Paper sheet processing apparatus

Abstract

A paper sheet processing apparatus includes a plurality of bundling devices, and a plurality of chute devices which temporarily hold bundles, which are bundled by the bundling devices. A second transfer conveyor, which is slower than a first transfer conveyor, is disposed on a downstream side of the first conveyor. A transmission sensor, which detects abnormality in length of the bundle, is provide along the second conveyor. The distance from a release position of the bundle from the chute device, which is located on a most downstream side, to a terminal end of the first conveyor and the length of the second conveyor are set such that a time until the bundle, which is released from the most downstream chute device, is transferred onto the second conveyor is longer than at least a time until the bundle, which is transferred from the first conveyor, passes through the second conveyor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a paper sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system which controls the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a convey device which is incorporated in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a bundle in a normal bundled state, which is conveyed by the conveyor shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a bundle in an abnormal bundled state;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing another example of a bundle in an abnormal bundled state;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between a plurality of chute devices which are incorporated in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a table showing comparison results between theoretical values of time, during which a bundle, which is released from the chute device, passes through the conveyor, and actual measurement values.

Claims

1. A paper sheet processing apparatus comprising: a take-out/transfer unit which takes out input paper sheets one by one onto a transfer path and transfers the paper sheets;a paper sheet inspection unit which inspects the paper sheets that are transferred by the take-out/transfer unit;a sorting/stacking unit which sorts and stacks the paper sheets, which are transferred via the transfer path, on the basis of an inspection result in the paper sheet inspection unit;a plurality of bundling units which bundle the paper sheets, which are sorted and stacked by the sorting/stacking unit, in units of a predetermined number of paper sheets;a plurality of temporary hold units which receive and temporarily hold bundles that are formed by the plurality of bundling units;a first transfer conveyor which is provided to extend in a direction of arrangement of the plurality of temporary hold units, receives the bundle that is held by each of the temporary hold units, and conveys the bundle;a second transfer conveyor which receives the bundle that is conveyed by the first transfer conveyor, and conveys the bundle; anda bundle inspection unit which inspects a bundled state of the bundle that is conveyed by the second transfer conveyor,wherein running speeds of the first and second transfer conveyors are set such that a speed of conveyance of the bundle by the second transfer conveyor is lower than a speed of conveyance of the bundle by the first transfer conveyor, and a distance from a position of reception of the bundle from the temporary hold unit, which is located on a most downstream side, to a terminal end of the first transfer conveyor and a length of the second transfer conveyor in a direction of conveyance are set such that a time from when the bundle is transferred onto the first transfer conveyor from the temporary hold unit, which is located on a most downstream side in the direction of arrangement along a direction of conveyance of the bundle by the first transfer conveyor, to when the bundle is passed through the first transfer conveyor and transferred onto the second transfer conveyor is longer than a time from when the bundle is transferred onto the second transfer conveyor to when the bundle is completely passed through the second transfer conveyor.

2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bundle inspection unit includes a sensor which detects passage of the bundle that is conveyed by the second transfer conveyor, a length of the bundle in the direction of conveyance is detected by detecting a time during which the bundle passes by the sensor, and the detected length is compared with a reference value, thereby inspecting abnormality in a bundled state of the bundle.

3. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of temporary hold units are permitted to release a next said bundle, upon being triggered when the sensor detects the bundle which is released onto the first transfer conveyor.

4. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second transfer conveyor includes a first conveyor which is disposed on a downstream side in a direction of conveyance of the first transfer conveyor in succession with the first transfer conveyor; a second conveyor which is disposed on a downstream side in a direction of conveyance of the first conveyor in succession with the first conveyor with a gap provided between the first conveyor and the second conveyor; and a coupling device which couples the first conveyor and the second conveyor such that the firs conveyor and the second conveyor have the same speed of conveyance.

5. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sensor detects the bundle which passes through the gap between the first conveyor and the second conveyor.

6. A paper sheet processing apparatus comprising: a take-out/transfer unit which takes out input paper sheets one by one onto a transfer path and transfers the paper sheets;a paper sheet inspection unit which inspects the paper sheets that are transferred by the take-out/transfer unit via the transfer path;a sorting/stacking unit which selectively sorts and stacks the paper sheets, which are transferred via the transfer path, into a plurality of sorting sections, which are juxtaposed along a direction of transfer of the paper sheets, on the basis of an inspection result in the paper sheet inspection unit;a plurality of bundling units which bundle the paper sheets, which are sorted and stacked into the plurality of sorting sections, in units of a predetermined number of paper sheets;a plurality of temporary hold units which receive and temporarily hold bundles that are formed by the plurality of bundling units;a first transfer conveyor which is provided to extend under the plurality of temporary hold units in a direction of arrangement of the plurality of temporary hold units, and conveys the bundle that is released from each of the temporary hold units and placed on the first transfer conveyor;a second transfer conveyor which is disposed on a downstream side of the first transfer conveyor in a direction of conveyance of the first transfer conveyor in succession with the first transfer conveyor, and further conveys the bundle, which is transferred from the first transfer conveyor, at a speed of conveyance that is lower than a speed of conveyance of the bundle by the first transfer conveyor;a memory unit which stores a pre-measured actual time until the bundle that is released from the temporary hold unit, which is located on a most downstream side in the direction of conveyance, is transferred onto the second transfer conveyor;a sensor which detects passage of the bundle which is conveyed by the second transfer conveyor;a length detection unit which detects a length of the bundle in the direction of conveyance on the basis of a time during which the sensor detects the passage of the bundle; anda bundle inspection unit which inspects a bundled state of the bundle on the basis of a detection result by the length detection unit,wherein a distance from a position of reception of the bundle from the temporary hold unit, which is located on the most downstream side, to a terminal end of the first transfer conveyor and a length of the second transfer conveyor in a direction of conveyance are set such that a time until the bundle, which is transferred from the first transfer conveyor onto the second transfer conveyor, is completely passed through the second transfer conveyor is shorter than a prestored time in the memory unit.

7. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of temporary hold units are permitted to release a next said bundle, upon being triggered when the sensor detects a preceding said bundle which is released onto the first transfer conveyor.

8. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second transfer conveyor includes a first conveyor which is disposed on a downstream side in a direction of conveyance of the first transfer conveyor in succession with the first transfer conveyor; a second conveyor which is disposed on a downstream side in a direction of conveyance of the first conveyor in succession with the first conveyor with a gap provided between the first conveyor and the second conveyor; and a coupling device which couples the first conveyor and the second conveyor such that the first conveyor and the second conveyor have the same speed of conveyance.

9. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sensor detects the bundle which passes through the gap between the first conveyor and the second conveyor.