News supply organizations

Abstract

To provide a newspaper supply mechanism capable of moving a plurality of newspapers in the stacking direction, and supplying a newspaper existing at the tip of the moving direction to a take-out position in a normal posture.SOLUTION: A newspaper supply mechanism comprises a feed part, a pressing member, and a moving mechanism. The feed part brings a plurality of stacked newspapers into a four-folded state obtained by folding the plurality of stacked newspapers in two at a first fold and further folding in two at a second fold, stacks the four-folded newspapers in the same direction, brings the stacked four-folded newspapers into a standing posture with the second fold faced downwards, and feeds them. The pressing member is disposed in the feed part so as to face the newspaper existing at one end in the stack direction of the plurality of stacked newspapers fed to the feed part. The pressing member has a first portion coming into contact with the vicinity of the first fold of the newspaper existing at one end and a second portion coming into contact with the vicinity of the end edge on the opposite side to the first fold of the newspaper existing at the one end, and the second portion is located at the other end side in the stack direction with respect to the first portion. The moving mechanism moves the pressing member toward the other end in the stack direction to supply the newspaper existing at the other end in the stack direction to the take-out position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a newspaper supply mechanism that supplies newspapers to a collating machine that collates inserts, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, newspaper processing devices that insert bundles of inserts collated by a collation machine into newspapers and stack them in delivery order have become popular. This type of newspaper processing device is equipped with a newspaper supply mechanism that feeds multiple newspapers in a stack and then picks up and supplies them one by one. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-202861 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Newspapers are handled by stacking multiple sheets of newspaper and folding them into quarters. For this reason, if multiple copies of newspapers folded into quarters are stacked in the same direction and fed upright, the thickness of the side where the folds overlap will be greater. If the newspapers are moved in this state in the stacking direction and the leading edge is fed to the removal position, the newspaper at the removal position will tilt, which may prevent it from being removed correctly.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a newspaper supply mechanism that can move a plurality of newspapers in the stacking direction and supply the newspaper at the leading edge in the moving direction to the take-out position in a normal posture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The newspaper supply mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention includes an input unit, a pressing member, and a moving mechanism. The input unit folds a plurality of stacked newspapers in half along a first fold line, and then folds the newspapers in half along a second fold line to form four-folded newspapers, stacking them in the same orientation with the second fold line facing down. Along the direction of gravity The newspapers are fed in an upright position. The pressing member is positioned in the feeding section facing the newspaper at one end in the stacking direction of the multiple newspapers fed in a stack into the feeding section. The pressing member has a first portion that contacts the newspaper at one end near a first fold and a second portion that contacts the newspaper at one end near the edge opposite the first fold, the second portion being located on the other end side in the stacking direction than the first portion. The moving mechanism moves the pressing member toward the other end in the stacking direction to supply the newspaper at the other end in the stacking direction to the removal position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a newspaper supply mechanism can be provided that can move multiple newspapers in the stacking direction and supply the newspaper at the forefront of the movement direction to the removal position in the correct posture. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a newspaper processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the collating mechanism of the newspaper processing device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the newspaper supply mechanism of the newspaper processing device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the attitude of the newspaper to be fed into the newspaper supply mechanism of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the newspaper supply mechanism of FIG. 3 as seen from the direction of arrow F5. [Figure 6] 6 is a front view showing the newspaper supply mechanism and the assembly mechanism of the newspaper processing device of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view showing an area F7 in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system of the newspaper processing device of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the newspaper processing device of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the incorporation process of the flowchart of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the incorporating operation of the flowchart of FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a plan view of the newspaper supply mechanism of FIG. 3 as seen from above. [Figure 13] 13 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the newspaper supply mechanism of FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example in which the support plate of the newspaper supply mechanism of FIG. 3 is disposed at an angle. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system for the newspaper supply mechanism of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the newspaper processing device 100 comprises a newspaper supply mechanism 1, a collating mechanism 10, an embedded mechanism 30, and a lifter 50. The newspaper supply mechanism 1 is arranged side by side on the left side of the housing 11 of the collating mechanism 10. The embedded mechanism 30 is arranged side by side in front of the collating mechanism 10 and on the right side of the newspaper supply mechanism 1. The lifter 50 is arranged side by side on the right side of the embedded mechanism 30. The newspaper supply mechanism 1, the collating mechanism 10, the embedded mechanism 30, and the lifter 50 may be incorporated into a common single housing. The newspaper processing device 100 is installed on a level floor F.

[0010] In the following description, the discharge direction of the collated stack in the collation mechanism 10 is defined as the forward direction, and the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are defined when viewing the newspaper processing device 100 from the front. In the drawings, the arrow X direction is the direction from left to right, the arrow Y direction is the direction from rear to front, and the arrow Z direction is the direction from bottom to top. In each drawing, arrows in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are shown as appropriate.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the collating mechanism 10 has a housing 11 that is approximately rectangular parallelepiped and elongated in the Z direction. On the front side (left side in the figure) and rear side (right side in the figure) of the housing 11 along the Y direction, there are multiple paper feed trays 12 arranged in the Z direction. The paper feed trays 12 are attached to the housing 11 so as to be inclined downward toward the inside of the housing 11. Each paper feed tray 12 is detachable from the housing 11. A stack of multiple inserts can be fed into each paper feed tray 12. Different types of inserts can be fed into all the paper feed trays 12, or the same type of inserts can be fed into multiple paper feed trays 12. Furthermore, multiple stacks of collated inserts of multiple types can be fed into the paper feed tray 12. Paper feed tray 12a, located at the lowest level on the front side of the housing 11, is assigned as a paper feed tray for feeding multiple origami sheets.

[0012] Inside the housing 11 is a transport path 13 that extends in the Z direction through the center of the housing 11. The transport path 13 is provided along the XZ plane between the front paper feed tray 12 and the rear paper feed tray 12. Inserted leaflets taken out from each paper feed tray 12 at a predetermined timing are fed into the transport path 13 and stacked on top of each other. Multiple inserts are transported downward in an overlapping state via the transport path 13. The transport path 13 is provided with multiple pairs of transport rollers 14. The transport roller pairs 14 rotate while clamping the overlapping inserts.

[0013] A first paper feed roller 15 and a second paper feed roller 16 are provided at the lower end of each paper feed tray 12 in the inclined direction, i.e., at the end closer to the center and closer to the conveying path 13. The first paper feed roller 15 is positioned so as to contact the uppermost insert of the multiple inserts stacked in the paper feed tray 12. The second paper feed roller 16 is provided downstream of the first paper feed roller 15 in the feed direction of the inserts. Furthermore, a feed roller pair 18 is provided downstream of the second paper feed roller 16 in the feed direction of the inserts.

[0014] The first feed roller 15 rotates while coming into contact with the topmost insert of the multiple inserts placed in the feed tray 12, and sends the topmost insert toward the feed roller pair 18. The second feed roller 16 presses the leading edges of the second and subsequent inserts against the separating plate 17, thereby preventing the second and subsequent inserts from being sent all the way to the feed roller pair 18 (i.e., double feeding). In other words, the multiple inserts placed in the feed tray 12 are separated one by one by the first feed roller 15, the second feed roller 16, and the separating plate 17, and sent to the feed roller pair 18. The feed roller pair 18 sends the inserts into the conveying path 13.

[0015] A pair of folding rollers 19 is disposed at the lower end of the conveying path 13. The pair of folding rollers 19 is attached in a position where its nip is located on an extension of the conveying path 13. In other words, the rotation axis of the pair of folding rollers 19 extends in the X direction. Multiple folded leaflets are conveyed downward in a stacked state via the conveying path 13 and are fed into the nip of the pair of folding rollers 19.

[0016] A pair of feed rollers 18a is provided downstream in the paper feed direction (right side in the figure) of the paper feed tray 12a for feeding origami paper. The first and second feed rollers 15 and 16 of the paper feed tray 12a feed the origami paper inserted into the paper feed tray 12a to the pair of feed rollers 18a. The pair of feed rollers 18a feeds the origami paper removed from the paper feed tray 12a by the first and second feed rollers 15 and 16 above the pair of folding rollers 19. In addition, a stopper 20 is provided at the leading end in the paper feed direction of the origami paper fed from the paper feed tray 12a. The stopper 20 stops the origami paper at a position where the center of the origami paper in the paper feed direction faces the nip of the pair of folding rollers 19. A folding knife 21 is provided diagonally above the pair of folding rollers 19. The folding knife 21 pushes the center of the origami paper toward the nip of the pair of folding rollers 19.

[0017] The inserts fed through each paper feed tray 12 are stacked in the order they were taken out in the conveying path 13 and sent to the nip of the folding roller pair 19. At this point, the center of the folded paper that was previously fed has been folded by the folding knife 21. Then, the overlapping inserts conveyed through the conveying path 13 are pushed into the center of the folded paper and sandwiched between the folded paper by the rotation of the folding roller pair 19. After passing through the folding roller pair 19, the stack of inserts with multiple inserts sandwiched between the folded paper, i.e., the collated stack, is transferred to the conveying belt 22 and discharged via the discharge roller pair 23 from the discharge opening 24 provided on the front side of the housing 11.

[0018] Conveying path 13, multiple pairs of conveying rollers 14, paper feed tray 12a, first and second paper feed rollers 15 and 16 of paper feed tray 12a, feed roller pair 18a, folding roller pair 19, and folding knife 21 function as a collating unit that collates inserts selectively removed from multiple stages of paper feed tray 12 in the order they were removed. Collated inserts can also be discharged as they are without being sandwiched between folded sheets, and such a stack of inserts can also be considered a collated bundle.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the collating mechanism 10 also includes an operation panel 11a as an interface device. The operation panel 11a is attached to the upper right side of the housing 11. The operation panel 11a is rotatable between an open position shown in the figure and a closed position (not shown) in which it is folded substantially parallel to the right side of the housing 11. The operation panel 11a is, for example, a touch panel equipped with a display element. An operator operates the operation panel 11a to input various settings related to the newspaper processing device 100.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the newspaper supply mechanism 1 has a housing 1a having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The newspaper supply mechanism 1 has a first insertion unit 2 and a second insertion unit 3, each of which inserts multiple newspapers P (Figure 4) in a stacked manner in the same orientation.

[0021] The first insertion section 2 is located at the top of the housing 1a and functions as an insertion section into which multiple newspapers P stacked in the same orientation are inserted in an upright position. The first insertion section 2 has at least one support plate 2a. The support plate 2a can be detachably attached to the first insertion section 2 in the inclined position shown in the figure. The support plate 2a functions as a pressing plate that presses the multiple newspapers P in the stacking direction (left-right direction in the figure). The stacking direction of the newspapers P in the first insertion section 2 is the front-to-back direction, and the support plate 2a is positioned so as to face the newspaper P at the front end in the stacking direction (the newspaper at one end).

[0022] The second insertion section 3 is located on the rear side (right side in the figure) of the housing 1a. The second insertion section 3 is equipped with a paper feed tray 3a that protrudes rearward from the rear side of the housing 1a. The paper feed tray 3a is inclined downward toward the housing 1a. The newspapers P are stacked vertically in the second insertion section 3.

[0023] Different brands of newspapers P may be inserted into the first insertion section 2 and the second insertion section 3, respectively, or newspapers P of the same brand may be inserted. Multiple brands of newspapers P are not inserted together into one insertion section. For example, when collated bundles of inserts assigned to two brands of newspapers (they may be collated bundles of different types of inserts or the same types) are inserted between the middle and stacked in delivery order, multiple copies of newspapers P of one brand are inserted into the first insertion section 2 in a stacked manner, and multiple copies of newspapers P of the other brand are inserted into the second insertion section 3 in a stacked manner.

[0024] For example, as shown in Figure 4(a), multiple A1-sized newspapers are stacked and folded in half along the central dashed line (first fold) as shown by the arrow, and then as shown in Figure 4(b), multiple A2-sized newspapers are folded in half again along the central dashed line (second fold) as shown by the arrow (fourth-folded state) (newspaper P folded to approximately A3 size) (Figure 4c), and these newspapers are stacked in the same direction and inserted into each insertion section 2, 3.

[0025] When inserting newspapers P into the first insertion section 2 at the top of the housing 1a, the operator inserts multiple newspapers P in an upright position, stacked front to back, in the same orientation, with the second fold P-2 positioned downward and the first fold P-1 positioned to the right. When inserting newspapers P into the first insertion section 2, the multiple newspapers P are inserted together behind (the right side of the figure) the support plate 2a shown on the right side of FIG. 3, and the top ends of the multiple newspapers P are tilted toward this support plate 2a, so that the front sides of the multiple newspapers P are supported by the support plate 2a. In this way, by inserting multiple newspapers P in an upright position, the pressing force between the newspapers P is weakened, making it possible to prevent the occurrence of double feeding, where newspapers P are removed overlapping each other.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the first insertion section 2 has two endless floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3) at its bottom. The two floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 move from the front to the rear along the bottom of the first insertion section 2 in the stacking direction of the newspapers P. The first insertion section 2 has two endless feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3) with multiple protrusions 2d on both the left and right sides near the top end of the housing 1a. The pair of left and right feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 move from the front to the rear in the stacking direction of the newspapers P in synchronization with the floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2.

[0027] The lower end of the support plate 2a is moved rearward by the floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2, and its left and right ends are pushed rearward by the protrusions 2d of the feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2, moving the multiple newspapers P toward the removal position at the rear end of the first insertion section 2. The floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 and the feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 function as a moving mechanism that moves the support plate 2a in the direction in which the newspapers P are stacked.

[0028] When newspapers P are removed from the first insertion section 2 and only a few remain, the operator can add multiple copies of newspapers P together. In this case, the operator attaches another support plate 2a (left side of Figure 3) to a position further forward and spaced from the support plate 2a (right side of Figure 3) that is positioned in front of the multiple copies of newspapers P inserted into the first insertion section 2, and adds multiple copies of newspapers P behind this other support plate 2a (between the two support plates 2a). The operator then removes the rear support plate 2a from the first insertion section 2 and stacks the multiple copies of newspapers P that have been added in front of the few remaining newspapers P. Furthermore, the operator moves the support plate 2a in front of the added newspapers P backward to support the front end of the multiple copies of newspapers P being inserted into the first insertion section 2.

[0029] On the other hand, when inserting newspapers P into the second insertion section 3 on the rear side of the housing 1a, the operator places multiple copies of newspapers P one above the other on the paper feed tray 3a with the fold P-2 positioned forward and the fold P-1 positioned to the right. The multiple copies of newspapers P inserted into the second insertion section 3 are removed in order, starting with the topmost newspaper P in the stacking direction. For this reason, in the second insertion section 3, the pressing force acting between the topmost newspaper P at the removal position and the second newspaper P below it is very small, making it less likely that the problem of double feeding, in which the second newspaper P is removed when the topmost newspaper P is removed, will occur.

[0030] When newspapers P are removed from the second insertion section 3 and only a few remain, the operator can add multiple copies of newspapers P together. In this case, the operator can add multiple copies of newspapers P between the lowest newspaper P in the Z direction of the newspapers P inserted into the second insertion section 3 and the paper feed tray 3a. The newspapers P removed from the second insertion section 3 are joined on the same transport path T (described later) in the same position as the newspapers P removed from the first insertion section 2.

[0031] Near the rear end of the bottom of the first insertion section 2 are an auxiliary roller 4a and a take-out roller 5a to prevent double feeding. The auxiliary roller 4a is located opposite the lower edge of the rear surface of the newspaper P (the newspaper at the other end) that has been moved to the take-out position at the rear end of the first insertion section 2. The auxiliary roller 4a has two roller portions spaced apart on the left and right sides and is coaxial. A rubber sheet 4b is located opposite each roller portion of the auxiliary roller 4a, sandwiching the transport path T1 for the newspaper P that extends downward from the take-out position. The auxiliary roller 4a is provided to press the newspaper P passing through the transport path T1 against the rubber sheet 4b, separating the second newspaper P that is overlapping in front of the newspaper P at the take-out position, preventing double feeding in which the second newspaper P is carried away by the first newspaper P.

[0032] The take-out roller 5a is disposed downstream of the auxiliary roller 4a in the take-out direction of the newspapers P. Like the auxiliary roller 4a, the take-out roller 5a is disposed rearward of the conveying path T1. The take-out roller 5a is located between the two roller portions of the auxiliary roller 4a. The take-out roller 5a sends out the first batch of newspapers P, which have been separated by the auxiliary roller 4a and the rubber sheet 4b, toward the pair of conveying rollers 6a. Because the conveying path T1 is inclined downward toward the rear, the weight of the newspapers P assists in their removal.

[0033] A take-out roller 5b is located near the front end of the paper feed tray 3a of the second input section 3. The take-out roller 5b comes into contact with the upper surface of the uppermost newspaper P among the multiple newspapers P loaded onto the paper feed tray 3a and rotates to feed the newspaper P toward the pair of conveying rollers 6b. The newspaper P taken out of the second input section 3 via the pair of conveying rollers 6b is fed to the pair of feed rollers 7a via the conveying path T2. Meanwhile, the newspaper P conveyed from the first input section 2 via the pair of conveying rollers 6a is also fed to the pair of feed rollers 7a via the conveying path T1.

[0034] Upstream of the feed roller pair 7a is a V-shaped conveyance guide 6c arranged along the conveyance paths T1 and T2. The conveyance guide 6c guides the leading edge of the newspaper P in the conveyance direction conveyed from the first input unit 2 via the conveyance path T1 toward the nip of the feed roller pair 7a, and also guides the leading edge of the newspaper P in the conveyance direction conveyed from the second input unit 3 via the conveyance path T2 toward the nip of the feed roller pair 7a. The conveyance guide 6c and the feed roller pair 7a function as a junction where the newspaper P fed from the first input unit 2 and the newspaper P fed from the second input unit 3 join into one conveyance path T.

[0035] The conveyance path T downstream of the feed roller pair 7a includes two pairs of feed rollers 7b and 7c and multiple conveyance guides 7d. The newspapers P, which merge into one conveyance path T via the feed roller pair 7a, are conveyed along the conveyance path T via the two pairs of feed rollers 7b and 7c and multiple conveyance guides 7d and are fed into a direction changer 9, which changes the conveyance direction of the newspapers P by 90 degrees along the XY plane. By adjusting the orientations of the newspapers P inserted into the first insertion unit 2 and the second insertion unit 3 to the above-described orientations, all newspapers P fed into the direction changer 9 will have the same orientation (fold line P-2 is located in front and fold line P-1 is located to the right). Note that because the conveyance paths T1 and T2 are approximately the same length, the newspapers P removed from the first insertion unit 2 and the newspapers P removed from the second insertion unit 3 will be fed into the direction changer 9 in the order of their removal.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the incorporating mechanism 30 is arranged alongside the newspaper supply mechanism 1 to the right and facing the front of the collating mechanism 10, not shown here. The incorporating mechanism 30 inserts the collated bundle discharged from the discharge port 24 of the collating mechanism 10 into the newspapers P supplied from the newspaper supply mechanism 1. The incorporating mechanism 30 has a stacking section 31 (Figure 1) that stacks the incorporated newspapers, with the collated bundle inserted into the newspapers P, in a vertical direction. As described above, the newspapers P taken out from the first input section 2 and the second input section 3 of the newspaper supply mechanism 1 are fed to the direction changing section 9 in the order in which they were taken out, and therefore the stacking order of the incorporated newspapers sent from the direction changing section 9 via the incorporating mechanism 30 to the stacking section 31 also corresponds to the order in which the newspapers P were taken out.

[0037] The direction changer 9 of the newspaper supply mechanism 1 has a feed roller 8 (Fig. 3) that feeds the newspaper P fed into the direction changer 9 in the X direction. The axis of the feed roller 8 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The feed roller 8 is movable between a contact position where it contacts the top surface of the newspaper P fed into the direction changer 9, and a retracted position where it is retracted above the contact position. The retracted position is a position where the newspaper P fed into the direction changer 9 through the conveying path T does not interfere with the feed roller 8 that has moved to the retracted position.

[0038] The feed roller 8 moves from the contact position to the retracted position when the newspaper P is fed into the direction changer 9. In other words, the feed roller 8 moves up and down every time a newspaper P is fed into the direction changer 9. The newspaper P that has been fed into the direction changer 9 stops temporarily, and the feed roller 8 is moved to the contact position, after which the newspaper P is fed in the X direction toward the assembly mechanism 30 by the rotation of the feed roller 8. At this time, the newspaper P is fed into the assembly mechanism 30 with the upper part P1 (FIG. 4c), one of the two parts divided by the fold P-2, facing upward.

[0039] 7, the assembly mechanism 30 has 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 that is disposed below the transport path of the newspaper P, and an air intake 35 that communicates with the suction chamber 34. The air intake 35 is located opposite the air intake 32a of the suction nozzle 32 in the vertical direction.

[0040] The newspaper P sent out in the X direction from the direction change unit 9 of the newspaper supply mechanism 1 is stopped temporarily when its leading edge in the X direction approaches between the intake port 32a and the intake port 35 of the suction nozzle 32. The intake port 32a, located above the transport path of the newspaper P, faces the vicinity of the corner between the rear edge of the upper part P1 of the stopped newspaper P, which is parallel to the fold line P-2, and the fold line P-1. The intake port 35, located below the transport path, faces the vicinity of the corner between the rear edge of the lower part P2 of the stopped newspaper P, which is parallel to the fold line P-2, and the fold line P-1.

[0041] With the newspaper P temporarily stopped, the assembly mechanism 30 operates the solenoid 33 to move the suction nozzle 32 downward and bring the 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 assembly mechanism 30 operates a blower (not shown) to draw a vacuum in the suction nozzle 32 and the suction chamber 34, so that the corner of the upper portion P1 of the newspaper P is sucked to the intake port 32a and the corner of the lower portion P2 of the newspaper P is sucked to the intake port 35.

[0042] In this state, the assembly 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 that has been sucked into the intake port 32a. At this time, the corner of the lower portion P2 of the newspaper P is sucked into the intake port 35, so the upper portion P1 opens relative to the lower portion P2. With the newspaper P in an open state, the assembly mechanism 30 resumes transport of the newspaper P in the X direction and sends the newspaper P to the insertion position opposite the discharge port 24 of the collating mechanism 10. The assembly mechanism 30 is provided with a guide member (not shown) that supports from below the upper portion P1 of the newspaper P whose transport has resumed after it has been opened, thereby keeping the newspaper P in an open state.

[0043] The incorporating mechanism 30 is laid out so that the insertion position is located opposite the discharge outlet 24 of the collating mechanism 10. Therefore, the collated stack that has been collated by the collating mechanism 10 and discharged from the discharge outlet 24 is fed between the lower part P2 and the upper part P1 of the newspaper P that has been opened by the incorporating mechanism 30 and fed to the insertion position.

[0044] The interleaved newspapers with the collated bundle inserted in this way are discharged to the stacking section 31 in front by the discharge roller 36 shown in Figure 1. The shaft of the discharge roller 36 extends left and right. The discharge roller 36 retracts upward when feeding the opened newspaper P to the inserting position, and moves to a position where it comes into contact with the upper part P1 of the interleaved newspapers when discharging the interleaved newspapers with the collated bundle inserted into the stacking section 31.

[0045] When a predetermined number of incorporated newspapers have been stacked in the stacking section 31, the newspapers are transported to the right and handed over to the lifter 50. The lifter 50 raises the predetermined number of stacked incorporated newspapers to a predetermined height, and places the newspapers at a height that is easy for the operator to carry.

[0046] As shown in Figure 8, the newspaper processing device 100 described above has a main control circuit 101, sub-control circuits 102, 103, 104, and 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 device 100, including the control of the sub-control circuits 102, 103, 104, and 105.

[0047] The main control circuit 101 is configured with, for example, a processor and a memory. The processor of the main control circuit 101 controls the operation of the newspaper processing device 100 in accordance with a control application program stored in the memory.

[0048] For example, the main control circuit 101 functions as a control unit (first control unit) that receives input data (first data) related to the delivery order of the newspapers P and controls the order in which the newspapers P are taken out from the first and second input units 2 and 3 of the newspaper supply mechanism 1. The main control circuit 101 also functions as a control unit (second control unit) that receives input data (second data) related to the type of inserts to be inserted into each brand of newspaper P and controls whether or not inserts are to be supplied from the multi-stage paper supply trays 12 of the collating mechanism 10.

[0049] The processor is, for example, a CPU, but does not necessarily have to be configured as a CPU. The main control circuit 101 may also be configured as a hardware logic circuit such as an ASIC. The processor does not necessarily have to be configured as a single processor, but may be configured as multiple processors.

[0050] 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 control of the main control circuit 101. The sub-control circuit 102 may or may not have a processor and memory separate from the main control circuit 101.

[0051] The sub-control circuit 103 is connected to the newspaper supply mechanism 1. The sub-control circuit 103 is a dedicated circuit that controls the operation of the newspaper supply mechanism 1 under the control of the main control circuit 101. The sub-control circuit 103 may or may not have a processor and memory separate from the main control circuit 101.

[0052] The sub-control circuit 104 is connected to the embedded mechanism 30. The sub-control circuit 104 is a dedicated circuit that controls the operation of the embedded mechanism 30 under the control of the main control circuit 101. The sub-control circuit 104 may or may not have a processor and memory separate from the main control circuit 101.

[0053] The sub-control circuit 105 is connected to the lifter 50. The sub-control circuit 105 is a dedicated circuit that controls the operation of the lifter 50 under the control of the main control circuit 101. The sub-control circuit 105 may or may not have a processor and memory separate from the main control circuit 101.

[0054] The newspaper processing device 100 may have sub-control circuits other than the sub-control circuits 102, 103, 104, and 105.

[0055] The display 106 is a display such as an LED and a liquid crystal display on the operation panel 11a for displaying various states of the newspaper processing device 100. For example, the display 106 has a display for indicating that the power to the newspaper processing device 100 is on. The display 106 also has a display for displaying a counter for displaying various collation counts. The collation count includes information such as the total number of inserts collated during the collation operation and the number of remaining inserts. The display 106 also has a display for displaying various setting screens. The various settings include settings for inserts per row, settings for regions and areas, etc. The various settings include settings for the installation operation. The display 106 also has a display for notifying various errors.

[0056] The operation switches 107 include various switches provided on the newspaper processing device 100 and the operation panel 11a described above. For example, the operation switches 107 include a power switch for the newspaper processing device 100. The operation switches 107 also include various mode switches. The mode switch is a switch for setting the operation mode of the newspaper processing device 100. The operation modes include, for example, a collating mode in which only inserts are collated, an inserting mode in which a pre-collated bundle is inserted into newspapers P, and a collating / inserting mode in which inserts are collated and the bundle is inserted into newspapers P. The operation switches 107 may also include switches other than these switches. Operations similar to those of the various switches on the operation switches 107 can also be performed on the operation panel 11a.

[0057] The communication module 108 includes a processing circuit that enables the newspaper processing device 100 to communicate with external devices such as a server, etc. The communication module 108 includes, for example, a wireless communication module required for wireless LAN communication.

[0058] Here, an example of the operation of the newspaper processing device 100 described above will be explained. As shown in Figure 9, in step S1, the main control circuit 101 of the newspaper processing device 100 determines whether or not to power on the newspaper processing device 100. For example, when the power switch is turned on, it determines to power on the newspaper processing device 100. The main control circuit 101 may also monitor whether or not a command has been received from the outside via the communications module 108, and determine to power on the newspaper processing device 100 when reception of the command is confirmed. In step S1, the main control circuit 101 waits for processing until it determines to power on the newspaper processing device 100. When it determines to power on the newspaper processing device 100 in step S1, processing proceeds to step S2.

[0059] In step S2, the main control circuit 101 turns on the power to the newspaper processing device 100, starts the control application program for the newspaper processing device 100, and displays a startup screen on, for example, the operation panel 11a. While the startup screen is displayed, the main control circuit 101 performs various processes necessary to start up the newspaper processing device 100.

[0060] In step S3 after the startup process is complete, the main control circuit 101 displays a main screen on, for example, the operation panel 11a. On the main screen, the operator can start the collating or assembling operation of the newspaper processing device 100 and check various statuses during the collating or assembling operation. In addition, from the main screen, the operator can display various setting screens, allowing various settings to be made.

[0061] In step S4, the main control circuit 101 determines whether or not to perform the collating operation. For example, when the collating mode is selected on the main screen by operating the operation panel 11a, etc., and an instruction to set or start the collating operation is given, 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 an instruction to set or start the incorporating operation is given, it is determined that the incorporating operation is to be performed.

[0062] If it is determined in step S4 that the collating operation is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is determined in step S4 that the collating operation is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0063] In step S5, if it is determined that the collation operation is to be performed, the main control circuit 101 determines whether or not to perform settings related to the collation operation. For example, if settings related to the collation operation are instructed by operating the operation panel 11a, etc., it is determined that settings related to the collation operation are to be performed. If it is determined in step S5 that settings related to the collation operation have been instructed, the process proceeds to step S6. If it is determined in step S5 that settings related to the collation operation have not been instructed, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0064] In step S6, the main control circuit 101 performs settings related to the collating operation in accordance with the instructions. For example, the main control circuit 101 performs settings for inserts by layer, settings for the region and area, and settings for the operating mode in accordance with the instructions. The main control circuit 101 also performs settings for the sub-control circuit 105 as necessary. During the settings, the main control circuit 101 also transitions the setting screen displayed on the operation panel 11a, for example, as necessary. After the settings related to the collating operation have been performed, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0065] In step S7, the main control circuit 101 determines whether or not an instruction to start the collating operation has been issued. If it is determined in step S7 that an instruction to start the collating operation has been issued, the process proceeds to step S8. If it is determined in step S7 that an instruction to start the collating operation has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0066] In step S8, the main control circuit 101 controls the sub-control circuit 102 in accordance with the current settings to perform the collation operation by the collation mechanism 10. In step S8, the main control circuit 101 may control the sub-control circuit 105 to operate the lifter 50.

[0067] In step S9, the main control circuit 101 determines whether the collating operation is complete. For example, the collating operation is determined to be complete when the specified number of collated bundles have been collated. If it is determined in step S9 that the collating operation is not complete, the process returns to step S8. If it is determined in step S9 that the collating operation is complete, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0068] In step S10, the main control circuit 101 determines whether or not to power off the newspaper processing device 100. For example, when the power switch is turned off or a power-off command is received, it is determined that the newspaper processing device 100 should be powered off. If it is determined in step S10 that the newspaper processing device 100 should not be powered off, the process returns to step S4. If it is determined in step S10 that the newspaper processing device 100 should be powered off, the process in Figure 9 ends.

[0069] If it is determined that the embedding operation is to be performed, in step S11, the main control circuit 101 performs the embedding process shown in Fig. 10. After the embedding process, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0070] In step S101 of Fig. 10, the main control circuit 101 determines whether or not to implement settings related to the embedding process. For example, when a setting related to the embedding process is instructed by operating the operation panel 11a, it is determined that the setting related to the embedding process is to be implemented. When it is determined in step S101 that a setting related to the embedding process has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S102. When it is determined in step S101 that a setting related to the embedding process has not been instructed, the process proceeds to step S114.

[0071] In step S102, the main control circuit 101 determines whether data has been input. In this embodiment, for example, settings for the embedding operation are made by importing delivery order data created in advance and insert data related to inserts assigned to each brand of newspaper P. In step S102, it is determined whether data to be imported has been input by an operator. In step S102, the process waits until data to be imported is input. If it is determined in step S102 that data has been input, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0072] The delivery order data may be data in various formats, such as CSV (Comma Separated Value). The delivery order data may be managed by the newspaper delivery store where the newspaper processing device 100 is installed, or may be managed by a server or the like that centrally manages data from newspaper delivery stores. Furthermore, the delivery order data may be managed by a cloud server that is constructed separately from the newspaper delivery store or the like.

[0073] The insert data is data containing one, several, or all of the following information: area, flyer name, number of processing stations, shelf used, and attributes. The insert data may be data in various formats, such as CSV (Comma Separated Value). The insert data may be managed by the newspaper delivery store where the newspaper processing device 100 is installed, or may be managed by a server or the like that centrally manages data from newspaper delivery stores. Furthermore, the insert data may be managed by a cloud server constructed separately from the newspaper delivery store or the like.

[0074] In step S103, the main control circuit 101 maps the items in the input delivery order data and insert data with items that are required for the integration process that is pre-set in the newspaper processing device 100. For example, the main control circuit 101 recognizes the items in the input delivery order data and associates items that are similar to the recognized items. After mapping the data in this way, the main control circuit 101 displays a confirmation screen for the mapping results, for example, on the operation panel 11a. Note that if it is guaranteed that each item in the delivery order data corresponds to each item set in the newspaper processing device 100, mapping processing is not necessary.

[0075] In step S104, the main control circuit 101 determines whether or not an item has been corrected, for example, by an operator of the newspaper processing device 100 operating the operation panel 11a. The operator of the newspaper processing device 100 checks whether or not the items have been mapped correctly. If an item has not been mapped correctly, the operator corrects the corresponding item. If an operation related to correction has been performed, the main control circuit 101 determines that an item has been corrected. If it is determined in step S104 that an item has been corrected, the process proceeds to step S105. If it is determined in step S104 that an item has not been corrected, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0076] In step S105, the main control circuit 101 corrects the mapping result in accordance with the content of the correction made by the operator. Accordingly, the main control circuit 101 updates the confirmation screen for the mapping result. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0077] In step S106, the main control circuit 101 determines whether the mapping process has been completed, for example, by the operator operating the operation panel 11a. After the operator confirms that the items have been correctly mapped, he or she selects the displayed OK button. In this case, it is determined that the mapping process has been completed. If it is determined in step S106 that the mapping process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S107. If it is determined in step S106 that the mapping process has not been completed, the process returns to step S104.

[0078] In step S107, the main control circuit 101 displays an embedded setting screen based on the result of the mapping process.

[0079] In step S108, the main control circuit 101 determines whether or not setting data has been input on the built-in setting screen. If it is determined in step S108 that setting data has been input on the built-in setting screen, the process proceeds to step S109. If it is determined in step S108 that setting data has not been input on the built-in setting screen, the process returns to step S107.

[0080] In step S109, the main control circuit 101 stores the input setting data in, for example, a memory.

[0081] In step S110, the main control circuit 101 determines whether input of all setting data on the corresponding built-in setting screen has been completed. If it is determined in step S110 that input of all setting data on the built-in setting screen has not been completed, the process returns to step S107. In this case, the main control circuit 101 displays the next built-in setting screen. If it is determined in step S110 that input of all setting data on the built-in setting screen has been completed, the process proceeds to step S111.

[0082] In step S111, the main control circuit 101 sets the paper feed tray 12 based on the setting data. For example, the main control circuit 101 assigns an insert to the paper feed tray 12 selected for use. The insert to be folded into the newspaper P may be the one set during the collating operation, or may be a newly set one.

[0083] In step S112, the main control circuit 101 determines whether the settings related to the incorporation process have been completed. The operator places the inserts into the paper feed tray 12 according to the displayed settings of the paper feed tray 12. The operator also places newspapers P of a specified brand into each of the insertion ports 2 and 3 of the newspaper supply mechanism 1. After the newspapers P and inserts have been placed according to the settings, the operator selects the displayed OK button. At this time, the main control circuit 101 determines that the settings related to the incorporation process have been completed. In step S112, the main control circuit 101 waits until it is determined that the settings related to the incorporation process have been completed. When the settings related to the incorporation process have been completed in step S112, the process proceeds to step S113.

[0084] In step S113, the main control circuit 101 sets the order in which newspapers P are to be taken out from the newspaper supply mechanism 1. Then, the process returns to step S101. The order in which newspapers P are to be taken out is usually determined, for example, in the reverse order of the delivery order. The delivery order is also specified by the "route."

[0085] In step S114, the main control circuit 101 determines whether or not an instruction to start the embedding operation has been issued. If it is determined in step S114 that an instruction to start the embedding operation has been issued, the process proceeds to step S115. If it is determined in step S114 that an instruction to start the embedding operation has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S116.

[0086] In step S115, the main control circuit 101 executes the embedding operation according to the current settings.

[0087] The embedding operation will be described below with reference to FIG. The assembling operations include, for example, an operation of collating inserts set for brand A newspaper P and inserting the collated bundle Ta for brand A into the brand A newspaper, and an operation of collating the collated bundle Ta and inserting it into the brand A newspaper P, collating inserts set for brand B newspaper P, and inserting the collated bundle Tb for brand B into the brand B newspaper. Here, the latter, relatively complex operation for processing two brands of newspaper P will be described. In addition to this, there is an assembling operation in an inserting mode in which a pre-collated collated bundle (multiple collated bundles may be prepared according to the brand of newspaper) is fed from the paper feed tray 12 of the collating mechanism 10 and inserted into newspaper P (which may be multiple brands of newspaper). However, since this is the only difference, the explanation of the operation related to the inserting mode will be omitted here.

[0088] In step S201, the main control circuit 101 takes out newspapers P from the first insertion section 2 or the second insertion section 3 of the newspaper supply mechanism 1 according to the set delivery order. In step S202, the main control circuit 101 opens the newspapers P taken out in the delivery order using the assembly mechanism 30 and transports them to the insertion position.

[0089] In step S203, which is performed in parallel with steps S1 and S2, the main control circuit 101 collates the inserts assigned to each brand of newspaper P. At this time, the main control circuit 101 feeds the inserts assigned to the brand of newspaper P taken out in step P1 from the paper feed tray 12 and creates a collated bundle suitable for each brand.

[0090] In step S204, the main control circuit 101 inserts the collated bundles according to each brand into the newspapers P transported to the inserting position, creating an incorporated newspaper. In step S205, the main control circuit 101 ejects the incorporated newspaper created in step S204 into the stacking unit 31 and stacks it. This allows multiple copies of the incorporated newspaper to be stacked in delivery order.

[0091] Thereafter, in step P206, the main control circuit 101 determines whether or not a predetermined number of incorporated newspapers have been stacked in the stacking unit 31. If it is determined in step P206 that the predetermined number of incorporated newspapers have been stacked, the main control circuit 101 proceeds to the processing of step S207, and moves the predetermined number of incorporated newspapers stacked in the stacking unit 31 to the lifter 50.

[0092] Thereafter, the main control circuit 101 ends the processing of FIG. 11 when the number of incorporated newspapers reaches a preset number based on the determination in step S208.

[0093] As described above, the newspaper processing device 100 of this embodiment can remove two different brands of newspapers P in delivery order, insert bundles of inserts assigned to each brand of newspaper, and stack the incorporated newspapers in delivery order. This allows a newspaper delivery store to handle multiple brands of newspapers P, eliminates the need to collate inserts for each brand of newspaper, and eliminates the need to stack two brands of incorporated newspapers with their respective collated bundles inserted in delivery order, thereby reducing the workload on staff and improving work efficiency. Furthermore, delivery personnel who deliver the incorporated newspapers can simply remove the incorporated newspapers from the bundles of incorporated newspapers stacked in delivery order, making delivery of two brands of incorporated newspapers easy and reliable. Note that the newspaper supply mechanism 1 may be equipped with three or more input units to handle three or more brands of newspapers P.

[0094] Incidentally, the newspapers P fed through the first and second feed ports 2, 3 of the newspaper supply mechanism 1 are made by stacking multiple sheets of newspaper and folding them in four, as explained with reference to Figure 4, so in a pile of multiple newspapers P stacked in the same direction, the thickness in the overlapping direction of the parts where the first fold line P-1 and the second fold line P-2 overlap is greater than the thickness of the other parts without folds. This phenomenon in which the thickness of the parts of the pile where the folds overlap is greater than the thickness of the other parts is generally called "fold thickening."

[0095] In order to insert a collated bundle of insert flyers into newspapers P to create an assembled newspaper, as in the newspaper processing device 100 of this embodiment, it is necessary to insert the collated bundle between the folded newspapers P. For this reason, the newspaper processing device 100 of this embodiment handles newspapers P that are folded in four. Furthermore, in the newspaper processing device 100 of this embodiment, all newspapers P supplied from the newspaper supply mechanism 1 must be fed to the inserting position in the same orientation, so the newspapers P fed through the first and second feed sections 2, 3 must be stacked and aligned in the same orientation. In other words, the pile of newspapers P fed into the newspaper supply mechanism 1 has the problem of "fold thickening" mentioned above.

[0096] For example, in the second insertion section 3, where multiple newspapers P are stacked one on top of the other and inserted, gravity acts in the direction in which the newspapers P are stacked, so even if the stack has "fold thickening" as described above, the topmost newspaper P does not tilt significantly, and the "fold thickening" has almost no effect on the normal removal operation of the newspapers P. In contrast, in the first insertion section 2, where multiple newspapers P are stacked upright and inserted, gravity acts almost not in the direction in which the newspapers P are stacked, so as shown in Figure 12, the thickness of the right side of the stack where the first fold P-1 overlaps is greater than the left side, and the stacking posture of the newspapers P is easily disturbed.

[0097] If a stack of multiple newspapers P with "thick folds" is pushed toward the take-out position by the flat support plate 2a in the first input section 2, the right edge of the newspaper P at the front of the stack, where the first fold P-1 is located, will be sent to the take-out position before the left edge. In other words, in this case, the newspaper P sent to the take-out position will be tilted relative to the normal take-out position, which is parallel to the axis of the auxiliary roller 4a. If the newspaper P supplied to the take-out position is tilted in this way, the take-out of the newspaper P will become unstable, and a transport jam may occur.

[0098] Therefore, in this embodiment, several measures have been taken so that the newspapers P to be supplied to the take-out position can be fed in a normal posture even if "fold thickening" occurs in the stack of multiple newspapers P that have been stacked and fed into the first feed section 2. The first to third measures will be explained below.

[0099] (First measure) 12 and 13, as a first measure, a thick pad 26 is attached to the pressing surface 25 of the support plate 2a. The pad 26 can be fixed to a predetermined position on the pressing surface 25, for example, with an adhesive. The pad 26 is an example of a protruding portion that protrudes from the pressing surface 25, and may be provided integrally with the support plate 2a.

[0100] The support plate 2a is placed in the first insertion section 2 facing the front of the newspaper P at the front end in the stacking direction of the multiple newspapers P inserted into the first insertion section 2 (the newspaper at one end). In Fig. 12, for ease of explanation, the respective components are illustrated without showing the inclination of the support plate 2a in the front-to-back direction. In Fig. 13, for ease of viewing the components, the newspaper P is not shown. The pressing surface 25 of the support plate 2a is a flat surface that can come into surface contact with the front of the newspaper P at one end in the stacking direction, away from the removal position.

[0101] The lower end 27 of the support plate 2a abuts against the upper surfaces of the floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 of the first input section 2. The support plate 2a also has a support rod 28L integrally protruding leftward from its left edge and a support rod 28R integrally protruding rightward from its right edge. The two support rods 28L and 28R are arranged coaxially and are provided at a height position that engages with the protrusions 2d of the feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 on the left and right sides of the first input section 2 when the lower end 27 of the support plate 2a abuts against the upper surfaces of the floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 and the support plate 2a is tilted at an appropriate angle. The multiple protrusions 2d of the feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 are provided at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 and are aligned left and right, respectively.

[0102] The support plate 2a moves straight toward the removal position while maintaining its tilt in the front-to-back direction by synchronously moving the two floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 and the two feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2. At this time, the lower end 27 of the support plate 2a moves on the floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2, and the two support rods 28L and 28R protruding from the left and right edges of the support plate 2a are pushed and moved by the protrusions 2d of the left and right feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2. Because the protrusions 2d of the feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 are lined up on the left and right, the support plate 2a moves in a position shown in Figure 12, with approximately no tilt in the left-to-right direction relative to a plane perpendicular to its movement direction.

[0103] Pad 26 protrudes from pressing surface 25 toward newspaper P at one end. Pad 26 is attached in a position overlapping the upper side of left floor belt 2b-2, i.e., in a position offset to the left side of pressing surface 25 of support plate 2a. In other words, pad 26 is attached to pressing surface 25 at a position where support plate 2a faces near the edge opposite first fold P-1 of newspaper P. Because pressing surface 25 of support plate 2a is disposed in a direction approximately perpendicular to the movement direction of newspaper P, the tip of pad 26 in the protruding direction (second portion) is located closer to the other end in the stacking direction, i.e., closer to the removal position, than the portion (first portion) where pressing surface 25 of support plate 2a comes into contact near first fold P-1 of newspaper P at one end in the stacking direction.

[0104] In this way, by providing pad 26 on the side opposite the side where the "fold thickening" occurs in the stack of multiple newspapers P, the edge opposite the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P at one end of the stacking direction that contacts pressing surface 25 of support plate 2a can be moved forward of the first fold P-1 and closer to the take-out position. In other words, in this case, the newspaper P at one end of the stacking direction that is pushed by support plate 2a becomes tilted left and right. However, since the "fold thickening" occurs on the right side of the stack of multiple newspapers P where the first fold P-1 of the newspapers P overlaps, by pushing the left side of the stack ahead of the right side, the newspaper P at the leading edge of the newspaper P in the feed direction can be supplied to the take-out position in a normal posture. In other words, by providing pad 26 on pressing surface 25 of support plate 2a, the adverse effects of the "fold thickening" can be at least partially eliminated.

[0105] (Second Measure) In the first measure, a pad 26 is provided at a position offset to the left of the pressure surface 25 of the support plate 2a to at least partially offset the "fold thickening" and normalize the posture of the newspaper P being fed to the take-out position. However, instead of providing the pad 26, the support plate 2a itself may be tilted left or right. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, a conceivable method is to shift the positions of the protrusions 2d of the feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 arranged on the left and right sides of the first feed section 2. That is, the positions of the protrusions 2d of the left and right feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 may be shifted so that the protrusions 2d of the left feed belt 2c-2 are shifted toward the take-out position relative to the multiple protrusions 2d of the feed belt 2c-1 on the right side where the first folds P-1 of the newspapers P fed into the first feed section 2 overlap.

[0106] In this way, by shifting the position of the protrusion 2d of the feed belt 2c-1 on the side where the "fold thickening" of the stack of multiple newspapers P occurs from the position of the protrusion 2d of the feed belt 2c-2 on the opposite side to the left and right, the support plate 2a can be tilted to the attitude shown in the figure, and the edge opposite the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P at one end in the stacking direction that contacts the pressing surface 25 can be moved forward of the first fold P-1 and closer to the take-out position. Since the stack of multiple newspapers P has "fold thickening" on the right side where the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P overlaps, by pushing the left side of the stack forward of the right side, the newspaper P at the front end in the feed direction of the newspaper P can be supplied to the take-out position in the correct attitude.

[0107] (Third Measure) As a third measure, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the two floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 are shifted to the left so that an imaginary center line C2 extending back and forth through the exact middle of the two floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 is shifted in the direction of the edge opposite the first fold P-1 relative to an imaginary center line C1 extending back and forth through the exact middle of the edge opposite the first fold P-1 of the multiple newspapers P to be inserted into the first insertion section 2.

[0108] This allows the frictional force acting on the lower edges of multiple newspapers P from the two floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 to be applied at a position shifted toward the edge from exactly the middle between the first fold P-1 of the newspaper P and the edge opposite it, allowing the edge opposite the first fold P-1 to be sent to the removal position ahead of the first fold P-1.

[0109] The third measure may be taken in combination with the first or second measure described above, or may be taken alone. Even when the third measure is taken alone, the problem of "folded thickening" can be at least partially solved.

[0110] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the first insertion section 2 where multiple copies of newspapers P are stacked upright and inserted, undesirable tilt of the newspapers P at the removal position due to "fold thickening" can be corrected, and each newspaper P can be supplied to the removal position in a normal posture, allowing each newspaper P to be supplied normally without causing transport jams, etc.

[0111] (Control to return the newspaper in the reverse direction) As described above, in the first insertion section 2 where multiple newspapers P are stacked and inserted in an upright position, for example, when an operator inserts additional newspapers P, the newspaper P may be pushed in too far, causing the rear end of the newspaper P to protrude rearward beyond the take-out position. In this case, multiple newspapers P are sent to the auxiliary roller 4a while still stacked, making it impossible to properly remove the newspapers P one by one. For this reason, in this embodiment, if the newspaper P is pushed rearward beyond the take-out position, control is implemented to return the inserted newspaper P in the opposite direction.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 15, the sub-control circuit 103 that controls the operation of the newspaper supply mechanism 1 includes a control unit 60, a sensor 62, and motors 64 and 66.

[0113] The sensor 62 is, for example, a reflective optical sensor, and includes a unit 62a (FIG. 5) equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit (not shown), and a unit 62b (FIG. 5) equipped with a reflector (not shown). Unit 62a is located on the left side of the newspaper P removal position, while unit 62b is located on the right side of unit 62a and opposite the removal position. The sensor 62 can detect that no newspaper P has protruded rearward beyond the removal position by receiving light emitted from the light-emitting unit of unit 62a and reflected by the reflector of unit 62b on the opposite side with the light-receiving unit. Conversely, if the optical axis of the sensor 62 is blocked by the newspaper P and the reflected light is not received by the light-receiving unit, it can detect that the newspaper P has passed the removal position.

[0114] The motor 64 drives the floor belts 2b-1 and 2b-2 and the feed belts 2c-1 and 2c-2 in synchronization with each other. The motor 64 can rotate in a forward direction to move the support plate 2a from front to rear, and in a reverse direction to move the support plate 2a from rear to front.

[0115] A motor 66 rotates the take-out roller 5a. The auxiliary roller 4a is rotated by the take-out roller 5a. The rotation shaft of the motor 64 is connected to the shaft of the take-out roller 5a via gears and the like (not shown). The shaft of the auxiliary roller 4a is connected to the shaft of the take-out roller 5a via a pulley and timing belt (not shown).

[0116] When the control unit 60 does not detect via the sensor 62 that the newspaper P has protruded rearward beyond the take-out position, it rotates the motor 64 forward to cause the floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 and the feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 to 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 also drives the motor 66 to rotate the take-out roller 5a and auxiliary roller 4a forward, and takes out the newspaper P at the take-out position and supplies it via the conveying path T1.

[0117] While multiple copies of newspapers P are being fed one by one as described above, control unit 60 monitors the output of sensor 62. Then, when control unit 60 detects via sensor 62 that a newspaper P has protruded rearward beyond the take-out position, control unit 60 stops motor 66 and rotates motor 64 in the reverse direction, causing floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 and feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 to run in the reverse direction. After this, when control unit 60 no longer detects a newspaper P protruding rearward beyond the take-out position via sensor 62, control unit 60 again rotates motor 64 in the forward direction, causing floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 and feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 to run in the forward direction, and drives motor 66 to rotate take-out roller 5a and auxiliary roller 4a, thereby resuming the take-out operation of newspaper P.

[0118] As described above, when a newspaper P is detected to have exceeded the removal position, the floor belts 2b-1, 2b-2 and the feed belts 2c-1, 2c-2 are controlled to move in the opposite direction, thereby preventing multiple copies of the newspaper P from being removed while still overlapping, and preventing the newspaper P from being jammed in the transport direction.

[0119] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting and combining the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention. The inventions described in the claims of the present application as originally filed are as follows: [1] an insertion unit that folds multiple stacked newspapers in half along a first fold and then in half along a second fold to create four-folded newspapers, stacks the newspapers in the same orientation, and inserts them in an upright position with the second fold facing down; a pressing member that is disposed in the insertion section facing a newspaper at one end in the stacking direction of the multiple newspapers inserted in the insertion section, the pressing member having a first portion that contacts the newspaper at the end near the first fold and a second portion that contacts the newspaper at the end near the edge opposite the first fold, the second portion being located on the other end side of the first portion in the stacking direction; a moving mechanism that moves the pressing member toward the other end of the stacking direction to supply the newspaper at the other end of the stacking direction to a take-out position; A newspaper supply organization with [2] The pressing member has a pressing plate having a flat pressing surface facing the newspaper at the one end, and a protruding portion protruding from the pressing surface near the edge of the newspaper at the one end opposite the first fold, the first portion being on the pressing surface where the protruding portion is not provided, and the second portion being at the tip of the protruding portion in the protruding direction. [1] The newspaper supply mechanism described above. [3] The pressing surface is inclined such that an upper edge thereof is inclined in a direction away from the removal position from a lower edge where the second fold is located. [2] The newspaper supply mechanism described in [2]. [4] The pressing member has a flat pressing surface that comes into surface contact with the newspaper at the one end, and is arranged in the insertion section with the pressing surface inclined in a direction such that the second portion of the pressing surface that comes into contact with the edge of the newspaper at the one end opposite the first fold is closer to the other end in the stacking direction than the first portion of the pressing surface that comes into contact with the edge of the newspaper at the one end near the first fold. [1] The newspaper supply mechanism described above. [5] The pressing member has a flat pressing surface that comes into surface contact with the newspaper at the one end, the moving mechanism moves the pressing member toward the other end in the stacking direction with the pressing surface tilted in a direction such that the second portion of the pressing surface that contacts the edge of the newspaper at the one end opposite the first fold is closer to the other end in the stacking direction than the first portion of the pressing surface that contacts the edge of the newspaper at the one end near the first fold, [1] The newspaper supply mechanism described above. [6] a first floor belt that contacts the lower edge of the newspapers stacked and inserted into the insertion section near the first fold, extends in the stacking direction, and is disposed at the bottom of the insertion section; a second floor belt that is disposed at the bottom of the insertion section at a position farther from the first fold than the first floor belt and that contacts the lower edge of the newspapers that are inserted into the insertion section in a stacked manner and extends in the stacking direction; The first floor belt and the second floor belt are arranged at a position where an imaginary first center line extending in the stacking direction passing through the exact middle between the first fold and the edge opposite to the first fold of the plurality of newspapers stacked and inserted into the insertion section is shifted in the direction of the edge opposite to the first fold, [1] The newspaper supply mechanism described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...newspaper supply mechanism, 1a...housing, 2...first input section, 2a...support plate, 2b-1, 2b-2...floor belt, 2c-1, 2c-2...feed belt, 2d...projection, 3...second input section, 3a...paper feed tray, 4a...auxiliary roller, 4b...rubber sheet, 5a, 5b...take-out roller, 6a, 6b...pair of conveying rollers, 7a, 7b, 7c...pair of feed rollers, 7d...conveyance guide, 8...feed roller, 9...direction change section, 10...collating mechanism, 12, 12a...paper feed tray, 13...conveyance path, 14...pair of conveying rollers, 15...first paper feed roller, 16...second paper feed roller, 17...separating plate, 18, 18a...pair of feed rollers, 19...pair of folding rollers, 20...stop section, 21...folding knife, 22...conveyor belt, 23...pair of discharge rollers, 24...discharge outlet, 30...mounting mechanism, 31...accumulating section, 32...suction nozzle, 32a, 35...air intake, 33...solenoid, 36...discharge roller, 50...lifter, 60...control section, 62...sensor, 64, 66...motor, 100...newspaper processing device, 101...main control circuit, 102, 103, 104, 105...sub-control circuit, 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. an insertion unit that folds a plurality of stacked newspapers in half along a first fold and then in half along a second fold to form four-folded newspapers, stacks the newspapers in the same orientation, and inserts them in an upright position along the direction of gravity with the second fold facing downwards; a pressing member disposed in the insertion section facing a newspaper at one end in the stacking direction of the plurality of newspapers inserted in the insertion section, the pressing member having a first portion that contacts the newspaper at the end in the vicinity of the first fold and a second portion that contacts the newspaper at the end in the vicinity of the edge opposite to the first fold, the second portion being located on the other end side of the first portion in the stacking direction; a moving mechanism that moves the pressing member toward the other end of the stacking direction to supply the newspaper at the other end of the stacking direction to a take-out position; A newspaper supply organization with

2. The pressing member has a pressing plate having a flat pressing surface facing the newspaper at one end, and a protruding portion protruding from the pressing surface near the edge of the newspaper at the one end opposite the first fold, the first portion being on the pressing surface where the protruding portion is not provided, and the second portion being at the tip of the protruding portion in the protruding direction.

2. The newspaper dispensing mechanism of claim 1.

3. The pressing surface is inclined such that an upper edge thereof is inclined in a direction away from the removal position relative to a lower edge where the second fold is located.

3. The newspaper dispensing mechanism of claim 2.

4. The pressing member has a flat pressing surface that comes into surface contact with the newspaper at the one end, and is arranged in the insertion section with the pressing surface inclined in a direction such that the second portion of the pressing surface that comes into contact with the edge of the newspaper at the one end opposite the first fold is closer to the other end in the stacking direction than the first portion of the pressing surface that comes into contact with the edge of the newspaper at the one end near the first fold.

2. The newspaper dispensing mechanism of claim 1.

5. The pressing member has a flat pressing surface that comes into surface contact with the newspaper at the one end, the moving mechanism moves the pressing member toward the other end in the stacking direction with the pressing surface tilted in a direction such that the second portion of the pressing surface that contacts the edge of the newspaper at the one end opposite the first fold is closer to the other end in the stacking direction than the first portion of the pressing surface that contacts the edge of the newspaper at the one end near the first fold, 2. The newspaper dispensing mechanism of claim 1.

6. a first floor belt that contacts the lower end edge of the newspapers stacked and inserted into the insertion section near the first fold, extends in the stacking direction, and is disposed at the bottom of the insertion section; a second floor belt that is disposed at the bottom of the insertion section at a position farther from the first fold than the first floor belt and that contacts the lower edge of the newspapers that are inserted in a stack in the insertion section and extends in the stacking direction, The first floor belt and the second floor belt are arranged at a position where an imaginary first center line extending in the overlapping direction passing through the exact middle between the first fold and the edge opposite to the first fold of the plurality of newspapers stacked and inserted into the insertion section is shifted in the direction of the edge opposite to the first fold, 2. The newspaper dispensing mechanism of claim 1.

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