JP4797792B2 - Image recording body manufacturing apparatus and image recording body manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing an image recording body such as a plastic sheet imaged by an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method for producing an image recording body. Certificate, personal membership card, residence card, various driving licenses, non-contact or contact-type personal information image information-containing information media such as certifications, personal verification image sheets and image display boards used in medical settings, etc. The present invention relates to an image recording body manufacturing apparatus and an image recording body manufacturing method used for display labels and the like.

  In recent years, along with the development of image forming technology, means for forming images of the same quality in large quantities and at low cost by various printing methods such as intaglio printing, relief printing, planographic printing, gravure printing, and screen printing are known. Yes. Such a printing method is used for surface printing of an information medium that can store predetermined information such as an IC card, a magnetic card, an optical card, or a combination of these, and can communicate with an external device in contact or non-contact. Are often used.

  However, for example, the screen printing requires a large number of printing plates corresponding to the number of images to be printed, and in the case of color printing, printing plates corresponding to the number of colors are further required. Therefore, these printing methods are unsuitable for individually responding to individual identification information (face photo, name, address, date of birth, various licenses, etc.).

  The most mainstream image forming means for the above problems is an image forming method using a printer or the like employing a sublimation type or melting type thermal transfer system using an ink ribbon or the like. However, these can easily print personal identification information, but still have the problem that the resolution decreases when the printing speed is increased and the printing speed decreases when the resolution is increased.

  In contrast, in electrophotographic image formation (printing), the surface of the image carrier is uniformly charged, exposed in accordance with an image signal, and an electrostatic latent image due to a potential difference between an exposed portion and a non-exposed portion is generated. Then, a color powder (image forming material) called toner having a polarity opposite to (or the same as) the charge is electrostatically developed to form a visible image (toner image) on the surface of the image carrier. Done in the way. In the case of a color image, this process is repeated a plurality of times, or a plurality of image forming devices are arranged in parallel to form a visible color image, and these are transferred and fixed (fixed: mainly by heat) to the image recording medium. This is performed by a method of obtaining a color image by melting and solidifying the color powder by cooling.

  As described above, in the electrophotographic method, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier is electrically formed by the image signal, so that not only the same image can be formed many times, but also different images can be easily handled. Image formation is possible. Further, the toner image on the surface of the image carrier can be transferred almost completely to the surface of the image recording body, and the toner image slightly remaining on the surface of the image carrier can be easily removed with a resin blade or a brush. Therefore, it is possible to easily produce printed materials for multi-product small-volume production.

  The toner is usually formed by melt-mixing a heat-meltable resin, a pigment, and optionally an additive such as a charge control agent, and pulverizing and finely pulverizing the kneaded product. Further, the electrostatic latent image in the electrophotographic method has a considerably higher resolution than the finely divided toner, and a sufficient resolution is expected even when compared with the resolution of the screen printing or thermal transfer method of the ink ribbon. it can.

  For color images, the four primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are used as color toners, and these can be mixed to theoretically reproduce the same color as in printing. In the above color toner, since the toner resin and the pigment can be blended relatively freely, it is easy to increase the image concealment by the toner.

Several proposals have already been made for producing various cards using the above-described electrophotographic apparatus (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2005-028865 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-195973

  In the apparatuses disclosed therein, an image recording body such as a high-resolution plastic sheet can be produced with high productivity, but there are problems described below.

  That is, in the process of producing the image recording body (plastic sheet) with the image recording body producing apparatus, the image recording body (plastic sheet) is conveyed to the positioning process (lamination process) and the thermocompression bonding process (laminating process). The light transmissive film is deformed by heating in the process, and due to this deformation, the manufactured image recording body (plastic sheet) cannot be sufficiently deaerated, and as a result, residual air is recognized as a defect, There is a problem that the quality of the manufactured image recording body (plastic sheet) is deteriorated.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
That is, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an image recording body using an electrophotographic apparatus as an image forming means on a film and an apparatus for manufacturing the same, and an image recording body free from residual air can be manufactured with high productivity. It is an object to provide a method for manufacturing an image recording body and a manufacturing apparatus therefor.

The above-mentioned subject is achieved by the following present invention.
That is, the image recording material producing apparatus of the present invention is:
Image forming means for forming an image on the surface of the sheet-like film by an electrophotographic method;
Laminating means for forming the sheet-like film and the support made of a plastic sheet as a laminate obtained by laminating at least an image forming surface of the sheet-like film on which the image is formed and a plate surface of the support. When,
Transport that transports the laminate to the laminating means by degassing the air between the sheet-like film and the support while generating tension in the direction of both ends of the laminate perpendicular to the transport direction. Means,
Laminating means for laminating the support with the sheet-like film by heating and pressurizing the laminate,
It is characterized by having.

  In the apparatus for producing an image recording body of the present invention, after laminating a sheet-like film image-formed by an electrophotographic method with a support, the laminate is laminated to obtain an image recording body. Immediately before making this laminate, the laminate is transported to the laminating means while generating tension at least in the direction of both ends of the laminate perpendicular to the transport direction. The wrinkles can be removed, and air mixing during lamination can be reduced. Therefore, the air of the laminated body after lamination can be almost completely deaerated, and a high-quality image recording body without defects can be obtained.

  In the apparatus for producing an image recording body of the present invention, it is preferable that the image recording body is arranged on the same plane as the entrance of the laminating means and at a predetermined interval. With this configuration, the laminate surface before lamination and the laminate surface at the time of lamination are substantially the same surface, so that the laminate can be prevented from being deformed when transported to the laminate section, and air mixing during lamination can be reduced. . Therefore, the air of the laminated body after lamination can be almost completely deaerated, and a high-quality image recording body without defects can be obtained.

On the other hand, the production method of the image recording material of the present invention is:
An image forming step of forming an image by electrophotography on the surface of the sheet-like film;
Lamination process which makes the support body which consists of the said sheet-like film and a plastic sheet the laminated body which laminated | stacked so that the image formation surface in which the said image of the said sheet-like film was formed, and the board surface of the said support body may oppose. When,
Transport that transports the laminate to the laminating step by degassing the air between the sheet-like film and the support while generating tension in both ends of the laminate perpendicular to the transport direction. Process,
A laminating step of laminating the support with the sheet film by heating and pressurizing the laminate,
It is characterized by having.

  In the method for producing an image recording body of the present invention, as described in the apparatus for producing an image recording body of the present invention, the air of the laminated body after lamination can be almost completely degassed, and the image quality without defects is high. An image recording body can be obtained.

  The present invention relates to a method for producing an image recording body using an electrophotographic apparatus as an image forming means on a film and an apparatus for producing the same, and an image recording body free from residual air can be produced with high productivity. An image recording body manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus thereof can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)

  First, an example of an image recording body manufactured by the image recording body manufacturing apparatus and the image recording body manufacturing method of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording body 30 of the present invention has a light-transmitting laminated film for electrophotography (hereinafter referred to as “hereinafter,“ a toner image is formed on at least one surface of a core sheet 38 as a support). (Referred to as “light-transmitting film”).

  The image recording body 30 includes a light transmissive film (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a front film) 22a on which an image 21 is formed, and a light transmissive film (hereinafter referred to as a back film) on which an image 23 is formed. ) 22b is laminated via a core sheet 38 so that the surfaces on which the image 21 and the image 23 are formed are opposed to each other, and the core sheet 38 is a light transmissive film 22a and a light transmissive film 22b. It is laminated by.

  Note that the configuration of the image recording body 30 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2, and for example, either the front film 22 a or the back film 22 b may be a non-light-transmitting film, The formation of either one of the image 21 and the image 23 may be omitted. Moreover, the form which forms an image in the single side | surface of any one or both of the surface film 22a and the back surface film 22b, and laminates it facing the non-image surface may be sufficient. In this case, the image forming surface of the film may be further laminated with a protective film. Therefore, the image formed on the light transmissive film surface may be a normal image or a mirror image.

  Next, the support and the light transmissive film used in the present invention will be described. In the present invention, as described above, when the image recording body 30 shown in FIG. 2 is manufactured, the support is the core sheet 38, and the light transmissive film is the light transmissive film 22a and the light transmissive film 22b. .

-Core sheet-
The core sheet used in the present invention is preferably opaque so that an image formed on a light-transmitting film when it is a plastic sheet (image recording body) can be easily seen, and is more preferably colored in white. .

  As the material of the core sheet, plastic is used. Specifically, there are acetate film, cellulose triacetate film, nylon film, polyester film, polycarbonate film, polystyrene film, polyphenylene sulfide film, polypropylene film, polyimide film, vinyl chloride and the like, among which polyester film and vinyl chloride are preferable. Used.

  The core sheet is colored by adding pigments or dyes thereto. In addition, the core sheet may be in the form of a film or plate, or may have a shape having a thickness that is not flexible or has a strength necessary for the core sheet. .

  As the core sheet used in the present invention, a film made of a plastic having a thickness of 50 to 5000 μm is preferably used, and a PET film having a thickness of 100 to 1000 μm is more preferably used.

-Light transmissive film-
The light transmissive film in the present invention needs to have light transmissive properties, and a substrate usable for the light transmissive film needs to have transparency. Here, the term “transparency” means, for example, the property of transmitting a certain amount of light in the visible light region. In the present invention, at least the formed image passes through the substrate from the surface opposite to the surface on which the image is formed. It should just be transparent so that it can be visually observed.

As the substrate, a plastic film that can be used as a material for the core sheet can be used.
Among the above-mentioned various plastic films, polyester films, particularly PETG, those obtained by mixing polycarbonate with the PET, alloyed PET, non-biaxially stretched PET, amorphous polyester called A-PET, etc. Can be used more preferably.

The Vicat softening temperature of the substrate is preferably in the range of 70 to 130 ° C, more preferably in the range of 80 to 120 ° C.
If the Vicat softening temperature is less than 70 ° C., the light-transmitting film may not be sufficiently adhered and adhered to the core sheet (core) in the thermocompression bonding step. If the Vicat softening temperature exceeds 130 ° C., the image (image forming material) or the coating layer described later is too soft even if the above-mentioned adhesion / adhesion is sufficient, and a defect (image flow) occurs in the image. May end up.

  The Vicat softening temperature is measured from a method for evaluating the softening temperature of a thermoplastic resin, and the measurement method is a method for testing the heat resistance of a molded plastic material. Are defined in JIS K7206, ASTM D1525, and ISO306.

On the other hand, the surface resistivity of at least one surface of the substrate is preferably in the range of 1 × 10 ⁸ to 1 × 10 ¹³ Ω, and more preferably in the range of 1 × 10 ⁹ to 1 × 10 ¹¹ Ω.
If the surface resistivity is less than 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω, the resistance value of the image recording body becomes too low particularly at high temperature and high humidity, and for example, the transfer toner from the transfer member may be disturbed. When the value exceeds 1 × 10 ¹³ Ω, the resistance value of the light-transmitting film used as an image recording body becomes too high, for example, the toner from the transfer member cannot be transferred to the film surface, and image defects due to transfer defects occur. There is a case.

The surface resistivity can be measured in accordance with JIS K6911 using a circular electrode (for example, “HR probe” of Hiresta IP manufactured by Mitsubishi Oil Chemical Co., Ltd.) in an environment of 23 ° C. and 55% RH. it can.
In addition, in the electrophotographic laminate film, when only one surface has a surface resistivity in the above range, it is preferable that the surface is a surface on which an image is formed.

In controlling the surface resistivity of at least one surface of the substrate to a range of 1 × 10 ⁸ to 1 × 10 ¹³ Ω, a surfactant, a polymer conductive agent, conductive fine particles, etc. are directly used during the production of a film as a substrate. It can be adjusted by adding it to the resin, coating a surfactant on the surface of the film, depositing a metal thin film, or adding an appropriate amount of a surfactant to the adhesive.

  The thickness of the substrate is preferably in the range of 50 to 500 μm, more preferably in the range of 75 to 150 μm. If the thickness is less than 50 μm, a conveyance failure may occur, and if it exceeds 300 μm, image deterioration may occur due to transfer failure.

In the electrophotographic laminate film of the present invention, an image receiving layer is preferably formed on one side of the substrate, and a functional control means may be provided on the surface opposite to the surface on which the image receiving layer is formed. preferable.
The functionality control means preferably has at least one function selected from functions to control glossiness, light resistance, antibacterial properties, flame retardancy, mold release properties, and chargeability, Specifically, gloss, light resistance, antibacterial properties, flame retardancy, releasability, conductivity, and more preferably moisture resistance, heat resistance, water repellency, abrasion resistance and scratch resistance to the surface of the substrate. It is provided to add and / or improve various functions such as. Thereby, the electrophotographic laminate film having the functional control means can be resistant to various use conditions.

  Next, an image recording body manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment capable of obtaining the image recording body will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an image recording body manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. This image recording body manufacturing apparatus 10 is for manufacturing the image recording body 30 shown in FIG. 2, and uses light transmitting films as the light transmitting film 22a and the light transmitting film 22b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording body manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 12, a collating apparatus 14, a conveying apparatus 15, and a laminating apparatus 16.

  The image forming apparatus 12 includes a light transmissive film stacker 18 for storing the light transmissive film 22, an image forming unit 20 for forming an image on the light transmissive film 22, and an image from the light transmissive film stacker 18. A conveyance path 24 that conveys the light transmissive film 22 to the forming unit 20, and a conveyance path 26 that conveys the light transmissive film 22 formed by the image forming unit 20 from the image forming unit 20 to the discharge port 28. It is configured to include.

  The light transmissive film stacker 18 is provided with a light transmissive film 22 and a pick-up roll and a paper feed roll 25 as provided in a normal paper feeding device. 25 and the like rotate to convey the light transmissive film 22 to the image forming unit 20.

  Although not shown, the image forming unit 20 electrostatically develops a latent image carrier that forms an electrostatic latent image, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image carrier using a developer containing at least toner. A developer that forms a toner image corresponding to the latent image, a transfer device that transfers the developed toner image to the light transmissive film 22, and heating and / or pressurizing the toner image transferred to the light transmissive film 22. The toner image is composed of a known electrophotographic apparatus including a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the light transmissive film 22.

  The conveyance path 24 and the conveyance path 26 are composed of a plurality of roller pairs including a driving roller pair and guides (not shown). Further, the conveyance direction of the light transmissive film 22 is reversed by 180 ° in the conveyance path 26. A reversing path 26a is provided.

  A cam 32 for changing the guide direction of the light transmissive film 22 is provided in the vicinity of the branch between the conveyance path 26 and the reverse path 26a. By reciprocating the light transmissive film 22 in the reverse path 26a and returning it to the transport path 26 again, the transport direction of the light transmissive film 22 is reversed by 180 °, and the front and back of the light transmissive film 22 are reversed. Be transported.

  The collating device 14 includes a core sheet stacker 34 that stores the core sheet 38, a collating tray 36 (corresponding to a stacking unit and a positioning unit), and a conveyance path 40 that supplies the core sheet 38 from the core sheet stacker 34 to the collating tray 36. The conveyance path 42 supplies the light transmissive film 22 discharged from the discharge port 28 of the image forming apparatus 12 to the collating tray 36.

  The core sheet 38 discharge portion of the conveyance path 40 that supplies the core sheet 38 to the collating tray 36 and the discharge portion of the light transmissive film 22 of the conveyance path 42 that supplies the light transmissive film 22 to the collation tray 36 are high. It is provided in parallel in the vertical direction.

  The conveyance path 40 and the conveyance path 42 may have a configuration in which a smooth plate-shaped member and a conveyance roll for conveying the light transmissive film 22 on the surface of the plate-shaped member are provided, and rotate. You may be comprised with the belt-shaped conveyance body. Then, the transporting roll is performed at a timing when the light transmissive film 22 is discharged from the image forming apparatus 12 to the collating tray 36 via the conveying path 42 of the collating apparatus 14 or when the core sheet 38 is discharged to the collating tray 36. Then, the belt rotates to convey the light transmissive film 22 or the core sheet 38 to the collating tray 36.

  The core sheet stacker 34 contains a core sheet 38 and is provided with a pick-up roll and a paper feed roll as provided in a normal paper feeder, and the collating tray 36 is an outlet of the core sheet stacker 34. The sheet feeding roll or the like rotates at a timing immediately after moving to the position, and conveys the core sheet 38 to the collating tray 36.

  For example, a part of the end portion of the collating tray 36 is provided so that the core sheet 38 and the light transmissive film 22 are supplied to the collating tray 36 from the conveyance path 40 discharge portion and the conveyance path 42 discharge portion, respectively. The belt is connected to a belt outer wall (not shown) that is stretched vertically (in the vertical direction in FIG. 1), and is configured to move up and down as the belt rotates. Not only such lifting means, but also known lifting means such as a motor drive system can be applied. Further, the collating tray 36 is provided with a positioning portion 36 a as a positioning means for aligning the ends of the core sheet 38 and the light transmissive film 22 that are discharged so as to be stacked on the collating tray 36. By providing the positioning portion 36a at the end of the collating tray 36 that is inclined in a predetermined direction, the core sheet 38 discharged on the collating tray 36 and the end of the collating tray 36 are aligned. It is configured.

  Further, the collating tray 36 has a temporary fixing device 44 for temporarily fixing the laminated body 39 discharged so that the two light transmissive films 22 are laminated on the collating tray 36 via the core sheet 38. Is provided. The temporary fixing device 44 is composed of a pair of protruding pieces made of metal so as to be heated by a heater or the like, for example, and by sandwiching the vicinity of the end of the stacked body 39 by the pair of heated protruding pieces. Then, the vicinity of the end portion of the laminate 39 is thermally welded and temporarily fixed. The laminated body 39 temporarily fixed is conveyed to the laminating apparatus 16 in the next process.

  When the temporary fixing device 44 is provided on the conveyance path of the laminated body 39 from the collating tray 36 to the laminating device 16, the temporary fixing device 44 is used only when the laminated body 39 is temporarily fixed. It is necessary to take the structure which can be evacuated from the said conveyance path at the time of being arrange | positioned at the edge part of this, and other than that.

  The conveying device 15 conveys the temporarily fixed laminated body 39 to the laminating device 16 in the next process. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, two pairs of rolls 45 (from the roll 45A and the roll 45A ′). A roll pair composed of a roll pair, a roll 45B and a roll 45B ′: for example, a metal roll pair and a rubber roll pair).

  In the two pairs of rolls 45, the roll axis is inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the laminate 39, and the roll axes of the rolls 45A and 45B and the rolls 45A ′ and 45B ′ are extended from each other. Are arranged so as to intersect on the downstream side in the transport direction. That is, the two pairs of rolls 45 are arranged so that one end of the shaft facing each other is positioned downstream in the transport direction and the other end of the shaft is positioned upstream in the transport direction (in other words, one end of the shaft facing each other) Are positioned in the shape of a letter C so as to be positioned upstream of the other end of the shaft in the conveying direction).

  Here, when the laminated body 39 enters the nip portion of the laminating apparatus 16, for example, in the case of the laminated body 39 having a thickness of about 0.8 mm like a card, as shown in FIG. Is pressed against the belts 46A and 46B. When the laminated body 39 is inserted into the nip portions of the heat and pressure rolls 54A and 54B in such a state, even when the laminated body 39 has no gap as shown in FIG. On the rear side of the body, the light transmissive films 22a and 22b in the outermost layer of the laminate 39 are stretched due to thermal expansion. However, as shown in FIG. 5B, since both ends are restricted at the nip portion as shown in FIG. 5B, as a result, the light transmissive films 22a and 22b become wrinkled as shown in FIG. 6B. This wrinkle means that the laminated body 39 is conveyed to the nip portion while air is entrained, and becomes a factor that residual air intervenes in an image recording body such as a plastic sheet. These residual air is visually observed as a defect.

  Therefore, by arranging the two pairs of rolls 45 as described above, the laminate 39 is tensioned in the direction of both ends of the laminate 39 perpendicular to the conveyance direction at the entrance immediately before the conveyance to the laminator 16. Can be conveyed to the laminating apparatus 16 while generating. That is, the pair of rolls 45 can transport the laminate 39 to the laminating apparatus 16 while removing the wrinkles of the light transmissive films 22a and 22b.

  The two pairs of rolls 45 are arranged on the same plane as the entrance of the laminating apparatus 16 and with a predetermined interval. The same plane as the entrance of the laminating device 16 means that the nip portion of the roll pair 45 (contact portion between the rolls) and the nip portion of the laminating device 16 (contact portion between the belts) are located on the same plane. Show. The predetermined gap indicates the shortest distance between the two pairs of rolls 45 and the nip portion of the laminating apparatus 16 and is set to, for example, 30 mm to 210 mm.

  Here, the laminated body 39 may be conveyed to the laminating apparatus in a state where the laminated body is largely curved by its own weight. At this time, the amount of air entrained increases particularly in the front portion of the laminate, and a rather large air pool rather than residual air occurs.

  Therefore, by arranging two sets of roll pairs 45 on the same plane as the entrance of the laminating apparatus 16 and having a predetermined gap as described above, the surface of the laminate 39 before laminating, The surface of the laminated body 39 is substantially the same surface, and deformation of the laminated body is prevented during conveyance to the laminating apparatus 16.

  Thus, the two pairs of rolls 45 prevent the laminated body from being bent, so that the amount of air entrained can be reduced. As a result, image recording such as a high-quality plastic sheet without residual air can be achieved. You can get a body.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the laminating apparatus 16 can employ a belt nip system including a pair of belts 46A and 46B. A heating and pressing roll 54A and a heating and pressing roll 54B are provided on the inner peripheral surface side of each belt 46A and belt 46B. A discharge tray 56 is provided at the discharge portion of the belt 46A and the belt 46B.

  The pressure bonding method in the laminating apparatus 16 is not particularly limited, and any of various conventionally known laminating techniques and laminating apparatuses can be suitably employed. For example, by using the usual laminating technique and laminating apparatus, or laminating apparatus, or hot pressing technique, and hot pressing apparatus in which the laminated body is inserted into a nip portion by a hot roll pair or the like so as to be melted and thermally fused to some extent. Can be crimped.

  The laminating apparatus 16 has a configuration in which the image recording body 30 can be easily manufactured on-line by adopting a belt nip method including a belt 46A and a belt 46B. The belt 46A is constructed such that the belt 46A is not distorted by the tension spring 60A while being stretched by the tension roll 50A and the inlet roll 48A. Similarly, the belt 46B is configured such that the belt 46B is not distorted by the tension spring 60B while being stretched by the tension roll 50B and the inlet roll 48B.

  Inside the belt 46A, a heating and pressing roll 54A and a cooling roll 58A are provided between the tension roll 50A and the inlet roll 48A. Further, inside the belt 46B, a heating and pressing roll 54B and a cooling roll 58B are provided between the tension roll 50B and the inlet roll 48B.

  The tension roll 50A and the tension roll 50B, the inlet roll 48A and the inlet roll 48B, the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B, and the cooling roll 58A and the cooling roll 58B are mutually connected via a belt 46A and a belt 46B, respectively. It is provided so as to face each other. Further, the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B, and the cooling roll 58A and the cooling roll 58B are disposed so as to be in pressure contact with each other via the belt 46A and the belt 46B.

  Note that the tension roll 50A, the tension roll 50B, the inlet roll 48A, and the inlet roll 48B are not nipped, and are installed such that a gap is provided between the pair of belts 46. Thereby, even if the belt 46 meanders by continuous operation, the belt 46 can be returned to a predetermined position while being operated.

  As the material of the belt 46A and the belt 46B to be used, it is desirable to use a metal material having a small amount of thermal deformation. However, a plastic material or a material having a small thermal deformation by prescription such as mixing glass may be used. Further, in order to return the belt 46A and the belt 46B to a predetermined position when meandering, the inlet roll 48A and the inlet roll 48B, the tension roll 50A and the tension roll 50B have a low friction coefficient of 0.3 or less. It is desirable to use a material (either metal or plastic).

  Although not shown in the drawings as a method of returning to a predetermined position when the belt 46A and the belt 46B meander, a stopper may be installed so that the belt 46A and the belt 46B do not deviate from the predetermined position, or the left and right are installed. The meandering of the belt 46A and the belt 46B may be prevented by controlling the spring force of the tension spring 60A and the tension spring 60B.

  As a pressure bonding method in the laminating apparatus 16, the laminate 39 is heated and pressurized by being sandwiched and conveyed by the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B via the belt 46A and the belt 46B. Through this process, the laminate 39 is heat-sealed. Here, since the tension roll 50A and the tension roll 50B are not nipped and a gap is provided between the pair of belts 46A and 46B, the laminate 39 is sandwiched between the heating and pressing rolls 54A and 54B. Before entering the region, a rapid pressure is not applied, and the heating and pressing roll 54A is temporarily laminated by the nip force of the belt 46A and the belt 46B and the preheating from the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B. And it is conveyed to the nip to the heating and pressing roll 54B. By passing through such a temporary laminating step, the core sheet 38 and the light transmissive film 22 can alleviate the difference in elongation between the core sheet 38 and the light transmissive film 22 due to heat, and image recording without misalignment is possible. The body 30 can be obtained.

  The range in which the nip is formed by the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B (the range B in FIG. 3) is the bonding step (bonding portion) of the laminate 39. The body 39 enters the cooling process (cooling section) (range C in FIG. 3).

  Here, each of the cooling roll 58A and the cooling roll 58B is deformed between the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B, and between the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B. The belt 46A and the belt 46B immediately after passing between the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B are deformed into a wavy shape. This is because the belt 46A and the belt 46B cannot be expanded due to the pressure at the nip portion of the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B, and the pressure is released immediately after passing through the nip portion, and the belt 46A and the belt 46B are extended. It is. Due to the wavy deformation due to this elongation, the laminate 39 also deforms into a wavy shape.

  However, the undulation of the belt 46A and the belt 46B in the cooling process is eliminated within a certain distance, and then passes through the opposing region between the cooling roll 58A and the cooling roll 58B. That is, the image recording body 30 is deformed in accordance with the deformation of the belt 46A and the belt 46B immediately after passing between the heat and pressure roll 54A and the heat and pressure roll 54B, but thereafter the wave deformation of the belt 46A and the belt 46B. In accordance with the cancellation, the image recording body 30 is also corrected to a planar shape. Specifically, the temperature of the laminated body 39 passes through the opposing region between the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B so that the wavy deformation of each of the belt 46A and the belt 46B is eliminated, and TG (glass transition temperature). In order to cool from the above to TG or less, a cooling fan 56A and a cooling fan 56B are installed between the heating and pressing roll 54A and the cooling roll 58A and between the heating and pressing roll 54B and the cooling roll 58B, respectively. Yes. For this reason, the laminated body 39 passes through the opposing area | region of the cooling roll 58A and the cooling roll 58B, maintaining planarity, and is discharged | emitted from the tension roll 50A and the tension roll 50B after that. Of course, the temperature of each of the heating and pressing roll 54A and the heating and pressing roll 54B is equal to or higher than the TG of the laminate 39, and the temperature of each of the cooling roll 58A and the cooling roll 58B is equal to or lower than the TG of the laminate 39. Needless to say.

  In the present embodiment, the cooling fan 56A and the cooling fan 56B are installed in order to promote the cooling of the stacked body 39 and force it to be TG or less. However, when the laminating speed is sufficiently low, Not limited to this, even if the cooling fan 56A and the cooling fan 56B are not installed and the stack 39 is sufficiently cooled to TG or less even if it is naturally cooled, it is not necessary to install the cooling fan 56A and the cooling fan 56B.

  Further, in order to remove dirt and the like of the belt 46A and the belt 46B due to continuous operation, a cleaning device 52A and a cleaning device 52B are provided so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the belt 46A and the belt 46B.

  In the image recording body manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, first, in the image forming apparatus 12, the first light transmission which is pressure-bonded to the back surface (lower side in the drawing) of the core sheet 38 in the light transmissive film 22. The transparent film 22a is supplied from the light transmissive film stacker 18 to the image forming unit 20 via the conveyance path 24, and a predetermined surface is formed on the upper surface (upper side in the drawing) of the first light transmissive film 22a by an electrophotographic method. After the toner image is transferred, it is fixed and a fixed image is formed (image forming step). At this time, since the fixed image is formed on the upper surface of the first light transmissive film 22a, the first light transmissive film 22a is directly conveyed to the discharge port 28 via the conveyance path 26, and the collating device 14 Sent to.

  In the collating device 14, the first light transmissive film 22 a is supplied to the collating tray 36 through the conveyance path 42 of the collating device 14. Here, the first light transmissive film 22 that has exited the discharge section of the conveyance path 42 is supplied to the collating tray 36 by its own weight so that the image surface of the first light transmissive film 22a faces the upper surface. .

  Next, the collating tray is raised and lowered to the vicinity of the discharge portion of the conveyance path 40, and the core sheet 38 is supplied from the core sheet stacker 34 to the collation tray 36 via the conveyance path 40. Here, the core sheet 38 that has exited the discharge section of the conveyance path 40 is supplied to the collating tray 36 by its own weight, and is overlapped with the first light transmissive film 22a.

  Next, in the image forming apparatus 12, the second light transmissive film 22 b to be pressure-bonded to the surface of the core sheet 38 (upper side in the drawing) passes from the light transmissive film stacker 18 through the conveyance path 24 to the image forming unit. After a predetermined toner image is transferred to the upper surface (upper side in the drawing) of the second light transmissive film 22b by an electrophotographic method, it is fixed and a fixed image is formed (image forming step). Since the fixed image is formed on the upper surface of the second light transmissive film 22b, the second light transmissive film 22b passes through the transport path 26, and at one end via the reverse path 26a, and again through the transport path 26. Then, it is conveyed to the discharge port 28 and sent to the collating device 14.

  At this time, in the vicinity of the branch of the conveyance path 26 and the reversing path 26a, the cam 32 is driven so that the tip thereof overlaps the conveyance path 26, and the second light-transmitting film 22 that has reached the tip position of the cam 32 is conveyed Is changed and guided to the reversing path 26a. Then, after the second light transmissive film 22b reaches the reversing path 26a, the driving roll (not shown) is reversed, and the second light transmissive film 22b is reciprocated along the reversing path 26a, and then returned to the transport path 26 again. . For this reason, the second light-transmissive film 22b that has returned to the conveyance path 26 has its conveyance direction reversed by 180 °, and its front and back surfaces are also reversed, and the image surface faces the lower side (lower side in the figure). Will be.

  In the collating device 14, the second light transmissive film 22 b is supplied to the collating tray 36 through the conveyance path 42 of the collating device 14. Here, the second light transmissive film 22b that has exited the discharge section of the conveyance path 42 is supplied to the collating tray 36 by its own weight so that the image surface of the second light transmissive film 22b faces the upper surface. And overlapped with the core sheet 38.

  As described above, the collating tray 36 is supplied with the first light-transmitting film 22a with the image surface facing upward, the core sheet 38, and the second light-transmitting film 22b with the image surface facing downward, in that order. Overlaid (lamination process). In the laminate 39, the first light transmissive film 22a and the second light transmissive film 22b are laminated with the image surface facing each other through the core sheet 38.

  Next, the end portions of the first light transmissive film 22a, the core sheet 38, and the second light transmissive film 22b on the collation tray 36 are inclined with respect to the installation direction of the positioning portion 36a. Then, the end portions are brought into contact with the positioning portion 36a, and then the end portions of the laminate 39 are temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing device 44. The laminated body 39 temporarily fixed is transported to the laminating apparatus 16. In addition, since the size of the light transmissive film 22 and the core sheet 38 will be described as being equivalent, the light transmissive property of the laminated body 39 can be achieved by aligning the end portions of the laminated body 39 with the positioning portions 36a. The film 22a, the light transmissive film 22b, and the core sheet 38 can be positioned.

  Next, the stacked body 39 is transported to the laminating apparatus 16 while generating tension in the both end side directions of the stacked body 39 perpendicular to the transport direction by the two roll pairs 45 of the transport apparatus 15.

  Finally, in the laminating apparatus 16, the laminate 39 composed of the first light transmissive film 22a, the core sheet 38, and the second light transmissive film 22b is passed between the nips of the belt 46A and the belt 46B. Then, the core sheet 38 is laminated with the first light transmissive film 22a and the second light transmissive film 22b by performing heating and pressure treatment with the heat pressure roll 54A and the heat pressure roll 54B (lamination). Process) (detailed later).

  The image recording body 30 formed by laminating the laminated body 39 is discharged to the discharge tray 56. Here, when a plurality of individual images are formed on the image recording body 30, the image recording body 30 such as a plastic sheet having a predetermined size can be obtained by cutting each image.

  As described above, in the image recording body manufacturing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the laminate 39 is moved in the transport direction at the entrance immediately before transport to the laminator 16 by the two pairs of rolls 45 of the transport apparatus 15. The laminate 39 is conveyed to the laminator 16 while generating tension in the direction of both ends of the laminated body 39 that is orthogonal to the laminate 39. For this reason, the two roll pairs 45 convey the laminated body 39 to the laminating apparatus 16 while removing the wrinkles of the light transmissive films 22a and 22b, and an image recording body such as a high-quality plastic sheet without residual air. Can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
In FIG. 7, the top view which shows the periphery of the conveying apparatus and laminating apparatus which concern on 2nd Embodiment is shown. In FIG. 8, the front view which shows the periphery of the conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the image recording body manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment includes two pairs of rolls 45 (roll rolls each provided with a spiral groove 47 in the transport device 15. 45A is provided with a spiral groove 47A, roll 45A ′ is provided with a spiral groove 47A ′, roll 45B is provided with a spiral groove 47B, and roll 45B ′ is provided with a spiral groove 47B. 'Is provided.) Is arranged.

  The two sets of roll pairs 45 are arranged in parallel so that their roll axes are orthogonal to the transport direction.

  A spiral groove 47 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is provided in the two pairs of rolls 45. The groove 47 is provided in a spiral shape, the roll 45A and the roll 45B ′ are spirals in the same direction as the reverse screw (the groove 47A and the groove 47B), and the roll 45A ′ and the roll 45B are a general right-hand screw. It is a spiral (groove) in the same direction (groove 47A ′, groove 47B ′).

  When two sets of roll pairs 45 each provided with such a spiral groove 47 are arranged and rotated, the laminated body 39 is caused to be rotated by the spiral grooves 47 provided in the two sets of roll pairs 45. The laminate 39 is conveyed to the laminating device 16 while generating tension in the both end side directions of the laminate 39 orthogonal to the conveyance direction. Although not shown here, a compression coil spring may be disposed between the two pairs of rolls 45 and an external force may be applied to move each roll pair 45 outward.

  For this reason, the two roll pairs 45 convey the laminated body 39 to the laminating apparatus 16 while removing the wrinkles of the light transmissive films 22a and 22b, and an image recording body such as a high-quality plastic sheet without residual air. Can be obtained.

  Since the configuration other than this is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the form in which the spiral grooves are provided in the two pairs of rolls is described. However, it is only necessary that the grooves inclined with respect to the roll axis are provided. In addition, when a rubber material is used as the roll material, the friction coefficient with respect to the surface of the laminated body is increased and the transportability and wrinkle removability are improved more effectively. Also, the laminate can be nipped (pressed) by the belt pair of the laminating apparatus, or the conveying speed of the belt pair of the laminating apparatus can be made faster than the conveying speed by two roll pairs, so The tension (tension) along is added, and the transportability and wrinkle removal property are more effectively improved.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the production apparatus of the image recording body which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the image recording body which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the periphery of the conveying apparatus and laminating apparatus which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the periphery of the conveying apparatus and laminating apparatus which concern on 1st Embodiment. (A) is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a mode that the laminated body was clamped by the laminating apparatus (heat-pressing roll), (B) is an enlarged view of the edge part of the laminated body. (A) is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a mode that air is not mixed between the core sheet and light transmissive film in a laminated body, (B) is air between a core sheet and a light transmissive film. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a mode that it mixed. It is a top view which shows the periphery of the conveying apparatus and lamination apparatus which concern on 2nd Embodiment. The front view which shows the periphery of the conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image recording body preparation apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus 14 Collating apparatus 14 apparatus 15 Conveying apparatus 16 Laminating apparatus 20 Image forming part 22 Light transmissive film 22a Light transmissive film (surface film)
22b Light transmissive film (back film)
30 Image recording body 36 Collating tray 38 Core sheet 39 Laminated body 44 Temporary fixing device 44
45A, 45A 'and 45B, 45B' Roll pairs 46A, 46B Belts 47A, 47A 'and 47B, 47B' Spiral grooves 48A, 48B Inlet rolls 50A, 50B Tension rolls 52A, 52B Cleaning devices 54A, 54B Heating and pressure rolls 56 Discharge tray 56A, 56B Cooling fan 58A, 58B Rear cooling roll 60A, 60B Tension spring

Claims (3)

Image forming means for forming an image on the surface of the sheet-like film by an electrophotographic method;
Laminating means for forming the sheet-like film and the support made of a plastic sheet as a laminate obtained by laminating at least an image forming surface of the sheet-like film on which the image is formed and a plate surface of the support. When,
Transport that transports the laminate to the laminating means by degassing the air between the sheet-like film and the support while generating tension in the direction of both ends of the laminate perpendicular to the transport direction. Means,
Laminating means for laminating the support with the sheet-like film by heating and pressurizing the laminate,
An apparatus for producing an image recording body, comprising:   2. The apparatus for producing an image recording body according to claim 1, wherein the conveying unit is disposed on the same plane as the entrance of the laminating unit and with a predetermined interval. An image forming step of forming an image by electrophotography on the surface of the sheet-like film;
Lamination process which makes the support body which consists of the said sheet-like film and a plastic sheet the laminated body which laminated | stacked so that the image formation surface in which the said image of the said sheet-like film was formed, and the board surface of the said support body may oppose. When,
Transport that transports the laminate to the laminating step by degassing the air between the sheet-like film and the support while generating tension in both ends of the laminate perpendicular to the transport direction. Process,
A laminating step of laminating the support with the sheet film by heating and pressurizing the laminate,
A method for producing an image recording material, comprising:

Images