Layer transfer apparatus

Abstract

The objective is to shorten the time required for the layer transfer process. [Solution] The layer transfer apparatus comprises a first rotating body (heating roller 61), a second rotating body (pressure roller 51), a moving mechanism 7, and a control unit 100. The second rotating body transfers the transfer layer to the printed layer of the sheet by transporting the sheet having a printed layer and a film F having a transfer layer between itself and the first rotating body. The moving mechanism 7 moves the first rotating body between a contact position P1 where the first rotating body is pressed against the second rotating body and a separation position P3 where the first rotating body is separated from the second rotating body. The control unit 100 controls the moving mechanism 7 to stop the first rotating body at an intermediate position P2 between the contact position and the separation position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a layer transfer device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a layer transfer device, there is known one that transfers a layer containing foil of a foil film to a toner image on a sheet by sandwiching the foil film and the sheet between a heating roller and a pressure roller (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, in this technique, the heating roller is movable between a pressure contact position where it is in pressure contact with the pressure roller and a separation position away from the pressure roller. When transferring foil to a sheet, when the transfer area, which is the area on the sheet where the foil is to be transferred, reaches between the heating roller and the pressure roller, the conveyance of the sheet is stopped, the heating roller is moved from the separation position to the pressure contact position, and then the conveyance of the sheet is restarted, thereby transferring the foil to the transfer area.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art, since the time required to move the heating roller from the separation position to the pressure contact position is long, there has been a problem that the time required for the layer transfer process of transferring the foil layer to the sheet becomes long.

[0005] Therefore, an object of this disclosure is to shorten the time required for the layer transfer process.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the layer transfer device of this disclosure includes a first rotating body, a second rotating body, a moving mechanism, and a control unit. The second rotating body transfers the transfer layer to the printed layer of the sheet by transporting the sheet with the printed layer sandwiched between it and the first rotating body. The moving mechanism moves the first rotating body between a position where the first rotating body is pressed against the second rotating body and a position where the first rotating body is separated from the second rotating body. The control unit controls the movement mechanism to stop the first rotating body at an intermediate position between the contact position and the separation position.

[0007] By configuring the first rotating body to stop at an intermediate position between the contact position and the separation position, the first rotating body can be moved from the intermediate position to the contact position when it is pressed against the second rotating body. Therefore, the movement time of the first rotating body can be shortened compared to, for example, moving the first rotating body from the separation position to the contact position, thus shortening the time required for the layer transfer process.

[0008] Furthermore, the distance from the contact point to the intermediate position may be smaller than the distance from the intermediate position to the separated position.

[0009] By making the distance from the contact point to the intermediate position smaller than the distance from the intermediate position to the separated position, the intermediate position can be brought closer to the contact point, thus shortening the time required for the layer transfer process.

[0010] The intermediate position may be between the contact position and the separation position in the direction from the contact position to the separation position.

[0011] Furthermore, the control unit may control the movement mechanism to move the first rotating body from a separated position toward an intermediate position and stop it at the intermediate position before the leading edge of the transfer region, which is the area of ​​the sheet to which the transfer layer should be transferred, reaches the transfer position between the first and second rotating bodies.

[0012] Furthermore, the layer transfer apparatus may be further equipped with a transport roller for transporting the sheet, and the control unit may control the moving mechanism and the transport roller to stop the first rotating body at an intermediate position, stop the transport of the sheet before the leading edge of the transfer region reaches the transfer position, and move the first rotating body from the intermediate position to the pressing position.

[0013] Furthermore, the control unit may move the first rotating body from a separated position to an intermediate position while the sheet is being transported by controlling the movement mechanism.

[0014] Furthermore, the layer transfer device may also be equipped with conveyor rollers for transporting the sheets. If a first transfer region and a second transfer region located upstream of the first transfer region in the sheet's transport direction are defined as transfer regions to which the transfer layer should be transferred, the control unit may, by controlling the moving mechanism and transport rollers, transfer the transfer layer to the first transfer region using the first rotating body located at the contact position, then move the first rotating body from the contact position to an intermediate position and stop it there, and then move the first rotating body from the intermediate position to the contact position when transferring the transfer layer to the second transfer region.

[0015] By positioning the first rotating body at an intermediate position between the first and second transfer regions, the movement time of the first rotating body can be shortened compared to, for example, a configuration in which the first rotating body is positioned at a distanced position between the first and second transfer regions, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0016] Furthermore, the first rotating body may be in contact with the film when it is in an intermediate position.

[0017] The layer transfer apparatus may further include a supply reel on which the film is wound and a take-up reel for winding the film. When the film is pulled from the supply reel, the tension applied to the film is Ft, the conveying force of the sheet and film by the first and second rotating bodies is Ff, and the sheet's conveying resistance is Fr. When the first rotating body is in the intermediate position, Ft>Ff>Fr may be satisfied, and when the first rotating body is in the pressure contact position, Ff>Ft>Fr may be satisfied.

[0018] By configuring the system so that Ft>Ff>Fr is satisfied when the first rotating body is in the intermediate position, the sheet can be transported between the first and second rotating bodies without transporting the film when the first rotating body is in the intermediate position. Therefore, even if the length of the sheet is small, the sheet can be transported between the first and second rotating bodies in the intermediate position. Furthermore, by configuring the system so that Ff>Ft>Fr is satisfied when the first rotating body is in the pressure contact position, the sheet and film can be transported between the first and second rotating bodies in the pressure contact position.

[0019] Furthermore, the layer transfer device may include a stepped surface that intersects the sheet transport direction, is located downstream of the first rotating body in the transport direction, and is further away from the second rotating body than the film in the direction of movement of the first rotating body. In this case, the first center of rotation, which is the center of rotation of the first solid of revolution, may be located below the second center of rotation, which is the center of rotation of the second solid of revolution. When the first rotating body is in an intermediate position, the intersection point of the line connecting the first and second rotation centers with the outer surface of the first rotating body may be closer to the second rotation center than to the stepped surface in the direction of movement.

[0020] When the first rotating body is in an intermediate position, the intersection point of the line connecting the first and second rotation centers with the outer surface of the first rotating body is configured to be closer to the second rotation center than to the stepped surface in the direction of movement. This ensures that even if the width of the film is smaller than the width of the sheet and the widthwise edge of the sheet hangs down below the film, the widthwise edge of the sheet is supported by the first rotating body and held in a position closer to the second rotation center than to the stepped surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the widthwise edge of the sheet from getting caught on the stepped surface.

[0021] Further, the moving mechanism may have a rotatable cam for moving the first rotating body to the pressing position, the intermediate position, or the separated position. The outer peripheral surface of the cam has a first portion for holding the first rotating body at the pressing position, a second portion for holding the first rotating body at the intermediate position, and a third portion for holding the first rotating body at the separated position, and the second portion may be located between the first portion and the third portion in the circumferential direction of the cam.

[0022] Further, the control unit may move the first rotating body from the separated position toward the pressing position by rotating the cam in the first direction, and move the first rotating body from the pressing position toward the separated position by rotating the cam in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] The time required for the layer transfer process can be shortened.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. (a) showing a foil transfer device according to the first embodiment and a cross-sectional view (b) showing a film. [Figure 2] FIG. showing the foil transfer device with the cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. showing the heating unit when the heating roller is at the pressing position. [Figure 4] FIG. showing the heating unit when the heating roller is at the separated position. [Figure 5] FIG. showing the heating unit when the heating roller is at the intermediate position. [Figure 6] FIG. (a) showing the transfer area in the full-surface transfer mode and FIG. (b) showing the transfer area in the tip transfer mode. [Figure 7] FIG. (a) showing the transfer area in the intermediate transfer mode and FIG. (b) showing the transfer area in the rear-end transfer mode. [Figure 8]This diagram illustrates the foil transfer process in tip transfer mode, showing (a) the process of starting to move the heating roller from the separated position toward the contact position, (b) the state when the heating roller has reached the contact position, and (c) the process of starting to move the heating roller from the contact position toward the separated position. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the foil transfer process in intermediate transfer mode or trailing transfer mode, and includes (a) a step of moving the heating roller from a separated position to an intermediate position, (b) a step of stopping the sheet transport when the leading edge of the transfer area reaches the transfer position, (c) a step of moving the heating roller from an intermediate position to a pressure contact position, and (d) a step of transporting the sheet and film between the heating roller and the pressure roller. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows the foil transfer process in tip transfer mode. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows the foil transfer process in intermediate transfer mode or trailing transfer mode. [Figure 12] This figure shows the intermediate position in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] (a) is a perspective view showing a narrow film used in the third embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the sheet being supported by the narrow film. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the heating roller located in the intermediate position and the stepped surface. [Figure 15] This diagram shows the sheet's widthwise edge being supported by a heating roller located in the middle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] [First Embodiment] Next, the first embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, directions will be as shown in Figure 1. That is, the right side of Figure 1 will be referred to as "front," the left side of Figure 1 as "back," the front side of Figure 1 as "left," and the back side of Figure 1 as "right." Also, the top and bottom of Figure 1 will be referred to as "top and bottom."

[0026] As shown in Figure 1(a), the foil transfer apparatus 1, as an example of a layer transfer apparatus, is a device for transferring foil such as aluminum onto a toner image formed on a sheet S by an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer. Here, the toner image is an example of a printed layer. The foil transfer apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2, a sheet tray 3, a sheet transport unit 10, a film supply unit 30, a transfer unit 50, and a control unit 100.

[0027] The housing 2 is made of resin or the like and comprises a housing body 21 and a cover 22. The housing body 21 has an opening 21A (see Figure 2) at its top. The opening 21A is an opening through which the film unit FU, described later, can pass. The opening 21A faces upward. The cover 22 is a component for opening and closing the opening 21A. The rear end of the cover 22 is rotatably supported by the housing body 21. The cover 22 is movable between a closed position that blocks the opening 21A and an open position that opens the opening 21A.

[0028] The sheet tray 3 is a tray on which sheets S, such as paper or OHP film, are placed. The sheet tray 3 is located at the rear of the housing 2. The sheet S is placed on the sheet tray 3 with the side on which the toner image is formed facing downwards.

[0029] The sheet transport unit 10 includes a sheet supply mechanism 11 and a sheet discharge mechanism 12. The sheet supply mechanism 11 is a mechanism that transports 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 transport roller 11C.

[0030] The pickup roller 11A is a roller for supplying the sheets 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 upstream conveyor roller 11C is positioned between the pickup roller 11A and the transfer section 50. The upstream conveyor roller 11C conveys the sheet S, which is fed out by the pickup roller 11A, to the transfer section 50.

[0032] The sheet discharge mechanism 12 is a mechanism that discharges the sheet S that has passed through the transfer section 50 to the outside of the housing 2. The sheet discharge mechanism 12 is equipped with a downstream conveying roller 12A and a discharge roller 12B.

[0033] The downstream conveyor roller 12A is located downstream of the transfer unit 50 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. In the following description, the conveying direction of the sheet S will also be simply referred to as the "conveying direction." The downstream conveyor roller 12A conveys the sheet S sent out from the transfer unit 50 toward the discharge roller 12B.

[0034] The discharge roller 12B is located downstream of the downstream conveying roller 12A in the conveying direction. The discharge roller 12B discharges the sheet S that is sent out by the downstream conveying roller 12A to the outside of the housing 2. Each roller constituting the sheet conveying section 10 corresponds to a conveying roller that conveys the sheet.

[0035] The film supply unit 30 is the part that supplies film F so as to overlap it with the sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply mechanism 11. The film supply unit 30 includes a film unit FU and a drive source (not shown).

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the film unit FU can be attached to and detached from the main housing 21 from above. The film unit FU comprises a cartridge C and a holder H.

[0037] Cartridge C is detachable from holder H. Holder H is detachable from housing body 21. Cartridge C is detachable from housing body 21 via holder H. Cartridge C comprises a supply reel 31, a take-up reel 35, and film F.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1(b), film F is a film consisting of multiple layers. More specifically, film F has a support layer F1 and a supported layer F2. The support layer F1 is a tape-shaped transparent substrate 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 that facilitates the peeling of the transfer layer F22 from the support layer F1. The release layer F21 is positioned 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.

[0039] The transfer layer F22 is the layer that is transferred to the toner image and contains foil. The foil is a thin metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. The transfer layer F22 also contains coloring materials such as gold, silver, or red, and a thermoplastic resin. The transfer layer F22 is positioned between the release layer F21 and the adhesive layer F23.

[0040] The adhesive layer F23 is a layer that facilitates adhesion of the transfer layer F22 to the toner image. The adhesive layer F23 contains a material that readily adheres to the toner image heated by the transfer unit 50, which will be described later, such as a vinyl chloride resin or an acrylic resin. In this embodiment, the width of the film F is the same as the width of the sheet S.

[0041] The supply reel 31 is made of resin or the like and has a supply shaft portion 31A around which the 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 winding up the film F. The supply reel 31 is housed in a supply case (not shown).

[0042] In Figure 1, etc., for convenience, the illustration shows the state in which the film F is maximally wound around both the supply reel 31 and the take-up reel 35. In reality, for example, when the film unit FU is new, the diameter of the roll of film F wound around the supply reel 31 is at its maximum, and the take-up reel 35 is either empty of film F or has its minimum diameter wound around it.

[0043] A load is applied to the supply reel 31, and the film F is configured not to be pulled out from the supply reel 31 unless it is pulled with a force exceeding a predetermined value. A drive source such as a motor is connected to the take-up reel 35 via a torque limiter. The torque limiter limits the drive torque applied from the drive source to the take-up reel 35 to a value smaller than a predetermined value.

[0044] As a result, the film F will not be pulled out of the supply reel 31 unless it is being transported by the pressure roller 51 and heating roller 61, which will be described later. In other words, when the pressure roller 51 and heating roller 61 are stopped, or when the heating roller 61 is separated from the pressure roller 51, the take-up reel 35 will not rotate and the film F will not be pulled out of the supply reel 31, even if the power from the drive source is being supplied to the take-up reel 35. Also, when the film F is being transported by the pressure roller 51 and heating roller 61, the film F will be pulled out of the supply reel 31 and the film F sent out by the pressure roller 51 and heating roller 61 will be wound onto the take-up reel 35.

[0045] The holder H comprises a holder frame HF, a first guide shaft 41, a peeling shaft 42, and a second guide shaft 43. The holder frame HF supports the first guide shaft 41, the peeling shaft 42, and the second guide shaft 43. The supply case housing the supply reel 31 and the take-up reel 35 are detachable from the holder frame HF.

[0046] The first guide shaft 41, the peeling shaft 42, and the second guide shaft 43 are roller-shaped shafts for changing the direction of travel of the film F. The first guide shaft 41, the peeling shaft 42, and the second guide shaft 43 are made of SUS (stainless steel) or the like.

[0047] The first guide shaft 41 is located upstream of the transfer section 50 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The first guide shaft 41 changes the direction of travel of the film F drawn from the supply reel 31 so that it is approximately parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0048] The peeling shaft 42 is located downstream of the transfer section 50 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The peeling shaft 42 peels the film F from the sheet S by changing the direction of travel of the film F, which has passed through the transfer section 50, to a direction different from the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0049] The second guide shaft 43 is a component that defines the direction of travel of the film F, which is changed by the peeling shaft 42. More specifically, the second guide shaft 43 defines the angle of the film F when peeling it from the sheet S (hereinafter also referred to as the "peeling angle"). Here, the peeling angle is the angle between the portion of the film F stretched between the first guide shaft 41 and the peeling shaft 42 and the portion stretched between the peeling shaft 42 and the second guide shaft 43. The second guide shaft 43 changes the direction of travel of the film F guided by the peeling shaft 42 and guides it to the take-up reel 35.

[0050] The transfer unit 50 is the part that transfers foil onto the toner image formed on the sheet S by heating and pressurizing the sheet S and film F while they are stacked together. The transfer unit 50 includes a pressure roller 51 as an example of a second rotating body and a heating unit 6. The heating unit 6 includes a heating roller 61 as an example of a first rotating body and a moving mechanism 7. In the nip section between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, the transfer unit 50 heats and pressurizes the sheet S and film F while they are stacked together.

[0051] The pressure roller 51 is a roller in which a cylindrical core is covered with a rubber layer made of silicone rubber. The pressure roller 51 is positioned on the upper side of the film F and is in contact with the back surface of the sheet S (the surface opposite to the front surface where the toner image is formed).

[0052] The pressure roller 51 is rotatably supported at both ends by the cover 22. The pressure roller 51 sandwiches the sheet S and film F between itself and the heating roller 61, and is driven by a drive source to rotate the heating roller 61. As a result, the sheet S and film F are conveyed between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, and the transfer layer F22 of the film F is transferred to the toner image on the sheet S.

[0053] The heating roller 61 is a roller in which a heater HT is placed inside a cylindrical metal tube, and it heats the film F and the sheet S. The heating roller 61 is positioned below the film F and is in contact with the film F. The heating roller 61 heats the film F and the sheet S. In the following description, the direction along the axis of rotation of the heating roller 61 will also simply be referred to as the "axial direction".

[0054] The moving mechanism 7 is a mechanism that moves the heating roller 61 between the contact position shown in Figure 3 and the separation position shown in Figure 4. The contact position is the position where the heating roller 61 is in contact with the pressure roller 51. The separation position is the position where the heating roller 61 is separated from the pressure roller 51. The separation position is set to a predetermined position, for example, the position where the heating roller 61 is maximally separated from the pressure roller 51.

[0055] The control unit 100 is equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, and input / output circuits, and performs control by performing various calculations based on programs and data stored in the ROM, etc. When the control unit 100 receives a foil transfer command to transfer foil to the sheet S, it performs the foil transfer process. In the foil transfer process, the control unit 100 operates the moving mechanism 7 to move the heating roller 61 to the contact position at an appropriate timing. When the foil transfer is completed, the control unit 100 operates the moving mechanism 7 to move the heating roller 61 to the separated position. The foil transfer process will be described in detail later.

[0056] In the foil transfer apparatus 1 configured in this way, the sheet S, which is placed on the sheet tray 3 with its surface facing downward, is transported toward the transfer section 50 by the sheet supply mechanism 11. The sheet S is stacked with the film F on the upstream side in the transport direction of the transfer section 50 and then transported toward the transfer section 50.

[0057] In the transfer section 50, as the sheet S and film F pass through the nip 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 is transferred onto the toner image.

[0058] After the foil is transferred, the sheet S and film F are transported together to the peeling axis 42. When the sheet S and film F pass through the peeling axis 42, the transport direction of the film F changes to a different direction from the transport direction of the sheet S, causing the film F to be peeled off from the sheet S.

[0059] The film F, peeled from the sheet S, is wound onto the take-up reel 35. Meanwhile, the sheet S from which the film F has been peeled is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 by the sheet discharge mechanism 12, with the foil-transferred surface facing downwards.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, the heating unit 6 has a fixed frame 60 in addition to the heating roller 61 and moving mechanism 7 described above. The fixed frame 60 forms the outer frame of the heating unit 6 and supports the moving mechanism 7. The fixed frame 60 is fixed to the housing body 21.

[0061] The moving mechanism 7 comprises a movable frame 70, a cam 73, and a motor 80. The movable frame 70 is a member that supports the heating roller 61. The movable frame 70 is slidably guided by a guide portion (not shown) of the fixed frame 60 and is movable between a first position shown in Figure 3 and a second position shown in Figure 4.

[0062] The first position is the position of the movable frame 70 when the heating roller 61 is in the pressure-contact position. The second position is the position of the movable frame 70 when the heating roller 61 is in the separated position.

[0063] The cam 73 is a component that moves the heating roller 61 between a separated position and a pressed position. The cam 73 supports the movable frame 70 from below. The motor 80 rotates the cam 73 in one direction by rotating in the forward direction. The cam 73 is provided at both ends of a shaft 73S that extends in the axial direction. The shaft 73S is rotated by the motor 80. As the shaft 73S rotates, the cam 73 can be displaced between a pressing position that presses against the movable frame 70 (see Figure 3) and a release position that does not press against the movable frame 70 (see Figure 4).

[0064] As the cam 73 rotates from the release position to the pressing position, the movable frame 70 is pressed against the cam 73 and moves from the second position to the first position. As a result, the heating roller 61 moves from the separated position to the pressed position.

[0065] When the cam 73 rotates from the pressed position to the released position, the movable frame 70 is no longer pressed by the cam 73 and moves from the first position to the second position by its own weight. As a result, the heating roller 61 moves from the pressed position to the separated position.

[0066] The movable frame 70 is composed of two frames positioned vertically side by side. Specifically, the movable frame 70 has a first frame 71 and a second frame 72. The moving mechanism 7 further includes a connecting shaft 74, a roller 75, and a spring 76.

[0067] The connecting shaft 74 is a shaft that extends in the axial direction. The connecting shaft 74 connects the first frame 71 and the second frame 72.

[0068] The rollers 75 are positioned at both axial ends of the connecting shaft 74 and are rotatable relative to the connecting shaft 74. The rollers 75 are members that are pressed by the cam 73, and when the rollers 75 are pressed by the cam 73, the connecting shaft 74 moves together with the rollers 75.

[0069] The first frame 71 is located above the second frame 72. The first frame 71 has a support portion 71A, a connecting portion 71B, a spring engagement portion 71C, and a projection 71D.

[0070] The support portion 71A is the part that supports the heating roller 61. The connecting portion 71B is the part for connecting the first frame 71 to the second frame 72 via the connecting shaft 74. The connecting portion 71B extends downward from the support portion 71A. The connecting portion 71B has an elongated hole 71H into which the connecting shaft 74 fits. The elongated hole 71H is elongated in the direction of movement of the heating roller 61. Therefore, the first frame 71 can slide relative to the connecting shaft 74 in the direction of movement of the heating roller 61. Hereinafter, the direction of movement of the heating roller 61 will also be simply referred to as the "direction of movement".

[0071] The spring engagement portion 71C protrudes from the support portion 71A toward the second frame 72 and is the portion that engages with one end of the spring 76. The projection 71D protrudes from the support portion 71A toward one side in the axial direction and is the portion that presses against the link 64, which will be described later, when the first frame 71 moves from the second position to the first position.

[0072] The second frame 72 has a connecting portion 72A and a spring engagement portion 72B.

[0073] The connecting portion 72A engages with the connecting shaft 74 and connects to the first frame 71 via the connecting shaft 74. The connecting portion 72A has a notch 72K into which the connecting shaft 74 enters from below. As a result, the second frame 72 can slide in the direction of movement relative to the connecting shaft 74.

[0074] The spring engagement portion 72B protrudes toward the first frame 71 and is the portion that engages with the other end of the spring 76.

[0075] The spring 76 is positioned between the first frame 71 and the second frame 72. In this embodiment, the spring 76 is a compression spring and multiple springs are arranged. The first frame 71 and the second frame 72 are slidable in the direction of movement relative to the connecting shaft 74 and are biased by the spring 76 to move away from each other.

[0076] As shown in Figure 3, when the cam 73 rotates from the release position to the pressing position, the cam 73 presses the roller 75 upward. This presses the connecting shaft 74 upward, and the connecting shaft 74 presses the connection portion 72A of the second frame 72. As a result, the connecting shaft 74 moves the second frame 72 upward. When the second frame 72 moves upward, the first frame 71 is pressed upward via the spring 76. As a result, the first frame 71 and the second frame 72 move from the second position to the first position.

[0077] As shown in Figure 4, when the cam 73 rotates from the pressed position to the released position, the second frame 72 moves downward away from the first frame 71 by the biasing force of the spring 76, while being supported by the cam 73 via the roller 75 and the connecting shaft 74. When the downward-moving connecting shaft 74 contacts the lower end of the elongated hole 71H of the first frame 71, the first frame 71 and the second frame 72 can no longer move apart. Subsequently, the movable frame 70, consisting of the first frame 71 and the second frame 72, moves to the second position by its own weight, while being supported by the cam 73 via the roller 75 and the connecting shaft 74.

[0078] The heating unit 6 further includes a shutter 62 and an interlocking mechanism 63.

[0079] The shutter 62 is provided at the upper end of the heating unit 6 and is slidable between a protective position shown in Figure 4 and a retracted position shown in Figure 3. The protective position is the position in which the shutter 62 covers the heating roller 61. The retracted position is the position in which the shutter 62 is retracted from the protective position.

[0080] The orientation of the shutter 62 during movement is guided by the fixed frame 60. The shutter 62 has a shaft 62S that extends axially. The shaft 62S is engaged with the interlocking mechanism 63. As a result, the shutter 62 moves in conjunction with the movement of the moving mechanism 7.

[0081] The interlocking mechanism 63 is a mechanism that moves the shutter 62 in conjunction with the movement of the movable frame 70. Specifically, when the movable frame 70 moves from the first position to the second position, the interlocking mechanism 63 moves the shutter 62 from the retracted position to the protected position. Also, when the movable frame 70 moves from the second position to the first position, the interlocking mechanism 63 moves the shutter 62 from the protected position to the retracted position.

[0082] The interlocking mechanism 63 includes a link 64 and a shutter guide 65. Link 64 is pivotably supported on the fixed frame 60. Link 64 is pivotable between a third position shown in Figure 3 and a fourth position shown in Figure 4. Link 64 has a pivot shaft 64A, an arm 64B, and an elongated hole 64H. Link 64 is always biased toward the fourth position, that is, in the direction in which the shutter 62 closes, by a torsion spring (not shown).

[0083] The pivot shaft 64A is rotatably supported by the fixed frame 60. The arm 64B is the part that contacts the projection 71D of the first frame 71. The elongated hole 64H into which the shaft 62S of the shutter 62 fits.

[0084] The shutter guide 65 is fixed to the fixed frame 60 and has an elongated hole 65H. The elongated hole 65H guides the movement of the shaft 62S of the shutter 62.

[0085] As shown in Figures 4 and 3, when the movable frame 70 moves from the second position to the first position, the projection 71D pushes up the arm 64B, causing the link 64 to swing from the fourth position to the third position against the biasing force of the torsion spring. As a result, the link 64 pushes the shaft 62S toward the retracted position, so that the shutter 62 moves from the protected position to the retracted position.

[0086] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the movable frame 70 moves from the first position to the second position, the projection 71D moves downward, causing the link 64 to swing from the third position to the fourth position due to the biasing force of the torsion spring. As a result, the link 64 pushes the shaft 62S toward the protective position, so the shutter 62 moves from the retracted position to the protective position.

[0087] The control unit 100 controls the moving mechanism 7 to stop the heating roller 61 at the contact position shown in Figure 3, the separated position shown in Figure 4, and the intermediate position shown in Figure 5. The method for stopping the heating roller 61 may be, for example, stopping the drive of the motor 80, or disengaging the clutch provided between the motor 80 and the cam 73 to prevent the driving force of the motor 80 from being transmitted to the cam 73.

[0088] The intermediate position is the position between the contact position and the separation position. More specifically, the intermediate position is located between the contact position and the separation position in the direction from the contact position to the separation position, i.e., in the direction of movement.

[0089] In this embodiment, the heating roller 61 is separated from the film F when it is in the intermediate position. Here, as shown in Figure 5, "P1" is the position of the rotation center of the heating roller 61 when it is in the pressure contact position, "P2" is the position of the rotation center of the heating roller 61 when it is in the intermediate position, and "P3" is the position of the rotation center of the heating roller 61 when it is in the separated position. Hereinafter, P1 will also be referred to as "pressure contact position P1", P2 as "intermediate position P2", and P3 as "separated position P3".

[0090] The distance L1 from the contact position P1 to the intermediate position P2 is smaller than the distance L2 from the intermediate position P2 to the separation position P3. In other words, the heating roller 61 located at the intermediate position P2 is positioned closer to the contact position P1 within the range from the contact position P1 to the separation position P3.

[0091] The cam 73 has an outer circumferential surface 73F for moving the heating roller 61 to a pressed position, an intermediate position, or a separated position. The outer circumferential surface 73F has a first portion P11 for holding the heating roller 61 in the pressed position, a second portion P12 for holding the heating roller 61 in the intermediate position, and a third portion P13 for holding the heating roller 61 in the separated position. The second portion P12 is located between the first portion P11 and the third portion P13 in the circumferential direction of the cam 73.

[0092] The control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the separated position to the pressed position by rotating the cam 73 in a first direction (clockwise in the illustration). The control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the pressed position to the separated position by rotating the cam 73 in a second direction opposite to the first direction (counterclockwise in the illustration).

[0093] As shown in Figure 1, the foil transfer apparatus 1 further includes a sheet sensor SS1 and an operation panel PA.

[0094] The sheet sensor SS1 is a sensor that detects the sheet S. The sheet sensor SS1 is located between the pickup roller 11A and the upstream transport roller 11C. The sheet sensor SS1 can detect the passage of the leading and trailing ends of the sheet S. For example, the sheet sensor SS1 can be a sensor consisting of a lever that rotates when the sheet S comes into contact with it, and an optical sensor that detects the position of the lever. In this application, the leading end of the sheet S refers to the front end of the sheet S in the transport direction.

[0095] The control unit 100 can perform a full-surface transfer mode and a foil-saving mode. The full-surface transfer mode is a mode in which foil transfer is performed by pressing the film F against the entire area of ​​the sheet S in the transport direction, as shown in Figure 6(a). The foil-saving mode is a mode in which foil transfer is performed by pressing the film F against the transfer area TA on the sheet S. The transfer area TA is the area of ​​the sheet S to which the foil (transfer layer) should be transferred, and is the area set by the user to be transferred with foil.

[0096] The foil-saving mode includes the front transfer mode shown in Figure 6(b), the center transfer mode shown in Figure 7(a), and the rear transfer mode shown in Figure 7(b). The front transfer mode is a mode in which a predetermined range from the front of the sheet S is set as the transfer region TA. The center transfer mode is a mode in which a portion of the sheet S away from both the front and rear ends is set as the transfer region TA. The rear end transfer mode is a mode in which a predetermined range from the rear end of the sheet S is set as the transfer region TA.

[0097] The full-surface transfer mode and foil-saving mode can be selected by the user by operating the control panel PA. When performing foil transfer in foil save mode, the user can operate the control panel PA to set the conditions for foil save mode (hereinafter also referred to as "foil transfer conditions"). Specifically, the user can set the tip margin length LB, which is the length from the tip of the sheet S to the tip of the transfer area TA, and the foil transfer length LF, which is the length of the transfer area TA, as foil transfer conditions.

[0098] Based on the input transfer mode and user-set input information, the control unit 100 determines the pressure range in which the heating roller 61 is pressed against the sheet S, so as to include the transfer region TA.

[0099] As shown in Figure 6(a), when the user selects the full-surface transfer mode, they do not set the leading margin length LB and the foil transfer length LF. In this case, the transfer area TA corresponds to the length LA of the sheet S.

[0100] As shown in Figure 6(b), when the user selects the tip transfer mode, they do not set the tip margin length LB, but only the foil transfer length LF. In this case, the range corresponding to the foil transfer length LF set by the user becomes the transfer area TA.

[0101] As shown in Figure 7(a), when the user selects the intermediate transfer mode, they set the leading margin length LB and the foil transfer length LF. In this case, the range corresponding to the foil transfer length LF set by the user becomes the transfer area TA.

[0102] As shown in Figure 7(b), when the user selects the rear-end transfer mode, they set only the front margin length LB and do not set the foil transfer length LF. In this case, the transfer area TA is the area behind the area corresponding to the front margin length LB in the transport direction. In other words, the transfer area TA is the area corresponding to the length LA of the sheet S minus the front margin length LB.

[0103] When the foil transfer process is not being performed, the control unit 100 positions the heating roller 61 at a distanced position. When the foil transfer process is performed on a single sheet S in tip transfer mode, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the distanced position to the pressure-contact position, as shown in Figures 8(a) and (b), while the sheet S is being transported by the transport rollers such as the upstream transport roller 11C, so that the heating roller 61 is in the pressure-contact position before the tip of the transfer area TA reaches the transfer position TP.

[0104] Here, the transfer position TP can be any position within the nip portion between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51. The timing at which the heating roller 61 moves from the separated position to the contact position may be simultaneous with the timing at which the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the transfer position TP, or it may be a little before the timing at which the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the transfer position TP.

[0105] The control unit 100 transfers the foil to the transfer area TA by transporting the sheet S and film F between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, which are positioned at the contact point. After the foil transfer to the transfer area TA is complete, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the contact point to the separation point when the rear end of the transfer area TA has passed the peeling axis 42, as shown in Figure 8(c). The full-surface transfer mode can be performed in the same manner as the front-end transfer mode, for example.

[0106] As shown in Figure 9(a), when the control unit 100 performs foil transfer processing on a single sheet S in intermediate transfer mode or trailing transfer mode, as shown in Figure 9(a), it controls the moving mechanism 7 to move the heating roller 61 from a separated position toward an intermediate position and stop it at the intermediate position before the leading edge of the transfer area TA reaches the transfer position TP while the sheet S is being transported.

[0107] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9(b), the control unit 100 stops the transport rollers, such as the upstream transport roller 11C, thereby stopping the transport of the sheet S before the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the transfer position TP. Here, the timing of the sheet S stopping may be simultaneous with the timing when the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the transfer position TP, or it may be a little before the timing when the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the transfer position TP.

[0108] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9(c), the control unit 100 controls the moving mechanism 7 to move the heating roller 61 from the intermediate position to the pressure contact position. After moving the heating roller 61 to the pressure contact position, as shown in Figure 9(d), the control unit 100 rotates the transport rollers, such as the upstream transport roller 11C, and the pressure roller 51 to transport the sheet S and film F between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 61, thereby transferring the foil to the transfer area TA.

[0109] Subsequently, similar to the tip transfer mode, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the contact position to the separation position when the rear end of the transfer region TA passes the peeling axis 42.

[0110] When the control unit 100 performs foil transfer processing on multiple sheets S, regardless of the transfer mode, after performing foil transfer to the transfer area TA of the preceding sheet S, it moves the heating roller 61 from the pressure-contact position to an intermediate position, and when performing foil transfer to the transfer area TA of the subsequent sheet S that is transported following the preceding sheet S, it moves the heating roller 61 from the intermediate position to the pressure-contact position. In other words, by controlling the moving mechanism 7 and the transport roller, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the intermediate position to the pressure-contact position when transferring the foil to the first transfer area using the heating roller 61 located at the pressure-contact position, then moving the heating roller 61 from the pressure-contact position to an intermediate position and stopping it there, and then transferring the foil to the second transfer area.

[0111] Here, the second transcription region is a transcription region TA located upstream of the first transcription region in the transport direction of the sheet S. In other words, the transcription region TA of the preceding sheet S corresponds to the "first transcription region," and the transcription region TA of the subsequent sheet S corresponds to the "second transcription region."

[0112] Next, the operation of the control unit 100 will be described in detail. When the control unit 100 performs foil transfer processing in tip transfer mode, it executes the process shown in Figure 10.

[0113] As shown in Figure 10, when the control unit 100 receives a transfer command for the tip transfer mode, it turns on the heater HT (S1). After step S1, when the temperature of the heating roller 61 reaches a predetermined temperature, the control unit 100 starts rotating the transport rollers such as the pickup roller 11A and starts supplying the sheet S (S2). Here, the predetermined temperature may be a transfer temperature suitable for foil transfer, or it may be a temperature slightly lower than the transfer temperature, taking into account the time it takes for the transfer area TA to reach the transfer position TP.

[0114] After step S2, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the first pressing timing has been reached (S3). Here, the first pressing timing is the time at which the heating roller 61 starts moving from the separated position to the pressing position, and is set so that the heating roller 61 reaches the pressing position at the same time that the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the vicinity of the transfer position TP. The control unit 100 determines whether or not the first pressing timing has been reached based on the elapsed time since the leading edge of the sheet S was detected by the sheet sensor SS1.

[0115] The control unit 100 repeats the process in step S3 until the first contact timing is reached (S3: No). If the control unit 100 determines in step S3 that the first contact timing has been reached (Yes), it rotates the cam 73 in the first direction to move the heating roller 61 from the separated position to the contact position (S4). The rotation of the pressure roller 51 may start before the heating roller 61 reaches the contact position, or it may start immediately after it reaches the contact position.

[0116] After step S4, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the separation timing has been reached (S5). Here, the separation timing is the time at which the heating roller 61 begins to move from the contact position toward the separation position, and is set to the timing when the rear end of the transfer region TA passes the peeling axis 42. The control unit 100 determines whether or not the separation timing has been reached based on the elapsed time since the sheet sensor SS1 detected the leading edge of the sheet S and the foil transfer length LF.

[0117] The control unit 100 repeats the process in step S5 until the separation timing is reached (S5: No). If it is determined in step S5 that the separation timing has been reached (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is another sheet S (S6).

[0118] If it is determined in step S6 that there is another sheet S (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the contact position to an intermediate position by rotating the cam 73 in the second direction (S7). After step S7, the control unit 100 starts rotating the pickup roller 11A and starts supplying the sheet S (S8).

[0119] After step S8, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the second pressing timing has been reached (S9). Here, the second pressing timing is the time at which the heating roller 61 starts moving from the intermediate position to the pressing position, and is set so that the heating roller 61 reaches the pressing position at the same time that the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches near the transfer position TP. The control unit 100 determines whether or not the second pressing timing has been reached based on the elapsed time since the leading edge of the sheet S was detected by the sheet sensor SS1.

[0120] The control unit 100 repeats the process of step S9 until the second pressing timing is reached (S9: No). If the control unit 100 determines in step S9 that the second pressing timing has been reached (Yes), it rotates the cam 73 in the first direction to move the heating roller 61 from the intermediate position to the pressing position (S10). After step S10, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S5.

[0121] If it is determined in step S6 that there is no next sheet S (No), the control unit 100 rotates the cam 73 in the second direction to move the heating roller 61 from the contact position to a separated position (S11). After step S11, the control unit 100 turns off the heater HT and stops the rotation of the pressure roller 51 and the conveying roller (S12), thereby ending this process.

[0122] When the control unit 100 performs foil transfer processing in intermediate transfer mode or trailing transfer mode, it performs the processing shown in Figure 11. For processing similar to that in the leading transfer mode, the same reference numerals are used, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0123] As shown in Figure 11, when the control unit 100 receives a transfer command for intermediate transfer mode or trailing transfer mode, it performs the processes of steps S1 and S2 described above, and then moves the heating roller 61 from the separated position to the intermediate position (S31).

[0124] The process in step S31 may be started at any timing as long as it is completed between the time the transfer command is received and before the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the transfer position TP. For example, the process in step S31 may be performed before turning on the heater HT.

[0125] After step S31, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the transfer region TA has reached the transfer position TP based on the elapsed time since the sheet sensor SS1 detected the leading edge of the sheet S and the leading edge margin length LB (S32). The control unit 100 repeats the process in step S32 until the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the transfer position TP (S32: No).

[0126] If it is determined in step S32 that the leading edge of the transfer region TA has reached the transfer position TP (Yes), the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the transport rollers, such as the upstream transport roller 11C (S33). After step S33, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the intermediate position to the pressure contact position (S34).

[0127] After step S34, the control unit 100 rotates the pressure roller 51 and the transport roller (S35). As a result, the sheet S and the film F are transported between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, and the foil is transferred to the transfer area TA.

[0128] After step S35, the control unit 100 executes the processes of steps S5 and S6 described above. In step S5 in the intermediate transfer mode or trailing edge transfer mode, the control unit 100 only needs to determine whether the separation timing has arrived based on the elapsed time since the leading edge of the sheet S was detected by the sheet sensor SS1, the leading edge margin length LB, and the foil transfer length LF.

[0129] If it is determined in step S6 that there is another sheet S (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the pressing position to an intermediate position (S7). After step S7, the control unit 100 starts supplying the sheet S (S36) and returns to the process in step S32.

[0130] If it is determined in step S6 that there is no next sheet S (No), the control unit 100 executes the processes described in steps S11 and S12 and terminates this process.

[0131] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. As shown in Figure 9(a), when performing the intermediate transfer mode or the trailing transfer mode, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the pressure contact position to the intermediate position before the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the transfer position TP. When the leading edge of the transfer region TA reaches the transfer position TP, the control unit 100 stops transporting the sheet S as shown in Figure 9(b), and then moves the heating roller 61 from the intermediate position to the pressure contact position as shown in Figure 9(c).

[0132] In this configuration, for example, if the control unit 100 cannot stop the heating roller 61 at an intermediate position, the control unit 100 would need to move the heating roller 61 a long distance from the separated position to the contact position after stopping the transport of the sheet S, thus increasing the travel time of the heating roller 61. In contrast, in this embodiment, the control unit 100 only needs to move the heating roller 61 a short distance from the intermediate position to the contact position, thus shortening the travel time of the heating roller 61. As a result, the time required for the foil transfer process can be reduced.

[0133] When performing foil transfer processing on multiple sheets S, the control unit 100 positions the heating roller 61 in an intermediate position between the completion of foil transfer to the transfer area TA of the preceding sheet S and the start of foil transfer to the transfer area TA of the subsequent sheet S. This reduces the driving time of the motor 80 for moving the heating roller 61 compared to a configuration in which the heating roller 61 is positioned at a distanced position between the completion of foil transfer to the transfer area TA of the preceding sheet S and the start of foil transfer to the transfer area TA of the subsequent sheet S.

[0134] As described above, the following effects can be obtained according to this embodiment. By configuring the heating roller 61 to stop at an intermediate position between the contact position and the separation position, the heating roller 61 can be moved from the intermediate position to the contact position when the heating roller 61 is pressed against the pressure roller 51. Therefore, the movement time of the heating roller 61 can be shortened compared to, for example, moving the heating roller 61 from the separation position to the contact position, thus shortening the time required for foil transfer processing.

[0135] By making the distance from the pressure-contacting position to the intermediate position smaller than the distance from the intermediate position to the separation position, the intermediate position can be brought closer to the pressure-contacting position, and the travel time of the heating roller 61 from the intermediate position to the pressure-contacting position can be shortened, thus shortening the time required for the foil transfer process.

[0136] By positioning the heating roller 61 at an intermediate position between the first and second transfer regions, the movement time of the heating roller 61 can be shortened compared to, for example, a configuration in which the heating roller 61 is positioned at a distanced position between the first and second transfer regions, thereby reducing the power consumption of the motor 80.

[0137] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment changes the intermediate position to a different position from that of the first embodiment; therefore, components similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0138] As shown in Figure 12, the intermediate position according to the second embodiment is the position where the heating roller 61 contacts the film F, and where the nip pressure between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 is smaller than that at the contact position. In Figure 12, the heating roller 61 at the contact position is shown by a dashed line, the heating roller 61 at the intermediate position is shown by a solid line, and the heating roller 61 at the separated position is shown by a dashed line.

[0139] When the heating roller 61 is brought into contact with the film F at an intermediate position, it is preferable to set the intermediate position at a position that allows the sheet S to be conveyed by the pressure roller 51 while keeping the film F stationary. Specifically, it is preferable to set the intermediate position such that equation (1) shown below is satisfied when the heating roller 61 is in the intermediate position, and equation (2) shown below is satisfied when the heating roller 61 is in the pressure contact position.

[0140] Ft>Ff>Fr ···(1) Ff>Ft>Fr ···(2) Ft: The tension applied to the film F when it is pulled out from the supply reel 31. Ff: Conveying force of sheet S and film F by heating roller 61 and pressure roller 51 Fr: Transport resistance force of sheet S (frictional force generated between sheet S and guide members etc. that guide sheet S)

[0141] By configuring the system so that equation (1) is satisfied when the heating roller 61 is in an intermediate position, when the heating roller 61 is in an intermediate position, only the sheet S can be transported by the pressure roller 51 without transporting the film F. Therefore, even when foil transfer is performed on a sheet S with a length shorter than the length of the sheet S's movement path from the upstream transport roller 11C to the downstream transport roller 12A (hereinafter also referred to as a "short sheet"), the sheet S can be transported by the pressure roller 51 by positioning the heating roller 61 in an intermediate position.

[0142] Furthermore, by configuring the system so that equation (2) is satisfied when the heating roller 61 is in the pressure contact position, the sheet S and film F can be conveyed between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 in the pressure contact position.

[0143] Specifically, for example, when performing foil transfer processing in tip transfer mode, when the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 to the pressure contact position, equation (2) is satisfied, so the sheet S and film F are transported between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51, and foil transfer to the transfer area TA can be performed smoothly.

[0144] In the second embodiment, the control unit 100 moves the heating roller 61 from the contact position to the intermediate position shown in Figure 12 when the rear end of the transfer region TA passes the transfer position TP, and stops it at the intermediate position. When the heating roller 61 is in the intermediate position, equation (1) is satisfied, so even if the short sheet is separated from the upstream transport roller 11C and the downstream transport roller 12A, the short sheet can be transported by the pressure roller 51. In addition, at this time, the film F is not transported by the pressure roller 51, so the wasteful consumption of the film F can be suppressed. Furthermore, at the intermediate position that satisfies equation (1), the nip pressure between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 51 is smaller than at the contact position, so even if a toner image exists in an area other than the transfer region TA, the foil is not transferred to that toner image.

[0145] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Since this embodiment involves changes to the width and intermediate position of the film F, components substantially the same as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0146] As shown in Figure 13(a), in the third embodiment, the film unit FU has a film FS with a width smaller than the width of the sheet S. The center of the film FS in the width direction is located at the same position as the center of the sheet S in the width direction. When foil transfer processing is performed using such a film unit FU, as shown in Figure 13(b), the central part of the sheet S in the width direction is supported by the film FS, but the edges of the sheet S in the width direction may hang down below the film FS.

[0147] As shown in Figure 14, the fixed frame 60 of the heating unit 6 has a stepped surface 60F. The stepped surface 60F intersects the conveying direction of the sheet S. The stepped surface 60F is located downstream of the heating roller 61 in the conveying direction. The stepped surface 60F is further away from the pressure roller 51 than the film FS in the direction of movement of the heating roller 61. In other words, the stepped surface 60F is located below the film FS.

[0148] The first rotation center X1, which is the rotation center of the heating roller 61, is located below the second rotation center X2, which is the rotation center of the pressure roller 51. When the heating roller 61 is in the intermediate position, the intersection point IP of the line L12 connecting the first rotation center X1 and the second rotation center X2 with the outer surface of the heating roller 61 is closer to the second rotation center X2 than the stepped surface 60F in the direction of movement. In other words, the intersection point IP is located above the stepped surface 60F.

[0149] According to the third embodiment, when the heating roller 61 is in the intermediate position, the heating roller 61 protrudes above the stepped surface 60F. As shown in Figure 15, even if the widthwise edge of the sheet S hangs down below the film FS during the foil transfer process, the widthwise edge of the sheet S is supported by the heating roller 61 and held above the stepped surface 60F. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the widthwise edge of the sheet S from getting caught on the stepped surface 60F.

[0150] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be used in various forms as illustrated below.

[0151] The intermediate position can be any position between the contact position and the separation position in the movement path of the first rotating body. For example, even if the movement path of the first rotating body is not a straight line but is bent in a V-shape or curved, the intermediate position can still be any position between the contact position and the separation position in the movement path.

[0152] A sensor for detecting the position of the heating roller may be provided. For example, if a separation detection sensor is provided to detect the separation position, the control unit may estimate the intermediate position based on the time it takes to move from the separation position. Alternatively, an intermediate sensor for detecting the intermediate position may be provided. Furthermore, both a separation sensor and an intermediate sensor may be provided.

[0153] The heating roller may be replaced with other heating elements. The heating elements may consist, for example, a belt, a heater placed within the belt, and a nip member that sandwiches the belt between the pressure roller.

[0154] Furthermore, the pressure roller may be replaced with other pressure components. The pressure component may consist, for example, a belt and a rubber pad that sandwiches the belt between the heating roller.

[0155] The first rotating body may also be a pressurizing member. The second rotating body may be a heating element.

[0156] The transfer layer is not limited to foil; it may also be a viscoelastic layer. The printing layer may be, for example, ink.

[0157] The distance from the contact point to the intermediate position may be greater than or equal to the distance from the intermediate position to the separated position.

[0158] A single sheet may contain both a first and second transcription region.

[0159] In either the tip transfer mode or the full-surface transfer mode, the sheet transport may be stopped. That is, in either the tip transfer mode or the full-surface transfer mode, after stopping the first rotating body at an intermediate position, the sheet transport may be stopped before the tip of the transfer area reaches the transfer position, and the first rotating body may be moved from the intermediate position to the pressure contact position.

[0160] The elements described in the above embodiments and modifications may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0161] 1. Foil transfer device 7 Moving mechanism 51 Pressure roller 61 Heating roller 100 Control Unit F Film F22 Transfer layer S Seat

Claims

1. The first rotating body and, A second rotating body transfers the transfer layer to the printed layer of the sheet by transporting a sheet having a printing layer and a film having a transfer layer between itself and the first rotating body, A moving mechanism for moving the first rotating body between a contact position in which the first rotating body is pressed against the second rotating body and a separated position in which the first rotating body is separated from the second rotating body, It comprises a control unit and, The layer transfer apparatus is characterized in that the control unit controls the moving mechanism to stop the first rotating body at an intermediate position between the contact position and the separation position.

2. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance from the pressure contact position to the intermediate position is smaller than the distance from the intermediate position to the separation position.

3. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate position is between the contact position and the separation position in the direction toward the separation position from the contact position.

4. The control unit, The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, by controlling the moving mechanism, the leading edge of the transfer region, which is the region of the sheet to which the transfer layer is to be transferred, moves the first rotating body from the separated position toward the intermediate position and stops it at the intermediate position before it reaches the transfer position between the first rotating body and the second rotating body.

5. It is further equipped with conveyor rollers for transporting the sheets, The control unit, The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, by controlling the moving mechanism and the transport roller, the first rotating body is stopped at the intermediate position, the transport of the sheet is stopped before the leading edge of the transfer region reaches the transfer position, and the first rotating body is moved from the intermediate position to the pressure contact position.

6. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit controls the moving mechanism to move the first rotating body from the separated position to the intermediate position during the transport of the sheet.

7. It is further equipped with conveyor rollers for transporting the sheets, If the sheet is defined as a transfer region where the transfer layer is to be transferred, and a first transfer region is defined as a transfer region, and a second transfer region is defined as a transfer region located upstream of the first transfer region in the transport direction of the sheet, The control unit controls the moving mechanism and the transport roller, After the transfer layer is transferred to the first transfer region by the first rotating body located at the pressure contact position, the first rotating body is moved from the pressure contact position to the intermediate position and stopped at the intermediate position. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when transferring the transfer layer to the second transfer region, the first rotating body is moved from the intermediate position to the pressure contact position.

8. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first rotating body is in contact with the film when it is located in the intermediate position.

9. A supply reel on which the film is wound, The system further comprises a winding reel for winding up the aforementioned film, When the tension applied to the film when it is pulled from the supply reel is Ft, the transport force of the sheet and the film by the first and second rotating bodies is Ff, and the transport resistance force of the sheet is Fr, When the first rotating body is located at the intermediate position, Satisfying Ft > Ff > Fr, When the first rotating body is in the pressure contact position, The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that Ff > Ft > Fr.

10. The stepped surface intersects the conveying direction of the sheet, is located downstream of the first rotating body in the conveying direction, and is further away from the second rotating body than the film in the direction of movement of the first rotating body, The first center of rotation, which is the center of rotation of the first body of revolution, is located below the second center of rotation, which is the center of rotation of the second body of revolution. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first rotating body is located at the intermediate position, the intersection point of the line connecting the first center of rotation and the second center of rotation and the outer surface of the first rotating body is closer to the second center of rotation than to the stepped surface in the direction of movement.

11. The moving mechanism has a rotatable cam for moving the first rotating body to the press-fit position, the intermediate position, or the separated position. The outer circumferential surface of the cam is A first portion that holds the first rotating body in the pressure contact position, A second portion that holds the first rotating body at the intermediate position, The first rotating body has a third portion that holds it in the separated position, The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion is located between the first portion and the third portion in the circumferential direction of the cam.

12. The control unit, By rotating the cam in the first direction, the first rotating body is moved from the separated position toward the pressed-to-contact position. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the cam is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby moving the first rotating body from the contact position toward the separation position.

Images