Sheet peeling apparatus, laminating apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

Abstract

To excellently separate two sheets constituting a two-ply sheet.SOLUTION: A sheet separation device 1 includes a sheet separator 19 which separates a non-bonding portion of two-ply sheet PJ in which two sheets (P1, P2) are overlapped and bonded together at a bonding portion A. The sheet separation device 1 includes a bending conveyor 36 (conveyance means) which conveys the two-ply sheet PJ toward the sheet separator 19 while bending in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet peeling device for peeling a laminated sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and joined at a joint, a laminating processing device including the same, an image forming device such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a composite machine thereof or a printing machine, and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a sheet peeling device for peeling a laminated sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and joined at a joint has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, the sheet peeling device in Patent Document 1 peels two sheets in a laminated sheet (laminated sheet) joined on one side with a sheet peeling unit including a winding roller or the like, and inserts an intermediate sheet (intermediate sheet) therebetween.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Conventional sheet peeling devices have not been able to sufficiently peel two sheets when the two sheets constituting the laminated sheet are electrostatically adhered to each other with a strong force.

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a sheet peeling device, a laminating processing device, an image forming device, and an image forming system that can satisfactorily peel two sheets constituting a laminated sheet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The sheet peeling apparatus of this invention comprises: a sheet peeling section for peeling off the non-joint portion of a superimposed sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and joined at a joint; a conveying means for conveying the superimposed sheet toward the sheet peeling section while bending it in a direction intersecting the conveying direction; and a second conveying means installed upstream of the sheet peeling section in the conveying direction, and either upstream or downstream of the conveying means in the conveying direction, for conveying the superimposed sheet toward the sheet peeling section. picture, A speed difference is created between the first transport speed by the transport means and the second transport speed by the second transport means. It is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet peeling device, a laminating device, an image forming device, and an image forming system that can effectively peel off two sheets constituting a polymerized sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram showing a sheet peeling device 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 the sheet peeling device. [Figure 5] This figure shows the operation of the sheet peeling device, following Figure 4. [Figure 6] This figure shows the operation of the sheet peeling device, following Figure 5. [Figure 7] This figure shows the operation of the sheet peeling device, following Figure 6. [Figure 8] This figure shows the operation of the sheet peeling device, 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] It is a perspective view showing the operation of the peeling claw in the width direction. [Figure 11] It is a configuration diagram showing the drive mechanism of the peeling claw. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the control performed by the sheet peeling device. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing the bending conveyance section. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing the bending conveyance section and the laminated sheet in the width direction. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing the bending conveyance section as Modification 1. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing the bending conveyance section as Modification 2. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing the first conveyance means (bending conveyance section) and the second conveyance means as Modification 3. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing the laminating processing device as Modification 4. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing the image forming device as Modification 5. [Figure 20] It is a diagram showing the image forming system as Modification 6. [Figure 21] It is a diagram showing another form of the image forming system. <000008l>

Embodiments 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 figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the redundant description thereof will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0009] First, the overall configuration and operation of the sheet peeling device 1 in FIG. 1 will be described. The sheet peeling device 1 is a device provided with a sheet peeling section 19 for peeling the non - joined portion of the laminated sheet PJ in which two sheets P1 and P2 are overlapped and joined at the joint portion A (see FIG. 4(A)). The sheet peeling unit 19 performs a peeling process for peeling the non-joined part of the polymer sheet PJ, and performs an insertion process for inserting the middle sheet PM between the two peeled sheets P1 and P2.

[0010] In particular, in the present embodiment, as the polymer sheet PJ, two sheets P1 and P2 are overlapped and joined with one side out of the four sides as the joined part A. That is, the polymer sheet PJ (two sheets P1 and P2) is joined only at one side (joined part A) by heat welding or the like, and the other parts (non-joined parts) are not joined but polymerized. Further, as the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymer sheet PJ, a transparent film sheet (laminate sheet) can be used.

[0011] Note that the polymer sheet PJ may be formed by folding a single sheet. And even for the polymer sheet PJ formed in such a manner, in the present specification and the like, it is defined as being composed of two sheets overlapped, and the folded part is defined as the "joined part", and the other parts are defined as the "non-joined parts".

[0012] Then, between the winding roller 20 and the third pair of conveying rollers 6, the non-joined parts of the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymer sheet PJ are peeled (the two sheets P1 and P2 are separated around the joined part A while maintaining the joining of the joined part A), and the operation of inserting the middle sheet PM (a sheet such as a single sheet of plain paper) between the two peeled sheets P1 and P2 is performed by the sheet peeling device 1 (sheet peeling unit 19).

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet peeling device 1 is provided with a sheet peeling unit 19, first and second feeding trays 11 and 12, first and second feeding rollers 2 and 3, first to third pairs of conveying rollers 4 to 6, a bending conveying part 36 as a conveying means, a discharge tray 13, first to fifth sensors 41 to 45, a first guide member 25 as an inner limiting member, a second guide member 26 as an outer limiting member, a third guide member 27, and the like. Furthermore, the sheet peeling section 19 is equipped with a winding roller 20, a moving mechanism 30, a switching claw 15, a peeling claw 16, and the like. Furthermore, the sheet peeling device 1 has multiple transport paths, including a first transport path K1 (curved transport path), a second transport path K2, a third transport path K3, a first branch transport path K4, and a second branch transport path K5. Each of these transport paths K1 to K5 is for transporting a sheet (a superimposed sheet PJ or a medium sheet PM), and is guided by two opposing transport guide members (guide plates).

[0014] More specifically, 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. 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. The first to third conveyor roller pairs 4 to 6 each consist of a driven roller and a driven roller, each having an elastic layer made of rubber or the like formed on a core metal, and are used to convey the sheet held between their nip. In the third conveyor path K3 from the second conveyor roller pair 5 to the third conveyor roller pair 6, 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 third conveyor roller pair 6 is capable of forward and reverse rotation, and is configured to convey the sheet in both the forward direction when rotating forward and the reverse direction when reversing. The third conveyor roller pair 6 also functions as a discharge roller pair that discharges the sheet toward the discharge tray 13. The first to fifth sensors 41 to 45 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 between the second transport roller pair 5 and the winding roller 20, near the downstream side of the second transport roller pair 5, the fourth sensor 44, which acts as a sheet detection sensor, is located near the downstream side of the winding roller 20 and upstream of the third transport roller pair 6, and the fifth sensor 45 is located downstream of the third transport roller pair 6. In this embodiment, the first transport path K1 is a curved transport path, and a bent transport section 36 is installed as a transport means. This bent transport section 36 will be explained in detail later using Figures 13 and 14, etc.

[0015] The winding roller 20 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3 (and Figures 5(B) to (D), 6(A)), etc. The winding roller 20 is a roller member that, at the winding start position W, uses one 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 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, as shown in Figure 1, the polymerized sheet PJ is transported in the forward direction from the first feeding tray 11 via the first transport path K1 to the third transport path K3 by the second transport roller pair 5, passing the position of the winding roller 20 and then being transported to the position of the third transport roller pair 6. After that, the polymerized sheet PJ is transported in the reverse direction to the position of the winding roller 20 by the third transport roller pair 6, which is a reversed transport roller pair, and is then wound around the winding roller 20, which rotates counterclockwise while being held by the gripping member 32.

[0016] Then, referring to Figure 5(C'), as the superimposed sheet PJ is wound onto the winding roller 20, the linear velocity of sheet P1 and sheet P2 are proportional to the distance from the center of the winding roller 20 to each sheet P1 and P2, so that the linear velocity of the roller surface is proportional to the roller radius. Therefore, since sheet P1 is closer to the center of the winding roller 20 than sheet P2 (located on the inside), the linear velocity of sheet P1 is slower than that of sheet P2. Therefore, the first sheet P1 becomes more prone to sagging than the second sheet P2, and as shown in Figures 5(D), 6(A), etc., a gap C is formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 on the joint A side (the other end side) of the superimposed sheet PJ (this gap C is created when the upper first sheet P1 bends upward). In this way, the two sheets P1 and P2 change from a state of being tightly adhered without gaps to a state of being separated.

[0017] The following provides further details on 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. 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, slack occurs in the inner sheet P1 between the third transport roller pair 6 and the nip of the winding roller 20. At this point, by wrapping the polymerized sheet PJ around the winding roller 20 at least once, a difference in circumference between the inner and outer edges occurs due to the thickness of the sheet, causing sagging to occur in the same way thereafter. Finally, 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. 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, 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.

[0018] In particular, in this embodiment, in order to significantly form the gap C described above, the polymerized sheet PJ is wrapped 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 sheet peeling device 1 is made capable of peeling the polymerized sheet PJ without becoming excessively large or costly.

[0019] In this embodiment, the gripping member 32 in Figure 2(A) is configured to grip the part to be gripped B without abutting against the end face of one end of the superimposed sheet PJ (the side of the part to be gripped B), as shown in Figure 5(B'). Furthermore, the "end face" of a polymerized sheet is defined as the surface (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.

[0020] More specifically, the gripping member 32 is configured to grip the gripped portion B of the superimposed sheet PJ from a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface of the gripped portion B between itself and the receiving portion 20b of the winding roller 20, without abutting or restricting the end face of one end of the superimposed sheet PJ against any member, i.e., without contact. The receiving portion 20b is located on the outer surface of the winding roller 20 and is formed to be able to face the gripping member 32. More specifically, the receiving portion 20b is formed in a portion recessed inward from the virtual outer surface of the winding roller 20 (which is the circular outer surface around which the superimposed sheet PJ is wound).

[0021] Specifically, the polymerized sheet PJ is not gripped by being restricted in a state where one end face (tip face) abuts against a specific member (for example, the gripping member 32 itself) and sandwiched between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b, but rather, its one end face (tip face) does not abut against any member, and is gripped by being sandwiched between the outer gripping member 32 and the inner receiving portion 20b. Therefore, the end face (tip face) of one end of the superimposed sheet PJ does not abut against the obtuse-angled portion (wedge portion) of the gripping member 32 in Figure 5(B'), and the portion to be gripped B at one end of the superimposed sheet PJ is gripped by the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b. Furthermore, one end face (tip) of the polymerized sheet PJ coincides with the end of the contact surface between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b (the right end in Figure 5(B')) without abutting against it. Furthermore, the tip of one end of the superimposed sheet PJ may be positioned so that the gripping portion B is inside the sheet (on the other end) beyond the tip of the one end, avoiding the contact surface between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b. Alternatively, the tip of one end may be located within this contact surface. Therefore, compared to the case where the leading edge is abutted against the surface, this method can reduce the problem of damage to the polymerized sheet PJ (especially the leading edge). In this embodiment, the superimposed sheet PJ that is wound around the winding roller 20 has a joint A formed on the other end opposite to the 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, a spring, or a leaf spring. 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 capable of gripping the superimposed sheet PJ (as shown in Figures 2(A) and 3(A)) and a retracted position (as shown in Figures 2(B) and 3(B)) at the winding start position W of the winding roller 20. 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 also held on the winding roller 20 so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 31a. In this embodiment, the gripping member 32 is integrally formed (held) at the tip end, which is the base end 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 gripping member 32 and 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 free end on the opposite side of the support shaft 31a from the side where the gripping member 32 is provided). 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). 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). When the gripping member 32 is in the open state (retracted position), the overlapping sheet PJ is interposed between the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b, and when the gripping member 32 moves to the closed state (gripping position), the overlapping sheet PJ is gripped by the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical roller section of the winding roller 20 is divided into multiple (seven) sections in the axial direction. Multiple gripping members 32 and arm members 31 are installed to align with the division positions of each roller section (the recesses between adjacent roller sections), and multiple cams 34 are installed so as to be able to contact these multiple arm members. 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, and damage to the tip of the polymerized sheet PJ can be reduced. Furthermore, this configuration is useful when gripping large polymerized sheet PJs or heavy polymerized sheet PJs, where a large gripping force is required.

[0026] In this embodiment, the third transport path K3 is formed by a straight transport guide plate, as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, a curved transport guide plate can be used to form the third transport path. In such a case, the gripping position of the overlapping sheet PJ on the winding roller 20 can be changed to be closer to the rotation axis 20a than in this embodiment. Furthermore, in such a case, the positions of the gripping member 32 and the receiving portion 20b in this embodiment can be swapped, and the gripping member 32 on the winding roller 20 can be positioned closer to the rotation axis 20a than the receiving portion 20b.

[0027] Referring to Figures 1, 4(D), 5(A), etc., the sheet peeling device 1 in this embodiment is equipped with a fourth sensor 44 as a sheet detection sensor that detects the polymerized sheet PJ being conveyed toward the winding roller 20. The moving mechanism 30 is controlled based on the detection result of the fourth sensor 44 (sheet detection sensor). More specifically, the fourth sensor 44 is positioned on the transport guide member of 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.

[0028] Here, the third transport roller pair 6, as explained earlier, is a transport roller pair that transports the superimposed sheet in the third transport path K3 (transport path) formed between it and the winding roller 20, with one end (the side with the gripped portion B) leading, toward the winding start position W of the winding roller 20.

[0029] Furthermore, the peeling nail 16 will be explained with reference to Figures 6(A)-(C), Figure 9, Figure 10(A)-(C), etc. The peeling claw 16 is a claw-shaped member that is inserted from its widthwise end into the gap C formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 between the winding roller 20 and the third conveyor roller pair 6 (conveyor roller pair) of the superimposed sheet PJ, which is wound around one end (the side of the gripped portion B) by the winding roller 20 and the other end (the side of the joint portion A) is clamped by the third conveyor roller pair 6 (conveyor roller pair). More specifically, in this embodiment, the peeling claws 16 are provided 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 Figure 9). The peeling claws 16 also have a plate and fins extending in the vertical direction, and in the direction in which the peeling claws 16 are inserted into the superimposed sheet PJ, the plate has a rear end and a front end in the center in the width direction. The plate thickness and plate width of the plate are formed to gradually increase from the front end to the rear end, respectively. The vertical length of the fin is also formed to gradually increase from the fin tip in the direction in which it is inserted into the superimposed sheet PJ. Furthermore, the plate and fin of the peeling claws 16 form a cross shape at the rear end (see Figure 10(A)). In addition, the pair of peeling claws 16 are configured to be movable in the width direction without contacting each other by a moving means (not shown) controlled by the control unit. As shown in Figure 6(A), the peeling claw 16, configured in this way, waits in a waiting position (shown in Figure 10(A)) in the third transport path K3 that does not obstruct the transport of sheets such as the polymerized sheet PJ until a gap C is formed in the polymerized sheet PJ. Then, when separating the polymerized sheet PJ (two sheets P1 and P2), the peeling claw 16 enters into the gap C in the polymerized sheet PJ, as shown in Figures 9 and 10(B), thereby enlarging the gap C. Furthermore, a pinion rack mechanism can be used as a means for moving the peeling claw 16 in the width direction.

[0030] More specifically, the drive mechanism 76 used as a means of moving the pair of peeling claws 16 in the width direction can be the one shown in Figure 11(A) or the one shown in Figure 11(B). As shown in Figure 11, in this embodiment, two peeling claws 16 are arranged facing each other. The drive mechanism 76 shown in Figure 11(A) moves the two peeling claws 16 by belt drive, while the drive mechanism 76 shown in Figure 11(B) moves the two peeling claws 16 by rack and pinion drive. More specifically, in the drive mechanism 76 shown in Figure 11(A), a belt 80 is stretched between a drive pulley 78 and a driven pulley 79, and two peeling claws 16 are attached to the belt 80 facing each other. Here, one peeling claw 16 is connected to the lower belt 80, and the other peeling claw 16 is connected to the upper belt 80. In addition, a drive gear is installed on the drive pulley 78 that meshes with a motor gear installed on the motor shaft of the drive motor 77. The rotational output of the drive motor 77 is transmitted to the belt 80. Specifically, when the motor gear of the drive motor 77 rotates clockwise in Figure 11(A), the two peeling claws 16 move closer to each other, and when the motor gear of the drive motor 77 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 11(A), the two peeling claws 16 move further apart. Furthermore, the drive mechanism 76 shown in Figure 11(B) has two racks 83A and 83B that mesh with a single pinion 84 and extend in opposite directions from each other, with two peeling claws 16 mounted opposite each other on each rack 83A and 83B. The pinion 84 has a drive gear that meshes with a motor gear installed on the motor shaft of the drive motor 82. The rotational output of the drive motor 82 is then transmitted to the racks 83A and 83B. Specifically, when the motor gear of the drive motor 82 rotates clockwise in Figure 11(B), the two peeling claws 16 move closer together, and when the motor gear of the drive motor 77 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 11(B), the two peeling claws 16 move further apart from each other. As described above, the peeling claw 16 in this embodiment has a shape with a plate and fins extending in the vertical direction, and is configured to be movable in the width direction of the polymer sheet PJ by being driven by the drive mechanism 76, so that it can be smoothly inserted into the gap C created in the polymer sheet PJ as shown in Figure 10(B).

[0031] Also, referring to Figures 7(A) to (C), the switching claw 15 is installed between the peeling claw 16 and the winding roller 20. Then, the two sheets P1 and P2 of the superimposed sheet PJ, which have been peeled off by the peeling claw 16, are guided separately in different directions to two branched transport paths K4 and K5 that branch off from the third transport path K3 (transport path) in different directions. At this time, the switching claw 15, which is a claw-shaped moving member, rotates and moves in forward and reverse directions within a predetermined angle range to guide the superimposed sheet PJ. More specifically, in this embodiment, the switching claw 15 is divided into multiple sections with gaps in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 7). Furthermore, the switching claw 15 is configured to be rotatable around a pivot shaft by a driving means (not shown) controlled by the control unit. The switching claw 15, configured in this way, remains in a waiting position (shown in Figure 7(A)) in the third transport path K3 that does not obstruct the transport of sheets such as the polymer sheet PJ until it is time to guide the stiffened sheets P1 and P2 of the polymer sheet PJ, which have been separated by the peeling claw 16, to the branch transport paths K4 and K5. When the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymer sheet PJ (separated by the peeling claw 16) are guided to the branch transport paths K4 and K5 respectively (when guiding them in different directions), the switching claw 15 rotates to a position that, as seen from the polymer sheet PJ side, obstructs entry into the third transport path K3, as shown in Figure 7(B). As a result, 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.

[0032] More specifically, as shown in Figure 7(A), after the peeling claws 16 are inserted into the gap C, the polymerized sheet PJ is transported to the other end (left side) by the third transport roller pair 6 so that the winding on the winding roller 20 at one end of the polymerized sheet PJ is released. Then, as shown in Figure 7(B), after the polymerized sheet PJ has been transported, as shown in Figure 7(C), the polymerized sheet PJ is transported again to the other end (right side) by the third transport roller pair 6 so that one sheet P1, which has been peeled off by the peeling claws 16, is guided to the first branch transport path K4, and the other sheet P2 is guided to the second branch transport path K5. After that, as shown in Figures 8(A) to (C), the intermediate sheet PM is transported toward the other end of the third transport path K3 so that it is inserted between the two peeled sheets P1 and P2.

[0033] Furthermore, referring to Figure 6(A), etc., the first guide member 25 functions as an inner limiting member in the third transport path K3, between the peeling claw 16 (see Figure 6(B)) and the winding roller 20, limiting the amount of slack in 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. Furthermore, referring to Figure 6(A), etc., the second guide member 26 functions as an outer limiting member in the third transport path K3, between the peeling claw 16 (see Figure 6(B)) and the winding roller 20, to limit the amount of slack that occurs when 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, becomes loose due to rotational irregularities of the winding roller 20 or the third transport roller pair 6.

[0034] The operation of peeling the polymerized sheet PJ in the sheet peeling device 1 (sheet peeling section 19) will be described below 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 control flow will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 12. First, when the polymerized sheet PJ is fed from the first feeding tray 11 (Figure 12: step S1), as shown in Figure 4(A), it is transported in the third transport path K3 with the joint A at the front 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 positioned in a gripping position on the inner side of the outer circumference of the winding roller 20. In other words, the cam 34 rotates to a position where it does not press against the arm member 31. When the gripping member 32 is in this gripping position, the gripping member 32 does not obstruct the transport of the sheet in the third transport path K3. In addition, the switching claw 15 rotates downward at its free end and waits in a standby position where it does not obstruct the transport of the sheet in the third transport path K3. Then, as shown in Figure 4(B), the third transport roller pair 6 transports the polymer sheet PJ until the gripped portion B (forward rear end, one end side) of the polymer sheet PJ passes the position of the winding roller 20, and after the polymer sheet PJ is transported further in the forward direction, the transport of the polymer sheet PJ is stopped as shown in Figure 4(C). The timing of stopping the transport at this time is triggered by the timing when the joint portion A (forward front end, other end side) of the polymer sheet PJ is detected by the third sensor 43, and is the timing when the polymer sheet PJ has been transported by the third transport roller pair 6 by a predetermined amount X1 from the detection by the third sensor 43 (Figure 12: Steps S2, S3). Then, as shown in Figure 4(C), when the transport of the superimposed sheet PJ by the third transport roller pair 6 is temporarily stopped, the gripping member 32 is moved from the gripping position to the retracted position (Figure 12: step S4). That is, the cam 34 is rotated to a position that presses against 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 12: Step S5). At this time, the gripped portion B of the superimposed sheet PJ (reverse direction tip, one end) of the superimposed sheet PJ is detected by the fourth sensor 44 in order to transport it to the gripping position of the winding roller 20.

[0035] 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 winding start position W (see Figure 2, etc.) at a predetermined rotation position of the winding roller 20, and then stops (Figure 12: Steps S6, S7). Then, as shown in Figure 5(B), the gripping member 32 is moved from the retracted position to the gripping position at a predetermined rotational position of the winding roller 20 (Figure 12: Step S8). That is, the cam 34 is rotated to a position where it 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 one end face of the superimposed sheet PJ abutting against any member. Note that the winding start position W in Figure 2 is the position of the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller 20 at the predetermined rotational position. However, at the retracted position in Figure 5(A) and the gripping position in Figure 5(B), the outer circumferential surface of the winding roller 20 itself does not exist. Therefore, the winding start position W becomes the winding start position W of the virtual outer circumferential surface. 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 reverse direction (counterclockwise), and the third transport roller pair 6 is reversed again. At this time, 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 transport roller pair 6. At this time, the deflection of the superimposed sheet PJ is restricted by the first and second transport 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 transport roller pair 6.

[0036] In this way, the fourth sensor 44, positioned between the third transport roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20, and located downstream in the opposite direction to the third transport roller pair 6, detects the reverse leading edge of the superimposed sheet PJ. This timing is then used as a trigger to determine the timing for the gripping member 32 and the receiving part 20b to grip the gripped portion B of the superimposed sheet PJ. Therefore, regardless of variations in sheet length relative to the required sheet transport amount X2 (errors that exist even with sheets of the same size), the gripped portion B of the superimposed sheet PJ can be accurately transported to the desired gripping position. Furthermore, by installing the fourth sensor 44 between the third transport roller pair 6 and the winding roller 20, on the side of the winding roller 20, the required sheet transport amount X2 can be shortened regardless of the sheet length by detecting the reverse leading edge of the superimposed sheet PJ. This suppresses variations in the transport amount X2, allowing the gripping portion B of the superimposed sheet PJ to be transported accurately to the desired gripping position. For these reasons, it is preferable that the fourth sensor 44 be positioned close to the winding roller 20.

[0037] Subsequently, the reverse rotation of the third transport roller pair 6 as shown in Figure 5(D) continues, and the winding of the polymer sheet PJ by the winding roller 20 begins. When the amount transported by the third transport roller pair 6 reaches a predetermined amount X3, the transport by the third transport roller pair 6 stops, as shown in Figure 6(A), and the winding of the polymer sheet PJ by the winding roller 20 also stops (Figure 12: Step S9). In this state, the polymer sheet PJ is wound around the winding roller 20 at least once, and the gap C in the polymer sheet PJ is sufficiently widened. Also, the joint A of the polymer sheet PJ is sandwiched between the third transport roller pair 6. Then, as shown in Figure 6(B), the peeling claws 16 are inserted into the gap C of the sufficiently widened polymer sheet PJ (Figure 12: Step S10). That is, as shown in Figures 9 and 10(A), a pair of peeling claws 16 are moved from the standby position in Figure 10(A) to the peeling position in Figure 10(B). Then, as shown in Figure 6(C), with the peeling claw 16 inserted into the gap C, the forward rotation of the third conveyor roller pair 6 begins, and the forward rotation (clockwise) of the winding roller 20 begins (Figure 12: Step S11). In this case, if the superimposed sheet PJ can be conveyed by the forward rotation (clockwise) of the winding roller 20, the joint A does not need to be sandwiched between the third transport roller pair 6. That is, the joint A of the superimposed sheet PJ may be conveyed towards the third transport roller pair 6 by the forward rotation of the winding roller 20, and then the joint A may be sandwiched between the third transport roller pair 6, and the superimposed sheet PJ may be conveyed by the third transport roller pair 6.

[0038] Then, as shown in Figure 7(A), after a predetermined amount X4 of the superimposed sheet Pj has been conveyed 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 12: Step S12). At this time, the superimposed sheet PJ is not wrapped around the gripping member 32, and the gripping member 32 is in a state where it can release the gripped portion B of the superimposed sheet PJ located at the winding start position W. That is, the gripping member 32 can move from the gripping position where it grips the gripped portion B at the winding start position W to the retracted position. Then, in that state, the gripping member 32 is moved from the gripping position to the retracted position so that the gripping member 32 is positioned on the third transport path K3 (Figure 12: Step S13). That is, as shown in Figure 2(B), the cam 34 is rotated to move it to a position that presses the arm member 31. In this state, the gripping of the superimposed 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 transport by the third transport roller pair 6 is greater than the gripping force by the gripping member 32, the gripping by the gripping member 32 can also be released by the pulling force due to transport by 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 12: Step S14). At this point, the gripping portion B (forward rear end, one end) of the superimposed sheet PJ is detected by the fourth sensor 44. After the gripping portion B (forward rear end, one end) of the superimposed sheet PJ passes over the switching claw 15, the gripping member 32 is moved from the retracted position to the gripping position, and the switching claw 15 is rotated clockwise from the standby position to the switching position. As shown in Figure 7(B), when the gripping portion B at the forward rear end of the superimposed sheet PJ reaches the vicinity of the peeling claw 16, the rear ends of the two sheets P1 and P2 are widely separated and opened. 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 that, 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 12: Steps S15, S16). At this time, the free end of the switching claw 15 is located in a switching position that blocks the entry of the superimposed sheet PJ into the third transport path K3. As a result, the two separated 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, in order to stop transport with the vicinity of the joint A in the superimposed sheet PJ being gripped by the third transport roller pair 6, the fifth sensor 45 (see Figure 1) detects the joint A (reverse rear end, other end side) of the superimposed sheet PJ.

[0039] Then, as shown in Figure 8(A), the timing triggered by the detection of the reverse rear end of the superimposed sheet PJ by the fifth sensor 45 (see Figure 1) is used to transport the superimposed sheet PJ by a predetermined amount X6 using the third transport roller pair 6 and then stop (Figure 12: Steps S17, S18). At this time, the joint A of the superimposed sheet PJ is at the position of the nip of the third transport roller pair 6, or slightly downstream to the left of the nip. In other words, the other end of the superimposed sheet PJ is held between the third transport roller pair 6. Then, as shown in Figure 8(A), the transport of the intermediate sheet PM from the second feeding tray 12 (see Figure 1) is started (Figure 12: step S19). At this time, the leading edge (forward leading edge, other end) of the intermediate sheet PM is detected by the third sensor 43. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(B), the peeling claw 16 is moved to the standby position. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8(C), triggered by the detection of the forward leading edge of the middle sheet PM by the third sensor 43, the second transport roller pair 5 transports the middle sheet PM by a predetermined amount X7, and then the forward transport of the superimposed sheet PJ by the third transport roller pair 6 is resumed (Figure 12: Steps S20, S21). At this time, the middle 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 polymerized sheet PJ is completed. Then, the polymerized sheet PJ with the intermediate sheet PM inserted is placed on the discharge tray 13 (see Figure 1) by forward conveyance by the third conveyor roller pair 6.

[0040] In this embodiment, in the state shown in Figure 6(A), a gap C is formed between the two sheets P1 and P2 at the non-jointed portion on the joint A side of the polymerized sheet PJ, causing the two sheets P1 and P2 to peel off (separate). In contrast, in the state shown in Figure 6(A), if the superimposed sheet PJ is gripped with sufficient force by the third transport roller pair 6, the joint A may be used as the gripped part B. That is, in Figures 5(A) to (D), with the joint A of the superimposed sheet PJ gripped by the gripping member 32 and the receiving part 20b, the superimposed sheet PJ is wrapped around the winding roller 20, and the non-jointed side is gripped by the third transport roller pair 6 and transported. At this time, the rotation of the third transport roller pair 6 ensures that the sheets P1 and P2 of the superimposed sheet PJ are transported synchronously without slipping from each other. For example, by increasing the nip pressure of the third transport roller pair 6, using a roller material with a high coefficient of friction, or controlling the driving method of each roller of the third transport roller pair 6, slippage between the two sheets P1 and P2 becomes less likely, and a desired gap C can be formed in the superimposed sheet PJ, allowing the two sheets P1 and P2 to be peeled (separated). In this case, the number of times the polymerization sheet PJ is transported before inserting the intermediate sheet PM into the polymerization sheet PJ can be reduced.

[0041] Referring to Figures 1, 13, and 14, the sheet peeling device 1 in this embodiment is provided with a bending conveying unit 36 ​​as a conveying means for conveying the polymerized sheet PJ toward the sheet peeling unit 19 (winding roller 20) while bending it in a direction intersecting the conveying direction (the direction of the white arrow in Figure 13) (the left direction in Figure 1, the direction of the black arrow in Figure 13, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet surface). More specifically, the bent conveying section 36, which serves as a conveying means, is composed of a conveying belt 36a as a belt member, opposing rollers 36b as roller members, and so on, as shown in Figure 13. The conveyor belt 36a, which serves as a belt component, is stretched and supported by two rollers and is installed on the side of the superimposed sheet PJ facing the first sheet P1. The opposing roller 36b, acting as a roller component, is a roller component that presses against the belt surface of the conveyor belt 36a (belt component) (the belt surface located between the two rollers) to form a nip on which the polymerized sheet PJ is conveyed. The components constituting these bending transport sections 36 are each rotated in the direction of the arrows in Figure 13 by a drive mechanism (not shown).

[0042] As shown in Figure 13, in the bent conveying section 36, the conveying belt 36a is pressed against the opposing roller 36b and bends in the direction of the black arrow, forming a nip that follows the curvature of the opposing roller 36b. Furthermore, as the polymerized sheet PJ passes through the nip of the bending transport section 36, even when the two sheets P1 and P2 constituting the polymerized sheet PJ are electrostatically stuck to each other with strong force at parts other than the joint A (non-joint parts), the sheet peeling section 19 (see Figure 1, etc.) can effectively peel off the polymerized sheet PJ (the two sheets P1 and P2).

[0043] In more detail, the polymerized sheet PJ may be set in the first feeding tray 11 in a state where the two sheets P1 and P2 are electrostatically attracted to each other with strong force at parts other than the joint A (non-joint parts) (or may become so after being set in the first feeding tray 11). Even if the polymerized sheet PJ in this adsorbed state is wound onto the winding roller 20 of the sheet peeling section 19, the difference in slack between the two sheets P1 and P2, as explained earlier using Figure 5(C'), is hardly formed, and a sufficient gap C for inserting the peeling claw 16 between the two sheets P1 and P2 is not formed. As a result, a problem occurs in which the polymerized sheet PJ (the two sheets P1 and P2) cannot be sufficiently peeled off (peeling failure), and the insertion process of the intermediate sheet PM also becomes impossible. In contrast, in this embodiment, the polymerized sheet PJ is bent in a direction different from the transport direction at the bending transport section 36 during the transport path from the first feed tray 11 to the sheet peeling section 19. As a result, the electrostatic attraction force between the two sheets P1 and P2 is weakened. Therefore, peeling defects of the polymerized sheet PJ at the sheet peeling section 19 are reduced.

[0044] In this embodiment, the curved transport section 36 (transport means) is installed in a curved transport path (the first transport path K1), as shown in Figure 1 (and Figure 16(B)). As the polymerized sheet PJ passes through the curved transport path K1, it bends to conform to the curved shape, weakening the electrostatic attraction between the two sheets P1 and P2. Further bending of the polymerized sheet PJ in the bending transport section 36 further weakens the attraction between the two sheets P1 and P2. In particular, in this embodiment, the bending transport section 36 is arranged to bend the polymerized sheet PJ in the opposite direction to the curvature direction of the first transport path K1. As a result, the polymerized sheet PJ is bent alternately to one side of the sheet surface and to the other side of the sheet surface, and the suction force is gradually reduced.

[0045] Here, as shown in Figure 14(A), in this embodiment, the bending transport section 36 (transport means) is configured such that the range N in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the transport direction indicated by the white arrow) (the width direction range of the nip) occupies at least half of the width direction range M of the maximum transportable size of the polymer sheet PJ (for example, A4 landscape size). In more detail, the sheet peeling device 1 transports sheets (which are polymerized sheets PJ or intermediate sheets PM) along all transport paths K1 to K5 such that the sheet's widthwise center position Z coincides regardless of the sheet's size (the sheet is transported based on the center). The bending transport section 36 is installed so that the widthwise center position of its nip approximately coincides with the widthwise center position Z, and its widthwise range N is configured to occupy at least half of the widthwise range M of the largest polymerized sheet PJ. This is because when the widthwise range N becomes less than half of the widthwise range M, the function of bending the superimposed sheet PJ by the bending conveying section 36 to reduce the suction force between the two sheets P1 and P2 becomes less effective. In this embodiment, since the widthwise range N is set to be at least half of the widthwise range M, the function of bending the polymerized sheet PJ with the bending transport section 36 to reduce the suction force between the two sheets P1 and P2 is fully utilized, and the effect of reducing peeling defects of the polymerized sheet PJ is also more easily achieved.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14(B), the bending conveying section 36 (conveying means) can also be divided into multiple sections in the width direction. In this case, "division" refers to the division of the portion of the conveying means that has the function of bending the superimposed sheet PJ. As a specific example, the bending conveying section 36 shown in Figure 14(B) has three conveyor belts 36a installed, divided in the width direction, with each forming a nip between itself and the opposing roller 36b. Even when the bending conveying section 36 is divided in the width direction in this way, by setting the width direction range of the bending conveying section 36 (in this case, the sum of the width direction ranges N1 to N3 of the three conveyor belts 36a) to be 1 / 2 or more of the width direction range M of the polymerized sheet PJ, the bending conveying section 36 can fully perform its function of bending the polymerized sheet PJ, and the effect of reducing peeling defects of the polymerized sheet PJ can be more easily achieved.

[0047] <Example 1> As shown in Figure 15(A), the bending conveying section 36 (conveying means) in the modified example 1 mainly consists of two roller members 36c and 36d that face each other on one side of the superimposed sheet PJ at separate positions in the conveying direction indicated by the white arrows (and dashed arrows), and a pressure roller member 36e that presses against the two roller members 36c and 36d to form a nip on which the superimposed sheet PJ is conveyed. The superimposed sheet PJ conveyed by the bending conveying section 36 configured in this way will bend to conform to the curvature of the pressure roller member 36e. Furthermore, the bending conveying section 36 (conveying means) shown in Figure 15(B) mainly consists of a roller member 36g and a low-elasticity roller member 36f which is formed to have lower surface elasticity (elasticity of the surface layer) than the roller member 36g and presses against the roller member 36g to form a nip on which the polymerized sheet PJ is conveyed. The polymerized sheet PJ conveyed by the bending conveying section 36 configured in this way will bend to conform to the curvature of the roller member 36g. Even when using the bending transport section 36 configured in this way, the polymerized sheet PJ is bent in the bending transport section 36 during the transport path from the first feeding tray 11 to the sheet peeling section 19. This weakens the suction force between the two sheets P1 and P2, thereby reducing peeling defects of the polymerized sheet PJ in the sheet peeling section 19.

[0048] <Modification 2> As shown in Figure 16(A), the bending transport section 36 (transport means) in modified example 2 differs from that of the embodiment shown in Figure 16(B) in that it is arranged to bend the superimposed sheet PJ in the same direction as the curvature direction of the first transport path K1 (curved transport path). Therefore, the polymerized sheet PJ is bent intensively towards one side of the sheet surface, and its adsorption force is drastically reduced. Furthermore, even when using such a bending transport section 36, it is possible to reduce peeling defects of the polymerized sheet PJ in the sheet peeling section 19.

[0049] <Variation 3> Referring to Figure 17(A), in the modified example 3, the sheet peeling device 1 has a first pair of conveying rollers 4 installed upstream of the sheet peeling section 19 (winding roller 20) in the conveying direction indicated by the white arrow, and upstream of the bending conveying section 36 (conveying means) in the conveying direction. These first conveying rollers function as a second conveying means for conveying the superimposed sheet PJ toward the sheet peeling section 19. In the modified example 3, a speed difference is created between the first conveying speed V1 (linear speed at the nip) by the bending conveying section 36 (conveying means) and the second conveying speed V2 (linear speed at the nip) by the first conveying roller pair 4 (second conveying means). Therefore, when the polymerized sheet PJ is held between both nip sections (the nip of the bending conveying section 36 and the nip of the first conveying roller pair 4), the aforementioned speed difference causes force to be applied to the polymerized sheet PJ in the conveying direction, making it easier to bend. As a result, the function of the bending conveying section 36 in bending the polymerized sheet PJ and reducing the suction force between the two sheets P1 and P2 is further enhanced. In particular, in Modification 3, the conveying speed of the bending conveying section 36 (conveying means) installed on the downstream side in the conveying direction (the first conveying speed V1 of the bending conveying section 36) is set to be faster than the conveying speed of the bending conveying section 36 (conveying means) installed on the upstream side in the conveying direction (the second conveying speed V2 of the first conveying roller pair 4) (V1 > V2). By doing this, when the polymerized sheet PJ is held between the nips of both 4 and 36, the aforementioned speed difference applies a pulling force to the polymerized sheet PJ in the conveying direction, making it easier to bend. Therefore, the function of bending the polymerized sheet PJ by the bending conveying section 36 to reduce the suction force between the two sheets P1 and P2 is further enhanced. In contrast, the relationship between the first conveying speed V1 and the second conveying speed V2 can also be controlled to alternately reverse. Specifically, the drive mechanism for driving the bending conveying section 36 is provided independently of the drive mechanisms for driving the other conveying roller pairs, and is configured to make the first conveying speed V1 greater than or less than the second conveying speed V2 (fixed value) while the superimposed sheet PJ is held between the nips of both 4 and 36. In this way, while the superimposed sheet PJ is held between the nips of both 4 and 36, the speed difference caused by the alternating reversal of the aforementioned relationship between the two superimposed speeds alternately applies a force that pulls the superimposed sheet PJ in the conveying direction and a force that compresses it, making it easier to bend. Therefore, the function of bending the superimposed sheet PJ with the bending conveying section 36 to reduce the suction force between the two sheets P1 and P2 is further enhanced. Furthermore, even when the second transport roller pair 5, which is installed upstream of the sheet peeling section 19 (winding roller 20) in the transport direction and downstream of the bending transport section 36 (transport means), functions as the second transport means, as shown in the sheet peeling device 1 in Figure 17(B), a similar effect can be obtained by creating a speed difference between the first transport speed V1 by the bending transport section 36 (transport means) and the second transport speed V2 by the second transport roller pair 5 (second transport means).

[0050] <Modification 4> As shown in Figure 18, the laminating apparatus 50, which is a modified example 4, incorporates the sheet peeling apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the laminating processing apparatus 50 is provided with a laminating processing section 51 located downstream (forward downstream) of the third transport roller pair 6 of the sheet peeling apparatus 1, which applies laminating processing to the polymerized sheet PJ in which the intermediate sheet PM is inserted between the two sheets P1 and P2 that have been peeled off by the sheet peeling apparatus 1. The lamination processing unit 51 is equipped with multiple pairs of heat and pressure rollers that apply heat and pressure to the polymerized sheet PJ while it is being transported in the forward direction with the intermediate sheet PM inserted inside. After passing through the lamination processing unit 51, the polymerized sheet PJ is completely bonded with the intermediate sheet PM inserted inside. The polymerized sheet PJ that has undergone this lamination process is then discharged from the device by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13. Thus, in the modified example 4, the laminating apparatus 50 performs the following steps as a series of operations: feeding sheets PJ and PM, separating the two sheets P1 and P2 of the polymerized sheet PJ, inserting the intermediate sheet PM between the two separated sheets P1 and P2, and laminating the polymerized sheet PJ with the intermediate sheet PM inserted. This enhances user convenience. In particular, if the leading edge of the polymerized sheet P is damaged, it becomes difficult to laminate that portion, making the configuration of the present invention useful. Furthermore, since the laminating apparatus 50 in the modified example 4 is also equipped with a bending conveying section 36 as a conveying means, the two sheets P1 and P2 that constitute the polymerized sheet PJ can be peeled off smoothly.

[0051] <Modification 5> As shown in Figure 19, the modified image forming apparatus 100, as modification 5, has a laminating apparatus 50, as shown in Figure 18, installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet P. Referring to Figure 19, 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 the sheet P (which will become the intermediate sheet PM) that has been fed and conveyed by the feeding roller 197 from the feeding device 112, at a position opposite the secondary transfer roller 189. Subsequently, the sheet P (intermediate sheet PM) on 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 sheet P. 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 the intermediate sheet PM. At this time, the laminating apparatus 50 (sheet peeling apparatus 1) has completed the process described earlier using Figures 4 to 7 (the process of peeling the polymerized sheet PJ), and after the intermediate sheet PM is inserted into the laminating apparatus 50 (sheet peeling apparatus 1), the process described using Figure 8 (the process of inserting the intermediate sheet PM into the polymerized sheet PJ) is performed. Furthermore, after the polymerized sheet PM into which the intermediate sheet PM has been inserted is laminated in the laminating apparatus 51, the polymerized sheet PJ is discharged outside the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 7 and placed on the discharge tray 13. 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. In Modification 5, a laminating apparatus 50 is installed on the image forming apparatus 100, but a sheet peeling apparatus 1 as shown in Figure 1 can also be installed on the image forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, although the present invention was applied to a color image forming apparatus 100 in Modification 5, it can naturally also be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus. Also, although the present invention was applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 in Modification 5, 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.). Furthermore, since the laminating apparatus 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 in modified example 5 is also equipped with a bending transport section 36 as a transport means, the two sheets P1 and P2 that constitute the polymerized sheet PJ can be peeled off smoothly.

[0052] <Variation 6> As shown in Figure 20, in the modified image forming system 6, the laminating processing device 50 shown in Figure 18 is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on the sheet P shown in Figure 19. Referring to Figure 20, 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, where it is similarly inserted into the polymerized sheet PJ, then laminated, discharged by the discharge roller pair 7, and placed on the discharge tray 13. Furthermore, if a mode without lamination is selected, the sheet P on which the image has been formed through the image forming process in the image forming system 200 will be discharged from the second discharge roller pair 132 of the image forming apparatus 100 and placed on the second discharge tray 150. Here, the laminating apparatus 50 is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus 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, the mounting surface 149 on which the laminating apparatus 50 was placed functions as an discharge tray, and the sheet P (the sheet P on which the desired image has been formed) discharged from the discharge roller pair 131 to the outside of the apparatus is placed on it. In the modified example 6, the laminating apparatus 50 is detachably installed on the image forming system 200, but the sheet peeling apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 can also be detachably installed on the image forming system 200. Furthermore, since the laminating processing apparatus 50 of the image forming system 200 in modified example 5 is also equipped with a bending transport section 36 as a transport means, the two sheets P1 and P2 that constitute the polymerized sheet PJ can be peeled off smoothly.

[0053] In the modified example 6, the image forming system 200 has a laminating device 50 detachably installed in the space formed below the document transport device 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. In contrast, as shown in Figure 21(A), a laminating apparatus 50 can be detachably installed on the side of the image forming apparatus 100 (the side from which the sheet P after image formation is discharged). In this case, the laminating apparatus 50 can be configured with the first feeding tray 11 on which the polymerized sheet PJ is loaded at the top, and the sheet peeling section 19 (winding roller 20), laminating section 51, discharge tray 13, etc., arranged sequentially from top to bottom. Furthermore, the laminating apparatus 50 can 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 19 (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 21(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.

[0054] As described above, the sheet peeling device 1 in this embodiment is provided with a sheet peeling section 19 for peeling off the non-jointed portion of a superimposed sheet PJ in which two sheets P1 and P2 are superimposed and joined at a joint A. In addition, a bending conveying section 36 (conveying means) is provided for conveying the superimposed sheet PJ toward the sheet peeling section 19 while bending it in a direction intersecting the conveying direction. This allows for good separation of the two sheets P1 and P2 that make up the polymerization sheet PJ.

[0055] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Sheet peeling device, 6. Third conveyor roller pair (conveyor roller pair), 15 Switching claw (switching member), 16. Peeling claw (peeling member), 19 Sheet peeling section, 20 winding rollers, 36. Bending conveying section (conveying means), 36a Conveyor belt (belt component), 36b Opposing roller (roller component), 36c, 36d Roller members, 36e Pressure-welded roller member, 36f low-elasticity roller member, 36g roller member, 50 laminating equipment, 100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main unit), 200 image forming systems, P, P1, P2 seats, PM medium sheet, PJ polymerized sheet, A joint. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0057] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-121868

Claims

1. A sheet peeling section that peels off the non-jointed portion of a superimposed sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and joined at the joint, A conveying means for conveying the polymerized sheet toward the sheet peeling portion while bending it in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, A second conveying means is installed upstream of the sheet peeling section in the conveying direction, and either upstream or downstream of the conveying means in the conveying direction, and conveys the superimposed sheet toward the sheet peeling section. Equipped with, A sheet peeling device characterized by creating a speed difference between a first conveying speed by the conveying means and a second conveying speed by the second conveying means.

2. The sheet peeling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means bends the polymerized sheet while holding it between its nip.

3. The sheet peeling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conveying speed of the conveying means installed on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the conveying means and the second conveying means is faster than the conveying speed of the conveying means installed on the upstream side in the conveying direction.

4. A sheet peeling section that peels off the non-jointed portion of a superimposed sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and joined at the joint, A conveying means for conveying the polymerized sheet toward the sheet peeling portion while bending it in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, Equipped with, The sheet peeling device is characterized in that the conveying means comprises a belt member and a roller member that presses against the belt surface of the belt member to form a nip on which the polymerized sheet is conveyed.

5. A sheet peeling section that peels off the non-jointed portion of a superimposed sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and joined at the joint, A conveying means for conveying the polymerized sheet toward the sheet peeling portion while bending it in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, Equipped with, The sheet peeling device is characterized by comprising two roller members that are positioned at separate locations in the conveying direction and face one side of the superimposed sheet, and two pressure roller members that press against the two roller members to form a nip on which the superimposed sheet is conveyed.

6. A sheet peeling section that peels off the non-jointed portion of a superimposed sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and joined at the joint, A conveying means for conveying the polymerized sheet toward the sheet peeling portion while bending it in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, Equipped with, The sheet peeling device is characterized in that the conveying means is divided into multiple sections in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

7. The system includes a second conveying means installed upstream of the sheet peeling section in the conveying direction, and either upstream or downstream of the conveying means in the conveying direction, for conveying the superimposed sheet toward the sheet peeling section. A sheet peeling apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a speed difference is created between the first conveying speed by the conveying means and the second conveying speed by the second conveying means.

8. The sheet peeling apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the conveying speed of the conveying means installed on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the conveying means and the second conveying means is made faster than the conveying speed of the conveying means installed on the upstream side in the conveying direction.

9. The sheet peeling apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the relative magnitudes of the first transport speed and the second transport speed alternately reverse.

10. The sheet peeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the conveying means has a widthwise range perpendicular to the conveying direction that accounts for 1 / 2 or more of the widthwise range of the maximum size of the polymerized sheet that can be conveyed.

11. The sheet peeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the conveying means is installed on a curved conveying path.

12. The sheet peeling apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the conveying means curves the polymerized sheet in the same direction as the curvature of the curved conveying path.

13. A sheet peeling unit for peeling off the non-joint portion of a superimposed sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and joined at the joint, A conveying means for conveying the polymerized sheet toward the sheet peeling portion while bending it in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, A second conveying means is installed upstream of the sheet peeling section in the conveying direction, and either upstream or downstream of the conveying means in the conveying direction, and conveys the superimposed sheet toward the sheet peeling section. Equipped with, The sheet peeling device is characterized in that the conveying means is installed on a curved conveying path and curves the polymerized sheet in the opposite direction to the curvature of the curved conveying path.

14. The system includes a pair of conveying rollers that transport the polymerized sheet toward the sheet peeling section, The aforementioned sheet peeling portion is A winding roller that rotates in a predetermined direction to wind the polymerized sheet, A peeling claw is inserted into the gap formed between the two sheets between the winding roller and the transport roller pair, It is equipped with, A sheet peeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a peeling process is performed to peel off the non-jointed portion of the polymer sheet, and an insertion process is performed to insert an intermediate sheet between the two sheets in the peeled state.

15. A sheet peeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, A lamination processing unit that applies a lamination process to the superimposed sheet in which an intermediate sheet is inserted between the two sheets that have been peeled off by the sheet peeling device, A laminating apparatus characterized by being equipped with [a specific feature].

16. A sheet peeling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or a laminating apparatus according to claim 15, An image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet, An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising the following:

17. An image forming system characterized in that a sheet peeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or a laminating device according to claim 15, is detachably installed on an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet.

Images