Lamination device

Abstract

Provided is a means for suppressing deterioration in bonding quality.　A lamination device 1 includes a first conveyance roller 41 for conveying a first member 101, a recording part 30 for recording an image on the first member 101, a bonding roller 50 for bonding the first member 101 on which the image is recorded to a second member 102, and a control unit 90. The control unit 90 executes a conveying process in which the first conveyance roller 41 is caused to convey the first member 101 having the image recorded by the recording unit 30 to the bonding roller 50, and a first drive process in which the bonding roller 50 is driven. The control unit 90 starts the first drive process (S32) before the tip of the first member 101 reaches the bonding roller 50 due to the conveying process (S31: Yes).

Description

Laminating equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a laminating apparatus for laminating a plurality of members together.

[0002] Laminating devices that bond a first member having an image recorded thereon to a second member have been known. For example, a tape printing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of conveying rollers consisting of two feed rollers, and the conveying rollers bond the printing tape and the laminating film together. This tape printing device starts driving the pair of conveying rollers when the leading edge of the printed printing tape reaches the pair of conveying rollers. The printing tape corresponds to the first member, and the laminating film corresponds to the second member.

[0003] JP 2009-173014 A

[0004] In the above-mentioned tape printing device, when the leading edge of the printing tape reaches the pair of transport rollers, the leading edge may be tilted from its original direction. Therefore, if the pair of transport rollers starts to drive when the leading edge of the printing tape reaches the pair of transport rollers, a misalignment may occur in the bonding between the printing tape and the laminate film, which may result in a deterioration in bonding quality.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a means for suppressing deterioration in bonding quality.

[0006] (1) A laminating apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveying roller for conveying a first member, a recording unit for recording an image on the first member, a laminating roller for laminating the first member on which the image has been recorded and a second member, and a control unit. The control unit executes a conveying process for causing the conveying roller to convey the first member on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit to the laminating roller, and a first driving process for driving the laminating roller, and starts the first driving process before the leading edge of the first member reaches the laminating roller through the conveying process.

[0007] According to the laminating device, by starting the laminating roller before the leading edge of the first member reaches the laminating roller, the first member and the second member can be bonded together immediately after, for example, the inclined leading edge of the first member reaches the laminating roller. Therefore, the leading edge of the first member can be prevented from hitting the laminating roller, thereby preventing a change in the position of the first member before it is gripped by the laminating roller, and thus preventing a decrease in bonding quality.

[0008] (2) Preferably, when the second member is held by the laminating roller and the first member is not held by the laminating roller, the control unit alternately performs, in the conveying process, a process of causing the recording unit to perform a recording operation of recording an image on the first member and a process of causing the conveying roller to perform a conveying operation of conveying the first member to a next recording position and stopping the first member, and in the first driving process, the control unit may stop the laminating roller after causing the conveying roller to complete the conveying operation.

[0009] (3) Preferably, when the first member is transported, the control unit does not execute the first drive process if the transport is such that the leading edge of the first member is stopped upstream in the transport direction from a first position between the transport roller and the laminating roller, and executes the first drive process if the transport is such that the leading edge of the first member is stopped downstream in the transport direction from the first position.

[0010] (4) Preferably, the laminating device further includes a discharge port for discharging the finished laminated product, and the control unit may execute the first drive process when the first member is transported such that the leading edge of the first member is stopped upstream in the transport direction from a second position between the laminating roller and the discharge port, and may execute a second drive process different from the first drive process when the first member is transported such that the leading edge of the first member is stopped downstream in the transport direction from the second position.

[0011] (5) Preferably, in the second driving process, the control unit may drive the laminating roller so that tension is continuously applied to the first member between the conveying roller and the laminating roller while the conveying operation and the recording operation are being performed.

[0012] (6) Preferably, in the second driving process, the control unit may drive the laminating roller so that tension is not applied to the first member between the conveying roller and the laminating roller while the conveying operation and the recording operation are being performed.

[0013] (7) Preferably, in the second driving process, the control unit may drive the laminating roller so that tension is not applied to the first member between the conveying roller and the laminating roller while the conveying operation is being performed, and that tension is applied to the first member between the conveying roller and the laminating roller before the recording operation is performed.

[0014] (8) Preferably, in the second driving process, the control section may continue to drive the laminating roller while the conveying operation and the recording operation are being performed.

[0015] (9) Preferably, in the second driving process, the control unit may drive the laminating roller so that a conveying distance of the first member by the laminating roller is shorter than a conveying distance of the first member by the conveying roller.

[0016] (10) Preferably, in the second driving process, the control unit may drive the laminating roller so that a conveying distance of the first member by the laminating roller is greater than a conveying distance of the first member by the conveying roller.

[0017] (11) Preferably, in the second driving process, the control unit may start driving the laminating roller after causing the transport roller to complete the transport operation.

[0018] (12) Preferably, in the second driving process, the control unit may cause the transport roller to start the transport operation, and before completing the transport operation, cause the laminating roller to start driving.

[0019] (13) Preferably, the driving of the laminating roller may be completed.

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration in bonding quality.

[0021] FIG. 1(A) is an external perspective view of a laminating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a finished laminated product 100 produced by the laminating apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the laminating apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the laminating apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the laminating process executed by the control unit 90 of the laminating apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state before the leading edge P of the first member 101 reaches the laminating roller 50 in the laminating apparatus 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the laminating roller 50 drive process executed by the control unit 90 of the laminating apparatus 1. FIGS. 7(A) to 7(E) are diagrams showing first to fifth drive modes of the second conveying process executed by the control unit 90 of the laminating apparatus 1, respectively. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state before the leading edge P of the first member 101 reaches the laminating roller 50 in a laminating apparatus according to a modified example.

[0022] The following describes a laminating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the following description, the direction of travel is expressed as the direction from the start point of an arrow to the end point, and the direction of travel on the line connecting the start point and end point of an arrow. Furthermore, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the laminating apparatus 1 is installed and ready for use (the state shown in FIG. 1A ). The front-to-back direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the operation unit 12 and display unit 13 are provided as the front. The left-to-right direction 9 is defined when viewing the laminating apparatus 1 from the front. The up-to-down direction 7, the front-to-back direction 8, and the left-to-right direction 9 are perpendicular to one another.

[0023] [Overview of Laminating Apparatus 1] As shown in Fig. 1(A), the laminating apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 11. An operation unit 12 and a display unit 13 are located on the front of the housing 11. An outlet 14 is located on the front of the housing 11 below the operation unit 12 and the display unit 13. The laminating apparatus 1 bonds two types of members together to create a finished laminated product 100.

[0024] A tape-like first member 101 and a tape-like second member 102 are supplied to the laminating apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 2 , the first member 101 is wound around a cylindrical core material 113 to form a first roll 111. The second member 102 is wound around a cylindrical core material 114 to form a second roll 112. The first roll 111 and the second roll 112 are mounted in a first holder 21 and a second holder 22 of the laminating apparatus 1, respectively.

[0025] The first member 101 is, for example, a transparent film. As shown in Fig. 1(B) , the second member 102 is a member having an adhesive layer on at least one surface. The second member 102 is, for example, a backing sheet having a first adhesive layer 103 on one surface of a tape layer 104 (the surface facing the first member 101 in the finished laminate 100) and a second adhesive layer 105 on the other surface of the tape layer 104. A release sheet 106 is provided on the opposite side of the tape layer 104 with the second adhesive layer 105 sandwiched therebetween.

[0026] The first member 101 and the second member 102 may be made of any material. The second member 102 may be made of, for example, a resin material such as PET or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), synthetic paper such as Yupo paper (registered trademark), or a metal material. The second member 102 may be transparent or opaque. The first member 101 and the second member 102 may have an adhesive layer on one surface, an adhesive layer on the other surface, or both surfaces, or neither surface may have an adhesive layer. When a material without an adhesive layer is used, the first member 101 and the second member 102 may be bonded together after an adhesive is applied, or may be bonded together by heat welding, pressure bonding, or the like.

[0027] 2 , the recording surface 107 is the surface of the first member 101 on which an image is recorded. The back surface 108 is the surface of the first member 101 opposite the recording surface 107. The bonding surface 109 is the surface of the second member 102 that has the first adhesive layer 103.

[0028] The laminating device 1 bonds the first member 101 and the second member 102 by bringing the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 into close contact with the bonding surface 109 of the second member 102. The laminating device 1 cuts the bonded members to a predetermined size. This creates a finished laminated product 100 shown in FIG. 1(B). The created finished laminated product 100 is discharged from the discharge port 14.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the laminating apparatus 1 includes a first holder 21, a second holder 22, a recording unit 30, first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43, an intermediate roller 44, a laminating roller 50, a first cutting unit 61, a second cutting unit 62, and member sensors 65 and 66 within a housing 11. Additionally, the laminating apparatus 1 includes a control unit 90 and various motors within the housing 11 (see FIG. 3). Guide members (not shown) that support the first member 101 are provided at necessary positions within the housing 11. This forms a conveying path 15 that runs from the first holder 21 through the recording unit 30, the first cutting unit 61, and the laminating roller 50 to the second cutting unit 62.

[0030] [First holder 21 and second holder 22] The first holder 21 and the second holder 22 are members that can rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. The thickness of the first holder 21 is equal to the inner diameter of the core material 113 of the first roll 111. The thickness of the second holder 22 is equal to the inner diameter of the core material 114 of the second roll 112. The first holder 21 and the second holder 22 are fixed to the housing 11 or a member fixed to the housing 11.

[0031] The first holder 21 and the second holder 22 are located at positions spaced apart from each other within the housing 11. In the configuration shown in Fig. 2, the first holder 21 is located near the center of the housing 11 in the up-down direction 7 and at the rear of the housing 11 in the front-rear direction 8. The second holder 22 is located at the top of the housing 11 in the up-down direction 7 and forward of the center of the housing 11 in the front-rear direction 8. The positions of the first holder 21 and the second holder 22 within the housing 11 are arbitrary.

[0032] Before the laminating apparatus 1 operates, a first roll 111 is attached to the first holder 21, and a second roll 112 is attached to the second holder 22. The first holder 21 rotatably supports the first roll 111. The second holder 22 rotatably supports the second roll 112. The first member 101 is pulled out from the first roll 111 supported by the first holder 21. The second member 102 is pulled out from the second roll 112 supported by the second holder 22.

[0033] A force acting in a direction to wind up the first member 101 is applied to the first holder 21 from a first roll motor 81 (see FIG. 3 ). A force acting in a direction to wind up the second member 102 is applied to the second holder 22 from a second roll motor 82 (see FIG. 3 ).

[0034] [Recording Unit 30] The recording unit 30 is located downstream of the first roll 111 on the transport path 15. The recording unit 30 is located above the transport path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the first roll 111 and the first cutting unit 61 in the front-rear direction 8. The recording unit 30 includes a carriage 31 and a recording head 32. Two guide rails (not shown) are located inside the housing 11, extending in the left-right direction 9 and having both ends fixed to the housing 11 or to members fixed to the housing 11. The carriage 31 is placed on the two guide rails. The carriage 31 receives driving force from a CR motor 85 (see FIG. 3 ) and moves in the left-right direction 9.

[0035] The recording head 32 is mounted on a carriage 31. A plurality of nozzles 33 are formed on the underside of the recording head 32. As the carriage 31 moves, the recording head 32 moves in the left-right direction 9. A platen 34 is located below the range of movement of the carriage 31. While moving in the left-right direction 9, the recording head 32 ejects ink downward from the nozzles 33 based on image data supplied from a control unit 90. As a result, an image based on the image data is recorded on a recording surface 107 of the first member 101 transported over the platen 34.

[0036] [First to third transport rollers 41 to 43 and intermediate roller 44] The first to third transport rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 are located between the first roll 111 and the laminating roller 50. The intermediate roller 44 and the first transport roller 41 are located between the first roll 111 and the recording unit 30 in the front-to-rear direction 8. The second transport roller 42 and the third transport roller 43 are located between the recording unit 30 and the laminating roller 50 in the front-to-rear direction 8. The first transport roller 41 is located in front of the intermediate roller 44 in the front-to-rear direction 8. The third transport roller 43 is located in front of the second transport roller 42 in the front-to-rear direction 8.

[0037] The first conveying rollers 41 include a first roller 411 and a second roller 412. The first roller 411 is located directly above the second roller 412. The first member 101 passes between the first roller 411 and the second roller 412. At this time, the first roller 411 abuts against the recording surface 107 of the first member 101, and the second roller 412 abuts against the back surface 108 of the first member 101. As a result, the first conveying rollers 41 grip the first member 101.

[0038] The second roller 412 receives a driving force from the conveying motor 83 (see FIG. 3 ) and rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. Accordingly, the first roller 411 also rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. At this time, a force in a direction pulling the first member 101 from the first roll 111 acts on the first member 101. Furthermore, the second roller 412 receives a driving force in the opposite direction from the conveying motor 83 and rotates in the reverse direction, and accordingly the first roller 411 also rotates in the reverse direction. At this time, a force in a direction moving the first member 101 closer to the first roll 111 acts on the first member 101.

[0039] The second conveyor rollers 42 include a third roller 421 and a fourth roller 422. The third conveyor rollers 43 include a fifth roller 431 and a sixth roller 432. The intermediate rollers 44 include a seventh roller 441 and an eighth roller 442. The configurations and functions of the second conveyor rollers 42, the third conveyor rollers 43, and the intermediate rollers 44 are the same as those of the first conveyor rollers 41, and therefore will not be described here.

[0040] Here, of the two rollers included in the first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44, the lower roller receives driving force from the conveyor motor 83. Alternatively, the upper roller may receive driving force from the conveyor motor 83, or both the upper and lower rollers may receive driving force from the conveyor motor 83. Also, it is not necessary for all of the first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 to receive driving force from the conveyor motor 83. The first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 may each receive driving force independently from a different motor, or may receive driving force from a motor that drives a motor other than the motor that drives the first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44.

[0041] [Laminating Roller 50] The laminating roller 50 is located downstream of the recording unit 30 on the conveying path 15. The laminating roller 50 is located between the first cutting unit 61 and the second cutting unit 62 in the front-rear direction 8. The laminating roller 50 includes a first laminating roller 51 and a second laminating roller 52. The first laminating roller 51 is located directly above the second laminating roller 52. The first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52 grip the first member 101 and the second member 102 with a predetermined force. As a result, the first member 101 and the second member 102 are bonded together to form the finished laminate 100.

[0042] The second member 102 pulled out from the second roll 112 enters between the first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52. At this time, the laminating surface 109 of the second member 102 faces downward. The first member 101 that has passed through the recording unit 30 and the first cutting unit 61 enters below the second member 102 between the first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52. At this time, the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 faces upward.

[0043] The second laminating roller 52 receives a driving force from a laminating motor 84 (see FIG. 3 ) and rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. Accordingly, the first laminating roller 51 also rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. The first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52 bond the first member 101 and the second member 102 together by bringing the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 and the laminating surface 109 of the second member 102 into close contact with each other. Note that the first laminating roller 51 may receive a driving force from the laminating motor 84, or both the first laminating roller 51 and the second laminating roller 52 may receive a driving force from the laminating motor 84.

[0044] Furthermore, the laminating roller 50 does not necessarily have to bond the first member 101 and the second member 102. For example, if the laminating apparatus 1 has a section downstream of the laminating roller 50 where thermal welding or pressure bonding is performed, the laminating roller 50 is a roller pair disposed in front of the section and which overlaps the first member 101 and the second member 102.

[0045] [First Cutting Unit 61 and Second Cutting Unit 62] The first cutting unit 61 is located downstream of the recording unit 30 on the conveying path 15. The first cutting unit 61 is located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the second conveying roller 42 and the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8. The first cutting unit 61 cuts the first member 101 between the second conveying roller 42 and the laminating roller 50. The second cutting unit 62 is located downstream of the laminating roller 50 on the conveying path 15. The second cutting unit 62 is located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and in front of the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8. The second cutting unit 62 simultaneously cuts the first member 101 and the second member 102 that have been bonded together by the laminating roller 50.

[0046] The first cutting unit 61 has any configuration capable of cutting the first member 101. The second cutting unit 62 has any configuration capable of cutting the first member 101 and the second member 102. The first cutting unit 61 and the second cutting unit 62 may include, for example, a cutter carriage that receives driving force from a cutting motor 86 (see FIG. 3 ) and moves in the left-right direction 9, and a cutter mounted on the cutter carriage, or may include a movable blade that receives driving force from the cutting motor 86 and moves in the up-down direction 7, and a fixed blade facing the movable blade.

[0047] [Component sensors 65, 66] The component sensors 65, 66 detect the leading edge of the first component 101 being conveyed along the conveying path 15. The component sensor 65 is located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveying roller 41 in the front-rear direction 8. The component sensor 66 is located above the conveying path 15 in the up-down direction 7 and between the third conveying roller 43 and the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8. The component sensor 66 is located upstream of the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8.

[0048] The member sensor 65 includes a light-emitting element (not shown) that emits light toward the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 transported along the transport path 15, and a light-receiving element (not shown) that receives light reflected by the recording surface 107 of the first member 101. When the first member 101 is present below the member sensor 65, the light-receiving element of the member sensor 65 receives light reflected by the recording surface 107 of the first member 101, and the amount of light detected by the light-receiving element is greater than the threshold. On the other hand, when the first member 101 is not present below the member sensor 65, the light-receiving element of the member sensor 65 does not receive light reflected by the recording surface 107 of the first member 101, and the amount of light detected by the light-receiving element is less than the threshold. The member sensor 66 has the same configuration and function as the member sensor 65.

[0049] Here, the member sensors 65, 66, each including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, are provided above the transport path 15, but such member sensors 65, 66 may also be provided below the transport path 15. The member sensors 65, 66 may also be contact sensors that are provided on the left or right of the transport path 15 and come into contact with the left or right end of the first member 101 to detect the end of the first member 101. The member sensor 65 may also be a so-called media sensor mounted on the carriage 31.

[0050] [Control Unit 90 and Its Peripheral Parts] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 90 includes a CPU 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, and an EEPROM 94. The ROM 92 stores programs for controlling various operations of the laminating device 1. The EEPROM 94 stores various data used when the above programs are executed. The RAM 93 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU 91 executes the above programs, and as an area for expanding data and programs. When the laminating device 1 is powered on, the programs stored in the ROM 92 are copied and transferred to the RAM 93. The CPU 91 executes the programs stored in the RAM 93. This allows the control unit 90 to perform various controls.

[0051] The ASIC 95 is connected to the operation unit 12 and the display unit 13. The operation unit 12 detects when an operation key is pressed and outputs a signal corresponding to the pressed operation key. The control unit 90 identifies the pressed operation key based on the output signal from the operation unit 12. The display unit 13 displays information related to the operation of the laminating device 1 on its screen based on instructions from the control unit 90.

[0052] The recording head 32 is connected to the ASIC 95. The control unit 90 outputs a signal corresponding to image data to the recording head 32 via the ASIC 95. The recording head 32 ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 33 provided in the recording head 32 in response to the signal output from the control unit 90.

[0053] Component sensors 65 and 66 are connected to the ASIC 95. The component sensors 65 and 66 output signals corresponding to the amount of light detected by the light receiving elements. The control unit 90 detects the leading edge of the first component 101 being conveyed along the conveying path 15 based on the output signals of the light receiving elements.

[0054] [Various Motors] The first roll motor 81, the second roll motor 82, the conveying motor 83, the laminating motor 84, the CR motor 85, and the cutting motor 86 are connected to the ASIC 95. Drive circuits for controlling these motors are incorporated into the ASIC 95. The control unit 90 outputs drive signals for rotating each motor to the drive circuits corresponding to each motor. The drive circuits output drive currents corresponding to the drive signals output from the control unit 90 to the corresponding motors. This causes the corresponding motors to rotate. Note that some of the above motors may be configured using the same motor.

[0055] The first roll motor 81 generates power to rotate the first roll 111 supported by the first holder 21. The second roll motor 82 generates power to rotate the second roll 112 supported by the second holder 22. The CR motor 85 generates a force to move the carriage 31 in the left-right direction 9. The cutting motor 86 generates a force to operate the first cutting unit 61 and the second cutting unit 62.

[0056] The conveyor motor 83 generates power to rotate the first to third conveyor rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44. The power generated by the conveyor motor 83 is applied to the second roller 412, the fourth roller 422, the sixth roller 432, and the eighth roller 442. The second roller 412, the fourth roller 422, the sixth roller 432, and the eighth roller 442 receive power from the conveyor motor 83 and rotate around their central axes in the left-right direction 9. Accordingly, the first roller 411, the third roller 421, the fifth roller 431, and the seventh roller 441 also rotate around their central axes in the left-right direction 9.

[0057] A rotary encoder 87 is attached to the rotation shaft of the second roller 412. The rotary encoder 87 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation of the second roller 412. The control unit 90 obtains the amount of rotation of the first conveyor roller 41 based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 87. Note that the rotary encoder 87 may be attached to the rotation shaft of the first roller 411. The amount of rotation of the first conveyor roller 41 can be detected by the rotary encoder 87.

[0058] A rotary encoder 88 is attached to the rotation shaft of the eighth roller 442. The rotary encoder 88 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation of the eighth roller 442. The control unit 90 obtains the amount of rotation of the intermediate roller 44 based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 88. Note that the rotary encoder 88 may also be attached to the rotation shaft of the seventh roller 441. The amount of rotation of the intermediate roller 44 can be detected by the rotary encoder 88.

[0059] The laminating motor 84 is, for example, a stepping motor. The laminating motor 84 generates power to rotate the laminating roller 50. The power generated by the laminating motor 84 is applied to the second laminating roller 52. A torque limiter 89 is interposed between the laminating motor 84 and the laminating roller 50. The torque limiter 89 is attached to, for example, the rotation shaft of the second laminating roller 52. The torque limiter 89 limits the power of the laminating motor 84 and transmits it to the rotation shaft of the second laminating roller 52. The amount of rotation of the laminating roller 50 can be controlled by the stepping motor.

[0060] The control unit 90 drives the conveying motor 83 to rotate the first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44, and drives the laminating motor 84 to rotate the laminating roller 50. The control unit 90 drives the first roll motor 81 to apply force to the first roll 111, and drives the second roll motor 82 to apply force to the second roll 112. The control unit 90 drives the CR motor 85 to move the carriage 31, and drives the cutting motor 86 to operate the first cutting unit 61 and the second cutting unit 62.

[0061] In the laminating apparatus 1, the first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 convey the first member 101 in the conveying direction (front-rear direction 8). The recording unit 30 records an image on the first member 101 conveyed by the first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44. The laminating roller 50 bonds the first member 101, on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit 30, to the second member 102. The first conveying roller 41 is an example of a conveying roller.

[0062] [Lamination Process by Control Unit 90] The lamination process by control unit 90 will be described with reference to Figure 4. The lamination process shown in Figure 4 is performed by CPU 91 executing a program stored in RAM 93. The control unit 90 performs the lamination process when, for example, an instruction to perform the lamination process is received from operation unit 12. Note that, because the second conveyance roller 42 and the third conveyance roller 43 play a minor role in the lamination process, a description of the second conveyance roller 42 and the third conveyance roller 43 will be omitted below.

[0063] Hereinafter, the leading end (downstream end) of the first member 101 will be referred to as the "leading end P." During the lamination process, the control unit 90 updates the count value stored in the RAM 93 based on the output signal of the rotary encoder 87 (FIG. 3), and acquires the amount of rotation of the first conveying roller 41 and the position of the leading end P of the first member 101 on the conveying path 15 based on the count value.

[0064] Before starting to use the laminating device 1, the user inserts the tip P of the first member 101 pulled out from the first roll 111 between the seventh roller 441 and the eighth roller 442, and inserts the tip P of the second member 102 pulled out from the second roll 112 between the first bonding roller 51 and the second bonding roller 52.

[0065] At the beginning of the lamination process, the control unit 90 corrects skew of the first member 101 and the second member 102 (S11). In S11, the control unit 90 drives the first roll motor 81 and the conveyance motor 83 to alternately perform one or more cycles of pulling out the first member 101 from the first roll 111 and one or more cycles of rewinding the first member 101 onto the first roll 111, thereby correcting the skew of the first member 101.

[0066] In addition, in S11, the control unit 90 drives the second roll motor 82 and the laminating motor 84, and corrects the skew of the second member 102 by alternately performing the process of pulling out the second member 102 from the second roll 112 and the process of rewinding the second member 102 onto the second roll 112 one or more times each.

[0067] In addition, in S11, the control unit 90 may perform the skew correction of the first member 101 and the skew correction of the second member 102 in parallel, or may perform either the skew correction of the first member 101 or the skew correction of the second member 102 first and then the other.

[0068] Next, the control unit 90 causes the first conveyance roller 41 to grip the first member 101 (S12). In S12, the control unit 90 drives the conveyance motor 83 to apply a force to the first conveyance roller 41 that acts in a direction to pull out the first member 101. When the leading end P of the first member 101 reaches the first conveyance roller 41, the first conveyance roller 41 grips the first member 101. In S12, the control unit 90 drives the first roll motor 81 to apply a force to the first roll 111 that acts in a direction to rewind the first member 101. However, the force that acts in the direction to rewind the first member 101 is smaller than the force that acts in the direction to pull out the first member 101.

[0069] Next, the control unit 90 causes the first member 101 to be conveyed (S13). In S13, the control unit 90 drives the conveying motor 83 to rotate the intermediate rollers 44 and the first conveying rollers 41, thereby causing the intermediate rollers 44 and the first conveying rollers 41 to convey the first member 101.

[0070] Next, the control unit 90 stops the conveyance of the first member 101 and drives the recording unit 30 to record an image on the first member 101 (S14). In S14, the control unit 90 stops the drive of the conveyance motor 83 and stops the rotation of the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveyance roller 41, thereby stopping the first member 101. While the first member 101 is stopped, ink is ejected from the recording head 32 of the recording unit 30 onto the recording surface 107 of the first member 101. As a result, an image is recorded on a portion of the recording surface 107 of the first member 101.

[0071] Next, the control unit 90 determines whether or not to continue recording the image (S15). If the control unit 90 determines to continue recording the image (S15: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S13. The control unit 90 repeatedly executes S13 and S14 until it determines No in S15. As a result, images are recorded sequentially on the first member 101 from the downstream side to the upstream side in the conveying direction. In this embodiment, the conveying direction is the front-rear direction 8.

[0072] After executing S13, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the leading end P of the first member 101 has reached the vicinity of the laminating roller 50. The control unit 90 determines whether or not the leading end P of the first member 101 has reached the vicinity of the laminating roller 50, for example, based on the output signal of the member sensor 66. Note that the control unit 90 may determine whether or not the leading end P of the first member 101 has reached the vicinity of the laminating roller 50 without referring to the output signal of the member sensor 66.

[0073] When the control unit 90 determines that the leading end P of the first member 101 has reached the vicinity of the laminating roller 50, it starts driving the laminating roller 50. More specifically, the control unit 90 drives the laminating motor 84 to apply a force to the laminating roller 50 that acts in a direction to pull out the second member 102 (details will be described later). At this time, the control unit 90 drives the second roll motor 82 to apply a force to the second roll 112 that acts in a direction to rewind the second member 102. However, the force that acts in the direction to rewind the second member 102 is smaller than the force that acts in the direction to pull out the second member 102. Thereafter, the laminating roller 50 bonds the recording surface 107 of the first member 101 and the laminating surface 109 of the second member 102 together.

[0074] If the control unit 90 determines in S15 not to continue recording the image (S15: No), the process proceeds to S16. In this case, the control unit 90 causes the first member 101 to be conveyed until the cutting position upstream of the range in which the image is recorded on the first member 101 reaches the cutting position of the first cutting unit 61 (S16).

[0075] Next, the control unit 90 causes the first cutting unit 61 to cut the first member 101 (S17). In S17, the control unit 90 drives the cutting motor 86 to operate the first cutting unit 61. The first cutting unit 61 cuts the first member 101 at the cutting position.

[0076] Next, the control unit 90 causes the first member 101 and the second member 102 after being bonded to be transported (S18). In S18, the control unit 90 drives the laminating motor 84 to cause the first member 101 and the second member 102 after being bonded to be transported until the cutting position of the first member 101 and the second member 102 after being bonded reaches the cutting position of the second cutting unit 62.

[0077] Next, the control unit 90 causes the second cutting unit 62 to cut the bonded first member 101 and second member 102 (S19). In S19, the control unit 90 drives the cutting motor 86 to operate the second cutting unit 62. The second cutting unit 62 cuts the bonded first member 101 and second member 102 at the cutting position.

[0078] Next, the control unit 90 causes the first member 101 to be rewound onto the first roll 111 (S20). In S20, the control unit 90 drives the conveying motor 83 in the reverse direction, causing the intermediate roller 44 and the first conveying roller 41 to rotate in the reverse direction. The intermediate roller 44 and the first conveying roller 41 apply a force in a direction to wind up the first member 101. At this time, the force acting in the direction to wind up the first member 101 is also applied to the first roll 111 from the first roll motor 81.

[0079] 4 , S13 and S14, which are executed before the laminating roller 50 starts to be driven, are an example of a conveying process in which the first conveying roller 41 conveys the first member 101, on which an image has been recorded by the recording unit 30, to the laminating roller 50. The conveying process is executed when the second member 102 is held by the laminating roller 50 and the first member 101 is not held by the laminating roller 50. In the conveying process, a process (S14) in which the recording unit 30 executes a recording operation to record an image on the first member 101 and a process in which the first conveying roller 41 executes a conveying operation to convey the first member 101 to the next recording position and stop the first member 101 are executed alternately.

[0080] 5 , in the laminating apparatus 1, a first position Q1 is set behind the laminating roller 50 and a second position Q2 is set in front of the laminating roller 50 in the front-rear direction 8. The first position Q1 is located between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50. Preferably, the first position Q1 is located between the third conveyance roller 43 and the laminating roller 50. The first position Q1 may be located at the same position as the member sensor 66 in the front-rear direction 8, or may be located in front of or behind the member sensor 66. The second position Q2 is located between the laminating roller 50 and the discharge port 14.

[0081] 6, the drive process of the laminating roller 50 by the control unit 90 will be described. The drive process of the laminating roller 50 shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the CPU 91 executing a program stored in the RAM 93. The control unit 90 executes S12 shown in FIG. 4 and then executes the drive process of the laminating roller 50. When the drive process of the laminating roller 50 is started, the laminating roller 50 is stopped, the first member 101 is gripped by the first conveyance roller 41 but is not gripped by the laminating roller 50, and the second member 102 is gripped by the laminating roller 50.

[0082] At the beginning of the drive process of the laminating roller 50, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the leading edge P of the first member 101 will reach the first position Q1 during the next transport (S31). In other words, the control unit 90 determines in S31 whether or not the next transport will cause the leading edge P of the first member 101 to stop downstream of the first position Q1. If the leading edge P of the first member 101 does not reach the first position Q1 (S31: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S31, and if the leading edge P of the first member 101 reaches the first position Q1 (S31: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S32.

[0083] In the latter case, the control unit 90 executes a first driving process to drive the laminating roller 50 (S33). Next, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the leading edge P of the first member 101 will reach the second position Q2 during the next transport. In other words, in S33, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the next transport will cause the leading edge P of the first member 101 to stop downstream of the second position Q2. If the leading edge P of the first member 101 does not reach the second position Q2 (S33: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S32. If the leading edge P of the first member 101 reaches the second position Q2 (S33: Yes), the control unit 90 proceeds to S34.

[0084] In the latter case, the control unit 90 executes a second drive process to drive the laminating roller 50 (S34). The second drive process is a process different from the first drive process in S32. Next, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the laminating process is completed (S35). In S35, the control unit 90 determines that the laminating process is completed when, for example, the transport amount of the first member 101 reaches a predetermined amount from the initial position. If the laminating process is not completed (S35: No), the control unit 90 proceeds to S34. If the laminating process is completed (S35: Yes), the control unit 90 ends the drive process of the laminating roller 50.

[0085] [First Drive Process] The first drive process is executed before the leading edge P of the first member 101 reaches the laminating roller 50 by the conveying process (S13 and S14). The control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 in the first drive process. Furthermore, in the first drive process, the control unit 90 stops the laminating roller 50 while the rotation of the first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 is stopped. In other words, in the first drive process, the control unit 90 stops the laminating roller 50 after the first to third conveying rollers 41 to 43 and the intermediate roller 44 have completed their conveying operations.

[0086] [Second Driving Process] In the second driving process, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 in, for example, any of the modes shown in FIG. 7 . In FIG. 7 , the hatched trapezoids indicate the period during which the first conveyance roller 41 conveys the first member 101. The hatched rectangles indicate the period during which the recording unit 30 records an image on the first member 101. The thick trapezoids indicate the period during which the laminating roller 50 is driven. The vertical axes of the two types of trapezoids indicate the conveyance speed of the first member 101. Note that the conveyance period by the first conveyance roller 41 and the recording period by the recording unit 30 do not overlap. In FIG. 7 , the maximum conveyance speed of the first member 101 by the first conveyance roller 41 and the maximum conveyance speed of the first member 101 by the laminating roller 50 are the same. The area of ​​the trapezoid indicates the conveyance distance of the first member 101.

[0087] 7A , in the second driving process, the control unit 90 constantly drives the laminating roller 50. In the first driving mode, the control unit 90 continuously drives the laminating roller 50 while the conveying operation and the recording operation are being performed, and drives the laminating roller 50 so that tension is continuously applied between the first conveying roller 41 and the laminating roller 50.

[0088] In the second driving mode shown in Figure 7 (B), the control unit 90 starts driving the first conveying roller 41, then starts driving the laminating roller 50, and completes driving the laminating roller 50 before completing driving the first conveying roller 41.

[0089] In the third driving mode shown in Figure 7 (C), the control unit 90 starts driving the laminating roller 50 when starting the operation of the recording unit 30, and completes driving the laminating roller 50 after completing the operation of the recording unit 30 and before starting the drive of the first conveying roller 41.

[0090] In the second and third driving modes, the conveying distance of the first member 101 by the laminating roller 50 is shorter than the conveying distance of the first member 101 by the first conveying roller 41. In addition, no tension is applied to the first member 101 between the first conveying roller 41 and the laminating roller 50.

[0091] In this way, in the second and third driving modes, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 so that the conveying distance of the first member 101 by the laminating roller 50 is shorter than the conveying distance of the first member 101 by the first conveying roller 41. Furthermore, in the second and third driving modes, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 so that tension is not applied to the first member 101 between the first conveying roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 while the conveying operation and the recording operation are being executed.

[0092] 7(D), the control unit 90 starts driving the laminating roller 50 after starting driving the first conveyance roller 41, and completes driving the laminating roller 50 after completing driving the first conveyance roller 41 and before starting operation of the recording unit 30. In the fifth driving mode shown in Fig. 7(E), the control unit 90 starts driving the laminating roller 50 after completing driving the first conveyance roller 41, and completes driving the laminating roller 50 before starting operation of the recording unit 30.

[0093] In the fourth and fifth driving modes, the transport distance of the first member 101 by the laminating roller 50 is greater than the transport distance of the first member 101 by the first transport roller 41. Furthermore, while the transport operation is being performed, no tension is applied to the first member 101 between the first transport roller 41 and the laminating roller 50, and the recording operation is performed after tension is applied to the first member 101 between the first transport roller 41 and the laminating roller 50.

[0094] As described above, in the fourth and fifth driving modes, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 so that no tension is applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 while the conveying operation is being performed, and so that the recording operation is performed after tension is applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50. Furthermore, in the fourth and fifth driving modes, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 so that the conveying distance of the first member 101 by the laminating roller 50 is greater than the conveying distance of the first member 101 by the first conveyance roller 41.

[0095] In the third and fifth driving modes, the control unit 90 causes the first conveyance roller 41 to complete the conveying operation, and then starts driving the laminating roller 50. In the second and fourth driving modes, the control unit 90 causes the first conveyance roller 41 to start the conveying operation, and then starts driving the laminating roller 50 before completing the conveying operation. In the third driving mode, the control unit 90 causes the recording unit 30 to start the recording operation, and then completes driving the laminating roller 50.

[0096] [Operation and Effect of the Embodiment] As described above, the laminating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the recording unit 30, the first conveying roller 41 (conveying roller), the laminating roller 50, the control unit 90, and the discharge port 14. The control unit 90 executes a conveying process (S13, S14) in which the first conveying roller 41 conveys the first member 101, on which an image has been recorded by the recording unit 30, to the laminating roller 50, and a first driving process (S32) in which the laminating roller 50 is driven. The control unit 90 starts the first driving process before the leading edge P of the first member 101 reaches the laminating roller 50 by the conveying process (S31: Yes).

[0097] The leading edge P of the first member 101 is not necessarily parallel to the axis of the laminating roller 50, but may be oblique or not linear. For this reason, when the leading edge P of the first member 101 comes into contact with the laminating roller 50 in a stopped state, the position of the first member 101 relative to the second member 102 may be shifted. If the laminating roller 50 is started to be driven in such a state, lamination is performed with the first member 101 and the second member 102 still misaligned, which reduces the lamination quality.

[0098] According to the laminating apparatus 1 of this embodiment, by starting the laminating roller 50 before the leading edge P of the first member 101 reaches the laminating roller 50, it is possible to immediately laminate the first member 101 and the second member 102 immediately after the leading edge P of the first member 101, for example, which is inclined, reaches the laminating roller 50. Therefore, the leading edge P of the first member 101 hitting the laminating roller 50 can suppress a change in the posture of the first member 101 before it is gripped by the laminating roller 50, and therefore a decrease in lamination quality can be suppressed.

[0099] Furthermore, when the second member 102 is held by the laminating roller 50 and the first member 101 is not held by the laminating roller 50 ( FIG. 5 ), the control unit 90 alternately executes, in the conveying process, a process (S14) in which the recording unit 30 executes a recording operation to record an image on the first member 101 and a process (S13) in which the first conveying roller 41 executes a conveying operation to convey the first member 101 to the next recording position and stop it, and in the first driving process, stops the laminating roller 50 after the first conveying roller 41 completes the conveying operation.

[0100] If the first driving process is started while the second member 102 is being held by the laminating roller 50 and before the leading edge P of the first member 101 reaches the laminating roller 50, the first member 101 may not necessarily have reached the laminating roller 50 when the first member 101 is transported to the next recording position and stopped. If the laminating roller 50 continues to be driven in this state, only the second member 102 will be unnecessarily transported. According to the laminating apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the laminating roller 50 is stopped after the first transport roller 41 has completed its transport operation, thereby preventing the second member 102 from being unnecessarily transported.

[0101] In addition, when transporting the first member 101, if the transport is to stop the leading end P of the first member 101 upstream in the transport direction from the first position Q1 between the first transport roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 (while S31: No), the control unit 90 does not execute the first drive process, but if the transport is to stop the leading end P of the first member 101 downstream in the transport direction from the first position P1 (S31: Yes or later), the control unit 90 executes the first drive process.

[0102] If the tip P of the first member 101 has not reached the first position P1 upstream of the laminating roller 50 (i.e., if there is a sufficient distance between the tip P of the first member 101 and the laminating roller 50), even if there is variation in the position of the tip P of the first member 101, the tip P of the first member 101 will not reach the laminating roller 50 when a transport operation is performed to transport it to the next recording position and stop it.

[0103] On the other hand, when the tip P of the first member 101 is downstream of the first position P1 (i.e., when there is not enough distance between the tip P of the first member 101 and the laminating roller 50), when the conveying operation is performed, the tip P of the first member 101 may or may not reach the laminating roller 50.

[0104] Therefore, by not executing the first drive process when the tip P of the first member 101 is located upstream of the first position P1, and by executing the first drive process when the tip P of the first member 101 is located downstream of the first position P1, it is possible to prevent the second member 102 from being transported unnecessarily within the range where it is certain that the tip P of the first member 101 has not reached the laminating roller 50.

[0105] In addition, when transporting the first member 101, if the transport is to stop the leading end P of the first member 101 upstream in the transport direction from the second position Q2 between the laminating roller 50 and the discharge outlet 14 (while S33: No), the control unit 90 executes a first drive process, and if the transport is to stop the leading end P of the first member 101 downstream in the transport direction from the second position Q2 (S33: Yes or later), the control unit 90 executes a second drive process different from the first drive process.

[0106] Within the range between the first position P1 and the second position P2, it is unclear whether the leading edge P of the first member 101 is gripped by the laminating roller 50. Therefore, when the leading edge P of the first member 101 is located within this range, it is possible to prevent the second member 102 from being unnecessarily conveyed. On the other hand, when the leading edge P of the first member 101 is located downstream of the second position P2 in the conveying direction, the leading edge P of the first member 101 will definitely reach the laminating roller 50, and therefore the control unit 90 does not need to execute the first driving process.

[0107] Furthermore, in the first drive mode ( FIG. 7A ) of the second drive process, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 so that tension continues to be applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 while the conveyance operation and the recording operation are being performed. In this drive mode, the control unit 90 continues to drive the laminating roller 50 while the conveyance operation and the recording operation are being performed. Therefore, because the conveyance operation and the recording operation are performed with tension applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50, slack in the first member 101 is eliminated, and degradation of lamination quality can be suppressed.

[0108] Furthermore, in the second and third drive modes (FIGS. 7B and 7C) of the second drive process, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 so that tension is not applied to the first member 101 between the first conveying roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 while the conveying operation and the recording operation are being performed. Therefore, by performing the conveying operation and the recording operation in a state where tension is not applied to the first member 101 between the first conveying roller 41 and the laminating roller 50, it is possible to improve the conveying accuracy of the conveying operation and suppress a deterioration in lamination quality.

[0109] Furthermore, in these driving modes, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 so that the conveyance distance of the first member 101 by the laminating roller 50 is shorter than the conveyance distance of the first member 101 by the first conveyance roller 41. In this way, the conveyance distance by the laminating roller 50 is made shorter than the conveyance distance by the first conveyance roller 41, so that tension is not applied to the first member. As a result, the conveyance operation and the recording operation are performed in a state where no tension is applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50, thereby improving the conveyance accuracy of the conveyance operation and suppressing a decrease in lamination quality.

[0110] Furthermore, in the fourth and fifth drive modes (FIGS. 7D and 7E) of the second drive process, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 so that tension is not applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 while the conveyance operation is being performed, and then drives the laminating roller 50 to perform the recording operation after tension is applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50. If the conveyance operation is performed with no tension applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50, no extra force is applied during conveyance, resulting in higher conveyance accuracy than when tension is applied. Then, tension is applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 to eliminate slack, and then the recording operation is performed, thereby suppressing degradation of print quality due to slack.

[0111] Furthermore, in these driving modes, the control unit 90 drives the laminating roller 50 so that the conveyance distance of the first member 101 by the laminating roller 50 is greater than the conveyance distance of the first member 101 by the first conveyance roller 41. In this way, by making the conveyance distance by the laminating roller 50 greater than the conveyance distance by the first conveyance roller 41, it is possible to apply tension appropriate for lamination to the first member 101. As a result, the conveyance operation and the recording operation are performed in a state in which tension is applied to the first member 101 between the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50, thereby eliminating slack in the first member and suppressing deterioration in lamination quality.

[0112] Furthermore, in the third and fifth driving modes (FIGS. 7C and 7E) of the second driving process, the control unit 90 causes the first conveying roller 41 to complete the conveying operation, and then starts driving the laminating roller 50. Therefore, by not causing the conveying operation and the driving of the laminating roller to be performed at the same time, it is possible to appropriately manage the influence of tension on the first member 101 during conveyance.

[0113] Furthermore, in the second and fourth driving modes (FIGS. 7B and 7D) of the second driving process, the control unit 90 causes the first conveying roller 41 to start the conveying operation, and before completing the conveying operation, causes the laminating roller 50 to start driving. Therefore, by performing the conveying operation and the driving of the laminating roller during overlapping times, it is possible to shorten the time required to complete the two operations.

[0114] Furthermore, in the third driving mode ( FIG. 7C ) of the second driving process, the control unit 90 causes the recording unit 30 to start the recording operation, and then completes driving of the laminating roller 50. Therefore, by performing the recording operation and driving of the laminating roller during overlapping times, it is possible to shorten the time required to complete the two operations.

[0115] [Modifications] Various modifications can be made to the laminating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the laminating apparatus 1, the control unit 90 executes a first conveyance process to start driving the laminating roller 50 when the second member 102 is gripped by the laminating roller 50 and the first member 101 is not gripped by the laminating roller 50 ( FIG. 5 ). In a laminating apparatus according to a modification, the control unit 90 may execute a first drive process to start driving the laminating roller 50 when neither the first member 101 nor the second member 102 is gripped by the laminating roller 50 (see FIG. 8 ). In the laminating apparatus 1, the control unit 90 stops the laminating roller 50 after the first conveyance roller 41 completes the conveyance operation in the first drive process. In a laminating apparatus according to a modification, the control unit 90 does not need to stop the laminating roller 50.

[0116] In a laminating apparatus according to a modified example, the control unit 90 may drive the laminating roller 50 in a mode other than the five drive modes shown in Figures 7A to 7E during the second drive process. Furthermore, during the second drive process, the length of the period during which the first conveyance roller 41 conveys the first member 101, the length of the period during which the recording unit 30 records an image on the first member 101, and the length of the period during which the laminating roller 50 laminates the first member 101 and the second member 102 may be arbitrary. Furthermore, during the second drive process, the maximum conveyance speed of the first member 101 by the first conveyance roller 41 may be different from the maximum conveyance speed of the first member 101 by the laminating roller 50. Furthermore, during the second drive process, the acceleration (the rate at which the conveyance speed changes) of the first conveyance roller 41 and the laminating roller 50 may be arbitrary.

[0117] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 laminating device 14 discharge port 30 recording unit 41 first conveying roller (conveying roller) 50 laminating roller 90 control unit 101 first member 102 second member P leading end Q1 first position Q2 second position

Claims

1. A lamination device comprising: a transport roller for transporting a first member; a recording unit for recording an image on the first member; a laminating roller for bonding the first member on which the image has been recorded and a second member; and a control unit, wherein the control unit executes a transport process for causing the transport roller to transport the first member on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit to the laminating roller, and a first drive process for driving the laminating roller, and starts the first drive process before the leading edge of the first member reaches the laminating roller as a result of the transport process.

2. The lamination device of claim 1, wherein, when the second member is held by the laminating roller and the first member is not held by the laminating roller, the control unit alternately executes, in the conveying process, a process of causing the recording unit to perform a recording operation of recording an image on the first member and a process of causing the conveying roller to perform a conveying operation of conveying the first member to a next recording position and stopping it, and, in the first drive process, stops the laminating roller after causing the conveying roller to complete the conveying operation.

3. The lamination device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit, when transporting the first member, does not execute the first drive process if the transport is to stop the leading end of the first member upstream in the transport direction from a first position between the transport roller and the laminating roller, and executes the first drive process if the transport is to stop the leading end of the first member downstream in the transport direction from the first position.

4. A lamination device as described in claim 3, further comprising an outlet for discharging a finished laminate product, wherein the control unit, when transporting the first member, executes the first drive process if the transport is to stop the leading end of the first member upstream in the transport direction from a second position between the laminating roller and the outlet, and executes a second drive process different from the first drive process if the transport is to stop the leading end of the first member downstream in the transport direction from the second position.

5. A lamination apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the control unit drives the laminating roller so that tension is continuously applied to the first member between the conveying roller and the laminating roller while executing the conveying operation and the recording operation in the second driving process.

6. A lamination apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the control unit drives the laminating roller so that no tension is applied to the first member between the conveying roller and the laminating roller while executing the conveying operation and the recording operation in the second driving process.

7. A lamination apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the control unit, during the second drive process, drives the laminating roller so that no tension is applied to the first member between the conveying roller and the laminating roller while the conveying operation is being performed, and after tension is applied to the first member between the conveying roller and the laminating roller, the control unit drives the laminating roller to perform the recording operation.

8. The laminating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said control section continues to drive said laminating roller while executing said transport operation and said recording operation in said second driving process.

9. A laminating apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the control unit drives the laminating roller in the second driving process so that the transport distance of the first member by the laminating roller is smaller than the transport distance of the first member by the transport roller.

10. A lamination apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the control unit drives the laminating roller in the second driving process so that the transport distance of the first member by the laminating roller is greater than the transport distance of the first member by the transport roller.

11. The laminating apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control unit, in the second driving process, starts driving the laminating roller after causing the transport roller to complete the transport operation.

12. A laminating apparatus as described in claim 9 or 10, wherein the control unit, in the second driving process, causes the conveying roller to start the conveying operation, and before completing the conveying operation, causes the laminating roller to start driving.

13. The laminating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, in the second driving process, the control section causes the recording section to start the recording operation, and then causes the laminating roller to finish driving.

Images