Sheet connection device, sheet connection method, and sheet replacement system

A sheet connection device for connecting a first bonding sheet arranged on an upstream side in a supply direction and a second bonding sheet arranged on a downstream side in the supply direction with respect to the first bonding sheet to each other in the supply direction, the first bonding sheet and the second bonding sheet each being a bonding sheet including an adhesive sheet and a release sheet formed at least on an adhesive surface of the adhesive sheet in an overlapping manner, the sheet connection device comprising:

• a pair of adhesive rollers, which are provided on the upstream side in the supply direction so as to be movable closer to and away from each other with respect to the bonding sheet arranged therebetween, and are capable of holding the bonding sheet therebetween when being moved closer to each other;
• a joining unit and a cutting unit that are disposed along a supply passage for the bonding sheet;
• and
• a pair of feed rollers, which are provided on the downstream side in the supply direction with respect to the joining unit and the cutting unit so as to be movable closer to and away from each other with respect to the bonding sheet arranged therebetween, and are capable of holding the bonding sheet therebetween when being moved closer to each other,
• wherein the cutting unit is capable of forming a connected end portion by cutting the second bonding sheet in a width direction intersecting with the supply direction,
• wherein the pair of adhesive rollers each have a surface with adhesiveness and are capable of separating a connecting end portion of the first bonding sheet into the adhesive sheet and the release sheet to form a separated portion by feeding the first bonding sheet from the upstream side toward the downstream side while holding the connecting end portion therebetween,
• wherein the feed rollers are capable of inserting the connected end portion into the separated portion by feeding the second bonding sheet toward the connecting end portion while holding the second bonding sheet therebetween, and
• wherein the joining unit is configured to connect the connecting end portion and the connected end portion to each other by adhesion or welding under a state in which the connected end portion is inserted into the connecting end portion.