Sheet loading unit, laminating processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a sheet loading unit capable of preventing a sheet from catching on a take-out port when the sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit is taken out to the outside of the equipment through the take-out port.SOLUTION: A sheet loading unit has a placement part 61 which has a placing surface 61a inclined at a prescribed angle θ2 to a horizontal plane, and allows a plurality of sheets PJ' discharged from above and piled up to be loaded on the placing surface 61a. Further, the unit has a fence part 62 which has a standing surface 62a standing relative to a lower side H of the placing surface 61a, and allows a sheet end of the piled sheets PJ' loaded on the placing surface 61a to strike against the standing surface 62a. Further, the unit has a guide surface 64 for guiding the piled sheets PJ' moved along the lower side H to a position of the lower end of a take-out port D which is opened in the exterior part of a lamination treatment device 50 and is used for taking out the plurality of sheets PJ' loaded on the placement part 61 and piled up to the outside of the lamination treatment device 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet stacking unit installed inside a device and capable of stacking a plurality of sheets, a laminating apparatus including the same, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine thereof, a printing machine, etc., and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique of installing a sheet stacking unit (paper discharge tray) capable of stacking a plurality of sheets inside a device such as an image forming apparatus has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Then, the sheets stacked in the sheet stacking unit are taken out of the device by the user's hand from the outlet of the device.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In the conventional technique, when taking out the sheets stacked in the sheet stacking unit from the outlet to the outside of the device, the sheets may get caught at the outlet. Therefore, the usability for the user has been reduced, or the sheets may be damaged.

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a sheet stacking unit, a laminating apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system in which it is difficult for a problem that the sheet gets caught at the outlet to occur when taking out the sheets stacked in the sheet stacking unit from the outlet to the outside of the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The sheet loading unit in this invention is a sheet loading unit installed inside a device, comprising: a loading section having a loading surface inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane, on which a plurality of sheets discharged from above can be loaded; an upright surface having an upright surface rising in the direction on which the plurality of sheets are loaded relative to the lower edge of the loading surface, on which the front end of the sheets placed on the loading surface can abut against the upright surface; and an outlet opening in the exterior of the device, on which the plurality of sheets loaded in the loading section can be removed to the outside of the device. A guide surface that guides the sheet, which has been moved along the lower edge toward the outlet, to the position of the lower end of the outlet, Equipped with, The lower edge is formed to extend horizontally, and the lower end of the outlet is formed such that a portion of it is at the same height as the lower edge, and the other portion is at a higher position than the lower edge, and the guide surface is connected to the end of the lower edge on the outlet side and to the portion of the outlet at the same height. It is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet loading unit, a laminating processing device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that are less prone to the problem of sheets getting caught in the outlet when sheets loaded in the sheet loading unit are removed from the outside of the device through the outlet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram showing a laminating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (A) A side view showing the gripping member in the gripping position, and (B) A side view showing the gripping member in the retracted position. [Figure 3] (A) A perspective view showing the gripping member in the gripping position, and (B) A perspective view showing the gripping member in the retracted position. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the operation of a laminating processing device. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the operation of the laminating processing device, following Figure 4. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the operation of the laminating processing equipment, following Figure 5. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the operation of the laminating processing equipment, following Figure 6. [Figure 8]This diagram shows the operation of the laminating processing equipment, following Figure 7. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the state in which the detachable nail is inserted into the polymerization sheet, in the width direction. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing the operation of a detached nail. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows the control processes performed in a laminating processing device. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing the mechanism for moving the peeling claw. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view showing a sheet loading unit. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing the sheet loading unit. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view of the sheet loading unit, showing the sheet removal direction. [Figure 16] This is a cross-sectional view of a sheet loading unit, as an example of modification 1, showing the sheet removal direction. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view showing a sheet loading unit as a modified example (modification 2). [Figure 18] This figure shows an image forming apparatus as a third modification. [Figure 19] This figure shows an image forming system as a fourth example of modification. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0009] First, Figure 1 will explain the overall configuration and operation of the laminating processing device 50. The laminating processing apparatus 50 as a machine is provided with a sheet peeling unit 1, a laminating processing unit 51, a sheet stacking unit 13 (first discharge tray), a second discharge tray 55, and the like. The laminating processing apparatus 50 in the present embodiment is configured to convey a sheet (laminated sheet PJ or middle sheet PM) from above downward. The laminating processing unit 51 conveys a laminated sheet PJ (in which two sheets P1 and P2 are overlapped and a part thereof is joined as a joining part A, and a middle sheet PM is inserted between the two sheets P1 and P2) while applying heat and pressure to perform a laminating process in a predetermined conveyance direction. In addition, the sheet peeling unit 1 is provided with first and second feeding trays 11 and 12, first and second feeding rollers 2 and 3, first to third conveying roller pairs 4 to 6, first to eighth sensors 41 to 48, a winding roller 20, a moving mechanism 30, a peeling claw 16 as a peeling member (see FIGS. 6, 10, etc.), and the like.

[0010] The sheet peeling unit 1 is a mechanism that performs a peeling process for peeling a non-joined part of a laminated sheet PJ (see FIGS. 10, etc.) in which two sheets P1 and P2 are overlapped and one end side is joined as a joining part A, and performs an insertion process for inserting a middle sheet PM between the two peeled sheets P1 and P2. In particular, in the present embodiment, as the laminated sheet PJ, two sheets P1 and P2 are overlapped and one of the four sides is joined as the joining part A. That is, the laminated sheet PJ (two sheets P1 and P2) is only joined at one side (joining part A) by heat welding or pasting, and the other parts are not joined. Further, as the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the laminated sheet PJ, a transparent film sheet (laminated sheet) can be used. Then, the operation of peeling the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the laminated sheet PJ (separating the other end side on the opposite side of the joining part A of the two sheets P1 and P2 while maintaining the joining of the joining part A) and inserting a middle sheet PM (a sheet such as at least one plain paper or a photograph) between the peeled two sheets P1 and P2 will be performed by the sheet peeling unit 1.

[0011] The laminating processing unit 51 is a mechanism that performs a laminating process on the polymer sheet PJ after the peeling process and the insertion process are performed by the sheet peeling unit 1. Specifically, the laminating processing unit 51 is a mechanism that performs a laminating process (a process of joining non-joint portions by applying heat and pressure) on the polymer sheet PJ in a state where the middle sheet PM is inserted between the two sheets P1 and P2 peeled by the sheet peeling unit 1 (the two sheets constituting the polymer sheet PJ). It is installed on the downstream side of the sheet peeling unit 1 (the downstream side in the forward direction, which is the left side in FIG. 1). The laminating processing unit 51 is a pair of heat-pressing rollers that applies heat and pressure to the polymer sheet PJ while transporting the polymer sheet PJ with the middle sheet PM inserted in the forward direction. Also, a fourth transport path K6 as a transport path is provided between the third transport roller pair 6 and the laminating processing unit 51. The laminating processing unit 51 (the pair of heat-pressing rollers) is provided with a heater (not shown) as heating means for heating the pair of heat-pressing rollers. In this embodiment, the laminating processing unit 51 is composed of one pair of heat-pressing rollers, but the number of pairs of heat-pressing rollers may be two or more.

[0012] The sheet stacking unit 13 is for placing the polymer sheet PJ' (the polymer sheet PJ and the middle sheet PJ) after the laminating process discharged from the laminating processing apparatus 50. The sheet stacking unit 13 will be described in detail later using FIGS. 13 to 15 and the like. The second discharge tray 55 is for placing sheets that are not subjected to the laminating process. This second discharge tray 55 will also function as a retreat portion for temporarily purging the subsequent polymer sheets when continuously performing the laminating process. <\\

[0013] Furthermore, the laminating apparatus 50 has multiple transport paths, including a first transport path K1, a second transport path K2, a third transport path K3, a first branch transport path K4, a second branch transport path K5, a fourth transport path K6, and a retraction transport path K7. Each of these transport paths K1 to K7 is for guiding the transport of the sheet (which is a polymerized sheet PJ or an intermediate sheet PM), and is formed by two opposing transport guide members (guide plates). In particular, in this embodiment, the first branch transport path K4 and the second branch transport path K5 branch in different directions between the winding roller 20 and the third transport path K3, with the third transport path K3 in between. Furthermore, the fourth transport path K6 is a transport path from the sheet peeling section 1 (third transport roller pair 6) to the lamination processing section 51. The retraction transport path K7 is a transport path from the sheet peeling section 1 to a second discharge tray 55 (retraction section) which is different from the lamination processing section 51. Specifically, the fourth transport path K6 and the retraction transport path K7 branch off in different directions downstream of the third transport roller pair 6 (the lower part in Figure 1).

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the first feeding tray 11 is loaded with the polymerized sheet PJ. The uppermost polymerized sheet PJ on the first feeding tray 11 is fed by the first feeding roller 2 and then transported along the first transport path K1 by the first transport roller pair 4. Thus, the first feeding tray 11 and the first feeding roller 2 function as the first feeding means for feeding the polymerized sheet PJ. The first feeding means, under the control of the control unit (control means), rotates the first feeding roller 2 to feed the polymerized sheet PJ from the first feeding tray 11. Furthermore, the second feeding tray 12 is loaded with medium sheets PM. The uppermost medium sheet PM on the second feeding tray 12 is then fed by the second feeding roller 3. Thus, the second feeding tray 12 and the second feeding roller 3 function as a second feeding means for feeding the intermediate sheet PM (a sheet inserted between two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ from which the non-joint portion has been peeled off). The second feeding means then rotates the second feeding roller 3 under the control of the control unit (control means) to feed the intermediate sheet PM from the second feeding tray 12.

[0015] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the laminating apparatus 50 is controlled so that after the polymerized sheet PJ has been fed by the first feeding means 2 and 11, and before the operation to peel off the non-bonded portion of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, the feeding of the intermediate sheet PM by the second feeding means 3 and 12 is started. In other words, in this embodiment, the feeding of the polymerized sheet PJ and the feeding of the intermediate sheet PM are not performed as separate operations (operations of the user on the operation display panel 49), but can be performed in a single operation. Specifically, when the user presses a button on the operation display panel 49 once to start the processing operation, the peeling process in which the polymerized sheet PJ is fed, the insertion process in which the intermediate sheet PM is inserted between the peeled polymerized sheet PJ, and the lamination process are all performed automatically and in a single operation based on that single command (request). Furthermore, the operation to start feeding the intermediate sheet PM from the second feeding tray 12 is performed before the peeling operation of the polymerized sheet PJ is completed, rather than after. Therefore, the time required for the series of processes from feeding the polymerized sheet PJ from the first feeding tray 11 to the completion of inserting the intermediate sheet PM is efficiently shortened, improving the productivity of the device. In other words, the time from the start to the end of processing in the sheet insertion device 1 is shortened.

[0016] Here, the first to third conveyor roller pairs 4 to 6, the discharge roller pair 7, and the second discharge roller pair 8 all consist of a drive roller and a driven roller, and convey the sheet held between their nip. In the third conveying path K3, the second conveyor roller pair 5, the winding roller 20, and the third conveyor roller pair 6 are installed from the upstream side. In particular, the winding roller 20, the third conveyor roller pair 6, and the second discharge roller pair 8 are capable of forward and reverse rotation, and the third conveyor roller pair 6 and the second discharge roller pair 8 are configured to convey the sheet in both the forward direction (left direction in Figure 1) and the reverse direction (right direction in Figure 1). The third conveyor roller pair 6 also functions as a conveyor roller pair that conveys the sheet toward the lamination processing unit 51 or the second discharge tray 55. The discharge roller pair 7 is a conveyor roller pair for discharging the laminated sheet PJ' (polymerized sheet PJ, middle sheet PM) after lamination toward the sheet loading unit 13.

[0017] Furthermore, a switching claw 17 (switching means) is installed on the forward downstream side of the third transport roller pair 6 (the lower part in Figure 1) for transporting the sheet P toward the lamination processing unit 51 or toward the second discharge tray 55, or for switching between the two directions. In other words, the switching claw 17 functions as a switching means that switches between a first state (the state shown in Figure 1) in which the fourth transport path K6 is opened and the retracted transport path K7 is closed, and a second state in which the fourth transport path K6 is closed and the retracted transport path K7 is opened. The switching claw 17 is controlled according to the mode selected by the user (especially when laminating multiple polymer sheets PJ consecutively), and the destination (discharge destination) of the sheets P is switched as appropriate.

[0018] Referring to Figure 1, the first to fifth sensors 41 to 45 and the seventh and eighth sensors 47 and 48, which serve as sheet detection sensors, are all reflective photosensors that optically detect whether or not a sheet is present at their respective locations. The first sensor 41 is located near the downstream side of the first transport roller pair 4, the second sensor 42 is located near the downstream side of the second feed roller 3, the third sensor 43 is located near the downstream side of the second transport roller pair 5, the fourth sensor 44 is located near the downstream side of the winding roller 20 (below the winding roller 20 in Figure 1) and upstream of the third transport roller pair 6 (above the third transport roller pair 6 in Figure 1), and the fifth sensor 45 is located in the fourth transport path K6 (below (downstream) the third transport roller pair 6 in Figure 1) from the sheet peeling section 1 to the lamination section 51. The seventh sensor 47 is located in the first branch transport path K4, and the eighth sensor 48 is located in the second branch transport path K5. The sixth sensor 46 functions as an abnormality detection means for detecting abnormal conditions during the peeling operation, which will be explained in detail later.

[0019] Referring to Figures 2, 3, 5(B) to 5(D), 6(A), etc., the winding roller 20 is a roller member that, at the winding start position W (see Figure 5(B)), uses the other end of the superimposed sheet PJ (the opposite side from the side where the joint A is formed) as the gripped portion B, grips the gripped portion B with the gripping member 32 (gripping portion), and rotates in a predetermined rotational direction (counterclockwise in Figure 5) to wind the superimposed sheet PJ. The winding roller 20 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions around the rotation axis 20a by the drive of a drive motor controlled by the control unit. Specifically, the polymerized sheet PJ is transported forward from the first feeding tray via the first transport path K1, by the second transport roller pair 5 along the third transport path K3, passing through the winding start position W of the winding roller 20, and then to the position of the third transport roller pair 6 (the position just before the rear end of the polymerized sheet PJ passes the fourth sensor 44 and the third transport roller pair 6). After that, the polymerized sheet PJ is transported in the reverse direction by the reversed third transport roller pair 6 to the position of the winding roller 20 (winding start position W) and is gripped by the gripping member 32. Then, the polymerized sheet PJ is transported further in its gripped state and is wound by the winding roller 20 which rotates counterclockwise in Figure 1. Figures 2 to 10 show the sheets (polymerized sheets PJ and intermediate sheets PM) that are transported vertically as shown in Figure 1, but with the transport direction changed to horizontal.

[0020] Then, referring to Figure 5(C'), etc., as the superimposed sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20, the winding length is proportional to the roller diameter, so the winding length of the first sheet P1 on the inner circumferential surface side of the roller becomes shorter than the winding length of the second sheet P2 on the outer circumferential surface side of the roller. As a result, a shift occurs in the parts where the first sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 are in close contact (stuck together) other than the joint A and the gripped part B, and this shift causes the first sheet P1 to bend (loosen) relative to the second sheet P2, and as shown in Figure 5(D), Figure 6(A), etc., a gap C (a gap created when the upper first sheet P1 bends upward) is formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 on the joint A side (one end side) of the superimposed sheet PJ. In this way, the two sheets P1 and P2 change from a state of being tightly in contact without any gaps to a state of being separated. In particular, in this embodiment, in order to significantly form the gap C described above (increase the difference in the winding lengths of sheets P1 and P2), the polymerized sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 at least once. Thus, in this embodiment, by installing a winding roller 20 for winding the polymerized sheet PJ, the laminating processing device 50 does not become significantly larger or more expensive, making it possible to peel off the polymerized sheet PJ.

[0021] In this embodiment, the gripping member 32 is configured to grip the gripped portion B without contacting the end face of the other end of the superimposed sheet PJ (the side of the gripped portion B), as shown in Figure 5(B'). In more detail, the gripping member 32 is configured to grip the portion to be gripped B between itself and the receiving portion 20b of the winding roller 20, without allowing the other end face of the superimposed sheet PJ to come into contact with any other member. The receiving portion 20b is formed on the outer circumference of the winding roller 20 so as to be exposed to the outside and able to face the gripping member 32. Specifically, the polymerized sheet PJ is not gripped by being sandwiched between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b with the other end face (tip face) abutting against a specific member (for example, the gripping member 32 itself), but rather is gripped by being sandwiched between the outer gripping member 32 and the inner receiving portion 20b without the other end face (tip face) abutting against any member. Therefore, compared to the case where the leading edge is abutted, the problem of damage to the polymerized sheet PJ (especially the leading edge) can be reduced. In particular, if the leading edge of the polymerized sheet P is damaged, it becomes difficult to laminate that part, so the configuration of the present invention is useful. In this embodiment, the superimposed sheet PJ that is wound around the winding roller 20 has a joint A formed on one end opposite to the other end that becomes the gripping portion B.

[0022] In this embodiment, at least one of the gripping member 32 (gripping portion) and the receiving portion 20b is made of an elastic material such as rubber. This allows for increased gripping force on the polymerized sheet PJ and reduces the likelihood of scratching the surface of the polymerized sheet PJ, compared to cases where both the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b are made of rigid materials such as metal or resin. This effect is particularly pronounced when both the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b are made of elastic materials.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the moving mechanism 30 moves the gripping member 32 between a gripping position in which the superimposed sheet PJ can be gripped (the position shown in Figures 2(A) and 3(A)) and a retracted position in which it is moved away from the gripping position (the position shown in Figures 2(B) and 3(B)). More specifically, the moving mechanism 30 consists of an arm member 31, a compression spring 33 as a biasing member, a cam 34, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the cam 34 in forward and reverse directions. The arm member 31 holds the gripping member 32 and is held on the winding roller 20 so as to be rotatable together with the gripping member 32 around the pivot shaft 31a. In this embodiment, the gripping member 32 is integrally formed (held) at the tip of the arm member 31. Alternatively, the gripping member 32 can be made a separate component from the arm member 31, and the gripping member 32 can be installed (held) on the arm member 31. In any case, the arm member 31 holding the gripping member 32 will rotate together with the winding roller 20 around the rotation axis 20a. The compression spring 33 functions as a biasing member that biases the arm member 31 so that the gripping member 32 moves from the retracted position shown in Figure 2(B) to the gripping position shown in Figure 2(A). Specifically, one end of the compression spring 33 is connected to a fixed position near the rotation axis 20a, and the other end is connected to one end of the arm member 31 (the side opposite to the side on which the gripping member 32 is provided, with the support shaft 31a in between). The cam 34 pushes the arm member 31 against the biasing force of the compression spring 33 (biasing member) so that the gripping member 32 moves from the gripping position shown in Figure 2(A) to the retracted position shown in Figure 2(B). The cam 34 is rotated in forward and reverse directions at a desired rotation angle by a motor controlled by the control unit. The cam 34 is held in the device housing so as to be rotatable around the cam shaft 34a, independently of the winding roller 20.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2(A) and 3(A), when the cam 34 is not in contact with the arm member 31, the arm member 31 is biased by the compression spring 33, causing the gripping member 32 to press against the receiving portion 20b (closed state). This closed state is a state in which the overlapping sheet PJ can be gripped. In contrast, as shown in Figures 2(B) and 3(B), when the cam 34 presses against the arm member 31, the arm member 31 rotates counterclockwise around the support shaft 31a in the direction shown in Figure 2(B) to resist the biasing force of the compression spring 33, causing the gripping member 32 to separate from the receiving portion 20b (open state). This open state is a state in which the overlapping sheet PJ cannot be gripped (grip release state).

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the roller portion of the winding roller 20 is divided into multiple (seven) sections in the axial direction, and the cam 34 is also divided into multiple sections in the axial direction to match the division positions. By dividing the gripping position of the polymerized sheet PJ into sections along the axial direction, rather than gripping the entire axial area, the load required to grip the polymerized sheet PJ can be distributed. This configuration is useful when the required gripping force is large.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1, 4(D), 5(A), etc., the laminating apparatus 50 in this embodiment is equipped with a fourth sensor 44 (sheet detection sensor) that detects the polymerized sheet PJ being transported between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6. The moving mechanism 30 is controlled based on the detection result of the fourth sensor 44, which detects the leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ being transported toward the winding roller 20 by the third transport roller pair 6. More specifically, the fourth sensor 44 is positioned in the transport path between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6. As shown in Figures 4(D), 5(A), etc., when the superimposed sheet PJ is transported in the reverse direction toward the winding roller 20 by the third transport roller pair 6, with the gripping portion B side leading, the leading edge (the leading edge during reverse transport) is detected by the fourth sensor 44. This detection timing is then used as a trigger to adjust and control the timing for stopping the superimposed sheet PJ at the gripping position and the timing for gripping the gripping portion B by the gripping member 32. Specifically, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the leading edge of the superimposed sheet PJ was detected by the fourth sensor 44, the reverse transport of the superimposed sheet PJ by the third transport roller pair 6 is stopped, and the cam 34 is rotated to rotate the arm member 31 (moving mechanism 30) so that the gripping member 32 moves from the retracted position shown in Figure 2(B) to the gripping position shown in Figure 2(A). By performing this type of control, the operation of gripping the end face of the polymerized sheet PJ between the gripping member 32 and the receiving part 20b without abutting against any other member can be performed with high precision.

[0027] Here, the third transport roller pair 6, as explained earlier, is a transport roller pair that transports the superimposed sheet PJ toward the winding roller 20 (winding start position W) in the third transport path K3 (transport path) formed between it and the winding roller 20, with the other end (the side of the gripped portion B) leading.

[0028] Furthermore, referring to Figures 6(A)-(C), 9, 10(A)-(E), 12, etc., the peeling claw 16, which serves as a peeling member, is a claw-shaped member that moves from the standby position shown in Figure 10(A) and is inserted into the gap C formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 at a predetermined position relative to the polymer sheet PJ. More specifically, the peeling claw 16 is wrapped around the overlapping sheet PJ from the other end (the side of the gripping portion B) by the winding roller 20, and one end (the side of the joint portion A) is held between the third transport roller pair 6 (transport roller pair). The peeling claw 16 is then inserted from a waiting position at the widthwise end into the gap C formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6.

[0029] More specifically, in this embodiment, the peeling claws 16 are a pair of peeling claws positioned at both ends in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 6, and the left-right direction in Figures 9 and 12). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the peeling claws 16 are formed such that their length in the vertical direction (the thickness direction of the superimposed sheet PJ) gradually increases from the tip on the width-center side to the rear end on the width-out side. In addition, the peeling claws 16 are configured to be movable in the width direction by a moving mechanism 76 (see Figure 12) controlled by the control unit. The peeling claws 16 configured in this way are normally stationary in the third transport path K3 at a waiting position that does not obstruct the transport of sheets such as the polymerized sheet PJ (as shown in Figure 10(A), this is a position on the outside in the width direction of sheet P). When separating the polymerized sheet PJ (two sheets P1 and P2), the peeling claws 16 enter the gap C in the polymerized sheet PJ, as shown in Figures 9 and 10(B), and secure the gap C.

[0030] As shown in Figure 12, the moving mechanism 76 that moves each of the pair of peeling claws 16 in the width direction consists of a motor 77, a gear pulley 78, a pulley 79, a timing belt 80, etc. The gear pulley 78 is formed in a stepped shape and consists of a gear that meshes with a motor gear installed on the motor shaft of the motor 77, and a pulley that tensions and supports the timing belt 80 together with the pulley 79. Of the pair of peeling claws 16, the fixing portion 16a of one peeling claw 16 is fixed to a part of one belt surface of the timing belt 80 (the upper belt surface in Figure 12), and the fixing portion 16a of the other peeling claw 16 is fixed to a part of the other belt surface of the timing belt 80 (the lower belt surface in Figure 12). With the motor mechanism 76 configured in this way, when the motor shaft of the motor 77 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Figure 12 (clockwise), the gear pulley 78 rotates counterclockwise, the timing belt 80 rotates counterclockwise, and the pair of peeling claws 16 move from the outside in the width direction toward the center in the width direction (this is movement in the direction in which the pair of peeling claws 16 move toward each other). Conversely, when the motor shaft of the motor 77 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction to the direction of the arrow in Figure 12, the pair of peeling claws 16 move from the center in the width direction toward the outside in the width direction (this is movement in the direction in which the pair of peeling claws 16 move toward each other).

[0031] The peeling claw 16, while inserted into the gap C with respect to the polymer sheet PJ, moves relative to one end (the side of the joint A) towards the other end B (the side of the gripped part B), and then moves in the width direction between the two sheets P1 and P2 at the other end of the polymer sheet PJ. More specifically, under the control of the movement mechanism 76 (see Figure 12) by the control unit, the pair of peeling claws 16 are inserted into both ends in the width direction of the gap C relative to the superimposed sheet PJ, as shown in Figures 10(B) and (C). They move toward the other end until the other end has passed 16a, and then, as shown in Figure 10(D), they move from both ends in the width direction to the center in the width direction between the two sheets P1 and P2 at the other end of the superimposed sheet PJ. To enable this operation of the pair of peeling claws 16, the movement mechanism 76 is configured to allow the pair of peeling claws 16 to move from a standby position to a position where they are close to each other.

[0032] This mechanism for peeling off the polymerized sheet PJ by winding with a winding roller 20 and inserting peeling claws 16 allows for a smaller device compared to peeling using large-scale equipment such as a vacuum. In other words, the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymerized sheet PJ can be peeled off well without increasing the size of the laminating processing device 50. In particular, in this embodiment, the peeling claw 16 moves over almost the entire widthwise area at the other end (rear end) of the superimposed sheet PJ, so that the ends on the other side opposite the joint A can be sufficiently peeled (separated) from the two sheets P1 and P2 that constitute the superimposed sheet PJ. As a result, problems such as the inability to insert the intermediate sheet PM (see Figure 10(E)) from the other end of the superimposed sheet PJ because the ends on the other side opposite the joint A are not sufficiently peeled away are less likely to occur. Furthermore, the function of the peeling claw 16 as a switching member (a function that guides the two sheets P1 and P2 to two separate branch transport paths K4 and K5) will be more easily achieved.

[0033] In this embodiment, the peeling claw 16, which acts as a peeling member, also functions as a switching member that guides the two sheets P1 and P2, which have been peeled off by the peeling claw 16, separately to two branching transport paths K4 and K5 that branch in different directions. More specifically, as shown in Figure 7(C), the two branched transport paths K4 and K5 branch in different directions between the peeling claw 16 (peeling member) and the winding roller 20, with the third transport path K3 in between. Specifically, the first branched transport path K4 is formed to branch upward from the third transport path K3, and the second branched transport path K5 is formed to branch downward from the third transport path K3. Then, as shown in Figures 7(A) to (C), after the peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C, the third transport roller pair 6 transports the superimposed sheet PJ to one end (the left side in Figure 7) so that the winding of the other end of the superimposed sheet PJ onto the winding roller 20 is released (see Figures 10(A) to (C)). Subsequently, as shown in Figure 10(D), after moving the peeling claw 16 to the center in the width direction, the third transport roller pair 6 maintains that position and transports the superimposed sheet PJ back to the other end (the right side in Figure 7), and the two sheets P1 and P2 peeled off by the peeling claw 16 are separately guided by the peeling claw 16 to two branch transport paths K4 and K5, respectively. That is, the first sheet P1 is guided to the first branch transport path K4, and the second sheet P2 is guided to the second branch transport path K5. Then, as shown in Figures 8(A) to 8(C) and 10(E), the peeling claw 16 is moved to the standby position and the intermediate sheet PM is transported toward one end of the third transport path K3 so that it is inserted between the two peeled sheets P1 and P2.

[0034] Thus, in this embodiment, the peeling claw 16 functions as a peeling member that peels (separates) the non-jointed portion of the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymerized sheet PJ, and also functions as a switching member that guides the two peeled sheets P1 and P2 separately to two branched transport paths K4 and K5, respectively. Therefore, compared to the case where the peeling member and the switching member are provided separately, the laminating processing apparatus 50 can be made smaller and less expensive. In other words, the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymerized sheet JP can be peeled off efficiently and well. The seventh sensor 47 optically detects when the peeled first sheet P1 has been successfully transported to the first branch transport path K4. The eighth sensor 48 optically detects when the peeled second sheet P2 has been successfully transported to the second branch transport path K5. In this embodiment, the peeling claw 16 is configured to function as both a peeling member and a switching member. However, it is also possible to install a separate member that functions as a switching member in addition to the peeling claw 16 that functions as a peeling member.

[0035] Referring to Figures 6(A), (C), etc., the first guide member 25 functions as a limiting member in the third transport path K3 between the peeling claw 16 and the winding roller 20, limiting the amount of slack (bend) of the first sheet P1, which is wound inward on the winding roller 20, out of the two sheets P1 and P2 of the superimposed sheet PJ. More specifically, the first guide member 25, acting as a limiting member, is a transport guide member positioned on the side of the third transport path where the winding roller 20 is located (above the virtual plane S1) with respect to the virtual plane S1 (a virtual plane passing through the winding start position W of the winding roller 20 and the nip of the third transport roller pair 6, see Figure 6(A)). The first guide member 25 is also formed in a roughly triangular prism shape so as to cover a part of the outer circumference of the winding roller 20 at predetermined intervals along its outer circumference, and functions as a transport guide member for the third transport path K3 and the first branch transport path K4. In other words, the first guide member 25 guides the sheets being transported along the third transport path K3, the sheets being transported along the first branch transport path K4, and the sheets being wound onto the winding roller 20. In particular, in the third transport path K3, the upward deflection of the superimposed sheet PJ (especially the upward deflection of the first sheet P1) between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6 is restricted by the first guide member 25. As a result, a gap C (especially the upward deflection of the first sheet P1) in the superimposed sheet PJ is concentrated between the first guide member 25 and the third transport roller pair 6. Therefore, the gap C can be increased without increasing the amount of superimposed sheet PJ wound onto the winding roller 20, and the operation of inserting the peeling claw 16 into the gap C to peel off the superimposed sheet PJ can be performed without any problems.

[0036] Furthermore, referring to Figures 6(A), (C), etc., the second guide member 26 functions as a guide member that guides the second sheet P2 of the two sheets P1 and P2 of the superimposed sheet PJ, which is wound on the outside of the winding roller 20, between the peeling claw 16 and the winding roller 20 in the third transport path K3. More specifically, the second guide member 26, acting as a guide member, is a transport guide member positioned on the side of the third transport path where the winding roller 20 is not positioned relative to the virtual surface S1 (see Figure 6(A)) (this side is below the virtual surface S1). Furthermore, the second guide member 26 is positioned so as to face the underside of the sheet, extending from near the upstream side of the second transport roller pair 5 to near the downstream side of the third transport roller pair 6. In other words, the sheet being transported along the third transport path K3 is guided by the second guide member 26. In particular, in the third transport path K3, the distance between the first guide member 25 and the second guide member 26 between the winding roller 20 and the third transport roller pair 6 is set to a value that allows the sheet with the maximum sheet thickness to be transported. This restricts the distance between sheets P1 and P2 of the superimposed sheet PJ from becoming too large between the first guide member 25 and the second guide member 26, resulting in a concentrated formation of gap C in the superimposed sheet PJ (especially the upward deflection of the first sheet P1). Therefore, the operation of inserting the peeling claw 16 into the gap C to peel off the superimposed sheet PJ can be performed without any problems.

[0037] Referring to Figure 6, etc., the sixth sensor 46 (anomaly detection sensor) functions as an anomaly detection means that detects an abnormal condition in which a gap C exceeding a predetermined interval is not formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 at a predetermined position (between the third transport roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20) before the peeling claw 16 moves from its standby position (movement from the standby position shown in Figure 12 to the peeling position shown in Figures 9 and 10(A)). In other words, the sixth sensor 46 as an anomaly detection means detects an abnormal condition in which a gap C exceeding a predetermined interval is not formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 at a predetermined position before the peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C. To put it another way, the sixth sensor 46, as an anomaly detection means, detects as an anomaly state when no gap C is formed at all, or when a gap C of sufficient spacing is not formed, at the timing when a gap C should be formed between the two sheets P1 and P2, as shown in Figures 5(D) and 6(A). In this embodiment, when an abnormal condition is detected by the sixth sensor 46 (abnormality detection means), a notification is made that an abnormal condition has occurred. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, an operation display panel 49 (operation display unit) for displaying various information and inputting various commands for the laminating processing device 50 is installed on the exterior of the laminating processing device 50. When the sixth sensor 46 detects that a gap C of sufficient spacing has not been formed in the polymerized sheet PJ, a message indicating that an abnormality has been detected is displayed on the operation display panel 49. Such a message may read, for example, "An abnormality has occurred, so the process of inserting the middle sheet will be stopped. Please check the setting direction of the polymerized sheet in the unit feeding tray. If the setting direction is correct and the same abnormality is repeated, please contact a service technician." As such a sixth sensor 46 (anomaly detection means), a lever-type sensor that contacts the superimposed sheet PJ (which is the upper first sheet P1) in which a gap C exceeding a predetermined interval is formed can be used.

[0038] The following describes the operation of the laminating apparatus 50 when performing peeling and insertion processes on the polymerization sheet PJ, with reference to Figures 4 to 8. Furthermore, in the explanation of its operation, Figures 9 and 10 will be used as appropriate to describe the operation of the peeling claw 16, and the flowchart in Figure 11 will be used to explain the control flow. First, when the polymerized sheet PJ (the preceding polymerized sheet PJ1) is fed from the first feeding tray by the first feeding roller 2 and the first transport roller pair 4 (Figure 11: Step S1), as shown in Figure 4(A), it is transported in the third transport path K3 with the joint A leading by the second transport roller pair 5 in the forward direction (from right to left in Figure 4). At this time, the movement mechanism 30 is controlled so that the gripping member 32 is in the gripping position. That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotational position that does not press against the arm member 31. When the gripping member 32 is in the gripping position in this way, the gripping member 32 does not obstruct the transport of the sheet in the third transport path K3. In addition, the peeling claw 16 is waiting in a standby position (position shown in Figure 10(A)) that does not obstruct the transport of the sheet in the third transport path K3. Then, as shown in Figure 4(B), triggered by the timing when the joint A (forward leading end, one end) of the polymerized sheet PJ is detected by the third sensor 43, the third transport roller pair 6 transports the polymerized sheet PJ by a predetermined amount X1 until the gripped portion B (forward rear end, other end) of the polymerized sheet PJ passes the position of the winding roller 20 (Figure 11: Steps S2, S3). Then, as shown in Figure 4(C), the transport of the superimposed sheet PJ by the third transport roller pair 6 is temporarily stopped in this state, and the gripping member 32 is moved from the gripping position to the retracted position (Figure 11: Step S4). That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotational position that presses the arm member 31. In this state, the gripped portion B of the superimposed sheet PJ can be received between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b. Then, as shown in Figure 4(D), the third transport roller pair 6 is rotated in the reverse direction to start transporting the superimposed sheet PJ in the reverse direction (Figure 11: Step S5). At this time, the gripped portion B (reverse direction leading end, other end side) of the superimposed sheet PJ is detected by the fourth sensor 44.

[0039] Then, as shown in Figure 5(A), triggered by the timing when the gripping portion B of the polymer sheet PJ is detected by the fourth sensor 44, the third transport roller pair 6 transports the polymer sheet PJ by a predetermined amount X2 until the gripping portion B of the polymer sheet PJ reaches the position of the winding roller 20 (winding start position W), and then stops (Figure 11: Steps S6, S7). Then, as shown in Figure 5(B), the gripping member 32 is moved from the retracted position to the gripping position in that state (Figure 11: Step S8). That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotational position that does not press against the arm member 31. In this state, as shown in Figure 5(B'), the gripped portion B is held between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b without the other end face of the superimposed sheet PJ abutting against any member. Then, as shown in Figure 5(C), with the gripping member 32 gripping the superimposed sheet PJ, the winding roller 20 is rotated in the opposite direction (counterclockwise), and the third conveyor roller pair 6 is reversed again. As the winding roller 20 rotates, as shown in Figure 5(D), a gap C is formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 of the superimposed sheet PJ between the winding roller 20 and the third conveyor roller pair 6. At this time, the deflection of the superimposed sheet PJ is restricted by the first and second guide members 25 and 26 near the winding roller 20. Therefore, the gap C of the superimposed sheet PJ is concentrated in a position close to the third conveyor roller pair 6.

[0040] In this way, the fourth sensor 44, positioned downstream in the opposite direction from the third transport roller pair 6, detects the reverse leading edge of the superimposed sheet PJ, and the timing of the gripping member 32 to grip the superimposed sheet PJ is determined by this timing as a trigger. Therefore, regardless of the variation in sheet length relative to the required sheet transport amount X2 (an error that exists even for sheets of the same size), the gripped portion B of the superimposed sheet PJ can be accurately transported to the desired gripping position. Furthermore, the fourth sensor 44 detects the reverse leading edge of the polymerized sheet PJ, allowing the required sheet transport volume X2 to be shortened regardless of the sheet length. This suppresses variations in the transport volume X2, enabling the gripping portion B of the polymerized sheet PJ to be accurately transported to the desired gripping position. For these reasons, it is preferable that the fourth sensor 44 be positioned close to the winding roller 20.

[0041] Furthermore, using Figure 5(C'), we previously explained the mechanism by which a gap C is created in the polymerized sheet PJ between the winding roller 20 and the third conveying roller pair 6 when the polymerized sheet PJ is wound onto the winding roller 20. The mechanism is explained in more detail below. As the superimposed sheet PJ is wrapped around the winding roller 20, it is held by the gripping member 32, which restricts sheet displacement. This causes slippage due to the difference in circumference on the winding roller 20, resulting in a smaller amount of the inner sheet P1 being transported compared to the outer sheet P2. Consequently, the inner sheet P1 sags between the third transport roller pair 6 and the nip of the winding roller 20. At this point, by wrapping the superimposed sheet PJ around the winding roller 20 one or more times, a difference in circumference occurs between the inner and outer circumferences due to the thickness of the sheet, causing similar sagging. More specifically, if we let ΔR be the thickness of the inner sheet P1, and R be the distance from the rotation axis 20a (axis center) of the winding roller 20 to the inner sheet P1, then the distance from the rotation axis 20a (axis center) of the winding roller 20 to the outer sheet P2 is R + ΔR. Because the radius differs by the thickness ΔR of the inner sheet P1, when the superimposed sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 once, a circumference difference of 2 × ΔR × π occurs between the inner sheet P1 and the outer sheet P2. Therefore, if the number of times the superimposed sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 is M, then slack will occur in the inner sheet P1 by 2 × ΔR × π × M. Finally, the deflection (slack) accumulates between the third transport roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20, forming a gap C between the two sheets P1 and P2 that corresponds to 2 × ΔR × π × M.

[0042] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 6(A), when the amount of material conveyed by the third transport roller pair 6 reaches a predetermined amount X3 after the winding of the polymer sheet PJ by the winding roller 20 has started, the conveying by the third transport roller pair 6 is stopped, and the winding of the polymer sheet PJ by the winding roller 20 is stopped (Figure 11: Step S9). In this state, the polymer sheet PJ has been wound around the winding roller 20 at least once, and if normal, the gap C of the polymer sheet PJ (distance between sheet P1 and sheet P2) will be sufficiently widened. At this point, it is determined by the sixth sensor 46 whether a gap C with a predetermined interval F or greater is formed in the polymer sheet PJ (Figure 11: Step S29). As a result, if it is determined that a gap C of sufficient spacing, greater than or equal to a predetermined interval F, has been formed, it is determined that there will be no problem in performing the peeling operation with the peeling claws 16 thereafter, and the peeling claws 16 are inserted into the gap C of the sufficiently widened polymer sheet PJ, as shown in Figure 6(B) (Figure 11: Step S10). That is, as shown in Figures 9 and 10(A), a pair of peeling claws 16 are moved from the standby position to the peeling position, respectively. Then, as shown in Figure 6(C), with the peeling claws 16 inserted into the gap C, the forward rotation of the third transport roller pair 6 begins, and the forward rotation (clockwise direction) of the winding roller 20 begins (Figure 11: Step S11). That is, as shown in Figures 10(A) to (C), the peeling claws 16 inserted into the gap C move relative to the polymerized sheet PJ from one end A to the other end B. In this embodiment, this relative movement is achieved by the polymerized sheet PJ itself moving in the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 10(A) to (C), without changing the position of the peeling claws 16 in the transport direction.

[0043] Furthermore, if the sixth sensor 46 determines in step S29 of Figure 11 that an abnormality has been detected, that is, if a gap C of a sufficient interval of F or more has not been formed in the polymer sheet PJ, then the peeling claw 16 will not move from its standby position to the peeling position, as performing the peeling operation with the peeling claw 16 thereafter will cause various problems. At this time, the operation display panel 49 (see Figure 1) is notified that the peeling operation and the insertion operation of the middle sheet PM have been stopped due to an abnormality (Figure 11: step S30).

[0044] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 7(A), after a predetermined amount X4 of the superimposed sheet PJ has been transported by the third transport roller pair 6 in the forward direction, the forward rotation of the third transport roller pair 6 and the forward rotation of the winding roller 20 are stopped (Figure 11: Step S12). At this time, the gripped portion B of the superimposed sheet PJ is located on the third transport path K3 (winding start position W shown in Figure 5(B)) (it is in a state where it can be released). Also, as shown in Figure 10(C), the peeling claw 16 is inserted into the gap C with respect to the superimposed sheet PJ, moves relative to the other end B, and then stops at the other end. Then, in that state, the gripping member 32 is moved from the gripping position to the retracted position (Figure 11: Step S13). That is, the cam 34 is moved to a rotation position where it does not press against the arm member 31. In this state, the gripping of the overlapping sheet PJ by the gripping member 32 is released. In this embodiment, the gripping by the gripping member 32 is released by moving the cam 34 (moving mechanism 30), but if the pulling force due to the transport of the third transport roller pair 6 is greater than the gripping force of the gripping member 32, the gripping by the gripping member 32 can also be released by the pulling force due to the transport of the third transport roller pair 6 without moving the cam 34 (moving mechanism 30). Subsequently, as shown in Figure 7(B), the third transport roller pair 6 is rotated forward again to begin forward transport of the superimposed sheet PJ (Figure 11: Step S14). After the gripping portion B (forward rear end, one end) of the superimposed sheet PJ passes the branching point between the third transport path K3 and the branched transport paths K4 and K5, the gripping member 32 is moved from the retracted position to the gripping position. At this time, the gripping portion B (forward rear end, other end) of the superimposed sheet PJ is detected by the fourth sensor 44. Then, triggered by the detection of the forward rear end of the superimposed sheet PJ by the fourth sensor 44, the third transport roller pair 6 transports the superimposed sheet PJ by a predetermined amount X5 and stops, after which the peeling claw 16 moves in the width direction as shown in Figure 10(D) (Figure 11: Steps S15, S28). As a result, as shown in Figure 7(B), the forward trailing ends of the two sheets P1 and P2 in the polymerization sheet PJ are largely separated and opened (see Figure 10(D)). At this point, peeling (separation) of the polymerization sheet PJ begins. Then, as shown in Figure 7(C), the third transport roller pair 6 is reversed to start transporting the superimposed sheet PJ in the reverse direction (Figure 11: Step S16). At this time, the peeling claws 16 are in a switching position that blocks the entry of the superimposed sheet PJ into the third transport path K3 (the position shown in Figure 10(D)). As a result, the two peeled sheets P1 and P2 are guided to the two branch transport paths K4 and K5, respectively, as shown in Figure 7(C). At this time, the fifth sensor 45 (see Figure 1) detects the joint A (reverse rear end, one end side) of the superimposed sheet PJ. The timing at which the reverse rear end of the superimposed sheet PJ is detected by the fifth sensor 45 (see Figure 1) as a sheet detection means triggers the start of feeding of the intermediate sheet PM from the second feed tray 12 by the second feed roller 3 (Figure 11: Steps S17, S18). However, the timing for starting the feeding of the intermediate sheet PM is not limited to this, and it is preferable to set it so as to shorten the time required for the peeling and insertion processes.

[0045] Then, as shown in Figure 8(A), the timing triggered by the detection of the reverse rear end of the polymer sheet PJ by the fifth sensor 45 (see Figure 1) is used to transport the polymer sheet PJ by a predetermined amount X6 using the third transport roller pair 6 and stop (Figure 11: step S19). At this time, the joint A of the polymer sheet PJ is at the position of the nip of the third transport roller pair 6, or slightly to the left of the nip. That is, one end of the polymer sheet PJ is held between the third transport roller pair 6. This state is the state in which the peeling operation of the polymer sheet PJ has been completed. Furthermore, the intermediate sheet PM is already being fed from the second feeding tray 12 before the peeling operation of the polymerization sheet PJ is completed. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8(A), when the peeling operation of the polymerization sheet PJ is completed, the leading edge of the intermediate sheet PM (forward leading edge, one end) is close to the insertion position between the polymerization sheet PJ. Meanwhile, the third sensor 43 detects the leading edge (forward leading edge, one end) of the middle sheet PM. Using this detection timing as a trigger, the peeling claw 16 is moved to the standby position at a timing that does not interfere with the middle sheet PM, as shown in Figure 8(B). Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8(C) and 10(E), the timing at which the forward leading edge of the intermediate sheet PM is detected by the third sensor 43 triggers the second transport roller pair 5 to transport the intermediate sheet PM by a predetermined amount X7, after which the third transport roller pair 6 resumes forward transport of the superimposed sheet PJ (Figure 11: Steps S20, S21). At this time, the intermediate sheet PM is precisely sandwiched between the two sheets P1 and P2 at the desired position. Thus, the process of inserting the intermediate sheet PM between the two sheets P1 and P2 in the polymerization sheet PJ (insertion process) is completed (Figure 11: Step S22).

[0046] Subsequently, the polymerized sheet PJ (in which the intermediate sheet PM has been inserted after the peeling process) is transported by the third transport roller pair 6 through the fourth transport path K6, which has been opened by the switching claw 17, to the lamination processing unit 51. Then, the lamination process is started in the lamination processing unit 51 on the polymerized sheet PJ (which has the middle sheet PM inserted) (Figure 11: Step S23). The laminated polymerized sheet PJ' (with the middle sheet PM inserted) is then discharged from the discharge port Z by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the mounting section 61 of the sheet loading unit 13 (see Figures 1, 13, etc.). This completes the flow.

[0047] Here, as shown in Figures 1 and 13, the sheet stacking unit 13 in this embodiment is installed inside the laminating processing device 50 (below the laminating processing unit 51) and is a unit on which laminated polymerized sheets PJ' (polymerized sheets PJ with an intermediate sheet PM inserted) discharged from the discharge port Z are stacked. As shown in Figures 13 to 15, the sheet stacking unit 13 is provided with a mounting section 61, a fence section 62, and the like. The polymerized sheets PJ' stacked in the sheet stacking unit 13 are then removed by the user through an outlet D (formed on the front of the exterior of the laminating processing device 50 so as to communicate with the inside of the sheet stacking unit 13).

[0048] Here, the mounting section 61 is provided with a mounting surface 61a that is inclined at a predetermined angle θ2 (see Figure 13) with respect to the horizontal plane. The mounting section 61 is configured to allow multiple sheets (which are the superimposed sheets PJ') discharged from the upper discharge port Z to be stacked on the mounting surface 61a. Furthermore, the fence section 62 is provided with an upright surface 62a that rises in the direction in which multiple sheets (which are superimposed sheets PJ') are stacked relative to the lower edge H of the mounting surface 61a. The fence section 62 is configured so that the sheet ends (end faces) of the superimposed sheets PJ' (sheets) placed on the mounting surface 61a can abut against the upright surface 62a. The lower edge H mentioned above is the edge (common edge) where the mounting surface 61a and the upright surface 62a meet.

[0049] In this embodiment, the predetermined angle θ2 of the mounting surface 61a (the angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal plane, see Figure 13) is set to 45 to 85 degrees. As a result, the superimposed sheets PJ' that fall by their own weight from the discharge port Z and are loaded onto the mounting surface 61a move (slide) along the slope of the mounting surface 61a, and their sheet ends (which are the end faces of the joint A) abut against the upright surface 62a. Therefore, multiple superimposed sheets PJ' are loaded neatly on the mounting surface 61a without any variation in the position of their sheet ends (the stackability is improved). In particular, since the superimposed sheets PJ' are made up of multiple sheets P1, P2, and PM stacked on top of each other, they are less prone to bending than a single sheet, making it possible to load them neatly along the mounting surface 61a with a sufficiently large slope angle θ2. Furthermore, by setting the inclination angle θ2 of the mounting surface 61a to a certain extent, the size of the sheet loading unit 13 (laminating processing device 50) (the size in the left-right direction in Figure 13) can be reduced compared to one with a smaller inclination angle θ2 (the device can be miniaturized).

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upright surface 62a is set to stand upright at an angle θ3 of 80 to 90 degrees relative to the mounting surface 61a (see Figure 13). In other words, the upright surface 62a is either perpendicular to the mounting surface 61a, or slightly inclined toward the mounting surface 61a. As a result, multiple overlapping sheets PJ' stacked on the mounting surface 61a will abut against the upright surface 62a in an orderly manner without any variation in the position of the sheet edges (improving stackability).

[0051] Referring to Figures 14 and 15, in this embodiment, a notch 61a1 is formed on the mounting surface 61a on the side of the outlet D. Specifically, the mounting surface 61a is formed in a roughly U-shape, as shown in Figure 15. Furthermore, the mounting portion 61 has a space 63 that opens downward from the notch 61a1 and connects to the outlet D. In other words, when viewed from above, the mounting portion 61 has a space 63 that extends downward at the position of the notch 61a1 (connected to the outlet D). Then, a portion of the lower surface of the polymer sheet PJ' (sheet) placed on the mounting surface 61a is exposed to the space 63 through the notch 61a1. With this configuration, the user reaches their hand through the outlet D and grasps the polymerized sheet PJ' at the position of the notch 61a1, straddling the aforementioned space 63 and the space extending above the mounting surface 61a, and then removes it from the device. In this way, by providing the notches 61a1 and the space 63, the polymerized sheets PJ' loaded on the mounting surface 61a can be easily removed from the device.

[0052] Thus, the outlet D is configured to open into the exterior of the laminating processing device 50 (equipment), allowing multiple sheets (polymerized sheets PJ') loaded on the mounting section 61 to be removed to the outside of the laminating processing device 50. Furthermore, the sheet loading unit 13 in this embodiment is provided with a guide surface 64 that guides the superimposed sheet PJ' (sheet), which has been moved in the direction of the white arrow in Figure 15 along the lower edge H toward the outlet D by the user's manual operation, to the lower end of the outlet D.

[0053] In detail, as shown in Figure 15, the lower edge H where the mounting surface 61a and the upright surface 62a meet is formed to extend horizontally at a position lower than the lower end of the outlet D. By positioning the bottom edge H as low as possible, the height of the laminating apparatus 50 can be reduced (the apparatus can be miniaturized). In addition, by positioning the outlet D as high as possible, it is possible to prevent the user from having to assume too low a posture when removing the polymerized sheet PJ', and to prevent the problem of the apparatus's mechanical strength (rigidity) decreasing due to the outlet D becoming too large.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15 and the like, the guide surface 64 is an inclined surface that connects to the end of the lower edge H on the side of the outlet D and slopes upward toward the lower end of the outlet D. In particular, as shown in Figure 14, the guide surface 64 (inclined surface) in this embodiment is formed to connect to the entire lower end of the outlet D. With this configuration, when the user removes the polymerized sheet PJ' that they have grasped at the notch 61a1, the polymerized sheet PJ' is pulled out in the direction of the white arrow in Figure 15, with the sheet edge sliding along the lower edge H. As it approaches the outlet D, the sheet edge does not get caught on the lower edge of the outlet D, but is lifted along the inclination of the guide surface 64 and removed from the outlet D.

[0055] As described above, the sheet loading unit 13 in this embodiment is provided with a guide surface 64 that connects the lower edge H, which connects the mounting surface 61a and the upright surface 62a, and the lower end of the outlet D. Therefore, when removing the superimposed sheet PJ' loaded on the sheet loading unit 13 from the outlet D, the problem of the superimposed sheet PJ' getting caught in the outlet D can be reduced. As a result, the usability when removing the superimposed sheet PJ' is improved, and the problem of the superimposed sheet PJ' being damaged is also reduced.

[0056] In this embodiment, the guide surface 64 (inclined surface) is set to be inclined at an inclination angle θ1 of 45 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal plane (see Figure 15). This allows the polymerization sheet PJ', which moves along the bottom edge H, to be smoothly guided (lifted) to the outlet D.

[0057] <Example 1> As shown in Figure 16, the sheet loading unit 13 in the modified example 1 is configured to be pullable out from the laminating processing device 50 (equipment). Specifically, when a user removes the polymerized sheet PJ' loaded in the sheet loading unit 13, the sheet loading unit 13, which is stored inside the laminating processing device 50 as shown in Figure 16(A), is pulled out in the direction of the white arrow as shown in Figure 16(B), and the polymerized sheet PJ' is removed from the pulled-out sheet loading unit 13. After the polymerized sheet PJ' has been removed, the sheet loading unit 13 is then stored inside the laminating processing device 50 again as shown in Figure 16(A). Furthermore, a slider or the like can be used as a mechanism for attaching and detaching the seat loading unit 13 in this manner. Furthermore, the state in which the sheet loading unit 13 can be pulled out from the laminating processing device 50 (equipment) is defined to include the state in which the sheet loading unit 13 is completely removed from the laminating processing device 50 (equipment). By configuring the sheet loading unit 13 to be retractable from the laminating processing device 50 in this way, the usability when removing the polymerized sheet PJ' is further enhanced.

[0058] <Modification 2> As shown in Figure 17(A), in the modified example 2, the sheet loading unit 13 is formed such that the guide surface 64 (inclined surface) is connected to a part (not all, but near the bottom edge H) of the lower end of the outlet D. Even with this configuration, when the polymerized sheet PJ' loaded on the sheet loading unit 13 is removed from the laminating processing device 50 through the outlet D, the problem of the polymerized sheet PJ' getting stuck in the outlet D becomes less likely to occur. Furthermore, in the alternative sheet loading unit 13 shown in Figure 17(B), the lower end of the outlet D is formed such that a portion of it is at the same height as the lower edge H (which is formed to extend horizontally), and the remaining portion is at a higher position than the lower edge H. The guide surface 64 is formed to connect the end of the lower edge H on the outlet D side with the portion of the outlet D that is at the same height as the lower edge H. Even with this configuration, when the polymerized sheet PJ' loaded on the sheet loading unit 13 is removed from the laminating processing device 50 through the outlet D, the problem of the polymerized sheet PJ' getting stuck in the outlet D becomes less likely to occur.

[0059] <Variation 3> As shown in Figure 18, in the modified image forming apparatus 100 (modification 3), a laminating apparatus 50, as shown in Figure 1, is installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet P. However, in this image forming apparatus 100, the sheet P, which is fed and transported by a feeding roller 197 from a feeding device 112 installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, is transported to the laminating apparatus 50 as an intermediate sheet PM. Referring to Figure 18, in the image forming apparatus 100, first, the original document D is transported (fed) from the document table in the direction of the arrow in the figure by the transport rollers of the document transport device 110 and passes over the document reading device 102. At this time, the image information of the original document D passing over it is optically read by the document reading device 102. The optical image information read by the document scanning device 102 is then converted into an electrical signal and transmitted to the writing device 103. From the writing device 103, laser light based on the electrical signal image information is emitted for each color onto the respective photosensitive drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K, and the exposure process is performed. Then, charging, exposure, and development processes are carried out on the photoreceptor drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K of each image-forming unit 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K, respectively, to form the desired images on the photoreceptor drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K. Subsequently, the images formed on the photoreceptor drums 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K are transferred as a color image onto the intermediate transfer belt 178. Furthermore, the color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 178 is transferred to a sheet P (which will become the intermediate sheet PM) that is fed and conveyed by the feed roller 197 from the feed device 112, which serves as a second feeding means, at a position opposite the secondary transfer roller 189. Subsequently, the sheet P (intermediate sheet PM) onto which the color image has been transferred is transported to the fixing device 120. The color image transferred to the surface is then fixed onto the sheet P (fixing process). The fixing device 120 consists of a fixing roller 121 with a fixing heater 123 installed inside as a fixing heating means, and a pressure roller 122 that presses against the fixing roller 121 to form a fixing nip on which the sheet P is transported. Subsequently, the sheet P is discharged from the image forming apparatus body 100 by the discharge roller pair 131 and sent to the laminating apparatus 50 as an intermediate sheet PM via the relay device. At this time, the laminating apparatus 50 has completed the process described earlier using Figures 4 to 7 (the peeling process for peeling off the polymerized sheet PJ), and after the intermediate sheet PM is inserted into the laminating apparatus 50, the process described using Figure 8 (the process for inserting the intermediate sheet PM into the polymerized sheet PJ) is performed. Furthermore, after the laminating process is performed on the polymerized sheet PM into which the intermediate sheet PM has been inserted in the laminating apparatus 51, the polymerized sheet PJ is discharged to the sheet loading unit 13 by the discharge roller pair 7. In this way, the series of image formation processes (printing operations) in the image forming apparatus 1, and the series of sheet peeling and lamination processes using the image-formed intermediate sheet PM are completed. If lamination is not performed, the sheet P on which the image has been formed through the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 100 will be discharged from the second discharge roller pair 132 of the image forming apparatus 100 and placed on the discharge tray 150. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100 configured in this way, the sheet loading unit 13 is provided with a guide surface 64 that connects the lower edge H, which connects the mounting surface 61a and the upright surface 62a, and the lower end of the outlet D. Therefore, when removing the superimposed sheet PJ' loaded on the sheet loading unit 13 from the outlet D, the problem of the superimposed sheet PJ' getting caught in the outlet D can be reduced. In Modification 3, the present invention was applied to a color image forming apparatus 100, but it can naturally also be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus. Furthermore, in Modification 3, the present invention was applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be applied to other types of image forming apparatuses (for example, inkjet image forming apparatuses, stencil printing machines, etc.).

[0060] <Modification 4> As shown in Figure 19, in the modified image forming system 200 as Modification 4, a laminating processing device 50, which is equipped with a sheet peeling unit 1, a laminating processing unit 51, and a sheet loading unit 13, is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus 100. In Modification 4 as well, the sheet P, which is fed and transported by the feeding roller 197 from the feeding device 112 installed on the image forming apparatus 100, is transported to the laminating processing device 50 as a middle sheet PM. Referring to Figure 19(A), in the image forming system 200, after the image forming process described earlier using Figure 18, the sheet P (the intermediate sheet PM on which the desired image has been formed) discharged from the discharge roller pair 131 of the image forming apparatus 100 is sent to the laminating apparatus 50 via the relay device 300, then inserted into the polymerized sheet PJ in the same manner, subsequently subjected to lamination, and then discharged to the sheet loading unit 13 by the discharge roller pair 7. Furthermore, in the image forming system 200 configured in this way, the sheet loading unit 13 is provided with a guide surface 64 that connects to the lower edge H where the mounting surface 61a and the upright surface 62a are connected, and to the lower end of the outlet D. Therefore, when the superimposed sheet PJ' loaded on the sheet loading unit 13 is removed to the outside through the outlet D, the problem of the superimposed sheet PJ' getting caught in the outlet D can be reduced. Here, the laminating apparatus 50 is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus body 100, and can be removed from the image forming apparatus 100 when it is not needed. When the laminating apparatus 50 is removed in this manner, an output tray is installed in the part where the laminating apparatus 50 was connected, and the sheet P (the sheet P on which the desired image has been formed) discharged from the output roller pair 131 is placed on the output tray. As shown in Figure 19(A), the laminating apparatus 50 may also be provided with a separate transport path (transport roller pairs 58, 59) for discharging the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 without lamination, in addition to the transport path for guiding the intermediate sheet PM discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 to the sheet peeling section 1 (winding roller 20). Furthermore, a relay device 300 can be installed to guide the sheets P (including those that will become the intermediate sheets PM) discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 to the laminating apparatus 50. In that case, the relay device 300 can also be configured to supply the intermediate sheets PM. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19(B), a post-processing device 400 can be installed to perform post-processing such as punching or stapling on the sheet P (which has not been laminated) that has been discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 after passing through the lamination processing device 50. In this case, the sheet after post-processing will be discharged into the discharge tray 401 of the post-processing device 400.

[0061] As described above, the sheet loading unit in this embodiment is a sheet loading unit 13 installed inside a laminating processing device 50 (device), and is equipped with a loading surface 61a that is inclined at a predetermined angle θ2 with respect to the horizontal plane, and is provided with a loading section 61 on which a plurality of superimposed sheets PJ' (multiple sheets) discharged from above can be loaded onto the loading surface 61a. Furthermore, it is equipped with an upright surface 62a that rises up from the lower edge H of the loading surface 61a in the direction on which the plurality of superimposed sheets PJ' are loaded, and is provided with a fence section 62 on which the sheet ends (end faces) of the superimposed sheets PJ (sheets) placed on the loading surface 61a can abut against the upright surface 62a. Furthermore, a guide surface 64 is provided to guide the multiple polymer sheets PJ', which are loaded on the mounting section 61 and have an opening in the outer casing of the laminating processing device 50, to the lower end of the outlet D, where they are moved along the lower edge H. This makes it less likely for the polymerized sheet PJ' loaded on the sheet loading unit 13 to get stuck in the outlet D when it is removed from the laminating processing device 50.

[0062] In this embodiment, the present invention was applied to a sheet loading unit 13 installed inside a laminating processing device 50 and on which polymerized sheets PJ' are loaded. However, the sheet loading unit to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to sheet loading units installed inside devices other than laminating processing devices, or to sheet loading units on which sheets other than polymerized sheets are loaded. And even in such cases, it is possible to obtain almost the same effects as those of this embodiment.

[0063] It is clear that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and that this embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, in addition to what is suggested here. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the constituent members are not limited to this embodiment, and can be set to a number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for carrying out the present invention.

[0064] In this specification, the "end face" of the polymerized sheet is defined as the sheet edge (side) in the thickness direction that connects the front and back surfaces of the polymerized sheet. Therefore, a rectangular polymerized sheet has four end faces: front, back, left, and right. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Sheet peeling section, 11. First feeding tray, 12. Second feeding tray, 13-seat loading unit, 20 winding rollers, 50 Laminating equipment (machinery), 51 Laminating processing unit (fixing unit), 61 Mounting section, 61a Mounting surface, 61a1 Notch, 62 Fence section, 62a Fence surface, 63 Space, 100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main unit), 200 image forming systems, 400 Post-processing equipment, D outlet, H bottom edge, Z outlet, P, P1, P2 seats, PM medium sheet, PJ, PJ' Polymerized Sheet, A joint. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0066] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-293469

Claims

1. A sheet loading unit installed inside the equipment, A mounting section comprising a mounting surface inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane, on which multiple sheets discharged from above can be stacked on the aforementioned mounting surface, The above-mentioned mounting surface has an upright surface that rises in the direction in which multiple sheets are stacked relative to the lower edge of the mounting surface, and a fence portion that can abut the front end in the discharge direction of the sheets placed on the mounting surface against the upright surface, A guide surface guides the sheets, which are moved along the lower edge, to the lower end of the outlet, which opens in the exterior of the aforementioned device and allows multiple sheets stacked in the aforementioned storage area to be removed to the outside of the device, Equipped with, The lower edge is formed to extend horizontally, The lower end of the outlet is formed such that a portion of it is at the same height as the lower edge, and the remaining portion is at a higher position than the lower edge. The sheet loading unit is characterized in that the guide surface is connected to the end of the lower edge on the side of the outlet and to the portion of the outlet at the same height.

2. The mounting surface has a notch formed on the side of the outlet, The sheet loading unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting portion has a space formed that is open downward from the notch and connected to the outlet.

3. The sheet loading unit according to claim 2, characterized in that a portion of the lower surface of the sheet placed on the loading surface is exposed to the space through the notch.

4. The sheet loading unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the predetermined angle of the mounting surface is 45 to 85 degrees.

5. The sheet loading unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upright surface is erected at an angle of 80 to 90 degrees with respect to the previously described mounting surface.

6. The outlet is formed in the sheet loading unit, The sheet stacking unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is configured to be pullable out from the opening relative to the equipment.

7. A laminating apparatus as the apparatus on which the sheet loading unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is installed, A sheet peeling unit performs a peeling process to remove the non-jointed portion of a polymer sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and partially joined as a joint, and then performs an insertion process to insert an intermediate sheet between the two peeled sheets. A lamination processing unit that applies a lamination process to the polymerized sheet after the peeling and insertion processes have been performed by the sheet peeling unit, Equipped with, The laminating apparatus is characterized in that the sheet loading unit is positioned below the laminating processing unit and is configured to load the laminated sheets after lamination.

8. The laminating apparatus according to claim 7, An image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet, An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising the following:

9. An image forming system characterized in that the laminating apparatus described in Claim 7 is detachably installed on an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet.

Images