JP2006142536A - Coating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coating apparatus which surely transfers and fixes a transfer layer of a coating sheet to a recording face of a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: A transfer system is provided which catches a recording paper A between the coating sheet B and an auxiliary sheet E and sends the recording paper to between a driving roller 8a and a pressuring roller 8b that constitute a first heating pressure-bonding mechanism. Thus, the transfer layer of the coating sheet B is transferred by the action of heat and pressure to the recording face of the recording paper A. The coating sheet B and the auxiliary sheet E after the transfer are sent to a heat dissipation region Lc to dissipate heat, and then a substrate C of the coating sheet B is released from the recording paper A by a first branching guide 9. A cooling fan 25 is arranged at an upper position of the heat dissipation region Lc, which makes positive heat dissipation carried out in the heat dissipation region Lc of the transfer system. At the same time, a shielding member 27 which covers the heating roller 8b is provided, whereby the phenomenon that a cooling wind from the cooling fan 25 contacts a surface of the pressuring roller 8b is prohibited. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  A cover sheet on which a peelable transfer layer is formed on one surface of a substrate is superposed on the recording surface of the recording medium and supplied to a thermocompression bonding mechanism. In this thermocompression bonding mechanism, the cover sheet is heated by the action of heat and pressure. The transfer layer is transferred to the recording surface of the recording medium, and the base material of the covering sheet is peeled from the recording medium at a downstream peeling processing position in the conveyance direction of the recording medium by the thermocompression bonding mechanism. It relates to a coating apparatus.

  As a technique related to the coating apparatus configured as described above, a transfer sheet (covering sheet of the present invention) is superimposed on an image surface (recording surface of the present invention) of a recorded matter (recording medium of the present invention). Transfer the transferred layer (transfer layer of the present invention) formed on the transfer sheet by applying heat and pressure from a heat roller pair constituting the thermocompression bonding means to the thermocompression bonding means, After this transfer, there is an apparatus for peeling the transfer sheet from the recorded material at the position of the peeling means formed of a roller pair (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this Patent Document 1, the transfer sheet has a structure in which a transfer target layer is formed on a support. After the transfer layer is transferred to a recorded material by a thermocompression bonding means, the temperature decreases and the transfer sheet When the image is firmly fixed on the image surface, a process of peeling the support from the transfer sheet by a peeling means is performed.

  Further, as a technique related to the coating apparatus configured as described above, a laminate material (the coated sheet of the present invention) is stacked on the image forming surface of the recording paper (the recording medium of the present invention), and these are heated by a heating device. Sandwiched by a pair of heated pressure rollers (the thermocompression bonding mechanism of the present invention), and heat and pressure are applied to melt the hot melt adhesive (transfer layer of the present invention) of the laminate material. There is one in which the recording paper is fused and integrated (laminated coating), and after this integration, the base material of the laminate material is peeled off from the recording paper and wound around a roller (for example, see Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 2, a heat sensitive element is installed on the heat radiation surface coating of the heating element of the heating device, and the resistance heating element is controlled by amplifying a change in the resistance value of the heat sensitive element due to a temperature change, so that the heating element A control system to maintain is shown.

JP 2003-300387 A (paragraph numbers [0014] to [0036], FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) JP 58-22479 A (Detailed description of the invention, FIGS. 1 and 3)

  As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, a cover sheet is stacked on a recording medium as in the present invention, and a transfer layer is transferred to the recording medium by the action of heat and pressure from a thermocompression bonding mechanism. When transferring to the recording medium, heat and pressure are sufficiently applied to ensure that the transfer layer is in intimate contact with the recording medium, and after this transfer, the transfer layer (overcoat layer) in intimate contact with the recording medium is sufficient. It is understood that it is important to securely fix the transfer layer to the recording medium by radiating heat.

  However, even if it is indoors, if the environmental temperature is higher than the assumed temperature, the heating and pressure-bonding mechanism can be sufficiently heated, but after the heat-pressure bonding, the recording medium cannot be sufficiently radiated. The covering sheet is peeled off in a state where the transfer layer is not firmly fixed, and the transfer layer in close contact with the recording medium is peeled off from the recording medium together with the covering sheet, and the required coating (coating) may not be obtained. .

  In order to eliminate this inconvenience, it is conceivable to configure the conveyance path to send the coated sheet and the recording medium after processing in the thermocompression bonding mechanism in a superposed state so as to promote heat dissipation. If this is set to be long, it leads to an increase in the size of the entire apparatus, and there is room for improvement.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure a coating apparatus that reliably transfers and fixes a transfer layer of a coating sheet to a recording surface of a recording medium.

A feature of the present invention is that a covering sheet having a peelable transfer layer formed on one surface of a substrate is superposed on a recording surface of a recording medium and supplied to a thermocompression bonding mechanism. The transfer layer of the covering sheet is transferred to the recording surface of the recording medium by the action of the above, and the base material of the covering sheet is removed from the recording medium at a peeling processing position downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium from the thermocompression bonding mechanism. In a coating device configured to perform peeling,
A cooling fan that supplies cooling air to the recording medium conveyance path between the thermocompression bonding mechanism and the peeling processing position is provided, and the cooling air from the cooling fan is prevented from flowing into the thermocompression bonding mechanism. It is in the point provided with the shielding member.

  With this configuration, the recording medium in an overlapped state with the cover sheet is sent to the conveyance path in a state where the transfer layer of the cover sheet is transferred to the recording surface of the recording medium by the action of heat and pressure from the thermocompression bonding mechanism. The cooling air is supplied from the cooling fan in the transport path, so that the recording medium in an overlapped state with the cover sheet can be cooled in the transport path, and the cooling air is supplied to the thermocompression bonding mechanism side. Since the shielding member suppresses the phenomenon of inflow and at the same time, the shielding member suppresses the heat radiation of the thermocompression bonding mechanism, so that the temperature of the thermocompression bonding mechanism is not lowered. As a result, since cooling is performed using a cooling fan, for example, there is no increase in size as in the case of cooling using natural heat dissipation, and despite the fact that the cooling fan is provided. Thus, a coating apparatus that rationally transfers and fixes the transfer layer of the coating sheet to the recording surface of the recording medium without causing a temperature decrease of the thermocompression bonding mechanism has been rationally configured.

  In the present invention, the thermocompression bonding mechanism is configured to include a pressure roller pair disposed opposite to a pressure bonding position, and a heat generation mechanism that applies heat to at least one of the pressure roller pairs, and the shielding member is provided to the cooling fan. You may arrange | position in the position which covers the roller of the adjacent side.

  With this configuration, each of the pressure roller pairs rotates to apply heat and pressure while smoothly feeding the recording medium in an overlapped state with the cover sheet, and on the side of the pressure roller pair on which the cooling fan is disposed. Since the roller is covered with the shielding member, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the roller is removed by the cooling air from the cooling fan.

  According to the present invention, a reheat pressure bonding mechanism is disposed at a position downstream from the separation processing position in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and a sub-flow that suppresses inflow of cooling air from the cooling fan to the reheat pressure bonding mechanism. A shielding member may be provided.

  With this configuration, the transfer layer of the covering sheet is transferred to the recording surface of the recording medium by the action of heat and pressure, and the recording medium is subjected to heat and pressure from the reheating pressure bonding mechanism after the covering sheet is peeled off. By doing so, the transfer layer can be securely fixed to the recording surface of the recording medium without gaps, and the sub-shielding member suppresses the phenomenon of cooling air flowing into the reheating pressure bonding mechanism side, and reheating is performed. The temperature of the crimping mechanism is not lowered.

  In the present invention, the thermocompression bonding mechanism is configured to include a pressure roller pair disposed opposite to a pressure bonding position, and a heat generation mechanism that applies heat to at least one of the pressure roller pairs, and the shielding member is used as the cooling fan. You may arrange | position in the position which covers the roller of the near side.

  With this configuration, heat and pressure are applied while smoothly feeding the recording medium by rotating each of the pressure roller pairs, and the auxiliary shielding member covers the roller on the side where the cooling fan is arranged in the pressure roller pair. The disadvantage that the roller is cooled by the cooling air from the cooling fan can be eliminated.

  The present invention has a path temperature sensor that includes a case portion that accommodates the thermocompression bonding mechanism and the conveyance path that conveys the recording medium superimposed on the cover sheet, and that measures a temperature in the vicinity of the conveyance path. And a fan control means for starting the driving of the cooling fan when the temperature measured by the path temperature sensor exceeds a preset temperature or increasing the driving speed of the driving of the cooling fan. Also good.

  With this configuration, when the temperature measured by the path temperature sensor exceeds a preset temperature, the fan control means starts driving the cooling fan or increases the driving speed, thereby covering the sheet. The recording medium sent to the transport path in a superposed state is actively dissipated, and for example, even when working in a relatively high temperature environment, the transfer layer of the covering sheet can be reliably secured without falling under cooling. It becomes possible to adhere to.

  The present invention includes a ventilation fan that lowers the air temperature inside the case portion, and starts driving the ventilation fan when the temperature measured by the path temperature sensor exceeds the preset temperature. Or you may set the control form of the said fan control means so that the drive speed of the said ventilation fan may be increased.

  With this configuration, when the temperature measured by the path temperature sensor exceeds a preset temperature, the fan control means starts driving the ventilation fan or increases the driving speed. Suppresses the rise in air temperature and promotes active cooling by cooling fans.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a box-shaped case portion is formed by overlapping an upper case 21 so as to be detachable with respect to the lower case 20, and a covering processing unit is accommodated in the case portion to cover the covering device. Is configured.

  This coating apparatus is provided with a supply tray 1 at one end of the case portion and a discharge tray 4 at the other end, and the recording sheet A as the “recording medium” in the present invention has its recording surface facing upward. Is set in the supply tray 1 and supplied to the inside of the case portion along the supply guide 2 in the horizontal direction, so that the coating processing unit conveys the recording paper A along the conveyance path L in the horizontal direction. A transparent coating layer is formed on the recording surface and discharged to the discharge tray 4.

  A transparent resin panel 22 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 21, and a number of air intake holes 22 a are formed in the panel 22, and on the upper surface of the upper case 21 at a position adjacent to the panel 22. A ventilation hole 21a is formed.

  The covering processing unit heats the covering sheet conveying mechanism 6 that conveys the covering sheet B, the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 7 that conveys the auxiliary sheet E, and the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet E that sandwich the recording paper A therebetween. A first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 (an example of a thermocompression bonding mechanism) that applies pressure and pressure, and a first branch guide 9 that peels the base material C of the cover sheet B from the recording paper A (the first branch guide 9 is disposed). The recording sheet A and the auxiliary sheet E after the coating layer F (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is formed by the transfer layer D separated from the substrate C of the coating sheet B. The second heat-pressing mechanism 10 (an example of a reheat pressure-bonding mechanism) that further applies heat and pressure to the second branch guide 11 that separates the auxiliary sheet E from the recording paper A, and the auxiliary sheet E are separated. The discharge of the subsequent recording paper A to the discharge tray 4 Mechanism 3 and is provided. These are supported by the main body frame 12, and the configuration thereof will be described in detail below.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coating sheet B used in the coating apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a base material C and a transfer layer D that can be peeled on one surface. The transfer layer D is a portion that is transferred to the recording surface of the recording paper A to form the coating layer F. The transfer layer D is provided on the base material C, and is formed on the outer side of the protective layer D1 and the protective layer D1 that plays a main role for protecting the recording surface of the recording paper A. And an adhesive layer D2 for adhering to the recording surface of the paper A. Moreover, in order to maintain the coupling | bonding state of the protective layer D1 and the contact bonding layer D2, the anchor layer D3 is provided among these.

  Since the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B becomes a covering layer F for protecting the recording surface of the recording paper A, it has excellent adhesion to the recording paper A, high transparency, hardly discolored by heat and light, It is preferable to have excellent physical and physical barrier properties. As will be described later, when the recording sheet A and the auxiliary sheet E are separated from each other after forming the coating layer F by being transferred onto the recording surface of the recording sheet A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording sheet A. The portion formed on the recording surface of the recording paper A and the portion formed on the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A are made of a material and thickness that can be separated along the vicinity of the edge of the recording paper A. It is preferable. Therefore, it is preferable to use, for example, an acrylic resin, a vinyl acetate resin, or the like for the protective layer D1.

  Further, as will be described later, the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 applies heat and pressure to the cover sheet B and the auxiliary sheet E sandwiching the recording paper A from both sides, so that the adhesive layer D2 has transparency. It is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin such as a polyester-based resin that exhibits adhesive strength when heated. The base material C of the covering sheet B has heat resistance and mechanical strength that can stably maintain the shape under pressure and heating conditions in the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 to be described later, and good peeling from the transfer layer D. It is preferable to have the property. Therefore, for the substrate C, for example, a film of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene naphthalate or the like is preferably used.

  The covering sheet B is a long sheet having a width larger than the width of the recording paper A (the width of the recording paper A having the maximum width in the case of recording paper A having a plurality of types of width). Used. And as the coating sheet B, the thing of the state wound up by the roll shape by making the base material C into the outer side and the transfer layer D into the inner side is used. Thus, the cover sheet B is transported by the cover sheet transport mechanism 6 in a direction in which the transfer layer D faces the auxiliary sheet E.

  The covering sheet conveying mechanism 6 includes a supply holding unit 6a that holds the covering sheet B wound up in a roll shape so that the covering sheet B can be supplied, a free roller 6e that guides the covering sheet B from the supply holding unit 6a, and a first branch. The guide 9 has a base material collecting section 6b that branches off from the conveyance path of the recording paper A and winds and collects the base material C of the covering sheet B after the transfer layer D is peeled off.

  The supply holding unit 6a is supported at both ends by the main body frame 12, and a holding shaft 6c that rotatably holds the cover sheet B wound up in a roll shape, and a torque limiter for limiting the rotation of the holding shaft 6c. And a rotation limiting mechanism 6d using the above. With this structure, the cover sheet B is pulled out by the rotation of a driving roller 8a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 and a pressure roller 8b that is driven by the coating sheet B, which will be described later. Since the rotation of the holding shaft 6c is limited by this, the tension of the covering sheet B from the supply holding unit 6a to the pressure roller 8b of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 can be maintained. The drive roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b constitute the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8, and the drive roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b correspond to the pressure roller pair of the thermocompression bonding mechanism of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base material collecting section 6 b is a winding that is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction in order to wind up and collect the base material C of the covering sheet B peeled off from the recording paper A by the first branch guide 9. A take-up shaft 6f, a take-up shaft drive mechanism 6g for driving the take-up shaft 6f, and a drive limiting mechanism 6h for limiting the driving force transmitted from the take-up shaft drive mechanism 6g to the take-up shaft 6f. Have. Each part of the coating apparatus is driven by transmitting a driving force from a single motor 13 by a plurality of transmission mechanisms such as a plurality of sprockets, chains and gears.

  As the drive limiting mechanism 6h, for example, a structure including a torque limiter between a transmission mechanism such as a gear constituting the take-up shaft drive mechanism 6g and the take-up shaft 6f is used. Here, the rotational speed of the take-up shaft 6f driven by the take-up shaft drive mechanism 6g without being restricted by the drive restriction mechanism 6h is such that the substrate C is taken up by the take-up shaft 6f and the outer periphery of the take-up shaft 6f is rotated. Even when the diameter changes, the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the base material C wound around the winding shaft 6f is set to be faster than the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the drive roller 8a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8. Yes.

  Specifically, the base material C is hardly wound on the winding shaft 6f, and the peripheral speed when the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the base material C is the slowest is the driving roller 8a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8. It is preferable that the speed is equal to or slightly faster than the peripheral speed of the outer periphery. At this time, since the conveying speed V1 of the base material C of the cover sheet B is determined by the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the drive roller 8a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8, the outer periphery of the base material C wound around the winding shaft 6f. The tension of the base material C is maintained by the speed difference from the peripheral speed, and the speed difference is absorbed by being restricted by the drive restriction mechanism 6h so as not to transmit a certain driving force to the winding shaft 6f. The

  The auxiliary sheet E transfers the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B onto the recording surface of the recording sheet A to form the covering layer F, and the auxiliary sheet E is formed on the outer side in the width direction of the recording sheet A or between the recording sheets A. In the portion where the recording paper A does not exist, the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B conveyed oppositely is a sheet to which the recording sheet A is transferred. Therefore, as the material of the auxiliary sheet E, it is preferable to use a material that can easily adhere to the adhesive layer D2 provided on the surface of the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to use a film such as polyethylene terephthalate.

  Further, the auxiliary sheet E is equal to the width of the covering sheet B in order to prevent the transfer layer D from protruding from the side edge of the auxiliary sheet E when transferring the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B. It shall have the above width. As the auxiliary sheet E, a long sheet having a constant width that is slightly wider than the width of the covering sheet B and wound in a roll shape is used. As a result, the entire lower surface (transfer surface) of the cover sheet B faces the upper surface of the auxiliary sheet E, so that the transfer layer D of the cover sheet B is transferred to the drive roller 8 a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8. This can be prevented.

  The auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 7 includes a supply holding unit 7a that holds the auxiliary sheet E wound in a roll shape so that the auxiliary sheet E can be supplied, a free roller 7e that guides the auxiliary sheet E from the supply holding unit 7a, and a second branch. It has a conveyance path for the recording paper A by the guide 11 and a sheet collection section 7b for winding up and collecting the auxiliary sheet E after being branched.

  The supply holding unit 7a is supported at both ends by the main body frame 12, and holds a supporting shaft 7c that rotatably holds the auxiliary sheet E wound in a roll shape, and a torque limiter for limiting the rotation of the holding shaft 7c. And a rotation limiting mechanism 7d using the above. With this structure, the auxiliary sheet E is pulled out by the rotation of the driving roller 8a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 described later and the pressure roller 8b driven by the auxiliary sheet E. At this time, the rotation of the holding shaft 7c is rotated by the rotation limiting mechanism 7d. Therefore, the tension of the auxiliary sheet E from the supply holding unit 7a to the drive roller 8a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 can be maintained.

  The conveyance path of the auxiliary sheet E after joining the conveyance path L of the recording paper A is the same as the conveyance path L of the recording paper A to the branch position by the second branch guide 11 on the downstream side of the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10. It is provided to match. At this time, the auxiliary sheet E is conveyed opposite to the covering sheet B with the recording paper A sandwiched between the auxiliary sheet E and the covering sheet B until the branch position of the conveying path of the covering sheet B by the first branch guide 9. The

  The sheet collecting section 7b drives the winding shaft 7f, and a winding shaft 7f that is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction in order to wind up and collect the auxiliary sheet E peeled from the recording paper A by the second branch guide 11. A take-up shaft drive mechanism 7g, and a drive limiting mechanism 7h for limiting the driving force transmitted from the take-up shaft drive mechanism 7g to the take-up shaft 7f. As shown in FIG. 2, the take-up shaft drive mechanism 7g includes a motor 13 that drives the entire covering device, and a plurality of sprockets, chains, and a plurality of sprockets that transmit the driving force of the motor 13 to the take-up shaft 7f. A transmission mechanism such as a gear is used.

  As the drive limiting mechanism 7h, for example, a configuration including a torque limiter between a transmission mechanism such as a gear constituting the winding shaft driving mechanism 7g and the winding shaft 7f is preferably used. Here, the rotational speed of the take-up shaft 7f driven by the take-up shaft drive mechanism 7g without being restricted by the drive restriction mechanism 7h is obtained by winding the auxiliary sheet E around the take-up shaft 7f. Even when the diameter of the outer periphery changes, the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the auxiliary sheet E wound around the winding shaft 7f becomes faster than the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the drive roller 10a of the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10. Is set.

  Specifically, the auxiliary sheet E is hardly wound on the winding shaft 7f, and the peripheral speed when the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the auxiliary sheet E is the slowest is the driving roller 10a of the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10. It is preferable that the speed is equal to or slightly faster than the peripheral speed of the outer periphery. At this time, the conveying speed V1 of the auxiliary sheet E is determined by the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the drive roller 10a of the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10 and the drive roller 8a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 that rotates at the same speed. The tension of the auxiliary sheet E is maintained by the speed difference from the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the auxiliary sheet E wound around the shaft 7f, and the speed difference is applied to the winding shaft 7f by the drive limiting mechanism 7h. It is absorbed by being restricted not to transmit.

  The recording sheet A is interposed between the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet E conveyed opposite to each other by the covering sheet conveying mechanism 6 and the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 7 as described above via the supply tray 1 and the supply guide 2. The recording paper A, the covering sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet E are supplied and pressed from both sides by the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 in a state of being overlaid.

  The first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 includes a driving roller 8a that is rotationally driven in the conveying direction of the recording paper A, the covering sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet E, a roller driving mechanism 8c that rotationally drives the driving roller 8a, and a driving roller 8a. And a pressure roller 8b that is in contact with the drive roller 8a in a pressurized state and that is rotated by the rotation of the drive roller 8a, and the pressure roller 8b is applied to the drive roller 8a side. And a thermocompression bonding mechanism 8d for pressing. The driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b constitute a pressure roller pair of the heat pressure bonding mechanism of the present invention.

  Both the drive roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b cover the surface of a hollow metal roller with an elastic member such as silicon rubber. As will be described later, the thickness of the elastic member does not impair the heat conductivity from the heater (an example of the heat generating mechanism of the present invention) provided inside the metal roller, and the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b. It is preferable that the recording paper A, the covering sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet E that are conveyed between the two have a thickness that has sufficient elasticity to sufficiently press-fit, for example, about 1 mm in the case of silicon rubber. It is preferable that the thickness is about a certain level.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roller driving mechanism 8c includes a motor 13 that drives the entire coating apparatus and a transmission mechanism such as a plurality of sprockets, chains, and gears that transmits the driving force of the motor 13 to the driving roller 8a. It is comprised by. The thermocompression bonding mechanism 8d includes a holding member 8e that holds both ends of the rotation shaft of the pressure roller 8b so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, and an elastic member such as a spring that urges the holding member 8e downward. And an urging member 8f. The pressure applied by the thermocompression bonding mechanism 8d is set so that the pressure at the nip portion between the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b is about 8 to 12 kg / cm ² .

  Heaters 8g (an example of a heat generating mechanism of the present invention) are provided inside the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8, and the recording paper A, the covering sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet E are provided. Are heated while being pressurized. A halogen lamp serving as the heater 8g is disposed at each shaft center of the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b. The heating temperature by the heater 8g is set so as to be about 90 to 110 ° C. for the pressure roller 8b and about 50 to 70 ° C. for the driving roller 8a.

  Therefore, in the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8, the recording paper A, the covering sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet E are pressed and heated from both sides while being conveyed in a laminated state between the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b. It has a configuration. By this heating and pressurization, the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B adheres to the recording surface of the recording sheet A sandwiched between the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet E and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording sheet A. Is done. That is, the adhesive layer D2 constituting the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B is activated by heating, and is further pressed by the pressure of the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8. As a result, the transfer layer D is adhered to the recording surface of the recording paper A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A. Then, the base material C of the covering sheet B is peeled off from the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E in the first branch guide 9 described later, and transferred to the recording surface of the recording paper A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A. Layer D is transferred.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first branch guide 9 is configured by a member that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording paper A on the conveyance path L of the recording paper A, and below the recording paper A The first guide surface 9a is formed so as to be substantially parallel to the transport path L of the recording paper A, and is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording paper A so as to extend upward at an acute angle with respect to the first guide surface 9a. A second guide surface 9b is formed. Then, the base material C of the covering sheet B is peeled from the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E at the edge 9c where the first guide surface 9a and the second guide surface 9b are in contact with each other. It is conveyed along the guide surface 9b and is wound up and collected by the substrate collecting unit 6b. As a result, the coating layer F is formed on the recording surface of the recording paper A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A. The first branch guide 9 is separated from the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 by a distance such that the adhesive layer D2 of the covering sheet B activated by heating by the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 is cooled and exhibits a sufficient adhesive force. Formed in between.

  The second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10 is opposed to the driving roller 10a that is rotationally driven in the conveyance direction of the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E, the roller driving mechanism 10c that rotationally drives the driving roller 10a, and the driving roller 10a. A pressure roller 10b that is provided in contact with the drive roller 10a in a pressurized state and that is rotated by the rotation of the drive roller 10a, and a thermocompression bonding mechanism that pressurizes the pressure roller 10b toward the drive roller 10a. 10d. The driving roller 10a and the pressure roller 10b constitute a pressure roller pair of the reheat pressure bonding mechanism of the present invention.

  Both the drive roller 10a and the pressure roller 10b cover the surface of a hollow metal roller with an elastic member such as silicon rubber. The thickness of this elastic member does not impair the heat conductivity from the heater (an example of the heat generating mechanism of the present invention) provided inside the metal roller, as will be described later, and the driving roller 10a and the pressure roller It is preferable that the recording sheet A and the auxiliary sheet E, on which the coating layer F conveyed between 10b is formed, have a thickness that has sufficient elasticity to be able to be sufficiently pressed, for example, in the case of silicon rubber If so, a thickness of about 1 mm is preferable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roller driving mechanism 10c includes a motor 13 that drives the entire coating apparatus, and a transmission mechanism such as a plurality of sprockets, chains, and gears that transmits the driving force of the motor 13 to the driving roller 10a. It is comprised by. This transmission mechanism is set so that the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the drive roller 8a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 and the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the drive roller 10a of the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10 are substantially the same. The thermocompression bonding mechanism 10d includes a holding member 10e that holds both end portions of the rotation shaft of the pressure roller 10b so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, and an elastic member such as a spring that biases the holding member 10e downward. And an urging member 10f. The pressure applied by the thermocompression bonding mechanism 10d is set so that the pressure at the nip portion between the driving roller 10a and the pressure roller 10b is about 3 to 7 kg / cm ² .

  Further, a heater 10g (an example of the heat generating mechanism of the present invention) is provided inside the pressure roller 10b of the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10, and the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E on which the coating layer F is formed, It is the structure heated while pressing. As the heater 10g, a halogen lamp is disposed at the axial center of the pressure roller 10b. The heating temperature by the heater 10g is set to be about 80 to 100 ° C. as the surface temperature of the pressure roller 10b.

  Accordingly, the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10 has a configuration in which the recording paper A on which the coating layer F is formed and the auxiliary sheet E are pressurized from both sides while being conveyed and heated from the surface on the coating layer F side. By this heating and pressurization, the coating layer F formed on the recording surface of the recording paper A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A is pressed and firmly bonded without any gap.

  The second branch guide 11 is a guide member that is provided on the downstream side of the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10 in the transport path L of the recording paper A, and branches the transport path L of the recording paper A and the transport path of the auxiliary sheet E. is there. As shown in FIG. 3, the second branch guide 11 is configured by a member extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper A on the conveyance path L of the recording paper A, and below the recording paper A, A first guide surface 11a is formed substantially parallel to the transport path L, and is provided on the downstream side of the recording paper A in the transport direction so as to extend downward at an acute angle with respect to the first guide surface 11a. A second guide surface 11b is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the auxiliary sheet E is peeled off from the recording paper A at the edge 11c where the first guide surface 11a and the second guide surface 11b are in contact with each other. The sheet is conveyed along the second guide surface 11b and is wound and collected by the sheet collecting unit 7b. At this time, the recording sheet A advances straight in the horizontal direction along the conveyance path L, while the auxiliary sheet E is bent and conveyed downward along the second guide surface 11 b of the second branch guide 11. Therefore, the coating layer F formed on the recording surface of the recording paper A and the coating layer F formed on the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A are separated from each other. The coating layer F formed on the surface and the coating layer F formed on the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A are cut and separated along the vicinity of the edge of the recording paper A.

  The discharge mechanism 3 is provided on the downstream side of the second branch guide 11 in the transport path L of the recording paper A, and discharges the recording paper A after the auxiliary sheet E is separated in the second branch guide 11 to the discharge tray 4. This is a transport mechanism for the recording paper A. The discharge mechanism 3 is provided so as to face the drive roller 3a, a drive roller 3a that is rotationally driven in the conveyance direction of the recording paper A, a roller drive mechanism 3c that rotationally drives the drive roller 3a, and the drive roller 3a. The pressure roller 3b is in contact with the pressure roller 3a in a pressurized state and is rotated by the rotation of the drive roller 3a, and a thermocompression bonding mechanism 3d that pressurizes the pressure roller 3b toward the drive roller 3a. .

  The roller driving mechanism 3c includes the motor 13 that drives the entire coating apparatus, and a transmission mechanism such as a plurality of sprockets, chains, and gears that transmits the driving force of the motor 13 to the driving roller 3a. . Here, in the transmission mechanism, the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the driving roller 3 a of the discharge mechanism 3 is higher than the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the driving roller 10 a of the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10 and the driving roller 8 a of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8. It is set to be faster. Specifically, the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the driving roller 3a of the discharge mechanism 3 is about 0.2 to 30%, more preferably relative to the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the driving roller 10a of the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10. It is preferable that the speed is set to be about 0.5 to 20%, more preferably about 1 to 10%, and in this embodiment, the speed is set to be about 5%.

  From such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, a force for conveying the auxiliary sheet E and the separated recording paper A at a conveyance speed V2 faster than the conveyance speed V1 of the auxiliary sheet E is applied. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, when the vicinity of the rear end of the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E are separated, the recording paper A is separated from the auxiliary sheet E by the conveying force of the discharge mechanism 3, so that the recording The transport force of the discharge mechanism 3 includes the coating layer F formed on the recording surface of the paper A and the coating layer F formed on the surface of the auxiliary sheet E behind the recording layer A in the transport direction. Can be separated. Therefore, after the recording paper A is separated from the auxiliary sheet E, it is possible to prevent the extra coating layer F from remaining behind the recording paper A.

  The thermocompression bonding mechanism 3d includes a biasing member 3f configured by an elastic member such as a spring that biases both ends of the rotation shaft of the pressure roller 3b downward. The pressure applied by the thermocompression bonding mechanism 3d is such that the driving roller 3a slides against the back surface of the recording paper A until the vicinity of the rear end of the recording paper A is separated from the auxiliary sheet E. After the vicinity of the edge is separated from the auxiliary sheet E, it is preferable that the pressure is such that the driving roller 3a and the recording paper A are conveyed without slipping. In other words, the force in the transport direction applied to the recording paper A can be limited by adjusting the pressure applied by the thermocompression bonding mechanism 3d. Therefore, it is desirable that the thermocompression bonding mechanism 3d has a configuration in which the pressing force can be finely adjusted by making it possible to adjust the attachment position of the urging member 3f. As a result, the position where the recording sheet A and the auxiliary sheet E separate is too upstream with respect to the branching position between the conveyance path L of the recording sheet A and the conveyance path L of the auxiliary sheet E by the second branch guide 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent the quality of the recording paper A after coating from being reduced due to excessive force acting on the coating layer F.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a thermocouple type roller that is in contact with a region on an end portion side where the auxiliary sheet E and the covering sheet B do not contact among the outer peripheral surfaces of the driving roller 8 a and the pressure roller 8 b. Temperature sensors Sa and Sb are provided, and similarly, a thermocouple type roller temperature sensor Sc that is in contact with a region of the outer peripheral surface of the pressure roller 10b that is not in contact with the auxiliary sheet E is provided. Furthermore, a path temperature sensor Se using an infrared sensing element or the like is provided so as to measure the surface temperature of the covering sheet B from the radiant heat from the covering sheet B sent to the heat radiation area Lc. This path temperature sensor Se may measure the air temperature in the vicinity of the transport path L.

  Further, the conveyance path L between the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8 and the first branch guide 9 (peeling processing position) arranged on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper A (conveyance direction of the covering sheet B). A heat radiation area Lc is formed in the heat radiation area Lc, and a pair of cooling fans 25 for supplying cooling air to the heat radiation area Lc are disposed above the heat radiation area Lc. Further, a ventilation fan 26 is provided above the second thermocompression bonding mechanism 10 to send out air inside the case portion. The cooling fan 25 functions to supply outside air sucked from a large number of intake holes 22a drilled in the panel 22 to the heat radiation area Lc, and the ventilation fan 26 is ventilated holes 21a drilled in the upper case 21. It functions to send out the air in the case part to the outside via.

  Even when the coating device is moved in a high-temperature environment, the cooling fan 25 uses the temperature of the recording paper A sandwiched between the coating sheet B and the auxiliary sheet E in the heat dissipation area Lc as the transfer layer of the recording paper A. A material having a cooling performance that can be surely lowered to a temperature required for adhesion to the recording surface is used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a shielding member 27 having a shape covering the upper side and the side of the pressure roller 8b, and a sub shielding member 28 having a shape covering the pressure roller 10b and the upper side and the side are provided. The shielding member 27 suppresses the cooling air from the cooling fan 25 from flowing into the pressure roller 8b, thereby preventing the temperature of the pressure roller 8b from decreasing and at the same time suppressing the heat radiation of the pressure roller 8b. In addition, the sub-shielding member 28 suppresses the cooling air from the cooling fan 25 from flowing into the pressure roller 10b and at the same time suppresses the heat radiation of the pressure roller 10b, thereby reducing the temperature drop of the pressure roller 10b. It works to stop.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the coating apparatus includes a control unit 30 incorporating a microprocessor (CPU). The control unit 30 includes an input / output interface 31. The temperature measured from each of the roller temperature sensors Sa, Sb, Sc and the path temperature sensor Se is input to the input / output interface 31 by an A / D converter 32. A digital signal is input and a control signal is output to each of the PWM circuits 33 that control electric power supplied to the three heaters 8g, 8g, and 10g, and the pair of cooling fans 25 and ventilation fans 26 are output. A signal system for outputting a control signal to the rotation control circuit 34 for controlling the rotation speed of the motor 13 is provided. The PWM circuit 33 operates to adjust the duty ratio of power supplied to the three heaters 8g, 8g, and 10g, and the rotation control circuit 34 includes the cooling fan 25, the ventilation fan 26, It operates so as to adjust each driving speed (rotational speed within a unit time) by adjusting the power supplied to the motor 13 or by adjusting the period of the driving signal.

  The microprocessor (CPU) controls a semiconductor memory (RAM / ROM) that stores data, a main control unit 36 that manages the control operation of the entire coating apparatus, and a conveyance speed of the coating sheet B and the auxiliary sheet E. Conveyance control means 37, roller temperature control means 38 for controlling the temperature of each of the driving roller 8a, pressure roller 8b, and pressure roller 10b, and fan control means for controlling the rotational speed of the pair of cooling fan 25 and ventilation fan 26 39 can be accessed via a data bus. It is assumed that the main control unit 36, the conveyance control unit 37, the roller temperature control unit 38, and the fan control unit 39 are configured by software, but may be configured by hardware such as logic. And a combination of hardware and hardware.

  Incidentally, this control unit 30 requires a control bus, an address bus, etc. in addition to a data bus in order to realize control, but for the purpose of avoiding complexity, the drawing shows a control bus, an address bus, or Interfaces are not shown.

  The main control unit 36 manages the entire coating apparatus through the conveyance control unit 37, roller temperature control unit 38, and fan control unit 39, and includes a drive roller 8a, a pressure roller 8b, The outline of the temperature management by each of the pressure rollers 10b and each of the cooling fan 25 and the ventilation fan 26 can be expressed as a flowchart of FIG.

  That is, at the time of temperature management control, at initialization at the start of control, Tmax as the upper limit temperature is set to 30 ° C. for fan control, Tmin is set to 15 ° C. as the lower limit temperature, and Tx as the target temperature is 25 Set Ta and Tb to set the dead zone region with reference to the target temperature Tx, and set Tx as the target temperature for roller temperature control to 60 ° C, 100 ° C, and 90 ° C. Set (temperatures corresponding to the driving roller 8a, the pressure roller 8b, and the pressure roller 10b), and set Ta and Tb for setting a dead zone region based on the target temperature Tx (step # 01).

  Next, the processes of the fan control routine (# 100 step) and the roller temperature control routine (# 200 step) are continued until reset (# 02 step).

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the fan control routine (# 100 step) acquires the temperature (Ts) measured by the path temperature sensor Se arranged in the vicinity of the heat radiation area Lc, and this temperature (Ts). The control parameters are set based on the above, and the control corresponding to the control parameters set in this way is executed (steps # 101 to # 103). In the step # 103, the control mode is set so that the cooling fan 25 and the ventilation fan 26 are controlled in synchronization with a proportional rotational speed.

  More specifically, in step # 102, when the temperature (Ts) is lower than Tmin (Ts <Tmin), a control parameter for stopping the cooling fan 25 and the ventilation fan 26 is set because it is supercooling. When the temperature (Ts) is higher than Tmin but lower than the dead zone (Tmin ≦ Ts <Tb), it is necessary to suppress the cooling, so the rotational speed proportional to the temperature difference (Tx−Ts) is set. Set the control parameter to appear, and if the temperature (Ts) is in the dead zone (Tb ≦ Ts ≦ Ta), set the control parameter to maintain the rotation speed because the optimum temperature for the transfer is maintained, When the temperature (Ts) is lower than Tmax but higher than the dead zone (Ta <Ts ≦ Tmax), it is necessary to promote cooling, and therefore, it is proportional to the temperature difference (Tx−Ts). A control parameter for expressing the rotational speed is set, and when the temperature (Ts) is higher than Tmax (Tmax <Ts), rapid cooling is necessary, and therefore, the control for realizing the maximum rotational speed is performed. Set the parameters.

  In this control mode, the control mode is set to stop the cooling fan 25 and the ventilation fan 26 only when the temperature (Ts) measured by the path temperature sensor Se is lower than a preset temperature. When the temperature is suitable for the transfer, the cooling fan 25 and the ventilation fan 26 are stopped, and the cooling fan 25 and the ventilation fan 26 are driven only when the temperature suitable for the transfer is exceeded. Can be set. In particular, in the present invention, only the ventilation fan 26 is always rotated, and when the temperature of the heat radiation area Lc is controlled, the processing mode may be set so that only the cooling fan 25 is controlled. Is possible. In the present invention, as described above, proportional control for setting a rotation speed proportional to the temperature difference (Tx−Ts: deviation) is assumed. However, the integrated value within the unit time of the deviation, and the deviation The control mode may be set so that PID control is performed based on the differential value within the unit time.

  In the roller temperature control routine (step # 200), as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the temperature (Ts) measured by the roller temperature sensors Sa, Sb, and Sc is acquired, and control is performed based on this temperature (Ts). Parameters are set, and control corresponding to the control parameters set in this way is executed (steps # 201 to # 203).

  More specifically, the process of step # 202 is performed independently for each of the drive roller 8a, the pressure roller 8b, and the pressure roller 10b, and includes the drive roller 8a, the pressure roller 8b, When the temperature (Ts) measured by the roller temperature sensors Sa, Sb, Sc corresponding to the pressure roller 10b is lower than the dead zone (Ts <Tb), it is necessary to increase the temperature, so the temperature difference (Tx− A control parameter corresponding to a power value proportional to (Ts) is set, and when the temperature (Ts) is in the dead zone (Tb ≦ Ts ≦ Ta), the current temperature is maintained because the optimum temperature is maintained. When the control parameter is set and the temperature (Ts) is higher than the dead zone (Ta <Ts), it is necessary to lower the temperature, so the control parameter corresponding to the power value proportional to the temperature difference (Tx−Ts) is required. It is to set the over data.

  In the present invention, as described above, proportional control for setting a power value proportional to the temperature difference (Tx−Ts: deviation) is assumed. However, the integral value within the unit time of the deviation and the deviation The control mode may be set so that PID control is performed based on the differential value within the unit time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by providing the cooling fan 25, the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B is transferred to the recording paper A by the action of heat and pressure at the site of the first thermocompression bonding mechanism 8. Since the cooling air from the cooling fan 25 is supplied to the recording paper A conveyed to the heat radiation area Lc of the conveyance path L in a state of being superimposed on the covering sheet B, the heat transfer is performed actively. Can be peeled off from the cooling fan 25 to the pressure roller 8b, and the substrate C can be peeled off by the first branch guide 9 in a state where the toner is securely fixed to the recording paper A. Since the member 27 blocks, the temperature drop of the pressure roller 8b can be suppressed so as not to be insufficiently heated. Further, since the auxiliary shielding member 28 prevents the cooling air from flowing from the cooling fan 25 to the pressure roller 8b, the temperature drop of the pressure roller 8b is suppressed and the reliable transfer layer D is securely fixed. I have to.

[Another embodiment]
In addition to the above-described embodiment, the present invention may be configured as follows (in this another embodiment, components having the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same numbers and symbols as in the embodiment). is doing).

(A) As a thermocompression bonding mechanism, a pair of heating plates arranged at positions where a covering sheet and recording paper (recording medium) are sandwiched without using a roller, or a plate-like heating body on one side and the other It is possible to use a roller-shaped heating element. Moreover, you may use the thing of the structure which generate | occur | produces a Joule heat by electricity supply like a nichrome wire as a heat_generation | fever mechanism.

(B) A cooling fan that supplies cooling air to the recording surface (front surface) side of the recording paper (recording medium) is optimal, but supplies cooling air to the back side of the recording paper. Alternatively, it may be arranged on both sides of the conveyance path so as to supply cooling air to both the front and back surfaces. And when a cooling fan is arrange | positioned in this way, it becomes ideal to arrange | position a shielding member in the form which covers the thermocompression bonding mechanism of the side into which the cooling air from this cooling fan flows.

(C) At the time of control for stopping the cooling fan 25, or when the cooling fan 25 is driven at the maximum speed, an alarm lamp for making the operator recognize that the heating temperature is out of the proper temperature is turned on. Alternatively, the control mode may be set so as to generate an alarm sound.

(D) It is also possible to provide a cooling means for lowering the temperature inside the case when the internal temperature of the case part exceeds a temperature assumed in advance.

A perspective view showing the entire coating apparatus Perspective view of coating device unit Longitudinal front view of coating equipment Schematic sectional view showing the structure of the cover sheet Expanded cross section near the first branch guide The perspective view which shows typically the state at the time of a recording paper peeling from an auxiliary sheet in a 2nd branch guide The perspective view which shows typically the state immediately after the recording paper peeled from the auxiliary sheet in the 2nd branch guide. Block diagram of control system Flow chart of temperature management process Flow chart of fan control routine Roller temperature control routine flowchart

Explanation of symbols

8 Heating and pressing mechanism 8a, 8b Pressure roller pair 8g Heat generation mechanism 10 Reheating pressure bonding mechanism 10a, 10b Pressure roller pair 10g Heating mechanism 25 Cooling fan 26 Ventilation fan 27 Shielding member 28 Sub-shielding member 39 Fan control means A Recording medium B Cover sheet L Transport path Se Path temperature sensor

Claims (6)

A cover sheet on which a peelable transfer layer is formed on one surface of a substrate is superposed on the recording surface of the recording medium and supplied to a thermocompression bonding mechanism. In this thermocompression bonding mechanism, the cover sheet is heated by the action of heat and pressure. The transfer layer is transferred to the recording surface of the recording medium, and the base material of the covering sheet is peeled from the recording medium at a downstream peeling processing position in the conveyance direction of the recording medium by the thermocompression bonding mechanism. A coating device comprising:
A cooling fan that supplies cooling air to the recording medium conveyance path between the thermocompression bonding mechanism and the peeling processing position is provided, and the cooling air from the cooling fan is prevented from flowing into the thermocompression bonding mechanism. A coating apparatus comprising a shielding member.   The thermocompression bonding mechanism includes a pressure roller pair disposed opposite to a pressure bonding position, and a heat generation mechanism that applies heat to at least one of the pressure roller pairs, and the shielding member is disposed on the side close to the cooling fan. The coating apparatus of Claim 1 arrange | positioned in the position which covers a roller.   A reheat pressure bonding mechanism is disposed at a position downstream from the peeling processing position in the recording medium conveyance direction, and a sub-shielding member is provided for suppressing the inflow of cooling air from the cooling fan to the reheat pressure bonding mechanism. The coating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The reheat pressure-bonding mechanism includes a pair of pressure-bonding rollers arranged opposite to each other and a heat generation mechanism that applies heat to at least one of the pressure-bonding roller pairs, and the roller on the side where the sub-shielding member is close to the cooling fan The coating apparatus of Claim 3 arrange | positioned in the position which covers.   A path temperature sensor that measures the temperature in the vicinity of the transport path and includes a case portion that houses the thermocompression bonding mechanism and the transport path that transports the recording medium superimposed on the cover sheet. The fan control means which starts the drive of the said cooling fan when the temperature measured with the temperature sensor exceeds preset temperature, or increases the drive speed of the drive of the said cooling fan is provided. The coating apparatus of any one of -4.   A ventilation fan that lowers the air temperature inside the case portion, and starts driving the ventilation fan when the temperature measured by the path temperature sensor exceeds the preset temperature; or 6. The coating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a control form of the fan control means is set so as to increase a driving speed of the fan.

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