Laminator and laminating method for lamination to substrate

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a laminator and laminating method for lamination to a substrate. More particularly, the present invention relates to a laminator and laminating method for lamination to a substrate in which a product can be obtained efficiently and failure can be prevented reliably.

#2. Description Related to the Prior Art

#The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevation illustrating a laminator;

#FIG. 2 is an elevation illustrating a supplier for supplying a glass substrate;

#In FIG. 1, a laminator of the present invention is depicted. The laminator or a layer transferring device includes a supply transfer mechanism 11, a preheater 12, an attacher unit 13, a laminated material supply unit 14, a cooler 15 having a cooling fan or blower, a peeler 16, and an ejector 17.

#The supply transfer mechanism 11 includes a supply robot hand 20 of an articulated robot type. A hand body 21 of the supply robot hand 20 includes suction pads 21a. A glass substrate 22 has a back surface 22a, which is sucked or retained by the suction pads 21a, which keep the glass substrate 22 captured on the hand body 21. The glass substrate 22 also has a transfer receiving surface 22b which is reverse to the back surface 22a. A supply cassette 23 stores the glass substrate 22. The supply robot hand 20 takes the glass substrate 22 out of the supply cassette 23, and turns the glass substrate 22 by half a rotation to direct the transfer receiving surface 22b downwards, before the supply robot hand 20 sends the glass substrate 22 to the preheater 12. The supply cassette 23 keeps numerous glass substrates 22 oriented horizontally. Furthermore, plural support posts 23a are included in the supply cassette 23 for supporting the glass substrate 22. It is to be noted that, instead of the suction pads 21a, any other mechanism can be used in a manner to contact only a back surface of the glass substrate 22 directed upwards, or contact a portion of the lateral edges of the glass substrate 22. Furthermore, a suction device may be used in combination with a vacuum pump or the like for exhaustion of air. The suction device can operate for suction of the glass substrate 22 by forced exhaustion.

#The preheater 12 is constituted by a supplier 25 and heaters 26 and 27. In FIG. 2, the supplier 25 includes a flotation blower 28 and advancing rollers 29 as advancing mechanism. The flotation blower 28 in a plate shape is opposed to a lower surface of the glass substrate 22, and blows clean air over the glass substrate 22 to float the glass substrate 22.