Film cartridge for foil transfer and foil transfer apparatus

Abstract

A film cartridge for foil transfer and a foil transfer apparatus are provided. A film cartridge for foil transfer (FC) includes a supply reel (31) that winds a first width of a foil film (F), and a supply shaft (32) that is longer than the first width in a width direction of the foil film (F) and supports the supply reel (31) so as to be movable in the width direction between a first position and a second position different from the first position.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application filed on September 23, 2020, with application number 202080090026.3. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a foil transfer box having a supply roll of wound foil film and a foil transfer apparatus for transferring foil to a sheet. Background Technology

[0003] Conventionally, foil transfer devices have been known to include a box and a housing body for loading and unloading the box, wherein the box has a supply roll wound with foil and a winding roll for winding the foil (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-290685 Summary of the Invention

[0007] In foil transfer devices, it is desirable to change the position of the foil in the width direction to achieve various foil transfers. However, if multiple boxes are manufactured that correspond to the positions of the foil in the width direction, the number of boxes held by the user increases, resulting in decreased user convenience.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a foil transfer film box and foil transfer device that can improve user convenience.

[0009] To address the aforementioned issues, the foil transfer film cartridge of the present invention comprises: a supply roll for winding a foil film of a first width; and a supply shaft that is longer than the first width in the width direction of the foil film, and supports the supply roll in such a manner that it can move along the width direction between a first position and a second position different from the first position.

[0010] According to this structure, since the position of the foil in the width direction can be changed in a foil transfer film box, the user does not need to carry many boxes, which can improve the user's convenience.

[0011] Alternatively, the foil transfer film box may include: a handle that can move along the width direction together with the supply roll; and a supply housing that houses the supply roll and has an opening that exposes the handle.

[0012] According to this structure, the position of the foil in the width direction can be easily changed by operating the handle exposed from the supply housing.

[0013] Alternatively, when the supply roll is in the first position, the foil is away from one end of the supply roll by a first distance; when the supply roll is in the second position, the foil is away from one end of the supply roll by a second distance greater than the first distance; and when the supply roll is in the first position, the handle is within the range of the first distance away from one end of the supply roll.

[0014] According to this structure, the area within a first distance from one end of the supply axis, which becomes an ineffective space, can be effectively utilized.

[0015] Alternatively, the foil transfer film box may have a flange located at one end of the supply roll and rotating together with the supply roll, and the handle may engage with the flange in the width direction.

[0016] Alternatively, the foil transfer film box may have a supply positioning part, which positions the supply roll at the first position or the second position.

[0017] According to this structure, it is possible to suppress the movement of the foil located at the first or second position along the width direction during foil transfer.

[0018] Alternatively, the supply positioning part may have a first protrusion and a hole for the first protrusion to be inserted.

[0019] Alternatively, the supply positioning part may have: a first protrusion formed on the handle; a first hole formed on the supply housing for the first protrusion to be inserted and located at a position corresponding to the first position; and a second hole formed on the supply housing for the first protrusion to be inserted and located at a position corresponding to the second position.

[0020] Alternatively, the supply shaft may be rotatable together with the supply reel and the flange, and the handle may be configured not to engage with the flange in the direction of rotation of the flange.

[0021] Alternatively, the foil transfer film box may include: a winding spool for winding the foil film; and a winding shaft that is longer than the first width in the width direction and supports the winding spool in a manner that allows it to move along the width direction between a third position and a fourth position different from the third position.

[0022] According to this structure, the position of the foil in the width direction can be changed by moving the supply roll and the winding roll together in the width direction.

[0023] Alternatively, the foil transfer film box may have a winding positioning part, which positions the winding roll at the third position or the fourth position.

[0024] According to this structure, it is possible to suppress the movement of the foil located at the third or fourth position in the width direction during foil transfer.

[0025] Alternatively, the winding positioning portion may have a second protrusion and a hole for the second protrusion to be inserted.

[0026] Alternatively, the winding positioning portion may have: a second protrusion that can move together with the winding shaft along the width direction; a third hole formed on the winding shaft for the second protrusion to be inserted into and located at a position corresponding to the third position; and a fourth hole formed on the winding shaft for the second protrusion to be inserted into and located at a position corresponding to the fourth position.

[0027] Alternatively, when the winding spool is in the third position, the foil is separated from one end of the winding spool by a third distance; when the winding spool is in the fourth position, the foil is separated from one end of the winding spool by a fourth distance greater than the third distance; and when the winding spool is in the third position, the second protrusion is located within the range of the distance separated from one end of the winding spool by the third distance.

[0028] According to this structure, the area within a third distance from one end of the winding shaft, which becomes an ineffective space, can be effectively utilized.

[0029] Furthermore, the foil transfer apparatus of the present invention includes the foil transfer film box and a housing body for loading and unloading the foil transfer film box, wherein it includes: a sensor capable of detecting the handle; and a control unit for determining the position of the supply roll in the width direction based on information from the sensor.

[0030] Based on this structure, the control unit can determine the position of the foil in the width direction by using a sensor to detect the handle.

[0031] Alternatively, the foil transfer apparatus may include: a heating member for heating the foil; a first heater for heating a first portion of the heating member more strongly than a second portion of the heating member, the second portion being parallel to the first portion in the width direction; and a second heater for heating the second portion more strongly than the first portion. The foil transfer apparatus is configured such that when the supply roll is in the first position, the foil overlaps only with the first portion, and when the supply roll is in the second position, the foil overlaps with both the first and second portions. The control unit is configured to control the first heater with a predetermined power consumption during foil transfer, and to control the second heater with a first power consumption or a second power consumption less than the first power consumption. If it is determined that the supply roll is in the first position, the second heater is controlled with the second power consumption; if it is determined that the supply roll is in the second position, the second heater is controlled with the first power consumption.

[0032] Based on this structure, appropriate heater control can be performed according to the position of the foil.

[0033] Alternatively, the sensor may include: a first actuator that moves in contact with the handle when the foil transfer film cassette is mounted on the housing body in the state where the supply roll is in the first position; a first sensor that detects the position of the first actuator; a second actuator that moves in contact with the handle when the foil transfer film cassette is mounted on the housing body in the state where the supply roll is in the second position; and a second sensor that detects the position of the second actuator.

[0034] Alternatively, the housing body can be detachable from a second foil transfer film box, which has a second foil width greater than the first width. When the second foil transfer film box is installed on the housing body, the first actuator and the second actuator move in contact with the second foil transfer film box.

[0035] Based on this structure, the position and width of the foil can be determined using two actuators.

[0036] Furthermore, some foil transfer devices transfer foil by conveying the sheet while it is overlapped with a foil film. In such devices, especially those capable of mounting foil films of various widths, even when the sheet is conveyed for foil transfer, sometimes the sheet does not overlap the foil film, or the overlap between the foil film and the sheet is minimal. If the sheet does not overlap the foil film or the overlap between the foil film and the sheet is minimal during sheet conveying, the sheet may deviate from the conveying path, potentially preventing proper foil transfer. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress the sheet from deviating from the conveying path.

[0037] The foil transfer apparatus of the present invention comprises: an apparatus capable of mounting a foil of a second width, and capable of mounting a foil of a first width narrower than the second width in a bias region, transferring foil onto a sheet by overlapping the foil, wherein the bias region is located near the area for mounting the second-width foil in the width direction. The foil transfer apparatus includes: a conveyor roller for conveying the sheet; a transfer unit for heating the foil and the sheet conveyed by the conveyor roller while clamping them; a sheet width sensor for detecting the sheet passing through the bias region; and a control unit. Upon receiving an instruction to transfer foil, the control unit performs error processing if the sheet width sensor does not detect the sheet.

[0038] According to this structure, even if a foil with a width narrower than the second width foil is mounted in the bias region, error processing is performed on the condition that the sheet width sensor located in the bias region does not detect the sheet. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the conveying of sheet S when the sheet does not overlap the foil or when the overlap between the foil and the sheet is reduced. Thus, it is possible to prevent sheet S from detaching from the conveying path.

[0039] In the aforementioned structure, the structure can be configured as follows: the foil transfer device further includes a foil sensor, which detects the width of the installed foil, and when the control unit receives an instruction to transfer the foil, it performs error processing on the condition that the foil sensor detects that a foil of the first width is installed and the sheet width sensor does not detect a sheet.

[0040] According to this structure, when a sheet is being conveyed, if the sheet width sensor does not detect a sheet but the foil sensor detects a foil F of the first width, the control unit performs error processing. On the other hand, even if the sheet width sensor does not detect a sheet, if the foil sensor detects that a foil F of the first width is not installed (i.e., the foil sensor detects a foil of the second width), the control unit does not perform error processing and instead performs the foil transfer operation. Therefore, the control unit can perform error processing in appropriate scenarios.

[0041] In the aforementioned structure, it can be configured as follows: the foil transfer device is also capable of installing a first-width foil in the central region, the central region being close to the center of the width direction of the region for installing a second-width foil; the foil sensor is also capable of detecting which region of the bias region and the central region the first-width foil is installed in; and when the control unit receives an instruction for foil transfer, it performs error processing on the condition that the foil sensor detects that the first-width foil is installed in the bias region and the sheet width sensor does not detect a sheet.

[0042] According to this structure, when a sheet is being conveyed, if the sheet width sensor does not detect a sheet and the foil sensor detects that a foil of the first width is mounted in the bias region, the control unit performs error processing. On the other hand, even if the sheet width sensor does not detect a sheet and the foil sensor detects that a foil of the first width is mounted, if the foil sensor detects that the foil of the first width is not mounted in the bias region (i.e., the foil sensor detects that the foil of the first width is mounted in the central region), the control unit does not perform error processing and performs the foil transfer operation. Therefore, the control unit can perform error processing in appropriate scenarios.

[0043] In the aforementioned structure, the foil transfer device can be configured as follows: the foil transfer device further includes a sheet tray and a supply roller, the sheet tray holds the sheet, the supply roller picks up the sheet placed on the sheet tray, the transfer roller can transfer the sheet picked up by the supply roller to the transfer section, and the sheet width sensor is located between the supply roller and the transfer section in the sheet transfer direction.

[0044] In the aforementioned structure, it can be configured as follows: the control unit stops the conveyor roller in the drive during error handling.

[0045] According to this structure, since the control unit stops the conveyor rollers in the drive during error handling, it is possible to prevent the sheet from falling off the conveyor path.

[0046] In the aforementioned structure, the foil transfer device can be configured as follows: the foil transfer device further includes a sheet tray and a supply roller, the sheet tray holds the sheet, the supply roller picks up the sheet placed on the sheet tray, the transfer roller can transfer the sheet picked up by the supply roller to the transfer unit, and the sheet width sensor is located upstream of the supply roller in the sheet transfer direction.

[0047] In the aforementioned structure, it can be configured as follows: the control unit does not drive the supply roller during error handling.

[0048] According to this structure, the control unit does not drive the supply roller if it determines that the sheet width sensor, located upstream of the supply roller in the conveying direction, has not detected a sheet. This allows for determining whether the sheet width sensor has detected a sheet before starting the drive of the supply roller, thus reliably preventing sheet conveying when the sheet is not overlapping the foil or when the overlap between the foil and the sheet is minimal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sheet from slipping off the conveying path.

[0049] In the aforementioned structure, it can be configured as follows: the control unit notifies the error information during error handling.

[0050] According to this structure, if the control unit determines that the sheet width sensor, located upstream of the feed roller in the conveying direction, has not detected a sheet, it causes the display to show an error. Therefore, the user can easily notice that "if the sheet is conveyed here, it will be conveyed with the sheet not overlapping the foil or with a small overlap between the foil and the sheet," and the user can easily eliminate this situation. Thus, it is possible to prevent the sheet from slipping off the conveying path.

[0051] In the aforementioned structure, the following configuration can be provided: the transfer section has a heating element and a pressure roller, the heating element is heated by a heater, and the pressure roller conveys the foil and sheet in a state of sandwiching the foil and sheet between itself and the heating element. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a foil transfer apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 2 This diagram shows the state of the foil transfer device with the cover open.

[0054] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the heating section.

[0055] Figure 4 The diagram (a) illustrates the location of the sheet sensors in the sheet conveying path, and the table (b) shows the determination results of the sheet sensors at each sheet location.

[0056] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the supply roll side of the foil transfer film box.

[0057] Figure 6 These are cross-sectional views (a) showing the supply reel in the first position and (b) showing the supply reel in the second position.

[0058] Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the winding spool side of the foil transfer film box.

[0059] Figure 8 These are cross-sectional views (a) showing the winding spool in the third position and (b) showing the winding spool in the fourth position.

[0060] Figure 9 The figures shown are (a) showing the box near the center, (b) showing the offset box, and (c) showing the second foil transfer film box.

[0061] Figure 10 Figures (a) to (c) show sensors for detecting handles, etc.

[0062] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing a table used to identify the types of foil transfer film boxes.

[0063] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit.

[0064] Figure 13 Figure (a) shows a foil transfer apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure (b) shows a cross-sectional view of the structure of the foil film.

[0065] Figure 14 This diagram shows the state of the foil transfer device with the cover open.

[0066] Figure 15 This is a perspective view showing the membrane unit broken down.

[0067] Figure 16 This is a perspective view showing the first membrane box (a), the second membrane box (b), and the third membrane box (c).

[0068] Figure 17 The diagram (a) shows the three membrane sensors and the table (b) shows the detection data of each sensor.

[0069] Figure 18 This is a diagram illustrating the location of sheet sensors configured along the sheet's transport path.

[0070] Figure 19 This is a diagram showing the foil transfer device from above, illustrating the positions of the foil, various sheet sensors, supply rollers, and conveyor rollers.

[0071] Figure 20 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit.

[0072] Figure 21 It is the third embodiment of the same Figure 19 The corresponding diagram.

[0073] Figure 22 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit in the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0074] Regarding the first embodiment of the present invention, please refer to the appendix as appropriate. Figure 1 Please provide a detailed explanation.

[0075] In the following explanation, direction is indicated by Figure 1 The direction shown is used to illustrate this. That is, to explain... Figure 1 Set the right side to "front" and... Figure 1 Set the left side to "after" and... Figure 1 The front side of the paper is set to "left". Figure 1 The inside of the paper is designated as "right". Additionally, [the following text is incomplete and requires further context: "to designate the right side of the paper."] Figure 1 Set the top and bottom to "top and bottom".

[0076] like Figure 1 As shown, the foil transfer apparatus 1 can perform the following foil transfer: after forming a toner image on a sheet S using an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a foil film F consisting of multiple layers is stacked on the surface of the sheet where the toner image is formed, and at least one layer of the foil film F is transferred onto the toner image. The foil transfer apparatus 1 includes a housing 2, a sheet tray 3, a sheet conveying unit 10, a film supply unit 30, a transfer unit 50, and a control unit 80.

[0077] The shell 2 is made of resin or the like and has a shell body 21 and a cover 22.

[0078] The main body 21 of the housing has an opening 21A at the top (see reference). Figure 2 The opening 21A has a size through which the membrane unit FU, described later, can pass.

[0079] In addition, the housing body 21 has a first holding part GD1 and a second holding part GD2 that hold the membrane unit FU in a detachable manner.

[0080] Cover 22 is a component for opening and closing opening 21A. The rear end of cover 22 is rotatably supported on housing body 21. Cover 22 can be in the closed position of closing opening 21A ( Figure 1 The position of the opening ( ) and the opening position of the open opening 21A ( ) Figure 2 Rotate between (positions).

[0081] The sheet tray 3 is a tray for holding sheets S such as paper and OHP film. The sheet tray 3 is located at the rear of the housing 2. It should be noted that the sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3 with the side containing the toner image facing down.

[0082] The sheet conveying unit 10 includes a sheet feeding mechanism 11 and a sheet discharging mechanism 12. The sheet feeding mechanism 11 is a mechanism that conveys sheets S one by one from the sheet tray 3 toward the transfer unit 50. The sheet feeding mechanism 11 includes a supply roller 11A and a damping roller 11B. The supply roller 11A conveys the sheets S from the sheet tray 3 toward the transfer unit 50. The damping roller 11B faces the supply roller 11A. The damping roller 11B rotates in the direction that returns the sheets, thus separating the sheets S one by one.

[0083] The sheet discharge mechanism 12 is a mechanism that discharges the sheet S that has passed through the transfer section 50 to the outside of the housing 2. The sheet discharge mechanism 12 is equipped with multiple conveying rollers.

[0084] The membrane supply unit 30 is a section that supplies foil F to the sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply mechanism 11 in an overlapping manner. The membrane supply unit 30 includes a membrane unit FU and a drive source such as an electric motor (not shown).

[0085] like Figure 2 As shown, the membrane unit FU can be loaded and unloaded relative to the housing body 21 through the opening 21A in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the supply reel 31 described later. Figure 1 As shown, the membrane unit FU includes a supply roll 31, a winding roll 35, a first guide shaft 41, a second guide shaft 42, and a third guide shaft 43. A foil film F is wound on the supply roll 31.

[0086] Foil F is a film composed of multiple layers. Specifically, foil F has a support layer and a supported layer. The support layer is a strip-shaped transparent substrate made of polymer material, supporting the supported layer. The supported layer may include, for example, a release layer, a transfer layer, and an adhesive layer. The release layer is a layer disposed between the support layer and the transfer layer to facilitate the peeling of the transfer layer from the support layer.

[0087] The transfer layer is the layer that transfers the toner image and includes foil. The foil is a thin metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. The transfer layer is positioned between the release layer and the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is used to facilitate the adhesion of the transfer layer to the toner image.

[0088] One end of the supply roll 31 is fixed with foil F.

[0089] The winding reel 35 is a component used for winding the foil F. The other end of the foil F is fixed to the winding reel 35.

[0090] It should be noted that, in Figure 1For convenience, the illustration shows the state where the foil F is wound to its maximum extent on both the supply spool 31 and the winding spool 35. In reality, when the membrane unit FU is new, the diameter of the rolled foil F wound on the supply spool 31 is the largest, and the diameter of the rolled foil F wound on the winding spool 35 is the smallest, either when the foil F is not wound on the winding spool 35 or when the rolled foil F is wound on the winding spool 35. Furthermore, during the lifespan of the membrane unit FU (when the foil F is used up), the diameter of the rolled foil F wound on the winding spool 35 is the largest, and the diameter of the rolled foil F wound on the supply spool 31 is the smallest, either when the foil F is not wound on the supply spool 31 or when the rolled foil F is wound on the supply spool 31.

[0091] The first guide shaft 41 is used to change the direction of travel of the foil F pulled out from the supply reel 31.

[0092] The second guide shaft 42 is used to change the direction of travel of the foil F guided by the first guide shaft 41.

[0093] The third guide shaft 43 is used to change the direction of travel of the foil F guided by the second guide shaft 42 and guide it toward the winding spool 35.

[0094] After the film unit FU is installed in the foil transfer apparatus 1 by mounting it onto the housing body 21, the winding spool 35 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the illustrated direction by a drive source (not shown) provided in the housing 2. As the winding spool 35 rotates, the foil F wound on the supply spool 31 is pulled out, and the pulled-out foil F is wound onto the winding spool 35. Specifically, in foil transfer, the foil F is fed out from the supply spool 31 by the pressure roller 51 and the heating member 61 (described later). Then, the foil F fed out from the pressure roller 51 and the heating member 61 is wound onto the winding spool 35.

[0095] The first guide shaft 41 guides the foil F pulled from the supply reel 31 from below, overlapping it with the sheet S being transported with the toner image facing down. The first guide shaft 41 changes the transport direction of the foil F pulled from the supply reel 31, guiding the foil F approximately parallel to the transport direction of the sheet S.

[0096] The second guide shaft 42 contacts the foil F that has passed through the transfer section 50, changing the conveying direction of the foil F to a direction different from the conveying direction of the sheet S. The foil F, which has been conveyed in an overlapping state with the sheet S through the transfer section 50, is guided in a direction different from the sheet S when passing through the second guide shaft 42 and is peeled off from the sheet S.

[0097] The transfer section 50 is used to transfer a transfer layer onto a toner image formed on the sheet S by heating and pressing while the sheet S and foil F are overlapped. The transfer section 50 includes a pressure roller 51 and a heating section 60. The transfer section 50 heats and presses the sheet S and foil F by overlapping them at the clamping part of the pressure roller 51 and the heating section 60.

[0098] The pressure roller 51 is a roller formed by covering the periphery of a cylindrical mandrel with a rubber layer made of silicone rubber. The pressure roller 51 is disposed on the upper side of the foil F and can contact the back side of the sheet S (the side opposite to the side on which the toner image is formed).

[0099] The two ends of the pressure roller 51 are rotatably supported on the cover 22. The pressure roller 51 clamps the sheet S and foil F between the pressure roller 51 and the heating member 61, and the heating member 61 is driven to rotate by a drive source (not shown).

[0100] The heating unit 60 is a component disposed on the underside of the foil F and in contact with the foil F to heat the foil F and the sheet S. The heating unit 60 extends along the width direction of the foil F (hereinafter referred to as the "width direction"), which is orthogonal to the conveying direction of the foil F. Figure 3 As shown, the heating unit 60 includes a heating element 61, a first heater 62, and a second heater 63.

[0101] The heating element 61 is a roller made of a cylindrical metal tube. The heating element 61 is a component that contacts the foil F to heat the foil F and the sheet S.

[0102] The first heater 62 heats the heating member 61. In the first heater 62, the output of the central portion 62A in the width direction is higher than the output of the two ends 62B in the width direction. Therefore, the first heater 62 heats the central portion 61A, i.e., the first part 61A, in the width direction of the heating member 61 more strongly than the two ends 61B, i.e., the second parts 61B, in the width direction. The first part 61A and the second part 61B of the heating member 61 are side-by-side in the width direction. In this embodiment, the width of the first part 61A is 150–180 mm, enabling the heating of a sheet S of size A5 using only the first heater 62.

[0103] The second heater 63 heats the heating element 61. In the second heater 63, the output of the two ends 63B in the width direction is higher than the output of the central part 63A in the width direction. Therefore, the second heater 63 heats the second part 61B of the heating element 61 more strongly than the first part 61A.

[0104] like Figure 4As shown in (a), the foil transfer apparatus 1 also includes a sheet sensor 90 for detecting the passage of sheet S. The sheet sensor 90 is disposed upstream of the heating unit 60 in the conveying direction of sheet S. The sheet sensor 90 has a central sheet sensor 91 and side sheet sensors 92. The central sheet sensor 91 and the side sheet sensors 92 are supported on the housing body 21 in a swingable manner. When the central sheet sensor 91 and the side sheet sensors 92 come into contact with sheet S, they swing and become ON (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0105] A central sheet sensor 91 is disposed in the width direction at a position corresponding to the first portion 61A of the heating member 61. The central sheet sensor 91 is capable of detecting whether the sheet S passes over the surface of the first portion 61A. In this embodiment, the central sheet sensor 91 is located in the center of the conveying path of the sheet S in the width direction.

[0106] The side sheet sensor 92 is disposed in the width direction at a position corresponding to the second portion 61B of the heating member 61. The side sheet sensor 92 is capable of detecting whether the sheet S passes over the surface of the second portion 61B. In this embodiment, the side sheet sensor 92 is located in the width direction at a position away from D1 (specifically 75 to 80 mm) from the center of the conveying path of the sheet S.

[0107] like Figure 4 As shown in (a) and (b), when sheet S is sheet SH1 passing over the surfaces of the first portion 61A and the second portions 61B on both sides, both the central sheet sensor 91 and the side sheet sensors 92 are ON. Sheet SH1 is, for example, A4 size (210 mm in width) or letter paper size (215.9 mm in width).

[0108] In the case where sheet S is sheet SH2 that passes over the surface of the first portion 61A but not over the surface of the second portion 61B, only the central sheet sensor 91 is ON. Sheet SH2 is, for example, a sheet with A5 size (148 mm) and A6 size (105 mm) close to the center.

[0109] When sheet S is sheet SH3 passing over the surface of the first portion 61A and the second portion 61B on one side, both the central sheet sensor 91 and the side sheet sensor 92 are ON. Sheet SH3 is, for example, a sheet biased to dimensions A5 (148 mm) and A6 (105 mm).

[0110] return Figure 1The foil transfer apparatus 1 includes a contact separation mechanism 70 that moves at least one component of the heating part 60 and the pressure roller 51 between a contact position where the heating part 60 is pressurized by the pressure roller 51 and a separation position where the heating part 60 and the pressure roller 51 are separated. In this embodiment, the contact separation mechanism 70 moves the heating part 60 between the contact position and the separation position.

[0111] When the cover 22 is open and foil transfer is not performed on the sheet S at the transfer section 50, the heating section 60 is in the separation position where it is separated from the foil film F. When the control section 80 performs foil transfer control with the cover 22 closed, it controls the contact separation mechanism 70 to move the heating section 60 to the contact position where it contacts the foil film F.

[0112] The control unit 80 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, etc., and is configured to perform various controls based on a pre-prepared program. For example, the ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, etc., store data required for foil transfer control, such as an optimal control table relative to the mounted foil F. Furthermore, for example, when a user operates the operation panel 85 provided on the cover 22 of the housing 2 to perform foil transfer on the sheet S, the control unit 80 receives signals from the operation panel 85 and performs foil transfer control.

[0113] In the foil transfer apparatus 1 configured in this way, during foil transfer, the sheet S, with its surface facing down, is placed on the sheet tray 3 and conveyed one sheet at a time towards the transfer section 50 by the sheet supply mechanism 11. The sheet S overlaps with the foil F supplied from the supply roll 31 on its upstream side in the sheet conveying direction of the transfer section 50, and is conveyed to the transfer section 50 in a state where the toner image of the sheet S is in contact with the foil F.

[0114] At the transfer section 50, when the sheet S and foil F pass through the clamping section between the pressure roller 51 and the heating section 60, the heating section 60 and the pressure roller 51 heat and pressurize the foil to transfer it onto the toner image.

[0115] After the foil is transferred, the sheet S and the foil film F are conveyed to the second guide shaft 42 in a close-fitting state. After the sheet S and the foil film F pass the second guide shaft 42, the conveying direction of the foil film F changes to a different direction than that of the sheet S, so the foil film F is peeled off from the sheet S.

[0116] The foil F peeled from the sheet S is wound onto the winding reel 35. On the other hand, the sheet S after the foil F has been peeled off is discharged from the sheet discharge mechanism 12 to the outside of the housing 2 with the foil-coated surface facing down.

[0117] The membrane unit FU will be described in detail below.

[0118] like Figure 2As shown, the film unit FU includes a retainer 100 made of resin or the like and a foil transfer film cartridge FC that can be mounted and detached from the retainer 100. The foil transfer film cartridge FC includes the aforementioned supply roll 31 and winding roll 35. The foil transfer film cartridge FC can be mounted and detached from the housing body 21 while mounted on the retainer 100. It should be noted that, in the following description, the mounting and detaching of the foil transfer film cartridge FC from the housing body 21 via the retainer 100 is also simply referred to as "the foil transfer film cartridge FC being mounted and detached from the housing body 21".

[0119] like Figure 5 As shown, the foil transfer film cartridge FC includes a supply roll 31, a supply shaft 32, a handle 33, and a supply housing 34. The supply roll 31, supply shaft 32, handle 33, and supply housing 34 are made of resin or the like. The supply roll 31 has a first component M1 and a second component M2.

[0120] The first component M1 is a generally cylindrical component. A foil F of a first width B1 is wound around the first component M1.

[0121] The second component M2 is a generally cylindrical component. The second component M2 rotates together with the first component M1 by inserting into an opening at one axial end of the first component M1. The second component M2 has a flange FL at one axial end (specifically, the end opposite to the first component M1). In other words, the flange FL is located at one axial end of the supply spool 31. The flange FL protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the second component M2, forming a ring along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the second component M2.

[0122] The supply shaft 32 is a shaft longer than the first width B1 in the width direction of the foil F. Specifically, the supply shaft 32 is longer than the supply reel 31 in the width direction. The supply shaft 32 can pass through a hole in the supply reel 31. Specifically, the supply shaft 32 is disposed inside the first member M1 and inside the second member M2. The supply shaft 32 can rotate together with the supply reel 31, including the flange FL, by engaging with the supply reel 31 in the circumferential direction.

[0123] In detail, the supply shaft 32 has an axially extending groove 32A on its outer circumferential surface. The supply reel 31 has a protrusion (not shown) on its inner circumferential surface that enters the groove 32A. Furthermore, by the protrusion entering the groove 32A, the groove 32A and the protrusion engage circumferentially with the supply shaft 32, allowing the supply shaft 32 and the supply reel 31 to rotate together. Additionally, by this protrusion entering the groove 32A, the supply shaft 32 supports the supply reel 31 in a manner that allows it to move along its width between a first position and a second position different from the first position.

[0124] The handle 33 is a component that can engage with the supply reel 31 in the width direction and move together with the supply reel 31 in the width direction. The handle 33 has a first handle component M3, a second handle component M4 and a third handle component M5.

[0125] The first handle member M3 has a groove M31 that engages with the flange FL in the width direction. The groove M31 is configured not to engage with the flange FL in the rotational direction. Specifically, the bottom surface of the groove M31 is away from the outer peripheral surface of the flange FL, and the sides of the groove M31 clamp the flange FL in the width direction.

[0126] The second handle component M4 is a component having a fan shape along the outer peripheral surface M41 of the supply housing 34. The second handle component M4 is fixed to the first handle component M3.

[0127] The third handle member M5 is movably supported on the first handle member M3 in the radial direction of the supply reel 31. A first protrusion M51 is formed on the third handle member M5. The first protrusion M51 constitutes a supply positioning part for positioning the supply reel 31 in a first position or a second position. A first spring SP1 is provided between the first handle member M3 and the third handle member M5 to apply force to the first protrusion M51 toward the radially outward direction of the supply housing 34.

[0128] The supply housing 34 is a supply housing that houses the supply reel 31. The supply housing 34 has a first housing member C1, a second housing member C2, a third housing member C3, and a fourth housing member C4.

[0129] The first outer casing member C1 and the second outer casing member C2 are generally semi-cylindrical components. The second outer casing member C2 has an outer peripheral wall C21, a first side wall C22, and a second side wall C23. The outer peripheral wall C21 has an opening H1 for exposing the second handle member M4 of the handle 33. One circumferential end C211 of the outer peripheral wall C21 forms the edge of the film opening H2 for the foil film F to pass through.

[0130] Here, the membrane opening H2 is an opening formed as a long rectangular hole in the width direction when the first housing member C1 and the second housing member C2 are combined. The membrane opening H2 is longer in the width direction than the first width B1 so that the foil F can move in the width direction.

[0131] The first sidewall C22 supports one end of the supply shaft 32 in a rotatable manner. The second sidewall C23 has a hole H3 for the other end of the supply shaft 32 to pass through.

[0132] The third housing component C3 is a cover that covers the gear G1. The third housing component C3 is fixed to one axial end of the first housing component C1 and the second housing component C2. Here, the gear G1 is a gear used to apply a load to the supply shaft 32 together with the gear G2. The gear G2 is fixed to one end of the supply shaft 32 and is connected to the gear G1 via a gear not shown. The gear G1 is connected to a load mechanism provided on the housing body 21.

[0133] The fourth housing member C4 has a support portion C41 that rotatably supports the other end of the supply shaft 32. The fourth housing member C4 is fixed to the other end of the first housing member C1 and the second housing member C2 in the axial direction.

[0134] like Figure 6 As shown in (a), a first hole H11 and a second hole H12 are formed on the outer peripheral wall C21 of the second outer shell member C2 for the first protrusion M51 to be inserted. The first hole H11 and the second hole H12 together with the first protrusion M51 constitute a supply positioning part for positioning the supply reel 31 in a first position or a second position. It should be noted that the front end of the first protrusion M51 is formed in a curved shape so that it can easily detach from each hole H11 and H12 when the supply reel 31 is moved in the width direction.

[0135] The supply reel 31 is located at Figure 6 In position (a), the first hole H11 is engaged with the first protrusion M51. In other words, the first hole H11 is in the position corresponding to the first position.

[0136] The supply reel 31 is located at Figure 6 In position (b), the second hole H12 is engaged with the first protrusion M51. In other words, the second hole H12 is in the position corresponding to the second position.

[0137] In this embodiment, the first position is set at the center of the axial direction of the supply shaft 32, and the second position is set at a position closer to the other end than the center of the axial direction of the supply shaft 32. Specifically, as follows... Figure 6 As shown in (a), when the supply spool 31 is in the first position, the foil F moves away from one end of the supply spool 32 by a first distance D11. Additionally, as... Figure 6 As shown in (b), when the supply reel 31 is in the second position, the foil F moves away from one end of the supply shaft 32 by a second distance D12 that is greater than the first distance D11. When the supply reel 31 is in the first position, the handle 33 is located within the range of moving away from one end of the supply shaft 32 by the first distance D11.

[0138] like Figure 7 As shown, the foil transfer film cartridge FC includes a winding spool 35 and a winding shaft 36. The winding spool 35 and the winding shaft 36 are made of resin or the like.

[0139] The winding spool 35 includes a first spool member M6, a second spool member M7, and a third spool member M8. The first spool member M6 has a semi-cylindrical base M61, a semi-circular flange M62, and a bulge M63.

[0140] A flange portion M62 is provided at one end and the other end of the base portion M61 along the axial direction. The flange portion M62 extends outward from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion M61. A bulge portion M63 bulges out axially from the side of one of the flange portions M62 opposite to the base portion M61. The bulge portion M63 has a protrusion M631 that protrudes toward the winding shaft 36.

[0141] The second reel member M7 has a structure that is substantially the same as that of the first reel member M6. In detail, the second reel member M7 has a base M71 that has a structure that is substantially the same as that of the various parts of the first reel member M6, a flange M72 provided at one end and the other end of the axial direction of the base M71, and a bulge M73 having a protrusion M731.

[0142] The second reel member M7 can be assembled to the first reel member M6 in such a way that the circumferential ends of the base M71 are aligned with the circumferential ends of the base M61 of the first reel member M6. With the first reel member M6 and the second reel member M7 assembled, the bases M61 and M71 become cylindrical, and a winding shaft 36 is disposed inside.

[0143] The third reel member M8 is supported by the protrusion M631 of the first reel member M6 in a manner that allows it to move radially along the winding reel 35. Specifically, the protrusion M631 has a recess that allows the third reel member M8 to be movably supported. A second protrusion M81 is formed on the third reel member M8. The second protrusion M81 constitutes a winding positioning portion for positioning the winding reel 35 in a third or fourth position. The second protrusion M81 is movable along the width direction together with the winding reel 35. A second spring SP2 is provided between the third reel member M8 and the first reel member M6 to apply force to the second protrusion M81 toward the winding shaft 36.

[0144] The winding shaft 36 is a shaft that is longer than the first width B1 in the width direction. Specifically, the winding shaft 36 is longer than the winding reel 35 in the width direction. The winding shaft 36 can rotate together with the winding reel 35 by engaging with the winding reel 35 in the circumferential direction.

[0145] In detail, the winding shaft 36 has an axially extending groove 36A on its outer circumferential surface. The protrusion M631 of the first reel member M6 is configured to enter the groove 36A. Furthermore, by the protrusion M631 entering the groove 36A, the groove 36A and the protrusion M631 engage in the circumferential direction of the winding shaft 36, thus allowing the winding shaft 36 and the winding reel 35 to rotate together. Additionally, by the protrusion M631 entering the groove 36A, the winding shaft 36 supports the winding reel 35 in a manner that allows it to move in the width direction between a third position and a fourth position different from the third position. It should be noted that, although not shown in the figure, the winding shaft 36 also has an axially extending groove into which the protrusion M731 of the second reel member M7 enters.

[0146] Additionally, an input member 37 for inputting driving force to the winding shaft 36 is provided at one end of the winding shaft 36. The input member 37 has a gear 37A that receives driving force input from a drive source provided on the housing body 21 and is rotatably supported on the cage 100 (see reference). Figure 2 The shaft portion 37B is provided at the other end of the winding shaft 36. A cap 38 is provided at the other end of the winding shaft 36, which has a shaft portion 38A that is rotatably supported on the cage 100.

[0147] like Figure 8 As shown in (a), a third hole H13 and a fourth hole H14 are formed on the bottom wall 36B of the groove 36A of the winding shaft 36 for the second protrusion M81 to be inserted. The third hole H13 and the fourth hole H14, together with the second protrusion M81, constitute a winding positioning part for positioning the winding shaft 35 in a third or fourth position. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the third hole H13 and the fourth hole H14 are provided as through holes, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the third hole H13 and the fourth hole H14 may also be concave holes. In addition, the second protrusion M81 is shaped with a curved front end so that it can easily detach from each hole H13 and H14 when the winding shaft 35 is moved in the width direction.

[0148] At the location of the winding spool 35 Figure 8 In position (a), the third hole H13 is engaged with the second protrusion M81. In other words, the third hole H13 is located in the position corresponding to the third position.

[0149] At the location of the winding spool 35 Figure 8 In position (b), the fourth hole H14 is engaged with the second protrusion M81. In other words, the fourth hole H14 is located in the position corresponding to the fourth position.

[0150] In this embodiment, the third position is set at the center of the axial direction of the winding shaft 36, and the fourth position is set at a position closer to the other end than the center of the axial direction of the winding shaft 36. Specifically, the first and third positions are set such that when the supply reel 31 is in the first position and the winding reel 35 is in the third position, the foil F is located at the center of the axial direction of the supply shaft 32 and the winding shaft 36, and both ends of the foil F in the width direction are along the conveying direction. Furthermore, the second and fourth positions are set such that when the supply reel 31 is in the second position and the winding reel 35 is in the fourth position, the foil F is located at a position closer to the other end than the center of the axial direction of the supply shaft 32 and the winding shaft 36, and both ends of the foil F in the width direction are along the conveying direction.

[0151] like Figure 8 As shown in (a), when the winding spool 35 is in the third position, the foil F moves away from one end of the winding spool 36 by a third distance D13. Additionally, as... Figure 8 As shown in (b), when the winding spool 35 is in the fourth position, the foil F moves away from one end of the winding spool 36 by a fourth distance D14 that is greater than the third distance D13. When the winding spool 35 is in the third position, the second protrusion M81 is located within the range of moving away from one end of the winding spool 36 by the third distance D13.

[0152] like Figure 9 As shown in (a), when the supply roll 31 is in the first position and the winding roll 35 is in the third position, if the foil transfer film cassette FC is mounted on the housing body 21, the foil F is located in the center of the width direction and overlaps only with the first part 61A of the heating unit 60. At this time, the handle 33, which can move along the width direction together with the supply roll 31, is located in the first handle position corresponding to the first position (more specifically, the position near the axial end of the supply housing 34).

[0153] When the foil transfer film cartridge FC is installed onto the housing body 21, the handle 33 located at the first handle position can press the first actuator A1 (described later) (see reference). Figure 10 (a) It should be noted that, in the following description, the foil transfer film box FC in which the foil film F is arranged in the center of the width direction is also referred to as "near-center box FC1".

[0154] like Figure 9 As shown in (b), when the supply roll 31 is in the second position and the winding roll 35 is in the fourth position, if the foil transfer film cassette FC is mounted on the housing body 21, the foil F overlaps with the first portion 61A of the heating section 60 and the second portion 61B at the other end of the heating section 60. At this time, the handle 33, which can move along the width direction together with the supply roll 31, is positioned at the second handle position corresponding to the second position (more specifically, the position closer to the other end of the axial direction of the supply housing 34 than the first handle position).

[0155] When the foil transfer film cartridge FC is moved towards the housing body 21, the handle 33, located in the second handle position, can press the second actuator A2 (described later) (see reference). Figure 10 (a) It should be noted that, in the following description, the foil transfer film box FC in which the foil film F is configured to be biased towards the other end in the width direction is also called "bias box FC2".

[0156] Here, in Figure 9 In the diagram, for convenience, the conveying direction of sheet S is shown as moving from the bottom to the top. On the other hand, in... Figure 4 In (a), the conveying direction of sheet S is shown in the diagram, moving from the top to the bottom. Therefore, Figure 9 (b) The bias box FC2 is installed in an up-and-down flipped state. Figure 4 The housing body 21 shown in (a) is used as a housing body 21. If the bias box FC2 is installed in the housing body 21 in this way, the foil F is positioned at the position corresponding to the biased sheet SH3.

[0157] Relative to the main body 21 of the shell, Figure 9 The second foil transfer film cartridge FC3 shown in (c) is detachable. Specifically, the second foil transfer film cartridge FC3 is detachable relative to the aforementioned holder 100 (see reference). Figure 2 Loading and unloading.

[0158] The second foil transfer film box FC3 has a foil film F with a second width B2 that is larger than the first width B1. The second foil transfer film box FC3 has a slightly different structure compared to the foil transfer film box FC, but it is basically the same as the foil transfer film box FC. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to mark the basically the same components and descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0159] The second foil transfer film cassette FC3 differs from the foil transfer film cassette FC in that its size in the width direction of the supply roll 31 and the winding roll 35 is increased to match the foil film F of the second width B2. Furthermore, the second foil transfer film cassette FC3 differs from the foil transfer film cassette FC in that the supply roll 31 and the winding roll 35 do not move in the width direction.

[0160] The supply housing 34 of the second foil transfer film cassette FC3 has a protrusion 34A that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the supply housing 34. The protrusion 34A is formed throughout the width direction from the position corresponding to the first handle position to the position corresponding to the second handle position. Thus, when the second foil transfer film cassette FC3 is installed into the housing body 21, the protrusion 34A can press the first actuator A1 and the second actuator A2 (described later) (see reference). Figure 10 (a) of both parties.

[0161] like Figure 10 As shown in (a) to (c), the housing body 21 is equipped with a sensor SE capable of detecting the handle 33 and the protrusion 34A. The sensor SE includes a first actuator A1, a first sensor SE1, a second actuator A2, and a second sensor SE2.

[0162] The first actuator A1 is a component that rotates when the foil transfer film cartridge FC (i.e., near the central cartridge FC1) is mounted on the housing body 21 in the first position of the supply roll 31 and comes into contact with the handle 33. In other words, the first actuator A1 is positioned corresponding to the handle 33 in the first handle position.

[0163] The second actuator A2 is a component that rotates when the foil transfer film cartridge FC (i.e., the bias cartridge FC2) is installed on the housing body 21 in the state where the supply roll 31 is in the second position, and contacts the handle 33. In other words, the second actuator A2 is positioned corresponding to the handle 33 in the second handle position.

[0164] The first actuator A1 and the second actuator A2 are respectively capable of Figure 10 The non-detection location shown in (b) is... Figure 10 The device rotates between the detection positions shown in (c). When the foil transfer film cartridge FC is installed on the housing body 21, either the first actuator A1 or the second actuator A2 remains in the non-detection position, while the other rotates towards the detection position. Furthermore, when the second foil transfer film cartridge FC3 is installed on the housing body 21, both the first actuator A1 and the second actuator A2 rotate with the protrusion 34A of the second foil transfer film cartridge FC3 (see reference). Figure 9 (c) contacts and rotates toward the detection position.

[0165] The first sensor SE1 is a sensor that detects the position of the first actuator A1. The second sensor SE2 is a sensor that detects the position of the second actuator A2. The first sensor SE1 and the second sensor SE2 can be configured as light sensors having a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part, for example.

[0166] In this embodiment, when the actuators (A1, A2) are in the non-detection position, the light emitted from the light-emitting part is blocked by the actuators, and the light sensors (SE1, SE2) are in the OFF state, not outputting a signal. Conversely, when the actuators (A1, A2) are in the detection position, the light emitted from the light-emitting part is received by the light-receiving part, and the light sensors (SE1, SE2) are in the ON state, outputting a signal.

[0167] The control unit 80 can determine the position and size of the supply roll 31 in the width direction based on information from the sensor SE. Specifically, the control unit 80 determines the type of foil transfer film cassette FC by combining the signals output from the first sensor SE1 and the second sensor SE2.

[0168] Specifically, such as Figure 11 As shown, when both the first sensor SE1 and the second sensor SE2 are OFF, the control unit 80 determines that neither the foil transfer film box FC nor the second foil transfer film box FC3 is installed on the housing body 21. When the first sensor SE1 is ON and the second sensor SE2 is OFF, the control unit 80 determines that the central box FC1 is installed on the housing body 21, that is, it determines that the supply roll 31 is in the first position and the width of the foil F is the first width B1.

[0169] When the first sensor SE1 is OFF and the second sensor SE2 is ON, the control unit 80 determines that the bias box FC2 is installed on the housing body 21, that is, it determines that the supply roll 31 is in the second position and the width of the foil F is the first width B1. When both the first sensor SE1 and the second sensor SE2 are ON, the control unit 80 determines that the second foil transfer film box FC3 is installed on the housing body 21, that is, it determines that the width of the foil F is the second width B2.

[0170] The control unit 80 has the function of controlling the first heater 62 with a predetermined power consumption during foil transfer and controlling the second heater 63 with a first power consumption or a second power consumption less than the first power consumption. The control unit 80 also has the function of controlling the second heater 63 with a second power consumption when it is determined that the supply roll 31 is in a first position. Furthermore, the control unit 80 has the function of controlling the second heater 63 with a first power consumption when it is determined that the supply roll 31 is in a second position.

[0171] Next, refer to Figure 12 The flowchart below illustrates an example of the operation of the control unit 80 in this embodiment. Figure 12 The process shown begins when the power supply to the foil transfer apparatus 1 is ON and at least one of the first sensor SE1 and the second sensor SE2 is ON.

[0172] like Figure 12 As shown, the control unit 80 first determines whether a foil transfer instruction exists (S1). If it is determined in step S1 that no foil transfer instruction exists (S1, No), the control unit 80 waits until a foil transfer instruction exists.

[0173] In step S1, if the control unit 80 determines that a foil transfer instruction exists (S1, Yes), it determines whether the foil transfer film box installed on the housing body 21 is the bias box FC2 or the second foil transfer film box FC3 (S2).

[0174] In step S2, if the control unit 80 determines that the foil transfer film cassette being installed is neither the bias cassette FC2 nor the second foil transfer film cassette FC3 (in other words, the foil transfer film cassette is near the central cassette FC1) (S2, No), it turns on the first heater 62 and turns off the second heater 63 (S21). That is, when the supply roll 31 is in the first position, the control unit 80 controls the second heater 63 with a second power consumption (specifically, 0).

[0175] On the other hand, in step S2, if the control unit 80 determines that the foil transfer film box is either the bias box FC2 or the second foil transfer film box FC3 (S2, Yes), it turns on the first heater 62 and the second heater 63 (S11). That is, when the supply roll 31 is in the second position, the control unit 80 controls the second heater 63 with a first power consumption greater than 0.

[0176] After step S11 or step S21, if the temperature of the heating member 61 reaches a predetermined temperature, the sheet S is conveyed (S12). After step S12, the control unit 80 determines whether the foil transfer is complete (S13). It should be noted that, to determine whether the foil transfer is complete, for example, it can be based on the elapsed time since the central sheet sensor 91 became OFF.

[0177] In step S13, if the control unit 80 determines that the foil transfer is not completed (S13, No), it waits until the foil transfer is completed. If the control unit determines that the foil transfer is completed (S13, Yes), it determines whether there is a sheet that will be transferred next (S14).

[0178] In step S14, if the control unit 80 determines that there is a sheet for foil transfer to be performed next (S14, Yes), it moves to step S2. If it determines that there is no sheet for foil transfer to be performed next (S14, No), it disconnects the heaters that are set to be turned on in the first heater 62 and the second heater 63, and ends the control.

[0179] Based on the above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment.

[0180] Since the position of the foil F in the width direction can be changed in a foil transfer film box FC, the user does not need to carry many boxes, which improves the user's convenience.

[0181] Since the handle 33 for moving the supply reel 31 protrudes from the supply housing 34, the user can easily change the position of the foil F in the width direction by operating the handle 33 protruding from the supply housing 34.

[0182] Since the handle 33 is located within a first distance D11 from one end of the supply shaft 32 when the supply spool 31 is in the first position, the area within the first distance D11 from one end of the supply shaft 32, which is previously considered inactive space, can be effectively utilized.

[0183] Since the second protrusion M81 is located within the range of the third distance D13 from one end of the winding shaft 36 when the winding shaft 35 is in the third position, the range of the third distance D13 from one end of the winding shaft 36, which is now considered inactive space, can be effectively utilized.

[0184] Because it has a supply positioning part that positions the supply roll 31 in a first position or a second position, it is possible to suppress the foil F located in the first position or the second position from moving in the width direction during foil transfer.

[0185] Because it has a winding positioning part that positions the winding spool 35 in the third or fourth position, it is possible to suppress the foil F located in the third or fourth position from moving along the width direction during foil transfer.

[0186] Because it has a sensor SE that can detect the handle 33, the control unit 80 is able to determine the position of the foil F in the width direction.

[0187] Since the second heater 63 is controlled with a second power consumption when the supply spool 31 is in the first position, and with a first power consumption greater than the second power consumption when the supply spool 31 is in the second position, appropriate heater control can be performed according to the position of the foil F.

[0188] Since the first actuator A1 and the second actuator A2 can rotate by contacting the handle 33 located at the first handle position or the second handle position, and can also rotate by contacting the second foil transfer film box FC3, the position and width of the foil F can be determined by using the two actuators A1 and A2.

[0189] The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment. Appropriate modifications can be made to the specific structure without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0190] In the described embodiment, the foil transfer film cartridge FC is configured to have a winding roller 35, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the foil transfer film cartridge may also not have a winding roller. In this case, the winding roller may be provided in the housing body in a manner that allows it to move along the width direction.

[0191] In the described embodiment, a handle is provided that engages with the supply reel, but the invention is not limited to this and the handle may be omitted. In such cases, for example, an opening for direct operation of the supply reel may be provided in the supply housing.

[0192] The supply positioning part and the winding positioning part are not limited to the structure of the embodiment described above. For example, the relationship between the concave and convex parts may be reversed compared to the embodiment described above.

[0193] In the described embodiment, the sensor is constructed using an actuator and a light sensor, but the invention is not limited thereto; the sensor may also be constructed using only a light sensor. Additionally, the actuator may be capable of linear movement.

[0194] In the described embodiment, the handle 33 is engaged with the supply reel 31, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the handle may be integrally formed with the supply reel.

[0195] In the described embodiment, the heating element 61 is a roller made of a cylindrical metal tube, but the invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the heating element may also be a film or a belt. Furthermore, a heater for heating the heating element may be disposed outside the heating element.

[0196] In the described embodiment, the output of the two ends 63B of the second heater 63 is higher than the output of the central portion 63A. The second heater 63 heats the two ends 61B of the heating member 61 more strongly than the first portion 61A. However, it is also possible that only one end 63B of the two ends has a higher output than the central portion 63A, and only one of the second portions 61B of the heating member 61 is heated more strongly than the first portion 61A. In this case, a third heater may also be configured such that only the other end of the two ends in the width direction has a higher output than the central portion, and only the other of the second portions 61B of the heating member 61 is heated more strongly than the first portion 61A.

[0197] Alternatively, if the output of the second heater 63 is higher than the output of the central portion 63A at only one of its two ends 63B, and it heats only one of the second portions 61B of the heating member 61 more strongly than the first portion 61A, the first heater 62 can also be configured such that the output of the central portion 62A and the output of the other end of the two ends 62B are higher than the output of one end, and the other of the first portion 61A and the second portion 61B is heated more strongly than the second portion 61B.

[0198] In the described embodiment, the film unit FU is mounted on the housing body 21 with the foil transfer film cartridge FC mounted on the holder 100. However, it is also possible to mount the foil transfer film cartridge FC directly to the housing body 21 without mounting it to the holder. In this case, for example, it is also possible to configure a portion of the holder 100, equivalent to that in the described embodiment, to be integrally formed with the housing body.

[0199] In the embodiment described above, the foil transfer apparatus 1 is configured to move the heating part 60 using the contact separation mechanism 70, but it can also move the pressure member using the contact separation mechanism or move both the heating member and the pressure member using the contact separation mechanism.

[0200] Regarding the second embodiment of the present invention, while appropriately referring to the appendix... Figure 1 The following is a detailed description. The second embodiment differs slightly in construction from the first embodiment, but is essentially the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to label the substantially the same components, and descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0201] like Figure 13 As shown in (a), a cover opening / closing sensor 23 and a display 24 are provided in the housing 2 to detect the opening and closing of the cover 22. The cover opening / closing sensor 23 detects the opening and closing of the cover 22 when the cover 22 is closed (see reference 24). Figure 13 (a) indicates the ON signal, when cover 22 is open (see reference). Figure 14 The signal indicates an OFF signal. If the cover 22 is closed from the open state, the signal of the cover opening / closing sensor 23 changes from an OFF signal to an ON signal. The display 24 displays various messages based on the instructions of the control unit 300, which will be described later. In addition, in this embodiment, the display 24 also serves as an operation screen that displays a selection screen and sends the selection result to the control unit 300 when the user selects to perform foil transfer.

[0202] The sheet conveying unit 10 conveys the sheet S by being driven to rotate by an electric motor (not shown). The sheet supply mechanism 11 includes a supply roller 11A, a damping roller 11B, and an upstream conveying roller 11C, which is an example of a conveying roller.

[0203] The supply roller 11A is a roller that picks up the sheet S placed on the sheet tray 3. The damping roller 11B is a roller used to separate the sheet S conveyed by the supply roller 11A into a single sheet. When picking up the sheet S, the supply roller 11A is driven for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is, for example, the time it takes for the supply roller 11A to rotate one revolution.

[0204] The damping roller 11B is disposed on the feed roller 11A. The damping roller 11B is capable of rotating in a direction that causes the sheet S, which is superimposed on the sheet S fed by the feed roller 11A, to return toward the sheet tray 3.

[0205] The upstream conveyor roller 11C consists of two rollers. By rotating the rollers while the sheet S is sandwiched between them, the sheet S can be conveyed. The upstream conveyor roller 11C is positioned between the supply roller 11A and the transfer section 50, and conveys the sheet S picked up by the supply roller 11A to the transfer section 50.

[0206] The sheet discharge mechanism 12 includes a downstream conveyor roller 12A and a discharge roller 12B. Each of the downstream conveyor roller 12A and the discharge roller 12B consists of two rollers, which rotate while a sheet S is sandwiched between them, thus conveying the sheet S. The downstream conveyor roller 12A is positioned between the transfer section 50 and the discharge roller 12B, conveying the sheet S from the transfer section 50 to the discharge roller 12B. The discharge roller 12B is positioned downstream of the downstream conveyor roller 12A in the conveying direction of the sheet S, discharging the sheet S conveyed by the downstream conveyor roller 12A out of the housing 2.

[0207] like Figure 13 As shown in (b), the foil F is a film composed of multiple layers. Specifically, the foil F has a support layer F1 and a supported layer F2. The support layer F1 is a strip-shaped transparent substrate made of a polymer material, supporting the supported layer F2. The supported layer F2 has, for example, a release layer F21, a transfer layer F22, and an adhesive layer F23. The release layer F21 is a layer disposed between the support layer F1 and the transfer layer F22, used to facilitate the peeling of the transfer layer F22 from the support layer F1. The release layer F21 contains a transparent material (e.g., a wax-based resin) that is easily peeled off from the support layer F1.

[0208] Transfer layer F22 is a layer for transferring the toner image and includes foil. The foil is a thin metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. Additionally, transfer layer F22 contains coloring materials such as gold, silver, and red, and thermoplastic resin. Transfer layer F22 is disposed between release layer F21 and adhesive layer F23.

[0209] Adhesive layer F23 is a layer used to facilitate the adhesion of transfer layer F22 to the toner image. Adhesive layer F23 contains a material (e.g., vinyl chloride resin, acrylic resin) that is easily adhered to the toner image after it has been heated by the transfer section 50 described later.

[0210] The supply spool 31 is made of resin or the like and has a supply shaft portion 31A for winding the foil F. One end of the foil F is fixed to the supply shaft portion 31A.

[0211] The winding spool 35 is made of resin or the like and has a winding shaft portion 35A for winding the foil F. The other end of the foil F is fixed to the winding shaft portion 35A.

[0212] The transfer unit 50 includes a pressure roller 51, a heating unit 60, and a contact separation mechanism 70. The sheet S and the foil F are transferred by rotating the pressure roller 51 and the heating unit 60 while the sheet S and the foil F are sandwiched between the pressure roller 51 and the heating unit 60.

[0213] The heating section 60 includes a heating element 61 and a heater H. The heating element 61 is a roller with the heater H disposed inside a cylindrical metal tube. It is heated by the heater H and heats the foil F and the sheet S.

[0214] The contact separation mechanism 70 is a mechanism for switching the state of the pressure roller 51 and the heating member 61 from a pressing state in which the foil F is sandwiched between the pressure roller 51 and the heating member 61 to a separation state in which at least one of the pressure roller 51 and the heating member 61 separates from the foil F. In this embodiment, the contact separation mechanism 70 switches the state of the heating member 61 by causing the heating member 61 to... Figure 13 The solid line indicates the crimping position and Figure 13 The heating element 61 is moved between the separation positions shown by the imaginary line to make contact / separation with respect to the foil F. That is, the contact separation mechanism 70 separates the pressure roller 51 and the heating element 61 by causing the heating element 61 to move away from the foil F. Alternatively, the contact separation mechanism 70 presses the pressure roller 51 and the heating element 61 into a pressed state by pressing the heating element 61 against the foil F.

[0215] The control unit 300 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, input / output circuits, etc. The control unit 300 performs various calculations based on programs and data stored in RAM, ROM, etc., to execute control. The control unit 300 can be the same as the control unit 80.

[0216] In the following description, the transfer of the transfer layer F22 to the toner image will also be referred to as "foil transfer".

[0217] like Figure 15As shown, the third foil transfer film cartridge FC4 includes a foil F, a supply roll 31 and a winding roll 35, and a supply housing 34. The third foil transfer film cartridge FC4 can be loaded and unloaded relative to the housing 2 through the opening 21A while the cover 22 is open. It should be noted that the following structure is also possible: the components that are originally located in the holder 100 are located in the housing body 21, and the third foil transfer film cartridge FC4 can be directly loaded and unloaded relative to the housing body 21.

[0218] The supply spool 31 (more specifically, the supply housing 34) and the winding spool 35 can be loaded and unloaded relative to the retainer 100 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the supply spool 31.

[0219] The supply housing 34 is a hollow housing that houses the supply reel 31. The supply housing 34 has a generally cylindrical outer peripheral wall 34P and two generally circular plate-shaped side walls 34S disposed at both ends of the outer peripheral wall 34P. The supply reel 31 is rotatably supported on each side wall 34S of the supply housing 34.

[0220] On the outer peripheral wall 34P, three recesses 34D are arranged in the axial direction of the supply spool 31, and the locking pieces P1, P2, and P3, which serve as identification parts, can be fixed to each recess 34D.

[0221] The cage 100 has a base frame 110 and a limiting frame 120 supported on the base frame 110 in a rotatable (movable) manner.

[0222] The base frame 110 supports the aforementioned first guide shaft 41 and second guide shaft 42 in a rotatable manner. In addition, the base frame 110 has a first holding part 111, a second holding part 112, two connecting parts 113 and two handles 114.

[0223] The limiting frame 120 supports the third guide shaft 43 in a rotatable manner.

[0224] The first holding part 111 is the part that holds the supply housing 34. The first holding part 111 holds the supply roll 31 via the supply housing 34.

[0225] The second holding part 112 is the part that holds the winding spool 35. In detail, the second holding part 112 together with the limiting frame 120 forms a hollow shell, and the winding spool 35 is housed inside the hollow shell.

[0226] The winding spool 35 has the aforementioned winding shaft portion 35A, two flanges 35B, and winding gear 35C. The flanges 35B are portions used to restrict the movement of the foil F wound toward the winding shaft portion 35A in the width direction. The flanges 35B are formed into circular plates with a larger diameter than the winding shaft portion 35A and are disposed at both ends of the winding shaft portion 35A.

[0227] The winding gear 35C is a gear used to receive driving force from an electric motor (not shown) provided in the foil transfer apparatus 1 and to transmit the driving force to the winding shaft portion 35A. The winding gear 35C is axially disposed outside the flange 35B. The winding gear 35C is coaxially disposed with the winding shaft portion 35A.

[0228] The two connecting parts 113 are the parts that connect the first holding part 111 and the second holding part 112. Each connecting part 113 is arranged with a gap in the axial direction of the supply roll 31.

[0229] By forming the connecting portion 113 in this way, the retainer 100 has a through hole 100A that extends in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the supply spool 31.

[0230] Each handle 114 is disposed on each connecting part 113. Each handle 114 is disposed at both axial ends of the winding reel 35 in the retainer 100.

[0231] Here, the foil transfer device 1 can be equipped with, for example... Figure 16 The foils F with various widths are shown in (a) to (c). In this embodiment, a third foil transfer film cassette FC4 with different widths and positions of the foils F can be mounted on the holder 100.

[0232] Specifically, the foil transfer apparatus 1 is capable of mounting a foil F with a second width W2, and also capable of mounting a foil F with a first width W1 that is narrower than the second width W2. Furthermore, the foil transfer apparatus 1 is capable of mounting the foil F with the first width W1 in the central region R2 and the offset region R3 (see reference). Figure 19 The central region R2 refers to the region in the width direction of the area R1 where the foil F of the second width W2 is mounted. The offset region R3 refers to one side in the width direction of the area R1 where the foil F of the second width W2 is mounted. Figure 19 The area on the left side of the middle.

[0233] More specifically, the cage 100 can be installed Figure 16 The first membrane cassette FC5 shown in (a) Figure 16 The second membrane cassette FC6 shown in (b) Figure 16 The third membrane cassette FC7 is shown in (c).

[0234] like Figure 16As shown in (a), the film unit FU on which the first film box FC5 with a foil F having a width of W2 is mounted is referred to as the first film unit FU1. It should be noted that the second width W2 is the maximum width of the foil F that can be configured in the film unit FU, and for example, it is 220 mm. The first film unit FU1 is suitable for use with all sheets S of the size that can be transferred, and is especially suitable for cases where foil transfer is to be performed across the entire width direction of a wide sheet S.

[0235] The first membrane unit FU1 has locking tabs P1, P2, and P3 fixed in all three recesses 34D formed on the outer peripheral wall 34P.

[0236] like Figure 16 As shown in (b), the film unit with a second film box FC6 mounted on a foil F having a width of W1 and positioned close to the center is called the second film unit FU2. It should be noted that the first width W1 is smaller than the second width W2; for example, it is 110 mm. The second film unit FU2 is suitable for situations where foil transfer is only performed on the central area R2 of a narrow sheet or a wide sheet, saving foil F (see reference). Figure 19 ).

[0237] The second membrane unit FU2 has locking tabs P1 and P3 fixed in two of the three recesses 34D formed on the left and right sides of the outer peripheral wall 34P, while no locking tab is fixed in the central recess 34D.

[0238] like Figure 16 As shown in (c), the film unit FU, which has a third film cartridge FC7 mounted on one side of a foil F with a width of W1 and positioned close to the width direction of the foil F, is called the third film unit FU3. The third film unit FU3 is suitable for situations where foil transfer is desired only on the biased area R3 of a wide sheet, thus saving foil F (see reference). Figure 19 ).

[0239] The third membrane unit FU3 has locking tabs P2 and P3 fixed in the central recess 34D and the left and right recesses 34D of the three recesses 34D formed on the outer peripheral wall 34P, while no locking tab is fixed in the other recess 34D on the left and right sides.

[0240] like Figure 17 As shown in (a), the foil transfer apparatus 1 includes a foil sensor that detects the width of the foil F. The foil sensor has three sensors: a first sensor AS1, a second sensor AS2, and a third sensor AS3.

[0241] The first sensor AS1, the second sensor AS2, and the third sensor AS3 are positioned at locations corresponding to the three recesses 34D formed on the outer peripheral wall 34P of the supply housing 34 when the membrane unit FU is installed in the housing body 21.

[0242] The first sensor AS1 sends a LOW signal to the control unit 300 when it detects the locking tab P1 of the membrane unit FU, and sends a HIGH signal to the control unit 300 when it does not detect the locking tab P1.

[0243] The second sensor AS2 sends a LOW signal to the control unit 300 when it detects the locking tab P2 of the membrane unit FU, and sends a HIGH signal to the control unit 300 when it does not detect the locking tab P2.

[0244] The third sensor AS3 sends a LOW signal to the control unit 300 when it detects the locking tab P3 of the membrane unit FU, and sends a HIGH signal to the control unit 300 when it does not detect the locking tab P3.

[0245] The control unit 300 can determine which of the first membrane unit FU1, the second membrane unit FU2, and the third membrane unit FU3 is installed in the housing body 21 by receiving signals from the first sensor AS1, the second sensor AS2, and the third sensor AS3.

[0246] Specifically, such as Figure 17 As shown in Table (b), when the signals from the first sensor AS1, the second sensor AS2 and the third sensor AS3 are all LOW, the control unit 300 determines that the first membrane unit FU1 is installed in the housing body 21.

[0247] In addition, when the signals from the first sensor AS1 and the third sensor AS3 are LOW and the signal from the second sensor AS2 is HIGH, the control unit 300 determines that the second membrane unit FU2 is installed in the housing body 21.

[0248] Furthermore, if the signals from the second sensor AS2 and the third sensor AS3 are LOW and the signal from the first sensor AS1 is HIGH, the control unit 300 determines that the third membrane unit FU3 is installed in the housing body 21.

[0249] Furthermore, when the signals from the first sensor AS1, the second sensor AS2, and the third sensor AS3 are all HIGH, the control unit 300 determines that the first membrane unit FU1, the second membrane unit FU2, and the third membrane unit FU3 are not installed on the housing body 21.

[0250] Next, refer to Figure 18 To the conveying path set on sheet S (in Figure 18 The sheet sensor (shown with double-dotted lines) will be described below. Figure 18 For convenience, the structure of the foil transfer device 1 is simplified and illustrated in the figure.

[0251] like Figure 18 As shown, the foil transfer device 1 has a first sheet sensor SS1, a second sheet sensor SS2, a sheet tray sensor SS3, and a sheet width sensor SS4.

[0252] The first sheet sensor SS1 is located between the supply roller 11A and the transfer section 50 in the conveying direction of the sheet S (hereinafter referred to as the "conveying direction"). More specifically, the first sheet sensor SS1 is located between the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C in the conveying direction. The first sheet sensor SS1 is located in the width direction of the sheet S ( Figure 19 Center C on the left and right directions (refer to) Figure 19 The first sheet sensor SS1 can detect the passage of the sheet S being conveyed toward the transfer unit 50. During the period when the first sheet sensor SS1 detects the sheet S, it sends an ON signal to the control unit 300.

[0253] The second sheet sensor SS2 is located between the supply roller 11A and the discharge roller 12B in the conveying direction (more specifically, between the downstream conveying roller 12A and the discharge roller 12B). The second sheet sensor SS2 is located in the width direction of the sheet S. Figure 19 Center C on the left and right directions (refer to) Figure 19 The second sheet sensor SS2 can detect the passage of the sheet S delivered from the transfer unit 50. During the period when the second sheet sensor SS2 detects the sheet S, it sends an ON signal to the control unit 300.

[0254] Sheet tray sensor SS3 is installed on sheet tray 3 (refer to...) Figure 13 , Figure 19 The sheet tray sensor SS3 is located in the width direction of sheet S. Figure 19 Center C on the left and right directions (refer to) Figure 19 The sheet tray sensor SS3 can detect whether sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3. While sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3, the sheet tray sensor SS3 sends an ON signal to the control unit 300.

[0255] The sheet width sensor SS4 is located between the supply roller 11A and the transfer section 50 in the conveying direction. For example... Figure 19As shown, the sheet width sensor SS4 can detect the sheet material being conveyed toward the transfer section 50 and passing through the bias region. In this embodiment, the sheet width sensor SS4 is located in the bias region R3 and is positioned slightly upstream of the first sheet sensor SS1 in the conveying direction. The sheet width sensor SS4 detects the sheet material from the width direction of the sheet S ( Figure 19 The sheet is positioned close to one side at its center C (in the left-right direction). During the period when the sheet width sensor SS4 detects the sheet S, an ON signal is sent to the control unit 300.

[0256] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the sheet width sensor SS4 is positioned from the center C towards... Figure 19 The left side of the middle part is 75-77mm away from the position.

[0257] The sheet width sensor SS4 can detect sheet S1 when it is transmitted close to the center of a sheet S1 that is wider than A5 size (width 148.5mm).

[0258] When sheet width sensor SS4 receives sheet S2 with a width of less than A5 (width 148.5mm) that is close to the center, it cannot detect sheet S2.

[0259] As mentioned above, when the control unit 300 determines, using the foil sensors (first sensor AS1, second sensor AS2, and third sensor AS3), that the first film unit FU1 is installed on the housing body 21, it knows that the foil F with the second width W2 is installed in region R1 (refer to...). Figure 19 ).

[0260] Furthermore, when the control unit 300 determines, using the foil sensors (first sensor AS1, second sensor AS2, and third sensor AS3), that the second membrane unit FU2 is installed on the housing body 21, it knows that the foil F with the first width W1 is installed in the central region R2 (see reference). Figure 19 ).

[0261] Furthermore, when the control unit 300 determines, using the foil sensors (first sensor AS1, second sensor AS2, and third sensor AS3), that the third film unit FU3 is installed on the housing body 21, it knows that the foil F with the first width W1 is installed in the bias region R3 (see reference). Figure 19 ).

[0262] In this way, the foil sensors (first sensor AS1, second sensor AS2, and third sensor AS3) can detect whether the foil F with a second width W2 is installed in region R1, or which region of the bias region R3 and the central region R2 the foil F with a first width W1 is installed in.

[0263] Next, the control functions performed by the control unit 300 will be explained.

[0264] When an instruction to start the transfer is received, the control unit 300 executes the foil transfer operation.

[0265] When an ON signal is sent from the sheet tray sensor SS3 to the control unit 300, the control unit 300 determines that sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3.

[0266] If the control unit 300 receives an instruction to transfer foil while the sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3, it executes the foil transfer operation. In other words, the control unit 300 performs processing for the foil transfer device 1 to perform the foil transfer operation. First, the upstream conveyor roller 11C, pressure roller 51, winding roll 35, and sheet discharge mechanism 12 are driven. Then, the control unit 300 drives the supply roller 11A for a predetermined time to pick up the sheet S placed on the sheet tray 3. The sheet S picked up by the supply roller 11A is conveyed towards the transfer unit 50 by the upstream conveyor roller 11C. The sheet S conveyed to the transfer unit 50 is transferred to the transfer unit 50 for foil transfer. The control unit 300 repeatedly drives the supply roller 11A for a predetermined time to pick up sheets S one by one until no sheets S are placed on the sheet tray 3, and continues to drive the upstream conveyor roller 11C, pressure roller 51, winding reel 35, and sheet discharge mechanism 12. If no sheets S are placed on the sheet tray 3 and the last sheet S passes through the sheet discharge mechanism 12, the control unit 300 stops the driving of the upstream conveyor roller 11C, pressure roller 51, winding reel 35, and sheet discharge mechanism 12.

[0267] Here, when the control unit 300 receives the instruction to transfer the foil, it stops the upstream conveyor roller 11C in drive and displays an error on the display 24 as an error handling condition, based on the condition that the foil sensor detects that the foil F with the first width W1 is installed in the bias region R3 and the sheet width sensor SS4 does not detect the sheet S.

[0268] Specifically, if the third diaphragm FC7 is detected and the signal from the sheet width sensor SS4 is still OFF, the control unit 300 determines that there is an error.

[0269] An error message can be displayed as, for example, "Please remove the obstructing sheet. The sheet used is not compatible with the intended use of the foil installed inside."

[0270] Next, regarding an example of the processing performed by the control unit 300, please refer to... Figure 20 The flowchart will be used to illustrate this. It should be noted that... Figure 20In the flowchart and the following description, the driving and stopping of the upstream conveyor roller 11C, pressure roller 51, winding roll 35 and sheet discharge mechanism 12 will be described by referring to the upstream conveyor roller 11C as a conveyor roller.

[0271] Upon receiving an instruction to begin the transfer process, the control unit 300 begins... Figure 20 The process involves determining whether a sheet exists in the sheet tray 3 (S101). When an ON signal is sent from the sheet tray sensor SS3 to the control unit 300, the control unit 300 determines that a sheet S exists in the sheet tray 3.

[0272] In step S101, if the control unit 300 determines that there is no sheet in the sheet tray 3 (S101, No), it waits until a sheet is placed in the sheet tray 3.

[0273] In step S101, if the control unit 300 determines that there is a sheet S in the sheet tray 3 (S101, Yes), it determines whether the foil F is the second width W2 (S102).

[0274] In step S102, if the control unit 300 determines that the foil F is the second width W2, that is, if the first film unit FU1 is installed (S102, Yes), it executes the foil transfer operation in steps S111 to S114.

[0275] When performing the foil transfer operation, the control unit 300 drives the transfer roller 11C (S111). Then, the control unit 300 drives the supply roller 11A for a predetermined time to pick up the sheet S placed on the sheet tray 3 (S112). The sheet S picked up by the supply roller 11A is conveyed to the transfer unit 50 by the transfer roller 11C and is transferred as foil.

[0276] After step S112, the control unit 300 determines whether sheet S exists in the sheet tray 3 (S113). If it determines that sheet S exists in the sheet tray 3 (S113, Yes), it moves to step S112 to continue foil transfer. If it determines that sheet S does not exist in the sheet tray 3 (S113, No), the control unit 300 stops the conveyor roller 11C (S114) and ends the process.

[0277] In step S102, if the control unit 300 determines that the foil F is not the second width W2 or is the first width W1 (S102, No), it determines whether the foil F is biased (S103).

[0278] In step S103, if the control unit 300 determines that the foil F is not biased (S103, No), since the foil F is near the center and the second film unit FU2 is installed there, the foil transfer operation in steps S111 to S114 is executed.

[0279] In step S103, if the control unit 300 determines that the foil F is biased, that is, the third film unit FU3 is installed (S103, Yes), it drives the transfer roller 11C (S20).

[0280] After step S20, the control unit 300 drives the supply roller 11A for a predetermined time to pick up the sheet S placed on the sheet tray 3 (S22). The sheet S picked up by the supply roller 11A is conveyed towards the transfer unit 50 by the transfer roller 11C.

[0281] After step S22, the control unit 300 determines whether the sheet width sensor SS4 detects the sheet S when the first sheet sensor SS1 detects the sheet S (S23).

[0282] In step S23, if the control unit 300 determines that the sheet width sensor SS4 detects the sheet S when the first sheet sensor SS1 detects the sheet S (S23, Yes), it moves to step S113 and executes the foil transfer operation.

[0283] On the other hand, in step S23, if the control unit 300 determines that the sheet width sensor SS4 does not detect the sheet S when the first sheet sensor SS1 detects the sheet S (S23, No), it stops the conveyor roller 11C and displays an error on the display 24 (S24).

[0284] After step S24, the control unit 300 determines whether the first sheet sensor SS1 has detected sheet S (S25).

[0285] In step S25, if the control unit 300 determines that the first sheet sensor SS1 has detected sheet S (S25, Yes), since the sheet remains on the conveying path, it waits until the first sheet sensor SS1 no longer detects sheet S.

[0286] In step S25, if the control unit 300 determines that the first sheet sensor SS1 has not detected the sheet S (S25, No), since the sheet is not left on the conveying path, the error display is cleared (S26), and the process ends.

[0287] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0288] When the sheet S is being conveyed, if the sheet S does not overlap the foil F or the overlap between the foil F and the sheet S is reduced, the front end of the sheet S will wrap around the heating member 61 or enter between the first guide shaft 41 and the heating member 61, or between the heating member 61 and the second guide shaft 42. Sometimes the sheet S will detach from the conveying path.

[0289] However, according to the foil transfer apparatus 1, even if a foil F with a width of first width W1, which is narrower than the second width W2, is mounted in the bias region R3, error processing is performed on the condition that the sheet width sensor SS4 located in the bias region R3 does not detect the sheet S. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the conveying of the sheet S when the sheet S does not overlap the foil F or when the overlap between the foil F and the sheet S is reduced. Thus, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from detaching from the conveying path.

[0290] Furthermore, when conveying sheet S, if sheet width sensor SS4 does not detect sheet S and foil sensors (first sensor AS1, second sensor AS2, and third sensor AS3) detect foil F with a first width W1 installed, the control unit 300 performs error processing. On the other hand, even if sheet width sensor SS4 does not detect sheet S when conveying sheet S, if foil sensors detect foil F without a first width W1 installed (i.e., foil sensors detect foil F with a second width W2 installed), the control unit 300 does not perform error processing and performs foil transfer operation.

[0291] This is because when a foil of the second width W2 is installed, the foil is located in most of the width direction covering the conveying path of the sheet S. Therefore, the likelihood of the leading edge of the sheet S winding around the heating member 61 or entering between the first guide shaft 41 and the heating member 61, or between the heating member 61 and the second guide shaft 42, is low. However, when a foil of the first width W1 is installed, there are areas in the width direction of the foil that are not located within the conveying path of the sheet S. Therefore, the likelihood of the leading edge of the sheet S winding around the heating member 61 or entering between the first guide shaft 41 and the heating member 61, or between the heating member 61 and the second guide shaft 42, becomes higher. Therefore, the control unit 300 can perform error handling in appropriate scenarios.

[0292] Furthermore, when sheet S is being conveyed, if sheet width sensor SS4 does not detect sheet S and foil sensors (first sensor AS1, second sensor AS2, and third sensor AS3) detect that foil F with a first width W1 is mounted in the bias region R3, then control unit 300 performs error processing. On the other hand, when sheet S is being conveyed, even if sheet width sensor SS4 does not detect sheet S and foil sensors detect that foil F with a first width W1 is mounted, if foil sensors detect that foil F with a first width W1 is not mounted in the bias region R3, that is, if foil sensors detect that foil F with a first width W1 is mounted in the central region R2, then control unit 300 does not perform error processing, but performs foil transfer operation.

[0293] This is because: when the foil is mounted near the center, the center of the sheet S in the width direction is more likely to be above the foil F. Therefore, the likelihood of the front end of the sheet S winding around the heating member 61 or entering between the first guide shaft 41 and the heating member 61, or between the heating member 61 and the second guide shaft 42, is lower. However, when the foil is mounted offset, there is a possibility that the center of the sheet S in the width direction is not above the foil F or is above the end of the foil F. Therefore, the likelihood of the front end of the sheet S winding around the heating member 61 or entering between the first guide shaft 41 and the heating member 61, or between the heating member 61 and the second guide shaft 42, becomes higher. Therefore, the control unit 300 can perform error handling in appropriate scenarios.

[0294] In addition, during error handling, the control unit 300 stops the upstream conveyor roller 11C in drive, thereby preventing the sheet S from moving to a position lower than the conveying path or from winding around the heating member 61, thus preventing the sheet S from detaching from the conveying path.

[0295] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the position of the sheet width sensor differs from that in the second embodiment. In the following description, components with a configuration substantially the same as that in the second embodiment will be labeled with the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0296] like Figure 21 As shown, in the third embodiment, the sheet width sensor SS5 is located upstream of the supply roller 11A in the conveying direction. More specifically, the sheet width sensor SS5 is disposed on the sheet tray 3. The sheet width sensor SS5 is located in the bias region R3. The sheet width sensor SS5 is arranged close to one side from the center C in the width direction of the sheet S. During the period when the sheet width sensor SS5 detects the sheet S, an ON signal is sent to the control unit 300.

[0297] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the position of the sheet width sensor SS5 starting from the center C in the width direction of the sheet S is the same as the position of the sheet width sensor SS4 starting from the center C in the width direction of the sheet S in the second embodiment.

[0298] The sheet width sensor SS5 can be located upstream of the feed roller 11A in the conveying direction, or it can be located in the housing body 21.

[0299] In this third embodiment, when the control unit 300 receives an instruction to transfer foil, it handles an error by not driving the supply roller 11A and displaying an error on the display 24, provided that the foil sensor detects that the foil F with a first width W1 is installed in the bias region R3 and the sheet width sensor SS5 does not detect the sheet S.

[0300] Next, regarding an example of the processing performed by the control unit 300 in the third embodiment, see [reference needed]. Figure 22 The flowchart will be used to illustrate this.

[0301] Steps S101 to S103 and S111 to S114 are the same as those in the second embodiment, so the description is omitted.

[0302] like Figure 22 As shown, if the control unit 300 determines in step S103 that the foil is biased (S103, Yes), it determines whether the sheet width sensor SS5 detects the sheet S (S31).

[0303] In step S31, if the control unit 300 determines that the sheet width sensor SS5 has detected the sheet S (S31, Yes), it drives the supply roller 11A for a predetermined time (S111) and performs the foil transfer operation (S112).

[0304] On the other hand, in step S31, if the control unit 300 determines that the sheet width sensor SS5 has not detected the sheet S (S31, No), it displays an error (S32) and ends the process.

[0305] According to the third embodiment described above, the control unit 300 does not start driving the supply roller 11A if it determines that the sheet width sensor SS5, located upstream of the supply roller 11A in the conveying direction, has not detected the sheet S. In this way, it is possible to determine whether the sheet width sensor SS5 has detected the sheet S before starting the drive of the supply roller 11A, thus reliably suppressing the conveying of the sheet S when it is not overlapping the foil F or when the overlap between the foil F and the sheet S is minimal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from detaching from the conveying path.

[0306] If the control unit 300 determines that the sheet width sensor SS5, located upstream of the feed roller 11A in the conveying direction, has not detected the sheet S, the display 24 will display an error. This makes it easy for the user to notice that "if the sheet S is conveyed at this point, it will be conveyed without overlapping the foil F, or with a small overlap between the foil F and the sheet S," thus easily eliminating this situation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from detaching from the conveying path.

[0307] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and can be used in a variety of ways as illustrated below.

[0308] In the described embodiment, when the control unit 300 receives an instruction to transfer foil, it performs error processing on the condition that the foil sensor detects that the foil F with a first width W1 is installed in the bias region R3 and the sheet width sensor SS4 does not detect the sheet S, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0309] For example, the control unit 300 may also have the following structure: upon receiving an instruction to transfer foil, error processing is performed on the condition that the foil sensor detects a foil F with a first width W1 and the sheet width sensor SS4 does not detect a sheet S.

[0310] Alternatively, the control unit 300 may have the following structure: upon receiving an instruction to transfer foil, error processing is performed if the sheet width sensor SS4 does not detect the sheet S.

[0311] In the described embodiment, the sheet tray sensor SS3 is disposed on the sheet tray 3, but is not limited thereto. For example, the sheet tray sensor SS3 may also be disposed between the sheet tray 3 and the supply roller 11A. That is, the sheet tray sensor SS3 can be disposed on the upstream side of the supply roller 11A in the conveying direction, or it may be disposed on the housing body 21.

[0312] In the described embodiment, the sheet width sensor SS4 is located slightly upstream of the first sheet sensor SS1 in the conveying direction, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sheet width sensor SS4 may also be configured to be located at the same position as the first sheet sensor SS1 in the conveying direction.

[0313] In the described embodiment, the foil transfer apparatus is a structure that transfers foil such as aluminum onto a pre-printed toner image, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can also be applied to a foil transfer apparatus of the so-called thermal head type, which uses an ink ribbon to perform the transfer by heat. In this case, the transfer section of the transfer foil consists of a thermal head and an impression roller.

[0314] In the embodiment described above, the width of sheet S is detected using a sheet width sensor SS4, but the width of sheet S can also be configured to be set by the user.

[0315] In the embodiment described above, the pressure roller 51 is driven by an electric motor, and the heating element 61 rotates voluntarily. However, it is also possible for the heating element 61 to be driven by an electric motor and the pressure roller 51 to rotate voluntarily.

[0316] In the embodiment described above, the foil transfer device 1 can install three types of foil F: the first film box FC5, the second film box FC6, and the third film box FC7, but it can also install foil F of other sizes not shown in the example.

[0317] In the described embodiment, the foil F is composed of 4 layers, but the present invention is not limited to this. The foil only needs to have a transfer layer and a support layer, and the number of layers is not important.

[0318] In the described embodiment, the foil transfer device 1 is configured as an independent device from an image forming device such as a laser printer, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the foil transfer device may also be integrated with the image forming device.

[0319] In the described embodiment, the position of the foil of the first width between the bias region and the central region is changed by replacing the cartridge. However, it is also possible to configure the cartridge, as in the first embodiment, so that the position of the foil of the first width can be changed between the bias region and the central region by operating the handle. In this case, instead of the foil sensor, the position of the handle can be detected using a sensor SE as in the first embodiment, thereby detecting which region of the bias region and the central region the foil is installed in.

[0320] Alternatively, the elements described in the foregoing embodiments and variations can be combined in any way to implement the invention.

Claims

1. A foil transfer film box, characterized in that, have: A reel is supplied with foil of a first width; and A supply shaft is longer than the first width in the width direction of the foil, and the supply reel is supported in such a way that it can move along the width direction between a first position and a second position different from the first position; The handle is movable along the width direction together with the supply reel; and A flange is located at one end of the supply reel and rotates together with the supply reel. The handle engages with the flange in the width direction.

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