Lamination processing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12539696-B2
Application number	US-202318534229-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 8, 2023
Priority date	Jan 13, 2023
Publication date	Feb 3, 2026
Grant date	Feb 3, 2026

Abstract

A lamination processing system includes a sheet separation device, a lamination fixing device, and a conveyor. The sheet separation device separates a two-ply sheet to insert a sheet medium between two sheets of the two-ply sheet to form an enclosed two-ply sheet. The lamination fixing device includes an inlet port and a heater. The conveyor conveys the enclosed two-ply sheet from the sheet separation device to the lamination fixing device in a conveyance direction. The conveyor includes a conveyance passage and a guide. The conveyance passage guides the enclosed two-ply sheet from the sheet separation device toward the lamination fixing device. The guide guides the enclosed two-ply sheet to the inlet port. The guide forms a space accommodatable a deflected part of the enclosed two-ply sheet formed by a difference in a conveyance speed of the enclosed two-ply sheet between the sheet separation device and the lamination fixing device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A lamination processing system comprising:
a sheet separation device in a first housing, the sheet separation device configured to separate a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at one ends to insert a sheet medium between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet to form an enclosed two-ply sheet; a lamination fixing device in a second housing different from the first housing, the lamination fixing device including:
an inlet port from which the enclosed two-ply sheet enters; and
a heater configured to apply heat and pressure to the enclosed two-ply sheet to fix the enclosed two-ply sheet; and
a conveyor configured to convey the enclosed two-ply sheet from the sheet separation device in the first housing to the lamination fixing device in the second housing in a conveyance direction, the conveyor including:
a conveyance passage configured to guide the enclosed two-ply sheet from the sheet separation device toward the inlet port of the lamination fixing device; and
a guide downstream from the conveyance passage in a sheet conveyance direction configured to guide the enclosed two-ply sheet to the inlet port, and
the guide configured to form a space accommodatable for a deflected part of the enclosed two-ply sheet formed by a difference in a conveyance speed of the enclosed two-ply sheet between the sheet separation device and the lamination fixing device.

2 . The lamination processing system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a deflection detector configured to detect a degree of deflection of the deflected part of the enclosed two-ply sheet; and circuitry configured to cause the guide to move according to the degree of deflection detected by the deflection detector to form the space accommodatable for the deflected part of the enclosed two-ply sheet.

3 . The lamination processing system according to claim 2 ,
Wherein the circuitry is further configured to adjust the conveyance speed of the enclosed two-ply sheet from the sheet separation device to the lamination fixing device according to the degree of deflection of the deflected part detected by the deflection detector.

4 . The lamination processing system according to claim 2 ,
wherein the circuitry is further configured to decrease or temporarily stop the conveyance speed of the enclosed two-ply sheet from the sheet separation device to the lamination fixing device.

5 . The lamination processing system according to claim 2 ,
wherein the circuitry is further configured to: store setting information of the lamination fixing device; control the lamination fixing device in accordance with the setting information; and move the guide in accordance with the setting information.

6 . The lamination processing system according to claim 2 , further comprising a display,
wherein the circuitry is further configured to cause the display to display the degree of deflection of the deflected part detected by the deflection detector.

7 . The lamination processing system according to claim 2 , further comprising
an external connector connectable to an external device, wherein the circuitry is further configured to cause the external device to display the degree of deflection detected by the deflection detector via the external connector.

8 . The lamination processing system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the guide is detachably attachable to the conveyor.

9 . The lamination processing system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the guide is configured to change a size of the space accommodatable the deflected part of the enclosed two-ply sheet based on the two-ply sheet in the conveyance passage.

10 . The lamination processing system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the guide is located above an opening of the conveyance passage.

11 . The lamination processing system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the guide defines an inner surface facing the conveyance passage, the inner surface having a concave shape away from the conveyance passage.

12 . A lamination processing system comprising:
a sheet separation device in a first housing, the sheet separation device configured to separate a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at one ends to insert a sheet medium between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet to form an enclosed two-ply sheet; a lamination fixing device in a second housing different from the first housing, the lamination fixing device including:
an inlet port from which the enclosed two-ply sheet enters; and
a heater configured to apply heat and pressure to the enclosed two-ply sheet to fix the enclosed two-ply sheet; and
a conveyor configured to convey the enclosed two-ply sheet from the sheet separation device in the first housing to the lamination fixing device in the second housing in a conveyance direction, the conveyor including:
a conveyance passage configured to guide the enclosed two-ply sheet from the sheet separation device toward the inlet port of the lamination fixing device; and
a guide configured to
guide the enclosed two-ply sheet to the inlet port,
form a space accommodatable for a deflected part of the enclosed two-ply sheet formed by a difference in a conveyance speed of the enclosed two-ply sheet between the sheet separation device and the lamination fixing device, and
change a size of the space accommodatable the deflected part of the enclosed two-ply sheet based on the two-ply sheet in the conveyance passage.

13 . The lamination processing system according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a deflection detector configured to detect a degree of deflection of the deflected part of the enclosed two-ply sheet; and circuitry configured to cause the guide to move according to the degree of deflection detected by the deflection detector to form the space accommodatable for the deflected part of the enclosed two-ply sheet.

14 . The lamination processing system according to claim 12 ,
wherein the guide is located above an opening of the conveyance passage.

15 . The lamination processing system according to claim 12 ,
wherein the guide defines an inner surface facing the conveyance passage, the inner surface having a concave shape away from the conveyance passage.

Assignees

• Saito Yosuke
• Kato Yuichiro
• Asano Sho
• Midorikawa Ruki
• Takai Naoki
• Shimodate Kazuki
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Saito Yosuke
• Kato Yuichiro
• Asano Sho
• Midorikawa Ruki
• Takai Naoki
• Shimodate Kazuki

Classifications

• B32B43/006

  Delaminating · CPC title

• B32B41/00

  Arrangements for controlling or monitoring lamination processes; Safety arrangements · CPC title

• B32B37/18

  involving the assembly of discrete sheets or panels only · CPC title

• B32B37/06

  characterised by the heating method · CPC title

• B32B37/0053 Primary

  Constructional details of laminating machines comprising rollers; Constructional features of the rollers · CPC title