JP2012035623A - Sealing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device capable of managing the remaining amount of a sealing agent at a low cost and with a simple configuration.
A sealing device includes a mounting portion 37 for detachably mounting a sealing agent supply tool 31 that contains a sealing agent therein, and an end sensor that detects that a remaining amount of usable sealing agent is exhausted. 84, and the control unit 7 includes an integration unit that integrates the amount of sealant used in the sealant supply tool 31 attached to the attachment unit 37, and the sealant supply device 31 is based on the integrated value of the integration unit. Control is performed so as to prompt the user to replace the sealant, and when the sealant supply tool 31 is detached from the mounting portion 37, the end sensor 84 detects that there is no remaining sealant remaining. Only when this is done, the integrated value of the integrating means is reset.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a sealing device.

  Adhesive is applied to the flap part, which is the glue part of the envelope, or a dry adhesive is applied to the flap part in advance, and the flap part is moistened by supplying moisture to this part. 2. Description of the Related Art A sealing device that automatically seals a flap portion by sticking to a folded envelope body is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a carriage for applying an adhesive to a flap portion of a supplied envelope, a claw portion for scooping up the flap portion of the envelope when the carriage moves forward or backward, and the scooped flap portion. A technique related to a sealing device including a crease part having a surface for bending crease and a press roller for bonding a flap part is disclosed.

In this sealing device, the remaining amount of the adhesive in the carriage is not managed, and if all the adhesive is used in the middle of the sealing process, there is a risk of stopping the operation in the middle of the sealing process. In such a case, the envelope in the middle of sealing needs to be sealed by manually applying an adhesive and sealing, or the envelope in the middle of sealing needs to be replaced with a new envelope and sealed again. , It takes effort and time.

On the other hand, regarding the technology relating to the printing apparatus, in Patent Document 2 below, a plurality of ink cartridges including elements such as a nonvolatile memory capable of writing information can be attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion. It is disclosed that the integration is performed for each cartridge by the integration means, and the integration result is written in the ink cartridge element.

JP 2009-51057 A JP 2007-185971 A

As in the ink cartridge in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a configuration in which each ink cartridge is provided with a non-volatile memory that writes the integration result of the integration unit is used for managing the remaining amount of sealing agent such as adhesive in the sealing device. It is possible to use it. However, such a configuration complicates the structure of the sealant container and makes it expensive.

The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device that can perform the remaining amount management of the sealing agent with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, the sealing device according to claim 1 is a sealing device for sealing an unsealed envelope, at least a flap portion or a location where a flap portion of an envelope body is stuck. An application means for applying to the application position, a fold forming portion provided with a folding projection for forming a fold in the flap, and a fold formed in the fold forming portion In a sealing device provided with a press roller that seals the envelope by sticking the flap portion to the envelope body with the applied sealing agent, and a control unit that controls the operation of each part, the coating means includes the sealing agent inside. The controller includes a mounting unit that detachably mounts the sealing agent supply tool accommodated therein, and an end sensor that detects that the remaining amount of usable sealing agent is exhausted, and the control unit includes a sealing unit mounted on the mounting unit. Use of sealant in the agent supply tool And a control means for informing by the notification means to prompt replacement of the sealing agent supply tool based on the integrated value of the integration means, and when the sealing agent supply tool is detached from the mounting portion, the end sensor The integrated value of the integrating means is reset only when it is determined that the remaining amount of the usable sealant has been exhausted.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the sealant supply tool is provided with a sealant holding tape for holding the sealant on one side of a belt-like tape, and the end sensor It detects the feeding and / or winding of the sealing agent holding tape.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sealing device of the second aspect, the sealing agent supply tool includes a supply reel and a take-up reel for the sealing agent holding tape, and the end sensor includes the supply reel and / or the take-up reel. Alternatively, the presence or absence of rotation of the take-up reel is detected.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the integrating means applies at least the sealing agent by the application means in order to apply the sealing agent to the envelope. Based on the amount of movement of either the tool or the envelope, the amount of sealant used is calculated and integrated.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a reset operation unit that resets the integrated value of the integrating means by manual operation. is there.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 6 is the sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit seals by the application means when the sealant supply tool is replaced. Control is performed so that the sealing agent application operation is subsequently performed on the envelope in which the agent application operation is interrupted.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 7 is the sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit is configured to use a sealing agent supply tool based on the integrated value of the integrating means, The remaining amount is controlled to be displayed by the display means.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 8 is the sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit is configured to seal the sealing agent mounted on the mounting unit based on the integrated value of the integrating unit. Control is performed so that the number of envelopes that can be sealed by the supply tool is displayed on the display means.

In the sealing device according to claim 1, the application means includes a mounting portion that detachably mounts a sealing agent supply tool that contains the sealing agent therein, and that there is no remaining amount of the sealing agent that can be used. An end sensor for detecting, and the control unit includes an integration unit that integrates the amount of the sealant in the sealant supply tool attached to the attachment unit, and based on the integrated value of the integration unit, In addition to performing control to notify by the notification means to urge replacement, integration is performed only when it is determined that there is no usable sealant due to detection of the end sensor when the sealant supply tool is detached from the mounting part. Since the integrated value of the means is reset, the remaining amount management of the sealing agent, which tends to be complicated, can be simplified, and the sealing agent supply tool can be manufactured at a low cost with a simple structure.

According to the sealing device of the second aspect, the sealing agent supply tool includes a sealing agent holding tape that holds the sealing agent on one side of the belt-like tape, and the end sensor is formed of the sealing agent holding tape. Since feeding and / or winding is detected, it can be easily determined that there is no remaining amount of usable sealant.

According to the sealing device of the third aspect, the sealing agent supply tool includes a supply reel and a take-up reel for the sealant holding tape, and the end sensor is configured to rotate the supply reel and / or the take-up reel. Since presence / absence is detected, it can be more easily determined that there is no remaining amount of sealant available.

According to the sealing device of the fourth aspect, the integrating means applies the sealing agent to the envelope, so that the sealing means is sealed based on the amount of movement of at least one of the sealing agent supply tool and the envelope by the applying means. Since the amount of agent used is calculated and integrated, the amount of sealant used can be easily calculated and integrated.

According to the sealing device of the fifth aspect, since the reset operation unit that resets the integrated value of the integration means by manual operation is provided, the user still operates the reset operation unit, Even when the sealing agent supply tool is replaced for some reason despite the remaining amount, the integrated value of the integrating means can be reset, and the remaining amount of sealing agent can be managed accurately.

According to the sealing device of the sixth aspect, when the sealing agent supply tool is replaced, the control unit continuously applies the sealing agent to the envelope in which the application operation of the sealing agent by the application unit is interrupted. Since the application operation is controlled, it is possible to prevent the operation of the sealing device from being stopped due to the absence of the sealing agent in the middle of the sealing process, and the envelope in the middle of the sealing agent application from being unable to be sealed.

Furthermore, according to the sealing device of the seventh aspect, the control unit controls the display unit to display the usage amount or the remaining amount of the sealing agent supply tool based on the integrated value of the integrating unit. It is possible to easily grasp the used amount or remaining amount of the sealant of the sealant supply tool attached to the attachment part.

Furthermore, according to the sealing device of the eighth aspect, the control unit displays on the display unit the number of envelopes that can be sealed by the sealing agent supply tool mounted on the mounting unit, based on the integrated value of the integrating unit. Thus, the user can easily grasp the number of envelopes that can be sealed by the sealing agent supply tool attached to the attachment part.

1 is an external perspective view of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view in the state where the case of the sealing device was removed. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the said sealing apparatus. It is the elements on larger scale of the sealing agent application part and crease formation part of the said sealing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the sealing agent supply tool of the said sealing apparatus. It is an enlarged view which shows the usage condition of the said sealing apparatus. It is an enlarged view which shows the usage condition of the said sealing apparatus. It is an enlarged view which shows the usage condition of the said sealing apparatus.

  One embodiment of the sealing device according to the present invention will be described below. 1 is an external perspective view of the sealing device, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sealing device with a housing removed, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the sealing device, and FIG. 4 is a sealing agent application of the sealing device. It is the elements on larger scale of a part and a crease formation part. Here, for convenience of explanation, the right side in FIGS. 1 to 4 provided with the supply base 16 of the envelope 10 to be sealed is the front side of the sealing device 1, and the sealing agent application unit 3 is provided in the same figure. The left side will be described as the rear side, the left side viewed from the rear side as the left side in the sealing device 1, and the right side as the right side in the sealing device 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, an envelope 10 that is sealed by the sealing device 1 has a flap portion 12 that is a marginal portion on one end side of an envelope body 11 that stores contents, and a sealing agent is provided on the flap portion 12. Is applied, and the flap portion 12 is attached to the back surface 11a of the envelope body 11 and sealed.

In FIG. 3, the sealing device 1 includes a supply unit 2 that stacks a plurality of unsealed envelopes 10 with the back surface 11 a facing upward, and supplies them one by one from the bottom to the rear processing portion, and an unsealed envelope 10. The flap part 12 is applied with a sealant application part 3 for applying a sealant, a crease forming part 4 for forming a crease in the flap part 12, and the flap part 12 with the crease formed is folded and pressed. The sealing part 5 which seals the part 12, the discharge | emission stacking part 6 which loads the sealed envelope 10, and the control part 7 which controls the operation | movement of each part are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rear portion of the supply unit 2, the sealing agent application unit 3, the crease formation unit 4, and the sealing unit 5 are accommodated in the housing 9, and the sealing agent application unit of the housing 9 As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the supply unit 2 includes a supply table 16, a side regulating plate 17, a supply transport unit 18, and a winding unit 19. The supply stand 16 is provided at a predetermined height position on the front side of the sealing device 1, and is inclined so that the front side of the supply stand 16 is high and the rear side is low. As shown in FIG. 2, the side regulating plate 17 is slidably provided in the left and right width directions on the supply table 16, and adjusts the placement position of the envelope 10 on the supply table 16 to the substantially central portion in the width direction. is there.

The supply / conveying means 18 includes a plurality of rubber rollers 22 partially exposed on the envelope placement surface of the supply table 16 and a conveyance roller 23 installed behind the rubber rollers 22. The supply conveyance means 18 is linked to the supply motor 15 through a transmission mechanism (not shown) including a gear, a pulley, and a belt.

The whispering part 19 is disposed behind the supply table 16, separates the lowest envelope 10 a from the plurality of envelopes 10 on the supply table 16, and sequentially conveys them to the rear. The winding unit 19 includes a rear end regulating plate 25, a winding roller 24, and a driven roller 26. The rear end restricting plate 25 is provided vertically at the rear portion of the supply base 16 and restricts the upper envelope 10 so that the rear end edges of the plurality of envelopes 10 come into contact with each other and only the lowermost envelope 10a is conveyed backward. To do. An opening 27 for allowing the envelopes 10 to pass through one by one is formed below the rear end regulating plate 25 between the upper surface of the supply base 16.

The winding roller 24 is disposed behind the rear end regulating plate 25 and is rotated only in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the envelope 10. A gap of about 0.1 mm is formed between the separation roller 24 and the conveyance roller 23. Has been. Further, when the envelope 10 is conveyed between the separating roller 24 and the conveying roller 23 facing the separating roller 24, it is biased by a spring so as to sandwich the envelope 10 with a predetermined pressure. Thereby, even when the envelopes 10 having different thicknesses are sequentially conveyed depending on the contents of the envelope 10, the rolling roller 24 moves up and down according to the thickness of the envelope 10 to properly separate each envelope 10. It can be conveyed backwards one by one.

The driven roller 26 is disposed behind the whirling roller 24, and unlike the whirling roller 24, it can freely rotate forward and backward, and is biased by a spring so as to be in rolling contact with the lower conveying roller 23 with a predetermined pressure.

The sealant application unit 3 includes a sealant supply tool 31, an application means 36, and an application plate 35. The sealing agent supply tool 31 contains a sealing agent for sealing the envelope 10 inside, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the sealing agent is held on one side of a belt-like tape. Sealing agent holding tape 30, supply reel 71, take-up reel 72 of the sealing agent holding tape 30, and transfer roller 73 for transferring the sealing agent held on the sealing agent holding tape 30 against the flap portion 12. A gear 74 that is attached to the reel 71 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the supply reel 71 and a gear 75 that meshes with the gear 74 and rotates the take-up reel 72 through the gear 74 by the rotation of the supply reel 71. The means 76 is accommodated in the case 77.

Although not shown, the sealant is formed of an adhesive layer having a predetermined thickness, and the adhesive layer is held by a sealant holding tape 30 having a predetermined width. In addition, a disk body 79 is attached to the take-up reel 72, and the disk body 79 rotates as the take-up reel 72 rotates. A plurality of marks 81 are formed on the disc body 79, and the marks 81 are detected by an end sensor 84 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, and based on this, the presence or absence of rotation of the take-up reel 72 is determined.

The case 77 is provided with a window portion 78 in alignment with the mark 81 forming position in the vicinity of the periphery of the disc body 79. A plurality of marks 81 are formed at a constant angular pitch so as to be detected by the end sensor 84 through the window portion 78. Although the number of the marks 81 in the disc body 79 is four in FIG. 5, it can be arbitrarily set according to the desired rotational resolution. For example, if the disk body 79 has a diameter of about 5 cm and at least four marks 81 are formed, the flap 10 has a width of 90 mm and a relatively small envelope 10 such as a length 4 is formed. Even when a sealing agent is applied to the flap portion 12, since at least two marks 81 can be detected by the end sensor 84, whether or not the take-up reel 72 is rotated in the sealing agent application operation of one envelope 10 is determined. Judgment is always possible.

As shown in FIG. 3, the application unit 36 includes a mounting part 37 of the sealing agent supply tool 31, an end sensor 84, a sealing agent elevating unit 32, and a width moving unit 33. The mounting portion 37 is used for detachably mounting the sealing agent supply tool 31, and includes a lower member 37a through which a lower portion of the sealing agent supply tool 31 is inserted, and a sealing agent supply that is inserted and fixed into the lower member 37a. An openable and closable upper member 37b covering the upper portion of the tool 31 is provided.

In addition, the mounting portion 37 is provided with a switch (not shown) that allows the application means 36 to be energized only when the sealing agent supply tool 31 is mounted.

The end sensor 84 detects that the sealant in the sealant supply tool 31 runs out of usable sealant. The end sensor 84 is located at the rear position of the lower member 37a and at a position opposite to the mark 81 formation position of the disk body 79 that can be seen through the window 78 when the sealing agent supply tool 31 is inserted into the lower member 37a. It is provided in alignment. The end sensor 84 is a reflective sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The end sensor 84 detects a mark 81 on the disc body 79 that can be seen through the window 78, and based on this, the presence or absence of rotation of the take-up reel 72 is detected. To come to judge.

The sealing agent raising / lowering means 32 raises and lowers the sealing agent supply tool 31 attached to the attachment part 37. In FIG. 4, a state where the sealing agent supply tool 31 is lowered by the sealing agent elevating means 32 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The sealant lifting / lowering means 32 is driven by a lifting / lowering motor 38 shown in FIGS.

The width moving means 33 moves the sealing agent supply tool 31 in the width direction from the left end to the right when the sealing agent supply tool 31 is lowered by the sealing agent lifting and lowering means 32, thereby holding it on the sealing agent holding tape 30. The sealed sealant is transferred to the flap portion 12. The width moving means 33 is driven by a width moving motor 39.

The application plate 35 extends in the left-right width direction below the sealant supply tool 31 and is disposed substantially horizontally. The material of the application plate 35 is not particularly limited, but a material that can be easily peeled even when a sealing agent such as silicon resin or fluororesin adheres is preferable.

The crease forming unit 4 includes a convex member 44 and a concave member 45 that are laterally arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction of the envelope 10, and a convex member elevating means 46 that elevates and lowers the convex member 44. As shown, the convex member 44 is formed by bending at a substantially right angle, and has a bent convex part 48 that forms a fold in the flap part 12 at the lower part. The concave member 45 has a concave groove 49 on the upper surface. The convex member 44 is inserted into the concave groove 49 together with the flap portion 12 by the convex member raising / lowering means 46, thereby forming a fold in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the envelope 10. The convex member raising / lowering means 46 is driven by a crease forming motor (not shown) and descends the convex member 44 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, a rear conveying means 51 is installed behind the sealant application unit 3 and the crease forming unit 4. The rear conveying means 51 includes a plurality of upper and lower pair of conveying rollers 52 arranged in front and rear, sandwiching the envelope body 11 of the unsealed envelope 10, and moving the envelope 10 in both the backward and forward directions by forward and reverse rotation of the conveying roller 52. It is configured to be transportable to.

The sealing part 5 is located in the middle between the front supply part 2 and the rear sealing agent application part 3, and the flap part 12 of the envelope 10 formed with the fold is folded back and applied in the sealing agent application part 3. The flap portion 12 is pressed and adhered to the back surface 11a of the envelope body 11 with a sealant. The sealing unit 5 includes a transport roller 55 that can rotate forward and backward to transport the envelope 10 in both the backward and forward directions, and a press roller 56 that is in rolling contact with the transport roller 55 with a predetermined pressing force by a spring bias. Yes.

The rear conveying means 51 and the conveying roller 55 of the sealing unit 5 are connected by a belt (not shown), and both are driven by a rear conveying motor 58 shown in FIG.

In addition, the sealing unit 5 is provided with a sensor 29 including a light emitting element and a light receiving element across the conveying surface of the envelope 10 between the conveying roller 55 and the press roller 56 arranged in two rows in the front and rear. The sensor 29 detects that the leading edge 12 a of the flap portion 12 of the envelope 10 sent from the supply portion 2 has passed the installation position of the sensor 29. As shown in FIG. 2, one sensor 29 is installed at each position at the same distance from the central portion in the width direction.

Further, a flap abutment plate 81 is provided vertically at a predetermined height position behind the rear press roller 56, and the flap portion 12 that has sprung upward by forming a fold is provided with the flap contact. The flap portion 12 is folded by being conveyed forward while being in contact with the contact plate 81.

As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge stacking unit 6 is provided below the supply unit 2. The conveyance roller 23 disposed at the rear portion of the supply unit 2 and the conveyance roller 55 of the sealing unit 5 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined length in the front-rear direction. The sealed envelope 10 is discharged downward from the space portion 60 formed between the conveying rollers 23 and 55 and stacked on the discharge stacking portion 6.

The control unit 7 controls the entire sealing device 1 and is configured by a CPU or the like. The control unit 7 is supplied with a signal from the input means 65 for inputting the size of the envelope 10 and a signal from the tip detection sensor 29. As shown in FIG. 1, the input means 65 is provided on the operation panel 64, and the user inputs and sets the size of envelopes such as corner 2, length 3 and length 4 to be sealed from the operation panel 64.

And the drive state of the supply motor 15, the back conveyance motor 58, the raising / lowering motor 38, the width movement motor 39, and the crease formation motor is suitably controlled by the output from the control unit 7.

Furthermore, the control unit 7 includes an integration unit that integrates the amount of sealant used in the sealant supply tool 31 attached to the attachment unit 37, and based on the integrated value of the integration means, Control for notifying by the notifying means 66 of the operation panel 64 is performed so as to prompt replacement. The integrating means applies the sealant to the envelope 10 from the start of use of the sealant supply tool 31, so that the sealant supply tool 31 is moved in the width direction by the width moving means 33 while the sealant elevating means 32 is lowered. The obtained movement amount is calculated based on the rotation speed of the width movement motor 39, and the obtained movement amounts are integrated. The integrated value of the movement amount of the width moving means 33 corresponds to the integrated value of the usage amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30. When the integrated value of the integration means exceeds a predetermined value set in advance, the notification means 66 notifies the user. This predetermined value is set based on the total length of the sealing agent holding tape 30 of the sealing agent supply tool 31 mounted on the mounting portion 37, and is a predetermined value that should be determined that the remaining amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30 is low. It is.

  The integrated value of the integrating means is integrated only when it is determined by the detection of the end sensor 84 that there is no remaining sealant remaining available when the sealing agent supply tool 31 is detached from the mounting portion 37. The accumulated value of is reset. The integrated value of the integrating means can be reset even by manual operation by the user operating a reset operation unit 68 provided on the operation panel 64. Further, when the sealant supply tool 31 is exchanged, the control unit 7 controls the envelope 10 in which the sealant application operation by the application unit 36 is interrupted to subsequently perform the sealant application operation. Further, the control unit 7 controls the display unit 67 provided on the operation panel 64 to display the usage amount or remaining amount of the sealing agent supply tool 31 based on the integrated value of the integrating unit. Further, the control unit 7 controls the display unit 67 to display the number of envelopes 10 that can be sealed by the sealing agent supply tool 31 mounted on the mounting unit 37 based on the integrated value of the integrating unit. The display unit 67 is also configured by the notification unit 66.

(Function)
The operation of sealing the unsealed envelope 10 by the sealing device 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the outline of the sealing operation is as follows. Many envelopes 10 in an unsealed state are placed on the supply table 16 with the flap portion 12 on the front side and the surface of the envelope 10 on which the destination is written on the lower side. The sheets are stacked and conveyed one by one from the lowermost envelope 10a one by one by the action of the supply conveying means 18 and the whispering section 19. The envelope 10 transported from the supply unit 2 passes through the sealing unit 5 while remaining unsealed, reaches the sealing agent application unit 3, and after the sealing agent is applied, the crease is formed in the fold forming unit 4. It is formed and transported forward by the backward transport means 51 in the opposite direction to the supply, and the flap portion 12 is sealed in the sealing portion 5 and discharged to the discharge stacking portion 6. This will be described in detail below.

A plurality of unsealed envelopes 10 are stacked on the supply table 16, and are sequentially fed backward from the lowest position by driving the supply / conveyance means 18. Since the supply part 2 supplies in order from the lowest envelope 10a, the envelope 10 can be additionally supplied onto the supply table 16 even during the application of the sealing agent and the folding operation.

At this time, the rear end of the upper envelope 10 is brought into contact with the rear end regulating plate 25, the rearward conveyance is restricted, and only the envelope 10 that has passed through the opening 27 is conveyed rearward. Then, the envelope 10 is further separated by the rolling roller 24. In this manner, the separation unit 19 separates the envelope 10 by both the rear end regulating plate 25 and the separation roller 24, so that even if the plurality of envelopes 10 pass through the opening 27, 24, the envelope 10 can be separated, and only one envelope 10 can be sent to the rear sealing portion 5.

In the sealing unit 5, the envelope 10 in an unsealed state is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller 55 and the press roller 56 and is supplied to the rear sealing agent application unit 3. The sensor 29 detects that the leading edge 12 a of the flap portion 12 has passed the installation location of the sensor 29 and supplies it to the control portion 7.

The envelope 10 that has reached the sealant application unit 3 is conveyed rearward with the envelope body 11 being sandwiched by the rear conveying means 51 shown in FIG. Then, when the leading edge 12a of the flap portion 12 of the envelope 10 is located almost directly below the front end portion of the sealing agent supply tool 31 on the coating plate 35, the driving of the rear conveying means 51 is stopped. This is because the controller 7 detects the leading edge 12a of the flap portion 12 by the sensor 29 based on the length of the flap portion 12 corresponding to the size of the envelope 10 input by the input means 65, and then removes the envelope 10 After transporting a predetermined amount, the rear transport motor 58 is stopped at a predetermined position.

Then, in the sealant application unit 3, the sealant supply tool 31 is moved from the left end in advance to the right by a predetermined amount by the width moving means 33 to a predetermined position corresponding to the set width of the envelope 10 input by the input means 65. Has been. In this state, as shown in FIG. 6, the sealing agent supply tool 31 is lowered by the sealing agent elevating means 32 and contacts the flap portion 12 on the application plate 35. Then, the sealing agent supply tool 31 is moved rightward by the width moving means 33, and the adhesive layer as the sealing agent of the sealing agent holding tape 30 is transferred to the flap portion 12.

In the sealing agent supply tool 31, the transfer roller 73 shown in FIG. 5 rotates as the sealing agent is transferred to the flap portion 12, and the sealing agent holding tape 30 is sequentially delivered from the supply reel 71, and the supply reel 71 rotates. As a result, the take-up reel 72 is rotated via the interlocking means 76, and the sealing agent holding tape 30 is taken up on the take-up reel 72. Further, the disk body 79 rotates with the rotation of the take-up reel 72, and the end sensor 84 detects the mark 81 of the disk body 79 that can be seen from the window 78 and supplies it to the control unit 7.

Further, the accumulating means adjusts the rotational speed of the width moving motor 39 to move the width moving means 33 from the vicinity of the left end of the flap 12 to the right in the state where the sealant supply tool 31 is lowered by the sealant elevating means 32. Based on this, the usage amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30 is calculated. And the integrated value of the usage-amount of the obtained sealing agent holding tape 30 is calculated.

After the application of the sealant to the flap portion 12, the sealant supply tool 31 is lifted by the sealant lifting / lowering means 32, moved to the original position by the width moving means 33, and waits for the envelope 10 sent next. To do.

After the application of the sealing agent to the flap portion 12, as shown in FIG. 7, the folding convex portion 48 is lowered from the standby position to the crease forming position by the convex member raising / lowering means 46, and into the concave groove 49 together with the flap portion 12. The fold is formed in the flap portion 12 through the insertion.

After the fold is formed, the rear conveyance motor 58 is rotated in the direction opposite to that before the application of the sealant and the fold is formed, and the envelope 10 is conveyed forward by the rear conveyance means 51. When the envelope 10 reaches the sealing portion 5, as shown in FIG. 8, the flap portion 12 comes into contact with the flap contact plate 81 and the flap portion 12 is folded, and is folded between the press roller 56 and the conveying roller 55. The fold formed in the eye forming part 4 is pinched, the flap part 12 is folded, and the envelope 10 is conveyed forward. The envelope 10 is sealed by attaching the flap portion 12 to the envelope body 11 with the sealant applied in the sealant application portion 3. The envelope 10 is discharged downward from the space 60 shown in FIG. 3 and is loaded on the discharge stacking unit 6.

When the user wants to check the amount of use or the remaining amount of the sealant supply tool 31 attached to the attachment part 37 while the sealing device 1 is sealing the envelope 10, the user The operation panel 64 performs an operation for displaying the amount of use or the remaining amount of the sealant supply tool 31. In response to this operation, the control unit 7 controls the display means to display the usage amount or remaining amount of the sealing agent supply tool based on the integrated value of the integrating means. Thereby, the user can easily grasp the remaining amount of the sealing agent in the sealing device 1.

When the user wishes to check the number of envelopes 10 that can be sealed by the sealing agent supply tool 31 mounted on the mounting portion 37 while the sealing device 1 is performing the sealing processing of the envelope 10. The user performs an operation on the operation panel 64 to display the number of envelopes 10 that can be sealed. In response to this operation, the control unit 7 controls the display unit to display the number of envelopes 10 that can be sealed by the sealing agent supply tool 31 mounted on the mounting unit 37 based on the integrated value of the integrating unit. At this time, the number of sheets that can be sealed is calculated according to the size of the envelope 10 preset by the user on the operation panel 64. Thereby, the user can easily grasp the number of envelopes 10 that can be sealed by the sealing agent supply tool 31 mounted on the mounting portion 37.

For the purpose of saving the amount of sealant used in the sealant supply tool 31 and reducing the running cost, it may be possible to set an eco mode in which the sealant is applied by thinning the envelope application position from the full width range. When the eco-mode is set, when the user performs an operation on the operation panel 64 to display the number of envelopes 10 that can be sealed, the sealing agent is thinned and applied to the envelope 10. The number of envelopes 10 that can be sealed is displayed on the display means 67. Thereby, since the remaining amount of the sealing agent supply tool 31 can be grasped by the number of envelopes 10 regardless of the amount of sealing agent used, it is very convenient.

Moreover, since many envelopes 10 are sealed by the sealing device 1, the amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30 used is increased, and the integrated value of the integrating means is determined in advance based on the total length of the sealing agent holding tape 30. The set predetermined value will be exceeded. This predetermined value is a value indicating that the remaining amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30 having the adhesive layer wound on the supply reel 71 side of the sealing agent supply tool 31 mounted on the mounting portion 37 is low. is there. As described above, when the integrated value of the integrating means exceeds a predetermined value, the notifying means 66 notifies the operation panel 64 so as to prompt the replacement of the sealing agent supply tool 31.

Then, after the notification by the notification means 66, when all of the sealing agent holding tape 30 in the sealing agent supply tool 31 is used up and the remaining amount is exhausted, the winding reel 72 stops rotating. When the take-up reel 72 is stopped, the end sensor 84 does not detect the mark 81 of the disc body 79 when the sealing agent is applied to the envelope 10, so that the control unit 7 stops the rotation of the take-up reel 72. Judge that In response to the rotation of the take-up reel 72 being stopped, the control unit 7 stops the width moving motor 39, interrupts the sealing agent application operation to the envelope 10 by the application means 36, and the remaining amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30. Notify that there is no more.

In this state, in order to replace the sealant supply tool 31, the user releases the opening / closing member 14 of the housing 9, removes the used sealant supply tool 31 from the mounting portion 37, and creates a new sealant supply tool. 31 is attached and the opening / closing member 14 is closed. Then, the control unit 7 resumes the sealing agent application operation by the applying unit 36 that has been interrupted, and applies the sealing agent to the remaining portion of the envelope 10 to which the sealing agent has been applied up to the middle position in the width direction. Thereafter, the normal sealing process, that is, the folding convex part 48 is lowered to form a crease, the envelope 10 is conveyed forward by the rear conveying means 51 and sealed by the sealing part 5, and is discharged to the discharge stacking part 6. Eject operation.

In this way, when the sealing agent application operation is resumed from the state where the sealing agent application operation is interrupted at a midway position in the width direction of the envelope 10 because the remaining amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30 is exhausted, the remaining envelope 10 remains. It is possible to prevent the envelope 10 in the middle of the application of the sealing agent from being unable to be sealed because the operation was stopped in the middle of the sealing process. is there. Therefore, for example, when enormous information such as addresses and names managed by electronic data is automatically printed, sealed, sealed, etc., any data sealing process is performed in the final stage of sealing process. It is possible to save the trouble of reconfirming whether or not it was possible to reduce the burden on the user. In addition, it is not necessary to manually apply and seal the sealing agent on an unsealed envelope, or to perform sealing again after replacing with a new envelope, so labor and processing time can be reduced. , Can save envelopes.

In addition, when the sealing agent supply tool 31 is attached to and detached from the mounting portion 37, the control unit 7 only determines that the end sensor 84 has detected that there is no remaining amount of usable sealing agent. Reset accumulated value. As a result, the notification prompting the replacement of the sealing agent supply tool 31 by the notification means 66 disappears, and the integrating means starts to accumulate the usage amount of the newly installed sealing agent supply tool 31.

On the other hand, for the purpose of visually confirming the remaining amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30 or the like, in a state where the remaining amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30 has not yet disappeared, the user can supply the sealing agent supply tool from the mounting portion 37. When 31 is attached or detached, the control unit 7 does not reset the integrated value of the integrating means. This is because the detection by the end sensor 84 does not indicate that there is no usable sealant. In this case, the integrated value before attachment / detachment of the sealing agent supply tool 31 is maintained. Thereby, even when the sealing agent supply tool 31 is detached from the mounting portion 37, it is possible to notify that the remaining amount is low at an appropriate time.

As described above, the accumulated value of the integrating means is reset only when it is determined that the remaining amount of the usable sealing agent is exhausted by using up the sealing agent supply tool 31 to the end, which tends to be complicated. The remaining amount management of the sealing agent in the sealing agent supply tool 31 can be simplified. Further, for the purpose of managing the remaining amount, it is not necessary to provide a storage unit such as a non-volatile memory in the sealant supply tool 31, and the sealant supply tool 31 can be manufactured with a simple structure at a low cost.

  Further, in the state where the remaining amount of the sealing agent holding tape 30 is small but the unused portion having the adhesive layer of the sealing agent holding tape 30 still remains on the supply reel 71 side, the sealing agent supply tool 31 is used. When the sealant supply tool 31 is replaced with the new sealant supply tool 31 removed from the mounting part 37, the control unit 7 does not reset the integrated value of the integration means. This is because the end sensor 84 has not detected that the remaining amount of the sealant that can be used is exhausted, as in the case where the sealant holding tape 30 is attached and detached for visual confirmation of the remaining amount. In this case, although the sealing agent supply tool 31 has been replaced, the notification prompting the replacement of the sealing agent supply tool 31 by the notification means 66 continues. Therefore, the user can reset the integrated value of the integrating unit by operating the reset operation unit 68 and manually cancel the notification by the notification unit 66.

Thereby, when the replacement is performed before the sealant supply tool 31 is used up, the integrated value of the integration means can be reset, so that the remaining amount management of the sealant holding tape 30 can be appropriately performed.

In the above embodiment, the supply unit 2 supplies the unsealed envelopes 10 one by one from the bottom, but the sealing device according to the present invention is not limited to this, and sequentially supplies from the top envelope. It is good as well. Further, the sealant supply tool 31 is moved up and down by the sealant lifting / lowering means 32 and the sealant is applied. However, the sealant supply tool is fixed, the envelope is moved so as to contact the sealant supply tool, and the sealant is applied. It is good.

Further, the sealing agent has adhesiveness, and is configured by the adhesive layer holding tape 30 holding the adhesive layer. However, the sealing agent is not limited to this, and a liquid adhesive adhesive is supplied from the nozzle tip to a predetermined amount. It may be supplied at a timing, or a hot melt adhesive may be heated and melted and bonded. In addition, when sealing an envelope that has been previously coated with an adhesive on the flap and dried, water may be used as the sealing agent. The application means for applying water as a sealing agent includes a structure in which water stored in the tank is supplied from a nozzle tip that can be freely opened and closed, and a water-containing member such as a sponge containing water is brought into contact with the flap portion 12. The structure etc. to make are mentioned.

When a liquid sticky adhesive, a heat-melted hot-melt adhesive, water, or the like is used as the sealant, a load cell for detecting the weight of the tank containing the sealant as an end sensor, or a sealant in the tank It is possible to use a float, a sensor, or the like that detects the liquid level of the liquid.

Moreover, although the position which apply | coats sealing agent was made into the flap part 12 of the envelope 10, it is not limited to this, The location which sticks the flap part of an envelope main body is made into the application | coating position of sealing agent, and it matches this application position. You may control the conveyance amount by a back conveyance means. Further, although the reset operation unit 68 for resetting the integrated value of the integrating means by manual operation is provided, it is not always necessary to provide it.

  Further, the end sensor 84 detects the mark 81 of the disk body 79 viewed from the window portion 78 by a reflection type sensor, and based on this, the presence / absence of rotation of the take-up reel 72 is determined. The feeding may be detected instead of the winding, or the presence or absence of rotation of the supply reel 71 may be detected instead of the presence or absence of rotation of the winding reel 72.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sealing device 4 Fold formation part 5 Sealing part 7 Control part 10 Envelope 11 Envelope main body 12 Flap part 30 Sealing agent holding tape 34 Moving means 36 Application means 37 Mounting part 48 Bending convex part 56 Press roller 66 Notification means 68 Reset Operation unit 71 Supply reel 72 Take-up reel 84 End sensor

Claims (8)

An application means for applying a sealing agent for sealing an unsealed envelope to at least one of application positions of the flap part or the part where the flap part of the envelope body is attached;
A crease forming part provided with a folding convex part for forming a crease in the flap part;
A press roller that sandwiches the crease formed in the crease forming part and seals the envelope by sticking the flap part to the envelope body by the sealing agent applied by the application means;
In a sealing device provided with a control unit that controls the operation of each unit,
The application means includes a mounting portion that detachably mounts a sealing agent supply tool that contains a sealing agent therein, and
And an end sensor for detecting that the remaining amount of usable sealant is exhausted,
The control unit includes an integration unit that integrates the amount of sealant used in the sealant supply tool mounted on the mounting unit,
Based on the integrated value of the integrating means, while performing control to notify the notification means so as to prompt the replacement of the sealant supply tool,
A sealing device that resets the integrated value of the integrating means only when it is determined that the remaining amount of the usable sealing agent is exhausted by detection of the end sensor when the sealing agent supply tool is detached from the mounting portion. The sealant supply tool comprises a sealant holding tape that holds the sealant on one side of a belt-like tape,
The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the end sensor detects feeding and / or winding of the sealing agent holding tape. The sealant supply tool includes a supply reel and a take-up reel for the sealant holding tape,
The sealing device according to claim 2, wherein the end sensor detects the presence or absence of rotation of the supply reel and / or the take-up reel. The integrating means calculates and integrates the amount of sealing agent used based on the amount of movement of at least one of the sealing agent supply tool and the envelope by the applying means in order to apply the sealing agent to the envelope. The sealing device according to claim 3. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a reset operation unit that resets an integrated value of the integrating means by manual operation. The control unit controls the application of the sealing agent to the envelope in which the application of the sealing agent by the applying means is interrupted when the sealing agent supply tool is replaced. The sealing device according to any one of the above. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display a usage amount or a remaining amount of the sealing agent supply tool based on an integrated value of the integrating unit. 8. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display the number of envelopes that can be sealed by the sealing agent supply tool mounted on the mounting unit based on the integrated value of the integrating unit. The sealing device according to item.

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