Transfer printing sheet creation device

Abstract

Transporting transfer printing sheets created by a transfer printing sheet creation device without soiling them. [Solution] The transfer printing sheet making apparatus 1 is a device for making transfer printing sheets having a viscoelastic layer. The transfer printing sheet making apparatus 1 comprises a housing 10, a transfer unit, a discharge roller, and a tray 300. The transfer unit is located inside the housing 10. The transfer unit transfers the viscoelastic layer onto the sheet. The discharge roller discharges the sheet onto which the viscoelastic layer has been transferred from the transfer unit from inside the housing 10 to outside the housing 10. The tray 300 is capable of holding the sheets discharged by the discharge roller. The tray 300 is detachable from the housing 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transfer printing sheet creating device for creating a transfer printing sheet for transferring a viscoelastic layer to an object.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a layer transfer device that overlays, conveys, heats, and presses a second sheet having an adhesive layer onto a first sheet on which a printing layer is formed by an image forming device, and thermally transfers the adhesive layer to the printing layer (see Patent Document 1). The sheet on which the adhesive layer is transferred to the printing layer can print the printing layer on a fabric such as a T-shirt, for example.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, since the transfer printing sheet has a viscoelastic layer, when the user manually holds the transfer printing sheet created by the layer transfer device and transports it to the next process, there is a risk that the dirt on the user's hand adheres to the viscoelastic layer.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a transfer printing sheet creating device that can transport the transfer printing sheet created by the transfer printing sheet creating device without soiling it.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The transfer printing sheet creating device is a device for creating a transfer printing sheet having a viscoelastic layer. The transfer printing sheet creating device includes a housing, a transfer unit, a discharge roller, and a tray. The transfer unit is located inside the housing. The transfer unit transfers a viscoelastic layer onto the sheet. The discharge roller discharges the sheet, onto which the viscoelastic layer has been transferred in the transfer section, from inside the housing to outside the housing. The tray can hold the sheets discharged by the discharge roller. The tray is detachable from the housing.

[0007] By making the tray from which the transfer printing sheets are discharged detachable from the housing, users can remove the tray loaded with the transfer printing sheets from the housing and transport the tray along with the sheets, thus preventing the transfer printing sheets from getting dirty during transport.

[0008] Furthermore, the housing may have a support surface and a housing engagement portion. The support surface supports the tray from below. The housing engagement portion is located above the support surface. The housing engagement portion can engage with the tray. In this case, the tray has a tray engaging portion that can engage with the housing engaging portion. The tray is rotatable between a first position and a second position while supported on the support surface. When the tray is in the first position, the tray engaging portion engages with the housing engaging portion. When the tray is in the second position, the tray engaging portion disengages from the housing engaging portion.

[0009] By configuring the tray to be rotatable between a first position and a second position, the tray can be easily attached to and detached from the housing simply by rotating the tray.

[0010] Furthermore, the tray may have a tray engagement portion at one end. In this case, the tray is supported by a support surface between the other end opposite to the one end and the tray engagement portion. The tray's center of gravity is located downstream of the support surface in the direction of sheet discharge.

[0011] By configuring the tray so that its center of gravity is located downstream of the support surface in the sheet discharge direction, gravity exerts a force on the tray that tends to rotate it downwards, causing the other end of the tray to move downwards. This allows the tray engagement portion to be pressed against the housing engagement portion, thereby holding the tray in the first position.

[0012] Furthermore, the housing engagement portion may have a downward-facing first engagement surface. In this case, the tray engagement portion has a first contact surface that contacts the first engagement surface.

[0013] Furthermore, the housing engagement portion may have a second engagement surface. The second engagement surface restricts the tray engagement portion from moving downstream in the discharge direction from the housing engagement portion in a direction along the support surface. In this case, the tray engagement portion has a second contact surface that contacts the second engagement surface.

[0014] By configuring the housing engagement portion to have a second engagement surface, it is possible to suppress the tray from moving along the support surface downstream in the discharge direction.

[0015] Furthermore, the housing engagement portion may have a projection protruding from the first engagement surface. In this case, the projection has a second engagement surface.

[0016] Furthermore, the tray engagement portion may have a recess into which a projection fits. In this case, the recess has a second contact surface.

[0017] The housing may also have two protrusions. In this case, the tray is sandwiched between the two protrusions in the width direction of the sheet.

[0018] By configuring the tray to be sandwiched between two protrusions in the width direction of the sheet, it is possible to suppress the tray from shifting in the width direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the housing may have a third engagement surface. The third engagement surface restricts the tray from moving upstream in the discharge direction along the support surface. In this case, the tray has a third contact surface that contacts the third engagement surface.

[0020] By configuring the housing to have the third engagement surface, it is possible to suppress the tray from moving along the support surface toward the upstream in the discharge direction.

[0021] Also, the tray may have a first part and a second part. The first part is supported by the support surface. The first part has a tray engagement part. The second part extends obliquely downward from the side opposite to the tray engagement part of the first part.

[0022] Moreover, the transfer printing sheet creating device may further include a switch operated by the user. In this case, the tray may have a cover that covers the switch.

[0023] By configuring the tray to have a cover, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally operating the switch when creating a transfer printing sheet.

[0024] Moreover, the transfer printing sheet creating device may further include a printing layer forming unit, a printing discharge roller, and a rotating tray. The printing layer forming unit forms a printing layer on the sheet. The printing discharge roller discharges the sheet with the printing layer formed thereon from inside the housing to outside the housing. The rotating tray supports the sheet discharged by the printing discharge roller. The rotating tray is rotatable between a standard position and a raised position. When the rotating tray is in the standard position, the rotating tray holds the sheet such that the leading end of the sheet is located at the standard sheet position. When the rotating tray is in the raised position, the rotating tray holds the sheet such that the leading end of the sheet is located at a raised sheet position above the standard sheet position. The tray has a placement surface on which the sheet is placed. When the rotating tray is in the raised position, the upper end of the rotating tray is located above the placement surface.

[0025] By configuring the rotating tray so that its upper edge is above the mounting surface when it is in the raised position, it becomes easier to remove sheets from the rotating tray.

[0026] Furthermore, when the tray is removed from the enclosure, it may be possible to stack a second tray of the same shape on top of it. In this case, the tray can support the second tray in either the first or second position. When the second tray is in the second position, the bottom wall of the tray is closer to the bottom wall of the second tray than when the second tray is in the first position.

[0027] The tray may also have a bottom wall, a first wall, and two second walls. The first wall extends upward from the downstream end of the bottom wall in the sheet discharge direction. The two second walls extend upward from one end and the other end of the bottom wall in the width direction of the sheet. The two second walls connect to the first wall. The second wall has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The first face is the downward-facing face. The second face is an upward-facing face. The second face is located above the first face. The third face is an upward-facing face. The third face is further from the first wall than the second face. The third face is located between the first and second faces in the vertical direction. When the tray supports the second tray in the first position, the second surface of the tray engages with the first surface of the second tray. When the tray supports the second tray in the second position, the third surface of the tray engages with the first surface of the second tray.

[0028] Furthermore, the second wall may have a first plate-like portion, a second plate-like portion, and a third plate-like portion. The first plate-like portion extends downward from the first surface. The second plate-like portion is located outside the first plate-like portion in the width direction. The second plate-like portion has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The third plate-like portion extends upward from the third surface. The third plate-like portion is located further outward in the width direction than the second plate-like portion. When the tray supports the second tray in the first position, the second plate-like portion of the tray faces the first plate-like portion of the second tray in the width direction. When the tray supports the second tray in the second position, the second plate-like portion of the tray faces the first plate-like portion of the second tray in the width direction, and the third plate-like portion of the tray faces the second plate-like portion of the second tray in the width direction.

[0029] The tray may also have two second protrusions, two first supported surfaces, and two second supported surfaces. The second projection is located further from the first wall than the third surface. The second projection protrudes upward. The two second projections are spaced apart in the width direction. The first supported surface is located at the same position as the second projection in the width direction. The first supported surface is located below the second projection. The second supported surface is located in the same position as the second projection in the width direction. The second supported surface is located between the second projection and the first supported surface in the vertical direction. The second supported surface is closer to the first wall than the first supported surface. When the tray supports the second tray in the first position, the second projection of the tray supports the first supported surface of the second tray. When the tray supports the second tray in the second position, the second projection of the tray supports the second supported surface of the second tray. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] The transfer printing sheets created by the transfer printing sheet creation device can be transported without soiling them. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a transfer printing sheet creation apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing a layer transfer apparatus. [Figure 4] The images show a cross-sectional view (a) of a sheet and film with a printed layer formed on it, a cross-sectional view (b) of the film pressed onto the sheet, and a cross-sectional view (c) of the film peeling off from the sheet. [Figure 5] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the transfer printing sheet and the fabric are pressed together, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the transfer printing sheet has been peeled off the fabric onto which the printed layer has been transferred. [Figure 6] Figure (a) shows a transfer printing sheet on which a mirror image of the toner image has been formed, Figure (b) shows the transfer printing sheet placed on a fabric with a portion peeled off, and Figure (c) shows the fabric with the toner image transferred onto it. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing a transfer printing sheet creation device. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the tray. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the tray from the right side. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the tray from the left side. [Figure 11] This diagram shows the relationship between the tray engagement portion and the support member when the tray is in the first position. [Figure 12] This diagram shows the relationship between the tray engagement portion and the support member when the tray is in the second position. [Figure 13] This is a top-down view of the tray, showing the relationship between the tray and the two protrusions. [Figure 14] (a) is a side view showing the tray supporting the second tray in the first position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view II of the tray and the second tray shown in the side view (a). [Figure 15] (a) is a side view showing the tray supporting the second tray in the second position, and (b) is a II-II cross-sectional view of the tray and the second tray shown in the side view (a). [Figure 16] Figure 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure around the rotating tray. [Figure 17] This diagram shows the structure around the second intermediate conveyor roller. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view showing the second rear cover in the open position. [Figure 19] Figure (a) shows the nip pressure changing mechanism when the second rear cover is in the second closed position, and Figure (b) shows the nip pressure changing mechanism when the second rear cover is in the second open position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following explanation, directions will be described as those shown in Figure 1. The left side of Figure 1 will be referred to as "front," the right side as "back," the far side of the page as "left," and the near side as "right." The top and bottom of Figure 1 will be referred to as "top and bottom."

[0033] The transfer printing sheet creation apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 is an apparatus for creating the transfer printing sheet PS shown in Figure 6(a). The transfer printing sheet PS is a sheet for transferring a printed layer to an object via a viscoelastic layer. The object is, for example, a fabric CL such as a T-shirt as shown in Figure 6(b). The object may also be made of leather, ceramics, wood, resin, metal, etc. Furthermore, the object is not limited to a flat object but may also be a three-dimensional object.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5(a), the transfer printing sheet PS is a sheet in which a sheet S, a toner image T as a printing layer, and a viscoelastic layer PF3 as a transfer layer are laminated in this order. Sheet S has a second substrate layer PS1 and a second release layer PS2. The second release layer PS2 is located between the second substrate layer PS1 and the toner image T.

[0035] The second substrate layer PS1 is a sheet-like substrate made of paper or polymer material, and supports the second release layer PS2. The second substrate layer PS1 is preferably transparent. In this embodiment, the second substrate layer PS1 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 12 to 16 μm.

[0036] The second release layer PS2 is the layer on which the toner image T is formed. The second release layer PS2 supports the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 after the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred onto the toner image T formed on the second release layer PS2, and facilitates the peeling of the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 from the second base layer PS1 when transferring the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 to a fabric CL or the like. The second release layer PS2 contains a transparent material that is easily peeled from the second base layer PS1, such as a wax-based resin. In this embodiment, the thickness of the second release layer PS2 is 10 to 15 μm.

[0037] Returning to Figure 1, the transfer printing sheet creation apparatus 1 comprises an image forming apparatus 100 and a layer transfer apparatus 200. The layer transfer apparatus 200 is located on top of the image forming apparatus 100. The layer transfer apparatus 200 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 100 comprises a first housing 102, a supply unit 103, an image forming unit 104 as an example of a printing layer forming unit, a transport unit 190, a flapper FL, and a first intermediate transport roller MR1. The first housing 102 houses the supply unit 103, the image forming unit 104, and the first intermediate transport roller MR1.

[0039] The first housing 102 has a first outlet 102A, a third outlet 102B, and a rear cover 410. In other words, the first housing 102 has a housing body 400 having the first outlet 102A and the third outlet 102B, and a rear cover 410 that is rotatably supported by the housing body 400.

[0040] The first discharge port 102A and the third discharge port 102B are openings for discharging a sheet S in which the viscoelastic layer PF3 has not been transferred to the toner image T. The first discharge port 102A is located at the top of the housing body 400 and opens forward. The housing body 400 has a discharge tray 401 on its top surface. The sheets S discharged from the first discharge port 102A are loaded onto the discharge tray 401.

[0041] The third outlet 102B is located on the rear wall of the housing body 400 and opens towards the rear. The rear cover 410 is a cover that opens and closes the third discharge port 102B. The rear cover 410 is rotatable between a closed position shown by a solid line and an open position shown by a dashed line. The rear cover 410 has a guide 411 that guides the sheet S sent from the first heating roller 181 toward the first intermediate conveying roller MR1.

[0042] The supply unit 103 is located in the lower part of the first housing 102. The supply unit 103 comprises a supply tray 131 and a supply mechanism 134.

[0043] The supply tray 131 is a tray that holds the sheets S to be supplied to the image forming unit 104. The supply mechanism 134 is a mechanism that supplies the sheet S in the supply tray 131 to the image forming unit 104. The supply mechanism 134 includes a supply roller 135, a separation roller 136, a transport roller 137, and a registration roller 138.

[0044] The supply roller 135 is a roller that supplies the sheet S in the supply tray 131 to the image forming unit 104. More specifically, the supply roller 135 transports the sheet S to the separation roller 136.

[0045] The sheets S fed out by the supply roller 135 are separated one by one by the separation roller 136 and transported to the transport roller 137. The transport roller 137 transports the sheets S to the registration roller 138. The registration roller 138 contacts the transported sheets S while stationary to align the leading edge of the sheets S, and then starts rotating to transport the sheets S toward the image forming unit 104.

[0046] The image forming unit 104 forms a toner image T on the sheet S. The image forming unit 104 comprises an exposure device 105, a process unit 106, a belt unit 107, and a fixing device 108.

[0047] The exposure device 105 is located at the top of the first housing 102 and includes a light source and a polygon mirror (not shown). The exposure device 105 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 161 by rapidly scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum 161 with a light beam.

[0048] The process unit 106 is located between the exposure apparatus 105 and the supply tray 131. The process unit 106 includes a drum unit 120 and four toner cartridges 130.

[0049] The drum unit 120 comprises four photosensitive drums 161 and four chargers (not shown). The four photosensitive drums 161 are arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction. Each of the four toner cartridges 130 contains toner of the respective colors: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The toner cartridge 130 is equipped with a developing roller 163 and a supply roller 164.

[0050] The developing roller 163 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 161. The supply roller 164 supplies toner to the developing roller 163.

[0051] The belt unit 107 is positioned between the process unit 106 and the supply tray 131. The belt unit 107 comprises a drive roller 171, a driven roller 172, a conveyor belt 173, and four transfer rollers 174.

[0052] The conveyor belt 173 is an endless belt. The conveyor belt 173 is stretched between the drive roller 171 and the driven roller 172. Inside the conveyor belt 173, the transfer roller 174 is positioned to sandwich the conveyor belt 173 between itself and the corresponding photosensitive drum 161.

[0053] The charger charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 161. Then, the exposure device 105 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 161 to form an electrostatic latent image based on the image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum 161. The developing roller 163 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 161. This forms a toner image T on the photosensitive drum 161. Then, as the sheet S is transported between the photosensitive drum 161 and the transfer roller 174 by the transport belt 173, the toner image T on the photosensitive drum 161 is transferred to the sheet S.

[0054] The fuser unit 108 is a device that heat-fixes a toner image T to a sheet S. The fuser unit 108 is located behind the process unit 106 and the belt unit 107. The fuser unit 108 comprises a first heating roller 181, a first pressurizing member 182, and a fuser transport roller 183. The first heating roller 181 has a first heater H1 inside. The first heater H1 heats the first heating roller 181. The first heating roller 181 heats the sheet S.

[0055] The first pressurizing member 182 has an endless pressurizing belt 182A and a rubber pad 182B that sandwiches the pressurizing belt 182A between itself and the first heating roller 181. The pressurizing belt 182A rotates in accordance with the rotation of the first heating roller 181. The first pressurizing member 182 sandwiches the sheet S between itself and the first heating roller 181. The fixing and conveying roller 183 conveys the sheet S that is being conveyed from the first heating roller 181.

[0056] The transport unit 190 is configured to transport the sheet S discharged from the image forming unit 104 to the discharge tray 401 or back to the image forming unit 104, and includes a first path R1, a transport roller 192, a printing discharge roller 193, a re-transport path 194, and a re-transport roller 195.

[0057] The first path R1 is the path from the first heating roller 181 to the first discharge port 102A. The first path R1 extends diagonally upward and backward from the first heating roller 181, and then curves diagonally upward and forward. The re-conveying path 194 extends downward from the conveying roller 192, curves forward and extends under the supply tray 131, and then curves upward and extends towards the conveying roller 137.

[0058] The transport roller 192 is a roller that transports the sheet S on which the toner image has been formed toward the printing discharge roller 193. The printing discharge roller 193 is a roller that discharges the sheet S on which the toner image has been formed from inside the first housing 102 to outside the first housing 102.

[0059] The transport roller 192 and the printing discharge roller 193 are configured to allow switching between a forward direction, which is the direction in which the sheet S is transported toward the discharge tray 401, and a reverse direction, which is the direction in which the held sheet S is transported toward the re-transport path 194.

[0060] The re-transport roller 195 is a roller that re-transports the sheet S to the image forming unit 104 via the re-transport path 194. Multiple re-transport rollers 195 are provided in the re-transport path 194.

[0061] In the transport unit 190, when an image is formed on only one side of the sheet S, the sheet S discharged from the image forming unit 104 is discharged outside the first housing 102 by the forward-rotating transport roller 192 and the printing discharge roller 193 and placed on the discharge tray 401. On the other hand, when an image is formed on both sides of the sheet S, the transport roller 192 and the printing discharge roller 193 rotate in opposite directions just before the rear end of the sheet S comes out from between the transport rollers 192, so that the sheet S, on which the toner image has been heat-fixed to one side, is guided to the re-transport path 194. After that, the sheet S, which has been flipped over, is transported along the re-transport path 194 by the re-transport roller 195 and guided back to the image forming unit 104 by the transport roller 137 and the registration roller 138. The sheet S, on which an image has been formed on the other side by the image forming unit 104, is discharged from the image forming unit 104 and is ejected outside the first housing 102 by a forward-rotating transport roller 192 and a printing discharge roller 193, and placed on the discharge tray 401.

[0062] The flapper FL is a component for switching the movement path of the sheet S between a first path R1 and a second path R2 that leads from the first heating roller 181 to the second discharge port 203 (see Figure 3), which will be described later. The flapper FL is rotatable between a first position shown by a dashed line and a second position shown by a solid line. When the flapper FL is in the first position, its movement path is the first path R1. When the flapper FL is in the second position, its movement path is the second path R2.

[0063] The first intermediate conveyor roller MR1 is a roller that conveys the sheet S, which has passed through the fixing device 108, toward the layer transfer device 200. The first intermediate conveyor roller MR1 is located downstream of the fixing conveyor roller 183 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The first intermediate conveyor roller MR1 is located in the second path R2.

[0064] As shown in Figure 3, the layer transfer apparatus 200 is a device that places a film PF consisting of multiple layers on the surface of a sheet S on which a toner image T is formed, and transfers the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the film PF onto the toner image T. The layer transfer apparatus 200 comprises a second housing 202, a tray 300, a second intermediate transport roller MR2, a sheet transport unit 210, a film supply unit 230, and a transfer unit 250.

[0065] The second housing 202 houses the second intermediate transport roller MR2, the sheet transport section 210, the film supply section 230, and the transfer section 250. The second housing 202 is located above the first housing 102. The second housing 202 has a second discharge port 203 from which the transfer printing sheet PS is discharged. The second discharge port 203 is located on the front of the second housing 202. The second discharge port 203 faces diagonally downwards and forwards.

[0066] Tray 300 is the tray from which the sheet S, i.e., the transfer printing sheet PS, that has passed through the transfer section 250 is discharged. Tray 300 is located below the second discharge port 203. Tray 300 can hold transfer printing sheets PS. The structure of tray 300 will be described in detail later.

[0067] The first housing 102 and the second housing 202 constitute the housing 10 of the transfer printing sheet creation device 1. In this embodiment, the housing of the transfer printing sheet creation device 1 is composed of two housings, but it may also be composed of a single housing in which the first housing 102 and the second housing 202 are integrally formed.

[0068] The second intermediate transport roller MR2 is a roller that transports the sheet S, which is transported from the image forming apparatus 100, toward the transfer section 250.

[0069] The sheet conveying section 210 includes an upstream conveying roller 211, a downstream conveying roller 212, and a discharge roller 213.

[0070] The upstream conveying roller 211 is positioned upstream of the transfer section 250 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The downstream conveying roller 212 is positioned downstream of the transfer section 250 in the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0071] The discharge roller 213 is positioned downstream of the downstream transport roller 212 in the transport direction of the sheet S. The discharge roller 213 discharges the transfer printing sheet PS from the second discharge port 203. In other words, the discharge roller 213 discharges the sheet S, on which the viscoelastic layer PF3 has been transferred in the transfer section 250, from inside the housing 10 to outside the housing 10.

[0072] The film supply unit 230 is the part that supplies film PF so as to overlap it with the sheet S conveyed from the upstream conveying roller 211. The film supply unit 230 is equipped with a film unit FU.

[0073] The film unit FU is detachable from the second housing 202. The film unit FU includes a film cartridge FC and a holder H.

[0074] The film cartridge FC is detachable from the holder H. The film cartridge FC comprises film PF, a supply reel 231, and a take-up reel 235.

[0075] As shown in Figure 4(a), the film PF includes a viscoelastic layer PF3 and is a film for transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3. The film PF has a first base layer PF1, a first release layer PF2, and a viscoelastic layer PF3. The first release layer PF2 is formed on the first base layer PF1. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is formed on the first release layer PF2.

[0076] The first substrate layer PF1 supports the first release layer PF2 and the viscoelastic layer PF3. In this embodiment, the first substrate layer PF1 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 12 to 16 μm.

[0077] The first release layer PF2 is a layer designed to facilitate the peeling of the viscoelastic layer PF3 from the first substrate layer PF1, and is positioned between the first substrate layer PF1 and the viscoelastic layer PF3. The first release layer PF2 contains a transparent material that is easily peeled from the first substrate layer PF1, such as a wax-based resin. In this embodiment, the thickness of the first release layer PF2 is 10 to 15 μm.

[0078] The viscoelastic layer PF3 is a layer transferred to the toner image T and contains a viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic material is a viscoelastic material made of polymer material. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is a material that readily adheres to the toner image T heated by the transfer unit 250 and also readily adheres to the transfer target, such as fabric. The viscoelastic layer PF3 contains, for example, a vinyl chloride resin or an acrylic resin, but any material suitable for adhesion to the transfer target should be selected. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is located on the surface of the film PF. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is thicker than the first release layer PF2. The thickness of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is 16 to 30 μm. Preferably, the thickness of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is 30 to 40 μm.

[0079] Furthermore, the half-discharge temperature of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is lower than the half-discharge temperature of the toner. The 1 / 2 outflow temperature can be measured, for example, as follows. Using a flow tester (Shimadzu Corporation, CFT-500EX), a 1.3g sample was heated at a heating rate of 6°C / min while a 20kgf load was applied via a plunger, extruding it through a nozzle with a diameter of 1.0mm and a length of 10.0mm. A plot of the flow tester's plunger drop against temperature was obtained. In the plunger drop-temperature curve, the temperature at the inflection point where the plunger drop changes from a stable region of zero to an increasing region was defined as the outflow start temperature, and the temperature at which half of the sample had flowed out was defined as the half-outflow temperature.

[0080] Returning to Figure 3, the supply reel 231 has the film PF wound around it. The take-up reel 235 takes up the film PF. The holder H comprises a first guide shaft A1, a peeling shaft A2, and a second guide shaft A3.

[0081] The first guide shaft A1, the peeling shaft A2, and the second guide shaft A3 are roller-shaped shafts for changing the direction of travel of the film PF. The first guide shaft A1, the peeling shaft A2, and the second guide shaft A3 are made of materials such as SUS (stainless steel).

[0082] The first guide shaft A1 is located upstream of the transfer section 250 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The first guide shaft A1 changes the direction of travel of the film PF drawn from the supply reel 231 so that it is approximately parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0083] The peeling axis A2 is located downstream of the transfer section 250 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The peeling axis A2 peels the film PF from the sheet S by changing the direction of travel of the film PF, which has passed through the transfer section 250, to a direction different from the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0084] The second guide shaft A3 is a component that defines the direction of travel of the film PF, which is changed by the peeling shaft A2. More specifically, the second guide shaft A3 defines the angle of the film PF 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 PF stretched between the first guide shaft A1 and the peeling shaft A2 and the portion stretched between the peeling shaft A2 and the second guide shaft A3. The second guide shaft A3 changes the direction of travel of the film PF guided by the peeling shaft A2 and guides it to the winding reel 235.

[0085] The transfer section 250 is the part that transfers a viscoelastic layer PF3 onto the toner image T formed on the sheet S by placing a sheet S on top of the film PF being transported from the supply reel 231 toward the take-up reel 235, and then heating and pressurizing the sheet S and film PF together.

[0086] The transfer unit 250 is located inside the second housing 202. The transfer unit 250 nips the film PF and the sheet S and transfers at least one layer of the film PF onto the toner image T on the sheet S. The transfer unit 250 includes a pressure roller 251, a second heating roller 260, and a moving mechanism 270.

[0087] The pressure roller 251 is a roller that sandwiches the film PF and the sheet S between itself and the second heating roller 260. The pressure roller 251 is positioned above the film PF and is able to contact the surface of the sheet S opposite to the surface on which the toner image T is formed. The pressure roller 251 conveys the film PF and the sheet S between itself and the second heating roller 260 while being pressed against it.

[0088] The second heating roller 260 is a roller that heats the film PF and the sheet S. The second heating roller 260 has a second heater H2 inside. The second heater H2 heats the second heating roller 260. The second heating roller 260 is positioned below the film PF and is in contact with the film PF. The second heating roller 260 transfers the viscoelastic layer PF3 onto the toner image T by transporting the sheet S on which the toner image T has been formed by the first heating roller 181 and the film PF having the viscoelastic layer PF3 in a stacked state.

[0089] The second heating roller 260 is movable by the moving mechanism 270 between a contact position in which it is in contact with the pressure roller 251 and a separated position where it is separated from the pressure roller 251.

[0090] The pressure roller 251 and the second heating roller 260 can convey the film PF and the sheet S by being driven while in a press-fit position. Specifically, the pressure roller 251 is rotationally driven when the second heating roller 260 is in a press-fit position, causing the second heating roller 260 to rotate in a driven motion. In this way, the pressure roller 251 and the second heating roller 260 convey the film PF and the sheet S that are sandwiched between the pressure roller 251 and the second heating roller 260.

[0091] In the layer transfer apparatus 200 configured in this way, the sheet S transported from the image forming apparatus 100 is transported toward the transfer section 250. The sheet S is superimposed with the film PF supplied from the supply reel 231 on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction of the transfer section 250, and the sheet S is transported toward the transfer section 250 with the toner image T of the sheet S and the film PF in contact.

[0092] In the transfer section 250, as the sheet S and film PF pass through the nip between the pressure roller 251 and the second heating roller 260, they are heated and pressurized by the second heating roller 260 and the pressure roller 251, and the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred onto the toner image T formed on the sheet S. In the following description, the transfer of the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the sheet S will also be simply referred to as "layer transfer." After the layer transfer is completed, the sheet S is discharged to the outside of the second housing 202.

[0093] More specifically, when the sheet S is sent to the transfer unit 250, as shown in Figure 4(b), the sheet S and the film PF are heat-pressed together in the transfer unit 250 while overlapping. When the sheet S and film PF are heat-pressed together while overlapping, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is pressed onto the areas where the toner image T is formed. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is not pressed onto the areas where the toner image T is not formed.

[0094] Then, after the overlapping sheet S and film PF pass through the transfer section 250, the film PF is guided by the peeling axis A2 in the direction away from the sheet S, and as shown in Figure 4(c), the film PF is peeled off from the sheet S. When the film PF is peeled off from the sheet S, the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 remain on the sheet S, and the viscoelastic layer PF3 corresponding to the areas where the toner image T has not been formed remains on the film PF. In this way, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred to the toner image T on the sheet S, and the transfer print sheet PS is created.

[0095] As shown in Figure 5(a), when the transfer printing sheet PS is placed on the fabric CL and heated and pressed with a dedicated press machine (not shown), the toner image T and viscoelastic layer PF3 are pressed onto the fabric CL. Once the toner image T and viscoelastic layer PF3 are pressed onto the fabric CL, the user peels off the second base layer PS1 of the transfer printing sheet PS. After the second base layer PS1 of the transfer printing sheet PS is peeled off, as shown in Figure 5(b), only the toner image T and viscoelastic layer PF3 remain on the fabric CL.

[0096] An example of a transfer printing sheet PS is shown in Figure 6(a). A mirror image of the toner image T, which is covered with a viscoelastic layer PF3, is formed on the surface of the transfer printing sheet PS. The mirror image of the toner image T is a mirror image of the image to be transferred to the fabric CL. In this embodiment, an example of transferring the image of the letters "ABC" to the fabric CL is shown. In this case, a mirror image of "ABC" that is reversed left to right is formed on the sheet S.

[0097] As shown in Figure 6(b), the user presses the transfer printing sheet PS onto the fabric CL and heats and presses it with a dedicated press machine (not shown). As a result, as shown in Figure 6(c), the toner image T is bonded to the fabric CL via the viscoelastic layer PF3.

[0098] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the layer transfer apparatus 200 further comprises a discharge guide 520 and a support member 600 as an example of a housing engagement portion. The discharge guide 520 and the support member 600 are located in front of the second housing 202.

[0099] The discharge guide 520 is a member that supports both ends of the transfer printing sheet PS in the width direction as it is being conveyed by the discharge roller 213, and curves the transfer printing sheet PS so that both ends in the width direction of the transfer printing sheet PS are positioned above the center. Here, the width direction is the left-right direction in this embodiment and is parallel to the axial direction of the second heating roller 260. The discharge guide 520 has two rollers 521 that can contact both ends of the transfer printing sheet PS in the width direction, respectively.

[0100] The two rollers 521 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The two rollers 521 are positioned between the second discharge port 203 of the layer transfer device 200 and the tray 300. The two rollers 521 are positioned above the tray 300. Each of the two rollers 521 is rotatably supported by a support member 600. The two rollers 521 may be rotationally driven by a motor (not shown).

[0101] In this case, because the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the transfer printing sheet PS has high friction, the sheets S do not slide easily against each other, making it difficult to smoothly load multiple transfer printing sheets PS onto the tray 300. In this embodiment, by discharging the transfer printing sheet PS while curving it with the discharge guide 520, the drooping of the leading edge of the transfer printing sheet PS is suppressed. As a result, during the process of loading the transfer printing sheets PS onto the tray 300, the contact between the loaded transfer printing sheet PS and the next transfer printing sheet PS to be discharged is suppressed, and multiple transfer printing sheets PS can be smoothly loaded onto the tray 300.

[0102] The support members 600 are positioned one below each of the two rollers 521. The two support members 600 are spaced apart in the width direction. Since the two support members 600 have substantially the same structure, the following description will focus on one support member 600, and the description of the other support member 600 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0103] The support member 600 protrudes from the front surface F21 of the second housing 202. The support member 600 is fixed to the second housing 202 by fastening members such as screws.

[0104] The first housing 102 has a front surface F11 as an example of a third engagement surface and a support surface F12. The front surface F11 is located in front of the support member 600.

[0105] The support surface F12 is the surface that supports the tray 300 from below. The support surface F12 extends from the upper end of the front surface F11 toward the rear. Together with the discharge tray 401, the support surface F12 constitutes the upper surface of the first housing 102. The support surface F12 is located in front of the discharge tray 401.

[0106] The support member 600 is located above the support surface F12. The support member 600 is engageable with the tray 300. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the support member 600 has a first engagement surface F61 and a projection 610 that are engageable with the tray 300.

[0107] The first engagement surface F61 is a downward-facing surface. In this embodiment, the lower surface of the support member 600 is the first engagement surface F61.

[0108] The projection 610 protrudes from the first engagement surface F61. The projection 610 has a second engagement surface F62, which is the rear surface of the projection 610. The second engagement surface F62 restricts the forward movement of the tray 300. In other words, the second engagement surface F62 restricts the movement of the tray 300 from the support member 600 downstream in the discharge direction of the transfer printing sheet PS, in a direction along the support surface F12.

[0109] In this embodiment, the discharge direction of the transfer printing sheet PS is diagonally downward from the second discharge port 203. In the following description, the discharge direction of the transfer printing sheet PS will also be simply referred to as the "discharge direction".

[0110] As shown in Figure 13, the projection 610 of one support member 600 and the projection 610 of the other support member 600 sandwich the tray 300 in the width direction. This prevents the tray 300 from shifting in the width direction.

[0111] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the tray 300 is detachable from the housing 10. More specifically, the tray 300 can be attached to the housing 10 without using screws or other components. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationships of each part refer to the positional relationships when the tray 300 is attached to the housing 10.

[0112] The tray 300 has a tray engagement portion 310 at one end in the discharge direction that can engage with the support member 600. The tray 300 is supported on the support surface F12 between the other end opposite to the discharge direction and the tray engagement portion 310.

[0113] As shown in Figure 9, one tray engaging portion 310 is provided at one end and the other end of the tray 300 in the width direction. As shown in Figure 11, the two tray engaging portions 310 can each engage with the corresponding support member 600. Since the two tray engaging portions 310 have substantially the same structure, in the following description, one tray engaging portion 310 will be described, and the description of the other tray engaging portion 310 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0114] The tray engaging portion 310 has a protrusion 311 and a recess 312. The protrusion 311 extends from the upper end of the rear of the tray 300. The protrusion 311 is a hemispherical projection. The surface of the protrusion 311 is a first contact surface F31 that contacts the first engagement surface F61 of the support member 600.

[0115] The recess 312 is a recess into which the projection 610 of the support member 600 fits. The recess 312 opens upward and outward in the width direction. The recess 312 is located in front of the protrusion 311. The recess 312 extends downward from the upper rear end of the tray 300.

[0116] The recess 312 has a second contact surface F32. The second contact surface F32 is the surface that contacts the second engagement surface F62 of the support member 600, that is, the projection 610.

[0117] The tray 300 further comprises ribs 320 that can engage with the front surface F11 of the first housing 102. The ribs 320 protrude from the underside of the tray 300. There is one rib 320 at each end of the tray 300 in the width direction. The ribs 320 have a third contact surface F33 that can contact the front surface F11 of the first housing 102. When the third contact surface F33 is in contact with the front surface F11, the front surface F11 restricts the tray 300 from moving backward. In other words, when the third contact surface F33 is in contact with the front surface F11, the front surface F11 restricts the tray 300 from moving upstream in the discharge direction along the support surface F12.

[0118] The tray 300 is rotatable between a first position shown in Figure 11 and a second position shown in Figure 12 while supported on the support surface F12. When the tray 300 is in the first position, the tray engaging portion 310 engages with the support member 600. The engagement of the tray engaging portion 310 with the support member 600 mounts the tray 300 to the housing 10.

[0119] When the tray 300 is in the second position, the tray engaging portion 310 disengages from the support member 600. The disengagement of the tray engaging portion 310 from the support member 600 allows the tray 300 to be removed from the housing 10.

[0120] The tray 300 has a first part 300A and a second part 300B. The first part 300A is the part supported by the support surface F12. The first part 300A is located upstream of the front end of the support surface F12 in the discharge direction. The first part 300A has a tray engaging portion 310.

[0121] The first part 300A has a first lower surface F34, a second lower surface F35, and a third lower surface F36 that extends diagonally upward and backward from the second lower surface F35. The second lower surface F35 is located above and behind the first lower surface F34. The first lower surface F34 and the second lower surface F35 are connected by a stepped surface F37 that extends diagonally upward and backward from the first lower surface F34.

[0122] The third lower surface F36 extends diagonally upward and backward from the second lower surface F35. When the tray 300 is in the first position, the first lower surface F34 contacts the support surface F12. The tray 300, in the first position, rotates from the first position to the second position by rotating around the rear end of the first lower surface F34 and then around the rear end of the second lower surface F35.

[0123] The second part 300B extends diagonally downward from the opposite side of the tray engagement portion 310 of the first part 300A. In the discharge direction, the dimensions of the second part 300B are larger than those of the first part 300A. The center of gravity of the tray 300 is located downstream of the support surface F12 in the discharge direction. Here, the center of gravity is the center of gravity of the tray alone.

[0124] Furthermore, the center of gravity of the tray itself may be located upstream of the support surface F12 in the discharge direction. In this case, when a predetermined number or more sheets are loaded onto the tray, the center of gravity of the tray with the sheets loaded may be configured to be located downstream of the support surface F12 in the discharge direction.

[0125] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the tray 300 further comprises a bottom wall 330, a first wall 340, two second walls 350, two third walls 360, two fourth walls 370, and a cover 380.

[0126] The bottom wall 330 has a first bottom surface 331 and a second bottom surface 332. The first bottom surface 331 and the second bottom surface 332 are mounting surfaces on which the transfer printing sheet PS is placed.

[0127] As shown in Figure 8, the first bottom surface 331 intersects in the vertical direction. More specifically, the first bottom surface 331 is approximately perpendicular in the vertical direction. The second bottom surface 332 extends diagonally downward from the first bottom surface 331. In other words, the second bottom surface 332 extends downstream from the first bottom surface 331 in the discharge direction. The second bottom surface 332 is approximately parallel to the discharge direction.

[0128] The first wall 340 extends upward from the downstream end of the bottom wall 330 in the discharge direction. More specifically, the first wall 340 extends diagonally upward from the front end of the first bottom surface 331.

[0129] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the second wall 350 extends upward from one end and the other end of the second bottom surface 332 in the width direction. The second wall 350 is connected to the first wall 340. The second wall 350 extends upstream of the second bottom surface 332 in the discharge direction.

[0130] The two third walls 360 extend upward from one end and the other end of the first bottom surface 331 in the width direction. The two third walls 360 extend further upstream in the discharge direction than the second wall 350.

[0131] The two fourth walls 370 extend upward from the rear end of the first bottom surface 331. The two fourth walls 370 are spaced apart in the width direction. The rear end of the bottom wall 330 is provided with a recess 333 that is recessed forward. In the width direction, the recess 333 is located between the two fourth walls 370.

[0132] The cover 380 protrudes outward in the width direction from the second wall 350 on the right side. As shown in Figure 7, the transfer printing sheet making apparatus 1 further includes a switch SW operated by the user.

[0133] The switch SW is located at the front end of the top surface of the first housing 102. The switch SW is a switch for releasing the lock that opens and closes the front cover 420, which constitutes the front surface F11 of the image forming apparatus 100. The switch SW is, for example, a button that moves in the direction that releases the locking mechanism that locks the front cover 420 to the housing body 400. When the tray 300 is mounted on the housing 10, the cover 380 covers the switch SW.

[0134] Here, the image forming apparatus 100 and the layer transfer apparatus 200 can each be used independently. When the layer transfer apparatus 200 is assembled to the image forming apparatus 100 and used as a transfer printing sheet creation apparatus 1, if the switch SW, which is pressed to open and close the front cover 420 of the image forming apparatus 100, is operated and the front cover 420 is forcibly opened by the user, the tray 300 may be pushed and rotated by the front cover 420, and the tray 300 may come off the housing 10. In this embodiment, the cover 380 of the tray 300 covers the switch SW, so that accidental operation of the switch SW by the user can be suppressed.

[0135] As shown in Figure 14, when the tray 300 is removed from the housing 10, a second tray TR, which has the same shape as the tray 300, can be stacked on top of it. Here, since the second tray TR has the same shape as the tray 300, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as the tray 300, and their description is omitted.

[0136] Tray 300 can support the second tray TR in the first position shown in Figure 14, or the second position shown in Figure 15. When the second tray TR is in the second position, the bottom wall 330 of tray 300 is closer to the bottom wall 330 of the second tray TR than when the second tray TR is in the first position.

[0137] As shown in Figure 15(b), the second wall 350 has a first plate-like portion 351, a second plate-like portion 352, and a third plate-like portion 353. The second plate-like portion 352 is located further outward in the width direction than the first plate-like portion 351. The third plate-like portion 353 is located further outward in the width direction than the second plate-like portion 352.

[0138] As shown in Figures 9 and 15(a), the second plate-like portion 352 has a first surface F51, a second surface F52, and a third surface F53. The first face F51 is a downward-facing face. The first face F51 is located at the front end of the second wall 350.

[0139] The second face, F52, is an upward-facing face. The second face, F52, is located above the first face, F51.

[0140] The third face F53 is an upward-facing face. The third face F53 is further from the first wall 340 than the second face F52. In the vertical direction, the third face F53 is located between the first face F51 and the second face F52.

[0141] As shown in Figure 15(b), the first plate-like portion 351 extends downward from the first surface F51. Here, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the tray 300 has legs 390. One leg 390 is provided at one end and the other end in the width direction of the front end of the tray 300.

[0142] As shown in Figure 15(b), the legs 390 protrude downward from the bottom wall 330. The first plate-like portion 351 constitutes a part of the legs 390.

[0143] The third plate-like portion 353 extends upward from the third surface F53. As shown in Figure 15(a), the third plate-like portion 353 is separated from the first wall 340. The second plate-like portion 352 has a first portion 352A located between the first wall 340 and the third plate-like portion 353, and a second portion 352B located below the third plate-like portion 353.

[0144] The first part 352A has a second surface F52. The second part 352B has a third surface F53.

[0145] As shown in Figures 14(a) and (b), when tray 300 supports the second tray TR in the first position, the second surface F52 of tray 300 engages with the first surface F51 of the second tray TR. When tray 300 supports the second tray TR in the first position, the second plate-shaped portion 352 of tray 300 faces the first plate-shaped portion 351 of the second tray TR in the width direction.

[0146] As shown in Figures 15(a) and (b), when tray 300 supports the second tray TR in the second position, the third surface F53 of tray 300 engages with the first surface F51 of the second tray TR. When tray 300 supports the second tray TR in the second position, the second plate-shaped portion 352 of tray 300 faces the first plate-shaped portion 351 of the second tray TR in the width direction.

[0147] When tray 300 supports the second tray TR in the second position, the third plate-shaped portion 353 of tray 300 faces the second plate-shaped portion 352 of the second tray TR in the width direction. When tray 300 supports the second tray TR in the second position, the third plate-shaped portion 353 of tray 300 faces the third plate-shaped portion 353 of the second tray TR in the vertical direction.

[0148] As shown in Figures 9 and 14(a), the tray 300 further has two second protrusions 395, two first supported surfaces F91, and two second supported surfaces F92. The second projection 395 is located further from the first wall 340 than the third surface F53. More specifically, the second projection 395 is located behind the second wall 350. The second projection 395 protrudes above the second wall 350. The two second projections 395 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction.

[0149] The first supported surface F91 is located in the same position as the second projection 395 in the width direction. The first supported surface F91 is located below the second projection 395.

[0150] The second supported surface F92 is located in the same position as the second projection 395 in the width direction. The second supported surface F92 is located between the second projection 395 and the first supported surface F91 in the vertical direction. The second supported surface F92 is closer to the first wall 340 than the first supported surface F91.

[0151] As shown in Figure 14(a), when tray 300 supports the second tray TR in the first position, the second projection 395 of tray 300 supports the first supported surface F91 of the second tray TR. When tray 300 supports the second tray TR in the second position, the second projection 395 of tray 300 supports the second supported surface F92 of the second tray TR.

[0152] As shown in Figures 8 and 16, the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a rotating tray 700. The rotating tray 700 is a component that supports the sheet S discharged by the printing discharge roller 193. The rotating tray 700 constitutes a part of the discharge tray 401.

[0153] The rotating tray 700 is rotatable between the standard position shown in Figure 16(a) and the raised position shown in Figure 16(b). As shown in Figure 16(a), when the rotating tray 700 is in the standard position, the rotating tray 700 holds the sheet S such that the leading edge of the sheet S is in the standard sheet position. Here, the leading edge of the sheet S is the downstream end in the direction of movement of the sheet S that is discharged by the printing discharge roller 193.

[0154] As shown in Figure 16(b), when the rotating tray 700 is in the raised position, the rotating tray 700 holds the sheet S such that the leading edge of the sheet S is in the raised sheet position, which is above the standard sheet position. When the rotating tray 700 is in the raised position, the upper end of the rotating tray 700 is above the first bottom surface 331 of the tray 300.

[0155] As shown in Figure 17, the layer transfer apparatus 200 further comprises a second rear cover 810 and a nip pressure changing mechanism 820. The second rear cover 810 constitutes part of the second housing 202. In other words, the second housing 202 has the second rear cover 810 and a housing body 830 that rotatably supports the second rear cover 810.

[0156] The second rear cover 810 is rotatable around the first pivot axis X1 between a second closed position shown by a solid line and a second open position shown by a dashed line.

[0157] When the second rear cover 810 is in the second closed position, the second rear cover 810 covers the second intermediate conveyor roller MR2. When the second rear cover 810 is in the second closed position, the second rear cover 810 extends downward from the first rotation shaft X1.

[0158] When the second rear cover 810 is in the second open position, it exposes the second intermediate conveyor roller MR2 to the outside. When the second rear cover 810 is in the second open position, it extends backward from the first rotation axis X1. The center of gravity of the second rear cover 810 is located between the tip 811 of the second rear cover 810 and the first rotation axis X1.

[0159] As shown in Figure 18, the second intermediate conveyor roller MR2 has a drive roller MR21 and a driven roller MR22. The drive roller MR21 is rotatably supported by the housing body 830. Note that in Figure 18, the part of the housing body 830 that supports the drive roller MR21 is not shown. The drive roller MR21 receives driving force from a motor (not shown).

[0160] The driven roller MR22 is supported by the rotating arm 821 of the nip pressure changing mechanism 820 (described later), thereby making it movable relative to the housing body 830.

[0161] The nip pressure changing mechanism 820 is a mechanism that changes the nip pressure between the drive roller MR21 and the driven roller MR22. The nip pressure changing mechanism 820 is located at one end and the other end of the driven roller MR22. Since the two nip pressure changing mechanisms 820 have substantially the same structure, only one nip pressure changing mechanism 820 will be described below, and the description of the other nip pressure changing mechanism 820 will be omitted.

[0162] As shown in Figure 19(a), the nip pressure changing mechanism 820 includes a rotating arm 821, a spring 822, and a projection 823. The rotating arm 821 is rotatably supported by the housing body 830 around the second pivot axis X2. The rotating arm 821 extends upward from the second pivot axis X2.

[0163] The rotating arm 821 has a hook-shaped tip 821A. The tip 821A protrudes backward. The tip 821A has a downward-facing engaging surface 821B.

[0164] The rotating arm 821 rotatably supports the driven roller MR22 at the portion between its tip 821A and the second pivot axis X2. The rotating arm 821 is rotatable between the first arm position shown in Figure 19(a) and the second arm position shown in Figure 19(b).

[0165] When the rotating arm 821 is in the second arm position, it is further from the center of rotation of the drive roller MR21 than when it is in the first arm position. As a result, the nip pressure between the drive roller MR21 and the driven roller MR22 is smaller when the rotating arm 821 is in the second arm position than when it is in the first arm position.

[0166] Spring 822 is a spring that biases the driven roller MR22 towards the drive roller MR21. Spring 822 is located between the housing body 830 and the rotating arm 821.

[0167] The projection 823 is provided on the second rear cover 810. When the second rear cover 810 is in the second closed position, the projection 823 faces upward. When the second rear cover 810 is in the second closed position, the projection 823 is separated from the tip 821A of the pivot arm 821.

[0168] As shown in Figure 19(b), in the process of the second rear cover 810 rotating from the second closed position to the second open position, the projection 823 rotates so as to tilt forward, pushing the tip 821A of the rotating arm 821 forward. As a result, the rotating arm 821 rotates from the first arm position to the second arm position in conjunction with the rotation of the second rear cover 810 from the second closed position to the second open position. Therefore, when the second rear cover 810 is opened, the nip pressure between the drive roller MR21 and the driven roller MR22 decreases, so that, for example, a sheet S stuck between the drive roller MR21 and the driven roller MR22 can be easily removed.

[0169] When the second rear cover 810 is in the second open position, the projection 823 faces forward. When the second rear cover 810 is in the second open position, the projection 823 engages with the engagement surface 821B of the pivot arm 821. This allows the pivot arm 821 to prevent the second rear cover 810, which is in the second open position, from rotating toward the first closed position due to its own weight.

[0170] The angle of the engagement surface 821B should be set to an angle that allows both the second rear cover 810 to be held in the second open position and the projection 823 to push back the engagement surface 821B when the user pushes the second rear cover 810 in the second open position with a certain amount of force.

[0171] Next, we will explain how to use tray 300. To remove the tray 300 containing the transfer printing sheet PS from the housing 10, the user rotates the tray 300 from the first position to the second position by lifting the front of the tray 300, as shown in Figures 11(a) and (b). This disengages the tray engagement portion 310 from the support member 600, allowing the user to remove the tray 300 from the housing 10 by pulling it forward.

[0172] Subsequently, the user carries the tray 300 to the next step, for example, the step of transferring the toner image onto a T-shirt, while still holding the tray 300. This allows the user to transport the transfer printing sheet PS to the next step using the tray 300 without touching the transfer printing sheet PS inside the tray 300.

[0173] When mounting the tray 300 to the housing 10, as shown in Figures 11(b) and (a) in that order, the user inserts the tray engaging portion 310 of the tray 300 between the support member 600 and the first housing 102, and then rotates the tray 300 from the second position to the first position. As a result, the tray engaging portion 310 engages with the support member 600, allowing the tray 300 to be easily mounted to the housing 10.

[0174] By performing the aforementioned attachment and detachment process, the user can, for example, discharge multiple transfer printing sheets PS into tray 300, then replace tray 300 with the second tray TR, and discharge multiple transfer printing sheets PS into the second tray TR. In this case, as shown in Figure 14(a), the user can place the second tray TR on top of tray 300 in the first position, and then transport tray 300 and the second tray TR together to the next process.

[0175] Furthermore, for example, after using up the transfer printing sheets PS in tray 300 and the second tray TR, the user can store tray 300 and the second tray TR in a narrow storage space by placing the second tray TR on top of tray 300 in a second position, as shown in Figure 15(a).

[0176] Next, we will explain the jamming process for removing the jammed sheet S using the second intermediate conveyor roller MR2. As shown in Figure 17, if the sheet S becomes jammed in the second intermediate conveyor roller MR2, the user opens the second rear cover 810. This causes the rotating arm 821 to rotate, as shown in Figures 19(a) and (b), reducing the nip pressure on the second intermediate conveyor roller MR2, so that the user can easily remove the jammed sheet S between the drive roller MR21 and the driven roller MR22.

[0177] As described above, the following effects can be obtained according to this embodiment. By making the tray 300 from which the transfer printing sheets PS are discharged detachable from the housing 10, the user can remove the tray 300 loaded with the transfer printing sheets PS from the housing 10 and transport the tray 300 along with the transfer printing sheets PS, thus preventing the transfer printing sheets PS from getting dirty during transport.

[0178] By configuring the tray 300 to be rotatable between a first position and a second position, the tray 300 can be easily attached to and detached from the housing 10 simply by rotating the tray 300.

[0179] By configuring the tray 300 so that its center of gravity is located downstream of the support surface F12 in the discharge direction, a force is applied to the tray 300 that attempts to rotate it in a direction that causes the front of the tray 300 to move downward due to gravity. This allows the tray engaging portion 310 to be pressed against the support member 600, and the tray 300 to be held in the first position.

[0180] By configuring the support member 600 to have a second engagement surface F62, the second engagement surface F62 can prevent the tray 300 from moving along the support surface F12 downstream in the discharge direction.

[0181] By configuring the tray 300 to be sandwiched between two protrusions 610 in the width direction, it is possible to suppress the tray 300 from shifting in the width direction.

[0182] By configuring the tray 300 to have a third contact surface F33 that can engage with the front surface F11 of the first housing 102, it is possible to suppress the tray 300 from moving along the support surface F12 toward the upstream direction of discharge.

[0183] By configuring the tray 300 to have a cover 380 that covers the switch SW, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally operating the switch SW when creating a transfer print sheet PS.

[0184] By configuring the rotating tray 700 so that its upper end is above the first bottom surface 331 of the tray 300 when the rotating tray 700 is in the raised position, it becomes easier to remove the sheet S on the rotating tray 700. Furthermore, by configuring the tray 300 so that the two fourth walls 370 at the rear end are separated in the width direction and a recess 333 is provided at the rear end of the bottom wall 330, it becomes easier to remove the sheet S on the rotating tray 700 that is at the back of the tray 300.

[0185] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be used in various forms as illustrated below. In the above embodiment, the printing layer and the viscoelastic layer were separate layers, but for example, the printing layer and the viscoelastic layer may be integrated. For example, the viscoelastic layer may be composed of an adhesive toner.

[0186] The printing layer may be, for example, ink.

[0187] The transfer unit may be configured to include, for example, a heating roller, a belt, and a rubber pad that sandwiches the belt between the heating roller. The transfer unit may also be configured to include, for example, a pressure roller, a belt, and a heating element that sandwiches the belt between the pressure roller.

[0188] The housing engagement portion may be integrally formed with the housing.

[0189] The relationship between the recesses and protrusions of the housing engagement portion and the tray engagement portion may be reversed from that of the above embodiment. For example, the housing engagement portion may have a recess, and the tray engagement portion may have a projection that engages with the recess.

[0190] The elements described in the above embodiments and modifications may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0191] 1. Transfer printing sheet creation device 10 cabinets 213 Discharge Roller 250 Transfer section 300 trays PF3 viscoelastic layer PS Transfer Printing Sheet S Seat

Claims

1. A transfer printing sheet preparation apparatus for creating a transfer printing sheet having a viscoelastic layer, The casing and A transfer unit is placed inside the housing and transfers a viscoelastic layer onto the sheet, A discharge roller for discharging the sheet onto which the viscoelastic layer has been transferred in the transfer section from inside the housing to outside the housing, A transfer printing sheet making apparatus characterized by comprising a tray capable of loading sheets discharged by the discharge roller, and a tray that is detachable from the housing.

2. The aforementioned enclosure is A support surface that supports the tray from below, It has a housing engagement portion located above the support surface and capable of engaging with the tray, The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tray has a tray engaging portion that can engage with the housing engaging portion, and the tray engaging portion is rotatable between a first position in which it engages with the housing engaging portion and a second position in which it is disengaged from the housing engaging portion when supported on the support surface.

3. The tray has a tray engagement portion at one end and is supported on the support surface between the other end opposite to the one end and the tray engagement portion. The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the center of gravity of the tray is located downstream of the support surface in the sheet discharge direction.

4. The housing engagement portion has a downward-facing first engagement surface, The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the tray engaging portion has a first contact surface that contacts the first engaging surface.

5. The housing engagement portion has a second engagement surface that restricts the tray engagement portion from moving downstream from the housing engagement portion in the discharge direction in a direction along the support surface. The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the tray engaging portion has a second contact surface that contacts the second engaging surface.

6. The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing engagement portion is a projection protruding from the first engagement surface and having a projection having the second engagement surface.

7. The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the tray engaging portion is a recess into which the projection enters, and the recess has the second contact surface.

8. The housing has two of the aforementioned protrusions, The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the tray is sandwiched between two protrusions in the width direction of the sheet.

9. The housing has a third engaging surface that restricts the tray from moving upstream in the discharge direction along the support surface, The transfer printing sheet preparation apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the tray has a third contact surface that contacts the third engagement surface.

10. The aforementioned tray is A first portion supported by the support surface, the first portion having the tray engagement portion, The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a second portion that extends diagonally downward from the opposite side of the first portion from the tray engaging portion.

11. It also includes user-operated switches, The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tray has a cover that covers the switch.

12. A printing layer forming unit that forms a printed layer on a sheet, A printing discharge roller for discharging the sheet on which the printed layer is formed from inside the housing to outside the housing, A rotating tray for supporting a sheet discharged by the printing discharge roller, further comprising: a rotating tray rotatable between a standard position that holds the sheet so that the leading edge of the sheet is at a standard sheet position and a raised position that holds the sheet so that the leading edge of the sheet is at a raised sheet position above the standard sheet position, The tray has a mounting surface on which a sheet is placed, The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the rotating tray is in the raised position, the upper end of the rotating tray is located above the aforementioned mounting surface.

13. The aforementioned tray is When removed from the aforementioned housing, a second tray having the same shape as the aforementioned tray can be stacked on top of it. The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second tray can be supported in a first position, and the second tray can be supported in a second position in which the bottom wall of the first tray and the bottom wall of the second tray are closer together than in the first position.

14. The aforementioned tray is The bottom wall and, A first wall extending upward from the downstream end of the bottom wall in the sheet discharge direction, The sheet has two second walls extending upward from one end and the other end of the bottom wall in the width direction, and two second walls connected to the first wall, The aforementioned second wall is, The first face facing downwards, An upward-facing second surface, which is located above the first surface, It has an upward-facing third surface that is further away from the first wall than the second surface, and is located between the first surface and the second surface in the vertical direction, When the tray supports the second tray in the first position, the second surface of the tray engages with the first surface of the second tray. The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that when the tray supports the second tray in the second position, the third surface of the tray engages with the first surface of the second tray.

15. The aforementioned second wall is, A first plate-like portion extending downward from the first surface, A second plate-like portion located outward in the width direction from the first plate-like portion, the second plate-like portion having the first surface, the second surface and the third surface, The third plate-like portion extends upward from the third surface and is located outward in the width direction from the second plate-like portion, When the tray supports the second tray in the first position, the second plate-shaped portion of the tray faces the first plate-shaped portion of the second tray in the width direction. The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that when the tray supports the second tray in the second position, the second plate-shaped portion of the tray faces the first plate-shaped portion of the second tray in the width direction, and the third plate-shaped portion of the tray faces the second plate-shaped portion of the second tray in the width direction.

16. The aforementioned tray is Two second projections are provided at a position further away from the first wall than the third surface, and project upward, wherein the two second projections are spaced apart in the width direction, Two first supported surfaces located in the same position as the two second protrusions in the width direction, the first supported surface located below the second protrusions, The second supported surface comprises two second supported surfaces located in the same position as the two second protrusions in the width direction, and a second supported surface located between the second protrusions and the first supported surface in the vertical direction, and closer to the first wall than the first supported surface. When the tray supports the second tray in the first position, the second projection of the tray supports the first supported surface of the second tray. The transfer printing sheet making apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that when the tray supports the second tray in the second position, the second projection of the tray supports the second supported surface of the second tray.

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