Film conveyor, film conveying method, and film manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

Provided are a film conveyor and the like capable of automatically feeding a film. The film conveyor conveys a film (83) from an upstream side to a downstream side. The film conveyor includes a feed mechanism (70) including a robotic arm (715) including a conveyor (711) on a lower side of a front end portion of the robotic arm, and a lower roller pedestal (720) disposed below the conveyor and including a plurality of rollers. The feeding mechanism (70) can be designed to move the lower roller pedestal upwards so as to place the film sent from the upstream side on the lower roller pedestal, and to move the front end part of the robot arm downwards so as to convey the film to the downstream side by the rotation of the conveyor while clamping the film between the conveyor and the lower roller pedestal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a film conveyor, a film conveying method and a film manufacturing device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses: a stretching machine that conveys an extruded film and stretches the film; and a clamping device that holds the film with clamps.

[0003] Reference List

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. JP 2012-187788. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The film cannot be fed between the longitudinally extending region and the transversely extending region, and therefore, the film feeding operation has been performed manually by multiple people. This manual operation is cumbersome and inefficient.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a film conveyor and the like that automatically feeds a film.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a film conveyor is a film conveyor designed to convey a film from an upstream side to a downstream side, and the film conveyor includes a feeding mechanism, which includes: a robot arm, which includes a conveyor on the lower side of the front end portion of the robot arm; and a lower roller base, which is arranged below the conveyor and includes a plurality of rollers.

[0009] The film conveying method according to the embodiment is a film conveying method for conveying a film from an upstream side to a downstream side by using a film conveyor, the film conveyor comprising: a robot arm including a conveyor on the lower side of a front end portion of the robot arm; and a lower roller stand which is arranged below the conveyor and includes a plurality of rollers, the film conveying method comprising: moving the lower roller stand upward, thereby placing the film sent from the upstream side on the lower roller stand; and moving the robot arm downward, thereby clamping the film between the conveyor and the lower roller stand, and sending the film to the downstream side by the rotation of the conveyor.

[0010] A thin film manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment includes:

[0011] an extruder designed to melt a charged resin raw material and extrude the molten resin raw material;

[0012] a die, connected to the extruder, designed to mold the molten resin into a film shape;

[0013] a cooling roller designed to cool the film-shaped molten resin extruded from the die and discharge a resin film obtained by solidification of the molten resin;

[0014] a longitudinal stretching machine disposed downstream of the cooling roller, the longitudinal stretching machine being designed to longitudinally stretch the film and to feed the film toward the downstream side;

[0015] A feeding mechanism designed to feed the film to the downstream side, the feeding mechanism comprising: a robot arm including a conveyor on the lower side of a front end portion of the robot arm; and a lower roller stand provided below the conveyor and including a plurality of rollers; and

[0016] The transverse stretching machine is arranged downstream of the feeding mechanism and is designed to transversely stretch the film and feed the film to the downstream side.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a film conveyor that automatically feeds a film can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall configuration of a film conveyor and a film manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a film feeding mechanism according to a first embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the operation of the film feeding mechanism according to the first embodiment;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a film feeding mechanism and a clamping device according to another embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5 is a top view for explaining an operation of smoothing wrinkles by a belt conveyor; and

[0023] Figure 6 This is a top view for explaining the operation of smoothing wrinkles using a belt conveyor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, for the sake of clarity, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified.

[0025] (First embodiment)

[0026] <Overall Structure of Thin Film Manufacturing Apparatus>

[0027] First, refer to Figure 1 The entire structure of a film production apparatus including the resin film conveyor according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 It is a schematic perspective view showing the entire configuration of the thin film manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0028] Note that in Figure 1 The xyz coordinates shown in the drawings and other figures are for convenience only, to illustrate the positional relationships between components. Generally, the positive z-axis direction is vertically upward, and the xy plane is a horizontal plane; these directions and planes are the same in all drawings. Furthermore, in this specification, a film may be a resin film and may include a resin sheet.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the film manufacturing apparatus 1 includes an extruder 10, a T-die 20, a cooling machine 30, a longitudinal stretching machine 40, a feeding mechanism 70, a transverse stretching machine 50, and a winder 60. The film manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment is an extrusion molding film manufacturing apparatus that extrude a film-shaped molten resin 82a from a gap between the lips of the T-die 20 connected to the extruder 10. Note that in Figure 1 Details of the robot mechanism 71 and the lower roller mechanism 72 are not shown.

[0030] Figure 1 The extruder 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a screw extruder. In the extruder 10, a screw extending in the x-axis direction is housed in a barrel 11 extending in the x-axis direction. A hopper 13 for loading resin pellets, which are the raw material of the resin film 83, is provided above the end of the barrel 11 in the negative x-axis direction.

[0031] The resin pellets supplied from the hopper 13 are conveyed from the root of the rotating screw to its front end, that is, conveyed in the positive x-axis direction. In addition, the resin pellets are heated, sheared and melted by the rotating screw in the barrel 11, and converted into molten resin 82.

[0032] Note that, although not shown, a motor as a drive source is connected to the screw via a speed reducer, for example. In addition, a heater for heating the inside of the barrel 11 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the barrel 11 substantially in the entire longitudinal direction of the barrel 11, and the resin pellets loaded into the barrel 11 are heated.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, the T-die 20 is attached to the lower side of the front end portion (the end on the positive x-axis side) of the extruder 10. A film-like molten resin 82a is extruded downward (in the negative z-axis direction) from the gap between the lips of the T-die 20 located at the lower end of the T-die 20. Note that the lip gap of the T-die 20 is adjustable. The lip gap of the T-die 20 can be adjusted at multiple positions along the longitudinal direction of the lips (y-axis direction) so that the thickness of the resin film 83 to be produced becomes uniform across its width (y-axis direction).

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the cooling machine 30 includes cooling rollers CR1 to CR4. The cooling roller CR1 cools the film-like molten resin 82a extruded from the T-die 20 and discharges the resin film 83 obtained by solidifying the film-like molten resin 82a to the cooling roller CR2. The cooling roller CR1 is also called a casting roller.

[0035] Then, if Figure 1 As shown, the cooling rollers CR2 to CR4 cool the resin film 83 and convey the resin film 83 in this order. Each of the cooling rollers CR1 to CR4 can be a drive roller driven by a drive source (not shown). The drive source is a variable speed motor such as a servo motor.

[0036] Note that each of the cooling rollers CR1 to CR4 may include a cooling mechanism for cooling the resin film 83. Each of the cooling rollers CR1 to CR4 may also include a heating mechanism for heating the resin film 83. Since the cooling machine 30 includes a plurality of drive rollers for conveying the resin film 83, it may be a form of a film conveyor according to the present embodiment.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the longitudinal stretching machine 40 stretches the resin film 83 discharged from the cooling machine 30 in the longitudinal direction while conveying the resin film 83 . Figure 1 The longitudinal stretching machine 40 shown in FIG includes 11 rollers R1 to R11. Each of the rollers R1 to R11 is a drive roller driven by a drive source (not shown). The drive source is a variable speed motor such as a servo motor. The longitudinal stretching machine 40 is a form of a film conveyor according to this embodiment.

[0038] Note that the longitudinal stretching machine 40 only needs to include a plurality of drive rollers for conveying the resin film 83, and the number of drive rollers included in the longitudinal stretching machine 40 and the positions of the drive rollers are appropriately determined. In addition, each of the rollers R1 to R11 may include at least one of a cooling mechanism for cooling the resin film 83 and a heating mechanism for heating the resin film 83. The longitudinal stretching machine 40 may also include one or more nip rollers for pressing the resin film 83 against one of the rollers R1 to R11. The nip roller is not a drive roller. Note that in the film conveying path, the area where the film is longitudinally stretched by the longitudinal stretching machine 40 is also referred to as the longitudinal stretching area.

[0039] The feed mechanism 70 automatically delivers the resin film 83 discharged from the longitudinal stretching machine 40 to the subsequent transverse stretching machine 50. Because the longitudinal stretching machine 40 and the transverse stretching machine 50 have different feed mechanisms, multiple people are required to manually deliver the resin film 83 discharged from the longitudinal stretching machine 40 to the subsequent transverse stretching machine 50. However, this operation is cumbersome and inefficient. Therefore, the present disclosure newly incorporates a film feed mechanism 70 that has both film gripping and film feeding functions. The details of this feed mechanism 70 will be described later. The feed mechanism 70 may be a form of film conveyor according to this embodiment.

[0040] The lateral stretching machine 50 stretches the resin film 83 discharged from the feed mechanism 70 in its width direction (y-axis direction). More specifically, the lateral stretching machine 50 includes a pair of rails RL1 and RL2. Furthermore, a plurality of clips (not shown) are slidably arranged in parallel along the entirety of the rails RL1 and RL2.

[0041] exist Figure 1 In FIG, the arrows shown on each track RL1 and RL2 indicate the direction in which the clamp moves. Figure 1 As shown, each of the rails RL1 and RL2 has an annular structure having a forward path in which the clip moves along the conveying direction (positive direction of the x-axis) of the resin film 83 and a return path in which the clip moves in the direction opposite to the conveying direction (negative direction of the x-axis). That is, in the transverse stretching machine 50, the clip circulates along the rails RL1 and RL2, each of which has an annular structure. Although Figure 1 Not shown, but the clip closure ( Figure 4 501) to close the tenter clip on the film. Figure 1 As shown in , the tracks RL1 and RL2 are symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to the xz plane.

[0042] like Figure 1As shown in FIG, rails RL1 and RL2 are arranged substantially parallel to each other in both the outward path where the gripper moves in the conveying direction (positive x-axis direction) and the return path where the gripper moves in the direction opposite to the conveying direction (negative x-axis direction). The return path of rail RL1 is arranged outside the resin film 83 in the width direction (negative y-axis direction). Similarly, the return path of rail RL2 is arranged outside the resin film 83 in the width direction (positive y-axis direction).

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the outbound path of each of the rails RL1 and RL2 includes a pair of parallel sections parallel to the x-axis at both ends in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) thereof, and an inclined section inclined in the y-axis direction between the parallel sections. The inclined section of the rail RL1 is arranged inclined in the negative y-axis direction, and the inclined section of the rail RL2 is arranged inclined in the positive y-axis direction. That is, in the inclined sections of the outbound paths of the rails RL1 and RL2, the distance between the rails RL1 and RL2 in the y-axis direction gradually increases as they travel in the positive x-axis direction.

[0044] Note that in Figure 1 In the forward path of the rails RL1 and RL2 shown in FIG, at the portion where the resin film 83 contacts the clamp, the clamp grasps both ends of the resin film 83 in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the resin film 83 while moving along the rails RL1 and RL2 in the positive x-axis direction. Figure 1 As shown in FIG, in the inclined portion of the outward path of the rails RL1 and RL2, the resin film 83 is conveyed in the positive x-axis direction while being extended in the width direction (y-axis direction). Meanwhile, in the parallel portion of the outward path of the rails RL1 and RL2, the resin film 83 is conveyed only in the positive x-axis direction and is not extended in the width direction (y-axis direction).

[0045] Figure 1 The lateral stretching machine 50 shown in FIG includes a driving source for driving a clamp for conveying a resin film 83. The driving source is a variable speed motor such as a servo motor. The lateral stretching machine 50 may be a form of a film conveyor according to the present embodiment.

[0046] The resin film 83 discharged from the transverse stretching machine 50 is wound by the winder 60. The winder 60 is a drive roller driven by a drive source (not shown). Note that the winder 60 may include a plurality of drive rollers driven by the drive source. In this case, the winder 60 may be a form of a film conveyor according to this embodiment. Note that the area in the film conveyance path where the film is transversely stretched by the transverse stretching machine 50 is also referred to as a transverse stretching area.

[0047] As described above, in the film conveyor according to the present embodiment, each of some or all of the cooler 30, the longitudinal stretcher 40, the feeding mechanism 70, the transverse stretcher 50 and the winding machine 60 may be a form of the film conveyor according to the present embodiment.

[0048] <Overall structure of feeding mechanism>

[0049] Figure 2 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the film feeding mechanism. As an example, the feeding mechanism 70 may be provided downstream of the longitudinal stretching machine 40 and upstream of the transverse stretching machine 50 in the film conveying path.

[0050] The feeding mechanism 70 includes: a robot arm 715, which includes a belt conveyor 711 on the lower side of the front end of the robot arm; and a lower roller stand 720, which is arranged below the belt conveyor 711 and includes a plurality of rollers. The lower roller stand 720 can be moved up and down in the vertical direction by a lifting mechanism 725. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the lifting mechanism 725 includes three lifting units that can move up and down synchronously with each other. The lower roller stand 720 includes a plurality of right lower rollers RUR and left lower rollers LUR arranged in two rows, so that the film can be placed thereon and then fed.

[0051] The robot arm 715 may be a six-axis vertical multi-joint robot arm. The robot arm 715 includes a base 7150 fixed to the floor, a first link 7151 rotatably and tiltably provided on the base 7150, a second link 7152 tiltably provided at the front end of the first link 7151, and a wrist 7153 tiltably provided at the front end of the second link 7152. Various types of known robot arms may be used as the robot arm.

[0052] The belt conveyor 711 is connected to the front end of the robot arm 715 via an attachment portion 712. The belt conveyor 711 includes a plurality of rollers 711R and 711R provided at respective ends thereof, and a belt 7111 laid on the plurality of rollers. Each of the rollers 711R is a roller having a built-in motor. Various types of known belt conveyors can be used as the belt conveyor.

[0053] Guide rollers 729 and 729 are provided for guiding the film fed from the longitudinal stretcher 40. In addition, two meandering detection units 90 are provided behind the guide rollers 729 and 729. One or more meandering detection units 90 may be arranged immediately behind the longitudinal stretcher 40 or between the longitudinal stretcher 40 and the transverse stretcher 50.

[0054] <Operation of feeding mechanism>

[0055] Figure 3 : is a schematic perspective view showing the operation of the film feeding mechanism. Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the feeding mechanism 70 moves the lower roller stand 720 upward, thereby placing the film 83 fed from the upstream side on the lower roller stand 720. Then, the feeding mechanism 70 moves the front end of the robot arm 715 downward, thereby sandwiching the film 83 between the belt conveyor 711 and the lower roller stand 720, and conveying the film 83 to the downstream side by the rotation of the belt conveyor 711.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, the film 83 sent from the longitudinal stretching machine 40 is sent to the upper part of the lower roller stand 720 of the lower roller mechanism 72 along the guide rollers 729 and 729 set at each end of the path. The lifting mechanism 725 is driven, and then the lower roller stand 720 moves upward to a predetermined position, and the film 83 can be placed on the lower roller stand 720. The film 83 moves toward the downstream side on the rollers of the lower roller stand 720 through the longitudinal stretching machine 40. The rollers on the lower roller stand 720 may include a plurality of right lower rollers RUR and a plurality of left lower rollers LUR arranged in two rows. Each of the rollers may be a drive roller driven by a drive source (not shown) or a free roller that does not include a drive source.

[0057] When the film 83 is sent to a predetermined position on the roller of the lower roller stand 720 by the longitudinal stretching machine 40 (or the driving roller), the robot arm 715 moves the belt conveyor 711 provided at its front end downward. Figure 3 As shown, the belt conveyor 711 moves downward substantially parallel to the plurality of lower right rollers RUR of the lower roller stand 720, and sandwiches the film 83 between the belt conveyor 711 and the plurality of lower right rollers RUR. When the belt conveyor 711 drives the plurality of rollers 711R and 711R, the film 83 sandwiched between the belt 7111 and the plurality of lower right rollers RUR is conveyed downstream. Note that if the plurality of lower right rollers RUR include a drive source, the plurality of lower right rollers RUR can rotate synchronously with the plurality of rollers 711R of the belt conveyor 711.

[0058] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3, a robot mechanism 71 corresponding to the plurality of right lower rollers RUR is shown, but another robot mechanism corresponding to the plurality of left lower rollers LUR may be provided. Alternatively, the robot mechanism 71 may include branched second links 7152 and 7152, i.e., two links corresponding to the plurality of right lower rollers RUR and the plurality of left lower rollers LUR, respectively. In some embodiments, a first conveyor corresponding to the plurality of left rollers and a second conveyor corresponding to the plurality of right rollers are provided on the lower side of the robot arm. In this case, each of the first conveyor and the second conveyor is designed to be rotatable relative to a vertical axis.

[0059] As described above, wrinkles of the film can be smoothed by conveying the film to the downstream side while the film is sandwiched between the plurality of right lower rollers RUR and the belt conveyor 711 .

[0060] In some embodiments, a meandering detection unit 90 (eg, various types of sensors such as a camera, a laser sensor, or an edge sensor) for detecting whether there is meandering of the film may be provided above the lower roller stand 720. For example, Figure 2 , the snaking detecting portion 90 is an edge sensor that detects the corresponding end of the film after the film has passed through the longitudinal extension area. When the snaking of the film is detected by the snaking detecting portion 90, the robot arm 715 can press the belt conveyor 711 against the film 83 placed on the lower roller stand 720 based on the detection result while rotating around the vertical axis. For example, when the film snaking to the left relative to the moving direction of the film, the robot arm 715 presses the belt conveyor 711 against the film 83 placed on the lower roller stand 720 while rotating clockwise along the vertical axis. By doing so, the snaking of the film can be corrected, and thus the subsequent operation for passing the clip closer 501 ( Figure 4 ) The operation of closing the clamp and extending the film in the lateral direction. Note that the operation of the robot arm 715 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). The control unit can receive sensor signals from various types of sensors, such as the meandering detection unit 90, and can control various types of driving units related to the robot arm, etc. based on the sensor signals so that they are driven. The control unit can perform various types of control based on various types of programs stored in the storage unit, and is implemented by a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an input / output port (I / O), etc.

[0061] Figure 4 : is a schematic perspective view showing a film feeding mechanism and a clamping device according to another embodiment. After the feeding mechanism 70, the clamping device 800 is provided at both ends of the film. Figure 4, although only the clamping device 800 for the left end of the film is shown, the clamping device 800 for the right end of the film may also be provided substantially symmetrically thereto.

[0062] As described above, the feed mechanism 70, while clamping the film using the belt conveyor 711 and the lower roller stand 720, feeds the film to the position of the clip closers 501. One of the clip closers 501 closes the clips at one end of the clamped film. Then, the other clip closer 501 closes the clips at the other end of the clamped film. After the clip closers 501 and 501, respectively located on the left and right sides, have closed the clips at their respective ends of the film, the feed mechanism 70 moves the film downstream. In this way, the feed mechanism 70 assists the clip securing operation performed by the clip closers, thereby extending the film in the transverse direction. This structure eliminates the need for manual operation by multiple people, thus ensuring smooth film conveyance.

[0063] In some embodiments, a wrinkle detection unit 7121 (e.g., a camera) for detecting wrinkles in the film 83 may be provided above the lower roller stand 720 (e.g., below the attachment portion 712 of the robot arm 715). The wrinkle detection unit 7121 (e.g., a camera or an edge sensor) may be provided at a location away from the robot arm 715 (e.g., a ceiling) and between the longitudinal extension machine 40 and the robot arm 715. Figure 5 As shown in FIG, based on the captured film image, the robot arm 715 can also press the belt conveyor 711 against the film 83 placed on the lower roller stand 720 while rotating it around the vertical axis. By doing so, local wrinkles in the film can be eliminated. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in , the two belt conveyors 711 and 711 move in the left and right directions respectively while holding the film, thereby eliminating wrinkles in the film. Note that wrinkles in the film can be eliminated by fixing one of the two belt conveyors at a position close to one edge of the film and only moving the other belt conveyor toward the other edge of the film. Note that the operation of the robot arm 715 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). The control unit receives sensor signals from various types of sensors, such as the wrinkle detection unit 7121, and can control various types of drive units related to the robot arm, etc. based on the sensor signals so that they are driven.

[0064] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software codes) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more of the functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD) or other types of storage technology, a CD-ROM, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk or other types of optical disk storage, a cassette, a magnetic tape and a magnetic disk storage or other types of magnetic storage devices. The program may be transported on a transient computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, a transient computer-readable medium or a communication medium may include electrical, optical, acoustic or other forms of propagated signals.

[0065] The invention created by the inventors of this application has been described above in detail based on the embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while a belt conveyor is described in the above embodiments, a roller conveyor can also be used. To smooth wrinkles on a film, a belt conveyor is preferably used.

[0066] In some embodiments, a film conveying method is a film conveying method in which a film is conveyed from an upstream side to a downstream side by using a film conveyor, the film conveyor including a robot arm and a lower roller stand, the robot arm including a conveyor on the lower side of a front end portion of the robot arm, the lower roller stand being arranged below the film and including a plurality of rollers, the lower roller stand being capable of moving up and down, the film conveying method including: moving the lower roller stand upward so as to place the film sent from the upstream side on the lower roller stand; and moving the robot arm downward so as to clamp the film between the conveyor and the lower roller stand and convey the film toward the downstream side by rotating the conveyor.

[0067] In some embodiments, the film manufacturing device includes: an extruder, which is designed to melt the charged resin raw material and extrude the molten resin raw material; a mold, which is connected to the extruder, and the mold is designed to mold the molten resin into a film shape; a cooling roller, which is designed to cool the film-shaped molten resin extruded from the mold and discharge the resin film obtained by solidification of the molten resin; a longitudinal stretching machine, which is arranged downstream of the cooling roller, and the longitudinal stretching machine is designed to longitudinally stretch the film and send the film to the downstream side; a feeding mechanism, which is designed to send the film to the downstream side, the feeding mechanism includes a robot arm and a lower roller stand, the robot arm includes a conveyor on the lower side of the front end of the robot arm, the lower roller stand is arranged below the conveyor and includes a plurality of rollers, and the lower roller stand can move up and down; and a transverse stretching machine, which is arranged downstream of the feeding mechanism, and the transverse stretching machine is designed to transversely stretch the film and send the film to the downstream side.

[0068] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application JP 2023-004857, filed on January 17, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0069] Reference Signs List

[0070] 1 Thin film manufacturing equipment

[0071] 10 Extruder

[0072] 11 Cylinder

[0073] 13 Hopper

[0074] 20 T-type mold

[0075] 30 Cooling Machine

[0076] 40 longitudinal stretching machine

[0077] 50 Horizontal stretching machine

[0078] 60 Winding Machine

[0079] 70 Feeding mechanism

[0080] 71 Robot Mechanism

[0081] 72 lower roller mechanism

[0082] 82a Molten resin

[0083] 83 film

[0084] 90 Snake detection department

[0085] 501 Clip Closer

[0086] 711 Belt Conveyor

[0087] 712 Attachment

[0088] 715 Robotic Arm

[0089] 720 lower roller base

[0090] 725 lifting mechanism

[0091] 729 guide roller

[0092] CR1 to CR4 cooling rollers

[0093] R1 to R11 rollers

[0094] RL1 and RL2 tracks

[0095] RUR lower right roller

[0096] LUR lower left roller

Claims

1. A film conveyor, designed to convey a film from an upstream side to a downstream side, the film conveyor comprising a feeding mechanism, the feeding mechanism comprising a robot arm and a lower roller stand, the robot arm comprising a conveyor on the lower side of a front end portion of the robot arm, the lower roller stand being arranged below the conveyor and comprising a plurality of rollers.

2. The film conveyor according to claim 1, wherein The feeding mechanism is designed as follows: placing the film fed from the upstream side on the lower roller stand; and The robot arm is moved downward at its front end portion, thereby sandwiching the film between the conveyor and the lower roller stand, and conveying the film toward the downstream side by the rotation of the conveyor.

3. The film conveyor according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: a longitudinal stretching machine disposed in a longitudinal stretching region upstream of the feeding mechanism, the longitudinal stretching machine being designed to longitudinally stretch a film and feed the film toward the downstream side; as well as A transverse stretching machine is provided in a transverse stretching area downstream of the feeding mechanism, wherein the transverse stretching machine is designed to transversely stretch a film and feed the film toward the downstream side.

4. The film conveyor according to claim 1, wherein It also includes a wrinkle detection unit designed to detect wrinkles in the film, wherein the robot arm is designed to rotate around a vertical axis while pressing the conveyor against the film placed on the lower roller stand based on the captured image of the film.

5. The film conveyor according to claim 1, wherein It also includes a wrinkle detection unit designed to detect wrinkles in the film, wherein the robot arm is designed to press the conveyor against the film placed on the lower roller stand based on the captured image of the film and move the conveyor toward the side end of the film.

6. The film conveyor according to claim 3, wherein It also includes a snaking detection unit, which is designed to detect whether there is snaking of the film, wherein the robot arm is designed to, when snaking of the film is detected, press the conveyor against the film placed on the lower roller stand based on the detection result while rotating around the vertical axis.

7. The film conveyor according to claim 1, wherein On the lower roller stand, the plurality of rollers are designed to be connected to a driving source and rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the conveyor.

8. The film conveyor according to claim 1, wherein The lower roller pedestal includes a plurality of left rollers and a plurality of right rollers arranged in the left and right directions respectively, and A first conveyor corresponding to the plurality of left rollers and a second conveyor corresponding to the plurality of right rollers are provided at a lower side of the robot arm, and the first conveyor and the second conveyor are respectively designed to be rotatable relative to a vertical axis.

9. A film conveying method for conveying a film from an upstream side to a downstream side by using a film conveyor, the film conveyor comprising a robot arm and a lower roller stand, the robot arm including a conveyor on a lower side of a front end portion of the robot arm, the lower roller stand being provided below the conveyor and including a plurality of rollers, the film conveying method comprising: placing the film sent from the upstream side on the lower roller stand; as well as The robot arm is moved downward to sandwich the film between the conveyor and the lower roller stand, and the film is conveyed toward the downstream side by the rotation of the conveyor.

10. A thin film manufacturing apparatus comprising: an extruder designed to melt a charged resin raw material and extrude the molten resin raw material; a die coupled to the extruder, the die being designed to mold the molten resin into a film shape; a cooling roller designed to cool the film-shaped molten resin extruded from the die and discharge a resin film obtained by solidification of the molten resin; a longitudinal stretching machine disposed downstream of the cooling roller, the longitudinal stretching machine being designed to longitudinally stretch the film and send the film to the downstream side; a feeding mechanism configured to feed the film to the downstream side, the feeding mechanism comprising a robot arm including a conveyor located below a front end of the robot arm, and a lower roller stand disposed below the conveyor and including a plurality of rollers; as well as A transverse stretching machine is provided downstream of the feeding mechanism and is designed to transversely stretch the film and feed the film toward the downstream side.

Images