Glass film cleaning apparatus, glass film manufacturing method, and glass film conveying apparatus

Abstract

The system ensures that the glass film being transported on the upstream drive transport unit is properly transferred to the downstream drive transport unit. [Solution] The glass film cleaning device 1 comprises a first drive transport unit 5A that transports the glass film G in the upstream cleaning zone 2, and a second drive transport unit 5B that transports the glass film G in the downstream cleaning zone 2. A transfer assist means 10 is provided between the first drive transport unit 5A and the second drive transport unit 5B to assist in the operation of transferring the glass film G being transported on the first drive transport unit 5A onto the second drive transport unit 5B.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a glass film while conveying it, a manufacturing method that can be performed using the same, and an apparatus for conveying a glass film.

Background Art

[0002] As a type of cleaning apparatus for cleaning a glass plate while conveying it, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus provided with a plurality of cleaning zones along the conveying direction of the glass plate.

[0003] In addition, the cleaning apparatus disclosed in the same document has a plurality of cleaning zones partitioned by partition walls, and the partition walls are formed with openings through which a glass plate conveyed in a flat posture passes.

[0004] In this case, inside each cleaning zone, a plurality of conveying rollers are provided as conveying means for conveying the glass plate (see

[0029] and FIG. 1 of the same document). These conveying rollers are usually driving rollers that are rotationally driven by a driving device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, when the above glass plate is a glass film with a thickness of less than 100 μm, in order to reduce the deflection of the glass film during conveyance, there is a demand to shorten the arrangement interval in the conveyance direction of the above driving rollers.

[0007] However, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when multiple cleaning zones are separated by partition walls, it is necessary to avoid interference between the drive mechanism of the drive rollers and the partition walls. Therefore, the spacing between the drive rollers in the transport direction of adjacent upstream and downstream cleaning zones must be increased only between the drive rollers closest to the partition wall.

[0008] As a result, the process of transferring the glass film being transported on the drive rollers in the upstream cleaning zone through the opening in the partition wall to the drive rollers in the downstream cleaning zone becomes impossible. Consequently, problems such as the glass film sagging or falling during the transfer occur, leading to damage.

[0009] From the above perspective, the object of the present invention is to properly transfer the glass film being transported on the upstream drive transport unit to the downstream drive transport unit, thereby avoiding problems such as damage to the glass film during the transfer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] (1) The first aspect of the present invention, which was devised to solve the above problems, is a glass film cleaning apparatus in which a cleaning zone for cleaning a rectangular glass film in a flat position is divided into a plurality of sections along the direction of transport of the glass film, a partition wall is provided between adjacent upstream cleaning zones and downstream cleaning zones in the plurality of cleaning zones, and an opening is formed in the partition wall for the glass film being transported to pass through, comprising a first drive transport section that supports and transports the glass film from below inside the upstream cleaning zone, and a second drive transport section that supports and transports the glass film from below inside the downstream cleaning zone, wherein a transfer assist means is provided between the first drive transport section and the second drive transport section to assist in the operation of transferring the glass film being transported on the first drive transport section through the opening in the partition wall onto the second drive transport section.

[0011] With this configuration, even if the distance between the first and second drive transport units is long due to the presence of a partition wall, a transfer assist means is provided between the first and second drive transport units. Therefore, the operation of transferring the glass film being transported on the first drive transport unit through the opening in the partition wall to the second drive transport unit is performed correctly. As a result, the glass film does not sag or fall during the transfer, and problems such as damage to the glass film are avoided.

[0012] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, the transfer assist means may include a first non-driven transport unit provided downstream of the first driven transport unit and a second non-driven transport unit provided upstream of the second driven transport unit.

[0013] In this manner, a first non-driven transport section and a second non-driven transport section are provided between the first driven transport section and the second driven transport section, so that the glass film is supported from below by these non-driven transport sections during the transfer described above. As a result, sagging and dropping of the glass film are appropriately prevented by these non-driven transport sections.

[0014] (3) In the configuration of (2) above, the transfer assistance means may further include an auxiliary support unit arranged across the first non-driven transport unit and the second non-driven transport unit.

[0015] In this way, the glass film is not only supported from below by the first and second non-driven transport units during the transfer described above, but also supported from below by an auxiliary support unit positioned across the first and second non-driven transport units. This reliably prevents the glass film from falling into the gap between the first and second non-driven transport units during the transfer. As a result, the transfer of the glass film is performed more appropriately.

[0016] (4) In the configuration of (2) or (3) above, the first driven transport unit and the second driven transport unit are each configured to have a drive shaft that extends in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass film and is rotationally driven, and drive rollers fixed at multiple locations in the axial direction of the drive shaft, arranged at multiple locations in the transport direction of the glass film, and the first non-driven transport unit and the second non-driven transport unit may each have a fixed shaft that extends in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass film and is fixedly installed, and free rollers that are attached at multiple locations in the axial direction of the fixed shaft and rotate freely around the fixed shaft, arranged at at least one location in the transport direction of the glass film. In the following description, "transport direction of the glass film" will also simply be referred to as "transport direction".

[0017] In this way, even if the distance between the downstream conveyor roller of the first driven conveyor section and the upstream conveyor roller of the second driven conveyor section becomes longer in order to avoid interference between the drive devices of the drive rollers of the first driven conveyor section and the partition wall, appropriate measures can be taken. In other words, since both the first non-driven conveyor section and the second non-driven conveyor section are composed of free rollers, there is no need to install a drive device. Therefore, the problem of interference between the drive device and the partition wall does not occur, and the first non-driven conveyor section and the second non-driven conveyor section can be brought closer to the partition wall. This effectively prevents the glass film from sagging or falling when passing through the opening in the partition wall.

[0018] (5) In the configuration of (4) above, the auxiliary support portion may be stretched and held between the fixed shaft of the first non-driven transport portion and the fixed shaft of the second non-driven transport portion.

[0019] In this way, the fixed shafts of the first non-driven conveying unit and the second non-driven conveying unit are effectively utilized to hold the auxiliary support. This simplifies the mounting structure of the auxiliary support. When the first non-driven conveying unit and the second non-driven conveying unit each have multiple fixed shafts, it is preferable that the auxiliary conveying unit is stretched between the fixed shaft located furthest upstream of the first non-driven conveying unit and the fixed shaft located furthest downstream of the second non-driven conveying unit, but the fixed shafts stretched are not limited to these.

[0020] (6) In the configuration of (4) or (5) above, the upstream end of the auxiliary support may be located upstream of the upstream end of the free roller located at the furthest upstream position of the first non-driven conveying unit, and the downstream end of the auxiliary support may be located downstream of the downstream end of the free roller located at the furthest downstream position of the second non-driven conveying unit.

[0021] In this way, the length of the auxiliary support in the transport direction can be made sufficiently long, thereby preventing the glass film from falling into the gap between the first non-driven transport section and the first driven transport section, and the gap between the second non-driven transport section and the second driven transport section during the transfer.

[0022] (7) In any of the configurations (4) to (6) above, the upstream end of the auxiliary support may be located upstream of the downstream end of the drive roller located at the most downstream side of the first drive conveying unit, and the downstream end of the auxiliary support may be located downstream of the upstream end of the drive roller located at the most upstream side of the second drive conveying unit.

[0023] In this way, the length of the auxiliary support in the transport direction can be further increased, which further reliably prevents the glass film from falling into the gap between the first non-driven transport section and the first driven transport section, and the gap between the second non-driven transport section and the second driven transport section, during the transfer described above.

[0024] (8) In any of the configurations (4) to (7) above, the height position of the upper end of each free roller of the first non-driven conveyance unit and the second non-driven conveyance unit may be lower than the height position of the upper end of each drive roller of the first drive conveyance unit and the second drive conveyance unit.

[0025] By doing so, the problem that the glass film is lifted by the free roller during the above transfer is avoided.

[0026] (9) In any of the configurations (4) to (8) above, the auxiliary support portion has a support surface at the upper end of the main body, and the height position of the support surface may be lower than the height position of the upper end of each free roller of the first non-driven conveyance unit and the second non-driven conveyance unit.

[0027] By doing so, the problem that the glass film is lifted by the support surface of the auxiliary support portion during the above transfer is avoided.

[0028] (10) In any of the configurations (4) to (8) above, the auxiliary support portion has a rotatable roller with a part protruding from the upper end of the main body, and the height position of the upper end of the roller may be approximately the same as the height position of the upper end of each free roller of the first non-driven conveyance unit and the second non-driven conveyance unit.

[0029] By doing so, the glass film is smoothly conveyed by the rotating roller during the above transfer.

[0030] (11) In any of the configurations (3) to (10) above, the first drive conveyance unit, the first non-driven conveyance unit, the second drive conveyance unit, and the second non-driven conveyance unit are inclined at the same angle with respect to the horizontal plane in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the glass film, and the auxiliary support portion may be disposed at a lower portion of the first non-driven conveyance unit and the second non-driven conveyance unit.

[0031] In this manner, the glass film is transported at an incline, following the incline of each transport section described above. In this case, cleaning solution is sprayed onto the glass film, and the cleaning solution flows from the upper part of the glass film to the lower part. As a result, a large weight from the cleaning solution acts on the lower part of the glass film. In this case, since the auxiliary support section is located at the lower part of the first non-driven transport section and the second non-driven transport section, problems such as the lower part of the glass film sagging significantly during the transfer are avoided.

[0032] (12) In the configuration of (11) above, the auxiliary support part may be positioned in the area through which the lower corner of the glass film being transported passes.

[0033] In this way, the lower corners of the glass film, which are most likely to sag due to the weight of the cleaning solution mentioned above, are properly supported from below by the auxiliary support.

[0034] (13) In the configuration of (12) above, the auxiliary support part may be positioned in the area through which the four corners of the glass film being transported pass.

[0035] In this way, not only the lower corners of the glass film mentioned above, but also the upper corners of the glass film that may sag, are properly supported from below by the auxiliary support.

[0036] (14) In the configuration of (13) above, the auxiliary support part may be positioned in a part through which the central part in the inclined direction of the glass film being transported passes.

[0037] In this way, not only the four corners of the glass film mentioned above, but also the central part of the glass film in the direction of inclination, where sagging is likely to occur when the size of the glass film increases, is properly supported from below by the auxiliary support.

[0038] (15) In any of the configurations described in (4) to (14) above, the auxiliary support portion may be detachably held on the fixed shaft of the first non-driven transport portion and the fixed shaft of the second non-driven transport portion.

[0039] In this way, the request to change the position of the auxiliary support can be accommodated by removing the auxiliary support.

[0040] (16) In the configuration of (15) above, the first driven transport unit, the first non-driven transport unit, the second driven transport unit, and the second non-driven transport unit are inclined at the same angle with respect to the horizontal plane in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass film, and the auxiliary support units are arranged at multiple locations in the inclination direction of the first non-driven transport unit and the second non-driven transport unit, the lowermost auxiliary support unit is kept in a fixed position without being removed, and at least the uppermost auxiliary support unit may be made to change its position in the inclination direction by attachment or detachment.

[0041] In this way, if the size of the glass film is changed (if the length of the glass film in the inclined direction is changed), the position of the other auxiliary support parts can be changed using the position of the lowest auxiliary support part as the reference position, thus improving work efficiency.

[0042] (17) In any of the configurations described in (1) to (16) above, the thickness of the glass film may be 50 μm or less.

[0043] In this way, the effects of providing the aforementioned transfer assistance means and auxiliary support can be significantly enhanced.

[0044] (18) A second aspect of the present invention, which was devised to solve the above problems, is a glass film manufacturing method, characterized in that it includes a cleaning step of cleaning the glass film while transporting it using any of the glass film cleaning devices described in (1) to (17) above.

[0045] According to this glass film manufacturing method, substantially the same effects and benefits as those described in each of the above configurations (1) to (17) can be obtained.

[0046] (19) A third aspect of the present invention, devised to solve the above problems, is a glass film conveying device comprising: a first driven conveying unit that supports and conveys a glass film in a horizontal position from below; and a second driven conveying unit disposed downstream of the first driven conveying unit, wherein the first driven conveying unit and the second driven conveying unit are provided with a transfer assisting means for assisting the operation of transferring the glass film being conveyed on the first driven conveying unit onto the second driven conveying unit, and the transfer assisting means is characterized by comprising: a first non-driven conveying unit provided downstream of the first driven conveying unit; a second non-driven conveying unit provided upstream of the second driven conveying unit; and an auxiliary support unit disposed across the first non-driven conveying unit and the second non-driven conveying unit.

[0047] With such a glass film transport device, substantially the same effects and benefits as those described in the configuration of (3) above can be obtained.

[0048] (20) In the configuration of (19) above, the first non-driven transport unit and the second non-driven transport unit are each configured such that a fixed shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass film and fixedly installed, and free rollers attached to multiple locations in the axial direction of the fixed shaft and rotating freely around the fixed shaft are arranged at least at one location in the transport direction of the glass film, and the auxiliary support unit may be held by being stretched between the fixed shaft of the first non-driven transport unit and the fixed shaft of the second non-driven transport unit.

[0049] In this way, substantially the same effects and benefits as those described in the configuration of (5) above can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0050] According to the present invention, the operation of transferring the glass film being transported on the upstream drive transport unit to the downstream drive transport unit is performed appropriately, and problems such as damage to the glass film during the transfer are avoided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0051] [Figure 1] A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view showing the overall configuration of a glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the configuration of the main parts of a glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a front view of the main components of a glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right side (downstream side). [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a first example of an auxiliary support section (bridge body), which is a component of a glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a first example of an auxiliary support part (bridge body), which is a component of a glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from diagonally below. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view taken along the EE line, and shows a first example of an auxiliary support part (bridge body), which is a component of the glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a second example of an auxiliary support part (bridge body), which is a component of a glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of a second example of an auxiliary support part (bridge body), which is a component of a glass film cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from diagonally below. [Figure 9] Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view taken along the EE line, and shows a second example of an auxiliary support part (bridge body), which is a component of the glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an enlarged plan view showing the main part of a first modified example of a glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged plan view showing the main part of a second modified example of a glass film cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0052] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention, including a glass film cleaning apparatus and a glass film manufacturing method, will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of a glass film cleaning apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as cleaning apparatus 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the cleaning apparatus 1 is configured to perform a cleaning process while conveying a rectangular glass film G in a flat position in the direction of arrow A.

[0054] The cleaning device 1 comprises a plurality of cleaning zones 2 arranged along the conveying direction. Each of these cleaning zones 2 is separated by a partition wall 3. Each partition wall 3 has an opening 4 through which the glass film G being conveyed passes.

[0055] Each washing zone 2 is provided with a drive transport unit 5 that supports and transports the glass film G from below. Each wash zone 2's drive transport unit 5 is equipped with drive rollers 5a arranged at 10 to 30 locations (6 or 7 locations in the illustrated example for convenience) in the transport direction.

[0056] Each cleaning zone 2 is provided with an upper cleaning nozzle 7 that sprays cleaning liquid W onto the upper surface Ga of the glass film G, and a lower cleaning nozzle 8 that sprays cleaning liquid W onto the lower surface Gb of the glass film G. The cleaning liquid includes rinsing liquid. In addition, a pair of cleaning brushes 9 are provided in the middle of the conveying direction of some (two in the illustrated example) of the drive conveying unit 5 of each cleaning zone 2 to scrub and clean the upper surface Ga and lower surface Gb of the glass film G. The cleaning brushes 9 may be either fixed brushes or rotating brushes.

[0057] Transfer assistance means 10 are provided between the drive transport unit 5 of the adjacent upstream cleaning zone 2 and the drive transport unit 5 of the downstream cleaning zone 2 in each cleaning zone 2. These transfer assistance means 10 assist in the operation of transferring the glass film G being transported on the drive transport unit 5 of the upstream cleaning zone 2 to the drive transport unit 5 of the downstream cleaning zone 2 by passing it through the opening 4 of the partition wall 3.

[0058] Each of these transfer assistance means 10 comprises two non-driven conveying units 11 and an auxiliary support unit 13. The upstream non-driven conveying unit 11 of the two non-driven conveying units 11 is equipped with a free roller 11a located downstream of the driven conveying unit 5 in the upstream cleaning zone 2. The downstream non-driven conveying unit 11 is equipped with a free roller 11a located upstream of the driven conveying unit 5 in the downstream cleaning zone 2.

[0059] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the main parts of the drive transport unit 5 of the upstream washing zone 2 (hereinafter referred to as the first drive transport unit 5A) and the drive transport unit 5 of the downstream washing zone 2 (hereinafter referred to as the second drive transport unit 5B), which are adjacent to each other separated by a partition wall 3, and also showing the configuration of the transfer assist means 10 in detail. Note that the configuration shown in the figure is the same on both sides of the transport direction of all partition walls 3.

[0060] As shown in the figure, the first drive conveying unit 5A includes the above-mentioned drive roller 5a (hereinafter referred to as the first drive roller 5ax) and a first drive shaft 5ay that extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (the BB direction shown in the figure, hereinafter referred to as the width direction) and is rotationally driven. The first drive roller 5ax is fixed at multiple locations in the axial direction of the first drive shaft 5ay. Therefore, the number of first drive shafts 5ay arranged in the conveying direction is the same as the number of locations where the first drive rollers 5ax are arranged in the conveying direction. One end of the first drive shaft 5ay in the axial direction is connected to a first drive device 14A that rotationally drives the first drive shaft 5ay, and the other end of the first drive shaft 5ay in the axial direction is rotatably held by a first bearing 15A.

[0061] The second drive conveying unit 5B, like the first drive conveying unit 5A described above, is equipped with a second drive roller 5bx and a second drive shaft 5by. Therefore, the number of locations where the second drive roller 5bx is arranged in the conveying direction and the number of second drive shafts 5by are the same as those of the first drive conveying unit 5A. One axial end of the second drive shaft 5by is connected to a second drive device 14B that rotates the second drive shaft 5by, and the other axial end of the second drive shaft 5by is rotatably held by a second bearing 15B.

[0062] Here, the spacing L1 between the first drive shaft 5ay, located furthest downstream in the first drive conveying section 5A, and the second drive shaft 5by, located furthest upstream in the second drive conveying section 5B, is increased due to the presence of the partition wall 3. More specifically, this spacing L1 is longer than the spacing L2 between each of the multiple first drive shafts 5ay and the spacing L2 between each of the multiple second drive shafts 5by. Furthermore, the upstream first drive roller 5ax and the downstream first drive roller 5ax, fixed to two adjacent first drive shafts 5ay respectively, are arranged so that they partially overlap in the conveying direction. Similarly, the upstream second drive roller 5bx and the downstream second drive roller 5bx, fixed to two adjacent second drive shafts 5by respectively, are also arranged so that they partially overlap in the conveying direction. As a result, the deflection of the glass film G being conveyed is reduced on the first drive conveying section 5A and the second drive conveying section 5B, preventing sagging and other issues. In contrast, the first drive roller 5ax, located at the downstream end of the first drive conveying unit 5A, and the second drive roller 5bx, located at the upstream end of the second drive conveying unit 5B, are separated by a large gap L3. This large gap L3 is provided to avoid interference between the first drive unit 14A and the second drive unit 14B and the partition wall 3. The presence of such a large gap L3 can cause problems such as the glass film G being conveyed sagging or falling into this gap L3 and being damaged. Therefore, the cleaning device 1 is equipped with a transfer assist means 10, which will be described in detail below.

[0063] The transfer assistance means 10 includes the above-mentioned non-driven transport unit 11 (hereinafter referred to as the first non-driven transport unit 11A) located in the upstream washing zone 2, and the above-mentioned non-driven transport unit 11 (hereinafter referred to as the second non-driven transport unit 11B) located in the downstream washing zone 2. The first non-driven transport unit 11A has the above-mentioned free roller 11a (hereinafter referred to as the first free roller 11ax), and the second non-driven transport unit 11B has the above-mentioned free roller 11a (hereinafter referred to as the second free roller 11bx).

[0064] The first free roller 11ax is mounted at multiple locations in the axial direction of the first fixed shaft 11ay, which extends in the width direction, and is configured to rotate freely around the first fixed shaft 11ay. One end and the other end of the first fixed shaft 11ay are fixed by the first fixing device 16A. The first fixed shaft 11ay is located at only one location in the conveying direction. The second free roller 11bx is mounted at multiple locations in the axial direction of the second fixed shaft 11by, which extends in the width direction, and is configured to rotate freely around the second fixed shaft 11by. One end and the other end of the second fixed shaft 11by are fixed by the second fixing device 16B. The second fixed shaft 11by is located at only one location in the conveying direction. The first free roller 11ax and the second free roller 11bx have smaller diameters than the first drive roller 5ax and the second drive roller 5bx.

[0065] Here, since there is no need to provide a drive device in the first non-driven transport section 11A and the second non-driven transport section 11B, the first fixed shaft 11ay and the second fixed shaft 11by are fixed in the transport direction by a short and compact first fixing device 16A and second fixing device 16B, respectively. For this reason, the first non-driven transport section 11A and the second non-driven transport section 11B are positioned close to the partition wall 3.

[0066] The auxiliary support parts 13 provided by the transfer assistance means 10 are arranged at three locations in the width direction of the first non-driven transport section 11A and the second non-driven transport section 11B. In this embodiment, the auxiliary support parts 13 are bridge bodies arranged across the first non-driven transport section 11A and the second non-driven transport section 11B. In the illustrated example, one bridge body 13 is arranged at each of the three locations in the width direction of the first non-driven transport section 11A and the second non-driven transport section 11B.

[0067] Here, the first driven transport unit 5A, the first non-driven transport unit 11A, the second driven transport unit 5B, and the second non-driven transport unit 11B are all inclined at an angle α with respect to the horizontal plane M in the width direction, as shown in Figure 3. This inclination angle α is preferably 3° to 10°, and more preferably 3° to 7°. Therefore, the glass film G is also transported at a similar inclination.

[0068] In Figure 2, the direction of arrow F is the lower side in the direction of the inclination, and the direction of arrow J is the upper side in the direction of the inclination. In the example shown in Figure 2, the two lower corners Gx of the glass film G (shown by dashed lines in the figure) pass over the bridge body 13 located on the lower side in the direction of the inclination. Also, the two upper corners Gy of the glass film G pass over the bridge body 13 located on the upper side in the direction of the inclination. Furthermore, the central part Gz of the glass film G in the direction of the inclination passes over the bridge body 13 located on the central part in the direction of the inclination.

[0069] Here, the thickness of the glass film G is preferably 1 μm to 50 μm, and more preferably 10 μm to 40 μm. The dimensions of the glass film G in the transport direction and in the width direction are both preferably 300 mm to 2000 mm. The glass film G is flexible. Such a glass film G is used, for example, as a glass substrate or cover glass in panel displays such as liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays.

[0070] Figures 4 and 5 show a first example of the bridge body 13. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bridge body 13 viewed from diagonally above, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bridge body 13 viewed from diagonally below. As shown in these figures, the main body 13A of the bridge body 13 (in this first example, the bridge body 13 and the main body 13A are the same) has a length in the transport direction that is longer than its length in the width direction, and a length in the transport direction that is longer than its length in the vertical direction. The bridge body 13 has a planar support surface 13a that supports the glass film G from below. The support surface 13a is formed at the upper end of the bridge body 13. Curved surfaces 13b that curve in the vertical direction are formed at both ends of the bridge body 13 in the transport direction. All of these curved surfaces 13b are curved so as to be convex outward in the transport direction and smoothly connect to both ends of the support surface 13a in the transport direction. Recesses 13c are formed at two locations in the transport direction of the bridge body 13. These recesses 13c are open at the bottom. The bridge body 13 is made of a resin such as polyethylene.

[0071] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view taken along the EE line in Figure 2. One recess 13c on the upstream side of the bridge body 13 according to the first example is fitted onto the first fixed shaft 11ay of the first non-driven conveying unit 11A, and the other recess 13c on the downstream side is fitted onto the second fixed shaft 11by of the second non-driven conveying unit 11B. The bridge body 13 is held detachably by being stretched across the first fixed shaft 11ay and the second fixed shaft 11by.

[0072] As shown in the figure, the height position H1 of the support surface 13a of the bridge body 13 is lower than the height position H2 of the upper end of the first free roller 11ax and the upper end of the second free roller 11bx. Note that the height position H2 of the upper end of the first free roller 11ax and the height position H2 of the upper end of the second free roller 11bx are the same.

[0073] The height position H2 of the upper end of the first free roller 11ax (the height position H2 of the upper end of the second free roller 11bx) is lower than the height position H3 of the upper end of the first drive roller 5ax and the upper end of the second drive roller 5bx. Note that the height position H3 of the upper end of the first drive roller 5ax and the height position H3 of the upper end of the second drive roller 5bx are the same. Furthermore, the height position H3 of the upper end of each of the multiple first drive rollers 5ax is the same, and the height position H3 of the upper end of each of the multiple second drive rollers 5bx is also the same.

[0074] The upstream end position K1 of the bridge body 13 is located upstream of the upstream end position N1 of the first free roller 11ax. The downstream end position K2 of the bridge body 13 is located downstream of the downstream end position N2 of the second free roller 11bx. Furthermore, the upstream end position K1 of the bridge body 13 is located upstream of the downstream end position P1 of the first drive roller 5ax, which is located at the furthest downstream end of the first drive conveying unit 5A. The downstream end position K2 of the bridge body 13 is located downstream of the upstream end position P2 of the second drive roller 5bx, which is located at the furthest upstream end of the second drive conveying unit 5B.

[0075] With this configuration, when the glass film G passes between the first drive roller 5ax, located at the downstream end of the first drive conveying unit 5A, and the second drive roller 5bx, located at the upstream end of the second drive conveying unit 5B, the lower surface Gb of the glass film G comes into contact with the first free roller 11ax and the second free roller 11bx, and at the same time comes into contact with the support surface 13a of the bridge body 13. This prevents the glass film G from sagging or falling when it is transferred from the first drive conveying unit 5A to the second drive conveying unit 5B.

[0076] Figures 7 and 8 show a second example of the bridge body 13. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the bridge body 13 taken from diagonally above. As shown in the figure, the difference between this second example of the bridge body 13 and the first example of the bridge body 13 described above is that cylindrical rollers 13X are rotatably attached to three locations in the transport direction of the main body 13A. More specifically, a portion of the rollers 13X protrudes from the flat upper end surface 13a (the support surface 13a described above) of the main body 13A. The rollers 13X also rotate around an axis 13Y mounted on the main body 13A. The rollers 13X are made of a resin such as polyethylene. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the second example of the bridge body 13 taken from diagonally below, and for convenience, the rollers 13X are not shown. Therefore, the main body 13A of the bridge body 13 shown in the figure has an axial hole 13d for the axis 13Y that rotatably supports the rollers 13X. Since the other components of the bridge body 13 in this second example are the same as those of the bridge body 13 in the first example described above, the same reference numerals are used for components common to both in Figures 7 and 8, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0077] Figure 9 shows the state in which the two recesses 13c formed in the main body 13A of the bridge body 13 according to the second example are fitted into the first fixed shaft 11ay and the second fixed shaft 11by, respectively, and is the same figure as Figure 6 (a longitudinal cross-sectional side view cut along the EE line in Figure 2). In this case, the length of the main body 13A of the bridge body 13 according to the second example in the transport direction, the length of the main body 13A in the vertical direction, the length of the recesses 13c in the vertical direction, and the material of the main body 13A are the same as those of the bridge body 13 (main body 13A) according to the first example. In contrast, the height position H2 of the upper end of the roller 13X is about the same as the height position H2 of the upper end of the first free roller 11ax (height position H2 of the upper end of the second free roller 11bx). Since the other positional relationships are the same as those shown in Figure 6, the same reference numerals are used for positions common to both in Figure 9, and their explanations are omitted.

[0078] With this configuration, when the glass film G passes between the first drive roller 5ax, located at the downstream end of the first drive conveying unit 5A, and the second drive roller 5bx, located at the upstream end of the second drive conveying unit 5B, the lower surface Gb of the glass film G comes into contact with the first free roller 11ax and the second free roller 11bx, and at the same time comes into contact with the roller 13X of the bridge body 13. This prevents the glass film G from sagging or falling when it is transferred from the first drive conveying unit 5A to the second drive conveying unit 5B. Moreover, since the roller 13X comes into contact with the lower surface Gb of the glass film G while rotating, the glass film G is smoothly conveyed by the roller 13X.

[0079] Furthermore, the following effects can also be obtained with this cleaning device 1. Specifically, the lower corner Gx in the direction of inclination of the glass film G is a part that is particularly prone to sagging and sagging due to the cleaning liquid W flowing from top to bottom, but since this lower corner Gx passes over the bridge body 13, sagging and sagging are effectively suppressed. Similarly, the upper corner Gy in the direction of inclination of the glass film G may also sag and sag due to the cleaning liquid W, but since this upper corner Gy also passes over the bridge body 13, sagging and sagging are suppressed. Furthermore, the central part Gz in the direction of inclination of the glass film G may sag and sag significantly due to the cleaning liquid W when the width dimension of the glass film G is long, but since this central part Gz also passes over the bridge body 13, sagging and sagging are suppressed.

[0080] In addition, the bridge bodies 13 are detachably held on the first fixed shaft 11ay and the second fixed shaft 11by. However, the bridge body 13 located on the lower side in the inclination direction remains in a fixed position without being removed, while the bridge bodies 13 located in the center and on the upper side in the inclination direction can have their positions in the inclination direction changed by attachment and detachment. This improves work efficiency because, when the size of the glass film G is changed (when the length of the glass film G in the width direction is changed), the position of the bridge body 13 on the lower side in the inclination direction is used as the reference position, and the positions of the other bridge bodies 13 are changed accordingly.

[0081] Next, a glass film manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. This manufacturing method includes a cleaning step and a manufacturing-related processing step.

[0082] The cleaning process involves cleaning a rectangular, flat-lying glass film G while transporting it using the cleaning apparatus 1 described above.

[0083] The manufacturing-related processing steps are steps in which manufacturing-related processing is applied to the glass film G. In this embodiment, a drying step can be given as an example of a manufacturing-related processing step. The drying step is performed as a post-processing step after the washing step described above. In this drying step, a drying gas (e.g., air) is blown onto the conveyed glass film G to dry it.

[0084] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0085] For example, in the above embodiment (see Figure 2), one bridge body 13 is placed at each of the three locations in the width direction of the first non-driven transport section 11A and the second non-driven transport section 11B. However, as shown in Figure 10, two bridge bodies 13 may be placed at each location in the width direction, or as shown in Figure 11, three bridge bodies 13 may be placed at each location in the width direction. Furthermore, four or more bridge bodies 13 may be placed at each location in the width direction. In addition, the same number of bridge bodies 13 are not required to be placed at the three locations in the width direction; for example, multiple bridge bodies may be placed only at the bottom in the width direction, and only one at the other locations. Moreover, the bridge bodies 13 are not limited to three locations in the width direction, but may be evenly distributed at four or more locations in the width direction.

[0086] In the above embodiment (see Figure 2), the first non-driven conveying unit 11A was equipped with one first fixed shaft 11ay, and the second non-driven conveying unit 11B was equipped with one second fixed shaft 11by. However, the first non-driven conveying unit 11A may be equipped with multiple first fixed shafts 11ay, and the second non-driven conveying unit 11B may be equipped with multiple second fixed shafts 11by. In this case, it is preferable that the bridge body 13 is spanned between the first fixed shaft 11ay located on the upstream side of the first non-driven conveying unit 11A and the second fixed shaft 11by located on the downstream side of the second non-driven conveying unit 11B, but the fixed shafts to be spanned are not limited to these.

[0087] In the above embodiment, three rollers 13X are attached to the main body 13A of the bridge body 13 according to the second example, but there may be one or two rollers 13X, or four or more.

[0088] In the above embodiment, all the rollers in the first drive conveying unit 5A and the second drive conveying unit 5B are drive rollers 5a, but some of the rollers in these drive conveying units 5A and 5B may be free rollers. In this case, the downstream roller of the first drive conveying unit 5A is the first drive roller 5ax, and the upstream roller of the second drive conveying unit 5B is the second drive roller 5bx.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the washing device 1 is used only for carrying out the washing process described above, but a drying device for carrying out the drying process described above may also be included in the washing device 1. Therefore, the above embodiment can also be applied to that drying device.

[0090] In the above embodiments, the cleaning device 1 had an upstream cleaning zone 2, a downstream cleaning zone 2, and a partition wall 3, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The glass film transport device of the present invention can also be used in configurations without a partition wall 3 or without cleaning zones. For example, when performing some kind of processing on a glass film between a first drive transport unit and a second drive transport unit, it is necessary to transfer the glass film between the first drive transport unit and the second drive transport unit, and the glass film transport device of the present invention can be used as appropriate. Examples of such processing include performing surface treatment such as film formation during transport of the glass film, or removing moisture adhering to the surface with an air knife or the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 1. Glass film cleaning device (cleaning device) 2. Washing Zones (Upstream Washing Zone, Downstream Washing Zone) 3 Partition wall 4 openings 5. Drive and transport unit 5A First drive transport unit 5B Second drive transport unit 5a Drive roller 5ax First drive roller 5ay First drive shaft (drive shaft) 5bx Second drive roller 5by Second drive shaft 10 Transfer assistance means 11 Non-driven transport section 11A First non-driven transport section 11B Second non-driven transport section 11a Free Roller 11ax First Free Roller 11ay 1st fixed axis (fixed axis) 11bx Second Free Roller 11by Second fixed axis (fixed axis) 13. Auxiliary support section (bridge body) 13A Main body of the auxiliary support section (bridge) 13X Coro 13a Support surface of auxiliary support (bridge body) 14A First drive unit 14B Second drive unit 16A First fixture 16B Second fixture G Glass Film Lower corner of Gx glass film Upper corner of Gy glass film Gz glass film, center in the direction of inclination H1 Height position of the support surface of the auxiliary support H2 Height position of the upper end of the free roller H3 Height position of the upper end of the drive roller K1 Position of the upstream end of the auxiliary support section (bridge body) Location of the downstream end of the K2 auxiliary support section (bridge body) N1 Position of the upstream end of the first free roller N2 Position of the downstream end of the second free roller P1 Position of the downstream end of the first drive roller P2 Position of the upstream end of the second drive roller α Incline angle

Claims

1. A glass film cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning zone for cleaning a rectangular, flat-lying glass film while it is being transported, divided into multiple sections along the transport direction of the glass film, with partition walls provided between adjacent upstream and downstream cleaning zones in the multiple cleaning zones, and openings formed in the partition walls to allow the transported glass film to pass through, The system comprises a first drive transport unit that supports and transports the glass film from below within the upstream cleaning zone, and a second drive transport unit that supports and transports the glass film from below within the downstream cleaning zone. A glass film cleaning apparatus characterized by having a transfer assisting means between the first drive transport unit and the second drive transport unit, which assists in the operation of transferring the glass film being transported on the first drive transport unit through the opening in the partition wall onto the second drive transport unit.

2. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer assist means comprises a first non-driven conveying unit provided downstream of the first driven conveying unit and a second non-driven conveying unit provided upstream of the second driven conveying unit.

3. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the transfer assisting means further comprises an auxiliary support portion arranged across the first non-driven transport portion and the second non-driven transport portion.

4. Both the first drive transport unit and the second drive transport unit are configured by arranging a drive shaft that extends and is rotationally driven in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass film, and drive rollers fixed at multiple locations in the axial direction of the drive shaft, at multiple locations in the transport direction of the glass film. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that both the first non-driven transport unit and the second non-driven transport unit are configured such that a fixed shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass film and fixedly installed, and free rollers attached to multiple locations in the axial direction of the fixed shaft and rotating freely around the fixed shaft are arranged at at least one location in the transport direction of the glass film.

5. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the auxiliary support portion is stretched and held between the fixed shaft of the first non-driven transport portion and the fixed shaft of the second non-driven transport portion.

6. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the upstream end of the auxiliary support portion is located upstream of the upstream end of the free roller located at the most upstream side of the first non-driven conveying portion, and the downstream end of the auxiliary support portion is located downstream of the downstream end of the free roller located at the most downstream side of the second non-driven conveying portion.

7. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the upstream end of the auxiliary support portion is located upstream of the downstream end of the drive roller located at the most downstream side of the first drive conveying portion, and the downstream end of the auxiliary support portion is located downstream of the upstream end of the drive roller located at the most upstream side of the second drive conveying portion.

8. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the height position of the upper end of the free roller of the first non-driven conveying section and the second non-driven conveying section is lower than the height position of the upper end of the drive roller of the first driven conveying section and the second driven conveying section.

9. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the auxiliary support portion has a support surface at the upper end of the main body, and the height position of the support surface is lower than the height position of the upper end of the free rollers of the first non-driven conveying portion and the second non-driven conveying portion, respectively.

10. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the auxiliary support portion has a rotatable roller that protrudes in part from the upper end of the main body, and the height position of the upper end of the roller is approximately the same as the height position of the upper end of the free roller of the first non-driven conveying portion and the second non-driven conveying portion, respectively.

11. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the first driven transport unit, the first non-driven transport unit, the second driven transport unit, and the second non-driven transport unit are inclined at the same angle with respect to the horizontal plane in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass film, and the auxiliary support unit is located in the lower part of the first non-driven transport unit and the second non-driven transport unit.

12. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the auxiliary support portion is positioned in a location through which the lower corner portion of the glass film being transported passes.

13. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the auxiliary support portion is positioned in a location through which the four corners of the glass film being transported pass.

14. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the auxiliary support portion is positioned in a location through which the central portion of the glass film being transported in the inclined direction passes.

15. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the auxiliary support portion is detachably held on the fixed shaft of the first non-driven transport portion and the fixed shaft of the second non-driven transport portion.

16. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the first driven transport unit, the first non-driven transport unit, the second driven transport unit, and the second non-driven transport unit are inclined at the same angle with respect to the horizontal plane in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass film, the auxiliary support units are arranged at multiple locations in the inclination direction of the first non-driven transport unit and the second non-driven transport unit, the lowest auxiliary support unit is fixed in place without being removed, and at least the uppermost auxiliary support unit has its position in the inclination direction changed by attachment and detachment.

17. The glass film cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the thickness of the glass film is 50 μm or less.

18. A method for manufacturing a glass film, characterized by including a cleaning step of cleaning a glass film while transporting it using a glass film cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A glass film conveying device comprising a first drive conveying unit that supports and conveys a glass film in a horizontal position from below, and a second drive conveying unit arranged downstream of the first drive conveying unit, Between the first drive transport unit and the second drive transport unit, there is a transfer assisting means for assisting the operation of transferring the glass film being transported on the first drive transport unit onto the second drive transport unit. The glass film transport device is characterized in that the transfer assist means comprises a first non-driven transport section provided downstream of the first driven transport section, a second non-driven transport section provided upstream of the second driven transport section, and an auxiliary support section arranged across the first non-driven transport section and the second non-driven transport section.

20. Both the first non-driven transport unit and the second non-driven transport unit are configured such that a fixed shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the glass film and fixedly installed, and free rollers attached to multiple locations in the axial direction of the fixed shaft and rotating freely around the fixed shaft are arranged at at least one location in the transport direction of the glass film. The glass film conveying apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the auxiliary support portion is stretched and held between the fixed shaft of the first non-driven conveying portion and the fixed shaft of the second non-driven conveying portion.

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