Sheet-processing apparatus

Abstract

A processing system which enables automation of processing of sheet bodies with a view to raising efficiency of operations, from stacking to packing. A plurality of paper sheaves, which have been produced by cutting and chopping, are transported in a width direction, sequentially fed to a transfer conveyor, transported from the transfer conveyor in a length direction, and fed to a cover sheet application device. At the cover sheet application device, the paper sheaves are superposed with cover sheets, and fed to an inversion apparatus. At the inversion apparatus, the paper sheaves are inverted such that the cover sheets are at upper sides, and are fed out to another cover sheet application device. At this cover sheet application device, the cover sheets are superposed with lower face sides of the paper sheaves. Hence, the paper sheaves, with the cover sheets superposed at both upper and lower faces thereof, are bagged.

1 . A stacking and transport apparatus comprising: 
 a stacking section including a plurality of sheet-receiving portions, each sheet-receiving portion stacking a plurality of substantially rectangular sheets, which are fed therein in a first direction, for forming sheet sheaves, in which each sheet is inclined, and the plurality of sheet-receiving portions being disposed substantially in a row in a second direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, in plan view; and    a transport section for transporting the sheet sheaves which are formed at each sheet-receiving portion in a transport direction which is substantially parallel to the first direction.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each sheet-receiving portion forms the sheet sheaf in which each sheet is inclined to one side in the first direction and is also inclined to one side in the second direction.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each sheet-receiving portion comprises a pair of guide plates on which the sheet sheaf is formed.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each sheet-receiving portion comprises a standing wall capable of abutting against and aligning a side face of the sheet sheaf at one side in the second direction.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each sheet-receiving portion comprises a corresponding stopping plate portion capable of abutting against and aligning a side face of the sheet sheaf at one side in the first direction.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the stopping plate portions are all structured by a single stopping plate.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the stopping plate is movable between an abutting position, at which abutting against the sheet sheaves of all the sheet-receiving portions is possible, and a withdrawn position, at which this abutting does not occur and the stopping plate does not obstruct transport of the sheet sheaves by the transport section.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transport section comprises a pushing movement apparatus capable of pushing the sheet sheaves of all the sheet-receiving portions for moving the sheet sheaves in parallel in the transport direction.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transport section comprises a plurality of guide portions, each guide portion receiving the seat sheaf from the corresponding sheet-receiving portion and guiding the sheet sheaf in the transport direction.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each guide portion comprises a pair of guide members which slide against and guide the sheet sheaf, the guide members being inclined to a transport direction downstream side and also inclined to one side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the inclination to the one side in the direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction eases off in accordance with progress toward the transport direction downstream side.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a transport belt for transporting the sheet sheaves, which is disposed at an outer side, in the transport direction, of the transport section; and    a stopping member for positioning the sheet sheaves on the transport belt substantially in a row along a direction of progress of the belt.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the transport direction of the transport section and the direction of progress of the belt substantially intersect.  
     
     
         14 . A stacking and transport method comprising the steps of: 
 stacking a plurality of substantially rectangular sheets, which are fed in in a predetermined direction, for forming a sheet sheaf in which each sheet is inclined; and    transporting the sheet sheaf in a transport direction which is substantially parallel to the predetermined direction.