JP2006143351A - Film splicing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve safety in preparation work, and improve operation efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: This film splicing unit 3 is composed to pull a film F from a reel R of a film cartridge 12 set on a supply part P1 to be fed to a laminating device 1, and as its residual quantity is reduced, a film F is pulled from the film cartridge 12 set on a stand-by part P2 to be spliced to the preceding film Fa. On the film cartridge 12, a film presser unit 24 is provided, and as a tip of the subsequent film is pulled from the reel R to be temporarily locked by the film presser unit 24, a tip of the film is held by an air chuck 46 of a film pulling device 15, so that the subsequent film Fb is pulled to a prescribed splicing work height position when the film is spliced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a film joining apparatus for joining a film which is used for packaging or the like while drawing a strip-like film wound around a reel, and waiting separately when the remaining amount is reduced to the currently drawn film.

Conventionally, when a reel around which a belt-shaped film is wound is supported, and the film is drawn out from the reel and fed to a packaging machine or the like, when the remaining amount of the reel decreases, the film drawn out from the reel that is waiting separately Generally, a film bonding apparatus is known in which a film can be continuously supplied by superimposing the tip of the film on a preceding film and heat-sealing (Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-51853

  In this type of apparatus, prior to the film bonding operation, the leading edge of the subsequent film needs to be drawn and arranged in advance to the bonding operation position where the heat fusion apparatus is disposed.

  With respect to this point, in the conventional apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the operator draws the subsequent film from the reel, passes it over a number of guide rollers, and further blows air onto the film tip while operating a manual air valve. The tip is configured to be fed between a pair of sealers (heating and fusing device), and there are the following problems. That is, there are many opportunities for the operator to access the inside of the apparatus, and it is difficult to say that it is preferable for ensuring the safety of work. Further, while the apparatus is stopped during the preparation of the subsequent film, the conventional apparatus in which the preceding film needs to be routed around a large number of guide rollers requires a long stop time, which is one cause of a decrease in operating efficiency. . In addition, since the leading edge of the subsequent film fed between the sealers (heating and fusing device) is in a free state, there is a risk that the leading edge portion may be bent or wrinkled, leading to poor bonding.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to reliably and appropriately perform the operation of joining the preceding film and the succeeding film, while improving the safety of the preparation work and increasing the operation efficiency. It aims at providing the film bonding apparatus which can be performed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a film bonding apparatus according to the present invention bonds a support part that supports a pair of reels around which a film is wound, and films that are drawn from the reels supported by the respective support parts. With respect to the preceding film that is drawn from one side and fed out of each of the supporting portions, in the same direction as the preceding film from the supporting portion on the other side, and substantially the same as the preceding film In a film joining apparatus for superimposing subsequent films drawn in parallel and joining the two films by the joining means, a film drawing means having a chuck capable of holding the film and a moving mechanism for moving the chuck is provided. The drawing means holds the leading end portion of the succeeding film by the chuck, and the chuck moves to move the support in this state. Those that are configured to move to the joining work position by said joining means to the joint to the preceding films of subsequent film pulled out while the subsequent film from (claim 1).

  According to this film bonding apparatus, when the reel is set on the support portion and the leading end of the subsequent film is held by the chuck, the subsequent film is pulled out to a predetermined bonding operation position as the chuck moves. Therefore, the operator only needs to perform a simple operation of preparing the subsequent film by setting a reel on the support portion and pulling out the leading end of the film and holding it on the chuck.

  In this apparatus, a temporary fixing means for temporarily fixing a leading end portion of the subsequent film drawn out from the reel is provided in a support portion on the side where the subsequent film is drawn out of the support portions, and the drawing means is attached to the temporary fixing means. It is preferable that the leading end portion of the subsequent film that is temporarily fixed is held by the chuck and is removed from the temporary fixing means, and then the subsequent film is pulled out from the support portion.

  According to this configuration, if the leading end of the subsequent film is temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing means, the chuck holds the leading end portion of the subsequent film and pulls out the film from the support portion. Therefore, the operator can proceed with the preparation of the subsequent film without being trapped by the operation position of the chuck.

  Further, in the above apparatus, an adsorption portion that holds the subsequent film drawn from the support portion by the drawing means by negative pressure adsorption from a side opposite to the preceding film side, and a moving mechanism that moves the adsorption portion. The adsorbing / holding means includes the adsorbing / holding means, and the adhering / holding means adsorbs and holds the succeeding film by the adsorbing portion when the film is bonded by the bonding means, and the adsorbing portion moves in this state to move the succeeding film. More preferably, it is configured to be superposed on the preceding film.

  It is convenient to draw the subsequent film to a position closer to the preceding film in order to join both films. However, when the drawing means as described above is provided, it may be difficult to draw the following film in a state where the succeeding film is brought close to the preceding film due to the movement mechanism. In this respect, according to the above configuration, even when the drawn-out subsequent film and the preceding film are separated from each other, the drawn-out subsequent film is sucked and held by the sucking and holding means when the two films are joined. Thus, the films can be brought close to each other, so that the two films can be appropriately and reliably overlapped to join each other.

  Moreover, in the said apparatus, it is preferable to be comprised so that a film may be pulled out from the said pair of support part to an up-down direction, respectively (Claim 4).

  According to such a configuration, when the subsequent film is pulled out, tension is applied in the longitudinal direction of the film due to its own weight, so that it is possible to pull out the subsequent film satisfactorily without bending or wrinkling.

  Further, the chuck of the drawing means preferably has a pair of parallel claws, and is configured to hold the subsequent film by sandwiching the subsequent film in the thickness direction with the parallel claws. ).

  According to this configuration, the film can be pulled out with the leading end portion of the subsequent film securely held without wrinkles or the like.

  The film bonding apparatus includes a film cartridge integrally including a reel support shaft for supporting the reel and the temporary fixing means, and the film cartridge is provided detachably with respect to the support portion. (Claim 6).

  In this configuration, when the film cartridge is mounted on the support portion, the reel support shaft and the temporary fixing means for supporting the above are provided on the support portion. Therefore, if a reel is mounted on the reel support shaft and a film cartridge in which the leading end of the film is temporarily fixed by a temporary fixing means is prepared in advance outside the apparatus, the cartridge can be replaced if the reel needs to be replaced. It is possible to proceed with the reel replacement work quickly only by exchanging the whole.

  In this case, the reel is mounted on the reel support shaft, and the cartridge storage unit for storing the unused film cartridge in a state in which the leading end portion of the film is pulled out and temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing means, and mounted on the support unit And a replacement means for replacing a used film cartridge in a state where the remaining amount of the film is reduced to a certain amount or less with an unused film cartridge stored in the cartridge storage section. ).

  According to this structure, it becomes possible to automate the replacement work of the film cartridge.

  According to the film bonding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, as a preparatory work for the subsequent film, the operator sets a reel on the support portion and slightly pulls out the film front end from the reel and holds it on the chuck, or by temporary fixing means. All you need to do is to do a simple task. Therefore, the opportunity for the operator to access the inside of the apparatus is greatly reduced, and the preparation work for the subsequent film can be performed more safely. In addition, the time to stop the device for the preparation of the subsequent film can be shortened, or the preparation of the subsequent film can be advanced without stopping the device at all. Will be able to.

  A film bonding apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of a film sticking apparatus to which the film bonding apparatus of the present invention is applied. The film sticking apparatus shown in this figure is an apparatus for laminating a film in which a product name or the like is printed on an aluminum can for alcoholic beverages or soft drinks. It consists of and.

  The laminating apparatus 1 is a strip-shaped laminating film F (hereinafter abbreviated as film F) fed from the laminating film supply apparatus 2, specifically, a product name or the like is continuously printed, and the back surface is heated. The film F on which a plastic adhesive layer is formed is wound around a can and pasted. That is, the laminating apparatus 1 has a cutting mechanism that cuts the film F by a fixed size for each can, a pasting mechanism, and a heating mechanism for a can that is a workpiece, although not specifically shown. The film is pasted on the surface of the can by synchronizing the cut film and the can and supplying them to the pasting mechanism.

  The laminate film supply device 2 supports a reel R around which the film F is wound, and supplies the laminate F 1 to the laminate device 1 while pulling out the film F from the reel R.

  The laminate film supply device 2 is provided with a film bonding unit 3 and a reel replacement unit 4. During operation of the film sticking apparatus, as shown in the figure, two reels R are supported by the film joining unit 3 and fed to the laminating apparatus 1 while the film F is drawn substantially vertically upward from the reel R on one side. However, if the remaining amount of the reel R decreases, the film F is pulled out from the other reel R that is waiting and joined to the preceding film F, and the used reel R is unused by the reel replacement unit 4. Thus, the film F can be continuously fed to the laminating apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the film bonding unit 3 and the reel replacement unit 4 correspond to the film bonding apparatus of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the structure of this film joining unit 3 and the film exchange unit 4 is demonstrated using FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustrating the configuration of the film bonding unit 3, and FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating the configurations of the film bonding unit 3 and the reel replacement unit 4. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the X axis and the Y axis are displayed to clarify the directionality. The X axis is the direction in which the laminating apparatus 1 and the laminated film supply apparatus 2 are arranged as shown in FIG. 1, and the Y axis is the direction orthogonal to the X axis on the horizontal plane (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIGS. 1 and 2). It is.

  The film joining unit 3 has a frame main body (not shown) provided in a bowl shape on the base, a film cartridge 12 (illustrated only in FIG. 2) for supporting the reel R, and a film on the frame main body. First to third unit units 11A to 11C (referred to as first unit 11A, second unit 11B, and third unit 11C) for joining F are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the film cartridge 12 has a substantially square base 20, and a horizontally extending Y-axis film reel shaft 22 (a reel of the present invention) is supported on a support plate 21 erected on the base 20. Corresponding to a support shaft; hereinafter abbreviated as shaft 22). The reel 22 is detachably supported by the shaft 22.

  On the support plate 21, three guide rollers 23 a to 23 c for guiding the film F drawn from the reel R are provided above the shaft 22. Of these guide rollers 23a to 23c, the lower two guide rollers 23a and 23b are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction with a slight step, and the remaining guide rollers 23c are spaced apart above them. Is provided. A film pressing unit 24 corresponding to the temporary fixing means of the present invention is provided between the lower guide rollers 23a and 23b and the upper guide roller 23c.

  The film pressing unit 24 temporarily fixes the leading end of the film F drawn from the reel R. The film pressing unit 24 includes a table 25 fixed substantially horizontally to the support plate 21 and a pressing member 26 provided at one end thereof (the right end in FIG. 4). Then, the leading end of the film F drawn out from the reel R is clamped by the pressing member 26 in a state where it is placed on the table 25, so that the leading end of the film is temporarily fixed. The temporary fixing (clamping) force of the film F by the pressing member 26 is set to such an extent that the film F can be easily pulled out by the operation of the film drawing device 15 described later during film bonding.

  Although not shown, the film cartridge 12 is further provided with a brake mechanism for the shaft 22. This brake mechanism applies a constant rotational load to the shaft 22, thereby applying a minute tension to the film F when the film F is drawn from the reel R by the film drawing device 15 described later. Trying to get.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the film joining unit 3 has a supply part P1 and a standby part P2 corresponding to the support part according to the present invention, that is, a position where the reel R is set when the film F is fed (supply part P1). ) And a position (standby unit P2) for waiting the next reel R are provided side by side in the X-axis direction, and the film cartridge 12 is disposed in the supply unit P1 and the standby unit P2. Then, the film F is supplied from the reel R set in the supply unit P1 to the laminating apparatus 1 and when the supply of the film F by the reel R of the supply unit P1 is finished, the film cartridge 12 of the supply unit P1 is The film cartridge 12 is pulled out onto a movable table 78 of a reel exchange unit 4 to be described later, and the film cartridge 12 next to the standby unit P2 is moved to the supply unit P1 by a cartridge slide device 131 (see FIG. 5). That is, the film cartridge 12 is detachably provided to the supply unit P1 and the standby unit P2.

  The first unit 11A is provided above the standby unit P2.

  The first unit 11A has a film F drawn from the reel R of the film cartridge 12 in the standby section P2 with respect to the film F fed from the film cartridge 12 in the supply section P1 (hereinafter referred to as the preceding film Fa). (Hereinafter referred to as the subsequent film Fb), the subsequent film Fb is pulled out of the film cartridge 12, and in cooperation with the second unit 11B described later, the alignment of the preceding film and the subsequent film Fb in the width direction, and The films Fa and Fb are joined.

  More specifically, the first unit 11A is supported so as to be movable in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction with respect to the frame main body of the film bonding unit 3, and by the first unit driving device 111A (see FIG. 5). The first movable frame 30 is driven, and the first movable frame 30 includes a film suction / pressurization device 14 and a film drawing device 15.

  The film drawing device 15 draws the subsequent film Fb from the film cartridge 12 in the standby portion P2, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air that can be moved up and down provided with a pair of parallel claws 47 extending in the Y-axis direction. The chuck 46 is provided, and the leading end portion of the subsequent film Fb is held by being sandwiched in the thickness direction by the parallel claws 47. In this state, the subsequent film Fb is vertically moved upward from the supply portion P1 to a predetermined joining work height position. It is designed to be pulled out.

  That is, the first movable frame 30 is provided with a ball screw 42 that is driven to rotate by a servo motor 44 and extends in the vertical direction, and a guide rail (not shown) parallel thereto, and the air chuck 46 is attached to the guide rail. A nut portion (not shown) of the air chuck 46 is screwed and attached to the ball screw 42 while being slidably attached. As the ball screw 42 is rotated by the servo motor 44, the air chuck 46 moves up and down along the guide. For example, the subsequent film Fb is sandwiched by the parallel claws 47 at the lower end position, and then the air chuck 46 is in that state. Is raised, the subsequent film Fb is pulled out from the film cartridge 12.

  The film adsorbing / pressurizing device 14 adsorbs and holds the joining portion (the portion to be joined to the preceding film Fa) of the succeeding film Fb drawn to the predetermined joining work height position by the film drawing device 15 and holds it on the preceding film Fa. The head 31 has a movable head 31 to be pressed.

  The head 31 has a pressure table 32 having a vertical pressure surface and a pair of vacuum boxes 33 provided on both upper and lower sides of the pressure table 32. The vacuum box 33 holds the subsequent film Fb by negative pressure adsorption and holds the film. At the time of joining, the pressurizing table 32 is configured to press the subsequent film Fb against the preceding film Fa.

  The head 31 is supported so as to be movable in two stages in the X-axis direction with respect to the first movable frame 30. That is, the first movable frame 30 is provided with a rail 34 in the X-axis direction. A movable table 35 is movably supported on the rail 34, and a rod of an air cylinder 39 fixed to the first movable frame 30 is attached to the first movable frame 30. It is connected to the movable table 35. Further, the movable table 35 is provided with an axial rack 36 that extends in the X-axis direction and is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction. The head 31 is provided at the front end (left end in FIG. 2) of the rack 36. At the same time, the rack 36 is meshed with a pinion 38 that is rotationally driven by a servo motor 37. When the pinion 38 is driven to rotate by the servo motor 37, the head 31 moves along with the rack 36 in the X axis direction with respect to the movable table 35. On the other hand, when the air cylinder 39 operates, Accordingly, the movable table 35 moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the first movable frame 30, and as a result, the head 31 moves in two steps in the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the vacuum box 33 (suction unit), the movable table 35 and the like (moving mechanism) correspond to the suction holding means of the present invention.

  The head 31 is further provided with a pair of sensors 40a and 40b spaced apart in the Y-axis direction for detecting a shift in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the preceding film Fa and the succeeding film Fb during film bonding. Yes. These sensors 40a and 40b are line sensors integrally including a laser beam (parallel light having a width in the Y-axis direction) irradiation unit and a light receiving unit, and are directed from the irradiation unit to a second unit 11B described later. By irradiating the laser beam and receiving the laser beam reflected by the post-mirror 54 of the second unit 11B, the detection signal is output to the post-control device 65.

  These sensors 40a and 40b are set at intervals so as to be able to irradiate laser light to a certain region including the end portion of the overlapping portion of the preceding film Fa and the succeeding film Fb. It is arranged diagonally below and behind the vacuum box 33. The sensors 40a and 40b are set at intervals so that detection is possible even if the edges meander based on the width of the film F, for example.

  The second unit 11B is fixedly provided on the frame main body, and is disposed above the supply unit P1 and at a location facing the first unit 11A in the X-axis direction.

  The second unit 11B includes a film heating device 16 for heating the preceding film Fa supplied from the film cartridge 12 of the supply unit P1 while supporting the film from the surface side (left side in FIG. 2). A reflection mirror 54 for laser light emitted from the sensors 40a and 40b is mounted.

  The film heating device 16 has a heating table 50 facing the pressure table 32 of the head 31 and having a heating surface parallel to the pressure surface, and the heating table 50 with respect to the frame body of the film bonding unit 3. And an air cylinder 52 that advances and retracts in the X-axis direction. The heating surface of the heating table 50 has a built-in heater, and at the time of film bonding, the heating surface is heated with the heating table 50 and the pressure table 32 of the head 31 sandwiching the films Fa and Fb. Thus, the films Fa and Fb are heat-bonded (fused).

  That is, in this embodiment, the film adsorption / pressurization device 14 and the film heating device 16 correspond to the film bonding means of the present invention. In the film bonding unit 3, the preceding film Fa fed from the supply unit P1 to the laminating apparatus 1 is guided substantially vertically in a certain section while being drawn upward from the supply unit P1 as shown in FIG. The vertical guide portion is set as a joining work position, and the film heating device 16 and the like are arranged at this height position. At the time of film bonding, the subsequent film Fb is pulled out vertically from the standby portion P2 by the film drawing device 15 so that the subsequent film Fb and the preceding film Fa are aligned in the X-axis direction at the bonding operation position. It has become.

  The third unit 11C is provided below the second unit 11B.

  The third unit 11C has a second movable frame 55 supported so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction with respect to the main body frame of the film bonding unit 3 and driven by a third unit driving device 111C (see FIG. 5). Thus, the film cutting device 17 and the brake device 18 are mounted on the frame 55.

  The film cutting device 17 cuts an unnecessary preceding film Fa after film joining and has a cutter and an air cylinder that drives the film forward and backward, although not shown in detail. The leading film Fa is configured to be cut by pressing the blade edge against the preceding film Fa.

  The brake device 18 prevents unnecessary drawing of the film Fa when the preceding film Fa is cut, and applies tension to the film Fa. A driven roller 57a and a fixed roller disposed on opposite sides of the preceding film Fa. A brake roller pair 57 composed of 57b and an air cylinder 58 for driving the fixed roller 57b of the brake roller pair 57 forward and backward with respect to the driven roller 57a are provided, and the fixed roller 57b is driven forward and backward with respect to the driven roller 57a. By doing so, it is configured to be switched between a brake stop state in which both rollers 57a and 57b are separated and a brake operation state in which both rollers 57a and 57b are in close contact. That is, except when the film is cut, the brake device 18 is brought into a brake stop state so that the preceding film Fa can be fed through the rollers 57a and 57b. On the other hand, when the film is cut, the brake device 18 is braked. By switching to the state, the preceding film Fa is sandwiched between the rollers 57a and 57b. As a result, unnecessary pulling of the preceding film Fa is prevented, and appropriate tension necessary for film pasting and cutting is applied to the preceding film Fa. To give.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the reel replacement unit 4 is provided adjacent to the above-described film bonding unit 3 in the Y-axis direction. The reel replacement unit 4 includes a reel stocker 4 a and a cartridge transport device 4 b that replaces the film cartridge 12 between the reel stocker 4 a and the film joining unit 3.

  The reel stocker 4a is provided with a plurality of storage portions, and in this embodiment, as shown in the figure, four storage portions 75 are provided side by side in the X-axis direction. Of these storage portions 75, three storage portions 75 store film cartridges 12 each supporting an unused reel R, and in each film cartridge 12, the film F is drawn from the reel R and the leading end thereof. Is temporarily fixed by the film pressing unit 24.

  Each film cartridge 12 is stored in a state of being placed on a pair of fixed rails 76 laid in the storage unit 75, and is moved along the fixed rails 76 to move the film joining unit 3 from the storage unit 75. It is configured so that it can be taken in and out (upward in FIG. 3).

  The cartridge transport device 4b is provided in a portion between the reel stocker 4a and the film joining unit 3. Although not shown in detail, the cartridge transport device 4b has a movable table 78 that moves in the X-axis direction along a pair of fixed rails 77 by driving a servo motor or the like.

  The movable table 78 is movably provided between a position facing each storage section 75 of the reel stocker 4a and a position facing the supply section P1 and the standby section P2 of the film bonding unit 3. The movable table 78 includes a pair of guide rails 79 extending in the Y-axis direction at equal intervals from the fixed rails 76 of the storage portion 75, and a cartridge loading / unloading mechanism (not shown) that operates using an air cylinder or the like as a drive source. As will be described in detail later, the film cartridge 12 is transferred between the movable table 78 and each storage unit 75 of the reel stocker 4a or the film bonding unit 3 (the supply unit P1 and the standby unit P2). The reel R is configured to be replaced with respect to the joining unit 3.

  In the present embodiment, the reel stocker 4a corresponds to the cartridge storage portion according to the present invention, and the cartridge transport device 4b corresponds to the replacement means according to the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a part for controlling the film bonding unit 3 and the reel replacement unit 4 in the laminate film supply device 2 in the control system of the film sticking device configured as described above. Yes.

  As shown in this figure, the film sticking apparatus has a control device 65 for controlling the operations of the laminating apparatus 1 and the laminated film supplying apparatus 2.

  The control device 65 includes a control device main body 66 (corresponding to control means according to the present invention), a CRT 72, a keyboard 73, and the like, and an external storage device such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk is provided as necessary.

  The control device main body 66 includes a well-known CPU 67 for executing logical operations, a ROM 68 for storing various programs for controlling the CPU 67 in advance, a RAM 69 for temporarily storing various data during operation of the device, a film pasting process, The HDD 67 and the I / O controller (IOC) 71 for storing various programs including an after-mentioned film bonding process, OS and other programs, and various data necessary for the film bonding process, etc. It is configured to be connected by an internal bus 72.

  Connected to the IOC 71 are the devices 14 to 18 mounted on the first to third units 11A to 11C, the first and third unit driving devices 111A and 111C, the cartridge slide device 131, the cartridge transport device 4b, and the like. The input of various control signals and various data (detection signals from the sensors 40a and 40b) between the devices 14 to 18 and the control device main body 66 is controlled by the IOC 71 in accordance with a command from the CPU 67. Thus, the operation of each of the devices 14 to 18 of the film bonding unit 3 and the operation of the cartridge conveying device 4b of the reel replacement unit 4 are controlled by the control device main body 66.

  Next, operations of the film bonding unit 3 and the reel replacement unit 4 based on the control of the control device 65 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, it is assumed that the devices 14 to 18 and the film cartridge 12 of the film bonding unit 3 are controlled in the state shown in FIG. In particular,
(1) The preceding film Fa is drawn out from the film cartridge 12 of the supply unit P1 substantially directly above and is fed to the laminating apparatus 1.

 (2) With respect to the film cartridge 12 of the standby unit P2, the subsequent film Fb is pulled out from the reel R, and the leading end thereof is held by the film pressing unit 24.

(3) First unit 11A
The film drawing device 15 is at a predetermined height and at a position where the leading end portion of the subsequent film Fb can be chucked by the parallel claws 47, that is, a position where the subsequent film Fb is interposed between the parallel claws 47. An air chuck 46 is set.

  The film adsorbing / pressurizing device 14 is set at a position where the head 31 is pulled down to the rearmost end (right end in FIG. 2) of the forward / backward stroke.

(4) Second unit 11B
The film heating device 16 is set at a position where the heating table 50 is pulled down to the rearmost end (left end in FIG. 2) of the forward / backward stroke.

(5) Third unit 11C
The film cutting device 17 is in a state where the cutter is retracted backward (leftward in FIG. 2) with respect to the preceding film Fa being fed.

  The brake device 18 is set to a position where the brake is stopped and the preceding film Fa drawn from the film cartridge 12 can travel between the rollers 57a and 57b.

  In the state as described above, when the remaining amount of the film cartridge 12 in the supply unit P1 reaches a preset reel replacement remaining amount, the subsequent film Fb is moved upward from the standby film cartridge 12 set in the standby unit P2. And is positioned in the longitudinal direction.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, the leading end of the subsequent film Fb is held by operating the air chuck 46 (that is, the subsequent film Fb is sandwiched by the parallel claws 47), and then the ball screw 42 With the driving, the air chuck 46 is raised, whereby the subsequent film Fb is pulled out from the reel R, and the leading end is pulled up to a height position above the head 31 of the film suction / pressurizing device 14. At this time, as described above, a rotational load is applied to the shaft 22 by the brake mechanism incorporated in the film cartridge 12, so that a minute tension is applied to the subsequent film Fb. As a result, the subsequent film Fb is not slackened. It will be withdrawn. In this drawing, after the film is held by the air chuck 46, the first unit 11A as a whole is moved from the standby part P2 in the X-axis direction (FIG. 6 (a) to the right), and in this state, the air chuck 46 rises to a predetermined height of the film cartridge 12. Then, after the first unit 11A is reset to the original position in the X-axis direction, the air chuck 46 rises to the final point. That is, by raising the air chuck 46 (parallel claw 47) while bypassing the film holding unit 24 in this way, the subsequent film Fb is removed from the film cartridge while avoiding interference between the film holding unit 24 and the parallel claw 47. It is designed to be drawn from 12.

  The film F (Fa, Fb) has cut marks at regular intervals on the edge thereof. For example, the air chucks up to a height position where the first cut mark at the leading edge of the film is detected by a sensor outside the figure. As the 46 rises, the subsequent film Fb is positioned in the longitudinal direction.

  When the drawing of the succeeding film Fb is completed, the feeding of the preceding film Fa is stopped, and the brake device 18 of the third unit 11C is switched from the brake stopped state to the brake operating state, so that the positioning of the preceding film Fa in the longitudinal direction is performed. Done. This positioning is performed by detecting the cut mark by a sensor not shown in the figure as in the case of the subsequent film Fb.

  Next, when the film suction / pressurization device 14 is operated, the succeeding film Fb is superimposed on the preceding film Fa, and the overlapping portions of the films Fa and Fb are detected by the sensors 40a and 40b.

  Specifically, when the servo motor 37 is operated and the rack 36 is driven forward, the head 31 moves forward with respect to the movable table 35, and the vacuum is applied to the film F by the vacuum box 33 as shown in FIG. Adsorbed. After the suction, the film tip is released from the air chuck 46, and the head 31 further advances. Thereby, as shown to Fig.7 (a), the front-end | tip part of the subsequent film Fb is set to the predetermined joining standby position superimposed on the preceding film Fa. In this state, among the laser beams emitted from the irradiation units of the sensors 40a and 40b, the light transmitted through both the films Fa and Fb and reflected by the mirror 54 is received by the light receiving unit. The light receiving width of the laser beam is detected at both ends of the overlapping portion of both films Fa and Fb.

  Based on a comparison between these light receiving widths (total light receiving widths) and a reference value stored in advance, it is determined whether or not there is a shift in the width direction of both films Fa and Fb, and it is determined that there is a shift. If so, the correction is performed. In the correction, first, the first unit 11A moves in a predetermined direction in the Y-axis direction for a minute time, thereby moving the subsequent film Fb relative to the previous film Fa in the width direction, and after the movement. Then, the detection of the light receiving width by the sensors 40a and 40b in the overlapped portion of the films Fa and Fb is performed again. Then, based on the difference between the current total light receiving width and the previous total light receiving width, the shift direction and shift amount of the subsequent film Fb with respect to the preceding film Fa are obtained, and the first unit 11A is moved in a direction to correct this shift. Do.

  Next, a film bonding operation and a cutting operation for the preceding film Fa are performed.

  Specifically, first, when the heating table 50 is driven forward in the film heating device 16, the heating table 50 is pressed against the preceding film Fa, while in the film adsorption / pressurization device 14 of the first unit 11A. When the movable table 35 is driven forward, the pressure table 32 is pressed against the subsequent film Fb. As a result, both films Fa and Fb are sandwiched between the tables 32 and 50 as shown in FIG. 7B, and the heating table 50 is heated in this state. As a result, the adhesive layer formed on the subsequent film Fb Both films Fa and Fb are heated and bonded together. Then, when the film cutting device 17 is operated, as shown in the figure, the preceding film Fa is cut slightly below the joint portion between the films Fa and Fb.

  When the joining of the succeeding film Fb to the preceding film Fa is thus completed, the film adsorption / pressurizing device 14 and the film heating device 16 are reset to the original state, and the brake device 18 is switched to the brake stop state, and then supplied. The film cartridge 12 of the part P1 is pulled out on the movable table 78 by the operation of the cartridge insertion / removal mechanism, and the film cartridge 12 of the standby part P2 is moved to the supply part P1 by the operation of the cartridge slide device 131 as shown in FIG. And moved. At this time, the third unit 11C is temporarily retracted in the Y-axis direction (the back side in the drawing in FIG. 8) by the operation of the third unit driving device 111C, and then the film cartridge 12 is moved from the standby unit P2 to the supply unit P1. After the movement is completed, the third unit 11C is reset to the original position, whereby a new preceding film Fa is inserted between the brake roller pair 57 of the brake device 18.

  When the film cartridge 12 moves from the standby part P2 to the supply part P1, an unillustrated unwinding motor arranged in the supply part P1 is connected to the shaft 22 of the film cartridge 12, and accordingly, the film cartridge 12 The brake mechanism and the shaft 22 are disconnected. That is, when feeding a new preceding film Fa, a rotation assisting force by the unwinding motor is applied to the reel R through the shaft 22, whereby the preceding film Fa is smoothly fed from the film cartridge 12. It is like that.

  A series of film bonding operations in the film bonding unit 3 is completed when the new film cartridge 12 is carried into the standby unit P2.

  In a series of film bonding operations in such a film bonding unit 3, the used film cartridge 12 is carried out and a new film cartridge 12 is carried in by the reel exchange unit 4 as follows.

  First, while the film F is being drawn from the film cartridge 12 of the supply unit P1 and being fed to the laminating apparatus 1 (the state shown in FIG. 2), as shown in FIG. 3, the movable table of the cartridge transport apparatus 4b. 78 is set at a position corresponding to the supply unit P1.

  When the joining of the films Fa and Fb is completed (see FIG. 7B), as shown in FIG. 9A, the film cartridge 12 of the supply unit P1 is moved to the guide rail 79 by the operation of the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism. Along the movable table 78. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, after the film cartridge 12 is set at a position corresponding to the empty space in the storage portion 75 in accordance with the movement of the movable table 78, the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism is operated. The film cartridge 12 is transferred from the movable table 78 to the storage portion 75 along the fixed rail 76. As a result, the used film cartridge 12 is unloaded from the film bonding unit 3 and stored in the reel stocker 4a.

  When the used film cartridge 12 is stored in the storage section 75, the movable table 78 is then moved to a position corresponding to the storage section 75 in which the unused film cartridge 12 is stored, as shown in FIG. The film cartridge 12 is moved and the film cartridge 12 is pulled out from the storage portion 75 onto the movable table 78 along the guide rail 79 by the operation of the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, after the movable table 78 moves to a position corresponding to the standby part P2 of the film joining unit 3, the film cartridge 12 on the movable table 78 is moved by the operation of the cartridge loading / unloading mechanism. As a result, the film is transferred to the standby unit P2, and a new unused film cartridge 12 is carried into the standby unit P2.

  Thereafter, the above operation is repeated every time the films Fa and Fb are completely joined, so that the film cartridge 12 is automatically taken in and out of the film joining unit 3.

  According to the film bonding apparatus (that is, the film bonding unit 3 and the reel replacement unit 4) according to the present invention as described above, if the film end of the reel R mounted on the film cartridge 12 is temporarily fixed by the film pressing unit 24, At the time of film bonding, the subsequent film Fb is automatically drawn to the bonding work height position by the operation of the film drawing device 15 and bonded to the preceding film Fa. Therefore, the operator only needs to perform a simple operation in preparation for the subsequent film, such as mounting the reel R on the film cartridge 12, slightly pulling out the leading end thereof, and temporarily fixing it with the film pressing unit 24.

  Moreover, in this apparatus, the film cartridge 12 with the reel R mounted and the leading end of the film temporarily fixed is stocked in the reel stocker 4a in advance, and the film cartridge 12 is automatically reeled by the operation of the cartridge transport device 4b. Since it is configured to carry in the film bonding unit 3 from the stocker 4a, the above-mentioned preparation work by the operator is performed outside the film bonding unit 3, that is, in each storage section 75 of the reel stocker 4a. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to directly access the inside of the film bonding unit 3 to perform the above preparation work, and it is not necessary to stop the film bonding unit 3 in order to perform the preparation work safely.

  Therefore, as a preparatory work for the subsequent film, an operator accesses the inside of the apparatus, draws the film from the reel, passes it over a number of guide rollers, and further feeds the leading end of the film to the joining work position while operating the manual air valve. Compared to this kind of conventional device that is required to stop the device during the work in order to perform this work safely, the safety in performing the above-mentioned preparatory work is remarkably increased. There is an advantage that the operation efficiency of the laminate film supply device 2 can be remarkably improved because the film joining unit 3 does not need to be stopped for preparation for joining.

  In this apparatus, as described above, a plurality of film cartridges 12 are stocked on the reel stocker 4a, and the film cartridge 12 is automatically replaced with the film joining unit 3 by the operation of the cartridge transport device 4b. If a plurality of film cartridges 12 with the R attached and the film leading edge temporarily fixed by the film pressing unit 24 are prepared in advance, it is not necessary to perform preparation work every time the film is bonded. It is possible to preferably proceed with automation.

  Further, in this apparatus, the supply unit P1 and the standby unit P2 are provided side by side in the film bonding unit 3, and the subsequent film Fb is applied to the previous film Fa in a state in which the film F is pulled out almost directly from the respective units P1 and P2. Since it is configured to be joined, when the subsequent film Fb is pulled out from the film cartridge 12, tension is applied in the longitudinal direction of the film due to its own weight, and the subsequent film Fb can be pulled out well without bending or wrinkling. it can. For this reason, it is difficult for the succeeding film Fb to be bent or wrinkled when the two films Fa and Fb are joined. As a result, there is an advantage that the two films Fa and Fb can be joined appropriately. In particular, the film drawing device 15 is configured so that the leading end portion of the subsequent film Fb temporarily fixed as described above is sandwiched and drawn by the pair of parallel claws 47 of the air chuck 46. Accordingly, the leading end portion of the subsequent film Fb can be properly and reliably pulled out to the joining work height position, and therefore the leading end portion of the succeeding film can be pulled to the joining work position by air pressure in a free state. Compared with this conventional apparatus that feeds the film, the film Fa and Fb can be joined appropriately and reliably.

  By the way, the film bonding unit 3 and the reel replacement unit 4 applied to the film sticking apparatus described above are one embodiment of the film bonding apparatus according to the present invention, and the specific configuration and control thereof are the present invention. The present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, after the remaining amount of the film cartridge 12 in the supply unit P1 reaches a preset reel replacement remaining amount, the subsequent film Fb is pulled out from the waiting film cartridge 12. Of course, the following film Fb is previously drawn from the waiting film cartridge 12 (the state shown in FIG. 6B or FIG. 7A; however, the brake device 18 is in a brake stopped state). When the remaining amount of the preceding film Fa reaches a preset reel replacement remaining amount, the film bonding operation (see FIG. 7B) may be performed immediately. In this way, there is an advantage that it is possible to shorten the time from when it is detected that the remaining amount of the preceding film Fa has reached the replacement amount of the reel R until the joining of the subsequent film Fb is completed.

  Further, in the embodiment, after the film is joined, the remaining preceding film Fa is cut by the film cutting device 17. However, for example, the preceding film Fa may be used up. In this case, a terminal sensor capable of detecting the end of the preceding film Fa is provided in the third unit 11C or the like, and the leading film Fa is in a state where the end portion of the preceding film Fa is just nipped by the brake roller pair 57 of the brake device 18. Is stopped, and the subsequent film Fb may be bonded to the preceding film Fa in this state. According to such a configuration, the film F wound around the reel R can be used without waste.

  Further, in the embodiment, the reel replacement unit 4 may be omitted so that the operator can manually insert and remove the film cartridge 12 with respect to the film joining unit 3. According to this, since the reel replacement unit 4 can be omitted, the device configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. In this case, a film pressing unit 24 for temporarily fixing the subsequent film Fb may be fixedly provided in the standby part P2, and the configuration of the film cartridge 12 may be simplified. That is, when the film cartridge 12 is set in the standby part P2, the operator may pull out the leading end of the subsequent film from the reel R and set it in the film pressing unit 24. Further, the film pressing unit 24 itself may be omitted. In this case, for example, after the reel R is mounted, the operator manually moves the air chuck 46 to the vicinity of the reel R to hold the film leading end portion by the air chuck 46, and then moves the air chuck 46 by automatic operation. The subsequent film Fb may be drawn from the reel R.

  In this embodiment, a vacuum box 33 is provided in the head 31 of the film suction / pressurization device 14, and the subsequent film Fb drawn by the film drawing device 15 is sucked and held by the head 31 and moved. Fb is superposed on the preceding film Fa because the preceding film Fa and the succeeding film Fb are separated from each other in relation to the configuration (mechanism portion) of the film drawing device 15, for example, both films. When the succeeding film Fb can be pulled out with Fa and Fb approaching, the vacuum box 33 may be omitted to simplify the configuration.

  In this embodiment, the film cartridge 12 is configured to be taken in and out (detached) with respect to the film bonding unit 3. For example, a film support unit having a configuration corresponding to the film cartridge 12 is used as the film bonding unit 3. Two films may be fixedly provided side by side, and the film F may be joined while alternately switching the supply side and the standby side with one side of the film support portion as the supply side and the other side as the standby side. That is, the film is fed from the reel of the film support part on one side to the laminating apparatus, and the subsequent film drawn from the film support part on the other side is joined to the preceding film. You may comprise so that a subsequent film may be pulled out from a support part and it may join to the preceding film currently fed from the said other film support part. In this case, what is necessary is just to comprise the film drawing apparatus 15, the film adsorption | suction and pressurization apparatus 14, etc. so that the film F can be pulled out and joined from any film support part.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the film sticking apparatus with which the film joining apparatus which concerns on this invention is applied. It is a front schematic diagram which shows the film joining unit of a laminate film supply apparatus. It is a plane schematic diagram showing a film joining unit and a reel exchange unit. It is a perspective view which shows a film cartridge. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of a film sticking apparatus. It is the schematic explaining the film bonding operation | movement in a film bonding unit ((a) is the state by which the subsequent film was pulled out from the film cartridge, (b) is the state by which the film front-end | tip part was adsorbed by negative pressure with the head (vacuum box) Respectively). It is the schematic explaining the film joining operation | movement in a film joining unit ((a) is the state in which the subsequent film was superimposed on the preceding film, (b) shows the state which heat-bonded both films and cut | disconnected the preceding film, respectively. ). It is the schematic of the film joining unit which shows the state by which the film cartridge of the stand-by position was moved to the supply position after film joining. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams for explaining a film cartridge replacement operation by a reel replacement unit ((a) shows a state in which a used film cartridge has been carried out from a supply unit onto a movable table, and (b) shows that the movable table is empty in a reel stocker. (Shows the state of being stored in the space.) It is the schematic explaining the replacement | exchange operation | movement of the film cartridge by a reel exchange unit ((a) is the state which moved the movable table to the accommodation position of the film cartridge which carries in to a film joining unit next, (b) is on a movable table. A state where the drawn film cartridge is arranged at a position corresponding to the supply unit is shown).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laminating apparatus 2 Laminated film supply apparatus 4 Reel exchange unit 4a Reel stocker 4b Cartridge conveyance apparatus 10 Film joining unit 12 Film cartridge 14 Film adsorption | suction and pressurization apparatus 15 Film drawing apparatus 16 Film heating apparatus 17 Film cutting apparatus 18 Brake apparatus R Reel F film Fa preceding film Fb following film

Claims (7)

A support unit that supports a pair of reels around which the film is wound, and a joining unit that joins the films drawn from the reels supported by the support units, and one side of the support units. The preceding film drawn and fed from the other side is overlapped with the succeeding film drawn from the other side support portion in the same direction as the preceding film and almost parallel to the preceding film by the joining means. In a film bonding apparatus for bonding films,
It has a film drawing means having a chuck capable of holding the film and a moving mechanism for moving the chuck. The drawing means holds the leading end portion of the subsequent film by the chuck, and the chuck moves in this state. Thus, the film joining apparatus is configured to move the joining portion of the succeeding film to the preceding film to the joining work position by the joining means while pulling out the succeeding film from the support portion. The film bonding apparatus according to claim 1,
Temporary fixing means for temporarily fixing the leading end portion of the subsequent film drawn from the reel is provided on the support portion on the side where the subsequent film is drawn out of the support portion,
The drawing means is configured to draw the succeeding film from the support portion after the leading end portion of the succeeding film temporarily fixed to the temporarily fixing means is held by the chuck and removed from the temporarily fixing means. A film bonding apparatus. The film bonding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
There is a suction holding means having a suction part for holding the subsequent film drawn from the support part by the drawing means by negative pressure suction from the side opposite to the preceding film side and a moving mechanism for moving the suction part. The adsorbing and holding means adsorbs and holds the succeeding film by the adsorbing portion when the film is bonded by the adhering means, and the adsorbing portion moves in this state so that the succeeding film is superimposed on the preceding film. A film bonding apparatus characterized by being configured. In the film bonding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A film bonding apparatus, wherein the film is pulled out in the vertical direction from the pair of support portions. In the film bonding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The chuck of the drawing means has a pair of parallel claws, and holds the subsequent film by sandwiching the subsequent film in the thickness direction with the parallel claws. The film bonding apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A film bonding apparatus comprising a film cartridge integrally including a reel support shaft for supporting the reel and the temporary fixing means, and the film cartridge is provided detachably with respect to the support portion. . The film bonding apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
A cartridge storage portion for storing an unused film cartridge in a state where a reel is mounted on the reel support shaft and a leading end portion of the film is pulled out and temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing means; and mounted on the support portion; and A film bonding apparatus comprising: a replacement unit configured to replace a used film cartridge in a state in which the remaining amount of film is reduced to a predetermined amount or less with an unused film cartridge stored in the cartridge storage unit.

Images