TW201634414A - Method for cleaving glass film - Google Patents

Abstract

This method for cleaving glass films comprises: a cleaving and dividing step whereby a conveyed band-shaped glass film G is continuously cleaved by a laser cleaving method to divide the band-shaped glass film G into a non-effective portion Ga and an effective portion Gb; and a separating step of separating, after the division, the non-effective portion Ga and the effective portion Gb in a thickness direction. During the separating step, a deformation applying step is performed in which first external forces F1 each having a thickness direction component are applied to two places on the effective portion Gb separated from each other in a width direction and in which a second external force F2 having a thickness direction component in a direction opposite those of the first external forces F1 is applied to a place between said two places in order to bend and deform the effective portion Gb along the width direction.

Description

Glass film cutting method

The present invention relates to a method for cutting a glass film, which comprises the steps of separating the active portion and the ineffective portion of the strip-shaped glass film being transported by laser cutting, and the effective portion after separation. The step of separating from the non-effective portion in the thickness direction.

As is well known, flat glass displays for flat panel displays (FPDs) such as liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, and organic electroluminescent displays have been developed in response to the increasing demand for lightweighting. A glass film which is thinned to a thickness of 300 μm or less or 200 μm or less is produced.

In the manufacturing process of the glass film, the strip-shaped glass film which is the basis of the glass film is conveyed in a flat position, and the ineffective portions located at both ends in the width direction of the glass film and the two ineffective portions are disposed. The step of separating the effective portion between the effective portions by the laser cutting method (hereinafter referred to as a cutting and separating step). For both the effective portion and the non-effective portion after separation, for example, in order to wind the effective portion into a roll shape to form a glass roll, the non-effective portion is removed from the effective portion The step of separating the two in the thickness direction (hereinafter referred to as a separate step).

However, there is only a gap having an extremely narrow width between the effective portion and the ineffective portion after the step of performing the cutting and separating step, so that in the process of performing the separating step, the inevitable contact between the effective portion and the ineffective portion is caused. Problems such as breakage of the active portion may occur. In detail, the microcrack included in the width direction end portion of the effective portion is caused by the collision with the contact with the ineffective portion, and the effective portion is broken. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a method useful for solving such a problem.

In the method disclosed in the document, each of the effective portion and the ineffective portion after separation is supported by a roller from the lower surface side at both end portions in the width direction of the effective portion and the ineffective portion, and the effective portion is provided. The non-effective portion is bent and deformed in the width direction by its own weight. Thereby, along with the bending deformation of the effective portion and the ineffective portion, the width of the gap formed between the two is enlarged, and the contact between the effective portion and the ineffective portion in the process of performing the separating step is avoided.

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-31031

However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it remains There are problems to be solved as described below. In other words, when the thickness of the effective portion and the ineffective portion is large (for example, the thickness is 200 μm or more) or the width of the effective portion is small, the bending rigidity of the effective portion and the ineffective portion becomes large, and the like becomes It is difficult to bend and deform by its own weight. Therefore, it is difficult to expand the width of the gap formed between the two so as to sufficiently avoid the width of the contact between the two in the process of performing the separation step.

In view of the above, the technical problem of the present invention is to reduce the effective portion and the ineffective portion after the active portion and the ineffective portion of the strip-shaped glass film being transported are separated by laser cutting. Avoid contact between the two when the direction is separated.

The method for cutting a glass film of the present invention developed to solve the above problems includes a cutting and separating step and a separating step; the cutting and separating step is a laser cutting method in which a strip-shaped glass film being conveyed in a flat position is subjected to laser cutting Continuously cutting along the length direction, and separating the ineffective portions located at both ends in the width direction of the strip-shaped glass film from the effective portions between the two ineffective portions; the separating step is such that the separated ineffective portions are separated from The conveying path of the separated effective portion is separated, and the non-effective portion and the effective portion are separated in the thickness direction; the cutting method of the glass film is characterized in that, in the process of performing the separating step, the effective portions are mutually extended along the width direction The two isolated portions respectively apply a first external force having a thickness direction component, and a second external force having a thickness direction component opposite to the first external force is applied to a portion between the two portions, thereby implementing the effective portion Along the width The deformation imparting step in the direction of bending deformation. Here, the phrase "in the case of being conveyed in a flat posture" means that the strip-shaped glass film is conveyed in a posture parallel to the horizontal plane, or the strip-shaped glass film is inclined in a range of 45 or less with respect to the horizontal plane. The posture is handled by the situation. In addition, "external force" does not include gravity.

According to such a method, the effective portion in the process of performing the separating step is carried out along the width direction by the first external force and the second external force having the thickness direction component opposite to each other with the implementation of the deformation imparting step. Subject to bending deformation. Thereby, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the ineffective portion can be increased by the amount by which the effective portion is bent and deformed in the width direction. As a result, it is possible to avoid contact between the effective portion and the ineffective portion in the process of performing the separating step.

In the foregoing method, the first external force may be separately applied by each of the two support rollers supporting the lower surface of the effective portion, and the second external force may be applied by the fluid ejected toward the upper surface of the effective portion.

In this way, the force applied to the effective portion by each of the two support rollers and the force applied to the effective portion by the injected fluid can be made such that the lower surface of the effective portion is convex in the width direction. The effective portion is bent and deformed.

In the foregoing method, it is preferable that the intermediate roller is disposed between the two supporting rollers; the intermediate roller supports the lower surface of the portion of the effective portion that is subjected to the fluid ejection, and the height position of the intermediate roller supporting the effective portion is higher than the two bearings. The height position of the roller support effective portion is located further below.

If the pressure of the fluid ejected toward the upper surface of the effective portion becomes If it is too large, the surface under the effective portion may be over-exposed to cause the effective portion to fall off from the two support rollers. However, if the intermediate rollers are disposed between the two support rollers, the protrusion of the lower surface of the effective portion can be restricted by the intermediate rollers regardless of the force applied to the effective portion by the fluid. Therefore, when the effective portion is bent and deformed, it is not necessary to precisely adjust the pressure of the injected fluid in order to prevent the effective portion from falling off.

In the foregoing method, the intermediate roller may also be a roller having a rotating shaft common to the two supporting rollers, the diameter of the roller being smaller than the diameter of the two supporting rollers.

In this way, since the intermediate roller and the two supporting rollers have a common rotating shaft, it is not necessary to separately provide the rotating shaft of the intermediate roller and the rotating shaft of the two supporting rollers, and it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of rotating shafts. Therefore, the equipment cost can be suppressed.

In the foregoing method, it is preferred that the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are free rollers.

When the circumferential speed difference between the two supporting rollers and the intermediate roller is different, the effective portion slips on the supporting roller or the intermediate roller, and there is a flaw in the effective portion. However, if both the support roller and the intermediate roller are free rollers, the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are rotated at a peripheral speed equal to the moving speed of the effective portion by friction with the effective portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the scratch of the effective portion.

In the above method, the two support rollers are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and it is preferable to eject the fluid toward the center in the width direction of the effective portion.

In this manner, the effective portion is curved and deformed symmetrically with respect to the center in the width direction. Thereby, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and one of the ineffective portions and the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the other ineffective portion can be uniformly increased. Further, since the fluid is ejected toward the center in the width direction away from both end portions in the width direction of the effective portion, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the fact that both ends in the width direction are swung with the ejection of the fluid as much as possible. As a result, it is possible to more reliably avoid contact between the effective portion and the ineffective portion in the process of performing the separating step.

In the above method, it is preferable that each of the support rollers supports both end portions in the width direction of the effective portion.

In this way, the distance between the two portions to which the first external force is applied can be increased as much as possible. Therefore, the effective portion is easily bent and deformed.

In the foregoing method, the first external force is applied by the fluids which are respectively sprayed on the two portions on the upper surface of the effective portion, and the second external force is preferably applied by the support roller supporting the lower surface of the effective portion.

In this manner, the force applied to the effective portion by the fluids sprayed at the two portions and the force applied from the support roller to the effective portion can cause the effective portion to protrude in the width direction from the upper surface of the effective portion. Bending deformation.

In the above method, it is preferable that the edge roller is disposed on one side and the other side of the support roller in the width direction; and the edge roller supports the both end portions in the width direction of the effective portion from the lower surface side. The height position of the roller support effective portion is higher than the support roller support effective portion The height position is located further below.

If the pressure of the fluid ejected toward the two portions on the upper surface of the effective portion is excessively large, the effective portion may be in a state of excessive bending deformation (a state in which the curvature is excessively large), and the stress generated by the bending deformation may cause the effective portion to be broken. After that. However, if the edge roller is disposed on one side and the other side of the support roller in the width direction, the excessive bending deformation of the effective portion can be restricted regardless of the force applied to the effective portion by the fluid. Thereby, when the effective portion is bent and deformed, it is not necessary to precisely adjust the pressure of the injected fluid in order to prevent the breakage of the effective portion.

In the foregoing method, it is preferred that the support roller and the edge roller are free rollers.

When the circumferential speed between the support roller and the edge roller is different, the effective portion slips on the support roller or the edge roller, and there is a flaw in the effective portion. However, if both the support roller and the edge roller are free rollers, the support roller and the edge roller are rotated at a peripheral speed equal to the moving speed of the effective portion by friction with the effective portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the scratch of the effective portion.

In the above method, the two portions to be ejected by the fluid are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and the center of the effective portion in the width direction is preferably supported by the support roller.

In this manner, the effective portion is curved and deformed symmetrically with respect to the center in the width direction. Thereby, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and one of the ineffective portions and the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the other ineffective portion can be uniformly increased. The result can be more certain The contact of the active portion with the inactive portion during the separation step is avoided.

In the above method, the support roller is preferably a roller having a symmetrical shape with respect to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and the diameter of the roller gradually decreases toward the outer side in the width direction.

In this way, since the diameter of the support roller is gradually reduced toward the outer side in the width direction, the effective portion that is symmetrically bent and deformed with respect to the center in the width direction can be supported by the bending. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shaking of the effective portion accompanying the ejection of the fluid, and it is possible to more reliably avoid the contact between the effective portion and the ineffective portion in the process of performing the separating step.

In the foregoing method, the first external force is applied by each of the two support rollers supporting the lower surface of the effective portion, and the second external force is preferably applied by attracting the lower surface of the effective portion.

In this way, by the force applied to the effective portion by each of the two support rollers and the force applied to the effective portion, the effective portion can be bent and deformed in such a manner that the lower surface of the effective portion is convex in the width direction. .

In the foregoing method, it is preferable that the intermediate roller is disposed between the two supporting rollers; the intermediate roller has a suction hole at the outer peripheral portion for attracting the lower surface of the effective portion, and the height position ratio of the intermediate roller supporting the effective portion The height positions of the two support roller support effective portions are located further below.

If the attraction force of the lower surface of the suction effective portion is too large, the surface under the effective portion may be excessively protruded to cause the effective portion to fall off from the two support rollers. However, if the intermediate rollers having the suction holes are disposed between the two support rollers at the outer peripheral portion, they are applied by suction. The force of the effect portion becomes large, and the protrusion of the surface below the effective portion can be restricted by the intermediate roller itself that attracts the effective portion. Therefore, when the effective portion is bent and deformed, it is not necessary to precisely adjust the pressure of the injected fluid in order to prevent the effective portion from falling off.

In the foregoing method, the intermediate roller is preferably a roller having a rotating shaft common to the two supporting rollers, the diameter of the roller being smaller than the diameter of the two supporting rollers.

In this way, since the intermediate roller and the two supporting rollers have a common rotating shaft, it is not necessary to separately provide the rotating shaft of the intermediate roller and the rotating shaft of the two supporting rollers, and it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of rotating shafts. Therefore, the equipment cost can be suppressed.

In the foregoing method, it is preferred that the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are free rollers.

When the circumferential speed difference between the two supporting rollers and the intermediate roller is different, the effective portion slips on the supporting roller or the intermediate roller, and there is a flaw in the effective portion. However, if both the support roller and the intermediate roller are free rollers, the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are rotated at a peripheral speed equal to the moving speed of the effective portion by friction with the effective portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the scratch of the effective portion.

In the above method, the two support rollers are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and the center of the suction effective portion in the width direction is preferable.

In this manner, the effective portion is curved and deformed symmetrically with respect to the center in the width direction. Thereby, between the effective part and the non-active part of one side The width of the gap formed and the width of the gap formed between the effective portion and the other ineffective portion are equally expanded. As a result, it is possible to more reliably avoid contact between the effective portion and the ineffective portion in the process of performing the separating step.

In the above method, it is preferable that each of the support rollers supports both end portions in the width direction of the effective portion.

In this way, the distance between the two portions to which the first external force is applied can be increased as much as possible. Therefore, the effective portion is easily bent and deformed.

In the foregoing method, the first external force is applied by respectively attracting the two portions on the lower surface of the effective portion, and the second external force is preferably applied by the support roller supporting the lower surface of the effective portion.

In this manner, by respectively attracting the force applied to the effective portion at both portions and the force applied from the support roller to the effective portion, the effective portion can be bent and deformed so that the upper surface of the effective portion is convex in the width direction.

In the above method, the thickness of the strip-shaped glass film may be in the range of 200 μm to 300 μm.

When the thickness of the strip-shaped glass film is 200 μm or more, the bending rigidity in the width direction of the effective portion subjected to the cutting and separating step becomes large, and the effective portion becomes difficult to be bent and deformed by its own weight. However, according to the present invention, even when the thickness of the strip-shaped glass film is 200 μm or more, the effective portion subjected to the cutting and separating step can be forcibly bent and deformed in the width direction by the first external force and the second external force. Therefore, it is preferred that the present invention is applied to a strip glass film having the aforementioned thickness.

According to the present invention, when the effective portion and the ineffective portion of the strip-shaped glass film being conveyed are separated by the laser cutting method and separated, the two portions can be separated from the thickness direction of the ineffective portion. Contact.

1‧‧‧Support roller

2‧‧‧Intermediate roller

4‧‧‧Rotary axis

7‧‧‧Edge roller

8‧‧‧Rotary axis

G‧‧‧Strip glass film

Ga‧‧‧Inactive

Gb‧‧ effective department

Gba‧‧‧ upper surface

Gbb‧‧‧ lower surface

Gbc‧‧‧width direction center

Gbd‧‧‧ end

A‧‧‧Air

F1‧‧‧First external force

F2‧‧‧Second external force

[Fig. 1] is a plan view showing a method of cutting a glass film according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a method of cutting a glass film according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a front view showing a method of cutting a glass film according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a method of cutting a glass film according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a front view showing a method of cutting a glass film according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a method of cutting a glass film according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a method of cutting a glass film according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a method of cutting a glass film according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, in each of the embodiments described below, the strip-shaped glass film having a thickness of 200 μm to 300 μm is used as a target for cutting, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the strip-shaped glass film having a thickness of less than 200 μm may be cut.

<First embodiment>

First, a method of cutting a glass film according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in Fig. 1, the glass film cutting method according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a cutting and separating step and a separating step; the cutting and separating step is a strip-shaped glass film G being conveyed in a flat posture. By the laser cutting method, the cutting portion is continuously cut along the length direction, and the ineffective portions Ga respectively located at both ends in the width direction of the strip-shaped glass film G are separated from the effective portion Gb between the two ineffective portions Ga; The non-effective portion Ga after separation is separated from the conveyance path of the separated effective portion Gb, and the ineffective portion Ga and the effective portion Gb are separated in the thickness direction (up and down).

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the glass film cutting method applies a first external force F1 having a thickness direction component to each of the two portions spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the effective portion Gb in the process of performing the separating step. And applying a second external force F2 having a thickness direction component opposite to the first external force F1 at a portion between the two portions, whereby A deformation imparting step of bending and deforming the effective portion Gb in the width direction is performed. By performing the deformation imparting step, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion Gb and the ineffective portion Ga is enlarged, and the contact of the effective portion Gb with the ineffective portion Ga in the process of performing the separating step is avoided. The effective portion Gb after the deformation imparting step (separating step) is wound into a roll shape to form a glass roll.

The strip-shaped glass film G which is the object of the cutting in the cutting and separating step is continuously fed from the glass roll in which the strip-shaped glass film G is wound into a roll shape. Then, the strip-shaped glass film G to be fed is conveyed horizontally in the direction indicated by the arrow T in the first drawing by a conveyance means (for example, a belt conveyor). Further, the thickness of the strip-shaped glass film G is in the range of 200 μm to 300 μm.

In the cutting and separating step, the heating region H and the cooling region C are continuously formed along the cutting planned line X which is the boundary between the effective portion Gb of the strip-shaped glass film G and the ineffective portion Ga; the heating region H is caused by The laser is locally heated by the irradiation of the laser; the cooling zone C is locally cooled by the injection of a refrigerant (for example, misty water or the like). Thereby, the strip-shaped glass film G is continuously cut by the thermal stress generated by the temperature difference between the two regions, and the effective portion Gb of the strip-shaped glass film G is separated from the ineffective portion Ga. Further, both the separated effective portion Gb and the ineffective portion Ga are horizontally transported in a state of being arranged side by side.

Here, in the present embodiment, the strip-shaped glass film G continuously fed from the glass roll is used as a target for cutting, but is not limited thereto. For example, as a modification, the ribbon glass continuously formed by the down-draw method The film G can also be used as a target for cutting. In addition, in the present embodiment, the strip-shaped glass film G that is conveyed horizontally is cut, and as a modification, it is conveyed in an oblique direction inclined within a range of 45° or less with respect to the horizontal plane. The strip glass film G can also be cut. However, the smaller the inclination with respect to the horizontal plane, the better, preferably 20° or less with respect to the horizontal plane, more preferably 10° or less, and still more preferably 5° or less.

In the separating step, the effective portion Gb is continuously conveyed horizontally among the effective portion Gb and the non-effective portion Ga that are horizontally transported in the side-by-side state after the separation, and the non-effective portion Ga is moved from the effective portion Gb toward the transport path Pull it out and get out. Thereby, the effective portion Gb and the ineffective portion Ga are separated in the thickness direction.

Here, the aspect in which the effective portion Gb and the ineffective portion Ga are separated in the thickness direction after separation is not limited to the embodiment as in the present embodiment. For example, when the strip-shaped glass film G is cut and the effective portion Gb is separated from the ineffective portion Ga while being conveyed in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the separation step is also performed by the following aspect. can. In other words, the effective portion Gb is continuously conveyed in the oblique direction, and the ineffective portion Ga is horizontally pulled out from the conveyance path of the effective portion Gb to be separated, and the effective portion Gb and the ineffective portion Ga may be separated in the thickness direction.

For the effective portion Gb at the time of performing the deformation imparting step, the first external force F1 is applied by each of the two support rollers 1 supporting the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb, and by facing the upper surface of the effective portion Gb The second external force F2 is applied as the air A of the fluid sprayed by the Gba. Thereby, the two support rollers 1 on the transport path of the effective portion Gb In the vicinity, the effective portion Gb is forcibly bent and deformed in the width direction without depending on its own weight. Further, while the effective portion Gb is being bent and deformed, the ineffective portion Ga is detached from the conveyance path of the effective portion Gb as the separation step is performed.

Between the two support rollers 1 there is disposed an intermediate roller 2; the intermediate roller 2 supports a lower surface Gbb of the portion of the effective portion Gb which is sprayed by the air A, and the intermediate roller 2 supports the height position of the effective portion Gb. The height position of the support effective portion Gb is located lower than the two support rollers 1. Further, when the deformation providing step is performed, the ineffective portion Ga before being separated from the conveyance path of the effective portion Gb is supported by the roller 3.

The two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 are disposed at a position where the laser cutting method is performed from the cutting and separating step (the heating region H and the cooling region C are formed at the position of the strip-shaped glass film G), along the effective portion Gb. The transport path is isolated from the downstream side. Further, the distance between the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 from the position where the laser cutting method is performed is such that the stress acting on the effective portion Gb accompanying the bending deformation of the effective portion Gb does not propagate to the laser. The distance of the cutting method is preferably the distance.

The two support rollers 1 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb, and support one end side in the width direction of the effective portion Gb and the end portion Gbd on the other side. Thereby, the first external force F1 (the force supporting the effective portion Gb) is applied to each of the two support rollers 1 at the effective portion Gb. The intermediate roller 2 is a long roller in the width direction of the effective portion Gb, and is a roller having a smaller diameter than the two support rollers 1. Two Both the support roller 1 and the intermediate roller 2 are free rollers and are rotated by friction with the effective portion Gb. Further, the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 have a common rotating shaft 4.

The air A is ejected from the air ejector 5 toward the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Thereby, the second external force F2 (the force that pushes the effective portion Gb downward) is applied from the air A to the effective portion Gb. The air ejector 5 is disposed only one above the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Further, in the present embodiment, the effective portion Gb is bent and deformed symmetrically with respect to the center Gbc in the width direction by the second external force F2 and the first external force F1.

The roller 3 is a free roller that is disposed on the outer side in the width direction with respect to the support roller 1 and that rotates around the rotary shaft 6. The rotating shaft 6 is disposed at the same height position as the rotating shaft 4 of the two supporting rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2. Further, the diameter of the roller 3 is smaller than the diameter of the support roller 1, and the diameter of the roller 3 is the same as the diameter of the intermediate roller 2. Thereby, the effective portion Gb (end portion Gbd) supported by the support roller 1 and the ineffective portion Ga supported by the roller 3 are caused by the diameter between the two rollers 1, 3 Since the difference is high or low, it is easier to avoid contact of the effective portion Gb (end portion Gbd) with the ineffective portion Ga.

Further, as shown in Fig. 3, when the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 are viewed in plan, the midpoint of the top portion of the intermediate roller 2 (the portion in contact with the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb) and the support roller 1 are connected. The straight line at which the two points of the contact point of the surface Gbb below the effective portion Gb are inclined with respect to the horizontal line is preferably in the range of the following range. that is, When the angle θ1 is too small, the effective portion Gb cannot be sufficiently bent and deformed in the width direction, and the width of the gap formed between the effective portion Gb and the ineffective portion Ga cannot be sufficiently enlarged. On the other hand, when the angle θ1 is too large, the curvature of the effective portion Gb which is bent and deformed in the width direction is increased, and the stress acting on the effective portion Gb accompanying the bending deformation of the effective portion Gb is increased to perform laser cutting. Doubts about the part of the law. Therefore, the angle θ1 is preferably 0.5° to 5°, more preferably 0.7° to 3°, and most preferably 1° to 2°.

Here, in the present embodiment, the second external force F2 is applied to the effective portion Gb by ejecting the air A as the fluid toward the upper surface Gba of the effective portion Gb, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As a modification, the second external force F2 may be applied to the effective portion Gb by spraying another gas or liquid. In addition, the portion to be ejected by the air A is not necessarily the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb, and may be a portion of the effective portion Gb located between the two support rollers 1. Therefore, as a modification, the air A may be ejected toward a portion deviated from the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Further, as a modification, the air injector 5 may be disposed in plural, or the air A may be ejected toward a plurality of portions of the effective portion Gb (a plurality of portions between the two support rollers 1) by the plurality of air injectors 5. At this time, a plurality of second external forces F2 are applied to the effective portion Gb.

Further, in the present embodiment, the intermediate roller 2 is a long roller in the width direction, but is not limited thereto. The intermediate roller 2 is only required to support the lower surface Gbb of the portion of the effective portion Gb that is ejected by the air A. Therefore, as a modification, the intermediate roller 2 is a short roller in the width direction, and only supports the lower surface of the portion to be ejected by the air A. Gbb is also available. Further, the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 are not necessarily free rollers, and as a modification, a drive roller may be used. At this time, in order to prevent the surface Gbb from being scratched under the effective portion Gb, it is preferable that the peripheral speed between the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2 be the same speed. In addition, the portion of each of the two support rollers 1 that is supported by each of the support rollers 1 may be not the one side in the width direction of the effective portion Gb and the other end portion Gbd, and as a modification, the end portion Gbd is shifted inward in the width direction. The location is also available.

Further, in the present embodiment, in order to make it easier to avoid contact between the effective portion Gb (end portion Gbd) and the ineffective portion Ga, the effective portion Gb (end portion Gbd) and the ineffective portion Ga are generated. Height difference. Further, for this purpose, the rotation shafts 4 of the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate rollers 2 are disposed at the same height position as the rotation shaft 6 of the roller 3, and the diameter of the roller 3 is smaller than the diameter of the support roller 1. And the same size as the diameter of the intermediate roller 2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and if a height difference is generated between the effective portion Gb (end portion Gbd) and the ineffective portion Ga, the effective position Gb is supported with respect to the support roller 1 as long as the roller 3 supports the height position of the ineffective portion Ga. The height position of the part Gbd) is lower. Therefore, for example, unlike the present embodiment, the diameter of the roller 3 may be made smaller than the diameter of the intermediate roller 2. Further, for example, the diameter of the support roller 1 is the same as the diameter of the roller 3, and the two rollers 1 are disposed such that the rotation axis 6 of the roller 3 is located below the rotation axis 4 of the two support rollers 1 and the intermediate roller 2. 3 is also possible.

The cut surface of the glass film according to the first embodiment In the process of performing the separating step, the effective portion Gb is accompanied by the deformation imparting step, and the first external force F1 and the second external force F2 having the thickness direction components opposite to each other are forcibly bent and deformed in the width direction. . Thereby, the width of the gap formed between the effective portion Gb and the ineffective portion Ga can be increased by the amount by which the effective portion Gb is bent and deformed in the width direction. As a result, it is possible to avoid contact of the effective portion Gb with the ineffective portion Ga in the process of performing the separation step.

<Second Embodiment>

Hereinafter, a method of cutting a glass film according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the elements described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the description of the second embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated, and only the first embodiment will be described. The difference between the ways.

As shown in Fig. 4, the method for cutting the glass film according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the method for cutting the glass film according to the first embodiment described above in the following three points. (1) In the deformation imparting step, the first external force F1 is applied by injecting air A at two portions on the upper surface Gba of the effective portion Gb, respectively, and by the support roller 1 supporting the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. The point at which the second external force F2 is applied. (2) The shape and arrangement of the support rollers 1 are different. (3) A point where the edge roller 7 is disposed on one side and the other side of the support roller 1 in the width direction; the edge roller 7 is one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the effective portion Gb Gbd is supported from the lower surface Gbb side, respectively.

The two portions respectively ejected by the air A are symmetrical positions based on the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Then, the first external force F1 (the force that pushes the effective portion Gb downward) is applied to the effective portion Gb by the air A that is ejected to the two portions.

The support roller 1 is a roller having a symmetrical shape with respect to the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb, and the diameter of the roller is gradually reduced toward the outer side in the width direction. The support roller 1 supports the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb at a portion of the central portion where the diameter of the support roller 1 is the largest. Thereby, the second external force F2 (the force supporting the effective portion Gb) is applied from the support roller 1 (the central portion of the support roller 1) to the effective portion Gb. Further, the support roller 1 is free from the roller and is rotated by friction with the effective portion Gb.

The edge roller 7, the height position of the support effective portion Gb is lower than the height position at which the support roller 1 supports the effective portion Gb. Further, the diameter of the edge roller 7 is smaller than the diameter of the central portion of the support roller 1, and is the same as the diameter of the roller 3. Further, the edge roller 7 is a free roller similarly to the backup roller 1, and is rotated by friction with the effective portion Gb. Further, the support roller 1 and the edge roller 7 have a common rotating shaft 8. The rotating shaft 8 is disposed at the same height position as the rotating shaft of the roller 3.

Further, as shown in Fig. 5, when the support roller 1 and the two edge rollers 7 are viewed in plan, the contact point of the central portion of the support roller 1 with the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb and the effective portion Gb of the edge roller 7 are connected. The straight line at the two points of the contact point of the lower surface Gbb is preferably inclined within the range of the angle θ2 with respect to the horizontal line. That is, according to In the description of the first embodiment, the reason for the preferred size of the angle θ1 is the same, preferably 0.5° to 5°, more preferably 0.7° to 3°, and most preferably 1° to 2°. °.

Here, in the present embodiment, the support roller 1 is supported by the center portion of the support roller 1 in the width direction center Gbc of the effective portion Gb, but is not limited thereto. In a modified example, a portion having the largest diameter is provided at a position deviated from the center portion of the support roller 1, and the support roller 1 may support a portion deviated from the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Further, as a modification, the portion where the support roller 1 supports the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb may be a plurality of portions. At this time, a plurality of second external forces F2 are applied to the effective portion Gb.

According to the cutting method of the glass film of the second embodiment, the same actions and effects as those of the glass film cutting method of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

<Third embodiment>

Hereinafter, a method of cutting a glass film according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the elements described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the description of the third embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated, and only the first embodiment will be described. The difference between the ways.

As shown in Fig. 6, the method for cutting a glass film according to the third embodiment of the present invention differs from the method for cutting a glass film according to the first embodiment described above in the following two points. (1) in the deformation imparting step, The point of the second external force F2 is applied by attracting the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. (2) The intermediate roller 2 has a point at the outer peripheral portion (the portion where the cross hatching is applied in Fig. 6) for attracting the suction hole of the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb.

The intermediate roller 2 is formed with a plurality of suction holes on the outer peripheral portion of the intermediate roller 2, and each suction hole is connected to a negative pressure generating means (for example, a vacuum pump or the like) for generating a negative pressure. Further, with the operation of the negative pressure generating means, most of the suction holes attract the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. By this suction, the second external force F2 (the force that attracts the effective portion Gb downward) is applied to the effective portion Gb. Further, a plurality of suction holes are disposed at a central portion of the intermediate roller 2, and a plurality of suction holes attract the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of suction holes that are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the intermediate roller 2 attract the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb, but are not limited thereto. In a modified example, a plurality of suction holes are disposed at a portion deviated from the center portion of the intermediate roller 2, and a plurality of suction holes may be attracted to a portion from the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb. Further, as a modification, a plurality of suction holes may be disposed in a plurality of portions of the intermediate roller 2 along the width direction of the effective portion Gb, and the plurality of portions of the effective portion Gb may be attracted. At this time, a plurality of second external forces F2 are applied to the effective portion Gb.

According to the cutting method of the glass film of the third embodiment, the same actions and effects as those of the glass film of the first embodiment can be obtained.

<Fourth embodiment>

Hereinafter, a method of cutting a glass film according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment is similar to the second embodiment described above. Therefore, in the description of the fourth embodiment, the elements described in the second embodiment are described in the fourth embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted, and only differences from the second embodiment will be described.

As shown in Fig. 7, the method for cutting the glass film according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention differs from the method for cutting the glass film according to the second embodiment described above in the following two points. (1) The point of the first external force F1 is applied by respectively attracting the two portions on the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. (2) The support roller 1 has a point at the outer peripheral portion (the portion where the cross hatching is applied in Fig. 7) for attracting the suction hole of the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb.

The support roller 1 is formed with a plurality of suction holes at two portions of the outer peripheral portion of the support roller 1, and each of the suction holes is connected to a negative pressure generating means (for example, a vacuum pump or the like) for generating a negative pressure. Further, with the operation of the negative pressure generating means, most of the suction holes attract the lower surface Gbb of the effective portion Gb. By this suction, the first external force F1 (the force that attracts the effective portion Gb downward) is applied to each of the two portions of the effective portion Gb. In addition, two portions of the support roller 1 in which a plurality of suction holes are formed are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center Gbc in the width direction of the effective portion Gb.

According to the cutting method of the glass film of the fourth embodiment, the cut surface of the glass film of the first embodiment described above can also be obtained. The same effect and effect of the law.

Here, the method of cutting the glass film of the present invention is not limited by the aspects described in the above embodiments. For example, as a modification of the first and third embodiments described above, the intermediate roller is a roller having the same diameter as the two support rollers, and the roller is disposed below the two support rollers.

1‧‧‧Support roller

2‧‧‧Intermediate roller

3‧‧‧ Roller

4‧‧‧Rotary axis

5‧‧‧Air ejector

6‧‧‧Rotary axis

A‧‧‧Air

F1‧‧‧First external force

F2‧‧‧Second external force

Ga‧‧‧Inactive

Gb‧‧ effective department

Gba‧‧‧ upper surface

Gbb‧‧‧ lower surface

Gbd‧‧‧ end

Claims (20)

A method for cutting a glass film, comprising: a cutting and separating step and a separating step; the cutting and separating step is to continuously cut the strip-shaped glass film being conveyed in a flat position by a laser cutting method along a length direction, And the ineffective portion located at each end in the width direction of the strip-shaped glass film is separated from the effective portion between the two ineffective portions; the separating step is to separate the separated inactive portion from the effective portion The conveying path is detached, and the non-effective portion is separated from the effective portion in the thickness direction; the cutting method of the glass film is characterized in that, in the process of performing the separating step, the effective portions are isolated from each other along the width direction Applying a first external force having a thickness direction component to each of the two portions, and applying a second external force having a thickness direction component opposite to the first external force in a portion between the two portions, thereby performing the aforementioned effective The deformation imparting step of the portion is bent and deformed in the width direction. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 1, wherein the first external force is respectively applied by each of two support rollers supporting a lower surface of the effective portion, and is oriented toward the effective portion. The fluid ejected from the upper surface applies the aforementioned second external force. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 2, wherein an intermediate roller is disposed between the two support rollers; and the intermediate roller supports a portion of the effective portion that is subjected to the fluid ejection The height position of the intermediate roller supporting the effective portion is located lower than the height position at which the two supporting rollers support the effective portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate roller is a roller having a rotating shaft common to the two supporting rollers, the diameter of the roller being smaller than the diameter of the two supporting rollers. . The method for cutting a glass film according to the third or fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are free rollers. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of the above-mentioned claims, wherein the two support rollers are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and are effective toward the foregoing The fluid is sprayed at the center in the width direction of the portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the two support rollers respectively support both end portions in the width direction of the effective portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 1, wherein the first external force is applied by a fluid sprayed on two surfaces on the upper surface of the effective portion, respectively, and by supporting the effective portion The support roller of the lower surface applies the aforementioned second external force. The cut surface of the glass film as described in claim 8 In the method, the edge roller is disposed on one side and the other side of the support roller in the width direction; the edge roller supports the both ends in the width direction of the effective portion from the lower surface side, the edge roller The height position at which the effective portion is supported is located below the height position at which the support roller supports the effective portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 9, wherein the support roller and the edge roller are free rollers. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein the two portions of the fluid jet are symmetrically arranged with respect to a center in a width direction of the effective portion, and The center in the width direction of the effective portion is supported by the support roller. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 11, wherein the support roller is a roller having a symmetrical shape with respect to a center in a width direction of the effective portion, and the diameter of the roller is outward in a width direction. Gradually shrink. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 1, wherein the first external force is applied by each of two support rollers supporting a lower surface of the effective portion, and by sucking the effective portion The lower surface applies the aforementioned second external force. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 13 , wherein an intermediate roller is disposed between the two support rollers; the intermediate roller has a peripheral portion for attracting a lower surface of the effective portion The suction hole has a height position at which the intermediate portion supports the effective portion is located lower than a height position at which the two support rollers support the effective portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 14, wherein the intermediate roller is a roller having a rotating shaft common to the two supporting rollers, the diameter of the roller being smaller than the diameter of the two supporting rollers. . The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the two support rollers and the intermediate roller are free rollers. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of the above-mentioned claims, wherein the two support rollers are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center in the width direction of the effective portion, and attracts the aforementioned effective The center of the width of the section. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two support rollers respectively support both end portions in the width direction of the effective portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to claim 1, wherein the method of applying the two portions on the lower surface of the effective portion is respectively applied. The first external force is applied, and the aforementioned second external force is applied by a supporting roller that supports the lower surface of the effective portion. The method for cutting a glass film according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the thickness of the strip-shaped glass film is in the range of 200 μm to 300 μm.