JP6898488B1 - Transfer device and transfer method for optical laminates - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transport device or the like capable of easily separating an optical laminate in a transport direction and a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. SOLUTION: A conveyor 100 according to the present invention is arranged on an upstream side conveyor 1 of an optical laminate F on the upstream side in the transport direction to transport the optical laminate F at a low speed, and an optical laminate arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction. The downstream conveyor 2 that transports the body F at high speed, the upstream conveyor 3 that sandwiches the optical laminate F between the upstream conveyor 1 and the upstream conveyor 3, and the optical laminate F that sandwiches the optical laminate F between the downstream conveyor 2. It is provided with a downstream conveyor 4 for transporting by, and an intermediate conveyor 5 which is arranged between the upstream conveyor 1 and the downstream conveyor 2 and transports the optical laminate F at high speed. The upstream transport roller 3 and the intermediate transport roller 5 are staggered at a pitch P corresponding to the dimension W in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate F in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate F. Be placed. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Description

The present invention is a transport device and a transport method for transporting a plurality of optical laminates having an adhesive layer, which are cut into a rectangular shape and arranged in a matrix, so that a pair of opposite cut surfaces are parallel to the transport direction. Regarding. In particular, the present invention relates to a transport device and a transport method capable of easily separating the optical laminate in the transport direction and easily separating the cut surface of the optical laminate parallel to the transport direction. ..

Conventionally, an optical laminate having a plurality of optical films such as a polarizing film and a retardation film and an adhesive layer has been used in an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device.
The optical laminate is usually manufactured by sequentially performing various treatments while transporting a long strip-shaped raw film in the longitudinal direction. Then, for example, the long strip-shaped optical laminate wound in a roll shape is unwound and conveyed, and cut into a plurality of optical laminates having dimensions according to the application. Alternatively, after cutting out a large optical laminate from the long strip-shaped optical laminate, the large optical laminate may be cut into a plurality of optical laminates having dimensions according to the application.
The plurality of cut optical laminates are usually conveyed by a transfer device provided with a conveyor, and are collected by gravity dropping from the downstream end in the transfer direction of the conveyor.

As the transfer device as described above, for example, the transfer device described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. The transport device described in Patent Document 1 is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the plurality of cut polarizing films, and has an upstream conveyor for transporting the plurality of mounted polarizing films and a downstream conveyor in the transport direction of the plurality of polarizing films. It is provided with a downstream conveyor which is arranged on the side and conveys a plurality of mounted polarizing films. Then, the plurality of polarizing films are separated from each other by increasing the transport speed of the polarizing film by the downstream conveyor higher than the transport speed of the polarizing film by the upstream conveyor.
As described in Patent Document 1, when the cutting direction of the polarizing film and the transport direction do not match (the cut surface of the polarizing film is not parallel to the transport direction), comparison is performed by the transport device described in Patent Document 1. It is considered that the polarizing film can be easily separated and the separated polarizing film can be recovered without any problem.
As described above, a technique for separating a plurality of articles by increasing the transport speed on the downstream side to the transport speed on the upstream side is described in the field of optical films as described in Patent Documents 2 and 3. Not limited to it, it is used in various fields.

However, in the case of a transport device that transports a plurality of optical laminates having an adhesive layer, which are cut into a rectangle and arranged in a matrix so that the pair of cut surfaces facing each other are parallel to the transport direction. As described above, by increasing the transport speed on the downstream side rather than the transport speed on the upstream side, even if the optical laminate can be separated in the transport direction (the cut surface of the optical laminate orthogonal to the transport direction can be separated). Also), it may not be possible to separate the cut surface of the optical laminate parallel to the transport direction.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration example of a conventional transfer device. FIG. 3A is a plan view, and FIG. 3B is a CC end view of FIG. 3A. In FIG. 3, the illustration of the upstream side portion of the upstream side conveyor 1 and the downstream side portion of the downstream side conveyor 2 is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 3, the conventional transfer device 200 is cut into rectangles (rectangles having long and short sides in the example shown in FIG. 3) and arranged in a matrix in a plurality of optics including an adhesive layer. This is a transport device that transports the laminated body F so that the pair of cut surfaces facing each other are parallel to the transport direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the optical laminate F is conveyed in the long side direction (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 3).

The transport device 200 is arranged on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 3) of the optical laminate F in the transport direction, and has an upstream conveyor 1 for transporting the mounted optical laminate F and a downstream side in the transport direction of the optical laminate F. It is provided with a downstream conveyor 2 that is arranged (on the right side of FIG. 3) and conveys the mounted optical laminate F. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the upstream conveyor 1 has an endless belt 12 spanned by an upstream rotating body (not shown), a downstream rotating body 11, and an upstream rotating body and a downstream rotating body 11. It is a belt conveyor equipped with. Similarly, the downstream conveyor 2 also includes an upstream rotating body 21, a downstream rotating body (not shown), and an endless belt 22 spanned between the upstream rotating body 21 and the downstream rotating body. It is a conveyor. Then, the transport speed of the optical laminate F by the upstream conveyor 1 (corresponding to the peripheral speed of the downstream rotating body 11) is set to V1, and the transport speed of the optical laminated body by the downstream conveyor 2 (corresponding to the peripheral speed of the upstream rotating body 21). Assuming that (corresponding to) is V3, it is set so as to satisfy V1 <V3.

According to this transfer device 200, the optical laminate F that has reached the downstream side conveyor 2 and the upstream side conveyor 1 are placed on the upstream side conveyor 1 by increasing the downstream side transfer speed V3 from the upstream side transfer speed V1. A tensile force acts on the cut surface located between the optical laminate F as it is, that is, the cut surface orthogonal to the transport direction (in the example shown in FIG. 3, the cut surface extending in the short side direction of the optical laminate F). It will be. Therefore, even if this cut surface adheres via the adhesive layer, the adhered state is released by the tensile force, and as shown in FIG. 3, the optical laminate F that has reached the downstream conveyor 2 and the upstream The optical laminate F as it is placed on the side conveyor 1 is separated from the optical laminate F in the transport direction and transported.
However, even if the transport speed V3 on the downstream side is made larger than the transport speed V1 on the upstream side, the plurality of optical laminates F (four in the example shown in FIG. 3) arranged at the same position in the transport direction may have a higher transport speed V3 on the upstream side. , There is no difference in transport speed. Therefore, no force acts on the cut surface parallel to the transport direction (in the example shown in FIG. 3, the cut surface extending in the long side direction of the optical laminate F), and this cut surface adheres via the adhesive layer. If so, as shown in FIG. 3, the cut surface parallel to the transport direction cannot be separated and transported.
If the cut surface parallel to the transport direction of the optical laminate F cannot be separated, the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is the same when the optical laminate F is gravitationally dropped and collected from the downstream end in the transport direction of the downstream conveyor 2. A plurality of optical laminates F arranged at the position of are collectively dropped. This may cause inconvenience in the recovery of the optical laminate F.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0067615 JP-A-2019-116382 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-93524

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a plurality of optical laminates having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, which are cut into rectangles and arranged in a matrix, are opposed to each other. A transport device and transport method that transports a pair of cut surfaces so that they are parallel to the transport direction. The optical laminate can be easily separated in the transport direction, and the optical laminate is parallel to the transport direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport device and a transport method capable of easily separating the cut surfaces of the above.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates a plurality of optical laminates having an adhesive layer, which are cut into a rectangular shape and arranged in a matrix, so that the pair of cut surfaces facing each other are parallel to the transport direction. A transport device for transporting, which is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the optical laminate, and is arranged on the upstream side conveyor for transporting the mounted optical laminate and the downstream side in the transport direction of the optical laminate. A downstream side conveyor that conveys the mounted optical laminate, and an upstream side transfer roller that is arranged to face the upstream side conveyor and conveys the optical laminate between the upstream side conveyors. A downstream transport roller that is arranged to face the downstream conveyor and transports the optical laminate by sandwiching it between the downstream conveyor, and the upstream conveyor and the downstream side in the transport direction of the optical laminate. An intermediate transport roller that is arranged between the conveyor and transports the optical laminate with the optical laminate sandwiched therein is provided, and the upstream transport roller and the intermediate transport roller are in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate. The optical laminate is arranged in a staggered pattern at a pitch corresponding to the dimension perpendicular to the transport direction of the optical laminate, and the transport speed of the optical laminate by the upstream transport roller and the upstream conveyor is V1, the intermediate transport. Assuming that the transfer speed of the optical laminate by the roller is V2 and the transfer speed of the optical laminate by the downstream transfer roller and the downstream conveyor is V3, the following equations (1), (2) and (3) ) Satisfying the above.
V1 <V2 ... (1)
V1 <V3 ... (2)
V2 = V3 ... (3)

In the transfer device for the optical laminate according to the present invention, the upstream transfer roller that sandwiches the optical laminate with the upstream conveyor and the downstream side that sandwiches the optical laminate between the downstream conveyor and conveys the optical laminate. It is provided with a transfer roller and an intermediate transfer roller that is arranged between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor and conveys the optical laminate with the optical laminate sandwiched between them. The upstream transfer roller and the intermediate transfer roller are arranged in a staggered pattern in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate at a pitch corresponding to the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate. .. Therefore, when a plurality of optical laminates arranged in a matrix are viewed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the optical laminates are sandwiched between the upstream transport roller and the upstream conveyor and transported (hereinafter, this). Is appropriately referred to as a “first optical laminate”) and an optical laminate that is appropriately sandwiched between intermediate transport rollers (hereinafter, this is appropriately referred to as a “second optical laminate”). ..

The tip of the first optical laminate (the end on the downstream side in the transport direction) is sandwiched between the upstream transport roller and the upstream conveyor and then transported, and then the tip is between the downstream transport roller and the downstream conveyor. It will be sandwiched between them and transported. In the transfer device according to the present invention, since the transfer speed V1 of the optical laminate by the upstream transfer roller and the upstream conveyor <the transfer speed V3 of the optical laminate by the downstream transfer roller and the downstream conveyor, the first optical laminate Is transported at a high speed after the tip is sandwiched between the downstream transport roller and the downstream conveyor, and the first optical laminate transported at high speed and the first optical laminate located on the upstream side of the first optical laminate are transported at a high speed. A tensile force acts on the cut surface located between the body and the plane perpendicular to the transport direction. Therefore, even if the cut surface is adhered via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the adhered state is released by the tensile force, and the first optical laminate is separated and transported in the transport direction.
On the other hand, the tip of the second optical laminate is sandwiched between the intermediate transport rollers and transported, and then the tip is sandwiched between the downstream transport roller and the downstream conveyor and transported. In the transfer device according to the present invention, the transfer speed of the optical laminate by the upstream conveyor is V1 <the transfer speed of the optical laminate by the intermediate transfer roller is V2, and as described above, V1 <V3. Therefore, the second optical laminate is conveyed at high speed after the tip is sandwiched between the intermediate conveying rollers, and the second optical laminate that is conveyed at high speed and the second optical laminate located on the upstream side of the second optical laminate are conveyed. A tensile force acts on the cut surface located between the body and orthogonal to the transport direction. Therefore, even if the cut surface is adhered via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the adhered state is released by the tensile force, and the second optical laminate is separated and transported in the transport direction.

Further, the first optical laminate is conveyed at high speed after the tip is sandwiched between the downstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor, whereas the second optical laminate has the tip conveyed downstream. It will be transported at high speed after being sandwiched between the rollers and the intermediate transport rollers located on the upstream side of the downstream conveyor. That is, since the second optical laminate is conveyed at a higher speed at an earlier timing, it is transferred to a cut surface (a cut surface parallel to the transfer direction) between the first optical laminate and the second optical laminate that are adjacent to each other. Shear force will act. Therefore, even if this cut surface is attached via the adhesive layer, the adhered state is released by the shearing force, and the first optical laminate and the second optical laminate are cut surfaces parallel to the transport direction. Will be separated and transported.

Further, according to the optical laminate transfer device according to the present invention, one second optical laminate is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer rollers and at the same time between the downstream transfer roller and the downstream conveyor. Even if it is in a state of being transported, the transfer speed V2 of the second optical laminate by the intermediate transfer roller is equal to the transfer speed V3 of the second optical laminate by the downstream transfer roller and the downstream conveyor. In this state, the tensile force in the transport direction does not act on one second optical laminate. Therefore, there is an advantage that the optical characteristics of the second optical laminate are not adversely affected.

In the present invention, the "rectangle" is not necessarily a perfect rectangle (rectangle, square), but is a concept including a shape approximated by a rectangle. For example, depending on the use of the optical laminate, a shape in which any corner portion is chamfered or a concave portion is provided on any side is also included in the concept of "rectangle" in the present invention.
Further, in the present invention, "arranged in a matrix" means that the optical laminates are arranged in a matrix immediately after being cut into a plurality of rectangular optical laminates (adjacent optical laminates are orthogonal to the transport direction and the transport direction). It means that it is in a state (arranged in a straight line in the direction of optics).
Further, in the present invention, "a pair of facing cut surfaces are parallel to the transport direction" means that the angle formed by the pair of facing cut surfaces of the optical laminate and the transport direction is exactly 0 °. Not limited to this, it is a concept that includes a range of 0 ± 5 °.
Further, in the present invention, the "pitch corresponding to the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate" is strictly defined as the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate (for example, the length of the short side). It is a concept not limited to the case where it matches. Of the optical laminates adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate, one of the optical laminates (first optical laminate) has its tip sandwiched between the upstream transfer roller and the upstream conveyor. After being conveyed, the tip is sandwiched between the downstream transfer roller and the downstream conveyor and conveyed, and the other optical laminate (second optical laminate) is conveyed with its tip sandwiched between the intermediate transfer rollers. As long as the condition that the tip is sandwiched between the downstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor is satisfied, the pitch deviates from the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate is also included in the concept. is there.

Preferably, the upstream-side transport roller and the downstream-side transport roller are arranged so as to be separated from each other in the transport direction of the optical laminate by a dimension equal to or larger than the dimension in the transport direction of the optical laminate.

According to the above preferable configuration, one first optical laminate is sandwiched between the upstream transfer roller and the upstream conveyor, and at the same time, is sandwiched between the downstream transfer roller and the downstream conveyor. It is not in a state of being transported, or even if it is in that state, it is a moment. Therefore, the tensile force in the transport direction does not act on one first optical laminate. Therefore, there is an advantage that the optical characteristics of the first optical laminate are not adversely affected.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, a pair of cut surfaces facing each other of a plurality of optical laminates provided with an adhesive layer, which are cut into a rectangular shape and arranged in a matrix, are parallel to the transport direction. The optical lamination is performed between the upstream conveyor arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the optical laminate and the upstream conveying roller arranged opposite to the upstream conveyor. The optical laminate is transported between the steps of sandwiching the body and the downstream conveyor arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the optical laminate and the downstream transport roller arranged on the downstream side facing the downstream conveyor. Includes a step of sandwiching and transporting the optical laminate and a step of sandwiching and transporting the optical laminate with an intermediate transport roller arranged between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor in the transport direction of the optical laminate. , The upstream transport roller and the intermediate transport roller are arranged in a staggered pattern in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate at a pitch corresponding to the dimension of the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate. The transfer speed of the optical laminate by the upstream transfer roller and the upstream conveyor is V1, the transfer speed of the optical laminate by the intermediate transfer roller is V2, and the transfer speed of the optical laminate by the downstream transfer roller and the downstream conveyor is V1. Assuming that the transport speed of the optical laminate is V3, it is also provided as a method for transporting the optical laminate that satisfies the following equations (1), (2) and (3).
V1 <V2 ... (1)
V1 <V3 ... (2)
V2 = V3 ... (3)

The method for transporting an optical laminate according to the present invention is preferably used, for example, when the optical laminate contains a polarizing film.

According to the present invention, the optical laminate can be easily separated in the transport direction, and the cut surface of the optical laminate parallel to the transport direction can be easily separated. Therefore, the separated optical laminate can be recovered without any problem.

It is sectional drawing which shows the schematic structural example of the optical laminated body which is conveyed by the transfer apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the schematic structure example of the transport device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the schematic structure example of the conventional transfer apparatus.

Hereinafter, the transfer device for the optical laminate (hereinafter, simply referred to as “transfer device”) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.

<Structure example of optical laminate>
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of an optical laminate F transported by the transport device according to the present embodiment. It should be noted that FIG. 1 is for reference only, and the dimensions, scale and shape of the members and the like shown in the figure may differ from the actual ones. The same applies to other figures.
The optical laminate F shown in FIG. 1 is an optical laminate including a polarizing film 6. Specifically, the optical laminate F has a configuration in which the polarizing film 6, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 7, and the release liner 8 are laminated in this order. The polarizing film 6 includes a polarizing element 61 and protective films 62 and 63 bonded to both sides of the polarizing film 6 via an adhesive layer (not shown).

The polarizer 61 is produced, for example, by subjecting a hydrophilic polymer film to various known treatments such as swelling treatment, dyeing treatment, cross-linking treatment, stretching treatment, and drying treatment.
The hydrophilic polymer film is not particularly limited, and conventionally known films can be used. Specifically, examples of the hydrophilic polymer film include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) -based film, partially formalized PVA-based film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer film, and partial saponification of these. Examples include films. In addition to these, polyene-oriented films such as a dehydrated product of PVA and a dehydrochlorinated product of polyvinyl chloride, a stretch-oriented polyvinylene-based film, and the like can also be used. Among these, a PVA-based polymer film is particularly preferable because it is excellent in dyeability with a dichroic substance.
The thickness of the polarizer 61 is not particularly limited, and an appropriate thickness can be adopted depending on the intended purpose. The thickness of the polarizer 61 is typically about 1 to 80 μm. In one aspect, the thickness of the polarizer 61 is preferably 30 μm or less.

As the protective films 62 and 63, it is preferable to use those having excellent transparency, mechanical strength, thermal stability, moisture blocking property, isotropic property and the like. For example, polyester polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, cellulose polymers such as diacetyl cellulose and triacetyl cellulose, acrylic polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate, and styrene such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin). Examples thereof include based polymers and polystyrene polymers. In addition, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefins having a cyclo- or norbornene structure, polyolefin-based polymers such as ethylene / propylene copolymers, vinyl chloride-based polymers, amide-based polymers such as nylon and aromatic polyamide, imide-based polymers, and sulfone-based polymers. , Polyether sulfone polymer, polyether ether ketone polymer, polyphenylene sulfide polymer, vinyl alcohol polymer, vinylidene chloride polymer, vinyl butyral polymer, allylate polymer, polyoxymethylene polymer, epoxy polymer, or the above. Polymer blends and the like are also examples of polymers that form the protective films 62, 63.
The protective films 62, 63 are, for example, coated on the bonded surfaces of the protective films 62, 63 and / or the polarizer 61 with an active energy ray-curable adhesive, and then bonded to both surfaces of the polarizer 61 to form an adhesive layer. Is cured by irradiating it with active energy rays and then dried to be laminated on the polarizer 61.

As the pressure-sensitive adhesive forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 7, for example, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive, a urethane pressure-sensitive adhesive, a silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive, or the like is used.
As the release liner 8, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate release film is used.

When the optical laminate F having the above configuration is used, the release liner 8 is peeled off and the optical laminate F is attached to a liquid crystal cell or the like of a liquid crystal display device via an adhesive layer 7.
In FIG. 1, the case where the optical laminate F is an optical laminate containing the polarizing film 6 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical laminate including the retardation film and the like are not limited to this. As long as the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 7 is provided, it can be applied to various optical laminates.

<Structure of transport device>
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration example of a transport device according to the present embodiment. 2 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 2 (b) is an AA end view of FIG. 2 (a), and FIG. 2 (c) is a BB end view of FIG. 2 (a). In FIG. 2, the illustration of the upstream side portion of the upstream side conveyor 1 and the downstream side portion of the downstream side conveyor 2 is omitted. Further, the rotation shafts of the upstream transfer roller 3, the downstream transfer roller 4, and the intermediate transfer roller 5 are not shown. Further, in FIG. 2B, the upper transfer roller 52 does not actually exist, but for reference, the position corresponding to the upper transfer roller 52 is shown by a broken line. Further, in FIG. 2C, the upstream transfer roller 3 does not actually exist, but for reference, the position corresponding to the upstream transfer roller 3 is shown by a broken line.
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport device 100 according to the present embodiment is a rectangle (in the example shown in FIG. 2, a rectangle having a long side and a short side) like the conventional transport device 200 described with reference to FIG. ), And the plurality of optical laminates F having the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 7 (see FIG. 1) arranged in a matrix are conveyed so that the pair of cut surfaces facing each other are parallel to the conveying direction. Is. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the optical laminate F is conveyed in the long side direction (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 2). Note that the plurality of optical laminates F are arranged in a matrix means that they are arranged in a matrix immediately after being cut into a plurality of rectangular optical laminates F (adjacent optical laminates F are arranged in a transport direction and in a transport direction). It means that it is in a state (arranged in a straight line in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction).

The conveyor 100 according to the present embodiment includes an upstream conveyor 1 and a downstream conveyor 2 as in the conventional conveyor 200. Further, unlike the conventional transfer device 200, the transfer device 100 according to the present embodiment further includes an upstream transfer roller 3, a downstream transfer roller 4, and an intermediate transfer roller 5.

The upstream conveyor 1 is arranged on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 2) of the optical laminate F in the transport direction, and operates so as to transport the mounted optical laminate F. The upstream conveyor 1 of the present embodiment has an upstream rotating body (not shown), a downstream rotating body 11, and an endless belt 12 spanned between the upstream rotating body and the downstream rotating body 11. It is a belt conveyor equipped. The dimension of the endless belt 12 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is equal to or larger than the dimension L0 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the entire plurality of optical laminates F arranged in a matrix. As a result, all the optical laminates F are conveyed by the upstream conveyor 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another conveyor such as a roller conveyor can be used as the upstream conveyor 1.

The downstream side conveyor 2 is arranged on the downstream side (right side in FIG. 2) in the transport direction of the optical laminate F, and operates so as to transport the mounted optical laminate F. The downstream conveyor 2 of the present embodiment has an upstream rotating body 21, a downstream rotating body (not shown), and an endless belt 22 spanned between the upstream rotating body 21 and the downstream rotating body. It is a belt conveyor equipped. The dimension of the endless belt 22 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is equal to or larger than the dimension L0 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the entire plurality of optical laminates F arranged in a matrix. As a result, all the optical laminates F are conveyed by the downstream conveyor 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use another conveyor such as a roller conveyor as the downstream side conveyor 2.

The upstream side transport roller 3 is arranged so as to face the upstream side conveyor 1. Specifically, the upstream side transport roller 3 of the present embodiment is arranged so as to face above the downstream side rotating body 11 included in the upstream side conveyor 1. The size of the gap between the upstream transfer roller 3 and the endless belt 12 provided on the upstream conveyor 1 is set to be equal to (same or slightly smaller) as the thickness of the optical laminate F. As a result, the upstream transfer roller 3 sandwiches the optical laminate F with the upstream conveyor 1 and conveys the optical laminate F.
The upstream transfer roller 3 may be a drive roller driven by a drive source such as a rotary motor, or may be a driven roller that simply rotates.

The downstream side transport roller 4 is arranged so as to face the downstream side conveyor 2. Specifically, the downstream transfer roller 4 of the present embodiment is arranged so as to face above the upstream rotating body 21 included in the downstream conveyor 2. The size of the gap between the downstream transfer roller 4 and the endless belt 22 provided on the downstream conveyor 2 is set to be equal to (same or slightly smaller) as the thickness of the optical laminate F. As a result, the downstream side transfer roller 4 transfers the optical laminate F with the downstream side conveyor 2 sandwiched between them. Further, the length of the downstream transfer roller 4 in the rotation axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2A) is equal to or greater than the dimension L0 in the direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the entire plurality of optical laminates F arranged in a matrix. It has become. As a result, all the optical laminates F are sandwiched between the downstream transfer roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2 and conveyed.
The downstream transfer roller 3 may be a drive roller driven by a drive source such as a rotary motor, or may be a driven roller that simply rotates.

The intermediate transfer roller 5 is arranged between the upstream side conveyor 1 and the downstream side conveyor 2 in the transfer direction of the optical laminate F. The intermediate transfer roller 5 is composed of a lower transfer roller 51 and an upper transfer roller 52 arranged so as to face above the lower transfer roller 51.
The length of the lower transport roller 51 in the rotation axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2A) is equal to or greater than the dimension L0 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the entire plurality of optical laminates F arranged in a matrix. There is. As a result, all the optical laminates F are conveyed by passing over the lower transfer roller 51. Therefore, there is no possibility that the optical laminate F will fall or the transportation will become unstable between the upstream conveyor 1 and the downstream conveyor 2. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the same number of lower transport rollers 51 having the same length as the upper transport rollers 52 are provided only at positions facing below the upper transport rollers 52 as well as the upper transport rollers 52. It is also possible to adopt a configuration.
The size of the gap between the upper transfer roller 52 and the lower transfer roller 51 is set to be the same as (same or slightly smaller) as the thickness of the optical laminate F. In other words, the upper transfer roller 52 and the lower transfer roller 51 form a nip roller. As a result, the optical laminate F (second optical laminate F2) passing below the upper transfer roller 52 is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer rollers 5 (upper transfer roller 52 and lower transfer roller 51) and conveyed. Become.
At least one of the lower transfer roller 51 and the upper transfer roller 52 is a drive roller driven by a drive source such as a rotary motor.

The upstream transfer roller 3 and the intermediate transfer roller 5 are arranged in a staggered pattern with a pitch P corresponding to the dimensions in the direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate F in the direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate F. Has been done. Specifically, the direction in which the upstream transfer roller 3 and the upper transfer roller 52 constituting the intermediate transfer roller 5 are orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate F is orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate F. It is arranged in a staggered pattern with a pitch P corresponding to the size of.
In the present embodiment, the pitch P matches the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate F (in this embodiment, the length W of the short side) (that is, P = W). However, the pitch P is not limited to the case where the pitch P exactly matches the dimension W in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate F. Of the optical laminates F adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate F, one of the optical laminates F (first optical laminate F1) has a tip (end on the downstream side in the transport direction) on the upstream side. After being sandwiched and conveyed between the roller 3 and the upstream conveyor 1, the tip is sandwiched and conveyed between the downstream transfer roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2, and the other optical laminate F (second). As long as the optical laminate F2) satisfies the condition that its tip is sandwiched between the intermediate transport rollers 5 and then transported, and then the tip is sandwiched between the downstream transport roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2 and transported. Also included is a pitch P deviating from the dimension W in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminate F. Further, in the present embodiment, all pitches P have the same value (three pitches P shown in FIG. 2A have the same value), but they do not necessarily have to be the same value, and as long as the above conditions are satisfied, they do not necessarily have the same value. It is also possible to set different values.

Then, the transfer speed of the optical laminate F by the upstream transfer roller 3 and the upstream conveyor 1 (corresponding to the peripheral speed of the upstream transfer roller 3 and the downstream rotating body 11) is set to V1, and the optical laminate F by the intermediate transfer roller 5 is used. The transfer speed (corresponding to the peripheral speed of the lower transfer roller 51 and the upper transfer roller 52) is set to V2, and the transfer speed of the optical laminate F by the downstream transfer roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2 (downstream transfer roller 4 and upstream rotation). Assuming that (corresponding to the peripheral speed of the body 21) is V3, the following equations (1), (2) and (3) are set to be satisfied.
V1 <V2 ... (1)
V1 <V3 ... (2)
V2 = V3 ... (3)
Preferably, the transport speed V2 is set to be 2 times or more and 6 times or less the transport speed V1. Similarly, preferably, the transport speed V3 is set to be 2 times or more and 6 times or less the transport speed V1.

Further, in the present embodiment, as a preferable configuration, the upstream side transport roller 3 and the downstream side transport roller 4 have the dimensions of the optical laminate F in the transport direction (the long side in the present embodiment) with respect to the transport direction of the optical laminate F. It is arranged at a distance from the length L) of. That is, the separation distance (distance between the central axes of the rollers 3 and 4) LL between the upstream transfer roller 3 and the downstream transfer roller 4 is set to be larger than the dimension L in the transfer direction of the optical laminate F. Specifically, the separation distance LL between the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 is set to be slightly larger than the dimension L in the transport direction of the optical laminate F.

According to the transport device 100 having the configuration described above, when the plurality of optical laminates F arranged in a matrix are viewed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the upstream transport roller 3 and the upstream conveyor 1 The optical laminate F (first optical laminate F1) sandwiched and conveyed between them and the optical laminate F (second optical laminate F2) sandwiched and conveyed by the intermediate conveying roller 5 are alternately present. Will be done.
The tip of the first optical laminate F1 is sandwiched between the upstream transfer roller 3 and the upstream conveyor 1 and then conveyed, and then the tip is sandwiched between the downstream transfer roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2. Will be transported. The transport device 100 according to the present embodiment satisfies the above-mentioned formula (2). That is, the transfer speed V1 of the optical laminate F by the upstream transfer roller 3 and the upstream conveyor 1 <the transfer speed V3 of the optical laminate F by the downstream transfer roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2. Therefore, the first optical laminate F1 is conveyed at a high speed after the tip is sandwiched between the downstream transfer roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2, and is conveyed at a high speed with the first optical laminate F1. A tensile force acts on a cut surface (in this embodiment, a cut surface extending in the short side direction) located between the first optical laminate F1 located on the upstream side of the cut surface and orthogonal to the transport direction. Therefore, even if the cut surface is adhered via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 7, the adhered state is released by the tensile force, and the first optical laminate F1 is separated and transported in the transport direction. ..
On the other hand, the tip of the second optical laminate F2 is sandwiched between the intermediate transport rollers 5 and transported, and then the tip is sandwiched between the downstream transport roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2 and transported. Become. The transport device 100 according to the present embodiment satisfies the above-mentioned formula (1). That is, the transfer speed V1 of the optical laminate F by the upstream conveyor 1 <the transfer speed V2 of the optical laminate F by the intermediate transfer roller 5, and V1 <V3 as described above. Therefore, the second optical laminate F2 is transported at high speed after the tip is sandwiched between the intermediate transport rollers 5, and is located upstream of the second optical laminate F2 that is transported at high speed. The tensile force acts on the cut surface (the cut surface extending in the short side direction in the present embodiment) located between the two optical laminates F2 and orthogonal to the transport direction. Therefore, even if the cut surface is adhered via the adhesive layer 7, the adhered state is released by the tensile force, and the second optical laminate F2 is separated and transported in the transport direction. ..

Further, the first optical laminated body F1 is conveyed at high speed after the tip is sandwiched between the downstream side conveying roller 4 and the downstream side conveyor 2, whereas the second optical laminated body F2 is conveyed at a high speed. Is sandwiched between the downstream transfer roller 4 and the intermediate transfer roller 5 located on the upstream side of the downstream conveyor 2, and then transferred at high speed. That is, since the second optical laminate F2 is conveyed at a higher speed at an earlier timing, the cut surface between the first optical laminate F1 and the second optical laminate F2 adjacent to each other (cutting parallel to the conveying direction). A shear force acts on the surface, the cut surface extending in the long side direction in the present embodiment). Therefore, even if this cut surface is attached via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 7, the cut surface parallel to the transport direction is separated and transported between the first optical laminate F1 and the second optical laminate F2. Will be.

Further, the transport device 100 according to the present embodiment satisfies the above-mentioned formula (3). That is, the transfer speed V2 of the second optical laminate F2 by the intermediate transfer roller 5 and the transfer speed V3 of the second optical laminate F2 by the downstream side transfer roller 4 and the downstream side conveyor 2 are equal. Therefore, even if one second optical laminate F2 is sandwiched between the intermediate transport rollers 5 and at the same time sandwiched between the downstream transport roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2 and transported. In this state, the tensile force in the transport direction does not act on the single second optical laminate F2. Therefore, there is an advantage that the optical characteristics of the second optical laminate F2 are not adversely affected.

As described above, according to the transport device 100 according to the present embodiment, the optical laminate F can be easily separated in the transport direction, and the cut surface of the optical laminate F parallel to the transport direction can be easily separated. It is possible to separate into. Therefore, the separated optical laminate F can be recovered without any problem. The recovery method is not particularly limited, but as in the conventional case, it is possible to adopt a method in which the optical laminate F is gravitationally dropped from the downstream end in the transport direction of the downstream conveyor 2 to recover.

Further, in the transport device 100 according to the present embodiment, as described above, as described above, the separation distance LL between the upstream transport roller 3 and the downstream transport roller 4 is larger than the dimension L in the transport direction of the optical laminate F. It is set large. Therefore, one first optical laminate F1 is sandwiched between the upstream transfer roller 3 and the upstream conveyor 1, and at the same time, is sandwiched between the downstream transfer roller 4 and the downstream conveyor 2. It is not in a state of being transported, or even if it is in that state, it is a moment. Therefore, the tensile force in the transport direction does not act on one first optical laminate F1. Therefore, there is an advantage that the optical characteristics of the first optical laminate F1 are not adversely affected.

1 ... upstream conveyor 2 ... downstream conveyor 3 ... upstream conveyor 4 ... downstream conveyor 5 ... intermediate conveyor 100, 200 ... conveyor F ... optical Laminated body W ・ ・ ・ Dimensions in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the optical laminated body P ・ ・ ・ Pitch

Claims (4)

A transport device that transports a plurality of optical laminates having an adhesive layer, which are cut into a rectangle and arranged in a matrix, so that a pair of opposite cut surfaces are parallel to the transport direction.
An upstream conveyor that is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the optical laminate and conveys the placed optical laminate, and an upstream conveyor that conveys the optical laminate.
A downstream conveyor that is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the optical laminate and conveys the placed optical laminate, and a downstream conveyor that conveys the optical laminate.
An upstream transfer roller which is arranged to face the upstream conveyor and conveys the optical laminate by sandwiching it between the upstream conveyor and the upstream conveyor.
A downstream transfer roller which is arranged to face the downstream conveyor and conveys the optical laminate by sandwiching it between the downstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor.
An intermediate conveyor is provided between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor in the transport direction of the optical laminate, and an intermediate conveyor roller that sandwiches and transports the optical laminate is provided.
The upstream transfer roller and the intermediate transfer roller are arranged in a staggered pattern in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate at a pitch corresponding to the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate. ,
The transfer speed of the optical laminate by the upstream transfer roller and the upstream conveyor is V1, the transfer speed of the optical laminate by the intermediate transfer roller is V2, and the optical lamination by the downstream transfer roller and the downstream conveyor. Assuming that the transport speed of the body is V3, the following equations (1), (2) and (3) are satisfied.
Conveyor device for optical laminates.
V1 <V2 ... (1)
V1 <V3 ... (2)
V2 = V3 ... (3) The upstream-side transport roller and the downstream-side transport roller are arranged so as to be separated from each other in the transport direction of the optical laminate by a dimension equal to or larger than the dimension in the transport direction of the optical laminate.
The transfer device for an optical laminate according to claim 1. A transport method for transporting a plurality of optical laminates having an adhesive layer, which are cut into a rectangle and arranged in a matrix, so that a pair of opposite cut surfaces are parallel to the transport direction.
A step of sandwiching and transporting the optical laminate between an upstream conveyor arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the optical laminate and an upstream conveyor arranged so as to face the upstream conveyor.
A step of sandwiching and transporting the optical laminate between a downstream conveyor arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the optical laminate and a downstream transport roller arranged on the downstream side facing the downstream conveyor.
Including a step of sandwiching and transporting the optical laminate with an intermediate transport roller arranged between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor in the transport direction of the optical laminate.
The upstream transfer roller and the intermediate transfer roller are arranged in a staggered pattern in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate at a pitch corresponding to the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the optical laminate. ,
The transfer speed of the optical laminate by the upstream transfer roller and the upstream conveyor is V1, the transfer speed of the optical laminate by the intermediate transfer roller is V2, and the optical lamination by the downstream transfer roller and the downstream conveyor. Assuming that the transport speed of the body is V3, the following equations (1), (2) and (3) are satisfied.
A method for transporting an optical laminate.
V1 <V2 ... (1)
V1 <V3 ... (2)
V2 = V3 ... (3) The optical laminate contains a polarizing film.
The method for transporting an optical laminate according to claim 3.

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