JP5428703B2 - Laminating apparatus and image recording body manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a laminating apparatus and an image recording body manufacturing apparatus.

  In recent years, along with the development of image forming technology, means for forming images of the same quality in large quantities and at low cost by various printing methods such as intaglio printing, relief printing, planographic printing, gravure printing, and screen printing are known. Yes. And this printing method is the surface of an information medium that can store information and communicate with an external device in contact or non-contact, such as an IC card, a magnetic card, an optical card, or an image recording body (various cards) that combines them. It is also often used for printing.

  Among the printing methods, several proposals have already been made for producing an image recording body (various cards) by an electrophotographic printing method. Specifically, for example, it has been proposed that personal identification information is printed on a light-transmitting sheet, and that the printing is performed as a mirror image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as a manufacturing apparatus that automates the laminating process of laminating a printed light-transmitting sheet, for example, a pair of upper and lower entrance-side rolls and a pair of upper and lower exit-side rolls are held in parallel, There has been proposed a method in which an endless belt is stretched between rolls, and a heating / pressurizing roll and a cooling roll are arranged inside the endless belt (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-11-334265 No. 2005-28865

  The subject of this invention is providing the lamination apparatus which suppresses a deformation | transformation of the support plate which supports the roll pair which press-contacts mutually compared with the case where the following regulating member is not provided.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1
A first endless belt unit having a first endless belt, a plurality of first roll groups disposed inside the first endless belt, and a pair of first support plates that support both ends of the first roll group. When,
A second endless belt disposed opposite to the first endless belt, and a plurality of second roll groups disposed within the second endless belt, wherein at least one roll is the first roll group A second roll group that is pressed against the rolls via the first endless belt and the second endless belt, and a pair of second support plates that support both ends of the second roll group. Endless belt unit,
The first support plate is in pressure contact with the roll of the first roll group in the second support plate and the periphery of the support portion that supports the roll of the first roll group in pressure contact with the roll of the second roll group in the first support plate. and around the support portion for supporting the roll of the second roll group linked to a regulating member for regulating the movement in a direction between the first support plate and the second supporting plate is spaced apart at the periphery of the support portion The rolls are separated from the rolls of the first roll group and the rolls of the second roll group, which are composed of at least the first member and the second member connected to the first member and are pressed against each other. A regulating member that separates the first member and the second member when a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure is applied in a direction to be
Comprising
A laminating apparatus for laminating by passing an object to be laminated between the first endless belt and the second endless belt.

The invention according to claim 2
A laminating means for laminating a core sheet and a light-transmitting film having an image formed on at least one side;
The laminating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the laminating apparatus according to claim 1 is a laminating unit for laminating the surface of the core sheet with the light transmissive film by heating and pressurizing the laminate of the core sheet and the light transmissive film. Having laminating means;
An apparatus for producing an image recording body comprising:

According to the invention which concerns on Claim 1, compared with the case where the said limitation member is not provided, a deformation | transformation of the support plate which supports the roll which press-contacts mutually is suppressed.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where a mechanism for separating the regulating member is not provided, breakage of the rolls that are in pressure contact with each other is suppressed.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2 , the air remaining between a core sheet and a light transmissive film is suppressed compared with the case where the laminating apparatus which does not provide the said control member is not employ | adopted.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the image recording body produced with the production apparatus of the image recording body which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the production apparatus of the image recording body which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows the laminating apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic plan view which shows the laminating apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic front view for demonstrating the press-contact mechanism of a pair of heating-pressing roll which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the press-contact mechanism of a pair of heating-pressing roll which concerns on embodiment. It is a general | schematic disassembled perspective view which shows the control member which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the separation mechanism of the control member which concerns on embodiment. It is a general | schematic disassembled perspective view which shows the control member which concerns on other embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the separation mechanism of the control member which concerns on other embodiment. It is process drawing which shows the lamination process in the collation apparatus (collation receptacle) which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the member which has the substantially the same function and effect | action through all the drawings, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image recording body manufactured by the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment.

  First, an image recording body (laminated body) manufactured by the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The image recording body is composed of, for example, a plastic sheet, and as shown in FIG. 1, a core sheet 1 and a surface film 3 and a back film 5 (both light transmissive films) on which images 2 and 4 are formed, The surfaces on which the images 2 and 4 are formed are overlapped and laminated so as to face each other with the core sheet 1. In this embodiment, a mode in which a light transmissive film having images formed on both sides of the core sheet is laminated will be described. Of course, a mode in which a light transmissive film having images formed on one side of the core sheet is laminated. It may be. Here, “light transmittance” indicates that the light transmittance in the visible light region (400 nm to 700 nm) is 80% or more, preferably 90% or more.

  The apparatus for manufacturing the image recording body is the apparatus for manufacturing the image recording body according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus (image forming means) 10, a collating apparatus 20 (laminating means), a cleaning apparatus 50, and a laminating apparatus (laminating). Means) 30.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes, for example, a film storage unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a transport path 13 for transporting a light transmissive film from the film storage unit 11 to the image forming unit 12, and an outlet 14 from the image forming unit 12. And a conveyance path 15 for conveying the light transmissive film after image formation. Other configurations are omitted.

  Although not shown, the image forming unit 12 is, for example, a latent image holding body that forms a latent image, a developing device that develops the latent image using a developer containing at least toner, and obtains a toner image, and the developed image Consists of a known electrophotographic color image forming apparatus, including a transfer device that transfers a toner image to a light transmissive film, and a fixing device that heats and presses the toner image transferred to the light transmissive film. Yes.

  The conveyance paths 13 and 15 are comprised from the some roll pair and guide (not shown) including a drive roll pair, for example. The conveyance path 15 is provided with an inversion path 16 that reverses the conveyance direction of the light transmissive film by 180 °. A cam 17 for changing the guide direction of the light transmissive film is provided at a branch portion between the conveyance path 15 and the reverse path 16. When the light transmissive film is reciprocated on the reversing path 16 and returned to the transport path 15 again, the transport direction of the light transmissive film is reversed by 180 ° and the front and back surfaces of the light transmissive film are reversed and transported.

  The collating apparatus 20 includes, for example, a core sheet storage unit 22, a collation receiver (positioning unit) 25, a conveyance path 24 that supplies the core sheet 1 from the core sheet storage unit 22 to the collation receiver 25, and the image forming apparatus 10. The conveyance path 21 is configured to supply the light transmissive film discharged from the discharge port 14 to the collation receiver 25.

  The discharge part of the conveyance path 24 that supplies the core sheet 1 to the collation receiver 25 and the discharge part of the conveyance path 21 that supplies the light transmissive film to the collation receiver 25 are provided in parallel in the height direction. .

  The transport path 21 may be, for example, a plate-like member and a structure provided with a transport roll for transporting the light-transmitting film on the surface thereof, or configured by a rotating endless belt-shaped transport body. May be. Then, at the timing when the light transmissive film is discharged from the image forming apparatus 10, the transport roll and the transport belt rotate and transport to the light transmissive film collation receiver 25.

  The core sheet storage unit 22 includes, for example, a pick-up roll and a paper supply roll provided in a normal paper supply device, and the collation receiver 25 has moved to the position of the discharge port of the core sheet storage unit 22. The paper feed roll or the like rotates at the timing immediately after that, and conveys the core sheet to the collation receiver 25.

  The collation receiver 25 is installed, for example, at a position where the core sheet and the light transmissive film (surface film, back film) are respectively supplied from the discharge portion of the conveyance path 24 and the discharge portion of the conveyance path 21. A means (not shown) for aligning and positioning the ends of the core sheet and the light transmissive film (surface film, back film) is provided.

  Further, the collating receptacle 25 is provided with a temporary fixing device 26 for temporarily fixing a laminated body in which two light-transmitting films are laminated via a core sheet. The temporary fixing device 26 includes a pair of protruding pieces made of metal so as to be heated by, for example, a heater, and the laminated body is sandwiched between the heated pair of protruding pieces. The end of each is heat welded and temporarily fixed.

  When the temporary fixing device 26 is provided on the transport path of the laminated body from the collating receiver 25 to the laminating device, the temporary fixing device 26 is disposed at the end of the collating receiver 25 only during temporary fixing. In other cases, a mechanism for retracting from the conveyance path is provided.

  The laminate cleaning device 50 includes, for example, a static elimination device 51 and a cleaning roll 52, and after removing dust, dust, and the like on the surface of the laminate that has passed through the collating device 20, a laminate device for the next process The laminate is conveyed to 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the laminating apparatus 30 is a laminating apparatus that laminates the surface of the core sheet with a light transmissive film by heating and pressing the laminate.

  The laminating apparatus 30 employs a belt nip system composed of a pair of endless belts facing each other, and the image recording body is manufactured by laminating the surface of the core sheet with a light transmissive film between the pair of endless belts. It has become.

  Specifically, for example, the laminating apparatus 30 includes a table 40, and a first endless belt unit 30A and a second endless belt unit 30B arranged on the table 40.

The first endless belt unit 30A includes a first endless belt 31A, a plurality of first roll groups 301A disposed inside the first endless belt 31A, and a pair of first supports that support both ends of the first roll group 301A. And a plate 41A.
The first endless belt unit 30A includes, as a first roll group 301A, a first tension applying roll 32A and a first inlet roll 35A that support the first endless belt 31A while applying tension from the inner peripheral surface, A first heating and pressing roll 34A, a first cooling plate 39A, and a first cooling roll 33A are provided between the first tension applying roll 32A and the first inlet roll 35A. Note that the first heating and pressing roll 34A, the first cooling plate 39A, and the first cooling roll 33A are arranged in this order in the stacked body transport direction.

Similarly, the second endless belt unit 30B includes a second endless belt 31B, a plurality of second roll groups 301B disposed inside the second endless belt, and a pair of second end groups that support both ends of the second roll group 301B. 2 support plates 41B.
The second endless belt unit 30B includes, as the second roll group 301B, a second tension applying roll 32B and a second inlet roll 35B that support the second endless belt 31B while applying tension from the inner peripheral surface, A second heating and pressing roll 34B, a second cooling plate 39B, and a second cooling roll 33B disposed between the two tension applying rolls 32B and the second inlet roll 35B are provided. Note that the second heating and pressing roll 34B, the second cooling plate 39B, and the second cooling roll 33B are arranged in this order in the stack conveyance direction.

The first endless belt unit 30A and the second endless belt unit 30B are such that the first endless belt 31A and the second endless belt 31B are opposed to the first roll group 301A and the second roll group 301B. Is arranged. The first heating and pressing roll 34A in the first roll group 301A and the second heating and pressing roll 34B in the second roll group 301B are in pressure contact via the first endless belt 31A and the second endless belt 31B. Are arranged.
The first heat and pressure roll 34A corresponds to an example of a roll of the first roll group 301A that is pressed against the roll of the second roll group 301B. The second heat and pressure roll 34B corresponds to an example of a roll of the second roll group 301B that is pressed against the roll of the first roll group 301A.

  Further, the first endless belt unit 30A and the second endless belt unit 30B have a first support plate 41A and a second support plate 41B that face each other at both ends in the longitudinal direction and a connecting member 42 (hereinafter referred to as a positioning connecting member 42). ) And are positioned and fixed.

In addition, the periphery of the support portion that supports the first heating and pressing roll 34A in the first support plate 41A and the periphery of the support portion that supports the second heating and pressing roll 34B in the second support plate 41B are also connected members. 43 (hereinafter referred to as a regulation connecting member 43). Two of the regulation connecting members 43 are provided so as to sandwich the periphery of the support portion of each support plate that supports each heating and pressing roll. Of course, the number of the regulation connecting members 43 is not limited to the above, and may be one or three or more.
The restricting connecting member 43 is an example of a restricting member that restricts movement in the direction in which the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B are separated from each other around the support portion.

  In the first endless belt unit 30A and the second endless belt unit 30B, the first inlet roll 35A and the second inlet roll 35B that are arranged to face each other via the endless bell 31A and the second endless belt 31B are installed without being nipped. (Spaced apart). Similarly, the endless bell 31A and the first tension applying roll 32B and the second tension applying roll 32B which are arranged to face each other via the second endless belt 31B are installed (disposed apart) so as not to nip. Thereby, even if the endless belt 31 meanders by continuous operation, the endless belt is returned to a predetermined position while being operated. That is, the first endless belt 31A is adjusted by adjusting the spring force of the first tension spring 36A and the second tension spring 36B respectively installed at both axial ends of the first tension applying roll 32A and the second tension applying roll 32B. And the meandering of the second endless belt 31B is suppressed.

On the other hand, the first heating / pressurizing roll 34A and the second heating / pressurizing roll 34B arranged to face each other via the first endless belt 31A and the second endless belt 31B are arranged in a nip (disposed in pressure contact with each other). Has been. The first cooling plate 39A and the second cooling plate 39B, the first cooling roll 33A and the second cooling roll 33B, which are arranged to face each other via the first endless belt 31A and the second endless belt 31B, are similarly arranged.
Among these members, the first heating and pressing roll 34A and the second heating and pressing roll 34B having a function of adhering (laminating) the core sheet and the light transmissive film are in a state where the highest pressure is applied. Thus, a nip portion is formed and arranged.

Examples of the pressure contact mechanism between the first heating and pressing roll 34A and the second heating and pressing roll 34B include the following mechanisms.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the first endless belt unit 30 </ b> A, the first support plate 41 </ b> _A is provided with an opening 41 </ b> A <b> ₁ having the same diameter as the shaft of the first heating and pressing roll 34 </ b> A. The opening 41A ₁ of the first supporting plate 41A, the shaft ends of the first heat and pressure roll 34A is fitted via a bearing (not shown). As a result, the first heating and pressing roll 34A is restricted from moving in a direction facing the second heating and pressing roll 34B (hereinafter referred to as a roll facing direction) and in a direction intersecting with the first heating and pressing roll 34B. It is supported.

On the other hand, in the second endless belt unit 30B, the second support plate 41B, the opening 41B ₁ elliptical (rounded rectangular) is provided with its longitudinal direction so as to extend along the roll opposing direction. Specifically, for example, opening 41B ₁ is (length in the direction orthogonal to the roll opposing direction (e.g., perpendicular)) shaft diameter and the same diameter of the width of the second heat and pressure roll 34B, and a second heating The pressure roll 34B has a length in the longitudinal direction longer than the diameter of the shaft, and the opposite edges in the longitudinal direction have the same curvature as the curvature of the shaft diameter. The the opening 41B ₁ of the second support plate 41B, the shaft ends of the second heat and pressure roll 34B is inserted through the bearing (not shown). Thereby, the second heating and pressing roll 34B can move in the direction facing the first heating and pressing roll 34A (hereinafter referred to as the roll facing direction), but the movement in the direction intersecting with the second heating and pressing roll 34B is limited. 2 supported by a support plate 41B.

The shaft ends tip of the second heat and pressure roll 34B is bearing by a bearing plate 44 in a state of being inserted into the opening 41B ₁ of the second support plate 41B. Both ends of the bearing plate 44 in the width direction (both ends in the direction crossing the roll facing direction) are supported by the two guide plates 45 provided on the second support plate 41B so as to move in the roll facing direction. The bearing plate 44 is provided with a spring member 46 on the surface opposite to the first heating and pressing roll 34A side in the roll facing direction, and pressure is applied to the first heating and pressing roll 34A side by the spring member 46. The

The spring member 46 has a pressure adjusting pin 47 connected to the end of the spring member 46 opposite to the first heating and pressing roll 34A side in the longitudinal direction. The pressure adjusting pin 47 is fitted and disposed in a circular opening provided in a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the axial direction of the second heating and pressing roll 34B in the second support plate 41B. Here, a thread is formed on the pressure adjusting pin 47, while a tap hole is formed in the circular opening of the second support plate 41B. For this reason, the expansion and contraction of the spring member 46 is adjusted by rotating the pressure adjustment pin 47, and as a result, the second heating and pressing roll 34B is pressed against the first heating and pressing roll 34A with a target pressure. Arranged in a state.
The first cooling roll 33A and the second cooling roll 33B are also arranged by adjusting the pressure contact force by a similar mechanism.

In the state of pressure contact, the periphery of the support portion of the first support plate 41A that supports the first heating and pressing roll 34A, and the periphery of the support portion of the second support plate 41B that supports the second heating and pressing roll 34B. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the restriction connecting member 43 that connects the first restriction connecting member 43 </ b> A and the second restriction connecting member 43 </ b> B connected to the first restriction connecting member 43 </ b> A.
The end portion connected to the second regulating coupling member 43B of the first restricting coupling member 43A (the end face) has a convex portion 43A ₁ projecting in the second regulating connecting member 43B side.
On the other hand, an end portion connected to the first regulating connecting member 43A of the second restricting coupling member 43B (the end face) has a recess 43B ₁ recessed therein.

The first restricting coupling member 43A and the second restricting coupling member 43B, the convex portion 43A ₁ of each other are connected is fitted in the recess 43B _1. Further, the convex portion 43A ₁ of the first regulating coupling member 43A to the the connecting-side end portion of the second restricting coupling member 43B, in a state where the convex portion 43A ₁ is fitted in the recess 43B _1, a direction intersecting the connecting direction through holes 43C ₁ penetrating is provided, fixed bar 43C is inserted into the through hole 43C _1, a first restricting coupling member 43A and the second restricting coupling member 43B is connected (see FIG. 8 (a) )

  By fixing the connecting portion of the first restricting connecting member 43A and the second restricting connecting member 43B by the fixing rod 43C, the first restricting connecting member 43A and the second restricting connecting member 43B are predetermined in a direction away from each other. In the state where the applied pressure is applied, the first restricting connecting member 43A and the second restricting connecting member 43B are not separated from each other (see FIG. 8A), but exceed a predetermined pressure in the separating direction. When excessive pressure is applied, the fixing rod 43C is destroyed. As a result, the first restriction connecting member 43A and the second restriction connecting member 43B are separated from each other, and the movement restriction in the direction in which the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B are separated is released (FIG. 8B). )reference).

  In addition, a sensor 43D (for example, a continuity sensor, a piezoelectric element sensor, or the like) that detects that the connection is released may be provided between the first restriction connection member 43A and the second restriction connection member 43B. When the connection between the first restriction connecting member 43A and the second restriction connecting member 43B is released, it is detected by the sensor 43D, and based on this detection signal, the fact that the release has occurred is displayed on a display device (not shown). Or a driving device (not shown) that rotationally drives the endless belt may be stopped.

The configuration of the regulation connecting member 43 is not limited to the above form, and the first heating and pressing roll 34A (the roll of the first roll group 301A) and the second heating and pressing roll 34B (the second roll group 301B of the second roll group 301B) that are in pressure contact with each other. When a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure is applied in a direction in which the rolls are separated from each other, that is, in a direction in which the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B are separated from each other. If the pressure exceeding the pressure is applied, there is no particular limitation as long as the restriction in the direction in which the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B are separated is released, and the restriction connecting member 43 is , for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the convex portion 43A ₁ of the first regulating coupling member 43A, while gradually be constituted by circular outer shape becomes larger toward the second restricting coupling member 43B side, the second regulating coupling member 4 3B the recess 43B ₁ of, is constituted by a circular opening diameter becomes gradually larger toward the inside, by fitting the convex portions 43A ₁ and the recess 43B ₁ of this shape, and the second restricting coupling first restricting coupling member 43A The member 43B may be connected.
In this embodiment, the mating of the recess 43B ₁ of the circular protrusion 43A ₁ and the circular shape, by fixing the connecting portion of the first restricting coupling member 43A and the second restricting coupling member 43B, first restricting connection In a state in which a predetermined pressure is applied in a direction in which the member 43A and the second regulation connecting member 43B are separated from each other, the first regulation coupling member 43A and the second regulation coupling member 43B are not separated from each other (FIG. 10 ( a) refer), when excess pressure exceeding the predetermined pressure in the direction of the spacing are added, it deformed second restricting coupling member 43B around which constitute the recess 43B _1, circular protrusions 43A ₁ the mating of the recess 43B ₁ of circular shape is released and. As a result, the first restriction connecting member 43A and the second restriction connecting member 43B are separated from each other, and the movement restriction in the direction in which the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B are separated is released (FIG. 10B). )reference).
Of course, the restricting connecting member 43 is not limited to the form constituted by two members, but is constituted by one member and exceeds a predetermined pressure in a direction in which the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B are separated from each other. When the applied pressure is applied, it may be configured to be released at the connecting portion with the first support plate 41A or the second support plate 41B.

Next, the operation of the laminating apparatus 30 will be described.
Hereinafter, the first endless belt unit 30A and the second endless belt unit 30B are arranged to face each other and form a pair. Hereinafter, the first endless belt 31A and the second endless belt 31B arranged to face each other are referred to as “a pair of endless belts”. "Belt 31", the first inlet roll 35A and the second inlet roll 35B arranged opposite to each other are "a pair of inlet rolls 35", and the first heating and pressure roll 34A and the second heating and pressure roll 34B arranged opposite each other are "a pair". , The first and second cooling plates 39A and 39B arranged in opposition to each other as "a pair of cooling plates 39", and the first and second cooling rolls 33A and 33B arranged in opposition to each other in "a pair". The first cooling roller 33A and the first tension applying roller 32A and the second tension applying roller 32B arranged opposite to each other will be referred to as “a pair of tension applying rollers 32”. .

  In the laminating apparatus 30, the laminated body is heated and pressurized via the pair of endless belts 31 by a pair of heating and pressing rolls 34 disposed behind the pair of inlet rolls 35 (downstream in the laminated body conveyance direction). Through this process, the laminate is heat-sealed. Here, since the pair of inlet rolls 35 is not nipped, the laminated body enters the nip portion of the pair of heating and pressing rolls 34 before the nip force of the pair of endless belts 31 and the heating and pressing rolls 34. While being pre-laminated by preheating, it is conveyed to the nip portion by the heating and pressing roll 34.

  The nip portion formed by the heating and pressing roll 34 is a laminate bonding process, and the laminated body that has passed through the nip portion enters the nip portion formed by the cooling plate 39. Thereby, the laminated body is cooled by the nip portion formed by the cooling plate 39 while maintaining the flatness. The cooling plate 39 is made of a material having thermal conductivity such as aluminum, and a Teflon (registered trademark) tape or the like is stuck on the surface in contact with the endless belt 31 in order to provide friction. The pair of cooling plates 39 are pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 31 with a desired load by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown) to form a nip portion.

  Here, in order to cool the heat transmitted from the pair of endless belts 31, a first cooling fan 37 </ b> A that generates an air flow for cooling the pair of cooling plates 39 on the pair of cooling plates 39, respectively. Air flow generating means) and a second cooling fan 37B (air flow generating means) are installed. The cooling fan 37 is disposed inside each of the pair of endless belts 31 and downstream of the heating / pressurizing roll 34 in the stack conveyance direction, that is, between the pair of heating / pressurizing rolls 34 and the pair of cooling rolls 33. Has been. The pair of cooling plates 39 is cooled by blowing the air flow generated by the first cooling fan 37A and the second cooling fan 37B to the pair of cooling plates 39, respectively.

  The laminated body that has passed through the cooling plate 39 enters the pair of cooling rolls 33. The nip force by the pair of cooling rolls 33 is set higher than the nip pressure by the pair of cooling plates 39, and the temperature of the laminate when passing through the pair of cooling rolls 33 is the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the light transmissive film. ) Since the temperature profile of the laminating apparatus 30 is designed as follows, the laminate passes through the nip portion formed by the pair of cooling rolls 33 while maintaining the flatness. A cleaning device (not shown) is installed to remove dirt and the like on the pair of endless belts 31 due to continuous operation.

  The laminated body that has undergone the bonding process and the cooling process is laminated while maintaining flatness, and is discharged to the discharge receiver 61 to obtain an image recording body. Here, when a plurality of individual images are formed on the image recording body, each image is cut to obtain an image recording body of a target size. For example, in the case of a pattern of several cards, the card is cut one by one and laminated on the front and back with a light transmissive film.

  Here, in the laminating apparatus 30, in order to bond (laminate) a laminated body in which two light transmissive films are laminated via a core sheet, for example, a pair of heat and pressure rolls 34 must be disposed in pressure contact with each other. The first contact plate 41A for supporting the first roll group 301A including the first heating and pressing roll 34A and the second roll group 301B including the second heating and pressing roll 34B are supported by this pressure contact force (load). The second support plate 41B may be deformed, and the distance between the centers of the pair of heating and pressing rolls 34 may vary. In particular, the belt-type laminating apparatus 30 requires a plurality of rolls (first roll group 301A and second roll group 301B), and the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B that support them are arranged in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the deformation is likely to occur.

  Therefore, in the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the laminating apparatus 30, the first roll group that is pressed against the roll (second heating and pressing roll 34B) of the second roll group 301B in the first support plate 41A. The second roll that is in pressure contact with the periphery of the support section that supports the 301A roll (first heating and pressing roll 34A) and the roll (first heating and pressing roll 34A) of the first roll group 301A in the second support plate 41B. Connecting the periphery of the support portion that supports the group 301B roll (second heating and pressurizing roll 34B) and moving the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B around the support portion in a direction away from each other. A regulating connecting member 43 for regulating is provided.

  The restriction connecting member 43 connects and reinforces the periphery of the support portions of a pair of rolls (a pair of heat and pressure rolls 34) arranged in pressure contact with each other on the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B. Thus, the separation of the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B around the support portion is restricted, that is, the deformation of the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B is suppressed. Thereby, the fluctuation | variation of the center axis | shaft distance between a pair of rolls (a pair of heating-pressing roll 34) arrange | positioned in pressure-contact with each other is suppressed. Thereby, insufficient pressure application to the laminated body in which the two light transmissive films are laminated via the core sheet is suppressed, and air remaining between the core sheet and the light transmissive film is suppressed. As a result, an image recording body in which image defects due to the remaining air are suppressed is manufactured.

  On the other hand, as described above, in the laminating apparatus 30 in a state where the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B are connected by the restricting connecting member 43, two or more sets of the above-described laminates and non-standard thicknesses are used. When an object is inserted into the laminating apparatus 30, an unscheduled pressure (predetermined pressure) is applied between the pair of rolls (a pair of heat and pressure rolls 34) arranged in pressure contact with each other. However, since the separation between the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B around the support portion that supports them is restricted, a pair of rolls (a pair of heat and pressure rolls) 34) An excessive load is easily applied to itself, and the elastic layer and the shaft of the pair of rolls (the pair of heating and pressing rolls 34) may be destroyed. If the pair of rolls (the pair of heating and pressurizing rolls 34) is destroyed, the replacement of these rolls is often more expensive than the replacement by the deformation of the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B.

  Therefore, in the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the regulation connecting member 43 disposed in the laminating apparatus 30 is at least a first member (first regulation coupling member 43A) and the second member coupled to the first member. A pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure in a direction in which the rolls are separated from each other with respect to a pair of rolls (a pair of heating and pressurizing rolls 34) configured to be in contact with each other (second regulating connecting member 43B). When is added, the first member and the second member are separated from each other. As a result, two or more sets of the above-mentioned laminates or non-standard thicknesses are inserted into the laminating apparatus 30 and the pair of rolls (a pair of heating and pressing rolls 34) that are in pressure contact with each other are separated in advance. When a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure is applied, the restriction in the direction in which the first support plate 41A and the second support plate 41B are separated from each other by the restriction connecting member 43 is released, and a pair of rolls (a pair of heating members) Since the load applied to the pressure roll 34) is alleviated, breakage of the roll is suppressed.

  In the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the laminating apparatus 30, the first support plate 41 </ b> A and the second support that support the pair of heat and pressure rolls 34 that are arranged in pressure contact with each other by the regulation connecting member 43. Although the form which connected the circumference | surroundings of the said support part of the board 41B was demonstrated, it is not restricted to this, The 1st support plate 41A which supports other pair of rolls (for example, a pair of cooling roll 33) mutually press-contacted, and The form which connected the circumference | surroundings of the said support part of the 2nd support plate 41B may be sufficient.

  In the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, a description has been given of a mode in which a light-transmitting film having an image formed thereon is laminated on a single core sheet and cut as necessary. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, a core sheet holding holder having one or more window holes is used, and a core sheet manufactured in a target size (for example, card size) is inserted and held in the window hole of the core sheet holder. Thus, a laminate in which the core sheet holder (core sheet held by the core sheet holder) and a light transmissive film on which an image is formed is laminated may be used. Hereinafter, although this form is demonstrated in detail, it is not necessarily restricted to this.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, first, the back film 5 is supplied onto the collation receiver 25. Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the core sheet holding holder 7 in which the core sheet 1 is inserted (set) into the window hole 7 </ b> A is supplied to the collation receiver 25 and laminated on the back film 5. The image 4 on the back film 5 is positioned to coincide with the window hole 7 </ b> A (core sheet 1) of the core sheet holding holder 7. Next, as shown in FIG. 11C, the surface film 3 is supplied to the collation receiver 25 and laminated on the core sheet holding holder 7. At this time, the image 2 of the surface film 3 is positioned so as to coincide with the window hole (core sheet 1) of the core sheet holding holder 7. In this way, a laminated body is formed on the collation receiver 25.

  In the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the mode in which the light transmissive film is laminated on both surfaces of the core sheet has been described. The film may be laminated on one side of the core sheet.

  In the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the mode of laminating the light transmissive film has been described. However, the light transmissive film is composed of, for example, a base material and an image holding layer, and the light transmissive film is laminated. The form which peels a base material may be sufficient.

  The image recording body (plastic sheet) obtained by the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a cash card with a face photo, employee ID card, student ID card, individual ID card, residence ID card, various driving licenses, and various qualifications. It is used for non-contact type or contact type personal information image information-containing information media such as certificates, as well as personal verification image sheets, image display boards, display labels, etc. used in medical settings. Depending on the application, an IC chip, an antenna, a magnetic stripe, an external terminal, or the like may be embedded in the core sheet, a magnetic stripe, a hologram, or the like may be printed, or necessary character information may be embossed. A necessary image is formed on the light transmissive film.

  Hereinafter, an example (an example for confirming the operation / effect of the laminating apparatus 30) for confirming the operation / effect of the image recording body manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

(Example A)
An apparatus for producing an image recording body according to the present embodiment was prepared, and an image recording body was produced using the apparatus, and the following evaluation was performed.
The configuration of the core sheet, the light transmissive sheet, the image forming apparatus (image forming means) 10 and the lamination conditions are as follows.

-Configuration of image forming apparatus-
As the image forming apparatus, DocuColor 1256GA (electrophotographic apparatus) manufactured by Fuji Xerox was used. The following light transmissive film was set in this image forming apparatus.

-Core sheet-
The core sheet (card) used for forming the image was made of PETG (manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics, Diafix WHI) and processed to a thickness of 760 μm and a size of 210 mm × 297 mm.

-Light transmissive film-
As the light transmissive film, a film having a two-layer structure composed of a base layer (substrate) and an image holding layer was used. As the base layer, an A4 size film (thickness: 100 μm) obtained by subjecting one side of the PET film to a release treatment in advance was used.
The image holding layer uses a polyester resin (Byron: manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics) mixed with 15% acrylic resin having a diameter of 15 microns as a matting agent, and is formed to have a thickness of 10 μm on one side of a PET film. .

-Lamination conditions-
A laminated body in which a light-transmitting film printed by an image forming apparatus is collated with a core sheet is set to a heating temperature of 125 degrees, a load between heating and pressing rolls of 5 kN, and an endless belt feed speed of 5 mm / s. Then, lamination was performed.

(Example B)
Evaluation was made in the same manner as in Example A, except that a restricting connecting member that was configured as a single member and was not released even when excessive addition was applied was used.

(Comparative Example A)
Evaluation was performed in the same manner as in Example A except that no regulating connecting member was provided.

(Evaluation)
-Quality of image recording material-
It was evaluated whether there was a problem in the quality of the obtained image recording material. Specifically, when the support plate is deformed and the load (pressure contact force) between the heating and pressing rolls is insufficient, air debris that cannot be deaerated on the image recording body (between the core sheet and the light transmissive film) is generated. Since it occurred, the presence or absence was evaluated.
○: No problem in plastic sheet quality ×: Residual air generated in plastic sheet

-Reliability of image recording device manufacturing equipment-
Two laminates of the core sheet and the light transmissive film were inserted into the laminating apparatus of the image recording body manufacturing apparatus, and whether or not an abnormality occurred in the laminating apparatus was evaluated. Specifically, since the surface rubber layer of the heating and pressing roll is damaged when the load between the heating and pressing rolls (pressure applied in the direction in which the heating and pressing rolls are separated) becomes excessively high, the presence or absence is evaluated.
○: No heating / pressure roll breakage ×: Heating / pressure roll breakage

(Evaluation results)
-Example A-
There was no problem in the quality of the obtained image recording material, and a high-quality image recording material could be obtained. Moreover, even when two sets of laminated bodies were stacked, the heat and pressure roll was not damaged, and it was confirmed that the apparatus was highly reliable.

-Example B-
There was no problem in the quality of the obtained image recording material, and a high-quality image recording material could be obtained. However, when two laminates were stacked, the surface rubber layer of the heat and pressure roll was damaged.

(Comparative Example A)
Residual air can be visually observed in the obtained image recording medium, and the quality is poor. On the other hand, when two laminates were stacked, the heat and pressure roll was not damaged.

  The results are shown in Table 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Core sheet, 2 images, 3 surface film, 4 images, 5 back film, 7 core sheet holding holder, 7A window hole, 10 image forming apparatus, 11 film storage part, 12 image forming part, 13 conveyance path, 14 discharge port , 15 conveying path, 16 reversing path, 17 cam, 20 collating device, 21 conveying path, 22 core sheet storage unit, 24 conveying path, 26 temporary fixing device, 30 laminating apparatus, 30A first endless belt unit, 30B second Endless belt unit, 31A first endless belt, 31B second endless belt, 32A first tension applying roll, 32B second tension applying roll, 33A first cooling roll, 33B second cooling roll, 34A first heating and pressing roll, 34B 2nd heating and pressurizing roll, 35A 1st inlet roll, 35B 2nd inlet roll, 36A 1st tension spring, 3 6B second tension spring, 37 first cooling fan, 37 second cooling fan 39A first cooling plate, 39B second cooling plate, 40 units, 41A first support plate, 41B second support plate, 42 positioning connecting member, 43 Regulation connecting member, 43A 1st regulation coupling member, 43A ₁ convex part, 43B 2nd regulation coupling member, 43B ₁ concave part, 43C fixing rod, 43C ₁ through hole, 43D sensor, 44 bearing plate, 45 guide plate, 46 spring member 47 Pressure adjusting pin, 50 Cleaning device 51 Static elimination device, 52 Cleaning roll, 301A First roll group, 301B Second roll group

Claims (2)

A first endless belt unit having a first endless belt, a plurality of first roll groups disposed inside the first endless belt, and a pair of first support plates that support both ends of the first roll group. When,
A second endless belt disposed opposite to the first endless belt, and a plurality of second roll groups disposed within the second endless belt, wherein at least one roll is the first roll group A second roll group that is pressed against the rolls via the first endless belt and the second endless belt, and a pair of second support plates that support both ends of the second roll group. Endless belt unit,
The first support plate is in pressure contact with the roll of the first roll group in the second support plate and the periphery of the support portion that supports the roll of the first roll group in pressure contact with the roll of the second roll group in the first support plate. and around the support portion for supporting the roll of the second roll group linked to a regulating member for regulating the movement in a direction between the first support plate and the second supporting plate is spaced apart at the periphery of the support portion The rolls are separated from the rolls of the first roll group and the rolls of the second roll group, which are composed of at least the first member and the second member connected to the first member and are pressed against each other. A regulating member that separates the first member and the second member when a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure is applied in a direction to be
Comprising
A laminating apparatus for laminating by passing an object to be laminated between the first endless belt and the second endless belt. A laminating means for laminating a core sheet and a light-transmitting film having an image formed on at least one side;
The laminating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the laminating apparatus according to claim 1 is a laminating unit for laminating the surface of the core sheet with the light transmissive film by heating and pressurizing the laminate of the core sheet and the light transmissive film. Having laminating means;
An apparatus for producing an image recording body comprising:

Images