JP2009040515A - Sheet feeding roller and sheet medium storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a check storage unit capable of storing a sheet-like medium without increasing the feed load, the wear and the noise of a sheet feed roller with projections thereon. <P>SOLUTION: The check storage unit 10 has a storage pocket 13 and a feed-in roller 40 for feeding a check 6 in the storage pocket 13. The feed-in roller 40 is formed of an elastic material, and comprises a roller body 41, and cylindrical parts 42 projecting from both ends of the roller body 41 in a coaxial manner. A projection 44 projecting in the radial direction from an outer circumferential surface of each cylindrical part 42 is formed on each cylindrical part. When the strongly flexible check 6 is fed in by the feed-in roller 40, the cylindrical parts 42 are deflected inwardly in the radial direction, and the projections 44 are retracted inwardly. As a result, the check 6 is fed in the storage pocket 13 without being bent, and the feed load applied to the feed-in roller 40 is not excessive. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet feeding roller in which a plurality of protrusions protruding radially are formed at both end portions in order to convey a sheet-like medium in a bent state. The present invention also relates to a sheet-like medium storage device that feeds a sheet-like medium into a storage pocket using the sheet feeding roller.

  As a medium processing apparatus for processing a sheet-like medium, a check processing apparatus for processing checks is known. The check processing device temporarily stores a supply unit for inserting checks, a conveyance path in which an image scanner and a magnetic head are arranged, and checks that are discharged from the conveyance path after images and magnetic ink characters are read by these. A check storage unit is provided. Such a check processing apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

The conveyance path of the check processing apparatus is defined by a narrow vertical groove, and checks are processed while being conveyed while standing in the vertical groove. The check storage unit has a storage pocket made of a rectangular groove having a constant width and extending in the front-rear direction. Checks are stacked and stored in the width direction of the storage pocket. A feeding roller for feeding checks and a pressing roller for pressing the checks against the feeding roller are arranged at the front end portion of the storage pocket, and the checks ejected from the transport path are moved to the front edge by these rollers. It is sent to the storage pocket from the side.
JP 2004-206362 A

  As a sheet feeding roller such as a feeding roller for feeding a check into the check storing portion, there are some in which a plurality of protrusions protruding in the radial direction are formed at both end portions. If a sheet feeding roller having such a protrusion is used, the sheet-like medium such as a check is pressed against the central portion in the axial direction to bend the sheet-like medium into a “<” shape. Can be generated. When the sheet-like medium is fed in a state in which “waist” is generated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a sheet-feeding impossible state or a poor feeding state due to the sheet-like medium being bent during feeding.

  However, when feeding a sheet-like medium that is strong and stiff, such as a brand new thick check, the feed load acting on the sheet feed roller becomes excessive, and a large sliding load acts on the protrusion to cause wear. Problems such as an increase in the amount of noise and an increase in noise during feeding while bending the sheet-like medium occur.

  On the other hand, when a sheet-like medium such as a check enters a paper jam state while being sandwiched between a sheet feeding roller with a protrusion and a pressure roller, it is necessary to pull out the sheet-like medium from between these rollers. In this case, there is a problem that the projection formed at the end of the sheet feed roller interferes with the sheet-like medium and cannot be pulled out easily.

  An object of the present invention is to propose a sheet feed roller with a projection capable of feeding a sheet-like medium without increasing feed load, wear and noise. Another object of the present invention is to propose a sheet feeding roller with a protrusion that can easily pull out a sheet-like medium without being obstructed by the protrusion.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a sheet feeding roller,
The roller body,
A cylindrical portion projecting coaxially from both axial ends of the roller body;
A projection projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of each cylindrical portion,
The cylindrical portion is elastically deformable inward in the radial direction.

  According to the present invention, when a sheet-like medium having strong “waistness” is fed by the sheet feeding roller, the cylindrical portion is bent inward in the radial direction, and the protrusion is retracted inward in the radial direction. As a result, it is possible to feed a sheet-like medium having a strong “waist” without bending, so that the feeding load acting on the sheet feeding roller does not become excessive. Further, since the sliding load applied to the protrusion does not increase, the amount of wear can be suppressed. Further, noise during feeding while bending the sheet-like medium does not increase.

  Further, even when the sheet-like medium fed by the sheet feeding roller falls into a paper jam state and the sheet-like medium needs to be removed, the cylindrical portion is bent inward in the radial direction when the sheet-like medium is pulled out. Retreats inward in the radial direction, so that the sheet-like medium is easily pulled out.

  In the present invention, in order to facilitate bending of the cylindrical portion on which the protrusion is formed, the protrusion is formed on an outer peripheral surface portion of each cylindrical portion that is separated from both ends of the roller body in the axial direction. desirable. In this way, an annular portion is formed between the end of the roller main body and the protrusion, and this portion is easily bent inward in the axial direction.

  In the present invention, it is desirable that the roller body and the cylindrical portion be an integrally molded product. In this case, the roller body and the cylindrical portion can be an integrally molded product made of an elastic material.

Next, the present invention is a sheet-like medium storage device,
A storage pocket for storing the sheet-like medium;
A feeding roller for feeding the sheet-like medium into the storage pocket;
The feeding roller is the sheet feeding roller described above.

  In this case, it is desirable to have a pressing roller for pressing the sheet-like medium fed by the feeding roller against the feeding roller. In this way, the sheet-like medium can be bent into a “<” shape by the feeding roller and the pressing roller, and “waist” can be generated. In addition, when the sheet-like medium is fed in a state where “waist” is generated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of the sheet-medium unfeeding state or the poor feeding state due to the sheet-like medium being bent during the feeding.

  On the other hand, when the sheet-like medium with strong “waistness” passes through the nip portion of the feeding roller and the pressing roller, the cylindrical portion is bent inward and the protrusion is retracted, so that the sheet-like medium is bent. There is nothing. Therefore, the feed load acting on the sheet feed roller does not become excessive, and the amount of wear of the protrusion can be suppressed. Further, the noise when feeding the sheet-like medium does not increase. Further, when the sheet-like medium sandwiched between the feeding roller and the pressing roller is pulled out from between them, the cylindrical portion is bent inward in the radial direction and the protrusion is retracted inward in the radial direction. Pull out the medium easily.

  According to the sheet feeding roller and the sheet-shaped medium storage device of the present invention, a sheet-like medium having a strong “waist” can be fed without being bent, so that the feeding load acting on the sheet feeding roller does not become excessive. . Further, since the sliding load applied to the protrusion does not increase, the amount of wear can be suppressed. Further, noise during feeding while bending the sheet-like medium does not increase.

  In addition, even when the sheet-like medium fed by the sheet feeding roller falls into a paper jam state and the sheet-like medium needs to be removed, the cylindrical portion bends radially inward when the sheet-like medium is pulled out, Since the protrusion is retracted inward in the radial direction, the sheet-like medium is easily pulled out.

  In the following, an embodiment of a check processing apparatus employing a sheet-like medium storage device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
FIGS. 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a plan view showing a check processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The check processing device 1 includes a main body case 2 on the apparatus main body side, and open / close covers 4 and 5 that can be opened and closed left and right around a vertical shaft 3 attached to the tip of the main body case 2. A check conveyance path 7 for conveying the check 6 is formed between the main body case 2 and the opening / closing covers 4 and 5. The check conveyance path 7 is defined by a narrow vertical groove extending in a substantially U shape when viewed from above. The upstream end of the check conveyance path 7 in the check conveyance direction is connected to a check supply unit 9 composed of a wide vertical groove via a check delivery path 8 composed of a narrow vertical groove. The downstream end of the check conveyance path 7 is connected to the check storage unit 10. The check storage unit 10 includes first and second branch passages 11 and 12 each having a narrow vertical groove connected to the downstream end of the check conveyance path 7, and a first storage pocket 13 connected to these downstream ends and And a second storage pocket 14. A switching lever 15 for distributing the check 6 discharged from the check conveyance path 7 to the first or second storage pocket is disposed at the branch portion of the first and second branch passages 11 and 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the check 6 has a magnetic ink character string 6 </ b> A printed on the lower end portion of the surface 6 a in the long side direction. The front surface 6a has a predetermined pattern background with an amount, a payer, a number, a signature, and the like, and a back surface 6b with an endorsement column. The check 6 is inserted into the check supply unit 9 so that the vertical direction is aligned and the surface 6 a faces the outside of the U-shaped check conveyance path 7.

  As shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1B, the check conveyance path 7 includes a front side contact image scanner 21 for reading the front image of the check 6, a back side contact image scanner 22 for reading the back side image, A magnetic head 23 for reading magnetic ink characters and a printing mechanism 24 for performing printing such as “electronic payment completed” on the surface thereof are arranged in this order.

  The check 6 sent out from the check supply unit 9 via the check delivery path 8 is read along its front and back images while being conveyed along the check conveyance path 7, and then printed on the front surface 6a. The magnetic ink character string 6A is read. The check 6 from which these pieces of information have been normally read is subjected to printing such as “electronic payment completed”, then distributed to the first storage pocket 13 and stored in this storage pocket. The check 6 in which reading is impossible, reading abnormality, etc. is distributed to the second storage pocket 14 and stored in this storage pocket without such printing.

(Check storage)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a check storage portion of the check processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first storage pocket cut along the front end surface. As shown in FIG. 2, the check storage unit 10 includes a first branch passage 11 and a second branch passage 12, and first and second storage pockets 13 and 14 connected to the downstream ends thereof. Since the first and second storage pockets 13 and 14 have the same configuration, the first storage pocket 13 will be described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the corresponding configurations, and the second storage pocket 14 will be described. Description is omitted.

  The first storage pocket 13 is formed of a groove having a predetermined depth and having a long rectangular shape in the front-rear direction, and includes left and right first and second side plates 31, 32, a front end plate 33, and a bottom plate 35 extending in parallel. An inclined guide surface 36 is formed at the front end side portion of the second side plate 32 and widens in a direction away from the first side plate 31 toward the front end plate 33. The upstream side of the inclined guide surface 36 is continuous with one inner wall surface 37 of the first branch passage 11. Next to the front end plate 33 on the inclined guide surface 36 side, a feed roller 40 for feeding the check 6 into the first storage pocket 13 is disposed. A pressing roller 45 for pressing the check 6 against the feeding roller 40 protrudes from one inner wall surface 37 of the first branch passage 11 facing the feeding roller 40. Inside the first storage pocket 13, two vertical pressing plates 51, 52 inclined rearward at a predetermined angle from the second side plate 32 toward the first side plate 31 are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the feed roller 40 includes a roller body 41, a cylindrical portion 42 having the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the roller body 41, and protruding coaxially from both ends of the roller body 41, and the roller body 41, a small diameter portion 43 formed coaxially with the roller body 41 and having a smaller diameter than the roller body 41 is provided. The feed roller 40 is an integrally molded product made of an elastic material. In order to convey the check 6 with high accuracy, a material such as rubber is preferable, and silicon rubber is more preferable.

  The cylindrical portion 42 is formed with four protrusions 44 that protrude radially from the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction. These four protrusions 44 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, these protrusions 44 are formed outside the roller bodies 41 at both ends 41a and 41b which are separated in the axial direction. For this reason, a thin annular portion 42 a is formed between the protrusion 44 and the roller body 41. The small diameter portion 43 is formed between both ends 41 a and 41 b of the roller body 41 and in the vicinity of the upper end 41 a.

  The pressing roller 45 includes a rotating shaft 46 and two pressing roller main bodies 45 a and 45 b that are coaxially attached to the rotating shaft 46 at intervals. The diameters of the pressing roller bodies 45a and 45b are the same, and the diameter is smaller than the diameter of the roller body 41 of the feeding roller 40. Further, the distance between the outer end surfaces of the pressing roller main bodies 45 a and 45 b is shorter than the roller length of the roller main body 41 of the feeding roller 40. The two pressing roller bodies 45 a and 45 b are elastically pressed between both ends 41 a and 41 b of the roller body 41.

  The pair of feed rollers composed of the feed roller 40 and the pressure roller 45 are arranged so that the nip portion A is positioned on the same plane as the surface (front end surface) 33a facing the inside of the storage pocket of the front end plate 33. Yes. For this reason, the outer peripheral surface portion 41 c of the roller body 41 protrudes inside the first storage pocket 13 from the front end surface 33 a.

  On the front end surface 33a of the front end plate 33, an entrainment prevention plate 53 protruding toward the feed roller 40 is attached so as to partially close the gap between the feed roller 40 and the front end plate 33. The entrainment prevention plate 53 has a width dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the small diameter portion 43 of the feed roller 40 and extends in parallel with the front end face 33a. Further, it extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the feed roller 40, and its tip 53 a reaches between the outer peripheral surface portion 41 c of the roller body 41 and the outer peripheral surface portion 43 a of the small diameter portion 43.

  An upper end portion of the front end plate 33 on the feed roller 40 side extends to above the feed roller 40, and a front end surface 34 a of the extended portion 34 is interposed via a convex arc surface protruding inside the first storage pocket 13. It is continuous with the other inner wall surface 38 of the first branch passage 11. At the lower end edge of the extended portion 34, an entrainment prevention rib 54 for preventing the check 6 after being fed into the first storage pocket 13 from being entrained in the gap B is formed. The guide surface 54a for preventing entrainment facing the inside of the storage pocket of the rib 54 for preventing entrainment is in a state of being bridged between the front end surface 33a and the feed roller 40 when viewed from the axial direction of the feed roller 40. And is formed so as to be located on a tangent line drawn on the outer peripheral surface portion 41 c of the feeding roller 40.

  The check 6 fed into the first storage pocket 13 from the front end side by the feed roller 40 and the pressing roller 45 is guided by the inclined guide surface 36 so that the tip portion thereof faces the first side plate 31. Enter inside. The sent check 6 is pressed against the first side plate 31 by the vertical pressing plates 51 and 52 and stored in a stacked state in the width direction.

  Here, protrusions 44 are formed on the cylindrical portions 42 at both ends of the feeding roller 40, and the pressing roller 45 presses the check 6 against the roller body 41 between the cylindrical portions 42. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the check 6 is fed into the first storage pocket 13 while being bent by the pair of feed rollers. As a result, a so-called “waist” is formed on the check 6 in the fed state, so that the check 6 is not bent during the feeding. Further, the feed roller 40 engages the protrusion 44 with the rear end portion of the check 6 immediately after being fed, and moves the rear end position from the front of the nip portion A to the side. As a result, it is possible to secure an approach path for the check 6 to be sent next to the first storage pocket 13, so that the check 6 to be sent does not fall into a jamming state.

  Further, since the entrainment prevention plate 53 and the entrainment prevention rib 54 partially block the gap B between the front end plate 33 and the feed roller 40, the check already stored in the feed roller 40 and the storage pocket 13 is also provided. Even if the rear end portion of 6 is in sliding contact and the check 6 is pulled back to the front end side, the check 6 is not pulled into the gap B. Further, since the entanglement preventing plate 53 extends between the outer peripheral surface portion 41 c of the roller main body 41 and the outer peripheral surface portion 43 a of the small diameter portion 43, the check 6 has an outer peripheral surface portion of the entanglement preventing plate 53 and the roller main body 41. It does not slip through the gap 41c and is not drawn into the gap B.

  Further, since the entanglement preventing rib 54 is formed along the tangent line of the outer peripheral surface portion 41 c of the roller body 41, the rear end portion of the check 6 already stored and the outer peripheral surface portion 41 c of the feeding roller 40 are arranged. Can be prevented from sliding. Further, even if the protrusion 44 formed on the upper cylindrical portion 42 engages with the rear end portion of the check 6 and tries to pull the check 6 back toward the front end plate 33, the engagement can be released immediately.

  In the check storage 10 of this example, the rear end portions of the first and second storage pockets 13 and 14 are defined by a drawer 19 that can be pulled out rearward. When the drawer portion 19 is pulled backward from the state shown in FIG. 1, the storage pockets 13 and 14 extend in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the check 6 of a long dimension can be received and accommodated.

(Infeed roller function)
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the periphery of the nip portion of the feeding roller in order to explain the function of the feeding roller. FIG. 4A shows a case where protrusions are formed on both ends of the roller body, and FIG. 4B shows a case where protrusions are formed on cylindrical portions protruding from both ends of the roller body. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the protrusions 44 are formed on both end portions of the roller body 41, the protrusions 44 are arranged in the radial direction even when the check 6 having a strong “waist” passes through the nip portion A. There is no retreat inside. Therefore, the check 6 is forcibly bent. As a result, the bent portion of the check 6 comes into sliding contact with the first branch passage 11 and the inner wall surface of the storage pocket 13 with a strong force, and the feeding load acting on the feeding roller 40 becomes excessive. In addition, a large sliding load acts on the protrusion 44 to increase the amount of wear, and further noise increases when the check 6 is fed while being bent. Further, when the check 6 sandwiched in the nip portion A has to be pulled upward and removed, the upper end protrusion 44 interferes with the check 6 and cannot be easily pulled out.

  On the other hand, when the projection 44 is formed on the cylindrical portion 42, the thin annular portion 42a between the projection 44 and the roller body 41 bends inward as shown in FIG. , The protrusion 44 is retracted radially inward. Therefore, the check 6 is not forced to bend.

  As a result, the check 6 does not slidably contact the first branch passage 11 or the inner wall surface of the storage pocket 13 with a strong force, so that the feeding load acting on the feeding roller 40 does not become excessive. Further, the wear amount of the protrusion 44 does not increase, and the noise increase when the check 6 is fed does not increase.

  Further, even when the check 6 sandwiched in the nip portion A has to be pulled upward and removed, the upper end projection 44 moves back to a position close to the outer peripheral surface 41a of the roller body 41. 6 can be easily pulled upward.

  In the case where the protrusion 44 is formed on the cylindrical portion 42, when the check 6 having a weak “waist” passes through the nip, the annular portion 42 a does not bend inwardly. Can be bent. As a result, the check 6 can be fed into the storage pocket 13 with the “waist” generated.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, a thin annular portion 42a is formed between the protrusion 44 and the roller body 41 in the cylindrical portion 42, and this portion is bent. However, if the check 6 having a strong “waist” can be bent inward when passing through the nip portion A, the protrusion 44 is formed from both ends 41a and 41b of the roller body 41 and includes an annular portion 42a. It does not have to be. In this case, for example, the cylindrical portion 42a may be made thin.

  In the above example, the check 6 is pressed against the roller body 41 of the feeding roller 40 by the pressing roller 45, but the inner wall surface portion of the one inner wall surface 37 of the first branch passage 11 facing the feeding roller 40 is fed. The nip portion A can be formed by projecting toward the roller 40, and the check 6 passing there can be pressed against the roller body 41.

  The present invention can also be applied to a sheet feeding roller for conveying sheet-like media other than checks such as checks, bills, and bills. For example, it can be used as a paper feed roller mounted on a medium processing apparatus such as a printer or a scanner.

It is the perspective view and top view of a check processing device to which the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the check storage part of a check processing apparatus. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the 1st storage pocket along the front end surface. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the effect of the feeding roller to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Check processing apparatus, 2 Main body case, 3 Vertical axis | shaft, 4,5 Open / close cover, 6 check, 7 check conveyance path, 8 check delivery path, 9 check supply part, 10 check storage part, 11 1st branch path, 12 2 branch passages, 13 first storage pocket, 14 second storage pocket, 15 switching lever, 19 drawer, 21 front side contact image scanner, 22 back side contact image scanner, 23 magnetic head, 24 printing mechanism, 31, 32 side plate , 33 Front end plate, 34 Extension portion 35 Bottom surface, 36 Inclined guide surface, 37, 38 Inner wall surface of branch passage, 40 Feed roller, 41 Roller body, 42 Cylindrical portion, 43 Small diameter portion, 44 Protrusion, 45 Pressing roller, 46 Rotating shaft, 51, 52 Vertical holding plate, 53 Entrainment prevention plate, 54 Entrainment Sealing rib, A nip, B clearance

Claims (6)

The roller body,
A cylindrical portion projecting coaxially from both axial ends of the roller body;
A projection projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of each cylindrical portion,
The sheet feeding roller, wherein the cylindrical portion is elastically deformable inward in a radial direction. In claim 1,
The sheet feeding roller according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed on an outer peripheral surface portion of each cylindrical portion separated from the both ends of the roller body in the axial direction. In claim 1 or 2,
The sheet feeding roller, wherein the roller main body and the cylindrical portion are integrally formed products. In claim 3,
The sheet feeding roller according to claim 1, wherein the roller body and the cylindrical portion are an integrally formed product made of an elastic material. A storage pocket for storing the sheet-like medium;
A feeding roller for feeding the sheet-like medium into the storage pocket;
5. The sheet-like medium storage device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding roller is a sheet feeding roller according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The sheet-like medium storage device according to claim 5,
A sheet-like medium storage device comprising a pressing roller for pressing the sheet-like medium fed by the feeding roller against the feeding roller.

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