News extraction mechanism

Abstract

To provide a newspaper taking-out mechanism capable of separating newspapers one by one from an accumulation in which a plurality of newspapers are stacked in the same orientation and taking them out in a normal posture. 【Solution means】The newspaper taking-out mechanism separates and takes out newspapers one by one in a first direction along a first fold line from a newspaper at a taking-out position at one end in the stacking direction of an accumulation in which a plurality of folded newspapers are stacked in the same orientation. The taking-out roller is disposed opposite to the accumulation on the conveyance path at a position downstream in the first direction from the taking-out position, and applies a conveyance force to the newspaper passing through the conveyance path by rotating in the first direction. The separating roller is disposed opposite to the conveyance path on the opposite side of the conveyance path between the taking-out position and the taking-out roller and at a position closer to the first fold line than the position where the taking-out roller faces the newspaper passing through the conveyance path, and is rotatable in the first direction. The friction applying member is disposed opposite to the separating roller with the conveyance path interposed therebetween, and applies a frictional force to the newspapers starting from the second one overlapping the newspaper at the taking-out position to separate them.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a newspaper taking-out mechanism for separating and taking out newspapers one by one from an accumulation of multiple newspapers stacked in the same direction, for example.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, newspaper processing devices that insert folded leaflets (stitched bundles) stitched by a stitching mechanism into newspapers and stack them in the order of delivery are becoming widespread. This type of newspaper processing device includes a newspaper taking-out mechanism for separating and taking out newspapers one by one from an accumulation of multiple newspapers stacked in the same direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Newspapers processed by a newspaper processing device are handled in a state where multiple sheets of newspaper paper are folded into four folds in order to insert a stitched bundle therein. Also, in order to insert the stitched bundle discharged from the stitching machine into the newspaper, it is necessary to stack multiple newspapers to be input into the newspaper taking-out mechanism in the same direction. In such an accumulation of four-folded newspapers stacked in the same direction, the thickness of the portion where the folded edges of the newspapers overlap is larger than the thickness of the portion where the other edges without folds overlap. Such a phenomenon is called "creased thickness".

[0005] Therefore, in the newspaper taking-out mechanism, when multiple four-folded newspapers are stacked in the same direction and accumulated, and newspapers at the end in the stacking direction are separated and taken out one by one, problems such as the newspapers at the taking-out position being inclined or wrinkled due to "creased thickness" are likely to occur, and there is a possibility of taking-out failure or conveyance jam.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a newspaper extraction mechanism capable of separating newspapers one by one from a stack of multiple newspapers stacked in the same orientation and taking them out in a normal posture.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The newspaper extraction mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention separates and extracts newspapers one by one in a first direction along a first fold line from a stack of multiple folded newspapers that are folded in half along a first fold line and then folded in half again along a second fold line, and are stacked in the same orientation, from an extraction position at one end in the stacking direction of the stack. The newspaper extraction mechanism includes a conveyance path, an extraction roller, a separation roller, a friction applying member, and a pressing member. The conveyance path extends in the first direction from the extraction position. The extraction roller is disposed opposite to the stack on the conveyance path at a position downstream in the first direction from the extraction position, and applies a conveyance force to the newspapers passing through the conveyance path by rotating in the first direction. The separation roller is disposed opposite to the conveyance path at a position on the opposite side of the conveyance path between the extraction position and the extraction roller, and on the first fold line side from the position where the extraction roller faces the newspapers passing through the conveyance path, and is rotatable in the first direction. The friction applying member is disposed opposite to the separation roller with the conveyance path therebetween, and applies a frictional force to the second and subsequent newspapers overlapping the newspaper at the extraction position to separate them. The pressing member presses the separation roller toward the friction applying member.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a newspaper extraction mechanism capable of separating newspapers one by one from a stack of multiple newspapers stacked in the same orientation and taking them out in a normal posture.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the newspaper processing apparatus 100 includes a newspaper extraction mechanism 1, a collating mechanism 10, an incorporation mechanism 30, and a lifter 50. The newspaper extraction mechanism 1 is arranged side by side on the left side of the housing 11 of the collating mechanism 10. The incorporation mechanism 30 is arranged side by side in front of the collating mechanism 10 and on the right side of the newspaper extraction mechanism 1. The lifter 50 is arranged side by side on the right side of the incorporation mechanism 30. The newspaper extraction mechanism 1, the collating mechanism 10, the incorporation mechanism 30, and the lifter 50 may be incorporated into a common single housing. The newspaper processing apparatus 100 is installed on a horizontal floor F.

[0011] In the following description, the discharge direction of the collated bundle in the collating mechanism 10 is defined as the front, and the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 are defined when viewed from the front. In the figure, the arrow X direction is the direction from left to right, the arrow Y direction is the direction from back to front, and the arrow Z direction is the direction from bottom to top. In each figure, the arrows in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are appropriately illustrated.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the collating mechanism 10 has a housing 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the Z direction. On the front side (left side in the figure) and the back side (right side in the figure) of the housing 11 along the Y direction, there are a plurality of stages of paper feed trays 12 arranged in the Z direction. The paper feed tray 12 is attached to the housing 11 so as to be inclined downward inside the housing 11. Each paper feed tray 12 is detachable from the housing 11. A plurality of folded leaflets can be stacked and inserted into each paper feed tray 12. Different types of folded leaflets may be inserted into all the paper feed trays 12, or the same type of folded leaflets may be inserted into a plurality of paper feed trays 12. Further, a plurality of collated bundles obtained by collating a plurality of types of folded leaflets may be stacked and inserted into the paper feed tray 12. The paper feed tray 12a at the lowermost stage on the front side of the housing 11 is assigned as a paper feed tray for inserting a plurality of sheets of origami paper.

[0013] Inside the housing 11, there is a conveyance path 13 extending in the Z direction through the center of the housing 11. The conveyance path 13 is provided along the XZ plane between the front paper feed tray 12 and the rear paper feed tray 12. The folded leaflets taken out from each paper feed tray 12 at a predetermined timing are fed into the conveyance path 13 and stacked on top of each other. The plurality of folded leaflets are conveyed downward while overlapping via the conveyance path 13. A plurality of sets of conveyance roller pairs 14 are provided on the conveyance path 13. The conveyance roller pairs 14 rotate while sandwiching the plurality of folded leaflets in an overlapping state.

[0014] At the lower end side in the inclination direction of each paper feed tray 12, that is, at the end closer to the center near the conveyance path 13, a first paper feed roller 15 and a second paper feed roller 16 are respectively provided. The first paper feed roller 15 is arranged to contact the uppermost folded leaflet among the plurality of folded leaflets stacked on the paper feed tray 12. The second paper feed roller 16 is provided on the downstream side in the paper feed direction of the folded leaflets compared to the first paper feed roller 15. Further, a feed roller pair 18 is provided on the downstream side in the paper feed direction of the folded leaflets compared to the second paper feed roller 16.

[0015] The first paper feed roller 15 rotates in contact with the uppermost one of the plurality of folded leaflets inserted into the paper feed tray 12, and sends the uppermost folded leaflet toward the feed roller pair 18. The second paper feed roller 16 prevents the second and subsequent folded leaflets from being fed (i.e., double-fed) to the feed roller pair 18 by pressing the tips of the second and subsequent folded leaflets against the deflector plate 17. That is, the plurality of folded leaflets inserted into the paper feed tray 12 are separated one by one by the first paper feed roller 15, the second paper feed roller 16, and the deflector plate 17, and fed into the feed roller pair 18. The feed roller pair 18 feeds the folded leaflets into the conveyance path 13.

[0016] At the lower end of the conveyance path 13, a pair of folding rollers 19 is arranged. The pair of folding rollers 19 is attached in a posture where its nip is located on the extension line of the conveyance path 13. That is, the rotation axis of the pair of folding rollers 19 extends in the X direction. A plurality of folded leaflets conveyed downward in an overlapping state via the conveyance path 13 are fed into the nip of the pair of folding rollers 19.

[0017] On the downstream side (the right side in the drawing) in the paper feeding direction of the paper feeding tray 12a for feeding origami, a pair of feeding rollers 18a is provided. The first and second paper feeding rollers 15, 16 of the paper feeding tray 12a feed the origami inserted into the paper feeding tray 12a to the pair of feeding rollers 18a. The pair of feeding rollers 18a feeds the origami taken out from the paper feeding tray 12a by the first and second paper feeding rollers 15, 16 above the pair of folding rollers 19. Also, on the leading end side in the paper feeding direction of the origami fed from the paper feeding tray 12a, a stop portion 20 is provided. The stop portion 20 stops the origami at a position where the central position in the paper feeding direction of the origami faces the nip of the pair of folding rollers 19. Diagonally above the pair of folding rollers 19, a folding knife 21 is arranged. The folding knife 21 pushes the central portion of the origami toward the nip of the pair of folding rollers 19.

[0018] The folded leaflets inserted through the respective paper feeding trays 12 are stacked in the order of their extraction in the conveyance path 13 and fed into the nip of the pair of folding rollers 19. At this point, the center of the origami fed in advance is being folded by the folding knife 21. Then, the plurality of folded leaflets conveyed in an overlapping state via the conveyance path 13 are pushed into the center of the origami and sandwiched between the origami by the rotation of the pair of folding rollers 19. The bundle of folded leaflets, that is, the butted bundle, in a state where a plurality of folded leaflets are sandwiched between two - folded origami after passing through the pair of folding rollers 19 is delivered to the conveyance belt 22 and discharged from the discharge port 24 provided on the front side of the housing 11 via the discharge roller pair 23.

[0019] The conveyance path 13, a plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers 14, the paper feed tray 12a, the first and second paper feed rollers 15 and 16 of the paper feed tray 12a, the feed roller pair 18a, the folding roller pair 19, and the folding knife 21 function as a collation unit that collates the folded leaflets selectively taken out from the multi-stage paper feed tray 12 in the order of taking out. It is also possible to discharge the collated multiple folded leaflets as they are without sandwiching them between the sheets of paper, and the multiple folded leaflets simply stacked in this way can also be said to be a collated bundle.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the collation mechanism 10 includes an operation panel 11a as an interface device. The operation panel 11a is attached above the right side surface of the housing 11. The operation panel 11a is provided so as to be rotatable between the illustrated open position and a closed position (not shown) folded substantially parallel to the right side surface of the housing 11. The operation panel 11a is, for example, a touch panel provided with a display element. The operator operates the operation panel 11a to input various settings regarding the newspaper processing apparatus 100.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the newspaper taking-out mechanism 1 has a housing 1a having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The newspaper taking-out mechanism 1 has a first input section 2 and a second input section 3 for stacking a plurality of newspapers P (FIG. 4) in the same orientation.

[0022] The first input section 2 is at the upper part of the housing 1a and inputs a plurality of newspapers P stacked in the same orientation in a standing position. The first input section 2 includes at least one support plate 2a. The support plate 2a can be detachably attached to the first input section 2 in the inclined posture shown in the figure. The support plate 2a functions as a pressing plate that presses a plurality of newspapers P in the stacking direction (right direction in the figure). The stacking direction of the newspapers P in the first input section 2, that is, the direction in which the newspapers P are supplied toward the taking-out position, is the direction from front to back, and the support plate 2a is attached to the first input section 2 so as to face the newspaper P at the front end of the stack of a plurality of stacked newspapers P.

[0023] The second input unit 3 is located on the rear side (right side in the drawing) of the housing 1a. The second input unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 3a that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the housing 1a. The paper feed tray 3a is slightly inclined downward toward the front. The stack of a plurality of newspapers P to be input into the second input unit 3 is placed on the paper feed tray 3a in a posture where the stacking direction of the newspapers P is in the vertical direction. That is, the stacking direction of the newspapers P in the second input unit 3 is the vertical direction.

[0024] Newspapers P with different brands may be input into the first input unit 2 and the second input unit 3 respectively, or newspapers P with the same brand may be input. It is not possible to mix and input newspapers P of multiple brands into one input unit. For example, when bundling and stacking the folded leaflets assigned to two different brands of newspapers (the bundled leaflets with different or the same types of folded leaflets that match each other) in the order of delivery, a plurality of newspapers P of one brand are stacked and input into the first input unit 2, and a plurality of newspapers P of the other brand are stacked and input into the second input unit 3.

[0025] The newspaper P is, for example, as shown in Fig. 4(a), folded in half twice as shown by the arrow along the central broken line (the first fold line) from a state where a plurality of A1-sized newspapers are stacked, and further folded in half twice as shown by the arrow along the central broken line (the second fold line) as shown in Fig. 4(b) for the plurality of A2-sized folded-in-half newspapers (a state of being folded in half four times) (the newspaper P folded into a substantially A3 size) (Fig. 4c), and is input into each of the input units 2 and 3 as a stack of a plurality of parts in the same orientation.

[0026] When putting newspapers P into the first input section 2 at the upper part of the housing 1a, the operator stacks a plurality of newspapers P in the same orientation one behind the other in a standing position with the second fold P-2 placed downward and the first fold P-1 placed to the right. When putting a stack of newspapers P into the first input section 2, a plurality of newspapers P are collectively put behind (the right side in the figure) the support plate 2a shown on the right side in Fig. 3, and the upper ends of the plurality of newspapers P are tilted in the direction of this support plate 2a to support the front side of the plurality of newspapers P by the support plate 2a. In this way, by putting a plurality of newspapers P in a standing position, the pressing force between the newspapers P becomes weaker, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of double feeding where the newspapers P are taken out stacked together.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the first input section 2 is provided at its bottom with two endless floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 (only one is shown in Fig. 3). The two floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 move along the bottom of the first input section 2 from the front to the rear in the stacking direction of the newspapers P. The first input section 2 is provided on the left and right sides near the upper end of the housing 1a with two endless feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 (only one is shown in Fig. 3) having a plurality of protrusions 2d. The pair of left and right feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 move in synchronization with the floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 from the front to the rear in the stacking direction of the newspapers P.

[0028] The support plate 2a has its lower end moved rearward by the floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 and its left and right ends pushed rearward by the protrusions 2d of the feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2, moving a plurality of newspapers P toward the take-out position at the rear end of the first input section 2. The floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 and the feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 function as a moving mechanism for moving a plurality of newspapers P in the stacking direction together with the support plate 2a.

[0029] When the newspaper P is taken out from the first feeding section 2 and the remaining amount becomes small, the operator can put in multiple copies of the newspaper P together. In this case, the operator attaches another support plate 2a (on the left side of FIG. 3) at a position further forward and separated from the support plate 2a (on the right side of FIG. 3) arranged in front of the multiple copies of the newspaper P loaded in the first feeding section 2, and puts in multiple copies of the newspaper P behind this other support plate 2a (between the two support plates 2a). Then, the operator removes the rear support plate 2a from the first feeding section 2 and stacks the multiple copies of the newspaper P put in front of the newspaper P with less remaining. Further, the operator moves the support plate 2a in front of the put-in newspaper P backward and inserts it into the first feeding section 2 to support the front end side of the multiple copies of the newspaper P loaded therein.

[0030] On the other hand, when putting the newspaper P into the second feeding section 3 on the back side of the housing 1a, the operator places the folded portion P-2 forward and the folded portion P-1 to the right, and places the stack of multiple copies of the newspaper P stacked vertically on the paper feed tray 3a. The multiple copies of the newspaper P put into the second feeding section 3 are taken out in order from the topmost newspaper P in the stacking direction. For this reason, in the second feeding section 3, the pressing force acting between the topmost newspaper P at the take-out position and the second newspaper P below it is very small, and it is difficult to cause the problem of double feeding where the second newspaper is taken out together when taking out the topmost newspaper P.

[0031] When the newspaper P is taken out from the second feeding section 3 and the remaining amount becomes small, the operator can put in multiple copies of the newspaper P together. In this case, the operator can put in multiple copies of the newspaper P between the lowermost newspaper P in the Z direction of the newspaper P loaded in the second feeding section 3 and the paper feed tray 3a. The newspaper P taken out from the second feeding section 3 merges into the same conveyance path T described later in the same posture as the newspaper P taken out from the first feeding section 2.

[0032] Near the rear end of the bottom of the first input unit 2, there are a separation roller 4a for preventing double feeding, an auxiliary roller 4b, and a take-out roller 5a. The separation roller 4a and the auxiliary roller 4b are provided coaxially and are located at a position facing near the lower end of the rear surface of the newspaper P (the newspaper at one end) moved to the take-out position at the rear end of the first input unit 2. The separation roller 4a is arranged at a position offset to the right near the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P at the take-out position, and the auxiliary roller 4b is arranged at a position offset to the left far from the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P at the take-out position.

[0033] There is a rubber sheet 4c (Fig. 12) at a position facing the separation roller 4a with the conveyance path T1 of the newspaper P extending downward from the take-out position in between. The rubber sheet 4c is attached to the housing 1a of the newspaper take-out mechanism 1 (the rear surface 71F of the sheet metal 70F described later) in front of the separation roller 4a. The separation roller 4a is provided to prevent double feeding in which the newspaper P passing through the conveyance path T1 is pressed against the rubber sheet 4c and the second and subsequent newspapers P overlapping in front of the newspaper P at the take-out position are separated and the second and subsequent newspapers P are carried out together with the first newspaper P.

[0034] The take-out roller 5a is arranged on the downstream side of the separation roller 4a along the take-out direction of the newspaper P. The take-out roller 5a is arranged behind the conveyance path T1 (on the side opposite to the accumulation) like the separation roller 4a. The take-out roller 5a is between the separation roller 4a and the auxiliary roller 4b in the left-right direction. The take-out roller 5a applies a conveyance force to the newspaper P passing through the conveyance path T1 and sends out the first newspaper P separated by the separation roller 4a and the rubber sheet 4c toward the conveyance roller pair 6a. Since the conveyance path T1 slopes downward toward the rear, the take-out of the newspaper P is assisted by the weight of the newspaper P.

[0035] The auxiliary roller 4b assists the operation of taking out the newspaper P by the take-out roller 5a. Another rubber sheet may be attached to the housing 1a (the rear surface 71F of the sheet metal 70F described later) at a position facing the auxiliary roller 4b with the conveyance path T1 interposed therebetween. In this case, a separating force can be applied to the newspaper P from the second part onward from the rubber sheet facing the auxiliary roller 4b, and the separating operation by the separating roller 4a can also be assisted.

[0036] Near the front end of the paper feed tray 3a of the second loading section 3, there is a take-out roller 5b. The take-out roller 5b contacts the upper surface of the uppermost newspaper P among the plurality of newspapers P loaded on the paper feed tray 3a, and by rotating, sends out this newspaper P toward the conveying roller pair 6b. The newspaper P taken out from the second loading section 3 via the conveying roller pair 6b is fed into the feeding roller pair 7a via the conveyance path T2. On the other hand, the newspaper P conveyed from the first loading section 2 via the conveying roller pair 6a is also fed into the feeding roller pair 7a via the conveyance path T1.

[0037] Upstream of the feeding roller pair 7a, there is a V-shaped conveyance guide 6c arranged along the conveyance paths T1 and T2. The conveyance guide 6c guides the leading end in the conveyance direction of the newspaper P conveyed from the first loading section 2 via the conveyance path T1 toward the nip of the feeding roller pair 7a, and also guides the leading end in the conveyance direction of the newspaper P conveyed from the second loading section 3 via the conveyance path T2 toward the nip of the feeding roller pair 7a. The conveyance guide 6c and the feeding roller pair 7a function as a merging section that merges the newspaper P sent out from the first loading section 2 and the newspaper P sent out from the second loading section 3 into one conveyance path T.

[0038] On the conveying path T on the downstream side of the feed roller pair 7a, there are two sets of feed roller pairs 7b, 7c and a plurality of conveying guides 7d. The newspaper P that has merged into one conveying path T via the feed roller pair 7a is conveyed along the conveying path T via the two sets of feed roller pairs 7b, 7c and the plurality of conveying guides 7d, and is fed into the direction conversion unit 9 that changes the conveying direction of the newspaper P by 90 degrees along the XY plane. By setting the postures of the newspaper P input into the first input unit 2 and the newspaper P input into the second input unit 3 to the postures described above, all the newspapers P fed into the direction conversion unit 9 will have the same posture (the direction in which the fold P-2 is arranged forward and the fold P-1 is arranged on the right side). Since the conveying paths T1 and T2 are substantially the same length, the newspaper P taken out from the first input unit 2 and the newspaper P taken out from the second input unit 3 will be fed into the direction conversion unit 9 in the order of their extraction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the incorporation mechanism 30 is arranged side by side on the right side of the newspaper extraction mechanism 1 and faces the front of the butting mechanism 10 (not shown here). The incorporation mechanism 30 inserts the butted bundle discharged from the discharge port 24 of the butting mechanism 10 into the newspaper P supplied from the newspaper extraction mechanism 1. The incorporation mechanism 30 has an accumulation unit 31 (FIG. 1) that accumulates the incorporated newspapers with the butted bundles inserted into the newspapers P in the vertical direction. As described above, since the newspapers P taken out from the first input unit 2 and the second input unit 3 of the newspaper extraction mechanism 1 are fed into the direction conversion unit 9 in the order of their extraction, the stacking order of the incorporated newspapers fed from the direction conversion unit 9 to the accumulation unit 31 via the incorporation mechanism 30 is also the order of extraction of the newspapers P.

[0040] The direction conversion unit 9 of the newspaper extraction mechanism 1 has a delivery roller 8 (FIG. 3) that delivers the newspaper P fed into the direction conversion unit 9 in the X direction. The axis of the delivery roller 8 extends back and forth. The delivery roller 8 is provided so as to be movable between a contact position where it contacts the upper surface of the newspaper P fed into the direction conversion unit 9 and a retracted position where it retracts upward from the contact position. The retracted position is a position where the newspaper P fed into the direction conversion unit 9 through the conveying path T does not interfere with the delivery roller 8 that has moved to the retracted position.

[0041] The delivery roller 8 moves from the contact position to the retracted position at the timing when the newspaper P is fed into the direction conversion unit 9. That is, the delivery roller 8 moves up and down each time the newspaper P is fed into the direction conversion unit 9. The newspaper P fed into the direction conversion unit 9 once stops, and after the delivery roller 8 is moved to the contact position, it is fed rightward (in the direction of arrow X) toward the incorporation mechanism 30 by the rotation of the delivery roller 8. At this time, the newspaper P is fed into the incorporation mechanism 30 in a posture where one upper portion P1 (FIG. 4c) divided at the fold P-2 faces upward.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the incorporation mechanism 30 includes a suction nozzle 32 that sucks the upper portion P1 of the newspaper P, a solenoid 33 that moves the suction nozzle 32 up and down, a suction chamber 34 disposed below the conveyance path of the newspaper P, and an air intake port 35 communicating with the suction chamber 34. The air intake port 35 is located at a position vertically opposite to the air intake port 32a of the suction nozzle 32.

[0043] The newspaper P fed out from the direction conversion unit 9 of the newspaper extraction mechanism 1 in the X direction is temporarily stopped at the timing when the tip in the X direction reaches between the air intake port 32a of the suction nozzle 32 and the air intake port 35. The air intake port 32a above the conveyance path of the newspaper P faces near the corner between the rear edge parallel to the fold P-2 of the upper portion P1 of the stopped newspaper P and the fold P-1. The air intake port 35 below the conveyance path faces near the corner between the rear edge parallel to the fold P-2 of the lower portion P2 of the stopped newspaper P and the fold P-1.

[0044] The incorporation mechanism 30 operates the solenoid 33 to move the suction nozzle 32 downward in a state where the newspaper P is temporarily stopped, and brings the air intake port 32a into contact with the upper surface of the corner of the upper portion P1 of the newspaper P. At this time, the incorporation mechanism 30 operates a blower (not shown) to evacuate the suction nozzle 32 and the suction chamber 34, adsorbs the corner of the upper portion P1 of the newspaper P to the air intake port 32a, and adsorbs the corner of the lower portion P2 of the newspaper P to the air intake port 35.

[0045] In this state, the incorporation mechanism 30 operates the solenoid 33 to move the suction nozzle 32 upward, and opens upward the corner of the upper portion P1 of the newspaper P adsorbed to the air inlet 32a. At this time, since the corner of the lower portion P2 of the newspaper P is adsorbed to the air inlet 35, the upper portion P1 is opened with respect to the lower portion P2. With the newspaper P opened, the incorporation mechanism 30 resumes the conveyance of the newspaper P in the X direction, and feeds the newspaper P to the insertion position facing the discharge port 24 of the butting mechanism 10. The incorporation mechanism 30 includes a guide member (not shown) for supporting the upper portion P1 of the newspaper P whose conveyance has been resumed after being opened from below to keep the newspaper P in the opened state.

[0046] The incorporation mechanism 30 is laid out such that the insertion position is arranged at a position facing the discharge port 24 of the butting mechanism 10. Therefore, the butted bundle discharged from the discharge port 24 by the butting of the butting mechanism 10 is fed between the lower portion P2 and the upper portion P1 of the newspaper P opened by the incorporation mechanism 30 and fed to the insertion position.

[0047] The incorporated newspaper with the butted bundle inserted in this way is discharged to the stacking portion 31 in front by the discharge roller 36 shown in FIG. 1. The axis of the discharge roller 36 extends horizontally. The discharge roller 36 retracts upward when feeding the opened newspaper P to the insertion position, and moves to a position where it contacts the upper portion P1 of the incorporated newspaper when discharging the incorporated newspaper with the butted bundle inserted to the stacking portion 31.

[0048] The plurality of incorporated newspapers stacked vertically in the stacking portion 31 are carried out rightward at the timing when a predetermined number of incorporated newspapers are stacked and delivered to the lifter 50. The lifter 50 raises the predetermined number of stacked incorporated newspapers to a predetermined height, and arranges the plurality of incorporated newspapers at a height at which it is easy for the operator to carry them out.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, the newspaper processing apparatus 100 described above includes a main control circuit 101, sub-control circuits 102, 103, 104, 105, a display 106, operation switches 107, and a communication module 108. The main control circuit 101 is a circuit that controls the overall operation of the newspaper processing apparatus 100, including the control of the sub-control circuits 102, 103, 104, 105.

[0050] The main control circuit 101 is composed of, for example, a processor and a memory. The processor of the main control circuit 101 controls the operation of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 according to a control application program stored in the memory.

[0051] For example, the main control circuit 101 functions as a control unit (first control unit) that receives the input of data (first data) regarding the delivery order of the newspaper P and controls the retrieval order of the newspaper P retrieved from the first and second input units 2 and 3 of the newspaper retrieval mechanism 1. Further, the main control circuit 101 functions as a control unit (second control unit) that receives the input of data (second data) regarding the types of inserts to be inserted for each brand of the newspaper P and controls the presence or absence of the supply of the inserts supplied from the plurality of paper feed trays 12 of the collating mechanism 10.

[0052] The processor is, for example, a CPU, but does not necessarily have to be configured as a CPU. Further, the main control circuit 101 may be configured as a hardware logic circuit such as an ASIC. Also, the processor does not necessarily have to be composed of a single processor and may be composed of a plurality of processors.

[0053] The sub-control circuit 102 is connected to the collating mechanism 10. The sub-control circuit 102 is a dedicated circuit that controls the operation of the collating mechanism 10 under the main control circuit 101. The sub-control circuit 102 may or may not have a processor and a memory separately from the main control circuit 101.

[0054] The sub-control circuit 103 is connected to the newspaper extraction mechanism 1. The sub-control circuit 103 is a dedicated circuit for controlling the operation of the newspaper extraction mechanism 1 under the main control circuit 101. The sub-control circuit 103 may or may not have a processor and a memory separately from the main control circuit 101.

[0055] The sub-control circuit 104 is connected to the incorporation mechanism 30. The sub-control circuit 104 is a dedicated circuit for controlling the operation of the incorporation mechanism 30 under the main control circuit 101. The sub-control circuit 104 may or may not have a processor and a memory separately from the main control circuit 101.

[0056] The sub-control circuit 105 is connected to the lifter 50. The sub-control circuit 105 is a dedicated circuit for controlling the operation of the lifter 50 under the main control circuit 101. The sub-control circuit 105 may or may not have a processor and a memory separately from the main control circuit 101.

[0057] Note that the newspaper processing apparatus 100 may have sub-control circuits other than the sub-control circuits 102, 103, 104, and 105.

[0058] The display 106 is a display for displaying various states of the newspaper processing apparatus 100, such as an LED and a liquid crystal display of the operation panel 11a. For example, the display 106 has a display for indicating that the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 is on. Further, the display 106 has a display for displaying a counter for displaying various alignment counts. The alignment count includes information such as the total number of folded inserts aligned during the alignment operation and the number of remaining folded inserts. Also, the display 106 has a display for displaying various setting screens. The various settings include settings for folded inserts per stage, settings for regions and areas, etc. The various settings include settings for the incorporation operation. Further, the display 106 has a display for notifying various errors.

[0059] The operation switches 107 include various switches provided in the newspaper processing apparatus 100 and the operation panel 11a described above. For example, the switches of the operation switches 107 include the power switch of the newspaper processing apparatus 100. Also, for example, the operation switches 107 include various mode switches. The mode switch is a switch for setting the operation mode of the newspaper processing apparatus 100. The operation mode includes, for example, a butting mode for butting only the folded leaflets, an inserting mode for inserting a pre-butted butted bundle into the newspaper P, a butting / inserting mode for butting the folded leaflets and inserting the butted bundle into the newspaper P, and the like. The operation switches 107 may include switches other than these switches. Also, operations similar to the various switches of the operation switches 107 can be performed on the operation panel 11a.

[0060] The communication module 108 includes a processing circuit for the newspaper processing apparatus 100 to communicate with external devices such as a server. The communication module 108 includes, for example, a wireless communication module necessary for wireless LAN communication.

[0061] Here, an example of the operation of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 described above will be explained. As shown in FIG. 9, the main control circuit 101 of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 determines in step S1 whether to turn on the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100. For example, when the power switch is turned on, it is determined that the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 is turned on. Also, the main control circuit 101 may monitor the reception of commands from the outside via the communication module 108 and determine to turn on the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 when the reception of the command is confirmed. Until it is determined in step S1 to turn on the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100, the main control circuit 101 waits for processing. When it is determined in step S1 to turn on the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0062] In step S2, the main control circuit 101 turns on the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100, starts the control application program of the newspaper processing apparatus 100, and displays a startup screen on the operation panel 11a, for example. While the startup screen is being displayed, the main control circuit 101 performs various processes necessary for starting up the newspaper processing apparatus 100.

[0063] In step S3 after the completion of the startup process, the main control circuit 101 displays a main screen on the operation panel 11a, for example. On the main screen, the operator can start the collating operation or the embedding operation of the newspaper processing apparatus 100, or check various states during the collating operation or the embedding operation. Also, from the main screen, the operator can display various setting screens and perform various settings.

[0064] In step S4, the main control circuit 101 determines whether to perform a collating operation. For example, when the collating mode is selected by operating the operation panel 11a on the main screen and the setting or start of the collating operation is instructed, it is determined that the collating operation is to be performed. On the other hand, when the inserting mode or the collating / inserting mode is selected on the main screen and the setting or start of the embedding operation is instructed, it is determined that the embedding operation is to be performed.

[0065] In step S4, when it is determined that the collating operation is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S4, when it is determined that the collating operation is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0066] In step S5 when it is determined that the collating operation is to be performed, the main control circuit 101 determines whether to perform the settings related to the collating operation. For example, when the settings related to the collating operation are instructed by operating the operation panel 11a or the like, it is determined that the settings related to the collating operation are to be performed. In step S5, when it is determined that the settings related to the collating operation are instructed, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S5, when it is determined that the settings related to the collating operation are not instructed, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0067] In step S6, the main control circuit 101 makes settings related to the folding operation according to the instructions. For example, the main control circuit 101 makes settings such as the settings for the folding leaflets for each step, the settings for the regions and areas, and the settings for the operation mode according to the instructions. Also, the main control circuit 101 makes settings for the sub-control circuit 105 as necessary. Further, when making the settings, the main control circuit 101 also transitions the setting screen displayed on the operation panel 11a as necessary. After the settings related to the folding operation, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0068] In step S7, the main control circuit 101 determines whether the start of the folding operation has been instructed. In step S7, when it is determined that the start of the folding operation has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S7, when it is determined that the start of the folding operation has not been instructed, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0069] In step S8, the main control circuit 101 controls the sub-control circuit 102 according to the current settings to execute the folding operation by the folding mechanism 10. In step S8, the main control circuit 101 may control the sub-control circuit 105 to operate the lifter 50.

[0070] In step S9, the main control circuit 101 determines whether the folding operation has been completed. For example, when the folding of a specified number of folded bundles is completed, it is determined that the folding operation has been completed. In step S9, when it is determined that the folding operation has not been completed, the process returns to step S8. In step S9, when it is determined that the folding operation has been completed, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0071] In step S10, the main control circuit 101 determines whether to turn off the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100. For example, when the power switch is turned off or a power-off command is received, it is determined to turn off the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100. When it is determined in step S10 that the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 is not to be turned off, the process returns to step S4. When it is determined in step S10 that the power of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 is to be turned off, the process of FIG. 9 ends.

[0072] When it is determined in step S11 to perform the built-in operation, the main control circuit 101 performs the built-in process shown in FIG. 10. After the built-in process, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0073] In step S101 of FIG. 10, the main control circuit 101 determines whether to perform the settings related to the built-in process. For example, when the settings related to the built-in process are instructed by an operation of the operation panel 11a or the like, it is determined to perform the settings related to the built-in process. When it is determined in step S101 that the settings related to the built-in process are instructed, the process proceeds to step S102. When it is determined in step S101 that the settings related to the built-in process are not instructed, the process proceeds to step S114.

[0074] In step S102, the main control circuit 101 determines whether there is an input of data. In the embodiment, for example, the settings for the built-in operation are performed by taking in the delivery order data created in advance and the folding data related to the inserts assigned to each brand of newspaper P. In step S102, it is determined whether the data for intake has been input by the operator. In step S102, it waits until the data for intake is input. When it is determined in step S102 that there is an input of data, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0075] The delivery order data may be data in various formats such as CSV (Comma Separated Value). The delivery order data may be managed at the newspaper delivery store where the newspaper processing apparatus 100 is installed, or may be managed by a server or the like that centrally manages the data of the newspaper delivery store. Furthermore, the delivery order data may be managed in a cloud server constructed separately from the newspaper delivery store or the like.

[0076] The insert data is data including information on a region, a flyer name, the number of processed copies, a shelf to be used, and an attribute, either one, a plurality, or all of them. The insert data may be data in various formats such as CSV (Comma Separated Value). The insert data may be managed at the newspaper delivery store where the newspaper processing apparatus 100 is installed, or may be managed by a server or the like that centrally manages the data of the newspaper delivery store. Furthermore, the insert data may be managed in a cloud server constructed separately from the newspaper delivery store or the like.

[0077] In step S103, the main control circuit 101 maps the items of the input delivery order data and insert data to the items essential for the built-in processing preset in the newspaper processing apparatus 100. For example, the main control circuit 101 recognizes the items of the input delivery order data and associates the recognized items with similar items. After such data mapping, the main control circuit 101 displays a confirmation screen of the mapping result on, for example, the operation panel 11a. Note that when it is guaranteed that each item in the delivery order data corresponds to each item set in the newspaper processing apparatus 100, the mapping process is unnecessary.

[0078] In step S104, the main control circuit 101 determines whether there is any modification to the items based on the operation of the operation panel 11a by the operator of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 or the like. The operator of the newspaper processing apparatus 100 checks whether the items are correctly mapped. If the items are not correctly mapped, the operator modifies the corresponding items. When there is an operation regarding the modification, the main control circuit 101 determines that there is a modification to the items. When it is determined in step S104 that there is a modification to the items, the process proceeds to step S105. When it is determined in step S104 that there is no modification to the items, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0079] In step S105, the main control circuit 101 modifies the mapping result according to the content of the operator's modification. Accordingly, the main control circuit 101 updates the confirmation screen of the mapping result. Then, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0080] In step S106, the main control circuit 101 determines whether the mapping process is completed based on the operation of the operation panel 11a by the operator or the like. After the operator confirms that the items are correctly mapped, the operator selects the displayed OK button. In this case, it is determined that the mapping process is completed. When it is determined in step S106 that the mapping process is completed, the process proceeds to step S107. When it is determined in step S106 that the mapping process is not completed, the process returns to step S104.

[0081] In step S107, the main control circuit 101 displays the built-in setting screen based on the result of the mapping process.

[0082] In step S108, the main control circuit 101 determines whether there is an input of setting data within the built-in setting screen. When it is determined in step S108 that there is an input of setting data within the built-in setting screen, the process proceeds to step S109. When it is determined in step S108 that there is no input of setting data within the built-in setting screen, the process returns to step S107.

[0083] In step S109, the main control circuit 101 stores the input setting data, for example, in a memory.

[0084] In step S110, the main control circuit 101 determines whether the input of all setting data in the corresponding built-in setting screen is completed. When it is determined in step S110 that the input of all setting data in the built-in setting screen is not completed, the process returns to step S107. In this case, the main control circuit 101 displays the next built-in setting screen. When it is determined in step S110 that the input of all setting data in the built-in setting screen is completed, the process proceeds to step S111.

[0085] In step S111, the main control circuit 101 makes settings for the paper feed tray 12 based on the setting data. For example, the main control circuit 101 assigns the folded leaflets to the paper feed tray 12 selected for use. The folded leaflets to be folded into the newspaper P may be those set in the registration operation or those newly set.

[0086] In step S112, the main control circuit 101 determines whether the settings related to the incorporation process are completed. The operator inserts the folded leaflet into the paper feed tray 12 according to the displayed settings of the paper feed tray 12. Also, the operator inserts newspapers P of a predetermined brand into each input section 2, 3 of the newspaper extraction mechanism 1. Then, after finishing inserting the newspaper P and the folded leaflet as set, the displayed OK button is selected. At this time, the main control circuit 101 determines that the settings related to the incorporation process are completed. In step S112, until it is determined that the settings related to the incorporation process are completed, the main control circuit 101 waits for the process. When it is determined in step S112 that the settings related to the incorporation process are completed, the process proceeds to step S113.

[0087] In step S113, the main control circuit 101 sets the extraction order of the newspapers P from the newspaper extraction mechanism 1. Then, the process returns to step S101. The extraction order is usually determined, for example, in the reverse order of the delivery order. Also, the delivery order is specified by the "route".

[0088] In step S114, the main control circuit 101 determines whether the start of the incorporation operation is instructed. When it is determined in step S114 that the start of the incorporation operation is instructed, the process proceeds to step S115. When it is determined in step S114 that the start of the incorporation operation is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S116.

[0089] In step S115, the main control circuit 101 executes the incorporation operation according to the current settings.

[0090] Hereinafter, the incorporation operation will be described with reference to FIG. 11. As an incorporation operation, for example, there are an operation of collating a folded leaflet set for newspaper P of stock A and inserting the collated bundle Ta for stock A into the newspaper of stock A, and an operation of collating the collated bundle Ta and inserting it into newspaper P of stock A, collating the folded leaflet set for newspaper P of stock B, and inserting the collated bundle Tb for stock B into the newspaper of stock B. Here, the latter relatively complex operation of processing newspapers P of two stocks will be described. In addition to this, there is an incorporation operation in the insertion mode of feeding a previously collated collated bundle (a plurality of collated bundles may be prepared according to the stocks of newspapers) from the paper feed tray 12 of the collating mechanism 10 and inserting it into newspaper P (which may be a newspaper of multiple stocks). However, since it is only different in that there is no collating operation, the operation description regarding the insertion mode will be omitted here.

[0091] In step S201, the main control circuit 101 takes out newspaper P from the first insertion part 2 or the second insertion part 3 of the newspaper taking-out mechanism 1 according to the set delivery order. In step S202, the main control circuit 101 opens the newspaper P taken out in the delivery order with the incorporation mechanism 30 and conveys it to the insertion position.

[0092] In step S203, which is carried out in parallel with steps S1 and S2, the main control circuit 101 collates the folded leaflets assigned to the newspapers P of each stock. At this time, the main control circuit 101 feeds the folded leaflets assigned to the stock of newspaper P taken out in step P1 from the paper feed tray 12 to create a collated bundle suitable for each stock.

[0093] In step S204, the main control circuit 101 inserts the collated bundles collated according to each stock into the newspaper P conveyed to the insertion position to create an incorporated newspaper. In step S205, the main control circuit 101 discharges and accumulates the incorporated newspaper created in step S204 to the accumulation part 31. As a result, a plurality of incorporated newspapers are stacked in the delivery order.

[0094] After that, in step P206, the main control circuit 101 determines whether a predetermined number of built-in newspapers have been integrated in the integration unit 31. When it is determined in step P206 that the predetermined number of built-in newspapers have been integrated, the main control circuit 101 proceeds to the process of step S207 and moves the predetermined number of built-in newspapers integrated in the integration unit 31 to the lifter 50.

[0095] After that, based on the determination in step S208, when the number of built-in newspapers reaches the preset number, the main control circuit 101 ends the process of FIG. 11.

[0096] As described above, according to the newspaper processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, two different brands of newspapers P are taken out in the delivery order, the bundles of folded leaflets assigned to each brand of newspaper are inserted, and the built-in newspapers can be stacked in the delivery order. For this reason, a newspaper delivery store can handle newspapers P of a plurality of brands, there is no need to match the folded leaflets according to each brand of newspaper, and there is no need to stack the built-in newspapers of two brands with the inserted matching bundles in the delivery order, so that the work burden on the staff can be reduced and the work efficiency can be improved. In addition, a delivery person who delivers the built-in newspapers can perform the delivery simply by taking out the built-in newspapers in order from the bundle of built-in newspapers stacked in the delivery order, and can easily and surely deliver the built-in newspapers of two brands. Note that in order to handle newspapers P of three or more brands, the newspaper taking-out mechanism 1 may include three or more input units.

[0097] By the way, since the newspaper P input through the first and second input units 2 and 3 of the newspaper taking-out mechanism 1 is a four-folded stack of a plurality of sheets of newsprint as described with reference to FIG. 4, there are differences in thickness and rigidity between the portions with the first fold P-1 and the second fold P-2 and the portions without folds. In order to create a built-in newspaper by inserting the matching bundle of folded leaflets into the newspaper P as in the newspaper processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, it is necessary to insert the matching bundle between the folded newspapers P. For this reason, the newspaper processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment handles the four-folded newspaper P.

[0098] When taking in the four-folded newspaper P inserted in the first insertion unit 2 in a standing position from the take-out position into the housing 1a, due to the differences in thickness and rigidity described above, there is a possibility of problems such as the newspaper P being taken in while tilted or being damaged due to wrinkles. The newspaper P at the take-out position of the first insertion unit 2 is arranged with the second fold P-2 at the lower end and the first fold P-1 at the right end. Therefore, the rigidity on the right end side where the first fold P-1 is located is high and it is easier to be taken into the conveyance path T1 from the left end, and the right end is slightly inclined to a posture where it precedes the left end. For this reason, the newspaper P from the second part onwards is likely to be carried out by the first newspaper P on the right end side where the first fold P-1 is located, and double feeding is likely to occur from the left side. Also, since the rigidity decreases as it approaches the left end away from the first fold P-1, when a conveying force or a separating force is applied to the left end side of the newspaper P, it is easy to damage the newspaper P such as wrinkles or tears.

[0099] Therefore, the newspaper take-out mechanism 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to suppress the occurrence of double feeding and damage even for a four-folded newspaper P, and to surely separate it one by one and take it out in a normal posture. Hereinafter, the configuration of the main part of the newspaper take-out mechanism 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16 together with FIG. 5.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 1a of the newspaper take-out mechanism 1 has a take-in port 70 on the rear end side in the stacking direction of the newspaper P in the first insertion unit 2. The take-in port 70 is a substantially rectangular opening provided at the bottom of the first insertion unit 2 and opening upward in the housing 1a. The take-in port 70 has a width slightly larger than the left-right width of the four-folded newspaper P, that is, the width along the second fold P-2. The newspaper P stacked and inserted into the first insertion unit 2 and supplied to the take-out position by the floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2, the feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2, and the support plate 2a is fed downward through the take-in port 70 into the interior of the housing 1a of the newspaper take-out mechanism 1.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 12, the housing 1a of the newspaper extraction mechanism 1 includes a sheet metal 70R behind the intake port 70 and a sheet metal 70F in front of the intake port 70. The rear sheet metal 70R has a flat front surface 71R facing the intake port 70. The sheet metal 70R is provided over the entire width of the intake port 70. The front surface 71R is a surface whose upper end closer to the intake port 70 is slightly inclined forward from the lower end with respect to the vertical direction. The front sheet metal 70F has a flat rear surface 71F facing the intake port 70. The sheet metal 70F is provided over the entire width of the intake port 70. The rear surface 71F is a surface whose upper end closer to the intake port 70 is inclined forward from the lower end with respect to the vertical direction. The front surface 71R of the sheet metal 70R and the rear surface 71F of the sheet metal 70F are inclined in a direction of expanding forward and backward upward. The width of the intake port 70 in the front-rear direction is defined by the upper ends of the sheet metal 70R and the sheet metal 70F.

[0102] As shown in Fig. 5, in the space between the front surface 71R of the sheet metal 70R and the rear surface 71F of the sheet metal 70F, an extraction roller 5a, a separation roller 4a, an auxiliary roller 4b, and three guide rollers 72C, 72L, 72R are arranged. In Fig. 12, the auxiliary roller 4b and the guide roller 72C are hidden by the separation roller 4a and not visible, and the guide rollers 72R, 72L are not shown. As also shown in Fig. 13, at a position facing the extraction roller 5a on the sheet metal 70F side of the conveyance path T1 extending downward from the extraction position of the newspaper P, a sorting tip 74 and two left and right sorting rollers 76L, 76R (only one is shown in Fig. 12) are arranged. Further, a rubber sheet 4c is attached to the rear surface 71F of the sheet metal 70F facing the separation roller 4a with the conveyance path T1 interposed therebetween.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 5, the take-out roller 5a is coaxially fixed to a rotary shaft 73 (first rotary shaft) extending in the left-right direction. Both left and right ends of the rotary shaft 73 of the take-out roller 5a are rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) provided on side plates 70-1 and 70-2 of the housing 1a on the left and right sides of the intake port 70. As shown in FIG. 13, the take-out roller 5a is positioned such that its outer peripheral surface faces the rear surface 71F of the sheet metal 70F with a certain gap therebetween. The take-out roller 5a is positioned to face the central portion in the left-right direction of the newspaper P taken out from the take-out position. The rotary shaft 73 is provided with a connecting member 73-1 (FIG. 13) in the middle thereof, enabling the take-out roller 5a to be removable from the housing 1a.

[0104] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the take-out roller 5a has a substantially columnar core member 5a-1 coaxially fixed to the rotary shaft 73, and a cylindrical rubber member 5a-2 mounted on the outer periphery of the core member 5a-1. The core member 5a-1 is, for example, a single member made of metal, and the rubber member 5a-2 has four cylindrical portions divided in the direction of the rotary shaft 73. Each cylindrical portion of the rubber member 5a-2 is provided with a plurality of grooves arranged in the circumferential direction on its outer peripheral surface. The take-out roller 5a can have the rubber member 5a-2 replaced by removing the rotary shaft 73 from the housing 1a and removing the rubber member 5a-2 from the core member 5a-1.

[0105] The separating roller 4a and the auxiliary roller 4b are coaxially fixed to a rotating shaft 75 (second rotating shaft) that is spaced diagonally above and to the left of the rotating shaft 73 of the take-out roller 5a and arranged parallel to the rotating shaft 73 in FIG. 12. The rotating shaft 75 is shorter than the rotating shaft 73 of the take-out roller 5a. The separating roller 4a is fixed to the right end of the rotating shaft 75. The auxiliary roller 4b is fixed to the left end of the rotating shaft 75. As shown in FIG. 14, the separating roller 4a is located at a position slightly shifted to the right of the take-out roller 5a, and the auxiliary roller 4b is located at a position spaced to the left of the take-out roller 5a. In other words, the separating roller 4a is arranged at a position where it contacts the newspaper P at a portion closer to the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P than the central portion in the left-right direction where the take-out roller 5a contacts the newspaper P taken out from the take-out position. The auxiliary roller 4b is arranged at a position where it contacts the newspaper P at a portion spaced from the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P than the central portion in the left-right direction where the take-out roller 5a contacts the newspaper P.

[0106] Since the separating roller 4a and the auxiliary roller 4b have the same structure, the description of the structure of the auxiliary roller 4b is omitted here. The separating roller 4a has a substantially columnar core member 4a-1 coaxially fixed to the right end portion of the rotating shaft 75, and an annular rubber member 4a-2 mounted on the outer periphery of the core member 4a-1. The core member 4a-1 is made of, for example, metal, and there are a plurality of grooves arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the rubber member 4a-2. The rubber member 4a-2 is replaceable with respect to the core member 4a-1.

[0107] Among the three guide rollers 72C, 72L, and 72R, the guide roller 72C arranged in the center in the left-right direction is coaxially attached to the rotating shaft 75 so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft 75 between the separating roller 4a and the auxiliary roller 4b. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the guide roller 72C is arranged at a position facing the take-out roller 5a in the left-right direction. Note that the outer diameters of the separating roller 4a and the auxiliary roller 4b are substantially the same, and the outer diameter of the guide roller 2C is slightly smaller. The guide roller 72C functions as a third guide member.

[0108] The two rotating shafts 73 and 75 are connected by a connecting block 80. The connecting block 80 is provided with an insertion hole 81 through which the rotating shaft 73 is rotatably inserted and an insertion hole 82 through which the rotating shaft 75 is rotatably inserted. The connecting block 80 is located on the left side of the take-out roller 5a and is attached between the auxiliary roller 4b and the guide roller 72C. The two insertion holes 81 and 82 of the connecting block 80 penetrate the connecting block 80 in the left-right direction and extend parallel to each other. The rotating shaft 75 to which the separation roller 4a, the auxiliary roller 4b, and the guide roller 2C are coaxially attached is freely movable with respect to the housing 1a and can swing about the rotating shaft 73 of the take-out roller 5a via the connecting block 80. The connecting block 80 functions as a connecting member that swingably connects the rotating shaft 75 to the rotating shaft 73.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 12, a pressing spring 84 is attached between the sheet metal 70R behind the intake port 70 and the connecting block 80. One end of the pressing spring 84 is fixed to the front surface 71R of the sheet metal 70R. The other end of the pressing spring 84 is fixed to the rear surface side of the connecting block 80 near the tip of the swing of the connecting block 80 spaced apart from the rotating shaft 73. The pressing spring 84 presses the connecting block 80 in a direction to press the separation roller 4a attached to the connecting block 80 against the rubber sheet 4c attached to the rear surface 71F of the sheet metal 70F in front of the intake port 70. The rubber sheet 4c functions as a friction-providing member that applies a frictional force to the newspapers after the second part that overlaps the newspaper P taken out from the take-out position. The pressing spring 84 functions as a pressing member that presses the separation roller 4a toward the rubber sheet 4c.

[0110] As shown in Fig. 15, a pulley 77 is fixedly provided on a rotating shaft 73 protruding to the left side of the connecting block 80, and another pulley 78 facing this pulley 77 is fixedly provided on the rotating shaft 75. The pulley 78 is fixedly provided on the rotating shaft 73 between the connecting block 80 and the auxiliary roller 4b. And a timing belt 79 is wound around and stretched between these two pulleys 77 and 78 in an endless manner. Thus, when the rotating shaft 73 is rotated by a motor 66 (Fig. 16) described later to rotate the take-out roller 5a, the driving force is transmitted to the rotating shaft 75 via the two pulleys 77, 78 and the timing belt 79, and the separating roller 4a and the auxiliary roller 4b rotate drivenly.

[0111] As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the connecting block 80 is provided with a pressure adjusting mechanism 85 for adjusting the contact pressure of the rubber sheet 4c of the separating roller 4a. The pressure adjusting mechanism 85 applies a braking force that acts on the rotating shaft 75 of the separating roller 4a with frictional force to stop the rotation of the rotating shaft 75. The pressure adjusting mechanism 85 adjusts the contact pressure of the separating roller 4a against the rubber sheet 4c by adjusting the magnitude of the braking force applied to the rotating shaft 75. The pressure adjusting mechanism 85 has a pressure adjusting knob 86, a pressing member 87, and a pressing spring 88.

[0112] The pressure adjusting knob 86 has a cylindrical shaft portion 86-2 having a male screw 86-1 on its outer circumference that is screwed into a screw hole 80-1 provided at the tip of the swing of the connecting block 80 separated from the rotating shaft 73, and a knob portion 86-3 that the user pinches with a finger and turns coaxially. The screw hole 80-1 is a hole that communicates from the tip side of the swing of the connecting block 80 to the insertion hole 82 of the rotating shaft 75, and is a hole that is substantially orthogonal to the insertion hole 82. Near the end where the screw hole 80-1 communicates with the insertion hole 82, the pressing member 87 is accommodated and arranged. The pressing member 87 has a disk portion that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 75, and is movable in a direction of approaching and separating from the rotating shaft 75 within the screw hole 80-1. The pressing spring 88 is disposed between the pressure adjusting knob 86 and the pressing member 87, and biases the pressing member 87 in the axial direction of the pressure adjusting knob 86.

[0113] When the pressure adjustment knob 86 is rotated in the clockwise direction in Fig. 14, the shaft portion 86-2 is screwed in the direction of the rotating shaft 75, and the tip of the shaft portion 86-2 pushes the pressing member 87 toward the rotating shaft 75. When the force pressing the pressing member 87 against the rotating shaft 75 is increased, the braking force applied to the rotating shaft 75 becomes stronger. That is, when the pressure adjustment knob 86 is rotated clockwise in Fig. 14, the braking force applied to the rotating shaft 75 becomes stronger, and when the pressure adjustment knob 86 is rotated counterclockwise, the braking force applied to the rotating shaft 75 becomes weaker.

[0114] When the braking force applied to the rotating shaft 75 is increased, it becomes difficult to rotate the separating roller 4a by the driving force transmitted from the rotating shaft 73 of the take-out roller 5a. In this case, the minimum driving force required to rotate the separating roller 4a is determined according to the braking force adjusted by the pressure adjustment mechanism 85. That is, after the take-out roller 5a is rotated, the separating roller 4a remains stopped until the driving force transmitted to the rotating shaft 75 of the separating roller 4a reaches a predetermined value. In this state, the connecting block 80 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 12, and the separating roller 4a is pressed against the rubber sheet 4c. At this time, the pressing force pressing the separating roller 4a against the rubber sheet 4c is determined by the minimum driving force required to rotate the separating roller 4a, that is, by the braking force applied to the rotating shaft 75 by the pressure adjustment mechanism 85.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 5, the left and right guide rollers 72L and 72R are rotatably attached in a cantilever state to the side plates 70-1 and 70-2 on the left and right of the take-in port 70, respectively. The two left and right guide rollers 72L and 72R are arranged substantially coaxially with the central guide roller 72C described above. The right guide roller 72R is attached at a position facing the newspaper P near the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P at the take-out position, and at a position where its outer peripheral surface is spaced apart from the rear surface 71F of the sheet metal 70F in front of the take-in port 70 through a predetermined gap. The left guide roller 72L is attached at a position facing the newspaper P near the end on the opposite side of the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P at the take-out position, and at a position where its outer peripheral surface is spaced apart from the rear surface 71F of the sheet metal 70F in front of the take-in port 70 through a predetermined gap.

[0116] The right guide roller 72R functions as a first guide member disposed at a position facing the newspaper P on the first fold P-1 side from the position where the separation roller 4a faces the newspaper P passing through the conveyance path T1. The left guide roller 72L functions as a second guide member disposed at a position facing the newspaper P on the side separated from the first fold P-1 from the position where the auxiliary roller 4b faces the newspaper P passing through the conveyance path T1. These two guide rollers 72L and 72R (the first guide member and the second guide member) do not necessarily have to be rollers, and may be guide plates or the like disposed along the conveyance path T1. The guide rollers 72L and 72R, together with the central guide roller 72C, function to suppress wrinkles by pressing down on the part of the newspaper P that tends to move away from the conveyance path T1.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 12, the turning chip 74 is attached to the tip in the longitudinal direction of the plate 74-1. The turning chip 74 is, for example, a rectangular plate-shaped rubber piece that can be replaced when worn. The turning chip 74 can change its mounting angle along a cam (not shown) by moving the plate 74-1, and can adjust the gap with the take-out roller 5a. The turning chip 74 functions as a gap adjusting member. By adjusting the gap between the turning chip 74 and the take-out roller 5a, the clamping force for sandwiching the newspaper P can be changed.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 13, the turning rollers 76L and 76R are coaxially disposed on both the left and right sides of the turning chip 74. The turning rollers 76L and 76R are attached near the tip of the swing of an arm member 76-2 swingably attached to the sheet metal 70F about the shaft 76-1. A driving force is transmitted to the rotation shafts of the turning rollers 76L and 76R from the rotation shaft 73 of the take-out roller 5a connected via a driving force transmission mechanism (not shown). That is, the turning rollers 76L and 76R rotate in a driven manner with respect to the take-out roller 5a.

[0119] Near the tip of the swing of the arm member 76-2 to which the turning rollers 76L and 76R are attached, two pressing springs 76-3 are attached. The pressing spring 76-3 presses the arm member 76-2 in a direction to press the turning rollers 76L and 76R against the take-out roller 5a. The sheet metal 70F is provided with a stopper (not shown) that abuts against the arm member 76-2 that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 12 to prohibit further rotation. The stopper stops the swing of the arm member 76-2 at a position where the turning rollers 76L and 76R pressed by the pressing spring 76-3 approach the take-out roller 5a through a minimum gap. That is, the turning rollers 76L and 76R are in a non-contact state with respect to the take-out roller 5a, and are movable in a direction to widen the gap with the take-out roller 5a by the newspaper P passing through the conveyance path T1.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 16, the sub-control circuit 103 that controls the operation of the newspaper take-out mechanism 1 includes a control unit 60, a sensor 62, and motors 64 and 66.

[0121] The sensor 62 is, for example, a reflection type optical sensor, and has a unit 62a (FIG. 5) including a light emitting part and a light receiving part (not shown) and a unit 62b (FIG. 5) including a reflecting plate (not shown). The unit 62a is on the left side sandwiching the take-out position of the newspaper P, and the unit 62b is on the opposite side of the take-out position facing the right side of the unit 62a. The sensor 62 can detect that there is no newspaper P protruding rearward beyond the take-out position by receiving the light emitted from the light emitting part of the unit 62a and reflected by the reflecting plate of the opposite unit 62b with the light receiving part. On the contrary, when the optical axis of the sensor 62 is blocked by the newspaper P and the reflected light is not received by the light receiving part, it can be detected that the newspaper P exceeds the take-out position.

[0122] The motor 64 drives the floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 and the feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 in synchronization. The motor 64 can rotate in a forward direction to move the support plate 2a from the front to the rear, and can rotate in a reverse direction to move the support plate 2a from the rear to the front.

[0123] The motor 66 rotates the take-out roller 5a. The separation roller 4a and the auxiliary roller 4b rotate in a driven manner following the take-out roller 5a. The rotation shaft of the motor 64 is connected to the rotation shaft 73 of the take-out roller 5a via gears (not shown).

[0124] When the control unit 60 does not detect the newspaper P protruding rearward beyond the take-out position via the sensor 62, the control unit 60 rotates the motor 64 forward to make the floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 and the feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 run in the forward direction, and moves the newspaper P at the rear end in the stacking direction to the take-out position. At this time, the control unit 60 drives the motor 66 to rotate the take-out roller 5a and the separation roller 4a forward, takes out the newspaper P at the take-out position, and supplies it via the conveyance path T1.

[0125] In the state where a plurality of newspapers P are supplied one by one as described above, the control unit 60 monitors the output of the sensor 62. Then, based on detecting the newspaper P protruding rearward beyond the take-out position via the sensor 62, the control unit 60 stops the motor 66 and reverses the motor 64 to make the floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 and the feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 run in the reverse direction. After that, based on the sensor 62 no longer detecting the newspaper P protruding rearward beyond the take-out position, the control unit 60 rotates the motor 64 forward again to make the floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 and the feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 run in the forward direction, and drives the motor 66 to rotate the take-out roller 5a and the separation roller 4a to resume the operation of taking out the newspaper P.

[0126] As described above, the newspaper P supplied to the take-out position one by one is fed into the conveyance path T1 through the take-in port 70 due to its own weight. However, when the first newspaper P at the take-out position moves downward, the subsequent newspapers P from the second one may be dragged out by the frictional force between the first newspaper P and the subsequent newspapers P. At the same time, when the lower end of the first newspaper P, that is, the second fold P-2, enters between the separation roller 4a and the rubber sheet 4c, the second fold P-2 of the subsequent newspapers P may also be fed between the separation roller 4a and the rubber sheet 4c. In this case, the first newspaper P to which a conveyance force is applied by the separation roller 4a rotating in the take-out direction of the newspaper P is taken in downward toward the take-out roller 5a, and the second fold P-2 of the subsequent newspapers P receives frictional force from the rubber sheet 4c and stops in front of the separation roller 4a, preventing "double feed" in which a plurality of newspapers P are taken out.

[0127] Since the newspaper P supplied to the take-out position of the first loading section 2 has high rigidity on the right end side where the first fold P-1 is located as described above, in this embodiment, the separation roller 4a is arranged closer to the first fold P-1 than the take-out roller 5a. Therefore, a separating force can be applied near the first fold P-1 to the newspaper P at the take-out position, the separation performance can be enhanced, and the occurrence of double feed can be suppressed.

[0128] In addition, since the newspaper P supplied to the take-out position is given a conveyance force by the separation roller 4a arranged closer to the first fold P-1 than the take-out roller 5a, the damage caused by separation to the newspaper P can be reduced compared to when the separation roller 4a contacts a portion without a fold. Therefore, the newspaper P after being taken out can be conveyed and processed normally, and the built-in newspapers provided via the lifter 50 can be stacked in a beautiful and presentable state.

[0129] Also, according to the present embodiment, since three guide rollers 72C, 72L, and 72R are provided substantially coaxially with the separation roller 4a, it is possible to suppress the deformation occurring in the newspaper P due to the clamping force of the take-out roller 5a and the handling chip 74, and it is possible to suppress the problem of the newspaper P being wrinkled when taken out from the take-out position. As in the present embodiment, when one position at the center in the left-right direction of the newspaper P supplied in a standing position to the take-out position is clamped by the take-out roller 5a, a conveying force can be surely applied to the newspaper P and the newspaper P at the take-out position can be surely taken out. On the other hand, when a conveying force is applied at the center in the left-right direction of the newspaper P from one take-out roller 5a, there is a possibility that a rotational force centered on the take-out roller 5a acts on the newspaper P or the newspaper P is curved at the clamping position. The three guide rollers 72C, 72L, and 72R can suppress such rotation and bending of the newspaper P, and the newspaper P can be taken out in a normal posture.

[0130] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Further, the above embodiment includes various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, if the problem can be solved and the effect can be obtained, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0131] 1…Newspaper extraction mechanism, 1a…Housing, 2…First input section, 2a…Support plate, 2b-1, 2b-2…Floor belt, 2c-1, 2c-2…Feed belt, 2d…Protrusion, 3…Second input section, 3a…Paper feed tray, 4a…Separation roller, 4b…Auxiliary roller, 4c…Rubber sheet, 5a, 5b…Extraction roller, 6a, 6b…Conveyor roller pair, 7a, 7b, 7c…Feed roller pair, 7d…Conveyor guide, 8…Delivery roller, 9…Direction conversion section, 10…Alignment mechanism, 12, 12a…Paper feed tray, 13…Conveyor path, 14…Conveyor roller pair, 15…First paper feed roller, 16…Second paper feed roller, 17…Sorting plate, 18, 18a…Feed roller pair, 19…Folding roller pair, 20…Stop section, 21…Folding knife, 22…Conveyor belt, 23…Discharge roller pair, 24…Discharge port, 30…Incorporation mechanism, 31…Accumulation section, 32…Suction nozzle, 32a, 35…Air inlet, 33…Solenoid, 36…Discharge roller, 50…Lifter, 60…Control section, 62…Sensor, 64, 66…Motor, 72C, 72L, 72R…Guide roller, 74…Sorting chip, 76L, 76R…Sorting roller, 100…Newspaper processing device, 101…Main control circuit, 102, 103, 104, 105…Sub-control circuits, 106…Display, 107…Operation switches, 108…Communication module, P…Newspaper, P1…Upper part, P2…Lower part, P-1…First fold, P-2…Second fold.

Claims

1. A newspaper take-out mechanism for separating and taking out newspapers one by one in a first direction along the first fold, the newspapers being placed at a take-out position at one end of a stack of newspapers in the same direction, the stack being made up of multiple newspapers folded in four, each folded in half along a first fold and then further folded in half along a second fold, the newspaper take-out mechanism comprising: a conveying path extending in the first direction from the removal position; a take-out roller disposed on the opposite side of the stack of newspapers on the conveying path at a position spaced downstream in the first direction from the take-out position, and rotating in the first direction to apply a conveying force to the newspapers passing through the conveying path; a separation roller arranged opposite the conveying path between the take-out position and the take-out roller, at a position facing the newspaper passing through the conveying path on the first fold side of the position where the take-out roller faces the newspaper, and rotatable in the first direction; a friction applying member disposed opposite the separation roller across the conveying path, for applying friction to the second or subsequent newspapers overlapping the newspaper at the removal position to separate them; a pressing member that presses the separation roller toward the friction applying member; A newspaper removal mechanism having a

2. a gap adjustment member disposed opposite the take-out roller across the conveying path and adapted to variably adjust a gap between the take-out roller and the gap adjustment member; 2. The newspaper dispenser mechanism of claim 1.

3. a support roller that is rotatable in the first direction and that is disposed opposite the conveying path between the take-out position and the take-out roller, at a position facing the newspaper passing through the conveying path and on a side away from the first fold line from a position where the take-out roller faces the newspaper; 3. A newspaper dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 2.

4. a first guide member disposed opposite the conveying path between the take-out position and the take-out roller and at a position facing the newspaper passing through the conveying path on the first fold side of the position where the separation roller faces the newspaper, and which guides the conveying of the newspaper; a second guide member disposed opposite the conveying path between the take-out position and the take-out roller, at a position facing the newspaper passing through the conveying path on a side away from the first fold line relative to a position where the auxiliary roller faces the newspaper passing through the conveying path, and which guides the conveying of the newspaper; 4. The newspaper dispenser mechanism of claim 3, further comprising:

5. a third guide member disposed on the opposite side of the conveying path between the take-out position and the take-out roller, between the separation roller and the auxiliary roller, at a position aligned with the take-out roller in the first direction, facing the conveying path, and guiding conveyance of the newspapers; 5. A newspaper dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 4.

6. The third guide member is a guide roller arranged coaxially with the separation roller and the auxiliary roller.

6. A newspaper dispensing mechanism as claimed in claim 5.

7. The separation roller, the auxiliary roller, and the guide roller are attached to a second rotation shaft rotatably provided at a tip of a connecting member swingably provided around a first rotation shaft of the take-out roller.

7. A newspaper dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 6.

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