Foil Transfer Apparatus Path Segmentation for Selective Image Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foil transferring technologies face challenges in accurately transferring a desired positive foil image to a specific toner image on a base material while avoiding unwanted toner images, leading to inefficiencies and manual intervention in the process.
Innovation Solution
A foil transferring apparatus with a configuration that includes a setting portion for a foil sheet, a reel portion, a driving portion, and thermal transfer portions positioned upstream and downstream to selectively transfer desired negative and positive foil images onto separate base materials, utilizing a control system to manage the conveying paths and prevent collisions, ensuring high accuracy and automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal transfer printing is performed using a fusion action of toner to transfer foil images, then the foil images can be transferred to toner images, but all toner images on the base material are transferred including unwanted toner images such as design images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the base material handling into separate conveying paths: a first conveying path for base materials with unwanted toner images (design images) and a second conveying path for base materials with desired toner images. The switching portion segments the flow of base materials, directing them to appropriate thermal transfer portions based on their intended use, thereby preventing unwanted toner images from receiving foil transfers while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching portion acts as an intermediary device that mediates between the single foil sheet source and multiple thermal transfer portions. It controls which base materials proceed to which thermal transfer portions by switching conveying paths, ensuring that only desired toner images receive foil transfers while unwanted toner images are diverted to different ejection paths.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual operation or separate apparatuses are used for adhering the foil sheet to plain paper sheets, then the foil image can be transferred, but the process requires manual intervention and cannot be performed automatically with high accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated apparatus: foil sheet storage, automated conveying, path switching, multiple thermal transfer portions, and ejection control all operate within one system. The control portion coordinates these functions automatically, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining process simplicity through unified management of what would otherwise require separate apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic path switching capability where the conveying paths can be switched based on real-time requirements. The switching portion dynamically redirects base materials between first and second conveying paths, and the control portion dynamically manages the coordination between thermal transfer portions, enabling automatic adaptation to different transfer requirements without manual intervention.
3Device complexity
If multiple base materials are conveyed through the same path for foil transfer, then the process is simplified, but collisions may occur between base materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conveying system into multiple distinct paths: a first conveying path leading to a first ejection path, and a second conveying path leading to a second ejection path. Base materials are divided and directed along different paths based on their intended foil transfer requirements, physically separating their trajectories to eliminate collision risks while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching portion serves as an intermediary that manages the flow distribution between conveying paths. It receives base materials and directs them to appropriate paths, while the control portion acts as a higher-level intermediary that coordinates the timing and routing decisions, ensuring that base materials on different paths do not collide at intersections or ejection points.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and automated transfer of desired foil images onto specific toner images, improving productivity and accuracy by separating the image transfer processes and using a control system to manage the conveying paths and prevent collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal transfer portion positioned at a downstream side of the foil sheet conveying path, for transferring a desired positive foil image, which has not been transferred to the second base material by the second thermal transfer portion, to the first base material
Implementation Method 2
when any tonner image(s) other than the above-mentioned desired toner image on which the foil image is to be transferred is forced on the base material, the toner images may be thermally fused to have a fusion function to adhere the foil images to be transferred
Data Source
AI summary
A second thermal transfer portion of upstream side transfers a foil image, to be not printed, from the foil sheet on a waste sheet, conveyed from an image forming apparatus, on which a desired negative toner image is transferred. The foil image, to be printed, remains on the transferred foil sheet. The waste sheet is ejected out of a foil transferring apparatus. A printing sheet of paper on which the desired positive toner image is transferred is conveyed from the image forming apparatus to a first thermal transfer portion of downstream side to meet time when the foil sheet on which the foil image, to be printed, remains reaches the first thermal transfer portion. The first thermal transfer portion transfers the foil image, to be printed, from the foil sheet on the conveyed printing sheet of paper on which the desired positive toner image is transferred.