JP2001328166A - Laminating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a heating part to instantaneously arrive at a desired laminating temperature after a power source is turned on. SOLUTION: The laminating apparatus 101 comprises a heating means 20 for heating a heat reactive laminating film 1 to be conveyed at a guide path together with a sheet-like medium 2 with the medium 2, and press bonding means 7a and 7b for closely contacting the film wit the medium by pressurizing the film heated by the heating means from both sides in such a manner that the heating means is opposed to the medium and has an instantaneous exothermic element 21 instantaneously becoming an exothermic state when energized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laminating apparatus for laminating a sheet-like medium with a heat-reactive laminating film, and more particularly to a laminating apparatus capable of laminating in a short time (instantaneously).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a laminating apparatus has a
A magnetic card or the like on which information is magnetically recorded such as an "identity card", a "medical ticket", a "photograph", or a "commuter pass" of a train (in the present invention, these are collectively referred to as "medium" Is sealed (laminated) with a laminate film.

[0003] The laminating apparatus mainly comprises a heating section for heating the laminated film, and at least one pair of pressure rollers for conveying the laminated film and the sheet-like medium while pressing them. The laminate film is formed by applying a heat-reactive adhesive that improves adhesion when heated on one side of a plastic film. For this reason, when the laminated film is heated, the adhesive property of the adhesive is improved, and when pressed against the pressure roller, the plastic film adheres to the medium by the adhesive, and the medium is stained, rubbed, damaged, and the like. It is designed to protect.

[0004] As a heating method of the laminated film,
Representative examples include a plate heater system and a roll heater system.

In the plate heater system, a pair of heating plates are arranged with a predetermined gap so as to sandwich both sides of the medium from above and below on the upstream side of the pressure roller, and the heating plates are attached to the outside of the heating plate. This is a method of directly heating a laminate film by a heating unit formed by a heater for heating a heating plate.

The roll heater system is a system in which a heater is provided inside a pressure roller and the pressure roller also serves as a heating unit, and the laminate film is pressed against a medium while being heated by the pressure roller.

The laminating apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is a plate heater type apparatus.

The guide path from the insertion port 4 to the discharge port 5 in the laminating apparatus 100 is formed linearly. When power is supplied to the laminating apparatus main body 3, power is supplied to the heater 10c from a power supply unit (not shown). Then, the heater 10c generates heat and starts heating the aluminum heating plate 10a. Also, a pair of feed rollers 6a and 6b and a pair of pressure rollers 7
The motor (not shown) for driving the motors a and 7b starts rotating. The temperature of the heating plate 10a rises, and
After reaching the lamination temperature of 20 degrees, the operator inserts the laminated film 1 sandwiching the medium 2 from the insertion opening 4 along the insertion guides 8a and 8b until it is sandwiched between the feed roller pairs 6a and 6b. The feed roller pair 6a, 6b
The medium 2 and the laminate film 1 are sandwiched and conveyed at a constant speed, and passed through the heating unit 10. Crimping roller pair 7a,
7b conveys the sufficiently heated laminate film 1 to the discharge guides 9a and 9b while applying pressure from both sides. The insulating material 1 is provided between the heating plate 10a and the heater 10c.
0b is provided. The pressure roller pair 7a, 7b is a rubber roller pair, and presses the laminate film 1 to the medium 2 reliably and at the same time, guides the laminate film 1 to the discharge guides 9a, 9b.
It is discharged from the discharge port 5. Thus, the laminating process in which the laminated film 1 is adhered to the medium 2 and the medium 2 is protected by the laminated film 1 is completed.

[0009]

However, in the conventional plate heater type laminating apparatus, since the heating plate 10a is heated by the heater 10c, it takes several minutes to several minutes until the heating plate 10a reaches a desired lamination temperature after the power is turned on. It took enough. Moreover, since a nichrome wire is used for the heater 10c, it takes time for the heater 10c itself to warm up, and it takes more time until the heating plate 10a reaches a desired lamination temperature.

For this reason, the conventional laminating apparatus requires a relatively long warm-up time until it can be used, and cannot be used immediately after the power is turned on. Conversely, if the power is kept on so that it can be used immediately, wasteful power is consumed.

(Object) It is an object of the present invention to provide a laminating apparatus in which a heating unit reaches a desired laminating temperature instantly after power is turned on, and can perform a laminating process almost without requiring a warm-up time. I have.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a laminating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a heating apparatus for heating a heat-reactive laminate film conveyed along a guide path together with a sheet-shaped medium. Means, and pressure bonding means for pressing the laminated film heated by the heating means from both sides to bring the laminated film and the medium into close contact with each other, wherein the heating means faces the medium and is energized. It has an instantaneous heating element that instantaneously enters a heating state.

[0013] The heating means has a pair of the instantaneous heating elements at opposing positions on both sides of the laminate film.

The instantaneous heating element has a ceramic plate, and a heating pattern provided on a surface of the ceramic plate facing the medium and generating heat in an energized state.

The opposing surface of the instantaneous heating element facing the medium and the guide surface of the guide path are formed flush.

The laminating apparatus according to the present invention also includes a temperature adjusting means for maintaining the temperature of the instantaneous heating element at a predetermined temperature based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor provided on the instantaneous heating element.

[0017] The laminating apparatus of the present invention is provided on the upstream side of the heating means, detects the insertion of the laminated film sandwiching the medium, and turns on the instantaneous heating element. There is also provided an energization canceling means provided downstream of the means for detecting passage of the laminated film with the medium interposed therebetween and canceling energization to the instantaneous heating element.

(Function) The laminating apparatus heats the heat-reactive laminate film conveyed along the guide path together with the sheet-like medium with the medium by the heating means. The pressing unit presses the laminated film heated by the heating unit from both sides to bring the laminated film into close contact with the medium. Thereby, the lamination process for the medium is completed. Since the heating means has an instantaneous heating element that instantaneously generates heat when energized, the temperature immediately increases when the power is turned on. In addition, since the instantaneous heating element is configured to face the laminated film, the laminated film is directly heated.

When a pair of the instantaneous heating elements are provided at positions opposed to both surfaces of the medium, the laminating apparatus can heat the laminated film sandwiching the medium from both sides.

When the opposing surface of the instantaneous heating element facing the medium and the guide surface of the guide path are formed flush with each other, the laminated film that is conveyed through the guide path and sandwiches the medium becomes an instantaneous heating element. , And surely move in contact or opposition.

The provision of the temperature control means for keeping the temperature of the instantaneous heating element at a predetermined temperature can prevent the adhesion of the laminate film to the medium due to insufficient heating from being lowered. Further, even if the power is kept turned on for a long time, the instantaneous heating element does not rise to a temperature higher than the lamination temperature and does not melt the laminate film.

With the provision of the energizing means and the de-energizing means, when the laminating film sandwiching the medium is inserted into the laminating apparatus, the heating means is automatically heated and de-heated, and the laminating apparatus applies the medium to the medium. On the other hand, lamination processing is automatically performed.

[0023]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laminating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

(First Embodiment) A laminating apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is a schematic front sectional view of a laminating apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of FIG. 1 from which an upper portion of the main body 3 is removed. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the ceramic heater. In addition,
The same parts as those of the conventional laminating apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configuration and the operation of some of them are omitted.

Description of Configuration The laminating apparatus 101 can perform a laminating process in which the laminating film 1 is brought into close contact with the medium 2 and the medium 2 is protected by the laminating film 1.

The main body 3 of the laminating apparatus 101 has an insertion port 4 and a discharge port 5 formed therein. A guide path (transport path) 40 from the insertion port 4 to the discharge port 5 is formed linearly. The insertion slot 4 is longer on the lower side than on the upper side,
A pair of upper and lower plate-like insertion guides 8a,
8b. Downstream of the insertion guides 8a, 8b, pairs of feed rollers 6a, 6b for feeding the laminate film 1 to the heating section (heating means) 20 are provided. Downstream of the heating unit 20, the heated laminated film 1
Rollers (compression means) 7a and 7b that convey while pressing the medium to the medium 2 are provided. Crimping rollers 7a, 7
On the downstream side of b, a pair of upper and lower plate-shaped discharge guides 9a and 9b having a discharge port 5 separated from each other are arranged.

The heating section 20 has a ceramic heater (instantaneous heating element) 21, an insulating material 22, a thermistor 23, and a mounting member 24 in a pair at the top and bottom. The heating section 20 is pressed against the feed roller pairs 6a and 6b. It is arranged between the roller pair 7a, 7b. The heating unit 20 is provided with ceramic heaters 21 and 21 for facilitating the passage of the laminated film 1 with the medium 2 interposed therebetween and heating the laminated film 1 in opposition to the laminated film 1.
The structure is such that they are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap (about 1 mm). The lower ceramic heater 21 supports the lower surface of the laminate film 1. The upper ceramic heater 21 faces the upper surface of the laminate film 1. Both ceramic heaters 21 are attached to the main body 3 by the mounting member 24.
Attached to.

3 and 4, the ceramic heater 2
1 is formed in a strip-like thin plate shape (about 1 mm in thickness). The ceramic heater 21 is set to be sufficiently longer in the longitudinal direction than the width of the laminated film 1 (the length in a direction intersecting the passing direction of the laminated film 1). Ceramic plate 25 of ceramic heater 21
On the surface facing the laminated film 1, a heating pattern 21a as a resistance heating element is printed. The heat generation pattern 21a is mainly made of silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd).
And formed. Although the longitudinal direction of the heat generating pattern 21a is formed longer than the width of the laminate film 1, the width and the shape of the heat generating pattern 21a in the passing direction of the laminate film 1 are arbitrarily set according to the specifications of the laminating apparatus main body 3. It is set. Heat generation pattern 2
1a is one pattern formed in a U-shape in plan view, and terminal portions 21b, 21b are formed at the start and end. Further, the heat generating pattern 21a is protected by being coated with an insulating and heat-resistant protective material (for example, glass) 26.

A thermistor 23 is provided on the back of the ceramic heater 21. On the back surface of the ceramic heater 21, a wiring pattern 23a for the thermistor 23 is attached. The terminal portion 2 is provided at the end of the wiring pattern 23a.
3b and 23b are formed. Thermistor 23
Is disposed at the center of the ceramic heater 21 in the longitudinal direction, but is not always required to be disposed at the center. Further, a plurality of thermistors 23 may be provided.

The back side of the ceramic heater 21 is fixed to the inside of a groove-shaped recess 24a of the mounting plate 24 by an adhesive or the like via an insulating material 22. By fixing the ceramic heater 21 in the concave portion 24a, the guide surface 21c of the laminate film 1 of the ceramic heater 21 and the mounting plate 2
4 and the guide surface 24c of the laminated film 1 is made to be the same surface (the same surface) so that the laminated film 1 is not caught by the ceramic heater 21 and the laminated film 1 is securely brought into contact with or close to the ceramic heater 21. be able to. The insulating material 22 electrically insulates the ceramic heater 21 from the mounting plate 24, and also functions as a heat insulating material. Insulated on the mounting plate 24,
If a material having heat resistance (for example, a liquid crystal polymer) is used, the insulating material 22 becomes unnecessary. The mounting plate 24 has guide portions 24b for guiding the laminated film 1 before and after the ceramic heater 21. Guide unit 2
4b may be separated from the recess 24a and formed as a separate member.

When power is supplied to the main body 3 of the laminating apparatus 101, power is supplied to the ceramic heater 21.
The ceramic heater 21 instantaneously reaches the desired laminating temperature. Therefore, the laminating apparatus 101 instantaneously enters a state in which the laminating process can be performed. The laminating temperature is detected by the thermistor 23 and can be kept constant at all times by turning on and off the power supply to the ceramic heater 21 by a temperature adjusting circuit (temperature adjusting means) 32. Since the ceramic heater 21 is formed in a thin plate shape, the temperature difference between the front and the back is small, and the temperature is controlled with high accuracy. Thereby, the temperature of the ceramic heater 21 becomes too low below the lamination temperature, and the adhesion of the laminate film 1 to the medium 2 is reduced, so that the laminate film 1 does not peel off from the medium 2. Conversely, the temperature becomes higher than the lamination temperature, and the ceramic heater 2
1 melts the laminated film 1 and prevents the laminated film 1 from being welded to the ceramic heater 21 so as to prevent the conveyance of the laminated film 1 and the medium 2 from being hindered. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the temperature from rising even when the power is turned on for a long time. In FIG. 1, the thermistor 23 is disposed on both the ceramic heaters 21 so that the temperature can be adjusted separately. However, only one of the ceramic heaters is used.
The thermistor 23 may be provided, and the temperature of both ceramic heaters 21 may be simultaneously adjusted by one temperature adjusting circuit.

As described above, when the power is turned on to the main body 3 of the laminating apparatus 101, the ceramic heater 1 instantaneously reaches the desired laminating temperature of about 120 degrees. The medium 2 can be subjected to a laminating process by inserting the laminated film 1 sandwiching the sheet 2 through the insertion opening 4.

The description of the operation in which the medium 2 and the laminated film 1 are conveyed to the feed roller pairs 6a and 6b and the operation in which the medium 2 and the laminate film 1 are conveyed while being pressed by the pressure roller pairs 7a and 7b are the same as in the prior art, and therefore will be omitted. I do.

(Second Embodiment) A laminating apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The laminating apparatus 102 according to the second embodiment comprises:
The ceramic heater 21 detects the insertion of the laminated film 1 sandwiching the medium 2 into the insertion guides 8a and 8b on the upstream side of the heating unit 20 of the laminating apparatus 101 of the first embodiment.
Is provided with an energizing photointerrupter 30 and a sensor lever 31 for detecting the passage of the laminated medium 2 to the discharge guides 9a and 9b on the downstream side of the heating unit 20 to energize the ceramic heater 21. The configuration is such that a photo-interrupter 33 for canceling energization and a sensor lever 34 to be canceled are provided. Therefore, the photointerrupter 30 and the sensor lever 31 and the photointerrupter 33 and the sensor lever 34 will be mainly described, and the description of the other parts will be given the same reference numerals as those of the laminating apparatus 101 of the first embodiment, and the description of the parts will be omitted. Is omitted.

The sensor levers 31, 34 are provided at fulcrums 31a, 34.
a, rotatably supported by a fixed member (not shown),
It is urged in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 5 by a spring (not shown), and is normally held in an upright state. The sensor levers 31 and 34 are in the standing state, and the photo interrupter 3
0 is turned off, and the other end blocks the passage of the laminated film 1. Therefore, when the sensor levers 31 and 34 are in the upright state, power is not supplied to the ceramic heater 21 even when the power of the laminating apparatus body is turned on. However, when the laminate film 1 sandwiching the medium 2 is inserted into the insertion guides 8a and 8b, the sensor lever 31 is tilted to the position indicated by the dotted line, and the photo interrupter 30 is turned on, power is supplied to the ceramic heater 21. by this,
The ceramic heater 21 instantaneously reaches a desired laminating temperature by the time the laminated film 1 sandwiching the medium 2 reaches the heating unit 20, and is ready for lamination.

The heating units 20, 20 and the pressure roller pair 7
The medium 2 laminated by the a and 7b tilts the sensor lever 34 to the position indicated by the dotted line, turns on the photointerrupter 33 once, the rear end of the medium 2 passes through the sensor lever 34, and turns off the photointerrupter 33. Then, the power supply to the ceramic heater 21 is cut off,
0 returns to normal temperature. However, the photo interrupter 30 is OFF
When the laminating apparatus 1 returns to the state, the laminate film 1 sandwiching the next medium 2 is inserted into the insertion slot 4 in the main body 3 of the laminating apparatus 102, and the photointerrupter 30 on the upstream side is turned on. The heater 21 is kept in the energized state. Therefore, when the photointerrupter 33 on the downstream side is turned on once and then returns to the off state, the power supply to the ceramic heater 21 cannot be cut off unless the photointerrupter 30 on the upstream side is also off. ing.

In the above configuration, the photointerrupter 3
0, the sensor lever 31, and the fulcrum 31a constitute an energizing means. The photointerrupter 33, the sensor lever 34, and the fulcrum 34a constitute a power-supply canceling means.

As described above, the laminating apparatus 102 of this embodiment prevents the power from being supplied to the ceramic heater 21 even if the power of the main body 3 is turned on, unless the laminate film sandwiching the medium is inserted. This prevents wasteful consumption of electric power and wasteful heating of the ceramic heater 21, thereby extending the useful life of the ceramic heater 21.

Although the laminating apparatuses 101 and 102 of both embodiments have the feed roller pairs 6a and 6b, the roller pairs 6a and 6b may be omitted.
In this case, the operator needs to slowly insert the laminated film 1 sandwiching the medium 2 until the laminated film 1 is sandwiched between the pressure roller pairs 7a and 7b.

The ceramic heaters 21 are disposed on both sides of the laminated film 1 with the medium interposed therebetween.
You may arrange | position only on one side.

Further, the heating unit 20 uses the ceramic heater 21 as an instantaneous heating element, but the instantaneous heating element is not limited to the ceramic heater 21.
Other members that can be heated instantaneously may be used.

[0043]

According to the laminating apparatus of the present invention, since the heating section reaches the desired laminating temperature instantly after the power is turned on, the laminating process can be performed immediately without waiting time for warm-up. , Usability can be improved. Also, there is no need to always turn on the power, and it is sufficient to turn on the power only during use, so that power consumption can be reduced.

When a pair of instantaneous heating elements are provided at positions facing both sides of the medium, the laminate film sandwiching the medium can be heated from both sides, and the lamination process can be instantaneously performed. And the laminating process can be performed reliably by heating from both sides of the laminate film.

Further, if the opposing surface of the instantaneous heating element facing the laminate film and the guide surface of the guide path are formed flush with each other, the laminated film, which is conveyed through the guide path and sandwiches the medium, is instantaneous. Laminating treatment can be reliably performed because the heating element does not get caught and moves reliably in contact with or in opposition to the heating element.

If a temperature control means for keeping the temperature of the instantaneous heating element at a predetermined temperature is provided, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of the laminated film to the medium due to insufficient heating, and to perform the laminating process reliably. it can. Also,
Even if the power is kept turned on for a long time, the instantaneous heating element does not rise above the lamination temperature and does not melt the laminate film, so that the laminate film and the medium are not damaged. Furthermore, by not melting the laminate film, the laminate film adheres to the instantaneous heating element and the guideway,
The clogging in the device can be prevented.

When the power supply means and the power release means are provided, when the laminate film sandwiching the medium is inserted into the laminating apparatus, the heating means automatically heats and releases the heat, and the medium is automatically turned off. The lamination process can be performed at the same time, and the power consumption can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of a laminating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of FIG. 1 from which an upper part of a main body is removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a ceramic heater.

FIG. 5 is a schematic front sectional view of a laminating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front sectional view of a conventional laminating apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 laminated film 2 sheet-shaped medium 3 laminating apparatus main body 4 insertion port 5 discharge port 6a, 6b feed roller pair 7a, 7b pressure roller pair (pressure means) 8a, 8b insertion guide 9a, 9b discharge guide 20 heating unit (heating means) 21) Ceramic heater (instantaneous heating element) 21a Pattern (heating pattern) 21b Terminal 21c Guide surface (opposing surface) 22 Insulating material (heat insulating material) 23 Thermistor (temperature sensor) 23a Wiring pattern 23b Terminal portion 24 Mounting plate 24a Depression 24b Guide part 24c Guide surface 25 Ceramic plate 26 Protective material 30 Photo interrupter (Electrification means) 31 Sensor lever (Electrification means) 31a Support point (Electrification means) 32 Temperature control circuit (Temperature adjustment means) 33 Photointerrupter (Electrification release means) 34 Sensor lever ( Energization canceling means) 34a fulcrum ( Electricity canceling means) 40 Route (guide route) 101, 102 Laminating device

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 4, 2000 (200.7.4)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0003] The laminating apparatus mainly comprises a heating section for heating the laminated film, and at least one pair of pressure rollers for conveying the laminated film and the sheet-like medium while pressing them. The laminate film is formed by applying a heat-reactive adhesive that improves adhesion when heated on one side of a plastic film. For this reason, when the laminated film is heated, the adhesive property of the adhesive is improved, and when pressed against the pressure roller, the plastic film adheres to the medium by the adhesive, and becomes dirty when the medium is used. It is designed to protect from damage.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0009]

However, in the conventional plate heater type laminating apparatus, since the heating plate 10a is heated by the heater 10c, it takes several minutes to several minutes until the heating plate 10a reaches a desired lamination temperature after the power is turned on. It took enough. That is, since a nichrome wire is used for the heater 10c, it takes time for the heater 10c itself to warm, and further time is required until the heating plate 10a reaches a desired lamination temperature.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0027

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The heating unit 20 includes a pair of upper and lower ceramic heaters (instantaneous heating elements) 21, an insulating material 22, a thermistor 23, and a mounting member 24, and a pair of feed rollers 6a and 6b and a pair of pressure rollers 7a and 7b. It is arranged between. The heating unit 20 has the ceramic heaters 21 and 21 facing each other with a predetermined gap (around 1 mm) so that the laminated film 1 with the medium 2 interposed therebetween can easily pass therethrough and can be easily heated while facing the laminated film 1. It has a structure. The lower ceramic heater 21 supports the lower surface of the laminate film 1. The upper ceramic heater 21 faces the upper surface of the laminate film 1. Both ceramic heaters 21 are attached to the main body 3 by attachment members 24.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A heating means for heating a heat-reactive laminate film conveyed through a guide path together with a medium with a sheet-like medium interposed therebetween, and the laminate film heated by the heating means is pressed from both sides. Pressure bonding means for bringing the laminate film and the medium into close contact with each other, wherein the heating means has an instantaneous heating element which faces the medium and instantaneously generates heat when energized. Laminating equipment. 2. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating means has a pair of the instantaneous heating elements at opposing positions on both sides of the laminate film. 3. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the instantaneous heating element includes a ceramic plate, and a heat generation pattern provided on a surface of the ceramic plate facing the medium and generating heat in an energized state. 3. The laminating apparatus according to 1 or 2. 4. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a facing surface of the instantaneous heating element facing the medium and a guide surface of the guide path are formed flush with each other. 5. A temperature control means for keeping the temperature of said instantaneous heating element at a predetermined temperature based on a temperature detected by a temperature sensor provided on said instantaneous heating element. The laminating apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. An energizing means provided upstream of the heating means to detect the insertion of the laminated film sandwiching the medium to make the instantaneous heating element energized, and provided on the downstream side of the heating means. 6. An electric current canceling means for detecting the passage of the laminated film sandwiching the medium and canceling the electric current to the instantaneous heating element. A laminating apparatus according to the above item.