Sheet decoration system and program

Abstract

To provide a sheet decorating method capable of decorating a sheet at a low cost.SOLUTION: The sheet decoration system for decorating a sheet while conveying the sheet includes a vanish application device 14 for applying vanish having UV curability to the sheet and irradiating the vanish with UV rays, wherein the vanish application device 14 irradiates the vanish applied to a first area A1 of the sheet with UV rays to semi-cure the vanish applied to the first area A1 while the sheet is passed through the vanish application device 14 once. Irradiating the vanish applied to the second area A2 of the sheet with ultraviolet light under an irradiating condition different from that for the vanish applied to the first area A1 to cure the vanish applied to the second area A2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sheet decoration system and program. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known techniques for transferring a transfer material such as foil onto a varnish applied to the surface of a sheet, and there are also known techniques for bringing a transfer web into close contact with the varnish applied to the surface of a sheet and transferring the surface shape of the transfer web to the varnish. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-167109 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, when mixing a sheet surface with a varnish-coated area that is simply coated with varnish and a transfer area where a transfer process such as foil stamping has been performed on the varnish, the sheet had to be passed through the machine once for the coating and again for the transfer process, meaning that the sheet had to be passed through the machine twice.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in this context, and one exemplary purpose of one aspect thereof is to provide a technology that can decorate a sheet having a mixture of varnish-coated areas and transfer areas in a single pass of the sheet through a machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the sheet decoration system disclosed herein is a sheet decoration system that decorates a sheet while transporting the sheet, and includes a varnish application device that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to the sheet and irradiates the varnish with ultraviolet light. The varnish application device applies varnish to a first region and a second region of the sheet while the sheet passes through the varnish application device once, irradiates the varnish applied to the first region with ultraviolet light to semi-cure the varnish applied to the first region, and irradiates the varnish applied to the second region with ultraviolet light under irradiation conditions different from those used for the varnish applied to the first region to harden the varnish applied to the second region.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present disclosure between methods, devices, systems, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a sheet decoration method that can decorate a sheet having a mixture of varnish-coated areas and transfer areas by passing the sheet through the machine only once. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a sheet decoration system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a top view schematically showing a sheet decoration system according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the varnish application device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present disclosure will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the disclosure, and all features and combinations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the disclosure. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing a sheet decoration system 10. Fig. 1 is a side view, and Fig. 2 is a plan view. The sheet decoration system 10 is a system that applies a predetermined decoration to a sheet while transporting the sheet. The sheet material can be various, such as paper, cloth, resin, or metal.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction in which the sheet is transported (the direction from right to left in Figures 1 and 2) will be referred to as the transport direction Y, and the direction perpendicular to the transport direction Y (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 1 and the up-and-down direction in Figure 2) will be referred to as the width direction X.

[0013] The sheet decoration system 10 includes a paper feeder 12 that feeds sheets one by one, a varnish applicator 14 that applies ultraviolet-curable varnish (hereinafter simply referred to as "varnish") to the sheets fed one by one and irradiates the varnish with ultraviolet light, a foil stamping device 16 that transfers foil onto the varnish applied to the sheet by utilizing the tackiness of the semi-cured varnish, i.e., foil stamping, a stacker 18 that accumulates sheets, and a control device 20 that provides overall control of the sheet decoration system 10. The paper feeder 12, varnish applicator 14, foil stamping device 16, and stacker 18 are arranged in a line in this order from the upstream side (the right side in Figures 1 and 2) to the downstream side in the conveyance direction Y. The control device 20 is connected to the paper feeder 12, varnish applicator 14, foil stamping device 16, and stacker 18 via a network 2.

[0014] In this embodiment, the sheet decorating system 10 can execute three modes: a first mode (varnish coating mode) in which only a varnish-coated area is formed by passing a sheet through the sheet decorating system 10 once; a second mode (transfer mode) in which only a transfer (foil stamping) area is formed by passing a sheet through the system once; and a third mode (mixed mode) in which both a varnish-coated area and a transfer area are formed by passing a sheet through the system once. However, the sheet decorating system 10 only needs to be able to execute the third mode; it does not have to be able to execute the first or second mode. The control device 20 may accept a selection of the mode to be executed from the user. Note that the second and third modes can also be considered as a single mode. In this case, there may be a mode in which a transfer area is formed, and within that mode, the user may be able to select whether to form only a transfer area or both a varnish-coated area and a transfer area.

[0015] The paper feeder 12 feeds the sheets loaded in the sheet stacking section one by one to the varnish applicator 14. A base image and a plurality of registration marks, which are the reference for identifying the position of the base image, are printed on the sheets, for example, by a printing device (not shown) located in a physically separate location.

[0016] The varnish application device 14 includes a sheet sensor 42, at least one varnish discharge unit 46 (three in FIG. 2), a first ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 48, and a second ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50. The sheet sensor 42, varnish discharge unit 46, first ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 48, and second ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50 are provided in this order from upstream to downstream. The number of varnish discharge units 46 is not particularly limited. The varnish application device 14 may include one varnish discharge unit 46 extending over the range of the width direction X over which varnish discharge is required or over a longer range, or may include two or four or more varnish discharge units 46.

[0017] The sheet sensor 42 detects the sheet fed from the sheet feeder 12 .

[0018] The varnish discharge unit 46 is a line-type inkjet head, although not particularly limited thereto. Under the control of the control device 20, the varnish discharge unit 46 is triggered by the detection of the sheet by the sheet sensor 42 to discharge varnish according to the varnish discharge data, thereby applying the varnish to the sheet. The varnish discharge data is data indicating the area on the sheet to which varnish is to be applied (hereinafter referred to as the varnish application area). The varnish application area may have a predetermined relationship with the base image.

[0019] The first ultraviolet ray irradiation section 48 and the second ultraviolet ray irradiation section 50 irradiate ultraviolet rays under the control of the control device 20.

[0020] In the first mode, all of the varnish applied to the sheet is fully cured. Full curing refers to the complete hardening of the varnish. Only the first ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 may irradiate the varnish with ultraviolet light, or only the second ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 may irradiate the varnish with ultraviolet light, or both the first ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 and the second ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 may irradiate the varnish with ultraviolet light. In either case, all of the varnish applied to the sheet is fully cured. In the first mode, no foil stamping is performed in the subsequent foil stamping device 16. Therefore, the foil stamping ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 of the foil stamping device 16 is preferably turned off.

[0021] In the second mode, all varnish applied to the sheet is semi-cured. Semi-curing refers to curing the varnish to a degree that reduces its fluidity but does not completely harden it, for example, to a state where it can be further hardened. Semi-cured varnish has tackiness. Only the first ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 may irradiate the varnish with ultraviolet light, only the second ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 may irradiate the varnish with ultraviolet light, or both the first ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 and the second ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 may irradiate the varnish with ultraviolet light. In either case, all varnish applied to the sheet is semi-cured. The semi-cured varnish is then foil stamped and fully cured in the subsequent foil stamping device 16.

[0022] In the third mode, the varnishing area includes a first area and a second area. The first area is the area on the surface of the sheet that will be foil stamped in the subsequent foil stamping device 16, and the second area is the area on the surface of the sheet that will only be coated with varnish and not foil stamped. When the sheet passes through the varnishing device 14 once, both the first and second areas are varnished.

[0023] The varnish application area may be divided into a first area and a second area by the user, for example, via the control device 20. For example, the control device 20 may display an image showing the varnish application area based on the varnish discharge data on a predetermined display unit, and the user may divide the varnish application area into a first area and a second area in that image. Alternatively, the varnish application area may be divided into a first area and a second area by division data included in the job. The division data may be included in the varnish discharge data.

[0024] The first ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 irradiates the varnish applied to the first region of the sheet (hereinafter also referred to as the varnish of the first region) with ultraviolet light, semi-curing the varnish of the first region. The semi-cured varnish is then foil stamped and fully cured in the foil stamping device 16. The second ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 irradiates the varnish applied to the second region of the sheet (hereinafter also referred to as the varnish of the second region) with ultraviolet light, semi-curing the varnish of the second region.

[0025] The first ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 may irradiate the varnish in the second region with ultraviolet light in addition to the varnish in the first region, semi-curing the varnish in the second region as well as the varnish in the first region. In other words, the varnish in the second region may be semi-cured before being fully cured. In this case, the varnish in the second region can be prevented from bleeding and spreading in the plane direction of the sheet before being fully cured, and the shape of the varnish in the second region in the plane direction of the sheet can be stabilized.

[0026] In the first mode, the foil stamping device 16 conveys the sheet as is to the stacker 18. That is, in the first mode, the foil stamping device 16 does not perform foil stamping.

[0027] In the second and third modes, the foil stamping device 16 conveys a sheet and also conveys a web (transfer web) 52 roll-to-roll, transferring the foil held by the web 52 to the sheet, i.e., stamping the foil. The web 52 is a foil-holding film in which a foil (e.g., a metal foil) is held on a film (base sheet). The foil stamping device 16 utilizes the tackiness of the semi-cured varnish to adhere the foil held by the web 52 to the varnish. With the foil adhered to the semi-cured varnish and held by the web 52, the foil stamping ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 irradiates the semi-cured varnish with ultraviolet light to fully cure the varnish. Once the varnish is fully cured, the adhesive force of the foil to the varnish becomes stronger than the force with which the web 52 holds the foil. In this state, when the web 52 is separated from the sheet, the foil held by the web 52 is transferred to the varnish.

[0028] The stacker 18 accumulates the sheets (decorative sheets) discharged from the foil stamping device 16.

[0029] The control device 20 controls the overall operation of the sheet decoration system 10. In terms of hardware, the control device 20 can be realized by elements or mechanical devices such as a processor such as a computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and in terms of software, it can be realized by a computer program, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that the control device 20 can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

[0030] The control device 20 accepts input regarding the definition of a print job. The control device 20 may display a predetermined job management screen and accept input of the job definition. The job definition may include, for example, the number of sheets to be decorated (number of decoration copies), the sheet size of the sheets to be decorated, varnish ejection data, and the mode to be executed. The control device 20 controls the paper feed device 12, the varnish applicator 14, and the foil stamping device 16 based on the job definition.

[0031] The control device 20 controls the operation of each device of the sheet decoration system 10 in accordance with a program stored in a memory, for example, by a processor executing the program. The processor may execute a program stored in a storage device, may execute a program obtained from a recording medium by a reading device, or may execute a program obtained by a communication interface via a network.

[0032] The program executed by the control device 20 can execute the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode. However, the program only needs to be able to execute at least the third mode, and does not have to be able to execute the first mode or the second mode. For example, a program pre-stored in the storage device may be able to execute the third mode. Alternatively, a program capable of executing the third mode may be stored in the storage device later. For example, a program pre-stored in the storage device may be able to execute the first mode or the second mode, and an add-on program capable of executing the third mode may be stored in the storage device later.

[0033] The above is the basic configuration of the sheet decoration system 10.

[0034] Alternatively, instead of the paper feeder 12, a printing device may be provided which prints images on sheets and feeds the sheets one by one to the varnishing device 14.

[0035] The sheet decoration system 10 may also include other devices between the foil stamping device 16 and the stacker 18. Such other devices may be, for example, a post-processing device that cuts or staples the sheets, a separate coating device that protects the foil surface with varnish, a slip sheet inserter for surface protection, a die-cutting machine that punches the sheets into a predetermined shape to create carton materials or the like, or a post-processing device for surface protection of slip sheets or the like.

[0036] Next, the ultraviolet irradiating sections 48, 50 of the varnish applying device 14 will be described in detail.

[0037] 3 is a plan view of the varnish application device 14. The varnish application device 14 is transporting a sheet S. In this example, the varnish application device 14 is operating in the third mode. The first area A1 and the second area A2 of the sheet S are being varnished by the varnish discharge unit 46.

[0038] The first ultraviolet irradiation section 48 includes six, that is, a plurality of, first irradiation units 148. Note that the number of first irradiation units 148 is not particularly limited.

[0039] The multiple first irradiation units 148 are arranged at different positions in the width direction X. In the example shown in the figure, the multiple first irradiation units 148 are lined up in a row in the width direction X.

[0040] The ultraviolet irradiation intensity can be individually controlled for the multiple first irradiation units 148. Here, "the ultraviolet irradiation intensity can be individually controlled" is not limited to being able to individually increase or decrease the ultraviolet irradiation intensity, but also includes being able to individually set the ultraviolet irradiation intensity to zero, that is, being able to individually turn on / off.

[0041] Each of the plurality of first irradiation units 148 includes one or more ultraviolet light sources. The ultraviolet light source is typically an LED (Light Emitting Diode), but may be any other light source that emits ultraviolet light, such as an incandescent lamp or a fluorescent lamp.

[0042] In the third mode, the first irradiation units 148_i (i=1, 2, ..., 6) irradiate the first area A1 with ultraviolet light while the first area A1 is passing through the irradiation range R1_i, thereby semi-curing the varnish in the first area A1. In the illustrated example, the first area A1 is passing through the irradiation ranges R1_1 and R1_2, so the first irradiation units 148_1 and 148_2 are irradiating ultraviolet light.

[0043] In the third mode, the first irradiation unit 148_i may irradiate ultraviolet rays while the second region A2 is passing through its irradiation range R1_i to semi-cure the varnish in the second region A2. In the illustrated example, the second region A2 is passing through the irradiation ranges R1_3 and R1_4, so the first irradiation units 148_3 and 148_4 may irradiate ultraviolet rays. In this case, the first irradiation unit 148_i may continue irradiating ultraviolet rays while the sheet is passing through. However, by having the first irradiation unit 148_i irradiate ultraviolet rays only while the first region A2 or the second region A2 is passing through its irradiation range R1_i, the energy required for ultraviolet irradiation can be reduced and deterioration of the sheet caused by ultraviolet rays being irradiated onto areas of the sheet surface that are not varnished can be suppressed.

[0044] The second ultraviolet irradiation section 50 includes six, that is, a plurality of, second irradiation units 150. The number of second irradiation units 150 is not particularly limited.

[0045] The number of first irradiation units 148 and the number of second irradiation units 150 may be the same as in the illustrated example, or may be different. For example, the number of second irradiation units 150 may be greater than the number of first irradiation units 148.

[0046] The second irradiation units 150 are arranged at different positions in the width direction X. In the illustrated example, the second irradiation units 150 are aligned in a row in the width direction X.

[0047] The ultraviolet irradiation intensity of each of the second irradiation units 150 can be individually controlled. Each of the second irradiation units 150 includes one or more ultraviolet light sources.

[0048] In the third mode, the second irradiation units 150_i (i=1, 2, ..., 6) irradiate the second area A2 with ultraviolet light while the second area A2 is passing through the irradiation range R2_i, thereby fully curing the varnish in the second area A2. In the illustrated example, the second area A2 is passing through the irradiation ranges R2_4 and R2_5, so the second irradiation units 150_4 and 150_5 are irradiating ultraviolet light.

[0049] On the other hand, in the third mode, the second irradiation units 150_i (i=1, 2, ..., 6) do not irradiate ultraviolet light while the first area A1 is passing through the irradiation range R2_i. In the illustrated example, since the first area A1 is passing through the irradiation ranges R2_1, R2_2, and R2_3, the second irradiation units 150_1, 150_2, and 150_3 do not irradiate ultraviolet light. This prevents the varnish in the first area A1 from being fully cured.

[0050] However, if both the first region A1 and the second region A2 simultaneously fall within one irradiation range R2_i, it is not possible to selectively fully cure only the second region A2. Therefore, the positions of the multiple second irradiation units 150 in the width direction X may be changed manually or automatically by a movement mechanism (not shown). This may allow adjustments to be made so that both the first region A1 and the second region A2 do not simultaneously fall within one irradiation range R2_i. In other words, the number of arrangements of the first region A1 and the second region A2 that allow the first region A1 to be semi-cured and only the second region A2 to be selectively fully cured increases, thereby increasing the design freedom for the sheet decoration.

[0051] The positions of the plurality of first irradiation units 148 in the width direction X may also be changeable manually or automatically by a moving mechanism (not shown).

[0052] Incidentally, the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light (J / cm ) irradiated onto the varnish in the first area A1 is 2If the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish in the first area A1 is too small, the varnish in the first area A1 will not be semi-cured. If the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish in the second area A2 is too small, the varnish in the second area A2 will not be fully cured.

[0053] The cumulative amount of ultraviolet light increases as the intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish increases and as the time for which the ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the varnish increases. The cumulative amount of ultraviolet light decreases as the intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish decreases and as the time for which the ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the varnish decreases.

[0054] Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately determine the ultraviolet irradiation conditions, which affect the integrated light amount, including at least the ultraviolet irradiation intensity, the ultraviolet irradiation distance, and the sheet conveyance speed.

[0055] "Ultraviolet irradiation intensity" refers to the intensity of ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation units 48 and 50. The higher the ultraviolet irradiation intensity, the higher the intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish, and the lower the ultraviolet irradiation intensity, the lower the intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish.

[0056] The "ultraviolet irradiation distance" is the distance (height) from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, 50 to the opposing sheet. The shorter the ultraviolet irradiation distance, the higher the ultraviolet intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish, and the longer the ultraviolet irradiation distance, the lower the ultraviolet intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the varnish. Furthermore, because the ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, 50 spreads, the longer the ultraviolet irradiation distance, the wider the irradiation range of the ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, 50 (hereinafter referred to as the irradiation range of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, 50). In other words, the irradiation range of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, 50 becomes longer in the conveyance direction Y. Therefore, the longer the ultraviolet irradiation distance, the longer the ultraviolet irradiation time for a point on a sheet conveyed at a predetermined conveyance speed that passes through the irradiation range of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, 50. On the other hand, the shorter the ultraviolet irradiation distance, the narrower the irradiation range of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, 50. In other words, the irradiation range of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, 50 becomes shorter in the conveyance direction Y. Therefore, the shorter the ultraviolet irradiation distance, the shorter the ultraviolet irradiation time for a point on a sheet transported at a predetermined transport speed that passes through the irradiation range of the ultraviolet irradiation units 48 and 50.

[0057] The "sheet conveying speed" is the conveying speed at which a sheet is conveyed. The slower the sheet conveying speed, the longer the ultraviolet irradiation time, and the faster the sheet conveying speed, the shorter the ultraviolet irradiation time.

[0058] The user can determine the irradiation conditions for the varnish in the first area A1 and the varnish in the second area A2 in the third mode based on tests and simulations. Note that the varnish in the second area A2, which is to be fully cured, requires a greater cumulative amount of light than the varnish in the first area A1, which is to be semi-cured, so the irradiation conditions for the varnish in the second area A2 will naturally be different from the irradiation conditions for the varnish in the first area A1.

[0059] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. According to this embodiment, by passing the sheet only once through the varnish application device 14, the varnish applied to the first area A1 on the surface of the sheet can be semi-cured and the varnish applied to the second area A2 can be fully cured. Therefore, according to this embodiment, by passing the sheet only once through the sheet decoration system 10, the first area A1 on the surface of the sheet can be foil stamped and the second area A2 can be coated with varnish.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by passing the sheet through the sheet decoration system 10 only once, the first area A1 is coated with varnish and then foil stamped, while the second area A2 is only coated with varnish and no foil is applied. Conventionally, to achieve the same decoration, the sheet had to be passed through the machine twice. Specifically, in the first pass, varnish is applied to the second area A2 or both the first area A1 and the second area A2 and then fully cured. In the second pass, varnish is applied to the first area A1 and semi-cured, and then the varnish is foil stamped and fully cured. In this case, it was difficult to completely prevent misalignment between the first and second varnish applications. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the varnish is applied only once, eliminating the problem of misalignment of the varnish application that occurred in the past. Furthermore, compared to the conventional method of passing the sheet through the machine twice, the effort, time, and ultimately costs required for sheet decoration can be reduced.

[0061] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the respective components and processing steps, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. These modifications will be described below.

[0062] (Variation 1) When only the first region A1 passes through the irradiation range R1_i of the first irradiation unit 148_i while the entire length of the sheet passes through the irradiation range R1_i, the first irradiation unit 148_i may continue to irradiate ultraviolet light, for example, throughout the entire time the sheet is passing through the irradiation range R1_i or throughout the entire time a job is being executed. Note that when at least one of the first region A1 and the second region A2 passes through the irradiation range R1_i of the first irradiation unit 148_i while the entire length of the sheet passes through the irradiation range R1_i, the first irradiation unit 148_i may continue to irradiate ultraviolet light, for example, throughout the entire time the sheet is passing through the irradiation range R1_i or throughout the entire time a job is being executed.

[0063] If only the second area A2 passes through the irradiation range R2_i of the second irradiation unit 150_i while the entire length of the sheet passes through the irradiation range R2_i, the second irradiation unit 150_i may continue to irradiate ultraviolet light, for example, throughout the entire time the sheet is passing through the irradiation range R2_i or throughout the entire time the job is being executed.

[0064] By applying this, when a first area A1 exists only on one side of a certain position in the width direction X of the sheet and a second area A2 exists only on the other side, in other words, when a transfer (foil stamping) area is formed only on one side and a varnish coating area is formed only on the other side, at that certain position, (1) the first irradiation unit 148 located on one side may continue to irradiate ultraviolet light, (2) the first irradiation unit 148 located on the other side may not irradiate ultraviolet light, (3) the second irradiation unit 150 located on one side may not irradiate ultraviolet light, and (4) the second irradiation unit 150 located on the other side may continue to irradiate ultraviolet light.

[0065] The ultraviolet ray irradiation section 66 for foil stamping of the foil stamping device 16 may include a plurality of irradiation units arranged at different positions in the width direction, similar to the ultraviolet ray irradiation sections 48, 50 of the varnish application device 14. In this case, of the plurality of irradiation units of the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 66 for foil stamping, an irradiation unit located on one side of a certain position on the sheet may continue to irradiate ultraviolet rays, while an irradiation unit located on the other side may not irradiate ultraviolet rays.

[0066] In this way, when the first region A1 exists only on one side of a certain position in the width direction X of the sheet and the second region A2 exists only on the other side, there is no need to finely control the irradiation timing of each irradiation unit of each ultraviolet irradiation section.

[0067] (Variation 2) In the embodiment and the above-described modified example, the varnish application device 14 includes two ultraviolet irradiation units 48, 50. However, the varnish application device 14 may include only one ultraviolet irradiation unit. For example, the varnish application device 14 may include only the second ultraviolet irradiation unit 50, without the first ultraviolet irradiation unit 48. In this case, each second irradiation unit 150_i irradiates ultraviolet light at an ultraviolet irradiation intensity for semi-curing while the first region A1 passes through its irradiation range R2_i, thereby semi-curing the varnish in the first region A1, and irradiates ultraviolet light at an ultraviolet irradiation intensity for full curing, which is higher than the ultraviolet irradiation intensity for semi-curing, while the second region A2 passes through its irradiation range R2_i, thereby curing the varnish in the second region A2.

[0068] 3, since the first region A1 is passing through the irradiation ranges R2_1, R2_2, and R2_3, the second irradiation units 150_1, 150_2, and 150_3 irradiate ultraviolet rays with an ultraviolet irradiation intensity for semi-curing. Also, since the second region A2 is passing through the irradiation ranges R2_4 and R2_5, the second irradiation units 150_4 and 150_5 irradiate ultraviolet rays with an ultraviolet irradiation intensity for full curing.

[0069] According to this modification, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the embodiment.

[0070] (Variation 3) Unlike the embodiment and the above-described modified examples, the irradiation units of the ultraviolet irradiation units 48, 50 may be configured to be able to scan ultraviolet rays in the width direction X using known technology. For example, the irradiation units of the ultraviolet irradiation units 48, 50 may be configured to be able to scan ultraviolet rays in the width direction X using technology similar to the technology used to scan exposure light in a laser printer. In this case, the ultraviolet irradiation units 48, 50 can irradiate ultraviolet rays over the entire range in the width direction X with, for example, one irradiation unit.

[0071] (Variation 4) Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiment, the thickness of the varnish affects the full curing and semi-curing of the varnish. Therefore, the irradiation conditions may be adjusted taking the thickness of the varnish into consideration. For example, the thicker the varnish, the higher the intensity of the ultraviolet light to be irradiated, and the thinner the varnish, the lower the intensity of the ultraviolet light to be irradiated.

[0072] (Variation 5) In the embodiment and the above-mentioned modified examples, the case of foil stamping on semi-hardened varnish, that is, foil stamping as a transfer process, has been described, but this is not limited to this, and other transfer processes may be performed on semi-hardened varnish. For example, instead of the foil stamping device 16, a transfer device that performs a transfer process called lamicoating may be provided, and a web with a finely textured surface may be brought into close contact with the semi-hardened varnish, and the finely textured shape may be transferred to the varnish.

[0073] Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present disclosure. A new embodiment resulting from the combination has the combined effects of the combined embodiments and modifications.

[0074] The above-described embodiment can be generalized to provide the following aspects.

[0075] [Aspect 1] A sheet decoration system that decorates a sheet while conveying the sheet, A varnish application device is provided that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to the sheet and irradiates the varnish with ultraviolet light, The varnish application device irradiates the varnish applied to a first region of the sheet with ultraviolet light to semi-cure the varnish applied to the first region, and irradiates the varnish applied to a second region of the sheet with ultraviolet light under irradiation conditions different from those for the varnish applied to the first region, to harden the varnish applied to the second region, while the sheet is passed through the varnish application device once. Seat upholstery system.

[0076] [Aspect 2] The varnish application device includes a first ultraviolet irradiation unit and a second ultraviolet irradiation unit, The first ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates ultraviolet light only onto the varnish applied to the first region to semi-cure the varnish applied to the first region, or irradiates ultraviolet light onto both the varnish applied to the first region and the varnish applied to the second region to semi-cure both the varnish applied to the first region and the varnish applied to the second region, The second ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates ultraviolet light only onto the varnish applied to the second region to harden the varnish applied to the second region. 2. The sheet decoration system according to embodiment 1.

[0077] [Aspect 3] The varnish application device includes a first ultraviolet irradiation unit and a second ultraviolet irradiation unit, The first ultraviolet irradiation unit includes a plurality of first irradiation units arranged at different positions in the width direction and capable of individually controlling ultraviolet irradiation intensity, and each of the plurality of first irradiation units irradiates ultraviolet light while the first region passes through its irradiation range to semi-cure the varnish applied to the first region, The second ultraviolet irradiation unit includes a plurality of second irradiation units arranged at different positions in the width direction and capable of individually controlling ultraviolet irradiation intensity, and each of the plurality of second irradiation units irradiates ultraviolet light while the second region passes through its irradiation range to harden the varnish applied to the second region. 2. The sheet decoration system according to embodiment 1.

[0078] [Aspect 4] the first ultraviolet irradiation unit is disposed upstream of the second ultraviolet irradiation unit, Each of the plurality of first irradiation units irradiates ultraviolet light while the second area passes through its irradiation range to semi-cure the varnish applied to the second area. A sheet decoration system according to embodiment 3.

[0079] [Aspect 5] The varnish application device includes a plurality of irradiation units arranged at different positions in the width direction and capable of individually controlling ultraviolet irradiation intensity, Each of the plurality of irradiation units irradiates ultraviolet light while the first area is passing through its irradiation range to semi-cure the varnish applied to the first area, and irradiates ultraviolet light under irradiation conditions different from those used while the first area is passing through its irradiation range to harden the varnish applied to the second area while the second area is passing through its irradiation range. 2. The sheet decoration system according to embodiment 1.

[0080] [Aspect 6] The sheet decoration system according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, further comprising a transfer device that performs a predetermined transfer process on the semi-hardened varnish applied to the second region.

[0081] [Aspect 7] A program for controlling a varnish application device that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to a sheet and irradiates the varnish with ultraviolet light, the program comprising: The application device is controlled so that, during one pass of the sheet through the varnish application device, varnish is applied to a first region and a second region of the sheet, ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the varnish applied to the first region to semi-harden the varnish applied to the first region, and ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the varnish applied to the second region under irradiation conditions different from those for the varnish applied to the first region to harden the varnish applied to the second region. program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 sheet decoration system, 12 paper feeding device, 14 varnish application device, 16 foil stamping device, 46 varnish discharge section, 48 first ultraviolet irradiation section, 50 second ultraviolet irradiation section, 148 first irradiation unit, 150 second irradiation unit.

Claims

1. A sheet decoration system that decorates a sheet while conveying the sheet, A varnish application device is provided that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to the sheet and irradiates the varnish with ultraviolet light, The varnish application device applies varnish to a first region and a second region of the sheet while the sheet is passed through the varnish application device once, irradiates ultraviolet light onto the varnish applied to the first region to semi-harden the varnish applied to the first region, and irradiates ultraviolet light onto the varnish applied to the second region under irradiation conditions different from those for the varnish applied to the first region to harden the varnish applied to the second region. Seat upholstery system.

2. The varnish application device includes a first ultraviolet irradiation unit and a second ultraviolet irradiation unit, the first ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates ultraviolet light only onto the varnish applied to the first region to semi-cure the varnish applied to the first region, or irradiates ultraviolet light onto both the varnish applied to the first region and the varnish applied to the second region to semi-cure both the varnish applied to the first region and the varnish applied to the second region, The second ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates ultraviolet light only onto the varnish applied to the second region to harden the varnish applied to the second region. The sheet decoration system of claim 1 .

3. The varnish application device includes a first ultraviolet irradiation unit and a second ultraviolet irradiation unit, The first ultraviolet irradiation unit includes a plurality of first irradiation units arranged at different positions in the width direction and capable of individually controlling ultraviolet irradiation intensity, and each of the plurality of first irradiation units irradiates ultraviolet light while the first region passes through its irradiation range to semi-cure the varnish applied to the first region, The second ultraviolet irradiation unit includes a plurality of second irradiation units arranged at different positions in the width direction and capable of individually controlling ultraviolet irradiation intensity, and each of the plurality of second irradiation units irradiates ultraviolet light while the second region passes through its irradiation range to harden the varnish applied to the second region. The sheet decoration system of claim 1 .

4. the first ultraviolet irradiation unit is disposed upstream of the second ultraviolet irradiation unit, Each of the plurality of first irradiation units irradiates ultraviolet light while the second area passes through its irradiation range to semi-cure the varnish applied to the second area. The sheet decoration system according to claim 3 .

5. The varnish application device includes a plurality of irradiation units arranged at different positions in the width direction and capable of individually controlling ultraviolet irradiation intensity, Each of the plurality of irradiation units irradiates ultraviolet light while the first area is passing through its irradiation range to semi-cure the varnish applied to the first area, and irradiates ultraviolet light under irradiation conditions different from those used while the first area is passing through its irradiation range to harden the varnish applied to the second area while the second area is passing through its irradiation range. The sheet decoration system of claim 1 .

6. The sheet decoration system according to claim 1 , further comprising a transfer device that performs a predetermined transfer process on the semi-hardened varnish applied to the second area.

7. A program for controlling a varnish application device that applies an ultraviolet-curable varnish to a sheet and irradiates the varnish with ultraviolet light, the program comprising: The function of controlling the applicator is realized so that, during one pass of the sheet through the varnish applicator, varnish is applied to a first region and a second region of the sheet, ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the varnish applied to the first region to semi-harden the varnish applied to the first region, and ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the varnish applied to the second region under irradiation conditions different from those for the varnish applied to the first region to harden the varnish applied to the second region. program.

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