Can member manufacturing method and can member manufacturing device

Abstract

Provided is a means for easily correcting a state in which a sheet and a back member are displaced in the circumferential direction in a can member. According to a can badge manufacturing method including angle adjustment, a test pattern including a long line segment 210 extending from the end of a medium connection portion PFb, which is to be integrated with a front member SE, toward the center thereof is recorded on the medium connection portion PFb; the medium connection portion PFb with the test pattern recorded thereon is laminated on the front member SE, thereby integrating the medium connection portion PFb and the front member SE; and the medium connection portion PFb and the front member SE that have been integrated and a back member BE having a fixing member 202 are connected to form a can badge 200 member.

Description

Can member manufacturing method and can member manufacturing device

[0001] SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for making can members.

[0002] A can member is produced by caulking a front member, on which sheets are laminated, to a back member. The back member includes a fixing member for holding the can member upright on a support surface or fastening it to fabric. During the can member production process, the sheet on which an image is recorded and the back member may become misaligned in the circumferential direction due to operational errors or vibrations inherent in the device. As a result, the image may become rotated when the can member is fixed by the fixing member.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-144992 discloses that a user can correct the tilt of an image while displaying the image in an image memory on a user interface.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-169201

[0005] Patent Document 1 corrects the tilt of an image read by a scanner or the like. However, even if an image is recorded on a sheet in the desired orientation, the sheet may rotate and shift relative to the backing member due to vibrations during the can member manufacturing process, resulting in a rotation of the image on the can member. If the image is rotated while the can member is fixed by a fixing member, the image may look unattractive. Correcting the rotation of the image on the can member on a screen is difficult. Furthermore, because the image on the sheet is visible only from the front side of the can member and the fixing member is visible only from the back side of the can member, it is difficult to determine the degree of misalignment of the image on the sheet relative to the fixing member by viewing the can member only from the front side, for example.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a means for easily correcting a state in which the sheet and the backing member of a can member are misaligned in the circumferential direction.

[0007] (1) The method for manufacturing a can member according to the present disclosure includes recording a test pattern on a sheet to be integrated with a front member, the test pattern including a reference line extending from the edge of the sheet toward the center, laminating the sheet on which the test pattern has been recorded onto the front member to integrate the sheet and the front member, and connecting the integrated sheet and front member to a back member having a fixing member to form a can member.

[0008] By visually observing the reference lines of the test pattern while the can member is fixed by the fixing member, it is possible to determine the positional deviation between the sheet and the backing member in the circumferential direction.

[0009] (2) The test pattern may include the reference line and a scale that is integrated with the front member and aligned along the edge of the sheet.

[0010] The scale of the test pattern allows the circumferential positional deviation between the sheet and the backing member to be determined.

[0011] (3) The test pattern may be recorded on the sheet with a portion of the scale including the reference line in a first color and the other portion in a second color different from the first color.

[0012] Whether or not misalignment is acceptable can be determined by differentiating the first and second colors.

[0013] (4) The scale may include a first scale including the reference line and a second scale.

[0014] For example, it is possible to allow a positional deviation within the range of the first scale, but not allow a positional deviation up to the second scale.

[0015] (5) The fixing member fixes the can member in an upright position on a support surface, and the scale may be recorded on the sheet as the test pattern in an area that becomes the lower half of the sheet when fixed by the fixing member.

[0016] By not recording the scale in an unnecessary range for determining the positional deviation, the amount of recording material required for recording the test pattern can be reduced.

[0017] (6) A system according to the present disclosure includes a recording unit that records an image on a sheet, a crimping mechanism that connects a front member on which the sheet is stacked and a back member having a fixing member, a display, an input unit, and a controller. The controller causes the recording unit to record a test pattern including a reference line extending from an edge toward a center on the sheet to be stacked on the front member, causes the crimping mechanism to stack the sheet on which the test pattern is recorded on the front member and connect it to the back member to form a can member, causes the display to display an input screen for inputting an amount of misalignment based on the reference line, determines an amount of rotation of the image to be recorded on the sheet by the recording unit based on the amount of misalignment input on the input screen by the input unit, and records the image rotated based on the amount of rotation on the sheet by the recording unit.

[0018] With the can member fixed by the fixing member, the user can visually check the reference lines of the test pattern to determine the circumferential misalignment between the sheet and the backing member. The user inputs the determined misalignment as the amount of misalignment on the input screen, and the recording unit records an image rotated by an amount based on the amount of misalignment on the sheet. As a result, even if the sheet and the backing member are misaligned in the circumferential direction, the image will be oriented in the desired direction when the can member is fixed.

[0019] (7) The controller may display, on the display, an instruction screen indicating that the can member is to be fixed by the fixing member, and after displaying the instruction screen, display the input screen on the display.

[0020] The user can understand that the positional misalignment can be determined by visually checking the test pattern while the can member is fixed by the fixing member.

[0021] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily correct a state in which the sheet and the backing member in the can member are misaligned in the circumferential direction.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the can badge manufacturing apparatus 300. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the can badge manufacturing apparatus 300 with the exterior body 101 removed. FIG. 3 is a top view of the can badge manufacturing apparatus 300 with the exterior body 101 removed. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the can badge manufacturing system 400. FIG. 5(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the can badge 200, FIG. 5(B) is an external perspective view showing the front surface Sf1 of the front member SE, and FIG. 5(C) is an external perspective view showing the back surface Sf2 of the front member SE. FIG. 6(A) is a top view of the medium PF, and FIG. 6(B) is a top view of the backing sheet WF. FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the back member BE. FIG. 8 is a side view of the back member BE in an upright state. FIG. 9 is a view showing a preview screen 40. FIG. 10 is a view showing an adjustment screen 50. FIG. 11 is a view showing a first adjustment screen 70. FIG. 12 is a view showing a second adjustment screen 73. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a third adjustment screen 75. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a fourth adjustment screen 80. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a test pattern. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a can badge 200 and a jig 220 on which a test pattern according to a modified example is recorded.

[0023] The following describes in detail the can badge production system 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example of the present disclosure, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0024] 4, the can badge production system 400 includes the can badge production device 300 and an external device 12. The external device 12 controls the operation of the can badge production device 300. The can badge production system 400 is an example of a can member production system.

[0025] 1 to 3, the up-down direction is defined based on the state in which the badge production apparatus 300 is installed and ready for use. The front-rear direction is defined with the side where the conveying unit 3 is provided as the near side. The left-right direction is defined when the badge production apparatus 300 is viewed from the front.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the can badge manufacturing apparatus 300 includes a recording unit 1, a crimping device 100, a conveying unit 3, a control unit 11, and an exterior body 101. The recording unit 1 records an image on a medium PF. The recording unit 1 can supply the medium PF with the recorded image and a backing sheet WF that serves as the background for the image to the conveying unit 3. The crimping device 100 has a mold M1 on which the front member SE, backing sheet WF, and medium PF of the can badge 200 are placed. The conveying unit 3 conveys the backing sheet WF and medium PF from the recording unit 1 to the mold M1. The crimping device 100 crimps the front member SE, backing sheet WF, medium PF, and backing member BE together to produce the can badge 200. The exterior body 101 improves the appearance of the can badge manufacturing apparatus 300 and ensures user safety. The crimping device 100 is an example of a crimping mechanism. The medium PF is an example of a sheet. The can badge 200 is an example of a can member.

[0027] 5A, the can badge 200 is formed by stacking and connecting a backing member BE, a front member SE, a backing sheet WF, and a medium PF in this order. The front member SE has a spacer SP on the back side.

[0028] [Front Member SE] As shown in Figures 5(B) and 5(C), the front member SE is a circular plate-like member in top view. The peripheral edge portion SEa of the front member SE is bent from the front side to the back side. The main body portion SEb is the portion surrounded by the peripheral edge portion SEa in top view. The front member SE has, for example, a plate thickness of 0.3 mm and an outer diameter of 57 mm, but different dimensions may be used depending on the application. As described below, since the can badge 200 is removed by magnetic attraction, a magnetic material such as tin-plated steel plate is used as the material for the front member SE. The front surface Sf1 of the front member SE has a convex shape. The back surface Sf2 has a concave shape. The spacer SP is fixed to the center of the back surface Sf2 and protrudes from the back side of the front member SE.

[0029] [Spacer SP] The spacer SP is made of urethane foam. It is a square-shaped component when viewed from above. The spacer SP is not limited to a square shape when viewed from above. A rectangular shape when viewed from above allows the urethane foam sheet to be cut without waste. The spacer SP may also be polygonal, such as triangular or hexagonal, when viewed from above. The thickness of the spacer SP when viewed from the side of the front member SE is, for example, 4 mm. The thickness of the spacer SP may be other than 4 mm as long as it protrudes rearward beyond the peripheral edge SEa of the front member SE. This prevents the overlapping front members SE from contacting each other when placed in the stocker 2a of the first loading section 2 (described later), thereby preventing damage or deformation due to contact. Materials other than urethane foam may be used for the spacer SP as long as they are compressible. The spacer SP is fixed to the rear surface Sf2 of the front member SE with an adhesive or adhesive seal.

[0030] [Backing member BE] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the backing member BE is a plate-like member that is circular in top view. The peripheral edge portion BEa of the backing member BE is bent from the back side to the front side. The main body portion BEb is the portion surrounded by the peripheral edge portion BEa in top view. The backing member BE has a plate thickness of, for example, 0.3 mm, and an outer diameter slightly smaller than the outer shape of the front member SE.

[0031] The backing member BE has a fastener 201 and a fixing member 202. The fastener 201 is a so-called safety pin for fastening the can badge 200 to clothing, a bag, etc. The fastener 201 is connected to the main body portion BEb of the backing member BE by being passed through two through-holes 203 that pass through the main body portion BEb.

[0032] The fixing member 202 serves as a support for placing the can badge 200 in an upright position on a surface such as a desk. The fixing member 202 is, for example, a molded product made of synthetic resin. It has a rotation support portion 204 and an abutment portion 205. The rotation support portion 204 has a groove 206 formed by two walls extending in the left-right direction. The fastener 201 is positioned in the groove 206, and the fixing member 202 is positioned between the fastener 201 and the backing member BE. Note that the fixing member 202 and the backing member BE may be connected by other connection structures. In other words, the fixing member 202 may be a so-called stand or leg that is rotatably connected to the backing member BE, changes its position, and supports the can badge 200 in an upright position.

[0033] The abutment portion 205 extends from the pivot support portion 204 downward from the backing member BE. The abutment portion 205 has a generally flat plate shape. A lower end surface 207 of the abutment portion 205 is flat. The lower end surface 207 can abut against a placing surface. As shown in FIG. 7 , the fixing member 202 is rotatable around the pivot support portion 204 between a position where the abutment portion 205 abuts against or is close to the backing member BE, and a position where the abutment portion 205 is separated from the backing member BE as shown in FIG. 8 . When the abutment portion 205 is in a position where it abuts against or is close to the backing member BE, the fastener 201 makes it easy to fasten the can badge 200 to clothing, a bag, etc. When the abutment portion 205 is located away from the back member BE, the peripheral edge portion SEa of the front member SE and the abutment portion 205 of the fixing member 202 abut against the placing surface, and the can badge 200 is placed in an upright position on the placing surface as shown in Figure 8.

[0034] [Medium PF] Medium PF is a transparent film of L size (89 mm x 127 mm). Medium PF may be a size other than L size, or may be translucent. Medium PF has an ink-receiving layer on one side. The ink-receiving layer absorbs ink. The surface of medium PF having the ink-receiving layer serves as the recording surface, on which a mirror image (reverse image) of a predetermined image is recorded. By facing the recording surface of medium PF to the front member SE and making the back side of the recording surface of medium PF the front side, a correct image of the predetermined image is displayed when viewed from the front side of the can badge 200.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6A, the medium PF has a remaining medium portion PFa, a connected medium portion PFb, a connecting medium portion PFc, and a linear weak portion PFd. The remaining medium portion PFa is a lug portion that the transport unit 3 uses to transport the medium PF from the recording unit 1 to the mold M1. The connected medium portion PFb is used as material for the can badge 200. The connected medium portion PFb is folded and connected to the back side of the front member SE, so it has a larger diameter than the front member SE. The connected medium portion PFb has a contour shape that corresponds to the shape of the front member SE, such as a circular shape when viewed from above. The edge portion PFe1 is one of the short sides of the rectangular medium PF. The connected medium portion PFb is biased toward the edge portion PFe1.

[0036] The connected portion PFb of the medium is surrounded by the remaining portion PFa of the medium. The connecting portion PFc of the medium is the boundary between the remaining portion PFa of the medium and the connected portion PFb of the medium. The linear weak portion PFd of the medium is a straight line portion that connects the edge portion PFe1 of the medium and the connecting portion PFc in the shortest distance. The medium PF is transported from the recording unit 1 onto the mold M1 with the edge portion PFe1 at its leading edge. The connecting portion PFc of the medium and the linear weak portion PFd of the medium are weaker than the remaining portion PFa of the medium and the connected portion PFb of the medium, and are more likely to break.

[0037] The medium connecting portion PFc and the medium linear weak portion PFd may be, for example, a recess that is thinner than the remaining medium portion PFa and the connected medium portion PFb. The thickness of the medium connecting portion PFc and the medium linear weak portion PFd may be the same as the thickness of the remaining medium portion PFa and the connected medium portion PFb, and the medium connecting portion PFc and the medium linear weak portion PFd may each have a partially cut perforation. When the peeling unit 4 (described later) presses and fixes the connected medium portion PFb, and the transport unit 3 attempts to transport the remaining medium portion PFa along the second transport direction Dc2 to the collection box 9 (described later), the medium connecting portion PFc and the medium linear weak portion PFd break, and the connected medium portion PFb is peeled off from the medium PF.

[0038] [Backing Sheet WF] The backing sheet WF is a white film. The backing sheet WF may be a color other than white, and may have an image recorded on it. The backing sheet WF may be the same size as the medium PF, or may be a different size. As shown in FIG. 6(B), the backing sheet WF has a backing sheet remaining portion WFa, a backing sheet connected portion WFb, a backing sheet connecting portion WFc, and a backing sheet linear weak portion WFd. The backing sheet remaining portion WFa is an edge portion used by the conveying unit 3 to convey the backing sheet WF. The backing sheet connected portion WFb constitutes the can badge 200. The backing sheet connected portion WFb has a contour shape corresponding to the shape of the front member SE. The backing sheet connected portion WFb is the same size as the medium connected portion PFb. The backing sheet edge portion WFe1 is one short side of the rectangular backing sheet WF. The mount connected portion WFb is located on the mount edge WFe1 side in the longitudinal direction and is surrounded by the mount remaining portion WFa.

[0039] The mount connecting portion WFc is the boundary portion between the mount remaining portion WFa and the mount connected portion WFb. The mount linear weak portion WFd is a straight line portion that connects the mount edge portion WFe1 and the mount connecting portion WFc in the shortest distance. The mount WF is transported from the recording unit 1 onto the mold M1 with the mount edge portion WFe1 as its leading edge. The mount connecting portion WFc and the mount linear weak portion WFd are weaker in strength than the mount remaining portion WFa and the mount connected portion WFb and are more likely to break.

[0040] The mount connecting portion WFc and the mount linear weak portion WFd may be, for example, depressions or the like that are thinner than the mount remaining portion WFa and the mount connected portion WFb. The mount connecting portion WFc and the mount linear weak portion WFd may have the same thickness as the mount remaining portion WFa and the mount connected portion WFb, and perforations that partially cut the mount connecting portion WFc and the mount linear weak portion WFd may be formed in each of them. When the peeling unit 4 presses and fixes the mount connected portion WFb and the transport unit 3 attempts to transport the mount remaining portion WFa to the collection box 9 along the second transport direction Dc2, the mount connecting portion WFc and the mount linear weak portion WFd are broken, and the mount connected portion WFb is peeled off from the mount WF.

[0041] [Recording Unit 1] The recording unit 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 supplies a backing sheet WF and a medium PF to the transport unit 3. In this embodiment, the recording unit 1 is an inkjet printer. The inkjet printer used as the recording unit 1 may have a serial head type or a line head type ejection head for ejecting ink. A printer driver installed in the external device 12 sends image data to the recording unit 1. The recording unit 1 may also read image data from a storage medium. The recording unit 1 records an image on the backing sheet WF and the medium PF using the acquired image data. In this embodiment, the recording unit 1 records an image in which all pixels are colorless on the backing sheet WF. Ink is an example of a recording material.

[0042] [Crimping Device 100] The crimping device 100 produces the can badges 200 using the backing paper WF and medium PF supplied by the recording unit 1. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the crimping device 100 includes a first loading unit 2, a conveying unit 3, a peeling unit 4, a rotating unit 5, a connecting unit 6, a second loading unit 7, a removal unit 8, a can badge container 10, and a control unit 11.

[0043] [First Loading Section 2] The first loading section 2 includes a stocker 2a, a slope 2b, a slider 2c, and a motor (not shown).

[0044] [Stocker 2a] The stocker 2a holds a plurality of surface members SE stacked together with the spacers SP facing downward. The stocker 2a is a cylindrical member that is long in the vertical direction. The inside of the horizontal cross section of the stocker 2a is shaped to fit the outer shape of the surface member SE. The stocker 2a may be replaced to match the outer shape of the surface member SE. The surface members SE are stacked up and down in the stocker 2a. Of the surface members SE in the stocker 2a, the lowest surface member SE is placed on the slope 2b.

[0045] [Slope 2b] Slope 2b guides the front member SE held in stocker 2a to mold M1. Slope 2b is located above mold M1. There is a gap between slope 2b and the bottom end of stocker 2a that allows just one front member SE to pass through.

[0046] [Slider 2c] The slider 2c comes into contact with the surface member SE on the slope 2b and moves toward the mold M1. The slider 2c is positioned above the mold M1. The driving force of a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the slider 2c, causing it to move back and forth on the slope 2b. The slider 2c comes into contact with the lowest surface member SE among the surface members SE in the stocker 2a and moves toward the mold M1. This causes the surface member SE to slide on the slope 2b and be transported toward the mold M1.

[0047] [Peeling Unit 4] The peeling unit 4 includes a peeling arm 4a and a peeling head 4b. The peeling arm 4a rotates around a rotation axis (not shown). The peeling head 4b is provided at the tip of the peeling arm 4a. As the peeling arm 4a rotates, the peeling head 4b moves back and forth between a standby position and a pressing and fixing position. At the pressing and fixing position, the peeling head 4b presses and fixes the liner WF and medium PF on the mold M1. When the conveying unit 3 conveys the liner remaining portion WFa toward the collection box 9 with the peeling head 4b pressing and fixing the liner connected portion WFb on the mold M1, the liner connected portion WFb is peeled off from the liner remaining portion WFa. Similarly, the medium connected portion PFb is peeled off from the medium remaining portion PFa.

[0048] [Rotating Unit 5 and Connecting Unit 6] The rotating unit 5 has a rotating support table 5a, a mold M1, and a lower mold M2. The lower mold M2 is a mold for crimping the backing member BE. The rotating support table 5a rotates around a rotation axis whose axial direction is the up-down direction. The mold M1 and the lower mold M2 are supported on the upper surface of the rotating support table 5a. As the rotating support table 5a rotates, the mold M1 and the lower mold M2 move between a loading position P1 for loading the material and a connecting position P2 for connecting the material of the can badge by crimping. The mold M1 and the lower mold M2 face each other across the rotation axis. When the mold M1 is located at the loading position P1, the lower mold M2 is located at the connecting position P2. When the mold M1 is located at the connecting position P2, the lower mold M2 is located at the loading position P1.

[0049] The connection unit 6 has a lifting device 6a, an upper mold M0, and a connection motor 6M. The lifting device 6a rotates the connection motor 6M to raise and lower the upper mold M0 at the connection position P2, and press the upper mold M0 against and separate it from the mold M1 and the lower mold M2. This performs the crimping process.

[0050] At the loading position P1, the mold M1 is loaded with the front member SE, backing sheet WF, and medium PF. At the connection position P2, the mold M1 lowers the upper mold M0, thereby crimping the front member SE, backing sheet WF, and medium PF together. The connected front member SE, backing sheet WF, and medium PF are held by the upper mold M0, and after crimping, the mold M1 rises. At the loading position P1, the lower mold M2 is loaded with the back member BE. At the connection position P2, the lower mold M2 lowers the upper mold M0 while holding the front member SE, backing sheet WF, and medium PF, thereby crimping the front member SE, backing sheet WF, medium PF, and backing member BE together. As a result, once the can badge 200 is produced, the rotary support table 5a rotates and moves the lower mold M2 on which the can badge 200 is placed to the loading position P1.

[0051] [Second Loading Section 7] The second loading section 7 includes a second loading stocker 7a, a second loading slope 7b, and a second loading slider 7c. The second loading stocker 7a is a vertically elongated cylindrical member that accommodates back members BE. The inside of the second loading stocker 7a in horizontal cross section is shaped to fit the outer shape of the back members BE. The second loading stocker 7a may be replaced to match the outer shape of the back members BE. The back members BE are stacked vertically in the second loading stocker 7a. The lowest back member BE in the second loading stocker 7a is placed on the second loading slope 7b.

[0052] The second loading slope 7b guides the back material BE and the second loading slider 7c toward the lower mold M2. A gap is provided between the second loading slope 7b and the lower end of the second loading stocker 7a so that only one back material BE can pass through. The second loading slider 7c is a flat member that moves back and forth on the second loading slope 7b by a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown). The second loading slider 7c slides the lowest back material BE in the second loading stocker 7a on the second loading slope 7b and transports it to the lower mold M2. This loads the back material BE into the lower mold M2.

[0053] [Removal unit 8] The removal unit 8 comprises a removal arm 8a, a removal head 8b, and a seat 8c. The removal arm 8a rotates around a rotation axis (not shown). The removal head 8b is a magnetic member. The removal head 8b is provided at the tip of the removal arm 8a. As the removal arm 8a rotates, the removal head 8b moves between a collection position and a removal position. The seat 8c is provided at the collection position. The upper surface of the seat 8c is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the badge holder 10. The seat 8c has a groove that can accommodate only the tip portion of the removal arm 8a, including the removal head 8b. The groove has a depth that prevents the removal head 8b accommodated in the groove from magnetically adsorbing the badge 200 on the seat 8c.

[0054] At the removal position, the removal head 8b approaches the lower mold M2 at the loading position P1 and magnetically attracts the badge 200 placed on the lower mold M2. The removal head 8b moves to the collection position as the removal arm 8a rotates while still holding the badge 200 magnetically. At the collection position, the tip of the removal arm 8a, including the removal head 8b, is housed in the groove of the seat 8c. The badge 200 abuts against the upper surface of the seat 8c and cannot enter the groove, so it detaches from the removal head 8b. Released from the magnetic attraction of the removal head 8b, the badge 200 slides down the upper surface of the seat 8c and falls into the badge container 10, where it is collected.

[0055] [Transport Unit 3] The transport unit 3 is disposed in front of the can badge production device 300, in a position covering from the front the paper discharge port through which the backing sheet WF and medium PF are discharged from the recording unit 1. The transport unit 3 transports the backing sheet WF and medium PF from the recording unit 1 to the mold M1. The backing sheet WF is transported in the first transport direction Dc1 with the backing sheet edge WFe1 at its leading edge. The medium PF is transported in the first transport direction Dc1 with the medium edge PFe1 at its leading edge. The transport unit 3 transports the backing sheet remaining portion WFa and the medium remaining portion PFa from the mold M1 to the collection box 9. The backing sheet WF is transported in the second transport direction Dc2 with the backing sheet edge WFe2 at its leading edge. The medium PF is transported in the second transport direction Dc2 with the medium edge PFe2 at its leading edge.

[0056] [Control Unit 11] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 11 includes a control device 110, a first drive circuit 114, a second drive circuit 115, a third drive circuit 116, a fourth drive circuit 117, a fifth drive circuit 118, a sixth drive circuit 119, and a seventh drive circuit 120. The first drive circuit 114 connects the first loading unit 2 to the control device 110. The second drive circuit 115 connects the transport unit 3 to the control device 110. The third drive circuit 116 connects the peeling unit 4 to the control device 110. The fourth drive circuit 117 connects the rotating unit 5 to the control device 110. The fifth drive circuit 118 connects the connecting unit 6 to the control device 110. The sixth drive circuit 119 connects the second loading unit 7 to the control device 110. The seventh drive circuit 120 connects the removal unit 8 to the control device 110.

[0057] The control device 110 includes a calculation unit 111, a memory unit 112, and an interface 113. The calculation unit 111 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The memory unit 112 is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash ROM, or a hard disk drive (HDD). The interface 113 may be a wired interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) or a wireless interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The memory unit 112 stores firmware and parameters. The parameters include output values ​​and drive amounts for operating the badge production device 300. The calculation unit 111 executes the firmware to control each component of the badge production device 300 in accordance with the parameters. The interface 113 connects the control unit 11 to an external device 12.

[0058] [External Device 12] The external device 12 includes a display 13, an input unit 14, and a controller 15. The external device 12 may be, for example, a personal computer or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. The input unit 14 is a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, or the like, and receives input from a user. The display 13 is controlled by the controller 15 to display a screen.

[0059] The controller 15 has a computing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a storage unit such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), flash ROM, or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The controller 15 is loaded with application programs for operating the badge production device 300 and for angle adjustment. By executing these application programs, the external device 12 receives user operations and inputs a signal instructing production of the badge 200 to the recording unit 1 and the control unit 11 of the crimping device 100, thereby producing the badge 200.

[0060] [Operation of the Can Badge Manufacturing Apparatus 300] When manufacturing the can badge 200, the external device 12 executes the following can badge manufacturing method. First, the first loading unit 2 loads the front member SE into the mold M1 located at the loading position P1.

[0061] The recording unit 1 supplies the backing sheet WF to the transport unit 3. The transport unit 3 transports the backing sheet WF supplied by the recording unit 1 to the mold M1. When the backing sheet WF is transported to the mold M1, the peeling unit 4 presses and fixes the backing sheet connected portion WFb. With the backing sheet connected portion WFb pressed and fixed, the transport unit 3 transports the backing sheet remaining portion WFa toward the collection box 9. This causes the backing sheet connected portion WFb to be peeled off. When the transport unit 3 ejects the backing sheet remaining portion WFa into the collection box 9, the peeling unit 4 releases the backing sheet connected portion WFb from being pressed and fixed.

[0062] Next, the recording unit 1 records an image on the medium PF and supplies it to the transport unit 3. The transport unit 3 transports the medium PF to the mold M1. After transporting the medium PF to the mold M1, the transport unit 3 cooperates with the peeling unit 4 to peel off the medium connected portion PFb in the same manner as when peeling off the backing sheet connected portion WFb, and discharges the remaining medium portion PFa into the collection box 9. In this way, the sheets, i.e., the backing sheet connected portion WFb and the medium connected portion PFb, are stacked on the surface member SE in the above-mentioned supported state.

[0063] Thereafter, the rotating unit 5 rotates the rotary support table 5a to move the mold M1 to the connecting position P2 and the lower mold M2 to the loading position P1. The connecting unit 6 lowers the upper mold M0 toward the mold M1 containing the front member SE, backing sheet connected portion WFb, and medium connected portion PFb in the supported state, and pressure from above crimps the front member SE, backing sheet connected portion WFb, and medium connected portion PFb together, integrating them. The crimped medium connected portion PFb, backing sheet connected portion WFb, and front member SE are held by the upper mold M0.

[0064] When the second loading unit 7 loads the backing member BE into the lower mold M2, the rotating unit 5 moves the lower mold M2 to the connecting position P2. The connecting unit 6 lowers the upper mold M0 toward the lower mold M2, and the crimped front member SE, front member SE, mount connected portion WFb, and medium connected portion PFb are crimped together with the backing member BE to produce the can badge 200. After crimping, the rotating unit 5 moves the lower mold M2 to the loading position P1, and the removing unit 8 removes the can badge 200 from the lower mold M2 and stores it in the can badge container 10.

[0065] 9 to 15, the processing executed by the external device 12 will be described. When the user executes an application program for operating the badge production apparatus 300 via the input unit 14, the external device 12 displays a preview screen 40 shown in Fig. 9 on the display 13. On the preview screen 40, the user operates the input unit 14 to specify a file in a folder, and the external device 12 displays an image included in the specified file as a preview image 44.

[0066] The user can increase or decrease the number of can badges 200 to be produced, which is indicated in the quantity specification box 46, by operating the input unit 14 and pressing the quantity increase / decrease button 47. Note that the user operating the input unit 14 to press a button on the screen means, for example, operating a mouse to position the cursor over a button and then clicking, or touching the area on the touch panel where a button is displayed with a finger or the like. The user operates the input unit 14 to press the production start button 48. This causes the external device 12 to send a command to produce the can badge 200 to the can badge production device 300.

[0067] The user can operate the input unit 14 to press the adjustment button 45 on the preview screen 40. When the adjustment button 45 is pressed, the external device 12 displays an adjustment screen 50 shown in FIG. 10 on the display 13 instead of the preview screen 40.

[0068] 10 includes an image display area 51, a zoom ratio specification box 53, a zoom button 54, four movement buttons 55, a movement amount specification box 56, a tilt specification box 57, a tilt increase / decrease button 58, and an OK button 64. In the image display area 51, the print image to be printed on the can badge 200 is displayed as an adjustment target image 52.

[0069] In the image display area 51, concentric small and large circles are displayed along with the image 52 to be adjusted. The small circles are displayed with dashed lines, and the large circles are displayed with dashed lines. The area inside the small circles indicates the area of ​​the non-medium-connected portion PFb of the can badge 200 that is stacked on the front member SE and visible from the front side of the can badge 200. The area outside the small circles and inside the large circle indicates the area of ​​the non-medium-connected portion PFb that extends beyond the front member SE and folds back to the back side of the front member SE.

[0070] The user operates the input unit 14 to specify the enlargement / reduction ratio of the image to be adjusted 52 in the enlargement / reduction ratio specification box 53. The user operates the input unit 14 to increase or decrease the enlargement / reduction ratio of the image to be adjusted 52 by pressing the enlargement / reduction button 54. The user operates the input unit 14 to move the image to be adjusted 52 up, down, left, or right by pressing the four movement buttons 55. The user operates the input unit 14 to specify the amount of movement of the image to be adjusted 52 when the movement button 55 is pressed once in the movement amount specification box 56. Even if the image to be adjusted 52 moves within the image display area 51, the dashed line indicating the small circle and the dashed-dotted line indicating the large circle displayed in the image display area 51 do not move. Therefore, moving the image to be adjusted 52 within the image display area 51 changes the print area set for the image to be adjusted 52.

[0071] The user operates the input unit 14 to specify the amount of tilt of the image to be adjusted 52 in the tilt specification box 57. The amount of tilt is the amount of rotation relative to the center of the circle shown as the front area. The user operates the input unit 14 to press the tilt increase / decrease button 58 to increase or decrease the amount of tilt of the image to be adjusted 52. The tilt specification box 57 is displayed in percentages, with 0% corresponding to 0 degrees and 100% corresponding to 360 degrees. The user operates the input unit 14 to press the OK button 64 to instruct completion of the adjustment.

[0072] [Angle Adjustment] A can badge production method for angle adjustment will be described below with reference to Figures 11 to 15. The external device 12 displays the first adjustment screen 70 shown in Figure 11 on the display 13. The "Angle Adjustment" is displayed in inverted on the first adjustment screen 70. The first adjustment screen 70 indicates that the image on the can badge and the inclination of the fastener 201 and fixing member 202 can be adjusted. When the user operates the input unit 14 and presses the test production button 71, the external device 12 outputs a test pattern to be recorded on the medium PF to the recording unit 1 and operates the can badge production apparatus 300.

[0073] 15 , the test pattern is recorded on the medium connection portion PFb. The test pattern is recorded in an area PFb1 that is the lower half of the circular medium connection portion PFb. The test pattern includes line segments extending from the edge of the medium connection portion PFb toward the center, scales 211 arranged at regular intervals in the radial direction along the edge of the medium connection portion PFb, and fan-shaped colored portions 212 extending from the edge of the medium connection portion PFb toward the center.

[0074] In the scale 211, long line segments and short line segments are positioned alternately in the radial direction. Of the long line segments, the long line segment 210 located at the bottom end of the medium connection portion PFb is an example of a reference line. The interval between the long line segments is, for example, 5 degrees, and the interval between the long line segments and the short line segments is, for example, 2.5 degrees. The long line segments are an example of first scales, and the short line segments are an example of second scales.

[0075] The colored portion 212 is an internal region of a boundary line extending from the two long line segments closest to the long line segment 210 toward the center. In other words, the colored portion 212 includes four scale marks on the edge of the medium-connected portion PFb. The colored portion 212 is colored a color other than white, which is the color of the backing paper WF. The color of the colored portion 212 is preferably a color other than white, but preferably has a high contrast with white and is a color different from the scale 211. For example, if the scale 211 is black, the colored portion 212 may be red. In this case, red is an example of the first color, and colorless is an example of the second color. Note that the boundary line of the colored portion 212 is not limited to four scale marks.

[0076] In the recording unit 1, the can badge 200 is produced in the same manner as the operation of the can badge producing device 300 described above, except that a test pattern is printed on the medium connection portion PFb.

[0077] When the user completes the production of the can badge 200 with the test pattern printed on it, the user operates the input unit 14 to press the "Next" button 72 on the first adjustment screen 70 shown in FIG. 11 . As a result, the external device 12 transitions from the first adjustment screen 70 to a second adjustment screen 73 on the display 13, as shown in FIG. 12 . The second adjustment screen 73 includes instructions and an illustration of how to stand the produced can badge 200 on a horizontal surface. Based on the instructions and illustration on the second adjustment screen 73, the user positions the abutment portion 205 of the fixing member 202 away from the backing member BE to bring the can badge 200 into an upright position. The second adjustment screen 73 is an example of an instruction screen.

[0078] Thereafter, the user operates the input unit 14 to press the "Next" button 74 on the second adjustment screen 73 shown in Fig. 12. As a result, the external device 12 transitions from the second adjustment screen 73 to a third adjustment screen 75 on the display 13, as shown in Fig. 13. On the third adjustment screen 75, the user can input the number of long or short line segments located at the bottom of the scale 211 on the upright can badge 200, in other words, the long or short line segment perpendicular to the placement surface, that are separated from the reference line 210.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 13 , the third adjustment screen 75 displays a display area 76 displaying the number of lines, and a "+" button 77 and a "-" button 78 for increasing or decreasing the number displayed in the display area 76. The display area 76 displays "0" by default. The user visually checks the number of lines that the long or short line segment located at the bottom of the upright can badge 200 is separated from the long line segment 210, and operates the input unit 14 to press the "+" button 77 or the "-" button 78 so that this number is displayed in the display area 76. If the user visually checks that the long or short line segment located at the bottom of the upright can badge 200 is separated from the long line segment 210 by four lines to the left, the user operates the input unit 14 to press the "-" button four times, causing the external device 12 to display "-4" in the display area 76 of the third adjustment screen 75. The colored portion 212 indicates the tolerance range, and when the distance is within the range of the colored portion 212, i.e., when the distance is two lines away from the long line segment 210 to either the left or right, the user determines that the distance is within the tolerance range. The number of lines input in the display area 76 is an example of the amount of deviation. The third adjustment screen 75 is an example of an input screen.

[0080] The user then operates the input unit 14 to press the "Confirm" button 79 on the third adjustment screen 75 shown in FIG. 13 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 14 , the external device 12 transitions from the third adjustment screen 75 to a fourth adjustment screen 80 on the display 13. The fourth adjustment screen 80 displays a message indicating that the user can confirm whether the tilt of the test pattern for the number of lines input on the third adjustment screen 75 has been corrected. When the user operates the input unit 14 to press the test production button 81, the external device 12 outputs a corrected test pattern to be recorded on the medium PF to the recording unit 1 and operates the can badge production device 300. The corrected test pattern is the test pattern recorded on the medium connection portion PFb, rotated around the medium connection portion PFb. For example, since it is input that the long or short line segment located at the bottom end of the upright can badge 200 is four lines to the left of the long line segment 210, the corrected test pattern is the test pattern rotated 10 degrees clockwise. The user can close the fourth adjustment screen 80 by operating the input unit 14 and pressing the "OK" button 82 on the fourth adjustment screen 80.

[0081] When the angle adjustment described above is performed, the external device 12 changes the default setting of the tilt specification box 57 on the adjustment screen 50 shown in FIG. 10 from "0" to a value corresponding to the angle adjustment. For example, if the angle adjustment results in a clockwise rotation of 10 degrees, the tilt amount (percentage) corresponding to the clockwise rotation of 10 degrees is calculated, and the calculated value is set as the default value of the tilt specification box 57. After such angle adjustment is performed, in the subsequent processing performed by the external device 12, the external device 12 displays the preview image 44 shown in FIG. 9 rotated 10 degrees clockwise. Furthermore, in the can badge production device 300, the image recorded on the medium PF by the recording unit 1 is rotated 10 degrees clockwise.

[0082] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the can badge manufacturing method for angle adjustment of this embodiment, the circumferential positional misalignment between the medium connection portion PFb and the backing member BE can be determined by visually checking the test pattern scale 211 when the can badge 200 is in an upright position held upright by the fixing member 202.

[0083] Furthermore, since the test pattern has the colored portion 212, the user can easily determine whether or not misalignment is acceptable.

[0084] Furthermore, since the test pattern is recorded in area PFb1, which is the lower half of the medium connection portion PFb, the ink required to record the test pattern can be reduced by not recording scale marks in an unnecessary range for determining positional misalignment.

[0085] In addition, the external device 12 displays the second adjustment screen 73 on the display 13, so that the user can understand that the positional misalignment can be determined by visually checking the test pattern with the can badge in an upright position held upright by the fixing member 202.

[0086] [Modification] In the embodiment described above, the test pattern has the scale 211. However, instead of the scale 211, the test pattern may have only the long line segment 210. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16 , a can badge 200 on which a test pattern is recorded is fitted into a judgment jig 220. The jig 220 has a recess 221 capable of accommodating the can badge 200. Although not shown in the figure, a groove capable of fitting with the fastener 201 and the fixing member 202 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 221. A scale 223 is marked on the surface of the jig 220 around the recess 221. The scale 223 has a reference line 224. The reference line 224 coincides with the long line segment 210 when there is no circumferential misalignment between the medium-connected portion PFb and the backing member BE in the can badge 200. The user checks the number of scale marks 211 by which the long line segment 210 of the can badge 200 fitted into the jig 220 is misaligned from the reference line 224. In this modified example, as in the previously described embodiment, the long line segment 210 is misaligned by four scale marks to the left from the reference line 224. This allows the user to determine the circumferential positional misalignment between the medium connection portion PFb and the backing member BE.

[0087] The colored portion 212 of the test pattern may also be omitted. In this case, for example, the user may allow misalignment within the range of short line segments adjacent to the long line segment 210 without adjusting the angle, and may adjust the angle without allowing misalignment up to the long line segment closest to the long line segment 210. Instead of the colored portion 212, the color of the multiple short and long line segments within the range including the long line segment 210 on the scale 211 may be different from the color of the other short and long line segments, thereby enabling the user to check the range of allowable misalignment. Instead of changing the color, the thickness or length of the short and long line segments may also be changed.

[0088] The fixing member 202 may be omitted from the can badge 200. In this case, the fastener 201 may be raised relative to the backing member BE to bring the can badge into an upright state, or the jig 220 described above may be used.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the can badge manufacturing apparatus 300 and the external device 12 are connected, and the external device 12 is equipped with an application program, but instead, the application program may be equipped in the control unit 11 of the can badge manufacturing apparatus 300.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the outer shapes of the front member SE and the non-medium connection portion PFb are circular, but the front member SE and the non-medium connection portion PFb may be shapes other than circular. Therefore, for example, the front member SE and the non-medium connection portion PFb may be elliptical, polygonal, star-shaped, heart-shaped, or the like. In this case, the long line segment 210, which is the reference line, may extend from the edge of the non-medium connection portion PFb toward the geometric center.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the recording unit 1 is an inkjet printer, but the recording unit 1 may be a printer using a printing method other than the inkjet method. Furthermore, a medium PF on which an image has been recorded in advance may be used. When a medium PF on which an image has been recorded in advance is used, the recording unit 1 may or may not add an additional image. Furthermore, the recording unit 1 may record an image on a mount WF instead of the medium PF, or may record an image on both the medium PF and the mount WF.

[0092] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Recording unit 12 External device 13 Display 14 Input unit 15 Controller 100 Crimping device (crimping mechanism) 200 Can badge (can member) 210 Long line segment (reference line) 211 Scale SE Front member PFb Medium connected portion (sheet) PFb1 Area BE Back member

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a can member, comprising: recording a test pattern on a sheet to be integrated with a front member, the test pattern including reference lines extending from the edge of the sheet toward the center; laminating the sheet on which the test pattern has been recorded onto the front member to integrate the sheet and the front member; and connecting the integrated sheet and front member to a back member having a fixing member to form a can member.

2. A method for manufacturing a can member according to claim 1, wherein said test pattern includes said reference line and a scale aligned along the edge of said sheet integrated with said front member.

3. The method for manufacturing a can member according to claim 2, wherein the test pattern is recorded on the sheet with a portion of the scale including the reference line in a first color and the other portion in a second color different from the first color.

4. A method for manufacturing a can member according to claim 2, wherein the scale includes a first scale including the reference line and a second scale.

5. A method for manufacturing can members according to claim 2, wherein the fixing member fixes the can member in an upright position on a mounting surface, and the scale is recorded on the sheet as the test pattern in an area that becomes the lower half of the sheet when fixed by the fixing member.

6. A can member manufacturing system comprising: a recording unit that records an image on a sheet; a crimping mechanism that connects a front member on which the sheet is laminated and a back member having a fixing member; a display; an input unit; and a controller, wherein the controller: uses the recording unit to record a test pattern including a reference line extending from an edge toward a center on the sheet to be laminated on the front member; uses the crimping mechanism to laminate the sheet on which the test pattern has been recorded on the front member and connect it to the back member to manufacture a can member; displays on the display an input screen for inputting an amount of deviation based on the reference line; based on the amount of deviation input on the input screen by the input unit, determines an amount of rotation of the image to be recorded on the sheet by the recording unit; and records the image rotated based on the amount of rotation on the sheet by the recording unit.

7. A can member manufacturing system as described in claim 6, wherein the controller displays an instruction screen on the display indicating that the can member is to be fixed by the fixing member, and after displaying the instruction screen, displays the input screen on the display.

Images