Transfer unit, image forming device, layer transfer device, and device unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to driving two devices merely by connecting a single power cord to a commercial power source. A transfer unit 1 comprises a connection member 300 that connects an image forming device 100 and a layer transfer device 200. The connection member 300 can be attached to and detached from the image forming device 100 and the layer transfer device 200. The image forming device 100 comprises: a first input connector C1 that receives power supplied from a commercial power supply CP; and a first output connector CO1. The first output connector CO1 is electrically connected to the first input connector C1 and outputs a voltage equivalent to that of the commercial power supply CP. The layer transfer device 200 comprises a second input connector C2 that receives power supplied from the outside. The connection member 300 comprises: a third input connector C3 connected to the first output connector CO1; a third output connector CO3 connected to the second input connector C2; and relay wiring W2 connected to the third input connector C3 and the third output connector CO3.

Description

Transfer Unit, Image Forming Apparatus, Layer Transfer Apparatus, and Apparatus Unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transfer unit, an image forming apparatus, a layer transfer apparatus, and an apparatus unit.

[0002] Conventionally, a layer transfer apparatus is known in which a second sheet having a viscoelastic layer is superimposed on a first sheet on which a printing layer has been formed by an image forming apparatus, and the second sheet is conveyed, heated, and pressurized so that the viscoelastic layer is thermally transferred to the printing layer (see Patent Document 1). A sheet on which a viscoelastic layer has been transferred to a printing layer (hereinafter also referred to as a "transfer printed sheet") can print the printing layer on a fabric such as a T-shirt, for example.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-059086

[0004] By the way, when creating a transfer printed sheet, it takes the user's effort to form a printing layer on a sheet with an image forming apparatus and then move the sheet on which the printing layer has been formed to a layer transfer apparatus. In contrast, it is conceivable to place the layer transfer apparatus near the image forming apparatus and use each apparatus simultaneously so that the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is directly fed into the layer transfer apparatus.

[0005] However, in this case, since it is necessary to insert both the power cord of the image forming apparatus and the power cord of the layer transfer apparatus into a commercial power supply, there is a risk of causing inconvenience to the user.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to drive two apparatuses by simply connecting one power cord to a commercial power supply.

[0007] The transfer unit of this disclosure comprises an image forming apparatus, a layer transfer apparatus, and a connecting member. The image forming apparatus forms a printed layer on a sheet. The layer transfer apparatus transfers a transfer layer onto the printed layer on the sheet. The connecting member connects the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus. The connecting member is detachable from the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus. One of the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus comprises a first input connector and a first output connector. The first input connector receives power from a commercial power source. The first output connector is electrically connected to the first input connector and outputs a voltage equivalent to that of the commercial power source. The other of the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus comprises a second input connector. The second input connector receives power from an external source. The connecting member comprises a third input connector, a third output connector, and a relay wiring. The third input connector is connected to the first output connector. The third output connector is connected to the second input connector. The relay wiring is connected to the third input connector and the third output connector.

[0008] By configuring the system so that power input from the commercial power supply to one device is supplied to the other device via a connecting member, power from the commercial power supply can be supplied to both devices by connecting the commercial power supply and the transfer unit with a single power cord. Therefore, both devices can be driven by simply connecting a single power cord to the commercial power supply.

[0009] Furthermore, the connecting member may hold the third input connector and the third output connector so as not to change the relative position of the third input connector and the third output connector.

[0010] By configuring the connecting member to hold the third input connector and the third output connector in such a way that the relative positions of the third input connector and the third output connector do not change, the connection of the third input connector to the first output connector and the connection of the third output connector to the second input connector can be performed almost simultaneously when attaching or detaching the connecting member to the two devices.

[0011] Furthermore, the connecting member may have a cover that conceals the relay wiring.

[0012] By configuring the connecting member to have a cover that encloses the intermediate wiring, the intermediate wiring can be protected by the cover.

[0013] Furthermore, the transfer unit may be provided in the power wiring connected to the commercial power supply and the first input connector, and may include a switch for supplying or cutting off power from the commercial power supply to the first input connector.

[0014] By configuring the transfer unit to include a switch for supplying or cutting off power from the commercial power supply to the first input connector, the supply and cutting off of commercial power to the two devices can be easily switched by operating the switch.

[0015] The connecting member may also include a switch, a fourth input connector electrically connected to the switch and receiving power from a commercial power source, and a fourth output connector electrically connected to the switch and connected to the first input connector.

[0016] By having the connecting member incorporate a switch, the number of parts in the transfer unit can be reduced compared to a configuration where, for example, the member on which the switch is provided and the connecting member are separate components.

[0017] The transfer unit may also include a first cover that prevents operation of the power switch of the image forming apparatus, and a second cover that prevents operation of the power switch of the layer transfer apparatus.

[0018] By configuring the transfer unit to include a first cover and a second cover, it is possible to prevent users from accidentally operating the power switch dedicated to the image forming apparatus or the layer transfer apparatus when using the transfer unit.

[0019] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus disclosed herein is an apparatus for forming a printed layer on a sheet. The image forming apparatus comprises a first input connector and a first output connector. The first input connector receives power from a commercial power supply. The first output connector is electrically connected to the first input connector and outputs a voltage equivalent to that of the commercial power supply.

[0020] By configuring the image forming apparatus to include a first output connector, the commercial power supplied from the commercial power supply to the first input connector can be output to another device connected to the first output connector. Therefore, two devices can be driven by simply connecting a single power cord to the commercial power supply.

[0021] Furthermore, the layer transfer apparatus of this disclosure is an apparatus for transferring a transfer layer onto a printed layer of a sheet. The layer transfer apparatus comprises a first input connector and a first output connector. The first input connector receives power from a commercial power supply. The first output connector is electrically connected to the first input connector and outputs a voltage equivalent to that of the commercial power supply.

[0022] By configuring the layer transfer apparatus to include a first output connector, the commercial power supplied from the commercial power supply to the first input connector can be output to another device connected to the first output connector. Therefore, two devices can be driven by simply connecting a single power cord to the commercial power supply.

[0023] Furthermore, the apparatus unit of this disclosure comprises a first apparatus, a second apparatus, and a connecting member. The connecting member connects the first apparatus and the second apparatus. The connecting member is detachable from the first apparatus and the second apparatus. The first apparatus comprises a first input connector and a first output connector. The first input connector receives power from a commercial power source. The first output connector is electrically connected to the first input connector and outputs a voltage equivalent to that of the commercial power source. The second apparatus comprises a second input connector. The second input connector receives power from an external source. The connecting member comprises a third input connector, a third output connector, and a relay wiring. The third input connector is connected to the first output connector. The third output connector is connected to the second input connector. The relay wiring is connected to the third input connector and the third output connector. The connecting member holds the third input connector and the third output connector so that their relative positions do not change.

[0024] By configuring the system to supply power from the commercial power supply to the first device to the second device via a connecting member, power from the commercial power supply can be supplied to both devices by connecting the commercial power supply and the device unit with a single power cord. This means that both devices can be driven by simply connecting a single power cord to the commercial power supply. Furthermore, by configuring the connecting member to hold the third input connector and the third output connector so that their relative positions do not change, both the third input connector and the third output connector can be attached and detached from the two devices almost simultaneously when attaching and detaching the connecting member.

[0025] Two devices can be powered by simply connecting a single power cord to the commercial power supply.

[0026] This figure shows a transfer unit according to the first embodiment. This figure shows an image forming apparatus. This figure shows a layer transfer apparatus. This is a cross-sectional view (a) showing a sheet and film on which a printed layer has been formed, a cross-sectional view (b) showing the state in which the film is pressed against the sheet, and a cross-sectional view (c) showing the state in which the base layer of the film is peeled off from the sheet. This is a cross-sectional view (a) showing the state in which the transfer printing sheet and the fabric are pressed against each other, and a cross-sectional view (b) showing the state after the transfer printing sheet has been peeled off the fabric on which the printed layer has been transferred. This is a figure (a) showing a transfer printing sheet on which a mirror image of the toner image has been formed, a figure (b) showing the state in which the transfer printing sheet is placed on the fabric and partially peeled off, and a figure (c) showing the state in which the toner image has been transferred. This is a figure showing the structure for connecting the transfer unit to a commercial power supply, and a figure showing the state in which the connecting members have been removed from the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus. This is a figure showing the state in which the connecting members have been attached to the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus. This figure shows a transfer unit according to the second embodiment. This figure shows a transfer unit according to the third embodiment.

[0027] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, directions will be described in the direction shown in Figure 1. The left side of Figure 1 will be referred to as "front," the right side of Figure 1 as "back," the far side of the page in Figure 1 as "left," and the near side of the page in Figure 1 as "right." The top and bottom of Figure 1 will be referred to as "top and bottom."

[0028] The transfer unit 1, shown in Figure 1 as an example of a device unit, is a device for creating the transfer printing sheet PS shown in Figure 6(a). The transfer printing sheet PS is a sheet for transferring a printed layer to an object via a viscoelastic layer. The object is, for example, a fabric CL such as a T-shirt as shown in Figure 6(b). The object may also be made of leather, ceramics, wood, resin, metal, etc. Furthermore, the object is not limited to a flat object but may also be a three-dimensional object.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5(a), the transfer printing sheet PS is a sheet in which a sheet S, a toner image T as an example of a printing layer, and a viscoelastic layer PF3 as an example of a transfer layer are laminated in this order. Sheet S has a second substrate layer PS1 and a second release layer PS2. The second release layer PS2 is located between the second substrate layer PS1 and the toner image T.

[0030] The second base layer PS1 is a sheet-like base material made of paper or polymer material, and supports the second release layer PS2. The second base layer PS1 is preferably transparent. In this embodiment, the second base layer PS1 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and has a thickness of 12 to 16 μm.

[0031] The second release layer PS2 is the layer on which the toner image T is formed. The second release layer PS2 supports the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 after the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred onto the toner image T formed on the second release layer PS2, and facilitates the peeling of the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 from the second base layer PS1 when transferring the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 to a fabric CL or the like. The second release layer PS2 contains a transparent material that is easily peeled from the second base layer PS1, such as a wax-based resin. In this embodiment, the thickness of the second release layer PS2 is 10 to 15 μm.

[0032] Returning to Figure 1, the transfer unit 1 comprises an image forming apparatus 100 as an example of a first apparatus, and a layer transfer apparatus 200 as an example of a second apparatus. The layer transfer apparatus 200 is located on top of the image forming apparatus 100. The layer transfer apparatus 200 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 100 comprises a first housing 102, a supply unit 103, an image forming unit 104, a transport unit 190, a flapper FL, and a first intermediate transport roller MR1. The first housing 102 houses the supply unit 103, the image forming unit 104, and the first intermediate transport roller MR1.

[0034] The first housing 102 has a first discharge port 102A, a third discharge port 102B, and a rear cover 410. In other words, the first housing 102 has a housing body 400 having the first discharge port 102A and the third discharge port 102B, and a rear cover 410 that is rotatably supported by the housing body 400.

[0035] The first discharge port 102A and the third discharge port 102B are openings for discharging sheets S in which the viscoelastic layer PF3 has not been transferred to the toner image T. The first discharge port 102A is located at the top of the housing body 400 and opens forward. The housing body 400 has a first discharge tray 401 on its top surface. Sheets S discharged from the first discharge port 102A are loaded onto the first discharge tray 401.

[0036] The third discharge port 102B is located on the rear wall of the housing body 400 and opens to the rear. The rear cover 410 is a cover that opens and closes the third discharge port 102B. The rear cover 410 is rotatable between a closed position shown by a solid line and an open position shown by a dashed line. The rear cover 410 has a guide 411 that guides the sheet S sent from the first heating roller 181 toward the first intermediate conveying roller MR1.

[0037] The supply unit 103 is located in the lower part of the first housing 102. The supply unit 103 comprises a supply tray 131 and a supply mechanism 134.

[0038] The supply tray 131 is a tray that holds the sheets S to be supplied to the image forming unit 104. The supply mechanism 134 is a mechanism that supplies the sheets S in the supply tray 131 to the image forming unit 104. The supply mechanism 134 includes a supply roller 135, a separation roller 136, a transport roller 137, and a registration roller 138.

[0039] The supply roller 135 is a roller that supplies the sheet S in the supply tray 131 to the image forming unit 104. Specifically, the supply roller 135 conveys the sheet S to the separation roller 136.

[0040] The sheet S sent out by the supply roller 135 is separated one by one by the separation roller 136 and conveyed to the conveyance roller 137. The conveyance roller 137 conveys the sheet S to the registration roller 138. The registration roller 138 contacts the conveyed sheet S in a stopped state to align the positions of the leading edges of the sheet S, and starts rotating to convey the sheet S toward the image forming unit 104.

[0041] The image forming unit 104 forms a toner image T on the sheet S. The image forming unit 104 includes an exposure device 105, a process unit 106, a belt unit 107, and a fixing device 108.

[0042] The exposure device 105 is disposed at the upper part within the first housing 102 and includes a light source and a polygon mirror (not shown). The exposure device 105 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 161 by scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum 161 at high speed with a light beam.

[0043] The process unit 106 is disposed between the exposure device 105 and the supply tray 131. The process unit 106 has a drum unit 120 and four toner cartridges 130.

[0044] The drum unit 120 includes four photosensitive drums 161 and four chargers (not shown). The four photosensitive drums 161 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Each of the four toner cartridges 130 contains toner of each color: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The toner cartridge 130 includes a developing roller 163 and a supply roller 164.

[0045] The developing roller 163 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 161. The supply roller 164 supplies toner to the developing roller 163.

[0046] The belt unit 107 is disposed between the process unit 106 and the supply tray 131. The belt unit 107 includes a driving roller 171, a driven roller 172, a conveyor belt 173, and four transfer rollers 174.

[0047] The conveyor belt 173 is an endless belt. The conveyor belt 173 is stretched between the driving roller 171 and the driven roller 172. Inside the conveyor belt 173, the transfer rollers 174 are arranged so as to sandwich the conveyor belt 173 between the corresponding photosensitive drums 161.

[0048] The charger charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 161. Thereafter, the exposure device 105 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 161 to form an electrostatic latent image based on the image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum 161. The developing roller 163 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 161. Thereby, a toner image T is formed on the photosensitive drum 161. Thereafter, when the sheet S is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 161 and the transfer roller 174 by the conveyor belt 173, the toner image T on the photosensitive drum 161 is transferred to the sheet S.

[0049] The fixing device 108 is a device that thermally fixes the toner image T to the sheet S. The fixing device 108 is disposed behind the process unit 106 and the belt unit 107. The fixing device 108 includes a first heating roller 181, a first pressing member 182, and a fixing conveyance roller 183. The first heating roller 181 has a first heater H1 inside. The first heater H1 heats the first heating roller 181. The first heating roller 181 heats the sheet S.

[0050] The first pressing member 182 has an endless pressing belt 182A and a rubber pad 182B that sandwiches the pressing belt 182A between the first heating roller 181. The pressing belt 182A rotates following the rotation of the first heating roller 181. The first pressing member 182 sandwiches the sheet S between the first heating roller 181. The fixing conveyance roller 183 conveys the sheet S conveyed from the first heating roller 181.

[0051] The transport unit 190 is configured to transport the sheet S discharged from the image forming unit 104 to the first discharge tray 401 or back to the image forming unit 104, and includes a first path R1, a transport roller 192, a discharge roller 193, a re-transport path 194, and a re-transport roller 195.

[0052] The first path R1 is the path from the first heating roller 181 to the first discharge port 102A. The first path R1 extends diagonally upward and backward from the first heating roller 181, and then curves diagonally upward and forward. The re-conveying path 194 extends downward from the conveying roller 192, curves forward and extends under the supply tray 131, and then curves upward and extends towards the conveying roller 137.

[0053] The transport roller 192 and the discharge roller 193 are configured to allow switching between a forward direction, which is the direction in which the sheet S is transported toward the first discharge tray 401, and a reverse direction, which is the direction in which the clamped sheet S is transported toward the re-transport path 194.

[0054] The re-transport roller 195 is a roller that re-transports the sheet S, which is transported from the image forming unit 104, back to the image forming unit 104 via the re-transport path 194. Multiple re-transport rollers 195 are provided in the re-transport path 194.

[0055] In the transport unit 190, when an image is formed on only one side (first side) of the sheet S, the sheet S discharged from the image forming unit 104 is discharged outside the first housing 102 by the forward-rotating transport roller 192 and discharge roller 193 and placed on the first discharge tray 401. On the other hand, when an image is formed on both sides of the sheet S, the transport roller 192 and discharge roller 193 rotate in opposite directions just before the rear end of the sheet S comes out from between the transport rollers 192, so that the sheet S, on which the toner image has been heat-fixed to one side, is guided to the re-transport path 194. After that, the sheet S, which has been flipped over, is transported along the re-transport path 194 by the re-transport roller 195 and guided back to the image forming unit 104 by the transport roller 137 and registration roller 138. The sheet S, on which an image has been formed on the other side (second side) by the image forming unit 104, is discharged from the image forming unit 104 and, by the forward-rotating transport roller 192 and discharge roller 193, is discharged outside the first housing 102 and placed on the first discharge tray 401.

[0056] The flapper FL is a component for switching the movement path of the sheet S between a first path R1 and a second path R2 that leads from the first heating roller 181 to the second discharge port 203 (see Figure 3), which will be described later. The flapper FL is rotatable between a first position shown by a dashed line and a second position shown by a solid line. When the flapper FL is in the first position, its movement path is the first path R1. When the flapper FL is in the second position, its movement path is the second path R2.

[0057] The first intermediate conveyor roller MR1 is a roller that conveys the sheet S, which has passed through the fixing device 108, toward the layer transfer device 200. The first intermediate conveyor roller MR1 is located downstream of the fixing conveyor roller 183 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The first intermediate conveyor roller MR1 is located in the second path R2.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the layer transfer apparatus 200 is a device that places a film PF consisting of multiple layers on the surface of a sheet S on which a toner image T is formed, and transfers the viscoelastic layer PF3 of the film PF onto the toner image T. The layer transfer apparatus 200 comprises a second housing 202, a second discharge tray 290, a second intermediate transport roller MR2, a sheet transport unit 210, a film supply unit 230, and a transfer unit 250.

[0059] The second housing 202 houses the second intermediate transport roller MR2, the sheet transport section 210, the film supply section 230, and the transfer section 250. The second housing 202 is located on top of the first housing 102. The second housing 202 has a second discharge port 203 from which the transfer printing sheet PS is discharged. The second discharge port 203 is located on the front of the second housing 202. The second discharge port 203 faces diagonally downwards and forwards.

[0060] The second discharge tray 290 is a tray on which the sheet S, i.e., the transfer printing sheet PS, that has passed through the transfer unit 250 is discharged. The second discharge tray 290 extends forward from the lower front of the second housing 202. The second discharge tray 290 is located below the second discharge port 203.

[0061] The first housing 102 and the second housing 202 constitute the housing 10 of the transfer unit 1. In this embodiment, the housing of the transfer unit 1 is composed of two housings, but it may also be composed of a single housing in which the first housing 102 and the second housing 202 are integrally formed.

[0062] The second intermediate transport roller MR2 is a roller that transports the sheet S, which is transported from the image forming apparatus 100, toward the transfer section 250.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the sheet conveying unit 210 includes an upstream conveying roller 211, a downstream conveying roller 212, and a discharge roller 213.

[0064] The upstream conveyor roller 211 is positioned upstream of the transfer section 250 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The downstream conveyor roller 212 is positioned downstream of the transfer section 250 in the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0065] The discharge roller 213 is positioned downstream of the downstream conveying roller 212 in the direction of conveying the sheet S. The discharge roller 213 discharges the sheet S from the second discharge port 203.

[0066] The film supply unit 230 is the part that supplies the film PF so as to overlap it with the sheet S conveyed from the upstream conveying roller 211. The film supply unit 230 is equipped with a film unit FU.

[0067] The film unit FU is detachable from the second housing 202. The film unit FU includes a film cartridge FC and a holder H.

[0068] The film cartridge FC is detachable from the holder H. The film cartridge FC comprises a film PF, a supply reel 231, and a take-up reel 235.

[0069] As shown in Figure 4(a), the film PF includes a viscoelastic layer PF3 and is a film for transferring the viscoelastic layer PF3. The film PF has a first base layer PF1, a first release layer PF2, and a viscoelastic layer PF3. The first release layer PF2 is formed on the first base layer PF1. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is formed on the first release layer PF2.

[0070] 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 12 to 16 μm.

[0071] The first release layer PF2 is a layer that facilitates the peeling of the viscoelastic layer PF3 from the first substrate layer PF1, and is positioned between the first substrate layer PF1 and the viscoelastic layer PF3. The first release layer PF2 contains a transparent material that is easily peeled from the first substrate layer PF1, such as a wax-based resin. In this embodiment, the thickness of the first release layer PF2 is 10 to 15 μm.

[0072] The viscoelastic layer PF3 is a layer transferred to the toner image T and contains a viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic material is a viscoelastic material made of polymer material. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is a material that readily adheres to the toner image T heated by the transfer unit 250 and also readily adheres to the transfer target, such as fabric. The viscoelastic layer PF3 contains, for example, a vinyl chloride resin or an acrylic resin, but any material suitable for adhesion to the transfer target should be selected. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is located on the surface of the film PF. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is thicker than the first release layer PF2. The thickness of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is 16 to 30 μm. Preferably, the thickness of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is 30 to 40 μm.

[0073] Furthermore, the half-discharge temperature of the viscoelastic layer PF3 is lower than the half-discharge temperature of the toner. The half-discharge temperature can be measured, for example, as follows: Using a flow tester (Shimadzu Corporation, CFT-500EX), a 1.3 g sample is heated at a heating rate of 6°C / min while a 20 kgf load is applied by a plunger and extruded from a nozzle with a diameter of 1.0 mm and a length of 10.0 mm, and a plot of the flow tester's plunger drop amount against temperature is obtained. The temperature at the inflection point in the plunger drop amount-temperature curve where the plunger drop amount changes from a stable region of zero to an increasing region is defined as the discharge start temperature, and the temperature when half of the sample has discharged is defined as the half-discharge temperature.

[0074] Returning to Figure 3, the supply reel 231 has the film PF wound around it. The take-up reel 235 takes up the film PF. The holder H includes a first guide shaft A1, a peeling shaft A2, and a second guide shaft A3.

[0075] The first guide shaft A1, the peeling shaft A2, and the second guide shaft A3 are roller-shaped shafts for changing the direction of travel of the film PF. The first guide shaft A1, the peeling shaft A2, and the second guide shaft A3 are made of SUS (stainless steel) or the like.

[0076] The first guide shaft A1 is located upstream of the transfer section 250 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The first guide shaft A1 changes the direction of travel of the film PF drawn from the supply reel 231 so that it is approximately parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0077] The peeling shaft A2 is located downstream of the transfer section 250 in the conveying direction of the sheet S. The peeling shaft A2 peels the film PF from the sheet S by changing the direction of travel of the film PF that has passed through the transfer section 250 to a direction different from the conveying direction of the sheet S.

[0078] The second guide shaft A3 is a component that defines the direction of travel of the film PF, which is changed by the peeling shaft A2. More specifically, the second guide shaft A3 defines the angle of the film PF when peeling it from the sheet S (hereinafter also referred to as the "peeling angle"). Here, the peeling angle is the angle between the portion of the film PF stretched between the first guide shaft A1 and the peeling shaft A2 and the portion stretched between the peeling shaft A2 and the second guide shaft A3. The second guide shaft A3 changes the direction of travel of the film PF guided by the peeling shaft A2 and guides it to the winding reel 235.

[0079] The transfer section 250 is the part that transfers the viscoelastic layer PF3 onto the toner image T formed on the sheet S by placing the sheet S on top of the film PF that is being transported from the supply reel 231 toward the take-up reel 235, and then heating and pressurizing the sheet S and the film PF while they are sandwiched together.

[0080] The transfer unit 250 is located inside the second housing 202. The transfer unit 250 nips the film PF and the sheet S and transfers at least one layer of the film PF onto the toner image T on the sheet S. The transfer unit 250 includes a pressure roller 251, a second heating roller 260, and a moving mechanism 270.

[0081] The pressure roller 251 is a roller that sandwiches the film PF and the sheet S between itself and the second heating roller 260. The pressure roller 251 is positioned above the film PF and is able to contact the surface of the sheet S opposite to the surface on which the toner image T is formed. The pressure roller 251 conveys the film PF and the sheet S between itself and the second heating roller 260 while being pressed against it.

[0082] The second heating roller 260 is a roller that heats the film PF and the sheet S. The second heating roller 260 has a second heater H2 inside. The second heater H2 heats the second heating roller 260. The second heating roller 260 is positioned below the film PF and is in contact with the film PF. The second heating roller 260 transfers the viscoelastic layer PF3 onto the toner image T by transporting the sheet S on which the toner image T has been formed by the first heating roller 181 and the film PF having the viscoelastic layer PF3 in a stacked state.

[0083] The second heating roller 260 is movable by the moving mechanism 270 between a contact position in which it is in contact with the pressure roller 251 and a separated position where it is separated from the pressure roller 251.

[0084] The pressure roller 251 and the second heating roller 260 can convey the film PF and the sheet S by being driven while in a press-fit position. Specifically, the pressure roller 251 is rotationally driven when the second heating roller 260 is in a press-fit position, causing the second heating roller 260 to rotate in a driven motion. As a result, the pressure roller 251 and the second heating roller 260 convey the film PF and the sheet S that are sandwiched between the pressure roller 251 and the second heating roller 260.

[0085] In the layer transfer apparatus 200 configured in this way, the sheet S transported from the image forming apparatus 100 is transported toward the transfer section 250. The sheet S is placed on top of the film PF supplied from the supply reel 231 upstream of the sheet transport direction in the transfer section 250, and the sheet S is transported toward the transfer section 250 with the toner image T on the sheet S and the film PF in contact.

[0086] In the transfer section 250, as the sheet S and film PF pass through the nip between the pressure roller 251 and the second heating roller 260, they are heated and pressurized by the second heating roller 260 and the pressure roller 251, and the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred onto the toner image T formed on the sheet S. In the following description, the transfer of the viscoelastic layer PF3 to the sheet S will also be simply referred to as "layer transfer." After the layer transfer is performed, the sheet S is discharged to the outside of the second housing 202.

[0087] More specifically, when the sheet S is sent to the transfer unit 250, as shown in Figure 4(b), the sheet S and the film PF are heat-pressed together in the transfer unit 250 while overlapping. When the sheet S and the film PF are heat-pressed together while overlapping, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is pressed onto the areas where the toner image T is formed. The viscoelastic layer PF3 is not pressed onto the areas where the toner image T is not formed.

[0088] Then, after the overlapping sheet S and film PF pass through the transfer section 250, the film PF is guided by the peeling axis A2 in the direction away from sheet S, and as shown in Figure 4(c), the film PF is peeled off from sheet S. When the film PF is peeled off from sheet S, the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 remain on sheet S, and the viscoelastic layer PF3 corresponding to the areas where the toner image T has not been formed remains on film PF. In this way, the viscoelastic layer PF3 is transferred to the toner image T on sheet S, and a transfer print sheet PS is created.

[0089] As shown in Figure 5(a), when the transfer printing sheet PS is placed on the fabric CL and heated and pressed with a dedicated press machine (not shown), the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 are pressed onto the fabric CL. Once the toner image 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. After the second base layer PS1 of the transfer printing sheet PS is peeled off, as shown in Figure 5(b), only the toner image T and the viscoelastic layer PF3 remain on the fabric CL.

[0090] An example of a transfer printing sheet PS is shown in Figure 6(a). A mirror image of the toner image T, which is covered with a viscoelastic layer PF3, is formed on the surface of the transfer printing sheet PS. The mirror image of the toner image T is a mirror image of the image to be transferred to the fabric CL. In this embodiment, an example of transferring the image of the letters "ABC" to the fabric CL is shown. In this case, a mirror image of "ABC" that is reversed left to right is formed on the sheet S.

[0091] As shown in Figure 6(b), the user presses the transfer printing sheet PS onto the fabric CL and heats and presses it with a dedicated press machine (not shown). As a result, as shown in Figure 6(c), the toner image T is bonded to the fabric CL via the viscoelastic layer PF3.

[0092] As shown in Figure 7, the transfer unit 1 further includes a connecting member 300 that connects the image forming apparatus 100 and the layer transfer apparatus 200, and a power cord 500. The connecting member 300 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 and the layer transfer apparatus 200.

[0093] The image forming apparatus 100 further comprises a first input connector C1, a first output connector CO1, a first control board B11, a first low-voltage board B12, a first power switch SW1, and a first cover CV1. The first input connector C1 is a connector that receives power from a commercial power supply CP. In the following description, the power from the commercial power supply CP will also be referred to as "commercial power."

[0094] The first output connector CO1 is electrically connected to the first input connector C1 by wiring W1. The first output connector CO1 outputs a voltage equivalent to the commercial power supply CP, i.e., commercial power.

[0095] The first input connector C1 and the first output connector CO1 are located on the rear surface of the transfer unit 1 and face backward. Preferably, the first input connector C1 and the first output connector CO1 are located on a predetermined surface on the outer surface of the transfer unit 1, i.e., on the same surface, but they may be located on different surfaces.

[0096] The first output connector CO1 is located closer to the layer transfer apparatus 200 than the first input connector C1. In this embodiment, the first output connector CO1 is located above the first input connector C1.

[0097] The first control board B11 is a board that controls the image forming apparatus 100. The first control board B11 is electrically connected to the first input connector C1 via the first low-voltage board B12.

[0098] The first power switch SW1 is a switch for turning the power of the image forming apparatus 100 ON and OFF. The first power switch SW1 is electrically connected to the first control board B11. When the first power switch SW1 is ON, the first control board B11 starts the image forming apparatus 100. When the first power switch SW1 is OFF, the first control board B11 stops the image forming apparatus 100.

[0099] The first cover CV1 is a cover that prevents the first power switch SW1 from being operated. The first cover CV1 is movable, more specifically rotatable, between a closed position that covers the first power switch SW1 and an open position that exposes the first power switch SW1.

[0100] The layer transfer apparatus 200 further comprises a second input connector C2, a second control board B21, a second low-voltage board B22, a second power switch SW2, and a second cover CV2.

[0101] The second input connector C2 is a connector that receives power from outside the layer transfer apparatus 200. The second input connector C2 is located on the rear surface of the transfer unit 1 and faces backward. Preferably, the second input connector C2, the first input connector C1, and the first output connector CO1 are located on a predetermined surface on the outer surface of the transfer unit 1, i.e., on the same surface, but they may be located on different surfaces.

[0102] The second input connector C2 is located at the bottom of the rear surface of the layer transfer apparatus 200. In other words, the distance from the second input connector C2 to the image forming apparatus 100 is less than the distance from the second input connector C2 to the end of the layer transfer apparatus 200 that is furthest from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0103] The first input connector C1, the first output connector CO1, and the second input connector C2 are positioned so as not to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the transfer unit 1. However, at least one of the first input connector C1, the first output connector CO1, and the second input connector C2 may protrude rearward from the rear surface of the transfer unit 1.

[0104] The second control board B21 is a board that controls the layer transfer apparatus 200. The second control board B21 is electrically connected to the second input connector C2 via the second low-voltage board B22.

[0105] The second power switch SW2 is a switch for turning the power of the layer transfer apparatus 200 ON and OFF. The second power switch SW2 is electrically connected to the second control board B21. When the second power switch SW2 is ON, the second control board B21 starts the layer transfer apparatus 200. When the second power switch SW2 is OFF, the second control board B21 stops the layer transfer apparatus 200.

[0106] The second cover CV2 is a cover that prevents the operation of the second power switch SW2. The second cover CV2 is movable, more specifically rotatable, between a closed position that covers the second power switch SW2 and an open position that exposes the second power switch SW2.

[0107] The connecting member 300 includes a connecting housing 310, a third input connector C3, a third output connector CO3, a relay wiring W2, a fourth input connector C4, a fourth output connector CO4, a first power supply wiring W31, and a switch 320.

[0108] The connecting enclosure 310 is an enclosure that houses the relay wiring W2 and the first power wiring W31, and also secures each connector (C3, CO3, C4, CO4). The connecting enclosure 310 is made of, for example, resin. The connecting enclosure 310 functions as a cover that encloses the relay wiring W2 and the first power wiring W31. The connecting enclosure 310 holds each connector (C3, CO3, C4, CO4) so ​​that their relative positions do not change.

[0109] The third input connector C3 is connected to the first output connector CO1. The third output connector CO3 is connected to the second input connector C2. The relay wiring W2 is connected to the third input connector C3 and the third output connector CO3.

[0110] The fourth input connector C4 is a connector that receives power from the commercial power supply CP via the power cord 500. The fourth output connector CO4 is a connector that is connected to the first input connector C1. The first power wiring W31 is connected to the fourth input connector C4 and the fourth output connector CO4.

[0111] Switch 320 is a switch for supplying or interrupting power from the commercial power supply CP to the first input connector C1. Switch 320 is provided on the first power supply wiring W31. As a result, switch 320 is electrically connected to the fourth input connector C4 and the fourth output connector CO4.

[0112] The third input connector C3, the third output connector CO3, and the fourth output connector CO4 are located on the front of the connecting housing 310 and face forward. The fourth input connector C4 is located on the rear of the connecting housing 310 and faces rear. The switch 320 is located on the rear of the connecting housing 310. Note that the surface on which the fourth input connector C4 and the switch 320 are located is not limited to the rear of the connecting housing 310, but may be any surface.

[0113] The power cord 500 includes a fifth input connector C5, a fifth output connector CO5, and a second power wiring W32. The fifth input connector C5 is a connector that connects to the commercial power supply CP. The fifth output connector CO5 is a connector that connects to the fourth input connector C4.

[0114] The second power supply wiring W32 is connected to the fifth input connector C5 and the fifth output connector CO5. The first power supply wiring W31 and the second power supply wiring W32 constitute a power supply wiring W3 that is connected to the commercial power supply CP and the first input connector C1.

[0115] Next, we will explain how to connect the transfer unit 1 to the commercial power supply CP. First, attach the connecting member 300 to the transfer unit 1. This connects the third output connector CO3 to the second input connector C2, the third input connector C3 to the first output connector CO1, and the fourth output connector CO4 to the first input connector C1.

[0116] Next, connect the fifth output connector CO5 of the power cord 500 to the fourth input connector C4, and connect the fifth input connector C5 to the commercial power supply CP. Once all the connectors are connected in this manner, the transfer unit 1 is connected to the commercial power supply CP, as shown in Figure 8.

[0117] In the state shown in Figure 8, when the user turns on switch 320, commercial power from commercial power supply CP is input to the first input connector C1 via power supply wiring W3, and from the first input connector C1 to the first control board B11 via the first low-voltage board B12. The commercial power input to the first input connector C1 is also input to the second input connector C2 via wiring W1 and relay wiring W2, and from the second input connector C2 to the second control board B21 via the second low-voltage board B22.

[0118] When commercial power is input to the first control board B11 and the second control board B21, the first control board B11 and the second control board B21 become capable of executing the process of creating a transfer printing sheet PS based on commands from an operation panel (not shown) or external commands. When the user turns off switch 320, the first control board B11 and the second control board B21 are almost simultaneously de-energized.

[0119] As described above, the following effects can be obtained according to this embodiment. By configuring the system so that commercial power input from the commercial power supply CP to the image forming apparatus 100 is supplied to the layer transfer apparatus 200 via the connecting member 300, commercial power can be supplied to both devices by connecting the commercial power supply CP and the transfer unit 1 with a single power cord 500. Thus, both devices can be driven by simply connecting a single power cord 500 to the commercial power supply CP.

[0120] The connecting member 300 is configured to hold the third input connector C3 and the third output connector CO3 so that the relative positions of the third input connector C3 and the third output connector CO3 do not change. This allows the connection and disconnection of the third input connector C3 to the first output connector CO1 and the connection and disconnection of the third output connector CO3 to the second input connector C2 to be performed almost simultaneously when attaching and detaching the connecting member 300 to the two devices.

[0121] By configuring the connecting member 300 to have a connecting housing 310 that covers the relay wiring W2, the relay wiring W2 can be protected by the connecting housing 310.

[0122] The transfer unit 1 is configured to include a switch 320 for supplying or cutting off power from the commercial power supply CP to the first input connector C1. By operating the switch 320, the supply and cutting off of commercial power supply CP to the two devices can be easily switched.

[0123] By having the connecting member 300 equipped with a switch 320, the number of parts in the transfer unit 1 can be reduced compared to a configuration where, for example, the member on which the switch is provided and the connecting member are separate components.

[0124] By configuring the transfer unit 1 to include a first cover CV1 and a second cover CV2, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally operating the power switches (SW1, SW2) that are dedicated to the image forming apparatus or the layer transfer apparatus when using the transfer unit 1.

[0125] Furthermore, when the layer transfer device 200 is removed, the image forming apparatus 100 can be used as a device for forming a toner image T on a sheet S. In this case, the first input connector C1 and the commercial power supply CP may be directly connected with the power cord 500, or a connecting member 300 may be attached to the image forming apparatus 100, and the first input connector C1 may be connected to the commercial power supply CP via the connecting member 300 and the power cord 500. When the connecting member 300 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the third output connector CO3 is exposed to the outside, so a device other than the layer transfer device 200 can be connected to the third output connector CO3 and used.

[0126] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In this embodiment, the positions of the connectors are changed in the transfer unit 1 according to the first embodiment, so components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0127] As shown in Figure 9, in the transfer unit 1A according to the second embodiment, the layer transfer device 200 is equipped with a first input connector C1 and a first output connector CO1. As a result, commercial power from the commercial power supply CP is input to the layer transfer device 200 via the power supply wiring W3 and can be output from the first output connector CO1 of the layer transfer device 200.

[0128] The first output connector CO1 is located closer to the image forming apparatus 100 than the first input connector C1. The second control board B21 is electrically connected to the first input connector C1 via the second low-voltage board B22.

[0129] The image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a second input connector C2. As a result, the commercial power input to the layer transfer apparatus 200 is input to the image forming apparatus 100 via the relay wiring W2 from the first output connector CO1. The first control board B11 is electrically connected to the second input connector C2 via the first low-voltage board B12.

[0130] In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. By configuring the layer transfer apparatus 200 to include a first output connector CO1, the commercial power supplied from the commercial power supply CP to the first input connector C1 can be output to other devices such as the image forming apparatus 100 connected to the first output connector CO1. Therefore, two devices can be driven by simply connecting one power cord 500 to the commercial power supply CP.

[0131] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Since this embodiment is a modified version of the structure of the transfer unit 1 according to the first embodiment, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0132] As shown in Figure 10, the transfer unit 1B according to the third embodiment includes a connecting member 600 that differs from that of the first embodiment. The connecting member 600 includes a third input connector C3, a third output connector CO3, and relay wiring W2, similar to those of the first embodiment, as well as a connecting housing 610 that differs from that of the first embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the connecting member 600 does not include a fourth input connector C4, a fourth output connector CO4, a first power supply wiring W31, and a switch 320.

[0133] The connecting enclosure 610 functions as a cover that encloses the relay wiring W2. The connecting enclosure 610 holds the third input connector C3 and the third output connector CO3 in a predetermined positional relationship. The lower end of the connecting enclosure 610 is located above the first input connector C1.

[0134] The fifth output connector CO5 of the power cord 500 is connected to the first input connector C1. In other words, the first input connector C1 is connected to the commercial power supply CP only via the power cord 500.

[0135] In the third embodiment as well, since commercial power from the commercial power supply CP is supplied to both the image forming apparatus 100 and the layer transfer apparatus 200, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0136] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be used in various forms as illustrated below. The two devices connected by the connecting member are not limited to an image forming apparatus and a layer transfer apparatus, but can be any type of apparatus.

[0137] The image forming apparatus is not limited to a printer; it may also be a copier or a multifunction printer, for example. The layer transfer apparatus may be a device that transfers foil, which serves as the transfer layer, onto the printing layer of a sheet.

[0138] The connecting member may be a flexible cord.

[0139] The elements described in the above embodiments and modifications may be implemented in any combination.

[0140] 1 Transfer unit 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Layer transfer apparatus 300 Connecting member C1 First input connector C2 Second input connector C3 Third input connector CO1 First output connector CO3 Third output connector CP Commercial power supply S Sheet W2 Relay wiring

Claims

1. A transfer unit comprising: an image forming apparatus for forming a printed layer on a sheet; a layer transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer layer onto the printed layer on the sheet; and a connecting member for connecting the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus, wherein the connecting member is detachable from the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus, wherein one of the apparatuses, the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus, is provided with a first input connector for receiving power from a commercial power source and a first output connector electrically connected to the first input connector and outputting a voltage equivalent to that of the commercial power source; the other apparatus, the image forming apparatus and the layer transfer apparatus, is provided with a second input connector for receiving power from an external source; and the connecting member is provided with a third input connector connected to the first output connector, a third output connector connected to the second input connector, and relay wiring connected to the third input connector and the third output connector.

2. The transfer unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting member holds the third input connector and the third output connector so as to not change the relative position of the third input connector and the third output connector.

3. The transfer unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting member has a cover that covers the relay wiring.

4. The transfer unit according to claim 2, further comprising a switch provided in the power wiring connected to the commercial power supply and the first input connector for supplying or cutting off power from the commercial power supply to the first input connector.

5. The transfer unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting member comprises the switch, a fourth input connector electrically connected to the switch and receiving power from the commercial power supply, and a fourth output connector electrically connected to the switch and connected to the first input connector.

6. The transfer unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a first cover that covers the power switch of the image forming apparatus so that it cannot be operated; and a second cover that covers the power switch of the layer transfer apparatus so that it cannot be operated.

7. An image forming apparatus for forming a printed layer on a sheet, comprising: a first input connector that receives power from a commercial power source; and a first output connector that is electrically connected to the first input connector and outputs a voltage equivalent to that of the commercial power source.

8. A layer transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer layer onto a printed layer of a sheet, comprising: a first input connector that receives power from a commercial power source; and a first output connector that is electrically connected to the first input connector and outputs a voltage equivalent to that of the commercial power source.

9. A device unit comprising a first device, a second device, and a connecting member for connecting the first device and the second device, the connecting member being detachable from the first device and the second device, wherein the first device comprises a first input connector for receiving power from a commercial power source, and a first output connector electrically connected to the first input connector and outputting a voltage equivalent to that of the commercial power source, the second device comprises a second input connector for receiving power from an external source, and the connecting member comprises a third input connector connected to the first output connector, a third output connector connected to the second input connector, and relay wiring connected to the third input connector and the third output connector, the device unit being characterized by holding the third input connector and the third output connector so as not to change the relative position of the third input connector and the third output connector.

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