JP4419133B2 - Laminating apparatus and laminating method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a laminating apparatus and a laminating method for forming a laminating layer on a recording surface of a recording medium on which an image is recorded.

  As a result of various improvements made to the recording apparatus (printer) and the recording medium, the recording system such as the ink jet recording system and the thermal transfer recording system can obtain an image quality comparable to a silver salt color photograph. In recent years, image information captured by a digital camera, digital video, scanner, or the like or electronic image information in a computer has been widely used as a technique for hard copying.

  In addition, in these recording methods, the recording surface of the recording medium is protected to give permanent durability, and the glossiness and smoothness of the recording surface are increased to further improve the image quality. For this purpose, a technique of laminating a laminate layer on a recording surface of a recording medium after image recording is also widely known.

  As an apparatus used for laminating on a recording surface, a recording medium and a laminating material which are laminated by supplying a laminating material comprising a base material and a laminating layer formed so as to be peelable on the base material onto the recording surface. There is a laminating apparatus that transfers the laminate layer onto the recording surface of the recording medium by thermocompression bonding, and then peels the substrate from the laminate layer (Patent Document 1).

  However, in the laminating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, every time the recording medium is replaced with one having a different width size, the laminating material must be replaced with one having a suitable width size. However, in this case, an extra portion of the laminate layer (after the lamination process ( It is necessary to cut off a portion that is not laminated on the recording surface (non-laminated portion) along the edge of the recording medium, and in any case, it is complicated.

For this reason, there is a laminating apparatus that can save the labor of excising the non-laminate portion (Patent Document 2). FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of the laminating apparatus, in which a piece-like recording medium A cut to a predetermined feed length and a laminating material B supplied as a continuous sheet from a roll are passed through a film guide roll F. It is laminated and heat-pressed when passing between the platen roll G and the heated intermediate roll H, and then the base material C is peeled from the laminate layer D by the peeling roll I arranged on the downstream side. However, in the laminating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the substrate C is peeled off, the non-laminate portion Db is separated from the laminate portion Da. It is cut off and taken away with the base material C.
JP-A-58-224779 JP 10-211161 A

  The laminating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 lifts the non-laminate portion Db together with the base material C by separating the base material C from the recording surface of the recording medium A, and laminates the non-laminate portion Db and the resulting laminate. The portion is forcibly broken (forcibly torn off) by the pulling force near the boundary with the portion Da.

  Therefore, in the vicinity of the boundary between the laminate portion Da and the non-laminate portion Db, as shown in FIG. 10, a part of the non-laminate portion Db remains on the laminate portion Da side, or a part of the laminate portion Da is removed from the recording medium A. There is a problem that the edge of the laminated portion Da separated from the non-laminated portion Db does not follow the edge of the recording medium A and becomes non-uniform in shape. The edge processing of the recording medium A that has been subjected to the lamination process is unavoidable.

  Further, when the adhesion between the laminate portion Da and the recording medium A and / or the adhesion between the non-laminate portion Db and the base material C is uneven in the vicinity of the edge of the recording medium A, or when it is insufficient, When the conveying speed of the laminate material B, the characteristics of the laminate layer D, the peeling angle of the base material C with respect to the recording medium A are not appropriate, etc., the laminated portion Da and the non-laminated portion Db are not separated. There is also a problem that the entire laminate portion Da is pulled away from the recording medium A by being pulled by the laminate portion Db, or the surface layer including the recording surface is pulled away from the recording medium A by being pulled by the non-laminate portion Db. is there.

  Therefore, the present invention is a system in which a laminate layer laminated on a recording medium is separated from a recording surface (laminate surface) to separate a laminate portion and a non-laminate portion, and therefore, in view of the above-described problems of conventional laminate apparatuses. It is an object of the present invention to provide a laminating apparatus and a laminating method capable of neatly finishing a laminating process on a recording medium without manually performing an edge process after the laminating process of the recording medium.

Laminating apparatus according to the present invention is a laminating apparatus for forming a laminate layer on the recording surface of the recording medium, the transfer and laminate material having laminated layers and substrates of large size are releasably laminated than the recording medium A pressure-bonding portion for heat-pressing the laminate material to the recording medium and the transfer-receiving means in a state where the recording medium is interposed between the means and the substrate, and peeling the base material from the laminate material after the heat-pressure bonding wherein a peeling section after the thermocompression bonding, and a separation unit for separating said object transfer means in close contact with the recording medium, that separation of the peel and the the transfer means of the substrate is performed simultaneously And

Further, lamination method according to the present invention is a laminate method of forming a laminate layer on the recording surface of the recording medium, and the laminate material laminate layer and the substrate is releasably laminated in a size larger than the recording medium A thermocompression bonding step in which the laminate material is thermocompression-bonded to the recording medium and the to-be-transferred device with a recording medium interposed between the laminating material and the thermocompression bonding process; a peeling step of peeling the substrate after the heat pressing step, said comprising: a separation step of separating the object transfer means in close contact with the recording medium, and that the peeling step and the separation step is carried out simultaneously It is characterized by.

  According to the above configuration, by laminating a laminate material having a larger size to the recording medium, the laminate layer of the laminate material adheres to the entire recording surface of the recording medium and protrudes from the recording surface. The part is in close contact with the transferred means.

  In this state, the transfer unit is separated from the recording medium by the separation unit (separation step) (specifically, the surface opposite to the recording surface of the recording medium is separated from the transfer unit). When the transfer means is moved relative to the recording medium to which the laminate layer is in close contact), the laminate layer is pulled (pulled) to the opposite surface side of the recording medium. Since the tensile force acts intensively along the boundary between the part with and without the medium (that is, the edge of the recording medium), the part where the laminate layer and the recording surface are pressed (on the recording surface) The laminate portion on which the laminate layer is laminated) and the portion where the laminate layer and the transfer means are pressure-bonded (non-laminate portion not laminated on the recording medium) are separated from each other. Formed on Edge of the laminate layer becomes clean along the edge of the recording medium.

  By the way, after the thermocompression bonding by the pressure-bonding portion, apart from the separation step, a peeling step (peeling the laminate layer and the substrate in close contact with the recording surface of the recording medium by the peeling portion). Although the processing step of peeling the base material is performed by relatively separating, the laminating apparatus and the laminating method of the present invention are configured to execute the peeling step and the separating step substantially simultaneously. Thereby, for example, the separation unit and the separation unit can be arranged at substantially the same position (so as to face each other across the conveyance path) on the conveyance path of the recording medium. The substrate recovery unit can be disposed in the vicinity of the peeling unit, and the transferred unit recovery unit can be disposed in the vicinity of the separation unit. Thus, the apparatus can be miniaturized by centrally arranging the functional units related to the separation step and the separation step.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a laminate material having a size larger than that of the recording medium is stacked and heat-pressed so as to cover the recording medium, and the laminate layer of the laminate material is opposite to the recording surface of the recording medium. By pulling (pulling in) the recording medium, the tensile force is concentrated along the boundary between the portion where the recording medium is present and the portion where the recording medium is not present, so that the laminate portion and the non-laminate portion are separated. The edge of the laminate layer formed on the recording surface can be made clean along the edge of the recording medium. Therefore, the edge of the recording medium is not manually processed after laminating the recording medium. The lamination process for the recording medium can be finished finely.

  Further, since the separation process of the transferred means and the peeling process of the base material are executed substantially simultaneously, the functional units related to both processes can be centrally arranged, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  Hereinafter, a laminating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a side view of a laminating apparatus according to this embodiment. A laminating apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a recording medium supply unit (supply unit) 10 that houses various functional units in a housing 1 and supplies a recording medium A for which image recording has been completed for laminating processing. In addition to being provided on one side of the body 1, a finished product discharge unit (discharge unit) 150 that discharges the recording medium A that has been laminated is provided on the other side of the housing 1.

  The recording medium supply unit 10 includes a mounting plate 11 attached to a boundary portion between the upper housing 1A and the lower housing 1B on one side of the housing 1. On the other hand, the finished product discharger 150 also includes a mounting plate 151 attached to a boundary portion between the upper housing 1A and the lower housing 1B on the other side of the housing 1. The mounting plate 11 takes a horizontal position where the recording medium A can be mounted. The mounting plate 151 is fixedly attached to the lower housing 1B. It should be noted that a pair of width regulating guides that are relatively close to each other in the width direction is provided on the mounting plate 11 so that the center of the recording medium A is always aligned regardless of the width size of the recording medium A. preferable.

  The transport path of the recording medium A that connects the recording medium supply unit 10 and the finished product discharge unit 150 is the same as the placement plate 11 of the recording medium supply unit 10 and the placement plate 151 of the finished product discharge unit 150. It is set along the boundary between the upper casing 1A and the lower casing 1B. Therefore, the transport path is opened at the open position where the upper casing 1A is swung upward, and the recording medium A on the transport path can be taken out.

  The functional unit is roughly classified to supply a base material C serving as a base and a sheet-like laminate material B on which a laminate layer is laminated from the recording surface (upper surface) side of the recording medium A conveyed on the conveyance path. A sheet-like under film E serving as a transfer means from the side (lower surface: base surface) opposite to the recording surface of the recording medium A conveyed on the conveying path along the laminate material supply unit (supply unit) 20. An under film supply unit (supply unit) 30 for supplying the recording medium A and a laminate (laminated material B and under film E) in which the recording medium A is supplied and laminated between the supplied laminate material B and the under film E First and second pressure-bonding portions (pressure-bonding portions) 40 and 50 for heat-pressing the recording medium A between them, and a peeling portion for peeling the substrate C from the laminate B after the heat-pressure bonding 60 and peeling Base material recovery part (recovery part) 70 for recovering the base material C, separation part 80 for separating the underfilm E after thermocompression bonding from the recording medium A, and underfilm for recovering the separated underfilm E It is divided into a collection unit (collection unit) 90.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the laminate material supply unit 20 supplies the laminate material B as a continuous sheet from a roll, and includes a holder (laminate material holding body) 21 that holds the roll of the laminate material B, as well as a holder. 21 and a free roller 22 disposed between the conveyance path.

  Both ends of the holder 21 are rotatably supported by a side frame (not shown) together with the free roller 22. The free roller 22 is disposed so as to be on the inner side (conveying path side) of the roll attached to the holder 21 and the common tangent line of the roller 43 of the press-bonding section described later, thereby conveying the laminate material B fed from the roll. Wrapping is performed in a predetermined angle range in a predetermined section until reaching the path, and the approach angle of the laminate material B with respect to the transport path is determined. In addition, the free roller 22 is disposed in a region that can be affected by heat from the pressure roller 43 of the first pressure-bonding portion 40 serving as a heating roller, as will be described later. The material used for at least the surface of the free roller 22 is black alumite, which has a relatively excellent heat absorption rate and heat conductivity.

  A laminating material B used in the laminating apparatus of the present embodiment includes a laminating layer D for laminating the recording surface of the recording medium A as shown in FIG. The laminate layer D has a laminated structure including an adhesive layer D ′ that adheres to the recording surface and a protective layer D ″ that is formed on the adhesive layer D ′ and protects the recording surface. The protective layer D ″ according to the present embodiment is formed of a transparent acrylic resin. The adhesive layer D ′ is laminated with the protective layer D ″ via a joint anchor coat layer D ″ ′ having transparency so as to maintain adhesiveness with the protective layer D ″. The adhesive layer D ′ has a higher adhesive force to the under film E than the adhesive force of the base material C to the protective layer D ″ and has permeability (in this embodiment, it is bonded by applying heat). A thermoplastic resin that exhibits strength: a polyester-based resin).

  Furthermore, the laminate material B is used to prevent the laminate layer D from being scratched during thermocompression bonding and transportation, and to prevent the laminate layer D from being wrinkled during thermocompression bonding (protective layer D ′). ') A sheet-like substrate C is laminated on D so as to be peelable. That is, by laminating the base material C on the laminate layer D, the laminate material B prevents the surface of the laminate layer D from being scratched and gives the laminate material B itself stiffness (thickening the thickness). The degree of freedom of bending in the laminate material B is reduced), and the occurrence of wrinkles in the laminate layer D due to the influence of pressure or the like during thermocompression bonding can be prevented. The base material C is composed of a film made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and is in close contact with the laminate layer (protective layer D ″) D so as to be peelable by its own adhesiveness. And a laminated structure.

  The laminate material B having the above configuration is larger in size than the recording medium A, that is, in a state where the laminate layer D is opposed to the recording surface of the recording medium A, the recording material is recorded with the laminate material B (laminate layer D). A size that can cover A is set. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the laminate material B is long, when the laminate material B covers the recording medium A in a state of protruding from both the vertical and horizontal directions of the recording medium A, the direction is conveyed (conveyance). The size of the travel direction in the path does not matter, and the width (the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the travel direction in the transport path) is set wider than the width of the recording medium A on the transport path. Therefore, the recording medium A does not protrude from the laminating material B in the width direction even when the recording medium A is parallel to the transport direction, or even when it is slightly inclined. The entire surface of the recording medium A can be reliably covered with the material B (laminate layer D). The roll of the laminate material B having the above configuration is wound so that the base material C faces the outside and the laminate layer D faces the inside, so that the base material C contacts the free roller 22. It is like that.

  On the other hand, returning to FIG. 2, the under film supply unit 30 supplies the under film E from the roll as a continuous sheet, and includes a holder (under film original fabric holder) 31 that holds the roll of the under film E, A free roller 32 is provided between the holder 31 and the conveyance path.

  Both ends of the holder 31 are rotatably supported by the side frame together with the free roller 32. The free roller 32 conveys the under film E fed out from the roll by being arranged so as to be on the inner side (conveyance path side) of the roll attached to the holder 31 and the common tangent line of the roller 41 of the pressure-bonding section described later. Wrapping is performed in a predetermined angle range in a predetermined section until reaching the path, and an approach angle of the under film E with respect to the transport path is determined. In addition, the free roller 32 is disposed in a region that can be affected by heat from the drive roller 41 of the first pressure-bonding portion 40 that is a heating roller, as will be described later. The material used for at least the surface of the free roller 32 is black alumite, which has a relatively excellent heat absorption rate and heat conductivity, like the free roller 22.

  The under film E functions as a transfer material serving as a base in a laminated state, and is made of a material having thermal adhesiveness with the adhesive layer D ′ of the laminate material B or a material having the same quality as the adhesive layer D ′. A resin film is used. The under film E can employ either a single layer structure or a laminated structure, but in the present embodiment, a single layer film made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is employed. The under film E has a width size equal to or greater than that of the laminate material B so that the laminate material B (laminate layer D) does not protrude from the side edge of the under film E in a laminated state. Is used.

  The first pressure bonding unit 40 includes a drive roller 41 and a pressure roller 43. The drive roller 41 is disposed on the base surface side of the recording medium A, and the pressure roller 43 is disposed on the recording surface side of the recording medium A, and both ends thereof are rotatably supported by the side frames. . Between the rollers 41 and 43, the laminate material B, the under film E, and the recording medium A supplied from the recording medium supply unit 10 are laminated (hereinafter referred to as recording medium A, laminating material B (laminate material). B) and layers in which at least two of the under films E are laminated are collectively referred to as “laminated body”).

  Both rollers 41 and 43 generate a pressure-bonding action on the laminate (A + B + E). For example, the drive roller 41 is a metal roller or an ultra-thin rubber roller, and the pressure roller 43 is a silicon-based roller. The heat-resistant rubber roller is used.

  Further, both rollers 41 and 43 have heaters 42 and 44 at the shaft core portions and are heating rollers. The heating temperature on the surfaces of the rollers 41 and 43 is set in the range of 60 to 120 ° C. for the driving roller 41, and is set in the range of 80 to 120 ° C. for the pressure roller 43. The driving roller 41 is supplied from the under film supply unit 30 before the point (theoretical contact point between the rollers 41 and 43) where the recording medium A, the laminate material B, and the under film E are heat-pressed. The under film E is disposed so as to be wound at a predetermined angle so that the under film E can be preheated before reaching the thermocompression bonding point. Further, the pressure roller 43 is arranged so that the laminate material B supplied from the laminate material supply unit 20 is wound at a predetermined angle before the heat pressure point, and reaches the heat pressure point. It can be preheated prior to. In addition, since the free rollers 22 and 32 are heated by receiving heat from the rollers 41 and 43, they also have a function as a heating roller, and the laminating material B and the under film E preheat the rollers 41 and 43. Prior to this, the free rollers 22 and 32 are also preheated. In addition, the roller (driving roller) 41 on the under film E side in the first pressure-bonding part 40 is also set as a heating roller and lower than the heating temperature on the roller surface of the roller (pressure-bonding roller) 43 on the laminate material B side. This is for activating the heat-welding property between the laminate layer D and the under film E while suppressing the thermal influence on the under film E.

  Further, while the drive roller 41 cannot be displaced relative to the side frame, the pressure roller 43 can be displaced relative to the side frame (and the drive roller 41) via the pressure force adjusting mechanism 45. It has become. The crimping force adjusting mechanism 45 includes a base 450 attached to a side frame, a shaft 451 attached to the base 450 and having an axial center in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance path, and a movable body that slides along the shaft 451. 452, an elastic body 453 that biases the movable body 452 toward the conveyance path, and a handle (adjustment member) 454 that adjusts the elastic restoring force of the elastic body 453. Usually, the pressure between the rollers 41 and 43 is set within a range of 50 to 120 kgf.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second pressure bonding part 50 includes a drive roller 51 and a pressure roller 53. The driving roller 51 is disposed on the base surface side of the recording medium A, and the pressure roller 53 is disposed on the recording surface side of the recording medium A, and both ends thereof are rotatably supported by the side frames. .

  Both the rollers 51 and 53 cause a pressure-bonding action to the laminated body (A + B + E) similarly to the two rollers 41 and 43 of the first pressure-bonding portion 40. For example, any of the driving roller 51 and the pressure-bonding roller 53 In addition, a silicon-based heat-resistant rubber roller is employed.

  Further, the pressure roller 53 has a heater 54 in the shaft core portion, and is a heating roller. The heating temperature on the roller surface is set within a range of 80 to 120 ° C. The drive roller 51 is not a heating roller. The heating temperature in the second press-bonding section 50 (heating temperature by the press-bonding roller 53) has a meaning in terms of finishing processing, and the heating temperature in the first press-bonding section 40 (total heating temperature in the driving roller 41 and the press-bonding roller 43). Set lower than. That is, for example, when bubbles are mixed between the recording medium A and the laminate layer D, if the pressure is applied without heating, the pressure is applied in a state where the adhesive layer D ′ of the laminate layer D is cured. Therefore, the air bubbles cannot be pushed in well, but when heated, the adhesive layer D ′ is softened, and the pressure is applied in that state, so that the air bubbles are pushed into the recording surface of the recording medium A from the gap of the ink. For the reason that the laminate layer D (adhesive layer D ′) is displaced from the recording surface of the recording medium A or peeled off when the heating temperature is too high, the second pressure-bonding portion 50 is removed. However, while heating, the heating temperature in the second crimping part 50 is set lower than the heating temperature in the first crimping part 40. Further, the reason why the driving roller 51 of the second pressure-bonding part 50 is not a heating roller is that the heating temperature in the second pressure-bonding part 50 is not excessively raised as described above, and the once heated laminate is heated again. If the temperature is too high, the quality of the recording medium A and the laminate layer D may be deteriorated, the heater is eliminated and the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the running cost is reduced by reducing the power consumption.

  Similarly to the first pressure-bonding portion 40, the drive roller 51 cannot be displaced relative to the side frame, whereas the pressure-bonding roller 53 is connected to the side frame (and the drive roller 41 via the pressure-bonding force adjusting mechanism 55). ) Relative displacement is possible. Since the configuration of the crimping force adjusting mechanism 55 is the same as that of the crimping force adjusting mechanism 55 of the first crimping portion 40, no particular description will be given. Usually, the pressure-bonding force between the rollers 51 and 53 is set within a range of 50 to 120 kgf.

  The peeling part 60 is a downstream side (more specifically, the second pressure-bonding part 50 and the laminate (A + B-C: finished product) of the conveyance path from the pressure-bonding part (second pressure-bonding part 50). A knife edge (peeling guide body) 61 disposed between the pair of transport rollers 100 for transporting to the transport path and facing the transport path.

  That is, the peeling part 60 is a position at a predetermined distance downstream from the second pressure bonding part 50 so as to separate the base material C from the laminate layer D after a predetermined time has passed since the second pressure bonding part 50 is thermocompression bonded. Is provided with a knife edge 61. Thus, the peeling part 60 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the second pressure bonding part 50 because the laminate is activated (develops viscosity, etc.) by being heat-pressed by the second pressure bonding part 50. This is because an external force is applied to the laminate material B (laminate layer D) after the layer D reaches a normal equilibrium state (a state in which the adhesive force is increased).

  That is, when a predetermined time elapses after the heating in the second pressure bonding part 50, the adhesive force of the laminate layer D to the recording medium A is surely increased as compared with the adhesive force between the base material C and the laminate layer D. If the peeling process of the base material C is performed in the state, only the base material C is peeled cleanly without the laminate layer D being carelessly peeled off from the recording medium A, so that the distance between the peeling part 60 and the second pressure bonding part 50 is increased. Provided. Therefore, the interval (predetermined distance) between the peeling portion 60 and the second pressure bonding portion 50 is such that the time from the passage of the second pressure bonding portion 50 to the arrival of the peeling portion 60 is approximately normal from the active state of the laminate layer D. It is set so that it substantially coincides with or exceeds the time (predetermined time) required to return to the equilibrium state.

  The knife edge 61 is held by the holder 62 so that the tip end portion thereof becomes the transport path side and is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the transport path. More specifically, the knife edge 61 is connected to the lower surface 61a facing the conveyance path in the peeling unit 60 and the downstream edge of the lower surface 61a in the conveyance direction so as to form an acute angle with the lower surface 61a. And an inclined surface 61b extending upward (extending toward the base material recovery unit 70). Further, a connecting line (ridge line) between the lower surface 61a and the inclined surface 61b extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium A on the transport path.

  The base material collection unit 70 collects the continuous sheet-like base material C peeled off from the laminate layer D in a roll shape, and a holder (recovered base material holder) 71 that holds the roll of the base material C. Is provided. Both ends of the holder 71 are rotatably supported by the side frames. Further, the holder 71 is disposed so that the winding surface is on the upstream side of the conveyance path with respect to the leading edge of the knife edge 61, whereby the substrate C to be peeled from the conveyance path is removed from the leading edge of the knife edge 61. In addition, the peeling angle of the base material C with respect to the conveyance path is determined.

  The separation unit 80 is configured such that the second crimping unit 50 and the laminate (A + B-C: finished product) are disposed on the downstream side of the transport path from the crimping unit (second crimping unit 50). A knife edge (separation guide body) 81 disposed between the pair of transport rollers 100 to be transported to the transport path and facing the transport path. The separation unit 80 is arranged so that the tip end of the knife edge 81 is substantially in the same position on the transport path as the tip of the knife edge 61 of the peeling unit 60.

  That is, the separation unit 80 places a predetermined distance downstream from the second pressure-bonding part 50 in order to separate the under film E from the recording medium A after a predetermined time has passed since the second pressure-bonding part 50 was heat-bonded. A knife edge 81 is provided at the position. As described above, the separation part 80 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the second pressure bonding part 50, as in the case of the peeling part 60. This is because an external force is applied to the laminate material B (laminate layer D) after the laminated layer D (which exhibits viscosity or the like) is in a normal equilibrium state (a state in which the adhesive force is increased).

  That is, when a predetermined time elapses from the heating in the second pressure bonding part 50, the adhesive force of the laminate layer D to the recording medium A is surely increased. Since the layer D is not inadvertently peeled off from the recording medium A, an interval between the separation unit 80 and the second pressure bonding unit 50 is provided. Accordingly, the interval (predetermined distance) between the separating portion 80 and the second crimping portion 50 is such that the time from passing through the second crimping portion 50 until reaching the separating portion 80 is approximately normal from the active state of the laminate layer D. It is set so that it substantially coincides with or exceeds the time (predetermined time) required to return to the equilibrium state.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the knife edge 81 is held by the holder 82 so that the tip portion thereof becomes the transport path side and is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the transport path. Specifically, the knife edge 81 of the separation unit 80 is connected to the upper surface 81a facing the conveyance path in the separation unit 80 and the downstream edge of the upper surface 81a in the conveyance direction. And an inclined surface 81b extending downward to form an acute angle. In addition, a connecting line (ridge line) between the upper surface 81a and the inclined surface 81b extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction in the transport path.

  The under film collection unit 90 collects a continuous sheet of the under film E, onto which the extra laminate layer D has been transferred, by rolling it into a roll. A holder for holding the roll of the under film E (collected under film holding body) 91 is provided. Both ends of the holder 91 are rotatably supported by the side frames. Further, the holder 91 is disposed such that the winding surface is on the upstream side of the conveyance path with respect to the tip end (ridge line) of the knife edge 81, whereby the under film E separated from the conveyance path is removed from the knife edge 81. And the peeling angle of the base material C with respect to the conveyance path is determined.

  The configuration of each functional unit is as described above. Returning to FIG. 1, the main components of the laminate material supply unit 20, the peeling unit 60, and the substrate recovery unit 70 are arranged in the same casing (upper casing 1 </ b> A located on the recording surface side of the recording medium A). On the other hand, the main components of the underfilm supply unit 30, the separation unit 80, and the underfilm collection unit 90 are also arranged in the same casing (the lower casing 1B located on the base surface side of the recording medium A). Moreover, the 1st crimping | compression-bonding part 40, the 2nd crimping | compression-bonding part 50, and the conveyance roller pair 100 are arrange | positioned ranging over both housings | casings (upper housing | casing 1A and lower housing | casing 1B).

  Further, the driving rollers 41, 51, 101 of the first pressure-bonding portion 40, the second pressure-bonding portion 50, and the conveying roller pair 100 are arranged in one housing (lower housing 1B), and are respectively pressure-bonding rollers (driven rollers). 43, 53, 102 are arranged in the other casing (upper casing 1A).

  Further, not only the first pressure-bonding portion 40, the second pressure-bonding portion 50, and the drive rollers 41, 51, 101 of the conveying roller pair 100 but also all of the holders 71, 91 of the base material collecting portion 70 and the under film collecting portion 90. The driving force of a motor (driving source) (not shown) is simultaneously transmitted by known driving force transmitting means (not shown) such as a sprocket, a chain, and a gear train. By these synchronous driving, the laminate material B is pulled from the laminate material supply unit 20, the under film E is pulled from the under film supply unit 30, and the laminate (A + B + E; A + B−C) is downstream along the transport path. It is designed to be conveyed.

  The laminating apparatus according to this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, each step of the laminating process in the apparatus will be described.

  First, before performing the laminating process on the recording medium A, the laminating material B is pulled out from the laminating material supply unit 20 in advance, and the laminating material B is wound around the free roller 22 to be bonded to the first pressure bonding unit 40 (the driving roller 41 and the pressure bonding). Between the roller 43) and the second pressure bonding part 50 (between the driving roller 51 and the pressure roller 53), and the tip is wound around the holder 71 of the base material recovery part 70. Further, the under film E is pulled out from the under film supply unit 30, and the under film E is wound around the free roller 32, and the first pressure bonding unit 40 (between the driving roller 41 and the pressure roller 43) and the second pressure bonding unit 50 ( The tip portion is wound around the holder 91 of the under film collecting unit 90. In this state, the laminate material B and the under film E are overlapped in the conveyance path between the first crimping portion 40, the peeling portion 60, and the separation portion 80.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording surface of the recording medium A is directed to the side to which the laminate material B is supplied (in the present embodiment, the upper side corresponding to the arrangement of the laminate material supply unit 20), The recording medium A is sequentially supplied from the recording medium supply unit 10. That is, the laminating apparatus can continuously laminate a plurality of recording media A, with a gap between the preceding recording medium A and the succeeding recording medium A. The recording medium A is sequentially supplied from the recording medium supply unit 10. Then, each recording medium A that is sequentially supplied is in a state of being interposed between the laminating material B and the under film E with the recording surface and the laminating layer D facing each other. The recording medium A and the under film E are heat-pressed. Thus, since the laminate material B is supplied so as to protrude from both end edges in the conveyance direction and the width direction of the recording medium A, the laminate layer D softens and is recorded when it is heat-pressed by the first pressure-bonding portion 40. It is deformed so as to cover the recording surface and end surface of the medium.

  Then, as described above, since the laminate material B and the under film E are set to a size larger than the recording medium A, the recording medium A is sandwiched between the laminate material B and the under film E, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the laminate layer D is transferred to the under film E so that the laminate layer D protrudes from the recording medium A, and the laminate layer Da is in close contact with the recording surface of the recording medium A, and the recording medium of the laminate part Da. A non-laminate portion Db in which the laminate layer D is in close contact with the under film E so as to surround A is formed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the laminating material B, the recording medium A, and the under film E are heat-pressed at the first pressure bonding portion 40 (the three members of the laminating material B, the recording medium A, and the under film E). Pass through the first press-bonding portion 40), a recording medium A, a laminating portion B in which the laminating material B and the under film E are laminated, and a non-laminating portion Db in which the laminating material B and the under film E are laminated. A laminated body (A + B + E, B + E) is obtained. The transfer width Db of the laminate layer D transferred to the under film E is set to about 3 mm or more. If it is smaller than this value, the adhesive area between the under film E and the laminate layer D is small and the adhesive force is not sufficient, so the under film E and the laminate layer D may be peeled off. This is because the portion (laminate portion) Da where the layer D and the recording surface are pressure-bonded and the portion (non-laminate portion) Db where the laminate layer D and the under film E are pressure-bonded may not be separated cleanly.

  Next, the laminated body (A + B + E, B + E) obtained in the first pressure bonding part 40 is conveyed to the second pressure bonding part 50 as shown in FIG. 3, where the second heat pressure bonding is performed. As described above, the laminating apparatus according to the present embodiment employs a configuration in which the thermocompression bonding is performed in two stages, thereby improving the adhesion of the laminating layer D to the recording surface of the recording medium A. For example, even when air bubbles are mixed between the recording medium A and the laminate layer D at the time of stacking at the first pressure bonding part 40, the air bubbles can be removed to obtain a clean finished surface.

  Next, the laminate (A + B + E) that has been heat-pressed for the second time in the second pressure bonding section 50 is conveyed to the peeling section 60 and the separating section 80 as shown in FIG. In the laminate (A + B + E), the laminate layer D of the laminate material B is activated again by the thermocompression bonding at the second crimping portion 50, but the time after the thermocompression bonding at the second crimping portion 50 (predetermined time) ), The adhesive layer D ′ of the laminate layer D moves toward the peeling portion 60 and the separation portion 80 while being cured (returning to the normal equilibrium state from the active state). As a result, the laminate (A + B + E) reaches the peeling portion 60 and the separation portion 80 in a state where the adhesive layer D ′ is substantially cured or cured to some extent (approximately normal equilibrium state). And the under film E is separated.

  First, the peeling process by the peeling part 60 will be described. Since the state of the laminate (A + B + E) reaching the peeling part 60 is returning from the active state to the normal equilibrium state as described above, the base material C and the laminate are laminated. The adhesion strength with the layer D is smaller than the adhesion strength between the laminate layer D and the recording surface of the recording medium A or the adhesion strength between the lamination layer D and the under film E (the recording surface of the recording medium A of the laminate layer D). And the adhesive force between the laminate layer D and the under film E are larger than the adhesive force between the substrate C and the laminate layer D). Therefore, even if the base material C is pulled upwards in the conveying direction via the knife edge 61, only the base material C is reliably peeled off, and one of the laminating layers D is as in the conventional laminating apparatus. Part or all is not taken away with the base material C.

  Moreover, in the peeling portion 60, the tip of the knife edge 61 is in sliding contact with the laminate (A + B + E), so that the laminate (A + B + E) is prevented from being lifted due to the peeling of the substrate C, and the substrate C is peeled off. The angle is stabilized.

  On the other hand, the separation step is also performed at the separation unit 80 at substantially the same timing as the separation step. Specifically, the laminate (A + B + E) in which the adhesive layer D ′ is in a substantially normal equilibrium state moves to the downstream side while sliding on the upper surface of the knife edge 81 of the separation unit 80. When passing the ridgeline, the underfilm E is wound around the holder 91 of the underfilm recovery unit 90 in a state where the underfilm E is wound around the tip of the knife edge 81. At this time, the recording medium A and the under film E move relative to each other so that the base surface of the recording medium A and the under film E are separated from each other. That is, the recording medium A tries to move further toward the downstream side of the transport path, while the under film E moves in a direction different from the moving direction of the recording medium A (from the base surface of the recording medium A). The laminate layer D of the non-laminate portion Db is also pulled (pulled) in the same direction as the under film E. Therefore, since the laminate layer D of the non-laminate portion Db also tends to move in the same direction as the under film E, the boundary between the portion with the recording medium A and the portion without the recording medium A (that is, the non-laminate portion Db and the laminate portion Da). At the boundary, the tensile force acts intensively. As a result, only the non-laminate portion Db is surely cut away, and the edge of the laminate portion Da becomes clean along the edge of the recording medium A.

  A mode that the base material C peels from a laminated body (A + B + E) by the above peeling process and isolation | separation process, and an underfilm E is isolate | separated is shown in FIG.

  One reason that the edge of the laminated portion is finished cleanly is considered to be that the edge of the recording medium A exhibits a function like a cutting blade. That is, the boundary between the laminated portion Da and the non-laminated portion Db is caused by the edge of the recording medium A due to the shearing force (when the under film E is separated, the reaction force of the edge of the recording medium A and The laminating layer Da and the non-laminating portion Db are covered with each other by the interaction of the adhesion of the non-laminating portion Db with the under film E due to the interaction between the laminating layer D and the non-laminating portion Db. It is cut along the edge of the recording medium A. In particular, since the knife edge 81 according to the present embodiment has an acute angle between the upper surface and the inclined surface, the under film collection unit 90 is determined from the moving direction of the under film E on the transport path and the tip (ridge line) of the knife edge 81. Since the moving direction of the under film E moving toward the head is an acute angle, it is considered that the edge of the recording medium A functions as a very sharp cutting blade.

  Alternatively, as another reason, as shown in FIG. 5B, due to the thickness of the recording medium A, the minimum width region of the laminate layer D along the edge of the recording medium A starts from the under film E. It is thought that it is in a slightly floating state. Since the pulling force when separating the under film E acts on the floating portion intensively, the laminate layer D is broken at the floating portion, and the laminated portion Da and the non-laminated portion Db are formed on the recording medium A. It is cut along the edge. Alternatively, as another reason, the laminate material B and the under film E which are set to a size larger than the recording medium A are used, and the laminate material B is bonded to the laminate material B by the crimping portions 40 and 50 with the recording medium A interposed. In order to thermocompression bond with the under film E, the laminate layer D of the laminate B is deformed along the shape of the recording surface and the edge of the recording medium A, and as a result, the edge of the recording medium A It is considered that the thickness of the minimum width region of the laminate layer D along the line is reduced. Since the pulling force when separating the under film E acts on the thinned portion intensively, the laminated layer D is broken at the thinned portion, and the laminated portion Da and the non-laminated portion Db become the recording medium. It is cut along the edge of A.

  As a matter of course, the laminate layer D of the non-laminate portion Db separated from the laminate portion Da is carried away together with the under film E.

  As described above, the laminating apparatus according to the present embodiment moves the peeling unit 60 and the separation unit 80 on the conveyance path so that the peeling process and the separation process are performed almost simultaneously on the conveyed laminate (A + B + E). They are arranged at substantially the same position (so that the tip portions of the knife edge 61 and the knife edge 81 are substantially at the same position). Moreover, since the base material collection | recovery part 70 and the under film collection | recovery part 90 are also arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the peeling part 60 and the isolation | separation part 80, respectively, as a result, the function parts which concern on a peeling process and a separation process are arranged collectively. Will be. By such a concentrated arrangement, the entire laminating apparatus can be reduced in size.

  In addition, it is conceivable that the separation process and the separation process are performed almost simultaneously, so that the pull-in to the recording medium is reduced. That is, in the peeling process, the base material C is pulled toward the upper upstream side (the base material recovery part 70 side) in the transport direction via the knife edge 61, so that the base material recovery part with respect to the recording medium A is obtained. A pulling force toward the 70 side is generated. On the other hand, in the separation step, when the under film E is pulled toward the under film collection unit 90, a pulling force to the recording medium A toward the under film collection unit 90 is generated. It is conceivable that the pulling force of both the steps is partially offset and reduced by executing the peeling step and the separation step substantially simultaneously. As a result, the flutter in the normal direction of the laminate (A + B + E; A + B-C) can be suppressed without providing a guide for demarcating the transport path, and the recording medium A is downstream of the finished product discharge section 150. Can be transported stably.

  As described above, the laminating apparatus according to the present embodiment has a clean edge along the edge of the recording medium A, and is in close contact with the recording surface without air or the like being interposed between the recording medium A and the recording medium A. The recording medium A laminated with the laminate layer D can be discharged to the finished product discharge unit 150.

<Application example>
Note that in the laminating apparatus according to the present embodiment, the surface (more precisely, the protection) with respect to the normal glossy finish laminating process (glossy recording surface (recording surface with high smoothness)) shown in FIG. In addition to the laminating process for forming the laminating layer D so that the surface of the layer D ″ has gloss, the following laminating process is also possible.

  Application Example (Part 1): As shown in FIG. 7B, the surface becomes semi-glossy or matte with respect to a semi-glossy or matte recording surface (uneven recording surface) such as matte or silky tone. Lamination process (semi-gloss finish or matte finish laminate process) to form the laminate layer D as described above. In that case, the protective layer D ″ of the laminate layer D must have flexibility along the unevenness of the recording surface of the recording medium A by thermocompression bonding.

  Application example (Part 2): As shown in FIG. 7C, a laminate layer so that the surface is glossy with respect to a semi-glossy or matte recording surface (uneven recording surface) such as a matte tone or a silky tone. Lamination process to form D (gloss finish lamination process). In that case, the protective layer D ″ of the laminate layer D must have rigidity that does not follow the unevenness of the recording surface of the recording medium A even by thermocompression bonding.

<Second embodiment>
A laminating apparatus according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. The difference from the laminating apparatus according to the first embodiment is that the peeling unit 60, the base material recovery unit 70, the separation unit 80, and the under film recovery unit 90 are arranged upstream of the second pressure bonding unit 50. Others are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, for these, the explanation in the first embodiment is applied mutatis mutandis to the explanation in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is also combined. The same reference numerals as those of the components are assigned, and the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the laminating apparatus according to this embodiment, the distance between the first crimping part 40 and the second crimping part 50 is longer than that of the laminating apparatus of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). This is performed after the laminate layer D activated by thermocompression bonding in the first pressure bonding section 40 (exhibiting viscosity or the like) is in a normal equilibrium state (in a state where the adhesive strength is increased), and then the peeling step and the separation step are performed. It is for doing so. Therefore, the interval (predetermined distance) from the first pressure bonding part 40 to the peeling part 60 and the separation part 80 is the time from passing through the first pressure bonding part 40 until reaching the peeling part 60 and the separation part 80. It is set so that it substantially coincides with or exceeds the time (predetermined time) required to return the layer D from the active state to the substantially normal equilibrium state.

  The laminated body (A + B-C) from which the base material C was peeled off by the peeling portion 60 and the under film E was separated by the separating portion 80 (see FIG. 6) is conveyed to the second pressure bonding portion 50, where the second time Thermocompression bonding is performed (note that the pressure-bonding force in the second pressure-bonding portion 50 is set smaller than the pressure-bonding force in the first pressure-bonding portion 40 because the base material C and the under film E are not present). As a result, the adhesion of the laminate layer D to the recording surface of the recording medium A can be improved, and, for example, bubbles are formed between the recording medium A and the laminate layer D at the time of stacking at the first pressure bonding portion 40. Even if mixed, it is possible to remove the bubbles and obtain a clean finished surface.

  The laminate (A + B-C (finished product)) subjected to the second thermocompression bonding in the second pressure bonding unit 50 is sent to the transport roller pair 100 and is transported to the finished product discharge unit 150 by the roller pair 100. The

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the laminating apparatus according to the present embodiment, the distance from the second pressure-bonding portion 50 to the conveying roller pair 100 is shorter than that of the laminating apparatus of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). This is because the separation process or separation process is not performed during this period, so that the space for arranging these functional parts is not necessary, and since the separation process or separation process is not performed, the laminate layer D is activated. This is based on the reason that it is not necessary to provide an interval (predetermined distance) relating to a time (predetermined time) required to return to a substantially normal equilibrium state.

  Therefore, compared with the laminating apparatus of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), the distance between the first pressure-bonding part 40 and the second pressure-bonding part 50 becomes longer, but the distance from the second pressure-bonding part 50 to the conveying roller pair 100. As a result, the size can be reduced as in the laminating apparatus of the first embodiment.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to any of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in any of the above-described embodiments, two crimping portions are provided and thermocompression bonding is performed in two stages. However, the effect of improving the adhesion of the laminate layer to the recording surface of the recording medium can be achieved even with a single thermocompression bonding. From the viewpoint that the removal effect of air bubbles mixed between the recording medium and the laminate layer may be acceptable at the product level, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and there is a single crimping portion, and the peeling step after this thermocompression bonding The separation step may be performed substantially simultaneously.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, the recording medium A recorded mainly by the ink jet recording method is a target of the lamination process. However, the recording medium may be a recording medium by other printing recording methods as well as the thermal transfer recording method. However, the recording medium made of a silver salt photograph is also targeted.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, the recording surface of the recording medium A is a conveying form in which the recording surface A faces upward. However, a conveying form in which the recording medium A moves in the vertical direction may be used. It may be.

  In any of the above embodiments, a long laminate material B having a width wider than that of the recording medium A is used so that the laminate material B protrudes from the length and width of the recording medium A. For example, the recording medium A A long laminate B having the same width as the width (the length in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium A (the direction in which the laminate material B is pulled out)) may be used. In this case, the recording medium A is sequentially supplied so that there is a gap between the preceding recording medium A and the succeeding recording medium A, and the recording medium A and the laminate material B (continuous sheet) on the conveyance path. If the under film E is conveyed while being guided by the width regulation guide, the entire recording surface of the recording medium A can be covered with the laminate material B and laminated, and the consumption of the laminate material is reduced. can do. Even in this case, by separating the under film E from the recording medium A, the laminated portion Da and the non-laminated portion Db are formed at the leading and trailing ends of the recording medium A in the traveling direction as in the above embodiment. It will be cut off at the edge.

  In any of the above embodiments, a long laminate material B wider than the recording medium A is used, and an interval is provided between the preceding recording medium A and the succeeding recording medium A. The recording medium A is sequentially supplied so that the laminating material B (laminate layer D) protrudes from the vertical and horizontal (periphery) of the recording medium A. For example, a long laminating material that is wider than the recording medium A B may be used to sequentially supply the recording medium A so that the preceding recording medium A and the succeeding recording medium A are in close contact with each other. Even in this case, the entire surface of the recording surface of the recording medium A can be covered with the laminate material B, and wasteful consumption of the laminate material B can be suppressed. Also in this case, by separating the under film E from the recording medium A, the laminate portion Da and the non-laminate portion Db are bordered on the edge extending in the traveling direction of the recording medium A as in the above embodiment. Can be separated. However, since the laminate layer D and the under film E are not pressure-bonded between the preceding recording medium A and the succeeding recording medium A, the preceding recording medium A and the succeeding recording medium A are laminated layers. Although the recording medium A is in a connected state via D, by separating the recording media A relatively, the laminate layer D that connects the recording media A may be broken to divide the recording media A. it can.

The side view including the partial cross section of the lamination apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment is shown. The principal part enlarged side view in the vicinity of the 1st crimping | compression-bonding part of the laminating apparatus which concerns on the embodiment is shown. The principal part expansion side view in the 2nd crimping | compression-bonding part of the lamination apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment, a peeling part, and the separation part vicinity is shown. Sectional drawing of the laminating material used for the laminating apparatus which concerns on the embodiment is shown. In the laminating apparatus according to the embodiment, (a) is a plan view of a laminate in which a laminate material is laminated, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of (a). The state when a base material peels from a laminate layer in the peeling part of the laminating apparatus which concerns on the embodiment, and a state figure when an under film is separated from a recording medium in a separation part are shown. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a finished product obtained by the laminating apparatus according to the embodiment, in which (a) is based on a normal gloss finish lamination process, and (b) is a half using a semi-glossy recording medium. Glossy finish lamination process (c) is a glossy laminate process using a semi-glossy recording medium. The side view including the partial cross section of the lamination apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment is shown. The schematic side view of the conventional laminating apparatus is shown. Explanatory drawing of the last process of the lamination process in the conventional laminating apparatus is shown.

Explanation of symbols

1 Housing 10 Recording medium supply unit (supply unit)
11 Mounting plate 100 Conveying roller pair 150 Finished product discharge unit (discharge unit)
151 Mounting plate 20 Laminate supply unit (supply unit)
21 Holder (Laminate material holder)
30 Under film supply section (supply section)
31 Holder (Under film holder)
40 First crimping part (crimping part)
41 Drive roller 43 Pressure roller 45 Pressure adjustment mechanism 46 Pressure release mechanism 50 Second pressure bonding part (pressure bonding part)
51 Driving Roller 53 Pressing Roller 55 Pressing Force Adjustment Mechanism 60 Peeling Unit 61 Knife Edge (Peeling Guide Body)
70 Substrate collection unit (collection unit)
71 Holder (collected substrate holder)
80 Separation part 81 Knife edge (separation guide body)
90 Under film collection unit (collection unit)
91 Holder (Recovery under film holder)
A Recording medium B Laminating material C Base material D Laminating layer Da Laminating part Db Non-laminating part D 'Adhesive layer D''Protective layer E Under film (material to be transferred)

Claims (2)

In a laminating apparatus for forming a laminating layer on the recording surface of a recording medium,
In a state in which the recording medium is interposed between a laminate material having a larger size than the recording medium and a laminate material on which the base material is releasably laminated and the transfer target, the laminating material is used as the recording medium and the recording medium. A pressure-bonding portion that is heat-bonded to the transfer target;
After thermocompression bonding, a peeling portion for peeling the base material from the laminate material,
A separation unit that separates the transferred unit that is in close contact with the recording medium after thermocompression bonding, and
Laminating apparatus characterized by separation of the peel and the the transfer means of the substrate is performed simultaneously. In a laminating method for forming a laminating layer on the recording surface of a recording medium,
In a state in which the recording medium is interposed between a laminate material having a larger size than the recording medium and a laminate material on which the base material is releasably laminated and the transfer target, the laminating material is used as the recording medium and the recording medium. A thermocompression bonding step for thermocompression bonding to the transfer means;
After the thermocompression bonding step, a peeling step for peeling the base material from the laminate material;
A separation step of separating the transferred unit that is in close contact with the recording medium after the thermocompression bonding step,
Laminating method wherein the peeling step and the separation step are performed simultaneously.

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