Sheet detection device and sheet detection method
AssigneeHorizon International Inc.
InventorsMasayuki KASHIBA, Tomoyuki SHIMIZU
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Each of the sheets is conveyed by a horizontal conveyance unit in a state of being overlapped with a next sheet from above. Each of the sheets is conveyed out of the horizontal conveyance unit in a state of being folded along a fold line with the fold line oriented upward, the fold line extending in a conveyance direction of the horizontal conveyance unit. An oblique conveyance unit receives the sheet from the horizontal conveyance unit and successively conveys the sheets in an oblique downward direction. A sensor is arranged to detect passage of the sheets at a position where steps pass. Each of the steps is formed by two sheets adjacent to each other diverted to the oblique downward direction by the oblique conveyance unit.
Claims11
A sheet detection device comprising:
- a horizontal conveyance unit configured to convey sheets successively and horizontally, wherein each of the sheets is conveyed by the horizontal conveyance unit, and conveyed out of the horizontal conveyance unit in a state of being folded along a fold line with the fold line oriented upward, the fold line extending in a conveyance direction of the horizontal conveyance unit;
- an oblique conveyance unit comprising a pair of conveyance members arranged for receiving the sheets from the horizontal conveyance unit, the oblique conveyance unit being configured to successively convey the sheets in an oblique downward direction through the pair of conveyance members while sandwiching both sides of the sheets between the pair of conveyance members;
- and
- a sensor arranged to detect passage of the sheets at a position where steps pass, each of the steps being formed by two sheets adjacent to each other diverted to the oblique downward direction by the oblique conveyance unit.
The method for detecting sheets which are being successively conveyed, wherein each of the sheets is conveyed by a horizontal conveyance unit, and conveyed out of the horizontal conveyance unit in a state of being folded along a fold line with the fold line oriented upward, the fold line extending in a conveyance direction of the horizontal conveyance unit,
- the method comprising:
- successively conveying the sheets which have been conveyed out of the horizontal conveyance unit, in an oblique downward direction using a pair of conveyance rollers through the pair of conveyance rollers while sandwiching both sides of the sheets between the pair of conveyance rollers;
- and
- detecting passage of the sheets using a sensor at a position where steps pass, each of the steps being formed by two sheets adjacent to each other which have been diverted to the oblique downward direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.