WO2010018885A1

WO2010018885A1 - Panel loading apparatus and the method of loading panel for manufacturing display panel

Info

Publication number: WO2010018885A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/005116
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young Seok Koo
Original assignee: SUNGJIN HI-MECH Co Ltd
Current assignee: SUNGJIN HI-MECH Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-11
Filing date: 2008-09-01
Publication date: 2010-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2011-02-11
Also published as: CN102119356B; CN102119356A; KR100962687B1; KR20100019591A

Abstract

A panel-loading apparatus and a panel-loading method for the manufacture of display panels. A plurality of panels can be loaded without intervals in a tray instead of using conventional cassettes, each of which contains panels spaced at regular intervals. Protective papers are inserted between the panels so that a higher number of panels can be contained in the tray and a number of trays can be piled one atop another, the piled trays are transported to an inlet of process equipment, and the panels are input from the trays one by one to the process equipment.

Description

PANEL LOADING APPARATUS AND THE METHOD OF LOADING PANEL FOR MANUFACTURING DISPLAY PANEL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a panel-loading apparatus and a panel-loading method for the manufacture of display panels. More particularly, the present invention relates to a panel-loading apparatus and a panel- loading method for the manufacture of display panels, which allow a plurality of panels to be loaded without intervals in a tray instead of using conventional cassettes, each of which contains panels spaced at regular intervals, wherein protective papers are inserted between the panels so that a higher number of panels can be contained in the tray and a number of trays can be piled one atop another, the piled trays are transported to an inlet of process equipment, and the panels are input from the trays one by one to the process equipment. Background Art

[2] Recently, Flat Panel Displays (FPD) such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a

Plasma Display Panel (PDP) are being alternatively used since a greater number of products such as computers, notebook computers, and wall-mounted flat televisions require portability, mobility and compactness.

[3] In these FPDs, LCD is a device using the optical properties of liquid crystal that can change in response to electricity applied thereto, and is used in a number of products such as computer monitors, notebook computers and wall-mounted flat televisions.

[4] A manufacturing process of an LCD generally includes a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) process, a liquid crystal process, and a module process. The TFT process is a process that arrays thin film transistors (TFTs) on a glass substrate by repeatedly performing vapor deposition, photolithography and etching. The liquid crystal process is a process that forms alignment layers on a lower TFT plate and on an upper plate where a color filter is formed, and then injects liquid crystal between them. The module process is a process that produces an LCD module by attaching Integrated Circuit (IC) chips or a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) onto the display panel which has gone through the liquid crystal process.

[5] The module process includes a cleaning process in which a variety of impurities on the panels transferred during the liquid crystal process are removed using a cleaning solution and a cleaning cloth, a label printing process in which a unique bar code label is printed and attached onto the surface of the panel, an IC and PCB attaching process in which an IC or PCB for driving the panel is attached onto the panel using an anisotropic conductive film, and an inspection process in which an inspection is performed to search for any errors occurring during the manufacturing processes after the aforementioned processes are finished. [6] During the aforementioned manufacturing processes for FPDs, the display panels are transported to process equipment which performs each module process on the display panels. In the prior art, when the panels are transported to the process equipment, a plurality of panels are loaded on a cassette and are then moved to the process equipment, instead of being separately provided. [7] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional cassette 100 is shaped as a rectangular box to contain panels spaced at regular intervals, so that the panels are not damaged owing to coming into direct contact with each other. [8] In the cassette of the prior art, supporting frames 110 are perpendicularly formed between rectangular upper and bottom plates, and a plurality of insertion grooves 111 are formed on the inside walls of the supporting frames 110 at regular intervals, and the panels 10 are inserted into the insertion grooves 111. [9] As described above, since the conventional cassette 100 contains the panels 10 spaced apart by regular intervals, the number of the panels 10 contained in one cassette

100 is limited. Therefore, the cassette 100 has to be frequently transported to or from the process equipment. [10] Furthermore, the cassette 100 is too bulky and heavy to be transported compared to the number of panels contained therein.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[11] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems with the prior art, and an aspect of the present invention provides a panel-loading apparatus and a panel-loading method for the manufacture of display panels, which allow a plurality of panels to be loaded at non-regular intervals in a tray instead of using conventional cassettes, which contain panels spaced at regular intervals, wherein protective papers are inserted between the panels so that more panels can be contained in the tray and a number of trays can be piled one atop another, the piled trays are transported to an inlet of panel-manufacturing equipment (process equipment), and the panels are input from the trays one by one to a manufacturing process. Accordingly, more panels can be quickly and efficiently input into the panel-manufacturing equipment, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and space utilization can be maximized owing to a reduced number of cassettes (trays), which contain and carry the panels to be loaded to the panel-manufacturing equipment. Technical Solution

[12] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel-loading apparatus for sequentially loading panels one by one from a group of piled trays into a display panel manufacturing process. The panel-loading apparatus may include a panel-handling apparatus for holding, via vacuum, a top panel of a top tray in the group of piled trays, in which the tray includes a plurality of panels stacked one atop another and protective paper is inserted between the panels, and horizontally transferring the vacuum-held panel (in an X-axis direction); a protective paper- collecting apparatus for collecting protective paper from a bottom of the panel while the panel is being transferred and storing the collected protective paper in a protective paper collecting bin; and a tray-discharging apparatus for holding and transferring the top tray in a direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the transferring direction of the panel (X-axis direction) and placing the top tray on a tray output unit when the top tray is empty with all the panels transferred therefrom.

[13] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the tray-discharging apparatus holds the protective paper via vacuum and discharges the protective paper to the tray output unit when protective paper is left in the tray instead of having stuck to the panel.

[14] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel- loading method for sequentially loading panels one by one from a group of piled trays into a display panel manufacturing process. The panel-loading method may include a first step of vacuum-holding, at a panel-handling apparatus, a top panel of a top tray in the group of piled trays, in which the panel includes a plurality of panels stacked one atop another with protective papers inserted between the panels, and horizontally transferring the vacuum-held panel (in an X-axis direction); a second step of determining whether or not protective paper is left in the top tray after the panel is transferred therefrom; a third step of holding the protective paper via vacuum and transferring when it is determined in the second step that the protective paper is left in the top tray; and a fourth step of grasping and transferring the top tray in a direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the transferring direction of the panel (X-axis direction) and discharging the tray into a tray output unit when it is determined in the second step that the protective paper is not left on the top tray and that there are no remaining panels left on the top tray. When the top tray is transferred in the fourth step, the group of trays are lifted up, such that a next top tray is located on top of the group of trays, and the first through fourth steps are repeated on the next top tray.

[15] In the third step, the tray-discharging apparatus may hold the protective paper via vacuum and transfers the protective paper to the tray output unit.

[16] The tray-discharging apparatus may hold or grasp an empty tray using vacuum or a clamp to transfer the empty tray.

[17] A protective paper-collecting apparatus may remove the protective paper from the panel using a protective paper removal roller, wherein the protective paper removable roller brings a bottom of the protective paper stuck on the bottom of the panel into contact with an outer circumferential surface thereof.

[18] A protective paper sensor installed on an output handler may determine whether or not protective paper is left in the tray after the panel is transferred.

Advantageous Effects

[19] In embodiments of the panel-loading apparatus and the panel-loading method for the manufacture of display panels according to the present invention, panels can be loaded at non-regular intervals in a tray instead of using conventional cassettes, which contain panels spaced at regular intervals, wherein protective papers are inserted between the panels so that more panels can be contained in the tray and a number of trays can be piled one atop another, the piled trays are transported to an inlet of panel- manufacturing equipment (process equipment), and the panels are input from the trays one by one to a manufacturing process. Accordingly, more panels can be quickly and efficiently input into the panel-manufacturing equipment, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and space utilization can be maximized owing to a reduced number of cassettes (trays), which contain and carry the panels to be loaded to the panel- manufacturing equipment.

[20] Furthermore, in the panel-loading apparatus and the panel-loading method for the manufacture of display panels according to the present invention, the protective papers inserted between the panels can be collected and recycled later on. Brief Description of Drawings

[21] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cassette containing panels in the prior art;

[22] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a tray containing panels in accordance with the present invention;

[23] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a process of transporting panels in accordance with the present invention;

[24] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a process of transporting an empty tray in accordance with the present invention;

[25] FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a panel-loading apparatus for the manufacture of display panels in accordance with the present invention;

[26] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a panel-handling apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

[27] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a tray-discharging apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

[28] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a tray input unit and a tray output unit in accordance with the present invention; [29] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a protective paper- collecting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and

[30] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a panel-loading method for the manufacture of display panels in accordance with the present invention.

[31] <Major Reference Numerals of the Drawings>

[32] 10: panel 11: protective paper

[33] 20: tray 30: tray carriage

[34] 31, 41: roller 40: tray input unit

[35] 42: tray-moving lift

[36] 43, 71: tray -receiving section

[37] 44, 72: up-down drive motor 45, 73: ball screw

[38] 46, 74: guide rail

[39] 50: panel-handling apparatus

[40] 51: support frame 52: X-axis driving robot

[41] 53: Z-axis driving robot 54: panel handler

[42] 55: handler arm

[43] 56: vacuum-absorbing pad (for panels)

[44] 60: tray-discharging apparatus

[45] 61: support frame 62: Y-axis driving robot

[46] 63: Z-axis driving robot 64: tray handler

[47] 65: handler arm

[48] 66: vacuum-absorbing pad (for trays)

[49] 67: tray clamp

[50] 68: protective paper sensor

[51] 69: vacuum-absorbing pad (for protective papers)

[52] 70: tray output unit

[53] 80: protective paper-collecting apparatus

[54] 81 : protective paper removal roller

[55] 82: main driving roller

[56] 83: protective paper collecting bin

[57] 90: pre-aligning apparatus 91: pre-alignment base

Mode for the Invention

[58] A panel-loading apparatus and a panel-loading method for the manufacture of display panels according to the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[59] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a tray containing panels in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a process of transporting panels in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a process of transporting an empty tray in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a panel-loading apparatus for the manufacture of display panels in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a panel-handling apparatus in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a tray-discharging apparatus in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an exemplary embodiment of a tray input unit and a tray output unit in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a protective paper-collecting apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

[60] Referring to FIG. 2 (a) and (b), a panel tray 20 applied to the panel-loading apparatus and the panel-loading method for manufacture of display panels according to the present invention has therein a space for stacking a plurality of panels 10. Thus, the panels 10 can be stacked one atop another in the space of the tray 20.

[61] A method of stacking the panels 10 in the tray 20 will be described below. A protective paper 11 is inserted inside the tray 20 first. After one panel 10 is stacked on the protective paper 11, another panel 10 is stacked thereon with another protective paper 11 sandwiched between the two panels 10. Like this, a plurality of panels 10 can be stacked inside the tray 20 by hand. About 10 panels can be piled up in one tray 20, considering the weight of the panel 10 and the efficiency of the work done by hand.

[62] The protective papers 11 inserted between the panels 10 act to prevent the panels 10 from being damaged due to coming into direct contact with each other and to buffer impact from outside. The protective papers 11 can preferably be of a material capable of generating little static electricity from contacting the panel 10 and capable of buffering external impact because of having a cushioning property. The length and width of the protective papers 11 are preferably be smaller than those of the panel 10. However, the sizes of the protective papers 11 can also be the same as or bigger than those of the panels 10.

[63] As shown in the left side of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a plurality of trays 20, in each of which a plurality of panels 10 are stacked on top of another, can be piled as one group on a tray carriage 30, which is then manually transported to the panel-loading apparatus.

[64] Considering the ease of the transportation, about 10 trays 20 can be loaded and transported, as one group, on the tray carriage 30 at one time.

[65] As shown in a top plan view in FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of the panel- loading apparatus for manufacture of display panels in accordance with the present invention includes a tray input unit 40, a panel-handling apparatus 50, a tray- discharging apparatus 60, and a protective paper-collecting apparatus 80. A group of the piled trays 20, transported on the tray carriage 30, are transferred from the tray carriage 30 to the tray input unit 40. The panel-handling apparatus 50 horizontally transfers a top panel 10 from a top tray 20 of the tray group via vacuum-holding, rotates the panel 10 at 90 degrees, and places the panel 10 on a pre-alignment base 91 of a pre-aligning apparatus 90. The pre-aligning apparatus 90 pre-aligns the transferred panel 10 before inputting the panel 10 into panel- manufacturing equipment (i.e., module process equipment). The tray-discharging apparatus 60 grasps and lifts up each tray 20 using either vacuum or clamps when the tray 20 is empty when all the panels 10 have been transferred therefrom, and transfers the empty tray 20 in a direction orthogonal to the transferring direction of the panels 10, and discharges the empty tray 20 to a tray output unit 70 located near the tray input unit 40. The protective paper- collecting apparatus 80 collects a protective paper 11 by removing it from the panel 10 when the protective paper 11 is still stuck on the panel 10 during the transferring of the panel 10 and then stores the collected protective papers 11 in a protective paper- collecting bin 83.

[66] A process of transferring a group of the trays 20 and the panels 10 stacked in the trays 20 transported by the tray carriage 30 will be described below referring to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[67] The group of the piled trays 20, transferred from the tray carriage 30, can be manually input into the tray input unit 40 using rollers 31 equipped in the lower portion of the tray carriage 30. Rollers 41 can also be provided in the lower portion of the tray input unit 40 to facilitate inputting the trays 20.

[68] Once the group of trays is input into the tray input unit 40, the group of trays is lifted for a certain distance by a tray-moving lift 42, which serves to move the group of trays up and down, and a panel 10 placed on the top of the group of trays is ready to be loaded.

[69] The panel-handling apparatus 50 is supported on the work base level by supporting frames 51. A panel handler 54 formed on the panel-handling apparatus 50 is designed to hold the top panel 10 on the top tray 20 via vacuum, vertically and horizontally transfer the panel 10 (in Z- and X-axis directions), and place the panel 10 on the pre- alignment base 91 of the pre-aligning apparatus 90. The pre-aligning apparatus 90 is for pre-aligning the transferred panel 10 before loading the transferred panel 10 into the panel-manufacturing equipment (i.e., module process equipment).

[70] If the protective paper 11 is stuck on the horizontally-moving panel 10 (moving in the X-axis direction), the bottom surface of the protective paper 11 stuck on the bottom of the panel 10 will be contacted with the top of the outer circumferential surface of a protective paper removal roller 81 so that the protective paper 11 stuck on the panel 10 can be removed by the protective paper-collecting apparatus 80 which detaches the protective paper 11 from the panel 10.

[71] The protective paper-collecting apparatus 80 can include a main driving roller 82 rotated by a drive motor and a protective paper removal roller 81 rotating together with the main driving roller 82 (see FIG. 9). Besides this, the protective paper-collecting apparatus 80 can adopt a method of automatically rotating the protective paper removal roller 81 depending on contact with the protective paper 11 which moves together with the panel 10. Otherwise, the protective paper-collecting apparatus 80 can be implemented using any structure which removes protective paper 11 from the bottom of the panel 10.

[72] The protective paper removal roller 81 can weaken the force adhering the protective paper to the panel 10 by contacting the bottom of the protective paper 11 with its outer circumferential surface. Applying an adhesive material onto the outer circumferential surface of the protective paper removal roller 81 can help easily remove the protective paper 11 from the panel 10.

[73] The protective paper 11 removed by the protective paper-collecting apparatus 80 will be dropped into the protective paper collecting bin 83 for later recycling.

[74] In the mean time, when the protective paper 11 is left in the tray instead of being stuck on the panel 10 while the panel handler 54 formed on the panel-handling apparatus 50 is transferring the top panel 10 from the top tray 20, a protective paper sensor 68 formed on the tray-discharging apparatus 60 will recognize that protective paper 11 is left in the tray 20 and will hold the protective paper 11 using vacuum pressure and will discharge the protective paper 11 to the tray output unit 70.

[75] When the tray 20 is empty after transferring all the panels 10, the tray-discharging apparatus 60 will hold or grasp the empty tray 20 using either vacuum or clamps, vertically and horizontally move the empty tray 20 (in the Z- and Y-axis directions), and discharge the empty tray 20 to the tray output unit 70 near the tray input unit 40. A panel sensor can be installed in the tray-discharging apparatus 60 in order to determine whether or not a panel 10 is left in the tray 20.

[76] After the tray-discharging apparatus 60 has discharged the empty tray 20 (that is, without any panel 10 left therein) to the tray output unit 70, the tray-moving lift 42 of the tray input unit 40 is raised and gets ready to move panels 10 from the next tray 20.

[77] After all the trays 20 which were input into the tray input unit 40 have been discharged to the tray output unit 70 by repeating the aforementioned process, another group of trays is moved from the tray carriage 30, which is waiting next to the tray input unit 40, to the tray input unit 40.

[78] Explaining an exemplary embodiment of the panel-handling apparatus 50 with reference to FIG. 6, the panel-handling apparatus 50 includes a support frame 51, a panel handler 54, an X-axis driving robot 52, a Z-axis driving robot 53 and a handler arm 55. The support frame 51 supports the entire panel-handling apparatus 50 on the work base level. The panel handler 54 moves vertically and horizontally the panels 10 (in the Z- and X-axis directions) by vacuum-holding the panel 10 with vacuum- absorbing pads 56. The X-axis driving robot 52 horizontally moves the panel handler 54 (in the X-axis direction). The Z-axis driving robot 53 vertically moves the panel handler 54 (in the Z-axis direction). The handler arm 55 is fixedly coupled at one portion with the X-axis driving robot 52 and the Z-axis driving robot 53, and is fixedly coupled at the other portion with the panel handler 54, wherein the other portion extends orthogonally to the first portion. The handler arm 55 allows the panel handler 54 to move vertically and horizontally (in the Z-axis and X-axis directions), separated from the X-axis driving robot 52 and the Z-axis driving robot 53.

[79] An exemplary embodiment of the tray-discharging apparatus 60 is described referring to FIG. 7. The tray-discharging apparatus 60 includes a supporting frame 61, a tray handler 64, a Y-axis driving robot 62, a Z-axis driving robot 63 and a handler arm 65. The supporting frame 61 supports the whole tray-discharging apparatus 60 on the work base level. The tray handler 64 vertically and horizontally moves the empty tray 20, which has no tray left therein, (in the Z- and Y-axis directions) by holding or grasping the tray 20 via vacuum or with clamps. The Y-axis driving robot 62 horizontally moves the tray handler 64 (in the Y-axis direction). The Z-axis driving robot 63 vertically moves the tray handler 64 (in the Z-axis direction). The handler arm 65 is fixedly coupled at one portion with the X-axis driving robot 62 and the Z-axis driving robot 63, and is fixedly coupled at the other portion with the panel handler 64, wherein the first and second portions are orthogonal. The handler arm 65 allows the panel handler 64 to move vertically and horizontally (in the X-axis and Z-axis directions), s eparated from the X-axis driving robot 62 and Z-axis driving robot 63. The tray handler 64 includes vacuum-absorbing pads 66 for holding the empty tray via vacuum, tray clamps 67 for clamping the empty tray, a protective paper sensor 68 for detecting whether or not any protective paper 11 is left in the tray 20 after the top panel 10 is transferred, and protective paper vacuum-absorbing pads 69 for holding the protective paper 11, if any, detected in the tray 20.

[80] An exemplary embodiment of the tray input unit 40 and the tray output unit 70 will be described hereinafter referring to FIG. 8. The tray input unit 40 includes a tray- receiving section 43 which receives and accommodates a group of trays including a plurality of the piled trays 20 from the tray carriage 30, and a tray lift 42 which moves the tray-receiving section 43 upwards and downwards. The tray lift 42 includes drive motors 44 for moving the tray-receiving section 43 up and down, and ball screws 45 for allowing the tray-receiving section 43 to move up and down along guide rails 46 by the rotation of the drive motors 44, wherein each of the guide rails 46 is formed on one side of a corresponding one of the ball screws 45.

[81] The tray output unit 70 includes a tray-receiving section 71 which receives and accommodates the empty trays having no trays left therein when the empty trays are discharged one by one from the tray-discharging apparatus 60. The tray output unit 70 also includes a structure which moves the tray-receiving section 71 like the tray lift 42 of the tray input unit 40. This structure for moving the tray -receiving section 71 up and down can include drive motors 72, ball screws 73, and guide rails 74.

[82] For moving up and down the tray -receiving sections 43 and 71 accommodating the group of trays in the tray input unit 40 and the tray output unit 70, a linear motor and the like can be used in place of the drive motors 44 and 72 and the ball screws 45 and 73.

[83] The panel-loading method for manufacture of display panels in accordance with the present invention is described hereinafter referring to FIG. 10.

[84] When the group of trays including a plurality of piled trays 20 is input from the tray carriage 30 into a tray input unit 40, the group of trays is lifted up a certain distance, and the panels 10 are ready to be loaded by the tray lift 42.

[85] The top panel 10 of the top tray 20 in the group of trays is vacuum-held and grasped by the panel handler 54 of the panel-handling apparatus 50, vertically moved up (in the Z-axis direction) for a certain distance, horizontally moved (in the X-axis direction), and then seated on the pre-alignment base 91 of the pre-aligning apparatus 90 (SlO).

[86] While the panel 10 is being horizontally moved in the step SlO, the protective paper sensor 68 detects whether or not a protective paper 11 is left in the top tray 20 (S20).

[87] If the protective paper 11 is detected in the top tray as the result of the step S20, which is performed to determine whether or not the protective paper 11 is left in the top tray 20, the protective paper 11 is horizontally moved (in the X-axis direction) and is moved in a direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction (in the Y-axis direction) like the panel 10 by the tray-discharging apparatus 60 and is then discharged to the tray output unit 70 (S30). (At this time, the protective paper 11 can be collected by another protective paper collecting section in place of the tray output unit 70.)

[88] On the other hand, when the protective paper 11 is detected to have been left in the tray 20, it is determined whether or not a panel 10 has been left in the top tray 20 (S40).

[89] When the panel 10 is determined to have been left in the top tray 20, the process returns to the step SlO and the top panel 10 of the top tray 20 is vacuum-held and grasped, horizontally moved (in the X-axis direction), and then vertically moved up (in the Z-axis direction) (S50). [90] When it is determined that the panel was not left in the top tray 20 in the step S40, the top tray 20 is recognized as an empty tray. The empty tray is then held or grasped by the tray handler 64 of the tray-discharging apparatus 60 via vacuum or with the clamps, followed by being vertically moved up (in the Z-axis direction) for a certain distance, moved horizontally and orthogonally (in the X-axis and Y-axis directions), and then discharged to the tray output unit 70 (S60).

[91] After the empty tray is transferred in the step S60, the group of trays is moved up for a certain distance by the tray lift 42 so that the top panel 10 in the next top tray 20 is ready to be loaded (S70). Next, the process returns to the step SlO and repeats the aforementioned steps SlO to S70 until no trays 20 are left in the tray input unit 40 (S80).

[92] When the protective paper 11 is stuck on the bottom of the panel while the panel 10 is being horizontally moved (in the X-axis direction) after having been vertically mov ed up (in the Z-axis direction) for a certain distance in step SlO, the protective paper 11 stuck on the bottom of the panel 10 can be removed by the protective paper-collecting apparatus 80, which removes the protective paper 11 from the panel 10 by bringing the bottom of the protective paper 11 into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the protective paper removal roller 81. Industrial Applicability

[93] In the panel-loading apparatus and the panel-loading method for manufacture of display panels according to the present invention, a plurality of panels can be loaded without intervals in a tray instead of using conventional cassettes, which contain panels spaced at regular intervals, wherein protective papers are inserted between the panels so that more panels can be contained in the tray and a number of trays can be piled one atop another, the piled trays are transported to an inlet of process equipment, and the panels are input from the trays one by one to the process equipment.

Claims

[1] A panel-loading apparatus for sequentially loading panels one by one from a group of piled trays into a display panel manufacturing process, comprising: a panel-handling apparatus for holding, via vacuum, a top panel of a top tray in the group of piled trays, in which the tray includes a plurality of panels stacked one atop another and protective paper is inserted between the panels, and horizontally transferring the vacuum-held panel (in an X-axis direction); a protective paper-collecting apparatus for collecting protective paper from a bottom of the panel while the panel is being transferred and storing the collected protective paper in a protective paper collecting bin; and a tray-discharging apparatus for holding and transferring the top tray in a direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the transferring direction of the panel (X-axis direction) and placing the top tray on a tray output unit when the top tray is empty with all the panels transferred therefrom.

[2] The panel-loading apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tray- discharging apparatus holds the protective paper using vacuum and discharges the protective paper to the tray output unit when protective paper is left in the tra y instead of having stuck to the panel.

[3] The panel-loading apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tray- discharging apparatus transfers the empty tray by holding or grasping the empty tray via vacuum or with a clamp.

[4] The panel-loading apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protective paper-collecting apparatus removes the protective paper from the panel using a protective paper removal roller, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the protective paper removable roller makes contact with a bottom of the protective paper stuck on the bottom of the panel.

[5] A panel-loading method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a protective paper sensor is provided on the tray-discharging apparatus to determine whether or not protective paper is stuck on the panel.

[6] A panel-loading method for sequentially loading panels one by one from a group of piled trays into a display panel manufacturing process, comprising: a first step of vacuum-holding, at a panel-handling apparatus, a top panel of a top tray in the group of piled trays, in which the panel includes a plurality of panels stacked one atop another with protective papers inserted between the panels, and horizontally transferring the vacuum-held panel (in an X-axis direction); a second step of determining whether or not protective paper is left in the top tray after the panel is transferred therefrom; a third step of holding the protective paper via vacuum and transferring when it is determined in the second step that the protective paper is left in the top tray; and a fourth step of grasping and transferring the top tray in a direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the transferring direction of the panel (X-axis direction) and discharging the tray into a tray output unit when it is determined in the second step that the protective paper is not left on the top tray and that there are no remaining panels left on the top tray, wherein, when the top tray is transferred in the fourth step, the group of trays are lifted up such that a next top tray is located on top of the group of trays and the first through fourth steps are repeated on the next top tray.

[7] The panel-loading method in accordance with claim 6, wherein in the third step, the tray-discharging apparatus holds the protective paper via vacuum and transfers the protective paper to the tray output unit.

[8] The panel-loading method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the tray- discharging apparatus holds or grasps an empty tray using vacuum or a clamp to transfer the empty tray.

[9] The panel-loading method in accordance with claim 6, wherein a protective paper-collecting apparatus removes the protective paper from the panel using a protective paper removal roller, wherein the protective paper removable roller brings a bottom of the protective paper stuck on the bottom of the panel into contact with an outer circumferential surface thereof.

[10] The panel-loading method in accordance with claim 9, wherein a protective paper sensor installed on an output handler determines whether or not protective paper is left in the tray after the panel is transferred.