Layer transfer device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the effort required for a user to manually remove a base layer when transferring a viscoelastic layer. This layer transfer device comprises a housing body, a first supply reel, a take-up reel, a motor for driving the take-up reel, and a transfer unit. The first supply reel is attachable to and detachable from the housing body. The first supply reel has a winding core around which a film is wound. A viscoelastic layer film PF has a first base layer PF1, a first release layer PF2 formed on the first base layer PF1, and a viscoelastic layer PF3 formed on the first release layer PF2. The take-up reel takes up the viscoelastic layer film PF supplied from the first supply reel. The transfer unit has a heating roller. The transfer unit overlays a transfer printing sheet PS having a second base layer PS1 and a printed layer T printed on the second base layer PS1 onto the film supplied from the first supply reel, and heats the transfer printing sheet PS using the heating roller to transfer the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the printed layer T of the transfer printing sheet PS.

Description

Layer Transfer Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a layer transfer device for transferring a viscoelastic layer.

[0002] A layer transfer device is known that superimposes a second sheet having a base layer and a viscoelastic layer on a first sheet on which a printed layer such as a toner image is formed, heats and presses the two sheets together, and then peels off the base layer of the second sheet after the viscoelastic layer has been pressed onto the first sheet, thereby transferring the viscoelastic layer to the printed layer (see Patent Document 1). After the viscoelastic layer of the second sheet is pressed onto the printed layer of the first sheet by this layer transfer device, the printed layer with the transferred viscoelastic layer is transferred to a fabric such as a T-shirt using a press.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-059086

[0004] However, in conventional layer transfer devices, after the viscoelastic layer is pressed onto the printing layer of the first sheet, the user must manually peel off the base layer, which is a time-consuming process. Furthermore, manual peeling can lead to failure.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for a user to peel off the base layer that has been supporting the viscoelastic layer when transferring the viscoelastic layer to the print layer of a sheet.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the layer transfer device of the present invention includes a main body housing, a first supply reel, a take-up reel, a motor, and a transfer unit. The first supply reel is detachable from the main body housing. The first supply reel has a core around which a film is wound. The film has a first base material layer, a first release layer formed on the first base material layer, and a viscoelastic layer formed on the first release layer. The take-up reel takes up the film supplied from the first supply reel. The motor drives the take-up reel. The transfer unit includes a heating rotor. The transfer unit overlays a sheet having a second base material layer and a printing layer printed on the second base material layer on the film supplied from the first supply reel and heats the sheet with the heating rotor, thereby transferring the viscoelastic layer of the film to the printing layer of the sheet.

[0007] The layer transfer device presses the viscoelastic layer onto the printed layer of the sheet, then winds the film's base layer onto a take-up reel. This eliminates the need for the user to manually peel off the base layer that supported the viscoelastic layer when transferring the viscoelastic layer onto the printed layer of the sheet. It also makes it easier to maintain a consistent peel angle, reducing peeling failures.

[0008] The film may also be wound around the first supply reel with the viscoelastic layer facing the core of the first supply reel.

[0009] Since the viscoelastic layer is wound so as to face the core of the first supply reel, when the film is wound on the first supply reel, the viscoelastic layer is covered and protected by the first base material layer.

[0010] The sheet may further have a second release layer between the second substrate layer and the printing layer, and at a first temperature at which the first substrate layer can be peeled from the viscoelastic layer, the first release force of the first release layer, which is the force required to peel the first substrate layer from the viscoelastic layer, may be smaller than the second release force of the second release layer, which is the force required to peel the second substrate layer from the printing layer.

[0011] Because the first peeling force of the first peeling layer is smaller than the second peeling force of the second peeling layer, the first substrate layer and the first peeling layer are peeled off from the viscoelastic layer while the printing layer and the viscoelastic layer are held by the second peeling layer.

[0012] The layer transfer device may be capable of mounting a second supply reel on which a foil film containing foil is wound, instead of the first supply reel, on the main body housing, and the transfer unit may be capable of overlaying a sheet on the foil film supplied from the second supply reel and transferring the foil to a printing layer formed on the sheet.

[0013] The layer transfer device may further include a control unit, which, when the first supply reel is attached to the main housing, controls the film to have a first temperature at the peeling position where the first base layer is peeled from the viscoelastic layer, and when the second supply reel is attached to the main housing, controls the foil film to have a second temperature different from the first temperature at the peeling position where the base layer is peeled from the foil film.

[0014] When the first supply reel is attached, the control unit controls the film to have a first temperature at the peeling position, and when the second supply reel is attached, the control unit controls the foil film to have a second temperature different from the first temperature at the peeling position, so that the base layer can be properly peeled both when transferring the viscoelastic layer and when transferring the foil. Furthermore, because the first base layer is peeled from the viscoelastic layer at the peeling position at the first temperature, the temperature during peeling can be kept constant, and peeling failures can be suppressed.

[0015] The second temperature may also be lower than the first temperature.

[0016] The control unit may also control the temperature of the heating rotator to control the temperature of the film at the peeling position to a first temperature and the temperature of the foil film at the peeling position to a second temperature.

[0017] The device may also be provided with a fan that exhausts air from inside the main housing to the outside of the main housing, and the control unit may control the temperature of the film at the peeling position to a first temperature by driving or stopping the fan, and control the temperature of the foil film at the peeling position to a second temperature.

[0018] The device may further include a frame that covers the heating rotor, and the frame may have a frame opening formed at a position that allows the heat generated from the heating rotor to reach the peeling position.

[0019] The film may further include a torque limiter that limits the torque of the driving force supplied from the motor to the take-up reel, and the torque limiter may apply to the take-up reel a torque of a magnitude that can peel the first base material layer from the viscoelastic layer.

[0020] The device may further include a peeling shaft that guides the first base layer of the film that has passed through the transfer section in a direction different from the sheet conveying direction, and the radius of curvature of the peeling shaft at the portion around which the film is wrapped may be 1 to 3 mm.

[0021] Since the radius of curvature of the peeling shaft is 1 to 3 mm, it is easier to peel off the first base material layer compared to when the radius of curvature is greater than 3 mm.

[0022] The wrap angle of the film around the peeling shaft may be an obtuse angle.

[0023] Since the wrap angle of the film around the peel shaft is an obtuse angle, the first base material layer can be easily peeled off.

[0024] The first supply reel and the second supply reel may each have a memory, and the control unit may determine whether the first supply reel or the second supply reel is attached to the main body housing by reading information from the memory.

[0025] Because the control unit determines whether the first or second supply reel is attached based on the information in the memory, the user does not need to input an instruction to the layer transfer device regarding the type of supply reel.

[0026] The viscoelastic layer may have a thickness of 20 to 50 μm.

[0027] The layer transfer device further includes a pressure rotator, a switching mechanism, a peeling member, an upstream conveying roller, and a control unit. The pressure rotator sandwiches the film and the sheet between itself and the heating rotator to transfer the viscoelastic layer of the film to the printing layer of the sheet. The switching mechanism can switch the states of the heating rotator and the pressure rotator between a pressurized state in which the film is sandwiched between the heating rotator and the pressure rotator and a separated state in which at least one of the heating rotator and the pressure rotator is separated from the film. The peeling member peels the film conveyed from the heating rotator and the pressure rotator from the sheet. The upstream conveying roller supplies the sheet toward the heating rotator and the pressure rotator. The control unit can perform a conveying process and a switching process. In the conveying process, the control unit controls the upstream conveying roller to convey the sheet toward the heating rotator and the pressure rotator, which are in the separated state. In the switching process, the control unit controls the switching mechanism to switch the heating rotator and the pressure rotator from the separated state to the pressurized state. When the heating rotor and the pressure rotor are in a pressurized state by the switching process, the leading edge of the sheet is located downstream of the nip portion between the heating rotor and the pressure rotor in the sheet conveying direction, and the trailing edge of the sheet is located upstream of the nip portion in the conveying direction.

[0028] When the heating rotor and the pressure rotor are in a pressurized state, the leading edge of the sheet is positioned downstream of the nip portion between the heating rotor and the pressure rotor in the sheet conveying direction, and the rear end of the sheet is positioned upstream of the nip portion in the conveying direction.This configuration prevents the leading edge of the sheet from adhering to the film, allowing the film to be more reliably peeled off from the sheet.

[0029] The layer transfer device may further include a downstream conveying roller. The downstream conveying roller is located downstream of the peeling member in the conveying direction. The downstream conveying roller conveys the sheet. In this case, the control unit may perform a peeling process in which the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are pressed and rotated until the trailing edge of the sheet being conveyed by the downstream conveying roller passes the peeling member, and then, after the trailing edge of the sheet passes the peeling member, the control unit switches the heating rotator and the pressure rotator from the pressed state to the separated state.

[0030] By keeping the heating rotor and the pressure rotor in a pressurized state and rotating them until the rear end of the sheet being transported by the downstream transport roller passes the peeling member, the heating rotor and the pressure rotor can transport the sheet and film until peeling of the portion near the rear end of the sheet is complete, thereby more reliably peeling the film from the sheet.

[0031] The layer transfer device may further include a supply reel around which the film is wound, and a take-up reel that takes up the film supplied from the supply reel.

[0032] The layer transfer device may further include a supply roller that conveys the sheet toward the upstream conveying roller. In this case, the control unit may be capable of executing a conveying process and a switching process. In the conveying process, the control unit drives the supply roller and the upstream conveying roller to convey the sheet toward the heating rotator and the pressure rotator, which are in a separated state. In the switching process, the control unit switches the heating rotator and the pressure rotator from a separated state to a pressurized state. The control unit continues driving the supply roller and the upstream conveying roller until the sheet reaches between the heating rotator and the pressure rotator.

[0033] In a configuration with a supply reel and a take-up reel, a sheet moving from an upstream transport roller toward a heating rotor or the like encounters resistance when it comes into contact with the viscoelastic layer of the film when the roller is stopped. If the supply roller is stopped, the supply roller also acts as a resistance to the movement of the sheet. Therefore, by configuring the supply roller and upstream transport roller to continue driving until the sheet reaches the space between the heating rotor and the pressure rotor, the supply roller can be prevented from acting as a resistance to the movement of the sheet. Therefore, even if the sheet comes into contact with the viscoelastic layer of the film, the sheet can be transported by the supply roller and upstream transport roller without being overcome by the resistance of the viscoelastic layer of the film.

[0034] The layer transfer device may further include a fan for cooling the inside of the main body housing, and in this case, the control unit may stop the fan while performing a layer transfer process of transferring the viscoelastic layer of the film to the print layer of the sheet.

[0035] By stopping the fan while the layer transfer process is being performed, it is possible to prevent transfer defects that occur when the temperature of the viscoelastic layer becomes too low.

[0036] The sheet may have a first base layer, a first release layer formed on the first base layer, and a printed layer formed on the first release layer.

[0037] The film may also have a second base layer, a second release layer formed on the second base layer, and a viscoelastic layer formed on the second release layer.

[0038] When the layer transfer process for transferring the viscoelastic layer of the film onto the print layer of the sheet is performed continuously on a plurality of sheets, the control unit may perform the peeling process for each sheet.

[0039] According to the present invention, when transferring a viscoelastic layer to a print layer of a sheet, it is possible to eliminate the need for a user to manually peel off the base layer that has been supporting the viscoelastic layer.

[0040] 1A is a diagram showing a layer transfer device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a foil film. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the state in which the cover of the layer transfer device is open. FIG. 1C is a front view of a pressure roller and a heating roller. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a film cartridge wound with a foil film, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a film cartridge wound with a viscoelastic layer film. FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C are diagrams explaining the timing of pressing and separating in foil-save mode. FIG. 1A is a view of the film cartridge and the transfer unit as seen from the axial direction, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the viscoelastic layer film within the dashed line in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a sheet and foil film on which a printing layer has been formed, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the sheet and foil film in a pressed state, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view showing the base layer of the foil film peeling off from the sheet. FIG. 1C is a flowchart showing the procedure for transferring a printing layer to fabric using a transfer printing sheet. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a transfer printing sheet and a viscoelastic layer film on which a printing layer has been formed, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the viscoelastic layer film pressed against the transfer printing sheet, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the base layer of the viscoelastic layer film is peeled off from the transfer printing sheet. FIG. 1C is a graph showing the relationship between the peel force and temperature of the first release layer and the second release layer. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the transfer printing sheet on which the viscoelastic layer has been transferred is pressed against a fabric, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the transfer printing sheet has been peeled off from the fabric on which the printing layer has been transferred. FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a layer transfer device equipped with a fan. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a layer transfer device according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a foil film. FIG. 1C is a diagram showing the state in which the cover of the layer transfer device is open. FIG. 1C is a flowchart showing the operation of a control unit. FIG. 1C is a flowchart showing a fan driving process. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a process of transporting a sheet toward a gap between a heating roller and a pressure roller, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a process in which the transport of the sheet is temporarily stopped. 10A is a diagram showing a process of switching the heating roller and pressure roller from a separated state to a pressurized state, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a process of resuming conveyance of the sheet. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a state in which the rear end of the sheet is positioned between the nip portion and the peeling shaft, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a process of switching the heating roller and pressure roller to a separated state after the rear end of the sheet has passed the peeling shaft. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a layer transfer device according to a third embodiment.10A is a diagram showing a process of conveying a sheet toward between a heat roller and a pressure roller in a third embodiment, and a diagram showing a process of temporarily suspending sheet conveyance; FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a process of switching the heat roller and the pressure roller from a separated state to a pressurized state in the third embodiment, and a diagram showing a process of resuming sheet conveyance; and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a process of switching the heat roller and the pressure roller from a separated state to a pressurized state in the third embodiment, and a diagram showing a process of resuming sheet conveyance in the third embodiment; and FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are diagrams showing a process of switching the heat roller and the pressure roller to a separated state after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed the peeling claw in the third embodiment.

[0041] Next, a first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1A, a layer transfer device 1 is an apparatus for overlaying a sheet S on a film F including multiple layers and transferring a layer of the film F onto a printed layer T of the sheet S (see FIGS. 5 and 7 for the printed layer T). For example, the layer transfer device 1 forms a printed layer T, such as a toner image, on the sheet S using an image forming device such as a laser printer, and then transfers a layer, such as a foil or viscoelastic layer, onto the printed layer T of the sheet S. The layer transfer device 1 includes a housing 2, a sheet tray 3, a sheet conveying unit 10, a film supply unit 30, a transfer unit 50, a motor M, a torque limiter TR, an electrical contact CN, and a control unit 300.

[0042] The housing 2 is made of resin or the like and includes a main housing 21 and a cover 22. The main housing 21 has an opening 21A (see FIG. 2) at its top. The opening 21A is an opening for inserting and removing a film cartridge FC (described later) into the main housing 21. The cover 22 is a member for opening and closing the opening 21A. The rear end of the cover 22 is rotatably supported by the main housing 21. The cover 22 is rotatable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 1( a)) in which the opening 21A is closed, and an open position (position shown in FIG. 2) in which the opening 21A is open.

[0043] The sheet tray 3 is a tray on which sheets S such as paper and overhead projector film are set. The sheet tray 3 is provided at the rear of the housing 2. The sheet S is set on the sheet tray 3 with the surface on which the printed layer T is formed facing downward.

[0044] The sheet conveying unit 10 includes a sheet supply mechanism 11 and a sheet discharge mechanism 12. The sheet supply mechanism 11 is a mechanism that conveys the sheets S on the sheet tray 3 one by one toward the transfer unit 50. The sheet supply mechanism 11 includes a pickup roller 11A, a retard roller 11B, and an upstream conveying roller 11C as a conveying roller.

[0045] The pickup roller 11A is a roller that picks up the sheets S set on the sheet tray 3. The retard roller 11B separates the sheets S conveyed by the pickup roller 11A into individual sheets.

[0046] The upstream transport rollers 11C are composed of two rollers, and each roller rotates while sandwiching the sheet S between them, thereby enabling the sheet S to be transported. The upstream transport rollers 11C are transport rollers that are disposed immediately before the transfer unit 50 in the transport direction of the sheet S.

[0047] The sheet discharge mechanism 12 is a mechanism that discharges the sheet S that has passed through the transfer unit 50 to the outside of the housing 2. The sheet discharge mechanism 12 includes downstream transport rollers 12A and discharge rollers 12B. The downstream transport rollers 12A and discharge rollers 12B each consist of two rollers, and the sheet S can be conveyed by rotating these rollers with the sheet S sandwiched between them.

[0048] The film supply unit 30 is a part that supplies the film F so as to be superimposed on the sheet S conveyed from the sheet supply mechanism 11. The film supply unit 30 is equipped with a film cartridge FC.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the film cartridge FC is detachably attached to the main body casing 21 by passing through the opening 21A in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply reel 31 (described later). In the following description, the axial direction of the supply reel 31 will be simply referred to as the "axial direction." The film cartridge FC includes the supply reel 31, the take-up reel 35, a first guide shaft 41, a second guide shaft 42, and a third guide shaft 43. The film F is wound around the supply reel 31 of the film cartridge FC.

[0050] The layer transfer device 1 transfers different materials depending on the type of film F wound around the film cartridge FC. For example, the foil film FF contains foil and is used to transfer the foil to the printing layer T. The viscoelastic layer film PF contains a viscoelastic layer PF3 and is used to transfer the viscoelastic layer PF3. In this specification, the supply reel 31 wound with the viscoelastic layer film PF is referred to as the first supply reel 31P, as shown in FIG. 4(b). The supply reel 31 wound with the foil film FF is referred to as the second supply reel 31F, as shown in FIG. 4(a). In other words, the layer transfer device 1 can mount the first supply reel 31P to the main body housing 21, and can also mount the second supply reel 31F to the main body housing 21 instead of the first supply reel 31P.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1(b), the foil film FF has a foil base layer FF1, a foil peeling layer FF2, a foil transfer layer FF3, and a foil adhesive layer FF4. The foil peeling layer FF2 is formed on the foil base layer FF1. The foil transfer layer FF3 is formed on the foil peeling layer FF2. The foil adhesive layer FF4 is formed on the foil transfer layer FF3.

[0052] The foil substrate layer FF1 is a tape-shaped transparent substrate made of a polymer material, and supports the foil release layer FF2, the foil transfer layer FF3, and the foil adhesive layer FF4.

[0053] The foil release layer FF2 is a layer for facilitating peeling of the foil transfer layer FF3 from the foil base layer FF1, and is disposed between the foil base layer FF1 and the foil transfer layer FF3. The foil release layer FF2 contains a transparent material, such as a wax-based resin, that is easily peeled from the foil base layer FF1.

[0054] The foil transfer layer FF3 is a layer that is transferred to the printing layer T and contains foil. The foil is a thin metal such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum. The foil transfer layer FF3 may also contain a coloring material such as gold, silver, or red, and a thermoplastic resin. The foil transfer layer FF3 is disposed between the foil peeling layer FF2 and the foil adhesive layer FF4.

[0055] The foil adhesive layer FF4 is a layer for adhering the foil transfer layer FF3 to the printing layer T. The foil adhesive layer FF4 contains a material that easily adheres to the printing layer T heated by the transfer unit 50, such as a vinyl chloride resin or an acrylic resin.

[0056] 6(b), the viscoelastic layer 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.

[0057] The first base layer PF1 supports the first release layer PF2 and the viscoelastic layer PF3. In this embodiment, the first base layer PF1 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 15 to 20 μm.

[0058] The first release layer PF2 is a layer that facilitates peeling of the viscoelastic layer PF3 from the first base material layer PF1, and is disposed between the first base material layer PF1 and the viscoelastic layer PF3. The first release layer PF2 contains a transparent material, such as a wax-based resin, that is easily peeled from the first base material layer PF1. In this embodiment, the thickness of the first release layer PF2 is 10 to 15 μm.

[0059] The viscoelastic layer PF3 is a layer to be transferred to the printed layer T and contains a viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic material is a polymeric material having viscoelasticity. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is a material that easily adheres to the printed layer T heated by the transfer unit 50 and also to a transfer target material such as fabric. The viscoelastic layer PF3 contains, for example, vinyl chloride resin or acrylic resin, but any material suitable for adhesion to a transfer target material may be selected. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is disposed on the surface of the viscoelastic layer film PF. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is thicker than the first peel layer PF2. The thickness of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is 20 to 50 μm. Preferably, the thickness of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is 30 to 40 μm.

[0060] 6(a) and 6(b), the viscoelastic layer film PF is wound around the first supply reel 31P so that the viscoelastic layer PF3 faces the winding core 31A of the first supply reel 31P. In other words, when the viscoelastic layer film PF is wound around the first supply reel 31P, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is located inside the first base layer PF1.

[0061] As shown in Figures 9(a) and 11(a), (b), because it is difficult to print directly on fabric CL using an image forming apparatus, a printing layer T is printed on a transfer printing sheet PS, and then the printing layer T printed on the transfer printing sheet PS is transferred to the fabric CL. At this time, to prevent the printing layer T transferred to the fabric CL from easily peeling off, a viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred onto the printing layer T printed on the transfer printing sheet PS, and the printing layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 are then transferred to the fabric CL. Note that the object to which the transfer is made using the transfer printing sheet PS is not limited to fabric CL, and may be made of leather, ceramics, wood, resin, metal, or other materials. Furthermore, the object to which the transfer is made is not limited to a flat object, but may also be a three-dimensional object.

[0062] 9A, the transfer printing sheet PS has a second base layer PS1 and a second release layer PS2. The second release layer PS2 is formed on the second base layer PS1.

[0063] The second base layer PS1 is a tape-shaped transparent base material made of a polymer material, and supports the second release layer PS2. In this embodiment, the second base layer PS1 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 15 to 20 μm.

[0064] The second release layer PS2 is a layer on which the printed layer T is formed by an image forming device or the like. The second release layer PS2 supports the printed layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 after the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred onto the printed layer T formed on the second release layer PS2, and serves to facilitate peeling of the printed layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 from the second base layer PS1 when transferring the printed layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the fabric CL or the like. The second release layer PS2 contains a transparent material, such as a wax-based resin, that is easily peeled from the second base layer PS1. In this embodiment, the thickness of the second release layer PS2 is 10 to 15 μm.

[0065] Here, as shown in Figures 9(b) and (c), at the first temperature T1, which is the temperature at which the first base layer PF1 can be peeled from the viscoelastic layer PF3, the first peel force H1 of the first release layer PF2, which is the force required to peel the first base layer PF1 from the viscoelastic layer PF3, is smaller than the second peel force H2 of the second release layer PS2, which is the force required to peel the second base layer PS1 from the printing layer T (H1 < H2).

[0066] 10 , the peel strength of the first peel layer PF2 and the second peel layer PS2 is temperature-dependent. The lower the temperature, the greater the peel strength of the first peel layer PF2, and the higher the temperature, the smaller the peel strength. The lower the temperature, the smaller the peel strength of the second peel layer PS2, and the higher the temperature, the greater the peel strength. In this embodiment, the temperature at the peel position is set to a first temperature T1, which is the temperature at which the first peel strength H1 of the first peel layer PF2 is smaller than the second peel strength H2 of the second peel layer PS2.

[0067] 1A, the supply reel 31 is detachable from the main body casing 21. The supply reel 31 is made of resin or the like, and has a core 31A, a supply case 31K, and a scale 31M.

[0068] One end of the film F is fixed to the core 31A, and the film F is wound around the core 31A. The supply case 31K is a hollow cylindrical case that accommodates the film F wound around the core 31A.

[0069] Memory 31M is located at the bottom end of supply case 31K. When supply reel 31 is attached to main body housing 21, memory 31M comes into contact with electrical contact CN of main body housing 21. Memory 31M stores information about film F wound around supply reel 31.

[0070] The take-up reel 35 is a reel that takes up the film F supplied from the supply reel 31. The take-up reel 35 is made of resin or the like and has a take-up shaft 35A. The other end of the film F is fixed to the take-up shaft 35A. A motor M drives the take-up reel 35. The take-up reel 35 is rotated by the motor M to take up the film F.

[0071] The torque limiter TR limits the torque of the driving force supplied from the motor M to the take-up reel 35. In this embodiment, the torque limiter TR applies to the take-up reel 35 a torque large enough to peel the first base material layer PF1 from the viscoelastic layer PF3.

[0072] The first guide shaft 41 is a shaft for changing the traveling direction of the film F being pulled out from the supply reel 31. The second guide shaft 42 is a shaft for changing the traveling direction of the film F guided by the first guide shaft 41. The third guide shaft 43 is a shaft for changing the traveling direction of the film F guided by the second guide shaft 42 and guiding it to the take-up reel 35.

[0073] The first guide shaft 41 guides the film F pulled out from the supply reel 31 so that it overlaps the sheet S, which is being transported with the printed layer T facing downward. The first guide shaft 41 changes the transport direction of the film F pulled out from the supply reel 31 and guides the film F approximately parallel to the transport direction of the sheet S.

[0074] The second guide shaft 42 is an example of a peeling shaft. The second guide shaft 42 comes into contact with the film F that has passed through the transfer unit 50, and changes the conveying direction of the film F that has passed through the transfer unit 50 to a direction different from the conveying direction of the sheet S. The film F that has passed through the transfer unit 50 and is conveyed while overlapping the sheet S is guided in a direction different from the sheet S when passing through the second guide shaft 42, and is peeled off from the sheet S. In the following description, the position where the film F is peeled off from the sheet S is referred to as the "peeling position." In this embodiment, the position of the second guide shaft 42 is the peeling position.

[0075] When a foil film FF is attached to the main body housing 21, the second guide shaft 42 guides the foil base material layer FF1 of the foil film FF that has passed through the transfer unit 50 in a direction different from the conveying direction of the sheet S. When a viscoelastic layer film PF is attached to the main body housing 21, the second guide shaft 42 guides the first base material layer PF1 of the viscoelastic layer film PF that has passed through the transfer unit 50 in a direction different from the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0076] As shown in Figure 6(a), the wrapping angle θ of the film F around the second guide shaft 42 is an obtuse angle. Specifically, the wrapping angle θ of the film F around the second guide shaft 42 is 120 to 140°. The radius of curvature of the second guide shaft 42 at the portion around which the film F is wrapped is 1 to 3 mm.

[0077] The transfer unit 50 is a unit that transfers a layer onto the printed layer T formed on the sheet S by overlapping the sheet S on the film F transported from the supply reel 31 to the take-up reel 35 and applying heat and pressure with the sheet S and film F sandwiched between them. When a foil film FF is attached to the main body housing 21, the transfer unit 50 transfers a foil transfer layer FF3 onto the printed layer T of the sheet S. When a viscoelastic layer film PF is attached to the main body housing 21, the transfer unit 50 transfers a viscoelastic layer PF3 onto the printed layer T of the sheet S.

[0078] The transfer unit 50 includes a pressure roller 51 as an example of a pressure rotating member, a heating roller 60 as an example of a heating rotating member, a frame 61, and an actuator 70.

[0079] The pressure roller 51 is a roller that sandwiches the film F and sheet S between it and the heating roller 60, and is made of a cylindrical core metal whose periphery is covered with a rubber layer made of silicone rubber. The pressure roller 51 is disposed above the film F and is capable of contacting the surface of the sheet S opposite the surface on which the printed layer T is formed. Both ends of the pressure roller 51 are rotatably supported by the cover 22. The pressure roller 51 conveys the film F and sheet S between it and the heating roller 60 while being pressed against the heating roller 60.

[0080] The heating roller 60 is a roller that heats the film F and the sheet S. The heating roller 60 is disposed below the film F and is capable of coming into contact with the film F.

[0081] The frame 61 rotatably supports the heating roller 60. The frame 61 is configured to cover the heating roller 60 to prevent heat from being released from the heating roller 60. As shown in Fig. 6(a), the frame 61 has a frame opening 62. The frame opening 62 is formed in a position that allows the heat generated by the heating roller 60 to reach the peeling position.

[0082] 3, the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60 are formed in an inverted crown shape, with the diameter increasing from the center toward the ends in the axial direction. Specifically, the heat roller 60 has a diameter A1 at the center in the axial direction that is smaller than a diameter A2 at the ends in the axial direction (A1<A2). Also, the heat roller 60 has a diameter B1 at the center in the axial direction that is smaller than a diameter B2 at the ends in the axial direction (B1<B2).

[0083] The actuator 70 is a member that moves the heating roller 60 between a pressure contact position (shown by a solid line in Figure 1) where the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are pressed against each other, and a separation position (shown by a two-dot chain line in Figure 1) where the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are separated from each other.

[0084] The pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60 can be driven in a pressure-contact state to transport the film F and the sheet S. More specifically, the pressure roller 51 is driven to rotate the heat roller 60 when it is rotated while the heat roller 60 is in the pressure-contact position. This allows the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60 to transport the film F and the sheet S sandwiched between the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60.

[0085] In the layer transfer device 1 configured in this manner, sheets S set in the sheet tray 3 with the surface on which the printed layer T is formed facing downward are transported one by one by the sheet supply mechanism 11 toward the transfer unit 50. The sheet S is overlapped with the film F supplied from the supply reel 31 on the upstream side of the transfer unit 50 in the sheet transport direction, and is transported to the transfer unit 50 with the printed layer T of the sheet S and the film F in contact with each other.

[0086] In the transfer section 50, when the sheet S and the film F pass through the nip between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60, they are heated and pressed by the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51, and a layer (the viscoelastic layer PF3 or the foil transfer layer FF3) is transferred onto the printing layer T formed on the sheet S. In the following description, the transfer of a layer onto the sheet S is also simply referred to as "layer transfer."

[0087] After the layer transfer, the sheet S and the film F are transported in a tightly contacted state to the second guide shaft 42. When the sheet S and the film F pass the second guide shaft 42, the transport direction of the film F changes to a direction different from the transport direction of the sheet S, and the film F is peeled off from the sheet S.

[0088] The film F peeled off from the sheet S is taken up by the take-up reel 35. Meanwhile, the sheet S from which the film F has been peeled off is discharged by the sheet discharge mechanism 12 to the outside of the housing 2 with the surface on which the layer has been transferred facing downward.

[0089] The electrical contact CN is the part that comes into contact with the memory 31M when the film cartridge FC is attached to the main body housing 21. When the supply reel 31 is attached to the main body housing 21, the electrical contact CN comes into contact with the memory 31M, and the information in the memory 31M is sent to the control unit 300.

[0090] The control unit 300 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, input / output circuits, etc., and performs various types of arithmetic processing based on programs and data stored in the ROM, etc., thereby executing control.

[0091] Here, the control executed by the control unit 300 will be described.

[0092] The control unit 300 can execute a foil save mode (hereinafter referred to as "FS mode"). In the FS mode, in order to save film F, the heating roller 60 is separated while an area on the sheet S where the printed layer T is not formed passes through the transfer unit 50, and the heating roller 60 is pressed against the area on the sheet S where the printed layer T is formed only while the area passes through the transfer unit 50. That is, in the FS mode, when transferring a layer to the printed layer T formed on the sheet S, the control unit 300 controls the actuator 70 to position the heating roller 60 at the separated position when the area on which the printed layer T is not formed passes the transfer position, and to position the heating roller 60 at the pressed position when the area on which the printed layer T is formed reaches the transfer position. The user can select whether or not to enable the FS mode.

[0093] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5A, when the downstream side of the sheet S in the conveying direction is a blank area BA and the image forming area TA is formed only on the upstream side, the control unit 300 separates the heating roller 60 until halfway through the blank area BA, and then presses the heating roller 60 from halfway through the blank area BA until a short time has passed since the image forming area TA passed. Also, as shown in Fig. 5B, when the downstream and upstream portions of the sheet S in the conveying direction are blank areas BA and the image forming area TA is formed only in the center, the control unit 300 presses the heating roller 60 only from a short time before the image forming area TA until a short time after it has passed. As shown in Fig. 5C, when the upstream side of the sheet S in the conveying direction is a blank area BA and the image forming area TA is formed only on the upstream side, the control unit 300 presses the heating roller 60 from the leading edge of the sheet until a short time has passed since the image forming area TA passed, and then separates the heating roller 60.

[0094] Furthermore, the control unit 300 reads the information in the memory 31M to determine whether the first supply reel 31P or the second supply reel 31F is attached to the main body housing 21. In this embodiment, the control unit 300 controls the temperature of the film F at the peeling position by controlling the temperature of the heating roller 60. Specifically, the control unit 300 can increase the temperature at the peeling position by increasing the temperature of the heating roller 60, and can decrease the temperature at the peeling position by decreasing the temperature of the heating roller 60.

[0095] When the control unit 300 determines that the first supply reel 31P is attached to the main housing 21, it controls the viscoelastic layer film PF to reach a first temperature T1 at the peeling position where the first base layer PF1 is peeled from the viscoelastic layer PF3.

[0096] When the second supply reel 31F is attached to the main body housing 21, the control unit 300 controls the foil film FF to have a second temperature T2 different from the first temperature T1 at a peeling position where the foil base layer FF1 is peeled from the foil film FF. The second temperature T2 is a temperature different from the first temperature T1. In this embodiment, the second temperature T2 is a temperature lower than the first temperature T1 (T2<T1).

[0097] Next, the procedure for transferring the foil will be described with reference to Figures 7(a) to 7(c). As shown in Figure 7(a), when transferring the foil to the sheet S, first, a printing layer T is printed on the sheet S by an image forming device.

[0098] Next, the sheet S printed with the printing layer T is set in the sheet tray 3 of the layer transfer device 1. After the sheet S is set in the sheet tray 3, it is sent to the transfer unit 50, where it is thermocompression-bonded to the foil film FF in an overlapping state, as shown in FIG. 7( b). When the sheet S and the foil film FF are thermocompression-bonded in an overlapping state, the foil transfer layer FF3 is pressed onto the portion where the printing layer T is formed, and is not pressed onto the portion where the printing layer T is not formed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7( c), the foil transfer layer FF3 is pressed onto only the portion where the printing layer T is formed, and the foil transfer layer FF3 not pressed onto the printing layer T remains on the foil film FF. In this way, the foil transfer layer FF3 is transferred onto the printing layer T by the layer transfer device 1. At this time, the foil base layer FF1 is automatically peeled off by the layer transfer device 1 and wound onto the take-up reel 35.

[0099] Next, the procedure for transferring the print layer T to the fabric CL using the transfer print sheet PS will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 11.

[0100] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when transferring a printing layer T to a fabric CL, first, the printing layer T is printed on a transfer printing sheet PS, which is a material for forming the printing layer using an image forming device (S1).

[0101] Next, the transfer printing sheet PS with the printing layer T printed thereon is set in the sheet tray 3 of the layer transfer device 1. The transfer printing sheet PS is then sent to the transfer section 50, where, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the transfer printing sheet PS and the viscoelastic layer film PF are thermocompression bonded together in an overlapping state in the transfer section 50. When the transfer printing sheet PS and the viscoelastic layer film PF are thermocompression bonded together in an overlapping state, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is pressure-bonded to the area where the printing layer T is formed. Note that the viscoelastic layer PF3 is not pressure-bonded to the area where the printing layer T is not formed.

[0102] When the portion where the printing layer T is formed moves to the peeling position, the transfer printing sheet PS continues along the sheet S transport path, while the viscoelastic layer film PF is guided by the second guide shaft 42, changing its direction of travel and being guided downward (see FIG. 1( a)). Then, as shown in FIG. 9( c), the first peeling force H1 of the first release layer PF2, which is the force required to peel the first base layer PF1 from the viscoelastic layer PF3, is smaller than the second peeling force H2 of the second release layer PS2, which is the force required to peel the second base layer PS1 from the printing layer T (H1<H2). Therefore, the printing layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 remain on the transfer printing sheet PS, and the viscoelastic layer PF3 corresponding to the portion where the printing layer T is not formed remains on the viscoelastic layer film PF. In this way, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred to the printing layer T of the transfer printing sheet PS (S2).

[0103] At this time, the first base layer PF1 of the viscoelastic layer film PF is automatically peeled off by the layer transfer device 1, without being manually peeled off by the user. Then, because the control unit 300 controls the viscoelastic layer film PF to have the first temperature T1 at the peeling position, the first base layer PF1 is peeled off from the viscoelastic layer PF3 at the peeling position at the first temperature T1.

[0104] 11(a), with the viscoelastic layer PF3 transferred to the printing layer T of the transfer printing sheet PS, the transfer printing sheet PS is placed on the fabric CL and heated and pressed together using a dedicated press (not shown), thereby pressing the printing layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 onto the fabric CL (S3).

[0105] After the printing layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 are pressed onto the fabric CL, the user peels off the second base layer PS1 of the transfer printing sheet PS (S4). As shown in Figure 11(b) , after peeling off the second base layer PS1 of the transfer printing sheet PS, only the printing layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 remain on the fabric CL.

[0106] The layer transfer device 1 can achieve the following effects. In the layer transfer device 1, the transfer unit 50 overlays a transfer printing sheet PS, on which a printing layer T has been formed, on a viscoelastic layer film PF supplied from the first supply reel 31P and heats the viscoelastic layer film PF with the heating roller 60, thereby transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the viscoelastic layer film PF to the printing layer T of the transfer printing sheet PS. After the layer transfer device 1 attaches the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the printing layer T, the first base layer PF1 of the viscoelastic layer film PF, on which the viscoelastic layer PF3 has been transferred, is wound onto the take-up reel 35. This eliminates the need for a user to manually peel off the first base layer PF1 supporting the viscoelastic layer PF3 when transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the printing layer T of the transfer printing sheet PS. In conventional layer transfer devices, the user manually peeled the first base layer from the viscoelastic layer, making it difficult to maintain a constant peel angle. However, with the layer transfer device 1, the first base layer PF1 is peeled off automatically without manual work, making it easier to keep the peeling angle constant and reducing peeling failures.

[0107] Furthermore, since the viscoelastic layer film PF is wound around the first supply reel 31P so that the viscoelastic layer PF3 faces the winding core 31A of the first supply reel 31P, when the viscoelastic layer film PF is wound around the first supply reel 31P, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is covered and protected by the first base material layer PF1.

[0108] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9 (c), since the first peeling force H1 of the first peeling layer PF2 is smaller than the second peeling force H2 of the second peeling layer PS2, the first base material layer PF1 and the first peeling layer PF2 are peeled off from the viscoelastic layer PF3 while the printing layer T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 are held by the second peeling layer PS2.

[0109] Furthermore, when the first supply reel 31P is attached, the control unit 300 controls the viscoelastic layer film PF to be at a first temperature T1 at the peeling position, and when the second supply reel 31F is attached, the control unit 300 controls the foil film FF to be at a second temperature T2 at the peeling position. This allows each base material layer (first base material layer PF1, foil base material layer FF1) to be properly peeled both when transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 and when transferring the foil. Furthermore, because the first base material layer PF1 is peeled from the viscoelastic layer PF3 at the peeling position at the first temperature T1, the temperature during peeling can be kept constant, and peeling failures can be reduced.

[0110] Furthermore, since the radius of curvature of the second guide shaft 42 is 1 to 3 mm, the first base material layer PF1 is easier to peel off compared to when the radius of curvature is greater than 3 mm.

[0111] Furthermore, since the wrapping angle of the film F around the second guide shaft 42 is an obtuse angle, the first base material layer PF1 can be easily peeled off.

[0112] Furthermore, since the control unit 300 determines whether the first supply reel 31P or the second supply reel 31F is attached based on the information in the memory 31M, the user does not need to input instructions to the layer transfer device 1 regarding the type of supply reel 31.

[0113] Furthermore, the layer transfer device 1 transfers the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the printing layer T using the viscoelastic layer film PF wound around the supply reel 31, and the control unit 300 can execute the foil save mode (FS mode), which prevents the viscoelastic layer film PF from being used in areas where the printing layer T is not formed. In other words, it is possible to prevent the viscoelastic layer film PF from being wasted.

[0114] 3, because the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60 have an inverted crown shape, the conveying speed is faster at both ends in the axial direction than at the center. Therefore, when conveying the sheet S and the film F, the sheet S and the film F can be stretched while being conveyed from the center to both ends in the axial direction. As a result, the sheet S and the film F can be prevented from wrinkling, and even if air bubbles are trapped between the sheet S and the film F, the air bubbles can be released to the outside in the axial direction.

[0115] Although the embodiment has been described above, the layer transfer device can be modified as appropriate as exemplified below.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the control unit 300 controls the temperature of the film F at the peeling position by controlling the temperature of the heating roller 60, but this is not limiting. For example, the layer transfer device 1A shown in FIG. 12 further includes a fan FA that exhausts air from the main body housing 21 to the outside of the main body housing 21. The control unit 300 may control the temperature of the film F at the peeling position by driving or stopping the fan FA. Furthermore, although not shown, the control unit 300 may control the temperature of the film F at the peeling position by opening or closing the frame opening 62 of the frame 61 shown in FIG. 6( a).

[0117] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, memory 31M was located on supply reel 31, but memory 31M may also be located on take-up reel 35, or on the connecting portion that connects supply reel 31 and take-up reel 35. Furthermore, if a configuration is adopted in which no memory storing information about film F is provided, the user may simply input information about the type of film F being used.

[0118] In addition, in the above embodiment, the second temperature T2 is lower than the first temperature T1 (T2<T1), but the second temperature T2 may be higher than the first temperature T1 (T1<T2).

[0119] In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration was exemplified in which a printing layer T such as a toner image is formed on a sheet S using an image forming device such as a laser printer, but the printing layer may also be formed using other image forming devices, such as an inkjet printer or screen printing.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the heating roller 60 (heating rotator) is movable between a pressure contact position where it is in pressure contact with the pressure roller 51 (pressure rotator) and a spaced position where it is spaced from the pressure roller 51. However, for example, the pressure rotator may be movable between a pressure contact position where it is in pressure contact with the heating rotator and a spaced position where it is spaced from the heating rotator. Also, each of the heating rotator and the pressure rotator may be movable between a pressure contact position where it is in pressure contact with the other unit and a spaced position where it is spaced from the other unit.

[0121] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination.

[0122] Next, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the first embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 13 , the layer transfer device 1 according to the second embodiment includes a fan 100. The fan 100 is located within the main body housing 21. The fan 100 draws air from the outside into the main body housing 21 and expels the air from the inside of the main body housing 21 to the outside, thereby cooling the inside of the main body housing 21.

[0123] As shown in Figure 14, the film cartridge FC is detachably attached to the main body casing 21 by passing through the opening 21A in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply reel 31 (described later). In the following description, the axial direction of the supply reel 31 will be simply referred to as the "axial direction." The film cartridge FC includes the supply reel 31, the take-up reel 35, a first guide shaft 41, a second guide shaft 42 (an example of a peeling member), and a third guide shaft 43. The film F is wound around the supply reel 31 of the film cartridge FC.

[0124] 13 , the transfer unit 50 includes a pressure roller 51 as an example of a pressure rotor, a heating roller 60 as an example of a heating rotor, a frame 61, and an actuator 70 as an example of a switching mechanism. The actuator 70 is a mechanism that can switch the states of the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 between a pressure state in which the film F is sandwiched between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51, and a separation state in which the heating roller 60 is separated from the film F. The pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 can transport the film F and the sheet S by being driven to rotate in the pressure state. When the pressure roller 51 is rotated by the driving force of the motor M, the heating roller 60 is rotated accordingly.

[0125] When the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60 are separated from each other, the take-up reel 35 does not rotate even when the motor M rotates. When the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60 are in a pressurized state and rotate, the take-up reel 35 rotates, and the film F sent out from the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60 is taken up by the take-up reel 35.

[0126] The electrical contact CN is the part that comes into contact with the memory 31M when the film cartridge FC is attached to the main body housing 21. When the supply reel 31 is attached to the main body housing 21, the electrical contact CN comes into contact with the memory 31M, and the information in the memory 31M is sent to the control unit 300.

[0127] The control unit 300 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, input / output circuits, etc., and executes control by performing various arithmetic processing based on programs and data stored in the ROM, etc. The control unit 300 determines whether the first supply reel 31P or the second supply reel 31F is attached to the main body housing 21 by reading information from the memory 31M.

[0128] When the control unit 300 determines that the first supply reel 31P is attached, it can execute a viscoelastic layer transfer process suitable for transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the printing layer T of the sheet S. When the control unit 300 determines that the second supply reel 31F is attached, it can execute a foil transfer process suitable for transferring the foil transfer layer FF3 to the printing layer T of the sheet S. Note that the foil transfer process can be performed using a known method, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0129] The control unit 300 stops the fan 100 while the viscoelastic layer transfer process is being performed. The control unit 300 can perform a transport process, a switching process, and a peeling process in the viscoelastic layer transfer process.

[0130] In the conveying process, the control unit 300 controls the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C to convey the sheet S toward the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51, which are in a separated state.

[0131] Here, the motor M is connected to the supply roller 11A via a supply clutch 80. The motor M is also connected to the pressure roller 51, the upstream conveying roller 11C, the downstream conveying roller 12A, and the discharge roller 12B. Note that clutches may be provided between the motor M and each roller (51, 11C, 12A, 12B) as appropriate.

[0132] The control unit 300 rotates the pressure roller 51, the upstream conveying roller 11C, the downstream conveying roller 12A, and the discharge roller 12B by rotating the motor M. With the motor M rotating, the control unit 300 turns on the supply clutch 80, thereby rotating the supply roller 11A.

[0133] In the switching process, the control unit 300 controls the actuator 70 to switch the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 from a separated state to a pressure-applied state. When the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 enter the pressure-applied state through the switching process, the leading edge of the sheet S is positioned downstream of the nip portion NP (see FIG. 18 ) between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 in the conveying direction, and the trailing edge of the sheet S is positioned upstream of the nip portion NP in the conveying direction. In other words, the control unit 300 executes the switching process so that a portion of the sheet S slightly separated from the leading edge is sandwiched between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51.

[0134] Here, the nip portion NP refers to the portion that contacts the viscoelastic layer film PF of the pressure roller 51 or the heat roller 60 in a pressurized state. The size in the conveying direction of the leading edge portion of the sheet S that is not sandwiched between the heat roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 may be, for example, smaller or larger than the size in the conveying direction of the nip portion NP.

[0135] Furthermore, the control unit 300 continues to drive the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C until the sheet S reaches between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51. Specifically, the control unit 300 continues to rotate the motor M and keeps the supply clutch 80 on until a portion of the sheet S slightly separated from the leading edge reaches between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51.

[0136] In the peeling process, the control unit 300 keeps the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 in a pressurized state and rotates them until the trailing edge of the sheet S being conveyed by the downstream conveying roller 12A passes the second guide shaft 42, and switches the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 from the pressurized state to the separated state after the trailing edge of the sheet S has passed the second guide shaft 42. When the viscoelastic layer transfer process is performed on multiple sheets S consecutively, the control unit 300 performs the peeling process for each sheet S.

[0137] In this embodiment, a sheet sensor that detects the sheets S set on the sheet tray 3 is provided near the sheet tray 3. The control unit 300 executes the viscoelastic layer transfer process for each sheet S on the condition that the sheet sensor detects the sheet S and receives a layer transfer command. The layer transfer command is output to the control unit 300, for example, by a user operating an operation panel provided on the outer surface of the layer transfer device 1.

[0138] When the control unit 300 receives a layer transfer command with only one sheet S set on the sheet tray 3, it executes the viscoelastic layer transfer process on the single sheet S. When the control unit 300 receives a layer transfer command with multiple sheets S set on the sheet tray 3, it executes the viscoelastic layer transfer process on each of the multiple sheets S in succession.

[0139] Next, the operation of the control unit 300 will be described in detail. When the control unit 300 is not executing the viscoelastic layer transfer process, the heat roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are separated. The process of energizing the heater of the heat roller 60 can be performed as appropriate before the sheet S is sandwiched between the heat roller 60 and the pressure roller 51, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0140] 15, when the control unit 300 receives a layer transfer command (START), it starts (S1) supplying the sheet S from the sheet tray 3. More specifically, in step S1, the control unit 300 rotates the motor M and turns on the supply clutch 80, thereby rotating the supply roller 11A.

[0141] After step S1, the control unit 300 stops the conveyance of the sheet S at the timing when the leading edge of the sheet S passes through the area Anp (see FIG. 17A) corresponding to the nip portion NP (S2). More specifically, in step S2, the control unit 300 turns off the supply clutch 80 and stops the motor M, thereby stopping the conveyance of the sheet S (S2).

[0142] The timing at which the leading edge of the sheet S passes through the area Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP can be determined, for example, from the time elapsed since the supply roller 11A starts to rotate. Furthermore, if a sheet passing sensor that detects the passage of the sheet S is provided between the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C, the timing can be determined from the time elapsed since the sheet passing sensor detects the passage of the leading edge of the sheet S.

[0143] After step S2, the control unit 300 controls the actuator 70 to pressurize the transfer unit 50 (heat roller 60 and pressure roller 51) (S3). After step S3, the control unit 300 restarts the rotation of the motor M to rotate the pressure roller 51 and other rollers, and starts conveying the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF (S4).

[0144] After step S4, the control unit 300 determines whether the trailing edge of the sheet S has passed the second guide shaft 42, and if it determines that the trailing edge has passed, sets the transfer unit 50 to a separated state (S5). Note that the determination of whether the trailing edge of the sheet S has passed the second guide shaft 42 can be made based on the elapsed time from the start of rotation of the supply roller 11A, as described above, or the like.

[0145] After step S5, the control unit 300 determines (S6) based on information from the sheet sensor whether or not a sheet S remains on the sheet tray 3. If it is determined in step S6 that a sheet S remains (Yes), the control unit 300 returns to the process of step S1.

[0146] If it is determined in step S6 that no sheet S remains (No), the control unit 300 stops the motor M (S7) after the sheet S is discharged outside the housing 2, and ends this process. Whether the sheet S has been discharged outside the housing 2 can be determined based on the elapsed time from the start of rotation of the supply roller 11A, as described above, or the like.

[0147] The control unit 300 constantly executes the fan drive process shown in Fig. 16. In the fan drive process, the control unit 300 first determines whether a layer transfer command has been received (S21). If it is determined in step S21 that a layer transfer command has not been received (No), the control unit 300 determines whether the layer transfer process is currently in progress (S22).

[0148] If it is determined in step S22 that the layer transfer process is not in progress (No), the control unit 300 determines whether the temperature inside the housing 2 (hereinafter also referred to as the "in-machine temperature") is equal to or higher than a first threshold (S23). Here, the in-machine temperature may be detected by a temperature sensor located inside the housing 2.

[0149] If it is determined in step S23 that the internal temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold (Yes), the control unit 300 drives the fan 100 (S24) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S23 that the internal temperature is not equal to or higher than the first threshold (No), the control unit 300 determines whether the internal temperature is lower than the second threshold (S25).

[0150] Here, the second threshold value can be set to, for example, a value smaller than the first threshold value, or the second threshold value may be set to the same value as the first threshold value.

[0151] If it is determined in step S25 that the internal temperature is less than the second threshold (Yes), the control unit 300 stops the fan 100 (S26) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S25 that the internal temperature is not less than the second threshold (No), the control unit 300 ends this process.

[0152] If it is determined in step S21 that a layer transfer command has been received (Yes), the control unit 300 determines whether the layer transfer command is a command to transfer the viscoelastic layer PF3 (S27). In this embodiment, in step S27, the control unit 300 determines whether the first supply reel 31P around which the viscoelastic layer film PF is wound is attached to the housing 2, thereby determining whether the received layer transfer command is a command to transfer the viscoelastic layer PF3.

[0153] If it is determined in step S27 that the command is to transfer the viscoelastic layer PF3 (Yes), the control unit 300 stops the fan 100 (S28) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S27 that the command is not to transfer the viscoelastic layer PF3 (No), the control unit 300 drives the fan 100 (S29) and ends this process. That is, the control unit 300 stops the fan 100 when transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3, and drives the fan 100 when performing foil transfer.

[0154] Next, the effects of executing the viscoelastic layer transfer process will be described. As shown in Figure 17A, when the control unit 300 receives a layer transfer command to execute the viscoelastic layer transfer process, it rotates the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C to convey the sheet S toward between the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60, which are in a separated state. The control unit 300 continues to rotate the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C until a portion of the sheet S slightly separated from the leading edge reaches between the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60.

[0155] In a configuration including the supply reel 31 and the take-up reel 35, the sheet S traveling from the upstream conveyance roller 11C to between the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60 encounters resistance due to contact with the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the stationary viscoelastic layer film PF. If the supply clutch 80 is disengaged to stop the supply roller 11A, the supply roller 11A also acts as a resistance to the movement of the sheet S. Therefore, in this embodiment, the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C are continuously driven until the sheet S reaches between the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60, thereby preventing the supply roller 11A from acting as a resistance to the movement of the sheet S. This allows the sheet S to be conveyed by the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveyance roller 11C without being overwhelmed by the resistance of the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the viscoelastic layer film PF, even if the sheet S comes into contact with the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the viscoelastic layer film PF.

[0156] 17B, ​​when the leading edge of the sheet S passes through an area Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP, the control unit 300 stops the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C. Then, as shown in FIG. 18A, the control unit 300 switches the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 to a pressure applying state.

[0157] In this way, by pressing the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 while the leading edge of the sheet S is positioned downstream in the conveying direction from the area Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP, the leading edge of the sheet S is not pinched between the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60, thereby preventing the leading edge of the sheet S from adhering to the viscoelastic layer film PF.

[0158] 18B, the control unit 300 resumes driving the motor M to rotate the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60. As a result, the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF are transported by the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60.

[0159] When the sheet S conveyed by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 reaches the second guide shaft 42, it is peeled off from the viscoelastic layer film PF by the second guide shaft 42 and moves toward the downstream conveying roller 12A. When the sheet S reaches the downstream conveying roller 12A, the sheet S is conveyed by the downstream conveying roller 12A and the pressure roller 51.

[0160] 19A, the control unit 300 maintains the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 in a pressurized state and rotates them even after the trailing edge of the sheet S passes through the nip portion NP. As a result, the trailing edge of the sheet S is supported by the pressure roller 51 and the viscoelastic layer film PF transported by the heating roller 60 and is sent downstream in the transport direction. For example, if the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are separated from each other after the trailing edge of the sheet S passes through the nip portion NP, the viscoelastic layer film PF stops, preventing the downstream transport roller 12A from pulling the sheet S, which could result in transport problems. In contrast, in this embodiment, the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are maintained in a pressurized state and rotated even after the trailing edge of the sheet S passes through the nip portion NP. This allows the viscoelastic layer film PF, which moves from the nip portion NP toward the take-up reel 35, to apply a transport force to the sheet S, thereby preventing transport problems.

[0161] 19B, the control unit 300 separates the heating roller 60 from the pressure roller 51 immediately after the trailing edge of the sheet S passes the second guide shaft 42. As a result, a conveying force is applied to the sheet S from the moving viscoelastic layer film PF until just before the trailing edge of the sheet S passes the second guide shaft 42, thereby suppressing conveyance failures.

[0162] The pressure roller 51 may continue to rotate after the heating roller 60 is separated from the pressure roller 51. In addition, if a clutch is provided between the motor M and the pressure roller 51, the pressure roller 51 may be stopped before or after the heating roller 60 is separated from the pressure roller 51.

[0163] As described above, the present embodiment can provide the following advantages: When the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 are in a pressurized state, the leading edge of the sheet S is positioned downstream of the nip portion NP in the conveying direction, and the trailing edge of the sheet S is positioned upstream of the nip portion NP in the conveying direction. This prevents the leading edge of the sheet S from adhering to the viscoelastic layer film PF, allowing the viscoelastic layer film PF to be more reliably peeled off from the sheet S.

[0164] By keeping the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 in a pressurized state and rotating them until the rear end of the sheet S being transported by the downstream transport roller 12A passes the second guide shaft 42, the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51 can transport the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF until peeling of the portion near the rear end of the sheet S is completed, thereby more reliably peeling the viscoelastic layer film PF from the sheet S.

[0165] By configuring the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C to continue to be driven until the sheet S reaches between the heating roller 60 and the pressure roller 51, the supply roller 11A can be prevented from acting as a resistance to the movement of the sheet S. Therefore, even if the sheet S comes into contact with the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the viscoelastic layer film PF, the sheet S can be conveyed by the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C without being overcome by the resistance of the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the viscoelastic layer film PF.

[0166] By configuring the fan 100 to stop while the layer transfer process of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is being performed, it is possible to suppress transfer defects that occur when the temperature of the viscoelastic layer PF3 becomes too low.

[0167] Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that since this embodiment is a partial modification of the structure of the first embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0168] 20 , the layer transfer device 1A according to the third embodiment transports a sheet-like viscoelastic layer film PF and a sheet S in a stacked state, transfers a viscoelastic layer PF3 to the sheet S, peels the viscoelastic layer film PF from the sheet S, and discharges the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF from the housing 2. The layer transfer device 1A differs from the first embodiment in that a film cartridge FC is not provided, but the rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. The width and length of the viscoelastic layer film PF can be the same as those of the sheet S, for example.

[0169] Unlike the first embodiment, the layer transfer device 1A includes a peeling claw 410 as an example of a peeling member and a second downstream conveying roller 420. The peeling claw 410 is located downstream of the nip portion NP in the conveying direction. The peeling claw 410 is arranged with its sharp tip facing the nip portion. The tip of the peeling claw 410 is located near the nip portion NP.

[0170] The sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF, which are conveyed in an overlapping state, are peeled off and separated into two at the tip of the peeling claw 410. After being peeled off from the viscoelastic layer film PF, the sheet S passes over the peeling claw 410 and heads toward the downstream conveying roller 12A. After being peeled off from the sheet S, the viscoelastic layer film PF passes under the peeling claw 410 and heads toward the second downstream conveying roller 420.

[0171] The second downstream conveying roller 420 is a roller for discharging the viscoelastic layer film PF to the outside of the housing 2. The second downstream conveying roller 420 is located downstream of the peeling claw 410 in the conveying direction of the viscoelastic layer film PF (hereinafter also referred to as the "second conveying direction") A motor M is connected to the second downstream conveying roller 420.

[0172] The control unit 300 according to the third embodiment performs the same control as that of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 15. Specifically, in the control shown in Fig. 15, the "second guide shaft 42" in step S5 may be replaced with the "peeling claw 410."

[0173] In the layer transfer apparatus 1A of the third embodiment, foil transfer is not performed, and therefore, the control of the fan 100 can be performed by removing steps S27 and S29 from the process of Fig. 16. In other words, if it is determined in step S21 that a layer transfer command has been received (Yes), the control unit 300 stops the fan 100 (S28) and ends this process.

[0174] Next, the effects of performing a layer transfer process with the layer transfer device 1A will be described. When the control unit 300 receives a layer transfer command, it rotates the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C to convey the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF toward the space between the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60, which are spaced apart, as shown in Figure 21(a). The control unit 300 continues to rotate the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C until a portion of the sheet S slightly separated from the leading edge reaches the space between the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60.

[0175] 21B, when the leading edges of the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF pass through the area Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP, the control unit 300 stops the supply roller 11A and the upstream conveying roller 11C. Then, as shown in FIG. 22A, the control unit 300 switches the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60 to the pressure applying state.

[0176] In this way, by pressing the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60 while the leading edge of the sheet S is located downstream in the conveying direction from the area Anp corresponding to the nip portion NP, the leading edge of the sheet S is not pinched between the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60, and therefore it is possible to prevent the leading edge of the sheet S from adhering to the leading edge of the viscoelastic layer film PF. Then, by pressing the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60, the leading edge of the sheet S and the leading edge of the viscoelastic layer film PF that are not adhered together move in directions away from each other.

[0177] 22B, the control unit 300 resumes driving the motor M to rotate the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60. As a result, the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF are transported by the pressure roller 51 and the heat roller 60.

[0178] When the tip of the peeling claw 410 enters between the respective tips of the sheet S and the viscoelastic layer film PF being transported by the pressure roller 51 and the heating roller 60, the sheet S is peeled off from the viscoelastic layer film PF by the peeling claw 410 and directed toward the downstream transport roller 12A, and the viscoelastic layer film PF is peeled off from the sheet S by the peeling claw 410 and directed toward the second downstream transport roller 420.

[0179] When the sheet S reaches the downstream conveying roller 12A, the sheet S is conveyed by the downstream conveying roller 12A and the pressure roller 51. When the viscoelastic layer film PF reaches the second downstream conveying roller 420, the viscoelastic layer film PF is conveyed by the second downstream conveying roller 420 and the pressure roller 51.

[0180] 1 Layer transfer device 11C Upstream transport roller 21 Main body housing 21A Opening 31A Winding core 31P First supply reel 35 Winding reel 42 Second guide shaft 50 Transfer section 51 Pressure roller 60 Heating roller 70 Actuator 300 Control section NP Nip section F Film PF Viscoelastic layer film PF1 First base material layer PF2 First release layer PF3 Viscoelastic layer PS Transfer printing sheet PS1 Second base material layer PS2 Second release layer S Sheet T Printing layer

Claims

1. A layer transfer device comprising: a main housing; a first supply reel detachable from the main housing, the first supply reel having a core around which a film having a first base material layer, a first peeling layer formed on the first base material layer, and a viscoelastic layer formed on the first peeling layer is wound; a take-up reel that winds up the film supplied from the first supply reel; a motor that drives the take-up reel; and a transfer unit having a heating rotor, which overlays a sheet having a second base material layer and a printing layer printed on the second base material layer on the film supplied from the first supply reel, and heats the sheet with the heating rotor, thereby transferring the viscoelastic layer of the film to the printing layer of the sheet.

2. The layer transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the film is wound on the first supply reel so that the viscoelastic layer faces the core of the first supply reel.

3. The layer transfer device described in claim 1, characterized in that the sheet further has a second release layer between the second base material layer and the printing layer, and at a first temperature at which the first base material layer can be peeled from the viscoelastic layer, a first release force of the first release layer which is the force required to peel the first base material layer from the viscoelastic layer is smaller than a second release force of the second release layer which is the force required to peel the second base material layer from the printing layer.

4. The layer transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that a second supply reel on which a foil film containing foil is wound can be attached to the main body housing in place of the first supply reel, and the transfer unit is capable of overlaying a sheet on the foil film supplied from the second supply reel and transferring the foil to a printing layer formed on the sheet.

5. A layer transfer device as described in claim 4, further comprising a control unit which, when the first supply reel is attached to the main housing, controls the film to have the first temperature at a peeling position where the first base material layer is peeled from the viscoelastic layer, and when the second supply reel is attached to the main housing, controls the foil film to have a second temperature different from the first temperature at a peeling position where the base material layer is peeled from the foil film.

6. The layer transfer apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.

7. The layer transfer device described in claim 5, characterized in that the control unit controls the temperature of the heating rotor to control the temperature of the film at the peeling position to a first temperature and to control the temperature of the foil film at the peeling position to the second temperature.

8. A layer transfer device as described in claim 5, further comprising a fan that exhausts air within the main body housing to the outside of the main body housing, and the control unit controls the temperature of the film at the peeling position to a first temperature by driving or stopping the fan, and controls the temperature of the foil film at the peeling position to the second temperature.

9. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a frame covering the heating rotor, the frame having a frame opening formed at a position where heat generated from the heating rotor can reach the peeling position.

10. The layer transfer device described in claim 1, further comprising a torque limiter that limits the torque of the driving force supplied from the motor to the take-up reel, the torque limiter applying a torque to the take-up reel that is large enough to peel the first base layer from the viscoelastic layer.

11. The layer transfer device described in claim 1, further comprising a peeling shaft that guides the first base layer of the film that has passed through the transfer section in a direction different from the sheet transport direction, and the radius of curvature of the peeling shaft in the portion around which the film is wrapped is 1 to 3 mm.

12. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the wrap angle of the film around the peeling shaft is an obtuse angle.

13. The layer transfer device described in claim 5, characterized in that the first supply reel and the second supply reel each have a memory, and the control unit determines whether the first supply reel or the second supply reel is attached to the main body housing by reading information from the memory.

14. The layer transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the viscoelastic layer has a thickness of 20 to 50 μm.

15. A pressurizing rotor that transfers the viscoelastic layer of the film to the printing layer of the sheet by sandwiching the film and the sheet between the pressurizing rotor and the heating rotor and transporting the film and the sheet therebetween; a switching mechanism that is capable of switching the states of the heating rotor and the pressurizing rotor between a pressurized state in which the film is sandwiched between the heating rotor and the pressurizing rotor and a separated state in which at least one of the heating rotor and the pressurizing rotor is separated from the film; a peeling member that peels the film transported from the heating rotor and the pressurizing rotor from the sheet; upstream transport rollers that supply the sheet toward the heating rotor and the pressurizing rotor; and a control unit, wherein the control unit is capable of executing a transport process that controls the upstream transport rollers to transport the sheet toward the heating rotor and the pressurizing rotor in the separated state; and a switching process that controls the switching mechanism to switch the heating rotor and the pressurizing rotor from the separated state to the pressurized state, The layer transfer device described in claim 1, characterized in that at the point in time when the heating rotor and the pressure rotor are in the pressurized state by the switching process, the leading edge of the sheet is located downstream of the nip portion between the heating rotor and the pressure rotor in the conveying direction of the sheet, and the trailing edge of the sheet is located upstream of the nip portion in the conveying direction.

16. The layer transfer device described in claim 15, further comprising a downstream transport roller located downstream of the peeling member in the transport direction and transporting the sheet, wherein the control unit performs a peeling process in which the heating rotor and the pressure rotor are placed in the pressurized state and rotated until the rear end of the sheet being transported by the downstream transport roller passes the peeling member, and after the rear end of the sheet has passed the peeling member, the control unit switches the heating rotor and the pressure rotor from the pressurized state to a separated state.

17. The layer transfer device according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising: a supply reel on which the film is wound; and a take-up reel that takes up the film supplied from the supply reel.

18. The layer transfer device of claim 17, further comprising a supply roller for transporting the sheet toward the upstream transport roller, wherein the control unit is capable of executing a transport process for transporting the sheet toward the heating rotor and the pressure rotor in the separated state by driving the supply roller and the upstream transport roller, and a switching process for switching the heating rotor and the pressure rotor from the separated state to the pressurized state, and continuing to drive the supply roller and the upstream transport roller until the sheet reaches between the heating rotor and the pressure rotor.

19. The layer transfer device of claim 15, further comprising a fan for cooling the inside of the main body housing, wherein the control unit stops the fan while performing a layer transfer process for transferring the viscoelastic layer of the film to the printing layer of the sheet.

20. The layer transfer device according to claim 15, characterized in that the sheet has: a first base layer; a first release layer formed on the first base layer; and the printing layer formed on the first release layer.

21. The layer transfer apparatus of claim 15, wherein the film has: a second base layer; a second release layer formed on the second base layer; and the viscoelastic layer formed on the second release layer.

22. The layer transfer device described in claim 16, characterized in that when a layer transfer process for transferring the viscoelastic layer of the film to the printing layer of the sheet is performed continuously on multiple sheets, the control unit performs the peeling process for each sheet.

Images