Cartridge and holder for foil transfer apparatus

Abstract

To keep tension applied on a multilayer film of a cartridge within a fixed range without enlarging the cartridge in the width direction of the multilayer film.SOLUTION: A cartridge 100 is attachable to / detachable from a housing body of a foil transfer apparatus in which a multilayer film composed of a plurality of layers is stacked on a sheet and which transfers at least one layer of the multilayer film onto a toner image. The cartridge 100 comprises: a feed reel 131 on which the multilayer film is wound and which rotates about a first axis extending in an axial direction; a reel gear 120 positioned at the end of the feed reel 131 in the axial direction and rotated integrally with the feed reel 131; an output gear 130 that transmits a rotational force to the outside of the cartridge 100; and first and second intermediate gears 140 and 150 that decelerate the rotation of the reel gear 120 and transmit it to the output gear 130.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge detachable from a housing body of a foil transfer device and a holder for holding the cartridge.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a foil transfer device, there is known one including a supply reel around which a multilayer film including a foil is wound, a take-up reel for taking up the multilayer film, a heating roller for heating the multilayer film and a sheet, and a pressure roller for sandwiching the multilayer film and the sheet between the heating roller (see Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, in order to make the tension acting per unit width constant even if the width of the film is different, the rotational speed of the output gear is made different according to the film width.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the cartridge attached to the housing body of the foil transfer device had a two-stage gear including two gears with different diameters at the axial ends. Only one of these two-stage gears was used according to the width of the multilayer film, and the other was not used, so the cartridge was large in the axial direction.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to keep the tension applied to the multilayer film per unit width within a certain range without the cartridge becoming large in the axial direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The cartridge according to the present invention for solving the above problems is detachable from the housing body of a foil transfer device that stacks a multilayer film composed of a plurality of layers on a sheet and transfers at least one layer of the multilayer film onto the toner image. The cartridge includes a supply reel around which the multilayer film is wound and that rotates about a first axis extending in the axial direction, a reel gear located at an end of the supply reel in the axial direction and that rotates together with the supply reel, an output gear that transmits a rotational force to the outside of the cartridge, and at least one intermediate gear that decelerates the rotation of the reel gear and transmits it to the output gear.

[0007] According to this configuration, since the rotation of the reel gear can be decelerated according to the film width of the cartridge and transmitted to the output gear, the tension acting per unit width can be kept within a certain range even if the film widths of the cartridges are different. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide gears that are not used at the axial ends, it is possible to suppress the cartridge from becoming large in the axial direction.

[0008] Further, in the above-described configuration, the output gear and the reel gear may both be configured to rotate about the first axis.

[0009] Further, in the above-described configuration, at least one intermediate gear may include a first intermediate gear having a first large-diameter gear that meshes with the reel gear and a first small-diameter gear that rotates together with the first large-diameter gear, a second large-diameter gear that meshes with the first small-diameter gear, and a second small-diameter gear that rotates together with the second large-diameter gear and meshes with the output gear.

[0010] Further, in the above-described configuration, the cartridge may include side walls that rotatably support the supply reel, and in the axial direction, the reel gear may be located on one side of the side wall and the output gear may be located on the other side of the side wall.

[0011] Further, in the above-described configuration, the side wall may have a through hole, and the first intermediate gear may be configured to mesh with the reel gear through the through hole.

[0012] Also, in the above-described configuration, the cartridge may be attachable to a holder that is attached to the housing body while holding the cartridge, and the holder may have a configuration including an input gear that meshes with the output gear when the cartridge is attached, and a torque limiter that applies resistance to the rotation of the input gear.

[0013] According to this, since the holder has the torque limiter, it is possible to apply resistance from the input gear to the output gear of the cartridge.

[0014] Also, in the above-described configuration, the holder may further have a rotational speed detection unit capable of detecting the rotational speed of the input gear.

[0015] Also, in the above-described configuration, the rotational speed detection unit may be a rotary encoder.

[0016] Also, in the above-described configuration, the rotary encoder may be configured to rotate about a first axis.

[0017] Also, in the above-described configuration, the holder may be configured to be selectively attachable to the above-described cartridge, a cartridge in which a multilayer film having a first width is wound around a supply reel, and a second cartridge having a second supply reel around which a multilayer film having a second width larger than the first width is wound.

[0018] Also, in the above-described configuration, the second cartridge may be configured to include a second output gear that is located at an end of the second supply reel and rotates together with the second supply reel, and that meshes with the input gear.

[0019] The holder according to the present invention for solving the above problems is detachable from the housing body of a foil transfer device that stacks a multilayer film composed of a plurality of layers on the surface of a sheet where a toner image is formed and transfers at least one layer of the multilayer film onto the toner image. It holds a cartridge including a supply reel around which the multilayer film is wound and that rotates about a first axis extending in the axial direction, a reel gear located at an end of the supply reel in the axial direction and that rotates together with the supply reel, an output gear, and at least one intermediate gear that decelerates the rotation of the reel gear and transmits it to the output gear. It includes an input gear that meshes with the output gear when the cartridge is mounted, and a torque applying member that applies resistance to the rotation of the input gear.

[0020] According to this configuration, since the rotation of the reel gear can be decelerated according to the film width of the cartridge and transmitted to the output gear, even if the widths of the multilayer films of the cartridges are different, the tension acting on the multilayer film per unit width can be kept within a certain range.

[0021] Further, in the above-described configuration, the holder may further include a rotation speed detection unit capable of detecting the rotation speed of the input gear.

[0022] Further, in the above-described configuration, the rotation speed detection unit may be a rotary encoder.

[0023] Further, in the above-described configuration, the rotary encoder may be configured to rotate about the first axis.

[0024] Further, in the above-described configuration, it may be configured to be selectively mountable with a cartridge in which a multilayer film with a first width is wound around the supply reel and a second cartridge having a second supply reel around which a multilayer film with a second width larger than the first width is wound.

[0025] Further, in the above-described configuration, the second cartridge may be configured to include a second output gear located at an end of the second supply reel and that rotates together with the second supply reel, the second output gear meshing with the input gear. [Effect of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present invention, without the cartridge becoming large in the width direction of the multilayer film, the tension applied to the multilayer film of the cartridge can be made within a certain range. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions will be described with reference to the directions shown in FIG. 1(a). That is, the right side of FIG. 1(a) is referred to as "front", the left side of FIG. 1(a) is referred to as "rear", the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1(a) is referred to as "left", and the back side of the paper surface of FIG. 1(a) is referred to as "right". Also, the top and bottom of FIG. 1(a) are referred to as "top and bottom".

[0029] The foil transfer device 1 is a device for transferring a foil onto a sheet S by stacking the sheet S on a multilayer film F composed of a plurality of layers including the foil. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the foil transfer device 1 is a device for transferring a foil such as aluminum onto a toner image formed on the sheet S by an image forming device such as a laser printer. The foil transfer device 1 includes a housing 2, a sheet tray 3, a sheet conveyance unit 10, a film supply unit 30, and a transfer unit 50.

[0030] The housing 2 is made of resin or the like and includes a housing main body 21 and a cover 22. The housing 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 housing main body 21. The opening 21A faces upward. 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 housing main body 21. The cover 22 is movable between a closed position for closing the opening 21A and an open position for opening the opening 21A. In the present embodiment, the cover 22 opens in a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S.

[0031] 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 is formed facing downward.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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 first conveyance roller 13, a second conveyance roller 14, a third conveyance roller 15, and a fourth conveyance roller 16. The first conveyance roller 13, the second conveyance roller 14, the third conveyance roller 15, and the fourth conveyance roller 16 are provided on the cover 22.

[0037] The film supply unit 30 is a part that supplies the multilayer 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 and a motor 80.

[0038] The film unit FU has a film cartridge FC that holds the multilayer film F and a holder 300 that holds the film cartridge FC. As shown in FIG. 2, the film unit FU is detachable from above the housing main body 21. That is, the film cartridge FC is mounted on the housing main body 21 while being held by the holder 300.

[0039] In this embodiment, the housing body 21 of the foil transfer device 1 can be selectively mounted with a cartridge 100 around which a multilayer film F having a first width H1 is wound as shown in FIG. 6, and a second cartridge 200 around which a multilayer film F having a second width H2 larger than the first width H1 is wound as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the film cartridge FC includes the cartridge 100 and the second cartridge 200.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the multilayer 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.

[0041] The supported layer F2 has 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.

[0042] The transfer layer F22 is a layer to which the toner image is transferred and contains foil. The foil is a thin metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. The transfer layer F22 also 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.

[0043] The adhesive layer F23 is a layer for facilitating the adhesion of the transfer layer F22 to the toner image. The adhesive layer F23 contains a material that easily adheres to the toner image heated by a transfer unit 50 described later, such as a vinyl chloride-based resin or an acrylic-based resin.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the holder 300 includes a first guide shaft 41, a second guide shaft 42, and a third guide shaft 43.

[0045] The first guide shaft 41, the second guide shaft 42, and the third guide shaft 43 are roller-shaped shafts for changing the traveling direction of the multilayer film F. The first guide shaft 41, the second guide shaft 42, and the third guide shaft 43 are made of SUS (stainless steel) or the like.

[0046] The first guide shaft 41 is located upstream of the transfer unit 50 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. The first guide shaft 41 changes the traveling direction of the multilayer film F drawn from the supply reel 31 so as to be substantially parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheet S.

[0047] The multilayer film F guided by such a first guide shaft 41 is conveyed toward the transfer unit 50 with the supported layer F2 (see FIG. 1(b)) facing upward. Further, the sheet S is stacked on the multilayer film F with the supported layer F2 facing upward and is conveyed toward the transfer unit 50 together with the multilayer film F.

[0048] The second guide shaft 42 is located downstream of the transfer unit 50 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. The second guide shaft 42 peels the multilayer film F from the sheet S by changing the traveling direction of the multilayer film F that has passed through the transfer unit 50 to a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S.

[0049] The third guide shaft 43 is a member that defines the traveling direction of the multilayer film F changed by the second guide shaft 42. Specifically, the third guide shaft 43 defines the angle of the multilayer film F when peeling the multilayer film F from the sheet S.

[0050] The film cartridge FC has a supply reel 31 around which the multilayer film F is wound and a take-up reel 35 for taking up the used multilayer film F. The supply reel 31 rotates about a first axis X1 (see FIG. 3) that extends in the axial direction and around which the multilayer film F is wound. The supply reel 31 is made of resin or the like and has a supply shaft portion 31A around which the multilayer film F is wound. The take-up reel 35 is made of resin or the like and has a take-up shaft portion 35A for taking up the multilayer film F.

[0051] In a state where the film unit FU is attached to the foil transfer device 1, the take-up reel 35 is rotationally driven counterclockwise in the drawing by a motor 80 provided in the housing 2. When the take-up reel 35 rotates, the multilayer film F wound around the supply reel 31 is pulled out, and the pulled-out multilayer film F is guided by each guide shaft 41 to 43 and wound around the take-up reel 35. Specifically, during foil transfer, the multilayer film F is sent out by a pressure roller 51 and a heating roller 61, which will be described later, so that the multilayer film F is pulled out from the supply reel 31. Then, the multilayer film F sent out from the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61 is wound around the take-up reel 35.

[0052] 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 multilayer film F in a stacked state. The transfer unit 50 includes a pressure roller 51 and a heating roller 61. The transfer unit 50 heats and presses the sheet S and the multilayer film F in a stacked manner at the nip portion of the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61.

[0053] The pressure roller 51 is a roller in which the periphery of a cylindrical core metal is covered with a rubber layer made of silicon rubber. The pressure roller 51 is disposed above the multilayer film F and can come into contact with the back surface of the sheet S (the surface opposite to the surface on which the toner image is formed).

[0054] Both ends of the pressure roller 51 are rotatably supported by the cover 22. The pressure roller 51 sandwiches the sheet S and the multilayer film F between it and the heating roller 61, and is rotationally driven by the motor 80 to rotationally drive the heating roller 61 in a driven manner.

[0055] 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 multilayer film F and the sheet S. The heating roller 61 is disposed below the multilayer film F and is in contact with the multilayer film F. The heating roller 61 heats the multilayer film F and the sheet S.

[0056] In this embodiment, the heating roller 61 is moved by a contact / separation mechanism 70 for bringing the heating roller 61 into contact with and separating it from the multilayer film F. The contact / separation mechanism 70 is disposed between the supply reel 31 and the take-up reel 35 in the conveyance direction of the sheet S. When the cover 22 is closed, the contact / separation mechanism 70 moves the heating roller 61 to a contact position where it contacts the multilayer film F in accordance with the timing at which the sheet S is supplied to the transfer unit 50. Further, when the cover 22 is opened or when foil transfer is not performed on the sheet S in the transfer unit 50, the contact / separation mechanism 70 positions the heating roller 61 at a separation position where it is separated from the multilayer film F.

[0057] In the foil transfer device 1 configured as described above, the sheet S placed on the sheet tray 3 with its surface facing downward is conveyed by the sheet supply mechanism 11 toward the transfer unit 50. The sheet S is overlapped with the multilayer 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 toner image on the sheet S is in contact with the multilayer film F.

[0058] In the transfer unit 50, when the sheet S and the multilayer film F pass through the nip portion between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, they are heated and pressurized by the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, and the foil (supported layer F2) is transferred onto the toner image.

[0059] After the foil is transferred, the sheet S and the multilayer film F are conveyed to the second guide shaft 42 in a stuck state. When the sheet S and the multilayer film F pass through the second guide shaft 42, since the conveyance direction of the multilayer film F changes to a direction different from the conveyance direction of the sheet S, the multilayer film F peels off from the sheet S, that is, the supported layer F2 adhered to the toner image is peeled off from the support layer F1 of the multilayer film F.

[0060] The multilayer film F including the support layer F1 peeled off from the sheet S and peeled off from the supported layer F2 adhered to the toner image on the sheet S is wound around the take-up reel 35. On the other hand, the sheet S from which the multilayer film F has been peeled off is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 by the sheet discharge mechanism 12 with the surface on which the foil has been transferred facing downward.

[0061] As described above, when the take-up reel 35 is rotationally driven by the motor 80, the multilayer film F wound around the supply reel 31 is pulled out. However, if a load torque is not applied to the supply reel 31 and it can rotate freely, no tension is applied to the multilayer film F, so the multilayer film F becomes slack and cannot be properly fixed. For this reason, a predetermined load torque is applied to the take-up reel 35 so that an appropriate tension is applied to the multilayer film F. Here, a configuration for applying a predetermined load torque to the take-up reel 35 will be described.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, the holder 300 includes a base frame 310, a holder gear cover 320, a rotary encoder 330, a torque applying member 340, an input gear 350, a first idler gear 360, a second idler gear 370, and a third idler gear 380.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the base frame 310 has a holding hole 340H for holding the torque applying member 340, a first shaft portion 350J for rotatably supporting the input gear 350, a second shaft portion 360J for rotatably supporting the first idler gear 360, and a third shaft portion 370J for rotatably supporting the second idler gear 370.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, the base frame 310 is a frame for holding the film cartridge FC. The base frame 310 has a first holding portion 311 for holding the supply reel 31 and a second holding portion 312 for holding the take-up reel 35. As shown in FIG. 5(b), a groove 311A for engaging the mounting shaft B10 of the film cartridge FC described later is formed in the first holding portion 311.

[0065] Returning to FIG. 4, the holder gear cover 320 is attached to the base frame 310. The holder gear cover 320 is located on one end side of the base frame 310 in the axial direction and covers the rotary encoder 330, the torque applying member 340, the input gear 350, the first idle gear 360, the second idle gear 370, and the third idle gear 380. The holder gear cover 320 has a detection window 321. The detection window 321 is an opening formed in the holder gear cover 320.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the rotary encoder 330 is an example of a rotational speed detection unit capable of detecting the rotational speed of the input gear 350. The rotary encoder 330 rotates about the first axis X1. The rotary encoder 330 is a rotating plate having a plurality of slits 331 arranged in the circumferential direction and an encoder gear 332. The foil transfer device 1 includes an optical sensor (not shown) located on the inner wall of the housing main body 21 and a control unit (not shown). The optical sensor is a reflection type sensor and can detect the slits 331 of the rotary encoder 330 from the detection window 321. Specifically, when the rotary encoder 330 rotates as the supply reel 31 rotates, the optical sensor detects the number of passes of the slits 331 of the rotary encoder 330 per unit time. The control unit acquires the rotational speed and the number of rotations of the supply reel 31 from the number of passes of the slits 331 detected by the optical sensor.

[0067] The torque applying member 340 is for applying resistance to the rotation of the input gear 350. For example, a torque limiter can be employed as the torque applying member 340. The torque applying member 340 has a fourth shaft portion 341. The fourth shaft portion 341 has a D-cut-shaped rotation stopper that engages with the third idle gear 380 in the rotational direction. The fourth shaft portion 341 rotates about a second axis X2 parallel to the first axis X1. The torque applying member 340 generates resistance when the fourth shaft portion 341 is rotated in either the forward or reverse direction. Therefore, the torque applying member 340 can apply the same magnitude of resistance to the input gear 350 regardless of the rotational direction of the input gear 350.

[0068] The input gear 350 is a gear that meshes with the output gear 130 of the cartridge 100 or the second output gear 230 of the second cartridge 200, which will be described later, when the film cartridge FC is mounted on the holder 300. The input gear 350 rotates about a third axis X3 parallel to the first axis X1. The input gear 350 has a large-diameter gear 351 and a small-diameter gear 352 that rotates together with the large-diameter gear 351. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the small-diameter gear 352 of the input gear 350 is exposed on the side of the first holding portion 311 and is adapted to mesh with the output gear of the film cartridge FC when the film cartridge FC is mounted on the holder 300.

[0069] Returning to FIG. 5(a), the first idler gear 360 rotates about a fourth axis X4 parallel to the first axis X1. The first idler gear 360 has a large-diameter gear 361 and a small-diameter gear 362 that rotates together with the large-diameter gear 361. The small-diameter gear 362 meshes with the large-diameter gear 351 of the input gear 350.

[0070] The second idler gear 370 rotates about a third axis X3 parallel to the first axis X1. The second idler gear 370 has a large-diameter gear 371 and a small-diameter gear 372 that rotates together with the large-diameter gear 371. The small-diameter gear 372 meshes with the large-diameter gear 361 of the first idler gear 360. The large-diameter gear 371 meshes with the encoder gear 332 of the rotary encoder 330.

[0071] The third idler gear 380 rotates about a second axis X2 parallel to the first axis X1. The third idler gear 380 meshes with the large-diameter gear 361 of the first idler gear 360. The third idler gear 380 engages with the fourth shaft portion 341 of the torque applying member 340 and rotates together with the fourth shaft portion 341.

[0072] When rotation is input to the input gear 350, the encoder gear 332 rotates via the first idle gear 360 and the second idle gear 370. Also, when rotation is input to the input gear 350, the fourth shaft portion 341 of the torque applying member 340 rotates via the first idle gear 360 and the third idle gear 380. When the fourth shaft portion 341 rotates, resistance is loaded on the input gear 350 via the third idle gear 380 and the first idle gear 360 due to the action of the torque applying member 340.

[0073] As described above, the foil transfer device 1 can be equipped with the cartridge 100 and the second cartridge 200 in which the widths of the multilayer film F are different. When the widths of the multilayer film F are different, in order to make the tension of the multilayer film F acting per unit width constant, it is desirable to apply a load torque corresponding to the width of the multilayer film F. For example, when the first width H1 of the multilayer film F of the cartridge 100 is half of the second width H2 of the multilayer film F of the second cartridge 200, if the load torque applied to the output gear 130 of the cartridge 100 is set to be half of the load torque applied to the second cartridge 200, the tension of the multilayer film F acting per unit width will be constant. Here, a configuration will be described in which the load torque applied to the output gear 130 of the cartridge 100 is made smaller than the load torque applied to the second output gear 230 of the second cartridge 200.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, the second cartridge 200 includes a supply reel case 210, a second supply reel 231, a second take-up reel 235, and a second output gear 230. The second supply reel 231 has the multilayer film F with the second width H2 wound thereon. The second supply reel 231 is accommodated in the supply reel case 210. The supply reel case 210 rotatably supports the second supply reel 231. The second take-up reel 235 winds up the multilayer film F with the second width H2.

[0075] The second output gear 230 is located at the end of the second supply reel 231. The second output gear 230 rotates together with the second supply reel 231. A part of the second output gear 230 is exposed from the supply reel case 210. The second output gear 230 meshes with the input gear 350 of the holder 300 when the second cartridge 200 is mounted on the holder 300. That is, the second output gear 230 receives a load torque from the input gear 350 of the holder 300 when the second cartridge 200 is mounted on the holder 300.

[0076] The supply reel case 210 has a mounting shaft B10 at one end in the axial direction. The mounting shaft B10 is a part that enters the groove 311A of the holder 300 when the second cartridge 200 is held by the holder 300. When the mounting shaft B10 enters the groove 311A, the second cartridge 200 is positioned in the holder 300.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 6, 8(a), and 8(b), the cartridge 100 includes a supply reel case 110, a supply reel 131, a take-up reel 135, a reel gear 120, an output gear 130, a first intermediate gear 140 and a second intermediate gear 150, and a gear cover 160. The first intermediate gear 140 and the second intermediate gear 150 are examples of at least one intermediate gear that decelerates the rotation of the reel gear 120 and transmits it to the output gear 130. Note that FIG. 8(a) omits the gear cover 160.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the supply reel 131 has a multilayer film F with a first width H1 wound thereon. The take-up reel 135 is a reel that winds up the multilayer film F with the first width H1. The supply reel 131 is accommodated in the supply reel case 110. The supply reel case 110 has a side wall 110S at one end in the axial direction. The side wall 110S rotatably supports the supply reel 31. The side wall 110S has a through hole 111. The gear cover 160 is located at the axial end of the supply reel case 110. The gear cover 160 covers all or part of the output gear 130, the first intermediate gear 140, and the second intermediate gear 150.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), the side wall 110S has a bearing hole 131J that rotatably supports the supply reel 131, a seventh shaft portion 130J that rotatably supports the output gear 130, an eighth shaft portion 140J that rotatably supports the first intermediate gear 140, and a ninth shaft portion 150J that rotatably supports the second intermediate gear 150. The bearing hole 131J is disposed coaxially (on the first axis X1) with the seventh shaft portion 130J inside the seventh shaft portion 130J. Therefore, the output gear 130 can rotate about the first axis X1 together with the reel gear 120.

[0080] The supply reel case 110 has a mounting shaft B10 at one end in the axial direction. The mounting shaft B10 is a portion that enters the groove 311A of the holder 300 when the cartridge 100 is held by the holder 300. The cartridge 100 is positioned in the holder 300 by the mounting shaft B10 entering the groove 311A.

[0081] The reel gear 120 is located at the end of the supply reel 131 in the axial direction. Specifically, the reel gear 120 is positioned between the multilayer film F wound around the supply reel 131 and the output gear 130 in the axial direction. The reel gear 120 rotates together with the supply reel 131. The reel gear 120 rotates about the first axis X1. The reel gear 120 meshes with the first intermediate gear 140.

[0082] The output gear 130 is a gear that transmits the rotational force of the supply reel 131 to the holder 300. The output gear 130 rotates about the first axis X1.

[0083] In the axial direction, the reel gear 120 is located on one side of the side wall 110S, and the output gear 130 is located on the other side of the side wall 110S. In other words, the output gear 130 is located on the opposite side of the reel gear 120 with the side wall 110S interposed therebetween.

[0084] The first intermediate gear 140 rotates about a fifth axis X5 parallel to the first axis X1. The first intermediate gear 140 is a reduction gear composed of a large-diameter gear and a small-diameter gear. Specifically, the first intermediate gear 140 decelerates the rotation of the reel gear 120 and transmits it to the second intermediate gear 150. The first intermediate gear 140 has a first large-diameter gear 141 that meshes with the reel gear 120 and a first small-diameter gear 142 that rotates together with the first large-diameter gear 141. The first large-diameter gear 141 of the first intermediate gear 140 meshes with the reel gear 120 through the through-hole 111.

[0085] The second intermediate gear 150 rotates about a sixth axis X6 parallel to the first axis X1. The second intermediate gear 150 is a reduction gear composed of a large-diameter gear and a small-diameter gear. Specifically, the second intermediate gear 150 decelerates the rotation of the first intermediate gear 140 and transmits it to the output gear 130. The second intermediate gear 150 has a second large-diameter gear 151 and a second small-diameter gear 152. The second large-diameter gear 151 meshes with the first small-diameter gear 142. The second small-diameter gear 152 rotates together with the second large-diameter gear 151 and meshes with the output gear 130.

[0086] In this way, since the reel gear 120 meshes with the first intermediate gear 140, the first intermediate gear 140 meshes with the second intermediate gear 150, and the second intermediate gear 150 meshes with the output gear 130, when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the holder 300, the reel gear 120 receives a load torque from the input gear 350 of the holder 300 through the first intermediate gear 140, the second intermediate gear 150, and the output gear 130.

[0087] The operations of the cartridge 100 and the second cartridge 200 configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 9(a), when the second cartridge 200 is mounted on the holder 300, the second output gear 230 meshes with the small-diameter gear 352 of the input gear 350 in the holder 300.

[0088] When foil transfer is executed, since the multilayer film F is pulled, the second output gear 230 rotates clockwise in the figure together with the second supply reel 231. Then, the small-diameter gear 352 meshing with the second output gear 230 rotates counterclockwise. At this time, the load torque is transmitted from the small-diameter gear 352 to the second output gear 230.

[0089] In this case, the second supply reel 231 is pulled upward by the force F10 due to the tension of the multilayer film F. However, since the second output gear 230 receives the resistance to rotation from the small-diameter gear 352, it is pushed downward by the force F11. For this reason, the mounting shaft B10 of the second cartridge 200 is difficult to come out of the groove 311A.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 9(b), when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the holder 300, the output gear 130 meshes with the small-diameter gear 352 of the input gear 350 in the holder 300.

[0091] When foil transfer is executed, since the multilayer film F is pulled, the reel gear 120 rotates clockwise together with the supply reel 131. Then, the first intermediate gear 140 meshing with the reel gear 120 rotates counterclockwise. When the first intermediate gear 140 rotates counterclockwise, the second intermediate gear 150 meshing with the first small-diameter gear 142 of the first intermediate gear 140 rotates clockwise. When the second intermediate gear 150 rotates clockwise, the output gear 130 meshing with the second small-diameter gear 152 of the second intermediate gear 150 rotates counterclockwise. When the output gear 130 rotates, the small-diameter gear 352 of the holder 300 rotates clockwise. In this way, the cartridge 100 rotates the small-diameter gear 352 of the holder 300 in the direction opposite to that of the second cartridge 200.

[0092] At this time, the load torque is transmitted from the small-diameter gear 352 to the output gear 130. The load torque applied from the small-diameter gear 352 to the output gear 130 has the same magnitude as the load torque received by the second output gear 230 of the second cartridge 200, although their rotation directions are different. However, since the load torque received by the output gear 130 is transmitted to the reel gear 120 via the second intermediate gear 150 and the first intermediate gear 140, which are reduction gears, the load torque received by the supply reel 131 is smaller than the load torque received by the second supply reel 231.

[0093] In this case, the supply reel 131 is pulled upward by the force F20 due to the tension of the multilayer film F. Also, since the output gear 130 receives the resistance of rotation from the small-diameter gear 352, it is pushed upward by the force F21. However, since the second intermediate gear 150 receives the resistance of rotation from the output gear 130 and is pushed leftward in the figure (F22), the first intermediate gear 140 receives the resistance of rotation from the second intermediate gear 150 and is pushed leftward in the figure (F23), and the first intermediate gear 140 is pushed leftward from the reel gear 120 (F24). The resultant force of the forces F22 to F24 tries to rotate the supply reel case 110 clockwise in the figure, so the mounting shaft B10 of the supply reel 131 is difficult to come out of the groove 311A. Note that the forces F22 to F24 received by these gears act on the supply reel case 110 via the shafts of the respective gears.

[0094] FIG. 9(c) is a diagram for explaining the operation in the cartridge 100A having a form in which the second intermediate gear is not arranged and only one intermediate gear is provided. In this form, since the second intermediate gear is not arranged, the small-diameter gear 142A of the first intermediate gear 140A meshes with the output gear 130. When the reel gear 120 rotates clockwise, the first intermediate gear 140A rotates counterclockwise. When the large-diameter gear 141A of the first intermediate gear 140A rotates counterclockwise, since the small-diameter gear 142A of the first intermediate gear 140A meshes with the output gear 130, the output gear 130 rotates clockwise. In this form, the cartridge 100A rotates the small-diameter gear 352 of the holder 300 in the same direction as the second cartridge 200.

[0095] At this time, the load torque is transmitted from the small-diameter gear 352 to the output gear 130. Since the load torque received by the output gear 130 is transmitted to the reel gear 120 via the first intermediate gear 140A which is a reduction gear, the load torque received by the supply reel 131 is smaller than the load torque received by the second supply reel 231.

[0096] In this case, the supply reel 131 is pulled upward by the force F30 due to the tension of the multilayer film F. Further, since the output gear 130 receives the resistance of rotation from the small-diameter gear 352, it is pushed downward by the force F31. Then, the first intermediate gear 140A receives the resistance of rotation from the output gear 130 and is pushed toward the right side of the figure (F32), and the first intermediate gear 140A is pushed from the reel gear 120 toward the left side (F33). Since the first intermediate gear 140 is a reduction gear, F33 is a force smaller than F32. In such a form, the resultant force of the forces F32 to F33 tries to rotate the supply reel case 110 counterclockwise in the figure. Therefore, in some cases, the mounting shaft B10 of the supply reel 131 may come off from the groove 311A. In such a case, it is advisable to adjust so that the mounting shaft B10 of the supply reel 131 does not come off from the groove 311A by changing the direction of the insertion port of the groove 311A or changing the position of the first intermediate gear 140A.

[0097] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. The holder 300 of the present embodiment is mounted on the housing body 21 of the foil transfer device 1 in a state where either the cartridge 100 or the second cartridge 200 is held. In the conventional configuration, since the reduction gear was provided at the axial end of the film cartridge, the film cartridge was large in the width direction. However, according to the cartridge 100 of the present invention, since it includes a first intermediate gear 140 and a second intermediate gear 150 that decelerate the rotation of the reel gear 120 and transmit it to the output gear 130, the rotation of the reel gear 120 can be decelerated according to the film width of the cartridge 100 and transmitted to the output gear 130. For this reason, it can be transmitted to the reel gear 120 in a state where the rotational load torque input from the output gear 130 is reduced. As a result, the tension acting per unit width of the cartridge 100 approaches the tension acting per unit width of the second cartridge 200, so the tension can be kept within a certain range. Also, the reel gear 120 is located axially between the multilayer film F wound around the supply reel 131 and the output gear 130. And since the first intermediate gear 140 and the second intermediate gear 150 are arranged in the space created by the small width of the multilayer film F, the cartridge 100 does not become large in the width direction of the multilayer film F.

[0098] Also, as shown in FIG. 9(b), since the rotation of the reel gear 120 is decelerated by the two intermediate gears, the first intermediate gear 140 and the second intermediate gear 150, the mounting shaft B10 of the supply reel 131 is less likely to come out of the groove 311A compared to the case where there is one intermediate gear (see FIG. 9(c)).

[0099] Also, since the holder 300 has the torque applying member 340, resistance can be applied from the input gear 350 of the holder 300 to the output gear 130 of the cartridge 100.

[0100] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0101] In the above embodiment, in this embodiment, the foil transfer device 1 was selectively mountable with the cartridge 100 and the second cartridge 200, but is not limited to this configuration, and cartridges other than the cartridge 100 and the second cartridge 200 may be further selectively mountable.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the first intermediate gear 140 and the second intermediate gear 150 were exemplified as an example of at least one intermediate gear that decelerates the rotation of the reel gear 120 and transmits it to the output gear 130. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and the number of intermediate gears may be one (see Fig. 9(c)) or three or more.

[0103] In the above embodiment, as an example of a foil transfer device, one that transfers foil onto a toner image formed on a sheet was exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any foil transfer device may be used as long as it transfers foil onto a sheet.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the multilayer film F was composed of four layers. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of layers of the multilayer film may be any number as long as it has a transfer layer and a support layer.

[0105] Each element described in the above-described embodiment and modification example may be implemented in any combination.

Explanation of Signs

[0106] 1 Foil transfer device 21 Housing body 50 Transfer unit 80 Motor 100 Cartridge 110S Side wall 111 Through hole 120 Reel gear 130 Output gear 131 Supply reel 135 Take-up reel 140 First intermediate gear 141 First large-diameter gear 142 First small-diameter gear 150 Second intermediate gear 151 Second large-diameter gear 152 Second small-diameter gear 200 Second cartridge 220 Second output gear 231 Second supply reel 235 Second take-up reel 300 Holder 310 Base Frame 330 Rotary Encoder 340 Torque Applying Member 350 Input Gear F Multilayer Film

Claims

1. A cartridge detachable from a housing body of a foil transfer device that stacks a multilayer film composed of a plurality of layers on a sheet and transfers at least one layer of the multilayer film onto the toner image, the cartridge comprising: a supply reel around which the multilayer film is wound and that rotates about a first axis extending in the axial direction; a reel gear located at an end of the supply reel in the axial direction and that rotates with the supply reel; an output gear that transmits a rotational force to the outside of the cartridge; at least one intermediate gear that decelerates the rotation of the reel gear and transmits it to the output gear; A cartridge characterized by comprising.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein both the output gear and the reel gear rotate about the first axis.

3. The at least one intermediate gear is a first intermediate gear having a first large-diameter gear meshing with the reel gear and a first small-diameter gear rotating with the first large-diameter gear; a second large-diameter gear meshing with the first small-diameter gear, and a second small-diameter gear rotating with the second large-diameter gear and meshing with the output gear. The cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by including a second intermediate gear.

4. The cartridge includes a side wall that rotatably supports the supply reel, In the axial direction, the reel gear is located on one side of the side wall, and the output gear is located on the other side of the side wall. The cartridge according to claim 3, characterized by this.

5. The side wall has a through hole, The cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that the first intermediate gear meshes with the reel gear through the through hole.

6. The cartridge is attachable to a holder that is attached to the housing body while holding the cartridge, The holder is an input gear that meshes with the output gear when the cartridge is attached; a torque applying member that applies resistance to the rotation of the input gear. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by having.

7. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the holder further has a rotational speed detection unit capable of detecting the rotational speed of the input gear.

8. The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the rotational speed detection unit is a rotary encoder.

9. The rotary encoder is characterized in that it rotates about the first axis, and the cartridge according to claim 8.

10. The holder is A cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising a cartridge in which a first multilayer film having a first width is wound around the supply reel, and A second cartridge having a second supply reel around which a multilayer film having a second width larger than the first width is wound, and A cartridge characterized in that it can be selectively mounted.

11. The second cartridge is a second output gear located at an end of the second supply reel and rotating together with the second supply reel, and is characterized in that it includes a second output gear meshing with the input gear, and the cartridge according to claim 10.

12. A housing body of a foil transfer device for laminating a multilayer film composed of a plurality of layers on a surface on which a toner image of a sheet is formed and transferring at least one layer of the multilayer film onto the toner image, and is detachable. A supply reel around which the multilayer film is wound and rotates about a first axis extending in the axial direction, a reel gear located at an end of the supply reel in the axial direction and rotating together with the supply reel, an output gear, and at least one intermediate gear for decelerating the rotation of the reel gear and transmitting it to the output gear. A holder for holding a cartridge, An input gear that meshes with the output gear when the cartridge is mounted, and A holder characterized by comprising a torque applying member that applies resistance to the rotation of the input gear.

13. The holder according to claim 12, further comprising a rotation speed detection unit capable of detecting the rotation speed of the input gear.

14. The rotation speed detection unit is a rotary encoder, and the holder according to claim 13.

15. The rotary encoder is characterized in that it rotates about the first axis, and the holder according to claim 14.

16. A cartridge in which a multilayer film having a first width is wound around the supply reel, and A holder according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that it can be selectively mounted with a second cartridge having a second supply reel around which a multilayer film having a second width larger than the first width is wound.

17. The second cartridge is a second output gear that is located at an end of the second supply reel and rotates together with the second supply reel, and includes a second output gear that meshes with the input gear. The holder according to claim 16, characterized in that.

Images