Can product manufacturing device, can product manufacturing method, and can product manufacturing program

Abstract

The invention provides a can product manufacturing device, a can product manufacturing method and a can product manufacturing program, which can manufacture a can product with high precision. The can product manufacturing device connects a front side member and a back side member to manufacture a can product, and is provided with: a printing unit for printing on a printing medium; a mold unit having a lower mold for supporting the front-side member and an upper mold for separating the front-side member from the lower mold; and a transport unit that transports the medium to be printed to a position above the front side member in a transport direction from the printing unit to the mold unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a canned product manufacturing apparatus, a canned product manufacturing method, and a canned product manufacturing program. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a manufacturing apparatus for canned products such as badges with a prescribed image has been known. A canned product manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a badge by tightening a front lid to a back lid is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-136210 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the above prior art, a structure is adopted in which a user himself / herself places a transparent film for tightening together with the front lid on a film placement surface of a lower mold that supports the back lid. Therefore, the user himself / herself can enjoy the production by participating in the production of the badge, but the positioning accuracy of the transparent film may be reduced. As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to manufacture canned products with high precision.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a canned product manufacturing apparatus, a canned product manufacturing method, and a canned product manufacturing program that can manufacture canned products with high precision.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The canned product manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is a canned product manufacturing apparatus that connects a front-side member and a back-side member to manufacture a canned product, and includes: a printing unit that prints on a medium to be printed; a mold unit that has a lower mold that supports the front-side member and an upper mold that separates the front-side member from the lower mold; and a transport unit that transports the medium to be printed above the front-side member in a transport direction from the printing unit toward the mold unit.

[0011] According to the present invention, the medium to be printed is transported above the front-side member supported by the lower mold by the transport unit. As a result, the transport accuracy of the medium to be printed with respect to the front-side member is improved. Therefore, canned products can be manufactured with high precision. In addition, no labor of the user is required when manufacturing canned products.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a canned product manufacturing apparatus, a canned product manufacturing method, and a canned product manufacturing program that can manufacture canned products with high precision can be provided. Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the canned product manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a top view of the canned product manufacturing apparatus.

[0016] Figure 3 is a diagram showing Figure 1 the structure of the control system of the canned product manufacturing apparatus.

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the front-side member supply unit.

[0018] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the back-side member supply unit.

[0019] Figure 6A is a top view showing the printing medium.

[0020] Figure 6B is a top view showing the white film.

[0021] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of the conveying unit.

[0022] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a side view of the conveying unit.

[0023] Figure 9 is a top view showing the lower plate and the upper plate provided on the lower mold.

[0024] Figure 10A is a perspective view of the pressing unit.

[0025] Figure 10B is a perspective view of the pressing unit observed from a direction different from Figure 10A that.

[0026] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the standby position of the pressing head of the pressing unit.

[0027] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the pressing position of the pressing head of the pressing unit.

[0028] Figure 13A is a perspective view of the mold unit.

[0029] Figure 13B is a perspective view of the mold unit observed from a direction different from Figure 13A that.

[0030] Figure 14AIt is a perspective view of the front-side member and the back-side member.

[0031] Figure 14B It is a cross-sectional view of a canned product produced by connecting the front-side member and the back-side member through Figure 14A .

[0032] Figure 15A It is a cross-sectional view of the upper die and two lower dies for explaining the tightening process of the front-side member and the back-side member.

[0033] Figure 15B It is a cross-sectional view of the upper die and two lower dies for explaining the tightening process of the front-side member and the back-side member.

[0034] Figure 16A It is a cross-sectional view of the upper die and two lower dies for explaining the tightening process of the front-side member and the back-side member.

[0035] Figure 16B It is a cross-sectional view of the upper die and two lower dies for explaining the tightening process of the front-side member and the back-side member.

[0036] Figure 17 It is a perspective view of the extraction unit.

[0037] Figure 18 It is a diagram for explaining the extraction of canned products by the extraction unit of Figure 17 .

[0038] Figure 19 It is a flowchart showing the process of the canned product manufacturing apparatus.

[0039] Figure 20A It is a diagram showing a first modification example of the cutting structure of the connecting portion of the print medium.

[0040] Figure 20B It is a diagram showing a second modification example of the cutting structure of the connecting portion of the print medium.

[0041] Figure 21A It is a diagram showing a third modification example of the cutting structure of the connecting portion of the print medium.

[0042] Figure 21B It is a diagram showing a fourth modification example of the cutting structure of the connecting portion of the print medium.

[0043] Figure 22 It is a diagram showing a fifth modification example of the cutting structure of the connecting portion of the print medium.

[0044] Figure 23 It is a diagram showing a modification example of the shape of the connected portion of the print medium.

[0045] Figure 24This is a diagram of a first modified example showing the relationship between the conveyance direction of the printed medium and the moving directions of the two lower dies.

[0046] Figure 25 This is a diagram of a second modified example showing the relationship between the conveyance direction of the printed medium and the moving directions of the two lower dies.

[0047] Figure 26 This is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the conveyance direction of the printed medium and the moving directions of the front-side member and the back-side member. Detailed Embodiment

[0048] Hereinafter, a can product manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The can product manufacturing apparatus described below is merely one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and additions, deletions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0049] (Overall Structure)

[0050] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a can product manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is Figure 1 a top view of the can product manufacturing apparatus 100. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing Figure 1 the structure of the control system of the can product manufacturing apparatus 100. The can product manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus that connects a front-side member and a back-side member, for example, tightens the front-side member and the back-side member to manufacture a can product. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, such a can product manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 1, a conveyance unit 2, a die unit 3, a front-side member supply unit 4, a back-side member supply unit 5, a pressing unit 6, a taking-out unit 7, a recycling box 8, and a can product container 9. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the mutually orthogonal directions are set as a first direction Dx, a second direction Dy, and a third direction Dz. In the present embodiment, for example, the first direction Dx is the front-back direction of the can product manufacturing apparatus 100, the second direction Dy is the left-right direction of the can product manufacturing apparatus 100, and the third direction Dz is the up-down direction. In this case, the front side of the printing unit 1 is set as the front side, the back side is set as the back side, and the left and right when viewed from the front are set as the left side and the right side. In the following description, Dx will be referred to as the front-back direction, Dy will be referred to as the left-right direction, and Dz will be referred to as the up-down direction.

[0051] The printing unit 1 is disposed below the mold unit 3, the front-side member supply unit 4, the back-side member supply unit 5, the pressing unit 6, and the taking-out unit 7. The printing unit 1 is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints an image on a printing medium W such as a transparent film ( Figure 6A ). The printing unit 1 prints on the printing medium W. Specifically, the printing unit 1 has a print head 10, and performs printing by ejecting ink droplets onto the printing medium W using the print head 10. In addition, the printing unit 1 has a conveyance motor 11 that drives the conveyance rollers. It should be noted that the print head 10 can be a serial head type or a line head type.

[0052] In addition, the printing unit 1 includes a sheet holder (not shown) that holds a plurality of printing media W and a plurality of white films F ( Figure 6B ). The printing medium W and the white film F are held by the sheet holder in a manner of being alternately overlapped. The white film F is not printed by the printing unit 1 but is supplied to the conveyance unit 2, and the printing medium W is supplied to the conveyance unit 2 after a predetermined image is printed by the print head 10 of the printing unit 1. The predetermined image is a reversed image that becomes a positive image when the user views the image from the side of the printing medium W opposite to the side on which the image is printed. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, an example in which the printing unit 1 is an inkjet printer is given, but it is not limited thereto. The printing unit 1 can also be other printers such as a laser printer or a thermal printer.

[0053] As Figure 3 shown, the canned product manufacturing apparatus 100 further includes a control device 110, a first drive circuit 115, a second drive circuit 116, a third drive circuit 117, a fourth drive circuit 118, a fifth drive circuit 119, a sixth drive circuit 120, and a seventh drive circuit 150. The control device 100 has an interface 111, an arithmetic unit 112, and a storage unit 113. The interface 111 receives various data such as image data from external devices 114 such as a computer, a camera, a communication network, a recording medium, a display, and a printer. In addition, the control device 110 can be constituted by a single device, or can also be configured such that a plurality of devices are dispersedly arranged and cooperate to perform the operation of the canned product manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0054] The storage unit 113 is a memory accessible from the arithmetic unit 112, and has a RAM and a ROM. The RAM temporarily stores various data such as image data received from the external device 114 and data converted by the arithmetic unit 112. The ROM stores a canned product manufacturing program for performing various processes and predetermined data. It should be noted that the canned product manufacturing program can also be stored in an external storage medium different from the storage unit 113 and accessible from the arithmetic unit 112, such as a CD-ROM.

[0055] The arithmetic unit 112 includes, for example, at least one circuit such as a processor like a CPU and an integrated circuit such as an ASIC. The arithmetic unit 112 controls each unit by executing a canned product manufacturing program. In the present embodiment, the arithmetic unit 112 corresponds to a computer, a supply control unit, a print control unit, a conveyance control unit, an upper die control unit, and a connection control unit.

[0056] The control device 110 outputs a control signal to the first drive circuit 115. The first drive circuit 115 generates a drive signal based on the control signal and outputs it to the nozzle head 10 of the print unit 1. The nozzle head 10 is driven according to the drive signal, and thus ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles. Specifically, the first drive circuit 115 moves the nozzle head 10 in a specified moving direction based on the image data obtained from the external device 114, and at the same time, ejects ink droplets from the nozzle head 10 onto the print medium W. Further, the first drive circuit 115 conveys the print medium W in a specified conveyance direction by driving the conveyance motor 11. In this way, the first drive circuit 115 alternately repeats the printing cycle and the conveyance operation, thereby printing an image based on the image data onto the print medium W.

[0057] The control device 110 outputs a control signal to the second drive circuit 116. The second drive circuit 116 generates a drive signal based on the control signal to control the operation of the conveyance motor 23 provided in the conveyance unit 2. In this case, the second drive circuit 116 controls the operation of the conveyance motor 23 based on the detection results of the first conveyance sensor S1, the second conveyance sensor S2, and the third conveyance sensor S3 provided in the conveyance unit 2.

[0058] The control device 110 outputs a control signal to the third drive circuit 117. The third drive circuit 117 generates a drive signal based on the control signal to control the operations of the upper die lifting motor 34 and the lower die moving motor 140 provided in the die unit 3. In addition, the control device 110 outputs a control signal to the fourth drive circuit 118. The fourth drive circuit 118 generates a drive signal based on the control signal to control the operation of the push rod motor 46 provided in the front side member supply unit 4. Moreover, the control device 110 outputs a control signal to the fifth drive circuit 119. The fifth drive circuit 119 generates a drive signal based on the control signal to control the operation of the push rod motor 56 provided in the back side member supply unit 5. In addition, the control device 110 outputs a control signal to the sixth drive circuit 120. The sixth drive circuit 120 generates a drive signal based on the control signal to control the operation of the pressing motor 60 provided in the pressing unit 6. In addition, the control device 110 outputs a control signal to the seventh drive circuit 150. The seventh drive circuit 150 generates a drive signal based on the control signal to control the operation of the take-out motor 70 provided in the take-out unit 7.

[0059] The control device 110 performs a process of separating the connected portion Wb of the front-side member SE and the printed medium W from the lower die 30 using the upper die 33, and a process of connecting the front-side member SE and the connected portion Wb of the printed medium W separated by the upper die 33 to the back-side member BE.

[0060] (Front-side member supply unit)

[0061] Hereinafter, the structures and functions of the conveyance unit 2, the die unit 3, the front-side member supply unit 4, the back-side member supply unit 5, the pressing unit 6, and the take-out unit 7 will be described in detail.

[0062] First, the front-side member supply unit 4 and the back-side member supply unit 5 will be described. Figure 4 FIG. is a perspective view showing the structure of the front-side member supply unit 4. The front-side member supply unit 4 supplies the front-side member SE to the lower die 30 provided in the die unit 3. The front-side member SE is formed of a magnetic material such as tinned steel sheet.

[0063] The front-side member supply unit 4 is disposed above the printing unit 1 and to the right of the die unit 3. As Figure 4 shown, the front-side member supply unit 4 includes a front-side member magazine 40, a front-side member inclined surface 43, a push rod 45, and a push rod motor 46. The front-side member magazine 40 accommodates a plurality of front-side members SE that are circular in plan view in a stacked state in the vertical direction Dz. The front-side member magazine 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The front-side member magazine 40 is erected so that its axis faces the vertical direction, and a slit 40a extending in the vertical direction is formed at a position close to the lower die 30. The slit 40a has a width dimension smaller than the diameter dimension of the front-side member SE, and is formed from the upper end to the lower end of the front-side member magazine 40. The user can visually confirm the front-side member SE accommodated in the front-side member magazine 40 through the slit 40a of the front-side member magazine 40. That is, the user can grasp the remaining amount of the front-side member SE. If the above remaining amount becomes less, the user can newly supply the front-side member SE from the upper end of the front-side member magazine 40. In addition, in Figure 2 when a straight line orthogonal to the conveyance direction Dc1 is defined as the first straight line L1, and a straight line connecting the center C1 of the lower die 30 and the center C2 of the front-side member magazine 40 in plan view is defined as the second straight line L2, the acute angle α formed by the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2 is, for example, greater than 0 degrees and 30 degrees or less.

[0064] A space is provided between the lower end of the front-side member storage 40 and the upper surface of the front-side member inclined surface 43 with a dimension equal to or slightly larger than the thickness dimension of one front-side member SE. The pusher 45 pushes the front-side member SE on the front-side member inclined surface 43 toward the lower die 30. The pusher 45 is arranged on the side opposite to the lower die 30 with respect to the front-side member storage 40. That is, the front-side member storage 40 is arranged between the lower die 30 and the pusher 45. The pusher 45 has, for example, a flat pusher main body portion 45a and a rack 45b connected to the pusher main body portion 45a and extending along a predetermined supply direction D1. The rack 45b meshes with a pinion 47 connected to the rotating shaft of the pusher motor 46. By being rotationally driven by the pusher motor 46, the rack 45b moves in the supply direction D1 and the opposite direction thereof. Along with this movement, the pusher main body portion 45a moves in the supply direction D1 and the opposite direction thereof on the front-side member inclined surface 43. In this case, when the pusher main body portion 45a moves in the supply direction D1, the front end portion of the pusher main body portion 45a passes under the front-side member storage 40 and reaches near the lower die 30. Thus, one front-side member SE supplied from the front-side member storage 40 to the front-side member inclined surface 43 is pushed out by the pusher main body portion 45a and sent in the supply direction D1 toward the lower die 30. Thus, the lower die 30 supports the front-side member SE. On the other hand, when the pusher main body portion 45a moves in the direction opposite to the supply direction D1 and retracts, the front end portion of the pusher main body portion 45a retracts outward from under the front-side member storage 40. Thus, one front-side member SE is supplied from the front-side member storage 40 to the front-side member inclined surface 43.

[0065] The front-side member inclined surface 43 guides the front-side member SE pushed out by the pusher 45 toward the lower die 30 in the supply direction D1. The front-side member inclined surface 43 is arranged under the front-side member storage 40 and extends from a predetermined position adjacent to the lower die 3 through under the front-side member storage 40. The front-side member inclined surface 43 has an inclined surface main body portion 41 whose cross section is formed, for example, in a concave shape, and a pair of support portions 42. The pair of support portions 42 are provided at both ends in the direction orthogonal to the supply direction D1 (i.e., the width direction) at the bottom of the inclined surface main body portion 41. Thus, an avoidance groove 44 is formed on the inner bottom surface of the inclined surface main body portion 41 as a portion lower than the height of the support portions 42. When the front-side member SE is supplied from the front-side member storage 40 toward the front-side member inclined surface 43, it is supported by the pair of support portions 42 of the front-side member inclined surface 43.

[0066] The front-side member inclined surface 43 has a cutout 43a at the downstream end in the supply direction D1 of the front-side member SE. The cutout 43a is in an arc shape obtained by cutting off in a convex shape in the direction opposite to the supply direction D1.

[0067] By providing the above-mentioned notch 43a on the inclined surface 43 of the front-side member, when the front-side member SE is supplied from the downstream end of the inclined surface 43 of the front-side member to the lower die 30, the upstream end of the front-side member SE (i.e., the end on the side opposite to the side where the lower die 30 is located) is not easily caught on the inclined surface 43 of the front-side member. Therefore, the front-side member SE can be supplied to the lower die 30 with high precision.

[0068] (Back-side member supply unit)

[0069] Next, the back-side member supply unit 5 will be described. Figure 5 FIG. is a perspective view showing the structure of the back-side member supply unit 5. The back-side member supply unit 5 supplies the back-side member BE to a lower die 31 different from the lower die 30. The back-side member BE is formed of a magnetic material such as tin-plated steel sheet. The method of supplying the back-side member BE by the back-side member supply unit 5 is basically the same as the method of supplying the front-side member SE by the front-side member supply unit 4.

[0070] The back-side member supply unit 5 is disposed above the printing unit 1 and to the left of the die unit 3. As Figure 5 shown, the back-side member supply unit 5 includes a back-side member magazine 50, a back-side member inclined surface 53, a push rod 55, and a push rod motor 56. The back-side member magazine 50 houses a plurality of back-side members BE that are circular in plan view in a stacked state in the vertical direction Dz. The back-side member magazine 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The back-side member magazine 50 is erected so that its axis faces the vertical direction, and a slit 50a extending in the vertical direction is formed at a position close to the lower die 31. The slit 50a has a width dimension smaller than the diameter dimension of the back-side member BE, and is formed from the upper end to the lower end of the back-side member magazine 50. The user can visually confirm the back-side member BE housed in the back-side member magazine 50 through the slit 50a of the back-side member magazine 50. That is, the user can grasp the remaining amount of the back-side member BE. If the above remaining amount becomes less, the user can newly supply the back-side member BE from the upper end of the back-side member magazine 50.

[0071] A space is provided between the lower end of the dorsal member feeder 50 and the upper surface of the dorsal member inclined surface 53 with a dimension equal to or slightly larger than the thickness dimension of a dorsal member BE. The pusher 55 pushes the dorsal member BE on the dorsal member inclined surface 53 toward the lower die 31. The pusher 55 is disposed on the side opposite to the lower die 31 with respect to the dorsal member feeder 50. That is, the dorsal member feeder 50 is disposed between the lower die 31 and the pusher 55. The pusher 55 is rotationally driven by a pusher motor 56, so that the pusher 55 moves on the dorsal member inclined surface 53 in a predetermined supply direction D2 and the opposite direction thereof via a rack and a pinion (not shown) similar to those of the front member supply unit 4. In this case, when the pusher 55 moves in the supply direction D2, the front end portion of the pusher 55 passes below the dorsal member feeder 50 and reaches the vicinity of the lower die 31. Thus, a dorsal member BE supplied from the dorsal member feeder 50 to the dorsal member inclined surface 53 is pushed by the pusher 55 and sent out toward the lower die 31 in the supply direction D2. On the other hand, when the pusher 55 moves in the direction opposite to the supply direction D2 and retracts, the front end portion of the pusher 55 retracts outward from below the dorsal member feeder 50. Thus, a dorsal member BE is supplied from the dorsal member feeder 50 to the dorsal member inclined surface 53.

[0072] The dorsal member inclined surface 53 guides the dorsal member BE pushed by the pusher 55 toward the lower die 31 in the supply direction D2. The dorsal member inclined surface 53 is disposed below the dorsal member feeder 50 and extends from a predetermined position adjacent to the lower die 3 through below the dorsal member feeder 50. The dorsal member inclined surface 53 has a pair of inclined surface main bodies 51 and a pair of guide walls 52 on the downstream side in the supply direction D2. The inclined surface main bodies 51 are disposed separately from each other in a direction orthogonal to the supply direction D2 (i.e., the width direction). Thus, a space is provided between one inclined surface main body 51 and the other inclined surface main body 51. In addition, one guide wall 52 is erected at the outer end portion (the outer end portion in the direction orthogonal to the supply direction D2) of one inclined surface main body 51, and the other guide wall 52 is erected at the outer end portion of the other inclined surface main body 51. Both end portions of the dorsal member BE supplied from the dorsal member feeder 50 in the direction orthogonal to the supply direction D2 are supported from below by the pair of inclined surface main bodies 51. Thus, when a pin or the like is provided on the dorsal member BE, interference of the pin or the like with respect to the inclined surface main body 51 can be avoided. It should be noted that, as described above, a space is provided between one inclined surface main body 51 and the other inclined surface main body 51, but the structure of the dorsal member inclined surface 53 is not limited thereto. In the dorsal member inclined surface 53, a relief groove formed by an inclined surface main body and a pair of support portions may be provided as shown in Figure 4 the figure.

[0073] (Printed medium and white film)

[0074] Next, the printed medium W and the white film F transported by the transport unit 2 from the printing unit 1 will be described. Figure 6A is a top view showing the printed medium W, Figure 6B is a top view showing the white film F.

[0075] The printed medium W is, for example, a transparent sheet. As Figure 6A shown, the printed medium W is rectangular. The printed medium W has a downstream edge portion We1 and an upstream edge portion We2 in the transport direction Dc1 when being transported by the transport unit 2 toward the die unit 3. The printed medium W includes: a sheet-like connected portion Wb that is connected to the front-side member SE and the back-side member BE by the die unit 3; a sheet-like remaining portion Wa that is different from the connected portion Wb; and a plurality of connecting portions Wc that connect the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa. The connected portion Wb is, for example, circular in a top view and is biased toward the edge portion We1 side in the printed medium W. The printed medium W, i.e., the connected portion Wb, after the second cutting process described later has the same size as or is larger than the connected portion Fb of the white film F. The remaining portion Wa is arranged to surround the connected portion Wb. In addition, the printed medium W further includes a linear weak portion Wd extending from the edge portion We1 to the connected portion Wb. It should be noted that when separating the remaining portion Wa of the printed medium W from the connected portion Wb, the remaining portion Wa is transported by the transport unit 2 in the transport direction Dc2 opposite to the transport direction Dc1. In this case, in the transport direction Dc2, the edge portion We2 corresponds to the downstream edge portion, and the edge portion We1 corresponds to the upstream edge portion. Details will be described later.

[0076] The connecting portions Wc and the linear weak portion Wd form a weak portion having a lower strength than the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa. Specifically, examples are shown in which the connecting portions Wc and the linear weak portion Wd are depressions or the like that are thinner in thickness than the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa. As another example, examples are shown in which the thicknesses of the connecting portions Wc and the linear weak portion Wd are the same as those of the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa, but the connecting portions Wc and the linear weak portion Wd are each formed by a perforation line that is partially cut.

[0077] The printed medium W has the above-described plurality of connecting portions Wc and a cut portion Wf between adjacent connecting portions Wc at the boundary between the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa. Thus, between adjacent connecting portions Wc, the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa are cut and not connected. Here, the connected portion Wb includes a first position Pw1 where a first pressing portion 66e (described later) provided in the pressing unit 6 presses downward against the lower die 30 and a second position Pw2 where a second pressing portion 66f (described later) presses downward against the lower die 30. The above-described connecting portions Wc include a first connecting portion Wc1, a second connecting portion Wc2, and a third connecting portion Wc3. The first connecting portion Wc1 connects the first position Pw1 to the remaining portion Wa. The second connecting portion Wc2 connects the second position Pw2 to the remaining portion Wa. The third connecting portion Wc3 connects a third position Pw3, which is other than the above-described first position Pw1 and second position Pw2 in the connected portion Wb, to the remaining portion Wa.

[0078] The total number of the first connecting portion Wc1 and the second connecting portion Wc2 is less than the number of the third connecting portion Wc3. In this case, the two connecting portions Wc existing on a straight line that is orthogonal to the transport direction Dc1 and passes through the center Cw of the connected portion Wb may be included in the first connecting portion Wc1 and the second connecting portion Wc2 or may be included in the third connecting portion Wc3.

[0079] The structure of the white film F is substantially the same as the structure of the printed medium W. As Figure 6B shown, the white film F is the same size as the printed medium W and is rectangular. The white film F has a downstream edge Fe1 and an upstream edge Fe2 in the transport direction Dc1 when being transported by the transport unit 2 toward the die unit 3. The white film F includes: a sheet-like connected portion Fb that is connected to the front-side member SE and the back-side member BE by the die unit 3; a sheet-like remaining portion Fa that is different from the connected portion Fb; and a plurality of connecting portions Fc that connect the connected portion Fb to the remaining portion Fa. The connected portion Fb is, for example, circular in plan view and is biased toward the edge Fe1 side in the printed medium W. The remaining portion Fa is arranged to surround the connected portion Fb. In addition, the printed medium W further includes a linear weak portion Fd that extends from the edge Fe1 to the connected portion Fb. It should be noted that when the remaining portion Fa of the printed medium W is separated from the connected portion Fb, the remaining portion Fa is transported by the transport unit 2 in a transport direction Dc2 opposite to the transport direction Dc1. In this case, in the transport direction Dc2, the edge Fe2 corresponds to the downstream edge and the edge Fe1 corresponds to the upstream edge.

[0080] The connecting portion Fc and the linear weak portion Fd are formed as weak portions having a smaller strength than the connected portion Fb and the remaining portion Fa. Specifically, examples are given where the connecting portion Fc and the linear weak portion Fd are depressions having a smaller thickness than the connected portion Fb and the remaining portion Fa. As another example, it is exemplified that the thicknesses of the connecting portion Fc and the linear weak portion Fd are the same as those of the connected portion Fb and the remaining portion Fa, but the connecting portion Fc and the linear weak portion Fd are each formed by a perforation line that is partially cut off.

[0081] The printed medium W has the cut-off portion Ff between the above-described plurality of connecting portions Fc and adjacent connecting portions Fc at the boundary between the connected portion Fb and the remaining portion Fa. Thus, between adjacent connecting portions Fc, the connected portion Fb and the remaining portion Fa are cut off and not connected. Here, the connected portion Fb includes a first position Pf1 where the first pressing portion 66e of the pressing unit 6 presses downward against the lower die 30 and a second position Pf2 where a second pressing portion 66f (described later) presses downward against the lower die 30. The above-described connecting portion Fc includes a first connecting portion Fc1, a second connecting portion Fc2, and a third connecting portion Fc3. The first connecting portion Fc1 connects the first position Pf1 to the remaining portion Fa. The second connecting portion Fc2 connects the second position Pf2 to the remaining portion Fa. The third connecting portion Fc3 connects a third position Pf3 in the connected portion Fb other than the above-described first position Pf1 and second position Pf2 to the remaining portion Fa.

[0082] The total number of the first connecting portion Fc1 and the second connecting portion Fc2 is smaller than the number of the third connecting portion Fc3. In this case, the two connecting portions Fc present on the straight line orthogonal to the conveying direction Dc1 and passing through the center Cf of the connected portion Fb may be included in the first connecting portion Fc1 and the second connecting portion Fc2 or may be included in the third connecting portion Fc3.

[0083] (Conveying unit)

[0084] Next, the conveying unit 2 will be described. Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the conveying unit 2. Figure 8 is Figure 7 a side view of the conveying unit 2.

[0085] In the conveying unit 2, a part of the conveying unit 2 is disposed in front of the printing unit 1, and the entire conveying unit 2 is disposed in front of the die unit 3. The conveying unit 2 conveys the printed medium W and the white film F conveyed from the printing unit 1 along the conveying direction Dc1 toward the die unit 3 to the front side member SE of the lower die 30 supplied in advance. In addition, the conveying unit 2 conveys the remaining part Wa of the printed medium W and the remaining part Fa of the white film F along the conveying direction Dc2 to the recycling box 8. Thus, the remaining part Wa of the printed medium W and the remaining part Fa of the white film F are recovered as waste parts into the recycling box 8. In addition, the recycling box 8 corresponds to a recycling container. In the present embodiment, the following film conveying process is performed: the white film F is conveyed by the conveying unit 2 in such a manner that the white film F is placed on the front side member SE held by the lower die 30 prior to the printed medium W. It should be noted that the conveying method of the printed medium W by the conveying unit 2 is the same as the conveying method of the white film F, and therefore the conveying of the printed medium W will be representatively described below.

[0086] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the conveying unit 2 includes support plates 20, 22, a pair of conveying guides 21, a conveying motor 23, drive rollers Rk1 to Rk6, and annular drive belts Be1 to Be6.

[0087] The support plates 20, 22 extend in the vertical direction Dz and are disposed apart from each other in the left-right direction Dy. The support plate 20 and the support plate 22 are connected by a plurality of plate connecting shafts 24 extending in the left-right direction Dy. A conveying guide 21 that bends forward from the rear portion of the lower end of the support plate 20 and extends upward is provided on the support plate 20. The conveying guide 21 is also provided on the support plate 22. The conveying guide 21 has a first guide body portion 21a and a second guide body portion 21b. A groove-shaped space is provided between the first guide body portion 21a and the second guide body portion 21b, and the end portions in the left-right direction Dy of the printed medium W during conveyance are inserted into this space. The first guide body portion 21a has a shape that bends or curves forward from the rear portion of the lower end of the support plate 20, extends upward, and then bends or curves rearward. The second guide body portion 21b has a shape that bends or curves forward from the rear portion of the lower end of the support plate 20 and extends upward. The first guide body portion 21a is disposed entirely behind the second guide body portion 21b.

[0088] The conveying motor 23 is provided on the support plate 22. A drive gear Ga1 is connected to the rotating shaft of the conveying motor 23. Drive rollers Rk1 to Rk6 are provided on the support plate 22. A drive gear Gb1 is connected to the rotating shaft of the drive roller Rk1. A drive gear Gb2 is connected to the rotating shaft of the drive roller Rk2. A drive gear Gb3 is connected to the rotating shaft of the drive roller Rk3. A drive gear Gb4 is connected to the rotating shaft of the drive roller Rk4. A drive gear Gb5 is connected to the rotating shaft of the drive roller Rk5. A drive gear Gb6 is connected to the rotating shaft of the drive roller Rk6. The drive rollers Rk1 to Rk6 are located to the left of the support plate 22. The drive roller Rk1 is arranged behind and below the drive gear Ga1. The drive roller Rk2 is arranged in front of the drive roller Rk1 and behind the drive gear Ga1, and is arranged above the drive roller Rk1. The drive roller Rk3 is arranged above the drive roller Rk2. The drive roller Rk4 is arranged above the drive roller Rk3. The drive roller Rk5 is arranged behind and above the drive roller Rk4. The drive roller Rk6 is arranged in front of the drive roller Rk5. A drive belt Be1 is stretched between the drive gear Ga1 and the drive gear Gb1. A drive belt Be2 is stretched between the drive gear Gb1 and the drive gear Gb2. A drive belt Be3 is stretched between the drive gear Gb2 and the drive gear Gb3. A drive belt Be4 is stretched between the drive gear Gb3 and the drive gear Gb4. A drive belt Be5 is stretched between the drive gear Gb4 and the drive gear Gb5. A drive belt Be6 is stretched between the drive gear Gb5 and the drive gear Gb6. With such a structure, the driving force of the conveying motor 23 is transmitted to the drive rollers Rk1, Rk2, Rk3, Rk4, Rk5 and Rk6 via the drive belts Be1 to Be6.

[0089] Notches Ng are respectively provided in the first guide member main body portion 21a and the second guide member main body portion 21b corresponding to the drive rollers Rk2 to Rk4. The drive roller Rk1 has a drive shaft Sa1 extending in the left-right direction Dy and a pair of drive-side rollers Ro1. And a pair of driven-side rollers Ro2 are provided so as to face the pair of drive-side rollers Ro1 respectively. The pair of driven-side rollers Ro2 are respectively connected to a driven shaft Sa2. In addition, the drive roller Rk2 has a drive shaft Sa3 extending in the left-right direction Dy and a pair of drive-side rollers Ro3. And a pair of driven-side rollers Ro4 are provided so as to face the pair of drive-side rollers Ro3 respectively. The pair of driven-side rollers Ro4 are respectively connected to a driven shaft Sa4. The pair of drive-side rollers Ro3 are disposed in the notch Ng of the first guide member main body portion 21a, and the pair of driven-side rollers Ro4 are disposed in the notch Ng of the second guide member main body portion 21b. And both end portions of the print medium W in the left-right direction Dy are clamped by the drive-side roller Ro3 and the driven-side roller Ro4. It should be noted that the structures corresponding to the drive rollers Rk5 and Rk6 (that is, a pair of drive-side rollers, a pair of driven-side rollers, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft) are the same as the above-described structures corresponding to the drive roller Rk1, and thus the description thereof is omitted. In addition, the structures corresponding to the drive rollers Rk3 and Rk4 (that is, a pair of drive-side rollers, a pair of driven-side rollers, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft) are the same as the above-described structures corresponding to the drive roller Rk2, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0090] When the conveyance motor 23 is driven, the driving force generated by the conveyance motor 23 is transmitted to the drive rollers Rk1 to Rk6. Thereby, the print medium W is conveyed to the lower die 30 by the rotation of the drive-side roller Ro1 and the driven-side roller Ro2, the rotation of the drive-side roller Ro3 and the driven-side roller Ro4, the rotation of the drive-side roller Ro5 and the driven-side roller Ro6, the rotation of the drive-side roller Ro7 and the driven-side roller Ro8, and the rotation of the drive-side roller Ro9 and the driven-side roller Ro10.

[0091] Here, as Figure 8As shown, a transport guide piece 25 is provided between the support plate 20 and the support plate 22. The transport guide piece 25 is disposed above the second guide piece main body portion 21b and in front of the first guide piece main body portion 21a as a whole. The transport guide piece 25 has flexibility and is made of resin, for example. The base end of the transport guide piece 25 is fixed to the support plates 20 and 22, and the front end of the transport guide piece 25 is a free end. The front end of the transport guide piece 25 faces the first guide piece main body portion 21a. The distance between the transport guide piece 25 and the first guide piece main body portion 21a becomes smaller toward the rear, that is, closer to the lower die 30. The printed medium W is guided by the first guide piece main body portion 21a and the transport guide piece 25 toward the driving side roller Ro9 and the driven side roller Ro10. Thereafter, the printed medium W is transported to the lower die 30 along the transport direction Dc1 by the driving side roller Ro9 and the driven side roller Ro10. As described above, the first transport path Cp1 of the printed medium W toward the lower die 30 of the die unit 3 is constituted by the first guide piece main body portion 21a, the second guide piece main body portion 21b, and the transport guide piece 25.

[0092] A first transport sensor S1, which is a contact sensor for example, is provided behind the driving side roller Ro1 and the driven side roller Ro2. In addition, a second transport sensor S2, which is a contact sensor for example, is provided between the first guide piece main body portion 21a and the transport guide piece 25. The second drive circuit 116 drives the transport motor 23 when the first transport sensor S1 detects the printed medium W supplied from the printing unit 1. In addition, when the second transport sensor S2 detects the downstream end of the printed medium W, the second drive circuit 116 controls the drive of the transport motor 23 based on the rotation amount of the transport motor 23 of an encoder (not shown) immediately after the detection. Thereby, the printed medium W is transported to a specified position of the die unit 3 with high precision.

[0093] A transport guide 26 and a transport guide piece 27 are provided between the driving side roller Ro9 and the driven side roller Ro10 and the driving side roller Ro11 and the driven side roller Ro12. The transport guide 26 is located above the transport guide piece 27. The transport guide 26 extends in the front-rear direction Dx. The rear end (i.e., the end portion on the lower die 30 side) 26a of the transport guide 26 is bent upward. On the other hand, the transport guide piece 27 has flexibility and is made of resin, for example. The transport guide piece 27 extends in the front-rear direction Dx. The rear end 27a of the transport guide piece 27 is located in front of the rear end 26a of the transport guide 26. The rear end 27a of the transport guide piece 27 is bent downward. The transport guide piece 27 intersects the first transport path Cp1 in the side view shown. In such a structure, the second transport path Cp2 of the remaining portions Wa and Fa from the lower die 30 of the die unit 3 toward the recovery box 8 is constituted by the transport guide 26 and the transport guide piece 27. Figure 8 As shown, it intersects the first transport path Cp1 in the side view shown. In such a structure, the second transport path Cp2 of the remaining portions Wa and Fa from the lower die 30 of the die unit 3 toward the recovery box 8 is constituted by the transport guide 26 and the transport guide piece 27.

[0094] When the conveyance guide piece 27 is being conveyed by the printed medium W along the first conveyance path Cp1, the lower surface is pressed by the downstream end portion of the printed medium W and flexes upward. Thus, the conveyance guide piece 27 allows the printed medium W to be conveyed from the drive side roller Ro7 and the driven side roller Ro8 to the drive side roller Ro9 and the driven side roller Ro10. When the printed medium W is conveyed in the conveyance direction Dc1 and reaches a specified position of the lower die 30, its upstream end portion is in a state of being held by the drive side roller Ro9 and the driven side roller Ro10 and is in a state of being located on the downstream side of the first conveyance path Cp1 with respect to the conveyance guide piece 27. At this time, the conveyance guide piece 27 returns to a state of intersecting the first conveyance path Cp1 again due to its flexibility.

[0095] For the printed medium W conveyed to the specified position of the lower die 30 as described above, a cutting process of the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa is performed based on the pressing unit 6 described later. After that, a separation process of separating the remaining portion Wa from the connected portion Wb and only discarding the remaining portion Wa is performed. In the separation process, with the connected portion Wb pressed against the surface side member SE disposed on the lower die 30 by the pressing unit 6, the second drive circuit 116 reverses the conveyance motor 23. In this case, the driving force of the conveyance motor 23 (i.e., the reversed driving force) is transmitted to the drive roller Rk5 and the drive roller Rk6 via the drive rollers Rk1 to Rk4. Thus, the remaining portion Wa is separated from the connected portion Wb. The remaining portion Wa is conveyed in the conveyance direction Dc2 after separation, comes into contact with the outer side surface of the conveyance guide piece 27, is guided to the second conveyance path Cp2, and is conveyed toward the drive side roller Ro11 and the driven side roller Ro12. In this case, since the rear end 27a of the conveyance guide piece 27 is bent downward, the remaining portion Wa is easily guided to the second conveyance path Cp2. After that, the edge portion We2 of the remaining portion Wa is clamped by the drive side roller Ro11 and the driven side roller Ro12 and conveyed, and the remaining portion Wa is recovered into the recovery box 8.

[0096] In front of the driving-side roller Ro9 and the driven-side roller Ro10 and behind the driving-side roller Ro11 and the driven-side roller Ro12, a third conveyance sensor S3, such as a contact sensor, is provided. Based on the detection result of the third conveyance sensor S3, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the conveyance of the remaining portion Wa to the collection box 8. When the control device 110 cannot detect the remaining portion Wa through the third conveyance sensor S3 within a specified time after the second drive circuit 116 starts the reverse rotation of the conveyance motor 23, it is determined that a jam of the remaining portion Wa has occurred. In addition, the control device 110 may also determine that a jam of the remaining portion Wa has occurred when the remaining portion Wa is still detected after a specified time has passed after the remaining portion Wa is detected by the third conveyance sensor S3. When the control device 110 determines that a jam of the remaining portion Wa has occurred, the second drive circuit 116 stops the rotation of the conveyance motor 23.

[0097] (Pressing unit)

[0098] Next, the pressing unit 6 will be described. Figure 9 It is a top view showing the lower plate Mp1 and the upper plate Mp2 provided on the lower die 30. Figure 10A It is a perspective view of the pressing unit 6, Figure 10B It is from the same direction as Figure 10A A perspective view of the pressing unit 6 observed from a different direction. Figure 11 It is a view showing the standby position Psa of the pressing head 66 of the pressing unit 6, Figure 12 It is a view showing the pressing position Psb of the pressing head 66 of the pressing unit 6. It should be noted that, Figure 12 The state before the separation process of separating the remaining portion Wa from the connected portion Wb is shown.

[0099] The pressing unit 6 presses the medium to be printed W and the white film F against the lower die 30. Specifically, the pressing unit 6 performs a cutting process (first cutting process) of cutting at least a part of at least one of the plurality of connecting portions Fc in the white film F disposed on the front-side member SE held by the lower die 30. Similarly, the pressing unit 6 performs a cutting process (second cutting process) of cutting at least a part of at least one of the plurality of connecting portions Wc in the medium to be printed W disposed on the connected portion Fb (i.e., the connected portion Fb after the first cutting process) disposed above the front-side member SE. Through the first cutting process and the second cutting process, the connected portion Fb and the connected portion Wb are overlapped on the front-side member SE held by the lower die 30. Since the first cutting process and the second cutting process are substantially the same, hereinafter, the second cutting process performed by the pressing unit 6 will be taken as a representative example for description.

[0100] As Figure 9As shown, the pressing unit 6 has a lower plate Mp1 disposed above the lower die 30 and an upper plate Mp2 disposed above the lower plate Mp1. The lower plate Mp1 has a lower plate main body 121 in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate and guiding side walls 122 erected respectively from the left and right side edge portions of the lower plate main body 121. The distance between the rear ends of the left guiding side wall 122 and the right guiding side wall 122 is smaller than the distance between the front ends of the left guiding side wall 122 and the right guiding side wall 122. The distance between the rear ends of the left guiding side wall 122 and the right guiding side wall 122 is the same as or slightly larger than the left-right dimension (i.e., the width dimension) of the printed medium W and the left-right dimension of the white film F. Through such guiding side walls 122, it is easy to position the printed medium W and the white film F transported from the transport unit 2 relative to the front-side member SE held by the lower die 30.

[0101] A rectangular cutout 123 that opens at the front portion of the lower plate main body 121 and a cutout 124 that opens adjacent to the rear end of the cutout 123 and is convex and semicircular toward the rear are provided in the lower plate main body 121. The diameter dimension of the cutout 124 is substantially the same as the diameter dimension of the concave portion (i.e., the holding portion of the front-side member SE) of the lower die 30. Bearing walls 125 are erected respectively from the left and right side edge portions of the front portion of the lower plate main body 121. Bearing holes are formed in each of the bearing walls 125, and a plate support shaft 126 extending in the left-right direction is inserted through each of the bearing holes. Thus, the lower plate Mp1 can swing up and down with the bearing walls 125 as the base points via the plate support shaft 126. In addition, a guiding portion Bt1 ( Figure 8 ) that bends downward is provided at the front end of the lower plate main body 121. Moreover, guiding pieces 127 that extend rearward and whose rear ends bend upward are provided respectively at the left and right portions of the rear end of the lower plate main body 121. Through such guiding pieces 127, as will be described later, when the lower dies 30 and 31 rotate, the lower plate Mp1 smoothly moves onto the upper surfaces of the lower dies 30 and 31, and thus it is easy to position the lower plate Mp1 relative to the lower dies 30 and 31.

[0102] A rectangular cutout 128 that opens at the rear end of the upper plate Mp2 and a semicircular cutout 129 that opens adjacent to the front end of the cutout 128 are provided in the upper plate Mp2. The diameter dimension of the cutout 128 is substantially the same as the diameter dimension of the concave portion (i.e., the holding portion of the front-side member SE) of the lower die 30. As described above, since the rear portion of the upper plate Mp2 is cut off, the rear portion of the lower plate main body 121 is exposed at this rear portion.

[0103] On the left and right side edge portions at the front of the upper plate Mp2, bearing walls 130 are respectively erected. Each bearing wall 130 is arranged closer to the inside than the corresponding bearing wall 125. A bearing hole is formed in each bearing wall 130, and the above-mentioned plate support shaft 126 is inserted through each bearing hole. Thus, the upper plate Mp2 can swing up and down with the bearing wall 130 as a base point via the plate support shaft 126. In addition, a guiding portion Bt2 that bends upward is provided at the front end of the upper plate Mp2. Together with the above-mentioned guiding portion Bt1, the guiding portion Bt2 smoothly guides the printed medium W and the white film F transported from the transport unit 2 between the lower plate Mp1 and the upper plate Mp2.

[0104] The upper plate Mp2 and the lower plate Mp1 are stacked on top of each other vertically. In the state where the upper plate Mp2 and the lower plate Mp1 are stacked, the semi-circular cutout 124 of the lower plate Mp1 and the semi-circular cutout 129 of the upper plate Mp2 are combined together, thereby forming a circular opening for exposing the concave portions of the lower dies 30 and 31.

[0105] The pressing unit 6 further has the following components. As Figure 10A and Figure 10B shown, the pressing unit 6 includes a pressing motor 60, a pair of support plates 61, a connecting shaft 62, a swing arm 63, a support block 64, a remaining part pressing head 65, and a pressing head 66 that presses against the printed medium W.

[0106] The pressing motor 60 is fixed to one support plate 61. The rotating shaft of the pressing motor 60 is inserted through one support plate 61 rotatably. A plurality of drive gears Ga2, Ga31, Ga32, Ga41, Ga42, Ga5 are provided between one support plate 61 and the other support plate 61. The drive gear Ga2 is connected to the rotating shaft of the pressing motor 60. The drive gear Ga2 meshes with the drive gear Ga31. The drive gear Ga32 and the drive gear Ga31 are arranged on the same axis. The drive gear Ga32 meshes with the drive gear Ga41. The drive gear Ga42 and the drive gear Ga41 are arranged on the same axis. The drive gear Ga42 meshes with the drive gear Ga5. In the drive gear Ga5, a connecting shaft 62 is provided coaxially with the drive gear Ga5 and penetrates through the drive gear Ga5. The proximal end of the swing arm 63 is connected to the drive gear Ga5 via the connecting shaft 62. For example, a boss is provided on the drive gear Ga5, and the boss is fitted into a recess at the proximal end of the swing arm 63. In such a structure, when the pressing motor 60 is rotationally driven, its driving force is transmitted to the drive gears Ga2, Ga31, Ga32, Ga41, Ga42, Ga5.

[0107] A support block 64 is connected to the front end of the swing arm 63. The support block 64 supports the pressing head 66. When the pressing motor 60 is rotationally driven and the drive gear Ga5 rotates, the swing arm 63 moves toward Figure 11Rotates in the rotation direction Dr1. Specifically, when the drive gear Ga5 rotates forward, for example, the swing arm 63 rotates from the position where the pressing head 66 waits, i.e., the standby position Psa ( Figure 11 ) to the position where the connected portion Wb is pressed by the pressing head 66, i.e., the pressing position Psb ( Figure 12 ). On the other hand, when the drive gear Ga5 rotates reversely, for example, the swing arm 63 rotates from the pressing position Psb to the standby position Psa.

[0108] The remaining part pressing head 65 has a support shaft 65a, a head main body portion 65b, and a spring 65c. The base end of the support shaft 65a is connected to the spring 65c. As Figure 12 shown, the support shaft 65a extends along the conveying direction Dc2 when the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb. In addition, the head main body portion 65b is connected to the front end of the support shaft 65a. The head main body portion 65b is located on the downstream side of the pressing head 66 in the conveying direction Dc2 when the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb. The spring 65c applies a force to the head main body portion 65b in the direction of pressing the remaining part Wa of the printing medium W sandwiched between the lower plate Mp1 and the upper plate Mp2 when the head main body portion 65b of the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb. As a result, the head main body portion 65b presses the remaining part Wa toward the center portion 121a of the rear end of the lower plate main body 121.

[0109] The pressing head 66 of the pressing unit 6 presses the pressing head 66 against a position below the placement surface 30b5 described later in the lower die 30 and closer to the inner bottom surface 30a2 during the second cutting process. Such a pressing head 66 has pressing ends 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, a first pressing portion 66e, and a second pressing portion 66f that press the connected portion Wb in the printed medium W against the lower die 30. The pressing ends 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, the first pressing portion 66e, and the second pressing portion 66f face the connected portion Wb of the printed medium W when the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb. The pressing end 66a and the pressing end 66b are located on the left and right sides in the left-right direction Dy when the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb. The pressing end 66c and the pressing end 66d are located in the front and rear in the front-rear direction Dx when the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb. The first pressing portion 66e is located between the pressing end 66a and the pressing end 66c. The first pressing portion 66e presses the first position Pw1 of the connected portion Wb when the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb. The second pressing portion 66f is located between the pressing end 66b and the pressing end 66c. The second pressing portion 66f presses the second position Pw2 of the connected portion Wb when the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb. It should be noted that, when the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb, the portions of the pressing head 66 that face the connected portion Wb, other than the above-mentioned pressing ends 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, the first pressing portion 66e, and the second pressing portion 66f, are spherical and recessed upward. Thus, the above-mentioned portions can be shaped to conform to the surface shape of the front-side member SE.

[0110] The first pressing portion 66e is formed to be located below the second pressing portion 66f when the pressing head 66 is in the pressing position Psb. Thus, when the swing arm 63 rotates and the pressing head 66 is disposed at the pressing position Psb during the second cutting process, the control device 110 causes the first pressing portion 66e to press the first position Pw1 of the connected portion Wb before the second pressing portion 66f. That is, during the second cutting process, the control device 110 causes the first pressing portion 66e to press the first position Pw1 of the connected portion Wb, and after causing the first pressing portion 66e to press the first position Pw1 of the connected portion Wb, causes the second pressing portion 66f to press the second position Pw2 of the connected portion Wb. Through such a second cutting process, at least the first connecting portion Wc1 and the second connecting portion Wc2 among the first connecting portion Wc1, the second connecting portion Wc2, and the third connecting portion Wc3 of the print medium W are cut. Therefore, the connecting portion Wc of the print medium W has a first portion (i.e., the first connecting portion Wc1 and the second connecting portion Wc2) cut by the second cutting process and a second portion (i.e., the third connecting portion Wc3) that is at least not completely cut during the second cutting process. Thus, after the second cutting process, the control device 110 performs the following second separation process of completely cutting the third connecting portion Wc3 in the connecting portion Wc and separating the remaining portion Wa from the connected portion Wb. It should be noted that the first separation process of completely cutting the third connecting portion Fc3 in the connecting portion Fc and separating the remaining portion Fa from the connected portion Fb after the first cutting process is substantially the same as the second separation process. Therefore, the second separation process is taken as a representative example for description below.

[0111] The pressing unit 6 further includes a cutting portion 67. The cutting portion 67 is provided at the pressing end 66d. The cutting portion 67 has a triangular shape. When the first pressing portion 66e is pressed against the first position Pw1 and the second pressing portion 66f is pressed against the second position Pw2, the cutting portion 67 is located on the downstream side of the downstream end of the linear weak portion Wd of the print medium W in the transport direction Dc2. When the first pressing portion 66e is pressed against the first position Pw1 and the second pressing portion 66f is pressed against the second position Pw2, the cutting portion 67 is positioned such that the vertex of the triangle is on the upstream side in the transport direction Dc2.

[0112] In the second separation process, the control device 110 transports the print medium W in the transport direction Dc2 opposite to the transport direction Dc1 by using the transport unit 2 while the connection portion Wb is pressed by the first pressing portion 66e and the second pressing portion 66f as described above. Thus, by completely cutting the third connection portion Wc3, the remaining portion Wa is separated from the connection portion Wb. At this time, while the remaining portion Wa is pressed against the lower plate main body 121 by the head main body portion 65b, the cutting portion 67 cuts the linear weak portion Wd starting from the downstream end portion in the transport direction Dc2 of the linear weak portion Wd. After that, the remaining portion Wa of the print medium W is transported to the recovery box 8 by the transport unit 2. That is, if the remaining portion Wa of the print medium W is only separated from the connection portion Wb, it is in a state of surrounding the pressing head 66, and if it is transported in the transport direction Dc2 like this, it will get caught on the pressing head 66. However, the remaining portion Wa of the print medium W has a linear weak portion Wd, and since the linear weak portion Wd is cut, it is divided into a right end and a left end with the linear weak portion Wd as the boundary. And, the remaining portion Wa of the print medium W passes through the pressing head 66 while being divided into a right end and a left end with the linear weak portion Wd as the boundary. Therefore, the remaining portion Wa of the print medium W is transported to the recovery box 8 without getting caught on the pressing head 66.

[0113] (Mold unit)

[0114] Next, the mold unit 3 will be described. Figure 13A is a perspective view of the mold unit 3, Figure 13B is from the same Figure 13A different directions to observe the perspective view of the mold unit 3.

[0115] The mold unit 3 connects the front side member SE and the back side member BE, for example, tightens the front side member SE and the back side member BE. As Figure 13A and Figure 13B shown, the mold unit 3 includes a lower mold 30, a lower mold 31, a lower mold moving motor 140, a rotary support table 32, an upper mold 33, an upper mold lifting motor 34, a first gear 35, a second gear 36, a pair of rotating cams 37, and a support plate 38.

[0116] The lower dies 30 and 31 are circular in top view. The lower dies 30 and 31 are arranged to face each other with the center of the rotary support table 32 as a reference, and are respectively supported by the rotary support table 32 via springs 30s and 31s (Fig. 16). It should be noted that initially, the lower die 30 is arranged in front of the lower die 31. The rotary support table 32 is substantially circular in top view. A gear 32a is provided on the circumferential side surface parallel to the axial direction in the rotary support table 32. The lower die moving motor 140 is provided on the side of the rotary support table 32. A gear 131 is connected to the rotating shaft of the lower die moving motor 140. The gear 131 meshes with the gear 32a of the rotary support table 32. Thus, when the lower die moving motor 140 is rotationally driven, its driving force is transmitted to the rotary support table 32 via the gears 131 and 32a. Thus, the rotary support table 32 rotates about the vertical direction Dz. By rotating the rotary support table 32, either one of the lower dies 30 and 31 can be positioned at a position facing the upper die 33 in the vertical direction Dz (hereinafter, referred to as the second die position). The position facing the second die position in the front-rear direction Dx is called the first die position. The first die position is a position sandwiched between the front-side member inclined surface 43 of the front-side member supply unit 4 and the back-side member inclined surface 53 of the back-side member supply unit 5. When the lower die 30 is in the first die position, the lower die 30 receives the front-side member SE from the front-side member supply unit 4. On the other hand, when the lower die 31 is in the first die position, the lower die 31 receives the back-side member BE from the back-side member supply unit 5.

[0117] The support plate 38 is erected on the side of the rotary support table 32. The upper die lifting motor 34 is arranged on the support plate 38. A third gear (not shown) is connected to the rotating shaft of the upper die lifting motor 34. This third gear meshes with the first gear 35. In the first gear 35, a fourth gear (not shown) is provided coaxially with the first gear 35. This fourth gear meshes with the second gear 36. A pair of rotary cams 37 are connected to the second gear 36.

[0118] On the support plate 38, there is provided a plate member 38a extending in the front-rear direction Dx above the lower die 31. The upper die 33 is located below the plate member 38a. The upper die 33 has: an inner die 33a; and an annular outer die 33b, which is coaxially arranged below the inner die 33a and has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the inner die 33a. A pair of pressed members 33c are provided on the inner die 33a. The pair of pressed members 33c are provided below the plate member 38a and extend in the left-right direction Dy. One of the pair of rotary cams 37, i.e., the rotary cam 37a, presses one of the pressed members 33c downward, and the other rotary cam 37b of the pair of rotary cams 37 presses the other pressed member 33c downward. In such a structure, when the upper die lifting motor 34 is rotationally driven, its driving force is transmitted to the second gear 36 via the above-mentioned third gear, the first gear 35, and the above-mentioned fourth gear. As a result, the second gear 36 rotates in the rotational direction Dr2, and along with this, the pair of rotary cams 37 also rotate in the rotational direction Dr2. At this time, the rotary cam 37a presses down one of the pressed members 33c, and the rotary cam 37b presses down the other pressed member 33c, whereby the inner die 33a can slide relative to the outer die 33b and descend to the lower die 30 or the lower die 31. It should be noted that by reversing the upper die lifting motor 34, the upper die 33 can be raised above the lower dies 30 and 31.

[0119] Figure 14A is a perspective view of the front-side member SE and the back-side member BE, Figure 14B is through Figure 14A the connection of the front-side member SE and the back-side member BE of the can product 200 produced.

[0120] The front-side member SE and the back-side member BE are each circular in plan view. As Figure 14A and Figure 14B shown, the front-side member SE is a member with a peripheral portion SEa protruding downward, and the back-side member BE is a member with a peripheral portion BEa protruding upward. The can product 200 is formed by connecting the front-side member SE held separately by the upper die 33 and the connected portion Wb of the printing medium W to the back-side member BE, specifically, by tightening. The can product 200 is, for example, a badge. In a state where the peripheral portion Fg of the connected portion Fb disposed above the front-side member SE and the peripheral portion Wg of the connected portion Wb are each bent and clamped by the peripheral portion SEa and the peripheral portion BEa, the peripheral portion SEa and the peripheral portion BEa are tightened. Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the can product 200 using the upper die 33 and the lower dies 30 and 31 will be described.

[0121] Figure 15A , Figure 15B , Figure 16A and Figure 16BIt is a cross-sectional view of the upper die 33 and the lower dies 30 and 31 for explaining the tightening process of the front-side member SE and the back-side member BE. It should be noted that in Figure 15A , Figure 15B , Figure 16A and Figure 16B , the illustration of the connected portion Fb is omitted. As shown in Figure 15A , the lower die 30 has, for example: a cylindrical pedestal 30a; a cylindrical sliding die 30b that slides up and down along the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal 30a; and the above-mentioned spring 30s that biases the sliding die 30b upward. The pedestal 30a includes an upper-end outer peripheral surface 30a1 and an inner bottom surface 30a2. The sliding die 30b includes an upper-end inner peripheral surface 30b1, a guide wall 30b2, and a placement surface 30b5.

[0122] When the lower die 30 is in the first die position, the front-side member SE is placed on the upper surface of the pedestal 30a of the lower die 30, that is, the inner bottom surface 30a2. The inner bottom surface 30a2 of the pedestal 30a is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the front-side member SE and is formed in a circular shape. A ring-shaped guide wall 30b2 is provided at the upper-end edge portion of the sliding die 30b. The guide wall 30b2 has an upper-end surface 30b3. The connected portion Wb is placed on the placement surface 30b5, which is the surface inside the guide wall 30b2 on the upper surface of the sliding die 30b. In addition, the diameter of the upper-end inner peripheral surface 30b1 of the sliding die 30b is larger than the diameter of the upper-end outer peripheral surface 30a1 of the pedestal 30a. Thus, a gap 30b4 is formed between the upper-end inner peripheral surface 30b1 and the upper-end outer peripheral surface 30a1. In this gap 30b4, the space between the upper-end outer peripheral surface 30a1 of the pedestal 30a and the inner peripheral surface 33b2 of the outer die 33b described later is also included as a part of the gap 30b4. It should be noted that the placement surface 30b5 surrounds the inner bottom surface 30a2 and is located above the inner bottom surface 30a2.

[0123] The upper die 33 has an inner die 33a and an outer die 33b that holds the inner die 33a. The inner die 33a is held so as to be able to slide downward within the outer die 33b. The pressing surface 33a1 of the inner die 33a has the same diameter as or slightly larger than the diameter of the inner bottom surface 30a2 of the pedestal 30a.

[0124] The outer die 33b has an annular end surface 33b1 as its lower surface. After the lower die 30 is moved to the second die position by the rotation of the rotary support table 32, when the outer die 33b descends, the end surface 33b1 abuts against the upper-end surface 30b3 of the guide wall 30b2 of the sliding die 30b, as shown in Figure 15BAs shown, the sliding die 30b is pressed down to a specified position against the force of the spring 30s. Thereafter, the upper die 33 is raised to separate the front-side member SE from the lower die 30. It should be noted that the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 33b2 at the lower end of the outer die 33b is slightly larger than the diameter of the inner bottom surface 30a2 of the pedestal 30a and the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 30a1 at the upper end of the pedestal 30a. Thus, when the upper die 33 is pressed against the lower die 30, the peripheral edge portion of the front-side member SE, the peripheral edge portion of the connected portion Fb, and the peripheral edge portion of the connected portion Wb are folded downward between the outer peripheral surface 30a1 at the upper end of the pedestal 30a and the inner peripheral surface 33b2 of the outer die 33b and are disposed in the above-described gap 30b4.

[0125] When the lower die 30 moves to the second die position, the lower die 31 moves to the first die position accordingly. When the lower die 31 is in the first die position, the back-side member BE is disposed on the upper surface of the pedestal 31a of the lower die 31. As Figure 16A shown, the lower die 31 has, for example: a cylindrical pedestal 31a; a cylindrical sliding die 31b that slides up and down along the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal 31a; and the above-described spring 31s that biases the sliding die 31b upward.

[0126] The pedestal 31a has an annular upper end portion 31a1. The outer diameter of the upper end portion 31a1 is substantially the same as the diameter of the pressing surface 33a1 of the inner die 33a of the upper die 33. The outer diameter of the upper end portion 31a1 is slightly larger than the diameter of the back-side member BE. The back-side member BE is disposed on the upper end portion 31a1 of the pedestal 31a. In a state where the back-side member BE is disposed on the upper end portion 31a1, a space 31a3 is formed between the back-side member BE and the groove portion 31a2 provided in the pedestal 31a. When, for example, a safety pin or the like is provided on the back-side member BE, the safety pin or the like can be disposed in the space 31a3, thereby avoiding interference of the safety pin or the like with respect to the base 31a.

[0127] The sliding die 31b has an annular end face 31b1 as its upper surface and an inner peripheral surface 31b3 of the sliding die 31b. A tapered surface 31b2 that slopes downward toward the upper end of the inner peripheral surface 31b3 of the sliding die 31b is formed inside the end face 31b1. The tapered surface 31b2 functions as a guiding surface for rolling up the peripheral edge portion of the front-side member SE and the peripheral edge portion of the connected portion Wb that projects outward from the peripheral edge portion into the inside of the sliding die 31b when the front-side member SE and the back-side member BE are tightened.

[0128] The upper edge of the inner peripheral surface 31b3 of the sliding die 31b is at a position higher than the upper surface of the upper end portion 31a1 of the pedestal 31a. Thus, the inner peripheral surface 31b3 functions as a guiding surface when positioning the back-side member BE above the upper end portion 31a1 of the pedestal 31a.

[0129] After the lower die 31 has moved to the second die position by the rotation of the rotary support base 32 with the back member BE disposed on the pedestal 31a of the lower die 31, when the outer die 33b of the upper die 33 descends, the end face 33b1 abuts against the end face 31b1 of the sliding die 31b, and presses down the sliding die 31b to a specified position against the acting force of the spring 31s. When the outer die 33b of the upper die 33 presses down the sliding die 31b to a specified position against the acting force of the spring 31s, the peripheral portion Wg of the connected portion Wb contacts the peripheral portion BEa of the back member BE, and is folded between the peripheral portion SEa of the front member SE and the peripheral portion BEa of the back member BE. After the peripheral portion of the connected portion Wb has been folded, the peripheral portion of the connected portion Wb covering the peripheral portion SEa of the front member SE contacts the conical surface 31b2 and is guided by the conical surface 31b2. By being guided, the peripheral portion SEa of the front member SE is pressed by the conical surface 31b2 and deformed, and the connected portion Wb and the back member BE on the pedestal 31a are pressed together. Thus, as Figure 16B shown, the front member SE and the back member BE are tightened with the peripheral portion of the connected portion Wb protruding outward from the peripheral portion of the front member SE sandwiched therebetween to produce the can product 200.

[0130] (Taking-out unit)

[0131] Next, the taking-out unit 7 will be described. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the taking-out unit 7, Figure 18 and is a view for explaining the taking out of the can product 200 by the Figure 17 taking-out unit 7.

[0132] The taking-out unit 7 has the following functions: after the lower die 31 holding the can product 200 has moved from the second die position to the first die position by the rotation of the rotary support base 32, the can product 200 is taken out from the lower die 31 and guided to the can product container 9 disposed in front of the taking-out unit 7. The taking-out unit 7 is disposed in front of the front member supply unit 4. As Figure 17 shown, the taking-out unit 7 has a taking-out motor 70, a swing arm 71, a magnet member 72, a seat portion 73, and drive gears Ga6, Ga7.

[0133] The rotary shaft of the taking-out motor 70 is connected to the drive gear Ga6. The drive gear Ga6 meshes with the drive gear Ga7. The swing arm 71 is connected to the drive gear Ga7. When the taking-out motor 70 is rotationally driven and the drive gear Ga6 rotates, its driving force is transmitted to the swing arm 71 via the drive gear Ga7. Thus, the swing arm 71 rotates in the Figure 17 rotation direction Dr3. Specifically, when the drive gear Ga7 rotates forward, for example, the swing arm 71 moves from Figure 17The recovery position Psc is rotated to the take-out position Psd ( Figure 18 ), and the take-out position Psd is the position where the canned product 200 held in the lower die 31 is taken out. On the other hand, when the drive gear Ga7 is reversed, for example, the swing arm 71 rotates from the take-out position Psd to the recovery position Psc. When the swing arm 71 takes out the canned product 200 at the take-out position Psd, the canned product 200 adheres to the magnet member 72, and the magnet member 72 is provided at the front end of the swing arm 71 and is made of a permanent magnet, for example. In a state where the canned product 200 adheres to the magnet member 72, the swing arm 71 rotates from the take-out position Psd to the recovery position Psc.

[0134] The seat portion 73 extends toward the canned product container 9. The seat portion 73 has a seat surface 73a and a guide portion 73b. The seat surface 73a is an inclined surface that descends toward the guide portion 73. On the seat surface 73a, a groove portion 73c is provided in the extending direction of the swing arm 71. The recovery position Psc is the position where the swing arm 71 enters and is accommodated in the groove portion 73c. The upper surface of the magnet member 72 of the swing arm 71 located at the recovery position Psc is located lower than the upper end of the groove portion 73c. Before the swing arm 71 rotates from the take-out position Psd toward the recovery position Psc and is about to be accommodated in the groove portion 73c, the canned product 200 abuts against the seat surface 73. Thereby, the canned product 200 attached to the magnet member 72 detaches from the magnet member 72. After that, the canned product 200 is guided by the guide portion 73 along the inclination of the seat surface 73. And, after the canned product 200 is guided by the guide portion 73b, it is accommodated in the canned product container 9.

[0135] (Overall processing flow)

[0136] Figure 19 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the canned product manufacturing apparatus 100. As Figure 19 shown, first, the control device 110 determines whether there is an instruction from the user for manufacturing a canned product (step S1). When there is no instruction for manufacturing a canned product (No in step S1), the control device 110 remains in standby.

[0137] When there is an instruction for manufacturing a canned product (Yes in step S1), the control device 110 causes the front-side member supply unit 4 to supply the front-side member SE to the lower die 30 (step S2). Next, the control device 110 causes the transport unit 2 to transport the white film F onto the front-side member SE (step S3).

[0138] Next, the control device 110 causes the pressing unit 6 to cut the connecting portion Fc of the white film F (step S4). Then, the control device 110 causes the transport unit 2 to separate the remaining portion Fa of the white film F from the connected portion Fb and transport the separated remaining portion Fa to the recycling box 8 (step S5).

[0139] Next, the control device 110 causes the conveying unit 2 to convey the printed medium W printed by the printing unit 1 onto the connected portion Fc of the white film F (step S6). Next, the control device 110 causes the pressing unit 6 to cut the connecting portion Wc of the printed medium W (step S7). Then, the control device 110 causes the conveying unit 2 to separate the remaining portion Wa of the printed medium W from the connected portion Wb and convey the separated remaining portion Wa to the recycling box 8 (step S8).

[0140] Next, after the control device 110 uses the rotary support table 32 to move the lower die 30 from the first die position to the second die position so that the lower die 30 is located below the upper die 33 in the die unit 3, the control device 110 causes the front-side member SE held by the lower die 30 and the connected portions Wb, Fb to be held by the upper die 33 (step S9). Then, the control device 110 causes the back-side member supply unit 5 to supply the back-side member BE to the lower die 31 that has moved to the first die position as the lower die 30 moves (step S10).

[0141] Subsequently, after the control device 110 uses the rotary support table 32 to move the lower die 31 from the first die position to the second die position so that the lower die 31 is located below the upper die 33 in a state where the front-side member SE and the connected portions Wb, Fb are held, the control device 110 causes the upper die 33 to descend for tightening processing (step S11). Thus, the can product 200 is produced. After that, after the control device 110 uses the rotary support table 32 to move the lower die 31 holding the can product 200 from the second die position to the first die position so that the lower die 31 is located at the first die position, the control device 110 causes the taking-out unit 7 to take out the can product 200 (step S12). Thus, the can product 200 is placed in the can product container 9. It should be noted that after the taking-out unit 7 finishes taking out the can product 200, the control device 110 uses the rotary support table 32 to move the lower die 30 at the second die position to the first die position.

[0142] After that, the control device 110 determines whether a specified number of can products 200 have been produced (step S13). If the specified number of can products 200 has not been produced (No in step S13), the control device 110 returns to the process of step S2 and repeats the subsequent processes. On the other hand, if the specified number of can products 200 has been produced (Yes in step S13), the control device 110 ends the process of producing the can product.

[0143] As described above, in the canned product manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the print medium W is transported above the front-side member SE supported by the lower die 30 by the transport unit 2. Thereby, the transport accuracy of the print medium W with respect to the front-side member SE is improved. Therefore, the canned product 200 can be manufactured with high precision. In addition, no labor of the user is required when manufacturing the canned product 200.

[0144] In addition, in the present embodiment, the control device 110 executes a process of transporting the print medium W above the front-side member SE supported by the lower die 30 by the transport unit 2. Thereby, the transport of the print medium W with respect to the front-side member SE is appropriately controlled.

[0145] In addition, in the present embodiment, after the transport process of the print medium W with respect to the front-side member SE, at least the connected portion Wb in the print medium W is pressed against the lower die 30 by the pressing unit 6, so that at least the first connecting portion Wc1 and the second connecting portion Wc2 in the connecting portion Wc are cut off. In addition, in a state where the connected portion Wb is pressed by the first pressing portion 66e and the second pressing portion 66f, the print medium W is transported in the transport direction Dc2 opposite to the transport direction Dc1 by the transport unit 2, so that the remaining portion Wa is separated from the connected portion Wb. In this way, by the two-stage processes of the cutting process and the separation process, it is easier to separate the remaining portion Wa from the connected portion Wb than in the case where only the separation process is performed.

[0146] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the connecting portion Wc is formed as a weak portion having a smaller strength than the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa, the connecting portion Wc is easily cut in the cutting process.

[0147] In addition, in the present embodiment, after the separation process, the remaining portion Wa of the print medium W is transported in the transport direction Dc2 by the transport unit 2, so that the remaining portion Wa is transported to the recycling box 8. Thereby, the remaining portion Wa can be easily discarded into the recycling box 8 only by the transport by the transport unit 2.

[0148] In addition, in the present embodiment, the total number of the first connecting portion Wc1 and the second connecting portion Wc2 is smaller than the number of the third connecting portion Wc3. Thereby, in the cutting process, it is easy to cut only the first connecting portion Wc1 and the second connecting portion Wc2 without cutting the third connecting portion Wc3 in the connecting portion Wc as much as possible.

[0149] Further, in the present embodiment, the strength of the linear weak portion Wd of the print medium W is smaller than the strength of the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa. Thus, when the remaining portion Wa is conveyed in the conveyance direction Dc2 by the conveyance unit 2, the linear weak portion Wd can be easily cut by the cutting portion 67.

[0150] Further, in the present embodiment, one table-side member SE supplied from the table-side member magazine 40 onto the table-side member inclined surface 43 is pushed out by the pusher main body portion 45a and sent out toward the lower die 30 in the supply direction D1. Thus, the supply of the table-side member SE relative to the lower die 30 can be performed with high precision.

[0151] Further, in the present embodiment, by making the acute angle formed by the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2 greater than 0 degrees and 30 degrees or less, the size of the can product manufacturing apparatus 100 in the left-right direction Dy can be made relatively small, and thus the can product manufacturing apparatus 100 can be made compact.

[0152] Further, in the present embodiment, the table-side member inclined surface 43 has a notch 43a at the downstream end in the supply direction D1 of the table-side member SE. Thus, when the table-side member SE is supplied from the downstream end of the table-side member inclined surface 43 to the lower die 30, it is possible to suppress or prevent the upstream end of the table-side member SE (i.e., the end on the side opposite to the side where the lower die 30 is located) from being caught by the table-side member inclined surface 43.

[0153] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the white film F is conveyed by the conveyance unit 2 onto the table-side member SE prior to the print medium W. And the table-side member SE and the back-side member BE are tightened with the connected portion Fb of the white film F pressed therebetween and the connected portion Wb of the print medium W. Thus, the background of the image or the like printed on the connected portion Wb in the can product 200 can be made white, and the aesthetic appearance of the image is improved.

[0154] (Modification example)

[0155] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modification examples can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, as follows.

[0156] Figure 20A It is a view showing a first modification example of the cutting structure of the connecting portion Wc of the print medium W, Figure 20B It is a view showing a second modification example of the cutting structure of the connecting portion Wc of the print medium W. As Figure 20AAs shown, the can product manufacturing apparatus 100 may also include: a pressed portion 201 against which the medium to be printed W is pressed; and a lower die moving portion 202 that moves the lower die 30 that holds the medium to be printed W in directions approaching and separating from the pressed portion 201. After the conveyance process of the medium to be printed W to the lower die 30, the control device 110 uses the lower die moving portion 202 to move the lower die 30 in a direction approaching the pressed portion 201. Thereby, it is also possible to perform a pressing process of cutting the connecting portion Wc by pressing the connected portion Wb in the medium to be printed W against the pressed portion 201.

[0157] In addition, as Figure 20B shown, the can product manufacturing apparatus 100 may also include a suction device 203 disposed at a position different from the position of the lower die 30. The suction device 203 has a plurality of suction holes 204 on the side facing the lower die 30. After the conveyance process of the medium to be printed W to the lower die 30, the control device 110 may also perform a cutting process of cutting the connecting portion Wc by causing the suction device 203 to suck the connected portion Wb in the medium to be printed W.

[0158] Figure 21A FIG. is a third modification showing the cutting structure of the connecting portion Wc of the medium to be printed W, Figure 21B FIG. is a fourth modification showing the cutting structure of the connecting portion Wc of the medium to be printed W. As Figure 21A shown, the can product manufacturing apparatus 100 may also include a cutter device 205 that can move parallel to the medium to be printed W. The cutter device 205 has a cutter 206 on the side facing the lower die 30. After the conveyance process of the medium to be printed W to the lower die 30, the control device 110 may also perform a cutting process of cutting the connecting portion Wc using the cutter 206 of the cutter device 205. It should be noted that the cutter 206 can move forward and backward in the vertical direction from the main body of the cutter device 205, and moves forward and backward in such a manner that it contacts the medium to be printed W when cutting the connecting portion Wc and does not contact the medium to be printed W when not cutting the connecting portion Wc.

[0159] In addition, in the can product manufacturing apparatus 100, as Figure 21B shown, the lower die 30 may also have a cutter 207 on the surface facing the medium to be printed W. After the conveyance process of the medium to be printed W to the lower die 30, the control device 110 may also perform a cutting process of moving the upper die 33 in a direction approaching the lower die 30 and pressing the upper die 33 against the medium to be printed W, thereby cutting the connecting portion Wc by the upper die 33 and the cutter 207.

[0160] Figure 22 FIG. is a fifth modification showing the cutting structure of the connecting portion Wc of the medium to be printed W. As Figure 22As shown, a conveying unit 208 may also be employed which has a first conveying path 209 for conveying the medium W to be printed downward toward the lower die 30 and a second conveying path 210 which is different from the first conveying path 209 and in a direction opposite to the first conveying path 209 and conveys the medium W to be printed in a direction away from the lower die 30. The conveying unit 208 has conveying rollers and also has a driven roller 211 constituting the first conveying path 209 and a driven roller 212 constituting the second conveying path 210. The first conveying path 210 is U-shaped. Specifically, the second conveying path 210 extends along a direction that folds back from the downstream end of the first conveying path 209 in a direction opposite to the first conveying path 209. The control device 110 causes the conveying unit 208 to convey the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa of the medium W to be printed via the first conveying path 209. In this case, when the medium W to be printed folds back from the first conveying path 209 to the second conveying path 210, the connected portion Wb in the medium W to be printed is cut off from the remaining portion Wa and drops downward toward the lower die 30 along the direction D40. Thereby, the connected portion Wb is supplied to the lower die 30. On the other hand, the remaining portion Wa after the connected portion Wb is cut off is conveyed in the second conveying path 210. Thus, only the remaining portion Wa of the medium W to be printed is cut off and conveyed in the second conveying path 210.

[0161] Figure 23 is a diagram showing a modified example of the shape of the connected portion Wb of the medium W to be printed. As Figure 23 shown, the medium W1 to be printed may also have a connected portion Wb1 which is, for example, elliptical in plan view, a remaining portion Wa1 different from the connected portion Wb1, a plurality of connecting portions Wc10 connecting the connected portion Wb1 and the remaining portion Wa1, and a linear weak portion Wd1. Alternatively, the medium W to be printed may be formed in a circular shape in plan view. In this case, the cutting process by the pressing unit 6 and the separating process by the conveying unit 2 are not required, which is simple. It should be noted that the shape of the connected portion Wb is not limited to the above shape and can be set to various shapes.

[0162] Figure 24 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the relationship between the conveying direction of the medium W to be printed and the moving directions of the two lower dies 221 and 222. Figure 25 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the relationship between the conveying direction of the medium W to be printed and the moving directions of the two lower dies 221 and 222.

[0163] The conveying direction of the medium W to be printed may also be the same as the conveying directions of the two lower dies 221 and 222. In this case, as an example, as Figure 24As shown, the print medium W is conveyed along the conveyance direction D20. Two lower dies 221 and 222 are supported by the sliding portion 220. The lower die 222 is disposed on the downstream side of the lower die 221 in the conveyance direction D20. The sliding portion 220 is configured to be able to slide in the moving direction D21, which is the same direction as the conveyance direction D20, and the moving direction D22, which is the opposite direction of the moving direction D21, while holding the lower dies 221 and 222. When the sliding portion 220 is in the initial position (i.e., the position before moving in the moving direction D21), the upper die 223 is located above the lower die 222. When the sliding portion 220 is in the initial position, for example, the front-side member SE is conveyed to the lower die 221 by a supply unit (not shown). Then, the print medium W is conveyed in the conveyance direction D20 by a conveyance unit (not shown) onto the front-side member SE held by the lower die 221. Then, when the lower die 222 is located at a specified position, which is the destination where the sliding portion 220 moves along the moving direction D21, the back-side member BE is supplied to the lower die 222 by a supply unit (not shown). At this time, the front-side member SE held by the lower die 221, which has moved below the upper die 223, is held by the upper die 223 due to the lowering of the upper die 223. After that, when the sliding portion 220 moves in the moving direction D22 and returns to the initial position, the tightening process can be performed by lowering the upper die 223 holding the front-side member SE relative to the lower die 222 holding the back-side member BE.

[0164] Alternatively, as another example, as Figure 25 shown, the print medium W is conveyed along a direction D23 that is perpendicular to the moving directions D21 and D22 of the sliding portion 220, i.e., the conveyance direction D20. The lower die 222 is disposed on the downstream side of the lower die 221 in the moving direction D21. When the sliding portion 220 is in the above-described initial position, the front-side member SE is conveyed to the lower die 221 by a supply unit (not shown). Then, when the lower die 222 is located at a specified position, which is the destination where the sliding portion 220 moves along the moving direction D21, the back-side member BE is supplied to the lower die 222 by a supply unit (not shown). At this time, the print medium W is conveyed in the conveyance direction D20 by a conveyance unit (not shown) onto the front-side member SE held by the lower die 221, which has moved below the upper die 223. After that, the front-side member SE held by the lower die 221 is held by the upper die 223 due to the lowering of the upper die 223. After that, when the sliding portion 220 moves in the moving direction D22 and returns to the initial position, the tightening process can be performed by lowering the upper die 223 holding the front-side member SE relative to the lower die 222 holding the back-side member BE.

[0165] Alternatively, a structure based on the following production line can also be adopted. Figure 26This is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the conveyance direction of the medium W to be printed and the moving directions of the front-side member SE and the back-side member BE. As Figure 26 shown, for example, the front-side member SE and the back-side member BE may also be conveyed along the annular conveyance path 237. The conveyance path 237 rotates in the rotational direction Dr4 in a state where the front-side member SE and the back-side member BE are alternately arranged. Around the conveyance path 237, a back-side member supply unit 230, a surface member supply unit 231, a printing unit 232, a peeling unit 233, a tightening unit 234, and a take-out unit 235 are sequentially provided along the rotational direction Dr4. The back-side member BE is supplied to the conveyance path 237 by the back-side member supply unit 230. The front-side member SE is supplied to the conveyance path 237 by the front-side member supply unit 231. When the front-side member SE is conveyed to a specified peeling position of the peeling unit 233 in the conveyance path 237, the medium W to be printed that has been printed by the printing unit 232 is conveyed along the conveyance direction D30 and disposed on the above-mentioned front-side member SE. In this state, the remaining portion Wa of the medium W to be printed is peeled off by the peeling unit 233, whereby the remaining portion Wa is separated from the connected portion Wb. Then, in the tightening unit 234, after temporarily holding the front-side member SE on which the connected portion Wb is disposed on the upper die, the back-side member BE on the upstream side in the rotational direction Dr4 is conveyed to a specified tightening position in the conveyance path 237 and the tightening process of the back-side member BE and the above-mentioned front-side member SE is performed, thereby manufacturing the can product 200. The manufactured can product 200 is conveyed along the conveyance path 237 to a specified take-out position of the take-out unit 235, and then is taken out by the take-out unit 235 and stacked on the stacking unit 236.

[0166] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the lower plate main body 121 is provided with a rectangular cutout 123 that opens at the front of the lower plate main body 121 and a cutout 124 that opens adjacent to the rear end of the cutout 123 and is convex and semi-circular toward the rear. However, it is not limited thereto. A through-hole may also be provided in the lower plate main body 121. Since the cutout 123 opens at the front of the lower plate main body 121, the material cost can be reduced. When it is desired to make the lower plate main body 121 have strength, it is preferable to provide a through-hole.

[0167] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the cutout 124 is convex and semi-circular. However, it is not limited thereto. The cutout 124 may be rectangular. In addition, the cutout 124 may have three or more corners.

[0168] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a bearing wall 125 is erected on the lower plate body 121. This can also be integrally formed using the same material as the lower plate body 121 and the bearing wall 125. In addition, the lower plate body 121 and the bearing wall 125 can also be different components, and the lower plate body 121 and the bearing wall 125 are connected. When the lower plate body 121 and the bearing wall 125 are different components, the lower plate body 121 and the bearing wall 125 can be the same material or different materials.

[0169] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a bearing wall 130 is erected on the upper plate Mp2, but this can also be integrally formed using the same material as the upper plate Mp2 and the bearing wall 130. In addition, the upper plate Mp2 and the bearing wall 130 can also be different components, and the upper plate Mp2 and the bearing wall 130 are connected. When the upper plate Mp2 and the bearing wall 130 are different components, the upper plate Mp2 and the bearing wall 130 can be the same material or different materials.

[0170] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the second drive circuit 116 drives the transport motor 23 when the print medium W supplied from the printing unit 1 is detected by the first transport sensor S1. In addition, the control device 110 performs a process of separating the connection portion Wb of the front-side member SE and the print medium W from the lower die 30 using the upper die 33, and a process of connecting the front-side member SE and the connection portion Wb of the print medium W separated by the upper die 33 to the back-side member BE. However, the control device 110 can also additionally perform a process of transporting the print medium W above the front-side member SE supported by the lower die 30 using the transport unit 2. That is, the control device 110 performs: a process of transporting the print medium W above the front-side member SE supported by the lower die 30 using the transport unit 2; a process of separating the connection portion Wb of the front-side member SE and the print medium W from the lower die 30 using the upper die 33; and a process of connecting the front-side member SE and the connection portion Wb of the print medium W separated by the upper die 33 to the back-side member BE.

[0171] In addition, the control device 110 may not drive the conveyance motor 23 by the second drive circuit 116 when the print medium W is detected by the first conveyance sensor S1, but may cause the second drive circuit 116 to drive the conveyance unit 2 after the print unit 1 has printed an image on the print medium W. In addition, the control device 110 may not drive the conveyance motor 23 by the second drive circuit 116 when the print medium W is detected by the first conveyance sensor S1, but may cause the second drive circuit 116 to drive the conveyance unit 2 before the print unit 1 prints an image on the print medium W. In addition, the control device 110 may not drive the conveyance motor 23 by the second drive circuit 116 when the print medium W is detected by the first conveyance sensor S1, but may cause the second drive circuit 116 to drive the conveyance unit 2 while the print unit 1 is printing an image on the print medium W.

[0172] Reference Numeral Explanation

[0173] 1 Print unit;

[0174] 2 Conveyance unit;

[0175] 3 Die unit;

[0176] 4 Front-side member supply unit;

[0177] 5 Back-side member supply unit;

[0178] 6 Pressing unit;

[0179] 7 Take-out unit;

[0180] 8 Recycling box;

[0181] 9 Canned product container;

[0182] 30, 31 Lower die;

[0183] 30a2 Inner bottom surface;

[0184] 30b5 Placing surface;

[0185] 33 Upper die;

[0186] 40 Front-side member storage;

[0187] 43 Front-side member slope;

[0188] 43a Notch;

[0189] 44 Avoidance groove;

[0190] 45 Pusher;

[0191] 66 Pressing head;

[0192] 66e First pressing part;

[0193] 66f Second pressing part;

[0194] 67 Cutting part;

[0195] 100 Can product manufacturing device;

[0196] 110 Control device;

[0197] 200 Can products;

[0198] 201 Part to be pressed;

[0199] 202 Lower die moving part;

[0200] 203 Suction device;

[0201] 205 Cutter device;

[0202] 207 Cutter;

[0203] 208 Conveyor unit;

[0204] 209 First conveying path;

[0205] 210 Second conveying path;

[0206] BE Backside member;

[0207] Dc1 Conveying direction;

[0208] Dc2 Conveying direction;

[0209] F White film;

[0210] L1 First straight line;

[0211] L2 Second straight line;

[0212] Pw1 First position of the connected part;

[0213] Pw2 Second position of the connected part;

[0214] SE Front side member;

[0215] W Printed medium;

[0216] Wa Remaining part;

[0217] Wb Connected part;

[0218] Wc Connecting part;

[0219] Wc1 First connecting part;

[0220] Wc2 The second connecting part;

[0221] Wc3 The third connecting part;

[0222] Wd The linear weak part;

[0223] We1 The downstream edge part;

[0224] Wf The cutting part;

[0225] α The acute angle formed by the first straight line and the second straight line.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a canned product, which manufactures a canned product by connecting a front-side member and a back-side member, wherein, the apparatus for manufacturing a canned product includes: a printing unit that prints on a medium to be printed; a die unit having a lower die that supports the front-side member and an upper die that separates the front-side member from the lower die; and a conveying unit that conveys the medium to be printed in a conveying direction from the printing unit toward the die unit above the front-side member.

2. The apparatus for manufacturing a canned product according to claim 1, wherein, the apparatus for manufacturing a canned product further includes a control device, and the control device performs: a process of conveying the medium to be printed above the front-side member supported by the lower die by using the conveying unit; a process of separating the front-side member and the medium to be printed from the lower die by using the upper die; and a process of connecting the front-side member and the medium to be printed separated by the upper die to the back-side member.

3. The apparatus for manufacturing a canned product according to claim 2, wherein, the apparatus for manufacturing a canned product further includes a pressing unit that presses the medium to be printed against the lower die, the medium to be printed includes: a sheet-like connected portion that is connected to the front-side member and the back-side member; a sheet-like remaining portion that is different from the connected portion; and a connecting portion that connects the connected portion and the remaining portion, and the control device performs the following cutting process after the conveying process: pressing at least the connected portion of the medium to be printed against the lower die by using the pressing unit to cut at least a part of the connecting portion.

4. The apparatus for manufacturing a canned product according to claim 2, wherein, the apparatus for manufacturing a canned product further includes: a pressed portion against which the medium to be printed is pressed; and a lower die moving portion that moves the lower die in a direction approaching and separating from the pressed portion, the medium to be printed includes: a sheet-like connected portion that is connected to the front-side member and the back-side member; a sheet-like remaining portion that is different from the connected portion; and a connecting portion that connects the connected portion and the remaining portion, and the control device performs the following pressing process after the conveying process: moving the lower die in a manner approaching the pressed portion by using the lower die moving portion to press the connected portion of the medium to be printed against the pressed portion, thereby cutting the connecting portion.

5. The apparatus for manufacturing a canned product according to claim 2, wherein, the apparatus for manufacturing a canned product further includes a suction device disposed at a position different from the position of the lower die, the medium to be printed includes: a sheet-like connected portion that is connected to the front-side member and the back-side member; a sheet-like remaining portion that is different from the connected portion; and a connecting portion that connects the connected portion and the remaining portion, and the control device performs a cutting process of cutting the connecting portion by sucking the connected portion of the medium to be printed by the suction device after the conveying process.

6. The apparatus for manufacturing a canned product according to claim 2, wherein, The can product manufacturing apparatus further includes a cutter device that is capable of moving parallel to the print medium placed on the front-side member. The print medium includes: a sheet-like connected portion that is connected to the front-side member and the back-side member; a sheet-like remaining portion that is different from the connected portion; and a connecting portion that connects the connected portion and the remaining portion. After the transportation process, the control device performs a cutting process of cutting the connecting portion using the cutter device.

7. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The print medium includes: a sheet-like connected portion that is connected to the front-side member and the back-side member; a sheet-like remaining portion that is different from the connected portion; and a connecting portion that connects the connected portion and the remaining portion. The lower die has a cutter on the surface facing the print medium. After the transportation process, the control device performs the following cutting process: By moving the upper die closer to the lower die and pressing the upper die against the print medium, the connecting portion is cut using the upper die and the cutter.

8. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The print medium includes: a sheet-like connected portion that is connected to the front-side member and the back-side member; a sheet-like remaining portion that is different from the connected portion; and a connecting portion that connects the connected portion and the remaining portion. The transportation unit has: a first transportation path that transports the print medium toward the lower die; and a second transportation path that is a transportation path different from the first transportation path and transports the print medium in a direction away from the lower die. The control device transports the print medium by causing the transportation unit to transport the print medium, transports the connected portion and the remaining portion in the print medium via the first transportation path, and transports only the remaining portion in the print medium via the second transportation path.

9. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The front-side member is circular in plan view, and the print medium is formed circular in plan view.

10. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The connecting portion forms a weak portion having a lower strength than the connected portion and the remaining portion.

11. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The connecting portion has a first portion that is cut by the cutting process and a second portion that is not cut during the cutting process. After the cutting process, the control device performs a separation process of cutting the second portion in the connecting portion to separate the remaining portion from the connected portion.

12. The can product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The pressing unit has at least two pressing portions, i.e., a first pressing portion and a second pressing portion, that press the connected portion in the print medium against the lower die. In the cutting process, the control device causes the first pressing portion to press against the first position of the connected portion, and after causing the first pressing portion to press against the first position of the connected portion, causes the second pressing portion to press against the second position of the connected portion. In the separating process, in a state where the connected portion is pressed by the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion, the control device uses the conveying unit to convey the printed medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction.

13. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 3, wherein, the pressing unit has a pressing head that presses against the printed medium. The lower mold has: an inner bottom surface that supports the front-side member; and a placement surface that surrounds the periphery of the inner bottom surface and is located above the inner bottom surface to place the printed medium. In the cutting process, the control device causes the pressing head to press against a position below the placement surface and closer to the inner bottom surface.

14. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 12, wherein, the can product manufacturing device further includes a recovery container for recovering the remaining portion. After the separating process, the control device uses the conveying unit to convey the printed medium in the opposite direction, thereby conveying the remaining portion to the recovery container.

15. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 12, wherein, The printed medium has a plurality of the connecting portions and cutting portions between adjacent connecting portions at the boundary between the connected portion and the remaining portion. The connecting portions include: a first connecting portion that connects the first position to the remaining portion; a second connecting portion that connects the second position to the remaining portion; and a third connecting portion that connects a third position other than the first position and the second position in the connected portion to the remaining portion. The total number of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is less than the number of the third connecting portion.

16. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 12, wherein, the printed medium is rectangular. The remaining portion is arranged to surround the connected portion. The printed medium has: a downstream side edge portion in the conveying direction of the printed medium; and a linear weak portion that extends from the downstream side edge portion to the connected portion and has a lower strength than the connected portion and the remaining portion.

17. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 16, wherein, the pressing unit has a cutting portion, and when the first pressing portion is pressed against the first position of the printed medium and the second pressing portion is pressed against the second position of the printed medium, the cutting portion is located downstream in the direction opposite to the conveying direction with respect to the downstream side end portion in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the linear weak portion.

18. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein, the can product manufacturing device further includes a front-side member supply unit that supplies the front-side member to the lower mold.

19. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 18, wherein, the front-side member supply unit has: a front-side member storage, which houses the front-side member; a push rod, which pushes the front-side member toward the lower mold; and a front-side member inclined surface, which guides the front-side member pushed by the push rod toward the lower mold.

20. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 19, wherein, the lower mold is formed in a circular shape in a top view, the front-side member storage is formed in a cylindrical shape, when a straight line intersecting the transport direction is defined as a first straight line and a straight line connecting the center of the lower mold and the center of the front-side member storage in a top view is defined as a second straight line, the acute angle formed by the first straight line and the second straight line is greater than 0 degrees and 30 degrees or less.

21. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 19, wherein, the front-side member inclined surface has a cut at the downstream end in the pushing direction of the front-side member.

22. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 21, wherein, the cut is in an arc shape.

23. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 2, wherein, the control device performs the following film transport process: the transport unit transports the white film in such a way that the white film is placed on the front-side member prior to the printed medium.

24. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 23, wherein, the printed medium has the same size as the white film or is larger than the white film after the cutting process.

25. A can product manufacturing method for manufacturing a can product by connecting a front-side member and a back-side member, wherein, it includes: supporting the front-side member by using a lower mold; printing a printed medium by using a printing unit; transporting the printed medium by a transport unit in a transport direction to above the front-side member supported by the lower mold; separating the front-side member and the printed medium from the lower mold by using an upper mold; and connecting the front-side member and the printed medium separated by the upper mold with the back-side member.

26. A can product manufacturing program, which is executed by a computer in a can product manufacturing device that manufactures a can product by connecting a front-side member and a back-side member, wherein, the can product manufacturing program causes the computer to function as the following units: a supply control unit, which supplies the front-side member and supports the front-side member on a lower mold; a printing control unit, which causes a printing unit to print a printed medium; a transport control unit, which causes a transport unit to transport the printed medium in a transport direction to above the front-side member supported by the lower mold; an upper mold control unit, which separates the front-side member and the printed medium from the lower mold by using an upper mold; and a connection control unit, which connects the front-side member and the printed medium separated by the upper mold with the back-side member.

Images