CA2376974A1

CA2376974A1 - Device and method for coating an optically readable data carrier

Info

Publication number: CA2376974A1
Application number: CA002376974A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ulrich Speer; Bjorn Liedtke; Joachim Gordt; James Wise; Hans-Gerd Esser
Original assignee: Steag Hamatech Ag; Ulrich Speer; Bjorn Liedtke; Joachim Gordt; James Wise; Hans-Gerd Esser
Current assignee: Steag Hamatech AG
Priority date: 1999-06-16
Filing date: 2000-06-14
Publication date: 2000-12-21
Also published as: KR20020019092A; CN1370318A; HK1048188A1; DE50008007D1; DE10029398A1; EP1185983A1; EP1185983B1; JP2003502783A; TW479243B; HK1048189A1; DE10029399A1; IL147085A0; WO2000077781A1; TW479242B; ES2228565T3; ATE278238T1; KR20020019091A

Abstract

The invention relates to a simple and economical method for coating an optically readable data carrier, whereby a method and a device for coating said data carrier are disclosed. According to said method, a transparent adhesive film, is deposited upon a surface of the data carrier which is to be protected. A covering film is then placed on top of the adhesive film. An optically readable data carrier with a data-carrying surface which is covered by a transparent film and a covering film is also provided.

Description

' CA 02376974 2001-12-14 .
DEVICE AID MErEiOD FUR COATI1~1G AN OPTICALLY READABLE DATA CARRIER
The present invention .relates to an apparatus and a method for coating an optically readable data carrier, as well as to an optically readable data carrier.
Optical dai;;~ carriers, such as CDs, as w~II as methods and apparatus for prEi~~ucing the same, are known. Such data carriers generally have a data-carrying surface that must be protected from environmental conditions. To protect the surface, a hardening lacquer was used in the past that was applied to a central region of the rapidly '10 rotating data carrl~~r so that it would flow outwardly due to centrifugal force and would form an essentially uniform layer upon the CD.
However, in this c;annection the data carrier must be rotated at a high speed in order tc~ produce adequate centrifugal forces for a uniform distribution of the Lacquer upon the surface that is to be protected. This '15 process has the inherent danger of damaging the data carrier.
Furthermore, with ~ihis method excess lacquer is flung out from the data carrier, and must subsequently be removed in a complicated and expensive process,.
EP-A-0 85:i 703 furthermore discloses a method for gluing 20 togeth~r two disk-like substrates of a data carrier using an adhesive film that has adhessive on both sides. With this known: method, the substrates are gl:aed together in such a way that the information-carrying surfaces c~f the substrates are directed outwardly, and are thus exposed to envirornmental Influences.
.,.
LIt1181 Tmal of PCTlEP00n71.5439 filed 14 June 2000- Uhich Sp~s~ et al -STFJ~G HumaTech AG -Az.3032 Starting wii:ln this method, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simplofied and economical method for coating an optically readable data care-ler as well as a data carrier produced in this manner.
-This object; is inventively realized for a method for coating an optically readable data carrier in that a transparent adhesive film Is applied to a da I;a carrier surface that is to be protected, and subsequently a cc~~rering film is applied to the adhesive film. The use of an adhesive fi(rn in combination with an adhesive film has the advantage that tf~c~ aforementioned centrifuging process for coating the data carrier with a lacquer is eliminated, and no flung-off residual lacquer, which rrmst be removed in an expensive and complicated manner, results. The combination of adhesive film and cover film furthermore provides a good protection of the data-carrying surface of the data carrier. The adhesive film and the covering film can have specific optical characteristics in order to permit reading of the data found on the data carrier. The application of the films furthermore provides a particularly simple and economical solution for the coating of a data carrier.
The trans~~arent adhesive film is preferably a layer of an adhesive without ~I carrier material in order not to affect the reading of the data on the d~r,a carrier. The transparent covering film is preferably a so-called PC ta~~e, which has good optical characteristics for a reader of the data carrier, Literal Trnsl of PCT/~POOn;i!i543A filed 14 Juna 2000 - Ulrlch Spuer et al -S'rEAO HamaTech AG -Az.3032 In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, during ~ar after application to the data carrier the adhesive film andlor the cowering film is withdrawn from a carrier film. The carrier film has thG: advantage that the respective film is protected prior to its application to the data carrier, and the adhesive film has an adequate stabilix~~ for transport. In addition, a protective film is preferably withdrt~wn prior to applying the adhesive film and/or the covering film, the protective film protecting the respective film surface that faces away frnm the carrier film from contamination and damage.
In order to t;ompletely cover the data carrier, the shape and size of the adhesive film and/or of the covering film advantageously correspond to tf~rl surface of the data carrier surface that is to be protected. Sections of the adhesive film andlor of the covering film that correspond to 'the shape and size of the data carrier ar~
advantageously punchad onto the carrier film.
Then adh~slwe film andlor th~ covering film is preferably applied centered on the cl;ata carrier surface that is to be protected in order to ensure a uniform coating of the surfac~ of the data carrl~r. For this purpose the adheE~ive film andlor the covering film and the data carrier are pr~ferably olio iced with one another prior to application.
Pursuant i;~a a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the adh~3sive film andlor the covering film is pressed onto the data carrier via a rotating pressure roller, to ensure a reliable contact between the resl:~~~ctive film and the data carrier. In this connection, Llt~rel Trnel of PCTIEPOOIJ'.i6439 filed 14 June 2000 - Ulrich Speer et al -STEAC~ HamaTech AC -Az.3032 CA 02376974 2001-12-14 . ~.
the pressure of the pressure roller is preferably controlled in order to achieve an optimum adhesive effect of the respective films.
.Prior to pr~;~;;sing by the pressure roller, the adhesive film andlor the covering film I;s preferably held at a pre-specified angle relative to the surface of they data carrier in order to hold the adhesive film at a distance from the I:fata carrier, and to ensure a controlled pressing only in the region of I;he pressure roller. This prevents air from being trapped between the adhesive film and the surface of the data carrier andlor between th~~ adhesive film and the covering film.
Pursuant tc~ a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, the dataa carrier and the pressure roller are moved relative to one another in ortter to enable a continuing application of the adhesive film upon the surflace of the data carrier. In this connection, the data carrier is advantatieously moved past the pressure roller linearly, and the pressure roll~rr is advantageously rotated synchronously with the movement of this data carrier in order to continuously press the adhesive film ontsl the data carrier.
The objel~: of the present invention is also realized by an apparatus for coating an optically readable data carrier, and includes a first laminating st~rtion for applying a transparent adhesive film to a data carrier surface that is to be protected, and a second laminating station to apply a transflarent covering film.. With such an apparatus, the advantages menti~:~ned above with regard to the method are achieved.
(n particular, with :much an apparatus there is eliminated the danger of Literal Tmal of pCT/EP0011:55439 fll~od 14 June 2000 - Ulriah Speer et e) -S'fEAc:3 Hema'rech AG
A:.3032 damage to the d~~ta carrier due to the centrifuging process, and in addition there is eliminated the complicated and expensive preparation and removal of re,.,idual lacquer that is flung off.
The object Is furthermore realized by an optically readable data carrier having a ~Iransparent adhesive film and a covering film on a data-carrying surf~~ce. The combination of adhesive film and covering film leads to the advantages already described above. Pursuant to a presently preferrs~d specific embodiment of the present invention, the data carrier is disposed in a protective housing that surrounds the data 7 0 carrier. By using a protective housing, the mechanical requirements placed upon the ~:ombination of adhesive film and covering film are significantly reduc:~ad, since this layer does not have to restrain strong stresses, but rai:loer serves chiefly as a protective layer against contamination anti chemical Influences.
The present invention is explained in greater detail in the following using pn~~ferred exemplary embodiments with ref~rence to the figures, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for producing optical data carriers in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of parts of a laminating station In accordance with the present invention;
Literal Trnsl of PCTIEPOOIC'.3643A fH6d 14 June 2000 - LJlrich Spear of al ~
STEAD HamaTech ACS -At.3032 Fig. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a laminating station in accordance with the present invention;
Figs. 4 is a schematic side view of an optical data carrier of the present invention.
Figure 1 ili~tstrates an apparatus 1 for producing an optical data carrier having at I~~tast one surface that is to be protected The appar~~tus has a feed unit 3 for feeding an optical data carrier 6, such as a CD or a DVR. The data carrier 6 from fhe first feed station 3 is convwyed to a laminating station 7 that is described in greater detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. In the laminating station, a pressuri~-sensitive adhesive tape or film which has adhesive on one side and i;c known as PSA tape, is applied to the surface of the optical data carrier 6 that is to be protected. The terms adhesive tape and adhesive filrr~ are to be understood as a layer of an adhesive without a carrier Material. The optical properties of such a layer of adhesive can generally be controlled more precisely and better than those of a coat~r~ carrier material. The adhesive film has varying adhesion properkie~s as a function of the pressure applied to it.
The data I:arrier 6 is subsequently conveyed via a handling apparatus 8 intry a second laminating station 9. In the second laminating station 9, a protective or covering film is placed upon the adhesive film. TI!ne second laminating station 9 is essentially identical to the first laminluting station 7, with the main difference being in the -s~
LItPrpl Trnal of PCTIEP00!i555439 Bled 14 June 2000 - Ulrlah Speor at at -STEAG Harna'faeh AG
As.3032 laminating film thJat is utilized. The covering film that is applied in the second lamlnatin~l station is, for example, a so-called PC tape that has the optical characteristics required for a data carrier of the DVR type.
After the I~~minating-on of the covering film, the data carrier is conveyed via a h.rJndling apparatus 10 into a quality checking unit 11.
After checking of ~Ihe quality, the data carrier is deposited either upon a collection station ' 2 for good data carriers or upon a collection station 13 for defective dsata carriers.
The appar~~tus 1 is arranged in a clean room in which each of the work st~ps ca n be performed under clean room conditions.
Figures 2 :end 3 are schematic representations of a laminating station 7 in accordance with the present invention, whereby the respective components of the laminating stations illustrated in Figures

2 and 3 are arramged somewhat differently. However, the same reference numbers are used for identical/similar components in the following descrip~llon of the laminating station in accordance with Figures 2 and 3.
The laminai.ing station 7 has a feed roller 22 on which a tape-like laminating film 23 is rolled. The laminating film 23 comprises a total of three films, namely, a protective film 24, an adhesive film 25 that is a layer of an adhesive without carrier material, and a carrier film 26, as can be best seen in the enlarged circular detail in Figure 2. The adhesive film 25 I~as sections 27 that are punched corresponding to LAaral Tmsl of PCTIEPOQli:'35439 filed 14 June 2000 - Ulrich Speer at al ~
STEAG HamaTech AG -1u.3032 the size and shape of a surtace of the data carrier 6 that is to be coated .
The lamin~rting station furthermore has a take-up roller 28 on which the remainder of the laminating film 23 is taken up after a laminating procesE~. The laminating film 23 is conducted between the feed roller 22 anal the take-up roller 28 around a plurality of guide rollers 30 through 38 in order to provide a defined path for the Tape-like laminating film 23 I~etween the rollers 22 and 28- Each of the rollers 30 through 38 is rotatable about its axis of rotation, and the rollers 31 and 37 are designed as so~calied compensating rollers that are borne movable in the twrizontal direction in order to make it possible to compensate for the length of the laminating fdm 23 between the rollers 22 and 28. Thl~ makes it possible for the rollers 22 and 28 to be rotated at a const~~:nt speed despite discontinuous laminating cycles, as will be described in the following. The parts of the adhesive film 25 that are not needed cr~n be removed in advance, that is, prior to introducing the laminating film into the laminating station, for instance during production of the I~~mlnating film, or they can remain on the film in order to ensure a uniforrn thickness of the film 23 across the entire width and length thereof, at 113ast prior to a laminating process.
The lamir~~ting film 23 is conducted around a wedge-shaped blade 40, where tine laminating film 23 turns sharply in order to make it possible to removy~ the protective film 24 from the laminating film 23 so that one side of tine adhesive film 25 is exposed for adhering with the LRer81 Trnal of PCTIEPOOJL!i5439 filed 14 June 2000 - Ulrich Spser et al -STEAD HamaTech ACi -A:.3032 optical data carri~u r 6. The removal of the protective film 24 is best seen in Figure 3. Once removed, the protective film 24 is rolled onto a roller (not shown (n greater detail). An alternative type of film removal device could also he used instead of the wedge-shaped blade 40.
Once the I:~minating film 23 has been conducted around the blade 40, it is conducted around the roller 33 that is lower with respect to a horizontal and that is embodied as a pressure roller. After the roller 33, the laminating film 23 is conducted about the shaft 34, which is driven via a ma~l~ar 42.
Rotation of the driven roller 34 causes corresponding rotation of the pressure rolletr 33 and a downstream roller 35 that is embodied purely as a guide roller.
The laminsd:ing station 7 has a first sensor 45 that is associated with the driven rr~ller 34 and that is able to detect contours in the punched'sectlons 27 of the adhesive film 25. The laminating film 23 is moved back and forth In the longitudinal direction via the driven roller 34 until the senator 45 detects a certain contour of the punched sections 27, such as for instance a punched center hole. When the sensor 45 deteatr~ the center hole, it is positioned directly over one edge of the cent~!r hole by the movement of the film, this resulting in precise alignment of the section 27 with respect to the roller 34 and in particular the pr~:ssure roller 33 in the longitudinal direction of the laminating film 23.
Literal Trnal of PCTIEP0011: 55439 tiled 14 June 2000 - Uliich Speer et al -S'fEAG WemaTech AG
Az,3032 The laminae;ing station 7 furthermore has a support and transport unit 47 for the dlata carrier 6 to be laminated. The support and transport unit 47 9'«rms a horizontal support for the data carrier 6 and can be moved in any direction via suitable moving apparatus (not shown in greater ~~etail). A lowerable centering pin 48 ensures precise alignment of the ~Jata carrier 6 on the support and transport unit 47.
The pin 48 can b~~~ lowered during the laminating process so that it is not impaired. This is achieved in that it is pressed upward into the position shown in Figure 3 by a spring with relatively limited spring force. When pre~n~ure is exerted on the pin from above, it is pressed downward against. the spring force. Alternatively, the pin can be moved via a cylincler or motor.
Prior to th~r lamination of the data carrier 6, the transport and support unit 47 is moved in the X direction, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the laminating film 23, against a stop. This ensures that the substrate 6 and the section 27 of the adhesive film 25 previously alignel. in the longitudinal direction are aligned to one another. Then this transport and support unit 47 is moved back and forth in the Z direction, which runs transverse to the longitudinal direction of the laminating film 23. A sensor pair 50 allocated to the transport and su~~~~ort unit 47 detects a contour, such as for instance the contour of a c~rnter hole, of the punched section 27 of the adhesive film 25, which maE;es it possible to laterally align the data carrier 6 with respect to the secYlon 27.
Literal Trnsl of PCT/EP00/(:95439 fll~d 14 June 2000 - UIrIch Spoor et al -STEAD HamaToch AO -Az.3032 Once the Bata carrier 6 has been aligned in the above manner both in the X direction and in the Z direction with respect to the section 27 of the adhesiv~Ei film 25, the transport and support unit 47 is raised in the Y direction. Plow the motor 42 drives the roller 34, which causes the laminating film 23 tp move in the X direction. At the same time and synchronized witln the rotation, the transport and support unit 47 is moved in the X direction. The section 27 comes into contact with the surface of the ~tata carrier 6 to be protected and is pressed thereagainst by the pressure roller 33 such that it adheres to the data carrier 6 and detaches from the carrier film 26. The synchronized movement of the drive roller 34 with the transport and support unit 47 applies a section 27 of the adhesive film 25 centered on the data carrier 6 so that tine section 27 of the film 25 completely covers the side of the data carrin~r 6 to be protected and does not project over the edge_ The pre:C.sure of the pressure roller in the Y direction is controlled via the position of the transport and support unit 47 in order to control the ad r~esion properties of the pressure sensitive adhesive film 25. Alternati~~ely, of course, the pressure roller 33 can move in the direction of the transport and support unit. A spring-type suspension system can be provided for good control or compensation of the pressure. The s4iapension can be provided via a spring or compressed air cylinder.
Then the xiata carrier 6 thus provided with the section 27 of adhesive film 25 ~i; conveyed via the handling apparatus 8, which has, lltpral'frnsl of PCTfEPOO~I~Sb438 filed i4 Jur~p 2000 - Ulrich Speer et al -STEAD Harna'rsch AG -Az.303Z

for example, an interior hole gripper, removed from the transport and support unit 47, and conveyed to the second laminating station 9.
A new date carrier 6 is loaded onto the transport and support unit 47 of the la~t7inating station 7, and the process is repeated. As was mentioned in the foregoing, the rollers 22 and 26 rotate continuously durihg the entire process, although the adhering process is discontinuous. The longitudinal compensation of the laminating film 23 that is therefor~:r necessary is achieved via a horizontal movement of the compensatin~~ rollers 37 and 37, as already mentioned in the foregoing.
The secorn,.l laminating station 9 has the same construction as does the first lam hating station 7, and the second laminating station 9 will therefore not be described in any detail. The laminating film utilized in the second laminating station essentially has the same arrangement ~i 5 as does the laminating film 23, with the exception that instead of the adhesive film 25 r;i protective or covering film, in particular a PC tape, is provided.
Although the laminating film has three layers in accordance with the description iri the foregoing, namely a protective film '24, an adhesive/cov~rin~) film 25, and a carrier film 26, it should be noted that it is not absolut~tly necessary for there to b~ a protective film 24.
However, if no prh~tective film 24 is used, at least the rollers 30 and 32 should be specially coated in order to prevent the then exposed -, x-Litaral Trnsl of PCT/EP00/C'i5439 tilod 14 Jun~ 2000 - Ulrich Spoer of al -STF~4C3 tiamaTech AC3 -Az.303a adhesive-coverin~l film 25 from adhering to or being damaged by these rollers.
Alternatively, the guide rollers up to th~ roller 33 can be emitted, whereby in this c~ise the rollers 22 and 28 must be controlled such that the sections 27 are aligned and a movement of the laminating film 23 is achieved synchrc~;~ized with the transport and support unit 47.
In addition, a single sensor, such as for instance a camera, cart be used for the ~~bove alignment processes instead of the sensors 45 and 50.
Figure 4 ;shows a schematic side view of an inventive data carrier 6 that wael manufactured in the previously described manner.
The data carrier tras a PC disk having a thickness of approximately 1.'1 mm. The PC dislt has a data-carrying surface C2 upon which is applied the adhesive film 25, as described previously. The adhesive film 25 is 95 formed by an adhesive layer having a thickness of approximately 25 Nm. Provided on the adhesive film is the PC tape 64, which was laminated on in t~~e previously described manner. The PC tape 64 has a thickness of Apia roximately 75 pm. As a result of the PC tape B4, the data carrier obtains the repuired optical characteristics for a DVR. The data carrier can, f~~r example, be disposed, in the manner of a diskette, within a housing that surrounds it, thereby significantly reducing the mechanical requir~3ments placed upon the coating.
The present invention was previously described with the aid of pr~ferred exempl~aiy embodiments of the inv~ntion, without, however, Ltt~ral Trnsl of PCTIEPOOlr~55439 flied 14 June 2000 - Ulrlch Sp~er at al -BTEAG HamaTech AG -Az,3032 ' . CA 02376974 2001-12-14 b~ing limited to th~:~se special embodiments. In particular, the invention is not limited to this preciously mentioned materials and dimensions.
.14.
Llt~rai Trnol of PCYIEPOOIC~5bd39 filod 14 June 2000 - Uklch 5peer et al ~
STEAL HamaToch AG
Az303Z

Claims

claims

1. Method of coating an optically readable data carrier (6), according to which a transparent adhesive film (25) is applied to a surface of the data carrier (6) that is to be protected, and subsequently a transparent covering film is applied to the adhesive film.

2. Method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive film (25) comprises a layer of adhesive without carrier material.

3. Method in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the covering film is a PC tape.

4. Method in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adhesive film (25) and/or said covering film is withdrawn from a carrier film (26) during or after application to said data carrier (6).

5. Method in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a protective film is withdrawn from said adhesive film (25) and/or said covering film prior to the application.

6. Method in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape and size of said adhesive film (25) and/or of said covering film corresponds to the surface of said data carrier (6) to be protected.

7. Method in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that sections (27) of said adhesive film (25) and/or of said covering film that correspond to the shape and size of said data carrier (6) are punched onto said carrier film (26).

8. Method in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adhesive film (25) and/or said covering film is applied centered on the surface of said data carrier (6) to be protected.

9. Method in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that said adhesive film (25) and said data carrier (6) are aligned with one another prior to application.

10. Method in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adhesive film (25) and/or said covering film is pressed onto said data carrier (8) during the application via a rotating pressure roller (33).

11. Method in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the pressure of said pressure roller (33) is controlled.

12. Method in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that prior to pressing by said pressure roller (33) said adhesive film (25) and/or said covering film is held at a pre-specified angle relative to the surface of said data carrier (6).

13. Method in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data carrier (6) and the pressure roller (33) are moved relative to one another.

14. Method in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that said data carrier (6) is moved past said pressure roller (33) linearly.

15. Method in accordance with claim 13 or 14, characterized in that said pressure roller (33) is rotated synchronously with the relative movement of said data carrier (6).

16. Method in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive film (25) is an adhesive film that responds to pressure, the adhesion characteristics of which vary as a function of the pressure.

17. Apparatus for coating an optically readable data carrier (6), with a first laminating station (7) for applying a transparent adhesive film (25) onto a surface of the data carrier (6) that is to be protected, and a second laminating station for applying a transparent covering film to the adhesive film (25).

18. Apparatus n accordance with claim 17, characterized in that the shape and size of said adhesive film (25) and/or of said covering film correspond to the surface of said data carrier (6) that is to be protected.

19. Apparatus in accordance with either of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that sections (27) of said adhesive film (25) and/or of said covering film that correspond to the shape and size of said surface of the data carrier (6) that is to be protected are punched onto a carrier film (26).

20. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that at least one of said laminating stations (7) has an aligning unit for aligning said adhesive film (25) with the surface of said data carrier (6) to be protected.

21. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that at least one of the laminating stations (7) has a rotatable pressure roller (33).

22. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that at least one of the laminating stations (7) has a device for moving the data carrier (6) and/or the pressure roller (33).

23. Apparatus in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that the device has at least one linear movement unit (27) for the data carrier (6).

24. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 17 to 23, characterized by a device for withdrawing a protective film (24) from the adhesive film (25) and/or the covering film.

25. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 17 to 24, characterized in that the adhesive film (25) is a layer of an adhesive without carrier material.

26. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 17 to 25, characterized in that the covering film is a PC tape.

27. Optically readable data carrier (6), the data-carrying surface of which is covered with a transparent adhesive film (25) and a transparent covering film.

26. Data carrier in accordance with claim 27, characterized in that the adhesives film (25) is a layer of an adhesive material without carrier material.

29. Data carrier in accordance with claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the covering film is a PC tape.

30. Data carrier in accordance with any of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the data carrier (6) is disposed in a protective housing.