Transfer Unit and Laser Marking Device

Abstract

To enable continuously executing two or more pieces of processing comprising marking with a laser marking device.SOLUTION: A conveyance unit 20 comprises a conveyance mechanism 30 for conveying a booklet 100 to a laser beam irradiation part 10 of a laser marking device 1B; and a rotation mechanism 40 for changing a direction of the booklet 100 by rotating the booklet 100, that is provided on a conveyance path of the booklet 100. The conveyance mechanism 30 comprises a conveyor belt 31 for moving the booklet 100 while supporting the booklet 100. The rotation mechanism 40 comprises two pads 52 opposed to each other, a first drive part for directly moving at least one of the two pads 52 in the opposing direction, and a second drive part for rotating at least one of the two pads 52. The two pads 52 included in the rotation mechanism 40 changes the direction of the booklet 100 via rotation in a state of sandwiching and holding the booklet 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyance unit and a laser marking device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a laser marking device that marks characters, figures, symbols, etc. on a medium by irradiating the medium such as a card, a sheet, or a printed matter with laser light (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] For the medium marked by the above-described laser marking device, another process (pre-treatment) may be previously performed using another device. For example, characters, figures, symbols, etc. may be previously printed on the medium by a printing device. Also, a protective film or the like may be previously formed on the surface of the medium by a film forming device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, the orientation of the medium discharged from the device that performs pre-treatment such as printing or film formation may not match the orientation assumed in the laser marking device. Specifically, in the laser marking device, the orientation of the medium when irradiating the medium with laser light is predetermined. However, there are cases where the printed medium is discharged from the printing device in an orientation different from this orientation. In such a case, the medium cannot be processed continuously. That is, printing by a printing device and marking by a laser marking device cannot be performed continuously. For this reason, it is necessary to change the orientation of the printed medium discharged from the printing device by hand and then supply it to the laser marking device.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to enable continuous execution of two or more processes including marking by a laser marking device.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] A transport unit according to an embodiment includes a transport mechanism that transports a medium to a laser light irradiation unit of a laser marking device, and a rotation mechanism that is provided on a transport path of the medium by the transport mechanism and rotates the medium to change the orientation of the medium. The transport mechanism includes a transport belt that moves the medium while supporting the medium. The conveyor belt is provided with protrusions that contact the medium from the rear in the conveying direction and push the medium forward in the conveying direction. Further, the rotation mechanism includes two opposing holding parts, a first drive part that linearly moves at least one of the two holding parts in the opposing direction, and a second drive part that rotates at least one of the two holding parts. And the two holding parts included in the rotation mechanism rotate while holding the medium therebetween to change the orientation of the medium. configured in such a manner that, after the holding unit holds the medium with the medium sandwiched therebetween, the conveyor belt is reversed to retract the protrusions. .

[0008] A laser marking device according to an embodiment includes the transport unit and a laser light irradiation unit that irradiates a medium transported by the transport unit with laser light to perform marking.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, two or more processes including marking by a laser marking device can be continuously executed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiment, the same or substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted.

[0012] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printing system 1. The illustrated printing system 1 is composed of a printing apparatus 1A and a laser marking apparatus 1B. The printing apparatus 1A and the laser marking apparatus 1B are integrated, and it is possible to continuously execute the process (printing) by the printing apparatus 1A and the process (marking) by the laser marking apparatus 1B. For example, the printing apparatus 1A performs printing on a medium to be processed and delivers the printed medium to the laser marking apparatus 1B. The laser marking apparatus 1B picks up the printed medium from the printing apparatus 1A and performs marking on the picked-up medium.

[0013] The medium processed by the printing system 1 is not limited to a specific medium. In this specification, however, the case where the medium is a booklet will be taken as an example to explain the structure, operation, etc. of the printing system 1. Note that a "booklet" means a printed matter in which a plurality of pages are bound, including a passport.

[0014] <Printing device> The printing device 1A shown in FIG. 1 performs predetermined printing on one or more pages of a booklet. Specifically, the printing device 1A prints characters, figures, symbols, etc. on at least one page of the booklet by thermal transfer melting.

[0015] Here, the booklet in the present embodiment includes at least one page formed of a material compatible with laser marking such as plastic. The printing device 1A performs printing by thermal transfer melting on all or part of the pages formed of a material compatible with laser marking. In the following description, a page that is formed of a material compatible with laser marking and on which thermal transfer melting printing is performed by the printing device 1A may be referred to as a "target page" to distinguish it from other pages.

[0016] <Laser marking device> FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the laser marking device 1B. The laser marking device 1B has a laser light irradiation unit 10 and a conveyance unit 20, and performs marking on the printed booklet 100 discharged from the printing device 1A. Specifically, the laser marking device 1B irradiates the laser light on the target page 101 of the booklet 100 on which thermal transfer melting printing has been performed by the printing device 1A, and marks characters, figures, symbols, etc. on the target page 101.

[0017] <Laser light irradiation unit> The laser light irradiation unit 10 includes an excitation light source, a resonator, an exposure optical system, etc., and irradiates a target page 101 of a booklet 100 with laser light (pulsed laser light) of a predetermined intensity. As the excitation light source included in the laser light irradiation unit 10, for example, a laser diode (LD) or a light emitting diode (LED) is used. Further, the exposure optical system included in the laser light irradiation unit 10 is composed of, for example, one or more galvanometer mirrors, an fθ lens, etc., and irradiates a predetermined position on the target page 101 with the laser light output from the resonator based on image data, etc.

[0018] <Carriage unit> The carriage unit 20 has a conveyance mechanism 30 and a rotation mechanism 40, and conveys the booklet 100 discharged from the printing apparatus 1A to the laser light irradiation unit 10. More specifically, the carriage unit 20 picks up the booklet 100 discharged from the printing apparatus 1A, conveys the picked-up booklet 100 in the direction of arrow X, and supplies it to the laser light irradiation unit 10. That is, the right side of the paper surface in FIG. 2 corresponds to the rear in the conveyance direction, and the left side of the paper surface in FIG. 2 corresponds to the front in the conveyance direction.

[0019] The booklet 100 is discharged from the printing apparatus 1A with the target page 101 opened. Further, the booklet 100 is discharged from the printing apparatus 1A in a direction in which the binding is parallel to the conveyance direction (arrow X direction). On the other hand, the booklet 100 is supplied to the laser light irradiation unit 10 in a direction in which the binding is orthogonal to the conveyance direction. That is, the orientation of the booklet 100 is changed by 90 degrees in the process of being conveyed by the carriage unit 20.

[0020] In the following description, the orientation of the booklet 100 in which the binding is parallel to the conveyance direction may be referred to as "landscape orientation". On the other hand, the orientation of the booklet 100 in which the binding is orthogonal to the conveyance direction may be referred to as "portrait orientation". That is, the booklet 100 is discharged from the printing apparatus 1A in a landscape orientation with the target page 101 opened. The carriage unit 20 supplies the booklet 100 picked up from the printing apparatus 1A to the laser light irradiation unit 10 after changing the orientation from landscape to portrait.

[0021] <Conveyance mechanism> FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the conveying unit 20. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the conveying mechanism 30 that constitutes the conveying unit 20. The conveying mechanism 30 includes a plurality of conveying belts 31 and conveying guides 32, and one roller (pinch roller) 33.

[0022] <Conveying belt> The plurality of conveying belts 31 included in the conveying mechanism 30 include two long conveying belts 31a and 31b, and one short conveying belt 31c. The three conveying belts 31 extend along the conveying direction and are parallel to each other. Specifically, a short conveying belt 31c is disposed between the two long conveying belts 31a and 31b that are parallel to each other and is parallel to these long conveying belts 31a and 31b.

[0023] The conveying belt 31 moves the booklet 100 discharged from the printing apparatus 1A toward the laser light irradiation unit 10 while supporting it. That is, the conveying belt 31 forms a conveying path for conveying the booklet 100 to the laser light irradiation unit 10.

[0024] The starting positions of the long conveying belts 31a and 31b and the short conveying belt 31c are the same, but the ending positions are different. Specifically, the long conveying belts 31a and 31b extend over the entire length of the conveying path, while the short conveying belt 31c extends over a part of the conveying path. More specifically, the long conveying belts 31a and 31b extend from the starting end of the conveying path through the rotating mechanism 40 to the ending end of the conveying path. On the other hand, the short conveying belt 31c extends only from the starting end of the conveying path to before the rotating mechanism 40 and does not reach the rotating mechanism 40.

[0025] Each conveying belt 31 is wound around a pair of pulleys (a driving pulley and a driven pulley). Each conveying belt 31 is driven by the rotation of one (driving pulley) of the corresponding pair of pulleys. That is, when the driving pulley rotates, the conveying belt 31 travels in the longitudinal direction, and the booklet 100 placed on the conveying belt 31 moves toward the laser light irradiation unit 10.

[0026] Here, the target page 101 is not located in the middle (center) of the booklet 100. In other words, the target page 101 is not the center page of the booklet 100. For this reason, when the target page 101 is opened, the number of pages of the booklet 100 is different on both sides of the binding (see Fig. 2). Viewed another way, when the target page 101 is opened, the weight of the booklet 100 is different on both sides of the binding. As a result, the load applied to the conveyor belt 31 becomes uneven, and there is a risk that the conveyance of the booklet 100 will be delayed or that the booklet 100 will not be conveyed straight.

[0027] Therefore, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, protrusions 34 are provided on the long conveyor belts 31a and 31b. Each protrusion 34 contacts the booklet 100 from the rear in the conveyance direction at a predetermined timing and pushes the booklet 100 forward in the conveyance direction. Due to such protrusions 34, the booklet 100 is conveyed reliably and stably.

[0028] In addition, the position where the protrusion 34 provided on the long conveyor belt 31a contacts the booklet 100 and the position where the protrusion 34 provided on the long conveyor belt 31b contacts the booklet 100 are determined in consideration of the weight distribution and the center of gravity position of the booklet 100 on the long conveyor belts 31a and 31b. Viewed another way, the distance between the long conveyor belt 31a and the long conveyor belt 31b is determined in consideration of the weight distribution and the center of gravity position of the booklet 100 on these long conveyor belts 31a and 31b.

[0029] <Conveying guide> The plurality of conveying guides 32 included in the conveying mechanism 30 include three conveying guides 32a, 32b, and 32c. The conveying guide 32a corresponds to the long conveyor belt 31a, and the conveying guide 32b corresponds to the long conveyor belt 31b.

[0030] The conveying guide 32a is arranged above the corresponding long conveyor belt 31a and parallel to the long conveyor belt 31a. Similarly, the conveying guide 32b is arranged above the corresponding long conveyor belt 31b and parallel to the long conveyor belt 31b.

[0031] The booklet 100 conveyed to the laser light irradiation unit 10 moves between the conveyor belt 31 and the conveyance guide 32. In other words, the booklet 100 passes below the conveyance guide 32. The conveyance guide 32 positioned above the conveyed booklet 100 prevents or suppresses excessive upward movement or floating of the booklet 100.

[0032] In addition, the distance between the conveyor belt 31 and the conveyance guide 32 is set to a dimension that allows the booklet 100 to move smoothly between them. Further, in order to facilitate the introduction of the booklet 100 discharged from the printing apparatus 1A between the conveyor belt 31 and the conveyance guide 32, a taper is provided at the starting end (tip) of the conveyance guide 32.

[0033] A plurality of sensors are attached to the conveyance guide 32 along its longitudinal direction. That is, the conveyance mechanism 30 includes a plurality of sensors arranged along the conveyance direction. Specifically, sensors 35a and 35b are attached to the conveyance guide 32a, and the sensor 35c is attached to the conveyance guide 32b. Each sensor is an optical sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is used to detect the position and orientation of the booklet 100 on the conveyance path. For example, when the booklet 100 is conveyed to a predetermined position or the orientation of the booklet 100 is changed, a part of the booklet 100 enters between the light emitting element and the light receiving element. Then, the light output from the light emitting element is blocked by the booklet 100 and does not reach the light receiving element. Therefore, the position and orientation of the booklet 100 can be detected based on the output change of the light receiving element.

[0034] <Pinch roller> The pinch roller 33 is provided above the short conveyor belt 31c and is movable in a direction approaching the short conveyor belt 31c and a direction away from the short conveyor belt 31c. That is, the pinch roller 33 is vertically movable. When the pinch roller 33 moves downward, it approaches the short conveyor belt 31c, and when it moves upward, it moves away from the short conveyor belt 31c.

[0035] When the pinch roller 33 moves downward while the booklet 100 is on the short conveyance belt 31c, the booklet 100 is pinched between the short conveyance belt 31c and the pinch roller 33. In other words, the downward-moved pinch roller 33 presses against the booklet 100 on the short conveyance belt 31c. Although it will be described later, the operation of the pinch roller 33 is controlled based on the detection result by the sensor 35a.

[0036] <Rotating mechanism> FIG. 5 is a perspective view (upper perspective view) showing the rotating mechanism 40 that constitutes the conveyance unit 20. FIG. 6 is another perspective view (lower perspective view) showing the rotating mechanism 40. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the rotating mechanism 40.

[0037] The rotating mechanism 40 includes two holding mechanisms 50a and 50b, a first drive unit 60, a second drive unit 70, and the like. The rotating mechanism 40 holds the booklet 100 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 30 by sandwiching it from above and below. Further, the rotating mechanism 40 rotates the held booklet 100 to change the orientation of the booklet 100. In the following description, the two holding mechanisms 50a and 50b may be collectively referred to as the "holding mechanism 50", while the holding mechanism 50a may be called the "upper holding mechanism 50a" and the holding mechanism 50b may be called the "lower holding mechanism 50b" for distinction. However, such collective reference and distinction are merely for convenience of explanation.

[0038] <Holding mechanism> The holding mechanism 50 includes a rod 51, a pad 52, a bracket 53, etc. The rod 51 is cylindrical, and the pad 52 is disk-shaped. Further, the bracket 53 has a substantially triangular planar shape. The rod 51 is attached to the vertex of the bracket 53 or in its vicinity, and the pad 52 is attached to the end of the rod 51. More specifically, the pad 52 of the upper holding mechanism 50a is attached to the lower end of the rod 51, and the pad 52 of the lower holding mechanism 50b is attached to the upper end of the rod 51. As a result, the pad 52 of the upper holding mechanism 50a and the pad 52 of the lower holding mechanism 50b face each other vertically across the conveyance path. As will be described later, the booklet 100 is sandwiched and held by the opposing pads 52 of the upper holding mechanism 50a and the lower holding mechanism 50b. That is, the pad 52 corresponds to the holding portion of the present invention.

[0039] In addition, the rod 51 and the pad 52 of the upper holding mechanism 50a are movable up and down and rotatable with respect to the bracket 53. On the other hand, the rod 51 and the pad 52 of the lower holding mechanism 50b are not movable up and down with respect to the bracket 53 but are rotatable. Also, the surfaces of the pads 52 of the upper holding mechanism 50a and the lower holding mechanism 50b are formed of a non-slip material such as a rubber material.

[0040] <First driving part> The first driving part 60 has a threaded shaft 61, a guide shaft 62, a first driving motor 63, a first driving belt 64, etc., and linearly moves at least one of the two holding parts in the opposing direction (vertical direction).

[0041] One end (upper end) of each guide shaft 62 is fixed to the upper base plate 65a, and the other end (lower end) of each guide shaft 62 is fixed to the lower base plate 65b. The threaded shaft 61 is arranged between the two guide shafts 62 in parallel with these guide shafts 62. Also, the threaded shaft 61 is rotatably held by the upper base plate 65a and the lower base plate 65b.

[0042] The upper end side of the threaded shaft 61 is inserted into a threaded hole provided in the bracket 53 of the upper holding mechanism 50a, and the lower end side of the threaded shaft 61 is inserted into a threaded hole provided in the bracket 53 of the lower holding mechanism 50b. Further, the upper end side of the guide shaft 62 is inserted into a through hole provided in the bracket 53 of the upper holding mechanism 50a, and the lower end side of the guide shaft 62 is inserted into a through hole provided in the bracket 53 of the lower holding mechanism 50b.

[0043] Here, trapezoidal threads are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the threaded shaft 61 over its entire length or substantially the entire length. However, the direction of the trapezoidal threads (upper trapezoidal threads) formed in the upper half of the threaded shaft 61 is opposite to the direction of the trapezoidal threads (lower trapezoidal threads) formed in the lower half of the threaded shaft 61. And the upper trapezoidal threads are threadedly coupled to a threaded hole provided in the bracket 53 of the upper holding mechanism 50a. On the other hand, the lower trapezoidal threads are threadedly coupled to a threaded hole provided in the bracket 53 of the lower holding mechanism 50b. As a result, when the threaded shaft 61 rotates, the upper holding mechanism 50a and the lower holding mechanism 50b move linearly in opposite directions to each other. Specifically, when the threaded shaft 61 rotates in the first direction, the upper holding mechanism 50a moves downward while the lower holding mechanism 50b moves upward. Also, when the threaded shaft 61 rotates in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the upper holding mechanism 50a moves upward while the lower holding mechanism 50b moves downward. In other words, when the threaded shaft 61 rotates in the first direction, the upper holding mechanism 50a and the lower holding mechanism 50b approach each other, and when the threaded shaft 61 rotates in the second direction, the upper holding mechanism 50a and the lower holding mechanism 50b move apart.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, a rotary stage plate 36 is provided between the long conveying belt 31a and the long conveying belt 31b. Further, an opening 36a is provided in the rotary stage plate 36 through which the pad 52 of the lower holding mechanism 50b can protrude onto the conveying path from between the long conveying belt 31a and the long conveying belt 31b.

[0045] When the upper holding mechanism 50a and the lower holding mechanism 50b move in a direction approaching each other, the pad 52 of the lower holding mechanism 50b advances onto the conveyance path through the opening 36a. As a result, the booklet 100 supported by the long conveyance belts 31a and 31b is held being sandwiched from above and below by the pad 52 of the upper holding mechanism 50a and the pad 52 of the lower holding mechanism 50b. At this time, depending on the amount of movement (lifting amount) of the lower holding mechanism 50b, the booklet 100 may be pushed up, and all or part of the booklet 100 may be lifted from the long conveyance belts 31a and 31b. Further, even if the booklet 100 does not lift from the long conveyance belts 31a and 31b, the load applied to the long conveyance belts 31a and 31b decreases. In short, the friction between the booklet 100 and the long conveyance belts 31a and 31b is reduced.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, a coil spring 51a as an elastic body is provided around the rod 51 of the upper holding mechanism 50a. The coil spring 51a biases the pad 52 of the upper holding mechanism 50a to press against the booklet 100 when the pads 52 of the two holding mechanisms 50 hold the booklet 100 therebetween. Then, due to the reaction, the pad 52 of the lower holding mechanism 50b is also pressed against the booklet 100. As a result, the booklet 100 is reliably held with an appropriate force. Note that the coil spring 51a shown in FIG. 7 is omitted in other drawings for reasons of drawing convenience.

[0047] The driving force for raising and lowering the holding mechanism 50 (the driving force for rotating the threaded shaft 61) is output from the first drive motor 63 and input to the threaded shaft 61 via the first drive pulley 66, the first drive belt 64, and the first driven pulley 67. Therefore, by controlling the rotation direction of the first drive motor 63, the threaded shaft 61 can be rotated in the first direction or the second direction. In other words, by controlling the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the first drive motor 63, the raising and lowering direction and the raising and lowering amount of the holding mechanism 50 can be controlled.

[0048] <Second drive unit> The second drive unit 70 includes a second drive motor 71, a second drive belt 72, etc., and rotates at least one of the holding units. The second drive motor 71 is disposed on the bracket 53 of the lower holding mechanism 50b. A second drive pulley 73 is attached to the tip of the output shaft of the second drive motor 71 that penetrates through the bracket 53 and protrudes downward. On the other hand, a second driven pulley 74 is attached to the lower end of the rod 51 of the lower holding mechanism 50b that protrudes downward from the bracket 53. And the second drive belt 72 is wound around the second drive pulley 73 and the second driven pulley 74.

[0049] When the second drive motor 71 operates, a rotational driving force is input to the rod 51 of the lower holding mechanism 50b via the second drive pulley 73, the second drive belt 72, and the second driven pulley 74, and the rod 51 and the pad 52 rotate. Therefore, when a rotational driving force is input to the rod 51 of the lower holding mechanism 50b while the booklet 100 is held by the pads 52 of the upper holding mechanism 50a and the lower holding mechanism 50b, the pads 52 of the upper holding mechanism 50a and the lower holding mechanism 50b rotate, and the booklet 100 also rotates. As a result, the orientation of the booklet 100 is changed.

[0050] In addition, the first drive pulley 66, the first driven pulley 67, the second drive pulley 73, and the second driven pulley 74 are toothed pulleys, and the first drive belt 64 and the second drive belt 72 are toothed belts. Also, the first driven pulley 67 has a larger diameter than the first drive pulley 66, and the second driven pulley 74 has a larger diameter than the second drive pulley 73.

[0051] The printing system 1 of this embodiment includes control means for comprehensively controlling a printing device 1A and a laser marking device 1B. Further, the laser marking device 1B includes control means for comprehensively controlling a laser light irradiation unit 10 and a conveyance unit 20 in cooperation with the control means included in the printing system 1 or independently of the control means included in the printing system 1. The control means included in the laser marking device 1B is composed of a control unit, a communication unit, a display unit, an input unit, an interface unit, a storage unit, and the like. Based on programs, data, etc. stored in the storage unit, this control means controls each part such as the laser light irradiation unit 10 and the conveyance unit 20 (conveyance mechanism 30, rotation mechanism 40).

[0052] <Operation Example of Laser Marking Device> The operation of the conveyance unit 20 will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

[0053] FIG. 8 shows the state of the conveyance unit 20 when picking up the booklet 100 discharged from the printing device 1A. FIG. 9 shows the state of the conveyance unit 20 after the booklet 100 has been conveyed to the rotation mechanism 40 and before the rotation mechanism 40 starts to change the orientation of the booklet 100. FIG. 10 shows the sequence of a series of operations when changing the orientation of the booklet 100. FIG. 11 shows the state of the conveyance unit 20 after the rotation mechanism 40 has completed changing the orientation of the booklet 100.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 8. When the tip of the booklet 100 discharged horizontally from the printing device 1A reaches a predetermined position on the short conveyance belt 31c, the pinch roller 33 operates. Specifically, the pinch roller 33 moves in a direction (downward) approaching the short conveyance belt 31c. As a result, the front side of the booklet 100 is sandwiched between the short conveyance belt 31c and the pinch roller 33. At this time, the rear side of the booklet 100 is held by the printing device 1A. That is, the booklet 100 straddles the printing device 1A and the laser marking device 1B.

[0055] The pinch roller 33 operates based on the detection result of the sensor 35a. That is, when the leading edge of the booklet 100 reaches the installation position of the sensor 35a, the pinch roller 33 moves downward.

[0056] The booklet 100 sandwiched between the short conveying belt 31c and the pinch roller 33 is conveyed toward the rotating mechanism 40 by three conveying belts 31 including the short conveying belt 31c. Then, when the trailing edge of the booklet 100 reaches a predetermined position on the short conveying belt 31c, the protrusions 34 provided on the long conveying belts 31a and 31b contact the booklet 100 from the rear in the conveying direction. Specifically, when the trailing edge of the booklet 100 passes through the pinch roller 33, the protrusion 34 contacts the booklet 100. Viewed from another perspective, the home position of the protrusion 34 is set so that the protrusion 34 contacts the booklet 100 at the timing when the trailing edge of the booklet 100 passes through the pinch roller 33.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 9, when the booklet 100 is conveyed to the rotating mechanism 40, a series of operations for changing the orientation of the booklet 100 is started. First, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the leading edge of the booklet 100 is detected by the sensor 35b, the long conveying belts 31a and 31b stop. For example, the long conveying belts 31a and 31b stop at the timing when the leading edge of the booklet 100 has moved 12.5 mm forward from the installation position of the sensor 35b.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 10, after the long conveying belts 31a and 31b stop, the booklet 100 is held by the holding mechanism 50 of the rotating mechanism 40. Specifically, the upper holding mechanism 50a descends, and the lower holding mechanism 50b (not shown) ascends to hold the booklet 100 by sandwiching it from above and below (arrow a).

[0059] Next, the long conveying belts 31a and 31b reverse (arrow b) so that the protrusions 34 in contact with the booklet 100 separate from the booklet 100. That is, the long conveying belts 31a and 31b are driven in the reverse direction, and the protrusions 34 retract. For example, the long conveying belts 31a and 31b are driven so that the protrusions 34 retract about 60.0 mm from the booklet 100.

[0060] Thereafter, the pads 52 of the two holding mechanisms 50 holding the booklet 100 rotate counterclockwise by 90 degrees (arrow c). As a result, the booklet 100 held by the two pads 52 rotates, and the orientation of the booklet 100 is changed from horizontal to vertical. Since the protrusion 34 has retracted before rotating the booklet 100, the booklet 100 does not collide with the protrusion 34 during rotation. Also, when the booklet 100 rotates, the friction between the booklet 100 and the long conveying belts 31a, 31b is reduced, so the booklet 100 rotates smoothly.

[0061] Refer to FIG. 11. When the booklet 100 becomes vertical, the booklet 100 retracts from between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the sensor 35c (FIG. 4). Then, the output of the sensor 35c changes, and it is detected that the change in the orientation of the booklet 100 is completed.

[0062] When the change in the orientation of the booklet 100 is completed, the long conveying belts 31a, 31b rotate so that the protrusion 34 abuts on the booklet 100 again. Thereafter, the holding of the booklet 100 by the holding mechanism 50 is released, and the conveyance of the booklet 100 by the long conveying belts 31a, 31b is restarted. The booklet 100 before the orientation is changed to vertical was guided by three conveying guides 32 (conveying guides 32a, 32b, 32c) (see FIGS. 8 and 9), but the booklet 100 after the orientation is changed to vertical is guided by two conveying guides 32 (conveying guides 32a, 32b) (see FIG. 11).

[0063] By the series of operations as described above, the booklet 100 discharged horizontally from the printing apparatus 1A is supplied vertically to the laser light irradiation unit 10 of the laser marking apparatus 1B and marked.

[0064] As described above, in the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, two or more processes on the booklet 100 are continuously performed. Specifically, printing on the booklet 100 and marking on the printed booklet 100 are continuously performed.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, additional protrusions 34 may be provided to improve the processing cycle time. On the other hand, if the medium can be reliably conveyed even without the protrusions 34, the protrusions 34 may be omitted.

[0066] Also, sensors may be added to more precisely detect the position and orientation of the booklet 100 on the conveyance path. However, the sensors are not limited to optical sensors. Also, a plurality of different types of sensors may be installed.

[0067] The laser marking device 1B including the conveyance unit 20 can be combined with a printing device other than the printing device 1A, and can also be combined with a device other than the printing device.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 1: Printing system, 1A: Printing device, 1B: Laser marking device, 10: Laser light irradiation unit, 20: Conveyance unit, 30: Conveyance mechanism, 31: Conveyance belt, 31a, 31b: Long conveyance belts, 31c: Short conveyance belt, 32, 32a, 32b, 32c: Conveyance guides, 33: Roller (pinch roller), 34: Protrusion, 35a, 35b, 35c: Sensors, 36: Rotating stage plate, 36a: Opening, 40: Rotation mechanism, 50: Holding mechanism, 50a: Upper holding mechanism, 50b: Lower holding mechanism, 51: Rod, 51a: Coil spring, 52: Pad, 53: Bracket, 60: First drive unit, 61: Shaft, 62: Guide shaft, 63: First drive motor, 64: First drive belt, 65a: Upper base plate, 65b: Lower base plate, 66: First drive pulley, 67: First driven pulley, 70: Second drive unit, 71: Second drive motor, 72: Second drive belt, 73: Second drive pulley, 74: Second driven pulley, 100: Booklet, 101: Target page

Claims

1. A conveying unit for conveying a medium to a laser light irradiation unit of a laser marking device, a conveying mechanism for conveying the medium to the laser light irradiation unit, and a rotating mechanism provided on a conveying path of the medium by the conveying mechanism for rotating the medium to change the orientation of the medium. The conveying mechanism includes a conveying belt that moves the medium while supporting it, and the conveying belt is provided with protrusions that contact the medium from the rear in the conveying direction and push the medium forward in the conveying direction. The rotating mechanism includes two opposing holding parts, a first driving part for linearly moving at least one of the two holding parts in the opposing direction, and a second driving part for rotating at least one of the two holding parts. The two holding parts included in the rotating mechanism are configured to rotate while holding the medium therebetween to change the orientation of the medium. The conveying mechanism is configured to reverse the conveying belt and retract the protrusions after the holding parts hold the medium therebetween. Conveying unit.

2. The rotating mechanism further includes an elastic body that presses at least one of the two holding parts holding the medium against the medium. The conveying unit according to claim 1.

3. A conveying unit for conveying a medium to a laser light irradiation unit of a laser marking device, a conveying mechanism for conveying the medium to the laser light irradiation unit, and a rotating mechanism provided on a conveying path of the medium by the conveying mechanism for rotating the medium to change the orientation of the medium. The rotating mechanism includes two opposing holding parts, a first driving part for linearly moving at least one of the two holding parts in the opposing direction, and a second driving part for rotating at least one of the two holding parts. The two holding parts included in the rotation mechanism are configured to rotate while holding the medium therebetween to change the orientation of the medium. The conveying mechanism includes a conveying belt that moves the medium while supporting it. The conveying belt includes two long conveying belts provided with protrusions that contact the medium from the rear in the conveying direction and push the medium forward in the conveying direction, and one short conveying belt. The conveying mechanism further includes a roller movable in a direction approaching the short conveying belt and a direction away from the short conveying belt. When the leading end of the medium reaches a predetermined position on the conveying path, the roller moves in a direction approaching the short conveying belt, and the medium is sandwiched between the short conveying belt and the roller. When the trailing end of the medium reaches a predetermined position on the conveying path, the protrusion provided on the long conveying belt contacts the medium. Conveying unit.

4. When the trailing end of the medium passes through the roller, the protrusion provided on the long conveying belt contacts the medium. The conveying unit according to claim 3.

5. After the medium is conveyed to the rotation mechanism and before the rotation mechanism starts to change the orientation of the medium, the conveying belt is driven so that the protrusion is separated from the medium. The conveying unit according to claim 3 or 4.

6. After the rotation mechanism completes changing the orientation of the medium, the conveying belt is driven so that the protrusion contacts the medium again. After the protrusion contacts the medium again, the holding of the medium by the two holding parts is released. The conveying unit according to claim 5.

7. The conveying unit according to any one of claims 3 to 6, and a laser light irradiation unit that irradiates the medium conveyed by the conveying unit with laser light to perform marking. Laser marking device.

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