JP4614741B2 - Recording medium coating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium coating apparatus for forming and protecting a coating layer on the surface of a recording medium on which an image such as a photographic print is recorded.

  The recording methods such as the ink jet recording method and the thermal transfer recording method have been improved on the recording device (printer) and the recording medium (recording paper, etc.), and as a result, an image quality comparable to a silver salt color photograph can be obtained. In recent years, image information captured by a digital camera, image information captured by a scanner, or the like has been widely used as a technique for hard copying. With the expansion of the use of these recording methods, it has become an important issue to improve the water resistance, light resistance, etc. of images recorded by these recording methods, or to improve the beauty of the image recording surface.

  Therefore, as a technique for protecting the image recorded on the recording medium and improving the quality, a technique for protecting the recording surface of the recording medium after the image recording by laminating is known. An example of such a technique is shown below. That is, first, a long recording medium (recording paper) is transported at a constant speed, and a long laminating sheet on which a laminate material can be peeled off is mounted on the mount so as to face the recording surface of the recording medium. Transport the supply. Then, the laminate material is continuously transferred onto the recording surface of the recording medium by applying heat and pressure in a state where the recording medium and the laminate sheet are laminated by the pressure roller pair. Thereafter, only the backing sheet of the laminate sheet is peeled off, and a laminate process is performed on the recording surface of the recording medium. Then, the recording medium subjected to the lamination is sequentially cut by the cutter at the cuts of the image formed on the recording surface, and discharged in a state of being separated for each image (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-58-224779 (page 1-4, FIG. 1)

  However, in the above conventional technique, a long recording medium can be suitably laminated. However, for example, a short recording medium that has already been separated for each image has a constant interval. It is difficult to continuously laminate a plurality of recording media conveyed with a gap. That is, in this case, the laminate material of the laminate sheet is in direct contact with the surface of the pressure roller at the portion between the recording medium and the laminate material adheres to the pressure roller, causing the device to become dirty, and consequently There is a problem that the dirt adheres to the recording medium and degrades the image quality.

  Further, in the above conventional technique, since it is necessary to use a laminate sheet having the same width as the width of the recording medium, in order to perform lamination on a recording medium having a plurality of widths, the width of the recording medium is required. It is necessary to replace the laminate sheet every time the change is made. On the other hand, if the laminate sheet of the entire width is subjected to the lamination process using the laminate sheet having the width corresponding to the maximum width recording medium, the same as the above case. The laminate material of the laminate sheet is in direct contact with the surface of the pressure roller at the portion outside the width of the recording medium, and the laminate material adheres to the pressure roller and causes contamination of the apparatus, which in turn adheres to the recording medium. Therefore, there is a problem that the quality of the image is degraded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to form a coating layer continuously on a plurality of recording media transported at a constant interval. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium coating apparatus capable of forming a coating layer on a recording medium having a plurality of widths without exchanging the coating sheet, and preventing contamination of the apparatus and deterioration in image quality.

In order to achieve the above object, the recording medium coating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a recording medium supply means for supplying the recording medium between a coating sheet and an auxiliary sheet conveyed opposite to each other. The covering sheet forming means for pressurizing the covering sheet and the auxiliary sheet sandwiching the recording medium from both sides to form a covering layer on the surface of the recording medium and the surface of the auxiliary sheet around the recording medium And a branching means for branching the transport path of the recording medium and the transport path of the auxiliary sheet, and arranged downstream of the branching means in the transport direction of the recording medium, and the recording medium is disposed in the transport direction. Bending guide means for bending and guiding, the bending guide means near the rear end portion of the recording medium immediately before the rear end portion of the recording medium passes through the branch position of the conveyance path by the branching means. Guiding said recording medium in a state where the bent closer to the center of the curved, said curved guide means, the guide surface of the curved outwardly at its inlet portion, said curved with respect to the branch position of the transport path by the branching means It is in the point arranged in the direction outside .

Furthermore, since the auxiliary sheet comes in contact with the cover sheet in a portion where there is no recording medium such as the interval between the recording media or the width outside the recording medium, a plurality of sheets conveyed at a certain interval are used. Even if a coating layer is continuously formed on a recording medium, or a coating layer is formed on a recording medium having a plurality of widths without replacing the coating sheet, the coating sheet is a pressure member of the coating layer forming means, etc. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being soiled and the image quality from being deteriorated. Then, after forming the coating layer on the surface of the recording medium and the auxiliary sheet around the recording medium, the recording medium and the auxiliary sheet are separated, thereby removing the extra coating layer formed around the recording medium. Can be removed with.

  Further, the bending guide means forms a bend in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the recording medium when the rear end portion of the recording medium is separated from the auxiliary sheet, and the rear end of the recording medium is generated by a restoring force of the bending. Since the end portion is configured to be instantaneously separated from the auxiliary sheet, a coating layer formed on the surface of the recording medium, and the surface of the auxiliary sheet behind the coating layer in the conveyance direction of the recording medium It is possible to reliably separate the coating layer formed in (1). Therefore, it is possible to prevent an extra coating layer from remaining behind the recording medium after the recording medium is separated from the auxiliary sheet.

  In the recording medium coating apparatus according to the present invention, in order to enhance the convenience of taking out the recording medium after forming the coating layer, the bending guide means conveys the recording medium to the recording medium supply means side. A configuration that guides in the direction is preferable.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the coating apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in this figure, in the coating apparatus according to the present embodiment, the recording paper A is supplied into the apparatus main body along the supply tray 1 and the supply guide 2 continuous therewith. A coating layer is formed on the surface of the substrate while being conveyed along a conveyance path L provided in a substantially horizontal direction, and then guided along the curved conveyance direction by the bending guide mechanism 3 and provided above the apparatus main body. It is discharged to the discharge tray 4. At this time, the recording paper A is conveyed with the recording surface on which the image is recorded facing upward, and the coating apparatus is configured to form a coating layer on the recording surface. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the recording paper A constitutes the “recording medium” in the present invention, and the supply tray 1 and the supply guide 2 constitute the “recording medium supply unit 5” in the present invention.

  In the apparatus main body of the coating apparatus, a coating sheet conveyance mechanism 6 that conveys the coating sheet B, an auxiliary sheet conveyance mechanism 7 that conveys the auxiliary sheet E, and a coating sheet B and an auxiliary sheet E that sandwich the recording paper A therebetween. Are pressed from both sides, a first branch guide 9 for branching the conveyance path of the recording paper A and the conveyance path of the covering sheet B, and the base material C of the covering sheet B are separated and covered. The second pressurizing mechanism 10 that further pressurizes the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E after the formation of the layer F from both sides, and the second branch that branches the transport path of the recording paper A and the transport path of the auxiliary sheet E. A guide 11 and a curved guide mechanism 3 that guides and conveys the recording paper A after the auxiliary sheet E has been separated to the discharge tray 4 while curving its conveyance direction are provided. These components are integrally supported by the main body frame 12. Hereinafter, these configurations will be described in detail.

  The coating sheet B used in the coating apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a base material C and a peelable transfer layer D provided on one surface of the base material C, as shown in FIG. . The transfer layer D is a portion that is transferred to the recording surface of the recording paper A to form a coating layer F, and is provided on the base material C and plays a main role for protecting the recording surface of the recording paper A. The protective layer D1 is provided on the outer side of the protective layer D1 and has an adhesive layer D2 for adhering the protective layer D1 to the recording surface of the recording paper A. Further, here, an anchor layer D3 is provided between the protective layer D1 and the adhesive layer D2 in order to maintain a bonded state.

  Since the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B is a covering layer for protecting the recording surface of the recording paper A, it has excellent adhesion to the recording paper A, is highly transparent, hardly discolored by heat and light, It is preferable that the physical barrier property is excellent. As will be described later, when the recording sheet A and the auxiliary sheet E are separated from each other after forming the coating layer F by being transferred onto the recording surface of the recording sheet A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording sheet A. In addition, a material and a thickness that can be separated along the vicinity of the edge of the recording paper A from the portion formed on the recording surface of the recording paper A and the portion formed on the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A. Is preferable. Therefore, it is preferable to use, for example, an acrylic resin, a vinyl acetate resin, or the like for the protective layer D1. Here, as will be described later, since the first pressurizing mechanism 8 is configured to pressurize and heat the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet E sandwiching the recording paper A from both sides, the adhesive layer D2 includes It is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin such as a polyester resin that has transparency and exerts an adhesive force when heated. The base material C of the covering sheet B has heat resistance and mechanical strength that can stably maintain the shape under the pressurization and heating conditions in the first pressurization mechanism 8 described later, and good peeling from the transfer layer D. It is preferable to have the property. Therefore, for the substrate C, for example, a film of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene naphthalate or the like is preferably used.

  Further, the cover sheet B has a constant width that is larger than the width of the recording paper A (the width of the recording paper A having the maximum width in the case of recording paper A having a plurality of types of width). The long sheet is used. In the present embodiment, as the covering sheet B, a sheet wound in a roll shape with the base material C as the outside and the transfer layer D as the inside is used. Thus, the cover sheet B is transported by the cover sheet transport mechanism 6 in a direction in which the transfer layer D faces the auxiliary sheet E.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cover sheet transport mechanism 6 is branched from the transport path of the recording paper A by a supply holding unit 6 a that holds the cover sheet B wound in a roll shape so that the cover sheet B can be supplied. And a base material recovery part 6b that winds and recovers the base material C of the covering sheet B after the transfer layer D is peeled off. Here, the supply holding unit 6a is supported by the main body frame 12 at both ends, a holding shaft 6c that rotatably holds the coating sheet B wound up in a roll shape, and for limiting the rotation of the holding shaft 6c. A rotation limiting mechanism (not shown). As this rotation limiting mechanism, for example, a configuration including a torque limiter between the main body frame 12 and the holding shaft 6c is preferably used. The covering sheet B is pulled out by rotation of a driving roller 8a of the first pressure mechanism 8 to be described later and a pressure roller 8b driven by the first pressure mechanism 8. At this time, the rotation of the holding shaft 6c is limited by the rotation limiting mechanism. Therefore, the tension of the covering sheet B from the supply holding unit 6a to the pressure roller 8b of the first pressure mechanism 8 can be maintained. A free roller 6e is rotatably provided between the supply holding unit 6a and the conveyance path L for the recording paper A. The free roller 6e adjusts the intrusion angle of the conveyance path of the cover sheet B at a portion where the cover sheet B merges with the conveyance path L of the recording paper A by winding the cover sheet B around the outer periphery thereof in a predetermined angle range. The transport path of the cover sheet B after joining the transport path L of the recording paper A is provided to coincide with the transport path L of the recording paper A up to the branch position by the first branch guide 9.

  Further, the base material collecting unit 6b is a winding that is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction in order to take up and collect the base material C of the covering sheet B after being branched from the conveyance path of the recording paper A by the first branch guide 9. A take-up shaft 6f, a take-up shaft drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the take-up shaft 6f, and a drive limit mechanism (not shown) for limiting the driving force transmitted from the take-up shaft drive mechanism to the take-up shaft 6f. have. As this drive limiting mechanism, for example, a configuration including a torque limiter between a transmission mechanism such as a gear constituting the winding shaft driving mechanism and the winding shaft 6f is preferably used. Here, the rotational speed of the take-up shaft 6f driven by the take-up shaft drive mechanism in a state that is not restricted by the drive restriction mechanism is such that the base material C is taken up around the take-up shaft 6f, so that Even when the diameter changes, the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the substrate C wound around the winding shaft 6f is set to be higher than the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the driving roller 8a of the first pressure mechanism 8. Has been. Specifically, the base material C is hardly wound around the winding shaft 6f, and the peripheral speed in the state where the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the base material C is the slowest is the driving of the first pressurizing mechanism 8. It is preferable that the speed is equal to or slightly faster than the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the roller 8a. At this time, since the conveyance speed V1 of the base material C of the cover sheet B is determined by the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the drive roller 8a of the first pressure mechanism 8, the outer periphery of the base material C wound around the winding shaft 6f. The tension of the base material C is maintained by the speed difference from the peripheral speed, and the speed difference is absorbed by the drive restriction mechanism so as not to transmit a certain driving force to the winding shaft 6f. .

  The auxiliary sheet E used in the coating apparatus according to the present embodiment transfers the transfer layer D of the cover sheet B onto the recording surface of the recording sheet A to form the cover layer F, In the portion where the recording paper A does not exist between the plurality of recording papers A, the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B conveyed oppositely is a sheet to which the recording sheet A is transferred. Therefore, as the material of the auxiliary sheet E, it is preferable to use a material to which the adhesive layer D2 provided on the surface of the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B can easily adhere. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to use a film such as polyethylene terephthalate.

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

  The auxiliary sheet conveyance mechanism 7 includes a supply holding unit 7a that holds the auxiliary sheet E wound in a roll shape so that the auxiliary sheet E can be supplied, and the auxiliary sheet E after being branched from the conveyance path of the recording paper A by the second branch guide 11. And a sheet collecting section 7b that winds and collects the sheet. Here, the supply holding unit 7a is supported by the main body frame 12 at both ends, and a holding shaft 7c that rotatably holds the auxiliary sheet E wound in a roll shape, and for limiting the rotation of the holding shaft 7c. A rotation limiting mechanism (not shown). As this rotation limiting mechanism, for example, a configuration including a torque limiter between the main body frame 12 and the holding shaft 7c is preferably used. The auxiliary sheet E is pulled out by rotation of a driving roller 8a of the first pressure mechanism 8 described later and a pressure roller 8b driven by the auxiliary sheet E. At this time, the rotation of the holding shaft 7c is limited by the rotation limiting mechanism. Therefore, the tension of the auxiliary sheet E from the supply holding unit 7a to the driving roller 8a of the first pressure mechanism 8 can be maintained. A free roller 7e is rotatably provided between the supply holding unit 7a and the conveyance path L for the recording paper A. The free roller 7e adjusts the intrusion angle of the conveyance path of the auxiliary sheet E at the portion joining the conveyance path L of the recording paper A by winding the auxiliary sheet E around the outer periphery of the free roller 7e in a predetermined angle range. Then, the conveyance path L of the auxiliary sheet E after joining the conveyance path L of the recording paper A reaches the branching position by the second branch guide 11 on the downstream side of the second pressurizing mechanism 10. Is provided to match. At this time, the auxiliary sheet E is conveyed opposite to the covering sheet B with the recording paper A sandwiched between the auxiliary sheet E and the covering sheet B until the branch position of the conveying path of the covering sheet B by the first branch guide 9. The

  Further, the sheet collecting unit 7b includes a take-up shaft 7f that is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction in order to take up and collect the auxiliary sheet E branched from the conveyance path L of the recording paper A by the second branch guide 11. A winding shaft driving mechanism (not shown) for driving the winding shaft 7f, and a drive limiting mechanism (not shown) for limiting the driving force transmitted from the winding shaft driving mechanism to the winding shaft 7f. Yes. As this drive limiting mechanism, for example, a configuration including a torque limiter between a transmission mechanism such as a gear constituting the take-up shaft drive mechanism and the take-up shaft 7f is preferably used. Here, the rotational speed of the take-up shaft 7f driven by the take-up shaft drive mechanism in a state that is not restricted by the drive restriction mechanism is such that the auxiliary sheet E is taken up around the take-up shaft 7f, thereby Even when the diameter changes, the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the auxiliary sheet E wound around the winding shaft 7f is set to be higher than the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the driving roller 10a of the second pressure mechanism 10. Has been. Specifically, the auxiliary sheet E is hardly wound around the winding shaft 7f, and the peripheral speed in the state where the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the auxiliary sheet E is the slowest is the driving of the second pressurizing mechanism 10. It is preferable that the speed is equal to or slightly faster than the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the roller 10a. At this time, the conveyance speed V1 of the auxiliary sheet E is determined by the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the driving roller 10a of the second pressure mechanism 10 and the driving roller 8a of the first pressure mechanism 8 rotating at the same speed. The tension of the auxiliary sheet E is maintained by the speed difference from the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the auxiliary sheet E wound around the shaft 7f, and the speed difference is driven to a certain level or more with respect to the winding shaft 7f by the drive limiting mechanism. Absorbed by being limited so as not to transmit force.

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

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first pressurizing mechanism 8 is driven to rotate in the conveying direction of the recording paper A, the cover sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet E, and the drive roller 8a is driven to rotate. A roller driving mechanism (not shown), a pressure roller 8b provided opposite to the driving roller 8a, in contact with the driving roller 8a in a pressurized state, and rotated by the rotation of the driving roller 8a, A pressure mechanism 8d that pressurizes the pressure roller 8b toward the drive roller 8a. In this embodiment, both the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b are configured such that the surface of a hollow metal roller is covered with an elastic member such as silicon rubber. The thickness of the elastic member covering the surface of the metal roller does not impair the thermal conductivity from the heater provided inside the metal roller, as will be described later, and the drive roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b It is preferable that the thickness of the recording sheet A, the covering sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet E transported between them is sufficiently thick so that they can be sufficiently pressed. For example, in the case of silicon rubber, the thickness is about 1 mm. A thickness is preferred. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pressure mechanism 8 d holds a holding member 8 e that holds both ends of the rotation shaft of the pressure roller 8 b so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, and biases the holding member 8 e downward. And an urging member 8f constituted by an elastic member such as a spring. In this embodiment, the pressure applied by the pressure mechanism 8d is set so that the pressure at the nip portion between the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b is about 8 to 12 kg / cm ² .

  In addition, heaters 8g are respectively provided inside the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b of the first pressure mechanism 8, and heat the recording paper A, the cover sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet E while applying pressure. It has a configuration. In the present embodiment, a halogen lamp is disposed as the heater 8g at the axial center of each of the drive roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b. In this embodiment, the heating temperature by the heater 8g is set to be about 90 to 110 ° C. for the pressure roller 8b and about 50 to 70 ° C. for the driving roller 8a.

  Therefore, in the first pressurizing mechanism 8, the recording paper A, the cover sheet B, and the auxiliary sheet E are pressurized and heated from both sides while being conveyed in a laminated state between the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b. It is the composition to do. By this heating and pressurization, the transfer layer D of the covering sheet B is pressed against the recording surface of the recording sheet A sandwiched between the covering sheet B and the auxiliary sheet E and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording sheet A. Is done. That is, when heated, the adhesive layer D2 constituting the transfer layer D of the cover sheet B is activated, and the driving roller 8a and the pressure roller 8b of the first pressure mechanism 8 are further pressurized. As a result, the transfer layer D is adhered to the recording surface of the recording paper A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A. The substrate C of the covering sheet B is peeled off from the recording sheet A and the auxiliary sheet E by branching the conveying path L of the recording sheet A and the conveying path of the covering sheet B in the first branch guide 9 described later. Then, the transfer layer D is transferred onto the recording surface of the recording paper A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A. This transfer layer D forms a coating layer F. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first pressurizing mechanism 8 and the first branch guide 9 constitute the “coating layer forming means 14” in the present invention.

  The first branch guide 9 is provided between the first pressure mechanism 8 and the second pressure mechanism 10 in the transport path L of the recording paper A, and the transport path L of the recording paper A and the base material C of the cover sheet B. It is a guide member which branches the conveyance path. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first branch guide 9 is a long member that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper A on the conveyance path L of the recording paper A. A first guide surface 9a is formed on the lower side of the recording paper A and disposed substantially in parallel with the conveyance path L of the recording paper A. The first guide surface 9a is formed downstream of the recording paper A in the conveyance direction with respect to the first guide surface 9a. A second guide surface 9b is formed so as to extend upward at an acute angle. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the base material C of the covering sheet B is peeled off from the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E at the edge 9c where the first guide surface 9a and the second guide surface 9b are in contact with each other. The base material C is conveyed along the second guide surface 9b and is wound and collected by the base material collection unit 6b. As a result, the coating layer F is formed on the recording surface of the recording paper A and the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A. The first branch guide 9 has a distance such that the adhesive layer D2 of the covering sheet B activated by the heating by the first pressure mechanism 8 is cooled and exhibits a sufficient adhesive force. It is suitable to arrange so that it has with respect to 8.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 7, the second pressurizing mechanism 10 is provided on the downstream side of the first branch guide 9 in the conveyance path L of the recording paper A, and the base material C of the covering sheet B is separated. In this mechanism, the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E after the coating layer F is formed are further pressurized from both sides. In the present embodiment, a driving roller 10a that is rotationally driven in the conveyance direction of the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E, a roller driving mechanism (not shown) that rotationally drives the driving roller 10a, and the driving roller 10a are provided. A pressure roller 10b that comes into contact with the drive roller 10a in a pressurized state and rotates following the rotation of the drive roller 10a, and a pressure mechanism 10d that pressurizes the pressure roller 10b toward the drive roller 10a. And have. Here, both the driving roller 10a and the pressure roller 10b are configured such that the surface of a hollow metal roller is covered with an elastic member such as silicon rubber. The thickness of the elastic member covering the surface of the metal roller does not impair the heat conductivity from the heater provided inside the metal roller, as will be described later, and the drive roller 10a and the pressure roller 10b It is preferable that the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E on which the coating layer F to be conveyed is formed have such a thickness as to be sufficiently press-bonded. A thickness of about 1 mm is preferable. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure mechanism 10d includes a holding member 10e that holds both ends of the rotation shaft of the pressure roller 10b so as to be vertically displaceable, and a spring that urges the holding member 10e downward. And an urging member 10f formed of an elastic member. In this embodiment, the pressure applied by the pressure mechanism 10d is set so that the pressure at the nip portion between the driving roller 10a and the pressure roller 10b is about 3 to 7 kg / cm ² .

  Further, a heater 10g is provided in the pressure roller 10b of the second pressure mechanism 10, and the recording paper A and the auxiliary sheet E on which the coating layer F is formed are heated while being pressurized. ing. In the present embodiment, a halogen lamp is disposed in the axial center portion of the pressure roller 10b as the heater 10g. In this embodiment, the heating temperature by the heater 10g is set to be about 80 to 100 ° C. as the surface temperature of the pressure roller 10b.

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

  The second branch guide 11 is a guide member that is provided on the downstream side of the second pressure mechanism 10 in the transport path L of the recording paper A, and branches the transport path L of the recording paper A and the transport path of the auxiliary sheet E. . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second branch guide 11 is configured by a member that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording paper A on the conveyance path L of the recording paper A, A first guide surface 11a is formed on the upper side of the recording paper A. The first guide surface 11a is disposed substantially in parallel with the transport path L of the recording paper A. The first guide surface 11a is formed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording paper A with an acute angle. A second guide surface 11b is formed so as to extend downward. The auxiliary sheet E is peeled off from the recording paper A at the edge 11c where the first guide surface 11a and the second guide surface 11b are in contact, and the peeled auxiliary sheet E is conveyed along the second guide surface 11b. Then, the sheet is collected and collected by the sheet collecting unit 7b. At this time, the recording sheet A advances straight along the conveyance path L in a substantially horizontal direction, while the auxiliary sheet E is bent and conveyed downward along the edge 11c of the second branch guide 11. Therefore, the coating layer F formed on the recording surface of the recording paper A and the coating layer F formed on the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A are separated from each other, and the recording surface of the recording paper A The coating layer F formed on the recording paper A and the coating layer F formed on the surface of the auxiliary sheet E around the recording paper A are cut and separated along the vicinity of the edge of the recording paper A. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second branch guide 11 constitutes the “branching means” in the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the bending guide mechanism 3 is disposed downstream of the second branch guide 11 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper A, and guides the recording paper A by curving the conveyance direction. Mechanism. In the present embodiment, the curved guide mechanism 3 includes an outer guide surface 3 a that guides the recording sheet A on the outer side in the bending direction of the curved conveyance path of the recording sheet A downstream of the second branch guide 11, and the recording sheet A. An inner guide surface 3b that guides the recording sheet A on the inner side of the curved transport path in the bending direction, and a transport roller 3c that transports the recording sheet A along the outer guide surface 3a and the inner guide surface 3b. Then, after the recording sheet A is introduced from the inlet portion 3d of the curved guide mechanism 3, the recording paper A is guided and transported along the transport path L curved by the outer guide surface 3a, the inner guide surface 3b, and the transport roller 3c, and the exit portion. 3e is discharged onto a discharge tray 4 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body. Here, the conveyance roller 3c is provided so as to be opposed to the driving roller that is rotationally driven in the conveyance direction of the recording paper A, and is in contact with the driving roller in a pressurized state and rotates the driving roller. It is comprised by the roller pair which consists of a pressure roller driven and rotated. In the present embodiment, the transport rollers 3c are respectively disposed at the exit portion 3e of the bending guide mechanism 3 and in the vicinity of the middle between the entrance portion 3d and the exit portion 3e. The transport roller 3c is constituted by a roller whose surface is covered with an elastic member such as synthetic rubber, both of the driving roller and the pressure roller. However, these rollers may be metal hard rollers that are not covered by the elastic member. In the present embodiment, the bending guide mechanism 3 constitutes the “bending guide means” in the present invention.

  Further, the bending guide mechanism 3 sets a branch position P (here, near the edge 11c of the second branch guide 11) between the transport path L of the recording sheet A and the transport path of the auxiliary sheet E by the second branch guide 11. The recording sheet A is guided so that a bend is formed in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the recording paper A immediately before the rear end portion of the recording paper A passes. In other words, the bending guide mechanism 3 determines that the position of the rear end portion of the recording sheet A immediately after the rear end portion of the recording sheet A passes the branch position P is the branch position P (the branch position P is the rear end of the recording sheet A). A configuration is provided in which the recording paper A is guided so as to be at a different position with respect to the recording paper A immediately before the end portion passes.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the bending guide mechanism 3 is configured as follows. In other words, the entrance 3d introduces the leading end of the recording paper A separated from the auxiliary sheet E at the branching position P without being caught, so that the recording paper A before the branching by the second branching guide 11 is in the conveyance path L. It is arranged so as to open on the extension line, and further, the opening space is widened by widening the outer guide surface 3a at the inlet 3d downward and the inner guide surface 3b upward. Further, the curved shape of the conveyance path L of the recording paper A constituted by the outer guide surface 3a and the inner guide surface 3b between the inlet portion 3d and the outlet portion 3e is a substantially arc shape that is upward, more specifically. Is formed so as to have a substantially semicircular shape in which the direction of 180 ° is different between the inlet portion 3d and the outlet portion 3e of the bending guide mechanism 3. As a result, the bending guide mechanism 3 includes the branching position P located near the edge 11c of the second branching guide 11, the transport roller 3c disposed at the position closest to the entrance 3d, and the recording paper between them. The outer guide surface 3a and the inner guide surface 3b for guiding A are arranged so as to guide the conveyance path L of the recording sheet A curved in a substantially arc shape, and the outer guide surface 3a at the entrance 3d is branched. It is arranged outside the bending direction with respect to the position P. Here, the outer guide surface 3a in the entrance portion 3d of the bending guide mechanism 3 is arranged on the outer side in the bending direction with respect to the branch position P because the vicinity of the rear end portion of the recording paper A is an auxiliary sheet as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the entrance 3d is provided with a space that allows the auxiliary sheet E to move in a direction to be restored to a flat state from a curved state (a bent state) before separating from the E. Because.

  With such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, the bending guide mechanism 3 causes the vicinity of the rear end of the recording paper A before passing through the branch position P to bend in the thickness direction, thereby forming a bend. After the rear end portion of the recording paper A passes through the branch position P and is separated from the auxiliary sheet E, the vicinity of the rear end portion of the recording paper A changes from a curved state (a bent state) to a planar state as shown in FIG. Since it is configured to have a space that allows movement in the restoring direction, the recording surface of the recording sheet A is utilized by utilizing the restoring force of the recording sheet A that tends to approach the flat state from the curved state (deflected state). The covering layer F formed on the recording sheet A and the covering layer F formed on the surface of the auxiliary sheet E can be instantaneously separated along the rear edge of the recording paper A. Therefore, after the recording paper A is separated from the auxiliary sheet E, it is possible to prevent the extra coating layer F from remaining behind the recording paper A.

  In the present embodiment, the bending guide mechanism 3 is configured to guide the recording paper A in a direction in which the recording paper A is conveyed to the supply tray 1 side constituting the recording medium supply unit 5. Specifically, the curved shape of the conveyance path L of the recording paper A guided by the curved guide mechanism 3 is a substantially semicircular shape in which the inlet portion 3d and the outlet portion 3e have different 180 ° directions as described above. The recording sheet A guided and conveyed along the conveyance path L is discharged from the outlet 3e onto a discharge tray 4 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body. Since the discharge tray 4 is disposed toward the supply tray 1 on the upper surface of the apparatus main body, the recording paper A is discharged to the supply tray 1 side. With this configuration, since the user can operate from the same direction when placing the recording paper A on the supply tray and when taking out the discharged recording paper A, the user can supply the recording paper A, and The convenience of taking out the recording paper A after forming the coating layer F can be enhanced.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the coating apparatus according to the present embodiment cut near the center in the width direction. As shown in this figure, in the coating apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the bending guide mechanism 3 conveys and guides the recording paper A from the inlet portion 3d to the outlet portion 3e, first, the substantially circular arc-shaped carrier heads downward. After being guided along the path L, it is guided along the linear conveyance path L passing through the lower side of the apparatus main body, and is arranged on the lower side of the apparatus main body and on the supply tray 1 side constituting the recording medium supply means 5. This is different from the first embodiment in that it is configured to be discharged to the discharged discharge tray 4. Further, in this embodiment, a portion corresponding to the second pressure mechanism 10 in the coating apparatus according to the first embodiment is not provided, and the conveyance path of the recording paper A by the first branch guide 9 and the coating sheet The difference is that the branch position of the B base material C and the transport path L of the recording sheet A by the second branch guide 11 and the branch position of the auxiliary sheet E are close to each other. To do.

  Differences from the first embodiment in the specific configuration of the bending guide mechanism 3 according to the present embodiment will be described below. That is, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the entrance 3d is disposed so as to open on the extended line of the transport path L of the recording paper A before being branched by the second branch guide 11. The embodiment is different in that the opening space is widened by expanding the outer guide surface 3a in the inlet portion 3d upward and the inner guide surface 3b downward. Further, the conveyance path L of the recording paper A constituted by the outer guide surface 3a and the inner guide surface 3b between the inlet portion 3d and the outlet portion 3e has a substantially arc shape that is directed downward, more specifically, a curved guide. The entrance portion 3d and the exit portion 3e of the mechanism 3 are configured to have a substantially semicircular curved portion 3f that is different in 180 ° direction, and a linear portion 3g that is continuously arranged on the lower side of the apparatus main body. ing. Even with such a configuration, as in the first embodiment, the bending guide mechanism 3 is disposed at the branch position P located near the end edge 11c of the second branch guide 11 and the position closest to the inlet 3d. The conveyance roller 3c, and the outer guide surface 3a and the inner guide surface 3b for guiding the recording paper A between them are arranged so as to guide the conveyance path L of the recording paper A curved in a substantially arc shape. Furthermore, the outer guide surface 3a in the inlet 3d is configured to be arranged on the outer side in the bending direction with respect to the branch position P. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the bending guide mechanism 3 causes the vicinity of the rear end portion of the recording paper A before passing through the branch position P to bend and form a bend, and the rear end portion of the recording paper A sets the branch position P. After passing and separating from the auxiliary sheet E, as shown in FIG. 12, there is a space that allows the vicinity of the rear end of the recording paper A to move in the direction of restoring from the curved state (bent state) to the flat state. Therefore, the covering layer F and the auxiliary sheet E formed on the recording surface of the recording sheet A are utilized by utilizing the restoring force of the recording sheet A that tends to approach the flat state from the bent state (the bent state). The coating layer F formed on the surface can be instantaneously separated along the trailing edge of the recording paper A. Therefore, after the recording paper A is separated from the auxiliary sheet E, it is possible to prevent the extra coating layer F from remaining behind the recording paper A.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the bending guide mechanism 3 is configured to guide the recording paper A in the direction in which the recording paper A is conveyed to the supply tray 1 side configuring the recording medium supply unit 5 has been described. The configuration of the bending guide mechanism 3 is not limited to this, and the bending of the recording paper A in the vicinity of the inlet portion 3d forms a deflection in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the recording paper A. The shape may be any shape, and the conveyance path of the recording paper A may be curved and guided, and the recording paper A may be discharged to the opposite side of the recording medium supply unit 5. Further, the curved shape is not limited to the arc shape, and can be various shapes.

(2) In the above embodiment, the bending guide mechanism 3 has a configuration in which both sides of the conveyance path L of the recording paper A are guided by the outer guide surface 3a and the inner guide surface 3b, respectively, and are conveyed by the conveyance roller 3c. However, the configuration of the bending guide mechanism 3 is not limited to this, and it is possible to provide the conveyance roller 3c and the outer guide surface 3a without the inner guide surface 3b. Further, when the conveyance path by the bending guide mechanism 3 is short with respect to the recording paper A, a configuration in which the conveyance roller 3c is not provided may be employed.

(3) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the configuration including the supply tray 1 and the supply guide 2 as the “recording medium supply unit 5” in the present invention has been described. 5 may be configured to include an automatic supply mechanism that automatically and continuously supplies the recording paper A. That is, the coating apparatus according to the present invention is installed on the downstream side of the recording apparatus that records an image on the recording paper A such as a photographic printer in actual use. Therefore, it is preferable that the recording paper A continuously discharged from the recording apparatus is automatically conveyed and supplied into the apparatus main body of the coating apparatus.

(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the covering sheet B having the base material C and the transfer layer D provided so as to be peelable from the base material C has been described. The sheet is not limited to this, and for example, it is possible to use a sheet that does not include the base material C and includes only a portion corresponding to the transfer layer D. In this case, the covering sheet conveyance mechanism 6 does not include the base material recovery unit 6b.

Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the coating | coated apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention near width direction center. Schematic sectional view showing the structure of the covering sheet according to the first embodiment of the present invention Enlarged view of the vicinity of the first pressure mechanism in FIG. Enlarged view of the vicinity of the first branch guide in FIG. The perspective view which shows the state in the case of peeling of each sheet | seat in the 1st branch guide and 2nd branch guide of the coating | coated apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state when a base material of a covering sheet is peeled from a recording paper and an auxiliary sheet in the first branch guide of the covering apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Enlarged view of the vicinity of the bending guide mechanism in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the state before the rear end part of recording paper separates from an auxiliary sheet in the 2nd branch guide and curved guide mechanism of the coating device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state after the rear-end part vicinity of recording paper isolate | separated from the auxiliary sheet in the 2nd branch guide and curved guide mechanism of the coating device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the coating | coated apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention in width direction center vicinity. Sectional drawing which shows the state before the rear-end part vicinity of recording paper isolate | separates from an auxiliary sheet in the 2nd branch guide and curved guide mechanism of the coating device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state after the back edge part of recording paper isolate | separated from the auxiliary sheet in the 2nd branch guide and curved guide mechanism of the coating device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

A Recording paper (recording medium)
B Cover sheet C Cover sheet base D Cover sheet transfer layer E Auxiliary sheet F Cover layer L Recording paper transport path P Branching position between the recording paper transport path and the auxiliary sheet transport path 3 Curved guide mechanism (curved guide) means)
3a Outer guide surface 3b Inner guide surface 5 Recording medium supply means 6 Cover sheet transport mechanism 7 Auxiliary sheet transport mechanism 8 First pressure mechanism 9 First branch guide 10 Second pressure mechanism 11 Second branch guide (branch means)
14 Coating layer forming means

Claims (2)

A recording medium coating apparatus for forming a coating layer on a surface of a recording medium,
Recording medium supply means for supplying the recording medium between a cover sheet and an auxiliary sheet conveyed opposite to each other;
A coating layer forming means for pressing the coating sheet and the auxiliary sheet sandwiched between the recording media from both sides to form a coating layer on the surface of the recording medium and on the surface of the auxiliary sheet around the recording medium; ,
A branching unit that branches the transport path of the recording medium and the transport path of the auxiliary sheet;
A bending guide means that is arranged downstream of the branching means in the conveying direction of the recording medium and guides the recording medium by curving the conveying direction;
The bending guide means is a state where the vicinity of the rear end of the recording medium is bent toward the center of the bending immediately before the rear end of the recording medium passes through the branch position of the conveyance path by the branching means. Guide the recording medium ,
The bending guide means is a recording medium coating apparatus in which the guide surface on the outer side in the bending direction at the entrance is arranged on the outer side in the bending direction with respect to the branch position of the conveyance path by the branching means . The recording medium coating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bending guide unit guides the recording medium in a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed toward the recording medium supply unit.

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