JP2014061965A - Bending correction device and film production apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bending correction device capable of correcting bending of a sheet like member.SOLUTION: A bending correction device 70 includes: a bending correction roller 76; and a blower 120 and a heat sink 110 which cool a sheet of peeling paper 5 during bending of the peeling paper 5 that is performed by the bending correction roller 76.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a film such as a label.

  Conventionally, a label producing apparatus using an electrophotographic printer has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). A label producing apparatus using an electrophotographic printer does not require a pattern punch and is suitable for producing a small amount of labels.

(For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-283745 A JP 2011-107418 A

  In a label producing apparatus using an electrophotographic printer, a label is formed by the following operation. That is, the label base material forming material composed of the thermoplastic resin material is transferred to a desired shape to be formed on the adhesive-coated surface of the release paper coated with the adhesive material. Next, the label base material is fixed on the release paper by heating and pressurizing the transferred label base material forming material to obtain a label base material.

  However, when the heated release paper and the fixed label base material are naturally cooled, they may be bent due to the difference in thermal shrinkage.

  For example, in order to increase the thickness of the label to be formed, a plurality of label base materials may be formed in an overlapping manner. In this case, the release paper is passed through a plurality of printers, and a label base material is formed in each printer. In this way, when work is performed with a plurality of printers, it is considered that jamming may occur during conveyance between printers if the integrated article of the release paper and the label base material is curled.

  Further, it is conceivable that when the integrated body of the release paper and the label base material is bent, it is difficult to control the position of the integrated body in the printer, and therefore the position system for image printing cannot be maintained.

  It is not preferable that a sheet-like member such as an integral body of release paper and film bend.

  An object of this invention is to provide the bending correction apparatus which can correct | amend the bending of a sheet-like member. Another object of the present invention is to provide a film making apparatus capable of correcting the bending of the film.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bending straightening device comprising a bending means for causing a sheet-like member to bend, and a cooling means for cooling the sheet-like member during the bending process of the sheet-like member by the bending means. To do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a film base material developing means for developing a film base material forming material on a sheet base material, and at least heating the film base material forming material formed on the sheet base material. Fixing means for fixing to the sheet base material to form a film base material, bending means for bending the sheet base material on which the film base material is formed, and the film base material formed by the bending means. A film production apparatus comprising: cooling means for cooling the sheet-like member on which the film base material is formed during the bending process to the sheet base material.

  According to the present invention, bending of a sheet-like member can be corrected.

Sectional drawing which shows the label production apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the bending correction apparatus of the label production apparatus. Schematic which shows the same bending correction apparatus. Sectional drawing which shows the label production apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Schematic which shows the label production apparatus.

  The film production apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. In this embodiment, a label production apparatus is used as an example of a film production apparatus. The label is an example of a film in which an adhesive is attached to a thin-film shaped member. In the following description, “printing” and “printing” are used as synonyms.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the label producing apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the label producing apparatus 10 creates a label base material on the layered surface of the release paper 5 using a label base toner described later, and forms a normal toner image on the label base material. To create a label. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the label producing apparatus 10 is cut along the direction in which the release paper 5 is fed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the label producing apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus 20 and a bending correction apparatus 70. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a first housing 21, an image forming unit 30, a re-conveying unit 60, and a paper feeding unit 50.

  In this embodiment, the image forming unit 30 includes a plurality of image forming units and a fixing unit 49 as an example. In the present embodiment, first to fourth image forming units 31, 32, 33, and 34 are used. These first to fourth image forming units 31 to 34 are accommodated in the first housing 21 and are arranged in a multistage manner. The first to fourth image forming units 31 to 34 are arranged in the order of description from right to left in FIG.

  Each image forming unit transfers the label base material to release paper which is an example of a sheet-like member. The first and second image forming units 31 and 32 form a color image with two colors of toner on the release paper 5.

  The third image forming unit 33 forms a black (K) monochrome image on the release paper 5. These three-color toner images are applied on the surface of the release paper 5 (described later) to which a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is applied (hereinafter referred to as pressure-sensitive adhesive layer surface 6) to form a full-color image.

  Further, the fourth image forming unit 34 forms an image (herein, an image developed on the photosensitive drum described later is referred to as an image regardless of the shape) by a label base material composition described in detail later.

  The first to fourth image forming units 31 to 34 have the same configuration except for the color and type of developer to be used. Therefore, hereinafter, the third image forming unit 33 will be described as a representative. The structures of the first, second, and fourth image forming units 31, 32, and 34 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the fourth image forming unit 34, and description thereof is omitted.

  The third image forming unit 33 includes a photosensitive drum 36, a cleaner 38 disposed along the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 36, a charging roller 39, a developing unit 40, and a lower portion of the developing unit 40. And a developing roller 41 assembled in the side opening.

  The main body side optical writing head 42 is arranged close to the upper surface of the photosensitive drum 36 located between the charging roller 39 and the developing unit 40. Further, a transport belt 43 is disposed in the vicinity of the lower surface of the photosensitive drum 36. The transfer device 44 is pressed toward the lower surface of the photosensitive drum 36 with the conveyance belt 43 interposed therebetween.

  The conveyor belt 43 is made of a conductive sheet-like member made of resin containing conductive carbon or an ion conductive material, and is stretched between a driving roller 45a and a driven roller 45b and driven by the driving roller 45a. The As a result, the conveyor belt 43 circulates in the counterclockwise direction in the figure.

  The photosensitive drum 36 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure. First, the photosensitive drum 36 is initialized by uniformly charging the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36 by applying a charge from the charging roller 39. Next, the photosensitive drum 36 forms an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36 by optical writing from the optical writing head 42 based on the print information.

  The electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image (development) by the toner stored in the developing unit 40 by the developing process by the developing roller 41. The toner image developed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36 is rotated and conveyed to a transfer portion where the photosensitive drum 36 and the transfer device 44 face each other as the photosensitive drum 36 rotates.

  In a sheet feeding cassette 51 of the sheet feeding section 50, a large number of cut sheet-like release sheets 5 are accommodated with the surface coated with the adhesive layer surface 6 facing downward. The release paper 5 is unloaded from the paper feed cassette 51 one by one by one rotation of the paper feed roller 52, and is fed to the standby roller pair 54 through the transport guide path 53.

  Alternatively, when the number of labels to be produced is small, the release paper 5 is fed from the MPF tray 23 mounted on the opened mounting portion 22 of the first housing 21 to the standby roller pair 54 by the paper feed roller 24. Sent.

  The standby roller pair 54 conveys the conveying belt at a timing at which the toner image printing position on the adhesive layer surface 6 of the release paper 5 coincides with the leading end of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 36 of the fourth image forming unit 34 in the most downstream in the sheet conveying direction. 43 to feed. The release paper 5 is electrostatically attracted and transported to the upper surface of the transport belt 43 that circulates, and moves together with the transport belt 43 directly below the photosensitive drum 36 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the paper transport direction.

  At this time, the conveyance belt 43 is separated downward from the first to third image forming units 31 to 33. Then, the fourth image forming unit 34 responsible for printing the toner image on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer surface 6 is lowered from the upper retracted position, and the photosensitive drum 36 comes into contact with the transport belt 43.

  Then, the release paper 5 is a transfer portion of the fourth image forming unit 34, and an image of a label base material (hereinafter also referred to as toner for convenience) is transferred to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer surface 6. In addition, the image by the composition for label base materials formed in this adhesive layer surface 6 is a solid print image.

  The release paper 5 on which the solid image of the label base material composition is thus transferred to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer surface 6 is carried into the fixing unit 49. The fixing unit 49 includes a heat roller 46, a pressing roller 47, and a cleaner 48. The solid image of the label base material composition is melted by heat and pressure while being sandwiched and transported between the heat roller 46 and the pressure roller 47, and is pressed onto the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer surface 6 to be fixed. By fixing, a label base material is formed on the release paper 5. The cleaner 48 removes toner remaining on the heat roller 46.

  In this way, in the release paper 5 in which the solid image of the label base material composition is fixed on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer surface 6 by the fixing unit 49, the switching plate 25 rotates upwardly as indicated by the solid line in the figure around the fulcrum 26. Therefore, it is sent to the re-transport unit 60. As an example, the switching plate 25 is provided to be rotatable around a fulcrum 26 of the first housing 21. When the switching plate 25 rotates about the fulcrum 26 in the downward direction indicated by the broken line in the drawing, the switching plate 25 is conveyed to the bending correction device 70 side by a conveyance roller 49a described later.

  The re-conveying unit 60 has a plurality of conveying rollers 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 disposed therein. The re-conveying unit 60 returns the release paper 5 to the first image forming unit 31 side so that it can be overprinted by temporarily stopping the conveyance of the paper and conveying by the plurality of conveying rollers 61 to 65.

  In this example, the release paper 5 on which the solid image of the toner for the label base material is fixed is formed by rotating the switching plate 25 upward as indicated by the solid line in the drawing in order to form an image on the label base material. Then, it is sent to the re-transport unit 60 as it is.

  The standby roller pair 54 returns the released release paper 5 so that the printing start position of the adhesive layer surface 6 coincides with the front end of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 36 of the first image forming unit 31 in the most upstream direction in the paper transport direction. The sheet is fed onto the conveyor belt 43 at the timing.

  The release paper 5 is transferred with the first color toner image at the transfer portion of the first image forming unit 31, and transferred with the next color toner image at the transfer portion of the second image forming unit 32. The black toner image is transferred by the transfer portion of the third image forming unit 33.

  In the printing process in the above color printing mode in this example, the first to third image forming units 31 to 33 are set to the printing state, and the fourth image forming unit 34 is in contact with the conveying belt 43. Move away from the top.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 30 assumes three colors as colors used to form an image on the label base material, and thus includes three image forming units. As another example, when a larger number of colors are required, an image forming unit corresponding to the required number of colors may be provided.

  The release paper 5 on which the three color toner images are transferred onto the label base material formed on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer surface 6 as described above is carried into the fixing unit 49. In FIG. 1, within the range F11, as described above, the release paper 5 in which the three color toners are transferred onto the label base material by passing through the first to third image forming units 31 to 33, that is, fixing. The release paper 5 before being conveyed to the unit 49 is shown. The fixing unit 49 fixes the color toner image on the label base material by the heat roller 46 and the pressure roller 47 and discharges it to the downstream side. The label 1 is formed on the release paper 5 by fixing the image developed by the first to third image forming units 31 to 33 on the label base material.

  Of the release paper 5 discharged from the fixing unit 49, the first to fourth image forming units 31 to 34 that do not require processing are rotated by the switching plate 25 being rotated to the lower position indicated by the broken line. It is conveyed by the conveyance roller 49a to the bending correction apparatus 70 side.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bending correction apparatus 70 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the bending correction device 70 is provided outside the first housing 21, and is fixed to the first housing 21 as an example in the present embodiment. The bending correction device 70 has a function of correcting the bending generated in the release paper 5 provided with the label 1 that has passed through the fixing unit 49.

  Here, the bending of the release paper 5 will be specifically described. In the fixing unit 49, the release paper 5 is heated. For this reason, the release paper 5 becomes a temperature higher than the ambient temperature in the fixing unit 49. The release paper 5 that has passed through the fixing unit 49 is naturally cooled by the outside air. At this time, unlike the thermal contraction rate of the release paper 5 and the thermal contraction rate of the label 1, the label 1 generally contracts greatly. As a result, the release paper 5 is also bent as the label 1 is bent.

  2 is a schematic view showing the release paper 5 before passing through the fixing unit 49 and being processed by the bending straightening device 70 in the range F21 of FIG. As shown in the range F <b> 21, the release paper 5 that has passed through the fixing unit 49 bends so that the label 1 is inward as the label 1 contracts greatly with respect to the release paper 5.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the bending correction apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner. As shown in FIG. 2, the bending correction device 70 includes a second housing 71, a discharge tray 72, a discharge conveyance path 73 that leads to the discharge tray 72, a first conveyance path 74, and a second conveyance path. 75, a bending correction roller 76, a rotating device 90, a belt member 100, first to fourth belt rollers 101, 102, 103, 104, and a blower 120.

  The second housing 71 accommodates each element of the bending correction device 70 described later, and is arranged side by side with the first housing 21. A discharge tray 72 is formed on the upper portion of the second housing 71. On the discharge tray 72, the release paper 5 processed by the bending correction device 70 is discharged.

  The first conveyance path 74 guides the release sheet 5 that has passed through the fixing unit 49 to a bending correction roller 76 described later. In the present embodiment, the release paper 5 that has passed through the fixing unit 49 is guided into the first conveyance path 74 in a posture in which the label 1 is positioned above the release paper 5. A pair of transport rollers 77 are provided in the first transport path 74.

  The discharge transport path 73 is formed to be branched with respect to the first transport path 74. Specifically, the discharge conveyance path 73 is branched from a portion between the fixing unit 49 and the bending correction roller 76 in the first conveyance path 74. The discharge conveyance path 73 communicates with the discharge tray 72. In the discharge conveyance path 73, a conveyance drive roller 78 and a rotatable conveyance roller 79 are provided in contact with each other. The release paper 5 passing through the discharge conveyance path 73 is nipped between the conveyance drive roller 78 and the conveyance roller 79 and is conveyed to the discharge tray by the rotation of the conveyance drive roller 78.

  A switching gate 74 b is provided at a branch portion between the first conveyance path 74 and the discharge conveyance path 73. The switching gate 74b switches the direction in which the release paper 5 is conveyed to the first conveyance path 74 side or the discharge conveyance path 73 side.

  Specifically, the switching gate 74b is formed to be rotatable around the rotation shaft portion 74c, and its position is controlled by, for example, a control device that controls the operation of the label producing apparatus 10. When the switching gate 74 b is in a state of closing the first conveyance path 74, the discharge conveyance path 73 is opened, and the release paper 5 is guided to the discharge conveyance path 73. When the switching gate 74 b is in a state of closing the discharge conveyance path 73, the first conveyance path 74 is opened, and the release paper 5 is guided to the first conveyance path 74.

  The bending correction roller 76 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and a through hole 76a is formed inside. The outer peripheral surface of the bending correction roller 76 is a perfect circle having a constant curvature around the center line C. The bending straightening roller 76 has a plurality of fins 82 formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. Each fin 82 is formed in substantially the entire region along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface. Each fin 82 protrudes inward.

  The rotating device 90 rotates the bending correction roller 76 in one direction. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the bending correction device 70. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the bending correction device 70 is viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow F3 with respect to FIG. In FIG. 3, other configurations are omitted in order to clarify the bending correction roller 76 and the rotating device 90.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the rotating device 90 includes, as an example, an electric motor 91 and a control device 92 that controls driving of the electric motor 91. As will be described later, the release paper 5 is transported by sticking around the bend correction roller 76 and rotating the bend correction roller 76. For this reason, the speed at which the release paper 5 is fed is determined by the rotational speed of the correction roller 76. The control device 92 controls the rotation of the electric motor 91 so that the release paper 5 is fed at an appropriate speed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the belt member 100 has the outer peripheral surface of the bending correction roller 76 in close contact with the entire region in the circumferential direction. Note that the close contact here refers to close contact in a state where the release paper 5 is not sandwiched between the belt member 100 and the bending correction roller 76, as will be described later.

  Here, the range in which the belt member 100 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bending correction roller 76 will be specifically described. First, an introduction position P1 and a discharge position P2 that are fixed with respect to the center line C of the bending correction roller 76 are set. The introduction position P <b> 1 and the discharge position P <b> 2 are fixed with respect to the center line C and are not displaced regardless of the rotation of the bending correction roller 76.

  In this embodiment, an angle α defined between a line V1 connecting the introduction position P1 and the center line C and a line V2 connecting the discharge position P2 and the center line C is 270 degrees as an example in the present embodiment. One round (360). The angle α may be 180 degrees or more. The belt member 100 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bending correction roller 76 in the range between the introduction position P1 and the discharge position P2. The bending correction roller 76 is made of a material with good heat dissipation, and in the present embodiment, it is made of aluminum as an example.

  The first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104 are arranged around the bend correction roller 76, and more specifically, are arranged at equal intervals around the center line C. For this reason, the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104 are arranged 90 degrees apart around the center line C of the bending correction roller 76. The belt member 100 has an endless shape and is formed in an annular shape, and is wound around the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104.

  The first belt roller 101 sandwiches the belt member 100 between the bend correction roller 76 and presses the belt member 100 against the introduction position P1.

  The second belt roller 102 sandwiches the belt member 100 between the second belt roller 102 and the bending correction roller 76, and presses the belt member 100 against the bending correction roller 76. The third belt roller 103 holds the belt member 100 between the bend correction roller 76 and presses the belt member 100 against the bend correction roller 76. The fourth belt roller 104 sandwiches the belt member 100 between the bend correction roller 76 and presses the belt member 100 against the discharge position P2.

  The first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104 are rotatably supported around the respective center lines C1, C2, and C3C4. As an example, the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104 are supported by the second housing 71. Each center line C <b> 1 to C <b> 4 is parallel to the center line C of the bending correction roller 76.

  Further, as described above, the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104 press the belt member 100 against the bend correction roller 76, so that the belt member 100 is rotated in the range from the introduction position P1 to the discharge position P2. In close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bending correction roller 76. In FIG. 2, the range F22 is enlarged. In the range F <b> 22, the portion of the bending correction roller 76 between the introduction position P <b> 1 and the discharge position P <b> 2 is shown enlarged, and the belt member 100 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bending correction roller 76. ing. In addition, in the range F22, although the belt member 100 is exaggerated and drawn large, in reality, it is thin.

  As described above, the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104 are freely rotatable, the center lines C1 to C4 are parallel to the center line C of the bending correction roller 76, and the belt member 100 is the bending correction roller. When the bend correction roller 76 is rotated by the rotating device 90 due to the close contact with the belt 76, the belt member 100 moves with the rotation of the bend correction roller 76.

  Note that the pressing force of the belt member 100 against the bend correction roller 76 between the first and second belt rollers 101 and 102 and the bend correction roller 76 of the belt member 100 between the second and third belt rollers 102 and 103 are as follows. The pressing force and the pressing force of the belt member 100 against the bending correction roller 76 between the third and fourth belt rollers 103 and 104 are caused by the tension of the belt member 100.

  In this embodiment, the belt member 100 is integrated with the outer peripheral surface so that the belt member 100 does not rub against the outer surface of the bending correction roller 76 due to friction between the outer peripheral surface of the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100. It is set to move. That is, in a state where the belt member 100 is in close contact with the bending correction roller 76, the relative position of the belt member 100 with respect to the outer surface of the bending correction roller 76 does not change in the range from the introduction position P1 to the discharge position P2.

  In the belt member 100, the portion between the second and third belt rollers 102 and 103 is in contact with the heat sink 110 via the heat conductive sheet 111. Since the belt member 100 moves as described above, the heat conductive sheet 111 is made of a material having good slidability, and in this embodiment, it is made of silicon as an example. The heat sink 110 has a plurality of fins 112 and has good heat dissipation.

  The second conveyance path 75 conveys the release paper 5 that has passed through the bending correction roller 76 to the discharge tray 72. One end of the second transport path 75 faces the discharge position P2. The belt member 100 is separated from the bending correction roller 76 at the discharge position P2. For this reason, as will be described later, the release paper 5 sandwiched between the belt member 100 and the bending correction roller 76 is discharged from between the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100 at the discharge position P2. The discharged release paper 5 enters the second conveyance path 75. In the bending correction roller 76, the tangent at the discharge position P2 extends in the vertical direction.

  In the present embodiment, the second transport path 75 intersects the first transport path 74 at the intersection point X. The second conveyance path 75 is provided with a pair of conveyance rollers 75a. The release paper 5 in the second conveyance path 75 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 75a.

  As shown by a two-dot chain line in the drawing and schematically shown in FIG. 3, the blower 120 faces the through hole 76 a inside the bending straightening roller 76, and the through hole 76 a of the bending straightening roller 76. Blow in.

  Next, operation | movement of the bending correction apparatus 70 is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 1, when it is necessary to correct the bending of the release paper 5 that has passed through the fixing unit 49 by the bending correction device 70, the switching gate 74 b is rotated to block the discharge conveyance path 73 and release. The paper 5 is guided to the first conveyance path 74.

  As described above, the bending of the release paper 5 caused by passing through the fixing unit 49 is caused by the amount and thickness of the label 1. For example, information of the release paper 5 that needs to be corrected for bending is input to the control device that controls the operation of the label producing device 10. The control device controls the switching gate 74 b for the release paper that needs to be bent and guides it to the first conveyance path 74. Further, when the bending correction of the release paper 5 is necessary, the control device controls the rotation device 90 to rotate the bending correction roller 76.

  The release paper 5 guided to the first transport path 74 passes through the transport roller 77 and reaches the introduction position P1. The release paper 5 that has passed through the introduction position P <b> 1 is sandwiched between the belt member 100 and the bending correction roller 76. At this time, since the bending correction roller 76 is rotating, the release paper 5 is drawn between the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100.

  In the release paper 5 sandwiched between the bend correction roller 76 and the belt member 100, the label 1 faces the belt member 100. That is, the release paper 5 is bent to the opposite side with respect to the label 1 by the bending correction roller 76. Furthermore, in other words, as described above, the release paper 5 is bent to the opposite side with respect to the bending direction by natural cooling.

  The release paper 5 is sandwiched between the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100 as the bending correction roller 76 rotates, and is kept in close contact with the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100 from the introduction position P1. Move to discharge position P2.

  In the present embodiment, the belt member 100 does not rub against the outer peripheral surface of the bending correction roller 76. For this reason, the release paper 5 sandwiched between the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100 does not rub against the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100.

  Further, the heat of the release paper 5 heated by passing through the fixing unit 49 is transmitted to the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100 while the release paper 5 moves from the introduction position P1 to the discharge position P2. . The bending straightening roller 76 is subjected to heat exchange with air by being blown by the blower 120. Heat exchange is performed between the belt member 100 and the heat sink 110. For this reason, the release paper 5 is cooled via the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100. In this way, the release paper 5 is cooled while being bent in the opposite direction to the direction of bending by natural cooling.

  By correcting the bending before the cooling of the release paper 5 is completed, the bending can be corrected while preventing the label 1 from being peeled off from the release paper 5. This point will be specifically described. When the release paper 5 heated by passing through the fixing unit 49 is naturally cooled, the release paper 5 bends due to the difference in thermal shrinkage between the release paper 5 and the label 1 as described above. If the release paper after being naturally cooled is bent in the opposite direction to correct this bent state, the label 1 may be peeled off from the release paper 5 in some cases.

  However, in the present embodiment, the release paper 5 in a state before being completely bent by heat shrinkage is bent in the opposite direction while being cooled, so that the temperature is returned to the outside temperature with the bending corrected. For this reason, since it is not necessary to bend the release paper 5 in the cooled state, it is possible to correct the bending while preventing the label 1 from being peeled from the release paper 5.

  The release paper 5 that has reached the discharge position P <b> 2 passes through the second conveyance path 75, passes through the conveyance roller 75 b, and is conveyed to the discharge tray 72. In the range F23 of FIG. 2, the release paper 5 discharged to the discharge tray 72 is schematically shown. As shown in the range F <b> 23, the release paper 5 is bent by passing through the bending correction device 70.

  In the label producing apparatus 10 configured as described above, the bending of the release paper 5 can be corrected. Further, when the bending is corrected, the release paper 5 is simultaneously cooled to prevent the label 1 from being peeled off from the release paper 5.

  Further, the release paper 5 is caught on the bending correction roller 76 from the introduction position P1 to the discharge position P2. The angle α between the introduction position P1 and the discharge position P2 is 270 degrees. Thus, the bending can be efficiently corrected by effectively using the bending correction roller 76 in the circumferential direction.

  In addition, the posture of the release paper 5 discharged from the discharge position P2 is a posture in which the direction in which the tangent line at the discharge position P2 of the bending correction roller 76 extends has an upward component, so that it faces upward. Further, the discharge tray 72 is located on the upper side with respect to the discharge position P2. For this reason, the 2nd conveyance path 75 can be formed in the shape extended in an up-down direction. As a result, when the release paper 5 whose bending is corrected is guided to the discharge tray 72 through the second conveyance path 75, the release paper 5 is not greatly bent. For this reason, it can suppress that the release paper 5 by which bending was corrected is bent.

  Thus, the relative position between the discharge position P2 and the discharge tray 72 is set so that the posture of the release paper 5 at the discharge position P2 and the bending of the release paper P2 toward the discharge tray 72 from the discharge position P2 are suppressed. By doing so, for example, by making it substantially parallel, bending of the release paper 5 after the bending is corrected is suppressed.

  Further, heat exchange between the bending straightening roller 76 and the air blown by the blower 120 and heat exchange between the belt member 100 and the heat sink 110 allow the release paper 5 to be efficiently cooled. .

  Next, a film making apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the structure which has the same function as 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the code | symbol same as 1st Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In the present embodiment, description will be made using the label creating apparatus used as an example in the first embodiment as an example of the film creating apparatus. In the present embodiment, the label producing apparatus 10 is different from the first embodiment in that it includes two image forming apparatuses 20 and a connecting apparatus 130. Other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment. The different points will be specifically described.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the label producing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment in the same manner as FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the label producing apparatus 10 is cut along the direction in which the release paper 5 is fed. As shown in FIG. 4, the label producing apparatus 10 includes two image forming apparatuses 20, a connecting apparatus 130, and a bending correction apparatus 70. The structure of each image forming apparatus 20 is the same as the structure described in the first embodiment. The bending correction apparatus 70 has the same structure as that described in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the label 1 is formed by creating a label base material on the release paper 5 by two image forming apparatuses 20 and forming toner images of a plurality of colors on the label base material. . For this reason, each image forming unit of each image forming apparatus 20 is different from the first embodiment in that it has toner of a color corresponding to the label 1 to be formed.

  For example, one image forming apparatus 20 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and in the other image forming apparatus 20, the fourth image forming unit 34 does not form a solid image of the label base material. The color base material may be configured to be applied onto the label base material formed by one image forming apparatus 20.

  The connecting device 130 conveys the release paper 5 processed in one image forming device 20 to the other image forming device 20. The coupling device 130 includes a third housing 131, a third conveyance path 132, a fourth conveyance path 133, a fifth conveyance path 134, a bending correction roller 76, a rotation device 90, and a belt member 100. And first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104, a heat sink 110, and a blower 120.

  The third housing 131 is disposed between one image forming apparatus 20 and the other image forming apparatus 20, and is fixed to both image forming apparatuses 20, for example. The third conveyance path 132, the fourth conveyance path 133, the fifth conveyance path 134, the bending correction roller 76, the rotation device 90, the belt member 100, and the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104. The heat sink 110 and the blower 120 are accommodated in the third housing 131.

  The third conveyance path 132 conveys the release sheet 5 discharged from the fixing unit 49 of one image forming apparatus 20 to the standby roller pair 54 of the other image forming apparatus 20. The fourth conveyance path 133 is formed to branch from the third conveyance path 132.

The bending straightening roller 76, the rotating device 90, the belt member 100, the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104, the heat sink 110, and the blower 120 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the third Arrangement such as the relative positional relationship among the bend straightening roller 76, the rotation device 90, the belt member 100, the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104, the heat sink 110, and the blower 120 disposed in the housing 131. The structure is the same as that of the bending corrector 70.

  The fourth conveyance path 133 is formed in the same manner as the first conveyance path 74, and conveys the release sheet 5 that has passed through the fixing unit 49 of one image forming apparatus 20 to the bending correction roller 76. A switching gate 135 is formed at a branch portion between the third conveyance path 132 and the fourth conveyance path 133.

  The switching gate 135 can be rotated around the rotation shaft portion 136, and the position thereof is controlled by, for example, a control device that controls the operation of the label producing apparatus 10. When the switching gate 135 is pivoted to close the third transport path 132, the fourth transport path 133 is opened. When the switching gate 135 is pivoted to close the fourth transport path 133, the third transport path 132 is opened.

  Similarly to the second transport path 75, the fifth transport path 134 has one end facing the discharge position P <b> 2 and the other end connected to the third transport path 132. The fifth transport path 134 transports the release paper 5 discharged from the discharge position P <b> 2 to the third transport path 132.

  In the present embodiment, the switching gate 135 closes the fourth conveyance path 133 when it is not necessary to correct the bending of the release paper 5 processed by one image forming apparatus 20. For this reason, the release sheet 5 is conveyed to the other image forming apparatus 20 through the third conveyance path 132.

  When it is necessary to correct the bending of the release paper 5 processed by one image forming apparatus 20, the switching gate 135 closes the third conveyance path 132. The release paper 5 passes through the fourth transport path 133 and is transported to the introduction position P1. The bending correction operation in the coupling device 130 is the same as the bending correction operation in the bending correction device 70.

  This embodiment has the same function as that of the first embodiment. Further, when the release paper 5 is processed by a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 as in the present embodiment, the connecting paper 130 is provided between the adjacent image forming apparatuses 20 to bend the release paper 5. Therefore, when the release paper 5 is conveyed from one image forming apparatus 20 to the other image forming apparatus 20, the occurrence of a jam caused by bending is suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the fourth and fifth transport paths 133 and 134 of the coupling device 130 intersect each other. For this reason, it is necessary to prevent the release paper 5 transported in the fourth transport path 133 and the release paper 5 transported in the fifth transport path 134 from contacting each other. As a method of preventing the above contact while suppressing a decrease in the efficiency of producing the label 1, the conveyance speed of the release paper 5 in the connecting device 130 is set to the conveyance speed of the release paper 5 in both the image forming apparatuses 20. There is a way to make it faster.

  An example of each dimension in the label producing apparatus 10 and the conveyance speed of the release paper 5 determined based on this method will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the label producing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the size of the release paper 5 is, for example, A4 size, the distance between the release papers 5 arranged in the transport direction is 60 mm, the printer processing speed is 20 PPM (Pages per minutes), and both image forming apparatuses 20 are used. The conveyance speed of the release paper 5 is 90 mm / sec.

  The range in which the image forming apparatus 20 positioned upstream in the transport direction with respect to the coupling device 130 is transported at 90 mm / sec is from the paper feed position (in the present embodiment, the paper feed cassette 30 or the MPF 30) to the fixing unit 49. Range. The range that is transported at 90 mm / sec in the image forming apparatus 20 located downstream in the transport direction with respect to the coupling device 130 is the range from the standby roller pair 54 to the discharge tray 72.

  In the coupling device 130, the length from the conveyance roller 133a provided in the fourth conveyance path 133 to the introduction position P1 is L1, and from the discharge position P2 to the standby roller pair 54 of the image forming apparatus 20 located downstream. If the length is L2, the length along the transport direction of the release paper 5 is L3, and the length between the release papers 5 adjacent in the transport direction is L4, L1> L3 and L2> L3. Further, if the length of the path from the intersection position P3 of the fourth and fifth transport paths 134 and 135 through the introduction position P1 and the discharge position P2 and back to the intersection position P3 is L5, L5> L3. .

  Under these conditions, in order to set the printer processing speed to 20 PPM, L1 = 235 mm, L2 = 279 mm, L5 = 428 mm, the length from the intersection position P3 to the introduction position P1 is 37 mm, and from the discharge position P2. The length to the intersection position P3 may be 37 mm, and the conveyance speed of the release paper 5 in the coupling device 130 may be 175 mm / s.

  In the first and second embodiments, the size of the bending correction roller 76 in the radial direction is preferably determined according to the bending generated in the release paper 5. In other words, when the degree of bending is assumed by the label to be created, it is preferable that the label has a size that can correct this assumed bending. For example, when the degree of bending is relatively large, the diameter of the bending correction roller is reduced. Conversely, when the degree of bending is relatively small, the diameter of the bending correction roller is increased.

  In the first and second embodiments, the bend straightening device 70 includes one bend straightening roller. As another example, a plurality of straightening rollers may be arranged in series, and the sheet-like member may pass through the plurality of straightening rollers. Similarly, the coupling device 130 may include a plurality of bending correction rollers.

  Moreover, in 1st, 2nd embodiment, the film production apparatus said by this invention produces the label which is an example of a film as an example. As another example, the film which does not have an adhesion layer surface like a label may be sufficient. More specifically, an apparatus that creates a film on the release paper 5 that does not have the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer surface 6 may be used.

  In the first and second embodiments, the angle formed by the line connecting the introduction position and the center of the straightening roller and the line connecting the discharge position and the center of the straightening roller is 270 degrees. The release paper 5 discharged from P2 can be guided and conveyed to a position (for example, a discharge tray or the other image forming apparatus) where the release paper 5 is finally discharged without being largely bent.

  In the first and second embodiments, the angle is 270 degrees as an example, but as another example, for example, the angle may be 360 degrees or may be approximately 360 degrees. Thus, by being 180 degree | times or more, bending the release paper 5 after the bending is corrected is suppressed.

  In the first and second embodiments, the air blower 120 is used to cool the bending correction roller 76. As another example, the straightening roller 76 may be cooled by, for example, forming a passage in the straightening roller 76 and flowing a liquid coolant in the passage.

  A heat sink 110 was used to cool the belt member 100. As another example, a blower that blows air to the belt member 100 may be used. Alternatively, the belt member may be formed of a material with good heat dissipation. Alternatively, the belt member 100 may be cooled by, for example, flowing a liquid refrigerant through the belt member.

  In the first and second embodiments, in order to cool the release paper 5, the release paper 5 is indirectly cooled by cooling the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100. As another example, for example, a plurality of through holes are formed in the bending correction roller 76 and the belt member 100, and the belt member 100 is cooled by blowing cold air directly through the through holes. Also good.

  Further, by rotating the bending correction roller 76, the release paper 5 sandwiched between the correction roller 76 and the belt member 100 is conveyed. As another example, the correction roller 76 is freely rotatable, and the release paper 5 may be conveyed by at least one of the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104 being rotationally driven. In short, when any one of the bending correction roller 76 and the first to fourth belt rollers 101 to 104 is rotationally driven, the release paper 5 can be conveyed.

  In the first and second embodiments, the release paper 5 is an example of a sheet base material referred to in the present invention. The release paper 5 on which the label 1 is formed is an example of a sheet-like member referred to in the present invention. The bending straightening roller 76 is an example of a bending means referred to in the present invention. The blower 120 and the heat sink 110 are an example of the cooling means referred to in the present invention. The bending straightening roller 76 is an example of a curved surface portion referred to in the present invention. The belt member 100 is an example of a clamping portion referred to in the present invention. The rotating device 90 is an example of a feeding unit referred to in the present invention.

  The through hole 76a inside the bending straightening roller 76 is an example of the refrigerant passage in the present invention. Air is an example of the refrigerant referred to in the present invention. The fourth image forming unit 34 is an example of the label base material forming material developing means referred to in the present invention. The fixing unit 49 is an example of a fixing unit.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof. Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.

[Appendix 1]
A bending straightening apparatus comprising: a bending unit that causes the sheet-like member to bend; and a cooling unit that cools the sheet-like member during the bending process of the sheet-like member by the bending unit.
[Appendix 2]
The bending means includes a curved surface portion having a curved surface and a sandwiching portion that sandwiches the sheet-like member between the curved surface portion, and the bending treatment includes the curved surface portion and the sandwiching portion. The bending correction apparatus according to appendix 1, which is a process of sandwiching the sheet-like member therebetween.
[Appendix 3]
It comprises feeding means for feeding the sheet-like member positioned between the curved surface portion and the sandwiching portion, the curved surface portion is a cylindrical shape whose section perpendicular to the center line is a circle, and the sandwiching portion is The bending correction apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the curved portion has a size covering a range of at least 180 degrees around the center line.
[Appendix 4]
The bending correction apparatus according to appendix 3, wherein the sheet-like member has a size that covers the curved surface portion substantially around the center line.
[Appendix 5]
The curved surface portion is a roller member that can rotate around the center line, the clamping portion is a belt portion that moves in accordance with the rotation of the curved surface portion, and the feeding means rotates at least the curved surface portion. Supplementary note 3 or Supplementary note 4, wherein the sheet-like member sandwiched between the sandwiching part and the curved surface part is fed by moving the sandwiching part in the rotation direction of the curved surface part. The bending straightening device described in 1.
[Appendix 6]
The bending correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling unit cools the sheet-like member indirectly by cooling the bending unit.
[Appendix 7]
The bending correction apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the curved surface portion includes a refrigerant passage through which a front refrigerant passes, and the cooling unit passes the refrigerant through the refrigerant passage.
[Appendix 8]
The bending straightening apparatus according to appendix 7, wherein the refrigerant is air, and the cooling means is a blower.
[Appendix 9]
The bending correction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cooling means indirectly cools the sheet-like member by cooling the clamping member.
[Appendix 10]
The bending correction apparatus according to appendix 9, wherein the cooling means is a heat radiating portion thermally connected to the clamping portion.

[Appendix 11]
Film base material developing means for developing the film base material on the sheet base, and the film base material formed on the sheet base is fixed to the sheet base by heating at least the film. A film making apparatus comprising: a fixing unit as a base material; and the bending straightening apparatus according to claim 1.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, you may delete some components from all the components shown by embodiment mentioned above. Furthermore, you may combine the structure of different embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Label production apparatus (film production apparatus), 34 ... 4th image formation unit (film base material expansion | deployment means), 49 ... Fixing unit (fixing means), 76 ... Bending correction roller (bending means, curved surface part, roller) Member), 76a ... through hole 76a (refrigerant passage), 90 ... rotating device (feeding means), 100 ... belt member (belt part), 110 ... heat sink (cooling means, heat radiating part), 120 ... blower (cooling means).

Claims (11)

Bending means for causing the sheet-like member to bend;
And a cooling means for cooling the sheet-like member during the bending process of the sheet-like member by the bending means. The bending means includes a curved surface portion whose peripheral surface is a curved surface, and a sandwiching portion for sandwiching the sheet-like member between the curved surface portion,
The bending correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bending process is a process of clamping the sheet-like member between the curved surface part and the clamping part. Comprising feeding means for feeding the sheet-like member located between the curved surface portion and the sandwiching portion;
The curved surface portion has a cylindrical shape whose cross section perpendicular to the center line is a circle,
The bending correction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sandwiching portion has a size that covers the curved portion at least about 180 degrees around the center line. The bending correction apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sheet-like member has a size that covers the curved surface portion substantially around the center line. The curved surface portion is a roller member rotatable around the center line,
The clamping part is a belt part that moves in accordance with the rotation of the curved surface part,
The sheet feeding member is clamped between the clamping part and the curved surface part by rotating at least the curved surface part or by moving the clamping part in the rotation direction of the curved surface part. The bending correction apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The bending correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling unit indirectly cools the sheet-like member by cooling the bending unit. The curved surface portion includes a refrigerant passage through which a front refrigerant passes,
The bending correction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cooling unit passes the refrigerant through the refrigerant passage. The refrigerant is air;
The bending correction apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cooling unit is a blower. The bending correction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cooling unit indirectly cools the sheet-like member by cooling the clamping member. The bending correction apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cooling unit is a heat radiating unit thermally connected to the clamping unit. A film base material developing means for developing the film base material on the sheet base;
Fixing means for fixing the film base material formed on the sheet base material to the sheet base material by heating at least to form a film base material;
A film making apparatus comprising: the bending correction apparatus according to claim 1.

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