking unit 210 by opening the opening / closing cover. In these configurations, an operator can manually insert packaged items into the exposed stacking unit 210 from the outside. Furthermore, for example, a manual paper feed device or manual paper feed guide that guides packaged items to the stacking unit 210 may be provided. In this way, if the aligning device 2 is configured to be able to accept packaged items from a location other than the paper discharge outlet 13 of the aligning device 1, the aligning packaging system 500, which is equipped with the aligning device 1 and the packaging device 3, can package packaged items other than the items collated by the aligning device 1 in a state aligned by the aligning device 2, in the packaging device 3.

[0054] <Variation 1> Next, a first modified example of the aligning device 2 applicable to the collation and packaging system 500 according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "Modification 1") will be described. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the aligning device 2 of Modification 1. Fig. 11(a) is a plan view of the stacking unit 210 when it is empty (when no collated sets S are placed thereon), Fig. 11(b) is a schematic diagram of the stacking unit 210 when the collated sets S are placed thereon, as viewed from the front, and Fig. 11(c) is a schematic diagram of the collated sets S after the aligning process being transported toward the packaging device 3, as viewed from the front.

[0055] In the alignment device 2 of the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the side alignment claw 201 presses the edge of the collated set S toward the packaging device 3, it presses the edge of the stack of multiple sheets of paper S1 that form the collated set S, which causes the stack of sheets S1 to slip relative to the sandwiched sheets S2 that are sandwiching the stack of sheets S1, and the conveying force is not transmitted to the sandwiched sheets S2, so that there is a risk that the sandwiched sheets S2 will be left behind in the stack section 210. In contrast, the aligning device 2 of the modified example 1 includes a collated set conveying belt 207 near the downstream end of the stack section 210 in the conveying direction (at a position immediately upstream of the downstream abutment plate 205). Since the configuration is the same as that of the aligning device 2 of the embodiment except for the fact that the collated set conveying belt 207 is included, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] In the aligning device 2 of the first modification, when the collated set S reaches the stacking section 210, the rear aligning plate 204 reciprocates in the direction along the X-axis as indicated by the arrow "B" in the figure, and the side aligning claws 201 reciprocate in the direction along the Y-axis as indicated by the arrow "C" in the figure. This allows the collated set S to be aligned so that the width and length of the collated set S fall within a predetermined range, as in the above-described embodiment. When the alignment process for the collated set S is completed, the alignment device 2 moves the downstream abutment plate 205 from the abutment position (position shown in FIG. 11(b)) to the retreat position (position shown in FIG. 11(c)). Next, the pair of aligned object discharge rollers 206 are rotated in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 11, and the side alignment claw 201 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow "D" in FIG. 11. At this time, the side alignment claw 201 moves further toward the packaging device 3 (left side in FIG. 11) than the position where it was closest to the downstream abutment plate 205 during the reciprocating movement of the alignment process. At this time, the drive of the collated set conveyor belt 207 is started in synchronization with the timing when the side alignment claw 201 moving in the direction of the arrow "D" comes into contact with the edge of the collated set S, and the belt is moved endlessly so that the upper surface of the belt moves in the direction of the arrow "G" in FIG. 11(c).

[0057] Due to these movements, the side alignment claws 201 press the edge of the stack of sheets S1 of the collated set S toward the packaging device 3, and the collated set transport belt 207 applies a transport force to the sandwiched sheets S2 of the collated set S toward the packaging device 3. Thereafter, the collated set S sandwiched in the nip of the aligned item discharge roller pair 206 is transported by the rotating aligned item discharge roller pair 206 in the direction indicated by the arrow "E" in FIG. 11(c) toward the packaging device 3. In the first modification, the collated set conveyor belt 207 applies a conveying force to the interleaved sheets S2 toward the packaging device 3, so that the interleaved sheets S2 forming the collated set S can be prevented from being left behind in the stack section 210.

[0058] <Variation 2> Next, a second modified example of the aligning device 2 applicable to the collation and packaging system 500 according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "Modification 2") will be described. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the aligning device 2 of the modified example 2. Fig. 12(a) is a schematic diagram of the state in which the collated set S is placed on the stacking unit 210, as viewed from the front side, and Fig. 12(b) is a schematic diagram of the state in which the collated set S that has completed the aligning process is being transported toward the packaging device 3, as viewed from the front side.

[0059] 12, the aligning device 2 of the second modification includes a downstream abutment registration roller pair 208 instead of the downstream abutment plate 205 of the above-described embodiment. Since the other points are the same, the description will be omitted. When the collated set S reaches the stack unit 210 of the aligning device 2 of the modified example 2, the rear aligning plate 204 and the side aligning claws 201 reciprocate in the same manner as in the embodiment. The reciprocating motion of the rear aligning plate 204 allows the collated set S to be aligned so that it falls within the range of the distance from the rear aligning plate 204 to the front abutment plate 203 at the position where the rear aligning plate 204 is closest to the front abutment plate 203 during the reciprocating motion.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 12(a), during the alignment process, the downstream abutting registration roller pair 208 is not rotating, and the two rollers form a registration nip. The collated set S pushed by the side alignment claw 201 by the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claw 201 abuts against the downstream abutting registration roller pair 208, and the positions of the edges of both ends of the sheets S1 forming the collated set S in the length direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) can be aligned. In addition, the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claw 201 can align the collated set S so that the length of the collated set S (length in the Y-axis direction in the figure) falls within the range of the distance from the side alignment claw 201 to the registration nip of the downstream abutting registration roller pair 208 at the position where the side alignment claw 201 is closest to the downstream abutting registration roller pair 208 during the reciprocating motion.

[0061] When the aligning process for the collated set S is completed by reciprocating the side aligning claws 201 and the rear aligning plate 204 a predetermined number of times and for a predetermined period of time, the aligning device 2 conveys the collated set S toward the packaging device 3. When the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claws 201 and the rear alignment plate 204 is stopped and the alignment process is completed, the alignment device 2 rotates the downstream abutment registration roller pair 208 and the aligned product discharge roller pair 206 in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 12(b) and moves the side alignment claw 201 in the direction shown by the arrow "D" in Fig. 7. By this movement, the side alignment claw 201 presses the edge of the collated set S toward the packaging device 3, and the pressed collated set S is sandwiched and conveyed by the rotating downstream abutment registration roller pair 208, and further sandwiched and conveyed by the aligned product discharge roller pair 206, and conveyed in the direction shown by the arrow "E" in Fig. 12(b) toward the packaging device 3.

[0062] <Variation 3> Next, a third modified example of the aligning device 2 applicable to the collation and packaging system 500 according to the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "Modification 3") will be described. FIG. 13 is a perspective explanatory view of the aligning device 2 of the modified example 3, and FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the aligning device 2 of the modified example 3 as viewed from the front side.

[0063] In the aligning device 2 shown in Figs. 13 and 14, members having the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment have the same functions. The aligning device 2 of the third modification includes three stack guide rods 240 extending in the X-axis direction above the stacking unit 210. The stack guide rods 240 extend from a wall surface above a collated material receiving port (not shown) to a wall surface of the front abutment plate 203 so as to guide the collated set S received from the collated material receiving port to the stacking unit 210.

[0064] In the aligning device 2 of the embodiment described above, the side alignment claw 201 functions as a push-out member that pushes out the aligned collated set S from the stack section 210 to a position where it is held in the nip between the aligned item discharge roller pair 206. In contrast, the aligning device 2 of the third modification includes a push-out claw 220 as a push-out member in addition to the side alignment claw 201. The push-out claw 220 is fixed to a push-out belt 221 located below the bottom plate 202, and when the push-out claw 220 is located on the upper tension surface of the push-out belt 221, the push-out claw 220 protrudes from the opening of the bottom plate 202 into the stack section 210.

[0065] Instead of the pair of aligned object discharge rollers 206 of the aligning device 2 of the embodiment described above, the aligning device 2 of the modified example 3 includes a first pair of aligned object discharge rollers 231 and a second pair of aligned object discharge rollers 232. In Fig. 13, the first pair of aligned object discharge rollers 231 and the second pair of aligned object discharge rollers 232 are not shown, and a first roller opening 231a and a second roller opening 232a, which are openings provided in the bottom plate 202 to protrude the lower rollers of these roller pairs onto the conveying path, are shown.

[0066] In the collating device 2 of the third modification, the collated set S discharged from the sheet discharge port 13 of the collating device 1 to the outside of the device is received from a collated material receiving port (not shown) and guided to the stacking section 210 by the stack guide rod 240. When the collated set S reaches the stacking section 210, the rear alignment plate 204 reciprocates in the direction along the X-axis as indicated by arrow "B" in Figure 13, and the side alignment claws 201 reciprocate in the direction along the Y-axis as indicated by arrow "C" in Figures 13 and 14 (reciprocating within the range indicated by the solid line and the range indicated by the dashed line in Figure 14).

[0067] The collated set S pressed by the rear aligning plate 204 due to the reciprocating motion of the rear aligning plate 204 abuts against the front abutment plate 203, and the positions of both edges in the width direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing) of the sheets S1 forming the collated set S can be aligned. In addition, the reciprocating motion of the rear aligning plate 204 can align the collated set S so that the width (the length in the X-axis direction in the drawing) of the collated set S falls within the range of the distance from the rear aligning plate 204 to the front abutment plate 203 at the position where the rear aligning plate 204 is closest to the front abutment plate 203 during the reciprocating motion.

[0068] The collated set S pushed by the side alignment claws 201 due to the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claws 201 abuts against the downstream abutment plate 205 at the abutment position, and the positions of both edges in the length direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing) of the sheets S1 forming the collated set S can be aligned. In addition, the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claws 201 can align the collated set S so that the length (length in the Y-axis direction in the drawing) of the collated set S falls within the range of the distance from the side alignment claws 201 to the downstream abutment plate 205 at the position where the side alignment claws 201 are closest to the downstream abutment plate 205 during the reciprocating motion. During the alignment process, the pushing claw 220 is positioned upstream of the side alignment claws 201 or below the bottom plate 202 .

[0069] When the aligning process for the collated set S is completed by reciprocating the side aligning claws 201 and the rear aligning plate 204 a predetermined number of times and for a predetermined period of time, the aligning device 2 conveys the collated set S toward the packaging device 3. When the reciprocating motion of the side alignment claws 201 and the rear alignment plate 204 is stopped and the alignment process is completed, the alignment device 2 moves the downstream abutment plate 205 from the abutment position (the position shown in FIG. 13 and the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 14) to the retracted position (the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 14(c)). Next, the driving source (not shown) is driven to rotate the first aligned object discharge roller pair 231, the second aligned object discharge roller pair 232, and the push-out belt 221. The rotation of the push-out belt 221 causes the push-out claw 220 to press the edge of the collated set S toward the packaging device 3, and the pressed collated set S passes above the downstream abutment plate 205 that has moved to the retracted position, and moves to a position where it is sandwiched in the nip of the first aligned object discharge roller pair 231. The collated set S clamped in the nip of the alignment discharge roller pair 206 is transported in the direction indicated by arrow "E" in Figures 13 and 14 by the rotating first alignment discharge roller pair 231 and second alignment discharge roller pair 232, and is transported toward the packaging device 3.

[0070] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the collation and packaging system 500 according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 15 is a plan view showing a collated packaging system 500 according to a second embodiment, Fig. 15(a) shows an arrangement when the collated set S created by the collated device 1 is packaged by the packaging device 3, and Fig. 15(b) and Fig. 15(c) are plan views showing the collated packaging system 500 when the packaging device 3 is used alone. Fig. 15(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the packaging device 3 is rotated 90[°] clockwise around the device rotation shaft 301, and Fig. 15(c) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the packaging device 3 is not provided with the device rotation shaft 301 and is slid in a direction parallel to the conveying direction (X-axis direction) away from the alignment device.

[0071] 15 is similar to the above-described embodiment except for the different arrangements of the collation device 1, the alignment device 2, and the packaging device 3. As specific configurations of the collation device 1, the alignment device 2, and the packaging device 3, those similar to those of the devices constituting the collation packaging system 500 of the above-described embodiment can be used.

[0072] In the collation and packaging system 500 of the second embodiment, the collation device 1, the alignment device 2, and the packaging device 3 are linearly arranged along the X-axis direction in a direction parallel to the horizontal XY plane. By arranging in this manner, it is possible to prevent the system from becoming large in the width direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 15) perpendicular to the conveying direction, and to realize a system that is easy to install in a long installation environment.

[0073] In the collated packaging system 500 of the second embodiment, the packaging device 3 may be movable and may be used alone. As shown in FIG. 15(b), the packaging device 3 may be rotated around the device rotation shaft 301 as in the above-mentioned embodiment to make the packaging device 3 movable. However, when the packaging device 3 is rotated, the packaging device 3 protrudes in the width direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction compared to the state shown in FIG. 15(a), and the space required for installing the collated packaging system 500 becomes larger in the width direction. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 15(c), if the packaging device 3 is slid in a direction parallel to the conveying direction, the installation space is prevented from expanding in the width direction, and a system that is easy to install in a long installation environment can be realized. The configuration for sliding the packaging device 3 to open the insertion opening 32 may be a configuration in which the packaging device 3 is slid in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. However, as shown in Figure 15(c), a configuration in which the packaging device 3 is slid in a direction parallel to the conveying direction can prevent the installation space from expanding in the width direction.

[0074] In the collation packaging system 500 of the embodiment described above, one sheet bundle (collated set S) created by the collation device 1 is collated by the aligning device 2, and then the packaging device 3 wraps the bundle with film to create one package. The packaged item to be contained in one package is not limited to one sheet bundle. A plurality of sheet bundles may be contained, or a sheet bundle sandwiched between folded paper (sandwich paper S2) and a single sheet may be contained. In these cases, when one sheet bundle is discharged to the aligning device 2, another sheet bundle or a single sheet is supplied from the collation device 1, and discharged on top of the sheet bundle in the aligning device 2, where the collation device 2 aligns the sheet bundle and the single sheet is handed over to the packaging device 3.

[0075] In the above-mentioned collation packaging system 500, after collating, the sheet bundle consisting of sheets that have not been stapled is aligned and packaged. If a sheet bundle consisting of sheets that have not been stapled is packaged as is, the positions of the sheets in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction (hereinafter referred to as the "surface direction") may vary, and the sheets may not enter the packaging device 3. In addition, if the insertion opening of the packaging device 3 is enlarged and packaging is performed with a margin in the surface direction in consideration of the variation in the positions of the sheets in the surface direction, the sheets may be movable within the packaged film, and the positions of the sheets may vary within the film, which may result in a deterioration in the appearance of the quality. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the passage of the rear end of the sheet bundle is detected within the packaging device 3 and the rear end side is welded, if there is a variation in the distance from the front end to the rear end of the sheet bundle, there may be a variation in the distance from the welding position on the front end side to the welding position on the rear end side, which may result in a variation in the size of the packaged item.

[0076] To address these problems, in the collation and packaging system 500 of this embodiment, after collating, the sheet bundle consisting of sheets that have not been stapled is aligned and then packaged, so that the sheet bundle with the edges of the sheets aligned can be packaged by the packaging device 3. By aligning the edges with the alignment device 2, it is possible to prevent the sheet bundle from becoming larger in the vertical and horizontal directions than the sheets. This makes it possible to prevent problems that arise due to the sheet bundle becoming larger in the vertical and horizontal directions, such as the sheet bundle not being able to fit into the packaging device 3 and problems that cause variations in the quality and size of the packaged sheet bundle.

[0077] A possible configuration for packaging a collated sheet bundle is to bind the sheets together into a booklet after collating them, and then package the booklet. If the booklet bound in this way is packaged, the size of the packaged item will not vary. In contrast, there are cases where it is required to package a collated bundle as it is, such as an advertisement bundle or a bundle of booklets stacked together, without fixing the bundle together, such as by binding the booklets. In this case, if there is variation in the position of the edges of the papers or booklets that form the collated bundle, the projected area of ​​the collated bundle will be large, and the bundle may not be able to be put into the packaging device, or the packaging quality and the size of the packaged item may vary. In response to such problems, the collated bundle is delivered to the packaging device in an aligned manner, and therefore the collated bundle can be prevented from being unable to be put into the packaging device, or from being unable to be put into the packaging device, or from being unable to be put into the packaging quality and the size of the packaged item.

[0078] As the packaging device 3, a known device can be used, for example, the device described in JP 2017-074975 A can be used, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the above-mentioned packaging device 3 is configured for horizontal conveyance in which the collated set S, which is the packaged item, is packaged in a resin film, which is the packaging material, while being conveyed in the horizontal direction, but the packaging means that can be used in the collated system according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the packaging device described in JP 2016-37302 A, a vertical conveyance configuration in which the packaged item is packaged while being conveyed from above to below may be used. The packaging means used in the collated packaging system according to the present invention is not limited to the packaging device 3 of the above-mentioned embodiment, which sandwiches the packaged object between two films and welds the two film sheets together. For example, it may be a packaging device that folds a single film sheet together to package the packaged object, as in the packaging device described in JP 2008-100710 A. It is also applicable to a packaging device that uses three or more resin films for packaging. The packaging material for packaging the packaged item is not limited to a resin film.

[0079] In the collated packaging system 500 of the embodiment described above, the packaging device 3 is configured to push the welding lines Fx of the two film sheets with a sheet bundle, and sandwich the collated set S between the two film sheets. In this configuration, if there is variation in the position of the leading ends of the sheets S1 forming the collated set S, the welding line Fx will be pushed in only by one sheet S1 protruding in the leading end direction, and the leading end of the sheet S1 that first comes into contact with the welding line Fx may bend, which may lead to a deterioration in the quality of the package. In contrast, in this embodiment, the welding line Fx is pushed in by the collated set S in which the leading end positions of the sheets S1 are aligned by the alignment device 2, so that the defect of the leading end of the sheet S1 being bent can be prevented.

[0080] The above description is merely an example, and each of the following aspects provides unique effects.

[0081] [Aspect 1] In a collation packaging system such as collation packaging system 500, which includes a collation means such as a collation device 1 that stacks multiple sheets such as paper S1 and sandwich paper S2 to create a sheet bundle such as a collated set S, and a packaging means such as a packaging device 3 that packages the sheet bundle created by the collation means in a packaging material such as a resin film (F1, F2), the collation packaging system is characterized by having an aligning means such as an aligning device 2 that aligns the edges of sheets such as paper S1 that form the sheet bundle, between the collation means and the packaging means. According to this, the aligning means aligns the edges of the sheets, and the sheet bundle can be wrapped by the wrapping means while preventing the sheet bundle from becoming larger in the vertical and horizontal directions compared to the sheets. This makes it possible to prevent problems that arise when the sheet bundle becomes larger in the vertical and horizontal directions, such as the sheet bundle not fitting into the wrapping means, and problems that cause variations in the quality and size of the wrapped state of the sheet bundle.

[0082] [Aspect 2] In the collation packaging system of aspect 1, the collation means, as shown in FIG. 4 etc., is characterized in that it has multiple vertical stages (102a to 102j, 102k to 102t) of sheet supply units such as a paper feed mechanism 102 that supply sheets, and forms a sheet stack by stacking sheets supplied from each of the multiple stages of sheet supply units. This reduces the horizontal area occupied by the collation means that constitutes the collation packaging system, and also reduces the area occupied by the entire collation packaging system, reducing the area required to install the collation packaging system and improving the freedom of installation environment.

[0083] [Aspect 3] In the collation packaging system of embodiment 1 or 2, the packaging means is characterized in that it has a packaged item receiving section such as an insertion port 32 that receives a sheet bundle from the aligned item discharge section of the aligning means (such as the aligned item discharge roller pair 206 or the second aligned item discharge roller pair 232), and the packaging means is movable from a position where the packaged item receiving section faces the aligned item discharge section (the position shown in Figure 2) to a position where it does not face the aligned item discharge section (the position shown in Figure 10). According to this, by moving the packaging means so that the packaged item receiving section is not facing the aligned item discharge section, the packaged item receiving section becomes exposed, making it possible to use the packaging means alone, such as by having an operator manually insert packaged items other than the sheet stack collated by the collation means.

[0084] [Aspect 4] In the collation packaging system according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, the alignment means is characterized by comprising an alignment section such as a stack section 210 which performs an alignment process on the sheet stack, a push-out means (such as the side alignment claw 201 or the push-out claw 220) which pushes the aligned sheet stack from the alignment section in a direction toward the packaging means, and a clamping and transporting means (such as the pair of aligned item discharge rollers 206 or the first aligned item discharge roller pair 231 and the second aligned item discharge roller pair 232) which clamps the sheet stack pushed out of the alignment section by the push-out means and transports it in the direction toward the packaging means. According to this, the sheet stack that has been aligned is pushed out of the alignment section by the push-out means while being clamped and conveyed by the clamping and conveying member, thereby preventing the sheet stack from becoming misaligned and making it possible to deliver the sheet stack to the packaging means while maintaining the aligned state.

[0085] Aspect 5 In the collation packaging system according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, a conveying path switching means such as a sorting switching plate 150 for switching the conveying path of the sheet stack to a destination other than the packaging means (such as a sorting tray 16) is provided between the downstream end of the collation conveying path, such as the vertical conveying path 107 in the collation means, and the packaging means (such as the discharge conveying path 12). According to this, it is possible to obtain a sheet bundle that has been subjected to a collation test to check the collation contents or a sheet bundle that has encountered a collation error during collation without carrying out a packaging process.

[0086] Aspect 6 In the collation packaging system of any of aspects 1 to 5, the collation means is characterized in that it forms a sheet bundle by sandwiching a stack of multiple sheets (such as paper S1) between one or more folded sheets (such as sandwich paper S2). This makes it easier to maintain the alignment compared to a sheet stack made of multiple sheets stacked together, and further reduces variations in the quality and size of the packages.

[0087] Aspect 7 In the collation and packaging system according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, etc., the direction of movement of the sheet stack from the collation means to the alignment means (e.g., along the Y axis) is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sheet stack from the alignment means to the packaging means (e.g., along the X axis) in a direction parallel to a horizontal plane such as the XY plane. This makes it possible to prevent the entire collation and packaging system from becoming elongated in one direction, as compared with a system in which the collation means, the alignment means and the packaging means are arranged in a straight line.

[0088] Aspect 8 The collation and packaging system according to any one of aspects 1 to 6 is characterized in that the collation means, alignment means and packaging means are arranged in a straight line in a direction parallel to a horizontal plane such as the XY plane (e.g., arranged in the state shown in Figure 15(a)). According to this, by arranging the collating means, the aligning means and the packaging means in a straight line, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from becoming large in the width direction, and it becomes easier to install the apparatus in a long installation environment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1: Collation device 2: Alignment device 3: Packaging equipment 4: Packaging tray 32: Insertion port 34: Front and rear end welding pedestal 35: Welding and cutting heater 43: Outlet 102: Paper feed mechanism 103: Sandwich paper feeding mechanism 150: Switching plate 201: Side alignment claw 203: Front stop plate 204: Rear alignment plate 205: Downstream abutment plate 206: Pair of rollers for discharging aligned items 210: Stack section 220: Extrusion claw 231: First alignment discharge roller pair 232: Second alignment discharge roller pair 301: Device rotation axis 334: Upper conveyor belt 335: Lower conveyor belt 341: Side welding heater 342: Side welding support 500:Collation and packaging system F1: Top film F2: Lower film S: Collated set

Claims

1. A collating means for stacking a plurality of sheets to create a sheet bundle; a packaging means for packaging the sheet bundle produced by the collation means in a packaging material, an alignment means for aligning edges of the sheets forming the sheet bundle between the collating means and the packaging means; The collation means delivers the prepared sheet bundle to the alignment means, The aligning means performs an aligning process on the sheet bundle delivered from the collating means, and delivers the aligned sheet bundle to the packaging means. The packaging means packages the sheet bundle delivered from the aligning means with the packaging material.

2. In the collated packaging system of claim 1, The aligning means includes an aligning unit that performs an aligning process on the sheet stack; a push-out means for pushing out the sheet bundle that has been subjected to the alignment process from the alignment section in a direction toward the packaging means.

3. In the collated packaging system of claim 2, a pinching and conveying means for pinching the sheet stack pushed out from the aligning section by the pushing means and conveying the sheet stack in a direction toward the packaging means.

4. In the collated packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The collation packaging system is characterized in that the collation means has multiple sheet supply sections in the vertical direction that supply the sheets, and forms the sheet stack by stacking the sheets supplied from each of the multiple sheet supply sections.

5. The collation and packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The packaging means includes a packaged object receiving section that receives the sheet bundle delivered from the aligned object discharge section of the aligning means, A collated packaging system, characterized in that the packaging means is rotatably movable from a position where the packaged item receiving section faces the collated item discharge section to a position where the packaged item receiving section does not face the collated item discharge section.

6. In the collated packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A collation and packaging system comprising: a conveying path switching means for switching a conveying path for conveying the sheet stack to a destination other than the packaging means, between a downstream end of the collation conveying path in the collation means and the packaging means.

7. A collated packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A collating and packaging system, characterized in that, in a direction parallel to a horizontal plane, the direction of movement of the sheet stack from the collating means to the aligning means is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sheet stack from the aligning means to the packaging means.

8. The collation and packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A collating and packaging system, characterized in that the collating means, the aligning means and the packaging means are arranged in a straight line in a direction parallel to a horizontal plane.

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