Laminating device

Abstract

To provide means which enables reduction of costs of a laminating device.SOLUTION: A laminating device 1 comprises: a first holder 21 which supports a first roll 111; a second holder 22 which supports a second roll 112; an image recording unit 30 which records an image on a first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111; an adhering roller 50 which adheres the first member 101 with an image recorded by the image recording unit 30 to a second member 102 pulled out from the second roll 112; a first transport roller 41 positioned between the first roll 111 and the image recording unit 30 and configured to transport the first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111; and one shared motor 70 which rotates both the first roll 111 and the first transport roller 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laminating apparatus for laminating a plurality of members. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a laminating device that records an image on a first member pulled out from a first roll and bonds the first member on which the image has been recorded to a second member pulled out from a second roll (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the device described in Patent Document 1, the printing section forms a print image on the recording medium pulled out from the recording medium roll. The recording medium on which the print image has been formed is cut to a predetermined length in the first cutting section, transported to the laminating section, and superimposed on the laminating member pulled out from the laminating member roll by a guide roll in the laminating section. The superimposed recording medium and laminating member are heated by a pressurizing and heating roll, and separated in the second cutting section. The recording medium roll, the recording medium, the laminating member roll, and the laminating member correspond to the first roll, the first member, the second roll, and the second member, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-211593 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a laminating device, if a drive source for the first roll and a drive source for a transport roller that transports the first member pulled out from the first roll are provided separately, the cost of the device will increase.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a means for reducing the cost of a laminating device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The laminating device of the present invention includes a first support section that supports a first roll formed by winding a first member, a second support section that supports a second roll formed by winding a second member, an image recording section that records an image on the first member pulled out from the first roll, a laminating roller that bonds the first member on which the image is recorded in the image recording section to the second member pulled out from the second roll, a transport roller that is located between the first roll and the image recording section and transports the first member pulled out from the first roll, and a single drive source that rotates both the first roll and the transport roller.

[0008] According to the above laminating device, the first roll and the transport roller are operated by a single drive source, thereby making it possible to reduce the cost of the laminating device.

[0009] (2) Preferably, the driving source has a rotating part that is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and when the rotating part rotates in the first direction, the first member is transported in a direction in which it is pulled out from the first roll, and when the rotating part rotates in the second direction, the first member is transported in a direction in which it is rewound onto the first roll.

[0010] (3) Preferably, the drive source has a rotating unit that is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the laminating device may further include a first transmission unit that transmits the rotational force of the rotating unit in the first direction to the first roll as a rotational force in a direction to rewind the first member, and a second transmission unit that transmits the rotational force of the rotating unit in the first direction to the conveying roller as a rotational force in a direction to pull out the first member.

[0011] (4) Preferably, the first transmission unit transmits the rotational force of the rotating unit in the second direction to the first roll as a rotational force in a direction to unwind the first member, and the second transmission unit transmits the rotational force of the rotating unit in the second direction to the conveying roller as a rotational force in a direction to unwind the first member.

[0012] (5) Preferably, the first transmission section has a first transmission path and a second transmission path for transmitting the rotational force of the rotating section to the first roll, the first transmission path having a first one-way clutch on the path and the second transmission path having a second one-way clutch on the path, the rotational force of the rotating section in the first direction is transmitted to the first roll via the first transmission path but is not transmitted to the first roll via the second transmission path by the second one-way clutch, and the rotational force of the rotating section in the second direction is transmitted to the first roll via the second transmission path but is not transmitted to the first roll via the first transmission path by the first one-way clutch.

[0013] (6) Preferably, the first transmission part may further include a torque limiter at least one of a torque limiter located downstream of the first one-way clutch in the first transmission path and a torque limiter located downstream of the second one-way clutch in the second transmission path.

[0014] (7) Preferably, the first transmission part may further have a first detection part that detects an amount of rotation of a member in the first transmission part, at least one of downstream of the first one-way clutch in the first transmission path and downstream of the second one-way clutch in the second transmission path.

[0015] (8) Preferably, the second transmission part may have a second detection part that detects an amount of rotation of a member within the second transmission part.

[0016] (9) Preferably, the first transmission part and the second transmission part may include at least one of a gear and a belt.

[0017] (10) Preferably, the drive source includes one motor.

[0018] (11) Preferably, when the amount of the first member wound around the first roll is at a minimum and the rotating portion rotates in the second direction, a rotational force is applied to the first roll and the conveying roller such that a peripheral speed of the first member wound around the first roll is faster than a peripheral speed of the conveying roller.

[0019] (12) Preferably, the first transmission unit includes a torque limiter, and the second transmission unit does not include a torque limiter.

[0020] (13) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a control unit, and the control unit may perform, as the skew correction control for the first member, at least once each of a pull-out operation of pulling the first member out from the first roll and a rewinding operation of rewinding the first member back onto the first roll.

[0021] (14) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a member sensor downstream of the conveying rollers for detecting the first member, and the control unit may switch between performing the pulling-out operation and the rewinding operation based on an output signal of the member sensor.

[0022] (15) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a width direction sensor that detects a width direction position of the first member, and the control unit detects a skewed state of the first member based on an output signal of the width direction sensor, and controls execution of the pulling-out operation and the rewinding operation based on the detected skewed state.

[0023] (16) The laminating device of the present invention includes a first support section that supports a first roll formed by winding a first member, a supply section that supplies a second member, an image recording section that records an image on the first member pulled out from the first roll, a laminating roller that bonds the first member on which the image has been recorded in the image recording section to the second member supplied from the supply section, a transport roller located between the first roll and the image recording section and that transports the first member pulled out from the first roll, and a single drive source that rotates both the first roll and the transport roller.

[0024] According to the above laminating device, the first roll and the transport roller are operated by a single drive source, thereby making it possible to reduce the cost of the laminating device. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, the first roll and the transport roller can be operated by a single drive source, thereby reducing the cost of the laminating device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) is an external perspective view of a laminating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a finished laminated product 100 produced by the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the first transmission unit 71 and the second transmission unit 72 of the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] Figure 5(A) is a diagram showing the transmission path of the rotational force in the first transmission unit 71 and the second transmission unit 72, Figure 5(B) is a diagram showing the direction of the rotational force transmitted by the first transmission unit 71 and the second transmission unit 72 when the common motor 70 of the laminating device 1 rotates forward, and Figure 5(C) is a diagram showing the direction of the rotational force transmitted by the first transmission unit 71 and the second transmission unit 72 when the common motor 70 rotates reverse. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the directions of rotational forces transmitted by the first transmission unit 71 and the second transmission unit 72 when the common motor 70 rotates in the forward direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the directions of rotational forces transmitted by the first transmission unit 71 and the second transmission unit 72 when the common motor 70 rotates in the reverse direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the lamination process by the control unit 90 of the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 9] Figure 9(A) is a diagram showing the laminating device 1 before laminating processing is performed, Figures 9(B) and 9(C) are diagrams showing the laminating device 1 while executing skew correction control, and Figure 9(D) is a diagram showing the laminating device 1 after the first member 101 has been gripped by the second conveying roller 42. [Figure 10] Figure 10(A) is a diagram showing the laminating device 1 performing slack elimination control, Figure 10(B) is a diagram showing the laminating device 1 transporting the first member 101, Figure 10(C) is a diagram showing the laminating device 1 during image recording, and Figure 10(D) is a diagram showing the laminating device 1 transporting the first member 101 after the laminating roller 50 starts to drive. [Figure 11] Figure 11(A) shows the laminating device 1 after transporting the first member 101 to the cutting position by the first cutting section 68, Figure 11(B) shows the laminating device 1 after cutting by the first cutting section 68, Figure 11(C) shows the laminating device 1 after cutting by the second cutting section 69, and Figure 11(D) shows the laminating device 1 performing a rewinding operation. [Figure 12] FIG. 12A is a diagram showing how the first member 101 is pulled out in the skew correction control, and FIG. 12B is a diagram showing how the first member 101 is rewound. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first transmission unit 75 and a second transmission unit 76 of a laminating device according to a modified example. [Figure 14]FIG. 14(A) is a diagram showing the position of a width direction sensor 64 of a laminating device according to a modified example, and FIG. 14(B) is a diagram showing the positions of width direction sensors 65, 66 of a laminating device according to a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a laminating apparatus 2 according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The laminating device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately modified without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the direction is expressed as the progress from the starting point of the arrow to the end point, and the direction is expressed as the movement on the line connecting the starting point and the end point of the arrow. In addition, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the laminating device 1 is installed so that it can be used (the state of FIG. 1(A)), the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the operation unit 12 and the display unit 13 are provided as the front, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the laminating device 1 is viewed from the front. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are mutually perpendicular.

[0028] [Overview of Lamination Device 1] 1(A), the laminating device 1 according to this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 11. An operation unit 12 and a display unit 13 are located on the front of the housing 11. An outlet 14 is located on the front of the housing 11 below the operation unit 12 and the display unit 13. The laminating device 1 creates a laminated finished product 100 by bonding two types of members together.

[0029] A tape-like first member 101 and a second member 102 are supplied to the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the first member 101 is wound around a cylindrical core material 113 to form a first roll 111. The second member 102 is wound around a cylindrical core material 114 to form a second roll 112. The first roll 111 and the second roll 112 are attached to a first holder 21 and a second holder 22 of the laminating apparatus 1, respectively.

[0030] The first member 101 is, for example, a transparent film. As shown in Fig. 1(B), the second member 102 is a member having an adhesive layer on at least one surface. The second member 102 is, for example, a backing paper having a first adhesive layer 103 on one surface of a tape layer 104 (the surface on the first member 101 side in the finished laminate 100) and a second adhesive layer 105 on the other surface of the tape layer 104. A release sheet 106 is provided on the opposite side of the tape layer 104 with the second adhesive layer 105 sandwiched therebetween.

[0031] The first member 101 and the second member 102 may be made of any material. The second member 102 may be, for example, a resin member such as PET or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), synthetic paper such as Yupo paper (registered trademark), or a metal member. The second member 102 may be transparent or opaque. The first member 101 and the second member 102 may have an adhesive layer on one surface, may have an adhesive layer on the other surface, may have an adhesive layer on both surfaces, or may not have an adhesive layer on both surfaces. When a material without an adhesive layer is used, the first member 101 and the second member 102 may be bonded together after an adhesive is applied, or may be bonded together by heat welding, pressure bonding, or the like.

[0032] 2, the recording surface 107 is the surface of the first member 101 on which an image is recorded. The back surface 108 is the surface of the first member 101 opposite the recording surface 107. The bonding surface 109 is the surface of the second member 102 that has the first adhesive layer 103.

[0033] The laminating device 1 bonds the first member 101 and the second member 102 by bringing the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 into close contact with the bonding surface 109 of the second member 102. The laminating device 1 cuts the bonded members into a predetermined size. This creates a finished laminated product 100 as shown in FIG. 1(B). The created finished laminated product 100 is discharged from the discharge port 14.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the laminating device 1 includes a first holder 21, a second holder 22, an image recording unit 30, first to fourth conveying rollers 41 to 44, a laminating roller 50, member sensors 61 to 63, a first cutting unit 68, and a second cutting unit 69 inside a housing 11. In addition, the laminating device 1 includes a control unit 90 and various motors inside the housing 11 (see FIG. 3). A guide member (not shown) that supports the first member 101 is provided at a necessary position inside the housing 11. This forms a conveying path 15 that runs from the first holder 21 to the second cutting unit 69 via the image recording unit 30, the first cutting unit 68, and the laminating roller 50.

[0035] [First holder 21 and second holder 22] The first holder 21 and the second holder 22 are members that can rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. The thickness of the first holder 21 is equivalent to the inner diameter of the core material 113 of the first roll 111. The thickness of the second holder 22 is equivalent to the inner diameter of the core material 114 of the second roll 112. The first holder 21 and the second holder 22 are fixed to the housing 11 or a member fixed to the housing 11.

[0036] The first holder 21 and the second holder 22 are located at positions spaced apart from each other within the housing 11. In the configuration shown in Fig. 2, the first holder 21 is located near the center of the housing 11 in the up-down direction 7 and at the rear of the housing 11 in the front-rear direction 8. The second holder 22 is located at the upper part of the housing 11 in the up-down direction 7 and in front of the center of the housing 11 in the front-rear direction 8. The positions of the first holder 21 and the second holder 22 within the housing 11 are arbitrary.

[0037] Before the laminating apparatus 1 operates, a first roll 111 is attached to the first holder 21, and a second roll 112 is attached to the second holder 22. The first holder 21 rotatably supports the first roll 111. The second holder 22 rotatably supports the second roll 112. A first member 101 is drawn out from the first roll 111 supported by the first holder 21. A second member 102 is drawn out from the second roll 112 supported by the second holder 22. The first holder 21 is an example of a first support portion. The second holder 22 is an example of a second support portion.

[0038] [Image Recording Unit 30] The image recording unit 30 is located downstream of the first roll 111 on the transport path 15. The image recording unit 30 is located above the transport path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the first roll 111 and the first cutting unit 68 in the front-rear direction 8. The image recording unit 30 includes a carriage 31 and a recording head 32. Inside the housing 11, there are located two guide rails (not shown) that extend in the left-right direction 9 and have both ends fixed to the housing 11 or to a member fixed to the housing 11. The carriage 31 is placed on the two guide rails. The carriage 31 receives a driving force from a CR motor 83 (see FIG. 3) and moves in the left-right direction 9.

[0039] The recording head 32 is mounted on a carriage 31. A plurality of nozzles 33 are formed on the bottom surface of the recording head 32. As the carriage 31 moves, the recording head 32 moves in the left-right direction 9. A platen 34 is located below the movement range of the carriage 31. The recording head 32 ejects ink downward from the nozzles 33 while moving in the left-right direction 9. As a result, an image is recorded on the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 transported on the platen 34. In this way, the image recording unit 30 records an image on the first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111.

[0040] [First to fourth conveyor rollers 41 to 44] The first to fourth conveying rollers 41 to 44 are positioned between the first roll 111 and the laminating roller 50. Specifically, the first conveying roller 41 and the second conveying roller 42 are positioned between the first roll 111 and the image recording unit 30 in the front-rear direction 8. The third conveying roller 43 and the fourth conveying roller 44 are positioned between the image recording unit 30 and the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8. The second conveying roller 42 is positioned in front of the first conveying roller 41 in the front-rear direction 8. The fourth conveying roller 44 is positioned in front of the third conveying roller 43 in the front-rear direction 8. The first conveying roller 41 is an example of a conveying roller.

[0041] The first conveying roller 41 includes a first roller 411 and a second roller 412. The first roller 411 is located directly above the second roller 412. The first member 101 passes between the first roller 411 and the second roller 412. At this time, the first roller 411 abuts against the recording surface 107 of the first member 101, and the second roller 412 abuts against the back surface 108 of the first member 101. As a result, the first conveying roller 41 grips the first member 101. The first conveying roller 41 grips the first member 101 between the first roll 111 and the laminating roller 50.

[0042] The second roller 412 receives a driving force from the common motor 70 (see FIG. 3) and rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. Accordingly, the first roller 411 also rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. At this time, a force in a direction pulling the first member 101 from the first roll 111 acts on the first member 101. Furthermore, the second roller 412 receives a driving force in the opposite direction from the common motor 70 and rotates in the opposite direction, and accordingly the first roller 411 also rotates in the opposite direction. At this time, a force in a direction moving the first member 101 closer to the first roll 111 acts on the first member 101.

[0043] The second conveyor roller 42 includes a third roller 421 and a fourth roller 422. The third conveyor roller 43 includes a fifth roller 431 and a sixth roller 432. The fourth conveyor roller 44 includes a seventh roller 441 and an eighth roller 442. The second to fourth conveyor rollers 42 to 44 have the same configurations and functions as the first conveyor roller 41, and therefore will not be described here. The second to fourth conveyor rollers 42 to 44 grip the first member 101 between the first roll 111 and the laminating roller 50, similar to the first conveyor roller 41.

[0044] In this embodiment, of the two rollers included in the first to fourth conveying rollers 41 to 44, the lower roller receives driving force from the common motor 70. Alternatively, the upper roller may receive driving force from the common motor 70, or both the upper and lower rollers may receive driving force from the common motor 70.

[0045] [Laminating roller 50] The laminating roller 50 is located downstream of the image recording unit 30 on the conveying path 15. The laminating roller 50 is located between a first cutting unit 68 and a second cutting unit 69 in the front-rear direction 8. The laminating roller 50 includes a first laminating roller 51 and a second laminating roller 52. The first laminating roller 51 is located directly above the second laminating roller 52. The first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52 grip the first member 101 and the second member 102 with a predetermined force. As a result, the first member 101 and the second member 102 are laminated together to form a finished laminate product 100.

[0046] The second member 102 pulled out from the second roll 112 enters between the first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52. At this time, the laminating surface 109 of the second member 102 faces downward. The first member 101 that has passed through the image recording unit 30 and the first cutting unit 68 enters under the second member 102 between the first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52. At this time, the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 faces upward.

[0047] The second laminating roller 52 receives a driving force from a laminating motor 82 (see FIG. 3) and rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. Accordingly, the first laminating roller 51 also rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. The first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52 bond the first member 101 and the second member 102 together by bringing the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 and the bonding surface 109 of the second member 102 into close contact with each other. Note that the first laminating roller 51 may receive a driving force from the laminating motor 82, or both the first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52 may receive a driving force from the laminating motor 82. Also, the laminating roller 50 does not necessarily need to bond the first member 101 and the second member 102 together. For example, if the laminating device 1 has a portion downstream of the laminating roller 50 where thermal welding or pressure bonding is performed, a roller pair disposed in front of the portion and overlapping the first member 101 and the second member 102 serves as the laminating roller 50. The laminating roller 50 also overlaps the first member 101 and the second member 102.

[0048] [First cutting section 68] The first cutting unit 68 is located downstream of the conveying path 15 from the image recording unit 30. The first cutting unit 68 is located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the third conveying roller 43 and the fourth conveying roller 44 in the front-rear direction 8. The first cutting unit 68 cuts the first member 101 between the second conveying roller 42 and the laminating roller 50.

[0049] The first cutting unit 68 has any configuration capable of cutting the first member 101. The first cutting unit 68 may include, for example, a cutter carriage that receives a driving force from a cutting motor 84 (see FIG. 3) and moves in the left-right direction 9, and a cutter mounted on the cutter carriage. Alternatively, the first cutting unit 68 may include a moving blade that receives a driving force from the cutting motor 84 and moves in the up-down direction 7, and a fixed blade that faces the moving blade.

[0050] [Second cutting section 69] The second cutting unit 69 is located downstream of the laminating roller 50 in the conveying path 15. The second cutting unit 69 is located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and in front of the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8. The second cutting unit 69 simultaneously cuts the first member 101 and the second member 102 that have been bonded together by the laminating roller 50 downstream of the laminating roller 50 in the conveying direction.

[0051] The second cutting unit 69 has any configuration capable of cutting the first member 101 and the second member 102. The second cutting unit 69 may, for example, like the first cutting unit 68, include a cutter carriage that moves in the left-right direction 9 and a cutter, or may include a moving blade that moves in the up-down direction 7 and a fixed blade that faces the moving blade.

[0052] [Component Sensors 61-63] All of the component sensors 61 to 63 are located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7. The component sensor 61 is located between the first conveying roller 41 and the second conveying roller 42 in the front-rear direction 8. The component sensor 62 is located between the fourth conveying roller 44 and the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8. The component sensor 63 is located in front of the second cutting unit 69 in the front-rear direction 8. The component sensor 61 may be located downstream of the conveying path 15 from the first conveying roller 41.

[0053] The member sensor 61 includes a light emitting element (not shown) that emits light toward the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 transported along the transport path 15, and a light receiving element (not shown) that receives the light reflected by the recording surface 107 of the first member 101. When the first member 101 is present below the member sensor 61, the light receiving element of the member sensor 61 receives the light reflected by the recording surface 107 of the first member 101, and the amount of light detected by the light receiving element is greater than the threshold value. On the other hand, when the first member 101 is not present below the member sensor 61, the light receiving element of the member sensor 61 does not receive the light reflected by the recording surface 107 of the first member 101, and the amount of light detected by the light receiving element is less than the threshold value. The member sensor 62 has the same configuration as the member sensor 61.

[0054] The member sensor 63 includes a light emitting element (not shown) that emits light toward a surface (hereinafter referred to as the opposite surface) of the second member 102 held by the laminating roller 50 opposite to the laminating surface 109, and a light receiving element (not shown) that receives light reflected by the opposite surface of the second member 102. When the second member 102 is present below the member sensor 63, the light receiving element of the member sensor 63 receives light reflected by the opposite surface of the second member 102, and the amount of light detected by the light receiving element becomes greater than the threshold value. On the other hand, when the second member 102 is not present below the member sensor 63, the light receiving element of the member sensor 62 does not receive light reflected by the opposite surface of the second member 102, and the amount of light detected by the light receiving element becomes less than the threshold value.

[0055] In this embodiment, the member sensors 61 to 63 including a light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided above the transport path 15. However, such member sensors 61 to 63 may be provided below the transport path 15.

[0056] [Control unit 90 and its peripheral parts] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 90 includes a CPU 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, and an EEPROM 94. The ROM 92 stores programs for controlling various operations of the laminating device 1. The EEPROM 94 stores various data used when the above programs are executed. The RAM 93 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU 91 executes the above programs, and as an area for expanding data and programs. When the laminating device 1 is powered on, the programs stored in the ROM 92 are copied and transferred to the RAM 93. The CPU 91 executes the programs stored in the RAM 93. This allows the control unit 90 to perform various controls.

[0057] The ASIC 95 is connected to an operation unit 12 and a display unit 13. The operation unit 12 detects pressing of an operation key and outputs a signal corresponding to the pressed operation key. The control unit 90 identifies the pressed operation key based on the output signal of the operation unit 12. The display unit 13 displays information related to the operation of the laminating device 1 on the screen based on an instruction from the control unit 90.

[0058] The recording head 32 is connected to the ASIC 95. The control unit 90 outputs a signal corresponding to image data to the recording head 32 via the ASIC 95. The recording head 32 ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 33 provided in the recording head 32 in response to the signal output from the control unit 90.

[0059] The member sensors 61-63 are connected to the ASIC 95. The member sensors 61-63 output signals according to the amount of light detected by the light receiving elements. The control unit 90 determines whether or not the first member 101 or the second member 102 is present at the arrangement positions of the member sensors 61-63 based on the output signals of the light receiving elements.

[0060] [Various motors] The ASIC 95 is connected to the common motor 70, the conveying motor 77, the second roll motor 81, the laminating motor 82, the CR motor 83, and the cutting motor 84. The ASIC 95 incorporates a drive circuit for controlling these motors. The control unit 90 outputs a drive signal for rotating each motor to the drive circuit corresponding to each motor. The drive circuit outputs a drive current corresponding to the drive signal output from the control unit 90 to the corresponding motor. This causes the corresponding motor to rotate. Note that some of the motors may be composed of the same motor.

[0061] The common motor 70 is a single motor that rotates both the first roll 111 supported by the first holder 21 and the first conveyor roller 41. The common motor 70 generates power that rotates the first roll 111 and the first conveyor roller 41. A first transmission unit 71 is interposed between the common motor 70 and the first holder 21. The first transmission unit 71 transmits the rotational force of the common motor 70 to the first holder 21. A second transmission unit 72 is interposed between the common motor 70 and the second roller 412. The second transmission unit 72 transmits the rotational force of the common motor 70 to the second roller 412.

[0062] The conveyor motor 77 generates power to rotate the second to fourth conveyor rollers 42 to 44. The torque of the conveyor motor 77 is transmitted to the fourth roller 422, the sixth roller 432, and the eighth roller 442 by a transmission mechanism (not shown).

[0063] The second roll motor 81 generates power to rotate the second roll 112 supported by the second holder 22. A torque limiter 85 is interposed between the second roll motor 81 and the second holder 22. The torque limiter 85 is attached to, for example, the rotation shaft of the second holder 22. The torque limiter 85 limits the power of the second roll motor 81 and transmits it to the rotation shaft of the second holder 22.

[0064] The laminating motor 82 generates power to rotate the laminating roller 50. A torque limiter 86 is interposed between the laminating motor 82 and the second laminating roller 52. The torque limiter 86 is attached to, for example, the rotating shaft of the second laminating roller 52. The torque limiter 86 limits the power of the laminating motor 82 and transmits it to the rotating shaft of the second laminating roller 52.

[0065] The control unit 90 drives the common motor 70 to apply force to the first roll 111 and rotate the first conveyor roller 41. The control unit 90 drives the conveyor motor 77 to rotate the second to fourth conveyor rollers 42 to 44, drives the second roll motor 81 to apply force to the second roll 112, and drives the laminating motor 82 to rotate the laminating roller 50. The control unit 90 drives the CR motor 83 to move the carriage 31, and drives the cutting motor 84 to operate the first cutting unit 68 and the second cutting unit 69.

[0066] [First transmission part 71 and second transmission part 72] Hereinafter, clockwise and counterclockwise are defined with reference to FIG. 4. The rotating shaft 79 shown in FIG. 4 is the rotating shaft of the common motor 70. The rotating shaft 79 can rotate counterclockwise and clockwise, which is the opposite direction of the counterclockwise rotation. Note that FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a gear train, and does not accurately show the arrangement of the gears, the size of the gears, and the shape of the gear teeth. The common motor 70 is an example of a drive source. The rotating shaft 79 is an example of a rotating part. The counterclockwise direction is an example of a first direction. The clockwise direction is an example of a second direction.

[0067] The gear 201 is attached to a rotating shaft 79 of the common motor 70 and rotates together with the rotating shaft 79. As shown in Figures 4 and 5(A), the first transmission unit 71 has gears 211A, 211B, 212A, 212B, 213A, 213B, 214, 215A, 215B, 216, 217, one-way clutches 231, 232, a torque limiter 233, and a rotary encoder 234. The second transmission unit 72 has gears 221A, 221B, 222, 223, and a rotary encoder 235.

[0068] Gears 212A and 212B are located at the same position in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 and have the same rotation axis, so in Fig. 4 they are depicted as if they were one gear at the same position. Gears 213A and 213B, and gears 215A and 215B are similar. In Fig. 5, "one-way", "limiter", "CW", and "CCW" respectively indicate a one-way clutch, a torque limiter, clockwise, and counterclockwise.

[0069] Gear 201 meshes with gear 211A. Gear 212B, which has the same rotation axis as gear 211A, meshes with gears 212A and 213A. Gear 213B, which has the same rotation axis as gear 213A, meshes with gear 214. Gear 212B, which has the same rotation axis as gear 212A, and gear 214 mesh with gear 215A. Gear 215B, which has the same rotation axis as gear 215A, meshes with gear 216. Gear 216 meshes with gear 217 attached to the rotation axis of first holder 21.

[0070] The one-way clutch 231 is attached to the rotating shaft of the gears 212A and 212B. The one-way clutch 231 transmits only counterclockwise rotational force between the gears 212A and 212B. The one-way clutch 232 is attached to the rotating shaft of the gears 213A and 213B. The one-way clutch 232 transmits only clockwise rotational force between the gears 213A and 213B. The torque limiter 233 is attached to the rotating shaft of the gears 215A and 215B. The torque limiter 233 limits the rotational force transmitted between the gears 215A and 215B. The rotary encoder 234 is attached to the rotating shaft of the gear 215B. The rotary encoder 234 outputs a signal according to the amount of rotation of the gear 215B.

[0071] Gear 201 also meshes with gear 221A. Gear 221B, which has the same rotation shaft as gear 221A, meshes with gear 222. Gear 222 meshes with gear 223 attached to the rotation shaft of second roller 412 included in first conveyor roller 41. Rotary encoder 235 is attached to the rotation shaft of gear 222. Rotary encoder 235 outputs a signal according to the amount of rotation of gear 222.

[0072] The rotary encoders 234 and 235 are connected to the ASIC 95 (see FIG. 3). The control unit 90 obtains the amount of rotation of the gear 215B based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 234, and obtains the amount of rotation of the gear 222 based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 235.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6, when the control unit 90 rotates the common motor 70 in the forward direction, the rotating shaft 79 and the gear 201 rotate counterclockwise. The rotational force that rotates the rotating shaft 79 counterclockwise is transmitted to the gears 211A and 221B clockwise and to the gears 212A and 213A counterclockwise. The rotational force that rotates the gear 212A counterclockwise is transmitted to the gear 212B by the action of the one-way clutch 231. On the other hand, the rotational force that rotates the gear 213A counterclockwise is not transmitted to the gear 213B by the action of the one-way clutch 232. Therefore, the rotational force that rotates the gear 215A clockwise is transmitted from the gear 212B to the gear 215A. The rotational force that rotates gear 215A clockwise is transmitted as a rotational force that rotates gear 215B clockwise and gear 216 counterclockwise, and a clockwise rotational force is imparted to gear 217. The clockwise rotational force imparted to gear 217 is a rotational force in a direction that rewinds the first member 101.

[0074] Further, the rotational force that rotates the rotating shaft 79 counterclockwise is transmitted as a rotational force that rotates the gears 221A and 221B clockwise, the gear 222 counterclockwise, and the gear 223 clockwise. The clockwise rotational force imparted to the gear 223 is a rotational force in a direction that causes the first member 101 to be pulled out.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5C and FIG. 7, when the control unit 90 rotates the common motor 70 in the reverse direction, the rotating shaft 79 and the gear 201 rotate clockwise. The rotational force that rotates the rotating shaft 79 clockwise rotates the gears 211A and 221B counterclockwise, and is transmitted as a rotational force that rotates the gears 212A and 213A clockwise. The rotational force that rotates the gear 212A clockwise is not transmitted to the gear 212B due to the action of the one-way clutch 231. On the other hand, the rotational force that rotates the gear 213A clockwise is transmitted to the gear 212B due to the action of the one-way clutch 232, and the gear 212B rotates the gear 214 counterclockwise. Therefore, the rotational force that rotates the gear 215A clockwise is transmitted from the gear 214 to the gear 215A. The torque that rotates gear 215A clockwise is transmitted to gear 215B clockwise and gear 216 counterclockwise, and a clockwise torque is applied to gear 217.

[0076] Further, the rotational force that rotates the rotating shaft 79 clockwise is transmitted as a rotational force that rotates the gears 221A and 221B counterclockwise, the gear 222 clockwise, and the gear 223 counterclockwise. The counterclockwise rotational force imparted to the gear 223 is a rotational force in a direction that rewinds the first member 101.

[0077] In this way, the first transmission unit 71 transmits the counterclockwise and clockwise rotational forces of the rotating shaft 79 to the first roll 111 as rotational forces in a direction to unwind the first member 101. The second transmission unit 72 transmits the counterclockwise rotational force of the rotating shaft 79 to the first conveyor roller 41 as rotational force in a direction to pull out the first member 101, and transmits the clockwise rotational force of the rotating shaft 79 to the first conveyor roller 41 as rotational force in a direction to unwind the first member 101.

[0078] The first transmission section 71 has a first transmission path 73 and a second transmission path 74 that transmit the rotational force of the rotating shaft 79 to the first roll 111. The first transmission path 73 extends from the gear 211B to the gear 215A via the gear 212A, the one-way clutch 231, and the gear 212B. The second transmission path 74 extends from the gear 211B to the gear 215A via the gear 213A, the one-way clutch 232, and the gears 213B and 214. The first transmission path 73 has a one-way clutch 231 on the path. The second transmission path 74 has a one-way clutch 232 on the path. The one-way clutch 231 is an example of a first one-way clutch. The one-way clutch 232 is an example of a second one-way clutch. The rotary encoder 234 is an example of a first detection section. The rotary encoder 235 is an example of a second detection section.

[0079] 4, the counterclockwise rotation force of the rotating shaft 79 is transmitted to the first roll 111 via the first transmission path 73, but is not transmitted to the first roll 111 via the second transmission path 74 by the one-way clutch 232. In addition, the clockwise rotation force of the rotating shaft 79 is transmitted to the first roll 111 via the second transmission path 74, but is not transmitted to the first roll 111 via the first transmission path 73 by the one-way clutch 231.

[0080] The first transmission unit 71 and the second transmission unit 72 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the one-way clutch 231 has a motor side portion 231A that rotates together with the gear 212A and a roll side portion 231B that rotates together with the gear 212B. The one-way clutch 232 has a motor side portion 232A that rotates together with the gear 213A and a roll side portion 232B that rotates together with the gear 213B. The torque limiter 233 has a motor side portion 233A that rotates together with the gear 215A and a roll side portion 233B that rotates together with the gear 215B.

[0081] Figures 6 and 7 also show the first roll 111, the first roller 411, the second roller 412, the intermediate roller 239, and the first member 101. The first member 101 is drawn out from the first roll 111, passes through the intermediate roll 239, and enters between the first roller 411 and the second roller 412.

[0082] Hereinafter, a state in which the first roll 111 and the first conveying roller 41 can rotate independently of each other at a free speed is referred to as a "free state". For example, when the second member 102 is not connected between the first roll 111 and the first conveying roller 41, a free state is established. Let the peripheral speed on the circumference of the first roll 111 when the common motor 70 rotates forward in the free state be V1a, and the conveying force of the first roll 111 at this time be F1a. Let the peripheral speed on the circumference of the first roll 111 when the common motor 70 rotates backward in the free state be V1b, and the conveying force of the first roll 111 at this time be F1b. Let the peripheral speed on the circumference of the first conveying roller 41 when the common motor 70 rotates forward or backward in the free state be V2, and the conveying force of the first conveying roller 41 at this time be F2.

[0083] The conveying forces F1a and F1b are rotational forces limited by the torque limiter 233. The conveying force F2 is a rotational force not limited by the torque limiter. Also, while the peripheral speed V2 and the conveying force F2 are constant, the peripheral speeds V1a, V1b and the conveying forces F1a, F1b vary depending on the amount of the first member 101 wound around the first roll 111 (the remaining amount of the first member 101). Here, it will be described assuming that the rotational force and the number of rotations when the common motor 70 rotates forward are the same as those when it rotates backward, but the rotational force and the number of rotations may be changed between forward rotation and backward rotation.

[0084] The first transmission unit 71 and the second transmission unit 72 are configured to satisfy the following conditions. (Condition 1) V2 < minimum value of V1a (Condition 2) F2 > maximum value of F1a (Condition 3) V2 < minimum value of V1b (Condition 4) F2 < minimum value of F1b

[0085] When the common motor 70 rotates forward, V2 < V1a and F2 > F1a are satisfied, and since the conveying force of the first conveying roller 41 is greater than the conveying force of the first roll 111, the first member 101 is conveyed in the pulling-out direction at a speed of V2. At this time, a clockwise rotational force is applied to the first roll 111 via the first transmission portion 71, and a counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the first roll 111 from the first conveying roller 41 via the first member 101. Since the latter is greater than the former, the first roll 111 actually rotates counterclockwise. For this reason, actually, the gear 216 rotates clockwise and the gear 215 rotates counterclockwise.

[0086] At this time, in the torque limiter 233, the motor-side portion 233A rotates clockwise and the roll-side portion 233B rotates counterclockwise. For this reason, a rotational force is generated in the direction of suppressing the rotation of the first roll 111 in the pulling-out direction, and the first member 101 is conveyed in the pulling-out direction while maintaining the tension due to the conveying force F1a.

[0087] When the common motor 70 rotates in reverse, V2 < V1b and F2 < F1b are satisfied, and since the peripheral speed of the first roll 111 is greater than the peripheral speed of the first conveying roller 41, the first member 101 is conveyed in the rewinding direction at a speed of V1b. At this time, a counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the first conveying roller 41 via the second transmission portion 72, and a counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the first conveying roller 41 from the first roll 111 via the first member 101. For this reason, the first conveying roller 41 rotates at a speed V1b that is faster than the speed V2 due to the rotational force applied via the second transmission portion 72.

[0088] In this way, the laminating device 1 is configured such that when the rotating shaft 79 rotates counterclockwise, the first member 101 is conveyed in the direction of being pulled out from the first roll 111, and when the rotating shaft 79 rotates clockwise, the first member 101 is conveyed in the direction of being rewound onto the first roll 111. Specifically, the first transmission portion 71 and the second transmission portion 72 are configured such that the first member 101 is conveyed as described above.

[0089] Furthermore, the laminating device 1 is configured so that when the amount of the first member 101 wound around the first roll 111 is at a minimum and the rotating shaft 79 rotates clockwise, a rotational force is applied to the first roll 111 and the first conveying roller 41 such that the circumferential speed of the first member 101 wound around the first roll 111 is faster than the circumferential speed of the first conveying roller 41. Specifically, the first transmitting section 71 and the second transmitting section 72 are configured so as to satisfy the above-mentioned relationship in magnitude between the speeds. However, the relationship in magnitude between the speeds should be satisfied when the first roll 111 and the first conveying roller 41 can rotate at free speeds independently of each other (for example, when it is assumed that the first member 101 is not connected between the first roll 111 and the first conveying roller 41).

[0090] [Lamination process by control unit 90] The lamination process by the control unit 90 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The lamination process shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the control unit 90 executing a program stored in the RAM 93. The control unit 90 executes the lamination process, for example, when it receives an instruction to execute the lamination process from the operation unit 12. When the control unit 90 executes the lamination process, the lamination device 1 operates as shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11. Note that only the main elements of the lamination device 1 are shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11. Since the third conveyor roller 43 and the fourth conveyor roller 44 play a small role in the lamination process, the following description of the third conveyor roller 43 and the fourth conveyor roller 44 will be omitted.

[0091] 9(A) shows an initial state before lamination processing is performed. In the initial state, the control unit 90 stops the first roll 111, the second roll 112, and the laminating roller 50. In the initial state, the leading end of the first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111 is held by the first conveying roller 41, and the leading end of the second member 102 pulled out from the second roll 112 is held by the laminating roller 50. In addition, the laminating roller 50 holds the remainder of the first member 101 generated in the previous laminating processing.

[0092] When starting to use the laminating device 1, a user attaches the first roll 111 to the first holder 21, attaches the second roll 112 to the second holder 22, and causes the leading end of the first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111 to be gripped by the first conveying roller 41, and causes the leading end of the second member 102 pulled out from the second roll 112 to be gripped by the laminating roller 50. This brings the laminating device 1 into the initial state shown in FIG. 9(A).

[0093] [Skewing correction of the first member 101 and the second member 102] At the beginning of the lamination process, the control unit 90 corrects the skew of the first member 101 and the second member 102 (S11). In S11, the control unit 90 rotates the common motor 70 in the normal direction, and applies a force acting in a direction to pull out the first member 101 to the first conveying roller 41 (see FIG. 9(B) and FIG. 12(A)). At this time, a force acting in a direction to rewind the first member 101 is applied from the common motor 70 to the first roll 111. However, since the latter force is smaller than the former force, the first member 101 is pulled out toward the downstream side of the conveying path 15 (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as the "pulling out operation").

[0094] Following the pull-out operation, the control unit 90 reverses the common motor 70 to apply a force acting in a direction to rewind the first member 101 to the first conveyor roller 41 (see FIG. 9(C) and FIG. 12(B)). At this time, a force acting in a direction to rewind the first member 101 is also applied from the common motor 70 to the first roll 111. As a result, the first member 101 is rewound onto the first roll 111 (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as the "rewinding operation").

[0095] In the pulling-out operation, the control unit 90 pulls out the first member 101 until the leading end of the first member 101 reaches the position of the member sensor 61 based on the output signal of the member sensor 61. In the rewinding operation, the control unit 90 rewinds the first member 101 by a predetermined amount based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 235 included in the second transmission unit 72. As skew correction control for the first member 101, the control unit 90 executes the pulling-out operation and the rewinding operation of the first member 101 at least once each.

[0096] In addition to the skew correction control of the first member 101, in S11, the control unit 90 drives the laminating motor 82 to apply a force acting in a direction to pull out the second member 102 to the laminating roller 50 (see FIG. 9(B)). At this time, a force acting in a direction to rewind the second member 102 is applied from the second roll motor 81 to the second roll 112. However, since the latter force is smaller than the former force, the second member 102 is pulled out toward the laminating roller 50.

[0097] Following the pull-out operation of the second member 102, the control unit 90 drives the laminating motor 82 in the reverse direction to apply a force acting in a direction to rewind the second member 102 to the laminating roller 50 (see FIG. 9(C)). At this time, a force acting in a direction to rewind the second member 102 is also applied from the second roll motor 81 to the second roll 112. As a result, the second member 102 is rewound onto the second roll 112.

[0098] In the pull-out operation of the second member 102, the control unit 90 pulls out the second member 102 until the leading end of the second member 102 reaches the position of the member sensor 63 based on the output signal of the member sensor 63. In the rewinding operation of the second member 102, the control unit 90 rewinds the second member 102 by a predetermined amount based on the output signal of a rotary encoder (not shown) attached to the rotation shaft of the laminating roller 50. As skew correction control for the second member 102, the control unit 90 executes the pull-out operation and the rewinding operation of the second member 102 at least once each.

[0099] When a user causes the first conveyor roller 41 to grip the leading end of the first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111, the first member 101 may be gripped by the first conveyor roller 41 in a diagonal direction, as shown in Fig. 12(A). At this time, the skew of the first member 101 can be corrected by alternately performing a pull-out operation (Fig. 12(A)) and a rewinding operation (Fig. 12(B)) for the first member 101. In a similar manner, the skew of the second member 102 can also be corrected.

[0100] In S11, the control unit 90 performs in parallel the skew correction of the first member 101 and the skew correction of the second member 102. Note that the control unit 90 may perform either one of the skew correction of the first member 101 or the skew correction of the second member 102 first, and then perform the other.

[0101] [The first member 101 is gripped by the second conveyor roller 42] Next, the control unit 90 causes the second conveying roller 42 to grip the first member 101 (S12). In S12, the control unit 90 stops driving the laminating motor 82 and the second roll motor 81, and stops the laminating roller 50 and the second roll 112. Thereafter, the control unit 90 drives the common motor 70 to apply a force acting in a direction to pull out the first member 101 to the first conveying roller 41. At this time, a force acting in a direction to rewind the first member 101 is applied from the common motor 70 to the first roll 111. Since the latter force is smaller than the former force, the first member 101 is pulled out toward the downstream side of the conveying path 15 while maintaining a predetermined tension. When the leading end of the first member 101 reaches the second conveying roller 42, the second conveying roller 42 grips the first member 101 (see FIG. 9(D)).

[0102] [Transportation of the first member 101 and image recording] Next, the control unit 90 causes the first member 101 to be conveyed (S13). In S13, the control unit 90 drives the common motor 70 to rotate the first conveyor roller 41 and the second conveyor roller 42, and causes the first conveyor roller 41 and the second conveyor roller 42 to convey the first member 101 (see FIG. 10B).

[0103] Next, the control unit 90 stops the transport of the first member 101 and drives the image recording unit 30 to record an image on the first member 101 (S14). In S14, the control unit 90 stops the drive of the common motor 70 and stops the rotation of the first transport roller 41 and the second transport roller 42, thereby stopping the first member 101. While the first member 101 is stopped, ink is ejected from the recording head 32 of the image recording unit 30 onto the recording surface 107 of the first member 101. As a result, an image is recorded on a part of the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 (see FIG. 10C).

[0104] Next, the control unit 90 judges whether or not to continue recording the image (S15). When the control unit 90 judges to continue recording the image (S15: Yes), the process proceeds to S13. The control unit 90 repeatedly executes S13 and S14 until it judges No in S15. As a result, images are recorded on the first member 101 in sequence from the downstream side to the upstream side in the conveying direction. Note that in FIG. 10(B) and other figures, the hatched area on the first member 101 indicates a portion on which the image recording unit 30 has recorded an image in one image recording.

[0105] [Driving the Laminating Roller 50] After executing S13, when the control unit 90 determines that the first member 101 has reached the laminating roller 50 based on the output signal of the member sensor 62, it starts driving the laminating roller 50. The control unit 90 starts driving the laminating motor 82 and the second roll motor 81 at the same time. After this, the control unit 90 drives the laminating motor 82 to apply a force acting in a direction to pull out the second member 102 to the laminating roller 50. At this time, a force acting in a direction to rewind the second member 102 is applied from the second roll motor 81 to the second roll 112 (see FIG. 10(D)). After this, the laminating roller 50 bonds the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 and the laminating surface 109 of the second member 102 together.

[0106] [Cutting by first cutting unit 68] When the control unit 90 determines not to continue recording of the image in S15 (S15: No), the process proceeds to S16. In this case, the control unit 90 transports the first member 101 until the cutting position upstream of the position where the image of the first member 101 was recorded reaches under the first cutting unit 68 (S16). In S16, the control unit 90 performs the same process as S13. However, while the laminating roller 50 is rotating, the first member 101 is transported by both the force from the second transport roller 42 and the force from the laminating roller 50 (see FIG. 11(A)).

[0107] Next, the control unit 90 causes the first cutting unit 68 to cut the first member 101 (S17). In S17, the control unit 90 drives the cutting motor 84 to operate the first cutting unit 68. The first cutting unit 68 cuts the first member 101 at the cutting position (see FIG. 11(B)).

[0108] [Cutting by second cutting portion 69] Next, the control unit 90 conveys the first member 101 and the second member 102 after bonding (S18). In S18, the control unit 90 drives the bonding motor 82 to convey the first member 101 and the second member 102 after bonding until the cutting position of the first member 101 and the second member 102 after bonding reaches under the second cutting unit 69.

[0109] After executing S18, the control unit 90 stops the first conveyor roller 41, the second conveyor roller 42, the laminating roller 50, and the second roll 112. At this point, the cutting position of the first member 101 and the second member 102 after lamination is located under the second cutting unit 69.

[0110] Next, the control unit 90 causes the second cutting unit 69 to cut the bonded first member 101 and second member 102 (S19). In S19, the control unit 90 drives the cutting motor 84 to operate the second cutting unit 69. The second cutting unit 69 cuts the bonded first member 101 and second member 102 at the cutting position (see FIG. 11(C)).

[0111] [Rewinding the first member 101] Next, the control unit 90 causes the first member 101 to be rewound onto the first roll 111 (S20). In S20, the control unit 90 reverses the common motor 70 to rotate the first conveyor roller 41 and the second conveyor roller 42 in the opposite direction. The first conveyor roller 41 and the second conveyor roller 42 apply a force in a direction to rewind the first member 101. At this time, a force acting in a direction to rewind the first member 101 is applied from the common motor 70 to the first roll 111. Therefore, the first member 101 is conveyed towards the first roll 111 and rewound onto the first roll 111 (see FIG. 11(D)).

[0112] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, the laminating device 1 according to this embodiment includes the first holder 21 (first support section), the second holder 22 (second support section), the image recording section 30, the laminating roller 50, and the common motor 70 (driving source). The common motor 70 is a single motor that rotates both the first roll 111 and the first transport roller 41 (transport roller). Therefore, according to the laminating device 1 according to this embodiment, the first roll 111 and the first transport roller 41 can be operated by the single common motor 70, thereby reducing the cost of the laminating device 1.

[0113] Furthermore, when the rotating shaft 79 (rotating portion) of the common motor 70 rotates counterclockwise (first direction), the first member 101 is transported in a direction to be pulled out from the first roll 111, and when the rotating shaft 79 rotates clockwise (second direction), the first member 101 is transported in a direction to be rewound onto the first roll 111. Therefore, by rotating the rotating shaft 79 clockwise and counterclockwise, an operation to pull out the first member 101 from the first roll 111 and an operation to rewind the first member 101 onto the first roll 111 can be performed, and skew of the first member 101 can be corrected. Therefore, after the first member 101 is brought into a state where it is not skewed, an image is recorded on the first member 101 and the first member 101 is laminated to the second member 102, and a laminated finished product 100 with little misalignment can be obtained.

[0114] The laminating apparatus 1 also includes a first transmission unit 71 and a second transmission unit 72. The first transmission unit 71 transmits the counterclockwise and clockwise rotational forces of the rotating shaft 79 to the first roll 111 as rotational forces in a direction to rewind the first member 101. The second transmission unit 72 transmits the counterclockwise rotational force of the rotating shaft 79 to the first conveyor roller 41 as rotational force in a direction to pull out the first member 101, and transmits the clockwise rotational force of the rotating shaft 79 to the first conveyor roller 41 as rotational force in a direction to rewind the second member 102. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 79 rotates counterclockwise, it imparts rotational forces in opposite directions to the first roll 111 and the first conveying roller 41, thereby applying tension to the first member 101 located between the first roll 111 and the first conveying roller 41, and when the rotating shaft 79 rotates clockwise, it imparts rotational forces in the same direction to the first roll 111 and the first conveying roller 41, thereby rewinding the first member 101.

[0115] Further, the first transmission section 71 has a first transmission path 73 and a second transmission path 74. The first transmission path 73 has a one-way clutch 231 (first one-way clutch) on the path, and the second transmission path 74 has a one-way clutch 232 (second one-way clutch) on the path. The counterclockwise rotational force of the rotating shaft 79 is transmitted to the first roll 111 via the first transmission path 73, but is not transmitted to the first roll 111 via the second transmission path 74 by the one-way clutch 232, and the clockwise rotational force of the rotating shaft 79 is transmitted to the first roll 111 via the second transmission path 74, but is not transmitted to the first roll 111 via the first transmission path 73 by the one-way clutch 231. Therefore, the first transmission section 71 can impart the clockwise and counterclockwise rotational forces of the rotating shaft 79 to the first roll 111 as rotational forces in a direction to rewind the first member 101.

[0116] Further, a torque limiter 233 and a rotary encoder 234 (first detection unit) are attached to the rotating shaft of the gear 215B. The torque limiter 233 and the rotary encoder 234 may be provided at least one of downstream of the one-way clutch 231 in the first transmission path 73 and downstream of the one-way clutch 232 in the second transmission path 74. This makes it possible to apply the rotational force limited by the torque limiter 233 to the first roll 111. Furthermore, the rotary encoder 234 can detect the amount of rotation of the members in the first transmission unit 71.

[0117] Further, a rotary encoder 235 (second detection unit) is attached to the rotating shaft of the gear 222. The rotary encoder 235 may be provided at any position in the second transmission unit 72. The rotary encoder 235 can detect the amount of rotation of the members in the second transmission unit 72. Further, the first transmission unit 71 and the second transmission unit 72 include gears. Therefore, the rotation force of the rotating shaft 79 can be transmitted to the first roll 111 and the first conveyor roller 41 by the gears.

[0118] Furthermore, when the rotating shaft 79 rotates clockwise with the amount of the first member 101 wound around the first roll 111 at a minimum, a rotational force is applied to the first roll 111 and the first conveyor roller 41 such that the peripheral speed of the first member 101 wound around the first roll 111 is faster than the peripheral speed of the first conveyor roller 41. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 79 rotates counterclockwise, the first member 101 can be unwound while applying tension to the first member 101 located between the first roll 111 and the first conveyor roller 41.

[0119] Moreover, the first transmission unit 71 includes a torque limiter 233, while the second transmission unit 72 does not include a torque limiter. Therefore, a rotational force limited by the torque limiter 233 can be applied to the first roll 111, and a rotational force not limited by the torque limiter can be applied to the first conveying roller 41.

[0120] Furthermore, the control unit 90 of the laminating device 1 executes the pull-out operation and the rewinding operation at least once each as skew correction control for the first member 101. This makes it possible to correct the skew of the first member 101. Therefore, after the first member 101 is brought into a state where it is not skewed, an image is recorded on the first member 101 and the first member 101 is laminated to the second member 102, thereby making it possible to obtain a laminated finished product 100 without distortion.

[0121] The laminating device 1 also includes a member sensor 61 between the first conveyor roller 41 and the second conveyor roller 42 (downstream of the first conveyor roller 41) in the front-rear direction 8. The control unit 90 switches between and executes a pull-out operation and a rewinding operation based on an output signal from the member sensor 61. Therefore, in response to the member sensor 61 detecting the first member 101, the control unit 90 can switch between and execute a pull-out operation and a rewinding operation.

[0122] [Variations] The laminating device 1 according to the above embodiment can be modified in various ways. The first transmission unit and the second transmission unit of the laminating device according to the modified example may include a belt that transmits a rotational force. The first transmission unit 75 shown in FIG. 13 has pulleys 241 and 242 and a belt 243 instead of the gear 217. The pulley 241 has the same rotation axis as the gear 216. The pulley 242 has the same rotation axis as the first holder 21. The belt 243 is hung between the pulleys 241 and 242.

[0123] 13 has pulleys 244, 245 and a belt 246 instead of the gear 223. The pulley 244 has the same rotation axis as the gear 223. The pulley 245 has the same rotation axis as the second roller 412. The belt 246 is hung between the pulleys 244, 245. The first transmission unit 75 and the second transmission unit 76 can also transmit the rotation force of the rotation axis 79 to the first roll 111 and the first conveyor roller 41 via the belts 243, 246.

[0124] The laminating apparatus according to the modified example may include a width direction sensor that detects the width direction position of the first member 101. In FIG. 14(A), a width direction sensor 64 is located on one side in the width direction of the first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111. The width direction sensor 64 outputs a plurality of signals indicating whether or not the first member 101 is present within a predetermined range. In FIG. 14(B), width direction sensors 65 and 66 are located on one and the other sides in the width direction of the first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111. The width direction sensors 65 and 66 each output one signal indicating whether or not the first member 101 is present at a predetermined position.

[0125] The control unit 90 detects the skew state of the first member 101 based on the output signal of the width direction sensor 64 (or the width direction sensors 65, 66), and controls the execution of the pull-out operation and the rewinding operation based on the detected skew state. For example, the control unit 90 repeatedly executes the pull-out operation and the rewinding operation of the first member 101 until it is determined that the first member 101 is not skewed. Therefore, according to the laminating device of the modified example, the skew of the first member 101 can be suitably corrected according to the detected skew state of the first member 101. Specifically, when the skew of the first member 101 is small, the skew correction control is completed in a short time, and even when the skew of the first member 101 is large, the skew of the first member 101 can be reliably corrected.

[0126] The laminating device according to the modified example may be one that bonds the first member 101, which is pulled out from the first roll 111 and has an image recorded thereon, to a second member 102 of a predetermined length. The laminating device 2 according to the modified example shown in FIG. 15 includes a supply unit 25 that supplies the second member 102 instead of the second holder 22, and does not include the first cutting unit 68. The supply unit 25 includes a cassette 26 that stores the second member 102 of a predetermined length, and a feed roller 27 that feeds the second member 102 stored in the cassette 26 toward the laminating roller 50. The laminating device 2 according to the modified example can also operate the first roll 111 and the first conveying roller 41 with a single common motor 70, thereby reducing the cost of the laminating device 2.

[0127] The laminating device according to the modified example may have a first transmission unit and a second transmission unit having a different configuration from the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit described above. For example, the detailed configurations of the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit (e.g., the number of gears, the gear ratio, the branching state of the gear train, the positions of the one-way clutch and the torque limiter, etc.) may be different from those of the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit described above. Furthermore, the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit may have a planetary gear or a mechanism including a solenoid instead of a one-way clutch as a means for not transmitting a rotational force in a specific direction.

[0128] The laminating device according to the modified example does not necessarily have to include the third conveyor roller 43 and the fourth conveyor roller 44. In the laminating device according to the modified example, the second conveyor roller 42 may be located at the position of the third conveyor roller 43 or the position of the fourth conveyor roller 44.

[0129] The laminating device according to the modified example may include one laminating roller. By disposing one laminating roller at a suitable position in the housing 11, the first member 101, which is pulled out from the first roll 111 and on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit 30, and the second member 102, which is pulled out from the second roll 112, can be laminated together by the one laminating roller. Moreover, the laminating device according to the modified example may include, for example, two plate-like members arranged at a predetermined interval in the up-down direction 7, instead of the laminating roller. In this case, a gripping member located downstream in the transport direction may grip the first member 101 and the second member 102 and pull them in a predetermined direction.

[0130] The laminating device according to the modified example does not need to include the second cutting unit 69. In this case, the member obtained by bonding the first member 101 and the second member 102 together is discharged from the discharge port 14 in an uncut state. The user cuts the discharged member outside the laminating device, for example, using scissors.

[0131] In the embodiment and the modified example of the present invention, the common motor 70 is a single motor that rotates both the first roll 111 supported by the first holder 21 and the first conveyor roller 41, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the second roll motor 81 may be the common motor 70, the second roll 112 may be the first roll 111, the first conveyor roller 41 may be the laminating roller 50, and the second roll motor 81 may be a single motor that rotates both the second roll 112 supported by the second holder 22 and the laminating roller 50.

[0132] The image recording unit 30 of the laminating device 1 has a recording head 32 that ejects ink and records images by a so-called serial inkjet method, but the configuration of the image recording unit 30 is not limited to this. The recording unit of the laminating device according to the modified example may have a fixed inkjet recording head and record images by a so-called line head method, for example. The recording unit of the laminating device according to the modified example may record images by a so-called thermal head method. The recording unit of the laminating device according to the modified example may record images by a so-called laser method in which toner is fixed to the recording medium using laser light. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1, 2...Lamination device 21... First holder (first support portion) 22 Second holder (second support portion) 25...Supply section 30...Image recording unit 41... First conveying roller (conveying roller) 50 Laminating roller 61...Component sensor 64, 65: Width direction sensor 70... Common motor (drive source) 71, 75...First transmission section 72, 76...Second transmission section 73...First Transmission Path 74...Second transmission path 79 Rotating shaft (rotating part) 90...Control section 100···Laminated finished product 101... First member 102...Second member 111...Roll 1 112...Roll 2 211~217, 221~223...Gear 231 One-way clutch (first one-way clutch) 232 One-way clutch (second one-way clutch) 233 Torque limiter 234 Rotary encoder (first detection unit) 235 Rotary encoder (second detector) 243, 246... Belt

Claims

1. a first support portion that supports a first roll formed by winding a first member; a second support portion that supports a second roll formed by winding the second member; an image recording section that records an image on the first member pulled out from the first roll; a lamination roller that bonds the first member on which the image has been recorded by the image recording unit and the second member pulled out from the second roll; a conveying roller positioned between the first roll and the image recording unit, the conveying roller conveying the first member pulled out from the first roll; a single drive source for rotating both the first roll and the transport roller.

2. the driving source has a rotating part that is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, When the rotating portion rotates in the first direction, the first member is transported in a direction in which the first member is pulled out from the first roll, The laminating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the rotating portion rotates in the second direction, the first member is transported in a direction in which the first member is rewound onto the first roll.

3. the driving source has a rotating part that is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, a first transmission section that transmits the rotational force of the rotating section in the first direction to the first roll as a rotational force in a direction to rewind the first member; 2. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second transmission section that transmits the rotational force of the rotating section in the first direction to the transport roller as a rotational force in a direction to pull out the first member.

4. the first transmission section transmits the rotational force of the rotating section in the second direction to the first roll as a rotational force in a direction to rewind the first member, The laminating apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the second transmission section transmits the rotational force of the rotating section in the second direction to the transport roller as a rotational force in a direction to rewind the first member.

5. the first transmission section has a first transmission path and a second transmission path that transmit a rotational force of the rotation section to the first roll, the first transmission path has a first one-way clutch on the path, the second transmission path has a second one-way clutch on the path, the rotational force of the rotating portion in the first direction is transmitted to the first roll via the first transmission path, but is not transmitted to the first roll via the second transmission path by the second one-way clutch, A lamination apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the rotational force of the rotating part in the second direction is transmitted to the first roll via the second transmission path, but is not transmitted to the first roll via the first transmission path by the first one-way clutch.

6. The lamination apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first transmission section further has a torque limiter at least one of downstream of the first one-way clutch in the first transmission path and downstream of the second one-way clutch in the second transmission path.

7. The lamination apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first transmission section further has a first detection section for detecting the amount of rotation of a member within the first transmission section, at least either downstream of the first one-way clutch in the first transmission path or downstream of the second one-way clutch in the second transmission path.

8. 5. The laminating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second transmission section has a second detection section that detects an amount of rotation of a member in the second transmission section.

9. The laminating apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the first transmission section and the second transmission section include at least one of a gear and a belt.

10. 2. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive source includes one motor.

11. A lamination apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein when the rotating portion rotates in the second direction with the amount of the first member wound around the first roll being at a minimum, a rotational force is applied to the first roll and the conveying roller such that the peripheral speed of the first member wound around the first roll is faster than the peripheral speed of the conveying roller.

12. the first transmission unit includes a torque limiter, The laminating apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the second transmission unit does not include a torque limiter.

13. A control unit is further provided. The laminating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit performs at least one pull-out operation of pulling the first member out from the first roll and one rewinding operation of rewinding the first member onto the first roll as skew correction control of the first member.

14. a member sensor for detecting the first member, the member sensor being disposed downstream of the conveying roller; 14. The laminating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control unit switches between the pulling-out operation and the rewinding operation based on an output signal from the member sensor.

15. Further comprising a width direction sensor for detecting a width direction position of the first member, The laminating apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the control unit detects a skewed state of the first member based on an output signal of the width direction sensor, and controls the execution of the pulling out operation and the rewinding operation based on the detected skewed state.

16. a first support portion that supports a first roll formed by winding a first member; A supply unit that supplies a second member; an image recording section that records an image on the first member pulled out from the first roll; a lamination roller that bonds the first member on which the image is recorded by the image recording unit and the second member supplied from the supply unit; a conveying roller positioned between the first roll and the image recording unit, the conveying roller conveying the first member pulled out from the first roll; a single drive source for rotating both the first roll and the transport roller.

Images