Layer Transfer Device

Abstract

To provide a layer transfer device allowed to simply clean a retard roller.SOLUTION: A layer transfer device comprises a transfer unit, a sheet tray, a pickup roller, a retard roller and a control unit. The transfer unit heats up a sheet and a multilayer film sandwiched between a heating member and a pressurizing member. The sheet tray is provided upstream of the transfer unit in a transport direction and loads a sheet thereon. The pickup roller is allowed to pick up the sheet on the sheet tray and carry it to the transfer unit. The retard roller is arranged to face the pickup roller so as to separate the sheets from the sheet tray one by one. The control unit, when receiving a command to clean the retard roller (S1, Yes), goes into contact with the retard roller and rotates the retard roller in a state in which a cleaning member capable of cleaning the retard roller is attached on the sheet tray (S6-S9).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a layer transfer device for transferring a multi-layer film onto a sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a layer transfer device is known that includes a supply reel on which a multilayer film including a transfer layer is wound, a take-up reel for taking up the multilayer film, a heating roller for heating the multilayer film and the sheet, and a pressure roller for sandwiching the multilayer film and the sheet between the heating roller (see Patent Document 1). With this technology, the multilayer film and the sheet are transported by the rotating heating roller and pressure roller, making it possible to transfer the transfer layer to a toner image on the sheet (hereinafter also referred to as "layer transfer").

[0003] The layer transfer device of Patent Document 1 is provided with a cover that opens upward, and by opening the cover, the multilayer film can be replaced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-121779 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] By the way, in the layer transfer device, most of the sheet transport path is exposed by opening the cover, so most of the components arranged in the transport path can be cleaned. However, the retard roller facing the pickup roller is not exposed even when the cover is opened, so there is a problem that it is difficult to clean.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a layer transfer device that allows easy cleaning of the retard roller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The layer transfer device for solving the above problem overlays a multilayer film consisting of multiple layers onto a sheet and transfers at least one layer of the multilayer film, and is equipped with a transfer unit, a sheet tray, a pickup roller, a retard roller, and a control unit. The transfer unit has a heating member and a pressure member, and heats the sheet and the multilayer film while sandwiched between the heating member and the pressure member. The sheet tray is provided upstream of the transfer unit in the sheet transport direction, and places the sheet thereon. The pickup roller is capable of picking up the sheet placed on the sheet tray and transporting the sheet toward the transfer unit. The retard roller is disposed opposite the pickup roller, and separates the sheets placed on the sheet tray one by one. When the control unit receives a command to clean the retard roller, the control unit rotates the retard roller with a cleaning member attached to the sheet tray that is capable of contacting the retard roller to clean the retard roller.

[0008] With this configuration, the retard roller can be easily cleaned.

[0009] In the above-described configuration, an operation panel may be further provided, and the control unit may be configured to be able to receive a command to clean the retard roller from the operation panel.

[0010] In the above-described configuration, the control unit may be configured not to heat the heating member when a command to clean the retard roller is received.

[0011] In the above-described configuration, the retard roller may be configured to be rotatable in response to rotation of the pick-up roller.

[0012] According to this configuration, the retard roller can be rotated by rotating the pickup roller, thereby cleaning the retard roller.

[0013] In the above-described configuration, a housing body may be provided, and the housing body may have an opening for exposing a part of the pickup roller to the outside, and a cover for opening and closing the opening.

[0014] According to this configuration, by opening the cover, the pickup roller can be cleaned through the opening.

[0015] In the above-described configuration, an opening / closing sensor that detects whether the cover is open or closed may be further provided, and the control unit may be configured not to rotate the pick-up roller when the opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is open.

[0016] According to this configuration, the pickup roller is not rotated when the cover is open, so that it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering between the pickup roller and the retard roller.

[0017] In the above-described configuration, the control unit may be configured to rotate the pickup roller at a first speed when performing layer transfer, and to rotate the pickup roller at a second speed faster than the first speed when cleaning the retard roller.

[0018] According to this configuration, cleaning of the retard roller can be completed quickly.

[0019] In addition, in the above-mentioned configuration, the device may further include a sheet tray sensor that turns on when it detects that a sheet has been placed on the sheet tray, and the cleaning member has a detectable portion that is detected by the sheet tray sensor and turns on the sheet tray sensor when the cleaning member is attached to the sheet tray, and the control unit may be configured to rotate the pickup roller when it receives a command to clean the retard roller, provided that the sheet tray sensor is on.

[0020] According to this configuration, when the sheet tray sensor is not in an on state, the pickup roller is not rotated, so cleaning of the retard roller in the absence of a cleaning member can be suppressed.

[0021] In addition, in the above-mentioned configuration, a sheet sensor may be further provided that is arranged between the pickup roller and the transfer unit in the sheet transport direction and detects the sheet, and the control unit may be configured to receive a command to clean the retard roller, rotate the pickup roller, and then stop rotation of the pickup roller when the sheet sensor detects the sheet.

[0022] According to this configuration, even if the user mistakenly inputs a command to clean the retard roller with a sheet placed thereon, the sheet can be detected and the rotation of the pickup roller can be stopped.

[0023] In addition, in the above-mentioned configuration, the control unit may be configured to receive a command to clean the retard roller, rotate the pickup roller for a first predetermined time, then stop the rotation and notify the user to remove the cleaning member, and enable layer transfer on the condition that a second predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet tray sensor changed from an on state to an off state.

[0024] According to this configuration, after the retard roller is cleaned, it is possible to suppress the layer transfer operation from being performed before the retard roller is in a state where the layer transfer can be performed.

[0025] In addition, in the above-mentioned configuration, a sheet tray sensor that turns on when it detects that a sheet has been placed on the sheet tray is further provided, and the sheet tray sensor is positioned at a position where it turns off and does not detect the cleaning member when the cleaning member is attached to the sheet tray, and when the control unit receives a command to clean the retard roller, it may be configured to rotate the pickup roller, provided that the sheet tray sensor is off.

[0026] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the retard roller from being cleaned with the sheet placed thereon. Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a layer transfer device that allows the retard roller to be easily cleaned. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a layer transfer apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the layer transfer apparatus with the first cover and the second cover open. [Diagram 3] 11 is a rear perspective view of the layer transfer device with the second cover open. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pickup roller and a retard roller. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram explaining the operation of the pickup roller and retard roller when there is no sheet, FIG. 1(b) is a diagram explaining the operation of the pickup roller and retard roller when one sheet is placed, and FIG. 1(c) is a diagram explaining the operation of the pickup roller and retard roller when multiple sheets are placed. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view of the cleaning member as viewed from above, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the cleaning member as viewed from below. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cleaning member is set in the layer transfer device. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cleaning member is set in the layer transfer device. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by a control unit after a retard roller cleaning mode is selected. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the control unit when a layer transfer start button is pressed after a retard roller cleaning mode is executed. [Figure 11] 13A is a perspective view of a cleaning member according to a second embodiment as viewed from above, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the cleaning member as viewed from below. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by a control unit after a retard roller cleaning mode is selected in a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, directions will be described in terms of the directions shown in Fig. 1. That is, the left side of Fig. 1 will be referred to as "front", the right side of Fig. 1 will be referred to as "rear", the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 will be referred to as "right", and the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 will be referred to as "left". Additionally, the top and bottom of Fig. 1 will be referred to as "top and bottom".

[0030] 1, the layer transfer device 1 is a device for overlaying a multilayer film F consisting of multiple layers onto a sheet S and transferring at least one layer of the multilayer film F. The layer transfer device 1 includes a housing 2, a sheet tray 3, a sheet conveying unit 10, a film supply unit 30, a transfer unit 50, a control unit 100, and an operation panel PA.

[0031] The housing 2 is made of resin or the like, and includes a housing body 21 and a first cover 22. As shown in Fig. 2, the housing body 21 has a first opening 21A at the top and a second opening 21B at the rear. The first opening 21A is an opening for inserting and removing a film cartridge FC, which will be described later, into the housing body 21. The second opening 21B is an opening for cleaning a pickup roller 111, which will be described later. The second opening 21B exposes a part of the pickup roller 111 to the outside (see Fig. 3).

[0032] The first cover 22 is a member for opening and closing the first opening 21A. A rear end of the first cover 22 is rotatably supported by the housing body 21. The first cover 22 is movable between a closed position (position in FIG. 1) where the first opening 21A is closed and an open position (position in FIG. 2) where the first opening 21A is opened.

[0033] The second cover 23 is a member for opening and closing the second opening 21B (see also FIG. 3). The lower end of the second cover 23 is rotatably supported by the housing body 21. The second cover 23 is movable between a closed position (position in FIG. 1) for closing the second opening 21B and an open position (position in FIG. 2) for opening the second opening 21B. The second cover 23 is an example of a cover for opening and closing the second opening 21B. The second cover 23 is provided with an opening / closing sensor SS3 for detecting the opening and closing of the second cover 23.

[0034] The sheet tray 3 is a tray on which sheets S, such as paper and overhead projector films, are placed. The sheet tray 3 is provided upstream of the transfer unit 50 in the conveying direction of the sheet S, i.e., at the rear of the housing 2. The sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3 with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing downward. The sheet tray 3 is provided with a sheet tray sensor SS0 that detects the sheet S placed on the sheet tray 3. The sheet tray sensor SS0 is turned on when it detects that the sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3, and is turned off when it does not detect that the sheet S is placed.

[0035] Returning to FIG. 1, the sheet conveying unit 10 includes a sheet supply mechanism 11 and a sheet discharge mechanism 12. The sheet supply mechanism 11 is a mechanism that conveys the sheets S on the sheet tray 3 one by one toward the transfer unit 50. The sheet supply mechanism 11 includes a pickup roller 111, a retard roller 112, a first conveying roller 113, a first driven roller 114, a sheet trailing end sensor SS1, and a sheet width sensor SS2.

[0036] The pickup roller 111 is provided below the transport path of the sheet S. The pickup roller 111 is capable of picking up the sheet S placed on the sheet tray 3 and transporting the sheet S toward the transfer unit 50. As shown in Fig. 4, the pickup roller 111 is provided in the center in the width direction of the sheet S and is composed of two narrow rollers.

[0037] 5(a) to 5(c), the pickup roller 111 is connected to the motor M via a one-way clutch CR1 and a clutch CR2. The pickup roller 111 is connected to the one-way clutch CR1 so that it rotates only in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5) in which the sheet S is transported toward the transfer unit 50. The pickup roller 111 is connected to the clutch CR2 so that it rotates when the clutch CR2 is turned on and does not rotate when the clutch CR2 is turned off.

[0038] The retard roller 112 is provided above the conveying path of the sheet S. The retard roller 112 is disposed opposite the pickup roller 111. The retard roller 112 is a roller for separating the sheets S placed on the sheet tray 3 one by one. As shown in FIG. 4, the retard roller 112 is provided in the center in the width direction of the sheet S corresponding to the pickup roller 111, and is composed of two narrow rollers. The retard roller 112 is rotatably supported by a bearing member 112B. The bearing member 112B is biased downward by a spring 112C. The retard roller 112 is pressed against the pickup roller 111 by the biasing force of the spring 112C.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), the retard roller 112 is connected to the motor M via a torque limiter 112A and a clutch CR2. The retard roller 112 rotates slower than the pickup roller 111 in the opposite direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5) to the direction in which the sheet S is conveyed toward the transfer unit 50 by the driving force of the motor M. Since the retard roller 112 is connected to the motor M via the torque limiter 112A, when the retard roller 112 receives a force from the pickup roller 111 or the sheet S that exceeds the transmittable torque of the torque limiter 112A, the retard roller 112 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction. Since the retard roller 112 is connected to the clutch CR2, a rotational driving force is input when the clutch CR2 is turned on, and a rotational driving force is not input when the clutch CR2 is turned off.

[0040] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(a), when no sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3, the retard roller 112 is rotatable clockwise in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5(b), when only one sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3, the retard roller 112 is rotatable clockwise in FIG. 5 by being driven by the sheet S conveyed by the rotation of the pickup roller 111. As shown in FIG. 5(c), when multiple sheets S are placed on the sheet tray 3, the retard roller 112 does not receive force from the pickup roller 111 or the sheets S, so that it rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5 to push up the topmost sheet S upstream in the conveying direction, causing all sheets S except the bottommost sheet S to remain on the sheet tray 3.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 1, the first conveying roller 113 and the first driven roller 114 are provided on the first cover 22 (see FIG. 2). The first conveying roller 113 and the first driven roller 114 are located between the pickup roller 111 and the transfer unit 50 in the conveying direction. The first conveying roller 113 is driven by a driving source (not shown) to convey the sheet S toward the transfer unit 50. The first driven roller 114 is disposed opposite the first conveying roller 113 and rotates following the rotation of the first conveying roller 113.

[0042] The sheet trailing end sensor SS1 and the sheet width sensor SS2 are disposed between the pickup roller 111 and the transfer unit 50 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The sheet trailing end sensor SS1 is an example of a sheet sensor that detects the sheet S, and is a sensor that is located at the center in the width direction of the sheet S and detects the passage of the sheet S on the conveying path. The sheet width sensor SS2 is a sensor that is disposed a predetermined distance from the center in the width direction of the sheet S and detects that a sheet S of a predetermined width or more has been conveyed.

[0043] The sheet discharge mechanism 12 is a mechanism that discharges the sheet S that has passed through the transfer unit 50 to the outside of the housing 2. The sheet discharge mechanism 12 includes a second transport roller 121 and a second driven roller 122.

[0044] The second conveying roller 121 and the second driven roller 122 are provided on the first cover 22 (see FIG. 2). The second conveying roller 121 and the second driven roller 122 are located downstream of the transfer unit 50 in the conveying direction. The second conveying roller 121 is driven by a driving source (not shown) to convey the sheet S from the transfer unit 50 to the outside of the housing 2. The second driven roller 122 is disposed opposite the second conveying roller 121 and rotates following the rotation of the second conveying roller 121.

[0045] The film supply unit 30 is a section that supplies the multilayer film F so as to be superimposed on the sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply mechanism 11. The film supply unit 30 includes a film cartridge FC and a drive source such as a motor (not shown).

[0046] 2, the film cartridge FC is detachably attached to the housing body 21 by passing through a first opening 21A in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of a supply reel 31 (described later). The film cartridge FC includes a supply reel 31 and a take-up reel 35. A multilayer film F is wound around the supply reel 31.

[0047] The multilayer film F is a film composed of multiple layers. More specifically, the multilayer film F has a support layer and a supported layer. The support layer is a tape-like transparent substrate made of a polymeric material, and supports the supported layer. The supported layer has, for example, a release layer, a transfer layer, and an adhesive layer. The release layer is a layer for facilitating peeling of the transfer layer from the support layer, and is disposed between the support layer and the transfer layer. The release layer contains a transparent material, such as a wax-based resin, that is easily peeled from the support layer.

[0048] In this embodiment, the transfer layer is a layer to be transferred to the toner image and includes a foil. The foil is a thin metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. The transfer layer also includes a coloring material such as gold, silver, or red, and a thermoplastic resin. The transfer layer is disposed between the release layer and the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is a layer for facilitating adhesion of the transfer layer to the toner image. The adhesive layer includes a material that easily adheres to the toner image heated by the transfer unit 50 described later, such as a vinyl chloride resin or an acrylic resin.

[0049] Supply reel 31 is made of resin or the like, and has a supply shaft portion 31A around which multilayer film F is wound. One end of multilayer film F is fixed to supply shaft portion 31A. Multilayer film F is wound around supply reel 31 with the supporting layer on the outside and the supported layer on the inside.

[0050] The take-up reel 35 is made of resin or the like, and has a take-up shaft portion 35A for taking up the multilayer film F. The other end of the multilayer film F is fixed to the take-up shaft portion 35A. The multilayer film F is wound around the take-up reel 35 with the supporting layer on the outside and the supported layer on the inside.

[0051] With the film cartridge FC attached to the layer transfer device 1, the take-up reel 35 is driven to rotate counterclockwise by a drive source (not shown). When the take-up reel 35 rotates, the multilayer film F wound around the supply reel 31 is pulled out, and the pulled-out multilayer film F is taken up by the take-up reel 35. More specifically, during foil transfer, the multilayer film F is fed out by a pressure roller 51 and a heating roller 61 (described later), so that the multilayer film F is pulled out from the supply reel 31. Then, the multilayer film F fed out from the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 is taken up by the take-up reel 35.

[0052] The transfer unit 50 is a section for transferring a transfer layer onto the toner image formed on the sheet S by applying heat and pressure to the sheet S and the multilayer film F in a superposed state. The transfer unit 50 includes a pressure roller 51 as an example of a pressure member, and a heating roller 61 as an example of a pressure member. The transfer unit 50 applies heat and pressure to the sheet S and the multilayer film F in a nip portion formed between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 while the sheet S and the multilayer film F are sandwiched between them.

[0053] The pressure roller 51 is a roller in which the periphery of a cylindrical core metal is covered with a rubber layer made of silicone rubber. The pressure roller 51 is disposed on the upper side of the multilayer film F and is capable of contacting the rear surface of the sheet S (the surface opposite to the surface on which the toner image is formed).

[0054] The pressure roller 51 is disposed in the first cover 22. Both ends of the pressure roller 51 are rotatably supported by the first cover 22. The pressure roller 51 sandwiches the sheet S and the multilayer film F between itself and the heating roller 61, and is driven to rotate by a driving source (not shown), thereby rotating the heating roller 61. The pressure roller 51 conveys the multilayer film F by rotating with the multilayer film F sandwiched between itself and the heating roller 61.

[0055] The heating roller 61 is disposed in the housing main body 21. The heating roller 61 is a rotatable roller in which a heater H is disposed inside a cylindrical metal tube, and heats the multilayer film F and the sheet S. The heating roller 61 is disposed below the multilayer film F and is in contact with the multilayer film F.

[0056] The layer transfer device 1 further includes a contact / separation mechanism 7. The contact / separation mechanism 7 is a mechanism for moving at least one of the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 between a contact position where the heating roller 61 contacts the other roller and a spaced position where the heating roller 61 is spaced from the other roller. In this embodiment, the heating roller 61 moves between a contact position where the heating roller 61 contacts the pressure roller 51 and a spaced position where the heating roller 61 is spaced from the pressure roller 51.

[0057] Specifically, the heating roller 61 is supported rotatably and vertically movable by the heating unit 6. In addition to the heating roller 61, the heating unit 6 has a fixed frame 60 that configures an outer frame, a shutter 62, a movable member 66, and a temperature sensor 68.

[0058] The shutter 62 is guided by the fixed frame 60, and is slidable between a closed position and an open position in conjunction with the contact / separation mechanism 7. As shown in Fig. 1, when the heating roller 61 is in the contact position, the shutter 62 is in the open position, which is a position different from between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51. As shown in Fig. 2, when the heating roller 61 is in the separation position, the shutter 62 is in the closed position, which is a position between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, and covers the heating roller 61.

[0059] With the film cartridge FC attached, when the heating roller 61 is located at the contact position, the heating roller 61 contacts the multilayer film F. With the first cover 22 closed, the contact / separation mechanism 7 moves the heating roller 61 to the contact position where it contacts the multilayer film F in synchronization with the timing at which the sheet S is supplied to the transfer section 50. When the first cover 22 is opened or when foil transfer is not performed on the sheet S in the transfer section 50, the contact / separation mechanism 7 positions the heating roller 61 at the separation position where it is separated from the multilayer film F.

[0060] The moving member 66 is a member that moves at least one of the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 between a contact position and a separation position. In this embodiment, the moving member 66 is a cam that can move the heating roller 61 up and down, and moves the heating roller 61 between the contact position (see FIG. 1) and the separation position (see FIG. 2).

[0061] The temperature sensor 68 is located upstream of the heating roller 61 in the conveying direction of the sheet S (hereinafter, simply referred to as the "conveying direction") The temperature sensor 68 detects the temperature of the heating member.

[0062] In the layer transfer device 1 configured in this manner, the sheets S placed on the sheet tray 3 with their front surfaces facing downward are transported one by one toward the transfer unit 50 by the sheet supply mechanism 11. The sheets S are overlapped with the multilayer film F supplied from the supply reel 31 on the upstream side of the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction, and are transported to the transfer unit 50 with the toner image on the sheets S and the multilayer film F in contact with each other.

[0063] In the transfer section 50, when the sheet S and the multilayer film F pass through a nip between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, they are heated and pressed by the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, and the foil is transferred onto the toner image. Downstream of the transfer section 50, the multilayer film F is peeled off from the sheet S.

[0064] The multilayer film F peeled off from the sheet S is taken up by the take-up reel 35. Meanwhile, the sheet S from which the multilayer film F has been peeled off is discharged by the sheet discharge mechanism 12 to the outside of the housing 2 with the surface on which the foil has been transferred facing down.

[0065] The control unit 100 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random access Memory), a ROM (Read only Memory), and an input / output circuit, and controls the layer transfer apparatus 1 by performing various arithmetic processing based on programs and data stored in the ROM, etc.

[0066] The operation panel PA is provided on the upper surface of the first cover 22. The operation panel PA is capable of displaying various messages and is also capable of inputting commands from the user.

[0067] Next, a configuration and method for cleaning the rollers of the sheet supply mechanism 11 and the sheet discharge mechanism 12 will be described.

[0068] The first conveyor roller 113 and the first driven roller 114 constituting the sheet supply mechanism 11 are disposed in positions that the user can touch when the first cover 22 is opened, and therefore can be easily cleaned. Similarly, the second conveyor roller 121 and the second driven roller 122 constituting the sheet discharge mechanism 12 are disposed in positions that the user can touch when the first cover 22 is opened, and therefore can be easily cleaned.

[0069] Pickup roller 111 is not located in a position where the user can touch it even when first cover 22 is opened, so second cover 23 is opened to perform cleaning. In this embodiment, when cleaning pickup roller 111, with second cover 23 open, the user cleans pickup roller 111 by manually rotating it. When control unit 100 detects that second cover 23 is open by open / close sensor SS3, control unit 100 does not rotate pickup roller 111.

[0070] The retard roller 112 is not positioned at a position where the user can touch it even when the first cover 22 and the second cover 23 are opened. Therefore, when cleaning the retard roller 112, the cleaning member 80 is set in the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, the user selects a cleaning mode for the retard roller 112 on the operation panel PA, and cleans the retard roller 112 by setting the cleaning member 80.

[0071] <Cleaning member 80> 6(a) and 6(b), the cleaning member 80 is a rectangular plate-shaped member. The cleaning member 80 has a main body portion 81, a contact portion 82, a detected portion 83, and a locking portion 84.

[0072] The main body 81 is made of, for example, resin. The contact portion 82 is located at the tip of the main body 81 and is made of, for example, sponge. Two contact portions 82 are arranged corresponding to the retard rollers 112, and the width of the sheet S in the width direction is slightly larger than that of the retard rollers 112. The contact portions 82 are portions that come into contact with the retard rollers 112 when the cleaning member 80 is set in the sheet tray 3, and remove dirt from the retard rollers 112. When using the cleaning member 80, it is advisable to moisten the contact portions 82 with, for example, water or a cleaning liquid.

[0073] 7 and 8, the detected portion 83 is a portion that comes into contact with the sheet tray sensor SS0 when the cleaning member 80 is attached to the sheet tray 3. When the cleaning member 80 is attached to the sheet tray 3, the sheet tray sensor SS0 changes from an OFF state indicated by a two-dot chain line to an ON state indicated by a solid line. The locking portion 84 is a portion that protrudes from the main body portion 81. When the cleaning member 80 is attached to the sheet tray 3, the locking portion 84 engages with a recess 3A of the sheet tray 3 to lock the cleaning member 80 to the sheet tray 3.

[0074] Next, the control executed by the control unit 100 when cleaning the retard roller 112 will be described.

[0075] The control unit 100 can receive a command to clean the retard roller 112 from the operation panel PA. In this embodiment, in addition to a mode for performing layer transfer, a mode for cleaning the retard roller 112 can be selected on the operation panel PA. When a user wants to clean the retard roller 112, the user can select the mode for cleaning the retard roller 112 from the operation panel PA.

[0076] When the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112, the control unit 100 turns off the heater H and does not heat the heating roller 61 since layer transfer is not performed.

[0077] When the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112, it notifies the user to set the cleaning member 80. Then, when the control unit 100 determines that the cleaning member 80 is attached to the sheet tray 3, it rotates the retard roller 112. After notifying the user to set the cleaning member 80, if the sheet tray sensor SS0 is on, the control unit 100 determines that the cleaning member 80 is set.

[0078] Specifically, when the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 111 on condition that the sheet tray sensor SS0 is in an ON state. In this embodiment, when the pickup roller 111 rotates, the retard roller 112 is rotated accordingly, so that dirt is wiped off from the retard roller 112 by the contact portion 82 of the cleaning member 80.

[0079] When performing layer transfer, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 111 at a first speed V1, whereas when cleaning the retard roller 112, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 111 at a second speed V2 that is faster than the first speed V1 (V1 <V2)。

[0080] When the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112 and rotates the pickup roller 111, and then the sheet trailing end sensor SS1 detects the sheet S, the control unit 100 determines that the sheet S is being transported and that the cleaning member 80 is not set on the sheet tray 3, and stops the rotation of the pickup roller 111.

[0081] The control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112, rotates the pickup roller 111 for a first predetermined time, stops the rotation, and notifies the user to remove the cleaning member 80. The first predetermined time is a time sufficient for cleaning the retard roller 112. The control unit 100 then enables layer transfer on the condition that a second predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet tray sensor SS0 changed from an on state to an off state. The second predetermined time is a time required for the retard roller 112 to be sufficiently dried after the cleaning mode for the retard roller 112 is executed.

[0082] Next, an example of a process executed by the control unit 100 when the cleaning mode for the retard roller 112 is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 9, when the control unit 100 determines that the cleaning mode for the retard roller 112 has been selected (S1, Yes), the control unit 100 displays a message on the operation panel PA saying "Please set the cleaning member" (S2).

[0084] After step S2, the control unit 100 determines whether the sheet tray sensor SS0 is on (S3), and if it does not determine that the sheet tray sensor SS0 is on (S3, No), it returns to step S2, and if it determines that the sheet tray sensor SS0 is on (S3, Yes), it displays a message on the operation panel PA saying "Please press the start button" (S4).

[0085] After step S4, the control unit 100 determines whether the start button has been pressed (S5), and if it determines that the start button has not been pressed (S5, No), it returns to step S4, and if it determines that the start button has been pressed (S5, Yes), it starts rotating the pickup roller 111 (S6).

[0086] After step S6, the control section 100 determines whether the sheet trailing end sensor SS1 has changed from an OFF state to an ON state (S7).

[0087] In step S7, if the control unit 100 determines that the sheet trailing end sensor SS1 has changed from an off state to an on state (S7, Yes), it determines that the sheet S is being transported and that the cleaning member 80 is not set in the sheet tray 3, stops the rotation of the pickup roller 111 (S12), displays a message on the operation panel PA saying "Please remove the sheet" (S13), and ends the processing.

[0088] In step S7, when the control unit 100 does not determine that the sheet trailing end sensor SS1 has changed from an OFF state to an ON state (S7, No), the control unit 100 determines whether the pickup roller 111 has rotated for a first predetermined time (S8).

[0089] In step S8, if the control unit 100 does not determine that the pickup roller 111 has rotated for the first predetermined time (S8, No), it returns to step S7, and if it determines that the pickup roller 111 has rotated for the first predetermined time (S8, Yes), it stops the rotation of the pickup roller 111 (S9).

[0090] After step S9, the control unit 100 displays a message on the operation panel PA saying "Please remove the cleaning member" (S10), and determines whether the sheet tray sensor SS0 has changed from an on state to an off state (S11).

[0091] In step S11, if the control unit 100 does not determine that the sheet tray sensor SS0 has changed from an on state to an off state (S11, No), it returns to step S10, and if it determines that the sheet tray sensor SS0 has changed from an on state to an off state (S11, Yes), it terminates the processing.

[0092] Next, with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 10, an example of a process executed by the control unit 100 when the start button for layer transfer is pressed after the cleaning mode for the retard roller 112 has been executed will be described.

[0093] 10, the control unit 100 determines whether the start button has been pressed (S30), and if it is not determined that the start button has been pressed (S30, No), the control unit 100 returns to step S30 and waits until the start button is pressed. If it is determined that the start button has been pressed (S30, Yes), the control unit 100 executes the cleaning mode of the retard roller 112, and then determines whether a second predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet tray sensor SS0 changed from an ON state to an OFF state (S31).

[0094] In step S31, if the control unit 100 does not determine that the second predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet tray sensor SS0 changed from the on state to the off state after executing the cleaning mode for the retard roller 112 (S31, No), it determines that the retard roller 112 is not dry and displays a message on the operation panel PA saying "The retard roller is drying, please wait a moment" (S33), and returns to step S31.

[0095] In step S31, if the control unit 100 determines that a second predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet tray sensor SS0 changed from an on state to an off state after executing the cleaning mode of the retard roller 112 (S31, Yes), it determines that the retard roller 112 is sufficiently dry, executes layer transfer (S32), and ends the process.

[0096] According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment.

[0097] According to the layer transfer device 1, when the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112, the retard roller 112 is rotated while the cleaning member 80 capable of contacting the retard roller 112 and cleaning the retard roller 112 is attached to the sheet tray 3, so that the retard roller 112 can be easily cleaned.

[0098] In addition, since the retard roller 112 can rotate following the rotation of the pickup roller 111, by rotating the pickup roller 111, the retard roller 112 can be rotated and cleaned.

[0099] In addition, when performing layer transfer, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 111 at a first speed V1, and when cleaning the retard roller 112, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 111 at a second speed V2 that is faster than the first speed V1, so that cleaning of the retard roller 112 can be completed quickly.

[0100] Furthermore, when the sheet tray sensor SS0 is not in the ON state, the control unit 100 does not rotate the pickup roller 111. This makes it possible to prevent cleaning of the retard roller 112 in the absence of the cleaning member 80.

[0101] Furthermore, when the sheet trailing end sensor SS1 detects a sheet S after the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112 and rotates the pickup roller 111, the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the pickup roller 111. Therefore, even if the user mistakenly inputs a command to clean the retard roller 112 with the sheet S placed thereon, the control unit 100 can detect the sheet S and stop the rotation of the pickup roller 111.

[0102] Furthermore, the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112, rotates the pickup roller 111 for a first predetermined time, stops the rotation, notifies the user to remove the cleaning member 80, and enables layer transfer on the condition that a second predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet tray sensor SS0 changed from an on state to an off state. This makes it possible to prevent the retard roller 112 from performing the layer transfer operation before the retard roller is in a state where it can perform layer transfer after cleaning, for example, before the retard roller is in a sufficiently dry state.

[0103] In addition, the layer transfer device 1 has a second opening 21B that exposes a portion of the pickup roller 111 to the outside, and a second cover 23 that opens and closes the second opening 21B, so that the pickup roller 111 can be cleaned through the second opening 21B by opening the second cover 23.

[0104] In addition, when the open / close sensor SS3 detects that the second cover 23 is open, the control unit 100 does not rotate the pick-up roller 111, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering between the pick-up roller 111 and the retard roller 112.

[0105] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Here, only the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be described, and a description of the common parts will be omitted. In the first embodiment described above, the cleaning member 80 has a detected portion 83 that is detected by the sheet tray sensor SS0, whereas the cleaning member of the second embodiment is different in that it does not have a detected portion. As shown in FIG. 11, a cleaning member 80A in the second embodiment has a main body portion 81A, a contact portion 82, a notch portion 83A, and a locking portion 84.

[0106] In this cleaning member 80A, the portion corresponding to the detected portion in the first embodiment is a notch 83A. Because the cleaning member 80A has the notch 83A, it does not interfere with the sheet tray sensor SS0 even when it is set on the sheet tray 3. The sheet tray sensor SS0 is disposed at a position where it is in an off state where it does not detect the cleaning member 80A when the cleaning member 80A is attached to the sheet tray 3. Therefore, even when the cleaning member 80A is set on the sheet tray 3, the sheet tray sensor SS0 does not move from the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

[0107] In the second embodiment, when the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112, the control unit 100 rotates the pick-up roller 111 on condition that the sheet tray sensor SS0 is in an off state.

[0108] Next, an example of a process executed by the control unit 100 when the cleaning mode of the retard roller 112 is selected in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 12. Only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described here, and the description of the common parts will be omitted.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 12, when the control unit 100 determines that the cleaning mode for the retard roller 112 has been selected (S1, Yes), the control unit 100 displays a message on the operation panel PA saying "Please remove the sheet and set the cleaning member" (S21).

[0110] After step S21, the control unit 100 determines whether the sheet tray sensor SS0 is in the off state (S22), and if it does not determine that the sheet tray sensor SS0 is in the off state (S22, No), it returns to step S2, and if it determines that the sheet tray sensor SS0 is in the off state (S22, Yes), it displays a message on the operation panel PA saying "Please press the start button" (S4).

[0111] After step S4, the process up to step S6 is the same as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 9), so the description will be omitted. After step S6, the control unit 100 determines whether the pickup roller 111 has rotated for a first predetermined time (S8).

[0112] In step S8, if the control unit 100 does not determine that the pickup roller 111 has rotated for the first predetermined time (S8, No), it waits until the first predetermined time has elapsed, and if it determines that the pickup roller 111 has rotated for the first predetermined time (S8, Yes), it stops the rotation of the pickup roller 111 (S9).

[0113] After step S9, the control unit 100 displays a message on the operation panel PA saying "Please remove the cleaning member" (S10), and ends the process.

[0114] In the second embodiment described above, similarly to the first embodiment, when the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112, the control unit 100 rotates the retard roller 112, so that the retard roller 112 can be easily cleaned. In the second embodiment, when the control unit 100 receives a command to clean the retard roller 112, the control unit 100 rotates the pickup roller 111 on condition that the sheet tray sensor SS0 is in an off state. This makes it possible to prevent the retard roller 112 from being cleaned in a state where the sheet S is placed thereon.

[0115] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the pickup roller 111 is located below the transport path of the sheet S, and the retard roller 112 is located above the transport path, but the pickup roller 111 may be located above the transport path of the sheet S, and the retard roller 112 may be located below the transport path.

[0117] In the above embodiment, the contact portion of the cleaning member is made of sponge, but other materials may be used. Also, the contact portion is moistened with water to remove dirt from the retard roller, but the contact portion may be soaked in detergent or may not be coated with anything.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the transfer layer of the multilayer film F includes foil, but the transfer layer may not include foil. Also, the transfer layer is transferred onto a toner image formed on the sheet S, but the transfer layer may be transferred to ink, adhesive, or the like.

[0119] In the above embodiment, a heating roller is given as an example of a heating member, but the heating member is not limited to a roller and may be a pad, etc. Similarly, a pressure roller is given as an example of a pressure member, but the pressure member is not limited to a roller and may be a pad, etc.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the cleaning mode for cleaning the retard roller is selected by the user through the operation panel PA, but the selection may be made in other ways, such as through a connected personal computer.

[0121] In the embodiment described above, the recess 3A that engages with the locking portion 84 of the cleaning member 80 is provided in the sheet tray 3. However, the recess that engages with the locking portion 84 may be provided in the main body housing 21.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the retard roller 112 is connected to the motor M via the torque limiter 112A and the clutch CR2, but it may be connected to the motor M only via the torque limiter 112A. In this configuration, when the clutch CR2 is off, the pickup roller 111 is stopped, so that the retard roller 112 also stops due to the frictional force with the pickup roller 111.

[0123] The elements described in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1 layer transfer device 2. Chassis 3 Sheet Tray 10 Sheet transport section 11 Sheet supply mechanism 12 Sheet ejection mechanism 21. Main unit 21A 1st opening 21B 2nd opening 22 First Cover 23 Second Cover 50 Transcription unit 51 Pressure roller 61 Heating roller 80 Cleaning materials 82 Contact part 83 Detected part 84 Locking part 100 Control section 111 Pickup roller 112 Retard roller F Multilayer film PA operation panel S Seat SS0 Sheet Tray Sensor SS1 Sheet rear end sensor SS3 Open / Close Sensor

Claims

1. A layer transfer device that overlays a multilayer film having a plurality of layers on a sheet and transfers at least one layer of the multilayer film, a transfer unit having a heating member and a pressure member, the transfer unit heating the sheet and the multilayer film in a state in which the sheet and the multilayer film are sandwiched between the heating member and the pressure member; a sheet tray provided upstream of the transfer unit in a conveying direction of the sheet, the sheet tray being configured to place the sheet thereon; a pickup roller capable of picking up the sheet placed on the sheet tray and transporting the sheet toward the transfer unit; a retard roller that is disposed opposite the pickup roller and separates the sheets placed on the sheet tray one by one, the retard roller being rotatable in response to rotation of the pickup roller; a sheet tray sensor that is turned on when it detects that the sheet is placed on the sheet tray; a sheet sensor disposed between the pickup roller and the transfer unit in a conveying direction of the sheet, the sheet sensor detecting the sheet; A control unit, When the control unit receives a command to clean the retard roller, the control unit rotates the retard roller in a state in which a cleaning member capable of contacting the retard roller and cleaning the retard roller is attached to the sheet tray, the cleaning member has a detection target portion that is detected by the sheet tray sensor when the cleaning member is attached to the sheet tray, and turns on the sheet tray sensor; The control unit is When a command to clean the retard roller is received, the pickup roller is rotated on condition that the sheet tray sensor is in an ON state; A layer transfer device characterized in that, after receiving a command to clean the retard roller and rotating the pickup roller, if the sheet sensor detects the sheet after the pickup roller has rotated, the rotation of the pickup roller is stopped.

2. The control unit is receiving a command to clean the retard roller, rotating the pickup roller for a first predetermined time, and then stopping the rotation and informing the user to remove the cleaning member; 2. The layer transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the layer transfer can be performed on the condition that a second predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet tray sensor changed from an on state to an off state.

3. A layer transfer device that overlays a multilayer film having a plurality of layers on a sheet and transfers at least one layer of the multilayer film, a transfer unit having a heating member and a pressure member, the transfer unit heating the sheet and the multilayer film in a state in which the sheet and the multilayer film are sandwiched between the heating member and the pressure member; a sheet tray provided upstream of the transfer unit in a conveying direction of the sheet, the sheet tray being configured to place the sheet thereon; a pickup roller capable of picking up the sheet placed on the sheet tray and transporting the sheet toward the transfer unit; a retard roller that is disposed opposite the pickup roller and separates the sheets placed on the sheet tray one by one, the retard roller being rotatable in response to rotation of the pickup roller; a sheet tray sensor that is turned on when it detects that the sheet is placed on the sheet tray; A control unit, When the control unit receives a command to clean the retard roller, the control unit rotates the retard roller in a state in which a cleaning member capable of contacting the retard roller and cleaning the retard roller is attached to the sheet tray, the sheet tray sensor is disposed at a position where the sheet tray sensor is in an off state where the sheet tray sensor does not detect the cleaning member when the cleaning member is attached to the sheet tray; The layer transfer device, wherein when the control unit receives a command to clean the retard roller, the control unit rotates the pickup roller on condition that the sheet tray sensor is in an off state.

4. Further equipped with an operation panel, 4. The layer transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of receiving a command to clean the retard roller from the operation panel.

5. The control unit is 5. The layer transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the heating member is not heated when a command to clean the retard roller is received.

6. A housing body is provided, 6. The layer transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the housing body has an opening for exposing a part of the pickup roller to the outside, and a cover for opening and closing the opening.

7. An opening / closing sensor is further provided for detecting opening / closing of the cover, 7. The layer transfer device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit does not rotate the pickup roller when the open / close sensor detects that the cover is open.

8. The control unit is When performing a layer transfer, rotating the pickup roller at a first speed; 8. The layer transfer device according to claim 1, wherein when the retard roller is cleaned, the pickup roller is rotated at a second speed faster than the first speed.

Images