Laminating device

Abstract

To provide means for suppressing occurrence of sagging to a first member.SOLUTION: A control part 90 in a laminating device 1 allows first conveyance rollers 41 to execute first conveying control for stopping a first member 101 at a predetermined position when the first member 101 is gripped by and across both of the first conveyance rollers 41 and laminating rollers 50 (Fig. 9 (C)) and allows the laminating rollers 50 to execute driving control for imparting torque as conveying speed different from that of the first conveyance rollers 41 during the first conveying control, and when the first member 101 is gripped by the laminating rollers 50 but not gripped by the first conveyance rollers 41 (Fig. 9 (D)), the control part allows the laminating rollers 50 to execute second conveying control for stopping the first member 101 at the predetermined position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, laminating devices that bond a first member having an image recorded thereon to a second member have been known. For example, in the device described in Patent Document 1, a recording medium wound around a recording medium roll is removed, and a print image is formed on the removed recording medium in a printing unit. The recording medium with the print image formed thereon is cut to a predetermined length in a first cutting unit and transported to a laminating unit. Meanwhile, a laminating member is unwound from a laminating member roll and is superimposed on the recording medium by a pair of guide rolls in the laminating unit. The recording medium and laminating member are then heated by a pair of pressure and heating rolls. The recording medium corresponds to the first member, and the laminating member corresponds to the second member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-211593 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, if the first member (recording medium) on which an image has been recorded in the recording unit is cut to a predetermined length and then transported to the laminating unit, the time required to form the finished laminated product will be long. Therefore, it is conceivable that in the laminating device, while recording is being performed on the first member in the recording unit, two types of members are laminated together using laminating rollers.

[0005] However, when the conveying roller is driven in a state in which the laminating roller is gripping the first member that is gripped by the conveying roller, slack occurs in the first member between the conveying roller and the laminating roller.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a means for suppressing the occurrence of slack in the first member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A laminating apparatus of the present invention includes a conveying roller that conveys a first member in a conveying direction, a recording unit that records an image on the first member conveyed by the conveying roller, a laminating roller that bonds the first member on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit to a second member, and a control unit. The control unit causes the conveying roller to perform a first conveyance control to stop the first member at a first stop position when the first member is held across both the conveying roller and the laminating roller, and performs drive control on the laminating roller to apply a rotational force to the laminating roller during the first conveyance control such that the laminating roller moves at a different conveyance speed from that of the conveying roller, and when the first member is held by the laminating roller but not by the conveying roller, causes the laminating roller to perform a second conveyance control to stop the first member at a second stop position.

[0008] According to the above laminating device, when the laminating roller is gripping the first member gripped by the first conveying roller, the first conveying roller is caused to execute a first conveying control that stops the first member at a first stop position, thereby preventing sagging of the first member.

[0009] (2) Preferably, in the first transport control, the control unit may stop the first member at the first stop position where a recording area of ​​the first member is positioned at a recording area of ​​the recording unit.

[0010] (3) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a first cutting unit located between the conveying roller and the laminating roller in the conveying direction and cutting the first member, and the control unit, in the first conveying control, may stop the first member at the first stop position where a first cutting position located upstream of a most upstream recording range of the first member in the conveying direction is located at a cutting position of the first cutting unit.

[0011] (4) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the conveying direction and configured to cut the first member and the second member after lamination, and in the first conveying control, the control unit may stop the first member at the first stop position where a second cutting position located between a recording range of the first member and a first margin adjacent to the recording range downstream in the conveying direction is located at a cutting position of the second cutting unit.

[0012] (5) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the conveying direction and cutting the first member and the second member after lamination, and in the first conveying control, the control unit may stop the first member at the first stop position where a third cutting position located between two adjacent recording ranges in the conveying direction of the first member is located at a cutting position of the second cutting unit.

[0013] (6) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the conveying direction and configured to cut the first member and the second member after lamination, and in the first conveying control, the control unit may stop the first member at the first stop position where a fourth cutting position located between the recording range of the first member and a second margin adjacent to the recording range upstream in the conveying direction is located at a cutting position of the second cutting unit.

[0014] (7) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the conveying direction and configured to cut the first member and the second member after lamination, and in the second conveying control, the control unit may stop the first member at the second stop position where a second cutting position located between the recording range of the first member and a first margin adjacent to the recording range downstream in the conveying direction is located at a cutting position of the second cutting unit.

[0015] (8) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the conveying direction and cutting the first member and the second member after lamination, and in the second conveying control, the control unit may stop the first member at the second stop position where a third cutting position located between two adjacent recording ranges in the conveying direction of the first member is located at a cutting position of the second cutting unit.

[0016] (9) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the conveying direction and configured to cut the first member and the second member after lamination, and in the second conveying control, the control unit may stop the first member at the second stop position where a fourth cutting position located between the recording range of the first member and a second margin adjacent to the recording range upstream in the conveying direction is located at a cutting position of the second cutting unit.

[0017] (10) Preferably, when the first member is held by the conveying roller and the first member is not held by the laminating roller, the control unit may cause the conveying roller to execute third conveyance control to start driving the laminating roller when the leading edge of the first member reaches a laminating start position and stop the first member at a third stop position where the leading edge of the first member is located at the laminating start position.

[0018] (11) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a second conveying roller located upstream of the conveying roller in the conveying direction and conveying the first member toward the conveying roller, and the control unit may cause the second conveying roller to perform a fourth conveying control that, when the first member is held across all of the second conveying roller, the conveying roller, and the laminating roller, conveys and stops the first member between the second conveying roller and the conveying roller so that a predetermined amount of slack is formed in the first member between the second conveying roller and the conveying roller.

[0019] (12) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a second conveying roller located upstream of the conveying roller in the conveying direction and conveying the first member toward the conveying roller, and the second conveying roller, the conveying roller, and the laminating roller may each have at least one of an amount of rotation that can be detected by an encoder and an amount of rotation that can be controlled by a stepping motor.

[0020] (13) Preferably, the laminating device may further include a torque limiter that limits a driving force applied to the laminating roller when the first conveyance control is executed, thereby reducing the number of rotations of the laminating roller.

[0021] (14) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a roll on which the second member is wound, and the control unit causes the laminating roller to perform a fifth conveyance control to stop the second member at a fifth stop position when the second member supplied from the roll is gripped by the laminating roller and the first member is not gripped by either the conveyance roller or the laminating roller, and in the fifth conveyance control, the second member may be stopped at the fifth stop position where a leading end of the second member is located at a pull-out position located downstream of the laminating roller by a first predetermined amount in the conveyance direction.

[0022] (15) Preferably, in the fifth conveying control, the control unit may stop the second member at the fifth stop position where the leading end of the second member is located at a rewinding position that is located upstream of the pull-out position by a second predetermined amount in the conveying direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, when the laminating roller grips the first member that is gripped by the conveying roller, it is possible to prevent slack from occurring in the first member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [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. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 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 cutting position of the first member 101 in the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the laminating process executed by the control unit 90 of the laminating apparatus 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 90 of the laminating apparatus 1 to transport the sheet to the next recording position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 90 of the laminating apparatus 1 to transport the sheet to the third trailing edge cutting position. [Figure 8] Fig. 8(A) is a flowchart of the process of conveying the sheet to the rewinding position executed by the control unit 90 of the laminating apparatus 1. Fig. 8(B) is a flowchart of the process of conveying the sheet to the second trailing edge cutting position executed by the control unit 90 of the laminating apparatus 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing how the first member 101 is conveyed in the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the tension generating unit 70 and the slack sensor 73 of the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how skew of the second member 102 is corrected in the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The following describes a laminating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the following description, the direction of travel is expressed as the direction from the start point of an arrow to the end point, and the direction of travel on the line connecting the start point and end point of an arrow. Furthermore, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the laminating device 1 is installed and ready for use (the state shown in FIG. 1(A)), the front-back direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the operation unit 12 and display unit 13 are provided as the front, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when viewing the laminating device 1 from the front. The up-down direction 7, the front-back direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are perpendicular to one another.

[0026] [Overview of Laminating Device 1] As shown in Figure 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 bonds two types of members together to create a finished laminated product 100.

[0027] A tape-shaped 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.

[0028] 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 sheet having a first adhesive layer 103 on one surface of a tape layer 104 (the surface facing the first member 101 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.

[0029] The first member 101 and the second member 102 may be made of any material. The second member 102 may be made of, for example, a resin material such as PET or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), synthetic paper such as Yupo paper (registered trademark), or a metal material. 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, an adhesive layer on the other surface, an adhesive layer on both surfaces, or neither surface. 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 thereto, or may be bonded together by heat welding, pressure bonding, or the like.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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 shown in FIG. 1(B). The created finished laminated product 100 is discharged from the discharge port 14.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the laminating apparatus 1 includes a first holder 21, a second holder 22, a recording unit 30, first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43, an intermediate roller 44, a laminating roller 50, a first cutting unit 61, a second cutting unit 62, and member sensors 65 and 66 inside a housing 11. In addition, the laminating apparatus 1 includes a control unit 90 and various motors inside the housing 11 (see FIG. 3). Guide members (not shown) that support the first member 101 are provided at necessary positions inside the housing 11. This forms a conveying path 15 that runs from the first holder 21, through the recording unit 30, the first cutting unit 61, and the laminating roller 50, to the second cutting unit 62.

[0033] [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 equal to the inner diameter of the core material 113 of the first roll 111. The thickness of the second holder 22 is equal 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 to a member fixed to the housing 11.

[0034] 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 top of the housing 11 in the up-down direction 7 and forward 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.

[0035] 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. The first member 101 is pulled out from the first roll 111 supported by the first holder 21. The second member 102 is pulled out from the second roll 112 supported by the second holder 22.

[0036] A force acting in a direction to wind up the first member 101 is applied to the first holder 21 from a first roll motor 81 (see FIG. 3). A force acting in a direction to wind up the second member 102 is applied to the second holder 22 from a second roll motor 82 (see FIG. 3).

[0037] [Recording Section 30] The recording unit 30 is located downstream of the first roll 111 on the transport path 15. The 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 61 in the front-rear direction 8. The 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 members fixed to the housing 11. The carriage 31 is placed on the two guide rails. The carriage 31 receives driving force from a CR motor 85 (see FIG. 3) and moves in the left-right direction 9.

[0038] The recording head 32 is mounted on a carriage 31. A plurality of nozzles 33 are formed on the underside 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. While moving in the left-right direction 9, the recording head 32 ejects ink downward from the nozzles 33 based on image data supplied from a control unit 90. As a result, an image based on the image data is recorded on a recording surface 107 of the first member 101 transported on the platen 34.

[0039] [First to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and intermediate roller 44] The first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 are positioned between the first roll 111 and the laminating roller 50. The intermediate roller 44 and the first conveying roller 41 are positioned between the first roll 111 and the recording unit 30 in the front-to-rear direction 8. The second conveying roller 42 and the third conveying roller 43 are positioned between the recording unit 30 and the laminating roller 50 in the front-to-rear direction 8. The first conveying roller 41 is positioned in front of the intermediate roller 44 in the front-to-rear direction 8. The third conveying roller 43 is positioned in front of the second conveying roller 42 in the front-to-rear direction 8.

[0040] The first conveying rollers 41 include 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 rollers 41 grip the first member 101.

[0041] The second roller 412 receives a driving force from the conveying motor 83 (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 acts on the first member 101 in a direction pulling it from the first roll 111. Furthermore, the second roller 412 receives a driving force in the opposite direction from the conveying motor 83 and rotates in the reverse direction, and accordingly the first roller 411 also rotates in the reverse direction. At this time, a force acts on the first member 101 in a direction pulling it closer to the first roll 111.

[0042] The second conveyor rollers 42 include a third roller 421 and a fourth roller 422. The third conveyor rollers 43 include a fifth roller 431 and a sixth roller 432. The intermediate rollers 44 include a seventh roller 441 and an eighth roller 442. The configurations and functions of the second conveyor rollers 42, the third conveyor rollers 43, and the intermediate rollers 44 are the same as those of the first conveyor rollers 41, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0043] Here, of the two rollers included in the first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44, the lower roller receives driving force from the conveyor motor 83. Alternatively, the upper roller may receive driving force from the conveyor motor 83, or both the upper and lower rollers may receive driving force from the conveyor motor 83. Also, it is not necessary for all of the first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 to receive driving force from the conveyor motor 83. The first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 may each receive driving force independently from a different motor, or may receive driving force from a motor that drives a motor other than the motor that drives the first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44.

[0044] [Laminating Roller 50] The laminating roller 50 is located downstream of the recording unit 30 on the conveying path 15. The laminating roller 50 is located between the first cutting unit 61 and the second cutting unit 62 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 bonded together to form a finished laminate 100.

[0045] 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 recording unit 30 and the first cutting unit 61 enters below 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.

[0046] The second laminating roller 52 receives a driving force from a laminating motor 84 (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 laminating 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 84, or both the first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52 may receive a driving force from the laminating motor 84.

[0047] Furthermore, the laminating roller 50 does not necessarily have to bond the first member 101 and the second member 102 together. For example, if the laminating apparatus 1 has a section downstream of the laminating roller 50 where thermal welding or pressure bonding is performed, the laminating roller 50 is a roller pair that is placed before that section and that overlaps the first member 101 and the second member 102.

[0048] [First cut portion 61 and second cut portion 62] The first cutting unit 61 is located downstream of the recording unit 30 on the conveying path 15. The first cutting unit 61 is located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the second conveying roller 42 and the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8. The first cutting unit 61 cuts the first member 101 between the second conveying roller 42 and the laminating roller 50. The second cutting unit 62 is located downstream of the laminating roller 50 on the conveying path 15. The second cutting unit 62 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 62 simultaneously cuts the first member 101 and the second member 102 that have been bonded together by the laminating roller 50.

[0049] The first cutting unit 61 has any configuration capable of cutting the first member 101. The second cutting unit 62 has any configuration capable of cutting the first member 101 and the second member 102. The first cutting unit 61 and the second cutting unit 62 may include, for example, a cutter carriage that receives a driving force from a cutting motor 86 (see FIG. 3) and moves in the left-right direction 9, and a cutter mounted on the cutter carriage, or may include a movable blade that receives a driving force from the cutting motor 86 and moves in the up-down direction 7, and a fixed blade that faces the movable blade.

[0050] [Component Sensors 65, 66] The component sensors 65 and 66 detect the leading edge of the first component 101 being conveyed along the conveying path 15. The component sensor 65 is located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveying roller 41 in the front-rear direction 8. The component sensor 66 is located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the third conveying roller 43 and the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8. The component sensor 66 is located upstream of the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8.

[0051] The member sensor 65 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 65, the light-receiving element of the member sensor 65 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. On the other hand, when the first member 101 is not present below the member sensor 65, the light-receiving element of the member sensor 65 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. The member sensor 66 has the same configuration and function as the member sensor 65.

[0052] Here, the member sensors 65, 66, each including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, are provided above the transport path 15, but such member sensors 65, 66 may also be provided below the transport path 15. The member sensors 65, 66 may also be contact sensors that are provided on the left or right of the transport path 15 and come into contact with the left or right end of the first member 101 to detect the end of the first member 101. The member sensor 65 may also be a so-called media sensor mounted on the carriage 31.

[0053] [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.

[0054] The ASIC 95 is connected to an operation unit 12 and a display unit 13. The operation unit 12 detects when an operation key is pressed and outputs a signal corresponding to the pressed operation key. The control unit 90 identifies the pressed operation key based on the output signal from the operation unit 12. The display unit 13 displays information related to the operation of the laminating device 1 on its screen based on instructions from the control unit 90.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Component sensors 65 and 66 are connected to the ASIC 95. The component sensors 65 and 66 output signals according to the amount of light detected by the light receiving elements. The control unit 90 detects the leading edge of the first component 101 being conveyed along the conveying path 15 based on the output signals of the light receiving elements.

[0057] [Various motors] The ASIC 95 is connected to a first roll motor 81, a second roll motor 82, a conveying motor 83, a laminating motor 84, a CR motor 85, and a cutting motor 86. A drive circuit for controlling these motors is incorporated into the ASIC 95. 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 above motors may be configured as the same motor.

[0058] The first roll motor 81 generates power to rotate the first roll 111 supported by the first holder 21. The second roll motor 82 generates power to rotate the second roll 112 supported by the second holder 22. The CR motor 85 generates a force to move the carriage 31 in the left-right direction 9. The cutting motor 86 generates a force to operate the first cutting unit 61 and the second cutting unit 62.

[0059] The conveyor motor 83 generates power to rotate the first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44. The power generated by the conveyor motor 83 is applied to the second roller 412, the fourth roller 422, the sixth roller 432, and the eighth roller 442. The second roller 412, the fourth roller 422, the sixth roller 432, and the eighth roller 442 receive power from the conveyor motor 83 and rotate around their central axes in the left-right direction 9. Accordingly, the first roller 411, the third roller 421, the fifth roller 431, and the seventh roller 441 also rotate around their central axes in the left-right direction 9.

[0060] A rotary encoder 87 is attached to the rotation shaft of the second roller 412. The rotary encoder 87 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation of the second roller 412. The control unit 90 obtains the amount of rotation of the first conveyor roller 41 based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 87. Note that the rotary encoder 87 may be attached to the rotation shaft of the first roller 411. The amount of rotation of the first conveyor roller 41 can be detected by the rotary encoder 87.

[0061] A rotary encoder 88 is attached to the rotation shaft of the eighth roller 442. The rotary encoder 88 outputs a signal according to the amount of rotation of the eighth roller 442. The control unit 90 obtains the amount of rotation of the intermediate roller 44 based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 88. The rotary encoder 88 may be attached to the rotation shaft of the seventh roller 441. The amount of rotation of the intermediate roller 44 can be detected by the rotary encoder 88.

[0062] The laminating motor 84 is, for example, a stepping motor. The laminating motor 84 generates power to rotate the laminating roller 50. The power generated by the laminating motor 84 is applied to the second laminating roller 52. A torque limiter 89 is interposed between the laminating motor 84 and the laminating roller 50. The torque limiter 89 is attached, for example, to the rotation shaft of the second laminating roller 52. The torque limiter 89 limits the power of the laminating motor 84 and transmits it to the rotation shaft of the second laminating roller 52. The amount of rotation of the laminating roller 50 can be controlled by the stepping motor.

[0063] The control unit 90 drives the conveying motor 83 to rotate the first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44, and drives the laminating motor 84 to rotate the laminating roller 50. The control unit 90 drives the first roll motor 81 to apply force to the first roll 111, and drives the second roll motor 82 to apply force to the second roll 112. The control unit 90 drives the CR motor 85 to move the carriage 31, and drives the cutting motor 86 to operate the first cutting unit 61 and the second cutting unit 62.

[0064] In the laminating apparatus 1, the first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 convey the first member 101 in the conveying direction (front-rear direction 8). The recording unit 30 records an image on the first member 101 conveyed by the first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44. The laminating roller 50 bonds the first member 101, on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit 30, to the second member 102. The first conveying roller 41 is an example of a conveying roller. The intermediate roller 44 is an example of a second conveying roller. The rotary encoders 87 and 88 are an example of an encoder. The second roll 112 is an example of a roll.

[0065] [Cutting position of first member 101] The following describes the case where the laminating device 1 continuously produces multiple laminated finished products 100. The range of the first member 101 that corresponds to one laminated finished product 100 is referred to as the "recording range," and the leading edge (downstream end) of the first member 101 is referred to as the "leading edge P." For example, when continuously producing three laminated finished products 100, the first member 101 is cut at five cutting positions shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the horizontal direction of the drawing is the conveying direction of the first member 101, and the first member 101 is conveyed from left to right within the drawing. The conveying direction of the first member 101 coincides with the front-rear direction 8.

[0066] The five cutting positions are classified into four types. The leading edge cutting position C0 is located between the most downstream recording area in the conveying direction of the first member 101 (recording area #1 in FIG. 4) and the first margin adjacent to that recording area downstream in the conveying direction. The first trailing edge cutting position C1 is located between two adjacent recording areas in the conveying direction of the first member 101 (recording areas #1 and #2, and recording areas #2 and #3 in FIG. 4). The second trailing edge cutting position C2 is located between the most upstream recording area in the conveying direction of the first member 101 (recording area #3 in FIG. 4) and the second margin adjacent to that recording area upstream in the conveying direction. The third trailing edge cutting position C3 is located upstream of the most upstream recording area in the conveying direction of the first member 101.

[0067] The first cutting unit 61 cuts the first member 101 at the third rear end cutting position C3. The second cutting unit 62 cuts the first member 101 at the leading edge cutting position C0, the first rear end cutting position C1, and the second rear end cutting position C2. When the laminating apparatus 1 continuously produces A sheets (A is an integer greater than or equal to 2) of laminated finished products 100, the number of leading edge cutting positions C0, the second rear end cutting position C2, and the third rear end cutting position C3 is one each, and the number of first rear end cutting positions C1 is (A-1). The leading edge cutting position C0, the first rear end cutting position C1, the second rear end cutting position C2, and the third rear end cutting position C3 are examples of the second cutting position, the third cutting position, the fourth cutting position, and the first cutting position, respectively.

[0068] [Lamination process by control unit 90] The control unit 90 executes the lamination process shown in Figures 5 to 8. The lamination process is executed by the CPU 91 executing a program stored in the RAM 93. Note that the second conveyor roller 42 and the third conveyor roller 43 play a small role in the lamination process, so a description of the second conveyor roller 42 and the third conveyor roller 43 will be omitted below.

[0069] During lamination processing, the control unit 90 updates the count value stored in the RAM 93 based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 87 (FIG. 3), and acquires the amount of rotation of the first conveying roller 41 and the position of the leading edge P of the first member 101 on the conveying path 15 based on the count value. Based on the acquired position of the leading edge P, the control unit 90 determines the area on the first member 101 where an image is recorded in one recording, and positions on the conveying path 15 such as the leading edge cutting position C0, the first trailing edge cutting position C1, the second trailing edge cutting position C2, and the third trailing edge cutting position C3.

[0070] Before the lamination process is performed, the first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111 is held only by the intermediate roller 44, and the leading end P of the first member 101 is located between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyance roller 41. 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 a part of the first member 101 that was generated in the previous lamination process.

[0071] At the beginning of the lamination process, the control unit 90 determines whether a print instruction has been received (S11). If a print instruction has been received (S11: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S12, and if a print instruction has not been received (S11: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S11.

[0072] Next, the control unit 90 drives the intermediate roller 44 to transport the first member 101 until the leading edge P reaches the first transport roller 41 (S12). Next, the control unit 90 drives the first transport roller 41 to transport the first member 101 to the first recording position (S13). In S13, the control unit 90 transports the first member 101 until the first recording area of ​​the first member 101 (the area where an image is recorded in the first time) is positioned in the recording area of ​​the recording unit 30.

[0073] Next, the control unit 90 drives the recording unit 30 to record an image in a predetermined range on the first member 101 (S14). In S14, the control unit 90 causes the recording head 32 to eject ink onto the recording surface 107 of the first member 101. As a result, an image is recorded on the portion of the first member 101 facing the recording head 32.

[0074] Next, the control unit 90 determines whether or not to end image recording (S15). In S15, the control unit 90 determines that image recording should be ended when images have been recorded in all recording areas corresponding to the finished laminate product 100 to be produced. If the control unit 90 does not want to end image recording (S15: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S16. In this case, the control unit 90 executes a process (FIG. 6) of driving the first transport roller 41 to transport the first member 101 to the next recording position (S16). In S16, the control unit 90 transports the first member 101 until the next recording area of ​​the first member 101 (the area where an image will be recorded in the next pass) is located in the recording area of ​​the recording unit 30. Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S14.

[0075] If the control unit 90 determines in S15 that the image recording is to be ended (S15: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S17. In this case, the control unit 90 executes a process (FIG. 7) of driving the first conveyance roller 41 to convey the first member 101 until the third trailing end cutting position C3 reaches the cutting position of the first cutting unit 61 (S17).

[0076] Next, the control unit 90 executes a process (FIG. 8(A)) in which the first conveyance roller 41 is driven to convey the upstream side of the first member 101 cut at the third trailing end cutting position C3 until the leading edge P reaches the rewinding position (S21). In parallel with this, the control unit 90 executes a process (FIG. 8(B)) in which the laminating roller 50 is driven to convey the downstream side of the first member 101 cut at the third trailing end position C3 until the second trailing end cutting position C2 reaches the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62 (S22). The rewinding position is a position where the first member 101 is rewound until the leading edge P reaches this position, and is located between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyance roller 41. After executing S21 and S22, the control unit 90 proceeds to S23.

[0077] Next, the control unit 90 determines whether recording can be started (S23). In S23, the control unit 90 determines whether both the first conveying roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 can execute the next print instruction based on output signals from sensors (not shown) or the like. If recording can be started (S23: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S11, and if recording cannot be started (S23: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S23.

[0078] [Transport to the next recording position] At the beginning of the process of conveying the first member 101 to the next recording position (FIG. 6), the control unit 90 starts driving the first conveyance rollers 41 (S31). Thereafter, the conveyance of the first member 101 is controlled by the first conveyance rollers 41. Next, the control unit 90 determines whether the first member 101 has reached the next recording position (S32).

[0079] If the first member 101 has not reached the next recording position (S32: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S33. In this case, the control unit 90 determines whether the member sensor 66 has detected the tip P of the first member 101 (S33).

[0080] If the member sensor 66 detects the leading edge P (S33: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S34. In this case, the control unit 90 switches the method for acquiring the position of the leading edge P of the first member 101 (S34). In S34, the control unit 90 resets the count value, which is updated based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 87. Thereafter, the control unit 90 determines the amount of rotation of the first conveyance roller 41, i.e., the conveyance amount of the first member 101, based on the count value after the reset. Therefore, the control unit 90 performs future conveyance and position control based on the more accurate position of the leading edge P of the first member 101 detected by the member sensor 66. Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S32.

[0081] If the member sensor 66 does not detect the tip P of the first member 101 in S33 (including a state after the tip P has already been detected) (S33: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S35. In this case, the control unit 90 determines whether the tip cutting position C0 of the first member 101 has reached the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62 (S35).

[0082] If the leading edge cutting position C0 has reached the second cutting unit 62 (S35: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S36. In this case, the control unit 90 stops driving the first conveyor roller 41 (S36). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 drives the second cutting unit 62 to cut the stopped first member 101 at the leading edge cutting position C0 (S37). Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S31.

[0083] If the leading edge cutting position C0 has not reached the second cutting unit 62 in S35 (S35: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S38. In this case, the control unit 90 determines whether the first trailing edge cutting position C1 of the first member 101 has reached the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62 (S38).

[0084] If the first trailing end cutting position C1 has reached the second cutting unit 62 (S38: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S39. In this case, the control unit 90 stops the conveyance of the first conveyance roller 41 (S39). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 drives the second cutting unit 62 to cut the stopped first member 101 at the first trailing end cutting position C1 (S40). Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S31.

[0085] If the first rear end cutting position C1 has not reached the second cutting unit 62 in S38 (S38: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S41. In this case, the control unit 90 determines whether the leading end P of the first member 101 has reached a drive start position Q (not shown) (S41). The drive start position Q is a position at which the control unit 90 starts driving the laminating roller 50 when the leading end P of the first member 101 reaches that position.

[0086] If the leading edge P of the first member 101 has reached the drive start position Q (S41: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S42. In this case, the control unit 90 stops driving the first conveying roller 41 (S42). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 starts driving the laminating roller 50 (S43). Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S31. If the leading edge P of the first member 101 has not reached the drive start position Q in S41 (S41: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S32.

[0087] After the laminating roller 50 starts to be driven in S43, when the first conveyor roller 41 starts to be driven in S31, the laminating roller 50 is in a state of gripping the first member 101. Therefore, the first member 101 is in a state of being gripped between the first conveyor roller 41 and the laminating roller 50. When driving the laminating roller 50 in S31, the control unit 90 applies a driving force to the laminating roller 50 such that the laminating roller 50 conveys the first member 101 at a speed faster than the conveying speed at which the first conveyor roller 41 conveys the first member 101. The laminating roller 50 is provided with a torque limiter 89 so that the laminating roller 50 cannot convey the first member 101 faster than the conveying speed at which the first conveyor roller 41 conveys the first member 101. As a result, the first member 101 is conveyed such that the conveying position is controlled by the first conveyor roller 41 while maintaining tension on the first member 101 between the first conveyor roller 41 and the laminating roller 50.

[0088] If the control unit 90 determines in S32 that the first member 101 has reached the next recording position (S32: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S44. In this case, the control unit 90 stops driving the first conveying roller 41 (S44). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 ends the process of conveying the first member 101 to the next recording position.

[0089] [Transportation to the third rear end cutting position] At the beginning of the process of transporting the first member 101 to the third trailing end cutting position C3 (FIG. 7), the control unit 90 starts driving the first transport rollers 41 (S51). Thereafter, the transport of the first member 101 is controlled by the first transport rollers 41. Next, the control unit 90 determines whether the third trailing end cutting position C3 of the first member 101 has reached the cutting position of the first cutting unit 61 (S52).

[0090] If the third rear end cutting position C3 has not reached the first cutting unit 61 (S52: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S53. In this case, the control unit 90 determines whether the leading end cutting position C0 of the first member 101 has reached the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62 (S53).

[0091] If the leading edge cutting position C0 has reached the second cutting unit 62 (S53: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S54. In this case, the control unit 90 stops driving the first conveyor roller 41 (S54). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 drives the second cutting unit 62 to cut the stopped first member 101 at the leading edge cutting position C0 (S55). Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S51.

[0092] If the leading edge cutting position C0 has not reached the second cutting unit 62 in S53 (S53: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S56. In this case, the control unit 90 determines whether the first trailing edge cutting position C1 of the first member 101 has reached the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62 (S56).

[0093] If the first trailing end cutting position C1 has reached the second cutting unit 62 (S56: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S57. In this case, the control unit 90 stops the conveyance of the first conveyance roller 41 (S57). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 drives the second cutting unit 62 to cut the stationary first member 101 at the first trailing end cutting position C1 (S58). Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S51.

[0094] If the first rear end cutting position C1 has not reached the second cutting unit 62 in S56 (S56: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S59. In this case, the control unit 90 determines whether the front end P of the first member 101 has reached the drive start position Q (S59).

[0095] If the leading edge P of the first member 101 has reached the drive start position Q (S59: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S60. In this case, the control unit 90 stops driving the first conveying roller 41 (S60). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 starts driving the laminating roller 50 (S61). Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S51. If the leading edge P of the first member 101 has not reached the drive start position Q in S59 (S59: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S52.

[0096] After the laminating roller 50 starts to be driven in S61, when the first conveyor roller 41 starts to be driven in S31, the laminating roller 50 is in a state of gripping the first member 101. Therefore, the first member 101 is in a state of straddling the first conveyor roller 41 and the laminating roller 50. When driving the laminating roller 50 in S61, the control unit 90 applies a driving force to the laminating roller 50 such that the laminating roller 50 conveys the first member 101 at a speed faster than the conveying speed at which the first conveyor roller 41 conveys the first member 101. The laminating roller 50 is provided with a torque limiter 89 so that the laminating roller 50 cannot convey the first member 101 faster than the conveying speed at which the first conveyor roller 41 conveys the first member 101. As a result, the first member 101 is conveyed such that the conveying position is controlled by the first conveyor roller 41 while maintaining tension on the first member 101 between the first conveyor roller 41 and the laminating roller 50.

[0097] If the third trailing end cutting position C3 has reached the first cutting unit 61 in S52 (S52: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S62. In this case, the control unit 90 stops driving the first conveying roller 41 (S62). Next, the control unit 90 stops driving the laminating roller 50 (S63). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 drives the first cutting unit 61 to cut the stopped first member 101 at the third trailing end cutting position C3 (S64). Next, the control unit 90 ends the process of conveying the first member 101 to the third trailing end cutting position C3.

[0098] [Transportation to the rewinding position] At the beginning of the process of conveying the sheet to the rewinding position (FIG. 8A), the control unit 90 starts driving the first conveying rollers 41 (S71). In S71, the control unit 90 drives the first conveying rollers 41 in the reverse direction. After this, the first member 101 (the upstream side of the first member 101 cut at the third trailing end cutting position C3) is rewound toward the first roll 111.

[0099] Next, the control unit 90 determines whether the tip P of the first member 101 has reached the rewinding position (S72). If the tip P has reached the rewinding position (S72: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S73, and if the tip P has not reached the rewinding position (S72: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S72.

[0100] Next, the control unit 90 stops driving the first conveyor roller 41 (S73), thereby stopping the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 ends the process of conveying the first member 101 to the rewinding position.

[0101] [Transportation to the second rear end cutting position] At the start of the process of conveying the first member 101 to the second trailing end cutting position C2 (FIG. 8(B)), the control unit 90 starts driving the laminating roller 50 (S80). Thereafter, the conveyance of the first member 101 is controlled by the laminating roller 50. Next, the control unit 90 determines whether the second trailing end cutting position C2 of the first member 101 (downstream of the first member 101 cut at the third trailing end cutting position C3) has reached the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62 (S81).

[0102] If the second rear end cutting position C2 has not reached the second cutting unit 62 (S81: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S82. In this case, the control unit 90 determines whether the leading end cutting position C0 of the first member 101 has reached the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62 (S82).

[0103] If the leading edge cutting position C0 has reached the second cutting unit 62 (S82: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S83. In this case, the control unit 90 stops driving the laminating roller 50 (S83). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 drives the second cutting unit 62 to cut the stopped first member 101 at the leading edge cutting position C0 (S84). Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S81.

[0104] If the leading edge cutting position C0 has not reached the second cutting section 62 in S82 (S82: No), the control section 90 proceeds to S85. In this case, the control section 90 determines whether the first trailing edge cutting position C1 of the first member 101 has reached the cutting position of the second cutting section 62 (S85).

[0105] If the first trailing end cutting position C1 has reached the second cutting unit 62 (S85: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S86. In this case, the control unit 90 stops driving the laminating roller 50 (S86). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 drives the second cutting unit 62 to cut the stopped first member 101 at the first trailing end cutting position C1 (S87). Next, the control unit 90 proceeds to S81. If the first trailing end cutting position C1 has not reached the second cutting unit 62 in S85 (S85: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S81.

[0106] If the second trailing end cutting position C2 has reached the first cutting unit 61 in S81 (S81: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S88. In this case, the control unit 90 stops driving the laminating roller 50 (S88). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 drives the second cutting unit 62 to cut the stopped first member 101 at the second trailing end cutting position C2 (S89). Next, the control unit 90 ends the process of conveying the first member 101 to the second trailing end cutting position C2.

[0107] [Transport control of first member 101] During the laminating process, the first member 101 is gripped by rollers as shown in FIG. 9. The first member 101 is gripped by the intermediate rollers 44 until conveyance by the intermediate rollers 44 is completed (until completion of S12) (FIG. 9(A)). Thereafter, the first member 101 is gripped by the intermediate rollers 44 and the first conveyance roller 41 until the leading edge P reaches the drive start position Q (until a Yes determination is made in S41 or S59) (FIG. 9(B)). Thereafter, the first member 101 is gripped by the intermediate rollers 44, the first conveyance roller 41, and the laminating roller 50 until the first member 101 is cut at the third trailing edge cutting position C3 (until completion of S63) (FIG. 9(C)). Thereafter, the downstream side of the first member 101 is gripped by the laminating roller 50 (FIG. 9(D)).

[0108] The hatched rollers in FIG. 9 are rollers that perform conveyance control to stop the first member 101 at a desired position. When the first member 101 is held by straddling both the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 (FIG. 9(C)), the control unit 90 causes the first conveyance roller 41 to perform first conveyance control to stop the first member 101 at a desired position. During the first conveyance control, the control unit 90 performs drive control to apply a rotational force to the laminating roller 50 that results in a faster rotation speed than the first conveyance roller 41. When the first member 101 is held by the laminating roller 50 but not by the first conveyance roller 41 (FIG. 9(D)), the control unit 90 causes the laminating roller 50 to perform second conveyance control to stop the first member 101 at a desired position. A rotational speed faster than that of the first conveyance roller 41 is an example of a conveyance speed different from that of the first conveyance roller 41.

[0109] As described above, the laminating apparatus 1 is equipped with the torque limiter 89 (FIG. 3). The torque limiter 89 is interposed between the laminating motor 84 and the second laminating roller 52, and limits the power of the laminating motor 84 to reduce the rotation speed of the second laminating roller 52. Due to the action of the torque limiter 89, when the first member 101 is gripped across both the first conveyor roller 41 and the laminating roller 50, the first conveyor control can be performed by the first conveyor roller 41 rather than the laminating roller 50.

[0110] When the first member 101 is gripped across both the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 (FIG. 9C), the control unit 90 stops driving the first conveyance roller 41 (S44, S36, S54, S39, S57, and S63) if the first member 101 reaches the next recording position (S32: Yes), if the leading edge cutting position C0 of the first member 101 reaches the second cutting section 62 (S35, S53: Yes), if the first trailing edge cutting position C1 of the first member 101 reaches the second cutting section 62 (S38, S56: Yes), or if the third trailing edge cutting position C3 of the first member 101 reaches the first cutting section 61 (S52: Yes). This stops the first member 101.

[0111] In this way, in the first conveyance control performed by the first conveyance roller 41, the control unit 90 stops the first member 101 at a position where the recording area reaches the recording area of ​​the recording unit 30, a position where the leading edge cutting position C0 reaches the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, a position where the first trailing edge cutting position C1 reaches the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, and a position where the third trailing edge cutting position C3 is located at the cutting position of the first cutting unit 61. The above four positions are examples of the first stop position.

[0112] When the first member 101 is held by the laminating roller 50 but not held by the first conveyance roller 41 (FIG. 9D), if the leading edge cutting position C0 of the first member 101 reaches the second cutting section 62 (S82: Yes), if the first trailing edge cutting position C1 of the first member 101 reaches the second cutting section 62 (S85: Yes), or if the second trailing edge cutting position C2 of the first member 101 reaches the second cutting section 62 (S81: Yes), the control section 90 stops driving the laminating roller 50 (S83, S86, S88). This stops the first member 101.

[0113] In this way, in the second conveyance control performed by the laminating roller 50, the control unit 90 stops the first member 101 at a position where the leading edge cutting position C0 reaches the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, a position where the first trailing edge cutting position C1 reaches the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, and a position where the second trailing edge cutting position C2 is located at the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62. The above three positions are examples of the second stop position.

[0114] Depending on the configuration of the laminating apparatus 1 and the finished laminated product 100, when the first member 101 straddles both the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50, the second trailing end cutting position C2 of the first member 101 may reach the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62. To address this, the control unit 90 may stop driving the laminating roller 50 when the second trailing end cutting position C2 of the first member 101 reaches the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62 in the process of conveying the first member 101 to the next recording position ( FIG. 6 ) and the process of conveying the first member 101 to the third trailing end cutting position C3 ( FIG. 7 ). As a result, the first member 101 stops at a position where the second trailing end cutting position C2 of the first member 101 is located at the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, due to the first conveyance control performed by the first conveyance roller 41. This position is an example of a first stop position.

[0115] When the first member 101 is held between both the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 and the leading end P of the first member 101 reaches the laminating arrival position Q (S41, S59: Yes), the control unit 90 stops driving the first conveyance roller 41 (S42, S60). This stops the first member 101. Next, the control unit 90 starts driving the laminating roller 50 (S43, S61).

[0116] At this time, the control unit 90 causes the first conveyance rollers 41 to execute third conveyance control to stop the first member 101 at a desired position. The position where the leading end P of the first member 101 is located at the bonding arrival position Q is an example of the third stop position.

[0117] [Control of sagging of first member 101] 10, in order to control the slack in the first member 101. The tension generating unit 70 is located below the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveying roller 41 in the front-rear direction 8.

[0118] The tension generating unit 70 includes a contact member 71 and a spring 72 that expands and contracts in the vertical direction 7. The lower end of the spring 72 is fixed within the housing 11, and the upper end of the spring 72 is connected to the lower end of the contact member 71. The upper end of the contact member 71 can contact the back surface 108 of the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyor roller 41. A tension corresponding to the restoring force of the spring 72 is applied to the first member 101 that contacts the contact member 71. The tension generating unit 70 generates a predetermined tension in the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyor roller 41.

[0119] The contact member 71 moves in the up-down direction 7 in accordance with the tension of the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyor roller 41. When the tension of the first member 101 is large, the contact member 71 is positioned relatively lower against the restoring force of the spring 72, and when the tension of the first member 101 is small, the contact member 71 is positioned relatively higher due to the restoring force of the spring 72.

[0120] The slack sensor 73 is located near the lower end of the contact member 71 in the up-down direction 7. The slack sensor 73 includes a light-emitting element (not shown) that emits light toward the side surface of the contact member 71 and a light-receiving element (not shown) that receives light reflected by the side surface of the contact member 71. When the tension of the first member 101 is high and the slack of the first member 101 is small, the contact member 71 is located below the reference position. At this time, the light-receiving element of the slack sensor 73 receives light reflected by the side surface of the contact member 71, and the amount of light detected by the light-receiving element is greater than the threshold value. On the other hand, when the tension of the first member 101 is low and the slack of the first member 101 is large, the contact member 71 is located above the reference position. At this time, the light-receiving element of the slack sensor 73 does not receive light reflected by the side surface of the contact member 71, and the amount of light detected by the light-receiving element is less than the threshold value. The output signal of the light receiving element is input to the control unit 90 as the output signal of the slack sensor 73 .

[0121] In FIG. 10, the hatched intermediate roller 44 is a roller that executes conveyance control to stop the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyance roller 41 at a desired position. When the first member 101 is gripped across all of the intermediate roller 44, the first conveyance roller 41, and the laminating roller 50 (FIG. 10), the control unit 90 performs the following process to control the slack of the first member 101. The control unit 90 stops the first conveyance roller 41 and reverses the rotation of the intermediate roller 44. As a result, the first member 101 is conveyed in a direction away from the first conveyance roller 41. At this time, the slack of the first member 101 that had been riding on the tension generating unit 70 is eliminated, and the abutting member 71 of the tension generating unit 70 is pressed down, causing the spring 72, which expands and contracts in the vertical direction 7, to contract. As a result, the abutting member 71 presses up the first member 101, applying tension to the first member 101.

[0122] The control unit 90 acquires the slack of the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyor roller 41 detected by the slack sensor 73 based on the output signal of the slack sensor 73. When the slack of the first member 101 reaches a predetermined amount, the control unit 90 stops the reverse rotation of the intermediate roller 44. As a result, the slack of the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyor roller 41 reaches the predetermined amount.

[0123] At this time, the control unit 90 causes the intermediate roller 44 to execute fourth conveyance control, which conveys and stops the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyance roller 41 to a desired position. When the first member 101 is gripped across all of the intermediate roller 44, the first conveyance roller 41, and the laminating roller 50, the control unit 90 causes the intermediate roller 44 to execute fourth conveyance control, which conveys and stops the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyance roller 41 so that the amount of slack in the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyance roller 41 becomes a predetermined amount.

[0124] [Skewing Control of the Second Member 102] After executing S11 and before executing S12, the control unit 90 performs skew correction of the second member 102. The skew correction of the second member 102 is performed when the second member 102 supplied from the second roll 112 is gripped by the laminating roller 50 and the first member 101 is not gripped by either the first conveyance roller 41 or the laminating roller 50 (see FIG. 11 ). The control unit 90 corrects the skew of the second member 102 by driving the second roll motor 82 and the laminating motor 84 to alternately perform one or more times each of a process of pulling out the second member 102 from the second roll 112 and a process of rewinding the second member 102 onto the second roll 112.

[0125] 11, the hatched laminating roller 50 is a roller that executes transport control to stop the second member 102 at a desired position. The pull-out position S1 is located downstream of the laminating roller 50 by a predetermined amount d1 in the transport direction. The rewinding position S2 is located upstream of the pull-out position S1 by a predetermined amount d2 in the transport direction. Hereinafter, the leading end (downstream end) of the second member 102 will be referred to as the "leading end R."

[0126] The laminating apparatus 1 is configured so that the conveying force that the laminating roller 50 exerts on the second member 102 is greater than the conveying force that the second roll 112 exerts on the second member 102. Therefore, when the control unit 90 drives the second roll motor 82 and the laminating motor 84, conveyance control of the second member 102 is performed by the laminating roller 50.

[0127] 11(A), the control unit 90 stops the second member 102 at a position where the leading edge R of the second member 102 is located at the pull-out position S1. As shown in FIG. 11(B), the control unit 90 stops the second member 102 at a position where the leading edge R of the second member 102 is located at the rewinding position S2. At these times, the control unit 90 causes the laminating roller 50 to execute fifth transport control, which transports and stops the second member 102 at a desired position. The position where the leading edge R is located at the pull-out position S1 and the position where the leading edge R is located at the rewinding position S2 are examples of the fifth stop position.

[0128] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, the laminating apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a recording unit 30, a first conveying roller 41 (conveying roller), an intermediate roller 44 (second conveying roller), a laminating roller 50, a first cutting unit 61, a second cutting unit 62, a control unit 90, rotary encoders 87 and 88 (encoders), a torque limiter 89, and a second roll 112 (roll). When the first member 101 is held by straddling both the first conveying roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 (FIG. 9(C)), the control unit 90 causes the first conveying roller 41 to perform a first conveying control to stop the first member 101 at a first stop position, and performs drive control to apply a rotational force to the laminating roller 50 during the first conveying control to achieve a conveying speed faster than that of the first conveying roller 41 (a conveying speed different from that of the first conveying roller 41); when the first member 101 is held by the laminating roller 50 but not by the first conveying roller 41 (FIG. 9(D)), the control unit 90 causes the laminating roller 50 to perform a second conveying control to stop the first member 101 at a second stop position.

[0129] Therefore, according to the laminating device 1 of this embodiment, when the laminating roller 50 is gripping the first member 101 gripped by the first conveying roller 41, the first conveying roller 41 is caused to execute a first conveying control that stops the first member 101 at a first stop position, thereby preventing sagging of the first member 101.

[0130] Furthermore, in the first conveyance control, the control unit 90 stops the first member 101 at a first stop position where the recording area of ​​the first member 101 is positioned in the recording area of ​​the recording unit 30. In this way, the first conveyance control performed by the first conveyance roller 41 stops the first member 101 at the first stop position where an image is recorded in the recording area of ​​the first member 101. At this time, a rotational force that results in a conveyance speed different from that of the first conveyance roller 41 is applied to the laminating roller 50, so that slack is prevented from occurring in the first member 101 that is gripped across both the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50. Therefore, an image can be recorded on the first member 101 more clearly.

[0131] In addition, in the first conveying control, the control unit 90 stops the first member 101 at a position where the leading edge cutting position C0 (second cutting position) is located at the cutting position of the second cutting section 62, a position where the first trailing edge cutting position C1 (third cutting position) is located at the cutting position of the second cutting section 62, a position where the second trailing edge cutting position C2 (fourth cutting position) is located at the cutting position of the second cutting section 62, and a position where the third trailing edge cutting position C3 (first cutting position) is located at the cutting position of the first cutting section 61.

[0132] In this way, the first conveyance control performed by the first conveyance roller 41 stops the first member 101 at a first stop position where the first member 101 is cut at the leading edge cutting position C0, the first trailing edge cutting position C1, the second trailing edge cutting position C2, and the third trailing edge cutting position C3. At this time, a rotational force that results in a different conveyance speed from that of the first conveyance roller 41 is applied to the laminating roller 50, thereby suppressing the occurrence of slack in the first member 101 that is gripped across both the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50. Therefore, the first member 101 can be cut more neatly at the leading edge cutting position C0, the first trailing edge cutting position C1, the second trailing edge cutting position C2, and the third trailing edge cutting position C3.

[0133] Furthermore, in the second conveyance control, the control unit 90 stops the first member 101 at a position where the leading edge cutting position C0 is located at the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, a position where the first trailing edge cutting position C1 is located at the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, and a position where the second trailing edge cutting position C2 is located at the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62. In this way, the second conveyance control performed by the laminating roller 50 stops the first member 101 at the second stop position where the first member 101 is cut at the leading edge cutting position C0, the first trailing edge cutting position C1, and the second trailing edge cutting position C2. Therefore, the first member 101 in a stopped state can be cut at the leading edge cutting position C0, the first trailing edge cutting position C1, and the second trailing edge cutting position C2.

[0134] Furthermore, when the first member 101 is gripped by the first conveyance roller 41 but not gripped by the laminating roller 50, the control unit 90 causes the first conveyance roller 41 to execute third conveyance control, which starts driving the laminating roller 50 when the leading edge P of the first member 101 reaches the laminating start position Q, and stops the first member 101 at a third stop position where the leading edge P of the first member 101 is located at the laminating start position Q. In this way, the third conveyance control performed by the first conveyance roller 41 stops the first member 101 at the third stop position where the leading edge P of the first member 101 is located at the laminating start position Q. Therefore, the first member 101 and the second member 102 can be reliably bonded together by the laminating roller 50.

[0135] Furthermore, when the first member 101 is gripped across all of the intermediate roller 44, the first conveyor roller 41, and the laminating roller 50 ( FIG. 10 ), the control unit 90 causes the intermediate roller 44 to execute a fourth conveyance control that conveys and stops the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyor roller 41 so that the amount of slack in the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyor roller 41 becomes a predetermined amount. Therefore, the fourth conveyance control performed by the intermediate roller 44 can impart a predetermined amount of slack to the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyor roller 41.

[0136] Furthermore, the rotation amount of the first conveyor roller 41 and the intermediate roller 44 can be detected by rotary encoders 87 and 88 (encoders), respectively, and the rotation amount of the laminating roller 50 can be controlled by the laminating motor 84, which is a stepping motor. Therefore, the rotation amount of the intermediate roller 44, the first conveyor roller 41, and the laminating roller 50 can be controlled by the rotary encoder or the stepping motor.

[0137] Furthermore, the torque limiter 89 limits the driving force applied to the laminating roller 50 when the first conveyance control is executed, thereby reducing the number of rotations of the laminating roller 50. Therefore, by limiting the driving force applied to the laminating roller 50 with the torque limiter 89, the stopping position of the first member 101 can be controlled by the first conveyance control performed by the first conveyance roller 41.

[0138] Furthermore, when the second member 102 supplied from the second roll 112 is gripped by the laminating roller 50 and the first member 101 is not gripped by either the first conveyance roller 41 or the laminating roller 50 (FIG. 11), the control unit 90 causes the laminating roller 50 to execute fifth conveyance control to stop the second member 102 at a fifth stop position, and in the fifth conveyance control, causes the second member 102 to stop at the fifth stop position where the leading edge R of the second member 102 is positioned at the pull-out position S1. Therefore, by the fifth conveyance control performed by the laminating roller 50, the second member 102 can be pulled out until the leading edge R reaches the pull-out position S1.

[0139] Furthermore, in the fifth conveyance control, the control unit 90 stops the second member 102 at a fifth stop position where the leading end of the second member 102 is located at the rewinding position S2. Therefore, by the fifth conveyance control performed by the laminating roller 50, the second member 102 can be rewound until the leading end R reaches the rewinding position S2.

[0140] [Variations] Various modifications can be made to the laminating device 1 according to this embodiment. In the laminating device according to the modifications, the control unit 90 may, in the first conveyance control and the second conveyance control, convey and stop the first member 101 at a position other than the position where the recording area is located in the recording area of ​​the recording unit 30, the position where the leading edge cutting position C0 is located in the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, the position where the first trailing edge cutting position C1 is located in the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, the position where the second trailing edge cutting position C2 is located in the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62, and the position where the third trailing edge cutting position C3 is located in the cutting position of the first cutting unit 61.

[0141] In the third conveyance control, the control unit 90 may stop the first member 101 at a position other than the position where the leading edge P is located at the drive start position Q. In the fourth conveyance control, the control unit 90 may convey and stop the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyance roller 41 at a position other than the position where the slack amount of the first member 101 between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyance roller 41 becomes a predetermined amount. In the fifth conveyance control, the control unit 90 may stop the second member 102 at a position other than the position where the leading edge R is located at the pull-out position S1 and the rewinding position S2.

[0142] In the laminating device 1, the rotation amount of the first conveying roller 41 and the intermediate roller 44 can be detected by rotary encoders 87 and 88, respectively, and the rotation amount of the laminating roller 50 can be controlled by a laminating motor 84, which is a stepping motor. In a laminating device according to a modified example, the rotation amount of the first conveying roller 41, the intermediate roller 44, and the laminating roller 50 may each be at least one of being detectable by a rotary encoder and being controllable by a stepping motor.

[0143] In the laminating apparatus 1, the control unit 90 performs drive control to apply a rotational force to the laminating roller 50 during the first conveyance control such that the laminating roller 50 has a slower conveyance speed than the first conveyance roller 41. In a laminating apparatus according to a modified example, the control unit 90 may perform drive control to apply a rotational force to the laminating roller 50 during the first conveyance control such that the laminating roller 50 has a slower conveyance speed than the first conveyance roller 41. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 1. Laminating device 30 Recording section 41... First conveying roller (conveying roller) 44... Intermediate roller (second conveying roller) 50 Laminating roller 61...1st cutting section 62...Second cutting section 87, 88... Rotary encoder (encoder) 89 Torque limiter 90 Control unit 101... First member 102... Second member 112···Second roll (roll) P, R...Tip Q: Drive start position C0...Tip cutting position (second cutting position) C1...1st rear end cutting position (3rd cutting position) C2...2nd rear end cutting position (4th cutting position) C3...Third rear end cutting position (first cutting position)

Claims

1. A conveying roller that conveys the first member in a conveying direction; a recording unit that records an image on the first member conveyed by the conveying roller; a lamination roller that bonds the first member on which the image is recorded by the recording unit to a second member; A control unit, The control unit is When the first member is gripped across both the conveying roller and the laminating roller, a first conveying control is executed by the conveying roller to stop the first member at a first stop position, and a drive control is executed to apply a rotational force to the laminating roller during the first conveying control such that the rotational force results in a conveying speed different from that of the conveying roller, A lamination device that, when the first member is gripped by the laminating roller and the first member is not gripped by the conveying roller, causes the laminating roller to execute a second conveying control that stops the first member at a second stop position.

2. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, in the first transport control, stops the first member at the first stop position where the recording area of ​​the first member is located at the recording area of ​​the recording unit.

3. a first cutting unit that is located between the conveying roller and the laminating roller in the conveying direction and cuts the first member; The lamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit, in the first conveying control, stops the first member at the first stop position where a first cutting position located upstream of the most upstream recording range in the conveying direction of the first member is located at the cutting position of the first cutting section.

4. a second cutting section that is located downstream of the laminating roller in the transport direction and cuts the first member and the second member after lamination, The lamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit, in the first conveying control, stops the first member at the first stop position where a second cutting position located between the recording range of the first member and a first margin adjacent to the recording range downstream in the conveying direction is located at the cutting position of the second cutting section.

5. a second cutting section that is located downstream of the laminating roller in the transport direction and cuts the first member and the second member after lamination, The lamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit, in the first conveying control, stops the first member at the first stop position where a third cutting position located between two recording ranges adjacent in the conveying direction of the first member is located at the cutting position of the second cutting section.

6. a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the transport direction and configured to cut the first member and the second member after lamination, The lamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit, in the first conveying control, stops the first member at the first stop position where a fourth cutting position located between the recording range of the first member and a second margin adjacent to the recording range upstream in the conveying direction is located at the cutting position of the second cutting section.

7. a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the transport direction and configured to cut the first member and the second member after lamination, The lamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit, in the second conveying control, stops the first member at the second stop position where a second cutting position located between the recording range of the first member and a first margin adjacent to the recording range downstream in the conveying direction is located at the cutting position of the second cutting section.

8. a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the transport direction and configured to cut the first member and the second member after lamination, The lamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit, in the second conveying control, stops the first member at the second stop position where a third cutting position located between two recording ranges adjacent in the conveying direction of the first member is located at the cutting position of the second cutting section.

9. a second cutting unit located downstream of the laminating roller in the transport direction and configured to cut the first member and the second member after lamination, The lamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit, in the second conveying control, stops the first member at the second stop position where a fourth cutting position located between the recording range of the first member and a second margin adjacent to the recording range upstream in the conveying direction is located at the cutting position of the second cutting section.

10. The control unit is When the first member is gripped by the conveying roller and the first member is not gripped by the laminating roller, When the leading end of the first member reaches a lamination start position, driving of the lamination roller is started; 2. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport rollers are caused to execute a third transport control for stopping the first member at a third stop position where a leading end of the first member is located at the lamination start position.

11. a second conveying roller that is located upstream of the conveying roller in the conveying direction and conveys the first member toward the conveying roller; The control unit is The lamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the first member is gripped across all of the second conveying roller, the conveying roller, and the laminating roller, the second conveying roller is caused to execute a fourth conveying control that conveys and stops the first member between the second conveying roller and the conveying roller so that the amount of slack in the first member between the second conveying roller and the conveying roller becomes a predetermined amount.

12. a second conveying roller that is located upstream of the conveying roller in the conveying direction and conveys the first member toward the conveying roller; 2. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transport roller, the transport roller, and the laminating roller each have at least one of an amount of rotation detectable by an encoder and an amount of rotation controllable by a stepping motor.

13. 2. The laminating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a torque limiter that limits a driving force applied to the laminating roller when the first transport control is executed, thereby reducing a number of rotations of the laminating roller.

14. The second member further includes a roll on which the second member is wound, The control unit is When the second member supplied from the roll is gripped by the laminating roller and the first member is not gripped by either the conveying roller or the laminating roller, a fifth conveyance control is executed by the laminating roller to stop the second member at a fifth stop position; The laminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the fifth conveying control, the second member is stopped at the fifth stop position, which is a pull-out position where the leading end of the second member is located downstream of the laminating roller by a first predetermined amount in the conveying direction.

15. The laminating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control unit, in the fifth conveying control, stops the second member at the fifth stop position, which is a rewinding position where the leading end of the second member is located upstream in the conveying direction by a second predetermined amount from the pull-out position.

Images