TWI671268B - Glass film cutting method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for cutting a glass film, which includes a cutting and separating step and a separating step; the cutting and separating step is to continuously cut the band-shaped glass film (G) in the process of transportation by a laser cutting method to make the band-shaped glass The non-effective portion (Ga) and the effective portion (Gb) of the thin film (G) are separated; the separation step is to separate the inactive portion (Ga) and the effective portion (Gb) in the thickness direction after separation; the cutting of the glass film The method is characterized in that during the implementation of the separation step, a first external force (F1) having a thickness direction component is respectively applied to two parts of the effective portion (Gb) that are separated from each other in the width direction, and is located in the aforementioned two parts A second external force (F2) having a thickness direction component opposite to the first external force (F1) is applied to the intervening portion, thereby performing a deformation imparting step of bending the effective portion (Gb) in the width direction.

Description

Cutting method of glass film

The present invention relates to a method for cutting a glass film, which includes a step of separating the effective portion and the non-effective portion of a band-shaped glass film being transported by laser cutting, and separating the effective portion after separation. Separate from the inactive part in the thickness direction.

As is well known, flat glass used for flat panel displays (FPDs) such as liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, and organic electroluminescence displays has been developed toward thinner plates with the increasing demand for light weight. A glass thin film is produced to a thickness of 300 μm or less or 200 μm or less.

The manufacturing steps of the glass film include: conveying a strip-shaped glass film that is the basis of the glass film in a flat posture while inactive portions located at both ends in the width direction of the glass film and two inactive portions The step of separating the effective portions between them by a laser cutting method (hereinafter referred to as a cutting and separating step). For both the effective part and the non-effective part after separation, for example, in order to take only the effective part into a roll shape and form a glass roll, the ineffective part is separated from the transport path of the effective part. Step of separating the two in the thickness direction (hereinafter referred to as a separation step).

However, there is only a very narrow gap between the effective part and the non-effective part after the cutting and separation step is performed. Therefore, during the implementation of the separation step, due to the unavoidable contact between the effective part and the non-effective part, Problems such as breakage of the active portion may occur. In detail, the microcrack included in the widthwise end of the effective portion progressed due to the impact caused by the contact with the ineffective portion, causing the effective portion to break. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a method useful for solving such a problem.

In the method disclosed in this document, each of the effective portion and the non-effective portion after separation is supported, and both ends in the width direction of the effective portion and the non-effective portion are supported by rollers from the lower surface side, and the effective portion The inactive portion is bent and deformed in the width direction by its own weight. Thereby, with the bending deformation of the active part and the inactive part, the width of the gap formed between the two is enlarged, and the contact between the active part and the inactive part is avoided during the implementation of the separation step.

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-31031

However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 still remains There are unresolved issues as described below. That is, when the thickness of the active portion and the non-effective portion is large (for example, the thickness is 200 μm or more), or when the width dimension of these is small, the bending rigidity of the active portion and the non-effective portion becomes large, and these become It is difficult to bend and deform by its own weight. Therefore, it is difficult to enlarge the width of the gap formed between the two to a width that can sufficiently avoid contact between the two during the implementation of the separation step.

The technical problem of the present invention that has been accomplished in view of the foregoing is to separate the effective portion and the non-effective portion of the band-shaped glass film being transported by laser cutting to separate the effective portion and the non-effective portion. Avoid contact between the two when the directions are separated.

The cutting method of the glass film of the present invention, which was developed in order to solve the aforementioned problems, includes a cutting and separating step and a separating step. The cutting and separating step is a method of cutting a band-shaped glass film that is being transported in a flat posture by a laser cutting method Continuously cut along the length direction, so that the ineffective portions located at both ends in the width direction of the strip-shaped glass film are separated from the effective portions located between the two inactive portions; the separation step is to separate the separated ineffective portions from After the separation, the transport path of the effective part is separated, so that the non-effective part and the effective part are separated in the thickness direction. The cutting method of the glass film is characterized in that during the implementation of the separation step, the effective part is mutually separated along the width direction A first external force having a thickness direction component is applied to each of the two isolated portions, and a second external force having a thickness direction component opposite to the first external force is applied to a portion located between the two portions, thereby implementing the effective portion. Along wide A deformation imparting step of bending in a degree direction. Here, the term "being transported in a horizontal position" refers to a case where the glass ribbon film is being transported in a posture parallel to the horizontal plane, or the glass ribbon film is inclined within a range of 45 ° or less with respect to the horizontal plane. The posture is subject to transportation. In addition, "external force" does not include gravity.

According to this method, the effective part in the process of performing the separation step is forced along the width direction by the first external force and the second external force having mutually opposite thickness direction components with the implementation of the deformation imparting step. Subject to bending deformation. Thereby, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the non-effective portion can be increased by the amount that the effective portion is bent and deformed in the width direction. As a result, it is possible to avoid contact between the effective part and the ineffective part during the execution of the separation step.

In the foregoing method, the first external force may be applied by each of the two support rollers supporting the lower surface of the effective portion, and the second external force may be applied by a fluid sprayed toward the upper surface of the effective portion.

In this way, the force applied to the effective portion by each of the two support rollers and the force applied to the effective portion by the sprayed fluid can be such that the lower surface of the effective portion is convex in the width direction. The effective part is bent and deformed.

In the foregoing method, it is preferable to arrange an intermediate roller between the two supporting rollers. The intermediate roller is a support lower surface of the effective portion of the fluid-ejected portion. The height position of the roller support effective portion is located further below.

If the pressure of the fluid ejected toward the upper surface of the effective portion becomes If it is too large, the lower surface of the effective portion may be excessively protruded, which may cause the effective portion to fall off the two support rollers. However, if the intermediate roller is disposed between the two support rollers, no matter how much the force applied to the effective portion by the fluid becomes, the protrusion of the lower surface of the effective portion can be restricted by the intermediate roller. Accordingly, when the effective portion is bent and deformed, it is not necessary to precisely adjust the pressure of the sprayed fluid in order to prevent the effective portion from falling off.

In the foregoing method, the intermediate roller may be a roller having a rotating shaft in common with the two support rollers, and the diameter of the roller is smaller than the diameter of the two support rollers.

In this way, since the intermediate roller and the two support rollers have a common rotation axis, it is not necessary to separately set the rotation axis of the intermediate roller and the two support rollers, and it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of rotation axes. Therefore, it is possible to suppress equipment costs.

In the foregoing method, it is preferable that the two backup rollers and the intermediate roller are free rollers.

When there is a difference in the peripheral speed between the two support rollers and the intermediate roller, the effective portion slips on the support roller or the intermediate roller, and there is a possibility that the effective portion may be scratched. However, if the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are both free rollers, both the support roller and the intermediate roller are rotated at a peripheral speed equal to the moving speed of the effective portion by friction with the effective portion. Therefore, abrasion of an effective part can be prevented.

In the aforementioned method, it is preferable that the two support rollers are symmetrically arranged with reference to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and the fluid is preferably sprayed toward the center in the width direction of the effective portion.

In this way, the effective portion is bent and deformed symmetrically with reference to the center in the width direction. Thereby, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the inactive portion on one side and the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the other ineffective portion can be evenly enlarged. In addition, since the fluid is ejected toward the center in the width direction at both end portions in the width direction away from the effective portion, it is possible to prevent the end portions in the width direction from being shaken with the ejection of the fluid as much as possible. As a result, it is possible to more reliably avoid the contact between the effective portion and the non-effective portion during the execution of the separation step.

In the aforementioned method, it is preferable that the two widthwise ends of the effective portion are supported by the two support rollers, respectively.

In this way, the distance between the two parts to which the first external force is applied can be increased as much as possible. Therefore, the effective portion is easily bent and deformed.

In the foregoing method, it is preferable that the first external force is applied by spraying fluids at two locations on the upper surface of the effective portion, and the second external force is preferably applied by a support roller that supports the lower surface of the effective portion.

In this way, the force applied to the effective portion by the fluid sprayed to the two portions and the force applied to the effective portion from the backup roller can make the effective portion's upper surface bulge in the width direction, so that the effective portion can be raised. Bending deformation.

In the aforementioned method, it is preferable to arrange edge rollers on one side and the other side of the width roller across the support roller; the edge rollers support the widthwise ends of the effective portion from the lower surface side, respectively, and the edges The height position of the roller support effective portion is higher than that of the support roller effective portion The height position is further down.

If the pressure of the fluid ejected toward the two parts on the upper surface of the effective portion is too large, the effective portion will be in a state of excessive bending deformation (a state of excessive curvature), and the stress accompanying the bending deformation will cause the effective portion to break. Fear. However, if the edge rollers are disposed on one side and the other side of the support roller in the width direction, the excessive bending deformation of the effective portion can be restricted regardless of how much force is applied to the effective portion by the fluid. Accordingly, when the effective portion is bent and deformed, it is not necessary to precisely adjust the pressure of the injected fluid in order to prevent the effective portion from being broken.

In the foregoing method, it is preferable that the backup roller and the edge roller are free rollers.

When there is a difference in peripheral speed between the support roller and the edge roller, the effective portion slips on the support roller or the edge roller, and there is a possibility that the effective portion may be scratched. However, if both the support roller and the edge roller are free rollers, the support roller and the edge roller are rotated at a peripheral speed equal to the moving speed of the effective portion by friction with the effective portion. Therefore, abrasion of an effective part can be prevented.

In the aforementioned method, it is preferable that the two positions where the fluid is ejected are symmetrically arranged with reference to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and the center in the width direction of the effective portion is preferably supported by a support roller.

In this way, the effective portion is bent and deformed symmetrically with reference to the center in the width direction. Thereby, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the inactive portion on one side and the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the other ineffective portion can be evenly enlarged. As a result, it can be more certain Avoid contact between the active and inactive parts during the implementation of the separation step.

In the aforementioned method, the support roller is preferably a roller having a symmetrical shape based on a widthwise center of the effective portion, and the diameter of the roller gradually decreases as it goes outward in the width direction.

In this way, since the diameter of the support roller gradually decreases toward the outside in the width direction, the effective portion that is bent and deformed symmetrically with respect to the center in the width direction can be supported in accordance with the bending. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shaking of the effective portion accompanying the ejection of the fluid, and it is possible to more reliably avoid the contact between the effective portion and the non-effective portion during the execution of the separation step.

In the foregoing method, it is preferable that the first external force is applied by each of the two support rollers supporting the lower surface of the effective portion, and the second external force is preferably applied by attracting the lower surface of the effective portion.

In this way, the force applied to the effective portion by each of the two support rollers and the force applied to the effective portion by suction can bend and deform the effective portion such that the lower surface of the effective portion is convex in the width direction. .

In the foregoing method, it is preferable to arrange an intermediate roller between the two supporting rollers. The intermediate roller is provided with an attraction hole at an outer peripheral portion for attracting a lower surface of the effective portion. The height-to-position ratio of the intermediate roller supporting the effective portion is The two support rollers support the effective position at a lower position.

If the attraction force attracting the lower surface of the effective portion is too large, the lower surface of the effective portion may be excessively protruded, which may cause the effective portion to fall off the two support rollers. However, if two intermediate rollers having suction holes in the outer peripheral portion are disposed between the two support rollers, the two How much the force of the effective portion becomes, the protrusion of the lower surface of the effective portion can be limited by the intermediate roller itself that attracts the effective portion. Accordingly, when the effective portion is bent and deformed, it is not necessary to precisely adjust the pressure of the sprayed fluid in order to prevent the effective portion from falling off.

In the foregoing method, it is preferable that the intermediate roller is a roller having a rotation axis in common with the two support rollers, and the diameter of the roller is smaller than the diameter of the two support rollers.

In this way, since the intermediate roller and the two support rollers have a common rotation axis, it is not necessary to separately set the rotation axis of the intermediate roller and the two support rollers, and it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of rotation axes. Therefore, it is possible to suppress equipment costs.

In the foregoing method, it is preferable that the two backup rollers and the intermediate roller are free rollers.

When there is a difference in the peripheral speed between the two support rollers and the intermediate roller, the effective portion slips on the support roller or the intermediate roller, and there is a possibility that the effective portion may be scratched. However, if the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are both free rollers, both the support roller and the intermediate roller are rotated at a peripheral speed equal to the moving speed of the effective portion by friction with the effective portion. Therefore, abrasion of an effective part can be prevented.

In the aforementioned method, the two support rollers are symmetrically arranged with reference to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and it is preferable to attract the center in the width direction of the effective portion.

In this way, the effective portion is bent and deformed symmetrically with reference to the center in the width direction. Thereby, it is possible to make the effective part and one ineffective part The width of the formed gap and the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the other ineffective portion are evenly enlarged. As a result, it is possible to more reliably avoid the contact between the effective portion and the non-effective portion during the execution of the separation step.

In the aforementioned method, it is preferable that the two widthwise ends of the effective portion are supported by the two support rollers, respectively.

In this way, the distance between the two parts to which the first external force is applied can be made as large as possible. Therefore, the effective portion is easily bent and deformed.

In the foregoing method, it is preferable that the first external force is applied by respectively attracting two parts on the lower surface of the effective portion, and the second external force is applied by a support roller that supports the lower surface of the effective portion.

In this way, by respectively attracting the force applied to the effective portion at two locations and the force applied to the effective portion from the support roller, the effective portion can be bent and deformed so that the upper surface of the effective portion is convex in the width direction.

In the foregoing method, the thickness of the strip-shaped glass film may be in a range of 200 μm to 300 μm.

When the thickness of the band-shaped glass film is 200 μm or more, the bending rigidity of the effective portion in the width direction after the cutting and separating step becomes large, and the effective portion becomes difficult to bend and deform by its own weight. However, according to the present invention, even when the thickness of the band-shaped glass film is 200 μm or more, the effective portion subjected to the cutting and separating step can be forcibly deformed in the width direction by the first external force and the second external force. Therefore, it is preferable to apply the present invention when the band-shaped glass film has the aforementioned thickness.

According to the present invention, as described above, after the active part and the inactive part of the band-shaped glass film being cut are cut and separated by the laser cutting method, it is possible to avoid two parts when separating the active part and the non-active part in the thickness direction. Contact.

1‧‧‧ support roller

2‧‧‧ middle roller

4‧‧‧rotation axis

7‧‧‧Edge Roller

8‧‧‧rotation axis

G‧‧‧ Ribbon glass film

Ga‧‧‧ Invalid Section

Gb‧‧‧ Effective Department

Gba‧‧‧upper surface

Gbb‧‧‧ lower surface

Gbc‧‧‧Width center

Gbd‧‧‧end

A‧‧‧air

F1‧‧‧First external force

F2‧‧‧Second external force

[FIG. 1] A plan view showing a method for cutting a glass film according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] A longitudinal sectional front view showing a method for cutting a glass film according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a front view showing a method for cutting a glass film according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a method for cutting a glass film according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a front view showing a method for cutting a glass film according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] A longitudinal sectional front view showing a method for cutting a glass film according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a method for cutting a glass film according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a method for cutting a glass film according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the embodiments described below, a strip-shaped glass film having a thickness of 200 μm to 300 μm is used as a cutting target. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a strip-shaped glass film having a thickness of less than 200 μm may be used as a cutting target.

<First Embodiment>

First, a method for cutting a glass film according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting method of the glass film according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a cutting and separating step and a separating step; the cutting and separating step is a strip-shaped glass film G that is being transported in a horizontal position. The laser cutting method is used to continuously cut along the longitudinal direction to separate the ineffective portions Ga located at both ends in the width direction of the strip-shaped glass film G from the effective portions Gb located between the two ineffective portions Ga; The separation of the ineffective portion Ga from the conveyance path of the separated effective portion Gb separates the inactive portion Ga and the effective portion Gb in the thickness direction (up and down).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, during the separating step of the glass film cutting method, a first external force F1 having a thickness direction component is applied to two locations separated from each other along the width direction of the effective portion Gb. In addition, a second external force F2 having a thickness direction component opposite to the first external force F1 is applied to a portion located between the two portions, whereby the second external force F2 is applied. A deformation providing step of bending and deforming the effective portion Gb in the width direction is performed. By implementing the deformation providing step, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion Gb and the inactive portion Ga is enlarged, and contact between the effective portion Gb and the inactive portion Ga during the separation step is avoided. The effective portion Gb after the deformation applying step (separation step) is wound into a roll shape to form a glass roll.

The strip-shaped glass film G, which is the object of cutting in the cutting and separating step, is a person who continuously takes out the roll-shaped glass roll from which the strip-shaped glass film G is wound. Then, the fed glass film G is conveyed horizontally in a direction indicated by an arrow T in FIG. 1 by a conveyance means (for example, a belt conveyor or the like). The thickness of the band-shaped glass film G is in the range of 200 μm to 300 μm.

In the cutting and separating step, a heating region H and a cooling region C are continuously formed along a cut line X that is a boundary between the active portion Gb and the non-active portion Ga of the strip-shaped glass film G. The heating region H is formed by The laser beam is locally heated; the cooling region C is locally cooled by a spray of a refrigerant (for example, mist-like water). Thereby, the thermal stress generated by the temperature difference between the two regions is used to continuously cut the strip-shaped glass film G, and the effective portion Gb and the non-effective portion Ga of the strip-shaped glass film G are separated. In addition, both the effective portion Gb and the non-effective portion Ga after the separation are conveyed horizontally in a side-by-side state.

Here, in this embodiment, although the strip-shaped glass film G continuously fed from a glass roll is used as a cutting target, it is not limited to this. For example, as a modification, a ribbon-shaped glass that is continuously formed by a down-draw method The film G may be a target of cutting. In addition, in this embodiment, although the strip-shaped glass film G conveyed horizontally is cut, as a modification, it is conveyed in an inclined direction inclined within a range of 45 ° or less with respect to the horizontal plane. The strip-shaped glass film G may be cut. However, the smaller the inclination relative to the horizontal plane, the better, it is preferably below 20 ° with respect to the horizontal plane, more preferably below 10 °, and even more preferably below 5 °.

In the separating step, among the active part Gb and the inactive part Ga that are horizontally conveyed in a side-by-side state after the separation, the active part Gb is continuously carried horizontally, and the inactive part Ga is moved from the conveying path of the active part Gb toward Pull down to disengage. Thereby, the effective portion Gb and the inactive portion Ga are separated in the thickness direction.

Here, the aspect in which the effective portion Gb and the inactive portion Ga are separated in the thickness direction after separation is not limited to the aspect as in this embodiment. For example, as a modified example, when the band-shaped glass film G is cut while being conveyed in an oblique direction inclined to the horizontal plane, and the effective portion Gb and the non-effective portion Ga are separated, the separation step may be performed as follows. can. That is, the effective portion Gb may be continuously conveyed in the oblique direction, and the ineffective portion Ga may be pulled out horizontally from the conveyance path of the effective portion Gb and separated, and the effective portion Gb and the inactive portion Ga may be separated in the thickness direction.

The first effective external force F1 is applied to the effective portion Gb when the deformation imparting step is performed by each of the two support rollers 1 supporting the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb, and toward the upper surface of the effective portion Gb. The air A sprayed by Gba exerts a second external force F2. Thereby, the two support rollers 1 on the conveying path of the effective portion Gb In the vicinity, the effective portion Gb is forcibly deformed in the width direction without depending on its own weight. In addition, while the effective portion Gb is being bent and deformed, the non-effective portion Ga is separated from the transport path of the effective portion Gb with the implementation of the separation step.

An intermediate roller 2 is disposed between the two supporting rollers 1; the intermediate roller 2 supports the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb where the air A is sprayed, and the intermediate roller 2 supports the height position of the effective portion Gb The height position of the effective portion Gb supported by the two support rollers 1 is located further below. When the deformation providing step is performed, the non-effective portion Ga before being separated from the transport path of the effective portion Gb is supported by the roller 3.

The two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 are arranged at positions where the laser cutting method is performed from the cutting and separating step (the positions where the heating region H and the cooling region C are formed in the strip-shaped glass film G), along the effective portion Gb. The transportation path is isolated from the downstream position. In addition, the distance between the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 from the position where the laser cutting method is implemented is due to the stress acting on the effective portion Gb accompanying the bending deformation of the effective portion Gb, so as not to propagate to the laser implementation. The distance between the positions of the cutting method is preferable.

The two support rollers 1 are symmetrically arranged with reference to the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb, and each support the end portion Gbd in the width direction of the effective portion Gb and the other side. Accordingly, the first external force F1 (the force supporting the effective portion Gb) is applied to the effective portion Gb from each of the two support rollers 1. The intermediate roller 2 is a long roller in the width direction of the effective portion Gb, and is a roller having a smaller diameter than the two support rollers 1. Two Both the support roller 1 and the intermediate roller 2 are free rollers, and are rotated by friction with the effective portion Gb. Furthermore, the two backup rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 have a common rotating shaft 4.

The air A is sprayed from the air ejector 5 toward the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Thereby, the air A applies a second external force F2 (a force pushing the effective portion Gb downward) to the effective portion Gb. Only one air ejector 5 is arranged above the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Further, in the present embodiment, the second external force F2 and the first external force F1 cause the effective portion Gb to be deformed in a symmetrical manner with reference to the center Gbc in the width direction.

The roller 3 is a free roller which is arranged outside the width direction with respect to the support roller 1 and rotates around the rotation shaft 6. The rotation shaft 6 is arranged at the same height position as the rotation shafts 4 of the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2. In addition, the diameter of the roller 3 is smaller than the diameter of the support roller 1, and the diameter of the roller 3 is the same as the diameter of the intermediate roller 2. Thereby, between the effective portion Gb (end portion Gbd) supported by the support roller 1 and the ineffective portion Ga supported by the roller 3, a diameter caused by the diameter between the two rollers 1 and 3 is generated. The level of the difference makes it easier to avoid contact between the active portion Gb (end portion Gbd) and the non-active portion Ga.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 are viewed in plan, the middle point of the top of the intermediate roller 2 (the portion contacting the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb) and the support roller 1 are connected. The size of the straight line at the two points of the contact point of the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb with respect to the horizontal line is preferably within the following range. that is, If the angle θ1 is too small, the effective portion Gb cannot be sufficiently bent and deformed in the width direction, and the width of a gap formed between the effective portion Gb and the ineffective portion Ga may not be sufficiently enlarged. On the other hand, if the angle θ1 is too large, the curvature of the effective portion Gb that is bent and deformed in the width direction becomes large, and the stress propagation on the effective portion Gb accompanying the bending deformation of the effective portion Gb is increased until laser cutting is performed. Doubts about the location of the law. Therefore, the angle θ1 is preferably 0.5 ° to 5 °, more preferably 0.7 ° to 3 °, and most preferably 1 ° to 2 °.

Here, in this embodiment, the second external force F2 is applied to the effective portion Gb by spraying the air A as a fluid toward the upper surface Gba of the effective portion Gb, but it is not limited to this. As a modification, the second external force F2 may be applied to the effective portion Gb by injecting another gas or liquid. In addition, the portion where the air A is sprayed is not necessarily the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb, as long as it is a portion of the effective portion Gb located between the two support rollers 1. Therefore, as a modification, the air A may be sprayed at a portion deviated from the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Further, as a modified example, a plurality of air ejectors 5 may be arranged, or the air A may be ejected by a plurality of air ejectors 5 toward a plurality of locations (a plurality of locations between the two support rollers 1) of the effective portion Gb. At this time, a plurality of second external forces F2 are applied to the effective portion Gb.

In this embodiment, although the intermediate roller 2 is a long roller in the width direction, it is not limited to this. The intermediate roller 2 is only required to be able to support the lower surface Gbb of the portion where the effective portion Gb is sprayed by the air A. Therefore, as a modification, the intermediate roller 2 is a short roller in the width direction, and supports only the lower surface of the portion where the air A is sprayed. Gbb can. Furthermore, the two backup rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 are not necessarily free rollers, and a driving roller may be used as a modification. At this time, in order to prevent abrasion of the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb, it is preferable that the peripheral speed between the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 be the same speed. In addition, the positions supported by each of the two support rollers 1 may not be the end portions Gbd on one side and the other side in the width direction of the effective portion Gb, and as a modification, the portions deviate from the end portions Gbd toward the inner side in the width direction. Parts are also available.

In addition, in this embodiment, in order to make it easier to avoid contact between the active portion Gb (end portion Gbd) and the non-effective portion Ga, the active portion Gb (end portion Gbd) and the inactive portion Ga are generated. Height difference. For this purpose, the rotation shafts 4 of the two supporting rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 are arranged at the same height position as the rotation shaft 6 of the roller 3, and the diameter of the roller 3 is smaller than the diameter of the supporting roller 1. The diameter is the same as the diameter of the intermediate roller 2. However, it is not limited to this. In order to generate a level difference between the effective portion Gb (end portion Gbd) and the ineffective portion Ga, as long as the roller 3 supports the height position of the ineffective portion Ga, the effective portion Gb (end portion is supported by the support roller 1). The height position of the portion Gbd) may be lower. Therefore, for example, unlike the present embodiment, the diameter of the roller 3 may be made smaller than the diameter of the intermediate roller 2. In addition, for example, the diameter of the support roller 1 is the same as the diameter of the roller 3, and the rotation shaft 6 of the roller 3 is positioned below the rotation shaft 4 of the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 so that the two rollers 1 are arranged. 3 is also available.

Cut-off method of the glass film according to the first embodiment The effective portion Gb during the implementation of the separation step is accompanied by the implementation of the deformation imparting step. The first external force F1 and the second external force F2 having thickness direction components opposite to each other are forcibly deformed in the width direction. . Thereby, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion Gb and the non-effective portion Ga can be increased by the amount of bending and deformation of the effective portion Gb in the width direction. As a result, it is possible to avoid contact between the active portion Gb and the non-active portion Ga during the execution of the separation step.

<Second Embodiment>

Hereinafter, a method for cutting a glass film according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the elements already described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals in the drawings referred to in the description of the second embodiment, and redundant descriptions are omitted, and only the same as the first embodiment will be described. The difference.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting method of the glass film according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the cutting method of the glass film according to the first embodiment in the following three points. (1) In the deformation imparting step, the first external force F1 is applied by spraying air A at two locations on the upper surface Gba of the effective portion Gb, and by the support roller 1 supporting the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. The point at which the second external force F2 is applied. (2) The shape and arrangement of the support roller 1 are different. (3) Where the edge roller 7 is disposed on one side and the other side of the support roller 1 in the width direction, the edge roller 7 is an end portion of the effective portion Gb in the width direction on one side and the other side. Gbd is supported from the lower surface Gbb side, respectively.

The two locations where the air A is sprayed are symmetrical positions with reference to the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Then, the first external force F1 (the force that presses the effective portion Gb downward) is applied to the effective portion Gb by each of the air A sprayed at the two locations.

The support roller 1 is a roller having a symmetrical shape based on the widthwise center Gbc of the effective portion Gb, and the diameter of the roller gradually decreases toward the outside in the width direction. The support roller 1 supports a widthwise center Gbc of the effective portion Gb at a portion of the center portion having the largest diameter of the support roller 1. Thereby, the second external force F2 (the force supporting the effective portion Gb) is applied from the support roller 1 (the central portion of the support roller 1) to the effective portion Gb. The support roller 1 is a free roller and is rotated by friction with the effective portion Gb.

The edge roller 7 supports the height position of the effective portion Gb lower than the height position of the support roller 1 to support the effective portion Gb. The diameter of the edge roller 7 is smaller than the diameter of the central portion of the support roller 1 and is the same as the diameter of the roller 3. Further, the edge roller 7 is a free roller like the support roller 1 and is rotated by friction with the effective portion Gb. The support roller 1 and the edge roller 7 have a common rotating shaft 8. The rotation shaft 8 is arranged at the same height position as the rotation shaft of the roller 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the support roller 1 and the two edge rollers 7 are viewed in plan, the contact point between the central portion of the support roller 1 and the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb, and the edge roller 7 and the effective portion Gb are connected. The straight line at the two points of the contact points of the lower surface Gbb is preferably within a range as described below with an angle θ2 inclined with respect to the horizontal line. That is, according to the The reason shown in the foregoing description of the first embodiment for the preferred size of the angle θ1 is the same reason, preferably 0.5 ° to 5 °, more preferably 0.7 ° to 3 °, and most preferably 1 ° to 2 °.

Here, in the present embodiment, the support roller 1 supports the widthwise center Gbc of the effective portion Gb at the center portion of the support roller 1, but is not limited thereto. As a modification, the position where the diameter of the support roller 1 is shifted from the central portion is the largest, and the support roller 1 may support the position shifted from the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. In addition, as a modified example, the support roller 1 may support a plurality of locations at a portion where the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb is supported. At this time, a plurality of second external forces F2 are applied to the effective portion Gb.

According to the cutting method of the glass film of the second embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the cutting method of the glass film of the first embodiment can also be obtained.

<Third Embodiment>

Hereinafter, a method for cutting a glass film according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, in the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the elements referred to in the description of the third embodiment with respect to the elements already described in the description of the third embodiment, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. The difference.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cutting method of the glass film according to the third embodiment of the present invention is different from the cutting method of the glass film according to the first embodiment in the following two points. (1) In the deformation imparting step, The point where the second external force F2 is applied by attracting the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. (2) The intermediate roller 2 has a point on the outer peripheral portion (a portion where a cross hatching is applied in FIG. 6) for attracting the Gbb on the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb.

The intermediate roller 2 has a plurality of suction holes formed on the outer periphery of the intermediate roller 2 and each suction hole is connected to a negative pressure generating means (for example, a vacuum pump) for generating a negative pressure. In addition, with the operation of the negative pressure generating means, many suction holes attract the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. By this attraction, a second external force F2 (a force that attracts the effective portion Gb downward) is applied to the effective portion Gb. Moreover, many suction holes are arrange | positioned in the one part of the center part of the intermediate roller 2, and many suction holes are the width direction center Gbc of the effective part Gb.

Here, in the present embodiment, although a plurality of suction holes formed in the outer peripheral portion of the intermediate roller 2 attract the effective portion Gb in the widthwise center Gb, it is not limited to this. As a modified example, a plurality of suction holes may be arranged at positions deviated from the central portion of the intermediate roller 2, and a plurality of suction holes may be sucked at positions located at the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. In addition, as a modified example, a plurality of suction holes may be arranged at a plurality of positions of the intermediate roller 2 along the width direction of the effective portion Gb, and may attract a plurality of portions of the effective portion Gb. At this time, a plurality of second external forces F2 are applied to the effective portion Gb.

According to the cutting method of the glass film of the third embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the cutting method of the glass film of the first embodiment can also be obtained.

<Fourth Embodiment>

Hereinafter, a method for cutting a glass film according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment is similar to the second embodiment described above. Therefore, in the description of the fourth embodiment, the elements already described in the second embodiment are described in the description of the fourth embodiment. The referenced drawings are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted, and only differences from the second embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cutting method of the glass film according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the cutting method of the glass film according to the second embodiment in the following two points. (1) The point where the first external force F1 is applied by respectively attracting two parts on the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. (2) The support roller 1 has a point on the outer peripheral portion (a portion where cross hatching is applied in FIG. 7) for attracting the Gbb on the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb.

The support roller 1 is formed with a plurality of suction holes at two locations on the outer periphery of the support roller 1, and each suction hole is connected to a negative pressure generating means (for example, a vacuum pump) for generating a negative pressure. In addition, with the operation of the negative pressure generating means, many suction holes attract the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. By this attraction, the first external force F1 (the force that attracts the effective portion Gb downward) is applied to the two portions of the effective portion Gb, respectively. In addition, the two positions where a large number of suction holes are formed in the support roller 1 are symmetrically arranged with reference to the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb.

The cutting method of the glass film of the fourth embodiment can also obtain the cutting method of the glass film of the first embodiment. The same effect, effect.

Here, the cutting method of the glass film of the present invention is not limited by the aspects described in the foregoing embodiments. For example, as a modification of the aforementioned first and third embodiments, the intermediate roller is a roller having the same diameter as the two support rollers, and the roller is disposed below the two support rollers.

Claims (20)

A cutting method of a glass film, which comprises a cutting and separating step and a separating step; the cutting and separating step is to continuously cut a strip-shaped glass film being transported in a flat posture along the longitudinal direction by a laser cutting method, The ineffective portions located at both ends in the width direction of the band-shaped glass film are separated from the effective portions located between the two ineffective portions. The separating step is to separate the separated ineffective portions from the separated effective portions. The conveying path is separated, so that the ineffective portion and the effective portion are separated in the thickness direction; the cutting method of the glass film is characterized in that during the implementation of the separating step, the effective portions are separated from each other in the width direction. A first external force having a thickness direction component is applied to each of the two parts, and a second external force having a thickness direction component opposite to the first external force is applied to a part located between the two parts, thereby implementing the aforementioned effect. A deformation imparting step in which the portion is bent and deformed in the width direction. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first external force is applied by each of the two support rollers supporting the lower surface of the effective portion, and by facing the effective portion. The fluid sprayed from the upper surface applies the aforementioned second external force. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 2 of the scope of the patent application, wherein an intermediate roller is arranged between the two support rollers; the intermediate roller supports the lower surface of the effective part of the part sprayed by the fluid. The height position of the intermediate roller supporting the effective portion is lower than the height position of the two supporting rollers supporting the effective portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 3 of the scope of patent application, wherein the intermediate roller is a roller having a rotation axis common to the two support rollers, and the diameter of the intermediate roller is larger than the diameter of the two support rollers. small. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 3 or item 4 of the scope of patent application, wherein the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are free rollers. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the two support rollers are symmetrically arranged with reference to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and are oriented in the effective direction. The fluid is sprayed at the center in the width direction of the portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of claims 2 to 4 of the scope of patent application, wherein the two ends of the effective portion in the width direction are respectively supported by the two support rollers. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first external force is applied by spraying fluids at two locations on the upper surface of the effective portion, and by supporting the effective portion. The supporting roller on the lower surface applies the aforementioned second external force. According to the method for cutting a glass film according to item 8 of the scope of the patent application, an edge roller is disposed on one side and the other side of the support roller in the width direction; the edge roller is the width of the effective part. Both end portions in the direction are supported from the lower surface side, and the height position where the edge roller supports the effective portion is lower than the height position where the support roller supports the effective portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 9 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the support roller and the edge roller are free rollers. The cutting method for a glass film according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the two positions where the fluid is ejected are symmetrically arranged with reference to the widthwise center of the effective part, and The width direction center of the effective portion is supported by the support roller. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 11 of the scope of patent application, wherein the support roller is a roller having a symmetrical shape based on the center of the width direction of the effective portion, and the diameter of the roller increases toward the outside in the width direction. Gradually shrink. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first external force is applied by each of two support rollers supporting the lower surface of the effective portion, and by attracting the effective portion The lower surface to apply the aforementioned second external force. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 13 of the scope of patent application, wherein an intermediate roller is arranged between the two support rollers; the intermediate roller is provided on the outer peripheral portion to attract the lower surface of the effective portion. In the suction hole, the height position where the intermediate roller supports the effective portion is lower than the height position where the two support rollers support the effective portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 14 of the scope of patent application, wherein the intermediate roller is a roller having a rotation axis common to the two support rollers, and the diameter of the intermediate roller is larger than the diameter of the two support rollers. small. According to the method for cutting a glass film according to item 14 or item 15 of the scope of patent application, wherein the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are free rollers. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the two support rollers are symmetrically arranged based on the center of the width direction of the effective portion, and attract the effective The center of the width direction of the part. According to the method for cutting a glass film according to any one of claims 13 to 15, in the patent application scope, both ends of the effective portion in the width direction are supported by the two support rollers. The method for cutting a glass film according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first external force is applied by respectively attracting two parts on the lower surface of the effective part, and by supporting the lower surface of the effective part The roller is supported to apply the aforementioned second external force. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 8 to 10, 13 to 15, and 19 of the scope of application for a patent, wherein the aforementioned ribbon glass The thickness of the film is in the range of 200 μm to 300 μm.