JP7765754B2 - Sheet peeling device, laminating device, image forming device, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a sheet peeling device that peels off the unjoined portion of a polymerized sheet made up of two overlapping sheets joined at a joint, a laminating device equipped with the same, an image forming device such as a copier, printer, facsimile, or a combination machine or printing machine, and an image forming system.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there has been known a sheet peeling device (laminating device) that peels off a polymerized sheet in which two sheets are superimposed and joined at a joint at one end side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In more detail, the laminating device (sheet peeling device) in Patent Document 1 separates (peels off) two sheets of a laminated sheet (polymerized sheet) joined at one end side, and inserts a protective paper (middle sheet) between them.

Conventional sheet peeling devices peel off the two sheets that make up the polymerized sheet, then feed the middle sheet and insert it between the two peeled sheets. This meant that it took a long time from feeding the polymerized sheet to finishing inserting the middle sheet, resulting in low productivity.

This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a highly productive sheet peeling device, laminating device, image forming device, and image forming system.

The sheet peeling device of the present invention is a sheet peeling device that peels off an unjoined portion of a polymerized sheet in which two sheets are superimposed and joined at one end as a joint portion, and includes a first feeding means that feeds the polymerized sheet, a second feeding means that feeds an intermediate sheet that is inserted between the two sheets of the polymerized sheet in a state in which the unjoined portion has been peeled off, a winding member that rotates in a predetermined rotation direction to wrap the polymerized sheet, a conveying means that conveys the polymerized sheet toward the winding member on a conveying path formed between the winding member and the polymerized sheet, and a conveying member that conveys the polymerized sheet from the leading end side in the conveying direction of the polymerized sheet by the winding member. a peeling member that is inserted into a gap formed between the two sheets between the wrapping member and the conveying means, with the polymerized sheet being clamped by the conveying means from the tip side upstream in the conveying direction, and a switching member that separately guides the two sheets peeled by the peeling member to two branched conveying paths that branch off in different directions, and controls so that feeding of the middle sheet is started by the second feeding means after the process of peeling the non-bonded portions of the polymerized sheet has started and before the process of peeling the non-bonded portions of the polymerized sheet has ended.

The present invention provides a highly productive sheet peeling device, laminating device, image forming device, and image forming system.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a sheet peeling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A is a side view showing a state in which the gripping member has moved to a gripping position, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a state in which the gripping member has moved to a retracted position. 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which the gripping member has moved to a gripping position, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which the gripping member has moved to a retracted position. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the sheet peeling device. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the sheet peeling device subsequent to FIG. 4; 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the sheet peeling device subsequent to FIG. 5; 7A to 7C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the sheet peeling device subsequent to FIG. 6; 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the sheet peeling device subsequent to FIG. 7; FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which a peeling claw is inserted into a polymeric sheet in the width direction. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the operation of the separation claw. 10 is a flowchart showing control performed in the sheet peeling device. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a moving mechanism of a peeling claw. 10 is a flowchart showing control performed in a sheet peeling device according to a first modified example. 10 is a flowchart showing control performed in the sheet peeling device according to a second modified example. 10 is a flowchart showing control performed in the sheet peeling device according to a third modified example. FIG. 10 is a structural diagram showing a sheet peeling device as a fourth modified example. 16 is a flowchart showing control performed in the sheet peeling device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a lamination processing device as a modified example 5. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a sixth modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system according to a seventh modification. 13A is a diagram showing a sheet peeling device and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a lamination processing device as a modified example 8. FIG.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that in each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

First, the overall configuration and operation of a sheet peeling device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The sheet peeling device 1 is a device for peeling off the non-jointed portion of a polymerized sheet PJ (see FIG. 10, etc.) in which two sheets P1 and P2 are superimposed and joined at one end side as a joint portion A.
In particular, in this embodiment, the polymerization sheet PJ is made by overlapping two sheets P1 and P2 and joining one of the four sides as a joint A. That is, the polymerization sheet PJ (two sheets P1 and P2) is connected by heat welding or the like at only one side (joint A), and the other parts are not joined. Furthermore, transparent film sheets (laminate sheets) can be used as the two sheets P1 and P2 that make up the polymerization sheet PJ.
Then, the sheet peeling device 1 peels off the two sheets P1 and P2 that make up the polymerized sheet PJ (separating the other end sides of the two sheets P1 and P2 on the opposite side of the joint A while maintaining the joint A), and inserts the middle sheet PM (at least one sheet of plain paper, a photograph, etc.) between the two peeled sheets P1 and P2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet peeling device 1 is provided with first and second feed trays 11 and 12, first and second feed rollers 2 and 3, first to third pairs of conveying rollers 4 to 6 as conveying means, a discharge tray 13 as sheet stacking means, first to fifth sensors 41 to 45, an abnormality detection sensor 46 as abnormality detection means, a winding roller 20, a moving mechanism 30, and a peeling claw 16 as a peeling member (see FIGS. 6, 10, etc.).
The sheet peeling device 1 is also formed with a plurality of conveying paths, such as a first conveying path K1, a second conveying path K2, a third conveying path K3, a first branched conveying path K4, and a second branched conveying path K5. Each of these conveying paths K1 to K5 is for guiding the conveyance of a sheet (such as a polymerized sheet PJ or an intermediate sheet PM), and is formed by two opposing conveying guide members (guide plates).
In particular, in this embodiment, the first transport path K1 is a reversing transport path that reverses the front and back of the polymerized sheet PJ fed from the first feed tray 11. The second transport path K2 is a linear transport path that does not reverse the front and back of the intermediate sheet PM fed from the second feed tray 12. The first transport path K1 and the second transport path K2 join at a confluence point and are connected to the third transport path K3, which is a linear transport path.

More specifically, the polymerized sheets PJ are stacked on the first feed tray 11. The uppermost polymerized sheet PJ on the first feed tray 11 is fed by the first feed roller 2 and then transported along the first transport path K1 by the first transport roller pair 4.
In this way, the first feed tray 11, the first feed roller 2, etc. function as a first feed unit that feeds the polymerized sheet PJ. The first feed unit drives the first feed roller 2 to rotate under the control of the control unit (control unit), thereby feeding the polymerized sheet PJ from the first feed tray 11.
Furthermore, the middle sheets PM are stacked on the second feeding tray 12. The uppermost middle sheet PM on the second feeding tray 12 is fed by the second feeding roller 3.
In this way, the second feed tray 12, the second feed roller 3, etc. function as a second feed means for feeding the middle sheet PM (a sheet inserted between the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ from which the non-jointed portions have been peeled off). The second feed means rotates the second feed roller 3 under the control of the control unit (control means), thereby feeding the middle sheet PM from the second feed tray 12.

In this embodiment, the sheet peeling device 1 controls the second feeding means 3, 12 to start feeding the middle sheet PM after the polymerized sheet PJ has been fed by the first feeding means 2, 11 and before the operation of peeling off the non-jointed portion of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed.
That is, in this embodiment, feeding of the polymerized sheet PJ and feeding of the intermediate sheet PM can be performed in a single operation, rather than by separate operations (operations of the operation display panel 49 by the user). Specifically, when the user presses a button on the operation display panel 49 once to start the processing operation, a peeling operation in which the polymerized sheet PJ is fed and an insertion operation in which the intermediate sheet PM is inserted between the peeled polymerized sheets PJ are automatically performed in a single operation based on that single command.
The operation of starting feeding the middle sheet PM from the second feed tray 12 is not performed after the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, but before the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed. Therefore, the time required for the series of steps from feeding the polymerized sheet PJ from the first feed tray 11 to completing the insertion of the middle sheet PM is efficiently shortened, improving the productivity of the device. In other words, the time from the start to the end of processing in the sheet peeling device 1 is shortened.

Here, the first to third conveying roller pairs 4 to 6 each comprise a drive roller and a driven roller, and convey a sheet sandwiched between them. The third conveying path K3 is provided, from upstream, with the second conveying roller pair 5, the winding roller 20, and the third conveying roller pair 6. In particular, the winding roller 20 and the third conveying roller pair 6 are rotatable forward and reverse, and the third conveying roller pair 6 is configured to be able to convey the sheet in both the forward direction (leftward in FIG. 1 ) and the reverse direction (rightward in FIG. 1 ). The third conveying roller pair 6 also functions as a discharge roller pair that discharges the sheet toward the discharge tray 13.
The first to fifth sensors 41 to 45 serving as sheet detection sensors are all reflective photosensors that optically detect whether a sheet is present at that position. The first sensor 41 is located near the downstream side of the first conveyor roller pair 4 in the conveying direction, the second sensor 42 is located near the downstream side of the second feed roller 3 in the conveying direction, the third sensor 43 is located near the downstream side of the second conveyor roller pair 5 in the conveying direction, the fourth sensor 44 is located near the downstream side of the winding roller 20 in the forward direction (to the left of the winding roller 20 in FIG. 1 ) and upstream of the third conveyor roller pair 6 in the forward direction (to the right of the third conveyor roller pair 6 in FIG. 1 ), and the fifth sensor 45 is located downstream of the third conveyor roller pair 6 in the forward direction (to the left of the third conveyor roller pair 6 in FIG. 1 ).

2, 3, 5B-5D, 6A, etc., the winding roller 20 is a roller member that rotates in a predetermined rotational direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5) at a winding start position W (see FIG. 5B) with the other end of the polymerization sheet PJ (the side opposite the side where joint A is formed, and the leading end in the conveying direction in which the sheet is conveyed to the right in FIG. 1) gripped by gripping members 32 (gripping portions) at gripped portion B, thereby winding the polymerization sheet PJ. The winding roller 20 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions about a rotation axis 20a by the drive of a drive motor controlled by a control unit.
Specifically, the polymerized sheet PJ is transported from the first feed tray 11 via the first transport path K1, and then transported forward along the third transport path K3 by the second transport roller pair 5. The polymerized sheet PJ passes the winding start position W of the winding roller 20 and is transported to the position of the third transport roller pair 6 (a position where the rear end of the polymerized sheet PJ passes the fourth sensor 44 and just before passing the third transport roller pair 6). The polymerized sheet PJ is then transported in the reverse direction by the reversed third transport roller pair 6 to the position of the winding roller 20 (winding start position W), where the other end (leading end) of the polymerized sheet PJ is gripped by the gripping member 32. The polymerized sheet PJ is then further transported with the other end (leading end) gripped, and is wound around the winding roller 20, which is rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 1 .

5(C') and other figures, as the polymerized sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20, the winding length of the first sheet P1 on the inner peripheral surface of the roller is shorter than the winding length of the second sheet P2 on the outer peripheral surface of the roller because the winding length is proportional to the roller diameter. Therefore, misalignment occurs in the areas where the first sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 are in close contact (adhered together) other than the joint A and the gripped portion B. This misalignment causes the first sheet P1 to bend (slacken) relative to the second sheet P2. As shown in Figures 5(D) and 6(A), a gap C (the gap C created by the upper first sheet P1 bending upward) is formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 on the side of the joint A of the polymerized sheet PJ (one end side, upstream in the conveying direction conveyed to the right in Figure 1). In this way, the two sheets P1 and P2 go from being tightly adhered to each other to being peeled (separated).
In particular, in this embodiment, in order to significantly form the gap C as described above (to increase the difference in the winding lengths of the sheets P1 and P2), the polymerized sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 at least once.
In this way, in this embodiment, by installing the winding roller 20 around which the polymerized sheet PJ is wound, it is possible to peel off the polymerized sheet PJ without the sheet peeling device 1 becoming too large or expensive.

5(B'), in this embodiment, the gripping members 32 are configured to grip the gripped portion B without contacting the end face of the other end of the polymerized sheet PJ (the side of the gripped portion B, which is the leading end in the conveying direction conveyed to the right in FIG. 1). In this way, the polymerized sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 from its other end (leading end) without the other end (leading end) of the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ moving relative to each other.
Specifically, the gripping member 32 is configured to pinch and grip the gripped portion B between itself and the receiving portion 20b of the winding roller 20, without bringing the other end surface of the polymerized sheet PJ into contact with any other member. The receiving portion 20b is formed on the outer periphery of the winding roller 20 so as to be exposed to the outside and be able to face the gripping member 32.
Specifically, the polymerized sheet PJ is not held between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b with the other end face (tip face) abutting against a specific member (for example, the gripping member 32 itself), but is held between the outer gripping member 32 and the inner receiving portion 20b without the other end face (tip face) abutting against any member.
Therefore, compared to when the leading edge is butted, the problem of damaging the polymerized sheet PJ (especially the leading edge portion) can be reduced. In particular, if the leading edge portion of the polymerized sheet P is damaged, it becomes difficult to laminate that portion, so the configuration of the present invention is useful.
In this embodiment, the polymerized sheet PJ wound around the winding roller 20 has a joint A formed on one end side opposite to the other end side that becomes the gripped portion B.

In this embodiment, at least one of the gripping member 32 (grip portion) and the receiving portion 20b is formed of an elastic material such as rubber.
This increases the gripping force on the polymerized sheet PJ and makes it less likely to scratch the surface of the polymerized sheet PJ compared to when both the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b are made of a rigid material such as a metal or resin material. This effect is particularly pronounced when both the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b are made of an elastic material.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the moving mechanism 30 moves the gripping member 32 between a gripping position (the position shown in Figures 2(A) and 3(A)) where it can grip the polymerized sheet PJ and a retracted position (the position shown in Figures 2(B) and 3(B)) where it is retracted from the gripping position.
Specifically, the moving mechanism 30 is composed of an arm member 31, a compression spring 33 as a biasing member, a cam 34, a motor (not shown) that rotates the cam 34 forward and backward, and the like.
The arm member 31 holds the gripping member 32 and is held by the winding roller 20 so as to be rotatable together with the gripping member 32 around the support shaft 31a. In this embodiment, the gripping member 32 is integrally formed (held) at the tip of the arm member 31. Alternatively, the gripping member 32 may be a separate member from the arm member 31, and the gripping member 32 may be installed (held) on the arm member 31. In either case, the arm member 31 holding the gripping member 32 rotates together with the winding roller 20 around the rotation shaft 20a.
The compression spring 33 functions as a biasing member that biases the arm member 31 so that the gripping member 32 moves from the retracted position shown in Fig. 2(B) to the gripping position shown in Fig. 2(A). Specifically, one end of the compression spring 33 is connected to a fixed position near the rotation shaft 20a, and the other end is connected to one end side of the arm member 31 (the side opposite to the side where the gripping member 32 is provided, across the support shaft 31a).
The cam 34 pushes the arm member 31 against the bias of the compression spring 33 (biasing member) so that the gripping member 32 moves from the gripping position shown in Fig. 2(A) to the retracted position shown in Fig. 2(B). The cam 34 is driven to rotate in forward and reverse directions at a desired rotation angle by a motor controlled by a control unit. The cam 34 is held by the device housing so as to be rotatable about a cam shaft 34a, independently of the winding roller 20.

2A and 3A, when the cam 34 is not in contact with the arm member 31, the arm member 31 is biased by the compression spring 33, and the gripping member 32 is in pressure contact with the receiving portion 20b (closed state). In this closed state, the polymerized sheet PJ can be gripped.
2B and 3B, when the cam 34 presses the arm member 31, the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2B around the support shaft 31a against the bias of the compression spring 33, and the gripping member 32 enters a state (open state) in which it is separated from the receiving portion 20b. In this open state, the polymerized sheet PJ cannot be gripped (gripped state).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the roller portion of the winding roller 20 is divided into multiple parts (seven parts) in the axial direction, and the cam 34 is also divided into multiple parts in the axial direction to match the division positions.
In this way, by dividing the position at which the polymerized sheet PJ is gripped in the axial direction rather than over the entire axial area, it is possible to distribute the load required to grip the polymerized sheet PJ. This configuration is useful when the required gripping force is large.

1, 4D, 5A, etc., the sheet peeling device 1 in this embodiment is provided with a fourth sensor 44 (sheet detection sensor) that detects the polymerized sheet PJ being transported between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6. The movement mechanism 30 is controlled based on the detection result of the fourth sensor 44 that detects the leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ being transported by the third transport roller pair 6 toward the winding roller 20.
More specifically, the fourth sensor 44 is disposed on the transport path between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6. As shown in FIGS. 4D and 5A , when the polymerized sheet PJ is transported in the reverse direction toward the winding roller 20 by the third transport roller pair 6, with the gripped portion B at the front, the fourth sensor 44 detects the leading edge (the leading edge during reverse transport). The timing of this detection triggers adjustment and control of the timing at which the polymerized sheet PJ is stopped at the gripping position and the timing at which the gripping portion B is gripped by the gripping member 32. Specifically, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the fourth sensor 44 detected the leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ, the reverse transport of the polymerized sheet PJ by the third transport roller pair 6 is stopped, and the cam 34 is rotated to rotate the arm member 31 (movement mechanism 30) so that the gripping member 32 moves from the retracted position shown in FIG. 2B to the gripping position shown in FIG. 2A.
By performing such control, the other end (tip side) of the polymerized sheet PJ can be precisely clamped between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b without the end face of the polymerized sheet PJ hitting any member.

Here, as explained above, the third conveying roller pair 6 is a pair of conveying rollers that convey the polymerized sheet with the other end (the side of the gripped portion B) leading toward the winding roller 20 (winding start position W) on the third conveying path K3 (conveying path) formed between them and the winding roller 20.

6(A) to (C), 9, 10(A) to (E), 12, etc., the peeling claw 16 as a peeling member is a claw-shaped member that moves from a standby position shown in FIG. 10(A) and is inserted into a gap C formed between two sheets P1 and P2 at a predetermined position with respect to the polymerized sheet PJ.
More specifically, the peeling claw 16 is inserted from a standby position at the widthwise end into the gap C formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 between the winding roller 20 and the third conveying roller pair 6, with the polymerized sheet PJ being wrapped around from the other end side (the side of the gripped portion B) by the winding roller 20 and having one end side (the side of the joint A) clamped by the third conveying roller pair 6 (conveying roller pair).

More specifically, in this embodiment, the peeling claws 16 are a pair of peeling claws arranged at both ends in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 6 , and the left-right direction in FIGS. 9 and 12 ). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10 , the peeling claws 16 are formed so that their vertical length (the thickness direction of the polymerized sheet PJ) gradually increases from their leading ends at the center of the width direction to their trailing ends on the outer sides of the width direction. Furthermore, the peeling claws 16 are configured to be movable in the width direction by a moving mechanism 76 (see FIG. 12 ) controlled by the control unit.
The peeling claw 16 configured in this manner normally waits at a standby position (a position on the outer side in the width direction of the sheets P, as shown in FIG. 10A) where it does not interfere with the transport of sheets such as the polymerized sheet PJ in the third transport path K3. When separating the polymerized sheet PJ (two sheets P1, P2), the peeling claw 16 enters the gap C in the polymerized sheet PJ to secure the gap C, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10B.

12, a moving mechanism 76 that moves each of the pair of peeling claws 16 in the width direction is composed of a motor 77, a gear pulley 78, a pulley 79, a timing belt 80, etc. The gear pulley 78 is formed in a stepped configuration, with a gear that meshes with a motor gear mounted on the motor shaft of the motor 77 and a pulley that, together with the pulley 79, stretches and supports the timing belt 80. Of the pair of peeling claws 16, the fixed portion 16a of one peeling claw 16 is fixed to a portion of one belt surface of the timing belt 80 (the upper belt surface in FIG. 12), and the fixed portion 16a of the other peeling claw 16 is fixed to a portion of the other belt surface of the timing belt 80 (the lower belt surface in FIG. 12).
When the motor shaft of the motor 77 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12 (clockwise) by the moving mechanism 76 configured in this manner, the gear pulley 78 is rotated counterclockwise, the timing belt 80 is rotated counterclockwise, and the pair of peeling claws 16 moves from the outer side in the width direction toward the center in the width direction (movement of the pair of peeling claws 16 toward each other). On the other hand, when the motor shaft of the motor 77 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction to the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12, the pair of peeling claws 16 moves from the center in the width direction toward the outer side in the width direction (movement of the pair of peeling claws 16 away from each other).

This peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C with respect to the polymerized sheet PJ and moves relatively from one end side (the side of the joint A) to the other end side B (the side of the gripped portion B), and then moves in the width direction between the two sheets P1 and P2 at the end of the other end side of the polymerized sheet PJ.
Specifically, under control of the moving mechanism 76 (see FIG. 12) by the control unit, the pair of peeling claws 16 are inserted into both widthwise ends of the gap C with respect to the polymerized sheet PJ, and move relatively toward the other end until the end on the other end passes 16a, as shown in FIG. 10(B) and (C), and then move from both widthwise ends to the widthwise center between the two sheets P1 and P2 at the other end of the polymerized sheet PJ, as shown in FIG. 10(D). To enable such operation of the pair of peeling claws 16, the moving mechanism 76 is configured to allow the pair of peeling claws 16 to move from a standby position to a position close to each other.

The mechanism for peeling the polymerized sheet PJ by winding the polymerized sheet PJ with the winding roller 20 and inserting the peeling claws 16 can be made smaller than a mechanism for peeling the polymerized sheet PJ using a large-scale device such as a vacuum. In other words, the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymerized sheet PJ can be satisfactorily peeled off without increasing the size of the sheet peeling device 1.
In particular, in this embodiment, the peeling claw 16 moves across almost the entire width of the other widthwise end of the polymerized sheet PJ (the trailing end in the forward direction), so that the edges of the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymerized sheet PJ on the opposite side of the joint A can be sufficiently peeled (separated). This reduces the likelihood of problems such as the middle sheet PM (see FIG. 10E ) being unable to be inserted from the other end of the polymerized sheet PJ due to the edges on the opposite side of the joint A not being sufficiently peeled. Furthermore, the peeling claw 16's function as a switching member (the function of separately guiding the two sheets P1 and P2 to the two branch conveying paths K4 and K5), which will be described next, is more easily fulfilled.

Here, in this embodiment, the peeling claw 16 as a peeling member also functions as a switching member that separately guides the two sheets P1 and P2 peeled by the peeling claw 16 to two branched conveying paths K4 and K5 that branch off in different directions.
7C and other figures, the two branched conveying paths K4 and K5 branch off in different directions across the third conveying path K3 between the peeling claw 16 (peeling member) and the winding roller 20. Specifically, the first branched conveying path K4 is formed so as to branch off upward from the third conveying path K3, and the second branched conveying path K5 is formed so as to branch off downward from the third conveying path K3.
7A to 7C, after the peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C, the third conveying roller pair 6 conveys the polymerized sheet PJ toward one end (the left side in FIG. 7) so that the other end of the polymerized sheet PJ is released from the winding roller 20 (see FIGS. 10A to 10C). Then, as shown in FIG. 10D, the peeling claw 16 is moved to the center in the width direction, and then, while maintaining this state, the third conveying roller pair 6 conveys the polymerized sheet PJ again toward the other end (the right side in FIG. 7). The two sheets P1 and P2 peeled by the peeling claw 16 are guided separately to the two branched conveying paths K4 and K5 by the peeling claw 16. That is, the first sheet P1 is guided to the first branched conveying path K4, and the second sheet P2 is guided to the second branched conveying path K5. Then, as shown in Figures 8(A) to (C) and 10(E), the peeling claw 16 is moved to a standby position, and the middle sheet PM is transported toward one end of the third transport path K3 so that the middle sheet PM is inserted between the two peeled sheets P1 and P2.

In this manner, the peeling claw 16 in this embodiment functions as a peeling member that peels (separates) the non-jointed portions of the two sheets P1 and P2 that make up the polymerized sheet PJ, and also functions as a switching member that guides the two peeled sheets P1 and P2 separately to the two branched conveying paths K4 and K5. Therefore, the sheet peeling device 1 can be made smaller and less expensive than when a peeling member and a switching member are provided separately. In other words, the two sheets P1 and P2 that make up the polymerized sheet JP can be efficiently and effectively peeled off.
In this embodiment, the peeling claw 16 is configured to function as both a peeling member and a switching member, but it is also possible to install a member that functions as a switching member separately from the peeling claw 16 that functions as a peeling member.

Here, referring to Figures 6 (A), (C), etc., the first guide member 25 functions as a limiting member that limits the amount of slack (deflection) of the first sheet P1 of the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ, which is wound on the inside of the winding roller 20, between the peeling claw 16 and the winding roller 20 in the third conveying path K3.
Specifically, the first guide member 25, which serves as a restricting member, is a transport guide member arranged on the side of the third transport path where the winding roller 20 is located (above the imaginary plane S1) with respect to an imaginary plane S1 (a virtual plane passing through the winding start position W of the winding roller 20 and the nip of the third transport roller pair 6; see FIG. 6A ). The first guide member 25 is formed in a generally triangular prism shape so as to cover part of the outer periphery of the winding roller 20 at a predetermined interval along the outer periphery, and also functions as a transport guide member for the third transport path K3 and the first branch transport path K4. That is, the first guide member 25 guides the sheet transported on the third transport path K3, the sheet transported on the first branch transport path K4, and the sheet wrapped around the winding roller 20.
In particular, in the third transport path K3, the upward bending of the polymerized sheet PJ (particularly, the upward bending of the first sheet P1) between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6 is limited by the first guide member 25, so that a gap C of the polymerized sheet PJ (particularly, the upward bending of the first sheet P1) is formed in a concentrated manner between the first guide member 25 and the third transport roller pair 6. Therefore, the size of the gap C can be increased without increasing the amount of the polymerized sheet PJ wound around the winding roller 20, and the peeling claw 16 can be inserted into the gap C to peel the polymerized sheet PJ without any problems.

Also, referring to Figures 6 (A), (C), etc., the second guide member 26 functions as a guide member that guides the second sheet P2 of the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ, which is wrapped around the outside of the winding roller 20, between the peeling claw 16 and the winding roller 20 in the third transport path K3.
More specifically, the second guide member 26 as a guide member is a transport guide member arranged on the side of the third transport path K3 where the winding roller 20 is not arranged with respect to the imaginary plane S1 (see FIG. 6A ) (below the imaginary plane S1). The second guide member 26 is arranged to face the underside of the sheet from the upstream side of the second transport roller pair 5 to the downstream side of the third transport roller pair 6. That is, the second guide member 26 guides the sheet transported along the third transport path K3.
In particular, in the third transport path K3, the distance between the first guide member 25 and the second guide member 26 between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6 is set to a value that allows a sheet of the maximum sheet thickness to be transported, and the distance between sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ between the first guide member 25 and the second guide member 26 is restricted so as not to become too large, so that a gap C (particularly, an upward deflection of the first sheet P1) in the polymerized sheet PJ is formed in a concentrated manner. Therefore, the peeling claw 16 can be inserted into the gap C to peel the polymerized sheet PJ without any problems.

6 and other figures, the abnormality detection sensor 46 functions as an abnormality detection means that detects an abnormal state in which a gap C exceeding a predetermined distance is not formed between the two sheets P1, P2 at a predetermined position (between the third conveying roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20) before the peeling claw 16 moves from the standby position (movement from the standby position shown in FIG. 12 to the peeling position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10A). In other words, the abnormality detection sensor 46 as an abnormality detection means detects an abnormal state in which a gap C exceeding a predetermined distance is not formed between the two sheets P1, P2 at a predetermined position before the peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C.
In other words, the abnormality detection sensor 46 as an abnormality detection means detects, as an abnormal state, a state in which no gap C is formed at all or a state in which a gap C of sufficient size is not formed at the timing when a gap C should be formed between two sheets P1 and P2, as shown in Figures 5 (D) and 6 (A).
In this embodiment, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection sensor 46 (abnormality detection means), a notification is issued to indicate that an abnormality has occurred. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , an operation display panel 49 (operation display unit) is provided on the exterior of the sheet peeling device 1 to display various information about the sheet peeling device 1 and to input various commands. When the abnormality detection sensor 46 detects that a sufficient gap C is not formed in the polymerized sheet PJ, a message indicating that an abnormality has been detected is displayed on the operation display panel 49. Such a message may be, for example, "An abnormality has occurred, so the process of inserting the middle sheet will be stopped. Please check the orientation of the polymerized sheet in the first feed tray. If the orientation is correct and the same abnormality persists, please contact a service technician."
Such an abnormality detection sensor 46 (abnormality detection means) can be a lever-type sensor that comes into contact with the polymer sheet PJ (the upper first sheet P1) in which a gap C exceeding a predetermined distance has been formed.

The operation of peeling the superimposed sheet PJ in the sheet peeling device 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.
In addition, in the description of the operation, the operation of the peeling claw 16 will be described appropriately using FIGS. 9 and 10, and the control flow will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

First, the polymerized sheet PJ is fed from the first feed tray 11 by the first feed roller 2 and the first conveying roller pair 4 (FIG. 11: step S1), and then, as shown in FIG. 4(A), in the third conveying path K3, the polymerized sheet PJ is conveyed in the forward direction (from right to left in FIG. 4) by the second conveying roller pair 5, with the joint A at the front.
At this time, the movement mechanism 30 is controlled so that the gripping member 32 is located at the gripping position. That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotation position where it does not press the arm member 31. When the gripping member 32 is located at the gripping position in this manner, the gripping member 32 does not interfere with the conveyance of the sheet in the third conveying path K3. In addition, the peeling claw 16 is on standby at a standby position (the position in FIG. 10A ) where it does not interfere with the conveyance of the sheet in the third conveying path K3.
Then, as shown in Figure 4 (B), the timing when the joint A (the leading end side in the forward direction, one end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ is detected by the third sensor 43 is used as a trigger to transport the polymerized sheet PJ a predetermined amount X1 by the third transport roller pair 6 until the gripped portion B (the trailing end side in the forward direction, the other end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ passes the position of the winding roller 20 (Figure 11: steps S2 and S3).
4C, in this state, the conveyance of the polymerized sheet PJ by the third conveyor roller pair 6 is temporarily stopped, and the gripping member 32 is moved from the gripping position to the retracted position (FIG. 11: step S4). That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotation position where it presses the arm member 31. In this state, the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ can be received between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b.
4D, the third conveying roller pair 6 is rotated in the reverse direction to start conveying the polymerized sheet PJ in the reverse direction (FIG. 11: step S5). At this time, the fourth sensor 44 detects the gripped portion B (the leading edge in the reverse direction, the other end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ.

Then, as shown in Figure 5 (A), the timing when the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ is detected by the fourth sensor 44 is used as a trigger, and the third conveying roller pair 6 conveys the polymerized sheet PJ a predetermined amount X2 until the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ reaches the position of the winding roller 20 (winding start position W), and then stops (Figure 11: steps S6 and S7).
Then, as shown in Fig. 5(B), in this state, the gripping member 32 is moved from the retracted position to the gripping position (Fig. 11: step S8). That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotation position where it does not press the arm member 31. In this state, as shown in Fig. 5(B'), the other end face of the polymerized sheet PJ does not abut against any member, and the gripped portion B is gripped between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b.
Then, as shown in Figure 5(C), with the polymerized sheet PJ being gripped by the gripping member 32, the winding roller 20 is rotated in the reverse direction (counterclockwise), and the third conveyor roller pair 6 is rotated again in the reverse direction. At this time, as the rotation of the winding roller 20 continues, a gap C is formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ between the winding roller 20 and the third conveyor roller pair 6, as shown in Figure 5(D). At this time, the deflection of the polymerized sheet PJ is limited by the first and second guide members 25 and 26 near the winding roller 20. Therefore, the gap C in the polymerized sheet PJ is formed in a concentrated manner near the third conveyor roller pair 6.

In this way, the fourth sensor 44, which is arranged downstream in the opposite direction from the third conveying roller pair 6, detects the leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ in the opposite direction, and that timing is used as a trigger to determine the timing for gripping the polymerized sheet PJ with the gripping member 32.Therefore, regardless of variations in sheet length relative to the required sheet conveyance amount X2 (this is an error that exists even for sheets of the same size), the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ can be transported with high precision to the desired gripping position.
In addition, since the fourth sensor 44 detects the leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ in the reverse direction, the required sheet transport amount X2 can be shortened regardless of the sheet length, thereby suppressing variation in the transport amount X2 and enabling the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ to be transported to the desired gripping position with high accuracy.
For this reason, it is preferable that the fourth sensor 44 be disposed in a position close to the winding roller 20 .

Also, previously, using Figure 5 (C'), the mechanism by which a gap C is generated in the polymerized sheet PJ between the winding roller 20 and the third conveying roller pair 6 by winding the polymerized sheet PJ around the winding roller 20 was explained.
The mechanism will be further explained below.
The polymerized sheet PJ being wound around the winding roller 20 is gripped by the gripping member 32, preventing sheet misalignment, causing slippage of the polymerized sheet PJ by a difference in circumferential length on the winding roller 20, and the conveyance amount of the inner sheet P1 is less than the conveyance amount of the outer sheet P2. As a result, sagging (loosening) occurs in the inner sheet P1 between the nip between the third conveying roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20. In this case, by winding the polymerized sheet PJ around the winding roller 20 one or more times, a difference in circumferential length occurs between the inner and outer peripheries by the thickness of the sheet, and similar sagging (loosening) occurs.
Specifically, if the thickness of the inner sheet P1 is ΔR and the distance from the rotation axis 20a (axis center) of the winding roller 20 to the inner sheet P1 is R, then the distance from the rotation axis 20a (axis center) of the winding roller 20 to the outer sheet P2 is R + ΔR. Because the radius differs by the thickness ΔR of the inner sheet P1, when the polymerization sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 once, a difference in circumferential length of 2×ΔR×π occurs between the inner sheet P1 and the outer sheet P2. Therefore, if the polymerization sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 M times, slack will occur in the inner sheet P1 by 2×ΔR×π×M.
Finally, deflection (slack) accumulates between the third conveying roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20, forming a gap C between the two sheets P1 and P2 equivalent to 2×ΔR×π×M.

6A, after the winding of the polymerized sheet PJ by the winding roller 20 has started, when the amount of transport by the third transport roller pair 6 reaches a predetermined amount X3, the transport by the third transport roller pair 6 is stopped and the winding of the polymerized sheet PJ by the winding roller 20 is also stopped (FIG. 11: step S9). In this state, the polymerized sheet PJ has been wound around the winding roller 20 one or more times, and normally, the gap C of the polymerized sheet PJ (the distance between sheets P1 and P2) is sufficiently widened.
At this time, it is determined whether the abnormality detection sensor 46 detects that a gap C of a predetermined distance F or more has been formed in the polymerized sheet PJ (FIG. 11: step S29).
If it is determined that a sufficient gap C equal to or larger than the predetermined gap F has been formed, it is assumed that subsequent peeling by the peeling claws 16 will not cause any problems, and the peeling claws 16 are inserted into the gap C in the sufficiently spread polymerized sheet PJ as shown in Fig. 6(B) (Fig. 11: step S10). That is, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10(A), the pair of peeling claws 16 are each moved from the standby position to the peeling position.
Then, as shown in Fig. 6C, with the peeling claw 16 inserted into the gap C, the third conveyor roller pair 6 starts rotating in the forward direction, and the winding roller 20 starts rotating in the forward (clockwise) direction (Fig. 11: step S11). That is, as shown in Figs. 10A to 10C, the peeling claw 16 inserted into the gap C moves relative to the polymerized sheet PJ from one end side A to the other end side B. Note that in this embodiment, this relative movement is achieved by the polymerized sheet PJ itself moving in the direction of the arrows shown in Figs. 10A to 10C, without changing the position of the peeling claw 16 in the conveyance direction.

7A, after the third conveyor roller pair 6 has conveyed the polymerized sheet PJ a predetermined distance X4 by forward rotation, the forward rotation of the third conveyor roller pair 6 and the forward rotation of the winding roller 20 are both stopped (FIG. 11: step S12). At this time, the gripped portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ is positioned on the third conveyor path K3 (the winding start position W shown in FIG. 5B) (it is in a state where it can be released from gripping). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10C, the peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C with respect to the polymerized sheet PJ and moves relatively toward the other end B before stopping at the other end.
Then, in this state, the gripping members 32 are moved from the gripping position to the retracted position ( FIG. 11 : step S13). That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotation position where it does not press the arm member 31. In this state, the gripping of the polymerized sheet PJ by the gripping members 32 is released. Note that in this embodiment, the cam 34 (moving mechanism 30) is moved to release the gripping of the polymerized sheet PJ by the gripping members 32. However, if the pulling force caused by the conveyance of the third conveying roller pair 6 is greater than the gripping force of the gripping members 32, the gripping of the polymerized sheet PJ by the gripping members 32 can also be released by the pulling force caused by the conveyance of the third conveying roller pair 6 without moving the cam 34 (moving mechanism 30).
Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the third conveying roller pair 6 is rotated forward again to start conveying the polymerized sheet PJ in the forward direction (FIG. 11: step S14). After the gripped portion B (the trailing end in the forward direction, one end) of the polymerized sheet PJ passes through the branch point between the third conveying path K3 and the branch conveying paths K4 and K5, the gripping member 32 is moved from the retracted position to the gripping position. At this time, the fourth sensor 44 detects the gripped portion B (the trailing end in the forward direction, the other end) of the polymerized sheet PJ. The timing at which the trailing end of the polymerized sheet PJ in the forward direction is detected by the fourth sensor 44 triggers the third conveying roller pair 6 to convey the polymerized sheet PJ a predetermined distance X5 and stop, after which the peeling claw 16 is moved in the width direction as shown in FIG. 10D (FIG. 11: steps S15 and S31). As a result, as shown in Fig. 7B, the trailing ends of the two sheets P1 and P2 in the superimposed sheet PJ in the forward direction are separated widely and opened (see Fig. 10D). At this time, the peeling operation of the superimposed sheet PJ begins.
Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the third conveying roller pair 6 is rotated in the reverse direction to start conveying the polymerized sheet PJ in the reverse direction (FIG. 11: step S16). At this time, the peeling claw 16 is located at a switching position (the position shown in FIG. 10D) that blocks the entry of the polymerized sheet PJ into the third conveying path K3, so the two peeled sheets P1 and P2 are guided to the two branched conveying paths K4 and K5, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7C. At this time, the fifth sensor 45 (see FIG. 1) detects the joint A (reverse rear end, one end side) of the polymerized sheet PJ. Then, the timing at which the fifth sensor 45 (see FIG. 1) detects the reverse rear end of the polymerized sheet PJ triggers the second feed roller 3 to start feeding the intermediate sheet PM from the second feed tray 12 (FIG. 11: steps S17 and S18).

8A, the timing at which the trailing edge of the polymerized sheet PJ in the reverse direction is detected by the fifth sensor 45 (see FIG. 1) triggers the third conveyor roller pair 6 to convey the polymerized sheet PJ a predetermined distance X6 and then stop (FIG. 11: step S19). At this time, the joint A of the polymerized sheet PJ is located at the nip of the third conveyor roller pair 6 or slightly to the left of the nip. In other words, one end of the polymerized sheet PJ is sandwiched between the third conveyor roller pair 6. This is the state in which the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed.
Furthermore, before the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, the middle sheet PM has already started to be fed from the second feed tray 12. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8A, when the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, the leading edge (leading edge in the forward direction, one end side) of the middle sheet PM is close to the insertion position between the polymerized sheets PJ.
Meanwhile, the leading edge (leading edge in the forward direction, one end side) of the middle sheet PM is detected by the third sensor 43. Then, the timing of this detection is used as a trigger to move the peeling claw 16 to the standby position at a timing that does not interfere with the middle sheet PM, as shown in FIG.
8C and 10E, the timing at which the leading edge of the middle sheet PM in the forward direction is detected by the third sensor 43 is used as a trigger to transport the middle sheet PM by a predetermined amount X7 by the second transport roller pair 5, and then transport of the superimposed sheet PJ in the forward direction by the third transport roller pair 6 is resumed (FIG. 11: steps S20 and S21). At this time, the middle sheet PM is sandwiched accurately at the desired position between the two sheets P1 and P2.
This completes the process of inserting the middle sheet PM between the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ (insertion operation). Then, the polymerized sheet PJ with the middle sheet PM inserted therein is discharged and placed on the discharge tray 13 (see FIG. 1) by forward conveyance by the third conveying roller pair 6.
In this way, in this embodiment, the second feeding means 3, 12 is controlled to start feeding the middle sheet PM after the polymer sheet PJ has been fed by the first feeding means 2, 11 and before the operation of peeling off the non-jointed portion of the polymer sheet PJ is completed, thereby shortening the time from when processing in the sheet peeling device 1 begins to when it ends.

On the other hand, if the anomaly detection sensor 46 determines in step S29 of FIG. 11 that an abnormality has been detected, i.e., if a sufficient gap C of at least the predetermined gap F has not been formed in the polymerized sheet PJ, various problems will arise if the peeling claw 16 performs the peeling operation thereafter, and the peeling claw 16 is not moved from the standby position to the peeling position. At this time, the operation display panel 49 (see FIG. 1) displays a message that the peeling operation and the insertion of the intermediate sheet PM have been stopped due to the occurrence of an abnormality (FIG. 11: step S30).

<Modification 1>
As shown in Figure 13, in the sheet peeling device 1 of variant example 1, the second feeding means 3, 12 is controlled to start feeding the middle sheet PM after the polymerized sheet PJ has been fed by the first feeding means 2, 11 and before the operation of peeling off the non-jointed portion of the polymerized sheet JP is completed.
Here, in the first modification, control is performed so that feeding of the intermediate sheet PM starts after the winding of the polymerized sheet PJ by the winding roller 20 has started.
13, feeding of the polymerized sheet PJ is started, and then the winding roller 20 starts winding the polymerized sheet PJ (steps S1 and S40). The operations up to this point are the same as steps S1 to S8 in FIG.
13, the wrapping operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is started (step S41), and the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is performed (step S42). However, before the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, the feeding of the intermediate sheet PM is started (step S43). Then, the insertion operation of the intermediate sheet PM is performed (step S44), and the polymerized sheet PJ with the intermediate sheet PM inserted is discharged and placed on the discharge tray 13 (step S45).

<Modification 2>
In the sheet peeling device 1 in the second modified example, the second feeding means 3, 12 is controlled so as to start feeding the middle sheet PM after a time Tx preset for each size of the polymer sheet PJ in the feeding direction (conveying direction) has elapsed since the first feeding means 2, 11 started feeding the polymer sheet PJ.
Specifically, the time required from the start of feeding the polymerized sheet PM to the end of the peeling operation is approximately constant if the size (length) in the feeding direction is the same, so it is possible to start feeding the middle sheet PM before the end of the peeling operation based on the time from the start of feeding the polymerized sheet PM, thereby shortening the time from the start of processing to the end of processing in the sheet peeling device 1. However, when the size of the polymerized sheet PJ in the feeding direction is large, the time required from the start of feeding the polymerized sheet PM to the end of the peeling operation is longer than when the size is small. Therefore, in Modification 2, when the size of the polymerized sheet PJ in the feeding direction is large, the timing to start feeding the middle sheet PM is delayed compared to when the size is small.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 , when feeding of the polymerized sheet PJ is started (step S1), measurement of the processing time T is started (step S50). Then, the wrapping operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is started (step S41), and the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is started (step S42). It is then determined whether the processing time T measured in step S50 has reached the set time Tx for each size (step S51). When the processing time T has reached the set time Tx, feeding of the middle sheet PM is started (step S43). The middle sheet PM is then inserted (step S44), and the polymerized sheet PJ with the middle sheet PM inserted is discharged and placed on the discharge tray 13 (step S45).
Even when such control is performed, the productivity of the sheet peeling device 1 can be increased.

<Modification 3>
The sheet peeling device 1 in the third modification also has a fifth sensor 45 (see FIG. 1 ) installed as sheet detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the polymerized sheet PJ at a predetermined position (near the nip on the downstream side in the forward direction of the third conveying roller pair 6). Also in the third modification, control is performed so that the second feeding means 3, 12 starts feeding the middle sheet PM based on the detection result of the fifth sensor 45.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, first, feeding of the polymer sheet PJ is started (step S1), then the winding operation of the polymer sheet PJ is started (step S41), and the peeling operation of the polymer sheet PJ is started (step S42).
Then, it is determined whether one end side (joint portion A) of the polymerized sheet PJ has been detected by the fifth sensor 45 (step S54). Specifically, the timing when one end side (joint portion A) of the polymerized sheet PJ passes the position of the fifth sensor 45 is optically detected.
When one end (joint A) of the polymerized sheet PJ is detected, feeding of the middle sheet PM is started (step S43). Then, the middle sheet PM is inserted (step S44), and the polymerized sheet PJ with the middle sheet PM inserted is discharged and placed on the discharge tray 13 (step S45).
In the third variant, feeding of the middle sheet PM is started based on the detection result of the fifth sensor 45, but feeding of the middle sheet PM may also be started based on the detection result of other sheet detection means (for example, the fourth sensor 44, etc.).
Even when such control is performed, the productivity of the sheet peeling device 1 can be improved.

<Modification 4>
As shown in Figure 16, in the sheet peeling device 1 of variant example 4, seventh and eighth sensors 47 and 48 are installed on the branch conveying paths K4 and K5, respectively, as peeling detection means for detecting whether the non-jointed portion of the polymerized sheet JP has been peeled normally.
Specifically, the seventh sensor 47 is installed on the first branched conveying path K4 and optically detects whether one of the peeled sheets P1 has reached its position. The eighth sensor 48 is installed on the second branched conveying path K5 and optically detects whether the other of the peeled sheets P2 has reached its position. Therefore, if either of the seventh or eighth sensor 47, 48 does not detect a sheet after a certain period of time has elapsed since the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ began, it can be determined that the polymerized sheet PJ was not peeled properly. In the fourth modification, if such an abnormality is detected, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation display panel 49. The seventh and eighth sensors 47, 48 are installed at positions sufficiently upstream (toward the joint A) of the leading edges (leading edges on the other ends) of the sheets P1, P2 when the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, so that the seventh and eighth sensors 47, 48 can detect the sheets P1, P2 before the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed.
In the fourth modification, control is performed so that the second feeding means 3, 12 starts feeding the intermediate sheet PM based on the detection results of the seventh and eighth sensors 47, 48 (peeling detection means).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, first, feeding of the polymer sheet PJ is started (step S1), then the winding operation of the polymer sheet PJ is started (step S41), and the peeling operation of the polymer sheet PJ is started (step S42).
The seventh and eighth sensors 47, 48 then determine whether the superimposed sheet PJ has been properly peeled off (step S56). When it is determined that the superimposed sheet PJ has been properly peeled off, feeding of the middle sheet PM begins (step S43). An insertion operation for the middle sheet PM is then performed (step S44), and the superimposed sheet PJ with the middle sheet PM inserted is discharged and placed on the discharge tray 13 (step S45).
Even when such control is performed, the productivity of the sheet peeling device 1 can be increased.
In particular, in variant example 4, feeding of the middle sheet PM is started only after it is confirmed that the polymer sheet PJ has been peeled off normally, thereby preventing the middle sheet PM from being wasted if it is fed without the polymer sheet PJ being peeled off normally.

<Modification 5>
As shown in FIG. 18, a laminating apparatus 50 as the fifth modification includes the sheet peeling apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
The laminating device 50 is provided with a laminating processing section 51 downstream (downstream in the forward direction) of the third conveying roller pair 6 of the sheet peeling device 1, which performs laminating processing on a polymerized sheet PJ (processed normally) in which an intermediate sheet PM is inserted between two sheets P1 and P2 peeled by the sheet peeling device 1.
The laminating unit 51 is provided with a plurality of pairs of heat and pressure rollers that apply heat and pressure to the polymerized sheet PJ while transporting the polymerized sheet PJ with the intermediate sheet PM inserted in the forward direction. A fourth transport path K6 is provided between the third transport roller pair 6 and the laminating unit 51.
4 to 8, the polymerized sheet PJ (with the middle sheet PM inserted after peeling) passes through the fourth transport path K6 and is transported to the laminating unit 51. The polymerized sheet PJ that has passed through the laminating unit 51 is then bonded over its entire area with the middle sheet PM inserted inside. The polymerized sheet PJ that has been subjected to this lamination process is then discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13.
In this way, the laminating device 50 in variant example 5 performs a series of operations: feeding the sheets PJ and PM; peeling off the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ; inserting the middle sheet PM between the two peeled sheets P1 and P2; and laminating the polymerized sheet PJ with the middle sheet PM inserted, thereby improving user convenience.
The laminating device 50 is provided with an operation display panel 49. When it is determined that an abnormality has been detected by the abnormality detection sensor 46, a message is displayed on the operation display panel 49 indicating that the peeling operation or the insertion operation of the middle sheet PM has been stopped due to the occurrence of the abnormality.
In addition, when lamination processing is not required, the fourth conveying path K6 may be branched off between the lamination processing section 51 of the fourth conveying path K6 and the fifth sensor 45, and may be configured to merge with the fourth conveying path K6 between the lamination processing section 51 of the fourth conveying path K6 and the pair of discharge rollers 7, thereby bypassing the lamination processing section 51 and discharging the paper to the discharge tray 13.

<Modification 6>
As shown in FIG. 19, an image forming apparatus 100 as the sixth modified example has the laminating device 50 shown in FIG.
19, in image forming apparatus 100, first, document D is transported (fed) from the document table in the direction of the arrow in the figure by transport rollers of document transport device 110, and passes over document reading device 102. At this time, document reading device 102 optically reads image information of document D passing above.
The optical image information read by the document reading device 102 is converted into an electrical signal and then transmitted to the writing device 103. Then, the writing device 103 emits laser light based on the image information of the electrical signal onto the photosensitive drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K for each color, thereby carrying out an exposure process.
Then, a charging process, an exposure process, and a development process are performed on the photosensitive drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K of the image forming units 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K, respectively, to form desired images on the photosensitive drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K, respectively.
Thereafter, the images formed on the photosensitive drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K are transferred as a color image onto the intermediate transfer belt 178 in a superimposed state. Furthermore, the color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 178 is transferred, at a position facing the secondary transfer roller 189, onto the sheet P (which will become the middle sheet PM) that is fed and conveyed by the feed roller 197 from the feed device 112 as the second feeding means.
Thereafter, the sheet P (middle sheet PM) onto which the color image has been transferred is conveyed to the position of the fixing device 120. Then, the color image transferred onto the front surface of the sheet P is fixed onto the sheet P.
Thereafter, the sheet P is discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100 by the pair of discharge rollers 131 and fed as the middle sheet PM into the laminating device 50. At this time, the laminating device 50 has already completed the process described above with reference to Figures 4 to 7 (the process of peeling off the polymerized sheet PJ), and after the middle sheet PM is inserted into the laminating device 50, the process described with reference to Figure 8 (the process of inserting the middle sheet PM into the polymerized sheet PJ) is performed. Furthermore, after the laminating process is performed on the polymerized sheet PM with the middle sheet PM inserted in the laminating unit 51, the polymerized sheet PJ is discharged out of the apparatus by the pair of discharge rollers 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13.
In this way, a series of image forming processes (printing operations) in the image forming apparatus 1 and a series of sheet peeling and laminating processes using the intermediate sheet PM on which the image has been formed are completed.
In this way, in Modification 1, the feeding device 112 installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 functions as a second feeding unit that feeds the middle sheet PM. On the other hand, the conveying path K1 that conveys the polymerized sheet PJ is installed in the laminating device 50. Therefore, the conveying path for the polymerized sheet PJ is shorter than the conveying path for the middle sheet PM, and by starting feeding of the middle sheet PM before the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, it is possible to improve overall productivity.
In the sixth modification, the laminating device 50 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, but the sheet peeling device 1 shown in FIG.
The image forming apparatus 100 is also provided with an operation display panel 49. When it is determined that an abnormality has been detected by the abnormality detection sensor 46, a message is displayed on the operation display panel 49 indicating that the peeling operation or the insertion operation of the middle sheet PM has been stopped due to the occurrence of the abnormality.
Furthermore, in Modification 6, the present invention is applied to a color image forming apparatus 100, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus. Furthermore, in Modification 6, the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to other types of image forming apparatuses (for example, inkjet type image forming apparatuses, stencil printers, etc.).

<Modification 7>
As shown in FIG. 20, in an image forming system 200 as the seventh modification, the laminating device 50 shown in FIG. 18 is detachably installed in the image forming device 100 that forms an image on a sheet P shown in FIG.
Referring to Figure 20, in the image forming system 200, after the image forming process previously described using Figure 18, the sheet P (which is the middle sheet PM on which the desired image has been formed) discharged from the discharge roller pair 131 of the image forming device 100 is fed into the laminating processing device 50, and then inserted into the polymerized sheet PJ in the same manner, after which the laminating process is performed, and then discharged by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13.
Here, the feeding device 112 installed in the image forming apparatus 100 functions as a second feeding unit that feeds the middle sheet PM. On the other hand, the transport path K1 that transports the polymerized sheet PJ is installed in the laminating device 50. Therefore, the transport path for the polymerized sheet PJ is shorter than the transport path for the middle sheet PM, and by starting feeding of the middle sheet PM before the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, overall productivity can be improved.
Furthermore, if such lamination processing is not performed, in the image forming system 200, the sheet P on which an image has been formed through the image forming process will be discharged outside the device from the second discharge roller pair 132 of the image forming device 100 and placed on the second discharge tray 150.
Here, the laminating device 50 is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus 100, and when the laminating device 50 is no longer needed, it can be removed from the image forming apparatus 100. When the laminating device 50 is removed in this manner, the placement surface 149 on which the laminating device 50 was placed functions as a discharge tray, and the sheet P (the sheet P on which the desired image is formed) discharged from the device by the discharge roller pair 131 is placed on the placement tray.
In the seventh modification, the laminating device 50 is detachably installed in the image forming system 200, but the sheet peeling device 1 shown in FIG.
The image forming system 200 is also provided with an operation display panel 49. When it is determined that an abnormality has been detected by the abnormality detection sensor 46, a message is displayed on the operation display panel 49 indicating that the peeling operation or the insertion operation of the middle sheet PM has been stopped due to the occurrence of the abnormality.

<Modification 8>
In the sheet peeling device 1 shown in Figure 21 (A), the positions of the first feeding tray 11 (first feeding means) that feeds the polymerized sheet PJ and the second feeding tray 12 (second feeding means) that feeds the middle sheet PM are swapped compared to those in Figures 1 and 16.
In addition, in the lamination processing device 50 shown in Figure 21 (B), the positions of the first feeding tray 11 (first feeding means) that feeds the polymerized sheet PJ and the second feeding tray 12 (second feeding means) that feeds the middle sheet PM are swapped compared to those in Figure 18.
In this way, in variant example 8, the length of the transport paths K1 and K3 along which the polymer sheet PJ is transported from the first feed tray 11 (first feed means) to the insertion position (near the nip of the third transport roller pair 6) where the middle sheet PM is inserted into the polymer sheet PJ is configured to be shorter than the length of the transport paths K2 and K3 along which the middle sheet PM is transported from the second feed tray 12 (second feed means) to the above-mentioned insertion position.
21A and 21B, conveyance paths K1 and K3 along which the superimposed sheet PJ is conveyed and conveyance paths K2 and K3 along which the intermediate sheet PM is conveyed meet at a confluence point. The conveyance paths K1 and K3 along which the superimposed sheet PM is conveyed are linear conveyance paths that do not invert the superimposed sheet PJ. In contrast, the conveyance path along which the intermediate sheet PM is conveyed is the conveyance path K2 from the second feed tray 12 (second feed means) to the confluence point, which is a reversing conveyance path that inverts the intermediate sheet PM.
In this way, in variant example 8, the transport path for the polymer sheet PJ is formed shorter than the transport path for the middle sheet PM, so that the time required for the series of processes of feeding the polymer sheet PJ, then feeding the middle sheet PM and inserting it between the polymer sheets PJ can be shortened, thereby improving the overall productivity of the device.
In the eighth modification, the transport path along which the polymerized sheet PJ is transported can be a reverse transport path that reverses the polymerized sheet PJ, and the transport path along which the middle sheet PM is transported can also be a reverse transport path that reverses the middle sheet PM. In this case, the first feeding cassette 11 (first feeding unit) is located closer to the junction where the transport path along which the polymerized sheet PJ is transported and the transport path along which the middle sheet PM is transported converge, compared to the second feeding cassette 12 (second feeding unit). That is, in FIG. 21 , the first feeding cassette 11 is located below the second feeding cassette 12, forming two-tiered feeding trays 11 and 12, and the first transport path K1 is configured to be shorter than the second transport path K2. In this case, the overall productivity of the device can be improved.

As described above, the sheet peeling device 1 in this embodiment is a sheet peeling device that peels off the non-jointed portion of a polymerized sheet PJ in which two sheets P1 and P2 are superimposed and joined at one end as a joint portion A, and is provided with a first feed roller 2 and a first feed tray 11 (first feeding means) that feed the polymerized sheet PJ, and a second feed roller 3 and a second feed tray 12 (second feeding means) that feed the middle sheet PM to be inserted between the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ in a state in which the non-jointed portion has been peeled off. After the polymerized sheet PJ has been fed by the first feed roller 2 and the first feed tray 11, but before the operation of peeling off the non-jointed portion of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, the second feed roller 3 and the second feed tray 12 are controlled to start feeding the middle sheet PM.
This allows the productivity of the sheet peeling device 1 to be increased.

In this embodiment, the two branched conveying paths K4 and K5 are configured to branch off in different directions across the third conveying path K3 (conveying path) between the peeling claw 16 (peeling member) and the winding roller 20. Alternatively, the two branched conveying paths K4 and K5 can be configured to branch off in different directions across the third conveying path K3 (conveying path) at the position of the peeling claw 16 (peeling member).
In addition, in this embodiment, the two branch conveying paths K4 and K5 are formed in an approximately U-shape so as to spread out from the branching point to the right in Figure 1, but the shape of the two branch conveying paths K4 and K5 is not limited to this. For example, the two branch conveying paths K4 and K5 can be formed in an approximately U-shape so as to spread out from the branching point to the left in Figure 1, or as shown in Figure 21, the two branch conveying paths K4 and K5 can be formed in an approximately S-shape so as to spread out from the branching point in different directions to the left and right in Figure 1.
Even in such cases, the same effects as those of this embodiment can be obtained.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it is clear that within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, this embodiment may be modified as appropriate in ways other than those suggested in this embodiment. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components are not limited to this embodiment, and may be any number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for implementing the present invention.

In this specification, the "end surface" of a polymer sheet is defined as the surface (side surface) in the thickness direction that connects the front and back surfaces of the polymer sheet. Therefore, a rectangular polymer sheet has four end surfaces: front, back, left, and right.

(Additional Note)
(Appendix 1)
A sheet peeling device for peeling off an unjoined portion of a polymerized sheet in which two sheets are superimposed and joined at one end as a joint portion,
a first feeding means for feeding the polymer sheet;
a second feeding means for feeding an intermediate sheet to be inserted between the two sheets of the polymerized sheet in a state in which the non-bonded portions have been peeled off;
Equipped with
A sheet peeling device characterized by controlling the second feeding means to start feeding the intermediate sheet after the polymerized sheet has been fed by the first feeding means and before the operation of peeling the non-bonded portion of the polymerized sheet is completed.
(Appendix 2)
The sheet peeling device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that it is controlled so that the second feeding means starts feeding the middle sheet after a predetermined time has elapsed for each size of the polymer sheet in the feeding direction after the first feeding means starts feeding the polymer sheet.
(Appendix 3)
a sheet detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the polymerized sheet at a predetermined position;
2. The sheet peeling device according to claim 1, wherein the second feeding means is controlled to start feeding the middle sheet based on the detection result of the sheet detection means.
(Appendix 4)
a peeling detection means for detecting a state in which the non-bonded portion of the polymerized sheet has been normally peeled off;
2. The sheet peeling device according to claim 1, wherein the second feeding means is controlled to start feeding the intermediate sheet based on the detection result of the peel detection means.
(Appendix 5)
a winding roller that rotates in a predetermined direction to wind the polymerized sheet;
a pair of conveying rollers that convey the polymerized sheet toward the winding roller along a conveying path formed between the pair of conveying rollers and the winding roller;
a peeling member inserted into a gap formed between the two sheets between the winding roller and the pair of conveying rollers, with the polymerized sheet being wrapped around the winding roller from the leading end side in the conveying direction of the polymerized sheet and being sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers on the upstream side in the conveying direction from the leading end side;
a switching member that guides the two sheets peeled by the peeling member to two branched conveyance paths that branch in different directions, respectively;
5. The sheet peeling device according to claim 1, further comprising:
(Appendix 6)
The sheet peeling device described in Appendix 5 is characterized in that after the peeling member is inserted into the gap, the polymerized sheet is transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction by the pair of transport rollers so that the leading end of the polymerized sheet is released from the winding roller, and then the polymerized sheet is transported again in the transport direction by the pair of transport rollers, the two sheets peeled off by the peeling member are separately guided to the two branched transport paths by the switching member, and the middle sheet fed by the second feeding means is transported in the opposite direction to the transport path so that the middle sheet is inserted between the two peeled sheets.
(Appendix 7)
a gripping member configured to sandwich and grip the leading end side of the polymerized sheet as a gripped portion between the gripping member and a receiving portion of the winding roller;
a moving mechanism that moves the gripping member between a gripping position where the gripping member can grip the polymerized sheet and a retracted position where the gripping member is retracted from the gripping position;
7. The sheet peeling device according to claim 5, further comprising:
(Appendix 8)
A sheet peeling device described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 7, characterized in that the length of a conveying path along which the polymerized sheet is conveyed from the first feeding means to an insertion position where the middle sheet is inserted into the polymerized sheet is shorter than the length of a conveying path along which the middle sheet is conveyed from the second feeding means to the insertion position.
(Appendix 9)
a conveying path through which the polymerized sheet is conveyed and a conveying path through which the intermediate sheet is conveyed join at a confluence point,
The transport path along which the polymerized sheet is transported is a linear transport path along which the polymerized sheet is not turned over,
The sheet peeling device described in Appendix 8, characterized in that the transport path along which the middle sheet is transported is a reversing transport path that reverses the front and back of the middle sheet from the second feeding means to the junction.
(Appendix 10)
the transport path along which the polymerized sheet is transported is a reversing transport path along which the polymerized sheet is reversed,
The conveying path along which the middle sheet is conveyed is a reversing conveying path that reverses the middle sheet,
The sheet peeling device described in Appendix 8, characterized in that the first feeding means is located closer to the junction where the conveying path along which the polymerized sheet is conveyed and the conveying path along which the intermediate sheet is conveyed converge than the second feeding means.
(Appendix 11)
A sheet peeling device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 10;
a lamination processing unit that performs a lamination process on the polymerized sheet in a state in which the intermediate sheet is inserted between the two sheets peeled by the sheet peeling device;
A lamination processing device comprising:
(Appendix 12)
A sheet peeling device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 10 or a lamination device according to Supplementary Note 11;
an image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
(Appendix 13)
the first feeding means is installed in the sheet peeling device or the laminating device,
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second feeding means is installed in the image forming apparatus main body.
(Appendix 14)
An image forming system, characterized in that the sheet peeling device according to any one of appendices 1 to 10 or the lamination processing device according to appendices 11 is detachably installed in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.
(Appendix 15)
the first feeding means is installed in the sheet peeling device or the laminating device,
15. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the second feeding means is installed in the image forming apparatus.

1 sheet peeling device,
2 first feeding roller (first feeding means),
3 second feeding roller (second feeding means),
4 first conveying roller pair,
5 second conveying roller pair,
6 third conveying roller pair (conveying roller pair),
11 First feeding tray (first feeding means),
12 second feeding tray (second feeding means),
13 discharge tray,
16 peeling claw (peeling member, switching member),
20 winding roller,
45 fifth sensor (sheet detection means),
47 Seventh sensor (peeling detection means),
48 Eighth sensor (peeling detection means),
50 Lamination processing device,
100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body),
200 Image forming system,
P, P1, P2 sheets,
PM mid-seat,
PJ polymerized sheet,
A joint part, B gripped part, C gap,
K4, K5: Branch transport path.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-160429

Claims (9)

A sheet peeling device for peeling off an unjoined portion of a polymerized sheet in which two sheets are superimposed and joined at one end as a joint portion,
a first feeding means for feeding the polymer sheet;
a second feeding means for feeding an intermediate sheet to be inserted between the two sheets of the polymerized sheet in a state in which the non-bonded portions have been peeled off;
a winding member that rotates in a predetermined direction to wind the polymerized sheet;
a conveying means for conveying the polymerized sheet toward the winding member along a conveying path formed between the conveying means and the winding member;
a peeling member inserted into a gap formed between the two sheets between the winding member and the conveying means, with respect to the polymerized sheet being wrapped around the winding member from the leading end side in the conveying direction of the polymerized sheet and being sandwiched by the conveying means on the upstream side in the conveying direction from the leading end side;
a switching member that guides the two sheets peeled by the peeling member to two branched conveyance paths that branch in different directions, respectively;
Equipped with
A sheet peeling device characterized by controlling the second feeding means to start feeding the intermediate sheet after the process of peeling off the non-bonded portion of the polymerized sheet has started and before the process of peeling off the non-bonded portion of the polymerized sheet has ended. The sheet peeling device according to claim 1 ;
a lamination processing unit that performs a lamination process on the polymerized sheet in a state in which the intermediate sheet is inserted between the two sheets peeled by the sheet peeling device;
A lamination processing device comprising: a conveyance path for conveying the polymerized sheet to the lamination processing unit when the polymerized sheet is subjected to a lamination process;
a branched conveying path for conveying the polymerized sheet so as to bypass the laminating processing section when the polymerized sheet is not to be subjected to laminating processing;
3. The lamination processing device according to claim 2, further comprising: The sheet peeling device according to claim 1 or the laminating device according to claim 2 or 3;
an image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the first feeding means is installed in the sheet peeling device or the laminating device,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second feeding means is disposed in the image forming apparatus main body. 6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the length of the transport path along which the polymerized sheet is transported from the first feeding means to an insertion position where the intermediate sheet is inserted into the polymerized sheet is shorter than the length of the transport path along which the intermediate sheet is transported from the second feeding means to the insertion position. The sheet peeling device according to claim 1 or the laminating device according to claim 2 or 3;
an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet;
An image forming system comprising: the first feeding means is installed in the sheet peeling device or the laminating device,
8. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the second feeding means is installed in the image forming apparatus. 9. The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein the length of the transport path along which the polymerized sheet is transported from the first feeding means to an insertion position where the intermediate sheet is inserted into the polymerized sheet is shorter than the length of the transport path along which the intermediate sheet is transported from the second feeding means to the insertion position.