Paper sheet separation device

Abstract

The present invention provides a paper sheet separation device that can reliably separate a single sheet of paper from a stack of multiple sheets of paper, even when the edges of the calendar printouts are curved. [Solution] The head section 40 is rotatably connected to the tip of the arm 36 via a rotary joint. The hooking section 37 has a rough surface for hooking onto the protruding edge of the paper stack and curling up the edge of the paper stack. The hooking section 37 is held by the head section 40 and rotates together with the head section 40.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating stacks of paper sheets. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for separating a predetermined number of stacks of paper sheets (particularly, one stack of paper sheets) from a stack in which a plurality of stacks of paper sheets are laminated.

Background Art

[0002] In the manufacturing process of calendars, calendar prints for one year are manufactured through a printing process and a cutting process on a base paper. Then, the cover and the calendar prints from January to December are aligned and fastened in order, and further, a number of stacks of paper sheets composed of calendar prints for one year are stacked with their orientations and positions aligned to form a stack. Then, one stack of paper sheets separated from the stack is sent to the next process (bookbinding apparatus), one end is bound with glue (adhesive), and further, a strip (header) is attached to perform bookbinding.

[0003] Therefore, in the above manufacturing process, it is necessary to separate stacks of paper sheets one by one from the stack and send them to the next process. For the purpose of automating this operation, the applicant of the present invention has devised an apparatus for separating stacks of paper sheets one by one (or by a predetermined number of stacks) from a stack, and has filed a patent application for this and been granted a patent (Prior Art Document 1: hereinafter referred to as the prior invention or prior application).

[0004] In this separating apparatus, a hooking portion is hooked on a protruding edge protruding from the end of the stack of paper sheets to turn up the end of the stack of paper sheets, and a lower support plate is inserted under the turned-up stack of paper sheets to separate one stack of paper sheets. According to such an apparatus, the stacks of paper sheets stacked flat can be turned up one by one, and the stacks of paper sheets can be grasped one by one as originally intended and pulled out at high speed.

[0005] However, depending on the type of printed material, stacks of paper sheets may curve upwards in a convex shape (see Figure 2(a)). In some cases, they may even curve upwards in a concave shape. Printed materials have printed areas and unprinted areas (for example, margins), and the thickness of the printed areas is slightly thicker than that of the unprinted areas, which is the cause of this curvature. This difference in thickness is imperceptible to the touch, but in a stack of calendar prints, hundreds of paper sheets are stacked on top of each other, and calendar prints contain thousands of sheets or more. Moreover, since the same printed material is stacked, printed areas are piled on top of each other, and the thickness of the printed areas in the entire stack becomes considerably thicker than that of the unprinted areas, causing the curvature of the paper sheet stack to increase as you go higher. The thickness of the printed areas is due to, for example, a thin film of ink on the surface of the paper, or the paper slightly deforming or swelling due to absorbing moisture or solvents from the ink.

[0006] When using the device of the prior invention to flip up calendar prints with curved or slanted edges, problems often occurred. The problem was that even when attempting to flip up the calendar print by hooking the protruding edge, the calendar print would fall off before the lower support plate could be inserted underneath it, making it impossible to separate a stack of paper sheets. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7453429 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior invention, and its object is to provide a paper sheet separation device that can reliably peel off paper sheets from a stack of many stacked paper sheets, even when the edges of the calendar print are curved or tilted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The paper sheet separation device according to the present invention is a paper sheet separation device for separating a predetermined number of paper sheet bundles from a stack in which multiple paper sheet bundles consisting of multiple paper sheets are stacked, wherein the protruding edge at the end of the paper sheet located at the bottom of each paper sheet bundle Apply and hook in a cross shape , a hook portion having a rough surface for flipping up the end of the stack of paper sheets, and the hook portion , centered on the direction perpendicular to the rough surface It is characterized by being equipped with a rotating mechanism that allows it to rotate.

[0010] The paper sheet separation device according to the present invention is A paper sheet separation device equipped with a hooking part having a rough surface for hooking onto the protruding edge of a paper sheet bundle so as to intersect with it and for curling up the end of the paper sheet bundle, The hook part , centered on the direction perpendicular to the rough surface Equipped with a rotating mechanism that allows rotation, even if the edges of the paper stack are curved or tilted, the hook part will adjust according to the curvature and tilt of the paper stack. Rotate It can be tilted, and the hooking part ensures that the protruding edge is securely attached. Furthermore, it is desirable that the hook portion be rotatable about a direction perpendicular to the rough surface, but the direction of the axis of rotation may be tilted to some extent from the direction perpendicular to the rough surface.

[0011] One embodiment of the paper sheet separation device according to the present invention is characterized by the provision of a rotation angle limiting means that limits the rotation angle of the hook portion. According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the hook portion from tilting significantly when it is free.

[0012] In a specific embodiment of the paper sheet separation device according to the present invention, the protruding edge tip In the direction along Vertical and parallel to the top surface of the stack The device comprises a main body block that is movable in a direction, an arm whose base end is pivotally supported by the main body block and whose tip can rotate up and down, and a head portion that is rotatably connected to the arm via the rotation mechanism, wherein the hook portion is held by the head portion.

[0013] In this specific embodiment, when the main block retracts with the hooking part hooked onto the protruding edge, the arm rotates upward due to the reaction force from the protruding edge, and the stack of paper sheets is flipped up. Moreover, when the hooking part hooks onto the protruding edge, the rotation between the arm and the head part improves the hooking of the hooking part. Rotate It tilts.

[0014] In the above specific embodiment, the rotation mechanism can be configured by rotatably connecting the arm and the head portion with a rotary joint.

[0015] Furthermore, in this specific embodiment, a projection is provided on either the arm or the head portion, and on the other of the arm or the head portion Wider than the aforementioned protrusion By forming a recess and fitting the projection into the recess, the rotation angle of the hook can be limited. According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the hook from tilting significantly when it is free.

[0016] Furthermore, the aforementioned hook portion is The lower surface of the head portion rests on the surface of the paper stack, allowing it to be made parallel to the protruding edge together with the head portion.

[0017] Furthermore, in a different specific embodiment of the paper sheet separation device according to the present invention, the main body block and the protruding edge tip In the direction along Vertical and parallel to the top surface of the stack A slider for moving the main body block in the direction and , base An arm whose end is pivotally supported on the main body block and whose tip can rotate up and down, and the hooking part provided at the tip of the arm The rotation mechanism connects the main body block to the slider so that it can rotate about a direction perpendicular to the rough surface when the arm is lowered to the top surface of the stack. It is characterized by having the following features.

[0018] In another specific aspect of the paper sheet bundle separating device according to the present invention, when the main body block retreats while the hooking portion is hooked on the protruding edge, the arm rotates upward due to the reaction force from the protruding edge, and the paper sheet bundle is turned up. Moreover, since the hooking portion can also rotate by the rotation mechanism that rotates the arm, the hooking portion is Rotate tilted so that the hooking of the hooking portion is improved.

[0019] Yet another aspect of the paper sheet bundle separating device according to the present invention is characterized by including a pressing pad that presses the surface of the paper sheet bundle near the hooking portion before the hooking portion hooks the protruding edge, and releases the paper sheet bundle before the hooking portion turns up the paper sheet bundle. According to such an aspect, it is possible to press the surface of the paper sheet bundle with the pressing pad to correct the warp of the paper sheets and keep them parallel, or to vent air between the paper sheets and then turn up the paper sheet bundle.

[0020] Incidentally, the means for solving the above problems in the present invention has features obtained by appropriately combining the above-described components, and the present invention enables many variations by such combinations of components. In addition, in this specification, a calendar is taken as an example of the paper sheet bundle for explanation, but it is of course applicable to pamphlets and other printed materials.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the stack. FIG. 1(b) is a plan view of the paper sheet bundle. FIG. 1(c) is a side view showing an enlarged part of a set of paper sheet bundles.

[0022] [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic front view showing the stack placed on the lifting device. FIG. 2(b) is a schematic plan view showing the position of the stack on the lifting device and the surrounding equipment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the paper sheet bundle separating device according to an embodiment of the present invention and the surrounding equipment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the paper sheet separation device and temporary holding unit of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the page-turning unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the above-mentioned page-turning unit. [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) is an exploded perspective view showing the head, arm tip, and hook of the above-mentioned flipping unit. Figures 7(b), (c), and (d) are cross-sectional, rear, and bottom views of the head unit body. [Figure 8] Figure 8(a) is a front view of the head section. Figure 8(b) is a front view of the head section with the clamping plate removed. Figure 8(c) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the head section and the tip of the arm. [Figure 9] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are front views showing the rotation state of the head portion. [Figure 10] Figures 10(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the engagement of the protruding edge with the hooking portion in the non-rotating head portion. Figure 10(c) is a schematic diagram showing the engagement of the protruding edge with the hooking portion in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figures 11(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing a portion of a paper sheet bundle with its leading edge separated. Figure 11(c) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a paper sheet bundle pressed down by a pressure pad. [Figure 12] Figure 12(a) is a front view showing the end lifting device and side support plate. Figure 12(b) is a perspective view showing the end lifting device with the table lowered. Figure 12(c) is a perspective view showing the end lifting device with the table raised. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a schematic side view showing the clamp section of the paper sheet bundle extraction device. [Figure 14] Figures 14(a) to (c) are explanatory diagrams showing the action of pressing down the stack of paper sheets with a pressure pad. [Figure 15]Figures 15(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the end-lifting device. Figure 15(c) is an explanatory diagram showing how the hooking part of the flip-up unit hooks onto the protruding edge. In Figure 15(c), a part of it is shown in enlargement. [Figure 16] Figure 16(a) is an explanatory diagram showing how the paper stack is being turned up by the flipping unit. Figure 16(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how the paper stack is sandwiched between the flipping unit and the lower support plate after the paper stack has been released. Figure 16(c) is a diagram illustrating the operation of the temporary holding unit. [Figure 17] Figures 17(a) to (c) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of carrying the flipped-up stack of paper sheets to the discharge side by a paper sheet stack extraction device, and tucking the ends of the paper sheet stack between the table and the cushioning material. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a perspective view showing a page-turning unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0024] (Overall explanation) The following describes one embodiment of the present invention. First, a stack composed of multiple bundles of paper sheets and its delivery method will be described. In the calendar manufacturing process, multiple sheets are printed on a single base sheet (printing process), each base sheet is cut into individual calendar prints (cutting process), and the cover and calendar prints for each month are manufactured. Next, the cover and the calendar prints for January to December are arranged in order and collated to form a bundle of paper sheets.

[0025] Figure 1(b) is a plan view of a paper sheet stack 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(c) is a side view showing an enlarged view of the binding edge side of the paper sheet stack 11. The paper sheet stack 11 is made by collating a cover and calendar printed materials (paper sheets) 12a and 12b for January to December. One end of each printed material is a binding edge 13 for binding with strips (not shown), and the remaining area 14 is printed with the cover design, a calendar of the seven days of the week for each month, the company name, etc. The bottom (back) printed material 12b is slightly longer than the other printed materials 12a. Therefore, when the ends opposite the binding edge are aligned, as shown in Figures 1(b) and (c), the edge of the bottom printed material 12b protrudes by δ from the edge of the other printed materials 12a on the binding edge side. The optimal value for the protrusion length δ of this protruding edge 15 is about 1 mm, although this depends on the thickness of the printed materials 12a and 12b. Since the protruding edge 15 is provided on the binding side, the protruding edge 15 can be hidden by attaching a strip of paper to the binding portion.

[0026] Multiple stacks of paper sheets 11 are stacked on a stage (pallet) 17 (see Figure 2) to form a stack 16. The paper sheets 11 are stacked with their backs and one side aligned, and as shown in Figure 1(a), a protruding edge 15 protrudes from the bottom of each paper sheet 11 at the end face of the stack 16.

[0027] At the calendar binding area, stacks of paper sheets 11 are brought in as stacks 16 on a stage 17. The stacks 16, along with the stage 17, are set on the lifting device. Figure 2(a) is a schematic front view showing the stacks 16 placed on the lifter 18 of the lifting device, and Figure 2(b) is a schematic top view thereof. In the following description, the stacks 16 are placed with their protruding edges 15 facing forward, and the top stack of paper sheets 11 is pulled out to the right (direction P shown in Figure 2(b)). Therefore, the stacks of paper sheets 11 are pulled out in the width direction, that is, in the direction parallel to the shorter side, so the distance the stacks of paper sheets 11 travel is shortened, which in turn shortens the waiting time for the separation device 31 and increases the processing speed.

[0028] The lifter 18, which supports the stack 16 and the stage 17, moves up and down by the power of a motor. When a height sensor (not shown) detects a decrease in the height of the top surface of the stack, the lifter 18 lifts the stack to a predetermined height.

[0029] Reference numeral 22 in Figure 2(b) indicates a backing plate. The backing plate 22 has a height greater than the maximum height of the stack 16, and by bringing the back of each sheet of paper 11 into contact with the backing plate 22, the end face opposite the binding allowance of each sheet of paper 11 is aligned.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), a side support plate 21 and an end lifting device 110 are positioned on the right side of the stack 16. The stack 16 is aligned by bringing the right side of each paper sheet bundle 11 into contact with the side support plate 21.

[0031] The end-lifting device 110 is equipped with a horizontal, elongated table 111, from which vertical wall sections 115 extend downward from the side ends of the table 111. The table 111 can be raised and lowered by an actuator 112.

[0032] The table 111 pushes up the end of the paper stack 11 that is pulled out onto it, and can sandwich the end of the paper stack 11 between itself and the cushioning material 113 positioned above it. The overhang 115 is combined with the upper part of the side backing plate 21, and together with the side backing plate 21, aligns the sides of the stack 16.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2(b) and 3, a separation device 31 is positioned above the left front of the stack 16. The separation device 31 comprises a flipping unit 32 for flipping up the end of the paper bundle 11, a lower support plate 61 inserted beneath the flipped paper bundle 11, and a pressing pad 71 for pressing down on the paper bundle 11 from above, all of which are integrally configured. Near the separation device 31, a temporary holding unit 81 is provided on the left side of the stack 16 to temporarily hold down the end of the stack 16. To the right of the separation device 31, a paper bundle pulling device 91 is provided to grasp the separated paper bundle 11 and pull it out to the right. These structures will be described in detail below.

[0034] (separation device) First, a separation device 31 for lifting and separating the ends of a bundle of paper sheets 11 will be described. This device is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The separation device 31 has a lifting unit 32, a lower support plate 61, a pressing pad 71, and actuators that drive each of them. A rail 34a extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the rear side of the drive unit 33, and a slider 34b is mounted on this rail 34a. The slider 34b is moved along the rail 34a by an actuator provided inside the drive unit 33. The base end of the lifting unit 32 is fixed to this slider 34b.

[0035] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the flip-up unit 32, and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view thereof. The base end of the arm 36 is rotatably connected to the bifurcated main body block 35. Specifically, a through hole 38a is provided in the base end of the arm 36, and a shaft 39 that passes through this through hole 38a is fitted into a through hole 38b in the main body block 35, so that the base end of the arm 36 is rotatably supported by the main body block 35. The arm 36 swings up and down around the shaft 39, but downward rotation is restricted when the tip is slightly below the horizontal plane.

[0036] A head portion 40 is provided at the tip of the arm 36. A hook portion 37 is securely held by the head portion 40. The hook portion 37 is made of metal material for wear resistance. A rough surface 37a, for example, a rough surface with fine irregularities that provides high friction, is formed on the back of the hook portion 37 for hooking onto the protruding edge 15 of the paper sheet bundle 11. A piece of metal file with an appropriate coarseness can be used as the hook portion 37.

[0037] As mentioned in the prior application, sandpaper and backing material can also be used for the hook portion 37. Alternatively, a resin sheet with fine needle-like protrusions on its surface, a flexible resin sheet, or flocked tape like that used in magic fasteners can be used. However, a metal plate with a rough surface is preferred in terms of wear resistance and anti-slip properties, and sandpaper is preferred in terms of cost.

[0038] The page-turning unit 32 moves back and forth on the top surface of the stack of paper sheets 11, so that friction does not damage the surface of the paper sheets or the printed surface. Specifically, a sled plate 59a is fixed to the underside of the main body block 35, and its underside is covered with a liner 59b made of a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as a fluororesin (for example, polytetrafluoroethylene). As a result, the page-turning unit 32 moves smoothly over the stack 16, so that it does not damage the stack of paper sheets 11 or its printed surface.

[0039] The head portion 40 consists of a head body 41 and a clamping plate 42. A hook mounting surface 43 for supporting the hook portion 37 is formed on the front surface of the head body 41, and a protrusion 44 protrudes from its side end. The protruding length of the protrusion 44 is slightly shorter than the thickness of the hook portion 37. A female screw hole 45 is provided on the front surface of the head body 41.

[0040] The hook portion 37 is sandwiched between the hook member mounting surface 43 and the metal clamping plate 42. The end of the clamping plate 42 abuts against or faces the convex portion 44, and the hook portion 37 is firmly held between the clamping plate 42 and the hook portion mounting surface 43 by tightening a screw 47 passed through the hole 46 of the clamping plate 42 into the female screw hole 45. The hook portion 37 is held in the head portion 40 with its rough surface 37a facing the arm, and the lower end of the hook portion 37 protrudes slightly downward from the lower surface of the head portion body 41 (slightly longer than the thickness L of the paper sheet stack 11). If the hook portion 37 is worn, it can be replaced by loosening the clamping plate 42.

[0041] The head portion 40 is rotatably attached to the tip of the arm 36 via a rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism is composed of a rotary joint as described below (see Figures 7 and 8). A female screw hole 48 is formed on the tip surface of the arm 36, and two-stage holes consisting of a small diameter hole 49a and a large diameter hole 49b are provided at opposing positions on the head portion body 41. The two-stage holes are positioned to pass approximately through the center of gravity of the head portion 40 that holds the hook portion 37. As shown in Figure 8(c), a cylindrical sleeve 50 is placed in the small diameter hole 49a, a screw 51 placed in the large diameter hole 49b is inserted through the sleeve 50, and screwed into the female screw hole 48 of the arm 36, thereby forming a rotary joint. The head portion 40 is connected to the tip of the arm 36 by this rotary joint, and can rotate smoothly around a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the arm 36 even with a small force. Therefore, the hook portion 37 is rotatable together with the head portion 40 around an axial direction that extends substantially perpendicular to its rough surface 37a.

[0042] Furthermore, in order to improve the engagement of the hook portion 37 with the protruding edge 15, the hook portion 37 may be mounted at an angle so that it approaches the arm side as it moves towards the lower end. Therefore, the rotation axis does not need to be perpendicular to the rough surface in a strict sense, but it is sufficient if it is roughly oriented perpendicular to the rough surface.

[0043] The head portion 40 is connected to the tip of the arm 36 via a rotation mechanism, but at the same time, a rotation angle limiting means is provided to prevent the head portion 40 from rotating at a large angle. The rotation angle limiting means has a structure as shown in Figures 7 and 8, for example. A cylindrical projection 52 protrudes from the end face of the arm 36 near the female screw hole 48. On the other hand, an arc-shaped recess 53 is recessed on the back surface of the head portion body 41 at a position opposite to the projection 52. The center of the arc along the recess 53 coincides with the center of the small-diameter hole 49a. As shown in Figure 8(c), the projection 52 on the arm side is housed in the recess 53 on the head portion side. However, to prevent friction from hindering the rotation of the head portion body 41, the protruding length of the projection 52 is shorter than the depth of the recess 53, and the diameter of the projection 52 is smaller than the width of the arc-shaped recess 53.

[0044] Because such a rotation angle limiting mechanism is provided, the head portion 40 does not tilt significantly, and rotates only up to the point where the projection 52 contacts the edge of the recess 53, as shown in Figures 9(a) and (b). Note that the rotation angle limiting mechanism only needs to be able to limit the rotation angle of the head portion 40, so the shape of the recess is not limited to an arc shape.

[0045] Without such a rotation angle limiting mechanism, there is a risk that the head unit 40 may rotate significantly due to some external force while it is free and detached from the surface of the paper stack 11. If the head unit 40 rotates too much and, for example, becomes sideways, the lower surface of the head unit 40 will not rest on the paper stack 11 when the turn-up unit 32 descends onto the paper stack 11. In this embodiment, such problems are prevented by providing a rotation angle limiting mechanism.

[0046] As shown in Figures 7(b) to 7(d) and Figure 8(c), the lower surface of the head body 41 has a flat surface 54 at its front end and an inclined surface 55 behind it. The inclined surface 55 slopes diagonally downward toward the flat surface 54. The width direction (contour lines) of the flat surface 54 and the inclined surface 55 are perpendicular to the vertical direction of the hook portion 37 when viewed from the front. Since the head portion 40 rotates, when the lower surface of the head body 41 rests on the surface of the paper stack 11, the lower surface of the head portion 40 becomes parallel to the surface of the paper stack 11. Therefore, the hook portion 37 is kept parallel to the surface of the paper stack 11 at its lower edge (or the vertical direction of the hook portion 37 becomes perpendicular to the surface of the paper stack 11). In particular, within the angles shown in Figures 9(a) and (b), even if the stack of paper sheets 11 is tilted, when the flipping unit 32 descends and the lower surface of the head unit body 41 rests on top of the stack of paper sheets 11, the lower surface of the head unit body 41 becomes parallel to the surface of the stack of paper sheets 11, and the width direction of the hooking portion 37 also becomes parallel to the surface of the stack of paper sheets 11.

[0047] Figures 10(a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating the operation and effect of this flipping unit 32. Figures 10(a) and (b) show the state when the protruding edge 15 of the curved paper stack 11 is hooked by the hooking part 37 when the head part 40 does not rotate. Figure 10(c) shows the state when the protruding edge 15 of the curved paper stack 11 is hooked by the hooking part 37 in an embodiment of the present invention in which the head part 40 rotates.

[0048] If the head unit 40 does not rotate, the paper stack 11 may be curved, causing a portion of the protruding edge 15 to extend below the hooking portion 37 and fail to catch (if the rough surface extends downwards, it may catch on the second layer of paper stack), making it difficult to properly flip up the paper stack 11. Also, if the head unit 40 does not rotate, the paper stack 11 may be curved, causing the position where the hooking portion 37 catches the protruding edge 15 to be shifted vertically, as shown in Figure 10(b). Different vertical positions in the hooking portion 37 result in different pressure and frictional forces with the protruding edge 15 (because the arm 36 rotates, the protruding edge 15 does not necessarily hit the rough surface 37a perpendicularly), which can make it difficult for the protruding edge 15 to catch.

[0049] In contrast, in the flipping unit 32 of this embodiment, even when the stack of paper sheets 11 is curved, the head portion 40 can rotate, so as shown in Figure 10(c), the head portion 40 rests on the surface of the stack of paper sheets 11 and tilts, causing the hook portion 37 and the protruding edge 15 to become parallel, and the protruding edge 15 to be lifted uniformly. but Yes, it is possible. As a result, when flipping up the stack of paper sheets 11, the risk of the flipped-up stack of paper sheets 11 falling off before the lower support plate 61 receives the lower surface of the stack of paper sheets 11 is reduced, and it becomes possible to reliably flip up the stack of paper sheets 11.

[0050] Furthermore, the stacks of paper sheets 11 piled on the stage 17 are curved most at the top and less at the bottom, with no curve at all in the stack of paper sheets 11 directly above the stage 17 (see Figure 2(a)). Even in this situation, the flipping unit 32 of this embodiment gradually corrects the angle of the hook portion 37 in accordance with the change in the degree of curvature of the stack of paper sheets 11.

[0051] The flipping unit 32, having the structure described above, is fixed to the slider 34b on the side of the main body block 35. Therefore, when the actuator in the drive unit 33 is driven, the flipping unit 32 moves back and forth together with the slider 34b.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4, the drive unit 33 is supported by the lower end of a rod 57 that extends downward from the upper lifting actuator 56. Therefore, the drive unit 33 can be raised and lowered by the lifting actuator 56, which in turn raises and lowers the flipping unit 32 and the lower support plate 61.

[0053] The end of a horizontally extending support plate 72 is fixed to the rod 57, and an actuator 73 is provided on the lower surface of the tip of the horizontal support plate 72. A rod 74 extends downward from the actuator 73, and a pressure pad 71 is provided at its lower end to press down on the surface of the stack of paper sheets 11, correct the curvature of the paper sheets to keep them parallel, and allow air to escape between the paper sheets. The lower surface of the pressure pad 71 is flat. The pressure pad 71 is normally raised and waiting, but when the actuator 73 is driven, it moves downward and can press down on the surface of the stack of paper sheets 11.

[0054] As shown in Figure 11(a) or (b), the edges of the paper stack 11 may be frayed, or air may be trapped between the paper leaves. When such phenomena occur, the paper-flipping unit 32 may not be able to properly flip up the paper stack 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, before lowering the paper-flipping unit 32 to flip up the paper stack 11, the pressure pad 71 is lowered to press down on the surface of the paper stack 11 near the paper-flipping unit 32. As shown in Figure 11(c), by pressing down with the pressure pad 71, the frayed edges of the paper stack can be aligned parallel to each other, or air trapped between the paper leaves can be expelled, so that the paper-flipping operation by the paper-flipping unit 32 can be performed more reliably. The pressure pad 71 is raised before lowering the paper-flipping unit 32 to flip up the paper stack 11, releasing the paper stack 11.

[0055] However, depending on the condition of the paper stack, this may not be necessary, in which case the operation of the pressure pad 71 may be stopped.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, a rail 62a extending in the front-to-back direction is provided on the front side of the drive unit 33, and a slider 62b is mounted on the rail 62a. The slider 62b is moved back and forth along the rail 34a by an actuator provided inside the drive unit 33. The base end of the lower support plate 61 is fixed to the underside of the slider 34b, and its tip is a horizontal plate. When the slider 34b is moved back and forth by the actuator inside the drive unit, the lower support plate 61 also moves back and forth. The lower support plate 61 is waiting in front of the flipping unit 32, but when the paper stack 11 is flipped up by the flipping unit 32, the lower support plate 61 moves below the head unit 40 and the paper stack 11. At this time, the flipping unit 32 slides forward to its fixed position and releases the stack of paper sheets 11, and simultaneously the lower support plate 61 receives the stack of paper sheets 11 released from the flipping unit 32 from below, sandwiching the stack of paper sheets 11 between itself and the flipping unit 32. In this way, the set of paper sheets 11 separated from the stack 16 is held between the flipping unit 32 and the lower support plate 61, and is held in place without falling even when the lower support plate 61 rises.

[0057] (End lifting device) An end lifting device 110 and a side support plate 21 are provided on the unloading side of the installation position of the stack 16. Figure 12(a) is a schematic front view of the end lifting device 110 and the side support plate 21, and Figures 12(b) and (c) are perspective views showing a part thereof. The side support plate 21 is made up of multiple vertical flat plates 24 connected in a slatted manner by connecting plates 23. The end lifting device 110 is equipped with a horizontal table 111 that extends front to back, and a vertical wall portion 115 is vertically installed downward from the edge of the table 111. The vertical wall portion 115 has multiple recessed portions 116 and is comb-shaped, with the upper parts of the vertical flat plates 24 fitting into the recessed portions 116. The table 111 is raised and lowered by an actuator 112.

[0058] The surface of the side support plate 21 and the surface of the overhanging wall portion 115 are flush, and they abut against the side of the stack 16, aligning the sides of the stack 16. The side support plate 21 is fixed, but the table 111 can be raised and lowered. As shown in Figure 12(b), when the table 111 is lowered, the top surface of the table 111 is at the same height as the top surface of the stack 16, or slightly lower. Also, as shown in Figure 12(c), when the table 111 is raised, the table 111 and the overhanging wall portion 115 protrude above the top surface of the stack 16. Even when the table 111 is raised or lowered, the flushness of the side support plate 21 and the overhanging wall portion 115 is maintained. Therefore, by raising the table 111, the vertical surface for aligning the sides of the stack 16 can be extended upward.

[0059] Furthermore, a paper stack holder 114 is fixed above the table 111, and a cushioning material 113 made of sponge or felt is attached to the underside of the paper stack holder 114.

[0060] Therefore, when the table 111 is at the same height as the top surface of the stack 16, the end of the paper bundle 11 can be pulled out onto the top surface of the table 111. Then, when the table 111 is raised, the end of the paper bundle 11 can be tucked between the table 111 and the cushioning material 114.

[0061] (Operation of the separation device and pressure pad) The operation of the separation device 31 and the end lifting device 110 is explained with reference to Figures 14(a)-(c), 15(a)-(c), and 16(a)(b). Figure 14(a) shows the state immediately after a set of paper sheets 11 has been pulled out. In this state, the flipping unit 32 is in the upper position and away from the top surface of the stack 16. The arm 36 is tilted and its front end is slightly lowered and stopped. The hooking part 37 is slightly in front of the front end surface of the stack 16. Also, the lower support plate 61 is recessed in front of the front end surface of the stack 16. The table 111 is lowered as shown in Figure 15(a).

[0062] First, the position of the top surface of the stack 16 is measured, and if that position is lower than the predetermined position, the lifting device raises the stack 16 to the standard position. Next, as shown in Figure 14(b), the pressure pad 71 descends and presses down on the top surface of the paper bundle 11 near the flipping unit 32, correcting the scattered paper bundle 11 to make it parallel and aligning it, and expelling any air trapped between the paper sheets. As mentioned above, the operation of the pressure pad 71 may be omitted.

[0063] Once the straightening operation of the paper stack 11 is complete, the pressing pad 71 rises back to its original position, as shown in Figure 14(c). Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 15(b), the table 111 and the vertical wall portion 115 rise and protrude above the upper surface of the stack 16. Then, the flipping unit 32 descends to its lower position.

[0064] When the flipping unit 32 descends to its lowest position, the lower surface (liner 59b) of the main body block 35 rests on the surface of the paper stack 11. The head unit 40 also rests on the surface of the paper stack 11, but since the head unit 40 is rotatable, if the paper stack 11 is curved, the head unit 40 and the hooking unit 37 tilt to be parallel to the paper stack 11 (see Figure 10(c)).

[0065] Next, when the flipping unit 32, which is resting on the stack of paper sheets 11, is moved backward, the rough surface 37a of the hook portion 37 comes into contact with the protruding edge 15 of the uppermost stack of paper sheets 11 and catches on it, as shown in Figure 15(c). As the flipping unit 32 moves further backward, an upward moment is generated in the arm 36 due to the reaction force from the protruding edge 15. Due to this moment, as shown in Figure 16(a), the arm 36 rotates upward, and the end of the uppermost stack of paper sheets 11, which is hooked onto the hook portion 37, is flipped upward, and the uppermost stack of paper sheets 11 is lifted from the stack 16.

[0066] At this time, the rear end of the stack of paper sheets 11, whose left end is being flipped up, is in contact with the back support plate 22, and its right end is in contact with the rising vertical wall portion 115, so that the stack of paper sheets 11 is less likely to shift (effectively prevented from shifting) when being flipped up.

[0067] When the end of the paper stack 11 is lifted by the flipping unit 32, the lower support plate 61, which was waiting in front, moves below the paper stack 11. Then, as the flipping unit 32 moves forward, the hook portion 37 separates from the protruding edge 15. As a result, the end of the paper stack 11 falls onto the lower support plate 61, and the head portion 40 (or arm 36) rests on top of the paper stack 11, and as shown in Figure 16(b), the end of the paper stack 11 is held in place, sandwiched between the head portion 40 (or arm 36) and the lower support plate 61.

[0068] (Temporary holding unit) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a temporary holding unit 81 is positioned on the left side of the stack 16. The temporary holding unit 81 is equipped with a plate 82 for holding down the ends of the paper stack 11. An air nozzle 83 for forcefully blowing air is provided on the upper surface of the plate 82. The plate 82 can be raised and lowered by a lifting actuator 84. The lifting actuator 84 can also be moved horizontally by a horizontal actuator 85. Therefore, the plate 82 moves left and right by the horizontal actuator 85 and up and down by the lifting actuator 84.

[0069] (Operation of the temporary holding unit) As shown in Figure 16(b), after the end of the paper bundle 11 is sandwiched between the head portion 40 and the lower support plate 61, the plate 82 protrudes downward from the paper bundle 11 that has been flipped up by the horizontal actuator 85, as shown in Figure 16(c). The plate 82 that has protruded downward from the paper bundle 11 is lowered by the lifting actuator 84, and firmly holds and fixes the left end of the paper bundle 11 below the flipped-up paper bundle 11. Almost simultaneously, air is discharged from the air nozzle 83. Discharging air between the paper bundles 11 eliminates the possibility of the upper and lower paper bundles 11 sticking together due to static electricity, etc.

[0070] (Paper sheet dispenser) The structure of the paper sheet bundle dispensing device 91 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 13. Above the installation position of the stack 16, a rail 92 is arranged parallel (horizontally) to the transport direction of the paper sheet bundle 11. A reciprocating slider 93 is provided on the rail 92. The turntable 94 is rotated in one direction by a motor (not shown). The turntable 94 and the reciprocating slider 93 are connected by a slider link mechanism 95, and the rotational motion of the turntable 94 is converted into the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating slider 93 by the slider link mechanism 95.

[0071] A clamping section 96 is held on the lower surface of the reciprocating slider 93. The clamping section 96 reciprocates in the direction of transporting the paper bundle 11 due to the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating slider 93. Figure 13 is a side view showing the structure of the clamping section 96. The upper surface of the back wall 97 is fixed to the lower surface of the reciprocating slider 93, and a drive unit 98, such as an air actuator, is provided on the front side of the back wall 97. The vertical support plate 99 is connected to the rod 106 of the drive unit 98, and a lower clamping plate 100 for gripping the paper bundle 11 from below is provided at the lower end of the sliding plate 99. Therefore, when the drive unit 98 is driven, the lower clamping plate 100 moves back and forth along the guide rod 105 together with the vertical support plate 99. In addition, a lifting drive unit 107 is provided on the back of the vertical support plate 99, and an upper clamping section 103 for gripping the upper surface of the paper bundle 11 is provided at the lower end of the rod 108 of the lifting drive unit 107. An elastic member 104 made of a rubber material such as white amber rubber is attached to the lower surface of the upper clamp portion 103 to protect the printed surface of the paper sheet bundle 11.

[0072] Therefore, by raising and lowering the upper clamp portion 103, the edge of the paper bundle 11 can be clamped between the elastic member 104 and the lower clamp plate 100, or released. Also, by moving the vertical support plate 99 back and forth with the drive unit 98, the upper clamp portion 103 and the lower clamp plate 100 can be inserted above or below the lifted paper bundle 11, or removed from above or below the paper bundle 11.

[0073] (Operation of the paper sheet dispenser) Figures 17(a) to 17(c) illustrate the operation of the paper sheet pull-out device 91 and the end-lifting device 110 (the vertical support plate 99 is partially cut off). The clamp unit 96 is waiting at the left end of the moving section. As shown in Figure 16(c), when the paper sheet bundle 11 is held between the flipping unit 32 and the lower support plate 61, and the end of the stack 16 is held in place by the plate 82, the table 111 descends to a position lower than the top surface of the stack 16, as shown in Figure 17(a). Next, the clamp unit 96 advances its vertical support plate 99 to insert the lower clamp plate 100 under the paper sheet bundle 11 and moves the upper clamp unit 103 over the paper sheet bundle 11. Subsequently, the upper clamp unit 103 is lowered to clamp the front end of the paper sheet bundle 11 between the upper clamp unit 103 (elastic member 104) and the lower clamp plate 100. When the flipping unit 32 releases the stack of paper sheets 11, it moves the reciprocating slider 93 to the right, carrying the stack of paper sheets 11 (for example, about 1 / 4 of the width of the stack of paper sheets 11) as shown in Figure 17(b). At this time, the rear end of the stack of paper sheets 11 is guided by the back support plate 22 to prevent it from tilting. The side edges of the carried stack of paper sheets 11 are placed on the descending table 111.

[0074] The upper stack of paper sheets 11 is pulled out to the right by the paper sheet drawer 91, but the lower stack of paper sheets 11 (stack 16) is held down by the plate 82, preventing the lower stack of paper sheets 11 from being dragged and shifted by the upper stack of paper sheets 11.

[0075] When the side edges of the paper stack 11 are placed on the table 111, as shown in Figure 17(c), the table 111 rises to hold the side edges of the paper stack 11 between the cushioning material 114 and the table 111. After this, the upper clamp 103 rises to release the paper stack 11, and the vertical support plate 99 retracts, moving the lower clamp plate 100 and the upper clamp 103 away from the stack 16. Next, the reciprocating slider 93 is moved to the left to return the clamp 96 to its original standby position.

[0076] Although not shown, the edges of the paper bundle 11, which are sandwiched between the table 111 and the cushioning material 113, are then grasped by a chucking device (not shown) and completely removed from the stack 16. Once the paper bundle 11 is removed from the table 11, the table 11 lowers. (Note that after the paper bundle 11 has been removed, it is also acceptable to keep the table 11 raised as shown in Figure 15(b) instead of lowering it as shown in Figure 15(a).)

[0077] (Another embodiment) Figure 18 shows a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the hook portion 37 is sandwiched and fixed between the tip surface of the arm 36 and the clamping plate 42. That is, in this embodiment, the portion 40a corresponding to the head portion 40 of the previous embodiment is formed integrally with the arm 36.

[0078] One side 121a of the L-shaped fixing bracket 121 is fixed in surface contact with the slider 34b, while the other side 121b protrudes perpendicularly from the side of the slider 34b. The end face of the main body block 35 is connected to the front surface of this perpendicular side 121b via a rotary joint 123. Therefore, in this embodiment, the entire flip-up unit 32 can rotate freely around the rotation axis of the rotary joint 123. As a result, when the hooking portion 37 is hooked onto the protruding edge 15, the hooking portion 37 can rotate about an axial direction that is substantially perpendicular to its rough surface 37a.

[0079] A projection 125 extends from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating part 123b (or fixed part 123a) between a pair of protrusions 124 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the fixed part 123a (or rotating part 123b) of the rotary joint 123. This constitutes a rotation angle limiting means. In other words, the range of movement of the projection 125 is limited to the space between the protrusions 124, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the rotating part 123b.

[0080] In this embodiment, since the entire flipping unit 32 is rotatable, the direction in which the arm 36 rotates becomes perpendicular to the surface of the paper stack 11, and the paper stack 11 is flipped up in a direction perpendicular to its surface. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 11...Paper sheet bundle, 15...Protruding edge, 16...Stack, 31...Separation device, 32...Flip unit, 35...Main body block, 36...Arm, 37...Hooking part, 39...Shaft, 40...Head part, 41...Head part body, 42...Clamping plate, 48...Female screw hole, 49a...Small diameter hole, 49b...Large diameter hole, 50...Sleeve, 51...Screw, 52...Protrusion, 53...Recess, 55...Inclined surface, 61...Lower support plate, 71...Pressing pad, 81...Temporary holding unit, 82...Plate, 83...Air nozzle, 91...Paper sheet bundle pull-out device, 96...Clamp part, 100...Lower clamp plate, 103...Upper clamp part, 104...Elastic member, 110...End lifting device, 111...Table, 114...Cushioning material, 115...Overhanging wall part.

Claims

1. A paper sheet separation device for separating a predetermined number of paper sheet bundles from a stack of multiple bundles of paper sheets, the stack being composed of multiple paper sheets, A hooking portion having a rough surface for flipping up the edge of the paper stack, which is positioned to intersect and hook onto the protruding edge of the paper leaf at the bottom of each stack of paper leaves, A rotation mechanism that allows the hook portion to rotate about a direction perpendicular to the rough surface, A paper sheet separation device characterized by having the following features.

2. The paper sheet separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a rotation angle limiting means for limiting the rotation angle of the hook portion.

3. A main body block that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction along the tip of the protruding edge and parallel to the upper surface of the stack, An arm whose base end is pivotally supported by the main body block and whose tip can rotate up and down, A head portion rotatably coupled to the arm via the aforementioned rotation mechanism, Equipped with, The paper sheet separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hook portion is held by the head portion.

4. The paper sheet separation device according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotation mechanism is configured by rotatably connecting the arm and the head portion with a rotary joint.

5. The paper sheet separation device according to claim 4, characterized in that a projection is provided on either the arm or the head portion, a recess wider than the projection is formed on the other of the arm or the head portion, and the rotation angle of the hook portion is limited by housing the projection in the recess.

6. The paper sheet separation device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower surface of the head portion rests on the surface of the paper sheet bundle, so that the hook portion becomes parallel to the protruding edge together with the head portion.

7. The main block and A slider for moving the main body block in a direction perpendicular to the direction along the tip of the protruding edge and parallel to the top surface of the stack, An arm whose base end is pivotally supported by the main body block and whose tip can rotate up and down, The hook portion provided at the tip of the arm, The rotation mechanism connects the main body block to the slider such that, when the arm is lowered to the upper surface of the stack, the main body block can rotate about a direction perpendicular to the rough surface, A paper sheet separation device according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the following:

8. A paper sheet separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a pressing pad that presses the surface of the paper sheet bundle in the vicinity of the hooking portion before the hooking portion hooks the protruding edge, and releases the paper sheet bundle before the hooking portion flips up the paper sheet bundle.

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