Foil transfer device

Abstract

To suppress a foil film conveyed from a nip position to a peeling member from being wastefully consumed.SOLUTION: A foil transfer device comprises: a heating roller 61; a pressure roller 51; a peeling member (peeling roller 42); a movement mechanism 44; and a control unit. The peeling member (peeling roller 42) is configured to peel a foil film F from a sheet S by changing the advancing direction of the foil film F passing through a nip position NP nipped by the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 to a direction of the sheet S different from the conveyance direction. The peeling member (peeling roller 42) is movable between a first position and a second position. The control unit is configured to, before a rear end of an image area formed on the sheet S arrives at the peeling member (peeling roller 42) after the rear end thereof passes through the nip position NP, move the peeling member (peeling roller 42) from the first position to the second position, and peel the foil film F conveyed from the nip position NP to the peeling member (peeling roller 42) from the sheet S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a foil transfer device that transfers a foil onto a toner image formed on a sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a foil transfer device that transfers a foil onto a toner image formed on a sheet has been known (see Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus nips a foil film and a sheet with a heating roller and a pressure roller to transfer the foil onto the toner image, and peels the foil film from the sheet with a peeling member after the transfer of the foil. In this image forming apparatus, in order to suppress wasteful consumption of the foil film, the heating roller and the pressure roller are separated after the image area on the sheet has passed through the peeling member, and the sheet is discharged.

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 the conventional foil transfer device, since the heating roller and the pressure roller are separated after the image area on the sheet has passed through the peeling member, after the image area on the sheet has passed through the nip position where the heating roller and the pressure roller nip, until it reaches the peeling member, the foil film is conveyed while attached to the sheet. For this reason, the foil film not used for the transfer of the foil is conveyed from the nip position to the peeling member, and the foil film is wasted.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress wasteful consumption of the foil film between the nip position and the peeling member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a foil transfer device according to the present invention is a foil transfer device that overlays a sheet on a foil film containing foil and transfers the foil to an image formed on the sheet, and includes a heating roller, a pressure roller, a peeling member, a moving mechanism, and a control unit. The pressure roller nips the foil film and the sheet between the pressure roller and the heating roller, and conveys the foil film and the sheet together with the heating roller. The peeling member peels the foil film from the sheet by changing the traveling direction of the foil film that has passed through the nip position nipped by the heating roller and the pressure roller to a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet. The peeling member is movable between a first position and a second position that is farther from the conveyance path of the sheet than the first position. The moving mechanism moves the peeling member between the first position and the second position. The control unit positions the peeling member at the first position until the rear end of the image area formed on the sheet passes through the nip position. After the rear end of the image area formed on the sheet has passed through the nip position and before reaching the peeling member, the control unit moves the peeling member from the first position to the second position, and controls the moving mechanism so as to peel the foil film between the nip position and the peeling member from the sheet.

[0007] After the control unit moves the peeling member from the first position to the second position after the rear end of the image area has passed through the nip position and before reaching the peeling member, and peels the foil film between the nip position and the peeling member from the sheet, the foil film is not consumed even when the sheet is conveyed after the peeling member has moved to the second position. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the wasteful consumption of the foil film between the nip position and the peeling member.

[0008] Further, the control unit may control the moving mechanism to move the peeling member from the first position to the second position while the sheet is nipped between the heating roller and the pressure roller.

[0009] Since the control unit moves the peeling member from the first position to the second position while the sheet is nipped between the heating roller and the pressure roller, the foil film positioned between the nip position and the peeling member can be easily peeled from the sheet.

[0010] Further, the foil transfer device may further include a conveyance roller that is positioned downstream in the conveyance direction of the peeling member and conveys the sheet. Then, the control unit may control the driving of the conveyance roller and the moving mechanism, and move the peeling member from the first position to the second position while stopping the conveyance of the sheet.

[0011] Since the control unit moves the peeling member from the first position to the second position while stopping the conveyance of the sheet, the foil film can be cleanly peeled from the sheet between the nip position and the peeling member.

[0012] Further, the foil transfer device may further include a fan capable of cooling the foil film positioned between the nip position and the peeling member. Then, the control unit controls the driving of the conveyance roller and the moving mechanism, stops the conveyance of the sheet after the trailing end of the image area formed on the sheet has passed the nip position and before reaching the peeling member, and drives the fan after stopping the conveyance of the sheet and until moving the peeling member from the first position to the second position.

[0013] By driving the fan until the peeling member is moved from the first position to the second position, the foil film positioned between the nip position and the peeling member is cooled, so that the foil film can be cleanly peeled from the sheet.

[0014] Further, the foil transfer device may further include a transport roller that is located downstream of the peeling member in the transport direction and transports the sheet. The foil transfer device may further include a pressure contact and separation mechanism that moves at least one of the heating roller and the pressure roller to move the heating roller and the pressure roller between a pressure contact position where they are in pressure contact with each other and a separation position where they are separated from each other. The control unit controls the driving of the transport roller to stop the transport of the sheet after the rear end of the image area formed on the sheet passes through the nip position and before reaching the peeling member, and controls the pressure contact and separation mechanism to move the heating roller and the pressure roller from the pressure contact position to the separation position after stopping the transport of the sheet, and controls the pressure contact and separation mechanism to move the heating roller and the pressure roller from the separation position to the pressure contact position after a predetermined time has elapsed from the state where the heating roller and the pressure roller are located at the separation position, and controls the movement mechanism to move the peeling member from the first position to the second position after the heating roller and the pressure roller are located at the pressure contact position.

[0015] If the sheet transport is kept stopped for a certain period of time while the heating roller and the pressure roller are in pressure contact, the sheet may be nipped between the heating roller and the pressure roller in the stopped state of the sheet, and nip marks may be formed on the sheet and the foil film. However, the control unit separates the heating roller and the pressure roller until a predetermined time elapses after stopping the transport of the sheet, so that it is possible to suppress the formation of nip marks on the sheet and the foil film.

[0016] Further, the foil transfer device may further include a transport roller that is located downstream of the peeling member in the transport direction and transports the sheet. The control unit controls the movement mechanism to move the peeling member from the first position to the second position, and then drives the transport roller and transports the sheet at least until it passes through the peeling member with the pressure roller and the heating roller separated from each other.

[0017] Since the control unit moves the peeling member to the second position and transports the sheet with the pressure roller and the heating roller separated from each other, it is possible to suppress the foil film from being rubbed by the transport of the sheet between the nip position and the peeling member.

[0018] Further, the second position of the peeling member may be located downstream of the first position in the conveyance direction.

[0019] Since the peeling member moves downstream in the conveyance direction in a direction away from the conveyance path of the sheet, the foil film is less likely to slack when the peeling member moves from the first position to the second position.

[0020] Further, the moving mechanism may include a spring that biases the peeling member toward the first position from the second position, and a pressing member that presses the peeling member and moves it from the first position to the second position.

[0021] Further, the peeling member may have an inclined surface that contacts the pressing member and is inclined with respect to the moving direction in which the peeling member moves. Then, the pressing member may contact and press the inclined surface to move the peeling member from the first position to the second position.

[0022] Further, the peeling member may be a shaft or a roller that extends in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the wasteful consumption of the foil film between the nip position and the peeling member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions are described with reference to the directions shown in Fig. 1. That is, the right side of Fig. 1 is "front", the left side of Fig. 1 is "rear", the front side of the paper surface of Fig. 1 is "left", the back side of the paper surface of Fig. 1 is "right". Also, the up and down of Fig. 1 are "up and down".

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1(a), the foil transfer device 1 is a device that transfers a toner image T formed on a sheet S by an image forming device such as a laser printer onto a foil film F containing a foil after the toner image T is formed on the sheet S, and then overlays the sheet S on the foil film F. That is, the foil transfer device 1 forms an image of the foil on the sheet S by transferring the foil onto the toner image T of the sheet S. The foil 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, and a control unit CU.

[0027] The housing 2 includes a device main body 21 and a cover 22. The device main body 21 has an opening 21A (see Fig. 2) at the upper part. The opening 21A is an opening for attaching and detaching a film unit FU described later to the device main body 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 device main body 21. The cover 22 is rotatable between a closed position (the position in Fig. 1(a)) where the opening 21A is closed and an open position (the position in Fig. 2) where the opening 21A is opened.

[0028] The sheet tray 3 is a tray on which a sheet S such as paper or an OHP film is placed. The sheet tray 3 is provided at the rear part of the housing 2. The sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3 with the surface on which the toner image T is formed facing downward.

[0029] 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 pickup roller 11A, a retard roller 11B, and an upstream conveyance roller 11C.

[0030] The pickup roller 11A is a roller for supplying the sheet S on the sheet tray 3 toward the transfer unit 50. The retard roller 11B is a roller for separating the sheets S conveyed by the pickup roller 11A into individual sheets.

[0031] The retard roller 11B is disposed above the pickup roller 11A. The retard roller 11B is rotatable in a direction to return the sheet S overlapping the sheet S fed out by the pickup roller 11A toward the sheet tray 3.

[0032] The upstream conveyance roller 11C is composed of two rollers, and each roller rotates while sandwiching the sheet S therebetween, so that the sheet S can be conveyed. The upstream conveyance roller 11C is disposed between the pickup roller 11A and the transfer unit 50, and conveys the sheet S fed out by the pickup roller 11A to the transfer unit 50.

[0033] 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. The downstream conveyance roller 12A is an example of a conveyance roller that conveys the sheet S.

[0034] The downstream conveyance roller 12A and the discharge roller 12B are each composed of two rollers, and each roller rotates while sandwiching the sheet S therebetween, so that the sheet S can be conveyed. The downstream conveyance roller 12A is disposed between the transfer unit 50 and the discharge roller 12B, and conveys the sheet S fed out from the transfer unit 50 to the discharge roller 12B. Further, the downstream conveyance roller 12A is an example of a conveyance roller and is located downstream in the conveyance direction of the peeling roller 42 described later. The discharge roller 12B is disposed downstream of the downstream conveyance roller 12A in the conveyance direction of the sheet S, and discharges the sheet S fed out by the downstream conveyance roller 12A to the outside of the housing 2.

[0035] The film supply unit 30 is a part that supplies the foil film F so as to overlap the sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply mechanism 11. The film supply unit 30 includes a film unit FU.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the film unit FU is detachable from the apparatus main body 21 through the opening 21A in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the supply reel 31 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "axial direction" in the following description. The axial direction is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet S). The film unit FU includes a supply reel 31, a take-up reel 35, a first guide shaft 41, a peeling roller 42, a second guide shaft 43, and a moving mechanism 44. A foil film F is wound around the supply reel 31 of the film unit FU.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the foil film F is a film composed of a plurality of layers. Specifically, the foil film F has a support layer F1 and a supported layer F2. The support layer F1 is a tape-shaped transparent base material made of a polymer material and supports 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 for facilitating the peeling of the transfer layer F22 from the support layer F1 and is disposed between the support layer F1 and the transfer layer F22. The release layer F21 contains a transparent material that is easily peeled from the support layer F1, such as a wax-based resin.

[0038] The transfer layer F22 is a layer to which the toner image T is transferred and contains foil. The foil is a thin film of a metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. Further, the transfer layer F22 contains a coloring material such as gold, silver, or red, and a thermoplastic resin. The transfer layer F22 is disposed between the release layer F21 and the adhesive layer F23.

[0039] The adhesive layer F23 is a layer for facilitating the adhesion of the transfer layer F22 to the toner image T. The adhesive layer F23 contains a material that easily adheres to the toner image T heated by the transfer unit 50 described later, such as a vinyl chloride-based resin or an acrylic-based resin.

[0040] The supply reel 31 has a supply shaft portion 31A around which the foil film F is wound. One end of the foil film F is fixed to the supply shaft portion 31A.

[0041] The take-up reel 35 has a take-up shaft portion 35A for taking up the foil film F. The other end of the foil film F is fixed to the take-up shaft portion 35A.

[0042] The first guide shaft 41 is a shaft extending in the axial direction. The first guide shaft 41 is disposed above the supply reel 31. The first guide shaft 41 changes the conveyance direction of the foil film F drawn upward from the supply reel 31 to be substantially parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheet S. For this reason, the first guide shaft 41 guides the foil film F drawn from the supply reel 31 so as to overlap the sheet S being conveyed with the toner image T facing downward from below (see Fig. 7(b)).

[0043] The peeling roller 42 is a roller extending in the axial direction. The peeling roller 42 is disposed above the take-up reel 35. The peeling roller 42 changes the traveling direction of the foil film F being conveyed in the conveyance direction in a state of overlapping with the sheet S after passing through the transfer portion 50 downward. In this specification, the position where the sheet S and the foil film F are nipped by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 in the transfer portion 50 is referred to as the "nip position NP". The peeling roller 42 is configured to peel the foil film F from the sheet S by changing the traveling direction of the foil film F that has passed through the nip position NP to a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S.

[0044] The second guide shaft 43 is a shaft extending in the axial direction. The second guide shaft 43 is disposed above the take-up reel 35 and below the peeling roller 42. Further, the second guide shaft 43 is located on the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the peeling roller 42. The second guide shaft 43 changes the traveling direction of the foil film F guided by the peeling roller 42 and guides it to the take-up reel 35.

[0045] Here, as shown in Fig. 3, the peeling roller 42 is movable between a first position shown by a solid line and a second position shown by a virtual line. The second position is a position farther from the conveyance path of the sheet S than the first position. Further, the second position is a position downstream in the conveyance direction from the first position.

[0046] The moving mechanism 44 is a mechanism that moves the peeling roller 42 between a first position and a second position. As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the moving mechanism 44 includes a bearing 441, a spring 442, and a pressing member 443. The moving mechanism 44 is disposed at both ends of the peeling roller 42, respectively. The moving mechanisms 44 disposed at both ends have the same structure.

[0047] The bearing 441 is a member that pivotally supports the peeling roller 42 and is disposed at both ends of the peeling roller 42, respectively. In this embodiment, the bearing 441 rotatably supports both ends of the peeling roller 42. The bearing 441 has an inclined surface 441A. The inclined surface 441A is a surface that is inclined with respect to the moving direction in which the peeling roller 42 moves. Specifically, the inclined surface 441A is inclined so as to face outward as it moves away from the sheet S conveyance path. In this embodiment, the bearing 441 and the peeling roller 42 are peeling members. The inclined surface 441A is a surface that contacts the pressing member 443.

[0048] The spring 442 is a compression spring. The spring 442 always biases the bearing 441 of the peeling roller 42 from the second position toward the first position. That is, as shown in FIG. 4(a), when the bearing 441 is not pressed by the pressing member 443, the peeling roller 42 is positioned at the first position by the biasing force of the spring 442.

[0049] The pressing member 443 is a member that presses the peeling roller 42 and moves it from the first position to the second position. In the present embodiment, the pressing member 443 is a solenoid actuator. When the pressing member 443 does not receive an ON signal from the control unit CU, it is located at the initial position shown in FIG. 4(a). When the pressing member 443 receives an ON signal from the control unit CU, it moves to the pressing position. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4(b), when the pressing member 443 receives an ON signal from the control unit CU, it presses the inclined surface 441A of the bearing 441 and moves the peeling roller 42 from the first position to the second position. Further, as shown in FIG. 4(a), when the pressing member 443 does not receive an ON signal from the control unit CU, it does not press the inclined surface 441A of the bearing 441, so it is biased by the spring 442.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer unit 50 is a part for transferring the transfer layer F22 onto the toner image formed on the sheet S by heating and pressing the sheet S and the foil film F in a stacked state. The transfer unit 50 includes a pressure roller 51, a heating roller 61, a pressure contact separation mechanism 70, and a fan FA. The transfer unit 50 heats and presses the sheet S and the foil film F in a stacked state at the nip position NP.

[0051] The pressure roller 51 is a roller in which the periphery of a cylindrical core metal is covered with a rubber layer made of silicon rubber. The pressure roller 51 is disposed above the foil film F and is capable of contacting the back surface of the sheet S (the surface opposite to the surface on which the toner image T is formed).

[0052] Both ends of the pressure roller 51 are rotatably supported by the cover 22. The pressure roller 51 nips the foil film F and the sheet S between itself and the heating roller 61, and conveys the foil film F and the sheet S together with the heating roller 61. Specifically, the pressure roller 51 sandwiches the sheet S and the foil film F between itself and the heating roller 61, and is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) to rotationally drive the heating roller 61 in a driven manner. In this way, with the sheet S and the foil film F sandwiched between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 rotate, thereby conveying the sheet S and the foil film F.

[0053] The heating roller 61 is a roller in which a heater is disposed inside a metal tube formed in a cylindrical shape, and heats the foil film F and the sheet S. The heating roller 61 is disposed below the foil film F.

[0054] The press-contact and separation mechanism 70 is a mechanism that moves the heating roller 61 to a press-contact position where the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 are brought into press-contact with each other and a separation position where the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 are separated from each other. Specifically, the press-contact and separation mechanism 70 slides the heating roller 61 between the press-contact position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and the separation position shown by the virtual line in FIG. 1, thereby pressing and separating the heating roller 61 against the foil film F.

[0055] The fan FA is disposed on the cover 22. The fan FA can send air to the foil film F located between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42 for cooling. The fan FA is driven or stopped under the control of the control unit CU.

[0056] The control unit CU includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an input / output circuit, and executes control by performing various arithmetic processes based on programs and data stored in the ROM and the like.

[0057] The operation of the foil transfer in the foil transfer device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10 together with the processing of the control unit CU.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7(a), in the foil transfer device 1, the sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3 with the surface on which the toner image T is formed facing downward. Before the start button for starting the foil transfer is pressed, the heating roller 61 is located at the separation position, and the peeling roller 42 is located at the first position. The start button may be provided on an operation panel (not shown) disposed on the outer surface of the housing 2, or may be provided on an operation screen from a terminal such as a PC.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit CU determines whether the start button has been pressed (S1).

[0060] In step S1, when the control unit CU determines that the start button has been pressed (S1, Yes), it drives the pickup roller 11A for a predetermined time (S2, times t1 to t2). By driving the pickup roller 11A (times t1 to t2), the sheet S placed on the sheet tray 3 is conveyed toward the transfer unit 50.

[0061] After step S2, the control unit CU moves the heating roller 61 from the separated position to the pressure contact position at a predetermined timing (S3, times t3 to t4, see FIG. 7(b)). The sheet S is overlapped with the foil film F supplied from the supply reel 31 upstream in the sheet conveyance direction at the nip position NP, and is conveyed to the transfer unit 50 in a state where the toner image T on the sheet S and the foil film F are in contact. The predetermined timing for moving the heating roller 61 from the separated position to the pressure contact position may be before or after the leading edge of the sheet S reaches the nip position NP.

[0062] After step S3, when the heating roller 61 has moved to the pressure contact position (time t4), the control unit CU drives the pressure roller 51 and the downstream conveyance roller 12A (S4, time t4). By driving the pressure roller 51 in a state where the heating roller 61 is in pressure contact with the pressure roller 51, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the sheet S and the foil film F are conveyed while being nipped by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, and foil transfer is executed. Also, when the sheet S reaches the downstream conveyance roller 12A, the sheet S is conveyed toward the discharge port.

[0063] Also, the control unit CU drives the fan FA simultaneously with driving the pressure roller 51 (S5, time t4). By driving the fan FA, the foil film F located between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42 is cooled.

[0064] After step S5, the control unit CU determines whether the trailing edge of the image area of the toner image T has passed through the nip position NP (S6). In the description of this specification, "passing through the nip position NP" means passing through a plane VP that passes through both the rotation center of the pressure roller 51 and the rotation center of the heating roller 61. Whether the trailing edge of the image area of the toner image T has passed through the nip position NP can be determined, for example, by the elapsed time since the drive of the pressure roller 51 was started. The control unit CU positions the peeling roller 42 at the first position until the trailing edge of the image area of the toner image T formed on the sheet S passes through the nip position NP.

[0065] In step S6, when the control unit CU determines that the trailing edge of the image area of the toner image T has passed through the nip position NP (S6, Yes), it stops the pressure roller 51 and the downstream conveying roller 12A (S7, time t5, refer to the virtual line in Fig. 8(b)). When the pressure roller 51 and the downstream conveying roller 12A stop, the conveyance of the sheet S stops. That is, the control unit CU stops the conveyance of the sheet S after the trailing edge of the image area of the toner image T formed on the sheet S has passed through the nip position NP and before reaching the peeling roller 42. Note that "reaching the peeling roller 42" means that the trailing edge of the image area reaches the position where the foil film F peels off from the sheet S.

[0066] Also, the control unit CU moves the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the separated position simultaneously with stopping the pressure roller 51 and the downstream conveying roller 12A (S8, time t5 to t6, refer to Fig. 8(b)). At this time, since the fan FA is driven, the foil film F located between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42 is cooled.

[0067] After step S8, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the state where the heating roller 61 is located at the separated position (time t6 to t7), the control unit CU moves the heating roller 61 from the separated position to the pressure contact position (S9, time t7 to t8). The cooling time (time t6 to t7) for cooling the foil film F is, for example, 2 seconds.

[0068] After step S9, the control unit CU controls the moving mechanism 44 to move the peeling roller 42 from the first position to the second position while the sheet S is nipped between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 (S10, time t8 - t9). When the peeling roller 42 is moved from the first position to the second position, the foil film F located between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42 is peeled off from the sheet S (see the arrow in Fig. 9(a)). In this way, after the rear end of the image area of the toner image T formed on the sheet S passes through the nip position NP and before reaching the peeling roller 42, the control unit CU moves the peeling roller 42 from the first position to the second position to peel the foil film F between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42 from the sheet S. Note that the control unit CU drives the fan FA after stopping the conveyance of the sheet S until moving the peeling roller 42 from the first position to the second position.

[0069] After step S10, as shown in Fig. 9(b), after the control unit CU moves the peeling roller 42 to the second position, the control unit CU moves the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the separated position again (step S11, time t9 - t10). Also, after step S11, the control unit CU stops the fan FA (S12, time t9).

[0070] After step S12, as shown in Fig. 10(a), the control unit CU drives the downstream conveyance roller 12A to discharge the sheet S (S13, time t10 - t11). The control unit CU conveys the sheet S until at least passing through the peeling roller 42 with the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 separated. At this time, since the foil film F and the sheet S are not in pressure contact, only the sheet S is conveyed without the foil film F being conveyed.

[0071] After the sheet S is discharged, as shown in Fig. 10(b), the control unit CU moves the peeling roller 42 from the second position to the first position (S14, time t11 - t12). Thereby, by pressing the start button, foil transfer can be executed for the next sheet.

[0072] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0073] In a conventional foil transfer device, after the image area of the toner image T on the sheet passes through the peeling member, the heating roller and the pressure roller are separated. Therefore, after the image area of the toner image T on the sheet passes through the nip position NP where the heating roller and the pressure roller nip, until it reaches the peeling member, the foil film is conveyed in a state of being attached to the sheet. For this reason, the foil film that is not used for foil transfer is conveyed from the nip position NP to the peeling member, and the foil film is wasted. However, according to the foil transfer device 1 of the present embodiment, after the rear end of the image area of the toner image T passes through the nip position NP, the control unit CU moves the peeling roller 42 (peeling member) from the first position to the second position between the time when it reaches the peeling roller 42, and peels the foil film F between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42 from the sheet S. For this reason, after the peeling roller 42 moves to the second position, the foil film F is not consumed even if the sheet S is conveyed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the wasteful consumption of the foil film F between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42.

[0074] In addition, since the control unit CU moves the peeling roller 42 from the first position to the second position while the sheet S is nipped between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, the foil film F located between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42 is easily peeled from the sheet S.

[0075] In addition, since the control unit CU moves the peeling roller 42 from the first position to the second position while stopping the conveyance of the sheet S, the foil film F can be neatly peeled from the sheet S between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42.

[0076] In addition, by driving the fan FA until the peeling roller 42 is moved from the first position to the second position, the foil film F located between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42 is cooled. For this reason, the foil film F can be neatly peeled from the sheet S.

[0077] Further, if the sheet conveyance is stopped for a certain period of time while the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 are in pressure contact with each other, the sheet S and the foil film F may be nipped in a stopped state between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, resulting in nip marks on the sheet S and the foil film F. However, in the present embodiment, the control unit CU separates the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 until a predetermined time elapses after stopping the conveyance of the sheet S, thereby suppressing the occurrence of nip marks on the sheet S and the foil film F.

[0078] In addition, since the control unit CU moves the peeling roller 42 to the second position and conveys the sheet S with the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 separated from each other, it is possible to suppress the foil film F from being rubbed by the conveyance of the sheet S between the nip position NP and the peeling roller 42.

[0079] Further, the peeling roller 42 moves downstream in the conveyance direction in a direction away from the conveyance path of the sheet S. Therefore, when the peeling roller 42 moves from the first position to the second position, the foil film F is less likely to slacken.

[0080] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the sheet conveyance was stopped when the peeling roller 42 was moved from the first position to the second position. However, the peeling roller 42 may be moved from the first position to the second position without stopping the sheet conveyance.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, when the peeling roller 42 was moved from the first position to the second position, the rear end of the sheet S was nipped between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51. However, the peeling roller 42 may be moved from the first position to the second position with the rear end of the sheet S not being nipped between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the foil film F was cooled with the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 separated from each other, but the foil film F may be cooled without separating the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51. That is, the present embodiment is also applicable to a foil transfer device that does not include the pressure contact separation mechanism 70.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the foil film F was cooled by the fan FA, but the foil film F may be cooled by other methods. Also, it is not necessarily required to provide a member for actively cooling the foil film F.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the moving mechanism 44 for moving the peeling roller 42 includes a bearing 441, a spring 442, and a pressing member 443, and the pressing member 443 moves the peeling roller 42. However, the moving mechanism may have an eccentric cam, and the eccentric cam may move the bearing of the peeling roller, or the moving mechanism may have a rack and pinion mechanism, and the operation of the rack may move the bearing of the peeling roller. Also, the moving mechanism may have a link mechanism, and the peeling roller may be moved by a link mechanism connecting a rotating link.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, when performing foil transfer, the control unit CU drives the downstream conveying roller 12A and the fan FA at the same time as driving the pressure roller 51. However, the control unit CU may drive the downstream conveying roller 12A and the fan FA after a predetermined time has elapsed since driving the pressure roller 51. Further, the control unit CU may always drive the fan FA when performing foil transfer.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the peeling roller 42 was exemplified as an example of the peeling member, but the peeling member may be a non-rotating peeling shaft or a peeling claw whose tip extends linearly.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, the pressing and separating mechanism 70 moves the heating roller 61 to move the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 between the pressing position and the separating position. However, the pressing and separating mechanism may be configured to move the pressure roller, or may be configured to move both the heating roller and the pressure roller.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the fan FA is disposed on the cover 22, but the fan FA may be disposed on the apparatus main body 21. Further, a duct for guiding the wind may be provided between the fan FA and the foil film F.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the transfer layer F22 containing the foil is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the transfer layer may be formed of a thermoplastic resin without containing, for example, a foil or a coloring material.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the foil film F is composed of four layers. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of layers of the foil film may be any number as long as it has a transfer layer and a support layer.

[0092] Each element described in the above-described embodiment and modification example may be implemented in any combination.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1 Foil transfer device 2 Housing 3 Sheet tray 11A Pickup roller 11C Upstream conveying roller 12A Downstream conveying roller 41 First guide shaft 42 Release roller 43 Second guide shaft 44 Moving mechanism 51 Pressure roller 61 Heating roller 70 Pressing and separating mechanism

Claims

1. A foil transfer device that overlays a sheet on a foil film containing foil and transfers the foil to a toner image formed on the sheet, comprising: a heating roller; a pressure roller that nips the foil film and the sheet between the heating roller and conveys the foil film and the sheet together with the heating roller; a peeling member that peels the foil film from the sheet by changing the traveling direction of the foil film passing through the nip position nipped by the heating roller and the pressure roller to a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet, the peeling member being movable between a first position and a second position that is farther from the conveyance path of the sheet than the first position; a moving mechanism that moves the peeling member between the first position and the second position; a control unit, characterized in that: the control unit: positions the peeling member at the first position until the rear end of the image area formed on the sheet passes through the nip position; after the rear end of the image area formed on the sheet passes through the nip position and before reaching the peeling member, moves the peeling member from the first position to the second position, and controls the moving mechanism to peel the foil film between the nip position and the peeling member from the sheet.

2. The control unit controls the moving mechanism and moves the peeling member from the first position to the second position while the sheet is nipped between the heating roller and the pressure roller. The foil transfer device according to claim 1.

3. Further provided with a conveyance roller that is located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the peeling member and conveys the sheet, the control unit controls the driving of the conveyance roller and the moving mechanism, and moves the peeling member from the first position to the second position while the conveyance of the sheet is stopped. The foil transfer device according to claim 1.

4. Further provided with a fan capable of cooling the foil film located between the nip position and the peeling member, the control unit controls the driving of the conveyance roller and the moving mechanism, after the rear end of the image area formed on the sheet passes through the nip position and before reaching the peeling member, stops the conveyance of the sheet, and drives the fan between the time when the conveyance of the sheet is stopped and the time when the peeling member is moved from the first position to the second position. The foil transfer device according to claim 3.

5. It further includes a conveying roller that is located on the downstream side of the peeling member in the conveying direction and conveys the sheet. It further includes a pressure contact separation mechanism that moves at least one of the heating roller and the pressure roller to move the heating roller and the pressure roller between a pressure contact position where they are in pressure contact with each other and a separation position where they are separated from each other. The control unit controls the driving of the conveying roller to stop the conveyance of the sheet after the rear end of the image area formed on the sheet passes through the nip position and before reaching the peeling member. controls the pressure contact separation mechanism to move the heating roller and the pressure roller from the pressure contact position to the separation position after stopping the conveyance of the sheet. controls the pressure contact separation mechanism to move the heating roller and the pressure roller from the separation position to the pressure contact position after a predetermined time has elapsed from the state where the heating roller and the pressure roller are located at the separation position. The foil transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism is controlled to move the peeling member from the first position to the second position after the heating roller and the pressure roller are located at the pressure contact position.

6. It further includes a conveying roller that is located on the downstream side of the peeling member in the conveying direction and conveys the sheet. The control unit controls the moving mechanism to move the peeling member from the first position to the second position, and then drives the conveying roller to convey the sheet at least until it passes through the peeling member with the pressure roller and the heating roller separated from each other. The foil transfer device according to claim 1 is characterized in that.

7. The foil transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the second position is located on the downstream side of the first position in the conveying direction.

8. The moving mechanism includes a spring that biases the peeling member toward the first position from the second position, and a pressing member that presses the peeling member and moves it from the first position to the second position. The foil transfer device according to claim 1 is characterized in that it comprises.

9. The peeling member has an inclined surface that contacts the pressing member and is inclined with respect to the moving direction in which the peeling member moves. The pressing member contacts and presses the inclined surface to move the peeling member from the first position to the second position. The foil transfer device according to claim 8 is characterized in that.

10. The peeling member is a shaft or a roller extending in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, and the foil transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

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