JP2005035124A - Device for manufacturing ic memory built-in plastic sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for manufacturing an IC memory built-in plastic sheet by which the IC memory built-in plastic sheet with an image of high resolution formed thereon can be manufactured with high productivity using a conventional electrophotographic device as an imaging means without significant remodeling. <P>SOLUTION: This device for manufacturing an IC memory built-in plastic sheet comprises a positioning part (a gathering device 14) which positions a laminate; a lamination part (a laminating device 16) which laminates the IC memory built-in core sheet with film by pressurizing the positioned laminate; and a communication part (a non-contact communicating device 19) which writes information in IC memory, formed on at least one surface of the film. The laminate is constituted of an imaging part (an imaging device 12) which forms a fixed image by electrophotographic process; the IC memory built-in core sheet; and the film. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory (IC chip) laminated with a plastic film that is directly imaged by an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and more particularly to reading or reading / writing information. Equipment for producing plastic sheets with IC memory such as IC cards for personal verification, IC tags for product management, such as employee ID cards, student ID cards, individual membership cards, residence certificates, various driver's licenses, and various certifications About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, along with the development of image forming technology, means for forming images of the same quality in large quantities and at low cost by various printing methods such as intaglio printing, relief printing, planographic printing, gravure printing, and screen printing are known. Yes. Such a printing method is used for surface printing of an information medium that can store predetermined information such as an IC card, a magnetic card, an optical card, or a combination of these, and can communicate with an external device in contact or non-contact. Are often used.
[0003]
However, for example, the screen printing requires a large number of printing plates corresponding to the number of images to be printed, and in the case of color printing, printing plates corresponding to the number of colors are further required. Therefore, these printing methods are not suitable for individually responding to identification information (face photograph, name, address, date of birth, product name, manufacturing location, etc.) of an individual or an object.
[0004]
The most mainstream image forming means for the above problems is an image forming method using a printer or the like employing a sublimation type or melting type thermal transfer system using an ink ribbon or the like. However, they can easily print personal and object identification information, but still have the problem that the resolution decreases when the printing speed is increased, and the printing speed decreases when the resolution is increased.
[0005]
In contrast, in electrophotographic image formation (printing), the surface of the image carrier is uniformly charged, exposed in accordance with an image signal, and an electrostatic latent image due to a potential difference between an exposed portion and a non-exposed portion is generated. Then, a color powder (image forming material) called toner having a polarity opposite to (or the same as) the charge is electrostatically developed to form a visible image (toner image) on the surface of the image carrier. Done in the way. In the case of a color image, this process is repeated a plurality of times, or a plurality of image forming devices are arranged in parallel to form a visible color image, and these are transferred and fixed (fixed: mainly by heat) to the image recording medium. This is performed by a method of obtaining a color image by melting and solidifying the color powder by cooling.
[0006]
As described above, in the electrophotographic method, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier is electrically formed by the image signal, so that not only the same image can be formed many times, but also different images can be easily handled. Image formation is possible. Further, the toner image on the surface of the image carrier can be transferred almost completely to the surface of the image recording body, and the toner image slightly remaining on the surface of the image carrier can be easily removed with a resin blade or a brush. Therefore, it is possible to easily produce printed materials for multi-product small-volume production.
[0007]
The toner is usually formed by melt-mixing a heat-meltable resin, a pigment, and optionally an additive such as a charge control agent, and pulverizing and finely pulverizing the kneaded product. Further, the electrostatic latent image in the electrophotographic method has a considerably higher resolution than the finely divided toner, and a sufficient resolution is expected even when compared with the resolution of the screen printing or thermal transfer method of the ink ribbon. it can.
[0008]
For color images, the four primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are used as color toners, and these can be mixed to theoretically reproduce the same color as in printing. In the above color toner, since the toner resin and the pigment can be blended relatively freely, it is easy to increase the image concealment by the toner.
Examples of printing various cards using the electrophotographic apparatus described above include the following.
[0009]
For example, in addition to various personal information, an invisible barcode is printed on a 250 μm thick vinyl chloride sheet or a 280 μm thick polyester sheet by electrophotography, and an over light transmissive film is superimposed on each printing surface. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0010]
However, in the above sheet, the inter-sheet friction coefficient is too large and the sheets are closely adhered to each other, so that the sheet transportability is poor, the electrophotographic apparatus stops, or the insulator (sheet) having a thickness of 250 μm or more as described above. In some cases, the image forming material (toner) cannot be sufficiently transferred and image defects increase. In addition, when the resin light-transmitting film that softens at a relatively low temperature is used for printing using an electrophotographic apparatus, in the fixing process, because the fixing temperature is higher than the softening temperature of the light-transmitting film, adhesiveness is expressed, There is a problem that a winding jam occurs in the fixing device. Further, if the image forming material is offset to the fixing device or the fixing of the 250 μm thick sheet is continued, the fixing device may be damaged more than necessary at the edge (corner) of the sheet.
[0011]
In addition, it has been proposed that personal identification information is printed on a light-transmitting sheet, and that the printing is performed as a mirror image (see, for example, Patent Document 2). However, not only image formation on the plastic light transmissive film, but also the automation of the process of transporting and laminating and laminating the plastic light transmissive film on which the fixed image is formed and the base material to be the core are examined. However, from the viewpoint of improving productivity, it is necessary to design each of the above processes and manufacturing apparatuses.
Furthermore, there has been little study on printing apparatuses compatible with IC tags other than the card size.
[0012]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-92255 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-334265
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
That is, the present invention uses an IC memory-containing plastic capable of producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory on which a high-resolution image is formed with high productivity by using a conventional electrophotographic apparatus as an image forming means without greatly remodeling. An object is to provide a sheet manufacturing apparatus.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the present invention
(1) an image forming unit that forms a fixed image by electrophotography on at least one side of the film;
An IC memory-containing core sheet having an IC memory in which information is stored, a film on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, and a positioning unit that positions a laminated body,
A laminate part for laminating the core sheet containing the IC memory with the film on which the image is formed by pressurizing the laminated body positioned;
A communication unit for writing information to the IC memory;
An apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory.
[0015]
In the invention of (1), a high-resolution image is formed on one side of a thin film by an electrophotographic method, and a film in which an image is formed on a thick core sheet that cannot conventionally be formed by an electrophotographic method is provided. , Crimp. Moreover, when using two films, these two films are crimped | bonded so that a core sheet may be clamped. At this time, an IC memory is previously mounted on the core sheet. Then, desired information is written into the IC memory. Thereby, a so-called plastic sheet containing an IC memory such as an IC card or an IC tag is produced. For this reason, the conventional electrophotographic apparatus can be used as the image forming means without greatly remodeling, and a plastic sheet containing an IC memory on which a high resolution image is formed can be manufactured with high productivity. In the laminating step, not only pressurization but also heating and laminating may be performed as necessary.
[0016]
(2) The apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory according to (1), wherein the communication unit is on the downstream side of the laminate unit.
[0017]
In the invention of (2), information is written to the IC memory after applying a load to the IC memory and finishing the laminating process causing the failure, so that the information after writing is less likely to be lost.
[0018]
(3) Furthermore, a detection unit that reads information written in the IC memory and detects whether the IC memory is good or bad;
A visual information recording unit that is arranged on the downstream side of the communication unit, and records an image indicating whether the IC memory is good or bad on a plastic sheet according to a result of the detection unit,
The apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory as described in (1) above.
[0019]
In the invention of (3), after writing information into the IC memory, the written information is read again to detect whether the IC memory is good or bad. Record the visible information shown. Therefore, it is possible to visually determine whether the obtained IC memory of the plastic sheet containing the IC memory is normal or abnormal.
[0020]
In addition, for example, when a plurality of IC memories are built in and the obtained plastic sheet is cut for each IC memory to obtain an IC card, an IC tag, etc., the visible information is only in the area where the defective IC memory is built in. By recording the above visible information only in the area where the normal IC memory is built-in, the normal IC memory is easily built-in even with the plastic sheet in which the good / bad IC memory is mixed. An area can be selected and used.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a manufacturing apparatus for a plastic sheet containing an IC memory according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, what has the substantially same function is attached | subjected and demonstrated through the whole figure, and the description may be abbreviate | omitted depending on the case.
[0022]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the non-contact communication device in the device for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory according to the first embodiment.
[0023]
An IC memory-containing plastic sheet manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 12, a collating apparatus 14, a laminating apparatus 16 (laminating unit), and a non-contact communication apparatus 19.
[0024]
The image forming apparatus 12 includes, for example, a light transmissive film stacker 18, an image forming unit 20, a conveyance path 24 that conveys the light transmissive film 22 from the light transmissive film stacker 18 to the image forming unit, and the image forming unit 20. And a conveyance path 26 that conveys the light transmissive film 22 to the discharge port 28. Other configurations are omitted.
[0025]
The light transmissive film stacker 18 is provided with a light transmissive film 22 and a pickup roll and a paper feed roll as provided in a normal paper feeding device. Rotates and conveys the light transmissive film 22 to the image forming unit 20.
[0026]
Although not shown, the image forming unit 20 develops a latent image carrier that forms a latent image, a developer that develops the latent image using a developer containing at least toner, and obtains a toner image, and the developed toner image The image forming apparatus includes a known electrophotographic apparatus including a transfer device that transfers the toner image to the light transmissive film 22 and a fixing device that presses and fixes the toner image transferred to the light transmissive film 22.
[0027]
The conveyance paths 24 and 26 are composed of a plurality of roller pairs including guide roller pairs and guides (not shown). Further, the conveyance path 26 is reversed so as to reverse the conveyance direction of the light transmissive film 22 by 180 °. A path 26a is provided. A cam 32 for changing the guide direction of the light transmissive film 22 is provided in the vicinity of the branch between the conveyance path 26 and the reverse path 26a. When the light-transmitting film 22 is reciprocated in the reversing path 26a and returned to the transporting path 26, the transporting direction of the light-transmitting film 22 is reversed by 180 ° and the front and back of the light-transmitting film 22 are reversed and transported Is done.
[0028]
The collating device 14 includes a core sheet stacker 34 with IC memory, a collating tray 36 (positioning unit), a conveyance path 40 for supplying the core sheet 38 with IC memory from the core sheet stacker 34 with IC memory to the collating tray 36, and The conveyance path 42 supplies the light transmissive film 22 discharged from the discharge port 28 of the image forming apparatus 12 to the collating tray 36.
[0029]
The conveyance path 40 discharge section for supplying the core sheet 38 with IC memory to the collation tray 36 and the conveyance path 42 discharge section for supplying the light transmissive film 22 to the collation tray 36 are provided in parallel in the height direction. ing.
[0030]
As the conveyance paths 40 and 42, a structure provided with a smooth plate-like member and a conveyance roll for conveying the light transmissive film 22 on the surface thereof may be provided, or a belt-shaped conveyance body that rotates. It may be configured. Then, at the timing when the light transmissive film 22 is discharged from the image forming apparatus 12 or the timing when the core sheet 38 with IC memory is discharged, the transport roll or the belt rotates, and the light transmissive film 22 or the core sheet 38 is collated. Transport to tray 36.
[0031]
The core sheet stacker 34 with IC memory accommodates a core sheet 38 with IC memory, and is provided with a pick-up roll and a paper feed roll as provided in a normal paper feeding device. The sheet feeding roll or the like rotates at the timing immediately after moving to the position of the discharge port of the entering core sheet stacker 34, and the core sheet 38 containing IC memory is conveyed to the collating tray 36.
[0032]
The collating tray 36 has, for example, a part of its upper and lower portions so that the core sheet 38 with IC memory and the light transmissive film 22 are respectively supplied from the transport path 40 discharge section and the transport path 42 discharge section (see FIG. It is connected to the belt outer wall stretched in the middle and up and down, and is configured to move up and down as the belt rotates. Not only such lifting means, but also known lifting means such as a motor drive system can be applied. Further, positioning means (not shown) for aligning the end portions of the laminated core sheet 38 with the IC memory and the light transmissive film 22 is provided.
[0033]
The collating tray 36 is provided with a temporary fixing device 44 for temporarily fixing a laminated body in which the two light transmissive films 22 are laminated via a core sheet 38 with an IC memory. This temporary fixing device is composed of, for example, a pair of projecting pieces made of metal so as to be heated by a heater or the like, and the laminated body is sandwiched between the heated projecting pieces and the vicinity of the end of the laminated body. The vicinity of the end of each is thermally welded and temporarily fixed.
[0034]
When the temporary fixing device 44 is provided on the transport path of the laminate from the collating tray 36 to the laminating device 16, the temporary fixing device 44 is disposed at the end of the collating tray 36 only at the time of temporary fixing. In other cases, it is necessary to adopt a structure that can be retracted from the conveyance path.
[0035]
The laminating apparatus 16 can employ, for example, a belt nip method including a pair of belts 46. Each belt 46 is stretched by a heating / pressure roll 48 and a tension roll 50. The discharge portions of the pair of belts 46 are connected to the non-contact communication device 19.
[0036]
The pressure bonding method in the laminating apparatus 16 is not particularly limited, and any of various conventionally known laminating techniques and laminating apparatuses can be suitably employed. For example, by using the usual laminating technique and laminating apparatus, or laminating apparatus, or hot pressing technique, and hot pressing apparatus in which the laminated body is inserted into a nip portion by a hot roll pair or the like so as to be melted and thermally fused to some extent. Can be crimped.
[0037]
The non-contact communication device 19 includes a non-contact communication unit 191 for writing / reading information to / from the IC memory via an antenna (not shown), and a position for writing / reading information to / from the IC memory (hereinafter referred to as writing). A conveyance belt 192 for conveying the laminated body to a reading position). A discharge tray 56 is provided at the discharge portion of the conveyor belt 192.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 2, the non-contact communication device 19 includes an antenna 193, a non-contact communication unit 191, control of communication (information writing / reading) to the IC memory, and a control unit 194 that executes various processes. The storage unit 195 stores processing data and a program for executing the operation of the control unit 194.
[0039]
In the non-contact communication device 19, when a plurality of IC memories are built in the core sheet 38 with IC memory and the obtained plastic sheet is cut for each IC memory to obtain an IC card, an IC tag, etc., non-contact communication The IC 193 in which the antenna 193 in the section 191 is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 192 and the IC memories arranged in the direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 192 are written collectively. The IC memories arranged in the transport direction of the transport belt 192 are arranged at the writing / reading positions as they are transported by the transport belt 192 to perform writing. Further, the antennas 193 in the non-contact communication unit 191 may be provided for the number of IC memories, and writing may be performed collectively.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, first, in the image forming apparatus 12, the first light transmissive film 22 a that is pressure-bonded to the back surface (the lower side in the drawing) of the core sheet 38 with the IC memory is the light transmissive film 22. A predetermined toner image is transferred from the transmissive film stacker 18 to the image forming unit 20 via the conveyance path 24 and transferred to the upper surface (upper side in the drawing) of the first light transmissive film 22a by an electrophotographic method. Thereafter, the image is fixed and a fixed image is formed (image forming process). At this time, since the fixed image is formed on the upper surface of the first light transmissive film 22a, the first light transmissive film 22a is directly conveyed to the discharge port 28 via the conveyance path 26, and the collating device 14 Sent to.
[0041]
In the collating device 14, the first light transmissive film 22 a is supplied to the collating tray 36 through the conveyance path 42 of the collating device 14. Here, the first light transmissive film 22 that has exited the discharge section of the conveyance path 42 is supplied to the collating tray 36 by its own weight so that the image surface of the first light transmissive film 22a faces the upper surface. The
[0042]
Next, the collating tray is raised and lowered to the vicinity of the discharge portion of the conveyance path 40, and the core sheet 38 with IC memory is supplied from the core sheet stacker 34 with IC memory to the collation tray 36 via the conveyance path 40. Here, the core sheet 38 with the IC memory that has exited the discharge portion of the conveyance path 40 is supplied to the collating tray 36 by its own weight, and is overlapped with the first light transmissive film 22a.
[0043]
Next, in the image forming apparatus 12, the second light transmissive film 22 b that is pressure-bonded to the surface (the upper side in the drawing) of the core sheet 38 with the IC memory passes from the light transmissive film stacker 18 via the conveyance path 24. A predetermined toner image is supplied to the upper surface (upper side in the drawing) of the second light transmissive film 22b by an electrophotographic method and then fixed and a fixed image is formed (image formation). Process). Since the fixed image is formed on the upper surface of the second light transmissive film 22b, the second light transmissive film 22b passes through the transport path 26, and at one end via the reverse path 26a, and again through the transport path 26. Then, it is conveyed to the discharge port 28 and sent to the collating device 14.
[0044]
At this time, in the vicinity of the branch of the conveyance path 26 and the reversing path 26a, the cam 32 is driven so that the tip thereof overlaps the conveyance path 26, and the second light-transmitting film 22 that has reached the tip position of the cam 32 is in the conveyance direction. Is changed and guided to the reversing path 26a. Then, after the second light transmissive film 22b reaches the reversing path 26a, the driving roll (not shown) is reversed, and the second light transmissive film 22b is reciprocated along the reversing path 26a, and then returned to the transport path 26 again. . For this reason, the second light-transmissive film 22b that has returned to the conveyance path 26 has its conveyance direction reversed by 180 °, and its front and back surfaces are also reversed, and the image surface faces the lower side (lower side in the figure). Will be.
[0045]
In the collating device 14, the second light transmissive film 22 b is supplied to the collating tray 36 through the conveyance path 42 of the collating device 14. Here, the second light transmissive film 22b that has exited the discharge portion of the conveyance path 42 is placed on the collating tray 36 by its own weight so that the image surface of the second light transmissive film 22b faces the upper surface. Supplied and overlapped with the core sheet 38 with IC memory.
[0046]
In this way, the collating tray 36 is supplied in the order of the first light-transmitting film 22a with the image surface facing upward, the core sheet 38 with IC memory, and the second light-transmitting film 22b with the image surface facing downward. And superimposed (positioning step). In this laminate, the first light transmissive film 22a and the second light transmissive film 22b are laminated with the image surface facing each other via the core sheet 38.
[0047]
Next, the end portions of the first light transmissive film 22a, the IC memory-containing core sheet 38, and the second light transmissive film 22b on the collating tray 36 are aligned by positioning means (not shown). After the end of the laminate is temporarily fixed by the stopper, the laminate is conveyed to the laminator. Note that the sizes of the light transmissive film 22 and the core sheet 38 with IC memory are made equal, and positioning is performed by aligning the end portions of the laminate.
[0048]
Next, in the laminating apparatus, the laminated body of the first light transmissive film 22a, the core sheet 38 with the IC memory, and the second light transmissive film 22b is passed between the nips of the pair of belts 46 to be heated and heated. The core sheet 38 with IC memory is laminated with the first light transmissive film 22a and the second light transmissive film 22b (laminating step). Then, the laminate subjected to the laminating process is transported to the non-contact communication device 19.
[0049]
Finally, in the non-contact communication device 19, the laminated body of the first light transmissive film 22 a laminated and integrated, the core sheet 38 with IC memory, and the second light transmissive film 22 b is non-coated by the transport belt 192. Information is written to the IC memory built in the laminate through the antenna 193 while being conveyed to the writing / reading position of the contact communication unit 191.
[0050]
Here, the control unit 194 converts the predetermined information stored in the storage unit 195 into an IC via the antenna 193 by the non-contact communication unit 191 according to a known non-contact communication method (write / read method to IC memory). Process to write to memory.
[0051]
Then, the stacked body in which information is written in the IC memory is discharged to the discharge tray 56. Here, when a plurality of individual images are formed on a plastic sheet containing IC memory (when a plurality of IC memories are arranged on a plastic sheet), the image is cut for each image (each IC memory), A plastic sheet with a size of IC memory is obtained.
[0052]
As described above, in the present embodiment, an image is formed on one side of the two light transmissive films 22 by an electrophotographic method, and the two light transmissive films 22 are imaged via the core sheet 38 with an IC memory. An IC in which high-resolution images are formed and information is recorded by laminating face-to-face and recording information in an IC memory without using a conventional electrophotographic apparatus as image forming means without major modification. It is possible to manufacture a plastic sheet with memory with high productivity.
[0053]
Moreover, in this embodiment, since the non-contact communication apparatus 19 is provided in the downstream of the laminating apparatus 16, the information written in the non-contact communication apparatus 19 is hard to be damaged.
[0054]
In the present embodiment, a reverse path 26 a is provided in the middle of the conveyance path 26 that conveys the discharge port 28 and the light transmissive film 22 from the image forming unit 20 in the image forming apparatus 12. The first light transmissive film 22a supplied to the lower side of the collating tray 36 does not pass through the reverse path 26a, and the second light transmissive film 22b supplied to the upper side passes through the reverse path 26a, By selectively reversing the front and back of the light-transmitting film 22 such that the front and back are reversed and conveyed, continuous positioning is performed, and a plastic sheet with IC memory can be produced more efficiently. .
[0055]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the non-contact communication apparatus in the apparatus for producing a plastic sheet with IC memory according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0056]
3, the non-contact communication device 19 uses the non-contact communication device 19 to transfer visible information indicating whether the IC memory is good or bad between the non-contact communication unit 191 and the discharge tray 56 to the IC memory. The structure is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a visible information recording device 196 (visible information recording unit) that records information on a laminated body (plastic sheet) in which information is written is provided (see FIG. 4). Description of other configurations is omitted.
[0057]
Even if the IC memory is operating normally at the stage of creating the core sheet with the IC memory, an abnormality may occur in the process of manufacturing the plastic sheet with the IC memory. The content check is indispensable for inspecting the presence or absence of such a defective IC memory, but it is impossible to judge the defect of the IC memory in appearance.
[0058]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the non-contact communication unit 191 reads the written information again at the same time as writing the information, and the control unit 194 checks whether the IC memory is good or bad, and detects a defective IC memory. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, visible information is recorded on a laminate (plastic sheet). In the present embodiment, the “detection unit” is also functioned by the non-contact communication unit 191 (control unit).
[0059]
In FIG. 5, in a laminated body (plastic sheet) in which a plurality of IC memories are incorporated and good and bad IC memories are mixed, visible information is recorded only in an area in which the defective IC memories are incorporated. It shows how it is. In the figure, reference numeral 70 denotes a laminate (plastic sheet).
[0060]
Here, the control unit 194 performs predetermined processing according to the processing routine shown in FIG.
[0061]
First, in step 100, the control unit 194 writes desired information stored in the storage unit 195 to the IC memory of the stacked body via the antenna 193 by the non-contact communication unit 191 (writing process). In step 102, desired information written in the IC memory is read via the antenna 193 (reading process). Next, in step 104, it is determined whether the IC memory is good or bad. When the read information is different from the information written in step 100 (desired information stored in the storage unit 195), or when the information cannot be read in step 102, a negative IC memory is determined to be negative. The visible information recording device 196 records visible information indicating that it is defective on the laminated body (plastic sheet), and the process ends. On the other hand, if they are the same, it is determined that the IC memory is normal, and the process ends.
[0062]
The visible information recording device 196 is not particularly limited as long as the visible information can be recorded on the surface of the laminate (plastic sheet), and may be an ink jet recording device, a laser engraving device, an ink ribbon type printing device, or It may be a punching device for small diameter holes.
[0063]
As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to visually determine whether the obtained IC memory of the plastic sheet containing the IC memory is normal or abnormal.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, the visible information indicating the failure is recorded on the laminate (plastic sheet) in which the defective IC memory is built, but the normal IC memory is built in. Visible information indicating normality may be recorded on the laminate (plastic sheet). In the case of a laminate (plastic sheet) in which good and bad IC memories are mixed, different visible information may be recorded.
[0065]
The IC memory-containing plastic sheet obtained by the first and second embodiments will be described below.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 7, the IC memory-containing plastic sheet is composed of the IC memory-containing core sheet 1 and the first light-transmitting film 3 and the second light-transmitting film 5 on which the images 2 and 4 are formed. The side on which 2, 4 is formed is laminated and laminated so as to face the core sheet 1 with IC memory. At least one inlet sheet 6 on which an antenna is printed is enclosed in the core sheet 1 with IC memory, and an IC memory 7 is mounted on the inlet sheet 6. For example, in the case of a card core sheet, 8 to 10 inlet sheets 6 are provided per A4 size. In the case of an IC tag, it can be laid out in A4 size according to the size.
The core sheet with IC memory and the material of the light transmissive film used in the present embodiment are as follows.
[0067]
-Core sheet with IC memory-
The core sheet with IC memory is preferably opaque so that an image formed on the light-transmitting film when the plastic sheet with IC memory is formed is easily visible, and is more preferably colored white.
As a material of the core sheet containing the IC memory, plastic is used. Specifically, there are acetate film, cellulose triacetate film, nylon film, polyester film, polycarbonate film, polystyrene film, polyphenylene sulfide film, polypropylene film, polyimide film, cellophane, and the like, among which polyester film is preferably used. In particular, a biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate film is preferably used.
[0068]
The core sheet with IC memory is colored by adding pigments or dyes thereto. Further, the core sheet with an IC memory may be in the form of a film or a plate, and has a thickness that does not have flexibility, or has a strength required for a core sheet with an IC memory. It may be a shape.
When the plastic sheet with IC memory of the present invention is applied to an IC card or a magnetic card, an IC memory, an antenna, an external terminal, etc. are embedded in the core sheet with IC memory. Moreover, a magnetic stripe, a hologram, etc. may be printed separately, or a character may be embossed as needed.
[0069]
As the core sheet with IC memory, it is preferable to use a film made of a plastic having a thickness of 50 to 5000 μm, and more preferably a PET film having a thickness of 100 to 1000 μm.
[0070]
-Light transmissive film-
A substrate that can be used for a light transmissive film (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a laminate film) needs to have transparency. Here, the term “transparency” means, for example, the property of transmitting a certain amount of light in the visible light region. In the present invention, at least the formed image passes through the substrate from the surface opposite to the surface on which the image is formed. It should just be transparent so that it can be visually observed.
[0071]
As the substrate, a plastic film that can be used as a material for the core sheet containing the IC memory can be used.
[0072]
Among the various plastic films described above, polyester films, particularly PETG in which about half of the ethylene glycol component of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is replaced with 1,4-cyclohexane methanol component, and polycarbonate mixed with the PET are mixed. An amorphous polyester or the like called A-PET can be more preferably used that is alloyed and further PET that is not biaxially stretched.
[0073]
Polyvinyl chloride, which has been conventionally used as a core sheet (core) material with IC memory for cards, is not good for the environment as the material such as polyester, which generates dioxins due to combustion at the time of disposal of combustible materials. It can cope with being recognized and no longer used. In the present invention, considering the use of the above-mentioned core sheet containing no chlorine, as further materials, the polystyrene resin film, ABS resin film, AS (acrylonitrile-styrene) resin film, PET film, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. A film in which a hot-melt adhesive such as polyester or EVA is added to the polyolefin resin film can also be preferably used.
[0074]
The Vicat softening temperature of the substrate is preferably in the range of 70 to 130 ° C, more preferably in the range of 80 to 120 ° C. If the Vicat softening temperature is less than 70 ° C., the laminate film may not be sufficiently adhered and adhered to the core sheet (core) in the lamination step. If the Vicat softening temperature exceeds 130 ° C., the image (image forming material) or the coating layer described later is too soft even if the above-mentioned adhesion / adhesion is sufficient, and defects (image flow) occur in the image. May end up.
[0075]
The Vicat softening temperature is measured from a method for evaluating the softening temperature of a thermoplastic resin, and the measurement method is a method for testing the heat resistance of a molded plastic material. Are defined in JIS K7206, ASTM D1525, and ISO306.
[0076]
On the other hand, the surface resistance value of at least one side of the substrate is 10 ⁸ -10 ¹³ The range is preferably Ω / □. ⁹ -10 ¹¹ A range of Ω / □ is more preferable. The surface resistance value is 10 ⁸ If it is less than Ω / □, particularly, the resistance value of the image recording body becomes too low at high temperature and high humidity, for example, the transfer toner from the transfer member may be disturbed, and the surface resistance value is 10 ¹³ If it exceeds Ω / □, the resistance value of the laminate film used as the image recording medium becomes too high, and for example, the toner from the transfer member cannot be transferred to the film surface, and image defects due to transfer defects may occur.
[0077]
The surface resistance value can be measured in accordance with JIS K6991 using a circular electrode (for example, “HR probe” of Hiresta IP manufactured by Mitsubishi Yuka Co., Ltd.) in an environment of 23 ° C. and 55% RH. it can.
[0078]
In addition, in the electrophotographic laminate film, when only one surface has a surface resistance value in the above range, the surface is preferably the surface on which an image is formed.
[0079]
The surface resistance value of at least one surface of the substrate is 10 ⁸ -10 ¹³ When controlling to the range of Ω / □, a surfactant, a polymer conductive agent, conductive fine particles, etc. are added directly to the resin during the production of a film as a substrate, or a surfactant is applied to the film surface. Or by depositing a metal thin film or adding an appropriate amount of a surfactant or the like to the adhesive or the like.
[0080]
The thickness of the substrate is preferably in the range of 50 to 500 μm, more preferably in the range of 75 to 200 μm. If the thickness is less than 50 μm, there may be a conveyance failure in the fixing device of the image forming apparatus, and if it exceeds 500 μm, image quality may be deteriorated in the transfer machine of the image forming apparatus.
[0081]
In the light transmissive film, an image receiving layer is preferably formed on one surface of the substrate, and a functional control means is preferably provided on the surface opposite to the surface on which the image receiving layer is formed.
[0082]
The functionality control means preferably has at least one function selected from functions to control glossiness, light resistance, antibacterial properties, flame retardancy, mold release properties, and chargeability, Specifically, gloss, light resistance, antibacterial properties, flame retardancy, releasability, conductivity, and more preferably moisture resistance, heat resistance, water repellency, abrasion resistance and scratch resistance to the surface of the substrate. It is provided to add and / or improve various functions such as. Thereby, the light transmissive film which has the said functional control means can have tolerance with respect to various use conditions.
[0083]
In each of the above embodiments, the core sheet with an IC memory is prepared by laminating so as to be sandwiched between two light-transmitting films having an image formed on one side, thereby preventing the warp of the plastic sheet. However, for example, when the core sheet with IC memory is thick and warping need not be considered, one light transmissive film (preferably a light transmissive film on the back side of the core sheet) is necessary. May be omitted.
[0084]
In each of the above embodiments, an image is formed on one side of a light-transmitting film and the image surface is laminated so as to face each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a film (for example, a light non-transmitting film) A film may be formed by forming an image on one side and laminating the non-image side facing each other. In this case, the image surface of the film is preferably laminated with a protective film.
[0085]
In any of the above-described embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not construed in a limited manner and can be realized within a range satisfying the requirements of the present invention.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an IC memory capable of manufacturing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory on which a high-resolution image is formed with high productivity by using a conventional electrophotographic apparatus as image forming means without greatly remodeling. An apparatus for manufacturing a filled plastic sheet can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a non-contact communication device in the device for producing a plastic sheet with an IC memory according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a non-contact communication device in a device for producing a plastic sheet with an IC memory according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which visible information indicating a defect is recorded on a plastic sheet containing an IC memory that contains a defective IC memory.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine in a control unit of the non-contact communication apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an IC memory-containing plastic sheet obtained according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 IC memory plastic sheet production equipment
12 Image forming apparatus
14 Collating device
16 Laminating equipment
18 Light transmissive film stacker
19 Non-contact communication device
20 Image forming unit
22 Light transmissive film
24 Transport path
26 Conveyance path
28 Discharge port
34 Core sheet stacker
36 trays
38 Core sheet with IC memory
56 Discharge tray
191 Non-contact image communication unit
196 Visible information recording device

Claims (3)

An image forming unit that forms a fixed image by electrophotography on at least one side of the film;
An IC memory-containing core sheet having an IC memory in which information is stored, a film on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, and a positioning unit that positions a laminated body,
A laminate part for laminating the core sheet containing the IC memory with the film on which the image is formed by pressurizing the laminated body positioned;
An apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory, comprising: a communication unit for writing information in the IC memory. The said communication part exists in the downstream of the said lamination part, The production apparatus of the plastic sheet containing IC memory of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Furthermore, the reading unit reads the information written in the IC memory, and detects a good / bad of the IC memory;
Visible information recording unit that is arranged on the downstream side of the communication unit, and records visible information indicating good / bad of the IC memory on a plastic sheet according to the result of the detection unit,
The apparatus for producing a plastic sheet containing an IC memory according to claim 1.

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