JP6991721B2 - Marking equipment, defect inspection system and film manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a marking device, a defect inspection system and a film manufacturing method.

For example, an optical film such as a polarizing film is wound around a core material after being inspected for defects such as foreign matter defects and unevenness defects. Information on the location and type of defects (hereinafter referred to as "defect information") is recorded on the optical film by printing a barcode on the widthwise edge of the optical film or marking the defect location. Ru. When the winding amount reaches a certain amount, the optical film wound around the core material is separated from the optical film on the upstream side and shipped as an original roll. Further, by cutting out the optical film based on the marking applied to the defective portion, the single leafy product (product) is taken out.
For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to clearly indicate the detected defect portion while detecting a partial defect of a sheet-shaped product having a certain width and being conveyed in a length direction perpendicular to the width direction. Disclosed is a defect marking device capable of scratching for marking. On the other hand, Patent Document 2 exemplifies a non-contact printing method such as an inkjet as a marking means.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-303580 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-102985

The applicant is also developing a marking device capable of marking information by ejecting droplets onto an optical film. This marking device comprises a droplet ejection device having an ejection surface on which an ejection hole for ejecting a droplet is formed on an optical film. In such a marking device, it is clear from the study of the present inventor that the droplets are scattered when the droplets are ejected from the ejection holes due to the characteristics such as the size and viscosity of the droplets ejected from the ejection holes. It has become. When droplets are scattered when droplets are ejected from the ejection hole, if the scattered droplets adhere to areas other than the defective part of the optical film, the part that should be taken out as a product becomes dirty with the droplets, and the dirty part May have to be discarded as a defective product, which may reduce the yield of the product.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if the droplets are scattered when the droplets are ejected from the ejection holes, the droplets are prevented from adhering to the region other than the defective portion of the film, and the product is manufactured. Provided are a marking device, a defect inspection system, and a film manufacturing method capable of improving the yield.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has adopted the following means.
(1) The marking device according to one aspect of the present invention is a marking device capable of marking information by injecting a droplet onto an optical film, and is an injection hole for injecting the droplet into the optical film. The shielding member comprises a droplet ejection device having an ejection surface on which the droplet is formed, and a shielding member provided on the ejection surface and capable of blocking droplets scattered when the droplet is ejected from the ejection hole. The member is formed with an opening having an inner wall surface that opens at a position facing the injection hole and blocks the droplets scattered in a direction intersecting the normal line of the injection surface.

(2) In the marking device according to (1) above, the shielding member may include a shielding plate having a thickness in a direction parallel to the normal of the injection surface.

(3) The marking device according to (2) above may further include a fixing member capable of fixing the shielding plate to the droplet ejection device.

(4) In the marking device according to (3) above, the fixing member covers a side end portion of both the droplet ejection device and the shielding plate located in a direction intersecting the normal of the ejection surface. A single wall portion and a second wall portion that covers the outer peripheral edge portion of the outer periphery of the opening on the surface of the shielding plate opposite to the injection surface may be provided.

(5) In the marking device according to (3) above, the fixing member is formed integrally with the shielding plate and is located on a side of the droplet ejection device in a direction intersecting the normal of the ejection surface. A side wall portion covering the end portion may be provided.

(6) In the marking device according to any one of (3) to (5) above, the droplet ejection device includes a plurality of ejection heads capable of ejecting the droplet, and the shielding plate is a shielding plate. A plurality of the fixing members may be provided for each of the plurality of injection heads, and a plurality of the fixing members may be provided so that the shielding plate can be fixed for each of the plurality of injection heads.

(7) In the marking device according to any one of (2) to (6) above, the shielding plate may come into contact with the injection surface.

(8) In the marking device according to any one of (2) to (6) above, the shielding plate may be separated from the injection surface.

(9) In the marking device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, the diameter of the opening may be larger than the diameter of the injection hole.

(10) In the marking device according to (1) above, the shielding member may include a tubular member extending in a direction parallel to the normal of the injection surface.

(11) In the marking device according to (10) above, the inner diameter of the tubular member may be larger than the diameter of the injection hole.

(12) In the marking device according to any one of (1) to (11) above, the edge portion of the opening on the side of the injection surface is such that the injection surface faces the injection hole. A tapered portion having an inclined surface inclined with respect to the normal may be formed.

(13) In the marking device according to any one of (1) to (12) above, the droplet ejection device is a guide that comes into contact with the optical film while transporting the long strip-shaped optical film. The droplets may be ejected from a side opposite to the position where the optical film is in contact with the guide roll, which is arranged so as to face the roll with the optical film interposed therebetween.

(14) The defect inspection system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a transport line for transporting a long strip of film, a defect inspection device for inspecting defects in the film conveyed by the transport line, and the defect inspection. The marking device according to any one of (1) to (13) above, which can mark information by ejecting a droplet at a defect position based on the result, is provided.

(15) In the defect inspection system according to (14) above, the marking device ejects the droplets from a direction intersecting the vertical direction with respect to the film conveyed in a direction parallel to the vertical direction on the transport line. You may.

(16) In the defect inspection system according to (14) above, the marking device may eject the droplet from below with respect to the film conveyed in the direction intersecting the vertical direction on the conveying line.

(17) The defect inspection system according to any one of (14) to (16) above further includes a guide roll in contact with the film, and the marking device faces the guide roll with the film interposed therebetween. The droplet may be ejected from the side opposite to the position where the film is in contact with the guide roll.

(18) In the defect inspection system according to (17) above, the film may be crossed with the outer peripheral surface of the guide roll in an angle range of 40 ° or more and 130 ° or less.

(19) The film manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes the defect inspection system according to any one of (14) to (18) above.

(20) The film manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a step of marking using the defect inspection system according to any one of (14) to (18) above.

According to the present invention, even if a droplet is scattered when the droplet is ejected from the ejection hole, it is possible to suppress the droplet from adhering to a region other than the defective portion of the film and improve the yield of the product. Marking equipment, defect inspection systems and film manufacturing methods can be provided.

It is a top view which shows an example of the liquid crystal display panel. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of an optical film. It is a side view which shows the structure of the film manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the commercialization process. It is a perspective view which shows the marking apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the droplet ejection apparatus, the shielding plate and the fixing member in the marking apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 8, and is the figure for demonstrating the operation of the shielding plate which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 1st deformation example of a fixing member, and is the cross-sectional view which corresponds to FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of a fixing member, and is the sectional view which corresponds to FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the shielding member, and is the cross-sectional view which corresponds to FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the marking apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the scattering control member in the marking device according to the second embodiment, including an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the marking apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation of the suction device in the marking device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the marking apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment, and is the figure which includes the cross section corresponding to FIG.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, as a production system for an optical display device, a film manufacturing apparatus constituting a part thereof and a film manufacturing apparatus using the film manufacturing apparatus will be described.

The film manufacturing apparatus manufactures a resin-made film-shaped optical member (optical film). For example, examples of the optical film include a polarizing film, a retardation film, a luminance improving film, and the like. For example, the optical film is attached to a panel-shaped optical display component (optical display panel) such as a liquid crystal display panel and an organic EL display panel. The film manufacturing apparatus constitutes a part of a production system for producing an optical display device including such an optical display component and an optical member.

In this embodiment, a transmissive liquid crystal display device is exemplified as an optical display device. The transmissive liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight. In this liquid crystal display device, the illumination light emitted from the backlight is incident from the back surface side of the liquid crystal display panel, and the light modulated by the liquid crystal display panel is emitted from the front surface side of the liquid crystal display panel to display an image. It is possible.

(Optical display device)
First, as an optical display device, the configuration of the liquid crystal display panel P shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a liquid crystal display panel P. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. In FIG. 2, the hatching showing the cross section is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal display panel P includes a first substrate P1, a second substrate P2 arranged to face the first substrate P1, and a first substrate P1 and a second substrate P1. It is provided with a liquid crystal layer P3 arranged between the substrate P2 and the substrate P2.

The first substrate P1 is made of a transparent substrate having a rectangular shape in a plan view. The second substrate P2 is a transparent substrate having a rectangular shape that is relatively smaller than the first substrate P1. The liquid crystal layer P3 seals the periphery between the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 with a sealing material (not shown), and is inside a rectangular region in a plan view surrounded by the sealing material. Have been placed. In the liquid crystal display panel P, a region that fits inside the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer P3 in a plan view is referred to as a display region P4, and an outer region that surrounds the periphery of this display region P4 is referred to as a frame portion G.

On the back surface (backlight side) of the liquid crystal display panel P, a first optical film F11 as a polarizing film and a third optical film F13 as a brightness improving film superimposed on the first optical film F11 are sequentially arranged. It is laminated and pasted together. A second optical film F12 as a polarizing film is bonded to the surface (display surface side) of the liquid crystal display panel P. Hereinafter, a film containing any one of the first to third optical films F11 to F13 may be collectively referred to as an optical film F1X.

(Optical film)
Next, an example of the optical film F1X shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the optical film F1X. Note that in FIG. 3, the hatching showing the cross section is omitted.

The optical film F1X is obtained by cutting out a sheet piece having a predetermined length from the long strip-shaped optical sheet FX shown in FIG. Specifically, the optical film F1X is formed via a base sheet F4, an adhesive layer F5 provided on one surface (upper surface in FIG. 3) of the base sheet F4, and a base sheet F4 via the adhesive layer F5. It has a separator sheet F6 provided on one surface and a surface protection sheet F7 provided on the other surface (lower surface in FIG. 3) of the base sheet F4.

In the case of a polarizing film, for example, the base sheet F4 has a structure in which a polarizing element F4a is sandwiched between a pair of protective films F4b and F4c. The adhesive layer F5 is used to bond the base sheet F4 to the liquid crystal display panel P. The separator sheet F6 protects the adhesive layer F5. The separator sheet F6 is peeled off from the adhesive layer F5 of the optical film F1X before the base sheet F4 is attached to the liquid crystal display panel P via the adhesive layer F5. The portion of the optical film F1X excluding the separator sheet F6 is referred to as a bonded sheet F8.
The surface protection sheet F7 protects the surface of the base material sheet F4. The surface protection sheet F7 is peeled off from the surface of the base sheet F4 after the base sheet F4 of the bonded sheet F8 is attached to the liquid crystal display panel P.

Regarding the base sheet F4, any one of the pair of protective films F4b and F4c may be omitted. For example, the adhesive layer F5 may be directly provided on the polarizing element F4a by omitting the protective film F4b on the adhesive layer F5 side. Further, the protective film F4c on the surface protection sheet F7 side may be subjected to surface treatment such as a hard coat treatment for protecting the outermost surface of the liquid crystal display panel P and an anti-glare treatment for obtaining an antiglare effect. .. Further, the base sheet F4 is not limited to the above-mentioned laminated structure, but may have a single-layer structure. Further, the surface protection sheet F7 may be omitted.

(Film manufacturing equipment and film manufacturing method)
Next, the film manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the film manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

For example, the film manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures an optical film F10X in which surface protective films are bonded to both sides of a polarizing film. The film manufacturing method includes a manufacturing step of the optical film F10X. For example, the film manufacturing method includes a raw fabric roll manufacturing process for manufacturing a raw fabric roll (not shown) of a long strip-shaped polarizing film, and a long strip-shaped surface protective film bonded to the long strip-shaped polarizing film. It includes a bonding step of manufacturing the original roll R1 of the long strip-shaped optical film F10X, and a marking step of marking the position of the defect based on the result of the defect inspection of the long strip-shaped optical film F10X. After the marking step, a commercialization step is performed in which the marked portion is removed as a defective product and the unmarked portion is recovered as a non-defective product.

For example, in the raw roll manufacturing process, a film that is a base material for a polarizing element such as PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) is subjected to a dyeing treatment, a cross-linking treatment, a stretching treatment, and the like, and then both sides of the film subjected to the above treatment. A long strip-shaped polarizing film is produced by laminating a protective film such as TAC (Triactylcellulouse) to the core material, and the produced polarizing film is wound around a core material to obtain an original roll (not shown).

In the laminating step, a long strip-shaped polarizing film and a long strip-shaped surface protective film are separated from the original roll of the long strip-shaped polarizing film and the original roll of the long strip-shaped surface protective film (both not shown). A long strip-shaped optical film F10X is manufactured by sandwiching it with a nip roll or the like while unwinding it, and pulling it out, and the manufactured optical film F10X is wound around a core material to obtain an original roll R1. For example, PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) is used as the surface protective film.

In the marking step, information is marked on the optical film F10X by injecting ink 4i (droplets) at the position of the defect based on the result of the defect inspection. Here, "injection" means, for example, ejecting ink 4i from the injection hole 21 shown in FIG. In the marking step, a dot-shaped mark larger than the defect is printed (marked) on the defect portion of the optical film F10X, so that the defect portion is directly recorded.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a commercialization process.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the commercialization process, a plurality of single-wafered vegetables (products) are obtained from the long strip-shaped optical film F10X. A dot-shaped mark 12 larger than the defect 11 is printed in the vicinity of the defect 11 in the optical film F10X. The region MA in the optical film F10X is a region in which marking is applied to the entire film width direction (hereinafter referred to as “full width marking”). For example, full-width marking is performed when defects frequently occur in a predetermined region of the optical film F10X.

The commercialization step includes a cutting step of cutting the optical film F10X based on the marking information. In the cutting step, a single leaf (product) is taken out by cutting out the optical film F10X based on the marking information. In the commercialization process, the marked portion is removed as a defective product 13, and the unmarked portion is collected as a non-defective product 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, the film manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a transport line 9. The transport line 9 forms a transport path for transporting the long strip-shaped optical film F10X unwound from the original roll R1. The optical film F10X is subjected to predetermined processing such as defect inspection and marking, and is wound around the core material as the original roll R2 after the predetermined treatment in the winding unit 8.

A pair of nip rolls 5a and 5b are arranged on the transport line 9. An accumulator (not shown) including a plurality of dancer rolls and a guide roll 7 (see FIG. 17) may be arranged on the transport line 9.

The pair of nip rolls 5a and 5b pull out the optical film F10X in the direction V1 of the arrow shown in FIG. 4 (conveying direction of the optical film F10X) by rotating the pair of nip rolls 5a and 5b in opposite directions while sandwiching the optical film F10X between them. Is.

The accumulator (not shown) is for absorbing the difference due to the fluctuation of the feed amount of the optical film F10X and reducing the fluctuation of the tension applied to the optical film F10X.
For example, the accumulator has a configuration in which a plurality of dancer rolls located on the upper side and a plurality of dancer rolls located on the lower side are alternately arranged side by side in a predetermined section of the transport line 9.

In the accumulator, the optical film F10X is alternately hung on the upper dancer roll and the lower dancer roll, and while the optical film F10X is conveyed, the upper dancer roll and the lower dancer roll are transferred. Move up and down relatively in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to accumulate the optical film F10X without stopping the transport line 9. For example, in an accumulator, the distance between the upper dancer roll and the lower dancer roll is increased to increase the accumulation of the optical film F10X, while between the upper dancer roll and the lower dancer roll. By narrowing the distance, the accumulation of the optical film F10X can be reduced. The accumulator is operated, for example, during work such as paper splicing after exchanging the core materials of the raw rolls R1 and R2.

The guide roll 7 (see FIG. 17) guides the optical film F10X pulled out by the nip rolls 5a and 5b to the downstream side of the transport line 9 while rotating. The number of guide rolls 7 is not limited to one, and a plurality of guide rolls 7 may be arranged.

The optical film F10X is wound around the core material as the raw fabric roll R2 after the predetermined treatment in the winding unit 8, and then sent to the next step (see FIG. 5).

(Defect inspection system)
Next, the defect inspection system 10 included in the film manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the defect inspection system 10 includes a transfer line 9, a defect inspection device 2, a defect information reading device 3, a marking device 4, and a control device 6.

The defect inspection device 2 inspects the defects of the optical film F10X. Specifically, the defect inspection device 2 detects various defects such as foreign matter defects, unevenness defects, and bright spot defects that occur when the optical film F10X is manufactured and when the optical film F10X is conveyed. The defect inspection device 2 executes inspection processes such as reflection inspection, transmission inspection, diagonal transmission inspection, and cross Nicol transmission inspection on the optical film F10X conveyed by the transfer line 9, thereby performing inspection processing of the optical film F10X. Detect defects.

For example, in the defect inspection device 2, the defect inspection device 2 has a plurality of illumination units (not shown) that irradiate the optical film F10X with illumination light on the upstream side of the nip rolls 5a and 5b, and light transmitted through the optical film F10X (not shown). It has a plurality of light detection units for detecting light (transmitted light) or light reflected by the optical film F10X (reflected light).

When the defect inspection device 2 is configured to detect transmitted light, the plurality of illumination units and the photodetector units arranged in the transport direction of the optical film F10X are arranged so as to face each other with the optical film F10X interposed therebetween. The defect inspection device 2 is not limited to the configuration for detecting transmitted light, and may be configured to detect reflected light or to detect transmitted light and reflected light. When detecting the reflected light, the light detection unit may be arranged on the illumination unit side.

The illumination unit irradiates the optical film F10X with illumination light whose light intensity, wavelength, polarization state, etc. are adjusted according to the type of defect inspection. The photodetector uses an image pickup device such as a CCD to capture an image of the position irradiated with the illumination light of the optical film F10X. The image (result of defect inspection) captured by the photodetector is output to the control device 6.

It should be noted that the defect inspection device for inspecting the defect of the long strip-shaped polarizing film before the long strip-shaped optical film and the long strip-shaped surface protective film are bonded, and the defect inspection result of this defect inspection device are used. A recording device (none of which is shown) for recording defect information on the polarizing film may be further provided. The defect inspection device (not shown) has the same configuration as the defect inspection device 2 described above, and detects defects in the polarizing film.

The defect information recorded by the recording device (not shown) includes information on the position and type of the defect, and is, for example, an identification code such as a character, a barcode, a two-dimensional code (DataMatrix code, QR code (registered trademark), etc.). Recorded as. The identification code includes, for example, information indicating how far away the defect detected by the defect inspection device (not shown) is from the position where the identification code is printed along the film width direction (). Information about the location of defects) is included. The identification code may also contain information about the type of defect detected.

The recording device is provided on the transfer line of the polarizing film on the downstream side of the defect inspection device (not shown). The recording device has, for example, a print head that employs an inkjet method. This print head ejects ink at a position along the edge portion (edge portion) in the width direction of the polarizing film, and prints the defect information.

The defect information reading device 3 is provided on the transport line 9 on the downstream side of the defect inspection device 2. The defect information reading device 3 reads the defect information recorded on the optical film F10X (the polarizing film). The defect information reading device 3 has an image pickup device. The image pickup device uses an image pickup device such as a CCD to take an image of defect information of the optical film F10X to be conveyed.

The defect information reading device 3 includes information on the position and type of defects, and is recorded as identification codes such as characters, barcodes, and two-dimensional codes (DataMatrix code, QR code (registered trademark), etc.). To read. For example, by reading the defect information, information indicating how far the defect detected by the defect inspection device 2 or the like exists from the position where the identification code is printed along the film width direction. (Information about the location of the defect) is obtained. Further, when the identification code contains information on the type of the detected defect, the information on the type of the detected defect can be obtained by reading the defect information. The defect information (reading result) obtained by the defect information reading device 3 is output to the control device 6.

The marking device 4 is provided on the transport line 9 on the downstream side of the defect information reading device 3. The marking device 4 marks information on the optical film F10X by injecting ink 4i at the position of the defect based on the result of the defect inspection. The marking device 4 prints (marks) a dot-shaped mark larger than the defect on the defective portion of the optical film F10X, thereby recording directly on the defective portion.

The marking device 4 may directly record the defect portion by printing (marking) a dot-shaped, line-shaped, or frame-shaped mark having a size that includes the defect. At this time, information on the type of defect may be recorded by printing a symbol or a pattern indicating the type of defect on the defect portion in addition to the mark.

The defect inspection system 10 may include a length measuring device (not shown) for measuring the amount of the optical film F10X conveyed. For example, as a length measuring instrument, a square position sensor such as a rotary encoder may be arranged on the nip roll in the transport line 9. The length measuring instrument measures the amount of transport of the optical film F10X according to the amount of rotational displacement of the nip roll that rotates in contact with the optical film F10X. The measurement result of the length measuring device is output to the control device 6.

The control device 6 controls each part of the film manufacturing device 1 in an integrated manner. Specifically, the control device 6 includes a computer system as an electronic control device. The computer system includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU and an information storage unit such as a memory and a hard disk.

In the information storage unit of the control device 6, an operating system (OS) that controls a computer system, a program that causes each unit of the film manufacturing apparatus 1 to execute various processes in the arithmetic processing unit, and the like are recorded. Further, the control device 6 may include a logic circuit such as an ASIC that executes various processes required for controlling each part of the film manufacturing device 1. Further, the control device 6 includes an interface for input / output with an external device of the computer system. For example, an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, a communication device, or the like can be connected to this interface.

The control device 6 analyzes the image captured by the photodetector of the defect inspection device to determine the presence / absence (position) and type of the defect. When the control device 6 determines that the polarizing film has a defect, the control device 6 controls the recording device to record the defect information on the polarizing film. When the control device 6 determines that a defect exists in the optical film F10X based on the inspection result of the defect inspection device and the reading result of the defect information reading device 3, the control device 6 controls the marking device 4 to form the optical film F10X. Print the mark.

(Marking device)
Next, the marking device 4 included in the defect inspection system 10 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the marking device 4 according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the marking device 4 includes a droplet ejection device 20, a shielding plate 30 (shielding member), and a fixing member 40. The marking device 4 ejects the ink 4i onto the optical film F10X to print a dot-shaped mark 12 larger than the defect on the defect portion of the optical film F10X.

In the following description, the xyz orthogonal coordinate system is set as necessary, and the positional relationship of each member will be described with reference to this xyz orthogonal coordinate system. In the present embodiment, the normal direction of the ejection surface 22 of the droplet ejection device 20 is the x direction, and the direction orthogonal to the x direction (the width direction of the ejection surface 22) in the plane of the ejection surface 22 is the y direction. The direction orthogonal to the x-direction and the y-direction is defined as the z-direction. Here, the x-direction and the y-direction are in the horizontal plane, and the z-direction is the vertical direction (vertical direction). The x direction may be referred to as a front-back direction, and the y direction may be referred to as a left-right direction. Further, the + x direction may be referred to as a forward direction, the −x direction may be referred to as a backward direction, the + y direction may be referred to as a left direction, the −y direction may be referred to as a right direction, the + z direction may be referred to as an upward direction, and the −z direction may be referred to as a downward direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the marking device 4 ejects ink 4i from the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction with respect to the optical film F10X transported in the direction V1 (upper side) parallel to the vertical direction on the transport line 9. .. For example, the transport speed of the optical film F10X (hereinafter referred to as “line speed”) is set to a value of 50 m / min or less as the range in which the mark 12 can be printed on the optical film F10X. In this embodiment, the line speed is set to a value of 30 m / min or less.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the droplet ejection device 20, the shielding plate 30, and the fixing member 40 in the marking device 4 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 8 and is a diagram for explaining the operation of the shielding plate 30 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 9, the fixing member 40 is not shown for convenience.

As shown in FIG. 7, the droplet ejection device 20 includes a plurality of ejection heads 20A capable of ejecting ink. Although three injection heads 20A are shown as an example in FIG. 7, the number of injection heads 20A is not limited to this, and one, two, four or more, and the like can be appropriately set as needed. The injection head 20A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a length in the y direction. The injection surface 22 (see FIG. 8) of the injection head 20A has a rectangular shape having a length in the y direction in the front view of FIG. 7.

A plurality of shielding plates 30 are provided for each of the plurality of injection heads 20A. FIG. 7 shows, as an example, three shielding plates 30 provided for each of the three injection heads 20A, but the number of shielding plates 30 is not limited to this and can be set according to the number of ejection heads 20A. It can be set as needed, such as one, two, or four or more. The surface 32 (hereinafter referred to as “first main surface”) of the shielding plate 30 opposite to the injection surface 22 has a rectangular shape having substantially the same size as the injection surface 22 in the front view of FIG. 7.

A plurality of fixing members 40 are provided so that the shielding plate 30 can be fixed to each of the plurality of injection heads 20A. In FIG. 7, as an example, three fixing members 40 provided so that the shielding plate 30 can be fixed to each of the three injection heads 20A are shown, but the number of the fixing members 40 is not limited to this, and the injection head 20A and the shielding are not limited to this. It can be set according to the number of plates 30, and can be set as needed, such as one, two, or four or more. The fixing member 40 has a rectangular frame shape along the outer shape of the first main surface 32 of the shielding plate 30 when viewed from the front in FIG. 7.

For example, the injection head 20A adopts a valve type inkjet head. For example, the amount of ink ejected from the ejection hole 21 of the ejection head 20A (hereinafter referred to as “droplet amount”) is referred to as the diameter of the dot-shaped mark 12 printed on the optical film F10X (hereinafter referred to as “dot diameter”). ) Is set to a value in the range of 0.05 μL or more and 0.2 μL or less so that the value is in the range of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. In this embodiment, the amount of droplets is about 0.166 μL.

For example, the viscosity of the ink ejected from the injection hole 21 of the injection head 20A (hereinafter referred to as “ink viscosity”) is 0.05 × so that the dot diameter is in the range of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The value shall be in the range of 10 ^-3 Pa · s or more and 1.00 × 10 ^-3 Pa · s or less. In this embodiment, the ink viscosity is 0.89 × 10 ^-3 Pa · s.

For example, the ink ejection speed from the injection head 20A (hereinafter referred to as "ink ejection speed").
) Is a value in the range of 1 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less as a printable range, preferably a value in the range of 4 m / s or more and 5 m / s or less. In this embodiment, the ink ejection speed is about 4.2 m / s. By setting the ink ejection speed within the above range, it is possible to print accurately on the target print area of the optical film F10 being conveyed, and the ink splashes at the time of impact (for example, the second splash 4b shown in FIG. 14). ) Can be suppressed. Here, "ink landing" means that the ejected ink 4i comes into contact with the optical film F10X and prints on the optical film F10X while deforming the shape of the ink 4i.

For example, the opening time of the injection hole 21 of the injection head 20A is a value in the range of 0.5 ms or more, preferably 0.8 ms or more and 1.5 ms or less, as a range in which the mark 12 can be printed on the optical film F10X. The value is preferably in the range of 0.9 ms or more and 1.2 ms or less. In this embodiment, the opening time is about 1.0 ms. By setting the opening time within the above range, the amount of ink to be ejected can be stabilized, the target dot diameter can be obtained, and the generation of droplets 4a can be suppressed at the time of ink ejection.

For example, the ink ejection pressure from the injection head 20A (hereinafter referred to as "ink ejection pressure").
) Is a value in the range of 0.030 MPa or less, preferably 0.020 MPa or more and 0.028 MPa or less as the range in which the mark 12 can be printed on the optical film F10X.
In this embodiment, the ink ejection pressure is about 0.025 MPa. By keeping the ink ejection pressure within the above range, the ink ejection speed is stabilized, and the generation of droplets 4a at the time of ink ejection and droplets at the time of ink landing (for example, the second droplet 4b shown in FIG. 14) is suppressed. Can be done.

For example, the distance K1 (see FIG. 9) between the injection hole 21 of the injection head 20A and the optical film F10X is a value of 50 mm or less, preferably 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, as a range in which the mark 12 can be printed on the optical film F10X. The value of. The reason for this is that if the distance K1 is too small, the injection head 20A may come into contact with the optical film F10X, and if the distance K1 is too large, the droplets scattered when the ink is ejected from the injection hole 21 spread over a wide range. Because there is a possibility. In this embodiment, the distance K1 is about 13 mm. The distance K1 is the length of a line segment connecting the center of the injection hole 21 on the injection surface 22 and the printing surface (the surface on the −x direction side) of the optical film F10X in the normal direction of the injection surface 22. The distance between the ejection hole 21 of the ejection head 20A and the optical film F10X corresponds to the distance between the ejection surface 22 of the ejection head 20A and the optical film F10X.

For example, the wind speed around the optical film F10X generated by the transfer of the optical film F10X is a value in the range of 0.5 m / s or less, preferably 0.2 m / s or less as the range in which the mark 12 can be printed on the optical film F10X. It is a value in the range. In the present embodiment, the wind speed is set to about 0.1 m / s under the condition that the line speed is about 25 m / min. When the wind speed is within the above range, it is possible to prevent the generated droplets 4a and 4b from spreading over a wide range.

A plurality of ejection holes 21 for ejecting ink into the optical film F10X are formed on the ejection surface 22 of the ejection head 20A (droplet ejection device 20). The plurality of injection holes 21 are arranged in a row in the center of the injection surface 22 in the vertical direction (z direction), side by side in the width direction (y direction) of the injection surface 22. In FIG. 7, as an example, nine injection holes 21 are shown for one injection surface 22, but in the present embodiment, 16 injection holes 21 are formed for one injection surface 22. The number of injection holes 21 is not limited to this, and can be set as needed, such as a number of 8 or less or a number of 10 or more. Further, the row of the injection holes 21 is not limited to one row, and two or more rows can be appropriately set as needed. The injection hole 21 has a circular shape when viewed from the front in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, the shielding plate 30 is provided on the injection surface 22. As shown in FIG. 9, the shielding plate 30 has a thickness t1 in a direction (x direction) parallel to the normal line of the injection surface 22. For example, the thickness t1 of the shielding plate 30 is preferably a value in the range of 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably a value in the range of 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the thickness t1 of the shielding plate 30 is about 3 mm. The thickness t1 of the shielding plate 30 may be made as large as possible as long as the shielding plate 30 does not come into contact with the optical film F10X.

The shielding plate 30 can block the droplets 4a scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection holes 21. The shielding plate 30 is formed with an opening 31 that opens at a position facing the injection hole 21. The opening 31 has an inner wall surface 31a facing the injection passage Ia into which the ink 4i is ejected.
The inner wall surface 31a of the opening 31 has a cylindrical shape with the injection path Ia as the central axis. The inner wall surface 31a of the opening 31 blocks the droplet 4a scattered in the direction intersecting the normal line of the injection surface 22 when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21. At least a part of the scattered droplets 4a adheres to the inner wall surface 31a of the opening 31.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of openings 31 are provided for each of the plurality of injection holes 21. The plurality of openings 31 are arranged in a row at the center of the first main surface 32 in the vertical direction (z direction), side by side in the width direction (y direction) of the first main surface 32. In FIG. 7, as an example, nine openings 31 are shown for one shielding plate 30, but in the present embodiment, there are 16 openings for one shielding plate 30 in accordance with 16 injection holes 21. A unit 31 is provided. The number of openings 31 is not limited to this, and can be set as needed, such as a number of 8 or less or a number of 10 or more. Further, the row of the openings 31 is not limited to one row, and can be set as needed, such as two or more rows. The opening 31 has a circular shape when viewed from the front in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 9, the diameter d1 of the opening 31 is larger than the diameter d2 of the injection hole 21 (d1> d2). For example, the ratio d1 / d2 of the diameter d1 of the opening 31 to the diameter d2 of the injection hole 21 is preferably a value in the range of 1.5 or more and 5 or less, more preferably a value in the range of 2 or more and 4 or less. do. In the present embodiment, the ratio d1 / d2 is about 3, the diameter d1 of the opening 31 is about 3 mm, and the diameter d2 of the injection hole 21 is about 1 mm. The diameter d2 of the injection hole 21 may be a value in the range of 0.1 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

The first main surface 32 of the shielding plate 30 is separated from the optical film F10X. For example, the distance L1 between the first main surface 32 of the shielding plate 30 and the optical film F10X is preferably a value of 10 mm or less, more preferably a value of 5 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the distance L1 is about 10 mm. The distance L1 may be as small as possible as long as the shielding plate 30 does not come into contact with the optical film F10X.

The shielding plate 30 comes into contact with the injection surface 22. In other words, the surface 35 (hereinafter referred to as "second main surface") on the side of the injection surface 22 of the shielding plate 30 is arranged on the same plane as the injection surface 22.

For example, the shielding plate 30 is formed of a metal plate such as SUS, or a plastic plate such as an acrylic plate and a polypropylene plate (PP plate). In this embodiment, the shielding plate 30 is formed of an acrylic plate. The shielding plate 30 may be formed of a plate material that does not react with ink. As a result, corrosion of the shielding plate 30 due to ink can be suppressed, so that the corrosion resistance of the shielding plate 30 can be improved.

The fixing member 40 fixes the shielding plate 30 to the injection head 20A. As shown in FIG. 8, the fixing member 40 includes a first wall portion 41 and a second wall portion 42. For example, the fixing member 40 is formed of a metal plate such as SUS.

The first wall portion 41 covers the side end portions 23, 33 located in the direction orthogonal to the normal line of the injection surface 22 on both the injection head 20A and the shielding plate 30. The first wall portion 41 has a rectangular tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction (x direction). The first wall portion 41 includes a portion on the injection surface 22 side of the side end portions 23 in the vertical direction (z direction) and the width direction (y direction) of the injection head 20A, and the vertical direction (z direction) and width of the shielding plate 30. It abuts on both sides of the side end 33 in the direction (y direction). For example, the first wall portion 41 is fastened to the injection head 20A by a fastening member such as a bolt. As a result, the relative movement of the injection head 20A and the shielding plate 30 in the vertical direction (z direction) and the width direction (y direction) is restricted.

The second wall portion 42 covers the outer peripheral portion 34 of the outer periphery of the opening portion 31 in the first main surface 32 of the shielding plate 30. The second wall portion 42 has a rectangular frame shape extending inward in the z direction from the front end (+ x direction end) of the first wall portion 41. The second wall portion 42 abuts on the outer peripheral edge portion 34 of the outer periphery of the opening 31 in the first main surface 32 of the shielding plate 30. For example, the second wall portion 42 is integrally formed of the same member as the first wall portion 41. The second wall portion 42 may be fastened to the first wall portion 41 by a fastening member such as a bolt. As a result, the relative movement of the injection head 20A and the shielding plate 30 in the front-rear direction (x direction) is restricted.

As described above, the marking device 4 according to the present embodiment is a marking device 4 capable of marking the mark 12 by injecting ink 4i onto the optical film F10X, and injects ink 4i onto the optical film F10X. A droplet ejection device 20 having an ejection surface 22 on which an ejection hole 21 is formed, and a shielding plate 30 provided on the ejection surface 22 and capable of blocking droplets 4a scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21. The shielding plate 30 is formed with an opening 31 having an inner wall surface 31a that opens at a position facing the injection hole 21 and blocks the droplets 4a scattered in the direction intersecting the normal of the injection surface 22. Is to be done.

According to the present embodiment, the shielding plate 30 has an opening 31 having an inner wall surface 31a that opens at a position facing the injection hole 21 and blocks droplets 4a scattered in a direction intersecting the normal of the injection surface 22. By forming the ink 4i, as compared with the case where the ink 4i is directly ejected from the droplet ejection device 20 without providing the shielding plate 30, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a scattered in the direction intersecting the normal of the ejection surface 22 is concrete. In order to reduce the scattering diameter L2 (see FIG. 9) centered on the mark 12 when the droplet 4a adheres to the optical film F10X, the droplet 4a is ejected when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21. Even if the ink is scattered, it is possible to prevent the droplet 4a from adhering to a region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X, and improve the yield of the product.

Further, by providing the shielding plate 30 having the thickness t1 in the direction parallel to the normal of the injection surface 22, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness t1 of the shielding plate 30, so that the droplet 4a is optical. It is possible to prevent the film F10X from adhering to a region other than the defective portion. For example, by increasing the thickness t1 of the shielding plate 30 as much as possible within the range where the shielding plate 30 does not come into contact with the optical film F10X, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a can be minimized.

Further, by further providing the fixing member 40 capable of fixing the shielding plate 30 to the droplet ejection device 20, the shielding plate 30 is firmly fixed to the droplet ejection device 20 as compared with the case where the fixing member 40 is not provided. It will be easier.

Further, the fixing member 40 covers the side end portions 23, 33 located in the direction orthogonal to the normal line of the injection surface 22 on both the injection head 20A and the shielding plate 30, and the first wall portion 41 of the shielding plate 30. By providing the second wall portion 42 that covers the outer peripheral edge portion 34 of the outer periphery of the opening 31 on the main surface 32, the shielding plate 30 is firmly fixed to the injection head 20A, and the ejection head 20A and the shielding plate 30 are provided. Relative movement in the front-back, left-right, up-down directions (xyz direction) can be regulated with a simple configuration.

Further, the droplet ejection device 20 includes a plurality of ejection heads 20A capable of ejecting ink 4i, a plurality of shielding plates 30 are provided for each of the plurality of ejection heads 20A, and the fixing member 40 provides the shielding plates 30 with the plurality of ejection heads 20A. Since the shielding plate 30 and the fixing member 40 can be positioned in a one-to-one relationship with the individual injection heads 20A by providing a plurality of fixing plates for each of them, the shielding plates and fixings having a size corresponding to the plurality of injection heads 20A can be fixed. It is possible to prevent the relative positions of the injection head 20A, the shielding plate 30, and the fixing member 40 from being displaced as compared with the case where the member is provided.

Further, when the shielding plate 30 comes into contact with the injection surface 22, the relative movement of the injection head 20A and the shielding plate 30 in the front-rear direction (x direction) is restricted as compared with the case where the shielding plate 30 separates from the injection surface 22. It becomes easier to do.

Further, by making the diameter d1 of the opening 31 larger than the diameter d2 of the injection hole 21, it is possible to prevent the ink 4i ejected from the injection hole 21 from touching the opening 31.

The defect inspection system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a transport line 9 for transporting the long strip-shaped optical film F10X, a defect inspection device 2 for performing defect inspection of the optical film F10X conveyed by the transport line 9, and a defect inspection. It is provided with a marking device 4 capable of printing a mark 12 by injecting ink 4i at a position of a defect 11 based on the result.

According to the present embodiment, by providing the marking device 4 described above, even if the droplet 4a is scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21, the droplet 4a is located in a region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X. It is possible to suppress the adhesion and improve the yield of the product. Further, by providing the marking device 4 capable of printing the mark 12 by injecting the ink 4i at the position of the defect 11 based on the result of the defect inspection, the mark 12 can be printed according to the position of the defect, so that the droplet 4a can be printed. It is possible to effectively suppress the adhesion of the ink to the region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X, and further improve the yield of the product.

Further, the marking device 4 is conveyed in the horizontal direction by ejecting the ink 4i from the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction with respect to the optical film F10X which is conveyed in the direction parallel to the vertical direction by the marking device 4. Compared with the case where the ink 4i is ejected downward in the vertical direction with respect to the optical film F10X to be formed, it is possible to prevent the ink 4i from naturally dripping from the ejection hole 21 due to the influence of gravity.

The film manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the above-mentioned defect inspection system 10.

According to the present embodiment, by providing the above-mentioned defect inspection system 10, even if the droplet 4a is scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21, the droplet 4a is in a region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X. It is possible to suppress the adhesion to the ink and improve the yield of the product.
Further, by printing the mark 12 according to the position of the defect, it is possible to effectively suppress the droplet 4a from adhering to the region other than the defect portion of the optical film F10X, and the yield of the product can be further improved. ..

The film manufacturing method according to the present embodiment includes a step of marking using the above-mentioned defect inspection system 10.

According to the present embodiment, by including the above-mentioned marking step, even if the droplet 4a is scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21, the droplet 4a adheres to a region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X. It is possible to suppress this and improve the yield of the product. Further, by printing the mark 12 according to the position of the defect, it is possible to effectively suppress the droplet 4a from adhering to the region other than the defect portion of the optical film F10X, and the yield of the product can be further improved. ..

By the way, (A1) the amount of droplets, (A2) the viscosity of the ink, and the like can be considered as factors for the droplets to be scattered when the ink is ejected from the ejection holes.

Hereinafter, the above factors will be described.
If the amount of droplets is small, it is considered that almost no droplets are scattered when the ink is ejected from the ejection holes, or even if the droplets are scattered, the effect of contaminating the optical film is small. On the other hand, it has been clarified by the present inventor that when the amount of droplets is large, the droplets are scattered when the ink is ejected from the ejection holes, and the scattered droplets contaminate the optical film.

For example, in a commercially available inkjet printer, the amount of droplets is about 1 × ^10-6 μL, which is very small. Therefore, when ink is ejected from the ejection holes, almost no droplets are scattered, or even if the droplets are scattered. It is considered that the effect is small enough to contaminate the optical film. On the other hand, in the droplet ejection device 20 according to the present embodiment, the droplet amount is about 0.166 μL, which is considerably larger than that of a commercially available inkjet printer, so that the droplets are scattered when the ink is ejected from the ejection holes. , Splashes may contaminate the optical film.

Further, if the ink viscosity is high, it is considered that the droplets hardly scatter when the ink is ejected from the ejection holes. On the other hand, it has been clarified by the present inventor that when the ink viscosity is small, the droplets are scattered when the ink is ejected from the ejection holes, and the scattered droplets contaminate the optical film.

For example, in a commercially available inkjet printer, the ink viscosity is about 1.17 × 10 ^-3 Pa · s. On the other hand, in the droplet ejection device 20 according to the present embodiment, the ink viscosity is about 0.89 × 10 ^-3 Pa · s, which is smaller than that of a commercially available inkjet printer, so that ink is ejected from the ejection holes. In some cases, the droplets are scattered, and the scattered droplets may contaminate the optical film.

According to the present embodiment, even if the droplets are scattered when the ink is ejected from the injection hole due to the above factors (A1), (A2), etc., the position of the shielding plate 30 facing the injection hole 21 By forming an opening 31 having an inner wall surface 31a that shields the droplets 4a scattered in the direction intersecting the normal of the ejection surface 22, the droplet ejection device 20 is used as it is without providing the shielding plate 30. Compared to the case where the ink 4i is ejected, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a scattered in the direction intersecting the normal of the ejection surface 22, specifically, the mark 12 when the droplet 4a adheres to the optical film F10X is the center. Since the scattering diameter L2 (see FIG. 9) can be reduced, it is possible to effectively suppress the droplet 4a from adhering to the region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X, and further improve the yield of the product. can.

Hereinafter, a modified example of the embodiment will be described. In the following modification, the components common to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(First modification of fixing member)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modification of the fixing member, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG.
In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the fixing member 40 is formed of a member different from the shielding plate 30. On the other hand, in this modification, as shown in FIG. 10, the fixing member 140 is integrally formed of the same member as the shielding plate 130.

The fixing member 140 is fixed to the injection head 20A together with the shielding plate 130. The fixing member 140 includes a shielding plate 130 and a side wall portion 141. For example, the fixing member 140 is formed of a metal plate such as SUS.
The side wall portion 141 covers the side end portion 23 located in the direction orthogonal to the normal line of the injection surface 22 in the injection head 20A. The side wall portion 141 has a rectangular tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction (x direction). The side wall portion 141 abuts on the portion on the injection surface 22 side of the side end portion 23 in the vertical direction (z direction) and the width direction (y direction) of the injection head 20A.

The shielding plate 130 has a rectangular frame shape extending inward in the z direction from the front end (+ x direction end) of the side wall portion 141. The shielding plate 130 is formed with an opening 131 having an inner wall surface 131a that opens at a position facing the injection hole 21 and blocks the droplets 4a scattered in the direction intersecting the normal of the injection surface 22. The shielding plate 130 comes into contact with the injection surface 22. In other words, the second main surface 135 of the shielding plate 130 is arranged in the same plane as the injection surface 22.

For example, the side wall portion 141 is fastened to the injection head 20A by a fastening member such as a bolt.
As a result, the relative movement of the injection head 20A and the shielding plate 30 in the vertical direction (z direction), the width direction (y direction), and the front-back direction (x direction) is restricted.

According to this modification, the fixing member 140 is formed integrally with the shielding plate 130, and includes a side wall portion 141 that covers the side end portion 23 located in the direction orthogonal to the normal line of the injection surface 22 in the injection head 20A. The shielding plate 130 can be firmly fixed to the injection head 20A, and the relative movement of the injection head 20A and the shielding plate 130 in the front-back, left-right, up-down directions (xyz direction) can be regulated by a simple configuration. Further, as compared with the case where the fixing member 40 is formed of a member different from the shielding plate 30, the number of parts can be reduced and the device configuration can be simplified.

(Second modification of fixing member)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second modification of the fixing member, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG.
In the first modification, the example in which the shielding plate 130 abuts on the injection surface 22 is given. On the other hand, in this modification, as shown in FIG. 11, the shielding plate 130 is separated from the injection surface 22. Specifically, the second main surface 135 of the shielding plate 130 is arranged in front of the injection surface 22 (in the + x direction).

According to this modification, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the shielding plate 130 and the ejection surface 22 by separating the shielding plate 130 from the ejection surface 22, so that the droplet 4a is an optical film. It is possible to prevent the F10X from adhering to a region other than the defective portion.
For example, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a can be minimized by increasing the distance between the shielding plate 130 and the ejection surface 22 as much as possible within the range where the shielding plate 130 does not come into contact with the optical film F10X. Further, as compared with the case where the shielding plate 130 is in contact with the injection surface 22, the droplet 4a is diffused only by adjusting the distance between the shielding plate 130 and the injection surface 22 without adjusting the thickness t1 of the shielding plate 130. Since the range can be adjusted, the degree of freedom in design is increased.

(Modification example of shielding member)
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modified example of the shielding member, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG.
In the above embodiment, an example is given in which a shielding plate 30 having a thickness in a direction parallel to the normal of the injection surface 22 is provided as a shielding member. On the other hand, in this modification, as shown in FIG. 12, a tubular member 230 extending in a direction parallel to the normal line of the injection surface 22 is provided as a shielding member.

The tubular member 230 is formed with an opening 231 that opens at a position facing the injection hole 21.
As shown in FIG. 12, the opening 231 has an inner wall surface 231a facing an injection passage Ia (see FIG. 9) into which ink is ejected. The inner wall surface 231a of the opening 231 blocks the droplet 4a (see FIG. 9) that is scattered in the direction intersecting the normal line of the ejection surface 22 when the ink is ejected from the ejection hole 21.
The inner wall surface 231a of the opening 231 has a cylindrical shape with the injection path Ia as the central axis. The diameter of the opening 231 (inner diameter of the tubular member 230) is larger than the diameter of the injection hole 21.
The tubular member 230 comes into contact with the injection surface 22. In other words, the end surface 235 (second main surface) of the tubular member 230 is arranged on the same plane as the injection surface 22.

According to this modification, by providing the tubular member 230 extending in the direction parallel to the normal of the injection surface 22, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a is adjusted by adjusting the length (length in the x direction) of the tubular member 230. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the droplet 4a from adhering to a region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X. For example, by increasing the length of the tubular member 230 as much as possible within a range in which the tubular member 230 does not come into contact with the optical film F10X, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a can be minimized.

Further, by making the diameter of the opening 231 larger than the diameter of the ejection hole 21, it is possible to prevent the ink 4i ejected from the ejection hole 21 from touching the opening 231.

(Second embodiment)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the marking device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the marking device 204 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 includes an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 13 and is a diagram for explaining the operation of the scattering control member 50 in the marking device 204 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 14, the fixed wall portions 53 and 54 are not shown for convenience. In the present embodiment, the components common to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an example is given in which the marking device 4 includes a droplet ejection device 20, a shielding plate 30, and a fixing member 40. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the marking device 204 further includes a scattering control member 50.

As shown in FIG. 14, the scattering control member 50 is provided between the injection surface 22 and the optical film F10X. Specifically, the scattering control member 50 is provided between the fixing member 40 and the optical film F10X in front of the shielding plate 30. The scattering control member 50 blocks scattered droplets from the time the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21 until the ink 4i lands on the optical film F10X. The droplet includes at least one of a first droplet 4a scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21 and a second droplet 4b scattered when the ink 4i lands on the optical film F10X. The first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b have a particularly large effect on the printing target.

Here, as the droplets scattered from the ink 4i ejected from the ejection hole 21 to the impact on the optical film F10X, the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21 in addition to the droplets 4a and 4b generated at the time of ink ejection and impact. Splashes scattered during the flight toward the optical film F10X can also be mentioned. However, the number of droplets scattered during flight of this ink 4i is smaller than that of the droplets 4a and 4b generated at the time of ink ejection and landing, and the size of the droplets themselves is very small, so that the printing target is contaminated. It is considered that the influence of is small.

The first droplet 4a includes a droplet 4a that does not adhere to the inner wall surface 31a of the opening 31 of the shielding plate 30 but passes through the opening 31 and floats in the air. Further, the droplets scattered during the flight of the ink 4i behave in the same manner as the first droplet 4a.

The scattering control member 50 is formed with a blocking surface 50f that extends in a direction orthogonal to the normal of the injection surface 22. In the scattering control member 50, the blocking surface 50f on the ejection surface 22 side restricts the movement of the first droplet 4a to the optical film F10X side, and the blocking surface 50f on the optical film F10X side has the second droplet 4b. It is restricted to move to the injection surface 22 side. That is, at least a part of the scattered first droplets 4a adheres to the blocking surface 50f on the injection surface 22 side of the scattering control member 50, and at least a part of the scattered second droplets 4b is attached to the scattering control member 50. It adheres to the blocking surface 50f on the optical film F10X side.

The cutoff surface 50f is not limited to extending in a direction orthogonal to the normal of the injection surface 22, but may extend in a direction intersecting the normal of the injection surface 22. For example, from the viewpoint of effectively blocking the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b, the blocking surface 50f is in a direction parallel to the film transport direction so that the area facing the optical film F10X is the largest. , It is preferable that the film spreads in a direction orthogonal to the normal of the injection surface 50f. If the above relationship cannot be maintained due to the equipment layout, the angle between the cutoff surface 50f and the normal line of the injection surface 22 may be adjusted so as to be as parallel as possible to the film transport direction.

As shown in FIG. 13, the scattering control member 50 includes a scattering control plate 51, 52 and a fixed wall portion 53, 54.
The scattering control plates 51 and 52 have a thickness in a direction (x direction) parallel to the normal line of the injection surface 22.
In the present embodiment, the thickness of the scattering control plates 51 and 52 is about 3 mm. The thicknesses of the scattering control plates 51 and 52 may be set as needed, and may be set to such an extent that the first droplets 4a and the second droplets 4b can be blocked.

The scattering control plates 51 and 52 have a rectangular shape having a long side in the film width direction (y direction shown in FIG. 13) and a short side in the film transport direction (z direction shown in FIG. 13). In the present embodiment, the length of the long side of the scattering control plates 51 and 52 is about 1600 mm, which corresponds to the film width, and the length of the short side of the scattering control plates 51 and 52 is about 50 mm.

As shown in FIG. 14, the first scattering control plate 51 is arranged on one side of the injection passage Ia into which the ink 4i is ejected. The second scattering control plate 52 is arranged on the other side of the injection passage Ia. The first scattering control plate 51 is arranged vertically above the injection passage Ia, and the second scattering control plate 52 is arranged vertically below the injection passage Ia. The first scattering control plate 51 and the second scattering control plate 52 are arranged adjacent to each other with the injection passage Ia in between. The first scattering control plate 51 is formed with a first blocking surface 51f extending in a direction orthogonal to the normal of the injection surface 22, and the second scattering controlling plate 52 spreads in parallel with the first blocking surface 51f. A second blocking surface 52f is formed.

As shown in FIG. 13, the interval s1 (hereinafter referred to as “slit interval”) at which the first scattering control plate 51 and the second scattering control plate 52 separate from each other is larger than the diameter d2 (see FIG. 9) of the injection hole 21. .. For example, the slit spacing s1 is preferably a value in the range of 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably a value in the range of 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The reason is that if the slit spacing s1 is made too small, the ink 4i may not pass through the slit spacing s1, that is, the ink 4i may touch the first scattering control plate 51 and the second scattering control plate 52, and the slit spacing s1 may be reduced. This is because if it is made too large, the first droplet 4a may spread over a wide area from the injection hole 21. In this embodiment, the slit spacing s1 is about 5 mm. The diameter d2 of the injection hole 21 is about 1 mm.

The first fixed wall portion 53 includes an upper wall portion 53a and a side wall portion 53b. The first fixed wall portion 53 is integrally formed with the first scattering control plate 51. The upper wall portion 53a of the first fixed wall portion 53 is integrally connected to the upper end of the first scattering control plate 51 and is inclined so as to be located upward toward the rear side (-x direction side). The side wall portion 53b of the first fixed wall portion 53 is integrally connected to the left and right side ends of the first scattering control plate 51 and the left and right side ends of the upper wall portion 53a, and is located upward toward the rear side (-x direction side). After tilting like this, it bends backward and extends. As a result, the support rigidity of the first scattering control plate 51 can be improved, and the movement of the first droplet 4a upward and to the left and right can be restricted.

For example, the first fixed wall portion 53 is fastened to the injection head 20A by a fastening member such as a bolt. As a result, the relative movement of the injection head 20A, the first fixed wall portion 53, and the first scattering control plate 51 in the vertical direction (z direction), the width direction (y direction), and the front-back direction (x direction) is restricted.

The second fixed wall portion 54 includes a lower wall portion 54a and a side wall portion 54b. The second fixed wall portion 54 is integrally formed with the second scattering control plate 52. The lower wall portion 54a of the second fixed wall portion 54 is integrally connected to the lower end of the second scattering control plate 52 and extends rearward (-x direction). The side wall portion 54b of the second fixed wall portion 54 is integrally connected to the left and right side ends of the lower portion of the second scattering control plate 52 and the left and right side ends of the lower wall portion 54a, and is rearwardly connected to the rear end of the lower wall portion 54a. Extend. As a result, the support rigidity of the second scattering control plate 52 can be improved, and the movement of the first droplet 4a downward and to the left and right can be restricted.

For example, the second fixed wall portion 54 is fastened to the injection head 20A by a fastening member such as a bolt. As a result, the relative movement of the injection head 20A, the second fixed wall portion 54, and the second scattering control plate 52 in the vertical direction (z direction), the width direction (y direction), and the front-back direction (x direction) is restricted.

The blocking surface 50f on the optical film F10X side of the scattering control member 50 separates from the optical film F10X. For example, the distance between the cutoff surface 50f on the optical film F10X side of the scattering control member 50 and the optical film F10X (hereinafter referred to as “distance between the cutoff surface and the optical film”) is preferably a value of 10 mm or less, more preferably. The value shall be 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The reason for this is that if the distance between the cutoff surface and the optical film is too small, the scattering control member 50 may come into contact with the optical film F10X, and if the distance between the cutoff surface and the optical film is too large, the cutoff surface 50f is second. This is because it may not be possible to regulate the movement of the droplet 4b. In this embodiment, the distance between the blocking surface and the optical film is about 3 mm.

The blocking surface 50f on the injection surface 22 side of the scattering control member 50 separates from the injection surface 22. For example, the distance between the cutoff surface 50f on the injection surface 22 side of the scattering control member 50 and the injection surface 22 (hereinafter referred to as “distance between the cutoff surface and the injection surface”) is set to a value of 3 mm or more. In this embodiment, the distance between the blocking surface and the ejection surface is about 10 mm. The reason for this is that if the distance between the cutoff surface and the injection surface is too small, the movement of the second droplet 4b may not be regulated by the cutoff surface 50f, and if the distance between the cutoff surface and the injection surface is too large, the slit spacing s1 This is because it is necessary to increase.

For example, the shatter control member 50 is formed of a metal plate such as SUS, or a plastic plate such as an acrylic plate and a polypropylene plate (PP plate). In the present embodiment, the scattering control member 50 is formed of an acrylic plate. The scattering control member 50 may be formed of a plate material that does not react with ink. As a result, corrosion of the shatter control member 50 due to ink can be suppressed, so that the corrosion resistance of the shatter control member 50 can be improved.

According to the present embodiment, between the ejection surface 22 and the optical film F10X, the first droplet 4a scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21 and when the ink 4i lands on the optical film F10X. By providing a scattering control member 50 capable of blocking at least one of the second droplets 4b scattered in the ink, and forming the scattering control member 50 with a blocking surface 50f extending in a direction orthogonal to the normal line of the injection surface 22. The first droplet 4a moves to the optical film F10X side between the ejection surface 22 and the optical film F10X, as compared with the case where the ink 4i is ejected as it is from the droplet ejection device 20 without providing the scattering control member 50. In addition to restricting this, it is possible to restrict the movement of the second droplet 4b to the injection surface 22 side, so that the first droplet 4a may be scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21. Even if the second droplet 4b is scattered when the ink 4i lands on the optical film F10X, the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b adhere to the region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X. It can be suppressed and the yield of products can be improved.

Further, the scattering control member 50 is provided with the scattering control plates 51 and 52 having a thickness in the direction parallel to the normal line of the injection surface 22 (x direction), thereby adjusting the thickness of the scattering control plates 51 and 52. The rigidity of the scattering control plates 51 and 52 can be improved, and the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b can be effectively blocked.

Further, the scattering control member 50 is arranged on one side of the injection passage Ia on which the ink 4i is ejected, and the second scattering regulation plate 51 is arranged on the other side of the injection passage Ia. By providing the plate 52, the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered on both sides of the injection passage Ia can be effectively blocked with a simple configuration.

Further, the first scattering control plate 51 is arranged vertically above the injection passage Ia, and the second scattering control plate 52 is arranged vertically below the injection passage Ia, thereby sandwiching the injection passage Ia. The first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered on both the upper and lower sides can be effectively blocked by a simple configuration.

Further, the first shatter control plate 51 is formed with a first cutoff surface 51f extending in a direction orthogonal to the normal line of the injection surface 22, and the second shatter control plate 52 is parallel to the first cutoff surface 51f. By forming the second blocking surface 52f that spreads out in the direction of the above, the first blocking surface 51f and the second blocking surface 52f are formed between the ejection surface 22 and the optical film F10X as compared with the case where the first blocking surface 51f and the second blocking surface 52f intersect each other. The movement of one droplet 4a to the optical film F10X side and the movement of the second droplet 4b to the ejection surface 22 side can be effectively regulated without being biased to either one.

Further, by making the slit interval s1 larger than the diameter d2 of the injection hole 21, it is possible to prevent the ink 4i from touching the first scattering control plate 51 and the second scattering control plate 52.

In the above embodiment, the first scattering control plate 51 and the second scattering control plate 52 are arranged on both sides of the injection passage Ia, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the scattering control plate may be arranged only below the injection passage Ia where the ink 4i is ejected in the vertical direction. As a result, compared with the case where the first scattering control plate 51 and the second scattering control plate 52 are arranged on both sides of the injection passage Ia, the number of parts is reduced to reduce the cost as a simple configuration. At the same time, the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered below the injection passage Ia due to the influence of gravity can be selectively blocked. In particular, when the dot diameter is large (when the amount of droplets is large), when the optical film F10X is conveyed in the vertical direction, the amount of droplets scattered downward increases, so the scattering control plate is arranged only below the injection passage Ia. The actual profit to do will increase.

By the way, the factors that cause the droplets to scatter when the ink lands on the optical film (printing target) are (B1) dot diameter (droplet amount), (B2) ink viscosity, (B3) printing target, and (B4) line. Speed etc. can be considered.

Hereinafter, the above factors will be described.
If the dot diameter is extremely small (if the amount of droplets is small), the ink hardly scatters when it lands on the print target, or even if the droplets scatter, the effect of contaminating the print target is small. it is conceivable that. On the other hand, when the dot diameter is large (when the amount of droplets is large), the droplets are scattered when the ink lands on the print target, and the scattered droplets contaminate the print target. ing.

For example, in a commercially available inkjet printer, the dot diameter is extremely small, about 20 μm, and the amount of droplets is estimated to be about 1 × ^10-6 μL. Even if the ink is scattered, it is considered that the effect is small enough to contaminate the printing target. On the other hand, in the droplet ejection device 20 according to the present embodiment, the dot diameter is a value in the range of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and the droplet amount is estimated to be about 0.166 μL, which is a dot as compared with a commercially available inkjet printer. Since the diameter is quite large (because the amount of droplets is quite large), droplets may be scattered when the ink lands on the printing target, and the scattered droplets may contaminate the printing target.

Further, if the ink viscosity is high, it is considered that the droplets hardly scatter when the ink lands on the printing target. On the other hand, when the ink viscosity is low, it has been clarified by the present inventor that when the ink lands on the print target, the droplets are scattered and the scattered droplets contaminate the print target.

For example, in a commercially available inkjet printer, the ink viscosity is about 1.17 × 10 ^-3 Pa · s. On the other hand, in the droplet ejection device 20 according to the present embodiment, the ink viscosity is about 0.89 × 10 ^-3 Pa · s, which is smaller than that of a commercially available inkjet printer, so that when the ink lands on the printing target. Splashes may be scattered on the printer, and the scattered droplets may contaminate the printing target.

Further, if the printing target is a paper medium such as recording paper, it is considered that the droplets hardly scatter when the ink lands on the printing target. On the other hand, when the printing target is an optical film containing PVA and TAC, it has been clarified by the present invention that when the ink lands on the printing target, the droplets are scattered and the scattered droplets contaminate the printing target. ing.

For example, in a commercially available inkjet printer, the printing target is a paper medium. On the other hand, in the droplet ejection device 20 according to the present embodiment, the printing target is an optical film, and when the ink lands on the printing target, droplets may be scattered and the scattered droplets may contaminate the printing target.

Further, if the line speed is low, it is considered that the droplets hardly scatter when the ink lands on the printing target. On the other hand, it has been clarified by the present inventor that when the line speed is high, the droplets are scattered over a wide range when the ink lands on the printing target, and the scattered droplets contaminate the printing target.

For example, in a commercially available inkjet printer, the line speed is as low as about 3 m / min. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the line speed is a value of 30 m / min or less, and the range in which the mark 12 can be printed on the optical film F10X is a value of 50 m / min or less, which is a large upper limit, and the ink lands on the printing target. In some cases, the droplets are scattered over a wide area, and the scattered droplets may contaminate the printing target.

Even if the droplets are scattered when the ink is ejected from the ejection holes due to the factors (A1), (A2), etc., the ink lands on the print target due to the factors (B1) to (B4), etc. According to the present embodiment, the first droplets scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21 between the ejection surface 22 and the optical film F10X even when the droplets are scattered at the time of the ink ejection. A scattering control member 50 capable of blocking at least one of the 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered when the ink 4i lands on the optical film F10X is provided, and the scattering control member 50 is orthogonal to the normal line of the injection surface 22. By forming the blocking surface 50f that spreads in the direction of the ink, the ink 4i is directly ejected from the droplet ejection device 20 without providing the scattering control member 50, and the ink 4i is between the ejection surface 22 and the optical film F10X. Since the first droplet 4a can be restricted from moving to the optical film F10X side and the second droplet 4b can be restricted from moving to the injection surface 22 side, the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4a can be restricted. It is possible to effectively suppress the droplet 4b from adhering to the region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X, and further improve the yield of the product.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the marking device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the marking device 304 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 includes an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 15 and is a diagram for explaining the operation of the suction device 60 according to the third embodiment. For convenience, only the second suction mechanism 62 (lower suction mechanism) is shown in FIG. 15, and the first suction mechanism 61 and the second suction mechanism 62 are shown in FIG. Further, in FIG. 15, for convenience, the optical film F10X is shown by a two-dot chain line. In the present embodiment, the components common to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an example is given in which the marking device 4 includes a droplet ejection device 20, a shielding plate 30, and a fixing member 40. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the marking device 304 further includes a suction device 60.

As shown in FIG. 16, the suction device 60 is provided between the injection surface 22 and the optical film F10X. The suction device 60 sucks at least one of the first droplet 4a scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21 and the second droplet 4b scattered when the ink 4i lands on the optical film F10X. do.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the present embodiment, the suction device 60 includes a second suction mechanism 62.
The second suction mechanism 62 is arranged only below the injection passage Ia where the ink 4i is ejected in the vertical direction. The second suction mechanism 62 is formed with a suction surface 62f that is inclined forward and upward so as to face the injection path Ia.

A suction hole 62h for sucking the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b is formed on the suction surface 62f of the second suction mechanism 62. The suction hole 62h extends to the suction surface 62f with a longitudinal direction along the width direction (y direction) of the suction surface 62f. FIG. 15 shows, as an example, a suction hole 62h extending along the width direction (y direction) of the suction surface 62f, but the arrangement of the suction holes 62h is not limited to this, and a plurality of suction holes are formed on the suction surface 62f. The suction holes 62h can be set as necessary, such as by dividing the suction holes 62h in the width direction (y direction) of the suction surface 62f so that the suction holes 62h are arranged side by side in the width direction (y direction).

For example, the distance J1 between the suction surface 62f and the optical film F10X (hereinafter referred to as “the distance between the suction surface and the optical film”) is set to a value of 10 mm or more. The reason for this is that if the distance J1 between the suction surface and the optical film is made too small, the suction surface 62f and the optical film F10X may come into contact with each other. In the present embodiment, the distance J1 between the suction surface and the optical film is about 10 mm. The distance J1 between the suction surface and the optical film is the length of a line segment connecting the lower end of the suction surface 62f and the printing surface of the optical film F10X in the normal direction (x direction) of the printing surface.

For example, the distance J2 between the suction surface 62f and the fixing member 40 (hereinafter referred to as “distance between the suction surface and the fixing member”) is set to a value of 30 mm or more. The reason for this is that if the distance J2 between the suction surface and the fixing member is made too small, the suction surface 62f and the fixing member 40 may come into contact with each other. In the present embodiment, the distance J2 between the suction surface and the fixing member is about 30 mm. The distance J2 between the suction surface and the fixing member is the length of a line segment connecting the upper end of the suction surface 62f and the lower end of the fixing member 40 in the normal direction (z direction) of the lower surface of the fixing member 40.

For example, the distance J3 between the suction hole 62h and the injection hole 21 (hereinafter referred to as “the distance between the suction hole and the injection hole”) is preferably a value of 50 mm or less, more preferably a value in the range of 15 mm or more and 50 mm or less. And. In the present embodiment, the distance J3 between the suction hole and the injection hole is about 45 mm. The distance J3 between the suction hole and the injection hole is the length of a line segment connecting the center of the suction hole 62h on the suction surface 62f and the center of the injection hole 21 on the injection surface 22.

For example, the length of the suction hole 62h is about the same as the length of the suction surface 62f in the width direction (y direction), specifically, the length of the second suction mechanism 62 is larger than the length of the suction surface 62f in the width direction (y direction). The length should be as small as the thickness of the left and right side walls. The length of the suction hole 62h is the length of the suction hole 62h in the longitudinal direction (y direction).
For example, the width of the suction hole 62h is preferably a value of 50 mm or less, more preferably a value in the range of 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the width of the suction hole 62h is about 10 mm. The width of the suction hole 62h is the length of the suction hole 62h in the lateral direction (inclination direction of the suction surface 62f).

For example, the wind speed when the droplets are sucked by the suction hole 62h (hereinafter referred to as “suction wind speed”) is preferably a value of 2 m / sec or more, more preferably a value in the range of 5 m / sec or more and 7 m / sec or less. do. In this embodiment, the suction wind speed is 6.4 m / sec. The suction wind speed is set to a value in the range of 4 m / sec or more and 20 m / sec or less as a range in which the ink 4i (main drop, not a droplet) is not pulled.

The size of the suction hole 62h can be changed. For example, the size of the suction hole 62h may be changed by providing a closing mechanism such as a shutter that can move along the longitudinal direction of the suction hole 62h on the suction surface 62f.

The second suction mechanism 62 has a shape in which the suction surface 62f is inclined forward and upward so as to face the injection path Ia. Specifically, the second suction mechanism 62 has a rectangular suction surface 62f having a length in the width direction (y direction) and a trapezoidal left and right extending forward and upward with the left and right side edges of the suction surface 62f as the upper bottom. It is provided with a side surface 64. The rear end portion (-x direction side end portion) of the second suction mechanism 62 is provided with a support shaft 65 projecting in the left-right side (y direction) in parallel with the normal lines of the left and right side surfaces 64.

A support mechanism 73 capable of rotatably supporting the second suction mechanism 62 is provided on the left and right sides of the second suction mechanism 62. Below the second suction mechanism 62, a stage 72 extending in the film width direction (y direction) is provided. The support mechanism 73 includes a support base 73a fixed to the stage 72, a support plate 73b fixed to the support base 73a, and an upright piece extending upward from the widthwise inner end portion (+ y direction side end portion) of the support plate 73b. It is equipped with 73c.

In the standing piece 73c, an elongated hole 73h extending vertically is formed while opening in the thickness direction (y direction) of the standing piece 73c. The support shaft 65 of the second suction mechanism 62 is inserted through the elongated hole 73h of the standing piece 73c. The size of the elongated hole 73h is such that the support shaft 65 can be moved up and down and can be rotated around the axis of the support shaft 65. In the inserted state through the elongated hole 73h, the support shaft 65 projects laterally from the standing piece 73c. In the second suction mechanism 62, the support shaft 65 is fixed to the upright piece 73c by a fixture (not shown), so that the vertical movement and the rotation of the support shaft 65 around the axis are restricted. For example, the position of the second suction mechanism 62 may be restricted by forming threads at the left and right end portions of the support shaft 65 and screwing and tightening a nut or the like to the threads of the support shaft 65.

Reference numeral 71 in the drawing is a support base for supporting the droplet ejection device 20. The support base 71 extends in the width direction (y direction) of the droplet ejection device 20. For example, the droplet ejection device 20 is fastened to the support base 71 by a fastening member such as a bolt.

According to the present embodiment, between the ejection surface 22 and the optical film F10X, the first droplet 4a scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21 and when the ink 4i lands on the optical film F10X. By providing a suction device 60 capable of sucking at least one of the second droplets 4b scattered on the ink 4b, the ink 4i is ejected as it is from the droplet ejection device 20 without the suction device 60. Since the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered between the surface 22 and the optical film F10X can be sucked, the first droplet 4a is scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21. Even if the second droplet 4b is scattered when the ink 4i lands on the optical film F10X, the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b adhere to the region other than the defective portion of the optical film F10X. It is possible to suppress this and improve the yield of the product.

Further, as compared with the case where the second suction mechanism 62 is arranged only below the injection passage Ia in which the ink 4i is ejected in the vertical direction, the suction mechanism is arranged on both sides of the injection passage Ia. By reducing the number of parts, the cost can be reduced as a simple configuration, and the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered below the injection passage Ia due to the influence of gravity should be selectively sucked. Can be done. In particular, when the dot diameter is large (when the amount of droplets is large), when the optical film F10X is conveyed in the vertical direction, the amount of droplets scattered downward increases, so that the practical benefit of using only the second suction mechanism 62 (suction mechanism). The actual benefit of arranging only below the injection passage Ia) becomes large.

In the above embodiment, the second suction mechanism 62 is provided only below the injection passage Ia where the ink 4i is ejected in the vertical direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the suction device 60 is arranged on one side of the injection passage Ia on which the ink 4i is ejected and on the other side of the injection passage Ia. The second suction mechanism 62 may be provided. That is, the suction mechanisms 61 and 62 may be arranged on both sides of the injection passage Ia. As a result, the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered on both sides of the injection passage Ia can be effectively sucked with a simple configuration.

Further, the first suction mechanism 61 is arranged vertically above the injection passage Ia, and the second suction mechanism 62 (corresponding to the second suction mechanism 62 of the above embodiment) is vertically below the injection passage Ia. It may be arranged. As a result, the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered on both the upper and lower sides of the injection passage Ia can be effectively sucked with a simple configuration.

The first suction mechanism 61 sucks the first droplets 4a and the second droplets 4b scattered above the injection passage Ia, and the second suction mechanism 62 sucks the first droplets scattered below the injection passage Ia. The 4a and the second droplet 4b are sucked. The droplets sucked by the first suction mechanism 61 are transferred to the direction Q1 of the arrow via the pipe, and the droplets sucked by the second suction mechanism 62 are transferred to the direction Q2 of the arrow via the pipe, which are not shown. It is stored in the tank.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the marking device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a marking device 404 according to a fourth embodiment, and is a diagram including a cross section corresponding to FIG. In the present embodiment, the components common to the first embodiment and the second modification of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the marking device 4 includes the droplet ejection device 20, the shielding plate 30, and the fixing member 40, and the second modification of the first embodiment is given. In the example, as shown in FIG. 11, in a configuration in which the fixing member 140 is integrally formed of the same member as the shielding plate 130, the shielding plate 130 is separated from the injection surface 22. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the marking device 404 includes a droplet ejection device 20, a fixing member 440, and a suction device 460.

The fixing member 440 is integrally formed of the same member as the shielding plate 430. The fixing member 440 is fixed to the injection head 20A together with the shielding plate 430. The fixing member 440 includes a shielding plate 430 and a side wall portion 141. For example, the fixing member 140 is formed of a metal plate such as SUS.

The shielding plate 430 separates from the injection surface 22. Specifically, the second main surface 435 of the shielding plate 430 is arranged in front of the injection surface 22 (in the + x direction). By separating the shielding plate 430 from the injection surface 22, the shielding plate 430 also functions as the above-mentioned scattering control member. Specifically, by separating the shielding plate 430 from the injection surface 22, the first droplet 4a moves to the optical film F10X side on the second main surface 435 (the surface on the injection surface 22 side) of the shielding plate 430. The first main surface 432 (the surface on the optical film F10X side) of the shielding plate 430 regulates the movement of the second droplet 4b to the ejection surface 22 side.

A tapered portion 436 having an inclined surface 436a inclined with respect to the normal line of the injection surface 22 so as to face the injection hole 21 is formed at the edge portion of the opening 431 of the shielding plate 430 on the side of the injection surface 22. The edge of the opening 431 of the shielding plate 430 on the injection surface 22 side is a boundary between the inner wall surface 431a of the opening 431 and the second main surface 435 of the shielding plate 430.

In the present embodiment, the guide roll 7 in contact with the optical film F10X is provided. The droplet ejection device 20 according to the present embodiment is arranged to face the guide roll 7 with the optical film F10X interposed therebetween while the optical film F10X is conveyed. The droplet ejection device 20 ejects ink 4i (see FIG. 9) from the side opposite to the position in contact with the guide roll 7 of the optical film F10X.

The optical film F10X is preferably crossed with the outer peripheral surface of the guide roll 7 in an angle range of 40 ° or more and 130 ° or less (hereinafter referred to as “holding angle θ”). The holding angle is a value obtained by expressing the angle range of the portion where the optical film F10X contacts the outer peripheral surface of the guide roll 7 in the circumferential direction by the central angle of the guide roll 7.

The reason for this is that if the holding angle θ is less than 40 °, the optical film F10X becomes slippery on the outer peripheral surface of the guide roll 7, and the optical film F10X may be scratched or the like, and the holding angle θ is 130 °. This is because, for example, air bubbles are likely to be caught between the surface protective film and the polarizing film.

When the tension applied to the optical film F10X is small, the holding angle θ is preferably a value exceeding 90 °, and more preferably 95 ° or more. The smaller the tension applied to the optical film F10X, the more likely it is that fluttering will occur. However, by setting the holding angle θ to 95 ° or more, even if the tension applied to the optical film F10X is small, the fluttering generated in the optical film F10X can be prevented. It can be suppressed. On the other hand, when the tension applied to the optical film F10X is large, the holding angle θ is preferably less than 90 °, more preferably 85 ° or less. As a result, even when the tension applied to the optical film F10X is large, it is possible to prevent the optical film F10X from being excessively adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the guide roll 7.

The transport speed of the optical film F10X is usually a value in the range of 9 m / min or more and 50 m / min or less. The tension applied to the optical film F10X is a value in the range of 400 N or more and 1500 N or less inside the drying furnace, and a value in the range of 200 N or more and 500 N or less outside the drying furnace. The width of the optical film F10X is set to a value in the range of 500 mm or more and 1500 mm or less, and the thickness of the optical film F10X is set to a value in the range of 10 μm or more and 300 μm or less. The wider the optical film F10X and the thinner the optical film F10X, the more likely it is that fluttering will occur.

For example, the outer diameter of the guide roll 7 is preferably set to a value in the range of 100 mm or more and 150 mm or less. The reason for this is that when the outer diameter of the guide roll 7 is increased, the area of the optical film F10X in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the guide roll 7 with respect to the holding angle θ becomes large, so that the fluttering generated in the optical film F10X can be suppressed. This is because if the outer diameter of the guide roll 7 is made too large, the above-mentioned scratches and air bubbles are likely to be caught in the optical film F10X.

For example, the roundness of the guide roll 7 is preferably a value of 1.0 mm or less, more preferably a value of 0.5 mm or less. The reason for this is that the smaller the roundness of the guide roll 7, the more the vibration of the optical film F10X in contact with the guide roll 7 can be suppressed.

For example, the surface roughness (maximum roughness Ry) on the outer peripheral surface of the guide roll 7 is preferably a value of 100 s or less, more preferably a value of 25 s or less. The reason for this is that if the surface roughness (maximum roughness Ry) on the outer peripheral surface of the guide roll 7 is too large, the above-mentioned scratches and air bubbles are likely to be caught in the optical film F10X.

Further, from the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing the fluttering generated in the optical film F10X, additional guide rolls in contact with the optical film F10X may be provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the guide roll 7. Further, the optical film F10X may have a holding angle with respect to the guide roll to be added.

The guide roll 7 is capable of advancing and retreating in the direction V2 intersecting the transport direction V1 of the optical film F10X. For example, by attaching a cylinder mechanism or the like to the guide roll 7, the guide roll 7 may be movable in diagonal directions such as front-downward and rear-upward. As a result, workability can be improved from the viewpoints of paper passage, seams, head beauty, and the like.
Specifically, from the viewpoint of paper passability, the marking device 404 and the guide are used when the optical film F10 is conveyed (passed) from the state in which the optical film F10 is not conveyed (not passed) to the conveying line 9. This means that workability is improved by increasing the distance from the roll 7.
Next, it will be described from the viewpoint of the seam. When the original rolls R1 and R2 are replaced, a seam is formed when the optical films F10X are connected with tape or the like. In the optical film F10X, the thickness of the seam portion is larger than the thickness of the normal portion (thickness of the seamless portion). Even in such a case, by making the guide roll 7 movable, contact between the seam portion and the marking device 404 can be avoided, and the optical film F10X can be conveyed to the transfer line 9 for workability. Means to improve.
It should be noted that the head beauty means cleaning the head, and by making the guide roll 7 movable, the work space can be expanded, so that workability can be improved.

The droplet ejection device 20 may be capable of advancing and retreating in a direction intersecting the transport direction V1 of the optical film F10X (for example, in the front-rear direction).

Reference numeral Va in FIG. 17 indicates a portion (hereinafter referred to as “opposing portion”) in which the fixing member 440 and the guide roll 7 face each other, including the injection passage Ia (see FIG. 9) into which the ink 4i is ejected.
The suction device 460 includes a first suction mechanism 461 arranged on one side of the facing portion Va, and a second suction mechanism 462 arranged on the other side of the facing portion Va. That is, the suction mechanisms 461 and 462 are arranged on both sides of the facing portion Va. Specifically, the first suction mechanism 461 is arranged above the facing portion Va in the vertical direction, and the second suction mechanism 462 is arranged below the facing portion Va in the vertical direction.

The first suction mechanism 461 is formed with a suction surface 461f that is inclined forward and downward so as to face the facing portion Va. The second suction mechanism 462 is formed with a suction surface 462f that is inclined rearward and downward so as to face the facing portion Va. Suction holes (not shown) for sucking the first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b are formed on the suction surfaces 461f and 462f. The suction mechanisms 461 and 462 are arranged so that the suction surfaces 461f and 462f enter the gap between the first main surface 432 of the shielding plate 430 and the optical film F10X in contact with the guide roll 7.

According to the present embodiment, a tapered portion having an inclined surface 436a inclined with respect to the normal of the injection surface 22 so as to face the injection hole 21 at the edge portion of the opening 431 of the shielding plate 430 on the side of the injection surface 22. By forming the 436, the first droplet 4a can be received by the inclined surface 436a, so that it is possible to prevent the first droplet 4a from splitting. If a tapered portion is not formed at the edge of the opening 431 of the shielding plate 430 on the side of the injection surface 22, a cross section is formed at the boundary between the inner wall surface 431a of the opening 431 and the second main surface 435 of the shielding plate 430. Since a corner portion of about 90 ° is formed visually, the first droplet 4a scattered when the ink 4i is ejected from the ejection hole 21 may be split at the corner portion.

Further, the suction device 460 includes a first suction mechanism 461 arranged on one side of the facing portion Va and a second suction mechanism 462 arranged on the other side of the facing portion Va. The first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered on both sides of the partial Va can be effectively sucked with a simple configuration.

Further, the first suction mechanism 461 is arranged above the facing portion Va in the vertical direction, and the second suction mechanism 462 is arranged below the facing portion Va in the vertical direction, so that the facing portion Va is sandwiched between the first suction mechanism 461 and the facing portion Va. The first droplet 4a and the second droplet 4b scattered on both sides can be effectively sucked with a simple configuration.

Further, the suction mechanisms 461 and 462 are arranged so that the suction surfaces 461f and 462f enter the gap between the first main surface 432 of the shielding plate 430 and the optical film F10X in contact with the guide roll 7. Since the holes can be brought close to the injection path Ia, the first droplets 4a and the second droplets 4b scattered between the injection surface 22 and the optical film F10X can be effectively sucked. By moving the suction hole closer to the landing position of the ink 4i, the second droplet 4b can be sucked more effectively.

Further, by arranging the droplet ejection device 20 facing the guide roll 7 in contact with the optical film F10X with the optical film F10X sandwiched between them while the optical film F10X is being conveyed, the fluttering generated in the optical film F10X is suppressed. Since the droplet ejection device 20 and the fixing member 440 can be arranged in the state of being in the state, the distance between the shielding plate 430 of the fixing member 440 and the ejection surface 22 is made as small as possible within the range where the shielding plate 430 does not contact the optical film F10X. Thereby, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a can be minimized.
Further, by making the distance between the suction surface of the suction mechanism 461 and 462 and the facing portion Va as small as possible within the range where the suction mechanism 461 and 462 do not suck the optical film F10X, the droplets 4a and 4b are absorbed as much as possible. be able to.
Even if the fixing member 440 (shielding plate 430) is not provided, the distance between the injection hole 21 of the injection head 20A and the optical film F10X is set as long as the injection surface 22 does not contact the optical film F10X. By making it smaller, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a can be made as small as possible.

The defect inspection system 410 according to the present embodiment further includes a guide roll 7 in contact with the optical film F10X, and the marking device 404 is arranged so as to face the guide roll 7 with the optical film F10X interposed therebetween. The ink 4i is ejected from the side opposite to the position in contact with the roll 7.

According to the present embodiment, by further providing the guide roll 7 described above, the droplet ejection device 20 and the fixing member 440 can be arranged in a state where the fluttering generated in the optical film F10X is suppressed, so that the shielding plate of the fixing member 440 can be arranged. By making the distance between the 430 and the ejection surface 22 as small as possible within the range where the shielding plate 430 does not come into contact with the optical film F10X, the diffusion range of the droplet 4a can be minimized.

In this embodiment, the shield plate 430 has a flat plate shape, that is, the first main surface 432 of the shield plate 430 is a plane parallel to the yz plane, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the portion of the shielding plate facing the guide roll 7 is recessed on the opposite side to the guide roll 7, that is, the first main surface of the shielding plate is circular so as to be along the outer peripheral surface of the guide roll 7. It may be an arc-shaped surface. As a result, the distance between the shielding plate and the optical film F10X can be further reduced as compared with the case where the shielding plate 430 has a flat plate shape, so that the diffusion range of the droplet 4a can be reduced more effectively. can.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to that of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the marking device ejects the ink 4i from the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction with respect to the optical film F10X transported in the direction parallel to the vertical direction on the transport line 9 has been described. Not limited to. For example, the marking device may eject the ink 4i from below with respect to the optical film F10X conveyed in the horizontal direction. Even in this case, as compared with the case where the marking device ejects the ink 4i from above with respect to the optical film F10X conveyed in the horizontal direction, it is possible to suppress the ink 4i from naturally dripping from the ejection hole 21 due to the influence of gravity. can do.
Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the scattering control plate and the suction mechanism are arranged on both sides of the injection passage Ia in which the ink 4i is ejected from the marking device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, if the ink 4i droplets are concentrated on one side of the injection passage Ia due to the direction of the wind generated by the transportation of the optical film F10X or the direction of the ink 4i injection passage Ia, the scattering is restricted to only one side. A plate or suction mechanism may be arranged.
Further, in the above embodiment, in the droplet ejection device as shown in FIG. 7 or the like, a plurality of ejection heads having a plurality of ejection holes are arranged so as to cover the printing range in the width direction of the optical film F10X. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a droplet ejection device having a single ejection head having 1 to 3 ejection holes moves in the width direction and the transport direction of the optical film F10X according to the defect position information from the control device, whereby the optical film F10X Ink 4i may be ejected and printed at the above defect position. The scattering control plate and the suction mechanism may also be moved to the defective position together with the droplet ejection device to prevent contamination of the optical film by the droplets of the ink 4i.

Further, the defect inspection system 10 has been described by taking as an example a configuration provided in a part of the film manufacturing apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The defect inspection system 10 may be provided separately from the film manufacturing apparatus 1. For example, the film manufacturing apparatus 1 does not include the defect inspection system 10, and the optical film F10X manufactured in the film manufacturing apparatus 1 is wound around a core material as the original roll R2 of the optical film F10X by the winding unit 8. , The defect inspection system 10 may be provided in a part of the equipment in the next process.

The film to which the present invention is applied is not necessarily limited to the optical films such as the above-mentioned polarizing film, retardation film and brightness improving film, and the present invention is applied to a film to be printed by a marking device. It can be widely applied.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. The various shapes and combinations of the constituent members shown in the above-mentioned example are examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like within a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention.

1 ... Film manufacturing equipment 2 ... Defect inspection equipment 4,204,304,404 ... Marking equipment 4a ... Droplets 4b ... Droplets 7 ... Guide rolls 9 ... Conveyance lines 10,410 ... Defect inspection system 11 ... Defects 12 ... Information 20 ... Liquid Drop injection device 20A ... Injection head
21 ... Injection hole 22 ... Injection surface 23 ... Side end of the droplet ejection device 30, 130, 230, 4
30 ... Shielding member, Shielding plate 31,131,231,431 ... Openings 31a, 131a,
231a, 431a ... Inner wall surface 32,432 ... First main surface (surface opposite to the injection surface of the shielding plate) 33 ... Side end portion of the shielding plate 34 ... Outer edge portion of the shielding plate 40, 140, 440 ... Fixing member
41 ... First wall part 42 ... Second wall part 141,441 ... Side wall part of fixing member 230 ... Cylinder member 436 ... Tapered part 436a ... Inclined surface d1 ... Opening diameter d2 ... Injection hole diameter F
10X ... Optical film

Claims (13)

A marking device capable of marking information on a defective portion of a long strip-shaped optical film by directly ejecting a droplet onto the defective portion of the optical film.
A droplet ejection device having an ejection surface on which an ejection hole for ejecting the droplet is formed on the optical film, and a droplet ejection device.
A shielding member provided so as to face the injection surface and capable of blocking the droplets scattered when the droplets are ejected from the ejection holes.
The droplet ejection device includes a plurality of ejection heads capable of ejecting the droplet.
The plurality of injection heads have the plurality of injection holes.
The plurality of ejection holes are arranged in the width direction of the optical film, and the plurality of ejection holes are arranged in the width direction of the optical film.
The shielding member is formed with an opening having an inner wall surface that opens at a position facing the injection hole and blocks the droplets scattered in a direction intersecting the normal of the injection surface.
A marking device in which the surface of the shielding member on the injection surface side is arranged on the same plane as the injection surface. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member includes a shielding plate having a thickness in a direction parallel to the normal of the injection surface. The marking device according to claim 2, further comprising a fixing member capable of fixing the shielding plate to the droplet ejection device. The fixing member has a first wall portion covering a side end portion located in a direction intersecting the normal of the ejection surface in both the droplet ejection device and the shielding plate, and the ejection surface of the shielding plate. The marking device according to claim 3, further comprising a second wall portion covering the outer peripheral edge portion of the outer periphery of the opening on the opposite surface. The third aspect of claim 3, wherein the fixing member is integrally formed with the shielding plate and includes a side wall portion covering a side end portion located in a direction intersecting the normal of the ejection surface in the droplet ejection device. Marking device. A plurality of the shielding plates are provided for each of the plurality of injection heads.
The marking device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein a plurality of the fixing members are provided so that the shielding plate can be fixed to each of the plurality of injection heads. The marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the diameter of the opening is larger than the diameter of the injection hole. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member includes a tubular member extending in a direction parallel to the normal of the injection surface. The marking device according to claim 8, wherein the inner diameter of the tubular member is larger than the diameter of the injection hole. Claims 1 to 9 wherein a tapered portion having an inclined surface inclined with respect to the normal of the injection surface is formed at an edge portion of the opening on the side of the injection surface so as to face the injection hole. The marking device according to any one item. The droplet ejection device is arranged to face the guide roll in contact with the optical film while sandwiching the optical film while transporting the long strip-shaped optical film, and is in contact with the guide roll of the optical film. The marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the droplet is ejected from the side opposite to the position. A transport line that transports long strips of film,
A defect inspection device that inspects defects in the film conveyed by the transfer line, and
The defect inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein information can be marked by ejecting a droplet at a defect position based on the result of the defect inspection. A film manufacturing method comprising a step of marking using the defect inspection system according to claim 12.

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