Method for manufacturing glass film, method for manufacturing glass roll, and manufacturing apparatus for glass film

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a glass film (G1), which at least includes a cutting step (S5) of cutting the strip-shaped glass film (G1) while transporting the strip-shaped glass film (G1) in a specified direction by means of a transport device (8). In the cutting step (S5), the glass film (G1) is cut in a specified cutting area (21) by irradiating the glass film (G1) with a laser (L), and the support and transport surfaces (23a, 28a) of the glass film (G1) of the transport device (8) are disconnected in the cutting area (21) of the glass film (G1). In addition, a first platform (38) capable of contacting and supporting the glass film (G2a, G2b) is disposed at a position corresponding to the central side in the width direction of the cut glass films (G2a, G2b) in the width direction of the glass film (G1) with respect to the cutting area (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass film, a method for manufacturing a glass roll, and a manufacturing apparatus for a glass film, and particularly relates to a technique for cutting a strip-shaped glass film. Background Art

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

[0003] For example, a glass film having a thickness of several hundred μm or less is disclosed in Patent Document 1. 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 glass film continuously formed by the overflow down-draw method is transported downstream by the horizontal transport section (horizontal transport section) of the transport device after changing its transport direction from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. During this transport, the both end portions (thick wall portions) 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 longitudinal 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 and heats this portion, and then the heated portion is cooled by a cooling mechanism. Thereby, thermal stress is generated in the glass film, and under the action of this thermal stress, the initial crack develops, and thus the glass film is cut.

[0006] In the case of cutting an ultra-thin glass film having a thickness of 200 μm or less while transporting it by the above method, numerous wrinkles may be generated in the glass film during the transport. There is a problem that when the glass film is cut in a state where the wrinkles overlap with the laser irradiation position, defective portions caused by the wrinkles remain on the end face of the glass film generated by the cutting.

[0007] Therefore, a method for manufacturing a glass film is proposed in Patent Document 2, including a cutting step of irradiating a laser on a strip-shaped glass film being conveyed in a specified conveying direction to cut the glass film. In this method for manufacturing a glass film, in the cutting step, the lower surface of the glass film is supported by a platform having an opening, and while the glass film is attracted by the opening, a laser is irradiated on the glass film. According to this structure, by attracting a part of the strip-shaped glass film being conveyed along the conveying direction by the opening of the platform, it is possible to prevent wrinkles from occurring in the attracted part or to make the wrinkles occurring in the glass film disappear. Therefore, by irradiating a laser on the attracted part of the glass film and cutting it, it is possible to expect the effect of preventing the occurrence of defects in the cut surface.

[0008] Prior Art Documents

[0009] Patent Documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 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] On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when a laser is irradiated on a strip-shaped glass film being conveyed in a specified direction to cut it, the glass film is conveyed in a specified direction while being contact-supported by a belt conveyor, and a laser irradiation area, that is, a cutting area of the glass film, is set on the conveying path (also referred to as a conveying line) of the above-mentioned conveying device. Therefore, when the glass film passes through the cutting area, a part of the glass film passing through the cutting area is also conveyed while being contact-supported from below by a support such as a belt. Among them, due to vibrations, vertical movements, etc. of the belt being transmitted to the area of the glass film irradiated with the laser, it is difficult to perform stable cutting. In addition, due to structural problems, it is difficult to completely suppress the vertical movement of the belt, and thus the irradiation position of the laser also changes, so it is difficult to perform stable cutting. This situation may also occur even when, as described in Patent Document 2, while attracting the area extremely close to the area of the glass film irradiated with the laser and cutting it using the irradiation of the laser.

[0014] In view of the above situation, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to avoid the influence of the driving of the conveying device on the laser cutting of the glass film, perform stable cutting on the glass film, and thus stably obtain a glass film with good quality.

[0015] Solutions for Solving the Problems

[0016] The problem is solved by the method for manufacturing a glass film according to the present invention. That is, the manufacturing method at least includes a cutting step of cutting a strip-shaped glass film while transporting the strip-shaped glass film in a predetermined direction by a transport device. The method for manufacturing a glass film is characterized in that, in the cutting step, the glass film is cut in a predetermined cutting area by irradiating the glass film with a laser, and the support transport surface of the glass film of the transport device is disconnected in the cutting area of the glass film. Thus, the transport device is divided into an upstream conveyor located at a position upstream of the cutting area in the transport direction of the glass film and a downstream conveyor located at a position downstream of the cutting area in the transport direction of the glass film. A first platform capable of contacting and supporting the glass film is disposed at a position in the width direction of the glass film corresponding to the central side in the width direction of the cut glass film with respect to the cutting area. It should be noted that in this specification, the width direction of the glass film means a direction orthogonal to the length direction and the thickness direction of the glass film.

[0017] Thus, in the method for manufacturing a glass film according to the present invention, the support transport surface of the glass film of the transport device is disconnected in the cutting area of the glass film, so that the transport device is divided into an upstream conveyor located at a position upstream of the cutting area in the transport direction of the glass film and a downstream conveyor located at a position downstream of the cutting area in the transport direction. Therefore, the portion of the glass film passing through the cutting area does not directly bear the vibration or up and down movement from the parts driven for support and transport such as the belt. Therefore, the influence of vibration and the like on cutting can be excluded as much as possible, and stable laser cutting can be achieved. In addition, in the present invention, a first platform capable of contacting and supporting the central side in the width direction of the cut glass film is provided at a position in the transport direction same as the cutting area. Therefore, even in the area (cutting area) where the support transport surface of the transport device is interrupted, the glass film during and after cutting can be transported smoothly. Therefore, the glass film can be cut in a stable state, and the cut glass film can be wound without deviation in position. Thus, a glass film with good quality can be stably obtained, and furthermore, a glass roll with good quality can be stably obtained.

[0018] In addition, in the method for manufacturing a glass film according to the present invention, it may be that the first platform has a first support surface capable of contacting and supporting the glass film and a first suction portion capable of attracting the glass film toward the first support surface.

[0019] In the case of obtaining a glass roll by winding the cut glass film on the downstream side in its conveyance direction, a tensile force caused by the winding acts on the glass film during or after cutting. Therefore, as in the present invention, in the case of adopting a structure in which the supporting conveyance surface of the conveying device is disconnected in the cutting area, the constraining force of the supporting conveyance surface does not act on the portion of the glass film passing through the cutting area, and only the tensile force caused by the winding acts. Therefore, there is a risk that the entire glass film moves and deviates from the specified position. On the contrary, in the present invention, a first attracting portion capable of attracting the glass film toward the first supporting surface is provided on the first platform capable of contacting and supporting the glass film passing through the cutting area. By configuring in this way, the glass film during or after cutting is attracted toward the first supporting surface on the central side in its width direction, and thus this attracting force can act as a force against the tensile force caused by the winding on the portion of the glass film passing through the cutting area. Thereby, the position deviation of the glass film can be suppressed, and thus the glass film can be accurately cut to obtain a high-quality glass film, and further a high-quality glass roll can be obtained.

[0020] In addition, in the case of the first attracting portion arranged as described above, in the manufacturing method of the glass film of the present invention, the first attracting portion may have a groove-shaped first suction port that opens on the first supporting surface and extends along the conveyance direction.

[0021] By configuring the first attracting portion as described above, the attracting force can be evenly applied along the length direction of the glass film. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the movement of the glass film caused by the attraction, and to apply a sufficient force against the tensile force caused by the winding to the glass film.

[0022] In addition, in the case of the first suction port arranged as described above, in the manufacturing method of the glass film of the present invention, the first suction port may be in a form in which both ends in the length direction of the first suction port are open.

[0023] In this way, it becomes a form in which both ends in the length direction of the groove-shaped first suction port are open, so that the first suction port attracts using both the portion opening on the first supporting surface and the portion open at both ends in the length direction. Therefore, even in a state where the portion opening on the first supporting surface is blocked by the glass film, the portions open at both ends in the length direction still remain in a state where they can attract external air. While the glass film is conveyed in a specified direction, the first attracting portion is attracted. Therefore, if it is assumed that the suction port is completely blocked by the glass film, when there is a little leakage, the change in the attracting force becomes more significant, and there is a risk that the position of the glass film becomes unstable. Therefore, by attracting (suctioning) also from both ends in the length direction of the groove-shaped first suction port as described above, the attracting force can be adjusted to an appropriate size, and the change in the attracting force can be reduced.

[0024] In addition, in the method for manufacturing the glass film of the present invention, it is also possible to provide a second platform in the cutting area, the second platform having a second support surface capable of contacting and supporting the glass film. In this case, the second platform has a second suction portion capable of attracting the glass film toward the second support surface.

[0025] By providing the second platform as described above, the glass film can be cut at an accurate position even in the cutting area where the support and transfer surface of the transfer device is interrupted. In addition, at this time, by providing the second suction portion having the above structure on the second platform, the glass film can be cut in a state where the glass film is constrained (positioned) at a specified position on the second support surface. Therefore, more favorable and stable laser cutting can be performed. In addition, by attracting the glass film toward the second support surface, wrinkles generated in the attracted portion of the glass film can be eliminated, or the generation of wrinkles can be prevented. Therefore, a glass film with good cutting quality can be obtained according to the above structure.

[0026] In addition, in the case where the second suction portion is provided as described above, in the method for manufacturing the glass film of the present invention, it is also possible that the second suction portion has a second suction port opening on the second support surface and a pair of third suction ports located on both sides in the width direction of the second suction port.

[0027] By providing a pair of third suction ports in addition to the second suction port in this way, the glass film can be evenly and effectively constrained in the width direction (constrained by local deformation caused by suction). As a result, since the up-and-down movement of the glass film in the transfer state can be suppressed, stable laser cutting can also be performed by this effect.

[0028] In addition, in the case where the second suction portion is provided as described above, in the method for manufacturing the glass film of the present invention, it is also possible that the attraction force of the first suction portion on the glass film is adjusted to be smaller than the attraction force of the second suction portion on the glass film.

[0029] By adjusting the attraction forces of the respective suction portions in this way, in the portion of the glass film where laser cutting is performed, the glass film can be relatively firmly constrained by the deformation caused by suction. In addition, in the portion of the glass film that is separated from the portion where laser cutting is performed in the width direction, smooth transfer of the glass film as a whole can be ensured, and sufficient binding force can be imparted to the glass film to counteract the pulling force caused by winding on the downstream side.

[0030] In addition, in the method for manufacturing the glass film of the present invention, it is also possible that all the contact support surfaces of the glass film in the width direction of the cutting region are in a stationary state. It should be noted that the contact support surfaces mentioned here include the contact support surface of the first platform (the first support surface). In addition, when the second platform is provided, the contact support surface of the second platform (the second support surface) is also included in the above-mentioned contact support surfaces. On the other hand, since the support and conveyance surface provided on a support such as a belt in the conveyance device functions as a driving part of the conveyance device, it is not included in the above-mentioned contact support surfaces.

[0031] According to the manufacturing method of the present invention, the support and conveyance surface of the conveyance device is structured to be disconnected in the cutting region, so a driving support such as a belt is excluded from the part in the width direction of the cutting region. In addition, as described above, all the contact support surfaces such as the first support surface are in a stationary state, so that it is possible to avoid the situation where dynamic influences such as vibrations caused by the presence of the driving part spread to the part of the glass film passing through the cutting region. Therefore, the laser cutting of the glass film can be performed at a more stable position and posture.

[0032] In addition, in the method for manufacturing the glass film of the present invention, it is also possible that the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor respectively have independent drive sources.

[0033] By providing independent drive sources in the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor in this way, it is possible to make the feed speeds different before and after the cutting of the glass film. Therefore, precise adjustment corresponding to the cutting method of the glass film can be performed, and further improvement in the cutting quality can be achieved.

[0034] Here, in the case of having independent drive sources as described above, in the method for manufacturing the glass film of the present invention, it is also possible that each drive source is adjusted so that the feed speed of the downstream conveyor is greater than the feed speed of the upstream conveyor.

[0035] In this way, by making the feed speed of the downstream conveyor greater than the feed speed of the upstream conveyor, a tensile force can be imparted to the part of the glass film immediately before cutting. Thus, for example, the part of the glass film introduced into the cutting region is stretched, and the wrinkles that existed before can be eliminated. Or it can be introduced into the cutting region in a stretched state while preventing the generation of wrinkles. Therefore, further improvement in the cutting quality can be achieved.

[0036] In addition, the present invention can also be provided as a method for manufacturing a glass roll, which is obtained by winding the glass film manufactured by the manufacturing method described above. In this case, it may also be that the glass film is pulled out from the glass roll of the glass film at a position upstream of the upstream conveyor in the conveying direction and supplied to the cutting area, and the cut glass film is wound into a roll shape by a winding unit located downstream of the downstream conveyor in the conveying direction to obtain a glass roll.

[0037] According to the method for manufacturing a glass roll of the present invention, it is possible to avoid the influence of the vibration caused by the driving of the conveying device on the laser cutting of the glass film, and to perform stable cutting on the glass film. Therefore, as described above, the glass film is supplied to the cutting area in a roll-to-roll manner, and the cut glass film is wound into a roll shape, so that a glass roll of good quality can be obtained stably and efficiently.

[0038] In addition, the solution to the above problem is also achieved by the manufacturing apparatus for a glass film of the present invention. That is, the manufacturing apparatus is a manufacturing apparatus for a glass film that cuts a strip-shaped glass film. The manufacturing apparatus for a glass film is characterized by comprising: a conveying device that can convey the glass film in a predetermined direction; and a laser cutting device that can irradiate the glass film being conveyed by the conveying device with laser light and cut the glass film in a predetermined cutting area. The support conveying surface of the glass film of the conveying device is disconnected in the cutting area of the glass film, whereby the conveying device is divided into an upstream conveyor located upstream of the cutting area in the conveying direction of the glass film and a downstream conveyor located downstream of the cutting area in the conveying direction. The manufacturing apparatus for a glass film further comprises a first platform that is disposed at a position corresponding to the center side in the width direction of the cut glass film in the width direction of the glass film with respect to the cutting area, and the first platform can contact and support the glass film.

[0039] Thus, in the manufacturing apparatus for a glass film of the present invention, the supporting and transporting surface of the glass film of the transporting apparatus is also disconnected in the cutting region of the glass film, whereby the transporting apparatus is divided into an upstream conveyor located at a position upstream of the cutting region in the transporting direction of the glass film and a downstream conveyor located at a position downstream of the cutting region in the transporting direction. Therefore, the portion of the glass film passing through the cutting region does not directly receive vibrations or vertical movements from the driving parts such as belts for supporting and transporting. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate as much as possible the influence of vibrations and the like on cutting, and to achieve stable laser cutting. Further, in the present invention, a first platform capable of contacting and supporting the cut glass film on the central side in its width direction is provided at a position in the transporting direction that is the same as the cutting region. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly transport the glass film during and after cutting in the cutting region of the glass film. Therefore, the glass film can be cut in a stable state, and in addition, the cut glass film can be wound without displacement. Thus, it is possible to stably obtain a glass film of good quality, and further, it is possible to stably obtain a glass roll of good quality.

[0040] Advantages of the Invention

[0041] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid the influence of the driving of the transporting apparatus on the laser cutting of the glass film, to perform stable cutting on the glass film, and thereby to stably obtain a glass film of good quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1 FIG. is a side view showing the overall structure of the manufacturing apparatus for a glass film according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a top view of the transporting apparatus shown in FIG.

[0044] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the transporting apparatus along the cutting line A-A in FIG. Figure 2 FIG.

[0045] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a top view of the first platform shown in FIG.

[0046] Figure 5 is a sectional view of the first platform along the cutting line B-B in FIG. Figure 4 FIG.

[0047] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the first platform along the cutting line C-C in FIG. Figure 5 FIG.

[0048] Figure 7 is Figure 2 a top view of the second platform shown in FIG.

[0049] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second platform along the D-D cutting line Figure 7 shown in

[0050] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the second platform along the E-E cutting line Figure 8 shown in

[0051] Figure 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the function of the backup roll Figure 2 shown in

[0052] Figure 11 is a top view of the conveying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention

[0053] Figure 12 is a top view of the conveying device according to the third embodiment of the present invention Detailed Embodiment

[0054] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the method for manufacturing a glass film according to the present invention will be described based on Figures 1 to 10 As shown in

[0055] As Figure 1 shown, the glass film manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes: a forming unit 2 that forms a strip-shaped base glass film G; a direction conversion unit 3 that converts the traveling direction of the base glass film G from vertically downward to horizontally; a first conveying unit 4 that conveys the base glass film G horizontally after the direction conversion; and a first cutting unit 5 that cuts both end portions in the width direction of the base glass film G. In the present embodiment, since the manufacturing apparatus 1 further includes a first winding unit 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 into a roll shape to obtain a first glass roll GRL1, it can also be a glass roll manufacturing apparatus. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the vertical direction is the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is the horizontal direction

[0056] In addition, the glass film manufacturing apparatus 1 further includes: a pulling-out unit 7 that pulls out the first glass film G1 from the first glass roll GRL1; a second conveying unit 8 that conveys the first glass film G1 pulled out by the pulling-out unit 7 horizontally; a second cutting unit 9 that cuts a part of the first glass film G1; and a second winding unit 10 that winds the glass film (hereinafter referred to as the second glass film.) G2 cut by the second cutting unit 9 into a roll shape to obtain second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b

[0057] It should be noted that the first glass film G1 in this embodiment corresponds to the glass film before cutting in the present invention, and the second glass film corresponds to the glass film after cutting in the present invention. Therefore, the first glass roll GRL1 corresponds to the glass roll formed by winding the glass film before cutting in the present invention in a roll shape, and the second glass roll GRL2 corresponds to the glass roll formed by winding the glass film after cutting in the present invention in a roll shape.

[0058] In addition, the second winding portion 10 in this embodiment corresponds to the winding portion in the present invention, the second cutting portion 9 corresponds to the laser cutting device in the present invention, and the second conveying portion 8 corresponds to the conveying device in the present invention.

[0059] The forming portion 2 has: a forming body 11 with a substantially wedge-shaped cross-section, which is formed with an overflow groove 11a at its upper end; an edge roll 12, which is disposed directly below the forming body 11 and sandwiches the molten glass GM overflowing from the forming body 11 from both the front and back sides; and an annealing furnace 13, which is provided directly below the edge roll 12.

[0060] The forming portion 2 causes the molten glass GM overflowing from the overflow groove 11a of the forming body 11 to flow down along both side surfaces respectively and merge at its lower end to form a film shape. The edge roll 12 restricts the widthwise contraction of the molten glass GM and adjusts the widthwise dimension of the base glass film G. The annealing furnace 13 is used to perform a strain removal treatment on the base glass film G. The annealing furnace 13 has annealing rolls 14 arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction.

[0061] Support rolls 15 for clamping the base glass film G from both the front and back sides are provided below the annealing furnace 13. A tension for promoting the formation of a thin wall of the base glass film G is applied between the support rolls 15 and the edge roll 12 or between the support rolls 15 and any of the annealing rolls 14.

[0062] The direction conversion portion 3 is provided at a position below the support roll 15. A plurality of guide rolls 16 for guiding the base glass film G are arranged in a curved shape in the direction conversion portion 3. These guide rolls 16 guide the base glass film G conveyed in the vertical direction to the lateral direction.

[0063] The first conveying portion 4 is arranged in front of (downstream side) the traveling direction of the direction conversion portion 3. The first conveying portion 4 drives the base glass film G that has passed through the direction conversion portion 3 along its length direction to the downstream side by driving a driving portion having a support conveying surface. It should be noted that the first conveying portion 4 can adopt any structure. For example, it can include one or more belt conveyors. In this case, the driving portion 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 portion 4 is not limited to the above-exemplified structure, and a roller conveyor and various other conveying devices can also be used.

[0064] The first cutting unit 5 is disposed above the first conveying unit 4. In the present embodiment, the first cutting unit 5 is configured to be able to cut the base glass film G by laser cutting. Specifically, the first cutting unit 5 includes a pair of laser irradiation devices 17a and a pair of cooling devices 17b disposed on the downstream side of the laser irradiation devices 17a. After the first cutting unit 5 irradiates the laser L from each laser irradiation device 17a to a specified portion of the conveyed base glass film G and heats it, the refrigerant R is released from the cooling device 17b to cool the heated portion.

[0065] The first winding unit 6 is provided on the downstream side of the first conveying unit 4 and the first cutting unit 5. The first winding unit 6 winds the first glass film G1 in a roll shape by rotating the core 18. The obtained first glass roll GRL1 is conveyed to the position of the pulling-out unit 7. The pulling-out unit 7 pulls out the first glass roll GRL1 obtained by the first winding unit 6 from the first glass film G1 and supplies it to the second conveying unit 8.

[0066] 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 and 20. In this case, the supporting and conveying surface of the second conveying unit 8 is disconnected by the cutting region 21 ( Figure 2 the region surrounded by the single dotted line in) of the first glass film G1 cut by the second cutting unit 9. Thus, the second conveying unit 8 is formed into a structure divided into an upstream conveyor 19 located at a position on the upstream side of the cutting region 21 in the conveying direction of the first glass film G1 and a downstream conveyor 20 located at a position on the downstream side of the cutting region 21 in the conveying direction.

[0067] 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 the entire region where the first glass film G1 is in contact in its length direction is maintained 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 Figure 5 etc. described later).

[0068] Here, as Figure 3As shown, each upstream belt conveyor 22 has the above-described annular first belt 23, a plurality of pulleys 24 for applying tension to the first belt 23 and disposing the first belt 23 at a prescribed position, and a support 25 for supporting these plurality of pulleys 24. The support 25 is fixed to the floor surface. Further, a drive source 26 such as a motor is connected to a prescribed pulley 24 (drive pulley 24a) among the plurality of pulleys 24 (see Figure 2 ), and the drive source 26 applies a driving force to the drive pulley 24a, whereby the first belt 23 of each upstream belt conveyor 22 can be driven in a prescribed direction.

[0069] In addition, the plurality of upstream belt conveyors 22 having the above-described structure are respectively provided at prescribed positions in the width direction. Here, it is assumed that a plurality 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 so as to contact and support both end sides in the width 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 disposed so as to be able to contact and support all of the first glass films G1 at the central position in their width direction (see Figure 2 ), and the upstream belt conveyor 22 is configured to be able to adsorb the first glass film G1 to the surface 23a of the first belt 23 that serves as its 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 film G1 can be adsorbed to the surface 23a.

[0070] The downstream conveyor 20 has a plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27. These plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 are each configured to contact and support the cut first glass films G1, that is, the second glass films G2a and G2b, with a belt (hereinafter referred to as the second belt 28) in the same direction and to be able to convey the second glass films G2a and G2b downstream. Here, each second belt 28 is, for example, an annular belt, and the respective second belts 28 are set at the same height direction position so as to hold the entire area in which the second glass films G2a and G2b are in contact in their length direction in a substantially horizontal attitude. Thereby, the surface 23a of each first belt 23 that serves as the support and conveyance surface of the first glass film G1 and the surface 28a of each second belt 28 that serves as the support and conveyance surface of the second glass films G2a and 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.

[0071] Here, as Figure 3As 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 disposing the second belt 28 at a specified position, and a support 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 ). 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 is provided independently of the drive source 26 of the upstream belt conveyor 22. Therefore, the drives of the respective drive sources 26 and 31 can be controlled independently without linkage, and further, the drives of the upstream belt conveyor 22 and the downstream belt conveyor 27 can be controlled independently without linkage.

[0072] Further, in the present embodiment, the 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 downstream belt conveyor 27. And a sliding portion 33 capable of relatively moving between the guide rail portion 32 is attached to the lower portion of the support 30 constituting each downstream belt conveyor 27. Thereby, the sliding portion 33 of each support 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 30 and the second belt 28 supported by these pulleys 29 can slide integrally 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 a 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 while receiving the driving force from the drive source 31 at an arbitrary position in the width direction.

[0073] In the present embodiment, as Figure 2As shown, the widthwise positions of the respective second belts 28 (the respective downstream belt conveyors 27) are adjusted such that a pair of second belts 28 are positioned near both ends in the width direction of each of the second glass films G2a and G2b which are the first glass film G1 after being cut. It should be noted that, as in the present embodiment, when both end portions in the width direction of the first glass film G1 are discarded and two second glass films G2a and 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. Thereby, while reliably avoiding the interference between the unnecessary downstream belt conveyor 27 and the second glass films G2a and G2b, two second glass films G2a and G2b are supported and conveyed by two downstream belt conveyors 27 each, and the end portions in the width direction of the discarded first glass film G1 are supported and conveyed by one downstream belt conveyor 27 each. 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 and 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 the holes 28b, the second glass films G2a and G2b can be adsorbed to the surface 28a.

[0074] 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 portion 9 is configured to be able to cut the first glass film G1 by laser beam cutting, and includes a plurality of laser irradiation devices 36 and a cooling device 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, since the cutting regions 21 of the first glass film G1 cut by the second cutting portion 9 are provided at three positions in the width direction (see Figure 2 ), three laser irradiation devices 36 and three cooling devices 37 are respectively provided. The second cutting portion 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 beam L from each laser irradiation device 36 to a predetermined portion of the conveyed first glass film G1 and heating it. Details will be described later.

[0075] As Figure 2As shown, a first platform 38 is disposed at a position separated in the width direction from the cutting region 21 of the first glass film G1 described above, and is capable of contacting and supporting the first glass film G1 carried by the second transfer unit 8. More precisely, the first platform 38 is disposed at a position corresponding to the center 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 center 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.

[0076] Here, as Figure 4 shown, 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.

[0077] The first platform 38 is formed of metal, for example, into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the present embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, 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 first support surface 39 is constituted by the surface of the sheet member 41, but of course, the upper surface of the first platform 38 may also be used to constitute the first support surface 39.

[0078] In addition, the height direction position of the first support surface 39 may be the same as the conveyance line PL of the first glass film G1, but may also be set, for example, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, to be slightly higher (for example, within a range of 3 mm or less) than the conveyance line PL. Thereby, the first glass film G1 can be more reliably brought into close contact with the first support surface 39.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the first suction portion 40 has a first suction port 42 opening in the first support surface 39, a communication space 43 communicating with the first suction port 42, an exhaust portion 44 such as a pump for exhausting the inside of the communication space 43, and a connection pipe 45 connecting the communication space 43 and the exhaust portion 44 (all are referred to Figure 3 ). In the present embodiment, the first suction port 42 is in a groove shape. In addition, the groove-shaped 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 conveyance 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. Further, in the present embodiment, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first suction port 42 are open with respect to the side surface of the first platform 38. Therefore, both end opening portions 42a, 42a of the first suction port 42 are in a state of being always open to the external space (external air).

[0080] A plurality of through holes 42b are formed on the bottom surface of the first suction port 42 and are connected to a 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 attached to the support member 46. It is also possible that the exhaust portion 44 is shared, for example, and a plurality of connecting pipes 45 having the same number as the first platform 38 are connected to one exhaust portion 44. Alternatively, 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 attached to 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 on the first support surface 39 and both end opening portions 42a, 42a located at both ends in its longitudinal 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 to the first support surface 39 by the above-described suction operation.

[0081] Further, in the present embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, a second platform 47 capable of contacting and supporting the first glass film G1 is disposed in the cutting region 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, and therefore, three second platforms 47 are respectively disposed in the cutting regions 21 of the three positions. These second platforms 47 are provided and fixed on the floor surface and are in a state of always being stationary, and illustration thereof is omitted.

[0082] 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.

[0083] The second platform 47 is formed of metal into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example. In the present embodiment, the second support surface 48, as Figure 8As shown, it is constituted by the surface of the sheet member 50 disposed on the upper side of the second platform 47. The sheet member 50 is formed of a material such as resin that has a small resistance when contacting the first glass film G1 or has good slidability with respect to the first glass film G1. 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.

[0084] In addition, the height direction position of the second support surface 48 may be the same as the conveyance 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 conveyance line PL as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 This enables the first glass film G1 to be more reliably in close contact with the second support surface 48.

[0085] In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 the second suction portion 49 has a second suction port 51 that opens on 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 that communicates with the second suction port 51 and the third suction ports 52, 52, an exhaust portion 54 such as a pump that exhausts the inside of the communication space 53, and a connection pipe 55 that connects the communication space 53 and the exhaust portion 54.

[0086] In the present embodiment, both the second suction port 51 and the third suction port 52 are 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 an appropriate size 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 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.

[0087] The second suction port 51 and a 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 a 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. In addition, 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.

[0088] According to the second suction portion 49 having the above structure, by driving the exhaust portion 54, suction is performed from the second suction port 51 and the third suction ports 52, 52 and the slit portion 57 that are open in the second support surface 48. Therefore, when the first glass film G1 is transported 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 suction action.

[0089] In addition, as in the present embodiment, when the first suction portion 40 and the second suction portion 49 are provided with independent exhaust portions 44, 54, the suction force can be controlled independently. For example, the suction 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, so that the suction force of the first suction portion 40 on the first glass film G1 is smaller than the suction force of the second suction portion 49 on the first glass film G1. Of course, it is also possible to share the exhaust portion (not shown) between the first suction portion 40 and the second suction portion 49, thereby simplifying the structure.

[0090] The laser irradiation device 36 locally heats a specified portion of the first glass film G1 that moves along the transport direction X by irradiating the laser L thereto. As Figure 9 shown, the laser irradiation device 36 has a plurality of laser irradiation portions 36a. Each laser irradiation portion 36a is disposed above the second suction port 51 of the second platform 47. Thus, the laser irradiation portion 36a irradiates the laser L to a plurality of portions of the first glass film G1 that pass through the second suction port 51 that is open in the second support surface 48. The irradiation position O of the laser L from each laser irradiation portion 36a is set to be located on a straight line that is substantially parallel to the transport direction X of the first glass film G1.

[0091] The cooling device 37 is disposed on the downstream side of the laser irradiation device 36 in the conveying direction X of the first glass film G1. The cooling device 37 supplies a refrigerant R to a portion of the first glass film G1 that is locally heated by the irradiation of the laser L to cool the portion.

[0092] A gap forming portion 58 for forming a gap in the width direction between a set of second glass films G2a and G2b adjacent in the width direction is provided at a position downstream of the second conveying portion 8. In the present embodiment, the gap forming portion 58 has barrel-shaped support rollers 59a and 59b with 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 bulging upward. In the present embodiment, two second glass films G2a and G2b are cut out, so two support rollers 59a and 59b are provided. In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 10 shown, nozzles 60a and 60b are provided, and the nozzles 60a and 60b blow a gas such as air toward both ends in the width direction of each of the second glass films G2a and G2b supported by the support rollers 59a and 59b from above.

[0093] The second winding portion 10 is disposed at a position downstream of the second conveying portion 8. Specifically, the second winding portion 10 winds the second glass films G2a and G2b conveyed by the second conveying 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, so these two second glass films G2a and G2b are wound respectively to obtain two second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b.

[0094] As the material of the second glass films G2a and G2b (first glass film G1) manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 having the above structure, silicate glass, silica glass is used, and borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, chemically strengthened glass are preferably used, and non-alkali glass is most preferably used. Here, non-alkali glass means glass that substantially does not contain an alkali component (alkali metal oxide), specifically, glass in which the weight ratio of the alkali component is 3000 ppm or less. In the present invention, the weight ratio of the alkali component is preferably 1000 ppm or less, more preferably 500 ppm or less, and most preferably 300 ppm or less.

[0095] In addition, the thickness dimension of the second glass films G2a and G2b (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.

[0096] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the second glass films G2a and G2b (in this 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.

[0097] 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 form a film shape. At this time, the edge roller 12 restricts the shrinkage of the molten glass GM in the width direction 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.

[0098] 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 conveying unit 4, a part of the base glass film G is irradiated with the laser L from the laser irradiation device 17a in the first cutting unit 5 and heated. Then, the coolant R is blown onto the heated portion using the cooling device 17b. Thereby, thermal stress is generated in the base glass film G. Initial cracks are pre-formed in the base glass film G, and the cracks develop under the action of the thermal stress. As a result, both end portions in the width direction of the base glass film G are removed to form the first glass film G1.

[0099] Next, in the first winding step S3, as also Figure 1 shown, by winding the first glass film G1 around the core 18, the first glass roll GRL1 is obtained. Then, the first glass roll GRL1 is transferred to the pulling-out unit 7. In the pulling-out step S4, the first glass film G1 is pulled out from the first glass roll GRL1 transferred to the pulling-out unit 7, and the first glass film G1 is conveyed to the cutting region 21 on the second conveying unit 8 using the second conveying unit 8 (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0100] In the cutting step S5, the laser L is irradiated onto the portion of the first glass film G1 passing through the cutting region 21 on the second conveying unit 8 using the laser irradiation device 36, and the coolant R is blown onto the irradiated region, thereby cutting the first glass film G1 in the direction along the conveying direction X. In addition, at this time, the first glass film G1 is conveyed in the direction along the conveying direction X by the upstream conveyor 19, and passes on the first support surface 39 of the first platform 38 disposed at a position separated from the cutting region 21 in the width direction (see Figure 2)。Here, by operating the exhaust portion 44 of the first attracting portion 40 (always operating it in advance), a downward attracting force is applied to the first glass film G1 on the first support surface 39 through the first suction port 42 that opens on the first support surface 39, and the first glass film G1 is attracted toward the first support surface 39. As a result, the first glass film G1 is brought into contact with and supported by the first support surface 39 while being conveyed along the conveying direction X. In addition, according to the degree of the attracting force of the first attracting portion 40, the attracted portion of the first glass film G1 is deformed (for example, as shown in Figure 5 , it is bent and deformed in a direction convex downward).

[0101] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the second platform 47 is provided in the cutting region 21, as described above, while the first glass film G1 passes over the cutting region 21, it also passes over the second support surface 48 of the second platform 47 (refer to Figure 2 ). Here, the exhaust portion 54 of the second attracting portion 49 is operated, so that a downward attracting force is applied to the first glass film G1 on the second support surface 48 through the second suction port 51 and the pair of third suction ports 52, 52 that open on the second support surface 48, and the first glass film G1 is attracted toward the second support surface 48. As a result, the first glass film G1 is brought into contact with and supported while receiving a force (constraining force) toward the second support surface 48 and is conveyed along the conveying direction X. In addition, according to the degree of the attracting force of the second attracting portion 49, the attracted portion of the first glass film G1 is deformed (for example, as shown in Figure 8 , the portions directly above the respective suction ports 51, 52 are bent and deformed in a direction convex downward).

[0102] It should be noted that at this time, the attracting force of the first attracting portion 40 is controlled to an appropriate size, 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 size, 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).

[0103] In the above adjustment of the attracting force, when the attracting force is increased, the amount of deformation of the first glass film G1 described above 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, and 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.

[0104] 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 transported by the second transfer unit 8 (upstream 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.

[0105] By irradiating 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 it. Thermal stress is generated in the first glass film G1 by the expansion caused by the local heating of the laser irradiation device 36 and the contraction caused by the cooling of the cooling device 37. An initial crack is pre-formed in the first glass film G1 by a mechanism (not shown), and the initial crack is developed using the above thermal stress, so that the first glass film G1 is continuously cut (severed) at a specified position in its width direction. In the present embodiment, by performing the above laser cutting at three positions in the width direction, both end portions in the width direction of the first glass film G1 are discarded, and two second glass films G2a and G2b each having a specified width direction dimension are cut out (refer to Figure 2 ). These second glass films G2a and G2b are transported by the downstream conveyor 20 located at a position downstream of the cutting region 21 in the transport direction X toward the second winding unit 10 located at a position downstream of the downstream conveyor 20 in the transport direction X.

[0106] In the second winding step S6, the second glass films G2a and G2b are wound around the cores 61a and 61b respectively disposed at specified positions. By winding the second glass films G2a and G2b of a specified length, second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b are obtained.

[0107] In addition, in the present embodiment, support rollers 59a and 59b serving as a gap forming unit 58 are disposed between the downstream conveyor 20 and the second winding unit 10. Therefore, the second glass film G2 passing over each of the support rollers 59a and 59b is deformed in accordance with the outer peripheral surface shape of the support rollers 59a and 59b (here, bent and deformed in a direction convex upward) while being transported downstream. As a result, a specified width direction gap is formed between the second glass films G2a and G2b immediately after cutting (refer to Figure 10 ), so that interference between the cut surfaces can be avoided and they can be transported to the second winding unit 10 separately.

[0108] As described above, in the method for manufacturing the glass films (second glass films G2a and G2b) of the present embodiment, the support and conveyance surfaces of the first glass film G1 in the second conveyance unit 8 (the surface 23a of the first belt 23 and the surface 28a of the second belt 28) are disconnected at the cutting region 21 of the first glass film G1, whereby the second conveyance unit 8 as a conveyance device is divided into an upstream conveyor 19 located on the upstream side of the cutting region 21 in the conveyance direction X of the first glass film G1 and a downstream conveyor 20 located on the downstream side of the cutting region 21 in the conveyance direction X. Therefore, the portion of the first glass film G1 passing through the cutting region 21 is not directly affected by the vibration or vertical movement of the portions such as the belts 23 and 28 that are driven for support and conveyance. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the influence of vibration and the like on cutting as much as possible and achieve stable laser cutting. In addition, in the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, a first platform 38 capable of contact-supporting the second glass films G2a and G2b on the central side in the width direction thereof is provided at a position in the conveyance direction that is the same as the cutting region 21. Therefore, even in the region (cutting region 21) where the support and conveyance surface of the second conveyance unit 8 is interrupted, the first glass film G1 and the second glass films G2a and G2b can be conveyed smoothly. Therefore, the first glass film G1 can be cut in a stable state, and the second glass films G2a and G2b can be wound without position deviation. Thus, the second glass films G2a and G2b of good quality can be stably obtained, and further, the second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b of good quality can be stably obtained.

[0109] In addition, in the present embodiment, a first support surface 39 capable of contact-supporting the second glass films G2a and G2b and a first suction portion 40 capable of attracting the second glass films G2a and G2b toward the first support surface 39 are provided on the first platform 38. Thereby, the second glass films G2a and G2b receive an attractive force toward the first support surface 39 on the central side in the width direction thereof. Therefore, this attractive force can act as a force that counteracts the tensile force accompanying winding on the portion of the second glass films G2a and G2b passing through the cutting region 21. Thereby, the position deviation of the second glass films G2a and G2b can be suppressed, and therefore, the second glass films G2a and G2b can be accurately cut to obtain high-quality second glass films G2a and G2b, and further, high-quality second glass rolls GRL2a and GRL2b can be obtained.

[0110] In addition, in the present embodiment, a second platform 47 having a second support surface 48 capable of contacting and supporting the first glass film G1 is disposed in the cutting region 21. A second suction portion 49 capable of attracting the first glass film G1 toward the second support surface 48 is provided on the second platform 47, and the suction forces of the suction portions 40 and 49 can be adjusted such that the suction force of the first suction portion 40 on the second glass films G2a and G2b is smaller than the suction force of the second suction portion 49 on the first glass film G1. With such a configuration, in the portion of the first glass film G1 where laser cutting is performed, the first glass film G1 can be relatively firmly constrained under the action of deformation caused by suction (refer to Figure 8 ). In addition, in the portion of the first glass film G1 that is separated from the portion where laser cutting is performed in the width direction, smooth conveyance of the second glass films G2a and G2b as a whole can be ensured, and sufficient binding force can be imparted to the second glass films G2a and G2b to counter the tensile force acting on each of the second glass films G2a and G2b as they are wound around the second winding portion 10 on the downstream side.

[0111] In addition, in the present embodiment, the plurality of upstream belt conveyors 22 constituting the upstream conveyor 19 divided by the cutting region 21 and the plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 constituting the downstream conveyor 20 divided by the cutting region 21 have independent drive sources 26 and 31. Therefore, the feed speeds of the downstream belt conveyors 27 can be adjusted to be greater than the feed speeds of the upstream belt conveyors 22. By setting the feed speeds of the belt conveyors 22 and 27 in this way, a tensile force in the direction along the conveyance direction X can be imparted to the portion of the first glass film G1 immediately before cutting. As a result, for example, the portion of the first glass film G1 introduced into the cutting region 21 is stretched, and wrinkles that previously existed can be eliminated. Or it can be introduced into the cutting region 21 in a stretched state while preventing the generation of wrinkles. Thus, further improvement in cutting quality can be achieved.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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 illustrated. 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 illustrated. That is, in the present embodiment, Figure 11In the manufacturing apparatus 1 shown, the number and width-direction positions of the first stage 38 and the second stage 47 are adjusted according to the width-direction positions and width-direction dimensions of the cut second glass films G2a to G2c. In addition, the number and width-direction positions of the laser irradiation devices 36 and the cooling devices 37 are adjusted according to the width-direction positions and width-direction dimensions of the second glass films G2a to G2c. That is, the laser irradiation devices 36 and the cooling devices 37 are arranged on each of the second stages 47 after the position adjustment, but the illustration is omitted.

[0114] In addition, in this embodiment, the width direction position of the downstream belt conveyor 27 is adjusted according to the width direction position and width direction size of the second glass films G2a to G2c. Figure 11 As shown, when the plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 are configured to be slidable in the width direction along the rail portion 32 , the positions of the plurality of downstream belt conveyors 27 are adjusted in the width direction according to the positions of both ends of the second glass films G2 a to G2 c in the width direction.

[0115] It should be noted that, when the gap forming portion 58 is provided between the downstream conveyor 20 and the second winding portion 10, Figure 11 As shown, according to the width direction position and width direction size of the second glass films G2a to G2c, the support rollers 59a to 59c having appropriate width direction sizes are respectively arranged at appropriate width direction positions.

[0116] In this way, by adjusting the number and width-direction positions of the first platforms 38 and the second platforms 47, it is possible to flexibly cope with changes in the cutting conditions of the first glass film G1 in the manufacturing apparatus 1. In addition, the position of the downstream belt conveyor 27 is adjusted in the width direction according to the width-direction positions and width-direction dimensions of the second glass films G2a to G2c, so that the second glass film G2a can be supported and conveyed at a uniform position in the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the second belt 28 from contacting a position deviated to one side in the width direction, and prevent conveyance defects of the second glass films G2a to G2c, such as the second glass films G2a to G2c being skewed due to the deviated contact position. In addition, if the second glass films G2a~G2c can be transported without being oblique, the interference between the cut surface (side end surface) of the second glass film G2a (G2c) on one side adjacent to each other in the width direction and the cut surface (side end surface) of the other second glass film G2b can be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, the second glass films G2a~G2c with good cutting quality can be obtained, and further the second glass rolls GRL2a~GRL2c with good cutting quality can be obtained.

[0117] It should be noted that in the above-described embodiments, the case where two (or three) second glass films G2a, G2b (G2a to G2c) are cut out from one first glass film G1 is illustrated. However, of course, the present invention can also be applied when cutting out one second glass film G2a having different widthwise dimensions. In addition, the present invention can also be applied when cutting out four or more second glass films G2a...

[0118] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the case where the first platform 38 is set to be in the same position and have the same size as the second platform 47 in the conveying direction X, and the first platform 38 is provided with a prescribed widthwise interval from the second platform 47 adjacent in the width direction is illustrated. However, of course, other configurations can also be adopted. For example, as Figure 12 shown, the first support surface 39 of the first platform 38 can also be enlarged in such a way as to substantially fill (up to a position close to the second platform 47) the space between a pair of second platforms 47 adjacent in the width direction. In addition, it can also be set such that the dimension of the first platform 38 in the direction along the conveying direction X is larger than the dimension of the second platform 47 in the direction along the conveying direction X, but illustration thereof is omitted.

[0119] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the case where the first suction port 42 formed on the first support surface 39 is formed in a groove shape is illustrated. However, of course, other forms can also be adopted. For example, a plurality of through holes 42b serving as the first suction port 42 can also be formed on the first support surface 39, but illustration thereof is omitted. In addition, even when the first suction port 42 is in a groove shape, any form other than those shown, such as a form extending along the width direction, can also be adopted. Regarding the second suction port 51 and the third suction port 52 formed on the second support surface 48 of the second platform 47 (in particular, the third suction port 52 that does not belong to the irradiation region of the laser L), of course, forms other than those shown can also be adopted.

[0120] It should be noted that in the above description, the case where both the upstream conveyor 19 and the downstream conveyor 20 formed by dividing the second conveying unit 8, which is a conveying device, by the cutting region 21 include belt conveyors is illustrated. However, of course, other forms can also be adopted. For example, at least one of the upstream conveyor 19 and the downstream conveyor 20 can also include a roller conveyor or various other conveying devices.

[0121] In addition, in the above description, it has been described that in the cutting area 21, not only the first platform 38 is provided, but also the second platform 47 is provided. However, the second platform 47 is not an essential component. Depending on the cutting method of the first glass film G1, the second platform 47 can also be omitted. Alternatively, even when the second platform 47 is provided, a structure in which the second suction portion 49 is omitted can also be adopted.

[0122] In addition, in the above description, it has been described that 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 portion 5. However, the present invention can also be applied to the cutting of the base glass film G by the first cutting portion 5. In this case, the first transfer portion 4 adopts the same structure as the Figure 2 second transfer portion 8 shown, etc., and the present invention can be implemented.

[0123] In addition, in the above description, it has been described that the present invention is applied to the strip-shaped first glass film G1. However, of course, the present invention can also be applied to the first glass film G1 having other forms. That is, since the present invention is not limited to the manufacturing method of the glass roll, for example, even when using a width direction cutting device to cut out glass films from the glass film G1 at regular intervals instead of the second winding portion 10, the present invention can also be applied to the production of single-sheet plate glass (glass film) such as a rectangular shape, and the illustration thereof is omitted.

[0124] Description of Reference Numerals

[0125] 1: Manufacturing apparatus, 2: Forming section, 3: Direction conversion section, 4: First transfer section, 5: First cutting section, 6: First winding section, 7: Pull-out section, 8: Second transfer 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-end 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, comprising at least a cutting step of cutting a strip-shaped glass film while transporting the strip-shaped glass film in a predetermined direction by means of a transport device, The method for manufacturing a glass film is characterized in that, In the cutting step, the glass film is cut in a predetermined cutting area by irradiating the glass film with a laser, and The support and transport surface of the glass film of the transport device is disconnected in the cutting area of the glass film, whereby the transport device is divided into an upstream conveyor located at a position upstream of the cutting area in the transport direction of the glass film and a downstream conveyor located at a position downstream of the cutting area in the transport direction of the glass film, A first platform capable of contacting and supporting the glass film is disposed at a position in the width direction of the glass film relative to the cutting area and corresponding to the central side in the width direction of the cut glass film, The first platform has a first support surface capable of contacting and supporting the glass film and a first suction portion capable of sucking the glass film toward the first support surface so that the glass film is transported in the predetermined direction while being contacted and supported by the first support surface and passing through the cutting area, A second platform having a second support surface capable of contacting and supporting the glass film is disposed in the cutting area, and the second platform has a second suction portion capable of sucking the glass film toward the second support surface, The suction force of the first suction portion on the glass film is adjusted to be smaller than the suction force of the second suction portion on the glass film.

2. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 1, wherein, The first suction portion has a groove-shaped first suction port that opens on the first support surface and extends along the conveying direction.

3. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 2, wherein, The first suction port is in a form that opens both ends in the length direction of the first suction port.

4. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 1, wherein, The second suction portion has a second suction port that opens on the second support surface and a pair of third suction ports located on both sides in the width direction of the second suction port.

5. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, All the contact support surfaces of the glass film in the width direction of the cutting area are in a stationary state.

6. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor respectively have independent drive sources.

7. The method for manufacturing a glass film according to claim 6, wherein, The feeding speed of the downstream conveyor is adjusted to be greater than the feeding speed of the upstream conveyor.

8. A method for manufacturing a glass roll, wherein, A glass roll is obtained by winding the glass film manufactured by the manufacturing method of the glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The method for manufacturing a glass roll according to claim 8, wherein, The glass film is pulled out from the glass roll of the glass film at a position upstream of the upstream conveyor in the conveying direction and supplied to the cutting area, and The cut glass film is wound into a roll shape by a winding portion located downstream of the downstream conveyor in the conveying direction to obtain the glass roll.

10. A manufacturing apparatus for a glass film, which cuts a strip-shaped glass film, The manufacturing apparatus for the glass film is characterized by comprising: A conveying device capable of conveying the glass film in a specified direction; and A laser cutting device capable of irradiating a laser on the glass film being conveyed by the conveying device and cutting the glass film in a specified cutting area, The supporting and conveying surface of the glass film of the conveying device is disconnected in the cutting area of the glass film, whereby the conveying device is divided into an upstream conveyor located at a position upstream of the cutting area in the conveying direction of the glass film and a downstream conveyor located at a position downstream of the cutting area in the conveying direction of the glass film, and The manufacturing apparatus for the glass film further comprises a first platform, which is arranged at a position corresponding to the central side in the width direction of the cut glass film in the width direction of the glass film relative to the cutting area, and the first platform can contact and support the glass film, The first platform has a first supporting surface capable of contacting and supporting the glass film, and a first suction portion capable of sucking the glass film toward the first supporting surface so that the glass film is contacted and supported by the first supporting surface and conveyed in the specified direction while passing through the cutting area, A second platform having a second supporting surface capable of contacting and supporting the glass film is arranged in the cutting area, and the second platform has a second suction portion capable of sucking the glass film toward the second supporting surface, The suction force of the first suction portion on the glass film is adjusted to be smaller than the suction force of the second suction portion on the glass film.

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