Patent Application
20190144222
The invention relates to a medium processing device.
In the related art, there is known a sheet-shaped medium processing device which includes a conveyance path for conveying a sheet-shaped medium on which magnetic ink characters are printed, an image reading head for reading an image on the sheet-shaped medium conveyed through the conveyance path, a magnetic head for reading the magnetic ink characters on the sheet-shaped medium conveyed through the conveyance path, and a discharge portion to which the sheet-shaped medium, after passing through the conveyance path, is discharged (for example, see JP-A-2010-26682).
Note that, a pressing plate for pressurizing, in one direction, the sheet-shaped medium conveyed, is provided to the discharge portion of the above-described device.
However, when sheet-shaped media conveyed to and stacked on the discharge portion of the above-described device is increased in a total stacking thickness, the entire stacked sheet-shaped media may not be securely pressurized. Accordingly, for example, a position of an upper-most sheet-shaped medium of the sheet-shaped media stacked on the discharge portion is deviated, and a trailing edge of the sheet-shaped medium and a leading edge of a newly-conveyed sheet-shaped medium may collide with each other to cause a medium jam.
The invention is made to address at least some of the above-described issues and can be realized as the following exemplary embodiments and application examples.
A medium processing device according to the application example includes a medium storage portion configured to stack sheet-shaped media to store the sheet-shaped media, a first pressurizing member configured to pressurize the sheet-shaped media stored in the medium storage portion, and a second pressurizing member configured to pressurize the sheet-shaped media in cooperation with the first pressurizing member when a stacking thickness of the sheet-shaped media stored in the medium storage portion is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness.
With this configuration, when the stacking thickness of the sheet-shaped media stored in the medium storage portion is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness, the first pressurizing member and the second pressurizing member cooperate to pressurize the sheet-shaped media. That is, a pressurizing force for pressurizing the sheet-shaped media can be increased in a stepwise manner according to the stacking thickness of the sheet-shaped media. Thus, when the stacking thickness of the sheet-shaped media stored in the medium storage portion is relatively thin, the sheet-shaped media are pressurized with a relatively smaller pressurizing force. As a result, occurrence of a medium jam caused by buckling and the like of the sheet-shaped media can be suppressed. Meanwhile, when the stacking thickness of the sheet-shaped media stored in the medium storage portion becomes thick, a heavier load is applied to the entire sheet-shaped media. As a result, the sheet-shaped media can be securely stored in the medium storage portion. Therefore, occurrence of a medium jam of the sheet-shaped media in the medium storage portion can be suppressed.
In the medium processing device according to the above-described application example, the first pressurizing member and the second pressurizing member are arranged on the same axial center, and the first pressurizing member and the second pressurizing member are each arranged at different positions in an axial direction of the axial center.
With this configuration, the first pressurizing member and the second pressurizing member are arranged on the same axial center. Thus, the device configuration can be reduced in size or simplified.
In the medium processing device according to the above-described application examples, for a state in which the sheet-shaped media are not stored in the medium storage portion, the second pressurizing member is arranged in a stacking direction in which the sheet-shaped media are stacked in the medium storage portion with respect to the first pressurizing member.
With this configuration, arrangement positions of the first pressurizing member and the second pressurizing member are different for the state in which the sheet-shaped media are not stored in the medium storage portion. Accordingly, when the stacking thickness of the sheet-shaped media stored in the medium storage portion is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness, the first pressurizing member and the second pressurizing member can cooperate efficiently.
In the medium processing device according to the above-described application examples, the medium processing device further includes a third pressurizing member configured to pressurize the sheet-shaped media on a downstream side in a storage direction of the sheet-shaped media with respect to the first pressurizing member and the second pressurizing member.
With this configuration, the number of positions at which the sheet-shaped media stored in the medium storage portion are pressurized is increased. Thus, the entire sheet-shaped media can be pressurized more securely. Thus, a medium jam can further be suppressed.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, description is made of a configuration of a medium processing device.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A check delivery mechanism is incorporated in the check supply portion 9. The check delivery mechanism delivers a bundle of the inserted checks 6 one by one through the check delivery passage 8 to the check conveyance path V. As indicated by the dashed lines in
As indicated by the dashed lines in
The check 6 delivered from the check supply portion 9 through the check delivery passage 8 is conveyed along the check conveyance path 7. During the conveyance, the front-surface image and the back-surface image are read, after which the magnetic ink character string 6A printed on the front surface 6a is read. Then, for example, the check 6, from which those pieces of information are read normally, is subjected to printing of “electronic settlement completed” or the like, after which the check 6 is distributed to and stored in the first storage pocket 13. Meanwhile, when a read error, read abnormality, or the like occurs for the check 6, the check 6 is not subjected to such printing, and is distributed to and stored in the second storage pocket 14.
Further, in the check storage portion 10, trailing edge parts of the first storage pocket 13 and the second storage pocket 14 are defined by a drawer portion 20, which is drawable backward. When the drawer portion 20 is drawn out backward from the state illustrated in
Next, description is made of a detailed configuration of the check storage portion 10.
As illustrated in
The first storage pocket 13 is formed of a groove, which has a rectangular shape elongated in the front-and-back direction and a predetermined depth, and includes a first side plate 31 and a second side plate 32, which extend in parallel on right and left sides, a front end plate 33, and a bottom plate 35. An inclined guide surface 36 is formed at a front end part of the second side plate 32. The inclined guide surface 36 extends in a direction away from the first side plate 31 as approaching the front end plate 33. An upstream side of the inclined guide surface 36 continues to one inner wall surface 37 of the first branching passage 11.
A delivery roller 40 for delivering the check 6 to the first storage pocket 13 is arranged adjacent to the front end plate 33 on the inclined guide surface 36 side. On the one inner wall surface 37 of the first branching passage 11, which faces the delivery roller 40, a pressing roller 45 for pushing the check 6 against the delivery roller 40 is arranged.
A first pressurizing member 51a and a second pressurizing member 51b, which are plate-shaped, are provided in the first storage pocket 13. The first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b guide the check 6 in a state of being delivered by the delivery roller 40 and the pressing roller 45 to the first side plate 31 side, pressurize (push) the check 6 after being delivered against the first side plate 31 side, and stack (hold) the check 6 in an upright state.
Further, on a downstream side of the first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b in a storage direction of the checks 6, a third pressurizing member 52, which has a plate-shape and has the same pressurizing function as that described above, is arranged. Through setting of the first pressurizing member 51a, the second pressurizing member 51b, and the third pressurizing member 52, the number of positions at which the checks 6 stored in the first storage pocket 13 are pressurized are increased. Thus, the checks 6 can be pressurized more securely. Note that, the storage direction of the check 6 indicates a direction approaching the drawer portion 20 from the delivery roller 40 and the pressing roller 45.
Here, in order to exert the pressurizing function (urging function) by the first pressurizing member 51a, the second pressurizing member 51b, and the third pressurizing member 52, which is for pressurizing the check 6 in a direction of the first side plate 31, spring members are employed, for example. Therefore, the check 6 to be stored in the first storage pocket 13 is pressurized by the first pressurizing member 51a, the second pressurizing member 51b, and the third pressurizing member 52 in the direction of the first side plate 31.
Note that, in the exemplary embodiment, each of the springs employed as the first pressurizing member 51a, the second pressurizing member 51b, and the third pressurizing member 52 has substantially the same initial moment.
The first pressurizing member 51a, the second pressurizing member 51b, and the third pressurizing member 52 are mounted to be inclined backward toward the first side plate 31 at a predetermined angle with respect to the second side plate 32, and are rotated about an end part, which serves as a rotating center, of the second side plate 32 side in directions approaching and separating from the first side plate 31.
The first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b are arranged to have the same axial center 50, and are rotatable about the axial center 50 serving as a rotating center (see
Specifically, for a state in which the check 6 is not stored in the first storage pocket 13 (see
In other words, an angle formed by a surface of the second side plate 32 and a surface of the second pressurizing member 51b, which faces the surface of the second side plate 32, is smaller than an angle formed by the surface of the second side plate 32 and a surface of the first pressurizing member 51a, which faces the surface of the second side plate 32.
Further, when a stacking thickness of the checks 6 stored in the first storage pocket 13 is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, the first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b cooperate to pressurize the checks 6 against the first side plate 31 side. That is, when the stacking thickness of the checks 6 stored in the first storage pocket 13 is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness, a pressurizing force on the checks 6 is increased. Note that, the stacking thickness that is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness is not limited by the number of the checks 6, and indicates a total thickness of such degree that the checks 6 cannot be sufficiently pressurized against the first side plate 31 side by the first pressurizing member 51a alone. Therefore, the stacking thickness can suitably be set based on a capacity of the first storage pocket 13 for storing the checks 6, the number of the checks 6 that can be stored in the first storage pocket 13, the spring constant used for the first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b, and the like.
Next, description is made of an operation method of the check processing device 1. Note that, in the exemplary embodiment, description is made of a delivery operation of the check 6 to the first storage pocket 13.
As illustrated in
Then, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
That is, in a case where the stacking thickness of the checks 6 stacked in the first storage pocket 13 is relatively thin, a plurality of checks 6 that are staked can be sufficiently pressurized against the first side plate 31 by the first pressurizing member 51a alone. However, when the stacking thickness of the checks 6 stacked in the first storage pocket 13 is gradually increased, a load applied to the first pressurizing member 51a is also increased. Accordingly, the checks 6 that are stacked are not easily pressurized sufficiently against the first side plate 31 side. As a result, for example, an upper-most check of the checks 6 conveyed to the first storage pocket 13 may be stored to be further deviated to the downstream side in the storage direction due to insufficient pressurization by the first pressurizing member 51a. In this case, an upstream edge of the check 6 in the storage direction and a downstream edge of the check 6 that is newly-conveyed are liable to collide with each other and cause a medium jam.
As a counter measure, in the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
That is, at the initial state, the checks 6 are pressurized only by the first pressurizing member 51a with a relatively small force. Accordingly, deformation such as buckling of the check 6 that is conveyed can be suppressed, and a conveyance property and storability can be improved. Meanwhile, when the stacking thickness of the checks 6 is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness, the checks 6 are not easily pressed down by the first pressurizing member 51a alone. Thus, the checks 6 are pressurized by the first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b, improving the conveyance property and the storability. That is, by changing the pressurizing force in a stepwise manner according to the stacking thickness of the checks 6 stored and stacked in the first storage pocket 13, the checks 6 can be securely stored.
According to the exemplary embodiment, the following advantages can be obtained.
The pressurizing force is changeable in a stepwise manner according to the stacking thickness of the checks 6 stacked in the first storage pocket 13. That is, when the stacking thickness of the checks 6 stacked in the first storage pocket 13 is smaller than the predetermined thickness, the checks 6 are pressurized only by the first pressurizing member 51a. Thus, the deformation such as buckling of the check 6 can be suppressed, and the checks 6 can be efficiently stored in the first storage pocket 13. Meanwhile, when the stacking thickness of the checks 6 stacked in the first storage pocket 13 is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness, the checks 6 are pressurized by the first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b. Thus, the force for pressurizing the checks 6 is increased, and hence the checks 6 can be securely stored. Accordingly, occurrence of a medium jam and the like can be suppressed.
Note that, the invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiment, and various changes and improvements can be made to the above-described exemplary embodiment. Modified examples are described below.
In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b are provided only on the upstream side in the storage direction, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the third pressurizing member 52 may be divided, and a plurality of (two) pressurizing members may be provided similarly to the above-described first pressurizing member 51a and second pressurizing member 51b. With this configuration, the entire checks 6 can be efficiently pressurized.
Further, one pressurizing member may be provided on the upstream side in the storage direction, and a plurality of pressurizing members may be provided on the downstream side in the storage direction. Even with this configuration, similar advantages as described above can be obtained.
In the above-described exemplary embodiment, description is made of the first storage pocket 13 serving as the medium storage portion. However, the second storage pocket 14 may have the same configuration as the first storage pocket 13. With this configuration, in the first storage pocket 13 and the second storage pocket 14, occurrence of a medium jam of the checks 6 can be suppressed.
In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b are each arranged on the upper side and the lower side on the same axial center 50. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, when the first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b are moved by being rotated about the axial center 50, a part of the first pressurizing member 51a and a part of the second pressurizing member 51b may be brought into contact with each other.
Further, for the state in which the checks 6 are not stored in the first storage pocket 13, the second pressurizing member 51b is arranged in the stacking direction in which the checks 6 are stacked in the first storage pocket 13 with respect to the first pressurizing member 51a. Further, when the stacking thickness of the checks 6 stored in the first storage pocket 13 is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness, the second pressurizing member 51b pressurizes the first pressurizing member 51a. Accordingly, the first pressurizing member 51a and the second pressurizing member 51b cooperate to pressurize the checks 6. Even with this configuration, similar advantages as described above can be obtained.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-218020, filed Nov. 13 2017. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-218020 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-218020 | Nov 2017 | JP | national |
