JP2000095430A - Wet type image transcription device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve transcription efficiency of a transfer sheet decorating various products by holding wet type transfer sheets one by one by vacuum suction to carry them, sucking the corner parts of a base paper to separate it after the base paper of the sheet is saturated with water, and after removing the separate layer transcribing the sheet on a body to be transcribed. SOLUTION: When a wet type transfer sheet constituted by forming in order a water soluble separate layer and an adhesive layer on a base paper and providing a transfer layer formed with an image on the adhesive layer is transcribed on the surface of a product, the transfer sheets are laminatedly held on a paper feed part 7, the uppermost transfer sheet is held one by one with the suction head 84 of a carrying part 8 by vacuum suction, and it is carried to a separating part 9. On this separating part 9, at first the base paper of the transfer sheet is saturated with water by a water suction part 91, next the corner parts of the base paper saturated with water are sucked by a suction means to separate it, and succeedingly the separate layer is removed by a separate layer removing roller 96. Thereafter, the transfer layer is transcribed on the proper place of the surface of a product.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wet image transfer apparatus for transferring a wet transfer sheet having an image for decorating the surface of various products onto a flat or curved surface of a product surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A wet transfer sheet is used, for example, for decorating a plastic model or the like or for fixing a front image printed on a picture plate. In order to transfer the wet transfer sheet to a transfer target such as various products, it is necessary to peel off the base paper holding the transfer layer on which the image of the wet transfer sheet is formed.
As a method of peeling the base paper of this wet transfer sheet, the transfer layer floating in water is immersed in water and the transfer layer floating in the water itself is watched when the water permeates the base paper and separates from the transfer layer. As shown in JP-A-9-309664, the abutment member is pressed against the end of the protection sheet such as base paper, and the abutment member is placed inside the protection sheet as shown in JP-A-9-309664. , The end of the protective sheet is partially peeled from the protected object, the peeled end is turned up and sandwiched by a chuck, and the chuck is moved to peel the protective sheet from the protected object. .

[0003]

As described above, when the wet transfer sheet is immersed in water and the transfer layer is removed by hand in anticipation of the base paper detaching from the transfer layer, the transfer layer may be scooped. However, it is not easy to transfer an image by bringing a transfer layer into contact with a predetermined position of an object to be transferred, so that it takes a lot of time from the removal of the protective sheet to the image transfer, as well as the skill of the transfer operation, Work efficiency was very poor.

In the method of moving the abutting member pressed against the end of the protection sheet to the inside of the protection sheet to partially peel off the end of the protection sheet from the protection target, the protection target itself has rigidity. If there is, the end of the protective sheet can be peeled off, but it has been difficult to apply the protective sheet to an image sheet that transfers an image by bringing it into contact with a surface that forms a flat surface or a curved surface of an object to be transferred.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the disadvantages and stably convey the wet transfer sheet, easily peel the base paper from the wet transfer sheet, and transfer the image accurately to a predetermined position on the transfer object. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wet image transfer device that can be used.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A wet image transfer apparatus according to the present invention transfers a wet transfer sheet having a transfer layer on which an image is formed, an adhesive layer, a water-soluble release layer and a base paper to a transfer object. An image transfer device, comprising a paper feed unit, a transport unit, a peeling unit, and a transfer unit, wherein the paper feed unit holds and stacks wet transfer sheets, and the transport unit is a wet transfer sheet held by the paper feed unit Means for vacuum-suctioning and holding the sheets one by one, and transferring the held wet transfer sheet from the peeling section to the transfer section having the transfer object, and transferring the wet transfer sheet transferred to the transfer section to the transfer object. The lifting unit has a lifting / lowering transport unit, and the peeling unit includes a water absorbing unit that infiltrates the base paper of the transported wet transfer sheet with water, a suction unit that absorbs and peels off a corner of the water-infiltrated base paper, and a release layer. Release layer removing means having release layer removing roller for removal Characterized by comprising a.

[0007] It is desirable that the adsorbing means of the transfer section has an adsorbent made of a sintered resin material. The outer peripheral portion of the adsorbent may be masked to a certain extent inside the outer peripheral portion of the wet transfer sheet.

[0008] It is desirable that a water-absorbing foam resin for infiltrating water into the base paper of the wet transfer sheet is provided in the water-absorbing section of the peeling section. Further, it is preferable that the suction means of the peeling section has a rotatable suction pad for sucking a corner of the base paper. Further, it is preferable that the rotation direction of the peeling layer removing roller in the peeling section is reversed near the end of the wet transfer sheet. It is preferable that the suction unit and the release layer removing unit of the peeling unit are provided on a moving body that moves in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport unit.

The transfer section sends pressurized air to the suction means when transferring the wet transfer sheet to the transfer object, and presses the base paper and the wet transfer sheet from which the release layer has been removed into pressure contact with the transfer object. It is desirable.

Further, when the corner of the base paper is sucked by the suction pad of the suction means of the peeling section and the entire surface of the base paper is peeled, the opposite side of the base paper sucked by the suction pad is pressed by the pressing plate. Alternatively, pressurized air may be blown between the base paper and the release layer.

[0011] Another wet image transfer apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
It has a paper feed unit, a transport unit, a peeling unit, and a transfer unit. The paper feed unit holds and stacks wet transfer sheets, and the transport unit vacuum suctions the wet transfer sheets held in the paper feed unit one by one. Suction means for holding and transferring the held wet transfer sheet from the peeling unit to a transfer unit having a transfer target, and a lifting and lowering transfer unit for transferring the wet transfer sheet transferred to the transfer unit to the transfer target,
The peeling section is to immerse the water into the base paper of the wet transfer sheet conveyed while circulating the water in a water tank having an opening / closing means for storing and flowing water on one side, and to remove the base paper and the release layer and to flow out. It is characterized by.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A wet image transfer apparatus according to the present invention transfers a wet transfer sheet having a transfer layer on which an image is formed, an adhesive layer, a water-soluble release layer, and a base paper to a transfer object. , A paper feed unit, a transport unit, a peeling unit, and a transfer unit provided on a gantry. The paper supply unit has a paper supply stocker that stacks and holds transfer sheets. The transport unit is mounted on a moving table that moves along two guide rails provided above the sheet feeding unit, the peeling unit, and the transfer unit, a lifting mechanism unit provided on the moving table, and a tip of the lifting mechanism unit. Having a suction head. The suction head is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve, and has a suction member made of a flexible sheet-shaped sintered resin material at the tip of the suction head. The peeling section is provided on the downstream side in the moving direction of the transport section from the sheet feeding section, and is provided with a water absorbing section provided immediately below the two guide rails and two traversing rails provided with the water absorbing section interposed therebetween. It has a moving base that moves along, a release layer removing roll composed of a liquid immersion roll mounted on the moving base, a pair of suction mechanism units, and a paper discharge stocker. The water absorbing section has a water tank and a water absorbing sponge provided in the water tank. The suction mechanism has a peeling arm having a suction pad for vacuum suction, and an arm rotating mechanism for rotating the peeling arm. The paper discharge stocker is provided downstream of the water absorbing section in the moving direction of the moving base 93. The transfer unit is provided downstream of the peeling unit in the moving direction of the transport unit, and has a fixing base and a wiping unit connected to the transport unit that transports the transfer target. The water wiping unit is provided between the peeling unit and the fixing base, and has a wiping roll that can move up and down freely.

When the image formed on the transfer layer of the transfer sheet is to be transferred to the transfer target, one suction sheet is held by the suction head while the suction head is lowered by the lifting mechanism of the transport unit while the suction head is lowered. I do. When it is confirmed that the transfer sheet is held by the suction head, the suction head is raised, the moving table is moved to the position of the water absorbing section of the peeling section, and the suction head holding the transfer sheet is lowered. When it is confirmed that the transfer sheet is in contact with the upper end, the suction head is stopped, the vacuum suction for sucking the transfer sheet is stopped and held for a predetermined time, and the water impregnated in the water-absorbing sponge is separated from the base paper by a water-soluble release layer. To dissolve the release layer. When the transfer sheet is brought into contact with the water-absorbing sponge for a certain period of time, the vacuum suction of the suction head is started, the transfer sheet is held by the suction head, and the suction head is moved to the release layer removing position determined according to the height of the release layer removing roll. Up to In this state, the moving base is advanced to the suction head side, and the peeling arm is turned by the arm turning mechanism of the suction mechanism,
The suction pad is brought into close contact with both ends of the base sheet of the transfer sheet, and vacuum suction is performed. Then, the peeling arm is rotated by the arm rotating mechanism, and the suction pad is moved downward by a predetermined angle while moving the suction pad downward, thereby peeling the end of the base sheet of the transfer sheet from the release layer. . In this state, the base paper is sequentially peeled from the release layer while the suction pad is moved in parallel while rotating the release layer removing roll while rotating the release layer removing roll, and the peeled base paper is discharged to the paper discharge stocker.
The rotating release layer removing roll contacts the release layer from which the base paper has been released, and removes the release layer from the adhesive layer. After removing the base paper and the release layer from the transfer sheet, raise the suction head to the rising end, move the movable table to the transfer section, lower the suction head, and remove the transfer layer of the transfer sheet held by the suction head. The adhesive layer is transferred onto the transfer object placed on the fixing base. When the adhesive layer contacts the object, the vacuum suction of the suction head is released, and air at a constant pressure is supplied to the suction head so that the transfer layer and the adhesive layer that are in contact with the surface of the object are transferred to the surface of the object. The transfer layer is transferred and fixed to the transfer-receiving member by pressing while imitating the shape. When the transfer of the transfer layer to the transfer object is completed, the suction head is raised while supplying air at a constant pressure to the suction head to blow out from the adsorber, and the adsorbent is separated from the transfer layer transferred to the transfer object. When the suction head rises to the rising end, raise the wiping roll of the water wiping unit, move the moving table to the paper feeding unit side, wipe off the moisture adhering to the suction body of the suction head, and wipe the wiper roll. Preparing for the next transfer sheet suction.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a structural view of a wet transfer sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a wet transfer sheet (hereinafter, referred to as a transfer sheet) 1 has a transfer layer 2 on which an image is formed, an adhesive layer 3, a water-soluble release layer 4, and a base paper 5.
The adhesive layer 3 adheres the transfer layer 2 to the transfer target. The release layer 4 is provided between the adhesive layer 3 and the base paper 5, and separates the base paper 5 by dissolving with water permeating from the base paper 5 when transferring the transfer layer 2 to a transfer target. The base paper 5 holds the transfer layer 2, the adhesive layer 3, and the release layer 4.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 2 and the side view of FIG. 3, a wet image transfer apparatus for transferring the transfer layer 2 of the transfer sheet 1 to a transfer-receiving member has a paper feed unit 7 provided on a gantry 6. And a transfer unit 8, a peeling unit 9, and a transfer unit 10. The paper feeding unit 7
As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, there are provided a paper feed stocker 71 for stacking and holding the transfer sheets 1 and a sheet lifting mechanism 72 for lifting and lowering the transfer sheets 1 held by the paper feed stocker 71. As shown in the side view of FIG.
Two guide rails 81 provided above the separation unit 9 and the transfer unit 10, a moving table 82 moving along the guide rail 81, and an elevating mechanism unit 83 provided on the moving table 82.
, A suction head 84 attached to the tip of a lifting mechanism 83, a transport motor 85 for moving the movable table 82 along the guide rail 81, and a transport mechanism 86. As shown in FIG. 4, the suction head 84 has a hollow housing 841 and an suction body 842 attached to a tip of the housing 841. The housing 841 is connected to a vacuum suction device and an air supply device via a switching valve. The adsorbent 842 is made of a flexible sheet-shaped sintered resin material, for example, Filterren F-100 manufactured by Kaken Co., Ltd., and has air holes with a porosity of 53% and a surface pore diameter of about 100 μm.

The peeling section 9 is provided downstream of the sheet feeding section 7 in the moving direction of the transport section 8, and is provided along a water absorbing section 91 provided immediately below two guide rails 81 and along the water absorbing section 91. Two traversing rails 92, a moving base 93 that moves along the traversing rail 92, a traversing motor 94 and a traversing mechanism 95 that moves the moving base 93, and a moving base 9.
3 has a release layer removing roll 96 mounted on the moving base 93, a pair of suction mechanism units 97 and a paper discharge stocker 98 also mounted on the moving base 93. The water absorbing section 91 has a water tank 911 and a water absorbing sponge 912 provided in the water tank 911 as shown in a side sectional view of FIG. The water absorbing sponge 912 is made of a water absorbing foamed resin such as a vinyl acetate sponge. The release layer removing roll 96 is composed of a liquid immersion roll partially immersed in a liquid tank.
The motor 61 is connected to a roll drive motor 962 via the motor 61 and is rotated by the roll drive motor 962. The suction mechanism 97 includes a peeling arm 9 having a suction pad 971 for performing vacuum suction.
72 and an arm turning mechanism 973 for turning the peeling arm 972. The paper discharge stocker 98 is provided downstream of the water absorbing section 91 in the moving direction of the moving base 93.
The transfer unit 10 is provided downstream of the peeling unit 9 in the moving direction of the transport unit 8 and has a fixing base 101 and a water wiping unit 102 connected to the transport unit that transports the transfer target. Water wiping part 1
Reference numeral 02 is provided between the peeling unit 9 and the fixing base 101, and includes a wiping roll 103 and a roll lifting / lowering mechanism unit 104 that raises and lowers the wiping roll 103.

The operation when the image formed on the transfer layer 2 of the transfer sheet 1 is transferred to the transfer target by the wet image transfer apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described.

First, in a state where the transfer layer 2 of the transfer sheet 1 is stacked on the paper feed stocker 71 of the paper feed unit 7, the transport motor 85 of the transport unit 8 is driven to move the moving table 82.
Is moved to the upper part of the paper feed stocker 71 and positioned. Next, vacuum suction is performed while the suction head 84 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 83. At the same time, the stacked transfer sheets 1 are lifted to a predetermined position by the sheet lifting / lowering mechanism 72 of the sheet feeding section 7, and one transfer sheet 1 is suction-held by the suction head 84 and held. When holding this transfer sheet 1,
Suction body 842 of suction head 84 holding transfer sheet 1
Is made of, for example, a sheet-like sintered resin material having air holes having a porosity of 53% and a surface pore diameter of about 100 μm. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a suction force necessary for conveying the transfer sheet 1. In addition, it is possible to prevent the transfer layer 2 of the transfer sheet 1 from being subjected to excessive stress due to the flexibility of the adsorbent 842, and to prevent an image formed on the transfer layer 2 from being damaged. Also, the suction head 84
In order to hold the transfer sheet 1 securely when the transfer sheet 1 is held by the suction member 8 as shown in the sectional view of FIG.
The suction area W1 of 42 is at a front end of the housing 841 and is within a certain range from the width W of the transfer sheet 1, for example, the overlap margin W0 between the front end of the housing 841 and the adsorbent 842 is 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm
The transfer sheet 1 is held at a predetermined suction force by preventing the transfer sheet 1 from leaking from the end thereof.

When it is confirmed that the transfer sheet 1 is held by the suction head 84, the lifting head 83 causes the suction head 84 to move.
Is raised, and the stacked transfer sheets 1 are lowered by the sheet lifting mechanism 72. When it is confirmed that the suction head 84 has risen to the rising end, the conveyance motor 85 of the conveyance section 8
To move the moving table 82 to the position of the water absorbing section 91 of the peeling section 9 to position the suction head 84 above the water absorbing sponge 912 to stop the moving table 82. When the moving table 82 stops at a predetermined position, the suction head 84 holding the transfer sheet 1 is lowered by the elevating mechanism unit 83, and the suction head 84 reaches a predetermined lower end according to the position of the water-absorbing sponge 912. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, when it is confirmed that the transfer sheet 1 held by the suction head 84 contacts the upper end of the water-absorbing sponge 912, the suction head 84 is stopped and the vacuum sucking the transfer sheet 1 is stopped. Stop suction. This transfer sheet 1 is attached to a water absorbing sponge 91
The state of contact with the upper end of 2 is maintained for a predetermined time, for example, 1 minute to 3 minutes.
Hold for about a minute. By bringing the transfer sheet 1 into contact with the upper end of the water-absorbing sponge 912 for a certain period of time, the water impregnated in the water-absorbing sponge 912 penetrates from the base paper 5 into the water-soluble release layer 4 to dissolve the release layer 4. Let it. When the transfer sheet 1 is vacuum-suctioned by the suction head 84 when the release layer 4 is dissolved by the water impregnated in the water-absorbing sponge 912, the water sucked by the vacuum suction burns the suction head 84. Adsorbent 84 formed of binder resin material
2, the transfer sheet 1
, The suction force when holding the transfer sheet 1 is reduced, and the suction sheet 84 cannot hold the transfer sheet 1. In order to prevent this, when the release layer 4 is dissolved with the water impregnated in the water-absorbing sponge 912, the vacuum suction for sucking the transfer sheet 1 is stopped. Further, since the suction area of the adsorbent 842 is smaller than the edge of the transfer sheet 1 by a certain range, the transfer sheet 1 is
When contacting the upper end of the water-absorbing sponge 912 while adsorbing, the water impregnated in the water-absorbing sponge 912 can be prevented from flowing around the transfer sheet 1 and entering the ventilation holes of the adsorbent 842. .

When the transfer sheet 1 is brought into contact with the water-absorbing sponge 912 for a certain period of time, vacuum suction of the suction head 84 is started, and when it is confirmed that the transfer sheet 1 is held by the suction head 84, the suction head 84 is moved by the lifting mechanism 83. The release layer removing roll 96 is raised to a release layer removing position determined in accordance with the height of the roll. In this state, the traversing motor 94 is driven to advance the moving base 93 toward the suction head 84 by the traversing mechanism 95, and the position of the suction pad 971 of the suction mechanism 97 is positioned at both side ends of the transfer sheet 1. The arm turning mechanism 973 of the suction mechanism 97 separates the peeling arm 97
8, the suction pad 971 is brought into close contact with the end of the base paper 4 of the transfer sheet 1 and vacuum-sucked, as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the peeling arm 972 is turned by the arm turning mechanism 973, and the suction pad 971 is moved downward while rotating the suction pad 971 by a certain angle inward of the transfer sheet 1 to transfer the image. The end of the base paper 4 of the sheet 1 is peeled from the release layer 3. When the base paper 4 is peeled off, the base paper 4 is rotated while being suctioned by the suction pad 971 so that the end of the base paper 4 is peeled off by the release layer 3.
From the substrate. In this state, the moving base 93 is advanced while rotating the release layer removing roll 96 and the suction pad 971 is moved in parallel to peel the base paper 4 from the release layer 3 sequentially. As shown in FIG. 8C, a release layer removing roll 96 rotating clockwise abuts on the release layer 3 from which the base paper 4 has been released, and the release layer 3 is removed from the adhesive layer 3. When the moving base 93 moves forward and peels the base paper 4 from the transfer sheet 1, the peeled base paper 4
Is discharged to the paper discharge stocker 98. Further, as shown in FIG. 8D, when the release layer removing roll 96 reaches the vicinity of the rear end of the transfer sheet 1, the rotation direction of the release layer removing roll 96 is reversed and the end of the transfer sheet 1 is attracted. The head 84 is prevented from being turned up from the adsorbent 842.

When it is confirmed that the moving base 93 has reached the forward end and the base paper 4 and the release layer 3 have been removed from the transfer sheet 1, the suction head 84 is raised to the rising end and the moving base 93 is retracted. When it is confirmed that the suction head 84 has risen to the rising end, the transport motor 85 of the transport unit 8 is driven to move the movable table 82 to the transfer unit 10 side. When it is confirmed that the suction head 84 has reached the upper portion of the fixing base 101, the movement of the moving table 82 is stopped, and the suction head 84 is lowered by the elevating mechanism unit 83, and the transfer sheet 1 held by the suction head 84 is moved. Fixing base 1 with transfer layer 2 and adhesive layer 3
01 and transferred onto the transfer object placed on
Is brought into contact with a predetermined position on the surface of the transfer object. When the adhesive layer 3 is brought into contact with the surface of the transfer object, the suction head 84
Is formed of a sintered resin material, it is possible to absorb an impact when the adhesive layer 3 is brought into contact with the surface of the transfer-receiving member, without affecting the image surface of the transfer layer 2. Can be contacted lightly. When the adhesive layer 3 comes into contact with the transfer object, the vacuum suction of the suction head 84 is released, and air at a constant pressure is supplied to the suction head 84 from an air supply device to contact the transfer layer 2 with the transfer object surface. The transfer layer 2 is transferred and fixed to the transfer object by pressing the adhesive layer 3 while imitating the surface shape of the transfer object. When the transfer of the transfer layer 2 to the transfer object is completed, the suction head 84 is raised by the lifting mechanism 83 while supplying air at a constant pressure to the suction head 84 and blowing it out of the adsorbent 842. When the suction head 84 is raised after the transfer is completed,
Since air at a constant pressure is blown out from the adsorbent 842,
The adsorbent 842 can be reliably separated from the transfer layer 2 transferred to the transfer object, and the transfer layer 2 transferred to the transfer object can be reliably separated.
Can be prevented from peeling off, and the image transferred to the transfer object can be prevented from being shifted or deformed, and a high-quality image can be formed on the transfer object.

When it is confirmed that the suction head 84 has risen to the rising end, the roll lifting mechanism 10 of the water wiping unit 102
4, the wiping roll 103 is raised. In this state, the transport motor 85 of the transport unit 8 is driven to move the movable table 82 to the paper feed unit 7 side. The movement of the moving table 82 causes the suction head 8 to move.
The suction member 842 of No. 4 comes into contact with the wiping roll 103, and wipes off the moisture adhering to the suction member 842 with the wiping roll 103 to prepare for the next suction of the transfer sheet 1. When the moving table 82 moves to the sheet feeding unit 7 which is the initial position, the process for the next transfer sheet 1 is started.

In the above embodiment, the transfer sheet 1 to the base paper 5
When peeling the base paper 5, both ends of the base paper 5 are
The moving base 93 is swung while vacuum suction is performed at 71.
Has been described, and the base paper 5 is peeled off. However, when the moving base 93 is moved, as shown in FIG. 9A, the moving base 93 is attached to the peeling arm 972 via the rotating mechanism 974. A pressing plate 975 larger than the suction area of the suction pad 971 presses the opposite side of the base paper 5 sucked by the suction pad 971, or an air nozzle 976 attached to the peeling arm 972 as shown in FIG.
By blowing compressed air between the base paper 5 and the release layer 4, the base paper 5 can be reliably released from the release layer 4 without being affected by the viscosity or surface tension of the release layer 4.

In the above embodiment, the water absorbing portion 91 of the peeling portion 9 is used.
A case has been described in which the base paper 5 and the release layer 4 of the transfer sheet 1 are removed by a pair of suction mechanism units 97 having a suction pad 971 and a release layer removal roll 96. However, as shown in FIG. Tank 90 having an opening / closing door 901
0, a paper discharge tank 902 having a paper filter, a release layer removing filter 903, a circulation pump 904, and a heater 9
05 may be provided to remove the base paper 5 and the release layer 4 of the transfer sheet 1 held by the suction head 84. In this case, the opening / closing door 901 is closed, water of a constant temperature is poured into the water tank 900 from the flowing water channel 906, and the base paper 5 of the transfer sheet 1 held by the suction head 84 is brought into contact with the water in the water tank 900. The base paper 5 is permeated with water for a certain period of time, so that the release layer 4 is dissolved by the permeated water, and the base paper 5 and the release layer 4 are spontaneously separated from the adhesive layer 3. When the base paper 5 and the release layer 4 have naturally separated from the adhesive layer 3 after a certain period of time, the opening / closing door 901 is opened to release the base paper 5 released with the water in the water tank 900 and the release layer dissolved in the water into the discharge tank 902. Drain. Thus, the configuration of the peeling section 9 can be simplified. In this case, water enters the air holes of the adsorbent 842 of the suction head 84, but an exhaust hole is provided in the vicinity of the suction head 84 using a vacuum generating mechanism of the ejector effect to discharge the water that has entered along with the exhaust. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the suction force of the suction head 84.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the wet transfer sheets are suctioned one by one, held and conveyed, and the base paper of the held wet transfer sheets is infiltrated with water to form a wet transfer sheet. Adsorbs the corners of the base paper infiltrated and removes the release layer, removes the release layer, sends it to the transfer unit and transfers it to the transfer target, so the process from holding the wet transfer sheet to transfer to the transfer target is automatically performed The transfer can be easily performed on the wet transfer sheet, and the transfer efficiency can be improved.

Further, since the wet transfer sheets are suctioned and held one by one and transported, the wet transfer sheets can be transported stably.

By infiltrating the base paper of the wet transfer sheet with water and adsorbing and peeling off the corners of the water-infiltrated base paper, the end of the base paper can be easily peeled off.

Further, since the release layer of the wet transfer sheet from which the base paper has been removed is removed by a release layer removing roll, the surface of the adhesive layer for bonding the transfer layer to the transfer object can be completely exposed. The transfer layer can be securely adhered to the body.

Further, by using an adsorbent made of a sintered resin material for the adsorbing means of the conveying section, it is possible to secure a suction force necessary for conveying when holding the wet transfer sheet. Further, it is possible to prevent an extra stress from being applied to the transfer layer of the wet transfer sheet due to the flexibility of the adsorbent, and to prevent the image formed on the transfer layer from being damaged.

Further, by masking the outer peripheral portion of the adsorbent to a predetermined range inside from the outer peripheral portion of the wet transfer sheet, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of suction leakage from the end portion of the wet transfer sheet, and to allow the wet transfer sheet to have a predetermined shape. In addition to being able to be held by suction force, it is possible to prevent water from sneaking around the wet transfer sheet and entering the vents of the adsorbent when water penetrates into the base paper of the wet transfer sheet. It is possible to prevent a decrease in suction force holding the transfer sheet.

Further, since the water infiltrated into the water-absorbent foam resin provided in the water-absorbing portion of the peeling portion is made to penetrate into the base paper of the wet transfer sheet, it is possible to surely prevent water from entering the vents of the adsorbent. .

In addition, since the corners of the base paper are rotated by suction at the corners of the base paper by the suction pad provided in the suction means of the peeling section, the moment of resistance to peeling due to the adhesiveness or surface tension of the peeling layer can be reduced. Thus, the end of the base paper can be reliably peeled off by vacuum suction using the suction pad.

Further, by reversing the rotation direction of the peeling layer removing roller in the peeling section near the end of the wet transfer sheet, it is possible to prevent the end of the wet transfer sheet from being turned up from the adsorbent of the suction head. Thus, the wet transfer sheet can be stably held by the suction head.

Further, by providing the suction means of the peeling section and the peeling layer removing means on the moving body which moves in the direction perpendicular to the carrying direction of the carrying section, the moving body is used to peel the base paper and remove the peeling layer. However, the operation can be performed in one step, the operation time can be reduced, and the configuration of the peeling section can be simplified.

Further, when the wet transfer sheet is transferred to the object to be transferred, pressurized air is sent to the suction means, and the wet transfer sheet from which the base paper and the release layer have been removed is brought into pressure contact with the object to be transferred. The transfer layer can be transferred to the transfer object by pressing the layer and the adhesive layer while imitating the surface shape of the transfer object. Also, by raising the suction means while sending pressurized air to the suction means and blowing it out of the suction body, the suction body can be surely separated from the transfer layer transferred to the transfer body, and transferred to the transfer body. A good-quality image can be formed on the transfer-receiving member by preventing the transferred image from being shifted or deformed.

When the corner of the base paper is peeled off by suction with the suction pad of the suction means of the peeling section, the opposite side of the base paper sucked by the suction pad is pressed by a pressing plate or pressurized air. By blowing between the base paper and the release layer.
The base paper can be reliably separated from the release layer without being affected by the viscosity or surface tension of the release layer.

Further, the base paper of the wet transfer sheet conveyed while circulating water in a water tank having an opening / closing means for storing and flowing water in the peeling section is made to infiltrate water, and the base paper and the peeling layer are removed and flown out. Thereby, the configuration of the peeling portion can be further simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a wet transfer sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a wet image transfer apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a configuration of a wet image transfer apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a sheet feeding unit and a transport unit.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a peeling section.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a suction head.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation when the base paper of the transfer sheet is impregnated with water.

FIG. 8 is a process chart showing peeling of a base paper and removal of a peeling layer.

FIG. 9 is another configuration diagram of the suction mechanism.

FIG. 10 is another configuration diagram of a peeling section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 wet transfer sheet (transfer sheet) 2 transfer layer 3 adhesive layer 4 release layer 5 base paper 6 gantry 7 paper feed unit 8 transport unit 9 release unit 10 transfer unit 71 paper feed stocker 72 sheet lifting / lowering mechanism unit 81 guide rail 82 movable table 83 Lifting mechanism part 84 Suction head 842 Suction body 91 Water absorption part 92 Traversing rail 93 Moving base 94 Traversing motor 96 Peeling layer removal roll 97 Suction mechanism part 98 Paper discharge stocker 911 Water tank 912 Water absorption sponge 962 Roll drive motor 971 Suction pad 972 Peeling arm 973 Arm turning mechanism 101 Fixing base 102 Water wiping part 103 Wiping roll 104 Roll elevating mechanism

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H113 AA03 AA05 BA22 BA25 BB07 BB09 CA00 CA25 3B005 EB07 GA24 3F108 JA02

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A wet image transfer apparatus for transferring a wet transfer sheet having a transfer layer on which an image is formed, an adhesive layer, a water-soluble release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target, comprising: a sheet feeding unit; A suction unit that has a peeling unit and a transfer unit, the paper supply unit stacks and holds wet transfer sheets, and the transport unit vacuum-holds and holds the wet transfer sheets held by the paper supply unit one by one, Conveying the held wet transfer sheet from the peeling unit to the transfer unit having the transfer object, the lifting transfer means for transferring the wet transfer sheet conveyed to the transfer unit to the transfer object,
The peeling unit includes a water absorbing unit that infiltrates the base paper of the conveyed wet transfer sheet with water, a suction unit that sucks and peels off the corners of the base paper that is soaked with water, and a peeling layer removing roller that removes the peeling layer. And an exfoliation layer removing means having the same. 2. The wet image transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction unit of the transport unit includes an adsorbent made of a sintered resin material. 3. The wet image transfer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the outer peripheral portion of the adsorbent is masked to a certain extent inside the outer peripheral portion of the wet transfer sheet. 4. The wet image transfer apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a water-absorbent foam resin for infiltrating water into the base paper of the wet transfer sheet is provided in the water-absorbing section of the peeling section. 5. The wet image transfer apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the suction means of the peeling section has a rotatable suction pad for sucking a corner of the base paper. 6. The rotating direction of the peeling layer removing roller of the peeling section is reversed near the end of the wet transfer sheet.
The wet image transfer device as described in the above. 7. The wet image transfer apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the suction unit and the peeling layer removing unit of the peeling unit are provided on a moving body that moves in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport unit. 8. The transfer section sends pressurized air to suction means when transferring the wet transfer sheet to the transfer receiving body, and brings the base paper and the wet transfer sheet from which the release layer has been removed into pressure contact with the transfer receiving body. The wet image transfer device according to claim 7. 9. A holding plate for pressing the opposite side of the base paper being sucked by the suction pad when the suction pad of the suction means of the peeling section sucks a corner of the base paper and peels the entire surface of the base paper. The wet image transfer device according to claim 5, further comprising: 10. A pressurized air is blown between the base paper and the release layer when the corners of the base paper are sucked by the suction pad of the suction means of the peeling section and the entire surface of the base paper is peeled off. The wet image transfer device as described in the above. 11. A wet image transfer apparatus for transferring a wet transfer sheet having a transfer layer on which an image is formed, an adhesive layer, a water-soluble release layer, and a base paper to a transfer target, comprising: a sheet feeding unit; A suction unit that has a peeling unit and a transfer unit, the paper supply unit stacks and holds wet transfer sheets, and the transport unit vacuum-holds and holds the wet transfer sheets held by the paper supply unit one by one, Conveying the held wet transfer sheet from the peeling unit to the transfer unit having the transfer object, the lifting transfer means for transferring the wet transfer sheet conveyed to the transfer unit to the transfer object,
The peeling section is to immerse the water into the base paper of the wet transfer sheet conveyed while circulating the water in a water tank having an opening / closing means for storing and flowing water on one side, and to remove the base paper and the release layer and to flow out. A wet image transfer device characterized by the above-mentioned.