Layer transfer device

Abstract

To peel two sheets more securely.SOLUTION: A layer transfer device is used for transferring a viscoelastic layer of a second sheet (viscoelastic layer film PF) to a first sheet (sheet S) that has a printed layer. The layer transfer device includes a heating rotating body (heating roller 60), a pressurized rotating body (pressurized roller 51), a peeling member (peeling roller 42), and a control unit. The pressurized rotating body conveys each sheet by sandwiching it between itself and the heating rotating body to transfer the viscoelastic layer to the printed layer. The peeling member peels the second sheet conveyed from the heating rotating body from the first sheet. The control unit conveys the first sheet toward the heating rotating body and the pressurized rotating body which are in a separate state. The control unit switches the heating rotating body and the pressurized rotating body from the separate state to the pressurized state. At the moment when the heating rotating body becomes the pressurized state, the tip end of the first sheet is located downstream of a nip portion NP in the conveying direction of the first sheet, and the rear end of the first sheet is located upstream of the nip portion NP in the conveying direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a layer transfer device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a layer transfer device in which a second sheet having an adhesive layer is superposed on a first sheet having a printing layer such as a toner image, heated and pressure-bonded, thereby pressure-bonding the adhesive layer to the printing layer, and then peeling the second sheet from the first sheet to transfer the adhesive layer to the printing layer (see Patent Document 1). After pressure-bonding the adhesive layer of the second sheet to the printing layer of the first sheet by this layer transfer device, the printing layer to which the adhesive layer is transferred is transferred to a fabric such as a T-shirt by a press machine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a conventional layer transfer device, when the leading ends of the first sheet and the second sheet are heated and pressure-bonded, the leading ends that serve as the starting point of peeling may be adhered to each other, and there is a risk that the two sheets cannot be peeled off.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a layer transfer device that can more reliably peel two sheets.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The layer transfer device is a device that transfers a viscoelastic layer from a second sheet having a viscoelastic layer to a first sheet having a printing layer. The layer transfer device includes a main body housing, a heating rotating body, a pressure rotating body, a switching mechanism, a peeling member, an upstream conveying roller, and a control unit. The pressurizing rotating body conveys the second sheet and the first sheet while sandwiching them between the heating rotating body, thereby transferring the viscoelastic layer of the second sheet to the printing layer of the first sheet. The switching mechanism can switch the states of the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body between a pressurizing state in which the second sheet is sandwiched between the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body, and a separating state in which at least one of the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body is separated from the second sheet. The peeling member peels the second sheet conveyed from the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body from the first sheet. The upstream conveying roller supplies the first sheet toward the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body. The control unit can execute a conveying process and a switching process. In the conveying process, the control unit controls the upstream conveying roller to convey the first sheet toward the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body in the separated state. In the switching process, the control unit controls the switching mechanism to switch the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body from the separated state to the pressurizing state. When the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body are in the pressurizing state due to the switching process, the leading end of the first sheet is located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the first sheet from the nip portion between the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body, and the trailing end of the first sheet is located on the upstream side in the conveying direction from the nip portion.

[0007] By adopting a configuration in which, when the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body are in the pressurizing state, the leading end of the first sheet is located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the first sheet from the nip portion between the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body, and the trailing end of the first sheet is located on the upstream side in the conveying direction from the nip portion, the leading end of the first sheet is not adhered to the second sheet, so that the second sheet can be more reliably peeled from the first sheet.

[0008] Further, the layer transfer device may further include a downstream conveying roller. The downstream conveying roller is located downstream in the conveying direction from the peeling member. The downstream conveying roller conveys the first sheet. In this case, the control unit may perform a peeling process in which the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are put into a pressurized state and rotated until the trailing edge of the first sheet being conveyed by the downstream conveyance roller passes through the peeling member, and after the trailing edge of the first sheet has passed through the peeling member, the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are switched from the pressurized state to a separated state.

[0009] By putting the heating rotator and the pressure rotator into a pressurized state and rotating them until the trailing edge of the first sheet being conveyed by the downstream conveyance roller passes through the peeling member, the first sheet and the second sheet can be conveyed by the heating rotator and the pressure rotator until the peeling of the portion near the trailing edge of the first sheet is completed, so that the second sheet can be more reliably peeled from the first sheet.

[0010] Further, the layer transfer device may further include a supply reel around which the second sheet is wound and a take-up reel that takes up the second sheet supplied from the supply reel.

[0011] Further, the layer transfer device may further include a supply roller that conveys the first sheet toward the upstream conveyance roller. In this case, the control unit may be capable of performing a conveyance process and a switching process. In the conveyance process, the control unit conveys the first sheet toward the heating rotator and the pressure rotator that are in a separated state by driving the supply roller and the upstream conveyance roller. In the switching process, the control unit switches the heating rotator and the pressure rotator from the separated state to the pressurized state. The control unit continues to drive the supply roller and the upstream conveyance roller until the first sheet reaches between the heating rotator and the pressure rotator.

[0012] In a configuration including a supply reel and a take-up reel, the first sheet moving from the upstream conveyance roller toward the heating rotator or the like receives resistance by contacting the viscoelastic layer of the stationary second sheet. At this time, if the supply roller is stopped, the supply roller also becomes a resistance to the movement of the first sheet. Therefore, until the first sheet reaches between the heating rotator and the pressure rotator, by adopting a configuration in which the driving of the supply roller and the upstream conveyance roller is continued, it is possible to suppress the supply roller from becoming a resistance to the movement of the first sheet. Thus, even when the first sheet contacts the viscoelastic layer of the second sheet, the first sheet can be conveyed by the supply roller and the upstream conveyance roller without succumbing to the resistance of the viscoelastic layer of the second sheet.

[0013] Further, the layer transfer device may further include a fan for cooling the inside of the main body housing. In this case, the control unit may stop the fan while executing the layer transfer process of transferring the viscoelastic layer of the second sheet to the printing layer of the first sheet.

[0014] By adopting a configuration in which the fan is stopped during the execution of the layer transfer process, it is possible to suppress transfer defects caused by the temperature of the viscoelastic layer becoming too low.

[0015] The first sheet may have a first base material layer, a first release layer formed on the first base material layer, and a printing layer formed on the first release layer.

[0016] Further, the second sheet may have a second base material layer, a second release layer formed on the second base material layer, and a viscoelastic layer formed on the second release layer.

[0017] When the control unit continuously executes the layer transfer process of transferring the viscoelastic layer of the second sheet to the printing layer of the first sheet for a plurality of first sheets, the peeling process may be executed for each single first sheet.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The two sheets can be peeled off more reliably.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] [First Embodiment] Next, the first embodiment will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1(a), the layer transfer device 1 is a device that overlays a sheet S on a film F including a plurality of layers and transfers the layer of the film F to the printing layer T of the sheet S (see Figs. 5 and 6 for the printing layer T). For example, after forming a printing layer T such as a toner image on the sheet S by an image forming device such as a laser printer, the layer transfer device 1 transfers a layer such as a foil or a viscoelastic layer onto the printing layer T of the sheet S. The layer transfer device 1 includes a housing 2, a sheet tray 3, a sheet conveyance unit 10, a film supply unit 30, a transfer unit 50, a motor M, a torque limiter TR, an electrical contact CN, a control unit 300, and a fan 100.

[0021] The housing 2 is made of resin or the like and includes a main body housing 21 and a cover 22. The main body housing 21 has an opening 21A (see FIG. 2) at the upper part. The opening 21A is an opening for attaching and detaching a film cartridge FC, which will be described later, to and from the main body housing 21. The cover 22 is a member for opening and closing the opening 21A. The rear end portion of the cover 22 is rotatably supported by the main body housing 21. The cover 22 is rotatable between a closed position (the position in FIG. 1(a)) for closing the opening 21A and an open position (the position in FIG. 2) for opening the opening 21A.

[0022] The fan 100 is located inside the main body housing 21. The fan 100 cools the inside of the main body housing 21 by taking in air from outside the main body housing 21 into it and discharging the air inside the main body housing 21 to the outside of the main body housing 21.

[0023] The sheet tray 3 is a tray on which sheets S such as paper and OHP films are set. The sheet tray 3 is provided at the rear part of the housing 2. Note that the sheet S is set on the sheet tray 3 with the surface on which the printing layer T is formed facing downward.

[0024] The sheet conveyance unit 10 includes a sheet supply mechanism 11 and a sheet discharge mechanism 12. The sheet supply mechanism 11 is a mechanism for conveying the sheets S on the sheet tray 3 one by one toward the transfer unit 50. The sheet supply mechanism 11 includes a supply roller 11A, a retard roller 11B, and an upstream conveyance roller 11C.

[0025] The supply roller 11A is a roller for picking up the sheet S set on the sheet tray 3. The supply roller 11A conveys the sheet S toward the upstream conveyance roller 11C. The retard roller 11B separates the sheets S conveyed by the supply roller 11A into individual sheets.

[0026] The upstream conveyance roller 11C consists of two rollers. By rotating each roller while sandwiching the sheet S between these rollers, the sheet S can be conveyed. The upstream conveyance roller 11C is a conveyance roller arranged immediately before the transfer unit 50 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. In the following description, the conveyance direction of the sheet S is also simply referred to as the "conveyance direction". The upstream conveyance roller 11C conveys the sheet S toward the transfer unit 50.

[0027] The sheet discharge mechanism 12 is a mechanism that discharges the sheet S that has passed through the transfer unit 50 to the outside of the housing 2. The sheet discharge mechanism 12 includes a downstream conveyance roller 12A and a discharge roller 12B.

[0028] The downstream conveyance roller 12A is located downstream in the conveyance direction from a peeling roller 42 which is an example of a peeling member described later. The discharge roller 12B is located downstream in the conveyance direction from the downstream conveyance roller 12A. The downstream conveyance roller 12A and the discharge roller 12B each consist of two rollers. By rotating each roller while sandwiching the sheet S between these rollers, the sheet S can be conveyed.

[0029] The film supply unit 30 is a part that supplies the film F so as to overlap the sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply mechanism 11. The film supply unit 30 includes a film cartridge FC.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the film cartridge FC is detachable from the main body housing 21 through the opening 21A in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the supply reel 31 described later. In the following description, the axial direction of the supply reel 31 is simply referred to as the "axial direction". The film cartridge FC includes a supply reel 31, a take-up reel 35, a first guide shaft 41, a peeling roller 42, and a second guide shaft 43. The film F is wound around the supply reel 31 of the film cartridge FC.

[0031] The layer transfer device 1 transfers different materials depending on the type of film F wound around the film cartridge FC. For example, the foil film FF contains foil and is a film for transferring the foil to the printing layer T. Also, the viscoelastic layer film PF contains the viscoelastic layer PF3 and is a film for transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3. In this specification, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the supply reel 31 around which the viscoelastic layer film PF is wound is referred to as the first supply reel 31P. Also, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the supply reel 31 around which the foil film FF is wound is referred to as the second supply reel 31F. That is, the layer transfer device 1 can be mounted on the main body housing 21 with the first supply reel 31P, and can also be mounted on the main body housing 21 with the second supply reel 31F instead of the first supply reel 31P.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the foil film FF has a foil base layer FF1, a foil release layer FF2, a foil transfer layer FF3, and a foil adhesive layer FF4. The foil release layer FF2 is formed on the foil base layer FF1. The foil transfer layer FF3 is formed on the foil release layer FF2. The foil adhesive layer FF4 is formed on the foil transfer layer FF3.

[0033] The foil base layer FF1 is a tape-shaped transparent base made of a polymer material and supports the foil release layer FF2, the foil transfer layer FF3, and the foil adhesive layer FF4.

[0034] The foil release layer FF2 is a layer for facilitating the peeling of the foil transfer layer FF3 from the foil base layer FF1 and is disposed between the foil base layer FF1 and the foil transfer layer FF3. The foil release layer FF2 contains a transparent material that is easily peeled from the foil base layer FF1, such as a wax-based resin.

[0035] The foil transfer layer FF3 is a layer to be transferred to the printing layer T and contains foil. The foil is a thin metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. Also, the foil transfer layer FF3 may contain a coloring material such as gold, silver, or red, and a thermoplastic resin. The foil transfer layer FF3 is disposed between the foil release layer FF2 and the foil adhesive layer FF4.

[0036] The foil adhesion layer FF4 is a layer for adhering the foil transfer layer FF3 to the printing layer T. The foil adhesion layer FF4 contains a material that easily adheres to the printing layer T heated by the transfer unit 50, such as a vinyl chloride resin or an acrylic resin.

[0037] The viscoelastic layer film PF is an example of the second sheet. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the viscoelastic layer film PF has a second base material layer PF1, a second release layer PF2, and a viscoelastic layer PF3. The second release layer PF2 is formed on the second base material layer PF1. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is formed on the second release layer PF2.

[0038] The second base material layer PF1 supports the second release layer PF2 and the viscoelastic layer PF3. In this embodiment, the second base material layer PF1 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 15 to 20 μm.

[0039] The second release layer PF2 is a layer for facilitating the peeling of the viscoelastic layer PF3 from the second base material layer PF1 and is disposed between the second base material layer PF1 and the viscoelastic layer PF3. The second release layer PF2 contains a transparent material that easily peels from the second base material layer PF1, such as a wax-based resin. In this embodiment, the thickness of the second release layer PF2 is 10 to 15 μm.

[0040] The viscoelastic layer PF3 is a layer to be transferred to the printing layer T and contains a viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic material is a material having viscoelasticity made of a polymer material. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is a material that easily adheres to the printing layer T heated by the transfer unit 50 and is also a material that easily adheres to a transfer object such as a fabric. The viscoelastic layer PF3 contains, for example, a vinyl chloride resin or an acrylic resin, but a material suitable for adhesion to the transfer object may be selected. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is disposed on the surface of the viscoelastic layer film PF. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is thicker than the second release layer PF2. The thickness of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is 20 to 50 μm. Desirably, the thickness of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is 30 to 40 μm.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the viscoelastic layer film PF is wound around the first supply reel 31P such that the viscoelastic layer PF3 faces the core 31A of the first supply reel 31P. That is, in the state where the viscoelastic layer film PF is wound around the first supply reel 31P, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is located inside with respect to the second base material layer PF1.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the image forming apparatus, since it is difficult to directly print on the fabric CL, after printing the printing layer T on the sheet S, the printing layer T printed on the sheet S is transferred to the fabric CL. At this time, in order to prevent the printed layer T transferred to the fabric CL from being easily peeled off, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred onto the printed layer T printed on the sheet S, and the printed layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 are transferred to the fabric CL. In the following description, the sheet S for transferring the printed layer T to the fabric CL is also referred to as the "transfer printing sheet PS". Note that the object to be transferred using the transfer printing sheet PS is not limited to the fabric CL, and may be leather, pottery, wood, resin, metal, or the like as the material. Further, the object to be transferred is not limited to a flat object, and may be a three-dimensional object.

[0043] The transfer printing sheet PS is an example of the first sheet. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the transfer printing sheet PS has a first base material layer PS1 and a first release layer PS2. The first release layer PS2 is formed on the first base material layer PS1.

[0044] The first base material layer PS1 is a tape-shaped transparent base material made of a polymer material and supports the first release layer PS2. In the present embodiment, the first base material layer PS1 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 15 to 20 μm.

[0045] The first release layer PS2 is a layer on which a printing layer T is formed by an image forming apparatus or the like. After the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred onto the printing layer T formed on the first release layer PS2, the first release layer PS2 supports the printing layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3, and when transferring the printing layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 onto a fabric CL or the like, it is a layer for facilitating the peeling of the printing layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 from the first base layer PS1. The first release layer PS2 contains a transparent material that is easily peeled from the first base layer PS1, such as a wax-based resin. In this embodiment, the thickness of the first release layer PS2 is 10 to 15 μm.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 3, the supply reel 31 is detachable from the main body housing 21. The supply reel 31 is made of resin or the like and has a winding core 31A, a supply case 31K, and a memory 31M.

[0047] One end of the film F is fixed to the winding core 31A, and the film F is wound around it. The supply case 31K has a cylindrical shape and is a hollow case that houses the film F wound around the winding core 31A.

[0048] The memory 31M is disposed at the lower end of the supply case 31K. When the supply reel 31 is mounted on the main body housing 21, the memory 31M comes into contact with the electrical contact CN of the main body housing 21. The memory 31M stores information about the film F wound around the supply reel 31.

[0049] The take-up reel 35 is a reel that takes up the film F supplied from the supply reel 31. The take-up reel 35 is made of resin or the like and has a take-up shaft portion 35A. The other end of the film F is fixed to the take-up shaft portion 35A. The motor M drives the take-up reel 35. The take-up reel 35 winds up the film F by being rotationally driven by the motor M.

[0050] The torque limiter TR limits the torque of the driving force supplied from the motor M to the take-up reel 35. In this embodiment, the torque limiter TR applies to the take-up reel 35 a torque of a magnitude that allows the second base layer PF1 to be peeled from the viscoelastic layer PF3.

[0051] The first guide shaft 41 is a shaft for changing the traveling direction of the film F drawn from the supply reel 31. The peeling roller 42 is a shaft for changing the traveling direction of the film F guided by the first guide shaft 41. The second guide shaft 43 is a shaft for changing the traveling direction of the film F guided by the peeling roller 42 and guiding it to the take-up reel 35.

[0052] The first guide shaft 41 guides the film F drawn from the supply reel 31 so as to overlap the sheet S conveyed with the printing layer T facing down from below. The first guide shaft 41 changes the conveyance direction of the film F drawn from the supply reel 31 and guides the film F substantially parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheet S.

[0053] The peeling roller 42 contacts the film F that has passed through the transfer portion 50 and changes the conveyance direction of the film F that has passed through the transfer portion 50 to a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S. The film F conveyed in a state of overlapping the sheet S after passing through the transfer portion 50 is guided in a direction different from that of the sheet S when passing through the peeling roller 42 and is peeled off from the sheet S. In the following description, the position where the film F is peeled off from the sheet S is referred to as the "peeling position". In the present embodiment, the position of the peeling roller 42 is the peeling position.

[0054] When the foil film FF is attached to the main body housing 21, the peeling roller 42 guides the foil base material layer FF1 of the foil film FF that has passed through the transfer portion 50 in a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S. When the viscoelastic layer film PF is attached to the main body housing 21, the peeling roller 42 guides the second base material layer PF1 of the viscoelastic layer film PF that has passed through the transfer portion 50 in a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the winding angle θ of the film F on the peeling roller 42 is an obtuse angle. Specifically, the winding angle θ of the film F on the peeling roller 42 is 120 to 140°. The radius of curvature of the peeling roller 42 at the portion where the film F is wound is 1 to 3 mm.

[0056] The transfer unit 50 is a part for transferring a layer onto the printing layer T formed on the sheet S by heating and pressing the sheet S and the film F while sandwiching the sheet S and the film F with the sheet S superposed on the film F being conveyed from the supply reel 31 toward the take-up reel 35. When the foil film FF is attached to the main body housing 21, the transfer unit 50 transfers the foil transfer layer FF3 onto the printing layer T of the sheet S. When the viscoelastic layer film PF is attached to the main body housing 21, the transfer unit 50 transfers the viscoelastic layer PF3 onto the printing layer T of the sheet S.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer unit 50 includes a pressure roller 51 as an example of a pressure rotating body, a heating roller 60 as an example of a heating rotating body, a frame 61, and a switching mechanism 70.

[0058] The pressure roller 51 is a roller that sandwiches the film F and the sheet S with the heating roller 60, and is formed by covering the periphery of a cylindrical core metal with a rubber layer made of silicon rubber. The pressure roller 51 is disposed above the film F and is capable of contacting the surface of the sheet S on the side opposite to the surface on which the printing layer T is formed. Both ends of the pressure roller 51 are rotatably supported by the cover 22. The pressure roller 51 conveys the film F and the sheet S between itself and the heating roller 60 while being in pressure contact with the heating roller 60.

[0059] The heating roller 60 is a roller that heats the film F and the sheet S. The heating roller 60 is disposed below the film F and is capable of contacting the film F.

[0060] The frame 61 rotatably supports the heating roller 60. The frame 61 is configured to cover the heating roller 60 in order to make it difficult for the heat of the heating roller 60 to be released. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the frame 61 has a frame opening 62. The frame opening 62 is formed at a position such that the heat generated from the heating roller 60 reaches the peeling position.

[0061] The switching mechanism 70 is a mechanism capable of switching the states of the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 between a pressure state in which the film F is sandwiched between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 and a separation state in which the heating roller 60 is separated from the film F. The pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 can convey the film F and the sheet S by rotating and driving in the pressure state. When the pressure roller 51 rotates by the driving force of the motor M, the heating roller 60 rotates passively.

[0062] Note that when the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 are in the separated state, even if the motor M rotates, the take-up reel 35 does not rotate. When the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 are in the pressure state and rotating, the take-up reel 35 rotates, and the film F sent out from the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 is wound up by the take-up reel 35.

[0063] In the layer transfer device 1 configured as described above, the sheet S set on the sheet tray 3 with the surface on which the printing layer T is formed facing downward is conveyed one by one toward the transfer unit 50 by the sheet supply mechanism 11. The sheet S is overlapped with the film F supplied from the supply reel 31 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the transfer unit 50, and is conveyed to the transfer unit 50 in a state where the printing layer T of the sheet S is in contact with the film F.

[0064] In the transfer unit 50, when the sheet S and the film F pass through the nip portion between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60, they are heated and pressed by the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51, and a layer (viscoelastic layer PF3 or foil transfer layer FF3) is transferred onto the printing layer T formed on the sheet S. In the following description, the transfer of the layer onto the sheet S is also simply referred to as "layer transfer".

[0065] After the layer transfer is performed, the sheet S and the film F are conveyed to the peeling roller 42 in a state of being adhered to each other. When the sheet S and the film F pass through the peeling roller 42, since the conveyance direction of the film F changes to a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S, the film F is peeled off from the sheet S.

[0066] The film F peeled off from the sheet S is wound onto the take-up reel 35. On the other hand, the sheet S from which the film F has been peeled is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 by the sheet discharge mechanism 12 with the surface on which the layer has been transferred facing downward.

[0067] The electrical contact CN is the part that comes into contact with the memory 31M when the film cartridge FC is mounted on the main body housing 21. When the supply reel 31 is mounted on the main body housing 21, the information in the memory 31M is sent to the control unit 300 by the electrical contact CN coming into contact with the memory 31M.

[0068] The control unit 300 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output circuit, etc., and executes control by performing various arithmetic processes based on programs and data stored in the ROM, etc. The control unit 300 determines which of the first supply reel 31P and the second supply reel 31F is mounted on the main body housing 21 by reading the information in the memory 31M.

[0069] When the control unit 300 determines that the first supply reel 31P is mounted, it can execute a viscoelastic layer transfer process suitable for transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the printing layer T of the sheet S. When the control unit 300 determines that the second supply reel 31F is mounted, it can execute a foil transfer process suitable for transferring the foil transfer layer FF3 to the printing layer T of the sheet S. Note that since a known method may be used for the foil transfer process, the description is omitted.

[0070] The control unit 300 stops the fan 100 while executing the viscoelastic layer transfer process. The control unit 300 can execute a conveyance process, a switching process, and a peeling process in the viscoelastic layer transfer process.

[0071] In the conveyance process, the control unit 300 controls the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C to convey the sheet S toward the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 in a separated state.

[0072] Here, the motor M is connected to the supply roller 11A via the supply clutch 80. Further, the motor M is connected to the pressure roller 51, the upstream conveyance roller 11C, the downstream conveyance roller 12A, and the discharge roller 12B. Note that clutches may be appropriately provided between the motor M and each roller (51, 11C, 12A, 12B).

[0073] The control unit 300 rotates the pressure roller 51, the upstream conveyance roller 11C, the downstream conveyance roller 12A, and the discharge roller 12B by rotating the motor M. The control unit 300 rotates the supply roller 11A by turning on the supply clutch 80 while the motor M is rotating.

[0074] In the switching process, the control unit 300 controls the switching mechanism 70 to switch the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 from the separated state to the pressurized state. When the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 reach the pressurized state by the switching process, the leading end of the sheet S is located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the nip portion NP (see FIG. 11) between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51, and the trailing end of the sheet S is located on the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the nip portion NP. That is, the control unit 300 executes the switching process so as to sandwich a portion slightly separated from the leading end of the sheet S between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51.

[0075] Here, the nip portion NP refers to a portion that contacts the viscoelastic layer film PF of the pressure roller 51 or the heating roller 60 in the pressurized state. Further, the size in the conveyance direction of the leading end portion of the sheet S that is not sandwiched between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 may be, for example, smaller or larger than the size in the conveyance direction of the nip portion NP.

[0076] Further, the control unit 300 continues to drive the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C until the sheet S reaches between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51. Specifically, the control unit 300 continues to rotate the motor M and maintains the supply clutch 80 in the on state until a portion slightly separated from the leading end of the sheet S reaches between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51.

[0077] In the peeling process, until the trailing edge of the sheet S being conveyed by the downstream conveyance roller 12A passes through the peeling roller 42, the control unit 300 places the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 in a pressurized state and rotates them. After the trailing edge of the sheet S has passed through the peeling roller 42, the control unit 300 switches the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 from the pressurized state to the separated state. When continuously performing the viscoelastic layer transfer process on a plurality of sheets S, the control unit 300 executes the peeling process for each sheet S.

[0078] In this embodiment, it is assumed that a sheet sensor for detecting the sheet S set in the sheet tray 3 is provided near the sheet tray 3. The control unit 300 executes the viscoelastic layer transfer process for each sheet S on the condition that the sheet sensor detects the sheet S and receives a layer transfer command. Note that the layer transfer command is output to the control unit 300 when a user operates an operation panel provided on the outer surface of the layer transfer device 1, for example.

[0079] When the control unit 300 receives a layer transfer command with only one sheet S set in the sheet tray 3, it executes the viscoelastic layer transfer process on the one sheet S. When the control unit 300 receives a layer transfer command with a plurality of sheets S set in the sheet tray 3, it continuously executes the viscoelastic layer transfer process for each of the plurality of sheets S.

[0080] Next, the operation of the control unit 300 will be described in detail. When the control unit 300 is not executing the viscoelastic layer transfer process, the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are in a separated state. Also, the process of energizing the heater of the heating roller 60 may be appropriately performed before sandwiching the sheet S between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 8, when the control unit 300 receives a layer transfer command (START), it starts supplying the sheet S from the sheet tray 3 (S1). Specifically, in step S1, the control unit 300 rotates the motor M and turns on the supply clutch 80 to rotate the supply roller 11A.

[0082] After step S1, the control unit 300 stops the conveyance of the sheet S at the timing when the leading end of the sheet S passes through the region Anp (see FIG. 10(a)) corresponding to the nip portion NP (S2). Specifically, in step S2, the control unit 300 turns off the supply clutch 80 and stops the motor M to stop the conveyance of the sheet S (S2).

[0083] Note that the timing when the leading end of the sheet S passes through the region Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP can be grasped, for example, by the elapsed time from the start of rotation of the supply roller 11A. Also, when a sheet passing sensor for detecting the passage of the sheet S is provided between the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C, the timing can be grasped by the elapsed time after the passage of the leading end of the sheet S is detected by the sheet passing sensor.

[0084] After step S2, the control unit 300 controls the switching mechanism 70 to bring the transfer unit 50 (heating roller 60 and pressure roller 51) into a pressurized state (S3). After step S3, the control unit 300 resumes the rotation of the motor M to rotate the pressure roller 51 etc. and starts the conveyance of the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF (S4).

[0085] After step S4, the control unit 300 determines whether the trailing end of the sheet S has passed through the peeling roller 42, and if it is determined that it has passed, the transfer unit 50 is brought into a separated state (S5). Note that the determination as to whether the trailing end of the sheet S has passed through the peeling roller 42 can be made based on the elapsed time from the start of rotation of the supply roller 11A as described above.

[0086] After step S5, the control unit 300 determines whether or not there is a sheet S remaining in the sheet tray 3 based on the information from the sheet sensor (S6). If it is determined in step S6 that there is a sheet S remaining (Yes), the control unit 300 returns to the process of step S1.

[0087] If it is determined in step S6 that there is no sheet S remaining (No), the control unit 300 stops the motor M after the sheet S has been discharged outside the housing 2 (S7) and ends this process. Note that the determination as to whether or not the sheet S has been discharged outside the housing 2 can be made based on, for example, the elapsed time since the start of rotation of the supply roller 11A as described above.

[0088] The control unit 300 always executes the fan drive process shown in FIG. 9. In the fan drive process, the control unit 300 first determines whether or not a layer transfer command has been received (S21). If it is determined in step S21 that a layer transfer command has not been received (No), the control unit 300 determines whether or not it is during the layer transfer process (S22).

[0089] If it is determined in step S22 that it is not during the layer transfer process (No), the control unit 300 determines whether or not the temperature inside the housing 2 (hereinafter also referred to as the "internal temperature") is equal to or higher than a first threshold value (S23). Here, the internal temperature may be detected by a temperature sensor located inside the housing 2.

[0090] If it is determined in step S23 that the internal temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold value (Yes), the control unit 300 drives the fan 100 (S24) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S23 that the internal temperature is not equal to or higher than the first threshold value (No), the control unit 300 determines whether or not the internal temperature is less than a second threshold value (S25).

[0091] Here, the second threshold value can be, for example, a value smaller than the first threshold value. Note that the second threshold value may be the same value as the first threshold value.

[0092] If it is determined in step S25 that the internal temperature is less than the second threshold value (Yes), the control unit 300 stops the fan 100 (S26) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S25 that the internal temperature is not less than the second threshold value (No), the control unit 300 ends this process.

[0093] If it is determined in step S21 that a layer transfer command has been received (Yes), the control unit 300 determines whether the layer transfer command is a command for transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 (S27). In the present embodiment, the control unit 300 determines whether the received layer transfer command is a command for transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 by determining whether the first supply reel 31P around which the viscoelastic layer film PF is wound is mounted on the housing 2 in step S27.

[0094] If it is determined in step S27 that the command is for transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 (Yes), the control unit 300 stops the fan 100 (S28) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S27 that the command is not for transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 (No), the control unit 300 drives the fan 100 (S29) and ends this process. That is, the control unit 300 stops the fan 100 when transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 and drives the fan 100 when performing foil transfer.

[0095] Next, the operation and effect when executing the viscoelastic layer transfer process will be described. As shown in FIG. 10(a), when receiving a layer transfer command for executing the viscoelastic layer transfer process, the control unit 300 rotates the supply roller 11A and the upstream transport roller 11C to transport the sheet S between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 in a separated state. The control unit 300 continues to rotate the supply roller 11A and the upstream transport roller 11C until a portion slightly separated from the leading end of the sheet S reaches between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60.

[0096] Here, in the configuration including the supply reel 31 and the take-up reel 35, the sheet S moving from the upstream conveyance roller 11C toward between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 receives resistance by contacting the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the stationary viscoelastic layer film PF. At this time, if the supply clutch 80 is disengaged to stop the supply roller 11A, the supply roller 11A also becomes a resistance to the movement of the sheet S. Therefore, in the present embodiment, until the sheet S reaches between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60, by continuing the driving of the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C, it is possible to suppress the supply roller 11A from becoming a resistance to the movement of the sheet S. Thereby, even when the sheet S contacts the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the viscoelastic layer film PF, the sheet S can be conveyed by the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C without succumbing to the resistance by the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the viscoelastic layer film PF.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 10(b), when the leading end of the sheet S passes through the region Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP, the control unit 300 stops the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the control unit 300 switches the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 to the pressurized state.

[0098] By making the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 in the pressurized state in such a state that the leading end of the sheet S is located downstream in the conveyance direction from the region Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP, the leading end of the sheet S is not pinched by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60, so that it is possible to suppress the leading end of the sheet S from being adhered to the viscoelastic layer film PF.

[0099] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the control unit 300 resumes the driving of the motor M to rotate the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60. Thereby, the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF are conveyed by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60.

[0100] The sheet S conveyed by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 is peeled off from the viscoelastic layer film PF by the peeling roller 42 when it reaches the peeling roller 42, and heads toward the downstream conveying roller 12A. When the sheet S reaches the downstream conveying roller 12A, the sheet S is conveyed by the downstream conveying roller 12A and the pressure roller 51.

[0101] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 12(a), the control unit 300 maintains the states of the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 in the pressurized state and rotates them even after the rear end of the sheet S has passed through the nip portion NP. As a result, the rear end of the sheet S is sent downstream in the conveying direction while being supported by the viscoelastic layer film PF conveyed by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60. Here, for example, if the states of the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are separated after the rear end of the sheet S has passed through the nip portion NP, the viscoelastic layer film PF stops, so the sheet S cannot be pulled by the downstream conveying roller 12A, and there is a risk of conveyance failure. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even after the rear end of the sheet S has passed through the nip portion NP, the states of the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are maintained in the pressurized state and rotated, so a conveying force is applied from the viscoelastic layer film PF moving from the nip portion NP toward the take-up reel 35 to the sheet S, and thus conveyance failure can be suppressed.

[0102] Then, as shown in Fig. 12(b), the control unit 300 separates the heating roller 60 from the pressure roller 51 immediately after the rear end of the sheet S has passed through the peeling roller 42. Thereby, since a conveying force is applied from the moving viscoelastic layer film PF to the sheet S until immediately before the rear end of the sheet S passes through the peeling roller 42, conveyance failure can be suppressed.

[0103] After separating the heating roller 60 from the pressure roller 51, the pressure roller 51 may remain rotating. Also, when a clutch is provided between the motor M and the pressure roller 51, the pressure roller 51 may be stopped before or after separating the heating roller 60 from the pressure roller 51.

[0104] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. When the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are in a pressurized state, the leading end of the sheet S is located downstream of the nip portion NP in the conveyance direction, and the trailing end of the sheet S is located upstream of the nip portion NP in the conveyance direction. By adopting such a configuration, the leading end of the sheet S is not adhered to the viscoelastic layer film PF, so that the viscoelastic layer film PF can be more reliably peeled off from the sheet S.

[0105] Until the trailing end of the sheet S being conveyed by the downstream conveyance roller 12A passes through the peeling roller 42, the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are kept in a pressurized state and rotated, so that the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 can convey the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF until the peeling of the portion near the trailing end of the sheet S is completed. Therefore, the viscoelastic layer film PF can be more reliably peeled off from the sheet S.

[0106] Until the sheet S reaches between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51, the driving of the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C is continued. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the supply roller 11A from becoming a resistance to the movement of the sheet S. Therefore, even when the sheet S comes into contact with the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the viscoelastic layer film PF, the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C can convey the sheet S without yielding to the resistance of the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the viscoelastic layer film PF.

[0107] During the execution of the layer transfer process of the viscoelastic layer PF3, by adopting a configuration in which the fan 100 is stopped, it is possible to suppress transfer defects caused by the temperature of the viscoelastic layer PF3 becoming too low.

[0108] [Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. Since this embodiment is obtained by changing a part of the structure of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 13, the layer transfer device 1A according to the second embodiment conveys the sheet-like viscoelastic layer film PF and the sheet S in a stacked state, transfers the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the sheet S, and then peels the viscoelastic layer film PF from the sheet S, and discharges the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF to the outside of the housing 2, respectively. The layer transfer device 1A is different from the first embodiment in that the film cartridge FC is not provided, and other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment. Note that the width and length of the viscoelastic layer film PF can be, for example, the same as the width and length of the sheet S.

[0110] Unlike the first embodiment, the layer transfer device 1A includes a peeling claw 410 as an example of a peeling member and a second downstream conveyance roller 420. The peeling claw 410 is located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the nip portion NP. The peeling claw 410 is arranged with its sharp tip portion facing the nip portion. The tip portion of the peeling claw 410 is located in the vicinity of the nip portion NP.

[0111] The sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF conveyed in a stacked state are peeled at the tip portion of the peeling claw 410 and separated into two. After being peeled from the viscoelastic layer film PF, the sheet S passes over the peeling claw 410 and heads toward the downstream conveyance roller 12A. After being peeled from the sheet S, the viscoelastic layer film PF passes under the peeling claw 410 and heads toward the second downstream conveyance roller 420.

[0112] The second downstream conveyance roller 420 is a roller for discharging the viscoelastic layer film PF to the outside of the housing 2. The second downstream conveyance roller 420 is located on the downstream side of the peeling claw 410 in the conveyance direction of the viscoelastic layer film PF (hereinafter, also referred to as the "second conveyance direction"). A motor M is connected to the second downstream conveyance roller 420.

[0113] The control unit 300 according to the second embodiment performs the same control as that of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the control shown in FIG. 8, "peeling roller 42" in step S5 may be replaced with "peeling claw 410".

[0114] Note that in the layer transfer device 1A of the second embodiment, since foil transfer is not performed, for the control of the fan 100, control may be performed by removing steps S27 and S29 from the process of FIG. 9. That is, when it is determined in step S21 that a layer transfer command has been received (Yes), the control unit 300 may stop the fan 100 (S28) and end this process.

[0115] Next, the operation and effect when the layer transfer device 1A executes the layer transfer process will be described. When receiving a layer transfer command, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the control unit 300 rotates the supply roller 11A and the upstream transport roller 11C to transport the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 in a separated state. The control unit 300 continues to rotate the supply roller 11A and the upstream transport roller 11C until a portion slightly separated from the leading end of the sheet S reaches between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 14(b), when the leading ends of the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF pass through the region Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP, the control unit 300 stops the supply roller 11A and the upstream transport roller 11C. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the control unit 300 switches the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 to a pressurized state.

[0117] By making the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 in a pressurized state in such a state that the leading end of the sheet S is located downstream in the transport direction from the region Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP, the leading end of the sheet S is not sandwiched between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60, so that it is possible to suppress the leading end of the sheet S from being adhered to the leading end of the viscoelastic layer film PF. Then, the leading end of the non-adhered sheet S and the leading end of the viscoelastic layer film PF move in a direction away from each other by making the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 in a pressurized state.

[0118] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the control unit 300 resumes driving the motor M to rotate the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60. As a result, the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF are conveyed by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60.

[0119] When the tip of the peeling claw 410 enters between the tips of the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF conveyed by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60, the sheet S is peeled from the viscoelastic layer film PF by the peeling claw 410 and heads toward the downstream conveying roller 12A, and the viscoelastic layer film PF is peeled from the sheet S by the peeling claw 410 and heads toward the second downstream conveying roller 420.

[0120] When the sheet S reaches the downstream conveying roller 12A, the sheet S is conveyed by the downstream conveying roller 12A and the pressure roller 51. When the viscoelastic layer film PF reaches the second downstream conveying roller 420, the viscoelastic layer film PF is conveyed by the second downstream conveying roller 420 and the pressure roller 51.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 16(a), when the rear end of the sheet S passes the tip of the peeling claw 410, the control unit 300 separates the heating roller 60 from the pressure roller 51 as shown in FIG. 16(b). That is, until the rear end of the sheet S passes the tip of the peeling claw 410, the control unit 300 conveys the sheet S by the downstream conveying roller 12A and the pressure roller 51, so that the sheet S can be peeled from the viscoelastic layer film PF using the conveying force of the upstream and downstream rollers until just before the rear end of the sheet S comes out of the nip portion NP. Also, until the rear end of the sheet S passes the tip of the peeling claw 410, the control unit 300 conveys the viscoelastic layer film PF by the second downstream conveying roller 420 and the pressure roller 51, so that the viscoelastic layer film PF can be peeled from the sheet S using the conveying force of the upstream and downstream rollers until just before the rear end of the viscoelastic layer film PF comes out of the nip portion NP.

[0122] In addition, when the length of the viscoelastic layer film PF is greater than the length of the sheet S, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained by arranging the rear end of the viscoelastic layer film PF upstream in the conveyance direction from the rear end of the sheet S. Specifically, in this case, even after the rear end of the sheet S is disengaged from the nip portion NP, the viscoelastic layer film PF is sandwiched between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 to obtain a conveyance force. Therefore, until immediately before the rear end of the sheet S passes the tip of the peeling claw 410, a conveyance force is applied from the moving viscoelastic layer film PF to the sheet S, so that conveyance failure can be suppressed.

[0123] Further, in the second embodiment, the supply clutch 80 may be disengaged and the driving of the supply roller 11A may be stopped on the condition that the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF have reached the upstream conveyance roller 11C.

[0124] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0125] The switching mechanism may be any mechanism that separates at least one of the heating rotating body and the pressure rotating body from the second sheet. For example, the switching mechanism may separate the pressure rotating body from the second sheet. Further, the switching mechanism may separate both the heating rotating body and the pressure rotating body from the second sheet.

[0126] The heating rotating body may be, for example, an endless belt heated by a heater. The pressure rotating body may be, for example, an endless belt sandwiched between a heating roller and a pressure pad.

[0127] Each element described in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily combined and implemented.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0128] 1-layer transfer device 11C Upstream conveyance roller 21 Main body housing 42 Peeling roller 51 Pressure roller 60 Heating roller 70 Switching mechanism 300 Control unit NP nip section PF Viscoelastic layer film PF3 Viscoelastic layer S Sheet T Printing layer

Claims

1. A layer transfer device for transferring a viscoelastic layer from a second sheet having a viscoelastic layer to a first sheet having a printing layer, comprising: a main body housing; a heating rotating body; a pressurizing rotating body configured to transfer the viscoelastic layer of the second sheet to the printing layer of the first sheet by sandwiching and conveying the second sheet and the first sheet between the heating rotating body; a switching mechanism configured to switch the states of the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body between a pressurized state in which the second sheet is sandwiched between the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body and a separated state in which at least one of the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body is separated from the second sheet; a peeling member for peeling the second sheet conveyed from the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body from the first sheet; an upstream conveying roller for supplying the first sheet toward the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body; a control unit, wherein the control unit is capable of executing a conveying process of controlling the upstream conveying roller to convey the first sheet toward the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body in the separated state, and a switching process of controlling the switching mechanism to switch the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body from the separated state to the pressurized state, and at the time when the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body are in the pressurized state by the switching process, a leading end of the first sheet is located downstream of a nip portion between the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body in a conveying direction of the first sheet, and a trailing end of the first sheet is located upstream of the nip portion in the conveying direction. A layer transfer device characterized by this.

2. Further comprising a downstream conveying roller located downstream of the peeling member in the conveying direction for conveying the first sheet, wherein the control unit keeps the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body in the pressurized state and rotates them until a trailing end of the first sheet conveyed by the downstream conveying roller passes through the peeling member, and after the trailing end of the first sheet passes through the peeling member, executes a peeling process of switching the heating rotating body and the pressurizing rotating body from the pressurized state to the separated state. The layer transfer device according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

3. Further comprising a supply reel around which the second sheet is wound, and a take-up reel for taking up the second sheet supplied from the supply reel. The layer transfer device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by this.

4. Further provided with a supply roller for conveying the first sheet toward the upstream conveying roller, The control unit, By driving the supply roller and the upstream conveying roller, a conveying process for conveying the first sheet toward the heating rotating body and the pressure rotating body in the separated state, A switching process for switching the heating rotating body and the pressure rotating body from the separated state to the pressure state, and can execute, The layer transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that the driving of the supply roller and the upstream conveying roller is continued until the first sheet reaches between the heating rotating body and the pressure rotating body.

5. Further provided with a fan for cooling the inside of the main body housing, The control unit, The layer transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan is stopped while the layer transfer process of transferring the viscoelastic layer of the second sheet to the printing layer of the first sheet is being executed.

6. The first sheet, A first base material layer, A first release layer formed on the first base material layer, The layer transfer device according to claim 1, characterized by having a printing layer formed on the first release layer.

7. The second sheet, A second base material layer, A second release layer formed on the second base material layer, The layer transfer device according to claim 1, characterized by having a viscoelastic layer formed on the second release layer.

8. The control unit, When the layer transfer process of transferring the viscoelastic layer of the second sheet to the printing layer of the first sheet is continuously executed for a plurality of first sheets, the peeling process is executed for each first sheet. The layer transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that.

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