JP6455776B2 - Collating device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a collating apparatus that supplies and bundles sheets one by one from a plurality of sheet feeding units.

  2. Description of the Related Art A collating apparatus is known that creates a desired paper set by feeding and bundling sheets one by one from a plurality of paper feed trays (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a collating apparatus is also used in many printing sites. Each paper feed tray of the collating device is assigned a paper that has been printed by the printing device for each type. The collating apparatus repeatedly executes a process of creating a part of printed matter (paper set) by collating the paper of each level.

JP 2006-199447 A

  By the way, in the printing site, there are cases where operations such as sorting the same number of sheets printed in large quantities, for example, by a designated number for each destination, and checking whether or not a required number of sheets have been printed exist. In such a case, if the printing apparatus is stopped every time the designated number of destinations is printed, the apparatus must be repeatedly stopped and started, which requires time and effort. The inventor pays attention to the fact that both the printing apparatus and the collating apparatus do not always operate simultaneously in such a printing site, and improves the work efficiency and singularity by devising the specifications of the collating apparatus. It came to the idea that the cost performance of the collating device could be improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily take out a desired number of sheets from a large number of the same type of sheets or to bundle a bundle of sheets by using a part of the original functions of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of counting and confirming the number of sheets.

  An aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is provided along a plurality of sheet feeding units that separate and feed sheets one by one from a stack of stacked sheets, and an arrangement direction of the plurality of sheet feeding units. , A transport unit that transports the paper fed from each paper feed unit, a stacker that receives and stacks the paper transported by the transport unit, and a timing at which the fed papers overlap each other in the transport unit A first counting control for controlling the feeding timing of each sheet feeding unit so as to repeat the feeding operation, and adding and counting the number of sheet feeding units that have fed out sheets to create one stacked stack; Alternatively, a collation control for counting the number of repetitions as a series of delivery for creating one bundle that overlaps each other, a control unit that performs any one, and a first count control or Combined control Whether to perform les, a collation apparatus characterized by having an input unit which enables selection by a user operation input, and a display unit for displaying the count result by the control unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sheet feeding units that separate and feed sheets one by one from a stack of stacked sheets, and an arrangement direction of the plurality of sheet feeding units are provided, and are fed from each sheet feeding unit. A transport unit that transports the received paper, a stacker that receives and stacks the paper transported by the transport unit, a paper presence / absence detection unit that detects whether or not the paper is stacked on each paper feed unit, When one of the paper feeding units loaded with paper is the active paper feeding unit, and the paper feeding is repeated only from the active paper feeding unit, and there is no more paper loaded in the active paper feeding unit The number of times the paper is fed out while continuing to feed out one of the paper feeding units other than the active paper feeding unit as a new active paper feeding unit. 2nd counting control that counts up and counts out, or sent out paper The feed timing of each paper feed unit is controlled so that the operator repeats the operation of feeding the papers at the timing when they overlap each other in the transport unit, and a series of feeds for creating one stacked bundle is performed once. An input that allows the user to select whether the collation control that counts the number of repetitions is performed, the control unit that performs any one, and whether the control unit performs the second counting control or the collation control. And a display unit for displaying a count result obtained by the control unit.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sheet feeding units that separate and feed sheets one by one from a stack of stacked sheets, and an arrangement direction of the plurality of sheet feeding units are provided. Repeat the operation of transporting the paper that has been sent out, the stacker that receives and stacks the paper that has been transported by the transport unit, and the operation of sending out the paper at a timing such that the delivered papers overlap each other in the transport unit In addition to controlling the feeding timing of each sheet feeding unit, the first counting control that counts the number of sheet feeding units that have fed out sheets in order to create one stacked stack, If one of the paper feed units loaded with paper is the active paper feed unit and the paper is repeatedly fed from only that active paper feed unit, and there is no paper loaded on the active paper feed unit, Paper feeders other than the active paper feeder The second counting control for adding and counting the number of times the paper has been sent out while continuing to feed out one of the paper feeding units loaded with the paper as a new working paper feeding unit, or The feeding timing of each paper feeding unit is controlled so as to repeat the operation of feeding the papers at a timing such that the stacked papers overlap each other in the transport unit, and a series of feedings for creating one stacked stack are performed. As one time, the control unit that counts the number of repetitions, the control unit that performs any one, and whether the control unit performs the first count control, the second count control, or the collation control, The collating apparatus includes an input unit that can be selected by a user operation input, and a display unit that displays a count result of the control unit.

  According to these aspects, the number of sheets fed from a plurality of paper feed units using the configuration together with the collating process for stacking papers fed from a plurality of paper feed units to form a bundle. The first counting process for counting the number of sheets, the second counting process for shifting the sheet feeding unit to be fed out while counting the sheets fed from one sheet feeding unit, or both can be performed. Therefore, by utilizing a part of the original function of the collating apparatus, a desired number of sheets can be easily taken out from a large number of the same type of sheets, or the number of sheets can be counted and confirmed.

  The input unit can input in advance the designated number designated by the user in the first count control, and the control unit, when the designated number is entered in advance by the user in the first count control, Control may be made to stop the apparatus when they coincide with each other, and feeding adjustment may be performed so that the number of sheets in a bundle created by one feeding is adjusted so that the count value matches the designated number in the final feeding.

  When the difference between the specified number of sheets and the count value is less than the number of paper feed units sent out to form one bundle, the next feed is sent out only from the number of paper feed units equal to the difference. You may go by.

  According to this aspect, by utilizing the configuration of having a plurality of paper feeding units, it is possible to count a large number of sheets in a short time, and to reliably send out a desired number of sheets by simple control.

  The paper feed unit includes a blank feed detection unit that detects a blank feed in which a sheet is not fed at a timing when the sheet is to be fed, and the control unit performs one of the blank feed detection units in the first count control. When a paper feed is detected in the paper mechanism, it counts so as not to include that feed in the paper feed unit where the blank feed is detected, and at least all the papers that have been sent out at the time when the blank feed is detected The device may be stopped by discharging and counting.

  The paper feed unit includes a blank feed detection unit that detects a blank feed in which a sheet is not fed at a timing when the sheet is to be fed, and the control unit performs one of the blank feed detection units in the first count control. When a paper feed is detected as being skipped, counting is performed so as not to include the feed in the paper feeding unit where the blank feed is detected, and a predetermined number of times of blank feeds are continuously detected by the same paper feed unit. Sometimes, the device may be stopped.

  According to these aspects, the counting process can be performed without causing an error in the count value even if the idle feed occurs.

  The paper feed unit includes a blank feed detection unit that detects a blank feed in which a sheet is not fed at a timing when the sheet is to be fed, and the control unit performs one of the blank feed detection units in the first count control. When a paper feed is detected as being skipped, counting is performed so as not to include the feed in the paper feeding unit where the blank feed is detected, and a predetermined number of times of blank feeds are continuously detected by the same paper feed unit. At this time, the sheet feeding operation of the sheet feeding unit may be stopped, and thereafter feeding from other sheet feeding units may be continued while counting so as not to include the sheet feeding unit.

  The paper feed unit includes a blank feed detection unit that detects a blank feed in which a sheet is not fed at a timing when the sheet is to be fed, and the control unit performs one of the blank feed detection units in the first count control. When a paper feed is detected, the feed from the paper feed unit is not performed from the next time onward, and the number of paper feed units for which the paper feed is detected is the same as the number of paper feed units for which the feed is detected. Alternatively, feeding may be performed by newly adding a different sheet feeding unit.

  According to these aspects, it is possible to perform error processing while continuing the counting process without stopping the apparatus even when idle feeding occurs.

  A sheet presence / absence detecting unit that detects whether or not a sheet is stacked on the sheet feeding unit is included, and the control unit detects the absence of sheet in any sheet feeding unit by the sheet non-detecting unit in the first count control. In this case, the feeding from the paper feeding unit is not performed from the next time onward, and feeding from other paper feeding units where paper remains and counting of the number of fed paper feeding units may be continued.

  According to this aspect, the counting process can be continued without stopping the apparatus even when there is no paper.

  The paper feed unit includes a blank feed detection unit that detects a blank feed in which the paper is not fed at a timing when the paper is to be fed, and the control unit detects the blank feed when the blank feed is detected in the second count control. The feeding may not be counted, and the apparatus may be stopped when a predetermined number of idle feeds are continuously detected.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to perform the counting process without causing a deviation in the count value even if the idle feed occurs in the second count control.

Paper feeding unit includes a double feed Shitte stage to detect that the paper should send out only one from a sheet feeding section is overlapped plurality, control unit, in any one of the paper feed section, double feed detection In this case, in the first counting control or the second counting control, the apparatus is stopped before the discharge of the bundle containing the paper that has been detected to be double- fed into the stacker is completed, while in the collation control, the double counting is performed. The apparatus may be stopped after the discharge of the bundle that should contain the detected paper to the stacker is completed.

  According to this aspect, in the case of the collating process, it is possible to correct the double feed by checking the bundle sent to the stacker. On the other hand, in the case of the counting process, the double feed paper is prevented from being sent out. Thus, the counting process can be performed without causing any error in the count value.

  In the first counting control or the second counting control, the control unit disables at least one paper feeding unit closer to the downstream side in the transporting direction of the transporting unit from among the plurality of paper feeding units. The paper feeding may not be performed.

  The downstream side of the transport unit in the transport direction is the paper feed unit located near the stacker. In the paper feeding unit close to the stacker, since it takes a short time to reach the stacker after feeding, there is a possibility that when double feed occurs, the determination is not made in time, and the double feed paper is discharged to the stacker. According to this aspect, the feeding from at least one sheet feeding unit closer to the downstream side and, if necessary, the plurality of sheet feeding units closer to the downstream side are not performed in the case of the counting process, so that double feeding is performed. It is possible to prevent the paper from being sent out to the stacker.

  The paper feed unit has a paper presence / absence detection unit that detects whether or not paper is stacked, and the control unit stacks paper on a paper feed mechanism that is not used in the first count control or the second count control. A warning may be displayed when it is detected that this has been done.

  According to this aspect, when a sheet is erroneously stacked on a sheet feeding unit close to a stacker that does not perform the counting process, this can be notified to the user.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a technique capable of easily taking out a desired number of sheets from a large number of the same type of sheets or counting and checking the number of sheets in a bundle by utilizing a part of the original functions of the apparatus. Can do.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the collation apparatus 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical configuration centering on a control unit of the collating apparatus 10. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical configuration centering on a control unit of the collating apparatus 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing by the collation apparatus 10. It is a flowchart which shows the collation process performed in S16 of FIG. 4 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st count process performed in S18 of FIG. 4 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the 1st modification of a 1st count process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the 2nd modification of a 1st count process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the 3rd modification of a 1st count process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the 4th modification of a 1st count process. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the 2nd count process performed in S20 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the modification A of a 2nd count process. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the collation apparatus 1010 which concerns on another embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a collation apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The collating apparatus 10 includes 10 stages of sheet feeding units 21A to 21J in the vertical direction. Each paper feed unit 21 is provided with a shelf 22 and a paper feed mechanism 24, and a vertical transport mechanism 26 is provided at the front end side of the paper feed mechanisms 24.

  The plurality of shelves 22 of the collating apparatus 10 are arranged in the vertical direction in a substantially horizontal state. In addition, the shelf may be inclined and the juxtaposition direction of the shelf is not limited to the vertical direction. The paper feeding mechanism 24 performs paper feeding that feeds paper one by one from the corresponding shelf. In the present embodiment, a so-called suction type paper feeding mechanism is used as the paper feeding mechanism 24, which uses the air suction force to separate and send the uppermost paper from lower paper. Such a suction-type paper feed mechanism is well known and will not be described. Note that the paper feed mechanism 24 is not limited to a suction type, and for example, a so-called friction-type paper feed mechanism that uses a separation pad, a separation roller, or the like to separate and send the uppermost paper from lower paper is adopted. May be. The sheets sent out by the sheet feeding mechanism 24 are overlapped while being conveyed vertically downward by the vertical conveying mechanism 26.

  The collating apparatus 10 has a paper stacking mechanism 14. The paper stacking mechanism 14 is provided below a shelf 22 that is arranged vertically. A sheet fed from the vertical transport mechanism 26 of the collating apparatus 10 is fed into the sheet stacking mechanism 14. The paper stacking mechanism 14 includes a stacker 42 for stacking the fed paper and a stacker driving device 44 that drives the stacker 42. The paper stacking mechanism 14 places the paper conveyed with the stacker 42 raised on the upper surface of the stacker 42, and lowers the stacker 42 by the thickness of the paper every time the paper is placed. In this way, the sheet stacking mechanism 14 sequentially stacks sheets on the stacker 42.

In each sheet feeding unit 21 of the collating apparatus 10, an error sensor 50 is used to detect a sheet feeding error such as a double feed in which sheets are fed while being overlapped, an empty feed in which a sheet to be sent is not sent out, or a paper jam. Is provided. The error sensor 50 is composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element that are provided above and below the conveyance path of the paper sent out by the paper supply unit 21, measures the amount of light received by the light receiving element, The presence / absence and the presence of one sheet or two or more sheets are detected. If the paper does not arrive at the error sensor 50 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the paper feeding unit 21 performed the paper feeding operation, it is determined that the paper is not fed. If the paper remains at the error sensor 50 even after a predetermined time has passed, it is determined that the paper is jammed. When the amount of light while the paper is passing through the error sensor 50 is lower than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that double feeding.
Each shelf 22 is provided with a paper presence / absence sensor 52 for detecting the presence / absence of paper (out of paper). The sheet presence / absence sensor 52 includes a reflection type sensor or the like, and determines whether or not sheets are stacked on the shelf 22. Further, the vertical conveyance mechanism 26 is provided with a conveyance error sensor 54 for detecting a conveyance jam at an appropriate location.

  2 and 3 are schematic views showing an electrical configuration centering on the control unit of the collating apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the collation apparatus 10 includes a control unit 100 for controlling an internal mechanism.

  The control unit includes a CPU that executes various operations, a ROM that stores various control programs, and a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and is provided inside the collating apparatus 10. Control the operation of the actuator. The collating apparatus 10 is also provided with an operation panel 120. The user functions as an input unit that can perform various setting inputs and start and stop inputs on the operation panel 120. It also functions as a display unit that displays information sent from the control unit 100 so that the user can visually recognize the information. Each control unit acquires information input by the user, and controls the operation of the collation apparatus 10 according to the acquired information.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 100 includes various detection sensors including operation inputs via various switches of the input device 70 provided on the operation panel 120, an error sensor 50, a paper presence / absence sensor 52, and a conveyance error sensor 54. The detection signal from is input. The error sensor 50 includes a first error sensor 50-1 to a tenth error sensor 50-10 corresponding to the sheet feeding mechanism 24 provided on each shelf. The sheet presence sensor 52 includes a first presence sensor 52-1 to a tenth presence sensor 52-10 corresponding to the sheet feeding mechanism 24 provided on each shelf.

  The control unit 100 executes predetermined arithmetic processing for paper feed control, transport control, and the like based on these switch and sensor inputs, and drives the paper feed drive actuator 4a that drives the paper feed mechanism 4 and each transport mechanism. A control command signal is output to the transport drive actuator 82 and the stacker drive actuator 84 that drive the stacker drive device 44. The paper feed drive actuator 80 includes a first paper feed actuator 80-1 to a tenth paper feed actuator 80-10 corresponding to the paper feed mechanism 24 provided on each shelf. Further, the control unit 100 causes the display device 90 to display a collation processing setting screen, a collation status, a paper feed status, an error notification, and the like. The display device 90 is provided as a liquid crystal display.

Next, the flow of processing executed in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing by the collation apparatus 10. The control unit 100 displays a setting screen for allowing the user to select a processing mode to be executed this time (S10). In response to this, when the user selects the collation mode (Y in S12), the collation apparatus 10 executes a collation process (S16). When the user selects the first counting mode (N in S12 → Y in S14), the collation apparatus 10 executes the first counting process (S18). When the user selects the second counting mode (N in S12 → N in S14), the collation apparatus 10 executes the second counting process (S20).

  The collating process is a process of taking out the sheets stacked on each sheet feeding unit 21 one by one and stacking them to create a predetermined bundle of sheets (hereinafter referred to as a collating bundle). The first and second counting processes are processes for counting how many sheets are stacked on each sheet feeding unit 21. Details of each process will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail the collation process performed in S16 of FIG. First, the set number N1 and the count C1 are initialized (both are set to 0) (S30). Thereafter, when the user inputs a set number (S32), N1 is set to the set number that has been input (S33). If N1 is 0 (N in S36), the addition mode is set (S40). If N1 is not 0 (Y in S36), the subtraction mode is set (S38). The setting number N1 is accepted while there is no user start input (N in S42).

  As the setting number N1, the number of collation bundles that the user wants to create by collation processing is input from the operation panel 120. Accordingly, since the set number input by the user is an integer other than 0, the subtract mode is set when the set number N1 is input by the user, and the add mode is set when there is no set number.

  When a start input is made by the user (Y in S42), the control unit 100 executes setting of the active paper feeding unit (S44). That is, whether or not there is a sheet in each sheet feeding unit 21 is confirmed based on the detection state of the sheet presence / absence sensor 52, and setting is performed so that the sheet feeding mechanism of the shelf on which the sheet exists operates as an active sheet feeding unit. Do. Then, driving of each transport mechanism of the collating apparatus 10 is started (S46), and each paper feed mechanism 24 is driven to perform a paper feed operation (S48). The sheet feeding operation is performed at a timing such that the sheet feeding is sequentially performed from the upper sheet feeding unit toward the lower sheet feeding unit, and the leading ends thereof are aligned and overlap each other in the vertical transport mechanism 26. That is, by the feeding operation of S48, one collation bundle including the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding unit 21 one by one is completed.

  If no jam error is detected (N in S50) and no double feed or idle feed error is detected (N in S52), 1 is added to the count C1 (S54). If it is the subtraction mode (Y in S56), N1-C1 is displayed on the display (S57), and it is further determined whether or not the count C1 is the same as the set number N1 (S58). ) The apparatus is stopped (the conveyance of the conveyance unit is stopped) (S60).

  If they are not the same (N in S58), if there is no paper (N in S64), and there is no stop input by the user (N in S66), the process returns to S48 to perform the next paper feeding operation, and the next collation Start creating a bunch. That is, the count C1 increases by 1 every time a collated bundle is created, and thus indicates the number of produced collated bundles.

  In the subtraction mode (Y in S56), the process proceeds to S58 via S57. Therefore, if the count C1, that is, the number of created collated bundles reaches a preset number N1 (Y in S58), the collating apparatus stops. To do. In other words, the collating apparatus automatically stops at the time when the collated bundle for the preset number N1 sets is created. In the subtraction mode, since N1-C1 is displayed on the display unit, the set number N1 is displayed when the set number N1 is set, and a value subtracted by 1 is displayed each time a collated bundle is created. Will be. In the subtraction mode, if the stop operation is performed before the count C1 reaches the set number N1 (Y in S66) and the apparatus stops, the set number N1 and the count C1 are cleared, so that N1 = 0 and C1 = 0. Return. When the start operation is performed again without performing the clear operation, the set numbers N1 and C1 do not return to 0, and the operation resumes from S44 (not shown). That is, it is possible to suspend and resume the creation of the collation bundle for the set number N1.

  If it is not the subtraction mode (N in S56), the process proceeds to S63. That is, since C1 is displayed on the display unit, 0 is displayed at the start, and thereafter, a numerical value incremented by 1 is displayed every time a collated bundle is created. The apparatus stops when there is no paper or when there is a stop input by the user. Thereafter, if the clear operation of the count C1 is performed, the operation returns to C1 = 0. However, if the start operation is performed again without performing the clear operation, the operation resumes from S44 without returning to the count C1 (not shown). . That is, it is possible to continue counting from the counting result of the collated bundle before stopping.

  In both the addition mode and the subtraction mode, when there is no paper (Y in S64), the feeding of the series of papers is completed and the paper is discharged to the stacker 42 (S68), and the conveyance is stopped. (S70). Then, the absence of paper is displayed as an error on the display unit (S70). When error processing such as additional stacking of sheets on the paper feed unit 21 that has run out of paper is completed (Y in S72) and the user makes a start input (such as pressing the start switch) (Y in S74), the process returns to S46. The transport drive is resumed, and the collating operation resumes.

  The paper feeding of each paper feeding unit 21 is sequentially performed from the upper side to the lower side. In order to increase the processing efficiency, the next collation bundle is performed before the feeding reaches the lowest paper feeding unit 21. May be started from the uppermost sheet feeder 21. In that case, at the time when there is no paper (when the trailing edge of the last sheet passes through the sheet presence sensor 52), the next collation bundle including the last one is created. It may have begun. In that case, in S68, when the absence of paper occurs, the creation of the next collation bundle may be interrupted, and only the paper that has been sent out at that time may be discharged to the stacker 42 and then stopped. Alternatively, all the sheet feeding units 21 except for the sheet feeding unit 21 in which no paper is generated are driven to create a collation bundle except for the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding unit 21 that has no paper. Also good. If the former is removed as a mis-collated bundle, the number of sheets can be reduced as much as possible, and if the latter, a collated bundle can be created by replenishing paper that is insufficient later.

  When either the double feed error signal or the blank feed error signal is received from the error sensor 50 after the paper feeding operation (S48) (Y in S52), the control unit 100 completes the delivery of a series of papers at that time. Then, after the sheet is discharged to the stacker 42 (S68), the conveyance is stopped (S70), and which error has occurred in which sheet feeding unit is displayed on the display unit (S70). The user removes the collated bundle finally sent to the stacker 42 or corrects an error (removes unnecessary sheets if double feeding, and adds necessary sheets if empty feeding). When removal or correction of the error collating bundle is completed (Y in S72), the user performs a start input (pressing the start switch, etc.) (Y in S74), thereby returning to S46 and resuming the conveyance drive and collating operation. Resumes.

  In S68, when double feed or idle feed is detected, among a series of feeds for creating a collated bundle including the double feed or idle feed, the feeding of paper that has not yet started feeding at the time of detection is performed. Paper may not be used. Also, if the next collation bundle has been created at the time of detection, the creation of the next collation bundle may be interrupted at the time of detection, or the supply for creating the next collation bundle You may make it stop, after performing all the paper operations.

  When a jam error signal is received from the error sensor 50 or the conveyance error sensor 54 after the paper feeding operation (S48) (Y in S50), the control unit 100 immediately stops the conveyance (S62), and a jam occurs at any position. Is displayed on the display unit (S70). When the error processing is completed by removing the jammed paper (Y in S72), the user inputs start (pressing the start switch, etc.) (Y in S74), so that the process returns to S46 and the conveyance drive is resumed. Joint operation resumes.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the first counting process performed in S18 of FIG. First, the set number N2 and the count C2 are initialized (both are set to 0) (S102). Thereafter, when the user inputs a set number (Y in S104), N2 is set to the set number that has been input (S106). If N2 is 0 (N in S108), the addition mode is set (S112). If N2 is not 0 (Y in S108), the subtraction mode is set (S110). While there is no user start input (N in S114), the setting number N2 is accepted.

  As the set number N2, the number of sheets that the user wants to send out in the first counting process is input from the operation panel 120. Accordingly, since the setting number input by the user is an integer other than 0, the subtraction mode is set when the setting number N2 is input by the user, and the addition mode is set when there is no setting.

  When a start input is made by the user (Y in S114), the control unit 100 counts the number of active paper feeding units and stores the counting result Na (S116). The number of active paper feeding units is counted by a signal sent from the paper presence / absence sensor 52 as to whether or not paper is stacked on each paper feeding unit from the uppermost paper feeding unit 21A to the lower third paper feeding unit 21H. Judgment is made, and the sheet feeding unit 21 on which sheets are stacked is set as the active sheet feeding unit 21, the number thereof is counted, and the count value Na is stored. At this time, the paper feed units 21I and 21J corresponding to the two stages from the lower side are not used, and are not included in the count value Na even if sheets are stacked. For example, if a sheet is loaded on the sheet feeding units 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21G, 21H, 21I, and 21J and a start input is made in a state where no sheets are loaded on the sheet feeding units 21E and 21F, the sheet is not used. Among the sheet feeding units other than the sheet feeding units 21I and 21J, the number of sheet feeding units on which sheets are stacked is six, and thus Na = 6. The sheet feeding units 21E and 21F on which no sheets are stacked are non-operating sheet feeding units, and the number is not included in Na. At this time, when paper is loaded on the paper feeding units 21I and 21J (Y in S118), a warning such as “Paper is loaded on the first and second tiers from the bottom. Do you want to start?” Is displayed on the display unit (S120). At the same time, a confirmation button or the like is displayed, and when the user performs a clear operation by pressing the confirmation button or the like (S124), driving of the transport mechanism is started. Therefore, even if the user should mistakenly stack the sheets to be counted on the unused paper feed units 21I and 21J, this can be notified. If no paper is loaded on the paper feed units 21I and 21J (N in S118), the process proceeds directly to S126, and driving of each transport unit is started.

  Note that a preset process (not shown) may be performed before the start input. The preset process is a process for sending out the sheets stacked on each sheet feeding unit 21 one by one in accordance with a user instruction. In this preset process, the time when the sheet shields the error sensor 50 and the amount of transmitted light when the sheet is shielded are measured, and the threshold for detecting double feed, and the judgment timing for detecting jam and idle feed are determined. An operating paper feeding unit may be set during the preset processing. Further, at the time of the preset processing, a warning may be given when a sheet is loaded on the unused sheet feeding units 21I and 21J.

  Next, in the subtraction mode (Y in S128), the process proceeds to S129. If N2-C2 <Na (Y in S129), Na = N2-C2 is set (S130). The processing from S128 to S130 will be described in detail later. Next, a paper feeding operation is performed in the Na paper feeding units 21 set as the active paper feeding units (S132). As in the collating process, the sheet feeding operation sequentially feeds sheets from the upper sheet feeding unit toward the lower sheet feeding unit, and at the timing at which the leading edges are aligned and overlap each other in the vertical transport mechanism 26. Executed. However, no feeding is performed from the lower two-stage sheet feeding units 21I and 21J that are not used even if sheets are stacked. As a result, a bundle of Na sheets is sent to the stacker 42.

  If no double feed or jam error is detected (N in S134) and no blank feed error is detected (N in S136), the count C2 is increased by Na (S138). If it is the subtraction mode (Y in S140), N2-C2 is displayed on the display (S142), and it is further determined whether or not the count C2 is the same as the set number N2 (S144). ) The apparatus is stopped (the conveyance of the conveyance unit is stopped) (S146). If they are not the same (N in S144), if there is no more paper (N in S150) and there is no stop input by the user (N in S152), the process returns to S128 and the next paper feeding operation is performed. That is, each time a bundle is created, the count C2 increases by the number of sheets Na of the bundle, and thus indicates the total number of sheets fed out. In the subtraction mode (Y in S140), the process proceeds to S144. Therefore, if the count C2, that is, the total number of fed sheets reaches the set number N2 (Y in S144), the collating apparatus stops. In other words, the collating apparatus automatically stops when the preset number N2 of sheets are discharged to the stacker 42. If preset processing has been performed in advance, the paper sent out in the preset processing may be included in C2, or in the case of preset processing, the sent paper may be stopped halfway without being sent to the stacker 42. It may not be included.

  When the process returns from S152 to S128, in the subtraction mode (Y in S128), the process proceeds to S129, and it is determined whether N2-C2 <Na. N2-C2 is the remaining number of sheets that needs to be sent out in the future in order to send out N2 sheets, which is a numerical value input as the number of sheets that the user wants to send out in advance. If the remaining number is smaller than the number Na of active paper feeding units (Y in S129), if the paper is fed from all the active paper feeding units in the next sending, the paper will be sent out exceeding the set number N2. . Therefore, if it is determined in S129 that N2-C2 <Na (Y in S129), if the remaining N2-C2 sheets are sent out, the number of sheets sent out from the start of processing becomes N2. Therefore, the number of active paper feeding units Na is set to N2-C2 (S130), and N2-C2 sheets are sent out in the next sending out. When the process proceeds through S130, Na sheets are sent out in the paper feeding operation in S132, and C2 = N2 in S144. That is, the delivery of N2 sheets is completed and the apparatus is stopped. Therefore, in S128 to S130, the delivery number is adjusted so that the total delivery number becomes the set number N2.

  In the subtraction mode, N2-C2 is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, when the set number N2 is set, the set number N2 is displayed, and each time the sheet is fed, the number of sheets fed (Na ) Will be displayed. In the subtraction mode, if the stop operation is performed before the count C2 reaches the set number N2 (Y in S152) and the apparatus stops and then the set number N2 and the count C2 are cleared, N2 = 0 and C2 = 0. Return. When the start operation is performed again without performing the clear operation, the set numbers N2 and C2 do not return to 0, and the process resumes from S128 (not shown). That is, it is possible to interrupt and resume the feeding of the set number N2.

  When not in the subtraction mode (in the addition mode) (N in S140), C2 is displayed on the display section (S148). Therefore, 0 is displayed at the start, and the number Na sent out each time a bundle is created The numbers added one by one will be displayed. That is, the total number of sheets sent to the stacker 42 at that time is displayed. The apparatus stops when there is no paper or when there is a stop input by the user. If the count C2 is subsequently cleared, the operation returns to C2 = 0. However, if the start operation is performed again without performing the clear operation, the count C2 does not return to 0, and the process restarts from S128 (not shown). . That is, it is possible to continue counting from the counting result of the paper before stopping. In the subtraction mode, C2 may be displayed instead of N2-C2. This is because in the counting process, the user may desire to display the number of sheets counted and sent to the stacker rather than the remaining number. At this time, N2 may be displayed at the same time so that it can be seen at a glance how many of the set number have been completed.

  In both the addition mode and the subtraction mode, when there is no paper (Y in S150), the feeding of the series of papers of that time is completed, and the paper is discharged to the stacker 42, and then the conveyance is stopped (S151). ). At this time, if the next paper feeding is started from the top when the absence of paper is detected, the next feeding is stopped at that time, and only the paper whose feeding has already started is sent to the stacker 42. . Then, the total number Ne of sheets sent out at the interrupted next delivery is added to the count C2 (S153). Then, the fact that no paper has occurred is displayed as an error on the display unit (S163). When error processing such as additional stacking of sheets on the paper feed unit 21 that has run out of paper is completed (Y in S164) and the user inputs a start (such as pressing the start switch) (Y in S166), the process returns to S116. The transport drive is resumed and the operation resumes. Although not shown in the figure, when all the operation paper feeding units are out of paper, the process proceeds to S146 and the apparatus stops.

  If the next paper feed starts from the top when no paper is detected, the next paper feed is carried out to the lowest active paper feed unit except for the paper-free paper feed unit. May be. Since the paper feed timing may vary due to slippage of the paper in the paper feed mechanism 24, when a series of feeds is interrupted halfway, the number of sheets Ne theoretically derived from the transmission timing of the interruption signal is actually This is because the number of sheets to be sent out may be different. Therefore, the next feeding can be completed up to the lowest active sheet feeding unit, and only the amount of the sheet feeding unit that has run out of paper can be subtracted, thereby allowing accurate counting.

  In addition, after determining whether or not the active paper feeding unit has run out of paper as a result of the delivery of paper from the lowest active paper feeding unit, the next paper feeding operation is the highest active paper feeding. You may make it start from a part. By doing so, the next paper feeding operation does not start when the absence of paper is detected, so Ne = 0.

  In S164, it is not always necessary to stack additional sheets on the sheet feeding unit 21 that has run out of sheets. When the start input is performed without loading additional sheets in the paper feed unit 21 that has run out of paper (Y in S166), the process returns to S116 and the number Na of the active paper feed units is counted and stored again. At this time, since no paper is stacked on the paper feeding unit 21 that has run out of paper, the paper feeding unit 21 becomes a non-working paper feeding unit and is not counted in Na. Therefore, the process is performed by subtracting 1 from the number of active paper feeds Na before the absence of paper. As a result, the sheet feeding unit 21 that has run out of paper is not fed out, and the number of sheets fed out from the remaining working sheet feeding units is counted.

  When the error sensor 50 receives a blank feed error signal after the sheet feeding operation (S132) (Y in S136), the control unit 100 determines that the blank feed is less than three times continuously in the same sheet feeding unit (N in S154). ), Na is added to the count C2, and the number Nc of the sheet feeding units 21 in which the idle feeding has occurred is subtracted. This means that the sheet is not sent out from the paper feeding unit 21 where the idle feeding has occurred, and that amount is not included in the count. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S140.

  If the idle feed is the third consecutive time in the same paper feed unit (Y in S154), the feeding of the series of papers of that time is all completed and the paper is discharged to the stacker 42, and then the conveyance is stopped (S158). ). If the next paper feeding is started from the top when the idle feeding is detected, the next feeding is stopped at that time, and only the paper whose feeding has already been started is sent to the stacker 42. The count C2 is added with a series of feeds for the time when no paper is detected and the total sheet number Nb sent for the next interrupted delivery (S160). Then, it is displayed on the display section as an error that the idle feed has occurred (S163). When the error processing such as adjustment for preventing the idle feeding is completed to the paper feeding unit 21 which has become the idle feeding (Y in S164), and the user inputs a start (pressing the start switch, etc.) (Y in S166). , Returning to S116, the conveyance drive is resumed, and the operation is resumed.

  If the next paper feed starts from the top when the third continuous feed is detected, the lowest active paper feed unit is excluded for the next time except for the paper feed unit. You may send out to In addition, as a result of sending out the paper from the lowest active paper feed unit, the next paper feed operation starts from the highest active paper feed unit after determining whether or not the active paper feed unit has idle feed. You may be made to do. Then, since the next sheet feeding operation has not started when the idle feed is detected, Nb = Na.

  In S164, the sheet may be removed from the sheet feeding unit 21 that has been idle fed and the process may be resumed. In this case, when the start input is made (Y in S166), the process returns to S116 and the number Na of the active paper feeding units is counted and stored again. Therefore, the paper feeding unit 21 from which the paper is removed becomes a non-working paper feeding unit and becomes Na. Is not counted, and thereafter, the number of active paper feeding units Na is decremented by 1, and processing is performed. As a result, the sheet feeding unit 21 from which the sheet is removed is not fed out, and the number of sheets fed out from the remaining working sheet feeding unit is counted.

  In the first counting process, when a blank feed occurs, it is determined whether or not the blank feed is the third consecutive time in the same paper feeding unit, and the apparatus is stopped when it is the third consecutive time. The number of times may be any number, for example, it may be stopped by the first idle feed, or may be stopped for the first time at the fifth consecutive time. Further, the user may be able to change this arbitrary number of times with the input means.

  Upon receipt of a double feed error signal or jam error signal from the error sensor 50 or a jam error signal from the transport error sensor 54 after the paper feeding operation (S132) (Y in S134), the control unit 100 immediately stops transport. (S162) The position at which the jam has occurred is displayed on the display unit (S163). When error handling is completed by removing jammed paper or multi-feed paper from the apparatus (Y in S164), the user inputs start (pressing the start switch, etc.) (Y in S166), and returns to S116 for conveyance. Driving is resumed and collating operation resumes.

  In the case of a jam error, if the conveyance drive is continued, the sheet is entangled with the conveyance mechanism and causes a failure, and the conveyance is immediately stopped. In the case of a double feed error, since it cannot be counted as one sheet, the conveyance is stopped at least before being discharged to the stacker 42, and the count C2 is not added. If the amount of transmitted light detected by the error sensor 50 is below the threshold, it can be determined that two or more sheets are overlapped instead of one, but it is determined whether the number is two or three or more. Because it is difficult. By the above processing, the count C2 surely matches the number of sheets discharged to the stacker 42.

  Note that the error sensor 50 is not an optical sensor, and a sensor that measures the thickness of the paper by measuring the displacement of the paper when the paper is passed between rollers whose outer circumferences are in contact with each other is employed. In this case, it is possible to determine the number of sheets that have passed from the thickness. In that case, when double feeding is detected, the sheet is discharged to the stacker 42, and the number of sheets may be added to C2.

  Further, according to the first counting process, the lower two-stage paper feeding units 21I and 21J are not used, and cannot be used as an active paper feeding unit. It cannot be used to count. The lower paper feed units 21I and 21J have a shorter distance from the delivery to the stacker 42 than the upper paper feed units 21A to 21H. Even if the detection signal is sent to the control unit 100 by 50 and the control unit immediately stops the conveyance, there is a possibility that the already fed paper has reached the stacker 42. Then, the number of sheets fed to the stacker 42 is not matched with the count C2 because the multi-feed sheets that are two or more but cannot be identified are stacked on the stacker 42. Therefore, in the first counting process, the paper feeding units 21I and 21J cannot be set as the active paper feeding unit.

  It should be noted that the number of unusable ranges from the lower side may be determined by whether or not there is a possibility that a sheet with double feed may reach the stacker 42, that is, from each sheet feeding unit to the stacker 42. Needless to say, the distance is not limited to two, and may be determined in consideration of the distance up to and the conveyance speed, the processing capability of the control unit 100, and the like.

  In the first counting process described above, in S128 to S130, the delivery number is adjusted at the last delivery so that the cumulative delivery number matches the number set in advance by the user. It is not limited to the last delivery. For example, the adjustment may be performed by sending out two times before the last time instead of the last time, or may be performed by adjusting the number of delivered papers more than before before the last plural times.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process flow of a first modification of the first counting process. The same processes as those in the example shown in FIG. 6 are given the same numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The first modified example is different from the process shown in FIG. 6 in the process in the case where the idle feed occurs. In the example of FIG. 6, when a blank feed occurs, it is determined whether or not the blank feed is the third consecutive time in the same paper feed unit, and if it is the third consecutive time, the apparatus is stopped. In one modified example, when the idle feed is the third continuous feed, the paper feeding unit is automatically set as a non-working paper feeding unit. That is, the sheet feeding operation is not performed after the next time, and the amount is subtracted and counted.

  Details will be described. When the error sensor 50 receives the blank feed error signal (Y in S136), the control unit 100 adds Na to the count C2, and further subtracts the number Nc of the sheet feeding units 21 in which the blank feed has occurred, so that the blank feed is performed. The generated paper feed unit 21 is not included in the count. Next, if the idle feed is the third consecutive time in the same sheet feeding unit (Y in S154), the sheet feeding unit is set as a non-operating sheet feeding unit (S172), and the number Nc of unused sheet feeding units Is subtracted from Na. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S176. If the idle feed is less than the third consecutive time (N in S154), S172 and S174 are skipped and the process proceeds to S176.

  If the use button is not pressed (described later in S176) in S176 (N in S176), the process proceeds to S140 and must be stopped when there is no paper (Y in S150), stop operation (Y in S152), or count up (Y in S144). Then, the process returns to S128 and the next delivery is performed. At that time, no paper is sent out from the paper feeding unit 21 which is set as a non-working paper feeding unit. In other words, when idle feeding occurs three times in succession, the feeding of paper from the idle feeding unit 21 is automatically stopped and the number of active paper feeding units Na is decreased by the cancellation, thereby disabling operation. The counting can be continued without including the paper feeding unit 21.

  In S176, it is determined whether or not the use button has been pressed by the user (S176). The use button is used to change the paper feeding unit 21 that is a non-working paper feeding unit to an active paper feeding unit, and may be provided in the apparatus main body for each paper feeding unit 21 or in S116 or S172. You may display on the input part (operation panel etc.) about the paper feed part 21 used as the non-operation paper feed part. It should be noted that the use button operation is not accepted for the sheet feeding units that are not used (the lower two sheet feeding units 21I and 21J). Therefore, it cannot be changed to the active sheet feeding unit.

  When the user presses the use button (Y in S176), the paper presence sensor 52 of the pressed paper feed unit 21 determines whether or not the paper is stacked (S178). If the paper is stacked (Y in S178). ), Using this as the active paper feeder, the number Na of active paper feeders is increased by 1 (S180). If it is not stacked (N in S178), it cannot be set as the active sheet feeding unit, so a warning to that effect is displayed on the display unit (S182) (“paper is not stacked” or the like).

  Therefore, if the user presses the use button after performing a predetermined adjustment or the like to cancel the idle feed for the paper feeding unit 21 which has been automatically deactivated due to the continuous occurrence of the idle feed three times, the supply again The paper section 21 can be operated as an active paper feeding section, and counting can be performed including that amount. Since the work can be performed while continuing the feeding and counting of the paper from the other paper feed unit 21, an efficient work can be performed. In addition, since the unused paper feeding unit cannot be changed to the active paper feeding unit even by the use button, it is possible to reliably prevent the multi-feed paper from being discharged to the stacker 42.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the second modification of the first counting process. The same processes as those in the example shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The second modified example is different from the process shown in FIG. 6 in the process in the case of idle feeding. In the example of FIG. 6, when a blank feed occurs, it is determined whether or not the blank feed is the third consecutive time in the same paper feed unit, and if it is the third consecutive time, the apparatus is stopped. In the second modification, when the idle feeding occurs, the feeding unit is changed so as to feed out from the sheet feeding unit instead of the sheet feeding unit.

  Details will be described. When the error sensor 50 receives the idle feeding error signal (Y in S136), the control unit 100 determines whether there is a non-operating paper feeding unit on which sheets are stacked, which can replace the active paper feeding unit in which the idle feeding has occurred. (S190). At the stage of device start input (S114), sheets are not stacked. Therefore, in S116, the sheet is set as a non-operating sheet feeding unit, and the counting operation is started. Is in a state where sheets are stacked.

  If there is a non-working paper feeding unit on which sheets are stacked (Y in S190), it is changed to an active paper feeding unit (S192), and the paper feeding unit 21 in which the idle feeding has occurred is changed to a non-working paper feeding unit. Then, the process proceeds to S156. If there is no non-operating sheet feeding unit on which sheets are stacked (N in S190), the process proceeds to S154, and it is determined whether or not the pre-feed is the third consecutive time (S154). The steps after S154 and S156 are the same as the example of FIG. According to the second modification, it is possible to replace the sheet feeding unit 21 in which idle feeding has occurred with another sheet feeding unit 21 without changing the number of sheets counted at one time.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the third modification of the first counting process. The same processes as those in the example shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The third modified example is different from the process shown in FIG. 6 in the process when there is no paper. In the example of FIG. 6, when there is no paper, the paper sent out at the time when the paper out occurred (if the next sending started at the time when no paper occurred, the next sending The paper is discharged to the stacker 42 (including the paper that has been interrupted or sent to the end) and the apparatus is stopped. In the third modification, when there is no paper, the paper feeding unit is automatically A non-operating paper feeder is used. That is, the sheet feeding operation is not performed after the next time, and the amount is subtracted and counted.

  Details will be described. When the paper absence signal is received from the paper presence / absence sensor (Y in S150), the control unit 100 sets the paper feeding unit 21 that has run out of paper as a non-operating paper feeding unit (S202) and an unused paper feeding unit. 21 (N204) is subtracted from Na (the number of paper feed units 21 in which no paper has occurred) (S204).

  After that, if the use button is not pressed (described later) (N in S206), the process proceeds to S152, and if not stopped by the stop operation (Y in S152), the process returns to S128 and the next sending is performed. At that time, no paper is sent out from the paper feeding unit 21 which is set as a non-working paper feeding unit. In other words, when the absence of paper occurs, the paper feeding unit 21 in which the absence of paper is detected automatically stops sending out the paper, and by the reduction, the number of active paper feeding units Na is reduced, and the paper becomes non-operational. Counting can be continued without including the paper feed unit 21.

  In S206, it is determined whether or not the use button has been pressed by the user. The use button is used to change the sheet feeding unit 21 that is a non-working sheet feeding unit to an active sheet feeding unit, as in S176 to S182 of the first modification, and is arranged for each sheet feeding unit 21. Or displayed on the operation panel or the like. The use button operation is not accepted in the paper feeding unit which is not used.

  Processes after the user presses the use button (Y in S206) (S206 to S212) are the same as S176 to S182 of the first modification. Therefore, if the user presses the use button after loading a new sheet on the sheet feeding unit 21 that has been automatically deactivated due to running out of sheets, the sheet feeding unit 21 is operated again as an active sheet feeding unit. , Including that amount can be counted. Since the work can be performed while continuing the feeding and counting of the paper from the other paper feed unit 21, an efficient work can be performed. In addition, since the unused paper feeding unit cannot be changed to the active paper feeding unit even by the use button, it is possible to reliably prevent the multi-feed paper from being discharged to the stacker 42.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the fourth modification of the first counting process. The same processes as those in the example shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The fourth modification is different from the process shown in FIG. 6 in the process when there is no paper. In the example of FIG. 6, when there is no paper, the paper sent out at the time when the paper out occurred (if the next sending started at the time when no paper occurred, the next sending The paper is discharged to the stacker 42 (including paper that has been interrupted or sent to the end) and the apparatus is stopped. However, in the fourth modification, when there is no paper, the paper is replaced with the paper feeding unit. Change to send out from the department.

  Details will be described. When a paper out signal is received from the paper presence / absence sensor (Y in S150), the control unit 100 determines whether there is a non-working paper feeding unit on which paper is loaded, which can replace the working paper feeding unit in which no paper has occurred. (S222) Determination. If there is a non-operating paper feeding unit on which sheets are stacked (Y in S222), it is changed to an active paper feeding unit (S224), and the paper feeding unit 21 in which idle feeding has occurred is changed to a non-operating paper feeding unit. The process proceeds to S152. If there is no non-operating sheet feeding unit on which sheets are stacked (N in S222), the process proceeds to S151, where all of the series of sheets are sent out, and the sheets are discharged to the stacker 42 before being transported. Stop. According to the fourth modification, it is possible to replace the paper feeding unit 21 in which no paper has occurred with another paper feeding unit 21 without changing the number of counts per time.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the second counting process performed in S20 of FIG. First, the set number N3 and the count C3 are initialized (both are set to 0) (S302). Thereafter, when the user inputs a set number (Y in S304), N3 is set to the set number that has been input (S306). If N3 is 0 (N in S308), the addition mode is set (S312), and if N3 is not 0 (Y in S308), the subtraction mode is set (S310). The setting number N3 is accepted while there is no user start input (N in S314).

  As the set number N3, the user inputs from the operation panel 120 the number of sheets to be sent out in the second counting process. Therefore, since the set number input by the user is an integer other than 0, the subtract mode is set when the set number N3 is input by the user, and the add mode is set when there is no set number.

  When a start input is made by the user (Y in S314), the control unit 100 determines an active paper feeding unit (S316). The active sheet feeding unit is determined as the sheet feeding unit 21 positioned at the top of the sheet feeding units 21 on which sheets are stacked. Further, the two-stage paper feeding units 21I and 21J from the lower side are not used and are not used in the second counting process. A sheet feeding unit other than one working sheet feeding unit and an unused sheet feeding unit is a non-working sheet feeding unit. At this time, when sheets are stacked on the unused paper feed units 21I and 21J (Y in S318), “sheets are stacked in the first and second tiers from the bottom. Do you want to start?” Is displayed on the display unit (S320). At the same time, a confirmation button or the like is displayed, and when the user performs a clearing operation by pressing the confirmation button or the like (S324), driving of the transport mechanism is started. Therefore, even if the user should mistakenly stack the sheets to be counted on the unused paper feed units 21I and 21J, this can be notified. If no paper is loaded on the paper feed units 21I and 21J (N in S318), the process proceeds directly to S326, and driving of each transport unit is started.

  Next, a sheet feeding operation is performed in one sheet feeding unit 21 set as an active sheet feeding unit (S328), and one sheet fed out is sent to the stacker 42 through the vertical conveyance path 26. If no double feed or jam error is detected (N in S330) and no blank feed error is detected (N in S332), the count C3 is incremented by 1 (S334). If it is the subtraction mode (Y in S336), N3-C3 is displayed on the display unit (S338), and it is further determined whether or not the count C3 is the same as the set number N3 (S340). ) The apparatus is stopped (the conveyance of the conveyance unit is stopped) (S342). If they are not the same (N in S340), if there is no more paper (N in S356), and there is no stop input by the user (N in S362), the process returns to S328 to perform the next paper feeding operation. That is, the count C3 is incremented by 1 every time a paper feeding operation is performed, and thus indicates the total number of sheets fed out.

  In the subtraction mode (Y in S336), the process proceeds to S340 via S338. Therefore, if the count C3, that is, the total number of fed sheets reaches the set number N3 (Y in S340), the collating apparatus stops. That is, the collating apparatus automatically stops when the preset number N3 of sheets is discharged to the stacker 42. In the subtraction mode, since N3-C3 is displayed on the display unit (S338), the set number N3 is displayed when the set number N3 is set, and is subtracted by 1 each time the sheet is sent out thereafter. A numerical value will be displayed. In the subtraction mode, after the stop operation is performed before the count C3 reaches the set number N3 (Y in S362) and the apparatus is stopped, if the clear operation of the set number N3 and the count C3 is performed, N3 = 0 and C3 = 0. Return. When the start operation is performed again without performing the clear operation, the set numbers N3 and C3 do not return to 0, and the process resumes from S328 (not shown). That is, it is possible to interrupt and restart the feeding of the set number N3 sheets.

  If it is not the subtraction mode (N in S336), C3 is displayed on the display unit (S354). At the time of starting, 0 is displayed, and thereafter, a numerical value added by 1 is displayed every time a bundle is created. That is, the total number of sheets sent to the stacker 42 at that time is displayed. The apparatus stops when there is no paper or when there is a stop input by the user. Thereafter, if the clear operation of the count C3 is performed, the operation returns to C3 = 0. However, if the start operation is performed again without performing the clear operation, the count C3 does not return to 0, and the process restarts from S328 (not shown). . That is, it is possible to continue counting from the counting result of the paper before stopping.

  As in the first counting process, in the subtraction mode, C3 may be displayed instead of N3-C3, and N3 may be displayed at the same time.

  In the addition mode and the subtraction mode, when there is no paper (Y in S356), it is determined whether or not there is a transfer destination of the active paper feeding unit (S358). The transfer destination of the active sheet feeding unit is selected from among the non-operating sheet feeding units loaded with sheets, the sheet feeding unit that is below the active sheet feeding unit and is closest to the active sheet feeding unit. When there is no transition destination below the active sheet feeding unit, the uppermost sheet feeding unit is selected from the non-operating sheet feeding units on which the sheets above the active sheet feeding unit are stacked. Unused paper feed units (lower two-stage paper feed units 21I and 21J) are not targeted for migration. If there is a transfer destination (Y in S358), the operating paper feeding unit is transferred to the transfer destination (S360). That is, the non-operating sheet feeding unit at the transfer destination is the working sheet feeding unit, and the previous working sheet feeding unit that has run out of paper is the non-working sheet feeding unit.

  When there is no transfer destination (N in S358), that is, when no sheets are stacked on all the non-operating sheet feeding units, the last sheet from the sheet feeding unit where no paper has occurred is discharged to the stacker 42. Then, the conveyance drive is stopped (S346), and the absence of paper is displayed as an error on the display unit (S349). When an error process such as additional stacking of sheets on the paper feed unit 21 that has run out of paper is completed (Y in S350) and the user makes a start input (such as pressing a start switch) (Y in S352), the process returns to S316. The transport drive is resumed and the operation resumes. Although not shown in the figure, when all the operation paper supply units are out of paper, the process proceeds to S342 and the apparatus stops.

  That is, in the second counting process, out of the sheet feeding units 21 excluding the lower two-stage sheet feeding units 21I and 21J that are not used, the feeding from one sheet feeding unit 21 on which sheets are stacked is repeated. When there is no paper in the paper feeding unit 21 that is sending out, the paper feeding operation is automatically shifted to another paper feeding unit 21 (other than the unused paper feeding unit) on which the paper is stacked. According to this process, although it takes more time than the first counting process, it is discharged to the stacker 42 in the same order as the stacking order on the sheet feeding unit 21. Therefore, it is necessary to count the sheet bundles arranged in the page order in advance. Is suitable.

  Also in the case of the second counting process, a preset process (not shown) may be performed before the start input, and the sheets stacked on each sheet feeding unit 21 may be sent out one by one. In the preset process, the sheets fed from the respective sheet feeding units may be stacked by the vertical transport mechanism 26. Further, at the time of the preset processing, a warning may be given when a sheet is loaded on the unused sheet feeding units 21I and 21J.

  When the error sensor 50 receives a blank feed error signal after the paper feed operation (S328) (Y in S332), the control unit 100 determines that the blank feed is less than three times continuously in the same paper feed unit (N in S344). ), The process proceeds to S336. At this time, since step S334 is skipped, the count C3 is not added, so that the amount of skip feed is not counted.

  If the idle feed is the third consecutive time in the same sheet feeding unit (Y in S344), the conveyance drive is stopped (S346), and the occurrence of the idle feed is displayed on the display unit as an error (S349). When the error handling is completed by making various adjustments in the paper feeding unit 21 that has become the idle feed so as to prevent subsequent idle feed (Y in S350), and the user makes a start input (such as pressing the start switch) ( (Y in S352), the process returns to S316, the conveyance drive is resumed, and the operation is resumed.

  Upon receiving a double feed error signal or jam error signal from the error sensor 50 or a jam error signal from the transport error sensor 54 in the paper feeding operation (S328) (Y in S330), the control unit 100 immediately stops transport ( (S348) The position at which the jam has occurred is displayed on the display unit (S349). When the error processing is completed by removing jammed paper or multi-feed paper from the apparatus (Y in S350), the user inputs a start (pressing the start switch, etc.) (Y in S352), and returns to S326 to carry. Driving is resumed and collating operation resumes.

  In the case of a jam error, if the conveyance drive is continued, the sheet is entangled with the conveyance mechanism and causes a failure, and the conveyance is immediately stopped. In the case of a double feed error, since it cannot be counted as one sheet, the conveyance is stopped at least before being discharged to the stacker 42, and the count C3 is not added. Similar to the first counting process, the count C3 surely matches the number of sheets discharged to the stacker 42 by this process.

  Note that the error sensor 50 may determine the number of sheets passed by a sheet thickness measurement method using rollers whose outer circumferences are in contact with each other instead of the optical sensor, and add the number to C3.

  Also in this second counting process, the lower two-stage paper feeding units 21I and 21J are not used, and cannot be used as an active paper feeding unit. That is, since it cannot be used for counting, double feeding or the like is generated in these paper feeding units 21I and 21J and sent to the stacker 42 to prevent inconsistency between the number sent to the stacker 42 and the count C3. be able to. It should be noted that the number of steps that are not used from the bottom may be determined in consideration of the distance from each sheet feeding unit to the stacker 42, the conveyance speed, the processing capability of the control unit 100, and the like. It is the same as the first counting process that it is not limited to two stages.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the modified example A of the second counting process. The same processes as those in the example shown in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The modification A differs from the process shown in FIG. 11 in the process in the case of idle feeding. In the example of FIG. 11, when the pre-feed occurs, it is determined whether or not the pre-feed is the third continuous time in the same paper feeding unit, and if it is the third continuous time, the apparatus is stopped. In Example A, when the idle feed occurs continuously three times in the same sheet feeding unit, the operation sheet feeding unit is shifted.

  Details will be described. When the error sensor 50 receives the idle feed error signal (Y in S332), the control unit 100 counts the same as in FIG. The process proceeds to S336 without adding C3. If the idle feed is the third consecutive time in the same sheet feeding unit (Y in S344), the process proceeds to S358. In other words, the shift of the active paper feeding unit is performed in the same way as when no paper is generated.

  Therefore, according to the present modification A, when the idle feeding is continuously generated three times in the same sheet feeding unit, the sheet feeding operation is automatically performed on the other sheet feeding unit 21 (other than the unused sheet feeding unit) on which the sheets are stacked. Move on. Accordingly, it is possible to perform readjustment of the paper feeding unit in which the idle feeding has occurred while continuing counting without stopping the apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform a collating process in which sheets fed from a plurality of paper feeding units are stacked on each other, and count the desired number of sheet bundles by utilizing the configuration. Thus, it is possible to perform a counting process for counting the number of sheets discharged or stacked. The first counting process makes it possible to count a large amount in a short time using a plurality of paper feeding units, and the second counting process repeats feeding from a single paper feeding unit to pre-load the sheets stacked in order of pages. Counting processing suitable for counting can be performed.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a collation apparatus 1010 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Members having the same configuration as the collating apparatus 10 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The collating apparatus 1010 of this another embodiment is a combination of two collating apparatuses 10 in FIG. A sheet stacking mechanism 14 is provided below the sheet feeding units 21A to 21J of the collating apparatus 10B on the right side of the figure. Below the sheet feeding sections 21K to 21T of the collating apparatus 10A on the left side of the figure, a relay conveyance device 28 is provided instead of a stacker. The two collating devices 10A and 10B are connected via a relay conveying device 16, and a sheet stacking mechanism 414 is provided on the left side in the drawing.

  The collating apparatus 1010 can switch the transport direction of the relay transport mechanisms 16 and 18 to the left or right, and the user can select from the input unit.

  In the left direction, the sheet sent from each sheet feeding unit 21 of the collating apparatus 10B descends the vertical conveyance mechanism 26 and is guided to the left in the figure at the lowest position, and the relay conveyance device 32 and the relay conveyance device. 28, the paper is stacked on the paper stacking mechanism 414. The sheet sent from the collating apparatus 10A is also guided to the left in the figure at the lowest position of the vertical transport mechanism 26, overlapped with the sheet sent from the collating apparatus 10B, and discharged to the sheet stacking mechanism 414.

  If the direction is rightward, the sheet sent from each sheet feeding unit 21 of the collating apparatus 10A descends the vertical conveyance mechanism 26 and is guided to the right in the lowermost position, and the relay conveyance device 28 and the relay conveyance device. The paper is loaded on the paper stacking mechanism 14 through 32. The sheet sent from the collating apparatus 10B is also guided to the right in the drawing at the lowest position of the vertical transport mechanism 26, is overlapped with the sheet sent from the collating apparatus 10A, and is discharged to the sheet stacking mechanism 14.

  Similar to the paper stacking mechanism 14, the paper stacking mechanism 414 includes a stacker 454 that receives paper and a stacker driving device 444 that drives the stacker 454 to move up and down.

  In addition to the collation process, the collation apparatus 1010 can execute either the first counting process, the second counting process, or both. In the first counting process, the sheets stacked over the two sheet feeding units 21 of the collating apparatuses 10A and 10B are accumulated in the stacker 454 as leftward discharge while being stacked and sent to the stacker 42 as rightward discharge. Either stacking is performed, and the number of sheets fed to the stackers 42 and 454 is counted.

  In the second counting process, one of the two sheet feeding units 21 of the collating apparatuses 10A and 10B is sent out as an active sheet feeding unit, and the active sheet feeding unit is transferred every time paper runs out. Then, either stacking is performed in the stacker 454 as leftward discharge or stacking on the stacker 42 as rightward discharge, and the number of sheets sent to the stackers 42 and 454 is counted.

  In the first and second counting processes, when discharging in the right direction, one or a plurality of paper feed units 21 (for example, the paper feed units 21I and 21J) close to the stacker 42 are not used, and no feeding is performed. In the case of discharging in the right direction, one or a plurality of paper feed units 21 close to the stacker 454 (for example, the paper feed units 21S and 21T) are not used, and no feeding is performed.

  The number of paper feed units that are not used is determined by taking into consideration the transport length to the stacker and the processing capability of the control unit, and the number of paper feed units 21 that may be discharged to the stacker when double feed is detected. Do not use it. Accordingly, the sheet feeding section 21 that is not used may extend over both the two collating apparatuses 10A and 10B. For example, in the rightward discharge, it is possible that the paper feeding unit 21T is not used in addition to the paper feeding units 21H, 21I, and 21J depending on conditions.

  The collating device 10A may be discharged to the stacker 454 as leftward discharge, and the collating device 10B may be discharged to the stacker 42 as rightward discharge. At this time, the collation process, the first counting process, and the second counting process can be freely performed. For example, it is possible to perform the first counting process or the second counting process with the collating apparatus 10B as the right direction discharge while performing the collating process with the collating apparatus 10A as the left direction discharge.

  Further, when performing the second counting process, it is prohibited to select leftward discharge, or when leftward discharge is selected, a warning may be displayed. This is because, when a stack of sheets arranged in advance in the page order is stacked on the sheet feeding unit 21 and the second counting process is performed by discharging leftward, the page orientation is reversed when stacked on the stacker 454. .

  Although not mentioned in the above embodiment, the double feed / pre-feed detection by the error sensor 50 can be set to OFF in the collation process. When the first and second counting processes are selected, they are automatically switched on. Alternatively, when the first and second counting processes are selected while being turned off, a warning may be given to turn them on at an appropriate timing before starting the process. This is because, due to the nature, in the counting process, detection of double feed / idle feed is essential.

  The stacker 42 is capable of offset stacking, and a sheet on which double feeding has occurred or a sheet bundle including the sheet may be stacked while being shifted with respect to a normal sheet and may not be counted. The stacker 42 can move back and forth horizontally and in a lateral direction perpendicular to the paper discharge direction. If the multi-fed paper or the paper bundle including the paper is not counted but is discharged out of the stack, the user can remove it from the stacker 42, thereby enabling accurate counting.

  10 collating device, 14 paper stacking mechanism, 21 (21a to 21j) paper feeding unit, 26 vertical transport mechanism, 42 stacker, 50 error sensor, 52 paper presence sensor, 54 transport error sensor, 100 control unit, N1 to N3 setting Number, C1-C3 count, Na Number of active paper feeders

Claims (14)

A plurality of paper feeding units for separating and feeding paper one by one from the stacked paper bundle;
A transport unit that is provided along the arrangement direction of the plurality of paper feed units, and that transports the paper fed from each paper feed unit;
A stacker that receives and stacks the sheets conveyed by the conveyance unit;
While controlling the delivery timing of each paper feed unit so as to repeat the operation of delivering the paper at a timing such that the delivered papers overlap each other in the transport unit,
First counting control for accumulating and counting the number of paper feeding units that have fed out sheets to create one bundle that overlaps each other, or a series of feeds for creating one bundle that overlaps each other. A collation control that counts the number of repetitions, or a control unit that performs any one of them,
Which of the first counting control or the collation control to be performed by the control unit can be selected by a user operation input; and
And a display unit for displaying a count result obtained by the control unit. A plurality of paper feeding units for separating and feeding paper one by one from the stacked paper bundle;
A transport unit that is provided along the arrangement direction of the plurality of paper feed units, and that transports the paper fed from each paper feed unit;
A stacker that receives and stacks the sheets conveyed by the conveyance unit;
Paper presence / absence detecting means for detecting whether or not paper is loaded on each paper feed unit;
One of the plurality of paper feeding units loaded with paper is set as an active paper feeding unit, and the feeding of the paper from only the active paper feeding unit is repeated. When there is no paper, the paper feeding unit other than the active paper feeding unit continues to feed out the paper by using one of the paper feeding units loaded with the paper as a new working paper feeding unit. The second counting control for adding and counting the number of times of feeding or the feeding timing of each paper feeding unit is controlled so as to repeat the operation of feeding the paper at the timing when the fed papers overlap each other in the transport unit. And a control unit that performs any one of the collation control that counts the number of repetitions as a series of delivery for creating one bundle that overlaps each other, and
Which of the second counting control or the collation control is to be performed by the control unit can be selected by a user operation input; and
And a display unit for displaying a count result obtained by the control unit. A plurality of paper feeding units for separating and feeding paper one by one from the stacked paper bundle;
A transport unit that is provided along the arrangement direction of the plurality of paper feed units, and that transports the paper fed from each paper feed unit;
A stacker that receives and stacks the sheets conveyed by the conveyance unit;
The feeding timing of each paper feeding unit is controlled so that the feeding of the papers is repeated at a timing such that the fed papers are overlapped with each other in the transport unit, and the papers are sent out in order to create one stacked stack. The first counting control for accumulating and counting the number of sheet feeding units, or one of a plurality of sheet feeding units on which sheets are stacked as an active sheet feeding unit When the sheets stacked on the operating sheet feeding unit are exhausted, one of the sheet feeding units other than the operating sheet feeding unit is loaded. The second counting control that continues feeding out of the paper with a new working paper feeding unit and adds up the number of times of feeding out the paper, or the timing at which the fed papers overlap each other in the transport unit so A collation control that controls the feeding timing of each paper feed unit so that the paper feeding operation is repeated, and counts the number of repetitions as a series of feedings for creating one bundle that overlaps each other. A control unit that performs any one of the above,
An input unit that allows the control unit to select whether to perform the first count control, the second count control, or the collation control by a user operation input;
And a display unit for displaying a count result obtained by the control unit. The input unit can input in advance a designated number designated by the user in the first counting control,
In the first count control, when the designated number is input in advance by the user, the control unit controls the apparatus to stop when the count value matches the designated number, and is created by one delivery. 4. The collating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a feeding adjustment is performed to adjust the number of sheets of the bundle to be adjusted so that the count value coincides with the designated number in the final feeding. The delivery adjustment is
If the difference between the specified number of sheets and the count value is less than the number of paper feed units to be sent out to form one bundle, the next sending is performed by sending only from the number of paper feed units equal to the difference. 5. The collating apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the collating apparatus is characterized. The paper feed unit includes a blank feed detection unit that detects a blank feed in which a sheet is not fed at a timing when the sheet is to be fed. The control unit is any of the blank feed detection units in the first count control. If of Oite idle feeding is detected in the sheet feeding unit, together with the counts so as not to include the feed said in the sheet feeding unit air feed is detected,
6. The collating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is stopped by discharging and counting all sheets that have been started to be fed at least when an idle feed is detected . The paper feed unit has a blank feed detection means for detecting a blank feed in which a sheet is not fed at a timing when the sheet should be fed,
In the first counting control, the controller counts so as not to include the feeding in the sheet feeding unit in which the blank feeding is detected when the blank feeding is detected in any of the sheet feeding units by the blank feeding detection unit. And
When the air feed of a predetermined number of times or more is continuously detected for the same paper feed unit, collating apparatus according to one of claims 1, 3, 4, 5 have displacement, characterized in that stopping the apparatus. The paper feed unit has a blank feed detection means for detecting a blank feed in which a sheet is not fed at a timing when the sheet should be fed,
In the first counting control, the controller counts so as not to include the feeding in the sheet feeding unit in which the blank feeding is detected when the blank feeding is detected in any of the sheet feeding units by the blank feeding detection unit. And
When a predetermined number of idle feeds are continuously detected in the same paper feed unit, the paper feed operation of the paper feed unit is stopped, and thereafter other paper feeds are performed while counting so as not to include the paper feed unit. It claims 1,3,4, characterized in that to continue feeding from the parts, collating apparatus according to any 5 have shifted. The paper feed unit has a blank feed detection means for detecting a blank feed in which a sheet is not fed at a timing when the sheet should be fed,
In the first counting control, when the idle feed is detected by any of the sheet feeding units in the first counting control, the control unit does not perform feeding from the sheet feeding unit after the next time and detects the idle feed. has been by the amount of the number of paper feed unit, claims, characterized in that to perform the feed by adding a new different sheet feeding unit and the paper feeding unit air feed is detected 1,3,4, 5 have displacement The collating device according to crab. Paper presence / absence detecting means for detecting whether or not paper is stacked on the paper supply unit;
In the first counting control, when the paper non-detecting means detects that no paper is present in any of the paper feeding units, the control unit does not perform feeding from the paper feeding unit and the paper remains. When feeding from another paper feed portion which are, according to claim 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 placing serial any, characterized in that to continue counting the number of paper feeding portion feed Collation device. The paper feed unit has a blank feed detection means for detecting a blank feed in which a sheet is not fed at a timing when the sheet should be fed,
In the second counting control, the control unit does not count the feeding when the feeding is detected, and stops the apparatus when the feeding is continuously detected a predetermined number of times or more. 4. The collating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the collating apparatus is controlled. The paper feed unit includes a double feed Shitte stage to detect that the paper should send out only one from the previous SL paper feed portion overlaps plurality,
Wherein the control unit, Te either the paper feeding unit odor, heavy if the feed is detected, to the first counter control or the second counting control double feed in the bundle should include paper is detected stacker while emissions stops the device before completion, and wherein the double feed is possible to stop the device after completion of discharge into the stacker bundle should include paper is detected in the collation control The collating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.   In the first counting control or the second counting control, the control unit disables at least one paper feeding unit closer to the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport unit from among the plurality of paper feeding units. The collating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein paper feeding from a paper section is not performed. The paper feed unit has paper presence / absence detection means for detecting whether or not paper is stacked,
The control unit displays a warning when it is detected that sheets are stacked on the unused sheet feeding unit in the first counting control or the second counting control. The collating apparatus according to claim 13.

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