Method for manufacturing a glass film and apparatus for manufacturing a glass film

Abstract

When the strip-shaped primary glass film (G1) is cut while being conveyed in a specified direction by a conveying device (8) to obtain one or more secondary glass films (G2a, G2b), the primary glass film (G1) is cut by irradiating the primary glass film (G1) with a laser in a specified cutting area (21) using a laser cutting device (9). The conveying device (8) includes an upstream conveyor (19) and a downstream conveyor (20), and the downstream conveyor (20) includes a plurality of downstream belt conveyors (27) capable of contact-supporting the secondary glass films (G2a, G2b) with belts (28). It is configured to be able to adjust the positions of the belts (28) of the respective downstream belt conveyors (27) in the width direction of the primary glass film (G1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass film and a manufacturing apparatus for a glass film, and particularly relates to a technique for cutting a strip-shaped glass film with a laser to cut out a specified dimension in the width direction. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, in fact, in the manufacturing of plate glass for flat panel displays (FPD) such as liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays, plate glass for organic EL lighting, strengthened glass as a constituent element of a touch panel, and plate glass for solar cell panels, etc., the thinning of the wall thickness is continuously progressing.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a plate glass (glass film) having a thickness direction dimension of several hundred μm or less is disclosed. Such a plate glass is also usually continuously formed by a forming apparatus using the so-called overflow down-draw method as described in this document.

[0004] In this case, the long strip-shaped glass film that has been continuously formed by the overflow down-draw method is transported downstream by the horizontal transport part (horizontal transport part) of the transport device after changing its transport direction from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. During this transport, the end parts (thick wall parts) in the width direction of the glass film are cut off and removed. After that, the glass film is wound into a roll shape by a winding roll to become a glass roll.

[0005] As a technique for cutting a glass film, a cutting method using a laser is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This cutting method is a method called so-called laser scribing. In this cutting method, while transporting the glass film in its length direction, an initial crack is formed in the glass film by a crack forming mechanism such as a diamond tool, and then the laser is irradiated to this part and heated, and then the heated part is cooled by a cooling mechanism. As a result, thermal stress is generated in the glass film, and the initial crack develops under the action of this thermal stress, and thus the glass film is cut.

[0006] In addition, this cutting method using a laser is not only used when cutting the thick wall parts located at both ends in the width direction of a strip-shaped glass film, but also sometimes performed on the glass film after removing the above-mentioned thick wall parts. In this case, for example, as described in Patent Document 2, the glass film from which the thick wall parts have been removed by the first laser cutting is wound into a roll shape, and after transporting the glass film in the wound state (glass roll) to the next process, the glass film is pulled out from the glass roll and laser cutting is performed again, whereby the glass film is cut again into a specified dimension in the width direction. In the second laser cutting, since the thick wall parts (ears) generated during forming have been removed, the glass film can be cut into a specified dimension in the width direction with higher accuracy than in the first laser cutting.

[0007] In the case of cutting the glass film as described above, for cutting the glass film by laser irradiation, while conveying the strip-shaped glass film in the direction along its length direction by a conveying device such as a belt conveyor, laser is irradiated vertically downward by a laser irradiation device provided at a prescribed position. Here, in the case of using a belt conveyor in the conveying device, a method of contacting and supporting the lower surface of the glass film over the entire range in the width direction by a single belt (refer to Patent Document 1), a method of contacting and supporting the lower surface of the glass film by a plurality of belts arranged at a prescribed interval in the width direction of the glass film for the purpose of avoiding the laser irradiation position (refer to Patent Document 2), etc. have been proposed.

[0008] Prior Art Documents

[0009] Patent Documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-240883

[0011] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2019 / 049646 Summary of the Invention

[0012] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0013] However, as a method of cutting the glass film again after removing the thick wall portion, not only a method of cutting out (re-cutting) one glass film from one glass film into a prescribed width direction dimension as described above is considered, but also a method of cutting out two or more glass films from one glass film into prescribed width direction dimensions is considered. In this case, by adjusting the width direction position of the laser cutting device (laser irradiation device) according to, for example, the cutting position of the glass film, it is possible to cope with the change in the number of cut-out glass films using one production line. However, regarding the belt conveyor, since it is large-sized, it is not possible to easily change the width direction position as easily as the laser irradiation device. Therefore, in the case where a plurality of belt conveyors are arranged side by side in the width direction of the glass film as described above, depending on the number of cut-outs and the width direction dimension of the cut-out glass film, there is a possibility that the belt contacts the cut glass film at a position deviated to one side in the width direction, resulting in the cut glass film being skewed. In this way, it will affect the cutting position of the glass film, and thus it is difficult to obtain a glass film with stable cutting quality.

[0014] In view of the above circumstances, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to avoid poor conveyance of the glass film caused by changes in cutting conditions and stably obtain a glass film with good quality.

[0015] Means for Solving the Problems

[0016] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the manufacturing method of the glass film of the present invention. That is, the manufacturing method cuts the belt-shaped primary glass film while conveying the belt-shaped primary glass film in a predetermined direction by a conveying device to obtain one or more secondary glass films. The manufacturing method of the glass film is characterized in that the primary glass film is cut by irradiating the laser to the primary glass film in a predetermined cutting area by using a laser cutting device, and the conveying device includes an upstream conveyor relatively located on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the primary glass film and a downstream conveyor relatively located on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the primary glass film and capable of conveying the secondary glass film, the downstream conveyor includes a plurality of downstream belt conveyors capable of contact-supporting the secondary glass film by belts, and the downstream conveyor is configured to be able to adjust the position of the belts of each downstream belt conveyor in the width direction of the primary glass film. It should be noted that the primary glass film mentioned here includes not only the glass film after being formed into a film shape and before undergoing the first cutting process, but also the glass film after undergoing the first cutting process and before undergoing the second cutting process. In addition, the secondary glass film mentioned here includes not only the glass film that is further processed later, but also the glass film that is cut and processed in the present invention to become the final processed glass film (i.e., the glass film that is essentially the final product). In addition, the width direction of the primary glass film mentioned here means the direction that is orthogonal to both the length direction and the thickness direction of the film.

[0017] Thus, in the method for manufacturing a glass film of the present invention, the conveying device is composed of an upstream conveyor relatively located on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the primary glass film and a downstream conveyor relatively located on the downstream side of the conveying direction and capable of conveying the secondary glass film, and the downstream conveyor is composed of a plurality of downstream belt conveyors capable of supporting the secondary glass film by contacting with the belt, and the position of the belt of each downstream belt conveyor can be adjusted in the width direction of the primary glass film. Thus, the contact support position with the belt in the width direction of the secondary glass film can be freely set without changing the structure of the upstream conveyor for conveying the primary glass film, so that each downstream belt conveyor can be arranged at an appropriate width direction position according to the width direction position or width direction size of the secondary glass film to be obtained by laser cutting. Therefore, the belt can be prevented from contacting with a position of the secondary glass film deviated to one side in the width direction with the minimum necessary equipment change, and the conveying defect of the secondary glass film such as the slanting of the secondary glass film caused by the deviation of the contact position can be prevented. Furthermore, if the secondary glass film can be conveyed without being tilted, interference between the cut surface (side end surface) of one secondary glass film adjacent to the other in the width direction can be avoided as much as possible, thereby obtaining a glass film with good cutting quality.

[0018] In addition, in the method for manufacturing the glass film of the present invention, the laser cutting device may have a plurality of laser irradiation units, and the laser cutting device may be configured to be able to adjust the positions of the respective laser irradiation units in the width direction of the primary glass film in one operation.

[0019] With such a configuration, it is possible to freely set the irradiation position of the laser on the primary glass film in the width direction. Therefore, for example, by adjusting the width direction distance between a pair of adjacent laser irradiation units in the width direction, even when the width direction dimension of the required secondary glass film changes, it is possible to accurately manage the changed width direction dimension.

[0020] In addition, in the method for manufacturing the glass film of the present invention, it may also be that a plurality of secondary glass films each having a predetermined width direction dimension are obtained by cutting the primary glass film, and the position of the belt is adjusted according to the width direction position and the width direction dimension of each secondary glass film.

[0021] In this way, in the case of cutting out a plurality of secondary glass films each having a predetermined width direction dimension, it is preferably to adjust the width direction position of the belt of the downstream belt conveyor according to the width direction position and the width direction dimension of each secondary glass film. In this way, by setting the width direction position of the belt, it is possible to arrange the belt at a position suitable for the position and size of each of the cut secondary glass films, so that it is possible to avoid skewing of all the cut secondary glass films and stably convey them in the accurate direction.

[0022] Alternatively, in the case where the position of the laser irradiation unit can be adjusted as described above, in the method for manufacturing the glass film of the present invention, it may also be that in the case of obtaining a plurality of secondary glass films each having a predetermined width direction dimension by cutting the primary glass film, the position of the belt and the position of the laser irradiation unit are respectively adjusted according to the width direction position and the width direction dimension of each secondary glass film.

[0023] In addition, in the case where the position of the laser irradiation unit can be adjusted, it is preferably to respectively adjust the position of the belt of the downstream belt conveyor and the position of the laser irradiation unit according to the width direction position and the width direction dimension of each secondary glass film. In this way, by setting the width direction positions of the belt and the laser irradiation unit, it is possible to arrange the belt at a position suitable for the position and size of each of the cut secondary glass films, and it is possible to arrange the laser irradiation unit at a position suitable for laser cutting. Therefore, it is possible to cut each secondary glass film into an accurate width direction dimension and stably convey all these secondary glass films in the accurate direction.

[0024] In addition, in the case of obtaining a plurality of secondary glass films as described above, in the method for manufacturing a glass film of the present invention, it is also possible to adjust the position of the belt according to the central position in the width direction of each secondary glass film. Alternatively, it is also possible to adjust the position of the belt according to the end positions in the width direction of each secondary glass film.

[0025] As described above, according to the method for manufacturing a glass film of the present invention, the position of the belt can be appropriately set according to the required conveying method of the cut secondary glass film. For example, when the main objective is to suppress fluctuations and other variations during the conveyance of the secondary glass film, the position of the belt is adjusted according to the end positions in the width direction of the secondary glass film, so that the secondary glass film can be stably contacted and supported on both sides in its width direction. Therefore, the above-mentioned variations can be suppressed and the secondary glass film can be stably conveyed. Alternatively, as will be described later, when the main objective is to avoid contact between the cut surfaces of any pair of adjacent secondary glass films in the width direction, the belt is adjusted according to the central position in the width direction of the secondary glass film, so that the secondary glass film can be contacted and supported on the central side in its width direction. In this case, the secondary glass film is bent and deformed into a shape in which the width direction ends are drooped compared to the central position in the width direction (a shape convex upward), so that contact between the cut surfaces of the secondary glass film immediately after cutting can be avoided and each secondary glass film can be conveyed to the downstream side.

[0026] In addition, in the method for manufacturing a glass film of the present invention, it is also possible that at least a part of the plurality of downstream belt conveyors is configured to be able to adsorb the secondary glass film toward the belt.

[0027] By being configured to be able to adsorb the secondary glass film toward the belt in this way, the contact support method of the secondary glass film with respect to the belt can be kept in a constant state at all times. Therefore, the secondary glass film can be conveyed more stably. However, as will be described later, when considering avoiding contact between the cut surfaces of the secondary glass film immediately after cutting, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which either the belt that supports one side in the width direction of the secondary glass film approaching each other or the belt that supports the other side in the width direction of the other secondary glass film is adsorbed and the other is not adsorbed, for example, as described later.

[0028] In addition, in the method for manufacturing a glass film of the present invention, it is also possible that the upstream conveyor includes a plurality of upstream belt conveyors capable of contact-supporting the primary glass film with the belt, and the upstream conveyor is configured such that the upstream belt conveyor located at the center in the width direction of the primary glass film among the plurality of upstream belt conveyors can adsorb the primary glass film toward the belt.

[0029] Before laser cutting, the glass film (primary glass film) still allows for dimensional deviations after forming, etc. In addition, since it is a huge size, it is not uncommon to handle it in a warped or deformed state. Therefore, when multiple adsorption belts are used to transport the primary glass film in the above manner, there is a problem that wrinkles are likely to occur due to the left-right difference in the lengthwise dimension (the difference in the lengthwise dimension between one end side and the other end side in the width direction). Based on the above, from the perspective of suppressing the generation of wrinkles, as described above, it is preferable that the upstream belt conveyor located at the center in the width direction of the primary glass film among the multiple upstream belt conveyors be capable of adsorbing the primary glass film toward the belt. By transporting the primary glass film in a state where only the center in the width direction is adsorbed, the generation of wrinkles can be suppressed and the primary glass film can be supplied to the laser cutting area.

[0030] In addition, in the case of obtaining multiple secondary glass films by cutting the primary glass film, in the manufacturing method of the glass film of the present invention, it may also be that a gap forming portion for forming a widthwise gap between any adjacent pair of secondary glass films in the width direction is provided at a position downstream of the primary glass film in the conveying direction with respect to the downstream conveyor.

[0031] By providing the gap forming portion at a position downstream of the primary glass film in the conveying direction with respect to the downstream conveyor in this way, a specified widthwise gap can be formed between the secondary glass films without complicating the structure of the downstream conveyor. Here, the secondary glass films are in a continuous form from their base ends (located in the cutting area) toward the downstream side. Therefore, even when the gap forming portion is provided at a position downstream of the downstream conveyor, a specified widthwise gap can be relatively easily formed between the secondary glass films immediately after cutting.

[0032] In addition, in the case where the gap forming portion is provided as described above, in the manufacturing method of the glass film of the present invention, it may also be that the gap forming portion has barrel-shaped support rollers with the largest diameter at the center in the width direction, the same number as the secondary glass films, so that each secondary glass film is bent and deformed in a direction bulging upward.

[0033] In this way, by configuring the gap forming portion to have barrel-shaped support rollers with the largest diameter at the center in the width direction, for example, as the secondary glass films are wound at a position downstream of the support rollers, the portions of the secondary glass films passing over the support rollers in the gap forming portion are bent and deformed in a direction bulging upward. Therefore, it is possible to avoid contact between the secondary glass films with a simple structure and safely transport each secondary glass film.

[0034] In addition, according to the method for manufacturing a glass film described above, it is possible to prevent poor handling of the glass film caused by the deviation of the support and handling position of the glass film toward one side in the width direction due to a change in the number of cut-out sheets, and to stably obtain a glass film of good quality. Therefore, for example, a winding device located on the downstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the downstream conveyor winds the secondary glass film obtained by the above method in a roll shape to obtain a glass roll, so that it is possible to prevent deviation during winding regardless of the number of cut-outs of the secondary glass film and its size in the width direction, and to stably obtain a glass roll of good quality.

[0035] In addition, the problem is also solved by the manufacturing apparatus for a glass film of the present invention. That is, the manufacturing apparatus is configured to cut a strip-shaped primary glass film while conveying the strip-shaped primary glass film in a predetermined direction to obtain one or more secondary glass films. The manufacturing apparatus for a glass film is characterized by including: a conveying device that can convey the primary glass film in a predetermined direction; and a laser cutting device that can irradiate the primary glass film being conveyed by the conveying device with laser light and cut the primary glass film in a predetermined cutting area. The conveying device includes an upstream conveyor that is relatively located on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the primary glass film and a downstream conveyor that is relatively located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the primary glass film and can convey the secondary glass film. The downstream conveyor includes a plurality of downstream belt conveyors that can contact and support the secondary glass film with a belt, and the downstream conveyor is configured to be able to adjust the position of the belt of each downstream belt conveyor in the width direction of the primary glass film.

[0036] Thus, in the manufacturing apparatus for a glass film of the present invention, the conveying device is also constituted by the upstream conveyor that is relatively located on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the primary glass film and the downstream conveyor that is relatively located on the downstream side in the conveying direction and can convey the secondary glass film, and the downstream conveyor is constituted by a plurality of downstream belt conveyors that can contact and support the secondary glass film with a belt, and the position of the belt of each downstream belt conveyor can be adjusted in the width direction of the primary glass film. Thereby, without changing the structure of the upstream conveyor for conveying the primary glass film, it is possible to freely set the contact support position in contact with the belt in the width direction of the secondary glass film. Therefore, according to the position in the width direction or the size in the width direction of the secondary glass film to be obtained by laser cutting, each downstream belt conveyor can be disposed at an appropriate position in the width direction. Thus, it is possible to avoid the situation where the belt contacts the secondary glass film at a position deviated toward one side in the width direction with a minimum necessary equipment change, and to prevent poor handling of the secondary glass film such as skewing of the secondary glass film caused by the deviation of the contact position. In addition, if the secondary glass film can be conveyed without skewing, it is possible to avoid, as much as possible, the situation where the cut surface of one secondary glass film adjacent in the width direction interferes with the cut surface of the other secondary glass film. Therefore, a glass film with good cutting quality can be obtained.

[0037] Effect of the Invention

[0038] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid the handling defects of the glass film caused by the change of the cutting conditions, and stably obtain a glass film with good quality. Description of the Drawings

[0039] Figure 1 It is a side view showing the overall structure of the glass film manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2 is Figure 1 The top view of the transfer device shown.

[0041] Figure 3 is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the transfer device along the A-A cutting line in

[0042] Figure 4 is Figure 2 The top view of the first platform shown.

[0043] Figure 5 is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of the first platform along the B-B cutting line in

[0044] Figure 6 is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view of the first platform along the C-C cutting line in

[0045] Figure 7 is Figure 2 The top view of the second platform shown.

[0046] Figure 8 is along Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of the second platform along the D-D cutting line in

[0047] Figure 9 is along Figure 8 The cross-sectional view of the second platform along the E-E cutting line in

[0048] Figure 10 is for explaining Figure 2 The conceptual diagram of the function of the support roller shown.

[0049] Figure 11 The top view of the transfer device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 12 The top view of the transfer device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0051] Hereinafter, based onFigures 1 to 10 A first embodiment of the manufacturing method of the glass film of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that hereinafter, a case where the glass film is wound in a roll shape to finally obtain a glass roll will be taken as an example for description.

[0052] As Figure 1 shown, the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the glass film (glass roll) according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes: a forming section 2 that forms a strip-shaped base glass film G; a direction conversion section 3 that converts the traveling direction of the base glass film G from vertically downward to horizontally; a first transfer section 4 that transfers the base glass film G horizontally after the direction conversion; a first cutting section 5 that cuts both end portions in the width direction of the base glass film G; and a first winding section 6 that winds the glass film (hereinafter referred to as the first glass film) G1 from which both end portions in the width direction have been removed in a roll shape to obtain a first glass roll GRL1. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the vertical direction is the plumb direction and the horizontal direction is the horizontal direction.

[0053] In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the glass roll further includes: a pulling-out section 7 that pulls out the first glass film G1 from the first glass roll GRL1; a second transfer section 8 that transfers the first glass film G1 pulled out by the pulling-out section 7 horizontally; a second cutting section 9 that cuts a part of the first glass film G1; and a second winding section 10 that winds the glass film (hereinafter referred to as the second glass film) G2 cut by the second cutting section 9 in a roll shape to obtain second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b.

[0054] It should be noted that the first glass film G1 in the present embodiment corresponds to the primary glass film of the present invention, and the second glass film corresponds to the secondary glass film of the present invention. Therefore, the first glass roll GRL1 corresponds to the glass roll obtained by winding the primary glass film in a roll shape in the present invention, and the second glass roll GRL2 corresponds to the glass roll obtained by winding the secondary glass film in a roll shape in the present invention.

[0055] In addition, the second winding section 10 in the present embodiment corresponds to the winding device of the present invention, the second cutting section 9 corresponds to the laser cutting device of the present invention, and the second transfer section 8 corresponds to the transfer device of the present invention.

[0056] The forming section 2 has: a forming body 11 with a substantially wedge-shaped cross-section, which is formed with an overflow groove 11a at the upper end; edge rollers 12 that are disposed directly below the forming body 11 and sandwich the molten glass GM overflowing from the forming body 11 from both the front and back sides; and an annealing furnace 13 that is provided directly below the edge rollers 12.

[0057] The forming section 2 causes the molten glass GM that overflows from the overflow trough 11a of the preform 11 to flow down along both side surfaces respectively, and converges at its lower end to form a film shape. The edge roller 12 restricts the contraction in the width direction of the molten glass GM and adjusts the width direction dimension of the base glass film G. The annealing furnace 13 is used to perform stress relief treatment on the base glass film G. The annealing furnace 13 has annealing rollers 14 arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction.

[0058] Below the annealing furnace 13, support rollers 15 are arranged to clamp the base glass film G from both the front and back sides. Tension for promoting the thinning of the base glass film G is applied between the support rollers 15 and the edge roller 12 or between the support rollers 15 and any annealing roller 14.

[0059] The direction conversion section 3 is provided at a position below the support rollers 15. A plurality of guide rollers 16 for guiding the base glass film G are arranged in a curved shape in the direction conversion section 3. These guide rollers 16 guide the base glass film G transported in the vertical direction to the horizontal direction.

[0060] The first conveying section 4 is arranged in front (downstream side) of the traveling direction of the direction conversion section 3. The first conveying section 4 drives a driving section having a support conveying surface, thereby conveying the base glass film G that has passed through the direction conversion section 3 downstream along its length direction. It should be noted that the first conveying section 4 can adopt any structure, for example, it can include one or more belt conveyors. In this case, the driving section having a support conveying surface is a belt, and by driving this belt, the base glass film G can be conveyed according to the above scheme. Of course, the first conveying section 4 is not limited to the structure exemplified above, and roller conveyors and various other conveying devices can also be used.

[0061] The first cutting section 5 is arranged above the first conveying section 4. In the present embodiment, the first cutting section 5 is configured to be able to cut the base glass film G by laser cutting. Specifically, the first cutting section 5 has a pair of laser irradiation devices 17a and a pair of cooling devices 17b arranged on the downstream side of the laser irradiation devices 17a. After the first cutting section 5 irradiates the laser L from each laser irradiation device 17a to a specified portion of the transported base glass film G and heats it, the refrigerant R is released from the cooling device 17b to cool the heated portion.

[0062] The first winding section 6 is provided on the downstream side of the first conveying section 4 and the first cutting section 5. The first winding section 6 winds the first glass film G1 in a roll shape by rotating the core 18. The first glass roll GRL1 thus obtained is transported to the position of the pulling-out section 7. The pulling-out section 7 pulls out the first glass roll GRL1 obtained from the first winding section 6 from the first glass film G1 and supplies it to the second conveying section 8.

[0063] The second conveying unit 8 conveys the first glass film G1 pulled out from the first glass roll GRL1 in the pulling-out unit 7 along the lateral direction (hereinafter referred to as the conveying direction X). Here, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the second conveying unit 8 includes two conveyors 19, 20. In this case, the supporting and conveying surface of the second conveying unit 8 is disconnected by the cutting area 21 of the first glass film G1 cut by the second cutting unit 9 ( Figure 2 the area surrounded by the single dotted line in). Thus, the second conveying unit 8 is formed into a structure divided into an upstream conveyor 19 located on the upstream side of the cutting area 21 in the conveying direction of the first glass film G1 and a downstream conveyor 20 located on the downstream side of the cutting area 21 in the conveying direction.

[0064] Among them, the upstream conveyor 19 has a plurality of upstream belt conveyors 22. These plurality of upstream belt conveyors 22 are all configured to contact and support the first glass film G1 in the same direction by a belt (hereinafter referred to as the first belt 23) and be able to convey the first glass film G1 to the downstream side. Here, each first belt 23 is, for example, an endless belt, and keeps the entire area in contact with the first glass film G1 in its length direction in a substantially horizontal posture, and each first belt 23 is set at the same height direction position. Thus, the surface 23a of each first belt 23 that becomes the supporting and conveying surface of the first glass film G1 constitutes the conveying line PL of the first glass film G1 along the horizontal direction (refer to the following Figure 5 etc.).

[0065] Here, as Figure 3 shown, each upstream belt conveyor 22 has the above-mentioned endless first belt 23, a plurality of pulleys 24 for applying tension to the first belt 23 and arranging the first belt 23 at a specified position, and a support 25 for supporting these plurality of pulleys 24. The support 25 is fixed to the floor surface. In addition, a driving source 26 such as a motor is connected to a specified pulley 24 (driving pulley 24a) among the plurality of pulleys 24 (refer to Figure 2 ), and the driving source 26 applies a driving force to the driving pulley 24a, so that the first belt 23 of each upstream belt conveyor 22 can be driven in a specified direction.

[0066] In addition, a plurality of upstream belt conveyors 22 of the above structure are respectively arranged at specified widthwise positions. Here, it is assumed that a variety of first glass films G1 having different widthwise dimensions are conveyed on the upstream conveyor 19, and the widthwise positions of the respective first belts 23 are set in such a manner that they contact and support both ends in the widthwise direction of each of the assumed first glass films G1. Further, in the present embodiment, regardless of the size of the widthwise dimension, the upstream belt conveyors 22 are arranged in such a manner that they can contact and support all the first glass films G1 at the central position in their widthwise direction (see Figure 2 ), and the upstream belt conveyors 22 are configured to be able to adsorb the first glass films G1 onto the surface 23a of the first belt 23 which serves as their support and conveyance surface. In the present embodiment, a plurality of holes 23b are formed in the surface 23a of the first belt 23, and by sucking air through these holes 23b, the first glass films G1 can be adsorbed onto the surface 23a.

[0067] The downstream conveyor 20 has a plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27. These plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 are all configured to contact and support the cut first glass films G1, that is, the second glass films G2a, G2b, with a belt (hereinafter referred to as the second belt 28.) in the same direction and be able to convey the second glass films G2a, G2b downstream. Here, each second belt 28 is, for example, an endless belt, and the respective second belts 28 are set at the same heightwise position in such a manner that the entire area where the second glass films G2a, G2b are in contact in their lengthwise direction is maintained in a substantially horizontal posture. Thereby, the surface 23a of each first belt 23 which serves as the support and conveyance surface of the first glass film G1 and the surface 28a of each second belt 28 which serves as the support and conveyance surface of the second glass films G2a, G2b constitute a conveyance line PL before and after cutting of the first glass film G1 along the horizontal direction, that is, the conveyance line PL of the second conveyance unit 8.

[0068] Here, as Figure 3 shown, each downstream belt conveyor 27 has the above-described endless second belt 28, a plurality of pulleys 29 for applying tension to the second belt 28 and arranging the second belt 28 at a specified position, and a support body 30 for supporting these plurality of pulleys 29. Further, a drive source 31 such as a motor is connected to a specified pulley 29 (drive pulley 29a) among the plurality of pulleys 29 (see Figure 2 ), and by applying a driving force to the drive pulley 29a by the drive source 31, the second belt 28 of each downstream belt conveyor 27 can be driven in a specified direction. The drive source 31 and the drive source 26 of the upstream belt conveyor 22 are provided independently of each other. Therefore, the drives of the respective drive sources 26, 31 can be controlled independently without being interlocked, and further, the drives of the upstream belt conveyor 22 and the downstream belt conveyor 27 can be controlled independently without being interlocked.

[0069] In addition, a plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 are configured to be respectively disposed at specified positions in the width direction and to be able to adjust the positions of the respective second belts 28 in the width direction of the first glass film G1. Specifically, a guide rail portion 32 extending in the width direction of the first glass film G1 is disposed below each of the downstream belt conveyors 27. And a sliding portion 33 capable of relatively moving between the guide rail portion 32 is mounted on the lower portion of the support body 30 constituting each of the downstream belt conveyors 27. Thus, the sliding portion 33 of each support body 30 slides in the width direction with respect to the guide rail portion 32, so that the plurality of pulleys 29 supported by each support body 30 and the second belt 28 supported by these pulleys 29 can integrally slide in the width direction. It should be noted that the drive pulley 29a of each downstream belt conveyor 27 is supported so as to be able to slide in the width direction with respect to the common shaft 34. Therefore, the position in the width direction with respect to the shaft 34 can be freely changed, and driving can be performed by receiving the driving force from the drive source 31 at an arbitrary position in the width direction.

[0070] In the present embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the width direction positions of the respective second belts 28 (each downstream belt conveyor 27) are adjusted such that a pair of second belts 28 are located near both ends in the width direction of the respective second glass films G2a, G2b which are the cut first glass film G1. It should be noted that, as in the present embodiment, when the both ends in the width direction of the first glass film G1 are cut off and two second glass films G2a, G2b are cut out from the single first glass film G1, since one of the downstream belt conveyors 27 becomes unnecessary, it is, for example, preferable to move the downstream belt conveyor 27 located on the outermost side in the width direction to the retracted space 35. Thus, while reliably avoiding the interference between the unnecessary downstream belt conveyor 27 and the second glass films G2a, G2b, two downstream belt conveyors 27 each are used to support and convey the two second glass films G2a, G2b, and one downstream belt conveyor 27 each is used to support and convey the width direction ends of the cut first glass film G1. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the second belts 28 of all the downstream belt conveyors 27 are configured to be able to adsorb the second glass films G2a, G2b to the surface 28a which serves as their support and conveyance surface. In the present embodiment, a plurality of holes 28b are formed in the surface 28a of the second belt 28, and by sucking air through these holes 28b, the second glass films G2a, G2b can be adsorbed to the surface 28a.

[0071] The second cutting portion 9 is disposed above the region between the upstream conveyor 19 and the downstream conveyor 20 in the second conveying portion 8 (see Figure 1 and Figure 3)). In the present embodiment, the second cutting unit 9 is configured to be able to cut the first glass film G1 by laser cutting, and includes a plurality of laser irradiation devices 36 and cooling devices 37 disposed on the downstream side of each laser irradiation device 36. In this case, the cooling devices 37 are arranged in the same number as the laser irradiation devices 36. In the present embodiment, the cutting regions 21 of the first glass film G1 cut by the second cutting unit 9 are provided at three positions in the width direction (see Figure 2 ), so three laser irradiation devices 36 and three cooling devices 37 are respectively provided. The second cutting unit 9 having the above structure is configured to be able to release the refrigerant R from the cooling device 37 to cool the heated portion after irradiating the laser L to a specified portion of the transported first glass film G1 from each laser irradiation device 36 and heating it. Details will be described later.

[0072] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 , a first platform 38 capable of contacting and supporting the first glass film G1 transported by the second transport unit 8 is disposed at a position separated from the cutting region 21 of the first glass film G1 in the width direction. More precisely, the first platform 38 is disposed at a position corresponding to the central side in the width direction of the cut first glass film G1 (second glass films G2a, G2b). In the present embodiment, since two second glass films G2a, G2b are cut out from one first glass film G1, the first platforms 38 are respectively disposed at positions in the width direction with respect to the cutting region 21 and corresponding to the central portion in the width direction of each second glass film G2a, G2b. These first platforms 38 are provided on the floor surface and fixed, and are always in a stationary state, and illustration thereof is omitted.

[0073] Here, as shown in Figure 4 , the first platform 38 has a first support surface 39 capable of contacting and supporting the first glass film G1 and a first suction portion 40 capable of attracting the first glass film G1 toward the first support surface 39.

[0074] The first platform 38 is formed, for example, of metal into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 5 , the first support surface 39 is constituted by the surface of a sheet member 41 provided on the upper side of the first platform 38. The sheet member 41 is formed of a material having a small resistance when contacting the first glass film G1, such as resin, or a material having good slidability with respect to the first glass film G1. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the surface of the sheet member 41 constitutes the first support surface 39, but of course, the upper surface of the first platform 38 may also constitute the first support surface 39.

[0075] In addition, the height direction position of the first support surface 39 may be the same as the transport line PL of the first glass film G1, but it may also be, for example, as shown inFigure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, it is set slightly higher (for example, within a range of 3 mm) than the transport line PL. Thus, the first glass film G1 can be more reliably brought into close contact with the first support surface 39.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the first suction portion 40 has a first suction port 42 that opens in the first support surface 39, a communication space 43 that communicates with the first suction port 42, an exhaust portion 44 such as a pump that exhausts the inside of the communication space 43, and a connecting pipe 45 that connects the communication space 43 and the exhaust portion 44 (all are referred to Figure 3 ). In the present embodiment, the first suction port 42 has a groove shape. In addition, the grooved first suction port 42 is formed in the first support surface 39 so as to extend along the length direction of the first glass film G1, that is, the conveying direction (refer to Figure 4 ). The first suction port 42 is formed so as to penetrate the sheet member 41 and open on the upper surface of the first platform 38. In addition, in the present embodiment, both ends in the length direction of the first suction port 42 open to the side surface of the first platform 38. Therefore, both end opening portions 42a, 42a of the first suction port 42 are always in an open state with respect to the external space (external air).

[0077] A plurality of through holes 42b are formed in the bottom surface of the first suction port 42 and are connected to the communication space 43 formed in the support member 46 that supports the first platform 38. In this case, the through holes 42b are formed in the first platform 38, and the communication space 43 is formed in the support member 46. The connecting pipe 45 is installed in the support member 46. It is also possible that the exhaust portion 44 is, for example, shared and is connected to one exhaust portion 44 by the same number of connecting pipes 45 as the first platform 38. Or it is also possible that the communication space 43 is shared and a plurality of first platforms 38 are supported by one support member 46. In this case, one connecting pipe 45 is installed in one support member 46. According to the first suction portion 40 having the above-described structure, by driving the exhaust portion 44, suction is performed from the first suction port 42 that opens in the first support surface 39 and both end opening portions 42a, 42a located at both ends in its length direction. Therefore, when the first glass film G1 is conveyed on the first support surface 39 of the first platform 38, the lower surface of the first glass film G1 is attracted with respect to the first support surface 39 by the above-described suction action.

[0078] In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 2As shown, a second platform 47 capable of contacting and supporting the first glass film G1 is provided in the cutting area 21 of the first glass film G1 described above. In the present embodiment, the first glass film G1 is cut at three positions in the width direction, so three second platforms 47 are respectively provided for the cutting areas 21 of the three positions. These second platforms 47 are set and fixed on the floor surface and are in a state of being always stationary, and the illustration thereof is omitted.

[0079] Here, as Figure 7 shown, the second platform 47 has a second support surface 48 capable of contacting and supporting the first glass film G1 and a second suction portion 49 capable of attracting the first glass film G1 toward the second support surface 48.

[0080] The second platform 47 is formed of metal into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example. In the present embodiment, as Figure 8 shown, the second support surface 48 is constituted by the surface of a sheet member 50 provided on the upper side of the second platform 47. The sheet member 50 is formed of a material having a small resistance when contacting the first glass film G1, such as resin, or a material having good slidability with respect to the first glass film G1, for example. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the second support surface 48 is constituted by the surface of the sheet member 50, but of course, the upper surface of the second platform 47 may also be used to constitute the second support surface 48.

[0081] In addition, the height direction position of the second support surface 48 may be the same as the conveying line PL of the first glass film G1, but for example, it may also be set slightly (for example, within a range of 3 mm) higher than the conveying line PL as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown. Thereby, the first glass film G1 can be more reliably brought into close contact with the second support surface 48.

[0082] In the present embodiment, as Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the second suction portion 49 has a second suction port 51 opening in the second support surface 48, a pair of third suction ports 52, 52 located on both sides in the width direction of the second suction port 51, a communication space 53 communicating with the second suction port 51 and the third suction ports 52, 52, an exhaust portion 54 such as a pump for exhausting the inside of the communication space 53, and a connection pipe 55 connecting the communication space 53 and the exhaust portion 54.

[0083] In the present embodiment, the second suction port 51 and the third suction port 52 are both formed in the second support surface 48 in the shape of a long hole extending along the conveyance direction X of the first glass film G1. Here, the width direction dimension and the length direction dimension of the second suction port 51 are set to appropriate sizes in a balanced manner with the width direction dimension and the length direction dimension of the third suction port 52. In other words, it is preferable to appropriately set the above-mentioned dimensions, particularly the size relationship between the various dimensions of the second suction port 51 and the various dimensions of the third suction port 52, according to the required attraction force (deformation force) on the first glass film G1.

[0084] The second suction port 51 and the pair of third suction ports 52, 52 of the above structure are formed in the sheet member 50 and the second platform 47. These second suction ports 51 and third suction ports 52, 52 are formed so as to penetrate the sheet member 50 and the second platform 47 in the vertical direction, respectively, and are connected to a communication space 53 formed in the support member 56 that supports the second platform 47 from below. In this case, the communication space 53 is formed in the support member 56, and the connecting pipe 55 is installed on the lower side of the support member 56. It is possible that the exhaust portion 54 is shared, for example, and is connected to one exhaust portion 54 by the same number of connecting pipes 55 as the second platform 47. Alternatively, it is also possible that the communication space 53 is shared and a plurality of second platforms 47 are supported by one support member 56. In this case, one connecting pipe 55 is installed on one support member 56. Further, in the present embodiment, a slit portion 57 that is open in the width direction of the support member 56 and can suck external air is formed between the support member 56 and the second platform 47.

[0085] According to the second suction portion 49 having the above-described structure, suction is performed from the second suction port 51, the third suction ports 52, 52, and the slit portion 57 that are open in the second support surface 48 by driving the exhaust portion 54. Therefore, when the first glass film G1 is conveyed on the second support surface 48 of the second platform 47, the lower surface of the first glass film G1 is attracted relative to the second support surface 48 by the above-described suction operation.

[0086] Further, as in the present embodiment, when the first suction portion 40 and the second suction portion 49 are provided with separate exhaust portions 44, 54, the attraction force can be controlled independently. For example, the attraction force of each suction portion 40, 49 can be adjusted independently, in other words, the exhaust volume of each exhaust portion 44, 54 can be adjusted, such that the attraction force of the first suction portion 40 on the first glass film G1 is smaller than the attraction force of the second suction portion 49 on the first glass film G1. Of course, it is also possible to share the exhaust portion between the first suction portion 40 and the second suction portion 49 (not shown), thereby simplifying the structure.

[0087] The laser irradiation device 36 locally heats a specified portion of the first glass film G1 that moves along the conveyance direction X by irradiating the laser L thereto. As Figure 9 shown, the laser irradiation device 36 has a plurality of laser irradiation units 36a. Each laser irradiation unit 36a is disposed above the second suction port 51 of the second platform 47. Thereby, the laser irradiation unit 36a irradiates the laser L to a plurality of portions of the first glass film G1 that pass through the second suction port 51 opened in the second support surface 48. The irradiation position O of the laser L from each laser irradiation unit 36a is set to be located on a straight line substantially parallel to the conveyance direction X of the first glass film G1.

[0088] The cooling device 37 is disposed on the downstream side of the laser irradiation device 36 in the conveyance direction X of the first glass film G1. The cooling device 37 supplies the refrigerant R to the portion of the first glass film G1 that is locally heated by the irradiation of the laser L to cool the portion.

[0089] A gap forming portion 58 for forming a width direction gap between a set of second glass films G2a and G2b adjacent in the width direction is provided at a position downstream of the second conveyance portion 8. In the present embodiment, the gap forming portion 58 has barrel-shaped support rollers 59a and 59b having the largest diameter at the center in the width direction, so that each of the second glass films G2a and G2b is bent and deformed in a direction protruding upward. In the present embodiment, two second glass films G2a and G2b are cut out, and thus two support rollers 59a and 59b are provided. Further, in the present embodiment, as Figure 10 shown, nozzles 60a and 60b are provided for blowing a gas such as air from above toward both end portions in the width direction of each of the second glass films G2a and G2b supported by the support rollers 59a and 59b.

[0090] The second winding portion 10 is disposed at a position downstream of the second conveyance portion 8. Specifically, the second winding portion 10 winds the second glass films G2a and G2b conveyed by the second conveyance portion 8 using the cores 61a and 61b to obtain second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b. In the present embodiment, two second glass films G2a and G2b are cut out, and thus these two second glass films G2a and G2b are wound respectively to obtain two second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b.

[0091] As the material of the second glass films G2a and G2b (the first glass film G1) manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 having the above structure, silicate glass or silica glass is used, preferably borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, or chemically strengthened glass, and most preferably alkali-free glass. Here, the alkali-free glass refers to glass that substantially does not contain an alkali component (alkali metal oxide), specifically, glass having an alkali component weight ratio of 3000 ppm or less. In the present invention, the alkali component weight ratio is preferably 1000 ppm or less, more preferably 500 ppm or less, and most preferably 300 ppm or less.

[0092] In addition, the thickness dimension of the second glass films G2a and G2b (the first glass film G1) is 10 μm or more and 300 μm or less, preferably 30 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and most preferably 30 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0093] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the second glass films G2a and G2b (in the present embodiment, the second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b) using the manufacturing apparatus 1 having the above structure will be described. This method includes a forming step S1, an end-portion removing step S2, a first winding step S3, a pulling-out step S4, a cutting step S5, and a second winding step S6.

[0094] In the forming step S1, as Figure 1 shown, the molten glass GM that has overflowed from the overflow groove 11a of the forming body 11 in the forming unit 2 flows down along both side surfaces of the forming body 11 and joins at its lower end to be formed into a film shape. At this time, the edge roller 12 restricts the widthwise contraction of the molten glass GM to form a base glass film G having a specified width. Then, the base glass film G is subjected to a strain removal treatment (annealing step) using the annealing furnace 13. Under the action of the tension of the support roller 15, the base glass film G is formed into a specified thickness.

[0095] In the end-portion removing step S2, as also Figure 1 shown, while feeding the base glass film G to the downstream side using the direction changing unit 3 and the first transfer unit 4, a part of the base glass film G is irradiated with laser L from the laser irradiation device 17a in the first cutting unit 5 and heated. Then, the refrigerant R is blown onto the heated portion using the cooling device 17b. As a result, thermal stress is generated in the base glass film G. An initial crack is pre-formed in the base glass film G, and the crack develops under the action of the thermal stress. As a result, the widthwise both end portions of the base glass film G are removed to form the first glass film G1.

[0096] Next, in the first winding step S3, as also Figure 1As shown, the first glass roll GRL1 is obtained by winding the first glass film G1 around the core 18. After that, the first glass roll GRL1 is transferred to the pulling-out section 7. In the pulling-out process S4, the first glass film G1 is pulled out from the first glass roll GRL1 transferred to the pulling-out section 7, and the first glass film G1 is transported to the cutting area 21 on the second transporting section 8 by the second transporting section 8 (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0097] In the cutting process S5, the laser L is irradiated to the part of the first glass film G1 passing through the cutting area 21 on the second transporting section 8 by the laser irradiation device 36, and the refrigerant R is blown to the irradiated area, thereby cutting the first glass film G1 in the direction along the transporting direction X. Additionally, at this time, the first glass film G1 is transported in the direction along the transporting direction X by the upstream conveyor 19 and passes through the first supporting surface 39 of the first platform 38 disposed at a position separated in the width direction from the cutting area 21 (refer to Figure 2 ). Here, by operating the exhaust section 44 of the first suction section 40 (previously operating it constantly), a downward attraction force is applied to the first glass film G1 on the first supporting surface 39 through the first suction port 42 opening on the first supporting surface 39, and the first glass film G1 is attracted toward the first supporting surface 39. Thereby, the first glass film G1 is in a state of being in contact with and supported by the force (constraint force) toward the first supporting surface 39 while being transported in the transporting direction X. Additionally, according to the degree of the attraction force of the first suction section 40, the attracted part of the first glass film G1 is deformed (for example, as shown in Figure 5 ), it is bent and deformed in the direction of protruding downward).

[0098] Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the second platform 47 is disposed in the cutting area 21, the first glass film G1 passes through the cutting area 21 as described above and also passes through the second supporting surface 48 of the second platform 47 (refer to Figure 2 ). Here, the exhaust section 54 of the second suction section 49 is operated, so that a downward attraction force is applied to the first glass film G1 on the second supporting surface 48 through the second suction port 51 opening on the second supporting surface 48 and the pair of third suction ports 52, 52, and the first glass film G1 is attracted toward the second supporting surface 48. Thereby, the first glass film G1 is in contact with and supported by the second supporting surface 48 while being transported in the transporting direction X. Additionally, according to the degree of the attraction force of the second suction section 49, the attracted part of the first glass film G1 is deformed (for example, as shown in Figure 8 ), the parts directly above the suction ports 51, 52 are respectively bent and deformed in the direction of protruding downward).

[0099] It should be noted that at this time, the attracting force of the first attracting portion 40 is controlled to an appropriate magnitude, for example, by adjusting the output of the exhaust portion 44 and the shapes and dimensions of the respective opening portions (the first suction port 42, the both-end opening portions 42a, 42a). Similarly, the attracting force of the second attracting portion 49 is controlled to an appropriate magnitude, for example, by adjusting the output of the exhaust portion 54 and the shapes and dimensions of the respective opening portions (the second suction port 51, the third suction port 52, and the slit portion 57).

[0100] In the adjustment of the above-described attracting force, when the attracting force is increased, the amount of deformation of the first glass film G1 becomes larger. On the other hand, the amplitude of the vertical movement of the first glass film G1 tends to become smaller. Conversely, when the attracting force is decreased, the amount of deformation becomes smaller. On the other hand, the amplitude of the vertical movement tends to become larger. Therefore, it is preferable to minimize the amount of deformation within the range of the allowable amplitude of the vertical movement.

[0101] In the cutting step S5, while attracting the first glass film G1 to the first support surface 39 of the first stage 38 and the second support surface 48 of the second stage 47 as described above, the first glass film G1 is conveyed in the predetermined conveying direction X by the second conveying unit 8 (the upstream side conveyor 19), and a plurality of laser beams L are irradiated from the laser irradiation unit 36a of the laser irradiation device 36 to the first glass film G1 (laser irradiation step). The laser L is irradiated to the portion of the first glass film G1 that passes over the second suction port 51 of the second stage 47.

[0102] By the irradiation of the laser L as described above, the first glass film G1 is heated at the irradiation position O (refer to Figure 7 ). Thereafter, when the heated portion of the first glass film G1 reaches directly below the cooling device 37 located on the downstream side of the second suction port 51, the refrigerant R jetted downward from the cooling device 37 is sprayed to cool the heated portion. Thermal stress is generated in the first glass film G1 by the expansion due to the local heating by the laser irradiation device 36 and the contraction due to the cooling by the cooling device 37. An initial crack is previously formed in the first glass film G1 by a mechanism (not shown), and the initial crack is developed by the above-described thermal stress, so that the first glass film G1 is continuously cut (severed) at a predetermined position in its width direction. In the present embodiment, by performing the above-described laser cutting at three positions in the width direction, the both-end portions in the width direction of the first glass film G1 are discarded, and two second glass films G2a, G2b each having a predetermined width direction dimension are cut out (refer to Figure 2 ). These second glass films G2a, G2b are conveyed by the downstream side conveyor 20 located at a position on the downstream side in the conveying direction X with respect to the cutting region 21 to the second winding portion 10 located at a position on the downstream side in the conveying direction X with respect to the downstream side conveyor 20.

[0103] In the second winding step S6, the second glass films G2a and G2b are wound using the winding cores 61a and 61b respectively disposed at predetermined positions. By winding the second glass films G2a and G2b of predetermined lengths, second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b are obtained.

[0104] In addition, in the present embodiment, support rollers 59a and 59b are provided as gap forming portions 58 between the downstream conveyor 20 and the second winding portion 10, so that the second glass film G2 passing over the support rollers 59a and 59b is conveyed to the downstream side while deforming (here, deforming in a direction of bending and convex upward) in accordance with the outer peripheral surface shape of the support rollers 59a and 59b. Thus, a predetermined width direction gap (see FIG. 1 ) is formed between the second glass films G2a and G2b just after being cut. Figure 10 ), so that the cut surfaces can be avoided from interfering with each other and can be transported to the second winding section 10 respectively.

[0105] As described above, in the manufacturing method of the glass film (second glass film G2a, G2b) of the present embodiment, the second conveying section 8 as a conveying device is formed by an upstream conveyor 19 relatively located on the upstream side of the conveying direction X of the first glass film G1 and a downstream conveyor 20 relatively located on the downstream side of the conveying direction X and capable of conveying the second glass films G2a, G2b, and the downstream conveyor 20 is formed by a plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 capable of contacting and supporting the second glass films G2a, G2b by the second belt 28, and the position of the second belt 28 of each downstream belt conveyor 27 can be adjusted in the width direction of the first glass film G1. Thus, the contact support position of the second glass films G2a and G2b in the width direction with the second belt 28 can be freely set without changing the structure of the upstream conveyor 19 for conveying the first glass film G1, so that each downstream belt conveyor 27 can be arranged at an appropriate width direction position according to the width direction position or width direction size of the second glass films G2a and G2b to be obtained by laser cutting. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the second belt 28 contacting the position of the second glass films G2a and G2b deviated to one side in the width direction with the minimum necessary equipment changes, and prevent conveyance defects of the second glass films G2a and G2b such as the slanting of the second glass films G2a and G2b due to the deviated contact position. In addition, if the second glass films G2a and G2b can be transported without being oblique, the interference between the cut surface (side end surface) of the second glass film G2a on one side and the cut surface (side end surface) of the second glass film G2b on the other side adjacent to each other in the width direction can be avoided as much as possible, thereby obtaining second glass films G2a and G2b with good cutting quality.

[0106] In addition, in the present embodiment, when obtaining a plurality of second glass films G2a and G2b each having a predetermined width direction dimension by cutting the first glass film G1, the position of the second belt 28 is adjusted according to the width direction position and the width direction dimension of each of the second glass films G2a and G2b. Thereby, the second belt 28 can be disposed at a position suitable for the position and size of each of the cut second glass films G2a and G2b, and thus it is possible to avoid the skew of all the cut second glass films G2a and G2b and stably convey them in an accurate direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, the position of the second belt 28 can be adjusted according to the width direction end positions of each of the second glass films G2a and G2b, and thus the second glass films G2a and G2b can be stably brought into contact with and supported on both sides in their width direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress fluctuations such as shaking during the conveyance of the second glass films G2a and G2b and stably convey the second glass films G2a and G2b.

[0107] In addition, in the present embodiment, a gap forming portion 58 (here, support rollers 59a and 59b) for forming a width direction gap between any adjacent pair of the second glass films G2a and G2b in the width direction is provided at a position downstream of the first glass film G1 in the conveyance direction with respect to the downstream side conveyor 20. As a result, the portions of the second glass films G2a and G2b that pass over the support rollers 59a and 59b of the gap forming portion 58 are bent and deformed in a direction protruding upward. Therefore, even when the width direction ends of the second glass films G2a and G2b are brought into contact with and supported by the downstream side belt conveyor 27 as described above, it is possible to avoid contact between the second glass films G2a and G2b immediately after cutting and safely convey each of the second glass films G2a and G2b.

[0108] The first embodiment of the method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass film according to the present invention has been described above. However, the manufacturing method and apparatus can of course be adopted in any manner within the scope of the present invention.

[0109] Figure 11 A second embodiment of the method for manufacturing a glass film according to the present invention is shown. That is, in the above-described first embodiment, the structure in the case where the present invention is applied when cutting two second glass films G2a and G2b from one first glass film G1 is exemplified. However, in the present embodiment, the structure in the case where the present invention is applied when cutting three second glass films G2a, G2b, and G2c from one first glass film G1 is exemplified. That is, in the present embodiment, in Figure 11 the manufacturing apparatus 1 shown, the width direction position of the downstream side belt conveyor 27 is adjusted according to the width direction position and the width direction dimension of the cut second glass films G2a to G2c. That is, as Figure 11As shown, a plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 are configured to be slidable in the width direction along the guide rail portion 32. For example, according to the positions at both ends in the width direction of the second glass films G2a to G2c, the positions of the second belts 28 of these plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 are adjusted in the width direction.

[0110] In addition, in the present embodiment, according to the positions and width dimensions in the width direction of the second glass films G2a to G2c, the number and positions in the width direction of the first platform 38 and the second platform 47 are adjusted. In addition, according to the positions and width dimensions in the width direction of the second glass films G2a to G2c, the number and positions in the width direction of the laser irradiation device 36 and the cooling device 37 are adjusted. That is, the laser irradiation device 36 and the cooling device 37 are arranged on each of the second platforms 47 after the position adjustment, and the illustration thereof is omitted.

[0111] It should be noted that in the case where a gap forming portion 58 is provided between the downstream conveyor 20 and the second winding portion 10, as Figure 11 shown, support rollers 59a to 59c having appropriate width dimensions are respectively arranged at appropriate positions in the width direction according to the positions and width dimensions in the width direction of the second glass films G2a to G2c.

[0112] In this way, according to the positions and width dimensions in the width direction of the second glass films G2a to G2c, the positions of the downstream belt conveyors 27 are adjusted in the width direction, so that the second glass film G2a can be supported at positions evenly in the width direction during transportation. Therefore, even when the number and width dimensions of the cut second glass films G2a to G2c are changed, it is possible to avoid the situation where the second belt 28 contacts a position deviated to one side in the width direction, and prevent transportation defects of the second glass films G2a to G2c such as skewing of the second glass films G2a to G2c caused by the deviation of the contact position.

[0113] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the positions of the plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 are adjusted in the width direction in such a manner that the second glass films G2a and G2b cut from the first glass film G1 can be contact-supported near both ends in their width directions (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 11 ), but of course, other arrangement schemes can also be adopted. Figure 12 An example is shown (the third embodiment of the present invention). In the present embodiment, as Figure 12 shown, a plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 are configured to be slidable in the width direction along the guide rail portion 32, and according to the central positions in the width direction of at least a part of the second glass films G2a to G2c, i.e., the second glass films G2a and G2c, the positions of the second belts 28 of the corresponding two pairs of downstream belt conveyors 27 are adjusted in the width direction.

[0114] Thus, the position of the downstream belt conveyor 27 is adjusted in the width direction, so that the corresponding second glass films G2a and G2c can be contact-supported at the central position in their width direction. In this case, the second glass films G2a and G2c are bent and deformed into a shape in which both end sides in the width direction hang down compared with the central position in the width direction (a shape convex upward), so that contact between the cut surfaces of the second glass films G2a (G2c) and G2b immediately after cutting can be avoided, and each of the second glass films G2a to G2c can be conveyed to the downstream side.

[0115] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the second platform 47 is disposed in the cutting area 21 of the first glass film G1, and the first platform 38 is disposed at a position separated from the cutting area 21 in the width direction. However, of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as it does not have a significant impact on the laser cutting, a third conveyor (not shown) may be disposed in such a manner that the support conveyance surface passes through the cutting area 21, and at least one of the first platform 38 and the second platform 47 may be omitted.

[0116] In addition, the support conveyance surface of the conveying device (the second conveying unit 8) does not necessarily need to be disconnected at a position corresponding to the cutting area 21 in the conveying direction X. For example, the support conveyance surface of the second conveying unit 8 may be disconnected at a position shifted downstream in the conveying direction X from the cutting area 21.

[0117] It should be noted that in the above description, an example is shown in which both the upstream conveyor 19 and the downstream conveyor 20 formed by dividing the second conveying unit 8 as the conveying device by the cutting area 21 include belt conveyors. However, of course, other configurations can also be adopted. For example, the upstream conveyor 19 can also be constituted by a roller conveyor and various other conveying devices.

[0118] In addition, in the above description, an example is shown in which two (or three) second glass films G2a, G2b (G2a to G2c) are cut out from one first glass film G1. However, of course, the present invention can also be applied in the case of cutting out one second glass film G2a having different width direction dimensions, and the present invention can also be applied in the case of cutting out four or more second glass films G2a....

[0119] In addition, in the above description, the case where the present invention is applied to the first glass film G1 obtained by cutting both end portions in the width direction of the base glass film G using the first cutting unit 5 is described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the cutting of the base glass film G by the first cutting unit 5. In this case, the first conveying unit 4 can implement the present invention by adopting the same structure as the Figure 2 second conveying unit 8 shown, etc.

[0120] In addition, in the above description, the case where the present invention is applied to the strip-shaped first glass film G1 has been described. However, of course, the present invention can also be applied to the first glass film G1 having other shapes. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a single sheet of plate glass (glass film) such as a rectangular shape, and the illustration thereof is omitted. In addition, the second glass film G2a... obtained by cutting does not have to be wound in a roll shape. In other words, the present invention can also be applied to the manufacturing process of the second glass film G2a... that is not wound in a roll shape.

[0121] Explanation of reference numerals

[0122] 1: Manufacturing apparatus, 2: Forming section, 3: Direction conversion section, 4: First conveying section, 5: First cutting section, 6: First winding section, 7: Pull-out section, 8: Second conveying section, 9: Second cutting section, 10: Second winding section, 11: Formed body, 17a: Laser irradiation device, 17b: Cooling device, 19: Upstream conveyor, 20: Downstream conveyor, 21: Cutting area, 22: Upstream belt conveyor, 23, 28: Belt, 26, 31: Drive source, 27: Downstream belt conveyor, 32: Guide rail section, 33: Sliding section, 35: Retreating space, 36: Laser irradiation device, 37: Cooling device, 38: First platform, 39: First support surface, 40: First suction section, 41, 50: Sheet member, 42: First suction port, 42a, 42a: Both ends opening section, 42b: Through hole, 43, 53: Communication space, 44, 54: Exhaust section, 45, 55: Connecting pipe, 46, 56: Support member, 47: Second platform, 48: Second support surface, 49: Second suction section, 51: Second suction port, 52: Third suction port, 57: Slit section, 58: Gap forming section, 59a, 59b, 59c: Support roller, 60a, 60b: Nozzle, G: Base material glass film, G1: First glass film, G2a, G2b, G2c: Second glass film, GM: Molten glass, GRL1: First glass roll, GRL2a, GRL2b, GRL2c: Second glass roll, L: Laser, PL: Conveying line, R: Refrigerant.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a glass film, in which while transporting a strip-shaped primary glass film in a specified direction by a transport device, the strip-shaped primary glass film is cut to obtain one or more secondary glass films. The method for manufacturing the glass film is characterized in that the primary glass film is cut by irradiating the primary glass film with a laser in a specified cutting area by using a laser cutting device, and the transport device includes an upstream conveyor relatively located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the primary glass film and a downstream conveyor relatively located on the downstream side in the transport direction of the primary glass film and capable of transporting the secondary glass film, the downstream conveyor includes a plurality of downstream belt conveyors capable of contacting and supporting the secondary glass film by a belt, and the downstream conveyor is configured to be able to adjust the position of the belt of each of the downstream belt conveyors in the width direction of the primary glass film so that the plurality of secondary glass films can be respectively supported by dedicated ones of the downstream belt conveyors.

2. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 1, wherein the laser cutting device has a plurality of laser irradiation parts, the laser cutting device is configured to be able to adjust the position of each of the laser irradiation parts in the width direction of the primary glass film.

3. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 1, wherein by cutting the primary glass film, a plurality of the secondary glass films respectively having a specified width direction dimension are obtained, the position of the belt is adjusted according to the width direction position and the width direction dimension of each of the secondary glass films.

4. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 2, wherein by cutting the primary glass film, a plurality of the secondary glass films respectively having a specified width direction dimension are obtained, the position of the belt and the position of the laser irradiation part are respectively adjusted according to the width direction position and the width direction dimension of each of the secondary glass films.

5. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the position of the belt is adjusted according to the width direction central position of each of the secondary glass films.

6. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the position of the belt is adjusted according to the width direction both end positions of each of the secondary glass films.

7. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a gap forming part for forming a width direction gap between any set of the secondary glass films adjacent in the width direction is provided at a position downstream of the downstream conveyor in the transport direction of the primary glass film.

8. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 7, wherein the gap forming part has barrel-shaped support rollers having the largest diameter at the width direction center and the same number as the secondary glass films, so that each of the secondary glass films is bent and deformed in a direction protruding upward.

9. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a part of the plurality of downstream belt conveyors is configured to be able to adsorb the secondary glass film toward the belt.

10. The manufacturing method of the glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the upstream conveyor includes a plurality of upstream belt conveyors capable of contact-supporting the primary glass film with a belt, and the upstream conveyor is configured such that the upstream belt conveyor located at the center in the width direction of the primary glass film among the plurality of upstream belt conveyors can direct the primary glass film toward the belt for adsorption.

11. A manufacturing method of a glass roll, wherein, the secondary glass film obtained by the manufacturing method of the glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is wound in a roll shape by a winding device located on the downstream side of the downstream conveyor in the conveying direction to obtain a glass roll.

12. A glass film manufacturing apparatus for cutting a strip-shaped primary glass film while conveying it in a prescribed direction to obtain one or more secondary glass films, the glass film manufacturing apparatus is characterized by comprising: a conveying device capable of conveying the primary glass film in a prescribed direction; and a laser cutting device capable of irradiating the primary glass film being conveyed by the conveying device with laser light and cutting the primary glass film in a prescribed cutting area, the conveying device includes an upstream conveyor located relatively upstream in the conveying direction of the primary glass film and a downstream conveyor located relatively downstream in the conveying direction of the primary glass film and capable of conveying the secondary glass film, the downstream conveyor includes a plurality of downstream belt conveyors capable of contact-supporting the secondary glass film with a belt, and the downstream conveyor is configured to be able to adjust the position of the belt of each of the downstream belt conveyors in the width direction of the primary glass film so that the plurality of secondary glass films can be respectively supported by dedicated downstream belt conveyors.

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