Transfer device

Abstract

To provide a sheet decorating method capable of decorating a sheet at a low cost.SOLUTION: A transfer device transfers a transfer material from a web 52 to a transfer object by bringing the web 52 conveyed in a roll-to-roll manner into contact with the transfer object conveyed on a conveyance surface 102 in a transfer section P. An outlet gap G2 that is a gap between the conveying surface 102 and the web 52 at the outlet of the transfer section P is wider than an inlet gap G1 that is a gap between the conveying surface 102 and the web 52 at the inlet of the transfer section P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A transfer device is known that transfers a transfer material such as foil from a transfer web transported roll-to-roll to a transfer target such as a sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. WO2023 / 008456 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is preferable that the transfer device be able to reliably transfer the transfer material from the transfer web to the transfer target.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in this situation, and one exemplary purpose of an embodiment thereof is to provide a transfer device that can more reliably transfer a transfer material from a transfer web to a transfer target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment of the transfer device of the present invention is a transfer device that transfers a transfer material from a web transported roll-to-roll to a transfer object by contacting the web with the transfer object transported on a transport surface in a transfer section, and the exit gap, which is the gap between the transport surface and the web at the exit of the transfer section, is wider than the entrance gap, which is the gap between the transport surface and the web at the entrance of the transfer section.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present disclosure between methods, devices, systems, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a transfer device that can more reliably transfer a transfer material from a transfer web to a transfer target. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a sheet decoration system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a top view schematically showing a sheet decoration system according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the transfer device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the transfer section and its periphery in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 5(a) to 5(d) are diagrams showing the operation of the transfer device when transferring foil in time sequence. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present disclosure will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the disclosure, and all features and combinations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the disclosure. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing a sheet decoration system 10. Fig. 1 is a side view, and Fig. 2 is a plan view. The sheet decoration system 10 is a system that applies a predetermined decoration to a sheet while transporting the sheet. The sheet material can be various, such as paper, cloth, resin, or metal.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction in which the sheet is transported (the direction from right to left in Figures 1 and 2) will be referred to as the transport direction Y, and the direction perpendicular to the transport direction Y (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 1 and the up-and-down direction in Figure 2) will be referred to as the width direction X.

[0013] The sheet decoration system 10 includes a feeder 12 that feeds sheets one by one, a varnish applicator 14 that applies ultraviolet-curable varnish (hereinafter simply referred to as "varnish") to the sheets fed one by one and irradiates the varnish with ultraviolet light, a transfer device (foil stamping device) 16 that uses the tackiness of the semi-cured varnish to transfer a foil, which is a transfer material, onto the varnish applied to the sheet, a stacker 18 that accumulates the sheets, and a control device 20 that provides overall control of the sheet decoration system 10. The feeder 12, varnish applicator 14, transfer device 16, and stacker 18 are arranged in a line in this order from the upstream side (the right side in Figures 1 and 2) to the downstream side in the conveyance direction Y. The control device 20 is connected to the feeder 12, varnish applicator 14, transfer device 16, and stacker 18 via a network 2.

[0014] The feeding device 12 includes a feeder 22, a corona treatment unit 26, and a registration unit 24. The feeder 22 includes a table 28 and a suction head 30. Sheets are stacked on the table 28. The table 28 is configured to be able to move up and down. The suction head 30 feeds the sheets stacked on the table 28 one by one in order from the top.

[0015] The corona treatment unit (surface modification unit) 26 includes an electrode (applying electrode) 36 disposed above the conveyance path 34 and a dielectric roller (counter electrode) 38 disposed below the conveyance path 34 so as to vertically oppose the electrode 36. The corona treatment unit 26 performs surface modification on the sheet delivered by the feeder 22 by corona discharge between the electrode 36 and the dielectric roller 38. Specifically, hydrophilic groups are generated on the surface of the sheet, improving wettability. Note that when the sheet is conveyed while being attracted to the conveyance path 34 by the air suction unit 40, the distance between the electrode 36 and the sheet becomes constant, stabilizing the corona discharge. The air suction unit 40 generates negative pressure by arranging one of the suction ports of an exhaust blower (not shown), but it may also be configured to generate negative pressure by arranging a suction fan.

[0016] The registration unit 24 aligns the position in the width direction X of the sheet fed by the feeder 22 by abutting against the registration reference guide 32.

[0017] The varnish application device 14 includes a sheet sensor 42, at least one (three in FIG. 2) varnish discharge section 46, a semi-curing ultraviolet ray irradiation section 48, and a final curing ultraviolet ray irradiation section 50. The sheet sensor 42, varnish discharge section 46, semi-curing ultraviolet ray irradiation section 48, and final curing ultraviolet ray irradiation section 50 are provided in this order from upstream to downstream.

[0018] The sheet sensor 42 detects the sheet fed from the feeding device 12 .

[0019] There is no particular limitation on the number of varnish dispensing units 46. The varnish application device 14 may include one varnish dispensing unit 46 extending over the range in the width direction X over which varnish dispensing is required or over a longer range, or may include two or four or more varnish dispensing units 46.

[0020] The varnish discharge unit 46 is a line-type inkjet head, although not particularly limited thereto. Under the control of the control device 20, the varnish discharge unit 46 is triggered by the detection of the sheet by the sheet sensor 42 to discharge varnish according to the varnish discharge data, thereby applying the varnish to the sheet. The varnish discharge data is data indicating the area on the sheet to which the varnish is to be applied. The area to which the varnish is to be applied may have a predetermined relationship with the base image.

[0021] The semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation section 48 and the main curing ultraviolet irradiation section 50 irradiate ultraviolet rays under the control of the control device 20. Typically, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used as the light source for the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation section 48 and the main curing ultraviolet irradiation section 50, but other light sources such as incandescent lamps or fluorescent lamps may also be used as long as they irradiate ultraviolet rays. It is desirable that the light source have adjustable output.

[0022] The semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 irradiates the varnish on the sheet with relatively weak ultraviolet light to semi-cure the varnish. Semi-curing refers to curing the varnish to a degree that reduces its fluidity but does not completely harden it, for example, to a state where it can be further hardened. The semi-cured varnish is then fully cured in the transfer device 16. When foil is not being transferred to the sheet, the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 is usually turned off. Note that the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 may also be used when foil is not being transferred to the sheet. For example, if the varnish applied to the sheet is prone to bleeding, the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 is turned on to semi-cure at least the surface of the varnish. This prevents the varnish from bleeding.

[0023] The final curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the varnish applied to the sheet, thereby final curing the varnish. When transferring foil onto the sheet, the final curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 is turned off.

[0024] That is, when transferring foil to a sheet, the varnish is semi-cured by the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48, and the semi-cured varnish is then fully cured by the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 of the transfer device 16. In this case, the fully curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 is turned off.

[0025] If foil is not to be transferred to the sheet, i.e., if varnish is only to be applied to the sheet, the varnish is fully cured in the full-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 50. In this case, the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 and the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 of the transfer device 16 are turned off. Note that, as mentioned above, the semi-curing ultraviolet irradiation unit 48 may be turned on even if foil is not to be transferred.

[0026] The transfer device 16 transports the sheet and also transports the web (transfer web) 52 roll-to-roll, bringing them into contact. The foil held by the web 52 adheres to the sheet-like semi-cured varnish. In this state, that is, in a state in which the foil is held by the web 52 but also adhered to the semi-cured varnish, the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 irradiates the semi-cured varnish with ultraviolet light, fully curing the varnish. Once the varnish has fully cured, the force with which the foil adheres to the varnish becomes stronger than the force with which the web 52 holds the foil. In this state, when the sheet is transported and the sheet and web 52 are separated, the foil held by the web 52 is transferred to the varnish on the sheet.

[0027] The stacker 18 accumulates the sheets (decorative sheets) delivered from the transfer device 16.

[0028] The control device 20 controls the overall operation of the sheet decoration system 10. In terms of hardware, the control device 20 can be realized by elements or mechanical devices such as a processor such as a computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and in terms of software, it can be realized by a computer program, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that the control device 20 can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

[0029] The control device 20 accepts input of a job definition. The control device 20 may display a predetermined job management screen and accept input of the job definition. The job definition may include, for example, the number of sheets to be decorated (number of decoration copies), the sheet size of the sheets to be decorated, and varnish discharge data. The control device 20 controls the feeding device 12, the varnish application device 14, and the transfer device 16 based on the job definition.

[0030] The above is the overall configuration of the sheet decoration system 10.

[0031] As a modification, the sheet decoration system 10 may include a printing device that prints images on sheets instead of the feeding device 12, and the sheets may be fed one by one from the printing device.

[0032] The sheet decoration system 10 may also include other devices between the transfer device 16 and the stacker 18, such as a post-processing device.

[0033] Next, a detailed description will be given of the transfer device 16. Figures 3 and 4 are side views of the transfer device 16.

[0034] The transfer device 16 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 54, an unwinding shaft 56, a winding shaft 58, a plurality of guide rollers 60, a first roller 62, a second roller 64, a transfer ultraviolet light irradiation unit 66, a drive source 68, and a sheet detection sensor 77.

[0035] The conveying rollers 54 convey the sheet toward the downstream side in the conveying direction Y (to the left in FIGS. 4 and 5) while sandwiching the sheet between the pressure roller 72, the rollers 62 and 64, or the pressure roller 73.

[0036] The pressure rollers 72 are spherical, and a pair of pressure rollers 72 are spaced apart in the width direction X relative to one conveying roller 54. At least one of the pair of pressure rollers 72 is configured to move in the width direction X depending on the width of the sheet being conveyed. With this configuration, only both ends of the sheet in the width direction X are sandwiched between the pressure roller 72 and the conveying roller 54 for conveyance. If only one of the pair of pressure rollers 72 is movable in the width direction X, a roller-shaped pressure member may be used in place of the other pressure roller 72 that does not move in the width direction X. The semi-cured varnish on the sheet is exposed upstream of the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 in the conveying direction Y (to the right in Figure 4). If the conveying member comes into contact with the exposed varnish, problems such as the varnish being unsatisfactory or the conveying member becoming dirty can occur. In contrast, by having the pressure rollers 72 press only both ends of the sheet in the width direction X, this problem can be prevented.

[0037] The pressure roller 73 is a member in which multiple roller portions 73a are intermittently arranged on a single rotation shaft 73b extending in the width direction X. The multiple roller portions 73a are configured not to move in the width direction (axial direction) X. Because the varnish on the sheet has fully hardened downstream of the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 in the conveying direction Y, even if the roller portions 73a of the pressure roller 73 come into contact with the sheet, the above-mentioned problems do not occur, and the sheet can be conveyed.

[0038] The unwinding shaft 56 supports a roll of unused web (hereinafter referred to as unwinding roll 74). The winding shaft 58 winds up the used web 52, i.e., the film and any foil remaining on the film, into a roll. Hereinafter, the roll of web 52 wound by the winding shaft 58 will be referred to as the winding roll 76. The unwinding shaft 56 and the winding shaft 58 are constituted by friction shafts.

[0039] The multiple guide rollers 60, the first roller 62, and the second roller 64 define a generally U-shaped web transport path from the unwind roll 74 to the take-up roll 76. The second roller 64 is adjacent to the first roller 62 on the downstream side of the web transport path. The first roller 62 and the second roller 64 define a generally horizontally extending section of the web transport path.

[0040] The web 52 and the sheet come into contact between the first roller 62 and the second roller 64. At this time, the foil is transferred from the web 52 to the semi-cured varnish on the sheet. During transfer, the varnish on the sheet and the web 52 temporarily adhere to each other, so the web 52 is fed at the same speed as the sheet. Alternatively, the second roller 64 may be driven to rotate so that the web 52 is fed at the same speed as the sheet. However, if a drive source is provided to drive the rollers 62 and 64 and a difference in surface movement speed occurs between the rollers 62 and 64 and the opposing conveying roller 54, a speed difference will occur between the web 52 contacting the rollers 62 and 64 and the sheet contacting the conveying roller 54, causing wrinkles in the foil. By configuring the rollers 62 and 64 to rotate in response to the movement of the web 52 without providing a drive source to drive the rollers 62 and 64, the formation of wrinkles in the foil can be suppressed.

[0041] The transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 is provided above the web transport path between the first roller 62 and the second roller 64. The transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66 irradiates ultraviolet light under the control of the control device 20 to fully cure the semi-cured varnish. As with the ultraviolet irradiation units 48 and 50, an LED is typically used as the light source for the transfer ultraviolet irradiation unit 66, but other light sources such as incandescent lamps or fluorescent lamps may also be used as long as they irradiate ultraviolet light. It is desirable for the light source to have adjustable output.

[0042] The drive source 68 feeds the web 52 along the web transport path. More specifically, the drive source 68 is a rotational drive source that feeds the web 52 along the web transport path by rotationally driving one of the guide rollers 60 (hereinafter also referred to as the guide roller 60a) that is downstream of the second roller 64. The guide roller 60a is provided spaced apart from the second roller 64. Therefore, even if the driving force of the drive source 68 causes the web 52 to stretch or slacken, the stretch or slack is absorbed in the web transport path between the guide roller 60a and the second roller 64. Therefore, no speed difference occurs between the web 52 in contact with the rollers 62, 64 and the sheet in contact with the transport roller 54, and therefore no wrinkles occur in the foil.

[0043] Here, while the sheet is sandwiched between the first roller 62 and the opposing conveying roller 54 (hereinafter also referred to as conveying roller 54a), the web 52 also moves along with the sheet moved by the conveying roller 54a. However, in this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the sheet is not sandwiched between the second roller 64 and the opposing conveying roller 54 (hereinafter also referred to as conveying roller 54b). Therefore, once the sheet passes between the first roller 62 and the conveying roller 54a, the web 52 cannot move. Therefore, the drive source 68 rotates the guide roller 60a to move the web 52.

[0044] The sheet detection sensor 77 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a sheet at the detection position, and can detect the timing when the leading edge or trailing edge of the sheet passes based on the detection result. For example, the control device 20 may control the on / off of ultraviolet light irradiation by the transfer ultraviolet light irradiation unit 66 based on the sheet detection result by the sheet detection sensor 77.

[0045] 4 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the transfer section P. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the transfer device 16 further includes a conveyance guide 106 and a gap adjustment mechanism 80. The conveyance guide 106 has a flat upper surface 106a, and supports the sheet with the upper surface 106a to guide the conveyance of the sheet. The transfer section P refers to the section between the first roller 62 and the downstream end of the irradiation range of the transfer ultraviolet light irradiation unit 66.

[0046] However, the inventor recognized a problem that with conventional transfer devices, when the shape of the transfer area onto the transfer target object includes a pointed end that is at a right angle or an acute angle, depending on the orientation of the pointed end, transfer onto the pointed end may be insufficient.

[0047] Conventional transfer devices are designed so that the web 52 and the conveying surface 102 in the transfer section are parallel. Normally, one would try to increase the parallelism between the web 52 and the conveying surface 102 in the transfer section so that pressure is applied from the web 52 to the object to be transferred in a balanced manner throughout the entire transfer section, preventing areas where transfer is insufficient.

[0048] However, after extensive research and experimentation, the inventors have come to the conclusion that poor transfer can be suppressed or prevented by making the gap at the exit of the transfer section P (hereinafter referred to as the exit gap) larger than the gap at the entrance (hereinafter referred to as the entrance gap), and by making the pressure applied to the sheet from the web 52 at the exit side of the transfer section lower than the pressure applied to the sheet from the web 52 at the entrance side of the transfer section, or more preferably by ensuring that little or no pressure is applied to the sheet from the web 52 at the exit side of the transfer section.

[0049] Therefore, in this embodiment, an exit gap G2, which is the gap between the conveying surface 102 and the web 52 at the exit of the transfer section P, is larger than an entrance gap G1, which is the gap between the conveying surface 102 and the web 52 at the entrance of the transfer section P. More specifically, in the transfer section P, the gap (distance) G between the conveying surface 102 and the web 52 becomes larger toward the downstream side in the conveying direction Y.

[0050] The conveying surface 102 may be the upper surface 106a of the conveying guide 106, and therefore the size of the gap G may be the vertical distance between the rollers 62, 64 and the conveying guide 106. Alternatively, the conveying surface 102 may be the upper surfaces (the uppermost parts of the outer circumferential surfaces) of the conveying rollers 54a, 54b that face the rollers 62, 64, and therefore the size of the gap G may be the vertical distance between the rollers 62, 64 and the conveying rollers 54a, 54b that face the rollers 62, 64.

[0051] 4, in the transfer section P, the conveying surface 102 is horizontal, and the height position of the web 52 is configured to become higher toward the downstream side in the conveying direction Y, thereby realizing a relationship in which the outlet gap G2 is larger than the inlet gap G1. Specifically, the lower surface (the lowest part of the outer peripheral surface) of the second roller 64 is positioned higher than the lower surface (the lowest part of the outer peripheral surface) of the first roller 62, thereby realizing a relationship in which the outlet gap G2 is larger than the inlet gap G1.

[0052] As a variant, instead of or in addition to configuring the height position of the web 52 to be higher toward the downstream side in the conveying direction Y, the conveying surface 102 in the transfer section P may be configured to be lower toward the downstream side in the conveying direction Y, thereby realizing a relationship in which the exit gap G2 is larger than the entrance gap G1.

[0053] The entrance gap G1 must be equal to or smaller than the thickness of the sheet so that the varnish on the sheet comes into contact with the web 52. Here, "sheet thickness" refers to the thickness of the sheet including the thickness of the varnish. The entrance gap G1 is typically set to be equal to or slightly smaller than the thickness of the sheet.

[0054] The outlet gap G2 is preferably large enough so that the leading edge, i.e., the downstream side, of the sheet adhered to the web 52 floats above the conveying surface 102 at the exit side of the transfer section P. In other words, the outlet gap G2 is preferably larger than the thickness of the object to be transferred, i.e., the thickness of the sheet plus the thickness of the varnish. In this case, little or no pressure is applied from the web 52 to the sheet at the exit side of the transfer section P, and as a result, transfer defects can be more reliably suppressed or prevented.

[0055] However, if the difference between the exit gap G2 and the entrance gap G1 is too large, in other words, if the exit gap G2 is too large, the sheet will peel off from the web 52 in the middle of the transfer section P before the varnish on the sheet is fully hardened by the transfer ultraviolet irradiation section 66.

[0056] This is thought to be because if the difference between the exit gap G2 and the entrance gap G1 is too large, when the leading edge of the sheet adheres to the web 52 and rises while the trailing edge of the sheet is still sandwiched between the first roller 62 and the conveying roller 54a, the sheet will bend relatively greatly, and the repulsive force due to the stiffness of the sheet will become large.

[0057] In any case, if the sheet peels off from web 52 during transfer section P before the varnish on the sheet is fully cured by transfer ultraviolet irradiation section 66, the force with which web 52 holds the foil is stronger than the force with which the varnish adheres the foil, and the foil remains on web 52 without being transferred to the varnish. In other words, the foil is not transferred to the varnish.

[0058] Therefore, the difference between the exit gap G2 and the entrance gap G1 is set to a predetermined threshold value or less at which the sheet does not peel off from the web 52 during the transfer section P. Note that the entrance gap G1 is typically set to a size equal to or slightly smaller than the thickness of the sheet, so the difference between the exit gap G2 and the entrance gap G1 can essentially be considered as the difference between the exit gap G2 and the thickness of the sheet.

[0059] The threshold may be determined empirically. As an example, the threshold may be 1 mm.

[0060] The threshold value may be different for each type of sheet, because the stiffness of the sheet may differ depending on the type of sheet. In other words, the threshold value may be determined based on the stiffness of the sheet, i.e., the stiffness of the sheet. For example, the threshold value may be smaller as the stiffness of the sheet increases.

[0061] The difference between the exit gap G2 and the entrance gap G1 may be specified as an angle. That is, the entrance gap G1 and the exit gap G2 may be sized such that the angle α between the web 52 and the conveying surface 102 in the transfer section P when viewed in the width direction X is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold angle. The threshold angle is a predetermined angle at which the sheet does not peel off from the web 52 midway through the transfer section P, and may be determined experimentally or based on the stiffness of the sheet. As an example, the threshold angle may be 0.4°.

[0062] The type of sheet can, of course, be changed. If the type of sheet is changed, the thickness of the sheet can also be changed. Furthermore, the thickness of the varnish can also be changed. In other words, the thickness of the sheet can be changed. Therefore, the gap G between the conveying surface 102 and the web 52 in the transfer section P can be changed, and is changed according to the thickness of the sheet.

[0063] The gap adjustment mechanism 80 includes a drive unit such as a motor (not shown) controlled by the control device 20, and raises and lowers the rollers 62, 64 and thus the web 52 in the transfer section P under the control of the control device 20 to adjust the gap G between the web 52 in the transfer section P and the conveying surface 102 to a size corresponding to the thickness of the sheet. A user may input the size of the entrance gap G1 or the thickness of the sheet into the control device 20. The user may be a serviceman dispatched by the company that manufactures the sheet decoration system 10 or a company commissioned by the manufacturer, or a representative of a customer who has purchased or rented the sheet decoration system 10.

[0064] The specific configuration of the gap adjustment mechanism 80 is not particularly limited, and it may be configured using known or future available technology.

[0065] The gap adjustment mechanism 80 raises and lowers the rollers 62, 64 and thus the web 52 in the transfer section P so that the difference between the exit gap G2 and the entrance gap G1 is maintained, i.e., so that the angle α does not change, although this is not limited to this.

[0066] The gap adjustment mechanism 80 may raise and lower the transfer ultraviolet light irradiation unit 66 together with the rollers 62 and 64. The gap adjustment mechanism 80 may also raise and lower some of the guide rollers 60, for example, the guide rollers 60 adjacent to the rollers 62 and 64, together with the rollers 62 and 64.

[0067] The second roller 64 does not need to be rotatable because the sheet and web 52 are not sandwiched between the second roller 64 and the conveying roller 54b, but only needs to be able to slide over the web 52. Therefore, the transfer device 16 may be provided with a non-rotating shaft having a cylindrical outer circumferential surface instead of the second roller 64.

[0068] The above is the detailed configuration of the transfer device 16. Next, the operation of the transfer device 16 will be described.

[0069] 5(a) to 5(d) are diagrams showing the operation of the transfer device 16 when transferring the foil in time sequence.

[0070] In FIG. 5(a), the sheet S is about to enter the transfer section P.

[0071] 5(b) and (c), the varnished area R of the sheet S is passing through the transfer section P. In FIG. 5(b), on the upstream side of the transfer section P, the sheet S is sandwiched between the first roller 62 and the conveying roller 54, so that downward pressure is applied to the sheet S from the web 52, but on the downstream side of the transfer section P, the sheet S is adhered to the web 52 and rises, floating above the conveying surface 102, so that no pressure is applied to the sheet S from the web 52. Note that if the difference between the exit gap G2 and the entrance gap G1 is too large, the downstream side of the sheet will peel off from the web 52 due to the repulsive force caused by the stiffness of the sheet.

[0072] In FIG. 5(d), the entire sheet S has passed through the transfer section P.

[0073] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. According to this embodiment, the pressure exerted by the web 52 on the sheet at the exit side of the transfer section P is lower than the pressure exerted by the web 52 on the sheet at the entrance side of the transfer section, and more preferably, almost no or no pressure is exerted by the web 52 on the sheet at the exit side of the transfer section. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent poor transfer to the pointed end of the transfer region.

[0074] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the web 52 can be raised and lowered in the transfer section P while maintaining the difference between the exit gap G2 and the entrance gap G1. This makes it possible to deal with cases where the thickness of the sheet is changed.

[0075] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the respective components and processing steps, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. These modifications will be described below.

[0076] (Variation 1) The technical concept of the embodiment is not limited to the case of transferring onto a sheet, that is, the object onto which the transfer device 16 transfers the transfer material may be something other than a sheet.

[0077] (Variation 2) The foil-holding web 52 is typically formed by vapor-depositing, coating, or attaching a metal or coloring material to a base film to create a transfer layer, which serves as the "foil" used for transfer. A release layer, adhesive layer, or other layer may be added to the transfer layer to enhance adhesion and ease of release from the base film during transfer. The long substrate sheet carrying the transfer material is not limited to a film; it may be a strip of woven fabric or other material capable of holding the transfer material and transferring it to the object being transferred in the transfer zone. Meanwhile, the transfer material held by the web 52 and transferred in a transfer zone such as the foil stamping zone F is not limited to a "foil" but may be a thin layer other than metal. It may also be an ink ribbon, where a transfer material such as ink is applied to a base web. The long substrate sheet carrying the transfer material is not limited to a film; it may be a strip of woven fabric or other material capable of holding the transfer material and transferring it to the object being transferred in the transfer zone.

[0078] Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present disclosure. A new embodiment resulting from the combination has the combined effects of the combined embodiments and modifications.

[0079] The above-described embodiment and modifications can be generalized to provide the following aspects.

[0080] [Aspect 1] A transfer device that transfers a transfer material from a web transported in a roll-to-roll manner to a transfer object transported on a transport surface by contacting the web with the transfer object in a transfer section, an outlet gap, which is a gap between the conveying surface and the web at an outlet of the transfer section, is wider than an inlet gap, which is a gap between the conveying surface and the web at an inlet of the transfer section; Transcription device.

[0081] [Aspect 2] the conveying surface is horizontal in the transfer section, a height position of the web at the exit of the transfer section is higher than a height position of the web at the entrance; 2. The transfer device according to embodiment 1.

[0082] [Aspect 3] a gap adjustment mechanism for adjusting the gap between the conveying surface and the web to a size corresponding to the thickness of the transferred material while maintaining the difference between the outlet gap and the inlet gap; 3. The transcription device according to embodiment 1 or 2.

[0083] [Aspect 4] The outlet gap is larger than the thickness of the transferred object. A transcription device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3.

[0084] [Aspect 5] The difference between the outlet gap and the inlet gap is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. A transcription device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4.

[0085] [Aspect 6] an angle formed between the transport surface and the web in the transfer section is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value; A transcription device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4.

[0086] [Aspect 7] The threshold value is determined based on the stiffness of the sheet. 7. A transcription device according to embodiment 5 or 6.

[0087] [Aspect 8] a drive source for feeding the web along a path; A transcription device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 sheet decoration system, 12 feeding device, 14 varnishing device, 16 transfer device, 52 web, 80 gap adjustment mechanism, 102 conveying surface, G gap, G1 inlet gap, G2 outlet gap, P transfer section.

Claims

1. A transfer device that transfers a transfer material from a web transported in a roll-to-roll manner to a transfer object transported on a transport surface by contacting the web with the transfer object in a transfer section, comprising: an outlet gap, which is a gap between the conveying surface and the web at an outlet of the transfer section, is wider than an inlet gap, which is a gap between the conveying surface and the web at an inlet of the transfer section; Transcription device.

2. the conveying surface is horizontal in the transfer section, a height position of the web at the exit of the transfer section is higher than a height position of the web at the entrance; The transfer device according to claim 1 .

3. a gap adjustment mechanism for adjusting the gap between the conveying surface and the web to a size corresponding to the thickness of the transferred material while maintaining the difference between the outlet gap and the inlet gap; The transfer device according to claim 1 .

4. The outlet gap is larger than the thickness of the transferred object. The transfer device according to claim 1 .

5. The difference between the outlet gap and the inlet gap is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. The transfer device according to claim 1 .

6. an angle formed between the transport surface and the web in the transfer section is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value; The transfer device according to claim 1 .

7. The threshold value is determined based on the stiffness of the sheet. The transfer device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. a drive source for feeding the web along a path; The transfer device according to claim 1 .

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