Can product manufacturing device

Abstract

The invention provides a can product manufacturing device capable of shortening the manufacturing time of a can product. A can product manufacturing device for manufacturing a can product by connecting a front-side member and a back-side member, the can product manufacturing device being provided with: a printing unit for printing on a printing medium; a mold unit connecting the front-side member and the back-side member; and a transport unit that transports the medium to be printed onto the surface-side member along a transport path from the printing unit to the mold unit, the transport unit including: a plurality of transport rollers; and a one-way clutch that transmits driving force to the transport roller when rotating in a first rotational direction, and does not transmit driving force to the transport roller when rotating in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a can product manufacturing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are known apparatuses for producing can products such as badges provided with predetermined images. Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for producing a can product by fastening a front cover to a back cover to produce a badge.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

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

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the conventional can product manufacturing device described above, the user places the transparent film, which is to be fastened together with the front cover to the back cover supported by the lower mold, on the film placement surface of the lower mold. Therefore, the user can participate in the production of the badge and enjoy the production process, but there is a problem that the time required to complete the badge production is increased.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a canned product manufacturing apparatus capable of shortening the manufacturing time of canned products.

[0009] Technical solutions to problems

[0010] The can product manufacturing device of the present invention is a can product manufacturing device that connects a front side member and a back side member to manufacture can products, and comprises: a printing unit that prints on a printed medium; a mold unit that connects the front side member and the back side member; and a conveying unit that conveys the printed medium onto the front side member along a conveying path from the printing unit toward the mold unit, the conveying unit having a plurality of conveying rollers and a one-way clutch, when rotating in a first rotation direction, the one-way clutch transmits a driving force to the conveying roller, and when rotating in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the one-way clutch does not transmit a driving force to the conveying roller.

[0011] According to the present invention, the printed medium is transported to the top member supported by the lower mold by the transport unit. As a result, the time required to arrange the printed medium on the top member is shortened, and thus the overall production time of the can product can be shortened. In addition, when the transport path is divided into a first transport path and a second transport path different from the first transport path, the unnecessary portion of the printed medium can be discarded along the second transport path by rotating the transport roller in a specified direction. In this case, by providing the above-mentioned one-way clutch on the transport roller that clamps the other printed medium in the first transport path, the driving force will not be transmitted to the transport roller in the first transport path during transportation on the second transport path. As a result, the above-mentioned other printed medium can be put on standby in the first transport path. Therefore, the printed medium can be quickly transported to the mold unit.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a canned product manufacturing apparatus capable of shortening the manufacturing time of a canned product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of a can product manufacturing device.

[0016] Figure 3 Yes Figure 1 A block diagram of the structure of a control system of a can product manufacturing device.

[0017] Figure 4A It is a perspective view showing the front side member.

[0018] Figure 4B This is a perspective view of the back member viewed from the front side.

[0019] Figure 4C This is a perspective view of the back member as viewed from the back side.

[0020] Figure 5A It is a top view showing the medium to be printed.

[0021] Figure 5B It is a top view showing a white film.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing a transport unit.

[0023] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Side view of the transport unit.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a one-way clutch.

[0025] Figure 9 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the mold unit.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of a can product produced by tightening the front side member and the back side member.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing a sequence diagram related to the processing of the printing unit, the transport unit, and the die unit.

[0028] Figure 12 It is a plan view showing a modified example of the print medium W. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] An embodiment of a canned product manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The canned product manufacturing apparatus described below is merely one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and additions, deletions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0030] (Overall structure of canned product manufacturing device)

[0031] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a canned product manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of a can product manufacturing device 100. Figure 3 Yes Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of the structure of the control system of the can product manufacturing device 100.

[0032] The can product manufacturing device 100 is a device for manufacturing can products by connecting the front side member and the back side member as can components. Specifically, the can product manufacturing device 100 manufactures can products by tightening the front side member and the back side member. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, such a can product manufacturing device 100 includes a printing unit 1, a conveying unit 2, a mold unit 3, a front side member supply unit 4, a back side member supply unit 5, a pressing unit 6, a take-out unit 7, a collection box 8 and a can product container 9. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2In the embodiment, mutually orthogonal directions are referred to as a first direction Dx, a second direction Dy, and a third direction Dz. In this embodiment, for example, the first direction Dx is the front-to-back direction of the canned product manufacturing apparatus 100, the second direction Dy is the left-to-right direction of the canned product manufacturing apparatus 100, and the third direction Dz is the up-to-down direction. In this case, the front side of the printing unit 1 is referred to as the front side, the back side is referred to as the back side, and the left and right sides as viewed from the front are referred to as the left and right sides. In the following description, Dx is referred to as the front-to-back direction, Dy is referred to as the left-to-right direction, and Dz is referred to as the up-to-down direction.

[0033] The printing unit 1 is arranged below the die unit 3, the front member supply unit 4, the back member supply unit 5, the pressing unit 6, and the removal unit 7. The printing unit 1 is grounded. The installation area of ​​the printing unit 1 is larger than the installation area of ​​the die unit 3. The printing unit 1 is placed on a printing medium W (described later) such as a transparent film. Figure 5A ) is an inkjet printer that prints images on a printed medium W. A printing unit 1 prints on a print medium W. The printing unit 1 includes an ejection head 10 that ejects ink droplets onto the print medium W and a transport motor 11 that drives a transport roller. The ejection head 10 can be either a serial head type or a line head type.

[0034] In addition, the printing unit 1 has a plurality of printing media W and a plurality of white films F (described later). Figure 5B ) is a sheet holder (not shown) that holds the print medium W and white film F in an alternating, overlapping bundle. The concept encompassing the print medium W and white film F is referred to as a sheet. The white film F is supplied to the transport unit 2 without being printed on by the print unit 1. The print medium W is supplied to the transport unit 2 after a predetermined image is printed on it by the ejection head 10 of the print unit 1. The predetermined image is a reversed image that appears upright when viewed by a user from the side of the print medium W opposite to the side on which the image is printed. While this embodiment illustrates an example in which the print unit 1 is an inkjet printer, this is not limiting and the print unit 1 may also be another printer, such as a laser printer or a thermal printer.

[0035] In the transport unit 2, a portion of the transport unit 2 is arranged in front of the printing unit 1, and the entire transport unit 2 is arranged in front of the mold unit 3. At least a portion of the transport unit 2 is arranged on the side of the printing unit 1. In the present embodiment, a portion of the transport unit 2 is arranged in front of the printing unit 1. In addition, at least a portion of the transport unit 2 is arranged so as to span the side of the printing unit 1 and the side of the mold unit 3. That is, at least a portion of the transport unit 2 is arranged so as to extend in front of the printing unit 1 and in front of the mold unit 3. Such a transport unit 2 transports the printed medium W and the white film F transported from the printing unit 1 along the transport direction Dc1 to the surface member SE ( Figure 4A ) above.

[0036] The die unit 3 connects the front side member SE and the back side member BE ( Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C ) connection. Specifically, the mold unit 3 tightens the front member SE and the back member BE. The mold unit 3 is located above the print unit 1. This mold unit 3 includes a lower mold 30, a lower mold 31, a rotating support platform 32, an upper mold 33, an upper mold lifting motor 34, a lower mold moving motor 140, a base plate 3p, and a handle 3h. The base plate 3p of the mold unit 3 is flat and is located above the print unit 1. The handle 3h is a component for the user to hold. The handle 3h is roughly U-shaped and is provided on the base plate 3p. The handle 3h is located on the front and left side of the base plate 3p. The lower mold 30 and the lower mold 31 are formed into a circular shape when viewed from above and are supported by the rotating support platform 32. The lower mold 30 and the lower mold 31 are arranged so as to face each other with the center of the rotating support platform 32 as a reference. The upper mold 33 is moved up and down in the vertical direction Dz so as to approach or move away from either the lower mold 30 or the lower mold 31 based on the operation of the upper mold lifting motor 34 .

[0037] The rotary support table 32 rotates in the vertical direction Dz based on the operation of the lower mold moving motor 140. By rotating the rotary support table 32, it is possible to position either the lower mold 30 or the lower mold 31 at a position opposite to the upper mold 33 in the vertical direction Dz, that is, the second mold position Pm2 (described later). Figure 9 The position opposite to the second mold position Pm2 in the front-back direction Dx is referred to as the first mold position Pm1 (described later). Figure 9). When the lower mold 30 is in the first mold position Pm1, the front member SE is supplied to the lower mold 30 by the front member supply unit 4. Thus, the lower mold 30 supports the front member SE. After the white film F is transported onto the front member SE by the transport unit 2, the first separation process, described later, is performed. As a result, only the connected portion Fb, described later, of the white film F is arranged on the front member SE. Next, after the print medium W is transported onto the connected portion Fb on the front member SE by the transport unit 2, the second separation process, described later, is performed. As a result, only the connected portion Wb, described later, of the print medium W is arranged on the connected portion Fb described above.

[0038] Next, the rotary support table 32 is rotated, positioning the lower mold 30, which is in the first mold position Pm1 and supports the front member SE, at the second mold position Pm2. At this time, the lower mold 31, which is in the second mold position Pm2, moves toward the first mold position Pm1. The upper mold 33 is then lowered, retaining the front member SE supported by the lower mold 30. The upper mold 33 is then raised, separating the front member SE from the lower mold 30 via the upper mold 33. At this time, the back member BE is supplied to the lower mold 31 by the back member supply unit 5. Next, the rotary support table 32 is rotated, positioning the lower mold 31, which is in the first mold position Pm1, at the second mold position Pm2. The upper mold 33, retaining the front member SE, is then lowered toward the lower mold 31 retaining the back member BE, thereby clamping the back member BE to the front member SE. In this way, the mold unit 3 produces the can product 200 (described later) by clamping the back side member BE held by the lower mold 31 and the front side member SE held by the upper mold 31. Figure 10 ). Then, by rotating the rotary support table 32, the lower mold 31 at the second mold position Pm2 is positioned at the first mold position Pm1. Then, the can product 200 supported by the lower mold 31 moved to the first mold position Pm1 is removed by the removal unit 7.

[0039] The front member supply unit 4 is located above the printing unit 1 and to the right of the mold unit 3. The front member supply unit 4 includes a front member stocker 40 and a pusher motor 46. The front member stocker 40 stores the front members SE in a stacked state along the height direction. The front member supply unit 4 supplies the front member SE to the lower mold 30 by operating the pusher motor 46 to push out the pusher.

[0040] The back-side member supply unit 5 is positioned above the printing unit 1 and to the left of the mold unit 3. The back-side member supply unit 5 includes a back-side member stocker 50 and a pusher motor 56. The back-side member stocker 50 stores the back-side members BE in a stacked state along the height direction. The back-side member stocker 50 is taller than the front-side member stocker 40. The back-side member supply unit 5 supplies the front-side member SE to the lower mold 31 by operating the pusher motor 56 to cause a pusher to push out the back-side member BE.

[0041] The pressing unit 6 is arranged in front of the front member supply unit 4 and the back member supply unit 5 and to the left of the mold unit 3. The pressing unit 6 includes a pressing motor 60. The pressing unit 6 presses the print medium W and the white film F toward the lower mold 30 based on the operation of the pressing motor 60.

[0042] The take-out unit 7 is arranged in front of the front member supply unit 4. The take-out unit 7 includes a take-out motor 70. The take-out unit 7 takes out the canned product 200 from the lower mold 31 based on the operation of the take-out motor 70 and guides it to the canned product storage 9 arranged in front of the take-out unit 7.

[0043] like Figure 3 As 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 includes an interface 111, a computing unit 112, and a storage unit 113. The interface 111 receives various data, such as image data serving as print data, from external devices 114, such as computers, cameras, communication networks, recording media, displays, and printers. It should be noted that the control device 110 may be comprised of a single device, or may be comprised of a plurality of distributed devices that cooperate to operate the canned product manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0044] The storage unit 113 is a memory accessible by the computing unit 112 and includes RAM and ROM. The RAM temporarily stores various data, including image data received from the external device 114 and data converted by the computing unit 112. The ROM stores a can product production program and predetermined data used to perform various processes. Alternatively, the can product production program may be stored on an external storage medium separate from the storage unit 113 and accessible by the computing unit 112, such as a CD-ROM.

[0045] The calculation unit 112 includes, for example, at least one circuit in a processor such as a CPU and an integrated circuit such as an ASIC. The calculation unit 112 controls each unit by executing a can product manufacturing program.

[0046] 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 ejection head 10 of the printing unit 1. The ejection head 10 is driven according to the drive signal, thereby ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles. Specifically, based on image data obtained from the external device 114, the first drive circuit 115 moves the ejection head 10 in a predetermined movement direction while ejecting ink droplets from the ejection head 10 onto the print medium W. The first drive circuit 115 then drives the transport motor 11, thereby transporting the print medium W in a transport direction (not shown). In this way, the first drive circuit 115 prints an image based on the image data on the print medium W by alternating between the printing stroke and the transport operation.

[0047] The control device 110 outputs a control signal to the second drive circuit 116. Based on the control signal, the second drive circuit 116 generates a drive signal to control the operation of the transport motor 23 included in the transport unit 2. In this case, the second drive circuit 116 controls the operation of the transport motor 23 based on the detection results of the first transport sensor S1 (described later) included in the transport unit 2. As a result, the transport unit 2 transports the print medium W and the white film F from the printing unit 1 to the lower mold 30.

[0048] 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 and controls the operation of the upper mold lifting motor 34 and the lower mold moving motor 140 included in the mold unit 3. Furthermore, 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 and controls the operation of the pusher motor 46 included in the front member supply unit 4. Furthermore, 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 and controls the operation of the pusher motor 56 included in the back member supply unit 5. Furthermore, 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 and controls the operation of the pressing motor 60 included in the pressing unit 6. Furthermore, 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, and controls the operation of the take-out motor 70 included in the take-out unit 7 .

[0049] (Front side member and back side member)

[0050] Figure 4A It is a perspective view showing the front side member SE. Figure 4B This is a perspective view of the back member BE as viewed from the front side. Figure 4CThis is a perspective view of the back member BE as viewed from the back side.

[0051] like Figure 4A As shown, the front member SE is included in the tank member CE, which together with the print medium W forms the tank product 200. The front member SE includes a front member body SEb, which is, for example, circular in plan view, and a peripheral edge SEa provided at the periphery of the front member body SEb and protruding downward. The front member SE is formed of a magnetic material, such as tin-plated steel sheet.

[0052] like Figure 4B As shown, the back member BE is included in the tank member CE, which, together with the front member SE, forms the tank product 200. The back member BE comprises a back member main portion BEb, which is, for example, circular in plan view, and a peripheral portion BEa, which is provided around the periphery of the back member main portion BEb and protrudes upward. The back member BE is formed of a magnetic material, such as tin-plated steel sheet. Two radially separated holes BEb1 are provided in the back member main portion BEb.

[0053] like Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C As shown, a safety pin 150 is provided on the back side of the back member body BEb. The safety pin 150 comprises a pin body 151, a protrusion 151a connected to the pin body 151 and separated from each other in the radial direction of the back member body BEb, and a connecting portion 152. The protrusions 151a of the safety pin 150 are inserted through each hole BEb1, projecting toward the front side of the back member body BEb. The connecting portion 152 connects one protrusion 151a to the other protrusion 151a on the front side of the back member body BEb. With the above structure, the safety pin 150 is attached to the back member BE.

[0054] Here, a fixing jig 155 is detachably mounted on the back member BE. Fixing jig 155 includes radially separated supported portions 156 and 157. Supported portion 156 includes radially separated wall portions 156a and 156b. Wall portion 156b is positioned closer to supported portion 157 than wall portion 156a. Wall portion 156a is taller than wall portion 156b. A pin body 151 is positioned between wall portions 156a and 156b. Pin body 151 is supported in an upright position by walls 156a and 156b. When stacked and stored in the back-side member supply unit 5 along the vertical direction Dz, the wall portion 156a and the supported portion 157 of the supported portion 156 are supported by the back-side member body portion BEb of the back-side member BE located below the back-side member BE on which the wall portion 156a and the supported portion 157 are provided. This prevents interference between one stacked back-side member BE and the other, thus preventing damage caused by contact between the back-side members BE. Furthermore, after manufacturing the can product 200, the user can release the support provided by the supported portion 156 on the pin body 151 by grasping the supported portion 157 and rotating it upward. This allows the fixing jig 155 to be detached from the back-side member BE.

[0055] (Printing medium and white film)

[0056] Next, the to-be-printed medium W and the white film F transported from the printing unit 1 toward the lower mold 30 by the transport unit 2 will be described. Figure 5A is a top view showing the printed medium W, Figure 5B It is a top view showing the white film F.

[0057] The printing medium W, together with the front side member SE and the back side member BE as the tank member CE, constitutes the tank product 200, which is, for example, a transparent sheet. Figure 5A As shown, the to-be-printed medium W has a rectangular shape and has one end We1 in a direction D1 parallel to a conveying direction Dc1 when conveyed from the conveying unit 2 toward the die unit 3 and another end We2 opposite to the one end We1.

[0058] The printed medium W includes a sheet-shaped connected portion Wb connected to the front member SE and the back member BE via the die unit 3, a sheet-shaped remaining portion Wa 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 remaining portion Wa is arranged so as to surround the connected portion Wb. Thus, the remaining portion Wa has the aforementioned one end We1 and the other end We2 in the direction D1. Furthermore, the printed medium W includes the aforementioned multiple connecting portions Wc at the boundary between the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa, and a cut portion Wf located between adjacent connecting portions Wc. Thus, between adjacent connecting portions Wc, the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa are cut and not connected. Furthermore, the connected portion Wb is, for example, circular in shape when viewed from above, and is located closer to the one end We1 than the aforementioned other end We2. That is, the connected portion Wb is offset toward the one end We1 relative to the remaining portion Wa. Furthermore, the connected portion Wb has the same size as or is larger than the connected portion Fb.

[0059] The print medium W further includes a linear weak portion Wd extending from the edge Wh at one end We1 to the connected portion Wb. The connecting portion Wc and the linear weak portion Wd form a weak portion with a strength lower than that of the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa. Specifically, the combination of the connecting portion Wc and the cut portion Wf, and the linear weak portion Wd, can be formed by perforations having the same thickness as the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa, but partially cut. Alternatively, the connecting portion Wc and the linear weak portion Wd can be depressions thinner than the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa.

[0060] The connecting portion Wc includes a connecting portion Wc1, a connecting portion Wc2, and a connecting portion Wc3. Connecting portion Wc1 connects the connected portion Wb at a predetermined position Pw1 on the boundary between the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa to the remaining portion Wa. Connecting portion Wc2 connects the connected portion Wb at a position Pw2 on the boundary, which is different from position Pw1, to the remaining portion Wa. Connecting portion Wc3 connects the connected portion Wb at a position Pw3 on the boundary, which is different from positions Pw1 and Pw2, to the remaining portion Wa.

[0061] More connecting portions Wc are provided at predetermined positions Pw3 on the boundary between the connected portion Wb and the remaining portion Wa than at positions Pw1 and Pw2. That is, the number of connecting portions Wc3 is greater than the total number of connecting portions Wc1 and Wc2. Furthermore, two connecting portions Wc located on a straight line perpendicular to the conveying direction Dc1 and passing through the center Cw of the connected portion Wb may be included in either connecting portion Wc1 or connecting portion Wc2, or in connecting portion Wc3.

[0062] The structure of the white film F is basically the same as that of the print medium W. Like the print medium W, the white film F, together with the front side member SE and the back side member BE as the tank member CE, constitutes the tank product 200. Figure 5B As shown, the white film F has a rectangular shape and includes one end Fe1 in the direction D1 and another end Fe2 on the opposite side of the one end Fe1.

[0063] The white film F includes a sheet-shaped connected portion Fb connected to the front member SE and the back member BE through the mold unit 3, a sheet-shaped remaining portion Fa different from the connected portion Fb, and a plurality of connecting portions Fc connecting the connected portion Fb and the remaining portion Fa. The remaining portion Fa is configured to surround the connected portion Fb. Thus, the remaining portion Fa has the above-mentioned one end Fe1 and the other end Fe2 in the direction D1. In addition, the white film F has the above-mentioned multiple connecting portions Fc and the cut-off portion Ff located between 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. In addition, the connected portion Fb is, for example, circular when viewed from above, and is located closer to the one end Fe1 than the above-mentioned other end Fe2. That is, the connected portion Fb is biased toward the one end Fe1 relative to the remaining portion Fa.

[0064] The white film F also includes a linear weak portion Fd extending from one end Fe1 to the connected portion Fb. The connecting portion Fc and the linear weak portion Fd form a weak portion with a lower strength than the connected portion Fb and the remaining portion Fa. Specifically, examples are shown of a combination of the connecting portion Fc and the cut portion Ff, and a linear weak portion Fd formed by a perforated line having the same thickness as the connected portion Fb and the remaining portion Fa, but partially cut. Other examples include the connecting portion Fc and the linear weak portion Fd being recessed and thinner than the connected portion Fb and the remaining portion Fa.

[0065] The connecting portion Fc includes a connecting portion Fc1, a connecting portion Fc2, and a connecting portion Fc3. Connecting portion Fc1 connects connected portion Fb at position Pf1, which is located on the boundary between connected portion Fb and remaining portion Fa, and to remaining portion Fa. Connecting portion Fc2 connects connected portion Fb at position Pf2, which is located on the boundary and corresponds to position Pw2, and to remaining portion Fa. Connecting portion Fc3 connects connected portion Fb at position Pf3, which is located on the boundary and corresponds to position Pw3, and to remaining portion Fa.

[0066] Connecting portions Fc are provided at more predetermined positions Pf3 on the boundary between connected portion Fb and remaining portion Fa than at positions Pf1 and Pf2. That is, the number of connecting portions Fc3 is greater than the total number of connecting portions Fc1 and Fc2. Furthermore, two connecting portions Fc located on a straight line perpendicular to conveyance direction Dc1 and passing through the center Cf of connected portion Fb may be included in connecting portion Fc1 and connecting portion Fc2, or in connecting portion Fc3.

[0067] After the white film F is first conveyed onto the front member SE by the conveying unit 2, the connected portion Fb of the white film F is pressed against the lower mold 30 by the pressing unit 6. Then, with the connected portion Fb pressed, the white film F is conveyed by the conveying unit 2 in a conveying direction Dc2, which is opposite to the conveying direction Dc1. Through this first separation process, only the connected portion Fb is placed on the front member SE, and the remaining portion Fa, after being separated from the connected portion Fb, is conveyed to the recovery box 8 for recovery. The same applies to the print medium W. That is, after the print medium W is subsequently conveyed by the conveying unit 2 onto the connected portion Fb, which is placed on the front member SE as described above, the connected portion Wb of the print medium W is pressed against the lower mold 30 by the pressing unit 6. Then, with the connected portion Wb pressed, the print medium W is conveyed by the conveying unit 2 along the conveying direction Dc2. By this second separation process, only the connected portion Wb is arranged on the connected portion Fb on the front member SE, and the remaining portion Wa is separated from the connected portion Wb and transported to the collection box 8 for collection. By the above process, the connected portion Fb and the connected portion Wb are arranged in this order on the front member SE.

[0068] (Transportation Unit)

[0069] Next, the transport unit 2 will be described. Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the transport unit 2 . Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Side view of the transport unit 2. Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the one-way clutch CT.

[0070] In the transport unit 2, a portion of the transport unit 2 is positioned forward of the print unit 1, and the entire transport unit 2 is positioned forward of the mold unit 3. The transport unit 2 transports the print medium W and white film F, delivered from the print unit 1, along a transport direction Dc1 toward the mold unit 3 onto the front member SE previously supplied to the lower mold 30. Furthermore, the transport unit 2 transports the remaining portion Wa of the print medium W and the remaining portion Fa of the white film F to the collection box 8 along a transport direction Dc2. The remaining portion Wa of the print medium W and the remaining portion Fa of the white film F are thus collected in the collection box 8 as waste. In this embodiment, the transport unit 2 performs a film transport process in which the white film F is placed on the front member SE held by the lower mold 30 ahead of the print medium W. Since the transport method for the print medium W by the transport unit 2 is the same as the method for transporting the white film F, the following description will focus on the transport of the print medium W as a representative example.

[0071] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the conveyance unit 2 includes support plates 20 and 22 , a pair of conveyance guides 21 , a conveyance motor 23 , a plate coupling shaft 24 , drive rollers Rk1 to Rk6 , a one-way clutch CT, and endless drive belts Be1 to Be6 .

[0072] The support plates 20 and 21 extend in the vertical direction Dz and are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction Dy. The support plate 20 and the support plate 22 are connected by a plurality of plate connecting shafts 24 extending in the horizontal direction Dy. A conveying guide 21 is provided on the support plate 20, extending upward and bending forward from the lower rear end of the support plate 20. The conveying guide 21 is also provided on the support plate 22. The conveying guide 21 includes a first guide body 21a and a second guide body 21b. A groove-shaped space is provided between the first guide body 21a and the second guide body 21b, into which the end of the print medium W in the horizontal direction Dy is inserted during transport. The first guide body 21a is bent or curved forward from the lower rear end of the support plate 20, extending upward, and then bent or curved backward. The second guide body 21b is bent or curved forward from the lower rear end of the support plate 20, extending upward. The first guide main body 21 a is disposed as a whole at a rearward position relative to the second guide main body 21 b .

[0073] The conveying motor 23 is mounted on the support plate 22. A drive gear Ga1 is connected to the rotation shaft of the conveying motor 23. Drive rollers Rk1 to Rk6 are mounted on the support plate 22. A drive gear Gb1 is connected to the rotation shaft of the drive roller Rk1. A drive gear Gb2 is connected to the rotation shaft of the drive roller Rk2. A drive gear Gb3 is connected to the rotation shaft of the drive roller Rk3. A drive gear Gb4 is connected to the rotation shaft of the drive roller Rk4. A drive gear Gb5 is connected to the rotation shaft of the drive roller Rk5. A drive gear Gb6 is connected to the rotation shaft of the drive roller Rk6. Drive gears Gb1, Gb2, Gb3, Gb4, and Gb5 are mounted on the first conveying path Cp1, described later, while drive gears Gb5 and Gb6 are mounted on the second conveying path Cp2, described later. Drive gear Gb5 is provided for both the first conveying path Cp1 and the second conveying path Cp2. Among these drive gears Gb1 to Gb6, the drive gear Gb1, the drive gear Gb2, the drive gear Gb3 and the drive gear Gb6 are provided with Figure 8 The one-way clutch CT will be described in detail later.

[0074] Drive rollers Rk1 to Rk6 are located to the left of the support plate 22. Drive roller Rk1 is positioned behind and below drive gear Ga1. Drive roller Rk2 is positioned in front of drive roller Rk1 and behind drive gear Ga1, and above drive roller Rk1. Drive roller Rk3 is positioned above drive roller Rk2. Drive roller Rk4 is positioned above drive roller Rk3. Drive roller Rk5 is positioned behind and above drive roller Rk4. Drive roller Rk6 is positioned in front of drive roller Rk5. Drive belt Be1 is stretched between drive gear Ga1 and drive gear Gb1. Drive belt Be2 is stretched between drive gear Gb1 and drive gear Gb2. Drive belt Be3 is stretched between drive gear Gb2 and drive gear Gb3. Drive belt Be4 is stretched between drive gear Gb3 and drive gear Gb4. The drive belt Be5 is stretched across the drive gears Gb4 and Gb5. The drive belt Be6 is stretched across the drive gears Gb5 and Gb6. With this structure, the driving force generated by the conveyor motor 23 is transmitted via the drive belts Be1 to Be6 to the drive gears Gb1, Gb2, Gb3, Gb4, Gb5, and Gb6.

[0075] The first and second guide body sections 21a and 21b each have cutouts Ng corresponding to the drive rollers Rk2 to Rk4. The drive roller Rk1 includes a drive shaft Sa1 extending in the left-right direction Dy and a pair of drive-side rollers Ro1. Furthermore, a pair of driven-side rollers Ro2 are provided so as to face the pair of drive-side rollers Ro1. The pair of driven-side rollers Ro2 are each connected to the driven shaft Sa2. Furthermore, the drive roller Rk2 includes a drive shaft Sa3 extending in the left-right direction Dy and a pair of drive-side rollers Ro3. Furthermore, a pair of driven-side rollers Ro4 are provided so as to face the pair of drive-side rollers Ro3. The pair of driven-side rollers Ro4 are each connected to the driven shaft Sa4. The pair of drive-side rollers Ro3 are positioned in the cutout Ng of the first guide body section 21a, and the pair of driven-side rollers Ro4 are positioned in the cutout Ng of the second guide body section 21b. Furthermore, each end portion of the print medium W in the left-right direction Dy is clamped by the driving roller Ro3 and the driven roller Ro4. Furthermore, the drive roller Rk5 includes a drive shaft Sa9 extending in the left-right direction Dy and a pair of driving rollers Ro9. Furthermore, a pair of driven rollers Ro10 are provided opposite the pair of driving rollers Ro9. The pair of driven rollers Ro10 are each connected to the driven shaft Sa10. Furthermore, the structure corresponding to the drive roller Rk6 (i.e., a pair of driving rollers, a pair of driven rollers, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft) is identical to the aforementioned structure corresponding to the drive roller Rk1, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the structure corresponding to the drive rollers Rk3 and Rk4 (i.e., a pair of driving rollers, a pair of driven rollers, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft) is identical to the aforementioned structure corresponding to the drive roller Rk2, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] When the conveyance motor 23 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction, the driving force generated by the conveyance motor 23 is transmitted to the drive gears Gb1 to Gb6. Consequently, the print medium W is conveyed along the first conveyance path Cp1 (described later) to the lower mold 30 through the rotation of the driving roller Ro1 and the driven roller Ro2, the driving roller Ro3 and the driven roller Ro4, the driving roller Ro5 and the driven roller Ro6, the driving roller Ro7 and the driven roller Ro8, and the driving roller Ro9 and the driven roller Ro10. The driving rollers Ro1 and Ro2, the driving rollers Ro3 and Ro4, the driving rollers Ro5 and Ro6, the driving rollers Ro7 and Ro8, and the driving rollers Ro9 and Ro10 each correspond to a conveyance roller. Among these multiple conveyance rollers, the driving roller Ro9 is provided as a portion thereof, serving both the first conveyance path Cp1 and the second conveyance path Cp2. The driving roller Ro9 is driven in the forward direction by the conveyance motor 23 to rotate in a predetermined direction, thereby conveying the print medium W along the first conveyance path Cp1. Meanwhile, the driving roller Ro9 is driven in the reverse direction by the conveyance motor 23 to rotate in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, thereby conveying the print medium W along the second conveyance path Cp2.

[0077] Here, if Figure 7 As shown, a conveying guide piece 25 is provided between the support plates 20 and 22. This conveying guide piece 25 is positioned above the second guide body 21b and forward of the entire first guide body 21a. The conveying guide piece 25 is flexible and made of, for example, resin. The base end of the conveying guide piece 25 is fixed to the support plates 20 and 22, while the front end of the conveying guide piece 25 is free. The front end of the conveying guide piece 25 faces the first guide body 21a. The distance between the conveying guide piece 25 and the first guide body 21a decreases as it moves toward the rear, that is, toward the lower mold 30. The print medium W is guided toward the driving roller Ro9 and the driven roller Ro10 by the first guide body 21a and the conveying guide piece 25. The print medium W is then conveyed by the driving roller Ro9 and the driven roller Ro10 along the conveying direction Dc1 to the lower mold 30. Furthermore, the upstream end of the print medium W conveyed to the lower mold 30 in the conveying direction Dc1 is sandwiched between the driving roller Ro9 and the driven roller Ro10. As described above, the first guide body 21a, the second guide body 21b, and the conveying guide piece 25 form a first conveying path Cp1 for the print medium W and the white film F toward the lower mold 30 of the mold unit 3. The first conveying path Cp1 corresponds to the conveying path.

[0078] A first conveying sensor S1, such as a contact sensor, is provided behind the driving roller Ro1 and the driven roller Ro2. A second conveying sensor S2, such as a contact sensor, is provided between the first guide body 21a and the conveying guide piece 25. The second drive circuit 116 drives the conveying motor 23 when the first conveying sensor S1 detects the print medium W supplied from the printing unit 1. Furthermore, when the second conveying sensor S2 detects the downstream end of the print medium W, the second drive circuit 116 controls the drive of the conveying motor 23 based on the rotation amount of the conveying motor 23 obtained by an encoder (not shown) immediately after the detection. This ensures that the print medium W is conveyed to a predetermined position in the die unit 3 with high precision.

[0079] A conveying guide 26 and a conveying 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 conveying guide 26 is located above the conveying guide piece 27. The conveying guide 26 extends in the front-to-back direction Dx. The rear end 26a of the conveying guide 26 (i.e., the end on the lower mold 30 side) is bent upward. On the other hand, the conveying guide piece 27 is flexible and is made of resin, for example. The conveying guide piece 27 extends in the front-to-back direction Dx. The rear end 27a of the conveying guide piece 27 is located in front of the rear end 26a of the conveying guide 26. The rear end 27a of the conveying guide piece 27 is bent downward. Figure 7 In the side view shown, the conveyance guide piece 27 intersects the first conveyance path Cp1. In this configuration, the conveyance guide 26 and the conveyance guide piece 27 form a second conveyance path Cp2 that runs from the lower mold 30 of the mold unit 3 toward the remaining portions Wa and Fa of the recovery box 8. Thus, the printing unit 2 includes the aforementioned first conveyance path Cp1 and a second conveyance path Cp2 that is different from the first conveyance path Cp1.

[0080] When the print medium W is conveyed along the first conveyance path Cp1, the lower surface of the conveyance guide blade 27 is pressed by the downstream end of the print medium W, causing it to flex upward. This allows the conveyance guide blade 27 to convey the print medium W from the driving roller Ro7 and the driven roller Ro8 to the driving roller Ro9 and the driven roller Ro10. When the print medium W is conveyed in the conveyance direction Dc1 and reaches a predetermined position on the lower mold 30, its upstream end is gripped by the driving roller Ro9 and the driven roller Ro10 and positioned downstream of the first conveyance path Cp1 relative to the conveyance guide blade 27. At this point, the conveyance guide blade 27, due to its flexibility, returns to a position that intersects the first conveyance path Cp1 again.

[0081] The printed medium W, which has been transported to the specified position of the lower mold 30 as described above, is then cut off by the pressing unit 6, separating the connected portion Wb from the remaining portion Wa. A separation process is then performed to separate the remaining portion Wa from the connected portion Wb, with only the remaining portion Wa discarded along the second transport path Cp2. During the separation process, while the connected portion Wb is pressed against the front member SE disposed on the lower mold 30 by the pressing unit 6, the second drive circuit 116 rotates the transport motor 23 in a direction opposite to the specified direction. The driving force generated by the reverse rotation of the transport motor 23 is thereby transmitted to the drive gears Gb1 to Gb6. In this case, as will be described later, the driving force is not transmitted to the drive rollers Ro1, Ro3, and Ro5, but is instead transmitted to the drive rollers Ro7, Ro9, and Ro11. At this time, as the print medium W is about to move toward the downstream side of the second conveying path Cp2, the connected portion Wb is pressed against the lower mold 30 by the pressing unit 6, so only the remaining portion Wa of the print medium W is separated from the connected portion Wb. After separation, the remaining portion Wa is conveyed in the conveying direction Dc2 and contacts the outer surface of the conveying guide blade 27, thereby being guided to the second conveying path Cp2 and conveyed toward the driving roller Ro11 and the driven roller Ro12. In this case, the rear end 27a of the conveying guide blade 27 is bent downward, making it easier for the remaining portion Wa to be guided to the second conveying path Cp2. The edge We2 of the remaining portion Wa is then gripped and conveyed by the driving roller Ro11 and the driven roller Ro12, and the remaining portion Wa is collected in the collection box 8.

[0082] A third transport sensor S3, for example, which is a contact sensor, is provided 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. Based on the detection result of the third transport sensor S3, it is possible to determine whether the remaining part Wa is transported to the recovery box 8. After the second drive circuit 116 causes the transport motor 23 to start reverse rotation, if the third transport sensor S3 cannot detect the remaining part Wa within a specified time, the control device 110 determines that a jam has occurred in the remaining part Wa. Alternatively, after the third transport sensor S3 detects the remaining part Wa, if the remaining part Wa is still detected after a specified time, the control device 110 determines that a jam has occurred in the remaining part Wa. When it is determined that a jam has occurred in the remaining part Wa, the control device 110 causes the second drive circuit 116 to stop the rotation of the transport motor 23.

[0083] Here, as described above, the drive gears Gb1, Gb2, Gb3, and Gb6 are provided with Figure 8That is, the one-way clutch CT is provided corresponding to the driving side roller Ro1, the driving side roller Ro3 and the driving side roller Ro5 in the first transport path Cp1, and is provided corresponding to the driving side roller Ro11 in the second transport path Cp2. Figure 8 As shown, the one-way clutches CT of the drive gears Gb1, Gb2, and Gb3 transmit driving force to the drive rollers Ro1, Ro3, and Ro5 when rotating in the first rotation direction Dk1, and do not transmit driving force to the drive rollers Ro1, Ro3, and Ro5 when rotating in the second rotation direction Dk2 opposite to the first rotation direction Dk1. On the other hand, the one-way clutch CT of the drive gear Gb6 transmits driving force to the drive roller Ro11 when rotating in the second rotation direction Dk2, and does not transmit driving force to the drive roller Ro11 when rotating in the first rotation direction Dk1. Figure 8 1 shows that the drive gear Gb1, the drive gear Gb2 and the drive gear Gb3 are collectively referred to as the drive gear Gb and the one-way clutch CT is provided on the drive gear Gb. Figure 8 As shown, the one-way clutch CT is pressed into the hole of the drive gear Gb in the direction Dct. As a result, the drive gear Gb is connected to the one-way clutch CT. Figure 8 ] shows a state before the one-way clutch CT is pressed into the drive gear Gb.

[0084] Various known configurations can be used as the one-way clutch CT. For example, the one-way clutch CT includes an outer ring, an inner ring, multiple clutch rollers, and multiple springs. The clutch rollers can also be needle rollers, for example. The one-way clutch CT is formed into a cylindrical shape with the same axis as the direction Dct, thereby having a through-hole h1. The circumferential wall surface of the through-hole h1 corresponds to the inner circumferential surface of the inner ring. The left end of the drive shaft Sa1 is pressed into the through-hole h1 of the one-way clutch CT. This connects the one-way clutch CT to the drive shaft Sa1. The same applies to the drive shafts Sa3 and Sa5.

[0085] The inner ring is provided with multiple grooves, each containing a clutch roller. The structure is such that, by using springs to bias the clutch rollers toward the outer ring, the inner circumference of the outer ring indirectly contacts the inner ring through the clutch rollers. In this structure, when the drive gear Gb rotates, for example, in the first rotational direction Dk1, the spring force increases, forcing the clutch rollers to press strongly against the inner circumference of the outer ring. This increases the contact pressure between the inner circumference of the outer ring and the clutch rollers. This transmits the power of the drive gear Gb to the inner ring via the outer ring. Consequently, the drive-side rollers connected to the drive shafts Sa1, Sa3, and Sa5 rotate in the first rotational direction Dk1, transporting the print medium W. On the other hand, when the drive gear Gb rotates, for example, in the second rotational direction Dk2, the spring force decreases, reducing the pressure exerted by the clutch rollers on the inner circumference of the outer ring. This reduces the contact pressure between the inner circumference of the outer ring and the clutch rollers. As a result, the power of the drive gear Gb is not transmitted to the inner ring via the outer ring. In other words, the inner ring does not rotate, and only the outer ring idles. Consequently, the drive-side rollers connected to the drive shafts Sa1, Sa3, and Sa5 do not rotate, and the print medium W remains stationary on the first transport path Cp1. Furthermore, the function of the one-way clutch CT of the drive gear Gb6, when rotating in the first rotational direction Dk1 and the second rotational direction Dk2, is opposite to that of the one-way clutches CT of the drive gears Gb1, Gb2, and Gb3.

[0086] The one-way clutches CT provided on the drive gears Gb1, Gb2, and Gb3 prevent the driving force from being transmitted to the drive rollers Ro1, Ro3, and Ro5 when the conveyor motor 23 is driven in the second rotational direction Dk2. While the white film F, a sheet previously conveyed by the lower mold 30, is being conveyed along the second conveying path Cp2 to separate it from the lower mold 30, the subsequent sheet, the print medium W, is stopped on the first conveying path Cp1 by the one-way clutches CT. Therefore, the print medium W is not reversely conveyed during the separation process. Conversely, the one-way clutch CT provided on the drive gear Gb6 prevents the driving force from being transmitted to the drive roller Ro11 when the conveyor motor 23 is driven in the first rotational direction Dk1. This prevents the white film F being conveyed along the second conveying path Cp2 from being subjected to a force in the direction opposite to the direction of the second conveying path Cp2 while the print medium W is being conveyed along the first conveying path Cp1.

[0087] Next, the holding position (i.e., the standby position) of the print medium W in the first transport path Cp1 will be described. In this embodiment, the transport path length of the first transport path Cp1 is the length from the first transport sensor S1 (hereinafter referred to as the reference point) to the downstream end of the print medium W positioned above the lower mold 30. The transport path length of the first transport path Cp1 may be greater than or equal to the sum of the lengths of the two sheets, the white film F and the print medium W, and the transport interval between the white film F, the first sheet conveyed relative to the lower mold 30, and the print medium W, the second sheet conveyed relative to the lower mold 30.

[0088] Specifically, the transport path length of the first transport path Cp1 is, for example, 457.4 mm. Specifically, the transport path length from the first transport sensor S1 to the nip position (i.e., the clamping position) of the driving roller Ro1 is, for example, 25 mm. The transport path length from the nip position of the driving roller Ro1 to the nip position of the driving roller Ro3 is, for example, 70.4 mm. The transport path length from the nip position of the driving roller Ro3 to the nip position of the driving roller Ro5 is, for example, 80 mm. The transport path length from the nip position of the driving roller Ro5 to the nip position of the driving roller Ro7 is, for example, 80 mm. The transport path length from the nip position of the driving roller Ro7 to the nip position of the driving roller Ro9 is, for example, 91.9 mm. The transport path length from the nip position of the driving roller Ro9 to the downstream end of the print medium W positioned on the lower mold 30 is, for example, 110 mm.

[0089] To shorten the production time of the can product 200, specifically, to expedite the transport of the print medium W, which is to be transported following the white film F, relative to the lower mold 30, multiple sheets are held in the first transport path Cp1. As described above, the print medium W and the white film F are alternately and overlappingly held in the sheet holder of the printing unit 1. Therefore, the sheets are the white film F, which is transported first, and the print medium W, which is transported later, relative to a single front member SE. The following describes where in the first transport path Cp1 the print medium W, which is transported after the white film F, is held.

[0090] The following description assumes that the white film F has already been conveyed to the lower mold 30. First, when separating the white film F in the second conveyance path Cp2, to prevent reverse conveyance of the print medium W held in the first conveyance path Cp1, the print medium W is held so that its downstream end is immediately in front of the drive roller Ro7, which lacks a one-way clutch CT. For example, the conveyance path length from the reference point to the position immediately in front of the drive roller Ro7 is 255 mm. If the downstream end of the print medium W is located upstream of the position on the first conveyance path Cp1, which has a conveyance path length of 255 mm, the print medium W will not be clamped by the drive roller Ro7 (i.e., the drive roller connected to the drive gear Gb4, which lacks a one-way clutch CT) and the driven roller Ro8, which faces the drive roller Ro7. In this case, even if the conveyance motor 23 rotates in the reverse direction to perform the separation process, its driving force is not transmitted to the drive rollers Ro1, Ro3, and Ro5. Therefore, when the separation process is performed, the print medium W held in the first transport path Cp1 can be prevented from being transported in reverse. Based on the above, it is preferable to hold the print medium W in the first transport path Cp1 so that the downstream end of the print medium W is located at a point where the transport path length is less than 255 mm.

[0091] However, to quickly transport the white film F, which is to be transported after the print medium W held on the first transport path Cp1, it is preferable to sandwich the downstream end of the white film F between the driving roller Ro1 and the driven roller Ro2. In this case, to sandwich the downstream end of the white film F between the driving roller Ro1 and the driven roller Ro2, the downstream end of the white film F must be transported and positioned to a point greater than the transport path length from the reference point to the driving roller Ro1, i.e., 25 mm, for example, 30 mm. Based on this, the print medium W is held on the first transport path Cp1 so that its downstream end is located at a point where the transport path length is less than 225 mm (= 255 mm - 30 mm). Thus, even when the white film F is transported so that its downstream end is located 30 mm, the downstream end of the print medium W held downstream of the white film F can be kept at a point on the first transport path Cp1 where the transport path length is 255 mm.

[0092] On the other hand, there is a desire to quickly transport the aforementioned print medium W to the lower mold 30 along the first transport path Cp1. In this regard, it is preferable to position the upstream end of the print medium W downstream of the nip between the driving roller Ro1 and the driven roller Ro2. For example, the length of the print medium W is 127 mm. In this case, the downstream end of the print medium W is positioned where the upstream end of the print medium W passes the nip between the driving roller Ro1 and the driven roller Ro2. In other words, the downstream end of the print medium W is positioned at a point equal to 152 mm, which is the sum of the transport path length (25 mm) from the first transport sensor S1 to the nip between the driving roller Ro1 and the driven roller Ro2, and the length of the print medium (127 m).

[0093] Based on the above, in this embodiment, the print medium W is held so that its downstream end is located at a point where the transport length of the first transport path Cp1 is between 152 mm and 225 mm. This allows the print medium W to be held just before the drive roller Ro7, even if the white film F, which is to be transported behind the print medium W, is transported, for example, by 30 mm, with the driving roller Ro1 and the driven roller Ro2 sandwiching it. In this manner, the first transport path Cp1 holds multiple sheets of print medium W (i.e., the print medium W and the white film F). Furthermore, to prevent the gap between the print medium W held in the first transport path Cp1 and the white film F being transported next from becoming excessively large, it is preferable to hold the print medium W so that its downstream end is located at a point where the transport length of the first transport path Cp1 is, for example, 200 mm. In this case, the distance between the upstream end of the to-be-printed medium W and the downstream end of the white film F in the first transport path Cp1 can be set to an appropriate distance (eg, 73 mm (=200 mm-127 mm)).

[0094] (Mold unit)

[0095] Next, the mold unit 3 will be described. Figure 9 It is a perspective view of the die unit 3. The die unit 3 is a member for clamping the front side member SE and the back side member BE.

[0096] like Figure 9 As shown, the mold unit 3 includes a lower mold 30 , a lower mold 31 , a lower mold moving motor 140 , a rotation 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 .

[0097] The mold unit 3 includes a lower mold 30 supporting the front member SE and a lower mold 31 supporting the back member BE, as multiple molds arranged along a circumferential direction relative to the rotation axis. The lower molds 30 and 31 form a circular shape when viewed from above. They are positioned relative to each other with the center of a rotating support platform 32 as the reference point, and are each supported by the rotating support platform 32 via springs 30s. Initially, the lower mold 30 is positioned forward of the lower mold 31. The rotating support platform 32 has a generally circular shape when viewed from above. A gear 32a is provided on a side surface of the rotating support platform 32 parallel to the axial direction. The lower mold moving motor 140 is located to the side of the rotating support platform 32. A gear 131 is connected to the rotating shaft of the lower mold moving motor 140. The gear 131 meshes with the gear 32a of the rotating support platform 32. Consequently, when the lower mold moving motor 140 is driven to rotate, its driving force is transmitted to the rotating support platform 32 via the gears 131 and 32a. Therefore, the rotary support table 32 rotates about the vertical direction Dz. By rotating the rotary support table 32 in this manner, the lower mold 30 and the lower mold 31 are displaced between a first mold position Pm1 and a second mold position Pm2 opposite the first mold position Pm1 in the front-back direction Dx. The first mold position Pm1 is where the front-side member SE or the back-side member BE is loaded. The second mold position Pm2 is where the front-side member SE held by the upper mold 33 is joined to the back-side member BE loaded and supported by the lower mold 31. When the lower mold 30 is in the first mold position Pm1, it receives the front-side member SE from the front-side member supply unit 4. On the other hand, when the lower mold 31 is in the first mold position Pm1, it receives the back-side member BE from the back-side member supply unit 5.

[0098] A support plate 38 is erected to the side of the rotary support platform 32. An upper mold lift motor 34 is mounted on the support plate 38 to lift and lower the upper mold 33. A third gear (not shown) is connected to the rotation shaft of the upper mold lift motor 34. This third gear meshes with the first gear 35. A fourth gear (not shown) is coaxially mounted on the first gear 35. This fourth gear meshes with the second gear 36. A pair of rotating cams 37 are connected to the second gear 36.

[0099] A plate member 38a extending in the front-to-back direction Dx is provided above the support plate 38, facing the lower mold 31. The upper mold 33 is located below the plate member 38a. The upper mold 33 includes an inner mold 33a and an annular outer mold 33b, which is coaxially arranged below the inner mold 33a and has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the inner mold 33a. A 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 rotating cams 37, a rotating cam 37a, presses one of the pressed members 33c downward, while the other of the pair, a rotating cam 37b, presses the other of the pressed members 33c downward. In this structure, when the upper mold lifting motor 34 is driven to rotate, its driving force is transmitted to the second gear 36 via the third gear, the first gear 35, and the fourth gear. As a result, the second gear 36 rotates in the rotation direction Dr2, and the pair of rotating cams 37 also rotate in the rotation direction Dr2. At this time, the rotating cam 37a presses down one pressed member 33c, while the rotating cam 37b presses down the other pressed member 33c. This allows the inner mold 33a to slide relative to the outer mold 33b and descend to the lower mold 30 or lower mold 31. Furthermore, by rotating the upper mold elevating motor 34 in the reverse direction, the upper mold 33 can be raised above the lower molds 30 or 31.

[0100] (Canned products)

[0101] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of a can product 200 produced by tightening the front side member SE and the back side member BE. Figure 10 As shown, the front member SE has a downwardly projecting peripheral edge SEa, while the back member BE has an upwardly projecting peripheral edge BEa. The can product 200 is formed by clamping the front member SE, the connected portion Wb of the print medium W, and the back member BE, which are separated and held by the upper mold 33. For example, the can product 200 is a badge. The peripheral edges Fg of the connected portion Fb and Wg of the connected portion Wb, which are disposed on the front member SE, are bent and sandwiched between the peripheral edges SEa and BEa. The peripheral edges SEa and BEa are then clamped together. This produces the can product 200.

[0102] (Transportation system sequence diagram)

[0103] Next, a sequence diagram of the process of the printing unit 1 , the process of the transport unit 2 , and the process of the mold unit 3 will be described. Figure 11 1 is a diagram showing a timing diagram related to the processing of the printing unit 1, the processing of the conveying unit 2, and the processing of the mold unit 3. Figure 11 In the description, it is assumed that the same image is printed on a plurality of print media W by the printing unit 1 .

[0104] like Figure 11 As shown, the white film F held by the sheet holder is first conveyed by the printing unit 1 (step S1). Simultaneously with step S1, the front member SE is fed to the lower die 30 by the die unit 3 (step S2). When step S1 is completed at time T1, printing on the print medium W and conveying the print medium W are performed by the printing unit 1 (step S3). In this case, the control device 110 obtains the printing time for the first print medium W, which is the previous print medium W, from the print job. Then, synchronously with step S3, the white film F delivered from the printing unit 1 is conveyed by the conveying unit 2 (step S4).

[0105] When the process of step S4 is completed at time T2, that is, when the white film F is conveyed to the lower mold 30, the conveyor unit 2 performs the cutting and separating processes on the white film F (step S5). As a result of step S5, the connected portion Fb of the white film F is loaded onto the front member SE held by the lower mold 30 in the mold unit 3. Next, the print medium W, delivered from the printing unit 1, is conveyed by the conveyor unit 2 at a predetermined time T3 after the process of step S5 (step S6). When the process of step S6 is completed at time T4, the next white film F is conveyed by the printing unit 1 synchronously with this completion (step S7). Simultaneously with step S7, the conveyor unit 2 performs the cutting and separating processes on the print medium W (step S8). As a result of step S8, the connected portion Wb of the print medium W is loaded onto the connected portion Fb disposed on the front member SE held by the lower mold 30 in the mold unit 3.

[0106] Here, the control device 110 determines the timing for starting printing on the subsequent print medium W based on the obtained printing time and the time required to connect the front member SE and the back member BE on which the initial print medium W is placed in the die unit 3, and stores the timing in the storage unit 113. As a specific example, the control device 110 determines the timing based on the obtained printing time and the time T5 at which the connected portion Wb is loaded onto the connected portion Fb on the front member SE in the die unit 3 as described above, i.e., the time T5 at which the processing of step S8 is completed, and stores information related to the timing in the storage unit 113.

[0107] When the processing of step S8 is completed at time T5, printing on the next print medium W and conveying the print medium W are performed in the printing unit 1 (step S9). In this case, the control device 110 reads information related to the timing from the storage unit 113 and outputs it to the first drive circuit 115. Then, in synchronization with the processing of step S9, the rotary support table 32 in the mold unit 3 is rotated (step S10). This moves the lower mold 30, which supports the front member SE on which the connected portion Fb and the connected portion Wb are arranged, from the first mold position Pm1 to the second mold position Pm2, and moves the lower mold 31, which was in the second mold position Pm2, to the first mold position Pm1. The subsequent processing is as described above, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

[0108] As described above, according to the can product manufacturing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the transport unit 2 transports the print medium W onto the front member SE supported by the lower mold 30. This shortens the time required to place the print medium W on the front member SE, thereby reducing the overall production time of the can product 200. Furthermore, by providing the transport unit 2 with a one-way clutch CT, the sheet on the first transport path Cp1 can be stopped on the first transport path Cp1 during the separation process using the second transport path Cp2. This prevents the sheet on the first transport path Cp from being transported in the reverse direction.

[0109] In the present embodiment, the first transport path Cp1 holds a plurality of sheets. Therefore, the sheets can be quickly transported from the first transport path Cp1 to the lower mold 30 by connecting the front member SE and the back member BE in the mold unit 3 .

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport path length of the first transport path Cp1 may be greater than or equal to the sum of the total length of the white film F and the print medium W and the transport interval between the white film F and the print medium W. This allows a plurality of sheets to be held on the first transport path Cp1 while ensuring an appropriate transport interval.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, while the white film F, previously conveyed to the lower mold 30, is being transported on the second transport path Cp2 to separate the white film F, the subsequent print medium W is stopped on the first transport path Cp1 by the one-way clutch CT. This prevents the print medium W on the first transport path Cp1 from being reversely transported during the separation process. Furthermore, by stopping the print medium W on the first transport path (i.e., in a standby state), the print medium W can be quickly transported to the lower mold 30 of the mold unit 3.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when printing the same image on multiple print media W, the control device 110 determines the timing for starting printing on subsequent print media W based on the printing time for the initial print medium W and the time it takes for the connected portion Wb to be loaded onto the connected portion Fb on the front member SE in the die unit 3. This allows printing on subsequent print media W to be executed at appropriate timing, thereby contributing to a reduction in total printing time (the sum of the printing times for each print medium W).

[0113] (Variation)

[0114] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following are examples.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the transport unit 2 may shorten the printing time on the print medium W when the print range on the print medium W is smaller than a predetermined value, compared to when the print range on the print medium W is greater than the predetermined value. In this case, the control device 110 obtains information regarding the print range on the print medium W from the print job and outputs a control signal to the first drive circuit 115 based on a comparison of this information with a predetermined value pre-stored in the storage unit 113. The first drive circuit 115 generates a drive signal based on the control signal and outputs it to the ejection head 10. The ejection head 10 is driven by the drive signal, thereby ejecting ink droplets from its nozzles onto the print medium W.

[0116] As described above, there is a case where the printing time of the print medium W in the printing unit 1 becomes shorter. In this case, if the connection between the front member SE and the back member B in the mold unit 3 is not completed, the next sheet cannot be transported to the lower mold 30 by the transport unit 2, so there is a possibility that multiple sheets overlap in the transport unit 2 and become unable to be transported. Therefore, in the case where the printing range of the print medium W is smaller than the specified value, the printing unit 1 may also perform the following image appending processing: according to the time required for the connection between the front member SE and the back member BE by the mold unit 3, the image is printed in an additional manner on the print medium W. Specifically, as Figure 12As shown, an image Gp, for example, in the form of a perfect circle, can be additionally printed in an area outside the image printing area Rg (i.e., the printing area when image appending is not performed) in the connected portion Wb of the print medium W and inside the cut portion Wf. This allows the printing time when the print area on the print medium W is smaller than a predetermined value to be approximately the same as when the print area on the print medium W is larger than the predetermined value. Consequently, the printing time can be kept substantially constant regardless of the size of the print area on the print medium W, thereby reducing the possibility of multiple sheets overlapping and becoming uncontainable in the transport unit 2. The area where the image Gp is ​​printed is not limited to the above.

[0117] In the above embodiment, a portion of the transport unit 2 is disposed in front of the printing unit 1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A portion of the transport unit 2 may be disposed to the side of the printing unit 1, or may be disposed to the left, right, or rear of the printing unit 1, for example.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the drive gear Gb4 is not provided with a one-way clutch CT, but the present invention is not limited thereto and a one-way clutch CT may be provided on the drive gear Gb4. However, not providing the drive gear Gb4 with a one-way clutch CT can reduce costs.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the lower mold 30 and the lower mold 31 are displaced between the first mold position Pm1 and the second mold position Pm2 by rotating the rotary support 32. However, this is not limiting. A sliding mechanism, for example, can be employed to displace the lower mold 30 and the lower mold 31 between the first mold position Pm1 and the second mold position Pm2.

[0120] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the front member SE and the back member BE are formed into circular shapes in a plan view, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be formed into other shapes such as an elliptical shape.

[0121] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connected portion Wb of the print medium W is formed to have a circular shape in a plan view, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may have other shapes such as an elliptical shape.

[0122] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a marking portion may be arranged on one side of the direction D2, with the center in the direction D2 perpendicular to the direction D1 being used as a reference, on the remaining portion Wa of the print medium W. This makes it easier for the user to mistake the front and back of the print medium W and the placement direction when placing the print medium W in the sheet holder of the printing unit 1.

[0123] Label Description

[0124] 1 printing unit;

[0125] 2 transport units;

[0126] 3 mold unit;

[0127] 100 canned product making equipment;

[0128] 110 control devices;

[0129] 200 cans of products;

[0130] BE dorsal member;

[0131] Cp1 first transport path;

[0132] Cp2 second transport path;

[0133] CT one-way clutch;

[0134] Dc1 transport direction;

[0135] Dk1 first rotation direction;

[0136] Dk2 second rotation direction;

[0137] Ro1, Ro3, Ro5, Ro7, Ro9 drive side rollers;

[0138] Ro2, Ro4, Ro6, Ro8, Ro10 driven side rollers;

[0139] SE surface side member;

[0140] W Media to be printed.

Claims

1. A can product manufacturing device, which connects a front side member and a back side member to manufacture a can product, wherein: The canned product manufacturing device comprises: A printing unit, for printing on a print medium; a mold unit connecting the front member and the back member; as well as a transport unit that transports the printed medium onto the front member along a transport path from the printing unit toward the die unit; The transport unit includes a plurality of transport rollers and a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch transmits a driving force to the transport rollers when the transport unit rotates in a first rotation direction, and does not transmit a driving force to the transport rollers when the transport unit rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

2. The canned product manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein: The transport path holds a plurality of sheets including the to-be-printed medium.

3. The canned product manufacturing device according to claim 2, wherein: The length of the transport path is equal to or greater than the sum of the total length of the two sheets and the transport interval between one sheet and the other sheet.

4. The canned product manufacturing device according to claim 2, wherein: The transport path is a first transport path, and the canned product manufacturing device further includes a second transport path different from the first transport path. Some of the plurality of conveying rollers are provided for both the first conveying path and the second conveying path, and convey the sheet along the first conveying path by rotating in a predetermined direction, and convey the sheet along the second conveying path by rotating in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. The one-way clutch is provided corresponding to the transport roller in the first transport path. While one of the sheets is being conveyed on the second conveying path, the other sheet is not conveyed on the first conveying path by the one-way clutch and stops on the first conveying path.

5. The can product manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein: The canned product manufacturing device also includes a control device, When printing the same image on a plurality of the printed media, the control device obtains the printing time for the previous printed medium from the print job, and determines the timing for starting printing on the subsequent printed medium based on the printing time and the time required for connecting the front side member and the back side member in the mold unit in which the previous printed medium is arranged.

6. The canned product manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein: The transport unit shortens printing time on the print medium when the printing range on the print medium is smaller than a predetermined value, compared to when the printing range on the print medium is larger than the predetermined value.

7. The canned product manufacturing device according to claim 6, wherein: The printing unit additionally prints an image on the print medium according to a time required for the die unit to connect the front member and the back member.

Images