JP4379723B2 - Coating equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a cover sheet transport mechanism that transports a cover sheet on which a peelable transfer layer is formed on one surface of a substrate, and records a recording medium on the transfer layer of the cover sheet transported by the cover sheet transport mechanism. The recording medium and the coating sheet are sandwiched by a thermocompression bonding mechanism by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium and the coating sheet is transferred to the recording surface of the recording medium. The present invention relates to a coating apparatus configured to peel a base material of a covering sheet from the recording medium by a peeling mechanism disposed downstream of the thermocompression bonding mechanism after transfer.

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

JP 2003-300387 A (paragraph numbers [0014] to [0036], FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)

  In the coating apparatus having such a structure, it is necessary to apply an appropriate tension to the coating sheet so as not to cause the coating sheet to sag. By the way, in this type of coating apparatus, since a heat-pressing process is performed in such a manner that a recording medium having a width narrower than that of the coating sheet is superimposed on the coating sheet, the transfer layer in a portion where the recording medium does not exist is separated from the coating sheet. There is a disadvantage that it adheres to a roller or the like that conveys the coated sheet.

  In order to eliminate this inconvenience, an auxiliary sheet having the same width as that of the covering sheet is disposed at a position where it is in close contact with the covering sheet, and the recording medium is sandwiched and conveyed between the covering sheet and the auxiliary sheet, and heat and pressure are applied. It is also conceivable that the transfer layer on the outer periphery of the recording medium is received by the auxiliary sheet by performing the transfer. However, in the case of using the auxiliary sheet as described above, in order to perform maintenance, replacement of the covering sheet and the auxiliary sheet, etc., not only a structure that opens the facing surfaces of the covering sheet and the auxiliary sheet is required, It is necessary to set the tension of the auxiliary sheet to an appropriate value.

  In this way, the transfer is performed using the covering sheet and the auxiliary sheet.For example, in the case where the operator performs an artificial operation in order to appropriately set the tension of each sheet after maintenance or the like, the operation is troublesome. There was room for improvement because it took up.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally constitute a coating apparatus for bringing a recording medium into close contact with a covering sheet in an optimal form and transferring a transfer layer of the covering sheet to a recording surface of the recording medium.

A feature of the present invention is that it includes a cover sheet transport mechanism for transporting a cover sheet on which a peelable transfer layer is formed on one surface of a substrate, and a recording medium is provided on the transfer layer of the cover sheet transported by the cover sheet transport mechanism The recording surface is contacted, and the recording medium and the covering sheet are sandwiched by a thermocompression bonding mechanism to apply heat and pressure, thereby transferring the transfer layer of the covering sheet to the recording surface of the recording medium. In the coating apparatus configured to peel the base material of the coating sheet from the recording medium with a peeling mechanism disposed downstream of the thermocompression bonding mechanism after the transfer,
An auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism that sends an auxiliary sheet to a position in close contact with the transfer layer of the covering sheet conveyed by the covering sheet conveying mechanism, and the thermocompression bonding mechanism includes a first thermocompression bonding body disposed on the side of the covering sheet; The cover sheet and the auxiliary sheet are sandwiched between the second thermocompression bonding body disposed on the auxiliary sheet side, and the cover sheet conveying mechanism and the first thermocompression bonding member are supported by the first frame, The auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism and the second thermocompression bonding member are supported by a second frame, the first and second frames are connected in an openable / closable manner, and the first and second frames are changed from a closed posture to an open posture. By operating, the covering sheet and the auxiliary sheet are switched from the close contact state to the separated state, and when the first and second frames are operated from the open position to the closed position, the cover sheet or the auxiliary sheet is operated. In bets on at least one point and a tension applying mechanism for applying a tension.

  With this configuration, when the first and second frames are operated from the open position to the closed position, the tension applying mechanism applies tension to at least one of the covering sheet or the auxiliary sheet, Either one of the slacks can be removed. In other words, in a state where the first and second frames are set in the closed posture, the recording medium is sandwiched between the transfer surface of the covering sheet and the opposing surface of the auxiliary sheet, and the first pressure heating body and the second pressure heating body The transfer layer can be transferred to the recording surface of the recording medium by applying the heat and pressure of the recording medium. During this transfer, the transfer layer at the part where the recording medium does not exist is received by the auxiliary sheet, and the transfer layer is applied to the rollers. There is no adhesion. Further, by operating the first and second frames to the open posture, it is possible to open the surface of the transfer layer of the cover sheet and the surface of the auxiliary sheet opposite to the surface to perform maintenance. Thereafter, when the tension applying mechanism is closed with the first and second frames, the tension is applied to at least one of the covering sheet or the auxiliary sheet in conjunction with the closing operation, thereby loosening at least one of the sheets. Transfer processing can be performed in a state without any interference. As a result, the transfer layer is not attached to unnecessary portions, and maintenance can be performed easily. After this maintenance, the recording medium is optimally applied to the cover sheet without the operator setting the tension. A covering apparatus for transferring the transfer layer of the covering sheet to the recording surface of the recording medium in a state of being in close contact with the form has been rationally configured.

In the present invention, the cover sheet transport mechanism is configured to supply a roll-shaped cover sheet from a cover sheet supply unit and to feed the base material to a substrate take-up unit, and the auxiliary sheet transport mechanism is a roll-shaped auxiliary member. Configured to send the sheet from the auxiliary sheet supply unit to the auxiliary sheet take-up unit,
The tension applying mechanism acts on the sheet supply side or the take-up side of at least one of the covering sheet conveying mechanism and the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism by operating the first and second frames from the open position to the closed position. You may provide the rotation action part which makes rotational force act on a direction.

  With this configuration, when the first and second frames are set in the closed posture, the rotation operation unit based on this operation causes at least one of the sheet supply side or the take-up side of the covering sheet conveyance mechanism and the auxiliary sheet conveyance mechanism. As a result, a rotational force is applied in the direction of tension action, and the slack can be eliminated.

  According to the present invention, the first frame and the second frame are swingably opened and closed around an opening / closing axis, and the rotation operation unit includes a sector gear that swings around the opening / closing axis when the opening / closing operation is performed, A gear-type transmission mechanism that meshes with a sector gear and transmits rotational force to any one of the covering sheet supply unit, the auxiliary sheet supply unit, the base sheet winding unit, and the auxiliary sheet winding unit may be provided. .

  With this configuration, when the first and second frames are set in the closed posture, the operating force in the closing direction is transmitted from the sector gear to the gear type transmission mechanism, and by the power from the gear type transmission mechanism Tension can be applied to at least one of the covering sheet conveyance mechanism and the auxiliary sheet conveyance mechanism.

  In the present invention, the peeling mechanism includes a branch guide that guides the recording medium and the substrate of the cover sheet in different directions while being in contact with the cover sheet. The first sheet is supported on the frame side, and the first and second frames are in a closed posture, and projecting into a linear conveyance path through which the auxiliary sheet is fed, thereby applying tension to the auxiliary sheet. You may comprise so that it may function as a tension | tensile_strength provision mechanism.

  With this configuration, when the first and second frames are set to the closed posture, the branch guide comes into contact with the auxiliary seat and applies tension.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Overall Configuration of Coating Device] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a box-like case portion 10 is configured by overlapping an upper case 12 so as to be detachable from the lower case 11. A coating apparatus is configured to accommodate the coating processing unit.

  The case portion 10 is configured such that the upper case 12 can be removed. The upper case 12 includes a transparent resin panel 13 having a plurality of air intake holes 13a. An exhaust hole 12 a is formed in a portion adjacent to 13.

  The covering processing unit sets the recording paper A as a recording medium in the present invention to the supply tray 21 with its recording surface facing upward, and feeds it along the supply guide 22 so that the recording paper A is unit. It is automatically conveyed inside, and after a transparent resin layer is formed on its recording surface, it is sent out to the discharge tray 24 along the discharge guide 23.

  The covering processing unit includes a first frame F1 in an upper position and a second frame F in a lower position that are swingably connected around an opening / closing shaft 75, and a covering sheet B with respect to the first frame F1. Is supported, and the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 for conveying the auxiliary sheet C to the second frame F is supported. The cover sheet transport mechanism 30 transports the cover sheet B above the transport path L that transports the recording paper A in the horizontal direction, and the auxiliary sheet transport mechanism 40 transports the auxiliary sheet C below the transport path L. The recording sheet A is sandwiched between the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C and conveyed. The supply guide 22 and the discharge guide 23 are arranged at an upper position and a lower position with the conveyance path L in between.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cover sheet B is set so as to send the transfer layer 2 to the transport path L with the lower surface facing down, and the transport path for sandwiching and transporting the recording paper A between the cover sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C. L is provided with a main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 for transferring the transfer layer 2 of the covering sheet B to the recording surface of the recording paper A by applying heat and pressure in a form sandwiching the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C. . A main peeling mechanism 5 that peels the base material 1 of the cover sheet B from the recording paper A on the downstream side in the transport direction from the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 (the recording paper A and the base material 1 of the cover sheet B are set in different directions). The recording sheet A after the base material 1 of the covering sheet B is peeled together with the auxiliary sheet C is sandwiched downstream from the main peeling mechanism 5 in the transport direction. A sub-heating and pressing mechanism 60 that applies heat and pressure is provided. A sub-peeling mechanism 7 for peeling the auxiliary sheet C from the recording paper A is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the sub-thermocompression bonding mechanism 60, and the recording paper from which the auxiliary sheet C is peeled by the sub-peeling mechanism 7. A discharge transport mechanism 70 for feeding A to the discharge tray 24 is provided.

  [Structure of Cover Sheet] The cover sheet B has a peelable transfer layer 2 formed on one surface of a substrate 1 as shown in FIG. The transfer layer 2 is a portion that is transferred to the recording surface of the recording paper A to become the coating layer R, and is provided on the base material 1 to protect the recording surface of the recording paper A. A layer 2a, an adhesive layer 2b provided on the outer side of the protective layer 2a for bonding the protective layer 2a to the recording surface of the recording paper A, and the protective layer 2a and the adhesive layer 2b are maintained in a bonded state. The anchor layer 2c is formed.

  For the adhesive layer 2b, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin having transparency and exhibiting an adhesive force when heated, for example, a polyester resin. The base material 1 of the covering sheet B has heat resistance and mechanical strength that can stably maintain the shape under the pressure and heating conditions in the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 described later, and good peelability from the transfer layer 2. It is preferable to provide. Therefore, it is preferable to use, for example, a film of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene naphthalate, or the like as the substrate 1.

  Since the transfer layer 2 of the covering sheet B becomes a covering layer R for protecting the recording surface of the recording paper A, it has excellent adhesion to the recording paper A, high transparency, hardly discolored by heat and light, It is preferable to have excellent physical and physical barrier properties. Further, after the recording sheet A and the auxiliary sheet C are separated from each other after the recording layer A is transferred to the recording surface of the recording sheet A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet C around the recording sheet A to form the coating layer R, the recording sheet A It is preferable that the portion formed on the recording surface and the portion formed on the surface of the auxiliary sheet C around the recording paper A are made of a material and thickness that can be separated along the vicinity of the edge of the recording paper A. For this reason, it is preferable to use, for example, an acrylic resin or a vinyl acetate resin for the protective layer 2a.

  [Auxiliary Sheet Structure] The auxiliary sheet C is set to have a slightly wider width than the covering sheet B in order to receive the transfer layer 2 positioned outside the recording paper A when the transfer layer 2 of the covering sheet B is transferred. As the material, it is preferable to use a material to which the adhesive layer 2b provided on the surface of the transfer layer 2 of the covering sheet B can easily adhere. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to use a film such as polyethylene terephthalate.

  [Coating Processing Unit] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the covering sheet transport mechanism 30 includes a supply shaft 31 as a sheet supply unit that rotatably supports a roll-shaped covering sheet B, and a supply shaft 31. The auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 includes a free roller 32 that guides the supported roll-shaped covering sheet B, and a winding shaft 33 as a winding portion that winds the substrate 1 of the covering sheet B. , A supply shaft 41 as a sheet supply unit for rotatably supporting the roll-shaped auxiliary sheet C, a free roller 42 for guiding the roll-shaped auxiliary sheet C supported by the supply shaft 41, and the auxiliary sheet C being wound A take-up shaft 43 as a take-up portion is provided.

The main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 is disposed below the conveyance path L, and a driving roller 51 (an example of a second thermocompression bonding body) that applies a conveyance force to the recording paper A, the cover sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet C. A pressure roller 52 (an example of a first thermocompression bonding body) that is disposed at a position facing the drive roller 51 on the upper side of the conveyance path L and rotates following the rotation of the drive roller 51, and the pressure roller An urging portion 53 for applying an urging force to the drive roller 51 side is provided at both end positions of 52. The urging portion 53 includes a holder 53a that rotatably supports an end portion of the pressure roller 52, and a coil spring 53b that applies a urging force to the holder 53a downward. The pressure at the pressure-bonding portion between the driving roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 is set to about 8 to 12 kg / cm ² .

  Both the driving roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 cover the surface of a hollow metal roller with an elastic member such as silicon rubber, and the inside of the hollow metal roller that constitutes the driving roller 51 and the pressure roller 52. A heating mechanism H composed of a halogen lamp is disposed at the axial center position. The heating temperature by the heating mechanism H is the surface temperature of each roller, and is set to about 90 to 110 ° C. for the pressure roller 52 and about 50 to 70 ° C. for the drive roller 51. The elastic member has sufficient elasticity to press-bond the recording paper A, the cover sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet C. When silicon rubber is used, the thickness is preferably about 1 mm. Further, the pressure roller 52 includes a cover 52c having a structure for covering an upper portion and a side portion thereof in order to suppress heat radiation.

The sub thermocompression bonding mechanism 60 is disposed below the conveyance path L, and has a driving roller 61 that applies a conveyance force to the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet C, and the driving roller 61 above the conveyance path L. A pressure roller 62 that is biased in the direction and rotates following the rotation of the drive roller 61, and a biasing portion 63 that applies a biasing force to the drive roller 61 side with respect to both end positions of the pressure roller 62. I have. The urging portion 63 includes a holder 63a that rotatably supports an end portion of the pressure roller 62, and a coil spring 63b that applies a urging force downward to the holder 63a. Note that the pressure at the pressure-bonding portion between the driving roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 is set to about 3 to 7 kg / cm ² .

Both the driving roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 cover the surface of a hollow metal roller with an elastic member such as silicon rubber, and the axial center position inside the hollow metal roller constituting the pressure roller 62 is A heating mechanism H composed of a halogen lamp is arranged. The heating temperature by the heating mechanism H is set to about 80 to 100 ° C. as the surface temperature of the pressure roller 62. The elastic member has an elasticity for sufficiently pressing the recording paper A, the cover sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet C, and when silicon rubber is used, a thickness of about 1 mm is preferable. Further, the pressure roller 62 includes a cover 62c having a structure covering its upper and side portions in order to suppress heat dissipation.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the main peeling mechanism 5 (an example of a branching guide) is disposed on the entire upper side of the transport path L and has a lower end on the lower side with respect to the transport path L. It is arranged at the protruding position. That is, the main peeling mechanism 5 is a member extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper A in a plan view, and a lower side of the main peeling mechanism 5 is substantially parallel to the conveyance path L of the recording paper A. A first guide surface 5a is formed, and a second guide surface 5b is formed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper A so as to extend upward at an acute angle with respect to the first guide surface 5a. The first guide surface 5a is disposed at a position protruding downward by a distance D shown in FIG. 11 with respect to the conveyance path L, and the covering sheet conveyance mechanism 30 is disposed on the upper side in the extending direction of the second guide surface 5b. A take-up shaft 33 is arranged. The main peeling mechanism 5 functions as a tension applying mechanism E as will be described later, and the distance D is set to a value of several mm to several cm.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-peeling mechanism 7 is disposed at the lower position of the transport path L as a whole. The sub-peeling mechanism 7 is formed of a member extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording paper A in a plan view, and a first substantially parallel posture with respect to the conveyance path L of the recording paper A on the upper side. A guide surface 7a is formed, and on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper A, a second guide surface 7b is formed that extends downward at an acute angle with respect to the first guide surface 7a. A take-up shaft 43 of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 is disposed on the lower side in the extending direction of the second guide surface 7b.

  The discharge conveyance mechanism 70 is disposed below the conveyance path L, and is driven and driven in the direction of the drive roller 71 that applies a conveyance force to the recording paper A and the drive roller 71 above the conveyance path L. A pressure roller 72 that rotates following the rotation of the roller 71 and a spring 73 that urges the pressure roller 72 toward the drive roller 71 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair of cooling air is supplied to a conveyance path L in which the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C are conveyed between the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 and the main peeling mechanism 5. The cooling fan 15 is supported by the first frame F 1 via the support frame 16, and the exhaust fan 17 that exhausts the air inside the case portion 10 is provided via the bracket 18 at the upper position of the sub-heating and pressing mechanism 60. And supported by the first frame F1.

  The cooling fan 15 sucks outside air through a plurality of intake holes 13 a formed in the panel 13 and supplies cooling air to the recording paper A sent to the transport path L, and the exhaust fan 17 is formed in the upper case 12. The air inside the case portion 10 is exhausted through the exhaust hole 12a. Since the cooling fan 15 also sends cooling air in the direction of the pressure roller 52 of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 and the pressure roller 62 of the sub thermocompression bonding mechanism 60, the covers 52c and 62c flow in the cooling air. This prevents the pressure roller 52 and the pressure roller 62 from radiating heat.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the supply shaft 31, the free roller 32, the winding shaft 33, and the pressure roller 52 of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 with respect to the first frame F1. The main peeling mechanism 5, the pressure roller 62 of the sub heat pressure bonding mechanism 60, and the pressure roller 72 of the discharge conveyance mechanism 70 are supported. Further, the supply shaft 41 of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40, the free roller 42, the take-up shaft 43, the driving roller 51 of the main heating and pressing mechanism 50, and the auxiliary heating and pressing mechanism with respect to the second frame F2. 60 driving rollers 61, the sub-peeling mechanism 7, and the driving roller 71 of the discharge conveyance mechanism 70 are supported.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, each of the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 is formed by forming a metal plate into a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are formed. On the outer surface, there are provided a buckle 76 that holds each in a closed posture, and a gas spring 77 that assists the operation in the direction of opening the first frame F1 with respect to the second frame F2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, a conveyance motor 80 is provided on the outer surface of the second frame F <b> 2. A sprocket 80 </ b> S driven by the conveyance motor 80 and a shaft end of the driving roller 51 of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 are provided. The sprocket 51S, the sprocket 61S at the shaft end of the drive roller 61 of the auxiliary heating and pressing mechanism 60, and the torque limiter 43T at the shaft end of the take-up shaft 43 of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 are linked via a plurality of transmission gears 81. An endless chain 83 wound around the input sprocket 81S is provided, and a torque limiter at the shaft end of the take-up shaft 33 of the covering sheet transport mechanism 30 receives power from the intermediate sprocket 84 to which power from the endless chain 83 is transmitted. A plurality of intermediate gears 85 that transmit to 33T, and a gear at the shaft end of the take-up shaft 43 of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 La of the power and a transmission gear 86 for transmitting the driving roller of the discharge conveyor mechanism 70.

  The torque limiter 43T at the shaft end of the winding shaft 43 and the torque limiter 33T at the shaft end of the winding shaft 33 cause the rotational force transmitted through the endless chain 83 to slip appropriately, while taking up the winding shaft 43, It functions to transmit to the take-up shaft 33.

  The end of the supply shaft 31 of the covering sheet transport mechanism 30 is provided with a rotation braking portion 31B that applies an appropriate braking force to the rotation of the supply shaft 31, and the end of the supply shaft 41 of the auxiliary sheet transport mechanism 40 Includes a rotation braking portion 41B that applies an appropriate braking force to the rotation of the supply shaft 41. When the plurality of intermediate gears 85 are distributed and supported by the first frame F1 and the second frame F2, and the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are set in the open posture, the intermediate gear 85 is separated. When the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are switched to the closed posture, the plurality of intermediate gears 85 are engaged to enable power transmission.

  The covering sheet B is guided from the supply shaft 31 to the take-up shaft 33 through the free roller 32, the pressure roller 52 of the main heat pressing mechanism 50, and the main peeling mechanism 5, and the auxiliary sheet C. Is guided from the supply shaft 41 to the take-up shaft 43 through the drive roller 51 of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50, the drive roller 61 of the subthermal compression bonding mechanism 60, and the sub peeling mechanism 7. With such a configuration, in a state where the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are set in the closed posture, the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are conveyed linearly between the pressure roller 52 of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 and the main peeling mechanism 5. By setting the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 in an open posture, the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C that is linearly conveyed at a position facing the covering sheet B are in a relative positional relationship. As shown in FIG. 10, the crimping surfaces of the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C can be separated from each other.

  The conveying speed between the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C is determined by the rotational speed of the driving roller 51 constituting the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50, and the covering sheet conveying mechanism is slightly higher than the conveying speed by the driving roller 51. By driving the take-up shaft 33 of the auxiliary sheet conveyance mechanism 40 and driving the take-up shaft 43 of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 in the same manner, the torque limiter 33T related to the winding diameter of the sheet on the take-up shaft 33 and the take-up shaft 43, respectively. The base sheet 1 of the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C are absorbed at a speed slightly higher than the conveying speed of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 in a state where the speed difference is absorbed by the torque limiter 43T and an appropriate tension is applied. It is comprised so that it may wind up. Further, the conveyance speed of the auxiliary sheet C by the driving roller 61 of the sub thermocompression bonding mechanism 60 is set to be equal to the conveyance speed of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50, and between the sub thermocompression bonding mechanism 60 and the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50. Excessive tension is not applied to the auxiliary sheet C and slack is not generated.

  Since the transport system is configured as described above, when performing the transfer process of transferring the transfer layer 2 of the cover sheet B onto the recording paper A, the cover sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C are driven by the driving force from the transport motor 80. In a state where the recording sheet A is conveyed, the recording sheet A is fed into the apparatus from the supply tray 21 with the recording surface facing upward, so that the recording sheet A is conveyed while being sandwiched between the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C. It is conveyed along the path L. At the start of the conveyance, the transfer layer 2 of the cover sheet B is transferred onto the recording surface of the recording paper A by the action of heat and pressure from the driving roller 51 and the pressure roller 52 of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 ( Strictly speaking, the adhesive layer 2b activated by heating adheres to the recording surface of the recording paper A), and the coating layer R is formed on the recording paper A.

  After the transfer, the recording sheet A is further conveyed downstream in the conveying path L, whereby the recording sheet A is removed by the cooling air from the cooling fan 15 during the conveyance, and after this heat removal, as shown in FIG. The base 1 of the cover sheet B is peeled off from the recording paper A in the direction branching from the transport path L by the main peeling mechanism 5. When the base material 1 of the covering sheet B is peeled off from the recording paper A in this way, the transfer layer 2 positioned around the recording paper A is transferred to the auxiliary sheet C.

  Next, the recording sheet A from which the base material 1 of the covering sheet B has been peeled is fed between the driving roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 of the auxiliary heating and pressing mechanism 60 while being superposed on the auxiliary sheet C, and this driving is performed. By applying heat and pressure to the roller 61 and the pressure roller 62, a process of strongly bonding the coating layer R formed on the recording paper A again to the recording surface of the recording paper A is performed. That is, when the base material 1 of the covering sheet B is peeled off from the recording paper A as described above, a force acts in a direction to lift the covering layer R, and the action of this force causes the covering layer R to be lifted. Even when the adhesive strength of the recording paper A decreases, the coating layer R can be reliably fixed to the entire surface of the recording paper A by the sub-heat pressing mechanism 60.

  Thereafter, the auxiliary sheet C is peeled off from the recording paper A by the sub-peeling mechanism 7 in a form branched from the transport path L, and the recording paper A from which the auxiliary sheet C has been peeled off is removed from the discharge transport mechanism. The paper is sent out to the discharge tray 24 in a state where it is pressure-bonded by the driving roller 71 and the pressure roller 72.

  In addition, the conveyance speed of the recording paper A by the discharge conveyance mechanism 70 is set slightly higher than the conveyance speed by the sub-heat pressing mechanism 60. Specifically, depending on the setting of the gear ratio of the transmission gear 86, the conveyance speed by the drive roller 71 of the discharge conveyance mechanism 70 is set to 0.2 to 30 from the conveyance speed of the auxiliary sheet C by the drive roller 61 of the sub-heating and pressing mechanism 60. %, More preferably about 0.5 to 20%, and even more preferably about 1 to 10%. In this embodiment, the speed is set to be about 5% faster. Yes. Incidentally, in this discharge conveyance mechanism 70, the pressure-bonding force between the driving roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 is set to be weaker than the pressure-bonding force between the driving roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 of the sub-heating pressure bonding mechanism 60. When the recording paper A having a length extending from the pressure-bonding mechanism 60 to the discharge / conveyance mechanism 70 is processed, a slip occurs between the driving roller 71 of the discharge / conveyance mechanism 70 and the recording paper A, Absorbing the speed difference from the discharge conveyance mechanism 70, the disadvantage that excessive tension acts on the recording paper A is eliminated.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, a force for conveying the auxiliary sheet C and the separated recording paper A at a conveyance speed V2 faster than the conveyance speed V1 of the auxiliary sheet C is applied. As shown in FIG. 7, when the vicinity of the rear end of the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet C are separated, the recording paper A is separated from the auxiliary sheet C by the conveying force of the discharge conveying mechanism 70. The transporting force of the discharge transport mechanism 70 causes the covering layer R formed on the recording surface and the covering layer R formed continuously on the surface of the auxiliary sheet C behind the recording sheet A in the transporting direction. It is possible to separate the recording sheet A from the auxiliary sheet C, and the inconvenience that an excess coating layer R remains behind the recording sheet A can be prevented.

  [Tensioning structure] In the present invention, the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are swung around the opening / closing shaft 75 so that the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C are separated from each other by a large distance. The covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet C can be easily exchanged or maintained. When the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are closed after being opened in this way, the auxiliary sheet is used. A tension applying mechanism E that applies tension to C is provided. The tension applying mechanism E includes a mechanism using the sector gear 90 shown in FIG. 9 in addition to the main peeling mechanism 5 as described above.

  Incidentally, since the tension of each sheet between the two thermocompression bonding mechanisms is kept constant, tension is applied to each sheet in a state where the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are set to the open posture. There was a need. Therefore, the processing unit of the present invention includes the tension applying mechanism E that applies tension to each sheet when the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are closed.

  The tension applying mechanism E using the sector gear 90 includes the sector gear 90 that sets the axial position of the opening / closing shaft 75 and swings integrally with the first frame F1, and is engaged with the sector gear 90. A gear 91, a second gear 92 that meshes with the gear 91, and a one-way clutch 93 that applies a rotational force from the second gear 92 to the rotation braking portion 41 </ b> B of the supply shaft 41 of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40. It is configured. When the one-way clutch 93 operates the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 in the closing direction without applying a rotational force to the rotation braking portion 41B when the first frame F1 is operated to the open side. Further, the characteristic is set so that the rotational force from the sector gear 90 is transmitted to the rotation braking unit 41B. Note that the sector gear 90, the first gear 91, the second gear 92, and the one-way clutch 93 constitute the rotational operation portion of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, when the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are closed, a rotational force is applied to the supply shaft 41 of the auxiliary sheet C. However, the first frame F1, It is also possible to configure the tension applying mechanism E so that a rotational force is applied to the supply shaft 31 of the covering sheet B when the two frames F2 are closed, and in this case, the covering sheet B, It is possible to reliably apply tension to each of the auxiliary sheets C.

  That is, when the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are opened, the first case F1 and the second frame F2 are opened after the upper case 11 is removed and the connection by the buckle 76 is released. Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 can be set to the open posture. When the opening operation is performed in this way, the covering sheet conveying mechanism 30, the main peeling mechanism 5, and the supply guide 22 are provided. And a part of the discharge guide 23 are moved upward integrally with the first frame F1, the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40, the sub-peeling mechanism 7, a part of the supply guide 22, and the discharge guide 23. In a state where a part of the auxiliary sheet C is fixed to the second frame F2 side, the covering sheet B greatly separates the auxiliary sheet C.

  When the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are opened, the rotational force from the sector gear 90 is not transmitted to the supply shaft 41 of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 due to the function of the one-way clutch 93. After the operation, when the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are operated to the closed posture, the first gear 91 that meshes with the sector gear 90 and the second gear 92 that meshes with the sector gear 90 as the sector gear 90 swings. Is transmitted to the rotation braking portion 41B of the supply shaft 41 of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 via the one-way clutch 93, and the supply shaft 41 rotates the auxiliary sheet C in the winding direction to At the same time, the main peeling mechanism 5 and the covering sheet B are pressed against the auxiliary sheet C in such a manner that the distance D is inserted into the auxiliary sheet C. It's the action of tension with.

  Incidentally, when the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are set in the closed posture, the sector gear 90, the first gear 91, and the second gear 92 are not rotated. Thus, the braking force can be applied. As a result, when the conveyance force acting on the driving roller 51 of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50 acts on the auxiliary sheet C, the rotation braking portion 41B acts on the supply shaft 41 to apply an appropriate tension. It is possible to make it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are closed after the first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are opened, the tension is linked with the closing operation. The applying mechanism E can reliably apply the tension to the auxiliary sheet C to remove the slack, and the covering process can be started without wasting time. In particular, the tension applying mechanism E that applies tension using the sector gear 90 transmits the rotational operation force via the rotational braking unit 41B, and therefore, when excessive rotational force is transmitted, the tension applying mechanism E slips inside the rotational braking unit 41B. This also has the effect of eliminating the disadvantage of excessive tension acting.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the embodiment described above.

(A) The first frame F1 and the second frame F2 are linked to the closing operation, and a rotational force is applied to the take-up shaft 33 of the covering sheet conveying mechanism 30 in the tension acting direction, or linked to the closing operation. The rotation operation unit of the tension applying mechanism E is configured to apply a rotational force in the tension acting direction to the winding shaft 43 of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 (the rotation operation of the winding shaft 33 and the winding shaft 43 is performed). You may go at the same time). When configured in this manner, the tension is applied in a form in which the sheet is conveyed to the lower side in the conveyance direction, so there is no problem in the action form of the tension.

(B) The tension applying mechanism E is configured to transmit a rotational force to the covering sheet conveying mechanism 30 or the sheet feeding unit and the sheet winding unit of the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism 40 by the power from the electric motor to apply the tension. It is also possible.

(D) When the surface temperatures of the driving roller 51, the pressure roller 52 of the main thermocompression bonding mechanism 50, and the pressure roller 62 of the sub thermocompression bonding mechanism 60 are equal to or higher than a preset temperature, the first frame F1 A lock mechanism is provided that maintains the second frame F2 in a closed state and permits an opening operation when these temperatures drop below a preset temperature. With this configuration, maintenance can be performed without exposing the rollers having a high temperature.

(E) When the second frame is operated in the opening direction, a linkage structure that opens the upper case in conjunction with this operation is provided. When this linkage structure is provided, it is not necessary to take the trouble of removing the upper case.

A perspective view showing the entire coating apparatus Perspective view of coating device unit Longitudinal front view of coating equipment Schematic sectional view showing the structure of the cover sheet Expanded cross section near the main peeling mechanism The perspective view which shows typically the state at the time of a recording paper peeling from an auxiliary sheet in a sub peeling mechanism The perspective view which shows typically the state immediately after the recording paper peeled from the auxiliary sheet in the sub-peeling mechanism Perspective view of coating device unit Front view of the coating apparatus with the first and second frames closed. Front view of coating apparatus with first and second frames set to open posture Sectional view showing the arrangement of the main peeling mechanism

Explanation of symbols

2 Transfer layer 5 Peeling mechanism 30 Cover sheet transport mechanism 31 Sheet supply unit: supply shaft 40 Auxiliary sheet transport mechanism 41 Sheet supply unit: supply shaft 50 Thermocompression bonding mechanism 51 Second thermocompression bonding body: driving roller 52 First thermocompression bonding body: Pressure roller 75 Opening and closing shaft 90 Sector gears 91, 92 Transmission mechanism: first gear / second gear A recording medium B cover sheet C auxiliary sheet E tension applying mechanism L transport path F1 first frame F2 second frame

Claims (4)

A cover sheet transport mechanism for transporting a cover sheet having a peelable transfer layer formed on one surface of a substrate is provided, and the recording surface of the recording medium is brought into contact with the transfer layer of the cover sheet transported by the cover sheet transport mechanism. Then, the recording medium and the covering sheet are sandwiched by a thermocompression bonding mechanism, and a transfer process of transferring the transfer layer of the covering sheet to the recording surface of the recording medium is performed by applying heat and pressure, and after this transfer, A coating apparatus configured to peel the base material of the coating sheet from the recording medium with a peeling mechanism disposed downstream of the thermocompression bonding mechanism,
An auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism that sends an auxiliary sheet to a position that is in close contact with the transfer layer of the covering sheet conveyed by the covering sheet conveying mechanism;
The thermocompression bonding mechanism is configured to sandwich the covering sheet and the auxiliary sheet between a first thermocompression bonding body disposed on the cover sheet side and a second thermocompression bonding body disposed on the auxiliary sheet side,
The covering sheet conveyance mechanism and the first thermocompression bonding member are supported by a first frame, the auxiliary sheet conveyance mechanism and the second thermocompression bonding member are supported by a second frame, and the first and second frames. Can be freely opened and closed,
By operating the first and second frames from the closed position to the open position, the covering sheet and the auxiliary sheet are switched from the contact state to the separated state, and the first and second frames are operated from the open position to the closed position. A coating apparatus provided with a tension applying mechanism that applies tension to at least one of the coating sheet or the auxiliary sheet when the coating is performed. The cover sheet conveyance mechanism is configured to supply a roll-shaped cover sheet from a cover sheet supply unit and to send the base material to the substrate winding unit, and the auxiliary sheet conveyance mechanism transfers the roll-shaped auxiliary sheet to the auxiliary sheet. Configured to send from the supply unit to the auxiliary sheet take-up unit,
The tension applying mechanism acts on the sheet supply side or the take-up side of at least one of the covering sheet conveying mechanism and the auxiliary sheet conveying mechanism by operating the first and second frames from the open position to the closed position. The coating apparatus of Claim 1 provided with the rotation action part which makes a rotational force act on a direction.   The first frame and the second frame are swingably opened and closed around an opening / closing axis, and the rotation operating portion meshes with a sector gear that swings around the opening / closing axis when the opening / closing operation is performed. The gear-type transmission mechanism which transmits rotational force to any one of the said covering sheet supply part, an auxiliary sheet supply part, a base material sheet winding part, and an auxiliary sheet winding part is provided. Coating equipment.   The peeling mechanism is configured by a branch guide that guides the recording medium and the base material of the cover sheet in different directions while being in contact with the cover sheet, and the branch guide is disposed on the first frame side. As the tension applying mechanism that is supported and protrudes into a linear conveyance path through which the auxiliary sheet is fed in a state where the first and second frames are in a closed posture, the tension is applied to the auxiliary sheet. The coating apparatus of claim 1 configured to function.

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