U.S. patent application number 12/605488 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for sheet take-out apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Yukio Asari, Naruaki Hiramitsu, Yusuke Mitsuya, Yoshihiko Naruoka, Tetsuo Watanabe.
Application Number | 20100038840 12/605488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39943288 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100038840 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watanabe; Tetsuo ; et
al. |
February 18, 2010 |
SHEET TAKE-OUT APPARATUS
Abstract
A sheet take-out apparatus includes an insertion portion
configured to stack and insert a plurality of sheets in an upright
state, a supply structure configured to move the plurality of
inserted sheets in the stacking direction and supply a sheet at a
leading edge in a moving direction to a take-out position at one
end of the insertion portion, a take-out structure configured to
rotate in contact with the sheet supplied to the take-out position,
thereby take out the sheet in a direction almost perpendicular to
the stacking direction, and a suction structure configured to
permit an air current to act on the sheet, supplied to the take-out
position by the supply structure, at the leading edge in the moving
direction and absorb the sheet toward the take-out position.
Wherein the suction structure, so as to raise the fallen sheet at
the leading edge in the moving direction and permit it to face the
take-out structure, makes a flow rate of the air current acting on
the sheet different in a surface thereof.
Inventors: |
Watanabe; Tetsuo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Mitsuya; Yusuke; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) ;
Naruoka; Yoshihiko; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Asari;
Yukio; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Hiramitsu; Naruaki;
(Kanagawa-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39943288 |
Appl. No.: |
12/605488 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2008/000423 |
Mar 3, 2008 |
|
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12605488 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
271/3.22 ;
271/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 7/16 20130101; B65H
2511/214 20130101; B65H 2511/51 20130101; B65H 1/025 20130101; B65H
2701/1916 20130101; B65H 3/124 20130101; B65H 2515/212 20130101;
B65H 2511/515 20130101; B65H 2515/212 20130101; B65H 2511/214
20130101; B65H 2511/51 20130101; B65H 2220/03 20130101; B65H
2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/02 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101;
B65H 2511/515 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/3.22 ;
271/237 |
International
Class: |
B65H 83/00 20060101
B65H083/00; B65H 5/22 20060101 B65H005/22; B65H 9/08 20060101
B65H009/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2007 |
JP |
P2007-117323 |
Claims
1. A sheet take-out apparatus comprising: an insertion portion
configured to stack and insert a plurality of sheets in an upright
state; a supply structure configured to move the plurality of
inserted sheets in the stacking direction and supply a sheet at a
leading edge in a moving direction to a take-out position at one
end of the insertion portion; a take-out structure configured to
rotate in contact with the sheet supplied to the take-out position,
thereby take out the sheet in a direction almost perpendicular to
the stacking direction and horizontal direction; and a suction
structure configured to permit an air current to act on the sheet,
supplied to the take-out position by the supply structure, at the
leading edge in the moving direction and absorb the sheet toward
the take-out position, wherein the suction structure, so as to
raise the fallen sheet at the leading edge in the moving direction
and permit it to face the take-out structure, makes a flow rate of
the air current acting on the sheet, that is, a flow rate of an air
current acting on an upper side portion in a direction
perpendicular to the take-out direction of the sheet higher than a
flow rate of an air current acting on a lower side portion.
2. The sheet take-out apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the
supply structure supplies the sheet at the leading edge in the
moving direction toward the take-out position in a posture that the
upper end thereof is inclined toward an upstream side in the moving
direction; and the suction structure makes the flow rate of the air
current acting on the neighborhood of the upper end of the inclined
sheet at the leading edge in the moving direction higher than the
flow rate of the air current acting on the other part.
3. The sheet take-out apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
suction structure comprises: a conveying guide extended along the
take-out position and given many through holes; a suction chamber
opposite to an opening connected to the many holes on a back away
from the take-out position of the conveying guide; and a suction
apparatus configured to generate an air current to suck air in the
suction chamber and draw the sheet to the take-out position via the
many holes of the conveying guide, wherein the many holes of the
conveying guide are formed so that an opening area of the holes
opposite to the neighborhood of the upper end of the sheet supplied
to the take-out position is larger than an opening area of the
holes opposite to the other part.
4. The sheet take-out apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
suction structure comprises: a conveying guide extended along the
take-out position and given many through holes; a suction chamber
opposite to an opening connected to the many holes on a back away
from the take-out position of the conveying guide; and a suction
apparatus configured to generate an air current to suck air in the
suction chamber and draw the sheet to the take-out position via the
many holes of the conveying guide, wherein the many holes of the
conveying guide are formed so that density of the holes opposite to
the neighborhood of the upper end of the sheet supplied to the
take-out position is higher than density of the holes opposite to
the other part.
5. The sheet take-out apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
suction structure comprises: a conveying guide extended along the
take-out position and given many through holes; a suction chamber
opposite to an opening connected to the many holes on a back away
from the take-out position of the conveying guide; a suction
apparatus configured to generate an air current to suck air in the
suction chamber and draw the sheet to the take-out position via the
many holes of the conveying guide; and a partition wall configured
to specify an air flow path in the suction chamber, among the many
holes of the conveying guide, so as to suck air starting from the
holes opposite to the neighborhood of the upper end of the sheet
supplied to the take-out position and then suck slowly from the
lower holes.
6. A sheet take-out apparatus comprising: an insertion portion
configured to stack and insert a plurality of sheets in an upright
state; a supply structure configured to move the plurality of
inserted sheets in the stacking direction and supply a sheet at a
leading edge in a moving direction to a take-out position at one
end of the insertion portion; a take-out structure configured to
rotate in contact with the sheet supplied to the take-out position,
thereby take out the sheet in a direction almost perpendicular to
the stacking direction; a suction structure configured to permit an
air current to act on the sheet, supplied to the take-out position
by the supply structure, at the leading edge in the moving
direction and absorb the sheet toward the take-out position; and a
posture detection portion configured to detect the posture of the
sheet, supplied to the take-out position by the supply structure,
at the leading edge in the moving direction, wherein the suction
structure, according to detection results by the posture detection
portion, switches a position to permit the air current to act on
the sheet at the leading edge in the moving direction.
7. The sheet take-out apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
suction structure, so as to permit the air current to act on a part
where the sheet at the leading edge in the moving direction is away
from the take-out position and absorb the sheet to the take-out
position, switches the position where the air current acts on the
sheet according to the posture of the sheet.
8. A sheet take-out apparatus comprising: an insertion portion
configured to stack and insert a plurality of sheets in an upright
state; a supply structure configured to move the plurality of
inserted sheets in the stacking direction and supply a sheet at a
leading edge in a moving direction to a take-out position at one
end of the insertion portion; a take-out structure configured to
rotate in contact with the sheet supplied to the take-out position,
thereby take out the sheet in a direction almost perpendicular to
the stacking direction and lateral direction; and a suction
structure configured to permit an air current to act on the sheet,
supplied to the take-out position by the supply structure, at the
leading edge in the moving direction and absorb the sheet toward
the take-out position, wherein the supply structure supplies the
sheet at the leading edge in the moving direction toward the
take-out position in a posture that the upper end thereof is
inclined toward an upstream side in the moving direction; and the
suction structure, so as to permit the air current to act on an
upper part of the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the
take-out direction of the sheet supplied to the take-out position,
via holes formed in an upper part of the take-out structure,
permits the air current to act on a neighborhood of an upper end of
the inclined sheet at the leading edge in the moving direction,
raises the sheet, and permit it to face on the take-out
structure.
9. The sheet take-out apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
suction structure, via holes arranged under a position where the
take-out structure makes contact with the sheet supplied to the
take-out position, permits the air current to act also on a
neighborhood of a lower end of the sheet at the leading edge in the
moving direction.
10. The sheet take-out apparatus according to claim 9 further
comprising: a posture detection portion configured to detect a
posture of the sheet, supplied to the take-out position by the
supply structure, at the leading edge in the moving direction; and
a controller, on the basis of detection results of the posture
detection portion, configured to switch turning on or off the air
current acting on the sheet at the leading edge in the moving
direction via the upper holes of the suction structure and the air
current acting on the sheet at the leading edge in the moving
direction via the lower holes.
11. The sheet take-out apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
take-out structure comprises: a take-out belt having many absorbing
holes to make contact with the sheet supplied to the take-out
position and move in the almost horizontal direction; a negative
pressure generation structure configured to permit a negative
pressure to act on the sheet supplied to the take-out position and
absorb the sheet to the take-out belt; and a negative pressure
detection portion configured to detect the negative pressure by the
negative pressure generation structure, and the controller, on the
basis of the detection results of the posture detection portion and
the detection results of the negative pressure detection portion,
to switch turning on or off the air current acting on the sheet at
the leading edge in the moving direction via the upper holes of the
suction structure and the air current acting on the sheet at the
leading edge in the moving direction via the lower holes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2007-117323, filed on Apr. 26, 2007, and International Application
No. PCT/JP2008/000423, filed on Mar. 3, 2008; the entire contents
of all of which are incorporated herein by references.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sheet take-out apparatus
for taking out sheets in the stacking state one by one in the
surface direction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventionally, as an apparatus for taking out a plurality
of sheets in a stacking state one by one, a sheet processing
apparatus for moving the plurality of sheets in a stacking
direction, conveying a sheet at one end to a take-out position,
generating a negative pressure via holes of a belt standing by at
the take-out position, absorbing the sheet, moving the belt in this
state in a take-out direction, thereby taking out the absorbed
sheet in a surface direction is known (for example, refer to
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-335165).
[0004] The apparatus particularly detects the density of sheets
conveyed to the take-out position and controls the conveying speed
of the sheets conveyed to the take-out position according to the
density of sheets. By doing this, the sheet take-out operation is
stabilized and the processing efficiency is enhanced.
[0005] However, even if the sheet conveying speed is controlled
like this, it is entirely impossible that there are no tilt and gap
between sheets conveyed to the take-out position and the belt, thus
the sheets may not be absorbed stably to the belt, and the take-out
operation may be unstable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a sheet take-out
apparatus for stabilizing the sheet take-out operation and
enhancing the processing efficiency.
[0007] According to embodiments of the present invention, a sheet
take-out apparatus is provided, which comprises an insertion
portion configured to stack and insert a plurality of sheets in an
upright state; a supply structure configured to move the plurality
of inserted sheets in the stacking direction and supply a sheet at
a leading edge in a moving direction to a take-out position at one
end of the insertion portion; a take-out structure configured to
rotate in contact with the sheet supplied to the take-out position,
thereby take out the sheet in a direction almost perpendicular to
the stacking direction and lateral direction; and a suction
structure configured to permit an air current to act on the sheet,
supplied to the take-out position by the supply structure, at the
leading edge in the moving direction and absorb the sheet toward
the take-out position, wherein the suction structure, so as to
raise the fallen sheet at the leading edge in the moving direction
and permit it to face the take-out structure, makes a flow rate of
the air current acting on the sheet, that is, a flow rate of an air
current acting on an upper side portion in a direction
perpendicular to the take-out direction of the sheet higher than a
flow rate of an air current acting on a lower side portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the constitution of the
postal matter processing apparatus relating to the embodiments of
the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the constitution of the
take-out apparatus incorporated in the processing apparatus shown
in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the
constitution of the essential section of the take-out structure of
the take-out apparatus shown in FIG. 2 which is enlarged
partially;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the
state that the belt is removed from the constitution shown in FIG.
3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the
essential section of the suction structure incorporated in the
take-out apparatus shown in FIG. 2 which is enlarged partially;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view of the
essential section of the separation structure incorporated in the
take-out apparatus shown in FIG. 2 which is enlarged partially;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view of the
constitution shown in FIG. 6 which is cut along the cutaway line
VII-VII;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view for
explaining the behavior of the separation roller and postal matter
in the state that one postal matter is conveyed on the conveying
path;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view showing
one postal matter taken out on the conveying path in the bent
state;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the take-out apparatus
with the absorption chamber opposite to the separation roller
added;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view for
explaining the behavior of the separation roller and postal matter
in the state that two pieces of postal matter are conveyed on the
conveying path in the stacking state;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a schematic view for explaining the first control
state of the aiding structure;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a schematic view for explaining the second
control state of the aiding structure;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a schematic view for explaining the third control
state of the aiding structure;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a schematic view for explaining the fourth
control state of the aiding structure;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining the first to fourth
control operations by the aiding structure;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged view showing the take-out
belt having intermittent absorbing holes in the longitudinal
direction;
[0025] FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged view showing the take-out
belt having continuous absorbing holes in the longitudinal
direction;
[0026] FIG. 19 is an operation illustration for explaining the
operation by the suction structure;
[0027] FIG. 20 is an operation illustration for explaining the
operation by the suction structure;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing an embodiment
different in the opening area of the conveying guide holes of the
suction structure;
[0029] FIG. 22 is an operation illustration for explaining the
operation by the suction structure shown in FIG. 21;
[0030] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of
the suction structure shown in FIG. 21;
[0031] FIG. 24 is an operation illustration for explaining the
operation of the suction structure in another embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which
suction holes are formed in the guide of the take-out
structure;
[0033] FIG. 26 is a perspective view for explaining the
constitution for detecting the posture of postal matter supplied to
the take-out position;
[0034] FIG. 27 is a schematic view showing the hole opening and
closing structure attached to the conveying guide of the suction
structure;
[0035] FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view along the line V28-V28
shown in FIG. 27;
[0036] FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view showing the state that the
upper hole closing plate is moved to the open position by the hole
opening and closing structure shown in FIG. 27 and the lower hole
closing plate is moved to the closed position;
[0037] FIG. 30 is a cross sectional view showing the state that the
upper hole closing plate is moved to the closed position by the
hole opening and closing structure shown in FIG. 27 and the lower
hole closing plate is moved to the open position;
[0038] FIG. 31 is a flow chart for explaining the control operation
of the hole opening and closing structure shown in FIG. 27 on the
basis of the sensor output shown in FIG. 26;
[0039] FIG. 32 is a perspective view for explaining the
constitution for detecting the posture of postal matter supplied to
the take-out position;
[0040] FIG. 33 is a schematic view showing the hole opening and
closing structure for opening and closing the suction holes formed
in the guide of the take-out structure;
[0041] FIG. 34 is a schematic view showing the hole opening and
closing structure shown in FIG. 33;
[0042] FIG. 35 is a cross sectional view along the line V35 -V35
shown in FIG. 33;
[0043] FIG. 36 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view along
the line V36-V36 shown in FIG. 33;
[0044] FIG. 37 is a flow chart for explaining the control operation
of the hole opening and closing structure shown in FIG. 33;
[0045] FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing still another
embodiment of the suction structure shown in FIG. 23; and
[0046] FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing the suction structure
and take-out structure shown in FIG. 38.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will
be explained in detail with reference with the accompanying
drawings.
[0048] [EMBODIMENT 1] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the schematic
structure of a postal matter processing apparatus 100 (hereinafter,
referred to as just a processing apparatus 100) including a sheet
take-out apparatus I (hereinafter, referred to as just a take-out
apparatus 1) relating to the embodiments of the present invention.
The processing apparatus 100, in addition to the take-out apparatus
1, includes a discriminator 102, a rejection portion 104, a
switch-back portion 106, and a stacker 108. Further, sheets
processed by the processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment are
postal matter, though processed media (that is, sheets) are not
limited to postal matter.
[0049] Postal matter is set in the take-out apparatus 1 in the
stacking state and since the take-out apparatus 1 is operated as
described later, is taken out one by one onto a conveying path 101.
On the conveying path 101, a plurality of sets of endless conveying
belts not drawn are extended so as to hold the conveying path 101
and the postal matter is held and conveyed between the conveying
belts.
[0050] The postal matter taken out on the conveying path 101 passes
through the discriminator 102 and here, various information is read
from the postal matter. The discriminator 102, on the basis of the
read various information, discriminates the conveying posture and
sorting destination of the postal matter. Particularly, the
discriminator 102 reads the destination information such as the zip
code and address which are written on each postal matter and
discriminates the sorting destination.
[0051] The postal matter passing through the discriminator 102 is
distributed in the conveying direction thereof via a gate G1.
Namely, the postal matter which is discriminated as postal matter
to be rejected by the discriminator 102 is conveyed to the
rejection portion 104 via the gate G1 and the other postal matter
is conveyed to the stacker 108 via the gate G1.
[0052] At this time, when the discriminator 102 discriminates that
the concerned postal matter must be reversed in the conveying
direction, the postal matter is fed to the switch-back portion 106
via a gate G2 and the conveying direction is reversed here. The
postal matter which does not need to be reversed in the conveying
direction makes a detour to the switch-back portion 106 via the
gate G2 and is conveyed to the stacker 108.
[0053] The postal matter fed to the stacker 108 on the conveying
path 101 is sorted and stacked in a sorting and stacking pocket not
drawn according to the discrimination results by the discriminator
102. The postal matter sorted and stacked in each sorting and
stacking pocket is stacked in the state that the top and bottom
thereof are arranged properly.
[0054] FIG. 2 shows a plan view showing the take-out apparatus 1
relating the embodiments of the present invention which is viewed
from above. The take-out apparatus 1 includes an insertion portion
2 for inserting a plurality of sheets P in the stacking state, a
supply structure (described later) for moving the plurality of
inserted sheets P in the stacking direction and supplying the sheet
at the leading edge in the moving direction to a take-out position
20, a take-out structure 3 for feeding the postal matter P supplied
to the take-out position 20 in the surface direction thereof and
taking out it on a conveying path 10 which will be described later,
a suction structure 4 for taking out, among the postal matter
inserted via the insertion portion 2, the postal matter P at the
leading edge and sucking it toward the take-out position 20, a
separation structure 5 for separating the second and subsequent
postal matter P which are taken out following the postal matter P
taken out from the take-out position 20, an aiding structure 6 for
permitting a negative pressure to act on the postal matter P
supplied to the take-out position 20 on the upstream side of the
take-out structure 3, moving it in both forward and backward
directions, thereby aiding the take-out operation, and a conveying
structure 7 for pulling out the postal matter P passing through the
separation structure 5 at a slightly faster speed than the take-out
speed and conveying it toward the downstream side.
[0055] Further, the take-out apparatus 1 includes a sensor 11 for
detecting passing of the postal matter P taken out from the
take-out position 20 at one end of the insertion portion 2 onto the
conveying path 10 and a plurality of conveying guides 12 to 18. The
sensor 11 includes a light emission portion and a light receiving
portion so as to hold the conveying path 10 through which the
postal matter P passes and when the optical axis thereof is blocked
off by the postal matter P, detects passing of the concerned postal
matter P. In this embodiment, the sensors 11 are arranged in a
plurality of rows in the perpendicular direction to the sheet of
paper on which FIG. 2 is drawn or a line sensor composed of
elements lined up in the perpendicular direction to the sheet of
paper are arranged. Further, the plurality of conveying guides 12
to 18 guide the movement and conveyance thereof by making contact
with the end side and surface of the postal matter P.
[0056] Into the insertion portion 2, a plurality of postal mater P
are inserted together in the stacking state and in the upright
state. On the bottom of the insertion portion 2, two floor belts 8a
and 8b for permitting the lower end of each of the postal matter P
to make contact with them and moving it in the stacking direction
(the direction of an arrow F shown in FIG. 2) are arranged.
Further, among the plurality of postal matter P, at the position
facing the postal matter P at the trailing edge in the moving
direction, a backup plate 9 simply connected to the floor belt 8b
(one of the two) for moving in the direction of the arrow F in
cooperation with it, thereby supplying the postal matter P at the
leading edge in the moving direction to the take-out position 20 is
arranged. Namely, the two floor belts 8a and 8b and the backup
plate 9 function as a supply structure of the present
invention.
[0057] Further, the conveying guide 18 is extended to the position
for specifying one side of the insertion portion 2 in the direction
of the arrow F and guides the end side of each of the postal matter
P. Further, the conveying guides 12, 13, and 14 are arranged in
line with each other along the take-out position 20 on one end side
of the insertion portion 2, function so as to stop the postal
matter P at the leading edge in the moving direction which is
supplied in the direction of the arrow F at the take-out position
20, and function so as to guide the postal matter P taken out from
the take-out position 20 in contact with one side thereof.
[0058] The take-out structure 3 includes a chamber 21, the guide
14, and a vacuum pump 22 (or an equivalent article). Further, the
take-out structure 3 includes an endless take-out belt 23 that at
least the part of a fixed area moves in a direction almost
perpendicular to the stacking direction and horizontal direction
that is the direction of an arrow Ti (the take-out direction of the
postal matter P) shown in the drawing along the take-out position
20 and a motor 24 for driving the take-out belt 23. The take-out
belt 23, so that at least one part thereof moves in the direction
of the arrow T1 shown in the drawing along the take-out position 20
and the conveying path 10 continued from the take-out position 20,
is wound with a plurality of rollers 25, stretched, and
positioned.
[0059] The guide 14 is arranged at the position opposite to the
take-out position 20 so as to hold the belt inside the take-out
belt 23. The chamber 21 is arranged on the back side of the guide
14, that is, at the position opposite to the take-out position 20
by holding the take-out belt 23 and the guide 14. The take-out belt
23, as shown in FIG. 3 by partially enlarged, has many absorbing
holes 23a. Further, the guide 14, as shown in FIG. 4, in the moving
direction T1 of the take-out belt 23 (that is, the take-out
direction of the postal matter P), has a plurality of long and
narrow slits 14a.
[0060] And, if the vacuum pump 22 is operated and the chamber 21 is
evacuated, via the opening (not drawn) of the chamber 21 opposite
to the guide 14, the plurality of slits 14a of the guide 14, and
the many absorbing holes 23a of the take-out belt 23 moving in the
direction of the arrow T1, a negative pressure (an arrow S1 shown
in the drawing) acts on the postal matter P supplied to the
take-out position 20 and the postal matter P is absorbed to the
surface of the take-out belt 23 and in correspondence with movement
of the take-out belt 23, is taken out from the take-out position 20
onto the conveying path 10.
[0061] In this case, the absorbing force by the vacuum pump 22 in
the direction of the arrow S1 is set so that the conveying force
for discharging the first postal matter P absorbed to the take-out
belt 23 in the take-out direction T1 is at least larger than the
frictional force acting between the first sheet and the second
sheet. The take-out structure 3, basically, separates the postal
matter P at the take-out position 20 one by one and discharges them
onto the conveying path 10, though sheets which are discharged onto
the conveying path 10 in the stacking state of a plurality of
sheets are separated one by one by the separation structure 5 which
will be described later,
[0062] The suction structure 4 includes a chamber 26 arranged on
the back side of the conveying guide 13 for the take-out position
20 and a blower 27 (or an equivalent article) for sucking air in
the chamber 26. The chamber 26, between the take-out structure 3
aforementioned and the aiding structure 6 which will be described
later, is arranged in the neighborhood of the take-out position 20
in the posture that the opening thereof not drawn is opposite to
the back of the guide 13. Further, the guide 13, as shown in FIG. 5
as partially enlarged, has a plurality of holes 13a in accordance
with the width of the opening of the chamber 26. In other words,
the plurality of holes 13a are arranged in the opening of the
chamber 26.
[0063] And, if the blower 27 is operated and the air in the chamber
26 is sucked, an air current is generated in the direction of an
arrow B1 shown in the drawing via the plurality of holes 13a of the
guide 13 and among a plurality of postal matter P inserted into the
insertion portion 2, the postal matter P nearest to the take-out
position 20 is sucked toward the take-out position 20. After the
postal matter P sucked to the take-out position 20 is taken out,
the next postal matter P is sucked toward the take-out position 20.
Namely, by installation of the suction structure 4, the postal
matter P to be taken out next can be supplied quickly to the
take-out position 20 and even if the supply force by the supply
structures 8a, 8b, and 9 in the direction of the arrow F is weak,
only the first postal matter P can be always supplied stably and
quickly to the take-out position 20. By doing this, the
aforementioned take-out operation of the postal matter P by the
take-out structure 3 can be quickened.
[0064] The separation structure 5, for the conveying path 10
extended on the downstream side (downward in FIG. 2) of the
take-out position 20, is installed on the opposite side of the
take-out structure 3. The separation structure 5, by permitting a
negative pressure to act on the postal matter P conveyed on the
conveying path 10 from the opposite side of the take-out structure
3, gives separation torque in the opposite direction to the
take-out direction of the postal matter P to it. Namely, if the
separation structure 5 is operated, even when, following the postal
matter P taken out from the take-out position 20, the second and
subsequent postal matter P (three or more pieces of postal matter
may be taken out in the stacking state) are taken out, the second
and subsequent postal matter P are stopped by the negative pressure
and separation torque or are returned in the opposite direction and
are separated from the first postal matter P.
[0065] More in detail, the separation structure 5, as shown in FIG.
6 as partially enlarged, has a separation roller 31 installed
rotatably in both forward and backward directions in the take-out
direction T1 of the postal matter P. The separation roller 31, as
shown also in FIG. 7, is rotatably attached to the rotary shaft
fixedly attached to the conveying path 10, that is, a cylinder 32
having a chamber 33, which will be described later, via a bearing
34 and has many absorbing holes 31a passing through so as to
connect the inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface.
The separation roller 31 is formed by a rigid body of an almost
cylindrical metallic material and is arranged at the position where
the outer peripheral surface thereof is exposed onto the conveying
path 10. Further, the cylinder 32 as a rotary shaft has the chamber
33 for generating a negative pressure and is positioned and fixed
in the posture that an opening 33a of the chamber 33 faces the
conveying path 10. FIG. 7 shows a cross section view along the
broken line VII-VII shown in FIG. 6.
[0066] Further, the separation structure 5 includes an AC
servomotor 35 for rotating the separation roller 31 at desired
torque in both forward and backward directions and an endless
timing belt 36 for transferring the drive force by the motor 35 to
the separation roller 31. The timing belt 36 is wound and stretched
round a pulley 35a fixed to the rotary shaft of the motor 35 and a
pulley (not drawn) fixed to a rotary shaft 31b (refer to FIG. 7) of
the separation roller 31. Furthermore, the separation structure 5
has a vacuum pump 37 (or an equivalent article) connected to the
chamber 33 of the cylinder 32 to which the separation roller 31 is
attached rotatably via a pipe 38.
[0067] And, if the vacuum pump 37 is operated and the chamber 33 is
evacuated, via the opening 33a of the chamber 33 and among the many
absorbing holes 31a of the separation roller 31, a specific
absorbing hole 310 opposite to the opening 33a, a negative pressure
(an arrow S2 shown in the drawing) acts on the surface of the
postal matter P passing on the conveying path 10 and the postal
matter P is absorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the
separation roller 31. In this case, when the separation roller 31
is rotating, also to the postal matter P absorbed to the outer
peripheral surface of the separation roller 31, the conveying force
in the rotational direction of the separation roller 31 is given.
Further, in the following description, the area where the negative
pressure acts on the postal matter P via the absorbing hole 310 of
the separation roller 31 is referred to as a separation area
As.
[0068] On the other hand, the AC servomotor 35, basically, drives
and controls the separation roller 31 so as to give always fixed
separation torque in the opposite direction (the direction of an
arrow T2 shown in the drawing) to the take-out direction to the
separation roller 31. The separation torque, when conveying one
postal matter P on the conveying path 10, is set so that the
separation roller 31 realizing absorption of one postal matter P
can accompany the concerned postal matter P in the conveying
direction and when taking out a plurality of postal matter P on the
conveying path 10 in the stacking state, is set so that the second
and subsequent postal matter P on the side of the separation roller
31 are stopped or returned in the opposite direction and can be
separated from the first postal matter P.
[0069] Namely, as shown in FIG. 8, when one postal matter P is
taken out normally from the take-out position 20 and is conveyed on
the conveying path 10, conveying force F1 in the forward direction
(the direction of the arrow T1) which is given to the concerned
postal matter P by the take-out structure 3 is larger than
conveying force F2 in the opposite direction which is given to the
postal matter P by the separation roller 31 which is given the
separation torque in the opposite direction (the direction of the
arrow T2), thus the concerned postal matter P is conveyed in the
forward direction T1 and the separation roller 31 accompanies the
postal matter P or is stopped or runs idle in the opposite
direction to the take-out direction.
[0070] When the separation roller 31 runs idle in the opposite
direction, if fixed separation torque is given continuously, the
rotational speed is slowly increased, thus the take-out of the
postal matter P may be influenced adversely, so that in this
embodiment, the reverse speed of the separation roller 31 is given
an upper limit. Concretely, it is set at the upper limit speed the
absolute value of which is smaller than the take-out speed of the
postal matter P.
[0071] In this embodiment, at the position where the concerned
postal matter P is away from the position where the concerned
postal matter P is absorbed to the take-out belt 23, that is, the
position where the chamber 21 is opposite to the take-out position
20 on the downstream side in the take-out direction T1, there is
the separation area As to which the separation roller 31 is
opposite, so that even if the negative pressure S1 by the chamber
21 is made sufficiently stronger than the negative pressure S2 by
the separation roller 31, it is highly possible that only one
postal matter P conveyed is attracted to the side of the separation
roller 31 and makes contact with it.
[0072] In this case, for example, if the concerned postal matter P
is thin postal matter P with low stiffness, as shown in FIG. 9, the
return force in the opposite direction by the separation roller 31
acts excessively on the postal matter P and as shown in the
drawing, there is a possibility that the postal matter P may be
broken. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, it is desired to add a
chamber 41 at the position opposite to the separation roller 31
(the separation area As) inside the take-out belt 23 and
furthermore add a vacuum pump 42 for evacuating the chamber 41. As
mentioned above, if a negative pressure S3 in the direction toward
the take-out belt 23 acts on the postal matter P at the position
opposite to the separation area As, the aforementioned problem of
breaking as shown in FIG. 9 can be solved.
[0073] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, when two postal
matter P are taken out from the take-out position 20 onto the
conveying path 10 in the stacking state, the first postal matter P1
on the near side to the take-out belt 23 is given the conveying
force F1 aforementioned from the take-out structure 3 and is
conveyed in the forward direction T1 and the second postal matter
P2 on the near side to the separation roller 31 is given the
conveying force F2 aforementioned in the opposite direction T2 from
the separation roller 31. At this time, between the two postal
matter P1 and P2, frictional forces F3 and F4 act mutually in the
opposite directions. The frictional forces F3 and F4 are generated
when the two postal matter P1 and P2 are in contact with each
other, though when the two are away from each other, they become a
zero.
[0074] In either case, the conveying forces F1 and F2 acting on the
two postal matter P1 and P2 are set at a value sufficiently larger
than the maximum value of the frictional forces F3 and F4 generated
between the two, so that the second postal matter P2 given the
conveying force F2 in the opposite direction is returned in the
opposite direction T2 to the take-out direction T1 and is separated
from the first postal matter P1.
[0075] As mentioned above, the separation roller 31 is formed by a
metallic roller, and the separation torque is given to the postal
matter P taken out onto the conveying path 10, and the negative
pressure acts on the postal matter P, so that compared with a
conventional separation roller suing a rubber roller, the
separation roller 31 can lengthen greatly the use life span of the
roller, can keep the separation capacity good for a long period of
time, can respond to increasing of the processing speed of the
postal matter P, thereby can increase the throughput. Further, when
only one postal matter P is taken out, it is highly possible that
the separation roller 31 runs idle, so that except the case that a
plurality of postal matter P are taken out in the stacking state
(overlap feed), the separation torque given to the separation
roller 31 may be set to a zero. Namely, the separation torque is
generally set at a zero and when the leading edge of the postal
matter is detected by the sensor 11, the separation torque is given
to the separation roller 31.
[0076] Again in FIG. 2, the aiding structure 6 arranged above the
suction structure 4 shown in the drawing, that is, on the upstream
side of the postal matter P in the take-out direction T1 has a
structure almost similar to that of the separation structure 5
aforementioned. Namely, the aiding structure 6 has an aiding roller
51 installed rotatably in both forward and backward directions in
the take-out direction T1 of the postal matter P.
[0077] The aiding roller 51 is attached rotatably to the rotary
shaft fixedly installed opposite to the take-out position 20, that
is, a cylinder 53 internally having a chamber and has may absorbing
holes 52 passing through so as to connect the inner peripheral
surface and the outer peripheral surface. Further, the aiding
roller 51 is formed by a rigid body of an almost cylindrical
metallic material and is arranged at the position where the outer
peripheral surface thereof is exposed onto the take-out position
20. Further, the cylinder 53 as a rotary shaft has a chamber for
generating a negative pressure and is positioned and fixed in the
posture that the opening of the chamber faces the take-out position
20.
[0078] Further, the aiding structure 6 includes an AC servomotor 55
for rotating the aiding roller 51 at desired torque in both forward
and backward directions and an endless timing belt 56 for
transferring the drive force by the motor 55 to the aiding roller
51. The timing belt 56 is wound and stretched round a pulley 55a
fixed to the rotary shaft of the motor 55 and a pulley (not drawn)
fixed to the rotary shaft of the aiding roller 51. Furthermore, the
aiding structure 6 has a vacuum pump 57 (or an equivalent article)
connected to the chamber of the cylinder 53 to which the aiding
roller 51 is attached rotatably via a pipe 58. And, halfway on the
pipe 58, an electromagnetic valve 59 for turning on or off the
negative pressure is attached.
[0079] And, the aiding structure 6 rotates and stops the aiding
roller 51 at a desired speed in both forward and backward
directions and turns on or off the negative pressure by the vacuum
pump 57, thereby supports the take-out operation and separation
operation of the postal matter P. For example, when taking out the
postal matter P supplied to the take-out position 20 by the
take-out structure 3, the aiding structure 6 permits the negative
pressure to act on the trailing edge of the postal matter P in the
take-out direction, absorbs it, rotates it in the forward direction
T1, thereby supports the take-out of the concerned postal matter P.
By doing this, for example, when taking out large postal matter P
comparatively heavy, it can give conveying force larger and more
stable than that when taking out ordinary postal matter P, thus the
take-out operation of the postal matter P can be stabilized.
[0080] Further, when the first postal matter P is taken out by the
take-out structure 3 and then the trailing edge of the postal
matter P in the take-out direction comes out up to the position
free of interference with the aiding roller 51, the aiding
structure 6 absorbs the trailing edge side of the second postal
matter P supplied next to the take-out position to the aiding
roller 51, gives the desired torque in the opposite direction, and
applies breaks, thereby can prevent overlap feed of the postal
matter P in cooperation with the separation structure 5
aforementioned. In this case, the aiding structure 6 controls the
torque in the opposite direction given to the aiding roller 51 and
controls the time for applying breaks, thereby can control the gap
and pitch of the postal matter P to be taken out from the take-out
position 20 onto the conveying path 10.
[0081] Concretely, the aiding structure 6 adopts the four kinds of
control states shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 and operates according to
the flow chart shown in FIG. 16. Further, the aiding structure 6
controls the "rotational speed" (the direction included) of the
aiding roller 51 and the "existence of negative pressure", thereby
adopts the four kinds of control states aforementioned. The aiding
structure 6 controls the "rotational speed" by the AC servomotor 55
and controls the "existence of negative pressure" by switching the
electromagnetic valve 59.
[0082] Firstly, in the first control state shown in FIG. 12, the
aiding roller 51 rotates at an angular velocity of 6) in the
take-out direction T1 of the postal matter P, and the
electromagnetic valve 59 is opened, and a negative pressure is
generated to one postal matter P supplied to the take-out position
20. In this state, the postal matter P1 in contact with the aiding
roller 51 is absorbed to the peripheral surface of the aiding
roller 51 and is pressed in the direction of the arrow T1 at a
fixed speed in synchronization with the rotation of the aiding
roller 51.
[0083] Further, in the second control state shown in FIG. 13, that
is, in the state that the leading edge of the first postal matter
P1 reaches the sensor 11, the aiding roller 51 rotates at a fixed
angular velocity of .omega. in the take-out direction T1 of the
postal matter P, and the electromagnetic valve 59 is closed, and
the negative pressure is turned off. In this state, the first
postal matter P1 does not always move at the speed synchronized
with the rotation of the aiding roller 51. Namely, in this state,
the concerned postal matter P can move quickly or slowly under the
influence of other elements.
[0084] Further, in the third control state shown in FIG. 14, that
is, in the state that the trailing edge of the first postal matter
P1 in the take-out direction is off the position of interference
with the aiding roller 51, the aiding roller 51 stops or rotates at
a fixed angular velocity in the opposite direction to the take-out
direction T1, and the electromagnetic valve 59 is opened, and a
negative pressure is generated. In this state, the second postal
matter P2 is stopped or is fed in the opposite direction and is
applied with breaks, thus the aiding structure 6 supports the
separation from the first postal matter P1.
[0085] Furthermore, in the fourth control state shown in FIG. 15,
the aiding roller 51 stops or rotates at a fixed angular velocity
in the take-out direction T1, and the electromagnetic valve 59 is
closed, and the negative pressure is turned off, thus the aiding
structure 6 contributes to forming of a gap between the trailing
edge of the preceding first postal matter P1 and the trailing edge
of the second postal matter P2 in contact with the aiding roller 51
and discharges the second postal matter P2 with weak force.
[0086] And, the aiding structure 6, as shown in FIG. 16, on the
basis of the information from the sensor 11 and the length range
information of the postal matter P to be processed, shifts the
postal matter P between the first to fourth control states
aforementioned, thereby performs efficiently the take-out and
separation operations of the plurality of postal matter P which are
inserted in a batch.
[0087] The aiding roller 51, at the start time of the take-out
operation of the postal matter P, adopts the first control state
(FIG. 12). Namely, the aiding structure 6 generates a negative
pressure on the peripheral surface of the aiding roller 51 and
rotates it in the forward direction (Steps S1, S2). And, it
monitors the output of the sensor 11 and at the point of time when
the output signal of the sensor 11 becomes "dark (the state that
the postal matter P blocks off the optical axis of the sensor)"
(YES at Step S3), shifts to the second control state (FIG. 13).
Namely, at this point of time, the aiding structure 6 closes the
electromagnetic valve 59 and eliminates the negative pressure (Step
S4).
[0088] Next, on the basis of the information (the elapsed time
after the output signal becomes "dark") from the sensor 11, the
distance information between the aiding roller 51 and the sensor
11, and the maximum length information of the postal matter P, when
a distance L0 from the leading edge of the first postal matter P1
to the opposite position of the aiding roller 51 becomes larger
than a length Dmax of the longest postal matter P, that is, when
the trailing edge of the first postal matter P1 in the take-out
direction is off the aiding roller 51 (YES at Step S5), the aiding
structure 6 shifts to the third control state (FIG. 14). Namely, at
this time, the aiding structure 6 stops or rotates backward the
aiding roller 51 (Step S6) and generates a negative pressure (Step
S7).
[0089] Next, when a distance L1 from the leading edge of the first
postal matter P1 to the separation area As aforementioned becomes
larger than a length Dmin of the shortest postal matter (YES at
Step S8), the aiding structure 6 shifts to the fourth control state
(FIG. 15). Namely, at this time, the aiding structure 6 stops or
rotates forward the aiding roller 51 (Step S9), closes the
electromagnetic valve 59, and eliminates the negative pressure
(Step S10).
[0090] And, the aiding structure 6 monitors the sensor 11 and after
the output of the sensor 11 becomes "light" (YES at Step S11) and
furthermore the fixed period of time T1 elapses (YES at Step S12),
returns to the first control state at Step S1 (FIG. 12), and then,
until a stop command is issued from the host control system,
continues the processes at Steps S1 to S12.
[0091] As mentioned above, the aiding structure 6 is installed in
the neighborhood of the take-out position 20 of the postal matter
P, so that it can support the take-out and separation operations of
the postal matter P, can respond to the high speed process of the
postal matter P, and can increase the throughput. Further, the
aiding structure 6 can control the negative pressure and absorb the
postal matter P to the aiding roller 51, so that the aiding roller
51 can use a metallic roller and can be operated stably over a long
period of time.
[0092] Hereinafter, the processing operation when the take-out
apparatus 1 aforementioned causes no overlap feed will be explained
by referring to FIG. 2. The postal matter P set in the insertion
portion 2 are fed in the direction of the arrow F shown in the
drawing by the supply structures 8a, 8b, and 9 and are pulled near
the take-out position 20 one by one by the suction structure 4.
When the suction structure 4 is installed, even if the supply force
of the postal matter P by the supply structures 8a, 8b, and 9 is
small, the first postal matter P can be arranged quickly at the
take-out position 20.
[0093] The postal matter P pulled near the take-out position 20, in
the state that it is absorbed to the surface of the take-out belt
23 of the take-out structure 3, upon receipt of the conveying force
from the take-out belt 23, is discharged in the take-out direction
T1. The discharged postal matter P, in the state that it is pulled
out by the conveying structure 7, is conveyed downward on the
conveying path 10.
[0094] In this case, assuming the conveying speed of the postal
matter P of the entire apparatus (that is, the conveying structure
7) as Va, for the discharging speed V of the postal matter P at the
time of take-out, a relationship of Va.gtoreq.V is held. Namely, if
the postal matter P is pulled out and accelerated by the conveying
structure 7, the separation of the postal matter P can be promoted.
Further, as the difference between Va and V is increased, the
opening degree of the gap between the postal matter P can be
accelerated.
[0095] However, on the one hand, if the speed difference is
increased excessively, the conveying state is disordered at the
speed connection portion and the conveying position of the postal
matter P is varied. Further, as V is reduced, the number of postal
matter P discharged from the insertion portion 2 per unit time is
reduced, so that the throughput is lowered.
[0096] As a method for solving the above problem and promoting the
separation more effectively, there is a method for controlling
acceleration and deceleration of the take-out belt 23 (the AC
servomotor 24) available. Namely, the initial speed of the take-out
belt 23 is set to a value close to Va, and for example, the timing
that the preceding postal matter P is pulled out by the conveying
structure 7 using the sensor 11 and the speed becomes Va is
obtained, and the speed of the take-out belt 23 is reduced at this
timing and is reaccelerated to the initial speed Va at the timing
that the necessary gap is formed. By doing this, the above problems
(conveying variations, reduction in the throughput) are avoided as
far as possible, and the take-out belt 23 is decelerated
temporarily to obtain a difference from Va, thus the gap between
the trailing edge of the preceding postal matter P and the leading
edge of the succeeding postal matter P can be formed easily.
[0097] The sensor 11 is installed to monitor passing of the leading
edge or trailing edge of the postal matter P and the gap between
the postal matter P. In the take-out control, these information can
be used or triggered. As an example of a control subject, a control
signal of the AC servomotor 24 when it is intended to apply
acceleration and deceleration control to the take-out belt 23,
thereby form a more appropriate gap and a control signal of an
electromagnetic valve when it is intended to install the
electromagnetic valve in the pipes 22a and 58 connected to the
vacuum pumps 22 and 57 and control existence of air suction may be
considered.
[0098] On the other hand, as the take-out belt 23, there are the
type shown in FIG. 17 and the type shown in FIG. 18 are available.
The take-out belt 23 of the type shown in FIG. 17 is composed of
the areas including many absorbing holes 23a in the longitudinal
direction thereof and the areas including no absorbing holes 23a at
all which are lined up alternately and the take-out belt 23 of the
type shown in FIG. 18 is composed of many absorbing holes 23a
continued in the longitudinal direction thereof.
[0099] When the take-out belt 23 shown in FIG. 17 is used, for each
hole group appearing periodically, one postal matter P is absorbed
to the belt, so that the take-out is performed at a fixed pitch. On
the other hand, when the take-out belt 23 of the continuous hole
type shown in FIG. 18 is used, the postal matter P are continuously
absorbed and discharged to the belt surface one after another, so
that the throughput (the processing speed) can be increased.
[0100] However, on the other hand, in the belt shown in FIG. 18,
the gaps between the postal matter P can be hardly formed, so that
it is necessary to turn on or off the absorption operation by the
take-out structure 3 and form gaps mutually between the postal
matter P. For that purpose, it is necessary to install an
electromagnetic valve on the pipe 22a and control to open or close
the electromagnetic valve using the information from the sensor
11.
[0101] As an example of the control method for the electromagnetic
valve, for example, a way of using the sensor 11, when one postal
matter P is taken out, and the optical axis of the sensor 11 is
blocked, and "dark" is generated, turning on the electromagnetic
valve (the electromagnetic valve is closed), stopping the discharge
operation, thereby standing by the take-out of the next postal
matter P, when the output of the sensor 11 becomes "light" (the
state of no postal matter P) or at the timing that appropriate gaps
are formed between the postal matter, turning off the
electromagnetic valve (the electromagnetic valve is opened), and
taking out the next postal matter may be considered.
[0102] To increase the throughput, the information of a plurality
of rows of the sensors 11 (or line sensors) is used as a control
signal and on the basis of the finer and more correct position
information of the postal matter P, the acceleration and
deceleration control for the take-out belt 23 and the on-off
control for the electromagnetic valve are repeated.
[0103] In FIGS. 19 and 20, an operation illustration for explaining
the operation of the suction structure 4 aforementioned. In FIGS.
19 and 20, a drawing of the take-out position 20 between the
insertion portion 2 and the chamber 26 which is viewed from the
downstream side of the postal matter P in the take-out
direction.
[0104] In this embodiment, to prevent the postal matter P supplied
to the take-out position 20 by the supply structures 8a, 8b, and 9
from being pressed to the take-out belt 23 by a strong force, the
supply force of the postal matter P by the floor belts 8a and 8b
and the backup plate 9 is set comparatively weak. Therefore, the
postal matter P moved in the direction of the arrow F in the state
that the lower end thereof is in contact with the floor belts 8a
and 8b, generally as shown in the drawing, in the posture that the
lower end side precedes the upper end side, that is, in the state
that the upper end inclines toward the backup plate 9 (the upstream
side in the moving direction), is moved toward the take-out
position 20.
[0105] And, on the postal matter P at the leading edge in the
moving direction which is supplied with such a weak force, the
suction structure 4 permits an air current to act and as shown by
the arrow in FIG. 20, raises the fallen postal matter P, and
permits the surface of the postal matter P to face the take-out
belt 23 in an area as wide as possible. By doing this, a negative
pressure can act sufficiently on the concerned postal matter P via
the absorbing holes 23a of the take-out belt 23 and the postal
matter P can be absorbed to the take-out belt 23 surely and
stably.
[0106] Inversely, when the inclination or gap remains between the
postal matter P supplied to the take-out position 20 and the
take-out belt 23, the negative pressure of the take-out belt 23
cannot act sufficiently on the postal matter P, and a slide is
caused between the postal matter P and the take-out belt 23, and
the take-out operation becomes unstable, and the processing
efficiency is lowered. For example, when postal matter P which is
comparatively heavy and tall is supplied to the take-out position
20 in the inclined state, to raise the postal matter P, a
comparatively large suction force is required, and it becomes
highly possible that the failure as described above is caused.
[0107] Namely, as in the above embodiment, if the suction structure
4 permits the air current to act on the postal matter P closest to
the take-out position 20, raises the fallen postal matter P, and
permits it to face the take-out belt 23, almost all the postal
matter P can be permitted to surely face the take-out belt 23
without being pressed to it and can be absorbed, and the take-out
operation of the postal matter P can be stabilized, and the
processing efficient can be enhanced. However, when processing
postal matter P which is comparatively heavy and tall, there is a
possibility that the fallen postal matter P cannot be raised
normally.
[0108] The inventors of the present invention, therefore, to the
invention explained in the embodiment aforementioned, added another
advice capable of surely raising the postal matter P supplied to
the take-out position 20 which is comparatively heavy or tall from
falling. Hereinafter, an absorption structure 60 of another
embodiment to which such an advice is added will be explained by
referring to FIGS. 21 and 22. Further, here, to the components
functioning similarly to those of the suction structure 4 of the
embodiment aforementioned, the same numerals are assigned and the
detailed explanation will be omitted.
[0109] As shown in FIG. 21, the conveying guide 13 arranged
opposite to the opening of the chamber 26 (suction chamber) of the
absorption structure 60 of this embodiment has a plurality of holes
61 different in the opening area. In the embodiment aforementioned,
as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of holes 13a in the same shape
(opening area) are formed in the conveying guide 13, while in this
embodiment, the holes 61 are made different in the shape such that
the holes 61 slowly increase in the opening area in the ascending
order of locations.
[0110] Namely, as shown in FIG. 21, if the opening area of the
holes 61 is made different slowly, the flow rate of the air current
acting on the postal matter P supplied to the take-out position 20
opposite to the conveying guide 13 can be made different in the
height direction in the surface of the concerned postal mater and
as shown in FIG. 22, on the neighborhood of the upper end of the
postal matter supplied to the take-out position 20 which is away
from the floor belts 8a and 8b, a stronger air current can act.
[0111] By doing this, compared with the case shown in FIG. 5 that
the holes 13 are formed in the same shape, even if the postal
matter P is comparatively heavy and tall, it is possible to raise
them comparatively easily from falling and surely take out by
facing them on the take-out belt 23. Further, in this embodiment,
the raising speed of the ordinary light postal matter P can be
increased and the processing speed can be increased.
[0112] Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the length
of the holes 61 of the conveying guide 13 is increased slowly in
the ascending order of locations and the opening area is made
different, though for example, as shown in FIG. 23, it is possible
to change the arrangement density of many holes 62 in the same
shape and make the flow rate of the air current acting in the
surface of the postal matter P supplied to the take-out position 20
different. Concretely, as shown in the drawing, it is desirable to
make the density of the upper holes 62 of the conveying guide 13
opposite to the neighborhood of the upper end of the postal matter
P supplied to the take-out position 20 higher than the density of
the holes 62 opposite to the other parts.
[0113] [EMBODIMENT 2] In FIG. 24, the constitution of the essential
section of a suction structure 70 relating to still another
embodiment which can quickly raise the fallen postal matter P is
shown. In this embodiment, by using the conveying guide 13 having a
plurality of holes 13a in the same shape which is explained in FIG.
5, the internal structure of the chamber 25 is advised.
[0114] Namely, to form the flow path of air flowing in the
direction of the arrow in the chamber 26, a partition wall 71 is
arranged in the chamber 26. When the partition wall 71 is not
installed, as shown in the drawing, if air is sucked in from the
lower part of the chamber 26, air is sucked in from the lower holes
13a close to the suction source prior to the upper holes 13a and
the flow rate of air of the former is higher than that of the
latter. However, as described above, to raise the fallen postal
matter P which is comparatively heavy and tall, it is desired to
increase the flow rate of air through the holes close to the upper
part of the chamber 26, so that to form the flow path for sucking
air from the upper part inside the chamber 26 as shown in the
drawing, the partition wall 71 is installed.
[0115] By doing this, by the air current flowing via the upper end
of the partition wall 71, the holes 13a arranged on the upper part
of the chamber 26 suck air prior, and the suction rate of air can
be made higher than that of the lower holes 13a, thus the fallen
postal matter P can be raised easily. Further, here, the case that
the partition wall 71 is installed in the chamber 26 and the flow
path of air is formed is explained, though it is possible, in place
of installation of the partition wall 71, to arrange the suction
port of the chamber 26 upward. Further, it is possible to make the
shape of the holes 13a of the conveying guide 13a equal to the
shape (61 or 62) shown in FIG. 21 or 23.
[0116] Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the suction position by the
suction structure 4 may be shifted to another place. In this
embodiment, in the guide 14 of the take-out structure 3 opposite to
the take-out position 20 across the take-out belt 23, a plurality
of suction holes 81 are formed. In this case, in the guide 14, the
plurality of slits 14a aforementioned for generating a negative
pressure in the absorbing holes 23a of the take-out belt 23 are
formed, though the plurality of holes 81 are formed above the slits
14a, that is, at the position off the take-out belt 23 upward in
the drawing. And, separately from the chamber 21 of the take-out
structure 3 opened in the slits 14a, the chamber 26 of the suction
structure 4 are extended up to the back of the holes 81 and an air
current for attracting the postal matter P to the take-out position
20 via the plurality of holes 81 is generated. Namely, the suction
position by the suction structure 4 is set above the suction
position of the take-out belt 23.
[0117] The negative pressure acting on the postal matter P via the
absorbing holes 23a of the take-out belt 23 functions so as to
absorb the postal matter P to the take-out belt 23, while the air
current acting on the postal matter P via the plurality of holes 81
of the guide 14 functions so as to pull the postal matter P near
the take-out position 20. In other words, the vacuum pump 22 (the
negative pressure generation structure) for generating a
comparatively strong absorbing force for absorbing the postal
matter P to the take-out belt 23 generates a high negative pressure
and acts the suction force on the postal matter P, while the blower
27 (the suction apparatus) for generating an air current for
pulling the postal matter P near the take-out position 20 sucks a
large amount of air at a comparatively low negative pressure.
[0118] Namely, as in this embodiment, the air current for absorbing
the postal matter P in the neighborhood of the absorbing position
of the take-out belt 23 and above the take-out belt 23 is
generated, thus the fallen postal matter P can be raised at the
absorbing position of the take-out belt 23 and the absorbance
stability for the take-out belt 23 can be enhanced.
[0119] Further, here, to raise the postal matter P the upper end of
which is inclined on the upstream side of the postal matter P in
the moving direction by the supply structures 8a, 8b, and 9, the
plurality of holes 81 for sucking are installed at the position off
upward the take-out belt 23, though a plurality of holes 82
(described later) passing through the guide 14 may be formed under
the take-out belt 23. Further, if the holes 81 of the guide 14 are
used together with the plurality of holes 61 (62) of the suction
structure 60 explained by referring to FIG. 21 (FIG. 23) which are
different in the opening area (density), the postal matter P can be
raised surer and more stable and quickly and it is more preferable
for stabilization of the take-out operation of the postal matter
P.
[0120] Next, the embodiment for detecting the inclined state of the
postal matter P at the leading edge in the moving direction which
is supplied to the take-out position 20 by the supply structures
8a, 8b, and 9 and on the basis of the detection results,
controlling turning on or off the air current by the suction
structure 4 will be explained by referring to FIGS. 26 to 31.
Further, here, as the conveying guide 13 of the suction structure
4, the conveying guide 13 having the plurality of holes 61
different in the shape which are explained in FIG. 21 is used.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 26, at the take-out position 20 of the
postal matter P at one end of the insertion portion 2, among the
postal matter P supplied in the direction of the arrow F by the
supply structures 8a, 8b, and 9, two sensors 91 and 92 (a posture
detection portion) for detecting the inclined state of the postal
matter P at the leading edge in the moving direction are arranged.
Concretely, in the neighborhood of the take-out position 20, the
sensor 91 having an optical axis passing near the upper end of the
postal matter P supplied to the take-out position 20 and the sensor
92 having an optical axis passing in the neighborhood of the lower
end are installed.
[0122] Namely, when the postal matter P at the leading edge in the
moving direction which is supplied to the take-out position 20, as
shown in FIG. 26, is fed toward the take-out position 20 as usual
in the state that the upper end thereof is inclined on the upstream
side in the moving direction, in the state immediately before the
concerned postal matter P is sucked by the suction structure 4, the
upper sensor 91 becomes light and the lower sensor 92 becomes dark.
And, if the suction structure 4 functions and the concerned postal
matter P is sucked to the take-out position 20, the detection
signals of the two sensors 91 and 92 become dark.
[0123] Inversely, when the postal matter P at the leading edge in
the moving direction which is supplied to the take-out position 20
is fed to the take-out position 20 in the posture that the upper
end thereof is inclined on the downstream side in the moving
direction (not drawn), the upper sensor 91 becomes dark prior and
the lower sensor 92 becomes light. And, when the suction structure
4 is operated and the concerned postal matter P is arranged at the
take-out position 20, the outputs of both sensors 91 and 92 become
dark.
[0124] As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, in this embodiment, between the
conveying guide 13 of the suction structure 4 and the opening of
the chamber 26, a hole opening and closing structure 110 for
selectively opening or closing the plurality of holes 61 of the
guide 13 is installed.
[0125] The hole opening and closing structure 110 includes an upper
hole closing plate 111 for simultaneously opening and closing the
three holes 61 having a comparatively large opening area which is
formed above the conveying guide 13, a lower hole closing plate 112
for simultaneously opening and closing the three holes 61 having a
comparatively small opening area which is formed under the
conveying guide 13, two stepping motors 113 and 114 for driving the
hole closing plates 111 and 112 stepwise between the two positions
of the open position and closed position, and pinion gears 115 and
116 for transferring the drive forces of the stepping motors 113
and 114 respectively to the hole closing plates 111 and 112.
[0126] The states shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 are the states that
holes 111a and 112a of the hole closing plates 111 and 112 are
overlaid so as to coincide with the holes 61 of the conveying guide
13 and the air current can act on the postal matter P at the
take-out position 20 via all the holes 61. Further, FIG. 29 shows
the state that the hole 111a of the upper hole closing plate 111 is
slid to the open position where it is connected to the
corresponding hole 61 of the conveying slide 13 and the lower hole
closing plate 112 is slid to the closed position where the
corresponding hole 61 of the conveying slide 13 is blocked and in
this state, only on the neighborhood of the upper end of the postal
matter P supplied to the take-out position 20, the air current can
act. Furthermore, FIG. 30 shows the state that the upper hole
closing plate 111 is slid to the closed position where the
corresponding hole 61 of the conveying slide 13 is blocked and the
hole 112a of the lower hole closing plate 112 is slid to the open
position where it is connected to the corresponding hole 61 of the
conveying slide 13 and in this state, only on the neighborhood of
the lower end of the postal matter P supplied to the take-out
position 20, the air current can act.
[0127] Namely, in the hole closing plates 111 and 112, a plurality
of slotted holes 111b and 112b for receiving a plurality of pins
13b projected from the conveying guide 13 so as to slide vertically
are formed and the hole closing plates 111 and 112 can slide in the
direction that they mutually separate and make contact, that is, in
the vertical direction. And, at one end of each of the hole closing
plates 111 and 112, racks 111c and 112c meshing with the pinion
gears 115 and 116 attached to the rotary shafts of the stepping
motors 113 and 114 aforementioned are formed and by driving the
motors 113 and 114, the hole closing plates 111 and 112 can be
moved between the closed position and the open position. Further,
the slotted holes 111b and 112b of the hole closing plates 111 and
112 are extended in the direction crossing the longitudinal
direction of the plurality of holes 61 of the conveying guide
13.
[0128] Here, by referring to the flow chart shown in FIG. 31, the
control operation of the suction structure 4 having the hole
opening and closing structure 110 aforementioned will be explained.
Further, the operation based on the flow chart is performed by the
controller of the take-out apparatus 1. Namely, the controller, on
the basis of the output of the sensors 91 and 92, controls to open
and close the two hole closing plates 111 and 112 of the hole
opening and closing structure 110.
[0129] Firstly, the controller monitors the output of the sensors
91 and 92 and judges the posture of the postal matter P at the
leading edge in the moving direction which is supplied toward the
take-out position 20 by the supply structures 8a, 8b, and 9 (Steps
S1, S2, S3). In this case, as described above, the controller, on
the basis of the output of the sensors 91 and 92, detects the
inclined state of the postal matter P supplied to the take-out
position 20. Further, the processes at Steps S1 to S3 are executed
for each take-out of one postal matter P by the take-out structure
3.
[0130] For example, as shown in FIG. 26, if the postal matter P at
the leading edge in the moving direction is supplied to the
take-out position 20 in the posture that the upper end thereof is
inclined on the upstream side in the moving direction, the output
of the lower sensor 92 becomes dark (YES at Step S1) and the output
of the upper sensor 91 becomes light (NO at Step S2). In this case,
the controller, on the basis of the output of the two sensors 91
and 92, so as to permit many air currents to act on the
neighborhood of the upper end of the postal matter P and raise
positively the postal matter P, moves the upper hole closing plate
111 of the hole opening and closing structure 110 to the open
position (Steep S4) and moves the lower hole closing plate 112 to
the closed position (Step S5).
[0131] As mentioned above, among the six holes 61 of the conveying
guide 13, the air current is generated using only the upper three
holes, thus compared with the case that the air current is
generated via all of the six holes 61, stronger suction force can
act on the neighborhood of the upper end of the postal matter P,
thus the postal matter P can be raised faster and surer.
[0132] As explained in the embodiment aforementioned, even if the
air current acts via all the holes 61 of the conveying guide 13
(refer to FIG. 27) in which the opening area of the upper holes 61
is made larger than that of the lower holes 61, many air currents
can act on the neighborhood of the upper end of the postal matter P
at the take-out position 20, while as in this embodiment, if the
hole opening and closing structure 110 is operated and the lower
three holes 61 are blocked, a stronger absorbing force can be
generated,
[0133] As a result of the judgment at Steps SI to S3, when judging
that the outputs of the two sensors 91 and 92 are dark (YES at Step
S1, YES at Step S2), the controller judges that the postal matter P
at the leading edge in the moving direction is supplied in the
posture that it is almost parallel to the take-out position 20,
moves the two hole closing plates 111 and 112 to the closed
position (Steps S6, S7), and stops the suction by the suction
structure 4.
[0134] At this time, although the postal matter P at the leading
edge in the moving direction is supplied to the take-out position
20, if the air current is generated continuously via the suction
structure 4, after the concerned postal matter P is absorbed to the
take-out belt 23, the air current acts on the postal matter P, thus
the air current operates as a brake for disturbing the take-out
operation of the postal matter P. Therefore, in this embodiment,
when judging that both outputs of the sensors 91 and 92 are dark
and the postal matter P is supplied to the take-out position in the
straight posture, the controller turns off the air current by the
suction structure 4.
[0135] As a result of the judgment at Steps S1 to S3, when judging
that the output of the lower sensor 92 is light (NO at Step S1) and
the output of the upper sensor 91 is dark (YES at Step S3), the
controller judges that the postal matter P at the leading edge in
the moving direction is in the posture that the upper end thereof
is inclined on the downstream side in the moving direction, moves
the upper hole closing plate 111 to the closed position (Step S8),
and moves the lower hole closing plate 112 to the open position
(Step S9). By doing this, the controller can permit the air current
to act only on the neighborhood Of the lower end of the postal
matter P closest to the take-out position 20 and can raise the
fallen postal matter P in cooperation with the two floor belts 8a
and 8b.
[0136] Furthermore, as a result of the judgment at Steps S1 to S3,
when judging that the two sensors 91 and 92 are light (NO at Step
S1, NO at Step S3), the controller judges that no postal mater P
arrives at the take-out position 20, moves the two hole closing
plates 111 and 112 to the open position (Steps S10, S11), and sucks
quickly the postal matter P closest to the take-out position 20 in
the take-out position 20. At this time, it is possible to control
the blower 27 so as to generate many air currents via the six holes
61.
[0137] The controller continues the aforementioned operations at
Steps S1 to S11 until the postal matter P in the insertion portion
2 are all gone (NO at Step S12), moves the two hole closing plates
111 and 112 respectively to the closed position (Steps S13, S14),
and then finishes the operation.
[0138] As mentioned above, according to this embodiment, the
posture of the postal matter P supplied to the take-out position 20
is detected, and the air current by the suction structure 4 is
switched above and below, so that independently of the posture of
the postal matter P supplied to the take-out position 20, it can
face surely on the take-out belt 23, and the take-out operation of
the postal matter P can be stabilized, and the processing
efficiency can be enhanced.
[0139] Further, in this embodiment, the case that the hole opening
and closing structure 110 is operated so as to move the two hole
closing plates 111 and 112 between the open position and the closed
position is explained, though the hole closing plates 111 and 112
are operated respectively by the stepping motors 113 and 114, so
that the hole closing plates 111 and 112 can be moved easily to a
halfway position between the open position and the closed position.
If the movement of the hole closing plates 111 and 112 is stopped
between the open position and the closed position like this, the
opening area of the holes 61 of the conveying guide 13 can be
adjusted optionally. In this case, for example, it is possible to
arrange three or more sensors at the take-out position 20, detect
the inclined state of the postal matter P supplied to the take-out
position 20 more in detail, and adjust stepwise the flow rate of
the air current acting on the concerned postal matter P.
[0140] Or, when there is no need to adjust stepwise the flow rate
of the air current acting on the postal matter P at the take-out
position 20, it is possible, in place of the stepping motors 113
and 114, to use a solenoid for switching the operation between the
two positions.
[0141] Next, the embodiment that the hole opening and closing
structure 120 is attached to the holes 81 of the guide 14 of the
take-out structure 3 which is explained already by referring to
FIG. 25 will be explained by referring to FIGS. 32 to 37. Further,
in the embodiment explained by referring to FIG. 25, the case that
only at the position off the take-out belt 23 of the guide 14
upward, the plurality of holes 81 are formed is explained, though
here, also at the position off the take-out belt 23 of the guide 14
downward, the plurality of holes 82 are formed (refer to FIG. 33)
and the hole opening and closing structure 120 is attached also to
the holes 82. Further, in the guide 14, in place of the plurality
of slits 14a aforementioned, one comparatively large and vertically
long hole 14b (refer to FIG. 33) is formed.
[0142] As shown in FIG. 32, at the position where the take-out belt
23 of the take-out structure 3 makes contact with the postal matter
P, two sensors 93 and 94 for detecting the inclined state of the
postal matter P at the leading edge in the moving direction are
arranged. The sensor 93 installed upward in the drawing is arranged
at the position where the optical axis passes in the neighborhood
of the upper end of the postal matter P supplied to the take-out
position 20 and the sensor 94 installed downward in the drawing is
arranged at the position where the optical axis passes in the
neighborhood of the lower end of the concerned postal matter P.
Namely, the two sensors 93 and 94 function similarly to the sensors
91 and 92 which are explained by referring to FIG. 26 and function
so as to detect the inclined state of the postal matter P supplied
to the take-out position 20.
[0143] Further, in this embodiment, a pressure sensor 95 is
attached to the chamber 21 of the take-out structure 3. The
pressure sensor 95 detects the inner pressure of the chamber 21,
thereby detects the state of the negative pressure acting on the
postal matter P via the many absorbing holes 23a of the take-out
belt 23. More in detail, in the state that the postal matter P is
normally absorbed into the absorbing holes 23a of the take-out belt
23, the inner pressure of the chamber 21 is lowered and the degree
of vacuum is increased, while in the state that the postal matter P
is not absorbed sufficiently into the absorbing holes 23a of the
take-out belt 23, the inner pressure of the chamber 21 is kept high
straight and the degree of vacuum is kept low straight. Namely,
when the inner pressure of the chamber 21 detected by the pressure
sensor 95 is lower than a preset threshold value (the degree of
vacuum is high), it can be judged that the postal matter P is
normally absorbed to the take-out belt 23, while when the inner
pressure of the chamber 21 is higher than the preset threshold
value (the degree of vacuum is low), it can be judged that the
postal matter P is not absorbed normally to the take-out belt
23.
[0144] As shown in FIG. 33, the hole opening and closing structure
120 includes an upper structure for simultaneously opening and
closing the plurality of upper holes 81 of the guide 14 of the
take-out structure 3 and a lower structure for simultaneously
opening and closing the plurality of lower holes 82 of the guide
14. The upper structure and lower structure have the same
constitution, so that here, the lower structure shown in FIG. 34
will be explained as a representative.
[0145] The hole opening and closing structure 120 includes a
plurality of holes 121 in the shape almost coinciding with the
holes 82 of the guide 14, a hole closing plate 122 for
simultaneously opening and closing the plurality of holes 82 of the
guide 14, and a solenoid 126 for moving the hole closing plate 122
in the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing against the
pressing force of a tension spring 124. In FIG. 34, the state that
the solenoid 126 is turned on is shown.
[0146] In the states shown in FIGS. 33 and 35, to the open position
where the upper holes 81 of the guide 14 and the holes 121 of the
upper hole closing plate 122 almost coincide with each other, the
hole closing plate 122 is moved and to the open position where the
lower holes 82 of the guide 14 and the holes 121 of the lower hole
closing plate 122 almost coincide with each other, the hole closing
plate 122 is moved. Namely, in this state (the state that the two
hole closing plates 122 are moved to the open position), via the
plurality of upper holes 81 of the guide 14 and the plurality of
lower holes 82 thereof, the air current can act on the postal
matter P at the take-out position 20. And, if the respective
solenoids 126 are turned on in this state, the hole closing plate
122 is moved to the closed position shown in FIG. 34 and the
corresponding holes 81 and 82 of the guide 14 are blocked.
[0147] In this embodiment, the opening portion of the chamber 26 of
the suction structure 4, as shown in FIG. 35, is extended up to the
back side of the upper holes 81 of the guide 14 of the take-out
structure 3 and is extended up to the back side of the lower holes
82 of the guide 14. Namely, via the holes 14b of the guide 14
opposite to the opening of the chamber 21 of the take-out structure
3, the negative pressure acts on the postal matter P at the
take-out position 20 and via the upper holes 81 of the guide 14
opposite to the upper opening 26a where the chamber 26 of the
suction structure 4 is extended and the lower holes 82 of the guide
14 opposite to the lower opening 26b of the chamber 26, the air
current acts on the postal matter P at the take-out position
20.
[0148] As only the lower constitution is shown in FIG. 36 as a
representative, the opening of the chamber 26b extended under the
suction structure 4 is arranged so as to be adhered closely to the
back of the guide 14. And, inside the opening of the chamber 26b,
the hole closing plate 122 is arranged slidably. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 33 and 35, if the solenoid 126 is turned on in the
state that the holes 81 and 82 are opened and the hole closing
plate 122 is slid on the innermost side of the sheet of paper in
FIG. 36, the plurality of holes 121 of the hole closing plate 122
are shifted from the plurality of holes 82 of the guide 14 and the
hole closing plate 122 is moved to the closed position where the
holes 82 are closed.
[0149] Hereinafter, by referring to the flow chart shown in FIG.
37, the control operation of the suction structure 4 having the
hole opening and closing structure 120 aforementioned will be
explained. Further, the operation based on the flow chart is
performed by the controller of the take-out apparatus 1. Namely,
the controller, on the basis of the output of the two sensors 93
and 94 and pressure sensor 95 which are described above, controls
to open and close the two hole closing plates 122 of the hole
opening and closing structure 120. In the above explanation, the
upper hole closing plate is assumed as 122a and the lower hole
closing plate is assumed as 122b.
[0150] Firstly, the controller monitors the output of the sensors
93 and 94 and judges the posture of the postal matter P at the
leading edge in the moving direction which is supplied toward the
take-out position 20 by the supply structures 8a, 8b, and 9 (Steps
S21, S22, S23). In this case, as described above, the controller,
on the basis of the output of the sensors 93 and 94, detects the
inclined state of the postal matter P supplied to the take-out
position 20. Further, the processes at Steps S21 to S23 are
executed for each take-out of one postal matter P by the take-out
structure 3.
[0151] For example, as shown in FIG. 32, if the postal matter P at
the leading edge in the moving direction is supplied to the
take-out position 20 in the posture that the upper end thereof is
inclined on the upstream side in the moving direction, the output
of the lower sensor 94 becomes dark (YES at Step S21) and the
output of the upper sensor 93 becomes light (NO at Step S22). In
this case, the controller, on the basis of the output of the two
sensors 93 and 94, so as to permit many air currents to act on the
neighborhood of the upper end of the postal matter P and raise
positively the postal matter P, moves the upper hole closing plate
122a of the hole opening and closing structure 120 to the open
position (Steep S24) and moves the lower hole closing plate 122b to
the closed position (Step S25).
[0152] By doing this, the postal mater P at the take-out position
20 can be sucked in toward the guide 14 of the take-out structure 3
and the concerned postal matter P can be absorbed satisfactorily to
the take-out belt 23. Particularly, in this case, the air current
acts on the concerned postal matter P via the holes 81 above the
take-out belt 23, so that the postal matter P can be brought
directly close to the guide 14.
[0153] As a result of the judgment at Steps S21 to S23, when
judging that the outputs of the two sensors 93 and 94 are dark (YES
at Step S21, YES at Step S22), the controller judges that the
postal matter P at the leading edge in the moving direction is
supplied in the posture that it is almost parallel to the take-out
position 20 and refers to the output of the pressure sensor 95 of
the take-out structure 3 (Step S26).
[0154] When judging at Step S26 that the degree of vacuum of the
chamber 21 of the take-out structure 3 is sufficiently high (YES at
Step S26), the controller judges that the postal matter P at the
leading edge in the moving direction which is detected by the two
sensors 93 and 94 is absorbed firmly to the take-out belt 23, moves
the two hole closing plates 122a and 122b to the closed position
(Steps S27, S28), and stops the suction by the suction structure
4.
[0155] At this time, although the postal matter P at the leading
edge in the moving direction is absorbed to the take-out belt 23,
if the air current is generated continuously via the holes 81 and
82, the air current operates as a brake for disturbing the take-out
operation of the postal matter P. Therefore, in this embodiment,
when both outputs of the sensors 93 and 94 are dark and the output
of the pressure sensor 95 is sufficiently low, the controller
judges that the postal matter P at the take-out position 20 is
absorbed to the take-out belt 23 and turns off the air current by
the suction structure 4.
[0156] On the other hand, when judging at Step S26 that the degree
of vacuum of the chamber 21 of the take-out structure 3 is
insufficient (NO at Step S26), the controller judges that the
postal matter P at the leading edge in the moving direction which
is detected by the two sensors 93 and 94 is not absorbed firmly to
the take-out belt 23, moves the two hole closing plates 122a and
122b to the open position (Steps S29, S30), and continues the
suction by the suction structure 4.
[0157] Namely, in this case, a state may be considered that
although the postal matter P at the leading edge in the moving
direction is detected by the two sensors 93 and 94 and is supplied
to the take-out position 20, the concerned postal matter P is not
absorbed to the take-out belt 23 for some reason. Therefore, in
such a case, it is possible to switch the suction by the blower to
suction stronger than usual.
[0158] As a result of the judgment at Steps S21 to S23, when
judging that the output of the lower sensor 94 is light (NO at Step
S21) and the output of the upper sensor 93 is dark (YES at Step
S23), the controller judges that the postal matter P at the leading
edge in the moving direction is in the state that the upper end
thereof is inclined toward the downstream side in the moving
direction, moves the upper hole closing plate 122a to the closed
position (Step S31), and moves the lower hole closing plate 122b to
the open position (Step S32). By doing this, the controller can
permit the air current to act only on the neighborhood of the lower
end of the postal matter P closest to the take-out position 20 and
can raise the fallen postal matter P in cooperation with the two
floor belts 8a and 8b.
[0159] Furthermore, as a result of the judgment at Steps S21 to
S23, when judging that the two sensors 93 and 94 are light (NO at
Step S21, NO at Step S23), the controller judges that no postal
mater P arrives at the take-out position 20, moves the two hole
closing plates 122a and 122b to the open position (Steps S33, S34),
and sucks quickly the postal matter P closest to the take-out
position 20 in the take-out position 20.
[0160] The controller continues the aforementioned operations at
Steps S21 to S34 until the postal matter P in the insertion portion
2 are all gone (NO at Step S35), moves the two hole closing plates
122a and 122b respectively to the closed position (Steps S36, S37),
and then finishes the operation.
[0161] As mentioned above, according to this embodiment, when it is
detected by the two sensors 93 and 94 that the postal matter P is
arranged at the take-out position 20, before turning off the
suction force by the suction structure 4, a step of judging whether
the concerned postal matter P is absorbed to the take-out belt 34
or not using the pressure sensor 95 is added, so that when the
postal matter P supplied to the take-out position 20 is not
absorbed to the take-out belt 23, the air current by the suction
structure 4 can act continuously on the postal matter P and the
postal matter P can be absorbed surely to the take-out belt 23.
[0162] Further, in this embodiment, the case that via the plurality
of holes 61 of the conveying guide 13, the plurality of upper holes
81 of the guide 14, and the plurality of lower holes 82 thereof,
the air current acts on the postal matter P at the take-out
position 20 is explained, though if a sufficient amount of an air
current can at on the postal matter P at the take-out position 20,
the holes 61 of the conveying guide 13 may be omitted.
[0163] [EMBODIMENT 3] In the preceding embodiment, the conveying
guide 13 and guide 14 are formed by different members. However, as
shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the guides may be formed as an integrated
guide 134. In this case, at the part corresponding to the chamber
26 of the suction structure 4, a plurality of holes 13a' are formed
and at the part opposite to the upper opening 26a where the chamber
26 is extended, two holes 81' are formed. Therefore, via the
take-out belt 23 opposite to the opening of the chamber 21 of the
take-out structure 3, the negative pressure acts on the postal
matter P at the take-out position 20 and via the upper holes 81' of
the guide 134 opposite to the upper opening 26a where the chamber
26 of the suction structure 4 is extended, the air current may act
on the postal matter P at the take-out position 20.
[0164] Further, the present invention is not limited straight to
the aforementioned embodiments and at the execution stage, within a
range which is not deviated from the objects thereof, the
components can be modified and concreted. Further, by appropriate
combinations of a plurality of components disclosed in the
embodiments aforementioned, various inventions can be formed. For
example, from all the components indicated in the aforementioned
embodiments, some components may be eliminated. Furthermore,
components extending over different embodiments may be combined
appropriately.
[0165] The sheet take-out apparatus of the present invention
includes the aforementioned constitution and operation, so that the
sheet take-out operation can be stabilized and the processing
efficiency can be increased.
* * * * *