Inter-article gap adjustor for controlled delivery to a sorting device using a plurality of gap sensors

We claim:

1. A paper sorting apparatus, comprising:

transporting means for transporting each of separated sheets of paper and the like;

first gap measuring means for measuring a gap between sheets on an upstream side of the transporting means;

second gap measuring means disposed on a downstream side of the first gap measuring means for measuring a gap between transported sheets;

gap adjusting means disposed on a downstream side of the second gap measuring means for adjusting a gap between transported sheets; and

control means for issuing an indication to the adjusting means in accordance with the gap measure by the first gap measuring means and the gap measure by the second gap measuring means and thereby adjusting the gaps before and after the sheet to values most suitable for the sorting of the sheets.

2. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further including:

reading means disposed along the transporting means for reading sort information indicated on each sheet; and

sort shelves to which the sheets distributed by sort transporting means are delivered, the sort transporting means distributing transporting paths of the respective sheets, wherein

the control means adjusts, in accordance with the sort information read from the sheet, the gaps of the sheet in accordance with the sort shelf to which the sheet is to be delivered.

3. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the control means adjusts, in accordance with a gap variation characteristic of the sheet on a downstream side of the adjusting means, the gaps of the sheet by the gap adjusting means in accordance with a gap variation of the sheet taking place between the first and second gap measuring means.

4. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the control means includes gap correction values associated with the sheet gap variation characteristic on the downstream side of the adjusting means,

the control means adjusting the gaps of the sheet by the gap adjusting means in accordance with the gap correction values.

5. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 4, further including third gap measuring means and fourth gap measuring means on a downstream side of the gap adjusting means, wherein

the control means includes gap correction values associated with the sheet gap variation characteristic associated with measured results respectively from the third and fourth gap measuring means.

6. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein the control means calculates a sheet gap variation characteristic of the sort transporting means in accordance with measured results from the first to fourth gap measuring means to thereby modify the gap correction values.

7. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the control means calculates, when a test sheet of paper and the like is transported, the sheet gap variation characteristic.

8. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, further including gate means on a downstream side of the gap adjusting means, wherein

the sheets are sorted to a plurality of sort transporting means under control of the control means.

9. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the control means makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, and controls the gap of the pertinent sheet, when the sheet and the preceding sheet are sorted to different ones of sort transporting means, to a value enabling the gate means to sort the sheet.

10. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the control means makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, and adjusts by the gap adjusting means the gap of the pertinent sheet in accordance with a sheet gap variation characteristic on a downstream side of the adjusting means, when the sheet and the preceding sheet are sorted to the same sort transporting means, in accordance with a sheet gap variation taking place between the first and second gap measuring means.

11. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 10, further including thickness measuring means disposed at an intermediate point of the transporting means for measuring thickness of a sheet transported by the transporting means, wherein

the control means adjusts by the gap adjusting means the gap of the sheet in accordance with a sheet gap variation characteristic on a downstream side of the adjuster, a measured result from the thickness measuring means, and a sheet gap variation taking place between the first and second gap measuring means.

12. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the control means makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison, when a gap adjustment is required between the pertinent sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the sheet, between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately after the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, sets gaps with which the gate means can sort the sheet to target gaps when the sheet and the preceding sheet are sorted to different ones of sort transporting means, and thereby adjusts gaps before and after the pertinent sheet, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is less than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, to values satisfying the target gaps, respectively.

13. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the control means

makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison, when a gap adjustment is required between the pertinent sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the sheet, between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately after the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means,

sets gaps with which the gate means can sort the sheet to target gaps for the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet when the sheet and the preceding sheet are sorted to different ones of sort transporting means,

adjusts, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is more than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, the gap between the preceding sheet and the pertinent sheet if the target gap for the preceding sheet can be ensured, and

elongates, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is more than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, the gap between the preceding sheet and the pertinent sheet to a value not causing collision between the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet even if the target gap cannot be ensured.

14. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the control means

makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison, when a gap adjustment is required between the pertinent sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the sheet, between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately after the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means,

sets as target gaps, when the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, gaps obtained in accordance with a sheet gap variation characteristic on a downstream side of the adjusting means and in accordance with a sheet gap variation between the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet taking place between the first and second gap measuring means, and

adjusts the gaps before and after the pertinent sheet to values satisfying the target gaps when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is less than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet.

15. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the control means

makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison, when a gap adjustment is required between the pertinent sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the sheet, between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately after the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means,

sets as target gaps, when the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, the gaps obtained in accordance with a sheet gap variation characteristic on a downstream side of the adjusting means and in accordance with a sheet gap variation between the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet taking place between the first and second gap measuring means,

adjusts, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is more than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, the gap between the preceding sheet and the pertinent sheet if the target gap for the preceding sheet can be ensured, and

elongates, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is more than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, the gap between the preceding sheet and the pertinent sheet to a gap not causing collision between the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet even if the target gap cannot be ensured.

16. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein an appropriate gap between sheets successively transported for distribution thereof to different ones of the sort transporting means is less than an appropriate gap therebetween for distribution thereof to an identical one of the sort transporting means.

17. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, further including:

thickness measuring means disposed at an intermediate point of the transporting means for measuring thickness of a sheet transported by the transporting means; and

a threshold value G for determining possibility or impossibility of the opening and closing of the gate, the threshold value G being changed in accordance with thickness of a sheet preceding the pertinent sheet.

18. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the gap adjusting means includes:

a roller disposed to be brought into contact with a transporting path of sheets transported by the transporting means;

a pinch roller disposed to be brought into contact with and to be releasable from the roller with the transporting path therebetween; and

variable-speed driving means for driving a rotary movement of the rollers.

19. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the gap adjusting means includes:

a roller disposed to be brought into contact with a transporting path of sheets transported by the transporting means;

variable-speed driving means for driving a rotary movement of the roller;

a belt conveyer disposed to be brought into contact with the roller with the transporting path therebetween; and

variable-speed driving means for driving the belt conveyer.

20. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the gap adjusting means includes a plurality of series-connected sets of components along a direction of transportation, each set of components including:

a roller disposed to be brought into contact with a transporting path of sheets transported by the transporting means;

variable-speed driving means for driving a rotary movement of the roller;

a belt conveyer disposed to be brought into contact with the roller with the transporting path therebetween; and

variable-speed driving means for driving the belt conveyer.

21. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the gap adjusting means includes:

a roller disposed to be brought into contact with a transporting path of sheets transported by the transporting means, the roller having a high coefficient of friction with respect to a sheet of paper;

variable-speed driving means for driving a rotary movement of the roller;

a belt conveyer disposed to be brought into contact with the roller with the transporting path therebetween, the belt conveyer having a low coefficient of friction with respect to the sheet of paper; and

driving means for driving the belt conveyer at the fixed speed.

22. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the gap adjusting means includes distance changing means for changing a transporting distance from an exit on an upstream side of the transporting means to an entrance on a downstream side thereof.

23. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 22, wherein the distance changing means includes a plate-shaped gate member capable of conducting a swinging movement,

the distance changing means changing by the swinging of the gate member a transporting distance from an exit on an upstream side of the transporting means to an entrance on a downstream side thereof.

24. A paper sorting apparatus in accordance with claim 22, wherein the distance changing means includes a swing arm having an end capable of conducting a swinging movement in a reciprocal manner to approach and to apart from an entrance on a downstream of the transporting means;

a roller rotatably supported onto an end of the swing art; and

a belt conveyer on an upstream side of the transporting means, the belt conveyer being installed on the roller for a rotary action of the roller.

Description Submit all comments and votes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a transporting apparatus for transporting sheets of paper and articles like paper in accordance with a sorting information indicated for each of the sheets and a paper sorting apparatus for sorting sheets of paper and articles like paper in accordance with a sorting information indicated for each of the sheets.

There have been heretofore employed paper sorting apparatuses for sorting sheets of paper and articles like paper to classify postal matter in accordance with sorting informations such as postal codes, bar codes, and addresses indicated on postal items including postcards and letters.

Description will be given of such a sorting apparatus of the prior art. The apparatus includes supply means for supplying sheets of paper at a time to the apparatus. There are additionally included separating means to obtain each of the sheets from the supply means with a fixed gap between the obtained sheets, transporting means to transport the separately attained sheets, read means to read a sorting information indicated for each sheet, a plurality of sorting transporting units in which each unit opens and closes a gate for a transport path of each sheet and transports the sheet at a fixed speed, and a plurality of sort shelves arranged along the respective sorting transporting units in which the sheet is sorted into one of the shelves in accordance with classification indicated by the opening and closing of the gate.

In this configuration, while the sheet of paper from the supplying unit is being transported by the transporting unit, the sorting information on the sheet is read, and then related gates are opened and closed so that the sheet is fed via the transporting unit and the sorting transporting unit to be sorted and delivered to a sort shelf associated therewith.

In the sorting apparatus of this kind, due to thickness and materials of each sheet of paper or the like thus transported, there arises difference in friction with belts disposed in the transporting units and in smoothness of passage thereof through a transporting direction changing section. Resultantly, the gap or interval between the sheets may possibly change before the sheets are brought to the sorting transporting units or the sort shelves. Namely, there occurs mismatching between the opening and closing timing of each gate and the arrival timing of each sheet, which leads to a difficulty that the sheet of paper cannot be fed to an appropriate transporting unit and/or an appropriate sort shelf. Particularly, when the sheet gap becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the gates cannot be normally operated and hence there occurs a disadvantage that the sheet of paper cannot be delivered to a predetermined transporting unit and/or an appropriate sort shelf.

A sorting apparatus to solve the difficulties in the transporting of sheets of paper has been proposed, for example, by JP-B-8-018728 (JP-A-2-188344). The sorting apparatus includes a fixed-speed transporting unit for transporting sheets of paper or the like at a fixed speed, a varying speed transporting unit for transporting sheets of paper or the like at a desired speed, a gap detecting unit for detecting a gap between sheets of paper being transported by the fixed speed transporting unit, a position detecting unit for detecting a position of each sheet of paper being transported by the varying speed transporting unit, and a control section for controlling the transporting speed of the varying speed transporting unit in accordance with an output from each of the gap and position detecting units.

Detecting by the gap detecting unit the gap between the sheets of paper sequentially transported by the fixed speed transporting unit, any gap equal to or less than a predetermined value is corrected for the appropriate sorting of the sheets of paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a case in which the operation to correct the gap of sheets thus sequentially transported is applied to a sorting apparatus to sort sheets of paper each being assigned with a sorting information, it should be considered the correction of the gap of sheets before the sheet reaches the entrance of the sorting transporting unit which transports the sheet to the sorting shelf.

On the other hand, however, in the above material, there has not been described any configuration unique to the paper sorting apparatus when the technology of the prior art is applied to the paper sorting apparatus of the present invention. In other words, when the transporting distance from the supply unit to an inlet point of the sorting transporting unit is substantially equal to that from the inlet point of the sort transporting means to the final sort shelf, a variation in the sheet gap taking place in an interval of time from the supply unit to the inlet point of the sorting transporting unit also appears in an interval of time from the inlet point of the sorting transporting unit to the final sort shelf. Therefore, even when a unit for correcting the sheet gap is arranged in a region preceding the inlet of the sorting transporting unit, the sheets of paper transported to the sort shelves cause the same disadvantages as for the prior art.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a paper sorting apparatus for sorting sheets of paper or the like each being assigned with sorting information in which an appropriate gap is kept retained between sheets at a position of the sort shelves for the sheets, thereby improving the processing performance and reliability.

In order to achieve the object above, there is provided a paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention including transporting means for transporting each of separated sheets of paper and the like, first gap measuring means for measuring a gap between sheets on an upstream side of the transporting means, second gap measuring means disposed on a downstream side of the first gap measuring means for measuring a gap between transported sheets, gap adjusting means disposed on a downstream side of the second gap measuring means for adjusting a gap between transported sheets, and control means for issuing an indication to the adjusting means in accordance with the gap measure by the first gap measuring means and the gap measure by the second gap measuring means and thereby adjusting the gaps before and after the sheet to values most suitable for the sorting of the sheets.

Additionally, the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes reading means disposed along the transporting means for reading sort information indicated on each sheet and sort shelves to which the sheets distributed by sort transporting means are delivered, the sort transporting means distributing transporting paths of the respective sheets. The control means adjusts, in accordance with the sort information read from the sheet, the gaps of the sheet in accordance with the sort shelf to which the sheet is to be delivered.

Furthermore, in the paper sorting apparatus in accordance, the control means adjusts, in accordance with a gap variation characteristic of the sheet on a downstream side of the adjusting means, the gaps of the sheet by the gap adjusting means in accordance with a gap variation of the sheet taking place between the first and second gap measuring means.

In addition, the control means of the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes gap correction values associated with the sheet gap variation characteristic on the downstream side of the adjusting means, the control means adjusting the gaps of the sheet by the gap adjusting means in accordance with the gap correction values.

Moreover, the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes third gap measuring means and fourth gap measuring means on a downstream side of the gap adjusting means. The control means includes gap correction values associated with the sheet gap variation characteristic associated with measured results respectively from the third and fourth gap measuring means.

Furthermore, the control means of the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention calculates a sheet gap variation characteristic of the sort transporting means in accordance with measured results from the first to fourth gap measuring means to thereby modify the gap correction values.

Additionally, in the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the control means calculates, when a test sheet of paper and the like is transported, the sheet gap variation characteristic.

Moreover, to achieve the object above, the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes transporting means for transporting each of separated sheets of paper and the like, first gap measuring means for measuring a gap between sheets on an upstream side of the transporting means, second gap measuring means disposed on a downstream side of the first gap measuring means for measuring a gap between transported sheets, gap adjusting means disposed on a downstream side of the second gap measuring means for adjusting a gap between transported sheets, control means for issuing an indication to the adjusting means in accordance with the gap measure by the first gap measuring means and the gap measure by the second gap measuring means and thereby adjusting the gaps before and after the sheet to values most suitable for the sorting of the sheets, and gate means on a downstream side of the gap adjusting means, wherein the sheets are sorted to a plurality of sort transporting means under control of the control means.

Moreover, the control means of the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, and controls the gap of the pertinent sheet, when the sheet and the preceding sheet are sorted to different ones of sort transporting means, to a value enabling the gate means to sort the sheet. It may also be favorable to arrange thickness measuring means at an intermediate point of the transporting means such that a threshold value G to determine possibility and impossibility of the opening and closing operation of the gate means is changed in accordance with thickness of a sheet preceding the pertinent sheet.

In addition, the control means of the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, and adjusts by the gap adjusting means the gap of the pertinent sheet in accordance with a sheet gap variation characteristic on a downstream side of the adjusting means, when the sheet and the preceding sheet are sorted to the same sort transporting means, in accordance with a sheet gap variation taking place between the first and second gap measuring means.

Furthermore, the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes thickness measuring means disposed at an intermediate point of the transporting means for measuring thickness of a sheet transported by the transporting means. The control means adjusts by the gap adjusting means the gap of the sheet in accordance with a sheet gap variation characteristic on a downstream side of the adjuster, a measured result from the thickness measuring means, and a sheet gap variation taking place between the first and second gap measuring means.

Additionally, the control means of the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison, when a gap adjustment is required between the pertinent sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the sheet, between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately after the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, sets gaps with which the gate means can sort the sheet to target gaps when the sheet and the preceding sheet are sorted to different ones of sort transporting means, and thereby adjusts gaps before and after the pertinent sheet, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is less than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, to values satisfying the target gaps, respectively.

Moreover, the control means of the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison, when a gap adjustment is required between the pertinent sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the sheet, between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately after the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, sets gaps with which the gate means can sort the sheet to target gaps for the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet when the sheet and the preceding sheet are sorted to different ones of sort transporting means, adjusts, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is more than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, the gap between the preceding sheet and the pertinent sheet if the target gap for the preceding sheet can be ensured, and elongates, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is more than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, the gap between the preceding sheet and the pertinent sheet to a value not causing collision between the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet even if the target gap cannot be ensured.

In addition, the control means of the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison, when a gap adjustment is required between the pertinent sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the sheet, between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately after the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, sets as target gaps, when the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, gaps obtained in accordance with a sheet gap variation characteristic on a downstream side of the adjusting means and in accordance with a sheet gap variation between the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet taking place between the first and second gap measuring means, and adjusts the gaps before and after the pertinent sheet to values satisfying the target gaps when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is less than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet.

Furthermore, the control means of the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention makes, when sorting a sheet, a comparison, when a gap adjustment is required between the pertinent sheet and a sheet transported immediately before the sheet, between the sheet and a sheet transported immediately after the pertinent sheet for determining whether or not the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, sets as target gaps, when the pertinent sheet and the preceding sheet are to be sorted to an identical one of the sort transporting means, the gaps obtained in accordance with a sheet gap variation characteristic on a downstream side of the adjusting means and in accordance with a sheet gap variation between the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet taking place between the first and second gap measuring means, adjusts, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is more than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, the gap between the preceding sheet and the pertinent sheet if the target gap for the preceding sheet can be ensured, and elongates, when a gap obtained by adding a target gap for the preceding sheet and a target gap for the succeeding sheet is more than a gap obtained by adding the gaps before and after the sheet, the gap between the preceding sheet and the pertinent sheet to a gap not causing collision between the pertinent sheet and the succeeding sheet even if the target gap cannot be ensured.

Additionally, in the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, an appropriate gap between sheets successively transported for distribution thereof to different ones of the sort transporting means is less than an appropriate gap therebetween for distribution thereof to an identical one of the sort transporting means.

Moreover, in the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the gap adjusting means includes a roller disposed to be brought into contact with a transporting path of sheets transported by the transporting means, a pinch roller disposed to be brought into contact with and to be releasable from the roller with the transporting path therebetween, and variable-speed driving means for driving a rotary movement of the rollers.

Additionally, in the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the gap adjusting means alternatively includes a roller disposed to be brought into contact with a transporting path of sheets transported by the transporting means, variable-speed driving means for driving a rotary movement of the roller, a belt conveyer disposed to be brought into contact with the roller with the transporting path therebetween, and variable-speed driving means for driving the belt conveyer.

Furthermore, in the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the gap adjusting means alternatively includes a plurality of series-connected sets of components along a direction of transportation, each set of components including a roller disposed to be brought into contact with a transporting path of sheets transported by the transporting means, variable-speed driving means for driving a rotary movement of the roller, a belt conveyer disposed to be brought into contact with the roller with the transporting path therebetween, and variable-speed driving means for driving the belt conveyer.

Additionally, in the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the gap adjusting means alternatively includes a roller disposed to be brought into contact with a transporting path of sheets transported by the transporting means, the roller having a high coefficient of friction with respect to a sheet of paper, variable-speed driving means for driving a rotary movement of the roller, a belt conveyer disposed to be brought into contact with the roller with the transporting path therebetween, the belt conveyer having a low coefficient of friction with respect to the sheet of paper, and driving means for driving the belt conveyer at the fixed speed.

Moreover, in the paper sorting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the gap adjusting means alternatively includes distance changing means for changing a transporting distance from an exit on an upstream side of the transporting means to an entrance on a downstream side thereof. The distance changing means may include a plate-shaped gate member capable of conducting a swinging movement, the distance changing means changing by the swinging of the gate member a transporting distance from an exit on an upstream side of the transporting means to an entrance on a downstream side thereof. Alternatively, the distance changing means may include a swing arm having an end capable of conducting a swinging movement in a reciprocal manner to approach and to apart from an entrance on a downstream of the transporting means, a roller rotatably supported onto an end of the swing art, and a belt conveyer on an upstream side of the transporting means, the belt conveyer being installed on the roller for a rotary action of the roller.

In the paper sorting apparatus of the present invention in the configuration above, there are included first gap measuring means for measuring a gap between sheets of paper separated by the separating means, second gap measuring means for measuring a gap between sheets of paper delivered to the gap adjusting means, and gap control means for controlling the gap adjusting means. In accordance with a transporting distance from the first gap measuring means to the second gap measuring means, a gap of sheets measuring by the first gap measuring means, and a gap of sheets measuring by the second gap measuring means, there is predicted a gap between sheets when the sheet of paper arrives at the sort transporting means or the sort shelves to thereby adjust the gap.

Additionally, the paper sheet transporting apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes transporting means for transporting a plurality of sheets of paper and the like, gap measuring means for measuring a gap between sheets of paper transported by the transporting means, and gap adjusting means for adjusting a gap of sheets consecutively transported. The apparatus includes a plurality of gap measuring means such that in accordance with a change in the gap between sheets measured by each gap measuring means and distance between the respective measuring means, the gap adjusting means adjust the gap to an appropriate value when the gap arrives at the destination of the transportation.

Still further advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinarily skill in the