JP2008179018A - Crimp paper making device and discrimination processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is produced from a sheet-like member, and the quality of the produced pressure-bonded sheet is determined.
An adhesive application unit for applying an adhesive to a sheet, a temporary / main fixing unit for fixing an adhesive applied by the adhesive application unit, and a temporary / main fixing unit A main folding part 27 for folding the paper on which the agent is fixed, a heating roller 43 for heating and pressurizing the paper folded in the main folding part 27, and the address faces of the pressure-bonding papers 8 'and 11'. Are read, and a weight measuring device 55 for measuring the weight of the pressure-bonding paper 8 'and 11' is provided.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure-bonding paper creating apparatus that creates pressure-bonded paper from a sheet-like member and a discrimination processing device that determines the quality of the pressure-bonded paper that has been created.

  Conventionally, in order to transmit character information only to a specific individual, generally, the character description is in a sealed form so that the individual can confirm the character information only after opening.

  In recent years, personal information protection has become a strict question, and various business establishments, for example, personal information such as various personal data, gradebooks, salary statements, etc., are printed on the printed part of the written text. It is recorded and distributed in the form of envelopes or cards by bonding or crimping the peripheral edge of the printed part or the entire surface of the written text.

  Among these, postcard-sized cards are called crimped postcards and can be used at the same charge as regular postcards. Therefore, as a printing information concealment system that is highly convenient for information providers, advertising It is also widely used for advertising direct mail.

  In order to use such a printing information concealment system for crimping postcards, etc., secret information has conventionally been created by entrusting it to a specialized manufacturer or introducing an expensive crimping postcard or other manufacturing / printing device. .

  There are two methods for creating confidential information using a manufacturing / printing device such as a crimping postcard, such as a method of applying adhesive after information printing or a method of applying adhesive before information printing. The premise of creating a large amount of information is essential and expensive.

Further, such outsourcing to a manufacturer is not a preferable method for creating confidential information because there is a potential problem of leakage of personal information.
By the way, in recent years, along with the development of personal computers and printers, there has been proposed one that can easily create a crimp postcard even in a small unit so that it can be used by small-scale offices and individuals.

  For example, postcard paper with release paper pre-applied with a pressure sensitive adhesive is on the market. In this method, after printing predetermined character information or the like on the printing surface inside the two-fold, the pressure-sensitive adhesive portion is crimped to complete a postcard for postage.

  For example, a set of adhesive film and postcard paper is sold. In this method, after printing predetermined character information or the like on the printing surface inside the double fold, the adhesive film is pressure-bonded with the adhesive film sandwiched inside, so that a postcard for posting can be created.

  However, this is inevitable, and the handling is cumbersome, and it is better to personally create several crimped postcards, but it is cheap, quick, and responsive to demand in a certain number of units. It can not be created with.

  Therefore, a toner-like adhesive composed of microcapsules containing an adhesive is transferred onto the surface of the substrate by electrostatic printing and flash-fixed. At the time of adhesion, the microcapsules are destroyed by pressure and the adhesive in the capsule is leached. In this way, a proposal has been made that it is possible to easily create a pressure-bonded postcard. This proposal also suggests a pulverized toner obtained by melting, kneading, and pulverizing an adhesive. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)

  In addition, the pressure bonding substance is put into a replacement printing cartridge for an office printer or a copying machine, and the pressure bonding substance is applied to a government postcard or envelope by the same operation as the printing operation by the office printer or copying machine. After that, a proposal has been made that it can be applied to a dedicated crimping machine, and a single printer or copying machine can be used to reach the dedicated crimping machine. In addition, this proposal suggests that a crimping substance is applied to one side of a fold and one side of a center of a fold. (For example, see Patent Document 2.)

In addition, a method has been proposed in which a toner containing a heat-sensitive adhesive is used, and an image is created in a demand-ready manner by electrophotography. In this proposal, the softening temperature of the heat-sensitive adhesive is configured to be higher than the softening temperature of the binder resin of the toner for electrophotography, and the ratio of the heat-sensitive adhesive to the toner for electrophotography is 5 to 5. It has been proposed that the composition be 60% by weight and that the composition of the heat-sensitive adhesive contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a heat-adhesive resin, a hot melt, and waxes. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3.)
JP 09-104849 A (paragraphs 0005, 0014, FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 6) JP 2000-006553 A (summary, no figure) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-126231 (paragraphs 0085 to 0087, not shown)

  However, although the technology of Patent Document 1 describes the configuration and composition of the microcapsule toner, the pulverized toner is merely suggested to the extent that it is conceived, and the specific composition, production method, There is no description about the usage, and this makes it possible for even those skilled in the art to produce useful pulverized toners and, of course, not even make prototypes.

  In addition, the technology of Patent Document 2 is to create a print information concealment document by a public postcard or envelope before being applied to a dedicated crimping machine, and it is convenient in that it must be applied to the dedicated crimping machine to complete for posting. It must be said that it is lacking in performance and economy and is far from being responsive to demand.

  In the technique of Patent Document 3, the softening temperature of the heat-sensitive adhesive is simply set higher than the softening temperature of the binder resin of the toner for the electrophotographic system. There is no explanation of prescription.

  By the way, as a method of creating a pressure-sensitive postcard that is responsive to demand, a powder adhesive that can be used by being housed in a toner cartridge of a small electrophotographic printer that can be used personally is specifically realized. It is considered that the powder adhesive may be applied to the paper surface on which variable information is printed (or printed, the same applies hereinafter) by the same printer by developing, transferring and fixing.

  However, if the adhesive is applied to the paper after printing using an electrophotographic printer, the powder adhesive must be applied as an adhesive unless it is of the same form as a normal toner ( Development, transfer, and fixing) are considered impossible.

  However, although the powder adhesive for toner-like pressure-adhesive postcards is suggested to the extent of conceiving in the above-mentioned patent documents, which are the conventional proposed technologies, the specific material formulation is also specific as described above. Neither usage is disclosed.

  Also, such a toner adhesive powder adhesive for postcards has not been distributed to the market to date. The pressure-sensitive adhesive for postcards in circulation is only liquid or adhesive sheet.

  Therefore, the present inventor decided to make a prototype of a toner-like adhesive (thermoplastic resin powder) on the premise that it can be applied using a printer, based on the suggestion of the conventional proposed technique. .

  The material formulation of the toner-like adhesive, which was prototyped on the assumption that it can be applied using a printer or copying machine, is about 95% polyester as a binder resin, about 2% LR147 as a charge control agent, and pp as a wax. Was about 2%.

  The above-mentioned material prescription is based on the idea that it satisfies both the requirements of a pressure-sensitive adhesive for postcards and that it can be applied using a printer (that is, it has powder properties similar to toner). Polyester is a binder resin material that is currently used mainly as a toner for printers.

  Next, these materials were mixed with a Henschel mixer FM20 manufactured by Mitsui Mine, and kneaded with a biaxial continuous kneader. Thereafter, the mixture was roughly crushed, pulverized, classified, and finally mixed with hydrophobic silica using a Henschel mixer to obtain a powder similar to a toner having a center particle size of 9 μm.

  This powder was developed on a photosensitive drum as a powder adhesive, transferred to the folding surface of a reciprocating postcard, fixed, taken out of paper, and pasted on a crimping machine. At this time, the setting temperature of the bonding roller to be bonded was set in four stages of 120 ° C., 130 ° C., 140 ° C., and 150 ° C., and the pressure-bonded postcard bonded at each set temperature was created.

  The use of a dedicated crimping machine as described above for pasting this postcard, and the temperature setting of the pasting roller includes a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the normal toner, suggesting that each of the conventional proposed techniques It is a response.

  And although not shown in particular, it decided to evaluate the crimping postcard produced for every said preset temperature.

  In this evaluation, the variable information printing toner was originally printed when the peel force (strength of the force when peeling the attached part of the crimping postcard) and the character offset (opening (peeling) the stuck part of the crimped postcard). It was determined whether or not it was good or bad by visual observation about the phenomenon that it was detached from the surface that had been removed and then transferred to the adhesive surface and adhered.

  As a result, in the adhesive prepared as described above, the adhesive peels off the printed information on the base in the temperature setting region (140 ° C., 150 ° C.) of the adhesive strength (= peeling force) to which the postcard sticks. It has been found that there is a problem that “character offset” occurs.

  In other words, with adhesives created within the range suggested by the prior art (adhesives whose softening temperature is higher than the softening temperature of the binder resin of the toner), variable information is printed with normal toner and then applied to the printing surface as a single adhesive. Or when a variable information image is formed with a toner containing a heat-sensitive adhesive, the toner fixed on the paper surface is re-melted by heating to realize the subsequent adhesion by the adhesive, A character offset occurs.

  This character offset phenomenon is caused by the fact that both the variable information printing toner softened and melted by thermocompression bonding and the adhesive are strongly bound together, and when the postcard is opened, the variable information printing toner is strongly pulled by the adhesive on the opposite surface. However, it is considered that this occurs when the adhesive force between the paper and the variable information printing toner exceeds the adhesive force, and the variable information printing toner is transferred to the opposite surface side.

  Further, if the adhesive force is too strong, there is a problem that even when the postcard is opened, even the postcard paper is torn. In the production of envelopes, medicine bags, general-purpose bags, etc., no matter how strong the adhesive force is, there is no problem. However, if the adhesive force is too weak, the adhesive surface will peel off naturally and it will not stand up to use. If this is a pressure-bonded postcard, it will be naturally opened in the middle of mailing, and will not be used in the production of a pressure-bonded printed material such as a pressure-bonded postcard.

  Therefore, it is necessary to produce a powder adhesive that has a sufficient adhesive force that does not cause natural peeling in the production of a pressure-bonded print and that has a peelability that does not cause paper tearing or character offset. It turns out that ingenuity is necessary.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described conventional situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure-sensitive paper making apparatus and a method for making pressure-sensitive paper from a sheet-like member using a practical powder adhesive that can be applied (transferred) by electrophotography. Another object of the present invention is to provide a discrimination processing device for discriminating the quality of a crimped paper sheet.

In order to achieve the above object, the pressure-sensitive paper making apparatus of the present invention comprises:
In a crimping paper making device that creates crimping paper from a sheet-like member,
Application means for applying a re-peelable adhesive to the sheet-like member;
Fixing means for fixing the adhesive applied by the applying means;
Bending means for bending the sheet-like member on which the adhesive is fixed by the fixing means;
A crimping means for heating, pressurizing and crimping the sheet-like member bent by the bending means;
Reading means for reading address information written on the address surface of the pressure-bonding paper;
And a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the pressure-bonded paper.

The pressure-sensitive paper making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit and the weight measuring unit are provided separately from the apparatus main body.

The pressure-sensitive paper making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit and the weight measuring unit are built in an apparatus main body.

The pressure-bonding paper preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a sorting unit that sorts the pressure-bonding paper into a non-defective product and a defective product based on a determination result by the reading unit and the weight measuring unit. apparatus.

The pressure-sensitive sheet forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit includes at least one of a scanning device and a barcode analysis device.

It is connected to a computer that manages database control of customer data, printing control of variable information such as zip code and address, and control of creating postcards.
The pressure-bonding paper making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

In the discrimination processing device that discriminates the quality of the pressure-bonded paper created from the sheet-like member,
Transmission / reception means capable of transmitting / receiving the address print information stored in the computer to / from the computer;
Reading means for reading address information written on the address surface of the pressure-bonding paper;
Weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the pressure-bonded paper.

In the discrimination processing device that discriminates the quality of the pressure-bonded paper created from the sheet-like member,
Transmission / reception means capable of transmitting and receiving the address printing information stored in the computer via a pressure-bonding paper creation device for creating pressure-bonded paper from the sheet-like member;
Reading means for reading address information written on the address surface of the pressure-bonding paper;
Weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the pressure-bonded paper.

  According to the present invention, since the reading means for reading the address information written on the address face of the pressure-bonded paper and the weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the pressure-bonded paper are provided, the sheet-like member or the pressure-sensitive paper without the base printing is removed. Or instructing the sheet-like member to print again.

  In addition, by determining whether the created pressure-bonded paper is good or bad, it is possible to create a pressure-bonded paper in a state where it can be normally used as mail. Further, it is possible to obtain a pressure-bonded paper that satisfies the regulation without knowing the postal regulation. In addition, since the operator does not need to select a good product and a defective product, the labor and time required for this can be reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
First, the material formulation of the toner-like powder adhesive and a specific production method will be described. This powder adhesive was developed as a powder adhesive that does not cause character transfer to the opposite surface when the secret information printing surface is peeled and opened after pressure bonding.

  First, 90% by mass or more of a hydrocarbon-based resin (copolymer of cycloolefin and ethylene) having a softening temperature of 110 ± 4 ° C. as a binder resin, 0.3 to 3% by mass of a charge control agent, and 1 to 9% by mass of wax. prepare.

  These are mixed with a mixer, the mixture is kneaded while applying temperature with a twin screw kneader, the kneaded product is cooled, and pulverized to about 2 mm with a mechanical pulverizer. Further pulverize to fine particles and classify to an appropriate particle size.

  Thereafter, the kneaded pulverized product was externally added with 0.1 to 5% by mass of silica fine particles (treated with a kneaded pulverized product) and surface-treated with silicon oil or alkyldisilazane, and the average particle size at a softening temperature of 106 ° C. A toner-like transparent powder adhesive as a second powder adhesive having a diameter (volume D50) of 9.0 μm is obtained.

  The powder adhesive is not particularly limited as long as it is a removable powder adhesive. For example, in consideration of the case where the toner of a page printer is used for underprinting, a polyolefin resin (for example, a material that is difficult to adhere (adhere) to a polyester resin or a styrene acrylic resin that is generally used as a toner resin component) An adhesive having a basic structure of COC resin (Topas resin from Ticona) may be used.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a pressure-bonding paper creating system as a second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure-bonding paper preparation system includes a printing unit 1 and a pressure-sensitive paper preparation device 10. The pressure-bonding paper creating apparatus 10 includes a post-print processing unit (crimp postcard creating unit) 2 and a discrimination processing device 50.

In the present embodiment, a case where the discrimination processing device 50 is installed separately from the post-printing processing unit 2 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the discrimination processing device 50 may be configured to be incorporated in the post-printing processing unit 2, for example.
The printing unit 1 includes a computer 3 and an image forming apparatus 4. The internal configuration of the post-print processing unit 2 will be described later in detail.

  The computer 3 includes a main body 5, a liquid crystal display device 6 connected to the main body 5, and a keyboard 7. The main body 5 includes a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HD (hard disk), and the like, although not particularly illustrated.

  The operator uses the computer 3 to create or process print data (destination zip code, address, contents of notification to the other party), and instruct the computer 3 to execute printing by the image forming apparatus 4 using the print data. To do.

  The image forming apparatus 4 is a normal electronic image forming apparatus that uses, for example, four color toners, and is connected to the personal computer 3, and in accordance with instructions from the personal computer 3, the folded folding postcard paper or drawing 1 is printed on the three-fold pressure-bonded postcard paper 8 shown in FIG. 1 and further on a pressure-sensitive envelope (not shown) based on the above-described print data.

  The above-mentioned post-printing processing unit 2, when any trouble occurs in the pressure-bonded postcard paper, is used for wired or wireless 9 To the personal computer 3 of the printing unit 1.

  In addition, the discrimination processing device 50 checks whether the description information necessary for mail is written on the address face of the crimping postcard paper or the crimping envelope, and whether the weight of the crimping postcard paper or the crimping envelope satisfies the regulation. It has a function to do.

  Note that the wireless communication between the post-printing processing unit 2 and the printing unit 1 is not limited to radio waves, and any method can be used as long as it can communicate a recognition code, which will be described later, such as infrared rays and ultrasonic waves.

  FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a printing example of a two-fold (hereinafter also referred to as “V-fold”) pressure-bonded postcard printed on the image forming apparatus 4. FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printing example of a three-fold (hereinafter referred to as Z-fold) pressure-bonded postcard paper.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the V-fold pressure-bonded postcard paper 11 has a first surface (front surface) divided into two single surfaces, and the surface a has non-confidential information 12 and a sender name 13 or the like. Is printed, and postal code 14, address and address 15, identification code 16 and the like are printed on surface b.

  Further, the second surface (back surface) is also divided into two single surfaces, which are not visible in the figure, but secret information is printed on the surfaces c and d. The V-fold pressure-bonded postcard paper 11 is finally folded in a fold line 17.

  FIGS. 3C and 3D show the Z-fold pressure-bonded postcard paper 8 shown in FIG. 1, and the first surface and the second surface are divided into three single surfaces. As shown in FIG. 2 (c), the first surface has secret information such as a billing statement printed continuously on two single surfaces on the surface A and the surface B (of course, separately for each single surface). The postal code 14, the address and address 15, the identification code 16 and the like are printed on the surface C as in the surface b of FIG.

  In addition, the second surface (back surface) is also divided into three single surfaces and is not visible in the figure, but on the surface D, similarly to the surface a in FIG. 13 and the like are printed, and confidential information different from the surfaces A and B is printed on the surfaces E and F. This Z-fold pressure-bonded postcard paper 8 is finally folded at a fold line 19 and then folded at a fold line 21.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the post-print processing unit 2. The post-print processing unit 2 shown in FIG. 3 is a pressure-bonding postcard creation device, and feeds the paper feeding unit 22, the identification code reading unit 23, the temporary code from the upstream side (right side in the figure) to the downstream side (left side in the figure) in the paper transport direction. The folding part 24, the adhesive application part 25, the temporary / main fixing part 26, the main folding part 27, the shape ordering part 28, the cutting / separating part 29, and the paper discharge storage part 31. Moreover, the control part 40 which controls each of these parts is provided.
The identification code reading unit 23 is provided for reading the identification code 16. If a blank sheet is mixed in the sheet, it is identified.
FIG. 3 shows the case where the cutting / separating unit 29 is built in the apparatus main body. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cutting / separating unit 29 may be externally attached to the apparatus main body.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the size of the paper used for printing as the pressure-bonded postcard paper in the post-print processing section (pressure-bonded postcard making apparatus) 2.

  FIG. 5A shows an A4 size paper P-4. When the sheet is folded in two along the fold line 32 and cut along the cutting line 33, one surface is 14.85 cm long and 10.5 cm wide. These two V-fold pressure-bonded postcards can be produced.

  FIG. 5B shows a sheet P-3 in which one end P ′ in the longitudinal direction of the A3 size sheet is cut off by 10.5 cm in advance, and 3 along the two folding lines 34. When folded into two and cut along the cutting line 35, two Z-fold pressure-bonded postcards each having a length of 14.85 cm and a width of 10.5 cm can be produced.

  By the way, crimped postcards are usually handled as those that follow postcards, but according to the postal code, the dimensions of one side of a private postcard are 14 to 15.4 cm for the long side and 9 to 10.7 cm for the short side. It has become.

Therefore, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of one surface of the pressure-bonded postcard shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are all within the allowable range of the postcard approved by the Postal Service.
The sheets P-4 and P-3 shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) have a powder adhesive applied, a temporary fold, a powder adhesive presupposed, and a main fold. , And main fixing (crimping), both are conveyed in the direction of the cutting line 33 or 35 indicated by the arrow b.

Hereinafter, the crimping postcard manufacturing process of this example will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the paper 8 or the paper 11 is fed from the paper feeding unit 22 of FIG. In this paper feeding, FIG. 3 shows only one postcard 8 for the paper 8 or 11 conveyed in the direction of the arrow in order to avoid the complexity of the illustration. ), (B) As shown in FIG. 4 (a), (b), two sheets of paper 8 or 11 are still conveyed in the direction of the arrow b in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). .

  During the conveyance to the temporary folding unit 24, the identification code reading unit 23 reads the identification code 16 shown in FIG. 2A or 2B, and the read identification code 16 is controlled. Recognized by the unit 40.

For example, the identification code 16 may represent a serial number as a bar code. In this case, the identification code reading unit 23 is configured by a bar code reader.
In the case of the paper 11, in the temporary folding part 24, the part of the surface b and the surface c is folded by the front and back. The sheet 11 folded in this way is conveyed to the adhesive application unit 25.

In the case of the paper 8, a part of the paper (surface C and surface F on the front and back sides) is folded. The paper 8 in which a part of the paper is folded is conveyed to the adhesive application unit 25.
The adhesive application unit 25 includes a powder adhesive storage unit 36, an adhesive application roller 37 provided at the lower end opening of the powder adhesive storage unit 36, and a transfer roller that is in pressure contact with the adhesive application roller 37. 38, a cleaner 39 for cleaning the peripheral surface of the adhesive application roller 37, and the like.

The paper 8 or 11 carried into the adhesive application unit 25 is applied with a powder adhesive on the upper surface while being sandwiched and conveyed by the adhesive application roller 37 and the transfer roller 38.
In the case of the paper 8, the upper surface to which the powder adhesive is applied is the front and back of the surface A exposed side by side with the surface F and the folded surface F. And surface A) are coated with a powder adhesive at a time.

In the case of the paper 11, the upper surface to which the powder adhesive is applied is the surface c of the second surface, and the powder adhesive is applied to the surface c of the second surface.
The paper 8 or 11 coated with the powder adhesive is conveyed to the temporary / main fixing unit 26. A lower endless heat belt 42 and pressure rollers 43 and 36 are arranged in the paper carry-in portion of the temporary / main fixing portion 26 so as to sandwich the lower endless heat belt 42 from above and below, thereby forming an assumed attachment portion.

The pressure roller 44 located on the lower surface (outside) of the lower endless heat belt 42 is always in contact with the lower surface of the lower endless heat belt 42, and the pressure roller 43 disposed opposite the pressure roller 44 is assumed to be worn. When it moves downward, it presses the lower endless heat belt 42 toward the pressure roller 43.
As a result, the paper 8 or 11 is sandwiched and conveyed by the lower endless heat belt 42 and the pressure roller 44, and heat and pressure are applied, so that the powder adhesive is put on the paper surface.

  The paper 8 or 11 on which the powder adhesive is presupposed on the paper surface is subsequently conveyed to the main folding portion 27. First, the folded surface of the paper 8 or 11 carried into the main folding unit 27 is once widened.

Thereafter, in the main folding portion 27, in the case of the paper 11, the surface c is folded toward the surface d as indicated by the arrow n. As a result, the sheet 11 is V-folded.
Further, in the case of the paper 8, the surface F is folded to the surface E side, and the surface B that is continuously folded and doubled with the surface F is folded to the surface A side. As a result, the paper 8 is Z-folded.

  The sheet 11 or 8 that has been V-folded or Z-folded is conveyed again to the temporary / main fixing unit 26. However, this time, the sheet 11 or 8 is carried into the main fixing unit in which the lower endless heat belt 42 and the upper endless heat belt 45 are arranged to face each other.

  Three pressure rollers including the above-described pressure roller 43 are disposed inside the lower endless heat belt 42, and the three endless heat belts 42 include the above three pressure rollers. Three pressure rollers are arranged at a position facing the pressure roller in a pair.

  Each of these pressure rollers presses the endless heat belt toward the facing portion. As a result, the sheet 11 or 8 folded into V or Z is sandwiched between the lower endless heat belt 42 and the upper endless heat belt 45 and conveyed, while being applied with the powder adhesive application surface (surface c on the sheet 11). In the paper 8, the surface A and the surface F) and the opposite surfaces (the surface d in the paper 11 and the surface B and the surface E in the paper 8) are respectively pressed.

  Subsequently, the sheet 11 or 8 is conveyed to the shape ordering unit 28. In the shape sorting unit 28, the sheet 11 or 8 is corrected in skew, aligned in the conveyance width direction, and further conveyed to the cutting / separating unit 29.

In the cutting / separating section 29, the two split V-folded or Z-folded postcards 11 'or 8 cut along the cutting line 33 or 35 shown in FIG. 4 (a) or FIG. 4 (b) by the splitter. Complete as'.
The completed two V-fold or Z-fold pressure postcards 11 ′ or 8 ′ are stored in the paper discharge storage section 31.

Next, as described above, the discrimination processing device 50 discriminates the address surface in a process after the post-printing processing unit 2 completes the crimping postcard, and automatically determines whether or not the necessary description items are printed. OK / NG determination is performed. This necessary description item is one of variable information and means information necessary for sending as postal matter such as an ID code printed on the address side, an address (name), a postal code, an address, and a customer barcode. Hereinafter, information mainly described on the address surface is referred to as address surface information for convenience.
In this way, by determining the presence or absence of the necessary description items on the address surface, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not the standard for mail is satisfied.

  Management, printing, and printing control of variable information and address information are performed by a software program (variable information printing control program) of the computer 3 connected to the post-printing processing unit 2. However, it is not always necessary to manage all with one program.

  The contents to be managed include address, zip code, address, customer barcode, and the like. The ID code is a unique identification number (symbol) used for recording variable information. In addition, print position information (print coordinates), the number of prints, and the like can be considered.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the main parts of the post-printing processing unit 2 and the discrimination processing device 50.
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the discrimination processing device 50 is provided separately from the post-printing processing unit 2 and the discrimination processing device 50 is controlled on the post-printing processing unit 2 side. Further, the post-printing processing unit 2 includes a control unit 40 that controls its own paper feeding unit 22 and the like and the discrimination processing device 50.

  The discrimination processing device 50 has a built-in transmission / reception device 52, and this transmission / reception device 52 communicates with the computer 3 to communicate address information. The storage device 53 has a function of storing address information and the like. The reading device 54 has a function of reading address surface information. For example, the reading device 54 is composed of a CCD camera or the like, and discriminates it as character information or image information, and discriminates whether or not necessary items are described on the address surface.

  The weight measuring device 55 is a device capable of measuring the weight of the completed crimped postcard and identifying whether or not it is within a predetermined range. According to the current postal rules, the weight of the crimping postcard is defined, for example, 2 to 6 g. Examples of the weight measuring device 55 include a scale for weighing in a stationary state and a conveyor type device capable of weighing during continuous conveyance. In order to transport postcard paper, it is desirable in terms of work efficiency to use a commonly known conveyor type weighing device.

  Sorting device (sorting means) 56 is a mechanism that can classify as NG when there is insufficient address information (address, zip code, address, customer barcode, etc.) or when the postcard weight is insufficient. It is. With this sorting device 56, the sheets can be discharged separately into OK products and NG products. For example, a stackable stacker used in a printer can be used as a finisher.

The sorting device 56 is not necessarily required, and the sorting device 56 can be omitted.
When an NG product of paper is detected, the control unit 40 displays NG on the computer 3 or notifies the display device 48 of the post-printing processing unit 2 that it is NG. Then, NG is recorded by the variable information printing control software of the computer 3, and an instruction is given to restart printing. This redo includes actions such as automatically redoing printing and informing the operator.

  According to the present embodiment, by determining whether or not there is a necessary description item on the address surface, automatic discrimination and automatic reprinting (recovery) are performed without entrusting the operator whether or not the standard is satisfied as mail. It becomes possible. Further, for example, the operator can be prompted to perform reprinting or a warning can be displayed so that the operator can select an instruction.

FIG. 6 shows a control flowchart by the discrimination processing device 50.
First, when the process is started, in S11, the reading device 54 stores the description information on the address surface in the storage device 53 as image data. Next, in S12, the information printing position on the address surface is confirmed. In S13, the print information previously acquired from the variable information print control program and stored in the storage device 53 is collated with the above-described image data, and the process proceeds to S14.

  In S14, it is determined whether or not a print character is printed at the designated position. If a character is printed at the designated position, it is determined that the address information is printed, and the process proceeds to S15. In S14, the entire crimped postcard obtained by the reading device 54 shown in FIG. 5 is acquired as image data, and it is determined whether or not the postcard size is in a range specified by a postal rule or the like. It is also possible to analyze.

In S15, the weight of the postcard is measured, and the process proceeds to S16. In S16, if the weight of the weighed postcard is within the specified axis (2 to 6 g), the process ends as a normal product.
If there is no print character at the designated position in S14, or if the weight of the postcard is out of range in S16, it is determined as NG, and the process proceeds to S17. In S17, the computer 3 is notified that there is no print character at the designated position and that the weight of the postcard is out of range.

  Receiving the notification, the computer 3 displays a message to that effect on the display device 48 (see FIG. 5) provided in the post-printing processing unit 2, or prompts the operator with a variable information printing control program on the computer 3 side. Further, in S18, the postcard indicating that there is no print character at the designated position is processed as an NG classification, for example, sorting it into a normal product, and the process ends.

  Since it is necessary to reprint the NG product, information about the NG product is stored in the variable information printing control program on the computer 3 side. Then, from this stored information, the address printing variable information is automatically printed by the image forming apparatus 4, or a printing instruction is given again to the operator.

  FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration block diagram of the reading device 54, the weight measuring device 55, and the sorting device 56 in the discrimination processing device 50.

  The reading device 54 has a CCD camera 57 installed at a position where the address face of the postcard can be read. In the weight measuring device 55, a belt 59 for conveying a postcard is movably mounted on an upper portion of a load cell 58 for weight measurement. Note that detection sensors 60 and 61 are provided on the start and end sides in the transport direction. Further, the sorting device 56 is provided with stackers 62 and 63 for sorting postcards into NG products and normal products.

  As another embodiment, for example, an ID code of a variable information printing control program in the computer 3 (unique numerical values, characters, symbols, etc. that can specify variable information) is printed on the address face of a postcard, and this ID The code may be read by character recognition or the like to manage whether the product is normal or NG.

  Furthermore, a mechanism may be provided in which an ID code is printed on the address surface in the form of a barcode, and the customer barcode recorded with the address is checked. In this case, a device for reading a barcode is further added to the configuration shown in FIG. An apparatus for reading this bar code can scan by a CCD scanning method, a laser scanning method, and an image sensing method, each of which includes an LED light source and a CCD.

FIG. 8 shows a control flowchart by the discrimination processing device 50 provided with a barcode format reading device.
Since this control flow is basically the same as the control flow of FIG. 6, the same parts as those of the steps are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  First, when processing is started, in S21, it is determined whether or not there is a barcode on the address face of the postcard. If not, the process proceeds to S11. Thereafter, the same control as S11 to S18 shown in FIG. 6 (postcard weight measurement, etc.) is executed. Next, when there is a barcode in S21, the process proceeds to S22.

  The presence / absence of a barcode can also be obtained from a variable information printing control program or the like. In S22, the barcode is read and scanned, the barcode is analyzed in S23, and the process proceeds to S24.

  In S <b> 24, it is determined whether or not the result of barcode analysis matches the print information stored in the storage device 53. If they match, the process proceeds to S11, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to S17 as an NG product. The barcode may be, for example, a customer barcode, an ID code barcode, or both.

According to the present embodiment, by providing the barcode-format reader 54, it is possible to read information more easily and accurately than the address information described in characters or the like.
Note that the order of barcode reading, address surface reading, and postcard weight measurement is not limited to that described above, and may be in any order. Even if a barcode is described, the entire sheet can be recognized as image data by a CCD camera or the like. The barcode printing position can be specified by analyzing the image data, and the barcode information can be analyzed and read. Also, the barcode printing position can be easily obtained from a variable information printing control program or the like.

FIG. 9 shows a postcard printed with address information.
The address information of the postcard is printed by the image forming apparatus 4 when the variable information print control program issues a print instruction. As shown in FIG. 9, the address information includes a zip code 66, an address 67, an address 68, a customer barcode 69, and the like.

  Since this print instruction also includes the print position as information, the reading device 54 (see FIG. 5) stores the address surface (entire) as an image image and checks the print position information to determine the presence or absence of characters. can do. For example, it is possible to specify an area from print data (start coordinates and end coordinates) from image data and binarize the data to determine the presence or absence of characters.

According to this embodiment, since the reading device 54 and the weight measuring device 55 are provided in the discrimination processing device 50, a defective printed matter that has not undergone base printing (no address surface printing) is removed, or a reprint instruction is issued. It can be carried out. Thereby, a pressure-bonded postcard can be prepared in a state where it can be normally used as mail. That is, it is possible to solve problems such as the postcard being returned with an unknown address, the fee being unsuitable, or being unable to pass through the automatic distribution device of the post office.
Also, it is possible to use a postcard without knowing the postal rules. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the operator to select normal products and NG products, thereby reducing the labor and time of the operator.

In this embodiment, since the discrimination processing device 50 is provided separately from the post-printing processing unit 2, the discrimination processing device 50 can be attached only when necessary. Further, for example, it is determined whether or not the address information has been printed after completion of the base printing by the image forming apparatus 4 and before the postcard is inserted into the post-print processing unit 2, A blank sheet can be removed.
Note that the discrimination processing device 50 may be built in the post-printing processing unit 2. In this case, it is possible to automatically determine the quality of all the crimped sheets.

(Modification)
In the embodiment described above, the discrimination processing device 50 has been described as being integrally controlled by the control unit 40 of the post-printing processing unit 2. However, the discrimination processing device 50 may be controlled separately from the post-printing processing unit 2 (in conjunction with the post-printing processing unit 2 by independent control). As a result, for example, the address information can be checked when the base printing is completed in the image forming apparatus 4.

  Also, the ID code of the variable information printing control program (unique numerical values, characters, symbols, etc. that can specify variable information) is printed on the address of the postcard, and this ID code is read by a character recognition device or the like to make a normal product And NG products may be managed.

  In addition, a device for checking the customer barcode may be provided in the discrimination processing device 50 separately. In this case, a device for reading the barcode is added. An apparatus for reading this bar code can scan by a CCD scanning method, a laser scanning method, and an image sensing method, each of which includes an LED light source and a CCD.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the main part when the discrimination processing device 50 and the post-printing processing unit 2 are controlled in conjunction via the transmission / reception device 71. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the apparatus which is the same as that of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, or is equivalent.

In this embodiment, the discrimination processing device 50 includes a control unit 51 and a transmission / reception device 71 provided independently of the post-printing processing unit 2. The discrimination processing device 50 is connected to the post-printing processing unit 2 via the transmission / reception device 71. Further, the post-print processing unit 2 is connected to a computer 3.
Not only the computer 3 and the discrimination processing device 50 are connected via the post-printing processing unit 2, but also the variable information printing control program of the computer 3 is directly connected to the discrimination processing device 50 as indicated by a broken line, for example. A transmission / reception device 52 capable of transmitting / receiving information from may be attached.

  FIG. 11 shows a control flowchart by the discrimination processing device 50 of the present embodiment. In this control flow, the weight of the postcard is first measured and then the information on the address side is read.

  That is, after starting the process, the weight of the postcard is measured in S31, and the process proceeds to S32. In S32, it is determined whether or not the weight of the postcard is within a range of 2 to 6 g. If it is within the range, in S33 to S35, information is read from the address surface (S33), collated with the storage device 53 (S34), the information print position of the address surface is confirmed (S35), and the process proceeds to S36. . In S36, it is determined whether or not there is a character at the designated position on the address surface.

  If the postcard weight is not within the range of 2 to 6 g in S32, or if there is no character at the designated position on the address surface in S36, the process proceeds to S37 to notify the host computer 3 and further S38. Is processed as an NG product.

  According to the present embodiment, the discrimination processing device 50 includes the control unit 51 independent of the post-printing processing unit 2, so that the discrimination processing can be performed at a faster speed than the post-printing processing unit 2.

  Further, since the discrimination processing device 50 is configured separately from the post-printing processing unit 2, as described above, after the base printing is completed and before the postcard is input to the post-printing processing unit 2, It is possible to determine whether the address information is printed. In this way, postcard printing defects and blank paper can be removed before being loaded into the post-print processing unit 2.

  The address information may be read by the reading device 54 of the discrimination processing device 50 and the data may be collated with the variable information printing control program of the computer 3, and the data may be taken into a database.

  In addition, the reading device 54 of the discrimination processing device 50 reads information from the address information of the postcard. However, for example, data may be taken from information written on a business card other than a postcard and made into a database. Further, a duplicate printing instruction may be issued from the discrimination processing device 50 to the computer 3 or a printer for base printing.

(Embodiment 4)
In the present embodiment, for example, a case will be described in which the cutting process is performed in a separate apparatus (not built-in) in the post-printing processing unit 2 having functions up to the crimping process.

  That is, as in each of the above-described embodiments, when the discrimination processing device 50 is provided after the pressure-sensitive paper is cut by the cutting / separating unit 29 of the post-printing processing unit 2, it is necessary to determine whether each postcard is good or bad. It becomes. However, if the discrimination processing device 50 is provided after the crimping process and before the cutting process, only one judgment sheet is required, but there are two address faces.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, for example, two postcards are created by V-folding per A4 sheet. Also, two postcards are created by Z-folding using A3 paper. Therefore, before the cutting process, there may be two address planes in one postcard.

  Therefore, the discrimination processing device 50 can read the address information at two locations at the same time by processing the entire sheet after pressure bonding as image data with a CCD camera or the like.

  For example, it is assumed that a postal code, an address, each address, a customer bar code, and an ID code are printed on the address face of a postcard. At this time, the position where the character is printed on the address surface is managed by the variable information print control program that gives a print instruction to the base print printer, so that the data can be collated.

  Of course, for example, it is possible to equip two CCD cameras at positions where the address surface can be read, read the address information for each address, and perform the resolution, collation, and determination. Moreover, you may equip the barcode reader for reading an address surface.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of a crimping postcard creation system. (A) (b) is a figure which shows the example of a printing of a two-fold (V-fold) press-fit postcard paper, (c) (d) is a figure which shows the example of a print of a three-fold (Z-fold) press-fit postcard paper. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the post-printing process part (crimp postcard production apparatus). (A), (b) is a figure which shows the size of the paper used for printing as a crimping postcard paper, respectively in a crimping postcard production apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part circuit structure of a crimping postcard production apparatus. It is a figure which shows a control flowchart same as the above. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of a discrimination | determination processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the control flowchart of the discrimination | determination processing apparatus provided with the barcode-type reader. It is a figure which shows the postcard which printed address surface information. It is a figure which shows the circuit block of the principal part in the case of carrying out interlocking control of the discrimination | determination processing apparatus and a post-printing process part. It is a figure which shows a control flowchart same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printing section 2 Post-printing processing section (crimp postcard creation section)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Computer 4 Image forming apparatus 5 Main body 6 Liquid crystal display device 7 Keyboard 8 Tri-fold (Z-fold) pressure-bonded postcard paper 8 'Completion Z-fold pressure-bonded postcard 9 Wired or wireless 10 Crimp paper preparation apparatus 11 Two-fold (V-fold) pressure-bonded postcard paper 11 'Completion V Folding Crimping Postcard 12 Non-Confidential Information 13 Sender Name 14 Postal Code 15 Address and Address 16 Identification Code 17 Folding Line 18 Confidential Information 19, 21 Folding Line 22 Paper Feed Unit 23 Identification Code Reading Unit 24 Temporary Folding Unit 25 Adhesive application unit 26 Temporary / main fixing unit 27 Main folding unit 28 Shape trimming unit 29 Cutting separation unit 31 Paper discharge storage unit 32, 34 Folding line 33, 35 Cutting line 36 Powder adhesive storage unit 37 Adhesive application roller 38 Transfer roller 39 Cleaner 42 Lower endless heat belt 43, 44 Pressure roller 45 Upper endless heat belt 50 Discrimination processing device 5 Control unit 52 transmitting and receiving device 53 storage device 54 reader 55 the weighing device 71 transceiver

Claims (8)

In a crimping paper making device that creates crimping paper from a sheet-like member,
Application means for applying a re-peelable adhesive to the sheet-like member;
Fixing means for fixing the adhesive applied by the applying means;
Bending means for bending the sheet-like member on which the adhesive is fixed by the fixing means;
A crimping means for heating, pressurizing and crimping the sheet-like member bent by the bending means;
Reading means for reading address information written on the address surface of the pressure-bonding paper;
And a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the pressure-bonded paper. The pressure-sensitive paper making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit and the weight measuring unit are provided separately from the apparatus main body. The pressure-sensitive paper making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit and the weight measuring unit are built in an apparatus main body. The pressure-bonding paper preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a sorting unit that sorts the pressure-bonding paper into a non-defective product and a defective product based on a determination result by the reading unit and the weight measuring unit. apparatus. The pressure-sensitive sheet forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit includes at least one of a scanning device and a barcode analysis device. It is connected to a computer that manages database control of customer data, printing control of variable information such as zip code and address, and control of creating postcards.
The pressure-bonding paper making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In the discrimination processing device that discriminates the quality of the pressure-bonded paper created from the sheet-like member,
Transmission / reception means capable of transmitting / receiving the address print information stored in the computer to / from the computer;
Reading means for reading address information written on the address surface of the pressure-bonding paper;
And a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the pressure-bonding paper. In the discrimination processing device that discriminates the quality of the pressure-bonded paper created from the sheet-like member,
Transmission / reception means capable of transmitting and receiving the address printing information stored in the computer via a pressure-bonding paper creation device for creating pressure-bonded paper from the sheet-like member;
Reading means for reading address information written on the address surface of the pressure-bonding paper;
And a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the pressure-bonding paper.