Foil transfer device

Abstract

To provide a foil transfer device capable of effectively suppressing variations in transferability of a foil onto a medium in a foil transfer device for transferring a foil onto an elongate medium.SOLUTION: A foil transfer device 1 comprises: an adhesive application mechanism 5 that applies an adhesive to an elongate medium 2; a medium carrying mechanism 6 carrying the medium 2 in a longitudinal direction of the medium 2; and a transfer roller pair 7 for transferring a foil onto the medium 2 by pressing a transfer sheet 3, in which a foil to be transferred onto the medium 2 is formed on a base material, onto the medium 2 to which the adhesive has been applied. The transfer roller pair 7 is composed of a first foil transfer roller 29 that contacts the medium 2 and a second foil transfer roller 30 that contacts the foil transfer sheet 3. A heater is built inside at least one of the first foil transfer roller 29 and the second foil transfer roller 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a foil transfer device for transferring foil onto a long medium.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a foil transfer device for transferring foil onto a long medium (recording medium) has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The foil transfer device described in Patent Document 1 includes a supply roll that supplies the medium before the foil is transferred, a recovery roll that winds up and recovers the medium after the foil is transferred, a foil feed spool that supplies the foil transfer sheet before the foil is transferred onto the medium, and a foil winding spool that winds up the foil transfer sheet after the foil is transferred onto the medium. Further, this foil transfer device includes an inkjet head that discharges an adhesive liquid onto the medium supplied from the supply roll, and a pair of foil transfer nip rollers that bring the foil transfer sheet into close contact with and press the medium onto which the adhesive liquid has been applied.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventor of the present application has developed a foil transfer device for transferring foil onto a long medium like the foil transfer device described in Patent Document 1. According to the study by the inventor of the present application, it has been clarified that variations occur in the transferability of the foil onto the medium in the foil transfer device under development. If variations occur in the transferability of the foil onto the medium, the quality of the medium after the foil is transferred may deteriorate.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a foil transfer device capable of effectively suppressing variations in the transferability of foil onto a long medium in a foil transfer device for transferring foil onto a long medium.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the inventor of the present application conducted various studies. As a result, the inventor of the present application first found that the transferability of the foil to the medium varies due to fluctuations in the ambient temperature of the foil transfer device. Specifically, the inventor of the present application found that as the ambient temperature of the foil transfer device decreases, the transferability of the foil to the medium decreases, making it difficult to transfer the foil to the medium. Further, through further studies, the inventor of the present application found that even when the ambient temperature of the foil transfer device decreases, by heating the portion where the medium and the foil transfer sheet are in close contact, it is possible to effectively suppress the decrease in the transferability of the foil to the medium, and as a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the variation in the transferability of the foil to the medium.

[0007] The foil transfer device of the present invention is based on such new findings, and includes an adhesive application mechanism for applying an adhesive to a long medium, a medium transfer mechanism for transferring the medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium, and a pair of transfer rollers for pressing a foil transfer sheet having a foil to be transferred to the medium formed on a base material against the medium after the adhesive is applied to transfer the foil to the medium , a printing mechanism that performs printing by discharging ink onto a medium before the foil is transferred and is provided with a pair of transfer rollers including a first foil transfer roller that contacts the medium and a second foil transfer roller that contacts the foil transfer sheet, and the first foil transfer roller in the la has a built-in heater , further comprising a temperature detection mechanism for detecting the temperature of the first foil transfer roller and a heater control unit for controlling the heater based on the detection result of the temperature detection mechanism. When the foil can be transferred to the portion of the medium coated with the adhesive by the pair of transfer rollers, the lowest temperature of the first foil transfer roller is defined as the first temperature. When the foil can be transferred to the portion of the medium where printing has been performed by the pair of transfer rollers, the lowest temperature of the first foil transfer roller is defined as the second temperature. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature. The heater control unit controls the output of the heater based on the comparison result between a predetermined third temperature, which is a temperature equal to or higher than the first temperature and lower than the second temperature, and the detected temperature detected by the temperature detection mechanism which is characterized in that.

[0008] In the foil transfer device of the present invention, the pair of transfer rollers for pressing the foil transfer sheet against the medium after the adhesive is applied to transfer the foil to the medium is composed of a first foil transfer roller that contacts the medium and a second foil transfer roller that contacts the foil transfer sheet. Further, in the present invention, the first foil transfer roller in the la A heater is incorporated. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the ambient temperature of the foil transfer device decreases, it is possible to warm the portion where the medium and the foil transfer sheet are in close contact. Accordingly, in the present invention, even if the ambient temperature of the foil transfer device decreases, it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in the transferability of the foil to the medium, and as a result, it is possible to effectively suppress variations in the transferability of the foil to the medium.

[0009] Also, The present invention in has a heater incorporated in the first foil transfer roller for and it becomes possible to simplify the configuration of the foil transfer device as compared with the case where heaters are incorporated in both the first foil transfer roller and the second foil transfer roller.

[0010] Also, The present invention in is provided with a temperature detection mechanism for detecting the temperature of the first foil transfer roller and a heater control unit for controlling the heater based on the detection result of the temperature detection mechanism is. Therefore and it becomes possible to set the temperature of the portion where the medium and the foil transfer sheet are in close contact to an appropriate temperature, and as a result, it becomes possible to more effectively suppress variations in the transferability of the foil to the medium.

[0011] Furthermore, The present invention in is provided with a printing mechanism that discharges ink onto the medium before the , the foil is transferred to perform printing. When the lowest temperature of the first foil transfer roller when the foil can be transferred to the portion of the medium where the adhesive is applied by the pair of transfer rollers is defined as the first temperature, and the lowest temperature of the first foil transfer roller when the foil can be transferred to the portion of the medium where printing has been performed by the pair of transfer rollers is defined as the second temperature, the second temperature is higher than the first temperature. The heater control unit controls the output of the heater based on the comparison result between a predetermined third temperature that is a temperature equal to or higher than the first temperature and lower than the second temperature and the detected temperature detected by the temperature detection mechanism. is doing . Therefore 、While preventing the foil from being transferred to the printed portion of the medium, it becomes possible to transfer the foil to the portion of the medium where the adhesive is applied. That is, it becomes possible to transfer the foil only to the portion of the medium where the adhesive is applied.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] As described above, in the present invention, in a foil transfer device for transferring foil to a long medium, it becomes possible to effectively suppress variations in the transferability of the foil to the medium.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] (Overall Configuration of the Foil Transfer Device) FIG. 38 is a side view for explaining the configuration of a foil transfer device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The foil transfer device 1 of this embodiment is a device for transferring foil (metal foil) onto a long medium 2. The foil transfer device 1 presses a long foil transfer sheet 3, on which the foil to be transferred onto the medium 2 is formed on a base material (mounting board), against the medium 2 after an adhesive has been applied, and transfers the foil onto the medium 2. Further, the foil transfer device 1 continuously applies an adhesive to the medium 2 and continuously transfers foil onto the medium 2. The medium 2 before the adhesive is applied and the medium 2 after the foil has been transferred are wound in a roll shape. Also, the foil transfer sheet 3 before the foil is transferred onto the medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 after the foil has been transferred onto the medium 2 are wound in a roll shape.

[0017] The medium 2 is a long sheet-like medium formed of synthetic resin or paper. If the tensile elastic modulus of the medium 2 is low, the medium 2 is likely to stretch when tension is applied to the medium 2. If tension is applied to the medium 2 after the foil has been transferred and the medium 2 stretches by a predetermined amount or more, there is a risk that the foil will crack. Also, if tension is applied to the medium 2 when transferring the foil and the medium 2 stretches by a predetermined amount or more, there is a risk that wrinkles will form in the foil transferred onto the medium 2 when the tension on the medium 2 is removed after the foil has been transferred. Therefore, it is preferable that the tensile elastic modulus of the medium 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0018] Specifically, the tensile elastic modulus of the medium 2 is preferably 4 kg / cm 2 or more, and more preferably 4 kg / cm 2 or more. Therefore, the medium 2 of this embodiment is formed of, for example, one synthetic resin selected from polyvinylidene chloride, high-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Alternatively, the medium 2 is formed of a synthetic resin in which two or more synthetic resins arbitrarily selected from these synthetic resins are mixed. Also, the medium 2 may be formed of a composite material of a fiber and a synthetic resin having a relatively high tensile elastic modulus. For example, the medium 2 may be formed of tarpaulin or the like.

[0019] The foil transfer device 1 includes an adhesive application mechanism 5 that applies an adhesive to a long medium 2, a medium conveyance mechanism 6 that conveys the medium 2 in the longitudinal direction of the long medium 2, a transfer roller pair 7 that presses a foil transfer sheet 3 against the medium 2 after the adhesive is applied to transfer the foil to the medium 2, a first heater 8 that heats the medium 2 after the adhesive is applied, and a second heater 9 that heats the medium 2 before the foil is transferred to enhance the adhesive force of the adhesive applied to the medium 2 (i.e., to activate the adhesive).

[0020] Further, the foil transfer device 1 includes a medium pay-out section 12 to which the medium 2 wound in a roll before the adhesive is applied is attached, a medium take-up section 13 to which the medium 2 wound in a roll after the foil is transferred is attached, a transfer sheet pay-out section 14 to which the foil transfer sheet 3 wound in a roll before the foil is transferred is attached, and a transfer sheet take-up section 15 to which the foil transfer sheet 3 wound in a roll after the foil is transferred is attached. Furthermore, the foil transfer device 1 includes a main body frame 16 to which the adhesive application mechanism 5, the medium conveyance mechanism 6, the first heater 8, and the medium pay-out section 12 are attached, and a transfer unit frame 17 to which the transfer roller pair 7, the second heater 9, the medium take-up section 13, the transfer sheet pay-out section 14, and the transfer sheet take-up section 15 are attached.

[0021] The adhesive application mechanism 5 is disposed upstream of the transfer roller pair 7 in the conveyance direction of the medium 2 (the feeding direction of the medium 2). The adhesive application mechanism 5 includes an inkjet head 20 (hereinafter referred to as "head 20") that discharges an adhesive to the medium 2. That is, the adhesive application mechanism 5 applies the adhesive to the medium 2 by an inkjet method. The adhesive application mechanism 5 includes a carriage 21 on which the head 20 is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism 22 that moves the carriage 21 in the main scanning direction (the Y direction in FIG. 1, etc.) that is the width direction of the medium 2, a support member 23 that supports the carriage 21 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction, and a platen 24 disposed below the head 20.

[0022] The head 20 mounted on the carriage 21 discharges an adhesive toward the upper surface of the medium 2 placed on the platen 24. That is, the head 20 discharges the adhesive downward. A plurality of nozzles for discharging the adhesive are formed on the lower surface of the head 20. Further, the head 20 includes, for example, a piezoelectric element for discharging the adhesive from the nozzles. One surface of the medium 2 is an adhesive application surface to which the adhesive is applied. Specifically, the upper surface of the medium 2 when placed on the platen 24 is the adhesive application surface.

[0023] The carriage drive mechanism 22 includes, for example, a belt partially fixed to the carriage 21, a pulley around which the belt is looped, and a motor for rotating the pulley. The support member 23 is fixed to the main body frame 16. The platen 24 is supported from below by the main body frame 16.

[0024] The carriage 21 is also equipped with an inkjet head 18 (hereinafter referred to as "head 18") for discharging ink onto the medium 2 to perform printing. That is, the foil transfer device 1 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer. The head 18 discharges, for example, color ink. Further, the head 18 discharges ink toward the upper surface of the medium 2 placed on the platen 24. A plurality of nozzles for discharging ink are formed on the lower surface of the head 18. Further, the head 18 includes, for example, a piezoelectric element for discharging ink from the nozzles.

[0025] The head 18 discharges ink onto the upper surface of the medium 2 when placed on the platen 24. That is, the head 18 discharges ink onto the adhesive application surface of the medium 2. Further, the head 18 discharges ink onto part or all of the portion of the adhesive application surface of the medium 2 where the adhesive is not applied. That is, the head 20 applies the adhesive onto part or all of the portion of the adhesive application surface of the medium 2 where printing has not been performed. Thus, the medium 2 placed on the platen 24 is subjected to adhesive application and printing. In this embodiment, a printing mechanism 19 that discharges ink onto the medium 2 before the foil is transferred and performs printing is configured by the head 18, the carriage 21, the carriage drive mechanism 22, the support member 23, the platen 24, and the like.

[0026] In the following description, the main scanning direction (Y direction), which is the width direction of the medium 2, is referred to as the "left - right direction", and the direction orthogonal to the up - down direction (vertical direction, Z direction in FIG. 1) and the left - right direction is referred to as the "front - back direction". Also, the side in the X1 direction in FIG. 1, which is one side in the front - back direction, is referred to as the "front" side, and the opposite side in the X2 direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the "rear" side. In this embodiment, the medium 2 before the adhesive is applied and printed is conveyed from the rear side onto the upper surface of the platen 24, and the medium 2 after the adhesive is applied and printed is conveyed from the upper surface of the platen 24 to the front side.

[0027] The medium conveyance mechanism 6 is arranged upstream of the transfer roller pair 7 in the conveyance direction of the medium 2. The medium conveyance mechanism 6 includes a conveyance roller 26 that contacts the medium 2 and conveys the medium 2, and a pad roller 27 that is arranged opposite to the conveyance roller 26 and is biased toward the conveyance roller 26. The conveyance roller 26 and the pad roller 27 are arranged upstream of the platen 24 in the conveyance direction of the medium 2 and are arranged on the rear side of the platen 24. The conveyance roller 26 is connected to a drive mechanism that rotates the conveyance roller 26. The medium 2 is sandwiched between the conveyance roller 26 and the pad roller 27, and the medium 2 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the conveyance roller 26 and the pad roller 27.

[0028] An after platen 28 is disposed on the front side of the platen 24. A guide surface 28a for guiding the medium 2 conveyed from the platen 24 toward the transfer roller pair 7 is formed on the surface of the after platen 28. The guide surface 28a is formed in a convex curved surface shape. The medium 2 conveyed from the platen 24 toward the transfer roller pair 7 contacts the guide surface 28a. The first heater 8 is disposed inside the after platen 28 along the guide surface 28a.

[0029] The transfer roller pair 7 is disposed below the after platen 28. Also, the transfer roller pair 7 is disposed on the front side of the after platen 28. The second heater 9 is disposed between the first heater 8 and the transfer roller pair 7 in the conveyance direction of the medium 2. That is, the second heater 9 is disposed on the downstream side of the first heater 8 in the conveyance direction of the medium 2. The transfer roller pair 7 is disposed obliquely forward and below the second heater 9. A contact surface with which the medium 2 contacts is formed on the second heater 9, and this contact surface is a planar inclined surface that inclines downward as it goes toward the front side.

[0030] The medium feeding unit 12 is disposed below the platen 24. Also, the medium feeding unit 12 is disposed on the rear side of the platen 24. The medium winding unit 13 is disposed below the transfer roller pair 7. Also, the medium winding unit 13 is disposed on the front side of the transfer roller pair 7. The transfer sheet feeding unit 14 is disposed slightly above the transfer roller pair 7. Also, the transfer sheet feeding unit 14 is disposed on the front side of the transfer roller pair 7. The transfer sheet winding unit 15 is disposed below the transfer roller pair 7. Also, the transfer sheet winding unit 15 is disposed on the front side of the transfer roller pair 7. Also, the transfer sheet winding unit 15 is disposed above the medium winding unit 13, and the transfer sheet feeding unit 14 is disposed above the transfer sheet winding unit 15.

[0031] The transfer roller pair 7 is composed of two foil transfer rollers 29 and 30. The foil transfer rollers 29 and 30 are rotatable with the left - right direction as the axial direction of rotation. That is, the transfer roller pair 7 is rotatable with respect to the transfer unit frame 17 with the left - right direction as the axial direction of rotation. The foil transfer roller 30 is disposed obliquely above the foil transfer roller 29. Specifically, the foil transfer roller 30 is disposed obliquely forward and above the foil transfer roller 29 and faces the foil transfer roller 29 from the obliquely forward and upper side. The outer diameter (diameter) of the foil transfer roller 29 is 2 inches or more. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the foil transfer roller 29 is 3 inches. The outer diameter of the foil transfer roller 30 is equal to the outer diameter of the foil transfer roller 29.

[0032] The medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 merge in the transfer roller pair 7 and are in close contact between the foil transfer roller 29 and the foil transfer roller 30. Specifically, the surface of the foil transfer sheet 3 on which the foil is formed and the adhesive - coated surface of the medium 2 are in close contact between the foil transfer roller 29 and the foil transfer roller 30. That is, the medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 are sandwiched between the foil transfer roller 29 and the foil transfer roller 30. The medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 enter between the foil transfer roller 29 and the foil transfer roller 30 from the obliquely rear and upper side. Above the foil transfer roller 30, a guide roller 31 for guiding the foil transfer sheet 3 fed out from the transfer sheet feeding portion 14 to the transfer roller pair 7 is disposed. The guide roller 31 is in contact with the foil transfer sheet 3 from below.

[0033] Between the foil transfer roller 29 and the foil transfer roller 30, the foil transfer sheet 3 is disposed on the front upper side, and the medium 2 is disposed on the rear lower side. The foil transfer roller 30 contacts the foil transfer sheet 3 from the front upper side, and the foil transfer roller 29 contacts the medium 2 from the rear lower side. The foil transfer rollers 29 and 30 are driven rollers that rotate following the medium 2 conveyed by the medium conveyance mechanism 6. That is, the foil transfer device 1 does not include a drive source for rotating the foil transfer roller 29 and a drive source for rotating the foil transfer roller 30. Between the foil transfer roller 29 and the foil transfer roller 30, the foil is transferred from the foil transfer sheet 3 to the medium 2. Specifically, the foil is transferred from the foil transfer sheet 3 to the portion of the medium 2 where the adhesive is applied. The medium 2 is heated by the second heater 9 before reaching the transfer roller pair 7.

[0034] The foil transfer roller 29 of the present embodiment serves as a first foil transfer roller that contacts the medium 2, and the foil transfer roller 30 serves as a second foil transfer roller that contacts the foil transfer sheet 3. The specific configuration of the foil transfer roller 29 will be described later.

[0035] The medium feeding unit 12 holds a roll-shaped medium 32, which is the medium 2 wound in a roll shape before the application and printing of the adhesive. The roll-shaped medium 32 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. The medium feeding unit 12 includes a rotating shaft to which the roll-shaped medium 32 is attached. The medium feeding unit 12 does not include a drive source for rotating the roll-shaped medium 32, and the roll-shaped medium 32 rotates passively in response to the conveyance of the medium 2 by the medium conveyance mechanism 6.

[0036] The medium winding unit 13 holds a roll-shaped medium 33 which is the medium 2 wound in a roll shape after the foil has been transferred. The roll-shaped medium 33 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. The medium winding unit 13 includes a medium winding mechanism 34 for winding the medium 2 after the foil has been transferred. The medium winding mechanism 34 includes a rotating shaft to which the roll-shaped medium 33 is attached, a motor for rotating the roll-shaped medium 33, a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the motor to the roll-shaped medium 33, and a torque limiter disposed in the power transmission path from the motor to the roll-shaped medium 33.

[0037] In the medium winding mechanism 34, the motor is driven regardless of whether the medium conveyance mechanism 6 is conveying the medium 2 when transferring the foil to the medium 2. That is, when transferring the foil to the medium 2, the motor is constantly rotating regardless of whether the medium conveyance mechanism 6 is conveying the medium 2. The rotation speed of the motor is set so that no slack occurs in the medium 2 between the medium conveyance mechanism 6 and the roll-shaped medium 33. That is, the rotation speed of the motor is set so that the winding speed of the medium 2 by the medium winding mechanism 34 is faster than the conveyance speed of the medium 2 by the medium conveyance mechanism 6. When the torque transmitted from the motor to the roll-shaped medium 33 exceeds a predetermined value, the torque limiter idles the motor with respect to the roll-shaped medium 33. Therefore, when the torque transmitted from the motor to the roll-shaped medium 33 exceeds a predetermined value, the output shaft of the motor rotates, but the roll-shaped medium 33 does not rotate.

[0038] The transfer sheet winding unit 15 holds a roll-shaped sheet 35 which is the foil transfer sheet 3 wound in a roll shape after the foil has been transferred. The roll-shaped sheet 35 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. The transfer sheet winding unit 15 includes a transfer sheet winding mechanism 36 for winding the foil transfer sheet 3 after the foil has been transferred. The transfer sheet winding mechanism 36 includes a rotating shaft to which the roll-shaped sheet 35 is attached, a motor for rotating the roll-shaped sheet 35, a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the motor to the roll-shaped sheet 35, and a torque limiter disposed in the power transmission path from the motor to the roll-shaped sheet 35.

[0039] In the transfer sheet winding mechanism 36, the motor is constantly driven when transferring the foil to the medium 2. That is, the motor is constantly rotating when transferring the foil to the medium 2. When the torque transmitted from the motor to the roll-shaped sheet 35 exceeds a predetermined value, the torque limiter idles the motor with respect to the roll-shaped sheet 35. Therefore, when the torque transmitted from the motor to the roll-shaped sheet 35 exceeds a predetermined value, the output shaft of the motor rotates, but the roll-shaped sheet 35 does not rotate. In this embodiment, by adjusting the torque setting value of the torque limiter, it is possible to adjust the tension of the foil transfer sheet 3.

[0040] The transfer sheet feeding unit 14 holds a roll-shaped sheet 37 which is the foil transfer sheet 3 wound in a roll shape before the foil is transferred. The roll-shaped sheet 37 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. The transfer sheet feeding unit 14 includes a rotating shaft to which the roll-shaped sheet 37 is attached. The transfer sheet feeding unit 14 does not include a drive source for rotating the roll-shaped sheet 37, and the roll-shaped sheet 37 rotates passively in response to the movement of the foil transfer sheet 3 wound up by the transfer sheet winding mechanism 36. Note that the transfer sheet feeding unit 14 includes a torque limiter, and when the torque acting on the roll-shaped sheet 37 reaches a predetermined value, the roll-shaped sheet 37 rotates and the foil transfer sheet 3 is fed out. Therefore, in this embodiment, the foil transfer sheet 3 is prevented from loosening between the roll-shaped sheet 35 and the roll-shaped sheet 37.

[0041] Between the transfer roller pair 7 and the medium take-up unit 13 in the conveyance direction of the medium 2, a guide roller 38 for guiding the medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 in a predetermined direction is disposed. The guide roller 38 is rotatably attached to the transfer unit frame 17. The guide roller 38 is rotatable with respect to the transfer unit frame 17 with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. The guide roller 38 is disposed below the transfer roller pair 7 and above the medium take-up unit 13. Also, the guide roller 38 is disposed in front of the transfer roller pair 7 and behind the medium take-up unit 13 and the transfer sheet take-up unit 15.

[0042] The medium 2 immediately after passing through the transfer roller pair 7 overlaps with the foil transfer sheet 3. The medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 after passing through the transfer roller pair 7 are conveyed to the guide roller 38 in a state of overlapping with each other and separate when passing through the guide roller 38. The medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 separate at a certain position on the guide roller 38. The guide roller 38 contacts the foil transfer sheet 3 overlapping with the medium 2 from the obliquely front upper side. The medium 2 that has passed through the guide roller 38 is conveyed obliquely forward downward and wound up by the medium take-up unit 13. The foil transfer sheet 3 that has passed through the guide roller 38 is conveyed forward and wound up by the transfer sheet take-up unit 15.

[0043] The transfer unit frame 17 is formed separately from the main body frame 16. The transfer unit frame 17 includes a first frame 43 that rotatably holds the foil transfer roller 29 and a second frame 44 that rotatably holds the foil transfer roller 30. The first frame 43 and the second frame 44 are formed separately. The second frame 44 is rotatable with respect to the first frame 43 with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. The transfer unit frame 17 is disposed in front of the main body frame 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body frame 16 includes a connecting member 45 to which the transfer unit frame 17 is fixed. The transfer unit frame 17 is fixed to the connecting member 45 by screws.

[0044] When the screws for fixing the transfer unit frame 17 to the main body frame 16 are removed, the transfer unit frame 17 can be removed from the main body frame 16. That is, the transfer unit frame 17 is detachable from the main body frame 16. Wheels 46 are attached to the lower ends of the main body frame 16 and the transfer unit frame 17. In this embodiment, the transfer unit frame 17 and transfer roller pairs 7 and the like attached to the transfer unit frame 17 constitute a foil transfer unit 47. The foil transfer unit 47 is detachably fixed to the main body frame 16.

[0045] The first frame 43 constitutes most of the transfer unit frame 17. A second heater 9, a medium winding unit 13, a transfer sheet feeding unit 14, a transfer sheet winding unit 15, a foil transfer roller 29, and a guide roller 38 are attached to the first frame 43. The second frame 44 constitutes the upper end portion of the transfer unit frame 17 and is rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the first frame 43. A foil transfer roller 30 and a guide roller 31 are attached to the second frame 44. As described above, the second frame 44 is rotatable with respect to the first frame 43 with the left - right direction as the axial direction of rotation.

[0046] The second frame 44 is rotatable with respect to the first frame 43 with the lower end portion of the second frame 44 as the center of rotation. Specifically, the second frame 44 is rotatable with respect to the first frame 43 about a rotation center axis 48 disposed in front of the foil transfer roller 30 as the center of rotation. When the second frame 44 is rotated with respect to the first frame 43 in the counter - clockwise direction in FIG. 1, the foil transfer roller 30 held by the second frame 44 moves away from the foil transfer roller 29, so that it becomes possible to set the medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 between the foil transfer roller 29 and the foil transfer roller 30.

[0047] (Configuration of the foil transfer roller and the configuration related to the heater) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the foil transfer roller 29 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic view for explaining the configuration of the temperature detection mechanism 54 that detects the temperature of the foil transfer roller 29 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration related to the control of the heater 53 shown in FIG. 2.

[0048] As described above, the foil transfer roller 29 is rotatable with respect to the transfer unit frame 17 with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. As shown in FIG. 2, the foil transfer roller 29 includes a roller body 50 and two bosses 51 that constitute both end portions of the foil transfer roller 29. The roller body 50 is formed in an elongated and thin cylindrical shape. The roller body 50 is formed of a metal material. For example, the roller body 50 is formed of an aluminum alloy. The roller body 50 is arranged such that the axial direction of the roller body 50 coincides with the left-right direction. The boss 51 is formed in a stepped cylindrical shape. One end portion of the roller body 50 is fixed to one of the two bosses 51, and the other end portion of the roller body 50 is fixed to the other boss 51. The boss 51 is rotatably held by the transfer unit frame 17 via a bearing 52.

[0049] The foil transfer roller 29 incorporates a heater 53. That is, the foil transfer device 1 includes a heater 53 incorporated in the foil transfer roller 29. The heater 53 of this embodiment is a sheathed heater. The heater 53 includes a metal heater pipe, a nichrome wire accommodated in the heater pipe, and insulating powder for insulating the heater pipe and the nichrome wire. The heater 53 is arranged in the foil transfer roller 29 such that the axial direction of the heater pipe coincides with the left-right direction. Both end portions of the heater 53 are fixed to the transfer unit frame 17, and the heater 53 does not rotate even when the foil transfer roller 29 rotates.

[0050] Further, the foil transfer device 1 includes a temperature detection mechanism 54 for detecting the temperature of the foil transfer roller 29, and a heater control unit 55 for controlling the heater 53 based on the detection result of the temperature detection mechanism 54. As shown in FIG. 3, the temperature detection mechanism 54 includes a metal leaf spring 56 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the foil transfer roller 29, and a thermistor 57 fixed to the leaf spring 56. The thermistor 57 is electrically connected to the heater control unit 55. Further, the heater 53 is electrically connected to the heater control unit 55. In FIG. 3, the foil transfer roller 29 is illustrated in a simplified manner, and the illustration of the heater 53 is omitted.

[0051] One end portion of the leaf spring 56 is fixed to the transfer unit frame 17. The thermistor 57 is fixed to the other end portion of the leaf spring 56. For example, the thermistor 57 is fixed to the other end portion of the leaf spring 56 by a screw (not shown). The leaf spring 56 is elastically deformed so that an intermediate portion of the leaf spring 56 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 50 with a predetermined contact pressure. The thermistor 57 detects the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 50 via the leaf spring 56. That is, the thermistor 57 detects the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the foil transfer roller 29 via the leaf spring 56.

[0052] Here, when the temperature of the medium 2 that contacts the foil transfer roller 29 reaches a predetermined temperature, the viscosity of the adhesive applied to the medium 2 becomes a predetermined viscosity, and the foil can be transferred to the portion of the medium 2 where the adhesive is applied by the transfer roller pair 7. Further, when the temperature of the medium 2 that contacts the foil transfer roller 29 reaches a predetermined temperature, the viscosity of the ink ejected onto the medium 2 becomes a predetermined viscosity, and the foil can be transferred to the portion of the medium 2 where printing has been performed by the transfer roller pair 7. When the minimum temperature of the foil transfer roller 29 (more specifically, the minimum temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 50) when the foil can be transferred to the portion of the medium 2 where the adhesive is applied by the transfer roller pair 7 is defined as the first temperature, and the minimum temperature of the foil transfer roller 29 (more specifically, the minimum temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 50) when the foil can be transferred to the portion of the medium 2 where printing has been performed by the transfer roller pair 7 is defined as the second temperature, the second temperature is higher than the first temperature.

[0053] The heater control unit 55 controls the output of the heater 53 based on the comparison result between a predetermined third temperature that is equal to or higher than the first temperature and lower than the second temperature, and the detected temperature detected by the temperature detection mechanism 54. That is, the heater control unit 55 controls the output of the heater 53 based on the comparison result between the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57 and the third temperature. In this embodiment, the heater control unit 55 controls the output of the heater 53 by performing on / off control of the heater 53 based on the comparison result between the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57 and the third temperature. Specifically, when the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57 is lower than the third temperature, the heater control unit 55 turns on the heater 53 to warm the foil transfer roller 29. On the other hand, when the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57 is equal to or higher than the third temperature, the heater control unit 55 turns off the heater 53.

[0054] Note that the first temperature varies depending on the type of the medium 2 and the type of the adhesive, and the second temperature varies depending on the type of the medium 2 and the type of the ink. The third temperature is calculated in advance before the application and printing of the adhesive to the medium 2 and is stored in the heater control unit 55.

[0055] (Main effects of this embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, the heater 53 is built in the foil transfer roller 29. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the ambient temperature of the foil transfer device 1 decreases, it is possible to warm the portion where the medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 are in close contact. Therefore, according to the study of the inventor of the present application, in this embodiment, even when the ambient temperature of the foil transfer device 1 decreases, it is possible to effectively suppress the decrease in the transferability of the foil to the medium 2, and as a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the variation in the transferability of the foil 3 to the medium 2.

[0056] In this embodiment, the heater control unit 55 controls the heater 53 based on the detection result of the temperature detection mechanism 54 for detecting the temperature of the foil transfer roller 29. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to set the temperature of the portion where the medium 2 and the foil transfer sheet 3 are in close contact to an appropriate temperature, and as a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress variations in the transferability of the foil to the medium 2.

[0057] Also, in this embodiment, when the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57 is less than the third temperature, the heater control unit 55 turns on the heater 53 to warm the foil transfer roller 29, and when the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57 is equal to or higher than the third temperature, the heater control unit 55 turns off the heater 53. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to transfer the foil to the portion of the medium 2 where the adhesive is applied while preventing the foil from being transferred to the portion of the medium 2 where printing has been performed. That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to transfer the foil only to the portion of the medium 2 where the adhesive is applied.

[0058] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but it is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, a heater 53 other than a sheathed heater may be incorporated in the foil transfer roller 29. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the heater control unit 55 may control the output of the heater 53 by controlling the voltage applied to the heater 53 or the current supplied to the heater 53 based on the comparison result between the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57 and the third temperature. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the heater control unit 55 may change the intensity of the heater 53 stepwise or continuously based on the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the heater 53 may be incorporated in the foil transfer roller 30. In this case, the foil transfer apparatus 1 is provided with a temperature detection mechanism for detecting the temperature of the foil transfer roller 30. Also, in this case, the heater 53 may not be incorporated in the foil transfer roller 29, or the heater 53 may be incorporated. However, when the heater 53 is incorporated in only one of the foil transfer roller 29 and the foil transfer roller 30, the configuration of the foil transfer apparatus 1 can be simplified as compared with the case where the heater 53 is incorporated in both the foil transfer roller 29 and the foil transfer roller 30.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the carriage on which the head 20 is mounted and the carriage on which the head 18 is mounted may be provided separately. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the temperature detection mechanism 54 may be a non-contact thermometer that non-contact detects the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 50. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the foil transfer roller 29 or the foil transfer roller 30 may be a drive roller connected to a drive source. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the adhesive application mechanism 5 may apply the adhesive to the medium 2 by a method other than the inkjet method.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the foil transfer apparatus 1 may not be provided with the printing mechanism 19. In this case, for example, when a predetermined temperature exceeding the third temperature is defined as the fourth temperature, the heater control unit 55 turns on the heater 53 to warm the foil transfer roller 29 when the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57 is less than the fourth temperature, and turns off the heater 53 when the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 57 is greater than or equal to the fourth temperature. Also, when the foil transfer apparatus 1 is not provided with the printing mechanism 19, the foil transfer apparatus 1 may not be provided with the temperature detection mechanism 54.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0063] 1 Foil transfer apparatus 2 Medium 3 Foil transfer sheet 5 Adhesive application mechanism 6 Medium conveyance mechanism 7 Transfer roller pair 19 Printing mechanism 29 Foil transfer roller (first foil transfer roller) 30 Foil transfer roller (second foil transfer roller) 53 Heater 54 Temperature detection mechanism 55 Heater control unit

Claims

【Claim 1】 An adhesive application mechanism for applying an adhesive to a long medium, a medium conveyance mechanism for conveying the medium in the longitudinal direction of the medium, a transfer roller pair for pressing a foil transfer sheet having a foil to be transferred onto a substrate onto the medium after the adhesive has been applied to transfer the foil onto the medium, and a printing mechanism for performing printing by discharging ink onto the medium before the foil is transferred, The transfer roller pair is composed of a first foil transfer roller that contacts the medium and a second foil transfer roller that contacts the foil transfer sheet, The first foil transfer roller has a built-in heater, The apparatus further includes a temperature detection mechanism for detecting the temperature of the first foil transfer roller, and a heater control unit for controlling the heater based on the detection result of the temperature detection mechanism. When the transfer roller pair makes it possible to transfer the foil to the portion of the medium where the adhesive has been applied, the minimum temperature of the first foil transfer roller is defined as the first temperature. When the transfer roller pair makes it possible to transfer the foil to the portion of the medium where printing has been performed, the minimum temperature of the first foil transfer roller is defined as the second temperature. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature. The heater control unit controls the output of the heater based on the comparison result between a predetermined third temperature, which is a temperature equal to or higher than the first temperature and lower than the second temperature, and the detected temperature detected by the temperature detection mechanism. A foil transfer apparatus characterized by this.

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